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Arab n

1 a member of a Semitic people originally from Arabia ▸ adj 2 of the Arabsarabesque (ar-ab-besk) n 1 a ballet position in which one leg is raised behind and the arms are extended 2 (arts) an elaborate design of intertwined leaves, flowers, and scrolls 3 an ornate piece of musicArabian adj 1 of Arabia or the Arabs ▸ n 2 same as ArabArabic n 1 the language of the Arabs ▸ adj 2 of this language, the Arabs, or Arabiaarable adj (of land) suitable for growing crops onarachnid (ar-rak-nid) n an eight-legged insect-like creature, such as a spider, scorpion, or tickAran adj (of knitwear) knitted in a complicated pattern traditional to the Aran Islands off the west coast of Irelandarbiter n 1 a person empowered to judge in a dispute 2 a person with influential opinions about something: the customer must be the ultimate arbiter of qualityarbitrary adj 1 not done according to any plan or for any particular reason ◇ SYNONYMS: random, chance, subjective, inconsistent, erratic, personal, whimsical, capricious 2 without consideration for the wishes of others: the arbitrary power of the king > arbitrarily advarbitrate vb -trating, -trated to settle (a dispute) by arbitration > arbitrator narbitration n the hearing and settlement of a dispute by an impartial referee chosen by both sides ◇ SYNONYMS: decision, settlement, judgment, determination, adjudicationarbor1 n (US) same as arbourarbor2 n a revolving shaft or axle in a machinearboreal (ahr-bore-ee-al) adj 1 of or resembling a tree 2 living in or among treesarboretum (ahr-bore-ee-tum) n, pl -ta (-ta) a botanical garden where rare trees or shrubs are cultivatedarboriculture n the cultivation of trees or shrubsarbour or (US) arbor n a shelter in a garden shaded by trees or climbing plantsarc n 1 something curved in shape ◇ SYNONYMS: curve, bend, bow, arch, crescent, half-moon 2 (maths) a section of a circle or other curve 3 (electronics) a stream of very bright light that forms when an electric current flows across a small gap between two electrodes ▸ vb 4 to form an arcarcade n 1 a covered passageway lined with shops 2 a set of arches and their supporting columns ◇ SYNONYMS: gallery, cloister, portico, colonnadearcane adj very mysteriousarch1 n 1 a curved structure that spans an opening or supports a bridge or roof ◇ SYNONYMS: archway, curve, dome, span, vault 2 something curved ◇ SYNONYMS: curve, bend, bow, crook, arc, hunch, sweep, hump 3 the curved lower part of the foot ▸ vb 4 to form an arch ◇ SYNONYMS: curve, bridge, bend, bow, span, arcarch2 adj 1 knowing or superior 2 coyly playful: she gave him an arch smile ◇ SYNONYMS: playful, sly, mischievous, saucy, pert, roguish, frolicsome, waggish > archly advarch- or archi- combining form chief or principal: archbishop; archenemyarchaeology or archeology n the study of ancient cultures by the scientific analysis of physical remains > archaeological or archeological adj > archaeologist or archeologist narchaic (ark-kay-ik) adj 1 of a much earlier period 2 out of date or old-fashioned 3 (of a word or phrase) no longer in everyday use > archaically advarchaism (ark-kay-iz-zum) n an archaic word or style > archaistic adjarchangel (ark-ain-jell) n an angel of the highest rankarchbishop n a bishop of the highest rankarchdeacon n a church official ranking just below a bishop > archdeaconry narchdiocese n the diocese of an archbishoparcher n a person who shoots with a bow and arrowarchery n the art or sport of shooting with a bow and arrowarchetype (ark-ee-type) n 1 a perfect or typical specimen 2 an original model; prototype > archetypal adjarchipelago (ark-ee-pel-a-go) n, pl -gos 1 a group of islands 2 a sea full of small islandsarchitect n 1 a person qualified to design and supervise the construction of buildings ◇ SYNONYMS: designer, planner, draughtsman or woman or person, master builder 2 any planner or creator: you will be the architect of your own futurearchitecture n 1 the style in which a building is designed and built: Gothic architecture ◇ SYNONYMS: construction, design, style 2 the science of designing and constructing buildings ◇ SYNONYMS: design, planning, building, construction 3 the structure or design of anything: computer architecture ◇ SYNONYMS: structure, design, shape, make-up, construction, framework, layout, anatomy > architectural adjarchitrave (ark-ee-trave) n (archit) 1 a beam that rests on top of columns 2 a moulding around a doorway or window openingarchive (ark-ive) n 1 a place where records or documents are kept ◇ SYNONYMS: record office, museum, registry, repository 2 archives a collection of records or documents ◇ SYNONYMS: records, papers, accounts, rolls, documents, files, deeds, chronicles 3 (computers) data moved to a disk or directory for long-term storage ▸ vb 4 to store in an archive > archival adjarchivist (ark-iv-ist) n a person in charge of archivesarchway n a passageway under an archarctic adj (informal) very cold; freezing ◇ SYNONYMS: freezing, cold, frozen, icy, chilly, glacial, frigidArctic n 1 the Arctic the area around the North Pole ▸ adj 2 of this region ◇ SYNONYMS: polar, far-northern, hyperboreanardent adj 1 passionate ◇ SYNONYMS: passionate, intense, impassioned, emotional, lusty, amorous, hot-blooded 2 intensely enthusiastic ◇ SYNONYMS: enthusiastic, keen, eager, avid, zealous > ardently advardour or (US) ardor n 1 emotional warmth; passion 2 intense enthusiasmarduous adj difficult