co -abbr
- company
- county
Co -symbol
- cobalt
CO -abbr
- cash order
- Colorado
- commanding officer
- conscientious objector
- corrections officer
co- -prefix
- with : together : joint : jointly
- in or to the same degree
- one that is associated in an action with another : fellow : partner
- having a usu. lesser share in duty or responsibility : alternate : deputy
- of, relating to, or constituting the complement of an angle
co·ac·er·vate [kō-'a-sər-,vāt] -n, adj
- an aggregate of colloidal droplets held together by electrostatic attractive forces
coach ['kōch] -n
- a large usu. closed four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage having doors in the sides and an elevated seat in front for the driver
- a railroad passenger car intended primarily for day travel
- bus
- trailer
- a 2-door enclosed automobile
- a class of passenger air transportation at a lower fare than first class
- a private tutor
- one who instructs or trains
- one who instructs players in the fundamentals of a competitive sport and directs team strategy
- to go in a coach
- to instruct, direct, or prompt as a coach
- to train intensively (as by instruction and demonstration)
- to act as coach of
coach dog -n
- dalmatian
coach·man ['kōch-mən] -n
- a man who drives a coach or carriage
coach·work [-,wərk] -n
- an automobile body : bodywork
co·adapt·ed [,kō-ə-'dap-təd] -adj, n
- mutually adapted esp. by natural selection
co·ad·ju·tor [,kō-ə-'jü-tər, kō-'a-jə-tər] -n, adj
- one who works together with another : assistant
- a bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and often having the right of succession
co·ad·ju·trix [,kō-ə-'jü-triks, kō-'a-jə-(,)triks] -n
- a woman who is a coadjutor
co·ag·u·lant [kō-'a-gyə-lənt] -n
- something that produces coagulation
co·ag·u·lase [kō-'a-gyə-,lās, -,lāz] -n
- any of several enzymes that cause coagulation (as of blood)
co·ag·u·late [-lət, -,lāt] -adj
- being clotted or congealed
- to cause to become viscous or thickened into a coherent mass : curdle, clot
- to gather together or form into a mass or group
- to become coagulated
co·ag·u·lum [kō-'a-gyə-ləm] -n
- a coagulated mass or substance : clot
coal ['kōl] -n
- a piece of glowing carbon or charred wood : ember
- charcoal
- a black or brownish-black solid combustible substance formed by the partial decomposition of vegetable matter without free access of air and under the influence of moisture and often increased pressure and temperature that is widely used as a natural fuel
- pieces or a quantity of the fuel broken up for burning
- to burn to charcoal : char
- to supply with coal
- to take in coal
co·a·lesce [,kō-ə-'les] -vb, n, adj
- to grow together
- to unite into a whole : fuse
- separate townships have coalesced into a single, sprawling colony -- Donald Gould
- to unite for a common end : join forces
- people with different points of view coalesce into opposing factions -- I. L. Horowitz
- to arise from the combination of distinct elements
- an organized and a popular resistance immediately coalesced -- C. C. Menges
- to cause to unite
- sometimes a book coalesce s a public into a mass market -- Walter Meade
coal·field ['kōl-,fēld] -n
- a region rich in coal deposits
coal·fish [-,fish] -n
- any of several blackish or dark-backed fishes (as a pollack, cobia, or sablefish)
coal gas -n
- : gas made from coal: as
- the mixture of gases thrown off by burning coal
- gas made by carbonizing bituminous coal in retorts and used for heating and lighting
coal·hole ['kōl-,hōl] -n
- a compartment for storing coal
coal·i·fi·ca·tion [,kō-lə-fə-'kā-shən] -n, vt
- a process in which vegetable matter becomes converted into coal of increasingly higher rank with anthracite as the final product
co·a·li·tion [,kō-ə-'li-shən] -n
- the act of coalescing : union
- a body formed by the coalescing of orig. distinct elements : combination
- a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action
coal measures -n pl
- beds of coal with the associated rocks
coal oil -n
- petroleum or a refined oil prepared from it
- kerosene
coal seam -n
- a bed of coal usu. thick enough to be profitably mined
coal tar -n
- tar obtained by distillation of bituminous coal and used esp. as an industrial fuel, in making dyes, and in the topical treatment of skin disorders
coam·ing ['kō-miŋ] -n
- a raised frame (as around a hatchway in the deck of a ship) to keep out water
co·apt [kō-'apt] -vt, n
- to fit together and make fast
co·arc·ta·tion [(,)kō-,ärk-'tā-shən] -n
- a stricture or narrowing esp. of a canal or vessel (as the aorta)
coarse ['kȯrs] -adj, adv, n
- of ordinary or inferior quality or value : common
- composed of relatively large parts or particles
- loose or rough in texture
- adjusted or designed for heavy, fast, or less delicate work
- a coarse saw with large teeth
- not precise or detailed with respect to adjustment or discrimination
- crude or unrefined in taste, manners, or language
- harsh, raucous, or rough in tone
- of or relating to coarse fish
coarse fish -n
- rough fish
- a freshwater fish other than a salmonid
coarsegrained ['kȯrs-,grānd] -adj
- having a coarse grain
- crude
coars·en ['kȯr-sᵊn] -vb
- to make coarse
- to become coarse
coast ['kōst] -n, adj, adv or adj
- the land near a shore : seashore
- border, frontier
- a hill or slope suited to coasting
- a slide down a slope (as on a sled)
- the Pacific coast of the U.S.
- the immediate area of view used in the phrase the coast is clear
- to move along or past the side of : skirt
- to sail along the shore of
- to travel on land along a coast or along or past the side of something
- to sail along the shore
- to slide, run, or glide downhill by the force of gravity
- to move along without or as if without further application of propulsive power (as by momentum or gravity)
- to proceed easily without special application of effort or concern often used with on
- a company coast ing on its good reputation
coast·er ['kōs-tər] -n
- : one that coasts: as
- a person engaged in coastal traffic or commerce
- a ship sailing along a coast or engaged in trade between ports of the same country
- a resident of a seacoast
- a tray or decanter stand usu. of silver and sometimes on wheels
- a shallow container or a plate or mat to protect a surface
- a small vehicle (as a sled or wagon) used in coasting
- roller coaster
coaster brake -n
- a brake in the hub of the rear wheel of a bicycle operated by reverse pressure on the pedals
coaster wagon -n
- a child's toy wagon often used for coasting
coast guard -n
- a military or naval force employed in guarding a coast or responsible for the safety, order, and operation of maritime traffic in neighboring waters
- coastguardsman
coast·guards·man ['kōs(t)-,gärdz-mən] -n
- a member of a coast guard
coast·land [-,land] -n
- land bordering the sea
coast·line [-,līn] -n
- a line that forms the boundary between the land and the ocean or a lake
- the outline of a coast
coast redwood -n
- redwood
coasttocoast ['kōs-tə-'kōst] -adj, adv
- extending or airing across an entire nation or continent
- extending from one end of a playing surface (as a basketball court) to the other
- relating to or resulting from a coast-to-coast play
coast·ward ['kōst-wərd] -adv, adj
- toward the coast
coat ['kōt] -n, adj
- an outer garment worn on the upper body and varying in length and style according to fashion and use
- something resembling a coat
- the external growth on an animal
- a layer of one substance covering another
- to cover with a coat
- to cover or spread with a finishing, protecting, or enclosing layer
coat·dress ['kōt-,dres] -n
- a dress styled like a coat usu. with a front buttoning from neckline to hemline
coat hanger -n
- a device which is shaped like the outline of a person's shoulders and over which garments may be hung
co·a·ti [kə-'wä-tē, kō-'ä-, kwä-'tē] -n
- either of two tropical American mammals ( Nasua nasuaand N. narica) related to the raccoon but with a longer body and tail and a long flexible snout
co·a·ti·mun·di [kə-,wä-tē-'mən-dē, kō-,ä-, ,kwä-, -'mu̇n-] -n
- coati
coat·ing ['kō-tiŋ] -n
- cloth for coats
- coat, covering
coat of arms
- a tabard or surcoat embroidered with armorial bearings
- heraldic bearings (as of a person) usu. depicted on an escutcheon often with accompanying adjuncts (as a crest, motto, and supporters)
- a similar symbolic emblem
coat of mail
- a garment of metal scales or chain mail worn as armor
coat·rack ['kōt-,rak] -n
- a stand or rack fitted with pegs, hooks, or hangers and used for the temporary storage of garments
coat·room [-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n
- cloakroom, checkroom
coat·tail ['kōt-,tāl] -n
- the rear flap of a man's coat
- the skirts of a dress coat, cutaway, or frock coat
- the influence or pulling power of a popular movement or person (as a political candidate)
- congressmen riding into office on the president's coattail s
coax ['kōks] -vt
- fondle, pet
- to influence or gently urge by caressing or flattering : wheedle
- to draw, gain, or persuade by means of gentle urging or flattery
- unable to coax an answer out of him
- to manipulate with great perseverance and usu. with considerable effort toward a desired state or activity
co·ax ['kō-,aks] -n
- coaxial cable
co·ax·i·al [(,)kō-'ak-sē-əl] -adj, adv
- having coincident axes
- mounted on concentric shafts
coaxial cable -n
- a transmission line that consists of a tube of electrically conducting material surrounding a central conductor held in place by insulators and that is used to transmit telegraph, telephone, and television signals called also coax cable
cob ['käb] -n
- a male swan
- a rounded mass, lump, or heap
- a mixture of unburnt clay and straw used esp. for constructing walls of small houses in England
- a crudely struck old Spanish coin of irregular shape
- corncob
- a stocky short-legged riding horse
co·bal·a·min [kō-'ba-lə-mən] -n
- vitamin b 12
co·balt ['kō-,bȯlt] -n
- a tough lustrous silver-white magnetic metallic element that is related to and occurs with iron and nickel and is used esp. in alloys
- cobalt blue
cobalt blue -n
- a greenish-blue pigment consisting essentially of cobalt oxide and alumina
- a strong greenish blue
cobalt chloride -n
- a chloride of cobalt
- the dichloride CoCl 2that is blue when dehydrated, turns red in the presence of moisture, and is used to indicate humidity
co·bal·tic [kō-'bȯl-tik] -adj
- of, relating to, or containing cobalt esp. with a valence of three
co·balt·ite ['kō-,bȯl-,tīt, kō-'] -n
- a grayish to silver-white mineral consisting of a sulfur arsenide of cobalt also containing iron and sometimes nickel and used in making smalt
co·bal·tous [kō-'bȯl-təs] -adj
- of, relating to, or containing cobalt esp. with a valence of two
cobalt 60 -n
- a heavy radioactive isotope of cobalt of the mass number 60 produced in nuclear reactors and used as a source of gamma rays (as for radiotherapy)
cob·ber ['kȯ-bər] -n
- buddy
cob·ble ['kä-bəl] -vt
- to mend or patch coarsely
- repair, make
- to make or put together roughly or hastily often used with together or up
- cobble together an agreement
- cobble up a temporary solution
cobble -n
- cobblestone
- lump coal about the size of small cobblestones
cobbled -adj
- paved with cobblestones
cob·bler ['kä-blər] -n
- a mender or maker of shoes and often of other leather goods
- a clumsy workman
- a tall iced drink consisting usu. of wine, rum, or whiskey and sugar garnished with mint or a slice of lemon or orange
- a deep-dish fruit dessert with a thick top crust
cob·ble·stone ['kä-bəl-,stōn] -n, adj
- a naturally rounded stone larger than a pebble and smaller than a boulder
- such a stone used in paving a street or in construction
Cobb salad ['käb-] -n
- a tossed salad made typically with chopped chicken or turkey, tomatoes, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, blue cheese, and lettuce and dressed with a vinaigrette
cob·by ['kä-bē] -adj
- stocky
co·bel·lig·er·ent [,kō-bə-'lij-rənt, -'li-jə-] -n, adj
- a country fighting with another power against a common enemy
co·bia ['kō-bē-ə] -n
- a large bony fish ( Rachycentron canadumof the family Rachycentridae) of warm seas that is a food and sport fish
co·ble ['kō-bəl] -n
- a flat-bottomed boat propelled chiefly by oars and used in Scotland and northern England esp. for fishing
cob·nut ['käb-,nət] -n
- the fruit of a European hazel ( Corylus avellana grandis)
- the plant bearing this fruit
CO·BOL ['kō-,bȯl] -n
- a computer programming language designed for business applications
co·bra ['kō-brə] -n
- any of several venomous Asian and African elapid snakes (genera Najaand Ophiophagus) that when excited expand the skin of the neck into a hood by movement of the anterior ribs
- any of several related African snakes
cobrand ['kō-,brand] -vt
- to market or issue (as a credit card) in conjunction with another company so that the product bears the name of both
cob·web ['käb-,web] -n, adj
- the network spread by a spider : spiderweb
- tangles of the silken threads of a spiderweb usu. covered with accumulated dirt and dust
- something that entangles, obscures, or confuses
- a cobweb of law and politics
cob·web·by [-,we-bē] -adj
- filled or covered with cobwebs
- gossamer
- musty, well-worn
co·ca ['kō-kə] -n
- any of several So. American shrubs (genus Erythroxylon,family Erythroxylaceae)
- one ( E. coca) that is the primary source of cocaine
- dried leaves of a coca (esp. Erythroxylon coca) containing alkaloids including cocaine
co·caine [kō-'kān, 'kō-,] -n
- a bitter crystalline alkaloid C 17H 21NO 4obtained from coca leaves that is used esp. in the form of its hydrochloride medically as a topical anesthetic and illicitly for its euphoric effects and that may result in a compulsive psychological need
co·cain·ize [kō-'kā-,nīz] -vt, n
- to treat or anesthetize with cocaine
co·car·box·yl·ase [,kō-kär-'bäk-sə-,lās, -,lāz] -n
- a coenzyme C 12H 19ClN 4O 7P 2SH 2O that is a pyrophosphate of thiamine and is important in metabolic reactions (as decarboxylation in the Krebs cycle)
co·car·cin·o·gen [,kō-kär-'si-nə-jən, kō-'kär-sə-nə-,jen] -n, adj
- an agent that aggravates the carcinogenic effects of another substance
coc·cid ['käk-səd] -n
- scale insect
coc·cid·i·oi·do·my·co·sis [(,)käk-,si-dē-,ȯi-dō-(,)mī-'kō-səs] -n
- a disease esp. of humans and domestic animals caused by a fungus ( Coccidioides immitis) and marked esp. by fever and pulmonary symptoms
coc·cid·i·o·sis [(,)käk-,si-dē-'ō-səs] -n
- infestation with or disease caused by coccidia
coc·cid·i·um [käk-'si-dē-əm] -n
- any of an order (Coccidia) of protozoans usu. parasitic in the digestive epithelium of vertebrates
coc·coid ['kä-,kȯid] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or resembling a coccus : globular
coc·cus ['kä-kəs] -n, adj
- a spherical bacterium
coc·cy·geal [käk-'si-j(ē-)əl] -adj
- of or relating to the coccyx
coc·cyx ['käk-siks] -n
- a small bone that articulates with the sacrum and that usu. consists of four fused vertebrae which form the terminus of the spinal column in humans and tailless apes
Co·chin ['kō-chin] -n
- any of an Asian breed of large domestic chickens with thick plumage, small wings and tail, and densely feathered legs and feet called also Cochin China
co·chi·neal ['kä-chə-,nēl, 'kō-] -n
- a red dye consisting of the dried bodies of female cochineal insects
- cochineal insect
cochineal insect -n
- a small red cactus-feeding scale insect ( Dactylopius coccus) the females of which are the source of cochineal
co·chlea ['kō-klē-ə, 'kä-klē-] -n, adj
- a hollow tube in the inner ear of higher vertebrates that is usu. coiled like a snail shell and contains the sensory organ of hearing
cochlear implant -n
- an electronic prosthetic device that enables individuals with sensorineural hearing loss to recognize some sounds and consists of an external microphone and speech processor and one or more electrodes implanted in the cochlea
cock ['käk] -n
- the adult male of the domestic chicken ( Gallus gallus)
- the male of birds other than the domestic chicken
- woodcock
- the crowing of a cock
- cockcrow
- weathercock
- a device (as a faucet or valve) for regulating the flow of a liquid
- a chief person : leader
- a person of spirit and often of a certain swagger or arrogance
- the hammer in the lock of a firearm
- the cocked position of the hammer
- penis
- strut, swagger
- to turn, tip, or stick up
- to position the hammer of a firearm for firing
- to draw the hammer of (a firearm) back and set for firing
- to set (the trigger) for firing
- to draw or bend back in preparation for throwing or hitting
- a quarterback cock ing his arm
- to set a mechanism (as a camera shutter) for tripping
- to set erect
- a dog with one ear cock ed
- to turn, tip, or tilt usu. to one side
- to turn up (as a hat brim)
- tilt, slant
- a small pile (as of hay)
- to put (as hay) into cocks
cock·ade [kä-'kād] -n, adj
- an ornament (as a rosette) usu. worn on a hat as a badge
cockahoop [,kä-kə-'hüp, -'hu̇p] -adj
- triumphantly boastful : exulting
- awry
Cock·aigne [kä-'kān] -n
- an imaginary land of great luxury and ease
cockaleek·ie [,kä-ki-'lē-kē] -n
- a soup made of chicken and leeks
cock·a·lo·rum [,kä-kə-'lȯr-əm] -n
- a boastful and self-important person
- leapfrog
- boastful talk
cock·a·ma·my [,kä-kə-'mā-mē] -adj
- ridiculous, incredible
- of all the cockamamy excuses I ever heard -- Leo Rosten
cockandbull story ['kä-kən-'bu̇l-] -n
- an incredible story told as true
cock·a·poo ['kä-kə-,pü] -n
- a dog that is a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle
cock·a·tiel ['käk-ə-,tēl] -n
- a crested small gray Australian parrot ( Nymphicus hollandicusof the family Cacatuidae) with a yellow head
cock·a·too ['kä-kə-,tü] -n
- any of various large noisy chiefly Australasian crested parrots (family Cacatuidae and esp. genus Cacatua)
cock·a·trice ['kä-kə-trəs, -,trīs] -n
- a legendary serpent that is hatched by a reptile from a cock's egg and that has a deadly glance
cock·cha·fer ['käk-,chā-fər] -n
- a large European beetle ( Melolontha melolontha) destructive to vegetation as an adult and to roots as a larva
- any of various related beetles
cock·crow ['käk-,krō] -n
- dawn
cocked hat ['käkt-] -n
- a hat with brim turned up to give a 3-cornered appearance
- a hat with brim turned up on two sides and worn either front to back or sideways
cock·er ['kä-kər] -vt
- indulge, pamper
cocker -n
- a keeper or handler of fighting cocks
- cocker spaniel
cock·er·el ['kä-k(ə-)rəl] -n
- a young male of the domestic chicken ( Gallus gallus)
cock·er spaniel ['kä-kər-] -n
- english cocker spaniel
- any of a breed of spaniels developed in the U.S. from the English cocker spaniel that are smaller in size and have a shorter muzzle and longer thicker coat
cock·eye ['käk-'ī, -,ī] -n
- a squinting eye
cock·eyed ['käk-,īd] -adj, adv, n
- having a cockeye
- askew, awry
- slightly crazy : topsy-turvy
- drunk
cock·fight ['käk-,fīt] -n, adj or n
- a contest in which gamecocks usu. fitted with metal spurs are pitted against each other
cock·horse ['käk-,hȯrs] -n
- rocking horse
cock·le ['kä-kəl] -n
- any of several weedy plants of the pink family
- corn cockle
cockle -n
- any of various chiefly marine bivalve mollusks (family Cardiidae) having a shell with convex radially ribbed valves
- a common edible European bivalve ( Cerastoderma edulesyn. Cardium edule)
- cockleshell
- pucker, wrinkle
cock·le·bur ['kä-kəl-,bər, 'kə-] -n
- any of a genus ( Xanthium) of prickly-fruited composite plants
- one of its stiff-spined fruits
cock·le·shell ['kä-kəl-,shel] -n
- the shell or one of the shell valves of a cockle
- a shell (as a scallop shell) suggesting a cockleshell
- a light flimsy boat
cockles of the heart
- the core of one's being usu. used in the phrase warm the cockles of the heart
cock·loft ['käk-,lȯft] -n
- a small garret
cock·ney ['käk-nē] -n, adj, vt
- a spoiled child
- a squeamish woman
- a native of London and esp. of the East End of London
- the dialect of London or of the East End of London
cock·pit ['käk-,pit] -n
- a pit or enclosure for cockfights
- a place noted for esp. bloody, violent, or long-continued conflict
- the pit of a theater
- a compartment in a sailing warship used as quarters for junior officers and for treatment of the wounded in an engagement
- a space or compartment in a usu. small vehicle (as a boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered, piloted, or driven
cock·roach ['käk-,rōch] -n
- any of an order or suborder (Blattodea syn. Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects including some that are domestic pests
cocks·comb ['käks-,kōm] -n
- coxcomb
- a garden plant ( Celosia cristata) of the amaranth family grown for its flowers
cocks·foot [-,fu̇t] -n
- orchard grass
cock·shut ['käk-,shət] -n
- evening twilight
cock·shy [-,shī] -n
- a throw at an object set up as a mark
- a mark or target so set up
- an object or person taken as a butt (as of criticism)
cock·suck·er [-,sə-kər] -n
- one who performs fellatio often used as a generalized term of abuse
cock·sure ['käk-'shu̇r] -adj, adv, n
- feeling perfect assurance sometimes on inadequate grounds
- marked by overconfidence or presumptuousness : cocky
cock·tail ['käk-,tāl] -n
- an iced drink of wine or distilled liquor mixed with flavoring ingredients
- something resembling or suggesting such a drink as being a mixture of often diverse elements or ingredients
- a cocktail of remembered incidents and pure imagination -- Charlotte Low
- a mixture of agents usu. in solution that is taken or used together esp. for medical treatment or diagnosis
- an appetizer served as a first course at a meal
cocktail -adj
- of, relating to, or set aside for cocktails
- designed for semiformal wear
- a horse with its tail docked
cocktail glass -n
- a bell-shaped drinking glass usu. having a foot and stem and holding about three ounces (90 milliliters)
cocktail lounge -n
- a public room (as in a hotel, club, or restaurant) where cocktails and other drinks are served
cocktail party -n
- an informal or semiformal party or gathering at which cocktails are served
cocktail table -n
- coffee table
cockup ['käk-,əp] -n
- mess
cocky ['kä-kē] -adj, adv, n
- boldly or brashly self-confident
- jaunty
co·co ['kō-(,)kō] -n
- the coconut palm
- its fruit
co·coa ['kō-(,)kō] -n
- powdered ground roasted cacao beans from which a portion of the fat has been removed
- a beverage prepared by heating cocoa with water or milk
- cacao
- a medium brown color
cocoa bean -n
- cacao
cocoa butter -n
- a pale vegetable fat with a low melting point obtained from cacao beans
co·co·nut ['kō-kə-(,)nət] -n
- the drupaceous fruit of the coconut palm whose outer fibrous husk yields coir and whose nut contains thick edible meat and coconut milk
- the edible meat of the coconut
coconut crab -n
- a large edible coconut-eating burrowing land crab ( Birgus latro) widely distributed about islands of the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans
coconut oil -n
- a fatty oil or semisolid fat extracted from fresh coconuts and used esp. in making soaps and food products
coconut palm -n
- a tall pinnate-leaved coconut-bearing palm ( Cocos nucifera) that grows along tropical coasts
co·coon [kə-'kün] -n
- an envelope often largely of silk which an insect larva forms about itself and in which it passes the pupa stage
- any of various other protective coverings produced by animals
- something suggesting a cocoon esp. in providing protection or in producing isolation
- wrapped in a cocoon of blankets
- an interest in the world beyond the everyday cocoon most of us construct -- Peter Mayle
- a protective covering placed or sprayed over military or naval equipment in storage
cocoon -vt
- to wrap or envelop in or as if in a cocoon
co·coon·ing [-'kü-niŋ] -n
- the practice of spending leisure time at home in preference to going out
co·cotte [kȯ-'kȯt] -n
- prostitute
- a shallow individual baking dish usu. with one or two handles
co·co·yam ['kō-(,)kō-yam] -n
- taro
- yautia
co·cur·ric·u·lar [,kō-kə-'ri-kyə-lər] -adj
- being outside of but usu. complementing the regular curriculum
cod ['käd] -n
- : any of various bottom-dwelling fishes (family Gadidae, the cod family) that usu. occur in cold marine waters and often have barbels and three dorsal fins: as
- one ( Gadus morhua) of the No. Atlantic that is an important food fish
- one ( Gadus macrocephalus) of the Pacific Ocean
- any of various bony fishes resembling the true cods
- codex
COD -abbr
- cash on delivery; collect on delivery
co·da ['kō-də] -n
- a concluding musical section that is formally distinct from the main structure
- a concluding part of a literary or dramatic work
- something that serves to round out, conclude, or summarize and usu. has its own interest
cod·dle ['kä-dᵊl] -vt, n
- to cook (as eggs) in liquid slowly and gently just below the boiling point
- to treat with extreme or excessive care or kindness : pamper
- accused the court of coddling criminals
code ['kōd] -n, adj
- a systematic statement of a body of law
- one given statutory force
- a system of principles or rules
- a system of signals or symbols for communication
- a system of symbols (as letters or numbers) used to represent assigned and often secret meanings
- genetic code
- a set of instructions for a computer
- to put in or into the form or symbols of a code
- to specify the genetic code
- a gene that code s for a protein
code·book -n
- a book containing an alphabetical list of words or expressions with their code equivalents
codec -abbr
- compression/decompression
co·deine ['kō-,dēn] -n
- a morphine derivative C 18H 21NO 3H 2O that is found in opium, is weaker in action than morphine, and is used esp. as an analgesic and antitussive
code name ['kōd-,nām] -n, vt
- a designation having a coded and usu. secret meaning
co·de·pen·dence [,kō-di-'pen-dən(t)s] -n
- codependency
co·de·pen·den·cy [-dən(t)-sē] -n
- a psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition (as an addiction to alcohol or heroin)
- dependence on the needs of or control by another
co·de·pen·dent [-dənt] -adj, n
- participating in or exhibiting codependency
co·de·ter·mi·na·tion [,kō-di-,tər-mə-'nā-shən] -n
- the participation of labor with management in determining business policy
code word -n
- code name
- euphemism
co·dex ['kō-,deks] -n
- a manuscript book esp. of Scripture, classics, or ancient annals
cod·fish ['käd-,fish] -n
- cod
- its flesh used as food
cod·ger ['kä-jər] -n
- an often mildly eccentric and usu. elderly fellow
cod·i·cil ['kä-də-səl, -,sil] -n, adj
- a legal instrument made to modify an earlier will
- appendix, supplement
co·di·col·o·gy [,kō-də-'kä-lə-jē, ,kä-] -n, adj
- the study of manuscripts as cultural artifacts for historical purposes
cod·i·fy ['kä-də-,fī, 'kō-] -vt, n
- to reduce to a code
- systematize
- classify
cod·ling ['käd-liŋ] -n
- a young cod
- any of several hakes (esp. genus Urophycis)
- a small immature apple
- any of several elongated greenish English cooking apples
codling moth -n
- a small tortricid moth ( Cydia pomonella) having larvae that live in apples, pears, quinces, and English walnuts
codliver oil -n
- an oil obtained from the liver of the cod and closely related fishes and used as a source of vitamins A and D
co·dom·i·nant [,kō-'dä-mə-nənt, -'däm-nənt] -adj, n
- forming part of the main canopy of a forest
- sharing in the controlling influence of a biotic community
- being fully expressed in the heterozygous condition
co·don ['kō-,dän] -n
- a specific sequence of three consecutive nucleotides that is part of the genetic code and that specifies a particular amino acid in a protein or starts or stops protein synthesis called also triplet
cod·piece ['käd-,pēs] -n
- a flap or bag concealing an opening in the front of men's breeches esp. in the 15th and 16th centuries
cods·wal·lop ['kȯdz-,wä-ləp, 'kädz-] -n
- nonsense
co·ed ['kō-(,)ed] -n
- a female student in a coeducational institution
coed -adj
- of or relating to a coed
- of or relating to coeducation
- open to or used by both men and women
coedi·tion [,kō-ə-'di-shən] -n
- an edition of a book published simultaneously by more than one publisher usu. in different countries and in different languages
co·ed·u·ca·tion [(,)kō-,e-jə-'kā-shən] -n, adj, adv
- the education of students of both sexes at the same institution
coeff -abbr
- coefficient
co·ef·fi·cient [,kō-ə-'fi-shənt] -n
- any of the factors of a product considered in relation to a specific factor
- a constant factor of a term as distinguished from a variable
- a number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic (as of a substance, device, or process)
- coefficient of expansion of a metal
- measure
coefficient of correlation
- correlation coefficient
coefficient of viscosity
- viscosity
coe·la·canth ['sē-lə-,kan(t)th] -n
- any of an order (Coelacanthiformes) of lobe-finned fishes known chiefly from Paleozoic and Mesozoic fossils
coe·len·ter·ate [si-'len-tə-,rāt, -rət] -n
- any of a phylum (Cnidaria syn. Coelenterata) of radially symmetrical invertebrate animals including the corals, sea anemones, jellyfishes, and hydroids called also cnidarian
coe·len·ter·on [-,rän, -rən] -n
- the internal cavity of a coelenterate
coeliac ['sē-lē-,ak] -adj
(variant of celiac)
- of or relating to the abdominal cavity
coe·lom ['sē-ləm] -n, adj or n, adj
- the usu. epithelium-lined space between the body wall and the digestive tract of metazoans above the lower worms
coen- -comb form
- common : general
coenobite ['se-nə-,bīt, 'sē-] -n, adj
(variant of cenobite)
- a member of a religious group living together in a monastic community
coe·no·cyte ['sē-nə-,sīt] -n, adj
- a multinucleate mass of protoplasm resulting from repeated nuclear division unaccompanied by cell fission
- an organism consisting of such a structure
- syncytium
co·en·zyme [(,)kō-'en-,zīm] -n, adj, adv
- a thermostable nonprotein compound that forms the active portion of an enzyme system after combination with an apoenzyme
coenzyme A -n
- a coenzyme C 21H 36N 7O 16P 3S that occurs in all living cells and is essential to the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and some amino acids
coenzyme Q -n
- ubiquinone
co·equal [(,)kō-'ē-kwəl] -adj, n, adv
- equal with one another
- coequal branches of government
co·erce [kō-'ərs] -vt, adj
- to restrain or dominate by force
- religion in the past has tried to coerce the irreligious -- W. R. Inge
- to compel to an act or choice
- was coerced into agreeing
- to achieve by force or threat
co·er·cion [-'ər-zhən, -shən] -n
- the act, process, or power of coercing
co·er·cive [-'ər-siv] -adj, adv, n
- serving or intended to coerce
coercive force -n
- the opposing magnetic intensity that must be applied to a magnetized material to remove the residual magnetism
co·er·civ·i·ty [,kō-,ər-'si-və-tē] -n
- the property of a material determined by the value of the coercive force when the material has been magnetized to saturation
co·e·ta·ne·ous [,kō-ə-'tā-nē-əs] -adj
- coeval
co·e·val [kō-'ē-vəl] -adj, n
- of the same or equal age, antiquity, or duration
co·evo·lu·tion [,kō-,e-və-'lü-shən also -,ē-və-] -n, adj, vi
- evolution involving successive changes in two or more ecologically interdependent species (as of a plant and its pollinators) that affect their interactions
co·ex·ist [,kō-ig-'zist] -vi, n, adj
- to exist together or at the same time
- to live in peace with each other esp. as a matter of policy
co·ex·ten·sive [,kō-ik-'sten(t)-siv] -adj, adv
- having the same spatial or temporal scope or boundaries
co·fac·tor ['kō-,fak-tər] -n
- the signed minor of an element of a square matrix or of a determinant with the sign positive if the sum of the column number and row number of the element is even and with the sign negative if it is odd
- a substance that acts with another substance to bring about certain effects
- coenzyme
- something (as diet or a virus) that acts with or aids another factor in causing disease
cof·fee ['kȯ-fē, 'kä-] -n
- a beverage made by percolation, infusion, or decoction from the roasted and ground seeds of a coffee plant
- any of several Old World tropical plants (genus Coffeaand esp. C. arabicaand C. canephora) of the madder family that are widely cultivated in warm regions for their seeds from which coffee is prepared
- coffee seeds esp. roasted and often ground
- a dehydrated product made from brewed coffee
- a beverage made from this
- a cup of coffee
- coffee hour
coffee bar -n
- an establishment or counter where coffee and usu. light refreshments are served
coffee break -n
- a short period for rest and refreshments
coffee cake -n
- a sweet rich bread often with added fruit, nuts, and spices that is sometimes glazed after baking
coffee hour -n
- a usu. fixed occasion of informal meeting and chatting at which refreshments are served
- coffee break
cof·fee·house [-,hau̇s] -n
- an establishment that sells coffee and usu. other refreshments and that commonly serves as an informal club for its regular customers
coffee klatch [-,klach, -,kläch, -,kləch] -n
- kaffeeklatsch
cof·fee·mak·er [-,mā-kər] -n
- a utensil or appliance in which coffee is brewed
coffee mill -n
- a mill for grinding coffee beans
cof·fee·pot [-,pät] -n
- a pot for brewing and serving coffee
coffee ring -n
- coffee cake in the shape of a ring
coffee roll -n
- a sweet roll
coffee room -n
- a room where refreshments are served
coffee royal -n
- a drink of black coffee and a liquor
coffee shop -n
- a small restaurant
cof·feeta·ble [-,tā-bəl] -adj
- of, relating to, or being an article (as a book or magazine) intended for display (as on a coffee table)
coffee table -n
- a low table customarily placed in front of a sofa called also cocktail table
coffee tree -n
- a tree (as arabica) that produces coffee
- kentucky coffee tree
cof·fer ['kȯ-fər, 'kä-] -n
- chest
- strongbox
- treasury, funds usu. used in pl.
- a recessed panel in a vault, ceiling, or soffit
coffer -vt
- to store or hoard up in a coffer
- to form (as a ceiling) with recessed panels
cof·fer·dam [-,dam] -n
- a watertight enclosure from which water is pumped to expose the bottom of a body of water and permit construction (as of a pier)
- a watertight structure for making repairs below the waterline of a ship
cof·fin ['kȯ-fən] -n
- a box or chest for burying a corpse
coffin -vt
- to enclose in or as if in a coffin
coffin bone -n
- the principal bone enclosed within the hoof of a horse called also pedal bone
coffin corner -n
- one of the corners formed by a goal line and a sideline on a football field into which a punt is often aimed so that it may go out of bounds close to the defender's goal line
coffin nail -n
- cigarette
cof·fle ['kȯ-fəl, 'kä-] -n
- a train of slaves or animals fastened together
co·func·tion ['kō-,fəŋ(k)-shən] -n
- a trigonometric function whose value for the complement of an angle is equal to the value of a given trigonometric function of the angle itself
- the sine is the cofunction of the cosine
cog ['käg] -n, adj
- a tooth on the rim of a wheel or gear
- a subordinate but integral person or part
- to cheat in throwing dice
- deceive
- to use venal flattery
- to direct the fall of (dice) fraudulently
- wheedle
- to connect (as timbers or joists) by means of mortises and tenons
- a tenon on a beam or timber
- cognate
co·gen·cy ['kō-jən(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being cogent
co·gen·e·ra·tion [,kō-,je-nə-'rā-shən] -n
- the production of electricity using waste heat (as in steam) from an industrial process or the use of steam from electric power generation as a source of heat
co·gent ['kō-jənt] -adj, adv
- having power to compel or constrain
- appealing forcibly to the mind or reason : convincing
- pertinent, relevant
cog·i·ta·ble ['kä-jə-tə-bəl] -adj
- conceivable, thinkable
cog·i·tate ['kä-jə-,tāt] -vb
- to ponder or meditate on usu. intently
- to meditate deeply or intently
- cogitating on her career plans
cog·i·ta·tion [,kä-jə-'tā-shən] -n
- the act of cogitating : meditation
- the capacity to think or reflect
- a single thought
cog·i·ta·tive ['kä-jə-,tā-tiv] -adj
- of or relating to cogitation
- capable of or given to cogitation
co·gi·to ['kä-gi-,tō, 'kō-, 'kä-ji-] -n
- the philosophic principle that one's existence is demonstrated by the fact that one thinks
- the intellectual processes of the self or ego
co·gnac ['kōn-,yak also 'kȯn- or 'kän-] -n
- a brandy from the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime distilled from white wine
cog·nate ['käg-,nāt] -adj, adv
- of the same or similar nature : generically alike
- related by blood
- related on the mother's side
- related by descent from the same ancestral language
- related by derivation, borrowing, or descent
- related to a verb usu. by derivation and serving as its object to reinforce the meaning
cognate -n
- one that is cognate with another
cog·na·tion [käg-'nā-shən] -n
- cognate relationship
cog·ni·tion [käg-'ni-shən] -n, adj
- cognitive mental processes
- a product of these processes
cog·ni·tive ['käg-nə-tiv] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (as thinking, reasoning, or remembering)
- based on or capable of being reduced to empirical factual knowledge
cognitive dissonance -n
- psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously
cognitive science -n
- an interdisciplinary science that draws on many fields (as psychology, artificial intelligence, linguistics, and philosophy) in developing theories about human perception, thinking, and learning
cognitive therapy -n
- psychotherapy esp. for depression that emphasizes the substitution of desirable patterns of thinking for maladaptive or faulty ones
cog·ni·za·ble ['käg-nə-zə-bəl, käg-'nī-] -adj, adv
- capable of being judicially heard and determined
- capable of being known
cog·ni·zance ['käg-nə-zən(t)s] -n
- a distinguishing mark or emblem (as a heraldic bearing)
- knowledge, awareness
- had no cognizance of the situation
- notice, acknowledgment
- take cognizance of their achievement
- jurisdiction, responsibility
cog·ni·zant [-zənt] -adj
- knowledgeable of something esp. through personal experience
- mindful
cog·nize [käg-'nīz, 'käg-,] -vt, n
- know, understand
cog·no·men [käg-'nō-mən, 'käg-nə-] -n, adj
- surname
- the third of usu. three names borne by a male citizen of ancient Rome
- name
- a distinguishing nickname or epithet
co·gno·scen·te [,kän-yə-'shen-tē, ,käg-nə-, -'sen-] -n
- a person who has expert knowledge in a subject : connoisseur
cog·nos·ci·ble [käg-'nä-sə-bəl] -adj
- cognizable, knowable
co·gon [kō-'gōn] -n
- any of several tall grasses (genus Imperata,esp. I. cylindrica) of southeastern Asia used esp. for thatching, fodder, and erosion control
cog railway -n
- a steep mountain railroad that has a rail with cogs engaged by a cogwheel on the locomotive to ensure traction
cog·wheel ['käg-,hwēl, -,wēl] -n
- a wheel with cogs : gear
co·hab·it [(,)kō-'ha-bət] -vi, n
- to live together as or as if a married couple
- to live together or in company
- buffaloes cohabit ing with crossbred cows -- Biol. Abstracts
- to exist together
- two strains in his philosophy...cohabit in each of his major works -- Justus Buchler
co·here [kō-'hir] -vb
- to hold together firmly as parts of the same mass
- stick, adhere
- to display cohesion of plant parts
- to hold together as a mass of parts that cohere
- to become united in principles, relationships, or interests
- to be logically or aesthetically consistent
- to cause (parts or components) to cohere
co·her·ence [kō-'hir-ən(t)s, -'her-] -n
- : the quality or state of cohering: as
- systematic or logical connection or consistency
- integration of diverse elements, relationships, or values
- the property of being coherent
- a plan that lacks coherence
co·her·en·cy [kō-'hir-ən(t)-sē, -'her-] -n
- coherence
co·her·ent [-ənt] -adj, adv
- logically or aesthetically ordered or integrated : consistent
- having clarity or intelligibility : understandable
- having the quality of cohering
- cohesive, coordinated
- a coherent plan for action
- relating to or composed of waves having a constant difference in phase
- producing coherent light
co·her·er [kō-'hir-ər] -n
- a radio detector in which an imperfectly conducting contact between pieces of conductive material loosely resting against each other is materially improved in conductance by the passage of high-frequency current
co·he·sion [kō-'hē-zhən] -n, adj
- the act or state of sticking together tightly
- unity
- the lack of cohesion in the Party -- Times Lit. Supp.
- union between similar plant parts or organs
- molecular attraction by which the particles of a body are united throughout the mass
co·he·sive [kō-'hē-siv, -ziv] -adj, adv, n
- exhibiting or producing cohesion or coherence
co·ho ['kō-(,)hō] -n
- a rather small Pacific salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch) that has light-colored flesh and is native to both coasts of the No. Pacific and is stocked in the Great Lakes called also coho salmon silver salmon
co·ho·mol·o·gy [(,)kō-hō-'mä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- a part of the theory of topology in which groups are used to study the properties of topological spaces and which is related in a complementary way to homology theory called also cohomology theory
co·hort ['kō-,hȯrt] -n
- one of 10 divisions of an ancient Roman legion
- a group of warriors or soldiers
- band, group
- a group of individuals having a statistical factor (as age or class membership) in common in a demographic study
- a cohort of premedical students
- companion, colleague
- a few of their...cohort s decided to form a company -- Burt Hochberg
co·hosh ['kō-,häsh] -n
- : any of several No. American medicinal or poisonous plants: as
- black cohosh
- blue cohosh
- baneberry
co·hous·ing [(,)kō-'hau̇-ziŋ] -n
- semi-communal housing consisting of a cluster of private homes and a shared community space (as for cooking or laundry facilities)
coif ['kȯif, in sense 2 also 'kwäf] -n
- : a close-fitting cap: as
- a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nuns
- a protective usu. metal skullcap formerly worn under a hood of mail
- a white cap formerly worn by English lawyers and esp. by serjeants-at-law
- the order or rank of a serjeant-at-law
- coiffure
- to cover or dress with or as if with a coif
- to arrange (hair) by brushing, combing, or curling
coif·feur [kwä-'fər] -n
- a man who is a hairdresser
coif·feuse [kwä-'fə(r)z, -'fyüz, -'füz] -n
- a woman who is a hairdresser
coif·fure [kwä-'fyu̇r] -n
- a style or manner of arranging the hair
coif·fured [-'fyu̇rd] -adj
- being dressed
- beautifully coiffured hair
- having the hair brushed, combed, and curled
- stylishly coiffured women
coign of van·tage [,kȯi-nə-'van-tij]
- an advantageous position
coil ['kȯi(-ə)l] -n
- turmoil
- trouble
- everyday cares and worries
- when we have shuffled off this mortal coil -- Shak.
- to wind into rings or spirals
- to roll or twist into a shape resembling a coil
- coil ed herself up on the couch
- to move in a circular or spiral course
- to form or lie in a coil
- a series of loops
- spiral
- a single loop of such a coil
- a number of turns of wire wound around a core (as of iron) to create a magnetic field for an electromagnet or an induction coil
- induction coil
- a series of connected pipes in rows, layers, or windings
- a roll of postage stamps
- a stamp from such a roll
coin ['kȯin] -n
- corner, cornerstone, quoin
- wedge
- a usu. flat piece of metal issued by governmental authority as money
- metal money
- something resembling a coin esp. in shape
- something used as if it were money (as in verbal or intellectual exchange)
- perhaps wisecracks...are respectable literary coin in the U.S. -- Times Lit. Supp.
- would repay him with the full coin of his mind -- Ian Fleming
- something having two different and usu. opposing sides usu. used in the phrase the other side of the coin
- money
- I'm in it for the coin -- Sinclair Lewis
- to make (a coin) esp. by stamping : mint
- to convert (metal) into coins
- create, invent
- of or relating to coins
- operated by coins
coin·age ['kȯi-nij] -n
- the act or process of coining
- coins
- something (as a word) made up or invented
co·in·cide [,kō-ən-'sīd, 'kō-ən-,] -vi
- to occupy the same place in space or time
- to occupy exactly corresponding or equivalent positions on a scale or in a series
- to correspond in nature, character, or function
- to be in accord or agreement : concur
co·in·ci·dence [kō-'in(t)-sə-dən(t)s, -sə-,den(t)s] -n
- the act or condition of coinciding : correspondence
- the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection
- any of these occurrences
co·in·ci·dent [-sə-dənt, -,dent] -adj, adv
- of similar nature : harmonious
- a theory coincident with the facts
- occupying the same space or time
co·in·ci·den·tal [(,)kō-,in(t)-sə-'den-tᵊl] -adj
- resulting from a coincidence
- a coincidental resemblance
- occurring or existing at the same time
co·in·ci·den·tal·ly [-'dent-lē, -'den-tə-lē] -adv
- in a coincidental manner : by coincidence
- lonely singles who meet coincidentally and click -- People
- it is or seems coincidental that
- coincidentally, the dog died exactly one year after his owner did
co·in·fec·tion [kō-in-'fek-shən] -n, vt
- concurrent infection of a cell or organism with two organisms
coin of the realm
- the legal money of a country
- something valued or used as if it were money in a particular sphere
- information is the coin of the realm in the capital -- Eloise Salholz et al.
