co -abbr

  1. company
  2. county

Co -symbol

  1. cobalt

CO -abbr

  1. cash order
  2. Colorado
  3. commanding officer
  4. conscientious objector
  5. corrections officer

co- -prefix

  1. with : together : joint : jointly
    • co exist
    • co heir
  2. in or to the same degree
    • co extensive
  3. one that is associated in an action with another : fellow : partner
    • co author
    • co worker
  4. having a usu. lesser share in duty or responsibility : alternate : deputy
    • co pilot
  5. of, relating to, or constituting the complement of an angle
    • co sine

co·ac·er·vate [kō-'a-sər-,vāt] -n, adj

  1. an aggregate of colloidal droplets held together by electrostatic attractive forces

coach ['kōch] -n

  1. a large usu. closed four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage having doors in the sides and an elevated seat in front for the driver
  2. a railroad passenger car intended primarily for day travel
  3. bus
  4. trailer
  5. a 2-door enclosed automobile
  6. a class of passenger air transportation at a lower fare than first class
  7. a private tutor
  8. one who instructs or trains
    • an acting coach
  9. one who instructs players in the fundamentals of a competitive sport and directs team strategy
    • a football coach
  10. to go in a coach
  11. to instruct, direct, or prompt as a coach
  12. to train intensively (as by instruction and demonstration)
    • coach pupils
  13. to act as coach of
    • coach tennis
    • coach a team

coach dog -n

  1. dalmatian

coach·man ['kōch-mən] -n

  1. a man who drives a coach or carriage

coach·work [-,wərk] -n

  1. an automobile body : bodywork

co·adapt·ed [,kō-ə-'dap-təd] -adj, n

  1. mutually adapted esp. by natural selection

co·ad·ju·tor [,kō-ə-'jü-tər, kō-'a-jə-tər] -n, adj

  1. one who works together with another : assistant
  2. 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

  1. a woman who is a coadjutor

co·ag·u·lant [kō-'a-gyə-lənt] -n

  1. something that produces coagulation

co·ag·u·lase [kō-'a-gyə-,lās, -,lāz] -n

  1. any of several enzymes that cause coagulation (as of blood)

co·ag·u·late [-lət, -,lāt] -adj

  1. being clotted or congealed
  2. to cause to become viscous or thickened into a coherent mass : curdle, clot
  3. to gather together or form into a mass or group
  4. to become coagulated

co·ag·u·lum [kō-'a-gyə-ləm] -n

  1. a coagulated mass or substance : clot

coal ['kōl] -n

  1. a piece of glowing carbon or charred wood : ember
  2. charcoal
  3. 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
  4. pieces or a quantity of the fuel broken up for burning
  5. to burn to charcoal : char
  6. to supply with coal
  7. to take in coal

co·a·lesce [,kō-ə-'les] -vb, n, adj

  1. to grow together
  2. to unite into a whole : fuse
    • separate townships have coalesced into a single, sprawling colony -- Donald Gould
  3. to unite for a common end : join forces
    • people with different points of view coalesce into opposing factions -- I. L. Horowitz
  4. to arise from the combination of distinct elements
    • an organized and a popular resistance immediately coalesced -- C. C. Menges
  5. to cause to unite
    • sometimes a book coalesce s a public into a mass market -- Walter Meade

coal·field ['kōl-,fēld] -n

  1. a region rich in coal deposits

coal·fish [-,fish] -n

  1. any of several blackish or dark-backed fishes (as a pollack, cobia, or sablefish)

coal gas -n

  1. : gas made from coal: as
  2. the mixture of gases thrown off by burning coal
  3. gas made by carbonizing bituminous coal in retorts and used for heating and lighting

coal·hole ['kōl-,hōl] -n

  1. a compartment for storing coal

coal·i·fi·ca·tion [,kō-lə-fə-'kā-shən] -n, vt

  1. 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

  1. the act of coalescing : union
  2. a body formed by the coalescing of orig. distinct elements : combination
  3. a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action

coal measures -n pl

  1. beds of coal with the associated rocks

coal oil -n

  1. petroleum or a refined oil prepared from it
  2. kerosene

coal seam -n

  1. a bed of coal usu. thick enough to be profitably mined

coal tar -n

  1. 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

  1. a raised frame (as around a hatchway in the deck of a ship) to keep out water

co·apt [kō-'apt] -vt, n

  1. to fit together and make fast

co·arc·ta·tion [(,)kō-,ärk-'tā-shən] -n

  1. a stricture or narrowing esp. of a canal or vessel (as the aorta)

coarse ['kȯrs] -adj, adv, n

  1. of ordinary or inferior quality or value : common
  2. composed of relatively large parts or particles
    • coarse sand
  3. loose or rough in texture
    • coarse cloth
  4. adjusted or designed for heavy, fast, or less delicate work
    • a coarse saw with large teeth
  5. not precise or detailed with respect to adjustment or discrimination
  6. crude or unrefined in taste, manners, or language
  7. harsh, raucous, or rough in tone
  8. of or relating to coarse fish
    • coarse fishing

coarse fish -n

  1. rough fish
  2. a freshwater fish other than a salmonid

coarsegrained ['kȯrs-,grānd] -adj

  1. having a coarse grain
    • coarsegrained wood
  2. crude
    • coarsegrained humor

coars·en ['kȯr-sᵊn] -vb

  1. to make coarse
  2. to become coarse

coast ['kōst] -n, adj, adv or adj

  1. the land near a shore : seashore
  2. border, frontier
  3. a hill or slope suited to coasting
  4. a slide down a slope (as on a sled)
  5. the Pacific coast of the U.S.
  6. the immediate area of view used in the phrase the coast is clear
  7. to move along or past the side of : skirt
  8. to sail along the shore of
  9. to travel on land along a coast or along or past the side of something
  10. to sail along the shore
  11. to slide, run, or glide downhill by the force of gravity
  12. to move along without or as if without further application of propulsive power (as by momentum or gravity)
  13. to proceed easily without special application of effort or concern
    • coast ed through school
    often used with on
    • a company coast ing on its good reputation

coast·er ['kōs-tər] -n

  1. : one that coasts: as
  2. a person engaged in coastal traffic or commerce
  3. a ship sailing along a coast or engaged in trade between ports of the same country
  4. a resident of a seacoast
  5. a tray or decanter stand usu. of silver and sometimes on wheels
  6. a shallow container or a plate or mat to protect a surface
  7. a small vehicle (as a sled or wagon) used in coasting
  8. roller coaster

coaster brake -n

  1. a brake in the hub of the rear wheel of a bicycle operated by reverse pressure on the pedals

coaster wagon -n

  1. a child's toy wagon often used for coasting

coast guard -n

  1. a military or naval force employed in guarding a coast or responsible for the safety, order, and operation of maritime traffic in neighboring waters
  2. coastguardsman

coast·guards·man ['kōs(t)-,gärdz-mən] -n

  1. a member of a coast guard

coast·land [-,land] -n

  1. land bordering the sea

coast·line [-,līn] -n

  1. a line that forms the boundary between the land and the ocean or a lake
  2. the outline of a coast

coast redwood -n

  1. redwood

coasttocoast ['kōs-tə-'kōst] -adj, adv

  1. extending or airing across an entire nation or continent
    • a coasttocoast flight
    • a coasttocoast broadcast
  2. extending from one end of a playing surface (as a basketball court) to the other
    • a coasttocoast rush
  3. relating to or resulting from a coast-to-coast play
    • a coasttocoast layup

coast·ward ['kōst-wərd] -adv, adj

  1. toward the coast

coat ['kōt] -n, adj

  1. an outer garment worn on the upper body and varying in length and style according to fashion and use
  2. something resembling a coat
  3. the external growth on an animal
  4. a layer of one substance covering another
    • a coat of paint
  5. to cover with a coat
  6. to cover or spread with a finishing, protecting, or enclosing layer

coat·dress ['kōt-,dres] -n

  1. a dress styled like a coat usu. with a front buttoning from neckline to hemline

coat hanger -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. coati

coat·ing ['kō-tiŋ] -n

  1. cloth for coats
  2. coat, covering

coat of arms

  1. a tabard or surcoat embroidered with armorial bearings
  2. heraldic bearings (as of a person) usu. depicted on an escutcheon often with accompanying adjuncts (as a crest, motto, and supporters)
  3. a similar symbolic emblem

coat of mail

  1. a garment of metal scales or chain mail worn as armor

coat·rack ['kōt-,rak] -n

  1. a stand or rack fitted with pegs, hooks, or hangers and used for the temporary storage of garments

coat·room [-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n

  1. cloakroom, checkroom

coat·tail ['kōt-,tāl] -n

  1. the rear flap of a man's coat
  2. the skirts of a dress coat, cutaway, or frock coat
  3. 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

  1. fondle, pet
  2. to influence or gently urge by caressing or flattering : wheedle
    • coax ed him into going
  3. to draw, gain, or persuade by means of gentle urging or flattery
    • unable to coax an answer out of him
  4. to manipulate with great perseverance and usu. with considerable effort toward a desired state or activity
    • coax a fire to burn

co·ax ['kō-,aks] -n

  1. coaxial cable

co·ax·i·al [(,)kō-'ak-sē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. having coincident axes
  2. mounted on concentric shafts

coaxial cable -n

  1. 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

  1. a male swan
  2. a rounded mass, lump, or heap
  3. a mixture of unburnt clay and straw used esp. for constructing walls of small houses in England
  4. a crudely struck old Spanish coin of irregular shape
  5. corncob
  6. a stocky short-legged riding horse

co·bal·a·min [kō-'ba-lə-mən] -n

  1. vitamin b 12

co·balt ['kō-,bȯlt] -n

  1. a tough lustrous silver-white magnetic metallic element that is related to and occurs with iron and nickel and is used esp. in alloys
  2. cobalt blue

cobalt blue -n

  1. a greenish-blue pigment consisting essentially of cobalt oxide and alumina
  2. a strong greenish blue

cobalt chloride -n

  1. a chloride of cobalt
  2. 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

  1. of, relating to, or containing cobalt esp. with a valence of three

co·balt·ite ['kō-,bȯl-,tīt, kō-'] -n

  1. 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

  1. of, relating to, or containing cobalt esp. with a valence of two

cobalt 60 -n

  1. 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

  1. buddy

cob·ble ['kä-bəl] -vt

  1. to mend or patch coarsely
  2. repair, make
    • cobble shoes
  3. 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

  1. cobblestone
  2. lump coal about the size of small cobblestones

cobbled -adj

  1. paved with cobblestones
    • cobbled streets

cob·bler ['kä-blər] -n

  1. a mender or maker of shoes and often of other leather goods
  2. a clumsy workman
  3. a tall iced drink consisting usu. of wine, rum, or whiskey and sugar garnished with mint or a slice of lemon or orange
  4. a deep-dish fruit dessert with a thick top crust

cob·ble·stone ['kä-bəl-,stōn] -n, adj

  1. a naturally rounded stone larger than a pebble and smaller than a boulder
  2. such a stone used in paving a street or in construction

Cobb salad ['käb-] -n

  1. 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

  1. stocky
    • a cobby horse

co·bel·lig·er·ent [,kō-bə-'lij-rənt, -'li-jə-] -n, adj

  1. a country fighting with another power against a common enemy

co·bia ['kō-bē-ə] -n

  1. a large bony fish ( Rachycentron canadumof the family Rachycentridae) of warm seas that is a food and sport fish

co·ble ['kō-bəl] -n

  1. a flat-bottomed boat propelled chiefly by oars and used in Scotland and northern England esp. for fishing

cob·nut ['käb-,nət] -n

  1. the fruit of a European hazel ( Corylus avellana grandis)
  2. the plant bearing this fruit

CO·BOL ['kō-,bȯl] -n

  1. a computer programming language designed for business applications

co·bra ['kō-brə] -n

  1. 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
  2. any of several related African snakes

cobrand ['kō-,brand] -vt

  1. 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

  1. the network spread by a spider : spiderweb
  2. tangles of the silken threads of a spiderweb usu. covered with accumulated dirt and dust
  3. something that entangles, obscures, or confuses
    • a cobweb of law and politics

cob·web·by [-,we-bē] -adj

  1. filled or covered with cobwebs
    • a cobwebby barn
  2. gossamer
    • cobwebby lace
  3. musty, well-worn
    • a cobwebby plot device
    • cobwebby quaintness

co·ca ['kō-kə] -n

  1. any of several So. American shrubs (genus Erythroxylon,family Erythroxylaceae)
  2. one ( E. coca) that is the primary source of cocaine
  3. dried leaves of a coca (esp. Erythroxylon coca) containing alkaloids including cocaine

co·caine [kō-'kān, 'kō-,] -n

  1. 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

  1. to treat or anesthetize with cocaine

co·car·box·yl·ase [,kō-kär-'bäk-sə-,lās, -,lāz] -n

  1. 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

  1. an agent that aggravates the carcinogenic effects of another substance

coc·cid ['käk-səd] -n

  1. scale insect

coc·cid·i·oi·do·my·co·sis [(,)käk-,si-dē-,ȯi-dō-(,)mī-'kō-səs] -n

  1. 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

  1. infestation with or disease caused by coccidia

coc·cid·i·um [käk-'si-dē-əm] -n

  1. any of an order (Coccidia) of protozoans usu. parasitic in the digestive epithelium of vertebrates

coc·coid ['kä-,kȯid] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or resembling a coccus : globular

coc·cus ['kä-kəs] -n, adj

  1. a spherical bacterium

coc·cy·geal [käk-'si-j(ē-)əl] -adj

  1. of or relating to the coccyx

coc·cyx ['käk-siks] -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. a red dye consisting of the dried bodies of female cochineal insects
  2. cochineal insect

cochineal insect -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. the adult male of the domestic chicken ( Gallus gallus)
  2. the male of birds other than the domestic chicken
  3. woodcock
  4. the crowing of a cock
  5. cockcrow
  6. weathercock
  7. a device (as a faucet or valve) for regulating the flow of a liquid
  8. a chief person : leader
  9. a person of spirit and often of a certain swagger or arrogance
  10. the hammer in the lock of a firearm
  11. the cocked position of the hammer
  12. penis
  13. strut, swagger
  14. to turn, tip, or stick up
  15. to position the hammer of a firearm for firing
  16. to draw the hammer of (a firearm) back and set for firing
  17. to set (the trigger) for firing
  18. to draw or bend back in preparation for throwing or hitting
    • a quarterback cock ing his arm
    • cock a bat
  19. to set a mechanism (as a camera shutter) for tripping
  20. to set erect
    • a dog with one ear cock ed
  21. to turn, tip, or tilt usu. to one side
    • cock one's head
  22. to turn up (as a hat brim)
  23. tilt, slant
    • cock of the head
  24. a small pile (as of hay)
  25. to put (as hay) into cocks

cock·ade [kä-'kād] -n, adj

  1. an ornament (as a rosette) usu. worn on a hat as a badge

cockahoop [,kä-kə-'hüp, -'hu̇p] -adj

  1. triumphantly boastful : exulting
  2. awry

Cock·aigne [kä-'kān] -n

  1. an imaginary land of great luxury and ease

cockaleek·ie [,kä-ki-'lē-kē] -n

  1. a soup made of chicken and leeks

cock·a·lo·rum [,kä-kə-'lȯr-əm] -n

  1. a boastful and self-important person
  2. leapfrog
  3. boastful talk

cock·a·ma·my [,kä-kə-'mā-mē] -adj

  1. ridiculous, incredible
    • of all the cockamamy excuses I ever heard -- Leo Rosten

cockandbull story ['kä-kən-'bu̇l-] -n

  1. an incredible story told as true

cock·a·poo ['kä-kə-,pü] -n

  1. a dog that is a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle

cock·a·tiel ['käk-ə-,tēl] -n

  1. a crested small gray Australian parrot ( Nymphicus hollandicusof the family Cacatuidae) with a yellow head

cock·a·too ['kä-kə-,tü] -n

  1. any of various large noisy chiefly Australasian crested parrots (family Cacatuidae and esp. genus Cacatua)

cock·a·trice ['kä-kə-trəs, -,trīs] -n

  1. 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

  1. a large European beetle ( Melolontha melolontha) destructive to vegetation as an adult and to roots as a larva
  2. any of various related beetles

cock·crow ['käk-,krō] -n

  1. dawn

cocked hat ['käkt-] -n

  1. a hat with brim turned up to give a 3-cornered appearance
  2. a hat with brim turned up on two sides and worn either front to back or sideways

cock·er ['kä-kər] -vt

  1. indulge, pamper

cocker -n

  1. a keeper or handler of fighting cocks
  2. cocker spaniel

cock·er·el ['kä-k(ə-)rəl] -n

  1. a young male of the domestic chicken ( Gallus gallus)

cock·er spaniel ['kä-kər-] -n

  1. english cocker spaniel
  2. 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

  1. a squinting eye

cock·eyed ['käk-,īd] -adj, adv, n

  1. having a cockeye
  2. askew, awry
  3. slightly crazy : topsy-turvy
    • a cockeyed scheme
  4. drunk

cock·fight ['käk-,fīt] -n, adj or n

  1. a contest in which gamecocks usu. fitted with metal spurs are pitted against each other

cock·horse ['käk-,hȯrs] -n

  1. rocking horse

cock·le ['kä-kəl] -n

  1. any of several weedy plants of the pink family
  2. corn cockle

cockle -n

  1. any of various chiefly marine bivalve mollusks (family Cardiidae) having a shell with convex radially ribbed valves
  2. a common edible European bivalve ( Cerastoderma edulesyn. Cardium edule)
  3. cockleshell
  4. pucker, wrinkle

cock·le·bur ['kä-kəl-,bər, 'kə-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Xanthium) of prickly-fruited composite plants
  2. one of its stiff-spined fruits

cock·le·shell ['kä-kəl-,shel] -n

  1. the shell or one of the shell valves of a cockle
  2. a shell (as a scallop shell) suggesting a cockleshell
  3. a light flimsy boat

cockles of the heart

  1. the core of one's being usu. used in the phrase warm the cockles of the heart

cock·loft ['käk-,lȯft] -n

  1. a small garret

cock·ney ['käk-nē] -n, adj, vt

  1. a spoiled child
  2. a squeamish woman
  3. a native of London and esp. of the East End of London
  4. the dialect of London or of the East End of London

cock·pit ['käk-,pit] -n

  1. a pit or enclosure for cockfights
  2. a place noted for esp. bloody, violent, or long-continued conflict
  3. the pit of a theater
  4. a compartment in a sailing warship used as quarters for junior officers and for treatment of the wounded in an engagement
  5. 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

  1. any of an order or suborder (Blattodea syn. Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects including some that are domestic pests

cocks·comb ['käks-,kōm] -n

  1. coxcomb
  2. a garden plant ( Celosia cristata) of the amaranth family grown for its flowers

cocks·foot [-,fu̇t] -n

  1. orchard grass

cock·shut ['käk-,shət] -n

  1. evening twilight

cock·shy [-,shī] -n

  1. a throw at an object set up as a mark
  2. a mark or target so set up
  3. an object or person taken as a butt (as of criticism)

cock·suck·er [-,sə-kər] -n

  1. one who performs fellatio often used as a generalized term of abuse

cock·sure ['käk-'shu̇r] -adj, adv, n

  1. feeling perfect assurance sometimes on inadequate grounds
  2. marked by overconfidence or presumptuousness : cocky

cock·tail ['käk-,tāl] -n

  1. an iced drink of wine or distilled liquor mixed with flavoring ingredients
  2. 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 cocktail of herbicides
  3. a mixture of agents usu. in solution that is taken or used together esp. for medical treatment or diagnosis
  4. an appetizer served as a first course at a meal

cocktail -adj

  1. of, relating to, or set aside for cocktails
    • a cocktail hour
  2. designed for semiformal wear
    • a cocktail dress
  3. a horse with its tail docked

cocktail glass -n

  1. a bell-shaped drinking glass usu. having a foot and stem and holding about three ounces (90 milliliters)

cocktail lounge -n

  1. a public room (as in a hotel, club, or restaurant) where cocktails and other drinks are served

cocktail party -n

  1. an informal or semiformal party or gathering at which cocktails are served

cocktail table -n

  1. coffee table

cockup ['käk-,əp] -n

  1. mess

cocky ['kä-kē] -adj, adv, n

  1. boldly or brashly self-confident
    • a cocky young actor
  2. jaunty

co·co ['kō-(,)kō] -n

  1. the coconut palm
  2. its fruit

co·coa ['kō-(,)kō] -n

  1. powdered ground roasted cacao beans from which a portion of the fat has been removed
  2. a beverage prepared by heating cocoa with water or milk
  3. cacao
  4. a medium brown color

cocoa bean -n

  1. cacao

cocoa butter -n

  1. a pale vegetable fat with a low melting point obtained from cacao beans

co·co·nut ['kō-kə-(,)nət] -n

  1. the drupaceous fruit of the coconut palm whose outer fibrous husk yields coir and whose nut contains thick edible meat and coconut milk
  2. the edible meat of the coconut

coconut crab -n

  1. a large edible coconut-eating burrowing land crab ( Birgus latro) widely distributed about islands of the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans

coconut oil -n

  1. a fatty oil or semisolid fat extracted from fresh coconuts and used esp. in making soaps and food products

coconut palm -n

  1. a tall pinnate-leaved coconut-bearing palm ( Cocos nucifera) that grows along tropical coasts

co·coon [kə-'kün] -n

  1. an envelope often largely of silk which an insect larva forms about itself and in which it passes the pupa stage
  2. any of various other protective coverings produced by animals
  3. 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
  4. a protective covering placed or sprayed over military or naval equipment in storage

cocoon -vt

  1. to wrap or envelop in or as if in a cocoon

co·coon·ing [-'kü-niŋ] -n

  1. the practice of spending leisure time at home in preference to going out

co·cotte [kȯ-'kȯt] -n

  1. prostitute
  2. a shallow individual baking dish usu. with one or two handles

co·co·yam ['kō-(,)kō-yam] -n

  1. taro
  2. yautia

co·cur·ric·u·lar [,kō-kə-'ri-kyə-lər] -adj

  1. being outside of but usu. complementing the regular curriculum
    • cocurricular activities

cod ['käd] -n

  1. : 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
  2. one ( Gadus morhua) of the No. Atlantic that is an important food fish
  3. one ( Gadus macrocephalus) of the Pacific Ocean
  4. any of various bony fishes resembling the true cods
  5. codex

COD -abbr

  1. cash on delivery; collect on delivery

co·da ['kō-də] -n

  1. a concluding musical section that is formally distinct from the main structure
  2. a concluding part of a literary or dramatic work
  3. something that serves to round out, conclude, or summarize and usu. has its own interest

cod·dle ['kä-dᵊl] -vt, n

  1. to cook (as eggs) in liquid slowly and gently just below the boiling point
  2. to treat with extreme or excessive care or kindness : pamper
    • accused the court of coddling criminals

code ['kōd] -n, adj

  1. a systematic statement of a body of law
  2. one given statutory force
  3. a system of principles or rules
    • moral code
  4. a system of signals or symbols for communication
  5. a system of symbols (as letters or numbers) used to represent assigned and often secret meanings
  6. genetic code
  7. a set of instructions for a computer
  8. to put in or into the form or symbols of a code
  9. to specify the genetic code
    • a gene that code s for a protein

code·book -n

  1. a book containing an alphabetical list of words or expressions with their code equivalents

codec -abbr

  1. compression/decompression

co·deine ['kō-,dēn] -n

  1. 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

  1. a designation having a coded and usu. secret meaning

co·de·pen·dence [,kō-di-'pen-dən(t)s] -n

  1. codependency

co·de·pen·den·cy [-dən(t)-sē] -n

  1. 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)
  2. dependence on the needs of or control by another

co·de·pen·dent [-dənt] -adj, n

  1. participating in or exhibiting codependency

co·de·ter·mi·na·tion [,kō-di-,tər-mə-'nā-shən] -n

  1. the participation of labor with management in determining business policy

code word -n

  1. code name
  2. euphemism

co·dex ['kō-,deks] -n

  1. a manuscript book esp. of Scripture, classics, or ancient annals

cod·fish ['käd-,fish] -n

  1. cod
  2. its flesh used as food

cod·ger ['kä-jər] -n

  1. an often mildly eccentric and usu. elderly fellow
    • old codger

cod·i·cil ['kä-də-səl, -,sil] -n, adj

  1. a legal instrument made to modify an earlier will
  2. appendix, supplement

co·di·col·o·gy [,kō-də-'kä-lə-jē, ,kä-] -n, adj

  1. the study of manuscripts as cultural artifacts for historical purposes

cod·i·fy ['kä-də-,fī, 'kō-] -vt, n

  1. to reduce to a code
  2. systematize
  3. classify

cod·ling ['käd-liŋ] -n

  1. a young cod
  2. any of several hakes (esp. genus Urophycis)
  3. a small immature apple
  4. any of several elongated greenish English cooking apples

codling moth -n

  1. a small tortricid moth ( Cydia pomonella) having larvae that live in apples, pears, quinces, and English walnuts

codliver oil -n

  1. 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

  1. forming part of the main canopy of a forest
    • codominant trees
  2. sharing in the controlling influence of a biotic community
  3. being fully expressed in the heterozygous condition
    • codominant alleles

co·don ['kō-,dän] -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. nonsense

co·ed ['kō-(,)ed] -n

  1. a female student in a coeducational institution

coed -adj

  1. of or relating to a coed
  2. of or relating to coeducation
  3. open to or used by both men and women

coedi·tion [,kō-ə-'di-shən] -n

  1. 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

  1. the education of students of both sexes at the same institution

coeff -abbr

  1. coefficient

co·ef·fi·cient [,kō-ə-'fi-shənt] -n

  1. any of the factors of a product considered in relation to a specific factor
  2. a constant factor of a term as distinguished from a variable
  3. 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
  4. measure

coefficient of correlation

  1. correlation coefficient

coefficient of viscosity

  1. viscosity

coe·la·canth ['sē-lə-,kan(t)th] -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. the internal cavity of a coelenterate

coeliac ['sē-lē-,ak] -adj

(variant of celiac)

  1. of or relating to the abdominal cavity

coe·lom ['sē-ləm] -n, adj or n, adj

  1. the usu. epithelium-lined space between the body wall and the digestive tract of metazoans above the lower worms

coen- -comb form

  1. common : general
    • coeno cyte

coenobite ['se-nə-,bīt, 'sē-] -n, adj

(variant of cenobite)

  1. a member of a religious group living together in a monastic community

coe·no·cyte ['sē-nə-,sīt] -n, adj

  1. a multinucleate mass of protoplasm resulting from repeated nuclear division unaccompanied by cell fission
  2. an organism consisting of such a structure
  3. syncytium

co·en·zyme [(,)kō-'en-,zīm] -n, adj, adv

  1. a thermostable nonprotein compound that forms the active portion of an enzyme system after combination with an apoenzyme

coenzyme A -n

  1. 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

  1. ubiquinone

co·equal [(,)kō-'ē-kwəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. equal with one another
    • coequal branches of government

co·erce [kō-'ərs] -vt, adj

  1. to restrain or dominate by force
    • religion in the past has tried to coerce the irreligious -- W. R. Inge
  2. to compel to an act or choice
    • was coerced into agreeing
  3. to achieve by force or threat
    • coerce compliance

co·er·cion [-'ər-zhən, -shən] -n

  1. the act, process, or power of coercing

co·er·cive [-'ər-siv] -adj, adv, n

  1. serving or intended to coerce
    • coercive power
    • coercive measures

coercive force -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. coeval

co·e·val [kō-'ē-vəl] -adj, n

  1. of the same or equal age, antiquity, or duration

co·evo·lu·tion [,kō-,e-və-'lü-shən also -,ē-və-] -n, adj, vi

  1. 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

  1. to exist together or at the same time
  2. to live in peace with each other esp. as a matter of policy

co·ex·ten·sive [,kō-ik-'sten(t)-siv] -adj, adv

  1. having the same spatial or temporal scope or boundaries

co·fac·tor ['kō-,fak-tər] -n

  1. 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
  2. a substance that acts with another substance to bring about certain effects
  3. coenzyme
  4. something (as diet or a virus) that acts with or aids another factor in causing disease

cof·fee ['kȯ-fē, 'kä-] -n

  1. a beverage made by percolation, infusion, or decoction from the roasted and ground seeds of a coffee plant
  2. 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
  3. coffee seeds esp. roasted and often ground
  4. a dehydrated product made from brewed coffee
    • instant coffee
  5. a beverage made from this
  6. a cup of coffee
    • two coffee s
  7. coffee hour

coffee bar -n

  1. an establishment or counter where coffee and usu. light refreshments are served

coffee break -n

  1. a short period for rest and refreshments

coffee cake -n

  1. a sweet rich bread often with added fruit, nuts, and spices that is sometimes glazed after baking

coffee hour -n

  1. a usu. fixed occasion of informal meeting and chatting at which refreshments are served
  2. coffee break

cof·fee·house [-,hau̇s] -n

  1. 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

  1. kaffeeklatsch

cof·fee·mak·er [-,mā-kər] -n

  1. a utensil or appliance in which coffee is brewed

coffee mill -n

  1. a mill for grinding coffee beans

cof·fee·pot [-,pät] -n

  1. a pot for brewing and serving coffee

coffee ring -n

  1. coffee cake in the shape of a ring

coffee roll -n

  1. a sweet roll

coffee room -n

  1. a room where refreshments are served

coffee royal -n

  1. a drink of black coffee and a liquor

coffee shop -n

  1. a small restaurant

cof·feeta·ble [-,tā-bəl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being an article (as a book or magazine) intended for display (as on a coffee table)

coffee table -n

  1. a low table customarily placed in front of a sofa called also cocktail table

coffee tree -n

  1. a tree (as arabica) that produces coffee
  2. kentucky coffee tree

cof·fer ['kȯ-fər, 'kä-] -n

  1. chest
  2. strongbox
  3. treasury, funds usu. used in pl.
  4. a recessed panel in a vault, ceiling, or soffit

coffer -vt

  1. to store or hoard up in a coffer
  2. to form (as a ceiling) with recessed panels

cof·fer·dam [-,dam] -n

  1. a watertight enclosure from which water is pumped to expose the bottom of a body of water and permit construction (as of a pier)
  2. a watertight structure for making repairs below the waterline of a ship

cof·fin ['kȯ-fən] -n

  1. a box or chest for burying a corpse

coffin -vt

  1. to enclose in or as if in a coffin

coffin bone -n

  1. the principal bone enclosed within the hoof of a horse called also pedal bone

coffin corner -n

  1. 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

  1. cigarette

cof·fle ['kȯ-fəl, 'kä-] -n

  1. a train of slaves or animals fastened together

co·func·tion ['kō-,fəŋ(k)-shən] -n

  1. 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

  1. a tooth on the rim of a wheel or gear
  2. a subordinate but integral person or part
  3. to cheat in throwing dice
  4. deceive
  5. to use venal flattery
  6. to direct the fall of (dice) fraudulently
  7. wheedle
  8. to connect (as timbers or joists) by means of mortises and tenons
  9. a tenon on a beam or timber
  10. cognate

co·gen·cy ['kō-jən(t)-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being cogent

co·gen·e·ra·tion [,kō-,je-nə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. 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

  1. having power to compel or constrain
    • cogent forces
  2. appealing forcibly to the mind or reason : convincing
    • cogent evidence
  3. pertinent, relevant
    • a cogent analysis

cog·i·ta·ble ['kä-jə-tə-bəl] -adj

  1. conceivable, thinkable

cog·i·tate ['kä-jə-,tāt] -vb

  1. to ponder or meditate on usu. intently
  2. to meditate deeply or intently
    • cogitating on her career plans

cog·i·ta·tion [,kä-jə-'tā-shən] -n

  1. the act of cogitating : meditation
  2. the capacity to think or reflect
  3. a single thought

cog·i·ta·tive ['kä-jə-,tā-tiv] -adj

  1. of or relating to cogitation
  2. capable of or given to cogitation

co·gi·to ['kä-gi-,tō, 'kō-, 'kä-ji-] -n

  1. the philosophic principle that one's existence is demonstrated by the fact that one thinks
  2. the intellectual processes of the self or ego

co·gnac ['kōn-,yak also 'kȯn- or 'kän-] -n

  1. a brandy from the departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime distilled from white wine

cog·nate ['käg-,nāt] -adj, adv

  1. of the same or similar nature : generically alike
  2. related by blood
  3. related on the mother's side
  4. related by descent from the same ancestral language
  5. related by derivation, borrowing, or descent
  6. related to a verb usu. by derivation and serving as its object to reinforce the meaning

cognate -n

  1. one that is cognate with another

cog·na·tion [käg-'nā-shən] -n

  1. cognate relationship

cog·ni·tion [käg-'ni-shən] -n, adj

  1. cognitive mental processes
  2. a product of these processes

cog·ni·tive ['käg-nə-tiv] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (as thinking, reasoning, or remembering)
    • cognitive impairment
  2. based on or capable of being reduced to empirical factual knowledge

cognitive dissonance -n

  1. psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously

cognitive science -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. capable of being judicially heard and determined
    • a cognizable claim
  2. capable of being known
    • cognizable events

cog·ni·zance ['käg-nə-zən(t)s] -n

  1. a distinguishing mark or emblem (as a heraldic bearing)
  2. knowledge, awareness
    • had no cognizance of the situation
  3. notice, acknowledgment
    • take cognizance of their achievement
  4. jurisdiction, responsibility

cog·ni·zant [-zənt] -adj

  1. knowledgeable of something esp. through personal experience
  2. mindful

cog·nize [käg-'nīz, 'käg-,] -vt, n

  1. know, understand

cog·no·men [käg-'nō-mən, 'käg-nə-] -n, adj

  1. surname
  2. the third of usu. three names borne by a male citizen of ancient Rome
  3. name
  4. a distinguishing nickname or epithet

co·gno·scen·te [,kän-yə-'shen-tē, ,käg-nə-, -'sen-] -n

  1. a person who has expert knowledge in a subject : connoisseur

cog·nos·ci·ble [käg-'nä-sə-bəl] -adj

  1. cognizable, knowable

co·gon [kō-'gōn] -n

  1. any of several tall grasses (genus Imperata,esp. I. cylindrica) of southeastern Asia used esp. for thatching, fodder, and erosion control

cog railway -n

  1. 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

  1. a wheel with cogs : gear

co·hab·it [(,)kō-'ha-bət] -vi, n

  1. to live together as or as if a married couple
  2. to live together or in company
    • buffaloes cohabit ing with crossbred cows -- Biol. Abstracts
  3. to exist together
    • two strains in his philosophy...cohabit in each of his major works -- Justus Buchler

co·here [kō-'hir] -vb

  1. to hold together firmly as parts of the same mass
  2. stick, adhere
  3. to display cohesion of plant parts
  4. to hold together as a mass of parts that cohere
  5. to become united in principles, relationships, or interests
  6. to be logically or aesthetically consistent
  7. to cause (parts or components) to cohere

co·her·ence [kō-'hir-ən(t)s, -'her-] -n

  1. : the quality or state of cohering: as
  2. systematic or logical connection or consistency
  3. integration of diverse elements, relationships, or values
  4. the property of being coherent
    • a plan that lacks coherence

co·her·en·cy [kō-'hir-ən(t)-sē, -'her-] -n

  1. coherence

co·her·ent [-ənt] -adj, adv

  1. logically or aesthetically ordered or integrated : consistent
    • coherent style
    • a coherent argument
  2. having clarity or intelligibility : understandable
    • a coherent person
    • a coherent passage
  3. having the quality of cohering
  4. cohesive, coordinated
    • a coherent plan for action
  5. relating to or composed of waves having a constant difference in phase
    • coherent light
  6. producing coherent light
    • a coherent source

co·her·er [kō-'hir-ər] -n

  1. 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

  1. the act or state of sticking together tightly
  2. unity
    • the lack of cohesion in the Party -- Times Lit. Supp.
  3. union between similar plant parts or organs
  4. molecular attraction by which the particles of a body are united throughout the mass

co·he·sive [kō-'hē-siv, -ziv] -adj, adv, n

  1. exhibiting or producing cohesion or coherence
    • a cohesive social unit
    • cohesive soils

co·ho ['kō-(,)hō] -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. one of 10 divisions of an ancient Roman legion
  2. a group of warriors or soldiers
  3. band, group
  4. a group of individuals having a statistical factor (as age or class membership) in common in a demographic study
    • a cohort of premedical students
  5. companion, colleague
    • a few of their...cohort s decided to form a company -- Burt Hochberg

co·hosh ['kō-,häsh] -n

  1. : any of several No. American medicinal or poisonous plants: as
  2. black cohosh
  3. blue cohosh
  4. baneberry

co·hous·ing [(,)kō-'hau̇-ziŋ] -n

  1. 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

  1. : a close-fitting cap: as
  2. a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nuns
  3. a protective usu. metal skullcap formerly worn under a hood of mail
  4. a white cap formerly worn by English lawyers and esp. by serjeants-at-law
  5. the order or rank of a serjeant-at-law
  6. coiffure
  7. to cover or dress with or as if with a coif
  8. to arrange (hair) by brushing, combing, or curling

coif·feur [kwä-'fər] -n

  1. a man who is a hairdresser

coif·feuse [kwä-'fə(r)z, -'fyüz, -'füz] -n

  1. a woman who is a hairdresser

coif·fure [kwä-'fyu̇r] -n

  1. a style or manner of arranging the hair

coif·fured [-'fyu̇rd] -adj

  1. being dressed
    • beautifully coiffured hair
  2. having the hair brushed, combed, and curled
    • stylishly coiffured women

coign of van·tage [,kȯi-nə-'van-tij]

  1. an advantageous position

coil ['kȯi(-ə)l] -n

  1. turmoil
  2. trouble
  3. everyday cares and worries
    • when we have shuffled off this mortal coil -- Shak.
  4. to wind into rings or spirals
    • coil a rope
  5. to roll or twist into a shape resembling a coil
    • coil ed herself up on the couch
  6. to move in a circular or spiral course
  7. to form or lie in a coil
  8. a series of loops
  9. spiral
  10. a single loop of such a coil
  11. 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
  12. induction coil
  13. a series of connected pipes in rows, layers, or windings
  14. a roll of postage stamps
  15. a stamp from such a roll

coin ['kȯin] -n

  1. corner, cornerstone, quoin
  2. wedge
  3. a usu. flat piece of metal issued by governmental authority as money
  4. metal money
  5. something resembling a coin esp. in shape
  6. 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
  7. something having two different and usu. opposing sides usu. used in the phrase the other side of the coin
  8. money
    • I'm in it for the coin -- Sinclair Lewis
  9. to make (a coin) esp. by stamping : mint
  10. to convert (metal) into coins
  11. create, invent
    • coin a phrase
  12. of or relating to coins
  13. operated by coins

coin·age ['kȯi-nij] -n

  1. the act or process of coining
  2. coins
  3. something (as a word) made up or invented

co·in·cide [,kō-ən-'sīd, 'kō-ən-,] -vi

  1. to occupy the same place in space or time
  2. to occupy exactly corresponding or equivalent positions on a scale or in a series
  3. to correspond in nature, character, or function
  4. to be in accord or agreement : concur

co·in·ci·dence [kō-'in(t)-sə-dən(t)s, -sə-,den(t)s] -n

  1. the act or condition of coinciding : correspondence
  2. the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection
  3. any of these occurrences

co·in·ci·dent [-sə-dənt, -,dent] -adj, adv

  1. of similar nature : harmonious
    • a theory coincident with the facts
  2. occupying the same space or time
    • coincident events

co·in·ci·den·tal [(,)kō-,in(t)-sə-'den-tᵊl] -adj

  1. resulting from a coincidence
    • a coincidental resemblance
  2. occurring or existing at the same time
    • coincidental deaths

co·in·ci·den·tal·ly [-'dent-lē, -'den-tə-lē] -adv

  1. in a coincidental manner : by coincidence
    • lonely singles who meet coincidentally and click -- People
  2. 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

  1. concurrent infection of a cell or organism with two organisms

coin of the realm

  1. the legal money of a country
  2. 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

  1. a self-service laundry where the machines are operated by coins

co·in·sur·ance [,kō-ən-'shu̇r-ən(t)s also -'in-,] -n

  1. joint assumption of risk (as by two underwriters) with another
  2. 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

  1. to insure jointly

coir ['kȯi(-ə)r] -n

  1. a stiff coarse fiber from the outer husk of a coconut

cois·trel ['kȯi-strəl] -n

  1. a mean fellow : varlet

co·i·tion [kō-'i-shən] -n, adj

  1. coitus

co·i·tus ['kō-ə-təs, kō-'ē-, 'kȯi-təs] -n, adj, adv

  1. physical union of male and female genitalia accompanied by rhythmic movements : sexual intercourse

coitus in·ter·rup·tus [-,in-tə-'rəp-təs] -n

  1. 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

  1. nerve
  2. testes

coke ['kōk] -n

  1. the residue of coal left after destructive distillation and used as fuel
  2. a similar residue left by other materials (as petroleum) distilled to dryness
  3. to change into coke
  4. to become coke or like coke
  5. cocaine

Coke ['kōk] -trademark

  1. used for a cola drink

coke·head ['kō-ked, 'kōk-,hed] -n

  1. a person who uses cocaine compulsively

col ['käl] -n

  1. saddle
  2. colonial
  3. colony
  4. color; colored
  5. column
  6. counsel
  7. collateral
  8. collect; collected; collection
  9. college; collegiate

Col -abbr

  1. colonel
  2. Colorado
  3. Colossians

COL -abbr

  1. colonel
  2. cost of living
  3. colon
    • col itis
    • colo stomy
  4. E. coli
    • coli form
    • coli phage

cola ['kō-lən] -n

(variant of colon)

  1. the part of the large intestine that extends from the cecum to the rectum

co·la ['kō-lə] -n

  1. a carbonated soft drink colored usu. with caramel and flavored usu. with extracts from kola nuts

COLA -abbr

  1. cost-of-living adjustment
  2. cost-of-living allowance

col·an·der ['kä-lən-dər, 'kə-] -n

  1. a perforated utensil for washing or draining food

cola nut ['kō-lə-] -n

(variant of kola nut)

  1. 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

  1. the complement of the latitude

Col·by ['kōl-bē] -n

  1. a moist mild cheese similar to cheddar

col·can·non [käl-'ka-nən] -n

  1. potatoes and cabbage boiled and mashed together with butter and seasoning

col·chi·cine ['käl-chə-,sēn, 'käl-kə-] -n

  1. 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

  1. any of a genus ( Colchicum) of Old World corm-producing herbs of the lily family with flowers that resemble crocuses
  2. 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

  1. having or being a temperature that is uncomfortably low for humans
    • it is cold outside today
    • a cold drafty attic
  2. having a relatively low temperature or one lower than normal or expected
    • the bath water has gotten cold
  3. : not heated: as
  4. served without heating esp. after initial cooking or processing
    • cold cereal
    • cold roast beef
  5. served chilled or with ice
    • a cold drink
  6. involving processing without the use of heat
    • cold working of steel
  7. marked by a lack of the warmth of normal human emotion, friendliness, or compassion
    • a cold stare
    • got a cold reception
  8. not moved to enthusiasm
    • the movie leaves me cold
  9. not colored or affected by personal feeling or bias : detached, indifferent
    • cold chronicles recorded by an outsider -- Andrew Sarris
  10. impersonal, objective
    • cold facts
    • cold reality
  11. marked by sure familiarity : pat
    • had her lines cold weeks before opening night
  12. : conveying the impression of being cold: as
  13. depressing, gloomy
    • cold gray skies
  14. cool
  15. marked by the loss of normal body heat
    • cold hands
  16. dead
  17. giving the appearance of being dead : unconscious
    • passed out cold
  18. having lost freshness or vividness : stale
    • dogs trying to pick up a cold scent
  19. far off the mark : not close to finding or solving used esp. in children's games
  20. marked by poor or unlucky performance
    • the team's shooting turned cold in the second half
  21. not prepared or suitably warmed up
  22. bodily sensation produced by loss or lack of heat
    • they died of the cold
  23. a condition of low temperature
    • extremes of heat and cold
  24. cold weather
  25. a bodily disorder popularly associated with chilling
  26. common cold
  27. with utter finality : absolutely, completely
    • turned down cold
  28. abruptly
    • stopped them cold
  29. without introduction or advance notice
    • walked in cold to apply for a job
  30. without preparation or warm-up
    • was asked to perform the solo cold

coldblood·ed ['kōl(d)-'blə-dəd] -adj, adv, n

  1. done or acting without consideration, compunction, or clemency
    • coldblooded murder
  2. matter-of-fact, emotionless
    • a coldblooded assessment
  3. having cold blood
  4. having a body temperature not internally regulated but approximating that of the environment
  5. of mixed or inferior breeding
  6. noticeably sensitive to cold

cold call -n, vb

  1. a telephone call soliciting business made directly to a potential customer without prior contact or without a lead

cold cash -n

  1. money in hand

cold chisel -n

  1. 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

  1. to knock unconscious

cold comfort -n

  1. quite limited sympathy, consolation, or encouragement

cold cream -n

  1. a soothing and cleansing cosmetic

cold cuts -n pl

  1. sliced assorted cold cooked meats

cold duck -n

  1. a beverage that consists of a blend of sparkling burgundy and champagne

coldeyed ['kōld-'īd, -,īd] -adj

  1. cold in manner or appearance
  2. coolly dispassionate
    • coldeyed analysis

cold feet -n pl

  1. apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action

cold fish -n

  1. a cold aloof person

cold frame -n

  1. a usu. glass- or plastic-covered frame without artificial heat used to protect plants and seedlings outdoors

cold front -n

  1. an advancing edge of a cold air mass

cold·heart·ed ['kōld-'här-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by lack of sympathy, interest, or sensitivity
    • coldhearted criminals
    • a coldhearted refusal

coldpress [-,pres] -vt

  1. to press (as olives) without applying heat from an external source
  2. to extract (oil) by cold-pressing

cold shoulder -n, vt

  1. intentionally cold or unsympathetic treatment
    • got the cold shoulder from an old friend

cold sore -n

  1. 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

  1. storage (as of food) in a cold place for preservation
  2. a condition of being held or continued without being acted on : abeyance

cold store -n

  1. a building for cold storage

cold sweat -n

  1. concurrent perspiration and chill usu. associated with fear, pain, or shock

cold turkey -n, vt

  1. abrupt complete cessation of the use of an addictive drug
  2. the symptoms experienced by a person undergoing withdrawal from a drug
  3. unrelieved blunt language or procedure
  4. a cold aloof person
  5. : all at once : abruptly: as
  6. without a period of gradual adjustment, adaptation, or withdrawal
    • quit smoking cold turkey
  7. without preparation
    • a new player who started the season cold turkey

cold type -n

  1. composition or typesetting (as photocomposition) done without the casting of metal
  2. such composition produced directly on paper by a typewriter mechanism

cold war -n

  1. a conflict over ideological differences carried on by methods short of sustained overt military action and usu. without breaking off diplomatic relations
  2. the ideological conflict between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. during the second half of the 20th century
  3. a condition of rivalry, mistrust, and often open hostility short of violence esp. between power groups (as labor and management)

cold warrior -n

  1. one that supports or is engaged in a cold war

coldwater -adj

  1. having only running water without heat or utility services provided
    • a coldwater flat

cold water -n

  1. depreciation of something as being ill-advised, unwarranted, or worthless
    • threw cold water on our hopes

cold wave -n

  1. an unusually large and rapid drop in temperature over a short period of time (as 24 hours)
  2. a permanent wave set by a chemical preparation without the use of heat

cole ['kōl] -n

  1. any of several brassicas
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. insects that are beetles

co·le·op·ter·an [-tə-rən] -n, adj

  1. beetle

co·le·op·tile [-'äp-tᵊl] -n

  1. the first leaf of a monocotyledon forming a protective sheath about the plumule

co·le·o·rhi·za [,kō-lē-ə-'rī-zə] -n

  1. the sheath investing the radicle in some monocotyledonous plants through which the roots emerge

cole·slaw ['kōl-,slȯ] -n

  1. a salad made of raw sliced or chopped cabbage

co·le·us ['kō-lē-əs] -n

  1. 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

  1. cole
  2. one (as kale) that forms no head

col·ic ['kä-lik] -n

  1. an attack of acute abdominal pain localized in a hollow organ and often caused by spasm, obstruction, or twisting
  2. 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

  1. of or relating to colic : colicky
    • colic crying

co·lic ['kō-lik, 'kä-] -adj

  1. of or relating to the colon
    • colic lymph nodes

co·li·cin ['kō-lə-sən] -n

  1. any of various antibacterial substances produced by strains of intestinal bacteria (as of E. coli)

col·icky ['kä-li-kē] -adj

  1. relating to or associated with colic
    • colicky pain
  2. suffering from colic
    • colicky babies

col·ic·root ['kä-lik-,rüt, -,ru̇t] -n

  1. any of several plants having roots used in folk medicine to treat colic
  2. either of two bitter herbs ( Aletris farinosaand A. aurea) of the lily family

co·li·form ['kō-lə-,fȯrm, 'kä-] -adj, n

  1. 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

  1. collinear
  2. 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

  1. any bacteriophage active against E. coli

col·i·se·um [,kä-lə-'sē-əm] -n

  1. colosseum
  2. a large sports stadium or building designed like the Colosseum for public entertainments

co·lis·tin [kə-'lis-tən, kō-] -n

  1. a polymyxin produced by a bacterium ( Bacillus polymyxavar. colistinus) from Japanese soil

co·li·tis [kō-'lī-təs, kə-] -n

  1. inflammation of the colon

coll- -comb form

  1. glue
    • coll enchyma
  2. colloid
    • collo type

col·lab·o·rate [kə-'la-bə-,rāt] -vi, n, adj or n, adv

  1. to work jointly with others or together esp. in an intellectual endeavor
  2. to cooperate with or willingly assist an enemy of one's country and esp. an occupying force
  3. 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

  1. the advocacy or practice of collaboration with an enemy

col·lage [kə-'läzh, kȯ-, kō-] -n, vt

  1. an artistic composition made of various materials (as paper, cloth, or wood) glued on a surface
  2. a creative work that resembles such a composition in incorporating various materials or elements
    • the album is a collage of several musical styles
  3. the art of making collages
  4. hodgepodge
    • a collage of ideas
  5. a work (as a film) having disparate scenes in rapid succession without transitions

col·la·gen ['kä-lə-jən] -n, adj

  1. 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

  1. any of a group of proteolytic enzymes that decompose collagen and gelatin

col·lapse [kə-'laps] -vb, n, adj

  1. 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
  2. to break down completely : disintegrate
    • his case had collapsed in a mass of legal wreckage -- Erle Stanley Gardner
  3. to cave or fall in or give way
    • the bridge collapsed
  4. to suddenly lose force, significance, effectiveness, or worth
    • fears that the currency may collapse
  5. to break down in vital energy, stamina, or self-control through exhaustion or disease
  6. to fall helpless or unconscious
  7. to fold down into a more compact shape
    • a chair that collapse s
  8. to cause to collapse
    • buildings collapsed by an earthquake
  9. condense
    • collapse several stories into one

collapse -n

  1. a breakdown in vital energy, strength, or stamina
  2. a state of extreme prostration and physical depression (as from circulatory failure or great loss of body fluids)
  3. an airless state of all or part of a lung originating spontaneously or induced surgically
  4. the act or action of collapsing
    • the cutting of many tent ropes, the collapse of the canvas -- Rudyard Kipling
  5. a sudden failure : breakdown, ruin
  6. 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