to accomplish; strenuousare1 vb the plural form of the present tense of be used as the singular form with youare2 n a unit of measure equal to one hundred square metresarea n 1 a section, part, or region ◇ SYNONYMS: part, section, sector, portion 2 a part having a specified function: reception area ◇ SYNONYMS: part, section, sector, portion 3 the size of a two-dimensional surface 4 a subject field: the area of literature ◇ SYNONYMS: realm, part, department (informal), field, province, sphere, domain 5 a sunken area giving access to a basement 6 any flat, curved, or irregular expanse of a surface 7 range or scopearena n 1 a seated enclosure where sports events take place ◇ SYNONYMS: ring, ground, field, theatre, bowl, pitch, stadium, enclosure 2 the area of an ancient Roman amphitheatre where gladiators fought 3 a sphere of intense activity: the political arena ◇ SYNONYMS: scene (informal), world, area, stage, field, sector, territory, provincearen't are notareola n, pl -lae or -las a small circular area, such as the coloured ring around the human nippleargon n (chem) an unreactive odourless element of the rare gas series, forming almost 1 per cent of the atmosphere. SYMBOL: Arargot (ahr-go) n slang or jargon peculiar to a particular groupargue vb -guing, -gued 1 to try to prove by presenting reasons ◇ SYNONYMS: claim, reason, challenge, insist, maintain, allege, assert, uphold 2 to debate ◇ SYNONYMS: discuss, debate, dispute 3 to quarrel ◇ SYNONYMS: quarrel, fight, row, clash, dispute, disagree, squabble, bicker 4 to persuade: we argued her out of going 5 to suggest: her looks argue despair > arguable adj > arguably advargument n 1 a quarrel ◇ SYNONYMS: quarrel, fight, row, clash, dispute, controversy, disagreement, feud 2 a discussion ◇ SYNONYMS: debate, questioning, claim, discussion, dispute, issue, controversy, plea, assertion 3 a point presented to support or oppose a proposition ◇ SYNONYMS: reason, case, reasoning, ground(s), defence, logic, polemic, dialecticargumentation n the process of reasoning methodicallyargumentative adj likely to argueargy-bargy or argie-bargie n, pl -bargies (Brit informal) a squabbling argumentaria (ah-ree-a) n an elaborate song for solo voice in an opera or choral workarid adj 1 having little or no rain 2 uninteresting > aridity naright adv correctly or properlyarise vb arising, arose, arisen 1 to come into being: the opportunity for action did not arise ◇ SYNONYMS: happen, start, begin, follow, result, develop, emerge, occur 2 to come into notice: people can seek answers to their problems as and when they arise ◇ SYNONYMS: happen, start, begin, follow, result, develop, emerge, occur 3 arise from to happen as a result of 4 (old-fashioned) to get or stand up ◇ SYNONYMS: get to your feet, get up, rise, stand up, spring up, leap uparistocracy n, pl -cies 1 a class of people of high social rank 2 government by this class 3 a group of people considered to be outstanding in a particular sphere of activityaristocrat n a member of the aristocracyaristocratic adj 1 of the aristocracy ◇ SYNONYMS: upper-class, lordly, titled, elite, gentlemanly, noble, patrician, blue-blooded 2 grand or elegantarithmetic n 1 the branch of mathematics concerned with numerical calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division 2 calculations involving numerical operations 3 knowledge of or skill in arithmetic: even simple arithmetic was beyond him ▸ adj also arithmetical 4 of or using arithmetic > arithmetically adv > arithmetician nark n (Bible) the boat built by Noah, which survived the FloodArk n (Judaism) 1 Also called: Holy Ark the cupboard in a synagogue in which the Torah scrolls are kept 2 Also called: Ark of the Covenant a chest containing the laws of the Jewish religion, regarded as the most sacred symbol of God's presence among the Hebrew peoplearm1 n 1 (in humans, apes, and monkeys) either of the upper limbs from the shoulder to the wrist ◇ SYNONYMS: upper limb, limb, appendage 2 the sleeve of a garment 3 the side of a chair on which one's arm can rest 4 a subdivision or section of an organization: the London-based arm of a Swiss bank 5 something resembling an arm in appearance or function: the arm of a record player 6 power or authority: the long arm of the law 7 arm in arm with arms linked 8 at arm's length at a distance 9 with open arms with warmth and hospitalityarm2 vb 1 to supply with weapons 2 to prepare (an explosive device) for use 3 to provide (a person or thing) with something that strengthens or protects: you will be armed with all the information you will ever need ▸ See also arms > armed adjarmada n 1 a large number of ships 2 the Armada the great fleet sent by Spain against England in 1588armadillo n, pl -los a small S American burrowing mammal covered in strong bony platesArmageddon n 1 (New Testament) the final battle between good and evil at the end of the world 2 a catastrophic and extremely destructive conflictarmament n 1 armaments the weapon equipment of a military vehicle, ship, or aircraft 2 preparation for wararmature n 1 a revolving structure in an electric motor or generator, wound with the coils that carry the current 2 (sculpture) a framework to support the clay or other material used in modellingarmchair n 1 an upholstered chair with side supports for the arms ▸ adj 2 taking no active part: we are, on the whole, a nation of armchair athletesarmful n as much as can be held in the arms: armfuls of lovely flowersarmhole