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an adj (indefinite article) same as a used before an initial vowel sound: an old man; an houranabolic steroid n a synthetic steroid hormone used to stimulate muscle and bone growthanachronism (an-nak-kron-iz-zum) n 1 the representation of something in a historical context in which it could not have occurred or existed 2 a person or thing that seems to belong to another time > anachronistic adjanaconda n a large S American snake which squeezes its prey to deathanaemia or (US) anemia (an-neem-ee-a) n a deficiency of red blood cells or their haemoglobin content, resulting in paleness and lack of energyanaemic or (US) anemic adj 1 having anaemia 2 pale and sickly-looking 3 lacking vitalityanaesthesia or (US) anesthesia (an-niss-theez-ee-a) n loss of bodily feeling caused by disease or accident or by drugs such as ether: called general anaesthesia when consciousness is lost and local anaesthesia when only a specific area of the body is involvedanaesthetic or (US) anesthetic (an-niss-thet-ik) n 1 a substance that causes anaesthesia ◇ SYNONYMS: painkiller, narcotic, sedative, opiate, anodyne, analgesic, soporific ▸ adj 2 causing anaesthesia ◇ SYNONYMS: pain-killing, dulling, numbing, sedative, deadening, anodyne, analgesic, soporificanaesthetist (an-neess-thet-ist) n (Brit) a doctor who administers anaestheticsanaesthetize or anaesthetise or (US) anesthetize vb -tizing, -tized or -tising, -tised to cause to feel no pain by administering an anaestheticanagram n a word or phrase made by rearranging the letters of another word or phraseanal (ain-al) adj of or relating to the anusanalgesia n the absence of painanalgesic (an-nal-jeez-ik) n 1 a drug that relieves pain ▸ adj 2 pain-relieving: an analgesic balmanalog n same as analogueanalogous adj similar in some respectsanalogue or (US) analog n 1 a physical object or quantity used to measure or represent another quantity 2 something that is analogous to something else ▸ adj 3 displaying information by means of a dial: analogue speedometersanalogy n, pl -gies 1 a similarity, usually in a limited number of features ◇ SYNONYMS: similarity, relation, comparison, parallel, correspondence, resemblance, correlation, likeness 2 a comparison made to show such a similarity ◇ SYNONYMS: similarity, relation, comparison, parallel, correspondence, resemblance, correlation, likeness > analogical adjanalyse or (US) -lyze (an-nal-lize) vb -lysing, -lysed or -lyzing, -lyzed 1 to examine (something) in detail in order to discover its meaning or essential features ◇ SYNONYMS: examine, test, study, research, survey, investigate, evaluate, inspect 2 to break (something) down into its components ◇ SYNONYMS: break down, separate, divide, resolve, dissect, think through 3 to psychoanalyse (someone) ◇ SYNONYMS: examine, test, study, research, survey, investigate, evaluate, inspectanalysis (an-nal-liss-iss) n, pl -ses (-seez) 1 the separation of a whole into its parts for study or interpretation ◇ SYNONYMS: examination, test, inquiry, investigation, interpretation, breakdown, scanning, evaluation 2 a statement of the results of this 3 short for psychoanalysisanalyst n 1 a person who is skilled in analysis 2 a psychoanalystanalytical or analytic adj relating to or using analysis > analytically advanarchism n a doctrine advocating the abolition of government and its replacement by a social system based on voluntary cooperationanarchist n 1 a person who advocates anarchism 2 a person who causes disorder or upheaval > anarchistic adjanarchy (an-ark-ee) n 1 general lawlessness and disorder ◇ SYNONYMS: lawlessness, revolution, riot, disorder, confusion, chaos, disorganization 2 the absence of government > anarchic adjanathema (an-nath-im-a) n a detested person or thing: the very colour was anathema to heranatomist n an expert in anatomyanatomy n, pl -mies 1 the science of the physical structure of animals and plants 2 the structure of an animal or plant ◇ SYNONYMS: structure, build, make-up, frame, framework, composition 3 (informal) a person's body: the male anatomy 4 a detailed analysis: an anatomy of the massacre ◇ SYNONYMS: examination, study, division, inquiry, investigation, analysis, dissection > anatomical adj > anatomically advANC African National Congressancestor n 1 a person in former times from whom one is descended ◇ SYNONYMS: forefather, predecessor, precursor, forerunner, forebear, antecedent, tupuna or tipuna (NZ) 2 a forerunner: the immediate ancestor of rock and roll is rhythm and bluesancestral adj of or inherited from ancestorsancestry n, pl -tries 1 family descent: of Japanese ancestry 2 origin or roots: a vehicle whose ancestry dated back to the 1950sanchor n 1 a hooked device attached to a boat by a cable and dropped overboard to fasten the boat to the sea bottom 2 a source of stability or security: a spiritual anchor 3 anchors (slang) the brakes of a motor vehicle: he rammed on the anchors ▸ vb 4 to use an anchor to hold (a boat) in one place 5 to fasten securely: we anchored his wheelchair to a rockanchorage n a place where boats can be anchoredanchorite n a person who chooses to live in isolation for religious reasonsanchorman or anchorwoman n, pl -men or -women 1 a broadcaster in a central studio, who links up and presents items from outside camera units and reporters in other studios 2 the last person to compete in a relay teamanchovy (an-chov-ee) n, pl -vies a small marine food fish with a salty tasteancient adj 1 dating from very long ago ◇ SYNONYMS: classical, old, former, past, bygone, primordial, primeval, olden 2 very old ◇ SYNONYMS: very old, aged, antique, archaic, timeworn 3 of the far past, esp. before the collapse of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD) ▸ n 4 ancients people who lived very long ago, such as the Romans and Greeksancillary adj 1 supporting the main work of an organization: hospital ancillary workers 2 used as an extra or supplement: I had a small ancillary sleeping tentand conj 1 in addition to: plants and birds ◇ SYNONYMS: also, including, along