coinop ['kȯin-,äp] -n
- a self-service laundry where the machines are operated by coins
co·in·sur·ance [,kō-ən-'shu̇r-ən(t)s also -'in-,] -n
- joint assumption of risk (as by two underwriters) with another
- insurance (as fire insurance) in which the insured is obligated to maintain coverage on a risk at a stipulated percentage of its total value or in the event of loss suffer a penalty in proportion to the deficiency
co·in·sure [,kō-ən-'shu̇r] -vt, n
- to insure jointly
coir ['kȯi(-ə)r] -n
- a stiff coarse fiber from the outer husk of a coconut
cois·trel ['kȯi-strəl] -n
- a mean fellow : varlet
co·i·tion [kō-'i-shən] -n, adj
- coitus
co·i·tus ['kō-ə-təs, kō-'ē-, 'kȯi-təs] -n, adj, adv
- physical union of male and female genitalia accompanied by rhythmic movements : sexual intercourse
coitus in·ter·rup·tus [-,in-tə-'rəp-təs] -n
- coitus in which the penis is withdrawn prior to ejaculation to prevent the deposit of sperm into the vagina
co·jo·nes [kə-'hō-,nās] -n pl
- nerve
- testes
coke ['kōk] -n
- the residue of coal left after destructive distillation and used as fuel
- a similar residue left by other materials (as petroleum) distilled to dryness
- to change into coke
- to become coke or like coke
- cocaine
Coke ['kōk] -trademark
- used for a cola drink
coke·head ['kō-ked, 'kōk-,hed] -n
- a person who uses cocaine compulsively
col ['käl] -n
- saddle
- colonial
- colony
- color; colored
- column
- counsel
- collateral
- collect; collected; collection
- college; collegiate
Col -abbr
- colonel
- Colorado
- Colossians
COL -abbr
- colonel
- cost of living
- colon
- E. coli
cola ['kō-lən] -n
(variant of colon)
- the part of the large intestine that extends from the cecum to the rectum
co·la ['kō-lə] -n
- a carbonated soft drink colored usu. with caramel and flavored usu. with extracts from kola nuts
COLA -abbr
- cost-of-living adjustment
- cost-of-living allowance
col·an·der ['kä-lən-dər, 'kə-] -n
- a perforated utensil for washing or draining food
cola nut ['kō-lə-] -n
(variant of kola nut)
- the bitter caffeine-containing chestnut-sized seed of a kola tree used esp. as a masticatory and in beverages
co·lat·i·tude [(,)kō-'la-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n
- the complement of the latitude
Col·by ['kōl-bē] -n
- a moist mild cheese similar to cheddar
col·can·non [käl-'ka-nən] -n
- potatoes and cabbage boiled and mashed together with butter and seasoning
col·chi·cine ['käl-chə-,sēn, 'käl-kə-] -n
- a poisonous alkaloid C 22H 25NO 6that inhibits mitosis, is extracted from the corms or seeds of the autumn crocus ( Colchicum autumnale), and is used esp. in the treatment of gout and to produce polyploidy in plants
col·chi·cum ['käl-chi-kəm, 'käl-ki-] -n
- any of a genus ( Colchicum) of Old World corm-producing herbs of the lily family with flowers that resemble crocuses
- the dried corm or dried seeds of autumn crocus containing colchicine, possessing emetic, diuretic, and cathartic action, and used to treat gout
cold ['kōld] -adj, adv, n
- having or being a temperature that is uncomfortably low for humans
- having a relatively low temperature or one lower than normal or expected
- the bath water has gotten cold
- : not heated: as
- served without heating esp. after initial cooking or processing
- served chilled or with ice
- involving processing without the use of heat
- marked by a lack of the warmth of normal human emotion, friendliness, or compassion
- not moved to enthusiasm
- not colored or affected by personal feeling or bias : detached, indifferent
- cold chronicles recorded by an outsider -- Andrew Sarris
- impersonal, objective
- marked by sure familiarity : pat
- had her lines cold weeks before opening night
- : conveying the impression of being cold: as
- depressing, gloomy
- cool
- marked by the loss of normal body heat
- dead
- giving the appearance of being dead : unconscious
- having lost freshness or vividness : stale
- dogs trying to pick up a cold scent
- far off the mark : not close to finding or solving used esp. in children's games
- marked by poor or unlucky performance
- the team's shooting turned cold in the second half
- not prepared or suitably warmed up
- bodily sensation produced by loss or lack of heat
- a condition of low temperature
- extremes of heat and cold
- cold weather
- a bodily disorder popularly associated with chilling
- common cold
- with utter finality : absolutely, completely
- abruptly
- without introduction or advance notice
- walked in cold to apply for a job
- without preparation or warm-up
- was asked to perform the solo cold
coldblood·ed ['kōl(d)-'blə-dəd] -adj, adv, n
- done or acting without consideration, compunction, or clemency
- matter-of-fact, emotionless
- having cold blood
- having a body temperature not internally regulated but approximating that of the environment
- of mixed or inferior breeding
- noticeably sensitive to cold
cold call -n, vb
- a telephone call soliciting business made directly to a potential customer without prior contact or without a lead
cold cash -n
- money in hand
cold chisel -n
- a chisel made of tool steel of a strength, shape, and temper suitable for chipping or cutting cold metal
cold·cock ['kōl(d)-'käk, ,kōl(d)-] -vt
- to knock unconscious
cold comfort -n
- quite limited sympathy, consolation, or encouragement
cold cream -n
- a soothing and cleansing cosmetic
cold cuts -n pl
- sliced assorted cold cooked meats
cold duck -n
- a beverage that consists of a blend of sparkling burgundy and champagne
coldeyed ['kōld-'īd, -,īd] -adj
- cold in manner or appearance
- coolly dispassionate
cold feet -n pl
- apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action
cold fish -n
- a cold aloof person
cold frame -n
- a usu. glass- or plastic-covered frame without artificial heat used to protect plants and seedlings outdoors
cold front -n
- an advancing edge of a cold air mass
cold·heart·ed ['kōld-'här-təd] -adj, adv, n
- marked by lack of sympathy, interest, or sensitivity
coldpress [-,pres] -vt
- to press (as olives) without applying heat from an external source
- to extract (oil) by cold-pressing
cold shoulder -n, vt
- intentionally cold or unsympathetic treatment
- got the cold shoulder from an old friend
cold sore -n
- a group of fluid-filled blisters appearing about or within the mouth that are caused by a herpes simplex virus and upon rupturing form crusts called also fever blister
cold storage -n
- storage (as of food) in a cold place for preservation
- a condition of being held or continued without being acted on : abeyance
cold store -n
- a building for cold storage
cold sweat -n
- concurrent perspiration and chill usu. associated with fear, pain, or shock
cold turkey -n, vt
- abrupt complete cessation of the use of an addictive drug
- the symptoms experienced by a person undergoing withdrawal from a drug
- unrelieved blunt language or procedure
- a cold aloof person
- : all at once : abruptly: as
- without a period of gradual adjustment, adaptation, or withdrawal
- without preparation
- a new player who started the season cold turkey
cold type -n
- composition or typesetting (as photocomposition) done without the casting of metal
- such composition produced directly on paper by a typewriter mechanism
cold war -n
- a conflict over ideological differences carried on by methods short of sustained overt military action and usu. without breaking off diplomatic relations
- the ideological conflict between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. during the second half of the 20th century
- a condition of rivalry, mistrust, and often open hostility short of violence esp. between power groups (as labor and management)
cold warrior -n
- one that supports or is engaged in a cold war
coldwater -adj
- having only running water without heat or utility services provided
cold water -n
- depreciation of something as being ill-advised, unwarranted, or worthless
- threw cold water on our hopes
cold wave -n
- an unusually large and rapid drop in temperature over a short period of time (as 24 hours)
- a permanent wave set by a chemical preparation without the use of heat
cole ['kōl] -n
- any of several brassicas
- any of various crop plants (as broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi) derived from the same wild cabbage ( Brassica oleracea)
cole·man·ite ['kōl-mə-,nīt] -n
- a colorless or white mineral consisting of a hydrous calcium borate occurring in monoclinic crystals
co·le·op·tera [,kō-lē-'äp-tə-rə] -n pl, n, adj
- insects that are beetles
co·le·op·ter·an [-tə-rən] -n, adj
- beetle
co·le·op·tile [-'äp-tᵊl] -n
- the first leaf of a monocotyledon forming a protective sheath about the plumule
co·le·o·rhi·za [,kō-lē-ə-'rī-zə] -n
- the sheath investing the radicle in some monocotyledonous plants through which the roots emerge
cole·slaw ['kōl-,slȯ] -n
- a salad made of raw sliced or chopped cabbage
co·le·us ['kō-lē-əs] -n
- any of a large genus ( Coleus) of Old World herbs of the mint family including ones cultivated for their colorful foliage
cole·wort ['kōl-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n
- cole
- one (as kale) that forms no head
col·ic ['kä-lik] -n
- an attack of acute abdominal pain localized in a hollow organ and often caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting
- a condition marked by recurrent episodes of prolonged and uncontrollable crying and irritability in an otherwise healthy infant that is of unknown cause and usu. subsides after three to four months of age
colic -adj
- of or relating to colic : colicky
co·lic ['kō-lik, 'kä-] -adj
- of or relating to the colon
co·li·cin ['kō-lə-sən] -n
- any of various antibacterial substances produced by strains of intestinal bacteria (as of E. coli)
col·icky ['kä-li-kē] -adj
- relating to or associated with colic
- suffering from colic
col·ic·root ['kä-lik-,rüt, -,ru̇t] -n
- any of several plants having roots used in folk medicine to treat colic
- either of two bitter herbs ( Aletris farinosaand A. aurea) of the lily family
co·li·form ['kō-lə-,fȯrm, 'kä-] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or being gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria (as E. coli) normally present in the intestine
- monitored coliform levels in drinking water
co·lin·ear [(,)kō-'li-nē-ər] -adj, n
- collinear
- having corresponding parts arranged in the same linear order
- a gene and the protein it determines are colinear
co·li·phage ['kō-lə-,fāj, -,fäzh] -n
- any bacteriophage active against E. coli
col·i·se·um [,kä-lə-'sē-əm] -n
- colosseum
- a large sports stadium or building designed like the Colosseum for public entertainments
co·lis·tin [kə-'lis-tən, kō-] -n
- a polymyxin produced by a bacterium ( Bacillus polymyxavar. colistinus) from Japanese soil
co·li·tis [kō-'lī-təs, kə-] -n
- inflammation of the colon
coll- -comb form
- glue
- colloid
col·lab·o·rate [kə-'la-bə-,rāt] -vi, n, adj or n, adv
- to work jointly with others or together esp. in an intellectual endeavor
- to cooperate with or willingly assist an enemy of one's country and esp. an occupying force
- to cooperate with an agency or instrumentality with which one is not immediately connected
col·lab·o·ra·tion·ism [kə-,la-bə-'rā-shə-,ni-zəm] -n, adj or n
- the advocacy or practice of collaboration with an enemy
col·lage [kə-'läzh, kȯ-, kō-] -n, vt
- an artistic composition made of various materials (as paper, cloth, or wood) glued on a surface
- a creative work that resembles such a composition in incorporating various materials or elements
- the album is a collage of several musical styles
- the art of making collages
- hodgepodge
- a work (as a film) having disparate scenes in rapid succession without transitions
col·la·gen ['kä-lə-jən] -n, adj
- any of a group of fibrous proteins that occur in vertebrates as the chief constituent of connective tissue fibrils and in bones and yield gelatin and glue upon boiling with water
col·la·ge·nase [kə-'la-jə-,nās, 'kä-lə-jə-, -,nāz] -n
- any of a group of proteolytic enzymes that decompose collagen and gelatin
col·lapse [kə-'laps] -vb, n, adj
- to fall or shrink together abruptly and completely : fall into a jumbled or flattened mass through the force of external pressure
- a blood vessel that collapsed
- to break down completely : disintegrate
- his case had collapsed in a mass of legal wreckage -- Erle Stanley Gardner
- to cave or fall in or give way
- to suddenly lose force, significance, effectiveness, or worth
- fears that the currency may collapse
- to break down in vital energy, stamina, or self-control through exhaustion or disease
- to fall helpless or unconscious
- to fold down into a more compact shape
- to cause to collapse
- buildings collapsed by an earthquake
- condense
- collapse several stories into one
collapse -n
- a breakdown in vital energy, strength, or stamina
- a state of extreme prostration and physical depression (as from circulatory failure or great loss of body fluids)
- an airless state of all or part of a lung originating spontaneously or induced surgically
- the act or action of collapsing
- the cutting of many tent ropes, the collapse of the canvas -- Rudyard Kipling
- a sudden failure : breakdown, ruin
- a sudden loss of force, value, or effect
- the collapse of respect for ancient law and custom -- L. S. B. Leakey
col·lar ['kä-lər] -n, adj
- : a band, strip, or chain worn around the neck: as
- a band that serves to finish or decorate the neckline of a garment
- a short necklace
- a band placed about the neck of an animal
- a part of the harness of draft animals fitted over the shoulders and taking strain when a load is drawn
- an indication of control : a token of subservience
- a protective or supportive device (as a brace or cast) worn around the neck
- clerical collar
- something resembling a collar in shape or use (as a ring or round flange to restrain motion or hold something in place)
- any of various animal structures or markings similar to a collar
- an act of collaring : arrest, capture
collar -vt
- to seize by the collar or neck
- arrest, grab
- to get control of : preempt
- we can collar nearly the whole of this market -- Roald Dahl
- to stop and detain in unwilling conversation
- collar the guest of honor
- to put a collar on
col·lar·bone ['kä-lər-,bōn] -n
- clavicle
collar cell -n
- a flagellated endodermal cell that lines the cavity of a sponge and has a contractile protoplasmic cup surrounding the flagellum called also choanocyte
col·lard ['kä-lərd] -n
- a cabbage ( Brassica oleracea acephala) related to kale and having a loose head of stalked smooth leaves
- its leaves cooked and eaten as a vegetable usu. used in pl. called also collard greens
collat -abbr
- collateral
col·late [kə-'lāt, kä-, kō-; 'kä-,, 'kō-,] -vt, n
- to compare critically
- to collect, compare carefully in order to verify, and often to integrate or arrange in order
- to institute (a cleric) to a benefice
- to verify the order of (printed sheets)
- to assemble in proper order
- to assemble (as printed sheets) in order for binding
col·lat·er·al [kə-'la-t(ə-)rəl] -adj, n, adv
- accompanying as secondary or subordinate : concomitant
- digress into collateral matters
- indirect
- serving to support or reinforce : ancillary
- belonging to the same ancestral stock but not in a direct line of descent
- parallel, coordinate, or corresponding in position, order, time, or significance
- collateral states like Athens and Sparta
- of, relating to, or being collateral used as security (as for payment of a debt or performance of a contract)
- secured by collateral
collateral -n
- a collateral relative
- property (as securities) pledged by a borrower to protect the interests of the lender
- a branch of a bodily part (as a vein)
collateral damage -n
- injury inflicted on something other than an intended target
- civilian casualties of a military operation
col·lat·er·al·ize [kə-'la-t(ə-)rə-,līz] -vt
- to make (a loan) secure with collateral
- to use (as securities) for collateral
col·la·tion [kə-'lā-shən, kä-, kō-] -n
- a light meal allowed on fast days in place of lunch or supper
- a light meal
- the act, process, or result of collating
col·league ['kä-(,)lēg] -n
- an associate in a profession or in a civil or ecclesiastical office
col·lect ['kä-likt also -,lekt] -n
- a short prayer comprising an invocation, petition, and conclusion
- one preceding the eucharistic Epistle and varying with the day
- collection
- to bring together into one body or place
- to gather or exact from a number of persons or sources
- to gather an accumulation of (objects) esp. as a hobby
- infer, deduce
- to gain or regain control of
- to claim as due and receive payment for
- to get and bring with one
- pick up
- went to collect her at the train station
- to come together in a band, group, or mass : gather
- to collect objects
- to receive payment
- collect ing on the insurance
- to be paid for by the receiver
col·lec·ta·nea [,kä-,lek-'tā-nē-ə] -n pl
- collected writings
- literary items forming a collection
col·lect·ed [kə-'lek-təd] -adj, adv, n
- gathered together
- the collected works of Scott
- possessed of calmness and composure often through concentrated effort
- performed slowly and restrainedly with the animal's center of gravity toward the hindquarters
col·lect·ible [kə-'lek-tə-bəl] -adj, n
- suitable for being collected
- due for present payment : payable
collectible -n
- an object that is collected by fanciers
- one other than such traditionally collectible items as art, stamps, coins, and antiques
col·lec·tion [kə-'lek-shən] -n
- the act or process of collecting
- something collected
- an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby
- group, aggregate
- a set of apparel designed for sale usu. in a particular season
col·lec·tive [kə-'lek-tiv] -adj, adv
- denoting a number of persons or things considered as one group or whole
- flock is a collective word
- formed by collecting : aggregated
- multiple
- of, relating to, or being a group of individuals
- involving all members of a group as distinct from its individuals
- marked by similarity among or with the members of a group
- collectivized or characterized by collectivism
- shared or assumed by all members of the group
- collective responsibility
collective -n
- a collective body : group
- a cooperative unit or organization
- collective farm
- a helicopter control system governing lift
collective bargaining -n
- negotiation between an employer and a labor union usu. on wages, hours, and working conditions
collective farm -n
- a farm esp. in a Communist country formed from many small holdings collected into a single unit for joint operation under governmental supervision
collective mark -n
- a trademark or a service mark of a group (as a cooperative association)
collective security -n
- the maintenance by common action of the security of all members of an association of nations
collective unconscious -n
- the inherited part of the unconscious that esp. in the psychoanalytic theory of C. G. Jung occurs in and is shared by all the members of a people or race
col·lec·tiv·ise [kə-'lek-ti-,vīz] -vt, n
(variant of collectivize)
- to organize by collectivism
col·lec·tiv·ism [kə-'lek-ti-,vi-zəm] -n, adj or n, adj, adv
- a political or economic theory advocating collective control esp. over production and distribution
- a system marked by such control
- emphasis on collective rather than individual action or identity
col·lec·tiv·i·ty [kə-,lek-'ti-və-tē, ,kä-] -n
- the quality or state of being collective
- a collective whole
- the people as a body
col·lec·tiv·ize [kə-'lek-ti-,vīz] -vt, n
- to organize by collectivism
col·lec·tor [kə-'lek-tər] -n
- : one that collects: as
- an official who collects funds or moneys
- a person who makes a collection
- an object or device that collects
- the statuette was a dust collector
- solar collector
collector's item -n
- an item whose rarity or excellence makes it esp. worth collecting
- collectible
col·leen [kä-'lēn, 'kä-,] -n
- an Irish girl
col·lege ['kä-lij] -n
- a body of clergy living together and supported by a foundation
- a building used for an educational or religious purpose
- a self-governing constituent body of a university offering living quarters and sometimes instruction but not granting degrees
- Balliol and Magdalen Colleges at Oxford
called also residential college - a preparatory or high school
- an independent institution of higher learning offering a course of general studies leading to a bachelor's degree
- a university division offering this
- a part of a university offering a specialized group of courses
- an institution offering instruction usu. in a professional, vocational, or technical field
- company, group
- an organized body of persons engaged in a common pursuit or having common interests or duties
- a group of persons considered by law to be a unit
- a body of electors
- the faculty, students, or administration of a college
College Board -service mark
- used for administration of tests of aptitude and achievement considered by some colleges in determining admission and placement of students
college try -n
- a zealous all-out effort
col·le·gial [kə-'lē-j(ē-)əl, esp for 2a also -'lē-gē-əl] -adj, adv
- collegiate
- marked by power or authority vested equally in each of a number of colleagues
- characterized by equal sharing of authority esp. by Roman Catholic bishops
- marked by camaraderie among colleagues
col·le·gi·al·i·ty [-,lē-jē-'a-lə-tē, -,lē-gē-] -n
- the cooperative relationship of colleagues
- the participation of bishops in the government of the Roman Catholic Church in collaboration with the pope
col·le·gian [kə-'lē-j(ē-)ən] -n
- a student or recent graduate of a college
col·le·giate [kə-'lē-jət, -jē-ət] -adj, adv
- of or relating to a collegiate church
- of, relating to, or comprising a college
- collegial
- designed for or characteristic of college students
collegiate church -n
- a church other than a cathedral that has a chapter of canons
- a church or corporate group of churches under the joint pastorate of two or more ministers
col·le·gi·um [kə-'le-gē-əm, -'lā-] -n
- a group in which each member has approximately equal power and authority
col·lem·bo·lan [kə-'lem-bə-lən] -n, adj
- springtail
col·len·chy·ma [kə-'leŋ-kə-mə, kä-] -n, adj
- a plant tissue that consists of living usu. elongated cells with unevenly thickened walls and acts as support esp. in areas of primary growth
col·let ['kä-lət] -n
- : a metal band, collar, ferrule, or flange: as
- a casing or socket for holding a tool (as a drill bit)
- a circle or flange in which a gem is set
col·lide [kə-'līd] -vi
- to come together with solid or direct impact
- the car collided with a tree
- clash
col·lid·er [kə-'lī-dər] -n
- a particle accelerator in which two beams of particles moving in opposite directions are made to collide
col·lie ['kä-lē] -n
- any of a breed of large dogs developed in Scotland that occur in rough-coated and smooth-coated varieties and have erect ears and a long muzzle
col·lier ['käl-yər] -n
- one that produces charcoal
- a coal miner
- a ship for transporting coal
col·liery ['käl-yə-rē] -n
- a coal mine and its connected buildings
col·lie·shang·ie ['kä-lē-,shaŋ-ē, 'kə-] -n
- squabble, brawl
col·li·gate ['kä-lə-gāt] -vb, n
- to bind, unite, or group together
- to subsume (isolated facts) under a general concept
- to be or become a member of a group or unit
col·li·ga·tive ['kä-lə-,gā-tiv, kə-'li-gə-] -adj
- depending on the number of particles (as molecules) and not on the nature of the particles
- pressure is a colligative property
col·li·mate ['kä-lə-,māt] -vt, n
- to make (as light rays) parallel
col·li·ma·tor ['kä-lə-,mā-tər] -n
- a device for producing a beam of parallel rays (as of light) or for forming an infinitely distant virtual image that can be viewed without parallax
- a device for obtaining a beam (as of particles) of limited cross section
col·lin·ear [kə-'li-nē-ər, kä-] -adj, n
- lying on or passing through the same straight line
- having axes lying end to end in a straight line
- collinear antenna elements
col·lins ['kä-lənz] -n
- a tall iced drink of soda water, sugar, lemon or lime juice, and liquor (as gin)
col·li·sion [kə-'li-zhən] -n, adj, adv
- an act or instance of colliding : clash
- an encounter between particles (as atoms or molecules) resulting in exchange or transformation of energy
collision course -n
- a course (as of moving bodies or antithetical philosophies) that will result in collision or conflict if continued unaltered
col·lo·cate ['kä-lə-,kāt] -vb
- to set or arrange in a place or position
- to set side by side
- to occur in conjunction with something
col·lo·ca·tion [,kä-lə-'kā-shən] -n, adj
- the act or result of placing or arranging together
- a noticeable arrangement or conjoining of linguistic elements (as words)
col·lo·di·on [kə-'lō-dē-ən] -n
- a viscous solution of pyroxylin used esp. as a coating for wounds or for photographic films
col·logue [kə-'lōg] -vi
- intrigue, conspire
- to talk privately : confer
col·loid ['kä-,lȯid] -n, adj, adv
- a gelatinous or mucinous substance found normally in the thyroid and also in diseased tissue
- a substance that consists of particles dispersed throughout another substance which are too small for resolution with an ordinary light microscope but are incapable of passing through a semipermeable membrane
- a mixture consisting of a colloid together with the medium in which it is dispersed
col·lop ['kä-ləp] -n
- a small piece or slice esp. of meat
- a fold of fat flesh
colloq -abbr
- colloquial
col·lo·qui·al [kə-'lō-kwē-əl] -adj, n, adv
- of or relating to conversation : conversational
- used in or characteristic of familiar and informal conversation
- unacceptably informal
- using conversational style
col·lo·qui·al·ism [-'lō-kwē-ə-,li-zəm] -n
- a colloquial expression
- a local or regional dialect expression
- colloquial style
col·lo·quist ['kä-lə-kwist] -n
- speaker
col·lo·qui·um [kə-'lō-kwē-əm] -n
- a usu. academic meeting at which specialists deliver addresses on a topic or on related topics and then answer questions relating to them
col·lo·quy ['kä-lə-kwē] -n
- conversation, dialogue
- a high-level serious discussion : conference
col·lo·type ['kä-lə-,tīp] -n
- a photomechanical process for making prints directly from a hardened film of gelatin or other colloid that has ink-receptive and ink-repellent parts
- a print made by collotype
col·lude [kə-'lüd] -vi
- conspire, plot
- colluded to keep prices high
col·lu·sion [kə-'lü-zhən] -n, adj, adv
- secret agreement or cooperation esp. for an illegal or deceitful purpose
col·lu·vi·um [kə-'lü-vē-əm] -n, adj
- rock detritus and soil accumulated at the foot of a slope
col·ly ['kä-lē] -vt
- to blacken with or as if with soot
col·lyr·i·um [kə-'lir-ē-əm] -n
- eyewash
col·ly·wob·bles ['kä-lē-,wä-bəlz] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- bellyache
Colo -abbr
- Colorado
col·o·bus monkey ['kä-lə-bəs-] -n
- any of various long-tailed African monkeys (genus Colobusand related genera) called also colobus
co·lo·cate [(,)kō-'lō-,kāt, -lō-'kāt] -vt
- to locate together
- to place (two or more units) close together so as to share common facilities
col·o·cynth ['kä-lə-,sin(t)th] -n
- a Mediterranean and African herbaceous vine ( Citrullus colocynthis) related to the watermelon
- its spongy fruit from which a powerful cathartic is prepared
colog -abbr
- cologarithm
co·log·a·rithm [(,)kō-'lȯ-gə-,ri-thəm, -'lä-] -n
- the logarithm of the reciprocal of a number
co·logne [kə-'lōn] -n, adj
- a perfumed liquid composed of alcohol and fragrant oils
- a cream or paste of cologne sometimes formed into a semisolid stick
co·lon ['kō-lən] -n
- the part of the large intestine that extends from the cecum to the rectum
colon -n
- a rhythmical unit of an utterance
- a system or series of from two to not more than six feet having a principal accent and forming part of a line
- a punctuation mark : used chiefly to direct attention to matter (as a list, explanation, quotation, or amplification) that follows
- the sign : used between the parts of a numerical expression of time in hours and minutes (as in 1:15) or in hours, minutes, and seconds (as in 8:25:30), in a bibliographical reference (as in Nation130:20), in a ratio where it is usu. read as to (as in 4:1 read four to one), or in a proportion where it is usu. read as is to or when doubled as as (as in 2:1::8:4 read two is to one as eight is to four)
co·lon [kȯ-'lōⁿ, kə-'lōn] -n
- a colonial farmer or plantation owner
- the basic monetary unit of El Salvador until 2001
colon bacillus -n
- E. coli
col·o·nel ['kər-nᵊl] -n
- a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps ranking above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
- lieutenant colonel
- a minor titular official of a state esp. in southern or midland U.S. used as an honorific title
Colonel Blimp [-'blimp] -n
- a pompous person with out-of-date or ultraconservative views
- reactionary
co·lo·nial [kə-'lō-nē-əl, -nyəl] -adj, vt, adv, n
- of, relating to, or characteristic of a colony
- : of or relating to the original 13 colonies forming the United States: as
- made or prevailing in America during the colonial period
- adapted from or reminiscent of an American colonial mode of design
- forming or existing in a colony
- possessing or composed of colonies
colonial -n
- a member or inhabitant of a colony
- a product (as a coin or stamp) made for use in a colony
- a product exhibiting colonial style
- a house built in the neoclassical style of the American colonial period
co·lo·nial·ism [kə-'lō-nē-ə-,li-zəm, -nyə-,li-] -n, n or adj, adj
- the quality or state of being colonial
- something characteristic of a colony
- control by one power over a dependent area or people
- a policy advocating or based on such control
co·lon·ic [kō-'lä-nik, kə-] -adj
- of or relating to the colon of the intestine
colonic -n
- irrigation of the colon : enema
col·o·ni·sa·tion [,kä-lə-nə-'zā-shən] -n
(variant of colonization)
- an act or instance of colonizing
col·o·nist ['kä-lə-nist] -n
- a member or inhabitant of a colony
- one that colonizes or settles in a new country
col·o·ni·za·tion [,kä-lə-nə-'zā-shən] -n
- an act or instance of colonizing
col·o·nize ['kä-lə-,nīz] -vb, n
- to establish a colony in or on or of
- to establish in a colony
- the rights of colonized people
- to send illegal or irregularly qualified voters into
- colonizing doubtful districts
- to infiltrate with usu. subversive militants for propaganda and strategy reasons
- to make or establish a colony : settle
col·on·nade [,kä-lə-'nād] -n, adj
- a series of columns set at regular intervals and usu. supporting the base of a roof structure
co·lo·nos·co·py [,kō-lə-'näs-kə-pē] -n
- endoscopic examination of the colon
co·lo·nus [kə-'lō-nəs] -n
- a free-born serf in the later Roman Empire who could sometimes own property but who was bound to the land and obliged to pay a rent usu. in produce
col·o·ny ['kä-lə-nē] -n
- a body of people living in a new territory but retaining ties with the parent state
- the territory inhabited by such a body
- a distinguishable localized population within a species
- a circumscribed mass of microorganisms usu. growing in or on a solid medium
- the aggregation of zooids of a compound animal
- a group of individuals or things with common characteristics or interests situated in close association
- the section occupied by such a group
- a group of persons institutionalized away from others
- the land or buildings occupied by such a group
colonystimulating factor -n
- any of several glycoproteins that promote the differentiation of stem cells esp. into blood granulocytes and macrophages and that stimulate their proliferation into colonies in culture
col·o·phon ['kä-lə-fən, -,fän] -n
- an inscription placed at the end of a book or manuscript usu. with facts relative to its production
- an identifying mark, emblem, or device used by a printer or a publisher
co·lo·pho·ny [kə-'lä-fə-nē, 'kä-lə-,fō-] -n
- rosin
col·or ['kə-lər] -n
- a phenomenon of light (as red, brown, pink, or gray) or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects
- the aspect of the appearance of objects and light sources that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation for objects and hue, brightness, and saturation for light sources
- the changing color of the sky
- a specific combination of hue, saturation, and lightness or brightness
- a color other than and as contrasted with black, white, or gray
- an outward often deceptive show : appearance
- his story has the color of truth
- a legal claim to or appearance of a right, authority, or office
- a pretense offered as justification : pretext
- she could have drawn from the Versailles treaty the color of legality for any action she chose -- Yale Rev.
- an appearance of authenticity : plausibility
- lending color to this notion
- : complexion tint:
- the tint characteristic of good health
- blush
- vividness or variety of effects of language
- local color
- an identifying badge, pennant, or flag usu. used in pl.
- a ship sailing under Swedish color s
- colored clothing distinguishing one as a member of a particular group or representative of a particular person or thing usu. used in pl.
- a jockey wearing the color s of the stable
- position as to a question or course of action : stand
- the USSR changed neither its color s nor its stripes during all of this -- Norman Mailer
- character, nature usu. used in pl.
- showed himself in his true color s
- the use or combination of colors
- two or more hues employed in a medium of presentation
- a naval or nautical salute to a flag being hoisted or lowered
- armed forces
- vitality, interest
- the play had a good deal of color to it
- something used to give color : pigment
- the quality of timbre in music
- the color and richness of the cello
- skin pigmentation esp. other than white characteristic of race
- a small particle of gold in a gold miner's pan after washing
- analysis of game action or strategy, statistics and background information on participants, and often anecdotes provided by a sportscaster to give variety and interest to the broadcast of a game or contest
- a hypothetical property of quarks that differentiates each type into three forms having a distinct role in binding quarks together
color ['kə-lər-ər] -vt, n
- to give color to
- to change the color of (as by dyeing, staining, or painting)
- : to change as if by dyeing or painting: as
- misrepresent, distort
- gloss, excuse
- influence
- the lives of most of us have been color ed by politics -- Christine Weston
- characterize, label
- call it progress; color it inevitable with shades of job security -- C. E. Price
- to take on color
- blush
col·or·able ['kə-lə-rə-bəl, -lər-ə-, 'kəl-rə-] -adj, adv
- seemingly valid or genuine
- intended to deceive : counterfeit
- colorable and false pretenses
Col·o·ra·do blue spruce [,kä-lə-'ra-dō-, -'rä-] -n
- blue spruce
Colorado potato beetle -n
- a black-and-yellow striped beetle ( Leptinotarsa decemlineata) that feeds on the leaves of the potato called also potato beetle potato bug
col·or·ant ['kə-lə-rənt, -lər-ənt] -n
- a substance used for coloring a material : dye, pigment
col·or·a·tion [,kə-lə-'rā-shən] -n
- the state of being colored
- the dark coloration of his skin
- use or choice of colors (as by an artist)
- arrangement of colors
- the coloration of a butterfly's wing
- characteristic quality
- the newspapers...took on the former coloration of the magazine -- L. B. Seltzer
- aspect suggesting an attitude : persuasion
- the chameleon talent for taking on the intellectual coloration of whatever idea he happened to fasten onto -- Budd Schulberg
- subtle variation of intensity or quality of tone
- a wide range of coloration from the orchestra
col·or·a·tu·ra [,kə-lə-rə-'tu̇r-ə, -'tyu̇r-] -n
- elaborate embellishment in vocal music
- music with ornate figuration
- a soprano with a light agile voice specializing in coloratura
color bar -n
- a barrier preventing persons of color from participating with whites in various activities called also color line
col·orbear·er ['kə-lər-,ber-ər] -n
- one who carries a color or standard esp. in a military parade or drill
col·orblind [-,blīnd] -adj, n
- affected with partial or total inability to distinguish one or more chromatic colors
- insensitive, oblivious
- not influenced by differences of race
- tried to get the welfare establishment...to abandon its colorblind policy -- D. P. Moynihan
- free from racial prejudice
- a white man with an invisible black skin in a colorblind community -- James Farmer
col·or·bred [-,bred] -adj
- selectively bred for the development of particular colors
co·lo·rec·tal [,kō-lō-'rek-tᵊl] -adj
- relating to or affecting the colon and rectum
col·ored ['kə-lərd] -adj
- having color
- colorful
- marked by exaggeration or bias
- of a race other than the white
- black
- of mixed race
- of or relating to persons of races other than the white or of mixed race
colored -n
- a person of a race other than the white or of mixed race
col·or·fast ['kə-lər-,fast] -adj, n
- having color that retains its original hue without fading or running
col·orfield [-,fēld] -n
- abstract painting in which color is emphasized and form and surface are correspondingly de-emphasized
color filter -n
- filter
col·or·ful ['kə-lər-fəl] -adj, adv, n
- having striking colors
- full of variety or interest
color guard -n
- an honor guard for the colors of an organization
col·or·if·ic [,kə-lə-'ri-fik] -adj
- capable of communicating color
col·or·im·e·ter [,kə-lə-'ri-mə-tər] -n, adj, adv
- an instrument or device for determining and specifying colors
- one used for chemical analysis by comparison of a liquid's color with standard colors
col·or·ing ['kə-lə-riŋ] -n
- the act of applying colors
- something that produces color or color effects
- the effect produced by applying or combining colors
- natural color
- complexion, coloration
- change of appearance (as by adding color)
- influence, bias
- color
- timbre, quality
coloring book -n
- a book of line drawings for coloring (as with crayons)
col·or·ist ['kə-lə-rist, -lər-ist] -n
- one that colors or deals with color
col·or·is·tic [,kə-lə-'ris-tik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to color or coloring
- of or relating to timbre in music
col·or·ize ['kə-lə-,rīz, -lər-,īz] -vt, n
- to add color to (a black-and-white film) by means of a computer
col·or·less ['kə-lər-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- : lacking color: as
- pallid, blanched
- dull, uninteresting
color phase -n
- a seasonally variant pelage color
- a genetic variant manifested by the occurrence of a skin or pelage color unlike the wild type of the animal group in which it appears
- an individual marked by such a variant
col·or·point shorthair ['kə-lər-,pȯint-] -n
- any of a breed of domestic cats of Siamese body type and coat pattern but occurring in different colors called also colorpoint
color temperature -n
- the temperature at which a blackbody emits radiant energy competent to evoke a color the same as that evoked by radiant energy from a given source (as a lamp)
col·or·way [-,wā] -n
- a color or arrangement of colors
- fabric sold in a variety of colorway s
color wheel -n
- a circular diagram of the spectrum used to show the relationships between the colors
co·los·sal [kə-'lä-səl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or resembling a colossus
- of a bulk, extent, power, or effect approaching or suggesting the stupendous or incredible
- of an exceptional or astonishing degree
col·os·se·um [,kä-lə-'sē-əm] -n
- an amphitheater built in Rome in the first century a.d.
- coliseum
Co·los·sians [kə-'lä-shənz also -shē-ənz, -sē-] -n pl but sing in constr
- a letter written by St. Paul to the Christians of Colossae and included as a book in the New Testament
co·los·sus [kə-'lä-səs] -n
- a statue of gigantic size and proportions
- a person or thing of immense size or power
co·los·to·my [kə-'läs-tə-mē] -n
- surgical formation of an artificial anus by connecting the colon to an opening in the abdominal wall
co·los·trum [kə-'läs-trəm] -n, adj
- milk secreted for a few days after parturition and characterized by high protein and antibody content
col·our ['kə-lər] -n
(variant of color)
- a phenomenon of light (as red, brown, pink, or gray) or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects
- the aspect of the appearance of objects and light sources that may be described in terms of hue, lightness, and saturation for objects and hue, brightness, and saturation for light sources
- the changing color of the sky
- a specific combination of hue, saturation, and lightness or brightness
- a color other than and as contrasted with black, white, or gray
- an outward often deceptive show : appearance
- his story has the color of truth
- a legal claim to or appearance of a right, authority, or office
- a pretense offered as justification : pretext
- she could have drawn from the Versailles treaty the color of legality for any action she chose -- Yale Rev.
- an appearance of authenticity : plausibility
- lending color to this notion
- : complexion tint:
- the tint characteristic of good health
- blush
- vividness or variety of effects of language
- local color
- an identifying badge, pennant, or flag usu. used in pl.
- a ship sailing under Swedish color s
- colored clothing distinguishing one as a member of a particular group or representative of a particular person or thing usu. used in pl.
- a jockey wearing the color s of the stable
- position as to a question or course of action : stand
- the USSR changed neither its color s nor its stripes during all of this -- Norman Mailer
- character, nature usu. used in pl.
- showed himself in his true color s
- the use or combination of colors
- two or more hues employed in a medium of presentation
- a naval or nautical salute to a flag being hoisted or lowered
- armed forces
- vitality, interest
- the play had a good deal of color to it
- something used to give color : pigment
- the quality of timbre in music
- the color and richness of the cello
- skin pigmentation esp. other than white characteristic of race
- a small particle of gold in a gold miner's pan after washing
- analysis of game action or strategy, statistics and background information on participants, and often anecdotes provided by a sportscaster to give variety and interest to the broadcast of a game or contest
- a hypothetical property of quarks that differentiates each type into three forms having a distinct role in binding quarks together
col·por·tage ['käl-,pȯr-tij, ,käl-pȯr-'täzh] -n
- a colporteur's work
col·por·teur ['käl-,pȯr-tər, ,käl-pȯr-'tər] -n
- a peddler of religious books
col·po·scope ['käl-pə-,skōp] -n
- a magnifying instrument designed to facilitate visual inspection of the vagina and cervix
colt ['kōlt] -n
- foal
- a male foal
- a young male horse that is usu. not castrated and has not attained an arbitrarily designated age (as four years)
- a young untried person
colt·ish ['kōl-tish] -adj, adv, n
- not subjected to discipline
- frisky, playful
- of, relating to, or resembling a colt
colts·foot ['kōlts-,fu̇t] -n
- any of various plants with large rounded leaves resembling the foot of a colt
- a perennial composite herb ( Tussilago farfara) with yellow flower heads appearing before the leaves
col·u·brid ['käl-yə-brəd, 'kä-lə-] -n, adj
- any of a large cosmopolitan family (Colubridae) of chiefly nonvenomous snakes
col·u·brine [-,brīn] -adj
- of, relating to, or resembling a snake
- of or relating to colubrids : colubrid
co·lu·go [kə-'lü-(,)gō] -n
- flying lemur
col·um·bar·i·um [,kä-ləm-'ber-ē-əm] -n
- a structure of vaults lined with recesses for cinerary urns
- a recess in a columbarium
Co·lum·bia [kə-'ləm-bē-ə] -n
- the United States
Co·lum·bi·an [-bē-ən] -adj
- of or relating to the United States or to Christopher Columbus
col·um·bine ['kä-ləm-,bīn] -n
- : any of a genus ( Aquilegia) of plants of the buttercup family with irregular showy spurred flowers: as
- a red-flowered plant ( A. canadensis) of eastern No. America
- a blue-flowered plant ( A. caerulea) of the Rocky Mountains
Col·um·bine [-,bīn, -,bēn] -n
- the saucy sweetheart of Harlequin in comedy and pantomime
co·lum·bite [kə-'ləm-,bīt, 'kä-ləm-] -n
- a black mineral consisting mostly of iron and niobium
co·lum·bi·um [kə-'ləm-bē-əm] -n
- niobium
Co·lum·bus Day [kə-'ləm-bəs-] -n
- October 12 formerly observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S. in commemoration of the landing of Columbus in the Bahamas in 1492
- the second Monday in October observed as a legal holiday in many states of the U.S.
col·u·mel·la [,käl-yə-'me-lə] -n, adj
- the central column or axis of a spiral univalve shell
- the bony or partly cartilaginous rod connecting the tympanic membrane with the internal ear in birds and in many reptiles and amphibians
- the bony central axis of the cochlea
col·umn ['kä-ləm also 'käl-yəm] -n, adj
- a vertical arrangement of items printed or written on a page
- one of two or more vertical sections of a printed page separated by a rule or blank space
- an accumulation arranged vertically : stack
- one in a usu. regular series of newspaper or magazine articles
- a supporting pillar
- one consisting of a usu. round shaft, a capital, and a base
- something resembling a column in form, position, or function
- a tube or cylinder in which a chromatographic separation takes place
- a long row (as of soldiers)
- one of the vertical lines of elements of a determinant or matrix
- a statistical category or grouping
- put another game in the win column
co·lum·nar [kə-'ləm-nər] -adj
- of, relating to, resembling, or characterized by columns
- of, relating to, being, or composed of tall narrow somewhat cylindrical or prismatic epithelial cells
co·lum·ni·a·tion [kə-,ləm-nē-'ā-shən] -n
- the employment or the arrangement of columns in a structure
col·um·nist ['kä-ləm-nist, -lə-mist also 'käl-yəm-nist, -yə-mist] -n, adj
- one who writes a newspaper or magazine column
col·za ['käl-zə, 'kōl-] -n
- rape
- rapeseed
com -abbr
- comedy; comic
- comma
- commercial organization
com- -prefix
- with : together : jointly usu. com- before b, p, or m , col- before l , and con- before other sounds
co·ma ['kō-mə] -n
- a state of profound unconsciousness caused by disease, injury, or poison
- a state of mental or physical sluggishness : torpor
coma [-,mē, -,mī] -n, adj
- a tufted bunch (as of branches, bracts, or seed hairs)
- the head of a comet consisting of a cloud of gas and dust and usu. containing a nucleus
- an optical aberration in which the image of a point source is a comet-shaped blur
Co·ma Ber·e·ni·ces ['kō-mə-,ber-ə-'nī-(,)sēz] -n
- a constellation north of Virgo and between Bootes and Leo
co·mak·er [(,)kō-'mā-kər] -n
- one that participates in an agreement
- one who stands to meet a financial obligation in the event of the maker's default
Co·man·che [kə-'man-chē] -n
- a member of an American Indian people ranging from Wyoming and Nebraska south into New Mexico and northwestern Texas
- the Uto-Aztecan language of the Comanche people
co·mate [(,)kō-'māt, 'kō-,] -n
- companion
co·ma·tose ['kō-mə-,tōs, 'kä-] -adj
- of, resembling, or affected with coma
- characterized by lethargic inertness : torpid
comb ['kōm] -n, adj
- a toothed instrument used esp. for adjusting, cleaning, or confining hair
- a structure resembling such a comb
- any of several toothed devices used in handling or ordering textile fibers
- currycomb
- a fleshy crest on the head of the domestic chicken and other domestic birds
- something (as the ridge of a roof) resembling the comb of a cock
- honeycomb
- to draw a comb through for the purpose of arranging or cleaning
- to pass across with a scraping or raking action
- to eliminate (as with a comb) by a thorough going-over
- to search or examine systematically
- police are comb ing the city
- to use in a combing action
- to roll over or break into foam
- to make a thorough search
- comb through the classified ads
- combination; combined; combining
- combustion
com·bat ['käm-,bat] -n
- a fight or contest between individuals or groups
- conflict, controversy
- active fighting in a war : action
- casualties suffered in combat
- to engage in combat : fight
- to fight with : battle
- to struggle against
- to strive to reduce or eliminate
- relating to combat
- designed or destined for combat
com·bat·ant [kəm-'ba-tᵊnt also 'käm-bə-tənt] -n, adj
- one that is engaged in or ready to engage in combat
combat fatigue -n
- post-traumatic stress disorder under wartime conditions (as combat) that cause intense stress called also battle fatigue shell shock
com·bat·ive [kəm-'ba-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- marked by eagerness to fight or contend
combe ['küm, 'kōm] -n
- a deep narrow valley
- a valley or basin on the flank of a hill
comb·er ['kō-mər] -n
- one that combs
- a long curling wave of the sea
com·bi·na·tion [,käm-bə-'nā-shən] -n, adj
- a result or product of combining
- an alliance of individuals, corporations, or states united to achieve a social, political, or economic end
- two or more persons working as a team
- : an ordered sequence: as
- a sequence of letters or numbers chosen in setting a lock
- the mechanism operating or moved by the sequence
- a rapid sequence of punches in boxing
- any subset of a set considered without regard to order within the subset
- any of various one-piece undergarments for the upper and lower parts of the body usu. used in pl.
- an instrument designed to perform two or more tasks
- the act or process of combining
- that of uniting to form a chemical compound
- the quality or state of being combined
combination shot -n
- a shot in pool in which a ball is pocketed by an object ball
com·bi·na·tive ['käm-bə-,nā-tiv, kəm-'bī-nə-] -adj
- tending or able to combine
- resulting from combination
com·bi·na·to·ri·al [,käm-bə-nə-'tȯr-ē-əl, kəm-,bī-nə-, -(,)bi-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or involving combinations
- of or relating to the arrangement of, operation on, and selection of discrete mathematical elements belonging to finite sets or making up geometric configurations
com·bi·na·tor·ics [-'tȯr-iks, -'tär-] -n pl but sing in constr
- combinatorial mathematics
com·bi·na·to·ry [kəm-'bī-nə-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- combinative
com·bine [kəm-'bīn] -vb, adj, n
- to bring into such close relationship as to obscure individual characters : merge
- two companies combining forces
- to cause to unite into a chemical compound
- to unite into a single number or expression
- combine fractions and simplify
- intermix, blend
- combine the sugar and flour
- to possess in combination
- a writer whose works combine imagination and scholarship
- to become one
- to unite to form a chemical compound
- to act together
- many factors combined to cause the recession
- a combination esp. of business or political interests
- a harvesting machine that heads, threshes, and cleans grain while moving over a field
- to harvest with a combine
- to combine a crop
com·bined [kəm-'bīnd] -n
- a skiing competition combining two separate events (as downhill race and a slalom race)
combing ['kō-miŋ] -n
(variant of coaming)
- a raised frame (as around a hatchway in the deck of a ship) to keep out water
comb·ings ['kō-miŋz] -n pl
- loose hair removed by a comb
combing wool -n
- long-staple strong-fibered wool found suitable for combing and used esp. in the manufacture of worsteds
combining form -n
- a linguistic form that occurs only in compounds or derivatives and can be distinguished descriptively from an affix by its ability to occur as one immediate constituent of a form whose only other immediate constituent is an affix (as cephal-in cephalic) or by its being derived from an independent word (as electro- representing electricin electromagnetor para-representing parachutein paratrooper) or can be distinguished historically from an affix by the fact that it is borrowed from another language in which it is descriptively a word or a combining form (as French malgiving English mal-in malodorous)
comb jelly -n
- ctenophore
com·bo ['käm-(,)bō] -n
- a usu. small jazz or dance band
- combination
combover ['kōm-,ō-vər] -n
- an arrangement of hair on a balding man in which hair from the side of the head is combed over the bald spot
com·bust [kəm-'bəst] -vb
- burn
com·bus·ti·ble [kəm-'bəs-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- capable of combustion
- easily excited
com·bus·tion [kəm-'bəs-chən] -n, adj
- an act or instance of burning
- a usu. rapid chemical process (as oxidation) that produces heat and usu. light
- a slower oxidation (as in the body)
- violent agitation : tumult
com·bus·tor [-'bəs-tər] -n
- a chamber (as in a gas turbine or a jet engine) in which combustion occurs called also combustion chamber
comd -abbr
- command
comdg -abbr
- commanding
comdr -abbr
- commander
comdt -abbr
- commandant
come ['kəm] -vb
- to move toward something : approach
- to move or journey to a vicinity with a specified purpose
- come and see what's going on
- to reach a particular station in a series
- now we come to the section on health
- to arrive in due course
- to approach in kind or quality
- this come s near perfection
- to reach a condition or conclusion
- came to regard him as a friend
- come to think of it, you may be right
- to advance toward accomplishment : come along
- to advance in a particular manner
- to advance, rise, or improve in rank or condition
- extend
- her dress came to her ankles
- to arrive at a particular place, end, result, or conclusion
- amount
- the taxes on it come to more than it's worth
- to appear to the mind
- to appear on a scene : make an appearance
- children come equipped to learn any language
- happen, occur
- to come to pass : take place used in the subjunctive with inverted subject and verb to express the particular time or occasion
- come spring the days will be longer
- originate, arise
- they come of sturdy stock
- to enter or assume a condition, position, or relation
- artillery came into action
- to fall within a field of view or a range of application
- this come s within the terms of the treaty
- to issue forth
- a sob came from her throat
- to take form
- churn till the butter come s
- to be available
- this model come s in several sizes
- to experience orgasm
- to fall to a person in a division or inheritance of property
- to become moved favorably : relent
- to turn out to be
- good clothes don't come cheap
- become
- to approach or be near (an age)
- a child coming eight years old
- to take on the aspect of
- semen
- orgasm
come about -vi
- happen
- to change direction
- the wind has come about into the north
- to shift to a new tack
come across -vi
- to give over or furnish something demanded
- to pay over money
- to produce an impression
- comes across as a good speaker
- come through
comealong ['kəm-ə-,lȯŋ] -n
- a small portable winch usu. consisting of a cable attached to a hand-operated ratchet
come along -vi
- to accompany someone who leads the way
- asked me to come along on the trip
- to make progress
- work is coming along well
- to make an appearance
- won't just marry the first man that comes along
come around -vi
- come round
- menstruate
come·back ['kəm-,bak] -n
- a sharp or witty reply : retort
- a cause for complaint
- a return to a former position or condition (as of success or prosperity) : recovery, revival
- staging his ultimate comeback from self-imposed exile -- Howard Mandel
come back -vi
- to return to life or vitality
- to return to memory
- it's all coming back to me now
- reply, retort
- when questioned, he came back with a vehement denial
- to regain a former favorable condition or position
come·back·er ['kəm-,ba-kər] -n
- a grounder in baseball hit directly to the pitcher
come by -vt
- to get possession of : acquire
- a good job is hard to come by
- to make a visit
COMECON -abbr
- Council for Mutual Economic Assistance
co·me·di·an [kə-'mē-dē-ən] -n
- a writer of comedies
- an actor who plays comic roles
- a comical individual
- a professional entertainer who uses any of various physical or verbal means to be amusing
co·me·dic [-'mē-dik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to comedy
- comical
co·me·di·enne [-,mē-dē-'en] -n
- a woman who is a comedian
com·e·do ['kä-mə-,dō] -n
- blackhead
come·down ['kəm-,dau̇n] -n
- a descent in rank or dignity
come down -vi
- to lose or fall in estate or condition
- has come down in the world
- to pass by tradition
- a story that has come down from medieval times
- to pass from a usu. high source
- word came down that the strike was over
- to place oneself in opposition
- came down hard on gambling
- to deal with a subject directly
- when you come down to it, we all depend on others
- to reduce itself : amount
- to become ill
- come out
- go on, happen
com·e·dy ['kä-mə-dē] -n
- a medieval narrative that ends happily
- a literary work written in a comic style or treating a comic theme
- a drama of light and amusing character and typically with a happy ending
- the genre of dramatic literature dealing with the comic or with the serious in a light or satirical manner
- a ludicrous or farcical event or series of events
- the comic element
- the comedy of many life situations
- humorous entertainment
comedy drama -n
- serious drama that is interspersed with comedy
comedy of manners
- comedy that satirically portrays the manners and fashions of a particular class or set
comehith·er [(,)kəm-'hi-thər, (,)kə-'mi-] -n
- a tempting often sexual invitation
- that comehither look in your eyes
come in -vi
- to arrive on a scene
- to become available
- to place among those finishing
- to function in an indicated manner
- to be received
- to assume a role or function
- to attain maturity, fruitfulness, or production
come·ly ['kəm-lē also 'kōm- or 'käm-] -adj, n
- pleasurably conforming to notions of good appearance, suitability, or proportion
- having a pleasing appearance : not homely or plain
come off -vi
- to acquit oneself : fare
- came off well in the contest
- appear, seem
- succeed
- a television series that never came off -- TV Guide
- happen, occur
- to have recently completed or recovered from
comeon ['kəm-,ȯn, -,än] -n
- something (as an advertising promotion) intended to entice or allure
- a usu. sexual advance
come on -vi
- to advance by degrees
- to begin by degrees
- please used in cajoling or pleading
- used interjectionally to express astonishment, incredulity, or recognition of a put-on
- to project an indicated personal image
- comes on as a conservative
- to show sexual interest in someone
- to make sexual advances usu. used with to
come out [,kə-miŋ-'au̇t] -vi, n or adj
- to come into public view : make a public appearance
- a new magazine has come out
- to become evident
- his pride came out in his refusal to accept help
- to declare oneself esp. in public utterance
- came out in favor of the proposal
- to turn out in an outcome : end up
- everything came out all right
- to make a debut
- to openly declare one's homosexuality
- to openly declare something about oneself previously kept hidden often used with as
- blew his cover and came out as a CIA agent -- William Prochnau
comeout·er [(,)kəm-'au̇-tər] -n
- a person who withdraws from something established (as a religious body)
- a person who advocates political reform
come over -vi
- to change from one side (as of a controversy) to the other
- to visit casually : drop in
- come over whenever you like
- become
com·er ['kə-mər] -n
- one that comes or arrives
- one making rapid progress or showing promise
come round -vi
- to change direction
- to return to a former condition
- come to
- to accede to a particular opinion or course of action
- you'll come round to our side eventually
co·mes·ti·ble [kə-'mes-tə-bəl] -adj
- edible
comestible -n
- food usu. used in pl.
com·et ['kä-mət] -n, adj
- a celestial body that appears as a fuzzy head usu. surrounding a bright nucleus, that has a usu. highly eccentric orbit, that consists primarily of ice and dust, and that often develops one or more long tails when near the sun
come through -vi
- to do what is needed or expected
- came through in the clutch
- to become communicated
- the message came through loud and clear
come to -vi
- to recover consciousness
- to bring a ship's head nearer the wind : luff
- to come to anchor or to a stop
come up -vi
- rise
- to come near : make an approach
- came up and introduced himself
- to rise in rank or status
- an officer who came up from the ranks
- to come to attention or consideration
- the question never came up
- to occur in the course of time
- any problem that may come up
- to turn out to be
- grow up
come·up·pance [(,)kəm-'ə-pən(t)s] -n
- a deserved rebuke or penalty : deserts
com·fit ['kəm(p)-fət, 'käm(p)-] -n
- a candy consisting of a piece of fruit, a root (as licorice), a nut, or a seed coated and preserved with sugar
com·fort ['kəm(p)-fərt] -vt, adv
- to give strength and hope to : cheer
- to ease the grief or trouble of : console
comfort [-ləs] -n, adj
- : strengthening aid:
- assistance, support
- accused of giving aid and comfort to the enemy
- consolation in time of trouble or worry : solace
- a feeling of relief or encouragement
- contented well-being
- a life of ease and comfort
- a satisfying or enjoyable experience
- one that gives or brings comfort
- all the comfort s of home
com·fort·able ['kəm(p)(f)-tə(r)-bəl, 'kəm(p)-fə(r)-tə-bəl, 'kəm-fə(r)-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- affording or enjoying contentment and security
- affording or enjoying physical comfort
- was too comfortable to move
- free from vexation or doubt
- free from stress or tension
com·fort·er ['kəm(p)-fə(r)-tər] -n
- holy spirit
- one that gives comfort
- a long narrow usu. knitted neck scarf
- a thick bed covering made of two layers of cloth containing a filling (as down)
comfort food -n
- food prepared in a traditional style having a usu. nostalgic or sentimental appeal
comfort station -n
- restroom
comfort zone -n
- the temperature range within which one is comfortable
- the level at which one functions with ease and familiarity
com·frey ['kəm(p)-frē] -n
- any of a genus ( Symphytum) of perennial herbs of the borage family with coarse hairy entire leaves and flowers in one-sided racemes
- an herbal preparation of the leaves or roots of comfrey that is toxic if taken internally
com·fy ['kəm(p)-fē] -adj
- comfortable
com·ic ['kä-mik] -adj
- of, relating to, or marked by comedy
- causing laughter or amusement : funny
- of or relating to comic strips
- the newspaper's comic section
comic -n
- comedian
- the comic element
- comic strip
- comic book
- the part of a newspaper devoted to comic strips
com·i·cal ['kä-mi-kəl] -adj, n, adv
- of or relating to comedy
- causing laughter esp. because of a startlingly or unexpectedly humorous impact
- wearing a comical expression
comic book -n
- a magazine containing sequences of comic strips usu. hyphenated in attributive use
com·icop·era ['kä-mik-'ä-p(ə-)rə] -adj
- not to be taken seriously
comic opera -n
- opera of a humorous character with a happy ending and usu. some spoken dialogue
comic relief -n
- a relief from the emotional tension esp. of a drama that is provided by the interposition of a comic episode or element
comic strip -n
- a group of cartoons in narrative sequence
com·ing ['kə-miŋ] -n
- an act or instance of arriving
coming -adj
- immediately due in sequence or development
- gaining importance
co·min·gle [kə-'miŋ-gəl] -vt
- commingle
comingofage -n
- the attainment of prominence, respectability, recognition, or maturity
Com·in·tern ['kä-mən-,tərn] -n
- the Communist International established in 1919 and dissolved in 1943
co·mi·tia [kə-'mi-sh(ē-)ə] -n, adj
- any of several public assemblies of the people in ancient Rome for legislative, judicial, and electoral purposes
co·mi·ty ['kä-mə-tē, 'kō-] -n
- friendly social atmosphere : social harmony
- group activities promoting comity
- a loose widespread community based on common social institutions
- the comity of civilization
- comity of nations
- the informal and voluntary recognition by courts of one jurisdiction of the laws and judicial decisions of another
- avoidance of proselytizing members of another religious denomination
comity of nations
- the courtesy and friendship of nations marked esp. by mutual recognition of executive, legislative, and judicial acts
- the group of nations practicing international comity
com·ix ['kä-miks] -n pl
- comic books or comic strips
coml -abbr
- commercial
comm -abbr
- command; commandant; commander; commanding
- commentary
- commerce; commercial
- commission; commissioned; commissioner
- committee
- common; commoner
- commonwealth
- commune
- communication
- communist
- community
com·ma ['kä-mə] -n
- a punctuation mark , used esp. as a mark of separation within the sentence
- pause, interval
- any of several nymphalid butterflies (genus Polygonia) with a silvery comma-shaped mark on the underside of the hind wings
comma fault -n
- comma splice
com·mand [kə-'mand] -vb, adj
- to direct authoritatively : order
- : to exercise a dominating influence over : have command of: as
- to have at one's immediate disposal
- to demand or receive as one's due
- to overlook or dominate from or as if from a strategic position
- a hill that command s the city
- to have military command of as senior officer
- to order or request to be given
- to have or exercise direct authority : govern
- to give orders
- to be commander
- to dominate as if from an elevated place
command -n
- an order given
- a signal that actuates a device (as a control mechanism in a spacecraft or one step in a computer)
- the activation of a device by means of such a signal
- the ability to control : mastery
- the authority or right to command
- the power to dominate
- scope of vision
- facility in use
- control
- a pitcher with good command of his curveball
- the act of commanding
- the personnel, area, or organization under a commander
- a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than an air force
- a position of highest usu. military authority
- done on command or request
com·man·dant ['kä-mən-,dänt, -,dant] -n
- commanding officer
command car -n
- an open armored car designed esp. for military reconnaissance and capable of traveling over rough terrain
command economy -n
- an economic system in which activity is controlled by a central authority and the means of production are publicly owned
com·man·deer [,kä-mən-'dir] -vt
- to compel to perform military service
- to seize for military purposes
- to take arbitrary or forcible possession of
com·mand·er [kə-'man-dər] -n
- : one in an official position of command or control: as
- commanding officer
- the presiding officer of a society or organization
- a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant commander and below a captain
commander in chief
- one who holds the supreme command of an armed force
com·mand·ery [kə-'man-d(ə-)rē] -n
- a district under the control of a commander of an order of knights
- an assembly or lodge in a secret order
com·mand·ing [kə-'man-diŋ] -adj, adv
- drawing attention or priority
- difficult to overcome
commanding officer -n
- an officer in command
- an officer in the armed forces in command of an organization or installation
com·mand·ment [kə-'man(d)-mənt] -n
- the act or power of commanding
- something that is commanded
- one of the biblical Ten Commandments
command module -n
- a space vehicle module designed to carry the crew, the chief communication equipment, and the equipment for reentry
com·man·do [kə-'man-(,)dō] -n
- a military unit or command of the Boers
- a raiding expedition
- a military unit trained and organized as shock troops esp. for hit-and-run raids into enemy territory
- a member of such a unit
command post -n
- a post at which the commander of a unit in the field receives orders and exercises command
command sergeant major -n
- a noncommissioned officer in the army ranking above a first sergeant
comma splice -n
- the unjustified use of a comma between coordinate main clauses not connected by a conjunction (as in nobody goes there anymore, it's boring)
com·me·dia del·l'ar·te [kə-,mā-dē-ə-(,)del-'är-tē, kə-,me-] -n
- Italian comedy of the 16th to 18th centuries improvised from standardized situations and stock characters
comme il faut [,kə-mē(l)-'fō] -adj
- conforming to accepted standards : proper
com·mem·o·rate [kə-'me-mə-,rāt] -vt, n
- to call to remembrance
- to mark by some ceremony or observation : observe
- commemorate an anniversary
- to serve as a memorial of
- a plaque that commemorate s the battle
com·mem·o·ra·tion [kə-,me-mə-'rā-shən] -n
- the act of commemorating
- something that commemorates
com·mem·o·ra·tive [kə-'mem-rə-tiv, -'me-mə-; -'me-mə-,rā-tiv] -adj, n, adv
- intended as a commemoration
- issued in limited quantities for a relatively short period in commemoration of a person, place, or event
com·mence [kə-'men(t)s] -vb, n
- to enter upon : begin
- to have or make a beginning : start
- the meeting will commence soon
- to take a degree at a university
com·mence·ment [kəm-'men(t)s-mənt] -n
- an act, instance, or time of commencing
- the ceremonies or the day for conferring degrees or diplomas
- the period of activities at this time
com·mend [kə-'mend] -vb, adj, adv, n
- to entrust for care or preservation
- to recommend as worthy of confidence or notice
- to mention with approbation : praise
- to commend or serve as a commendation of something
com·men·da·tion [,kä-mən-'dā-shən, -,men-] -n
- an act of commending
- something (as a formal citation) that commends
- compliment
com·men·da·to·ry [kə-'men-də-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- serving to commend
com·men·sal [kə-'men(t)-səl] -adj, n, adv
- of, relating to, or living in a state of commensalism
com·men·sal·ism [-sə-,li-zəm] -n
- a relation between two kinds of organisms in which one obtains food or other benefits from the other without damaging or benefiting it
com·men·su·ra·ble [kə-'men(t)s-rə-bəl, -'men(t)sh-; -'men(t)-sə-, -shə-] -adj, n, adv
- having a common measure
- divisible without remainder by a common unit
- commensurate
com·men·su·rate [kə-'men(t)s-rət, -'men(t)sh-; -'men(t)-sə-, -shə-] -adj, adv, n
- equal in measure or extent : coextensive
- lived a life commensurate with the early years of the republic
- corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree : proportionate
- was given a job commensurate with her abilities
- commensurable
com·ment ['kä-,ment] -n
- commentary
- a note explaining, illustrating, or criticizing the meaning of a writing
- an observation or remark expressing an opinion or attitude
- a judgment expressed indirectly
- sees the film as a comment on modern values
comment -vt
- to make a comment on
- the discovery...is hardly comment ed by the press -- Nation
- to explain or interpret something by comment
- comment ing on recent developments
com·men·tary ['kä-mən-,ter-ē, -,te-rē] -n
- an explanatory treatise usu. used in pl.
- a record of events usu. written by a participant usu. used in pl.