n the opening in a piece of clothing through which the arm passesarmistice (arm-miss-stiss) n an agreement between opposing armies to stop fightingarmour or (US) armor n 1 metal clothing worn by medieval warriors for protection in battle ◇ SYNONYMS: protection, covering, shield, sheathing, armour plate, chain mail, protective covering 2 (military) armoured fighting vehicles in general 3 the protective metal plates on a tank or warship ◇ SYNONYMS: protection, covering, shield, sheathing, armour plate, chain mail, protective covering 4 protective covering, such as the shell of certain animals ◇ SYNONYMS: protection, covering, shield, sheathing, armour plate, chain mail, protective covering 5 a quality or attitude that gives protection ▸ vb 6 to equip or cover with armourarmourer or (US) armorer n 1 a person who makes or mends arms and armour 2 a person in charge of small arms in a military unitarmoury or (US) armory n, pl -mouries or -mories 1 a secure storage place for weapons 2 military supplies 3 resources on which to draw: modern medicine has a large armoury of drugs for the treatment of illnessarmpit n 1 the hollow beneath the arm where it joins the shoulder 2 (slang) an extremely unpleasant place: the armpit of the Mediterraneanarms pl n 1 weapons collectively 2 military exploits: prowess in arms 3 the heraldic symbols of a family or state 4 take up arms to prepare to fight 5 under arms armed and prepared for war 6 up in arms prepared to protest stronglyarmy n, pl -mies 1 the military land forces of a nation ◇ SYNONYMS: soldiers, military, troops, armed force, legions, infantry, military force, land force 2 a large number of people or animals ◇ SYNONYMS: vast number, host, gang, mob, flock, array, legion, swarmaroma n 1 a distinctive pleasant smell ◇ SYNONYMS: scent, smell, perfume, fragrance, bouquet, savour, odour, redolence 2 a subtle pervasive quality or atmospherearomatherapy n the use of fragrant essential oils as a treatment in alternative medicine, often to relieve tensionaromatic adj 1 having a distinctive pleasant smell 2 (chem) (of an organic compound) having an unsaturated ring of atoms, usually six carbon atoms ▸ n 3 something, such as a plant or drug, that gives off a fragrant smellarose vb the past tense of arisearound prep 1 situated at various points in: cameramen were positioned around the auditorium ◇ SYNONYMS: surrounding, about, enclosing, encompassing, framing, encircling, on all sides of, on every side of 2 from place to place in: he had spent twenty-five minutes driving around Amsterdam 3 somewhere in or near 4 approximately in: around 1980 ◇ SYNONYMS: approximately, about, nearly, close to, roughly, just about, in the region of, circa ▸ adv 5 in all directions from a point of reference: there wasn't a house for miles around ◇ SYNONYMS: everywhere, about, throughout, all over, here and there, on all sides, in all directions, to and fro 6 in the vicinity, esp. restlessly but idly: I couldn't hang around too long 7 in no particular place or direction: a few tropical fish tanks dotted around ◇ SYNONYMS: everywhere, about, throughout, all over, here and there, on all sides, in all directions, to and fro 8 (informal) present in some unknown or unspecified place 9 (informal) available: these laptops have been around for several years 10 have been around (informal) to have gained considerable experience of a worldly or social naturearouse vb arousing, aroused 1 to produce (a reaction, emotion, or response) ◇ SYNONYMS: stimulate, encourage, inspire, prompt, spur, provoke, rouse, stir up 2 to awaken from sleep ◇ SYNONYMS: awaken, wake up, rouse, waken > arousal narpeggio (arp-pej-ee-oh) n, pl -gios a chord whose notes are played or sung in rapid successionarraign (ar-rain) vb 1 to bring (a prisoner) before a court to answer a charge 2 to accuse > arraignment narrange vb -ranging, -ranged 1 to plan in advance: my parents had arranged a surprise party ◇ SYNONYMS: plan, agree, prepare, determine, organize, construct, devise, contrive, jack up (NZ informal) 2 to arrive at an agreement: they had arranged to go to the cinema 3 to put into a proper or systematic order ◇ SYNONYMS: put in order, group, order, sort, position, line up, organize, classify, jack up (NZ informal) 4 to adapt (a musical composition) for performance in a certain way ◇ SYNONYMS: adapt, score, orchestrate, harmonize, instrumentarrangement n 1 a preparation or plan made for an event: travel arrangements ◇ SYNONYMS: plan, planning, provision, preparation 2 an agreement or a plan to do something ◇ SYNONYMS: agreement, contract, settlement, appointment, compromise, deal (informal), pact, compact 3 a thing composed of various ordered parts: a flower arrangement ◇ SYNONYMS: display, system, structure, organization, exhibition, presentation, classification, alignment 4 the form in which things are arranged ◇ SYNONYMS: display, system, structure, organization, exhibition, presentation, classification, alignment 5 an adaptation of a piece of music for performance in a different way ◇ SYNONYMS: adaptation, score, version, interpretation, instrumentation, orchestration, harmonizationarrant adj utter or downright: that's the most arrant nonsense I've ever heardarras n a tapestry wall-hangingarray n 1 an impressive display or collection ◇ SYNONYMS: arrangement, show, supply, display, collection, exhibition, line-up, mixture 2 an orderly arrangement, such as of troops in battle order 3 (computers) a