with, together with, in addition to, as well as 2 as a consequence: she fell downstairs and broke her neck 3 afterwards: she excused herself and left 4 used for emphasis or to indicate repetition or continuity: they called again and again 5 used to express a contrast between instances of something: there are jobs and jobs 6 (informal) used in place of to in infinitives after verbs such as try, go, and come: come and see us againandante (an-dan-tay) (music) adv 1 moderately slowly ▸ n 2 a passage or piece to be performed moderately slowlyandiron n either of a pair of metal stands for supporting logs in a fireplaceandrogynous adj having both male and female characteristicsandroid n a robot resembling a human beinganecdote n a short amusing account of an incident ◇ SYNONYMS: story, tale, sketch, short story, yarn (informal), reminiscence, urban myth, urban legend > anecdotal adjanemia n (US) same as anaemiaanemometer n an instrument for recording wind speedanemone (an-nem-on-ee) n a flowering plant with white, purple, or red flowersaneroid barometer n a device for measuring air pressure, consisting of a partially evacuated chamber, in which variations in pressure cause a pointer on the lid to moveaneurysm or aneurism (an-new-riz-zum) n (med) a permanent swelling of a blood vesselanew adv 1 once more 2 in a different wayangel n 1 a spiritual being believed to be an attendant or messenger of God ◇ SYNONYMS: divine messenger, cherub, archangel, seraph 2 a conventional representation of an angel as a human being with wings ◇ SYNONYMS: divine messenger, cherub, archangel, seraph 3 (informal) a person who is kind, pure, or beautiful ◇ SYNONYMS: dear, beauty, saint, treasure, darling, jewel, gem, paragon 4 (informal) an investor in a theatrical productionangelic adj 1 very kind, pure, or beautiful 2 of or relating to angels > angelically advangelica (an-jell-ik-a) n a plant whose candied stalks are used in cookeryAngelus (an-jell-uss) n (RC Church) 1 prayers recited in the morning, at midday, and in the evening 2 the bell signalling the times of these prayersanger n 1 a feeling of extreme annoyance or displeasure ◇ SYNONYMS: rage, outrage, temper, fury, resentment, wrath, annoyance, ire ▸ vb 2 to make (someone) angry ◇ SYNONYMS: enrage, outrage, annoy, infuriate, incense, gall, madden, exasperateangina (an-jine-a) or angina pectoris (peck-tor-riss) n a sudden intense pain in the chest caused by a momentary lack of adequate blood supply to the heart muscleangle1 n 1 the space between or shape formed by two straight lines or surfaces that meet ◇ SYNONYMS: gradient, bank, slope, incline, inclination 2 the divergence between two such lines or surfaces, measured in degrees ◇ SYNONYMS: gradient, bank, slope, incline, inclination 3 a recess or corner ◇ SYNONYMS: intersection, point, edge, corner, bend, elbow, crook, nook 4 point of view ◇ SYNONYMS: point of view, position, approach, direction, aspect, perspective, outlook, viewpoint ▸ vb -gling, -gled 5 to move in or place at an angle 6 to write (an article) from a particular point of viewangle2 vb -gling, -gled 1 to fish with a hook and line 2 angle for to try to get by hinting: he's just angling for sympathyangler n a person who fishes with a hook and lineAnglican adj 1 of or relating to the Church of England ▸ n 2 a member of the Anglican Church > Anglicanism nanglicize or -cise vb -cizing, -cized or -cising, -cised to make or become English in outlook or formangling n the art or sport of fishing with a hook and lineAnglo- combining form English or British: the history of Anglo-German relationsAnglo-Saxon n 1 a member of any of the West Germanic tribes that settled in Britain from the 5th century AD 2 any White person whose native language is English 3 (informal) plain, blunt, and often rude English ▸ adj 4 of the Anglo-Saxons or the Old English language 5 of the White Protestant culture of Britain and the USangora n 1 a variety of goat, cat, or rabbit with long silky hair 2 the hair of the angora goat or rabbit 3 cloth made from this hairAngostura Bitters pl n (trademark) a bitter tonic, used as a flavouring in alcoholic drinksangry adj -grier, -griest 1 feeling or expressing annoyance or rage ◇ SYNONYMS: furious, cross, mad (informal), outraged, annoyed, infuriated, incensed, enraged, tooshie (Austral slang), off the air (Austral slang), aerated 2 severely inflamed: he had angry welts on his forehead 3 dark and stormy: angry waves > angrily advangst n a feeling of anxiety ◇ SYNONYMS: anxiety, worry, unease, apprehensionangstrom n a unit of length equal to 10-10 metre, used to measure wavelengthsanguish n great mental pain ◇ SYNONYMS: suffering, pain, distress, grief, misery, agony, torment, sorrowanguished adj feeling or showing great mental pain: anguished criesangular adj 1 lean and bony: his angular face 2 having an angle or angles 3 measured by an angle: angular momentum > angularity nanhydrous adj (chem) containing no wateraniline n (chem) a colourless oily poisonous liquid, obtained from coal tar and used for making dyes, plastics, and explosivesanimal n 1 (zool) any living being that is capable of voluntary movement and possesses specialized sense organs ◇ SYNONYMS: creature, beast, brute 2 any living being other than a human being ◇ SYNONYMS: creature, beast, brute 3 any living being with four legs ◇ SYNONYMS: creature, beast, brute 4 a cruel or coarse person ◇ SYNONYMS: brute, devil, monster, savage, beast, villain, barbarian 5 (facetious) a person or thing: there's no such animal ▸ adj 6 of or from animals 7 of or relating to physical needs or desires ◇ SYNONYMS: physical, gross, bodily, sensual, carnal, brutish, bestial, animalisticanimate vb -mating, -mated 1 to give life to 2 to make lively ◇ SYNONYMS: enliven, excite, inspire, move, fire, stimulate, energize, kindle 3 to produce (a story) as an animated cartoon ▸ adj 4 having life ◇ SYNONYMS: living, live, moving, alive, breathing, alive and kickinganimated adj 1 interesting and lively ◇ SYNONYMS: lively, spirited, excited, enthusiastic, passionate, energetic, ebullient, vivacious 