- a systematic series of explanations or interpretations (as of a writing)
- comment
- something that serves for illustration or explanation
- the dark, airless apartments and sunless factories...are a sad commentary upon our civilization -- H. A. Overstreet
- an expression of opinion
com·men·tate ['kä-mən-,tāt] -vb
- to give a commentary on
- to comment in a usu. expository or interpretive manner
- to act as a commentator
com·men·ta·tor [-,tā-tər] -n
- one who gives a commentary
- one who reports and discusses news on radio or television
com·merce ['kä-(,)mərs] -n
- social intercourse : interchange of ideas, opinions, or sentiments
- the exchange or buying and selling of commodities on a large scale involving transportation from place to place
- sexual intercourse
- commune
com·mer·cial [kə-'mər-shəl] -adj, n, adv
- occupied with or engaged in commerce or work intended for commerce
- of or relating to commerce
- characteristic of commerce
- suitable, adequate, or prepared for commerce
- found oil in commercial quantities
- being of an average or inferior quality
- show-quality versus commercial cattle
- producing artistic work of low standards for quick market success
- viewed with regard to profit
- designed for a large market
- emphasizing skills and subjects useful in business
- supported by advertisers
commercial -n
- an advertisement broadcast on radio or television
commercial bank -n
- a bank organized chiefly to handle the everyday financial transactions of businesses (as through demand deposit accounts and short-term commercial loans)
com·mer·cial·ise [kə-'mər-shə-,līz] -vt, n
(variant of commercialize)
- to manage on a business basis for profit
- to develop commerce in
- to exploit for profit
- to debase in quality for more profit
com·mer·cial·ism [kə-'mər-shə-,li-zəm] -n, adj
- commercial spirit, institutions, or methods
- excessive emphasis on profit
com·mer·cial·ize [kə-'mər-shə-,līz] -vt, n
- to manage on a business basis for profit
- to develop commerce in
- to exploit for profit
- to debase in quality for more profit
commercial paper -n
- short-term unsecured discounted paper usu. sold by one company to another for immediate cash needs
commercial traveler -n
- traveling salesman
com·mie ['kä-mē] -n
- communist
com·mi·na·tion [,kä-mə-'nā-shən] -n, adj
- denunciation
com·min·gle [kə-'miŋ-gəl, kä-] -vt
- to blend thoroughly into a harmonious whole
- to combine (funds or properties) into a common fund or stock
- to become commingled
com·mi·nute ['kä-mə-,nüt, -,nyüt] -vt, n
- to reduce to minute particles : pulverize
com·mis·er·ate [kə-'mi-zə-,rāt] -vb, adv, n, adj
- to feel or express sympathy : condole
- commiserate s with them on their loss
- to feel or express sorrow or compassion for
com·mis·sar ['kä-mə-,sär] -n, adj
- a Communist party official assigned to a military unit to teach party principles and policies and to ensure party loyalty
- one that attempts to control public opinion or its expression
- the head of a government department in the U.S.S.R. until 1946
com·mis·sar·i·at [,kä-mə-'ser-ē-ət, esp for 3 -'sär-] -n
- a system for supplying an army with food
- food supplies
- a government department in the U.S.S.R. until 1946
- a board of commissioners
com·mis·sary ['kä-mə-,ser-ē, -,se-rē] -n
- one delegated by a superior to execute a duty or an office
- a store for equipment and provisions
- a supermarket for military personnel
- food supplies
- a lunchroom esp. in a motion-picture studio
com·mis·sion [kə-'mi-shən] -n
- a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties
- a certificate conferring military rank and authority
- the rank and authority so conferred
- an authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts : charge
- authority to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another
- a task or matter entrusted to one as an agent for another
- a group of persons directed to perform some duty
- a government agency having administrative, legislative, or judicial powers
- a city council having legislative and executive functions
- an act of committing something
- a fee paid to an agent or employee for transacting a piece of business or performing a service
- a percentage of the money received from a total paid to the agent responsible for the business
- an act of entrusting or giving authority
commission [-'mi-sh(ə-)niŋ] -vt
- : to furnish with a commission: as
- to confer a formal commission on
- was commission ed lieutenant
- to appoint or assign to a task or function
- was commission ed to do the biography
- to order to be made
- to put (a ship) in commission
com·mis·sion·aire [kə-,mi-shə-'ner] -n
- a uniformed attendant
commissioned officer -n
- an officer of the armed forces holding by a commission a rank of second lieutenant or ensign or above
com·mis·sion·er [kə-'mi-sh(ə-)nər] -n
- : a person with a commission: as
- a member of a commission
- the representative of the governmental authority in a district, province, or other unit often having both judicial and administrative powers
- the officer in charge of a department or bureau of the public service
- the administrative head of a professional sport
commission merchant -n
- broker
commission plan -n
- a method of municipal government under which a small elective commission exercises both executive and legislative powers and each commissioner directly administers one or more municipal departments
com·mis·sure ['kä-mə-,shu̇r] -n, adj
- a point or line of union or junction esp. between two anatomical parts (as adjacent heart valves)
- a connecting band of nerve tissue in the brain or spinal cord
com·mit [kə-'mit] -vb, adj
- to put into charge or trust : entrust
- to place in a prison or mental institution
- to consign or record for preservation
- to put into a place for disposal or safekeeping
- to refer (as a legislative bill) to a committee for consideration and report
- to carry into action deliberately : perpetrate
- obligate, bind
- a contract committing the company to complete the project on time
- to pledge or assign to some particular course or use
- commit all troops to the attack
- to reveal the views of
- refused to commit himself on the issue
- to perpetrate an offense
- to obligate or pledge oneself
com·mit·ment [kə-'mit-mənt] -n
- : an act of committing to a charge or trust: as
- a consignment to a penal or mental institution
- an act of referring a matter to a legislative committee
- mittimus
- an agreement or pledge to do something in the future
- an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date
- something pledged
- the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled
com·mit·tal [kə-'mi-tᵊl] -n
- commitment, consignment
com·mit·tee [kə-'mi-tē, sense 1 also ,kä-mi-'tē] -n
- a person to whom a charge or trust is committed
- a body of persons delegated to consider, investigate, take action on, or report on some matter
- a group of fellow legislators chosen by a legislative body to give consideration to legislative matters
- a self-constituted organization for the promotion of a common object
com·mit·tee·man [kə-'mi-tē-mən, -,man] -n
- a member of a committee
- a party leader of a ward or precinct
committee of the whole
- the whole membership of a legislative house sitting as a committee and operating under informal rules
com·mit·tee·wom·an [-,wu̇-mən] -n
- a woman who is a member of a committee
- a woman who is a party leader of a ward or precinct
com·mix [kə-'miks, kä-] -vb
- mingle, blend
- to become mingled or blended
com·mix·ture [-chər] -n
- the act or process of mixing : the state of being mixed
- compound, mixture
commo -abbr
- commodore
com·mode [kə-'mōd] -n
- a woman's ornate cap popular in the late 17th and early 18th centuries
- a low chest of drawers
- a movable washstand with a cupboard underneath
- a boxlike structure holding a chamber pot under an open seat
- chamber pot
- toilet
com·mod·i·fy [kə-'mä-də-,fī] -vt, n
- to turn (as an intrinsic value or a work of art) into a commodity
com·mo·di·ous [kə-'mō-dē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- comfortably or conveniently spacious : roomy
- handy, serviceable
com·mod·i·tize [kə-'mä-də-,tīz] -vt, n
- commodify
- to render (a good or service) widely available and interchangeable with one provided by another company
- to affect (as a brand or a market) by commoditizing goods or services
- fierce competition threatened to commoditize prices
com·mod·i·ty [kə-'mä-də-tē] -n
- : an economic good: as
- a product of agriculture or mining
- an article of commerce esp. when delivered for shipment
- a mass-produced unspecialized product
- something useful or valued
- that valuable commodity patience
- thing, entity
- convenience, advantage
- quantity, lot
- a good or service whose wide availability typically leads to smaller profit margins and diminishes the importance of factors (as brand name) other than price
- one that is subject to ready exchange or exploitation within a market
- stars as individuals and as commodities of the film industry -- Film Quarterly
com·mo·dore ['kä-mə-,dȯr] -n
- a captain in the navy in command of a squadron
- a commissioned officer in the navy formerly ranking above captain and below rear admiral and having an insignia of one star
- the ranking officer commanding a body of merchant ships
- the chief officer of a yacht club or boating association
com·mon ['kä-mən] -adj, adv, n
- of or relating to a community at large : public
- known to the community
- belonging to or shared by two or more individuals or things or by all members of a group
- belonging equally to two or more mathematical entities
- triangles with a common base
- having two or more branches
- occurring or appearing frequently : familiar
- of the best known or most frequently seen kind used esp. of plants and animals
- vernacular
- widespread, general
- characterized by a lack of privilege or special status
- just satisfying accustomed criteria : elementary
- falling below ordinary standards : second-rate
- lacking refinement : coarse
- denoting nominal relations by a single linguistic form that in a more highly inflected language might be denoted by two or more different forms
- of, relating to, or being common stock
common -n
- the common people
- a dining hall
- the political group or estate comprising the commoners
- the parliamentary representatives of the commoners
- house of commons
- the legal right of taking a profit in another's land in common with the owner or others
- : a piece of land subject to common use: as
- undivided land used esp. for pasture
- a public open area in a municipality
- a religious service suitable for any of various festivals
- ordinary
- common stock
com·mon·age ['kä-mə-nij] -n
- community land
- commonalty
com·mon·al·i·ty [,kä-mə-'na-lə-tē] -n
- the common people
- possession of common features or attributes : commonness
- a common feature or attribute
com·mon·al·ty ['kä-mə-nᵊl-tē] -n
- the common people
- the political estate formed by the common people
- a usage or practice common to members of a group
- a general group or body
common carrier -n
- a business or agency that is available to the public for transportation of persons, goods, or messages
common cattle grub -n
- a cattle grub ( Hypoderma lineatum) which is found throughout the U.S. and whose larva is particularly destructive to cattle
common cold -n
- an acute disease of the upper respiratory tract that is marked by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, eyes, and eustachian tubes and by a watery then purulent discharge and is caused by any of several viruses (as a rhinovirus or an adenovirus)
common denominator -n
- a common multiple of the denominators of a number of fractions
- a common trait or theme
common difference -n
- the difference between two consecutive terms of an arithmetic progression
common divisor -n
- a number or expression that divides two or more numbers or expressions without remainder called also common factor
com·mon·er ['kä-mə-nər] -n
- one of the common people
- one who is not of noble rank
- a student (as at Oxford) who pays for his own board
Common Era -n
- christian era
common fraction -n
- a fraction (as or ) in which the numerator and denominator are both integers and are separated by a horizontal or slanted line
common ground -n
- a basis of mutual interest or agreement
com·monlaw ['kä-mən-,lȯ] -adj
- of, relating to, or based on the common law
- relating to or based on a common-law marriage
common law -n
- the body of law developed in England primarily from judicial decisions based on custom and precedent, unwritten in statute or code, and constituting the basis of the English legal system and of the system in all of the U.S. except Louisiana
commonlaw marriage -n
- a marriage recognized in some jurisdictions and based on the parties' agreement to consider themselves married and sometimes also on their cohabitation
- the cohabitation of a couple even when it does not constitute a legal marriage
common logarithm -n
- a logarithm whose base is 10
common market -n
- an economic association (as of nations) formed to remove trade barriers among its members
common measure -n
- a meter consisting chiefly of iambic lines of 7 accents each arranged in rhymed pairs usu. printed in 4-line stanzas called also common meter
common multiple -n
- a multiple of each of two or more numbers or expressions
- 90 is a common multiple of 6 and 10
common noun -n
- a noun that may occur with limiting modifiers (as aor an, some, every,and my) and that designates any one of a class of beings or things
common or garden -adj
- ordinary
com·mon·place ['kä-mən-,plās] -n
- a striking passage entered in a commonplace book
- an obvious or trite comment : truism
- something commonly found
commonplace -adj, n
- commonly found or seen : ordinary, unremarkable
- the large mergers that had become commonplace
commonplace book -n
- a book of memorabilia
common pleas -n pl
- court of common pleas
- actions over which the English crown did not exercise exclusive jurisdiction
- civil actions between English subjects
common ratio -n
- the ratio of each term of a geometric progression to the term preceding it
common room -n
- a lounge available to all members of a residential community
- a room in a college for faculty use
common salt -n
- salt
common school -n
- a free public school
common sense ['kä-mən-'sen(t)s] -n, adj, adv
- sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts
common situs picketing -n
- the picketing of an entire construction site by a trade union having a grievance with only a single subcontractor working there
common stock -n
- stock other than preferred stock
common time -n
- a musical meter marked by four beats per measure with the quarter note receiving a single beat
common touch -n
- the gift of appealing to or arousing the sympathetic interest of the common people
com·mon·weal ['kä-mən-,wēl] -n
- commonwealth
- the general welfare
com·mon·wealth [-,welth also -,weltth] -n
- commonweal
- : a nation, state, or other political unit: as
- one founded on law and united by compact or tacit agreement of the people for the common good
- one in which supreme authority is vested in the people
- republic
- the English state from the death of Charles I in 1649 to the Restoration in 1660
- protectorate
- a state of the U.S. used officially of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
- a federal union of constituent states used officially of Australia
- an association of self-governing autonomous states more or less loosely associated in a common allegiance (as to the British crown)
- a political unit having local autonomy but voluntarily united with the U.S. used officially of Puerto Rico and of the Northern Mariana Islands
Commonwealth Day -n
- a holiday observed in parts of the Commonwealth of Nations formerly on May 24 as the anniversary of Queen Victoria's birthday and now on the second Monday in March
common year -n
- a calendar year containing no intercalary period
com·mo·tion [kə-'mō-shən] -n
- a condition of civil unrest or insurrection
- steady or recurrent motion
- mental excitement or confusion
- an agitated disturbance : to-do
- noisy confusion : agitation
com·move [kə-'müv, kä-] -vt
- to move violently : agitate
- to rouse intense feeling in : excite to passion
com·mu·nal [kə-'myü-nᵊl, 'käm-yə-nᵊl] -adj, vt, adv
- of or relating to one or more communes
- of or relating to a community
- characterized by collective ownership and use of property
- participated in, shared, or used in common by members of a group or community
- of, relating to, or based on racial or cultural groups
com·mu·nal·ism [-nə-,li-zəm] -n, n or adj
- social organization on a communal basis
- loyalty to a sociopolitical grouping based on religious or ethnic affiliation
com·mu·nal·i·ty [,käm-yu̇-'na-lə-tē] -n
- communal state or character
- a feeling of group solidarity
com·mu·nard [,käm-yu̇-'när(d)] -n
- one who supported or participated in the Commune of Paris in 1871
- a person who lives in a commune
com·mune [kə-'myün] -vb
- talk over, discuss
- have more to commune -- Shak.
- to receive Communion
- to communicate intimately
- the smallest administrative district of many countries esp. in Europe
- commonalty
- : community:
- a medieval usu. municipal corporation
- mir
- an often rural community organized on a communal basis
com·mu·ni·ca·ble [kə-'myü-ni-kə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- capable of being communicated : transmittable
- communicative
- prove myself a gentleman, by being...virtuous and communicable -- Izaac Walton
com·mu·ni·cant [-'myü-ni-kənt] -n, adj
- a church member entitled to receive Communion
- a member of a fellowship
- one that communicates
- informant
com·mu·ni·cate [kə-'myü-nə-,kāt] -vb, n
- share
- to convey knowledge of or information about : make known
- to reveal by clear signs
- his fear communicated itself to his friends
- to cause to pass from one to another
- some diseases are easily communicated
- to receive Communion
- to transmit information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood
- two sides failing to communicate with each other
- to open into each other : connect
com·mu·ni·ca·tion [kə-,myü-nə-'kā-shən] -n, adj
- an act or instance of transmitting
- information communicated
- a verbal or written message
- a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior
- the function of pheromones in insect communication
- exchange of information
- personal rapport
- a lack of communication between old and young persons
- a system (as of telephones) for communicating
- a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles
- personnel engaged in communicating
- a technique for expressing ideas effectively (as in speech)
- the technology of the transmission of information (as by print or telecommunication)
com·mu·ni·ca·tive [kə-'myü-nə-,kā-tiv, -ni-kə-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- tending to communicate : talkative
- of or relating to communication
com·mu·ni·ca·to·ry [kə-'myü-ni-kə-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- designed to communicate information
- communicative
com·mu·nion [kə-'myü-nyən] -n
- an act or instance of sharing
- a Christian sacrament in which consecrated bread and wine are consumed as memorials of Christ's death or as symbols for the realization of a spiritual union between Christ and communicant or as the body and blood of Christ
- the act of receiving Communion
- the part of a Communion service in which the sacrament is received
- intimate fellowship or rapport : communication
- a body of Christians having a common faith and discipline
com·mu·ni·que [kə-'myü-nə-,kā, -,myü-nə-'] -n
- bulletin
com·mu·nise ['käm-yə-,nīz, -yü-] -vt, n
(variant of communize)
- to make common
- to make into state-owned property
- to subject to Communist principles of organization
com·mu·nism ['käm-yə-,ni-zəm, -yü-] -n
- a theory advocating elimination of private property
- a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
- a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the U.S.S.R.
- a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
- a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably
- communist systems collectively
com·mu·nist [-nist] -n, adj, adv
- an adherent or advocate of communism
- communard
- a member of a Communist party or movement
- an adherent or advocate of a Communist government, party, or movement
- one held to engage in left-wing, subversive, or revolutionary activities
com·mu·ni·tar·i·an [kə-,myü-nə-'ter-ē-ən] -adj, n
- of or relating to social organization in small cooperative partially collectivist communities
com·mu·ni·ty [kə-'myü-nə-tē] -n
- : a unified body of individuals: as
- state, commonwealth
- the people with common interests living in a particular area
- the area itself
- the problems of a large community
- an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location
- a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society
- a community of retired persons
- a group linked by a common policy
- a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests
- the international community
- a body of persons of common and esp. professional interests scattered through a larger society
- society at large
- joint ownership or participation
- common character : likeness
- social activity : fellowship
- a social state or condition
community antenna television -n
- cable television
community center -n
- a building or group of buildings for a community's educational and recreational activities
community chest -n
- a general fund accumulated from individual subscriptions to defray demands on a community for charity and social welfare
community college -n
- a 2-year government-supported college that offers an associate degree
community property -n
- property held jointly by husband and wife
com·mu·nize ['käm-yə-,nīz, -yü-] -vt, n
- to make common
- to make into state-owned property
- to subject to Communist principles of organization
com·mu·tate ['käm-yə-,tāt, -yü-] -vt
- to reverse every other half cycle of (an alternating current) so as to form a unidirectional current
com·mu·ta·tion [,käm-yə-'tā-shən, -yü-] -n
- exchange, trade
- replacement
- a substitution of one form of payment or charge for another
- a change of a legal penalty or punishment to a lesser one
- commutation of a death sentence
- an act or process of commuting
- the action of commutating
commutation ticket -n
- a transportation ticket sold for a fixed number of trips over the same route during a limited period
com·mu·ta·tive [kə-'myü-tə-tiv, 'käm-yə-,tā-tiv] -adj
- of, relating to, or showing commutation
- of, relating to, having, or being the property that a given mathematical operation and set have when the result obtained using any two elements of the set with the operation does not differ with the order in which the elements are used
- addition of the positive integers is commutative
com·mu·ta·tiv·i·ty [kə-,myü-tə-'ti-və-tē, ,käm-yə-tə-] -n
- the property of being commutative
- the commutativity of a mathematical operation
com·mu·ta·tor ['käm-yə-,tā-tər, -yü-] -n
- a series of bars or segments so connected to armature coils of a generator or motor that rotation of the armature will in conjunction with fixed brushes result in unidirectional current output in the case of a generator and in the reversal of the current into the coils in the case of a motor
- an element of a mathematical group that when used to multiply the product of two given elements either on the right side or on the left side but not necessarily on both sides yields the product of the two given elements in reverse order
com·mute [kə-'myüt] -vb, adj
- change, alter
- to give in exchange for another : exchange
- to convert (as a payment) into another form
- to change (a penalty) to another less severe
- commute a death sentence to life in prison
- commutate
- make up, compensate
- to pay in gross
- to travel back and forth regularly (as between a suburb and a city)
- to yield the same mathematical result regardless of order used of two elements undergoing an operation or of two operations on elements
commute -n
- an act or an instance of commuting
- the distance covered in commuting
com·mut·er [kə-'myü-tər] -n
- a person who commutes (as between a suburb and a city)
- a small airline that carries passengers relatively short distances on a regular schedule
co·mo·no·mer [(,)kō-'mä-nə-mər, -'mō-] -n
- one of the constituents of a copolymer
co·mor·bid [(,)kō-'mȯr-bəd] -adj, n
- existing simultaneously with and usu. independently of another medical condition
comp ['kämp] -n
- a complimentary ticket
- something provided free of charge
- to provide with something free
- a hotel comp ing celebrities for their rooms
- to provide free of charge
- to punctuate and support a jazz solo with irregularly spaced chords
- comparative; compare
- compensation; compensatory
- compiled; compiler
- composition; compositor
- compound
- comprehensive
- comptroller
com·pact [kəm-'pakt, käm-', 'käm-,] -adj, adv, n
- predominantly formed or filled : composed, made
- having a dense structure or parts or units closely packed or joined
- not diffuse or verbose
- occupying a small volume by reason of efficient use of space
- a compact formation of troops
- short-bodied, solid, and without excess flesh
- being a topological space and esp. a metric space with the property that for any collection of open sets which contains it there is a subset of the collection with a finite number of elements which also contains it
compact [-'pak-tə-bəl, -,pak-] -vt, adj, n
- to make up by connecting or combining : compose
- to knit or draw together : combine
- to press together : compress
- to become compacted
com·pact ['käm-,pakt] -n
- : something that is compact or compacted:
- a small cosmetic case (as for compressed powder)
- an automobile smaller than an intermediate but larger than a subcompact
- an agreement or covenant between two or more parties
com·pact disc ['käm-,pakt-] -n
- CD
com·pac·tion [kəm-'pak-shən, käm-] -n
- the act or process of compacting : the state of being compacted
com·pa·dre [kəm-'pä-drā, -drē] -n
- a close friend : buddy
com·pan·ion [kəm-'pan-yən] -n
- one that accompanies another : comrade, associate
- one that keeps company with another
- rascal
- one that is closely connected with something similar
- one employed to live with and serve another
- a celestial body that appears close to another but that may or may not be associated with it in space
companion -vt
- accompany
- to keep company
- a hood covering at the top of a companionway
- companionway
com·pan·ion·able [kəm-'pan-yə-nə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- marked by, conducive to, or suggestive of companionship : sociable
com·pan·ion·ate [kəm-'pan-yə-nət] -adj
- relating to or having the manner of companions
- harmoniously or suitably accompanying
companion cell -n
- a living nucleated cell that is closely associated in origin, position, and prob. function with a cell making up part of a sieve tube of a vascular plant
companion piece -n
- a work (as of literature) that is associated with and complements another
com·pan·ion·ship [kəm-'pan-yən-,ship] -n
- the fellowship existing among companions : company
com·pan·ion·way [-yən-,wā] -n
- a ship's stairway from one deck to another
com·pa·ny ['kəmp-nē, 'kəm-pə-] -n
- association with another : fellowship
- companions, associates
- know a person by the company she keeps
- visitors, guests
- having company for dinner
- a group of persons or things
- a body of soldiers
- a unit (as of infantry) consisting usu. of a headquarters and two or more platoons
- an organization of performing artists
- the officers and crew of a ship
- a firefighting unit
- a chartered commercial organization or medieval trade guild
- an association of persons for carrying on a commercial or industrial enterprise
- those members of a partnership firm whose names do not appear in the firm name
company -vb
- accompany
- may...fair winds company your safe return -- John Masefield
- associate
company man -n
- a worker who acquiesces in company policy without complaint
company officer -n
- a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps of the rank of captain, first lieutenant, or second lieutenant called also company grade officer
company town -n
- a community that is dependent on one firm for all or most of the necessary services or functions of town life (as employment, housing, and stores)
company union -n
- an unaffiliated labor union of the employees of a single firm
- one dominated by the employer
com·pa·ra·bil·i·ty [,käm-p(ə-)rə-'bi-lə-tē also kəm-,pa-rə-, -,per-ə-] -n
- the quality or state of being comparable
com·pa·ra·ble ['käm-p(ə-)rə-bəl also kəm-'pa-rə-bəl, -'per-ə-] -adj, n, adv
- capable of or suitable for comparison
- similar, like
- fabrics of comparable quality
comparable worth -n
- the concept that women and men should receive equal pay for jobs calling for comparable skill and responsibility
com·par·a·tist [kəm-'per-ə-tist, -'pa-rə-] -n
- one that uses a comparative method (as in the study of literature)
com·par·a·tive [-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison in a language that denotes increase in the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by an adjective or adverb
- considered as if in comparison to something else as a standard not quite attained : relative
- characterized by systematic comparison esp. of likenesses and dissimilarities
comparative -n
- one that compares with another esp. on equal footing : rival
- one that makes witty or mocking comparisons
- the comparative degree or form in a language
com·par·a·tiv·ist [-ti-vist] -n
- comparatist
com·par·a·tor [-tər] -n
- a device for comparing something with a similar thing or with a standard measure
com·pare [kəm-'per] -vb
- to represent as similar : liken
- shall I compare thee to a summer's day? -- Shak.
- to examine the character or qualities of esp. in order to discover resemblances or differences
- compare your responses with the answers
- to view in relation to
- easy compared with the last test
- to inflect or modify (an adjective or adverb) according to the degrees of comparison
- to bear being compared
- the two don't even begin to compare
- to make comparisons
- to be equal or alike
compare -n
- the possibility of comparing
- something with which to be compared
com·par·i·son [kəm-'per-ə-sən, -'pa-rə-] -n
- : the act or process of comparing: as
- the representing of one thing or person as similar to or like another
- an examination of two or more items to establish similarities and dissimilarities
- his faults seem minor by comparison
- identity of features : similarity
- several points of comparison between the two
- the modification of an adjective or adverb to denote different levels of quality, quantity, or relation
comparison shop -vi, n
- to compare prices (as of competing brands) in order to find the best value
com·part·ment [kəm-'pärt-mənt] -n, adj
- a separate division or section
- one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
- compartmentalize
com·part·men·tal·ise [kəm-,pärt-'men-tə-,līz, ,käm-] -vt, n
(variant of compartmentalize)
- to separate into isolated compartments or categories
com·part·men·tal·ize [kəm-,pärt-'men-tə-,līz, ,käm-] -vt, n
- to separate into isolated compartments or categories
com·part·men·ta·tion [kəm-,pärt-mən-'tā-shən, -,men-] -n
- division into separate sections or units
com·pas [kōm-'pä] -n
- a popular music of Haiti that combines Cuban and African rhythms
com·pass ['kəm-pəs also 'käm-] -vt, adj
- to devise or contrive often with craft or skill : plot
- persons...who have compass ed my destruction -- Charles Dickens
- encompass
- bring about, achieve
- to get into one's possession or power : obtain
- comprehend
compass -n
- boundary, circumference
- within the compass of the city walls
- a circumscribed space
- within the narrow compass of 21 pages -- V. L. Parrington
- range, scope
- a curved or roundabout course
- a compass of seven days' journey -- 2 Kings 3:9(AV)
- a device for determining directions by means of a magnetic needle or group of needles turning freely on a pivot and pointing to the magnetic north
- any of various nonmagnetic devices that indicate direction
- an instrument for describing circles or transferring measurements that consists of two pointed branches joined at the top by a pivot usu. used in pl. called also pair of compasses
- direction
- forming a curve : curved
compass card -n
- the circular card attached to the needles of a mariner's compass on which are marked the 360 of the circle and 32 equidistant points
com·pas·sion [kəm-'pa-shən] -n, adj
- sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it
com·pas·sion·ate [kəm-'pa-sh(ə-)nət] -adj, adv, n
- having or showing compassion : sympathetic
- granted because of unusual distressing circumstances affecting an individual used of some military privileges (as leave)
- pity
compass plant -n
- a yellow-flowered composite plant ( Silphium laciniatum) that has large pinnatifid leaves in which the leaf edges typically align in a northerly and southerly direction and that occurs esp. in prairies and along roadsides of the central U.S.
compass rose -n
- a circle graduated to degrees or quarters and printed on a chart to show direction
com·pat·i·ble [kəm-'pa-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- capable of existing together in harmony
- capable of cross-fertilizing freely or uniting vegetatively
- capable of forming a homogeneous mixture that neither separates nor is altered by chemical interaction
- capable of being used in transfusion or grafting without immunological reaction (as agglutination or tissue rejection)
- designed to work with another device or system without modification
- being a computer designed to operate in the same manner and use the same software as another computer
com·pa·tri·ot [kəm-'pā-trē-ət, käm-, -trē-,ät, chiefly Brit -'pa-] -n, adj
- a person born, residing, or holding citizenship in the same country as another
- companion, colleague
- her compatriot s in academia
compd -abbr
- compound
com·peer ['käm-,pir, käm-', kəm-'] -n
- companion
compeer -n, vt
- equal, peer
com·pel [kəm-'pel] -vt, adj
- to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly
- hunger compelled him to eat
- to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure
- public opinion compelled her to sign the bill
- to drive together
com·pel·la·tion [,käm-pə-'lā-shən, -,pe-] -n
- an act or action of addressing someone
- appellation
com·pel·ling [kəm-'pe-liŋ] -adj, adv
- : that compels: as
- forceful
- demanding attention
- convincing
com·pend ['käm-,pend] -n
- compendium
com·pen·di·ous [kəm-'pen-dē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- marked by brief expression of a comprehensive matter : concise and comprehensive
- comprehensive
- her compendious knowledge of the subject
com·pen·di·um [kəm-'pen-dē-əm] -n
- a brief summary of a larger work or of a field of knowledge : abstract
- a list of a number of items
- collection, compilation
com·pen·sa·ble [kəm-'pen(t)-sə-bəl] -adj, n
- that is to be or can be compensated
- a compensable job-related injury
com·pen·sate ['käm-pən-,sāt, -,pen-] -vb, adj, n
- to be equivalent to : counterbalance
- to make an appropriate and usu. counterbalancing payment to
- compensate the victims for their loss
- to provide with means of counteracting variation
- to neutralize the effect of (variations)
- to supply an equivalent used with for
- to offset an error, defect, or undesired effect
- his enthusiasm compensate s for his lack of skill
- to undergo or engage in psychological or physiological compensation
com·pen·sa·tion [,käm-pən-'sā-shən, -,pen-] -n, adj
- the act of compensating : the state of being compensated
- correction of an organic defect or loss by hypertrophy or by increased functioning of another organ or unimpaired parts of the same organ
- a psychological mechanism by which feelings of inferiority, frustration, or failure in one field are counterbalanced by achievement in another
- something that constitutes an equivalent or recompense
- age has its compensation s
- payment to unemployed or injured workers or their dependents
- payment, remuneration
- working without compensation
compensatory education -n
- educational programs intended to make up for experiences (as cultural) lacked by disadvantaged children
com·pere ['käm-,per] -n
- the master of ceremonies of an entertainment (as a television program)
compere -vb
- to act as compere for
- to act as a compere
com·pete [kəm-'pēt] -vi
- to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (as position, profit, or a prize) : be in a state of rivalry
- companies competing for customers
com·pe·tence ['käm-pə-tən(t)s] -n
- a sufficiency of means for the necessities and conveniences of life
- provided his family with a comfortable competence -- Rex Ingamells
- : the quality or state of being competent: as
- the properties of an embryonic field that enable it to respond in a characteristic manner to an organizer
- readiness of bacteria to undergo genetic transformation
- the knowledge that enables a person to speak and understand a language
com·pe·ten·cy [-pə-tən(t)-sē] -n
- competence
com·pe·tent ['käm-pə-tənt] -adj, adv
- proper or rightly pertinent
- having requisite or adequate ability or qualities : fit
- a competent piece of work
- legally qualified or adequate
- having the capacity to function or develop in a particular way
- having the capacity to respond (as by producing an antibody) to an antigenic determinant
- immunologically competent cells
com·pe·ti·tion [,käm-pə-'ti-shən] -n
- : the act or process of competing : rivalry: as
- the effort of two or more parties acting independently to secure the business of a third party by offering the most favorable terms
- active demand by two or more organisms or kinds of organisms for some environmental resource in short supply
- a contest between rivals
- one's competitors
com·pet·i·tive [kəm-'pe-tə-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- relating to, characterized by, or based on competition
- inclined, desiring, or suited to compete
- a competitive personality
- salary benefits must be competitive -- M. S. Eisenhower
- depending for effectiveness on the relative concentration of two or more substances
- competitive inhibition of an enzyme
com·pet·i·tor [kəm-'pe-tə-tər] -n
- : one that competes: as
- rival
- one selling or buying goods or services in the same market as another
- an organism that lives in competition with another
com·pi·la·tion [,käm-pə-'lā-shən also -,pī-] -n
- the act or process of compiling
- something compiled
- a compilation of hit songs
com·pile [kəm-'pī(-ə)l] -vt
- to compose out of materials from other documents
- to collect and edit into a volume
- to build up gradually
- compiled a record of four wins and two losses
- to run (as a program) through a compiler
com·pil·er [kəm-'pī-lər] -n
- one that compiles
- a computer program that translates an entire set of instructions written in a higher-level symbolic language (as C) into machine language before the instructions can be executed
com·pla·cence [kəm-'plā-sᵊn(t)s] -n
- calm or secure satisfaction with oneself or one's lot : self-satisfaction
- complaisance
- unconcern
com·pla·cen·cy [-sᵊn(t)-sē] -n
- self-satisfaction esp. when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies
- an instance of complacency
com·pla·cent [kəm-'plā-sᵊnt] -adj, adv
- marked by complacency
- self-satisfied
- complaisant
- unconcerned
com·plain [kəm-'plān] -vi, n, adv
- to express grief, pain, or discontent
- complain ing about the weather
- to make a formal accusation or charge
com·plain·ant [kəm-'plā-nənt] -n
- the party who makes the complaint in a legal action or proceeding
- one who complains
com·plaint [kəm-'plānt] -n
- expression of grief, pain, or dissatisfaction
- something that is the cause or subject of protest or outcry
- a bodily ailment or disease
- a formal allegation against a party
com·plai·sance [kəm-'plā-sᵊn(t)s, -zᵊn(t)s; ,käm-plā-'zan(t)s, -plə-, -'zän(t)s] -n
- disposition to please or comply : affability
com·plai·sant [-sᵊnt, -zᵊnt, -'zant, -'zänt] -adj, adv
- marked by an inclination to please or oblige
- tending to consent to others' wishes
com·pleat [kəm-'plēt] -adj
- having all necessary or desired elements or skills : complete
- classic, quintessential
com·plect·ed [kəm-'plek-təd] -adj
- having a specified facial complexion
- a tall, thin man, fairly dark complected -- E. J. Kahn
com·ple·ment ['käm-plə-mənt] -n
- something that fills up, completes, or makes perfect
- the quantity, number, or assortment required to make a thing complete
- the usual complement of eyes and ears -- Francis Parkman
- the whole force or personnel of a ship
- one of two mutually completing parts : counterpart
- the angle or arc that when added to a given angle or arc equals a right angle in measure
- the set of all elements that do not belong to a given set and are contained in a particular mathematical set containing the given set
- a number that when added to another number of the same sign yields zero if the significant digit farthest to the left is discarded used esp. in assembly language programming
- the musical interval required with a given interval to complete the octave
- an added word or expression by which a predication is made complete (as presidentin they elected him president and beautifulin he thought her beautiful)
- the thermolabile group of proteins in normal blood serum and plasma that in combination with antibodies causes the destruction esp. of particulate antigens (as bacteria and foreign blood corpuscles)
- to exchange formal courtesies
- to be complementary to
- the illustrations complement the text
- compliment
com·ple·men·tal [,käm-plə-'men-tᵊl] -adj
- relating to or being a complement
- ceremonious, complimentary
com·ple·men·tar·i·ty [,käm-plə-(,)men-'ter-ə-tē, -mən-, -'ta-rə-] -n
- the quality or state of being complementary
- the complementary relationship of theories explaining the nature of light or other quantized radiation in terms of both electromagnetic waves and particles
com·ple·men·ta·ry [,käm-plə-'men-t(ə-)rē] -adj, adv, n
- relating to or constituting one of a pair of contrasting colors that produce a neutral color when combined in suitable proportions
- serving to fill out or complete
- mutually supplying each other's lack
- being complements of each other
- complementary acute angles
- characterized by the capacity for precise pairing of purine and pyrimidine bases between strands of DNA and sometimes RNA such that the structure of one strand determines the other
complementary medicine -n
- any of the practices (as acupuncture) of alternative medicine accepted and utilized by mainstream medical practitioners
- alternative medicine
com·ple·men·ta·tion [,käm-plə-(,)men-'tā-shən, -mən-] -n
- the operation of determining the complement of a mathematical set
- production of normal phenotype in an individual heterozygous for two closely related mutations with one on each homologous chromosome and at a slightly different position
complement fixation -n
- the process of binding serum complement to the product formed by the union of an antibody and the antigen for which it is specific that occurs when complement is added to a suitable mixture of such an antibody and antigen and that is the basis of some tests to detect the presence of specific antibodies or antigens
com·ple·men·ti·zer ['käm-plə-mən-,tī-zər, -(,)men-] -n
- a function word or morpheme that combines with a clause or verbal phrase to form a subordinate clause
com·plete [kəm-'plēt] -adj, adv, n
- having all necessary parts, elements, or steps
- having all four sets of floral organs
- including modifiers, complements, or objects
- brought to an end : concluded
- a complete period of time
- highly proficient
- fully carried out : thorough
- total, absolute
- legally caught
- characterized by the occurrence of a pupal stage between the motile immature stages and the adult
- having the property that every Cauchy sequence of elements converges to a limit in the space
complete -vt
- to bring to an end and esp. into a perfected state
- to make whole or perfect
- its song complete s the charm of this bird
- to mark the end of
- a rousing chorus complete s the show
- execute, fulfill
- to carry out (a forward pass) successfully
complete fertilizer -n
- a fertilizer that contains the three chief plant nutrients nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash
com·ple·tion [kəm-'plē-shən] -n
- the act or process of completing
- the quality or state of being complete
- a completed forward pass in football
com·plet·ist [-tist] -n
- one who wants to make something (as a collection) complete
com·plex ['käm-,pleks] -n
- a whole made up of complicated or interrelated parts
- a complex of welfare programs
- the military-industrial complex
- a group of culture traits relating to a single activity (as hunting), process (as use of flint), or culture unit
- a group of repressed desires and memories that exerts a dominating influence upon the personality
- an exaggerated reaction to or preoccupation with a subject or situation
- a group of obviously related units of which the degree and nature of the relationship is imperfectly known
- the sum of factors (as symptoms) characterizing a disease or condition
- a chemical association of two or more species (as ions or molecules) joined usu. by weak electrostatic bonds rather than covalent bonds
- a building or group of buildings housing related units
- composed of two or more parts : composite
- having a bound form as one or more of its immediate constituents
- unmanly is a complex word
- consisting of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses
- hard to separate, analyze, or solve
- of, concerned with, being, or containing complex numbers
- to make complex or into a complex
- chelate
complex carbohydrate -n
- a polysaccharide (as starch or cellulose) consisting of usu. hundreds or thousands of monosaccharide units
- a food (as rice or pasta) composed primarily of such polysaccharides
complex fraction -n
- a fraction with a fraction or mixed number in the numerator or denominator or both
com·plex·i·fy [käm-'plek-sə-,fī, kəm-] -vb
- to make complex
- to become complex
com·plex·ion [kəm-'plek-shən] -n, adj
- the combination of the hot, cold, moist, and dry qualities held in medieval physiology to determine the quality of a body
- an individual complex of ways of thinking or feeling
- a complex of attitudes and inclinations
- the hue or appearance of the skin and esp. of the face
- overall aspect or character
- by changing the complexion of the legislative branch -- Trevor Armbrister
com·plex·i·ty [kəm-'plek-sə-tē, käm-] -n
- something complex
- the quality or state of being complex
complex number -n
- a number of the form a b where aand bare real numbers
complex plane -n
- a plane whose points are identified by means of complex numbers
- argand diagram
com·pli·ance [kəm-'plī-ən(t)s] -n
- the act or process of complying to a desire, demand, proposal, or regimen or to coercion
- conformity in fulfilling official requirements
- a disposition to yield to others
- the ability of an object to yield elastically when a force is applied : flexibility
com·pli·an·cy [-ən(t)-sē] -n
- compliance
com·pli·ant [-ənt] -adj, adv
- ready or disposed to comply : submissive
- a corrupt regime aided by a compliant press
- conforming to requirements
com·pli·ca·cy ['käm-pli-kə-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being complicated
- something that is complicated
com·pli·cate ['käm-pli-kət] -adj
- complex, intricate
- conduplicate
- to combine esp. in an involved or inextricable manner
- to make complex or difficult
- involve
- to cause to be more complex or severe
- a virus disease complicated by bacterial infection
com·pli·cat·ed ['käm-plə-,kā-təd] -adj, adv, n
- consisting of parts intricately combined
- difficult to analyze, understand, or explain
com·pli·ca·tion [,käm-plə-'kā-shən] -n
- complexity, intricacy
- a situation or a detail of character complicating the main thread of a plot
- a making difficult, involved, or intricate
- a complex or intricate feature or element
- a difficult factor or issue often appearing unexpectedly and changing existing plans, methods, or attitudes
- a secondary disease or condition developing in the course of a primary disease or condition
com·plice ['käm-pləs, 'kəm-] -n
- associate
com·plic·it [kəm-'pli-sət] -adj
- having complicity
com·plic·it·ous [-'pli-sə-təs] -adj
- complicit
com·plic·i·ty [kəm-'pli-s(ə-)tē] -n
- association or participation in or as if in a wrongful act
- an instance of complicity
com·pli·er [-'plī(-ə)r] -n
- one that complies
com·pli·ment ['käm-plə-mənt] -n
- an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration
- an admiring remark
- formal and respectful recognition : honor
- best wishes : regards
- compliment s of the season
- to pay a compliment to
- to present with a token of esteem
com·pli·men·ta·ry [,käm-plə-'men-t(ə-)rē] -adj, adv
- expressing or containing a compliment
- favorable
- the novel received complimentary reviews
- given free as a courtesy or favor
complimentary close -n
- the words (as sincerely yours) that conventionally come immediately before the signature of a letter and express the sender's regard for the receiver called also complimentary closing
com·pline ['käm-plən, -,plīn] -n
- the seventh and last of the canonical hours
com·plot ['käm-,plät] -n
- plot, conspiracy
- plot
com·ply [kəm-'plī] -vi
- to be ceremoniously courteous
- to conform, submit, or adapt (as to a regulation or to another's wishes) as required or requested
- the devices comply with industry standards
com·po ['käm-(,)pō] -n
- any of various composition materials
com·po·nent [kəm-'pō-nənt, 'käm-,, käm-'] -n, adj
- a constituent part : ingredient
- an important component of the program
- any one of the vector terms added to form a vector sum or resultant
- a coordinate of a vector
- either member of an ordered pair of numbers
component -adj
- serving or helping to constitute : constituent
com·port [kəm-'pȯrt] -vb, n
- to be fitting : accord
- actions that comport with policy
- behave
- to behave in a manner conformable to what is right, proper, or expected
- comport ed himself well in the crisis
- compote
com·pose [kəm-'pōz] -vb
- to form by putting together : fashion
- a committee composed of three representatives -- Current Biog.
- to form the substance of : constitute
- composed of many ingredients
- to produce (as columns or pages of type) by composition
- to create by mental or artistic labor : produce
- to formulate and write (a piece of music)
- to compose music for
- to deal with or act on so as to reduce to a minimum
- compose their differences
- to arrange in proper or orderly form
- to free from agitation : calm, settle
- to practice composition
com·posed [-'pōzd] -adj, adv, n
- free from agitation : calm
- self-possessed
com·pos·er [kəm-'pō-zər] -n
- one that composes
- a person who writes music
composing room -n
- the department in a printing office where typesetting and related operations are performed
composing stick -n
- a tray with an adjustable slide that a compositor holds in one hand and sets type into with the other
com·pos·ite [käm-'pä-zət, kəm-', esp Brit 'käm-pə-zit] -adj, adv
- : made up of distinct parts: as
- relating to or being a modification of the Corinthian order combining angular Ionic volutes with the acanthus-circled bell of the Corinthian
- of or relating to a very large family (Compositae syn. Asteraceae) of dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees often considered to be the most highly evolved plants and characterized by florets arranged in dense heads that resemble single flowers
- factorable into two or more prime factors other than 1 and itself
- 8 is a positive composite integer
- combining the typical or essential characteristics of individuals making up a group
- the composite man called the Poet -- Richard Poirier
- specifying a range of values for one or more statistical parameters
composite -n
- something composite : compound
- a composite of two images
- a composite plant
- composite function
- a solid material which is composed of two or more substances having different physical characteristics and in which each substance retains its identity while contributing desirable properties to the whole
- a structural material made of plastic within which a fibrous material (as silicon carbide) is embedded
- to make composite or into something composite
- composited four soil samples
composite function -n
- a function whose values are found from two given functions by applying one function to an independent variable and then applying the second function to the result and whose domain consists of those values of the independent variable for which the result yielded by the first function lies in the domain of the second
com·po·si·tion [,käm-pə-'zi-shən] -n, adj, adv
- the act or process of composing
- arrangement into specific proportion or relation and esp. into artistic form
- the arrangement of type for printing
- the production of type or typographic characters (as in photocomposition) arranged for printing
- the manner in which something is composed
- general makeup
- the changing ethnic composition of the city -- Leonard Buder
- the qualitative and quantitative makeup of a chemical compound
- mutual settlement or agreement
- a product of mixing or combining various elements or ingredients
- : an intellectual creation: as
- a piece of writing
- a school exercise in the form of a brief essay
- a written piece of music esp. of considerable size and complexity
- the quality or state of being compound
- the operation of forming a composite function
- composite function
com·po·si·tion·ist [-'zi-sh(ə-)nist] -n
- a teacher of writing esp. in a college or university
com·pos·i·tor [kəm-'pä-zə-tər] -n
- one who sets type
com·pos men·tis ['käm-pəs-'men-təs] -adj
- of sound mind, memory, and understanding
com·post ['käm-,pōst, esp Brit -,päst] -n
- a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land
- mixture, compound
compost ['käm-,pōs-tə-bəl] -vt, adj, n
- to convert (as plant debris) to compost
com·po·sure [kəm-'pō-zhər] -n
- a calmness or repose esp. of mind, bearing, or appearance : self-possession
com·pote ['käm-,pōt] -n
- a dessert of fruit cooked in syrup
- a bowl of glass, porcelain, or metal usu. with a base and stem from which compotes, fruits, nuts, or sweets are served
com·pound [käm-'pau̇nd, kəm-', 'käm-,] -vb, adj, n
- to put together (parts) so as to form a whole : combine
- to form by combining parts
- to settle amicably : adjust by agreement
- to agree for a consideration not to prosecute (an offense)
- to pay (interest) on both the accrued interest and the principal
- to add to : augment
- we compound ed our error in later policy -- Robert Lekachman
- to become joined in a compound
- to come to terms of agreement
- : composed of or resulting from union of separate elements, ingredients, or parts: as
- composed of united similar elements esp. of a kind usu. independent
- having the blade divided to the midrib and forming two or more leaflets on a common axis
- involving or used in a combination
- constituting a compound
- having two or more main clauses
- a word consisting of components that are words (as rowboat, high school, devil-may-care)
- a word (as anthropology, kilocycle, builder) consisting of any of various combinations of words, combining forms, or affixes
- something formed by a union of elements or parts
- a distinct substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion by weight
- a fenced or walled-in area containing a group of buildings and esp. residences
com·poundcom·plex [-'käm-,pleks] -adj
- having two or more main clauses and one or more subordinate clauses
compound eye -n
- an eye (as of an insect) made up of many separate visual units
compound fracture -n
- a bone fracture resulting in an open wound through which bone fragments usu. protrude
compound interest -n
- interest computed on the sum of an original principal and accrued interest
compound microscope -n
- a microscope consisting of an objective and an eyepiece mounted in a drawtube
compound number -n
- a number (as 2 feet 5 inches) involving different denominations or more than one unit
com·pra·dor [,käm-prə-'dȯr] -n
- a Chinese agent engaged by a foreign establishment in China to have charge of its Chinese employees and to act as an intermediary in business affairs
- intermediary
com·pre·hend [,käm-pri-'hend, -prē-] -vt, adj
- to grasp the nature, significance, or meaning of
- unable to comprehend what has happened
- to contain or hold within a total scope, significance, or amount
- philosophy's scope comprehend s the truth of everything which man may understand -- H. O. Taylor
- to include by construction or implication
- does not prudence comprehend all the virtues? -- Thomas B. Silver
com·pre·hen·si·ble [-'hen(t)-sə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- capable of being comprehended : intelligible
- a comprehensible explanation
com·pre·hen·sion [,käm-pri-'hen(t)-shən, -prē-] -n
- the act or action of grasping with the intellect : understanding
- knowledge gained by comprehending
- the capacity for understanding fully
- mysteries that are beyond our comprehension
- the act or process of comprising
- the faculty or capability of including : comprehensiveness
- connotation
com·pre·hen·sive [-'hen(t)-siv] -adj, adv, n
- covering completely or broadly : inclusive
- comprehensive examinations
- having or exhibiting wide mental grasp
com·press [kəm-'pres] -vb
- to press or squeeze together
- to reduce in size, quantity, or volume as if by squeezing
- to undergo compression
- a folded cloth or pad applied so as to press upon a body part
- a machine for compressing
com·pressed [kəm-'prest also 'käm-,] -adj, adv
- pressed together : reduced in size or volume (as by pressure)
- : flattened as though subjected to compression:
- flattened laterally
- narrow from side to side and deep in a dorsoventral direction
compressed air -n
- air under pressure greater than that of the atmosphere
com·press·ible [kəm-'pre-sə-bəl] -adj, n
- capable of being compressed
com·pres·sion [kəm-'pre-shən] -n, adj
- the act, process, or result of compressing
- the state of being compressed
- the process of compressing the fuel mixture in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine (as in an automobile)
- the compressed remains of a fossil plant
- conversion (as of data, a data file, or a communications signal) in order to reduce the space occupied or bandwidth required
compressional wave -n
- a longitudinal wave (as a sound wave) propagated by the elastic compression of the medium called also compression wave
com·pres·sive [kəm-'pre-siv] -adj, adv
- of or relating to compression
- tending to compress
com·pres·sor [-'pre-sər] -n
- : one that compresses: as
- a muscle that compresses a part
- a machine that compresses gases
com·prise [kəm-'prīz] -vt
- to include esp. within a particular scope
- civilization as Lenin used the term would then certainly have comprised the changes that are now associated in our minds with developed rather than developing states -- Times Lit. Supp.