data structure in which elements may be located by index numbers 4 (poetic) rich clothing ◇ SYNONYMS: clothing, dress, clothes, garments, apparel (old-fashioned), attire, finery, regalia ▸ vb 5 to arrange in order ◇ SYNONYMS: arrange, show, group, present, range, display, parade, exhibit 6 to dress in rich clothing ◇ SYNONYMS: dress, clothe, deck, decorate, adorn, festoon, attirearrears pl n 1 money owed 2 in arrears late in paying a debtarrest vb 1 to take (a person) into custody ◇ SYNONYMS: capture, catch, nick (slang, chiefly Brit), seize, detain, apprehend, take prisoner 2 to slow or stop the development of ◇ SYNONYMS: stop, end, limit, block, slow, delay, interrupt, suppress 3 to catch and hold (one's attention) ◇ SYNONYMS: fascinate, hold, occupy, engage, grip, absorb, entrance, intrigue ▸ n 4 the act of taking a person into custody ◇ SYNONYMS: capture, bust (informal), detention, seizure 5 under arrest being held in custody by the police 6 the slowing or stopping of something: a cardiac arrest ◇ SYNONYMS: stoppage, suppression, obstruction, blockage, hindrancearresting adj attracting attention; striking ◇ SYNONYMS: striking, surprising, engaging, stunning (informal), impressive, outstanding, remarkable, noticeablearrival n 1 the act of arriving ◇ SYNONYMS: appearance, coming, arriving, entrance, advent, materialization 2 a person or thing that has just arrived ◇ SYNONYMS: newcomer, incomer, visitor, caller, entrant 3 (informal) a recently born babyarrive vb -riving, -rived 1 to reach a place or destination ◇ SYNONYMS: come, appear, turn up, show up (informal), draw near 2 arrive at to come to (a conclusion, idea, or decision) 3 to occur: the crisis he predicted then has now arrived ◇ SYNONYMS: occur, happen, take place 4 (informal) to be born 5 (informal) to attain success ◇ SYNONYMS: succeed, make it (informal), triumph, do well, thrive, flourish, be successful, make goodarrogant adj having an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance or ability ◇ SYNONYMS: conceited, proud, cocky, overbearing, haughty, scornful, egotistical, disdainful > arrogance n > arrogantly advarrogate vb -gating, -gated to claim or seize without justification > arrogation narrow n 1 a long slender pointed weapon, with feathers at one end, that is shot from a bow ◇ SYNONYMS: dart, flight, bolt, shaft (archaic), quarrel 2 an arrow-shaped sign or symbol used to show the direction to a place ◇ SYNONYMS: pointer, indicator, markerarrowhead n the pointed tip of an arrowarrowroot n an easily digestible starch obtained from the root of a West Indian plantarse or (US & Canad) ass n (vulgar, slang) the buttocks or anusarsehole or (US & Canad) asshole n (vulgar, slang) 1 the anus 2 a stupid or annoying personarsenal n 1 a building in which arms and ammunition are made or stored ◇ SYNONYMS: armoury, storehouse, ammunition dump, arms depot, ordnance depot 2 a store of anything regarded as weapons: this new weapon in the medical arsenal ◇ SYNONYMS: store, supply, stockpilearsenic n 1 a toxic metalloid element. SYMBOL: As 2 a nontechnical name for arsenic trioxide, a highly poisonous compound used as a rat poison and insecticide ▸ adj also arsenical 3 of or containing arsenicarson n the crime of intentionally setting fire to property > arsonist nart n 1 the creation of works of beauty or other special significance ◇ SYNONYMS: artwork, style of art, fine art, creativity 2 works of art collectively 3 human creativity as distinguished from nature 4 skill: she was still new to the art of bargaining ◇ SYNONYMS: skill, craft, expertise, competence, mastery, ingenuity, virtuosity, cleverness 5 any branch of the visual arts, esp. painting ◇ SYNONYMS: artwork, style of art, fine art, creativity 6 get something down to a fine art to become proficient at something through practiceartefact or artifact n something made by human beings, such as a tool or a work of artarterial adj 1 of or affecting an artery 2 being a major route: an arterial roadarteriosclerosis (art-ear-ee-oh-skler-oh-siss) n thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls of the arteries. Nontechnical name: hardening of the arteriesartery n, pl -teries 1 any of the tubes that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to various parts of the body 2 a major road or means of communicationartesian well (art-teez-yan) n a well receiving water from a higher altitude, so the water is forced to flow upwardsArtex n (trademark, Brit) a type of coating for walls and ceilings that gives a textured finishartful adj 1 cunning 2 skilful in achieving a desired end > artfully advarthritis n inflammation of a joint or joints, causing pain and stiffness > arthritic adj, narthropod n a creature, such as an insect or a spider, which has jointed legs and a hard case on its bodyartic n (Brit informal) an articulated lorryartichoke n 1 Also called: globe artichoke the flower head of a thistle-like plant, cooked as a vegetable 2 same as Jerusalem artichokearticle n 1 a written composition in a magazine or newspaper ◇ SYNONYMS: feature, story, paper, piece, item, creation, essay, composition 2 an item or object ◇ SYNONYMS: thing, piece, unit, item, object, device, tool, implement 3 a clause in a written document ◇ SYNONYMS: clause, point, part, section, item, passage, portion, paragraph 4 (grammar) any of the words a, an, or thearticled adj bound by a written contract, such as one that governs a period of training: an articled clerkarticulate