el ['el] -n

  1. the letter l
  2. an urban railway that operates chiefly on an elevated structure
  3. a train belonging to such a railway
  4. elevation

elab·o·rate [i-'la-b(ə-)rət] -adj, adv, n

  1. planned or carried out with great care
    • took elaborate precautions
  2. marked by complexity, fullness of detail, or ornateness
    • elaborate prose
  3. to produce by labor
  4. to build up (as complex organic compounds) from simple ingredients
  5. to work out in detail : develop
    • elaborate a theory
  6. to become elaborate
  7. to expand something in detail
    • would you care to elaborate on that statement

Elaine [i-'lān] -n

  1. any of several women in Arthurian legend
  2. one who dies for unrequited love of Lancelot

Elam·ite ['ē-lə-,mīt] -n

  1. a language of unknown affinities used in Elam approximately from the 25th to the 4th centuries b.c.

elan [ā-'läⁿ] -n

  1. vigorous spirit or enthusiasm

eland ['ē-lənd, -,land] -n

  1. either of two large African antelopes ( Taurotragus oryxsyn. Tragelaphus oryxand Taurotragus derbianussyn. Tragelaphus derbianus) bovine in form with short spirally twisted horns in both sexes

elan vi·tal [ā-läⁿ-vē-täl] -n

  1. the vital force or impulse of life
  2. a creative principle held by Bergson to be immanent in all organisms and responsible for evolution

el·a·pid ['e-lə-pəd] -n

  1. any of a family (Elapidae) of venomous snakes (as the cobras and coral snakes) with hollow fangs

elapse [i-'laps] -vi

  1. pass, go by
    • four years elapsed before he returned
  2. passage
    • returned after an elapse of 15 years

elapsed time -n

  1. the actual time taken (as by a boat or automobile in traveling over a racecourse)

elas·mo·branch [i-'laz-mə-,braŋk] -n, adj

  1. any of a subclass (Elasmobranchii) of cartilaginous fishes that have five to seven lateral to ventral gill openings on each side and that comprise the sharks, rays, skates, and extinct related fishes

elas·tase [i-'las-,tās, -,tāz] -n

  1. an enzyme esp. of pancreatic juice that digests elastin

elas·tic [i-'las-tik] -adj, adv

  1. capable of recovering size and shape after deformation
  2. relating to or being a collision between particles in which the total kinetic energy of the particles remains unchanged
  3. capable of recovering quickly esp. from depression or disappointment
    • my elastic spirits revived -- Wilkie Collins
  4. capable of being easily stretched or expanded and resuming former shape : flexible
    • an elastic bandage
  5. capable of ready change or easy expansion or contraction : not rigid or constricted
    • an elastic concept
  6. receptive to new ideas : adaptable
    • an elastic mind

elastic -n

  1. easily stretched rubber usu. prepared in cords, strings, or bands
  2. rubber band
  3. an elastic fabric usu. made of yarns containing rubber
  4. something made from this fabric

elastic fiber -n

  1. a thick very elastic smooth yellowish anastomosing fiber of connective tissue that contains elastin

elas·tic·i·ty [i-,las-'ti-sə-tē, ,ē-,las-, -'tis-tē] -n

  1. : the quality or state of being elastic: as
  2. the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation : springiness
  3. resilience
  4. the quality of being adaptable
  5. the responsiveness of a dependent economic variable to changes in influencing factors
    • elasticity of demand
    • price elasticity

elas·ti·cized [i-'las-tə-,sīzd] -adj

  1. made with elastic thread or inserts
    • an elasticized waistband

elastic limit -n

  1. the greatest stress that an elastic solid can sustain without undergoing permanent deformation

elastic modulus -n

  1. the ratio of the stress in a body to the corresponding strain

elastic scattering -n

  1. a scattering of particles as the result of an elastic collision

elas·tin [i-'las-tən] -n

  1. a protein that is similar to collagen and is the chief constituent of elastic fibers

elas·to·mer [-tə-mər] -n, adj

  1. any of various elastic substances resembling rubber
    • polyvinyl elastomer s

elate [i-'lāt] -vt

  1. to fill with joy or pride
  2. elated
    • I smiled to myself and felt elate -- Charlotte Bronte

elated -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by high spirits : exultant

el·a·ter ['e-lə-tər] -n

  1. : a plant structure functioning in the dispersal of spores: as
  2. one of the elongated filaments among the spores in the capsule of a liverwort
  3. one of the filamentous appendages of the spores in the horsetails

ela·tion [i-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the quality or state of being elated
  2. pathological euphoria

El·ba ['el-bə] -n

  1. a place or state of exile

el·bow ['el-,bō] -n

  1. the joint of the human arm
  2. a corresponding joint in the anterior limb of a lower vertebrate
  3. something (as macaroni or an angular pipe fitting) resembling an elbow

elbow -vt

  1. to push with the elbow : jostle
  2. to shove aside by pushing with or as if with the elbow
    • people elbow ed each other to get a better view
  3. to force (as one's way) by pushing with or as if with the elbow
    • elbow ing our way through the crowd
  4. to advance by pushing with the elbow
  5. to make an angle : turn

elbow grease -n

  1. vigorously applied physical labor : hard work

el·bow room ['el-,bō-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n

  1. room for moving the elbows freely
  2. adequate space for work or operation
    • a lab with plenty of elbow room
  3. free scope
    • elbow room to try new ideas

el cheapo [(,)el-'chē-(,)pō, 'el-] -adj

  1. cheap

eld ['eld] -n

  1. old age
  2. old times : antiquity

el·der ['el-dər] -n

  1. elderberry

elder -adj

  1. of earlier birth or greater age
    • his elder brother
  2. of or relating to earlier times : former
  3. of or relating to a more advanced time of life
  4. prior or superior in rank, office, or validity
  5. one living in an earlier period
  6. one who is older : senior
    • a child trying to please her elder s
  7. an aged person
  8. one having authority by virtue of age and experience
    • the village elder s
  9. : any of various officers of religious groups: as
  10. presbyter
  11. a permanent officer elected by a Presbyterian congregation and ordained to serve on the session and assist the pastor at communion
  12. minister
  13. a leader of the Shakers
  14. a Mormon ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood

el·der·ber·ry ['el-də(r)-,ber-ē, -,be-rē] -n

  1. the edible black or red berrylike drupe of any of a genus ( Sambucus) of shrubs or trees of the honeysuckle family bearing flat clusters of small white or pink flowers
  2. a tree or shrub bearing elderberries

el·der·ly ['el-dər-lē] -adj, n

  1. rather old
  2. being past middle age
  3. old-fashioned
  4. of, relating to, or characteristic of later life or elderly persons

elderly -n

  1. an elderly person

elder statesman -n

  1. an eminent senior member of a group or organization
  2. a retired statesman who unofficially advises current leaders

el·dest ['el-dəst] -adj

  1. of the greatest age or seniority : oldest
    • my eldest daughter

eldest hand -n

  1. the card player who first receives cards in the deal

El Do·ra·do [,el-də-'rä-(,)dō, -'rā-] -n

  1. a city or country of fabulous riches held by 16th century explorers to exist in So. America
  2. a place of fabulous wealth or opportunity

el·dress ['el-drəs] -n

  1. a woman who is an elder esp. of the Shakers

el·dritch ['el-drich] -adj

  1. weird, eerie
    • whose voice had risen to a kind of eldritch singsong -- R. L. Stevenson

