at [ət, 'at] -prep

  1. used as a function word to indicate presence or occurrence in, on, or near
    • staying at a hotel
    • at a party
    • sick at heart
  2. used as a function word to indicate the goal of an indicated or implied action or motion
    • aim at the target
    • creditors are at him again
  3. used as a function word to indicate that with which one is occupied or employed
    • at work
    • at the controls
    • good at chess
  4. used as a function word to indicate situation in an active or passive state or condition
    • at liberty
    • at rest
  5. used as a function word to indicate the means, cause, or manner
    • sold at auction
    • laughed at my joke
    • act at your own discretion
  6. used as a function word to indicate the rate, degree, or position in a scale or series
    • the temperature at 90
    • at first
  7. used as a function word to indicate age or position in time
    • will retire at 65
  8. see kip at
  9. airtight
  10. atmosphere
  11. atomic

At -symbol

  1. astatine

AT -abbr

  1. air temperature
  2. ampere-turn
  3. automatic transmission

at·a·brine ['a-tə-brən] -n

  1. quinacrine

atac·tic [(,)ā-'tak-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a polymer exhibiting no stereochemical regularity of structure
    • atactic polypropylene

At·a·lan·ta [,a-tə-'lan-tə] -n

  1. a fleet-footed huntress in Greek mythology who challenges her suitors to a race and is defeated by Hippomenes when she stops to pick up three golden apples he has dropped

at all -adv

  1. in any way or respect : to the least extent or degree : under any circumstances
    • doesn't smoke at all

at·a·man [,a-tə-'man] -n

  1. hetman

at·a·mas·co lily [,a-tə-'mas-(,)kō-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Zephyranthes) of American bulbous herbs of the amaryllis family with pink, white, or yellowish flowers
  2. one ( Z. atamasco) of the southeastern U.S. with white flowers usu. tinged with purple

at·a·vism ['a-tə-,vi-zəm] -n, adj, adv

  1. recurrence in an organism of a trait or character typical of an ancestral form and usu. due to genetic recombination
  2. recurrence of or reversion to a past style, manner, outlook, approach, or activity
    • architectural atavism
  3. one that manifests atavism : throwback

atax·ia [ə-'tak-sē-ə, (,)ā-] -n, adj

  1. an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements that is symptomatic of some central nervous system disorders and injuries and not due to muscle weakness called also incoordination

atax·iatel·an·gi·ec·ta·sia [-,te-,lan-jē-,ek-'tā-zh(ē-)ə, -tē-, -tə-] -n

  1. an inherited systemic disorder marked esp. by progressive pathological changes in the nervous system resulting in loss of motor coordination and by increased susceptibility to cancer esp. of lymphoid tissue

at bat -n

  1. an official turn at batting charged to a baseball player except when the player walks, sacrifices, is hit by a pitched ball, or is interfered with by the catcher
    • three hits in five at bats

ATC -abbr

  1. air traffic control

ate ['ēt] -vb, n

(variant of eat)

  1. to take in through the mouth as food : ingest, chew, and swallow in turn
  2. to destroy, consume, or waste by or as if by eating
    • expenses ate up the profits
    • gadgets that eat up too much space
  3. to bear the expense of : take a loss on
    • the team was forced to eat the rest of his contract
  4. to consume gradually : corrode
    • cars eaten away by rust
  5. to consume with vexation : bother
    • what's eat ing you now
  6. to enjoy eagerly or avidly : lap used with up
    • it was an amazing performance and the crowd ate it up
  7. to perform fellatio or cunnilingus on often used with out
  8. to take food or a meal
  9. to affect something by gradual destruction or consumption usu. used with into, away, or at
    • the loss was really eat ing at her
    • the controversy ate into his support
  10. something to eat : food usu. used in pl.

Ate ['ä-tē, 'ā-(,)tē; 'ä-,tā] -n

  1. a Greek goddess personifying foolhardy and ruinous impulse

at·el·ec·ta·sis [,a-tə-'lek-tə-səs] -n

  1. collapse of the expanded lung
  2. defective expansion of the pulmonary alveoli at birth

ate·lier [,a-tᵊl-'yā] -n

  1. an artist's or designer's studio or workroom
  2. workshop

ate·moya [,ä-tə-'mȯi-ə, ,a-] -n

  1. a white-pulped tropical fruit of a tree that is a hybrid of the sweetsop and the cherimoya

atem·po·ral [(,)ā-'tem-p(ə-)rəl] -adj

  1. independent of or unaffected by time : timeless

aten·o·lol [ə-'te-nə-,lȯl, -,lōl] -n

  1. a beta blocker C 14H 22N 2O 3used in the treatment of hypertension

ATF -abbr

  1. [Bureau of] Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Ath·a·bas·can [,a-thə-'bas-kən] -n