adj 1 able to express oneself fluently and coherently ◇ SYNONYMS: expressive, clear, coherent, fluent, eloquent, lucid 2 distinct, clear, or definite: his amiable and articulate campaign attracted support ◇ SYNONYMS: expressive, clear, coherent, fluent, eloquent, lucid 3 (zool) possessing joints ▸ vb -lating, -lated 4 to speak clearly and distinctly ◇ SYNONYMS: pronounce, say, talk, speak, voice, utter, enunciate 5 to express coherently in words ◇ SYNONYMS: express, say, state, word, declare, phrase, communicate, utter > articulately advarticulated lorry n a large lorry in two separate sections connected by a pivoted bararticulation n 1 the expressing of an idea in words 2 the process of articulating a speech sound or the sound so produced 3 a being jointed together 4 (zool) a joint between bones or arthropod segmentsartifice n 1 a clever trick 2 skill or clevernessartificer (art-tiff-iss-er) n a skilled craftsmanartificial adj 1 man-made; not occurring naturally ◇ SYNONYMS: synthetic, manufactured, plastic (slang), man-made, non-natural 2 made in imitation of a natural product: artificial flavourings ◇ SYNONYMS: synthetic, manufactured, plastic (slang), man-made, non-natural 3 not sincere ◇ SYNONYMS: insincere, forced, affected, phoney or phony (informal), false, contrived, unnatural, feigned > artificiality n > artificially advartificial insemination n introduction of semen into the womb by means other than sexual intercourseartificial intelligence n the branch of computer science aiming to produce machines which can imitate intelligent human behaviourartificial respiration n any method of restarting a person's breathing after it has stoppedartillery n 1 large-calibre guns ◇ SYNONYMS: big guns, battery, cannon, ordnance, gunnery 2 military units specializing in the use of such gunsartisan n a skilled worker; craftsperson > artisanal adjartist n 1 a person who produces works of art such as paintings or sculpture 2 a person who is skilled at something 3 same as artiste > artistic adj > artistically advartiste n a professional entertainer such as a singer or dancerartistry n 1 artistic ability 2 great skillartless adj 1 free from deceit or cunning: artless generosity 2 natural or unpretentious > artlessly advarty adj artier, artiest (informal) having an affected interest in art > artiness narum lily n a plant with a white funnel-shaped leaf surrounding a yellow spike of flowersas conj 1 while or when: he arrived just as the band finished the song ◇ SYNONYMS: when, while, just as, at the time that 2 in the way that: they had talked and laughed as only the best of friends can ◇ SYNONYMS: in the way that, like, in the manner that 3 that which; what: George did as he was asked 4 (of) which fact or event (referring to the previous statement): to become wise, as we all know, is not easy 5 as it were in a way; in a manner of speaking: he was, as it were, on probation 6 since; seeing that ◇ SYNONYMS: since, because, seeing that, considering that, on account of the fact that 7 for instance ▸ adv, conj 8 used to indicate amount or extent in comparisons: he was as fat as his mum and dad ▸ prep 9 in the role of; being: my task, as his physician, is to do the best that I can ◇ SYNONYMS: in the role of, being, under the name of, in the character of 10 as for or to with reference to 11 as if or though as it would be if: she felt as if she had been run over by a bulldozer 12 as (it) is in the existing state of affairsASA (in Britain) 1 Amateur Swimming Association 2 Advertising Standards Authorityasafoetida n a strong-smelling plant resin used as a spice in Eastern cookerya.s.a.p. as soon as possibleasbestos n a fibrous mineral which does not burn, formerly widely used as a heat-resistant materialasbestosis n inflammation of the lungs resulting from inhalation of asbestos fibreascend vb 1 to go or move up 2 to slope upwards 3 ascend the throne to become king or queenascendancy or ascendance n the condition of being dominant: when hardliners were in the ascendancy last winterascendant or ascendent adj 1 dominant or influential ▸ n 2 (astrol) the sign of the zodiac that is rising on the eastern horizon at a particular moment 3 in the ascendant increasing in power or influenceascension n the act of ascendingascent n 1 the act of ascending 2 an upward slopeascertain vb to find out definitely > ascertainment nascetic (ass-set-tik) n 1 a person who abstains from worldly comforts and pleasures ▸ adj 2 rigidly abstinent and self-denyingascorbic acid (ass-core-bik) n a vitamin that occurs in citrus fruits, tomatoes, and green vegetables, and which prevents and cures scurvy. Also called: vitamin Cascribe vb -cribing, -cribed 1 to attribute, as to a particular origin: headaches which may be ascribed to stress 2 to consider that (a particular quality) is possessed by something or someone: specific human qualities are ascribed to each of the four elements > ascription naseptic (eh-sep-tik) adj free from harmful bacteriaasexual (eh-sex-yew-al) adj 1 having no apparent sex or sex organs 2 (of reproduction) not involving sexual activity 3 (of a person) not sexually attracted to other people > asexually advash1 n 1 the powdery substance formed when something is burnt 2 fine particles of lava thrown out by an erupting volcanoash2 n a tree with grey bark and winged seedsashamed adj 1 overcome with shame or remorse ◇ SYNONYMS: embarrassed, sorry, guilty, distressed, humiliated, self-conscious, red-faced, mortified 