aback adv. taken ~ (I was taken ~) ('I was startled') abacus n. to operate, use an ~ abandon I n. reckless, wild ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (they ~ed us to our fate) abbreviate v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (Esquire can be ~d to Esq.) ABC n. as easy, simple as ~ abdicate v. (D; intr.) to ~ from (the king has ~d from the throne) USAGE NOTE: One can also say-the king has abdicated the throne; most frequently, one simply says-the king has abdicated. abduct v. (D; tr.) to ~ from (to ~ a child from its home) aberration n. a mental ~ abet v. (formal) (D; tr.) to ~ in (to ~ smb. in doing smt.; to aid and ~ smb. in doing smt.) abeyance n. (formal) in, into ~ (to hold in ~; to fall into ~) abhor v. (G) he ~s being idle 2. (K) she ~s his smoking abhorrent adj, (formal) ~ to (his behavior was ~ to everyone) abide v. (d; intr.) 1. to ~ by ('to agree to, obey') (we must ~ by her decision) 2. (obsol. and formal) (d; intr.) ('to stay') to ~ with ability n. 1. to demonstrate, display, exhibit, show ~ 2. to appreciate, recognize ~ 3. creative; exceptional, great, outstanding, remarkable; innate, natural; latent ~ 4. an ounce of ~ (he doesn't have an ounce of ~) 5. ~ at, in 6. the ~ to + inf. (the ~ to reason) 7. of ~ (a person of great ~; to the best of one's ~) ablaze adj. 1. ~ with (the city was ~ with lights) 2. to set ~ able adj. ~ to + inf. (she was not ~ to reach him) USAGE NOTE: In passive constructions, able is replaced by the verb can — he cannot be reached. ablutions n. (formal) to perform one's ~ aboard adv. to come; go ~ 2. all ~! abode n. (formal) to take up one's ~ abortion n. 1. to do, perform an ~ on 2. to induce an ~ 3. to get, have an ~ 4. (a) criminal, illegal; induced; spontaneous; therapeutic ~; legalized ~ abound v. (formal) 1. (d; intr.) to ~ in (this country ~s in opportunities) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ with (the book ~s with misprints) about-face n. (esp. AE) ['sudden change in attitude'] to do an ~ abreast adj. (usu. does not stand alone) ~ of (to be ~ of the news; to keep smb. ~ of the latest developments) abroad adv. from ~ (he had to return from ~) abscond v. (D; intr.) to ~ from; with (they ~ed from the country with the funds) absence n. 1. an excused; unexcused ~ 2. ~ from (an unexcused ~ from school) 3. during, in smb.'s absent I adj. ~ from (she was ~ from school) II v. (D; refl.) to ~ from (to ~ oneself from a meeting) absentia n. in ~ (to be tried in ~) absolution n. (rel.) to grant, pronounce ~ from (to grant ~ from sin) absolve v. (D; tr.) to ~ from (he was ~d from his promise) absorb v. (D; tr.) to ~ into (the small firms were ~ed into large cartels) absorbed adj. 1. deeply, completely, thoroughly, totally ~ 2. ~ by, with; in (she was ~ by/with the problem; the children were ~ in their homework; ~ in thought) abstain v. (D; intr.) to ~ from (to ~ from alcohol) abstinence n. 1. to practice ~ 2. complete, total ~ 3. ~ from (~ from alcohol) abstract I n. in the ~ II v. (technical) (D; tr.) to ~ from (to ~ iron from ore) absurd adj. 1. patently; totally ~ 2. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to leave such a large tip) 3. ~ that -+- clause (it's ~ that we have to get up so early) absurdity n. it was the height of ~ (to insist on a refund) abundance n. 1. an ~ of (there was an ~ of water power) 2. in ~ (we had food in ~) 3. of ~ (a life of ~) abundant adj. (formal) ~ in (~ in natural resources) abuse n. ['insulting language'] 1. to heap, shower ~ on, upon; to hurl ~ at 2. to take ~ (she took a lot of ~ from him) 3. verbal ~ 4. a shower, stream of ~ 5. a term of ~ ['rough use'] 6. to take ~ (this car has taken a lot of ~) ['mistreatment'] 7. child; personal; sexual ~ ['improper use'] 8. drug ~ abusive adj. ~ to (he became ~ to his guests) abut v. (D; intr.) to ~ against, on, upon abyss n. a gaping, yawning ~ academe n. (formal) the groves, halls of ~ academy n. 1. a military; naval; riding ~ 2. an ~ for (an ~ for boys) 3. at an ~ accede v. (D; intr.) to ~ to (they ~d to our demands) accelerator n. 1. to depress, step on an ~ 2. to ease up, let up on an ~ accent n. ['pronunciation'] 1. to affect, assume, imitate, put on; cultivate an ~ 2. to speak with an ~ 3. to get rid of an ~ 4. a foreign; heavy, noticeable, pronounced, strong, thick; slight ~ ['stress'] 5. to place, put the ~ on (to place the ~ on a syllable) 6. (ling.) an acute; grave; pitch, tonic ~ (see also stress) accept v. 1. to ~ blindly; fully; readily 2. (D; tr.) to ~ as (they ~ed us as their equals) 3. (formal) (BE) (L) I ~ that the proposal may be defeated acceptable adj. 1. completely, fully; mutually ~ 2. ~ to (the conditions are ~ to all concerned) acceptance n. 1. blind ~ (blind ~ of dogma) 2. universal ~ (to meet with universal ~) access n. 1. to gain, get ~ 2. to deny ~ 3. direct; easy, free, unlimited; limited ~ 4. (computers) random ~ 5. ~ to (we gained/got ~ to the files; ~ to a building) accessary (esp. BE) see accessory 1,2 accessibility n. ~ to (the professor's ~ to all students) accessible adj. 1. easily ~ 2. ~ to (the stacks are ~ to the public; the director is ~ to everyone) accession n. 1. on one's ~ (on his ~ to the throne he inherited vast estates) 2. ~ to (her ~ to power) accessory n. ['accomplice'] 1. an ~ to (an ~ to a crime) 2. (legal) an ~ before the fact; an ~ after the fact ['optional equipment'] 3. auto (AE); matching; skiing; smoking accessories accident n. ['unexpected, unpleasant event'] ['catastrophe'] 1. to have, meet with an ~ (they had an ~ during their trip) 2. to prevent ~s 3. an awful, bad, dreadful, frightful, horrible, nasty, serious, shocking; fatal; near; unavoidable; unfortunate ~ 4. an automobile (AE), motorcar (BE); hit-and-run; hunting; industrial; railroad (AE), railway (BE), train ~ 5. an ~ occurs, takes place (a bad ~ took place) 6. in an ~ (he was in a hunting ~) ['chance'] ['luck'] 7. pure, sheer ~ 8. an ~ that + clause (it was pure ~ that we met) 9. by ~ (we discovered it by ~; it was by pure ~ that we found the money) acclaim v. (N; used with a noun) the mob ~ed him emperor acclamation n. by ~ (to elect smb. by ~) acclimate (AE)see acclimatize acclimatize v. (D; intr., refl., tr.) to ~ to (we ~d quickly/~d ourselves quickly to the jungle; he became ~d to the new surroundings) accolade n. 1. to bestow an ~ on 2. the ultimate ~ accommodate v. (D; intr., refl., tr.) to ~ to (they ~d easily to the new conditions) accommodation I n. ['agreement'] ['adjustment'] 1. to come to, make; reach, work out an ~ 2. an ~ between; on; to; with (to make an ~ to wartime conditions; to reach an ~ with neighboring countries) II (BE) see accommodations accommodations n. (AE) ['place to live'] 1. to secure; seek ~ 2. deluxe; first-class; hotel; second- class; travel ~ accompaniment n. 1. an ~ to (a piano ~ to a song) 2. to the ~ of (to the ~ of soft music) accompany v. (D;tr.) to ~ on (to ~ a singer on the piano) accomplice n. 1. an unwitting ~ 2. an ~ in, to (an ~ in crime) accomplished adj. ~ at accomplishment n. 1. see achievement 1 for adjective + noun collocations 2. no mean ~ 3. an ~ to + inf. (it was a real ~ to defeat them) 4. of ~ (a man, woman of many ~s) accord I n. 1. to come to, reach an ~ 2. an ~ with smb. about smt. (we reached an ~ with the neighboring country about our common border) 3. an ~ that + clause (they came to an ~ that profits would be shared equally) 4. in ~ with 5. (formal) of one's own ~ (he participated of his own ~) II v. (formal) 1. (A) we ~ed a hero's welcome to him; or: we ~ed him a hero's welcome 2. (rare) (d; intr.) to ~ with (our information does not ~ with his report) accordance n. in ~ with (in ~ with your instructions) account I n. ['description'] ['report'] 1. to give, render an ~ 2. an accurate, true; biased, one-sided; blow-by-blow, detailed, full; eyewitness; fictitious; first-hand; running; vivid ~ (she gave a detailed ~ of the incident) 3. newspaper, press ~s (according to press ~s) 4. by all ~s ['explanation'] 5. to call smb. to ~ ['consideration'] 6. to take ~ of smt; to take smt. into ~ ['business arrangement'] ['record of a business arrangement'] 7. to open an ~ 8. to keep an ~ (I keep an ~ in that bank) 9. to charge smb.'s ~ 10. to balance; close; settle an ~ 11. to overdraw an ~ 12. to pay smt. into an ~ 13. to charge smt. to an ~ 14. an active; blocked; charge (AE), credit (BE); checking (AE), current (BE); deposit (BE), savings; dollar; expense; inactive; individual retirement (AE); joint; money-market; outstanding ~ 15. in an ~ (the funds were in her ~) 16. on ~ (to put smt. on smb.'s ~) ['dispute'] 17. to settle an ~ (I have an ~ to settle with him) 18. an old ~ ['sake'] 19. on smb.'s ~ (do not refuse on my ~) 20. on ~ of (he did it on ~ of me) ['showing'] ['performance'] 21. to give a good ~ of oneself ['misc.'] 22. on no ~ ('under no circumstances') II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to explain') (he could not ~ for the missing funds; how do you ~ for the accident?) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to cause the destruction of) (our battery ~ed for three enemy planes) accountable adj. 1. strictly ~ 2. ~ for; to (we are ~ to our parents for our actions) 3. to hold smb. ~ for smt. accountant n. a certified public (AE), chartered (BE) ~ accounting n. 1. to give, render an ~ 2. a strict ~ 3. cost ~ accounts n. ['books'] 1. to keep ~ ['record of transactions'] 2. ~ payable; receivable ['differences'] 3. to settle, square ~ accredit v. (D;tr.) to ~ to (our envoy was ~ed to their new government) accrue v. (D; intr.) to ~ to (the interest ~d to our account) accuracy n. 1. historical; reasonable; scientific; strict, total ~ 2. ~ in accurate adj. 1. fairly; strictly ~ 2. ~ to + inf. (it would be ~ to say that he is lazy) accusation n. 1. to bring, make an ~ against (he brought an ~ of theft against Smith; more usu. is: he accused Smith of theft) 2. to deny; refute an ~ 3. a damaging, grave; false, groundless, unfounded, unjust; sweeping ~ 4. an ~ against; of (an ~ of gross negligence) 5. an ~ that + clause (he denied the ~ that he had accepted bribes) accuse v. (D; tr.) to ~ of (he was ~d of murder) accused adj. to stand ~ accustom v. (d; refl., tr.) to ~ to (we had to ~ ourselves to the new working conditions; more usu. is: we had to get ~ed to the new working conditions) accustomed adj. (cannot stand alone) ~ to (~ to hard work; ~ to walking long distances; he got ~ to the warm climate) ace n. ['a serve that an opponent cannot touch'] (tennis) 1. to score an ~ ['expert combat pilot'] 2. a flying ~ ['misc.'] 3. within an ~ of ('very close to'); an ~ in the hole ('a concealed advantage') ache I n. a dull; steady ~ (he felt a dull ~ in his shoulder) (see backache, earache, headache, stomachache, toothache) II v. 1. (d; intr.) 1. to ~ for (to ~ for company) 2. (E) he is aching to get even achievement n. 1. a brilliant, crowning, dazzling, epic, glorious, great, lasting, magnificent, major, memorable, monumental, notable, outstanding, phenomenal, remarkable, signal, superb, wonderful ~ 2. an ~ in (outstanding ~s in science) acid n. 1. corrosive, strong ~ 2. boric; citric; hydrochloric; sulfuric ~ 3. ~ corrodes acknowledge v. 1. to ~ gratefully 2. (B) the author ~d her debt to her research assistants 3. (D; tr.) to ~ as (she ~d him as her heir) 4. (G) he ~d being ignorant of the facts 5. (K) he ~d my being the first to think of it 6. (L; to) she ~d (to us) that she was to blame 7. (rare) (M) they ~d us to be the winners of the contest 8. (formal and rare) (N; used with a past participle) he ~d himself defeated acknowledgment n. 1. to make an ~ of 2. a frank; grateful; public ~ 3. in ~ of acme n. to attain, reach the ~ of acquaint v. 1. to ~ thoroughly 2. (D; refl., tr.) to ~ with (the lawyer ~ed herself with the facts of the case) acquaintance n. ['familiarity'] 1. to have an ~ with (he has some ~ with statistics) 2. a slight, superficial ~ 3. on ~ (on closer ~ he proved to be a nice person) 4. an ~ with ['casual friendship'] 5. to make smb.'s ~ 6. to keep up; renew; strike up an ~ with 7. a casual, nodding, passing, slight ~ (to have a nodding ~ with smb.) ['friend'] 8. a casual acquaintanceship n. 1. to strike up an ~ with 2. a casual; close, intimate ~ 3. an ~ with acquainted adj. 1. casually; closely, intimately, thoroughly ~ 2. ~ with (he got/became ~ with the situation; are you ~ with him?) acquiesce v. (D; intr.) to ~ in, to (they ~d in the decision) USAGE NOTE: Some purists feel that the collocation acquiesce to is now old- fashioned. acquiescence n. 1. complete, total ~ 2. ~ in, to (~ in a decision) acquisition n. 1. to make an ~ 2. (BE) an ~ to (he is a valuable ~ to our firm) acquit v. 1. (D; tr.) ('to exonerate') to ~ of (the jury ~ted her of all charges) 2. (P; refl.) ('to behave') she ~ted herself well; he ~ted himself like a veteran acquittal n. (legal) to bring in an ~ (the jury brought in an ~) acrimony n. bitter, sharp ~ acrobatics n. 1. to perform ~ 2.(fig.) mental ~ acronym n. to form an ~ act I n. ['action'] 1. to commit, perform an ~ 2. a barbaric, barbarous; courageous; criminal; foolish, rash; heroic, noble; humane; illegal; impulsive; justified; kind; overt; statesmanlike; thoughtful ~ (she performed an heroic ~) 3. an ~ of (an ~ of faith; he committed an ~ of folly) 4. in the ~ (caught in the ~) ['performance'] 5. a circus; nightclub; variety (BE), vaudeville (AE) ~ 6. (misc.) to put on an ~ ('to pretend') ['misc.'] 7. to get into the ~ ('to participate') II v. 1. to ~ impulsively; irresponsibly; responsibly 2. (d; intr.) ('to serve') to ~ as (she ~ed as our interpreter) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to replace') and esp. BE ('to represent as one's lawyer') 4. (d; intr.) ('to behave') to ~ like (the soldier ~ed like a real hero) 5. (D; intr.) ('to take action') to ~ on, upon (to ~ on smb.'s advice; to ~ on a request) 6. (d; intr.) ('to take action') to ~ out of (they ~ed out of fear) 7. (d; intr.) ('to behave') to ~ towards (how did they ~ towards you?) 8. (P; intr.) ('to behave') the soldier ~ed bravely action n. ['activity'] ['act'] 1. to initiate; take ~; to go into ~ 2. to put smt. into ~ (we put our plan into ~) 3. to prod, spur smb. into ~ 4. concerted, united; decisive; direct; disciplinary; drastic; emergency; hasty, rash; immediate, prompt; remedial; vigorous ~ (we must take immediate ~) 5. (AE) affirmative ~ ('giving preference to members of minority groups') 6. industrial (BE), (a) job (AE) ~ ('a protest by workers') 7. congressional; political ~ 8. a reflex ~ ['combat; military or police activity'] 9. to go into ~ 10. to see ~ ('to participate in combat') 11. to break off ~ 12. to take evasive ~ ('to maneuver in order to escape enemy fire') 13. enemy ~; a delaying, holding; police; punitive; rearguard ~ 14. in ~ (killed in ~) 15. out of ~ (two tanks were put out of ~) ['law-suit'] 16. to bring, institute, take ~ against smb. for smt. (he brought legal ~ against his neighbor) 17. to dismiss an ~ (the judge dismissed the ~) 18. a civil; class; legal ~ ['initiative'] ['enterprise'] 19. a man, woman of ~ ['plot of a play, novel'] 20. the ~ drags; picks up (the ~ picks up in the third act) ['misc.'] 21. (colloq.) a piece of the ~ ('participation in an activity') (he wants a piece of the ~) activity n. 1. to engage in, participate in, take part in an ~ (all students take part in extracurricular activities) 2. to resume one's activities 3. to break off, terminate an ~ 4. to curb; paralyze ~ (business ~ was paralyzed) 5. bustling, constant, feverish, furious, uninterrupted ~ 6. behind-the-scenes; business, economic; cultural; intellectual; physical; political; scientific; subversive; terrorist ~ 7. extracurricular; recreational; social; union activities 8. to buzz, hum with ~ 9. a burst of ~ actor, actress n. 1. to cast an ~ 2. a character ~ act up v. (D; intr.) ('to function badly') to ~ on(my leg has been acting up on me) acuity n. mental; visual ~ acumen n. 1. to demonstrate, display ~ 2. business; legal ~ 3. the ~ to + inf. (she had enough ~ to see through the scheme) acupuncture n. to do, perform ~ ad n. a classified, small (BE); help-wanted; want ~ (see also advertisement) adage n. an old ~ adamant adj. 1. ~ about; in 2. ~ that + clause; subj. when the subjects of the clauses are different (he was ~ that he was fit to go; she was ~ that he not go) adapt v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ for; from (to ~ a novel for the stage; to ~ a film from a novel) 2. (D; intr.,refl., tr.) to ~ to (we ~ed quickly to life in Paris; she had to ~ herself to local conditions) adaptation n. 1. to make an ~ 2. an ~ for (an ~ of a novel for television) add v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ to (we ~ed this amount to the bill; these changes ~ed to the confusion) 2. (L) she ~ed that she would not bring the children addendum n. an ~ to addict n. a confirmed; drug ~ addicted adj. 1. chronically, hopelessly ~ 2. ~ to(~ to drugs) addiction n. 1. chronic, hopeless ~ 2. (an) ~ to (~ to drugs) adding machine n. to operate, use an ~ addition n. ['adding of numbers'] 1. to do ~ ['part added'] 2. to make an ~ 3. an ~ to (an ~ to thefamily; an ~ to a report) 4. in ~ to (in ~ to his salary, he earns a lot from royalties) add on v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (to ~ a garage to the house) address I n. ['speech'] 1. to deliver, give an ~ 2.an eloquent, moving, stirring ~ 3. an inaugural; keynote ~ 4. an ~ about, concerning ['place of residence'] ['place for receiving mail'] 5. to change one's ~ 6. a business; forwarding; home; permanent; return; temporary ~ 7. at an ~ (at what ~ does she live?) II v. 1. (B) she ~ed her remarks to us; I ~ed the letter to him 2. (d; tr.) to ~ as (you should ~ him as 'sir') 3. (d; tr.) to ~ to (~ her mail to this post-office box) 4. (d; refl.) ('to refer') to ~ to (the candidates did not ~ themselves to the issues) add up v. (d; intr.) to ~ to (it all ~s up to a hoax; the figures ~ to 50) adept adj. ~ at, in (~ at solving crossword puzzles) adequate adj. 1. ~ for (the food was ~ for all of us) 2. ~ to (she was ~ to the task) 3. ~ to + inf. (it would be ~ to list just the basic objections) adhere v. 1. to ~ closely, doggedly, strictly, stubbornly, tenaciously 2. (d; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ strictly to a plan) adherence n. 1. close, strict ~ 2. ~ to (strict ~ to a plan) adieu n. to bid smb. ~ adjacent adj. ~ to (~ to our building) adjective n. 1. to compare an ~ 2. an attributive; descriptive; possessive; predicate, predicative ~3. ~s modify nouns adjourn v. 1. (D; intr.) ('to stop') to ~ for (to ~ for lunch) 2. (d; intr.) ('to move') (to ~ to the living room for brandy) adjudge v. (formal) (M and N; used with an adjective) the court ~d him (to be) guilty adjunct n. an ~ to (an adverb is usually an ~ to a verb) adjure v. (formal) (H) to ~ smb. to tell the truth adjust v. (D. intr., tr.) to ~ to (he had to ~ to the new climate; we ~ed our watches to local time) adjuster n. an insurance ~ adjustment n. 1. to make an ~ 2. an ~ in, of (an ~ in/of his salary; an ~ of the brakes) 3. an ~ to (an ~ to a new environment) adjutant n. an ~ general administer v. 1. (B) ('to give') to ~ an oath to smb.2. (d; intr.) to ~ to ('to help with') (to ~ to smb.'sneeds) administration n. ['management'] 1. business; public ~ ['government'] 2. a centralized; civil; colonial; decentralized; federal ~ administrator n. a civil; school ~ admiral n. a rear; vice ~; a fleet ~ (US); an ~ of the fleet (GB) admiration n. 1. to arouse, win; command ~ 2. to express; feel ~ 3. blind; deep, great, sincere, strong, undying; grudging; mutual; ungrudging ~4. ~ for (he felt great ~ for them) 5. in, with ~ (to look at smb. with ~) admire v. 1. to ~ greatly, very much 2. (D; tr.) to ~ for (we ~ her for her tact) 3. (K) they all ~d his behaving in that manner admirer n. an ardent, devoted, enthusiastic, fervent, sincere; secret ~ admission n. ['access'] 1. to apply for; gain; seek ~2. to deny, refuse ~ 3. free, open; restricted, selective ~; rolling (esp. AE) ~s 4. ~ to (she applied for ~ to the university) ['confession'] 5. to make an ~ of (he made an ~ of guilt) 6. a damaging ~ 7. an ~ that + clause (his ~ that he had been at the scene of the crime led to his conviction) 8.by, on smb.'s own ~ ['entry fee'] 9. general ~ admit v. 1. to ~ readily 2. (B) ('to confess') the accused ~ted his guilt to the police 3. (D; tr.) ('to allow entry') to ~ into, to (the manager ~ted him to the theater; she was ~ted to the university) 4.(formal) (d; intr;) ('to tolerate') to ~ of (the situation ~s of no delay) 5. (formal) (d; intr.) ('to confess') to ~ to (he ~ted to his complicity in the crime; the boy ~ted to stealing the apples) 6. (G)('to confess') the employee ~ted stealing the money 7. (L; to) ('to confess') the clerk ~ted (to the police) that he had taken the jewels admittance n. 1. to gain ~ to 2. to deny ~ to (he was denied ~ to the concert) admonish v. (formal) 1. (D; tr.) to ~ for (the teacher ~ed the child for coming late to school) 2.(H) to ~ smb. to do smt. ado n. 1. to make (much) ~ about, over 2. without much ~ adopt v. (D; tr.) to ~ as (they ~ed the child as their heir) adoption n. to put up for ~ (to put a child up for ~) adore v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ for (we ~ them for their generosity) 2. (G) she ~s visiting museums adrift adj., adv. to cast, turn ~ adroit adj. ~ at, in (~ at staying out of trouble) adroitness n. ~ at, in (~ at giving injections) adultery n. to commit ~ with adulthood n. to reach ~ adults n. consenting ~ advance I n. ['forward movement'] 1. (usu. mil.)to make; press an ~ 2. (usu. mil.) an ~ against, on, to, towards (our troops made an ~ against the enemy) 3. an ~ in (~ in science) 4. an ~ into (an ~ into new territory) ['early payment'] 5. to receive an ~ 6. to pay an ~ 7. an ~ on (to receive an ~ on royalties) ['misc.'] 8. she paid her rent in ~; in ~ of the main party II v. 1. (A) we ~d a month's salary to him; or: we ~d him a month's salary 2. (D; intr.)to ~ against, on, to, towards (our troops ~d on the next town) 3. (D; tr.) to ~ to (he was ~d to the rank of corporal) advanced adj. ~ in (~ in industrial development) advancement n, 1. to further, speed smb.'s ~ 2. to block smb.'s ~ 3. professional ~ 4. rapid, slow ~ advances n. ['effort to become friendly or to enter into negotiations'] 1. to make ~ to (he made ~ to her; the Americans made ~ to the Russians) 2. to rebuff, reject smb.'s ~ advantage n. 1. to have an ~ of; over (our team had the ~ of experience; her connections gave her an ~ over the others) 2. to gain; press (home) an ~ 3. to take ~ of ('to exploit') 4. to outweigh an ~5. a clear, decided; mutual; unfair ~ 6. an ~ to (his wealth was an obvious ~ to us) 7. an ~ to + inf. (it was an ~ to have that team as our opponent in the first round = it was an ~ having that team as our opponent in the first round) 8. an ~ that + clause; subj. (it was to his ~ that she not participate) 9. to smb.'s ~; used to good ~ (see also 8) 10. at an ~11. (tennis) ~ in; ~ out 12. (misc.) (BE) you have the ~ of me ('you know more than I do') advantageous adj. 1. clearly ~ 2. ~ to (his decision was ~ to us) 3. ~ to + inf. (it would be ~ to wait) adventure n. 1. to have, meet with an ~ 2. a bold; breathtaking, exciting, real, thrilling ~; high ~ 3.an ~ to + inf. (it was an ~ to visit that place = it was an ~ visiting that place) adventurer n. a bold, dauntless, intrepid ~ adverb n. an interrogative; negative ~ adversary n. a formidable, worthy ~ adverse adj. (formal) ~ to (~ to our interests) adversity n. to face; overcome ~ advert I (BE) see advertisement II v. (formal and rare) (d; intr.) ('to refer') to ~ to advertise v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ for (to ~ for a maid)2. (L) they ~d that a position was open advertisement n. 1. to place, publish, run an ~ for(to run an ~ for a used car) 2. a classified; full page ~ advertising n. classified; outdoor; word-of-mouth advice n. 1. to give, offer ~ 2. to act on, follow, take ~ 3. to disregard, refuse, turn a deaf ear to ~4. friendly; good, sage, sensible, sound; misleading; parting; professional; unsolicited ~ 5. a bit, piece, word of ~ 6. ~ about, on 7. ~ to (my ~ to him was that...) 8. ~ to + inf. (we took his ~ to remain silent) 9. ~ that + clause; subj. (my ~ is that you see/should see a doctor) 10. against smb.'s ~ 11. on, upon smb.'s ~ (on ~ of counsel; I acted on her ~) advisable adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to leave immediately) advise v. 1. to ~ strongly 2. (D; tr.) to ~ about, on3. (d; intr., tr.) to ~ against (to ~ smb. against a course of action) 4. (formal) (d; tr.) to ~ of (to ~ smb. of the facts) 5. (G) who ~d making that statement? 6. (H) she ~d us not to wait 7. (K) who ~d his making that statement? 8. (L; must have an object) she ~d us that we should leave 9. (Q; must have an object) he ~d us what to do advisement n. (often legal) to take smt. under ~ adviser, advisor n. 1. an economic; financial; legal; political; senior; spiritual; technical ~ 2. an ~ on; to (an ~ on foreign affairs; an ~ to the president) advisory adj. ~ to advocate I n. 1. an aggressive, strong ~ 2. a client, patient; consumer ~ 3. the devil's ~ II v. 1. (G) he ~d bringing legal action 2. (K) she ~d our withdrawing from the contest 3.(formal) (L; subj.) they ~d that one candidate withdraw aegis n. under smb.'s ~ aerial n. (BE) a television, TV ~ (AE has antenna) aeroplane (BE) see airplane aether (BE) see ether afar adv. from ~ affair n. ['romantic liaison'] 1. to carry on, have an~ with 2. a casual; clandestine, secret; illicit; love; tempestuous ~ ['matter'] ['event'] 3. to investigate an ~ 4. to cover up, hush up an ~; to wash one's hands of an ~ 5. a delicate; private; sinister, sordid, ugly ~ 6. an ~ of honor ['social event'] 7.a dull; exciting; formal; gala; informal ~ affairs n. 1. to administer, conduct ~ (of state) 2.to arrange; manage; settle; straighten out one's ~ 3. civil; community; cultural; current; domestic, internal; external, foreign; international; legal; military; national; political; public; veterans ~ affect v. 1. to ~ smb. deeply, profoundly, strongly2. (formal and rare) (BE) (E) he ~ed not to hear affection n. 1. to demonstrate, display, show; return ~ 2. to feel ~ 3. to gain, win smb.'s ~ (she won the children's ~) 4. deep, strong, warm ~ 5.~ for (to feel ~ for smb.) affectionate adj. ~ to, towards, with (~ with children) affections n. to alienate smb.'s ~ affidavit n. (legal) to file an ~ (the lawyer filed an ~ on behalf of her client) affiliate v. (D; refl., tr.) to ~ to, with (to ~ oneself with a movement; they are ~d with the national committee; to become ~d with) affiliation n. 1. to form an ~ with 2. business; labor; party, political ~s affinity n. 1. to demonstrate, show (an) ~ 2. to feel; have (an) ~ 3. (a) close; elective; natural; strong ~ 4. ~ between; for; to; with (he always felt a close ~ with the underdog) affirm v. 1. to ~ categorically 2. (L) the ministry ~ed that the visit had been postponed affirmative n. to reply in the ~ affix v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (to ~ one's signature to a document) afflicted adj. 1. grievously ~ 2. ~ with (~ with a disease) affluence n. in ~ (to live in ~) affluent adj. ~ in (~ in worldly goods) afford v. 1. to well ~ 2. (formal) (A) it ~ed great pleasure to him; or: it ~ed him great pleasure 3.(E; preceded by the forms: can -- cannot -- can't -- could) we cannot ~ to buy a new house; we can ill ~ to lose this contract 4. (formal) (K; preceded by the forms: can -- cannot -- can't -- could) we could not ~ his signing up for another course affront n. 1. (formal) to suffer an ~ 2. a shocking ~ 3. an ~ to (it was an ~ to common decency) afloat adj. 1. to keep smt. ~ 2. to set (a ship) ~ aflutter adj. (colloq.) 1. all ~ 2. ~ with (~ with excitement) afoul adv. to run ~ of (to run ~ of the law) (also foul II) afraid adj. 1. deathly, terribly ~ 2. ~ of (the child was ~ of the dark) 3. ~ to + inf. (he was ~ to dive from the high board) 4. ~ that + clause (we were ~ that he would find out) 5. (misc.) is it true? I'm ~ so after, afterwards adv. shortly ~ afterburners n. to activate, go to ~ (our interceptors had to go to ~) aftermath n. 1. a grim ~ 2. an ~ of, to 3. in the ~ (in the ~ of/to that incident, he had to leave town) afternoon n. in the ~; ~s (AE), on any ~; on Wednesday ~ aftershave n. to apply, put on; use ~ aftertaste n. 1. to leave an ~ 2. a nice, pleasant; unpleasant ~ (it left a pleasant ~) agape adj. (formal) ['gaping'] ~ with (~ with excitement) age n. ['stage of life'] 1. to live to, reach an ~ 2. an advanced, (ripe) old, venerable ~ (she lived to a ripe old ~) 3. an early, tender, young ~ (at an early ~; at a very young ~) 4. middle ~ 5. (a) college; high-school (AE); preschool; school ~ 6. (a) retirement, retiring (BE) ~ 7. a legal ~; the ~ of consent 8. at an ~ (at a tender ~; at the ~ of six) 9. of an ~ (people of all ~s) 10. (misc.) to come of ~ ('to reach one's majority'); to look one's ~ ('to not have a youthful appearance') ['era'] ['period'] 11. to usher in an ~ (to usher in the computer ~) 12. a golden; heroic ~ 13. the Dark; Middle ~s (during the Middle ~s) 14. the Bronze; Ice; Iron; nuclear; Stone ~ 15. in an ~ (in the nuclear ~) 16. for ~s 17. through the ~s agency n. 1. an advertising; detective; employment; government; health- care; home-health; intelligence; law-enforcement; news; private; public; regulatory; ticket; travel; voluntary; watchdog; welfare ~ 2. at an ~ (she works at a travel ~) agenda n. 1. to draw up, make up an ~ 2. to place, put smt. on the ~ (to put an item on the ~) 3. a hidden ~ agent n. ['representative'] 1. a double; enemy; estate (BE), land (BE), real-estate (AE); free; insurance; literary; press; purchasing; rental; secret, undercover; shipping; special; ticket (AE; BE has booking clerk) ~ 2. an ~ provocateur 3. an ~ for (an ~ for a large firm) ['substance'] 4. an asphyxiating; chemical ~ aggrandizement n. territorial ~ aggregate n. in the ~ aggression n. ['attack'] 1. to commit ~ against 2. to repel, repulse ~ 3. armed; brazen, naked, outright, stark, unprovoked ~ ['aggressiveness'] 4. to manifest ~ 5. to control, stifle ~ 6. deep-seated, hidden, deep-rooted ~ 7. an act of ~ (to commit an act of ~) aghast adj. ~ at (~ at the very thought of going back to work) agitate v. 1. to ~ strongly 2. (D; intr.) to ~ against; for (they were agitating for reform) agitation n. 1. political; student; subversive ~ 2. ~ against; for agitator n. a political ~ aglow adj. ~ with (~ with happiness) ago adv. ~ that + clause (it was five years ~ that we met) agog adj. ~ over; with (she was all ~ over her new granddaughter) agonize v. (D; intr.) to ~ over (to ~ over a decision) agony n. 1. to experience, feel ~ 2. to prolong the ~ 3. acute, deep, great, indescribable, untold; mortal ~ 4. in ~ (in great ~) agree v. 1. ('to concur') to ~ completely, entirely, fully, wholeheartedly; readily 2. (D; intr.) ('to concur') to ~ about; on, to; with (to ~ with smb. about smt.; to ~ on/to a compromise) 3. (d; intr.) (of food, climate) to ~ with ('to suit') (the food doesn't ~ with me) 4. (grammar) (D; intr.) ('to correspond') to ~ in; with (Latin adjectives ~ with nouns in gender) 5. (E) ('to consent') they ~d to help 6. (L) ('to concur') we ~d that everyone would receive an equal share agreeable adj. 1. mutually ~ 2. ~ to (they were all ~ to our proposal; is this ~ to you?) agreement n. ['contract, settlement, treaty'] 1. to come to, conclude, enter into, negotiate, reach, work out an ~ 2. to carry out an ~ 3. to break, violate; denounce an ~ 4. a binding; contractual; ironclad; legal; tacit; tentative ~ (we reached a tentative ~) 5. an armistice; cease fire; sales; trade ~ 6. a bilateral; executive; gentleman's ~ 7. an ~ about, on; between; with (an ~ was worked out between them on all points) 8. an ~ to + inf. (we reached an ~ with them to cooperate fully at all times) 9. an ~ that + clause (the negotiatiors came to an ~ that all troops would be withdrawn) ['concord, harmony'] 10. to express; reach ~ 11. complete, full, solid; mutual; tacit ~ (they reached full ~ on all points) 12. ~ about, on 13. by ~ (by mutual ~) 14. in ~ (we were in full ~ with them on all points) ['grammatical concord'] 15. grammatical ~ 16. ~ in (~ in case, gender, and number) aground adj., adv. to run ~ (the ship ran ~) ahead adj., adv. 1. far ~ 2. ~ by (our team was ~ by three points) 3. ~ of (~ of one's competitors) 4. (misc.) straight ~; full speed ~ aid I n. 1. to extend, give, offer, provide, render ~ 2. to come to smb.'s ~ 3. to cut off, withdraw ~ 4. generous, unstinting ~ 5. audiovisual; teaching ~s 6. first ~ (first ~ to the injured) 7. a hearing ~ 8. economic; foreign; government ~ 9. legal ~ (for the poor) 10. (an) ~ for; in; to (an ~ to memorization; economic ~ to developing countries) 11. (misc.) to enlist smb.'s ~ II v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ in (she ~ed him in his work) 2. (rare) (H) to ~ smb. to do smt. 3. (misc.) to ~ and abet aide n. 1. a home (BE), home health (AE); presidential ~ 2. an ~ to AIDS n. to contract, get ~ ailment n. a chronic; common; minor ~ aim I n. ['purpose'] ['goal'] 1. to achieve one's ~ 2. a chief; immediate; long-range ~ 3. idealistic, lofty ~s 4. an ~ to + inf. (it was our ~ to complete the work before the end of the month)['aiming of a weapon'] 5. to take ~ at 6. careful; steady ~ (she took careful ~ at the intruder) II v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ at (he ~ed at me; I ~ed the revolver at the intruder) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ for (he ~ed for the heart; she was ~ing for a promotion) 3. (E) we ~ to please air I n. ['atmosphere'] 1. to clear the ~ 2. to breathe, inhale ~ 3. to pollute the ~ 4. balmy, mild; bracing, brisk, crisp, refreshing; compressed; country; dry; foul; fresh; humid; polar; polluted; stale ~ 5. a breath of (fresh) ~; a blast of hot ~ 6. in the ~ (the decisive battles were fought in the ~) ['transportation by aircraft'] 7. by ~ (to travel by ~) ['medium through which radio signals are transmitted'] 8. on the ~ (to go on the ~; our station is on the ~) 9. off the ~ (that station never goes off the ~) ['appearance'] 10. to assume an ~ (to assume an ~ of innocence) 11. a detached; knowing; nonchalant; superior, triumphant ~ ['tune'] 12. a martial ~ (the band struck up a martial ~) ['misc.'] 13. in the ~ ('imminent'); to walk on ~ ('to be elated'); to give smb. the ~ ('to reject smb.'); up in the ~ ('unsettled'); to disappear into thin ~ II v. (B) he is ready to ~ his views to anyone air conditioner n. 1. to run: turn on an ~ 2. to turn off an ~ 3. a central; room ~ 4. the ~ was on, was running air conditioning n. central ~ aircraft n. enemy; friendly; unidentified ~ airline n. a domestic; feeder; international, overseas; local ~ airmail n. by ~ (to send a letter by ~) airplane, aeroplane n. 1. to board; take an ~ 2. to bring down, land; ditch; fly, pilot; hijack; navigate an ~ (a pilot flies an ~) 3. to bring down, shoot down an ~ (our fire brought down an enemy ~) 4. a jet; propeller-driven ~ 5. an ~ crashes; cruises; flies; gains altitude; lands, touches down; levels off; loses altitude; reaches an altitude; takes off; taxis along the runway airport n. at an ~ air raid n. to carry out, conduct an ~ against airs n. ['affected manners'] to give oneself, put on ~ air show n. to hold, put on, stage an ~ air superiority n. 1. to establish ~ 2. complete, overwhelming, total ~ aisle n. 1. to clear the ~s 2. in the ~ (don't stand in the ~) 3. on the ~ (to sit on the ~) ajar adj. to leave ~ (she left the door ~) akin adj. (formal) (usu. does not stand alone) ~ to (a feeling ~ to love) alarm n. ['warning device'] ['warning'] 1. to activate; give, send in, set off, sound; set an ~ (she set the ~ to go off at five) 2. to deactivate, turn off an ~ 3. a burglar; fire; silent; smoke ~ 4. a false ~ 5. an ~ goes off, rings, sounds ['apprehension, fear'] 6. to express; feel ~ 7. to cause ~ (the incident caused great ~) 8. ~ at (to express ~ at the danger of war) alarm clock n. 1. to set an ~ 2. an ~ goes off, rings, sounds alarmed adj. ~ at, by (we were ~ at the news of the earthquake) alarming adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to think of the possible consequences) album n. an autograph; photograph; stamp ~ alcohol n. 1. to distill, make ~ 2. to abstain from ~ 3. to reek of ~ 4. ethyl, grain; methyl, wood; pure, unadulterated; rubbing (AE; BE has surgical spirit) ~ alcoholic n. a chronic ~ alcoholism n. acute; chronic ~ alert I adj. ~ to (~ to danger) II n. 1. to call an ~ 2. to place, put (troops) on ~ 3. to call off, cancel an ~ 4. (a) full; preliminary; red ~ (the troops were on full ~) 5. on (the) ~ (to be on the ~) 6. (misc.) in a state of ~ III v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (we must ~ the public to the danger) A levels n. (BE) to sit one's ~ algebra n. to do ~ alias n. under an ~ alibi n. 1. to establish; provide an ~ for 2. to confirm smb.'s ~ 3. to break, disprove an ~ 4. an airtight, foolproof, unassailable ~ 5. his ~ held up alien I adj. (formal) ~ to (such ideas are ~ to us) II n. 1. to intern an ~ 2. an enemy; illegal ~ alienate v. (D; tr.) to ~ from (she was ~d from her family) alienation n. ~ from (~ from one's old friends) alight v. (formal) (D: intr.) to ~ from (to ~ from a vehicle) align v. (D; refl., tr.) to ~ with (the wheels must be ~ed with the frame; he ~ed himself with the left wing of the party) alignment n. in; out of ~ (the wheels are out of ~) alimony n. to award ~ (the judge awarded the wife ~) alive adj. 1. very much ~ 2. (cannot stand alone) ~ to (~ to the danger of becoming overconfident) all determiner, pronoun ~ of (we saw ~ of them) USAGE NOTE: The use of the preposition of is necessary when a personal pronoun follows. When a noun follows, of is omitted--the dean saw all students ('the dean saw every student'). To express limited meaning, of the or the (very common in BE) can be inserted--the dean saw all students who had received poor grades = the dean saw all (of) the students who had received poor grades. allegation n. ['assertion'] 1. to make an ~ 2. to drop, retract, withdraw an ~ 3. to deny; refute an ~ 4. a false; serious; unproved, unsubstantiated, unsupported; vague ~ 5. an ~ about; against (~s of fraud were made against him) 6. an ~ that + clause (their ~ that she had taken the money proved to be false) allege v. (L) it has been ~d that you stole the money allegiance n. 1. to give; pledge, swear ~ 2. to disavow, forsake one's ~ to 3. true, unfailing, unswerving ~ 4. ~ to (~ to a cause) allergic adj. ~ to (~ to dust) allergy n. to acquire, develop an ~ to alliance n. 1. to enter into, form an ~ 2. to dissolve an ~ 3. a defense; military; political; unholy ~ 4. an ~ against; between; with (to form an ~ with one's neighbors against the common enemy) 5. an ~ to + inf. (an ~ to defend an area against any invader) allied adj. ~ against; to, with (we were ~ with them against the aggressor) allocate v. 1. (B; more rarely -- A) the dean ~d the funds to several students 2. (D; tr.) to ~ for (our committee ~d money for the memorial) allocation n. 1. to make an ~ 2. a budget ~ 3. an ~ for; to allot v. 1. (A) the city has ~ted space to us; or: the city has ~ted us space 2. (D; tr.) to ~ for allow v. 1. (A; usu. without the preposition) ('to permit') he ~ed himself no meat 2. (d; intr.) ('to provide') to ~ for (we ~ed for the difference in age; you must ~ for shrinkage) 3. (D; tr.) ('to give') to ~ for (they ~ed an hour for lunch) 4. (formal) (d; intr.) to ~ of ('to permit') (our financial situation ~s of no unnecessary expenditures) 5. (H) ('to permit') we ~ed the children to go to the park 6. (formal) (L) ('to admit') I must ~ that he is capable allowance n. ['taking into account'] 1. to make (an) ~ for (to make ~/an ~ for inexperience; to make ~s for wear and tear) ['sum granted'] 2. to grant an ~ 3. a cost-of-living; depletion; trade-in ~ 4. a daily; fixed; weekly ~ allude v. 1. to ~ vaguely 2. (d; intr.) to ~ to (the story ~d to a mystery in his past) allusion n. 1. to make an ~ to (she made no ~ to the incident) 2. a vague ~ ally I n. a faithful, staunch ~ II v. (D; intr., refl.) to ~ against; to, with (we allied ourselves with our friends against the common enemy) alms n. (formal) 1. to dispense, give ~ 2. ~ for (~ for the needy) alone adj. to leave smb. ~ aloof adj. 1. to hold oneself, remain, stand ~ 2. ~ from (he remained ~ from the others) alphabet n. 1. the Arabic; Cyrillic; Greek; Hebrew; Latin; Phoenician; Sanskrit ~ 2. a phonetic; runic ~ altar n. 1. at the ~ 2. to lead smb. to the ~ alteration n. 1. to make an ~ 2. a major; minor, slight ~ altercation n. 1. to have an ~ 2. an ~ about, over; between; with alternate v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ between (they ~ between supporting us and opposing us) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ in (we ~ in doing the household chores) 3. (d; intr., tr.) to ~ with (sunny weather ~d with rain; the coach ~d Jones with Wilson) alternative n. 1. to propose an ~ 2. to fall back on an ~ 3. a viable ~ 4. an ~ to 5. no ~ but to + inf. (we have no ~ but to compromise) altitude n. 1. to reach an ~ of 2. to lose ~ 3. a cruising ~ 4. at an ~ (at high ~s) amalgamate v. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ with (our firm will be ~d with a Japanese company) amateur n. a rank ~ amaze v. (R) it ~d me (to learn) that he had been promoted amazed adj. 1. ~ at, by (he was ~ at what he saw) 2. ~ to + inf. (she was ~ to see the results of the research) 3. ~ that + clause (we were ~ that he agreed so quickly) amazement n. 1. complete, total, utter 2. ~ at, with (they expressed their ~ at/with our performance) 3. in ~ (they stared in ~) 4. to one's ~ (to my utter ~, he arrived on time) amazing adj. 1. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to watch them perform) 2. ~ that + clause (it was ~ that she was able to solve the problem so quickly) ambassador n. 1. to appoint an ~ 2. to recall an ~ 3. an ~ extraordinary; an ~ plenipotentiary; an ambassador-at- large 4. a goodwill; roving ~ 5. an ~ to (our ~ to Rome) ambiguity n. 1. to clear up, remove an ~; to avoid ~ 2. an ~ about, concerning ambition n. 1. to achieve, attain, fulfill, realize one's ~ 2. to spur, stir smb.'s ~ 3. to limit, restrain one's ~ 4. boundless, unbridled; overweening ~ 5. a burning, cherished; frustrated; unrealized ~ 6. territorial ~s (of an aggressor) 7. an ~ to + inf. (he achieved his ~ to become mayor) ambitious adj. (formal) (esp. BE) ~ to + inf. (she is ~ to succeed) ambivalent adj. ~ about amble v. (P; intr.) to ~ along the road ambush n. 1. to lay, set an ~ for 2. to draw smb. into an ~ 3. to lie in ~ (for) 4. to run into an ~ 5. from ~ (to attack from ~) amenable adj. ~ to (~ to compromise) amendment n. 1. to adopt; propose; ratify an ~ 2. a constitutional ~ 3. an ~ to (an ~ to the constitution) amends n. to make ~ for (he wanted to make ~ for the damage that he had caused) amenities n. ['comforts'] 1. to provide the ~ for ['greetings'] 2. to exchange ~ ['proper manners'] 3. to observe the ~ American n. 1. a native ~ ('an American Indian') 2. General ~ ('the English spoken in most of the US') amiss adj., adv. (formal) 1. to take smt. ~ 2. to go ammunition n. 1. to provide ~ for (also fig.) 2. to issue ~ 3. blank; dummy; live; tracer ~ amnesty n. 1. to declare, grant, offer (an) ~ (he was granted ~) 2. a general; political ~ 3. an ~ for (the government declared a general ~ for political prisoners) amok, amuck adv. to run ~ amorous adj. (rare) ~ of amount I n. 1. an ample, considerable, enormous, huge, large, tremendous; moderate; negligible, paltry, small ~ 2. the full ~ II v. (d; intr.) to ~ to (it ~s to fraud; he'll never ~ to anything) amuse v. 1. to ~ greatly, thoroughly, very much 2. (D; refl., tr.) to ~ by, with (she ~d the children with tricks; they ~d themselves by playing games) 3. (R) it ~d us to watch them play; it ~d me that they would never admit to being wrong amused adj. 1. highly, thoroughly, vastly ~ 2. ~ at, by (she was ~ at/by that story) 3. ~ to + inf. (I was ~ to see him playing up to the boss) 4. to keep smb. ~ (he kept the children ~ by reading stories) amusement n. 1. to provide ~ for 2. to find ~ in 3. to smb.'s ~ (much to my ~, everyone believed her story) amusing adj. 1. highly ~ 2. ~ to (it was ~ to everyone) 3. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to watch the trained elephants perform) anaemia (BE) see anemia anaesthesia (BE) see anesthesia anaesthetic (BE) see anesthetic analogous adj. ~ to, with analogy n. 1. to draw, make an ~ 2. a close; superficial ~ (there is a close ~ between these two phenomena) 3. an ~ between; to, with 4. by ~ (to reason by ~) 5. on the ~ of (to say thunk on the analogy of sunk) analysis n. ['examination of component parts'] 1. to make an ~ 2. a careful, painstaking, thorough; in-depth; penetrating ~ 3. (ling.) discourse ~ 4. (chemistry) qualitative; quantitative ~ 5. (math.) vector ~ 6. upon ~ (upon further ~, we concluded that...) 7. in the last, final, ultimate ~ ['psychoanalysis'] 8. to undergo ~ anarchy n. 1. complete, total, utter ~ 2. ~ reigns anathema n. 1. to declare, pronounce an ~ on 2. to lift an ~ from 3. ~ to (his theories were ~ to his colleagues) anatomy n. comparative; descriptive ~ ancestor n. a common; remote ~ ancestry n. 1. to trace one's ~ 2. of (a certain) ~ (to be of French ~) anchor I n. 1. to cast, drop ~ 2. to raise, weigh ~ 3. at ~ (to ride at ~) II v. to ~ firmly anecdote n. 1. to relate, tell an ~ 2. a funny, witty; off-color ~ anemia, anaemia n. 1. to develop ~ 2. pernicious; sickle-cell ~ anesthesia, anaesthesia n. 1. to induce, produce ~ 2. to undergo ~ 3. general; local ~ 4. the ~ wears off anesthetic, anaesthetic n. 1. to administer, give an ~ 2. to have, take an ~ 3. a general; local ~ 4. the ~ wears off 5. under (an) ~ angel n. (lit.) a guardian, ministering ~ anger I n. 1. to arouse, stir up ~ 2. to express; feel; show ~ 3. to allay, appease, calm smb.'s ~; to repress, swallow one's ~ 4. to vent one's ~ 5. blind, burning, deep, profound, seething; righteous; unbridled ~ 6. a blaze, fit, outburst of ~ 7. ~ at; towards, with (he finally expressed his deep ~ at being mistreated) 8. in; with ~ (she struck back in ~; burning with ~) II v. (R) it ~ed me (to learn) that they had not kept their promise angle I n. ['space between two straight lines that meet'] 1. an acute; alternate; complementary; exterior; interior; obtuse; right; solid ~ 2. a sharp ~ (at a sharp ~) 3. the side; vertex of an ~ ['deviation from a straight line'] 4. at an ~ (at an ~ of thirty degrees; at a rakish ~; at a right ~) ['viewpoint'] ['aspect'] 5. from an ~ (to examine a question from various ~s) ['motive; scheme'] (colloq.) (esp. AE) 6. to have an ~ II v. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to try to obtain') (she was angling for an invitation) angry adj. 1. to become, get ~ 2. ~ about; at, with; for (he was ~ at/with his neighbor about the noisy party; we were ~ at being disturbed; she was ~ at/with me for being late) 3. ~ to + inf. (I was ~ to learn of his refusal to help) 4. ~ that + clause (we were ~ that our request had been rejected) anguish n. (formal) 1. to cause ~ 2. deep; mental ~ 3. ~ at, over 4. in ~ (in ~ over smb.'s death) animadversion n. (formal) to make an ~ on, upon animadvert v. (formal) (D; intr.) to ~ on, upon (to ~ on corruption) animal n. 1. to domesticate an ~; to tame; train a wild ~ 2. to trap an ~ 3. to hunt wild ~s 4. to butcher, slaughter ~s (for food) 5. to skin an ~ 6. to stuff an ~ 7. to neuter an ~ 8. a carnivorous, flesh-eating; domestic; draft; herbivorous; pack; predatory; wild ~ 9. (misc.) like a caged ~; human beings are social ~s animation n. suspended ~ animosity n. 1. to arouse, stir up ~ 2. to feel ~ 3. burning, deep, seething ~ 4. racial; religious ~ 5. ~ against, to, towards (she felt a burning ~ towards them) ankle n. 1. to sprain, turn, twist one's ~ 2. a well-turned ('shapely') ~ 3. (misc.) ~ deep in mud annex I annexe I n. an ~ to (an ~ to the main building; an ~ to a treaty) II v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (they annexed the conquered territory to their country) anniversary n. 1. to celebrate, commemorate, mark, reach an ~ 2. a wedding ~ 3. a diamond; golden; silver ~ 4. on an ~ (on their tenth wedding ~) annotation n. 1. to make an ~ (to make ~s on a text) 2. copious ~s announce v. 1. (B) they ~d the news to the reporters 2. (L; to) the president of the firm ~d (to the employees) that there would be a bonus announcement n. 1. to issue, make an ~ 2. a formal, official; public; spot ~ 3. an ~ about, of 4. an ~ that + clause (they made a public ~ that an amnesty would be declared) announcer n. a radio; sports ~ annoy v. 1. to ~ greatly, very much 2. (R) it ~ed me to be kept waiting so long; it ~ed us that they took so long to answer annoyance n. 1. to express; feel; show ~ 2. ~ at, over, with 3. ~ that + clause (his ~ that he had been awakened so early was evident) 4. to one's ~ (much to my ~, he was late) annoyed adj. 1. ~ at, with (we were ~ at losing the order; he was ~ at/with the children) 2. ~ to + inf. (he was ~ to find his door unlocked) 3. ~ that + clause (she was ~ that the library was still closed) annoying adj. 1. highly ~ 2. ~ to (it was ~ to everyone) 3. ~ to + inf. (it is ~ to read nothing but bad news) 4. ~ that + clause (it's ~ that there is no hot water) annulment n. 1. to grant an ~ 2. to obtain an ~ anoint v. (N; used with a noun) they ~ed him king answer I n. 1. to give, offer, provide an ~ 2. a blunt, curt; civil; diplomatic; direct; equivocal; evasive, vague; glib; ready; straight; wise; witty ~ 3. a negative; positive ~ 4. the right; wrong ~ 5. (BE) a dusty ('unsatisfactory') ~ 6. an ~ to 7. in ~ to (in ~ to your question) II v. 1. ('to respond') to ~ glibly 2. (d; intr.) ('to be responsible') to ~ to smb. for smt. (the directors had to ~ to the stockholders for the loss) 3. (d; intr.) ('to respond') to ~ to (to ~ to a name; the child ~s only to its nickname) 4. (d; intr.) ('to correspond') to ~ to (she ~s to the description) 5. (L; may have an object) ('to respond') they ~ed (us) that they would come answerable adj. ~ for; to (we are ~ to our superiors for our actions) answerback v. (D; intr.) to ~ to (children should not ~ to their parents) ant n. 1. army; carpenter; harvester; honey; leaf-cutter ~s 2.a colony of ~s antagonism n. 1. to arouse, stir up ~ 2. to feel (an) ~ 3. deep, deep-rooted, profound, strong ~ 4. ~ between; to, towards (to feel a strong ~ towards smb.) antagonist n. a formidable ~ antagonistic adj. ~ to, towards (he is very ~ to us) antelope n. a herd of ~ antenna n. (AE) a loop; TV ~ (BE has aerial) anterior adj. (formal) ~ to anthem n. a national ~ (the band played/struck up the national ~) anthropology n. cultural; physical; social ~ antibiotic n. 1. to prescribe an ~ 2. to take an ~ 3. a broad-spectrum ~ anticipate v. 1. (G) we ~ spending two weeks here 2. (K) we ~d his winning first prize 3. (L) I ~d that they would be late anticipation n. 1. eager, keen ~ 2. in ~ of (an exhibit was scheduled in ~ of his visit) 3. with ~ (to look forward to smt. with eager ~) anticlimax n. an ~ to (everything was an ~ to winning an Olympic gold medal) antidote n. 1. to administer, give an ~ 2. to take an ~ 3. an ~ against, for, to (he took an ~ for the poison; an ~ to complacency) antifreeze n. to add; drain ~ antipathy n. 1. to feel (an) ~ 2. (a) deep, strong; natural ~ 3. ~ to, towards (he felt strong/a strong ~ towards foreigners) antique n. a genuine ~ antithesis n. 1. the direct, very ~ 2. an ~ between 3. an ~ of, to (the ~ to my theory) antithetical adj. ~ to antlers n. 1. to lock ~ 2. to shed ~ 3. a pair of ~ anxiety n. 1. to feel ~ 2. to relieve one's ~ 3. deep, grave, great, high ~ 4. ~ about; for (~ for smb.'s safety) 5. ~ to + inf. (in his ~ not to offend them, he agreed to concessions) 6. in ~ (see 5) anxious adj. 1. ~ about (~ about the world situation) 2. ~ for (we were ~ for them to meet you) 3. ~ to + inf. (she is ~ to help) 4. ~ that + clause; subj. (he was very ~ that we meet/should meet) any 1. adv. (used with the comparative form of adjectives and with good) ~ better (I wonder if they can work ~ better); ~ good (I don't think that this wine is ~ good); ~ easier (that doesn't make my job ~ easier); ~ more difficult (do not make my job ~ more difficult than it is now) 2. determiner, pronoun ~ to + inf. (we don't have ~ books to sell; we don't have ~ to sell) 3. determiner, pronoun ~ of (I did not see ~ of them) USAGE NOTE: The use of the preposition of is necessary when a pronoun follows. When a noun follows, the use of of the limits the meaning--did you see any students? did you see any of the students whom we had discussed earlier? (see the Usage Note for something) anybody pronoun do you have ~ to talk to? (see the Usage Note for something) anyone see anybody anyplace (AE) see anywhere anything pronoun 1. do you have ~ to say? 2. (misc.) ~ but ('not at all') (see the Usage Note for something) anywhere adv. do you have ~ to go? (see the Usage Note for something) apart adj., adv. 1. to fall ~ 2. to tell ~ 3. ~ from (~ from everything else) apartment n. (esp. AE) 1. to rent an ~ from 2. to rent (out) an ~ to 3. to furnish; redecorate; renovate an ~ 4. a duplex; efficiency; furnished; garden; high-rise; penthouse; studio; unfurnished ~ apathetic adj. ~ about; to, towards (he is ~ about everything) apathy n. 1. to feel; show ~ towards 2. to cast off, shed, throw off one's ~ 3. ~ towards apes n. the higher ~ aplomb n. 1. the ~ to + inf. (she had the necessary ~ to order the meal in French) 2. with great ~ apologetic adj. ~ about, for (she was ~ for her blunder) apologist n. an ~ for apologize v. 1. to ~ humbly 2. (D; intr.) to ~ for; to (he ~d to us for being late) apology n. 1. to make, offer an ~ 2. to demand an ~ 3. an abject, humble; public; sincere ~ 4. an ~ for; to (Jim made an ~ to the teacher for his rude behavior) apostasy n. (formal) (an) ~ from apostate n. (formal) an ~ from (an ~ from the true faith) appall, appal v. (R) it ~ed me to see such sloppy work; it ~ed them that no preparations had been made appalled adj. 1. ~ at, by (we were ~ at/by the news) 2. ~ to + inf. (I was ~ to see the results of their work 3. ~ that + clause (everyone was ~ that the murderer had been released on parole) appalling adj. 1. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to see him in that condition) 2. ~ that + clause (it is ~ that so many people evade paying taxes) apparel n. wearing ~ apparent adj. 1. clearly; increasingly ~ 2. ~ to 3. ~ that + clause (it was ~ to all that he was guilty) apparition n. 1. a strange ~ 2. an ~ appears; disappears appeal I n. ['request'] ['request for review'] 1. to make an ~ 2. (legal) to file, lodge, make; lose; win an ~ 3. (legal) to take an ~ to a higher court 4. (also legal) to deny, dismiss, reject, throw out an ~ 5. a desperate, urgent; eloquent, irresistible, ringing, stirring; emotional; final, last ~ 6. an ~ against, from; for; to (to file an ~ against a decision; to make an ~ to the public for donations; there is no ~ from a verdict of the higher court) ['attraction'] 7. box-office; sales; sex; snob II v. 1. (D; intr.) ('to request a review') to ~ against (to ~ against a decision) 2. (D; intr.) ('to request') to ~ for; to (they ~ed to us for help) 3. (d; intr.) ('to request') to ~ to smb. to + inf. (he ~ed to them to support his campaign) 4. (d; intr.) to ~ to ('to resort to') (to ~ to common sense) 5. (d; intr.) to ~ to ('to please') (he doesn't ~ to her) appear v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ against; for (she ~ed against him in court) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ to (she ~ed to him in a dream) 3. (E) she ~s to be well 4. (L; to) it ~s (to me) that they will not come 5. (esp. BE) (S) to ~ sad; to ~ a fool 6. (misc.) to ~ before a committee; to ~ in print; to ~ on the scene; to ~ on stage; to ~ in person; to ~ at the door; the story ~ed in the newspaper appearance n. ['appearing'] 1. to make, put in an ~ (the policeman made a timely ~) 2. a guest; personal; public; TV ~ (the actor made a personal ~) 3. at one's ~ (the crowd went wild at their first ~ on stage) ['outward impression'] 4. a disheveled; immaculate, neat; shabby; unkempt, untidy ~ 5. in ~ (neat in ~) 6. at first ~ appearances n. ['outward looks'] 1. to keep up ~ 2. outward ~ 3. by ~ (to judge by ~) 4. for the sake of ~ 5. from, to all ~ (to all ~, the matter is closed) append v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (to ~ a translation to a document) appendage n. an ~ to appendectomy n. 1. to do, perform an ~ on 2. to have an ~ appendix n. 1. (anatomical) an inflamed; ruptured ~ 2. (anatomical) an ~ bursts, ruptures 3. an ~ to (an ~ to a textbook) appertain v. (formal) (d; intr.) to ~ to appetite n. 1. to whet one's; to work up an ~ 2. to satisfy one's ~ 3. to curb; spoil, take away one's ~ 4. a good, healthy, hearty, ravenous, voracious; insatiable ~ 5. an ~ for applaud v. to ~ heartily, loudly applause n. 1. to draw, get, win ~ for 2. heavy, lengthy, prolonged; light, weak; loud, thunderous ~ 3. a burst; ripple; round of ~ 4. to (the) ~ (she appeared on stage to the thunderous ~ of her admirers) apple n. 1. cooking; eating ~s 2. a baked; green; sour ~ 3. (misc.) a rotten ~ ('an undesirable person') applicable adj. ~ to (~ to a case) applicant n. an ~ for (an ~ for a position) application n. ['request'] 1. to file, make, put in, send in, submit an ~ 2. to screen ~s 3. to reject, turn down; withdraw an ~ 4. a fellowship; membership ~ 5. a formal; written ~ 6. an ~ for (an ~ for admission to a university) 7. an ~ to + inf. (he filed an ~ to be admitted to the intensive course) 8. by, on ~ ['putting to use'] 9. ~ to (the ~ of theory to practice) ['placing'] 10. ~ to (the ~ of ice to the forehead) application form n. 1. to fill in (esp. BE), to fill out (AE), fill up (BE, rare) an ~ 2. to file, submit an apply v. 1. (D; intr.) ('to request') to ~ for; to (we ~lied to the authorities for assistance; the captain ~lied to headquarters for a transfer; she ~lied for a fellowship) 2. (D; intr.) ('to seek admission to') to ~ to (she ~lied to three universities) 3. (D; intr.) ('to be relevant') to ~ to (the rule does not apply to this case) 4. (D; refl.) ('to concentrate one's efforts') to ~ to (she ~lied herself to her new duties with great energy) 5. (D; tr.) ('to put on') to ~ to (to ~ paint to a surface; to ~ ointment to a rash) 6. (D; tr.) ('to put to use') to ~ to (to ~ theory to practice) 7. (d; tr.) ('to channel') to ~ towards (to ~ money towards a purchase) 8. (E) ('to request') he ~lied to be transferred appoint v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ as (we ~ed him as treasurer) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ to (they ~ed her to the commitee) 3. (H) they ~ed me to serve as secretary 4. (M and N; used with a noun) we ~ed her (to be) treasurer appointment n. ['agreement to meet'] 1. to keep; make an ~ with 2. to break; cancel an ~ 3. by ~ (he will see you by ~) 4. an ~ to + inf. (she had an ~ to see the dean) ['selection'] 5. an ~ to (they announced her ~ to the commission) 6. an ~ as (an ~ as professor) ['position'] 7. to hold; receive an ~ 8. a permanent; temporary ~ ['designation'] 9. by ~ to Her Majesty apportion v. (D; tr.) to ~ among, between (the funds were ~ed among the various departments) apposition n. (grammar) in ~ to (the second noun is in ~ to the first) appraisal n. 1. to give, make an ~ of 2. a down-to-earth; objective ~ appraise v. (D; tr.) to ~ at (the house was ~d at seventy thousand dollars) appreciate v. 1. to ~ deeply, greatly, keenly, sincerely, very much 2. (K) we ~ your helping us 3. (misc.) we ~ the fact that you have helped us appreciation n. 1. to demonstrate, display, show one's ~ for 2. to express; feel ~ 3. deep, keen, sincere ~ 4. in ~ of (he did this in ~ of the help that he had received) appreciative adj. 1. deeply, keenly, sincerely ~ 2. ~ of (~ of help) apprehension n. ['foreboding'] ['fear'] 1. to express; feel; show ~ 2. to allay one's ~(s) 3. grave ~ 4. ~ for (we felt ~ for their safety) ['conception'] 5. under an ~ apprehensive adj. 1. ~ about, for, of (~ about recent developments) 2. ~ that + clause (we were ~ that they might forget) apprentice I n. an ~ to (he was an ~ to a master craftsman) II v. (B) at an early age, I was ~d to a carpenter apprenticeship n. to fill; serve an ~ apprise v. (formal) (d; tr.) to ~ of (he was ~d of the decision by his lawyer) approach I n. 1. to make an ~ 2. to take an ~ (to take a judicious ~ to a problem) 3. a forthright; holistic; judicious; pragmatic; rational; scholarly; scientific ~ 4. with the ~ (with the ~ of spring, we began to feel better) 5. an ~ from; to (I like her ~ to the problem; the ~es to a stadium; the pilot began her ~ to the runway) II v. 1. (D;tr.) to ~ about (I was afraid to ~ them about this matter) 2. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ from (to ~ from the other direction) 3. (d; tr.) to ~ with (to ~ smb. with a request) appropriate I adj. 1. ~ for; to (~ for us; ~ to the occasion) 2. ~ to + inf. (it is not ~ to tip a bus driver) 3. ~ that + clause; subj. (it is ~ that he be/ should be present) II v. 1. (B) Congress ~d the funds to the states 2. (D; tr.) to ~ for (the committee ~d money for the memorial) appropriation n. 1. to make an ~ for (our government made an ~ for the project) 2. defense; foreign-aid ~s approval n. 1. to give one's ~ for 2. to nod; voice one's ~ 3. to meet with, win ~ 4. one's complete, unqualified; qualified; tacit ~ 5. final; public ~ 6. ~ to + inf. (we received their ~ to continue the research) 7. on ~ (we bought it on ~) 8. (misc.) to receive smb.'s stamp of ~ approve v. 1. to ~ of wholeheartedly 2. (D; intr.) to ~ of (we ~d of his decision) approximate v. (BE) (D; intr.) ('to come near') to ~ to (to ~ to the truth) apt adj. (cannot stand alone) ~ to + inf. (he is ~ to exaggerate) aptitude n. 1. to demonstrate, display, show (an) ~ 2. (a) great, outstanding; natural; special ~ 3. mechanical; scholastic ~ 4. an ~ for, in (an ~ for painting) arbitrate v. (D; intr.) to ~ between (to ~ between opposing parties) arbitration n. 1. to conduct ~ 2. to go to; resort to ~ (the union and management went to ~; the dispute went to ~) 3. binding; voluntary ~ 4.~ between; of arcade n. an amusement (BE); penny; video-game ~ architecture n. Baroque; Byzantine; Colonial; Eastern; Gothic; Greek; Modern; Renaissance; Roman; Romanesque ~ ardor, ardour n. 1. to demonstrate, display ~ 2. to cool, dampen one's ~ 3. fervent, intense; patriotic ~ 4. ~ for area n. 1. to close off, rope off an ~ 2. an assembly, staging; built-up; catchment; disaster; distressed; drainage; impacted ('crowded with federal employees'); metropolitan, urban; residential; rural; service ~ 3. (soccer) a penalty ~ 4. (meteorology) a high-pressure; low-pressure ~ arena n. a sports ~ arguable adj. ~ that + clause (it is ~ that some unemployment is necessary) argue v. 1. to ~ calmly, logically, plausibly, sensibly; heatedly, passionately, strenuously, vehemently 2. (D; intr.) to ~ about, over; with (we ~d with them about the new law) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ against; for (to ~ against the amendment; to ~ for the new policy) 4. (d; tr.) to ~ out of (to ~ smb. out of doing smt.) 5. (L) she ~d logically that the new regulations would harm the poor argument n. ['dispute'] 1. to get into, have an ~ 2. to break off, terminate; clinch, settle an ~ 3. an angry, bitter, heated, loud, violent ~ 4. an ~ breaks out 5. an ~ about, over; between; with (I had a bitter ~ with him about politics) ['statement'] 6. to drive home, press; offer, present, put forward an ~ 7. to confute, rebut, refute an ~ 8. an airtight, balanced, cogent, compelling, conclusive, convincing, irrefutable, logical, persuasive, rational, solid, sound, telling, trenchant, unassailable, valid ~ 9. a groundless; spurious; tenuous, weak ~ 10. an ~ about; against; for (she presented a convincing ~ against the proposal) 11. an ~ that + clause (I cannot accept his ~ that war is inevitable) 12. (misc.) (legal) to hear ~s against; for aristocrat n. a born ~ arithmetic n. to do ~ arm I n. ['upper limb'] 1. to bend; cross; fold; lower; raise; stretch; swing; wave one's ~s 2. (misc.) to take smb. by the ~; to fling/put/throw one's ~s around smb.; to carry smt. under one's ~; to greet smb. with open/outstretched ~s; to walk ~ in ~ with; with ~s akimbo ['power'] 3. the long ~ of the law ['division'] 4. our naval air ~ ['attachment'] 5. a pickup, tone ~ ['misc.'] 6. to twist smb.'s ~ ('to exert pressure on smb.') II v. (D; intr., refl., tr.) to ~ against (to ~ against a potential enemy) armed adj. ~ to the teeth armistice n. 1. to agree on, work out; declare; sign an ~ 2. to violate an ~ 3. to suspend an ~ armor, armour n. 1. heavy; light ~ 2. (misc.) to pierce ~ arms n. ['weapons'] 1. to bear; take up ~ 2. to call to ~ 3. (mil.) inspection; left shoulder; order; port; present; right shoulder; trail ~! 4. to lay down one's ~ 5. small ~ 6. under ~ ('armed') ['misc.'] 7. up in ~ ('stirred up') arms race n. 1. to accelerate, step up the ~ 2. to curb the ~ army n. 1. to command, lead; drill, train; rally an ~ 2. to mobilize, raise an ~ 3. to equip, supply an ~ 4. to array, commit, deploy, field; concentrate, mass an ~ 5. to inspect, muster, review an ~ 6. to encircle, envelop, surround; outfight; outflank; outmaneuver; overrun; surprise an ~ 7. to crush, decimate, defeat, rout an ~; to put an ~ to flight 8. to demobilize, disband an ~ 9. a rebel; regular, standing; territorial; volunteer ~ 10. an advancing; conquering; defeated; occupation, occupying; retreating; victorious ~ 11. an ~ advances; attacks; conducts war, engages in combat, fights; pulls back, retreats, withdraws 12. (misc.) to join the ~ aroma n. 1. a delicate, delightful, fragrant, pleasant, pleasing; tantalizing ~ 2. an ~ emanates from arouse v. (D; tr.) to ~ from (to ~ smb. from a deep sleep) aroused adj. easily; sexually ~ arraignment n. 1. (legal) to hold an ~ for 2. a public ~ arrange v. 1. to ~ neatly; tastefully 2. (d; intr.) to ~ for (to ~ for a series of lectures; we ~d for him to give a concert) 3. (E) they ~d to leave early 4. (L) I ~d that they should be seated next to each other arrangement n. 1. to make, work out an ~ 2. a floral; seating; working ~ 3. an ~ for; with 4. an ~ to + inf. (they made an ~/~s to meet secretly) 5. by ~ (by special ~) 6. under an ~ (under a special ~) array I n. ['order'] 1. in battle ~; drawn up in full ~ ['display'] 2. an imposing, impressive ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ against (~ed against the enemy) arrears n. in ~ (he is in ~ with his rent) arrest I n. ['detention'] 1. to make an ~ 2. to resist ~ 3. a citizen's; false ~; house ~ 4. an ~ for, on charges of (to make an ~ for murder) 5. under ~ (to be under ~; to place/put smb. under ~) ['stoppage'] 6. a cardiac ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ for, on charges of (the police ~ed him for murder) arrest warrant n. (AE) to issue an ~ arrival n. 1. an early; late ~ 2. an ~ at, in; from 3. on one's ~ (on our ~ in Chicago) arrive v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ at, in; from (they ~d from Paris) 2. (s) they ~d safe and sound 3. (misc.) to ~ early; late; on time arrogance n. 1. to demonstrate, display, exhibit ~ 2. insufferable, overpowering, overwhelming ~ 3. the ~ to + inf. (he had the ~ to ask for more money) arrogant adj. ~ towards arrogate v. (formal) (B) to ~ a privilege to oneself arrow n. 1. to shoot an ~ at 2. a poisoned; spent ~ 3. (misc.) as straight as an ~ arson n. to commit ~ art n. 1. to practice an ~ (to practice the occult ~ of the alchemist) 2. abstract; classical; folk; impressionist; modem; pop; primitive; verbal ~ 3. (the) applied; creative; fine; graphic; industrial; language; liberal; martial; performing; plastic ~s 4. an ~ to (there is an ~ to making a good omelet) 5. a work of ~ artefacts (BE) see artifacts artery n. ['blood vessel'] 1. a blocked, occluded; coronary; pulmonary; ruptured ~ 2. (misc.) hardening of the ~ries ['channel'] 3. a major; traffic ~ arthritis n. to develop ~ article I n. ['essay'] 1. to write an ~ 2. (BE) a leading ~ 3. an ~ about (she wrote an ~ about her research) ['section'] 4. according to an ~ (according to ~ two of our constitution) ['object'] 5. secondhand; toilet ~s ['grammatical affix'] 6. to take an ~ (certain nouns always take the definite ~) 7. the definite; indefinite ~ II v. (BE) (d; tr.) ('to apprentice') to ~ to, with (to ~ smb. to a firm of solicitors) artifacts, artefacts n. ancient; cultural ~ artillery n. antiaircraft; coast; field; heavy; light; long-range; medium; self-propelled ~ artist n. 1. a dramatic; gifted, talented; struggling ~ 2. a pavement (BE), sidewalk (AE) ~ 3. a con; escape; make-up; quick-change; trapeze ~ artistry n. brilliant ~ ascendancy n. 1. to attain, gain ~ over 2. (a) clear-cut; overwhelming ~ ascent n. 1. to make an ~ (to make the ~ of a mountain) 2. a gradual; steep ~ ascertain v. 1. (L) she ~ed that fraud had been committed 2. (Q) can you ~ who he is? asceticism n. to practice ~ ascribe v. 1. (B) the painting was ~d to an unknown artist 2. (d; tr.) to ~ to (she ~d her success to hard work) ash n. volcanic ~ ashamed adj. 1. thoroughly ~ 2. ~ of (he was ~ of himself) 3. ~ to + inf. (she was ~ to admit her mistake) 4. ~ that + clause (he was ~ that his family was poor) ashes n. 1. to rake; spread ~ 2. to reduce to ~ 3. (misc.) to rise from the ~ ashore adv. 1. to put, set ~ 2. to come; go ~ aside adv. 1. to move; stand ~ 2. to push, shove; put; take ~ asinine adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to behave like that) ask v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) ('to inquire') to ~ about, after (BE) (they ~ed me about my work; he ~ed about/after her mother) 2. (d; intr., tr.) ('to request') to ~ for (she ~ed me politely for the book; the guest ~ed for the manager) 3. (D; tr.) ('to invite') to ~ to (we ~ed them to the party) 4. (D; tr.) ('to request') to ~ smt. of (I have a favor to ~ of you; he is ~ing a great deal of us) 5. (E) ('to request') she ~ed to be excused; we ~ed to see him 6. (H) ('to request') she ~ed us to come to the concert 7. (L; subj.) ('to request') the family ~ed that the story not be/should not be printed 8. (0; can be used with one object) ('to pose') he ~ed (her) a question (also possible is: he ~ed a question of her) 9. (Q; may have an object) ('to inquire of) he ~ed (his son) point-blank where he was going; she ~ed wistfully how she might help askance adv. to look ~ at asking n. (colloq.) for the ~ (it's yours for the ~) asleep adj. 1. to be fast, sound ~ 2. to fall ~ aspect n. ['view'] ['side'] 1. a frightening; grim; humorous; serious ~ (the humorous ~ of the situation) 2. from an ~ (from this ~) 3. in an ~ (in all ~s) aspersion n. to cast ~s on aspirant n. an ~ for; to (an ~ to the throne) aspiration n. (formal) 1. lofty, noble ~s 2. an ~ to (~s to independence) aspire v. (formal) 1. (d; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to success) 2. (E) she ~d to become a lawyer aspirin n. 1. to take (an) ~ 2. an ~ tablet (he took two ~ tablets; or: he took two ~s) ass n. ['fool'] 1. a pompous ~ ['donkey'] 2. ~es bray assail v. (formal) to ~ bitterly assassination n. 1. to carry out an ~ 2. a character; political ~ assault n. 1. (often mil.) to carry out, make; lead an ~ on (the troops carried out an ~ on the enemy position) 2. (legal) to commit ~ 3. (usu. legal) aggravated; bodily; criminal; indecent ~ 4. an all-out; armed; military ~ 5. (usu. mil.) by ~ (to take by ~) assault and battery n. (legal) to commit ~ assembly n. 1. to convene an ~ 2. a constitutional; deliberative; general; legislative; national; public ~ 3. (misc.) the right of ~ assent I n. 1. to give; nod one's ~ to (she gave her ~ to our plan) 2. by common ~ II v. (formal) (D; intr.) to ~ to (we ~ed to his proposal) assert v. 1. to ~ boldly 2. (L) she ~ed that she was innocent assertion n. 1. to make an ~ 2. to deny; refute an ~ 3. a bold; sweeping; unfounded ~ 4. an ~ that + clause (we do not believe his ~ that he is innocent) assess v. (D; tr.) to ~ at (the value of this property was ~ed at one million dollars) assessment n. to make an ~ (she made a careful ~ of the situation) asset n. 1. an invaluable, valuable ~ 2. an ~ to (she was an invaluable ~ to our firm) assets n. 1. to realize; unfreeze ~ 2. current; financial; frozen; hidden; intangible; liquid; tangible ~ asseverate v. (formal and rare) (L) they ~ed that they would never surrender assign v. 1. (A) they ~ed a very difficult mission to us; or: they ~ed us a very difficult mission 2. (D; tr.) to ~ to (headquarters ~ed the soldiers to a different unit; an experienced detective was ~ed to the case; to ~ a painting to a certain century) 3. (esp. BE) (H) we were ~ed to prepare a meal assignation n. (formal) to make an ~ assignment n. ['task'] ['mission'] 1. to give smb. an ~ 2. to carry out an ~ (the ambassador carried out her ~ brilliantly) 3. a dangerous; difficult, rough, tough; easy ~ 4. an overseas; rush; special ~ 5. an ~ to + inf. (an ~ to guard the president) 6. on ~ ('on a mission') (the correspondent was on ~ in the Far East) ['homework'] (esp. AE) 7. to give, hand out an ~ 8. to do; hand in an ~ (the pupils did their ~) 9. a difficult; easy ~ ['appointment'] (esp. AE) 10. an ~ to (an ~ to a new job) assimilate v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ into, to (the newcomers tried to ~ into the community; America has ~d millions of immigrants into its way of life) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ with (they did not ~ with the local population) assimilation n. ~ into, to (their ~ into society was swift) assist I n. (colloq.) with an ~ from II v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ at, in, with (the young nurse was ~ing at her first operation; to ~ in the preparation of a report; to ~ with the editing of a manuscript) 2. (formal, rare) (H) to ~ smb. to do smt. assistance n. 1. to give, offer, provide, render ~ 2. considerable, great ~ 3. clerical; directory (AE); economic, financial; legal; material; public; technical ~ 4. ~ to (economic ~ to underdeveloped countries) 5. of ~ (he was of considerable ~ to us) assistant n. 1. a personal (BE; AE has personal secretary); research; shop (BE; AE has sales-clerk); teaching ~ 2. an ~ to (an ~ to the president) associate v. (d; intr., tr.) to ~ with (we ~ with all sorts of people; one usually ~s poverty with misery) association n. ['organization'] 1. to form an ~ 2. a bar ~ (AE; BE has law society) 3. a building and loan ~ (AE; BE has building society) ['connection'] 4. a close ~ 5. an ~ with 6. in ~ with ['connection in the mind'] 7. to bring up, call up an ~ 8. free ~ assortment n. a wide ~ assume v. 1. (L) we ~d that he was dead 2. (M) everyone ~d him to be dead assumed adj. (cannot stand alone) ~ to + inf. (she was ~ to be out of the country) assumption n. 1. to make an ~ 2. an erroneous, false; implicit; reasonable; safe; valid ~ 3. an ~ about; of (to make an ~ of guilt) 4. an ~ that + clause (we all made the ~ that the new company would fail) 5. on an ~ (we proceeded on the ~ that he would help) assurance n. 1. to give an ~ that + clause (he gave every ~ that he would attend) 2. (BE) life ~ (see the Usage Note for insurance) assurances n. 1. to give, provide ~ of 2. ~ that + clause (the contractor gave ~ that the work would be completed on time) assure v. 1. (d; tr.) to ~ of (we ~ed her of our support) 2. (L; must have an object) they ~d us that they would not be late astonish v. 1. to ~ greatly, very much 2. (R) it ~ed me to learn that he was here; it ~ed us that they were able to survive astonished adj. 1. greatly, very much ~ 2. ~ at, by (they were ~ at/by the news of his escape) 3. ~ + inf. (I was ~ to learn of his divorce) 4. ~ that + clause (she was ~ that he had survived) astonishing adj.. 1. ~ to 2. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to watch them perform) 3. ~ that + clause (it was ~ to everyone that the court had made such a decision) astonishment n. 1. to express ~ 2. ~ at (he could not conceal his ~ at seeing them together) 3. ~ that + clause (they expressed ~ that I won the election) 4. in ~ (they gaped in ~) 5. to smb.'s ~ (to our ~, they arrived on time) astound v. (R) it ~ed me to find the country so backward; it ~ed us that they came astounded adj. 1. ~ at, by (~ at the news) 2. ~ to + inf. (everyone was ~ to learn of her exploits) 3. ~ that + clause (I was ~ that the mayor had taken bribes) astounding adj. 1. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to watch) 2. ~ that + clause (it was ~ that an experienced engineer had made such a miscalculation) astray adv. 1. to lead smb. ~ 2. to go ~ astride adv. (formal) to sit ~ (to sit ~ smb.'s knee) astute adj. (formal) ~ at (~ at conducting negotiations) asunder adv. (formal) to rend, tear ~ asylum n. 1. to grant ~ to 2. to receive; seek ~ 3. to deny smb. ~ 4. political ~ (they were granted political ~) athlete n. an all-around (AE), all-round; amateur; professional; weekend; world-class ~ athletics n. 1. (esp. BE) to go in for ~ 2. intercollegiate ~ atlas n. a dialect, linguistic; geographical ~ atmosphere n. 1. a formal; friendly; informal, relaxed; stifling, stultifying; tense ~ 2. a polluted; rarified ~ 3. the upper ~ atom n. to split the ~ atone v. (D; intr.) to ~ for (to ~ for one's sins) atonement n. to make ~ for atrocity n. 1. to commit an ~ 2. a dreadful, grisly, gruesome, horrible, horrid, monstrous, revolting, vile ~; death-camp ~ties attach v. 1. (d; refl.) ('to join') to ~ to (she ~ed herself to our group) 2. (D; tr.) ('to fasten') to ~ to (she ~ed an aerial/antenna to the radio; a tag was ~ed to each article) 3. (d; tr.) ('to assign temporarily') to ~ to (the officer was ~ed to headquarters) 4. (d; tr.) ('to ascribe') to ~ to (we ~ed no significance to her statement) attache n. an air-force; commercial; cultural; military; naval; press ~ attached adj. 1. deeply, strongly ~ 2. ~ to attachment n. 1. to feel; form an ~ 2. a close; lasting; sentimental; strong ~ 3. an ~ to (to form a lasting ~ to smb.) attack I n. ['assault'] (also fig.) 1. to carry out, make; launch, mount; lead, spearhead; press an ~ 2. to provoke an ~ 3. to blunt; break up, repel, repulse an ~ 4. (often mil.) an all-out, concerted, full-scale; coordinated; mock; pre-emptive; sneak, surprise ~ 5. (usu. mil.) an air; enemy; flank; frontal; torpedo ~ 6. a bitter, blistering, savage, scathing, sharp, violent; scurrilous, vicious; unprovoked; wanton ~ 7. an ~ fails, fizzles out; succeeds 8. an ~ against, on (our forces launched an all-out ~ against the enemy; he made a blistering ~ on his opponent) 9. under ~ ['onset of an ailment'] 10. to have an ~ (she had an ~ of hiccups) 11. an acute; light, slight; recurrent; sudden ~ 12. a fatal; heart ~ II v. to ~ viciously attempt I n. 1. to make an ~ 2. to foil, thwart an ~ 3. an abortive, fruitless, futile, vain; all-out, concerted, last-ditch; bold, brazen, daring; crude; deliberate; feeble, halfhearted, weak; first; premature; successful ~; repeated ~s 4. an ~ against, on (an ~ on smb.'s life) 5. an ~ at (an ~ at being funny) 6. an ~ to + inf. (we made an ~ to get in touch with them) II v. 1. (E) she ~ed to find a job 2. (rare) (G) he ~ed walking 3. (misc.) to ~ smt. in vain attend v. (d; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to one's duties; to ~ to a customer) attendance n. ['persons present'] ['number of persons present'] 1. to check ~; to take ~ (in school) 2. average; daily; low, poor; perfect ~ 3. ~ has gone up; ~ has fallen, gone down ['presence'] 4. ~ at (~ at a ceremony) 5. in ~ (a nurse was in ~) ['misc.'] 6. to dance ~ on smb. ('to fawn over smb.') attendant n. 1. a flight; wedding ~ 2. an ~ to attention n. ['concentration'] ['notice'] 1. to attract, capture, catch, command, draw, get; hold, retain, rivet smb.'s ~ 2. to devote one's ~ to; to focus one's ~ on; to pay ~ to 3. to bring smt. to smb.'s ~ 4. to distract, divert smb.'s ~ 5. to escape one's ~ 6. close; meticulous; rapt; undivided ~ (this matter will require your undivided ~) 7. ~ to (meticulous ~ to detail) ['position of attention'] (usu. mil.) 8. to call smb. to ~ (the sergeant called his platoon to ~); to come to, snap to ~; to stand at ~; or: to stand at the position of ~; or: (BE) to stand to ~ ['care'] 9. to give ~ to; to lavish ~ on 10. medical ~ (to receive medical ~) 11. individual; personal ~ (the manager gave me her personal ~; I lavished my individual ~ on him) attentive adj. ~ to (~ to our needs) attest v. (formal) (d; intr.) to ~ to (several witnesses can ~ to her good character) attire n. 1. casual; civilian; formal ~ 2. in ~ (in formal ~) attitude n. 1. to assume, strike, take an ~ 2. a belligerent, defiant, surly; casual; cavalier; condescending, patronizing; hands-off; holier-than-thou; irreverent; liberal; negative; positive; reverent; scornful ~ 3. an ~ about; of; to, towards (to assume an ~ of defiance towards all authority) 4. an ~ that + clause (I didn't like his ~ that he deserves special treatment) attorney n. (esp. AE) 1. to hire, retain an ~ 2. a defense; district (AE; BE has public prosecutor); prosecuting ~ 3. an attorney-at-law 4. (CE) an ~ general 5. (CE) a power of ~ attract v. (D;tr.) to ~ to (a crowd was ~ed to the scene of the accident) attracted adj. ~ to (he was ~ to her) attraction n. ['charm'] 1. to feel an ~ to 2. an irresistible, strong; sexual ~ (she felt a strong ~ to him) ['something that attracts'] 3. a box-office; public; scenic; tourist ~ attractive adj. 1. physically; sexually ~ 2. ~ to (the offer is very ~ to us) attributable adj. ~ to (the fire was ~ to carelessness) attribute v. (d; tr.) to ~ to (we ~ this saying to Shakespeare; they ~d their success to hard work) attrition n. 1. a rate of ~ 2. by ~ (the staff will be reduced by ~) attune v. (D; refl., tr.) to ~ to (you will have to ~ your ears to this type of music) atypical adj. ~ of (such behavior was ~ of him) auction n. 1. to hold an ~ 2. an ~ takes place 3. to put smt. up for ~ 4. a public ~ 5. at (an) ~; by ~ (we bought these items at an ~; they sold their house by ~) audacious adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of her to try that) audacity n. 1. to demonstrate, show ~ 2. sheer ~ 3. the ~ to + inf. (he had the ~ to ask for an increase in salary) audience n. ['interview'] 1. to give, grant an ~ 2. to receive; seek an ~ with 3. at an ~ ['group of spectators'] 4. to attract, draw an ~ 5. to electrify, grip, move, stir, sway an ~ 6. an appreciative, enthusiastic, responsive; cold, passive, unresponsive; sympathetic; unsympathetic ~ 7. a capacity; captive; live; mass; select, standing-room-only; studio ~ audit n. 1. to carry out, conduct an ~ 2. a tax ~ audition I n. 1. to give smb. an ~ 2. to hold ~s II v. l.(D; intr., tr.) to ~ for (he ~ed for the role of the butler; they ~ed her for a part in the school play) 2. (E) she ~ed to play Juliet auditorium n. 1. a main ~ 2. in an ~ augur v. (D; intr.; P) to ~ for (this ~s well for the future) aura n. a glittering ~ auspices n. under the ~ of smt. (under the ~ of the mayor's office) austerity n. 1. to practice ~ 2. strict; wartime ~ authenticate v. (D; tr.) to ~ as (the painting was ~ed as genuine) authenticity n. 1. to establish, prove; vouch for the ~ of smt. 2. to doubt, question the ~ of smt. author n. an anonymous; beginning; classic; contemporary; established, famous, noted, recognized, well-known; prolific; rising; talented; young ~ authorities n. ['governmental officials'] civil, civilian; government; local; military; occupation ~ authority n. ['control'] ['power'] 1. to assume; delegate; demonstrate, show; establish; exercise, wield; invoke ~ 2. to defy; deny, reject; undermine ~ 3. absolute, complete, full, supreme, unquestioned; parental ~ 4. ~ for; over (he assumed ~ for overseas operations; a commanding officer has complete ~ over her personnel) 5. in ~ (who was in ~?) 6. of ~ (a man, woman of ~) 7. under smb.'s ~ (these employees are under my ~) ['legal power'] ['authorization'] 8. to abuse, overstep one's ~ 9. legal; ministerial; presidential; reviewing (mil.); royal ~ 10. by, on smb.'s ~ (by whose ~ were these funds spent? she did it on her own ~) 11. the ~ to + inf. (the police had the ~ to conduct a search) ['expert'] ['source'] 12. to cite, invoke an ~ 13. a competent, reliable; indisputable, irrefutable, unimpeachable, unquestioned; leading, respected ~; the greatest living ~ 14. an ~ on (an outstanding ~ on shipbuilding) 15. on ~ (on good ~; on the highest ~) authorization n. 1. to give, grant ~ 2. to receive ~ 3. to revoke smb.'s ~ 4. official ~ 5. ~ for 6. (the) ~ to + inf. (we received ~ to begin demolition) authorize v. 1. (H) the director ~d us to work in the laboratory 2. (K) she ~d his entering the vault authorized adj. 1. (usu. does not stand alone) ~ to + inf. (we are not ~ to enter the restricted area) authorship n. to establish ~ (to establish the ~ of an ancient manuscript) automatic adj. fully ~ automatic pilot n. to engage; disengage the ~ automobile n. (AE) to drive, operate; park an ~ (see car 1-9) autonomy n. 1. to grant ~ 2. to seek ~ autopsy n. to do, perform an ~ on autumn n. (esp. BE) in (the) ~ auxiliary n. 1. (grammar) a modal ~ 2. (BE) a nursing ~ avail I n. (formal) ['aid'] 1. of little ~ 2. to no ~ II v. (formal) 1. intr. ('to help') to ~ against (nothing could ~ against the enemy attack) 2. (d; refl.) ('to make use') to ~ of (she ~ed herself of the offer) available adj. 1. easily, readily ~ 2. to make oneself ~; to make smt. ~ 3. ~ to (the information is ~ to anyone) 4. ~ for (are you ~ for a meeting tomorrow?) 5. ~ to + inf. (is there anyone ~ to replace her?) avenge v. (D; refl.) to ~ on, upon (to ~ oneself on an enemy) avenue n. ['opportunity'] 1. to explore every ~ 2. an ~ to (an ~ to success) ['street'] 3. in (BE), on (AE) an ~ aver v. (formal) (L) he ~red that he was innocent average n. 1. to calculate, work out an ~ 2. (misc.) above ~; below ~; on the ~ she works seven hours a day; (AE) he finished school with a B ~ average out v. (d; intr.) to ~ at, to (snowfall ~s out in this part of the country at/to twenty inches a year) averse adj. (formal) ~ to (I would not be ~ to taking a drink) aversion n. (formal) 1. to have; take an ~ to 2. a deep, deep-rooted, distinct, marked; pet ~ 3. an ~ to (an ~ to animals) avert v. (formal) (D; tr.) to ~ from (he ~ed his eyes from the scene of the accident) aviation n. civil; military ~ avid adj. (formal) (usu. does not stand alone) ~ for (~ for fame) avoid v. 1. to ~ studiously 2. (G) she managed to ~ being punished avow v. (formal) (M or N; used with a noun) he ~ed himself (to be) a socialist avowal n. 1. to make an ~ 2. an ~ that + clause (she made a solemn ~ that she would never reveal the secret) awake I adj. 1. wide ~ 2. ~ to (~ to the danger of inflation) II v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ from (she awoke from a deep sleep) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ to (I awoke to bright sunlight) 3. (E) they awoke to find the house in flames awaken v. l. see awake II 2. (formal and rare) (d; tr.) to ~ to (to ~ smb. to a sense of duty) awakening n. a rude, sudden ~ award I n. 1. to grant, make, present an ~ 2. to receive an ~ 3. an ~ for II v. 1. (A) the judges ~ed the prize to her; or: the judges ~ed her the prize 2. (D; tr.) to ~ for (to ~ a prize for research) aware adj. 1. keenly, painfully, very much ~ 2. (cannot stand alone) ~ of (they were ~ of the difficulties) 3. ~ that + clause (he was ~ that the deadline had passed) awareness n. ~ that + clause (there is a general ~ that smoking is harmful) away adv. ~ from (he is ~ from home) awe I n. 1. to inspire ~ in (he inspired ~ in everyone) 2. to hold smb. in ~ 3. in ~ of (to stand in ~ of smb.) II v. (D; tr.) to ~ into (to ~ smb. into silence) awful adj. (colloq.) 1. ~ about (I feel ~ about it) 2. ~ for (the situation is ~ for all of us) 3. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to work there = it was ~ working there) 4. ~ that + clause (it's ~ that they were reprimanded because of my mistake) awkward adj. 1. ~ with (he is ~ with children) 2. (BE) ~ for (Monday is ~ for me) 3. ~ to + inf. (it is ~ to discuss such matters in public = it is ~ discussing such matters in public) AWOL adj. to go ~ awry adj., adv. to go ~ (our plans have gone ~) ax, axe n. 1. to swing, wield an ~ 2. (misc.) to have an ~ to grind ('to seek personal advantage') axiom n. 1. to lay down an ~ 2. an ~ that + clause (we accept the ~ that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points) axis n. on an ~ (to rotate on an ~) babble I n. childish; confused; incessant ~ II v. 1. to ~ ceaselessly, incessantly 2. (B) he ~d a few words to her 3. (D; intr.) to ~ about babe n. a ~ in the woods ('a naive person') babel n. 1. above the ~ (his voice was heard above the ~) 2. a ~ of tongues baboon n. a troop of ~s baby n. 1. (of a woman) to have a ~ 2. (of a woman) to carry a ~ (a pregnant woman carries a ~ for nine months; to carry a ~ to term) 3. (of a mother) to nurse a ~ 4. (of a midwife, nurse, doctor) to deliver a ~ 5. (of a clergyman) to baptize a ~ 6. to change a ~ ('to change the baby's diaper/ nappy') 7. to calm, comfort, hush a ~ 8. to lull; put; rock a ~ to sleep 9. to diaper (AE); swaddle a ~ 10. to wean a ~ 11. to bubble (AE), burp a ~ 12. a blue; full-term; newborn; premature; stillborn; test- tube; thalidomide ~ 13. a ~ babbles, coos; bawls; burps; crawls, creeps; cries; drools; teethes; throws up; toddles; whimpers baby carriage n. (AE) to push, wheel a ~ (BE has pram) baby-sit v. (D; intr.) to ~ for (who ~s for you?) bachelor n. a confirmed; eligible ~ back I adj., adv. 1. ~ to (things are ~ to normal) 2. way ~ (~ back in the eighteenth century) 3. (misc.) to go ~ on one's promise/word ('to fail to keep one's promise') II n. ['part of the body opposite to the front'] 1. to turn one's ~ to smb.; (usu. fig.) to turn one's ~ on smb. 2. to arch one's ~ (the cat arched its ~) 3. a broad ~ 4. on one's, smb.'s ~ (to lie on one's ~; a heavy bag was on his ~) 5. to stand ~ to ~; they stood with their ~s to the door ['rear part'] 6. at, in the ~ (of) (a room at the ~ of the house; we sat in the back of the car) 7. from the ~ ['area behind smt. '] 8. at the, in (AE) ~ of (BE: a garden at the ~ of the house = AE: a yard in ~ of the house) ['misc.'] 9. he did it behind my ~ ('he did it without my knowledge'); in the ~ of one's mind ('subconsciously'); to break one's ~ ('to work very hard'); to get one's ~ up ('to balk at smt.'); get off my ~ (colloq.) ('leave me alone'); if you scratch my ~, I'll scratch yours (colloq.) ('if you help me, I'll help you'); in ~ of (AE) ('behind'); to have one's ~ to the wall ('to be in a desperate position'); to break the ~ of a job ('to do most of a job'); to put some ~ into one's work ('to make a maximum physical effort'); who will sit in ~? III v. 1. (D; tr.) ('to support') to ~ against (the independents will ~ us against the majority party) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ for (we will ~ her for public office) 3. (d; intr., tr.) ('to move') to ~ into (to ~ into a garage; she ~ed the car into the driveway) 4. (d; intr., tr.) to ~ out of (he ~ed out of the driveway; to ~ a car out of a garage) 5. (D; intr.) ('to withdraw') to ~ out of (they ~ed out of the deal) backache n. 1. to have ~ (BE)/ a ~ (AE) 2. (a) chronic, nagging, persistent ~ back away v. (D; intr.) to ~ from backbone n. ['courage'] the ~ to + inf. (will he have the ~ to tell the truth?) backdate v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (to ~ an agreement to the beginning of the year) backdown v. (D; intr.) to ~ from (they had to ~ from their demands) backdrop n. 1. to provide a ~ for 2. against a ~ of backer n. a financial ~ back formation n. (ling. )a~ from (to burgle is a ~ from burglar) background n. ['one's experience, past'] 1. to check smb.'s ~ 2. a broad; narrow; rich; specialized ~ 3. one's academic, educational; cultural; religious ~ 4. a ~ for (to have the right ~ for a job) ['rear part of a picture, scene'] 5. against, on a ~ (against a dark ~) ['surroundings'] 6. an appropriate, fitting ~ 7. a ~ to (the music served as a ~ to the recitation of poetry) ['a less important position'] 8. to relegate smb. to the ~ 9. in the ~ (to remain in the ~) ['history, past'] 10. an historical ~ 11. a ~ to (do you know the ~ to this case?) backing n. 1. financial ~ 2. ~ for (financial ~ for a project) backlog n. 1. to accumulate, build up a ~ 2. to reduce a ~ back off v. (D; intr.) to ~ from (to ~ from one's demands) backseat n. to take a ~ to smb. (she will not take a ~ to anyone) backstroke n. to do, swim the ~ backup n. ['substitute'] a ~ for, to back up v. (D; intr.) to ~ to (he ~ed up to the loading platform) backwater n. a cultural ~ bacon n. 1. crisp; lean; smoked; streaky (BE) ~ 2. a rasher of ~ 3. (misc.) to bring home the ~ ('to succeed') bacteria n. non-pathogenic; pathogenic; virulent bad I adj. 1. ~ for (smoking is ~ for your health) 2. ~ to + inf. (it's ~ to lie) 3. ~ that + clause (it's too ~ that he was not able to attend the meeting) 4. (misc.) not ~ ('quite good'); not half ~ ('fairly good'); that's (just) too ~ ('nothing can be done about that') II n. 1. (colloq.) to be in ~ with smb. ('to be on bad terms with smb.') 2. to go from ~ to worse bad form n. (esp. BE) ~ to + inf. (it's ~ to be late) badger v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ into (they ~ed me into buying a new car) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ with (to ~ smb. with questions) baffle v. 1. to ~ completely 2. (R) it ~d me that they rejected our offer bag n. ['suitcase'] 1. to pack, unpack one's ~s 2. to check one's ~s ['container'] ['pouch'] 3. an air ~ (that inflates within a car on impact) 4. a barracks; carrier (BE), shopping; duffel, kit (BE); flight; garment; ice; jiffy ('padded bag used for mailing'); musette (AE); overnight; paper; plastic; sleeping ~ 5. (BE) a sponge ~ ('bag for toilet articles') 6. (AE) a doggy ~ ('bag for leftover food given to a diner in a restaurant') 7. (AE) a grab ~ (BE has lucky dip) 8. a tea ~ ['leather ball'] 9. (AE) a punching ~ (BE has punching ball) ['misc.'] 10. in the ~ ('assured of success') baggage n. 1. (esp. AE) to check; claim one's ~ 2. excess ~ bagpipes n. 1. to play the ~ 2. ~ wail bail I n. 1. to grant, set ~ 2. to post, put up, stand ~ for; (colloq.) to go ~ for 3. to make, raise ~ 4. to deny smb. ~ 5. to forfeit, jump, skip ~ 6. on ~ (to release smb. on ~; to be set free on a thousand dollars ~) II v. l. (AE) (d; intr.) ('to parachute') to ~ out of (to ~ out of an airplane) 2. (d; tr.) ('to remove') to ~ out of (~ water out of a boat) 3. (d; tr.) ('to help') to ~ out of (to ~ smb. out of trouble) bailiwick n. in one's own ~ bait n. 1. to hold out, offer; put out, set out ~ 2. to nibble at; swallow, take the ~ 3. to rise to the ~ 4. tempting ~ bake v. (C) he ~d a cake for us; or: he ~d us a cake bakery n. at, in a ~ (she works at/in a ~) balance I n. 1. to strike a ~ between 2. to keep; recover one's ~ 3. to lose one's ~ 4. to disturb, upset the ~; to throw smt. off ~ 5. a delicate ~ 6. (bookkeeping) a trial ~ 7. a bank; credit; debit; foreign-trade, trade ~ 8. a favorable; unfavorable ~ (a favorable trade ~) 9. the strategic ~ 10. (misc.) to hang in the ~ ('to be uncertain'); on ~ ('all in all') II v. (d; tr.) to ~ against (to ~ one argument against the other) balance of power n. to hold the ~ bale (BE) see bail III balk v. (D; intr.) to ~ at (he ~ed at the price) Balkans n. in the ~ ball I n. ['game'] 1. to play ~ ['round object used in a sport'] 2. to bat; bounce; catch; drop; fumble; hit; kick; throw a ~ 3. a ~ bounces 4. the ~ is dead ('the ball does not bounce') 5. a cue; medicine ~ 6. (BE) a punching ~ (AE has punching bag) 7. a baseball; basketball; football; golf; tennis ~; volleyball ['round mass'] 8. a cotton ~ 9. in a ~ (to curl up in a ~) ['glass object used in fortune telling'] 10. a crystal ~ ['misc.'] 11. to start the ~ rolling ('to begin an activity'); (colloq.) on the ~ ('efficient'); (AE) to play ~ with ('to cooperate with') II n. ['formal dance'] 1. to have, organize a ~ 2. a costume; fancy-dress; inaugural; masked ~ 3. at a ~ (to dance at a ~) 4. (misc.) (esp. AE; colloq.) to have a ~ ('to enjoy oneself) ballad n. a folk; lewd, ribald ~ ballast n. 1. to take on ~ 2. to drop ~ ballet n. 1. to dance, perform; stage a ~ 2. classical; folk ~; (a) water ~ balloon n. 1. to fly; launch a ~ 2. to blow up, inflate; deflate a ~ 3. a ~ bursts 4. a barrage; observation ~ 5. (fig.) a trial ~ (to send up a trial~) ballot n. 1. to cast a ~ 2. to invalidate a ~ 3. an absentee; open; secret; straw; void ~ 4. a ~ against; for 5. by ~ (to vote by secret ~) ballot box n. to stuff the ~es balm n. 1. to apply a ~ 2. a healing, soothing ~ bamboozle v. (colloq.) ('to trick') 1. (D; tr.) to ~ into 2. to ~ out of ban I n. 1. to impose, place put a ~ on 2. to lift a ~ from 3. a test ~ 4. a wartime ~ 5. a ~ on II v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ from (they were ~ned from attending) 2. (K) the police ~ned their demonstrating in the park banana n. 1. to peel a ~ 2. a green; ripe; rotten ~ band I n. ['orchestra'] 1. to form a ~ 2. a brass; concert; dance; jazz; marching; military; regimental; school; string ~ 3. a big ~ 4. a ~ marches; performs, plays 5. (misc.) to strike up the ~ ['group'] 6. a predatory; roving ~ 7. a ~ of marauders II n. ['ring'] 1. a wedding ~ ['range of wavelengths'] 2. a wave ~ 3. a citizens ~ (or: CB) ['circular strip'] 4. a brake; rubber ~ bandage n. 1. to apply, put on a ~ 2. to roll a ~ 3. to remove a ~ 4. to loosen; tighten a ~ Band-Aid (T) n. (esp. AE) to apply, put on a ~ bandit n. a masked ~ band together v. (D; intr., refl.) to ~ against (the liberals ~ed together against the new legislation) bandwagon n. ['attractive cause'] to climb on, jump on the ~ bandy v. (D; tr.) to ~ with (to ~ words with smb.) bang I n. with a ~ (the door slammed with a ~) II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ against; into; on (she ~ed on the door; I ~ed into the wall) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ against, on (he ~ed his head on the low ceiling) bang away v. (colloq.) (D; intr.) ('to shoot') to ~ at (we ~ed away at the enemy plane) banish v. (D;tr.) to ~ from; to (she was ~ ed from the country) banjo n. to play; strum a ~ bank I n. ['financial establishment'] 1. to charter; establish a ~ 2. a central; commercial; credit; drive-in; land; national, people's, state; merchant (BE); reserve; savings ~ 3. a ~ closes, collapses, fails 4. at, in a ~ (she works at/in a ~) ['fund held in a gambling game'] 5. to break the ~ ['place of storage'] 6. a blood; corneal, eye; data; organ; soil; sperm ~ 7. a citation ~ (for dictionaries) II v. (d; intr.) to-on ('to rely on') (we were ~ing on your support) III n. ['shore'] 1. a rugged; sloping; steep ~ 2, a river ~ 3. on a ~ IV n. ['row'} ['tier'] an elevator (AE) ~ banker n. an international; investment; merchant (BE) ~ banking n. electronic; international ~ bankrupt adj. to go ~ bankruptcy n. to declare, go into, file for, petition for ~ banner n. 1. to plant; unfurl a ~ 2. a ~ flutters, waves 3. a regimental ~ 4. (fig.) under a ~ banns n. ['declaration of an impending marriage'] to publish the ~ banquet n. 1. to arrange, give, hold a ~ 2. to cater a ~ 3. an elaborate, lavish, sumptuous ~ 4. a farewell; formal; state ~ 5. a ~ for 6. at a ~ banter n. 1. to exchange ~ with 2. good-natured, light; witty ~ baptism n. 1. to administer ~ 2. to accept, receive, undergo ~ 3. (misc.) the ~ of fire baptize v. (N; used with a noun) they ~d him Joseph bar I n. ['counter or place where drinks are sold'] 1. to manage, operate, run a ~ 2. to stop at a ~ (on the way home); to drink at the ~; to drop into a ~ 3. a cash (AE); cocktail; coffee (BE); gay; open ('free'); public (BE); salad; saloon (BE); singles ~ ['barrier'] 4. the color ~ 5. a ~ to (a ~ to success) ['barrier in a law court'] 6. at the ~ (the prisoner at the ~; to be tried at the ~) 7. before the ~ (of justice) ['the profession of barrister, trial lawyer'] (esp. BE) 8. to be admitted, called to the ~ 9. to read for the ~ ['metal strip used as a barrier'] 10. behind ~s ('in prison') (he was put behind ~s) ['strip used in gymnastics'] 11. a horizontal ~ 12. parallel ~s 13. on the ~ (to work out on the ~) ['handrail used by ballet dancers'] 14. at the ~ (to warm up at the ~) ['metal strip used in a suspension system'] 15. a torsion ~ ['lever on a typewriter'] 16. a space ~ ['oblong piece'] 17. a candy; chocolate ~ ['musical measure'] 18. to hum; play; sing a few ~s II v. 1. (D; tr.) ('to exclude') to ~ from (he was ~red from the competition) 2. (K) ('to forbid') they ~red his participating barb n. ['critical remark'] to sling ~s at barbarism, barbarity n. 1. to demonstrate, display ~ 2. outright, unmitigated, utter ~ barbarous adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to treat prisoners in that manner) barbecue I n. ['party at which barbecued meat is served'] 1. to have a ~ 2. at a ~ II v. (C) she ~d a steak for me; or: she ~d me a steak barbed wire, barbwire n. to string ~ barbell n. 1. to clean; lift; press a ~ 2. an adjustable ~ barber n. at the ~'s barbershop n. (esp. AE) at, in a ~ (he is at/in the ~) bare adj. 1.~ of (the hills were ~ of vegetation) 2. (misc.) to lay smt. ~ bargain I n. ['agreement'] 1. to drive; make, strike; seal a ~ 2. to meet one's end of a ~ 3. a hard ~ (she drives a hard ~) 4. a ~ with (we struck a ~ with them) 5. a ~ to + inf. (they made a ~ not to cut prices) ['advantageous purchase'] 6. to find, get a ~ 7. to shop for ~s 8. a good, real ~ ['misc.'] 9. to make the best of a bad ~ ('to do one's best in a difficult situation') II v. 1. ('to negotiate') to ~ shrewdly 2. (D; intr.) ('to negotiate') to ~ for; over; with (we ~ed with them for the property) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ for (BE), on (AE) ('to count on') (I wasn't ~ing on any trouble) bargaining n. collective; plea ~ barge I n. 1. to drive; float; tow a ~ 2. to load; unload a ~ II v. (d; intr.) to ~ into (she ~d into the room) barge in v. (D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on a conversation) baritone n. to sing ~ bark I n. ['covering of a tree'] ~ peels II n. ['the sound made by a dog'] a furious; loud, noisy ~ III v. 1. to ~ furiously 2. (B) the sergeant ~ed an order to his squad 3. (D; intr.) to ~ at (the dog ~ed at the jogger) barn n. a car ~ (AE; BE has waggon shed) barnacles n. ~ cling (to the bottom of a ship) barometer n. 1. an aneroid; mercurial ~ 2. a ~ is steady; falls; rises baron n. ['magnate'] a cattle; coal; oil; robber; steel ~ barracks n. 1. (AE) to GI the ~ 2. (AE) to police (up) the ~ 3. disciplinary ~ 4. restricted to ~ barrage n. 1. to lay down a ~ 2. to lift a ~ 3. a rolling ~ 4. an advertising; propaganda ~ barrel n. 1. to tap a ~ 2. (misc.) (colloq.) to have smb. over a ~ ('to have placed smb. in a difficult position') barricade n. 1. to place, set up a ~ 2. to man the ~s 3. to remove, take down a ~ 4. a barbed-wire ~ 5. a ~ against barrier n. 1. to erect, place, set up a ~ 2. to overcome, take a ~ (the horse took the ~ easily) 3. to break down; remove a ~ 4. the sonic, sound ~ (to break the sound ~) 5. a crush (BE), police ~ 6. a cultural; language; racial ~ (to break a racial ~) 7. a ~ between 8. a ~ to (a ~ to progress) barrow n. to push a ~ barter I n. 1. to engage in ~ 2. ~ between; for; with II v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ for (to ~ furs for tobacco) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ with base I n. ['center of operations'] 1. to establish, set up a ~ 2. an advanced, forward; main ~ 3. an air, air-force; army; military; missile; naval ~ 4. (misc.) a power ~; a ~ of operations ['goal'] (AE) (baseball) 5. to reach; touch a ~ 6. to steal a ~ 7. (misc.) (slang) she couldn't get to first ~ with them ('she couldn't even begin to achieve any success with them') ['collection'] 8. a data ~ ['basic ingredient'] 9. an oil ~ II v. (d; tr.) to ~ on, upon (we ~d our conclusions on facts) baseball n. ['game'] 1. to play ~ 2. night ~ ['ball'] 3. to pitch a ~ basement n. 1. (AE) a finished; full ~ 2. (esp. AE) a bargain ~ (in a department store) bash I n. (slang) (BE) ['attempt'] to have a ~ at smt. II v. (D; tr.) to ~ against (he ~ed his head against the door) bashful adj. ~ with basic adj.. ~ to basic training n. (mil.) to go through, take ~ basin n. 1. a river; tidal ~ 2. a handbasin (BE), washbasin, wash-hand (BE) ~ basis n. 1. to form, provide a ~ for 2. a firm, solid, sound; first-name; scientific; shaky ~ 3. on a ~ (on a solid ~; she was promoted on the ~ of her accomplishments; to be paid on an hourly ~; to be on a first- name ~) bask v. to ~ in (to ~ in the sunshine; to ~ in the adulation of one's followers) basket n. ['receptacle'] 1. to make, weave a ~ 2. a laundry, linen (BE); picnic; wastepaper; wicker ~ ['goal in basketball'] 3. to make, score, sink a ~ 4. to shoot at the ~ 5. to miss the ~ basketball n. ['game'] 1. to play ~ ['ball used in the game of basketball'] 2. to dribble; pass a ~ bass n. 1. to sing ~ 2. a deep ~ bat I n. ['club'] 1. to swing a ~ 2. a baseball; cricket ~ ['one's turn batting'] 3. (AE) at ~ (who's at ~?) ['misc.'] 4. (colloq.) (BE) at full ~ ('very fast') II n. ['flying mammal'] 1. ~s fly at night 2. (misc.) as blind as a ~ batch n. a fresh ~ (of dough) bath n. 1. to have (BE), take a ~ 2. to draw, run a ~ 3. (BE) a swimming ~ 4. a sitz; steam, Turkish; whirlpool ~ 5. (misc.) a blood ~ ('slaughter') USAGE NOTE: In BE, one meaning of bath is 'bathtub'. bathed adj. ~ in (~ in sunshine) bather n. a sun ~ bathing n. sun ~ bathing suit n. (esp. AE) a one-piece; two-piece ~ bathroom see the Usage Note for room baton n. 1. (in a relay race) to pass the ~ 2. (of a drum major) to twirl a ~ 3. (of an orchestra leader) to raise a ~ battalion n. to command a ~ (a major commands a ~) batter I n. ['mixture for baking'] to mix up; pour; stir (a) ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (to ~ smt. to pieces) III n. ['one whose turn it is to bat'] (baseball) a leadoff ~ battery n. ['a group of cells that store and furnish current'] 1. to charge; recharge a ~ 2. to discharge, run down a ~ 3. a flashlight (AE), torch (BE); storage ~ 4. a ~ charges (itself) 5. a ~ discharges, runs (itself) down 6. a ~ is dead, flat (BE) ['artillery unit'] 7. to command a ~ (a captain commands a ~) 8. a missile ~ battle I n. 1. to do, give, join ~ 2. to fight, wage; lose; win a ~ 3. to break off, terminate a ~ 4. a bloody; decisive; fierce, pitched, raging; losing; running ~ 5. a naval ~ 6. a ~ royal 7. a ~ rages 8. a ~ against; among, between; for, over; with (they fought a ~ among themselves for domination of the market; the ~ against inflation; to join ~ with smb.; a ~ between two strong adversaries) 9. a ~ to + inf. (it was a real ~ to win the election) 10. at a ~ (at the ~ of Gettysburg) 11. in ~ (to be killed in ~) II v. (D; intr.) to ~ against, with; for, over battlefield n. on the ~ (to die on the ~) battleship n. a pocket ~ battle station n. to take up one's ~ batty adj. (slang) ['mad'] to go ~ over baulk (esp. BE) see balk bay I n. 1. to hold, keep at ~ 2. to bring to ~ II v. (D; intr.) to ~ at (the hounds were ~ing at the fox) bayonet n. 1. to thrust a ~ into (smb.'s body) 2. to fix; unfix ~s bazaar n. 1. a charity ~ 2. at a ~ bazooka n. to fire; operate a ~ be v. l.(E; usu. in the past) he was never to see his family again; she was to become famous 2. (S) to ~ a teacher; to ~ happy beach n. 1. an isolated; private; public; sandy ~ 2. at, on the ~ beachhead n. to establish; hold; secure a ~ beacon n. 1. a homing; landing; radar; radio; rotating ~ 2. (BE) a Belisha ~ ('a light marking a pedestrian crossing') 3. a ~ to (to serve as a ~ to others) bead n. ['front sight'] to draw a ~ on beads n. 1. (rel.) to say, count one's ~ 2. to string ~ 3. (rel.) prayer ~ 4. a string of ~ beam I n. ['shaft of light'] 1. to direct, shine a ~ at 2. a high; low ~ (on a car) 3. a ~ from; to ['signal'] 4. a radar; radio ~ 5. (also fig.) off the ~; on the ~ ['piece of wood'] 6. a balance ~ II v. 1. (B) they ~ed the program to the countries of Central America 2. (AE) (d; tr.) to ~ at (the sales campaign was ~ed at young professionals) 3. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with joy) bean n. 1. broad; French (BE), haricot (BE), kidney; lima; navy; pinto; runner (BE), string; wax ~s 2. baked ~s 3. (misc.) to spill the ~s (slang) ('to reveal a secret'); to use the old ~ (slang) ('to use one's head'); full of ~s (slang) ('mistaken') (AE); ('full of energy') (BE) bear I n. 1. the black; brown; grizzly; Kodiak; polar ~ 2. a teddy ~ 3. ~s hibernate II v. 1. (formal) (A; the omission of to is rare) ('to carry') the servants were ~ing food to the guests 2. (A; used without to) ('to give birth to') she bore him two children 3. (d; intr.) ('to pertain') to ~ on (these facts ~ on the case) 4. (d; intr.) ('to move') to ~ to (we had to ~ to the right) 5. (d; intr.) ('to have patience') to ~ with (please ~ with me for a few minutes) 6. (E; preceded by: can -- cannot -- can't) ('to stand, tolerate') she can't ~ to watch them suffer 7. (G; often used with: can -- cannot -- can't) ('to stand, tolerate') he can't ~ being alone; her words ~ repeating 8. (K) ('to stand, tolerate') I cannot ~ his behaving in that manner 9. (0; can be used with one inanimate object) ('to feel') she ~s them a grudge; he ~s (us) no ill will 10. (P; refl.) ('to behave') she bore herself with dignity 11. (misc.) to bring to ~ on (she brought her influence to ~ on the legislators) beard n. 1. to grow a ~ 2. to shave off; trim one's ~ 3. to stroke one's ~ 4. a bushy, heavy, rough, thick; light, sparse; neat, trim ~ bear down v. (d; intr.) to ~ on (our destroyers bore down on the enemy carrier) bearing n. ['relation'] 1. to have a ~ on (that fact has no ~ on the case) 2. a direct ~ ['position'] 3. to take a ~ on (we took a ~ on the hill) ['carriage'] ['manner'] 4. a dignified; military; regal, royal ~ ['machine part that supports'] 5. to burn out a ~ 6. a ball; roller ~ ['charge on a coat of arms'] 7. a heraldic ~ bearings n. ['orientation'] 1. to get one's ~ 2. to lose one's ~ bear up v. (D; intr.) to ~ against, under (to ~ under pressure) beast n. ['qualities of an animal'] 1. to bring out the ~ in smb. ['animal'] 2. a wild ~ beat I n. ['a regularly traversed round'] 1. to patrol, walk one's ~ 2. to cover one's ~ 3. a policeman's ~ ['rhythm'] 4. an irregular; regular, steady ~ 5. to a ~ (to dance to the ~ of jungle music) ['unit of rhythm'] 6. a ~ to (four ~s to a measure) II v. 1. to ~ brutally, mercilessly, severely, viciously 2. (d; intr., tr.) ('to strike') to ~ against (the bird beat its wings against the bars of its cage; the waves ~ against the rocks) 3. (d; tr.) ('to hammer') to ~ into (to ~ facts into smb.'s head; to ~ swords into plowshares) 4. (d; tr.) ('to strike') to ~ into, to (to ~ smb. into submission; to ~ smb. to death) 5. (d; intr.) ('to strike') to ~ on (smb. was ~ing on the door) 6. (colloq.) (D; tr.) ('to arrive ahead of) to ~ to (I'll ~ you to the car!) 7. (N: used with an adjective) ('to strike') they beat him unconscious 8. (slang) (R) ('to astound') it ~s me that they turned down the invitation beat down v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ on (the sun beat down on us mercilessly) 2. (BE) (D; tr.) ('to persuade to reduce a price') to ~ to (I beat them down to ten pounds) beating n. 1. to give smb. a ~ 2. to get, take a ~ 3. a brutal, good, merciless, severe, vicious ~ (he got a good ~) beat out v. (D; tr.) to ~ for (we beat them out for the title by ten points) beat up v. (slang) (AE) (d; intr.) to ~ on ('to beat') (to ~ on smb.) beau n. (colloq.) a steady ~ beautiful adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to watch) beauty n. ['a beautiful person or thing'] 1. a dazzling, raving, striking ~ 2. a bathing ~ ['good looks'] 3. to enhance ~ 4. dazzling, striking, wholesome ~ beauty contest n. 1. to hold, stage a ~ 2. to enter a ~ beaver n. 1. a colony of ~s 2. (misc.) an eager ~ ('an overzealous person') beaver away v. (slang) (BE) (D; intr.) ('to work hard') to ~ at beck n. to be at smb.'s ~ and call beckon v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ to (he ~ed to her) 2. (H) she ~ed me to follow become v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ of (what became of her?) 2. (formal) (R) it doesn't ~ you to speak like that 3. (S) she became a teacher; to ~ depressed becoming adj. (rare) ~ to (that is not ~ to you) bed n. ['article of furniture for sleeping'] 1. to make, make up a ~ 2. to undo a ~ 3. to lie, stay in ~; to lie, sit on a ~ 4. to get out of ~ 5. to take to one's ~ ('to remain in bed because of illness'] 6. a double; king-size; queen-size; single; twin ~ 7. a bunk; camp (BE); folding; hospital; rollaway; sofa; truckle (BE), trundle (AE); water ~ 8. an unmade ~ 9. a feather ~ ('a feather mattress') ['ground at the bottom of a body of water'] 10. a river ~ ["plot of ground'] 11. a flower ~ bedfellow n. strange ~s (politics make strange ~s) bedroom n. a master; spare ~ bedside n. at smb.'s ~ bedsore n. 1. to develop, get a ~ 2. to prevent a ~ bee I n. ['insect'] 1. to keep ~s 2. a killer; queen; worker ~ 3. ~s buzz, hum; sting; swarm 4. a cluster; colony; swarm of ~s 5. (misc.) as busy as a ~ II n. (esp. AE) ['meeting to work or compete'] a quilting; sewing; spelling; spinning ~ beef I n. 1. to boil; braise; broil; cook; roast; stew ~ 2. chipped; corned; salt (BE) ~ 3. (AE) ~ Wellington 4. baby; prime ~ USAGE NOTE: Corned beef in the US is not the same as corned beef in GB. II v. (D; intr.) ('to complain') to ~ about beeline n. ['shortest route"] to make a ~ for ('to go directly toward') beer n. 1. to brew ~ 2. cold; strong; weak ~ 3. ginger; light; near ~ 4. (AE) root ~ 5. a bottle; can; glass; mug, stein of ~ beet n. 1. a sugar ~ 2. (misc.) as red as a ~ (AE; BE has: as red as a beetroot) beg v. 1. to ~ humbly 2. (D: intr.) to ~ for (to ~ for mercy) 3. (formal) (d; tr.) to ~ of (I must ~ a favor of you) 4. (E) they ~ged to be allowed to go; I ~ to differ 5. (H) they ~ged her to help 6. (L; subj.) he ~ged that his family be/should be spared 7. (misc.) to go ~ging ('to be unwanted') (those jobs went ~ging) begging n. to live by ~ begin v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ by, with (they began by saying a prayer; or: they began with a prayer) 2. (E) she began to work 3. (G) she began working beginner n. a rank ~ beginning n. 1. to make a ~ 2. to mark a ~ 3. an auspicious, promising ~ 4. at, in the ~ 5. from (the) ~ (from ~ to end; from the very ~) begrudge v. (0; can be used with one inanimate object) he ~s us our success beguile v. (formal) 1. (D; tr.) to ~ into (he ~d me into lending him money) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ out of 3. (D; tr.) to ~ with (to ~ children with stories) behalf n. in (AE), on smb.'s ~ USAGE NOTE: Some purists maintain that in AE in smb. 's behalf means 'for smb.'s benefit', whereas on smb.'s behalf means 'as smb.'s representative'. behave v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ like (he ~d like a gentleman) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ towards (how did they ~ towards you?) behavior, behaviour n. 1. to exhibit ~ (to exhibit strange ~) 2. abnormal; asocial; criminal; diplomatic; disciplined; disruptive; inconsiderate; inexcusable; infantile; irrational; model; modest; neurotic; normal; obsequious; promiscuous; provocative; ruthless; scandalous; scurrilous; strange; sullen; undiplomatic; undisciplined; unorthodox; unruly; unsportsmanlike ~ 3. good ~ (in prison) 4. ~ towards, with 5. on one's ~ (to be on one's best ~) behest n. at smb.'s ~ behind adv., prep. 1. to fall, lag ~ 2. to remain, stay ~ 3. ~ by (our team is ~ by two points) 4. ~ in, with (he's ~ with his payments) 5. (misc.) to be solidly ~ smb. ('to support smb. wholeheartedly') beholden adj. (cannot stand alone) ~ for; to (we are ~ to nobody for anything) behoove, behove v. (R) (formal) it ~s them to help the needy being n. 1. to come into ~ 2. an extraterrestrial; human; mortal; rational; supernatural ~ belch n. to emit, let out a ~ belief n. 1. to express; hold a ~ 2. to shake one's ~ 3. to give up, relinquish one's ~ 4. a basic; doctrinaire; erroneous, false, mistaken; firm, strong, unshakable; popular; prevalent; unpopular ~ 5. a ~ in (nothing will shake his ~ in ghosts) 6. a ~ that + clause (it is their firm ~ that the earth is flat) 7. beyond ~ 8. in the ~ that... believe v. 1. to ~ firmly, sincerely, strongly; mistakenly 2. (D; intr.) to ~ in (to ~ in ghosts) 3. (D; tr.) to ~ of (I can't ~ it of him) 4. (L) we ~ that she will come 5. (M) they all ~ the story to be true 6. (misc.) I ~ so; I ~ not believer n. 1. a firm, sincere, strong; true ~ 2. a ~ in (he's no ~ in miracles) bell n. 1. to cast a ~ 2. to ring, sound a ~ 3. a church; door ~ 4. a diving ~ 5. wedding ~s 6. a ~ chimes, clangs, peals, rings, sounds, tolls 7. (misc.) (boxing) to come out for the ~ belligerency n. 1. to demonstrate, display, exhibit ~ 2. a state of ~ 3. ~ towards belligerent adj. ~ towards bellow v. 1. (B) he ~ed a command to his men 2. (L) he ~ed that he would fight any man at the bar bellows n. to operate, use ~ bellyache v. (slang) (D; intr.) ('to complain') to ~ about belong v. 1. (d; intr.) ('to deserve to be') to ~ in (he ~s in jail) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ to ('to be owned by') (the book ~s to her) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ to ('to be a member of) (to ~ to an organization) 4. (d; intr.) ('to be appropriate') to ~ under (this item ~s under a different heading) belongings n. one's earthly; personal ~ below prep. ~ in (to be ~ smb. in rank) belt I n. ['band'] 1. to buckle, fasten one's ~ 2. (also fig.) to tighten one's ~ 3. to loosen; undo one's ~ 4. a life; money; safety, seat, shoulder ~ 5. a cartridge; Sam Browne ~ 6. a garter (AE), suspender (BE) ~ 7. a chastity ~ 8. a conveyor ~ 9. (usu. fig.) below the ~ ('unfairly') ['zone'] (AE) 10. the Bible; corn; cotton ~ ['symbol of expertise in judo or karate'] 11. a bla^k; brown; white ~ ['misc.'] 12. under one's ~ ('experienced, lived through') II v. (colloq.) (0) I ~ed him one bench n. ['judge's seat'] 1. from the ~ (a reprimand from the ~) 2. on the ~ (who will be on the ~ during her trial?) ['places in Parliament'] (BE) 3. the back; cross; front ~ ['place where reserve players sit'] 4. on the ~ (he spent ten minutes on the ~) ['table'] 5. a work ~ bench warrant n. to issue a ~ bend I n. 1. to make a ~ (the river makes a ~) 2. a horseshoe; sharp; slight ~ 3. a knee ~ 4. (misc.) (colloq.) (BE) round the ~ ('mentally unsound') II v. 1. (D; Intr., tr.) to ~ to (the road ~s to the right; she cannot ~ them to her will) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ into (she bent the bar into the right shape) bender n. (colloq.) ['drunken spree'] to go on a ~ benediction n. 1. to give, offer, pronounce the ~ 2. to pronounce a ~ over beneficial adj. 1. ~ for, to (~ to health) 2. ~ to + inf. (it would be ~ to keep abreast of developments in Asia) beneficiary n. to name a ~; to name smb. (as) (a) benefit I n. 1. to derive, get, reap (a) ~ from 2. a death; fringe; sickness (BE); tax ~ 3. to be of ~ to 4. for smb.'s ~ 5. (misc.) to give smb. the ~ of the doubt; without ~ of clergy II v. (D; intr.) to ~ from (we all ~ed from her success) benefits n. 1. to provide ~ 2. to collect; reap ~ 3. to withhold ~ 4. disability; fringe; health-care; old-age; retirement; strike; survivors' (AE); unemployment; veterans'; workers' ~ benevolent adj. ~ towards bent I adj. (cannot stand alone) ['determined'] ~ on (he was ~ on getting himself hurt; ~ on mischief) II n. ['propensity'] 1. to have; show a ~ for 2. to follow one's (own) ~ 3. an artistic; decided; natural ~ bequeath v. (formal) (A) she ~ed her fortune to him; or: she ~ed him her fortune bequest n. 1. to make a ~ 2. a ~ to berate v. (D; tr.) to ~ for bereft adj. (cannot stand alone) ['stripped'] ~ of (~ of all hope; ~ of one's senses) USAGE NOTE: In the meaning 'having recently lost a dear one', the form bereaved is used--the bereaved parents. berry n. to pick ~ies berserk adj. to go ~ berth n. 1. to make up a ~ 2. a lower; sleeping; upper ~ 3. (misc.) to give smb. a wide ~ ('to avoid smb.') beseech v. (formal) (H; no passive) to ~ smb. to show mercy beset adj. (cannot stand alone) ~ by, with (~ by doubts) beside prep. to be ~ oneself with (he was ~ himself with grief) best I adj. 1. ~ to + inf. (it is ~ not to speak of it in public) 2. ~ that + clause; subj. (it is ~ that she say/should say nothing to the press) II n. 1. to do, give; try one's (level) ~ 2. to make the ~ (ofsmt.) 3. to get the ~ (of smb.) 4. to look one's ~ 5. one's level ~ 6. next, second ~ 7. one's ~ to + inf. (she tried her ~ to finish the job on time) 8. at one's ~ (she is not at her ~ in the morning) 9. for the ~ (it turned out for the ~) 10. in the ~ of (he's not in the ~ of health) 11. in one's Sunday ~ 12. to the ~ of (to the ~ of my ability) 13. (misc.) (colloq.) give my ~ to your family bestir v. (formal and rare) (H; refl.) we must ~ ourselves to get there on time bestow v. (formal) (d; tr.) to ~ on, upon (to ~ an honor on smb.) bet I n. 1. to make a ~ 2. to place a ~ on 3. to accept, take a ~ 4. a side ~ 5. a ~ that + clause (she made a ~ that her team would win) 6. on a ~ (he did it on a ~) 7. (misc.) to hedge one's ~s ('to protect oneself by placing several bets') II v. 1. (D; intr., tr.)to ~ on (he bet on that horse; he bet a month's salary on that horse) 2. (L; may have an object) I bet (her) that it would snow 3. (0; can be used with one, two, or three objects) we bet him; we bet ten pounds; we bet him ten pounds; we bet him ten pounds that it would rain betake v. (formal and obsol.) (P; refl.) he betook himself to the fair betray v. (B) the informer ~ed them to the police betroth v. (rare) (B) they were ~ed to each other at an early age betrothal n. 1. to announce a ~ 2. a ~ to better I adj. 1. any ~ (is she any ~ today?) 2. ~ at (he is ~ at tennis than at squash) 3. ~ to + inf. (it is ~ to give than to receive) 4. ~ that + clause; subj. (it's ~ that she go/should go alone) II n. 1. to get the ~ of smb. 2. to think ~ of smt. 3. for the ~ (a change for the ~; to take a turn for the ~) betting n. off-track; parimutuel ~ beverage n. an alcoholic; carbonated; intoxicating; non-alcoholic ~ beware v. (D; intr.; only in the imper.) ~ of (~ of the dog!) bewildered adj. ~ to + inf. (she was ~ to find them gone) bewildering adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to contemplate all the possibilities) bias n. ['prejudice'] 1. to demonstrate, display, exhibit, show ~ 2. to root out ~ 3. deep-rooted, strong ~ 4. a ~ against; for; towards ['diagonal line'] 5. on the ~ (to cut on the ~) biased adj.. 1. strongly ~ 2. ~ against; towards Bible n. the Holy ~ bibliography n. 1. to compile, make up a ~ 2. an annotated; comprehensive; selective ~ bicentenary n. to celebrate, mark, observe a ~ bicentennial (esp AE) see bicentenary bicker v. (D; intr.) 1. to ~ constantly, incessantly 2. to ~ about, over; with bickering n. constant, incessant ~ bicycle n. 1. to pedal, ride a ~ 2. to get on, mount a ~ 3. an exercise, stationary; racing ~ 4. by ~ (to go somewhere by ~) bid I n. ['bidding of an amount'] 1. to enter, file, make, put in, submit a ~ 2. to call for, invite ~s 3. to raise one's ~ 4. to consider, entertain ~s 5. to recall a ~ 6. an opening; sealed ~ 7. the highest ~ 8. a ~ for, on (she made a ~ on the painting) ['attempt'] 9. to make a ~ 10. a desperate ~ 11. a ~ for (she made a ~ for the nomination) 12. a ~ to + inf. (he made a ~ to regain his former influence) II v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ for (she bid twenty pounds for the vase) 2. (esp. AE) (D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on a contract) III v. 1. (formal) (A) she bade farewell to them; or: she bade them farewell 2. (obsol.) (H) to ~ smb. to do smt. 3. (obsol.) (I) to ~ smb. do smt. bidder n. the highest; lowest ~ bidding n. ['offering of bids'] 1. to open the ~ 2. competitive; spirited ~ ['request'] 3. to do smb.'s ~ 4. at smb.'s ~ big adj. ['kind'] ['good'] (colloq., ironical) 1. ~ of (that's ~ of you) 2. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of you to do that) ['older'] 3. a ~ boy; brother; girl; sister ['very powerful'] 4. ~ business; government; labor bigamy n. to commit; practice ~ bigot n. a fanatical, ingrained, narrow-minded, vicious; religious ~ bigoted adj. 1. strongly ~ 2. ~ against 3. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to say that) bigotry n. 1. to arouse, stir up ~ 2. to demonstrate, display ~ 3. fanatical, ingrained, narrow-minded, vicious; religious ~ 4. ~ against bike n. to ride a ~ (see bicycle) bilk v. (D; tr.) to ~ out of (they ~ed us out of the money) bill I n. ['proposed law'] 1. to draft; introduce, propose; oppose; pass; support a ~ 2. to move; railroad a ~ through a legislature 3. to quash, reject, vote down; veto a ~ 4. to shelve a ~ ['banknote'] (AE) 5. to break, change; pass a ~ 6. marked ~s ['statement of money owed'] ['debt'] 7. to run up a ~ 8. to foot (colloq.), pay; settle a ~ 9. a hospital, medical; hotel; telephone; utility (gas and electric; water) ~ 10. a ~ falls due, matures ['poster'] 11. to post, stick (BE) a ~ (post no ~s!) ['misc.'] 12. to fill, fit the ~ ('to meet all requirements') II v. l.. (D; tr.) ('to charge') to ~ for (the doctor did not ~ them for the visit) 2. (H) ('to cast'); ('to announce') he was ~ed to appear as Hamlet billet n. an officers' ~ billiards n. to play ~ billing n. ['prominence in advertising, promotion'] top ~ (to get top ~) bill of health n. ['approval'] 1. to give smb. a clean ~ 2. to get, receive a clean ~ bill of sale n. to make up, prepare a ~ bin n. a storage ~ bind I n. ['trouble'] ['dilemma'] 1. a double ~ 2. in a ~ II v. l.. (D;tr.) ('to put together') to ~ in (to ~ a book in leather) 2. (D; tr.) ('to tie') to ~ to (they bound him to a post) 3. (D; tr.) ('to require') to ~ to (to ~ smb. to secrecy) 4. (H) ('to require') the contract ~s you to pay interest binder n. ['deposit of money'] (esp. AE) 1. to place, put down a ~ on ['holder for sheets of paper'] 2. a loose-leaf; ring ~ ['broad bandage'] (AE) 3. to apply a ~ 4. an abdominal; breast; straight ~ binding I adj. ~ on, upon (the agreement is ~ on you) II n. ['fastening of the sections of a book'] 1. a handsome; leather ~ 2. in a ~ (the book is in a leather ~) ['narrow strip of fabric'] 3. to sew on, tack on a ~ bind over v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (she was bound over to the grand jury) binge n. (colloq.) 1. ['a drunken spree'] to go on a ~ ['unrestrained activity'] 2. a shopping ~ binoculars n. 1. to adjust, focus; train ~ on 2. high-powered, powerful ~ 3. a pair of ~ biography n. an authorized; critical; unauthorized biology n. molecular ~ bird n. 1. game; land; migratory; tropical; wading; water ~s 2. ~s of passage; ~s of prey 3. (usu. fig.) a rare ~ 4. ~s build nests; chirp, twitter, warble; flock together; fly; migrate; molt; sing; soar 5. a covey, flock of ~s 6. (misc.) to ring ~s (for scientific purposes); a ~ in the hand ('smt. already possessed'); ~s of a feather ('people with similar characteristics, tastes, and standards'); as free as a ~ ('absolutely free') bird call n. to do, imitate a ~ birdwatching n. to go in for, take up ~ (as a hobby) birth n. 1. to give ~ (she gave ~ to twins) 2. a breech; multiple; normal; premature ~ 3. at ~ (she weighed seven pounds at ~) 4. by ~ (he's Spanish by ~) 5. of ~ (of noble ~) birth control n. to practice ~ birthday n. 1. to attain (formal), reach a ~ 2. to celebrate, mark a ~ 3. at, on a ~ (on her tenth ~) 4. happy ~! birth pangs n. to endure, suffer ~ birthrate n. 1. a falling; high; low; rising; stable ~ 2. the crude ~ biscuit n. 1. to bake ~s 2. a sweet ~ (BE; AE has cookie) 3. a cream ~ (BE; AE has sandwich cookie) 4. baking-powder; soda; tea ~s 5. (misc.) to take the ~ ('to be the best or worst') (BE; CE has to take the cake) bishop n. an Anglican, Episcopal; Catholic; Orthodox ~ bison n. a herd of ~ bit I n. ['share'] 1. to do one's ~ ['small piece'] 2. a tiny ~ ['tnisc.'] 3. every ~ ('completely'); ~ by ~ ('little by little'); he's a ~ of a snob ('he is something of a snob'); she's not the least ~ upset ('she's not at all upset'); wait a ~ ('wait a little') II n. ['mouthpiece on a horse's bridle'] to take the ~ (between one's teeth) (also fig.) bitch v. (slang; vulgar) (D; intr.) to ~ about (they're always ~ing about the food) bitchy adj. (colloq.) ['nasty'] ~ about bite I n. ['act of biting'] ['result of biting'] 1. to take a ~ (she took a ~ out of the apple) 2. an insect; mosquito; snake ~ ['ability to bite'] 3. a powerful ~ (the large dog has a powerful ~) ['snack'] 4. to grab, have a ~ 5. a quick ~ ['request for a loan'] (colloq.) 6. to put the ~ on smb. ['amount of money deducted'] (colloq.) 7. to take a ~ from, out of (the wage tax takes quite a ~ from his paycheck) II v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ at (also fig.) (to ~ at the bait) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ into, on (she bit into the apple) bitter I adj. ~ about (he was ~ about his lot) II n. to take the ~ (with the sweet) bitterness n. 1. to feel ~ 2. a touch of ~ 3. ~ about, over; towards bivouac n. 1. to go on; set up a ~ 2. to be on ~ bizarre adj. ~ that + clause (it was ~ that we ran into each other in such a remote corner of the world) blabber v. (B) he ~ed everything to the press black n. ['profit'] 1. in the ~ (to operate in the ~) ['sign of mourning'] 2. to wear ~ 3. jet ~ blackboard n. 1. to clean, wash; erase (esp. AE) a ~ 2. to write on the ~ 3. at the ~ (two pupils were at the ~) 4. (misc.) to send a pupil to the ~ blacklist n. on a ~ black magic n. to practice ~ blackmail I n. to commit; practice ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ into (to ~ smb. into doing smt.) black market n. on the ~ (to buy smt. on the ~) black-marketing, black-marketeering n. to engage in, to go in for ~ blackout n. ['extinguishing or concealment of all lights during wartime'] 1. to impose, order a ~ 2. to observe a ~ ['suppression of news'] 3. to impose, order a ~ 4. to lift a ~ 5. to violate a ~ 6. a news ~ bladder n. 1. to empty one's ~ 2. a full ~ blade n. 1. a blunt, dull; sharp ~ 2. a rotary ~ 3. a razor ~ blame I n. 1. to ascribe, assign, attribute (the) ~ to smb. 2. to lay, place, put the ~ on smb.; to lay the ~ at smb.'s door 3. to assess; fix the ~ 4. to shift the ~ to smb. (else) 5. to assume, bear, take the ~ for (she took the ~ for my mistake) 6. the ~ falls on smb. II v. 1. to ~ unfairly, unjustly 2. (D; tr.) to ~ for (they ~d her for the accident) 3. (d; tr.) to ~ on (they ~d the accident on her) 4. to be to ~ for (I am not to ~ for the mistake) blanch v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ at (he ~ed at the sight of the mutilated corpse) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with fear) blank I adj. to go ~ (my mind went ~) II n. 1. to draw a ~ ('to achieve no result') 2. a complete ~ blanket n. 1. a bath; receiving; saddle; sheet ~ 2. a security ~ blase adj. ~ about (they were very ~ about winning first prize) blaspheme v. (D; intr.) to ~ against (to ~ against God) blasphemous adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to speak in that manner) blasphemy n. to commit; utter ~ against blast n. ['explosion'] 1. to set off a ~ ['gust of wind'] 2. an icy ~ ['verbal attack'] 3. to issue a ~ against 4. a vicious, withering ~ ['misc.'] 5. at full ~ (the work was proceeding at full ~) blather n. ['nonsense'] 1. sheer, utter ~ 2. ~ about blaze n. to extinguish, put out a ~ blaze away v. (D; intr.) to ~ at (to ~ at the enemy) blazes n. go to ~! ('damn you!') bleach n. liquid ~ bleed v. 1. to ~ profusely, uncontrollably 2. (fig.) (D; intr.) to ~ for (my heart ~s for him) 3. (D; intr.) to ~ from (to ~ from the nose) 4. (N; used with an adjective) to ~ smb. white 5. (misc.) to ~ to death bleeding n. 1. to staunch, stop (the) ~ 2. heavy, profuse, uncontrollable ~ 3. internal; menopausal ~ 4. ~ from (~ from the rectum) blemish n. a minor; ugly ~ blench v. (D; intr.) ('to flinch') to ~ at (he ~ed at the sight) blend v. 1. to ~ together (their voices ~ together well) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ into (to ~ into the crowd) 3. (D; intr.) to ~ with (water does not ~ with oil) blend in v. (D; intr.) to ~ with (she ~ed in with the crowd) bless v. (D; tr.) to ~ with (we are ~ed with good health) blessing n. 1. to give, make, pronounce, say a ~ over 2. to chant a ~ 3. to give one's ~ to; to bestow one's ~ on 4. a divine; priestly ~; God's ~ 5. a ~ for (it was a ~ for us) 6. a ~ that + clause (it was a ~ that we didn't have to make the trip) 7. (misc.) a mixed ~; a ~ in disguise; to count one's ~s blight n. 1. to cast, put a ~ on, upon 2. a potato ~ 3. urban ~ 4. a ~ on (a ~ on one's honor) blind I adj. ['sightless'] 1. legally ~ 2. (misc.) as ~ as a bat ['blinded'] (cannot stand alone) 3. ~ to (~ to danger) 4. ~ with (~ with rage) II v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (his infatuation ~ed him to her faults) III (BE) see window shade blindness n. color; congenital; night; snow ~ blinds n. 1. to adjust; draw; lower; raise the ~ 2. Venetian ~ blink v. (D; intr.) to ~ at ('to show surprise') (she didn't even ~ at his outrageous proposal) bliss n. 1. to enjoy ~ 2. complete, pure, sheer, total, utter ~ 3. domestic, marital, nuptial, wedded ~ 4. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to be without a telephone = it was ~ being without a telephone) buster n. 1. to open a ~ 2. a fever ~ (AE; CE has cold sore) 3. a ~ bursts; forms blizzard n. 1. a raging; winter ~ 2. a ~ rages; strikes 3. a ~ blows itself out bloc n. 1. the Communist; eastern; NATO; Soviet ~ 2. a voting ~ block n. ['interruption'] ['obstacle'] 1. (Am. football) to throw a ~ at smb. 2. a mental ~ (when it comes to word games, I have a mental ~) 3. (med.) a heart; nerve; saddle ~ 4. a stumbling ~ ['street'] ['city square'] (AE) 5. a city ~ (the building occupies an entire city ~) 6. around the ~; in, on a ~ (they went around the ~; they live in this ~) ['apartment house'] (BE) 7. a council ~ 8. a tower ~ ('a high-rise apartment') 9. (misc.) a ~ of flats ['platform'] 10. a butcher's; chopping; headsman's ~ ['auctioneer's platform'] 11. the auction ~ 12. on the ~ ('being auctioned') ['group'] ['bloc'] 13. a trade ~ ['rectangular unit used in construction'] 14. a building; cinder; concrete ~ ['support'] ['brace'] 15. a starting ~ (for a runner) ['section of text'] (computers) 16. to copy; delete; end; move a ~ blockade n. 1. to impose; maintain a ~ 2. to break (through); lift; run a ~ 3. a ~ against; on blocks n. to play with ~ blonde n. a natural; platinum ~ blood n. 1. to draw, let ~ 2. to lose; shed, spill ~ 3. to staunch the flow of ~ 4. to donate; type ~ 5. blue; pure, royal ~ 6. whole ~ 7. hot ('fiery') ~ 8. ~ cakes; circulates, flows, runs; clots, coagulates, congeals, curdles; spurts (~ spurted from the wound) 9. (fig.) ~ boils; freezes; runs cold 10. (fig.) ~ tells 11. by ~ (related by ~) 12. of ~ (of royal ~) 13. (misc.) to run in the ~ ('to be hereditary '); in cold ~ ('without feeling'); to draw first ~ ('to score the first success'); fresh/ new ~ ('new personnel'); old ~ ('old personnel'); (colloq.) tired ~ ('rundown condition of the body') blood cell n. a red; white ~ blood count n. 1. to do a ~ on 2. to have a ~ (done) blood pressure n. 1. to take smb.'s ~ 2. elevated, high; labile; low; normal ~ bloodiest n. 1. to do a ~ 2. to have a ~ (done) blood transfusion n. 1. to administer, (colloq.) do, give a ~ 2. to get, have a ~ blood vessel n. 1. an occluded ~ 2. a ~ bursts bloom n. 1. to come into ~ 2. full ~ 3. in ~ (the tulips are in full ~) bloomer (BE) see blooper blooper n. (colloq.) (AE) ['blunder'] 1. to commit, make a ~ 2. a prize ~ blossom I n. in ~ (the trees are in ~) II v. (D; intr.) to ~ into (their friendship ~ed into true love) blot n. 1. leave a ~ 2. a ~ on (his actions left a ~ on our name) blotter n. ['blotting paper'] 1. a ~ absorbs (ink, water) ['record'] 2. a police ~ blouse n. a full; peasant; see-through ~ blow I n. 1. to deal, deliver, strike a ~ (he dealt us a severe ~) 2. to heap, rain ~s on smb. 3. to come to ~s; to exchange ~s 4. to take a ~ (the boxer took several ~s to the head) 5. to cushion; deflect, parry, ward off; dodge a ~ 6. a body; crushing, hard, heavy, powerful, resounding, severe, staggering, telling; decisive; fatal, mortal; glancing, light ~ 7. indiscriminate ~s (to rain indiscriminate ~s on one's victims) 8. a low ('illegal') ~ (also fig.) 9. an exchange of ~s 10. a ~ against, at (to strike a ~ against poverty) 11. a ~ for (to strike a ~ for freedom) 12. a ~ on, to (a ~ on the head; he took a ~ to the chin; a ~ to one's hopes) 13. under ~s (to reel under crushing ~s) II v. 1. to ~ hard (the wind was ~ing hard) 2. (A; usu. without to) she blew him a kiss 3. (D; intr.) to ~ on (~ on the soup; it's too hot) 4. (misc.) (slang) he blew ('came') into town blowout n. ['flat tire'] 1. to have a ~ 2. to fix a ~ bludgeon v. 1. (d; tr.) ('to force by beating') to ~ into (to ~ smb. into doing smt.) (also fig.) 2. (misc.) to ~ smb. to death blue n. ['color'] 1. dark; light ~ ['something colored blue'] 2. a patch of ~ ['symbol of belonging to a team at Oxford or Cambridge'] (BE) 3. to get, win one's ~ ['misc.'] 4. out of the ~ ('unexpectedly') blueprint n. 1. to draw up, make a ~ 2. a ~ for; of (fig.: a ~ for peace) blues n. (colloq.) to sing the ~ ('to complain') bluff I n. ['false threat'] 1. to call smb.'s ~ ('to challenge smb. to carry out a false threat') 2. to fall for smb.'s ~ ('to be deceived by a false threat') II v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ into; out of (they ~ed him into making concessions) 2. to be caught ~ing blunder I n. 1. to commit, make a ~ 2. a costly, egregious, fatal, glaring, grave, serious, stupid, terrible ~ 3. a ~ to + inf. (it was a ~ to invite them) II v. (d; intr.) to ~ on, upon ('to happen on') blush I n. 1. a deep ~ 2. (misc.) at first ~ ('at first sight'); in the first ~ of youth ('as a youth') II v. 1. to ~ deeply; readily 2. (D; intr.) to ~ at (to ~ at the very suggestion) 3. (D; intr.) to ~ for, with (he ~ed with shame) boar n. a wild ~ board n. ['ship's deck'] 1. to go on ~ ['commission'] 2. an advisory; draft (AE); editorial; liquor-control (AE); parole; school; zoning ~ 3. on a ~ (to serve on a ~) ['footboard'] 4. a running ~ (on a car) ['flat piece of wood or other material'] 5. a baseboard (AE), skirting (BE); bulletin (AE), notice (BE) ~; checkerboard; chessboard; cutting; dart; diving; drawing; emery; ironing ~ ['misc.'] 6. a sounding ~; across the ~ ('for everyone') boarder n. to keep, take in ~s boards n. (esp. AE) ['qualifying examination'] 1. to pass; take one's ~ 2. college; state ~ boast I n. 1. to make a ~ 2. an empty, idle, vain; proud ~ II v. 1. to ~ idly; proudly 2. (D; intr.) to ~ about, of (to ~ of one's success) 3. (L; to) she ~ed (to the reporters) that she would win the race boastful adj. ~ about, of boat n. 1. to row; sail; steer a ~ 2. to launch, lower a ~ 3. to overturn, swamp, upset a ~ 4. an assault; fishing; flying ~; gunboat; lifeboat; mosquito, PT (AE; BE has MTB); patrol ~; rowboat (AE), rowing (BE) ~; sailboat (AE), sailing (BE) ~; torpedo ~ 5. a ~ goes, sails; heaves; pitches; rolls 6. by ~ (to cross a river by ~) 7. (misc.) to be in the same ~ ('to be in the same circumstances'); to miss the ~ ('to let an opportunity slip by'); to push the ~ out (BE; colloq.) ('to make a special effort') bobsled, bobsleigh n. to ride a ~; to race on ~s bode v. 1. (D; intr.; P) to ~ for (these events ~ well for us) 2. (formal) (0) this ~s us no good body n. ['substance'] ['firmness'] 1. to give ~ to ['group'] ['unit'] 2. an advisory; deliberative; elected; governing; student ~; the ~ politic 3. in a ~ (they presented their petition in a ~) ['physical object'] 4. a foreign ~ (to remove a foreign ~ from one's eye) 5. a gaseous; liquid; solid ~ 6. a celestial, heavenly ~ ['corpse'] 7. to cremate; embalm; exhume a ~ 8. a bloated; decomposing ~ ['physical structure of a person'] 9. to build up, condition, strengthen one's ~ 10. to sell one's ~ 11. a healthy ~ 12. (colloq.) the ~ beautiful bog n. a peat ~ boggle v. (d; intr.) to ~ at (the mind ~s at the idea) boil I n. ['state of boiling'] 1. to bring to a ~ (bring the milk to a ~) 2. to come to a ~ (the water must first come to a ~) II v. l. to ~ gently; hard 2. (C) he ~ed an egg for her; or: he ~ed her an egg 3. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with rage) III n. ['furuncle'] 1. to lance a ~ 2. a ~ comes to a head 3. to apply hot compresses to a ~ boil down v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ to (it all ~s down to one simple fact) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ to (she ~ed the whole story down to one paragraph) boiler n. a ~ cracks, ruptures boiling point n. to reach the ~ bold adj. (often used humorously) to be so ~ as to + inf. (may I be so ~ as to ask how old you are?) boldface n. to print in ~ bolshy adj. (colloq.) (BE) ['rebellious'] ~ about bolt I n. 1. a lightning ~ 2. (misc.) like a ~ out of the blue ('unexpectedly') II v. to ~ upright bomb n. 1. to detonate, explode, set off; drop; fuse a ~ 2. to plant a ~ 3. to deactivate, defuse a ~ 4. to dispose of an unexploded ~ 5. an atom, atomic, fission, nuclear; fusion, hydrogen; neutron ~ 6. a clean; dirty ~ 7. a buzz; car; fragmentation; high-explosive; incendiary; letter; napalm; petrol (esp. BE); pipe; plastic; smoke; stink; time ~ 8. a smart ('guided') ~ 9. (AE) a cherry ~ ('a type of firecracker') 10. a ~ explodes, goes off 11. (misc.) (colloq.) (BE) to go like a ~ ('to be very successful') bombardment n. 1. to conduct a ~ 2. air; intensive bomber n. 1. a dive-bomber; fighter; heavy; light; long-range; medium ~ 2. an enemy ~ bombing n. area; around-the-clock; carpet; dive; indiscriminate, random; pin-point, precision; saturation; shuttle; strategic; tactical ~ bombshell n. ['sensation'] to drop a ~ bond n. ['certificate'] 1. to issue a ~ 2. to cash (in), redeem a ~ 3. a debenture; development; government; long-term; municipal; negotiable; savings; serial; treasury; war ~ ['tie'] ['link'] 4. to form; strengthen a ~ (of friendship) with 5. a close, firm, strong; spiritual ~ 6. a ~ between ['fetters'] 7. to break, cast off one's ~s ['guarantee'] ['obligation'] 8. to set ~ (the judge set ~ for him at two thousand dollars) 9. to furnish, post a ~ 10. to forfeit a ~ ['storage under supervision'] 11. in ~; out of ~ (bottled in ~; to take wine out of ~) bondage n. 1. to sell into ~ 2. to deliver from ~ 3. in ~ to bone n. ['part of a skeleton'] 1. to set a (broken) ~ 2. to break, fracture a ~ 3. a (broken) ~ knits 4. to the ~ (chilled/frozen to the ~) ['complaint'] (colloq.) 5. to pick a ~ with smb. boner n. (slang) (AE) ['blunder'] to pull a ~ bone up v. (colloq.) (AE) (D; intr.) to ~ on (she had to ~ on her French) bonfire n. 1. to build, light, make a ~ 2. to sit around/round a ~ 3. a blazing, roaring ~ bonnet (BE) see hood bonus n. 1. to give, pay a ~ 2. to get, receive a ~ 3. an annual; Christmas; cost-of-living ~ booby trap n. 1. to set a ~ 2. to set off, trigger a ~ 3. to deactivate a ~ 4. a ~ explodes, goes off book I n. 1. to bring out, publish, put out; write a ~ 2. to ban; censor; copyright; dedicate, inscribe; edit; expurgate; pirate; proofread; review; revise; translate a ~ 3. to bind a ~ 4. to set a ~ in type 5. to charge, check a ~ (out of a library) 6. to renew a ~ (borrowed from a library) 7. a children's; comic; complaint ~; cookbook (AE), cookery (BE) ~; handbook; illustrated; library; phrase; picture; prayer; rare; ration; reference; ring (BE) ~; schoolbook; telephone ~; textbook 8. (colloq.) the Good Book ('the Bible') 9. a ~ appears, comes out, is published 10. a ~ goes out of print; is sold out 11. a ~ about, on (a ~ about computers) 12. (misc.) to make ~ ('to make or accept bets'); a closed ~ ('an obscure matter, person'); ('a completed event, condition'); an open ~ ('an accessible subject, person'); (slang) to throw the ~ at smb. ('to punish an accused person severely'); to go by the ~ ('to adhere strictly to regulations') II v. (esp. BE) l. (C) she ~ed as eat for me; or: she ~ed me a seat 2. (D; intr. tr.) to ~ through to (can we ~ a ticket through to Berlin?) bookcase n. built-in ~s bookends n. a pair of ~ booking n. (esp. BE) 1. to make a ~ 2. to cancel a ~ bookkeeping n. 1. to do the ~ 2. double-entry; single-entry ~ books n. ['financial records'] 1. to keep (the) ~ 2. to audit, go over, inspect the ~ book up v. to ~ fully, solid (the hotel is ~ed up solid == the hotel is fully ~ed up) boom n. 1. a sonic ~ 2. a baby; business, economic; postwar; wartime ~ boomerang n. 1. to throw a ~ 2. a ~ always returns boon n. a ~ to (a ~ to science) boor n. an insufferable ~ boost n. 1. to give (smb.) a ~ 2. a big ~ 3. a ~ to (a ~ to their morale) boot see the Usage Note for trunk booth n. an information; phone, telephone; polling, voting; projection ~ boots n. 1. to put on; take off (one's) ~ 2. bower (BE; slang; worn by young rowdies); hip; leather; riding ~ 3. a pair of ~ 4. (misc.) to lick smb.'s ~ ('to be overly subservient to smb.') bootstraps n. to pull oneself up by one's own ~ ('to emerge from poverty through one's own efforts') booty n. 1. to capture, seize, take ~ 2. war ~ border I n. 1. to draw, establish, fix a ~ 2. to cross, slip across a ~ 3. to patrol a ~ 4. a closed; common; disputed; fixed; open; recognized; unguarded ~ 5. a ~ between 6. across, over a ~ (to smuggle goods across a ~) 7. at, on the ~ 8. as far as, up to the ~ (she drove me as far as the ~) 9. (misc.) north of the ~; south of the ~ II v. (d; intr.) to ~ on, upon (to ~ on the absurd) borderline n. 1. a ~ between 2. on the ~ bore I n. a crashing, frightful, insufferable, utter II v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) ('to dig') to ~ through (to ~ a hole through a board) 2. (D; tr.) ('to weary') to ~ to (he ~d us to death/to tears) bored adj. 1. ~ to (~ to death/to tears) 2. ~ with; BE also has, esp. in children's language: ~ of (~ with life) 3. (misc.) he was ~ doing nothing boredom n. 1. complete, sheer, utter ~ 2. out of ~ (he started drinking again out of ~) boring adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to sit there without anything to do) born adj. 1. ~ of (~ of poor parents) 2. ~ to (~ to wealth; ~ to illiterate parents) 3. ~ to + inf. (he was ~ to rule) 4. (misc.) ~ free borrow v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ from (she ~ed a book from me; they are always ~ing from us) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ from; into (the word was ~ed from English into German) borrowing n. a ~ from (a ~ from French) bosom n. 1. an ample ~ 2. (formal) in the ~ (in the ~ of one's family) boss n. 1. an absolute, undisputed ~ 2. a straw ~ ('one who has little authority') 3. a party, political both determiner, pronoun ~ of (we saw ~ of them) USAGE NOTE: The use of the preposition of is necessary when a pronoun follows. When a noun follows, two constructions are possible--we saw both of the students; we saw both students. bother I n. 1. a ~ to (he was a ~ to everyone) 2. a ~ to + inf. (it was no ~ to take care of them) 3. (BE) a spot of ~ 4. (esp. BE) he had a lot of ~ finding our house II v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ about, with (she didn't ~ me about/with the details) 2. (E; usu. in neg. sentences) he didn't ~ to shave; don't ~ to get up 3. (G; usu. in neg. sentences) he didn't ~ getting up 4. (R) it ~ed me (to learn) that she had not been promoted bottle n. ['container for liquids'] 1. to break; empty; fill; rinse; uncork a ~ 2. a baby (AE), feeding (BE), nursing (AE); hot-water ~ 3. a Thermos ~ (AE; BE has Thermos flask) 4. a disposable, no-deposit, no-return; plastic; returnable, reusable ~ ['alcohol'] 5. to take to the ~ ('to begin to drink to excess') 6. to hit the ~ ('to drink to excess') 7. over a ~ ('while drinking') ['courage'] (slang) (BE) 8. to have a lot of ~ 9. the ~ to + inf. (she hasn't got the ~ to do it) bottleneck n. 1. to form, produce a ~ 2. to be caught, trapped in a ~ 3. to eliminate a ~ 4. a ~ in bottom n. 1. (usu. fig.) to scrape the ~ of the barrel ('to use one's last resources') 2. (fig.) to hit ('reach') ~ 3. to sink to the ~ 4. a double, false ~ 5. a ~ to (there's a false ~ to the suitcase) 6. at, on the ~ (at the ~ of the well; we never could find out what was at the ~ of the affair) 7. (misc.) to get to the ~ of an affair ('to clear up a matter) bough n. 1. a slender ~ 2. ~s