  1. : a band, strip, or chain worn around the neck: as
  2. a band that serves to finish or decorate the neckline of a garment
  3. a short necklace
  4. a band placed about the neck of an animal
  5. a part of the harness of draft animals fitted over the shoulders and taking strain when a load is drawn
  6. an indication of control : a token of subservience
  7. a protective or supportive device (as a brace or cast) worn around the neck
  8. clerical collar
  9. something resembling a collar in shape or use (as a ring or round flange to restrain motion or hold something in place)
  10. any of various animal structures or markings similar to a collar
  11. an act of collaring : arrest, capture

collar -vt

  1. to seize by the collar or neck
  2. arrest, grab
  3. to get control of : preempt
    • we can collar nearly the whole of this market -- Roald Dahl
  4. to stop and detain in unwilling conversation
    • collar the guest of honor
  5. to put a collar on
    • collar a dog

col·lar·bone ['kä-lər-,bōn] -n

  1. clavicle

collar cell -n

  1. 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

  1. a cabbage ( Brassica oleracea acephala) related to kale and having a loose head of stalked smooth leaves
  2. its leaves cooked and eaten as a vegetable usu. used in pl. called also collard greens

collat -abbr

  1. collateral

col·late [kə-'lāt, kä-, kō-; 'kä-,, 'kō-,] -vt, n

  1. to compare critically
  2. to collect, compare carefully in order to verify, and often to integrate or arrange in order
  3. to institute (a cleric) to a benefice
  4. to verify the order of (printed sheets)
  5. to assemble in proper order
  6. to assemble (as printed sheets) in order for binding

col·lat·er·al [kə-'la-t(ə-)rəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. accompanying as secondary or subordinate : concomitant
    • digress into collateral matters
  2. indirect
  3. serving to support or reinforce : ancillary
  4. belonging to the same ancestral stock but not in a direct line of descent
  5. parallel, coordinate, or corresponding in position, order, time, or significance
    • collateral states like Athens and Sparta
  6. of, relating to, or being collateral used as security (as for payment of a debt or performance of a contract)
  7. secured by collateral

collateral -n

  1. a collateral relative
  2. property (as securities) pledged by a borrower to protect the interests of the lender
  3. a branch of a bodily part (as a vein)

collateral damage -n

  1. injury inflicted on something other than an intended target
  2. civilian casualties of a military operation

col·lat·er·al·ize [kə-'la-t(ə-)rə-,līz] -vt

  1. to make (a loan) secure with collateral
  2. to use (as securities) for collateral

col·la·tion [kə-'lā-shən, kä-, kō-] -n

  1. a light meal allowed on fast days in place of lunch or supper
  2. a light meal
  3. the act, process, or result of collating

col·league ['kä-(,)lēg] -n

  1. an associate in a profession or in a civil or ecclesiastical office

col·lect ['kä-likt also -,lekt] -n

  1. a short prayer comprising an invocation, petition, and conclusion
  2. one preceding the eucharistic Epistle and varying with the day
  3. collection
  4. to bring together into one body or place
  5. to gather or exact from a number of persons or sources
    • collect taxes
  6. to gather an accumulation of (objects) esp. as a hobby
    • collect s stamps
  7. infer, deduce
  8. to gain or regain control of
    • collect his thoughts
  9. to claim as due and receive payment for
  10. to get and bring with one
  11. pick up
    • went to collect her at the train station
  12. to come together in a band, group, or mass : gather
  13. to collect objects
  14. to receive payment
    • collect ing on the insurance
  15. to be paid for by the receiver

col·lec·ta·nea [,kä-,lek-'tā-nē-ə] -n pl

  1. collected writings
  2. literary items forming a collection

col·lect·ed [kə-'lek-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. gathered together
    • the collected works of Scott
  2. possessed of calmness and composure often through concentrated effort
  3. performed slowly and restrainedly with the animal's center of gravity toward the hindquarters

col·lect·ible [kə-'lek-tə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. suitable for being collected
  2. due for present payment : payable

collectible -n

  1. an object that is collected by fanciers
  2. one other than such traditionally collectible items as art, stamps, coins, and antiques

col·lec·tion [kə-'lek-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of collecting
  2. something collected
  3. an accumulation of objects gathered for study, comparison, or exhibition or as a hobby
  4. group, aggregate
  5. a set of apparel designed for sale usu. in a particular season

col·lec·tive [kə-'lek-tiv] -adj, adv

  1. denoting a number of persons or things considered as one group or whole
    • flock is a collective word
  2. formed by collecting : aggregated
  3. multiple
  4. of, relating to, or being a group of individuals
  5. involving all members of a group as distinct from its individuals
    • a collective action
  6. marked by similarity among or with the members of a group
  7. collectivized or characterized by collectivism
  8. shared or assumed by all members of the group
    • collective responsibility

collective -n

  1. a collective body : group
  2. a cooperative unit or organization
  3. collective farm
  4. a helicopter control system governing lift

collective bargaining -n

  1. negotiation between an employer and a labor union usu. on wages, hours, and working conditions

collective farm -n

  1. 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

  1. a trademark or a service mark of a group (as a cooperative association)

collective security -n

  1. the maintenance by common action of the security of all members of an association of nations

collective unconscious -n

  1. 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)

  1. to organize by collectivism

col·lec·tiv·ism [kə-'lek-ti-,vi-zəm] -n, adj or n, adj, adv

  1. a political or economic theory advocating collective control esp. over production and distribution
  2. a system marked by such control
  3. emphasis on collective rather than individual action or identity

col·lec·tiv·i·ty [kə-,lek-'ti-və-tē, ,kä-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being collective
  2. a collective whole
  3. the people as a body

col·lec·tiv·ize [kə-'lek-ti-,vīz] -vt, n

  1. to organize by collectivism

col·lec·tor [kə-'lek-tər] -n

  1. : one that collects: as
  2. an official who collects funds or moneys
  3. a person who makes a collection
    • stamp collector
  4. an object or device that collects
    • the statuette was a dust collector
  5. solar collector

collector's item -n

  1. an item whose rarity or excellence makes it esp. worth collecting
  2. collectible

col·leen [kä-'lēn, 'kä-,] -n

  1. an Irish girl

col·lege ['kä-lij] -n

  1. a body of clergy living together and supported by a foundation
  2. a building used for an educational or religious purpose
  3. 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
  4. a preparatory or high school
  5. an independent institution of higher learning offering a course of general studies leading to a bachelor's degree
  6. a university division offering this
  7. a part of a university offering a specialized group of courses
  8. an institution offering instruction usu. in a professional, vocational, or technical field
    • business college
  9. company, group
  10. an organized body of persons engaged in a common pursuit or having common interests or duties
  11. a group of persons considered by law to be a unit
  12. a body of electors
  13. the faculty, students, or administration of a college

College Board -service mark

  1. used for administration of tests of aptitude and achievement considered by some colleges in determining admission and placement of students

college try -n

  1. a zealous all-out effort

col·le·gial [kə-'lē-j(ē-)əl, esp for 2a also -'lē-gē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. collegiate
  2. marked by power or authority vested equally in each of a number of colleagues
  3. characterized by equal sharing of authority esp. by Roman Catholic bishops
  4. marked by camaraderie among colleagues

col·le·gi·al·i·ty [-,lē-jē-'a-lə-tē, -,lē-gē-] -n

  1. the cooperative relationship of colleagues
  2. 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

  1. a student or recent graduate of a college

col·le·giate [kə-'lē-jət, -jē-ət] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to a collegiate church
  2. of, relating to, or comprising a college
  3. collegial
  4. designed for or characteristic of college students

collegiate church -n

  1. a church other than a cathedral that has a chapter of canons
  2. 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

  1. a group in which each member has approximately equal power and authority

col·lem·bo·lan [kə-'lem-bə-lən] -n, adj

  1. springtail

col·len·chy·ma [kə-'leŋ-kə-mə, kä-] -n, adj

  1. 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

  1. : a metal band, collar, ferrule, or flange: as
  2. a casing or socket for holding a tool (as a drill bit)
  3. a circle or flange in which a gem is set

col·lide [kə-'līd] -vi

  1. to come together with solid or direct impact
    • the car collided with a tree
  2. clash
    • colliding cultures

col·lid·er [kə-'lī-dər] -n

  1. a particle accelerator in which two beams of particles moving in opposite directions are made to collide

col·lie ['kä-lē] -n

  1. 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

  1. one that produces charcoal
  2. a coal miner
  3. a ship for transporting coal

col·liery ['käl-yə-rē] -n

  1. a coal mine and its connected buildings

col·lie·shang·ie ['kä-lē-,shaŋ-ē, 'kə-] -n

  1. squabble, brawl

col·li·gate ['kä-lə-gāt] -vb, n

  1. to bind, unite, or group together
  2. to subsume (isolated facts) under a general concept
  3. to be or become a member of a group or unit

col·li·ga·tive ['kä-lə-,gā-tiv, kə-'li-gə-] -adj

  1. 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

  1. to make (as light rays) parallel

col·li·ma·tor ['kä-lə-,mā-tər] -n

  1. 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
  2. a device for obtaining a beam (as of particles) of limited cross section

col·lin·ear [kə-'li-nē-ər, kä-] -adj, n

  1. lying on or passing through the same straight line
  2. having axes lying end to end in a straight line
    • collinear antenna elements

col·lins ['kä-lənz] -n

  1. 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

  1. an act or instance of colliding : clash
  2. an encounter between particles (as atoms or molecules) resulting in exchange or transformation of energy

collision course -n

  1. 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

  1. to set or arrange in a place or position
  2. to set side by side
  3. to occur in conjunction with something

col·lo·ca·tion [,kä-lə-'kā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act or result of placing or arranging together
  2. a noticeable arrangement or conjoining of linguistic elements (as words)

col·lo·di·on [kə-'lō-dē-ən] -n

  1. a viscous solution of pyroxylin used esp. as a coating for wounds or for photographic films

col·logue [kə-'lōg] -vi

  1. intrigue, conspire
  2. to talk privately : confer

col·loid ['kä-,lȯid] -n, adj, adv

  1. a gelatinous or mucinous substance found normally in the thyroid and also in diseased tissue
  2. 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
  3. a mixture consisting of a colloid together with the medium in which it is dispersed
    • smoke is a colloid

col·lop ['kä-ləp] -n

  1. a small piece or slice esp. of meat
  2. a fold of fat flesh

colloq -abbr

  1. colloquial

col·lo·qui·al [kə-'lō-kwē-əl] -adj, n, adv

  1. of or relating to conversation : conversational
  2. used in or characteristic of familiar and informal conversation
  3. unacceptably informal
  4. using conversational style

col·lo·qui·al·ism [-'lō-kwē-ə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. a colloquial expression
  2. a local or regional dialect expression
  3. colloquial style

col·lo·quist ['kä-lə-kwist] -n

  1. speaker

col·lo·qui·um [kə-'lō-kwē-əm] -n

  1. 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

  1. conversation, dialogue
  2. a high-level serious discussion : conference

col·lo·type ['kä-lə-,tīp] -n

  1. a photomechanical process for making prints directly from a hardened film of gelatin or other colloid that has ink-receptive and ink-repellent parts
  2. a print made by collotype

col·lude [kə-'lüd] -vi

  1. conspire, plot
    • colluded to keep prices high

col·lu·sion [kə-'lü-zhən] -n, adj, adv

  1. secret agreement or cooperation esp. for an illegal or deceitful purpose

col·lu·vi·um [kə-'lü-vē-əm] -n, adj

  1. rock detritus and soil accumulated at the foot of a slope

col·ly ['kä-lē] -vt

  1. to blacken with or as if with soot

col·lyr·i·um [kə-'lir-ē-əm] -n

  1. eyewash

col·ly·wob·bles ['kä-lē-,wä-bəlz] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. bellyache

Colo -abbr

  1. Colorado

col·o·bus monkey ['kä-lə-bəs-] -n

  1. any of various long-tailed African monkeys (genus Colobusand related genera) called also colobus

co·lo·cate [(,)kō-'lō-,kāt, -lō-'kāt] -vt

  1. to locate together
  2. to place (two or more units) close together so as to share common facilities

col·o·cynth ['kä-lə-,sin(t)th] -n

  1. a Mediterranean and African herbaceous vine ( Citrullus colocynthis) related to the watermelon
  2. its spongy fruit from which a powerful cathartic is prepared

colog -abbr

  1. cologarithm

co·log·a·rithm [(,)kō-'lȯ-gə-,ri-thəm, -'lä-] -n

  1. the logarithm of the reciprocal of a number

co·logne [kə-'lōn] -n, adj

  1. a perfumed liquid composed of alcohol and fragrant oils
  2. a cream or paste of cologne sometimes formed into a semisolid stick

co·lon ['kō-lən] -n

  1. the part of the large intestine that extends from the cecum to the rectum

colon -n

  1. a rhythmical unit of an utterance
  2. a system or series of from two to not more than six feet having a principal accent and forming part of a line
  3. a punctuation mark : used chiefly to direct attention to matter (as a list, explanation, quotation, or amplification) that follows
  4. 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

  1. a colonial farmer or plantation owner
  2. the basic monetary unit of El Salvador until 2001

colon bacillus -n

  1. E. coli

col·o·nel ['kər-nᵊl] -n

  1. a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps ranking above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
  2. lieutenant colonel
  3. a minor titular official of a state esp. in southern or midland U.S. used as an honorific title

Colonel Blimp [-'blimp] -n

  1. a pompous person with out-of-date or ultraconservative views
  2. reactionary

co·lo·nial [kə-'lō-nē-əl, -nyəl] -adj, vt, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a colony
  2. : of or relating to the original 13 colonies forming the United States: as
  3. made or prevailing in America during the colonial period
    • colonial architecture
  4. adapted from or reminiscent of an American colonial mode of design
    • colonial furniture
  5. forming or existing in a colony
    • colonial organisms
  6. possessing or composed of colonies
    • a colonial empire

colonial -n

  1. a member or inhabitant of a colony
  2. a product (as a coin or stamp) made for use in a colony
  3. a product exhibiting colonial style
  4. 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

  1. the quality or state of being colonial
  2. something characteristic of a colony
  3. control by one power over a dependent area or people
  4. a policy advocating or based on such control

co·lon·ic [kō-'lä-nik, kə-] -adj

  1. of or relating to the colon of the intestine

colonic -n

  1. irrigation of the colon : enema

col·o·ni·sa·tion [,kä-lə-nə-'zā-shən] -n

(variant of colonization)

  1. an act or instance of colonizing

col·o·nist ['kä-lə-nist] -n

  1. a member or inhabitant of a colony
  2. one that colonizes or settles in a new country

col·o·ni·za·tion [,kä-lə-nə-'zā-shən] -n

  1. an act or instance of colonizing

col·o·nize ['kä-lə-,nīz] -vb, n

  1. to establish a colony in or on or of
    • colonize an island
  2. to establish in a colony
    • the rights of colonized people
  3. to send illegal or irregularly qualified voters into
    • colonizing doubtful districts
  4. to infiltrate with usu. subversive militants for propaganda and strategy reasons
    • colonize industries
  5. to make or establish a colony : settle

col·on·nade [,kä-lə-'nād] -n, adj

  1. 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

  1. endoscopic examination of the colon

co·lo·nus [kə-'lō-nəs] -n

  1. 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

  1. a body of people living in a new territory but retaining ties with the parent state
  2. the territory inhabited by such a body
  3. a distinguishable localized population within a species
    • a colony of termites
  4. a circumscribed mass of microorganisms usu. growing in or on a solid medium
  5. the aggregation of zooids of a compound animal
  6. a group of individuals or things with common characteristics or interests situated in close association
    • an artist colony
  7. the section occupied by such a group
  8. a group of persons institutionalized away from others
    • a leper colony
    • a penal colony
  9. the land or buildings occupied by such a group

colonystimulating factor -n

  1. 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

  1. an inscription placed at the end of a book or manuscript usu. with facts relative to its production
  2. 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

  1. rosin

col·or ['kə-lər] -n

  1. a phenomenon of light (as red, brown, pink, or gray) or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects
  2. 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
  3. a specific combination of hue, saturation, and lightness or brightness
    • comes in six color s
  4. a color other than and as contrasted with black, white, or gray
  5. an outward often deceptive show : appearance
    • his story has the color of truth
  6. a legal claim to or appearance of a right, authority, or office
  7. 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.
  8. an appearance of authenticity : plausibility
    • lending color to this notion
  9. : complexion tint:
  10. the tint characteristic of good health
  11. blush
  12. vividness or variety of effects of language
  13. local color
  14. an identifying badge, pennant, or flag usu. used in pl.
    • a ship sailing under Swedish color s
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. character, nature usu. used in pl.
    • showed himself in his true color s
  18. the use or combination of colors
  19. two or more hues employed in a medium of presentation
    • movies in color
  20. a naval or nautical salute to a flag being hoisted or lowered
  21. armed forces
  22. vitality, interest
    • the play had a good deal of color to it
  23. something used to give color : pigment
  24. the quality of timbre in music
    • the color and richness of the cello
  25. skin pigmentation esp. other than white characteristic of race
    • a person of color
  26. a small particle of gold in a gold miner's pan after washing
  27. 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 color commentator
  28. 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

  1. to give color to
  2. to change the color of (as by dyeing, staining, or painting)
  3. : to change as if by dyeing or painting: as
  4. misrepresent, distort
  5. gloss, excuse
    • color a lie
  6. influence
    • the lives of most of us have been color ed by politics -- Christine Weston
  7. characterize, label
    • call it progress; color it inevitable with shades of job security -- C. E. Price
  8. to take on color
  9. blush

col·or·able ['kə-lə-rə-bəl, -lər-ə-, 'kəl-rə-] -adj, adv

  1. seemingly valid or genuine
    • a colorable claim in law
  2. intended to deceive : counterfeit
    • colorable and false pretenses

Col·o·ra·do blue spruce [,kä-lə-'ra-dō-, -'rä-] -n

  1. blue spruce

Colorado potato beetle -n

  1. 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

  1. a substance used for coloring a material : dye, pigment

col·or·a·tion [,kə-lə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. the state of being colored
    • the dark coloration of his skin
  2. use or choice of colors (as by an artist)
  3. arrangement of colors
    • the coloration of a butterfly's wing
  4. characteristic quality
    • the newspapers...took on the former coloration of the magazine -- L. B. Seltzer
  5. aspect suggesting an attitude : persuasion
    • the chameleon talent for taking on the intellectual coloration of whatever idea he happened to fasten onto -- Budd Schulberg
  6. 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

  1. elaborate embellishment in vocal music
  2. music with ornate figuration
  3. a soprano with a light agile voice specializing in coloratura

color bar -n

  1. 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

  1. one who carries a color or standard esp. in a military parade or drill

col·orblind [-,blīnd] -adj, n

  1. affected with partial or total inability to distinguish one or more chromatic colors
  2. insensitive, oblivious
  3. not influenced by differences of race
    • tried to get the welfare establishment...to abandon its colorblind policy -- D. P. Moynihan
  4. free from racial prejudice
    • a white man with an invisible black skin in a colorblind community -- James Farmer

col·or·bred [-,bred] -adj

  1. selectively bred for the development of particular colors
    • pure colorbred dogs

co·lo·rec·tal [,kō-lō-'rek-tᵊl] -adj

  1. relating to or affecting the colon and rectum
    • colorectal cancer

col·ored ['kə-lərd] -adj

  1. having color
  2. colorful
  3. marked by exaggeration or bias
  4. of a race other than the white
  5. black
  6. of mixed race
  7. of or relating to persons of races other than the white or of mixed race

colored -n

  1. a person of a race other than the white or of mixed race

col·or·fast ['kə-lər-,fast] -adj, n

  1. having color that retains its original hue without fading or running

col·orfield [-,fēld] -n

  1. abstract painting in which color is emphasized and form and surface are correspondingly de-emphasized

color filter -n

  1. filter

col·or·ful ['kə-lər-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. having striking colors
    • colorful scenery
  2. full of variety or interest
    • a colorful description

color guard -n

  1. an honor guard for the colors of an organization

col·or·if·ic [,kə-lə-'ri-fik] -adj

  1. capable of communicating color

col·or·im·e·ter [,kə-lə-'ri-mə-tər] -n, adj, adv

  1. an instrument or device for determining and specifying colors
  2. one used for chemical analysis by comparison of a liquid's color with standard colors

col·or·ing ['kə-lə-riŋ] -n

  1. the act of applying colors
  2. something that produces color or color effects
  3. the effect produced by applying or combining colors
  4. natural color
  5. complexion, coloration
  6. change of appearance (as by adding color)
  7. influence, bias
  8. color
  9. timbre, quality

coloring book -n

  1. a book of line drawings for coloring (as with crayons)

col·or·ist ['kə-lə-rist, -lər-ist] -n

  1. one that colors or deals with color

col·or·is·tic [,kə-lə-'ris-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to color or coloring
  2. of or relating to timbre in music

col·or·ize ['kə-lə-,rīz, -lər-,īz] -vt, n

  1. to add color to (a black-and-white film) by means of a computer

col·or·less ['kə-lər-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. : lacking color: as
  2. pallid, blanched
    • a colorless complexion
  3. dull, uninteresting
    • colorless prose

color phase -n

  1. a seasonally variant pelage color
  2. 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
  3. an individual marked by such a variant

col·or·point shorthair ['kə-lər-,pȯint-] -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. a color or arrangement of colors
    • fabric sold in a variety of colorway s

color wheel -n

  1. a circular diagram of the spectrum used to show the relationships between the colors

co·los·sal [kə-'lä-səl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or resembling a colossus
  2. of a bulk, extent, power, or effect approaching or suggesting the stupendous or incredible
    • colossal rock formations
  3. of an exceptional or astonishing degree
    • a colossal failure

col·os·se·um [,kä-lə-'sē-əm] -n

  1. an amphitheater built in Rome in the first century a.d.
  2. coliseum

Co·los·sians [kə-'lä-shənz also -shē-ənz, -sē-] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. 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

  1. a statue of gigantic size and proportions
  2. a person or thing of immense size or power

co·los·to·my [kə-'läs-tə-mē] -n

  1. 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

  1. milk secreted for a few days after parturition and characterized by high protein and antibody content

col·our ['kə-lər] -n

(variant of color)

  1. a phenomenon of light (as red, brown, pink, or gray) or visual perception that enables one to differentiate otherwise identical objects
  2. 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
  3. a specific combination of hue, saturation, and lightness or brightness
    • comes in six color s
  4. a color other than and as contrasted with black, white, or gray
  5. an outward often deceptive show : appearance
    • his story has the color of truth
  6. a legal claim to or appearance of a right, authority, or office
  7. 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.
  8. an appearance of authenticity : plausibility
    • lending color to this notion
  9. : complexion tint:
  10. the tint characteristic of good health
  11. blush
  12. vividness or variety of effects of language
  13. local color
  14. an identifying badge, pennant, or flag usu. used in pl.
    • a ship sailing under Swedish color s
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. character, nature usu. used in pl.
    • showed himself in his true color s
  18. the use or combination of colors
  19. two or more hues employed in a medium of presentation
    • movies in color
  20. a naval or nautical salute to a flag being hoisted or lowered
  21. armed forces
  22. vitality, interest
    • the play had a good deal of color to it
  23. something used to give color : pigment
  24. the quality of timbre in music
    • the color and richness of the cello
  25. skin pigmentation esp. other than white characteristic of race
    • a person of color
  26. a small particle of gold in a gold miner's pan after washing
  27. 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 color commentator
  28. 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

  1. a colporteur's work

col·por·teur ['käl-,pȯr-tər, ,käl-pȯr-'tər] -n

  1. a peddler of religious books

col·po·scope ['käl-pə-,skōp] -n

  1. a magnifying instrument designed to facilitate visual inspection of the vagina and cervix

colt ['kōlt] -n

  1. foal
  2. a male foal
  3. a young male horse that is usu. not castrated and has not attained an arbitrarily designated age (as four years)
  4. a young untried person

colt·ish ['kōl-tish] -adj, adv, n

  1. not subjected to discipline
  2. frisky, playful
    • coltish antics
  3. of, relating to, or resembling a colt
    • coltish legs

colts·foot ['kōlts-,fu̇t] -n

  1. any of various plants with large rounded leaves resembling the foot of a colt
  2. a perennial composite herb ( Tussilago farfara) with yellow flower heads appearing before the leaves

col·u·brid ['käl-yə-brəd, 'kä-lə-] -n, adj

  1. any of a large cosmopolitan family (Colubridae) of chiefly nonvenomous snakes

col·u·brine [-,brīn] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling a snake
  2. of or relating to colubrids : colubrid

co·lu·go [kə-'lü-(,)gō] -n

  1. flying lemur

col·um·bar·i·um [,kä-ləm-'ber-ē-əm] -n

  1. a structure of vaults lined with recesses for cinerary urns
  2. a recess in a columbarium

Co·lum·bia [kə-'ləm-bē-ə] -n

  1. the United States

Co·lum·bi·an [-bē-ən] -adj

  1. of or relating to the United States or to Christopher Columbus

col·um·bine ['kä-ləm-,bīn] -n

  1. : any of a genus ( Aquilegia) of plants of the buttercup family with irregular showy spurred flowers: as
  2. a red-flowered plant ( A. canadensis) of eastern No. America
  3. a blue-flowered plant ( A. caerulea) of the Rocky Mountains

Col·um·bine [-,bīn, -,bēn] -n

  1. the saucy sweetheart of Harlequin in comedy and pantomime

co·lum·bite [kə-'ləm-,bīt, 'kä-ləm-] -n

  1. a black mineral consisting mostly of iron and niobium

co·lum·bi·um [kə-'ləm-bē-əm] -n

  1. niobium

Co·lum·bus Day [kə-'ləm-bəs-] -n

  1. 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
  2. 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

  1. the central column or axis of a spiral univalve shell
  2. the bony or partly cartilaginous rod connecting the tympanic membrane with the internal ear in birds and in many reptiles and amphibians
  3. the bony central axis of the cochlea

col·umn ['kä-ləm also 'käl-yəm] -n, adj

  1. a vertical arrangement of items printed or written on a page
  2. one of two or more vertical sections of a printed page separated by a rule or blank space
  3. an accumulation arranged vertically : stack
  4. one in a usu. regular series of newspaper or magazine articles
    • gossip column
  5. a supporting pillar
  6. one consisting of a usu. round shaft, a capital, and a base
  7. something resembling a column in form, position, or function
    • a column of water
  8. a tube or cylinder in which a chromatographic separation takes place
  9. a long row (as of soldiers)
  10. one of the vertical lines of elements of a determinant or matrix
  11. a statistical category or grouping
    • put another game in the win column

co·lum·nar [kə-'ləm-nər] -adj

  1. of, relating to, resembling, or characterized by columns
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. one who writes a newspaper or magazine column

col·za ['käl-zə, 'kōl-] -n

  1. rape
  2. rapeseed

com -abbr

  1. comedy; comic
  2. comma
  3. commercial organization

com- -prefix

  1. with : together : jointly usu. com- before b, p, or m
    • com mingle
    , col- before l
    • col linear
    , and con- before other sounds
    • con centrate

co·ma ['kō-mə] -n

  1. a state of profound unconsciousness caused by disease, injury, or poison
  2. a state of mental or physical sluggishness : torpor

coma [-,mē, -,mī] -n, adj

  1. a tufted bunch (as of branches, bracts, or seed hairs)
  2. the head of a comet consisting of a cloud of gas and dust and usu. containing a nucleus
  3. 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

  1. a constellation north of Virgo and between Bootes and Leo

co·mak·er [(,)kō-'mā-kər] -n

  1. one that participates in an agreement
  2. one who stands to meet a financial obligation in the event of the maker's default

Co·man·che [kə-'man-chē] -n

  1. a member of an American Indian people ranging from Wyoming and Nebraska south into New Mexico and northwestern Texas
  2. the Uto-Aztecan language of the Comanche people

co·mate [(,)kō-'māt, 'kō-,] -n

  1. companion

co·ma·tose ['kō-mə-,tōs, 'kä-] -adj

  1. of, resembling, or affected with coma
  2. characterized by lethargic inertness : torpid
    • a comatose economy

comb ['kōm] -n, adj

  1. a toothed instrument used esp. for adjusting, cleaning, or confining hair
  2. a structure resembling such a comb
  3. any of several toothed devices used in handling or ordering textile fibers
  4. currycomb
  5. a fleshy crest on the head of the domestic chicken and other domestic birds
  6. something (as the ridge of a roof) resembling the comb of a cock
  7. honeycomb
  8. to draw a comb through for the purpose of arranging or cleaning
  9. to pass across with a scraping or raking action
  10. to eliminate (as with a comb) by a thorough going-over
  11. to search or examine systematically
    • police are comb ing the city
  12. to use in a combing action
  13. to roll over or break into foam
  14. to make a thorough search
    • comb through the classified ads
  15. combination; combined; combining
  16. combustion

com·bat ['käm-,bat] -n

  1. a fight or contest between individuals or groups
  2. conflict, controversy
  3. active fighting in a war : action
    • casualties suffered in combat
  4. to engage in combat : fight
  5. to fight with : battle
  6. to struggle against
  7. to strive to reduce or eliminate
    • combat pollution
  8. relating to combat
    • combat missions
  9. designed or destined for combat
    • combat boots
    • combat troops

com·bat·ant [kəm-'ba-tᵊnt also 'käm-bə-tənt] -n, adj

  1. one that is engaged in or ready to engage in combat

combat fatigue -n

  1. 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

  1. marked by eagerness to fight or contend

combe ['küm, 'kōm] -n

  1. a deep narrow valley
  2. a valley or basin on the flank of a hill

comb·er ['kō-mər] -n

  1. one that combs
  2. a long curling wave of the sea

com·bi·na·tion [,käm-bə-'nā-shən] -n, adj

  1. a result or product of combining
  2. an alliance of individuals, corporations, or states united to achieve a social, political, or economic end
  3. two or more persons working as a team
  4. : an ordered sequence: as
  5. a sequence of letters or numbers chosen in setting a lock
  6. the mechanism operating or moved by the sequence
  7. a rapid sequence of punches in boxing
  8. any subset of a set considered without regard to order within the subset
  9. any of various one-piece undergarments for the upper and lower parts of the body usu. used in pl.
  10. an instrument designed to perform two or more tasks
  11. the act or process of combining
  12. that of uniting to form a chemical compound
  13. the quality or state of being combined

combination shot -n

  1. 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

  1. tending or able to combine
  2. resulting from combination

com·bi·na·to·ri·al [,käm-bə-nə-'tȯr-ē-əl, kəm-,bī-nə-, -(,)bi-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or involving combinations
  2. 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

  1. combinatorial mathematics

com·bi·na·to·ry [kəm-'bī-nə-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. combinative

com·bine [kəm-'bīn] -vb, adj, n

  1. to bring into such close relationship as to obscure individual characters : merge
    • two companies combining forces
  2. to cause to unite into a chemical compound
  3. to unite into a single number or expression
    • combine fractions and simplify
  4. intermix, blend
    • combine the sugar and flour
  5. to possess in combination
    • a writer whose works combine imagination and scholarship
  6. to become one
  7. to unite to form a chemical compound
  8. to act together
    • many factors combined to cause the recession
  9. a combination esp. of business or political interests
  10. a harvesting machine that heads, threshes, and cleans grain while moving over a field
  11. to harvest with a combine
  12. to combine a crop

com·bined [kəm-'bīnd] -n

  1. a skiing competition combining two separate events (as downhill race and a slalom race)

combing ['kō-miŋ] -n

(variant of coaming)

  1. a raised frame (as around a hatchway in the deck of a ship) to keep out water

comb·ings ['kō-miŋz] -n pl

  1. loose hair removed by a comb

combing wool -n

  1. long-staple strong-fibered wool found suitable for combing and used esp. in the manufacture of worsteds

combining form -n

  1. 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

  1. ctenophore

com·bo ['käm-(,)bō] -n

  1. a usu. small jazz or dance band
  2. combination

combover ['kōm-,ō-vər] -n

  1. 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

  1. burn

com·bus·ti·ble [kəm-'bəs-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. capable of combustion
  2. easily excited
    • a combustible temper

com·bus·tion [kəm-'bəs-chən] -n, adj

  1. an act or instance of burning
  2. a usu. rapid chemical process (as oxidation) that produces heat and usu. light
  3. a slower oxidation (as in the body)
  4. violent agitation : tumult

com·bus·tor [-'bəs-tər] -n

  1. a chamber (as in a gas turbine or a jet engine) in which combustion occurs called also combustion chamber

comd -abbr

  1. command

comdg -abbr

  1. commanding

comdr -abbr

  1. commander

comdt -abbr

  1. commandant

come ['kəm] -vb

  1. to move toward something : approach
    • come here
  2. to move or journey to a vicinity with a specified purpose
    • come see us
    • come and see what's going on
  3. to reach a particular station in a series
    • now we come to the section on health
  4. to arrive in due course
    • the time has come
  5. to approach in kind or quality
    • this come s near perfection
  6. to reach a condition or conclusion
    • came to regard him as a friend
    • come to think of it, you may be right
  7. to advance toward accomplishment : come along
    • the job is coming nicely
  8. to advance in a particular manner
    • come running when I call
  9. to advance, rise, or improve in rank or condition
    • has come a long way
  10. extend
    • her dress came to her ankles
  11. to arrive at a particular place, end, result, or conclusion
    • came to his senses
    • come untied
  12. amount
    • the taxes on it come to more than it's worth
  13. to appear to the mind
    • the answer came to them
  14. to appear on a scene : make an appearance
    • children come equipped to learn any language
  15. happen, occur
    • no harm will come to you
  16. 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
  17. originate, arise
    • wine come s from grapes
    • they come of sturdy stock
  18. to enter or assume a condition, position, or relation
    • artillery came into action
  19. to fall within a field of view or a range of application
    • this come s within the terms of the treaty
  20. to issue forth
    • a sob came from her throat
  21. to take form
    • churn till the butter come s
  22. to be available
    • this model come s in several sizes
    • as good as they come
  23. to experience orgasm
  24. to fall to a person in a division or inheritance of property
  25. to become moved favorably : relent
  26. to turn out to be
    • good clothes don't come cheap
  27. become
    • a dream that came true
  28. to approach or be near (an age)
    • a child coming eight years old
  29. to take on the aspect of
    • come the stern parent
  30. semen
  31. orgasm

come about -vi

  1. happen
  2. to change direction
    • the wind has come about into the north
  3. to shift to a new tack

come across -vi

  1. to give over or furnish something demanded
  2. to pay over money
  3. to produce an impression
    • comes across as a good speaker
  4. come through

comealong ['kəm-ə-,lȯŋ] -n

  1. a small portable winch usu. consisting of a cable attached to a hand-operated ratchet

come along -vi

  1. to accompany someone who leads the way
    • asked me to come along on the trip
  2. to make progress
    • work is coming along well
  3. to make an appearance
    • won't just marry the first man that comes along

come around -vi

  1. come round
  2. menstruate

come·back ['kəm-,bak] -n

  1. a sharp or witty reply : retort
  2. a cause for complaint
  3. 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

  1. to return to life or vitality
  2. to return to memory
    • it's all coming back to me now
  3. reply, retort
    • when questioned, he came back with a vehement denial
  4. to regain a former favorable condition or position

come·back·er ['kəm-,ba-kər] -n

  1. a grounder in baseball hit directly to the pitcher

come by -vt

  1. to get possession of : acquire
    • a good job is hard to come by
  2. to make a visit
    • came by after dinner

COMECON -abbr

  1. Council for Mutual Economic Assistance

co·me·di·an [kə-'mē-dē-ən] -n

  1. a writer of comedies
  2. an actor who plays comic roles
  3. a comical individual
  4. a professional entertainer who uses any of various physical or verbal means to be amusing

co·me·dic [-'mē-dik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to comedy
  2. comical

co·me·di·enne [-,mē-dē-'en] -n

  1. a woman who is a comedian

com·e·do ['kä-mə-,dō] -n

  1. blackhead

come·down ['kəm-,dau̇n] -n

  1. a descent in rank or dignity

come down -vi

  1. to lose or fall in estate or condition
    • has come down in the world
  2. to pass by tradition
    • a story that has come down from medieval times
  3. to pass from a usu. high source
    • word came down that the strike was over
  4. to place oneself in opposition
    • came down hard on gambling
  5. to deal with a subject directly
    • when you come down to it, we all depend on others
  6. to reduce itself : amount
    • it comes down to this
  7. to become ill
    • came down with measles
  8. come out
  9. go on, happen
    • what's coming down

com·e·dy ['kä-mə-dē] -n

  1. a medieval narrative that ends happily
    • Dante's Divine Comedy
  2. a literary work written in a comic style or treating a comic theme
  3. a drama of light and amusing character and typically with a happy ending
  4. the genre of dramatic literature dealing with the comic or with the serious in a light or satirical manner
  5. a ludicrous or farcical event or series of events
    • a comedy of errors
  6. the comic element
    • the comedy of many life situations
  7. humorous entertainment
    • nightclub comedy

comedy drama -n

  1. serious drama that is interspersed with comedy

comedy of manners

  1. comedy that satirically portrays the manners and fashions of a particular class or set

comehith·er [(,)kəm-'hi-thər, (,)kə-'mi-] -n

  1. a tempting often sexual invitation
    • that comehither look in your eyes

come in -vi

  1. to arrive on a scene
    • new models coming in
  2. to become available
    • data began coming in
  3. to place among those finishing
    • came in last
  4. to function in an indicated manner
    • come in handy
  5. to be received
    • came in loud and clear
  6. to assume a role or function
    • that's where you come in
  7. to attain maturity, fruitfulness, or production

come·ly ['kəm-lē also 'kōm- or 'käm-] -adj, n

  1. pleasurably conforming to notions of good appearance, suitability, or proportion
  2. having a pleasing appearance : not homely or plain

come off -vi

  1. to acquit oneself : fare
    • came off well in the contest
  2. appear, seem
  3. succeed
    • a television series that never came off -- TV Guide
  4. happen, occur
  5. to have recently completed or recovered from
    • coming off a good year

comeon ['kəm-,ȯn, -,än] -n

  1. something (as an advertising promotion) intended to entice or allure
  2. a usu. sexual advance

come on -vi

  1. to advance by degrees
    • darkness came on
  2. to begin by degrees
    • rain came on toward noon
  3. please used in cajoling or pleading
  4. used interjectionally to express astonishment, incredulity, or recognition of a put-on
  5. to project an indicated personal image
    • comes on as a conservative
  6. to show sexual interest in someone
  7. to make sexual advances usu. used with to
    • tried to come on to her

come out [,kə-miŋ-'au̇t] -vi, n or adj

  1. to come into public view : make a public appearance
    • a new magazine has come out
  2. to become evident
    • his pride came out in his refusal to accept help
  3. to declare oneself esp. in public utterance
    • came out in favor of the proposal
  4. to turn out in an outcome : end up
    • everything came out all right
  5. to make a debut
  6. to openly declare one's homosexuality
  7. 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

  1. a person who withdraws from something established (as a religious body)
  2. a person who advocates political reform

come over -vi

  1. to change from one side (as of a controversy) to the other
  2. to visit casually : drop in
    • come over whenever you like
  3. become

com·er ['kə-mər] -n

  1. one that comes or arrives
    • welcomed all comer s
  2. one making rapid progress or showing promise

come round -vi

  1. to change direction
  2. to return to a former condition
  3. come to
  4. 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

  1. edible

comestible -n

  1. food usu. used in pl.

com·et ['kä-mət] -n, adj

  1. 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

  1. to do what is needed or expected
    • came through in the clutch
  2. to become communicated
    • the message came through loud and clear

come to -vi

  1. to recover consciousness
  2. to bring a ship's head nearer the wind : luff
  3. to come to anchor or to a stop

come up -vi

  1. rise
  2. to come near : make an approach
    • came up and introduced himself
  3. to rise in rank or status
    • an officer who came up from the ranks
  4. to come to attention or consideration
    • the question never came up
  5. to occur in the course of time
    • any problem that may come up
  6. to turn out to be
    • the coin came up tails
  7. grow up

come·up·pance [(,)kəm-'ə-pən(t)s] -n

  1. a deserved rebuke or penalty : deserts

com·fit ['kəm(p)-fət, 'käm(p)-] -n

  1. 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

  1. to give strength and hope to : cheer
  2. to ease the grief or trouble of : console

comfort [-ləs] -n, adj

  1. : strengthening aid:
  2. assistance, support
    • accused of giving aid and comfort to the enemy
  3. consolation in time of trouble or worry : solace
  4. a feeling of relief or encouragement
  5. contented well-being
    • a life of ease and comfort
  6. a satisfying or enjoyable experience
  7. 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

  1. affording or enjoying contentment and security
    • a comfortable income
  2. affording or enjoying physical comfort
    • a comfortable chair
    • was too comfortable to move
  3. free from vexation or doubt
    • comfortable assumptions
  4. free from stress or tension
    • a comfortable routine

com·fort·er ['kəm(p)-fə(r)-tər] -n

  1. holy spirit
  2. one that gives comfort
  3. a long narrow usu. knitted neck scarf
  4. a thick bed covering made of two layers of cloth containing a filling (as down)

comfort food -n

  1. food prepared in a traditional style having a usu. nostalgic or sentimental appeal

comfort station -n

  1. restroom

comfort zone -n

  1. the temperature range within which one is comfortable
  2. the level at which one functions with ease and familiarity

com·frey ['kəm(p)-frē] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Symphytum) of perennial herbs of the borage family with coarse hairy entire leaves and flowers in one-sided racemes
  2. an herbal preparation of the leaves or roots of comfrey that is toxic if taken internally

com·fy ['kəm(p)-fē] -adj

  1. comfortable
    • a comfy sofa
    • a comfy routine

com·ic ['kä-mik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or marked by comedy
    • a comic actor
  2. causing laughter or amusement : funny
    • a comic monologue
  3. of or relating to comic strips
    • the newspaper's comic section

comic -n

  1. comedian
    • a stand-up comic
  2. the comic element
  3. comic strip
  4. comic book
  5. the part of a newspaper devoted to comic strips

com·i·cal ['kä-mi-kəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. of or relating to comedy
  2. causing laughter esp. because of a startlingly or unexpectedly humorous impact
    • wearing a comical expression

comic book -n

  1. a magazine containing sequences of comic strips usu. hyphenated in attributive use

com·icop·era ['kä-mik-'ä-p(ə-)rə] -adj

  1. not to be taken seriously
    • a comicopera regime

comic opera -n

  1. opera of a humorous character with a happy ending and usu. some spoken dialogue

comic relief -n

  1. 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

  1. a group of cartoons in narrative sequence

com·ing ['kə-miŋ] -n

  1. an act or instance of arriving

coming -adj

  1. immediately due in sequence or development
    • in the coming year
  2. gaining importance
    • the coming trend

co·min·gle [kə-'miŋ-gəl] -vt

  1. commingle

comingofage -n

  1. the attainment of prominence, respectability, recognition, or maturity

Com·in·tern ['kä-mən-,tərn] -n

  1. the Communist International established in 1919 and dissolved in 1943

co·mi·tia [kə-'mi-sh(ē-)ə] -n, adj

  1. 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

  1. friendly social atmosphere : social harmony
    • group activities promoting comity
  2. a loose widespread community based on common social institutions
    • the comity of civilization
  3. comity of nations
  4. the informal and voluntary recognition by courts of one jurisdiction of the laws and judicial decisions of another
  5. avoidance of proselytizing members of another religious denomination

comity of nations

  1. the courtesy and friendship of nations marked esp. by mutual recognition of executive, legislative, and judicial acts
  2. the group of nations practicing international comity

com·ix ['kä-miks] -n pl

  1. comic books or comic strips

coml -abbr

  1. commercial

comm -abbr

  1. command; commandant; commander; commanding
  2. commentary
  3. commerce; commercial
  4. commission; commissioned; commissioner
  5. committee
  6. common; commoner
  7. commonwealth
  8. commune
  9. communication
  10. communist
  11. community

com·ma ['kä-mə] -n

  1. a punctuation mark , used esp. as a mark of separation within the sentence
  2. pause, interval
  3. any of several nymphalid butterflies (genus Polygonia) with a silvery comma-shaped mark on the underside of the hind wings

comma fault -n

  1. comma splice

com·mand [kə-'mand] -vb, adj

  1. to direct authoritatively : order
  2. : to exercise a dominating influence over : have command of: as
  3. to have at one's immediate disposal
    • command s many resources
  4. to demand or receive as one's due
    • command s a high fee
  5. to overlook or dominate from or as if from a strategic position
    • a hill that command s the city
  6. to have military command of as senior officer
    • command a regiment
  7. to order or request to be given
  8. to have or exercise direct authority : govern
  9. to give orders
  10. to be commander
  11. to dominate as if from an elevated place

command -n

  1. an order given
  2. a signal that actuates a device (as a control mechanism in a spacecraft or one step in a computer)
  3. the activation of a device by means of such a signal
  4. the ability to control : mastery
  5. the authority or right to command
    • the officer in command
  6. the power to dominate
  7. scope of vision
  8. facility in use
    • a good command of French
  9. control
    • a pitcher with good command of his curveball
  10. the act of commanding
  11. the personnel, area, or organization under a commander
  12. a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than an air force
  13. a position of highest usu. military authority
  14. done on command or request
    • a command performance

com·man·dant ['kä-mən-,dänt, -,dant] -n

  1. commanding officer

command car -n

  1. an open armored car designed esp. for military reconnaissance and capable of traveling over rough terrain

command economy -n

  1. 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

  1. to compel to perform military service
  2. to seize for military purposes
  3. to take arbitrary or forcible possession of

com·mand·er [kə-'man-dər] -n

  1. : one in an official position of command or control: as
  2. commanding officer
  3. the presiding officer of a society or organization
  4. a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant commander and below a captain

commander in chief

  1. one who holds the supreme command of an armed force

com·mand·ery [kə-'man-d(ə-)rē] -n

  1. a district under the control of a commander of an order of knights
  2. an assembly or lodge in a secret order

com·mand·ing [kə-'man-diŋ] -adj, adv

  1. drawing attention or priority
    • a commanding presence
  2. difficult to overcome
    • a commanding lead

commanding officer -n

  1. an officer in command
  2. an officer in the armed forces in command of an organization or installation

com·mand·ment [kə-'man(d)-mənt] -n

  1. the act or power of commanding
  2. something that is commanded
  3. one of the biblical Ten Commandments

command module -n

  1. 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

  1. a military unit or command of the Boers
  2. a raiding expedition
  3. a military unit trained and organized as shock troops esp. for hit-and-run raids into enemy territory
  4. a member of such a unit

command post -n

  1. a post at which the commander of a unit in the field receives orders and exercises command

command sergeant major -n

  1. a noncommissioned officer in the army ranking above a first sergeant

comma splice -n

  1. 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

  1. Italian comedy of the 16th to 18th centuries improvised from standardized situations and stock characters

comme il faut [,kə-mē(l)-'fō] -adj

  1. conforming to accepted standards : proper

com·mem·o·rate [kə-'me-mə-,rāt] -vt, n

  1. to call to remembrance
  2. to mark by some ceremony or observation : observe
    • commemorate an anniversary
  3. to serve as a memorial of
    • a plaque that commemorate s the battle

com·mem·o·ra·tion [kə-,me-mə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. the act of commemorating
  2. something that commemorates

com·mem·o·ra·tive [kə-'mem-rə-tiv, -'me-mə-; -'me-mə-,rā-tiv] -adj, n, adv

  1. intended as a commemoration
  2. issued in limited quantities for a relatively short period in commemoration of a person, place, or event
    • a commemorative stamp

com·mence [kə-'men(t)s] -vb, n

  1. to enter upon : begin
    • commence proceedings
  2. to have or make a beginning : start
    • the meeting will commence soon
  3. to take a degree at a university

com·mence·ment [kəm-'men(t)s-mənt] -n

  1. an act, instance, or time of commencing
  2. the ceremonies or the day for conferring degrees or diplomas
  3. the period of activities at this time

com·mend [kə-'mend] -vb, adj, adv, n

  1. to entrust for care or preservation
  2. to recommend as worthy of confidence or notice
  3. to mention with approbation : praise
  4. to commend or serve as a commendation of something

com·men·da·tion [,kä-mən-'dā-shən, -,men-] -n

  1. an act of commending
  2. something (as a formal citation) that commends
  3. compliment

com·men·da·to·ry [kə-'men-də-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. serving to commend
    • commendatory remarks

com·men·sal [kə-'men(t)-səl] -adj, n, adv

  1. of, relating to, or living in a state of commensalism
    • commensal organisms

com·men·sal·ism [-sə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. 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

  1. having a common measure
  2. divisible without remainder by a common unit
  3. commensurate

com·men·su·rate [kə-'men(t)s-rət, -'men(t)sh-; -'men(t)-sə-, -shə-] -adj, adv, n

  1. equal in measure or extent : coextensive
    • lived a life commensurate with the early years of the republic
  2. corresponding in size, extent, amount, or degree : proportionate
    • was given a job commensurate with her abilities
  3. commensurable

com·ment ['kä-,ment] -n

  1. commentary
  2. a note explaining, illustrating, or criticizing the meaning of a writing
  3. an observation or remark expressing an opinion or attitude
    • critical comment s
  4. a judgment expressed indirectly
    • sees the film as a comment on modern values

comment -vt

  1. to make a comment on
    • the discovery...is hardly comment ed by the press -- Nation
  2. to explain or interpret something by comment
    • comment ing on recent developments

com·men·tary ['kä-mən-,ter-ē, -,te-rē] -n

  1. an explanatory treatise usu. used in pl.
  2. a record of events usu. written by a participant usu. used in pl.
  3. a systematic series of explanations or interpretations (as of a writing)
  4. comment
  5. something that serves for illustration or explanation
    • the dark, airless apartments and sunless factories...are a sad commentary upon our civilization -- H. A. Overstreet
  6. an expression of opinion

com·men·tate ['kä-mən-,tāt] -vb

  1. to give a commentary on
  2. to comment in a usu. expository or interpretive manner
  3. to act as a commentator

com·men·ta·tor [-,tā-tər] -n

  1. one who gives a commentary
  2. one who reports and discusses news on radio or television

com·merce ['kä-(,)mərs] -n

  1. social intercourse : interchange of ideas, opinions, or sentiments
  2. the exchange or buying and selling of commodities on a large scale involving transportation from place to place
  3. sexual intercourse
  4. commune

com·mer·cial [kə-'mər-shəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. occupied with or engaged in commerce or work intended for commerce
    • a commercial artist
  2. of or relating to commerce
    • commercial regulations
  3. characteristic of commerce
    • commercial weights
  4. suitable, adequate, or prepared for commerce
    • found oil in commercial quantities
  5. being of an average or inferior quality
    • commercial oxalic acid
    • show-quality versus commercial cattle
  6. producing artistic work of low standards for quick market success
  7. viewed with regard to profit
    • a commercial success
  8. designed for a large market
  9. emphasizing skills and subjects useful in business
    • a commercial school
  10. supported by advertisers
    • commercial TV

commercial -n

  1. an advertisement broadcast on radio or television

commercial bank -n

  1. 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)