- to be made up of
- a vast installation, comprising fifty buildings -- Jane Jacobs
- compose, constitute
- a misconception as to what comprise s a literary generation -- William Styron
- about 8 percent of our military forces are comprised of women -- Jimmy Carter
com·pro·mise ['käm-prə-,mīz] -n
- settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions
- something intermediate between or blending qualities of two different things
- a concession to something derogatory or prejudicial
- a compromise of principles
compromise -vb, n
- to bind by mutual agreement
- to adjust or settle by mutual concessions
- to expose to suspicion, discredit, or mischief
- his reputation has been compromised
- to reveal or expose to an unauthorized person and esp. to an enemy
- confidential information was compromised
- to cause the impairment of
- a compromised immune system
- a seriously compromised patient
- to come to agreement by mutual concession
- to find or follow a way between extremes
- to make a shameful or disreputable concession
- wouldn't compromise with their principles
compt ['kau̇nt, dial 'kyau̇nt] -vb
(variant of count)
- to indicate or name by units or groups so as to find the total number of units involved : number
- to name the numbers in order up to and including
- to include in a tallying and reckoning
- about 100 present, count ing children
- to call aloud (beats or time units)
- consider, account
- to record as of an opinion or persuasion
- to include or exclude by or as if by counting
- to recite or indicate the numbers in order by units or groups
- to count the units in a group
- to rely or depend on someone or something used with on
- count ed on his parents to help with the expenses
- add, total
- it count s up to a sizable amount
- to have value or significance
- these are the people who really count
- his opinions don't count for much
- to deserve to be regarded or considered
- a job so easy it hardly count s as work
- the action or process of counting
- a total obtained by counting : tally
- reckoning, account
- consideration, estimation
- allegation, charge
- one separately stating the cause of action or prosecution in a legal declaration or indictment
- a specific point under consideration : issue
- the total number of individual things in a given unit or sample obtained by counting all or a subsample of them
- the calling off of the seconds from one to ten when a boxer has been knocked down
- the number of balls and strikes charged to a baseball batter during one turn
- the count stood at 3 and 2
- score
- tied the count with a minute to play
- a measurement of the thickness or fineness of yarn by determining the number of hanks or yards per pound it produces
- the number of threads per square inch in a cloth
- a European nobleman whose rank corresponds to that of a British earl
comp·trol·ler [kən-'trō-lər, 'käm(p)-,, käm(p)-'] -n
- a royal-household official who examines and supervises expenditures
- a public official who audits government accounts and sometimes certifies expenditures
- controller
com·pul·sion [kəm-'pəl-shən] -n
- an act of compelling : the state of being compelled
- a force that compels
- an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act (as excessive hand washing)
- the act itself
com·pul·sive [-'pəl-siv] -adj, adv, n
- having power to compel
- of, relating to, caused by, or suggestive of psychological compulsion or obsession
com·pul·so·ry [kəm-'pəls-rē, -'pəl-sə-] -adj, adv
- mandatory, enforced
- coercive, compelling
com·punc·tion [kəm-'pəŋ(k)-shən] -n, adj
- anxiety arising from awareness of guilt
- compunction s of conscience
- distress of mind over an anticipated action or result
- showed no compunction in planning devilish engines of...destruction -- Havelock Ellis
- a twinge of misgiving : scruple
- cheated without compunction
com·pur·ga·tion [,käm-(,)pər-'gā-shən] -n
- the clearing of an accused person by oaths of others who swear to the veracity or innocence of the accused
com·pur·ga·tor ['käm-(,)pər-,gā-tər] -n
- one who under oath vouches for the character or conduct of an accused person
com·put·able [kəm-'pyü-tə-bəl] -adj, n
- capable of being computed
com·pu·ta·tion [,käm-pyu̇-'tā-shən, -pyü-] -n, adj, adv
- the act or action of computing : calculation
- the use or operation of a computer
- a system of reckoning
- an amount computed
com·pute [kəm-'pyüt] -vb
- to determine esp. by mathematical means
- to determine or calculate by means of a computer
- to make calculation : reckon
- to use a computer
computed tomography -n
- radiography in which a three-dimensional image of a body structure is constructed by computer from a series of plane cross-sectional images made along an axis called also computed axial tomography computerized axial tomography computerized tomography
com·put·er [kəm-'pyü-tər] -n, adj
- one that computes
- a programmable usu. electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data
com·put·er·ese [-,pyü-tə-'rēz, -'rēs] -n
- jargon used by computer technologists
com·put·er·ise [kəm-'pyü-tə-,rīz, -tər-,īz] -vt, adj, n
(variant of computerize)
- to carry out, control, or produce by means of a computer
- to equip with computers
- computerize public schools
- to store in a computer
- to put in a form that a computer can use
com·put·er·ist [kəm-'pyü-tə-rist] -n
- a person who uses or operates a computer
com·put·er·ize [kəm-'pyü-tə-,rīz, -tər-,īz] -vt, adj, n
- to carry out, control, or produce by means of a computer
- to equip with computers
- computerize public schools
- to store in a computer
- to put in a form that a computer can use
com·put·er·nik [kəm-'pyü-tər-,nik] -n
- a computer enthusiast or expert
com·put·er·phobe [-,fōb] -n, adj
- a person who experiences anxiety about computers and esp. about their use
computer science -n
- a branch of science that deals with the theory of computation or the design of computers
comr -abbr
- commissioner
com·rade ['käm-,rad, -rəd, esp Brit -,rād] -n, adj
- an intimate friend or associate : companion
- a fellow soldier
- communist
com·rad·ery ['käm-,ra-d(ə-)rē, -rə-drē, -,rā-d(ə-)rē] -n
- camaraderie
Comsat ['käm-,sat] -service mark
- used for communications services involving an artificial satellite
Com·stock·ery ['käm-,stä-kə-rē also 'kəm-] -n
- strict censorship of materials considered obscene
- censorious opposition to alleged immorality (as in literature)
Com·stock·ian [käm-'stä-kē-ən also ,kəm-] -adj
- of or relating to Comstockery
com·symp ['käm-,simp] -n
- a person sympathetic to Communist causes
Comt·ian ['käm(p)-tē-ən, 'kōⁿ(n)-tē-] -adj, n, adj or n
- of or relating to Auguste Comte or his doctrines
con ['kän] -vt
- to commit to memory
- to study or examine closely
con ['kän] -vt
(variant of conn)
- to conduct or direct the steering of (as a ship)
- the control exercised by one who conns a ship
con·al·bu·min [,kän-al-'byü-mən] -n
- a protein of the white of egg that binds with metal ions (as of iron and copper)
con amo·re [,kän-ə-'mȯr-ē, ,kōn-ə-'mȯr-(,)ā] -adv
- with love, devotion, or zest
- in a tender manner used as a direction in music
con ani·ma [kän-'a-nə-,mä, kōn-'ä-ni-] -adv
- in a spirited manner used as a direction in music
co·na·tion [kō-'nā-shən] -n, adj
- an inclination (as an instinct, a drive, a wish, or a craving) to act purposefully : impulse
con brio [kän-'brē-(,)ō, kōn-] -adv
- in a vigorous or brisk manner often used as a direction in music
conc -abbr
- concentrate; concentrated; concentration
- concrete
con·ca·nav·a·lin [,kän-kə-'na-və-lən] -n
- a protein that occurs in the jack bean and is a mitogen and hemagglutinin
con·cat·e·nate [kän-'ka-tə-nət, kən-] -adj
- linked together
concatenate [-,nāt] -vt, n
- to link together in a series or chain
con·cave [kän-'kāv, 'kän-,] -adj
- hollowed or rounded inward like the inside of a bowl
- arched in : curving in used of the side of a curve or surface on which neighboring normals to the curve or surface converge and on which lies the chord joining two neighboring points of the curve or surface
- a concave line or surface
con·cav·i·ty [kän-'ka-və-tē] -n
- a concave line, surface, or space : hollow
- the quality or state of being concave
con·ca·vocon·vex [kän-'kā-vō-kän-'veks; 'kän-, kən-'] -adj
- concave on one side and convex on the other
- having the concave side curved more than the convex
con·ceal [kən-'sēl] -vt, adj, adv, n
- to prevent disclosure or recognition of
- to place out of sight
- conceal ed himself behind the door
con·ceal·er [-'sē-lər] -n
- one that conceals
- a cosmetic used to conceal blemishes or discoloration esp. under the eyes
con·cede [kən-'sēd] -vb, adv, n
- to grant as a right or privilege
- to accept as true, valid, or accurate
- the right of the state to tax is generally conceded
- to acknowledge grudgingly or hesitantly
- conceded that it might be a good idea
- to make concession : yield
con·ceit [kən-'sēt] -n
- a result of mental activity : thought
- individual opinion
- favorable opinion
- excessive appreciation of one's own worth or virtue
- a fancy item or trifle
- a fanciful idea
- an elaborate or strained metaphor
- use or presence of such conceits in poetry
- an organizing theme or concept
- found his conceit for the film early -- Peter Wilkinson
conceit -vt
- conceive, understand
- imagine
- to take a fancy to
con·ceit·ed [-'sē-təd] -adj, adv, n
- ingeniously contrived : fanciful
- having or showing an excessively high opinion of oneself
con·ceiv·able [kən-'sē-və-bəl] -adj, n
- capable of being conceived : imaginable
- every conceivable combination
con·ceiv·ably [-blē] -adv
- in a conceivable manner
- it may be conceived : possibly
- we could conceivably finish next week
con·ceive [kən-'sēv] -vb, n
- to become pregnant with (young)
- to cause to begin : originate
- a project conceived by the company's founder
- to take into one's mind
- to form a conception of : imagine
- to apprehend by reason or imagination : understand
- unable to conceive his reasons
- to have as an opinion
- I cannot conceive that he acted alone
- to become pregnant
- to have a conception usu. used with of
- conceive s of death as emptiness
con·cel·e·brant [kən-'se-lə-brənt, kän-] -n
- one that concelebrates a Eucharist or Mass
con·cel·e·brate [kən-'se-lə-,brāt, kän-] -vb, n
- to participate in (a Eucharist) as a joint celebrant who recites the canon in unison with other celebrants
- to participate as a celebrant in a concelebrated Eucharist
con·cent [kən-'sent] -n
- harmony
con·cen·ter [kən-'sen-tər, kän-] -vb
- to draw or direct to a common center : concentrate
- to come to a common center
con·cen·trate ['kän(t)-sən-,trāt, -,sen-] -vb, adv, adj
- to bring or direct toward a common center or objective : focus
- concentrate one's efforts
- to gather into one body, mass, or force
- power was concentrated in a few able hands
- to accumulate (a toxic substance) in bodily tissues
- to make less dilute
- to express or exhibit in condensed form
- to draw toward or meet in a common center
- gather, collect
- to focus one's powers, efforts, or attention
concentrate -n
- : something concentrated: as
- a mineral-rich product obtained after an initial processing of ore
- a food reduced in bulk by elimination of fluid
- a feedstuff (as grains) relatively rich in digestible nutrients
con·cen·tra·tion [,kän(t)-sən-'trā-shən, -,sen-] -n
- the act or process of concentrating : the state of being concentrated
- direction of attention to a single object
- an academic major or area of focus within a major
- a concentrated mass or thing
- the amount of a component in a given area or volume
concentration camp -n
- a camp where persons (as prisoners of war, political prisoners, or refugees) are detained or confined
con·cen·tra·tor ['kän(t)-sən-,trā-tər] -n
- : one that concentrates: as
- an industrial plant that produces concentrates from ores
- a mirror or group of mirrors that focus sunlight for use as an energy source
- a device in a computer network that collects data from separate low-volume transmission channels and retransmits it over a single high-volume channel
con·cen·tric [kən-'sen-trik, ,kän-] -adj, adv, n
- having a common center
- having a common axis : coaxial
con·cept ['kän-,sept] -n
- something conceived in the mind : thought, notion
- an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances
concept -adj
- organized around a main idea or theme
- created to illustrate a concept
con·cep·ta·cle [kən-'sep-ti-kəl] -n
- an external cavity containing reproductive cells in algae (as of the genus Fucus)
con·cep·tion [kən-'sep-shən] -n, adj
- the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both
- embryo, fetus
- beginning
- joy had the like conception in our eyes -- Shak.
- the capacity, function, or process of forming or understanding ideas or abstractions or their symbols
- a general idea : concept
- a complex product of abstract or reflective thinking
- the sum of a person's ideas and beliefs concerning something
- the originating of something in the mind
con·cep·tu·al [kən-'sep-chə-wəl, -chü-əl, kän-, -chəl, -shwəl] -adj, n, adv
- of, relating to, or consisting of concepts
conceptual art -n
- an art form in which the artist's intent is to convey a concept rather than to create an art object
con·cep·tu·al·ise [-,līz] -vt, n
(variant of conceptualize)
- to form a concept of
- to interpret conceptually
con·cep·tu·al·ism [-'sep-chə-wə-,li-zəm, -chü-ə-, -chə-,li-, -shwə-,li-] -n, adj, adv
- a theory in philosophy intermediate between realism and nominalism that universals exist in the mind as concepts of discourse or as predicates which may be properly affirmed of reality
- conceptual art
con·cep·tu·al·ist [-'sep-chə-wə-list, -chü-ə-, -chə-list, -shwə-list] -n
- an adherent to the tenets of conceptualism or of conceptual art
con·cep·tu·al·ize [-,līz] -vt, n
- to form a concept of
- to interpret conceptually
con·cep·tus [kən-'sep-təs] -n
- a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus
con·cern [kən-'sərn] -vb
- to relate to : be about
- the novel concern s three soldiers
- to bear on
- to have an influence on : involve
- to be the business or affair of
- the problem concern s us all
- to be a care, trouble, or distress to
- her ill health concern s me
- engage, occupy
- he concern s himself with trivia
- to be of importance : matter
concern -n
- marked interest or regard usu. arising through a personal tie or relationship
- an uneasy state of blended interest, uncertainty, and apprehension
- something that relates or belongs to one : affair
- matter for consideration
- an organization or establishment for business or manufacture
- contrivance, gadget
concerned -adj
- anxious, worried
- concerned for their safety
- interested
- concerned to prove the point
- interestedly engaged
- concerned with books and music
- culpably involved : implicated
concerning -prep
- relating to : regarding
con·cern·ment [kən-'sərn-mənt] -n
- something in which one is concerned
- importance, consequence
- involvement, participation
- solicitude, anxiety
con·cert ['kän(t)-sərt, 'kän-,sərt] -n, adj
- agreement in design or plan : union formed by mutual communication of opinion and views
- musical harmony : concord
- a public performance (as of music or dancing)
- to make a plan for
- concert measures for aiding the poor
- to settle or adjust by conferring and reaching an agreement
- concert ed their differences
- to act in harmony or conjunction
con·cert·ed [kən-'sər-təd] -adj, adv, n
- mutually contrived or agreed on
- performed in unison
- arranged in parts for several voices or instruments
con·cert·go·er ['kän(t)-sərt-,gō(-ə)r, 'kän-,sərt-] -n, n or adj
- one who frequently attends concerts
concert grand -n
- a grand piano of the largest size adapted in volume, timbre, and brilliance of tone to concert use
con·cer·ti·na [,kän(t)-sər-'tē-nə] -n
- a musical instrument of the accordion family
- concertina wire
concertina wire -n
- a coiled barbed wire for use as an obstacle
con·cer·ti·no [,kän-chər-'tē-(,)nō] -n
- the solo instruments in a concerto grosso
- a short concerto
con·cert·ize ['kän(t)-sər-,tīz] -vi
- to perform professionally in concerts
con·cert·mas·ter ['kän(t)-sərt-,mas-tər] -n
- the leader of the first violins of an orchestra and by custom usu. the assistant to the conductor
con·cer·to [kən-'cher-(,)tō also -'chər-] -n
- a piece for one or more soloists and orchestra with three contrasting movements
concerto gros·so [-'grō-(,)sō, -'grȯ-] -n
- a baroque orchestral composition featuring a small group of solo instruments contrasting with the full orchestra
concert pitch -n
- international pitch
- a high state of fitness, tension, or readiness
con·ces·sion [kən-'se-shən] -n, adj
- the act or an instance of conceding
- the admitting of a point claimed in argument
- : something conceded:
- acknowledgment, admission
- grant
- a grant of land or property esp. by a government in return for services or for a particular use
- a right to undertake and profit by a specified activity
- a lease of a portion of premises for a particular purpose
- the portion leased or the activities carried on
con·ces·sion·aire [kən-,se-shə-'nar, -'ner] -n
- the owner or operator of a concession
- one that operates a refreshment stand at a recreational center
con·ces·sion·er [kən-'se-sh(ə-)nər] -n
- concessionaire
con·ces·sive [kən-'se-siv] -adj, adv
- denoting concession
- making for or being a concession
conch ['käŋk, 'känch, 'kȯŋk] -n
- any of various large spiral-shelled marine gastropod mollusks (as of the genus Strombus)
- its shell used esp. for cameos
- a native or resident of the Florida Keys
- concha
con·cha ['käŋ-kə] -n, adj
- the plain semidome of an apse
- apse
- something shaped like a shell
- the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear
- an ornamental disk (as on clothing or tack) of American Indian origin featuring a shell or flower design
con·choi·dal [käŋ-'kȯi-dᵊl, kän-] -adj, adv
- having elevations or depressions shaped like the inside surface of a bivalve shell
con·chol·o·gy [käŋ-'kä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- a branch of zoology that deals with shells
con·cierge [kōⁿ-'syerzh, ,kän-sē-'erzh] -n
- a resident in an apartment building esp. in France who serves as doorkeeper, landlord's representative, and janitor
- a usu. multilingual hotel staff member who handles luggage and mail, makes reservations, and arranges tours
- a person employed (as by a business) to make arrangements or run errands
con·cil·i·ar [kən-'si-lē-ər] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or issued by a council
con·cil·i·ate [kən-'si-lē-,āt] -vb, n, adj
- to gain (as goodwill) by pleasing acts
- to make compatible : reconcile
- appease
- to become friendly or agreeable
con·cin·ni·ty [kən-'si-nə-tē] -n
- harmony or elegance of design esp. of literary style in adaptation of parts to a whole or to each other
con·cise [kən-'sīs] -adj, adv, n
- marked by brevity of expression or statement : free from all elaboration and superfluous detail
con·ci·sion [kən-'si-zhən] -n
- a cutting up or off
- the quality or state of being concise
con·clave ['kän-,klāv] -n
- a private meeting or secret assembly
- a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals secluded continuously while choosing a pope
- a gathering of a group or association
con·clude [kən-'klüd] -vb, n
- to shut up : enclose
- to bring to an end esp. in a particular way or with a particular action
- conclude a meeting with a prayer
- to reach as a logically necessary end by reasoning : infer on the basis of evidence
- concluded that her argument was sound
- to make a decision about : decide
- concluded he would wait a little longer
- to come to an agreement on : effect
- to bring about as a result : complete
- end
- to form a final judgment
- to reach a decision or agreement
con·clu·sion [kən-'klü-zhən] -n
- a reasoned judgment : inference
- the necessary consequence of two or more propositions taken as premises
- the inferred proposition of a syllogism
- : the last part of something: as
- result, outcome
- trial of strength or skill used in the phrase try conclusions
- a final summation
- the final decision in a law case
- the final part of a pleading in law
- an act or instance of concluding
con·clu·sion·ary [kən-'klü-zhə-,ner-ē] -adj
- conclusory
con·clu·sive [-'klü-siv, -ziv] -adj, adv, n
- of, relating to, or being a conclusion
- putting an end to debate or question esp. by reason of irrefutability
con·clu·so·ry [kən-'klüs-rē, -'klü-sə-] -adj
- consisting of or relating to a conclusion or assertion for which no supporting evidence is offered
concn -abbr
- concentration
con·coct [kən-'käkt, kän-] -vt, n, adj
- to prepare by combining raw materials
- devise, fabricate
con·com·i·tance [kən-'kä-mə-tən(t)s, kän-] -n
- accompaniment
- a conjunction that is regular and is marked by correlative variation of accompanying elements
con·com·i·tant [-mə-tənt] -adj, adv
- accompanying esp. in a subordinate or incidental way
concomitant -n
- something that accompanies or is collaterally connected with something else : accompaniment
con·cord ['kän-,kȯrd, 'käŋ-] -n
- a state of agreement : harmony
- a simultaneous occurrence of two or more musical tones that produces an impression of agreeableness or resolution on a listener
- agreement by stipulation, compact, or covenant
- grammatical agreement
con·cor·dance [kən-'kȯr-dᵊn(t)s, kän-] -n
- an alphabetical index of the principal words in a book or the works of an author with their immediate contexts
- concord, agreement
con·cor·dant [-dᵊnt] -adj, adv
- consonant, agreeing
con·cor·dat [kən-'kȯr-,dat] -n
- compact, covenant
- an agreement between a pope and a sovereign or government for the regulation of ecclesiastical matters
con·cours d'e·le·gance [(,)kōⁿ-,ku̇r-,dā-lā-'gäⁿs] -n
- a show or contest of vehicles and accessories in which the entries are judged chiefly on excellence of appearance and turnout
con·course ['kän-,kȯrs, 'käŋ-] -n
- an act or process of coming together and merging
- a meeting produced by voluntary or spontaneous coming together
- an open space where roads or paths meet
- an open space or hall (as in a railroad terminal) where crowds gather
con·cres·cence [kən-'kre-sᵊn(t)s, kän-] -n, adj
- increase by the addition of particles
- a growing together : coalescence
con·crete [(,)kän-'krēt, 'kän-,, kən-'] -adj, adv, n
- naming a real thing or class of things
- the word poem is concrete, poetry is abstract
- formed by coalition of particles into one solid mass
- characterized by or belonging to immediate experience of actual things or events
- specific, particular
- real, tangible
- relating to or made of concrete
- to form into a solid mass : solidify
- combine, blend
- to make actual or real : cause to take on the qualities of reality
- to cover with, form of, or set in concrete
- to become concreted
- a mass formed by concretion or coalescence of separate particles of matter in one body
- a hard strong building material made by mixing a cementing material (as portland cement) and a mineral aggregate (as sand and gravel) with sufficient water to cause the cement to set and bind the entire mass
- a waxy essence of flowers prepared by extraction and evaporation and used in perfumery
concrete music -n
- musique concrete
concrete poetry -n
- poetry in which the poet's intent is conveyed by the graphic patterns of letters, words, or symbols rather than by the conventional arrangement of words
con·cre·tion [kän-'krē-shən, kən-] -n, adj
- : something concreted: as
- a hard usu. inorganic mass (as a bezoar or tophus) formed in a living body
- a mass of mineral matter found generally in rock of a composition different from its own and produced by deposition from aqueous solution in the rock
- the act or process of concreting : the state of being concreted
- concretion of ideas in a hypothesis
con·cret·ism [kän-'krē-,ti-zəm, 'kän-,] -n
- representation of abstract things as concrete
- the theory or practice of concrete poetry
con·cret·ize [-,tīz] -vb, n
- to make concrete, specific, or definite
- tried to concretize his ideas
- to become concrete
con·cu·bi·nage [kän-'kyü-bə-nij, kən-] -n
- cohabitation of persons not legally married
- the state of being a concubine
con·cu·bine ['käŋ-kyu̇-,bīn, 'kän-, -kyü-] -n
- : a woman with whom a man cohabits without being married: as
- one having a recognized social status in a household below that of a wife
- mistress
con·cu·pis·cence [kän-'kyü-pə-sən(t)s, kən-] -n, adj
- strong desire
- sexual desire
con·cu·pis·ci·ble [-'kyü-pə-sə-bəl] -adj
- lustful, desirous
con·cur [kən-'kər, kän-] -vi
- to act together to a common end or single effect
- approve
- to express agreement
- to come together : meet
- to happen together : coincide
con·cur·rence [-'kər-ən(t)s, -'kə-rən(t)s] -n
- the simultaneous occurrence of events or circumstances
- the meeting of concurrent lines in a point
- agreement or union in action : cooperation
- agreement in opinion or design
- consent
- a coincidence of equal powers in law
con·cur·ren·cy [-ən(t)-sē, -rən(t)-sē] -n
- concurrence
con·cur·rent [-'kər-ənt, -'kə-rənt] -adj, n, adv
- operating or occurring at the same time
- running parallel
- convergent
- meeting or intersecting in a point
- acting in conjunction
- exercised over the same matter or area by two different authorities
concurrent resolution -n
- a resolution passed by both houses of a legislative body that lacks the force of law
con·cuss [kən-'kəs] -vt
- to affect with or as if with concussion
con·cus·sion [kən-'kə-shən] -n, adj
- a stunning, damaging, or shattering effect from a hard blow
- a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function
- a hard blow or collision
- agitation, shaking
cond -abbr
- condition
- conductivity
con·demn [kən-'dem] -vt, adj, n
- to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usu. after weighing evidence and without reservation
- a policy widely condemn ed as racist
- to pronounce guilty : convict
- sentence, doom
- condemn a prisoner to die
- to adjudge unfit for use or consumption
- condemn an old apartment building
- to declare convertible to public use under the right of eminent domain
con·dem·na·tion [,kän-,dem-'nā-shən, -dəm-] -n
- censure, blame
- the act of judicially condemning
- the state of being condemned
- a reason for condemning
con·den·sate ['kän-dən-,sāt, -,den-; kən-'den-] -n
- a product of condensation
- a liquid obtained by condensation of a gas or vapor
con·den·sa·tion [,kän-,den-'sā-shən, -dən-] -n, adj
- : the act or process of condensing: as
- a chemical reaction involving union between molecules often with elimination of a simple molecule (as water) to form a new more complex compound of often greater molecular weight
- the conversion of a substance (as water) from the vapor state to a denser liquid or solid state usu. initiated by a reduction in temperature of the vapor
- compression of a written or spoken work into more concise form
- the quality or state of being condensed
- a product of condensing
con·dense [kən-'den(t)s] -vb, adj
- to make denser or more compact
- to subject to condensation
- to undergo condensation
condensed -adj
- reduced to a more compact or dense form
- having a face narrower than that of a standard typeface
condensed milk -n
- evaporated milk with sugar added
con·dens·er [kən-'den(t)-sər] -n
- : one that condenses: as
- a lens or mirror used to concentrate light on an object
- an apparatus in which gas or vapor is condensed
- capacitor
con·de·scend [,kän-di-'send] -vi
- to descend to a less formal or dignified level : unbend
- to waive the privileges of rank
- to assume an air of superiority
con·de·scen·dence [-'sen-dən(t)s] -n
- condescension
condescending [-'sen-diŋ-lē] -adj, adv
- showing or characterized by condescension : patronizing
con·de·scen·sion [,kän-di-'sen(t)-shən] -n
- voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior
- patronizing attitude or behavior
con·dign [kən-'dīn, 'kän-,] -adj, adv
- deserved, appropriate
con·di·ment ['kän-də-mənt] -n, adj
- something used to enhance the flavor of food
- a pungent seasoning
con·di·tion [kən-'di-shən] -n
- a premise upon which the fulfillment of an agreement depends : stipulation
- covenant
- a provision making the effect of a legal instrument contingent upon an uncertain event
- the event itself
- : something essential to the appearance or occurrence of something else : prerequisite: as
- an environmental requirement
- available oxygen is an essential condition for animal life
- the subordinate clause of a conditional sentence
- a restricting or modifying factor : qualification
- an unsatisfactory academic grade that may be raised by doing additional work
- a state of being
- social status : rank
- a usu. defective state of health
- a serious heart condition
- a state of physical fitness or readiness for use
- the car was in good condition
- exercising to get into condition
- attendant circumstances
- temper of mind
- trait
- manners, ways
condition [-'di-sh(ə-)niŋ] -vb, adj
- to make stipulations
- to agree by stipulating
- to make conditional
- to put into a proper state for work or use
- air-condition
- to give a grade of condition to
- to adapt, modify, or mold so as to conform to an environing culture
- traditional beliefs condition ing a child's attitude
- to modify so that an act or response previously associated with one stimulus becomes associated with another
con·di·tion·al [kən-'dish-nəl, -'di-shə-nᵊl] -adj, n, adv
- subject to, implying, or dependent upon a condition
- expressing, containing, or implying a supposition
- the conditional clause if he speaks
- true only for certain values of the variables or symbols involved
- stating the case when one or more random variables are fixed or one or more events are known
- conditional frequency distribution
- conditioned
- established by conditioning as the stimulus eliciting a conditional response
conditional -n
- a conditional word, clause, verb form, or morpheme
- implication
conditional probability -n
- the probability that a given event will occur if it is certain that another event has taken place or will take place
conditioned -adj
- brought or put into a specified state
- determined or established by conditioning
con·di·tion·er [-'di-sh(ə-)nər] -n
- something that conditions
- a preparation used to improve the condition of hair
con·di·tion·ing [-'di-sh(ə-)niŋ] -n
- the process of training to become physically fit by a regimen of exercise, diet, and rest
- the resulting state of physical fitness
- a simple form of learning involving the formation, strengthening, or weakening of an association between a stimulus and a response
con·do ['kän-(,)dō] -n
- condominium
con·dole [kən-'dōl] -vb, adj
- grieve
- to express sympathetic sorrow
- lament, grieve
con·do·lence [kən-'dō-lən(t)s also 'kän-də-] -n
- sympathy with another in sorrow
- an expression of sympathy
con·dom ['kän-dəm, 'kən-, dial -drəm] -n
- a sheath commonly of rubber worn over the penis (as to prevent conception or venereal infection during coitus)
- a device that is designed to be inserted into the vagina before coitus and that resembles in form and function the condom used by males
con·do·min·i·um [,kän-də-'mi-nē-əm] -n
- joint dominion
- joint sovereignty by two or more nations
- a government operating under joint rule
- a politically dependent territory under condominium
- individual ownership of a unit in a multiunit structure (as an apartment building) or on land owned in common (as a town house complex)
- a unit so owned
- a building containing condominiums
con·do·na·tion [,kän-də-'nā-shən, -dō-] -n
- implied pardon of an offense by treating the offender as if it had not been committed
con·done [kən-'dōn] -vt, adj, n
- to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless
- a government accused of condoning racism
- condone corruption in politics
con·dor ['kän-dər, -,dȯr] -n
- a very large American vulture ( Vultur gryphus) of the high Andes having the head and neck bare and the plumage dull black with a downy white neck ruff and white patches on the wings called also Andean condor
- california condor
- a coin (as the centesimo of Chile) bearing the picture of a condor
con·dot·tie·re [,kän-də-'tyer-ē, ,kän-,dä-tē-'er-] -n
- a leader of a band of mercenaries common in Europe between the 14th and 16th centuries
- a member of such a band
- a mercenary soldier
con·duce [kən-'düs, -'dyüs] -vi
- to lead or tend to a particular and often desirable result : contribute
con·du·cive [-'dü-siv, -'dyü-] -adj, n
- tending to promote or assist
- an atmosphere conducive to education
con·duct ['kän-(,)dəkt] -n
- escort, guide
- the act, manner, or process of carrying on : management
- praised for his conduct of the campaign
- a mode or standard of personal behavior esp. as based on moral principles
- to bring by or as if by leading : guide
- conduct tourists through a museum
- to lead from a position of command
- to direct or take part in the operation or management of
- to direct the performance of
- to convey in a channel
- to act as a medium for conveying or transmitting
- to cause (oneself) to act or behave in a particular and esp. in a controlled manner
- to show the way : lead
- to act as leader or director
- to have the quality of transmitting light, heat, sound, or electricity
con·duc·tance [kən-'dək-tən(t)s] -n
- conducting power
- the readiness with which a conductor transmits an electric current expressed as the reciprocal of electrical resistance
con·duc·tion [kən-'dək-shən] -n
- the act of conducting or conveying
- transmission through or by means of a conductor
- the transfer of heat through matter by communication of kinetic energy from particle to particle with no net displacement of the particles
- conductivity
- the transmission of excitation through living tissue and esp. nervous tissue
conduction band -n
- the range of permissible energy values which an electron in a solid material can have that allows the electron to dissociate from a particular atom and become a free charge carrier in the material
con·duc·tive [kən-'dək-tiv] -adj
- having conductivity : relating to conduction (as of electricity)
con·duc·tiv·i·ty [,kän-,dək-'ti-və-tē, kən-] -n
- : the quality or power of conducting or transmitting: as
- the reciprocal of electrical resistivity
- the quality of living matter responsible for the transmission of and progressive reaction to stimuli
con·duc·to·met·ric [kən-,dək-tə-'me-trik] -adj
- of or relating to the measurement of conductivity
- being or relating to titration based on determination of changes in the electrical conductivity of the solution
con·duc·tor [kən-'dək-tər] -n, adj
- : one that conducts: as
- guide
- a collector of fares in a public conveyance
- the leader of a musical ensemble
- a material or object that permits an electric current to flow easily
- a material capable of transmitting another form of energy (as heat or sound)
con·duc·tress [kən-'dək-trəs] -n
- a woman who is a conductor
con·duit ['kän-,dü-ət, -,dyü- also -dwət, -dət] -n
- a natural or artificial channel through which something (as a fluid) is conveyed
- fountain
- a pipe, tube, or tile for protecting electric wires or cables
- a means of transmitting or distributing
- a conduit for illicit payments
con·du·pli·cate [(,)kän-'dü-pli-kət, -'dyü-] -adj
- folded lengthwise
- conduplicate petals in the bud
con·dy·lar ['kän-də-lər] -adj
- of or relating to a condyle
con·dyle ['kän-,dī(-ə)l also -dᵊl] -n, adj
- an articular prominence of a bone
- one resembling a pair of knuckles
con·dy·lo·ma [,kän-də-'lō-mə] -n, adj
- genital wart
cone ['kōn] -n
- a solid generated by rotating a right triangle about one of its legs called also right circular cone
- a solid bounded by a circular or other closed plane base and the surface formed by line segments joining every point of the boundary of the base to a common vertex
- a surface traced by a moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex
- a mass of ovule-bearing or pollen-bearing scales or bracts in most conifers or in cycads that are arranged usu. on a somewhat elongated axis
- any of several flower or fruit clusters suggesting a cone
- : something that resembles a cone in shape: as
- any of the conical photosensitive receptor cells of the vertebrate retina that function in color vision
- any of a family (Conidae) of tropical marine gastropod mollusks that inject their prey with a potent toxin
- the apex of a volcano
- a crisp usu. cone-shaped wafer for holding ice cream
- to make cone-shaped
- to bevel like the slanting surface of a cone
cone·flow·er ['kōn-,flau̇(-ə)r] -n
- : any of several composite plants (as of the genera Echinaceaand Ratibida) having cone-shaped flower disks: as
- rudbeckia
- purple coneflower
cone·nose ['kōn-,nōz] -n
- kissing bug
con es·pres·sio·ne [,kän-,es-(,)pre-sē-'ō-nē, ,kōn-, -'ō-(,)nā] -adv
- with feeling used as a direction in music
Con·es·to·ga wagon [,kä-nə-'stō-gə-] -n
- a broad-wheeled covered wagon drawn usu. by six horses and used esp. for transporting freight across the prairies called also Conestoga
co·ney ['kō-nē, 1 also 'kə-nē] -n
- rabbit fur
- rabbit
- the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus)
- pika
- hyrax
- dupe
- any of several fishes
- a dusky black-spotted reddish-finned grouper ( Epinephelus fulvussyn. Cephalopholis fulva) of the tropical Atlantic
conf -abbr
- conference
- confidential
con·fab ['kän-,fab, kən-'] -n, vi
- chat
- discussion, conference
con·fab·u·late [kən-'fa-byə-,lāt] -vi, n, adj
- to talk informally : chat
- to hold a discussion : confer
- to fill in gaps in memory by fabrication
con·fect [kən-'fekt] -vt, n
- to put together from varied material
- prepare
- preserve
con·fec·tion [kən-'fek-shən] -n
- the act or process of confecting
- : something confected: as
- a fancy dish or sweetmeat
- a sweet food
- a medicinal preparation usu. made with sugar, syrup, or honey
- a work of fine or elaborate craftsmanship
- a light but entertaining theatrical, cinematic, or literary work
con·fec·tion·ary [-shə-,ner-ē] -n, adj
- sweets
- confectioner
- confectionery
con·fec·tion·er [-sh(ə-)nər] -n
- a manufacturer of or dealer in confections
confectioners' sugar -n
- a refined finely powdered sugar
con·fec·tion·ery [-shə-,ner-ē] -n
- the confectioner's art or business
- sweet foods (as candy or pastry)
- a confectioner's shop
Confed -abbr
- Confederate
con·fed·er·a·cy [kən-'fe-d(ə-)rə-sē] -n
- a league or compact for mutual support or common action : alliance
- a combination of persons for unlawful purposes : conspiracy
- the body formed by persons, states, or nations united by a league
- the 11 southern states seceding from the U.S. in 1860 and 1861
con·fed·er·al [-d(ə-)rəl] -adj
- of or relating to a confederation
con·fed·er·ate [kən-'fe-d(ə-)rət] -adj
- united in a league : allied
- of or relating to the Confederate States of America
confederate -n
- ally, accomplice
- an adherent of the Confederate States of America or their cause
con·fed·er·ate [-'fe-də-,rāt] -vb, adj
- to unite in a confederacy
- to band together
Confederate Memorial Day -n
- any of several days appointed for the commemoration of servicemen of the Confederacy
con·fed·er·a·tion [kən-,fe-də-'rā-shən] -n
- an act of confederating : a state of being confederated : alliance
- league
con·fer [kən-'fər] -vb, n, adj
- to compare views or take counsel : consult
- to bestow from or as if from a position of superiority
- conferred an honorary degree on her
- knowing how to read was a gift conferred with manhood -- Murray Kempton
- to give (as a property or characteristic) to someone or something
- a reputation for power will confer power -- John Spanier
con·fer·ee [,kän-fə-'rē] -n
- one taking part in a conference
con·fer·ence ['kän-f(ə-)rən(t)s, -fərn(t)s, for 2 usu kən-'fər-ən(t)s] -n, adj
- a meeting of two or more persons for discussing matters of common concern
- a usu. formal interchange of views : consultation
- a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature to adjust differences
- caucus
- bestowal, conferment
- a representative assembly or administrative organization of a religious denomination
- a territorial division of a religious denomination
- an association of athletic teams
conference call -n
- a telephone call by which a caller can speak with several people at the same time
con·fer·enc·ing ['kän-f(ə-)rən(t)-siŋ, -fərn(t)-] -n
- the holding of conferences esp. by means of an electronic communications system
con·fess [kən-'fes] -vb, adj
- to tell or make known (as something wrong or damaging to oneself) : admit
- to acknowledge (sin) to God or to a priest
- to receive the confession of (a penitent)
- to declare faith in or adherence to : profess
- to give evidence of
- to disclose one's faults
- to unburden one's sins or the state of one's conscience to God or to a priest
- to hear a confession
- admit, own
con·fessed·ly [-'fe-səd-lē, -'fest-lē] -adv
- by confession
con·fes·sion [kən-'fe-shən] -n
- an act of confessing
- a disclosure of one's sins in the sacrament of reconciliation
- a session for the confessing of sins
- : a statement of what is confessed: as
- a written or oral acknowledgment of guilt by a party accused of an offense
- a formal statement of religious beliefs : creed
- an organized religious body having a common creed
con·fes·sion·al [-'fesh-nəl, -'fe-shə-nᵊl] -n
- a place where a priest hears confessions
- the practice of confessing to a priest
confessional [-nə-,li-zəm] -adj, n, adv
- of, relating to, or being a confession esp. of faith
- of, relating to, or being intimately autobiographical
con·fes·sor [kən-'fe-sər, 1 & 3 also 'kän-,fe-sər, 3 also 'kän-fə-,sȯr] -n
- one who gives heroic evidence of faith but does not suffer martyrdom
- one that confesses
- a priest who hears confessions
- a priest who is one's regular spiritual guide
con·fet·ti [kən-'fe-tē] -n
- small bits or streamers of brightly colored paper made for throwing (as at weddings)
con·fi·dant ['kän-fə-,dänt also -,dant, -dənt] -n
- one to whom secrets are entrusted
- intimate
con·fi·dante [same as confidant] -n
- confidant
- one who is a woman
con·fide [kən-'fīd] -vb, n
- to have confidence : trust
- to show confidence by imparting secrets
- to tell confidentially
- to give to the care or protection of another : entrust
con·fi·dence ['kän-fə-dən(t)s, -,den(t)s] -n
- a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances
- had perfect confidence in her ability to succeed
- met the risk with brash confidence
- faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way
- have confidence in a leader
- the quality or state of being certain : certitude
- they had every confidence of success
- a relation of trust or intimacy
- took his friend into his confidence
- reliance on another's discretion
- their story was told in strictest confidence
- support esp. in a legislative body
- a communication made in confidence : secret
- accused him of betraying a confidence
confidence -adj
- of, relating to, or adept at swindling by false promises
confidence interval -n
- a group of continuous or discrete adjacent values that is used to estimate a statistical parameter (as a mean or variance) and that tends to include the true value of the parameter a predetermined proportion of the time if the process of finding the group of values is repeated a number of times
confidence limits -n pl
- the end points of a confidence interval
con·fi·dent ['kän-fə-dənt, -,dent] -adj, adv
- full of conviction : certain
- confident that conditions will improve
- having or showing assurance and self-reliance
- a confident young businessman
- trustful, confiding
con·fi·den·tial [,kän-fə-'den(t)-shəl] -adj, n, adv
- marked by intimacy or willingness to confide
- private, secret
- entrusted with confidences
- containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest
con·fid·ing [kən-'fī-diŋ] -adj, adv, n
- tending to confide : trustful
con·fig·u·ra·tion [kən-,fi-gyə-'rā-shən, ,kän-, -gə-'] -n, adj, adv
- : relative arrangement of parts or elements: as
- shape
- contour of land
- configuration of the mountains
- functional arrangement
- a small business computer system in its simplest configuration
- something (as a figure, contour, pattern, or apparatus) that results from a particular arrangement of parts or components
- the stable structural makeup of a chemical compound esp. with reference to the space relations of the constituent atoms
- gestalt
- personality configuration
con·fig·ure [kən-'fi-gyər, esp Brit -'fi-gər] -vt
- to set up for operation esp. in a particular way
- a fighter plane configured for the Malaysian air force
con·fine ['kän-,fīn also kən-'] -n
- something (as borders or walls) that encloses
- outside the confine s of the office or hospital -- W. A. Nolen
- something that restrains
- escape from the confine s of soot and clutter -- E. S. Muskie
- scope
- work within the confine s of a small group -- Frank Newman
- restriction
- prison
- border
- to hold within a location
- imprison
- to keep within limits
- will confine my remarks to one subject
con·fined [kən-'fīnd] -adj
- undergoing childbirth
con·fine·ment [kən-'fīn-mənt] -n
- an act of confining : the state of being confined
- lying-in
con·firm [kən-'fərm] -vt, n, adj
- to give approval to : ratify
- to make firm or firmer : strengthen
- to administer the rite of confirmation to
- to give new assurance of the validity of : remove doubt about by authoritative act or indisputable fact
con·fir·mand [,kän-fər-'mand] -n
- a candidate for religious confirmation
con·fir·ma·tion [,kän-fər-'mā-shən] -n, adj
- : an act or process of confirming: as
- a Christian rite conferring the gift of the Holy Spirit and among Protestants full church membership
- a ceremony esp. of Reform Judaism confirming youths in their faith
- the ratification of an executive act by a legislative body
- confirming proof : corroboration
- the process of supporting a statement by evidence
con·fir·ma·to·ry [kən-'fər-mə-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- serving to confirm : corroborative
con·firmed [kən-'fərmd] -adj, adv, n
- marked by long continuance and likely to persist
- fixed in habit and unlikely to change
- having received the rite of confirmation
con·fis·ca·ble [kən-'fis-kə-bəl] -adj
- liable to confiscation
con·fis·cat·able ['kän-fə-,skā-tə-bəl] -adj
- confiscable
con·fis·cate ['kän-fə-,skāt, kən-'fis-kət] -adj
- appropriated by the government : forfeited
- deprived of property by confiscation
- to seize as forfeited to the public treasury
- to seize by or as if by authority
con·fit [kōn-'fē, kȯn-, kän-] -n
- meat (as goose, duck, or pork) that has been cooked and preserved in its own fat
- a garnish made usu. from fruit or vegetables that are cooked until tender in a seasoned liquid
con·fi·te·or [kən-'fē-tē-,ȯr, -ər] -n
- a liturgical form in which sinfulness is acknowledged and intercession for God's mercy requested
con·fi·ture ['kän-fə-,chu̇r, -,tyu̇r, -,tu̇r] -n
- preserved or candied fruit : jam
con·fla·grant [kən-'flā-grənt] -adj
- burning, blazing
con·fla·gra·tion [,kän-flə-'grā-shən] -n
- fire
- a large disastrous fire
- conflict, war
con·flate [kən-'flāt] -vt
- to bring together : fuse
- confuse
- to combine (as two readings of a text) into a composite whole
con·fla·tion [-'flā-shən] -n
- blend, fusion
- a composite reading or text
con·flict ['kän-,flikt] -n, adj
- fight, battle, war
- competitive or opposing action of incompatibles : antagonistic state or action (as of divergent ideas, interests, or persons)
- mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands
- the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the dramatic action in a drama or fiction
- to contend in warfare
- to show antagonism or irreconcilability : fail to be in agreement or accord
- his statement conflict s with the facts
con·flict·ed [kən-'flik-təd] -adj
- experiencing or marked by ambivalence or a conflict esp. of emotions
- this unhappy and conflicted modern woman -- John Updike
conflicting [-'flik-tiŋ-lē, -,flik-] -adj, adv
- being in conflict, collision, or opposition : incompatible
conflict of interest
- a conflict between the private interests and the official responsibilities of a person in a position of trust
con·flu·ence ['kän-,flü-ən(t)s, kən-'] -n
- a coming or flowing together, meeting, or gathering at one point
- a happy confluence of weather and scenery
- the flowing together of two or more streams
- the place of meeting of two streams
- the combined stream formed by conjunction
con·flu·ent [-ənt] -adj
- flowing or coming together
- run together
- characterized by confluent lesions
confluent -n
- a confluent stream
- tributary
con·flux ['kän-,fləks] -n
- confluence
con·fo·cal [(,)kän-'fō-kəl] -adj, adv
- having the same foci
con·form [kən-'fȯrm] -vb, n, n or adj
- to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord
- conform furrows to the slope of the land
- to be similar or identical
- to be in agreement or harmony used with to or with
- changes that conform with our plans
- to be obedient or compliant usu. used with to
- conform to another's wishes
- to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs
con·form·able [kən-'fȯr-mə-bəl] -adj, adv
- corresponding or consistent in form or character
- conduct conformable to their principles
- submissive, compliant
- be patient and conformable to my directions -- Sir Walter Scott
- following in unbroken sequence used of geologic strata formed under uniform conditions
con·for·mal [kən-'fȯr-məl, (,)kän-] -adj
- leaving the size of the angle between corresponding curves unchanged
- representing small areas in their true shape
con·for·mance [kən-'fȯr-mən(t)s] -n
- conformity
con·for·ma·tion [,kän-(,)fȯr-'mā-shən, -fər-] -n, adj
- the act of conforming or producing conformity : adaptation
- formation of something by appropriate arrangement of parts or elements : an assembling into a whole
- the gradual conformation of the embryo
- correspondence esp. to a model or plan
- structure
- the shape or proportionate dimensions esp. of an animal
- any of the spatial arrangements of a molecule that can be obtained by rotation of the atoms about a single bond
con·for·mi·ty [kən-'fȯr-mə-tē] -n
- correspondence in form, manner, or character : agreement
- behaved in conformity with her beliefs
- an act or instance of conforming
- action in accordance with some specified standard or authority
- conformity to social custom
con·found [kən-'fau̇nd, kän-] -vt, n, adv
- to bring to ruin : destroy
- baffle, frustrate
- conferences...are not for accomplishment but to confound knavish tricks -- J. K. Galbraith
- consume, waste
- to put to shame : discomfit
- a performance that confound ed the critics
- refute
- sought to confound his arguments
- damn
- to throw (a person) into confusion or perplexity
- to fail to discern differences between : mix up
- to increase the confusion of
con·found·ed [kən-'fau̇n-dəd, (,)kän-', 'kän-,] -adj, adv
- confused, perplexed
- damned
con·fra·ter·ni·ty [,kän-frə-'tər-nə-tē] -n
- a society devoted esp. to a religious or charitable cause
- fraternal union
con·frere ['kän-,frer, kōⁿ-,, kän-', kōⁿ-', kən-'] -n
- colleague, comrade
con·front [kən-'frənt] -vt, n
- to face esp. in challenge : oppose
- to cause to meet : bring face-to-face
- confront a reader with statistics
- to meet face-to-face : encounter
- confront ed the possibility of failure
con·fron·ta·tion [,kän-(,)frən-'tā-shən] -n, adj, n or adj
- : the act of confronting : the state of being confronted: as
- a face-to-face meeting
- the clashing of forces or ideas : conflict
- comparison
- the flashbacks bring into meaningful confrontation present and past, near and far -- R. J. Clements
Con·fu·cian [kən-'fyü-shən] -adj, n, n or adj
- of or relating to the Chinese philosopher Confucius or his teachings or followers
con·fuse [kən-'fyüz] -vt, adv
- to bring to ruin
- to make embarrassed : abash
- to disturb in mind or purpose : throw off
- to make indistinct : blur
- to mix indiscriminately : jumble
- to fail to differentiate from an often similar or related other
- confuse money with comfort
con·fused [-'fyüzd] -adj, adv, n
- being perplexed or disconcerted
- disoriented with regard to one's sense of time, place, or identity
- the patient became confused
- indistinguishable
- a zigzag, crisscross, confused trail -- Harry Hervey
- being disordered or mixed up
- a contradictory and often confused story
con·fu·sion [kən-'fyü-zhən] -n, adj
- an act or instance of confusing
- the quality or state of being confused
- try to relieve their confusion
- a confused mass or mixture
con·fu·ta·tion [,kän-fyu̇-'tā-shən, -fyü-] -n, adj
- the act or process of confuting : refutation
- something (as an argument or statement) that confutes
con·fute [kən-'fyüt] -vt, n
- to overwhelm in argument : refute conclusively
- Elijah... confuted the prophets of Baal -- G. B. Shaw
- confound
cong -abbr
- congress; congressional
con·ga ['käŋ-gə] -n
- a Cuban dance of African origin involving three steps followed by a kick and performed by a group usu. in single file
- a tall barrel-shaped or tapering drum of Afro-Cuban origin that is played with the hands
conga line -n
- snake dance
con·ge [kōⁿ-'zhā, 'kän-,zhā] -n
- a formal permission to depart
- dismissal
- a ceremonious bow
- farewell
- an architectural molding of concave profile
con·geal [kən-'jēl] -vb, n
- to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by cold
- to make viscid or curdled : coagulate
- to make rigid, fixed, or immobile
- to become congealed : solidify
con·gee ['kän-jē] -n
- porridge made from rice
con·ge·la·tion [,kän-jə-'lā-shən] -n
- the process or result of congealing
con·ge·ner ['kän-jə-nər, kən-'jē-] -n, adj
- a member of the same taxonomic genus as another plant or animal
- a person, organism, or thing resembling another in nature or action
- the New England private schools and their congener s west of the Alleghenies -- Oliver La Farge
- a chemical substance related to another
con·ge·nial [kən-'jē-nē-əl, -'jēn-yəl] -adj, n, adv
- having the same nature, disposition, or tastes : kindred
- existing or associated together harmoniously
- pleasant
- agreeably suited to one's nature, tastes, or outlook
- sociable, genial
con·gen·i·tal [kən-'je-nə-tᵊl, kän-] -adj, adv
- existing at or dating from birth
- constituting an essential characteristic : inherent
- congenital fear of snakes
- acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity
- being such by nature
con·ger eel ['käŋ-gər-] -n
- a large strictly marine scaleless eel ( Conger oceanicus) of the Atlantic
- any of various related eels (family Congridae)
con·ge·ries ['kän-jə-(,)rēz] -n
- aggregation, collection
con·gest [kən-'jest] -vb, n, adj
- to concentrate in a small or narrow space
- to cause an excessive accumulation esp. of blood or mucus in (as an organ or part)
- clog
- traffic congest ed the highways
- to become congested
congestive heart failure -n
- heart failure in which the heart is unable to maintain an adequate circulation of blood in the bodily tissues or to pump out the venous blood returned to it by the veins
con·glo·bate [kän-'glō-,bāt, kən-] -vt, adj, n
- to form into a round compact mass
con·globe [kän-'glōb, kən-] -vt
- conglobate
con·glom·er·ate [kən-'gläm-rət, -'glä-mə-] -adj
- made up of parts from various sources or of various kinds
- to gather into a mass or coherent whole
- numbers of dull people conglomerated round her -- Virginia Woolf
- accumulate
- a composite mass or mixture
- rock composed of rounded fragments varying from small pebbles to large boulders in a cement (as of hardened clay)
- a widely diversified corporation
con·glom·er·a·teur [kən-,glä-mə-rə-'tər, -'tyu̇r, -'tu̇r] -n
- a person who forms or heads a conglomerate : conglomerator
con·glom·er·a·tion [kən-,glä-mə-'rā-shən, ,kän-] -n
- the act of conglomerating : the state of being conglomerated
- something conglomerated : a mixed mass or collection
con·glu·ti·nate [kən-'glü-tᵊn-,āt, kän-] -vb, n
- to unite by or as if by a glutinous substance
- to become conglutinated
- blood platelets conglutinate in blood clotting
Con·go red ['käŋ-(,)gō-] -n
- an azo dye C 32H 22N 6Na 2O 6S 2that is red in alkaline and blue in acid solution and that is used esp. as an indicator and as a biological stain
con·gou ['käŋ-(,)gō, -(,)gü] -n
- a black tea from China
con·grat·u·late [kən-'gra-chə-,lāt, -'gra-jə-] -vt, n, adj
- to express sympathetic pleasure at (an event)
- to express vicarious pleasure to (a person) on the occasion of success or good fortune
- graciously congratulated the winner
- to feel pleased with
- congratulating herself for a job well done
- salute, greet
con·grat·u·la·tion [kən-,gra-chə-'lā-shən, -,gra-jə-] -n
- the act of congratulating
- a congratulatory expression usu. used in pl.