  1. a family of American Indian languages spoken primarily in western Canada, Alaska, and the U.S. Southwest
  2. a member of a people speaking an Athabascan language

Ath·a·na·sian [,a-thə-'nā-zhən, -shən] -adj

  1. of or relating to Athanasius or his advocacy of the homoousian doctrine against Arianism

Athanasian Creed -n

  1. a Christian creed originating in Europe about a.d.400 and relating esp. to the Trinity and Incarnation

athe·ism ['ā-thē-,i-zəm] -n

  1. ungodliness, wickedness
  2. a disbelief in the existence of deity
  3. the doctrine that there is no deity

athe·ist ['ā-thē-ist] -n, adj, adv

  1. one who believes that there is no deity

ath·e·ling ['a-thə-liŋ, -thə-] -n

  1. an Anglo-Saxon prince or nobleman
  2. the heir apparent or a prince of the royal family

Athe·na [ə-'thē-nə] -n

  1. the Greek goddess of wisdom

ath·e·nae·um [,a-thə-'nē-əm] -n

  1. a building or room in which books, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use
  2. a literary or scientific association

athe·o·ret·i·cal [,ā-,thē-ə-'re-ti-kəl, -,thir-'e-] -adj

  1. not based on or concerned with theory

athero- -comb form

  1. atheroma
    • athero genic

ath·ero·gen·e·sis [,a-thə-rō-'je-nə-səs] -n

  1. the formation of atheroma

ath·ero·gen·ic [-'je-nik] -adj

  1. relating to or causing atherogenesis
    • an atherogenic diet

ath·er·o·ma [,a-thə-'rō-mə] -n, adj

  1. fatty degeneration of the inner coat of the arteries
  2. an abnormal fatty deposit in an artery

ath·ero·scle·ro·sis [,a-thə-,rō-sklə-'rō-səs] -n, adj

  1. an arteriosclerosis characterized by atheromatous deposits in and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries

athirst [ə-'thərst] -adj

  1. thirsty
  2. having a strong eager desire
    • I that for ever feel athirst for glory -- John Keats

ath·lete ['ath-,lēt, ÷'a-thə-,lēt] -n

  1. a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina

athlete's foot -n

  1. ringworm of the feet

ath·let·ic [ath-'le-tik, ÷,a-thə-'le-] -adj, adv, n

  1. of or relating to athletes or athletics
  2. characteristic of an athlete
  3. vigorous, active
  4. mesomorphic
  5. used by athletes

ath·let·ics [ath-'le-tiks, ÷,a-thə-'le-] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. exercises, sports, or games engaged in by athletes
  2. the practice or principles of athletic activities

athletic supporter -n

  1. a supporter (as of elasticized fabric) for the genitals worn by men participating in sports or strenuous activities

athome [ət-'hōm, 'at-,hōm] -adj

  1. intended or suitable for one's home
    • an athome dress
  2. being or occurring at one's home
    • athome entertainment

at home -n

  1. a reception given at one's home

athwart [ə-'thwȯrt, naut often -'thȯrt] -prep

  1. across
  2. in opposition to
    • a procedure directly athwart the New England prejudices -- R. G. Cole
  3. across esp. in an oblique direction
  4. in opposition to the right or expected course
    • and quite athwart goes all decorum -- Shak.

athwart·ship [-,ship] -adj

  1. being across the ship from side to side
    • athwartship and longitudinal framing

athwart·ships [-,ships] -adv

  1. across the ship from side to side

atilt [ə-'tilt] -adv or adj

  1. in a tilted position
  2. with lance in hand
    • run atilt at death -- Shak.

atin·gle [ə-'tiŋ-gəl] -adj

  1. tingling esp. with excitement

At·ka mackerel ['at-kə-, 'ät-] -n

  1. a greenling ( Pleurogrammus monopterygius) that is a food fish found in Alaska and adjacent regions

Atl -abbr

  1. Atlantic

At·lan·te·an [,at-,lan-'tē-ən, ət-'lan-tē-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling Atlas : strong

Atlantean -adj

  1. of or relating to Atlantis

At·lan·tic [ət-'lan-tik, at-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or found in, on, or near the Atlantic Ocean
  2. of, relating to, or found on or near the east coast of the U.S.
  3. of or relating to the nations that border the Atlantic Ocean
    • the Atlantic community

Atlantic croaker -n

  1. a small croaker ( Micropogonias undulatus) of the Gulf coast and the Atlantic coast

At·lan·ti·cism [-'lan-tə-,si-zəm] -n

  1. a policy of military cooperation between European powers and the U.S.