El·e·at·ic [,el-ē-'a-tik] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to a school of Greek philosophers founded by Parmenides and developed by Zeno and marked by belief in the unity of being and the unreality of motion or change

elec -abbr

  1. electric, electrical, electricity

ele·cam·pane [,e-li-,kam-'pān] -n

  1. a large coarse Eurasian composite herb ( Inula helenium) that has yellow ray flowers and is naturalized in the U.S.

elect [i-'lekt] -adj

  1. carefully selected : chosen
  2. chosen for salvation through divine mercy
  3. chosen for office or position but not yet installed
    • the president- elect
  4. chosen for marriage at some future time
    • the bride- elect
  5. one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor)
  6. a select or exclusive group of people
  7. to select by vote for an office, position, or membership
    • elect ed her class president
  8. to make a selection of
    • will elect an academic program
  9. to choose (as a course of action) esp. by preference
    • might elect to sell the business
  10. to make a selection

elect·able [i-'lek-tə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being elected (as to public office)

elec·tion [i-'lek-shən] -n

  1. an act or process of electing
    • the election of a new governor
  2. the fact of being elected
    • her election to the Senate
  3. predestination to eternal life
  4. the right, power, or privilege of making a choice

Election Day -n

  1. a day legally established for the election of public officials
  2. the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in an even year designated for national elections in the U.S. and observed as a legal holiday in many states

elec·tion·eer [i-,lek-shə-'nir] -vi, n

  1. to take an active part in an election
  2. to work for the election of a candidate or party

elec·tive [i-'lek-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. chosen or filled by popular election
    • an elective official
  2. of or relating to election
  3. based on the right or principle of election
    • the presidency is an elective office
  4. permitting a choice : optional
    • an elective course in school
  5. beneficial to the patient but not essential for survival
    • elective surgery
  6. tending to operate on one substance rather than another
    • elective absorption
  7. favorably inclined to one more than to another : sympathetic
    • an elective affinity

elective -n

  1. an elective course or subject

elec·tor [i-'lek-tər, -,tȯr] -n

  1. one qualified to vote in an election
  2. : one entitled to participate in an election: as
  3. any of the German princes entitled to take part in choosing the Holy Roman Emperor
  4. a member of the electoral college in the U.S.

elec·tor·al [i-'lek-t(ə-)rəl, ,ē-lek-'tȯr-əl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to an elector
    • the electoral vote
  2. of or relating to election
    • an electoral system

electoral college -n

  1. a body of electors
  2. one that elects the president and vice president of the U.S.

elec·tor·ate [i-'lek-t(ə-)rət] -n

  1. the territory, jurisdiction, or dignity of a German elector
  2. a body of people entitled to vote

electr- -comb form

  1. electricity
    • electro meter
  2. electric
    • electr ode
    : electric and
    • electro chemical
    : electrically
    • electro positive
  3. electrolytic
    • electro analysis
  4. electron
    • electro philic

Elec·tra [i-'lek-trə] -n

  1. a sister of Orestes who aids him in killing their mother Clytemnestra

Electra complex -n

  1. the Oedipus complex when it occurs in a female

elec·tress [i-'lek-trəs] -n

  1. the wife or widow of a German elector

elec·tret [i-'lek-trət, -,tret] -n

  1. a dielectric body in which a permanent state of electric polarization has been set up

elec·tric [i-'lek-trik, ē-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or operated by electricity
    • an electric current
    • an electric heater
  2. exciting as if by electric shock
    • an electric performance
    • an electric personality
  3. charged with strong emotion
    • the room was electric with tension
  4. electronic
  5. amplifying sound by electronic means used of a musical instrument
    • an electric guitar
  6. very bright
    • electric blue
    • electric orange

electric -n

  1. a nonconductor of electricity used to excite or accumulate electricity
  2. something (as a light, automobile, or train) operated by electricity

electrical storm -n

  1. thunderstorm called also electric storm

electric chair -n

  1. a chair used in legal electrocution
  2. the penalty of death by electrocution

electric eel -n

  1. a large eel-shaped fish ( Electrophorus electricus) of the Orinoco and Amazon basins that is capable of giving a severe shock with its electric organs

electric eye -n

  1. photoelectric cell

electric field -n

  1. a region associated with a distribution of electric charge or a varying magnetic field in which forces due to that charge or field act upon other electric charges

elec·tri·cian [i-,lek-'tri-shən, ē-,] -n

  1. one who installs, maintains, operates, or repairs electrical equipment

elec·tric·i·ty [i-,lek-'tri-sə-tē, ē-,, -'tris-tē] -n

  1. a fundamental form of energy observable in positive and negative forms that occurs naturally (as in lightning) or is produced (as in a generator) and that is expressed in terms of the movement and interaction of electrons
  2. electric current or power
  3. a science that deals with the phenomena and laws of electricity
  4. keen contagious excitement
    • could feel the electricity in the room

electric organ -n

  1. a specialized tract of tissue (as in the electric eel) in which electricity is generated

electric ray -n

  1. any of various round-bodied short-tailed rays (family Torpedinidae) of warm seas with a pair of electric organs

elec·tri·fi·ca·tion [i-,lek-trə-fə-'kā-shən, ē-,] -n

  1. an act or process of electrifying
  2. the state of being electrified

elec·tri·fy [i-'lek-trə-,fī, ē-'] -vt

  1. to charge with electricity
  2. to equip for use of electric power
  3. to supply with electric power
  4. to amplify (music) electronically
  5. to excite intensely or suddenly
    • the news electrified the nation

elec·tro·acous·tics [i-,lek-trō-ə-'küs-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj

  1. a science that deals with the transformation of acoustic energy into electric energy or vice versa

elec·tro·anal·y·sis [-ə-'na-lə-səs] -n, adj

  1. chemical analysis by electrolytic methods

elec·tro·car·dio·gram [-'kär-dē-ə-,gram] -n

  1. the tracing made by an electrocardiograph
  2. the procedure for producing an electrocardiogram

elec·tro·car·dio·graph [-,graf] -n, adj, adv

  1. an instrument for recording the changes of electrical potential occurring during the heartbeat used esp. in diagnosing abnormalities of heart action

elec·tro·cau·tery [-'kȯ-tə-rē] -n

  1. cauterization of tissue by means of an instrument heated by an electric current

elec·tro·chem·is·try [-'ke-mə-strē] -n, adj, adv

  1. a science that deals with the relation of electricity to chemical changes and with the interconversion of chemical and electrical energy

elec·tro·con·vul·sive [i-,lek-trō-kən-'vəl-siv] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving convulsive response to electroshock
    • electroconvulsive shocks

electroconvulsive therapy -n

  1. electroshock therapy

elec·tro·cor·ti·co·gram [i-,lek-trō-'kȯr-ti-kə-,gram] -n

  1. an electroencephalogram made with the electrodes in direct contact with the brain

elec·tro·cute [i-'lek-trə-,kyüt] -vt, n

  1. to execute (a criminal) by electricity
  2. to kill by electric shock

elec·trode [i-'lek-,trōd] -n

  1. a conductor used to establish electrical contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit
  2. an element in a semiconductor device (as a transistor) that emits or collects electrons or holes or controls their movements

elec·tro·de·pos·it [i-,lek-trō-di-'pä-zət] -n

  1. a deposit formed in or at an electrode by electrolysis

electrodeposit [-,de-pə-'zi-shən, -,dē-pə-] -vt, n

  1. to deposit (as a metal or rubber) by electrolysis

elec·tro·der·mal [i-,lek-trō-'dər-məl] -adj

  1. of or relating to electrical activity in or electrical properties of the skin

elec·tro·des·ic·ca·tion [i-,lek-trō-,de-si-'kā-shən] -n

  1. the drying up of tissue by a high-frequency electric current applied with a needle-shaped electrode called also fulguration

elec·tro·di·al·y·sis [i-,lek-trō-dī-'a-lə-səs] -n, adj

  1. dialysis accelerated by an electromotive force applied to electrodes adjacent to the membranes

elec·tro·dy·nam·ics [-dī-'na-miks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj

  1. a branch of physics that deals with the effects arising from the interactions of electric currents with magnets, with other currents, or with themselves

elec·tro·en·ceph·a·lo·gram [-in-'se-f(ə-)lə-,gram] -n

  1. the tracing of brain waves made by an electroencephalograph

elec·tro·en·ceph·a·lo·graph [-,graf] -n, adj, adv

  1. an apparatus for detecting and recording brain waves

elec·tro·fish·ing [i-'lek-trō-,fi-shiŋ] -n

  1. fishing that employs a direct electric current to attract and usu. temporarily immobilize fish for easy capture

elec·tro·form [i-'lek-trə-,fȯrm] -vt, n

  1. to form (shaped articles) by electrodeposition on a mold

elec·tro·gen·ic [i-,lek-trə-'je-nik] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to the production of electrical activity in living tissue
    • an electrogenic pump

elec·tro·gram [i-'lek-trə-,gram] -n

  1. a tracing of the electrical potentials of a tissue (as the brain or heart) made by means of electrodes placed directly in the tissue instead of on the surface of the body

elec·tro·hy·drau·lic [i-,lek-trō-hī-'drȯ-lik, -'drä-] -adj

  1. of or relating to a combination of electric and hydraulic mechanisms
  2. involving or produced by the action of very brief but powerful pulse discharges of electricity under a liquid resulting in the generation of shock waves and highly reactive chemical species
    • an electrohydraulic effect

elec·tro·jet [i-'lek-trə-,jet] -n

  1. a concentration of atmospheric electric current found in the regions of strong auroral displays and along the magnetic equator

elec·tro·ki·net·ic [i-,lek-trō-kə-'ne-tik, -kī-] -adj

  1. of or relating to the motion of particles or liquids that results from or produces a difference of electric potential

elec·tro·ki·net·ics [-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. a branch of physics dealing with the motion of electric currents or charged particles

elec·tro·less [i-'lek-,trō-ləs, -trə-] -adj

  1. being or involving deposition of metal by chemical means instead of by electrodeposition

elec·trol·o·gist [i-,lek-'trä-lə-jist] -n

  1. a person who removes hair by means of an electric current applied to the body with a needle-shaped electrode

elec·tro·lu·mi·nes·cent [i-,lek-trō-,lü-mə-'ne-sᵊnt] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to luminescence resulting from a high-frequency discharge through a gas or from application of a current to a layer of phosphor

elec·trol·y·sis [i-,lek-'trä-lə-səs] -n

  1. the producing of chemical changes by passage of an electric current through an electrolyte
  2. subjection to this action
  3. the destruction of hair roots by an electrologist using direct current

elec·tro·lyte [i-'lek-trə-,līt] -n

  1. a nonmetallic electric conductor in which current is carried by the movement of ions
  2. a substance that when dissolved in a suitable solvent or when fused becomes an ionic conductor
  3. any of the ions (as of sodium or calcium) that in biological fluid regulate or affect most metabolic processes (as the flow of nutrients into and waste products out of cells)

elec·tro·lyt·ic [i-,lek-trə-'li-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to electrolysis or an electrolyte
    • an electrolytic cell
  2. produced by or used in electrolysis
    • electrolytic copper

elec·tro·lyze [i-'lek-trə-,līz] -vt

  1. to subject to electrolysis

elec·tro·mag·net [i-,lek-trō-'mag-nət] -n

  1. a core of magnetic material (as iron) surrounded by a coil of wire through which an electric current is passed to magnetize the core

elec·tro·mag·net·ic [-mag-'ne-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or produced by electromagnetism

electromagnetic pulse -n

  1. high-intensity electromagnetic radiation generated by a nuclear blast high above the earth's surface and held to disrupt electronic and electrical systems

electromagnetic radiation -n

  1. energy in the form of electromagnetic waves
  2. a series of electromagnetic waves

electromagnetic spectrum -n

  1. the entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including visible light

electromagnetic unit -n

  1. any of a system of electrical units based primarily on the magnetic properties of electrical currents

electromagnetic wave -n

  1. one of the waves that are propagated by simultaneous periodic variations of electric and magnetic field intensity and that include radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays

elec·tro·mag·ne·tism [i-,lek-trō-'mag-nə-,ti-zəm] -n

  1. magnetism developed by a current of electricity
  2. a fundamental physical force that is responsible for interactions between charged particles which occur because of their charge and for the emission and absorption of photons, that is about a hundredth the strength of the strong force, and that extends over infinite distances but is dominant over atomic and molecular distances called also electromagnetic force
  3. a branch of physical science that deals with the physical relations between electricity and magnetism

elec·tro·me·chan·i·cal [-mə-'ka-ni-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or being a mechanical process or device actuated or controlled electrically
  2. being a transducer for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy

elec·tro·met·al·lur·gy [-'me-tə-,lər-jē, esp Brit -mə-'ta-lər-] -n

  1. a branch of metallurgy that deals with the application of electric current either for electrolytic deposition or as a source of heat

elec·trom·e·ter [i-,lek-'trä-mə-tər] -n

  1. any of various instruments for detecting or measuring potential differences or ionizing radiations by means of the forces of attraction or repulsion between charged bodies

elec·tro·mo·tive force [i-,lek-trō-,mō-tiv-, -trə-] -n

  1. something that moves or tends to move electricity
  2. the apparent force that drives a current around an electrical circuit and that is equivalent to the potential difference between the terminals of the circuit

elec·tro·myo·gram [i-,lek-trō-'mī-ə-,gram] -n

  1. a tracing made by an electromyograph

elec·tro·myo·graph [-,graf] -n, adj, adv

  1. an instrument that converts the electrical activity associated with functioning skeletal muscle into a visual record or into sound and is used to diagnose neuromuscular disorders and in biofeedback training

elec·tron [i-'lek-,trän] -n

  1. an elementary particle consisting of a charge of negative electricity equal to about 1.602 10 19coulomb and having a mass when at rest of about 9.109 10 31kilogram or about that of a proton

electron cloud -n

  1. the system of electrons surrounding the nucleus of an atom

elec·tro·neg·a·tive [i-,lek-trō-'ne-gə-tiv] -adj, n

  1. having a tendency to attract electrons

electron gas -n

  1. a population of free electrons in a vacuum or in a metallic conductor

electron gun -n

  1. an electron-emitting cathode and its surrounding assembly (as electromagnets in a cathode-ray tube) for directing, controlling, and focusing a beam of electrons

elec·tron·ic [i-,lek-'trä-nik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to electrons
  2. of, relating to, or utilizing devices constructed or working by the methods or principles of electronics
    • electronic fuel injection
  3. implemented on or by means of a computer : involving a computer
    • electronic banking
  4. generating musical tones by electronic means
    • an electronic organ
  5. of, relating to, or being music that consists of sounds electronically generated or modified
  6. of, relating to, or being a medium (as television) by which information is transmitted electronically
    • electronic journalism

elec·tron·i·ca [i-,lek-'trä-ni-kə] -n

  1. dance music featuring extensive use of synthesizers, electronic percussion, and samples of recorded music or sound

electronic countermeasure -n

  1. the disruption of the operation of an enemy's equipment (as by jamming radio or radar signals)

electronic mail -n

  1. e-mail

electronic publishing -n

  1. publishing in which information is distributed by means of a computer network or is produced in a format for use with a computer

elec·tron·ics [i-,lek-'trä-niks] -n pl

  1. a branch of physics that deals with the emission, behavior, and effects of electrons (as in electron tubes and transistors) and with electronic devices
  2. electronic components, devices, or equipment

electron micrograph [-mī-'krä-grə-fē] -n

  1. a micrograph made with an electron microscope

electron microscope -n

  1. an electron-optical instrument in which a beam of electrons is used to produce an enlarged image of a minute object

electron multiplier -n

  1. a device utilizing secondary emission of electrons for amplifying a current of electrons

electron optics [i-,lek-,trän-'äp-ti-kəl] -n pl but sing in constr, adj

  1. a branch of physics in which the principles of optics are applied to beams of electrons

electron probe -n

  1. a microprobe that uses an electron beam to induce X-ray emissions in a sample

electron transport -n

  1. the sequential transfer of electrons esp. by cytochromes in cellular respiration from an oxidizable substrate to molecular oxygen by a series of oxidation-reduction reactions

electron tube -n

  1. an electronic device in which conduction by electrons takes place through a vacuum or a gaseous medium within a sealed glass or metal container and which has various uses based on the controlled flow of electrons

electron volt -n

  1. a unit of energy equal to the energy gained by an electron in passing from a point of low potential to a point one volt higher in potential : 1.60 10 19joule

elec·tro·oc·u·lo·gram [i-,lek-trō-'ä-kyə-lə-,gram] -n

  1. a record of the difference in electrical charge between the front and back of the eye that is correlated with eyeball movement (as in REM sleep) and obtained by electrodes placed on the skin near the eye

elec·tro·oc·u·log·ra·phy [-,ä-kyə-'lä-grə-fē] -n

  1. the preparation and study of electrooculograms

elec·troop·ti·cal [i-,lek-trō-'äp-ti-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to electro-optics
  2. relating to or being a change in the refractive index of a material due to an electric field
    • electrooptical effect
  3. using or being a material that exhibits electro-optical properties
    • an electrooptical crystal
  4. relating to or being an electronic device for emitting, modulating, transmitting, or sensing light

elec·troop·tics [-trō-'äp-tiks] -n pl

  1. a branch of physics that deals with the effects of an electric field on light traversing it
  2. electro-optical devices

elec·tro·os·mo·sis [i-,lek-trō-äz-'mō-səs, -äs-] -n, adj

  1. the movement of a liquid out of or through a porous material or a biological membrane under the influence of an electric field

elec·tro·phe·ro·gram [-trə-'fir-ə-,gram, -'fer-] -n

  1. electrophoretogram

elec·tro·phile [i-'lek-trə-,fī(-ə)l] -n

  1. an electrophilic substance (as an electron-accepting reagent)

elec·tro·phil·ic [i-,lek-trə-'fi-lik] -adj, n

  1. having an affinity for electrons : being an electron acceptor
  2. involving an electrophilic species
    • an electrophilic reaction

elec·tro·pho·re·sis [-trə-fə-'rē-səs] -n, vt, adj, adv

  1. the movement of suspended particles through a medium (as paper or gel) under the action of an electromotive force applied to electrodes in contact with the suspension

elec·tro·pho·reto·gram [-'re-tə-,gram] -n

  1. a record that consists of the separated components of a mixture (as of proteins) produced by electrophoresis in a supporting medium (as filter paper)

elec·troph·o·rus [i-,lek-'trä-fə-rəs] -n

  1. a device for producing electric charges consisting of a disk that is negatively electrified by friction and a metal plate that becomes charged by induction when placed on the disk

elec·tro·pho·tog·ra·phy [i-,lek-trō-fə-'tä-grə-fē] -n, adj

  1. photography in which images are produced by electrical means (as in xerography)

elec·tro·phys·i·ol·o·gy [i-,lek-trō-,fi-zē-'ä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv

  1. physiology that is concerned with the electrical aspects of physiological phenomena
  2. electrical phenomena associated with a physiological process (as the function of a body or bodily part)
    • electrophysiology of the eye

elec·tro·plate [i-'lek-trə-,plāt] -vt

  1. to plate with an adherent continuous coating by electrodeposition

elec·tro·po·ra·tion [i-,lek-trə-pȯr-'ā-shən] -n

  1. the application of an electric current to a living surface (as the skin or a cell membrane) in order to open pores or channels through which something (as a drug or DNA) may pass

elec·tro·pos·i·tive [i-,lek-trō-'pä-zə-tiv, -'päz-tiv] -adj

  1. having a tendency to release electrons

elec·tro·re·cep·tor [-ri-'sep-tər] -n

  1. a vertebrate organ found esp. in fish that contains sensory cells capable of detecting electric fields

elec·tro·ret·i·no·gram [-'re-tə-nə-,gram] -n

  1. a graphic record of electrical activity of the retina used esp. in the diagnosis of retinal conditions

elec·tro·ret·i·no·graph [-,graf] -n, adj

  1. an instrument for recording electrical activity in the retina

elec·tro·scope [i-'lek-trə-,skōp] -n

  1. any of various instruments for detecting the presence of an electric charge on a body, for determining whether the charge is positive or negative, or for indicating and measuring intensity of radiation

elec·tro·shock [-trō-,shäk] -n

  1. shock
  2. electroshock therapy

electroshock therapy -n

  1. the treatment of mental disorder and esp. depression by the application of electric current to the head of a usu. anesthetized patient that induces unconsciousness and convulsive seizures in the brain called also electroconvulsive therapy

elec·tro·stat·ic [i-,lek-trə-'sta-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to static electricity or electrostatics
  2. of or relating to painting with a spray that utilizes electrically charged particles to ensure complete coating

electrostatic generator -n

  1. Van de Graaff generator

electrostatic precipitator -n

  1. an electrostatic device in chimney flues that removes particles from escaping gases

elec·tro·stat·ics [i-,lek-trə-'sta-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. physics that deals with phenomena due to attractions or repulsions of electric charges but not dependent upon their motion

elec·tro·sur·gery [i-,lek-trō-'sər-jə-rē] -n, adj

  1. surgery by means of diathermy

elec·tro·ther·a·py [-'ther-ə-pē] -n

  1. the therapeutic use of electricity

elec·tro·ther·mal [-'thər-məl] -adj, adv

  1. relating to or combining electricity and heat
  2. relating to the generation of heat by electricity

elec·tro·ton·ic [i-,lek-trə-'tä-nik] -adj, adv

  1. of, induced by, relating to, or constituting electrotonus
  2. of, relating to, or being the spread of electrical activity through living tissue or cells in the absence of repeated action potentials

elec·trot·o·nus [i-,lek-'trä-tə-nəs] -n

  1. the altered sensitivity of a nerve when a constant current of electricity passes through any part of it

elec·tro·type [i-'lek-trə-,tīp] -n, vt

  1. a duplicate printing surface made by an electroplating process
  2. a copy (as of a coin) made by an electroplating process

elec·tro·weak [i-'lek-trō-,wēk] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being the unification of electromagnetism and the weak force

elec·tro·win·ning [i-'lek-trō-,wi-niŋ] -n

  1. the recovery esp. of metals from solutions by electrolysis

elec·trum [i-'lek-trəm] -n

  1. a natural pale yellow alloy of gold and silver

elec·tu·ary [i-'lek-chə-,wer-ē, -chü-,er-] -n

  1. confection

el·e·doi·sin [,e-lə-'dȯi-sᵊn] -n

  1. a small protein C 54H 85N 13O 15S from the salivary glands of several octopuses (genus Eledone) that is a powerful vasodilator and hypotensive agent

el·ee·mo·sy·nary [,e-li-'mä-sə-,ner-ē, -'mō-; -'mä-zə-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or supported by charity

el·e·gance ['e-li-gən(t)s] -n

  1. refined grace or dignified propriety : urbanity
  2. tasteful richness of design or ornamentation
    • the sumptuous elegance of the furnishings
  3. dignified gracefulness or restrained beauty of style : polish
    • the essay is marked by lucidity, wit, and elegance
  4. scientific precision, neatness, and simplicity
    • the elegance of a mathematical proof
  5. something that is elegant

el·e·gan·cy [-gən(t)-sē] -n

  1. elegance

el·e·gant ['e-li-gənt] -adj, adv

  1. marked by elegance
    • elegant clothes
    • an elegant solution
  2. of a high grade or quality : splendid
    • elegant gems priced at hundreds of thousands of dollars

ele·gi·ac [,e-lə-'jī-ək, -,ak also i-'lē-jē-,ak] -adj, n, adv

  1. of, relating to, or consisting of two dactylic hexameter lines the second of which lacks the arsis in the third and sixth feet
  2. written in or consisting of elegiac couplets
  3. noted for having written poetry in such couplets
  4. of or relating to the period in Greece about the seventh century b.c.when poetry written in such couplets flourished
  5. of, relating to, or comprising elegy or an elegy
  6. expressing sorrow often for something now past
    • an elegiac lament for departed youth

ele·git [i-'lē-jət] -n

  1. a judicial writ of execution by which a defendant's goods and if necessary his or her lands are delivered for debt to the plaintiff until the debt is paid

el·e·gize ['e-lə-,jīz] -vb

  1. to write an elegy
  2. to write an elegy on

el·e·gy ['e-lə-jē] -n

  1. a poem in elegiac couplets
  2. a song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation esp. for one who is dead
  3. something (as a speech) resembling such a song or poem
  4. a pensive or reflective poem that is usu. nostalgic or melancholy
  5. a short pensive musical composition