2 unwilling through fear of humiliation or shame: she'd be ashamed to admit to jealousy ◇ SYNONYMS: reluctant, embarrassedashen adj pale with shockashlar or ashler n 1 a square block of cut stone for use in building 2 a thin dressed stone used to face a wallashore adv towards or on land ◇ SYNONYMS: on land, on the beach, on the shore, aground, to the shore, on dry land, shorewards, landwardsashram n a religious retreat where a Hindu holy man livesashtray n a dish for tobacco ash and cigarette endsAsh Wednesday n the first day of Lent, named from the Christian custom of sprinkling ashes on penitents' headsAsian adj 1 of Asia 2 (Brit) of the Indian subcontinent ▸ n 3 a person from Asia 4 (Brit) a person from the Indian subcontinent or a descendant of oneAsian pear n an apple-shaped pear with crisp juicy fleshAsiatic adj Asianaside adv 1 to one side ◇ SYNONYMS: to one side, separately, apart, beside, out of the way, on one side, to the side 2 out of other people's hearing: her mother took her aside for a serious talk ◇ SYNONYMS: to one side, separately, apart, beside, out of the way, on one side, to the side 3 out of mind: she pushed aside her fears of being beaten or killed ◇ SYNONYMS: to one side, separately, apart, beside, out of the way, on one side, to the side 4 into reserve: a certain amount must also be put aside for defence and government ▸ n 5 a remark not meant to be heard by everyone present ◇ SYNONYMS: interpolation, parenthesis 6 a remark that is not connected with the subject being discussedasinine (ass-in-nine) adj 1 obstinate or stupid 2 of or like an assask vb 1 to say or write (something) in a form that requires an answer: I asked him his name; 'do you think we'll have trouble landing?' he asked ◇ SYNONYMS: inquire, question, quiz, query, interrogate 2 to make a request or demand: the chairman asked for a show of hands 3 to invite ◇ SYNONYMS: invite, bid, summon 4 to inquire about: I pretended to be lost and asked for directions 5 to expect: is that too much to ask?askance (ass-kanss) adv look askance at A to look at with an oblique glance B to regard with suspicionaskew adv, adj towards one side; crookedaslant adv 1 at a slant ▸ prep 2 slanting acrossasleep adj 1 in or into a state of sleep ◇ SYNONYMS: sleeping, napping, dormant, dozing, slumbering, snoozing (informal), fast asleep, sound asleep 2 (of limbs) numb 3 (informal) not listening or paying attentionAS level n 1 (Brit) the advanced subsidiary level of a subject taken for the General Certificate of Education, having a smaller content than the advanced level 2 a pass in a subject at AS levelasp n a small viper of S Europeasparagus n the young shoots of a plant of the lily family, which can be cooked and eatenaspect n 1 a distinct feature or element in a problem or situation ◇ SYNONYMS: feature, side, factor, angle, characteristic, facet 2 a position facing a particular direction: the room's east-facing aspect ◇ SYNONYMS: position, view, situation, scene, prospect, point of view, outlook 3 appearance or look: a room with a somewhat gloomy aspect ◇ SYNONYMS: appearance, look, air, condition, quality, bearing, attitude, castaspen n a poplar tree whose leaves quiver in the windAsperger syndrome or Asperger's syndrome n a form of autism in which the person affected has limited but obsessive interestsasperity (ass-per-rit-ee) n, pl -ties roughness or sharpness of temperaspersion n cast aspersions on to make disparaging or malicious remarks aboutasphalt n 1 a black tarlike substance used in road-surfacing and roofing materials ▸ vb 2 to cover with asphaltasphodel n a plant with clusters of yellow or white flowersasphyxia (ass-fix-ee-a) n unconsciousness or death caused by lack of oxygenasphyxiate vb -ating, -ated to smother or suffocate > asphyxiation naspic n a savoury jelly based on meat or fish stock, used as a mould for meat or vegetablesaspidistra n a house plant with long tapered evergreen leavesaspirant n a person who aspires, such as to a powerful positionaspirate (phonetics) vb -rating, -rated 1 to pronounce (a word or syllable) with an initial h ▸ n 2 the sound represented in English and several other languages as haspiration n 1 a strong desire or aim ◇ SYNONYMS: aim, plan, hope, goal, dream, wish, desire, objective 2 (phonetics) the pronunciation of an aspirated consonant > aspirational adjaspire vb -piring, -pired to yearn for something or hope to do or be something: it struck him as bizarre that somebody could aspire to be a dental technician > aspiring adjaspirin n, pl -rin or -rins 1 a drug used to relieve pain and fever 2 a tablet of aspirinass n 1 a mammal resembling the horse but with longer ears ◇ SYNONYMS: donkey, moke (slang) 2 a foolish person ◇ SYNONYMS: fool, idiot, twit (informal, chiefly Brit), oaf, jackass, blockhead, dorba or dorb (Austral slang)assagai n same as assegaiassail vb 1 to attack violently 2 to criticize strongly 3 to disturb: he was assailed by a dizzy sensation > assailant nassassin n a murderer of a prominent person ◇ SYNONYMS: murderer, killer, slayer, liquidator, executioner, hitman or woman (slang), hatchet man or woman or person (slang)assassinate vb -nating, -nated to murder (a prominent person) ◇ SYNONYMS: murder, kill, eliminate (slang), take out (slang), terminate, hit (slang), slay, liquidate > assassination nassault n 1 a violent attack, either physical or verbal ◇ SYNONYMS: attack, raid, invasion, charge, offensive, onslaught, foray ▸ vb 2 to attack