Atlantic puffin -n

  1. a small black-and-white puffin ( Fratercula arctica) of the northern coastal parts of the No. Atlantic Ocean that has a triangular bill with a broad red or yellow tip

Atlantic salmon -n

  1. salmon

Atlantic time -n

  1. the time of the fourth time zone west of Greenwich that includes the Canadian Maritime Provinces, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands

Atlantic white cedar -n

  1. white cedar

At·lan·tis [ət-'lan-təs, at-] -n

  1. a fabled island in the Atlantic that according to legend sank beneath the sea

atlarge ['at-'lärj] -adj

  1. relating to or being a political representative who is elected to serve an entire area rather than one of its subdivisions
    • an atlarge city councilor
    • an atlarge election

at·las ['at-ləs] -n

  1. a Titan who for his part in the Titans' revolt against the gods is forced by Zeus to support the heavens on his shoulders
  2. one who bears a heavy burden
  3. a bound collection of maps often including illustrations, informative tables, or textual matter
  4. a bound collection of tables, charts, or plates
  5. the first vertebra of the neck
  6. a male figure used like a caryatid as a supporting column or pilaster called also telamon

at·latl ['ät-,lä-tᵊl] -n

  1. a device for throwing a spear or dart that consists of a rod or board with a projection (as a hook) at the rear end to hold the weapon in place until released

At·li ['ät-lē] -n

  1. a king of the Huns figuring in Germanic legend and corresponding to the historical Attila

atm -abbr

  1. atmosphere; atmospheric

ATM [,ā-(,)tē-'em] -n

  1. a computerized electronic machine that performs basic banking functions (as handling check deposits or issuing cash withdrawals) called also automated teller machine automatic teller automatic teller machine
  2. asynchronous transfer mode

at·man ['ät-mən, -,män] -n

  1. the innermost essence of each individual
  2. the supreme universal self : brahma

at·mo·sphere ['at-mə-,sfir] -n, adj

  1. the gaseous envelope of a celestial body (as a planet)
  2. the whole mass of air surrounding the earth
  3. the air of a locality
  4. a surrounding influence or environment
    • an atmosphere of hostility
  5. a unit of pressure equal to the pressure of the air at sea level or approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch (101,325 pascals)
  6. the overall aesthetic effect of a work of art
  7. an intriguing or singular tone, effect, or appeal
    • an inn with atmosphere

at·mo·spher·ic [,at-mə-'sfir-ik, -'sfer-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or occurring in the atmosphere
    • atmospheric dust
  2. resembling the atmosphere : airy
  3. having, marked by, or contributing aesthetic or emotional atmosphere
    • an atmospheric inn
  4. marked by an emphasis on impression or tone

at·mo·spher·ics [-iks] -n pl

  1. audible disturbances produced in radio receiving apparatus by atmospheric electrical phenomena (as lightning)
  2. the electrical phenomena causing these disturbances
  3. actions (as official statements) intended to create or suggest a particular atmosphere or mood in politics and esp. international relations
  4. the mood so created or suggested
  5. realistic detail added (as to a literary work) to create a mood

at no -abbr

  1. atomic number

atoll ['a-,tȯl, -,täl, -,tōl, 'ā-] -n

  1. a coral island consisting of a reef surrounding a lagoon

at·om ['a-təm] -n

  1. one of the minute indivisible particles of which according to ancient materialism the universe is composed
  2. a tiny particle : bit
  3. the smallest particle of an element that can exist either alone or in combination
  4. the atom considered as a source of vast potential energy

atom·ic [ə-'tä-mik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or concerned with atoms
    • atomic physics
  2. nuclear
    • atomic energy
  3. marked by acceptance of the theory of atomism
  4. atomistic
  5. minute
  6. existing in the state of separate atoms

atomic bomb -n

  1. a bomb whose violent explosive power is due to the sudden release of energy resulting from the splitting of nuclei of a heavy chemical element (as plutonium or uranium) by neutrons in a very rapid chain reaction called also atom bomb
  2. a nuclear weapon (as a hydrogen bomb)

