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Ag (chem) silveragain adv

1 another or a second time: I want to look at that atlas again ◇ SYNONYMS: once more, another time, anew, afresh 2 once more in a previously experienced state or condition: he pictured her again as she used to be ◇ SYNONYMS: once more, another time, anew, afresh 3 in addition to the original amount: twice as much again 4 on the other hand 5 moreover or furthermore: she is talented and, again, hard-working ◇ SYNONYMS: also, in addition, moreover, besides, furthermore 6 again and again continually or repeatedlyagainst prep 1 standing or leaning beside: she leaned against a tree ◇ SYNONYMS: beside, on, up against, in contact with, abutting 2 opposed to or in disagreement with ◇ SYNONYMS: opposed to, anti (informal), hostile to, in opposition to, averse to, opposite to 3 in contrast to: his complexion was a sickly white against the black stubble of his beard ◇ SYNONYMS: in opposition to, resisting, versus, counter to, in the opposite direction of 4 coming in contact with: rain rattled against the window ◇ SYNONYMS: beside, on, up against, in contact with, abutting 5 having an unfavourable effect on: the system works against you when you don't have money 6 as a protection from: a safeguard against bacteria 7 in exchange for or in return for: the dollar has gained very slightly against the yen 8 as against as opposed to; as compared withagape adj 1 (of the mouth) wide open 2 (of a person) very surprisedagaric n any fungus with gills on the underside of the cap, such as a mushroomagate (ag-git) n a hard semiprecious form of quartz with striped colouringage n 1 the length of time that a person or thing has existed ◇ SYNONYMS: years, days, generation, lifetime, length of existence 2 a period or state of human life 3 the latter part of human life ◇ SYNONYMS: old age, experience, maturity, seniority, majority, senility, decline, advancing years 4 a period of history marked by some feature ◇ SYNONYMS: time, day(s), period, generation, era, epoch 5 ages (informal) a long time 6 come of age to become legally responsible for one's actions (usually at 18 years) ▸ vb ageing or aging, aged 7 to become old: skin type changes as one ages ◇ SYNONYMS: grow old, decline, weather, fade, deteriorate, wither 8 to appear or cause to appear older: the years had not aged her in any way ◇ SYNONYMS: mature, season, condition, soften, mellow, ripenaged adj 1 (ay-jid) advanced in years; old ◇ SYNONYMS: old, getting on, grey, ancient, antique, elderly, antiquated 2 (rhymes with raged) being at the age of: a girl aged thirteenageing or aging n 1 the fact or process of growing old ▸ adj 2 becoming or appearing olderageless adj 1 apparently never growing old 2 seeming to have existed for ever; eternal: an ageless professionagency n, pl -cies 1 an organization providing a specific service: an advertising agency ◇ SYNONYMS: business, company, office, firm, department, organization, enterprise, establishment 2 the business or functions of an agent 3 action or power by which something happens: the intervention of a human agency in the sequence of events ◇ SYNONYMS: medium, means, activity, vehicle, instrument, mechanismagenda n 1 a schedule or list of items to be attended to, for example at a meeting ◇ SYNONYMS: programme, list, plan, schedule, diary, calendar, timetable 2 (US & Canad) an appointment diary with room for storing addresses, telephone numbers, etc.agent n 1 a person who arranges business for other people, esp. for actors or singers ◇ SYNONYMS: representative, rep (informal), negotiator, envoy, surrogate, go-between 2 a spy 3 a substance which causes change in other substances: an emulsifying agent ◇ SYNONYMS: force, means, power, cause, instrument 4 someone or something which causes an effect: the agent of change ◇ SYNONYMS: author, worker, vehicle, instrument, operator, performer, catalyst, doeragent provocateur (azh-on prov-vok-at-tur) n, pl agents provocateurs (azh-on prov-vok-at-tur) a person employed by the authorities to tempt people to commit illegal acts and so be discredited or punishedage-old adj very old; ancientagglomeration n a confused mass or clusteraggrandize or -dise vb -dizing, -dized or -dising, -dised to make greater in size, power, or rank > aggrandizement or -disement naggravate vb -vating, -vated 1 to make (a disease, situation, or problem) worse ◇ SYNONYMS: make worse, exaggerate, intensify, worsen, exacerbate, magnify, inflame, increase 2 (informal) to annoy ◇ SYNONYMS: annoy, bother, provoke, irritate, nettle, get on your nerves (informal) > aggravating adj > aggravation naggregate n 1 an amount or total formed from separate units ◇ SYNONYMS: total, body, whole, amount, collection, cluster, mass, sum, combination 2 (geol) a rock, such as granite, consisting of a mixture of minerals 3 the sand and stone mixed with cement and water to make concrete ▸ adj 4 formed of separate units collected into a whole ◇ SYNONYMS: collective, mixed, combined, collected, accumulated, composite, cumulative ▸ vb -gating, -gated 5 to combine or be combined into a whole ◇ SYNONYMS: combine, mix, collect, assemble, heap, accumulate, pile, amass 6 to amount to (a particular number) > aggregation naggression n 1 violent and hostile behaviour ◇ SYNONYMS: hostility, malice, antagonism, antipathy, ill will, belligerence, destructiveness, pugnacity 2 an unprovoked attack ◇ SYNONYMS: attack, campaign, injury, assault, raid, invasion, offensive, onslaught > aggressor naggressive adj 1 full of anger or hostility ◇ SYNONYMS: hostile, offensive, destructive, belligerent, unfriendly, contrary, antagonistic, pugnacious, aggro (Austral & NZ), aggers (Austral slang), biffo (Austral slang) 2 forceful or determined: an aggressive sales technique ◇ SYNONYMS: forceful, powerful, convincing, effective, enterprising, dynamic, bold, militant > aggressively adv > aggressiveness naggrieved adj upset and angryaggro (slang) n 1 (Brit & Austral & NZ) aggressive behaviour ▸ adj 2 (Austral) angry and aggressiveaghast adj overcome with amazement or horroragile adj 1 quick in movement; nimble 2 mentally quick or acute > agility nagitate vb -tating, -tated 1 to excite, disturb, or trouble ◇ SYNONYMS: upset, worry, trouble, excite, distract, unnerve, disconcert, fluster 2 to shake or stir (a liquid) ◇ SYNONYMS: stir, beat, shake, disturb, toss, rouse 3 to attempt to stir up public opinion for or against something > agitated adj > agitatedly adv > agitation n > agitator naglow adj glowingAGM annual general meetingagnostic n 1 a person who believes that it is impossible to know whether God exists 2 a person who claims that the answer to some specific question cannot be known with certainty ▸ adj 3 of or relating to agnostics > agnosticism nago adv in the past: fifty years agoagog adj eager or curious: Marcia would be agog to hear his newsagonize or -nise vb -nizing, -nized or -nising, -nised 1 to worry greatly 2 to suffer agony > agonizing or -nising adj > agonizingly or -nisingly advagony n, pl -nies acute physical or mental pain ◇ SYNONYMS: suffering, pain, distress, misery, torture, discomfort, torment, hardshipagony aunt n a person who replies to readers' letters in an agony columnagony column n a newspaper or magazine feature offering advice on readers' personal problemsagoraphobia n a pathological fear of being in public places > agoraphobic adj, nagrarian adj of or relating to land or agriculture > agrarianism nagree vb agreeing, agreed 1 to be of the same opinion ◇ SYNONYMS: concur, be as one, sympathize, assent, see eye to eye, be of the same opinion 2 to give assent; consent 3 to be consistent ◇ SYNONYMS: correspond, match, coincide, tally, conform 4 agree on to reach a joint decision about: the ministers agreed on a strategy 5 agree with to be agreeable or suitable to (one's health or appearance): you look good – your new job must agree with you ◇ SYNONYMS agree with someone: suit, get on with, befit 6 to concede: they agreed that the price they were asking was too high 7 (grammar) to be the same in number, gender, and case as a connected wordagreeable adj 1 pleasant and enjoyable 2 prepared to consent: I cannot say that she was agreeable to the project but she was resigned > agreeably advagreement n 1 the act or state of agreeing ◇ SYNONYMS: concurrence, harmony, compliance, union, agreeing, consent, unison, assent 2 a legally enforceable contract ◇ SYNONYMS: treaty, contract, arrangement, alliance, deal (informal), understanding, settlement, bargainagriculture n the rearing of crops and livestock; farming ◇ SYNONYMS: farming, culture, cultivation, husbandry, tillage > agricultural adj > agriculturalist nagronomy (ag-ron-om-mee) n the science of land cultivation, soil management, and crop production > agronomist naground adv onto the bottom of shallow water: they felt a jolt as the ship ran agroundague (aig-yew) n 1 (old-fashioned) malarial fever with shivering 2 a fit of shiveringahead adv 1 at or in the front; before ◇ SYNONYMS: in front, in advance, towards the front, frontwards 2 forwards: go straight ahead ◇ SYNONYMS: in front, in advance, towards the front, frontwards 3 get ahead to achieve success: I was young and hungry to get ahead ▸ adj 4 in a leading position: he is ahead in the pollsahoy interj (naut) a shout made to call a ship or to attract attentionAI 1 artificial insemination 2 artificial intelligenceaid n 1 money, equipment, or services provided for people in need; assistance ◇ SYNONYMS: help, backing, support, benefit, favour, relief, promotion, assistance 2 a person or device that helps or assists ▸ vb 3 to help financially or in other ways ◇ SYNONYMS: help, support, serve, sustain, assist, avail, subsidize, be of service toaide n an assistant: a senior aide to the Prime Minister ◇ SYNONYMS: assistant, supporter, attendant, helper, right-hand man or woman or person, secondaide-de-camp (aid-de-kom) n, pl aides-de-camp (aid-de-kom) a military officer serving as personal assistant to a seniorAIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a viral disease that destroys the body's ability to fight infectionAIH artificial insemination by husbandail vb (literary) 1 to trouble or afflict 2 to feel unwellaileron (ale-er-on) n a hinged flap on the back of an aircraft wing which controls rollingailing adj unwell or unsuccessful over a long period: an ailing company ◇ SYNONYMS: weak, failing, poor, flawed, unstable, unsatisfactory, deficientailment n a slight illness ◇ SYNONYMS: illness, disease, complaint, disorder, sickness, affliction, malady, infirmityaim vb 1 to point (a weapon or missile) or direct (a blow or remark) at a particular person or object ◇ SYNONYMS: point 2 to propose or intend: they aim to provide full and equal rights to all groups ▸ n 3 the action of directing something at an object 4 intention or purpose ◇ SYNONYMS: intention, point, plan, goal, design, target, purpose, desire 5 take aim to point a weapon or missile at a person or objectaimless adj having no purpose or direction > aimlessly advain't (not standard) am not, is not, are not, have not, or has not: it ain't fairair n 1 the mixture of gases that forms the earth's atmosphere. It consists chiefly of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and carbon dioxide ◇ SYNONYMS: atmosphere, sky, heavens, aerosphere 2 the space above and around the earth; sky. RELATED ADJECTIVE: aerial ◇ SYNONYMS: atmosphere, sky, heavens, aerosphere 3 a distinctive quality, appearance, or manner: I thought he had an air of elegance and celebrity about him ◇ SYNONYMS: manner, appearance, look, aspect, atmosphere, mood, impression, aura 4 a simple tune ◇ SYNONYMS: tune, song, theme, melody, strain, lay, aria 5 transportation in aircraft: I went off to Italy by air and train 6 in the air in circulation; current: a sense of expectation is in the air 7 into thin air leaving no trace behind 8 on the air in the act of broadcasting on radio or television 9 up in the air uncertain ▸ vb 10 to make known publicly: these issues will be aired at a ministerial meeting ◇ SYNONYMS: publicize, reveal, exhibit, voice, express, display, circulate, make public 11 to expose to air to dry or ventilate 12 (of a television or radio programme) to be broadcastairbag n a safety device in a car, consisting of a bag that inflates automatically in an accident to protect the driver or passengerairborne adj 1 carried by air 2 (of aircraft) flying; in the air ◇ SYNONYMS: flying, floating, in the air, hovering, gliding, in flight, on the wingairbrush n 1 an atomizer which sprays paint by means of compressed air ▸ vb 2 to paint using an airbrush 3 to improve the image of (a person or thing) by hiding defects beneath a bland exteriorair conditioning n a system for controlling the temperature and humidity of the air in a building > air-conditioned adj > air conditioner naircraft n, pl -craft any machine capable of flying, such as a glider or aeroplaneaircraft carrier n a warship with a long flat deck for the launching and landing of aircraftairfield n a place where aircraft can land and take offair force n the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for air warfareair gun n a gun fired by means of compressed airair hostess n (chiefly Brit old-fashioned) a female flight attendant on an airlineairily adv in a light-hearted and casual mannerairing n 1 exposure to air or warmth for drying or ventilation ◇ SYNONYMS: ventilation, drying, freshening, aeration 2 exposure to public debate: both these notions got an airing during the campaign ◇ SYNONYMS: exposure, display, expression, publicity, vent, utterance, disseminationairless adj lacking fresh air; stuffyairlift n 1 the transportation by air of troops or cargo when other routes are blocked ▸ vb 2 to transport by an airliftairline n an organization that provides scheduled flights for passengers or cargoairliner n a large passenger aircraftairlock n 1 a bubble of air blocking the flow of liquid in a pipe 2 an airtight chamber between places that do not have the same air pressure, such as in a spacecraft or submarineairmail n 1 the system of sending mail by aircraft 2 mail sent by aircraftairman or (fem) airwoman n, pl -men or -women a person serving in an air forceairplane n (US & Canad) an aeroplane ◇ SYNONYMS: plane, aircraft, jet, aeroplane, airlinerairplay n the broadcast performances of a record on radioairport n a landing and taking-off area for civil aircraft, with facilities for aircraft maintenance and passenger arrival and departureair raid n an attack by enemy aircraft in which bombs are droppedairship n a lighter-than-air self-propelled aircraftairspace n the atmosphere above a particular country, regarded as its territoryairstrip n a cleared area for the landing and taking-off of aircraftairtight adj 1 sealed so that air cannot enter 2 having no weak points: your reasoning is airtight and your evidence soundairworthy adj (of an aircraft) safe to fly > airworthiness nairy adj airier, airiest 1 spacious and well ventilated 2 light-hearted and casual 3 having little basis in reality; fanciful: airy assurancesaisle (rhymes with mile) n a passageway separating seating areas in a church, theatre, or train, or separating rows of shelves in a supermarket ◇ SYNONYMS: passageway, path, lane, passage, corridor, alley, gangwayajar adj, adv (of a door) slightly openaka also known asakimbo adv (with) arms akimbo with hands on hips and elbows turned outwardsakin adj akin to similar or very close to: the technique is akin to impressionist paintingalabaster n a kind of white stone used for making statues and vasesà la carte adj, adv (of a menu) having dishes individually pricedalacrity n speed or eagerness: I accepted the invitation with alacrityà la mode adj fashionablealarm n 1 fear aroused by awareness of danger ◇ SYNONYMS: fear, panic, anxiety, fright, apprehension, nervousness, consternation, trepidation (formal) 2 a noise warning of danger: there had been no time to put on life jackets or to sound the alarm ◇ SYNONYMS: danger signal, warning, bell, alert, siren, alarm bell, hooter, distress signal 3 a device that transmits a warning ◇ SYNONYMS: danger signal, warning, bell, alert, siren, alarm bell, hooter, distress signal 4 short for alarm clock ▸ vb 5 to fill with fear ◇ SYNONYMS: frighten, scare, panic, distress, startle, dismay, daunt, unnerve 6 to fit or activate a burglar alarm on (a house, car, etc.) > alarming adjalarm clock n a clock that sounds at a set time to wake a person upalarmist n 1 a person who alarms others needlessly ▸ adj 2 causing needless alarmalas adv 1 unfortunately or regrettably: the answer, alas, is that they cannot get any for the moment ▸ interj 2 (old-fashioned) an exclamation of grief or alarmalbatross n 1 a large sea bird with very long wings 2 (golf) a score of three strokes under par for a holealbeit conj even though: these effects occur, albeit to a lesser degreealbino n, pl -nos a person or animal with white or almost white hair and skin and pinkish eyes > albinism nalbum n 1 a book with blank pages, for keeping photographs or stamps in 2 a collection of recordings released as a single itemalbumen n 1 egg white 2 (biochem) same as albuminalbumin or albumen n (biochem) a water-soluble protein found in blood plasma, egg white, milk, and musclealchemy n a medieval form of chemistry concerned with trying to change base metals into gold and to find an elixir to prolong life indefinitely > alchemist nalcohol n 1 a colourless flammable liquid present in intoxicating