  1. to manage on a business basis for profit
  2. to develop commerce in
  3. to exploit for profit
    • commercialize Christmas
  4. to debase in quality for more profit

com·mer·cial·ism [kə-'mər-shə-,li-zəm] -n, adj

  1. commercial spirit, institutions, or methods
  2. excessive emphasis on profit

com·mer·cial·ize [kə-'mər-shə-,līz] -vt, n

  1. to manage on a business basis for profit
  2. to develop commerce in
  3. to exploit for profit
    • commercialize Christmas
  4. to debase in quality for more profit

commercial paper -n

  1. short-term unsecured discounted paper usu. sold by one company to another for immediate cash needs

commercial traveler -n

  1. traveling salesman

com·mie ['kä-mē] -n

  1. communist

com·mi·na·tion [,kä-mə-'nā-shən] -n, adj

  1. denunciation

com·min·gle [kə-'miŋ-gəl, kä-] -vt

  1. to blend thoroughly into a harmonious whole
  2. to combine (funds or properties) into a common fund or stock
  3. to become commingled

com·mi·nute ['kä-mə-,nüt, -,nyüt] -vt, n

  1. to reduce to minute particles : pulverize

com·mis·er·ate [kə-'mi-zə-,rāt] -vb, adv, n, adj

  1. to feel or express sympathy : condole
    • commiserate s with them on their loss
  2. to feel or express sorrow or compassion for

com·mis·sar ['kä-mə-,sär] -n, adj

  1. a Communist party official assigned to a military unit to teach party principles and policies and to ensure party loyalty
  2. one that attempts to control public opinion or its expression
  3. 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

  1. a system for supplying an army with food
  2. food supplies
  3. a government department in the U.S.S.R. until 1946
  4. a board of commissioners

com·mis·sary ['kä-mə-,ser-ē, -,se-rē] -n

  1. one delegated by a superior to execute a duty or an office
  2. a store for equipment and provisions
  3. a supermarket for military personnel
  4. food supplies
  5. a lunchroom esp. in a motion-picture studio

com·mis·sion [kə-'mi-shən] -n

  1. a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties
  2. a certificate conferring military rank and authority
  3. the rank and authority so conferred
  4. an authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts : charge
  5. authority to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another
  6. a task or matter entrusted to one as an agent for another
  7. a group of persons directed to perform some duty
  8. a government agency having administrative, legislative, or judicial powers
  9. a city council having legislative and executive functions
  10. an act of committing something
    • commission of a crime
  11. a fee paid to an agent or employee for transacting a piece of business or performing a service
  12. a percentage of the money received from a total paid to the agent responsible for the business
  13. an act of entrusting or giving authority

commission [-'mi-sh(ə-)niŋ] -vt

  1. : to furnish with a commission: as
  2. to confer a formal commission on
    • was commission ed lieutenant
  3. to appoint or assign to a task or function
    • was commission ed to do the biography
  4. to order to be made
    • commission ed a portrait
  5. to put (a ship) in commission

com·mis·sion·aire [kə-,mi-shə-'ner] -n

  1. a uniformed attendant

commissioned officer -n

  1. 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

  1. : a person with a commission: as
  2. a member of a commission
  3. the representative of the governmental authority in a district, province, or other unit often having both judicial and administrative powers
  4. the officer in charge of a department or bureau of the public service
  5. the administrative head of a professional sport

commission merchant -n

  1. broker

commission plan -n

  1. 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

  1. a point or line of union or junction esp. between two anatomical parts (as adjacent heart valves)
  2. a connecting band of nerve tissue in the brain or spinal cord

com·mit [kə-'mit] -vb, adj

  1. to put into charge or trust : entrust
  2. to place in a prison or mental institution
  3. to consign or record for preservation
    • commit it to memory
  4. to put into a place for disposal or safekeeping
  5. to refer (as a legislative bill) to a committee for consideration and report
  6. to carry into action deliberately : perpetrate
    • commit a crime
  7. obligate, bind
    • a contract committing the company to complete the project on time
  8. to pledge or assign to some particular course or use
    • commit all troops to the attack
  9. to reveal the views of
    • refused to commit himself on the issue
  10. to perpetrate an offense
  11. to obligate or pledge oneself

com·mit·ment [kə-'mit-mənt] -n

  1. : an act of committing to a charge or trust: as
  2. a consignment to a penal or mental institution
  3. an act of referring a matter to a legislative committee
  4. mittimus
  5. an agreement or pledge to do something in the future
  6. an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date
  7. something pledged
  8. the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled
    • a commitment to a cause

com·mit·tal [kə-'mi-tᵊl] -n

  1. commitment, consignment

com·mit·tee [kə-'mi-tē, sense 1 also ,kä-mi-'tē] -n

  1. a person to whom a charge or trust is committed
  2. a body of persons delegated to consider, investigate, take action on, or report on some matter
  3. a group of fellow legislators chosen by a legislative body to give consideration to legislative matters
  4. a self-constituted organization for the promotion of a common object

com·mit·tee·man [kə-'mi-tē-mən, -,man] -n

  1. a member of a committee
  2. a party leader of a ward or precinct

committee of the whole

  1. the whole membership of a legislative house sitting as a committee and operating under informal rules

com·mit·tee·wom·an [-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman who is a member of a committee
  2. a woman who is a party leader of a ward or precinct

com·mix [kə-'miks, kä-] -vb

  1. mingle, blend
  2. to become mingled or blended

com·mix·ture [-chər] -n

  1. the act or process of mixing : the state of being mixed
  2. compound, mixture

commo -abbr

  1. commodore

com·mode [kə-'mōd] -n

  1. a woman's ornate cap popular in the late 17th and early 18th centuries
  2. a low chest of drawers
  3. a movable washstand with a cupboard underneath
  4. a boxlike structure holding a chamber pot under an open seat
  5. chamber pot
  6. toilet

com·mod·i·fy [kə-'mä-də-,fī] -vt, n

  1. 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

  1. comfortably or conveniently spacious : roomy
    • a commodious closet
  2. handy, serviceable

com·mod·i·tize [kə-'mä-də-,tīz] -vt, n

  1. commodify
  2. to render (a good or service) widely available and interchangeable with one provided by another company
  3. 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

  1. : an economic good: as
  2. a product of agriculture or mining
  3. an article of commerce esp. when delivered for shipment
    • commodities futures
  4. a mass-produced unspecialized product
    • commodity chemicals
    • commodity memory chips
  5. something useful or valued
    • that valuable commodity patience
  6. thing, entity
  7. convenience, advantage
  8. quantity, lot
  9. 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
  10. 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

  1. a captain in the navy in command of a squadron
  2. a commissioned officer in the navy formerly ranking above captain and below rear admiral and having an insignia of one star
  3. the ranking officer commanding a body of merchant ships
  4. the chief officer of a yacht club or boating association

com·mon ['kä-mən] -adj, adv, n

  1. of or relating to a community at large : public
    • work for the common good
  2. known to the community
    • common nuisances
  3. belonging to or shared by two or more individuals or things or by all members of a group
    • a common friend
    • buried in a common grave
  4. belonging equally to two or more mathematical entities
    • triangles with a common base
  5. having two or more branches
    • common carotid artery
  6. occurring or appearing frequently : familiar
    • a common sight
  7. of the best known or most frequently seen kind used esp. of plants and animals
    • the common housefly
  8. vernacular
    • common names
  9. widespread, general
    • common knowledge
  10. characterized by a lack of privilege or special status
    • common people
  11. just satisfying accustomed criteria : elementary
    • common decency
  12. falling below ordinary standards : second-rate
  13. lacking refinement : coarse
  14. denoting nominal relations by a single linguistic form that in a more highly inflected language might be denoted by two or more different forms
    • common gender
    • common case
  15. of, relating to, or being common stock

common -n

  1. the common people
  2. a dining hall
  3. the political group or estate comprising the commoners
  4. the parliamentary representatives of the commoners
  5. house of commons
  6. the legal right of taking a profit in another's land in common with the owner or others
  7. : a piece of land subject to common use: as
  8. undivided land used esp. for pasture
  9. a public open area in a municipality
  10. a religious service suitable for any of various festivals
  11. ordinary
  12. common stock

com·mon·age ['kä-mə-nij] -n

  1. community land
  2. commonalty

com·mon·al·i·ty [,kä-mə-'na-lə-tē] -n

  1. the common people
  2. possession of common features or attributes : commonness
  3. a common feature or attribute

com·mon·al·ty ['kä-mə-nᵊl-tē] -n

  1. the common people
  2. the political estate formed by the common people
  3. a usage or practice common to members of a group
  4. a general group or body

common carrier -n

  1. a business or agency that is available to the public for transportation of persons, goods, or messages

common cattle grub -n

  1. a cattle grub ( Hypoderma lineatum) which is found throughout the U.S. and whose larva is particularly destructive to cattle

common cold -n

  1. 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

  1. a common multiple of the denominators of a number of fractions
  2. a common trait or theme

common difference -n

  1. the difference between two consecutive terms of an arithmetic progression

common divisor -n

  1. 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

  1. one of the common people
  2. one who is not of noble rank
  3. a student (as at Oxford) who pays for his own board

Common Era -n

  1. christian era

common fraction -n

  1. 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

  1. a basis of mutual interest or agreement

com·monlaw ['kä-mən-,lȯ] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or based on the common law
  2. relating to or based on a common-law marriage

common law -n

  1. 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

  1. a marriage recognized in some jurisdictions and based on the parties' agreement to consider themselves married and sometimes also on their cohabitation
  2. the cohabitation of a couple even when it does not constitute a legal marriage

common logarithm -n

  1. a logarithm whose base is 10

common market -n

  1. an economic association (as of nations) formed to remove trade barriers among its members

common measure -n

  1. 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

  1. a multiple of each of two or more numbers or expressions
    • 90 is a common multiple of 6 and 10

common noun -n

  1. 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

  1. ordinary

com·mon·place ['kä-mən-,plās] -n

  1. a striking passage entered in a commonplace book
  2. an obvious or trite comment : truism
  3. something commonly found

commonplace -adj, n

  1. commonly found or seen : ordinary, unremarkable
    • a commonplace occurrence
    • the large mergers that had become commonplace

commonplace book -n

  1. a book of memorabilia

common pleas -n pl

  1. court of common pleas
  2. actions over which the English crown did not exercise exclusive jurisdiction
  3. civil actions between English subjects

common ratio -n

  1. the ratio of each term of a geometric progression to the term preceding it

common room -n

  1. a lounge available to all members of a residential community
  2. a room in a college for faculty use

common salt -n

  1. salt

common school -n

  1. a free public school

common sense ['kä-mən-'sen(t)s] -n, adj, adv

  1. sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts

common situs picketing -n

  1. the picketing of an entire construction site by a trade union having a grievance with only a single subcontractor working there

common stock -n

  1. stock other than preferred stock

common time -n

  1. a musical meter marked by four beats per measure with the quarter note receiving a single beat

common touch -n

  1. the gift of appealing to or arousing the sympathetic interest of the common people

com·mon·weal ['kä-mən-,wēl] -n

  1. commonwealth
  2. the general welfare

com·mon·wealth [-,welth also -,weltth] -n

  1. commonweal
  2. : a nation, state, or other political unit: as
  3. one founded on law and united by compact or tacit agreement of the people for the common good
  4. one in which supreme authority is vested in the people
  5. republic
  6. the English state from the death of Charles I in 1649 to the Restoration in 1660
  7. protectorate
  8. a state of the U.S. used officially of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
  9. a federal union of constituent states used officially of Australia
  10. an association of self-governing autonomous states more or less loosely associated in a common allegiance (as to the British crown)
  11. 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

  1. 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

  1. a calendar year containing no intercalary period

com·mo·tion [kə-'mō-shən] -n

  1. a condition of civil unrest or insurrection
  2. steady or recurrent motion
  3. mental excitement or confusion
  4. an agitated disturbance : to-do
  5. noisy confusion : agitation

com·move [kə-'müv, kä-] -vt

  1. to move violently : agitate
  2. to rouse intense feeling in : excite to passion

com·mu·nal [kə-'myü-nᵊl, 'käm-yə-nᵊl] -adj, vt, adv

  1. of or relating to one or more communes
  2. of or relating to a community
  3. characterized by collective ownership and use of property
  4. participated in, shared, or used in common by members of a group or community
  5. of, relating to, or based on racial or cultural groups

com·mu·nal·ism [-nə-,li-zəm] -n, n or adj

  1. social organization on a communal basis
  2. loyalty to a sociopolitical grouping based on religious or ethnic affiliation

com·mu·nal·i·ty [,käm-yu̇-'na-lə-tē] -n

  1. communal state or character
  2. a feeling of group solidarity

com·mu·nard [,käm-yu̇-'när(d)] -n

  1. one who supported or participated in the Commune of Paris in 1871
  2. a person who lives in a commune

com·mune [kə-'myün] -vb

  1. talk over, discuss
    • have more to commune -- Shak.
  2. to receive Communion
  3. to communicate intimately
    • commune with nature
  4. the smallest administrative district of many countries esp. in Europe
  5. commonalty
  6. : community:
  7. a medieval usu. municipal corporation
  8. mir
  9. an often rural community organized on a communal basis

com·mu·ni·ca·ble [kə-'myü-ni-kə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. capable of being communicated : transmittable
    • communicable diseases
  2. communicative
    • prove myself a gentleman, by being...virtuous and communicable -- Izaac Walton

com·mu·ni·cant [-'myü-ni-kənt] -n, adj

  1. a church member entitled to receive Communion
  2. a member of a fellowship
  3. one that communicates
  4. informant

com·mu·ni·cate [kə-'myü-nə-,kāt] -vb, n

  1. share
  2. to convey knowledge of or information about : make known
    • communicate a story
  3. to reveal by clear signs
    • his fear communicated itself to his friends
  4. to cause to pass from one to another
    • some diseases are easily communicated
  5. to receive Communion
  6. to transmit information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood
    • two sides failing to communicate with each other
  7. to open into each other : connect
    • the rooms communicate

com·mu·ni·ca·tion [kə-,myü-nə-'kā-shən] -n, adj

  1. an act or instance of transmitting
  2. information communicated
  3. a verbal or written message
  4. 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
  5. exchange of information
  6. personal rapport
    • a lack of communication between old and young persons
  7. a system (as of telephones) for communicating
  8. a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, and vehicles
  9. personnel engaged in communicating
  10. a technique for expressing ideas effectively (as in speech)
  11. 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

  1. tending to communicate : talkative
  2. of or relating to communication

com·mu·ni·ca·to·ry [kə-'myü-ni-kə-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. designed to communicate information
    • communicatory letters
  2. communicative

com·mu·nion [kə-'myü-nyən] -n

  1. an act or instance of sharing
  2. 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
  3. the act of receiving Communion
  4. the part of a Communion service in which the sacrament is received
  5. intimate fellowship or rapport : communication
  6. a body of Christians having a common faith and discipline
    • the Anglican communion

com·mu·ni·que [kə-'myü-nə-,kā, -,myü-nə-'] -n

  1. bulletin

com·mu·nise ['käm-yə-,nīz, -yü-] -vt, n

(variant of communize)

  1. to make common
  2. to make into state-owned property
  3. to subject to Communist principles of organization

com·mu·nism ['käm-yə-,ni-zəm, -yü-] -n

  1. a theory advocating elimination of private property
  2. a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
  3. a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the U.S.S.R.
  4. a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
  5. a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably
  6. communist systems collectively

com·mu·nist [-nist] -n, adj, adv

  1. an adherent or advocate of communism
  2. communard
  3. a member of a Communist party or movement
  4. an adherent or advocate of a Communist government, party, or movement
  5. 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

  1. of or relating to social organization in small cooperative partially collectivist communities

com·mu·ni·ty [kə-'myü-nə-tē] -n

  1. : a unified body of individuals: as
  2. state, commonwealth
  3. the people with common interests living in a particular area
  4. the area itself
    • the problems of a large community
  5. an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location
  6. a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society
    • a community of retired persons
  7. a group linked by a common policy
  8. a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests
    • the international community
  9. a body of persons of common and esp. professional interests scattered through a larger society
    • the academic community
  10. society at large
  11. joint ownership or participation
    • community of goods
  12. common character : likeness
    • community of interests
  13. social activity : fellowship
  14. a social state or condition

community antenna television -n

  1. cable television

community center -n

  1. a building or group of buildings for a community's educational and recreational activities

community chest -n

  1. a general fund accumulated from individual subscriptions to defray demands on a community for charity and social welfare

community college -n

  1. a 2-year government-supported college that offers an associate degree

community property -n

  1. property held jointly by husband and wife

com·mu·nize ['käm-yə-,nīz, -yü-] -vt, n

  1. to make common
  2. to make into state-owned property
  3. to subject to Communist principles of organization

com·mu·tate ['käm-yə-,tāt, -yü-] -vt

  1. 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

  1. exchange, trade
  2. replacement
  3. a substitution of one form of payment or charge for another
  4. a change of a legal penalty or punishment to a lesser one
    • commutation of a death sentence
  5. an act or process of commuting
  6. the action of commutating

commutation ticket -n

  1. 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

  1. of, relating to, or showing commutation
  2. 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
    • a commutative group
    • addition of the positive integers is commutative

com·mu·ta·tiv·i·ty [kə-,myü-tə-'ti-və-tē, ,käm-yə-tə-] -n

  1. the property of being commutative
    • the commutativity of a mathematical operation

com·mu·ta·tor ['käm-yə-,tā-tər, -yü-] -n

  1. 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
  2. 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

  1. change, alter
  2. to give in exchange for another : exchange
  3. to convert (as a payment) into another form
  4. to change (a penalty) to another less severe
    • commute a death sentence to life in prison
  5. commutate
  6. make up, compensate
  7. to pay in gross
  8. to travel back and forth regularly (as between a suburb and a city)
  9. to yield the same mathematical result regardless of order used of two elements undergoing an operation or of two operations on elements

commute -n

  1. an act or an instance of commuting
  2. the distance covered in commuting
    • a long commute

com·mut·er [kə-'myü-tər] -n

  1. a person who commutes (as between a suburb and a city)
  2. a small airline that carries passengers relatively short distances on a regular schedule

co·mo·no·mer [(,)kō-'mä-nə-mər, -'mō-] -n

  1. one of the constituents of a copolymer

co·mor·bid [(,)kō-'mȯr-bəd] -adj, n

  1. existing simultaneously with and usu. independently of another medical condition

comp ['kämp] -n

  1. a complimentary ticket
  2. something provided free of charge
  3. to provide with something free
    • a hotel comp ing celebrities for their rooms
  4. to provide free of charge
    • their meals were comp ed
  5. to punctuate and support a jazz solo with irregularly spaced chords
  6. comparative; compare
  7. compensation; compensatory
  8. compiled; compiler
  9. composition; compositor
  10. compound
  11. comprehensive
  12. comptroller

com·pact [kəm-'pakt, käm-', 'käm-,] -adj, adv, n

  1. predominantly formed or filled : composed, made
  2. having a dense structure or parts or units closely packed or joined
    • a compact woolen
    • compact bone
  3. not diffuse or verbose
    • a compact statement
  4. occupying a small volume by reason of efficient use of space
    • a compact camera
    • a compact formation of troops
  5. short-bodied, solid, and without excess flesh
  6. 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

  1. to make up by connecting or combining : compose
  2. to knit or draw together : combine
  3. to press together : compress
  4. to become compacted

com·pact ['käm-,pakt] -n

  1. : something that is compact or compacted:
  2. a small cosmetic case (as for compressed powder)
  3. an automobile smaller than an intermediate but larger than a subcompact
  4. an agreement or covenant between two or more parties

com·pact disc ['käm-,pakt-] -n

  1. CD

com·pac·tion [kəm-'pak-shən, käm-] -n

  1. the act or process of compacting : the state of being compacted

com·pa·dre [kəm-'pä-drā, -drē] -n

  1. a close friend : buddy

com·pan·ion [kəm-'pan-yən] -n

  1. one that accompanies another : comrade, associate
  2. one that keeps company with another
  3. rascal
  4. one that is closely connected with something similar
  5. one employed to live with and serve another
  6. a celestial body that appears close to another but that may or may not be associated with it in space

companion -vt

  1. accompany
  2. to keep company
  3. a hood covering at the top of a companionway
  4. companionway

com·pan·ion·able [kəm-'pan-yə-nə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. marked by, conducive to, or suggestive of companionship : sociable
    • companionable people
    • companionable laughter

com·pan·ion·ate [kəm-'pan-yə-nət] -adj

  1. relating to or having the manner of companions
  2. harmoniously or suitably accompanying

companion cell -n

  1. 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

  1. a work (as of literature) that is associated with and complements another

com·pan·ion·ship [kəm-'pan-yən-,ship] -n

  1. the fellowship existing among companions : company

com·pan·ion·way [-yən-,wā] -n

  1. a ship's stairway from one deck to another

com·pa·ny ['kəmp-nē, 'kəm-pə-] -n

  1. association with another : fellowship
    • enjoy a person's company
  2. companions, associates
    • know a person by the company she keeps
  3. visitors, guests
    • having company for dinner
  4. a group of persons or things
    • a company of horsemen
  5. a body of soldiers
  6. a unit (as of infantry) consisting usu. of a headquarters and two or more platoons
  7. an organization of performing artists
  8. the officers and crew of a ship
  9. a firefighting unit
  10. a chartered commercial organization or medieval trade guild
  11. an association of persons for carrying on a commercial or industrial enterprise
  12. those members of a partnership firm whose names do not appear in the firm name
    • John Doe and Company

company -vb

  1. accompany
    • may...fair winds company your safe return -- John Masefield
  2. associate

company man -n

  1. a worker who acquiesces in company policy without complaint

company officer -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. an unaffiliated labor union of the employees of a single firm
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. capable of or suitable for comparison
  2. similar, like
    • fabrics of comparable quality

comparable worth -n

  1. 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

  1. one that uses a comparative method (as in the study of literature)

com·par·a·tive [-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. 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
  2. considered as if in comparison to something else as a standard not quite attained : relative
    • a comparative stranger
  3. characterized by systematic comparison esp. of likenesses and dissimilarities
    • comparative anatomy

comparative -n

  1. one that compares with another esp. on equal footing : rival
  2. one that makes witty or mocking comparisons
  3. the comparative degree or form in a language

com·par·a·tiv·ist [-ti-vist] -n

  1. comparatist

com·par·a·tor [-tər] -n

  1. a device for comparing something with a similar thing or with a standard measure

com·pare [kəm-'per] -vb

  1. to represent as similar : liken
    • shall I compare thee to a summer's day? -- Shak.
  2. to examine the character or qualities of esp. in order to discover resemblances or differences
    • compare your responses with the answers
  3. to view in relation to
    • tall compared to me
    • easy compared with the last test
  4. to inflect or modify (an adjective or adverb) according to the degrees of comparison
  5. to bear being compared
    • the two don't even begin to compare
  6. to make comparisons
  7. to be equal or alike
    • nothing compare s to you

compare -n

  1. the possibility of comparing
    • beauty beyond compare
  2. something with which to be compared
    • a city without compare

com·par·i·son [kəm-'per-ə-sən, -'pa-rə-] -n

  1. : the act or process of comparing: as
  2. the representing of one thing or person as similar to or like another
  3. an examination of two or more items to establish similarities and dissimilarities
    • his faults seem minor by comparison
  4. identity of features : similarity
    • several points of comparison between the two
  5. the modification of an adjective or adverb to denote different levels of quality, quantity, or relation

comparison shop -vi, n

  1. to compare prices (as of competing brands) in order to find the best value

com·part·ment [kəm-'pärt-mənt] -n, adj

  1. a separate division or section
  2. one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
  3. compartmentalize

com·part·men·tal·ise [kəm-,pärt-'men-tə-,līz, ,käm-] -vt, n

(variant of compartmentalize)

  1. to separate into isolated compartments or categories

com·part·men·tal·ize [kəm-,pärt-'men-tə-,līz, ,käm-] -vt, n

  1. to separate into isolated compartments or categories

com·part·men·ta·tion [kəm-,pärt-mən-'tā-shən, -,men-] -n

  1. division into separate sections or units

com·pas [kōm-'pä] -n

  1. a popular music of Haiti that combines Cuban and African rhythms

com·pass ['kəm-pəs also 'käm-] -vt, adj

  1. to devise or contrive often with craft or skill : plot
    • persons...who have compass ed my destruction -- Charles Dickens
  2. encompass
  3. bring about, achieve
  4. to get into one's possession or power : obtain
  5. comprehend

compass -n

  1. boundary, circumference
    • within the compass of the city walls
  2. a circumscribed space
    • within the narrow compass of 21 pages -- V. L. Parrington
  3. range, scope
    • the compass of my voice
  4. a curved or roundabout course
    • a compass of seven days' journey -- 2 Kings 3:9(AV)
  5. 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
  6. any of various nonmagnetic devices that indicate direction
  7. 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
  8. direction
    • his moral compass
  9. forming a curve : curved
    • a compass timber

compass card -n

  1. 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

  1. sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it

com·pas·sion·ate [kəm-'pa-sh(ə-)nət] -adj, adv, n

  1. having or showing compassion : sympathetic
    • a compassionate friend
    • a compassionate smile
  2. granted because of unusual distressing circumstances affecting an individual used of some military privileges (as leave)
  3. pity

compass plant -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. capable of existing together in harmony
    • compatible theories
    • compatible people
  2. capable of cross-fertilizing freely or uniting vegetatively
  3. capable of forming a homogeneous mixture that neither separates nor is altered by chemical interaction
  4. capable of being used in transfusion or grafting without immunological reaction (as agglutination or tissue rejection)
  5. designed to work with another device or system without modification
  6. 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

  1. a person born, residing, or holding citizenship in the same country as another
  2. companion, colleague
    • her compatriot s in academia

compd -abbr

  1. compound

com·peer ['käm-,pir, käm-', kəm-'] -n

  1. companion

compeer -n, vt

  1. equal, peer

com·pel [kəm-'pel] -vt, adj

  1. to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly
    • hunger compelled him to eat
  2. to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure
    • public opinion compelled her to sign the bill
  3. to drive together

com·pel·la·tion [,käm-pə-'lā-shən, -,pe-] -n

  1. an act or action of addressing someone
  2. appellation

com·pel·ling [kəm-'pe-liŋ] -adj, adv

  1. : that compels: as
  2. forceful
    • a compelling personality
  3. demanding attention
    • for compelling reasons
  4. convincing
    • no compelling evidence

com·pend ['käm-,pend] -n

  1. compendium

com·pen·di·ous [kəm-'pen-dē-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by brief expression of a comprehensive matter : concise and comprehensive
    • a compendious summary
  2. comprehensive
    • her compendious knowledge of the subject

com·pen·di·um [kəm-'pen-dē-əm] -n

  1. a brief summary of a larger work or of a field of knowledge : abstract
  2. a list of a number of items
  3. collection, compilation

com·pen·sa·ble [kəm-'pen(t)-sə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. that is to be or can be compensated
    • a compensable job-related injury

com·pen·sate ['käm-pən-,sāt, -,pen-] -vb, adj, n

  1. to be equivalent to : counterbalance
  2. to make an appropriate and usu. counterbalancing payment to
    • compensate the victims for their loss
  3. to provide with means of counteracting variation
  4. to neutralize the effect of (variations)
  5. to supply an equivalent used with for
  6. to offset an error, defect, or undesired effect
    • his enthusiasm compensate s for his lack of skill
  7. to undergo or engage in psychological or physiological compensation

com·pen·sa·tion [,käm-pən-'sā-shən, -,pen-] -n, adj

  1. the act of compensating : the state of being compensated
  2. correction of an organic defect or loss by hypertrophy or by increased functioning of another organ or unimpaired parts of the same organ
  3. a psychological mechanism by which feelings of inferiority, frustration, or failure in one field are counterbalanced by achievement in another
  4. something that constitutes an equivalent or recompense
    • age has its compensation s
  5. payment to unemployed or injured workers or their dependents
  6. payment, remuneration
    • working without compensation

compensatory education -n

  1. educational programs intended to make up for experiences (as cultural) lacked by disadvantaged children

com·pere ['käm-,per] -n

  1. the master of ceremonies of an entertainment (as a television program)

compere -vb

  1. to act as compere for
  2. to act as a compere

com·pete [kəm-'pēt] -vi

  1. to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (as position, profit, or a prize) : be in a state of rivalry
    • competing teams
    • companies competing for customers

com·pe·tence ['käm-pə-tən(t)s] -n

  1. a sufficiency of means for the necessities and conveniences of life
    • provided his family with a comfortable competence -- Rex Ingamells
  2. : the quality or state of being competent: as
  3. the properties of an embryonic field that enable it to respond in a characteristic manner to an organizer
  4. readiness of bacteria to undergo genetic transformation
  5. the knowledge that enables a person to speak and understand a language

com·pe·ten·cy [-pə-tən(t)-sē] -n

  1. competence

com·pe·tent ['käm-pə-tənt] -adj, adv

  1. proper or rightly pertinent
  2. having requisite or adequate ability or qualities : fit
    • a competent teacher
    • a competent piece of work
  3. legally qualified or adequate
    • a competent witness
  4. having the capacity to function or develop in a particular way
  5. 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

  1. : the act or process of competing : rivalry: as
  2. the effort of two or more parties acting independently to secure the business of a third party by offering the most favorable terms
  3. active demand by two or more organisms or kinds of organisms for some environmental resource in short supply
  4. a contest between rivals
  5. one's competitors
    • faced tough competition

com·pet·i·tive [kəm-'pe-tə-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. relating to, characterized by, or based on competition
    • competitive sports
  2. inclined, desiring, or suited to compete
    • a competitive personality
    • salary benefits must be competitive -- M. S. Eisenhower
  3. 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

  1. : one that competes: as
  2. rival
  3. one selling or buying goods or services in the same market as another
  4. an organism that lives in competition with another

com·pi·la·tion [,käm-pə-'lā-shən also -,pī-] -n

  1. the act or process of compiling
  2. something compiled
    • a compilation of hit songs

com·pile [kəm-'pī(-ə)l] -vt

  1. to compose out of materials from other documents
  2. to collect and edit into a volume
  3. to build up gradually
    • compiled a record of four wins and two losses
  4. to run (as a program) through a compiler

com·pil·er [kəm-'pī-lər] -n

  1. one that compiles
  2. 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

  1. calm or secure satisfaction with oneself or one's lot : self-satisfaction
  2. complaisance
  3. unconcern

com·pla·cen·cy [-sᵊn(t)-sē] -n

  1. self-satisfaction esp. when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies
  2. an instance of complacency

com·pla·cent [kəm-'plā-sᵊnt] -adj, adv

  1. marked by complacency
  2. self-satisfied
    • a complacent smile
  3. complaisant
  4. unconcerned

com·plain [kəm-'plān] -vi, n, adv

  1. to express grief, pain, or discontent
    • complain ing about the weather
  2. to make a formal accusation or charge

com·plain·ant [kəm-'plā-nənt] -n

  1. the party who makes the complaint in a legal action or proceeding
  2. one who complains

com·plaint [kəm-'plānt] -n

  1. expression of grief, pain, or dissatisfaction
  2. something that is the cause or subject of protest or outcry
  3. a bodily ailment or disease
  4. 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

  1. disposition to please or comply : affability

com·plai·sant [-sᵊnt, -zᵊnt, -'zant, -'zänt] -adj, adv

  1. marked by an inclination to please or oblige
  2. tending to consent to others' wishes

com·pleat [kəm-'plēt] -adj

  1. having all necessary or desired elements or skills : complete
  2. classic, quintessential

com·plect·ed [kəm-'plek-təd] -adj

  1. having a specified facial complexion
    • a tall, thin man, fairly dark complected -- E. J. Kahn

com·ple·ment ['käm-plə-mənt] -n

  1. something that fills up, completes, or makes perfect
  2. the quantity, number, or assortment required to make a thing complete
    • the usual complement of eyes and ears -- Francis Parkman
  3. the whole force or personnel of a ship
  4. one of two mutually completing parts : counterpart
  5. the angle or arc that when added to a given angle or arc equals a right angle in measure
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. the musical interval required with a given interval to complete the octave
  9. an added word or expression by which a predication is made complete (as presidentin they elected him president and beautifulin he thought her beautiful)
  10. 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)
  11. to exchange formal courtesies
  12. to be complementary to
    • the illustrations complement the text
  13. compliment

com·ple·men·tal [,käm-plə-'men-tᵊl] -adj

  1. relating to or being a complement
  2. ceremonious, complimentary

com·ple·men·tar·i·ty [,käm-plə-(,)men-'ter-ə-tē, -mən-, -'ta-rə-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being complementary
  2. 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

  1. relating to or constituting one of a pair of contrasting colors that produce a neutral color when combined in suitable proportions
  2. serving to fill out or complete
  3. mutually supplying each other's lack
  4. being complements of each other
    • complementary acute angles
  5. 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

  1. any of the practices (as acupuncture) of alternative medicine accepted and utilized by mainstream medical practitioners
  2. alternative medicine

com·ple·men·ta·tion [,käm-plə-(,)men-'tā-shən, -mən-] -n

  1. the operation of determining the complement of a mathematical set
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. having all necessary parts, elements, or steps
    • a complete diet
  2. having all four sets of floral organs
  3. including modifiers, complements, or objects
  4. brought to an end : concluded
    • a complete period of time
  5. highly proficient
    • a complete artist
  6. fully carried out : thorough
    • a complete renovation
  7. total, absolute
    • complete silence
  8. legally caught
  9. characterized by the occurrence of a pupal stage between the motile immature stages and the adult
  10. having the property that every Cauchy sequence of elements converges to a limit in the space

complete -vt

  1. to bring to an end and esp. into a perfected state
    • complete a painting
  2. to make whole or perfect
    • its song complete s the charm of this bird
  3. to mark the end of
    • a rousing chorus complete s the show
  4. execute, fulfill
    • complete a contract
  5. to carry out (a forward pass) successfully

complete fertilizer -n

  1. a fertilizer that contains the three chief plant nutrients nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash

com·ple·tion [kəm-'plē-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of completing
  2. the quality or state of being complete
  3. a completed forward pass in football

com·plet·ist [-tist] -n

  1. one who wants to make something (as a collection) complete

com·plex ['käm-,pleks] -n

  1. a whole made up of complicated or interrelated parts
    • a complex of welfare programs
    • the military-industrial complex
  2. a group of culture traits relating to a single activity (as hunting), process (as use of flint), or culture unit
  3. a group of repressed desires and memories that exerts a dominating influence upon the personality
  4. an exaggerated reaction to or preoccupation with a subject or situation
  5. a group of obviously related units of which the degree and nature of the relationship is imperfectly known
  6. the sum of factors (as symptoms) characterizing a disease or condition
  7. a chemical association of two or more species (as ions or molecules) joined usu. by weak electrostatic bonds rather than covalent bonds
  8. a building or group of buildings housing related units
    • an apartment complex
    • a sports complex
  9. composed of two or more parts : composite
  10. having a bound form as one or more of its immediate constituents
    • unmanly is a complex word
  11. consisting of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses
  12. hard to separate, analyze, or solve
  13. of, concerned with, being, or containing complex numbers
    • a complex root
    • complex analysis
  14. to make complex or into a complex
  15. chelate

complex carbohydrate -n

  1. a polysaccharide (as starch or cellulose) consisting of usu. hundreds or thousands of monosaccharide units
  2. a food (as rice or pasta) composed primarily of such polysaccharides

complex fraction -n

  1. 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

  1. to make complex
  2. to become complex

com·plex·ion [kəm-'plek-shən] -n, adj

  1. the combination of the hot, cold, moist, and dry qualities held in medieval physiology to determine the quality of a body
  2. an individual complex of ways of thinking or feeling
  3. a complex of attitudes and inclinations
  4. the hue or appearance of the skin and esp. of the face
    • a dark complexion
  5. overall aspect or character
    • by changing the complexion of the legislative branch -- Trevor Armbrister

com·plex·i·ty [kəm-'plek-sə-tē, käm-] -n

  1. something complex
  2. the quality or state of being complex

complex number -n

  1. a number of the form a b where aand bare real numbers

complex plane -n

  1. a plane whose points are identified by means of complex numbers
  2. argand diagram

com·pli·ance [kəm-'plī-ən(t)s] -n

  1. the act or process of complying to a desire, demand, proposal, or regimen or to coercion
  2. conformity in fulfilling official requirements
  3. a disposition to yield to others
  4. the ability of an object to yield elastically when a force is applied : flexibility

com·pli·an·cy [-ən(t)-sē] -n

  1. compliance

com·pli·ant [-ənt] -adj, adv

  1. ready or disposed to comply : submissive
    • a corrupt regime aided by a compliant press
  2. conforming to requirements
    • compliant software

com·pli·ca·cy ['käm-pli-kə-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being complicated
  2. something that is complicated

com·pli·cate ['käm-pli-kət] -adj

  1. complex, intricate
  2. conduplicate
  3. to combine esp. in an involved or inextricable manner
  4. to make complex or difficult
  5. involve
  6. 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

  1. consisting of parts intricately combined
    • a complicated recipe
  2. difficult to analyze, understand, or explain
    • a complicated issue

com·pli·ca·tion [,käm-plə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. complexity, intricacy
  2. a situation or a detail of character complicating the main thread of a plot
  3. a making difficult, involved, or intricate
  4. a complex or intricate feature or element
  5. a difficult factor or issue often appearing unexpectedly and changing existing plans, methods, or attitudes
  6. a secondary disease or condition developing in the course of a primary disease or condition

com·plice ['käm-pləs, 'kəm-] -n

  1. associate

com·plic·it [kəm-'pli-sət] -adj

  1. having complicity

com·plic·it·ous [-'pli-sə-təs] -adj

  1. complicit

com·plic·i·ty [kəm-'pli-s(ə-)tē] -n

  1. association or participation in or as if in a wrongful act
  2. an instance of complicity

com·pli·er [-'plī(-ə)r] -n

  1. one that complies

com·pli·ment ['käm-plə-mənt] -n

  1. an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration
  2. an admiring remark
  3. formal and respectful recognition : honor
  4. best wishes : regards
    • accept my compliment s
    • compliment s of the season
  5. to pay a compliment to
  6. to present with a token of esteem

com·pli·men·ta·ry [,käm-plə-'men-t(ə-)rē] -adj, adv

  1. expressing or containing a compliment
    • a complimentary remark
  2. favorable
    • the novel received complimentary reviews
  3. given free as a courtesy or favor
    • complimentary tickets

complimentary close -n

  1. 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

  1. the seventh and last of the canonical hours

com·plot ['käm-,plät] -n

  1. plot, conspiracy
  2. plot

com·ply [kəm-'plī] -vi

  1. to be ceremoniously courteous
  2. to conform, submit, or adapt (as to a regulation or to another's wishes) as required or requested
    • comply with federal law
    • the devices comply with industry standards

com·po ['käm-(,)pō] -n

  1. any of various composition materials

com·po·nent [kəm-'pō-nənt, 'käm-,, käm-'] -n, adj

  1. a constituent part : ingredient
    • an important component of the program
    • stereo component s
  2. any one of the vector terms added to form a vector sum or resultant
  3. a coordinate of a vector
  4. either member of an ordered pair of numbers

component -adj

  1. serving or helping to constitute : constituent
    • component parts

com·port [kəm-'pȯrt] -vb, n

  1. to be fitting : accord
    • actions that comport with policy
  2. behave
  3. to behave in a manner conformable to what is right, proper, or expected
    • comport ed himself well in the crisis
  4. compote

com·pose [kəm-'pōz] -vb

  1. to form by putting together : fashion
    • a committee composed of three representatives -- Current Biog.
  2. to form the substance of : constitute
    • composed of many ingredients
  3. to produce (as columns or pages of type) by composition
  4. to create by mental or artistic labor : produce
    • compose a sonnet
  5. to formulate and write (a piece of music)
  6. to compose music for
  7. to deal with or act on so as to reduce to a minimum
    • compose their differences
  8. to arrange in proper or orderly form
  9. to free from agitation : calm, settle
    • composed himself
  10. to practice composition

com·posed [-'pōzd] -adj, adv, n

  1. free from agitation : calm
  2. self-possessed

com·pos·er [kəm-'pō-zər] -n

  1. one that composes
  2. a person who writes music

composing room -n

  1. the department in a printing office where typesetting and related operations are performed

composing stick -n

  1. 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

  1. : made up of distinct parts: as
  2. relating to or being a modification of the Corinthian order combining angular Ionic volutes with the acanthus-circled bell of the Corinthian
  3. 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
  4. factorable into two or more prime factors other than 1 and itself
    • 8 is a positive composite integer
  5. combining the typical or essential characteristics of individuals making up a group
    • the composite man called the Poet -- Richard Poirier
  6. specifying a range of values for one or more statistical parameters

composite -n

  1. something composite : compound
    • a composite of two images
  2. a composite plant
  3. composite function
  4. 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
  5. a structural material made of plastic within which a fibrous material (as silicon carbide) is embedded
  6. to make composite or into something composite
    • composited four soil samples
    • composite the images

composite function -n

  1. 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

  1. the act or process of composing
  2. arrangement into specific proportion or relation and esp. into artistic form
  3. the arrangement of type for printing
    • hand composition
  4. the production of type or typographic characters (as in photocomposition) arranged for printing
  5. the manner in which something is composed
  6. general makeup
    • the changing ethnic composition of the city -- Leonard Buder
  7. the qualitative and quantitative makeup of a chemical compound
  8. mutual settlement or agreement
  9. a product of mixing or combining various elements or ingredients
  10. : an intellectual creation: as
  11. a piece of writing
  12. a school exercise in the form of a brief essay
  13. a written piece of music esp. of considerable size and complexity
  14. the quality or state of being compound
  15. the operation of forming a composite function
  16. composite function

com·po·si·tion·ist [-'zi-sh(ə-)nist] -n

  1. a teacher of writing esp. in a college or university

com·pos·i·tor [kəm-'pä-zə-tər] -n

  1. one who sets type

com·pos men·tis ['käm-pəs-'men-təs] -adj

  1. of sound mind, memory, and understanding

com·post ['käm-,pōst, esp Brit -,päst] -n

  1. a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land
  2. mixture, compound

compost ['käm-,pōs-tə-bəl] -vt, adj, n

  1. to convert (as plant debris) to compost

com·po·sure [kəm-'pō-zhər] -n

  1. a calmness or repose esp. of mind, bearing, or appearance : self-possession

com·pote ['käm-,pōt] -n

  1. a dessert of fruit cooked in syrup
  2. 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

  1. to put together (parts) so as to form a whole : combine
    • compound ingredients
  2. to form by combining parts
    • compound a medicine
  3. to settle amicably : adjust by agreement
  4. to agree for a consideration not to prosecute (an offense)
    • compound a felony
  5. to pay (interest) on both the accrued interest and the principal
  6. to add to : augment
    • we compound ed our error in later policy -- Robert Lekachman
  7. to become joined in a compound
  8. to come to terms of agreement
  9. : composed of or resulting from union of separate elements, ingredients, or parts: as
  10. composed of united similar elements esp. of a kind usu. independent
    • a compound plant ovary
  11. having the blade divided to the midrib and forming two or more leaflets on a common axis
    • a compound leaf
  12. involving or used in a combination
  13. constituting a compound
  14. having two or more main clauses
  15. a word consisting of components that are words (as rowboat, high school, devil-may-care)
  16. a word (as anthropology, kilocycle, builder) consisting of any of various combinations of words, combining forms, or affixes
  17. something formed by a union of elements or parts
  18. a distinct substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportion by weight
  19. a fenced or walled-in area containing a group of buildings and esp. residences

com·poundcom·plex [-'käm-,pleks] -adj

  1. having two or more main clauses and one or more subordinate clauses

compound eye -n

  1. an eye (as of an insect) made up of many separate visual units

compound fracture -n

  1. a bone fracture resulting in an open wound through which bone fragments usu. protrude

compound interest -n

  1. interest computed on the sum of an original principal and accrued interest

compound microscope -n

  1. a microscope consisting of an objective and an eyepiece mounted in a drawtube

compound number -n

  1. a number (as 2 feet 5 inches) involving different denominations or more than one unit

com·pra·dor [,käm-prə-'dȯr] -n

  1. 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
  2. intermediary

com·pre·hend [,käm-pri-'hend, -prē-] -vt, adj

  1. to grasp the nature, significance, or meaning of
    • unable to comprehend what has happened
  2. 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
  3. 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

  1. capable of being comprehended : intelligible
    • a comprehensible explanation

com·pre·hen·sion [,käm-pri-'hen(t)-shən, -prē-] -n

  1. the act or action of grasping with the intellect : understanding
  2. knowledge gained by comprehending
  3. the capacity for understanding fully
    • mysteries that are beyond our comprehension
  4. the act or process of comprising
  5. the faculty or capability of including : comprehensiveness
  6. connotation

com·pre·hen·sive [-'hen(t)-siv] -adj, adv, n

  1. covering completely or broadly : inclusive
    • comprehensive examinations
    • comprehensive insurance
  2. having or exhibiting wide mental grasp
    • comprehensive knowledge

com·press [kəm-'pres] -vb

  1. to press or squeeze together
  2. to reduce in size, quantity, or volume as if by squeezing
    • compress a computer file
  3. to undergo compression
  4. a folded cloth or pad applied so as to press upon a body part
  5. a machine for compressing

com·pressed [kəm-'prest also 'käm-,] -adj, adv

  1. pressed together : reduced in size or volume (as by pressure)
  2. : flattened as though subjected to compression:
  3. flattened laterally
    • petioles compressed
  4. narrow from side to side and deep in a dorsoventral direction

compressed air -n

  1. air under pressure greater than that of the atmosphere

com·press·ible [kəm-'pre-sə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being compressed

com·pres·sion [kəm-'pre-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act, process, or result of compressing
  2. the state of being compressed
  3. the process of compressing the fuel mixture in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine (as in an automobile)
  4. the compressed remains of a fossil plant
  5. conversion (as of data, a data file, or a communications signal) in order to reduce the space occupied or bandwidth required

compressional wave -n

  1. 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

  1. of or relating to compression
  2. tending to compress

com·pres·sor [-'pre-sər] -n

  1. : one that compresses: as
  2. a muscle that compresses a part
  3. a machine that compresses gases

com·prise [kəm-'prīz] -vt

  1. 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.
  2. to be made up of
    • a vast installation, comprising fifty buildings -- Jane Jacobs
  3. 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

  1. settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions
  2. something intermediate between or blending qualities of two different things
  3. a concession to something derogatory or prejudicial
    • a compromise of principles

compromise -vb, n

  1. to bind by mutual agreement
  2. to adjust or settle by mutual concessions
  3. to expose to suspicion, discredit, or mischief
    • his reputation has been compromised
  4. to reveal or expose to an unauthorized person and esp. to an enemy
    • confidential information was compromised
  5. to cause the impairment of
    • a compromised immune system
    • a seriously compromised patient
  6. to come to agreement by mutual concession
  7. to find or follow a way between extremes
  8. to make a shameful or disreputable concession
    • wouldn't compromise with their principles

compt ['kau̇nt, dial 'kyau̇nt] -vb

(variant of count)

  1. to indicate or name by units or groups so as to find the total number of units involved : number
  2. to name the numbers in order up to and including
    • count ten
  3. to include in a tallying and reckoning
    • about 100 present, count ing children
  4. to call aloud (beats or time units)
    • count cadence
    • count eighth notes
  5. consider, account
    • count oneself lucky
  6. to record as of an opinion or persuasion
    • count me as uncommitted
  7. to include or exclude by or as if by counting
    • count me in
  8. to recite or indicate the numbers in order by units or groups
    • count by fives
  9. to count the units in a group
  10. to rely or depend on someone or something used with on
    • count ed on his parents to help with the expenses
  11. add, total
    • it count s up to a sizable amount
  12. to have value or significance
    • these are the people who really count
    • his opinions don't count for much
  13. to deserve to be regarded or considered
    • a job so easy it hardly count s as work
  14. the action or process of counting
  15. a total obtained by counting : tally
  16. reckoning, account
  17. consideration, estimation
  18. allegation, charge
  19. one separately stating the cause of action or prosecution in a legal declaration or indictment
    • guilty on all count s
  20. a specific point under consideration : issue
  21. the total number of individual things in a given unit or sample obtained by counting all or a subsample of them
    • bacteria count
  22. the calling off of the seconds from one to ten when a boxer has been knocked down
  23. the number of balls and strikes charged to a baseball batter during one turn
    • the count stood at 3 and 2
  24. score
    • tied the count with a minute to play
  25. a measurement of the thickness or fineness of yarn by determining the number of hanks or yards per pound it produces
  26. the number of threads per square inch in a cloth
  27. a European nobleman whose rank corresponds to that of a British earl

comp·trol·ler [kən-'trō-lər, 'käm(p)-,, käm(p)-'] -n

  1. a royal-household official who examines and supervises expenditures
  2. a public official who audits government accounts and sometimes certifies expenditures
  3. controller

com·pul·sion [kəm-'pəl-shən] -n

  1. an act of compelling : the state of being compelled
  2. a force that compels
  3. an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act (as excessive hand washing)
  4. the act itself

com·pul·sive [-'pəl-siv] -adj, adv, n

  1. having power to compel
  2. of, relating to, caused by, or suggestive of psychological compulsion or obsession
    • compulsive actions
    • a compulsive gambler

com·pul·so·ry [kəm-'pəls-rē, -'pəl-sə-] -adj, adv

  1. mandatory, enforced
    • compulsory retirement
  2. coercive, compelling
    • compulsory measures

com·punc·tion [kəm-'pəŋ(k)-shən] -n, adj

  1. anxiety arising from awareness of guilt
    • compunction s of conscience
  2. distress of mind over an anticipated action or result
    • showed no compunction in planning devilish engines of...destruction -- Havelock Ellis
  3. a twinge of misgiving : scruple
    • cheated without compunction

com·pur·ga·tion [,käm-(,)pər-'gā-shən] -n

  1. 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

  1. one who under oath vouches for the character or conduct of an accused person

com·put·able [kəm-'pyü-tə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being computed

com·pu·ta·tion [,käm-pyu̇-'tā-shən, -pyü-] -n, adj, adv

  1. the act or action of computing : calculation
  2. the use or operation of a computer
  3. a system of reckoning
  4. an amount computed

com·pute [kəm-'pyüt] -vb

  1. to determine esp. by mathematical means
  2. to determine or calculate by means of a computer
  3. to make calculation : reckon
  4. to use a computer

computed tomography -n

  1. 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

  1. one that computes
  2. a programmable usu. electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data

com·put·er·ese [-,pyü-tə-'rēz, -'rēs] -n

  1. jargon used by computer technologists

com·put·er·ise [kəm-'pyü-tə-,rīz, -tər-,īz] -vt, adj, n

(variant of computerize)