sway in the breeze bounce I n. 1. a ~ to (there's a ~ to his walk) 2. on the ~ (to catch a ball on the ~; to hit on the first II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ out of (she ~d out of the chair) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ to (he ~d to his feet) 3. (misc.) to ~ up and down (she ~d the ball up and down) bounce back v. (D; intr.) to ~ from (our team ~d back from its defeat) bound I adj. (cannot stand alone) ['headed'] 1. ~ for (~ for London) 2. homeward ~ II adj. ['covered'] ~ in (the book was ~ in leather) III adj. ['sure'] (cannot stand alone) ~ to + inf. (she is ~ to find out) IV v. (formal) (D; tr.) to-on, to (Germany ~s France on the east) V n. see bounds boundary n. 1. to draw, fix, set; redraw a ~ 2. to form a ~ 3. a common ~ 4. a ~ between bounds n. 1. to set the ~ 2. out of ~ to 3. within ~ 4. (misc.) to know no ~ (her generosity knew no ~) bound up adj. (cannot stand alone) ['connected'] ~ in; with (~ in one's work; her future is ~ with this firm) bounty n. 1. to offer; pay a ~ 2. a cash ~ 3. a ~ for bow I /bau/ n. ['bending of the head or body'] 1. to make; take a ~ (the actor took his ~) 2. a low ~ 3. a ~ to ['debut'] 4. to make one's ~ II v. 1. ('to bend the head or body') to ~ politely 2. (D; intr.) ('to bend the head or body') to ~ before; to (to ~ politely to one's host; to ~ before an emperor) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ out of ('to abandon') (to ~ out of politics) III /bou/ n. ['device for shooting arrows'] 1. to draw a ~ (in order to shoot an arrow) ['decorative ribbon'] 2. to wear a ~ (in one's hair) ['knot'] 3. to tie a ~ bow down /bau/ v. (D; intr.) to ~ to bowels n. 1. to move one's ~ 2. loose ~ bowl n. ['dish, vessel'] 1. a punch; salad; soup; sugar (AE); washing-up (BE) ~ ['championship football game'] (AE) 2. the Cotton; Rose; Sugar ~ ['region'] (esp. AE) 3. a dust; rice ~ bowling n. 1. to go in for ~ 2. to go ~ bowling alley n. at a ~ (she works at a ~) bow out v. (D; intr.) ('to give up') to ~ as (he had to ~ as a contender) bow tie /bou/ n. 1. to tie a ~ 2. to undo, untie a ~ box n. 1. a call (BE), telephone (BE) ~ 2. a letter (BE) ~, mailbox (AE), pillar (BE) ~ 3. a signal ~ (BE; AE has signal tower) 4. (ice hockey) a penalty ~ 5. a witness ~ (BE; AE has witness stand) 6. a music (AE), musical (BE) ~ 7. a prompt (BE), prompter's (AE) ~ 8. a shooting ~ (BE; CE has hunting lodge) 9. a black ~ ('electronic recording device') 10. a jewelry; lunch; spice ~ 11. a poor ~ (in a church) 12. a press ~ (for journalists) 13. a safe-deposit ~ 14. (BE) a Christmas ~ ('a Christmas gift') 15. a suggestion ~ 16. a fire-alarm ~ 17. (slang) (BE) on the ~ Con television') boxer n. 1. a clean; dirty ~ 2. ~s box; break; clinch 3. (misc.) to knock out a ~ boxing n. to go in for ~ boy n. 1. an altar; barrow (BE; CE has street vendor); bugle; cabin; chorus; college (esp. AE); delivery; messenger; newspaper; office; shoe-shine; stock; water ~ 2. a best ~ ('assistant gaffer on a TV or film set') 3. a ball ~ (who retrieves tennis balls) 4. (AE; southern) a good old (ole) ~ ('a good fellow') 5. a mere ~ 6. a whipping ~ ('a scapegoat') 7. a blue-eyed (BE), fair-haired (AE) ~ ('a favorite') 8. (BE) a back-room ~ ('a scientist') USAGE NOTE: The meaning of 'non-white servant', now obsolete, is considered offensive. The AE use of boy in the meaning of 'black male', now obsolete, is also considered offensive. boycott n. 1. to impose a ~ 2. to lift a ~ 3. an economic, trade; secondary ~ 4. a ~ of, on (they imposed a ~ on all imports; they lifted their ~ of imports boyfriend n. a steady ~ brace I n. a back; leg; shoulder ~ II v. 1. (D; Intr., refl.) to ~ for (to ~ for an attack) 2. (E; refl.) she ~d herself to hear what the doctor would say braces (BE) see suspenders bracket n. ['support'] 1. to put up ~s (on a wall) ['mark used to enclose'] 2. to enclose (a word) in ~s; to put (a word) into ~s 3. angle, broken; round; square ~s ['group with similar characteristics'] 4. an age; income; tax ~ brag v. (D; intr.) to ~ about braid I n. gold; silver ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ into (to ~ one's hair into pigtails) brain n. 1. to use one's ~ 2. to beat, rack one's ~ over (she racked her ~ over the problem) 3. to pick smb.'s ~ 4. (colloq.) on the ~ (he has nothing but rock music on the ~) brains n. 1. to blow one's ~ out ('to shoot oneself through the head') 2. the ~ to + inf. (does he have enough ~ to figure it out?) brainstorm n. (AE) ['sudden bright idea'] to have a ~ (see the Usage Note for wave) brake n. 1. to apply, step on a ~; to pump the ~s; to put on the ~s; to jam on/slam on the ~s 2. to ride the ~s ('to use the brakes excessively') 3. (fig.) to put a ~ on (the government put a ~ on plans for expansion) 4. to release a ~ 5. an air; coaster; disk; electric; emergency; foot; hand; hydraulic; mechanical; power ~ 6. the ~s jammed, locked; faded; failed; held, worked; screeched branch n. ['division'] 1. the executive; judicial; legislative ~ (of the government) ['limb of a tree'] 2. to trim ~es branch off v. (D; intr.) to ~ from (the spur ~es off here from the main line) branch out v. (D; intr.) to ~ from; into (our firm has ~ed out into various industries) brand I n. 1. to put a ~ on (an animal) 2. a name, popular ~ II v. 1. (d; tr.) to ~ as (he was ~ed as a traitor) 2. (N; used with a noun) to be ~ed a traitor brash, brassy adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of him to demand more) brass n. (colloq.) ['officers'] 1. air-force; army; navy; Pentagon ~ 2. the top ~ ['daring'] 3. the ~ to + inf. (she had the ~ to ask for a raise) brat n. (colloq.) 1. a spoiled ~ 2. an Army ~ ('child in an Army family') brave adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of you to do that) bravery n. to demonstrate, display, exhibit, show; inspire ~ brawl n. a barroom, drunken ~ breach n. ['violation'] 1. to commit a ~ (of etiquette, of the peace) 2. an egregious, flagrant ~ ['gap'] 3. to effect, make a ~ (in enemy lines) 4. to close, seal off a ~ 5. to fling oneself, throw oneself into the ~ ['break in friendly relations'] 6. to cause a ~ 7. to heal a ~ bread n. ['baked food'] 1. to bake ~ 2. to toast ~ 3. to break ~ with ('to eat with') 4. fresh; moldy; stale ~ 5. black; brown; corn; dark; leavened; rye; sliced; unleavened; wheat; white; whole meal (BE), whole wheat (AE) ~ 6. a crust; loaf; piece, slice of ~ ['living'] 7. to earn one's daily ~ 8. (misc.) to take the ~ out of smb.'s mouth breadth n. (formal) in ~ (it is ten feet in ~) break I n. ['dash'] 1. to make a ~ (for safety) ['escape'] 2. a mass; prison ~ ['interruption'] 3. to make a ~ 4. a ~ in, with (a ~ in the conversation; to make a ~ with tradition) ['rest'] 5. to have (esp. BE), take a ~ 6. a coffee; news; station (AE); tea (esp. BE) ~ 7. during, on a ~ ['opportunity'] (colloq.) 8. to give smb. a ~ ['good fortune'] 9. to get a ~ 10. a lucky; unexpected ~ 11. a tax ~ II v. 1. (B) ('to communicate') I had to ~ the news to them 2, (D; intr.) ('to curl and fall') to ~ against, on (the waves were ~ing against the rocks) 3. (d; intr.) ('to dash') to ~ for (to ~ for cover) 4. (d; intr.) ('to take time') to ~ for (they broke for lunch) 5. (d; intr.) ('to enter forcibly') to ~ into (burglars broke into the house) 6. (d; intr.) ('to begin') to ~ into (to ~ into song) 7. (d; tr.) ('to cure') to ~ of (in time he was broken of his drug habit) 8. (D; tr.) ('to crack') to ~ on (she broke a tooth on a bone) 9. (d; intr.) ('to escape') to ~ out of (two prisoners broke out of jail; our troops broke out of the encirclement) 10. (d; intr.) ('to penetrate') to ~ through (to ~ through enemy lines) 11. (d; intr.) ('to end relations') to ~ with (I broke with them) 12. (D; tr.) ('to cut off) to ~ with (she broke all ties with her friends) 13. (misc.) to ~ loose; to ~ smb. on the wheel breakaway v. (D; intr.) to ~ from (he broke away from his captors) breakdown n. 1. to have, suffer a ~ (he had a nervous ~) 2. a complete; mental; nervous ~ 3. a ~ in communications break down v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ into (to ~ a substance into its components) 2. (misc.) to ~ in tears breaker n. a circuit ~ breakfast n. 1. to eat, have ~ 2. to make, prepare ~ 3. a continental; full; hurried; nutritious, wholesome; substantial ~ 4. at ~ (what did you discuss at ~?) 5. for ~ (to eat eggs for ~) 6. (misc.) to have ~ in bed; bed and ~ (as in a tourist home) break free v. (D; intr.) to ~ from break-in n. to commit a ~ break in v. (D; intr.) to ~ on (he broke in on their conversation) breaking n. (the crime of) ~ and entering break loose v. (D; intr.) to ~ from break off v. (D; intr.) to ~ from (they broke off from the main wing of the party) breakout n. 1. to organize a ~ (from prison) 2. to achieve, effect a ~ (from an enemy encirclement) break out v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ in (he broke out in a rash) 2. (misc.) (Am. football) the back broke out in/into the open breakthrough n. 1. to achieve, effect, make a ~ 2. a scientific ~ break through v. (D; intr.) to ~ to (they broke through to the encircled unit) break up v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ into (they broke up the estate into small lots; our party broke up into several splinter groups) 2. (colloq.) (D; intr.) to ~ with (he broke up with his girlfriend) 3. (misc.) ~ it up! (esp. AE; slang) ('stop fighting/ congregating and separate!') breast n. 1. to beat one's ~ 2. to put a (newborn) infant to ~ 3. (of an infant) to take the ~ 4. a pigeon ~ ('a deformity of the chest') 5. (cut.) chicken ~s 6. (misc.) to make a clean ~ of smt. ('to confess smt.') breaststroke n. to do, swim the ~ breath n. 1. to draw, take a ~ 2. to catch; hold one's ~ 3. to get one's ~ back 4. to lose one's ~ 5. a deep; long ~ (she took a deep ~) 6. out of ~ ('breathless') 7. (misc.) to spare, save one's ~ ('to avoid a futile conversation'); to waste one's ~ ('to speak in vain'); to take smb.'s ~ away ('to stun smb.'); in the same ~ ('at the same time'); to one's last ~ ('to the end of one's life'); under one's ~ ('in a whisper'); with bated ~ ('with the breath held, in suspense') breathe v. 1. to ~ deeply 2. (B) he didn't ~ a word to anyone 3. (d; tr.) to ~ into (she ~d new life into the project) breather n. ['rest'] to have (BE), take a ~ breathing n. 1. deep; heavy, labored, noisy; irregular; regular, steady ~ 2. (ling.) rough; smooth ~ breathtaking adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to watch the acrobats perform) breeches n. riding ~ breed n. 1. a ~ apart 2. a hardy; rare ~ breeder n. a cattle, livestock; horse; poultry ~ breeding n. 1. cattle; livestock; horse; poultry ~ 2. selective ~ 3. of ~ (a person of good ~) breeze n. ['light wind'] 1. a ~ blows, comes up 2. a gentle, light, soft ~ ['easy task'] (slang) (AE) 3. a ~ to + int. (it was a ~ to get him to agree = it was a ~ getting him to agree) ['misc.'] 4. (colloq.) (AE) to bat, shoot the ~ ('to chat') brew I n. (a) home ~ II v. (C) she ~ed some tea for us; or: she ~ed us some tea brew-up n. (BE) ['making tea'] to have a ~ bribe I n. 1. to give, offer a ~ 2. to accept, take a II v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ into (to ~ smb. into collusion) 2. (H) they ~d him to overlook the violation brick n. (colloq.) (BE) ['blunder'] to drop a ~ brickbats n. ['insults'] to hurl ~ at bricks n. 1. to lay ~ (a bricklayer lays ~) 2. to point ~ bride n. 1. to take a ~ 2. a ~ takes a husband 3. a beautiful, lovely ~ 4. a child; war ~ 5. a bride-to-be; a future ~; one's intended ~ bridge I n. ['structure carrying a roadway'] 1. to build, construct, erect a ~ 2. to throw a ~ across a river 3. an arch; Bailey; bascule; cantilever; covered ~; drawbridge; footbridge; pontoon; railroad (AE), railway (BE); suspension; toll; truss ~ (to raise a drawbridge) 4. a jet ~ (at an airport) 5. a ~ collapses 6. a ~ across, over (a ~ across a river) 7. (misc.) our planes knocked out the enemy ~ ['partial denture'] 8. to make; put in a ~ II n. ['card game'] auction; contract; duplicate ~ bridgehead n. 1. to establish a ~ 2. to develop. enlarge a ~ bridle I n. to put on a ~ II v. (D; intr.) to ~ at (she ~d at her friend's nasty remark) brief I n. ['summary of a legal case'] 1. to draw up; file a ~ ['brevity'] 2. in ~ ['misc.'] 3. to hold no ~ for ('not to argue for") II v. (D; tr.) to ~ smb. about, on (he had to ~ his lawyer on the case) briefing n. 1. to give smb. a ~ 2. to get, receive a ~ 3. a ~ about, on brigade n. 1. a bucket; fire ~ (BE; AE has fire department) 2. (misc.) a brigadier (BE)/brigadier general (AE) commands a ~ brilliant adj. ~ + inf. (it was ~ of him to find a solution so quickly) brim I n. to the ~ (to fill smt. to the ~) II v. (D; intr.) to ~ with (she was ~ming with enthusiasm) brim over v. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with enthusiasm) bring v. 1. (A) ('to carry') she brought word to them; or: she brought them word 2. (C) ('to carry') he brought a book for me; or: he brought me a book 3. (d; tr.) ('to present') to ~ before (to ~ a proposal before a committee) 4. (d; tr.) ('to summon') to ~ before (he was brought before the court) 5. (d; tr.) ('to carry') to ~ into (she brought the chairs into the house) 6. (d; tr.) to ~ on ('to cause') (he brought trouble on himself) 7. (d; tr.) to ~ to ('to cause to reach') (to ~ water to a boil; her speech brought the crowd to its feet; we must ~ him to his senses; to ~ smb. to life) 8. (d; tr.) to ~ within ('to cause to reach') (another few feet will ~ them within range) 9. (H; no passive) ('to induce') we could not ~ him to share our views; she could not ~ herself to read the letter 10. (J) ('to cause to come') his last-minute appeal brought them rushing to his aid 11. (misc.) to ~ a child into the world bring around v. (AE) (D; tr.) ('to convince') to ~ to (she brought them around to our point of view) bring back v. 1. (C) bring back some coffee for me; or: bring me back some coffee 2. (D; tr.) ('to return') to ~ to (to ~ smb. back to life) bring down v. 1. (mil.) (D; tr.) ('to call for') to ~ on (the artillery spotter brought down fire on the enemy tanks) 2. (D; tr.) ('to reduce') to ~ to (they finally brought the price down to a reasonable figure) bring home v. (D; tr.) ('to make known') to ~. (the bombing brought the war home to the civilian population) bring in v. (D; tr.) ('to include') to ~ on (we must ~ them in on our plans) bring out v. (D; intr.) ('to evoke') to ~ in (the crisis brought out the best in her) bring over v. (D; tr.) ('to move') to ~ to (the incident brought them over to our side) bring round (CE) see bring around bring together v. (D; tr.) ('to unite') to ~ for (we brought them together for negotiations) bring up v. 1. (B) I didn't want to ~ the subject to her at that time 2. (d; tr.) to ~ against ('to confront with') (the drought brought us up against serious difficulties) 3. (D; tr.) ('to raise') to ~ for (to ~ up a question for discussion) 4. (D; tr.) to ~ on ('to inculcate with') (they brought the children up on stories about the Old West) 5. (D; tr.) ('to lift') to ~ to (we brought their proficiency up to the required level) 6. (H) ('to educate, raise') our parents brought us up to respect others 7. (misc.) her scream brought us up short ('her scream startled us') brink n. at, on the ~ (he teetered on the very ~ of disaster; at the ~ of war) brinkmanship, brinksmanship n. to practice ~ bristle v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ at (he ~d at the remark) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ with (she ~d with anger) broach v. 1. (B) I would like to ~ the subject to him 2. (D; tr.) to ~ with (I didn't want to ~ the matter with her) broadcast I n. 1. to carry a ~ 2. to beam a ~ to 3. to jam a ~ 4. a live ~ II v. 1. to ~ live 2. (B) they ~ the news to the local population every day 3. (N; used with an adjective) they broadcast the interview live broadside n. to fire a ~ at brogue n. 1. to speak (in, with) a ~ 2. a heavy, incomprehensible, thick ~ broil v. (C) he broiled a few steaks for us; or: he broiled us a few steaks broiled adj. (AE) charcoal ~ broke adj. (colloq.) ['having no money']!. to go ~ 2. flat ~ broker n. 1. to act as a ~ for 2. an insurance; marriage; real-estate (AE; BE has estate agent) ~ 3. (AE) a power ~ 4. an honest ~ bromide n. (colloq.) ['platitude'] a (tired, old) ~ about bronco n. 1. to ride a ~ 2. to break a ~ Bronx cheer n. (AE) to give, let out a ~ brood v. (D; intr.) to ~ about, over brook n. a babbling ~ broth n. beef; chicken; clear ~ brother n. 1. a big, older; kid (colloq.), little, younger; twin ~ 2. a foster; half ~; stepbrother 3. a blood; lay; soul ~ 4. a ~ to (he was like a ~ to us) 5. (misc.) Big Brother ('government that exercises complete control') brouhaha n. ['fuss'] a ~ over brow n. to knit, wrinkle one's ~ browbeat v. (D; tr.) to ~ into (they could not ~ him into confessing) browse v. (D; intr.) to ~ through (to ~ through books) brunt n. to bear, take the ~ (our battalion bore the ~ of the attack) brush I n. 1. to apply a ~ to 2. a bottle; clothes ~; hairbrush; nailbrush; paintbrush; scrub (AE), scrubbing (BE); shaving ~; toothbrush; upholstery ~ II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ against (she ~ed against the table) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ by, past (she ~ed by me) 3. (d; tr.) to ~ off (he ~ed the crumbs off the table) 4. (N; used with an adjective) she ~ed her coat clean III n. ['brief encounter'] 1. to have a ~ with (to have a ~ with the authorities) 2. a close ~ (a close ~ with the law) brush-off n. ['snub'] to give smb. the ~ brush up v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ against (to ~ against a wall) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on one's Latin) brutal adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of him to do that) brutality n. 1. to demonstrate, display, exhibit ~ 2. extreme ~ 3. police ~ 4. an act of ~ 5. ~ to, towards, with bubble n. 1. to blow ~s 2. to prick a ~ 3. to burst a ~ 4. a ~ bursts 5. soap ~s bubble over v. (D; intr.) to ~ with (the children were ~ling over with excitement) bubbling adj. ~ with (~ with enthusiasm) buck I n. (colloq.) (AE) ['responsibility'] to pass the ~ II v. (colloq.) (AE)l.(d; intr.) to ~ against ('to oppose') 2. (D; intr.) ('to make an all-out effort') to ~ for (to ~ for a promotion) bucket n. 1. a coal; fire; ice; water ~ 2. a metal; wooden ~ 3. an empty; full ~ 4. (misc.) (colloq.) to kick the ~ ('to die') buckle I n. 1. to fasten a ~ 2. to undo, unfasten a ~ 3. a brass ~ II v. (D; intr.) ('to collapse') to ~ under (to ~ under severe pressure) buckle down v. (colloq.) (D; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to work) bud n. ['cell embedded in the tongue'] 1. a taste ~ ['early stage'] 2. to nip in the ~ buddy n. a bosom; old ~ budget I n. 1. to draw up a ~ 2. to submit a ~3. to balance a ~ 4. to adhere to; keep, remain within a ~ 5. to exceed; stretch a ~ 6. to cut, reduce a ~ 7. an annual; federal; household; itemized; municipal; national; state ~ 8. an item in, on a ~ II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ for (they ~ed for a new copying machine) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ for (we ~ed a thousand dollars for new books) buff n. ['the bare skin'] 1. in the ~ 2. (BE) to strip to the ~ ['devotee'] 3. a history; jazz; opera, theater ~ buffalo n. a herd of ~ buffer n. 1. to act as a ~ between 2. (misc.) a ~ state buffet v. to be ~ed from pillar to post ('to be forced to go to many places') buffoon n. to play the ~ bug n. ['listening device'] 1. to install a ~ 2. to remove, tear out a ~ bugle n. 1. to blow, play a ~ 2. a ~ sounds build I n. ['figure'] a heavy; slight; slim; stocky; sturdy ~ II v. 1. (C) they built a new library for us; or: they built us a new library 2. (D; tr.) to ~ into (he built cupboards into the walls) 3. (D; tr.) to ~ on (to ~ a relationship on trust) 4. (D; tr.) to ~ out of (they built a boat out of wood) building n. 1. to build, erect, put up; renovate a ~ 2. to demolish, raze, tear down a ~ 3. to gut a ~ (fire gutted the ~) 4. a dilapidated, gutted, ramshackle, tumbledown; low; tall ~ 5. an apartment (AE); public ~ buildup n. a military ~ build up v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ into (they built him up into a huge success) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ to (the tension built up to a climax) built adj. (cannot stand alone) 1. ~ around (the whole story was ~ around one character) 2. ~ into (quality was ~ into their products) 3. (misc.) jerry ('cheaply') ~; purpose ~ (BE) bulb n. ['light bulb'] 1. to change, put in, screw in (AE) a ~ 2. a ~ blows out; burns out 3. an electric; frosted; light; three-way ~ 4. the glare of a ~ ['tuber'] 5. a crocus; tulip ~ bulge v. (D; intr.) to ~ with (her suitcase was ~ing with presents) bulk I n. 1. a lumbering ~ 2. in ~ (to sell smt. in ~) II v. (rare) to ~ large (the case ~ed large in his thoughts) bull I n. ['adult male of a bovine animal'] 1. a ~ bellows; gores ['nonsense'] (colloq.) 2. to shoot the ~ ['misc.'] 3. to take the ~ by the horns ('to confront a problem boldly'); like a ~ in a china shop ('in a rough, crude, or clumsy manner') II n. ['letter'] a papal ~ bulldoze v. to ~ through (they ~d their way through all obstacles) bulldozer n. to operate a ~ bullet n. 1. to shoot a ~ 2. a stray; tracer ~ 3. a ~ ricochets 4. a ~ lodges somewhere (the ~ lodged in her shoulder) 5. a hail, volley of ~s 6. (misc.) to bite the ~ ('to perform a very unpleasant task') bulletin n. 1. to issue a ~ about 2. an all-points ~ 3. a daily; news ~ 4. the ~ that + clause (we heard the ~ that the dam had burst) bullfight n. to hold, stage a ~ bull's eye n. to hit, score a ~ bully I n. (colloq.) a big ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ into (they ~ied him into doing it) bulwark n. a ~ against bump v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ against, into (she ~ed into me) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ against, on (she ~ed her arm against the table) 3. (colloq.) (AE) (D; tr.) ('to remove without warning') to ~ from (he was ~ed from the flight) bumpkin n. a country ~ bump up v. (esp. AE) (d; intr.) to ~ against (he ~ed up against me) bum's rush n. (colloq.) to give smb. the ~ ('to eject smb.') bun n. ['knot of hair that resembles a bun'] 1. in a ~ (she wore her hair in a ~) ['type of pastry'] 2. a cinnamon, sticky ~ bundle n. (slang) ['a large amount of money'] to make a ~ bundle oft v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (we ~d the children off to school) bundle up v. (D; intr., refl., tr.) to ~ against (they ~d up against the cold) bungle v. to ~ completely (they completely ~d the job) bunk n. (slang) (BE) to do a ~ ('to disappear') buoy n. 1. to anchor a ~ 2. a bell; breeches; life ~ burden I n. 1. to bear, carry, shoulder a ~ 2. to impose, place a ~ on smb. 3. to alleviate, lighten, relieve a ~ 4. to share a ~ 5. to distribute a ~ equitably 6. a crushing, heavy, onerous ~ 7. a financial; tax ~ 8. a ~ on, to (he became a ~ to his family) 9. (misc.) it was a heavy ~ to bear II v. (D; tr.) to ~ with (she didn't want to ~ us with her problems) bureau n. a better-business (AE); credit; farm; missing-persons; news; service; speakers'; travel; weather (AE; BE has meteorological office) ~ bureaucracy n. a government; overgrown, swollen- burglar n. a cat ~ burglar alarm n. see alarm burglary n. to commit (a) ~ burial n. a ~ takes place (the ~ took place at sea) burn I n. 1. to receive a ~ 2. a brush, friction; first-degree; minor, superficial; second- degree, moderate; third-degree, severe ~ 3. (misc.) (esp. AE) a slow ~ ('increasing fury') II v. (d; refl.) to ~ into (the incident ~ed itself into my memory) 2. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ to (he ~ed the meat to a crisp; the wood ~ed to ashes; she was ~ed to death) 3. (D; intr.) to ~ with (his cheeks ~ed with shame) 4. (N; used with a noun) to ~ smb. alive 5. (misc.) to ~ smb. at the stake; she ~ed her hand on the stove burner n. 1. to light, turn on; turn off a ~ 2. a Bunsen; charcoal; gas; oil ~ 3. (misc.) (esp. AE) to put smt. on the back ~ ('to postpone action on smt.') burnout n. (colloq.) (AE) ['exhaustion'] to experience, suffer ~ bum up v. (slang) (AE) (R) it ~ed me up that she was not promoted burp n. 1. to let out, make a ~ 2. a loud, noisy ~ burrow v. (D; intr.) to ~ into (the moles ~ed into our lawn) bursary n. (BE) 1. to award a ~ 2. to receive a ~ burst I n. ['series of shots'] 1. to fire a ~ at ['outbreak'] 2. a sudden ~ 3. in ~s ['misc.'] 4. she finally finished the job in/with a sudden ~ of energy II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ into (the mob burst into the room; to ~ into flames; to ~ into tears) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ out of (to ~ out of a room) 3. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with pride; the granaries are ~ing with grain) 4. (E) she was ~ing to tell everyone the news burst in v. (D; intr.) to ~ on, upon (we burst in on them without warning) burst out v. (G) they burst out laughing burton n. (slang) (BE) to go for a ~ ('to be lost; to be broken; to be killed; to fail') bury v. 1. (d; refl., tr.) to ~ in (he ~ied himself in his work) 2. (N; used with an adjective) they ~ied him alive bus n. 1. to drive a ~ 2. (as a passenger) to board, get on; catch a ~; get off a ~; to go by ~; to ride a ~; to ride in a ~; to take a ~ 3. a city; double-decker; local; long-distance (AE; BE has coach); school; sightseeing ~ 4. by ~ (they came by ~) bush n. 1. to prune, trim a ~ 2. (misc.) to beat about/around the ~ ('to speak indirectly') bushel n. by the ~ (to sell by the ~) business n. ['commerce'] ['trade'] 1. to conduct, do, transact; drum up ~ (to do ~ with smb.) 2. to go into ~ 3. to go out of ~ 4. big; small ~ 5. a mailorder ~; show ~; the travel ~ 6. retail; wholesale ~ 7. (AE) a land-office ('brisk') ~ (to do a land-office ~ in real estate) 8. ~ drops off; picks up 9. ~ is brisk, booming, flourishing, thriving; slack; ~ is at a standstill 10. in ~ (to be in ~ for oneself) 11. on ~ (to travel on ~) ['firm'] 12. to build up; establish; launch a ~ 13. to manage, operate, run a ~ 14. to buy into; buy out; take over a ~ ['work'] 15. to get down to ~ 16. to go about one's ~ 17. to talk ~ ['affairs'] 18. to mind one's (own) ~ 19. bad; dirty; funny; (colloq.) monkey ~ 20. company; personal; unfinished ~ ['misc.'] 21. he has no ~ leaving so early ('he should not leave so early'); to know one's ~ ('to be competent in one's field'); to state one's ~ ('to explain what one is doing'); to mix ~ with pleasure ('to combine work and recreation'); to mean ~ ('to be serious about achieving one's ends'); to give smb. the ~ ('to deceive smb.'); it's none of your ~ ('the matter doesn't concern you') busing n. (US) forced; school; voluntary ~ bust n. (colloq.) ['arrest'] 1. to make a ~ 2. a drug bustle off v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (she ~ed the children off to school) busy I adj. 1. ~ at, with (the children were ~ with their homework) 2. to be ~ doing smt. (she was ~ getting dinner ready) 3. to keep smb. ~ II v. (d; refl.) to ~ by, with (he ~ied himself with various jobs) butcher n. a family ~ (BE) ('a butcher's business run by a single family'); ('a butcher's business that sells retail rather than wholesale') butt I n. a cigarette; rifle ~ II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ against 2. (colloq.) (d; intr.) to ~ into (to ~ into smb.'s business) butter n. 1. to churn; cream; make ~ 2. to spread ~ (on bread) 3. apple (AE); cocoa; peanut; prune; salted; sweet; whipped ~ 4. fresh; rancid ~ 5. a pat; stick of ~ 6. in ~ (to fry in ~) butterfly n. 1. to collect ~flies 2. a ~ flits from flower to flower 3. (misc.) a social ~ ('one who leads an active social life') butter up v. (colloq.) (d; intr.) to ~ to (he keeps ~ing up to the boss) butt in v. (D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on a conversation) button n. ['fastener'] 1. to sew on a ~ 2. to lose; rip off, tear off a ~ 3. a ~ comes off (my ~ came off) ['push button'] 4. to press, push a ~ 5. a panic (colloq.); push ~ ['badge'] 6. a campaign ~ buy I n. (colloq.) ['purchase'] a good ~ II v. 1. (C) we bought a book for her; or: we bought her a book 2. (D; tr.) to ~ from (she bought her car from a local dealer) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ into (to ~ into a business) 4. (misc.) to ~ as is ('to purchase with no guarantee of quality'); to ~ retail; to ~ wholesale; to ~ at a reasonable price buy back v. (D; tr.) to ~ from buyer n. a prospective ~ buying n. impulse; panic ~ buzz I n. (colloq.) ('telephone call') to give smb. a ~ II v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ for (to ~ for one's secretary) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with activity) buzzer n. 1. to press, sound a ~ 2. at the ~ (at the ~, stop work immediately!) bye n. (sports) to draw a ~ by-election see election bypass n. a coronary ~ byplay n. ~ between bystander n. an innocent ~ cab n. 1. to call for; get; hail; hire; take a ~ 2. to drive a ~ (for a living) 3. a radio ~ 4. by ~; in a ~ (to go somewhere by ~) cabbage n. 1. red; savoy; white ~ 2. boiled ~ 3. a head of ~ 4. (AE) corned beef and ~ cabin n. ['compartment'] 1. a first-class; second-class ~ ['small house'] 2. a log ~ 3. a tourist ~ cabinet n. ['case'] ['cupboard'] 1. a built-in; china; file, filing; kitchen ~ ['body of advisors'] 2. the president's ~ 3. a coalition; kitchen ('informal') ~ 4. a shadow ~ ('members of the opposition party who will form the next cabinet') 5. (misc.) a ~ minister (not US); a ~ reshuffle ['cabinet meeting'] (BE) 6. to hold a ~ 7. in ~ (to take a decision in ~) cable I n. ['wire'] 1. to lay, strings 2. a submarine ~; the transatlantic ~ 3. an electric, power; telegraph; telephone ~ ['cablegram'] 4. to send a ~ 5. a ~ from; to II v. 1. (A) we ~d the message to them; or: we ~d them the message 2. (d; intr., tr.) to — for (they ~d for immediate delivery) 3. (H) we ~d them to return home immediately 4. (L; may have an object) she ~d (us) that the manuscript had arrived 5. (Q; may have an object) they ~d (us) where to meet cablegram n. 1. to send a ~ 2. to get, receive a ~ 3. a ~ from; to cadence n. (usu. mil.) 1. to count ~ 2. in ~ cadet n. 1. an air-force; military; naval ~ 2. (slang) (AE) a space ~ ('an absent-minded person') caesarean, caesarean section n. 1. to do, perform a ~ on 2. (misc.) to be delivered by ~ cafe n. a transport ~ (BE; AE has truck stop) cafeteria n. a school ~ cage n. a bank teller's (AE) ~ cagey adj. (colloq.) ['sly'] ~ about cahoots n. (esp. AE) in ~ with ('in partnership with') cajole v. 1. (d; tr.) (with an inanimate object) to ~ from, out of (she ~d some money from him) 2. (d; tr.) to ~ into (he ~d me into signing over the property) 3. (d; tr.) (with an animate object) to ~ out of (they ~d him out of changing his will) cake n. 1. to bake; frost (esp. AE), ice a ~ 2. a birthday; chocolate; coffee; honey; layer; Madeira (BE), pound (AE); marble; sponge; wedding; white ~ 3. a piece, slice of ~ 4. (misc.) a piece of ~ ('smt. very easy to do'); to take the ~ ('to be the best or worst') calamity n. 1. to avert; ward off a ~ 2. to survive a ~ 3. a ~ befalls smb. 4. a crushing, dire, great; national ~ calculate v. (L) we ~d that the trip would take two days calculated adj. 1. ill; well ~ 2. (usu. does not stand alone) ~ to + inf. (his actions were ~ to provoke his opponents) calculations n. 1. to do ~ 2. mathematical ~ calculator n. 1. to use, operate a ~ 2. a pocket ~ calculus n. ['mathematical method'] 1. differential; integral; vector ~ ['deposit formed in an organ of the body'] 2. a renal; urinary ~ calendar n. ['chart that shows the days and months'] 1. the Chinese; Gregorian; Hindu; Islamic, Muslim; Jewish; Julian; Roman ~ 2. a perpetual ~ ['schedule'] 3. to clear one's ~ 4. a court; full; school; social ~ 5. on a ~ (what's on your ~ this week?) calf n. 1. a ~ bleats 2. in ~ (the cow was in ~) 3. (misc.) the meat of the ~ is veal caliber, calibre n. ['diameter of the barrel of a weapon'] 1. heavy; light ~ ['quality'] 2. high; low ~ 3. of a certain ~ (there are few workers left of her ~) calisthenics, callisthenics n. 1. to do ~ 2. daily; group, mass ~ call I n. ['appear'] ['summons'] 1. to issue a ~ for (the government issued a ~ to the populace for voluntary contributions) 2. to answer, heed, respond to a ~ (to answer the ~ of duty) 3. a clarion ~ 4. a curtain ~ (the actor had five curtain ~s) 5. at smb.'s beck and ~ ['visit'] 6. to make, pay a ~ on smb. 7. to make a ~ at a place (the ships made ~s at several ports) 8. a business; courtesy; port; professional ~ 9. a house ~ (my doctor makes house ~s) 10. a ~ to (a ~ to arms) ['invitation'] 11. to accept a ~ ['telephone call'] 12. to give smb. a ~ 13. to make, place a ~ to smb. 14. to answer; return; take a ~ (who will take her ~?) 15. to put a ~ through (the operator put my ~ right through) 16. a business; collect (AE), transferred-charge (BE); conference; dial-direct (AE), direct-dialled (BE); emergency; local; long-distance, toll (AE), trunk (BE); operator-assisted; ordinary (BE), station-to-station (AE); personal (BE), person-to- person (AE); telephone; wake-up ~ 17. a ~ from; to ['signal'] 18. a bugle ~ [heading aloud'] 19. a roll ~ ['duty'] 20. on ~ (which nurse is on ~?) ['need'] 21. a ~ for (there is no ~ for such behavior) 22. a ~ to + inf. (there was no ~ to complain) ['formation'] (AE) (usu. mil.) 23. sick ~ (to go on sick ~) ['misc.'] 24. a close ~ ('a narrow escape') II v. 1. (C) ('to summon') she ~ed a taxi for me; or: she ~ed me a taxi 2. (d; intr.) ('to visit') to ~ at (the ship will ~ at several ports) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to fetch') (I'll ~ for you at two o'clock) 4. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to require') (the position ~s for an experienced engineer) 5. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to seek') (to ~ for help) 6. (d; tr.) ('to summon') to ~ into (she was ~ed into the room) 7. (D; intr.) to ~ on ('to visit') (several friends ~ed on us) 8. (colloq.) (d; tr.) to ~ on ('to reprimand') (the boss ~ed me on my sloppy writing) 9. (d; tr.) ('to summon') to ~ out of (she was ~ed out of town on business) 10. (D; intr.) ('to shout') to ~ to (she ~ed to me in a loud voice) 11. (d; tr.) ('to summon') to ~ to (to ~ smb. to account; to ~ smt. to mind; the chair ~ed the delegates to order; to be ~ed to the bar) 12. (N; used with a noun or adjective) ('to describe as') she ~ed him a stuffed shirt; I ~ that mean 13. (0) ('to describe as ') to ~ smb. a bad name 14. (misc.) (esp. AE) ('to telephone') to ~ long-distance call down v. 1. (D; tr.) ('to summon') to ~ on, upon (to ~ the wrath of God on smb.'s head) 2. (D; intr.) ('to shout') to ~ to (he ~ed down to us from the roof) call on v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ for (to ~ a pupil for an answer) 2. (H) the mayor ~ed on the people to remain calm callous adj. 1. ~ to (~ to suffering) 2. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of him to say that) call out v. (D; intr., tr.) ('to shout') to ~ to (he ~ed smt. out to me) call over v. (D;tr.) to ~ to (I ~ed him over to our table) call up v. (D; intr.) ('to shout') to ~ from; to (she ~ed up to us from the basement) call upon v. see call on calm n. 1. to shatter the ~ 2. a dead, perfect ~ 3. (misc.) the ~ before the storm calories n. 1. to count ~ 2. to burn ~ 3. empty ~ (in junk food) calumny n. to heap ~ on camel n. an Arabian, one-humped; Bactrian, two-humped ~ camera n. 1. to load a ~ 2. an automatic; box; cine (BE), motion-picture (AE), movie (AE); miniature; television, TV ~ 3. candid ~ ('taking pictures of people without their knowledge') 4. off ~ ('not being filmed') 5. on ~ ('being filmed') 6. (misc.) to face the ~ (in order to be photographed) cameraman n. a motion-picture (AE); television camouflage n. 1. to utilize ~ 2. natural ~ 3. by ~ (to conceal by ~) camp n. 1. to make, pitch, set up a ~ 2. to break, strike ~ 3. an army; concentration; detention; displaced-persons, DP; internment; labor; prisoner-of-war, POW, PW (AE); refugee; repatriation; summer; training; work ~ 4. a trailer ~ (AE; BE has caravan park) 5. the enemy; rival ~ 6. an armed ~ campaign I n. 1. to carry on, conduct, wage; launch, mount, organize a ~ 2. an active, vigorous; feeble, weak; whirlwind ~ 3. an advertising; anti-smoking; educational; election, political; membership; military; national, nationwide; public- relations; smear; whispering; whistle-stop; write-in ~ 4. the ~ got off to a good start; the ~ fizzled (out) 5. a ~ against; for (the ~ against smoking; a ~ for equal rights) 6. a ~ to + inf. (a ~ to curb alcoholism) II v. 1. to ~ vigorously 2. (D; intr.) to ~ against; for camp bed (BE) see cot 1,2 camper n. a summer ~ (person) campus n. (esp. AE) 1. a college, university ~ 2. off; on ~ (to live on ~) can I n. 1. (AE) an ash, garbage, trash ~ (BE has dustbin) 2. a milk; watering ~ 3. a tin ~ II v. (F) she ~ work (see the Usage Note for able) Canadian n. a French ~ canal n. 1. to build, construct, dig a ~ 2. an irrigation ~ canard n. 1. to circulate, spread a ~ 2. an absurd, preposterous ~ canary n. a ~ sings cancer n. 1. to develop ~ 2. breast; colon, colorectal; lung; metastatic; rectal; skin; stomach ~ 3. inoperable; terminal ~ 4. ~ metastasizes; spreads candid adj. 1. ~ about 2. ~ with candidacy, candidature n. 1. to announce, file one's ~ 2. to withdraw one's ~ candidate n. 1. to put up a ~ (for office) 2. to adopt (BE); endorse a ~ 3. (BE) to de-select a ~ ('to refuse at the local level to support a party candidate adopted at the national level') 4. a party; write-in ~ 5. a defeated; handpicked; leading; successful; unsuccessful; victorious (a successful ~ for admission to the university; a victorious ~ for the party's nomination) 6. a ~ for (a ~ for the presidency) candle n. 1. to dip ~s 2. to light a ~ 3. to blow out, extinguish, snuff out a ~ 4. the ~ was burning; was flickering; was going out; was sputtering 5. a wax ~ 6. the flame of a ~ 7. (misc.) to bum the ~ at both ends ('to dissipate one's energy by doing too much'); not to hold a ~ to smb. ('to be far inferior to smb.') candlelight n. by ~ (to read by ~) candlestick n. 1. brass; silver ~s 2. a pair of ~s candor n. 1. complete; disarming ~ 2. the ~ to + inf. (she had enough ~ to tell them the truth) candy n. (AE) 1. chocolate; cotton; hard ~ 2. a box; piece of ~ (BE has sweets) cane n. ['walking stick'] 1. to carry; twirl a ~ ['plant'] 2. sugar ~ cannibalism n. to engage in, practice ~ cannon n. 1. to fire a ~ 2. to aim a ~ at; to train a ~ on 3. to load a ~ 4. a ~ booms, roars; fires 5. a water ~ (the police trained a ~ on the mob) canoe n. to paddle a ~ canon n. ['dogma'] 1. to establish, lay down a ~ ['round'] (mus.) 2. to sing a ~ cap n. ['container holding an explosive charge'] 1. a percussion ~ ['head covering'] 2. to place, put a ~ on one's head 3. a baseball; bathing; dunce; forage (BE), garrison; overseas; service; skull ~ 4. (BE) a cricket; rugby ~ (showing that the wearer is a member of a certain team) 5. (fig.) a thinking ~ ['ceiling'] 6. to place a ~ on (to place a ~ on expenditures) capability n. 1. to demonstrate one's ~ties 2. a defense; nuclear ~ 3. the ~ to + inf. (the ~ to win) 4. beyond; within one's ~ties capable adj. ~ of (he is ~ of anything) capacity n. ['ability to hold'] 1. to -(filled to ~) 2. lung; seating; storage ~ 3. a ~ of (a ~ of twenty gallons) ['ability'] 4. intellectual, mental ~ 5. one's earning ~ 6. a ~ for (a ~ for making friends) 7. the ~ to + inf. (she has the ~ to go all the way to the top) ['ability to produce'] 8. plant; productive ~ (our country's productive ~) 9. full, peak ~ 10. at ~ (to operate at peak ~) ['function'] 11. an administrative; advisory; official; professional; unofficial ~ 12. in a ~ (she acted in an advisory ~; in his ~ as legal advisor, he helped us a great deal) caper n. 1. to cut a ~ 2. a childish ~ capital n. ['wealth'] 1. to borrow; raise ~ 2. to invest, put up; tie up ~ 3. to withdraw ~ 4. borrowed; circulating, working; fixed, permanent; foreign; idle ~ ['gain'] 5. to make ~ out of smt. 6. political ~ (they made political ~ out of the incident) ['official seat of government'] 7. to establish a ~ 8. a national; provincial; state ~ 9. foreign; world ~s ['main center'] 10. a diamond; fashion; film ~ (Hollywood is the film ~ of the world) capitalize v. (d; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on smb.'s mistakes) capital punishment n. 1. to impose; re-introduce ~ 2. to abolish ~ capitulate v. (D; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to the enemy) capricious adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to act in that manner) capsule n. a space; time ~ captain n. 1. (AE) a bell ~ 2. a ship's; team ~ 3. (AE) a precinct ~ (in the police) 4. (mil.) a ~ commands a company or battery 5. (misc.) ~s of industry ('leading industrialists') captive adj.. to hold smb. ~ car n. ['automobile, motorcar'] 1. to drive, operate a ~ 2. to bring a ~ to a stop; to stop a ~ 3. to back a ~ (she backed the ~ into the garage) 4. to ride in a ~ 5. to go, travel by ~ 6. to hire (BE), rent a ~ 7. to break in (AE), run in (BE) a (new) ~ 8. to jack up; park; register; repair; road-test; service; tune up; winterize a ~ 9. to smash up, total, wreck a ~ 10. an armored; command; getaway; Panda (BE), patrol, police, prowl (AE), squad (AE); passenger; racing; scout; sports; stock ~ 11. an estate ~ (BE; AE has station wagon) 12. a new; secondhand, used ~ ['vehicle that moves on rails'] 13. (on a train) (AE; BE has carriage, wagon, van) a baggage; box; cattle; club, lounge, parlor; dining, restaurant (BE); flat; freight; mail; railroad; sleeping; tank ~ 14. a trolley ~ (AE; BE has tram) 15. a cable ~ 16. (misc.) to uncouple railroad/railway ~s carbon n. radioactive ~ card n. 1. a boxing; calling, visiting; credit; filing; identity; index (AE), record (BE); library (AE); membership; playing; postal; race (BE), racing (AE); ration; time ~ 2. a boarding ~ (for boarding a plane) 3. a report ~ (AE; BE has school report) 4. a trump ~ (also fig.) ('advantage') 5. a flash ~ (used as a teaching aid) 6. an anniversary; birthday; Christmas; confirmation; Easter; get-well; graduation; greeting; Hanukkah; New Year's; sympathy ~ 7. (misc.) a drawing ~ ('one who attracts large audiences') cards n. 1. to play ~ 2. to cut; deal; shuffle the ~ 3. playing ~ 4. (misc.) to stack the ~ ('to prearrange conditions to one's own advantage') to hold all the ~ ('to be in a strong negotiating position'); to be in (AE), on (BE) the ~ ('to be destined by fate') care I n. ['caution'] 1. to exercise, take ~ 2. great, meticulous, painstaking, scrupulous, utmost ~ 3. ~ to + inf. (she took ~ to avoid catching cold) 4. ~ that + clause (take ~ that you don't get involved) ['solicitude'] ['maintenance'] ['keep'] 5. to provide ~ for 6. to take ~ of 7. to entrust smb. to smb.'s ~; to put smb. in smb.'s ~ 8. (tender) loving; parental ~ 9. antenatal (BE), antepartal, prenatal (AE); child; coronary; custodial; day; dental; domiciliary; emergency; extended; foster; health; hospice; in-patient; intensive; long-term; medical; nursing; out-patient; postnatal, postpartum; respite; special ~ (this patient requires intensive ~; day ~ for children) 10. primary (health) ~ 11. in smb.'s ~ (the children were left in my ~) 12. under smb.'s ~ (under a doctor's ~) 13. (misc.) a coronary-care unit; an intensive-care unit ['misc.'] 14. in ~ of ('at smb.'s address') II v. 1. (D; intr.) ('to be interested') to ~ about (she doesn't ~ about our opinions) 2. (D; intr.) ('to like') to ~ about, for (he ~s about us; she ~s a lot for you; would you ~ for some more coffee?) 3. (d; intr.) ('to take care of) to ~ for (she ~s for her elderly mother) 4. (E) ('to want') I don't ~ to attend career n. 1. to carve out, make a ~ (for oneself) 2. to enter on; launch a ~ 3. to abandon, give up one's ~ 4. to cut short smb.'s ~ (the accident cut short her ~) 5. a brilliant, distinguished; checkered; promising; successful; turbulent ~ 6. an academic; amateur; diplomatic; literary; military; political; professional; public; stage ~ 7. a ~ as (to carve out a ~ as a diplomat) 8. a ~ in (she made a ~ for herself in politics) careful adj. 1. ~ about, of (a good writer is ~ about details) 2. ~ in (to be ~ in negotiating a new trade agreement) 3. ~ with (we must be ~ with dynamite) 4. ~ to + inf. (she was ~ to avoid controversy) careless adj. 1. ~ about, in, or, with (~ about one's appearance) 2. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of you to leave the door unlocked) carelessness n. ~ about, in, with caress I n. a gentle ~ II v. to ~ gently cargo n. 1. to carry, haul ~ 2. to load, take on; stow; transfer ~ 3. to unload ~ 4. contraband; general ~ 5. (misc.) a ~ plane; ship caricature n. 1. to draw a ~ of 2. a bold, striking ~ carol I n. a Christmas ~ II v. to go ~ing carp v. (D; intr.) to ~ at carpet n. 1. to beat a ~ 2. to lay a ~ 3. to take up a ~ (the ~ must be taken up and cleaned) 4. (misc.) to roll out the red ~ for smb. ('to give smb. a warm reception'); a flying, magic ~; to call smb. on the ~ ('to call smb. to account for her/his actions') carpeting n. ['floor covering'] 1. fitted (BE), wall-to-wall ~ ['severe reprimand'] (BE) 2. to give smb. a ~ carriage n. ['vehicle'] 1. see baby carriage 2. a railway ~ (BE; AE has railroad car) 3. a horse-drawn ~ ['support'] 4. a gun; typewriter ~ ['bearing'] 5. an erect; proud ~ carriageway n. a dual ~ (BE; AE has divided highway) carrier n. 1. an aircraft; escort; personnel; troop ~ 2. a letter, mail ~ (AE; CE has postman) 3. a common, public ~ ('a transport service used by the public') 4. a chronic ~ (of a disease) carrot n. 1. diced ~s 2. a bunch of ~s carry v. 1. (B) she ~ied the books to me 2. (d; tr.) to ~ from; to (we ~ied the table from the door to the center of the room) 3. (d; tr.) to ~ into (~ the chairs into the house) 4. (d; tr.) to ~ out of (we ~ied the books out of the room) 5. (P; refl.) she ~ies herself well 6. (misc.) to ~ to excess, to an extreme ('to go too far') carry back v. (B) he ~ied the books back to her carry forward v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (the figures must be ~ied forward to the next page) carry on v. 1. (D; intr.) ('to continue') to ~ with (~ with your work) 2. (D; intr.) ('to have an affair') to ~ with (he was ~ying on with a married woman) 3. (BE) (G) to ~ talking carry-over n. a ~ from; to (a ~ from the past) carry over v. (D;tr.) to ~ from; to (~ these figures over to the next page; to ~ a tradition from one generation to another) cart n. 1. to draw, pull; push a ~ 2. a ~ creaks; lumbers 3. a shopping ~ (AE; BE has trolley) 4. (misc.) to put the ~ before the horse ('to do in the wrong order'); to upset the apple ~ ('to ruin smb.'s plans') cartel n. 1. to form a ~ 2. to break up a ~ 3. an international, multinational ~ cartilage n. (a) torn ~ cart off v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (they ~ed him off to jail) cartoon n. 1. to draw a ~ 2. an animated; political ~ 3. a strip ~ (BE; CE has comic strip) cartridge n. a blank; practice; ruptured; spent ~ cartwheel n. to do, turn a ~ carve v. 1. (C) he ~d an ornament for me; or: he ~d me an ornament 2. (D; tr.) to ~ from, out of (to ~ a figure from ivory) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ in (to ~ in wood) carving n. an ivory; wood ~ case I n. ['legal action'] ['argument'] 1. to hear, try a ~ (the court will not hear this ~) 2. to argue, plead a ~ (the lawyer argued the ~ skillfully) 3. to make (out), present, state; take a ~ (she made out a good ~ for her client; the president took his ~ to the people) 4. to lose; win a ~ 5. to decide; settle a ~ (they settled the ~ out of court) 6. to rest one's ~ ('to cease introducing evidence') (the defense lawyer rested her ~) 7. to dismiss, throw out a ~ (the judge dismissed the ~) 8. an airtight, ironclad, open-and-shut, watertight; clear; strong; weak ~ 9. a civil; criminal; pending; test ~ 10. a ~ goes to trial 11. a ~ against (we had an airtight ~ against him) 12. (misc.) to have a good ~ ('to have a convincing argument') (often ironic) ['crime, felony'] 13. to break, crack, solve a ~ (the detective broke the ~) 14. to investigate, work on a ~ (the police worked on the ~ for a year) ['instance, occurrence, example'] 15. to cite a ~ 16. an attested; authenticated; borderline; celebrated; clear; flagrant; hypothetical; isolated, rare; open-and-shut ('easily settled'); similar; special ~ 17. (med.) an acute; advanced; chronic; hopeless; lingering; mild; terminal ~ 18. to be the ~ ('to be so') 19. in a certain ~ (in this ~; in any ~; in ~ of emergency) 20. a ~ in point ('a pertinent case') ['inflectional form'] 21. to govern, take a ~ (certain Russian verbs take the dative ~) 22. the ablative; accusative; dative; genitive; instrumental; locative; oblique; prepositional; vocative ~ ['misc. '] 23. a basket ~ ('smb. without arms or legs or who is in a completely hopeless situation'); as the ~ may be II n. ['container'] ['cover'] an attache; display; jewelry; packing; pillow; watch ~ caseload n. 1. to carry a ~ 2. to increase; reduce smb.'s ~ 3. a heavy; light ~ (the social worker carries a heavy ~) cash I n. 1. to pay (in) ~ 2. to run out of ~ 3. out of, short of ~ 4. cold, hard; loose; ready; spare ~ 5. petty ~ 6. (misc.) ~ on the barrel (esp. AE)/nail (BE) ('pay now in cash'); ~ on delivery ('pay when the order is delivered') II v. (D; tr.) to ~ for (she ~ed the money order for me) cash in v. (colloq.) (d; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on one's sudden popularity) casino n. a gambling ~ casserole n. 1. to bake a ~ 2. a meat; vegetable ~ cast I n. ['set of performers'] 1. to head a ~ 2. to select a ~ 3. an all-star; supporting ~ ['rigid dressing of gauze'] (med.) 4. to apply a ~ to; to put a ~ on (to put a ~ on a leg) 5. a plaster ~ II v. 1. (D; tr.) ('to assign to a role') to ~ as (he was cast as Hamlet) 2. (d; tr.) ('to throw') to ~ on (his actions have cast doubts on our entire campaign) cast about v. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to seek') (to ~ for a solution) caste n. 1. a warrior ~ 2. a ~ system cast in v. to ~ one's lot with smb. ('to join forces with smb.') casual adj. ~ about (she was very ~ about winning the prize) casualties n. 1. to inflict ~ on 2. to incur, suffer, take ~ 3. to report ~ 4. heavy, serious; light ~ (to inflict heavy ~ on the enemy) 5. civilian; military; traffic ~ cat n. 1. to neuter a ~; to spay a (female) ~ 2. an alley; stray ~ 3. an Angora; Burmese; Persian; Siamese ~ 4. ~s meow (AE), miaow (BE); purr; scratch 5. a young ~ is a kitten 6. a male ~ is a tomcat 7. (misc.) to let the ~ out of the bag ('to reveal a secret') catalog, catalogue n. 1. to compile, make up a ~2. an author; card; subject; union ~ 3. a college, school, university; mail-order; museum ~ catapult v. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ to (he was ~ed to fame) cataract n. (med.) 1. to develop a ~ 2. to remove a ~ catastrophe n. 1. to suffer a ~ 2. a financial; major, overwhelming ~ 3. a ~ for, to (the fire was a ~ to everyone) catch I n. ['hook'] 1. to fasten a ~ 2. a safety ~ ['smt. caught'] 3. a good ~ (the fishermen brought in a good ~) 4. the ~ of the day; the day's ~ ['act of catching'] 5. a running ~ (as in baseball) II v. 1. to ~ red-handed, in the act 2. (C) she caught a small fish for me; or: she caught me a small fish 3. (D; tr.) to ~ from (she caught a cold from her brother) 4. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ in (the kite caught in a tree) 5. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ on (his shirt caught on a nail; he caught his shirt on a nail) 6. (J) we caught him stealing 7. (colloq.) (esp. BE) (0) she caught him one in the eye 8. (misc.) we caught him at his old tricks catch on v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ to ('to comprehend') (he caught on to what I said immediately) 2. (D; intr.) ('to become popular') to ~ with (to ~ with the public) catch up v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on one's correspondence) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ to (AE), with (I'll ~ with you later; BE also has: I'll ~ you up later) catechism n. (rel.) to recite the ~ category n. 1. to establish, set up a ~ 2. to assign to, put into a ~ 3. to fit into a ~ cater v. (d; intr.) to ~ for (BE), to (to ~ to all tastes) USAGE NOTE: In BE cater to is typically pejorative, meaning 'to pander to' cater-cornered, catty-cornered adj., adv. (AE) ~ to catheter n. (med.) to change; insert; irrigate; remove a ~ Catholicism n. Roman ~ cattle n. 1. to breed; raise (esp. AE), rear (BE) ~ 2. to drive; graze; round up ~ 3. to brand ~ 4. dairy; prize ~ 5. ~ graze 6. a head of ~; a herd of ~ 7. young ~ are calves 8. female ~ are cows 9. male ~ are bulls catty adj. (colloq.) ['malicious'] ~ about catty-cornered see cater-cornered caucus n. 1. to hold a ~ 2. a party ~ caught up adj. ['involved'] ~ in (~ in radical movements) cause I n. ['movement'] ['objective'] 1. to advance, champion, fight for, promote; serve a ~ 2. to espouse, plead a ~ 3. to take up a ~ 4. a common; good, just, worthwhile, worthy ~ (to make common ~ with smb.) 5. a lost ~ ['reason'] 6. to give; show ~ for 7. (legal) probable ~ 8. a deep-rooted, root, underlying; immediate; leading, major; primary; secondary; ultimate ~ 9. natural ~s (to die of natural ~s) 10. (a) ~ for (there is no ~ for alarm) 11. ~ to + int. (to find ~ to rejoice; there is no ~ to complain; she had good ~ to be disappointed) II v. 1. (A; usu. without to) we ~d them a lot of trouble 2. (rare) (H; no passive) the incident ~d me to reflect caution I n. 1. to exercise, use ~ 2. due; extreme, great ~ 3. with ~ (to view with ~) 4. (misc.) to fling/hurl/throw ~ to the winds II v. 1. (D;tr.) to ~ about, against (they ~ed us against drinking the water) 2. (H) she ~ed us not to go cautious adj. 1. ~ about, of (he was ~ about committing himself; she was ~ of strangers) 2. ~ in (~ in using firearms) 3. ~ with (be ~ with them) cavalry n. 1. to commit ~ 2. heavy; light ~ cave n. 1. to explore a ~ 2. a deep ~ cavil v. (formal) (D; intr.) to ~ at cavity n. 1. to fill a ~ (in a tooth) 2. the abdominal; chest; oral ~ cease v. 1. (E) the old empire has ~d to exist 2. (rare) (G) we ~d pretending cease-fire n. 1. to declare; sign; work out a ~ 2. to honor, observe a ~ 3. to break, violate a ~ 4. a temporary ~ 5. the ~ has gone into effect cede v. (A) France ~d the territory to them; or: France ceded them the territory ceiling n. ['upper limit'] 1. to place, set a ~ (on prices) 2. to lower; raise a ~ 3. to abolish, lift a ~ (on prices) 4. a high; low ~ 5. a price; rent ~ ['top of a room'] 6. a high; low ~ ['misc.'] 7. (slang) to hit the ~ (AE; CE has roof) ('to lose one's temper') celebrate v. to ~ formally; joyously; noisily; officially; privately; publicly; quietly; solemnly celebrated adj. 1. ~ as (~ as a painter) 2. ~ for (~ for scientific research) celebration n. 1. to hold a ~ 2. a formal; joyous; noisy; quiet; solemn ~ 3. a centenary; official; public; religious ~ celebrity n. ['famous person'] a film, Hollywood; international; literary; local; national; visiting ~ celery n. 1. crisp ~ 2. a bunch of ~ celibacy n. to practice ~ cell n. ['cubicle, small room'] 1. a jail, prison; monk's; padded ~ ['small mass of protoplasm'] 2. to form a ~ 3. a blood; cancer; egg; germ; nerve; sperm ~ ['receptacle containing electrodes and an electrocyte'] 4. a dry; photoelectric; primary; voltaic ~ ['smallest unit of an organization'] 5. to form a ~ 6. a local; party ~ cellar n. a cyclone, storm; wine ~ cellophane n. to wrap smt. in ~ cement I n. 1. to mix; pour ~ 2. Portland ~ 3. ~ sets II v. to ~ smt. together cemetery n. at, in a ~ (she works a t/in the ~; to be buried in a ~) censor n. a government; military ~ censorship n. 1. to impose, introduce ~ 2. to exercise, practice ~ 3. to abolish, lift ~ 4. rigid, strict ~ 5. film; government(al); military; press ~ 6. ~ of, over censure I n. bitter, strong; public ~ II v. 1. to ~ bitterly, strongly 2. (D; tr.) to ~ as (they were ~d as traitors) 3. (D; tr.) to ~ for (the senator was ~d for income tax evasion) census n. 1. to conduct, take a ~ 2. a national ~ 3. at, in a ~ (at the last ~) cent n. (colloq.) not to have a red ~ ('to have no money at all') center I n. ['point equally distant from all points on a. circumference'] 1. dead ~ 2. at, in the ~ (at the ~ of a circle) ['central point'] 3. a storm ~ (also fig.) 4. at, in a ~ (at the ~ of operations; right in the ~ of activity) ['location where an activity takes place; focus of activity'] 5. an amusement; birthing (AE), childbearing (AE); business, commercial; civic; communications; community; convention; crisis; cultural; day-care; fashion; financial; health; industrial; job (BE); literary; manufacturing; medical; research; science; senior-citizen; separation (mil.); service; shopping; social; trade; wine-producing ~ 6. (fig.) a nerve; storm ~ 7. a national; world ~ ['group of nerve cells'] 8. a nerve ~ v. (d; intr., tr.) to ~ on, upon (attention ~ed on their opening statements) central adj. (formal) (cannot stand alone) ~ to (such values are ~ to our way of life) century n. 1. from; to a ~ (from the fifth to the tenth ~) 2. in a ~ (in the ninth ~) 3. over, through the ~ries ceremony n. ['formal act'] 1. to conduct, hold, perform a ~ 2. a flag-raising; formal; funeral; marriage, wedding; opening; religious; solemn; wreath-laying ~ (to perform a religious ~) ['formality'] 3. to stand on ~ 4. appropriate ~ 5. with ~ (with appropriate ~) 6. without ~ (they all pitched in without ~) certain adj. 1. absolutely, completely, totally; almost, nearly; quite; very ~ 2. far from ~ 3. for ~ 4. ~ about, of (we were ~ of his support) 5. ~ to + inf. (she is ~ to agree) 6. ~ that + clause (it is ~ that they will sign the contract; make ~ that all doors are locked; are you ~ that you turned the gas off?) certainty n. 1. absolute, dead; mathematical; moral ~ 2. ~ of (there is no ~ of success) 3. ~ that + clause (there is no ~ that an agreement will be reached) 4. with ~ (to state with ~) certificate n. 1. to issue a ~ 2. to cash (in) a ~ 3. a baptismal; birth; death; marriage; medical ~ 4. a money ~ market; savings; stock; tax-free; treasury ~ 5. a gift ~ 6. a teaching ~ (you cannot teach in this state without a teaching ~) 7. (BE) a school ~ certification n. 1. to grant ~ 2. to receive ~ certify v. 1. (esp. BE) (D; tr.) to ~ as (the psychiatrist ~fied him as insane) 2. (L) she ~fied that it was a true copy 3. (M) can you ~ this to be a true copy? 4. (esp. BE) (N; used with an adjective) he was ~fied insane certitude n. 1. absolute, complete, utter ~ 2. ~ that + clause (it is with ~ that I can attest to her good character) chafe v. (d; intr.) to ~ at, under (to ~ at the delay; to ~ under restrictions) chaff n. to separate the (wheat from the) ~ (by threshing or winnowing) chagrin n. 1. to express; feel ~ 2. deep, profound ~ 3. (formal) ~ at (to feel ~ at being rejected) 4. ~ that + clause (she expressed her ~ that the bill had been voted down) 5. to smb.'s ~ (to my great ~, the trick did not work) chagrined ad;. 1. ~ at (~ at being rejected) 2. ~ to + inf. (she was ~ to learn of the outcome) 3. ~ that + clause (we are ~ that the meeting cannot take place) chain I n. ['series of metal links'] 1. to keep (a dog) on a ~ 2. to put ~s on (the tires of a car) 3. bicycle; tire ~ 4. a link in a ~ ['measuring instrument'] 5. an engineer's; surveyor's ~ ['shackles'] 6. in ~s (the prisoners were in ~s) ['group of associated enterprises'] 7. a department-store; hotel; restaurant ~ ['misc.'] 8. a human ~; to pull the ~ (BE) ('to flush the toilet') II v. (D;tr.) to ~ to (to ~ a dog to a fence) chair n. ['piece of furniture for sitting'] 1. a camp (BE), folding; deck; easy; rocking; swivel ~ ^professorship'] 2. to endow; establish a ~ 3. to be appointed to, receive a ~ 4. to hold, occupy a ~ 5. to give up, relinquish a ~ 6. a university ~ ['position of chairperson'] 7. (esp. BE) to occupy; take the ~ 8. a rotating ~ ['chairperson'] 9. to address one's questions to the ~ ['misc.'] 10. an electric ~ ('a device for executing criminals') chairman n. 1. a department(al) ~ 2. ~ of the board USAGE NOTE: BE usu. has department head, head of (the) department. chairmanship n. a rotating ~ chairperson see chairman 1 chairwoman see chairman 1 chalet n. a Swiss ~ chalk n. 1. to write with ~ (on a blackboard) 2. a piece of ~ chalk up v. 1. (d; tr.) to ~ against (to ~ ten victories against two defeats) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ for (to ~ another victory for our team) 3. (d; tr.) to ~ to (to ~ smt. up to lack of experience) challenge I n. ['dare'] 1. to issue, send a ~ 2. to accept, respond to, take up a ~ 3. to meet a ~ 4. a formidable, real ~ 5. a ~ to (it was a ~ to our very existence) 6. a ~ to + inf. (it was a ~ just to survive) ['demand for identification'] (usu. mil.) 7. to give the ~ (the sentry gave the ~) ['objection to a prospective juror'] (legal) 8. a peremptory ~ (to use one's peremptory ~) II v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ to (to ~ smb. to a duel) 2. (H) he ~d me to fight challenger n. to take on a ~ chamber n. 1. the lower; upper ~ 2. an assembly; council; parliamentary; senate ~ ['room'] ['compartment'] 3. a gas; torture ~ 4. a combustion; decompression ~ chameleon n. ~s change their color champ v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ at (to ~ at the bit) 2. (E) they were ~ing to get home champagne n. to drink; quaff; sip ~ champion n. a defending; national; world ~ championship n. ['position of a champion'] 1. to hold; win a ~ 2. to regain; retain a ~ 3. to give up, lose, relinquish a ~ 4. an individual; national; team; world ~ championships n. ['contest'] 1. to hold ~ 2. (the) national; world ~ chance I n. ['opportunity'] ['possibility'] 1. to have, stand a ~ of (she has a good ~ of success; he doesn't have a ghost of a ~) 2. to let a ~ slip by; to miss one's ~ 3. an earthly, poor, slight, slim; even; fair; fighting; good; last; only; outside; sporting ~ (he doesn't have an earthly ~ of being elected) 4. little, small ~ (there is little ~ of that happening) 5. a ~ against (she doesn't stand a ~ against such strong competitors) 6. a ~ for (a ~ for success) 7. a ~ to + inf. (she had a ~ to visit her family) 8. a ~ that + clause (there is no ~ that she will win) ['luck'] 9. to take a ~ on ('to try one's luck at'] 10. to leave smt. to ~ 11. pure, sheer ~ 12. a lucky ~ 13. by ~ (it was by pure ~ that we met) II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ upon ('to find by chance') (to ~ upon a rare item) 2. (formal) (E) ('to happen') I ~d to be there when they arrived chandelier n. a crystal ~ change I n. ['alteration'] ['transition'] 1. to bring about, effect, make a ~ 2. to undergo ~ 3. a drastic, great, marked, momentous, radical, striking, sweeping; long overdue, needed, welcome; quick; sudden ~; little ~ (there was little ~ in his condition) 4. a ~ occurs, takes place 5. a ~ for (a ~ for the better) 6. a ~ from; into, to (the ~ from spring to summer) 7. a ~ in, of (a ~ in the weather; ~s in personnel; a ~ of diet; the ~ of seasons) 8. for a ~ (let's eat out for a ~) ['money returned'] ['metal coins'] 9. to give; make; return ~ for (can you give me ~ for a pound?) 10. to count; get, take one's ~ 11. to keep the ~ 12. loose; small ~ ['change of clothing'] 13. to make a ~ 14. a quick ~ (to make a quick ~) II v. 1. to ~ drastically, radically 2. (D; intr.) ('to transfer') to ~ for (we must ~ at the next station for Chicago) 3. (D; tr.) ('to exchange') to ~ for (to ~ dollars for pounds) 4. (D; intr.) ('to put on different clothes') to ~ for (to ~ for dinner) 5. (D; intr., tr.) ('to be transformed; to transform') to ~ from; into (the disease ~d him from an athlete into an invalid; to ~ dollars into pounds) 6. (D; intr.) ('to put on different clothes') to ~ into (to ~ into smt. less formal) 7. (D; intr., tr.) ('to transfer') to ~ to (we must ~ to an express; she ~d the appointment to Monday) 8. (D; tr.) ('to exchange') to ~ with (I would not want to ~ places with her) change back v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ from; to (they ~d back to peacetime production) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ into (we ~d back into casual wear) changeover n. 1. a complete, radical, thorough, total ~ 2. a ~ from; to (a ~ from a peacetime to a war economy) v. (d; intr.) to ~ from; to (the country ~d over to a war economy; to ~ to the decimal system) changer n. a coin; record ~ channel I n. 1. to change ~s 2. a television, TV ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ into (we had to ~ their energy into useful activities) channels n. 1. diplomatic; military; regular ~ 2. through ~ (he sent his request for transfer through regular ~; to go through ~) chaos n. 1. to cause, create ~ 2. complete, total, utter ~ 3. economic; political ~ 4. ~ ensues, results 5. a state of ~ chap n. (colloq.) a decent, fine, good, nice ~ chapel n. ['place of worship'] 1. (a) hospital; military; prison; ship's ~ ['Nonconformist place of worship'] (BE) (used as an adjective) 2. are you church or ~? chaperon, chaperone n. to serve as a ~ (to serve as a ~ at a dance) chaplain n. a hospital; military; prison; ship's ~ chapter n. 1. a closing; introductory, opening ~ 2. a ~ about, on 3. (misc.) a closed ~ in one's life ('smt. that belongs to the past'); to quote ~ and verse ('to cite an exact source') character n. ['personality'] ['behavior'] 1. to form, mold one's ~ 2. to epitomize; reflect smb.'s ~ 3. one's moral; true ~ 4. a bad, disreputable; firm, strong; excellent, fine, good; impeccable, stainless; lovable; national; upright; weak ~ 5. of ~ (a person of good ~) ['role'] ['person playing a role'] 6. to assume; play, portray a ~ 7. to delineate, depict, draw; develop; kill off a ~ 8. a fictitious; leading, main, major, principal; minor, supporting ~ 9. in ~; out of ~ (his behavior was in ~ with his upbringing; her actions were out of ~) ['person, esp. dubious or eccentric'] 10. a dangerous; disreputable; historical; seedy, shady; strange, weird; suspicious; tough; underworld; unforgettable ~ ['letter, figure'] 11. to form, trace; write ~s 12. Arabic; Chinese; cuneiform; Cyrillic; Greek; Hebrew; Hindi; Latin; mathematical; special ~s ['nature'] 13. to have a ~ of one's own 14. an official; political; subversive; unofficial ~ (the statements were of a political ~) characteristic I adj. ~ of II n. 1. a distinctive, marked; distinguishing, identifying; dominant, outstanding; unique ~ 2. facial; individual; national; physical ~s characterize v. (d; tr.) ('to describe') to ~ as (he can be ~d as a fanatic) charades n. to play ~ charcoal n. to bum ~ charge I n. ['accusation'] 1. to bring, level, make a ~; to prefer, press ~s 2. to concoct, cook up, fabricate, trump up a ~ (they trumped up various ~s against her) 3. to prove, substantiate a ~ 4. to face a ~ 5. to dismiss, throw out a ~ (the judge dismissed all ~s) 6. to drop, retract, withdraw a ~ 7. to deny; refute; repudiate a ~ 8. a baseless, fabricated, false, trumped-up; frivolous ~ 9. a ~ against smb. (to bring ~s of forgery against smb.) 10. a ~ that (he denied the ~ that he had taken bribes) 11. on a ~ of (he was arraigned on a ~ of embezzlement; to be arrested on various ~s) 12. ['attack'] to lead; make a ~ against 13. to sound the ~ 14. to fight off, repel, repulse a ~ 15. a bayonet; cavalry; infantry ~ ['explosive'] 16. to set off a ~ 17. a depth ~ ['responsibility'] 18. to place, put smb. in ~ of smt. 19. to take ~ of smt. 20. to be in ~ of smt. ['custody'] 21. in smb.'s ~ (the child was in my ~) ['cost'] ['price'] 22. to make a ~ 23. to reverse, transfer (BE) (the) ~s (when telephoning) 24. an exorbitant; reasonable ~ 25. an admission; carrying; cover; minimum; service ~ 26. a ~ against, to (a ~ to smb.'s account) 27. a ~ for (there will be no ~ for installation) ['infusion of stored energy'] 28. to give (a battery) a ~ 29. an electric; quick; slow ~ ['thrill'] (slang) 30. to give smb. a big ~ 31. to get a ~ out of smt. 32. an emotional ~ ['instructions'] 33. to give one's ~ (the judge gave her ~ to the jury) 34. a ~ to (the judge's ~ to the jury) II v. L ('to ask in payment') to ~ double 2. (D; intr.) ('to rush') to ~ at (the bull ~d at us) 3. (d; intr.) ('to ask payment') to ~ for (they didn't ~ for it) 4. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ for ('to ask in payment') (they ~d ten dollars for shipping our books; he ~s by the hour for laying a carpet) 5. (d; intr.) ('to rush') to ~ into; out of (to ~ into a room) 6. (D; tr.) to ~ out of ('to borrow from') (to ~ a book out of a library) 7. (D; tr.) ('to impose as an obligation') to ~ to (~ it to my account) 8. (D; tr.) ('to accuse') to ~ with (he was ~d with murder) 9. (D; tr.) ('to saturate') to ~ with (the air was ~d with tension) 10. (D; tr.) ('to assign') to ~ with (our agency has been ~d with the responsibility of gathering all pertinent information) 11. (L) ('to accuse') they ~d that he had cheated them 12. (O; may be used with one object) ('to ask payment') she ~d (me) fifty dollars for her services; how much did he ~? did they ~ you? chargeable adj. ~ to charitable adj. 1. ~ towards 2. ~ to + int. (it was ~ of her to say that) charity n. 1. to dispense, distribute, give ~ to; to bestow ~ on, upon 2. to accept ~ 3. to ask for, beg for, plead for ~ 4. an act of ~ 5. ~ for (~ for the needy) 6. (misc.) (proverb) ~ begins at home charm n. ['amulet'] 1. to wear a ~ ['attractive quality'] 2. to turn on, use one's ~ 3. to exude; have, possess ~ 4. to lend ~ to 5. great, irresistible; natural; particular, special; unfailing ~ 6. the ~ to + inf. (she has enough ~ to win anyone over) ['misc.'] 7. it works like a ~ ('it works perfectly') charmed adj. ~ to + inf. (I would be ~ to accept your invitation) charmer n. 1. (to be) a real ~ 2. a snake ~ charming adj. 1. ~ to (she is ~ to everyone) 2. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to watch them) chart I n. 1. to compile a ~ 2. an aeronautical; clinical; eye; flow; genealogical; statistical; wall ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ for (he has ~ed a difficult course for us) charter n. 1. to apply for; take out a ~ 2. to grant a ~ 3. to revoke a ~ 4. a ~ to + inf. (the company was granted a ~ to trade in the occupied territory) charter flight n. to organize a ~ chary adj. 1. ~ about (~ about doing smt.) 2. ~ of (~ of strangers) chase I n. 1. to give ~ to 2. to abandon, give up the ~ 3. a wild-goose ~ 4. in ~ of (in full ~) 5. (misc.) (AE) to lead smb. a merry ~ (BE has to lead smb. a merry dance} II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ after (to ~ after fame) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ from, out of (~ the dog out of our yard!) chaser n. 1. a submarine ~ 2. (misc.) (colloq.) an ambulance ~ (esp. AE) ('a lawyer who seeks clients among accident victims'); whiskey with a beer ~ ('whiskey served with a glass of beer') chasm n. 1. to bridge a ~ 2. a gaping, yawning ~ chat I n. 1. to have a ~ 2. a friendly, nice, pleasant ~ 3. a ~ about; with (I had a pleasant ~ with them about our new grandchildren) 4. a ~ between II v. (D; intr.) to ~ about; to (BE), with chatter I n. constant, endless, idle, incessant ~ II v. 1. ('to talk fast') to ~ incessantly 2. (D; intr.) ('to talk fast') to ~ about 3. (D; intr.) ('to click') to ~ from, with (his teeth were ~ing with the cold) cheap adj. 1. (colloq.) dirt ~ 2. ~ to + inf. (it's not ~ to live in the city; it is ~er to live in the south than in the north) 3. (misc.) to hold life ~ cheat I n. 1. a downright; notorious ~ 2. a tax ~ II v. 1. (D; mtr., tr.)to ~ at (to ~ at cards) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ on ('to deceive') (to ~ on one's wife) 3. (D; tr.) to ~ out of (he ~ed us out of our money) 4. (misc.) to ~ on an examination check I n. ['order to a bank'] (BE has cheque) 1. to issue, make out, write out a ~ to 2. to draw a ~ against one's account; to draw a ~ on a bank 3. to cash; clear; deposit; present a ~ 4. to cover a ~ (by making a deposit) 5. to endorse; negotiate a ~ 6. to pass a (bad) ~; to kite a ~ (AE) ('to write a bad ~'); to raise ('increase fraudulently') a ~ 7. to stop payment of, on a ~ 8. a bad ('not covered'); blank; cashier's; certified; crossed (BE); negotiable; traveler's ~ 9. a ~ bounces; clears 10. by ~ (to pay by ~) ['verification'] ['control'] 11. to conduct, make, run a ~ of, on 12. a background; bed; loyalty; spot ~ (to run a background ~ on all new employees) ['endangered position of the king'] (chess) 13. to produce a ~ 14. to discover ~ 15. discovered; perpetual ~ 16. in ~ (your king is in ~) ['bill in a restaurant'] (AE) 17. to pay the ~ ['token of ownership, of a right'] 18. a baggage (AE); claim; hat; rain (AE) ~ ['blocking of an opponent'] (ice hockey) 19. a board; body; hook ~ ['device for braking'] 20. a door ~ ['restraint'] 21. to hold, keep in ~ II v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ into ('to verify') (to ~ into smb.'s story) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ into ('to register at') (to ~ into a hotel) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ on ('to verify') (to ~ on smb.'s story) 4. (d; intr.) to ~ out of ('to announce one's departure from') (to ~ out of a hotel) 5. (d; tr.) to ~ out of ('to borrow from') (she ~ed the book out of the library) 6. (D; intr.) to ~ through ('to look through') (to ~ through the files) 7. (AE) (d; tr.) to ~ through to ('to register as far as') (she ~ed her suitcase through to Chicago) checkbook n. to reconcile a ~ with (a bank statement) checkers n. 1. to play ~ 2. Chinese ~ check in v. (D; intr.) to ~ at (to ~ at a hotel) checking account n. (AE) to balance a ~ (every month) checklist n. 1. to compile, make up a ~ 2. to go down, go through a ~ check out v. (D; tr.) ('to borrow') to ~ from (she ~ed out a book from the library) checkrein n. (rare) a ~ on, upon checkup n. 1. to do, give a ~ (the doctor gave me a thorough ~) 2. to have a ~ (I had a ~ at the hospital yesterday) 3. an annual; careful; regular; thorough ~ check up v. (D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on smb.'s story) cheek n. ['side of the face'] 1. to puff (out) one's ~s 2. burning, flushed; dimpled; full, rounded; hollow, sunken; pale; rosy, ruddy ~s ['impudence'] (colloq.) 