2 (of a cartoon) made by using animation > animatedly advanimation n 1 the techniques used in the production of animated cartoons 2 an animated cartoon 3 liveliness and enthusiasm: there's an animation in her that is new ◇ SYNONYMS: liveliness, energy, spirit, passion, enthusiasm, excitement, verve, zestanimator n a person who makes animated cartoonsanimism n the belief that natural objects possess souls > animist n, adj > animistic adjanimosity n, pl -ties a powerful dislike or hostilityanimus n intense dislike; hatredanion (an-eye-on) n an ion with negative charge > anionic adjanise (an-niss) n a Mediterranean plant with liquorice-flavoured seedsaniseed n the liquorice-flavoured seeds of the anise plant, used for flavouringankle n 1 the joint connecting the leg and the foot 2 the part of the leg just above the footanklet n an ornamental chain worn round the ankleannals pl n 1 yearly records of events 2 regular reports of the work of a society or other organization > annalist nanneal vb to toughen (glass or metal) by heat treatmentannelid n a worm with a segmented body, such as the earthwormannex vb 1 to seize (territory) by conquest or occupation 2 to take without permission 3 to join or add (something) to something larger > annexation nannexe or (esp US) annex n 1 an extension to a main building 2 a building used as an addition to a main one nearbyannihilate vb -lating, -lated 1 to destroy (a place or a group of people) completely 2 (informal) to defeat totally in an argument or a contest > annihilation nanniversary n, pl -ries 1 the date on which an event, such as a wedding, occurred in some previous year 2 the celebration of thisanno Domini adv in the year of our Lordannotate vb -tating, -tated to add critical or explanatory notes to a written work > annotation nannounce vb -nouncing, -nounced 1 to make known publicly ◇ SYNONYMS: make known, tell, report, reveal, declare, advertise, broadcast, disclose, post, tweet 2 to proclaim ◇ SYNONYMS: make known, tell, report, reveal, declare, advertise, broadcast, disclose, post, tweet 3 to declare the arrival of (a person) 4 to be a sign of: snowdrops announced the arrival of spring > announcement nannouncer n a person who introduces programmes on radio or televisionannoy vb 1 to irritate or displease ◇ SYNONYMS: irritate, trouble, anger, bother, disturb, plague, hassle (informal), madden, hack you off (informal) 2 to harass sexually > annoyance n > annoying adjannual adj 1 occurring or done once a year: the union's annual conference ◇ SYNONYMS: once a year, yearly 2 lasting for a year: the annual subscription ◇ SYNONYMS: yearlong, yearly ▸ n 3 a plant that completes its life cycle in one year 4 a book published once every year > annually advannuity n, pl -ties a fixed sum payable at specified intervals over a periodannul vb -nulling, -nulled to declare (a contract or marriage) invalidannular (an-new-lar) adj ring-shapedannulment n the formal declaration that a contract or marriage is invalidAnnunciation n (Christianity) the Annunciation A the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of her conception of Christ B the festival commemorating this, on March 25 (Lady Day)anode n (electronics) the positive electrode in an electrolytic cell or in an electronic valveanodize or -dise vb -dizing, -dized or -dising, -dised (chem) to coat (a metal) with a protective oxide film by electrolysisanodyne n 1 something that relieves pain or distress ▸ adj 2 bland or dull 3 capable of relieving pain or distressanoint vb to smear with oil as a sign of consecrationanomalous adj different from the normal or usual order or typeanomaly (an-nom-a-lee) n, pl -lies something that deviates from the normal; an irregularity ◇ SYNONYMS: irregularity, exception, abnormality, inconsistency, eccentricity, oddity, peculiarity, incongruityanon adv (old-fashioned, or informal) soon: you shall see him anonanon. anonymousanonymous adj 1 by someone whose name is unknown or withheld: an anonymous letter ◇ SYNONYMS: unsigned, uncredited, unattributed 2 having no known name: an anonymous writer ◇ SYNONYMS: unnamed, unknown, unidentified, nameless, unacknowledged, incognito 3 lacking distinguishing characteristics: an anonymous little town 4 Anonymous of an organization that helps applicants who remain anonymous: Alcoholics Anonymous > anonymously adv > anonymity nanorak n 1 a waterproof hip-length jacket with a hood 2 (Brit informal) a socially inept person with a hobby considered to be boringanorexia or anorexia nervosa n a mental health condition characterized by fear of gaining weight, often leading to refusal of food > anorexic adj, nanother adj 1 one more: they don't have the right to demand another chance 2 different: you'll have to find another excuse ▸ pron 3 one more: help yourself to another 4 a different one: one way or anotheranswer vb 1 to reply or respond (to) by word or act ◇ SYNONYMS: reply, explain, respond, resolve, react, return, retort 2 to be responsible (to a person) 3 to reply correctly to (a question) 4 to respond or react: a dog that answers to the name of Pugg 5 to meet the requirements of 6 to give a defence of (a charge) ▸ n 7 a reply to a question, request, letter, or article ◇ SYNONYMS: reply, response, reaction, explanation, comeback, retort, return, defence 8 a solution to a problem ◇ SYNONYMS: solution, resolution, explanation 9 a reaction or response ◇ SYNONYMS: reply, response, reaction, explanation, comeback, retort, return, defenceanswerable adj answerable for or to responsible for or accountable toanswering machine n a device for answering a telephone automatically and recording messagesant n a small, often wingless, insect, living in highly organized coloniesantacid (chem) n 1 a substance used to treat acidity in the stomach ▸ adj 2 having the properties of this substanceantagonism n openly expressed hostilityantagonist n an opponent or adversary > antagonistic adjantagonize or -nise vb -nizing, -nized or -nising, -nised to arouse hostility in: it was not prudent to antagonize a hired