  1. to carry out, control, or produce by means of a computer
    • computerized music
  2. to equip with computers
    • computerize public schools
  3. to store in a computer
    • computerize data
  4. to put in a form that a computer can use
    • computerize paperwork

com·put·er·ist [kəm-'pyü-tə-rist] -n

  1. a person who uses or operates a computer

com·put·er·ize [kəm-'pyü-tə-,rīz, -tər-,īz] -vt, adj, n

  1. to carry out, control, or produce by means of a computer
    • computerized music
  2. to equip with computers
    • computerize public schools
  3. to store in a computer
    • computerize data
  4. to put in a form that a computer can use
    • computerize paperwork

com·put·er·nik [kəm-'pyü-tər-,nik] -n

  1. a computer enthusiast or expert

com·put·er·phobe [-,fōb] -n, adj

  1. a person who experiences anxiety about computers and esp. about their use

computer science -n

  1. a branch of science that deals with the theory of computation or the design of computers

comr -abbr

  1. commissioner

com·rade ['käm-,rad, -rəd, esp Brit -,rād] -n, adj

  1. an intimate friend or associate : companion
  2. a fellow soldier
  3. communist

com·rad·ery ['käm-,ra-d(ə-)rē, -rə-drē, -,rā-d(ə-)rē] -n

  1. camaraderie

Comsat ['käm-,sat] -service mark

  1. used for communications services involving an artificial satellite

Com·stock·ery ['käm-,stä-kə-rē also 'kəm-] -n

  1. strict censorship of materials considered obscene
  2. censorious opposition to alleged immorality (as in literature)

Com·stock·ian [käm-'stä-kē-ən also ,kəm-] -adj

  1. of or relating to Comstockery

com·symp ['käm-,simp] -n

  1. a person sympathetic to Communist causes

Comt·ian ['käm(p)-tē-ən, 'kōⁿ(n)-tē-] -adj, n, adj or n

  1. of or relating to Auguste Comte or his doctrines

con ['kän] -vt

  1. to commit to memory
  2. to study or examine closely

con ['kän] -vt

(variant of conn)

  1. to conduct or direct the steering of (as a ship)
  2. the control exercised by one who conns a ship

con·al·bu·min [,kän-al-'byü-mən] -n

  1. 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

  1. with love, devotion, or zest
  2. in a tender manner used as a direction in music

con ani·ma [kän-'a-nə-,mä, kōn-'ä-ni-] -adv

  1. in a spirited manner used as a direction in music

co·na·tion [kō-'nā-shən] -n, adj

  1. an inclination (as an instinct, a drive, a wish, or a craving) to act purposefully : impulse

con brio [kän-'brē-(,)ō, kōn-] -adv

  1. in a vigorous or brisk manner often used as a direction in music

conc -abbr

  1. concentrate; concentrated; concentration
  2. concrete

con·ca·nav·a·lin [,kän-kə-'na-və-lən] -n

  1. a protein that occurs in the jack bean and is a mitogen and hemagglutinin

con·cat·e·nate [kän-'ka-tə-nət, kən-] -adj

  1. linked together

concatenate [-,nāt] -vt, n

  1. to link together in a series or chain

con·cave [kän-'kāv, 'kän-,] -adj

  1. hollowed or rounded inward like the inside of a bowl
  2. 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
  3. a concave line or surface

con·cav·i·ty [kän-'ka-və-tē] -n

  1. a concave line, surface, or space : hollow
  2. the quality or state of being concave

con·ca·vocon·vex [kän-'kā-vō-kän-'veks; 'kän-, kən-'] -adj

  1. concave on one side and convex on the other
  2. having the concave side curved more than the convex
    • a concavoconvex lens

con·ceal [kən-'sēl] -vt, adj, adv, n

  1. to prevent disclosure or recognition of
    • conceal the truth
  2. to place out of sight
    • conceal ed himself behind the door

con·ceal·er [-'sē-lər] -n

  1. one that conceals
    • a concealer of the truth
  2. a cosmetic used to conceal blemishes or discoloration esp. under the eyes

con·cede [kən-'sēd] -vb, adv, n

  1. to grant as a right or privilege
  2. to accept as true, valid, or accurate
    • the right of the state to tax is generally conceded
  3. to acknowledge grudgingly or hesitantly
    • conceded that it might be a good idea
  4. to make concession : yield

con·ceit [kən-'sēt] -n

  1. a result of mental activity : thought
  2. individual opinion
  3. favorable opinion
  4. excessive appreciation of one's own worth or virtue
  5. a fancy item or trifle
  6. a fanciful idea
  7. an elaborate or strained metaphor
  8. use or presence of such conceits in poetry
  9. an organizing theme or concept
    • found his conceit for the film early -- Peter Wilkinson

conceit -vt

  1. conceive, understand
  2. imagine
  3. to take a fancy to

con·ceit·ed [-'sē-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. ingeniously contrived : fanciful
  2. having or showing an excessively high opinion of oneself

con·ceiv·able [kən-'sē-və-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being conceived : imaginable
    • every conceivable combination

con·ceiv·ably [-blē] -adv

  1. in a conceivable manner
  2. it may be conceived : possibly
    • we could conceivably finish next week

con·ceive [kən-'sēv] -vb, n

  1. to become pregnant with (young)
    • conceive a child
  2. to cause to begin : originate
    • a project conceived by the company's founder
  3. to take into one's mind
    • conceive a prejudice
  4. to form a conception of : imagine
    • a badly conceived design
  5. to apprehend by reason or imagination : understand
    • unable to conceive his reasons
  6. to have as an opinion
    • I cannot conceive that he acted alone
  7. to become pregnant
  8. to have a conception usu. used with of
    • conceive s of death as emptiness

con·cel·e·brant [kən-'se-lə-brənt, kän-] -n

  1. one that concelebrates a Eucharist or Mass

con·cel·e·brate [kən-'se-lə-,brāt, kän-] -vb, n

  1. to participate in (a Eucharist) as a joint celebrant who recites the canon in unison with other celebrants
  2. to participate as a celebrant in a concelebrated Eucharist

con·cent [kən-'sent] -n

  1. harmony

con·cen·ter [kən-'sen-tər, kän-] -vb

  1. to draw or direct to a common center : concentrate
  2. to come to a common center

con·cen·trate ['kän(t)-sən-,trāt, -,sen-] -vb, adv, adj

  1. to bring or direct toward a common center or objective : focus
    • concentrate one's efforts
  2. to gather into one body, mass, or force
    • power was concentrated in a few able hands
  3. to accumulate (a toxic substance) in bodily tissues
    • fish concentrate mercury
  4. to make less dilute
    • concentrate syrup
  5. to express or exhibit in condensed form
  6. to draw toward or meet in a common center
  7. gather, collect
  8. to focus one's powers, efforts, or attention
    • concentrate on a problem

concentrate -n

  1. : something concentrated: as
  2. a mineral-rich product obtained after an initial processing of ore
  3. a food reduced in bulk by elimination of fluid
    • orange juice concentrate
  4. a feedstuff (as grains) relatively rich in digestible nutrients

con·cen·tra·tion [,kän(t)-sən-'trā-shən, -,sen-] -n

  1. the act or process of concentrating : the state of being concentrated
  2. direction of attention to a single object
  3. an academic major or area of focus within a major
  4. a concentrated mass or thing
  5. the amount of a component in a given area or volume

concentration camp -n

  1. 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

  1. : one that concentrates: as
  2. an industrial plant that produces concentrates from ores
  3. a mirror or group of mirrors that focus sunlight for use as an energy source
  4. 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

  1. having a common center
    • concentric circles
  2. having a common axis : coaxial

con·cept ['kän-,sept] -n

  1. something conceived in the mind : thought, notion
  2. an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances

concept -adj

  1. organized around a main idea or theme
    • a concept album
  2. created to illustrate a concept
    • a concept car

con·cep·ta·cle [kən-'sep-ti-kəl] -n

  1. an external cavity containing reproductive cells in algae (as of the genus Fucus)

con·cep·tion [kən-'sep-shən] -n, adj

  1. the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both
  2. embryo, fetus
  3. beginning
    • joy had the like conception in our eyes -- Shak.
  4. the capacity, function, or process of forming or understanding ideas or abstractions or their symbols
  5. a general idea : concept
  6. a complex product of abstract or reflective thinking
  7. the sum of a person's ideas and beliefs concerning something
  8. the originating of something in the mind

con·cep·tu·al [kən-'sep-chə-wəl, -chü-əl, kän-, -chəl, -shwəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. of, relating to, or consisting of concepts
    • conceptual thinking

conceptual art -n

  1. 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)

  1. to form a concept of
  2. to interpret conceptually

con·cep·tu·al·ism [-'sep-chə-wə-,li-zəm, -chü-ə-, -chə-,li-, -shwə-,li-] -n, adj, adv

  1. 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
  2. conceptual art

con·cep·tu·al·ist [-'sep-chə-wə-list, -chü-ə-, -chə-list, -shwə-list] -n

  1. an adherent to the tenets of conceptualism or of conceptual art

con·cep·tu·al·ize [-,līz] -vt, n

  1. to form a concept of
  2. to interpret conceptually

con·cep·tus [kən-'sep-təs] -n

  1. a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus

con·cern [kən-'sərn] -vb

  1. to relate to : be about
    • the novel concern s three soldiers
  2. to bear on
  3. to have an influence on : involve
  4. to be the business or affair of
    • the problem concern s us all
  5. to be a care, trouble, or distress to
    • her ill health concern s me
  6. engage, occupy
    • he concern s himself with trivia
  7. to be of importance : matter

concern -n

  1. marked interest or regard usu. arising through a personal tie or relationship
  2. an uneasy state of blended interest, uncertainty, and apprehension
  3. something that relates or belongs to one : affair
    • it's no concern of yours
  4. matter for consideration
  5. an organization or establishment for business or manufacture
    • a banking concern
  6. contrivance, gadget

concerned -adj

  1. anxious, worried
    • concerned for their safety
  2. interested
    • concerned to prove the point
  3. interestedly engaged
    • concerned with books and music
  4. culpably involved : implicated
    • arrested all concerned

concerning -prep

  1. relating to : regarding

con·cern·ment [kən-'sərn-mənt] -n

  1. something in which one is concerned
  2. importance, consequence
  3. involvement, participation
  4. solicitude, anxiety

con·cert ['kän(t)-sərt, 'kän-,sərt] -n, adj

  1. agreement in design or plan : union formed by mutual communication of opinion and views
  2. musical harmony : concord
  3. a public performance (as of music or dancing)
  4. to make a plan for
    • concert measures for aiding the poor
  5. to settle or adjust by conferring and reaching an agreement
    • concert ed their differences
  6. to act in harmony or conjunction

con·cert·ed [kən-'sər-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. mutually contrived or agreed on
    • a concerted effort
  2. performed in unison
    • concerted artillery fire
  3. arranged in parts for several voices or instruments

con·cert·go·er ['kän(t)-sərt-,gō(-ə)r, 'kän-,sərt-] -n, n or adj

  1. one who frequently attends concerts

concert grand -n

  1. 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

  1. a musical instrument of the accordion family
  2. concertina wire

concertina wire -n

  1. a coiled barbed wire for use as an obstacle

con·cer·ti·no [,kän-chər-'tē-(,)nō] -n

  1. the solo instruments in a concerto grosso
  2. a short concerto

con·cert·ize ['kän(t)-sər-,tīz] -vi

  1. to perform professionally in concerts

con·cert·mas·ter ['kän(t)-sərt-,mas-tər] -n

  1. 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

  1. a piece for one or more soloists and orchestra with three contrasting movements

concerto gros·so [-'grō-(,)sō, -'grȯ-] -n

  1. a baroque orchestral composition featuring a small group of solo instruments contrasting with the full orchestra

concert pitch -n

  1. international pitch
  2. a high state of fitness, tension, or readiness

con·ces·sion [kən-'se-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act or an instance of conceding
  2. the admitting of a point claimed in argument
  3. : something conceded:
  4. acknowledgment, admission
  5. grant
  6. a grant of land or property esp. by a government in return for services or for a particular use
  7. a right to undertake and profit by a specified activity
  8. a lease of a portion of premises for a particular purpose
  9. the portion leased or the activities carried on

con·ces·sion·aire [kən-,se-shə-'nar, -'ner] -n

  1. the owner or operator of a concession
  2. one that operates a refreshment stand at a recreational center

con·ces·sion·er [kən-'se-sh(ə-)nər] -n

  1. concessionaire

con·ces·sive [kən-'se-siv] -adj, adv

  1. denoting concession
    • a concessive clause
  2. making for or being a concession

conch ['käŋk, 'känch, 'kȯŋk] -n

  1. any of various large spiral-shelled marine gastropod mollusks (as of the genus Strombus)
  2. its shell used esp. for cameos
  3. a native or resident of the Florida Keys
  4. concha

con·cha ['käŋ-kə] -n, adj

  1. the plain semidome of an apse
  2. apse
  3. something shaped like a shell
  4. the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear
  5. 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

  1. having elevations or depressions shaped like the inside surface of a bivalve shell

con·chol·o·gy [käŋ-'kä-lə-jē] -n, adj

  1. a branch of zoology that deals with shells

con·cierge [kōⁿ-'syerzh, ,kän-sē-'erzh] -n

  1. a resident in an apartment building esp. in France who serves as doorkeeper, landlord's representative, and janitor
  2. a usu. multilingual hotel staff member who handles luggage and mail, makes reservations, and arranges tours
  3. a person employed (as by a business) to make arrangements or run errands

con·cil·i·ar [kən-'si-lē-ər] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or issued by a council

con·cil·i·ate [kən-'si-lē-,āt] -vb, n, adj

  1. to gain (as goodwill) by pleasing acts
  2. to make compatible : reconcile
  3. appease
  4. to become friendly or agreeable

con·cin·ni·ty [kən-'si-nə-tē] -n

  1. 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

  1. marked by brevity of expression or statement : free from all elaboration and superfluous detail
    • a concise summary
    • a concise definition

con·ci·sion [kən-'si-zhən] -n

  1. a cutting up or off
  2. the quality or state of being concise

con·clave ['kän-,klāv] -n

  1. a private meeting or secret assembly
  2. a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals secluded continuously while choosing a pope
  3. a gathering of a group or association

con·clude [kən-'klüd] -vb, n

  1. to shut up : enclose
  2. to bring to an end esp. in a particular way or with a particular action
    • conclude a meeting with a prayer
  3. to reach as a logically necessary end by reasoning : infer on the basis of evidence
    • concluded that her argument was sound
  4. to make a decision about : decide
    • concluded he would wait a little longer
  5. to come to an agreement on : effect
    • conclude a sale
  6. to bring about as a result : complete
  7. end
  8. to form a final judgment
  9. to reach a decision or agreement

con·clu·sion [kən-'klü-zhən] -n

  1. a reasoned judgment : inference
  2. the necessary consequence of two or more propositions taken as premises
  3. the inferred proposition of a syllogism
  4. : the last part of something: as
  5. result, outcome
  6. trial of strength or skill used in the phrase try conclusions
  7. a final summation
  8. the final decision in a law case
  9. the final part of a pleading in law
  10. an act or instance of concluding

con·clu·sion·ary [kən-'klü-zhə-,ner-ē] -adj

  1. conclusory

con·clu·sive [-'klü-siv, -ziv] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or being a conclusion
  2. putting an end to debate or question esp. by reason of irrefutability

con·clu·so·ry [kən-'klüs-rē, -'klü-sə-] -adj

  1. consisting of or relating to a conclusion or assertion for which no supporting evidence is offered
    • conclusory allegations

concn -abbr

  1. concentration

con·coct [kən-'käkt, kän-] -vt, n, adj

  1. to prepare by combining raw materials
    • concoct a recipe
  2. devise, fabricate
    • concoct an explanation

con·com·i·tance [kən-'kä-mə-tən(t)s, kän-] -n

  1. accompaniment
  2. a conjunction that is regular and is marked by correlative variation of accompanying elements

con·com·i·tant [-mə-tənt] -adj, adv

  1. accompanying esp. in a subordinate or incidental way

concomitant -n

  1. something that accompanies or is collaterally connected with something else : accompaniment

con·cord ['kän-,kȯrd, 'käŋ-] -n

  1. a state of agreement : harmony
  2. a simultaneous occurrence of two or more musical tones that produces an impression of agreeableness or resolution on a listener
  3. agreement by stipulation, compact, or covenant
  4. grammatical agreement

con·cor·dance [kən-'kȯr-dᵊn(t)s, kän-] -n

  1. an alphabetical index of the principal words in a book or the works of an author with their immediate contexts
  2. concord, agreement

con·cor·dant [-dᵊnt] -adj, adv

  1. consonant, agreeing

con·cor·dat [kən-'kȯr-,dat] -n

  1. compact, covenant
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. an act or process of coming together and merging
  2. a meeting produced by voluntary or spontaneous coming together
  3. an open space where roads or paths meet
  4. an open space or hall (as in a railroad terminal) where crowds gather

con·cres·cence [kən-'kre-sᵊn(t)s, kän-] -n, adj

  1. increase by the addition of particles
  2. a growing together : coalescence

con·crete [(,)kän-'krēt, 'kän-,, kən-'] -adj, adv, n

  1. naming a real thing or class of things
    • the word poem is concrete, poetry is abstract
  2. formed by coalition of particles into one solid mass
  3. characterized by or belonging to immediate experience of actual things or events
  4. specific, particular
    • a concrete proposal
  5. real, tangible
    • concrete evidence
  6. relating to or made of concrete
    • a concrete wall
  7. to form into a solid mass : solidify
  8. combine, blend
  9. to make actual or real : cause to take on the qualities of reality
  10. to cover with, form of, or set in concrete
  11. to become concreted
  12. a mass formed by concretion or coalescence of separate particles of matter in one body
  13. 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
  14. a waxy essence of flowers prepared by extraction and evaporation and used in perfumery

concrete music -n

  1. musique concrete

concrete poetry -n

  1. 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

  1. : something concreted: as
  2. a hard usu. inorganic mass (as a bezoar or tophus) formed in a living body
  3. 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
  4. 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

  1. representation of abstract things as concrete
  2. the theory or practice of concrete poetry

con·cret·ize [-,tīz] -vb, n

  1. to make concrete, specific, or definite
    • tried to concretize his ideas
  2. to become concrete

con·cu·bi·nage [kän-'kyü-bə-nij, kən-] -n

  1. cohabitation of persons not legally married
  2. the state of being a concubine

con·cu·bine ['käŋ-kyu̇-,bīn, 'kän-, -kyü-] -n

  1. : a woman with whom a man cohabits without being married: as
  2. one having a recognized social status in a household below that of a wife
  3. mistress

con·cu·pis·cence [kän-'kyü-pə-sən(t)s, kən-] -n, adj

  1. strong desire
  2. sexual desire

con·cu·pis·ci·ble [-'kyü-pə-sə-bəl] -adj

  1. lustful, desirous

con·cur [kən-'kər, kän-] -vi

  1. to act together to a common end or single effect
  2. approve
    • concur in a statement
  3. to express agreement
    • concur with an opinion
  4. to come together : meet
  5. to happen together : coincide

con·cur·rence [-'kər-ən(t)s, -'kə-rən(t)s] -n

  1. the simultaneous occurrence of events or circumstances
  2. the meeting of concurrent lines in a point
  3. agreement or union in action : cooperation
  4. agreement in opinion or design
  5. consent
  6. a coincidence of equal powers in law

con·cur·ren·cy [-ən(t)-sē, -rən(t)-sē] -n

  1. concurrence

con·cur·rent [-'kər-ənt, -'kə-rənt] -adj, n, adv

  1. operating or occurring at the same time
  2. running parallel
  3. convergent
  4. meeting or intersecting in a point
  5. acting in conjunction
  6. exercised over the same matter or area by two different authorities
    • concurrent jurisdiction

concurrent resolution -n

  1. a resolution passed by both houses of a legislative body that lacks the force of law

con·cuss [kən-'kəs] -vt

  1. to affect with or as if with concussion

con·cus·sion [kən-'kə-shən] -n, adj

  1. a stunning, damaging, or shattering effect from a hard blow
  2. a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function
  3. a hard blow or collision
  4. agitation, shaking

cond -abbr

  1. condition
  2. conductivity

con·demn [kən-'dem] -vt, adj, n

  1. to declare to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usu. after weighing evidence and without reservation
    • a policy widely condemn ed as racist
  2. to pronounce guilty : convict
  3. sentence, doom
    • condemn a prisoner to die
  4. to adjudge unfit for use or consumption
    • condemn an old apartment building
  5. to declare convertible to public use under the right of eminent domain

con·dem·na·tion [,kän-,dem-'nā-shən, -dəm-] -n

  1. censure, blame
  2. the act of judicially condemning
  3. the state of being condemned
  4. a reason for condemning

con·den·sate ['kän-dən-,sāt, -,den-; kən-'den-] -n

  1. a product of condensation
  2. a liquid obtained by condensation of a gas or vapor
    • steam condensate

con·den·sa·tion [,kän-,den-'sā-shən, -dən-] -n, adj

  1. : the act or process of condensing: as
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. compression of a written or spoken work into more concise form
  5. the quality or state of being condensed
  6. a product of condensing

con·dense [kən-'den(t)s] -vb, adj

  1. to make denser or more compact
  2. to subject to condensation
  3. to undergo condensation

condensed -adj

  1. reduced to a more compact or dense form
  2. having a face narrower than that of a standard typeface

condensed milk -n

  1. evaporated milk with sugar added

con·dens·er [kən-'den(t)-sər] -n

  1. : one that condenses: as
  2. a lens or mirror used to concentrate light on an object
  3. an apparatus in which gas or vapor is condensed
  4. capacitor

con·de·scend [,kän-di-'send] -vi

  1. to descend to a less formal or dignified level : unbend
  2. to waive the privileges of rank
  3. to assume an air of superiority

con·de·scen·dence [-'sen-dən(t)s] -n

  1. condescension

condescending [-'sen-diŋ-lē] -adj, adv

  1. showing or characterized by condescension : patronizing

con·de·scen·sion [,kän-di-'sen(t)-shən] -n

  1. voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior
  2. patronizing attitude or behavior

con·dign [kən-'dīn, 'kän-,] -adj, adv

  1. deserved, appropriate
    • condign punishment

con·di·ment ['kän-də-mənt] -n, adj

  1. something used to enhance the flavor of food
  2. a pungent seasoning

con·di·tion [kən-'di-shən] -n

  1. a premise upon which the fulfillment of an agreement depends : stipulation
  2. covenant
  3. a provision making the effect of a legal instrument contingent upon an uncertain event
  4. the event itself
  5. : something essential to the appearance or occurrence of something else : prerequisite: as
  6. an environmental requirement
    • available oxygen is an essential condition for animal life
  7. the subordinate clause of a conditional sentence
  8. a restricting or modifying factor : qualification
  9. an unsatisfactory academic grade that may be raised by doing additional work
  10. a state of being
    • the human condition
  11. social status : rank
  12. a usu. defective state of health
    • a serious heart condition
  13. a state of physical fitness or readiness for use
    • the car was in good condition
    • exercising to get into condition
  14. attendant circumstances
    • poor living condition s
  15. temper of mind
  16. trait
  17. manners, ways

condition [-'di-sh(ə-)niŋ] -vb, adj

  1. to make stipulations
  2. to agree by stipulating
  3. to make conditional
  4. to put into a proper state for work or use
  5. air-condition
  6. to give a grade of condition to
  7. to adapt, modify, or mold so as to conform to an environing culture
    • traditional beliefs condition ing a child's attitude
  8. 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

  1. subject to, implying, or dependent upon a condition
    • a conditional promise
  2. expressing, containing, or implying a supposition
    • the conditional clause if he speaks
  3. true only for certain values of the variables or symbols involved
    • conditional equations
  4. stating the case when one or more random variables are fixed or one or more events are known
    • conditional frequency distribution
  5. conditioned
    • conditional reflex
    • conditional response
  6. established by conditioning as the stimulus eliciting a conditional response

conditional -n

  1. a conditional word, clause, verb form, or morpheme
  2. implication

conditional probability -n

  1. the probability that a given event will occur if it is certain that another event has taken place or will take place

conditioned -adj

  1. brought or put into a specified state
  2. determined or established by conditioning

con·di·tion·er [-'di-sh(ə-)nər] -n

  1. something that conditions
  2. a preparation used to improve the condition of hair

con·di·tion·ing [-'di-sh(ə-)niŋ] -n

  1. the process of training to become physically fit by a regimen of exercise, diet, and rest
  2. the resulting state of physical fitness
  3. 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

  1. condominium

con·dole [kən-'dōl] -vb, adj

  1. grieve
  2. to express sympathetic sorrow
  3. lament, grieve

con·do·lence [kən-'dō-lən(t)s also 'kän-də-] -n

  1. sympathy with another in sorrow
  2. an expression of sympathy

con·dom ['kän-dəm, 'kən-, dial -drəm] -n

  1. a sheath commonly of rubber worn over the penis (as to prevent conception or venereal infection during coitus)
  2. 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

  1. joint dominion
  2. joint sovereignty by two or more nations
  3. a government operating under joint rule
  4. a politically dependent territory under condominium
  5. individual ownership of a unit in a multiunit structure (as an apartment building) or on land owned in common (as a town house complex)
  6. a unit so owned
  7. a building containing condominiums

con·do·na·tion [,kän-də-'nā-shən, -dō-] -n

  1. implied pardon of an offense by treating the offender as if it had not been committed

con·done [kən-'dōn] -vt, adj, n

  1. 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

  1. 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
  2. california condor
  3. 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

  1. a leader of a band of mercenaries common in Europe between the 14th and 16th centuries
  2. a member of such a band
  3. a mercenary soldier

con·duce [kən-'düs, -'dyüs] -vi

  1. to lead or tend to a particular and often desirable result : contribute

con·du·cive [-'dü-siv, -'dyü-] -adj, n

  1. tending to promote or assist
    • an atmosphere conducive to education

con·duct ['kän-(,)dəkt] -n

  1. escort, guide
  2. the act, manner, or process of carrying on : management
    • praised for his conduct of the campaign
  3. a mode or standard of personal behavior esp. as based on moral principles
    • questionable conduct
  4. to bring by or as if by leading : guide
    • conduct tourists through a museum
  5. to lead from a position of command
    • conduct a siege
    • conduct a class
  6. to direct or take part in the operation or management of
    • conduct an experiment
    • conduct a business
    • conduct an investigation
  7. to direct the performance of
    • conduct an orchestra
    • conduct an opera
  8. to convey in a channel
  9. to act as a medium for conveying or transmitting
  10. to cause (oneself) to act or behave in a particular and esp. in a controlled manner
  11. to show the way : lead
  12. to act as leader or director
  13. to have the quality of transmitting light, heat, sound, or electricity

con·duc·tance [kən-'dək-tən(t)s] -n

  1. conducting power
  2. the readiness with which a conductor transmits an electric current expressed as the reciprocal of electrical resistance

con·duc·tion [kən-'dək-shən] -n

  1. the act of conducting or conveying
  2. transmission through or by means of a conductor
  3. the transfer of heat through matter by communication of kinetic energy from particle to particle with no net displacement of the particles
  4. conductivity
  5. the transmission of excitation through living tissue and esp. nervous tissue

conduction band -n

  1. 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

  1. having conductivity : relating to conduction (as of electricity)

con·duc·tiv·i·ty [,kän-,dək-'ti-və-tē, kən-] -n

  1. : the quality or power of conducting or transmitting: as
  2. the reciprocal of electrical resistivity
  3. 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

  1. of or relating to the measurement of conductivity
  2. 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

  1. : one that conducts: as
  2. guide
  3. a collector of fares in a public conveyance
  4. the leader of a musical ensemble
  5. a material or object that permits an electric current to flow easily
  6. a material capable of transmitting another form of energy (as heat or sound)

con·duc·tress [kən-'dək-trəs] -n

  1. a woman who is a conductor

con·duit ['kän-,dü-ət, -,dyü- also -dwət, -dət] -n

  1. a natural or artificial channel through which something (as a fluid) is conveyed
  2. fountain
  3. a pipe, tube, or tile for protecting electric wires or cables
  4. a means of transmitting or distributing
    • a conduit for illicit payments
    • a conduit of information

con·du·pli·cate [(,)kän-'dü-pli-kət, -'dyü-] -adj

  1. folded lengthwise
    • conduplicate petals in the bud

con·dy·lar ['kän-də-lər] -adj

  1. of or relating to a condyle

con·dyle ['kän-,dī(-ə)l also -dᵊl] -n, adj

  1. an articular prominence of a bone
  2. one resembling a pair of knuckles

con·dy·lo·ma [,kän-də-'lō-mə] -n, adj

  1. genital wart

cone ['kōn] -n

  1. a solid generated by rotating a right triangle about one of its legs called also right circular cone
  2. 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
  3. a surface traced by a moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex
  4. 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
  5. any of several flower or fruit clusters suggesting a cone
  6. : something that resembles a cone in shape: as
  7. any of the conical photosensitive receptor cells of the vertebrate retina that function in color vision
  8. any of a family (Conidae) of tropical marine gastropod mollusks that inject their prey with a potent toxin
  9. the apex of a volcano
  10. a crisp usu. cone-shaped wafer for holding ice cream
  11. to make cone-shaped
  12. to bevel like the slanting surface of a cone
    • cone a tire

cone·flow·er ['kōn-,flau̇(-ə)r] -n

  1. : any of several composite plants (as of the genera Echinaceaand Ratibida) having cone-shaped flower disks: as
  2. rudbeckia
  3. purple coneflower

cone·nose ['kōn-,nōz] -n

  1. kissing bug

con es·pres·sio·ne [,kän-,es-(,)pre-sē-'ō-nē, ,kōn-, -'ō-(,)nā] -adv

  1. with feeling used as a direction in music

Con·es·to·ga wagon [,kä-nə-'stō-gə-] -n

  1. 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

  1. rabbit fur
  2. rabbit
  3. the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus)
  4. pika
  5. hyrax
  6. dupe
  7. any of several fishes
  8. a dusky black-spotted reddish-finned grouper ( Epinephelus fulvussyn. Cephalopholis fulva) of the tropical Atlantic

conf -abbr

  1. conference
  2. confidential

con·fab ['kän-,fab, kən-'] -n, vi

  1. chat
  2. discussion, conference

con·fab·u·late [kən-'fa-byə-,lāt] -vi, n, adj

  1. to talk informally : chat
  2. to hold a discussion : confer
  3. to fill in gaps in memory by fabrication

con·fect [kən-'fekt] -vt, n

  1. to put together from varied material
  2. prepare
  3. preserve

con·fec·tion [kən-'fek-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of confecting
  2. : something confected: as
  3. a fancy dish or sweetmeat
  4. a sweet food
  5. a medicinal preparation usu. made with sugar, syrup, or honey
  6. a work of fine or elaborate craftsmanship
  7. a light but entertaining theatrical, cinematic, or literary work

con·fec·tion·ary [-shə-,ner-ē] -n, adj

  1. sweets
  2. confectioner
  3. confectionery

con·fec·tion·er [-sh(ə-)nər] -n

  1. a manufacturer of or dealer in confections

confectioners' sugar -n

  1. a refined finely powdered sugar

con·fec·tion·ery [-shə-,ner-ē] -n

  1. the confectioner's art or business
  2. sweet foods (as candy or pastry)
  3. a confectioner's shop

Confed -abbr

  1. Confederate

con·fed·er·a·cy [kən-'fe-d(ə-)rə-sē] -n

  1. a league or compact for mutual support or common action : alliance
  2. a combination of persons for unlawful purposes : conspiracy
  3. the body formed by persons, states, or nations united by a league
  4. the 11 southern states seceding from the U.S. in 1860 and 1861

con·fed·er·al [-d(ə-)rəl] -adj

  1. of or relating to a confederation

con·fed·er·ate [kən-'fe-d(ə-)rət] -adj

  1. united in a league : allied
  2. of or relating to the Confederate States of America

confederate -n

  1. ally, accomplice
  2. an adherent of the Confederate States of America or their cause

con·fed·er·ate [-'fe-də-,rāt] -vb, adj

  1. to unite in a confederacy
  2. to band together

Confederate Memorial Day -n

  1. any of several days appointed for the commemoration of servicemen of the Confederacy

con·fed·er·a·tion [kən-,fe-də-'rā-shən] -n

  1. an act of confederating : a state of being confederated : alliance
  2. league

con·fer [kən-'fər] -vb, n, adj

  1. to compare views or take counsel : consult
  2. 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
  3. 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

  1. 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

  1. a meeting of two or more persons for discussing matters of common concern
  2. a usu. formal interchange of views : consultation
  3. a meeting of members of the two branches of a legislature to adjust differences
  4. caucus
  5. bestowal, conferment
  6. a representative assembly or administrative organization of a religious denomination
  7. a territorial division of a religious denomination
  8. an association of athletic teams

conference call -n

  1. 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

  1. the holding of conferences esp. by means of an electronic communications system
    • computer conferencing

con·fess [kən-'fes] -vb, adj

  1. to tell or make known (as something wrong or damaging to oneself) : admit
    • he confess ed his guilt
  2. to acknowledge (sin) to God or to a priest
  3. to receive the confession of (a penitent)
  4. to declare faith in or adherence to : profess
  5. to give evidence of
  6. to disclose one's faults
  7. to unburden one's sins or the state of one's conscience to God or to a priest
  8. to hear a confession
  9. admit, own
    • confess to a crime

con·fessed·ly [-'fe-səd-lē, -'fest-lē] -adv

  1. by confession

con·fes·sion [kən-'fe-shən] -n

  1. an act of confessing
  2. a disclosure of one's sins in the sacrament of reconciliation
  3. a session for the confessing of sins
    • go to confession
  4. : a statement of what is confessed: as
  5. a written or oral acknowledgment of guilt by a party accused of an offense
  6. a formal statement of religious beliefs : creed
  7. an organized religious body having a common creed

con·fes·sion·al [-'fesh-nəl, -'fe-shə-nᵊl] -n

  1. a place where a priest hears confessions
  2. the practice of confessing to a priest

confessional [-nə-,li-zəm] -adj, n, adv

  1. of, relating to, or being a confession esp. of faith
  2. of, relating to, or being intimately autobiographical
    • confessional fiction

con·fes·sor [kən-'fe-sər, 1 & 3 also 'kän-,fe-sər, 3 also 'kän-fə-,sȯr] -n

  1. one who gives heroic evidence of faith but does not suffer martyrdom
  2. one that confesses
  3. a priest who hears confessions
  4. a priest who is one's regular spiritual guide

con·fet·ti [kən-'fe-tē] -n

  1. small bits or streamers of brightly colored paper made for throwing (as at weddings)

con·fi·dant ['kän-fə-,dänt also -,dant, -dənt] -n

  1. one to whom secrets are entrusted
  2. intimate

con·fi·dante [same as confidant] -n

  1. confidant
  2. one who is a woman

con·fide [kən-'fīd] -vb, n

  1. to have confidence : trust
  2. to show confidence by imparting secrets
    • confide in a friend
  3. to tell confidentially
  4. to give to the care or protection of another : entrust

con·fi·dence ['kän-fə-dən(t)s, -,den(t)s] -n

  1. 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
  2. faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way
    • have confidence in a leader
  3. the quality or state of being certain : certitude
    • they had every confidence of success
  4. a relation of trust or intimacy
    • took his friend into his confidence
  5. reliance on another's discretion
    • their story was told in strictest confidence
  6. support esp. in a legislative body
    • vote of confidence
  7. a communication made in confidence : secret
    • accused him of betraying a confidence

confidence -adj

  1. of, relating to, or adept at swindling by false promises
    • a confidence game
    • a confidence man

confidence interval -n

  1. 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

  1. the end points of a confidence interval

con·fi·dent ['kän-fə-dənt, -,dent] -adj, adv

  1. full of conviction : certain
    • confident of success
    • confident that conditions will improve
  2. having or showing assurance and self-reliance
    • a confident young businessman
    • a confident manner
  3. trustful, confiding

con·fi·den·tial [,kän-fə-'den(t)-shəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. marked by intimacy or willingness to confide
    • a confidential tone
  2. private, secret
    • confidential information
  3. entrusted with confidences
    • a confidential clerk
  4. containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could be prejudicial to the national interest

con·fid·ing [kən-'fī-diŋ] -adj, adv, n

  1. tending to confide : trustful

con·fig·u·ra·tion [kən-,fi-gyə-'rā-shən, ,kän-, -gə-'] -n, adj, adv

  1. : relative arrangement of parts or elements: as
  2. shape
  3. contour of land
    • configuration of the mountains
  4. functional arrangement
    • a small business computer system in its simplest configuration
  5. something (as a figure, contour, pattern, or apparatus) that results from a particular arrangement of parts or components
  6. the stable structural makeup of a chemical compound esp. with reference to the space relations of the constituent atoms
  7. gestalt
    • personality configuration

con·fig·ure [kən-'fi-gyər, esp Brit -'fi-gər] -vt

  1. 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

  1. something (as borders or walls) that encloses
    • outside the confine s of the office or hospital -- W. A. Nolen
  2. something that restrains
    • escape from the confine s of soot and clutter -- E. S. Muskie
  3. scope
    • work within the confine s of a small group -- Frank Newman
  4. restriction
  5. prison
  6. border
  7. to hold within a location
  8. imprison
  9. to keep within limits
    • will confine my remarks to one subject

con·fined [kən-'fīnd] -adj

  1. undergoing childbirth

con·fine·ment [kən-'fīn-mənt] -n

  1. an act of confining : the state of being confined
    • solitary confinement
  2. lying-in

con·firm [kən-'fərm] -vt, n, adj

  1. to give approval to : ratify
    • confirm a treaty
  2. to make firm or firmer : strengthen
    • confirm one's resolve
  3. to administer the rite of confirmation to
  4. to give new assurance of the validity of : remove doubt about by authoritative act or indisputable fact
    • confirm a rumor
    • confirm an order

con·fir·mand [,kän-fər-'mand] -n

  1. a candidate for religious confirmation

con·fir·ma·tion [,kän-fər-'mā-shən] -n, adj

  1. : an act or process of confirming: as
  2. a Christian rite conferring the gift of the Holy Spirit and among Protestants full church membership
  3. a ceremony esp. of Reform Judaism confirming youths in their faith
  4. the ratification of an executive act by a legislative body
  5. confirming proof : corroboration
  6. the process of supporting a statement by evidence

con·fir·ma·to·ry [kən-'fər-mə-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. serving to confirm : corroborative
    • a confirmatory test

con·firmed [kən-'fərmd] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by long continuance and likely to persist
    • a confirmed habit
  2. fixed in habit and unlikely to change
    • a confirmed do-gooder
  3. having received the rite of confirmation

con·fis·ca·ble [kən-'fis-kə-bəl] -adj

  1. liable to confiscation

con·fis·cat·able ['kän-fə-,skā-tə-bəl] -adj

  1. confiscable

con·fis·cate ['kän-fə-,skāt, kən-'fis-kət] -adj

  1. appropriated by the government : forfeited
  2. deprived of property by confiscation
  3. to seize as forfeited to the public treasury
  4. to seize by or as if by authority

con·fit [kōn-'fē, kȯn-, kän-] -n

  1. meat (as goose, duck, or pork) that has been cooked and preserved in its own fat
  2. 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

  1. a liturgical form in which sinfulness is acknowledged and intercession for God's mercy requested

con·fi·ture ['kän-fə-,chu̇r, -,tyu̇r, -,tu̇r] -n

  1. preserved or candied fruit : jam

con·fla·grant [kən-'flā-grənt] -adj

  1. burning, blazing

con·fla·gra·tion [,kän-flə-'grā-shən] -n

  1. fire
  2. a large disastrous fire
  3. conflict, war

con·flate [kən-'flāt] -vt

  1. to bring together : fuse
  2. confuse
  3. to combine (as two readings of a text) into a composite whole

con·fla·tion [-'flā-shən] -n

  1. blend, fusion
  2. a composite reading or text

con·flict ['kän-,flikt] -n, adj

  1. fight, battle, war
    • an armed conflict
  2. competitive or opposing action of incompatibles : antagonistic state or action (as of divergent ideas, interests, or persons)
  3. mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes, or external or internal demands
  4. the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the dramatic action in a drama or fiction
  5. to contend in warfare
  6. 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

  1. experiencing or marked by ambivalence or a conflict esp. of emotions
    • this unhappy and conflicted modern woman -- John Updike
    • conflicted feelings

conflicting [-'flik-tiŋ-lē, -,flik-] -adj, adv

  1. being in conflict, collision, or opposition : incompatible
    • conflicting theories

conflict of interest

  1. 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

  1. a coming or flowing together, meeting, or gathering at one point
    • a happy confluence of weather and scenery
  2. the flowing together of two or more streams
  3. the place of meeting of two streams
  4. the combined stream formed by conjunction

con·flu·ent [-ənt] -adj

  1. flowing or coming together
  2. run together
    • confluent pustules
  3. characterized by confluent lesions
    • confluent smallpox

confluent -n

  1. a confluent stream
  2. tributary

con·flux ['kän-,fləks] -n

  1. confluence

con·fo·cal [(,)kän-'fō-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. having the same foci
    • confocal ellipses
    • confocal lenses

con·form [kən-'fȯrm] -vb, n, n or adj

  1. to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord
    • conform furrows to the slope of the land
  2. to be similar or identical
  3. to be in agreement or harmony used with to or with
    • changes that conform with our plans
  4. to be obedient or compliant usu. used with to
    • conform to another's wishes
  5. to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs
    • the pressure to conform

con·form·able [kən-'fȯr-mə-bəl] -adj, adv

  1. corresponding or consistent in form or character
    • conduct conformable to their principles
  2. submissive, compliant
    • be patient and conformable to my directions -- Sir Walter Scott
  3. following in unbroken sequence used of geologic strata formed under uniform conditions

con·for·mal [kən-'fȯr-məl, (,)kän-] -adj

  1. leaving the size of the angle between corresponding curves unchanged
    • conformal transformation
  2. representing small areas in their true shape

con·for·mance [kən-'fȯr-mən(t)s] -n

  1. conformity

con·for·ma·tion [,kän-(,)fȯr-'mā-shən, -fər-] -n, adj

  1. the act of conforming or producing conformity : adaptation
  2. formation of something by appropriate arrangement of parts or elements : an assembling into a whole
    • the gradual conformation of the embryo
  3. correspondence esp. to a model or plan
  4. structure
  5. the shape or proportionate dimensions esp. of an animal
  6. 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

  1. correspondence in form, manner, or character : agreement
    • behaved in conformity with her beliefs
  2. an act or instance of conforming
  3. action in accordance with some specified standard or authority
    • conformity to social custom

con·found [kən-'fau̇nd, kän-] -vt, n, adv

  1. to bring to ruin : destroy
  2. baffle, frustrate
    • conferences...are not for accomplishment but to confound knavish tricks -- J. K. Galbraith
  3. consume, waste
  4. to put to shame : discomfit
    • a performance that confound ed the critics
  5. refute
    • sought to confound his arguments
  6. damn
  7. to throw (a person) into confusion or perplexity
  8. to fail to discern differences between : mix up
  9. to increase the confusion of

con·found·ed [kən-'fau̇n-dəd, (,)kän-', 'kän-,] -adj, adv

  1. confused, perplexed
  2. damned

con·fra·ter·ni·ty [,kän-frə-'tər-nə-tē] -n

  1. a society devoted esp. to a religious or charitable cause
  2. fraternal union

con·frere ['kän-,frer, kōⁿ-,, kän-', kōⁿ-', kən-'] -n

  1. colleague, comrade

con·front [kən-'frənt] -vt, n

  1. to face esp. in challenge : oppose
    • confront an enemy
  2. to cause to meet : bring face-to-face
    • confront a reader with statistics
  3. 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

  1. : the act of confronting : the state of being confronted: as
  2. a face-to-face meeting
  3. the clashing of forces or ideas : conflict
  4. 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

  1. of or relating to the Chinese philosopher Confucius or his teachings or followers

con·fuse [kən-'fyüz] -vt, adv

  1. to bring to ruin
  2. to make embarrassed : abash
  3. to disturb in mind or purpose : throw off
  4. to make indistinct : blur
    • stop confusing the issue
  5. to mix indiscriminately : jumble
  6. to fail to differentiate from an often similar or related other
    • confuse money with comfort

con·fused [-'fyüzd] -adj, adv, n

  1. being perplexed or disconcerted
    • the confused students
  2. disoriented with regard to one's sense of time, place, or identity
    • the patient became confused
  3. indistinguishable
    • a zigzag, crisscross, confused trail -- Harry Hervey
  4. being disordered or mixed up
    • a contradictory and often confused story

con·fu·sion [kən-'fyü-zhən] -n, adj

  1. an act or instance of confusing
    • confusion of the issue
  2. the quality or state of being confused
    • try to relieve their confusion
  3. a confused mass or mixture
    • a confusion of voices

con·fu·ta·tion [,kän-fyu̇-'tā-shən, -fyü-] -n, adj

  1. the act or process of confuting : refutation
  2. something (as an argument or statement) that confutes

con·fute [kən-'fyüt] -vt, n

  1. to overwhelm in argument : refute conclusively
    • Elijah... confuted the prophets of Baal -- G. B. Shaw
  2. confound

cong -abbr

  1. congress; congressional

con·ga ['käŋ-gə] -n

  1. a Cuban dance of African origin involving three steps followed by a kick and performed by a group usu. in single file
  2. a tall barrel-shaped or tapering drum of Afro-Cuban origin that is played with the hands

conga line -n

  1. snake dance

con·ge [kōⁿ-'zhā, 'kän-,zhā] -n

  1. a formal permission to depart
  2. dismissal
  3. a ceremonious bow
  4. farewell
  5. an architectural molding of concave profile

con·geal [kən-'jēl] -vb, n

  1. to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by cold
  2. to make viscid or curdled : coagulate
  3. to make rigid, fixed, or immobile
  4. to become congealed : solidify

con·gee ['kän-jē] -n

  1. porridge made from rice

con·ge·la·tion [,kän-jə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the process or result of congealing

con·ge·ner ['kän-jə-nər, kən-'jē-] -n, adj

  1. a member of the same taxonomic genus as another plant or animal
  2. 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
  3. a chemical substance related to another

con·ge·nial [kən-'jē-nē-əl, -'jēn-yəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. having the same nature, disposition, or tastes : kindred
    • congenial companions
  2. existing or associated together harmoniously
  3. pleasant
  4. agreeably suited to one's nature, tastes, or outlook
    • a congenial atmosphere
  5. sociable, genial
    • a congenial host

con·gen·i·tal [kən-'je-nə-tᵊl, kän-] -adj, adv

  1. existing at or dating from birth
    • congenital deafness
  2. constituting an essential characteristic : inherent
    • congenital fear of snakes
  3. acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity
    • congenital syphilis
  4. being such by nature
    • a congenital liar

con·ger eel ['käŋ-gər-] -n

  1. a large strictly marine scaleless eel ( Conger oceanicus) of the Atlantic
  2. any of various related eels (family Congridae)

con·ge·ries ['kän-jə-(,)rēz] -n

  1. aggregation, collection

con·gest [kən-'jest] -vb, n, adj

  1. to concentrate in a small or narrow space
  2. to cause an excessive accumulation esp. of blood or mucus in (as an organ or part)
  3. clog
    • traffic congest ed the highways
  4. to become congested

congestive heart failure -n

  1. 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

  1. to form into a round compact mass

con·globe [kän-'glōb, kən-] -vt

  1. conglobate

con·glom·er·ate [kən-'gläm-rət, -'glä-mə-] -adj

  1. made up of parts from various sources or of various kinds
  2. to gather into a mass or coherent whole
    • numbers of dull people conglomerated round her -- Virginia Woolf
  3. accumulate
  4. a composite mass or mixture
  5. rock composed of rounded fragments varying from small pebbles to large boulders in a cement (as of hardened clay)
  6. a widely diversified corporation

con·glom·er·a·teur [kən-,glä-mə-rə-'tər, -'tyu̇r, -'tu̇r] -n

  1. a person who forms or heads a conglomerate : conglomerator

con·glom·er·a·tion [kən-,glä-mə-'rā-shən, ,kän-] -n

  1. the act of conglomerating : the state of being conglomerated
  2. something conglomerated : a mixed mass or collection

con·glu·ti·nate [kən-'glü-tᵊn-,āt, kän-] -vb, n

  1. to unite by or as if by a glutinous substance
  2. to become conglutinated
    • blood platelets conglutinate in blood clotting

Con·go red ['käŋ-(,)gō-] -n

  1. 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

  1. a black tea from China

con·grat·u·late [kən-'gra-chə-,lāt, -'gra-jə-] -vt, n, adj

  1. to express sympathetic pleasure at (an event)
  2. to express vicarious pleasure to (a person) on the occasion of success or good fortune
    • graciously congratulated the winner
  3. to feel pleased with
    • congratulating herself for a job well done
  4. salute, greet

con·grat·u·la·tion [kən-,gra-chə-'lā-shən, -,gra-jə-] -n

  1. the act of congratulating
  2. a congratulatory expression usu. used in pl.

con·gre·gant ['käŋ-gri-gənt] -n

  1. one who congregates
  2. a member of a congregation

con·gre·gate [-,gāt] -vb, n

  1. to collect into a group or crowd : assemble
  2. to come together into a group, crowd, or assembly
  3. providing or being group services or facilities designed esp. for elderly persons requiring supportive services
    • congregate housing

con·gre·ga·tion [,käŋ-gri-'gā-shən] -n

  1. an assembly of persons : gathering
  2. an assembly of persons met for worship and religious instruction
  3. : a religious community: as
  4. an organized body of believers in a particular locality
  5. a Roman Catholic religious institute with only simple vows
  6. a group of monasteries forming an independent subdivision of an order
  7. the act or an instance of congregating or bringing together : the state of being congregated
  8. 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

  1. of or relating to a congregation
  2. 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
  3. 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

  1. the act or action of coming together and meeting
  2. coitus
  3. a formal meeting of delegates for discussion and usu. action on some question
  4. the supreme legislative body of a nation and esp. of a republic
  5. an association usu. made up of delegates from constituent organizations
  6. a single meeting or session of a group

congressional district -n

  1. a territorial division of a state from which a member of the U.S. House of Representatives is elected

Congressional Medal -n

  1. medal of honor

con·gress·man ['käŋ-(g)rəs-mən] -n

  1. a member of a congress
  2. a member of the U.S. House of Representatives

con·gress·peo·ple [-(g)rəs-,pē-pəl] -n pl

  1. congressmen or congresswomen

con·gress·per·son [-(g)rəs-,pər-sən] -n

  1. a congressman or congresswoman

con·gress·wom·an [-(g)rəs-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman who is a member of a congress
  2. 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

  1. the quality or state of agreeing, coinciding, or being congruent
  2. a statement that two numbers or geometric figures are congruent

con·gru·en·cy [-ən(t)-sē] -n

  1. congruence

con·gru·ent [kən-'grü-ənt, 'käŋ-grü-ənt] -adj, adv

  1. congruous
  2. superposable so as to be coincident throughout
  3. 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

  1. the quality or state of being congruent or congruous
  2. a point of agreement

con·gru·ous ['käŋ-grü-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. being in agreement, harmony, or correspondence
  2. conforming to the circumstances or requirements of a situation : appropriate
    • a congruous room to work in -- G. B. Shaw
  3. marked or enhanced by harmonious agreement among constituent elements
    • a congruous theme

con·ic ['kä-nik] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to a cone
  2. conical

conic -n

  1. conic section

con·i·cal ['kä-ni-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. resembling a cone esp. in shape

conic section -n

  1. 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
  2. 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