con·gre·gant ['käŋ-gri-gənt] -n
- one who congregates
- a member of a congregation
con·gre·gate [-,gāt] -vb, n
- to collect into a group or crowd : assemble
- to come together into a group, crowd, or assembly
- providing or being group services or facilities designed esp. for elderly persons requiring supportive services
con·gre·ga·tion [,käŋ-gri-'gā-shən] -n
- an assembly of persons : gathering
- an assembly of persons met for worship and religious instruction
- : a religious community: as
- an organized body of believers in a particular locality
- a Roman Catholic religious institute with only simple vows
- a group of monasteries forming an independent subdivision of an order
- the act or an instance of congregating or bringing together : the state of being congregated
- a body of cardinals and officials forming an administrative division of the papal curia
con·gre·ga·tion·al [-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj, n, n or adj
- of or relating to a congregation
- of or relating to a body of Protestant churches deriving from the English Independents of the 17th century and affirming the essential importance and the autonomy of the local congregation
- of or relating to church government placing final authority in the assembly of the local congregation
con·gress ['käŋ-grəs also -rəs, Brit usu 'käŋ-,gres] -n, adj, adv
- the act or action of coming together and meeting
- coitus
- a formal meeting of delegates for discussion and usu. action on some question
- the supreme legislative body of a nation and esp. of a republic
- an association usu. made up of delegates from constituent organizations
- a single meeting or session of a group
congressional district -n
- a territorial division of a state from which a member of the U.S. House of Representatives is elected
Congressional Medal -n
- medal of honor
con·gress·man ['käŋ-(g)rəs-mən] -n
- a member of a congress
- a member of the U.S. House of Representatives
con·gress·peo·ple [-(g)rəs-,pē-pəl] -n pl
- congressmen or congresswomen
con·gress·per·son [-(g)rəs-,pər-sən] -n
- a congressman or congresswoman
con·gress·wom·an [-(g)rəs-,wu̇-mən] -n
- a woman who is a member of a congress
- a woman who is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives
con·gru·ence [kən-'grü-ən(t)s, 'käŋ-grü-ən(t)s] -n
- the quality or state of agreeing, coinciding, or being congruent
- a statement that two numbers or geometric figures are congruent
con·gru·en·cy [-ən(t)-sē] -n
- congruence
con·gru·ent [kən-'grü-ənt, 'käŋ-grü-ənt] -adj, adv
- congruous
- superposable so as to be coincident throughout
- having the difference divisible by a given modulus
- 12 is congruent to 2 (modulo 5) since 12225
con·gru·i·ty [kən-'grü-ə-tē, kän-] -n
- the quality or state of being congruent or congruous
- a point of agreement
con·gru·ous ['käŋ-grü-əs] -adj, adv, n
- being in agreement, harmony, or correspondence
- conforming to the circumstances or requirements of a situation : appropriate
- a congruous room to work in -- G. B. Shaw
- marked or enhanced by harmonious agreement among constituent elements
con·ic ['kä-nik] -adj, n
- of or relating to a cone
- conical
conic -n
- conic section
con·i·cal ['kä-ni-kəl] -adj, adv
- resembling a cone esp. in shape
conic section -n
- a plane curve, line, pair of intersecting lines, or point that is the intersection of or bounds the intersection of a plane and a cone with two nappes
- a curve generated by a point which always moves so that the ratio of its distance from a fixed point to its distance from a fixed line is constant
co·nid·i·o·phore [kə-'ni-dē-ə-,fȯr] -n
- a specialized hyphal branch of some fungi that produces conidia
co·nid·i·um [kə-'ni-dē-əm] -n, adj
- an asexual spore produced on a conidiophore of certain fungi
co·ni·fer ['kä-nə-fər also 'kō-] -n, adj
- any of an order (Coniferales) of mostly evergreen trees and shrubs having usu. needle-shaped or scalelike leaves and including forms (as pines) with true cones and others (as yews) with an arillate fruit
co·ni·ine ['kō-nē-,ēn] -n
- a poisonous alkaloid C 8H 17N found in poison hemlock
conj -abbr
- conjunction; conjunctive
con·jec·tur·al [kən-'jek-chə-rəl, -'jek-shrəl] -adj, adv
- of the nature of or involving or based on conjecture
- given to conjectures
con·jec·ture [kən-'jek-chər] -n
- interpretation of omens
- supposition
- inference from defective or presumptive evidence
- a conclusion deduced by surmise or guesswork
- a proposition (as in mathematics) before it has been proved or disproved
conjecture [-'jek-chə-riŋ, -'jek-shriŋ] -vb, n
- to arrive at or deduce by conjecture : guess
- scientists conjecturing that a disease is caused by a defective gene
- to make conjectures as to
- conjecture the meaning of a statement
- to form conjectures
con·join [kən-'jȯin, kän-] -vb
- to join together (as separate entities) for a common purpose
- to join together for a common purpose
con·joined [-'jȯind] -adj
- being, coming, or brought together so as to meet, touch, overlap, or unite
- conjoined heads on a coin
con·joint [-'jȯint] -adj, adv
- united, conjoined
- related to, made up of, or carried on by two or more in combination : joint
con·ju·gal ['kän-ji-gəl also kən-'jü-] -adj, n, adv
- of or relating to the married state or to married persons and their relations : connubial
conjugal rights -n pl
- the sexual rights or privileges implied by and involved in the marriage relationship : the right of sexual intercourse between husband and wife
con·ju·gant ['kän-ji-gənt] -n
- either of a pair of conjugating gametes or organisms
con·ju·gate ['kän-ji-gət, -jə-,gāt] -adj, adv, n
- joined together esp. in pairs : coupled
- acting or operating as if joined
- having features in common but opposite or inverse in some particular
- relating to or being conjugate complex numbers
- complex roots occurring in conjugate pairs
- related by the difference of a proton
- the acid NH 4 and the base NH 3 are conjugate to each other
- having the same derivation and therefore usu. some likeness in meaning
- forming a single piece
- to give in prescribed order the various inflectional forms of used esp. of a verb
- to join together
- to become joined together
- to pair and fuse in conjugation
- to pair in synapsis
conjugate [same as ¹] -n
- something conjugate : a product of conjugating
- conjugate complex number
- an element of a mathematical group that is equal to a given element of the group multiplied on the right by another element and on the left by the inverse of the latter element
conjugate complex number -n
- one of two complex numbers differing only in the sign of the imaginary part
con·ju·gat·ed [-,gā-təd] -adj
- formed by the union of two compounds or united with another compound
- relating to, containing, or being a system of two double bonds separated by a single bond
conjugated protein -n
- a compound of a protein with a nonprotein
- hemoglobin is a conjugated protein
con·ju·ga·tion [,kän-jə-'gā-shən] -n, adj, adv
- a schematic arrangement of the inflectional forms of a verb
- verb inflection
- a class of verbs having the same type of inflectional forms
- a set of the simple or derivative inflectional forms of a verb esp. in Sanskrit or the Semitic languages
- the causative conjugation
- the act of conjugating : the state of being conjugated
- fusion of usu. similar gametes with ultimate union of their nuclei and sexual reproduction that occurs in most fungi and in some algae (as green algae)
- temporary cytoplasmic union with exchange of nuclear material that is the usual sexual process in ciliated protozoans
- the one-way transfer of DNA between bacteria in cellular contact
con·junct [kən-'jəŋ(k)t, kän-] -adj
- united, joined
- joint
- relating to melodic progression by intervals of no more than a major second
- something joined or associated with another
- one of the components of a conjunction
- an adverb or adverbial (as so, in addition, however, secondly) that indicates the speaker's or writer's assessment of the connection between linguistic units (as clauses)
con·junc·tion [kən-'jəŋ(k)-shən] -n, adj, adv
- the act or an instance of conjoining : the state of being conjoined : combination
- working in conjunction with state and local authorities
- occurrence together in time or space : concurrence
- the apparent meeting or passing of two or more celestial bodies in the same degree of the zodiac
- a configuration in which two celestial bodies have their least apparent separation
- an uninflected linguistic form that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words
- a complex sentence in logic true if and only if each of its components is true
con·junc·ti·va [,kän-,jəŋ(k)-'tī-və, kən-] -n, adj
- the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and is continued over the forepart of the eyeball
con·junc·tive [kən-'jəŋ(k)-tiv] -adj, n, adv
- connective
- conjunct, conjoined
- being or functioning like a conjunction
- copulative
con·junc·ti·vi·tis [kən-,jəŋ(k)-ti-'vī-təs] -n
- inflammation of the conjunctiva
con·junc·ture [kən-'jəŋ(k)-chər] -n
- conjunction, union
- a combination of circumstances or events usu. producing a crisis : juncture
con·jun·to [kōn-'hün-tō] -n
- a kind of Mexican-American music that has been influenced by the music of German immigrants to Texas and that features the accordion in addition to Mexican elements
con·ju·ra·tion [,kän-ju̇-'rā-shən, ,kən-, -jər-'ā-] -n
- the act or process of conjuring : incantation
- an expression or trick used in conjuring
- a solemn appeal : adjuration
con·jure [vt 2 & vi senses 'kän-jər also 'kən-; vt 1 kən-'ju̇r] -vb
- to charge or entreat earnestly or solemnly
- to summon by or as if by invocation or incantation
- to affect or effect by or as if by magic
- imagine, contrive often used with up
- we conjure up our own metaphors for our own needs -- R. J. Kaufmann
- to bring to mind
- words that conjure pleasant images
often used with up - to summon a devil or spirit by invocation or incantation
- to practice magical arts
- to use a conjurer's tricks : juggle
con·jur·er ['kän-jər-ər, 'kən-] -n
- one that practices magic arts : wizard
- one that performs feats of sleight of hand and illusion : magician, juggler
conk ['käŋk, 'kȯŋk] -n
- nose
- to hit esp. on the head : knock out
- the visible fruiting body of a bracket fungus
- decay caused by such a fungus
- break down
- stall usu. used with out
- the motor suddenly conk ed out
- faint
- to go to sleep usu. used with off or out
- conk ed out for a while after lunch
- die
- I caught pneumonia. I almost conk ed -- Truman Capote
- to straighten out (hair) usu. by the use of chemicals
- a hairstyle in which the hair is straightened out and flattened down or lightly waved called also process
conk·er ['käŋ-kər] -n
- a horse chestnut esp. when used in conkers
- a game in which each player swings a horse chestnut on a string to try to break one held by the opponent
con mo·to [kän-'mō-(,)tō, kōn-] -adv
- with movement : in a spirited manner used as a direction in music
conn ['kän] -vt
- to conduct or direct the steering of (as a ship)
- the control exercised by one who conns a ship
Conn -abbr
- Connecticut
con·nate [kä-'nāt, 'kä-,] -adj, adv
- akin, congenial
- innate, inborn
- born or originated together
- entrapped in sediments at the time of their deposition
con·nat·u·ral [kä-'nach-rəl, kə-, -'na-chə-] -adj, n, adv
- connected by nature : inborn
- of the same nature
con·nect [kə-'nekt] -vb, adj, n
- to become joined
- the two rooms connect by a hallway
- ideas that connect easily to form a theory
- to meet for the transference of passengers
- to transfer (as from one airplane to another) as a step in traveling to a final destination
- passengers connect ing with international flights
- to make a successful hit, shot, or throw
- connect ed for a home run
- connect ed on 60 percent of his shots -- N.Y. Times
- to have or establish a rapport
- tried to connect with the younger generation
- to establish a communications connection
- to join or fasten together usu. by something intervening
- to place or establish in relationship
connected -adj, adv, n
- joined or linked together
- having the parts or elements logically linked together
- presented a thoroughly connected view of the problem
- related by blood or marriage
- having social, professional, or commercial relationships
- having the property that any two of its points can be joined by a line completely contained in the set
- incapable of being separated into two or more closed disjoint subsets
connecting rod -n
- a rod that transmits motion between a reciprocating part of a machine (as a piston) and a rotating part (as a crankshaft)
con·nec·tion [kə-'nek-shən] -n, adj
- : the act of connecting : the state of being connected: as
- causal or logical relation or sequence
- the connection between two ideas
- contextual relation or association
- in this connection the word has a different meaning
- relationship in fact
- wanted in connection with a robbery
- a relation of personal intimacy (as of family ties)
- coherence, continuity
- something that connects : link
- a loose connection in the wiring
- a means of communication or transport
- a person connected with another esp. by marriage, kinship, or common interest
- has powerful connection s
- : a political, social, professional, or commercial relationship: as
- position, job
- an arrangement to execute orders or advance interests of another
- a firm's foreign connection s
- a source of contraband (as illegal drugs)
- : a set of persons associated together: as
- denomination
- clan
con·nec·tion·ism [-shə-,ni-zəm] -n
- a school of cognitive science that holds that human mental processes (as learning) can be explained by the computational modeling of neural nets which are thought to simulate the actions of interconnected neurons in the brain
con·nec·tive [kə-'nek-tiv] -adj, adv
- serving to connect
connective -n
- : something that connects: as
- a linguistic form that connects words or word groups
- a logical term (as or, if-then, and, not) or a symbol for it that relates propositions in such a way that the truth or falsity of the resulting statement is determined by the truth or falsity of the components
connective tissue -n
- a tissue of mesodermal origin that consists of various cells (as fibroblasts and macrophages) and interlacing protein fibers (as of collagen) embedded in a chiefly carbohydrate ground substance, that supports, ensheathes, and binds together other tissues, and that includes loose and dense forms (as adipose tissue, tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses) and specialized forms (as cartilage and bone)
con·nec·tiv·i·ty [(,)kä-,nek-'ti-və-tē, kə-] -n
- the quality, state, or capability of being connective or connected
- connectivity of a surface
- the ability to connect to or communicate with another computer or computer system
connectthedots -adj
- done or proceeding in a series of simple and usu. predictable steps
- a movie with a connectthedots plot
Con·ne·ma·ra [,kä-nə-'mär-ə, ,kȯ-] -n
- any of a breed of hardy rugged ponies developed in Ireland
con·nex·ion [kə-'nek-shən] -n, adj
(variant of connection)
- : the act of connecting : the state of being connected: as
- causal or logical relation or sequence
- the connection between two ideas
- contextual relation or association
- in this connection the word has a different meaning
- relationship in fact
- wanted in connection with a robbery
- a relation of personal intimacy (as of family ties)
- coherence, continuity
- something that connects : link
- a loose connection in the wiring
- a means of communication or transport
- a person connected with another esp. by marriage, kinship, or common interest
- has powerful connection s
- : a political, social, professional, or commercial relationship: as
- position, job
- an arrangement to execute orders or advance interests of another
- a firm's foreign connection s
- a source of contraband (as illegal drugs)
- : a set of persons associated together: as
- denomination
- clan
con·ning tower ['kä-niŋ-] -n
- a raised structure on the deck of a submarine used esp. formerly for navigation and attack direction
con·nip·tion [kə-'nip-shən] -n
- a fit of rage, hysteria, or alarm
con·niv·ance [kə-'nī-vən(t)s] -n
- the act of conniving
- knowledge of and active or passive consent to wrongdoing
con·nive [kə-'nīv] -vi, n
- to pretend ignorance of or fail to take action against something one ought to oppose
- the government connived in the rebels' military buildup
- to be indulgent or in secret sympathy : wink
- to cooperate secretly or have a secret understanding
- conspire, intrigue
- accused his opponents of conniving to defeat the proposal
con·nois·seur [,kä-nə-'sər also -'su̇r] -n
- expert
- one who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge
- one who enjoys with discrimination and appreciation of subtleties
- a connoisseur of fine wines
con·no·ta·tion [,kä-nə-'tā-shən] -n, adj
- the suggesting of a meaning by a word apart from the thing it explicitly names or describes
- something suggested by a word or thing : implication
- the connotation s of comfort that surrounded that old chair
- the signification of something
- that abuse of logic which consists in moving counters about as if they were known entities with a fixed connotation -- W. R. Inge
- an essential property or group of properties of a thing named by a term in logic
con·no·ta·tive ['kä-nə-,tā-tiv, kə-'nō-tə-tiv] -adj, adv
- connoting or tending to connote
- relating to connotation
con·note [kə-'nōt, kä-] -vt
- to be associated with or inseparable from as a consequence or concomitant
- the remorse so often connoted by guilt
- to convey in addition to exact explicit meaning
- all the misery that poverty connote s
- to imply as a logical connotation
con·nu·bi·al [kə-'nü-bē-əl, -'nyü-] -adj, n, adv
- of or relating to the married state : conjugal
co·no·dont ['kō-nə-,dänt, 'kä-] -n
- a Paleozoic toothlike fossil that is prob. the remains of an extinct eellike marine animal that may be an invertebrate or primitive vertebrate
- the animal from which conodonts are derived
co·noid ['kō-,nȯid] -adj, n
- shaped like or nearly like a cone
con·quer ['käŋ-kər] -vb, n
- to gain or acquire by force of arms : subjugate
- to overcome by force of arms : vanquish
- to gain mastery over or win by overcoming obstacles or opposition
- to overcome by mental or moral power : surmount
- to be victorious
con·quest ['kän-,kwest, 'käŋ-; 'käŋ-kwəst] -n
- the act or process of conquering
- something conquered
- territory appropriated in war
- a person whose favor or hand has been won
con·qui·an ['käŋ-kē-ən] -n
- a card game for two played with 40 cards from which all games of rummy developed
con·quis·ta·dor [kän-'kēs-tə-,dȯr, kən- also -'kwis-, -'kis-] -n
- one that conquers
- a leader in the Spanish conquest of America and esp. of Mexico and Peru in the 16th century
cons -abbr
- consecrated
- conservative
- consigned; consignment
- consolidated
- consonant
- constable
- constitution
- construction
- consul
- consulting
con·san·guine [kän-'saŋ-gwən, kən-] -adj
- consanguineous
con·san·guin·e·ous [,kän-,san-'gwi-nē-əs, -,saŋ-] -adj, adv
- of the same blood or origin
- descended from the same ancestor
con·san·guin·i·ty [-'gwi-nə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being consanguineous
- a close relation or connection
con·science ['kän(t)-shən(t)s] -n, adj
- the sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good
- a faculty, power, or principle enjoining good acts
- the part of the superego in psychoanalysis that transmits commands and admonitions to the ego
- consciousness
- conformity to the dictates of conscience : conscientiousness
- sensitive regard for fairness or justice : scruple
conscience money -n
- money paid usu. anonymously to relieve the conscience by restoring what has been wrongfully acquired
con·sci·en·tious [,kän(t)-shē-'en(t)-shəs] -adj, adv, n
- governed by or conforming to the dictates of conscience : scrupulous
- a conscientious public servant
- meticulous, careful
conscientious objection -n
- objection on moral or religious grounds (as to service in the armed forces or to bearing arms)
conscientious objector -n
- a person who refuses to serve in the armed forces or bear arms on moral or religious grounds
con·scio·na·ble ['kän(t)-sh(ə-)nə-bəl] -adj
- conscientious
con·scious ['kän(t)-shəs] -adj, adv
- perceiving, apprehending, or noticing with a degree of controlled thought or observation
- was conscious that someone was watching
- sharing another's knowledge or awareness of an inward state or outward fact
- personally felt
- capable of or marked by thought, will, design, or perception
- self-conscious
- having mental faculties undulled by sleep, faintness, or stupor : awake
- was conscious during the surgery
- done or acting with critical awareness
- a conscious effort to do better
- likely to notice, consider, or appraise
- a bargain- conscious shopper
- being concerned or interested
- marked by strong feelings or notions
- a race- conscious society
conscious -n
- consciousness
con·scious·ness [-nəs] -n
- the quality or state of being aware esp. of something within oneself
- the state or fact of being conscious of an external object, state, or fact
- awareness
- concern for some social or political cause
- the state of being characterized by sensation, emotion, volition, and thought : mind
- the totality of conscious states of an individual
- the normal state of conscious life
- the upper level of mental life of which the person is aware as contrasted with unconscious processes
consciousnessraising -n
- an increasing of concerned awareness esp. of some social or political issue
con·scribe [kən-'skrīb] -vt
- limit, circumscribe
- ill-health... conscribed the force of his intentions -- Times Lit. Supp.
- conscript
con·script ['kän-,skript] -n
- a conscripted person (as a military recruit)
- enrolled into service by compulsion : drafted
- made up of conscripted persons
- to enroll into service by compulsion : draft
- was conscript ed into the army
con·scrip·tion [kən-'skrip-shən] -n
- compulsory enrollment of persons esp. for military service : draft
con·se·crate ['kän(t)-sə-,krāt] -adj
- dedicated to a sacred purpose
consecrate [-,krā-tiv] -vt, adj, n
- to induct (a person) into a permanent office with a religious rite
- to ordain to the office of bishop
- to make or declare sacred
- to devote irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony
- to effect the liturgical transubstantiation of (eucharistic bread and wine)
- to devote to a purpose with or as if with deep solemnity or dedication
- to make inviolable or venerable
- principles consecrated by the weight of history
con·se·cra·tion [,kän(t)-sə-'krā-shən] -n
- the act or ceremony of consecrating
- the state of being consecrated
- the part of a Communion rite in which the bread and wine are consecrated
con·se·cu·tion [,kän(t)-si-'kyü-shən] -n
- sequence
con·sec·u·tive [kən-'se-kyə-tiv, -kə-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- following one after the other in order : successive
- served four consecutive terms in office
con·sen·su·al [kən-'sen(t)-sh(ə-)wəl, -shəl, -shü-əl] -adj, adv
- existing or made by mutual consent without an act of writing
- involving or based on mutual consent
con·sen·sus [kən-'sen(t)-səs] -n
- general agreement : unanimity
- the consensus of their opinion, based on reports...from the border -- John Hersey
- the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned
- the consensus was to go ahead
- group solidarity in sentiment and belief
con·sent [kən-'sent] -vi, n, adv
- to give assent or approval : agree
- to be in concord in opinion or sentiment
consent -n
- compliance in or approval of what is done or proposed by another : acquiescence
- he shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties -- U.S. Constitution
- agreement as to action or opinion
- voluntary agreement by a people to organize a civil society and give authority to the government
con·sen·ta·ne·ous [,kän(t)-sən-'tā-nē-əs, ,kän-,sen-] -adj, adv
- expressing agreement : suited
- done or made by the consent of all
consent decree -n
- a judicial decree that sanctions a voluntary agreement between parties in dispute
con·se·quence ['kän(t)-sə-,kwen(t)s, -kwən(t)s] -n
- a conclusion derived through logic : inference
- something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions
- the economic consequence s of the war
- importance with respect to power to produce an effect
- a mistake of no consequence
- social importance
- the appearance of importance
- self-importance
con·se·quent [-kwənt, -,kwent] -n
- deduction
- the conclusion of a conditional sentence
- the second term of a ratio
consequent -adj
- following as a result or effect
- her new job and consequent relocation
- observing logical sequence : rational
con·se·quen·tial [,kän(t)-sə-'kwen(t)-shəl] -adj, n, adv
- of the nature of a secondary result : indirect
- consequent
- having significant consequences : important
- a grave and consequential event
- self-important
con·se·quen·tial·ism [-shə-,li-zəm] -n, adj or n
- the theory that the value and esp. the moral value of an act should be judged by the value of its consequences
con·se·quent·ly ['kän(t)-sə-,kwent-lē, -si-kwənt-] -adv
- as a result : in view of the foregoing : accordingly
con·ser·van·cy [kən-'sər-vən(t)-sē] -n
- a board regulating fisheries and navigation in a river or port
- conservation
- an organization or area designated to conserve and protect natural resources
con·ser·va·tion [,kän(t)-sər-'vā-shən] -n, adj
- a careful preservation and protection of something
- planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect
- the preservation of a physical quantity during transformations or reactions
con·ser·va·tion·ist [-sh(ə-)nist] -n
- a person who advocates conservation esp. of natural resources
conservation of charge
- a principle in physics: the total electric charge of an isolated system remains constant irrespective of whatever internal changes may take place
conservation of energy
- a principle in physics: the total energy of an isolated system remains constant irrespective of whatever internal changes may take place with energy disappearing in one form reappearing in another
conservation of mass
- a principle in classical physics: the total mass of any isolated material system is neither increased nor diminished by reactions between the parts called also conservation of matter
con·ser·va·tism [kən-'sər-və-,ti-zəm] -n
- the principles and policies of a Conservative party
- the Conservative party
- disposition in politics to preserve what is established
- a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change
- such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverage)
- the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change
con·ser·va·tive [kən-'sər-və-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- preservative
- of or relating to a philosophy of conservatism
- : of or constituting a political party professing the principles of conservatism: as
- of or constituting a party of the United Kingdom advocating support of established institutions
- progressive conservative
- tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : traditional
- marked by moderation or caution
- marked by or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance, style, or manners
- of, relating to, or practicing Conservative Judaism
conservative -n
- an adherent or advocate of political conservatism
- a member or supporter of a conservative political party
- one who adheres to traditional methods or views
- a cautious or discreet person
Conservative Judaism -n
- Judaism as practiced esp. among some U.S. Jews with adherence to the Torah and Talmud but with allowance for some departures in keeping with differing times and circumstances
con·ser·va·tize [-,tīz] -vb
- to grow conservative
- to make conservative
con·ser·va·toire [kən-'sər-və-,twär] -n
- conservatory
con·ser·va·tor [kən-'sər-və-tər, -və-,tȯr; 'kän(t)-sər-,vā-tər] -n, adj
- one that preserves from injury or violation : protector
- one that is responsible for the care, restoration, and repair of archival or museum articles
- a person, official, or institution designated to take over and protect the interests of an incompetent
- an official charged with the protection of something affecting public welfare and interests
con·ser·va·to·ry [kən-'sər-və-,tȯr-ē] -n
- a greenhouse for growing or displaying plants
- a school specializing in one of the fine arts
con·serve [kən-'sərv] -vt, n
- to keep in a safe or sound state
- he conserved his inheritance
- to avoid wasteful or destructive use of
- conserve natural resources
- to preserve with sugar
- to maintain (a quantity) constant during a process of chemical, physical, or evolutionary change
- sweetmeat
- a candied fruit
- preserve
- one prepared from a mixture of fruits
con·sid·er [kən-'si-dər] -vb
- : to think about carefully: as
- to think of esp. with regard to taking some action
- is consider ing you for the job
- consider ed moving to the city
- to take into account
- defendant's age must be consider ed
- to regard or treat in an attentive or kindly way
- he consider ed her every wish
- to gaze on steadily or reflectively
- to come to judge or classify
- consider thrift essential
- regard
- his works are well consider ed abroad
- suppose
- reflect, deliberate
- paused a moment to consider
con·sid·er·able [-'si-dər(-ə)-bəl, -'si-drə-bəl] -adj, adv
- worth consideration : significant
- large in extent or degree
considerable -n
- a considerable amount, degree, or extent
con·sid·er·ate [kən-'si-d(ə-)rət] -adj, adv, n
- marked by or given to careful consideration : circumspect
- thoughtful of the rights and feelings of others
con·sid·er·ation [kən-,si-də-'rā-shən] -n
- continuous and careful thought
- after long consideration he agreed to their requests
- a matter weighed or taken into account when formulating an opinion or plan
- economic consideration s forced her to leave college
- a taking into account
- thoughtful and sympathetic regard
- an opinion obtained by reflection
- esteem, regard
- the family built themselves a large, ugly villa...and became people of consideration -- V. S. Pritchett
- recompense, payment
- a consideration paid for legal services
- the inducement to a contract or other legal transaction
- an act or forbearance or the promise thereof done or given by one party in return for the act or promise of another
con·sid·ered [kən-'si-dərd] -adj
- matured by extended deliberative thought
- viewed with respect or esteem
con·sid·er·ing [-d(ə-)riŋ] -prep
- in view of : taking into account
- he did well considering his limitations
considering -conj
- inasmuch as
- considering he was new at the job, he did quite well
con·sig·li·e·re [kōn-(,)sil-'ye-re, -'yer-ē; kän-(,)si-glē-'ye-rā, -rē, -'yer] -n
- counselor, adviser
- consigliere of a Mafia family
con·sign [kən-'sīn] -vb, adj, n
- to give over to another's care
- to give, transfer, or deliver into the hands or control of another
- to commit esp. to a final destination or fate
- a writer consign ed to oblivion
- to send or address to an agent to be cared for or sold
- agree, submit
con·sign·ee [,kän(t)-sə-'nē, ,kän-,sī-, kən-,sī-] -n
- one to whom something is consigned or shipped
con·sign·ment [kən-'sīn-mənt] -n
- the act or process of consigning
- something consigned esp. in a single shipment
consignment -adj
- of, relating to, or received as goods on consignment
con·sil·ience [kən-'sil-yən(t)s] -n
- the linking together of principles from different disciplines esp. when forming a comprehensive theory
con·sist [kən-'sist] -vi
- lie, reside usu. used with in
- liberty consist s in the absence of obstructions -- A. E. Housman
- exist, be
- to be capable of existing
- to be composed or made up usu. used with of
- breakfast consist ed of cereal, milk, and fruit
- to be consistent
- it consist s with the facts
- makeup or composition (as of coal sizes or a railroad train) by classes, types, or grades and arrangement
con·sis·tence [kən-'sis-tən(t)s] -n
- consistency
con·sis·ten·cy [kən-'sis-tən(t)-sē] -n
- condition of adhering together : firmness of material substance
- firmness of constitution or character : persistency
- degree of firmness, density, viscosity, or resistance to movement or separation of constituent particles
- boil the juice to the consistency of a thick syrup
- agreement or harmony of parts or features to one another or a whole : correspondence
- ability to be asserted together without contradiction
- harmony of conduct or practice with profession
- followed her own advice with consistency
con·sis·tent [kən-'sis-tənt] -adj, adv
- possessing firmness or coherence
- marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction
- a consistent style in painting
- marked by agreement : compatible usu. used with with
- statements not consistent with the truth
- showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom
- tending to be arbitrarily close to the true value of the parameter estimated as the sample becomes large
- a consistent statistical estimator
con·sis·to·ry [kən-'sis-t(ə-)rē] -n, adj
- a solemn assembly : council
- : a church tribunal or governing body: as
- a solemn meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals convoked and presided over by the pope
- a church session in some Reformed churches
- the organization that confers the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry usu. from the 19th to the 32d inclusive
- a meeting of such an organization
con·so·ci·ate [kən-'sō-sē-,āt, -shē-,āt] -vb
- to bring into association
- to associate esp. in fellowship or partnership
con·so·ci·a·tion [-,sō-sē-'ā-shən, -shē-] -n, adj
- association in fellowship or alliance
- an association of churches or religious societies
- an ecological community with a single dominant species
consol -abbr
- consolidated
con·so·la·tion [,kän(t)-sə-'lā-shən] -n, adj
- the act or an instance of consoling : the state of being consoled : comfort
- something that consoles
- a contest held for those who have lost early in a tournament
consolation prize -n
- a prize given to a runner-up or a loser in a contest
con·sole ['kän-,sōl] -n
- an architectural member projecting from a wall to form a bracket or from a keystone for ornament
- console table
- an upright case that houses the keyboards and controlling mechanisms of an organ and from which the organ is played
- a combination of readouts or displays and an input device (as a keyboard or switches) by which an operator can monitor and interact with a system (as a computer or dubber)
- a cabinet (as for a radio or television set) designed to rest directly on the floor
- a small storage cabinet between bucket seats in an automobile
- an electronic system that connects to a display (as a television set) and is used primarily to play video games
- to alleviate the grief, sense of loss, or trouble of : comfort
console table -n
- a table fixed to a wall with its top supported by consoles or front legs
- a table designed to fit against a wall
con·sol·i·date [kən-'sä-lə-,dāt] -vb, n
- to join together into one whole : unite
- consolidate several small school districts
- to make firm or secure : strengthen
- consolidate their hold on first place
- to form into a compact mass
- to become consolidated
- merge
- the two companies consolidated
consolidated school -n
- a public school formed by merging other schools
con·sol·i·da·tion [kən-,sä-lə-'dā-shən] -n
- the act or process of consolidating : the state of being consolidated
- the process of uniting : the quality or state of being united
- the unification of two or more corporations by dissolution of existing ones and creation of a single new corporation
- pathological alteration of lung tissue from an aerated condition to one of solid consistency
con·som·me [,kän(t)-sə-'mā] -n
- clear soup made from well-seasoned stock
con·so·nance ['kän(t)-s(ə-)nən(t)s] -n
- harmony or agreement among components
- correspondence or recurrence of sounds esp. in words
- recurrence or repetition of consonants esp. at the end of stressed syllables without the similar correspondence of vowels (as in the final sounds of stroke and luck)
- concord
- sympathetic vibration, resonance
con·so·nan·cy [-s(ə-)nən(t)-sē] -n
- consonance
con·so·nant ['kän(t)-s(ə-)nənt] -adj, adv
- being in agreement or harmony : free from elements making for discord
- marked by musical consonances
- having similar sounds
- relating to or exhibiting consonance : resonant
consonant -n
- one of a class of speech sounds (as p, g, n, l, s, r) characterized by constriction or closure at one or more points in the breath channel
- a letter representing a consonant usu. used in English of any letter except a, e, i, o, and u
con·so·nan·tal [,kän(t)-sə-'nan-tᵊl] -adj
- relating to, being, or marked by a consonant or group of consonants
consonant shift -n
- : a set of regular changes in consonant articulation in the history of a language or dialect:
- such a set affecting the Indo-European stops and distinguishing the Germanic languages from the other Indo-European languages
- such a set affecting the Germanic stops and distinguishing High German from the other Germanic languages
con·sort ['kän-,sȯrt] -n
- associate
- a ship accompanying another
- spouse
consort -n
- conjunction, association
- he ruled in consort with his father
- group, assembly
- a group of singers or instrumentalists performing together
- a set of musical instruments of the same family
con·sort [kən-'sȯrt, kän-', 'kän-,] -vt
- unite, associate
- escort
- to keep company
- consort ing with criminals
- to make harmony : play
- accord, harmonize
- the illustrations consort admirably with the text -- Times Lit. Supp.
con·sor·tium [kən-'sȯr-sh(ē-)əm, -'sȯr-tē-əm] -n
- an agreement, combination, or group (as of companies) formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member
- association, society
- the legal right of one spouse to the company, affection, and assistance of and to sexual relations with the other
con·spe·cif·ic [,kän(t)-spi-'si-fik] -adj, n
- of the same species
con·spec·tus [kən-'spek-təs] -n
- a usu. brief survey or summary (as of an extensive subject) often providing an overall view
- outline, synopsis
con·spi·cu·i·ty [,kän(t)-spə-'kyü-ə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being conspicuous : conspicuousness
con·spic·u·ous [kən-'spi-kyə-wəs, -kyü-əs] -adj, adv, n
- obvious to the eye or mind
- attracting attention : striking
- marked by a noticeable violation of good taste
conspicuous consumption -n
- lavish or wasteful spending thought to enhance social prestige
con·spir·a·cist [kən-'spir-ə-sist] -n
- one who believes or promotes a conspiracy theory
con·spir·a·cy [kən-'spir-ə-sē] -n
- the act of conspiring together
- an agreement among conspirators
- a group of conspirators
conspiracy of silence
- a secret agreement to keep silent about an occurrence, situation, or subject esp. in order to promote or protect selfish interests
conspiracy theory -n
- a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usu. powerful conspirators
con·spi·ra·tion [,kän(t)-spə-'rā-shən, ,kän-(,)spi-'rā-] -n, adj
- the act or action of plotting or secretly combining
- a joint effort toward a particular end
con·spir·a·tor [kən-'spir-ə-tər] -n
- one who conspires : plotter
con·spir·a·to·ri·al [kən-,spir-ə-'tȯr-ē-əl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or suggestive of a conspiracy
con·spire [kən-'spī(-ə)r] -vb
- plot, contrive
- to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act or an act which becomes unlawful as a result of the secret agreement
- accused of conspiring to overthrow the government
- scheme
- to act in harmony toward a common end
- circumstances conspired to defeat his efforts
con spi·ri·to [kän-'spir-ə-,tō, kōn-] -adv
- with spirit or animation used as a direction in music
const -abbr
- constant
- constitution; constitutional
- construction
con·sta·ble ['kän(t)-stə-bəl, 'kən(t)-] -n
- a high officer of a royal court or noble household esp. in the Middle Ages
- the warden or governor of a royal castle or a fortified town
- a public officer usu. of a town or township responsible for keeping the peace and for minor judicial duties
- police officer
- one ranking below sergeant
con·stab·u·lary [kən-'sta-byə-,ler-ē, -,le-rē] -adj
- of or relating to a constable or constabulary
constabulary -n
- the organized body of constables of a particular district or country
- an armed police force organized on military lines but distinct from the regular army
con·stan·cy ['kän(t)-stən(t)-sē] -n
- steadfastness of mind under duress : fortitude
- fidelity, loyalty
- a state of being constant or unchanging
con·stant ['kän(t)-stənt] -adj, adv
- marked by firm steadfast resolution or faithfulness : exhibiting constancy of mind or attachment
- invariable, uniform
- continually occurring or recurring : regular
constant -n
- : something invariable or unchanging: as
- a number that has a fixed value in a given situation or universally or that is characteristic of some substance or instrument
- a number that is assumed not to change value in a given mathematical discussion
- a term in logic with a fixed designation
con·stan·tan ['kän(t)-stən-,tan] -n
- an alloy of copper and nickel used esp. for electrical resistors and in thermocouples
con·sta·tive [kən-'stā-tiv, 'kän-stə-tiv] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or being a verbal form that expresses past completed action
- being or relating to an utterance (as an assertion, question, or command) that is capable of being judged true or false
con·stel·late ['kän(t)-stə-,lāt] -vb
- to unite in a cluster
- to set or adorn with or as if with constellations
- cluster
con·stel·la·tion [,kän(t)-stə-'lā-shən] -n, adj
- the configuration of stars esp. at one's birth
- any of 88 arbitrary configurations of stars or an area of the celestial sphere covering one of these configurations
- an assemblage, collection, or group of usu. related persons, qualities, or things
- a constellation of...relatives, friends, and hangers-on -- Brendan Gill
- a constellation of symptoms
- pattern, arrangement
- taking advantage of the shifting constellation of power throughout the known world -- H. D. Lasswell
con·ster·nate ['kän(t)-stər-,nāt] -vt
- to fill with consternation
con·ster·na·tion [,kän(t)-stər-'nā-shən] -n
- amazement or dismay that hinders or throws into confusion
- the two...stared at each other in consternation, and neither knew what to do -- Pearl Buck
con·sti·pate ['kän(t)-stə-,pāt] -vt
- to cause constipation in
- to make immobile, inactive, or dull : stultify
- so much clutter...will tend to constipate the novel's working order -- Times Lit. Supp.
con·sti·pat·ed [-,pā-təd] -adj
- affected with constipation
- stilted or stodgy in appearance, expression, or action
con·sti·pa·tion [,kän(t)-stə-'pā-shən] -n
- abnormally delayed or infrequent passage of usu. dry hardened feces
- stultification
con·stit·u·en·cy [kən-'stich-wən(t)-sē, -'sti-chə-, -'sti-chü-ən(t)-] -n
- a body of citizens entitled to elect a representative (as to a legislative or executive position)
- the residents in an electoral district
- an electoral district
- a group or body that patronizes, supports, or offers representation
- creating...a grass-roots constituency for continuing the project -- Fred Reed
- the people involved in or served by an organization (as a business or institution)
- regards its corporate customers as its prime constituency -- Andrew Hacker
con·stit·u·ent [-wənt, -ənt] -n
- one who authorizes another to act as agent : principal
- a member of a constituency
- an essential part : component, element
- a structural unit of a definable syntactic, semantic, or phonological category that consists of one or more linguistic elements (as words, morphemes, or features) and that can occur as a component of a larger construction
constituent -adj, adv
- serving to form, compose, or make up a unit or whole : component
- having the power to create a government or frame or amend a constitution
con·sti·tute ['kän(t)-stə-,tüt, -,tyüt] -vt
- to appoint to an office, function, or dignity
- : set up, establish: as
- enact
- found
- to give due or lawful form to
- to legally process
- make up, form, compose
- 12 months constitute a year
- high school dropouts who constitute a major problem in large city slums -- J. B. Conant
con·sti·tu·tion [,kän(t)-stə-'tü-shən, -'tyü-] -n, adj
- an established law or custom : ordinance
- the physical makeup of the individual esp. with respect to the health, strength, and appearance of the body
- the structure, composition, physical makeup, or nature of something
- the constitution of society
- the act of establishing, making, or setting up
- the mode in which a state or society is organized
- the manner in which sovereign power is distributed
- the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it
- a written instrument embodying the rules of a political or social organization
con·sti·tu·tion·al [-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj
- relating to, inherent in, or affecting the constitution of body or mind
- of, relating to, or entering into the fundamental makeup of something : essential
- being in accordance with or authorized by the constitution of a state or society
- a constitutional government
- regulated by or ruling according to a constitution
- a constitutional monarchy
- of or relating to a constitution
- loyal to or supporting an established constitution or form of government
constitutional -n
- a walk taken for one's health
con·sti·tu·tion·al·ism [-sh(ə-)nə-,li-zəm] -n
- adherence to or government according to constitutional principles
- a constitutional system of government
con·sti·tu·tion·al·i·ty [-,tü-shə-'na-lə-tē, -,tyü-] -n
- the quality or state of being constitutional
- accordance with the provisions of a constitution
- questioned the constitutionality of the law
con·sti·tu·tion·al·ize [-'tü-shnə-,līz, -shə-nə-,līz] -vt, n
- to provide with a constitution : organize along constitutional principles
con·sti·tu·tion·al·ly [-'tü-shnə-lē, -'tyü-, -shə-nə-lē] -adv
- in accordance with one's constitution
- constitutionally unable to grasp subtleties
- in structure, composition, or constitution
- despite repeated heatings the material remained constitutionally the same
- in accordance with a political constitution
- was not constitutionally eligible to fill the office
con·sti·tu·tive ['kän(t)-stə-,tü-tiv, -,tyü-; kən-'sti-chə-tiv] -adj, adv
- having the power to enact or establish : constructive
- constituent, essential
- relating to or dependent on constitution
- a constitutive property of all electrolytes
con·strain [kən-'strān] -vt, adv
- to force by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation
- to restrict the motion of (a mechanical body) to a particular mode
- compress
- to clasp tightly
- to secure by or as if by bonds : confine
- limit
- to force or produce in an unnatural or strained manner
- to hold back by or as if by force
- constrain ing my mind not to wander from the task -- Charles Dickens
con·straint [kən-'strānt] -n
- the act of constraining
- the state of being checked, restricted, or compelled to avoid or perform some action
- the constraint and monotony of a monastic life -- Matthew Arnold
- a constraining condition, agency, or force : check
- put legal constraint s on the board's activities
- repression of one's own feelings, behavior, or actions
- a sense of being constrained : embarrassment
con·strict [kən-'strikt] -vb, adj
- to make narrow or draw together
- compress, squeeze
- to stultify, stop, or cause to falter : inhibit
- to become constricted
con·stric·tion [-'strik-shən] -n
- an act or product of constricting
- the quality or state of being constricted
- something that constricts
con·stric·tor [-'strik-tər] -n
- a muscle that contracts a cavity or orifice or compresses an organ
- a snake (as a boa constrictor) that coils around and compresses prey
- one that constricts
con·stringe [kən-'strinj] -vt, adj
- to cause to shrink
- cold constringe s the pores
- constrict
con·stru·al [kən-'strü-əl] -n
- interpretation
- political construal s of reality -- R. J. Neuhaus
con·struct [kən-'strəkt] -vt, n, adj
- to make or form by combining or arranging parts or elements : build
- contrive, devise
- to draw (a geometrical figure) with suitable instruments and under specified conditions
- to set in logical order
- : something constructed by the mind: as
- a theoretical entity
- the deductive study of abstract construct s -- D. J. Boorstin
- a working hypothesis or concept
- the unconscious was a construct that came from the daily effort to understand patients
- a product of ideology, history, or social circumstances
- privacy is more than a social construct or an idea; it is a condition of the body -- Sallie Tisdale
con·struc·tion [kən-'strək-shən] -n, adj, adv
- the act or result of construing, interpreting, or explaining
- the process, art, or manner of constructing something
- a thing constructed
- the construction industry
- the arrangement and connection of words or groups of words in a sentence : syntactical arrangement
- a sculpture that is put together out of separate pieces of often disparate materials
con·struc·tion·ist [-sh(ə-)nist] -n
- one who construes a legal document (as the U.S. Constitution) in a specific way
construction paper -n
- a thick groundwood paper available in many colors and used esp. for school artwork
con·struc·tive [kən-'strək-tiv] -adj, adv, n
- declared such by judicial construction or interpretation
- of or relating to construction or creation
- promoting improvement or development
con·struc·tiv·ism [kən-'strək-ti-,vi-zəm] -n, adj or n
- a nonobjective art movement originating in Russia and concerned with formal organization of planes and expression of volume in terms of modern industrial materials (as glass and plastic)
con·strue [kən-'strü] -vb, adj
- to analyze the arrangement and connection of words in (a sentence or sentence part)
- to understand or explain the sense or intention of usu. in a particular way or with respect to a given set of circumstances
- construed my actions as hostile
- to construe a sentence or sentence part esp. in connection with translating
- an act or the result of construing esp. by piecemeal translation
con·sub·stan·tial [,kän(t)-səb-'stan(t)-shəl] -adj
- of the same substance
con·sub·stan·ti·a·tion [,kän(t)-səb-,stan(t)-shē-'ā-shən] -n
- the actual substantial presence and combination of the body and blood of Christ with the eucharistic bread and wine according to a teaching associated with Martin Luther
con·sue·tude ['kän(t)-swi-,tüd, kən-'sü-ə-, -,tyüd] -n, adj
- social usage : custom
con·sul ['kän(t)-səl] -n, adj
- either of two annually elected chief magistrates of the Roman republic
- one of three chief magistrates of the French republic from 1799 to 1804
- an official appointed by a government to reside in a foreign country to represent the commercial interests of citizens of the appointing country
con·sul·ate [-s(ə-)lət] -n
- a government by consuls
- the office, term of office, or jurisdiction of a consul
- the residence or official premises of a consul
consulate general -n
- the residence, office, or jurisdiction of a consul general
consul general -n
- a consul of the first rank stationed in an important place or having jurisdiction in several places or over several consuls
con·sult [kən-'səlt] -vb, n
- to have regard to : consider
- to ask the advice or opinion of
- to refer to
- to consult an individual
- to deliberate together : confer
- to serve as a consultant
- consultation
con·sul·tan·cy [kən-'səl-tᵊn(t)-sē] -n
- consultation
- an agency that provides consulting services
- the position of a consultant
con·sul·tant [kən-'səl-tᵊnt] -n
- one who consults another
- one who gives professional advice or services : expert
con·sul·ta·tion [,kän(t)-səl-'tā-shən] -n
- council, conference
- a deliberation between physicians on a case or its treatment
- the act of consulting or conferring
con·sul·ta·tive [kən-'səl-tə-tiv, 'kän(t)-səl-,tā-tiv] -adj
- of, relating to, or intended for consultation : advisory
con·sult·ing [kən-'səl-tiŋ] -adj
- providing professional or expert advice
- of or relating to consultation or a consultant
- the consulting room of a psychiatrist
con·sul·tive [kən-'səl-tiv] -adj
- consultative
con·sul·tor [kən-'səl-tər] -n
- one who consults or advises
- an adviser to a Roman Catholic bishop, provincial, or sacred congregation
con·sum·able [kən-'sü-mə-bəl] -adj
- capable of being consumed
consumable -n
- something (as food or fuel) that is consumable usu. used in pl.
con·sume [kən-'süm] -vb
- to do away with completely : destroy
- fire consumed several buildings
- to spend wastefully : squander
- use up
- writing consumed much of his time
- to eat or drink esp. in great quantity
- consumed several bags of pretzels
- to enjoy avidly : devour
- mysteries, which she consume s for fun -- E. R. Lipson
- to engage fully : engross
- to utilize as a customer
- consume goods and services
- to waste or burn away : perish
- to utilize economic goods
con·sum·ed·ly [-'sü-məd-lē] -adv
- as if consumed : excessively
- a baby granddaughter...in whom to be consumedly interested -- A. N. Wilson
con·sum·er [kən-'sü-mər] -n
- : one that consumes: as
- one that utilizes economic goods
- an organism requiring complex organic compounds for food which it obtains by preying on other organisms or by eating particles of organic matter
consumer credit -n
- credit granted to an individual esp. to finance the purchase of consumer goods or to defray personal expenses
consumer goods -n pl
- goods that directly satisfy human wants
con·sum·er·ism [kən-'sü-mə-,ri-zəm, -mər-,i-] -n, n or adj, adj
- the promotion of the consumer's interests
- the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable
- a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods
consumer price index -n
- an index measuring the change in the cost of typical wage-earner purchases of goods and services expressed as a percentage of the cost of these same goods and services in some base period called also cost-of-living index
con·sum·ing [kən-'sü-miŋ] -adj
- deeply felt : ardent
- engrossing
con·sum·mate ['kän(t)-sə-mət, kən-'sə-mət] -adj, adv
- complete in every detail : perfect
- extremely skilled and accomplished
- a consummate professional
- of the highest degree
- finish, complete
- consummate a business deal
- to make perfect
- achieve
- to make (marital union) complete by sexual intercourse
- to become perfected
con·sum·ma·tion [,kän-sə-'mā-shən] -n
- the act of consummating
- the consummation of a contract by mutual signature
- the consummating of a marriage
- the ultimate end : finish
con·sum·ma·to·ry [kən-'sə-mə-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- of or relating to consummation : concluding
- of, relating to, or being a response or act (as eating or copulating) that terminates a period of usu. goal-directed behavior
con·sump·tion [kən-'səm(p)-shən] -n
- a progressive wasting away of the body esp. from pulmonary tuberculosis
- tuberculosis
- the act or process of consuming
- use by or exposure to a particular group or audience
- the document was not intended for public consumption
- the utilization of economic goods in the satisfaction of wants or in the process of production resulting chiefly in their destruction, deterioration, or transformation
con·sump·tive [-'səm(p)-tiv] -adj, adv
- tending to consume
- of, relating to, or affected with consumption
consumptive -n
- a person affected with consumption
cont -abbr
- containing
- contents
- continent
- continental
- continued
- control
con·tact ['kän-,takt] -n
- union or junction of surfaces
- the apparent touching or mutual tangency of the limbs of two celestial bodies or of the disk of one body with the shadow of another during an eclipse, transit, or occultation
- the junction of two electrical conductors through which a current passes
- a special part made for such a junction
- association, relationship
- connection, communication
- an establishing of communication with someone or an observing or receiving of a significant signal from a person or object
- a person serving as a go-between, messenger, connection, or source of special information
- contact lens
- to make contact
- to bring into contact
- to enter or be in contact with : join
- to get in communication with
- contact your local dealer
- maintaining, involving, or activated or caused by contact
contact binary -n
- a binary star system in which the two stars are close enough together for material to pass between them
contact hitter -n
- a hitter in baseball who seldom strikes out
contact inhibition -n
- cessation of cellular movement, growth, and division upon contact with other cells
contact language -n
- pidgin
contact lens -n
- a thin lens designed to fit over the cornea and usu. worn to correct defects in vision
contact print -n
- a photographic print made with the negative in contact with the sensitized paper, plate, or film
con·ta·gion [kən-'tā-jən] -n
- a contagious disease
- the transmission of a disease by direct or indirect contact
- a disease-producing agent (as a virus)
- poison
- contagious influence, quality, or nature
- corrupting influence or contact
- rapid communication of an influence (as a doctrine or emotional state)
- an influence that spreads rapidly
con·ta·gious [-jəs] -adj, adv, n
- communicable by contact : catching
- bearing contagion
- used for contagious diseases
- exciting similar emotions or conduct in others
contagious abortion -n
- a contagious or infectious disease (as a brucellosis) of domestic animals characterized by abortion
con·ta·gium [kən-'tā-j(ē-)əm] -n
- an agent capable of causing a communicable disease
con·tain [kən-'tān] -vb, adj
- : to keep within limits: as
- restrain, control
- could hardly contain her enthusiasm
- check, halt
- contain the spread of a deadly disease
- to follow successfully a policy of containment toward
- efforts to contain Communism
- to prevent (as an enemy or opponent) from advancing or from making a successful attack
- to have within : hold
- comprise, include
- the bill contain s several new clauses
- to be divisible by usu. without a remainder
- enclose, bound
- to restrain oneself
contained -adj
- restrained
- calm
con·tain·er [kən-'tā-nər] -n, adj
- : one that contains: as
- a receptacle (as a box or jar) for holding goods
- a portable compartment in which freight is placed (as on a train or ship) for convenience of movement
con·tain·er·board [-,bȯrd] -n
- corrugated or solid cardboard used for making containers
con·tain·er·i·sa·tion [kən-,tā-nə-rə-'zā-shən, -nər-ə-] -n
(variant of containerization)
- a shipping method in which a large amount of material (as merchandise) is packaged into large standardized containers
con·tain·er·i·za·tion [kən-,tā-nə-rə-'zā-shən, -nər-ə-] -n
- a shipping method in which a large amount of material (as merchandise) is packaged into large standardized containers
con·tain·er·ize [kən-'tā-nə-,rīz, -nər-,īz] -vt
- to ship by containerization
- to pack in containers
con·tain·er·port [-nər-,pȯrt] -n
- a shipping port specially equipped to handle containerized cargo
con·tain·er·ship [-nər-,ship] -n
- a ship specially designed or equipped for carrying containerized cargo
con·tain·ment [kən-'tān-mənt] -n
- the act, process, or means of containing
- the policy, process, or result of preventing the expansion of a hostile power or ideology
con·tam·i·nant [kən-'ta-mə-nənt] -n
- something that contaminates
con·tam·i·nate [kən-'ta-mə-,nāt] -vt, adj, n
- to soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or association
- bacteria contaminated the wound
- to make inferior or impure by admixture
- iron contaminated with phosphorus
- to make unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements
con·tam·i·na·tion [kən-,ta-mə-'nā-shən] -n
- a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated
- contaminant
contd -abbr
- continued
conte ['kōⁿ(n)t] -n
- a usu. short tale of adventure
con·temn [kən-'tem] -vt, n
- to view or treat with contempt : scorn
con·tem·plate ['kän-təm-,plāt, -,tem-] -vb, n
- to view or consider with continued attention : meditate on
- contemplate the vastness of the universe
- to view as contingent or probable or as an end or intention
- ponder, meditate
con·tem·pla·tion [,kän-təm-'plā-shən, -,tem-] -n
- concentration on spiritual things as a form of private devotion
- a state of mystical awareness of God's being
- an act of considering with attention : study
- the act of regarding steadily
- intention, expectation
con·tem·pla·tive [kən-'tem-plə-tiv; 'kän-təm-,plā-, -,tem-] -adj, adv, n
- marked by or given to contemplation
- of or relating to a religious order devoted to prayer and penance
contemplative -n
- a person who practices contemplation
con·tem·po [kən-'tem-pō] -adj
- contemporary, present-day
con·tem·po·ra·ne·i·ty [kən-,tem-p(ə-)rə-'nē-ə-tē, -'nā-] -n
- the quality or state of being contemporaneous or contemporary
con·tem·po·ra·ne·ous [kən-,tem-pə-'rā-nē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- existing, occurring, or originating during the same time
con·tem·po·rary [kən-'tem-pə-,rer-ē, -,re-rē] -adj, adv
- happening, existing, living, or coming into being during the same period of time
- simultaneous
- marked by characteristics of the present period : modern, current
contemporary -n
- one that is contemporary with another
- one of the same or nearly the same age as another
con·tem·po·rize [kən-'tem-pə-,rīz] -vt
- to make contemporary
- contemporize a magazine with the latest fashions
con·tempt [kən-'tem(p)t] -n
- the act of despising : the state of mind of one who despises : disdain
- lack of respect or reverence for something
- the state of being despised
- willful disobedience to or open disrespect of a court, judge, or legislative body
con·tempt·ible [kən-'tem(p)-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- worthy of contempt
- scornful, contemptuous
con·temp·tu·ous [-'tem(p)-chə-wəs, -chəs, -shwəs, -chü-əs] -adj, adv, n
- manifesting, feeling, or expressing contempt
con·tend [kən-'tend] -vb
- to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties : struggle
- to strive in debate : argue
- maintain, assert
- contend ed that he was right
- to struggle for : contest
con·tend·er [-'ten-dər] -n
- one that contends
- a competitor for a championship or high honor
- a heavyweight title contender
con·tent [kən-'tent] -adj
- contented, satisfied
- was content with her life as it was
content -vt
- to appease the desires of
- to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or actions
- contentment
- ate to his heart's content
con·tent ['kän-,tent] -n
- something contained usu. used in pl.
- the topics or matter treated in a written work
- the principal substance (as written matter, illustrations, or music) offered by a World Wide Web site
- Internet users have evolved an ethos of free content in the Internet -- Ben Gerson
- substance, gist
- meaning, significance
- the events, physical detail, and information in a work of art
- the matter dealt with in a field of study
- a part, element, or complex of parts
- the amount of specified material contained : proportion
content analysis -n
- analysis of the manifest and latent content of a body of communicated material (as a book or film) through a classification, tabulation, and evaluation of its key symbols and themes in order to ascertain its meaning and probable effect
con·tent·ed [kən-'ten-təd] -adj, adv, n
- feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation
con·ten·tion [kən-'ten(t)-shən] -n
- an act or instance of contending
- a point advanced or maintained in a debate or argument
- rivalry, competition
con·ten·tious [kən-'ten(t)-shəs] -adj, adv, n
- likely to cause contention
- exhibiting an often perverse and wearisome tendency to quarrels and disputes
- a man of a most contentious nature
con·tent·ment [kən-'tent-mənt] -n
- the quality or state of being contented
- something that contents
con·tent word ['kän-,tent-] -n
- a word that primarily expresses lexical meaning
con·ter·mi·nous [kən-'tər-mə-nəs, kän-] -adj, adv
- having a common boundary
- coterminous
- enclosed within one common boundary
- the 48 conterminous states
con·test [kən-'test, 'kän-,] -vb, adj, n
- strive, vie
- to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
- dispute, challenge
- a struggle for superiority or victory : competition
- a competition in which each contestant performs without direct contact with or interference from his competitors
con·tes·tant [kən-'tes-tənt also 'kän-,] -n
- one that participates in a contest
- one that contests an award or decision
con·tes·ta·tion [,kän-,tes-'tā-shən] -n
- controversy, debate
con·text ['kän-,tekst] -n, adj, adv
- the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning
- the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs : environment, setting
- the historical context of the war
con·textfree ['kän-,tekst-'frē] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a grammar or language based on rules that describe a change in a string without reference to elements outside of the string
- being such a rule
con·tex·tu·al·ize [kən-'teks-chə-wə-,līz, -chə-,līz, -chü-ə-] -vt, n
- to place (as a word or activity) in a context
con·tex·ture [kən-'teks-chər, 'kän-,, kän-'] -n
- the act, process, or manner of weaving parts into a whole
- a structure so formed
- context
contg -abbr
- containing
con·ti·gu·i·ty [,kän-tə-'gyü-ə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being contiguous : proximity
con·tig·u·ous [kən-'ti-gyə-wəs, -gyü-əs] -adj, adv, n
- being in actual contact : touching along a boundary or at a point
- adjacent
- next or near in time or sequence
- touching or connected throughout in an unbroken sequence
con·ti·nence ['kän-tə-nən(t)s] -n
- self-restraint
- a refraining from sexual intercourse
- the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily
con·ti·nent ['kän-tə-nənt] -adj, adv
- exercising continence
- restrictive
- container, confines
- epitome
- mainland
- one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
- the continent of Europe used with the
con·ti·nen·tal [,kän-tə-'nen-tᵊl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or characteristic of a continent
- of or relating to the continent of Europe excluding the British Isles
- of, relating to, or being a cuisine derived from the classic dishes of Europe and esp. France
- of or relating to the colonies later forming the U.S.
- being the part of the U.S. on the No. American continent
- being the part of the U.S. comprising the lower 48 states
continental -n
- an American soldier of the Revolution in the Continental army
- a piece of Continental paper currency
- the least bit
- an inhabitant of a continent and esp. the continent of Europe
continental breakfast -n
- a light breakfast (as of rolls or toast and coffee)
continental drift -n
- a slow movement of the continents on a deep-seated viscous zone within the earth
continental shelf -n
- a shallow submarine plain of varying width forming a border to a continent and typically ending in a comparatively steep slope to the deep ocean floor
continental slope -n
- the comparatively steep slope from a continental shelf to the ocean floor
con·tin·gence [kən-'tin-jən(t)s] -n
- contingency
- tangency
con·tin·gen·cy [kən-'tin-jən(t)-sē] -n
- the quality or state of being contingent
- : a contingent event or condition: as
- an event (as an emergency) that may but is not certain to occur
- trying to provide for every contingency
- something liable to happen as an adjunct to or result of something else
contingency fee -n
- a fee for services (as of a lawyer) paid upon successful completion of the services and usu. calculated as a percentage of the gain realized for the client called also contingent fee
contingency table -n
- a table of data in which the row entries tabulate the data according to one variable and the column entries tabulate it according to another variable and which is used esp. in the study of the correlation between variables
con·tin·gent [kən-'tin-jənt] -adj, adv
- likely but not certain to happen : possible
- not logically necessary
- empirical
- happening by chance or unforeseen causes
- subject to chance or unseen effects : unpredictable
- intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen
- dependent on or conditioned by something else
- payment is contingent on fulfillment of certain conditions
- not necessitated : determined by free choice
contingent -n
- something contingent : contingency
- a representative group : delegation, detachment
con·tin·u·al [kən-'tin-yü-əl, -yəl] -adj, adv
- continuing indefinitely in time without interruption
- recurring in steady usu. rapid succession
- a history of continual invasions
con·tin·u·ance [kən-'tin-yü-ən(t)s] -n
- continuation
- the extent of continuing : duration
- the quality of enduring : permanence
- an adjournment of a court case to a future day
con·tin·u·ant [-yü-ənt] -n, adj
- something that continues or serves as a continuation
- a speech sound (as a fricative or vowel) that is produced without a complete closure of the breath passage
con·tin·u·ate -adj
- continuous, uninterrupted
con·tin·u·a·tion [kən-,tin-yə-'wā-shən, -yü-'ā-] -n
- the act or fact of continuing in or the prolongation of a state or activity
- resumption after an interruption
- something that continues, increases, or adds
con·tin·u·a·tive [kən-'tin-yə-,wā-tiv, -yü-,ā-; -wə-tiv, -yü-ə-] -adj
- expressing continuity or continuation (as of an idea or action)
con·tin·u·a·tor [-,wā-tər] -n
- one that continues
con·tin·ue [kən-'tin-(,)yü] -vb, n
- to maintain without interruption a condition, course, or action
- the boat continued downstream
- to remain in existence : endure
- to remain in a place or condition : stay
- cannot continue here much longer
- to resume an activity after interruption
- we'll continue after lunch
- keep up, maintain
- to keep going or add to : prolong
- to resume after intermission
- to cause to continue
- chose not to continue her subscription
- to allow to remain in a place or condition : retain
- the trustees were continued
- to postpone (a legal proceeding) by a continuance
continued -adj
- lasting or extending without interruption
- resumed after interruption
continued fraction -n
- a fraction whose numerator is an integer and whose denominator is an integer plus a fraction whose numerator is an integer and whose denominator is an integer plus a fraction and so on
continuing -adj, adv
- continuous, constant
- needing no renewal : enduring
continuing education -n
- formal courses of study for adult part-time students
con·ti·nu·i·ty [,kän-tə-'nü-ə-tē, -'nyü-] -n
- uninterrupted connection, succession, or union
- uninterrupted duration or continuation esp. without essential change
- : something that has, exhibits, or provides continuity: as
- a script or scenario in the performing arts
- transitional spoken or musical matter esp. for a radio or television program
- the story and dialogue of a comic strip
- the property of being mathematically continuous
con·tin·uo [kən-'tin-yə-,wō, -'ti-nə-] -n
- a bass part (as for a keyboard or stringed instrument) used esp. in baroque ensemble music and consisting of a succession of bass notes with figures that indicate the required chords called also figured bass thoroughbass
con·tin·u·ous [kən-'tin-yü-əs] -adj, adv, n
- marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence
- having the property that the absolute value of the numerical difference between the value at a given point and the value at any point in a neighborhood of the given point can be made as close to zero as desired by choosing the neighborhood small enough
con·tin·u·um [kən-'tin-yü-əm] -n
- a coherent whole characterized as a collection, sequence, or progression of values or elements varying by minute degrees
- good and bad...stand at opposite ends of a continuum instead of describing the two halves of a line -- Wayne Shumaker
- the set of real numbers including both the rationals and the irrationals
- a compact set which cannot be separated into two sets neither of which contains a limit point of the other
con·tort [kən-'tȯrt] -vb, n, adj
- to twist in a violent manner
- features contort ed with fury
- to twist into or as if into a strained shape or expression
con·tor·tion·ist [kən-'tȯr-sh(ə-)nist] -n, adj
- one who contorts
- an acrobat able to twist the body into unusual postures
con·tour ['kän-,tu̇r] -n
- an outline esp. of a curving or irregular figure : shape
- the line representing this outline
- the general form or structure of something : characteristic often used in pl.