atomic clock -n

  1. a precision clock that depends for its operation on an electrical oscillator regulated by the natural vibration frequencies of an atomic system (as a beam of cesium atoms)

atomic force microscope -n

  1. an instrument used for mapping the atomic-scale topography of a surface by means of the repulsive electronic forces between the surface and the tip of a microscope probe moving above the surface abbr. AFM

atomic mass -n

  1. the mass of an atom usu. expressed in atomic mass units
  2. atomic weight

atomic mass unit -n

  1. a unit of mass for expressing masses of atoms, molecules, or nuclear particles equal to the mass of a single atom of the most abundant carbon isotope 12C called also dalton

atomic number -n

  1. an experimentally determined number characteristic of a chemical element that represents the number of protons in the nucleus which in a neutral atom equals the number of electrons outside the nucleus and that determines the place of the element in the periodic table

atomic reactor -n

  1. reactor

atomic theory -n

  1. a theory of the nature of matter: all material substances are composed of minute particles or atoms of a comparatively small number of kinds and all the atoms of the same kind are uniform in size, weight, and other properties
  2. any of several theories of the structure of the atom
  3. one based on experimentation and theoretical considerations holding that the atom is composed essentially of a small positively charged comparatively heavy nucleus surrounded by a comparatively large arrangement of electrons

atomic weight -n

  1. the mass of one atom of an element
  2. the average mass of an atom of an element as it occurs in nature that is expressed in atomic mass units

at·om·ise ['a-tə-,mīz] -vt, n

(variant of atomize)

  1. to treat as made up of many discrete units
  2. to reduce to minute particles or to a fine spray
  3. divide, fragment
    • an atomized society
  4. to deprive of meaningful ties to others
    • atomized individuals
  5. to subject to attack by nuclear weapons

at·om·ism ['a-tə-,mi-zəm] -n

  1. a doctrine that the physical or physical and mental universe is composed of simple indivisible minute particles
  2. individualism

at·om·is·tic [,a-tə-'mis-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to atoms or atomism
  2. composed of many simple elements
  3. characterized by or resulting from division into unconnected or antagonistic fragments
    • an atomistic society

at·om·ize ['a-tə-,mīz] -vt, n

  1. to treat as made up of many discrete units
  2. to reduce to minute particles or to a fine spray
  3. divide, fragment
    • an atomized society
  4. to deprive of meaningful ties to others
    • atomized individuals
  5. to subject to attack by nuclear weapons

at·om·iz·er ['a-tə-,mī-zər] -n

  1. an instrument for atomizing usu. a perfume, disinfectant, or medicament

atom smasher -n

  1. accelerator

at·o·my ['a-tə-mē] -n

  1. a tiny particle : atom, mite

aton·al [(,)ā-'tō-nᵊl, (,)a-] -adj, n, adv

  1. marked by avoidance of traditional musical tonality
  2. organized without reference to key or tonal center and using the tones of the chromatic scale impartially

atone [ə-'tōn] -vb

  1. reconcile
  2. to supply satisfaction for : expiate
  3. to make amends
    • atone for sins

atone·ment [ə-'tōn-mənt] -n

  1. reconciliation
  2. the reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ
  3. reparation for an offense or injury : satisfaction
  4. the exemplifying of human oneness with God

aton·ic [(,)ā-'tä-nik, (,)a-] -adj

  1. characterized by atony
  2. uttered without accent or stress

at·o·ny ['a-tə-nē] -n

  1. lack of physiological tone esp. of a contractile organ

atop [ə-'täp] -adv or adj

  1. on, to, or at the top
  2. on top of

at·o·py ['a-tə-pē] -n, adj

  1. a prob. hereditary allergy characterized by symptoms (as asthma, hay fever, or hives) produced upon exposure esp. by inhalation to the exciting environmental antigen

ator·va·stat·in [ə-,tȯr-və-'sta-tᵊn, -'tȯr-və-,sta-] -n

  1. a statin administered orally in the form of its hydrated calcium salt (C 33H 34FN 2O 5) 2Ca 3H 2O to lower lipid levels in the blood

ATP [,ā-,tē-'pē] -n

  1. a phosphorylated nucleotide C 10H 16N 5O 13P 3composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups that supplies energy for many biochemical cellular processes by undergoing enzymatic hydrolysis esp. to ADP called also adenosine triphosphate