  1. a specialized hyphal branch of some fungi that produces conidia

co·nid·i·um [kə-'ni-dē-əm] -n, adj

  1. an asexual spore produced on a conidiophore of certain fungi

co·ni·fer ['kä-nə-fər also 'kō-] -n, adj

  1. 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

  1. a poisonous alkaloid C 8H 17N found in poison hemlock

conj -abbr

  1. conjunction; conjunctive

con·jec·tur·al [kən-'jek-chə-rəl, -'jek-shrəl] -adj, adv

  1. of the nature of or involving or based on conjecture
  2. given to conjectures

con·jec·ture [kən-'jek-chər] -n

  1. interpretation of omens
  2. supposition
  3. inference from defective or presumptive evidence
  4. a conclusion deduced by surmise or guesswork
  5. a proposition (as in mathematics) before it has been proved or disproved

conjecture [-'jek-chə-riŋ, -'jek-shriŋ] -vb, n

  1. to arrive at or deduce by conjecture : guess
    • scientists conjecturing that a disease is caused by a defective gene
  2. to make conjectures as to
    • conjecture the meaning of a statement
  3. to form conjectures

con·join [kən-'jȯin, kän-] -vb

  1. to join together (as separate entities) for a common purpose
  2. to join together for a common purpose

con·joined [-'jȯind] -adj

  1. being, coming, or brought together so as to meet, touch, overlap, or unite
    • conjoined heads on a coin

con·joint [-'jȯint] -adj, adv

  1. united, conjoined
  2. 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

  1. of or relating to the married state or to married persons and their relations : connubial
    • conjugal happiness

conjugal rights -n pl

  1. 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

  1. either of a pair of conjugating gametes or organisms

con·ju·gate ['kän-ji-gət, -jə-,gāt] -adj, adv, n

  1. joined together esp. in pairs : coupled
  2. acting or operating as if joined
  3. having features in common but opposite or inverse in some particular
  4. relating to or being conjugate complex numbers
    • complex roots occurring in conjugate pairs
  5. related by the difference of a proton
    • the acid NH 4 and the base NH 3 are conjugate to each other
  6. having the same derivation and therefore usu. some likeness in meaning
    • conjugate words
  7. forming a single piece
  8. to give in prescribed order the various inflectional forms of used esp. of a verb
  9. to join together
  10. to become joined together
  11. to pair and fuse in conjugation
  12. to pair in synapsis

conjugate [same as ¹] -n

  1. something conjugate : a product of conjugating
  2. conjugate complex number
  3. 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

  1. one of two complex numbers differing only in the sign of the imaginary part

con·ju·gat·ed [-,gā-təd] -adj

  1. formed by the union of two compounds or united with another compound
    • conjugated bile acids
  2. relating to, containing, or being a system of two double bonds separated by a single bond
    • conjugated fatty acids
    • conjugated double bonds

conjugated protein -n

  1. a compound of a protein with a nonprotein
    • hemoglobin is a conjugated protein

con·ju·ga·tion [,kän-jə-'gā-shən] -n, adj, adv

  1. a schematic arrangement of the inflectional forms of a verb
  2. verb inflection
  3. a class of verbs having the same type of inflectional forms
    • the weak conjugation
  4. a set of the simple or derivative inflectional forms of a verb esp. in Sanskrit or the Semitic languages
    • the causative conjugation
  5. the act of conjugating : the state of being conjugated
  6. 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)
  7. temporary cytoplasmic union with exchange of nuclear material that is the usual sexual process in ciliated protozoans
  8. the one-way transfer of DNA between bacteria in cellular contact

con·junct [kən-'jəŋ(k)t, kän-] -adj

  1. united, joined
  2. joint
  3. relating to melodic progression by intervals of no more than a major second
  4. something joined or associated with another
  5. one of the components of a conjunction
  6. 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

  1. the act or an instance of conjoining : the state of being conjoined : combination
    • working in conjunction with state and local authorities
  2. occurrence together in time or space : concurrence
  3. the apparent meeting or passing of two or more celestial bodies in the same degree of the zodiac
  4. a configuration in which two celestial bodies have their least apparent separation
  5. an uninflected linguistic form that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words
  6. 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

  1. 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

  1. connective
  2. conjunct, conjoined
  3. being or functioning like a conjunction
  4. copulative

con·junc·ti·vi·tis [kən-,jəŋ(k)-ti-'vī-təs] -n

  1. inflammation of the conjunctiva

con·junc·ture [kən-'jəŋ(k)-chər] -n

  1. conjunction, union
  2. a combination of circumstances or events usu. producing a crisis : juncture

con·jun·to [kōn-'hün-tō] -n

  1. 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

  1. the act or process of conjuring : incantation
  2. an expression or trick used in conjuring
  3. a solemn appeal : adjuration

con·jure [vt 2 & vi senses 'kän-jər also 'kən-; vt 1 kən-'ju̇r] -vb

  1. to charge or entreat earnestly or solemnly
  2. to summon by or as if by invocation or incantation
  3. to affect or effect by or as if by magic
  4. imagine, contrive often used with up
    • we conjure up our own metaphors for our own needs -- R. J. Kaufmann
  5. to bring to mind
    • words that conjure pleasant images
    often used with up
    • conjure up memories
  6. to summon a devil or spirit by invocation or incantation
  7. to practice magical arts
  8. to use a conjurer's tricks : juggle

con·jur·er ['kän-jər-ər, 'kən-] -n

  1. one that practices magic arts : wizard
  2. one that performs feats of sleight of hand and illusion : magician, juggler

conk ['käŋk, 'kȯŋk] -n

  1. nose
  2. to hit esp. on the head : knock out
  3. the visible fruiting body of a bracket fungus
  4. decay caused by such a fungus
  5. break down
  6. stall usu. used with out
    • the motor suddenly conk ed out
  7. faint
  8. to go to sleep usu. used with off or out
    • conk ed out for a while after lunch
  9. die
    • I caught pneumonia. I almost conk ed -- Truman Capote
  10. to straighten out (hair) usu. by the use of chemicals
  11. a hairstyle in which the hair is straightened out and flattened down or lightly waved called also process

conk·er ['käŋ-kər] -n

  1. a horse chestnut esp. when used in conkers
  2. 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

  1. with movement : in a spirited manner used as a direction in music

conn ['kän] -vt

  1. to conduct or direct the steering of (as a ship)
  2. the control exercised by one who conns a ship

Conn -abbr

  1. Connecticut

con·nate [kä-'nāt, 'kä-,] -adj, adv

  1. akin, congenial
  2. innate, inborn
  3. born or originated together
  4. entrapped in sediments at the time of their deposition
    • connate water

con·nat·u·ral [kä-'nach-rəl, kə-, -'na-chə-] -adj, n, adv

  1. connected by nature : inborn
  2. of the same nature

con·nect [kə-'nekt] -vb, adj, n

  1. to become joined
    • the two rooms connect by a hallway
    • ideas that connect easily to form a theory
  2. to meet for the transference of passengers
    • connect ing flights
  3. to transfer (as from one airplane to another) as a step in traveling to a final destination
    • passengers connect ing with international flights
  4. 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
  5. to have or establish a rapport
    • tried to connect with the younger generation
  6. to establish a communications connection
    • connect to the Internet
  7. to join or fasten together usu. by something intervening
  8. to place or establish in relationship

connected -adj, adv, n

  1. joined or linked together
  2. having the parts or elements logically linked together
    • presented a thoroughly connected view of the problem
  3. related by blood or marriage
  4. having social, professional, or commercial relationships
    • a well- connected lawyer
  5. having the property that any two of its points can be joined by a line completely contained in the set
  6. incapable of being separated into two or more closed disjoint subsets

connecting rod -n

  1. 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

  1. : the act of connecting : the state of being connected: as
  2. causal or logical relation or sequence
    • the connection between two ideas
  3. contextual relation or association
    • in this connection the word has a different meaning
  4. relationship in fact
    • wanted in connection with a robbery
  5. a relation of personal intimacy (as of family ties)
  6. coherence, continuity
  7. something that connects : link
    • a loose connection in the wiring
  8. a means of communication or transport
    • a telephone connection
  9. a person connected with another esp. by marriage, kinship, or common interest
    • has powerful connection s
  10. : a political, social, professional, or commercial relationship: as
  11. position, job
  12. an arrangement to execute orders or advance interests of another
    • a firm's foreign connection s
  13. a source of contraband (as illegal drugs)
  14. : a set of persons associated together: as
  15. denomination
  16. clan

con·nec·tion·ism [-shə-,ni-zəm] -n

  1. 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

  1. serving to connect

connective -n

  1. : something that connects: as
  2. a linguistic form that connects words or word groups
  3. 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

  1. 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

  1. the quality, state, or capability of being connective or connected
    • connectivity of a surface
  2. the ability to connect to or communicate with another computer or computer system

connectthedots -adj

  1. 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

  1. any of a breed of hardy rugged ponies developed in Ireland

con·nex·ion [kə-'nek-shən] -n, adj

(variant of connection)

  1. : the act of connecting : the state of being connected: as
  2. causal or logical relation or sequence
    • the connection between two ideas
  3. contextual relation or association
    • in this connection the word has a different meaning
  4. relationship in fact
    • wanted in connection with a robbery
  5. a relation of personal intimacy (as of family ties)
  6. coherence, continuity
  7. something that connects : link
    • a loose connection in the wiring
  8. a means of communication or transport
    • a telephone connection
  9. a person connected with another esp. by marriage, kinship, or common interest
    • has powerful connection s
  10. : a political, social, professional, or commercial relationship: as
  11. position, job
  12. an arrangement to execute orders or advance interests of another
    • a firm's foreign connection s
  13. a source of contraband (as illegal drugs)
  14. : a set of persons associated together: as
  15. denomination
  16. clan

con·ning tower ['kä-niŋ-] -n

  1. a raised structure on the deck of a submarine used esp. formerly for navigation and attack direction

con·nip·tion [kə-'nip-shən] -n

  1. a fit of rage, hysteria, or alarm
    • went into conniption s

con·niv·ance [kə-'nī-vən(t)s] -n

  1. the act of conniving
  2. knowledge of and active or passive consent to wrongdoing

con·nive [kə-'nīv] -vi, n

  1. to pretend ignorance of or fail to take action against something one ought to oppose
    • the government connived in the rebels' military buildup
  2. to be indulgent or in secret sympathy : wink
  3. to cooperate secretly or have a secret understanding
  4. conspire, intrigue
    • accused his opponents of conniving to defeat the proposal

con·nois·seur [,kä-nə-'sər also -'su̇r] -n

  1. expert
  2. one who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge
  3. one who enjoys with discrimination and appreciation of subtleties
    • a connoisseur of fine wines

con·no·ta·tion [,kä-nə-'tā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the suggesting of a meaning by a word apart from the thing it explicitly names or describes
  2. something suggested by a word or thing : implication
    • the connotation s of comfort that surrounded that old chair
  3. 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
  4. 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

  1. connoting or tending to connote
  2. relating to connotation

con·note [kə-'nōt, kä-] -vt

  1. to be associated with or inseparable from as a consequence or concomitant
    • the remorse so often connoted by guilt
  2. to convey in addition to exact explicit meaning
    • all the misery that poverty connote s
  3. to imply as a logical connotation

con·nu·bi·al [kə-'nü-bē-əl, -'nyü-] -adj, n, adv

  1. of or relating to the married state : conjugal
    • connubial relations

co·no·dont ['kō-nə-,dänt, 'kä-] -n

  1. a Paleozoic toothlike fossil that is prob. the remains of an extinct eellike marine animal that may be an invertebrate or primitive vertebrate
  2. the animal from which conodonts are derived

co·noid ['kō-,nȯid] -adj, n

  1. shaped like or nearly like a cone
    • conoid shells
    • conoid pottery

con·quer ['käŋ-kər] -vb, n

  1. to gain or acquire by force of arms : subjugate
    • conquer territory
  2. to overcome by force of arms : vanquish
    • conquer ed the enemy
  3. to gain mastery over or win by overcoming obstacles or opposition
    • conquer ed the mountain
  4. to overcome by mental or moral power : surmount
    • conquer ed her fear
  5. to be victorious

con·quest ['kän-,kwest, 'käŋ-; 'käŋ-kwəst] -n

  1. the act or process of conquering
  2. something conquered
  3. territory appropriated in war
  4. a person whose favor or hand has been won

con·qui·an ['käŋ-kē-ən] -n

  1. 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

  1. one that conquers
  2. a leader in the Spanish conquest of America and esp. of Mexico and Peru in the 16th century

cons -abbr

  1. consecrated
  2. conservative
  3. consigned; consignment
  4. consolidated
  5. consonant
  6. constable
  7. constitution
  8. construction
  9. consul
  10. consulting

con·san·guine [kän-'saŋ-gwən, kən-] -adj

  1. consanguineous

con·san·guin·e·ous [,kän-,san-'gwi-nē-əs, -,saŋ-] -adj, adv

  1. of the same blood or origin
  2. descended from the same ancestor

con·san·guin·i·ty [-'gwi-nə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being consanguineous
  2. a close relation or connection

con·science ['kän(t)-shən(t)s] -n, adj

  1. 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
  2. a faculty, power, or principle enjoining good acts
  3. the part of the superego in psychoanalysis that transmits commands and admonitions to the ego
  4. consciousness
  5. conformity to the dictates of conscience : conscientiousness
  6. sensitive regard for fairness or justice : scruple

conscience money -n

  1. 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

  1. governed by or conforming to the dictates of conscience : scrupulous
    • a conscientious public servant
  2. meticulous, careful
    • a conscientious listener

conscientious objection -n

  1. objection on moral or religious grounds (as to service in the armed forces or to bearing arms)

conscientious objector -n

  1. 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

  1. conscientious

con·scious ['kän(t)-shəs] -adj, adv

  1. perceiving, apprehending, or noticing with a degree of controlled thought or observation
    • was conscious that someone was watching
  2. sharing another's knowledge or awareness of an inward state or outward fact
  3. personally felt
    • conscious guilt
  4. capable of or marked by thought, will, design, or perception
  5. self-conscious
  6. having mental faculties undulled by sleep, faintness, or stupor : awake
    • was conscious during the surgery
  7. done or acting with critical awareness
    • a conscious effort to do better
  8. likely to notice, consider, or appraise
    • a bargain- conscious shopper
  9. being concerned or interested
    • weight- conscious models
  10. marked by strong feelings or notions
    • a race- conscious society

conscious -n

  1. consciousness

con·scious·ness [-nəs] -n

  1. the quality or state of being aware esp. of something within oneself
  2. the state or fact of being conscious of an external object, state, or fact
  3. awareness
  4. concern for some social or political cause
  5. the state of being characterized by sensation, emotion, volition, and thought : mind
  6. the totality of conscious states of an individual
  7. the normal state of conscious life
    • regained consciousness
  8. the upper level of mental life of which the person is aware as contrasted with unconscious processes

consciousnessraising -n

  1. an increasing of concerned awareness esp. of some social or political issue

con·scribe [kən-'skrīb] -vt

  1. limit, circumscribe
    • ill-health... conscribed the force of his intentions -- Times Lit. Supp.
  2. conscript

con·script ['kän-,skript] -n

  1. a conscripted person (as a military recruit)
  2. enrolled into service by compulsion : drafted
  3. made up of conscripted persons
  4. to enroll into service by compulsion : draft
    • was conscript ed into the army

con·scrip·tion [kən-'skrip-shən] -n

  1. compulsory enrollment of persons esp. for military service : draft

con·se·crate ['kän(t)-sə-,krāt] -adj

  1. dedicated to a sacred purpose

consecrate [-,krā-tiv] -vt, adj, n

  1. to induct (a person) into a permanent office with a religious rite
  2. to ordain to the office of bishop
  3. to make or declare sacred
  4. to devote irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony
  5. to effect the liturgical transubstantiation of (eucharistic bread and wine)
  6. to devote to a purpose with or as if with deep solemnity or dedication
  7. to make inviolable or venerable
    • principles consecrated by the weight of history

con·se·cra·tion [,kän(t)-sə-'krā-shən] -n

  1. the act or ceremony of consecrating
  2. the state of being consecrated
  3. the part of a Communion rite in which the bread and wine are consecrated

con·se·cu·tion [,kän(t)-si-'kyü-shən] -n

  1. sequence

con·sec·u·tive [kən-'se-kyə-tiv, -kə-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. 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

  1. existing or made by mutual consent without an act of writing
    • a consensual contract
  2. involving or based on mutual consent
    • consensual acts

con·sen·sus [kən-'sen(t)-səs] -n

  1. general agreement : unanimity
    • the consensus of their opinion, based on reports...from the border -- John Hersey
  2. the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned
    • the consensus was to go ahead
  3. group solidarity in sentiment and belief

con·sent [kən-'sent] -vi, n, adv

  1. to give assent or approval : agree
    • consent to being tested
  2. to be in concord in opinion or sentiment

consent -n

  1. 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
  2. agreement as to action or opinion
  3. 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

  1. expressing agreement : suited
  2. done or made by the consent of all

consent decree -n

  1. 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

  1. a conclusion derived through logic : inference
  2. something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions
    • the economic consequence s of the war
  3. importance with respect to power to produce an effect
    • a mistake of no consequence
  4. social importance
  5. the appearance of importance
  6. self-importance

con·se·quent [-kwənt, -,kwent] -n

  1. deduction
  2. the conclusion of a conditional sentence
  3. the second term of a ratio

consequent -adj

  1. following as a result or effect
    • her new job and consequent relocation
  2. observing logical sequence : rational

con·se·quen·tial [,kän(t)-sə-'kwen(t)-shəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. of the nature of a secondary result : indirect
  2. consequent
  3. having significant consequences : important
    • a grave and consequential event
  4. self-important

con·se·quen·tial·ism [-shə-,li-zəm] -n, adj or n

  1. 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

  1. as a result : in view of the foregoing : accordingly

con·ser·van·cy [kən-'sər-vən(t)-sē] -n

  1. a board regulating fisheries and navigation in a river or port
  2. conservation
  3. an organization or area designated to conserve and protect natural resources

con·ser·va·tion [,kän(t)-sər-'vā-shən] -n, adj

  1. a careful preservation and protection of something
  2. planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect
  3. the preservation of a physical quantity during transformations or reactions

con·ser·va·tion·ist [-sh(ə-)nist] -n

  1. a person who advocates conservation esp. of natural resources

conservation of charge

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. the principles and policies of a Conservative party
  2. the Conservative party
  3. disposition in politics to preserve what is established
  4. a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change
  5. 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)
  6. the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change

con·ser·va·tive [kən-'sər-və-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. preservative
  2. of or relating to a philosophy of conservatism
  3. : of or constituting a political party professing the principles of conservatism: as
  4. of or constituting a party of the United Kingdom advocating support of established institutions
  5. progressive conservative
  6. tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : traditional
  7. marked by moderation or caution
    • a conservative estimate
  8. marked by or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance, style, or manners
  9. of, relating to, or practicing Conservative Judaism

conservative -n

  1. an adherent or advocate of political conservatism
  2. a member or supporter of a conservative political party
  3. one who adheres to traditional methods or views
  4. a cautious or discreet person

Conservative Judaism -n

  1. 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

  1. to grow conservative
  2. to make conservative

con·ser·va·toire [kən-'sər-və-,twär] -n

  1. conservatory

con·ser·va·tor [kən-'sər-və-tər, -və-,tȯr; 'kän(t)-sər-,vā-tər] -n, adj

  1. one that preserves from injury or violation : protector
  2. one that is responsible for the care, restoration, and repair of archival or museum articles
  3. a person, official, or institution designated to take over and protect the interests of an incompetent
  4. an official charged with the protection of something affecting public welfare and interests

con·ser·va·to·ry [kən-'sər-və-,tȯr-ē] -n

  1. a greenhouse for growing or displaying plants
  2. a school specializing in one of the fine arts
    • a music conservatory

con·serve [kən-'sərv] -vt, n

  1. to keep in a safe or sound state
    • he conserved his inheritance
  2. to avoid wasteful or destructive use of
    • conserve natural resources
  3. to preserve with sugar
  4. to maintain (a quantity) constant during a process of chemical, physical, or evolutionary change
    • conserved DNA sequences
  5. sweetmeat
  6. a candied fruit
  7. preserve
  8. one prepared from a mixture of fruits

con·sid·er [kən-'si-dər] -vb

  1. : to think about carefully: as
  2. to think of esp. with regard to taking some action
    • is consider ing you for the job
    • consider ed moving to the city
  3. to take into account
    • defendant's age must be consider ed
  4. to regard or treat in an attentive or kindly way
    • he consider ed her every wish
  5. to gaze on steadily or reflectively
  6. to come to judge or classify
    • consider thrift essential
  7. regard
    • his works are well consider ed abroad
  8. suppose
  9. reflect, deliberate
    • paused a moment to consider

con·sid·er·able [-'si-dər(-ə)-bəl, -'si-drə-bəl] -adj, adv

  1. worth consideration : significant
    • a considerable artist
  2. large in extent or degree
    • a considerable number

considerable -n

  1. a considerable amount, degree, or extent

con·sid·er·ate [kən-'si-d(ə-)rət] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by or given to careful consideration : circumspect
  2. thoughtful of the rights and feelings of others

con·sid·er·ation [kən-,si-də-'rā-shən] -n

  1. continuous and careful thought
    • after long consideration he agreed to their requests
  2. a matter weighed or taken into account when formulating an opinion or plan
    • economic consideration s forced her to leave college
  3. a taking into account
  4. thoughtful and sympathetic regard
  5. an opinion obtained by reflection
  6. esteem, regard
    • the family built themselves a large, ugly villa...and became people of consideration -- V. S. Pritchett
  7. recompense, payment
    • a consideration paid for legal services
  8. the inducement to a contract or other legal transaction
  9. 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

  1. matured by extended deliberative thought
    • a considered opinion
  2. viewed with respect or esteem

con·sid·er·ing [-d(ə-)riŋ] -prep

  1. in view of : taking into account
    • he did well considering his limitations

considering -conj

  1. 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

  1. counselor, adviser
    • consigliere of a Mafia family

con·sign [kən-'sīn] -vb, adj, n

  1. to give over to another's care
  2. to give, transfer, or deliver into the hands or control of another
  3. to commit esp. to a final destination or fate
    • a writer consign ed to oblivion
  4. to send or address to an agent to be cared for or sold
  5. agree, submit

con·sign·ee [,kän(t)-sə-'nē, ,kän-,sī-, kən-,sī-] -n

  1. one to whom something is consigned or shipped

con·sign·ment [kən-'sīn-mənt] -n

  1. the act or process of consigning
  2. something consigned esp. in a single shipment

consignment -adj

  1. of, relating to, or received as goods on consignment
    • a consignment sale

con·sil·ience [kən-'sil-yən(t)s] -n

  1. the linking together of principles from different disciplines esp. when forming a comprehensive theory

con·sist [kən-'sist] -vi

  1. lie, reside usu. used with in
    • liberty consist s in the absence of obstructions -- A. E. Housman
  2. exist, be
  3. to be capable of existing
  4. to be composed or made up usu. used with of
    • breakfast consist ed of cereal, milk, and fruit
  5. to be consistent
    • it consist s with the facts
  6. 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

  1. consistency

con·sis·ten·cy [kən-'sis-tən(t)-sē] -n

  1. condition of adhering together : firmness of material substance
  2. firmness of constitution or character : persistency
  3. degree of firmness, density, viscosity, or resistance to movement or separation of constituent particles
    • boil the juice to the consistency of a thick syrup
  4. agreement or harmony of parts or features to one another or a whole : correspondence
  5. ability to be asserted together without contradiction
  6. harmony of conduct or practice with profession
    • followed her own advice with consistency

con·sis·tent [kən-'sis-tənt] -adj, adv

  1. possessing firmness or coherence
  2. marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction
    • a consistent style in painting
  3. marked by agreement : compatible usu. used with with
    • statements not consistent with the truth
  4. showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom
    • a consistent patriot
  5. 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

  1. a solemn assembly : council
  2. : a church tribunal or governing body: as
  3. a solemn meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals convoked and presided over by the pope
  4. a church session in some Reformed churches
  5. the organization that confers the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry usu. from the 19th to the 32d inclusive
  6. a meeting of such an organization

con·so·ci·ate [kən-'sō-sē-,āt, -shē-,āt] -vb

  1. to bring into association
  2. to associate esp. in fellowship or partnership

con·so·ci·a·tion [-,sō-sē-'ā-shən, -shē-] -n, adj

  1. association in fellowship or alliance
  2. an association of churches or religious societies
  3. an ecological community with a single dominant species

consol -abbr

  1. consolidated

con·so·la·tion [,kän(t)-sə-'lā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act or an instance of consoling : the state of being consoled : comfort
  2. something that consoles
  3. a contest held for those who have lost early in a tournament

consolation prize -n

  1. a prize given to a runner-up or a loser in a contest

con·sole ['kän-,sōl] -n

  1. an architectural member projecting from a wall to form a bracket or from a keystone for ornament
  2. console table
  3. an upright case that houses the keyboards and controlling mechanisms of an organ and from which the organ is played
  4. 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)
  5. a cabinet (as for a radio or television set) designed to rest directly on the floor
  6. a small storage cabinet between bucket seats in an automobile
  7. an electronic system that connects to a display (as a television set) and is used primarily to play video games
  8. to alleviate the grief, sense of loss, or trouble of : comfort
    • console a widow

console table -n

  1. a table fixed to a wall with its top supported by consoles or front legs
  2. a table designed to fit against a wall

con·sol·i·date [kən-'sä-lə-,dāt] -vb, n

  1. to join together into one whole : unite
    • consolidate several small school districts
  2. to make firm or secure : strengthen
    • consolidate their hold on first place
  3. to form into a compact mass
  4. to become consolidated
  5. merge
    • the two companies consolidated

consolidated school -n

  1. a public school formed by merging other schools

con·sol·i·da·tion [kən-,sä-lə-'dā-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of consolidating : the state of being consolidated
  2. the process of uniting : the quality or state of being united
  3. the unification of two or more corporations by dissolution of existing ones and creation of a single new corporation
  4. pathological alteration of lung tissue from an aerated condition to one of solid consistency

con·som·me [,kän(t)-sə-'mā] -n

  1. clear soup made from well-seasoned stock

con·so·nance ['kän(t)-s(ə-)nən(t)s] -n

  1. harmony or agreement among components
  2. correspondence or recurrence of sounds esp. in words
  3. 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)
  4. concord
  5. sympathetic vibration, resonance

con·so·nan·cy [-s(ə-)nən(t)-sē] -n

  1. consonance

con·so·nant ['kän(t)-s(ə-)nənt] -adj, adv

  1. being in agreement or harmony : free from elements making for discord
  2. marked by musical consonances
  3. having similar sounds
    • consonant words
  4. relating to or exhibiting consonance : resonant

consonant -n

  1. 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
  2. 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

  1. relating to, being, or marked by a consonant or group of consonants

consonant shift -n

  1. : a set of regular changes in consonant articulation in the history of a language or dialect:
  2. such a set affecting the Indo-European stops and distinguishing the Germanic languages from the other Indo-European languages
  3. such a set affecting the Germanic stops and distinguishing High German from the other Germanic languages

con·sort ['kän-,sȯrt] -n

  1. associate
  2. a ship accompanying another
  3. spouse

consort -n

  1. conjunction, association
    • he ruled in consort with his father
  2. group, assembly
    • a consort of specialists
  3. a group of singers or instrumentalists performing together
  4. a set of musical instruments of the same family

con·sort [kən-'sȯrt, kän-', 'kän-,] -vt

  1. unite, associate
  2. escort
  3. to keep company
    • consort ing with criminals
  4. to make harmony : play
  5. accord, harmonize
    • the illustrations consort admirably with the text -- Times Lit. Supp.

con·sor·tium [kən-'sȯr-sh(ē-)əm, -'sȯr-tē-əm] -n

  1. an agreement, combination, or group (as of companies) formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member
  2. association, society
  3. 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

  1. of the same species

con·spec·tus [kən-'spek-təs] -n

  1. a usu. brief survey or summary (as of an extensive subject) often providing an overall view
  2. outline, synopsis

con·spi·cu·i·ty [,kän(t)-spə-'kyü-ə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being conspicuous : conspicuousness

con·spic·u·ous [kən-'spi-kyə-wəs, -kyü-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. obvious to the eye or mind
    • conspicuous changes
  2. attracting attention : striking
    • a conspicuous success
  3. marked by a noticeable violation of good taste

conspicuous consumption -n

  1. lavish or wasteful spending thought to enhance social prestige

con·spir·a·cist [kən-'spir-ə-sist] -n

  1. one who believes or promotes a conspiracy theory

con·spir·a·cy [kən-'spir-ə-sē] -n

  1. the act of conspiring together
  2. an agreement among conspirators
  3. a group of conspirators

conspiracy of silence

  1. a secret agreement to keep silent about an occurrence, situation, or subject esp. in order to promote or protect selfish interests

conspiracy theory -n

  1. 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

  1. the act or action of plotting or secretly combining
  2. a joint effort toward a particular end

con·spir·a·tor [kən-'spir-ə-tər] -n

  1. one who conspires : plotter

con·spir·a·to·ri·al [kən-,spir-ə-'tȯr-ē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or suggestive of a conspiracy

con·spire [kən-'spī(-ə)r] -vb

  1. plot, contrive
  2. 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
  3. scheme
  4. to act in harmony toward a common end
    • circumstances conspired to defeat his efforts

con spi·ri·to [kän-'spir-ə-,tō, kōn-] -adv

  1. with spirit or animation used as a direction in music

const -abbr

  1. constant
  2. constitution; constitutional
  3. construction

con·sta·ble ['kän(t)-stə-bəl, 'kən(t)-] -n

  1. a high officer of a royal court or noble household esp. in the Middle Ages
  2. the warden or governor of a royal castle or a fortified town
  3. a public officer usu. of a town or township responsible for keeping the peace and for minor judicial duties
  4. police officer
  5. one ranking below sergeant

con·stab·u·lary [kən-'sta-byə-,ler-ē, -,le-rē] -adj

  1. of or relating to a constable or constabulary

constabulary -n

  1. the organized body of constables of a particular district or country
  2. an armed police force organized on military lines but distinct from the regular army

con·stan·cy ['kän(t)-stən(t)-sē] -n

  1. steadfastness of mind under duress : fortitude
  2. fidelity, loyalty
  3. a state of being constant or unchanging

con·stant ['kän(t)-stənt] -adj, adv

  1. marked by firm steadfast resolution or faithfulness : exhibiting constancy of mind or attachment
    • a constant friend
  2. invariable, uniform
    • a constant flow
  3. continually occurring or recurring : regular
    • a constant annoyance

constant -n

  1. : something invariable or unchanging: as
  2. a number that has a fixed value in a given situation or universally or that is characteristic of some substance or instrument
  3. a number that is assumed not to change value in a given mathematical discussion
  4. a term in logic with a fixed designation

con·stan·tan ['kän(t)-stən-,tan] -n

  1. 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

  1. of, relating to, or being a verbal form that expresses past completed action
  2. 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

  1. to unite in a cluster
  2. to set or adorn with or as if with constellations
  3. cluster

con·stel·la·tion [,kän(t)-stə-'lā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the configuration of stars esp. at one's birth
  2. any of 88 arbitrary configurations of stars or an area of the celestial sphere covering one of these configurations
  3. 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
  4. 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

  1. to fill with consternation

con·ster·na·tion [,kän(t)-stər-'nā-shən] -n

  1. 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

  1. to cause constipation in
  2. 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

  1. affected with constipation
  2. stilted or stodgy in appearance, expression, or action

con·sti·pa·tion [,kän(t)-stə-'pā-shən] -n

  1. abnormally delayed or infrequent passage of usu. dry hardened feces
  2. stultification

con·stit·u·en·cy [kən-'stich-wən(t)-sē, -'sti-chə-, -'sti-chü-ən(t)-] -n

  1. a body of citizens entitled to elect a representative (as to a legislative or executive position)
  2. the residents in an electoral district
  3. an electoral district
  4. a group or body that patronizes, supports, or offers representation
    • creating...a grass-roots constituency for continuing the project -- Fred Reed
  5. 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

  1. one who authorizes another to act as agent : principal
  2. a member of a constituency
  3. an essential part : component, element
  4. 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

  1. serving to form, compose, or make up a unit or whole : component
    • constituent parts
  2. having the power to create a government or frame or amend a constitution
    • a constituent assembly

con·sti·tute ['kän(t)-stə-,tüt, -,tyüt] -vt

  1. to appoint to an office, function, or dignity
  2. : set up, establish: as
  3. enact
  4. found
  5. to give due or lawful form to
  6. to legally process
  7. 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

  1. an established law or custom : ordinance
  2. the physical makeup of the individual esp. with respect to the health, strength, and appearance of the body
    • a hearty constitution
  3. the structure, composition, physical makeup, or nature of something
    • the constitution of society
  4. the act of establishing, making, or setting up
  5. the mode in which a state or society is organized
  6. the manner in which sovereign power is distributed
  7. 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
  8. a written instrument embodying the rules of a political or social organization

con·sti·tu·tion·al [-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj

  1. relating to, inherent in, or affecting the constitution of body or mind
  2. of, relating to, or entering into the fundamental makeup of something : essential
  3. being in accordance with or authorized by the constitution of a state or society
    • a constitutional government
  4. regulated by or ruling according to a constitution
    • a constitutional monarchy
  5. of or relating to a constitution
    • a constitutional crisis
  6. loyal to or supporting an established constitution or form of government

constitutional -n

  1. a walk taken for one's health

con·sti·tu·tion·al·ism [-sh(ə-)nə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. adherence to or government according to constitutional principles
  2. a constitutional system of government

con·sti·tu·tion·al·i·ty [-,tü-shə-'na-lə-tē, -,tyü-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being constitutional
  2. 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

  1. to provide with a constitution : organize along constitutional principles

con·sti·tu·tion·al·ly [-'tü-shnə-lē, -'tyü-, -shə-nə-lē] -adv

  1. in accordance with one's constitution
    • constitutionally unable to grasp subtleties
  2. in structure, composition, or constitution
    • despite repeated heatings the material remained constitutionally the same
  3. 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

  1. having the power to enact or establish : constructive
  2. constituent, essential
  3. relating to or dependent on constitution
    • a constitutive property of all electrolytes

con·strain [kən-'strān] -vt, adv

  1. to force by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation
  2. to restrict the motion of (a mechanical body) to a particular mode
  3. compress
  4. to clasp tightly
  5. to secure by or as if by bonds : confine
  6. limit
  7. to force or produce in an unnatural or strained manner
    • a constrain ed smile
  8. 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

  1. the act of constraining
  2. the state of being checked, restricted, or compelled to avoid or perform some action
    • the constraint and monotony of a monastic life -- Matthew Arnold
  3. a constraining condition, agency, or force : check
    • put legal constraint s on the board's activities
  4. repression of one's own feelings, behavior, or actions
  5. a sense of being constrained : embarrassment

con·strict [kən-'strikt] -vb, adj

  1. to make narrow or draw together
  2. compress, squeeze
    • constrict a nerve
  3. to stultify, stop, or cause to falter : inhibit
  4. to become constricted

con·stric·tion [-'strik-shən] -n

  1. an act or product of constricting
  2. the quality or state of being constricted
  3. something that constricts

con·stric·tor [-'strik-tər] -n

  1. a muscle that contracts a cavity or orifice or compresses an organ
  2. a snake (as a boa constrictor) that coils around and compresses prey
  3. one that constricts

con·stringe [kən-'strinj] -vt, adj

  1. to cause to shrink
    • cold constringe s the pores
  2. constrict

con·stru·al [kən-'strü-əl] -n

  1. interpretation
    • political construal s of reality -- R. J. Neuhaus

con·struct [kən-'strəkt] -vt, n, adj

  1. to make or form by combining or arranging parts or elements : build
  2. contrive, devise
  3. to draw (a geometrical figure) with suitable instruments and under specified conditions
  4. to set in logical order
  5. : something constructed by the mind: as
  6. a theoretical entity
    • the deductive study of abstract construct s -- D. J. Boorstin
  7. a working hypothesis or concept
    • the unconscious was a construct that came from the daily effort to understand patients
  8. 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

  1. the act or result of construing, interpreting, or explaining
  2. the process, art, or manner of constructing something
  3. a thing constructed
  4. the construction industry
    • working in construction
  5. the arrangement and connection of words or groups of words in a sentence : syntactical arrangement
  6. a sculpture that is put together out of separate pieces of often disparate materials

con·struc·tion·ist [-sh(ə-)nist] -n

  1. one who construes a legal document (as the U.S. Constitution) in a specific way
    • a strict constructionist

construction paper -n

  1. a thick groundwood paper available in many colors and used esp. for school artwork

con·struc·tive [kən-'strək-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. declared such by judicial construction or interpretation
    • constructive fraud
  2. of or relating to construction or creation
  3. promoting improvement or development
    • constructive criticism

con·struc·tiv·ism [kən-'strək-ti-,vi-zəm] -n, adj or n

  1. 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

  1. to analyze the arrangement and connection of words in (a sentence or sentence part)
  2. 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
  3. to construe a sentence or sentence part esp. in connection with translating
  4. an act or the result of construing esp. by piecemeal translation

con·sub·stan·tial [,kän(t)-səb-'stan(t)-shəl] -adj

  1. of the same substance

con·sub·stan·ti·a·tion [,kän(t)-səb-,stan(t)-shē-'ā-shən] -n

  1. 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

  1. social usage : custom

con·sul ['kän(t)-səl] -n, adj

  1. either of two annually elected chief magistrates of the Roman republic
  2. one of three chief magistrates of the French republic from 1799 to 1804
  3. 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

  1. a government by consuls
  2. the office, term of office, or jurisdiction of a consul
  3. the residence or official premises of a consul

consulate general -n

  1. the residence, office, or jurisdiction of a consul general

consul general -n

  1. 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

  1. to have regard to : consider
  2. to ask the advice or opinion of
    • consult a doctor
  3. to refer to
    • consult a dictionary
  4. to consult an individual
  5. to deliberate together : confer
  6. to serve as a consultant
  7. consultation

con·sul·tan·cy [kən-'səl-tᵊn(t)-sē] -n

  1. consultation
  2. an agency that provides consulting services
  3. the position of a consultant

con·sul·tant [kən-'səl-tᵊnt] -n

  1. one who consults another
  2. one who gives professional advice or services : expert

con·sul·ta·tion [,kän(t)-səl-'tā-shən] -n

  1. council, conference
  2. a deliberation between physicians on a case or its treatment
  3. the act of consulting or conferring

con·sul·ta·tive [kən-'səl-tə-tiv, 'kän(t)-səl-,tā-tiv] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or intended for consultation : advisory
    • a consultative committee
    • a consultative document

con·sult·ing [kən-'səl-tiŋ] -adj

  1. providing professional or expert advice
    • a consulting architect
  2. of or relating to consultation or a consultant
    • the consulting room of a psychiatrist

con·sul·tive [kən-'səl-tiv] -adj

  1. consultative

con·sul·tor [kən-'səl-tər] -n

  1. one who consults or advises
  2. an adviser to a Roman Catholic bishop, provincial, or sacred congregation

con·sum·able [kən-'sü-mə-bəl] -adj

  1. capable of being consumed
    • consumable goods

consumable -n

  1. something (as food or fuel) that is consumable usu. used in pl.

con·sume [kən-'süm] -vb

  1. to do away with completely : destroy
    • fire consumed several buildings
  2. to spend wastefully : squander
  3. use up
    • writing consumed much of his time
  4. to eat or drink esp. in great quantity
    • consumed several bags of pretzels
  5. to enjoy avidly : devour
    • mysteries, which she consume s for fun -- E. R. Lipson
  6. to engage fully : engross
    • consumed with curiosity
  7. to utilize as a customer
    • consume goods and services
  8. to waste or burn away : perish
  9. to utilize economic goods

con·sum·ed·ly [-'sü-məd-lē] -adv

  1. as if consumed : excessively
    • a baby granddaughter...in whom to be consumedly interested -- A. N. Wilson

con·sum·er [kən-'sü-mər] -n

  1. : one that consumes: as
  2. one that utilizes economic goods
  3. 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

  1. credit granted to an individual esp. to finance the purchase of consumer goods or to defray personal expenses

consumer goods -n pl

  1. goods that directly satisfy human wants

con·sum·er·ism [kən-'sü-mə-,ri-zəm, -mər-,i-] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. the promotion of the consumer's interests
  2. the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable
  3. a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods

consumer price index -n

  1. 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

  1. deeply felt : ardent
    • a consuming interest
  2. engrossing

con·sum·mate ['kän(t)-sə-mət, kən-'sə-mət] -adj, adv

  1. complete in every detail : perfect
  2. extremely skilled and accomplished
    • a consummate liar
    • a consummate professional
  3. of the highest degree
    • consummate skill
    • consummate cruelty
  4. finish, complete
    • consummate a business deal
  5. to make perfect
  6. achieve
  7. to make (marital union) complete by sexual intercourse
    • consummate a marriage
  8. to become perfected

con·sum·ma·tion [,kän-sə-'mā-shən] -n

  1. the act of consummating
    • the consummation of a contract by mutual signature
  2. the consummating of a marriage
  3. the ultimate end : finish

con·sum·ma·to·ry [kən-'sə-mə-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. of or relating to consummation : concluding
  2. 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

  1. a progressive wasting away of the body esp. from pulmonary tuberculosis
  2. tuberculosis
  3. the act or process of consuming
    • consumption of food
    • consumption of resources
  4. use by or exposure to a particular group or audience
    • the document was not intended for public consumption
  5. 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

  1. tending to consume
  2. of, relating to, or affected with consumption

consumptive -n

  1. a person affected with consumption

cont -abbr

  1. containing
  2. contents
  3. continent
  4. continental
  5. continued
  6. control

con·tact ['kän-,takt] -n

  1. union or junction of surfaces
  2. 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
  3. the junction of two electrical conductors through which a current passes
  4. a special part made for such a junction
  5. association, relationship
  6. connection, communication
  7. an establishing of communication with someone or an observing or receiving of a significant signal from a person or object
    • radar contact with Mars
  8. a person serving as a go-between, messenger, connection, or source of special information
    • business contact s
  9. contact lens
  10. to make contact
  11. to bring into contact
  12. to enter or be in contact with : join
  13. to get in communication with
    • contact your local dealer
  14. maintaining, involving, or activated or caused by contact
    • contact poisons
    • contact sports
    • contact dermatitis

contact binary -n

  1. a binary star system in which the two stars are close enough together for material to pass between them

contact hitter -n

  1. a hitter in baseball who seldom strikes out

contact inhibition -n

  1. cessation of cellular movement, growth, and division upon contact with other cells

contact language -n

  1. pidgin

contact lens -n

  1. a thin lens designed to fit over the cornea and usu. worn to correct defects in vision

contact print -n

  1. a photographic print made with the negative in contact with the sensitized paper, plate, or film

con·ta·gion [kən-'tā-jən] -n

  1. a contagious disease
  2. the transmission of a disease by direct or indirect contact
  3. a disease-producing agent (as a virus)
  4. poison
  5. contagious influence, quality, or nature
  6. corrupting influence or contact
  7. rapid communication of an influence (as a doctrine or emotional state)
  8. an influence that spreads rapidly

con·ta·gious [-jəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. communicable by contact : catching
    • contagious diseases
  2. bearing contagion
    • contagious people
  3. used for contagious diseases
    • a contagious ward
  4. exciting similar emotions or conduct in others
    • contagious enthusiasm

contagious abortion -n

  1. a contagious or infectious disease (as a brucellosis) of domestic animals characterized by abortion

con·ta·gium [kən-'tā-j(ē-)əm] -n

  1. an agent capable of causing a communicable disease

con·tain [kən-'tān] -vb, adj

  1. : to keep within limits: as
  2. restrain, control
    • could hardly contain her enthusiasm
  3. check, halt
    • contain the spread of a deadly disease
  4. to follow successfully a policy of containment toward
    • efforts to contain Communism
  5. to prevent (as an enemy or opponent) from advancing or from making a successful attack
  6. to have within : hold
  7. comprise, include
    • the bill contain s several new clauses
  8. to be divisible by usu. without a remainder
  9. enclose, bound
  10. to restrain oneself

contained -adj

  1. restrained
  2. calm

con·tain·er [kən-'tā-nər] -n, adj

  1. : one that contains: as
  2. a receptacle (as a box or jar) for holding goods
  3. a portable compartment in which freight is placed (as on a train or ship) for convenience of movement

con·tain·er·board [-,bȯrd] -n

  1. 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)

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. to ship by containerization
  2. to pack in containers

con·tain·er·port [-nər-,pȯrt] -n

  1. a shipping port specially equipped to handle containerized cargo

con·tain·er·ship [-nər-,ship] -n

  1. a ship specially designed or equipped for carrying containerized cargo

con·tain·ment [kən-'tān-mənt] -n

  1. the act, process, or means of containing
  2. the policy, process, or result of preventing the expansion of a hostile power or ideology

con·tam·i·nant [kən-'ta-mə-nənt] -n

  1. something that contaminates

con·tam·i·nate [kən-'ta-mə-,nāt] -vt, adj, n

  1. to soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or association
    • bacteria contaminated the wound
  2. to make inferior or impure by admixture
    • iron contaminated with phosphorus
  3. to make unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements

con·tam·i·na·tion [kən-,ta-mə-'nā-shən] -n

  1. a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated
  2. contaminant

contd -abbr

  1. continued

conte ['kōⁿ(n)t] -n

  1. a usu. short tale of adventure

con·temn [kən-'tem] -vt, n

  1. to view or treat with contempt : scorn

con·tem·plate ['kän-təm-,plāt, -,tem-] -vb, n

  1. to view or consider with continued attention : meditate on
    • contemplate the vastness of the universe
  2. to view as contingent or probable or as an end or intention
    • contemplate marriage
  3. ponder, meditate

con·tem·pla·tion [,kän-təm-'plā-shən, -,tem-] -n

  1. concentration on spiritual things as a form of private devotion
  2. a state of mystical awareness of God's being
  3. an act of considering with attention : study
  4. the act of regarding steadily
  5. intention, expectation

con·tem·pla·tive [kən-'tem-plə-tiv; 'kän-təm-,plā-, -,tem-] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by or given to contemplation
  2. of or relating to a religious order devoted to prayer and penance

contemplative -n

  1. a person who practices contemplation

con·tem·po [kən-'tem-pō] -adj

  1. contemporary, present-day
    • contempo music

con·tem·po·ra·ne·i·ty [kən-,tem-p(ə-)rə-'nē-ə-tē, -'nā-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being contemporaneous or contemporary

con·tem·po·ra·ne·ous [kən-,tem-pə-'rā-nē-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. existing, occurring, or originating during the same time

con·tem·po·rary [kən-'tem-pə-,rer-ē, -,re-rē] -adj, adv

  1. happening, existing, living, or coming into being during the same period of time
  2. simultaneous
  3. marked by characteristics of the present period : modern, current

contemporary -n

  1. one that is contemporary with another
  2. one of the same or nearly the same age as another

con·tem·po·rize [kən-'tem-pə-,rīz] -vt

  1. to make contemporary
    • contemporize a magazine with the latest fashions

con·tempt [kən-'tem(p)t] -n

  1. the act of despising : the state of mind of one who despises : disdain
  2. lack of respect or reverence for something
  3. the state of being despised
  4. willful disobedience to or open disrespect of a court, judge, or legislative body
    • contempt of court

con·tempt·ible [kən-'tem(p)-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. worthy of contempt
  2. scornful, contemptuous

con·temp·tu·ous [-'tem(p)-chə-wəs, -chəs, -shwəs, -chü-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. manifesting, feeling, or expressing contempt

con·tend [kən-'tend] -vb

  1. to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties : struggle
  2. to strive in debate : argue
  3. maintain, assert
    • contend ed that he was right
  4. to struggle for : contest

con·tend·er [-'ten-dər] -n

  1. one that contends
  2. a competitor for a championship or high honor
    • a heavyweight title contender

con·tent [kən-'tent] -adj

  1. contented, satisfied
    • was content with her life as it was

content -vt

  1. to appease the desires of
  2. to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or actions
  3. contentment
    • ate to his heart's content

con·tent ['kän-,tent] -n

  1. something contained usu. used in pl.
    • the jar's content s
    • the drawer's content s
  2. the topics or matter treated in a written work
    • table of content s
  3. 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
  4. substance, gist
  5. meaning, significance
  6. the events, physical detail, and information in a work of art
  7. the matter dealt with in a field of study
  8. a part, element, or complex of parts
  9. the amount of specified material contained : proportion

content analysis -n

  1. 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

  1. feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation
    • a contented smile

con·ten·tion [kən-'ten(t)-shən] -n

  1. an act or instance of contending
  2. a point advanced or maintained in a debate or argument
  3. rivalry, competition

con·ten·tious [kən-'ten(t)-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. likely to cause contention
    • a contentious argument
  2. 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

  1. the quality or state of being contented
  2. something that contents

con·tent word ['kän-,tent-] -n

  1. a word that primarily expresses lexical meaning

con·ter·mi·nous [kən-'tər-mə-nəs, kän-] -adj, adv

  1. having a common boundary
    • conterminous countries
  2. coterminous
  3. enclosed within one common boundary
    • the 48 conterminous states

con·test [kən-'test, 'kän-,] -vb, adj, n

  1. strive, vie
  2. to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation
  3. dispute, challenge
  4. a struggle for superiority or victory : competition
  5. 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