drinks 2 intoxicating drinks generallyalcoholic n 1 a person who is addicted to alcohol ◇ SYNONYMS: drinker, drunkard, drunk, inebriate, tippler, lush (slang), wino (informal), toper (literary) ▸ adj 2 of or relating to alcohol ◇ SYNONYMS: intoxicating, hard, strong, stiff, brewed, fermented, distilledalcoholism n a condition in which dependence on alcohol harms a person's health and everyday lifealcopop n (informal) an alcoholic drink that tastes like a soft drinkalcove n a recess in the wall of a roomaldehyde n (chem) any organic compound containing the group –CHO, derived from alcohol by oxidationalder n a tree with toothed leaves and conelike fruits, often found in damp placesalderman n, pl -men 1 (formerly, in England and Wales) a senior member of a local council, elected by other councillors 2 (in the US, Canada and Australia) a member of the governing body of a cityale n 1 a beer fermented in an open vessel using yeasts that rise to the top of the brew 2 (formerly) an alcoholic drink that is unflavoured by hops 3 (Brit) another word for beeralert adj 1 watchful and attentive ◇ SYNONYMS: attentive, awake, vigilant, watchful, on the lookout, circumspect, observant, on guard 2 alert to aware of ▸ n 3 a warning or the period during which a warning remains in effect 4 on the alert watchful ▸ vb 5 to warn of danger ◇ SYNONYMS: warn, signal, inform, alarm, notify, tip off, forewarn 6 to make aware of a fact > alertness nA level n 1 (Brit) the advanced level of a subject taken for the General Certificate of Education 2 a pass in a subject at A levelalfalfa n a plant widely used for feeding farm animalsalfresco adj, adv in the open airalgae (al-jee) pl n, sing alga (al-ga) plants which grow in water or moist ground, and which have no true stems, roots, or leavesalgebra n a branch of mathematics in which symbols are used to represent numbers > algebraic adjALGOL n an early computer programming language designed for mathematical and scientific purposesalgorithm n a logical arithmetical or computational procedure for solving problemsalias adv 1 also known as: Iris florentina, alias orris root ▸ n, pl -ases 2 a false namealibi n, pl -bis 1 (law) a plea of being somewhere else when a crime was committed 2 (informal) an excuse ▸ vb -biing, -bied 3 to provide someone with an alibialien adj 1 foreign ◇ SYNONYMS: foreign, strange, imported, unknown, exotic, unfamiliar 2 from another world 3 alien to repugnant or opposed to: these methods are alien to the world of politics ▸ n 4 a person who is a citizen of a country other than the one in which he or she lives ◇ SYNONYMS: foreigner, incomer, immigrant, stranger, outsider, newcomer, asylum seeker 5 a being from another world 6 a person who does not seem to fit in with his or her environmentalienate vb -ating, -ated 1 to cause (a friend) to become unfriendly or hostile ◇ SYNONYMS: antagonize, anger, annoy, offend, irritate, hassle (informal), estrange, hack off (informal) 2 to cause (someone) to feel that he or she does not belong somewhere 3 (law) to transfer the ownership of property to another person > alienation nalight1 vb alighting, alighted or alit 1 to step out of a vehicle or off a horse: we alighted on Vladivostok station ◇ SYNONYMS: get off, descend, get down, disembark, dismount 2 to land: we saw thirty goldfinches alighting on the ledge ◇ SYNONYMS: land, light, settle, come down, descend, perch, touch down, come to restalight2 adj, adv 1 on fire 2 illuminated: the lamp on the desk was alight ◇ SYNONYMS: lit up, bright, brilliant, shining, illuminated, fieryalign (a-line) vb 1 to bring (a person or group) into agreement with the policy of another 2 to place (two objects) in a particular position in relation to each other ◇ SYNONYMS: line up, order, range, regulate, straighten, even up > alignment nalike adj 1 similar: they were thought to be very alike ◇ SYNONYMS: similar, close, the same, parallel, resembling, identical, corresponding, akin ▸ adv 2 in the same way: they even dressed alike ◇ SYNONYMS: similarly, identically, equally, uniformly, correspondingly, analogously 3 considered together: players and spectators alikealimentary adj of or relating to nutritionalimentary canal n the tubular passage in the body through which food is passed and digestedalimony n (law) an allowance paid under a court order by one spouse to another after separationA-line adj (of a skirt) slightly flaredaliquot adj (maths) denoting or belonging to an exact divisor of a numberalive adj 1 living; having life ◇ SYNONYMS: living, breathing, animate, subsisting, existing, functioning, in the land of the living (informal) 2 in existence: he said that he would keep the company alive, no matter what ◇ SYNONYMS: in existence, existing, functioning, active, operative, in force, on-going, prevalent 3 lively ◇ SYNONYMS: lively, active, vital, alert, energetic, animated, agile, perky 4 alive to aware of 5 alive with swarming with: the rocky shoreline was alive with birdsalkali (alk-a-lie) n (chem) a substance that combines with acid and neutralizes it to form a saltalkaline adj (chem) having the properties of or containing an alkali > alkalinity nalkaloid n (chem) any of a group of organic compounds containing nitrogen. Many are poisonous and some are used as drugsall determiner 1 the whole quantity or number (of): all the banks agree; we're all to blame ◇ SYNONYMS: the whole amount, everything, the total, the aggregate, the totality, the sum total, the entirety, the entire amount 2 every one of a class: almost all animals sneeze ◇ SYNONYMS: every, each, every single, every one of, each and every ▸ adj 3 the greatest possible: in all seriousness ◇ SYNONYMS: complete, greatest, full, total, perfect, entire, utter 4 any whatever: I'm leaving out all question of motive for the time being 5 all along since the beginning 6 all but nearly 