elem -abbr

  1. elementary

el·e·ment ['e-lə-mənt] -n

  1. any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe
  2. weather conditions
  3. violent or severe weather
    • battling the element s
  4. the state or sphere natural or suited to a person or thing
    • at school she was in her element
  5. : a constituent part: as
  6. the simplest principles of a subject of study : rudiments
  7. a part of a geometric magnitude
    • an infinitesimal element of volume
  8. a generator of a geometric figure
  9. a line or line segment contained in the surface of a cone or cylinder
  10. a basic member of a mathematical or logical class or set
  11. one of the individual entries in a mathematical matrix or determinant
  12. a distinct group within a larger group or community
    • the criminal element in the city
  13. one of the necessary data or values on which calculations or conclusions are based
  14. one of the factors determining the outcome of a process
  15. any of the fundamental substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and that singly or in combination constitute all matter
  16. a distinct part of a composite device
  17. a subdivision of a military unit
  18. the bread and wine used in the Eucharist

el·e·men·tal [,e-lə-'men-tᵊl] -adj, n, adv

  1. of, relating to, or being an element
  2. existing as an uncombined chemical element
  3. of, relating to, or being the basic or essential constituent of something : fundamental
    • elemental biological needs
  4. simple, uncomplicated
    • elemental food
  5. of, relating to, or dealing with the rudiments of something : elementary
    • taught elemental crafts to the children
  6. forming an integral part : inherent
    • an elemental sense of rhythm
  7. of, relating to, or resembling a great force of nature
    • the rains come with elemental violence
    • elemental passions

el·e·men·ta·ry [,e-lə-'men-tə-rē, -'men-trē] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or dealing with the simplest elements or principles of something
    • an elementary course
  2. of or relating to an elementary school
    • an elementary curriculum
  3. elemental
  4. elemental

elementary particle -n

  1. any of the particles of which matter and energy are composed or which mediate the fundamental forces of nature
  2. one whose existence has not been attributed to the combination of other more fundamental entities

elementary school -n

  1. a school including usu. the first four to the first eight grades and often a kindergarten

el·e·mi ['e-lə-mē] -n

  1. any of various fragrant oleoresins from tropical trees (family Burseraceae) used chiefly in varnishes, lacquers, and printing inks

elen·chus [i-'leŋ-kəs] -n

  1. refutation
  2. one in syllogistic form

el·e·phant ['e-lə-fənt] -n

  1. : any of a family (Elephantidae, the elephant family) of thickset usu. extremely large nearly hairless herbivorous mammals that have a snout elongated into a muscular trunk and two incisors in the upper jaw developed esp. in the male into large ivory tusks and that include two living forms and various extinct relatives: as
  2. a tall large-eared mammal ( Loxodonta africana) of tropical Africa called also African elephant
  3. a relatively small-eared mammal ( Elephas maximus) of forests of southeastern Asia called also Asian elephant Indian elephant
  4. an animal or fossil related to the elephants
  5. one that is uncommonly large or hard to manage

elephant bird -n

  1. any of a group (genus Aepyornisor order Aepyornithiformes) of gigantic flightless ratite birds known only from remains found in Madagascar

elephant garlic -n

  1. an Old World herb ( Allium ampeloprasum) of the lily family that is related to the leek and has a bulb that resembles that of garlic but is much larger
  2. the mildly flavored bulb of the elephant garlic used esp. as a seasoning

elephant grass -n

  1. an Old World cattail ( Typha elephantina) used esp. in making baskets
  2. napier grass

el·e·phan·ti·a·sis [,e-lə-fən-'tī-ə-səs, -,fan-] -n

  1. enlargement and thickening of tissues
  2. the enormous enlargement of a limb or the scrotum caused by obstruction of lymphatics by filarial worms (esp. Wuchereria bancrofti)
  3. an undesirable usu. enormous growth, enlargement, or overdevelopment
    • elephantiasis of the imagination

el·e·phan·tine [,e-lə-'fan-,tēn, -,tīn, 'e-lə-fən-] -adj

  1. having enormous size or strength : massive
  2. clumsy, ponderous
    • elephantine verse
  3. of or relating to an elephant

elephant seal -n

  1. : either of two very large seals (genus Miroungaof the family Phocidae) characterized by a long inflatable proboscis:
  2. one ( M. angustirostris) found in Pacific coastal waters from southeastern Alaska to Baja California
  3. one ( M. leonina) found in coastal waters of subantarctic islands and Patagonia

elephant's ear -n

  1. : any of several large-leaved plants of the arum family: as
  2. taro
  3. any of a genus ( Alocasia) of tropical Asian perennial herbs cultivated as ornamentals for their large heavily veined basal leaves

El·eu·sin·i·an [,el-yü-'si-nē-ən] -adj

  1. of or relating to ancient Eleusis or to the religious mysteries celebrated there in worship of Demeter and Persephone

elev -abbr

  1. elevation

el·e·vate ['e-lə-,vāt, -vət] -adj

  1. elevated
  2. to lift up or make higher : raise
    • elevate a patient's leg
    • exercises that elevate the heart rate
  3. to raise in rank or status
    • was elevated to chairman
  4. to improve morally, intellectually, or culturally
    • great books that both entertain and elevate their readers
  5. to raise the spirits of : elate
  6. to become elevated : rise
    • his voice elevated to a shout

el·e·vat·ed [-,vā-təd] -adj

  1. raised esp. above the ground or other surface
    • an elevated highway
  2. increased esp. abnormally (as in degree or amount)
    • elevated blood pressure
  3. being morally or intellectually on a high plane : refined
    • elevated conversation
  4. formal, dignified
    • elevated diction
  5. exhilarated in mood or feeling

elevated -n

  1. el

el·e·va·tion [,e-lə-'vā-shən] -n

  1. : the height to which something is elevated: as
  2. the angular distance of something (as a celestial object) above the horizon
  3. the degree to which a gun is aimed above the horizon
  4. the height above the level of the sea : altitude
  5. a dancer's or an athlete's leap and seeming suspension in the air
  6. the ability to achieve an elevation
  7. an act or instance of elevating
  8. : something that is elevated: as
  9. an elevated place
  10. a swelling esp. on the skin
  11. the quality or state of being elevated
  12. a geometrical drawing that depicts one vertical plane of an object or structure

el·e·va·tor ['e-lə-,vā-tər] -n

  1. : one that raises or lifts something up: as
  2. an endless belt or chain conveyor with cleats, scoops, or buckets for raising material
  3. a cage or platform and its hoisting machinery for conveying people or things to different levels
  4. grain elevator
  5. a movable auxiliary airfoil usu. attached to the tail plane of an airplane for controlling pitch

elevator music -n

  1. instrumental arrangements of popular songs often piped in (as to an elevator or retail store)

elev·en [i-'le-vən] -n, adj, pron, pl in constr, adj or n

  1. the 11th in a set or series
  2. something having 11 units or members
  3. a football team

elevenplus [i-,le-vən-'pləs] -n

  1. an examination taken by schoolchildren between the ages of 11 and 12 that determines the type of secondary education to which they are assigned

elev·ens·es [-vən-zəz] -n pl but sometimes sing in constr

  1. light refreshment (as a snack) taken in the middle of the morning

eleventh hour -n

  1. the latest possible time
    • still making changes at the eleventh hour

el·e·von ['e-lə-,vän] -n

  1. an airplane control surface that combines the functions of elevator and aileron

elf ['elf] -n, adj, adv

  1. a small often mischievous fairy
  2. a small lively creature
  3. a usu. lively mischievous or malicious person