  1. one that participates in a contest
  2. one that contests an award or decision

con·tes·ta·tion [,kän-,tes-'tā-shən] -n

  1. controversy, debate

con·text ['kän-,tekst] -n, adj, adv

  1. the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning
  2. the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs : environment, setting
    • the historical context of the war

con·textfree ['kän-,tekst-'frē] -adj

  1. 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
  2. being such a rule

con·tex·tu·al·ize [kən-'teks-chə-wə-,līz, -chə-,līz, -chü-ə-] -vt, n

  1. to place (as a word or activity) in a context

con·tex·ture [kən-'teks-chər, 'kän-,, kän-'] -n

  1. the act, process, or manner of weaving parts into a whole
  2. a structure so formed
    • a contexture of lies
  3. context

contg -abbr

  1. containing

con·ti·gu·i·ty [,kän-tə-'gyü-ə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being contiguous : proximity

con·tig·u·ous [kən-'ti-gyə-wəs, -gyü-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. being in actual contact : touching along a boundary or at a point
  2. adjacent
  3. next or near in time or sequence
  4. touching or connected throughout in an unbroken sequence
    • contiguous row houses

con·ti·nence ['kän-tə-nən(t)s] -n

  1. self-restraint
  2. a refraining from sexual intercourse
  3. the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily
    • fecal continence

con·ti·nent ['kän-tə-nənt] -adj, adv

  1. exercising continence
  2. restrictive
  3. container, confines
  4. epitome
  5. mainland
  6. one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
  7. the continent of Europe used with the

con·ti·nen·tal [,kän-tə-'nen-tᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a continent
    • continental waters
  2. of or relating to the continent of Europe excluding the British Isles
  3. of, relating to, or being a cuisine derived from the classic dishes of Europe and esp. France
  4. of or relating to the colonies later forming the U.S.
    • Continental Congress
  5. being the part of the U.S. on the No. American continent
  6. being the part of the U.S. comprising the lower 48 states

continental -n

  1. an American soldier of the Revolution in the Continental army
  2. a piece of Continental paper currency
  3. the least bit
    • not worth a continental
  4. an inhabitant of a continent and esp. the continent of Europe

continental breakfast -n

  1. a light breakfast (as of rolls or toast and coffee)

continental drift -n

  1. a slow movement of the continents on a deep-seated viscous zone within the earth

continental shelf -n

  1. 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

  1. the comparatively steep slope from a continental shelf to the ocean floor

con·tin·gence [kən-'tin-jən(t)s] -n

  1. contingency
  2. tangency

con·tin·gen·cy [kən-'tin-jən(t)-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being contingent
  2. : a contingent event or condition: as
  3. an event (as an emergency) that may but is not certain to occur
    • trying to provide for every contingency
  4. something liable to happen as an adjunct to or result of something else

contingency fee -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. likely but not certain to happen : possible
  2. not logically necessary
  3. empirical
  4. happening by chance or unforeseen causes
  5. subject to chance or unseen effects : unpredictable
  6. intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen
  7. dependent on or conditioned by something else
    • payment is contingent on fulfillment of certain conditions
  8. not necessitated : determined by free choice

contingent -n

  1. something contingent : contingency
  2. a representative group : delegation, detachment
    • a diplomatic contingent

con·tin·u·al [kən-'tin-yü-əl, -yəl] -adj, adv

  1. continuing indefinitely in time without interruption
    • continual fear
  2. recurring in steady usu. rapid succession
    • a history of continual invasions

con·tin·u·ance [kən-'tin-yü-ən(t)s] -n

  1. continuation
  2. the extent of continuing : duration
  3. the quality of enduring : permanence
  4. an adjournment of a court case to a future day

con·tin·u·ant [-yü-ənt] -n, adj

  1. something that continues or serves as a continuation
  2. a speech sound (as a fricative or vowel) that is produced without a complete closure of the breath passage

con·tin·u·ate -adj

  1. continuous, uninterrupted

con·tin·u·a·tion [kən-,tin-yə-'wā-shən, -yü-'ā-] -n

  1. the act or fact of continuing in or the prolongation of a state or activity
  2. resumption after an interruption
  3. something that continues, increases, or adds

con·tin·u·a·tive [kən-'tin-yə-,wā-tiv, -yü-,ā-; -wə-tiv, -yü-ə-] -adj

  1. expressing continuity or continuation (as of an idea or action)

con·tin·u·a·tor [-,wā-tər] -n

  1. one that continues

con·tin·ue [kən-'tin-(,)yü] -vb, n

  1. to maintain without interruption a condition, course, or action
    • the boat continued downstream
  2. to remain in existence : endure
    • the tradition continue s
  3. to remain in a place or condition : stay
    • cannot continue here much longer
  4. to resume an activity after interruption
    • we'll continue after lunch
  5. keep up, maintain
    • continue s walking
  6. to keep going or add to : prolong
    • continue the battle
  7. to resume after intermission
  8. to cause to continue
    • chose not to continue her subscription
  9. to allow to remain in a place or condition : retain
    • the trustees were continued
  10. to postpone (a legal proceeding) by a continuance

continued -adj

  1. lasting or extending without interruption
    • continued success
  2. resumed after interruption
    • a continued story

continued fraction -n

  1. 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

  1. continuous, constant
    • continuing poverty
  2. needing no renewal : enduring
    • continuing fame

continuing education -n

  1. formal courses of study for adult part-time students

con·ti·nu·i·ty [,kän-tə-'nü-ə-tē, -'nyü-] -n

  1. uninterrupted connection, succession, or union
  2. uninterrupted duration or continuation esp. without essential change
  3. : something that has, exhibits, or provides continuity: as
  4. a script or scenario in the performing arts
  5. transitional spoken or musical matter esp. for a radio or television program
  6. the story and dialogue of a comic strip
  7. the property of being mathematically continuous

con·tin·uo [kən-'tin-yə-,wō, -'ti-nə-] -n

  1. 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

  1. marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence
  2. 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

  1. 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
  2. the set of real numbers including both the rationals and the irrationals
  3. 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

  1. to twist in a violent manner
    • features contort ed with fury
  2. to twist into or as if into a strained shape or expression

con·tor·tion·ist [kən-'tȯr-sh(ə-)nist] -n, adj

  1. one who contorts
  2. an acrobat able to twist the body into unusual postures

con·tour ['kän-,tu̇r] -n

  1. an outline esp. of a curving or irregular figure : shape
  2. the line representing this outline
  3. the general form or structure of something : characteristic often used in pl.
    • contour s of a melody
    • to delineate the tortured psychological contour s of the tribal past -- B. J. Phillips
  4. a usu. meaningful change in intonation in speech

contour -adj

  1. following contour lines or forming furrows or ridges along them
    • contour flooding
    • contour farming
  2. made to fit the contour of something
    • a contour couch
    • contour sheets
  3. to shape the contour of
  4. to shape so as to fit contours
  5. to construct (as a road) in conformity to a contour

contour feather -n

  1. one of the medium-sized feathers that form the general covering of a bird and determine the external contour

contour line -n

  1. a line (as on a map) connecting the points on a land surface that have the same elevation

contour map -n

  1. a map having contour lines

contr -abbr

  1. contract; contraction
  2. contralto
  3. contrary
  4. control; controller

con·tra ['kän-trə] -prep

  1. against used chiefly in the phrase pro and contra
  2. in opposition or contrast to
  3. a member of a guerrilla group opposed to the Sandinista government in Nicaragua in the 1980s

contra- -prefix

  1. against : contrary : contrasting
    • contra distinction
  2. pitched below normal bass
    • contra bassoon

con·tra·band ['kän-trə-,band] -n, adj

  1. illegal or prohibited traffic in goods : smuggling
  2. goods or merchandise whose importation, exportation, or possession is forbidden
  3. smuggled goods
  4. a slave who during the American Civil War escaped to or was brought within the Union lines

con·tra·band·ist [-,ban-dist] -n

  1. smuggler

con·tra·bass ['kän-trə-,bās] -n

  1. double bass

contrabass -adj

  1. pitched lower than a bass instrument of the same type
    • a contrabass clarinet

con·tra·bas·soon [,kän-trə-bə-'sün, -ba-] -n

  1. 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

  1. deliberate prevention of conception or impregnation

con·tract ['kän-,trakt] -n

  1. a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties
  2. one legally enforceable
  3. a business arrangement for the supply of goods or services at a fixed price
    • make parts on contract
  4. the act of marriage or an agreement to marry
  5. a document describing the terms of a contract
  6. the final bid to win a specified number of tricks in bridge
  7. an order or arrangement for a hired assassin to kill someone
    • his enemies put out a contract on him
  8. to bring on oneself esp. inadvertently : incur
    • contract ing debts
  9. to become affected with
    • contract pneumonia
  10. to establish or undertake by contract
    • contract a job
  11. betroth
  12. to establish (a marriage) formally
  13. to hire by contract
    • contract a lawyer
  14. to purchase (as goods or services) on a contract basis often used with out
  15. limit, restrict
    • contract the scope of their activities
  16. knit, wrinkle
    • frown contract ed his brow
  17. to draw together : concentrate
  18. to reduce to smaller size by or as if by squeezing or forcing together
    • contract a muscle
  19. to shorten (as a word) by omitting one or more sounds or letters
  20. to make a contract
  21. to draw together so as to become diminished in size
    • metal contract s on cooling
  22. to become less in compass, duration, or length
    • muscle contract s in tetanus

contract -adj

  1. hired to execute a contract
    • a contract worker
    • a contract killer

contract bridge ['kän-,trakt-] -n

  1. 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

  1. having or concerned with the power or property of contracting
    • contractile proteins of muscle fibrils

contractile vacuole -n

  1. a vacuole in a unicellular organism that contracts regularly to discharge fluid from the body

con·trac·tion [kən-'trak-shən] -n, adj

  1. the action or process of contracting : the state of being contracted
  2. the shortening and thickening of a functioning muscle or muscle fiber
  3. a reduction in business activity or growth
  4. a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by omission of a sound or letter
  5. a form produced by such shortening

con·trac·tor [1 usu 'kän-,trak-tər, 2 usu kən-'] -n

  1. : one that contracts or is party to a contract: as
  2. one that contracts to perform work or provide supplies
  3. one that contracts to erect buildings
  4. something (as a muscle) that contracts or shortens

con·trac·tu·al [kən-'trak-chə-wəl, -chəl, -shwəl, -chü-əl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a contract

con·trac·ture [kən-'trak-chər] -n

  1. a permanent shortening (as of muscle, tendon, or scar tissue) producing deformity or distortion

contra dance ['kän-trə-,dan(t)s] -n

  1. a folk dance in which couples face each other in two lines or a square
  2. a piece of music for a contra dance

con·tra·dict [,kän-trə-'dikt] -vt, adj, n

  1. to assert the contrary of : take issue with
    • contradict a rumor
  2. to imply the opposite or a denial of
    • your actions contradict your words

con·tra·dic·tion [,kän-trə-'dik-shən] -n

  1. act or an instance of contradicting
  2. a proposition, statement, or phrase that asserts or implies both the truth and falsity of something
  3. a statement or phrase whose parts contradict each other
    • a round square is a contradiction in terms
  4. logical incongruity
  5. a situation in which inherent factors, actions, or propositions are inconsistent or contrary to one another

con·tra·dic·tious [-shəs] -adj

  1. contradictory, opposite
  2. given to or marked by contradiction : contrary

con·tra·dic·to·ry [,kän-trə-'dik-t(ə-)rē] -n

  1. 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

  1. involving, causing, or constituting a contradiction
    • contradictory statements

con·tra·dis·tinc·tion [,kän-trə-dis-'tiŋ(k)-shən] -n, adj, adv

  1. distinction by means of contrast
    • painting in contradistinction to sculpture

con·tra·dis·tin·guish [-'tiŋ-gwish] -vt

  1. to distinguish by contrasting qualities

con·trail ['kän-,trāl] -n

  1. 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

  1. to make (a treatment or procedure) inadvisable

con·tra·in·di·ca·tion [-,in-də-'kā-shən] -n

  1. something (as a symptom or condition) that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable

con·tra·lat·er·al [-'la-t(ə-)rəl] -adj

  1. occurring on or acting in conjunction with a part on the opposite side of the body

con·tral·to [kən-'tral-(,)tō] -n

  1. a singing voice having a range between tenor and mezzo-soprano
  2. a person having this voice
  3. the part sung by a contralto

con·tra·po·si·tion [-pə-'zi-shən] -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. device, gadget

con·tra·pun·tal [,kän-trə-'pən-tᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. polyphonic
  2. of, relating to, or marked by counterpoint

con·tra·pun·tist [-'pən-tist] -n

  1. one who writes counterpoint

con·trar·i·an [kən-'trer-ē-ən, kän-] -n, adj

  1. a person who takes a contrary position or attitude
  2. 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

  1. the quality or state of being contrary
  2. something contrary

con·trar·i·ous [kən-'trer-ē-əs, kän-] -adj

  1. perverse, antagonistic

con·trari·wise ['kän-,trer-ē-,wīz, kən-'] -adv

  1. on the contrary
  2. vice versa
  3. in a contrary manner

con·trary ['kän-,trer-ē, -,tre-rē] -n

  1. a fact or condition incompatible with another : opposite usu. used with the
  2. one of a pair of opposites
  3. a proposition so related to another that though both may be false they cannot both be true
  4. either of two terms (as goodand evil) that cannot both be affirmed of the same subject
  5. being so different as to be at opposite extremes : opposite
    • come to the contrary conclusion
    • went off in contrary directions
  6. being opposite to or in conflict with each other
    • contrary viewpoints
  7. being not in conformity with what is usual or expected
    • actions contrary to company policy
    • contrary evidence
  8. unfavorable used of wind or weather
  9. temperamentally unwilling to accept control or advice

contrary [same as ²] -adv

  1. contrariwise, contrarily

contrary to -prep

  1. in conflict with : despite
    • contrary to orders, he set out alone

con·trast [kən-'trast, 'kän-,] -vb, adj, adv

  1. 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
  2. to form a contrast
  3. juxtaposition of dissimilar elements (as color, tone, or emotion) in a work of art
  4. degree of difference between the lightest and darkest parts of a picture
  5. the difference or degree of difference between things having similar or comparable natures
    • the contrast between the two forms of government
  6. 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.
  7. a person or thing that exhibits differences when compared with another

con·tras·tive [kən-'tras-tiv, 'kän-,] -adj, adv

  1. forming or consisting of a contrast

con·trasty ['kän-,tras-tē] -adj

  1. having or producing in photography great contrast between highlights and shadows
    • a contrasty image

con·tra·vene [,kän-trə-'vēn] -vt, n

  1. to go or act contrary to : violate
    • contravene a law
  2. to oppose in argument : contradict
    • contravene a proposition

con·tra·ven·tion [,kän-trə-'ven(t)-shən] -n

  1. the act of contravening : violation

contredanse ['kän-trə-,dan(t)s] -n

(variant of contra dance)

  1. a folk dance in which couples face each other in two lines or a square
  2. a piece of music for a contra dance

con·tre·temps ['kän-trə-,täⁿ, kōⁿ-trə-täⁿ] -n

  1. an inopportune or embarrassing occurrence or situation
  2. dispute, argument

contrib -abbr

  1. 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

  1. to give or supply in common with others
    • contribute money to a cause
  2. to supply (as an article) for a publication
  3. to give a part to a common fund or store
    • contribute to a fund-raising campaign
  4. to play a significant part in bringing about an end or result
    • many players have contributed to the team's success
  5. to submit articles to a publication

con·tri·bu·tion [,kän-trə-'byü-shən] -n, adj, adv

  1. a payment (as a levy or tax) imposed by military, civil, or ecclesiastical authorities usu. for a special or extraordinary purpose
  2. the act of contributing
  3. the thing contributed

con·trib·u·to·ry [kən-'tri-byə-,tȯr-ē] -adj

  1. subject to a levy of supplies, money, or men
  2. contributing to a common fund or enterprise
  3. of, relating to, or forming a contribution

con·trite ['kän-,trīt, kən-'] -adj, adv, n

  1. feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming
    • a contrite criminal
    • a contrite apology
    • contrite sighs

con·tri·tion [kən-'tri-shən] -n

  1. the state of being contrite : repentance

con·triv·ance [kən-'trī-vən(t)s] -n

  1. a thing contrived
  2. a mechanical device
  3. an artificial arrangement or development
  4. the act or faculty of contriving : the state of being contrived

con·trive [kən-'trīv] -vb, n

  1. devise, plan
    • contrive ways of handling the situation
  2. to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner
    • contrived household utensils from stone
  3. to bring about by stratagem or with difficulty : manage
    • he contrived to win their support
  4. to make schemes

contrived -adj

  1. artificial, labored
    • a contrived plot

con·trol [kən-'trōl] -vb, n, adj

  1. to check, test, or verify by evidence or experiments
  2. to incorporate suitable controls in
    • a controlled experiment
  3. to exercise restraining or directing influence over : regulate
  4. to have power over : rule
  5. to reduce the incidence or severity of esp. to innocuous levels
    • control an insect population
    • control a disease
  6. to incorporate controls in an experiment or study used with for
    • control for socioeconomic differences

control -n

  1. an act or instance of controlling
  2. power or authority to guide or manage
  3. skill in the use of a tool, instrument, technique, or artistic medium
  4. the regulation of economic activity esp. by government directive usu. used in pl.
    • price control s
  5. the ability of a baseball pitcher to control the location of a pitch within the strike zone
  6. restraint, reserve
  7. : one that controls: as
  8. 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
  9. one (as an organism, culture, or group) that is part of a control
  10. a device or mechanism used to regulate or guide the operation of a machine, apparatus, or system
  11. an organization that directs a spaceflight
    • mission control
  12. a personality or spirit believed to actuate the utterances or performances of a spiritualist medium

control freak -n

  1. a person whose behavior indicates a powerful need to control people or circumstances in everyday matters

con·trolled [kən-'trōld] -adj

  1. restrained
  2. regulated by law with regard to possession and use
    • controlled drugs

con·trol·ler [kən-'trō-lər, 'kän-,] -n

  1. comptroller
  2. comptroller
  3. the chief accounting officer of a business enterprise or an institution (as a college)
  4. one that controls or has power or authority to control
    • air traffic controller
  5. control

controlling -adj

  1. inclined to control others' behavior : domineering

controlling interest -n

  1. sufficient stock ownership in a corporation to exert control over policy

control surface -n

  1. 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

  1. of, relating to, or arousing controversy
    • a controversial policy
    • a controversial film
  2. given to controversy : disputatious
    • a controversial temperament

con·tro·ver·sy ['kän-trə-,vər-sē, Brit also kən-'trä-vər-sē] -n

  1. a discussion marked esp. by the expression of opposing views : dispute
  2. quarrel, strife

con·tro·vert ['kän-trə-,vərt, ,kän-trə-'] -vb, n, adj

  1. to dispute or oppose by reasoning
    • controvert a point in a discussion
  2. to engage in controversy

con·tu·ma·cious [,kän-tü-'mā-shəs, -tyü-', -chə-'] -adj, adv

  1. stubbornly disobedient : rebellious

con·tu·ma·cy [kən-'tü-mə-sē, -'tyü-; 'kän-tü-, -tyü-, -chə-] -n

  1. stubborn resistance to authority
  2. willful contempt of court

con·tu·me·li·ous [,kän-tü-'mē-lē-əs, -tyü-', -chə-'] -adj, adv

  1. 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

  1. harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt
  2. an instance of such language or treatment

con·tu·sion [kən-'tü-zhən, -'tyü-] -n, vt

  1. injury to tissue usu. without laceration : bruise

co·nun·drum [kə-'nən-drəm] -n

  1. a riddle whose answer is or involves a pun
  2. a question or problem having only a conjectural answer
  3. an intricate and difficult problem

con·ur·ba·tion [,kä-(,)nər-'bā-shən] -n

  1. an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities

co·nus ar·te·ri·o·sus ['kō-nəs-är-,tir-ē-'ō-səs] -n

  1. a conical prolongation of the right ventricle in mammals from which the pulmonary arteries emerge called also conus
  2. 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

  1. convention; conventional
  2. convertible
  3. convocation

con·va·lesce [,kän-və-'les] -vi, n, adj or n

  1. to recover health and strength gradually after sickness or weakness

con·vect [kən-'vekt] -vb, adj

  1. to transfer heat by convection
  2. to circulate (as air) by convection

con·vec·tion [kən-'vek-shən] -n, adj

  1. the action or process of conveying
  2. the circulatory motion that occurs in a fluid at a nonuniform temperature owing to the variation of its density and the action of gravity
  3. the transfer of heat by convection

convection oven -n

  1. an oven having a fan that circulates hot air uniformly and continuously around food

con·vec·tor [-'vek-tər] -n

  1. 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

  1. to come together in a body
  2. to summon before a tribunal
  3. to cause to assemble

con·ve·nience [kən-'vēn-yən(t)s] -n

  1. fitness or suitability for performing an action or fulfilling a requirement
  2. something (as an appliance, device, or service) conducive to comfort or ease
  3. toilet
  4. a suitable or convenient time
    • at your convenience
  5. freedom from discomfort : ease

convenience -adj

  1. designed for quick and easy preparation or use
    • convenience foods

convenience store -n

  1. a small often franchised market that is open long hours

con·ve·nien·cy [-yən(t)-sē] -n

  1. convenience

con·ve·nient [kən-'vēn-yənt] -adj, adv

  1. suitable, proper
  2. suited to personal comfort or to easy performance
    • meeting at a convenient time
  3. suited to a particular situation
    • a convenient excuse
  4. affording accommodation or advantage
    • found it convenient to deal with both problems at the same time
  5. being near at hand : close
    • a location convenient to the train station

con·vent ['kän-vənt, -,vent] -n

  1. a local community or house of a religious order or congregation
  2. an establishment of nuns
  3. convene

con·ven·ti·cle [kən-'ven-ti-kəl] -n

  1. assembly, meeting
  2. an assembly of an irregular or unlawful character
  3. an assembly for religious worship
  4. a secret meeting for worship not sanctioned by law
  5. meetinghouse

con·ven·tion [kən-'ven(t)-shən] -n

  1. agreement, contract
  2. an agreement between states for regulation of matters affecting all of them
  3. a compact between opposing commanders esp. concerning prisoner exchange or armistice
  4. a general agreement about basic principles or procedures
  5. a principle or procedure accepted as true or correct by convention
  6. the summoning or convening of an assembly
  7. an assembly of persons met for a common purpose
  8. a meeting of the delegates of a political party for the purpose of formulating a platform and selecting candidates for office
  9. the usu. state or national organization of a religious denomination
  10. usage or custom esp. in social matters
  11. a rule of conduct or behavior
  12. a practice in bidding or playing that conveys information between partners in a card game (as bridge)
  13. 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

  1. formed by agreement or compact
  2. according with, sanctioned by, or based on convention
  3. lacking originality or individuality : trite
  4. ordinary, commonplace
  5. nonnuclear
    • conventional warfare
  6. according with a mode of artistic representation that simplifies or provides symbols or substitutes for natural forms
  7. of traditional design
  8. of, resembling, or relating to a convention, assembly, or public meeting

con·ven·tion·al·i·ty [-,ven(t)-shə-'na-lə-tē] -n

  1. a conventional usage, practice, or thing
  2. the quality or state of being conventional
  3. adherence to conventions

conventional wisdom -n

  1. the generally accepted belief, opinion, judgment, or prediction about a particular matter

con·ven·tion·eer [kən-,ven(t)-shə-'nir] -n

  1. a person attending a convention

con·ven·tu·al [kən-'ven-chə-wəl, -chü-əl, kän-, -'vench-wəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or befitting a convent or monastic life : monastic
  2. of or relating to the Conventuals

conventual -n

  1. 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
  2. a member of a conventual community

con·verge [kən-'vərj] -vb

  1. to tend or move toward one point or one another : come together : meet
    • converging paths
  2. to come together and unite in a common interest or focus
  3. to approach a limit as the number of terms increases without limit
    • the series converge s
  4. to cause to converge

con·ver·gence [kən-'vər-jən(t)s] -n

  1. the act of converging and esp. moving toward union or uniformity
  2. coordinated movement of the two eyes so that the image of a single point is formed on corresponding retinal areas
  3. the state or property of being convergent
  4. independent development of similar characters (as of bodily structure of unrelated organisms or cultural traits) often associated with similarity of habits or environment
  5. the merging of distinct technologies, industries, or devices into a unified whole

con·ver·gen·cy [-jən(t)-sē] -n

  1. convergence

con·ver·gent [-jənt] -adj

  1. tending to move toward one point or to approach each other : converging
    • convergent lines
  2. exhibiting convergence in form, function, or development
    • convergent evolution
  3. having a value that is a real number
  4. characterized by having the nth term or the sum of the first nterms approach a finite limit
    • a convergent sequence
    • a convergent series

converging lens -n

  1. a lens that causes parallel rays (as of light) to come to a focus

con·vers·able [kən-'vər-sə-bəl] -adj

  1. relating to or suitable for social interaction
  2. pleasant and easy to converse with

con·ver·sance [kən-'vər-sᵊn(t)s also 'kän-vər-sən(t)s] -n

  1. the quality or state of being conversant

con·ver·san·cy [-sᵊn(t)-sē, -sən(t)-] -n

  1. conversance

con·ver·sant [kən-'vər-sᵊnt also 'kän-vər-sənt] -adj

  1. having frequent or familiar association
  2. concerned, occupied
  3. having knowledge or experience used with with

con·ver·sate ['kän-vər-,sāt] -vi

  1. converse

con·ver·sa·tion [,kän-vər-'sā-shən] -n, adj, adv

  1. conduct, behavior
  2. oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas
  3. an instance of such exchange : talk
    • a quiet conversation
  4. an informal discussion of an issue by representatives of governments, institutions, or groups
  5. an exchange similar to conversation

con·ver·sa·tion·al·ist [-shnə-list, -shə-nᵊl-ist] -n

  1. one who converses a great deal or who excels in conversation

conversation piece -n

  1. a painting of a group of persons in their customary surroundings
  2. something (as a novel or unusual object) that stimulates conversation

con·ver·sa·zi·o·ne [,kän-vər-,sät-sē-'ō-nē, ,kōn-] -n

  1. a meeting for conversation esp. about art, literature, or science

con·verse ['kän-,vərs] -n

  1. social interaction
  2. conversation
  3. to have acquaintance or familiarity
  4. to become occupied or engaged
  5. to exchange thoughts and opinions in speech : talk
  6. to carry on an exchange similar to a conversation (as with a computer)
  7. : something reversed in order, relation, or action: as
  8. a theorem formed by interchanging the hypothesis and conclusion of a given theorem
  9. 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
  10. reversed in order, relation, or action
  11. being a logical or mathematical converse
    • the converse theorem

con·ver·sion [kən-'vər-zhən, -shən] -n, adj

  1. the act of converting : the process of being converted
  2. an experience associated with the definite and decisive adoption of a religion
  3. the operation of finding a converse in logic or mathematics
  4. reduction of a mathematical expression by clearing of fractions
  5. a successful attempt for a point or points esp. after a touchdown or for a first down
    • a 2-point conversion
    • a third-down conversion
  6. something converted from one use to another
  7. gene conversion

conversion disorder -n

  1. 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

  1. a Jew who publicly recanted the Jewish faith and adopted Christianity under the pressure of the Spanish Inquisition

con·vert [kən-'vərt] -vb

  1. to bring over from one belief, view, or party to another
  2. to bring about a religious conversion in
  3. to alter the physical or chemical nature or properties of esp. in manufacturing
  4. to change from one form or function to another
  5. to alter for more effective utilization
  6. to appropriate without right
  7. to exchange for an equivalent
    • convert foreign currency into dollars
    • convert a bond
  8. turn
  9. to subject to logical conversion
  10. to make a goal after receiving (a pass) from a teammate
  11. to score on (as a try for point or free throw)
  12. to make (a spare) in bowling
  13. to undergo conversion
  14. to succeed in an attempt for a point, field goal, or free throw
  15. one that is converted

con·vert·er [kən-'vər-tər] -n

  1. : one that converts: as
  2. the furnace used in the Bessemer process
  3. a device employing mechanical rotation for changing electrical energy from one form to another (as from direct current to alternating current or vice versa)
  4. a radio device for converting one frequency to another
  5. a device for adapting a television or radio receiver to receive channels or frequencies for which it was not orig. designed
    • a cable converter
    • FM converter
  6. a device that accepts data in one form and converts it to another
    • analog-digital converter
  7. catalytic converter

con·vert·ible [kən-'vər-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. capable of being converted
    • a bond convertible to 12 shares of common stock
  2. having a top that may be lowered or removed
    • convertible coupe

convertible -n

  1. something convertible
  2. a convertible automobile

con·verti·plane [kən-'vər-tə-,plān] -n

  1. 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

  1. curved or rounded outward like the exterior of a sphere or circle
  2. 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
  3. containing all points in a line joining any two constituent points
  4. comprising a convex set when combined with its interior
    • a convex polygon

con·vex·i·ty [kən-'vek-sət-ē, kän-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being convex
  2. a convex surface or part

con·vexocon·cave [kən-,vek-(,)sō-kän-'kāv, kän-,vek-, -'kän-,kāv] -adj

  1. concavo-convex
  2. having the convex side of greater curvature than the concave

con·vey [kən-'vā] -vt

  1. lead, conduct
  2. to bear from one place to another
  3. to move in a continuous stream or mass
  4. to impart or communicate by statement, suggestion, gesture, or appearance
    • struggling to convey his feelings
  5. steal
  6. to carry away secretly
  7. to transfer or deliver (as property) to another esp. by a sealed writing
  8. to cause to pass from one place or person to another
    • convey a message

con·vey·ance [kən-'vā-ən(t)s] -n

  1. the action of conveying
  2. : a means or way of conveying: as
  3. an instrument by which title to property is conveyed
  4. a means of transport : vehicle

con·vey·anc·er [-ən(t)-sər] -n

  1. one whose business is conveyancing

con·vey·anc·ing [-ən(t)-siŋ] -n

  1. the act or business of drawing deeds, leases, or other writings for transferring the title to property

con·vey·or [kən-'vā-ər] -n

  1. : one that conveys: as
  2. a person who transfers property
  3. 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)

  1. to equip with a conveyor

con·vey·or·ize [-ə-,rīz] -vt, n

  1. to equip with a conveyor

con·vict [kən-'vikt] -adj

  1. having been convicted
  2. to find or prove to be guilty
  3. to convince of error or sinfulness
  4. to find a defendant guilty
  5. a person convicted of and under sentence for a crime
  6. a person serving a usu. long prison sentence

con·vic·tion [kən-'vik-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of convicting of a crime esp. in a court of law
  2. the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth
  3. the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth
  4. a strong persuasion or belief
  5. the state of being convinced

con·vince [kən-'vin(t)s] -vt, n

  1. to overcome by argument
  2. overpower, overcome
  3. demonstrate, prove
  4. 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

  1. satisfying or assuring by argument or proof
    • a convincing test of a new product
  2. having power to convince of the truth, rightness, or reality of something : plausible
    • told a convincing story

con·viv·ial [kən-'viv-yəl, -'vi-vē-əl] -adj, n, adv

  1. relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company
    • a convivial host
    • a convivial gathering

con·vo·ca·tion [,kän-və-'kā-shən] -n, adj

  1. an assembly of persons convoked
  2. an assembly of bishops and representative clergy of the Church of England
  3. a consultative assembly of clergy and lay delegates from one part of an Episcopal diocese
  4. a territorial division of an Episcopal diocese
  5. a ceremonial assembly of members of a college or university
  6. the act or process of convoking

con·voke [kən-'vōk] -vt

  1. to call together to a meeting

con·vo·lute ['kän-və-,lüt] -vb

  1. twist, coil

con·vo·lut·ed [-,lü-təd] -adj

  1. having convolutions
  2. involved, intricate
    • a convoluted argument

convoluted tubule -n

  1. : all or part of the coiled sections of a nephron:
  2. proximal convoluted tubule
  3. distal convoluted tubule

con·vo·lu·tion [,kän-və-'lü-shən] -n

  1. a form or shape that is folded in curved or tortuous windings
  2. one of the irregular ridges on the surface of the brain and esp. of the cerebrum of higher mammals
  3. a complication or intricacy of form, design, or structure

con·volve [kən-'välv, -'vȯlv also -'väv or -'vȯv] -vb

  1. to roll together : writhe
  2. to roll together or circulate involvedly

con·vol·vu·lus [kən-'väl-vyə-ləs, -'vȯl- also -'väv-yə- or -'vȯv-yə-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Convolvulus) of erect, trailing, or twining herbs and shrubs of the morning-glory family

con·voy ['kän-,vȯi, kən-'] -vt

  1. accompany
  2. to escort for protection
  3. one that convoys
  4. a protective escort (as for ships)
  5. the act of convoying
  6. a group convoyed or organized for convenience or protection in moving

con·vul·sant [kən-'vəl-sənt] -adj, n

  1. causing convulsions : convulsive

con·vulse [kən-'vəls] -vb

  1. to shake or agitate violently
  2. to shake with or as if with irregular spasms
    • was convulsed with laughter
  3. to become affected with convulsions

con·vul·sion [kən-'vəl-shən] -n, adj

  1. an abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles
  2. a violent disturbance
  3. an uncontrolled fit : paroxysm

con·vul·sive [kən-'vəl-siv] -adj, adv, n

  1. constituting or producing a convulsion
  2. caused by or affected with convulsions
  3. resembling a convulsion in being violent, sudden, frantic, or spasmodic
    • convulsive laughter

cony ['kō-nē, 1 also 'kə-nē] -n

(variant of coney)

  1. rabbit fur
  2. rabbit
  3. the European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus)
  4. pika
  5. hyrax
  6. dupe
  7. any of several fishes
  8. a dusky black-spotted reddish-finned grouper ( Epinephelus fulvussyn. Cephalopholis fulva) of the tropical Atlantic

coo ['kü] -vi, n

  1. to make the low soft cry of a dove or pigeon or a similar sound
  2. to talk fondly, amorously, or appreciatively
    • the family coo ed over the baby pictures

COO -abbr

  1. chief operating officer

cook ['ku̇k] -n

  1. a person who prepares food for eating
  2. a technical or industrial process comparable to cooking food
  3. a substance so processed
  4. to prepare food for eating esp. by means of heat
    • French cook ing
  5. to undergo the action of being cooked
    • the rice is cook ing now
  6. occur, happen
    • find out what was cook ing in the committee
  7. to perform, do, or proceed well
    • the jazz quartet was cook ing along
    • the party cook ed right through the night
  8. concoct, fabricate usu. used with up
    • cook ed up a scheme
  9. to prepare for eating by a heating process
  10. falsify, doctor
    • cook ed the books with phony spending cuts and accounting gimmickry -- Colleen O'Connor
  11. to subject to the action of heat or fire

cook·book [-,bu̇k] -n

  1. a book of cooking directions and recipes
  2. a book of detailed instructions

cookbook -adj

  1. involving or using step-by-step procedures whose rationale is usu. not explained
    • a cookbook approach

cook cheese -n

  1. an unripened cheese made from curd that has been cooked to a soft consistency called also cooked cheese

cook·er ['ku̇-kər] -n

  1. : one that cooks: as
  2. a utensil, device, or apparatus for cooking
  3. a person who tends a cooking process : cook
  4. stove

cook·ery ['ku̇-k(ə-)rē] -n

  1. the art or practice of cooking
  2. an establishment for cooking

cookery book -n

  1. cookbook

cook·house ['ku̇k-,hau̇s] -n

  1. a building for cooking

cook·ie ['ku̇-kē] -n

  1. a small flat or slightly raised cake
  2. an attractive woman
    • a buxom French cookie who haunts the...colony's one night spot -- Newsweek
  3. person, guy
    • a tough cookie
  4. 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

  1. marked by lack of originality or distinction
    • cookiecutter shopping malls

cookie cutter -n

  1. a device used to cut rolled cookie dough into shapes before baking

cookie sheet -n

  1. a flat rectangle of metal with at least one rolled edge used esp. for the baking of cookies or biscuits

cooking -adj

  1. suitable for or used in cooking
    • cooking apples

cookoff ['ku̇k-,ȯf, -,äf] -n

  1. a cooking competition

cook off -vi

  1. to fire as a result of overheating

cook·out ['ku̇k-,au̇t] -n

  1. an outing at which a meal is cooked and served in the open
  2. the meal cooked

cook·shack [-,shak] -n

  1. a shack used for cooking

cook·shop [-,shäp] -n

  1. a shop providing cooked food

Cook's tour ['ku̇ks-] -n

  1. a rapid or cursory survey or review

cook·stove ['ku̇k-,stōv] -n

  1. a stove for cooking

cook·top ['ku̇k-,täp] -n

  1. the flat top of a range
  2. a built-in cabinet-top cooking apparatus containing usu. four heating units

cook·ware ['ku̇k-,wer] -n

  1. utensils used in cooking

cool ['kül] -adj, adv, n

  1. moderately cold : lacking in warmth
  2. marked by steady dispassionate calmness and self-control
    • a cool and calculating administrator -- Current Biog.
  3. lacking ardor or friendliness
    • a cool impersonal manner
  4. marked by restrained emotion and the frequent use of counterpoint
  5. free from tensions or violence
    • meeting with minority groups in an attempt to keep the city cool
  6. used as an intensive
    • a cool million dollars
  7. marked by deliberate effrontery or lack of due respect or discretion
    • a cool reply
  8. facilitating or suggesting relief from heat
    • a cool dress
  9. producing an impression of being cool
  10. of a hue in the range violet through blue to green
  11. relatively lacking in timbre or resonance
  12. very good : excellent
  13. all right
  14. fashionable, hip
    • not happy with the new shoes...because they were not cool -- Celestine Sibley
  15. to become cool : lose heat or warmth
    • placed the pie in the window to cool
    sometimes used with off or down
  16. to lose ardor or passion
    • his anger cool ed
  17. 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
  18. to moderate the heat, excitement, or force of : calm
    • cool ed her growing anger
  19. 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
  20. a cool time, place, or situation
    • the cool of the evening
  21. absence of excitement or emotional involvement : detachment
    • must surrender his fine cool and enter the closed crazy world of suicide -- Wilfrid Sheed
  22. poise, composure
    • press questions...seemed to rattle him and he lost his cool -- New Republic
  23. hipness
  24. in a casual and nonchalant manner
    • play it cool

cool·ant ['kü-lənt] -n

  1. a usu. fluid cooling agent

cool·down ['kül-,dau̇n] -n

  1. 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

  1. : one that cools: as
  2. a container for cooling liquids
  3. refrigerator
  4. lockup, jail
  5. a cell for violent or unmanageable prisoners
  6. an iced drink usu. with an alcoholic beverage as a base

Coo·ley's anemia ['kü-lēz-] -n

  1. 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

  1. not easily excited

coo·lie ['kü-lē] -n

  1. an unskilled laborer or porter usu. in or from the Far East hired for low or subsistence wages

coolie hat -n

  1. a conical-shaped usu. straw hat worn esp. to protect the head from the heat of the sun

cool·ingoff ['kü-liŋ-'ȯf] -adj

  1. designed to allow passions to cool or to permit negotiation between parties
    • a coolingoff period

cooling tower -n

  1. a structure over which circulated water is trickled to reduce its temperature by partial evaporation

coombe ['küm, 'kōm] -n

(variant of combe)

  1. a deep narrow valley
  2. a valley or basin on the flank of a hill

coon ['kün] -n

  1. raccoon
  2. black

coon·can ['kün-,kan] -n

  1. a game of rummy played with two packs including two jokers

coon cat -n

  1. maine coon

coon cheese ['kün-] -n

  1. 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

  1. a sporting dog trained to hunt raccoons
  2. black-and-tan coonhound

coon's age -n

  1. a long while
    • best fried chicken I've tasted for a coon's age -- Sinclair Lewis

coon·skin ['kün-,skin] -n

  1. the skin or pelt of the raccoon
  2. an article (as a cap or coat) made of coonskin

coon·tie ['kün-tē] -n

  1. any of several tropical American woody cycads (genus Zamia) whose roots and stems yield a starchy foodstuff called also arrowroot

coop ['küp, 'ku̇p] -n

  1. a cage or small enclosure (as for poultry)
  2. a small building for housing poultry
  3. a confined area
  4. jail
  5. to confine in a restricted and often crowded area usu. used with up
    • children coop ed up in the house all day
  6. to place or keep in a coop : pen often used with up
  7. cooperative

coo·per ['kü-pər, 'ku̇-] -n

  1. one that makes or repairs wooden casks or tubs

cooper ['kü-p(ə-)riŋ, 'ku̇-] -vb

  1. to work as a cooper on
  2. to work at or do coopering

coo·per·age ['kü-p(ə-)rij, 'ku̇-] -n

  1. a cooper's work or products
  2. a cooper's place of business

co·op·er·ate [kō-'ä-pə-,rāt] -vi, n

  1. to act or work with another or others : act together or in compliance
    • refused to cooperate with the police
  2. 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

  1. the action of cooperating : common effort
  2. association of persons for common benefit

co·op·er·a·tive [kō-'ä-p(ə-)rə-tiv, -'ä-pə-,rā-] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by cooperation
    • cooperative efforts
  2. marked by a willingness and ability to work with others
    • cooperative neighbors
  3. of, relating to, or organized as a cooperative
    • a cooperative store
  4. relating to or comprising a program of combined liberal arts and technical studies at different schools

cooperative -n

  1. an enterprise or organization owned by and operated for the benefit of those using its services

Coo·per's hawk ['kü-pərz-, 'ku̇-] -n

  1. 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

  1. to choose or elect as a member
  2. to appoint as a colleague or assistant
  3. 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
  4. take over, appropriate
    • a style coopt ed by advertisers

co·or·di·nate [kō-'ȯrd-nət; -'ȯr-də-nət, -də-,nāt] -adj, adv, n

  1. equal in rank, quality, or significance
  2. being of equal rank in a sentence
    • coordinate clauses
  3. relating to or marked by coordination
  4. being a university that awards degrees to men and women taught usu. by the same faculty but attending separate classes often on separate campuses
  5. being one of the colleges and esp. the women's branch of a coordinate university
  6. 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
  7. to put in the same order or rank
  8. to bring into a common action, movement, or condition : harmonize
    • we need to coordinate our schedules
  9. to attach so as to form a coordination complex
  10. to be or become coordinate esp. so as to act together in a smooth concerted way
  11. to combine by means of a coordinate bond
  12. any of a set of numbers used in specifying the location of a point on a line, on a surface, or in space
  13. any one of a set of variables used in specifying the state of a substance or the motion of a particle or momentum
  14. one who is of equal rank, authority, or importance with another
  15. 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

  1. 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

  1. able to use more than one set of muscle movements to a single end
    • a well- coordinated athlete

Coordinated Universal Time -n

  1. the international standard of time that is kept by atomic clocks around the world abbr. UTC

coordinate geometry -n

  1. analytic geometry

coordinating conjunction -n

  1. 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

  1. the act or action of coordinating
  2. the harmonious functioning of parts for effective results

coordination complex -n

  1. 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

  1. the number of attachments to the central atom in a coordination complex
  2. a number used in specifying the spatial arrangement of the constituent groups of crystals

coot ['küt] -n

  1. 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
  2. any of several No. American scoters
  3. a harmless simple person
  4. fellow

coo·ter ['kü-tər also 'ku̇-tə] -n

  1. any of several freshwater turtles (genus Pseudemyssyn. Chrysemys,esp. P. concinna) esp. of the southern and eastern U.S.

coo·tie ['kü-tē] -n

  1. body louse

cop ['käp] -n

  1. top, crest
  2. a cylindrical or conical mass of thread, yarn, or roving wound on a quill or tube
  3. a quill or tube upon which it is wound
  4. to get hold of : catch, capture
  5. purchase
  6. steal, swipe
  7. adopt
    • cop an attitude
  8. admit used with to
    • these small-timers would...cop to the smallest offense their attorney could negotiate -- Tom Clancy
  9. police officer
  10. copper
  11. copulative
  12. copy
  13. copyright

co·pa·cet·ic [,kō-pə-'se-tik] -adj

  1. very satisfactory

co·pai·ba [kō-'pī-bə, -'pā-] -n

  1. a stimulant oleoresin obtained from several pinnate-leaved So. American trees (genus Copaifera) of the legume family
  2. one of these trees

co·pal ['kō-pəl, -,pal; kō-'pal] -n

  1. a recent or fossil resin from various tropical trees

co·par·ce·nary [kō-'pär-sə-,ner-ē] -n

  1. joint heirship
  2. joint ownership

co·par·ce·ner [-'pärs-nər, -'pär-sə-nər] -n

  1. a joint heir

copay ['kō-'pā] -n

  1. co-payment

copay·ment ['kō-,pā-mənt, ,kō-'] -n

  1. 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

  1. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

cope ['kōp] -n

  1. a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestment
  2. something resembling a cope (as by concealing or covering)
    • the dark sky's starry cope -- P. B. Shelley
  3. coping
  4. to cover or furnish with a cope
  5. strike, fight
  6. to maintain a contest or combat usu. on even terms or with success used with with
  7. to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties often used with with
    • learning to cope with the demands of her schedule
  8. meet, encounter
  9. to meet in combat
  10. to come in contact with
  11. match
  12. to shape (a structural member) to fit a coping or conform to the shape of another member
  13. notch

copeck ['kō-,pek] -n

(variant of kopeck)

  1. see ruble at

co·pe·pod ['kō-pə-,päd] -n, adj

  1. any of a large subclass (Copepoda) of usu. minute freshwater and marine crustaceans

cop·er ['kō-pər] -n

  1. a horse dealer
  2. a dishonest one

Co·per·ni·can [kə-'pər-ni-kən, kō-] -adj, n

  1. 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
  2. of radical or major importance or degree
    • effected a Copernican revolution in philosophy -- Times Lit. Supp.

cope·stone ['kōp-,stōn] -n

  1. a stone forming a coping
  2. a finishing touch : crown

copi·er ['kä-pē-ər] -n

  1. one that copies
  2. a machine for making copies of graphic matter (as printing, drawings, or pictures)

co·pi·lot ['kō-,pī-lət] -n

  1. a qualified pilot who assists or relieves the pilot but is not in command

cop·ing ['kō-piŋ] -n

  1. the covering course of a wall usu. with a sloping top

cop·ing saw ['kō-piŋ-] -n

  1. 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

  1. copestone

co·pi·ous ['kō-pē-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. yielding something abundantly
    • a copious harvest
    • copious springs
  2. plentiful in number
    • copious references to other writers
  3. full of thought, information, or matter
  4. profuse or exuberant in words, expression, or style
    • a copious talker
  5. present in large quantity : taking place on a large scale
    • copious weeping
    • copious food and drink

co·pla·nar [(,)kō-'plā-nər, -,när] -adj, n

  1. lying or acting in the same plane

co·pol·y·mer [(,)kō-'pä-lə-mər] -n, adj

  1. a product of copolymerization

co·po·ly·mer·i·za·tion [,kō-pə-,li-mə-rə-'zā-shən, ,kō-,pä-lə-mə-] -n, vb

  1. the polymerization of two substances (as different monomers) together

copout ['käp-,au̇t] -n

  1. the act or an instance of copping out
  2. an excuse or means for copping out : pretext
  3. a person who cops out

cop out -vi

  1. to back out (as of an unwanted responsibility)
    • cop out on jury duty
  2. to avoid or neglect problems, responsibilities, or commitments
    • accused the mayor of copping out on the issue

cop·per ['kä-pər] -n

  1. a common reddish metallic element that is ductile and malleable and is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity
  2. a coin or token made of copper or bronze
  3. a large boiler (as for cooking)
  4. any of a subfamily (Lycaeninae of the family Lycaenidae) of small butterflies with usu. copper-colored wings

copper ['kä-p(ə-)riŋ] -vt

  1. to coat or sheathe with or as if with copper
  2. police officer

cop·per·as ['kä-p(ə-)rəs] -n

  1. ferrous sulfate

copper beech -n

  1. 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

  1. 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
  2. a person in the northern states who sympathized with the South during the American Civil War

cop·per·plate ['kä-pər-,plāt] -n

  1. an engraved or etched copper printing plate
  2. a print made from such a plate
  3. a neat script handwriting based on engraved models

copper pyrites -n

  1. chalcopyrite

cop·per·smith ['kä-pər-,smith] -n

  1. a worker in copper

copper sulfate -n

  1. a sulfate of copper
  2. 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

  1. resembling or suggesting copper
  2. having the reddish to brownish-orange color of copper

cop·pice ['kä-pəs] -n

  1. a thicket, grove, or growth of small trees
  2. forest originating mainly from shoots or root suckers rather than seed

coppice -vb

  1. to cut back so as to regrow in the form of a coppice
  2. to form a coppice
  3. to sprout freely from the base

copr- -comb form

  1. dung : feces
    • copro lite

co·pra ['kō-prə also 'kä-] -n

  1. dried coconut meat yielding coconut oil

co·pro·ces·sor [(,)kō-'prä-se-sər, -'prō-] -n

  1. an extra processor in a computer that is designed to perform specialized tasks (as mathematical calculations)

co·prod·uct [(,)kō-'prä-(,)dəkt] -n

  1. by-product

cop·ro·la·lia [,kä-prə-'lā-lē-ə] -n

  1. obsessive or uncontrollable use of obscene language

cop·ro·lite ['kä-prə-,līt] -n, adj

  1. fossilized excrement

co·proph·a·gous [kə-'prä-fə-gəs] -adj, n

  1. feeding on dung

cop·ro·phil·ia [,kä-prə-'fi-lē-ə] -n

  1. marked interest in excrement
  2. the use of feces or filth for sexual excitement

cop·roph·i·lous [kə-'prä-fə-ləs] -adj

  1. growing or living on dung
    • coprophilous fungi

copse ['käps] -n

  1. coppice

Copt ['käpt] -n

  1. a member of the traditional Monophysite Christian church originating and centering in Egypt
  2. a member of a people descended from the ancient Egyptians

cop·ter ['käp-tər] -n

  1. helicopter

Cop·tic ['käp-tik] -n

  1. an Afro-Asiatic language descended from ancient Egyptian and used as the liturgical language of the Coptic church

Coptic -adj

  1. of or relating to the Copts, their liturgical language, or their church

cop·u·la ['kä-pyə-lə] -n

  1. : something that connects: as
  2. the connecting link between subject and predicate of a proposition
  3. linking verb

cop·u·late ['kä-pyə-,lāt] -vi, n, adj

  1. to engage in sexual intercourse

cop·u·la·tive ['kä-pyə-lə-tiv, -,lā-] -adj

  1. joining together coordinate words or word groups and expressing addition of their meanings
    • a copulative conjunction
  2. functioning as a copula
  3. relating to or serving for copulation

copulative -n

  1. a copulative word

copy ['kä-pē] -n

  1. an imitation, transcript, or reproduction of an original work (as a letter, a painting, a table, or a dress)
  2. one of a series of esp. mechanical reproductions of an original impression
  3. an individual example of such a reproduction
  4. something to be imitated : model
  5. matter to be set esp. for printing
  6. something considered printable or newsworthy used without an article
    • remarks that make good copy -- Norman Cousins
  7. text esp. of an advertisement
  8. duplicate
    • a copy of a computer file
    • a copy of a gene
  9. to make a copy or duplicate of
    • copy a document
    • copy a computer file
  10. to model oneself on
  11. to make a copy
  12. to undergo copying
    • the map did not copy well

copy·book ['kä-pē-,bu̇k] -n

  1. a book formerly used in teaching penmanship and containing models for imitation

copy·boy [-,bȯi] -n

  1. one who carries copy and runs errands (as in a newspaper office)

copy·cat [-,kat] -n

  1. one who imitates or adopts the behavior or practices of another
  2. an imitative act or product
    • copycat board games

copycat -vb

  1. to act as a copycat
  2. imitate

copy·desk [-,desk] -n

  1. the desk at which newspaper copy is edited

copy editor ['kä-pē-,e-dət] -n, vt

  1. an editor who prepares copy for the typesetter
  2. one who edits and headlines newspaper copy

copy·hold ['kä-pē-,hōld] -n

  1. a former tenure of land in England and Ireland by right of being recorded in the court of the manor
  2. an estate held by copyhold

copy·hold·er [-,hōl-dər] -n

  1. one who reads copy for a proofreader
  2. a device for holding copy esp. for a typesetter

copy·ist ['kä-pē-ist] -n

  1. one who makes copies
  2. imitator

copy·read·er [-,rē-dər] -n, vt

  1. copy editor

copy·right [-,rīt] -n

  1. 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

  1. to secure a copyright on
  2. secured by copyright

copy·writ·er ['kä-pē-,rī-tər] -n

  1. a writer of advertising or publicity copy

coq au vin [,kōk-ō-'vaⁿ, ,käk-ō-] -n

  1. chicken cooked in usu. red wine

co·quet -n

  1. a man who indulges in coquetry
  2. coquette
  3. characteristic of a coquette : coquettish
  4. to play the coquette : flirt
  5. to deal with something playfully rather than seriously

co·que·try ['kō-kə-trē, kō-'ke-trē] -n

  1. a flirtatious act or attitude

co·quette [kō-'ket] -n, adj, adv

  1. a woman who endeavors without sincere affection to gain the attention and admiration of men

co·qui [kō-'kē] -n

  1. 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

  1. a soft whitish limestone formed of broken shells and corals cemented together and used for building
  2. 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