violently ◇ SYNONYMS: strike, attack, beat, knock, bang, slap, smack, thumpassault course n an obstacle course designed to give soldiers practice in negotiating hazardsassay vb 1 to analyse (a substance, such as gold) to find out how pure it is ▸ n 2 an analysis of the purity of an ore or precious metalassegai or assagai n, pl -gais a sharp light spear used in southern Africaassemblage n 1 a collection or group of things 2 the act of assemblingassemble vb -bling, -bled 1 to collect or gather together ◇ SYNONYMS: gather, meet, collect, rally, come together, muster, congregate 2 to put together the parts of (a machine) ◇ SYNONYMS: put together, join, set up, build up, connect, construct, piece together, fabricateassembly n, pl -blies 1 a number of people gathered together for a meeting ◇ SYNONYMS: gathering, group, meeting, council, conference, crowd, congress, collection, hui (NZ), runanga (NZ) 2 a group of people who meet regularly to make decisions or laws for a particular region or country: the National Assembly for Wales 3 the act of assembling ◇ SYNONYMS: putting together, setting up, construction, building up, connecting, piecing togetherassembly line n a sequence of machines and workers in a factory assembling a productassent n 1 agreement, consent ▸ vb 2 to agreeassert vb 1 to state or declare ◇ SYNONYMS: state, argue, maintain, declare, swear, pronounce, affirm, profess 2 to insist upon (one's rights, etc.) ◇ SYNONYMS: insist upon, stress, defend, uphold, put forward, press, stand up for 3 assert oneself to speak and act forcefully ◇ SYNONYMS assert yourself: be forceful, put your foot down (informal), put yourself forward, make your presence felt, exert your influenceassertion n 1 a positive statement, usually made without evidence ◇ SYNONYMS: statement, claim, declaration, pronouncement 2 the act of asserting ◇ SYNONYMS: insistence, stressing, maintenanceassertive adj confident and direct in dealing with others ◇ SYNONYMS: confident, positive, aggressive, forceful, emphatic, insistent, feisty (informal), pushy (informal) > assertively adv > assertiveness nassess vb 1 to judge the worth or importance of ◇ SYNONYMS: judge, estimate, analyse, evaluate, rate, value, check out, weigh up 2 to estimate the value of (income or property) for taxation purposes ◇ SYNONYMS: evaluate, rate, tax, value, estimate, fix, impose, levy > assessment nassessor n 1 a person who values property for taxation or insurance purposes 2 a person with technical expertise called in to advise a court 3 a person who evaluates the merits of somethingasset n 1 a thing or person that is valuable or useful ◇ SYNONYMS: benefit, help, service, aid, advantage, strength, resource, attraction 2 any property owned by a person or companyasseverate vb -ating, -ated (formal) to declare solemnly > asseveration nassiduous adj 1 hard-working 2 done with care > assiduity n > assiduously advassign vb 1 to select (someone) for a post or task ◇ SYNONYMS: select for, post, commission, elect, appoint, delegate, nominate, name 2 to give a task or duty (to someone) ◇ SYNONYMS: give, set, grant, allocate, give out, consign, allot, apportion 3 to attribute to a specified cause ◇ SYNONYMS: attribute, credit, put down, set down, ascribe, accredit 4 to set apart (a place or time) for a particular function or event: to assign a day for the meeting 5 (law) to transfer (one's right, interest, or title to property) to someone elseassignation (ass-sig-nay-shun) n a secret arrangement to meet, esp. one between loversassignment n 1 something that has been assigned, such as a task ◇ SYNONYMS: task, job, position, post, commission, exercise, responsibility, duty 2 the act of assigning 3 (law) the transfer to another person of a right, interest, or title to propertyassimilate vb -lating, -lated 1 to learn and understand (information) thoroughly 2 to adjust or become adjusted: they became assimilated to German culture 3 to absorb (food) > assimilable adj > assimilation nassist vb 1 to give help or support ◇ SYNONYMS: help, support, aid, cooperate with, abet, lend a helping hand to ▸ n 2 (sport) a pass by a player which enables another player to score a goalassistance n help or support ◇ SYNONYMS: help, backing, support, aid, cooperation, helping handassistant n 1 a helper or subordinate ◇ SYNONYMS: helper, ally, colleague, supporter, aide, second, attendant, accomplice ▸ adj 2 junior or deputy: assistant managerassizes pl n (Brit) (formerly in England and Wales) the sessions of the principal court in each countyassociate vb -ating, -ated 1 to connect in the mind ◇ SYNONYMS: connect, link, ally, identify, join, combine, attach, fasten 2 to mix socially: addicts are driven to associate with criminals ◇ SYNONYMS: socialize, mix, accompany, mingle, consort, hobnob 3 be associated or associate oneself with to be involved with (a group) because of shared views: she had long been associated with the far right ▸ n 4 a partner in business ◇ SYNONYMS: partner, friend, ally, colleague, mate (informal), companion, comrade, affiliate, cobber (Austral & NZ old-fashioned, informal), E hoa (NZ) 5 a companion or friend ◇ SYNONYMS: partner, friend, ally, colleague, mate (informal), companion, comrade, affiliate, cobber (Austral & NZ old-fashioned, informal), E hoa (NZ) ▸ adj 6 having partial rights or subordinate status: an associate member 7 joined with in business: an associate directorassociation n 1 a group of people with a common interest ◇ SYNONYMS: group, club, society, league, band, set, pack, collection, social network (computers) 2 the act of associating or the state of being associated ◇ SYNONYMS: connection, union, joining, pairing, combination, mixture, blend, juxtaposition 3 friendship: their association still had to remain a secret 4 a mental connection of ideas or feelings: the place contained associations for herassonance n the rhyming of vowel sounds but not consonants, as in time and lightassorted adj 1 consisting of various kinds mixed together ◇ SYNONYMS: various, different, mixed, varied, diverse, miscellaneous, sundry, motley 2 matched: an ill-assorted childless coupleassortment n a collection of various things or sortsassuage (ass-wage) vb -suaging, -suaged to relieve (grief, pain, or thirst)assume vb -suming, -sumed 1 to take to be true without proof ◇ SYNONYMS: presume, think, believe, expect, suppose, imagine, fancy, take for granted 2 to undertake or take on: every general staff officer was able to assume control of the army ◇ SYNONYMS: take on, accept, shoulder, take over, put on, enter upon 3 to make a pretence of: the man had assumed a debonair attitude ◇ SYNONYMS: simulate, affect, adopt, put on, imitate, mimic, feign, impersonate 4 to take on: her eyes assumed a scared haunted lookassumption n 1 something that is taken for granted ◇ SYNONYMS: presumption, belief, guess, hypothesis, inference, conjecture, surmise, supposition 2 the act of assuming power or possession ◇ SYNONYMS: taking on, managing, handling, shouldering, putting on, taking up, takeover, acquisitionassurance n 1 a statement or assertion intended to inspire confidence ◇ SYNONYMS: promise, statement, guarantee, commitment, pledge, vow, declaration, assertion 2 feeling of confidence; certainty ◇ SYNONYMS: confidence, conviction, certainty, self-confidence, poise, faith, nerve, aplomb 3 insurance that provides for events that are certain to happen, such as deathassure vb -suring, -sured 1 to promise or guarantee ◇ SYNONYMS: promise to, pledge to, vow to, guarantee to, swear to, confirm to, certify to, give your word to 2 to convince: they assured me that they had not seen the document ◇ SYNONYMS: convince, encourage, persuade, satisfy, comfort, reassure, hearten, embolden 3 to make (something) certain ◇ SYNONYMS: make certain, ensure, confirm, guarantee, secure, make sure, complete, seal 4 (chiefly Brit) to insure against loss of lifeassured adj 1 confident or self-assured ◇ SYNONYMS: confident, certain, positive, poised, fearless, self-confident, self-assured, dauntless 2 certain to happen ◇ SYNONYMS: certain, sure, ensured, confirmed, settled, guaranteed, fixed, secure, nailed-on (slang) 3 (chiefly Brit) insured > assuredly (a-sure-id-lee) advastatine n (chem) a radioactive element occurring naturally in minute amounts or artificially produced by bombarding bismuth with alpha particles. SYMBOL: Ataster n a plant with white, blue, purple, or pink daisy-like flowersasterisk n 1 a star-shaped character (*) used in printing or writing to indicate a footnote, etc. ▸ vb 2 to mark with an asteriskastern adv, adj (naut) 1 at or towards the stern of a ship 2 backwards 3 behind a vesselasteroid n any of the small planets that orbit the sun between Mars and Jupiterasthma (ass-ma) n an illness causing difficulty in breathing > asthmatic adj, nastigmatism (eh-stig-mat-tiz-zum) n a defect of a lens, esp. of the eye, causing it not to focus properlyastir adj 1 out of bed 2 in motionastonish vb to surprise greatly ◇ SYNONYMS: amaze, surprise, stun, stagger, bewilder, astound, daze, confound > astonishing adj > astonishment nastound vb to overwhelm with amazement > astounding adjastrakhan n 1 a fur made of the dark curly fleece of lambs from Astrakhan in Russia 2 a cloth resembling thisastral adj 1 relating to or resembling the stars 2 of the spirit worldastray adj, adv out of the right or expected wayastride adj 1 with a leg on either side 2 with legs far apart ▸ prep 3 with a leg on either side ofastringent adj 1 causing contraction of body tissue 2 checking the flow of blood from a cut 3 severe or harsh ▸ n 4 an astringent drug or lotion > astringency nastrolabe n an instrument formerly used to measure the altitude of stars and planetsastrology n the study of the alleged influence of the stars, planets, sun, and moon on human affairs > astrologer or astrologist n > astrological adjastronaut n a person trained for travelling in spaceastronautics n the science and technology of space flight > astronautical adjastronomical or astronomic adj 1 enormously large 2 of astronomy > astronomically advastronomy n the scientific study of heavenly bodies > astronomer nastrophysics n the study of the physical and chemical properties of celestial bodies > astrophysical adj > astrophysicist nAstroturf n (trademark) a brand of artificial grassastute adj quick to notice or understand ◇ SYNONYMS: intelligent, sharp, clever, subtle, shrewd, cunning, canny, perceptive > astutely adv > astuteness nasunder adv, adj (literary) into parts or pieces; apartasylum n 1 refuge granted to a political refugee from a foreign country ◇ SYNONYMS: refuge, haven, safety, protection, preserve, shelter, retreat, harbour 2 (formerly) a psychiatric hospital ◇ SYNONYMS: psychiatric hospital, hospital, institutionasymmetry n lack of symmetry > asymmetric or asymmetrical adjasymptote (ass-im-tote) n a straight line that is closely approached but never met by a curve > asymptotic adj