- to delineate the tortured psychological contour s of the tribal past -- B. J. Phillips
- a usu. meaningful change in intonation in speech
contour -adj
- following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them
- made to fit the contour of something
- to shape the contour of
- to shape so as to fit contours
- to construct (as a road) in conformity to a contour
contour feather -n
- one of the medium-sized feathers that form the general covering of a bird and determine the external contour
contour line -n
- a line (as on a map) connecting the points on a land surface that have the same elevation
contour map -n
- a map having contour lines
contr -abbr
- contract; contraction
- contralto
- contrary
- control; controller
con·tra ['kän-trə] -prep
- against used chiefly in the phrase pro and contra
- in opposition or contrast to
- a member of a guerrilla group opposed to the Sandinista government in Nicaragua in the 1980s
contra- -prefix
- against : contrary : contrasting
- pitched below normal bass
con·tra·band ['kän-trə-,band] -n, adj
- illegal or prohibited traffic in goods : smuggling
- goods or merchandise whose importation, exportation, or possession is forbidden
- smuggled goods
- a slave who during the American Civil War escaped to or was brought within the Union lines
con·tra·band·ist [-,ban-dist] -n
- smuggler
con·tra·bass ['kän-trə-,bās] -n
- double bass
contrabass -adj
- pitched lower than a bass instrument of the same type
con·tra·bas·soon [,kän-trə-bə-'sün, -ba-] -n
- a double-reed woodwind instrument having a range an octave lower than that of the bassoon called also double bassoon
con·tra·cep·tion [,kän-trə-'sep-shən] -n, adj or n
- deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation
con·tract ['kän-,trakt] -n
- a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties
- one legally enforceable
- a business arrangement for the supply of goods or services at a fixed price
- the act of marriage or an agreement to marry
- a document describing the terms of a contract
- the final bid to win a specified number of tricks in bridge
- an order or arrangement for a hired assassin to kill someone
- his enemies put out a contract on him
- to bring on oneself esp. inadvertently : incur
- to become affected with
- to establish or undertake by contract
- betroth
- to establish (a marriage) formally
- to hire by contract
- to purchase (as goods or services) on a contract basis often used with out
- limit, restrict
- contract the scope of their activities
- knit, wrinkle
- frown contract ed his brow
- to draw together : concentrate
- to reduce to smaller size by or as if by squeezing or forcing together
- to shorten (as a word) by omitting one or more sounds or letters
- to make a contract
- to draw together so as to become diminished in size
- metal contract s on cooling
- to become less in compass, duration, or length
- muscle contract s in tetanus
contract -adj
- hired to execute a contract
contract bridge ['kän-,trakt-] -n
- a bridge game distinguished by the fact that overtricks do not count toward game or slam bonuses
con·trac·tile [kən-'trak-tᵊl, -,tī(-ə)l] -adj, n
- having or concerned with the power or property of contracting
- contractile proteins of muscle fibrils
contractile vacuole -n
- a vacuole in a unicellular organism that contracts regularly to discharge fluid from the body
con·trac·tion [kən-'trak-shən] -n, adj
- the action or process of contracting : the state of being contracted
- the shortening and thickening of a functioning muscle or muscle fiber
- a reduction in business activity or growth
- a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by omission of a sound or letter
- a form produced by such shortening
con·trac·tor [1 usu 'kän-,trak-tər, 2 usu kən-'] -n
- : one that contracts or is party to a contract: as
- one that contracts to perform work or provide supplies
- one that contracts to erect buildings
- something (as a muscle) that contracts or shortens
con·trac·tu·al [kən-'trak-chə-wəl, -chəl, -shwəl, -chü-əl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or constituting a contract
con·trac·ture [kən-'trak-chər] -n
- a permanent shortening (as of muscle, tendon, or scar tissue) producing deformity or distortion
contra dance ['kän-trə-,dan(t)s] -n
- a folk dance in which couples face each other in two lines or a square
- a piece of music for a contra dance
con·tra·dict [,kän-trə-'dikt] -vt, adj, n
- to assert the contrary of : take issue with
- to imply the opposite or a denial of
- your actions contradict your words
con·tra·dic·tion [,kän-trə-'dik-shən] -n
- act or an instance of contradicting
- a proposition, statement, or phrase that asserts or implies both the truth and falsity of something
- a statement or phrase whose parts contradict each other
- a round square is a contradiction in terms
- logical incongruity
- a situation in which inherent factors, actions, or propositions are inconsistent or contrary to one another
con·tra·dic·tious [-shəs] -adj
- contradictory, opposite
- given to or marked by contradiction : contrary
con·tra·dic·to·ry [,kän-trə-'dik-t(ə-)rē] -n
- a proposition so related to another that if either of the two is true the other is false and if either is false the other must be true
contradictory [-t(ə-)rə-lē] -adj, adv, n
- involving, causing, or constituting a contradiction
con·tra·dis·tinc·tion [,kän-trə-dis-'tiŋ(k)-shən] -n, adj, adv
- distinction by means of contrast
- painting in contradistinction to sculpture
con·tra·dis·tin·guish [-'tiŋ-gwish] -vt
- to distinguish by contrasting qualities
con·trail ['kän-,trāl] -n
- streaks of condensed water vapor created in the air by an airplane or rocket at high altitudes
con·tra·in·di·cate [,kän-trə-'in-də-,kāt] -vt
- to make (a treatment or procedure) inadvisable
con·tra·in·di·ca·tion [-,in-də-'kā-shən] -n
- something (as a symptom or condition) that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable
con·tra·lat·er·al [-'la-t(ə-)rəl] -adj
- occurring on or acting in conjunction with a part on the opposite side of the body
con·tral·to [kən-'tral-(,)tō] -n
- a singing voice having a range between tenor and mezzo-soprano
- a person having this voice
- the part sung by a contralto
con·tra·po·si·tion [-pə-'zi-shən] -n
- the relationship between two propositions when the subject and predicate of one are respectively the negation of the predicate and the negation of the subject of the other
con·tra·pos·i·tive [-'pä-zə-tiv, -'päz-tiv] -n
- a proposition or theorem formed by contradicting both the subject and predicate or both the hypothesis and conclusion of a given proposition or theorem and interchanging them
- if not- B then not- A is the contrapositive of if A then B
con·trap·tion [kən-'trap-shən] -n
- device, gadget
con·tra·pun·tal [,kän-trə-'pən-tᵊl] -adj, adv
- polyphonic
- of, relating to, or marked by counterpoint
con·tra·pun·tist [-'pən-tist] -n
- one who writes counterpoint
con·trar·i·an [kən-'trer-ē-ən, kän-] -n, adj
- a person who takes a contrary position or attitude
- an investor who buys shares of stock when most others are selling and sells when others are buying
con·tra·ri·ety [,kän-trə-'rī-ə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being contrary
- something contrary
con·trar·i·ous [kən-'trer-ē-əs, kän-] -adj
- perverse, antagonistic
con·trari·wise ['kän-,trer-ē-,wīz, kən-'] -adv
- on the contrary
- vice versa
- in a contrary manner
con·trary ['kän-,trer-ē, -,tre-rē] -n
- a fact or condition incompatible with another : opposite usu. used with the
- one of a pair of opposites
- a proposition so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true
- either of two terms (as goodand evil) that cannot both be affirmed of the same subject
- being so different as to be at opposite extremes : opposite
- come to the contrary conclusion
- went off in contrary directions
- being opposite to or in conflict with each other
- being not in conformity with what is usual or expected
- actions contrary to company policy
- unfavorable used of wind or weather
- temperamentally unwilling to accept control or advice
contrary [same as ²] -adv
- contrariwise, contrarily
contrary to -prep
- in conflict with : despite
- contrary to orders, he set out alone
con·trast [kən-'trast, 'kän-,] -vb, adj, adv
- to set off in contrast : compare or appraise in respect to differences
- contrast European and American manners
often used with to or with - contrast ing her with other women -- Victoria Sackville-West
- to form a contrast
- juxtaposition of dissimilar elements (as color, tone, or emotion) in a work of art
- degree of difference between the lightest and darkest parts of a picture
- the difference or degree of difference between things having similar or comparable natures
- the contrast between the two forms of government
- comparison of similar objects to set off their dissimilar qualities : the state of being so compared
- the enforced simplicity in this diary...is in contrast to the intensity of his former life -- Times Lit. Supp.
- a person or thing that exhibits differences when compared with another
con·tras·tive [kən-'tras-tiv, 'kän-,] -adj, adv
- forming or consisting of a contrast
con·trasty ['kän-,tras-tē] -adj
- having or producing in photography great contrast between highlights and shadows
con·tra·vene [,kän-trə-'vēn] -vt, n
- to go or act contrary to : violate
- to oppose in argument : contradict
con·tra·ven·tion [,kän-trə-'ven(t)-shən] -n
- the act of contravening : violation
contredanse ['kän-trə-,dan(t)s] -n
(variant of contra dance)
- a folk dance in which couples face each other in two lines or a square
- a piece of music for a contra dance
con·tre·temps ['kän-trə-,täⁿ, kōⁿ-trə-täⁿ] -n
- an inopportune or embarrassing occurrence or situation
- dispute, argument
contrib -abbr
- contribution; contributor
con·trib·ute [kən-'tri-byət, -(,)byüt also & esp before -ed or -ing -'tri-bət; chiefly Brit also 'kän-trə-,byüt] -vb, n
- to give or supply in common with others
- contribute money to a cause
- to supply (as an article) for a publication
- to give a part to a common fund or store
- contribute to a fund-raising campaign
- to play a significant part in bringing about an end or result
- many players have contributed to the team's success
- to submit articles to a publication
con·tri·bu·tion [,kän-trə-'byü-shən] -n, adj, adv
- a payment (as a levy or tax) imposed by military, civil, or ecclesiastical authorities usu. for a special or extraordinary purpose
- the act of contributing
- the thing contributed
con·trib·u·to·ry [kən-'tri-byə-,tȯr-ē] -adj
- subject to a levy of supplies, money, or men
- contributing to a common fund or enterprise
- of, relating to, or forming a contribution
con·trite ['kän-,trīt, kən-'] -adj, adv, n
- feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming
con·tri·tion [kən-'tri-shən] -n
- the state of being contrite : repentance
con·triv·ance [kən-'trī-vən(t)s] -n
- a thing contrived
- a mechanical device
- an artificial arrangement or development
- the act or faculty of contriving : the state of being contrived
con·trive [kən-'trīv] -vb, n
- devise, plan
- contrive ways of handling the situation
- to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner
- contrived household utensils from stone
- to bring about by stratagem or with difficulty : manage
- he contrived to win their support
- to make schemes
contrived -adj
- artificial, labored
con·trol [kən-'trōl] -vb, n, adj
- to check, test, or verify by evidence or experiments
- to incorporate suitable controls in
- to exercise restraining or directing influence over : regulate
- to have power over : rule
- to reduce the incidence or severity of esp. to innocuous levels
- control an insect population
- to incorporate controls in an experiment or study used with for
- control for socioeconomic differences
control -n
- an act or instance of controlling
- power or authority to guide or manage
- skill in the use of a tool, instrument, technique, or artistic medium
- the regulation of economic activity esp. by government directive usu. used in pl.
- the ability of a baseball pitcher to control the location of a pitch within the strike zone
- restraint, reserve
- : one that controls: as
- an experiment in which the subjects are treated as in a parallel experiment except for omission of the procedure or agent under test and which is used as a standard of comparison in judging experimental effects called also control experiment
- one (as an organism, culture, or group) that is part of a control
- a device or mechanism used to regulate or guide the operation of a machine, apparatus, or system
- an organization that directs a spaceflight
- a personality or spirit believed to actuate the utterances or performances of a spiritualist medium
control freak -n
- a person whose behavior indicates a powerful need to control people or circumstances in everyday matters
con·trolled [kən-'trōld] -adj
- restrained
- regulated by law with regard to possession and use
con·trol·ler [kən-'trō-lər, 'kän-,] -n
- comptroller
- comptroller
- the chief accounting officer of a business enterprise or an institution (as a college)
- one that controls or has power or authority to control
- control
controlling -adj
- inclined to control others' behavior : domineering
controlling interest -n
- sufficient stock ownership in a corporation to exert control over policy
control surface -n
- a movable airfoil designed to change the attitude of an aircraft
con·tro·ver·sial [,kän-trə-'vər-shəl, -'vər-sē-əl] -adj, n, adv
- of, relating to, or arousing controversy
- given to controversy : disputatious
- a controversial temperament
con·tro·ver·sy ['kän-trə-,vər-sē, Brit also kən-'trä-vər-sē] -n
- a discussion marked esp. by the expression of opposing views : dispute
- quarrel, strife
con·tro·vert ['kän-trə-,vərt, ,kän-trə-'] -vb, n, adj
- to dispute or oppose by reasoning
- controvert a point in a discussion
- to engage in controversy
con·tu·ma·cious [,kän-tü-'mā-shəs, -tyü-', -chə-'] -adj, adv
- stubbornly disobedient : rebellious
con·tu·ma·cy [kən-'tü-mə-sē, -'tyü-; 'kän-tü-, -tyü-, -chə-] -n
- stubborn resistance to authority
- willful contempt of court
con·tu·me·li·ous [,kän-tü-'mē-lē-əs, -tyü-', -chə-'] -adj, adv
- insolently abusive and humiliating
con·tume·ly [kän-'tü-mə-lē, kən-, -'tyü-; 'kän-tü-,mē-lē, -tyü-,, -chə-,; in “Hamlet” 'kän-(,)tyüm-lē or 'kän-chəm-] -n
- harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt
- an instance of such language or treatment
con·tu·sion [kən-'tü-zhən, -'tyü-] -n, vt
- injury to tissue usu. without laceration : bruise
co·nun·drum [kə-'nən-drəm] -n
- a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun
- a question or problem having only a conjectural answer
- an intricate and difficult problem
con·ur·ba·tion [,kä-(,)nər-'bā-shən] -n
- an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities
co·nus ar·te·ri·o·sus ['kō-nəs-är-,tir-ē-'ō-səs] -n
- a conical prolongation of the right ventricle in mammals from which the pulmonary arteries emerge called also conus
- a prolongation of the ventricle of amphibians and some fishes that has a spiral valve separating venous blood going to the respiratory arteries from blood going to the aorta and systemic arteries
conv -abbr
- convention; conventional
- convertible
- convocation
con·va·lesce [,kän-və-'les] -vi, n, adj or n
- to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness
con·vect [kən-'vekt] -vb, adj
- to transfer heat by convection
- to circulate (as air) by convection
con·vec·tion [kən-'vek-shən] -n, adj
- the action or process of conveying
- the circulatory motion that occurs in a fluid at a nonuniform temperature owing to the variation of its density and the action of gravity
- the transfer of heat by convection
convection oven -n
- an oven having a fan that circulates hot air uniformly and continuously around food
con·vec·tor [-'vek-tər] -n
- a heating unit in which air heated by contact with a heating device (as a radiator or a tube with fins) in a casing circulates by convection
con·vene [kən-'vēn] -vb, n
- to come together in a body
- to summon before a tribunal
- to cause to assemble
con·ve·nience [kən-'vēn-yən(t)s] -n
- fitness or suitability for performing an action or fulfilling a requirement
- something (as an appliance, device, or service) conducive to comfort or ease
- toilet
- a suitable or convenient time
- freedom from discomfort : ease
convenience -adj
- designed for quick and easy preparation or use
convenience store -n
- a small often franchised market that is open long hours
con·ve·nien·cy [-yən(t)-sē] -n
- convenience
con·ve·nient [kən-'vēn-yənt] -adj, adv
- suitable, proper
- suited to personal comfort or to easy performance
- meeting at a convenient time
- suited to a particular situation
- affording accommodation or advantage
- found it convenient to deal with both problems at the same time
- being near at hand : close
- a location convenient to the train station
con·vent ['kän-vənt, -,vent] -n
- a local community or house of a religious order or congregation
- an establishment of nuns
- convene
con·ven·ti·cle [kən-'ven-ti-kəl] -n
- assembly, meeting
- an assembly of an irregular or unlawful character
- an assembly for religious worship
- a secret meeting for worship not sanctioned by law
- meetinghouse
con·ven·tion [kən-'ven(t)-shən] -n
- agreement, contract
- an agreement between states for regulation of matters affecting all of them
- a compact between opposing commanders esp. concerning prisoner exchange or armistice
- a general agreement about basic principles or procedures
- a principle or procedure accepted as true or correct by convention
- the summoning or convening of an assembly
- an assembly of persons met for a common purpose
- a meeting of the delegates of a political party for the purpose of formulating a platform and selecting candidates for office
- the usu. state or national organization of a religious denomination
- usage or custom esp. in social matters
- a rule of conduct or behavior
- a practice in bidding or playing that conveys information between partners in a card game (as bridge)
- an established technique, practice, or device (as in the theater)
con·ven·tion·al [kən-'vench-nəl, -'ven(t)-shə-nᵊl] -adj, n, n or adj, vt, adv
- formed by agreement or compact
- according with, sanctioned by, or based on convention
- lacking originality or individuality : trite
- ordinary, commonplace
- nonnuclear
- according with a mode of artistic representation that simplifies or provides symbols or substitutes for natural forms
- of traditional design
- of, resembling, or relating to a convention, assembly, or public meeting
con·ven·tion·al·i·ty [-,ven(t)-shə-'na-lə-tē] -n
- a conventional usage, practice, or thing
- the quality or state of being conventional
- adherence to conventions
conventional wisdom -n
- the generally accepted belief, opinion, judgment, or prediction about a particular matter
con·ven·tion·eer [kən-,ven(t)-shə-'nir] -n
- a person attending a convention
con·ven·tu·al [kən-'ven-chə-wəl, -chü-əl, kän-, -'vench-wəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or befitting a convent or monastic life : monastic
- of or relating to the Conventuals
conventual -n
- a member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual forming a branch of the first order of St. Francis of Assisi under a mitigated rule
- a member of a conventual community
con·verge [kən-'vərj] -vb
- to tend or move toward one point or one another : come together : meet
- to come together and unite in a common interest or focus
- to approach a limit as the number of terms increases without limit
- to cause to converge
con·ver·gence [kən-'vər-jən(t)s] -n
- the act of converging and esp. moving toward union or uniformity
- coordinated movement of the two eyes so that the image of a single point is formed on corresponding retinal areas
- the state or property of being convergent
- independent development of similar characters (as of bodily structure of unrelated organisms or cultural traits) often associated with similarity of habits or environment
- the merging of distinct technologies, industries, or devices into a unified whole
con·ver·gen·cy [-jən(t)-sē] -n
- convergence
con·ver·gent [-jənt] -adj
- tending to move toward one point or to approach each other : converging
- exhibiting convergence in form, function, or development
- having a value that is a real number
- characterized by having the nth term or the sum of the first nterms approach a finite limit
converging lens -n
- a lens that causes parallel rays (as of light) to come to a focus
con·vers·able [kən-'vər-sə-bəl] -adj
- relating to or suitable for social interaction
- pleasant and easy to converse with
con·ver·sance [kən-'vər-sᵊn(t)s also 'kän-vər-sən(t)s] -n
- the quality or state of being conversant
con·ver·san·cy [-sᵊn(t)-sē, -sən(t)-] -n
- conversance
con·ver·sant [kən-'vər-sᵊnt also 'kän-vər-sənt] -adj
- having frequent or familiar association
- concerned, occupied
- having knowledge or experience used with with
con·ver·sate ['kän-vər-,sāt] -vi
- converse
con·ver·sa·tion [,kän-vər-'sā-shən] -n, adj, adv
- conduct, behavior
- oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas
- an instance of such exchange : talk
- an informal discussion of an issue by representatives of governments, institutions, or groups
- an exchange similar to conversation
con·ver·sa·tion·al·ist [-shnə-list, -shə-nᵊl-ist] -n
- one who converses a great deal or who excels in conversation
conversation piece -n
- a painting of a group of persons in their customary surroundings
- something (as a novel or unusual object) that stimulates conversation
con·ver·sa·zi·o·ne [,kän-vər-,sät-sē-'ō-nē, ,kōn-] -n
- a meeting for conversation esp. about art, literature, or science
con·verse ['kän-,vərs] -n
- social interaction
- conversation
- to have acquaintance or familiarity
- to become occupied or engaged
- to exchange thoughts and opinions in speech : talk
- to carry on an exchange similar to a conversation (as with a computer)
- : something reversed in order, relation, or action: as
- a theorem formed by interchanging the hypothesis and conclusion of a given theorem
- a proposition obtained by interchange of the subject and predicate of a given proposition
- no P is S is the converse of no S is P
- reversed in order, relation, or action
- being a logical or mathematical converse
con·ver·sion [kən-'vər-zhən, -shən] -n, adj
- the act of converting : the process of being converted
- an experience associated with the definite and decisive adoption of a religion
- the operation of finding a converse in logic or mathematics
- reduction of a mathematical expression by clearing of fractions
- a successful attempt for a point or points esp. after a touchdown or for a first down
- something converted from one use to another
- gene conversion
conversion disorder -n
- a psychoneurosis in which bodily symptoms (as paralysis of the limbs) appear without physical basis called also conversion hysteria conversion reaction
con·ver·so [kən-'ver-(,)sō, kōn-] -n
- a Jew who publicly recanted the Jewish faith and adopted Christianity under the pressure of the Spanish Inquisition
con·vert [kən-'vərt] -vb
- to bring over from one belief, view, or party to another
- to bring about a religious conversion in
- to alter the physical or chemical nature or properties of esp. in manufacturing
- to change from one form or function to another
- to alter for more effective utilization
- to appropriate without right
- to exchange for an equivalent
- convert foreign currency into dollars
- turn
- to subject to logical conversion
- to make a goal after receiving (a pass) from a teammate
- to score on (as a try for point or free throw)
- to make (a spare) in bowling
- to undergo conversion
- to succeed in an attempt for a point, field goal, or free throw
- one that is converted
con·vert·er [kən-'vər-tər] -n
- : one that converts: as
- the furnace used in the Bessemer process
- a device employing mechanical rotation for changing electrical energy from one form to another (as from direct current to alternating current or vice versa)
- a radio device for converting one frequency to another
- a device for adapting a television or radio receiver to receive channels or frequencies for which it was not orig. designed
- a device that accepts data in one form and converts it to another
- catalytic converter
con·vert·ible [kən-'vər-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- capable of being converted
- a bond convertible to 12 shares of common stock
- having a top that may be lowered or removed
convertible -n
- something convertible
- a convertible automobile
con·verti·plane [kən-'vər-tə-,plān] -n
- an aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter and is convertible to a fixed-wing configuration for forward flight
con·vex [kän-'veks; 'kän-,, kən-'] -adj
- curved or rounded outward like the exterior of a sphere or circle
- being a continuous function or part of a continuous function with the property that a line joining any two points on its graph lies on or above the graph
- containing all points in a line joining any two constituent points
- comprising a convex set when combined with its interior
con·vex·i·ty [kən-'vek-sət-ē, kän-] -n
- the quality or state of being convex
- a convex surface or part
con·vexocon·cave [kən-,vek-(,)sō-kän-'kāv, kän-,vek-, -'kän-,kāv] -adj
- concavo-convex
- having the convex side of greater curvature than the concave
con·vey [kən-'vā] -vt
- lead, conduct
- to bear from one place to another
- to move in a continuous stream or mass
- to impart or communicate by statement, suggestion, gesture, or appearance
- struggling to convey his feelings
- steal
- to carry away secretly
- to transfer or deliver (as property) to another esp. by a sealed writing
- to cause to pass from one place or person to another
con·vey·ance [kən-'vā-ən(t)s] -n
- the action of conveying
- : a means or way of conveying: as
- an instrument by which title to property is conveyed
- a means of transport : vehicle
con·vey·anc·er [-ən(t)-sər] -n
- one whose business is conveyancing
con·vey·anc·ing [-ən(t)-siŋ] -n
- the act or business of drawing deeds, leases, or other writings for transferring the title to property
con·vey·or [kən-'vā-ər] -n
- : one that conveys: as
- a person who transfers property
- a mechanical apparatus for moving articles or bulk material from place to place (as by an endless moving belt or a chain of receptacles)
con·vey·or·ise [-ə-,rīz] -vt, n
(variant of conveyorize)
- to equip with a conveyor
con·vey·or·ize [-ə-,rīz] -vt, n
- to equip with a conveyor
con·vict [kən-'vikt] -adj
- having been convicted
- to find or prove to be guilty
- to convince of error or sinfulness
- to find a defendant guilty
- a person convicted of and under sentence for a crime
- a person serving a usu. long prison sentence
con·vic·tion [kən-'vik-shən] -n
- the act or process of convicting of a crime esp. in a court of law
- the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth
- the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth
- a strong persuasion or belief
- the state of being convinced
con·vince [kən-'vin(t)s] -vt, n
- to overcome by argument
- overpower, overcome
- demonstrate, prove
- to bring (as by argument) to belief, consent, or a course of action : persuade
- convinced himself that she was all right -- William Faulkner
- something I could never convince him to read -- John Lahr
con·vinc·ing [kən-'vin(t)-siŋ] -adj, adv, n
- satisfying or assuring by argument or proof
- a convincing test of a new product
- having power to convince of the truth, rightness, or reality of something : plausible
con·viv·ial [kən-'viv-yəl, -'vi-vē-əl] -adj, n, adv
- relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company
con·vo·ca·tion [,kän-və-'kā-shən] -n, adj
- an assembly of persons convoked
- an assembly of bishops and representative clergy of the Church of England
- a consultative assembly of clergy and lay delegates from one part of an Episcopal diocese
- a territorial division of an Episcopal diocese
- a ceremonial assembly of members of a college or university
- the act or process of convoking
con·voke [kən-'vōk] -vt
- to call together to a meeting
con·vo·lute ['kän-və-,lüt] -vb
- twist, coil
con·vo·lut·ed [-,lü-təd] -adj
- having convolutions
- involved, intricate
convoluted tubule -n
- : all or part of the coiled sections of a nephron:
- proximal convoluted tubule
- distal convoluted tubule
con·vo·lu·tion [,kän-və-'lü-shən] -n
- a form or shape that is folded in curved or tortuous windings
- one of the irregular ridges on the surface of the brain and esp. of the cerebrum of higher mammals
- a complication or intricacy of form, design, or structure
con·volve [kən-'välv, -'vȯlv also -'väv or -'vȯv] -vb
- to roll together : writhe
- to roll together or circulate involvedly
con·vol·vu·lus [kən-'väl-vyə-ləs, -'vȯl- also -'väv-yə- or -'vȯv-yə-] -n
- any of a genus ( Convolvulus) of erect, trailing, or twining herbs and shrubs of the morning-glory family
con·voy ['kän-,vȯi, kən-'] -vt
- accompany
- to escort for protection
- one that convoys
- a protective escort (as for ships)
- the act of convoying
- a group convoyed or organized for convenience or protection in moving
con·vul·sant [kən-'vəl-sənt] -adj, n
- causing convulsions : convulsive
con·vulse [kən-'vəls] -vb
- to shake or agitate violently
- to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
- was convulsed with laughter
- to become affected with convulsions
con·vul·sion [kən-'vəl-shən] -n, adj
- an abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles
- a violent disturbance
- an uncontrolled fit : paroxysm
con·vul·sive [kən-'vəl-siv] -adj, adv, n
- constituting or producing a convulsion
- caused by or affected with convulsions
- resembling a convulsion in being violent, sudden, frantic, or spasmodic
cony ['kō-nē, 1 also 'kə-nē] -n
(variant of coney)
- rabbit fur
- rabbit
- the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus)
- pika
- hyrax
- dupe
- any of several fishes
- a dusky black-spotted reddish-finned grouper ( Epinephelus fulvussyn. Cephalopholis fulva) of the tropical Atlantic
coo ['kü] -vi, n
- to make the low soft cry of a dove or pigeon or a similar sound
- to talk fondly, amorously, or appreciatively
- the family coo ed over the baby pictures
COO -abbr
- chief operating officer
cook ['ku̇k] -n
- a person who prepares food for eating
- a technical or industrial process comparable to cooking food
- a substance so processed
- to prepare food for eating esp. by means of heat
- to undergo the action of being cooked
- occur, happen
- find out what was cook ing in the committee
- to perform, do, or proceed well
- the jazz quartet was cook ing along
- the party cook ed right through the night
- concoct, fabricate usu. used with up
- to prepare for eating by a heating process
- falsify, doctor
- cook ed the books with phony spending cuts and accounting gimmickry -- Colleen O'Connor
- to subject to the action of heat or fire
cook·book [-,bu̇k] -n
- a book of cooking directions and recipes
- a book of detailed instructions
cookbook -adj
- involving or using step-by-step procedures whose rationale is usu. not explained
cook cheese -n
- an unripened cheese made from curd that has been cooked to a soft consistency called also cooked cheese
cook·er ['ku̇-kər] -n
- : one that cooks: as
- a utensil, device, or apparatus for cooking
- a person who tends a cooking process : cook
- stove
cook·ery ['ku̇-k(ə-)rē] -n
- the art or practice of cooking
- an establishment for cooking
cookery book -n
- cookbook
cook·house ['ku̇k-,hau̇s] -n
- a building for cooking
cook·ie ['ku̇-kē] -n
- a small flat or slightly raised cake
- an attractive woman
- a buxom French cookie who haunts the...colony's one night spot -- Newsweek
- person, guy
- a small file or part of a file stored on a World Wide Web user's computer, created and subsequently read by a Web site server, and containing personal information (as a user identification code, customized preferences, or a record of pages visited)
cookiecutter -adj
- marked by lack of originality or distinction
- cookiecutter shopping malls
cookie cutter -n
- a device used to cut rolled cookie dough into shapes before baking
cookie sheet -n
- a flat rectangle of metal with at least one rolled edge used esp. for the baking of cookies or biscuits
cooking -adj
- suitable for or used in cooking
cookoff ['ku̇k-,ȯf, -,äf] -n
- a cooking competition
cook off -vi
- to fire as a result of overheating
cook·out ['ku̇k-,au̇t] -n
- an outing at which a meal is cooked and served in the open
- the meal cooked
cook·shack [-,shak] -n
- a shack used for cooking
cook·shop [-,shäp] -n
- a shop providing cooked food
Cook's tour ['ku̇ks-] -n
- a rapid or cursory survey or review
cook·stove ['ku̇k-,stōv] -n
- a stove for cooking
cook·top ['ku̇k-,täp] -n
- the flat top of a range
- a built-in cabinet-top cooking apparatus containing usu. four heating units
cook·ware ['ku̇k-,wer] -n
- utensils used in cooking
cool ['kül] -adj, adv, n
- moderately cold : lacking in warmth
- marked by steady dispassionate calmness and self-control
- a cool and calculating administrator -- Current Biog.
- lacking ardor or friendliness
- marked by restrained emotion and the frequent use of counterpoint
- free from tensions or violence
- meeting with minority groups in an attempt to keep the city cool
- used as an intensive
- marked by deliberate effrontery or lack of due respect or discretion
- facilitating or suggesting relief from heat
- producing an impression of being cool
- of a hue in the range violet through blue to green
- relatively lacking in timbre or resonance
- very good : excellent
- all right
- fashionable, hip
- not happy with the new shoes...because they were not cool -- Celestine Sibley
- to become cool : lose heat or warmth
- placed the pie in the window to cool
sometimes used with off or down - to lose ardor or passion
- to make cool : impart a feeling of coolness to
- cool ed the room with a fan
often used with off or down - a swim cool ed us off a little
- to moderate the heat, excitement, or force of : calm
- cool ed her growing anger
- to slow or lessen the growth or activity of usu. used with off or down
- wants to cool off the economy without freezing it -- Newsweek
- a cool time, place, or situation
- absence of excitement or emotional involvement : detachment
- must surrender his fine cool and enter the closed crazy world of suicide -- Wilfrid Sheed
- poise, composure
- press questions...seemed to rattle him and he lost his cool -- New Republic
- hipness
- in a casual and nonchalant manner
cool·ant ['kü-lənt] -n
- a usu. fluid cooling agent
cool·down ['kül-,dau̇n] -n
- the act or an instance of allowing physiological activity to return to normal gradually after strenuous exercise by engaging in less strenuous exercise
cool·er ['kü-lər] -n
- : one that cools: as
- a container for cooling liquids
- refrigerator
- lockup, jail
- a cell for violent or unmanageable prisoners
- an iced drink usu. with an alcoholic beverage as a base
Coo·ley's anemia ['kü-lēz-] -n
- a severe thalassemic anemia that is associated with the presence of microcytes, enlargement of the liver and spleen, increase in the erythroid bone marrow, and jaundice and that occurs esp. in children of Mediterranean parents
cool·head·ed ['kül-,he-dəd] -adj
- not easily excited
coo·lie ['kü-lē] -n
- an unskilled laborer or porter usu. in or from the Far East hired for low or subsistence wages
coolie hat -n
- a conical-shaped usu. straw hat worn esp. to protect the head from the heat of the sun
cool·ingoff ['kü-liŋ-'ȯf] -adj
- designed to allow passions to cool or to permit negotiation between parties
cooling tower -n
- a structure over which circulated water is trickled to reduce its temperature by partial evaporation
coombe ['küm, 'kōm] -n
(variant of combe)
- a deep narrow valley
- a valley or basin on the flank of a hill
coon ['kün] -n
- raccoon
- black
coon·can ['kün-,kan] -n
- a game of rummy played with two packs including two jokers
coon cat -n
- maine coon
coon cheese ['kün-] -n
- a sharp cheddar cheese that has been cured at higher than usual temperature and humidity and that is usu. coated with black wax
coon·hound ['kün-,hau̇nd] -n
- a sporting dog trained to hunt raccoons
- black-and-tan coonhound
coon's age -n
- a long while
- best fried chicken I've tasted for a coon's age -- Sinclair Lewis
coon·skin ['kün-,skin] -n
- the skin or pelt of the raccoon
- an article (as a cap or coat) made of coonskin
coon·tie ['kün-tē] -n
- any of several tropical American woody cycads (genus Zamia) whose roots and stems yield a starchy foodstuff called also arrowroot
coop ['küp, 'ku̇p] -n
- a cage or small enclosure (as for poultry)
- a small building for housing poultry
- a confined area
- jail
- to confine in a restricted and often crowded area usu. used with up
- children coop ed up in the house all day
- to place or keep in a coop : pen often used with up
- cooperative
coo·per ['kü-pər, 'ku̇-] -n
- one that makes or repairs wooden casks or tubs
cooper ['kü-p(ə-)riŋ, 'ku̇-] -vb
- to work as a cooper on
- to work at or do coopering
coo·per·age ['kü-p(ə-)rij, 'ku̇-] -n
- a cooper's work or products
- a cooper's place of business
co·op·er·ate [kō-'ä-pə-,rāt] -vi, n
- to act or work with another or others : act together or in compliance
- refused to cooperate with the police
- to associate with another or others for mutual benefit
- nations cooperating in a trade agreement
co·op·er·a·tion [(,)kō-,ä-pə-'rā-shən] -n
- the action of cooperating : common effort
- association of persons for common benefit
co·op·er·a·tive [kō-'ä-p(ə-)rə-tiv, -'ä-pə-,rā-] -adj, adv, n
- marked by cooperation
- marked by a willingness and ability to work with others
- of, relating to, or organized as a cooperative
- relating to or comprising a program of combined liberal arts and technical studies at different schools
cooperative -n
- an enterprise or organization owned by and operated for the benefit of those using its services
Coo·per's hawk ['kü-pərz-, 'ku̇-] -n
- an American hawk ( Accipiter cooperii) that is larger than the similarly colored sharp-shinned hawk and has a more rounded tail
coopt [kō-'äpt] -vt, n, adj
- to choose or elect as a member
- to appoint as a colleague or assistant
- to take into a group (as a faction, movement, or culture) : absorb, assimilate
- the students are coopt ed by a system they serve even in their struggle against it -- A. C. Danto
- take over, appropriate
- a style coopt ed by advertisers
co·or·di·nate [kō-'ȯrd-nət; -'ȯr-də-nət, -də-,nāt] -adj, adv, n
- equal in rank, quality, or significance
- being of equal rank in a sentence
- relating to or marked by coordination
- being a university that awards degrees to men and women taught usu. by the same faculty but attending separate classes often on separate campuses
- being one of the colleges and esp. the women's branch of a coordinate university
- of, relating to, or being a system of indexing by two or more terms so that documents may be retrieved through the intersection of index terms
- to put in the same order or rank
- to bring into a common action, movement, or condition : harmonize
- we need to coordinate our schedules
- to attach so as to form a coordination complex
- to be or become coordinate esp. so as to act together in a smooth concerted way
- to combine by means of a coordinate bond
- any of a set of numbers used in specifying the location of a point on a line, on a surface, or in space
- any one of a set of variables used in specifying the state of a substance or the motion of a particle or momentum
- one who is of equal rank, authority, or importance with another
- articles (as of clothing) designed to be used together and to attain their effect through pleasing contrast (as of color, material, or texture)
coordinate bond -n
- a covalent bond that consists of a pair of electrons supplied by only one of the two atoms it joins
co·or·di·nat·ed [-'ȯr-də-,nā-təd] -adj
- able to use more than one set of muscle movements to a single end
- a well- coordinated athlete
Coordinated Universal Time -n
- the international standard of time that is kept by atomic clocks around the world abbr. UTC
coordinate geometry -n
- analytic geometry
coordinating conjunction -n
- a conjunction (as andor or) that joins together words or word groups of equal grammatical rank
co·or·di·na·tion [(,)kō-,ȯr-də-'nā-shən] -n
- the act or action of coordinating
- the harmonious functioning of parts for effective results
coordination complex -n
- a compound or ion with a central usu. metallic atom or ion combined by coordinate bonds with a definite number of surrounding ions, groups, or molecules called also coordination compound
coordination number -n
- the number of attachments to the central atom in a coordination complex
- a number used in specifying the spatial arrangement of the constituent groups of crystals
coot ['küt] -n
- any of various slaty-black birds (genus Fulica) of the rail family that somewhat resemble ducks and have lobed toes and the upper mandible prolonged on the forehead as a horny frontal shield
- any of several No. American scoters
- a harmless simple person
- fellow
coo·ter ['kü-tər also 'ku̇-tə] -n
- any of several freshwater turtles (genus Pseudemyssyn. Chrysemys,esp. P. concinna) esp. of the southern and eastern U.S.
coo·tie ['kü-tē] -n
- body louse
cop ['käp] -n
- top, crest
- a cylindrical or conical mass of thread, yarn, or roving wound on a quill or tube
- a quill or tube upon which it is wound
- to get hold of : catch, capture
- purchase
- steal, swipe
- adopt
- admit used with to
- these small-timers would...cop to the smallest offense their attorney could negotiate -- Tom Clancy
- police officer
- copper
- copulative
- copy
- copyright
co·pa·cet·ic [,kō-pə-'se-tik] -adj
- very satisfactory
co·pai·ba [kō-'pī-bə, -'pā-] -n
- a stimulant oleoresin obtained from several pinnate-leaved So. American trees (genus Copaifera) of the legume family
- one of these trees
co·pal ['kō-pəl, -,pal; kō-'pal] -n
- a recent or fossil resin from various tropical trees
co·par·ce·nary [kō-'pär-sə-,ner-ē] -n
- joint heirship
- joint ownership
co·par·ce·ner [-'pärs-nər, -'pär-sə-nər] -n
- a joint heir
copay ['kō-'pā] -n
- co-payment
copay·ment ['kō-,pā-mənt, ,kō-'] -n
- a fixed fee required by a health insurer (as an HMO) to be paid by the patient at the time of each office visit, outpatient service, or filling of a prescription
COPD -abbr
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
cope ['kōp] -n
- a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestment
- something resembling a cope (as by concealing or covering)
- the dark sky's starry cope -- P. B. Shelley
- coping
- to cover or furnish with a cope
- strike, fight
- to maintain a contest or combat usu. on even terms or with success used with with
- to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties often used with with
- learning to cope with the demands of her schedule
- meet, encounter
- to meet in combat
- to come in contact with
- match
- to shape (a structural member) to fit a coping or conform to the shape of another member
- notch
copeck ['kō-,pek] -n
(variant of kopeck)
- see ruble at
co·pe·pod ['kō-pə-,päd] -n, adj
- any of a large subclass (Copepoda) of usu. minute freshwater and marine crustaceans
cop·er ['kō-pər] -n
- a horse dealer
- a dishonest one
Co·per·ni·can [kə-'pər-ni-kən, kō-] -adj, n
- of or relating to Copernicus or the belief that the earth rotates daily on its axis and the planets revolve in orbits around the sun
- of radical or major importance or degree
- effected a Copernican revolution in philosophy -- Times Lit. Supp.
cope·stone ['kōp-,stōn] -n
- a stone forming a coping
- a finishing touch : crown
copi·er ['kä-pē-ər] -n
- one that copies
- a machine for making copies of graphic matter (as printing, drawings, or pictures)
co·pi·lot ['kō-,pī-lət] -n
- a qualified pilot who assists or relieves the pilot but is not in command
cop·ing ['kō-piŋ] -n
- the covering course of a wall usu. with a sloping top
cop·ing saw ['kō-piŋ-] -n
- a handsaw with a very narrow blade held under tension in a U-shaped frame and used esp. for cutting curves in wood
cop·ing·stone ['kō-piŋ-,stōn] -n
- copestone
co·pi·ous ['kō-pē-əs] -adj, adv, n
- yielding something abundantly
- plentiful in number
- copious references to other writers
- full of thought, information, or matter
- profuse or exuberant in words, expression, or style
- present in large quantity : taking place on a large scale
co·pla·nar [(,)kō-'plā-nər, -,när] -adj, n
- lying or acting in the same plane
co·pol·y·mer [(,)kō-'pä-lə-mər] -n, adj
- a product of copolymerization
co·po·ly·mer·i·za·tion [,kō-pə-,li-mə-rə-'zā-shən, ,kō-,pä-lə-mə-] -n, vb
- the polymerization of two substances (as different monomers) together
copout ['käp-,au̇t] -n
- the act or an instance of copping out
- an excuse or means for copping out : pretext
- a person who cops out
cop out -vi
- to back out (as of an unwanted responsibility)
- to avoid or neglect problems, responsibilities, or commitments
- accused the mayor of copping out on the issue
cop·per ['kä-pər] -n
- a common reddish metallic element that is ductile and malleable and is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity
- a coin or token made of copper or bronze
- a large boiler (as for cooking)
- any of a subfamily (Lycaeninae of the family Lycaenidae) of small butterflies with usu. copper-colored wings
copper ['kä-p(ə-)riŋ] -vt
- to coat or sheathe with or as if with copper
- police officer
cop·per·as ['kä-p(ə-)rəs] -n
- ferrous sulfate
copper beech -n
- a beech with shining coppery-red leaves that is a widely planted cultivar of a beech ( Fagus sylvatica) native to Europe
cop·per·head ['kä-pər-,hed] -n
- a common pit viper ( Agkistrodon contortrix) of the eastern and central U.S. usu. having a copper-colored head and often a reddish-brown hourglass pattern on the body
- a person in the northern states who sympathized with the South during the American Civil War
cop·per·plate ['kä-pər-,plāt] -n
- an engraved or etched copper printing plate
- a print made from such a plate
- a neat script handwriting based on engraved models
copper pyrites -n
- chalcopyrite
cop·per·smith ['kä-pər-,smith] -n
- a worker in copper
copper sulfate -n
- a sulfate of copper
- the normal sulfate that is white in the anhydrous form but blue in the crystalline hydrous form CuSO 45H 2O and that is often used as an algicide and fungicide
cop·pery ['kä-p(ə-)rē] -adj
- resembling or suggesting copper
- having the reddish to brownish-orange color of copper
cop·pice ['kä-pəs] -n
- a thicket, grove, or growth of small trees
- forest originating mainly from shoots or root suckers rather than seed
coppice -vb
- to cut back so as to regrow in the form of a coppice
- to form a coppice
- to sprout freely from the base
copr- -comb form
- dung : feces
co·pra ['kō-prə also 'kä-] -n
- dried coconut meat yielding coconut oil
co·pro·ces·sor [(,)kō-'prä-se-sər, -'prō-] -n
- an extra processor in a computer that is designed to perform specialized tasks (as mathematical calculations)
co·prod·uct [(,)kō-'prä-(,)dəkt] -n
- by-product
cop·ro·la·lia [,kä-prə-'lā-lē-ə] -n
- obsessive or uncontrollable use of obscene language
cop·ro·lite ['kä-prə-,līt] -n, adj
- fossilized excrement
co·proph·a·gous [kə-'prä-fə-gəs] -adj, n
- feeding on dung
cop·ro·phil·ia [,kä-prə-'fi-lē-ə] -n
- marked interest in excrement
- the use of feces or filth for sexual excitement
cop·roph·i·lous [kə-'prä-fə-ləs] -adj
- growing or living on dung
copse ['käps] -n
- coppice
Copt ['käpt] -n
- a member of the traditional Monophysite Christian church originating and centering in Egypt
- a member of a people descended from the ancient Egyptians
cop·ter ['käp-tər] -n
- helicopter
Cop·tic ['käp-tik] -n
- an Afro-Asiatic language descended from ancient Egyptian and used as the liturgical language of the Coptic church
Coptic -adj
- of or relating to the Copts, their liturgical language, or their church
cop·u·la ['kä-pyə-lə] -n
- : something that connects: as
- the connecting link between subject and predicate of a proposition
- linking verb
cop·u·late ['kä-pyə-,lāt] -vi, n, adj
- to engage in sexual intercourse
cop·u·la·tive ['kä-pyə-lə-tiv, -,lā-] -adj
- joining together coordinate words or word groups and expressing addition of their meanings
- functioning as a copula
- relating to or serving for copulation
copulative -n
- a copulative word
copy ['kä-pē] -n
- an imitation, transcript, or reproduction of an original work (as a letter, a painting, a table, or a dress)
- one of a series of esp. mechanical reproductions of an original impression
- an individual example of such a reproduction
- something to be imitated : model
- matter to be set esp. for printing
- something considered printable or newsworthy used without an article
- remarks that make good copy -- Norman Cousins
- text esp. of an advertisement
- duplicate
- a copy of a computer file
- to make a copy or duplicate of
- to model oneself on
- to make a copy
- to undergo copying
- the map did not copy well
copy·book ['kä-pē-,bu̇k] -n
- a book formerly used in teaching penmanship and containing models for imitation
copy·boy [-,bȯi] -n
- one who carries copy and runs errands (as in a newspaper office)
copy·cat [-,kat] -n
- one who imitates or adopts the behavior or practices of another
- an imitative act or product
copycat -vb
- to act as a copycat
- imitate
copy·desk [-,desk] -n
- the desk at which newspaper copy is edited
copy editor ['kä-pē-,e-dət] -n, vt
- an editor who prepares copy for the typesetter
- one who edits and headlines newspaper copy
copy·hold ['kä-pē-,hōld] -n
- a former tenure of land in England and Ireland by right of being recorded in the court of the manor
- an estate held by copyhold
copy·hold·er [-,hōl-dər] -n
- one who reads copy for a proofreader
- a device for holding copy esp. for a typesetter
copy·ist ['kä-pē-ist] -n
- one who makes copies
- imitator
copy·read·er [-,rē-dər] -n, vt
- copy editor
copy·right [-,rīt] -n
- the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute the matter and form of something (as a literary, musical, or artistic work)
copyright [-,rī-tə-bəl] -vt, adj
- to secure a copyright on
- secured by copyright
copy·writ·er ['kä-pē-,rī-tər] -n
- a writer of advertising or publicity copy
coq au vin [,kōk-ō-'vaⁿ, ,käk-ō-] -n
- chicken cooked in usu. red wine
co·quet -n
- a man who indulges in coquetry
- coquette
- characteristic of a coquette : coquettish
- to play the coquette : flirt
- to deal with something playfully rather than seriously
co·que·try ['kō-kə-trē, kō-'ke-trē] -n
- a flirtatious act or attitude
co·quette [kō-'ket] -n, adj, adv
- a woman who endeavors without sincere affection to gain the attention and admiration of men
co·qui [kō-'kē] -n
- a small chiefly nocturnal arboreal frog ( Eleutherodactylus coqui) native to Puerto Rico that has a high-pitched call and has been introduced into Hawaii and southern Florida
co·qui·na [kō-'kē-nə] -n
- a soft whitish limestone formed of broken shells and corals cemented together and used for building
- a small wedge-shaped clam ( Donax variabilis) used for broth or chowder and occurring in the intertidal zone of sandy Atlantic beaches from Delaware to the Gulf of Mexico
cor ['kȯr] -n
- an ancient Hebrew and Phoenician unit of measure of capacity
- corner
- coroner
- corpus
- corresponding
Cor -abbr
- Corinthians
cor·a·cle ['kȯr-ə-kəl, 'kär-] -n
- a small boat used in Britain from ancient times and made of a frame (as of wicker) covered usu. with hide or tarpaulin
cor·a·coid ['kȯr-ə-,kȯid, 'kär-] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or being a process of the scapula in most mammals or a well-developed cartilage bone of many lower vertebrates that extends from the scapula to or toward the sternum
cor·al ['kȯr-əl, 'kär-] -n, adj
- the calcareous or horny skeletal deposit produced by anthozoan or rarely hydrozoan polyps
- a richly red precious coral secreted by a gorgonian (genus Corallium)
- a polyp or polyp colony together with its membranes and skeleton
- a piece of coral and esp. of red coral
- a bright reddish ovary (as of a lobster or scallop)
- a deep pink
cor·al·bells ['kȯr-əl-,belz, 'kär-] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- a perennial alumroot ( Heuchera sanguinea) widely cultivated for its feathery spikes of tiny usu. reddish bell-shaped flowers
cor·al·ber·ry [-,ber-ē, -,be-rē] -n
- a No. American dwarf shrub ( Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) that bears clusters of small flowers succeeded by red or white berries
cor·al·line ['kȯr-ə-,līn, 'kär-] -n
- a coralline red alga
- a bryozoan or hydroid that resembles a coral
coralline -adj
- of, relating to, or resembling coral
- of, relating to, or being any of a family (Corallinaceae) of calcareous red algae
coral snake -n
- any of several venomous chiefly tropical New World elapid snakes (genus Micrurus) brilliantly banded in red, black, and yellow or white that include two ( M. fulviusand M. euryxanthus) ranging northward into the southern U.S.