  1. an ancient Hebrew and Phoenician unit of measure of capacity
  2. corner
  3. coroner
  4. corpus
  5. corresponding

Cor -abbr

  1. Corinthians

cor·a·cle ['kȯr-ə-kəl, 'kär-] -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. the calcareous or horny skeletal deposit produced by anthozoan or rarely hydrozoan polyps
  2. a richly red precious coral secreted by a gorgonian (genus Corallium)
  3. a polyp or polyp colony together with its membranes and skeleton
  4. a piece of coral and esp. of red coral
  5. a bright reddish ovary (as of a lobster or scallop)
  6. a deep pink

cor·al·bells ['kȯr-əl-,belz, 'kär-] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. a coralline red alga
  2. a bryozoan or hydroid that resembles a coral

coralline -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling coral
  2. of, relating to, or being any of a family (Corallinaceae) of calcareous red algae

coral snake -n

  1. 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.
  2. any of several harmless snakes resembling the coral snakes

co·ran·to [kə-'ran-(,)tō] -n

  1. courante

cor·ban ['kȯr-,ban] -n

  1. a sacrifice or offering to God among the ancient Hebrews

cor·beil ['kȯr-bəl, kȯr-'bā] -n

  1. a sculptured basket of flowers or fruit as an architectural decoration

cor·bel ['kȯr-bəl] -n

  1. an architectural member that projects from within a wall and supports a weight
  2. one that is stepped upward and outward from a vertical surface

corbel -vt

  1. to furnish with or make into a corbel

corbeling -n

  1. corbel work
  2. the construction of a corbel

cor·bic·u·la [kȯr-'bi-kyə-lə] -n

  1. pollen basket

cor·bie ['kȯr-bē] -n

  1. carrion crow
  2. raven

cor·bi·na [kȯr-'bē-nə] -n

  1. a coastal marine croaker ( Menticirrhus undulatus) favored by surf casters along the California coast

cord ['kȯrd] -n

  1. a long slender flexible material usu. consisting of several strands (as of thread or yarn) woven or twisted together
  2. the hangman's rope
  3. a moral, spiritual, or emotional bond
  4. an anatomical structure (as a nerve or tendon) resembling a cord
  5. umbilical cord
  6. 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
  7. a unit of wood cut for fuel equal to a stack 4 x 4 x 8 feet or 128 cubic feet
  8. a rib like a cord on a textile
  9. a fabric made with such ribs or a garment made of such a fabric
  10. trousers made of such a fabric
  11. to furnish, bind, or connect with a cord
  12. to pile up (wood) in cords

cord·age ['kȯr-dij] -n

  1. ropes or cords
  2. the ropes in the rigging of a ship
  3. the number of cords (as of wood) on a given area

cor·date ['kȯr-,dāt] -adj, adv

  1. shaped like a heart
    • a cordate leaf

cord·ed ['kȯr-dəd] -adj

  1. made of or provided with cords or ridges
  2. muscled in ridges
  3. tense, taut
  4. bound, fastened, or wound about with cords
  5. striped or ribbed with or as if with cord : twilled
    • corded fabric
  6. equipped with an electrical cord
    • a corded phone

cord·grass ['kȯrd-,gras] -n

  1. 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

  1. of or relating to the heart : vital
  2. tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate
    • bottles full of excellent cordial waters -- Daniel Defoe
  3. sincerely or deeply felt
    • a cordial dislike for each other
  4. warmly and genially affable
    • cordial relations

cordial -n

  1. a stimulating medicine or drink
  2. liqueur

cor·dial·i·ty [,kȯr-jē-'a-lə-tē, kȯr-'ja- also kȯr-'dya-] -n

  1. sincere affection and kindness : cordial regard

cordia pulmonalia [,kȯr-,pu̇l-mə-'nä-lē, -,pəl-, -'na-] -n

(variant of cor pulmonale)

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. a system of mountain ranges often consisting of a number of more or less parallel chains

cord·ite ['kȯr-,dīt] -n

  1. 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

  1. having no cord
  2. powered by a battery
    • a cordless telephone

cor·don ['kȯr-dᵊn, -,dän] -n

  1. an ornamental cord or ribbon
  2. stringcourse
  3. a line of troops or of military posts enclosing an area to prevent passage
  4. a line of persons or objects around a person or place
    • a cordon of police
  5. an espalier esp. of a fruit tree trained as a single horizontal shoot or two diverging horizontal shoots in a single line

cordon -vt

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. of or relating to Cordoba and esp. Cordoba, Spain
  2. made of cordovan leather

cordovan -n

  1. a soft fine-grained colored leather
  2. dense nonporous leather tanned from the inner layer of horsehide

cor·du·roy ['kȯr-də-,rȯi] -n

  1. trousers of corduroy fabric
  2. a durable usu. cotton pile fabric with vertical ribs or wales
  3. logs laid side by side transversely to make a road surface

corduroy -vt

  1. to build (a road) of logs laid side by side transversely
  2. to build a corduroy road across

cord·wain ['kȯrd-,wān] -n

  1. cordovan leather

cord·wain·er [-,wā-nər] -n

  1. a worker in cordovan leather
  2. shoemaker

cord·wood ['kȯrd-,wu̇d] -n

  1. wood piled or sold in cords

core ['kȯr] -n

  1. : a central and often foundational part usu. distinct from the enveloping part by a difference in nature
    • the core of the city
    : as
  2. the usu. inedible central part of some fruits (as a pineapple)
  3. the papery or leathery carpels composing the ripened ovary in a pome fruit (as an apple)
  4. the portion of a foundry mold that shapes the interior of a hollow casting
  5. a vertical space (as for elevator shafts, stairways, or plumbing apparatus) in a multistory building
  6. a mass of iron serving to concentrate and intensify the magnetic field resulting from a current in a surrounding coil
  7. a tiny doughnut-shaped piece of magnetic material (as ferrite) used in computer memories
  8. a computer memory consisting of an array of cores strung on fine wires
  9. the internal memory of a computer
  10. the central part of a celestial body (as the earth or sun) usu. having different physical properties from the surrounding parts
  11. a nodule of stone (as flint or obsidian) from which flakes have been struck for making implements
  12. the conducting wire with its insulation in an electric cable
  13. 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
    • core curriculum
  14. the place in a nuclear reactor where fission occurs
  15. a basic, essential, or enduring part (as of an individual, a class, or an entity)
    • the staff had a core of experts
    • the core of her beliefs
  16. the essential meaning : gist
    • the core of the argument
  17. the inmost or most intimate part
    • honest to the core
  18. a part (as a thin cylinder of material) removed from the interior of a mass esp. to determine composition
  19. to remove a core from
    • core an apple
  20. a group of people

CORE -abbr

  1. Congress of Racial Equality

core city -n

  1. inner city

cored ['kȯrd] -adj

  1. having a core of a specified kind usu. used in combination
    • a balsa -cored deck

co·re·li·gion·ist [,kō-ri-'lij-nist, -'li-jə-] -n

  1. a person of the same religion

co·re·op·sis [,kȯr-ē-'äp-səs] -n

  1. 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

  1. a small molecule that activates a particular genetic repressor by combining with it

co·req·ui·site [kō-'re-kwə-zət] -n

  1. a formal course of study required to be taken simultaneously with another

co·re·spon·dent [,kō-ri-'spän-dənt] -n

  1. a person named as guilty of adultery with the defendant in a divorce suit

corf ['kȯrf] -n

  1. a basket, tub, or truck used in a mine

cor·gi ['kȯr-gē] -n

  1. welsh corgi

co·ri·a·ceous [,kȯr-ē-'ā-shəs] -adj

  1. resembling leather
    • coriaceous foliage

co·ri·an·der ['kȯr-ē-,an-dər, ,kȯr-ē-'] -n

  1. an Old World annual herb ( Coriandrum sativum) of the carrot family with aromatic fruits
  2. the ripened dried fruit of coriander used as a flavoring called also coriander seed

Co·rin·thi·an [kə-'rin(t)-thē-ən] -n

  1. a native or resident of Corinth, Greece
  2. a merry profligate man

Corinthian -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Corinth or Corinthians
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. the apparent deflection of a moving object that is the result of the Coriolis force

Coriolis force -n

  1. 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

  1. dermis

cork ['kȯrk] -n

  1. the elastic tough outer tissue of the cork oak that is used esp. for stoppers and insulation
  2. phellem
  3. a usu. cork stopper for a bottle or jug
  4. a fishing float
  5. to furnish or fit with cork or a cork
  6. to stop up with a cork
    • cork a bottle
  7. to blacken with burnt cork
    • cork ed faces

cork·age ['kȯr-kij] -n

  1. a charge (as by a restaurant) for opening a bottle of wine bought elsewhere

cork·board ['kȯrk-,bȯrd] -n

  1. a heat-insulating material made of compressed granulated cork
  2. a bulletin board made with this material

cork cambium -n

  1. phellogen

corked ['kȯrkt] -adj

  1. corky

cork·er ['kȯr-kər] -n

  1. one that corks containers (as bottles)
  2. one that is excellent or remarkable

cork·ing ['kȯr-kiŋ] -adj or adv

  1. extremely fine often used as an intensive esp. before good
    • had a corking good time

cork oak -n

  1. an oak ( Quercus suber) of southern Europe and northern Africa that is the source of the cork of commerce

cork·screw ['kȯrk-,skrü] -n

  1. a device for drawing corks from bottles that has a pointed spiral piece of metal turned by a handle

corkscrew -adj

  1. resembling a corkscrew : spiral
  2. wind
  3. to draw out with difficulty
  4. to twist into a spiral
  5. to move in a winding course

cork·wood ['kȯrk-,wu̇d] -n

  1. any of several trees having light or corky wood
  2. a small or shrubby tree ( Leitneria floridana) of the southeastern U.S. that has extremely light soft wood

corky ['kȯr-kē] -adj, n

  1. resembling cork
  2. having an unpleasant odor and taste (as from a tainted cork)
    • corky wine

corm ['kȯrm] -n

  1. 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

  1. a small or secondary corm produced by a larger corm

cor·mo·rant ['kȯrm-rənt, 'kȯr-mə-, 'kȯr-mə-,rant] -n

  1. 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
  2. a gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person

corn ['kȯrn] -n

  1. a small hard particle : grain
  2. a small hard seed
  3. 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)
  4. the kernels of sweet corn served as a vegetable while still soft and milky
  5. a plant that produces corn
  6. Indian corn
  7. corn whiskey
  8. something (as writing, music, or acting) that is corny
  9. the quality or state of being corny : corniness
  10. corn snow
  11. to form into grains : granulate
  12. to preserve or season with salt in grains
  13. to cure or preserve in brine containing preservatives and often seasonings
    • corn ed beef
  14. to feed with corn
    • corn the horses
  15. a local hardening and thickening of epidermis (as on a toe)

corn·ball ['kȯrn-,bȯl] -n

  1. an unsophisticated person
  2. something corny

cornball -adj

  1. corny
    • cornball humor

corn borer -n

  1. : any of several insects that bore in maize: as
  2. european corn borer
  3. southwestern corn borer

corn bread -n

  1. bread made with cornmeal

corn chip -n

  1. a piece of a dry crisp snack food prepared from a seasoned cornmeal batter

corn·cob ['kȯrn-,käb] -n

  1. the core on which the kernels of Indian corn are arranged
  2. an ear of Indian corn

corncob pipe -n

  1. a tobacco pipe with a bowl made of a corncob

corn cockle -n

  1. 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

  1. a Eurasian short-billed rail ( Crex crex) that frequents grain fields

corn·crib [-,krib] -n

  1. a crib for storing ears of Indian corn

corn dodger -n

  1. a cake of corn bread that is fried, baked, or boiled as a dumpling

corn dog -n

  1. a frankfurter dipped in cornmeal batter, fried, and served on a stick

cor·nea ['kȯr-nē-ə] -n, adj

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. any of various shrubs or trees (genus Cornus) of the dogwood family
  2. dogwood

cor·ne·lian [kȯr-'nēl-yən] -n

  1. carnelian

cor·ne·ous ['kȯr-nē-əs] -adj

  1. of a horny texture

cor·ner ['kȯr-nər] -n, adj

  1. the point where converging lines, edges, or sides meet : angle
  2. the place of intersection of two streets or roads
  3. a piece designed to form, mark, or protect a corner
  4. : 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
  5. the area of a playing field or court near the intersection of the sideline and the goal line or baseline
  6. either of the four angles of a boxing ring
  7. the area in which a boxer rests or is worked on by his seconds during periods between rounds
  8. a group of supporters, well-wishers, or adherents associated esp. with a contestant
  9. the side of home plate nearest to or farthest from a batter
    • a fast ball over the outside corner
  10. corner kick
  11. the outside of a football formation
  12. cornerback
  13. a private, secret, or remote place
    • a quiet corner of New England
    • to every corner of the earth
    • dark corner s of the mind
  14. a difficult or embarrassing situation : a position from which escape or retreat is difficult or impossible
    • was backed into a corner
  15. control or ownership of enough of the available supply of a commodity or security esp. to permit manipulation of the price
  16. a point at which significant change occurs often used in the phrase turn the corner

corner -adj

  1. situated at a corner
    • the corner drugstore
  2. used or fitted for use in or on a corner
    • a corner table
  3. to drive into a corner
    • the animal is dangerous when corner ed
  4. to catch and hold the attention of esp. to force an interview
  5. to get a corner on
    • corner the market
  6. to meet or converge at a corner or angle
  7. to turn a corner
    • the car corner s well

cor·ner·back ['kȯr-nər-,bak] -n

  1. a defensive halfback in football who defends the flank

corner kick -n

  1. 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

  1. : one who plays in or near the corner: as
  2. cornerback
  3. a basketball forward
  4. a boxer's second

cor·ner·stone [-,stōn] -n

  1. a stone forming a part of a corner or angle in a wall
  2. such a stone laid at a formal ceremony
  3. a basic element : foundation
    • a cornerstone of foreign policy

cor·ner·ways [-,wāz] -adv

  1. diagonally

cor·ner·wise [-,wīz] -adv

  1. diagonally

cor·net [kȯr-'net, Brit usu 'kȯr-nit] -n

  1. a valved brass instrument resembling a trumpet in design and range but having a shorter partly conical tube and less brilliant tone
  2. : something shaped like a cone: as
  3. a piece of paper twisted for use as a container
  4. a cone-shaped pastry shell that is often filled with whipped cream
  5. an ice-cream cone

cornet -n

  1. the standard of a cavalry troop
  2. the onetime fifth grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop who carried the standard
  3. the onetime lowest commissioned rank in the U.S. cavalry

cornfed ['kȯrn-,fed] -adj

  1. fed or fattened on grain (as corn)
    • cornfed hogs
  2. looking well-fed : plump
  3. rustically wholesome or corny
    • cornfed humor

corn·field [-,fēld] -n

  1. a field in which corn is grown

corn·flakes [-,flāks] -n pl

  1. toasted flakes made from the coarse meal of hulled corn for use as a breakfast cereal

corn flour -n

  1. cornstarch

corn·flow·er ['kȯrn-,flau̇(-ə)r] -n

  1. corn cockle
  2. bachelor's button

cornflower blue -n

  1. a moderate purplish blue

Corn·husk·er ['kȯrn-,həs-kər] -n

  1. a native or resident of Nebraska used as a nickname

corn·husk·ing [-,həs-kiŋ] -n

  1. a social gathering esp. of farm families to husk corn

cor·nice ['kȯr-nəs, -nish] -n

  1. the molded and projecting horizontal member that crowns an architectural composition
  2. a top course that crowns a wall
  3. a decorative band of metal or wood used to conceal curtain fixtures
  4. an overhanging mass of windblown snow or ice usu. on a ridge

cornice -vt

  1. to furnish or crown with a cornice

cor·niche [kȯr-'nēsh] -n

  1. a road built along a coast and esp. along the face of a cliff

cor·ni·chon [kȯr-nē-'shōⁿ] -n

  1. a sour gherkin usu. flavored with tarragon

cor·nic·u·late cartilage [kȯr-'ni-kyə-lət-] -n

  1. 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

  1. conversion into horn or a horny or keratinous substance or tissue

Cor·nish ['kȯr-nish] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Cornwall, Cornishmen, or Cornish

Cornish -n

  1. the Celtic language of Cornwall
  2. any of an English breed of domestic chickens much used in crossbreeding for meat production

Cor·nish·man [-mən] -n

  1. a native or resident of Cornwall, England

Cornish pasty -n

  1. a filled pastry containing cooked meat and vegetables

Cornish rex -n

  1. 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

  1. one of a series of laws in force in Great Britain before 1846 prohibiting or discouraging the importation of grain

corn leaf aphid -n

  1. 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

  1. meal ground from corn

corn oil -n

  1. 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

  1. down-home, countrified
    • cornpone humor

corn pone -n

  1. corn bread often made without milk or eggs and baked or fried

corn poppy -n

  1. an annual red-flowered Eurasian poppy ( Papaver rhoeas) common in fields and cultivated in several varieties

corn rootworm -n

  1. any of several chrysomelid beetles (genus Diabrotica) whose root-eating larvae are pests esp. of corn

corn·row ['kȯrn-,rō] -n, vb

  1. a section of hair which is braided usu. flat to the scalp
  2. a hairstyle in which the hair is divided into cornrow sections arranged in rows

corn salad -n

  1. any of several herbs (genus Valerianella) of the valerian family
  2. 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

  1. the silky styles on an ear of Indian corn

corn snow -n

  1. granular snow formed by alternate thawing and freezing

corn·stalk ['kȯrn-,stȯk] -n

  1. a stalk of Indian corn

corn·starch [-,stärch] -n

  1. 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

  1. dextrose

corn syrup -n

  1. a syrup containing dextrins, maltose, and dextrose that is obtained by partial hydrolysis of cornstarch

cor·nu ['kȯr-(,)nü, -(,)nyü] -n, adj

  1. a horn-shaped anatomical part (as of the uterus)

cor·nu·co·pia [,kȯr-nə-'kō-pē-ə, -nyə-'] -n, adj

  1. a curved goat's horn overflowing with fruit and ears of grain that is used as a decorative motif emblematic of abundance
  2. an inexhaustible store : abundance
  3. a receptacle shaped like a horn or cone

cor·nu·to [kȯr-'nü-(,)tō, -'nyü-] -n

  1. cuckold

corn whiskey -n

  1. whiskey distilled from a mash made up of not less than 80 percent corn

corny ['kȯr-nē] -adj, adv, n

  1. tasting strongly of malt
  2. of or relating to corn
  3. mawkishly old-fashioned : tiresomely simple and sentimental
    • told corny jokes
  4. relating to or having corns on the feet

cor·o·dy ['kȯr-ə-dē, 'kär-] -n

  1. an allowance of provisions for maintenance dispensed as a charity

co·rol·la [kə-'rä-lə, -'rō-] -n, adj

  1. 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

  1. a proposition inferred immediately from a proved proposition with little or no additional proof
  2. something that naturally follows : result
  3. something that incidentally or naturally accompanies or parallels

cor·o·man·del [,kȯr-ə-'man-dᵊl, ,kär-] -n

  1. calamander

coromandel screen -n

  1. a Chinese lacquered folding screen

co·ro·na [kə-'rō-nə] -n

  1. the projecting part of a classic cornice
  2. 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
  3. the tenuous outermost part of the atmosphere of a star (as the sun)
  4. a circle of light made by the apparent convergence of the streamers of the aurora borealis
  5. the upper portion of a bodily part (as a tooth or the skull)
  6. an appendage or series of united appendages on the inner side of the corolla in some flowers (as the daffodil, jonquil, or milkweed)
  7. a faint glow adjacent to the surface of an electrical conductor at high voltage
  8. 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

  1. a southern constellation adjoining Sagittarius on the south

Corona Bo·re·al·is [-,bȯr-ē-'a-ləs] -n

  1. a northern constellation between Hercules and Bootes

cor·o·nach ['kȯr-ə-nək̲, 'kär-] -n

  1. a funeral dirge sung or played on the bagpipes in Scotland and Ireland

co·ro·na·graph [kə-'rō-nə-,graf] -n

  1. a telescope for observation of the sun's corona

cor·o·nal ['kȯr-ə-nᵊl, 'kär-] -n

  1. a circlet for the head usu. implying rank or dignity

co·ro·nal ['kȯr-ə-nᵊl, 'kär-; kə-'rō-] -adj

  1. lying in the direction of the coronal suture
  2. of or relating to the frontal plane that passes through the long axis of the body
  3. of or relating to a corona or crown

coronal suture -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. of, relating to, resembling, or being a crown or coronal
  2. of, relating to, or being the coronary arteries or veins of the heart
  3. of or relating to the heart

coronary -n

  1. coronary artery
  2. coronary vein
  3. coronary thrombosis
  4. heart attack

coronary artery -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. the partial or complete blocking (as by a thrombus, by spasm, or by sclerosis) of a coronary artery

coronary sinus -n

  1. 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

  1. the blocking of a coronary artery of the heart by a thrombus

coronary vein -n

  1. 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

  1. crown

cor·o·na·tion [,kȯr-ə-'nā-shən, ,kär-] -n

  1. the act or occasion of crowning
  2. accession to the highest office

co·ro·na·vi·rus [kə-'rō-nə-,vī-rəs] -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. a small or lesser crown usu. signifying a rank below that of a sovereign
  2. a wreath or band for the head usu. for wear by women on formal occasions
  3. the lower part of a horse's pastern where the horn terminates in skin

co·ro·tate [(,)kō-'rō-,tāt] -vi, n

  1. to rotate in conjunction with or at the same rate as another rotating body

corp -abbr

  1. corporal
  2. corporation

corpora ['kȯr-pəs] -n

(variant of corpus)

  1. the body of a human or animal esp. when dead
  2. the main part or body of a bodily structure or organ
    • the corpus of the uterus
  3. the main body or corporeal substance of a thing
  4. the principal of a fund or estate as distinct from income or interest
  5. all the writings or works of a particular kind or on a particular subject
  6. the complete works of an author
  7. a collection or body of knowledge or evidence
  8. a collection of recorded utterances used as a basis for the descriptive analysis of a language

cor·po·ral ['kȯr-p(ə-)rəl] -n

  1. a linen cloth on which the eucharistic elements are placed

corporal [-p(ə-)rə-lē] -adj, adv

  1. corporeal, physical
  2. of, relating to, or affecting the body
    • corporal punishment
  3. 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

  1. the quality or state of being or having a body or a material or physical existence

corporal's guard -n

  1. the small detachment commanded by a corporal
  2. a small group

cor·po·rate ['kȯr-p(ə-)rət] -adj, adv

  1. formed into an association and endowed by law with the rights and liabilities of an individual : incorporated
  2. of or relating to a corporation
    • a plan to reorganize the corporate structure
  3. of, relating to, or being the large corporations of a country or region considered as a unit
    • the latest trend in corporate America
  4. having qualities (as commercialism or lack of originality) associated with large corporations or attributed to their influence or control
    • corporate rock music
    • corporate art
  5. of, relating to, or formed into a unified body of individuals
    • human law arises by the corporate action of a people -- G. H. Sabine
  6. corporative

cor·po·ratewide [-,wīd] -adj

  1. extending throughout or involving an entire corporation

cor·po·ra·tion [,kȯr-pə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. a group of merchants or traders united in a trade guild
  2. the municipal authorities of a town or city
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. potbelly

cor·po·rat·ism ['kȯr-p(ə-)rə-,ti-zəm] -n, adj

  1. 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

  1. of or relating to a corporation
  2. of or relating to corporatism
    • a corporative state

cor·po·ra·tiv·ism ['kȯr-pə-,rā-ti-,vi-zəm, -p(ə-)rə-] -n

  1. corporatism

cor·po·rat·ize ['kȯr-p(ə-)rə-,tīz] -vt, n

  1. to subject to corporate ownership or control
    • afraid that medicine was becoming corporatized

cor·po·ra·tor ['kȯr-pə-,rā-tər] -n

  1. a corporation organizer, member, or stockholder

cor·po·re·al [kȯr-'pȯr-ē-əl] -adj, adv, n

  1. : having, consisting of, or relating to a physical material body: as
  2. not spiritual
  3. not immaterial or intangible : substantial
  4. corporal

cor·po·re·al·i·ty [(,)kȯr-,pȯr-ē-'a-lə-tē] -n

  1. corporeal existence

cor·po·re·i·ty [,kȯr-pə-'rē-ə-tē, -'rā-] -n

  1. the quality or state of having or being a body : materiality

cor·po·sant ['kȯr-pə-,sant, -,zant] -n

  1. saint elmo's fire

corps ['kȯr] -n

  1. an organized subdivision of the military establishment
    • Marine Corps
    • Signal Corps
  2. a tactical unit usu. consisting of two or more divisions and auxiliary arms and services
  3. a group of persons associated together or acting under common direction
  4. a body of persons having a common activity or occupation
    • the press corps
  5. corps de ballet

corps de bal·let [,kȯr-də-(,)ba-'lā] -n

  1. the ensemble of a ballet company

corps d'elite [,kȯr-dā-'lēt] -n

  1. a body of picked troops
  2. a group of the best people in a category

corpse ['kȯrps] -n

  1. a human or animal body whether living or dead
  2. a dead body esp. of a human being
  3. the remains of something discarded or defunct
    • the corpse s of rusting cars

corps·man ['kȯr(z)-mən] -n

  1. an enlisted man trained to give first aid and minor medical treatment
  2. a member of a government-sponsored service corps

cor·pu·lence ['kȯr-pyə-lən(t)s] -n

  1. the state of being corpulent

cor·pu·len·cy [-lən(t)-sē] -n

  1. corpulence

cor·pu·lent [-lənt] -adj, adv

  1. having a large bulky body : obese

cor pul·mo·na·le [,kȯr-,pu̇l-mə-'nä-lē, -,pəl-, -'na-] -n

  1. 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

  1. the body of a human or animal esp. when dead
  2. the main part or body of a bodily structure or organ
    • the corpus of the uterus
  3. the main body or corporeal substance of a thing
  4. the principal of a fund or estate as distinct from income or interest
  5. all the writings or works of a particular kind or on a particular subject
  6. the complete works of an author
  7. a collection or body of knowledge or evidence
  8. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. the Thursday after Trinity observed as a Roman Catholic festival in honor of the Eucharist

cor·pus·cle ['kȯr-(,)pə-səl] -n, adj

  1. a minute particle
  2. a living cell
  3. one (as a red or white blood cell or a cell in cartilage or bone) not aggregated into continuous tissues
  4. any of various small circumscribed multicellular bodies

cor·pus de·lic·ti ['kȯr-pəs-di-'lik-,tī, -(,)tē] -n

  1. the substantial and fundamental fact necessary to prove the commission of a crime
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. correct; corrected; correction
  2. correspondence; correspondent; corresponding
  3. corrupt; corruption

cor·rade [kə-'rād] -vb, n, adj

  1. to wear away by abrasion
  2. to crumble away through abrasion

cor·ral [kə-'ral, -'rel] -n

  1. a pen or enclosure for confining or capturing livestock
  2. an enclosure made with wagons for defense of an encampment

corral -vt

  1. to enclose in a corral
  2. to arrange (wagons) so as to form a corral
  3. collect, gather
    • corralling votes for the upcoming election

cor·rect [kə-'rekt] -vt, adj, n

  1. to make or set right : amend
    • correct an error
  2. counteract, neutralize
    • correct a harmful tendency
  3. to alter or adjust so as to bring to some standard or required condition
    • correct a lens for spherical aberration
  4. to punish (as a child) with a view to reforming or improving
  5. 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

  1. conforming to an approved or conventional standard
    • correct behavior
  2. conforming to or agreeing with fact, logic, or known truth
    • a correct response
  3. conforming to a set figure
    • enclosed the correct return postage
  4. conforming to the strict requirements of a specific ideology or set of beliefs or values
    • environmentally correct
    • spiritually correct

corrected time -n

  1. a boat's elapsed time less its time allowance in yacht racing

cor·rec·tion [kə-'rek-shən] -n, adj

  1. : the action or an instance of correcting: as
  2. amendment, rectification
  3. rebuke, punishment
  4. a bringing into conformity with a standard
  5. neutralization, counteraction
    • correction of acidity
  6. a decline in market price or business activity following and counteracting a rise
  7. something substituted in place of what is wrong
    • marking correction s on the students' papers
  8. a quantity applied by way of correcting (as for adjustment of an instrument)
  9. the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders through a program involving penal custody, parole, and probation
  10. the administration of such treatment as a matter of public policy usu. used in pl.

correction fluid -n

  1. a liquid used to paint over typing or writing errors

cor·rec·ti·tude [kə-'rek-tə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n

  1. correctness or propriety of conduct

cor·rec·tive [kə-'rek-tiv] -adj, n, adv

  1. intended to correct
    • corrective lenses
    • corrective punishment

cor·re·late ['kȯr-ə-lət, 'kär-, -,lāt] -n, adj

  1. either of two things so related that one directly implies or is complementary to the other (as husband and wife)
  2. 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
  3. to bear reciprocal or mutual relations : correspond
  4. to establish a mutual or reciprocal relation between
    • correlate activities in the lab and the field
  5. to show correlation or a causal relationship between
  6. 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

  1. the state or relation of being correlated
  2. 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
  3. the act of correlating

correlation coefficient -n

  1. 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

  1. naturally related : corresponding
  2. reciprocally related
  3. regularly used together but typically not adjacent
    • the correlative conjunctions either...or

cor·re·spond [,kȯr-ə-'spänd, ,kär-] -vi

  1. to be in conformity or agreement
    • the ideal failed...to correspond with the reality -- J. R. Sutherland
  2. to compare closely : match usu. used with to or with
  3. to be equivalent or parallel
  4. to communicate with a person by exchange of letters

cor·re·spon·dence [-'spän-dən(t)s] -n

  1. the agreement of things with one another
  2. a particular similarity
  3. a relation between sets in which each member of one set is associated with one or more members of the other
  4. communication by letters
  5. the letters exchanged
  6. the news, information, or opinion contributed by a correspondent to a newspaper or periodical

correspondence course -n

  1. a course offered by a correspondence school

correspondence school -n

  1. 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

  1. correspondence

cor·re·spon·dent [,kȯr-ə-'spän-dənt, ,kär-] -adj

  1. corresponding
  2. fitting, conforming used with with or to
    • the outcome was entirely correspondent with my wishes

correspondent -n

  1. one who communicates with another by letter
  2. one who has regular commercial relations with another
  3. one who contributes news or commentary to a publication (as a newspaper) or a radio or television network often from a distant place
    • a war correspondent
  4. something that corresponds

corresponding [-'spän-diŋ-lē] -adj, adv

  1. 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
  2. related, accompanying
    • all rights carry with them corresponding responsibilities -- W. P. Paepcke
  3. charged with the duty of writing letters
    • corresponding secretary
  4. participating or serving at a distance and by mail
    • a corresponding member of the society

corresponding angles -n pl

  1. 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

  1. mutually responsive

cor·ri·da [kȯ-'rē-thə] -n

  1. bullfight

cor·ri·dor ['kȯr-ə-dər, 'kär-, -,dȯr] -n

  1. a passageway (as in a hotel or office building) into which compartments or rooms open
  2. 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
  3. : a usu. narrow passageway or route: as
  4. a narrow strip of land through foreign-held territory
  5. a restricted lane for air traffic
  6. a land path used by migrating animals
  7. a densely populated strip of land including two or more major cities
    • the Northeast corridor stretching from Washington into New England -- S. D. Browne
  8. an area or stretch of land identified by a specific common characteristic or purpose
    • a corridor of liberalism
    • the city's industrial corridor

cor·rie ['kȯr-ē, 'kär-ē] -n

  1. cirque

Cor·rie·dale [-,dāl] -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. capable of being set right : reparable
    • a corrigible defect

cor·ri·val [kə-'rī-vəl, kȯ-, kō-] -n, adj

  1. rival, competitor

cor·rob·o·rant [kə-'rä-bə-rənt] -adj

  1. having an invigorating effect used of a medicine

cor·rob·o·rate [kə-'rä-bə-,rāt] -vt, n, adj

  1. to support with evidence or authority : make more certain

cor·rob·o·ree [kə-'rȯ-bə-rē, -'rä-] -n

  1. a nocturnal festivity with songs and symbolic dances by which the Australian aborigines celebrate events of importance
  2. a noisy festivity
  3. tumult

cor·rode [kə-'rōd] -vb, adj

  1. to eat away by degrees as if by gnawing
  2. to wear away gradually usu. by chemical action
    • the metal was corroded beyond repair
  3. to weaken or destroy gradually : undermine
    • manners and miserliness that corrode the human spirit -- Bernard De Voto
  4. to undergo corrosion

corrody ['kȯr-ə-dē, 'kär-] -n

(variant of corody)

  1. an allowance of provisions for maintenance dispensed as a charity

cor·ro·sion [kə-'rō-zhən] -n

  1. the action, process, or effect of corroding
  2. a product of corroding

cor·ro·sive [-'rō-siv, -ziv] -adj, n, adv

  1. tending or having the power to corrode
    • corrosive acids
    • corrosive action
    • the corrosive effects of alcoholism
  2. bitingly sarcastic
    • corrosive satire

corrosive sublimate -n

  1. mercuric chloride

cor·ru·gate ['kȯr-ə-,gāt, 'kär-] -vb

  1. to form or shape into wrinkles or folds or into alternating ridges and grooves : furrow
  2. to become corrugated

corrugated -adj

  1. having corrugations
    • corrugated paper
  2. made of corrugated material (as cardboard)
    • corrugated boxes

cor·ru·ga·tion [,kȯr-ə-'gā-shən, ,kär-] -n

  1. the act of corrugating
  2. a ridge or groove of a surface that has been corrugated

cor·rupt [kə-'rəpt] -vb, n, adj, adv

  1. to change from good to bad in morals, manners, or actions
  2. bribe
  3. to degrade with unsound principles or moral values
  4. rot, spoil
  5. to subject (a person) to corruption of blood
  6. to alter from the original or correct form or version
    • the file was corrupt ed
  7. to become tainted or rotten
  8. to become morally debased
  9. to cause disintegration or ruin

corrupt [-'rəp(t)-lē] -adj, adv, n

  1. morally degenerate and perverted : depraved
  2. characterized by improper conduct (as bribery or the selling of favors)
    • corrupt judges
  3. putrid, tainted
  4. adulterated or debased by change from an original or correct condition
    • a corrupt version of the text

cor·rup·tion [kə-'rəp-shən] -n

  1. impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle : depravity
  2. decay, decomposition
  3. inducement to wrong by improper or unlawful means (as bribery)
  4. a departure from the original or from what is pure or correct
  5. an agency or influence that corrupts
  6. pus

cor·rup·tion·ist [-sh(ə-)nist] -n

  1. one who practices or defends corruption esp. in politics

corruption of blood

  1. 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

  1. producing or tending to produce corruption

cor·sage [kȯr-'säzh, -'säj, 'kȯr-,] -n

  1. the waist or bodice of a dress
  2. an arrangement of flowers worn as a fashion accessory

cor·sair ['kȯr-,ser; kȯr-'] -n

  1. pirate
  2. a privateer of the Barbary Coast

corse ['kȯrs] -n

  1. corpse

corse·let [for 1 'kȯr-slət, for 2 ,kȯr-sə-'let] -n

  1. a piece of armor covering the trunk
  2. an undergarment combining girdle and brassiere

cor·set ['kȯr-sət] -n

  1. a usu. close-fitting and often laced medieval jacket
  2. 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

  1. to dress in or fit with a corset
  2. to restrict closely : control rigidly

cor·se·tiere [,kȯr-sə-'tir, -'tyer] -n

  1. one who makes, fits, or sells corsets, girdles, or brassieres

cor·set·ry ['kȯr-sə-trē] -n

  1. underwear (as corsets, girdles, and brassieres) meant to shape a woman's body

cor·tege [kȯr-'tezh, 'kȯr-,] -n

  1. a train of attendants : retinue
  2. procession
  3. a funeral procession

cor·tex ['kȯr-,teks] -n

  1. the outer or superficial part of an organ or bodily structure (as the kidney, adrenal gland, or cerebellum or a bone)
  2. cerebral cortex
  3. the proteinaceous usu. pigmented layer of a hair below the cuticle
  4. the outer part of some organisms (as paramecia)
  5. a plant bark or rind (as cinchona) used medicinally
  6. the typically parenchymatous layer of tissue external to the vascular tissue and internal to the corky or epidermal tissues of a green plant
  7. all tissues external to the xylem
  8. an outer or investing layer of various algae, lichens, or fungi

cor·ti·cal ['kȯr-ti-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or consisting of cortex
  2. involving or resulting from the action or condition of the cerebral cortex

cortico- -comb form

  1. cortex
    • cortico tropin

cor·ti·coid ['kȯr-ti-,kȯid] -n, adj

  1. corticosteroid

cor·ti·co·ste·roid [,kȯr-ti-kō-'stir-,ȯid also -'ster-] -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. acth
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. a juicy apple having red skin and crisp mildly tart white flesh

co·run·dum [kə-'rən-dəm] -n

  1. 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

  1. shining, glittering

cor·us·cate ['kȯr-ə-,skāt, 'kär-] -vi

  1. to give off or reflect light in bright beams or flashes : sparkle
  2. to be brilliant or showy in technique or style

cor·us·ca·tion [,kȯr-ə-'skā-shən, ,kär-] -n

  1. glitter, sparkle
  2. a flash of wit

cor·vee ['kȯr-,vā, kȯr-'] -n

  1. unpaid labor (as toward constructing roads) due from a feudal vassal to his lord
  2. labor exacted in lieu of taxes by public authorities esp. for highway construction or repair

corves ['kȯrf] -n

(variant of corf)

  1. a basket, tub, or truck used in a mine

cor·vette [kȯr-'vet] -n

  1. a warship ranking in the old sailing navies next below a frigate
  2. a highly maneuverable armed escort ship that is smaller than a destroyer

cor·vid ['kȯr-vəd] -n

  1. 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

  1. any of several marine bony fishes (genus Cynoscionof the family Sciaenidae) of the Pacific coast of No. America

cor·vine ['kȯr-,vīn] -adj

  1. of or relating to the crows : resembling a crow

Cor·vus ['kȯr-vəs] -n

  1. a small constellation adjoining Virgo on the south

Cor·y·bant ['kȯr-ə-,bant, 'kär-] -n

  1. 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

  1. being in the spirit or manner of a Corybant
  2. wild, frenzied
    • corybantic dancing

co·ryd·a·lis [kə-'ri-də-ləs] -n

  1. 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

  1. a flat-topped inflorescence
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. being or resembling corynebacteria

cor·y·phae·us [,kȯr-ə-'fē-əs, ,kär-] -n

  1. the leader of a party or school of thought
  2. the leader of a chorus

co·ry·phee [,kȯr-i-'fā] -n

  1. 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

  1. an acute inflammatory contagious disease involving the upper respiratory tract
  2. common cold

cos -abbr

  1. companies
  2. consul; consulship
  3. cosine
  4. counties

COS -abbr

  1. cash on shipment
  2. chief of staff

cosec -abbr

  1. cosecant

co·se·cant [(,)kō-'sē-,kant, -kənt] -n

  1. 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
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. a weighted weapon similar to a blackjack
  2. to strike or assault with or as if with a cosh

co·sig·na·to·ry [(,)kō-'sig-nə-,tȯr-ē] -n

  1. a joint signer

co·sign·er ['kō-,sī-nər] -n, vb

  1. cosignatory
  2. a joint signer of a promissory note

co·sine ['kō-,sīn] -n

  1. 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
  2. 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

  1. romaine

cos·me·ceu·ti·cal [,käz-mə-'sü-ti-kəl] -n

  1. a preparation having both cosmetic and pharmaceutical properties

cos·met·ic [käz-'me-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or making for beauty esp. of the complexion : beautifying
    • cosmetic salves
  2. : done or made for the sake of appearance: as
  3. correcting defects esp. of the face
    • cosmetic surgery
  4. decorative, ornamental
  5. not substantive : superficial
    • cosmetic changes
  6. visually appealing

cosmetic -n

  1. : something that is cosmetic: as
  2. a cosmetic preparation for external use
  3. superficial features
    • a poem without rhetorical cosmetic s -- Guy Davenport

cosmetic case -n

  1. a small piece of luggage esp. for cosmetics

cos·me·ti·cian [,käz-mə-'ti-shən] -n

  1. a person who is professionally trained in the use of cosmetics

cos·met·i·cize [käz-'me-tə-,sīz] -vt

  1. to make (something unpleasant or ugly) superficially attractive

cos·me·tol·o·gist [,käz-mə-'tä-lə-jist] -n

  1. a person who gives beauty treatments (as to skin and hair) called also beautician

cos·me·tol·o·gy [-jē] -n

  1. the cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails

cos·mic ['käz-mik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to the cosmos, the extraterrestrial vastness, or the universe in contrast to the earth alone
  2. of, relating to, or concerned with abstract spiritual or metaphysical ideas
  3. characterized by greatness esp. in extent, intensity, or comprehensiveness
    • a cosmic thinker
    • cosmic boredom

cosmic background radiation -n

  1. background radiation

cosmic dust -n

  1. very fine particles of solid matter found in any part of the universe

cosmic microwave background -n

  1. background radiation

cosmic noise -n

  1. unidentified celestial radio-frequency radiation
  2. such radiation originating from outside the Milky Way

cosmic ray -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. produced by the action of cosmic rays
    • cosmogenic carbon 14

cos·mog·o·ny [käz-'mä-gə-nē] -n, adj

  1. a theory of the origin of the universe
  2. the creation or origin of the world or universe

cos·mog·ra·phy [käz-'mä-grə-fē] -n, adj

  1. a general description of the world or of the universe
  2. the science that deals with the constitution of the whole order of nature

Cos·mo·line ['käz-mə-,lēn] -trademark

  1. used for corrosion-preventing petroleum jelly

cosmological constant -n

  1. 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

  1. a branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of the universe
  2. a theory or doctrine describing the natural order of the universe
  3. a branch of astronomy that deals with the origin, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe
  4. a theory dealing with these matters

cos·mo·naut ['käz-mə-,nȯt, -,nät] -n

  1. an astronaut of the Soviet or Russian space program

cos·mop·o·lis [käz-'mä-pə-ləs] -n

  1. a cosmopolitan city

cos·mo·pol·i·tan [,käz-mə-'pä-lə-tən] -n

  1. cosmopolite

cosmopolitan [-tə-,ni-zəm] -adj, n

  1. having worldwide rather than limited or provincial scope or bearing
  2. having wide international sophistication : worldly
  3. composed of persons, constituents, or elements from all or many parts of the world
  4. found in most parts of the world and under varied ecological conditions
    • a cosmopolitan herb

cos·mop·o·lite [käz-'mä-pə-,līt] -n

  1. a cosmopolitan person or organism

cos·mos ['käz-məs, 1 & 2 also -,mōs, -,mäs] -n

  1. universe
  2. an orderly harmonious systematic universe
  3. order, harmony
  4. a complex orderly self-inclusive system
  5. any of a genus ( Cosmos) of tropical American composite herbs
  6. a widely cultivated tall annual ( C. bipinnatus) with yellow or red disks and showy ray flowers

Cos·sack ['kä-,sak, -sək] -n

  1. 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
  2. a mounted soldier serving in a unit drafted from Cossack communities

cos·set ['kä-sət] -n

  1. a pet lamb
  2. pet

cosset -vt

  1. to treat as a pet : pamper

cost ['kȯst] -n, adj, adv

  1. the amount or equivalent paid or charged for something : price
  2. the outlay or expenditure (as of effort or sacrifice) made to achieve an object
  3. loss or penalty incurred esp. in gaining something
  4. expenses incurred in litigation
  5. those given by the law or the court to the prevailing party against the losing party
  6. to require expenditure or payment
    • the best goods cost more
  7. to require effort, suffering, or loss
  8. to have a price of
  9. to cause to pay, suffer, or lose something
    • frequent absences cost him his job
  10. to estimate or set the cost of often used with out

cos·ta ['käs-tə] -n, adj

  1. rib
  2. a part (as the midrib of a leaf or the anterior vein of an insect wing) that resembles a rib

cost accountant -n

  1. a specialist in cost accounting

cost accounting -n

  1. the systematic recording and analysis of the costs of material, labor, and overhead incident to production

cos·tard ['käs-tərd] -n

  1. any of several large English cooking apples
  2. noddle, pate

costben·e·fit ['kȯs(t)-'be-nə-,fit] -adj

  1. 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

  1. economical in terms of tangible benefits produced by money spent
    • costeffective measures to combat poverty

costef·fi·cient [-i-'fi-shənt, -,fi-] -adj

  1. cost-effective

cos·ter ['käs-tər] -n

  1. costermonger

cos·ter·mon·ger [-,məŋ-gər, -,mäŋ-] -n

  1. a hawker of fruit or vegetables

cos·tive ['käs-tiv, 'kȯs-] -adj, adv, n

  1. affected with constipation
  2. causing constipation
  3. slow in action or expression
  4. not generous : stingy

cost·ly ['kȯs(t)-lē] -adj, n

  1. commanding a high price esp. because of intrinsic worth
    • costly gems
  2. rich, splendid
  3. made or done at heavy expense or sacrifice
    • a costly mistake

cost·mary ['kȯst-,mer-ē, 'käst-] -n

  1. an aromatic composite Eurasian herb ( Chrysanthemum balsamitasyn. Tanacetum balsamita) having leaves used as a potherb and in flavoring

cost of living

  1. the cost of purchasing those goods and services which are included in an accepted standard level of consumption

costofliving index -n

  1. consumer price index

costplus ['kȯs(t)-'pləs] -adj

  1. paid on the basis of a fixed fee or a percentage added to actual cost
    • a costplus contract
  2. of or relating to a cost-plus contract

costpush ['kȯs(t)-,pu̇sh] -n, adj

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. the prevailing fashion in coiffure, jewelry, and apparel of a period, country, or class
  2. an outfit worn to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period, person, place, or thing
    • Halloween costume s
  3. a person's ensemble of outer garments
  4. a woman's ensemble of dress with coat or jacket
  5. to provide with a costume
  6. to design costumes for
    • costume a play

costume [same as ¹] -adj

  1. characterized by the use of costumes
    • a costume ball
    • a costume drama
  2. suitable for or enhancing the effect of a particular costume
    • a costume handbag

costume jewelry -n

  1. jewelry designed for wear with current fashions and usu. made of inexpensive materials

cos·tum·er ['käs-,tü-mər, -,tyü- also -,chü-; käs-'] -n

  1. one that deals in or makes costumes
  2. an upright stand with hooks or pegs on which to hang clothes

cos·tum·ery [-mə-rē] -n

  1. articles of costume
  2. the art of costuming

cos·tu·mi·er [käs-'tü-mē-,ā, -'tyü-, -mē-ər] -n

  1. costumer

co·sy ['kō-zē] -adj, adv, n

(variant of cozy)

  1. enjoying or affording warmth and ease : snug
    • a cozy lakeside cabin
  2. marked by or providing contentment or comfort
    • won by a cozy margin
  3. marked by the intimacy of the family or a close group
  4. marked by or suggesting close association or connivance
    • a cozy agreement
  5. marked by a discreet and cautious attitude or procedure

cot ['kät] -n

  1. a small house
  2. cover, sheath
  3. stall
  4. a small usu. collapsible bed often of fabric stretched on a frame
  5. crib
  6. cotangent

co·tan·gent [(,)kō-'tan-jənt, 'kō-,] -n

  1. 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
  2. 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

  1. cot
  2. a shed or coop for small domestic animals and esp. pigeons
  3. to pass by

co·te·rie ['kō-tə-(,)rē, ,kō-tə-'] -n

  1. 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

  1. having the same or coincident boundaries
    • a voting district coterminous with the city
  2. 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

  1. a high thick-soled laced boot worn by actors in Greek and Roman tragic drama called also co*thurn ko-thrn, ko-
  2. the dignified somewhat stilted style of ancient tragedy

co·tid·al [(,)kō-'tī-dᵊl] -adj

  1. indicating equality in the tides or a coincidence in the time of high or low tide

co·til·lion [kō-'til-yən, kə-] -n

  1. a ballroom dance for couples that resembles the quadrille
  2. an elaborate dance with frequent changing of partners carried out under the leadership of one couple at formal balls
  3. a formal ball

co·tin·ine ['kō-tə-,nēn, -,nīn] -n

  1. 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

  1. any of a genus ( Cotoneaster) of Old World flowering shrubs of the rose family

cot·quean ['kät-,kwēn] -n

  1. a coarse masculine woman
  2. a man who busies himself with women's work or affairs

Cots·wold ['kät-,swōld, -swəld] -n

  1. any of an English breed of large long-wooled sheep

cot·ta ['kä-tə] -n

  1. a waist-length surplice

cot·tage ['kä-tij] -n, adj

  1. the dwelling of a farm laborer or small farmer
  2. a usu. small frame one-family house
  3. a small detached dwelling unit at an institution
  4. a usu. small house for vacation use

cottage cheese -n

  1. a bland soft white cheese made from the curds of skim milk called also Dutch cheese pot cheese smearcase

cottage curtains -n pl

  1. a double set of upper and lower straight-hanging window curtains

cottage industry -n

  1. an industry whose labor force consists of family units or individuals working at home with their own equipment
  2. a small and often informally organized industry
  3. 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

  1. a shepherd's pie made esp. with beef

cottage pudding -n

  1. plain cake covered with a hot sweet sauce

cot·tag·er ['kä-ti-jər] -n

  1. a person who lives in a cottage

cottage tulip -n

  1. any of various tall late-flowering tulips

cot·tar ['kä-tər] -n

  1. 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

  1. a wedge-shaped or tapered piece used to fasten together parts of a structure
  2. cotter pin

cotter pin -n

  1. 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

  1. 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
  2. a plant producing cotton
  3. one grown for its cotton
  4. a crop of cotton
  5. fabric made of cotton
  6. yarn spun from cotton
  7. a downy cottony substance produced by various plants (as the cottonwood)

cotton ['kät-niŋ, 'kä-tᵊn-iŋ] -vi

  1. to take a liking used with to
    • cotton s to people easily
  2. 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

  1. corn earworm

cotton candy -n

  1. a candy made of spun sugar
  2. something attractive but insubstantial

cotton gin -n

  1. a machine that separates the seeds, hulls, and foreign material from cotton

cotton grass -n

  1. any of a genus ( Eriophorum) of sedges with tufted spikes

cot·ton·mouth ['kä-tᵊn-,mau̇th] -n

  1. water moccasin

cottonmouth moccasin -n

  1. water moccasin

cot·tonpick·ing ['kä-tᵊn-,pi-kiŋ, -,pi-kən] -adj

  1. damned used as a generalized expression of disapproval
    • a cottonpicking hypocrite
  2. damned used as an intensive
    • out of his cottonpicking mind -- Irving Kristol

cot·ton·seed ['kä-tᵊn-,sēd] -n

  1. the seed of the cotton plant

cottonseed oil -n

  1. 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

  1. any of several bugs (genus Dysdercus) that damage and stain the lint of developing cotton
  2. a red and brown bug ( D. suturellus) that attacks cotton in the southern U.S.