killerAntarctic n 1 the Antarctic the area around the South Pole ▸ adj 2 of this regionante n 1 the stake put up before the deal in poker by the players 2 (informal) a sum of money representing a person's share 3 up the ante (informal) to increase the costs or risks involved in an action ▸ vb -teing, -ted or -teed 4 to place (one's stake) in poker 5 ante up (informal) to payante- prefix before in time or position: antediluvian; antechamberanteater n a mammal with a long snout used for eating termitesantecedent n 1 an event or circumstance that happens or exists before another 2 (grammar) a word or phrase to which a relative pronoun, such as who, refers 3 antecedents a person's ancestors and past history ▸ adj 4 preceding in time or orderantedate vb -dating, -dated 1 to be or occur at an earlier date than 2 to give (something) a date that is earlier than the actual dateantediluvian adj 1 belonging to the ages before the biblical Flood 2 old-fashionedantelope n, pl -lopes or -lope any of a group of graceful deerlike mammals of Africa and Asia, which have long legs and hornsantenatal adj before birth; during pregnancy: an antenatal clinicantenna n 1 pl -nae one of a pair of mobile feelers on the heads of insects, lobsters, and certain other creatures 2 pl -nas an aerial: TV antennasanterior adj 1 at or towards the front 2 earlieranteroom n a small room leading into a larger room, often used as a waiting roomanthem n 1 a song of loyalty or devotion: a national anthem ◇ SYNONYMS: song of praise, carol, chant, hymn, psalm, paean, chorale, canticle 2 a piece of music for a choir, usually set to words from the Bible ◇ SYNONYMS: song of praise, carol, chant, hymn, psalm, paean, chorale, canticleanther n (botany) the part of the stamen of a flower which contains the pollenant hill n a mound of soil built by ants around the entrance to their nestanthology n, pl -gies a collection of poems or other literary pieces by various authors ◇ SYNONYMS: collection, selection, treasury, compilation, compendium, miscellany > anthologist nanthracite n a hard coal that burns slowly with little smoke or flame but intense heatanthrax n a dangerous infectious disease of cattle and sheep, which can be passed to humansanthropoid adj 1 resembling a human being ▸ n 2 an ape, such as the chimpanzee, that resembles a human beinganthropology n the study of human origins, institutions, and beliefs > anthropological adj > anthropologist nanthropomorphism n the attribution of human form or personality to a god, animal, or object > anthropomorphic adjanti- prefix 1 against or opposed to: antiwar 2 opposite to: anticlimax 3 counteracting or neutralizing: antifreezeanti-aircraft adj for defence against aircraft attackantibiotic n 1 a chemical substance capable of destroying bacteria ▸ adj 2 of or relating to antibioticsantibody n, pl -bodies a protein produced in the blood which destroys bacteriaanticipate vb -pating, -pated 1 to foresee and act in advance of: he anticipated some probing questions ◇ SYNONYMS: expect, predict, prepare for, hope for, envisage, foresee, bank on, foretell 2 to look forward to ◇ SYNONYMS: await, look forward to, count the hours until 3 to make use of (something, such as one's salary) before receiving it 4 to mention (part of a story) before its proper time > anticipatory adjanticipation n the act of anticipating; expectation, premonition, or foresight: smiling in happy anticipation ◇ SYNONYMS: expectancy, expectation, foresight, premonition, prescience, forethoughtanticlimax n a disappointing conclusion to a series of events > anticlimactic adjanticlockwise adv, adj in the opposite direction to the rotation of the hands of a clockantics pl n absurd acts or postures ◇ SYNONYMS: clowning, tricks, mischief, pranks, escapades, playfulness, horseplay, tomfooleryanticyclone n (meteorol) an area of moving air of high pressure in which the winds rotate outwardsantidote n 1 (med) a substance that counteracts a poison 2 anything that counteracts a harmful condition: exercise may be a good antidote to insomniaantifreeze n a liquid added to water to lower its freezing point, used in the radiator of a motor vehicle to prevent freezingantigen (an-tee-jen) n a substance, usually a toxin, that causes the body to produce antibodiesantihero n, pl -roes a central character in a novel, play, or film, who lacks the traditional heroic virtuesantihistamine n a drug that neutralizes the effects of histamine, used in the treatment of allergiesantimacassar n a cloth put over the back of a chair to prevent it getting dirtyantimony (an-tim-mon-ee) n (chem) a silvery-white metallic element that is added to alloys to increase their strength. SYMBOL: Sbantipasto n, pl -tos an appetizer in an Italian mealantipathy (an-tip-a-thee) n a feeling of strong dislike or hostility > antipathetic adjantiperspirant n a substance applied to the skin to reduce or prevent perspirationantiphon n a hymn sung in alternate parts by two groups of singersantipodes (an-tip-pod-deez) pl n 1 any two places that are situated diametrically opposite one another on the earth's surface 2 the Antipodes (Brit) Australia and New Zealand > antipodean adjantipyretic adj 1 reducing fever ▸ n 2 a drug that reduces feverantiquarian adj 1 collecting or dealing with antiquities or rare books ▸ n 2 an antiquaryantiquary n, pl -quaries a person who collects, deals in, or studies antiques or ancient works of artantiquated adj obsolete or old-fashionedantique n 1 a decorative object or piece of furniture, of an earlier period, that is valued for its beauty, workmanship, and age ◇ SYNONYMS: period piece, relic, bygone, heirloom, collector's item, museum piece ▸ adj 2 made in an earlier period ◇ SYNONYMS: vintage, classic, antiquarian, olden 3 (informal) old-fashionedantiquity n, pl -ties 1 great age 2 the far distant past 3 antiquities objects dating from ancient timesantiracism n the policy of challenging racism or promoting racial tolerance > antiracist n, adjantirrhinum n a two-lipped flower of various colours, such as the snapdragonanti-Semitic adj