ELF -abbr

  1. extremely low frequency

elf·in ['el-fən] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or produced by an elf
  2. resembling an elf esp. in its tiny size
    • elfin portions
  3. having an otherworldly or magical quality or charm

elf·lock ['elf-,läk] -n

  1. hair matted as if by elves usu. used in pl.

elf owl -n

  1. a very small insectivorous owl ( Micrathene whitneyi) of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico that roosts and nests in the cavities of trees and saguaro cacti

el·hi [(,)el-'hī] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or designed for use in grades 1 to 12

Eli ['ē-,lī] -n

  1. a judge and priest of Israel who according to the account in I Samuel was entrusted with the care of the boy Samuel

Eli·as [i-'lī-əs] -n

  1. elijah

elic·it [i-'li-sət] -vt, n

  1. to draw forth or bring out (something latent or potential)
    • hypnotism elicit ed his hidden fears
  2. to call forth or draw out (as information or a response)
    • her remarks elicit ed cheers

elide [i-'līd] -vt

  1. to suppress or alter (as a vowel or syllable) by elision
  2. to strike out (as a written word)
  3. to leave out of consideration : omit
  4. curtail, abridge

el·i·gi·ble ['e-lə-jə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. qualified to participate or be chosen : entitled
    • eligible to retire
  2. permitted under football rules to catch a forward pass
    • an eligible receiver
  3. worthy of being chosen : desirable
    • an eligible young bachelor

Eli·jah [i-'lī-jə] -n

  1. a Hebrew prophet of the ninth century b.c.who according to the account in I Kings championed the worship of Jehovah as against Baal

elim·i·nate [i-'li-mə-,nāt] -vb, adj, n

  1. to put an end to or get rid of : remove, eradicate
    • the need to eliminate poverty
    • eliminate errors
  2. to remove from consideration
    • cannot yet eliminate him as a suspect
  3. to remove from further competition by defeating
    • the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs
  4. to expel (as waste) from the living body
  5. to cause (as an unknown) to disappear by combining two or more mathematical equations
  6. to expel waste from the living body

elim·i·na·tion [i-,li-mə-'nā-shən] -n

  1. : the act, process, or an instance of eliminating or discharging: as
  2. the act of discharging or excreting waste products from the body
  3. the removal from a molecule of the constituents of a simpler molecule
    • ethylene is formed by the elimination of water from ethanol

ELISA [ē-'lī-sə, -zə] -n

  1. enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Eli·sha [i-'lī-shə] -n

  1. a Hebrew prophet and disciple and successor of Elijah

eli·sion [i-'li-zhən] -n

  1. the use of a speech form that lacks a final or initial sound which a variant speech form has (as 'sinstead of isin there's)
  2. the omission of an unstressed vowel or syllable in a verse to achieve a uniform metrical pattern
  3. the act or an instance of omitting something : omission

elite [ā-'lēt, i-, ē-] -n, adj

  1. the choice part : cream
    • the elite of the entertainment world
  2. the best of a class
    • superachievers who dominate the computer elite -- Marilyn Chase
  3. the socially superior part of society
    • how the elite live -- A P World
    • how the French-speaking elite...was changing -- Economist
  4. a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence
    • members of the ruling elite
    • the intellectual elite s of the country
  5. a member of such an elite usu. used in pl.
    • the elite s ..., pursuing their studies in Europe -- Robert Wernick
  6. a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch

elite [ā-'lēt, i-, ē-] -n, adj

(variant of elite)

  1. the choice part : cream
    • the elite of the entertainment world
  2. the best of a class
    • superachievers who dominate the computer elite -- Marilyn Chase
  3. the socially superior part of society
    • how the elite live -- A P World
    • how the French-speaking elite...was changing -- Economist
  4. a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence
    • members of the ruling elite
    • the intellectual elite s of the country
  5. a member of such an elite usu. used in pl.
    • the elite s ..., pursuing their studies in Europe -- Robert Wernick
  6. a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch

elit·ism [ā-'lē-,ti-zəm, i-, ē-] -n, n or adj

  1. leadership or rule by an elite
  2. the selectivity of the elite
  3. snobbery
    • elitism in choosing new members
  4. consciousness of being or belonging to an elite

elix·ir [i-'lik-sər] -n

  1. a substance held capable of changing base metals into gold
  2. a substance held capable of prolonging life indefinitely
  3. cure-all
  4. a medicinal concoction
  5. a sweetened liquid usu. containing alcohol that is used in medication either for its medicinal ingredients or as a flavoring
  6. the essential principle

Eliz·a·be·than [i-,li-zə-'bē-thən] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Elizabeth I of England or her reign

elk ['elk] -n

  1. moose used for one of the Old World
  2. a large gregarious deer ( Cervus elaphus) of No. America, Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa called also red deer wapiti
  3. any of various large Asian deer
  4. soft tanned rugged leather
  5. a member of a major benevolent and fraternal order

elk·horn coral ['elk-,hȯrn-] -n

  1. a reef-building branching coral ( Acropora palmata) of shallow waters of southern Florida and the West Indies

elk·hound ['elk-,hau̇nd, 'el-,kau̇nd] -n

  1. norwegian elkhound

ell ['el] -n

  1. a former English unit of length (as for cloth) equal to 45 inches (about 1.14 meters)
  2. any of various units of length used similarly
  3. an extension at right angles to the length of a building
  4. an elbow in a pipe or conduit

el·lag·ic acid [ə-'la-jik-, e-] -n

  1. a crystalline phenolic compound C 14H 6O 8with two lactone groupings that is obtained esp. from oak galls and some tannins and is used medicinally as a hemostatic

el·lipse [i-'lips, e-] -n

  1. oval
  2. a closed plane curve generated by a point moving in such a way that the sums of its distances from two fixed points is a constant : a plane section of a right circular cone that is a closed curve
  3. ellipsis