ATPase [,ā-,tē-'pē-,ās, -,āz] -n

  1. an enzyme that hydrolyzes ATP
  2. one that hydrolyzes ATP to ADP and inorganic phosphate

at·ra·bil·ious [,a-trə-'bil-yəs] -adj, n

  1. given to or marked by melancholy : gloomy
  2. ill-natured, peevish

at·ra·zine ['a-trə-,zēn] -n

  1. a photosynthesis-inhibiting persistent herbicide C 8H 14ClN 5used esp. to kill annual weeds and quack grass

atrem·ble [ə-'trem-bəl] -adj

  1. shaking involuntarily : trembling
    • he was white as death and all atremble -- Robert Coover

atre·sia [ə-'trē-zhə] -n

  1. absence or closure of a natural passage of the body
  2. absence or disappearance of an anatomical part (as an ovarian follicle) by degeneration

Atreus ['ā-,trüs, -trē-əs] -n

  1. a king of Mycenae and father of Agamemnon and Menelaus

atrial natriuretic peptide -n

  1. a peptide hormone secreted by the cardiac atria that in pharmacological doses promotes salt and water excretion and lowers blood pressure called also atrial natriuretic factor

atrio·ven·tric·u·lar [,ā-trē-ō-ven-'tri-kyə-lər, -vən-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or located between an atrium and ventricle of the heart

atrioventricular node -n

  1. a small mass of tissue in the right atrioventricular region of higher vertebrates through which impulses from the sinoatrial node are passed to the ventricles

atrip [ə-'trip] -adj

  1. aweigh

atri·um ['ā-trē-əm] -n, adj

  1. the central room of a Roman house
  2. a rectangular open patio around which a house is built
  3. a many-storied court in a building (as a hotel) usu. with a skylight
  4. an anatomical cavity or passage
  5. the chamber or either of the chambers of the heart that receives blood from the veins and forces it into the ventricle or ventricles

atro·cious [ə-'trō-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel : barbaric
  2. appalling, horrifying
    • the atrocious weapons of modern war
  3. utterly revolting : abominable
    • atrocious working conditions
  4. of very poor quality
    • atrocious handwriting

atroc·i·ty [ə-'trä-sə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being atrocious
  2. an atrocious act, object, or situation
    • the...sufferings and atrocities of trench warfare -- Aldous Huxley

at·ro·phy ['a-trə-fē] -n, adj, vb

  1. decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue
  2. arrested development or loss of a part or organ incidental to the normal development or life of an animal or plant
  3. a wasting away or progressive decline
    • was not a solitude of atrophy, of negation, but of perpetual flowering -- Willa Cather

at·ro·pine ['a-trə-,pēn] -n

  1. a racemic mixture of hyoscyamine obtained from any of various solanaceous plants (as belladonna) and used esp. in the form of its sulfate for its anticholinergic effects (as pupil dilation or inhibition of smooth muscle spasms)

at sign -n

  1. the symbol esp. when used as part of an Internet user's e-mail address

att [ət, 'at] -prep

(variant of at)

  1. used as a function word to indicate presence or occurrence in, on, or near
    • staying at a hotel
    • at a party
    • sick at heart
  2. used as a function word to indicate the goal of an indicated or implied action or motion
    • aim at the target
    • creditors are at him again
  3. used as a function word to indicate that with which one is occupied or employed
    • at work
    • at the controls
    • good at chess
  4. used as a function word to indicate situation in an active or passive state or condition
    • at liberty
    • at rest
  5. used as a function word to indicate the means, cause, or manner
    • sold at auction
    • laughed at my joke
    • act at your own discretion
  6. used as a function word to indicate the rate, degree, or position in a scale or series
    • the temperature at 90
    • at first
  7. used as a function word to indicate age or position in time
    • will retire at 65
  8. see kip at
  9. airtight
  10. atmosphere
  11. atomic

at·ta·boy ['a-tə-,bȯi] -interj

  1. used to express encouragement, approval, or admiration

at·tach [ə-'tach] -vb, adj

  1. to take by legal authority esp. under a writ
    • attach ed the property
  2. to bring (oneself) into an association
    • attach ed herself to their cause
  3. to assign (an individual or unit in the military) temporarily
  4. to bind by personal ties (as of affection or sympathy)
    • was strongly attach ed to his family
  5. to make fast (as by tying or gluing)
    • attach a label to a package
  6. to associate esp. as a property or an attribute : ascribe
    • attach ed great importance to public opinion polls
  7. to become attached : adhere