discriminating against Jews > anti-Semite n > anti-Semitism nantiseptic adj 1 preventing infection by killing germs ▸ n 2 an antiseptic substanceantisocial adj 1 avoiding the company of other people 2 (of behaviour) annoying or harmful to other peopleantistatic adj reducing the effects of static electricityantithesis (an-tith-iss-iss) n, pl -ses (-seez) 1 the exact opposite 2 (rhetoric) the placing together of contrasting ideas or words to produce an effect of balance, such as where gods command, mere mortals must obey > antithetical adjantitoxin n an antibody that acts against a toxin > antitoxic adjantitrust adj (US & Austral & S African) (of laws) opposing business monopoliesantivirus adj 1 relating to software designed to protect computer files from viruses ▸ n 2 such a piece of softwareantler n one of a pair of branched horns on the heads of male deerantonym n a word that means the opposite of anotheranus (ain-uss) n the opening at the end of the alimentary canal, through which faeces are dischargedanvil n a heavy iron block on which metals are hammered into particular shapesanxiety n, pl -ties 1 a state of uneasiness about what may happen ◇ SYNONYMS: uneasiness, concern, worry, doubt, tension, angst, apprehension, misgiving 2 eagerness: she was uneasy with his mixture of diffidence and anxiety to please 3 (psychol) a state of intense worryanxious adj 1 worried and tense: he was anxious about the enormity of the task ahead ◇ SYNONYMS: uneasy, concerned, worried, troubled, nervous, uncomfortable, tense, fearful 2 causing anxiety: an anxious time ◇ SYNONYMS: uneasy, concerned, worried, troubled, nervous, uncomfortable, tense, fearful 3 intensely desiring: both sides were anxious for a deal ◇ SYNONYMS: eager, keen, intent, yearning, impatient, itching, desirous > anxiously advany determiner 1 one, some, or several, no matter how much or what kind: the jar opener fits over the top of any bottle or jar; have you left me any? 2 even the smallest amount or even one: we can't answer any questions; don't give her any 3 whatever or whichever: police may board any bus or train 4 an indefinite or unlimited amount or number: he would sign cheques for any amount of money ▸ adv 5 to even the smallest extent: the outcome wouldn't have been any differentanybody pron same as anyoneanyhow adv same as anywayanyone pron 1 any person: is anyone there? 2 a person of any importance: is he anyone?anything pron 1 any object, event, or action whatever: they'll do anything to please you ▸ adv 2 in any way: it is not a computer nor anything like a computer 3 anything but not at all: the result is anything but simpleanyway adv 1 at any rate; nevertheless 2 in any manner 3 carelesslyanywhere adv 1 in, at, or to any place 2 get anywhere to be successful: we will not get anywhere by being negativeAnzac n (in the First World War) a soldier serving with the Australian and New Zealand Army CorpsAnzac Day April 25, a public holiday in Australia and New Zealand commemorating the Anzac landing at Gallipoli in 1915AOB (on the agenda for a meeting) any other businessaorta (eh-or-ta) n the main artery of the body, which carries oxygen-rich blood from the heartapace adv (literary) quickly: repairs to the grid continued apaceapart adj, adv 1 to or in pieces: he took a couple of cars apart and rebuilt them ◇ SYNONYMS: to pieces, to bits, asunder (literary) 2 separate in time, place, or position: my father and myself stood slightly apart from them ◇ SYNONYMS: away from each other, distant from each other 3 individual or distinct: a nation apart 4 not being taken into account: early timing difficulties apart, they encountered few problems 5 apart from other than: apart from searching the house there is little more we can do ◇ SYNONYMS apart from: except for, excepting, other than, excluding, besides, not including, aside from, butapartheid n (formerly) the official government policy of racial segregation in South Africaapartment n 1 any room in a building, usually one of several forming a suite, used as living accommodation ◇ SYNONYMS: rooms, quarters, accommodation, living quarters 2 (chiefly US & Canad) a set of rooms forming a home within a building usually incorporating other similar homes. Also called (Brit): flat ◇ SYNONYMS: flat, room, suite, penthouse, duplex (US & Canad), crib, bachelor apartment (Canad)apathy n lack of interest or enthusiasm ◇ SYNONYMS: lack of interest, indifference, inertia, coolness, passivity, nonchalance, torpor, unconcern > apathetic adjapatosaurus n a very large plant-eating four-footed dinosaur that had a long neck and long tailape n 1 an animal, such as a chimpanzee or gorilla, which is closely related to human beings and the monkeys, and which has no tail 2 a stupid, clumsy, or ugly man ▸ vb aping, aped 3 to imitate > apelike adjaperient (ap-peer-ee-ent) (med) adj 1 having a mild laxative effect ▸ n 2 a mild laxativeaperitif (ap-per-rit-teef) n an alcoholic drink taken before a mealaperture n 1 a hole or opening 2 an opening in a camera or telescope that controls the amount of light entering itapex n the highest pointAPEX Advance Purchase Excursion: a reduced fare for journeys by air or rail booked a specified period in advanceaphasia n a disorder of the central nervous system that affects the ability to use and understand wordsaphid (eh-fid) or aphis (eh-fiss) n, pl aphids or aphides (eh-fid-deez) a small insect which feeds by sucking the juices from plantsaphorism n a short clever saying expressing a general truthaphrodisiac (af-roh-diz-zee-ak) n 1 a substance that arouses sexual desire ▸ adj 2 arousing sexual desireapiary (ape-yar-ee) n, pl -aries a place where bees are kept > apiarist napiculture n the breeding and care of bees > apiculturist napiece adv each: they had another cocktail apiece and then went down to dinner ◇ SYNONYMS: each, individually, separately, for each, to each, respectively, from eachaplomb (ap-plom) n calm self-possessionapocalypse n 1 the end of the world 2 an event of great destructive violence > apocalyptic adjApocalypse n the Apocalypse (Bible) the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New TestamentApocrypha (ap-pok-rif-fa) pl n the Apocrypha the 14 books included as an appendix to the Old Testament, which are not accepted as part of the Hebrew scripturesapocryphal adj of questionable authenticity: the paranoid and clearly apocryphal storyapogee (ap-oh-jee) n 1 (astron) the point in its orbit around the earth when the moon or a satellite is farthest from the earth 2 the highest point: the concept found its apogee in Renaissance Italyapologetic adj showing or expressing regret > apologetically advapologetics n the branch of theology concerned with the reasoned defence of Christianityapologist n a person who offers a formal defence of a causeapologize or -gise vb -gizing, -gized or -gising, -gised to say that one is sorry for some wrongdoing ◇ SYNONYMS: say sorry, express regret, ask forgiveness, make an apology, beg pardonapology n, pl -gies 1 an expression of regret for some wrongdoing ◇ SYNONYMS: regret, explanation, excuse, confession 2 an apology for a poor example of: an apology for a manager ◇ SYNONYMS an apology for something or someone: mockery of, excuse for, imitation of, caricature of, travesty of, poor substitute forapoplectic adj 1 of apoplexy 2 (informal) furiousapoplexy n (med) a strokeapostasy (ap-poss-stass-ee) n, pl -sies abandonment of one's religious faith, political party, or causeapostate n 1 a person who has abandoned his or her religion, political party, or cause ▸ adj 2 guilty of apostasya posteriori (eh poss-steer-ee-or-rye) adj (logic) involving reasoning from effect to causeapostle n 1 (Christianity) one of the twelve disciples chosen by Christ to preach his gospel 2 an ardent supporter of a cause or movementapostolic (ap-poss-stoll-ik) adj 1 of or relating to the Apostles or their teachings 2 of or relating to the popeapostrophe (ap-poss-trof-fee) n the punctuation mark (') used to indicate the omission of a letter or letters, such as he's for he has or he is, and to form the possessive, as in John's fatherapothecary n, pl -caries (old-fashioned) a chemistapotheosis (ap-poth-ee-oh-siss) n, pl -ses (-seez) 1 a perfect example: it was the apotheosis of elitism 2 elevation to the rank of a godapp n a computer program designed for a particular purpose, esp. one for use on a mobile deviceappal or (US) appall vb -palling, -palled to fill with horror; terrify ◇ SYNONYMS: horrify, shock, alarm, frighten, outrage, disgust, dishearten, revoltappalling adj 1 causing dismay, horror, or revulsion ◇ SYNONYMS: horrifying, shocking (informal), alarming, awful, terrifying, horrible, dreadful, fearful (informal) 2 very bad ◇ SYNONYMS: awful, dreadful, horrendous > appallingly advapparatus n 1 a collection of equipment used for a particular purpose ◇ SYNONYMS: equipment, tackle, gear, device, tools, mechanism, machinery, appliance 2 any complicated device, system, or organization: the whole apparatus of law enforcement ◇ SYNONYMS: organization, system, network, structure, bureaucracy, hierarchy, setup (informal), chain of commandapparel (ap-par-rel) n (old-fashioned) clothingapparent adj 1 readily seen or understood; obvious ◇ SYNONYMS: obvious, marked, visible, evident, distinct, manifest, noticeable, unmistakable 2 seeming as opposed to real: he frowned in apparent bewilderment ◇ SYNONYMS: seeming, outward, superficial, ostensible > apparently advapparition n a ghost or ghostlike figureappeal vb 1 to make an earnest request ◇ SYNONYMS: plead, ask, request, pray, beg, entreat 2 appeal to to attract, please, or interest ◇ SYNONYMS appeal to someone: attract, interest, draw (informal), please, charm, fascinate, tempt, lure 3 (law) to apply to a higher court to review (a case or issue decided by a lower court) 4 to resort to a higher authority to change a decision 5 to call on in support of an earnest request: he appealed for volunteers to help in relief work ◇ SYNONYMS: plead, ask, request, pray, beg, entreat 6 (cricket) to request the umpire to declare a batsman out ▸ n 7 an earnest request for money or help ◇ SYNONYMS: plea, call, application, request, prayer, petition, overture, entreaty 8 the power to attract, please, or interest people ◇ SYNONYMS: attraction, charm, fascination, beauty, allure 9 (law) a request for a review of a lower court's decision by a higher court 10 an application to a higher authority to change a decision that has been made 11 (cricket) a request to the umpire to declare the batsman outappealing adj attractive or pleasing ◇ SYNONYMS: attractive, engaging, charming, desirable, alluring, winsomeappear vb 1 to come into sight ◇ SYNONYMS: come into view, emerge, occur, surface, come out, turn up, be present, show up (informal) 2 to seem: it appears that no one survived the crash ◇ SYNONYMS: look (like or as if), seem, occur, look to be, come across as, strike you as 3 to come into existence: a rash and small sores appeared around the shoulder and neck 4 to perform: she hadn't appeared in a film for almost fifty years 5 to be present in court before a magistrate or judge: two men have appeared in court in London charged with conspiracy 6 to be published or become available: both books appeared in 1934appearance n 1 a sudden or unexpected arrival of someone or something at a place ◇ SYNONYMS: arrival, presence, introduction, emergence 2 the introduction or invention of something: the appearance of smartphones ◇ SYNONYMS: arrival, presence, introduction, emergence 3 an act or instance of appearing: it will be her fiftieth appearance for her country 4 the way a person or thing looks: I spotted a man of extraordinary appearance ◇ SYNONYMS: look, form, figure, looks, manner, expression, demeanour, mien (literary) 5 keep up appearances to maintain the public impression of wellbeing or normality 6 put in an appearance to attend an event briefly 7 to all appearances apparently: to all appearances they seemed enthralled by what she was sayingappease vb -peasing, -peased 1 to pacify (someone) by yielding to his or her demands ◇ SYNONYMS: pacify, satisfy, calm, soothe, quiet, placate, mollify, conciliate 