cot·ton·tail ['kä-tᵊn-,tāl] -n

  1. 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

  1. any of various weedy plants (as cudweed) with whitish pubescence or cottony seeds

cot·ton·wood [-,wu̇d] -n

  1. any of several poplars having seeds with cottony hairs
  2. one ( Populus deltoides) of the eastern and central U.S. often cultivated for its rapid growth and luxuriant foliage

cotton wool -n

  1. raw cotton
  2. cotton batting

cot·tony ['kät-nē, 'kä-tᵊn-ē] -adj

  1. : resembling cotton in appearance or character: as
  2. covered with hairs or pubescence
  3. soft

cot·tonycush·ion scale [-'ku̇-shən-] -n

  1. 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

  1. a lobule of the mammalian placenta
  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. to lay (oneself) down for rest or sleep
  2. to embroider (a design) by laying down a thread and fastening it with small stitches at regular intervals
  3. to place or hold level and pointed forward ready for use
  4. to phrase or express in a specified manner
    • the comments were couch ed in strong terms
  5. to lie down or recline for sleep or rest
  6. to lie in ambush
  7. an article of furniture for sitting or reclining
  8. a couch on which a patient reclines when undergoing psychoanalysis
  9. the den of an animal (as an otter)

couch·ant ['kau̇-chənt] -adj

  1. lying down esp. with the head up
    • a heraldic lion couchant

couch grass ['kau̇ch-, 'küch-] -n

  1. quack grass
  2. any of several grasses that resemble quack grass in spreading by creeping rhizomes

couch potato -n

  1. a lazy and inactive person
  2. one who spends a great deal of time watching television

cou·de [kü-'dā] -adj

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. to expel air from the lungs suddenly with an explosive noise
  2. to make a noise like that of coughing
  3. to expel by coughing often used with up
    • cough up mucus
  4. a condition marked by repeated or frequent coughing
  5. an act or sound of coughing

cough drop -n

  1. a lozenge or troche used to relieve coughing

cough syrup -n

  1. any of various sweet usu. medicated liquids used to relieve coughing

cough up -vt

  1. hand over, deliver
    • cough up the money
  2. to lose possession of (a ball or puck) during a game
    • the quarterback coughed up the ball

could [kəd, 'ku̇d] -verbal auxiliary

  1. used in auxiliary function in the past
    • we found we could go
    , 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)

  1. know, understand
  2. to be able to do, make, or accomplish
  3. to have knowledge or skill
  4. know how to
    • she can read
  5. be physically or mentally able to
    • he can lift 200 pounds
  6. used to indicate possibility
    • do you think he can still be alive
    • those things can happen
    sometimes used interchangeably with may
  7. be permitted by conscience or feeling to
    • can hardly blame her
  8. be made possible or probable by circumstances to
    • he can hardly have meant that
  9. be inherently able or designed to
    • everything that money can buy
  10. be logically or axiologically able to
    • 2 2 can also be written 3 1
  11. be enabled by law, agreement, or custom to
  12. have permission to used interchangeably with may
    • you can go now if you like
  13. : a usu. cylindrical receptacle:
  14. a vessel for holding liquids
  15. a drinking vessel
  16. 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)
  17. a container (as of tinplate) in which products (as perishable foods) are hermetically sealed for preservation until use
  18. a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables
  19. jail
  20. toilet
  21. bathroom
  22. buttocks
  23. destroyer
  24. to put in a can : preserve by sealing in airtight cans or jars
    • can tomatoes
  25. to hit (a golf shot) into the cup
  26. to hit (a shot) in basketball
  27. to discharge from employment
  28. to put a stop or end to
  29. canceled; cancellation
  30. cannon
  31. canto

couldn't ['ku̇-dᵊnt, -dᵊn, dial also 'ku̇-tᵊn(t) or 'ku̇nt]

  1. could not

couldst [kən, 'kan also 'ken; dial 'kin] -vb

(variant of can)

  1. know, understand
  2. to be able to do, make, or accomplish
  3. to have knowledge or skill
  4. know how to
    • she can read
  5. be physically or mentally able to
    • he can lift 200 pounds
  6. used to indicate possibility
    • do you think he can still be alive
    • those things can happen
    sometimes used interchangeably with may
  7. be permitted by conscience or feeling to
    • can hardly blame her
  8. be made possible or probable by circumstances to
    • he can hardly have meant that
  9. be inherently able or designed to
    • everything that money can buy
  10. be logically or axiologically able to
    • 2 2 can also be written 3 1
  11. be enabled by law, agreement, or custom to
  12. have permission to used interchangeably with may
    • you can go now if you like
  13. : a usu. cylindrical receptacle:
  14. a vessel for holding liquids
  15. a drinking vessel
  16. 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)
  17. a container (as of tinplate) in which products (as perishable foods) are hermetically sealed for preservation until use
  18. a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables
  19. jail
  20. toilet
  21. bathroom
  22. buttocks
  23. destroyer
  24. to put in a can : preserve by sealing in airtight cans or jars
    • can tomatoes
  25. to hit (a golf shot) into the cup
  26. to hit (a shot) in basketball
  27. to discharge from employment
  28. to put a stop or end to
  29. canceled; cancellation
  30. cannon
  31. canto

cou·lee ['kü-lē] -n

  1. a small stream
  2. a dry streambed
  3. a usu. small or shallow ravine : gully
  4. a thick sheet or stream of lava

cou·lis [kü-'lē] -n

  1. a thick sauce made with pureed vegetable or fruit and often used as a garnish

cou·lisse [kü-'lēs, -'lis] -n

  1. a side scene of a stage
  2. the space between the side scenes
  3. a backstage area
  4. hallway
  5. a piece of timber having a groove in which something glides

cou·loir [kül-'wär] -n

  1. a steep mountainside gorge

cou·lomb ['kü-,läm, -,lōm] -n

  1. 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

  1. of, relating to, or being the electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion between charged particles

Cou·lomb's law ['kü-,lämz-, -,lōmz-] -n

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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
  2. a derivative of this compound

coun·cil ['kau̇n(t)-səl] -n

  1. an assembly or meeting for consultation, advice, or discussion
  2. a group elected or appointed as an advisory or legislative body
  3. a usu. administrative body
  4. an executive body whose members are equal in power and authority
  5. a governing body of delegates from local units of a federation
  6. deliberation in a council
  7. a federation of or a central body uniting a group of organizations
  8. a local chapter of an organization
  9. club, society

council -adj

  1. used for councils esp. by or with No. American Indians
    • a council ground
  2. built, maintained, or operated by a local governing agency
    • council housing
    • council flats

coun·cil·lor ['kau̇n(t)-s(ə-)lər] -n

  1. a member of a council

coun·cil·man ['kau̇n(t)-səl-mən] -n, adj

  1. a member of a council (as of a town or city)

council of ministers

  1. cabinet

coun·cil·wom·an ['kau̇n(t)-səl-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman who is a member of a council

coun·sel ['kau̇n(t)-səl] -n

  1. advice given esp. as a result of consultation
  2. a policy or plan of action or behavior
  3. deliberation, consultation
  4. purpose
  5. guarded thoughts or intentions
  6. a lawyer engaged in the trial or management of a case in court
  7. a lawyer appointed to advise and represent in legal matters an individual client or a corporate and esp. a public body
  8. consultant

counsel [-s(ə-)liŋ] -vb

  1. advise
    • counsel ed them to avoid rash actions -- George Orwell
  2. consult
    • counsel ed with her husband

coun·sel·ee [,kau̇n(t)-sə-'lē] -n

  1. one who is being counseled

counseling -n

  1. 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

  1. a person who gives advice or counseling
    • marriage counselor
  2. lawyer
  3. one that gives advice in law and manages cases for clients in court
  4. one who has supervisory duties at a summer camp

counseloratlaw -n

  1. counselor

count ['kau̇nt, dial 'kyau̇nt] -vb

  1. to indicate or name by units or groups so as to find the total number of units involved : number
  2. to name the numbers in order up to and including
    • count ten
  3. to include in a tallying and reckoning
    • about 100 present, count ing children
  4. to call aloud (beats or time units)
    • count cadence
    • count eighth notes
  5. consider, account
    • count oneself lucky
  6. to record as of an opinion or persuasion
    • count me as uncommitted
  7. to include or exclude by or as if by counting
    • count me in
  8. to recite or indicate the numbers in order by units or groups
    • count by fives
  9. to count the units in a group
  10. to rely or depend on someone or something used with on
    • count ed on his parents to help with the expenses
  11. add, total
    • it count s up to a sizable amount
  12. to have value or significance
    • these are the people who really count
    • his opinions don't count for much
  13. to deserve to be regarded or considered
    • a job so easy it hardly count s as work
  14. the action or process of counting
  15. a total obtained by counting : tally
  16. reckoning, account
  17. consideration, estimation
  18. allegation, charge
  19. one separately stating the cause of action or prosecution in a legal declaration or indictment
    • guilty on all count s
  20. a specific point under consideration : issue
  21. the total number of individual things in a given unit or sample obtained by counting all or a subsample of them
    • bacteria count
  22. the calling off of the seconds from one to ten when a boxer has been knocked down
  23. the number of balls and strikes charged to a baseball batter during one turn
    • the count stood at 3 and 2
  24. score
    • tied the count with a minute to play
  25. a measurement of the thickness or fineness of yarn by determining the number of hanks or yards per pound it produces
  26. the number of threads per square inch in a cloth
  27. a European nobleman whose rank corresponds to that of a British earl

count·able ['kau̇n-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. capable of being counted
  2. capable of being put into one-to-one correspondence with the positive integers
    • a countable set

count·down ['kau̇nt-,dau̇n] -n, vi

  1. an audible backward counting in fixed units (as seconds) from an arbitrary starting number to mark the time remaining before an event
  2. preparations carried on during such a count

coun·te·nance ['kau̇n-tᵊn-ən(t)s, 'kau̇nt-nən(t)s] -n

  1. bearing, demeanor
  2. calm expression
  3. mental composure
  4. look, expression
  5. aspect, semblance
  6. pretense
  7. face, visage
  8. the face as an indication of mood, emotion, or character
  9. bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction : moral support

countenance -vt, n

  1. to extend approval or toleration to : sanction
    • refused to countenance any changes in the policy

count·er ['kau̇n-tər] -n

  1. a piece (as of metal or plastic) used in reckoning or in games
  2. something of value in bargaining : asset
  3. 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
    • jewelry counter
    • a lunch counter
  4. one that counts
  5. a device for indicating a number or amount

coun·ter ['kau̇n-t(ə-)riŋ] -vb

  1. to act in opposition to : oppose
  2. offset, nullify
    • tried to counter the trend toward depersonalization
  3. to assert in answer
    • we counter ed that our warnings had been ignored
  4. to meet attacks or arguments with defensive or retaliatory steps
  5. in an opposite or wrong direction
  6. to or toward a different or opposite direction, result, or effect
    • values that run counter to those of society
  7. contrary, opposite
  8. the after portion of a boat from the waterline to the extreme outward swell or stern overhang
  9. the act of making an attack while parrying one (as in boxing or fencing)
  10. a blow thus given in boxing
  11. an agency or force that offsets : check
  12. a stiffener to give permanent form to a boot or shoe upper around the heel
  13. an area within the face of a letter wholly or partly enclosed by strokes
  14. a football play in which the ballcarrier goes in a direction opposite to the movement of the play
  15. marked by or tending toward or in an opposite direction or effect
  16. given to or marked by opposition, hostility, or antipathy
  17. situated or lying opposite
    • the counter side
  18. recalling or ordering back by a superseding contrary order : countermanding
    • counter orders from the colonel

counter- -prefix

  1. contrary : opposite
    • counter clockwise
    • counter march
  2. opposing : retaliatory
    • counter force
    • counter offensive
  3. complementary : corresponding
    • counter weight
    • counter part
  4. duplicate : substitute
    • counter foil

coun·ter·act [,kau̇n-tər-'akt] -vt, n, adj

  1. 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

  1. a weight that balances another
  2. a force or influence that offsets or checks an opposing force

counterbalance [,kau̇n-tər-', 'kau̇n-tər-,] -vt

  1. to oppose or balance with an equal weight or force
  2. to equip with counterbalances

coun·ter·change ['kau̇n-tər-,chānj] -vt

  1. interchange, transpose
  2. checker

coun·ter·check [-,chek] -n

  1. a check or restraint often operating against something that is itself a check

countercheck -vt

  1. check, counteract
  2. to check a second time for verification

counter check -n

  1. a check obtainable at a bank usu. to be cashed only at the bank by the drawer

coun·ter·claim ['kau̇n-tər-,klām] -n

  1. an opposing claim
  2. a claim brought by a defendant against a plaintiff in a legal action

counterclaim -vi

  1. to enter or plead a counterclaim
  2. to ask in a counterclaim

coun·ter·clock·wise [,kau̇n-tər-'kläk-,wīz] -adv, adj

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. a current flowing in a direction opposite that of another current

countercurrent [,kau̇n-tər-'] -adj, adv

  1. flowing in an opposite direction
  2. involving flow of materials in opposite directions
    • countercurrent dialysis

coun·ter·cy·cli·cal [-'sī-kli-kəl, -'si-] -adj, adv

  1. 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

  1. the activity concerned with detecting and thwarting enemy espionage

coun·ter·ex·am·ple ['kau̇n-tər-ig-,zam-pəl] -n

  1. 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

  1. contrary to fact
    • counterfactual assumptions

coun·ter·feit ['kau̇nt-ər-,fit] -adj

  1. made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive : forged
    • counterfeit money
  2. insincere, feigned
    • counterfeit sympathy
  3. imitation
    • counterfeit Georgian houses

counterfeit -vt, n

  1. to imitate or feign esp. with intent to deceive
  2. to make a fraudulent replica of
    • counterfeit ing 20 bills
  3. to try to deceive by pretense or dissembling
  4. to engage in counterfeiting something of value
  5. something counterfeit : forgery
  6. 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

  1. the flow of a fluid in opposite directions (as in an apparatus)

coun·ter·foil [-,fȯi(-ə)l] -n

  1. 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

  1. a guerrilla who is trained to thwart enemy guerrilla operations

coun·ter·in·sur·gen·cy [,kau̇n-tər-in-'sər-jən(t)-sē] -n

  1. organized military activity designed to combat insurgency

coun·ter·in·tel·li·gence [,kau̇n-tər-in-'te-lə-jən(t)s] -n

  1. 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

  1. contrary to what one would intuitively expect

coun·ter·ion ['kau̇n-tər-,ī-ən, -,än] -n

  1. 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

  1. an agent applied locally to produce superficial inflammation with the object of reducing inflammation in deeper adjacent structures
  2. an irritation or discomfort that diverts attention from another

count·er·man ['kau̇n-tər-,man, -mən] -n

  1. one who tends a counter

coun·ter·mand ['kau̇n-tər-,mand, ,kau̇n-tər-'] -vt

  1. to revoke (a command) by a contrary order
  2. to recall or order back by a superseding contrary order
    • countermand reinforcements
  3. a contrary order
  4. the revocation of an order or command

coun·ter·march ['kau̇n-tər-,märch] -n, vi

  1. a marching back
  2. a movement in marching by which a unit of troops reverses direction while marching but keeps the same order
  3. a march (as of political demonstrators) designed to counter the effect of another march

coun·ter·mea·sure [-,me-zhər, -,mā-] -n

  1. an action or device designed to negate or offset another
  2. 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

  1. a secondary melody that is sounded simultaneously with the principal one

coun·ter·mine [-,mīn] -n

  1. a tunnel for intercepting an enemy mine

coun·ter·of·fen·sive ['kau̇n-tər-ə-,fen(t)-siv] -n

  1. a large-scale military offensive undertaken by a force previously on the defensive

coun·ter·of·fer [-,ȯ-fər, -,ä-fər] -n

  1. a return offer made by one who has rejected an offer

coun·ter·pane ['kau̇n-tər-,pān] -n

  1. bedspread

coun·ter·part [-,pärt] -n

  1. one of two corresponding copies of a legal instrument : duplicate
  2. a thing that fits another perfectly
  3. something that completes : complement
  4. one remarkably similar to another
  5. one having the same function or characteristics as another
    • college presidents and their counterpart s in business

coun·ter·par·ty [-,pär-tē] -n

  1. a party to a financial transaction

coun·ter·plan ['kau̇n-tər-,plan] -n

  1. a plan designed to counter another plan
  2. an alternate or substitute plan

coun·ter·plea [-,plē] -n

  1. a replication to a legal plea

coun·ter·plot [-,plät] -n

  1. a plot designed to thwart an opponent's plot

counterplot -vt

  1. to intrigue against : foil with a plot

coun·ter·point ['kau̇n-tər-,pȯint] -n

  1. one or more independent melodies added above or below a given melody
  2. the combination of two or more independent melodies into a single harmonic texture in which each retains its linear character : polyphony
  3. a complementing or contrasting item : opposite
  4. use of contrast or interplay of elements in a work of art (as a drama)

counterpoint -vt

  1. to compose or arrange in counterpoint
  2. 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

  1. counterbalance

counterpoise -n

  1. counterbalance
  2. an equivalent power or force acting in opposition
  3. a state of balance

coun·ter·pose [,kau̇n-tər-'pōz] -vt

  1. to place in opposition, contrast, or equilibrium
    • counterpose a positive view to the negative assessment

coun·ter·pro·duc·tive [-prə-'dək-tiv] -adj

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. a return proposal made by one who has rejected a proposal

coun·ter·punch ['kau̇n-tər-,pənch] -n, vi

  1. a counter in boxing
  2. a countering blow or attack

coun·ter·ref·or·ma·tion [,kau̇n-tə(r)-,re-fər-'mā-shən] -n

  1. the reform movement in the Roman Catholic Church following the Reformation
  2. 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

  1. a revolution directed toward overthrowing a government or social system established by a previous revolution
  2. a movement to counteract revolutionary trends

coun·ter·shad·ing ['kau̇n-tər-,shā-diŋ] -n

  1. 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

  1. a signature attesting the authenticity of a document already signed by another
  2. a sign given in reply to another
  3. a military secret signal that must be given by one wishing to pass a guard

coun·ter·sink ['kau̇n-tər-,siŋk] -vt

  1. to make a countersink on (a hole)
  2. to set the head of (as a screw) at or below the surface

countersink -n

  1. a bit or drill for making a funnel-shaped enlargement at the outer end of a drilled hole
  2. the enlargement made by a countersink

coun·ter·spy ['kau̇n-tər-,spī] -n

  1. a spy engaged in counterespionage

coun·ter·stain [-,stān] -vt, n

  1. 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

  1. a tenor with an unusually high range (as an alto range)

coun·ter·top [-,täp] -n

  1. the flat working surface on top of waist-level kitchen cabinets

coun·ter·trade [-,trād] -n

  1. 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

  1. psychological transference esp. by a psychotherapist during the course of treatment
  2. the psychotherapist's reactions to the patient's transference
  3. the complex of feelings of a psychotherapist toward the patient

coun·ter·vail [,kau̇n-tər-'vāl] -vb

  1. to compensate for
  2. equal, match
  3. to exert force against : counteract
  4. to exert force against an opposing and often bad or harmful force or influence

coun·ter·view ['kau̇n-tər-,vyü] -n

  1. confrontation
  2. an opposite point of view

coun·ter·weight [-,wāt] -n, vt

  1. an equivalent weight or force : counterbalance

count·ess ['kau̇n-təs] -n

  1. the wife or widow of an earl or count
  2. a woman who holds in her own right the rank of earl or count

coun·ti·an ['kau̇n-tē-ən] -n

  1. a native or resident of a usu. specified county

count·ing·house ['kau̇n-tiŋ-,hau̇s] -n

  1. a building, room, or office used for keeping books and transacting business

counting number -n

  1. natural number

counting room -n

  1. countinghouse

count·less ['kau̇nt-ləs] -adj, adv

  1. too numerous to be counted : myriad, many

count noun -n

  1. 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

  1. a count of the Holy Roman Empire having imperial powers in his own domain
  2. a high judicial official in the Holy Roman Empire
  3. the proprietor of a county palatine in England or Ireland

coun·tri·fied ['kən-tri-,fīd] -adj

  1. rural, rustic
  2. unsophisticated
  3. played or sung in the manner of country music
    • countrified rock

coun·try ['kən-trē] -n, adj

  1. an indefinite usu. extended expanse of land : region
    • miles of open country
  2. the land of a person's birth, residence, or citizenship
  3. a political state or nation or its territory
  4. the people of a state or district : populace
  5. jury
  6. electorate
  7. rural as distinguished from urban areas
    • prefers the country to the city
  8. country music

country -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the country
  2. of or relating to a decorative style associated with life in the country
    • an English country look
  3. possessing a style of rustic simplicity
    • country furniture
  4. prepared or processed with farm supplies and procedures
    • country ham
  5. of, relating to, suitable for, or featuring country music
    • country singers

country and western -n

  1. country music usu. hyphenated in attributive use

countryclub -adj

  1. typical, characteristic, or suggestive of a country club
    • a countryclub atmosphere
    • a countryclub prison
  2. having qualities (as affluence) associated with the members of a country club
    • a countryclub conservative

country club -n

  1. a suburban club for social life and recreation
  2. one having a golf course

coun·trydance ['kən-trē-,dan(t)s] -n

  1. any of various native English dances in which partners face each other esp. in rows

country gentleman -n

  1. a well-to-do country resident : an owner of a country estate
  2. one of the English landed gentry

country house -n

  1. a house and esp. a mansion in the country

coun·try·man ['kən-trē-mən, 3 often -,man] -n

  1. an inhabitant or native of a specified country
  2. compatriot
  3. one living in the country or marked by country ways : rustic

country mile -n

  1. a long distance

country music -n

  1. music derived from or imitating the folk style of the Southern U.S. or of the Western cowboy

country rock -n

  1. rock music containing elements of country music

coun·try·seat [,kən-trē-'sēt] -n

  1. a house or estate in the country

coun·try·side ['kən-trē-,sīd] -n

  1. a rural area
  2. the inhabitants of a countryside

coun·try·wide ['kən-trē-'wīd] -adj

  1. extending throughout a country

coun·try·wom·an ['kən-trē-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman who is a compatriot
  2. a woman who is a resident of the country

coun·ty ['kau̇n-tē] -n, adj

  1. the domain of a count
  2. 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
  3. the people of a county
  4. the gentry of a county
  5. the largest territorial division for local government within a state of the U.S.
  6. the largest local administrative unit in various countries

county -n

  1. count

county agent -n

  1. a consultant employed jointly by federal and state governments to provide information about agriculture and home economics

county court -n

  1. a court in some states that has a designated jurisdiction usu. both civil and criminal within the limits of a county

county fair -n

  1. a fair usu. held annually at a set location in a county esp. to exhibit local agricultural products and livestock

county palatine -n

  1. the territory of a count palatine

county seat -n

  1. a town that is the seat of county administration

county town -n

  1. county seat

coup ['kōp] -vb

  1. overturn, upset
  2. a brilliant, sudden, and usu. highly successful stroke or act
  3. coup d'etat

coup de grace [,kü-də-'gräs] -n

  1. a deathblow or death shot administered to end the suffering of one mortally wounded
  2. a decisive finishing blow, act, or event

coup de main [-'maⁿ] -n

  1. a sudden attack in force

coup d'etat [,kü-(,)dā-'tä, 'kü-(,)dā-,, -də-] -n

  1. a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics
  2. the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group

coup de the·atre [,kü-də-tā-'ätrᵊ] -n

  1. a sudden sensational turn in a play
  2. a sudden dramatic effect or turn of events
  3. a theatrical success

coup d'oeil [kü-'də(r), -'də-ē, -'dœ-yə] -n

  1. a brief survey : glance

cou·pe [kü-'pā, 2 often 'küp] -n

  1. a four-wheeled closed horse-drawn carriage for two persons inside with an outside seat for the driver in front
  2. a 2-door automobile often seating only two persons
  3. one with a tight-spaced rear seat

cou·ple ['kə-pəl; “couple of” is often ,kə-plə(v)] -n

  1. two persons married, engaged, or otherwise romantically paired
  2. two persons paired together
  3. pair, brace
  4. : something that joins or links two things together: as
  5. two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines
  6. a pair of substances that in contact with an electrolyte participate in a transfer of electrons which causes an electric current to flow
  7. an indefinite small number : few
    • a couple of days ago
  8. to connect for consideration together
  9. to join for combined effect
  10. to fasten together : link
  11. to bring (two electric circuits) into such close proximity as to permit mutual influence
  12. to join in marriage or sexual union
  13. to unite in sexual union
  14. join
  15. to unite chemically

couple -adj

  1. two
  2. few used with a
    • a couple drinks

cou·ple·ment ['kə-pəl-mənt] -n

  1. the act or result of coupling

cou·pler ['kə-p(ə-)lər] -n

  1. one that couples
  2. a contrivance on a keyboard instrument by which keyboards or keys are connected to play together

cou·plet ['kə-plət] -n

  1. two successive lines of verse forming a unit marked usu. by rhythmic correspondence, rhyme, or the inclusion of a self-contained utterance : distich
  2. couple

cou·pling ['kə-pliŋ (usual for 2), -pə-liŋ] -n

  1. the act of bringing or coming together : pairing
  2. sexual union
  3. a device that serves to connect the ends of adjacent parts or objects
  4. the joining of or the part of the body that joins the hindquarters to the forequarters of a quadruped
  5. a means of electric connection of two electric circuits by having a part common to both

cou·pon ['kü-,pän, 'kyü-] -n

  1. a statement of due interest to be cut from a bearer bond when payable and presented for payment
  2. the interest rate of a coupon
  3. : a form surrendered in order to obtain an article, service, or accommodation: as
  4. one of a series of attached tickets or certificates often to be detached and presented as needed
  5. a ticket or form authorizing purchases of rationed commodities
  6. a certificate or similar evidence of a purchase redeemable in premiums
  7. 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

  1. the distribution or redemption of coupons

cour·age ['kər-ij, 'kə-rij] -n

  1. mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

cou·ra·geous [kə-'rā-jəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. having or characterized by courage : brave
    • a courageous soldier
    • a courageous decision

cou·rante [ku̇-'ränt, -'rant] -n

  1. a dance of Italian origin marked by quick running steps
  2. music in quick triple time or in a mixture of and time

cou·reur de bois [ku̇-,rər-də-'bwä] -n

  1. a French or metis trapper of No. America and esp. of Canada

cour·gette [ku̇r-'zhet] -n

  1. zucchini

cou·ri·er ['ku̇r-ē-ər, 'kər-ē-, 'kə-rē-] -n

  1. : messenger: as
  2. a member of a diplomatic service entrusted with bearing messages
  3. an espionage agent transferring secret information
  4. a runner of contraband
  5. a member of the armed services whose duties include carrying mail, information, or supplies
  6. a traveler's paid attendant
  7. a tourists' guide employed by a travel agency

course ['kȯrs] -n

  1. the act or action of moving in a path from point to point
  2. : the path over which something moves or extends: as
  3. racecourse
  4. the direction of travel of a vehicle (as a ship or airplane) usu. measured as a clockwise angle from north
  5. the projected path of travel
  6. a point of the compass
  7. watercourse
  8. golf course
  9. accustomed procedure or normal action
    • the law taking its course
  10. a chosen manner of conducting oneself : way of acting
    • our wisest course is to retreat
  11. progression through a development or period or a series of acts or events
  12. life history, career
  13. : an ordered process or succession: as
  14. a number of lectures or other matter dealing with a subject
  15. a series of such courses constituting a curriculum
    • a premed course
  16. a series of doses or medications administered over a designated period
  17. a part of a meal served at one time
    • the main course
  18. layer
  19. a continuous level range of brick or masonry throughout a wall
  20. the lowest sail on a square-rigged mast
  21. to follow close upon : pursue
  22. to hunt or pursue (game) with hounds
  23. to cause (dogs) to run (as after game)
  24. to run or move swiftly through or over : traverse
    • jets coursed the area daily
  25. to run or pass rapidly along or as if along an indicated path
    • blood coursing through the veins

course of study

  1. curriculum
  2. course

cours·er ['kȯr-sər] -n

  1. a swift or spirited horse : charger

courser -n

  1. a dog for coursing
  2. one that courses : huntsman
  3. any of various Old World birds (subfamily Cursoriinae of the family Glareolidae) noted for their speed in running

course·ware ['kȯrs-,wer] -n

  1. educational software

coursing -n

  1. the pursuit of running game with dogs that follow by sight instead of by scent
  2. the act of one that courses

court ['kȯrt] -n

  1. the residence or establishment of a sovereign or similar dignitary
  2. a sovereign's formal assembly of councillors and officers
  3. the sovereign and officers and advisers who are the governing power
  4. the family and retinue of a sovereign
  5. a reception held by a sovereign
  6. a manor house or large building surrounded by usu. enclosed grounds
  7. motel
  8. an open space enclosed wholly or partly by buildings or circumscribed by a single building
  9. a quadrangular space walled or marked off for playing one of various games with a ball (as lawn tennis, handball, or basketball)
  10. a division of such a court
  11. a wide alley with only one opening onto a street
  12. an official assembly for the transaction of judicial business
  13. a session of such a court
    • court is now adjourned
  14. a place (as a chamber) for the administration of justice
  15. a judge or judges in session
  16. a faculty or agency of judgment or evaluation
    • rest our case in the court of world opinion -- L. H. Marks
  17. an assembly or board with legislative or administrative powers
  18. parliament, legislature
  19. conduct or attention intended to win favor or dispel hostility : homage
    • pay court to the king
  20. to seek to gain or achieve
    • court power
  21. allure, tempt
  22. to act so as to invite or provoke
    • court s disaster
  23. to seek the affections of
  24. to seek to win a pledge of marriage from
  25. to perform actions in order to attract for mating
    • a male bird court ing a female
  26. to seek to attract (as by solicitous attention or offers of advantages)
    • college teams court ing high school basketball stars
  27. to seek an alliance with
  28. to engage in social activities leading to engagement and marriage
  29. to engage in activity leading to mating

court bouil·lon ['ku̇r-(,)bü-'yȯⁿ, -(,)bwē-, 'kȯr-] -n

  1. 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

  1. marked by polished manners, gallantry, or ceremonial usage of a court
  2. marked by respect for and consideration of others

cour·te·san ['kȯr-tə-zən, -,zan also 'kər-, -,zän; esp Brit ,kȯr-tə-'zan] -n

  1. a prostitute with a courtly, wealthy, or upper-class clientele

cour·te·sy ['kər-tə-sē, Brit also 'kȯr-] -n

  1. courteous behavior
  2. a courteous act or expression
  3. general allowance despite facts : indulgence
    • hills called mountains by courtesy only
  4. consideration, cooperation, and generosity in providing something (as a gift or privilege)
  5. agency, means used chiefly in the phrases through the courtesy of or by courtesy of or sometimes simply courtesy of

courtesy -adj

  1. granted, provided, or performed as a courtesy or by way of courtesy
    • made a courtesy call on the ambassador

courtesy card -n

  1. a card entitling its holder to some special privilege

courtesy title -n

  1. a title (as Lord added to the Christian name of a peer's younger son) used in addressing certain lineal relatives of British peers
  2. a title (as Professor for any teacher) taken by the user and commonly accepted without consideration of official right

court·house ['kȯrt-,hau̇s] -n

  1. a building in which courts of law are regularly held
  2. the principal building in which county offices are housed
  3. county seat

cour·tier ['kȯr-tē-ər, 'kȯrt-yər, 'kȯr-chər] -n

  1. one in attendance at a royal court
  2. one who practices flattery

court·ly ['kȯrt-lē] -adj, n

  1. of a quality befitting the court : elegant
  2. insincerely flattering
  3. favoring the policy or party of the court

courtly -adv

  1. in a courtly manner : politely

courtly love -n

  1. a late medieval conventionalized code prescribing conduct and emotions of ladies and their lovers

courtmar·tial ['kȯrt-,mär-shəl, -'mär-] -n

  1. 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
  2. a trial by court-martial

courtmartial [-,mär-sh(ə-)liŋ, -'mär-] -vt

  1. to subject to trial by court-martial

court of appeals

  1. a court hearing appeals from the decisions of lower courts called also court of appeal

court of claims

  1. a court that has jurisdiction over claims (as against a government)

court of common pleas

  1. a former English superior court having civil jurisdiction
  2. an intermediate court in some American states that usu. has civil and criminal jurisdiction

court of domestic relations

  1. 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

  1. a tribunal (as a military court) for investigating questions of personal honor

court of inquiry

  1. a military court that inquires into and reports on some military matter (as an officer's questionable conduct)

court of law

  1. a court that hears cases and decides them on the basis of statutes or the common law

court of record

  1. a court whose acts and proceedings are kept on permanent record

Court of St James's [-sənt-'jāmz, -'jām-zəz, -,sānt-]

  1. the British royal court

court of sessions

  1. any of various state criminal courts of record

court order -n

  1. an order issuing from a competent court that requires a party to do or abstain from doing a specified act

court plaster -n

  1. an adhesive plaster esp. of silk coated with isinglass and glycerin

court reporter -n

  1. a stenographer who records and transcribes a verbatim report of all proceedings in a court of law

court·room ['kȯrt-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n

  1. a room in which a court of law is held

court·ship [-,ship] -n

  1. the act, process, or period of courting

court·side [-,sīd] -n

  1. the area at the edge of a court (as for tennis or basketball)

court tennis -n

  1. a game played with a ball and racket in an enclosed court divided by a net

court·yard ['kȯrt-,yärd] -n

  1. a court or enclosure adjacent to a building (as a house or palace)

cous·cous ['küs-,küs] -n

  1. a No. African dish of steamed semolina usu. served with meat or vegetables
  2. the semolina itself

cous·in ['kə-zən] -n, adj

  1. a child of one's uncle or aunt
  2. a relative descended from one's grandparent or more remote ancestor by two or more steps and in a different line
  3. kinsman, relative
    • a distant cousin
  4. one associated with or related to another : counterpart
  5. used as a title by a sovereign in addressing a nobleman
  6. a person of a race or people ethnically or culturally related
    • our English cousin s

cous·in·age ['kə-zə-nij] -n

  1. relationship of cousins : kinship
  2. a collection of cousins : kinfolk

cous·inger·man [,kə-zən-'jər-mən] -n

  1. cousin

Cousin Jack [,kə-zən-'jak] -n

  1. cornishman
  2. a Cornish miner

couth ['küth] -adj

  1. sophisticated, polished
  2. 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

  1. pleasant, kindly

cou·ture [kü-'tu̇r, -'tᵫr] -n

  1. the business of designing, making, and selling fashionable custom-made women's clothing
  2. the designers and establishments engaged in couture
  3. the clothes created by couture

cou·tu·ri·er [kü-'tu̇r-ē-ər, -ē-,ā] -n

  1. an establishment engaged in couture
  2. the proprietor of or designer for such an establishment

cou·tu·ri·ere [kü-'tu̇r-ē-ər, -ē-,er] -n

  1. a woman who is a couturier

cou·vade [kü-'väd] -n

  1. 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

  1. valence characterized by the sharing of electrons

co·va·len·cy [-lən(t)-sē] -n

  1. covalence

co·va·lent [,kō-'vā-lənt, 'kō-,] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or characterized by covalent bonds

covalent bond -n

  1. a chemical bond formed between atoms by the sharing of electrons

co·vari·ance [,kō-'ver-ē-ən(t)s, 'kō-,] -n

  1. the expected value of the product of the deviations of two random variables from their respective means
  2. 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

  1. varying with something else so as to preserve certain mathematical interrelations

co·var·i·ate [-,āt, -ət] -n

  1. any of two or more random variables exhibiting correlated variation

co·vari·a·tion [,kō-,ver-ē-'ā-shən] -n

  1. correlated variation of two or more variables

co·vary [-'ver-ē] -vi

  1. to exhibit covariation

cove ['kōv] -n

  1. : a recessed place : concavity: as
  2. an architectural member with a concave cross section
  3. a trough for concealed lighting at the upper part of a wall
  4. a small sheltered inlet or bay
  5. a deep recess or small valley in the side of a mountain
  6. a level area sheltered by hills or mountains
  7. to make in a hollow concave form
  8. man, fellow

co·vel·lite [kō-'ve-,līt, 'kō-və-,] -n

  1. a usu. blue mineral consisting of a sulfide of copper

co·ven ['kə-vən also 'kō-] -n

  1. a collection of individuals with similar interests or activities
    • a coven of intellectuals
  2. an assembly or band of usu. 13 witches

cov·e·nant ['kəv-nənt, 'kə-və-] -n, adj

  1. a usu. formal, solemn, and binding agreement : compact
  2. a written agreement or promise usu. under seal between two or more parties esp. for the performance of some action
  3. the common-law action to recover damages for breach of such a contract
  4. to promise by a covenant : pledge
  5. to enter into a covenant : contract

cov·e·nan·tee [,kə-və-,nan-'tē, -nən-] -n

  1. 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

  1. a signer or adherent of the Scottish National Covenant of 1638
  2. one that makes a covenant

cov·e·nan·tor ['kə-və-,nan-tər; ,kə-və-,nan-'tȯr, -nən-] -n

  1. a party bound by a covenant

Cov·en·try ['kə-vən-trē also 'kä-] -n

  1. a state of ostracism or exclusion
    • sent to Coventry

cov·er ['kə-vər] -vb, adj, n

  1. to guard from attack
  2. to have within the range of one's guns : command
  3. to hold within range of an aimed firearm
  4. to afford protection or security to : insure
  5. to afford protection against or compensation for
    • a policy cover ing loss by fire
  6. to guard (an opponent) in order to obstruct a play
    • a linebacker assigned to cover the tight end
  7. to be in position to receive a throw to (a base in baseball)
    • the shortstop was cover ing second
  8. to make provision for (a demand or charge) by means of a reserve or deposit
    • your balance is insufficient to cover the check
  9. to maintain a check on esp. by patrolling
  10. to protect by contrivance or expedient
  11. to hide from sight or knowledge : conceal
    • cover up a scandal
  12. to lie over : envelop
    • a blanket cover ing her legs
  13. to lay or spread something over : overlay
    • cover the seed bed with straw
  14. to spread over
    • snow cover ed the hills
  15. to appear here and there on the surface of
    • a region cover ed with lakes
  16. to place or set a cover or covering over
    • cover the pot
  17. to copulate with (a female animal)
    • a horse cover s a mare
  18. to sit on and incubate (eggs)
  19. to invest with a large or excessive amount of something
    • cover ed herself with glory
  20. to play a higher-ranking card on (a previously played card)
  21. to have sufficient scope to include or take into account
    • an examination cover ing a full year's work
  22. to deal with : treat
    • material cover ed in the first chapter
  23. to have as one's territory or field of activity
    • one sales rep cover s the whole state
  24. to report news about
    • reporters cover ing the campaign
  25. to pass over : traverse
    • the hikers cover ed 12 miles that day
  26. to defray the cost of
    • cover expenses
  27. to place one's stake in equal jeopardy with in a bet
  28. to buy securities or commodities for delivery against (an earlier short sale)
  29. to record or perform a cover of (a song)
  30. to conceal something illicit, blameworthy, or embarrassing from notice usu. used with up
  31. to act as a substitute or replacement during an absence

cover ['kə-vər-ləs] -n, adj

  1. : something that protects, shelters, or guards: as
  2. natural shelter for an animal
  3. the factors that provide such shelter
  4. a position or situation affording protection from enemy fire
  5. the protection offered by airplanes in tactical support of a military operation
  6. coverage
  7. : something that is placed over or about another thing:
  8. lid, top
  9. a binding or case for a book or the analogous part of a magazine
  10. the front or back of such a binding
  11. an overlay or outer layer esp. for protection
    • a mattress cover
  12. a tablecloth and the other table accessories
  13. cover charge
  14. roof
  15. a cloth used on a bed for warmth or for decoration usu. used in pl.
    • lying under the cover s
  16. something (as vegetation or snow) that covers the ground
  17. the extent to which clouds obscure the sky
  18. something that conceals or obscures
    • under cover of darkness
  19. a masking device : pretext
    • the project was a cover for intelligence operations
  20. an envelope or wrapper for mail
  21. one who substitutes for another during an absence
  22. a recording or performance of a song previously recorded by another performer

cov·er·age ['kəv-rij, 'kə-və-] -n

  1. : something that covers: as
  2. inclusion within the scope of an insurance policy or protective plan : insurance
  3. the amount available to meet liabilities
  4. inclusion within the scope of discussion or reporting
    • the news coverage of the trial
  5. : the total group covered : scope: as
  6. all the risks covered by the terms of an insurance contract
  7. the number or percentage of persons reached by a communications medium
  8. the act or fact of covering

cov·er·all ['kə-vər-,ȯl] -n, adj

  1. a one-piece outer garment worn to protect other garments usu. used in pl.

cov·erall ['kə-vər-,ȯl] -adj

  1. comprehensive
    • coverall provisions

cover charge -n

  1. a charge made by a restaurant or nightclub in addition to the charge for food and drink

cover crop -n

  1. a crop planted to prevent soil erosion and to provide humus

covered bridge -n

  1. a bridge that has its roadway protected by a roof and enclosing sides

covered smut -n

  1. a smut disease of grains in which the spore masses are held together by the persistent grain membrane and glumes

covered wagon -n

  1. a wagon with a canvas top supported by bowed strips of wood or metal

cover girl -n

  1. an attractive young woman whose picture appears on a magazine cover

cover glass -n

  1. a piece of very thin glass or plastic used to cover material on a microscope slide

cov·er·ing ['kəv-riŋ, 'kə-və-] -n

  1. something that covers or conceals

covering -adj

  1. containing explanation of or additional information about an accompanying communication
    • a covering letter

cov·er·let ['kə-vər-lət, -(,)lid] -n

  1. bedspread

cov·er·slip ['kə-vər-,slip] -n

  1. cover glass

cover story -n

  1. a story accompanying a magazine-cover illustration

co·vert ['kō-(,)vərt, kō-'; 'kə-vərt] -adj, adv, n

  1. not openly shown, engaged in, or avowed : veiled
    • a covert alliance
  2. covered over : sheltered
  3. hiding place : shelter
  4. a thicket affording cover for game
  5. a masking or concealing device
  6. a feather covering the bases of the quills of the wings and tail of a bird
  7. a firm durable twilled sometimes waterproofed cloth usu. of mixed-color yarns

cov·er·ture ['kə-vər-,chu̇r, -chər, -,tyu̇r, -,tu̇r] -n

  1. covering
  2. shelter
  3. the status a woman acquires upon marriage under common law

cov·erup ['kə-vər-,əp] -n

  1. a device or stratagem for masking or concealing
    • his garrulousness is a coverup for insecurity
  2. a usu. concerted effort to keep an illegal or unethical act or situation from being made public
  3. a loose outer garment

cov·et ['kə-vət] -vb, adj, n, adv

  1. to wish for earnestly
    • covet an award
  2. to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately or culpably
  3. to feel inordinate desire for what belongs to another

cov·et·ous ['kə-və-təs] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions
  2. having a craving for possession
    • covetous of power

cov·ey ['kə-vē] -n

  1. a mature bird or pair of birds with a brood of young
  2. a small flock
  3. company, group
    • a covey of schoolchildren

cow ['kau̇] -n, adj

  1. the mature female of cattle (genus Bos)
  2. the mature female of various usu. large animals (as an elephant, whale, or moose)
  3. a domestic bovine animal regardless of sex or age
  4. to destroy the resolve or courage of
  5. 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

  1. one who shows disgraceful fear or timidity

cow·ard·ice ['kau̇(-ə)r-dəs, dial -(,)dīs] -n

  1. lack of courage or resolution

cow·ard·ly [-lē] -adv

  1. in a cowardly manner

cowardly -adj, n

  1. being, resembling, or befitting a coward
    • a cowardly retreat

cow·bane ['kau̇-,bān] -n

  1. any of several poisonous plants (as a water hemlock) of the carrot family

cow·bell [-,bel] -n

  1. 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

  1. mountain cranberry
  2. its fruit

cow·bird [-,bərd] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Molothrusof the family Icteridae) of New World blackbirds that lay their eggs in the nests of other birds
  2. 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

  1. one who tends cattle or horses
  2. a usu. mounted cattle-ranch hand
  3. a rodeo performer
  4. : one having qualities (as recklessness, aggressiveness, or independence) popularly associated with cowboys: as
  5. a reckless driver
  6. a business or businessperson operating in an uncontrolled or unregulated manner

cowboy -vi

  1. to work as a cowboy
    • cowboy ed in Texas and Oklahoma

cowboy boot -n

  1. a boot made with a high arch, a high Cuban heel, and usu. fancy stitching

cowboy hat -n

  1. a wide-brimmed hat with a large soft crown called also ten-gallon hat

cow·catch·er ['kau̇-,ka-chər, -,ke-] -n

  1. an inclined frame on the front of a railroad locomotive for throwing obstacles off the track

cow college -n

  1. a college that specializes in agriculture
  2. a provincial college or university that lacks culture, sophistication, and tradition

cow·er ['kau̇(-ə)r] -vi

  1. to shrink away or crouch esp. for shelter from something that menaces, domineers, or dismays

cow·fish ['kau̇-,fish] -n

  1. any of various small bright-colored bony fishes (family Ostraciidae) with hornlike projections over the eyes

cow·girl [-,gər(-ə)l] -n

  1. a girl or woman who tends cattle or horses
  2. a girl or woman who is a rodeo performer

cow·hage ['kau̇-ij] -n

  1. a tropical woody vine ( Mucuna pruriens) of the legume family with crooked pods covered with barbed hairs that cause severe itching
  2. these hairs formerly used as a vermifuge

cow·hand ['kau̇-,hand] -n

  1. cowboy

cow·herd [-,hərd] -n

  1. one who tends cows

cow·hide [-,hīd] -n

  1. the hide of a cow
  2. leather made from this hide
  3. a coarse whip of rawhide or braided leather

cowhide -vt

  1. to flog with a cowhide whip

cow horse -n

  1. cow pony

cowl ['kau̇(-ə)l] -n

  1. a hood or long hooded cloak esp. of a monk
  2. a draped neckline on a woman's garment
  3. a chimney covering designed to improve the draft
  4. 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
  5. cowling
  6. to cover with or as if with a cowl

cow·lick ['kau̇-,lik] -n

  1. a lock or tuft of hair growing in a different direction from the rest of the hair

cowl·ing ['kau̇-liŋ] -n

  1. a removable metal covering that houses the engine and sometimes a part of the fuselage or nacelle of an airplane
  2. a metal cover for an engine

cowlneck ['kau̇(-ə)l-,nek] -n, adj

  1. a high loose-fitting turnover collar used esp. for sweaters

cowl·staff ['kōl-,staf, 'kau̇(-ə)l-, 'kül-] -n

  1. a staff from which a vessel is suspended and carried between two persons

cow·man ['kau̇-mən, -,man] -n

  1. cowherd, cowboy
  2. a cattle owner or rancher

cow parsnip -n

  1. a tall perennial No. American plant ( Heracleum lanatum) of the carrot family with large compound leaves and broad umbels of white or purplish flowers
  2. a related Eurasian plant ( H. sphondylium) naturalized in the U.S.

cow·pat ['kau̇-,pat] -n

  1. cow pie

cow·pea ['kau̇-,pē] -n

  1. 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
  2. its edible seed called also black-eyed pea field pea

Cow·per's gland ['kau̇-pərz-, 'kü-, 'ku̇-] -n

  1. 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

  1. a dropping of cow dung

cow·poke ['kau̇-,pōk] -n

  1. cowboy

cow pony -n

  1. an agile saddle horse trained for herding cattle

cow·pox ['kau̇-,päks] -n

  1. 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

  1. cowboy

cow·rie ['kau̇-rē] -n

  1. any of various marine gastropods (family Cypraeidae) that are widely distributed in warm seas and have glossy and often brightly colored shells
  2. the shell of a cowrie

cow·shed ['kau̇-,shed] -n

  1. a shed for the housing of cows

cow·slip ['kau̇-,slip] -n

  1. a common European primrose ( Primula veris) with fragrant yellow flowers
  2. marsh marigold

cow town -n

  1. a town or city that serves as a market center or shipping point for cattle
  2. a usu. small unsophisticated town within a cattle-raising area

cox ['käks] -n, adj

  1. coxswain
  2. coxswain

COX ['käks] -n

  1. cyclooxygenase often used with the number 1 or 2 to indicate one of the two variants of the enzyme

coxa ['käk-sə] -n, adj

  1. the basal segment of a limb of various arthropods (as an insect)

cox·comb ['käks-,kōm] -n, adj

  1. a jester's cap adorned with a strip of red
  2. pate, head
  3. fool
  4. a conceited foolish person : fop

cox·comb·ry ['käks-kəm-rē, -,kōm-] -n

  1. behavior that is characteristic of a coxcomb : foppery

Cox·sack·ie virus [(,)käk-'sa-kē-] -n

  1. 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

  1. a sailor who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew and who usu. steers
  2. a steersman of a racing shell who usu. directs the rowers

coxswain -vt

  1. to direct as coxswain
  2. to act as coxswain

COX2 inhibitor ['käks-'tü-] -n

  1. 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

  1. shrinking from contact or familiarity
    • 'tis but a kiss I beg, Why art thou coy? -- Shak.
  2. marked by cute, coquettish, or artful playfulness
  3. showing reluctance to make a definite commitment
    • a coy response
  4. caress
  5. to act coyly

coy·dog ['kȯi-,dȯg] -n

  1. a hybrid between a coyote and a feral dog

coy·ote [kī-'ō-tē, chiefly Western 'kī-,ōt] -n

  1. a buff-gray to reddish-gray No. American canid ( Canis latrans) closely related to but smaller than the wolf
  2. one who smuggles immigrants into the U.S.

coy·o·til·lo [,kī-ə-'ti-(,)lō, ,kȯi-ə-, -'tē-(,)yō] -n

  1. a shrub ( Karwinskia humboldtiana) of the buckthorn family of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico having poisonous berries

coy·pu ['kȯi-(,)pü, kȯi-'] -n

  1. nutria

coz ['kəz] -n

  1. cousin

coz·en ['kə-zən] -vt, n

  1. to deceive, win over, or induce to do something by artful coaxing and wheedling or shrewd trickery
  2. to gain by cozening someone
    • cozen ed his supper out of the old couple

coz·en·age ['kəz-nij, 'kə-zə-] -n

  1. the art or practice of cozening : fraud
  2. an act or an instance of cozening

co·zy ['kō-zē] -adj, adv, n

  1. enjoying or affording warmth and ease : snug
    • a cozy lakeside cabin
  2. marked by or providing contentment or comfort
    • won by a cozy margin
  3. marked by the intimacy of the family or a close group
  4. marked by or suggesting close association or connivance
    • a cozy agreement
  5. marked by a discreet and cautious attitude or procedure

cozy -n

  1. a padded covering esp. for a teapot to keep the contents hot
  2. a light detective story that usu. features a well-educated protagonist and little explicit violence
  3. in a cautious manner
    • play it cozy and wait for the other team to make a mistake -- Bobby Dodd

cozy up -vi

  1. to attain or try to attain familiarity, friendship, or intimacy : ingratiate oneself
    • cozying up to the boss