7 all in all everything considered 8 all over A finished B everywhere in or on: we send them all over the world C (informal) typically: that's him all over 9 all the so much (more or less) than otherwise: the need for new drugs is all the more important 10 at all used for emphasis: my throat's no better at all 11 be all for (informal) to be strongly in favour of 12 for all in spite of: for all his cynicism, he's at heart a closet idealist 13 in all altogether: there were five in all ▸ adv 14 (in scores of games) each: the score was two all ▸ n 15 give one's all to make the greatest possible effortAllah n the name of God in Islamallay vb to reduce (fear, doubt, or anger)allegation n an unproved assertion or accusation ◇ SYNONYMS: claim, charge, statement, declaration, accusation, assertion, affirmationallege vb -leging, -leged to state without proof ◇ SYNONYMS: claim, charge, challenge, state, maintain, declare, assert, upholdalleged adj stated but not proved: the spot where the alleged crime took place ◇ SYNONYMS: claimed, supposed, declared, assumed, so-called, apparent, stated, described > allegedly (al-lej-id-lee) advallegiance n loyalty or dedication to a person, cause, or belief ◇ SYNONYMS: loyalty, devotion, fidelity, obedience, constancy, faithfulnessallegory n, pl -ries a story, poem, or picture with an underlying meaning as well as the literal one > allegorical adj > allegorize or -rise vballegretto (music) adv 1 fairly quickly or briskly ▸ n, pl -tos 2 a piece or passage to be performed fairly quickly or brisklyallegro (music) adv 1 in a brisk lively manner ▸ n, pl -gros 2 a piece or passage to be performed in a brisk lively manneralleluia interj praise the Lord!allergen (al-ler-jen) n a substance capable of causing an allergic reaction > allergenic adjallergic adj 1 having or caused by an allergy ◇ SYNONYMS: sensitive, affected, susceptible, hypersensitive 2 allergic to (informal) having a strong dislike of: father and son seemed to have been allergic to each other from the startallergy n, pl -gies 1 extreme sensitivity to a substance such as a food or pollen, which causes the body to react to any contact with it ◇ SYNONYMS: sensitivity, reaction, susceptibility, antipathy, hypersensitivity, sensitiveness 2 (informal) a strong dislike for somethingalleviate vb -ating, -ated to lessen (pain or suffering) ◇ SYNONYMS: ease, reduce, relieve, moderate, soothe, lessen, lighten, allay > alleviation nalley n 1 a narrow passage between or behind buildings ◇ SYNONYMS: passage, walk, lane, pathway, alleyway, passageway, backstreet 2 A a building containing lanes for tenpin bowling B a long narrow wooden lane down which the ball is rolled in tenpin bowling 3 a path in a garden, often lined with treesalliance n 1 the state of being allied 2 a formal relationship between two or more countries or political parties to work together ◇ SYNONYMS: union, league, association, agreement, marriage, connection, combination, coalition 3 the countries or parties involvedallied adj 1 united by a common aim or common characteristics: the allied areas of telepathy and clairvoyance ◇ SYNONYMS: united, linked, related, combined, integrated, affiliated, cooperating, in league 2 Allied relating to the countries that fought against Germany and Japan in the Second World War: the Allied bombing of German citiesalligator n a large reptile of the southern US, similar to the crocodile but with a shorter broader snoutall in adj 1 (informal) exhausted 2 (of wrestling) with no style forbidden ▸ adv 3 with all expenses includedalliteration n the use of the same sound at the start of words occurring together, as in round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran > alliterative adjallocate vb -cating, -cated to assign to someone or for a particular purpose ◇ SYNONYMS: assign, grant, distribute, designate, set aside, earmark, give out, consign > allocation nallot vb -lotting, -lotted to assign as a share or for a particular purposeallotment n 1 (Brit) a small piece of land rented by a person to grow vegetables on 2 a portion allotted 3 distributionallotrope n (chem) any of two or more physical forms in which an element can existallow vb 1 to permit someone to do something ◇ SYNONYMS: permit, approve, enable, sanction, endure, license, tolerate, authorize 2 to set aside: I allowed plenty of time ◇ SYNONYMS: give, provide, grant, spare, devote, assign, allocate, set aside 3 to acknowledge (a point or claim) ◇ SYNONYMS: acknowledge, accept, admit, grant, recognize, yield, concede, confess 4 allow for to take into account ◇ SYNONYMS allow for something: take into account, consider, plan for, accommodate, provide for, make provision for, make allowances for, make concessions for > allowable adjallowance n 1 an amount of money given at regular intervals ◇ SYNONYMS: pocket money, grant, fee, payment, ration, handout, remittance 2 (in Britain) an amount of a person's income that is not subject to income tax 3 make allowances for A to treat or judge someone less severely because he or she has special problems B to take into account in one's plansalloy n 1 a mixture of two or more metals ▸ vb 2 to mix metals in order to obtain a substance with a desired propertyall right adj 1 acceptable or satisfactory: is everything all right? ◇ SYNONYMS: satisfactory, O.K. or okay (informal), average, fair, sufficient, standard, acceptable, good enough 2 unharmed; safe: I'm going to check if he's all right ◇ SYNONYMS: well, O.K. or okay (informal), whole (archaic), sound, fit, safe, healthy, unharmed ▸ interj 3 an expression of approval or agreement ▸ adv 4 satisfactorily 5 safely 6 without doubt: it was her all rightall-rounder n a person with many skills and abilitiesallspice n a spice used in cooking, which comes from the berries of a tropical American treeallude vb -luding, -luded > allude to to refer indirectly toallure n attractiveness or appealalluring adj extremely attractiveallusion n an indirect referencealluvial adj 1 of or relating to alluvium ▸ n 2 same as alluviumalluvium n, pl -via a fertile soil consisting of mud, silt, and sand deposited by flowing waterally n, pl -lies 1 a country, person, or group with an agreement to support another ◇ SYNONYMS: partner, friend, colleague, associate, mate (informal), comrade, helper, collaborator, cobber (Austral & NZ old-fashioned, informal), E hoa (NZ) ▸ vb -lies, -lying, -lied 2 ally oneself with to agree to support another country, person, or group ◇ SYNONYMS ally yourself with something or someone: unite with, associate with, unify, collaborate with, join forces with, band together withalma mater n the school, college, or university that one attendedalmanac n a yearly calendar with detailed information on matters like anniversaries and phases of the moonalmighty adj 1 having power over everything 2 (informal) very great: there was an almighty bang ▸ n 3 the Almighty Godalmond n an edible oval nut with a yellowish-brown shell, which grows on a small treealmoner n (Brit) a former name for a hospital social workeralmost adv very nearly ◇ SYNONYMS: nearly, about, close to, virtually, practically, roughly, just about, not quitealms (ahmz) pl n (old-fashioned) donations of money or goods to poor peoplealoe n 1 a plant with fleshy spiny leaves 2 aloes a bitter drug made from aloe leavesaloft adv 1 in the air 2 (naut) in the rigging of a shipalone adj 1 without anyone or anything else ◇ SYNONYMS: solitary, isolated, separate, apart, by yourself, unaccompanied, on your tod (slang) ▸ adv 2 without anyone or anything else ◇ SYNONYMS: solely, only, individually, singly, exclusively, uniquely 3 leave someone or something alone to refrain from annoying someone or interfering with something 4 let alone not to mention: it looked inconceivable that he could run again, let alone be electedalong prep 1 over part or all of the length of: we were going along the railway tracks ▸ adv 2 moving forward: they were roaring along at 40mph 3 in company with another or others: let them go along for the ride 4 along with together with: I'm including the good days along with the badalongside prep 1 close beside ▸ adv 2 near the side of somethingaloof adj distant or haughty in manneralopecia (al-loh-pee-sha) n loss of hair, usually due to illnessaloud adv in an audible voice ◇ SYNONYMS: out loud, clearly, plainly, distinctly, audibly, intelligiblyalpaca n 1 a South American mammal related to the llama, with dark shaggy hair 2 wool or cloth made from this hairalpenstock n a strong stick with an iron tip used by hikers and mountain climbersalpha n 1 the first letter in the Greek alphabet (Α, α) 2 (Brit) the highest grade in an examination or for a piece of academic work 3 alpha and omega the first and lastalphabet n a set of letters in fixed conventional order, used in a writing systemalphabetical adj in the conventional order of the letters of an alphabet > alphabetically advalphabetize or -ise vb -izing, -ized or -ising, -ised to put in alphabetical order > alphabetization or -isation nalpine adj 1 of high mountains 2 Alpine of the Alps ▸ n 3 a plant grown on or native to mountainsalready adv 1 before the present time ◇ SYNONYMS: before now, before, previously, at present, by now, by then, even now, just now 2 before an implied or expected time ◇ SYNONYMS: before now, before, previously, at present, by now, by then, even now, just nowalright adj, interj, adv (not standard) same as all rightAlsatian n a large wolflike dogalso adv in addition; too ◇ SYNONYMS: and, too, further, in addition, as well, moreover, besides, furthermorealso-ran n a loser in a race, competition, or electionalt combining form alternative: alt rockaltar n 1 the table used for Communion in Christian churches 2 a raised structure on which sacrifices are offered and religious rites performedaltarpiece n a painting or a decorated screen set above and behind the altar in a Christian churchalter vb to make or become different; change ◇ SYNONYMS: modify, change, reform, vary, transform, adjust, adapt, revisealteration n a change or modificationaltercation n a noisy argumentalter ego n 1 a hidden side to one's personality 2 a very close friendalternate vb -nating, -nated 1 to occur by turns ◇ SYNONYMS: interchange, change, fluctuate, take turns, oscillate, chop and change 2 to interchange regularly or in succession ◇ SYNONYMS: intersperse, interchange, exchange, swap, stagger, rotate ▸ adj 3 occurring by turns ◇ SYNONYMS: alternating, interchanging, every other, rotating, every second, sequential 4 every second (one) of a series: alternate days 5 being a second choice > alternately adv > alternation nalternating current n an electric current that reverses direction at frequent regular intervalsalternative n 1 a possibility of choice between two or more things ◇ SYNONYMS: substitute, choice, other, option, preference, recourse 2 either or any of such choices ◇ SYNONYMS: substitute, choice, other, option, preference, recourse ▸ adj 3 presenting a choice between two or more possibilities 4 of a lifestyle, etc. that is less conventional or materialistic than is usual > alternatively advalternator n an electrical machine that generates an alternating currentalthough conj in spite of the fact that ◇ SYNONYMS: though, while, even if, even though, whilst, albeit, despite the fact that, notwithstandingaltimeter (al-tim-it-er) n an instrument that measures altitudealtitude n height, esp. above sea levelalto n, pl -tos 1 short for contralto 2 the highest adult male voice 3 a singer with an alto voice 4 a musical instrument, for instance a saxophone, that is the second or third highest in its family ▸ adj 5 denoting such an instrument, singer, or voice: an alto flutealtogether adv 1 completely: an altogether different message ◇ SYNONYMS: absolutely, quite, completely, totally, perfectly, fully, thoroughly, wholly 2 on the whole: this is not altogether a bad thing ◇ SYNONYMS: on the whole, generally, mostly, in general, collectively, all things considered, on average, for the most part 3 in total: altogether, 25 aircraft took part ◇ SYNONYMS: in total, in all, all told, taken together, in sum, everything included ▸ n 4 in the altogether (informal) nakedaltruism n unselfish concern for the welfare of others > altruist n > altruistic adjaluminium or (US & Canad) aluminum n (chem) a light malleable silvery-white metallic element that does not rust. SYMBOL: Alalumnus (al-lumm-nuss) or (fem) alumna (al-lumm-na) n, pl -ni (-nie) or -nae (-nee) (chiefly US & Canad) a graduate of a school or collegealways adv 1 without exception: she was always at the top of her form in school work ◇ SYNONYMS: habitually, regularly, every time, consistently, invariably, perpetually, without exception, customarily 2 continually: you're always shouting or whining ◇ SYNONYMS: continually, constantly, all the time, forever, repeatedly, persistently, perpetually, incessantly 3 in any case: they're all adults, they can always say noalyssum n a garden plant with clusters of small white flowersam vb (with "I" as subject) a form of the present tense of beAM 1 amplitude modulation 2 (in Britain) Member of the National Assembly for Walesa.m. before noonamalgam n 1 a blend or combination 2 an alloy of mercury with another metal: dental amalgamamalgamate vb -mating, -mated 1 to combine or unite 2 to alloy (a metal) with mercury > amalgamation namandla (a-mand-la) n (S African) a political slogan calling for power to the Black populationamanuensis (am-man-yew-en-siss) n, pl -ses (-seez) a person who copies manuscripts or takes dictationamaranth n 1 (poetic) an imaginary flower that never fades 2 a lily-like plant with small green, red, or purple flowersamaryllis n a lily-like plant with large red or white flowers and a long stalkamass vb to accumulate or collect: the desire to amass wealth ◇ SYNONYMS: collect, gather, assemble, compile, accumulate, pile up, hoardamateur n 1 a person who engages in a sport or other activity as a pastime rather than as a profession ◇ SYNONYMS: nonprofessional, outsider, layperson, layman or woman, dilettante, non-specialist, dabbler 2 a person unskilled in a subject or activity ▸ adj 3 doing something out of interest, not for money 4 amateurish > amateurism namateurish adj lacking skillamatory adj of or relating to romantic or sexual loveamaze vb amazing, amazed to fill with surprise; astonish ◇ SYNONYMS: astonish, surprise, shock, stun, alarm, stagger, startle, bewilder > amazement n > amazing adj > amazingly advAmazon n 1 a strong and powerful woman 2 (Greek myth) one of a race of women warriors of Scythia > Amazonian adjambassador n 1 a diplomat of the highest rank, sent to another country as permanent representative of his or her own country ◇ SYNONYMS: representative, minister, agent, deputy, diplomat, envoy, consul, attaché 2 a representative or messenger: he saw himself as an ambassador for the game > ambassadorial adjamber n 1 a yellow translucent fossilized resin, used in jewellery ▸ adj 2 brownish-yellowambergris (am-ber-greece) n a waxy substance secreted by the sperm whale, which is used in making perfumesambidextrous adj able to use both hands with equal easeambience or ambiance n the atmosphere of a placeambient adj 1 surrounding: low ambient temperatures 2 creating a relaxing atmosphere: ambient musicambiguity n, pl -ties 1 the possibility of interpreting an expression in more than one way ◇ SYNONYMS: vagueness, doubt, uncertainty, obscurity, equivocation, dubiousness 2 an ambiguous situation or expression: the ambiguities of feminine identityambiguous adj having more than one possible interpretation ◇ SYNONYMS: unclear, obscure, vague, dubious, enigmatic, indefinite, inconclusive, indeterminate > ambiguously advambit n limits or boundaryambition n 1 strong desire for success ◇ SYNONYMS: enterprise, longing, drive, spirit, desire, passion, enthusiasm, striving 2 something so desired; a goal ◇ SYNONYMS: goal, hope, dream, target, aim, wish, purpose, desireambitious adj 1 having a strong desire for success ◇ SYNONYMS: enterprising, spirited, daring, eager, intent, enthusiastic, hopeful, striving 2 requiring great effort or ability: ambitious plansambivalence (am-biv-a-lenss) n the state of feeling two conflicting emotions at the same time > ambivalent adjamble vb -bling, -bled 1 to walk at a leisurely pace ▸ n 2 a leisurely walk or paceambrosia n 1 something delightful to taste or smell 2 (classical myth) the food of the godsambulance n a motor vehicle designed to carry sick or injured peopleambush n 1 the act of waiting in a concealed position to make a surprise attack 2 an attack from such a position ◇ SYNONYMS: trap, snare, lure, waylaying ▸ vb 3 to attack suddenly from a concealed position ◇ SYNONYMS: trap, attack, surprise, deceive, dupe, ensnare, waylay, bushwhack (US)ameliorate (am-meal-yor-rate) vb -rating, -rated to make (something) better > amelioration namen interj so be it: used at the end of a prayeramenable (a-mean-a-bl) adj likely or willing to cooperateamend vb to make small changes to something such as a piece of writing or a contract, in order to improve it: he has amended the basic design ◇ SYNONYMS: change, improve, reform, fix, correct, repair, edit, alteramendment n an improvement or correction ◇ SYNONYMS: addition, change, adjustment, attachment, adaptation, revision, modification, alterationamends pl n make amends for to compensate for some injury or insultamenity n, pl -ties a useful or enjoyable feature: all kinds of amenities including horse riding and golf ◇ SYNONYMS: facility, service, advantage, comfort, convenienceAmerican adj 1 of the United States of America or the American continent ▸ n 2 a person from the United States of America or the American continentAmericanism n an expression or custom that is characteristic of the people of the United StatesAmericano n, pl -nos espresso coffee diluted with hot wateramethyst (am-myth-ist) n 1 a purple or violet variety of quartz used as a gemstone ▸ adj 2 purple or violetamiable adj having a pleasant nature; friendly > amiability n > amiably advamicable adj characterized by friendliness: ideally the parting should be amicable > amicability n > amicably advamid or amidst prep in the middle of; among ◇ SYNONYMS: in the middle of, among, surrounded by, amongst, in the midst of, in the thick ofamidships adv (naut) at, near, or towards the centre of a shipamino acid (am-mean-oh) n (chem) any of a group of organic compounds containing the amino group, –NH2, and one or more carboxyl groups, –COOH, esp. one that is a component of proteinamiss adv 1 wrongly or badly: anxious not to tread amiss 2 take something amiss to be offended by something ▸ adj 3 wrong or faultyamity n (formal) friendshipammeter n an instrument for measuring an electric current in amperesammonia n 1 a colourless strong-smelling gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen 2 a solution of this in waterammonite n the fossilized spiral shell of an extinct sea creatureammunition n 1 bullets, bombs, and shells that can be fired from or as a weapon ◇ SYNONYMS: munitions, rounds, shot, shells, powder, explosives, armaments 2 facts that can be used in an argumentamnesia n a partial or total loss of memory > amnesiac adj, namnesty n, pl -ties 1 a general pardon for offences against a government ◇ SYNONYMS: general pardon, mercy, pardoning, immunity, forgiveness, reprieve, remission, clemency 2 a period during which a law is suspended, to allow people to confess to crime or give up weapons without fear of prosecutionamniocentesis n, pl -ses removal of amniotic fluid from the womb of a pregnant woman in order to detect possible abnormalities in the fetusamniotic fluid n the fluid surrounding the fetus in the wombamoeba or (US) ameba (am-mee-ba) n, pl -bae (-bee) or -bas a microscopic single-cell creature that is able to change its shapeamok or amuck adv run amok to run about in a violent frenzyamong or amongst prep 1 in the midst of: she decided to dwell among the Greeks ◇ SYNONYMS: in the midst of, with, together with, in the middle of, amid, surrounded by, amidst, in the thick of 2 in the group, class, or number of: he is among the top trainers ◇ SYNONYMS: in the group of, one of, part of, included in, in the company of, in the class of, in the number of 3 to each of: the stakes should be divided among the players ◇ SYNONYMS: between, to 4 with one another within a group: sort it out among yourselvesamoral (aim-mor-ral) adj without moral standards or principles > amorality namorous adj feeling, displaying, or relating to sexual love or desireamorphous adj 1 lacking a definite shape 2 of no recognizable character or typeamortize or -tise vb -tizing, -tized or -tising, -tised (finance) to pay off (a debt) gradually by periodic transfers to a sinking fundamount n 1 extent or quantity ◇ SYNONYMS: quantity, measure, size, supply, mass, volume, capacity, extent ▸ vb 2 amount to to be equal or add up to ◇ SYNONYMS amount to something: add up to, mean, total, equal, constitute, comprise, be equivalent toamour n a secret love affairamp n 1 an ampere 2 (informal) an amplifierampere (am-pair) n the basic unit of electric currentampersand n the character &, meaning andamphetamine (am-fet-am-mean) n a drug used as a stimulantamphibian n 1 an animal, such as a newt, frog, or toad, that lives on land but breeds in water 2 a vehicle that can travel on both water and landamphibious adj 1 living or operating both on land and in or on water 2 relating to a military attack launched from the sea against a shoreamphitheatre or (US) amphitheater n a circular or oval building without a roof, in which tiers of seats rise from a central open arenaamphora (am-for-ra) n, pl -phorae (-for-ree) an ancient Greek or Roman jar with two handles and a narrow neckample adj 1 more than sufficient: there is already ample evidence ◇ SYNONYMS: plenty of, generous, lavish, abundant, plentiful, expansive, copious, profuse 2 large: ample helpings of stewed pomegranates and pears ◇ SYNONYMS: large, full, extensive, generous, abundant, bountifulamplifier n an electronic device used to increase the strength of a current or sound signalamplify vb -fies, -fying, -fied 1 (electronics) to increase the strength of (a current or sound signal) 2 to explain in more detail 3 to increase the size, extent, or effect of > amplification namplitude n 1 greatness of extent 2 (physics) the maximum displacement from the zero or mean position of a wave or oscillationamply adv fully or generously: she was amply rewarded for it ◇ SYNONYMS: fully, completely, richly, generously, abundantly, profusely, copiouslyampoule or (US) ampule n (med) a small glass container in which liquids for injection are sealedamputate vb -tating, -tated to cut off (a limb or part of a limb) for medical reasons > amputation namuck adv same as amokamulet n a trinket or jewel worn as a protection against evilamuse vb amusing, amused 1 to cause to laugh or smile ◇ SYNONYMS: entertain, please, delight, charm, cheer, tickle 2 to entertain or keep interested ◇ SYNONYMS: occupy, interest, involve, engage, entertain, absorb, engross > amusing adj > amusingly advamusement n 1 the state of being amused ◇ SYNONYMS: enjoyment, entertainment, cheer, mirth, merriment 2 something that amuses or entertains someone ◇ SYNONYMS: pastime, game, sport, joke, entertainment, hobby, recreation, diversion