- any of several harmless snakes resembling the coral snakes
co·ran·to [kə-'ran-(,)tō] -n
- courante
cor·ban ['kȯr-,ban] -n
- a sacrifice or offering to God among the ancient Hebrews
cor·beil ['kȯr-bəl, kȯr-'bā] -n
- a sculptured basket of flowers or fruit as an architectural decoration
cor·bel ['kȯr-bəl] -n
- an architectural member that projects from within a wall and supports a weight
- one that is stepped upward and outward from a vertical surface
corbel -vt
- to furnish with or make into a corbel
corbeling -n
- corbel work
- the construction of a corbel
cor·bic·u·la [kȯr-'bi-kyə-lə] -n
- pollen basket
cor·bie ['kȯr-bē] -n
- carrion crow
- raven
cor·bi·na [kȯr-'bē-nə] -n
- a coastal marine croaker ( Menticirrhus undulatus) favored by surf casters along the California coast
cord ['kȯrd] -n
- a long slender flexible material usu. consisting of several strands (as of thread or yarn) woven or twisted together
- the hangman's rope
- a moral, spiritual, or emotional bond
- an anatomical structure (as a nerve or tendon) resembling a cord
- umbilical cord
- a small flexible insulated electrical cable having a plug at one or both ends used to connect a lamp or other appliance with a receptacle
- a unit of wood cut for fuel equal to a stack 4 x 4 x 8 feet or 128 cubic feet
- a rib like a cord on a textile
- a fabric made with such ribs or a garment made of such a fabric
- trousers made of such a fabric
- to furnish, bind, or connect with a cord
- to pile up (wood) in cords
cord·age ['kȯr-dij] -n
- ropes or cords
- the ropes in the rigging of a ship
- the number of cords (as of wood) on a given area
cor·date ['kȯr-,dāt] -adj, adv
- shaped like a heart
cord·ed ['kȯr-dəd] -adj
- made of or provided with cords or ridges
- muscled in ridges
- tense, taut
- bound, fastened, or wound about with cords
- striped or ribbed with or as if with cord : twilled
- equipped with an electrical cord
cord·grass ['kȯrd-,gras] -n
- any of a genus ( Spartina) of chiefly salt-marsh grasses of coastal regions of Europe, northern Africa, and the New World that have stiff culms and panicled spikelets
cor·dial ['kȯr-jəl] -adj, adv, n
- of or relating to the heart : vital
- tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate
- bottles full of excellent cordial waters -- Daniel Defoe
- sincerely or deeply felt
- a cordial dislike for each other
- warmly and genially affable
cordial -n
- a stimulating medicine or drink
- liqueur
cor·dial·i·ty [,kȯr-jē-'a-lə-tē, kȯr-'ja- also kȯr-'dya-] -n
- sincere affection and kindness : cordial regard
cordia pulmonalia [,kȯr-,pu̇l-mə-'nä-lē, -,pəl-, -'na-] -n
(variant of cor pulmonale)
- disease of the heart characterized by hypertrophy and dilatation of the right ventricle and secondary to disease of the lungs or their blood vessels
cor·di·er·ite ['kȯr-dē-ə-,rīt] -n
- a blue mineral of vitreous luster and strong dichroism that consists of a silicate of aluminum, iron, and magnesium
cor·di·form ['kȯr-də-,fȯrm] -adj
- shaped like a heart
- a cordiform sea-urchin shell
cor·dil·le·ra [,kȯr-dᵊl-'yer-ə, -də-'ler- also kȯr-'di-lə-rə] -n, adj
- a system of mountain ranges often consisting of a number of more or less parallel chains
cord·ite ['kȯr-,dīt] -n
- a smokeless powder composed of nitroglycerin, guncotton, and a petroleum substance usu. gelatinized by addition of acetone and pressed into cords resembling brown twine
cord·less ['kȯrd-ləs] -adj, n
- having no cord
- powered by a battery
cor·don ['kȯr-dᵊn, -,dän] -n
- an ornamental cord or ribbon
- stringcourse
- a line of troops or of military posts enclosing an area to prevent passage
- a line of persons or objects around a person or place
- an espalier esp. of a fruit tree trained as a single horizontal shoot or two diverging horizontal shoots in a single line
cordon -vt
- to form a protective or restrictive cordon around usu. used with off
- police cordon ed off the area around the crime scene
cor·don sa·ni·taire [kȯr-,dōⁿ-sä-nē-'ter] -n
- a protective barrier (as of buffer states) against a potentially aggressive nation or a dangerous influence (as an ideology)
cor·do·van ['kȯr-də-vən] -adj
- of or relating to Cordoba and esp. Cordoba, Spain
- made of cordovan leather
cordovan -n
- a soft fine-grained colored leather
- dense nonporous leather tanned from the inner layer of horsehide
cor·du·roy ['kȯr-də-,rȯi] -n
- trousers of corduroy fabric
- a durable usu. cotton pile fabric with vertical ribs or wales
- logs laid side by side transversely to make a road surface
corduroy -vt
- to build (a road) of logs laid side by side transversely
- to build a corduroy road across
cord·wain ['kȯrd-,wān] -n
- cordovan leather
cord·wain·er [-,wā-nər] -n
- a worker in cordovan leather
- shoemaker
cord·wood ['kȯrd-,wu̇d] -n
- wood piled or sold in cords
core ['kȯr] -n
- : a central and often foundational part usu. distinct from the enveloping part by a difference in nature: as
- the usu. inedible central part of some fruits (as a pineapple)
- the papery or leathery carpels composing the ripened ovary in a pome fruit (as an apple)
- the portion of a foundry mold that shapes the interior of a hollow casting
- a vertical space (as for elevator shafts, stairways, or plumbing apparatus) in a multistory building
- a mass of iron serving to concentrate and intensify the magnetic field resulting from a current in a surrounding coil
- a tiny doughnut-shaped piece of magnetic material (as ferrite) used in computer memories
- a computer memory consisting of an array of cores strung on fine wires
- the internal memory of a computer
- the central part of a celestial body (as the earth or sun) usu. having different physical properties from the surrounding parts
- a nodule of stone (as flint or obsidian) from which flakes have been struck for making implements
- the conducting wire with its insulation in an electric cable
- an arrangement of a course of studies that combines under basic topics material from subjects conventionally separated and aims to provide a common background for all students
- the place in a nuclear reactor where fission occurs
- a basic, essential, or enduring part (as of an individual, a class, or an entity)
- the staff had a core of experts
- the essential meaning : gist
- the inmost or most intimate part
- a part (as a thin cylinder of material) removed from the interior of a mass esp. to determine composition
- to remove a core from
- a group of people
CORE -abbr
- Congress of Racial Equality
core city -n
- inner city
cored ['kȯrd] -adj
- having a core of a specified kind usu. used in combination
co·re·li·gion·ist [,kō-ri-'lij-nist, -'li-jə-] -n
- a person of the same religion
co·re·op·sis [,kȯr-ē-'äp-səs] -n
- any of a genus ( Coreopsis) of widely cultivated composite herbs with showy often yellow flower heads and pinnately lobed or dissected leaves
co·re·pres·sor [,kō-ri-'pre-sər] -n
- a small molecule that activates a particular genetic repressor by combining with it
co·req·ui·site [kō-'re-kwə-zət] -n
- a formal course of study required to be taken simultaneously with another
co·re·spon·dent [,kō-ri-'spän-dənt] -n
- a person named as guilty of adultery with the defendant in a divorce suit
corf ['kȯrf] -n
- a basket, tub, or truck used in a mine
cor·gi ['kȯr-gē] -n
- welsh corgi
co·ri·a·ceous [,kȯr-ē-'ā-shəs] -adj
- resembling leather
co·ri·an·der ['kȯr-ē-,an-dər, ,kȯr-ē-'] -n
- an Old World annual herb ( Coriandrum sativum) of the carrot family with aromatic fruits
- the ripened dried fruit of coriander used as a flavoring called also coriander seed
Co·rin·thi·an [kə-'rin(t)-thē-ən] -n
- a native or resident of Corinth, Greece
- a merry profligate man
Corinthian -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of Corinth or Corinthians
- of or relating to the lightest and most ornate of the three ancient Greek architectural orders distinguished esp. by its large capitals decorated with carved acanthus leaves
Co·rin·thi·ans [-thē-ənz] -n pl but sing in constr
- either of two letters written by St. Paul to the Christians of Corinth and included as books in the New Testament
Co·ri·o·lis effect [,kȯr-ē-'ō-ləs-] -n
- the apparent deflection of a moving object that is the result of the Coriolis force
Coriolis force -n
- an apparent force that as a result of the earth's rotation deflects moving objects (as projectiles or air currents) to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere
co·ri·um ['kȯr-ē-əm] -n
- dermis
cork ['kȯrk] -n
- the elastic tough outer tissue of the cork oak that is used esp. for stoppers and insulation
- phellem
- a usu. cork stopper for a bottle or jug
- a fishing float
- to furnish or fit with cork or a cork
- to stop up with a cork
- to blacken with burnt cork
cork·age ['kȯr-kij] -n
- a charge (as by a restaurant) for opening a bottle of wine bought elsewhere
cork·board ['kȯrk-,bȯrd] -n
- a heat-insulating material made of compressed granulated cork
- a bulletin board made with this material
cork cambium -n
- phellogen
corked ['kȯrkt] -adj
- corky
cork·er ['kȯr-kər] -n
- one that corks containers (as bottles)
- one that is excellent or remarkable
cork·ing ['kȯr-kiŋ] -adj or adv
- extremely fine often used as an intensive esp. before good
cork oak -n
- an oak ( Quercus suber) of southern Europe and northern Africa that is the source of the cork of commerce
cork·screw ['kȯrk-,skrü] -n
- a device for drawing corks from bottles that has a pointed spiral piece of metal turned by a handle
corkscrew -adj
- resembling a corkscrew : spiral
- wind
- to draw out with difficulty
- to twist into a spiral
- to move in a winding course
cork·wood ['kȯrk-,wu̇d] -n
- any of several trees having light or corky wood
- a small or shrubby tree ( Leitneria floridana) of the southeastern U.S. that has extremely light soft wood
corky ['kȯr-kē] -adj, n
- resembling cork
- having an unpleasant odor and taste (as from a tainted cork)
corm ['kȯrm] -n
- a rounded thick modified underground stem base bearing membranous or scaly leaves and buds and acting as a vegetative reproductive structure
corm·el ['kȯr-məl, kȯr-'mel] -n
- a small or secondary corm produced by a larger corm
cor·mo·rant ['kȯrm-rənt, 'kȯr-mə-, 'kȯr-mə-,rant] -n
- any of various dark-colored web-footed water birds (family Phalacrocoracidae, esp. genus Phalacrocorax) that have a long neck, hooked bill, and distensible throat pouch
- a gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person
corn ['kȯrn] -n
- a small hard particle : grain
- a small hard seed
- the seeds of a cereal grass and esp. of the important cereal crop of a particular region (as wheat in Britain, oats in Scotland and Ireland, and Indian corn in the New World and Australia)
- the kernels of sweet corn served as a vegetable while still soft and milky
- a plant that produces corn
- Indian corn
- corn whiskey
- something (as writing, music, or acting) that is corny
- the quality or state of being corny : corniness
- corn snow
- to form into grains : granulate
- to preserve or season with salt in grains
- to cure or preserve in brine containing preservatives and often seasonings
- to feed with corn
- a local hardening and thickening of epidermis (as on a toe)
corn·ball ['kȯrn-,bȯl] -n
- an unsophisticated person
- something corny
cornball -adj
- corny
corn borer -n
- : any of several insects that bore in maize: as
- european corn borer
- southwestern corn borer
corn bread -n
- bread made with cornmeal
corn chip -n
- a piece of a dry crisp snack food prepared from a seasoned cornmeal batter
corn·cob ['kȯrn-,käb] -n
- the core on which the kernels of Indian corn are arranged
- an ear of Indian corn
corncob pipe -n
- a tobacco pipe with a bowl made of a corncob
corn cockle -n
- an annual hairy weed ( Agrostemma githago) of the pink family with purplish-red flowers that is found in grain fields
corn·crake ['kȯrn-,krāk] -n
- a Eurasian short-billed rail ( Crex crex) that frequents grain fields
corn·crib [-,krib] -n
- a crib for storing ears of Indian corn
corn dodger -n
- a cake of corn bread that is fried, baked, or boiled as a dumpling
corn dog -n
- a frankfurter dipped in cornmeal batter, fried, and served on a stick
cor·nea ['kȯr-nē-ə] -n, adj
- the transparent part of the coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil and admits light to the interior
corn ear·worm [-'ir-,wərm] -n
- a noctuid moth ( Helicoverpa zeasyn. Heliothis zea) whose large striped yellow-headed larva is esp. destructive to Indian corn, tomatoes, tobacco, and cotton bolls
cor·nel ['kȯr-nᵊl, -,nel] -n
- any of various shrubs or trees (genus Cornus) of the dogwood family
- dogwood
cor·ne·lian [kȯr-'nēl-yən] -n
- carnelian
cor·ne·ous ['kȯr-nē-əs] -adj
- of a horny texture
cor·ner ['kȯr-nər] -n, adj
- the point where converging lines, edges, or sides meet : angle
- the place of intersection of two streets or roads
- a piece designed to form, mark, or protect a corner
- : the angular part or space between meeting lines, edges, or borders near the vertex of the angle
- the southwest corner of the state
- the corner s of the tablecloth
: as - the area of a playing field or court near the intersection of the sideline and the goal line or baseline
- either of the four angles of a boxing ring
- the area in which a boxer rests or is worked on by his seconds during periods between rounds
- a group of supporters, well-wishers, or adherents associated esp. with a contestant
- the side of home plate nearest to or farthest from a batter
- a fast ball over the outside corner
- corner kick
- the outside of a football formation
- cornerback
- a private, secret, or remote place
- a quiet corner of New England
- to every corner of the earth
- dark corner s of the mind
- a difficult or embarrassing situation : a position from which escape or retreat is difficult or impossible
- control or ownership of enough of the available supply of a commodity or security esp. to permit manipulation of the price
- a point at which significant change occurs often used in the phrase turn the corner
corner -adj
- situated at a corner
- used or fitted for use in or on a corner
- to drive into a corner
- the animal is dangerous when corner ed
- to catch and hold the attention of esp. to force an interview
- to get a corner on
- to meet or converge at a corner or angle
- to turn a corner
cor·ner·back ['kȯr-nər-,bak] -n
- a defensive halfback in football who defends the flank
corner kick -n
- a free kick from a corner of a soccer field awarded to an attacker when a defender plays the ball out-of-bounds over the end line
cor·ner·man ['kȯr-nər-,man] -n
- : one who plays in or near the corner: as
- cornerback
- a basketball forward
- a boxer's second
cor·ner·stone [-,stōn] -n
- a stone forming a part of a corner or angle in a wall
- such a stone laid at a formal ceremony
- a basic element : foundation
- a cornerstone of foreign policy
cor·ner·ways [-,wāz] -adv
- diagonally
cor·ner·wise [-,wīz] -adv
- diagonally
cor·net [kȯr-'net, Brit usu 'kȯr-nit] -n
- a valved brass instrument resembling a trumpet in design and range but having a shorter partly conical tube and less brilliant tone
- : something shaped like a cone: as
- a piece of paper twisted for use as a container
- a cone-shaped pastry shell that is often filled with whipped cream
- an ice-cream cone
cornet -n
- the standard of a cavalry troop
- the onetime fifth grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop who carried the standard
- the onetime lowest commissioned rank in the U.S. cavalry
cornfed ['kȯrn-,fed] -adj
- fed or fattened on grain (as corn)
- looking well-fed : plump
- rustically wholesome or corny
corn·field [-,fēld] -n
- a field in which corn is grown
corn·flakes [-,flāks] -n pl
- toasted flakes made from the coarse meal of hulled corn for use as a breakfast cereal
corn flour -n
- cornstarch
corn·flow·er ['kȯrn-,flau̇(-ə)r] -n
- corn cockle
- bachelor's button
cornflower blue -n
- a moderate purplish blue
Corn·husk·er ['kȯrn-,həs-kər] -n
- a native or resident of Nebraska used as a nickname
corn·husk·ing [-,həs-kiŋ] -n
- a social gathering esp. of farm families to husk corn
cor·nice ['kȯr-nəs, -nish] -n
- the molded and projecting horizontal member that crowns an architectural composition
- a top course that crowns a wall
- a decorative band of metal or wood used to conceal curtain fixtures
- an overhanging mass of windblown snow or ice usu. on a ridge
cornice -vt
- to furnish or crown with a cornice
cor·niche [kȯr-'nēsh] -n
- a road built along a coast and esp. along the face of a cliff
cor·ni·chon [kȯr-nē-'shōⁿ] -n
- a sour gherkin usu. flavored with tarragon
cor·nic·u·late cartilage [kȯr-'ni-kyə-lət-] -n
- a small nodule of yellow elastic cartilage articulating with the apex of the arytenoid
cor·ni·fi·ca·tion [,kȯr-nə-fə-'kā-shən] -n
- conversion into horn or a horny or keratinous substance or tissue
Cor·nish ['kȯr-nish] -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of Cornwall, Cornishmen, or Cornish
Cornish -n
- the Celtic language of Cornwall
- any of an English breed of domestic chickens much used in crossbreeding for meat production
Cor·nish·man [-mən] -n
- a native or resident of Cornwall, England
Cornish pasty -n
- a filled pastry containing cooked meat and vegetables
Cornish rex -n
- any of a breed of cats with a very short soft wavy coat free of guard hairs and a small head with large ears
Corn Law -n
- one of a series of laws in force in Great Britain before 1846 prohibiting or discouraging the importation of grain
corn leaf aphid -n
- a dusky greenish or brownish aphid ( Rhopalosiphum maidis) that feeds on the flowers and foliage of various commercially important grasses (as Indian corn)
corn·meal ['kȯrn-,mēl] -n
- meal ground from corn
corn oil -n
- a yellow fatty oil obtained from the germ of Indian corn kernels and used chiefly as salad oil, in soft soap, and in margarine
corn·pone ['kȯrn-,pōn] -adj
- down-home, countrified
corn pone -n
- corn bread often made without milk or eggs and baked or fried
corn poppy -n
- an annual red-flowered Eurasian poppy ( Papaver rhoeas) common in fields and cultivated in several varieties
corn rootworm -n
- any of several chrysomelid beetles (genus Diabrotica) whose root-eating larvae are pests esp. of corn
corn·row ['kȯrn-,rō] -n, vb
- a section of hair which is braided usu. flat to the scalp
- a hairstyle in which the hair is divided into cornrow sections arranged in rows
corn salad -n
- any of several herbs (genus Valerianella) of the valerian family
- a low European herb ( V. locustasyn. V. olitoria) that is widely cultivated for its leaves used in salads and as a potherb called also lamb's lettuce mache
corn silk -n
- the silky styles on an ear of Indian corn
corn snow -n
- granular snow formed by alternate thawing and freezing
corn·stalk ['kȯrn-,stȯk] -n
- a stalk of Indian corn
corn·starch [-,stärch] -n
- starch made from corn and used in foods as a thickening agent, in making corn syrup and sugars, and in the manufacture of adhesives and sizes for paper and textiles
corn sugar -n
- dextrose
corn syrup -n
- a syrup containing dextrins, maltose, and dextrose that is obtained by partial hydrolysis of cornstarch
cor·nu ['kȯr-(,)nü, -(,)nyü] -n, adj
- a horn-shaped anatomical part (as of the uterus)
cor·nu·co·pia [,kȯr-nə-'kō-pē-ə, -nyə-'] -n, adj
- a curved goat's horn overflowing with fruit and ears of grain that is used as a decorative motif emblematic of abundance
- an inexhaustible store : abundance
- a receptacle shaped like a horn or cone
cor·nu·to [kȯr-'nü-(,)tō, -'nyü-] -n
- cuckold
corn whiskey -n
- whiskey distilled from a mash made up of not less than 80 percent corn
corny ['kȯr-nē] -adj, adv, n
- tasting strongly of malt
- of or relating to corn
- mawkishly old-fashioned : tiresomely simple and sentimental
- relating to or having corns on the feet
cor·o·dy ['kȯr-ə-dē, 'kär-] -n
- an allowance of provisions for maintenance dispensed as a charity
co·rol·la [kə-'rä-lə, -'rō-] -n, adj
- the part of a flower that consists of the separate or fused petals and constitutes the inner whorl of the perianth
cor·ol·lary ['kȯr-ə-,ler-ē, 'kär-, -le-rē, Brit kə-'rä-lə-rē] -n, adj
- a proposition inferred immediately from a proved proposition with little or no additional proof
- something that naturally follows : result
- something that incidentally or naturally accompanies or parallels
cor·o·man·del [,kȯr-ə-'man-dᵊl, ,kär-] -n
- calamander
coromandel screen -n
- a Chinese lacquered folding screen
co·ro·na [kə-'rō-nə] -n
- the projecting part of a classic cornice
- a usu. colored circle often seen around and close to a luminous body (as the sun or moon) caused by diffraction produced by suspended droplets or occas. particles of dust
- the tenuous outermost part of the atmosphere of a star (as the sun)
- a circle of light made by the apparent convergence of the streamers of the aurora borealis
- the upper portion of a bodily part (as a tooth or the skull)
- an appendage or series of united appendages on the inner side of the corolla in some flowers (as the daffodil, jonquil, or milkweed)
- a faint glow adjacent to the surface of an electrical conductor at high voltage
- a long cigar having the sides straight to the end to be lit and being roundly blunt at the other end
Corona Aus·tra·lis [-ȯ-'strā-ləs, -ä-] -n
- a southern constellation adjoining Sagittarius on the south
Corona Bo·re·al·is [-,bȯr-ē-'a-ləs] -n
- a northern constellation between Hercules and Bootes
cor·o·nach ['kȯr-ə-nək̲, 'kär-] -n
- a funeral dirge sung or played on the bagpipes in Scotland and Ireland
co·ro·na·graph [kə-'rō-nə-,graf] -n
- a telescope for observation of the sun's corona
cor·o·nal ['kȯr-ə-nᵊl, 'kär-] -n
- a circlet for the head usu. implying rank or dignity
co·ro·nal ['kȯr-ə-nᵊl, 'kär-; kə-'rō-] -adj
- lying in the direction of the coronal suture
- of or relating to the frontal plane that passes through the long axis of the body
- of or relating to a corona or crown
coronal suture -n
- a suture extending across the skull between the parietal and frontal bones
co·ro·na ra·di·a·ta [kə-'rō-nə-,rā-dē-'ā-tə, -'ä-tə] -n
- the zone of small follicular cells immediately surrounding the ovum in the graafian follicle and accompanying the ovum on its discharge from the follicle
cor·o·nary ['kȯr-ə-,ner-ē, 'kär-, -,ne-rē] -adj
- of, relating to, resembling, or being a crown or coronal
- of, relating to, or being the coronary arteries or veins of the heart
- of or relating to the heart
coronary -n
- coronary artery
- coronary vein
- coronary thrombosis
- heart attack
coronary artery -n
- either of two arteries that arise one from the left and one from the right side of the aorta immediately above the semilunar valves and supply the tissues of the heart itself
coronary heart disease -n
- a condition and esp. one caused by atherosclerosis that reduces blood flow through the coronary arteries to the heart and typically results in chest pain or heart damage called also coronary artery disease
coronary occlusion -n
- the partial or complete blocking (as by a thrombus, by spasm, or by sclerosis) of a coronary artery
coronary sinus -n
- a venous channel that is derived from the sinus venosus, is continuous with the largest of the cardiac veins, receives most of the blood from the walls of the heart, and empties into the right atrium
coronary thrombosis -n
- the blocking of a coronary artery of the heart by a thrombus
coronary vein -n
- any of several veins that drain the tissues of the heart and empty into the coronary sinus
cor·o·nate ['kȯr-ə-,nāt, 'kär-] -vt
- crown
cor·o·na·tion [,kȯr-ə-'nā-shən, ,kär-] -n
- the act or occasion of crowning
- accession to the highest office
co·ro·na·vi·rus [kə-'rō-nə-,vī-rəs] -n
- any of a family ( Coronaviridaeand esp. genus Coronavirus) of single-stranded RNA viruses that have a lipid envelope studded with club-shaped projections, infect birds and many mammals including humans, and include the causative agent of SARS
cor·o·ner ['kȯr-ə-nər, 'kär-] -n
- a usu. elected public officer whose principal duty is to inquire by an inquest into the cause of any death which there is reason to suppose is not due to natural causes
cor·o·net [,kȯr-ə-'net, ,kär-] -n
- a small or lesser crown usu. signifying a rank below that of a sovereign
- a wreath or band for the head usu. for wear by women on formal occasions
- the lower part of a horse's pastern where the horn terminates in skin
co·ro·tate [(,)kō-'rō-,tāt] -vi, n
- to rotate in conjunction with or at the same rate as another rotating body
corp -abbr
- corporal
- corporation
corpora ['kȯr-pəs] -n
(variant of corpus)
- the body of a human or animal esp. when dead
- the main part or body of a bodily structure or organ
- the main body or corporeal substance of a thing
- the principal of a fund or estate as distinct from income or interest
- all the writings or works of a particular kind or on a particular subject
- the complete works of an author
- a collection or body of knowledge or evidence
- a collection of recorded utterances used as a basis for the descriptive analysis of a language
cor·po·ral ['kȯr-p(ə-)rəl] -n
- a linen cloth on which the eucharistic elements are placed
corporal [-p(ə-)rə-lē] -adj, adv
- corporeal, physical
- of, relating to, or affecting the body
- a noncommissioned officer ranking in the army above a private first class and below a sergeant and in the marine corps above a lance corporal and below a sergeant
cor·po·ral·i·ty [,kȯr-pə-'ra-lə-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being or having a body or a material or physical existence
corporal's guard -n
- the small detachment commanded by a corporal
- a small group
cor·po·rate ['kȯr-p(ə-)rət] -adj, adv
- formed into an association and endowed by law with the rights and liabilities of an individual : incorporated
- of or relating to a corporation
- a plan to reorganize the corporate structure
- of, relating to, or being the large corporations of a country or region considered as a unit
- the latest trend in corporate America
- having qualities (as commercialism or lack of originality) associated with large corporations or attributed to their influence or control
- of, relating to, or formed into a unified body of individuals
- human law arises by the corporate action of a people -- G. H. Sabine
- corporative
cor·po·ratewide [-,wīd] -adj
- extending throughout or involving an entire corporation
cor·po·ra·tion [,kȯr-pə-'rā-shən] -n
- a group of merchants or traders united in a trade guild
- the municipal authorities of a town or city
- a body formed and authorized by law to act as a single person although constituted by one or more persons and legally endowed with various rights and duties including the capacity of succession
- an association of employers and employees in a basic industry or of members of a profession organized as an organ of political representation in a corporative state
- potbelly
cor·po·rat·ism ['kȯr-p(ə-)rə-,ti-zəm] -n, adj
- the organization of a society into industrial and professional corporations serving as organs of political representation and exercising control over persons and activities within their jurisdiction
cor·po·ra·tive ['kȯr-pə-,rā-tiv, -p(ə-)rə-] -adj
- of or relating to a corporation
- of or relating to corporatism
cor·po·ra·tiv·ism ['kȯr-pə-,rā-ti-,vi-zəm, -p(ə-)rə-] -n
- corporatism
cor·po·rat·ize ['kȯr-p(ə-)rə-,tīz] -vt, n
- to subject to corporate ownership or control
- afraid that medicine was becoming corporatized
cor·po·ra·tor ['kȯr-pə-,rā-tər] -n
- a corporation organizer, member, or stockholder
cor·po·re·al [kȯr-'pȯr-ē-əl] -adj, adv, n
- : having, consisting of, or relating to a physical material body: as
- not spiritual
- not immaterial or intangible : substantial
- corporal
cor·po·re·al·i·ty [(,)kȯr-,pȯr-ē-'a-lə-tē] -n
- corporeal existence
cor·po·re·i·ty [,kȯr-pə-'rē-ə-tē, -'rā-] -n
- the quality or state of having or being a body : materiality
cor·po·sant ['kȯr-pə-,sant, -,zant] -n
- saint elmo's fire
corps ['kȯr] -n
- an organized subdivision of the military establishment
- a tactical unit usu. consisting of two or more divisions and auxiliary arms and services
- a group of persons associated together or acting under common direction
- a body of persons having a common activity or occupation
- corps de ballet
corps de bal·let [,kȯr-də-(,)ba-'lā] -n
- the ensemble of a ballet company
corps d'elite [,kȯr-dā-'lēt] -n
- a body of picked troops
- a group of the best people in a category
corpse ['kȯrps] -n
- a human or animal body whether living or dead
- a dead body esp. of a human being
- the remains of something discarded or defunct
- the corpse s of rusting cars
corps·man ['kȯr(z)-mən] -n
- an enlisted man trained to give first aid and minor medical treatment
- a member of a government-sponsored service corps
cor·pu·lence ['kȯr-pyə-lən(t)s] -n
- the state of being corpulent
cor·pu·len·cy [-lən(t)-sē] -n
- corpulence
cor·pu·lent [-lənt] -adj, adv
- having a large bulky body : obese
cor pul·mo·na·le [,kȯr-,pu̇l-mə-'nä-lē, -,pəl-, -'na-] -n
- disease of the heart characterized by hypertrophy and dilatation of the right ventricle and secondary to disease of the lungs or their blood vessels
cor·pus ['kȯr-pəs] -n
- the body of a human or animal esp. when dead
- the main part or body of a bodily structure or organ
- the main body or corporeal substance of a thing
- the principal of a fund or estate as distinct from income or interest
- all the writings or works of a particular kind or on a particular subject
- the complete works of an author
- a collection or body of knowledge or evidence
- a collection of recorded utterances used as a basis for the descriptive analysis of a language
corpus al·la·tum [-ə-'lā-təm, -'lä-] -n
- one of a pair of separate or fused bodies in many insects that are sometimes closely associated with the corpora cardiaca and that secrete hormones (as juvenile hormone)
corpus cal·lo·sum [-ka-'lō-səm] -n
- the great band of commissural fibers uniting the cerebral hemispheres of higher mammals including humans
corpus car·di·a·cum [-kär-'dī-ə-kəm] -n
- one of a pair of separate or fused bodies of nervous tissue in many insects that lie posterior to the brain and function in the storage and secretion of brain hormone
Cor·pus Chris·ti ['kȯr-pəs-'kris-tē] -n
- the Thursday after Trinity observed as a Roman Catholic festival in honor of the Eucharist
cor·pus·cle ['kȯr-(,)pə-səl] -n, adj
- a minute particle
- a living cell
- one (as a red or white blood cell or a cell in cartilage or bone) not aggregated into continuous tissues
- any of various small circumscribed multicellular bodies
cor·pus de·lic·ti ['kȯr-pəs-di-'lik-,tī, -(,)tē] -n
- the substantial and fundamental fact necessary to prove the commission of a crime
- the material substance (as the body of the victim of a murder) upon which a crime has been committed
corpus lu·te·um [-'lü-tē-əm] -n
- a yellowish mass of progesterone-secreting endocrine tissue that forms immediately after ovulation from the ruptured graafian follicle in the mammalian ovary
corpus striatum -n
- either of a pair of masses of nervous tissue within the brain that contain two large nuclei of gray matter separated by sheets of white matter
corr -abbr
- correct; corrected; correction
- correspondence; correspondent; corresponding
- corrupt; corruption
cor·rade [kə-'rād] -vb, n, adj
- to wear away by abrasion
- to crumble away through abrasion
cor·ral [kə-'ral, -'rel] -n
- a pen or enclosure for confining or capturing livestock
- an enclosure made with wagons for defense of an encampment
corral -vt
- to enclose in a corral
- to arrange (wagons) so as to form a corral
- collect, gather
- corralling votes for the upcoming election
cor·rect [kə-'rekt] -vt, adj, n
- to make or set right : amend
- counteract, neutralize
- correct a harmful tendency
- to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition
- correct a lens for spherical aberration
- to punish (as a child) with a view to reforming or improving
- to point out usu. for amendment the errors or faults of
- spent the day correct ing tests
correct [kə-'rek(t)-lē] -adj, adv, n
- conforming to an approved or conventional standard
- conforming to or agreeing with fact, logic, or known truth
- conforming to a set figure
- enclosed the correct return postage
- conforming to the strict requirements of a specific ideology or set of beliefs or values
corrected time -n
- a boat's elapsed time less its time allowance in yacht racing
cor·rec·tion [kə-'rek-shən] -n, adj
- : the action or an instance of correcting: as
- amendment, rectification
- rebuke, punishment
- a bringing into conformity with a standard
- neutralization, counteraction
- a decline in market price or business activity following and counteracting a rise
- something substituted in place of what is wrong
- marking correction s on the students' papers
- a quantity applied by way of correcting (as for adjustment of an instrument)
- the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders through a program involving penal custody, parole, and probation
- the administration of such treatment as a matter of public policy usu. used in pl.
correction fluid -n
- a liquid used to paint over typing or writing errors
cor·rec·ti·tude [kə-'rek-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n
- correctness or propriety of conduct
cor·rec·tive [kə-'rek-tiv] -adj, n, adv
- intended to correct
cor·re·late ['kȯr-ə-lət, 'kär-, -,lāt] -n, adj
- either of two things so related that one directly implies or is complementary to the other (as husband and wife)
- a phenomenon that accompanies another phenomenon, is usu. parallel to it, and is related in some way to it
- precise electrical correlate s of conscious thinking in the human brain -- Bayard Webster
- to bear reciprocal or mutual relations : correspond
- to establish a mutual or reciprocal relation between
- correlate activities in the lab and the field
- to show correlation or a causal relationship between
- to present or set forth so as to show relationship
- he correlate s the findings of the scientists, the psychologists, and the mystics -- Eugene Exman
cor·re·la·tion [,kȯr-ə-'lā-shən, ,kär-] -n, adj
- the state or relation of being correlated
- a relation existing between phenomena or things or between mathematical or statistical variables which tend to vary, be associated, or occur together in a way not expected on the basis of chance alone
- the obviously high positive correlation between scholastic aptitude and college entrance -- J. B. Conant
- the act of correlating
correlation coefficient -n
- a number or function that indicates the degree of correlation between two sets of data or between two random variables and that is equal to their covariance divided by the product of their standard deviations
cor·rel·a·tive [kə-'re-lə-tiv] -adj, n, adv
- naturally related : corresponding
- reciprocally related
- regularly used together but typically not adjacent
- the correlative conjunctions either...or
cor·re·spond [,kȯr-ə-'spänd, ,kär-] -vi
- to be in conformity or agreement
- the ideal failed...to correspond with the reality -- J. R. Sutherland
- to compare closely : match usu. used with to or with
- to be equivalent or parallel
- to communicate with a person by exchange of letters
cor·re·spon·dence [-'spän-dən(t)s] -n
- the agreement of things with one another
- a particular similarity
- a relation between sets in which each member of one set is associated with one or more members of the other
- communication by letters
- the letters exchanged
- the news, information, or opinion contributed by a correspondent to a newspaper or periodical
correspondence course -n
- a course offered by a correspondence school
correspondence school -n
- a school that teaches nonresident students by mailing them lessons and exercises which upon completion are returned to the school for grading
cor·re·spon·den·cy [,kȯr-ə-'spän-dən(t)-sē, ,kär-] -n
- correspondence
cor·re·spon·dent [,kȯr-ə-'spän-dənt, ,kär-] -adj
- corresponding
- fitting, conforming used with with or to
- the outcome was entirely correspondent with my wishes
correspondent -n
- one who communicates with another by letter
- one who has regular commercial relations with another
- one who contributes news or commentary to a publication (as a newspaper) or a radio or television network often from a distant place
- something that corresponds
corresponding [-'spän-diŋ-lē] -adj, adv
- having or participating in the same relationship (as kind, degree, position, correspondence, or function) esp. with regard to the same or like wholes (as geometric figures or sets)
- corresponding parts of similar triangles
- related, accompanying
- all rights carry with them corresponding responsibilities -- W. P. Paepcke
- charged with the duty of writing letters
- participating or serving at a distance and by mail
- a corresponding member of the society
corresponding angles -n pl
- any pair of angles each of which is on the same side of one of two lines cut by a transversal and on the same side of the transversal
cor·re·spon·sive [,kȯr-ə-'spän(t)-siv, ,kär-] -adj
- mutually responsive
cor·ri·da [kȯ-'rē-thə] -n
- bullfight
cor·ri·dor ['kȯr-ə-dər, 'kär-, -,dȯr] -n
- a passageway (as in a hotel or office building) into which compartments or rooms open
- a place or position in which esp. political power is wielded through discussion and deal-making
- was excluded from the corridor s of power after losing the election
- : a usu. narrow passageway or route: as
- a narrow strip of land through foreign-held territory
- a restricted lane for air traffic
- a land path used by migrating animals
- a densely populated strip of land including two or more major cities
- the Northeast corridor stretching from Washington into New England -- S. D. Browne
- an area or stretch of land identified by a specific common characteristic or purpose
- the city's industrial corridor
cor·rie ['kȯr-ē, 'kär-ē] -n
- cirque
Cor·rie·dale [-,dāl] -n
- any of a breed of rather large usu. hornless sheep developed in New Zealand and raised for mutton and wool
cor·ri·gen·dum [,kȯr-ə-'jen-dəm, ,kär-] -n
- an error in a printed work discovered after printing and shown with its correction on a separate sheet
cor·ri·gi·ble ['kȯr-ə-jə-bəl, 'kär-] -adj, n
- capable of being set right : reparable
cor·ri·val [kə-'rī-vəl, kȯ-, kō-] -n, adj
- rival, competitor
cor·rob·o·rant [kə-'rä-bə-rənt] -adj
- having an invigorating effect used of a medicine
cor·rob·o·rate [kə-'rä-bə-,rāt] -vt, n, adj
- to support with evidence or authority : make more certain
cor·rob·o·ree [kə-'rȯ-bə-rē, -'rä-] -n
- a nocturnal festivity with songs and symbolic dances by which the Australian aborigines celebrate events of importance
- a noisy festivity
- tumult
cor·rode [kə-'rōd] -vb, adj
- to eat away by degrees as if by gnawing
- to wear away gradually usu. by chemical action
- the metal was corroded beyond repair
- to weaken or destroy gradually : undermine
- manners and miserliness that corrode the human spirit -- Bernard De Voto
- to undergo corrosion
corrody ['kȯr-ə-dē, 'kär-] -n
(variant of corody)
- an allowance of provisions for maintenance dispensed as a charity
cor·ro·sion [kə-'rō-zhən] -n
- the action, process, or effect of corroding
- a product of corroding
cor·ro·sive [-'rō-siv, -ziv] -adj, n, adv
- tending or having the power to corrode
- the corrosive effects of alcoholism
- bitingly sarcastic
corrosive sublimate -n
- mercuric chloride
cor·ru·gate ['kȯr-ə-,gāt, 'kär-] -vb
- to form or shape into wrinkles or folds or into alternating ridges and grooves : furrow
- to become corrugated
corrugated -adj
- having corrugations
- made of corrugated material (as cardboard)
cor·ru·ga·tion [,kȯr-ə-'gā-shən, ,kär-] -n
- the act of corrugating
- a ridge or groove of a surface that has been corrugated
cor·rupt [kə-'rəpt] -vb, n, adj, adv
- to change from good to bad in morals, manners, or actions
- bribe
- to degrade with unsound principles or moral values
- rot, spoil
- to subject (a person) to corruption of blood
- to alter from the original or correct form or version
- to become tainted or rotten
- to become morally debased
- to cause disintegration or ruin
corrupt [-'rəp(t)-lē] -adj, adv, n
- morally degenerate and perverted : depraved
- characterized by improper conduct (as bribery or the selling of favors)
- putrid, tainted
- adulterated or debased by change from an original or correct condition
- a corrupt version of the text
cor·rup·tion [kə-'rəp-shən] -n
- impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle : depravity
- decay, decomposition
- inducement to wrong by improper or unlawful means (as bribery)
- a departure from the original or from what is pure or correct
- an agency or influence that corrupts
- pus
cor·rup·tion·ist [-sh(ə-)nist] -n
- one who practices or defends corruption esp. in politics
corruption of blood
- the effect of an attainder which bars a person from inheriting, retaining, or transmitting any estate, rank, or title
cor·rup·tive [kə-'rəp-tiv] -adj, adv
- producing or tending to produce corruption
cor·sage [kȯr-'säzh, -'säj, 'kȯr-,] -n
- the waist or bodice of a dress
- an arrangement of flowers worn as a fashion accessory
cor·sair ['kȯr-,ser; kȯr-'] -n
- pirate
- a privateer of the Barbary Coast
corse ['kȯrs] -n
- corpse
corse·let [for 1 'kȯr-slət, for 2 ,kȯr-sə-'let] -n
- a piece of armor covering the trunk
- an undergarment combining girdle and brassiere
cor·set ['kȯr-sət] -n
- a usu. close-fitting and often laced medieval jacket
- a woman's close-fitting boned supporting undergarment that is often hooked and laced and that extends from above or beneath the bust or from the waist to below the hips and has garters attached
corset -vt
- to dress in or fit with a corset
- to restrict closely : control rigidly
cor·se·tiere [,kȯr-sə-'tir, -'tyer] -n
- one who makes, fits, or sells corsets, girdles, or brassieres
cor·set·ry ['kȯr-sə-trē] -n
- underwear (as corsets, girdles, and brassieres) meant to shape a woman's body
cor·tege [kȯr-'tezh, 'kȯr-,] -n
- a train of attendants : retinue
- procession
- a funeral procession
cor·tex ['kȯr-,teks] -n
- the outer or superficial part of an organ or bodily structure (as the kidney, adrenal gland, or cerebellum or a bone)
- cerebral cortex
- the proteinaceous usu. pigmented layer of a hair below the cuticle
- the outer part of some organisms (as paramecia)
- a plant bark or rind (as cinchona) used medicinally
- the typically parenchymatous layer of tissue external to the vascular tissue and internal to the corky or epidermal tissues of a green plant
- all tissues external to the xylem
- an outer or investing layer of various algae, lichens, or fungi
cor·ti·cal ['kȯr-ti-kəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or consisting of cortex
- involving or resulting from the action or condition of the cerebral cortex
cortico- -comb form
- cortex
cor·ti·coid ['kȯr-ti-,kȯid] -n, adj
- corticosteroid
cor·ti·co·ste·roid [,kȯr-ti-kō-'stir-,ȯid also -'ster-] -n
- any of various adrenal-cortex steroids (as corticosterone, cortisone, and aldosterone) used medically esp. as anti-inflammatory agents
cor·ti·co·ste·rone [,kȯr-tə-'käs-tə-,rōn, -ti-kō-stə-'; ,kȯr-ti-kō-'stir-,ōn, -'ster-] -n
- a colorless crystalline corticosteroid C 21H 30O 4that is important in protein and carbohydrate metabolism
cor·ti·co·tro·pin [,kȯr-ti-kō-'trō-pən] -n
- acth
- a preparation of ACTH that is used esp. in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic fever
cor·ti·sol ['kȯr-tə-,sȯl, -,zȯl, -,sōl, -,zōl] -n
- a glucocorticoid C 21H 30O 5produced by the adrenal cortex upon stimulation by ACTH that mediates various metabolic processes (as gluconeogenesis), has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, and whose levels in the blood may become elevated in response to physical or psychological stress called also hydrocortisone
cor·ti·sone [-,sōn, -,zōn] -n
- a glucocorticoid C 21H 28O 5of the adrenal cortex used in synthetic form esp. as an anti-inflammatory agent (as for rheumatoid arthritis)
Cort·land ['kȯrt-lənd] -n
- a juicy apple having red skin and crisp mildly tart white flesh
co·run·dum [kə-'rən-dəm] -n
- a very hard mineral that consists of aluminum oxide occurring in massive and crystalline forms, that can be synthesized, and that is used for gemstones (as ruby and sapphire) and as an abrasive
co·rus·cant [kə-'rəs-kənt] -adj
- shining, glittering
cor·us·cate ['kȯr-ə-,skāt, 'kär-] -vi
- to give off or reflect light in bright beams or flashes : sparkle
- to be brilliant or showy in technique or style
cor·us·ca·tion [,kȯr-ə-'skā-shən, ,kär-] -n
- glitter, sparkle
- a flash of wit
cor·vee ['kȯr-,vā, kȯr-'] -n
- unpaid labor (as toward constructing roads) due from a feudal vassal to his lord
- labor exacted in lieu of taxes by public authorities esp. for highway construction or repair
corves ['kȯrf] -n
(variant of corf)
- a basket, tub, or truck used in a mine
cor·vette [kȯr-'vet] -n
- a warship ranking in the old sailing navies next below a frigate
- a highly maneuverable armed escort ship that is smaller than a destroyer
cor·vid ['kȯr-vəd] -n
- any of a family (Corvidae) of stout-billed passerine birds including the crows, jays, magpies, and the raven
cor·vi·na [kȯr-'vē-nə] -n
- any of several marine bony fishes (genus Cynoscionof the family Sciaenidae) of the Pacific coast of No. America
cor·vine ['kȯr-,vīn] -adj
- of or relating to the crows : resembling a crow
Cor·vus ['kȯr-vəs] -n
- a small constellation adjoining Virgo on the south
Cor·y·bant ['kȯr-ə-,bant, 'kär-] -n
- one of the attendants or priests of Cybele noted for wildly emotional processions and rites
cor·y·ban·tic [,kȯr-ē-'ban-tik, ,kär-] -adj
- being in the spirit or manner of a Corybant
- wild, frenzied
co·ryd·a·lis [kə-'ri-də-ləs] -n
- any of a large genus ( Corydalis) of chiefly temperate herbs of the fumitory family with racemose irregular flowers and dissected leaves
cor·ymb ['kȯr-,im(b), 'kär-, -əm(b)] -n, adj
- a flat-topped inflorescence
- one in which the flower stalks arise at different levels on the main axis and reach about the same height and in which the outer flowers open first
co·ry·ne·bac·te·ri·um [,kȯr-ə-(,)nē-bak-'tir-ē-əm, kə-,ri-nə-] -n, adj
- any of a large genus ( Corynebacterium) of usu. gram-positive nonmotile bacteria that occur as irregular or branching rods and include numerous important animal and plant pathogens
co·ryn·e·form [kə-'ri-nə-,fȯrm] -adj
- being or resembling corynebacteria
cor·y·phae·us [,kȯr-ə-'fē-əs, ,kär-] -n
- the leader of a party or school of thought
- the leader of a chorus
co·ry·phee [,kȯr-i-'fā] -n
- a ballet dancer who dances in a small group instead of in the corps de ballet or as a soloist
co·ry·za [kə-'rī-zə] -n, adj
- an acute inflammatory contagious disease involving the upper respiratory tract
- common cold
cos -abbr
- companies
- consul; consulship
- cosine
- counties
COS -abbr
- cash on shipment
- chief of staff
cosec -abbr
- cosecant
co·se·cant [(,)kō-'sē-,kant, -kənt] -n
- a trigonometric function that for an acute angle is the ratio between the hypotenuse of a right triangle of which the angle is considered part and the leg opposite the angle
- a trigonometric function csc that is the reciprocal of the sine for all real numbers for which the sine is not zero and that is exactly equal to the cosecant of an angle of measure in radians
co·set ['kō-,set] -n
- a subset of a mathematical group that consists of all the products obtained by multiplying either on the right or the left a fixed element of the group by each of the elements of a given subgroup
cosh ['käsh] -n
- a weighted weapon similar to a blackjack
- to strike or assault with or as if with a cosh
co·sig·na·to·ry [(,)kō-'sig-nə-,tȯr-ē] -n
- a joint signer
co·sign·er ['kō-,sī-nər] -n, vb
- cosignatory
- a joint signer of a promissory note
co·sine ['kō-,sīn] -n
- a trigonometric function that for an acute angle is the ratio between the leg adjacent to the angle when it is considered part of a right triangle and the hypotenuse
- a trigonometric function cos that for all real numbers is given by the sum of the alternating seriesand that is exactly equal to the cosine of an angle of measure in radians
cos lettuce ['käs-, 'kōs-] -n
- romaine
cos·me·ceu·ti·cal [,käz-mə-'sü-ti-kəl] -n
- a preparation having both cosmetic and pharmaceutical properties
cos·met·ic [käz-'me-tik] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or making for beauty esp. of the complexion : beautifying
- : done or made for the sake of appearance: as
- correcting defects esp. of the face
- decorative, ornamental
- not substantive : superficial
- visually appealing
cosmetic -n
- : something that is cosmetic: as
- a cosmetic preparation for external use
- superficial features
- a poem without rhetorical cosmetic s -- Guy Davenport
cosmetic case -n
- a small piece of luggage esp. for cosmetics
cos·me·ti·cian [,käz-mə-'ti-shən] -n
- a person who is professionally trained in the use of cosmetics
cos·met·i·cize [käz-'me-tə-,sīz] -vt
- to make (something unpleasant or ugly) superficially attractive
cos·me·tol·o·gist [,käz-mə-'tä-lə-jist] -n
- a person who gives beauty treatments (as to skin and hair) called also beautician
cos·me·tol·o·gy [-jē] -n
- the cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails
cos·mic ['käz-mik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to the cosmos, the extraterrestrial vastness, or the universe in contrast to the earth alone
- of, relating to, or concerned with abstract spiritual or metaphysical ideas
- characterized by greatness esp. in extent, intensity, or comprehensiveness
cosmic background radiation -n
- background radiation
cosmic dust -n
- very fine particles of solid matter found in any part of the universe
cosmic microwave background -n
- background radiation
cosmic noise -n
- unidentified celestial radio-frequency radiation
- such radiation originating from outside the Milky Way
cosmic ray -n
- a stream of atomic nuclei of extremely penetrating character that enter the earth's atmosphere from outer space at speeds approaching that of light
cosmic string -n
- any of a class of hypothetical supermassive astronomical objects that are extremely thin but are millions of light years long and that are postulated to have formed very early in the history of the universe
cos·mo·chem·is·try [,käz-mō-'ke-mə-strē] -n, adj
- a branch of chemistry that deals with the chemical composition of and changes in the universe
cos·mo·gen·ic [,käz-mə-'je-nik] -adj
- produced by the action of cosmic rays
cos·mog·o·ny [käz-'mä-gə-nē] -n, adj
- a theory of the origin of the universe
- the creation or origin of the world or universe
cos·mog·ra·phy [käz-'mä-grə-fē] -n, adj
- a general description of the world or of the universe
- the science that deals with the constitution of the whole order of nature
Cos·mo·line ['käz-mə-,lēn] -trademark
- used for corrosion-preventing petroleum jelly
cosmological constant -n
- a constant term used in the relativistic equations for gravity to represent a repulsive force which may account in part for the rate of expansion of the universe
cos·mol·o·gy [käz-'mä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv
- a branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of the universe
- a theory or doctrine describing the natural order of the universe
- a branch of astronomy that deals with the origin, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe
- a theory dealing with these matters
cos·mo·naut ['käz-mə-,nȯt, -,nät] -n
- an astronaut of the Soviet or Russian space program
cos·mop·o·lis [käz-'mä-pə-ləs] -n
- a cosmopolitan city
cos·mo·pol·i·tan [,käz-mə-'pä-lə-tən] -n
- cosmopolite
cosmopolitan [-tə-,ni-zəm] -adj, n
- having worldwide rather than limited or provincial scope or bearing
- having wide international sophistication : worldly
- composed of persons, constituents, or elements from all or many parts of the world
- found in most parts of the world and under varied ecological conditions
cos·mop·o·lite [käz-'mä-pə-,līt] -n
- a cosmopolitan person or organism
cos·mos ['käz-məs, 1 & 2 also -,mōs, -,mäs] -n
- universe
- an orderly harmonious systematic universe
- order, harmony
- a complex orderly self-inclusive system
- any of a genus ( Cosmos) of tropical American composite herbs
- a widely cultivated tall annual ( C. bipinnatus) with yellow or red disks and showy ray flowers
Cos·sack ['kä-,sak, -sək] -n
- a member of any of a number of autonomous communities drawn from various ethnic and linguistic groups (as Slavs, Tatars, and Circassians) that formed in Ukraine, southern Russia, the Caucasus, and Siberia after about 1400 and that were completely incorporated into czarist Russia during the 18th and 19th centuries
- a mounted soldier serving in a unit drafted from Cossack communities
cos·set ['kä-sət] -n
- a pet lamb
- pet
cosset -vt
- to treat as a pet : pamper
cost ['kȯst] -n, adj, adv
- the amount or equivalent paid or charged for something : price
- the outlay or expenditure (as of effort or sacrifice) made to achieve an object
- loss or penalty incurred esp. in gaining something
- expenses incurred in litigation
- those given by the law or the court to the prevailing party against the losing party
- to require expenditure or payment
- to require effort, suffering, or loss
- to have a price of
- to cause to pay, suffer, or lose something
- frequent absences cost him his job
- to estimate or set the cost of often used with out
cos·ta ['käs-tə] -n, adj
- rib
- a part (as the midrib of a leaf or the anterior vein of an insect wing) that resembles a rib
cost accountant -n
- a specialist in cost accounting
cost accounting -n
- the systematic recording and analysis of the costs of material, labor, and overhead incident to production
cos·tard ['käs-tərd] -n
- any of several large English cooking apples
- noddle, pate
costben·e·fit ['kȯs(t)-'be-nə-,fit] -adj
- of, relating to, or being economic analysis that assigns a numerical value to the cost-effectiveness of an operation, procedure, or program
costef·fec·tive ['kȯst-ə-'fek-tiv, -,fek-] -adj, n
- economical in terms of tangible benefits produced by money spent
- costeffective measures to combat poverty
costef·fi·cient [-i-'fi-shənt, -,fi-] -adj
- cost-effective
cos·ter ['käs-tər] -n
- costermonger
cos·ter·mon·ger [-,məŋ-gər, -,mäŋ-] -n
- a hawker of fruit or vegetables
cos·tive ['käs-tiv, 'kȯs-] -adj, adv, n
- affected with constipation
- causing constipation
- slow in action or expression
- not generous : stingy
cost·ly ['kȯs(t)-lē] -adj, n
- commanding a high price esp. because of intrinsic worth
- rich, splendid
- made or done at heavy expense or sacrifice
cost·mary ['kȯst-,mer-ē, 'käst-] -n
- an aromatic composite Eurasian herb ( Chrysanthemum balsamitasyn. Tanacetum balsamita) having leaves used as a potherb and in flavoring
cost of living
- the cost of purchasing those goods and services which are included in an accepted standard level of consumption
costofliving index -n
- consumer price index
costplus ['kȯs(t)-'pləs] -adj
- paid on the basis of a fixed fee or a percentage added to actual cost
- of or relating to a cost-plus contract
costpush ['kȯs(t)-,pu̇sh] -n, adj
- an increase or upward trend in production costs (as wages) that tends to result in increased consumer prices irrespective of the level of demand
cos·trel ['käs-trəl] -n
- a flat usu. earthenware container for liquids with loops through which a belt or cord may be passed for easy carrying called also pilgrim bottle
cos·tume ['käs-,tüm, -,tyüm also -təm or -,chüm] -n, adj
- the prevailing fashion in coiffure, jewelry, and apparel of a period, country, or class
- an outfit worn to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period, person, place, or thing
- a person's ensemble of outer garments
- a woman's ensemble of dress with coat or jacket
- to provide with a costume
- to design costumes for
costume [same as ¹] -adj
- characterized by the use of costumes
- suitable for or enhancing the effect of a particular costume
costume jewelry -n
- jewelry designed for wear with current fashions and usu. made of inexpensive materials
cos·tum·er ['käs-,tü-mər, -,tyü- also -,chü-; käs-'] -n
- one that deals in or makes costumes
- an upright stand with hooks or pegs on which to hang clothes
cos·tum·ery [-mə-rē] -n
- articles of costume
- the art of costuming
cos·tu·mi·er [käs-'tü-mē-,ā, -'tyü-, -mē-ər] -n
- costumer
co·sy ['kō-zē] -adj, adv, n
(variant of cozy)
- enjoying or affording warmth and ease : snug
- marked by or providing contentment or comfort
- marked by the intimacy of the family or a close group
- marked by or suggesting close association or connivance
- marked by a discreet and cautious attitude or procedure
cot ['kät] -n
- a small house
- cover, sheath
- stall
- a small usu. collapsible bed often of fabric stretched on a frame
- crib
- cotangent
co·tan·gent [(,)kō-'tan-jənt, 'kō-,] -n
- a trigonometric function that for an acute angle is the ratio between the leg adjacent to the angle when it is considered part of a right triangle and the leg opposite
- a trigonometric function cot that is equal to the cosine divided by the sine for all real numbers for which the sine is not equal to zero and is exactly equal to the cotangent of an angle of measure in radians
cote ['kōt, 'kät] -n
- cot
- a shed or coop for small domestic animals and esp. pigeons
- to pass by
co·te·rie ['kō-tə-(,)rē, ,kō-tə-'] -n
- an intimate and often exclusive group of persons with a unifying common interest or purpose
co·ter·mi·nous [(,)kō-'tər-mə-nəs] -adj, adv
- having the same or coincident boundaries
- a voting district coterminous with the city
- coextensive in scope or duration
- an experience of life coterminous with the years of his father -- Elizabeth Hardwick
co·thur·nus [kō-'thər-nəs] -n
- a high thick-soled laced boot worn by actors in Greek and Roman tragic drama called also co*thurn ko-thrn, ko-
- the dignified somewhat stilted style of ancient tragedy
co·tid·al [(,)kō-'tī-dᵊl] -adj
- indicating equality in the tides or a coincidence in the time of high or low tide
co·til·lion [kō-'til-yən, kə-] -n
- a ballroom dance for couples that resembles the quadrille
- an elaborate dance with frequent changing of partners carried out under the leadership of one couple at formal balls
- a formal ball
co·tin·ine ['kō-tə-,nēn, -,nīn] -n
- an alkaloid C 10H 12N 2O that is the principal metabolite of nicotine
co·to·ne·as·ter [kə-'tō-nē-,as-tər, 'kä-tᵊn-,ēs-] -n
- any of a genus ( Cotoneaster) of Old World flowering shrubs of the rose family
cot·quean ['kät-,kwēn] -n
- a coarse masculine woman
- a man who busies himself with women's work or affairs
Cots·wold ['kät-,swōld, -swəld] -n
- any of an English breed of large long-wooled sheep
cot·ta ['kä-tə] -n
- a waist-length surplice
cot·tage ['kä-tij] -n, adj
- the dwelling of a farm laborer or small farmer
- a usu. small frame one-family house
- a small detached dwelling unit at an institution
- a usu. small house for vacation use
cottage cheese -n
- a bland soft white cheese made from the curds of skim milk called also Dutch cheese pot cheese smearcase
cottage curtains -n pl
- a double set of upper and lower straight-hanging window curtains
cottage industry -n
- an industry whose labor force consists of family units or individuals working at home with their own equipment
- a small and often informally organized industry
- a limited but enthusiastically pursued activity or subject
- this debate about sex and law became a cottage industry for feminist academics -- Wendy Kaminer
cottage pie -n
- a shepherd's pie made esp. with beef
cottage pudding -n
- plain cake covered with a hot sweet sauce
cot·tag·er ['kä-ti-jər] -n
- a person who lives in a cottage
cottage tulip -n
- any of various tall late-flowering tulips
cot·tar ['kä-tər] -n
- a peasant or farm laborer who occupies a cottage and sometimes a small holding of land usu. in return for services
cot·ter ['kä-tər] -n, adj
- a wedge-shaped or tapered piece used to fasten together parts of a structure
- cotter pin
cotter pin -n
- a half-round metal strip bent into a pin whose ends can be flared after insertion through a slot or hole
cot·ton ['kä-tᵊn] -n
- a soft usu. white fibrous substance composed of the hairs surrounding the seeds of various erect freely branching tropical plants (genus Gossypium) of the mallow family
- a plant producing cotton
- one grown for its cotton
- a crop of cotton
- fabric made of cotton
- yarn spun from cotton
- a downy cottony substance produced by various plants (as the cottonwood)
cotton ['kät-niŋ, 'kä-tᵊn-iŋ] -vi
- to take a liking used with to
- cotton s to people easily
- to come to understand used with to or on to
- cotton ed on to the fact that our children work furiously -- H. M. McLuhan
cotton bollworm -n
- corn earworm
cotton candy -n
- a candy made of spun sugar
- something attractive but insubstantial
cotton gin -n
- a machine that separates the seeds, hulls, and foreign material from cotton
cotton grass -n
- any of a genus ( Eriophorum) of sedges with tufted spikes
cot·ton·mouth ['kä-tᵊn-,mau̇th] -n
- water moccasin
cottonmouth moccasin -n
- water moccasin
cot·tonpick·ing ['kä-tᵊn-,pi-kiŋ, -,pi-kən] -adj
- damned used as a generalized expression of disapproval
- a cottonpicking hypocrite
- damned used as an intensive
- out of his cottonpicking mind -- Irving Kristol
cot·ton·seed ['kä-tᵊn-,sēd] -n
- the seed of the cotton plant
cottonseed oil -n
- a pale yellow semidrying fatty oil that is obtained from the cottonseed and is used chiefly in salad and cooking oils and after hydrogenation in shortenings and margarine
cotton stainer -n
- any of several bugs (genus Dysdercus) that damage and stain the lint of developing cotton
- a red and brown bug ( D. suturellus) that attacks cotton in the southern U.S.