at·ta·che [,a-tə-'shā, ,a-,ta-, ə-,ta-] -n

  1. a technical expert on a country's diplomatic staff at a foreign capital
    • a military attache
  2. attache case

at·ta·che case [,a-,ta-'shā-, ,a-tə-; ə-'ta-(,)shā-] -n

  1. a small thin suitcase used esp. for carrying business papers
  2. briefcase

at·tached [ə-'tacht] -adj

  1. permanently fixed when adult
    • attached barnacles

at·tach·ment [ə-'tach-mənt] -n

  1. a seizure by legal process
  2. the writ or precept commanding such seizure
  3. the state of being personally attached : fidelity
    • attachment to a cause
  4. affectionate regard
    • a deep attachment to nature
  5. a device attached to a machine or implement
  6. the physical connection by which one thing is attached to another
  7. the process of physically attaching

at·tack [ə-'tak] -vb, n

  1. to set upon or work against forcefully
  2. to assail with unfriendly or bitter words
  3. to begin to affect or to act on injuriously
    • plants attack ed by aphids
  4. to set to work on
    • attack a problem
  5. to threaten (a piece in chess) with immediate capture
  6. to make an attack

attack -n

  1. the act of attacking with physical force or unfriendly words : assault
  2. a belligerent or antagonistic action
  3. a fit of sickness
  4. an active episode of a chronic or recurrent disease
  5. a period of being strongly affected by something (as a desire or mood)
  6. an offensive or scoring action
    • won the game with an 8-hit attack
  7. offensive players or the positions taken up by them
  8. the setting to work on some undertaking
    • made a new attack on the problem
  9. the beginning of destructive action (as by a chemical agent)
  10. the act or manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase
  11. designed, planned, or used for carrying out a military attack
    • an attack helicopter

attack dog -n

  1. a dog trained to attack on command or on sight
  2. a person noted for harsh, personal, and usu. public verbal attacks against others
    • a political attack dog

at·tack·man [-,man] -n

  1. a player (as in lacrosse) assigned to an offensive zone or position

at·tain [ə-'tān] -vb, n, adj

  1. to reach as an end : gain, achieve
    • attain a goal
  2. to come into possession of : obtain
    • he attain ed preferment over his fellows
  3. to come to as the end of a progression or course of movement
    • they attain ed the top of the hill
    • attain a ripe old age
  4. to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort usu. used with to

at·tain·der [ə-'tān-dər] -n

  1. extinction of the civil rights and capacities of a person upon sentence of death or outlawry usu. after a conviction of treason
  2. dishonor

at·tain·ment [ə-'tān-mənt] -n

  1. the act of attaining : the condition of being attained
  2. something attained : accomplishment

at·taint [ə-'tānt] -vt

  1. to affect by attainder
  2. infect, corrupt
  3. taint, sully
  4. accuse

attaint -n

  1. a stain upon honor or purity : disgrace

at·tar ['a-tər, 'a-,tär] -n

  1. a fragrant essential oil (as from rose petals)
  2. fragrance

at·tempt [ə-'tem(p)t] -vt, adj

  1. to make an effort to do, accomplish, solve, or effect
    • attempt ed to swim the swollen river
  2. tempt
  3. to try to subdue or take by force : attack

attempt -n

  1. the act or an instance of attempting
  2. an unsuccessful effort
  3. something resulting from or representing an attempt
    • surrounded by...a few attempt s at rose bushes -- Marian Engel
  4. attack, assault
    • an attempt on the life of the president

at·tend [ə-'tend] -vb, n

  1. to pay attention to
  2. to look after : take charge of
    • campsites...attend ed by park rangers -- Jackson Rivers
  3. to go or stay with as a companion, nurse, or servant
  4. to visit professionally esp. as a physician
  5. to wait for
  6. to be in store for
  7. to be present with : accompany
  8. to be present at : go to
    • attend law school
  9. to apply oneself
    • attend to your work
  10. to apply the mind or pay attention : heed
  11. to be ready for service
    • ministers who attend upon the king
  12. to be present
  13. wait, stay
  14. to direct one's attention : see
    • I'll attend to that

at·ten·dance [ə-'ten-dən(t)s] -n

  1. the act or fact of attending
    • a physician in attendance
  2. the persons or number of persons attending
  3. an account of persons attending
    • the teacher took attendance before starting class
  4. the number of times a person attends