el·lip·sis [i-'lip-səs, e-] -n

  1. the omission of one or more words that are obviously understood but that must be supplied to make a construction grammatically complete
  2. a sudden leap from one topic to another
  3. marks or a mark (as ...) indicating an omission (as of words) or a pause

el·lip·soid [i-'lip-,sȯid, e-] -n, adj

  1. a surface all plane sections of which are ellipses or circles

el·lip·ti·cal [i-'lip-ti-kəl, e-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or shaped like an ellipse
  2. of, relating to, or marked by ellipsis or an ellipsis
  3. of, relating to, or marked by extreme economy of speech or writing
  4. of or relating to deliberate obscurity (as of literary or conversational style)

elliptical galaxy -n

  1. a galaxy that has a generally elliptical shape and that has no apparent internal structure or spiral arms called also elliptical

el·lip·tic·i·ty [i-,lip-'ti-sə-tē, (,)e-] -n

  1. deviation of an ellipse or a spheroid from the form of a circle or a sphere

elm ['elm] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Ulmusof the family Ulmaceae, the elm family) of usu. large deciduous north temperate-zone trees with alternate stipulate leaves and fruit that is a samara
  2. the wood of an elm

elm bark beetle -n

  1. : either of two beetles (family Scolytidae) that are vectors for the fungus causing Dutch elm disease:
  2. one ( Hylurgopinus rufipes) native to eastern No. America
  3. one ( Scolytus multistriatus) introduced from Europe into eastern No. America

elm leaf beetle -n

  1. a small yellow to greenish black-striped Old World chrysomelid beetle ( Pyrrhalta luteola) that in the larval and adult stage is a leaf-eating pest of elms in eastern No. America

El Ni·o [el-'nē-nyō] -n

  1. an irregularly recurring flow of unusually warm surface waters from the Pacific Ocean toward and along the western coast of South America that prevents upwelling of nutrient-rich cold deep water and that disrupts typical regional and global weather patterns

el·o·cu·tion [,e-lə-'kyü-shən] -n, adj

  1. a style of speaking esp. in public
  2. the art of effective public speaking

elo·dea [i-'lō-dē-ə] -n

  1. any of a small American genus ( Elodea) of submerged aquatic monocotyledonous herbs

Elo·him [,e-lō-'hēm, e-'lō-,him] -n

  1. God used esp. in the Hebrew Bible

eloign [i-'lȯin] -vt

  1. to take (oneself) far away
  2. to remove to a distant or unknown place : conceal

elon·gate [i-'lȯŋ-,gāt, (,)ē-, 'ē-,] -vb

  1. to extend the length of
  2. to grow in length

elongate -adj

  1. stretched out
  2. slender

elon·ga·tion [(,)ē-,lȯŋ-'gā-shən] -n

  1. the angular distance of a celestial body from another around which it revolves or from a particular point in the sky
  2. the state of being elongated or lengthened
  3. the process of elongating
  4. something that is elongated

elope [i-'lōp] -vi, n

  1. to slip away : escape
    • might have mistaken him for...some scarecrow eloped from a cornfield -- Washington Irving
  2. to run away from one's husband with a lover
  3. to run away secretly with the intention of getting married usu. without parental consent

el·o·quence ['e-lə-kwən(t)s] -n

  1. discourse marked by force and persuasiveness
  2. the art or power of using such discourse
  3. the quality of forceful or persuasive expressiveness

el·o·quent [-kwənt] -adj, adv

  1. marked by forceful and fluent expression
    • an eloquent preacher
  2. vividly or movingly expressive or revealing
    • an eloquent monument

else ['el(t)s] -adv

  1. in a different manner or place or at a different time
    • how else could he have acted
    • here and nowhere else
  2. in an additional manner or place or at an additional time
    • where else is gold found
  3. if not : otherwise
    • leave or else you'll be sorry
    used absolutely to express a threat
    • do what I tell you or else
  4. : other:
  5. being different in identity
    • it must have been somebody else
  6. being in addition
    • what else did he say?

else·where [-,(h)wer] -adv

  1. in or to another place
    • took my business elsewhere

el·u·ant ['el-yə-wənt, -yü-ənt] -n

  1. a solvent used in eluting

el·u·ate ['el-yə-wət, -,wāt; -yü-ət, -,āt] -n

  1. the washings obtained by eluting

elu·ci·date [i-'lü-sə-,dāt] -vb, n, adj

  1. to make lucid esp. by explanation or analysis
    • elucidate a text
  2. to give a clarifying explanation

elude [ē-'lüd] -vt

  1. to avoid adroitly : evade
    • the mice eluded the traps
    • managed to elude capture
  2. to escape the perception, understanding, or grasp of
    • subtlety simply elude s them
    • victory continued to elude us
  3. defy
    • it elude s explanation

Elul [e-'lül] -n

  1. the 12th month of the civil year or the 6th month of the ecclesiastical year in the Jewish calendar

elu·sion [ē-'lü-zhən] -n

  1. an act of eluding

elu·sive [ē-'lü-siv, -'lü-ziv] -adj, adv, n

  1. : tending to elude: as
  2. tending to evade grasp or pursuit
    • elusive prey
  3. hard to comprehend or define
  4. hard to isolate or identify

elute [ē-'lüt] -vt, n

  1. extract
  2. to remove (adsorbed material) from an adsorbent by means of a solvent

elu·tri·ate [ē-'lü-trē-,āt] -vt, n

  1. to purify, separate, or remove by washing

elu·vi·a·tion [(,)ē-,lü-vē-'ā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the transportation of dissolved or suspended material within the soil by the movement of water when rainfall exceeds evaporation

el·ver ['el-vər] -n

  1. a young eel
  2. a small immature catadromous eel chiefly of fresh and brackish water

elves ['elf] -n, adj, adv

(variant of elf)

  1. a small often mischievous fairy
  2. a small lively creature
  3. a usu. lively mischievous or malicious person

el·vish ['el-vish] -adj

  1. of or relating to elves
  2. mischievous

ely·sian [i-'li-zhən] -adj

  1. of or relating to Elysium
  2. blissful, delightful
    • elysian peace

elysian fields -n pl

  1. elysium

Ely·si·um [i-'li-zhē-əm, -zē-] -n

  1. the abode of the blessed after death in classical mythology
  2. paradise

el·y·tron ['e-lə-,trän] -n

  1. one of the anterior wings in beetles and some other insects that serve to protect the posterior pair of functional wings