cot·ton·tail ['kä-tᵊn-,tāl] -n
- any of several rather small No. American rabbits (genus Sylvilagus) sandy to grayish brown in color with a white-tufted underside of the tail
cot·ton·weed [-,wēd] -n
- any of various weedy plants (as cudweed) with whitish pubescence or cottony seeds
cot·ton·wood [-,wu̇d] -n
- any of several poplars having seeds with cottony hairs
- one ( Populus deltoides) of the eastern and central U.S. often cultivated for its rapid growth and luxuriant foliage
cotton wool -n
- raw cotton
- cotton batting
cot·tony ['kät-nē, 'kä-tᵊn-ē] -adj
- : resembling cotton in appearance or character: as
- covered with hairs or pubescence
- soft
cot·tonycush·ion scale [-'ku̇-shən-] -n
- a scale insect ( Icerya purchasi) introduced into the U.S. from Australia that infests citrus and other plants
cot·y·le·don [,kä-tə-'lē-dᵊn] -n, adj
- a lobule of the mammalian placenta
- the first leaf or one of the first pair or whorl of leaves developed by the embryo of a seed plant or of some lower plants (as ferns)
co·ty·lo·saur ['kä-tə-lō-,sȯr, kə-'ti-lə-] -n
- any of an order (Cotylosauria) of extinct primitive reptiles of the Carboniferous to Triassic with short legs and massive bodies that were prob. the earliest truly terrestrial vertebrate animals
couch ['kau̇ch] -vb
- to lay (oneself) down for rest or sleep
- to embroider (a design) by laying down a thread and fastening it with small stitches at regular intervals
- to place or hold level and pointed forward ready for use
- to phrase or express in a specified manner
- the comments were couch ed in strong terms
- to lie down or recline for sleep or rest
- to lie in ambush
- an article of furniture for sitting or reclining
- a couch on which a patient reclines when undergoing psychoanalysis
- the den of an animal (as an otter)
couch·ant ['kau̇-chənt] -adj
- lying down esp. with the head up
couch grass ['kau̇ch-, 'küch-] -n
- quack grass
- any of several grasses that resemble quack grass in spreading by creeping rhizomes
couch potato -n
- a lazy and inactive person
- one who spends a great deal of time watching television
cou·de [kü-'dā] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a telescope constructed so that the light is reflected along the polar axis to come to a focus at a point where the holder for a photographic plate or a spectrograph may be mounted
cou·gar ['kü-gər also -,gär] -n
- a large powerful tawny-brown cat ( Felis concolor) formerly widespread in the Americas but now reduced in number or extinct in many areas called also catamount mountain lion panther puma
cough ['kȯf] -vb
- to expel air from the lungs suddenly with an explosive noise
- to make a noise like that of coughing
- to expel by coughing often used with up
- a condition marked by repeated or frequent coughing
- an act or sound of coughing
cough drop -n
- a lozenge or troche used to relieve coughing
cough syrup -n
- any of various sweet usu. medicated liquids used to relieve coughing
cough up -vt
- hand over, deliver
- to lose possession of (a ball or puck) during a game
- the quarterback coughed up the ball
could [kəd, 'ku̇d] -verbal auxiliary
- used in auxiliary function in the past , in the past conditional
- we said we would go if we could
, and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present - if you could come we would be pleased
could·est [kən, 'kan also 'ken; dial 'kin] -vb
(variant of can)
- know, understand
- to be able to do, make, or accomplish
- to have knowledge or skill
- know how to
- be physically or mentally able to
- used to indicate possibility
- do you think he can still be alive
sometimes used interchangeably with may - be permitted by conscience or feeling to
- be made possible or probable by circumstances to
- he can hardly have meant that
- be inherently able or designed to
- everything that money can buy
- be logically or axiologically able to
- 2 2 can also be written 3 1
- be enabled by law, agreement, or custom to
- have permission to used interchangeably with may
- you can go now if you like
- : a usu. cylindrical receptacle:
- a vessel for holding liquids
- a drinking vessel
- a usu. metal typically cylindrical receptacle usu. with an open top, often with a removable cover, and sometimes with a spout or side handles (as for holding milk or trash)
- a container (as of tinplate) in which products (as perishable foods) are hermetically sealed for preservation until use
- a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables
- jail
- toilet
- bathroom
- buttocks
- destroyer
- to put in a can : preserve by sealing in airtight cans or jars
- to hit (a golf shot) into the cup
- to hit (a shot) in basketball
- to discharge from employment
- to put a stop or end to
- canceled; cancellation
- cannon
- canto
couldn't ['ku̇-dᵊnt, -dᵊn, dial also 'ku̇-tᵊn(t) or 'ku̇nt]
- could not
couldst [kən, 'kan also 'ken; dial 'kin] -vb
(variant of can)
- know, understand
- to be able to do, make, or accomplish
- to have knowledge or skill
- know how to
- be physically or mentally able to
- used to indicate possibility
- do you think he can still be alive
sometimes used interchangeably with may - be permitted by conscience or feeling to
- be made possible or probable by circumstances to
- he can hardly have meant that
- be inherently able or designed to
- everything that money can buy
- be logically or axiologically able to
- 2 2 can also be written 3 1
- be enabled by law, agreement, or custom to
- have permission to used interchangeably with may
- you can go now if you like
- : a usu. cylindrical receptacle:
- a vessel for holding liquids
- a drinking vessel
- a usu. metal typically cylindrical receptacle usu. with an open top, often with a removable cover, and sometimes with a spout or side handles (as for holding milk or trash)
- a container (as of tinplate) in which products (as perishable foods) are hermetically sealed for preservation until use
- a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables
- jail
- toilet
- bathroom
- buttocks
- destroyer
- to put in a can : preserve by sealing in airtight cans or jars
- to hit (a golf shot) into the cup
- to hit (a shot) in basketball
- to discharge from employment
- to put a stop or end to
- canceled; cancellation
- cannon
- canto
cou·lee ['kü-lē] -n
- a small stream
- a dry streambed
- a usu. small or shallow ravine : gully
- a thick sheet or stream of lava
cou·lis [kü-'lē] -n
- a thick sauce made with pureed vegetable or fruit and often used as a garnish
cou·lisse [kü-'lēs, -'lis] -n
- a side scene of a stage
- the space between the side scenes
- a backstage area
- hallway
- a piece of timber having a groove in which something glides
cou·loir [kül-'wär] -n
- a steep mountainside gorge
cou·lomb ['kü-,läm, -,lōm] -n
- the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of electric charge equal to the quantity of electricity transferred by a current of one ampere in one second
coulomb [kü-'läm-bik, -'lōm-, -'lä-mik, -'lō-] -adj
- of, relating to, or being the electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion between charged particles
Cou·lomb's law ['kü-,lämz-, -,lōmz-] -n
- a statement in physics: the force of attraction or repulsion acting along a straight line between two electric charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely to the square of the distance between them
cou·lo·me·ter [kü-'lä-mə-tər, 'kü-lə-,mē-tər] -n, adj, adv
- an instrument of chemical analysis that determines the amount of a substance released in electrolysis by measurement of the quantity of electricity used
coul·ter ['kōl-tər] -n
- a cutting tool (as a knife or sharp disc) that is attached to the beam of a plow, makes a vertical cut in the surface, and permits clean separation and effective covering of the soil and materials being turned under
cou·ma·rin ['kü-mə-rən] -n
- a toxic white crystalline lactone C 9H 6O 2with an odor of new-mown hay found in plants or made synthetically and used esp. in perfumery and as a parent compound in anticoagulant agents
- a derivative of this compound
coun·cil ['kau̇n(t)-səl] -n
- an assembly or meeting for consultation, advice, or discussion
- a group elected or appointed as an advisory or legislative body
- a usu. administrative body
- an executive body whose members are equal in power and authority
- a governing body of delegates from local units of a federation
- deliberation in a council
- a federation of or a central body uniting a group of organizations
- a local chapter of an organization
- club, society
council -adj
- used for councils esp. by or with No. American Indians
- built, maintained, or operated by a local governing agency
coun·cil·lor ['kau̇n(t)-s(ə-)lər] -n
- a member of a council
coun·cil·man ['kau̇n(t)-səl-mən] -n, adj
- a member of a council (as of a town or city)
council of ministers
- cabinet
coun·cil·wom·an ['kau̇n(t)-səl-,wu̇-mən] -n
- a woman who is a member of a council
coun·sel ['kau̇n(t)-səl] -n
- advice given esp. as a result of consultation
- a policy or plan of action or behavior
- deliberation, consultation
- purpose
- guarded thoughts or intentions
- a lawyer engaged in the trial or management of a case in court
- a lawyer appointed to advise and represent in legal matters an individual client or a corporate and esp. a public body
- consultant
counsel [-s(ə-)liŋ] -vb
- advise
- counsel ed them to avoid rash actions -- George Orwell
- consult
- counsel ed with her husband
coun·sel·ee [,kau̇n(t)-sə-'lē] -n
- one who is being counseled
counseling -n
- professional guidance of the individual by utilizing psychological methods esp. in collecting case history data, using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and aptitudes
coun·sel·or ['kau̇n(t)-s(ə-)lər] -n
- a person who gives advice or counseling
- lawyer
- one that gives advice in law and manages cases for clients in court
- one who has supervisory duties at a summer camp
counseloratlaw -n
- counselor
count ['kau̇nt, dial 'kyau̇nt] -vb
- to indicate or name by units or groups so as to find the total number of units involved : number
- to name the numbers in order up to and including
- to include in a tallying and reckoning
- about 100 present, count ing children
- to call aloud (beats or time units)
- consider, account
- to record as of an opinion or persuasion
- to include or exclude by or as if by counting
- to recite or indicate the numbers in order by units or groups
- to count the units in a group
- to rely or depend on someone or something used with on
- count ed on his parents to help with the expenses
- add, total
- it count s up to a sizable amount
- to have value or significance
- these are the people who really count
- his opinions don't count for much
- to deserve to be regarded or considered
- a job so easy it hardly count s as work
- the action or process of counting
- a total obtained by counting : tally
- reckoning, account
- consideration, estimation
- allegation, charge
- one separately stating the cause of action or prosecution in a legal declaration or indictment
- a specific point under consideration : issue
- the total number of individual things in a given unit or sample obtained by counting all or a subsample of them
- the calling off of the seconds from one to ten when a boxer has been knocked down
- the number of balls and strikes charged to a baseball batter during one turn
- the count stood at 3 and 2
- score
- tied the count with a minute to play
- a measurement of the thickness or fineness of yarn by determining the number of hanks or yards per pound it produces
- the number of threads per square inch in a cloth
- a European nobleman whose rank corresponds to that of a British earl
count·able ['kau̇n-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv
- capable of being counted
- capable of being put into one-to-one correspondence with the positive integers
count·down ['kau̇nt-,dau̇n] -n, vi
- an audible backward counting in fixed units (as seconds) from an arbitrary starting number to mark the time remaining before an event
- preparations carried on during such a count
coun·te·nance ['kau̇n-tᵊn-ən(t)s, 'kau̇nt-nən(t)s] -n
- bearing, demeanor
- calm expression
- mental composure
- look, expression
- aspect, semblance
- pretense
- face, visage
- the face as an indication of mood, emotion, or character
- bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction : moral support
countenance -vt, n
- to extend approval or toleration to : sanction
- refused to countenance any changes in the policy
count·er ['kau̇n-tər] -n
- a piece (as of metal or plastic) used in reckoning or in games
- something of value in bargaining : asset
- a level surface (as a table, shelf or display case) over which transactions are conducted or food is served or on which goods are displayed or work is conducted
- one that counts
- a device for indicating a number or amount
coun·ter ['kau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ] -vb
- to act in opposition to : oppose
- offset, nullify
- tried to counter the trend toward depersonalization
- to assert in answer
- we counter ed that our warnings had been ignored
- to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps
- in an opposite or wrong direction
- to or toward a different or opposite direction, result, or effect
- values that run counter to those of society
- contrary, opposite
- the after portion of a boat from the waterline to the extreme outward swell or stern overhang
- the act of making an attack while parrying one (as in boxing or fencing)
- a blow thus given in boxing
- an agency or force that offsets : check
- a stiffener to give permanent form to a boot or shoe upper around the heel
- an area within the face of a letter wholly or partly enclosed by strokes
- a football play in which the ballcarrier goes in a direction opposite to the movement of the play
- marked by or tending toward or in an opposite direction or effect
- given to or marked by opposition, hostility, or antipathy
- situated or lying opposite
- recalling or ordering back by a superseding contrary order : countermanding
- counter orders from the colonel
counter- -prefix
- contrary : opposite
- opposing : retaliatory
- complementary : corresponding
- duplicate : substitute
coun·ter·act [,kau̇n-tər-'akt] -vt, n, adj
- to make ineffective or restrain or neutralize the usu. ill effects of by means of an opposite force, action, or influence
- a drug used to counteract fatigue
coun·ter·bal·ance ['kau̇n-tər-,ba-lən(t)s, ,kau̇n-tər-'] -n
- a weight that balances another
- a force or influence that offsets or checks an opposing force
counterbalance [,kau̇n-tər-', 'kau̇n-tər-,] -vt
- to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force
- to equip with counterbalances
coun·ter·change ['kau̇n-tər-,chānj] -vt
- interchange, transpose
- checker
coun·ter·check [-,chek] -n
- a check or restraint often operating against something that is itself a check
countercheck -vt
- check, counteract
- to check a second time for verification
counter check -n
- a check obtainable at a bank usu. to be cashed only at the bank by the drawer
coun·ter·claim ['kau̇n-tər-,klām] -n
- an opposing claim
- a claim brought by a defendant against a plaintiff in a legal action
counterclaim -vi
- to enter or plead a counterclaim
- to ask in a counterclaim
coun·ter·clock·wise [,kau̇n-tər-'kläk-,wīz] -adv, adj
- in a direction opposite to that in which the hands of a clock rotate as viewed from in front
coun·ter·con·di·tion·ing [-kən-'di-sh(ə-)niŋ] -n
- conditioning in order to replace an undesirable response (as fear) to a stimulus (as an engagement in public speaking) by a favorable one
coun·ter·cul·ture ['kau̇n-tər-,kəl-chər] -n, adj
- a culture with values and mores that run counter to those of established society
coun·ter·cur·rent ['kau̇n-tər-,kər-ənt, -,kə-rənt] -n
- a current flowing in a direction opposite that of another current
countercurrent [,kau̇n-tər-'] -adj, adv
- flowing in an opposite direction
- involving flow of materials in opposite directions
coun·ter·cy·cli·cal [-'sī-kli-kəl, -'si-] -adj, adv
- calculated to check excessive developments in a business cycle : compensatory
- countercyclical budget policies
coun·ter·es·pi·o·nage [,kau̇n-tər-'es-pē-ə-,näzh, -,näj, -nij, Canad also -,nazh; -,es-pē-ə-'näzh; -ə-'spē-ə-nij] -n
- the activity concerned with detecting and thwarting enemy espionage
coun·ter·ex·am·ple ['kau̇n-tər-ig-,zam-pəl] -n
- an example that refutes or disproves a proposition or theory
coun·ter·fac·tu·al [,kau̇n-tər-'fak-chə-wəl, -chəl, -shwəl, -chü-əl] -adj
- contrary to fact
- counterfactual assumptions
coun·ter·feit ['kau̇nt-ər-,fit] -adj
- made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive : forged
- insincere, feigned
- imitation
- counterfeit Georgian houses
counterfeit -vt, n
- to imitate or feign esp. with intent to deceive
- to make a fraudulent replica of
- to try to deceive by pretense or dissembling
- to engage in counterfeiting something of value
- something counterfeit : forgery
- something likely to be mistaken for something of higher value
- pity was a counterfeit of love -- Harry Hervey
coun·ter·flow ['kau̇n-tər-,flō] -n
- the flow of a fluid in opposite directions (as in an apparatus)
coun·ter·foil [-,fȯi(-ə)l] -n
- a detachable stub (as on a check or ticket) usu. serving as a record or receipt
coun·ter·guer·ril·la [,kau̇n-tər-gə-'ri-lə, -gi-, -gyi-, -ge-] -n
- a guerrilla who is trained to thwart enemy guerrilla operations
coun·ter·in·sur·gen·cy [,kau̇n-tər-in-'sər-jən(t)-sē] -n
- organized military activity designed to combat insurgency
coun·ter·in·tel·li·gence [,kau̇n-tər-in-'te-lə-jən(t)s] -n
- organized activity of an intelligence service designed to block an enemy's sources of information, to deceive the enemy, to prevent sabotage, and to gather political and military information
coun·ter·in·tu·i·tive [-in-'tü-ə-tiv, -'tyü-] -adj, adv
- contrary to what one would intuitively expect
coun·ter·ion ['kau̇n-tər-,ī-ən, -,än] -n
- an ion having a charge opposite to that of the substance with which it is associated
coun·ter·ir·ri·tant [,kau̇n-tər-'ir-ə-tənt] -n, adj
- an agent applied locally to produce superficial inflammation with the object of reducing inflammation in deeper adjacent structures
- an irritation or discomfort that diverts attention from another
count·er·man ['kau̇n-tər-,man, -mən] -n
- one who tends a counter
coun·ter·mand ['kau̇n-tər-,mand, ,kau̇n-tər-'] -vt
- to revoke (a command) by a contrary order
- to recall or order back by a superseding contrary order
- countermand reinforcements
- a contrary order
- the revocation of an order or command
coun·ter·march ['kau̇n-tər-,märch] -n, vi
- a marching back
- a movement in marching by which a unit of troops reverses direction while marching but keeps the same order
- a march (as of political demonstrators) designed to counter the effect of another march
coun·ter·mea·sure [-,me-zhər, -,mā-] -n
- an action or device designed to negate or offset another
- a military system or device intended to thwart a sensing mechanism (as radar)
- electronic countermeasure s
coun·ter·mel·o·dy [-,me-lə-dē] -n
- a secondary melody that is sounded simultaneously with the principal one
coun·ter·mine [-,mīn] -n
- a tunnel for intercepting an enemy mine
coun·ter·of·fen·sive ['kau̇n-tər-ə-,fen(t)-siv] -n
- a large-scale military offensive undertaken by a force previously on the defensive
coun·ter·of·fer [-,ȯ-fər, -,ä-fər] -n
- a return offer made by one who has rejected an offer
coun·ter·pane ['kau̇n-tər-,pān] -n
- bedspread
coun·ter·part [-,pärt] -n
- one of two corresponding copies of a legal instrument : duplicate
- a thing that fits another perfectly
- something that completes : complement
- one remarkably similar to another
- one having the same function or characteristics as another
- college presidents and their counterpart s in business
coun·ter·par·ty [-,pär-tē] -n
- a party to a financial transaction
coun·ter·plan ['kau̇n-tər-,plan] -n
- a plan designed to counter another plan
- an alternate or substitute plan
coun·ter·plea [-,plē] -n
- a replication to a legal plea
coun·ter·plot [-,plät] -n
- a plot designed to thwart an opponent's plot
counterplot -vt
- to intrigue against : foil with a plot
coun·ter·point ['kau̇n-tər-,pȯint] -n
- one or more independent melodies added above or below a given melody
- the combination of two or more independent melodies into a single harmonic texture in which each retains its linear character : polyphony
- a complementing or contrasting item : opposite
- use of contrast or interplay of elements in a work of art (as a drama)
counterpoint -vt
- to compose or arrange in counterpoint
- to set off or emphasize by juxtaposition : set in contrast
- counterpoint s the public and the private man -- Tom Bishop
coun·ter·poise [-,pȯiz] -vt
- counterbalance
counterpoise -n
- counterbalance
- an equivalent power or force acting in opposition
- a state of balance
coun·ter·pose [,kau̇n-tər-'pōz] -vt
- to place in opposition, contrast, or equilibrium
- counterpose a positive view to the negative assessment
coun·ter·pro·duc·tive [-prə-'dək-tiv] -adj
- tending to hinder the attainment of a desired goal
- violence as a means to achieve an end is counterproductive -- W. E. Brock b 1930
coun·ter·pro·gram·ming [,kau̇n-tər-'prō-,gra-miŋ, -grə-] -n
- the scheduling of programs by television networks so as to attract audiences away from simultaneously telecast programs of competitors
coun·ter·pro·pos·al ['kau̇n-tər-prə-,pō-zəl] -n
- a return proposal made by one who has rejected a proposal
coun·ter·punch ['kau̇n-tər-,pənch] -n, vi
- a counter in boxing
- a countering blow or attack
coun·ter·ref·or·ma·tion [,kau̇n-tə(r)-,re-fər-'mā-shən] -n
- the reform movement in the Roman Catholic Church following the Reformation
- a reformation designed to counter the effects of a previous reformation
coun·ter·rev·o·lu·tion [-,re-və-'lü-shən] -n, adj or n
- a revolution directed toward overthrowing a government or social system established by a previous revolution
- a movement to counteract revolutionary trends
coun·ter·shad·ing ['kau̇n-tər-,shā-diŋ] -n
- cryptic coloration of an animal with parts normally in shadow being light and parts normally illuminated being dark thereby reducing shadows and contours
coun·ter·sign [-,sīn] -n, vt
- a signature attesting the authenticity of a document already signed by another
- a sign given in reply to another
- a military secret signal that must be given by one wishing to pass a guard
coun·ter·sink ['kau̇n-tər-,siŋk] -vt
- to make a countersink on (a hole)
- to set the head of (as a screw) at or below the surface
countersink -n
- a bit or drill for making a funnel-shaped enlargement at the outer end of a drilled hole
- the enlargement made by a countersink
coun·ter·spy ['kau̇n-tər-,spī] -n
- a spy engaged in counterespionage
coun·ter·stain [-,stān] -vt, n
- to stain (as a microscopy specimen) so as to color parts (as the cytoplasm of cells) not colored by another stain (as a nuclear stain)
coun·ter·ten·or [-,te-nər] -n
- a tenor with an unusually high range (as an alto range)
coun·ter·top [-,täp] -n
- the flat working surface on top of waist-level kitchen cabinets
coun·ter·trade [-,trād] -n
- a form of international trade in which purchases made by an importing nation are linked to offsetting purchases made by the exporting nation
coun·ter·trans·fer·ence [,kau̇n-tər-(,)tran(t)s-'fər-ən(t)s, -'tran(t)s-(,)] -n
- psychological transference esp. by a psychotherapist during the course of treatment
- the psychotherapist's reactions to the patient's transference
- the complex of feelings of a psychotherapist toward the patient
coun·ter·vail [,kau̇n-tər-'vāl] -vb
- to compensate for
- equal, match
- to exert force against : counteract
- to exert force against an opposing and often bad or harmful force or influence
coun·ter·view ['kau̇n-tər-,vyü] -n
- confrontation
- an opposite point of view
coun·ter·weight [-,wāt] -n, vt
- an equivalent weight or force : counterbalance
count·ess ['kau̇n-təs] -n
- the wife or widow of an earl or count
- a woman who holds in her own right the rank of earl or count
coun·ti·an ['kau̇n-tē-ən] -n
- a native or resident of a usu. specified county
count·ing·house ['kau̇n-tiŋ-,hau̇s] -n
- a building, room, or office used for keeping books and transacting business
counting number -n
- natural number
counting room -n
- countinghouse
count·less ['kau̇nt-ləs] -adj, adv
- too numerous to be counted : myriad, many
count noun -n
- a noun (as beanor sheet) that forms a plural and is used with a numeral, with words such as manyor few,or with the indefinite article aor an
count palatine -n
- a count of the Holy Roman Empire having imperial powers in his own domain
- a high judicial official in the Holy Roman Empire
- the proprietor of a county palatine in England or Ireland
coun·tri·fied ['kən-tri-,fīd] -adj
- rural, rustic
- unsophisticated
- played or sung in the manner of country music
coun·try ['kən-trē] -n, adj
- an indefinite usu. extended expanse of land : region
- the land of a person's birth, residence, or citizenship
- a political state or nation or its territory
- the people of a state or district : populace
- jury
- electorate
- rural as distinguished from urban areas
- prefers the country to the city
- country music
country -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of the country
- of or relating to a decorative style associated with life in the country
- possessing a style of rustic simplicity
- prepared or processed with farm supplies and procedures
- of, relating to, suitable for, or featuring country music
country and western -n
- country music usu. hyphenated in attributive use
countryclub -adj
- typical, characteristic, or suggestive of a country club
- having qualities (as affluence) associated with the members of a country club
- a countryclub conservative
country club -n
- a suburban club for social life and recreation
- one having a golf course
coun·trydance ['kən-trē-,dan(t)s] -n
- any of various native English dances in which partners face each other esp. in rows
country gentleman -n
- a well-to-do country resident : an owner of a country estate
- one of the English landed gentry
country house -n
- a house and esp. a mansion in the country
coun·try·man ['kən-trē-mən, 3 often -,man] -n
- an inhabitant or native of a specified country
- compatriot
- one living in the country or marked by country ways : rustic
country mile -n
- a long distance
country music -n
- music derived from or imitating the folk style of the Southern U.S. or of the Western cowboy
country rock -n
- rock music containing elements of country music
coun·try·seat [,kən-trē-'sēt] -n
- a house or estate in the country
coun·try·side ['kən-trē-,sīd] -n
- a rural area
- the inhabitants of a countryside
coun·try·wide ['kən-trē-'wīd] -adj
- extending throughout a country
coun·try·wom·an ['kən-trē-,wu̇-mən] -n
- a woman who is a compatriot
- a woman who is a resident of the country
coun·ty ['kau̇n-tē] -n, adj
- the domain of a count
- one of the territorial divisions of England and Wales and formerly also of Scotland and Northern Ireland constituting the chief units for administrative, judicial, and political purposes
- the people of a county
- the gentry of a county
- the largest territorial division for local government within a state of the U.S.
- the largest local administrative unit in various countries
county -n
- count
county agent -n
- a consultant employed jointly by federal and state governments to provide information about agriculture and home economics
county court -n
- a court in some states that has a designated jurisdiction usu. both civil and criminal within the limits of a county
county fair -n
- a fair usu. held annually at a set location in a county esp. to exhibit local agricultural products and livestock
county palatine -n
- the territory of a count palatine
county seat -n
- a town that is the seat of county administration
county town -n
- county seat
coup ['kōp] -vb
- overturn, upset
- a brilliant, sudden, and usu. highly successful stroke or act
- coup d'etat
coup de grace [,kü-də-'gräs] -n
- a deathblow or death shot administered to end the suffering of one mortally wounded
- a decisive finishing blow, act, or event
coup de main [-'maⁿ] -n
- a sudden attack in force
coup d'etat [,kü-(,)dā-'tä, 'kü-(,)dā-,, -də-] -n
- a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics
- the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group
coup de the·atre [,kü-də-tā-'ätrᵊ] -n
- a sudden sensational turn in a play
- a sudden dramatic effect or turn of events
- a theatrical success
coup d'oeil [kü-'də(r), -'də-ē, -'dœ-yə] -n
- a brief survey : glance
cou·pe [kü-'pā, 2 often 'küp] -n
- a four-wheeled closed horse-drawn carriage for two persons inside with an outside seat for the driver in front
- a 2-door automobile often seating only two persons
- one with a tight-spaced rear seat
cou·ple ['kə-pəl; “couple of” is often ,kə-plə(v)] -n
- two persons married, engaged, or otherwise romantically paired
- two persons paired together
- pair, brace
- : something that joins or links two things together: as
- two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines
- a pair of substances that in contact with an electrolyte participate in a transfer of electrons which causes an electric current to flow
- an indefinite small number : few
- to connect for consideration together
- to join for combined effect
- to fasten together : link
- to bring (two electric circuits) into such close proximity as to permit mutual influence
- to join in marriage or sexual union
- to unite in sexual union
- join
- to unite chemically
couple -adj
- two
- few used with a
cou·ple·ment ['kə-pəl-mənt] -n
- the act or result of coupling
cou·pler ['kə-p(ə-)lər] -n
- one that couples
- a contrivance on a keyboard instrument by which keyboards or keys are connected to play together
cou·plet ['kə-plət] -n
- two successive lines of verse forming a unit marked usu. by rhythmic correspondence, rhyme, or the inclusion of a self-contained utterance : distich
- couple
cou·pling ['kə-pliŋ (usual for 2), -pə-liŋ] -n
- the act of bringing or coming together : pairing
- sexual union
- a device that serves to connect the ends of adjacent parts or objects
- the joining of or the part of the body that joins the hindquarters to the forequarters of a quadruped
- a means of electric connection of two electric circuits by having a part common to both
cou·pon ['kü-,pän, 'kyü-] -n
- a statement of due interest to be cut from a bearer bond when payable and presented for payment
- the interest rate of a coupon
- : a form surrendered in order to obtain an article, service, or accommodation: as
- one of a series of attached tickets or certificates often to be detached and presented as needed
- a ticket or form authorizing purchases of rationed commodities
- a certificate or similar evidence of a purchase redeemable in premiums
- a part of a printed advertisement to be cut off to use as an order blank or inquiry form or to obtain a discount on merchandise or services
cou·pon·ing ['kü-,pä-niŋ, 'kyü-] -n
- the distribution or redemption of coupons
cour·age ['kər-ij, 'kə-rij] -n
- mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty
cou·ra·geous [kə-'rā-jəs] -adj, adv, n
- having or characterized by courage : brave
cou·rante [ku̇-'ränt, -'rant] -n
- a dance of Italian origin marked by quick running steps
- music in quick triple time or in a mixture of and time
cou·reur de bois [ku̇-,rər-də-'bwä] -n
- a French or metis trapper of No. America and esp. of Canada
cour·gette [ku̇r-'zhet] -n
- zucchini
cou·ri·er ['ku̇r-ē-ər, 'kər-ē-, 'kə-rē-] -n
- : messenger: as
- a member of a diplomatic service entrusted with bearing messages
- an espionage agent transferring secret information
- a runner of contraband
- a member of the armed services whose duties include carrying mail, information, or supplies
- a traveler's paid attendant
- a tourists' guide employed by a travel agency
course ['kȯrs] -n
- the act or action of moving in a path from point to point
- : the path over which something moves or extends: as
- racecourse
- the direction of travel of a vehicle (as a ship or airplane) usu. measured as a clockwise angle from north
- the projected path of travel
- a point of the compass
- watercourse
- golf course
- accustomed procedure or normal action
- the law taking its course
- a chosen manner of conducting oneself : way of acting
- our wisest course is to retreat
- progression through a development or period or a series of acts or events
- life history, career
- : an ordered process or succession: as
- a number of lectures or other matter dealing with a subject
- a series of such courses constituting a curriculum
- a series of doses or medications administered over a designated period
- a part of a meal served at one time
- layer
- a continuous level range of brick or masonry throughout a wall
- the lowest sail on a square-rigged mast
- to follow close upon : pursue
- to hunt or pursue (game) with hounds
- to cause (dogs) to run (as after game)
- to run or move swiftly through or over : traverse
- jets coursed the area daily
- to run or pass rapidly along or as if along an indicated path
- blood coursing through the veins
course of study
- curriculum
- course
cours·er ['kȯr-sər] -n
- a swift or spirited horse : charger
courser -n
- a dog for coursing
- one that courses : huntsman
- any of various Old World birds (subfamily Cursoriinae of the family Glareolidae) noted for their speed in running
course·ware ['kȯrs-,wer] -n
- educational software
coursing -n
- the pursuit of running game with dogs that follow by sight instead of by scent
- the act of one that courses
court ['kȯrt] -n
- the residence or establishment of a sovereign or similar dignitary
- a sovereign's formal assembly of councillors and officers
- the sovereign and officers and advisers who are the governing power
- the family and retinue of a sovereign
- a reception held by a sovereign
- a manor house or large building surrounded by usu. enclosed grounds
- motel
- an open space enclosed wholly or partly by buildings or circumscribed by a single building
- a quadrangular space walled or marked off for playing one of various games with a ball (as lawn tennis, handball, or basketball)
- a division of such a court
- a wide alley with only one opening onto a street
- an official assembly for the transaction of judicial business
- a session of such a court
- a place (as a chamber) for the administration of justice
- a judge or judges in session
- a faculty or agency of judgment or evaluation
- rest our case in the court of world opinion -- L. H. Marks
- an assembly or board with legislative or administrative powers
- parliament, legislature
- conduct or attention intended to win favor or dispel hostility : homage
- to seek to gain or achieve
- allure, tempt
- to act so as to invite or provoke
- to seek the affections of
- to seek to win a pledge of marriage from
- to perform actions in order to attract for mating
- a male bird court ing a female
- to seek to attract (as by solicitous attention or offers of advantages)
- college teams court ing high school basketball stars
- to seek an alliance with
- to engage in social activities leading to engagement and marriage
- to engage in activity leading to mating
court bouil·lon ['ku̇r-(,)bü-'yȯⁿ, -(,)bwē-, 'kȯr-] -n
- a liquid made usu. with water, white wine, vegetables, and seasonings and used to poach fish
cour·te·ous ['kər-tē-əs, Brit also 'kȯr-] -adj, adv, n
- marked by polished manners, gallantry, or ceremonial usage of a court
- marked by respect for and consideration of others
cour·te·san ['kȯr-tə-zən, -,zan also 'kər-, -,zän; esp Brit ,kȯr-tə-'zan] -n
- a prostitute with a courtly, wealthy, or upper-class clientele
cour·te·sy ['kər-tə-sē, Brit also 'kȯr-] -n
- courteous behavior
- a courteous act or expression
- general allowance despite facts : indulgence
- hills called mountains by courtesy only
- consideration, cooperation, and generosity in providing something (as a gift or privilege)
- agency, means used chiefly in the phrases through the courtesy of or by courtesy of or sometimes simply courtesy of
courtesy -adj
- granted, provided, or performed as a courtesy or by way of courtesy
- made a courtesy call on the ambassador
courtesy card -n
- a card entitling its holder to some special privilege
courtesy title -n
- a title (as Lord added to the Christian name of a peer's younger son) used in addressing certain lineal relatives of British peers
- a title (as Professor for any teacher) taken by the user and commonly accepted without consideration of official right
court·house ['kȯrt-,hau̇s] -n
- a building in which courts of law are regularly held
- the principal building in which county offices are housed
- county seat
cour·tier ['kȯr-tē-ər, 'kȯrt-yər, 'kȯr-chər] -n
- one in attendance at a royal court
- one who practices flattery
court·ly ['kȯrt-lē] -adj, n
- of a quality befitting the court : elegant
- insincerely flattering
- favoring the policy or party of the court
courtly -adv
- in a courtly manner : politely
courtly love -n
- a late medieval conventionalized code prescribing conduct and emotions of ladies and their lovers
courtmar·tial ['kȯrt-,mär-shəl, -'mär-] -n
- a court consisting of commissioned officers and in some instances enlisted personnel for the trial of members of the armed forces or others within its jurisdiction
- a trial by court-martial
courtmartial [-,mär-sh(ə-)liŋ, -'mär-] -vt
- to subject to trial by court-martial
court of appeals
- a court hearing appeals from the decisions of lower courts called also court of appeal
court of claims
- a court that has jurisdiction over claims (as against a government)
court of common pleas
- a former English superior court having civil jurisdiction
- an intermediate court in some American states that usu. has civil and criminal jurisdiction
court of domestic relations
- a court that has jurisdiction and often special advisory powers over family disputes involving the rights and duties of husband, wife, parent, or child esp. in matters affecting the support, custody, and welfare of children
court of honor
- a tribunal (as a military court) for investigating questions of personal honor
court of inquiry
- a military court that inquires into and reports on some military matter (as an officer's questionable conduct)
court of law
- a court that hears cases and decides them on the basis of statutes or the common law
court of record
- a court whose acts and proceedings are kept on permanent record
Court of St James's [-sənt-'jāmz, -'jām-zəz, -,sānt-]
- the British royal court
court of sessions
- any of various state criminal courts of record
court order -n
- an order issuing from a competent court that requires a party to do or abstain from doing a specified act
court plaster -n
- an adhesive plaster esp. of silk coated with isinglass and glycerin
court reporter -n
- a stenographer who records and transcribes a verbatim report of all proceedings in a court of law
court·room ['kȯrt-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n
- a room in which a court of law is held
court·ship [-,ship] -n
- the act, process, or period of courting
court·side [-,sīd] -n
- the area at the edge of a court (as for tennis or basketball)
court tennis -n
- a game played with a ball and racket in an enclosed court divided by a net
court·yard ['kȯrt-,yärd] -n
- a court or enclosure adjacent to a building (as a house or palace)
cous·cous ['küs-,küs] -n
- a No. African dish of steamed semolina usu. served with meat or vegetables
- the semolina itself
cous·in ['kə-zən] -n, adj
- a child of one's uncle or aunt
- a relative descended from one's grandparent or more remote ancestor by two or more steps and in a different line
- kinsman, relative
- one associated with or related to another : counterpart
- used as a title by a sovereign in addressing a nobleman
- a person of a race or people ethnically or culturally related
cous·in·age ['kə-zə-nij] -n
- relationship of cousins : kinship
- a collection of cousins : kinfolk
cous·inger·man [,kə-zən-'jər-mən] -n
- cousin
Cousin Jack [,kə-zən-'jak] -n
- cornishman
- a Cornish miner
couth ['küth] -adj
- sophisticated, polished
- polish, refinement
- I expected kindness and gentility...but there is such a thing as too much couth -- S. J. Perelman
couth·ie ['kü-thē] -adj
- pleasant, kindly
cou·ture [kü-'tu̇r, -'tᵫr] -n
- the business of designing, making, and selling fashionable custom-made women's clothing
- the designers and establishments engaged in couture
- the clothes created by couture
cou·tu·ri·er [kü-'tu̇r-ē-ər, -ē-,ā] -n
- an establishment engaged in couture
- the proprietor of or designer for such an establishment
cou·tu·ri·ere [kü-'tu̇r-ē-ər, -ē-,er] -n
- a woman who is a couturier
cou·vade [kü-'väd] -n
- a custom in some cultures in which when a child is born the father takes to bed as if bearing the child and submits himself to fasting, purification, or taboos
co·va·lence [,kō-'vā-lən(t)s, 'kō-,] -n
- valence characterized by the sharing of electrons
co·va·len·cy [-lən(t)-sē] -n
- covalence
co·va·lent [,kō-'vā-lənt, 'kō-,] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or characterized by covalent bonds
covalent bond -n
- a chemical bond formed between atoms by the sharing of electrons
co·vari·ance [,kō-'ver-ē-ən(t)s, 'kō-,] -n
- the expected value of the product of the deviations of two random variables from their respective means
- the arithmetic mean of the products of the deviations of corresponding values of two quantitative variables from their respective means
co·var·i·ant [-ənt] -adj
- varying with something else so as to preserve certain mathematical interrelations
co·var·i·ate [-,āt, -ət] -n
- any of two or more random variables exhibiting correlated variation
co·vari·a·tion [,kō-,ver-ē-'ā-shən] -n
- correlated variation of two or more variables
co·vary [-'ver-ē] -vi
- to exhibit covariation
cove ['kōv] -n
- : a recessed place : concavity: as
- an architectural member with a concave cross section
- a trough for concealed lighting at the upper part of a wall
- a small sheltered inlet or bay
- a deep recess or small valley in the side of a mountain
- a level area sheltered by hills or mountains
- to make in a hollow concave form
- man, fellow
co·vel·lite [kō-'ve-,līt, 'kō-və-,] -n
- a usu. blue mineral consisting of a sulfide of copper
co·ven ['kə-vən also 'kō-] -n
- a collection of individuals with similar interests or activities
- an assembly or band of usu. 13 witches
cov·e·nant ['kəv-nənt, 'kə-və-] -n, adj
- a usu. formal, solemn, and binding agreement : compact
- a written agreement or promise usu. under seal between two or more parties esp. for the performance of some action
- the common-law action to recover damages for breach of such a contract
- to promise by a covenant : pledge
- to enter into a covenant : contract
cov·e·nan·tee [,kə-və-,nan-'tē, -nən-] -n
- the person to whom a promise in the form of a covenant is made
cov·e·nant·er ['kə-və-,nan-tər, 1 also ,kə-və-'] -n
- a signer or adherent of the Scottish National Covenant of 1638
- one that makes a covenant
cov·e·nan·tor ['kə-və-,nan-tər; ,kə-və-,nan-'tȯr, -nən-] -n
- a party bound by a covenant
Cov·en·try ['kə-vən-trē also 'kä-] -n
- a state of ostracism or exclusion
cov·er ['kə-vər] -vb, adj, n
- to guard from attack
- to have within the range of one's guns : command
- to hold within range of an aimed firearm
- to afford protection or security to : insure
- to afford protection against or compensation for
- a policy cover ing loss by fire
- to guard (an opponent) in order to obstruct a play
- a linebacker assigned to cover the tight end
- to be in position to receive a throw to (a base in baseball)
- the shortstop was cover ing second
- to make provision for (a demand or charge) by means of a reserve or deposit
- your balance is insufficient to cover the check
- to maintain a check on esp. by patrolling
- to protect by contrivance or expedient
- to hide from sight or knowledge : conceal
- to lie over : envelop
- a blanket cover ing her legs
- to lay or spread something over : overlay
- cover the seed bed with straw
- to spread over
- to appear here and there on the surface of
- a region cover ed with lakes
- to place or set a cover or covering over
- to copulate with (a female animal)
- to sit on and incubate (eggs)
- to invest with a large or excessive amount of something
- cover ed herself with glory
- to play a higher-ranking card on (a previously played card)
- to have sufficient scope to include or take into account
- an examination cover ing a full year's work
- to deal with : treat
- material cover ed in the first chapter
- to have as one's territory or field of activity
- one sales rep cover s the whole state
- to report news about
- reporters cover ing the campaign
- to pass over : traverse
- the hikers cover ed 12 miles that day
- to defray the cost of
- to place one's stake in equal jeopardy with in a bet
- to buy securities or commodities for delivery against (an earlier short sale)
- to record or perform a cover of (a song)
- to conceal something illicit, blameworthy, or embarrassing from notice usu. used with up
- to act as a substitute or replacement during an absence
cover ['kə-vər-ləs] -n, adj
- : something that protects, shelters, or guards: as
- natural shelter for an animal
- the factors that provide such shelter
- a position or situation affording protection from enemy fire
- the protection offered by airplanes in tactical support of a military operation
- coverage
- : something that is placed over or about another thing:
- lid, top
- a binding or case for a book or the analogous part of a magazine
- the front or back of such a binding
- an overlay or outer layer esp. for protection
- a tablecloth and the other table accessories
- cover charge
- roof
- a cloth used on a bed for warmth or for decoration usu. used in pl.
- something (as vegetation or snow) that covers the ground
- the extent to which clouds obscure the sky
- something that conceals or obscures
- a masking device : pretext
- the project was a cover for intelligence operations
- an envelope or wrapper for mail
- one who substitutes for another during an absence
- a recording or performance of a song previously recorded by another performer
cov·er·age ['kəv-rij, 'kə-və-] -n
- : something that covers: as
- inclusion within the scope of an insurance policy or protective plan : insurance
- the amount available to meet liabilities
- inclusion within the scope of discussion or reporting
- the news coverage of the trial
- : the total group covered : scope: as
- all the risks covered by the terms of an insurance contract
- the number or percentage of persons reached by a communications medium
- the act or fact of covering
cov·er·all ['kə-vər-,ȯl] -n, adj
- a one-piece outer garment worn to protect other garments usu. used in pl.
cov·erall ['kə-vər-,ȯl] -adj
- comprehensive
cover charge -n
- a charge made by a restaurant or nightclub in addition to the charge for food and drink
cover crop -n
- a crop planted to prevent soil erosion and to provide humus
covered bridge -n
- a bridge that has its roadway protected by a roof and enclosing sides
covered smut -n
- a smut disease of grains in which the spore masses are held together by the persistent grain membrane and glumes
covered wagon -n
- a wagon with a canvas top supported by bowed strips of wood or metal
cover girl -n
- an attractive young woman whose picture appears on a magazine cover
cover glass -n
- a piece of very thin glass or plastic used to cover material on a microscope slide
cov·er·ing ['kəv-riŋ, 'kə-və-] -n
- something that covers or conceals
covering -adj
- containing explanation of or additional information about an accompanying communication
cov·er·let ['kə-vər-lət, -(,)lid] -n
- bedspread
cov·er·slip ['kə-vər-,slip] -n
- cover glass
cover story -n
- a story accompanying a magazine-cover illustration
co·vert ['kō-(,)vərt, kō-'; 'kə-vərt] -adj, adv, n
- not openly shown, engaged in, or avowed : veiled
- covered over : sheltered
- hiding place : shelter
- a thicket affording cover for game
- a masking or concealing device
- a feather covering the bases of the quills of the wings and tail of a bird
- a firm durable twilled sometimes waterproofed cloth usu. of mixed-color yarns
cov·er·ture ['kə-vər-,chu̇r, -chər, -,tyu̇r, -,tu̇r] -n
- covering
- shelter
- the status a woman acquires upon marriage under common law
cov·erup ['kə-vər-,əp] -n
- a device or stratagem for masking or concealing
- his garrulousness is a coverup for insecurity
- a usu. concerted effort to keep an illegal or unethical act or situation from being made public
- a loose outer garment
cov·et ['kə-vət] -vb, adj, n, adv
- to wish for earnestly
- to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately or culpably
- to feel inordinate desire for what belongs to another
cov·et·ous ['kə-və-təs] -adj, adv, n
- marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions
- having a craving for possession
cov·ey ['kə-vē] -n
- a mature bird or pair of birds with a brood of young
- a small flock
- company, group
- a covey of schoolchildren
cow ['kau̇] -n, adj
- the mature female of cattle (genus Bos)
- the mature female of various usu. large animals (as an elephant, whale, or moose)
- a domestic bovine animal regardless of sex or age
- to destroy the resolve or courage of
- to bring to a state or an action by intimidation used with into
- like too many Asian armies, adept at cow ing a population into feeding them -- Edward Lansdale
cow·ard ['kau̇(-ə)rd] -n, adj
- one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity
cow·ard·ice ['kau̇(-ə)r-dəs, dial -(,)dīs] -n
- lack of courage or resolution
cow·ard·ly [-lē] -adv
- in a cowardly manner
cowardly -adj, n
- being, resembling, or befitting a coward
cow·bane ['kau̇-,bān] -n
- any of several poisonous plants (as a water hemlock) of the carrot family
cow·bell [-,bel] -n
- a bell hung around the neck of a cow to make a sound by which the cow can be located
cow·ber·ry [-,ber-ē] -n
- mountain cranberry
- its fruit
cow·bird [-,bərd] -n
- any of a genus ( Molothrusof the family Icteridae) of New World blackbirds that lay their eggs in the nests of other birds
- one ( M. ater) widespread in the U.S. and southern Canada in which the male is black with a brown head and the female is gray
cow·boy [-,bȯi] -n
- one who tends cattle or horses
- a usu. mounted cattle-ranch hand
- a rodeo performer
- : one having qualities (as recklessness, aggressiveness, or independence) popularly associated with cowboys: as
- a reckless driver
- a business or businessperson operating in an uncontrolled or unregulated manner
cowboy -vi
- to work as a cowboy
- cowboy ed in Texas and Oklahoma
cowboy boot -n
- a boot made with a high arch, a high Cuban heel, and usu. fancy stitching
cowboy hat -n
- a wide-brimmed hat with a large soft crown called also ten-gallon hat
cow·catch·er ['kau̇-,ka-chər, -,ke-] -n
- an inclined frame on the front of a railroad locomotive for throwing obstacles off the track
cow college -n
- a college that specializes in agriculture
- a provincial college or university that lacks culture, sophistication, and tradition
cow·er ['kau̇(-ə)r] -vi
- to shrink away or crouch esp. for shelter from something that menaces, domineers, or dismays
cow·fish ['kau̇-,fish] -n
- any of various small bright-colored bony fishes (family Ostraciidae) with hornlike projections over the eyes
cow·girl [-,gər(-ə)l] -n
- a girl or woman who tends cattle or horses
- a girl or woman who is a rodeo performer
cow·hage ['kau̇-ij] -n
- a tropical woody vine ( Mucuna pruriens) of the legume family with crooked pods covered with barbed hairs that cause severe itching
- these hairs formerly used as a vermifuge
cow·hand ['kau̇-,hand] -n
- cowboy
cow·herd [-,hərd] -n
- one who tends cows
cow·hide [-,hīd] -n
- the hide of a cow
- leather made from this hide
- a coarse whip of rawhide or braided leather
cowhide -vt
- to flog with a cowhide whip
cow horse -n
- cow pony
cowl ['kau̇(-ə)l] -n
- a hood or long hooded cloak esp. of a monk
- a draped neckline on a woman's garment
- a chimney covering designed to improve the draft
- the top portion of the front part of an automobile body forward of the two front doors to which are attached the windshield and instrument board
- cowling
- to cover with or as if with a cowl
cow·lick ['kau̇-,lik] -n
- a lock or tuft of hair growing in a different direction from the rest of the hair
cowl·ing ['kau̇-liŋ] -n
- a removable metal covering that houses the engine and sometimes a part of the fuselage or nacelle of an airplane
- a metal cover for an engine
cowlneck ['kau̇(-ə)l-,nek] -n, adj
- a high loose-fitting turnover collar used esp. for sweaters
cowl·staff ['kōl-,staf, 'kau̇(-ə)l-, 'kül-] -n
- a staff from which a vessel is suspended and carried between two persons
cow·man ['kau̇-mən, -,man] -n
- cowherd, cowboy
- a cattle owner or rancher
cow parsnip -n
- a tall perennial No. American plant ( Heracleum lanatum) of the carrot family with large compound leaves and broad umbels of white or purplish flowers
- a related Eurasian plant ( H. sphondylium) naturalized in the U.S.
cow·pat ['kau̇-,pat] -n
- cow pie
cow·pea ['kau̇-,pē] -n
- a sprawling herb ( Vigna unguiculatasyn. V. sinensis) of the legume family related to the bean and widely cultivated in the southern U.S. esp. for forage and green manure
- its edible seed called also black-eyed pea field pea
Cow·per's gland ['kau̇-pərz-, 'kü-, 'ku̇-] -n
- either of two small glands lying on either side of the male urethra below the prostate gland and discharging a secretion into the semen called also bulbourethral gland
cow pie -n
- a dropping of cow dung
cow·poke ['kau̇-,pōk] -n
- cowboy
cow pony -n
- an agile saddle horse trained for herding cattle
cow·pox ['kau̇-,päks] -n
- a mild eruptive disease of the cow that is caused by a poxvirus (species Cowpox virusof the genus Orthopoxvirus) and that when communicated to humans protects against smallpox
cow·punch·er [-,pən-chər] -n
- cowboy
cow·rie ['kau̇-rē] -n
- any of various marine gastropods (family Cypraeidae) that are widely distributed in warm seas and have glossy and often brightly colored shells
- the shell of a cowrie
cow·shed ['kau̇-,shed] -n
- a shed for the housing of cows
cow·slip ['kau̇-,slip] -n
- a common European primrose ( Primula veris) with fragrant yellow flowers
- marsh marigold
cow town -n
- a town or city that serves as a market center or shipping point for cattle
- a usu. small unsophisticated town within a cattle-raising area
cox ['käks] -n, adj
- coxswain
- coxswain
COX ['käks] -n
- cyclooxygenase often used with the number 1 or 2 to indicate one of the two variants of the enzyme
coxa ['käk-sə] -n, adj
- the basal segment of a limb of various arthropods (as an insect)
cox·comb ['käks-,kōm] -n, adj
- a jester's cap adorned with a strip of red
- pate, head
- fool
- a conceited foolish person : fop
cox·comb·ry ['käks-kəm-rē, -,kōm-] -n
- behavior that is characteristic of a coxcomb : foppery
Cox·sack·ie virus [(,)käk-'sa-kē-] -n
- any of numerous serotypes of three enteroviruses (species Human enterovirus A, Human enterovirus B,and Human enterovirus C) that are associated with or cause human disease (as hand, foot and mouth disease and some forms of meningitis)
cox·swain ['käk-sən, -,swān] -n
- a sailor who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew and who usu. steers
- a steersman of a racing shell who usu. directs the rowers
coxswain -vt
- to direct as coxswain
- to act as coxswain
COX2 inhibitor ['käks-'tü-] -n
- any of a class of drugs used to treat the pain and inflammation of arthritis by selectively blocking the variant of cyclooxygenase causing these symptoms
coy ['kȯi] -adj, adv, n
- shrinking from contact or familiarity
- 'tis but a kiss I beg, Why art thou coy? -- Shak.
- marked by cute, coquettish, or artful playfulness
- showing reluctance to make a definite commitment
- caress
- to act coyly
coy·dog ['kȯi-,dȯg] -n
- a hybrid between a coyote and a feral dog
coy·ote [kī-'ō-tē, chiefly Western 'kī-,ōt] -n
- a buff-gray to reddish-gray No. American canid ( Canis latrans) closely related to but smaller than the wolf
- one who smuggles immigrants into the U.S.
coy·o·til·lo [,kī-ə-'ti-(,)lō, ,kȯi-ə-, -'tē-(,)yō] -n
- a shrub ( Karwinskia humboldtiana) of the buckthorn family of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico having poisonous berries
coy·pu ['kȯi-(,)pü, kȯi-'] -n
- nutria
coz ['kəz] -n
- cousin
coz·en ['kə-zən] -vt, n
- to deceive, win over, or induce to do something by artful coaxing and wheedling or shrewd trickery
- to gain by cozening someone
- cozen ed his supper out of the old couple
coz·en·age ['kəz-nij, 'kə-zə-] -n
- the art or practice of cozening : fraud
- an act or an instance of cozening
co·zy ['kō-zē] -adj, adv, n
- enjoying or affording warmth and ease : snug
- marked by or providing contentment or comfort
- marked by the intimacy of the family or a close group
- marked by or suggesting close association or connivance
- marked by a discreet and cautious attitude or procedure
cozy -n
- a padded covering esp. for a teapot to keep the contents hot
- a light detective story that usu. features a well-educated protagonist and little explicit violence
- in a cautious manner
- play it cozy and wait for the other team to make a mistake -- Bobby Dodd
cozy up -vi
- to attain or try to attain familiarity, friendship, or intimacy : ingratiate oneself