attendance officer -n

  1. truant officer

at·ten·dant [ə-'ten-dənt] -n

  1. one who attends another to perform a service
  2. an employee who waits on customers
  3. something that accompanies : concomitant
  4. attendee

attendant -adj

  1. accompanying, waiting upon, or following in order to perform service
    • Cherub and Seraph...attendant on their Lord -- John Milton
  2. accompanying or following as a consequence or result
    • problems attendant on pollution
    • civilization and its attendant morality -- Robert Stone

at·tend·ee [ə-,ten-'dē, ,a-] -n

  1. a person who is present on a given occasion or at a given place
    • attendee s at a convention

at·tend·ing [ə-'ten-diŋ] -adj

  1. serving as a physician on the staff of a teaching hospital
    • an attending surgeon

attending -n

  1. an attending physician or surgeon

at·ten·tion [ə-'ten(t)-shən; sense 4 often (ə-),ten(ch)-'hət] -n, adj

  1. the act or state of applying the mind to something
  2. a condition of readiness for such attention involving esp. a selective narrowing or focusing of consciousness and receptivity
  3. observation, notice
  4. consideration with a view to action
    • a problem requiring prompt attention
  5. an act of civility or courtesy esp. in courtship
    • she welcomed his attention s
  6. sympathetic consideration of the needs and wants of others : attentiveness
  7. a position assumed by a soldier with heels together, body erect, arms at the sides, and eyes to the front often used as a command

attention deficit disorder -n

  1. a syndrome of disordered learning and disruptive behavior that is not caused by any serious underlying physical or mental disorder and that has several subtypes characterized primarily by symptoms of inattentiveness or primarily by symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsive behavior (as speaking out of turn) or by the significant expression of all three abbr. ADD

attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder -n

  1. attention deficit disorder abbr. ADHD

attention line -n

  1. a line usu. placed above the salutation in a business letter directing the letter to one specified

attention span -n

  1. the length of time during which one (as an individual or a group) is able to concentrate or remain interested

at·ten·tive [ə-'ten-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. mindful, observant
    • attentive to what he is doing
  2. heedful of the comfort of others : solicitous
    • an attentive waitress
  3. offering attentions in or as if in the role of a suitor

at·ten·u·ate [ə-'ten-yə-wət, -yü-ət] -adj

  1. reduced esp. in thickness, density, or force
  2. tapering gradually usu. to a long slender point
    • attenuate leaves
  3. to make thin or slender
  4. to make thin in consistency : rarefy
  5. to lessen the amount, force, magnitude, or value of : weaken
  6. to reduce the severity, virulence, or vitality of
    • an attenuated virus
  7. to become thin, fine, or less

at·ten·u·a·tor [-yə-,wā-tər, -yü-,ā-] -n

  1. a device for attenuating
  2. one for reducing the amplitude of an electrical signal without appreciable distortion

at·test [ə-'test] -vb, n

  1. to affirm to be true or genuine
  2. to authenticate by signing as a witness
  3. to authenticate officially
  4. to establish or verify the usage of
  5. to be proof of : manifest
    • her record attest s her integrity
  6. to put on oath
  7. to bear witness : testify
    • attest to a belief

at·tic ['a-tik] -n

  1. a low story or wall above the main order of a facade in the classical styles
  2. a room behind an attic
  3. a room or a space immediately below the roof of a building : garret
  4. something resembling an attic (as in being used for storage)

At·tic ['a-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of Athens or its ancient civilization
  2. marked by simplicity, purity, and refinement
    • an Attic prose style

Attic -n

  1. a dialect of ancient Greek orig. used in Attica and later the literary language of the Greek-speaking world

at·ti·cism ['a-tə-,si-zəm] -n

  1. a witty or well-turned phrase
  2. a characteristic feature of Attic Greek occurring in another language or dialect

at·tire [ə-'tī(-ə)r] -vt

  1. to put garments on : dress, array
  2. to clothe in fancy or rich garments

attire -n

  1. dress, clothes
  2. splendid or decorative clothing
  3. the antlers or antlers and scalp of a stag or buck

at·ti·tude ['a-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n

  1. the arrangement of the parts of a body or figure : posture
  2. a position assumed for a specific purpose
    • a threatening attitude
  3. a ballet position similar to the arabesque in which the raised leg is bent at the knee
  4. a mental position with regard to a fact or state
    • a helpful attitude
  5. a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state
  6. the position of an aircraft or spacecraft determined by the relationship between its axes and a reference datum (as the horizon or a particular star)
  7. an organismic state of readiness to respond in a characteristic way to a stimulus (as an object, concept, or situation)
  8. a negative or hostile state of mind
  9. a cool, cocky, defiant, or arrogant manner

at·ti·tu·di·nal [,a-tə-'tü-də-nəl, -'tyü-] -adj, adv

  1. relating to, based on, or expressive of personal attitudes or feelings
    • attitudinal judgment

at·ti·tu·di·nise [,a-tə-'tü-də-,nīz, -'tyü-] -vi

(variant of attitudinize)