2 to satisfy or relieve (a feeling) ◇ SYNONYMS: ease, calm, relieve, soothe, alleviate, allay > appeasement nappellant (law) n a person who appeals to a higher court to review the decision of a lower courtappellation n (formal) a name or titleappend vb (formal) to add as a supplement: a series of notes appended to his translation of the poemsappendage n a secondary part attached to a main partappendicitis n inflammation of the appendix, causing abdominal painappendix (ap-pen-dix) n, pl -dices (-diss-seez) or -dixes 1 separate additional material at the end of a book ◇ SYNONYMS: supplement, postscript, adjunct, appendage, addendum, addition 2 (anatomy) a short thin tube, closed at one end and attached to the large intestine at the other endappertain vb appertain to to belong to, relate to, or be connected withappetite n 1 a desire for food or drink ◇ SYNONYMS: hunger 2 a liking or willingness: he had an insatiable appetite for publicity ◇ SYNONYMS: desire, liking, longing, demand, taste, passion, stomach, hungerappetizer or -iser n a small amount of food or drink taken at the start of a meal to stimulate the appetiteappetizing or -ising adj stimulating the appetite; looking or smelling deliciousapplaud vb 1 to show approval of by clapping one's hands ◇ SYNONYMS: clap, encourage, praise, cheer, acclaim 2 to express approval of: we applaud her determination and ambition ◇ SYNONYMS: praise, celebrate, approve, acclaim, compliment, salute, commend, extolapplause n appreciation shown by clapping one's hands ◇ SYNONYMS: ovation, praise, cheers, approval, clapping, accolade, big handapple n 1 a round firm fruit with red, yellow, or green skin and crisp whitish flesh, that grows on trees 2 apple of one's eye a person that one loves very muchappliance n a machine or device that has a specific function ◇ SYNONYMS: device, machine, tool, instrument, implement, mechanism, apparatus, gadgetapplicable adj appropriate or relevant ◇ SYNONYMS: appropriate, fitting, useful, suitable, relevant, apt, pertinentapplicant n a person who applies for something, such as a job or grant ◇ SYNONYMS: candidate, claimant, inquirerapplication n 1 a formal request, for example for a job ◇ SYNONYMS: request, claim, appeal, inquiry, petition, requisition 2 the act of applying something to a particular use: you can make practical application of this knowledge to everyday living 3 concentrated effort: success would depend on their talent and application ◇ SYNONYMS: effort, work, industry, trouble, struggle, pains, commitment, hard work 4 the act of putting something, such as a lotion or paint, onto a surface 5 Also called: application programme a computer program designed for a particular purposeapplied adj put to practical use: applied mathematicsappliqué (ap-plee-kay) n a kind of decoration in which one material is cut out and sewn or fixed onto anotherapply vb -plies, -plying, -plied 1 to make a formal request for something, such as a job or a loan ◇ SYNONYMS: request, appeal, put in, petition, inquire, claim, requisition 2 to put to practical use: he applied his calligrapher's skill ◇ SYNONYMS: use, exercise, carry out, employ, implement, practise, exert, enact 3 to put onto a surface: the hand lotion should be applied whenever possible throughout the day ◇ SYNONYMS: put on, work in, cover with, lay on, paint on, spread on, rub in, smear on 4 to be relevant or appropriate: he had been involved in research applied to flying wing aircraft ◇ SYNONYMS: be relevant, relate, refer, be fitting, be appropriate, fit, pertain, be applicable 5 apply oneself to concentrate one's efforts or faculties ◇ SYNONYMS apply yourself: work hard, concentrate, try, commit yourself, buckle down (informal), devote yourself, be diligent, dedicate yourselfappoint vb 1 to assign officially to a job or position ◇ SYNONYMS: assign, name, choose, commission, select, elect, delegate, nominate 2 to fix or decide (a time or place for an event) ◇ SYNONYMS: decide, set, choose, establish, fix, arrange, assign, designate 3 to equip or furnish: it was a beautifully appointed room with rows and rows of books > appointee nappointment n 1 an arrangement to meet a person ◇ SYNONYMS: meeting, interview, date, arrangement, engagement, fixture, rendezvous, assignation 2 the act of placing someone in a job or position ◇ SYNONYMS: selection, naming, election, choice, nomination, assignment 3 the person appointed 4 the job or position to which a person is appointed ◇ SYNONYMS: job, office, position, post, situation, place, employment, assignment 5 appointments fixtures or fittingsapportion vb to divide out in sharesapposite adj suitable or appropriate: an apposite sayingapposition n a grammatical construction in which a noun or group of words is placed after another to modify its meaning, for example my friend the mayorappraisal n an assessment of the worth or quality of a person or thing ◇ SYNONYMS: assessment, opinion, estimate, judgment, evaluation, estimationappraise vb -praising, -praised to assess the worth, value, or quality ofappreciable adj enough to be noticed; significant > appreciably advappreciate vb -ating, -ated 1 to value highly: we appreciate his music but can't afford £400 a seat ◇ SYNONYMS: enjoy, like, value, respect, prize, admire, treasure, rate highly 2 to be aware of and understand: I can fully appreciate how desperate you must feel ◇ SYNONYMS: be aware of, understand, realize, recognize, perceive, take account of, be sensitive to, sympathize with 3 to feel grateful for: we do appreciate all you do for us ◇ SYNONYMS: be grateful for, be obliged for, be thankful for, give thanks for, be indebted for, be in debt for, be appreciative of 4 to increase in value ◇ SYNONYMS: increase, rise, grow, gain, improve, enhance, soarappreciation n 1 gratitude ◇ SYNONYMS: gratitude, thanks, recognition, obligation, acknowledgment, indebtedness, thankfulness, gratefulness 2 awareness and understanding of a problem or difficulty ◇ SYNONYMS: awareness, understanding, recognition, perception, sympathy, consciousness, sensitivity, realization 