  1. to assume an affected mental attitude : pose

at·ti·tu·di·nize [,a-tə-'tü-də-,nīz, -'tyü-] -vi

  1. to assume an affected mental attitude : pose

attn -abbr

  1. attention

at·to- ['a-(,)tō] -comb form

  1. one quintillionth (10 18) part of
    • atto gram

at·torn [ə-'tərn] -vi, n

  1. to agree to be tenant to a new owner or landlord of the same property

at·tor·ney [ə-'tər-nē] -n

  1. one who is legally appointed to transact business on another's behalf
  2. lawyer

attorneyatlaw -n

  1. a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on the retainer of clients

attorney general -n

  1. the chief law officer of a nation or state who represents the government in litigation and serves as its principal legal adviser

at·tract [ə-'trakt] -vb, n

  1. : to cause to approach or adhere: as
  2. to pull to or draw toward oneself or itself
    • a magnet attract s iron
  3. to draw by appeal to natural or excited interest, emotion, or aesthetic sense : entice
    • attract attention
  4. to exercise attraction

at·trac·tant [ə-'trak-tənt] -n

  1. a substance (as a pheromone) that attracts specific animals (as insects or individuals of the opposite sex)

at·trac·tion [ə-'trak-shən] -n

  1. the act, process, or power of attracting
  2. personal charm
  3. the action or power of drawing forth a response : an attractive quality
  4. a force acting mutually between particles of matter, tending to draw them together, and resisting their separation
  5. something that attracts or is intended to attract people by appealing to their desires and tastes
    • coming attraction s

at·trac·tive [ə-'trak-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. having or relating to the power to attract
    • attractive forces between molecules
  2. arousing interest or pleasure : charming
    • an attractive smile
  3. appealing
    • an attractive offer

attrib -abbr

  1. attributive; attributively

at·tri·bute ['a-trə-,byüt] -n

  1. an inherent characteristic
  2. an accidental quality
  3. an object closely associated with or belonging to a specific person, thing, or office
    • a scepter is the attribute of power
  4. such an object used for identification in painting or sculpture
  5. a word ascribing a quality
  6. adjective

at·trib·ute [ə-'tri-,byüt, -byət] -vt, adj

  1. to explain by indicating a cause
    • attributed his success to his coach
  2. to regard as a characteristic of a person or thing
  3. to reckon as made or originated in an indicated fashion
    • attributed the invention to a Russian
  4. classify, designate

at·tri·bu·tion [,a-trə-'byü-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act of attributing
  2. the ascribing of a work (as of literature or art) to a particular author or artist
  3. an ascribed quality, character, or right

at·trib·u·tive [ə-'tri-byə-tiv] -adj, n, adv

  1. relating to or of the nature of an attribute : attributing
  2. joined directly to a modified noun without a linking verb (as cityin city streets)

at·trit·ed [ə-'trī-təd] -adj

  1. worn by attrition

at·tri·tion [ə-'tri-shən, a-] -n, adj

  1. sorrow for one's sins that arises from a motive other than that of the love of God
  2. the act of rubbing together : friction
  3. the act of wearing or grinding down by friction
  4. the act of weakening or exhausting by constant harassment, abuse, or attack
    • a war of attrition
  5. a reduction in numbers usu. as a result of resignation, retirement, or death
    • a company with a high rate of attrition

at·tune [ə-'tün, -'tyün] -vt, n

  1. to bring into harmony : tune
  2. to make aware or responsive
    • attune businesses to changing trends

atty -abbr

  1. attorney

atty gen -abbr

  1. attorney general

ATV [,ā-(,)tē-'vē] -n

  1. all-terrain vehicle

atwit·ter [ə-'twi-tər] -adj

  1. nervously concerned : excited
    • gossips atwitter with speculation -- Time

at wt -abbr

  1. atomic weight

atyp·i·cal [(,)ā-'ti-pi-kəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. not typical : irregular, unusual
    • an atypical form of a disease