3 sensitive recognition of good qualities, as in art ◇ SYNONYMS: admiration, enjoyment 4 an increase in value ◇ SYNONYMS: increase, rise, gain, growth, improvement, escalation, enhancementappreciative adj feeling or expressing appreciation > appreciatively advapprehend vb 1 to arrest and take into custody 2 to grasp (something) mentally; understandapprehension n 1 anxiety or dread ◇ SYNONYMS: anxiety, concern, fear, worry, alarm, suspicion, dread, trepidation (formal) 2 the act of arresting ◇ SYNONYMS: arrest, catching, capture, taking, seizure 3 understanding ◇ SYNONYMS: awareness, understanding, perception, grasp, comprehensionapprehensive adj fearful or anxious about the futureapprentice n 1 someone who works for a skilled person for a fixed period in order to learn his or her trade ◇ SYNONYMS: trainee, student, pupil, novice, beginner, learner, probationer ▸ vb -ticing, -ticed 2 to take or place as an apprentice > apprenticeship napprise or -prize vb -prising, -prised or -prizing, -prized to make aware: I needed to apprise the students of the dangers that may be involvedappro n on appro (informal) on approvalapproach vb 1 to come close or closer to ◇ SYNONYMS: move towards, reach, near, come close, come near, draw near 2 to make a proposal or suggestion to ◇ SYNONYMS: make a proposal to, speak to, apply to, appeal to, proposition, solicit, sound out, make overtures to 3 to begin to deal with (a matter) ◇ SYNONYMS: set about, tackle, undertake, embark on, get down to, launch into, begin work on, commence on ▸ n 4 the act of coming close or closer ◇ SYNONYMS: advance, coming, nearing, appearance, arrival, drawing near 5 a proposal or suggestion made to a person ◇ SYNONYMS: proposal, offer, appeal, advance, application, invitation, proposition, overture 6 the way or means of reaching a place; access ◇ SYNONYMS: access, way, drive, road, passage, entrance, avenue, passageway 7 a way of dealing with a matter ◇ SYNONYMS: way, means, style, method, technique, manner 8 an approximation 9 the course followed by an aircraft preparing for landing > approachable adjapproach road n a smaller road leading into a major roadapprobation n approvalappropriate adj 1 right or suitable ◇ SYNONYMS: suitable, fitting, relevant, to the point, apt, pertinent, befitting, well-suited ▸ vb -ating, -ated 2 to take for one's own use without permission ◇ SYNONYMS: seize, claim, acquire, confiscate, usurp, impound, commandeer, take possession of 3 to put (money) aside for a particular purpose ◇ SYNONYMS: allocate, allow, budget, devote, assign, designate, set aside, earmark > appropriately adv > appropriateness nappropriation n 1 the act of putting money aside for a particular purpose 2 money put aside for a particular purposeapproval n 1 consent ◇ SYNONYMS: consent, agreement, sanction, blessing, permission, recommendation, endorsement, assent 2 a favourable opinion ◇ SYNONYMS: consent, agreement, sanction, blessing, permission, recommendation, endorsement, assent 3 on approval (of articles for sale) with an option to be returned without payment if unsatisfactory: each volume in the collection will be sent to you on approvalapprove vb -proving, -proved 1 approve of to consider fair, good, or right ◇ SYNONYMS approve of something or someone: favour, like, respect, praise, admire, commend, have a good opinion of, regard highly 2 to authorize or agree to ◇ SYNONYMS: agree to, allow, pass, recommend, permit, sanction, endorse, authorizeapprox. approximate or approximatelyapproximate adj 1 almost but not quite exact ▸ vb -mating, -mated 2 approximate to A to come close to B to be almost the same as > approximately adv > approximation nappurtenances pl n minor or additional features or possessionsApr. Aprilaprès-ski (ap-ray-skee) n social activities after a day's skiingapricot n 1 a yellowish-orange juicy fruit which resembles a small peach ▸ adj 2 yellowish-orangeApril n the fourth month of the yearApril fool n a victim of a practical joke played on April 1 (April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day)a priori (eh pry-or-rye) adj (logic) involving reasoning from cause to effectapron n 1 a garment worn over the front of the body to protect one's clothes 2 a hard-surfaced area at an airport or hangar for manoeuvring and loading aircraft 3 the part of a stage extending in front of the curtain 4 tied to someone's apron strings dependent on or dominated by someoneapropos (ap-prop-poh) adj 1 appropriate ▸ adv 2 by the way; incidentally 3 apropos of with regard toapse n an arched or domed recess at the east end of a churchapt adj 1 having a specified tendency: they are apt to bend the rules ◇ SYNONYMS: inclined, likely, ready, disposed, prone, liable, given, predisposed 2 suitable or appropriate ◇ SYNONYMS: appropriate, fitting, suitable, relevant, to the point, pertinent 3 quick to learn: she was turning out to be a more apt pupil than he had expected ◇ SYNONYMS: gifted, skilled, quick, talented, sharp, capable, smart, clever > aptly adv > aptness naptitude n natural tendency or abilityaqualung n an apparatus for breathing underwater, consisting of a mouthpiece attached to air cylindersaquamarine n 1 a clear greenish-blue gemstone ▸ adj 2 greenish-blueaquaplane n 1 a board on which a person stands to be towed by a motorboat for sport ▸ vb -planing, -planed 2 to ride on an aquaplane 3 (of a motor vehicle) to skim uncontrollably on a thin film of wateraquarium n, pl aquariums or aquaria 1 a tank in which fish and other underwater creatures are kept 2 a building containing such tanksaquatic adj 1 growing or living in water 2 (sport) performed in or on water ▸ n 3 an aquatic animal or plant 4 aquatics water sportsaquatint n a print like a watercolour, produced by etching copper with acidaqua vitae (ak-wa vee-tie) n (old-fashioned) brandyaqueduct n a structure, often a bridge, that carries water across a valley or riveraqueous adj 1 of, like, or containing water 2 produced by the action of wateraquiline adj 1 (of a nose) curved like an eagle's beak 2 of or like an eagle