3. the ~ to + inf. (she had the ~ to phone me at home) cheekbones n. high, prominent ~ cheeky adj. (colloq.) ['impudent'] ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of her to phone you at home) cheer I n. ['rallying cry'] ['cry of approval'] 1. to give, shout a ~ (let's give him three ~s) 2. to draw a ~ (her performance drew ~s) 3. to acknowledge the ~s (of the crowd) 4. a loud, ringing, rousing ~ 5. a school ~ (let's give the school ~!) ['good mood'] 6. Christmas; good ~ 7. of ~ (to be of good ~ ) II v. 1. to ~ enthusiastically, loudly 2. (D; intr.) to ~ for (they ~ed loudly for their team) 3. (N; refl.; used with an adjective) they ~ed themselves hoarse cheese n. 1. grated; grilled (AE), toasted (BE); hard; mild; semi-soft; sharp; smoked; soft ~ 2. (misc.) (colloq.) say ~! ('smile'!) chemistry n. ['science that deals with substances'] 1. analytical; inorganic; organic; physical ~ ['personal feelings'] (colloq.) 2. personal ~; the right; wrong ~ 3. the ~ between cheque (BE) see check 1,1-10 chequebook (BE) see checkbook chess n. 1. to play ~ 2. (misc.) a ~ game; master; match chest n. ['thorax'] 1. to beat; throw out one's ~ (with pride) 2. a barrel ~ ['box'] 3. a hope (AE; BE has bottom drawer); ice; medicine; silver; tool ~ chestnuts n. 1. to roast ~ 2. (misc.) to pull smb.'s ~ out of the fire ('to extricate smb. from an unpleasant situation') chewing gum n. a piece; stick of ~ chic I adj. ['fashionable'] ~ to + inf. (it's very ~ to give up smoking) II n. 1. an indefinable ~ 2. radical ~ chick n. 1. to hatch ~s 2. ~s cheep 3. a brood of ~s chicken I n. 1. ~s cluck 2. a brood of ~s 3. a young ~ is a chick, cockerel (BE) 4. a female ~ is a hen 5. a male ~ is a cock (esp. BE)/rooster (esp. AE) 6. (misc.) to count one's ~s before they are hatched ('to rejoice prematurely') II v. (colloq.) (d; intr.) to ~ out of ('to abandon') (to ~ out of an agreement) chickenpox n. to catch, come down with (the) ~ chide v. (D; tr.) to ~ for chief n. 1. an Indian ~ 2. a fire; police (AE) ~ chieftain n. a tribal ~ child n. 1. to adopt; bear, give birth to, have a ~ (she had four children) 2. to carry a ~ (a mother carries a ~ for nine months) 3. to beget; conceive a ~ 4. to bring up, raise, rear a ~ 5. to feed; nurse; wean a ~ 6. to indulge, pamper, spoil a ~ 7. to toilet-train, train a ~ 8. to acknowledge a ~ (as one's own) 9. to marry off one's ~ 10. an adopted; foster; illegitimate, love, natural; legitimate; only; unwanted ~ 11. a delinquent; disobedient; incorrigible; mischievous; problem; recalcitrant; stubborn; unruly; self-willed, wilful; wayward ~ 12. an indulged, pampered, spoiled ~ 13. a disciplined, obedient, well-behaved ~ 14. a bright, gifted, intelligent; sensitive ~ 15. a precocious; young ~ 16. a dull, slow; handicapped; retarded; underprivileged ~ 17. a flower (of the 1960s); latchkey (who comes home to an empty house) ~ 18. a happy; loving; well-cared for ~ 19. an abused, mistreated; neglected ~ 20. a ~ develops, grows (into adulthood) 21. (misc.) to be with ~ (old-fashioned) ('to be pregnant') childbirth n. 1. natural; prepared ~ 2. in ~ (she died in ~) childhood n. 1. to spend one's ~ (somewhere) 2. one's second ~ 3. in one's ~ 4. since ~ childish adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of him to do that) child's play n. (colloq.) ['easy task'] 1. ~ to (that's ~ to him) 2. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to solve that riddle) chill I n. 1. (fig.) to cast a ~ on, over 2. to catch a ~ 3. to take the ~ off (take the ~ off the milk) II v. 1.(C)~ a glass for me; or (rare): ~ me a glass 2. (misc.) ~ed to the bone chills n. to send ~ up one's spine ('to frighten smb.') chime v. (d; intr.) to ~ into ('to join in') (she always ~s into a conversation) chime in v. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with one's opinion) chimes n. 1. to sound ~ 2. organ ~ 3. ~ sound chimney n. 1. smoke goes up a ~ 2. smoke comes out of a ~ chin n. 1. a double; smooth ~ 2. a glass ('weak') ~ (of a boxer) 3. (misc.) to keep one's ~ up ('not to become discouraged'); to take it on the ~ ('to suffer a misfortune courageously') china n. ['porcelain'] 1. fine ~ 2. a set of ~ chink n. a ~ in one's armor ('a weak point') chip n. ['thin slice'] (AE) 1. a potato ~ (BE has crisp) ['semiconductor body'] 2. an integrated-circuit; silicon ~ ['misc.'] 3. a bargaining ~ ('smt. that can be used to win concessions'); a ~ off the old block ('a child who resembles its parent'); to have a ~ on one's shoulder ('to harbor resentment') chip away v. (d; intr.) to ~ at (to ~ at a rock; the police kept ~ping away at their alibi) chip in v. l.(D;intr.) to ~ for (they all ~ped in for a present) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ with (we all ~ped in with our suggestions) chips n. ['gambling tokens'] to cash in one's ~ (also fig.) ('to die') chisel v. 1. (D; tr.) ('to shape with a chisel') to ~ from, out of (to ~ smt. from wood) 2. (colloq.) (D; tr.) to ~ out of ('to cheat out of) (he ~ed me out of my money) chiseled adj. ['shaped'] finely ~ chloroform n. to administer, give ~ to chock-full adj. (colloq.) ~ of chocolate n. ['candy, sweet'] 1. dark; milk ~ 2. a bar of ~ ['beverage'] 3. hot ~ 4. a cup of ~ choice n. 1. to exercise, make a ~ 2. a bad, sorry, wrong; careful; difficult; first; good, happy, intelligent, judicious, wise; random; second; wide (she made the wrong ~) 3. (a) free; individual; limited ~ (to exercise individual ~) 4. a ~ among, between; of (a ~ between two jobs; a ~ of colors) 5. (misc.) we have a difficult ~ to make; take your ~; freedom of ~; Hobson's ('no') ~ choir n. 1. to form; lead a ~ 2. to sing in a ~ choke I n. (on a car) 1. to pull out; push in the ~ 2. an automatic; manual ~ II v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on a bone) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with emotion) 3. (misc.) to ~ to death choked adj. ['blocked'] ~ with (~ with weeds) choked up adj. (all) ~ with (~ with emotion) cholera n. 1. to come down with, contract ~ 2. (misc.) a ~ epidemic cholesterol n. 1. to cut down on ~ 2. high; low in ~ choose v. 1. to ~ carefully, judiciously; to ~ at random 2. (D; intr.) to ~ among, between, from (to ~ between two offers) 3. (D; tr.) to ~ as (they chose her as their spokesperson) 4. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ by (to ~ by lot; to ~ by tossing a coin) 5. (D; tr.) to ~ for (~ a book for me) 6. (D; tr.) to ~ from (they chose us from a large number of candidates) 7. (E) she chose to remain at home 8. (H) they chose me to serve as their representative choosey adj. (colloq.; esp. AE) ~ about choosing n. of one's own ~ chop I n. ['cut of meat'] 1. a chump (BE); lamb; mutton; pork; veal ~ ['blow'] 2. a karate ~ II v. (C) ~ some wood for me; or: ~ me some wood chopper n. a food; meat ~ chopsticks n. to use ~ chop up v. 1. (C) ~ some wood for me; or (colloq.): ~ me up some wood 2. (D; tr.) to ~ into (he ~ped the log up into firewood) chord I n. ['combination of three or more musical notes'] 1. to play ~s 2. a dominant; major; minor II n. ['feeling, emotion'] 1. to strike, touch a ~ 2. a popular; responsive, sensitive, sympathetic ~ (to strike a responsive ~) chores n. 1. to do one's ~ 2. daily; routine ~ chortle v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ about, over 2. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with glee) chorus n. ['group of singers'] 1. a female; male; mixed ~ ['simultaneous utterance'] 2. to join in, swell the ~ chowder n. (AE) clam; corn; fish ~ christen v. (N; used with a noun) they ~ed the child Joseph christening n. to perform a ~ Christian n. a believing (esp. BE); born-again; evangelical; fundamentalist; good; practicing ~ Christmas n. 1. to celebrate ~ 2. a white ~ 3. on ~ 4. on ~ day; on ~ eve; Merry ~ Christmas tree n. to decorate, trim a ~ chronicle n. 1. to keep a ~ 2. a daily; monthly; weekly ~ 3. (misc.) a ~ of events chuck v. (colloq.) (usu. B) ~ the ball to me chuckle I n. 1. to have; let out a ~ (we had a good ~) 2. a hearty ~ 3. a ~ about, over II v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ about, over 2. (D; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to oneself) 3. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with glee) chum n. (colloq.) a childhood; old; school ~ chummy adj. (colloq.) ['friendly'] ~ with chum up v. (D; intr.) to ~ with church n. 1. to consecrate, dedicate a ~ 2. to attend, go to ~ 3. the Catholic; Christian; (Eastern) Orthodox; Protestant; Uniate ~ 4. the Anglican; Baptist; Christian Science; Congregational; Episcopal; Lutheran; Mennonite; Methodist; Mormon; Presbyterian; Seventh Day Adventist; Unitarian ~ 5. an evangelical; fundamentalist ~ 6. (esp. GB) an established ('official'); free ('Nonconformist') ~ 7. (esp. GB) The Church of England; Ireland; Scotland 8. at, in ~ churlish adj. ~ to + int. (it would be ~ to offer such petty criticism) cider n. hard (AE); sweet ~ cigar n. 1. to light (up); puff on; smoke a ~ 2. a Havana ~ cigarette n. 1. to light (up); puff on, smoke a ~ 2. to roll a ~ (he used to roll his own ~s) 3. to extinguish, put out, stub out a ~ 4. a live ~ 5. a filter-tip; king-size; low-tar; mentholated ~ 6. a carton; pack (AE), packet (BE) of ~s cinch n. (colloq.) ['certainty'] 1.~ to + int. (he's a ~ to be elected) 2. ~ that + clause (it's a ~ that he'll win) cinders n. to spread ~ (on a snow-covered road) cinema n. (BE) at, in the ~ cipher n. ['code'] 1. to break, solve a ~ 2. in ~ circle n. ['circular geometric figure'] 1. to describe, draw a ~ 2. to square a ~ (to square a ~ is impossible) 3. the Antarctic; Arctic; polar ~ (at the Arctic ~) 4. the great ~ (on the earth's surface) 5. a traffic ~ (AE; BE has roundabout) 6. (sports) the center ~; the winner's ~ (at a racecourse/racetrack) 7. the area; circumference; diameter; radius of a ~ ['group resembling the figure of a circle'] 8. to form a ~ 9. to join a ~ (she joined the ~ of dancers) ['group'] 10. academic; artistic; business, financial; court; diplomatic; exclusive, select; high; informed, well-informed; literary; official; political; professional; ruling ~s (to move in the highest ~s) 11. a charmed ('exclusive'); close, closed, inner, intimate, narrow; wide ~ (a close ~ of friends) 12. a linguistic; quilting; sewing ~ 13. a family ~ 14. in a ~ (in our ~ of friends; in informed ~s) ['cycle'] 15. to come full ~ ['misc.'] 16. a vicious ~ ('an insoluble, never-ending problem'); to go around in ~s ('to behave in a confused manner') circuit n. ['path of an electric current'] 1. to break; close a ~ 2. a closed; integrated; printed; short ~ ['route traveled by a judge on tour'] 3. to make a ~ (the judge makes a ~ every year) 4. on ~ (the judge was on ~) ['series of similar events'] 5. the lecture; rodeo; talk-show ~ circuit breaker n. to trip a ~ circular n. 1. to send out a ~ 2. to distribute ~s circulate v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ among (the host ~d among the guests) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ through (blood ~s through the body) circulation n. ['distribution'] 1. to put into ~ (to put more money into ~) 2. to withdraw from ~ (to withdraw old banknotes from ~) 3. enormous, large, wide; general; limited, small; national, nationwide ~ (this magazine has attained a wide ~) 4. in ~ (this money is no longer in ~) ['movement'] 5. blood ~; or: ~ of the blood 6. good, healthy; poor ~ circumcision n. to do, perform a ~ (on) circumference n. in ~ (ten feet in ~) circumstances n. 1. adverse, difficult, trying ~ 2. reduced, straitened ~ 3. aggravating; extenuating, mitigating ~ 4. attendant; compelling; exceptional, special; favorable; suspicious; tragic; unavoidable; unforeseen ~ 5. a combination of ~ 6. due to ~ (our absence was due to ~ beyond our control) 7. in, under ~ (in certain ~, I would agree; she will not go under any ~; they lived in difficult ~) circus n. 1. to present, put on a ~ 2. to go to the ~ 3. a three-ring; traveling ~ 4. at a ~ 5. (misc.) a three-ring ~ ('hectic activity') citation n. ['reference'] 1. the earliest ~ (of the use of a word) 2. a ~ from ['summons'] 3. to issue a ~ for 4. a ~ to + int. (she received a ~ to appear in court) ['mention of meritorious performance'] (AE) (mil.) 5. to write smb. up for a ~ 6. to receive a ~ (for bravery) 7. a unit ~ cite v. 1. (B) she ~d an interesting passage to us 2. (D; tr.) to ~ as (to ~ smt. as an example) 3. (AE) (mil.) (D; tr.) to ~ for (to ~ smb. for bravery) citizen n. 1. a law-abiding; eminent, leading, prominent; respectable, solid ~ 2. a senior ~ 3. a private; second-class ~ 4. a native-born (esp. AE); naturalized, new ~ citizenry n. an informed ~ citizenship n. 1. to grant ~ 2. to acquire, receive ~ 3. to revoke smb.'s ~ 4. to give up, renounce one's ~ 5.dual ~ city n. 1. to govern, manage (AE), run a ~ 2. a capital; cosmopolitan; densely populated; free; garden (BE), planned; port; provincial; satellite ~; twin ~ties 3. (the) central; inner ~ 4. a beleaguered; open ~ (during wartime) 5. in a ~ (to live in the ~) (see the Usage Note for town) civil adj. 1. ~ to (he wasn't even ~ to his guests) 2. (formal) ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of them to offer their help) civil action n. (legal) to bring a ~ civilization n. 1. to introduce; spread ~ 2. to create a ~ 3. to destroy, stamp out ~ 4. an ancient; modern ~ clad adj. 1. fully; lightly, scantily; partially ~ 2. smartly ~ claim I n. 1. to enter, file, lodge, make, put forward, put in, submit; establish; press; substantiate a ~ (she filed a ~ for compensation) 2. to lay ~ to; to stake, stake out a ~ to 3. (esp. AE) to jump ('steal') smb.'s ~ 4. to contest; disallow, dismiss, reject; dispute a ~ 5. to forfeit; give up, renounce, waive, withdraw a ~ 6. to settle a ~ (they settled their ~ out of court) 7. an excessive, extravagant, unreasonable; fraudulent; legal; moral; outstanding; prior; specious; undisputed; unsubstantiated, unsupported ~; competing, conflicting, rival ~s 8. a disability; insurance ~ 9. a ~ against; for; on; to (she submitted a ~ for damages against the other driver; there are many ~s on my time; he has no ~ to the estate; a ~ to fame) 10. a ~ that + clause (the ~ that he could reduce taxes proved to be false) II v. 1. (E) she ~s to own this property 2. (L) he ~s that he was cheated claimant n. a ~ to (a ~ to the estate) clam n. baked ~s clamber v. (P; intr.) to ~ into/onto a bus clamor, clamour I n. 1. an insistent; loud; public ~ 2. a ~ against; for (a ~ against new taxes) II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ for (to ~ for justice) 2. (E) they were ~ing to see the senator clamp v. (d; tr.) to ~ on, upon (to ~ controls on interest rates) clampdown n. a ~ on clamp down v. (D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on pickpockets) clan n. a ~ gathers clang n. a metallic ~ clanger n. (colloq.) (BE) ('blunder') to drop a ~ clank v. to ~ shut clap v. ('to put') 1. (d; tr.) to ~ into (to ~ smb. into jail) 2. (d; tr.) to ~ on (to ~ a muzzle on a dog) 3. (d; tr.) to ~ to (he ~ped his hand to his mouth) clarification n. to provide; seek ~ clash I n. 1. a bitter; bloody; violent ~ 2. a ~ between (there was a violent ~ between the two rivals) 3. a ~ with (a ~ with the police) II v. 1. (D; intr.) ('to argue') to ~ over 2. (D; intr.) ('to struggle') to ~ with (the demonstrators ~ed with the police) 3. (D; intr.) ('not to match') to ~ with (red ~es with green) clasp I n. a tie ~ II v. (d; tr.) to ~ to (she ~ed the baby to her bosom) class I n. ['lesson'] 1. to conduct, hold (a) ~; to give, meet one's ~; to schedule; reschedule a ~ 2. to attend, go to ~; to sit in on a ~ (esp. AE) 3. to cut (esp. AE); miss a ~ 4. to call off, cancel; dismiss a ~ 5. an advanced; beginners'; intermediate ~ (to sit in on an advanced English ~) ['group'] 6. to form a ~ 7. the educated; leisure; lower; middle; privileged; ruling; social; underprivileged; upper; working ~ 8. (misc.) out of one's ~ ('outclassed'); in a ~ of one's own ('unsurpassed'); ~ conflict/struggle ['division of travelers'] 9. cabin; economy; first; second; third; tourist ~ (to travel first-class) ['group of pupils, students graduating together'] (AE) 10. the freshman-Junior; senior; sophomore ~ II see classify 1-4 classification n. to make a ~ classify v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ according to (the children were ~fied according to age) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ among, with 3. (D; tr.) to ~ as (she was ~fied as fit for service) 4. (D; tr.) to ~ by (to ~ books by subject) 5. (N; used with an adjective) to ~ information confidential clatter v. (P; intr.) the cart ~ed over the cobble-stones clause n. ['group of words with a subject and predicate'] 1. a conditional; dependent, subordinate; independent, main; nonrestrictive; relative; restrictive; verbless ~ ['provision'] [article~] 2. (esp. AE) a grandfather ~ ('a clause that exempts those already engaged in an activity prohibited by new legislation') 3. an escalator; penalty ~ 4. a most-favored-nation ~ claw I n. 1. to retract one's ~s (cats retract their ~s) 2. sharp ~s 3. nonretractile; retractile ~s II v. (d; tr.) to ~ to (to ~ one's way to the top) clay n. 1. to model, shape, work ~ 2. to bake; temper ~ 3. modeling; potter's ~ clean I adj., adv. 1. immaculately, spotlessly ~ 2. (misc.) to come ~ ('to confess'); we're ~ out of food ('we're completely out of food') II v. (D;tr.) to ~ out of (the store was ~ed out of cigarettes) cleaner n. ['device'] 1. a pipe; vacuum ~ ['person'] 2. a street ~ cleaning n. 1. dry ~ 2. a spring; thorough ~ cleanliness n. personal ~ cleanse v. (formal) (D; tr.) to ~ of (to ~ one's thoughts of sin) clean up v. (colloq.) (AE) (D; intr.) ('to make a profit') to ~ on (to ~ on a deal) clear I adj. 1. crystal, perfectly; painfully ~ 2. (cannot stand alone) ~ about (are you ~ about the situation?) 3. ~ from (the answer is ~ from these facts) 4. ~ of (the roads were ~ of snow; to keep ~ of trouble) 5. ~ to (the situation is ~ to everyone) 6. ~ that + clause (it was ~ that they would not come; the teacher made it ~ that discipline would be maintained) II n. [encoded language'] in the ~ (to send a message in the ~) III v. 1. (D; tr.) ('to authorize'); ('to prepare') to ~ for (to ~ an article for export; our plane was ~ed for takeoff; to ~ a deck for action) 2. (D; tr.) ('to remove') to ~ from (to ~ the snow from the driveway) 3. (D; tr.) ('to free') to ~ of (to ~ a harbor of mines; to ~ smb. of guilt; to ~ land of trees) 4. (colloq.) (d; intr.) to ~ out of ('to leave') (to ~ out of town) 5. (d; tr.) ('to remove') to ~ out of (to ~ things out of a cupboard) 6. (D; tr.) ('to complete formalities for') to ~ with (to ~ a shipment with the authorities) 7. (H) ('to authorize') we were ~ed to land clearance n. ['act of clearing away'] 1. slum ~ ['authorization'] 2. to give; receive ~ for 3. customs ~ 4. ~ to + int. (the control tower gave the pilot ~ to land) ['space between parts'] 5. valve ~ ['certification of eligibility for access to classified material'] 6. to give; receive ~ 7. (a) security ~ clearinghouse n. a ~ for (a ~ for information) clear off v. (D; intr.) ('to leave') to ~ of (~ of my property!) cleavage n. ['division'] a sharp ~ between (a sharp ~ developed between the two factions) cleave v. (formal) (d; intr.) ('to cling') to ~ to (to ~ to old customs) cleaver n. a butcher's; meat ~ clemency n. 1. to show ~ 2. to beg for, seek ~ 3. to deny ~ clerk I n. 1. a booking ~ (BE; AE has ticket agent) 2. a desk (AE), reception (BE), room (AE) ~ (in a hotel) 3. a bank (BE); city (AE), town; cipher, code; court; filing; mail, postal ~; salesclerk (AE; BE has shop assistant); shipping; stockroom ~ II v. (D; intr.) (legal) to ~ for (the budding lawyer was ~ing for a prominent judge) clever adj. 1. ~ at, in (she is ~ at arranging furniture) 2. ~ with (he is ~ with his hands) 3. ~ to + int. (it was ~ of her to think of that) clew see clue click v. (colloq.) (D; intr.) ('to be successful') to ~ with (the new show ~ed with the public) client n. to serve a ~ clientele n. an exclusive ~ cliff n. 1. to climb, scale a ~ 2. a rugged; sheer, steep ~ climate n. 1. a friendly; hospitable; inhospitable; invigorating ~ 2. an arctic, frigid; continental; damp; dry; hot; humid; maritime; Mediterranean; mild, moderate, temperate; severe; subtropical; tropical; warm; wet ~ climax n. 1. to come to, reach a ~ 2. to bring smt. to a ~; to work up to a ~ 3. to mark a ~ 4. a dramatic, thrilling ~ 5. a sexual ~ 6. a ~ to (the ~ to our efforts) climb I n. a difficult, hard; easy; gradual; rough, rugged; steep; tortuous ~ II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ aboard (to ~ aboard a raft) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ down (to ~ down a hill) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ onto, upon (the child ~ed onto her mother's lap) 4. (d; intr.) to ~ out of (to ~ out of a pit) 5. (D; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to the top) 6. (D; intr.) to ~ up (to ~ up a hill) climb-down n. (BE) ['retreat] a ~ from (a ~ from an untenable position) climb down v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ from (to ~ from a tree) 2. (BE) (D; intr.) ('to retreat') to ~ from (to ~ from an untenable position) climber n. 1. a mountain ~ 2. a social ~ clinch n. in a ~ cling v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to one's possessions; to ~ to old customs; they clung to the floating wreckage; he clung to my arm) 2. (misc.) to ~ together clinic n. 1. to hold a ~ 2. an abortion; animal; dental; diagnostic; family-planning; mental health; outpatient; special; speech; well-child (AE) ~ 3. at, in a ~ (she works at the ~) clip I n. ['device to hold cartridges'] 1. to insert a ~ 2. a cartridge ~ ['device that fastens'] 3. a paper; tie ~ II n. (colloq.) (esp. AE) ['speed'] at a ~ (to move at a fast ~) III v. 1. (esp. AE) (D; tr.) to ~ from (to ~ articles from a newspaper) 2. (d; tr.) to ~ to (to ~ one page to another) 3. (N; used with an adjective) she ~ped his hair short clipper n. 1. a nail ~ 2. a barber's ~s 3. a coupon ~ ('one whose income is derived from stocks and bonds') clipping n. 1. a newspaper, press ~ (AE; BE has press cutting) 2. fingernail; toenail ~s clique n. a court; military ~ cloak I n. ['shield') under a ~ (under the ~ of anonymity) II v. (d; tr.) to ~ in (~ed in secrecy) cloakroom see the Usage Note for room clock I n. 1. to regulate, set; wind a ~ 2. to advance a ~; or: to set, turn a ~ ahead (by one hour) 3. to set, turn a ~ back (by ten minutes) 4. an alarm; cuckoo; electric; grandfather; wall ~ 5. a biological ~ 6. a ~ is fast; right; slow 7. a ~ gains time; goes; keeps time; loses time; runs down; stops 8. a ~ strikes the hour 9. (misc.) to watch the ~ ('to wait impatiently for the end of the working day'); to work around the ~ ('to work without rest'); the ~ ran out ('the allotted time expired'); to stop the ~ ('to suspend play in a game so that the clock stops running') II v. (D; tr.) ('to time') to ~ at (he was ~ed at a record speed) clockwork n. (misc.) to work like ~ ('to work perfectly'); as regular as ~ ('completely regular') close I adj., adv. /klous/ ['near'] 1. ~ to (~ to tears; we live ~ to town; ~ to the truth) ['stingy'] (colloq.) 2. ~ with (~ with one's money) ['secretive'] 3. ~ about (~ about one's past) ['on intimate terms'] 4. ~ to, with (~ with one's parents) ['misc.'] 5. to see smt. ~ to (BE), up II n. /klouz/ ['finish'] 1. to bring to a ~ 2. to come to, draw to a ~ ['end of a letter'] 3. the complimentary ~ (to a letter) III v. /klouz/ 1. (d; intr.) to ~ about, around, round ('to encircle') (night ~d around us) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ for (to ~ a store for renovations) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ on ('to get near to') (the police were ~ing on the fugitive) 4.(D; tr.) ('to shut') to ~ on (she ~d the door on him) 5. (D; tr.) ('to shut') to ~ to (they ~d their eyes to the truth) 6. (d; intr.) to ~ with ('to engage') (to ~ with the enemy) 7. (d; intr., tr.) ('to finish') to ~ with (they ~d the concert with a march) 8. (N; used with an adjective) ('to shut') she ~d the door tight 9. (s) stocks ~d strong; weak closed adj. 1. ~ for (~ for repairs) 2. ~ to (the road was ~ to traffic; ~ to the public) close in v. /klouz/ 1. (D; intr.) to ~ for ('to approach and prepare for') (to ~ for the kill) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ on ('to bring to bay') (the police ~d in on the fugitives) closemouthed adj. ~ about closeness n. ~ to closet n. ['cupboard'] 1. a china; clothes; linen; walk in ~ ['toilet'] (esp. BE) 2. a water ~ ['misc.'] 3. to come out of the ~ ('to come out into the open about smt.') closeted adj. ~ with (he was ~ with the mayor for an hour) clot n. 1. to form a ~ 2. to dissolve a ~ 3. a blood ~ 4. a ~ forms cloth n. 1. to weave ~ 2. homespun ~ 3. a drop ~ 4. a loin ~ 5. a bolt; strip of ~ clothe v. l.(D;tr.) to ~ in (~d in wool) 2.(misc.) fully; partially ~d clothes n. 1. to change; put on; take off; wear ~ 2. to launder, wash ~ 3. night; summer; swaddling; winter ~ 4. new; old ~ 5. civilian ~ 6. in ~ (the soldier was in civilian ~) clothesline n. to put up, string; take down a ~ clothing n. 1. to put on; wear ~ 2. to take off one's ~ 3. heavy; light; outer; protective; warm ~ 4. summer; winter ~ 5. custom-made, tailor-made; ready-to-wear; secondhand, used; shabby; trendy ~ 6. an article of ~ 7. (misc.) to model ~ cloture n. to apply, impose, invoke ~ cloud n. 1. to disperse ~s (the strong wind dispersed the ~s) 2. dark; heavy, thick; high; scattered; threatening ~s 3. rain, storm ~s; thunderclouds 4. a mushroom; radioactive ~ 5. ~s form; gather 6. ~s scud across the sky 7. (misc.) under a ~ (of suspicion); the gathering ~s of war; in the ~s ('absorbed in one's fantasies'); to seed ~s (to produce rain) cloudburst n. a sudden ~ cloudy adj. partly ~ (in weather forecasts) clout n. (colloq.) (AE) ['influence'] ['power'] 1. to have, wield ~ 2. political ~ (he has a great deal of political ~) clover n. ['plant'] 1. a four-leaf ~ ['prosperity'] 2. to roll in ~ ('to live in luxury) clown I n. 1. to act, play the ~ 2. a circus ~ II v. (D; intr.) to ~ with club n. ['association']!, to form, organize a ~ 2. to join a ~ 3. to break up, disband a ~ 4. an exclusive; private ~ 5. an athletic; book; country; fan; glee; jockey; tennis; yachting ~ 6. a ~ breaks up, disbands 7. a Christmas ~ (esp. AE) ('type of savings account to provide money for the purchase of Christmas presents'); a savings ~ ['piece of wood'] 8. a golf; Indian ~ ['misc.'] 9. (colloq.) join the ~! ('we are in the same situation!') (see the Usage Note for team) clue n. 1. to discover, find, uncover a ~ 2. to furnish, provide, supply a ~ 3. an important, key, vital ~ 4. a ~ to (the police had no ~ to her identity) clue in v. (colloq.) (D; tr.) to ~ on ('to inform about') clumsy adj. 1. ~ at (he's ~ at sports) 2. ~ of (that was ~ of her) 3. ~ with (to be ~ with one's hands) 4. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of you to make a mistake like that) cluster I n. a consonant ~ II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ around (the crowd ~ed around the entrance) 2. (P; intr.) they ~ed in small groups clutch I n. ['device for engaging and disengaging a transmission'] 1. to engage, throw in the ~ ('to release the clutch pedal') 2. to work the ~ 3. to disengage the ~ ('to depress the clutch pedal') 4. to ride the ~ ('to keep the clutch pedal partially depressed') ['crisis'] 5. in a ~ (to count on smb. in a ~) ['misc.'] 6. a ~ hitter ('smb. who is called on to help in a crisis') II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ at (to ~ at a branch) 2. (d; tr.) to ~ to (she ~ed her children to her breast) 3. (misc.) to ~ at a straw ('to consider any possibility') clutches n. ['power'] in smb.'s ~ (in the ~ of the enemy) coach I n. ['trainer of an athlete or team'] 1. a basketball; crew; fencing; football; soccer; swimming; tennis; track-and-field; volleyball ~ ['trainer of a performer or troupe'] 2. a drama; voice ~ ['long-distance bus'] (esp. BE) 3. to go, travel by ~ ['airplane'] 4. an air ~ II v. l. (D;tr.) to ~ for (to ~ a team for a championship match) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ in coal n. 1. to mine, produce ~ 2. to burn, use ~ 3. to shovel ~ (into a furnace) 4. anthracite, hard; bituminous, soft; brown ~ 5. hot, live ~s (to cook meat over hot ~s) 6. a bed of ~s coalesce v. (D; intr.) to ~ into coalition n. (pol.) 1. to form a ~ 2. to break up, dissolve a ~ 3. a ~ breaks up, falls apart 4. a political ~ 5. (AE) a rainbow ~ ('a political coalition consisting of representatives of various ethnic groups') 6. a broadly based, umbrella ~ ('a group consisting of many diverse elements') 7. a ~ among, between, of coast n. 1. a forbidding, inhospitable; rugged ~ 2. off a ~ (a ship sank right off the ~) 3. along, on the ~ (there are many fishing towns on the ~) 4. (AE) on the Coast ('on the Pacific Coast of the US')) (he's out on the Coast) 5. (misc.) the ~ is clear ('there is no danger in sight') coastline n. a broken Jagged ~ coat n. ['sleeved outer garment'] 1. to have a ~ on, wear a ~ 2. to take off one's ~ 3. an all-weather; fur; fur-lined; mink ~; overcoat; raincoat; sheepskin; spring; trench; winter; zip-lined ~ ['layer of paint'] 4. to apply, put on a ~ (we had to put on a second ~) coating n. an outer; protective ~ coat of arms n. a family ~ coax v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ into; out of (she ~ed me into going) 2. (H) he ~ed me to do it cobweb n. ['spider's network'] to spin a ~ (spiders spin ~s) cobwebs n. (colloq.) ['confusion'] to clear, sweep the ~ from one's brain cocaine n. to freebase; snort; shoot ~ cock n. ['rooster'] (esp. BE) 1.~s cock-a-doodle-doo, crow ['water tap'] 2. a ball ~ ['opening of a water tap'] 3. full ~ (a water tap turned on full ~) cocktail n. 1. to make, mix, prepare a ~ 2. fruit ~; a prawn (BE), shrimp (AE) ~ 3. a champagne ~ cocoon n. to spin a ~ code n. ['cryptographic system'] 1. to design, make up a ~ 2. to break, crack, decipher a ~ 3. a binary ~ 4. the Morse ~ 5. in ~ (to send a message in ~) ['body of laws, principles'] 6. to establish, formulate, lay down a ~ 7. a building; civil; criminal, penal; ethical, moral; sanitary; uniform; unwritten ~; a ~ of ethics ['system of symbols'] 8. an area (AE), dialling (BE) ~ 9. the genetic ~ 10. a postal (BE), zip (AE) ~ codicil n. (legal) 1. to draw up a ~ 2. a ~ to (a will) coerce v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ into (to ~ smb. into doing smt.) 2. (H) (rare) he was ~d to sign coercion n. under ~ (to do smt. under ~) coeval adj. (formal) ['contemporary'] ~ with coexist v. 1. to ~ peacefully 2. (D; intr.) to ~ with coexistence n. 1. peaceful ~ 2. ~ with coffee n. 1. to brew; grind; make; percolate; strain ~ 2. to stir ~ (with a spoon) 3. to grow ~ 4. strong; weak ~ 5. black; white (BE) ~, ~ with cream 6. decaffeinated; ersatz; fresh; instant; Irish; Turkish ~ 7. a cup of ~; one ~; or: one cup of ~; two ~s; or: two cups of ~ (bring us two cups of ~) coffin n. to lower a ~ into a grave cogitate v. (formal) (D; intr.) to ~ on cognate adj. ~ to, with (Dutch is ~ to English and German) cognizance n. (formal) ['notice'] to take ~ of cognizant adj. (formal) (cannot stand alone) ~ of (~ of the danger) cohabit v. (D; intr.) to ~ with coherence n. to lack ~ cohesion n. ~ among, between coil I n. an induction; primary ~ II v. 1. (d; intr., refl.) to ~ around/round (the snake ~ed around its victim) 2. (d; intr., refl.) to ~ into (to ~ into a ball) coin n. 1. to mint, strike ~s 2. to drop a ~ (into a slot) 3. to spin a ~; or: to flip, throw, toss a ~ (in order to decide an issue) (they tossed a ~ to decide who would go first) 4. to collect ~s 5. antique; counterfeit; gold; metal; rare; silver; valuable ~s 6. (misc.) common ~ ('smt. that is widely known'); to pay back in the same ~ ('to treat smb. as he or she has treated others') coincide v. (D; intr.) to ~ with coincidence n. 1. mere, pure, sheer ~ 2. a happy; interesting; odd, strange; remarkable ~ 3. a ~ that + clause (it was pure ~ that we were seated together) 4. by ~ (we ended up in the same town by sheer ~) coincidental adj. ~ with cold I adj. ['of a low temperature'] 1. biting, bitter, bitterly ~ (it was bitter ~) 2. ~ to (~ to the touch) ['unfriendly'] 3. ~ towards II n. ['low temperature'] 1. biting, bitter, extreme, intense, severe ~ 2. the ~ has let up ['illness'] 3. to catch, come down with, contract a ~ 4. to have; nurse a ~; to suffer from a ~ 5. to fight off, shake off, throw off a ~ 6. a bad, severe; lingering; slight ~ 7. the common ~; a chest; head ~ cold cream n. to apply ~ cold feet n. (colloq.) ['reluctance'] at the last minute he got ~ and withdrew from the deal cold light n. ['clear view'] in the ~ of reality cold shoulder n. (colloq.) ['snub'] to give smb. the cold turkey n. (colloq.) ['abrupt cessation of the use of drugs and other harmful substances'] to go collaborate v. (D; intr.) to ~ in, on; with (to ~ on a project with smb.) collaboration n. 1. international ~ 2. in ~ with collaborator n. (historical and pejorative) a wartime ~ collapse I n. 1. (an) economic ~ 2. an emotional, mental ~ 3. a total ~ (he was in a state of total ~) II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ from, with (to ~ from exhaustion) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ under (the weight of smt.) collar n. 1. a button-down; stand-up; starched; stiff; turndown ~ 2. (misc.) hot under the ~ ('very angry') collate v. (D; tr.) to ~ with (to ~ one edition with another edition) collateral n. to put up ~ for collect v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ around (a crowd ~ed around them) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ from (to ~ money from one's colleagues) 3.(D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on one's insurance) collection n. 1. to take up a ~ (of money) 2. to break up a ~ 3. an art; coin; private; stamp ~ collective n. a workers' ~ collector n. 1. an art; coin; rare-book; stamp ~ 2. a tax; ticket; toll ~ 3. (AE) a garbage, trash ~ (BE has dustman) 4. an ardent, avid, serious ~ college n. 1. to go to ~ 2. to apply for admission to (a) ~; to enroll, matriculate at (a) ~; to enter (a) ~ 3. to finish, graduate from ~ 4. to put smb. through ~ ('to pay for smb.'s college education') 5. to drop out of; fail out of (AE), flunk out of (AE; slang) ~ 6. a business (AE); community (AE); junior (AE); technical (BE); village (BE); war ~; a College of Further Education (BE) 7. (US) the Electoral College 8. at, in ~ (she's away at ~; he made many friends when he was in ~) USAGE NOTE: One says to go to college, but to go to a good college, (see the Usage Note for university) collide v. 1. to ~ head-on 2. (D; intr.) to ~ with (they ~d with another ship) collision n. 1. to cause a ~ 2. a head-on; midair ~ 3. a near ~ 4. a ~ between; with (the ~ between the ships was caused by fog) collocate v. (D; intr.) to ~ with (some verbs ~ with certain nouns) collocation n. a grammatical; lexical ~ colloquy n. (formal) a ~ between collude v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ with 2. (E) to ~ with smb. to do smt. collusion n. 1. ~ between 2. in ~ with colon n. (med.) the ascending; descending; transverse ~ colonel n. 1. a chicken (AE; slang), full; lieutenant ~ 2. a ~ commands a regiment colony n. 1. to establish a ~ 2. to disband a ~ 3. a crown ~ 4. an artists'; leper; nudist; penal ~ 5. an ant ~ color, colour I n. ['hue'] 1. bright, brilliant; dark; dull; garish, gaudy, loud; harsh; natural; rich; soft; subdued; vivid; warm ~s 2. (usu. fig.) glowing ~s (to picture smt. in glowing ~s) 3. complementary; primary; secondary ~s 4. ~s clash; fade; match 5. in ~ (in natural ~) 6. a combination of ~s; a riot of ~ ['features'] 7. local ~ ['paint'] 8. oil; water ~s (to paint with oil ~s) ['vividness'j 9. to add, lend ~ (to a story) ['complexion'] 10. to change ~ ('to become pale; to blush') 11. (misc.) the fresh air brought the ~ back to his cheeks II v. (N; used with an adjective) she ~ed her hair red coloring, colouring n. artificial; natural; protective ~ color line, colour line n. ['social boundary between races of different color'] to cross the ~ colors, colours n. ['banner, flag'] 1. to display, show the ~ 2. to salute; troop the ~ 3. to dip; haul down, strike the ~ 4. college; regimental; school ~ ['armed forces'] 5. to be called to the ~ ['character'] 6. to show one's ~ 7. one's true ~ ['misc.'] 8. to come through with flying ~ ('to score an impressive success'); under false ~ ('passing oneself off as another'); to ride under the ~ of a certain stable column n. ['series of articles'] 1. a syndicated ~ (in a newspaper) ['vertical division of a page'] 2. advertising (esp. BE) ~s; correspondence (esp. BE) ~s; a personal; society; sports ~ ['list of numbers'] 3. to add up a ~ ['shaft'] 4. a steering ~ (on a car) 5. (med.) the spinal, vertebral ~ ['row'] 6. a tank ~ ['misc.'] 7. a fifth ~ ('enemy supporters behind one's own lines') columnist n. 1. a syndicated ~ 2. a fifth ~ ('an enemy agent operating behind one's own lines') coma n. 1. to fall, lapse, slip into a ~ 2. to come out of a ~ 3. a deep; irreversible ~ comb n. a fine-tooth ~ (usu. fig.) (we went through the documents with a fine-tooth ~) combat n. 1. to engage in, go into ~ 2. to break off ~ 3. close, hand-to-hand; deadly, fierce, mortal ~ 4. ~ between combination n. 1. a rare; strange ~ 2. (ling.) a fixed, recurrent; free ~ combine v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ against (to ~ forces against a common enemy) 2. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ with (hydrogen ~s with oxygen; to ~ initiative with caution; to ~ business with pleasure) combo n. (colloq.) a jazz ~ combustion n. 1. to produce ~ 2. internal; spontaneous ~ come v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ across ('to meet by chance') (to ~ across an old friend) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ at ('to attack') (he came at me with a knife) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ between ('to alienate'); ('to separate') (to ~ between two friends) 4. (d; intr.) ('to originate') to ~ from (she ~s from a different country; milk ~s from cows) 5. (d; intr.) ('to enter') to ~ into (to ~ into being; to ~ into use; to ~ into focus; to ~ into the open; to ~ into view) 6. (d; intr.) to ~ on, upon ('to meet') (to ~ upon a stranger; to ~ upon a shocking scene) 7. (d; intr.) to ~ on ('to begin'); ('to enter') (to ~ on duty; to ~ on the scene) 8. (d; intr.) to ~ out of ('to leave') (he came out of the room) 9. (d; intr.) to ~ over ('to affect') (what has come over you?) 10. (d; intr.) ('to amount') to ~ to (the bill came to twenty dollars) 11. (d; intr.) to ~ to ('to arrive at'); ('to reach') (the incident came to their attention; to ~ to grief; success came to her early; he came to his senses; it came to our knowledge that...; to ~ to terms; when it ~s to politics; to ~ to the point) 12. (D; intr.) ('to be due') to ~ to (he got what was ~ing to him) 13. (d; intr.) ('to happen') to ~ to (no harm came to them) 14. (d; intr.) to ~ to ('to be remembered by') (her name finally came to me) 15. (d; intr.) ('to fall') to ~ under (to ~ under the jurisdiction of a court; to ~ under suspicion; to ~ under smb.'s influence; to ~ under fire) 16. (E) ('to occur') if it came to be known that...; to ~ to pass ('to happen') 17. (E) ('to begin') they finally came to consider me a friend 18. (G) ('to approach') the children came running 19. (P; intr.) ('to occur in a certain order') Tuesday ~s after Monday 20. (s) to ~ true; the dressing came undone 21. (misc.) what will ~ ('become') of him? the years to ~; to ~ on strong ('to try to make a very strong impression'); to ~ into a fortune ('to inherit or acquire a fortune'); the case never did ~ before the court; he had it ~ing ('he deserved his punishment') come across v. (d; intr.) to ~ as ('to appear') (he ~s across as being very intelligent) come around v. (D; intr.) ('to change') to ~ to (she finally came around to our viewpoint) come away v. (d; intr.) ('to leave') to ~ with (he came away with a favorable impression) comeback n. ['recovery'] 1. to attempt, try; make a ~ 2. a successful; unsuccessful ~ ['retort'] 3. a snappy ~ come back v. (D; intr.) to ~ to ('to return') (they came back to their hometown; the details are ~ing back to me) comedian n. an alternative (BE) ('anti-establishment'); nightclub; radio; stand-up; TV ~ come down v. 1. (BE) (D; intr.) to ~ from ('to leave') (to ~ from Oxford) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ from ('to originate from') (this statue has come down to us from the fifteenth century) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ on ('to treat') (the teacher came down hard on him for missing class) 4. (d; intr.) to ~ to ('to amount to') (it ~s down to the same old thing) 5. (d; intr.) to ~ with ('to catch, develop') (to ~ with a cold) comedy n. black; light; musical; situation; slapstick ~ come forward v. (D; intr.) to ~ with ('to present') (to ~ with new evidence) come in v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to be subjected to') (to ~ for criticism) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ on ('to join') (to ~ on a project) come out v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ against ('to oppose') (to ~ against a proposal) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to support') (to ~ for a bill) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to try out for') (are you ~ing out for the team?) 4. (d; intr.) to ~ with ('to publish') (to ~ with a new book) 5. (P; intr.) ('to end up'); ('to result') to ~ on top ('to be victorious') 6. (s) the pictures came out fine 7. (misc.) to ~ in spots ('to be covered with spots as a result of illness'); they came out from behind the bushes come over v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ to ('to approach') (she came over to our table) 2. (D; intr.) ('to come') to ~ with (their ancestors came over with the Pilgrims) 3. (BE) (s) ('to begin to feel') to ~ faint; nervous come round see come around come through v. (D; intr.) to ~ with ('to pro vide') (he finally came through with the money) come up v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ against ('to meet') (to ~ against opposition) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ for ('to be brought up for') (the question finally came up for discussion) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ to ('to reach') (the water came up to our knees) 4. (d; intr.) to ~ to ('to approach') ('he came up to me and introduced himself) 5. (d; intr.) to ~ with ('to produce') (she came up with a good idea) 6. (misc.) to ~ to expectations comeuppance n. (colloq.) ['well-deserved misfortune'] to get one's ~ comfort n. 1. to bring, give, provide ~ 2. to derive ~ from; to find, take; seek ~ in (she finds ~ in helping others) 3. to enjoy the ~s (of life) 4. cold, little ~ 5. creature ~s; spiritual ~ 6. a ~ to (he was a great ~ to his parents) 7. a ~ to + int. (it was a ~ to know that they were safe) 8. in ~ (to live in ~) comfortable adj. (colloq.) ~ with (are you ~ with this decision?) comforter n. (AE) a down ~ comforting adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to be sure of their support) coming n. the Second Coming comma n. 1. to place, put in a ~ 2. inverted ~s (BE; CE has quotation marks) command I n. ['authority'] ['control'] 1. to assume, take (over) ~ 2. to exercise ~ 3. to give up, relinquish; lose one's ~ 4. firm ~ 5. ~ of, over (he assumed ~ of the regiment) 6. in ~ of (he was put in ~ of the task force; who will be placed in ~ of the division?) 7. under smb.'s ~ (we were under her ~) 8. the chain of ~ ['headquarters'] 9. the high, supreme ~ 10. a unified ~ ['order'] 11. to carry out, execute; give, issue a ~ 12. a ~ that + clause; subj. (we obeyed their ~ that prisoners be/ should be treated properly) 13. at smb.'s ~ (at his ~ we opened fire) ['military unit'] 14. a combat; military ~ ['mastery'] 15. fluent, perfect ~ (fluent ~ of a language) II v. l. (H) he ~ed his men to fire 2. (L; subj.) the captain ~ed that the company fall in/ should fall in commandant n. (AE) (mil.) the ~ of the Marine Corps; the ~ of a service school commander n. 1. a lieutenant; naval ~ 2. a battalion; camp; company; division; regimental; supreme ~ 3. a ~ commands a unit commandment n. (rel.) 1. to keep the ~s 2. to violate a ~ 3. the Ten Commandments commence v. (formal) 1. (D; intr.) to ~ with (we'll ~ with a reading of the minutes of the last meeting) 2. (rare) (G) (mil.) ~ firing! commencement exercises n. (AE) to attend; hold ~ commend v. 1. to ~ highly 2. (formal) (B) lean ~ him to you 3. (D; tr.) to ~ for (she was ~ed for bravery) commendable adj. ~ to + inf. (it is ~ to help others) commendation n. a ~ for (a ~ for bravery) commensurable adj. ~ to, with commensurate adj. ~ to, with (a reward ~ with the results achieved) comment I n. ['observation'] ['remark'] 1. to make a ~ 2. (an) appropriate, fitting; caustic, critical, scathing, unfavorable; cryptic; favorable; inappropriate; ironic, wry; nasty, vicious; off-the-record; passing; perceptive, shrewd; sarcastic ~ 3. (a) ~ about, on (there was no ~ about the incident in the press) 4. (a) ~ from (there was no ~ from the other party) 5. a ~ that + clause (her ~ that she would retire soon was greeted with dismay) 6. without further ~ ['gossip'] ['talk'] 7. to arouse, cause, evoke ~ 8. considerable; critical, scathing; favorable; unfavorable ~ (the incident evoked considerable ~ in the capitals of western Europe) II v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ about, on 2. (L) she ~ed that she was very happy to be a guest in their country commentary n. 1. to give a ~ 2. a play-by-play, running ~ 3. (misc.) a sad ~ (on the world situation) commentator n. a news; radio; TV ~ commerce n. 1. to carry on, engage in ~ 2. to develop, expand ~ 3. interstate; overseas ~ 4. ~ between; with (to carry on ~ with the countries of Central America) commercial n. ['paid spoken advertisement'] 1. to sponsor a ~ 2. a radio; TV ~ commiserate v. (d; intr.) to ~ on; with (I ~ with you on your misfortune) commission I n. ['committee'] ['council'] 1. to appoint, establish a ~ 2. to disband a ~ 3. a fact-finding; investigating; joint; planning; roving ~ 4. a ~ on (a ~ on the problems of alcoholism) ['certificate conferring rank'] (usu. mil.) 5. to award, confer a ~ 6. to earn, win a (battlefield) ~ 7. to resign one's ~ 8. a battlefield ~ ['fee'] 9. to charge; pay a ~ 10. to deduct; divide a ~ 11. a ~ for, on 12. on ~ (to work on ~) ['operating condition'] 13. to put out of ~ (the storm put all power lines out of ~) ['task'] (formal) 14. to execute a ~ 15. a ~ to + inf. (a ~ to serve) II v. 1. (H) she ~ed an artist to paint her portrait 2. (N; used with a noun) she was ~ed a second lieutenant commissioner n. 1. a high ~ for (the high ~ for occupied territories) 2. a fire; health; police; water ~ 3. (GB) the Canadian High Commissioner in London commit v. 1. (d; refl.) ('to devote') to ~ to (to ~ oneself to a cause) 2. (D; tr.) ('to assign') to ~ to (to ~ funds to a project) 3. (D; tr.) ('to confine') to ~ to (to ~ smb. to a mental hospital; ~ted to prison) 4. (d; tr.) ('to place') (to ~ a child to a relative's care; to ~ a poem to memory; to ~ one's thoughts to paper) 5. (H; usu. refl.; no passive) ('to promise') he ~ted himself to support her parents commitment n. ['promise'] 1. to make a ~ 2. to meet a ~ 3. a firm ~ 4. a ~ to + inf. (he made a ~ to pay off his debts) 5. a ~ that + clause (they reaffirmed their ~ that they would help) ['devotion'] 6. to demonstrate, display, show ~ 7. an all-out, total ~ 8. (a) ~ to (~ to a cause) committed adj. 1. ~ to (~ to his principles) 2. ~ to + inf. (they are ~ to help us; or, more usu.: they are ~ to helping us) committee n. 1. to appoint, establish, form, organize, set up a ~ 2. to disband a ~ 3. an ad-hoc; advisory; budget; credentials; executive; grievance; nominating; planning; program; select; special; standing; steering; strike; watchdog; ways-and-means ~: a ~ of the whole 4. a ~ on (a ~ on problems of the elderly) 5. on a ~ (who is serving on the ~?) 6. (misc.) to report a bill out of ~ commodity n. 1. to trade in ~ties 2. a farm; marketable; staple ~ common I adj. 1. quite ~ 2. (cannot stand alone after a noun) ~ to (a heritage ~ to both our peoples) II n. in ~ with commonplace I adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ for them to travel abroad) II n. 1. to state a ~ 2. a ~ to + inf. (it's a ~ to say that people should work hard) common sense n. 1. to apply, exercise, show, use ~ 2. the ~ to + inf. (he had the ~ to remain silent) 3. (misc.) good; plain ~ (just plain, good, old ~) common touch n. to have; lose the ~ commotion n. 1. cause, create, raise a ~ 2. a ~ subsides 3. in a state of ~ commune v. (d; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with nature) communicate v. 1. to ~ officially; unofficially 2. (B) she tried to ~ her thoughts to her children 3. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with one's parents) communication n. ['message'] 1. to address, direct, send (all) ~s (to a certain place) 2. a direct; official; personal; privileged ('confidential') ~ 3. a ~ from; to ['act, means of communicating'] 4. to establish ~ 5. to cut off ~s 6. mass ~s 7. radio; two-way ~ 8. ~ with (to establish ~ with the rescue team; to cut off all ~s with the mainland) 9. in ~ with (she has been in ~ with her family) communication cord n. (BE) to pull a ~ (AE has emergency cord) communion n. ['sharing'] 1. ~ with ['a Christian sacrament, the Eucharist'] 2. to administer, give ~ 3. to take ~ 4. Holy Communion communique n. 1. to issue a ~ 2. a joint ~ 3. an official ~ 4. a ~ about, on (they issued a ~ on the results of the conference) community n. ['group of persons with common interests'] 1. an (the) academic, college, university; business; gay; intelligence; religious; scientific; speech ~ ['group of persons who live together'] 2. a close-knit ~ 3. a life-care (AE); retirement ~ commute v. 1. (D; intr.) ('to travel regularly') to ~ between; from; to (to ~ between two cities; to ~ from the suburbs to the city) 2. (D; tr.) ('to change') to ~ to (the Governor ~d his death sentence to life imprisonment) commuter n. 1. a suburban ~ 2. a ~ between; from; to compact n. (formal) ['agreement'] 1. to make a ~ with 2. a ~ between; with companion n. 1. a boon, close, inseparable ~ 2. a life; traveling ~ 3. a ~ for, to (she worked as a ~ to an elderly woman) company n. ['military unit consisting of several platoons'] 1. to command a ~ (a captain commands a ~) 2. to deploy; form a ~ 3. a cannon; headquarters; infantry ~ ['companionship'] 4. to keep (smb.) ~; to seek smb.'s ~ 5. to part ~ with 6. (good) ~ for (the children were good ~ for us) ['guests'] 7. to have; invite ~ (we enjoy having ~) ['associates'] ['association'] ['gathering of persons'] 8. to keep ~ with 9. mixed ~ (don't use that word in mixed ~) 10. (colloq.) bad, fast ~ ('reckless, wild associates') (he runs around in/with fast ~) 11. present ~ ('those present') (present ~ excepted) 12. in ~ (to behave appropriately in ~; in ~ with smb.) ['firm'] 13. to manage, operate, run a ~ 14. to establish, form a ~ 15. a finance; holding; insurance; investment; joint-stock; shipping; transport (esp. BE), transportation ~ 16. an opera; repertory (esp. BE), stock (AE); theatrical ~ 17. (BE) a (public) limited ~ (AE prefers corporation) 18. a ~ fails, goes bankrupt ['fire-fighting unit'] 19. an engine, hose; ladder ~ comparable adj. ~ to, with compare I n. beyond ~ II v. 1. to ~ advantageously, favorably; unfavorably 2. (d; intr.) to ~ to, with (these roads cannot ~ with ours) 3. (d; tr.) to ~ to, with (how would you ~ this wine with a good French wine?) USAGE NOTE: The construction to compare x to y usually means 'to claim a similarity between x and y' (to compare New York to a beehive). The construction to compare x with/and y usually means 'to discuss similarities and differences between x and y' (to compare New York with/arid London). comparison n. 1. to draw, make a ~ 2. to hold up under ~ 3. to defy ~ 4. a favorable; unfavorable ~ 5. a ~ between; to, with (there is no ~ between them; she made a ~ of our literature to theirs; I would like to draw a ~ of recent events with those of the 1930s) 6. beyond ~ 7. by ~ (her works suffer by ~) 8. in ~ with USAGE NOTE: Note that there can be a difference in meaning between a comparison of New York to a beehive and a comparison of New York with/and London. See the Usage Note for compare II. The preposition between can be used in both meanings a comparison between New York and a beehive and a comparison between New York and London. compartment n. 1. a glove ~ 2. a first-class; second-class ~ 3. a watertight ~ compartmentalize v. (D; tr.) to ~ into compass n. 1. to box the ~ 2. to read a ~ 3. a magnetic; mariner's ~ compassion n. 1. to arouse ~ 2. to demonstrate, display, show; feel, have ~ 3. deep, profound, strong ~ 4. ~ for 5. out of ~ (to act out of ~) compatibility n. ~ between, with compatible adj. ~ with compel v. (H) to ~ smb. to do smt. compensate v. 1. (d; intr.) ('to make up for') to ~ for (I cannot ~ for my inferiority complex) 2. (D; tr.) ('to reimburse') to ~ for (to ~ smb. for damages) compensation n. 1. to make, pay; offer ~ 2. to deny, refuse ~ 3. adequate, appropriate ~ 4. unemployment; workmen's (AE) ~ 5. ~ for (~ for the damage suffered) compete v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ against, with (that store ~s with us) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ for (to ~ for first prize) 3. (D; intr.) to ~ in (to ~ in a contest) competence n. ['ability'] 1. to acquire, gain ~ 2. ~ for (does she have the necessary ~ for the position?) 3. ~ in (~ in English) 4. the ~ to + inf. (do they have the ~ to cope with the job?) ['jurisdiction'] (legal) 5. beyond; within the ~ (the matter lay within the ~ of the court) competent adj. 1. highly ~ 2. ~ as (he is ~ as a teacher) 3. ~ at, in (she is ~ in her field) 4. ~ to + inf. (she is ~ to teach history; ~ to stand trial) competition n. ['rivalry'] ['opposition'] 1. to offer, provide ~ 2. to undercut, undersell the ~ 3. bitter, fierce, formidable, keen, stiff, strong; cutthroat, unfair, unscrupulous; fair; free, unfettered; healthy ~ 4. ~ among, between; with (stiff ~ among several firms) 5. ~ for (~ for control of the market) 6. in ~ with ['contest'] ['match'] 7. to hold, stage a ~ 8. a gymnastics; high-diving; speed-skating ~ 9. (an) open ~ 10. a ~ for (a ~ for the championship) competitive adj. 1. fiercely, keenly ~ 2. ~ with (to be ~ with the best) competitor n. a formidable, keen, strong; unscrupulous ~ compilation n. 1. to do, make a ~ 2. a ~ from (various sources) compile v. (D; tr.) to ~ from (to ~ a dictionary from various sources) complacency n. ~ about; towards complacent adj. ~ about complain v. 1. to ~ bitterly, loudly, vociferously; constantly 2. (D; intr.) to ~ about, of; to (I ~ed to the manager about the service; she ~ed of indigestion) 3. (L; to) she ~ed (to the manager) that there was no hot water complainer n. a chronic ~ complaint n. 1. to bring, file, lodge, make, register a ~ 2. to express, voice a ~ 3. to act on, respond to a ~ 4. to disregard, ignore; reject a ~ 5. a bitter, loud, vociferous; justified; legitimate; unjustified ~ 6. a ~ about; with (she filed a ~ about the service with the manager) 7. a ~ against (they lodged a ~ against me) 8. a ~ to (our ~ to the dean was ignored) 9. a ~ that + clause (they rejected his ~ that proper procedures had not been followed) 10. (misc.) grounds for/a cause for ~ complement n. 1. a full ~ 2. (naval) a ship's ~ ('crew') 3. (grammar) a predicate ~ 4. a ~ to complementary adj. ~ to complete adj. ~ with (a turkey dinner ~ with all the trimmings) completion n. 1. to near ~ 2. on ~ of (on ~ of this dictionary we will need a rest) complex n. 1. an Electra; inferiority; Oedipus; persecution; superiority ~ 2. the military-industrial ~ complexion n. a clear; dark; fair; florid, ruddy; pasty; sallow ~ compliance n. 1. ~ with (~ with the law) 2. in ~ with (in ~ with regulations) complication n. 1. to cause ~s 2. to avoid ~s 3. ~s arise, set in complicity n. 1. ~ between 2. ~ in (a crime) compliment I n. ['praise'] 1. to pay smb. a ~ 2.to lavish, shower ~s on 3. to return a ~ 4. to angle for, fish for ~s 5. to bandy ~s 6. a backhanded, dubious, left-handed; nice, pretty; sincere ~ 7. a ~ on (she paid him a nice ~ on his success) II v. (D; tr.) to ~ on (I ~ed him on his performance) compliments n. ['greetings'] 1. to convey, present, send one's ~ 2. (misc.) with the author's ~; with the ~ of the management comply v. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with the law; to ~ with smb.'s request) component n. an essential ~ comport v. (formal) (P; refl.) to ~ oneself with dignity; to ~ oneself well compose v. (B) to ~ an ode to an emperor composed adj. (cannot stand alone'] ['consisting'] ~ of (the team was ~ of seasoned players) (see the Usage Note for comprised) composer n. a major; minor; popular ~ composition n. ['essay'] 1. to do, write a ~ ['typesetting'] 2. to do ~ ['piece of music'] 3. to perform, play a ~ composure n. 1. to keep, retain; regain one's ~ 2. to lose one's ~ compound I n. ['result of mixing'] a chemical; organic ~ II n. ['enclosure'] a prison ~ comprehensible adj. ~ to comprehension n. 1. to defy, elude ~ 2. beyond ~ comprehensives n. (AE) ['comprehensive examination'] to take one's ~ compress I n. 1. to apply a ~ to 2. a cold; dry; hot; wet ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ into (to ~ a whole paragraph into two sentences) comprised adj. (cannot stand alone) ['consisting'] ~ of USAGE NOTE: Some purists prefer composed of to comprised of. compromise I n. 1. to agree on, come to, reach, work out a ~ 2. to reject a ~ 3. an acceptable, reasonable ~ 4. a ~ between; with II v. (D; intr.) to ~ on, over; with (they ~d on certain items with us) comptroller n. (AE) the Comptroller General compulsion n. 1. to feel a ~ 2. (a) moral ~ 3. a ~ to + inf. (he felt no ~ to do it) 4. under ~ (to give in under ~) compulsory n. ~ for compunction n. 1. to feel, have; show ~ 2. ~ about (she felt no ~ about making us wait) 3. without ~ (he violated the law without the slightest ~) computer n. 1. to operate, use a ~; to turn on; turn off a ~ 2. to program a ~ 3. an analog; digital; electronic; general-purpose; home; mainframe ~; microcomputer; minicomputer; parallel; personal; serial ~ 4. the ~ is down ('the computer is not functioning') 5. the ~ is up ('the computer is functioning') 6. a ~ bombs (AE), crashes 7. on a ~ (to run a program on a ~) comrade n. 1. one's fallen ~s 2. a ~ in arms 3. an old ~ con v. (colloq.) ('to trick') 1. (D; tr.) to ~ into (to trick smb. into doing smt.) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ out of (he ~ned me out of my money) conceal v. (D; tr.) to ~ from concede v. 1. (B) he finally ~d the election to his opponent 2. (L; to ) she ~d (to us) that she had been mistaken conceded adj. (cannot stand alone) ~ to + inf. (this painting is ~ to be her best work) conceit n. insufferable, overwhelming ~ conceivable adj. ~ that + clause (it is ~ that they knew about it beforehand) conceive v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ of (can you ~ of such cruelty?) 2. (L) I could not ~ that he would do such a thing concentrate v. (D;intr.,tr.) to ~ on (to ~ all our efforts on solving the problem) concentration n. 1. to disrupt, disturb one's ~ 2. deep ~ 3. ~ on 4. in ~ (in deep ~) concept n. 1. to formulate, frame a ~ 2. to grasp a ~ 3. the ~ that + clause (the ~ that trade lessens international tensions is valid) conception n. ['concept'] 1. a clear; vague ~ 2. the ~ that + clause (the ~ that the superpowers must fight is dangerous) ['becoming pregnant or being conceived'] 3. at ~ concern I n. ['interest'] ['apprehension'] 1. to arouse, cause, give ~ 2. to express, voice; feel; show ~ 3. considerable, deep, grave, serious; growing; national; overriding; particular; primary; public ~ 4. an object of ~ 5. ~ about, for, over, with (~ about debts; ~ for the children; ~ over the future) 6. (esp. BE) ~ to + inf. (~ to know the truth) 7. ~ that + clause (to express ~ that they might fail) 8. of ~ to (the matter was of deep ~ to us) 9. out of ~ (she did it out of ~ for her family) ['firm'] 10. to manage a ~ 11. (misc.) a going ('successful') ~ II v. 1. (d; refl.) to ~ oneself about, over, with (she ~ed herself with the problem of illiteracy) 2. (misc.) to whom it may ~ concerned adj. 1. deeply, greatly ~ 2. ~ about, for, over; with (~ about safety) 3. (esp. BE) ~ to + inf. (~ to know your decision) 4. ~ that + clause (we are ~ that they might have missed the train) 5. (misc.) as far as I'm ~ USAGE NOTE: The phrases concerned about, concerned over and less frequently, concerned for, mean 'worried about' (concerned about your safety). The phrase concerned with means 'interested in' (concerned with establishing the truth). concert n. ['musical program'] 1. to give, hold, stage a ~ 2. to cancel a ~ 3. a band; orchestral; pop, promenade (BE); rock; subscription ~ 4. at a ~ (we met at the ~) ['harmony, agreement ~ '] 5. in ~ ('together') (to work in ~; voices raised in ~) concerto n. 1. to compose a ~ 2. to perform, play a ~ 3. a piano; violin ~ concession n. ['yielding'] 1. to grant, make a ~ 2. a ~ to ['right to conduct business'] 3. to grant; receive a ~ 4. a parking; refreshment ~ 5. a ~ to + inf. (their firm received a ~ to prospect for oil) conclave n. ['meeting'] a party ~ conclude v. (L) we ~d that he would not come conclusion n. 1. to arrive at, come to, draw. reach a ~; to jump to a ~ 2. to bring to a ~ 3. a correct; erroneous, invalid, wrong; foregone; hasty; inescapable, inevitable; reasonable, tenable, valid ~ 4. a ~ that + clause (their ~ that war is inevitable is disturbing) 5. at the ~ (at the ~ of the concert) concoction n. (colloq.) to whip up a ~ concomitant adj. (formal) ~ with concord n. (formal) in ~ with concordance n. ['list of words'] 1. to compile a ~ ['harmony'] 2. in ~ with concordat n. (rel.) 1. to conclude, draw up a ~ 2. a ~ between; with concrete n. 1. to pour ~ 2. prestressed; ready-mix; reinforced ~ 3. a slab of ~ concubine n. 1. to have, keep a ~ 2. by one's ~ (he had many children by his ~s) concur v. (formal) ('to agree') 1. to ~ completely, fully 2. (D; intr.) to ~ in (to ~ in supporting a cause) 3. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with an opinion; to ~ with smb.) 4. (L) we ~ that the practice should be halted concurrence n. 1. complete, full ~ 2. ~ in 3. in ~ with 4. with the ~ of concussion n. 1. to receive a ~ 2. a severe; slight ~ 3. a brain ~ condemn v. 1. to ~ bitterly, harshly, strongly; unfairly, unjustly 2. (D; tr.) to ~ as (they were ~ed as traitors) 3. (D; tr.) to ~ for (he was ~ed for stealing a horse) 4. (D; tr.) to ~ to (to ~ smb. to death; ~ed to hard labor) 5. (H) he was ~ed to spend the rest of his life in prison condemnation n. 1. to issue a ~ 2. a bitter, harsh, scathing, strong; sweeping ~ condense v. (D; tr.) to ~ into (you must ~ your paper into a few paragraphs) condescend v. (formal) 1. (d; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to cheating) 2. (E) to ~ to mingle with the workers condition I n. ['requirement'] 1. to impose, set; state, stipulate a ~ 2. to accept a ~ 3. to fulfill, meet, satisfy a ~ 4. an essential ~ 5. on ~ that + clause; subj. (she will join us on ~ that you also be there) ['state of repair'] 6. bad, poor, terrible; excellent, good ~ 7. operating, running ~ 8. in ~ (our house is in good ~; his car is in running ~; the roads are in terrible ~) ['good health'] ['fitness'] 9. to get into ~ 10. in ~; out of ~ (he never exercises and is out of ~) ['state of health'] 11. critical, poor; fair, satisfactory; good; serious; stable; weakened ~ 12. in ~ (the patient was in critical ~) ['ailment'] 13. a heart; lung ~ 14. an untreatable ~ II v. 1. (D; refl.) to ~ for 2. (formal) (D; tr.) to ~ on 3. (D; tr.) to ~ to (~ed to life in the jungle) 4. (H) to ~ smb. to do smt. conditional adj. ~ on conditioned adj. ~ to + int. (the dog was ~ to attack at a certain signal) conditioner n. a hair; skin ~ conditions n. ['circumstances'] 1. favorable; unfavorable ~ 2. difficult; normal; pitiful, squalid; repressive ~ 3. living; weather; working ~ (if weather ~ permit) 4. in ~ (they live in squalid ~) 5. under ~ (to work under difficult ~) condolences n. 1. to convey, express, offer ~ 2. heartfelt, sincere ~ 3. ~ on (I conveyed our sincere ~ to them on the death of their mother) condole with v. (esp. BE) (D; tr.) to ~ on (to ~ smb. on the death of a parent) condone v. (K) I don't ~ his coming late to work conducive adj. (cannot stand alone) ~ to (exercise is ~ to good health) conduct I n. 1. appropriate; chivalrous; ethical; irreproachable; proper ~ 2. disorderly; improper; inappropriate, unbecoming; unethical ~ 3. (mil.) dishonorable (AE); good ~; ~ unbecoming an officer II v. 1. (d; refl.) to ~ like (he ~ed himself like a good soldier) 2. (P; refl.) to ~ oneself with dignity 3. (formal) (P; tr.) she was ~ed into the conference room; they ~ed us through the museum conductor n. ['substance that conducts'] 1. a lightning ~ ['person who collects fares'] (BE) 2. a bus ~ ['director'] 3. a guest; orchestra ~ cone n. 1. an ice-cream ~ 2. a pine ~ confederacy n. 1. to form a ~ 2. a ~ among, between; with confederate v. (D; intr.) to ~ with confederation n. 1. to form a ~ 2. a ~ among, between; with 3. a loose, weak ~ confer v. 1. (D; intr.) ('to converse') to ~ about; with (we will ~ with them about this matter) 2. (D; tr.) ('to award') to ~ on (to ~ an award on smb.) conference n. 1. to convene; hold a ~ 2. a news, press; peace; staff; summit ~ 3. a ~ between 4. a ~ on (to hold a ~ on disarmament) 5. at a ~ (you'll see her at the press ~) 6. in ~ (he is in ~ and cannot come to the telephone) confess v. 1. to ~ frankly, honestly; willingly 2. (B) he ~ed his crime to the police 3. (D; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to a crime; to ~ to the police; he ~ed to cheating on the exam) 4. (L; to) he ~ed (to us) that he had lied confession n. 1. to make a ~ 2. to extort, force a ~ from; to beat a ~ out of (the police beat a ~ out of him) 3. to repudiate, retract, take back, withdraw a ~ 4. a deathbed; forced; full; public; voluntary ~ 5. (rel.) to hear smb.'s ~ 6. (rel.) to go to ~ 7. a ~ that + clause (he made a public ~ that he had accepted bribes) confetti n. to sprinkle, throw ~ confide v. 1. (B) he ~d his secret to us 2. (d; intr.) to ~ in (she ~s in her sister) confidence n. ['trust'] ['reliance'] 1. to enjoy, have; gain, win smb.'s ~ 2. to inspire, instill ~ in smb. 3. to have; place one's ~ in smb. 4. to misplace one's ~ 5. to take smb. into one's ~ 6. to shake smb.'s ~ 7. to betray smb.'s ~ 8. absolute, every, perfect ~ (I have absolute ~ in her ability) 9. ~ in (my ~ in him was shaken) ['secrecy'] ['secret'] 10. to exchange ~s 11. to violate a ~ 12. strict ~ 13. in ~ (she told it to me in strictest ~) ['belief in one's own ability'] ['firm belief] 14. to express; gain ~ 15. to exude, ooze ~ (he just oozes ~) 16. to shake smb.'s ~ 17. buoyant, unbounded ~ 18. the ~ to + inf. (he doesn't have enough ~ to proceed on his own) 19. ~ that + clause (nothing could shake her ~ that she would succeed) confident adj. 1. ~ of (~ of success) 2. ~ that + clause (she was ~ that she would succeed) confidential adj. strictly ~ confidentiality n. 1. to maintain ~ 2. to violate ~ 3. strict ~ confine v. (D; refl., tr.) to ~ to(~d to bed; ~d to quarters; the lecturer ~d herself to one topic; ~ yourself to the facts) confinement n. ['imprisonment'] ['being confined'] 1. solitary ~ (they put him into solitary ~) 2. ~ to (~ to quarters) 3. in ~ (in solitary ~) ['lying-in'] (obsol.) 4. in ~ (before the birth of a child) confirm v. (L) the president ~ed that a summit conference would take place confirmation n. 1. official; unofficial ~ 2. ~ that + clause (we have received ~ that she will attend) confiscate v. (D; tr.) to ~ from conflagration n. a major ~ conflict I n. 1. to provoke a ~ 2. to come into ~ with 3. to resolve a ~ 4. armed; direct ~ 5. (a) ~ about, over; among, between; with (a ~ between neighboring countries over their common border; a ~ with one's relatives about the terms of a will) 6. in (a) ~ with (their stories are in ~ with each other) II v. (D; intr.) to ~ with (your version ~s with mine) confluence n. at a ~ (the city lies at the ~ of three rivers) conform v. (D; intr.) to ~ to, with (to ~ to specifications) conformance n. in ~ with conformity n. 1. strict ~ 2. ~ to 3. in ~ with confront v. (D; tr.) to ~ with (to ~ a prisoner with a witness) confrontation n. 1. to provoke a ~ 2. a direct ~ 3. a ~ with confuse v. (d; tr.) to ~ with (I always ~ him with his brother) confused adj. ~ to + inf. (I was ~ to learn of his latest decision) confusing adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ to listen to the testimony) confusion n. 1. to cause, create ~ 2. to clear up ~ 3. ~ arises; reigns 4. to throw into ~ (their unexpected arrival threw our plans into ~) 5. complete, general, utter ~ 6. a scene; state of ~ (it was a scene of utter ~) 7. ~ between congestion n. 1. traffic ~ 2. nasal; lung, pulmonary ~ congratulate v. 1. to ~ heartily, sincerely, warmly 2. (D; refl. tr.) to ~ on, upon (to ~ smb. on her/his promotion) congratulations n. 1. to extend, offer ~ on 2. deepest, heartiest, hearty, sincere, warm, warmest ~ 3. ~ on, upon (my warmest ~ on your promotion!) congress n. 1. to convene, hold a ~ 2. an annual; biennial; party ~ congruence n. (formal or technical) ~ with congruent adj. (formal or technical) ~ to, with congruity n. (formal) ~ with congruous adj. (formal) ~ to, with conjecture I n. (formal) ['guess'] 1. to make a ~ 2. a ~ that + clause (her ~ that the election would be a landslide proved to be true) II v. (formal) (L) ('to guess') the press ~d that a summit conference would take place conjugation n. ['verb forms'] an irregular; regular conjunction n. ['connecting word'] 1. a coordinating; subordinating ~ ['cooperation'] ['coincidence'] 2. in ~ with connect v. 1. to ~ closely, intimately; loosely 2. (d; intr.) to ~ to, with (this bus is supposed to ~ with a train) 3. (D; tr.) to ~ to, with (are you ~ed with this firm? to ~ a TV set to an antenna) connection, connexion n. ['association'] 1. to establish, make a ~ 2. to break, sever a ~ 3. a close, intimate; foreign; international; loose, tenuous ~ 4. a ~ between; to; with (there was no ~ between the two phenomena; to have a ~ with smb.) 5. in a certain ~ (in this ~; in ~ with the other matter) ['acquaintance'] ['tie'] 6. business; professional; social ~s ['transfer during a trip'] 7. to make; miss a ~ ['linking of two telephones'] 8. to get a ~ ['misc.'] 9. to have ~s ('to have influential supporters') connect up v. (D; tr.) to ~ to, with (to ~ a telephone up to the exchange) connexion (BE) see connection connive v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ at; with 2. (E) they ~d (with each other) to cheat her conquest n. 1. to make a ~ 2. to consolidate; extend one's ~s 3. world ~ conscience n. 1. to appeal to; arouse smb.'s ~ 2. to have smt. on one's ~ 3. to ease one's ~ 4. a clear; guilty ~ (to have a guilty ~) 5. a matter of ~ 6. in ~ (in all good ~) conscientious adj. ~ about (she is ~ about her work) conscious adj. 1. fully ~ 2. (cannot stand alone) ~ of (~ of danger) 3. ~ that + clause (she became ~ that everyone was staring at her) consciousness n. ['conscious state'] 1. to lose; recover, regain ~ ['awareness'] 2. to raise smb.'s ~ 3. class; political; social ~ ['misc.'] 4. stream of conscript v. (D;tr.) to ~ into (to ~ youths into the armed forces) conscription n. 1. to introduce ~ 2. military; universal ~ consecrate v. 1. (d;tr.) to ~ to (she ~d her life to helping the poor) 2. (N; used with a noun) he was ~d archbishop consecration n. ~ to consensus n. 1. to reach a ~ 2. a ~ that + clause (there is a ~ that we should abstain) consent I n. 1. to give one's ~ to 2. to refuse, withhold one's ~ 3. common; general; informed; mutual; parental; tacit; unanimous ~ 4. by ~ (by mutual ~) 5. (misc.) the age of ~ II v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to a proposal) 2. (E) she ~ed to help consequence n. ['importance'] 1. of ~ (a matter of some ~) ['result'] 2. in ~ of consequences n. ['results'] 1. to have ~ for 2. to accept, bear, face, suffer, take the ~ 3. far-reaching, fateful; grave, serious; inevitable; unforeseeable; unforeseen ~ conservation n. 1. forest; soil; water; wild-life ~ 2. (the) ~ of natural resources conservative I n. a dyed-in-the-wool; political ~ II adj. ~ in (~ in one's views) conservatory n. a music ~ consider v. 1. ('to regard') to ~ favorably 2. (D; tr.) ('to regard'); ('to examine') to ~ as (we ~ed him as a possible candidate) 3. (D; tr.) ('to regard as a candidate') to ~ for (he cannot be ~ed for the job) 4. (G) ('to contemplate') she ~ed resigning 5. (M) ('to believe') we ~ her to be our friend 6. (N; used with an adjective, noun, past participle) ('to believe') we ~ her qualified; we ~ her a genius 7. (Q) ('to contemplate') they ~ed where to hide the money USAGE NOTE: Note the contrasts between consider as and consider in the following text -- In her book she considers ('examines') Shakespeare as a playwright and as a poet. She considers ('believes') Shakespeare (to be) both a great playwright and a great poet. However, she considers ('believes') Shakespeare (to be) even greater as a playwright than as a poet. considerate adj. 1. ~ of (he was ~ of everyone) 2. ~ towards 3. ~ to + int. (it was ~ of her to do that) consideration n. ['thought'] ['concern'] 1. to give ~ to (to give some ~ to a matter) 2. to show ~ for 3. to take smt. into ~ 4. to deserve; require ~ (the matter requires careful ~) 5. careful; due; serious ~ 6. an overriding ~ 7. financial; humanitarian; personal ~s 8. for smb.'s ~ (I submit the enclosed proposal for your ~) 9. in ~ of (in ~ of past services) 10. on careful ~ of 11. out of ~ for smb. 12. under ~ (the matter is under ~) 13. with ~ for (with due ~ for your feelings, we must reject your request) ['fee'] 14. for a ~ (for a modest ~, he'll do anything) consign v. 1. (B) they ~ed the shipment to us 2. (d; tr.) to ~ to (the paintings were ~ed to our care) consignment n. ['a sale allowing the dealer to return unsold merchandise'] to sell; ship on ~ consist v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ of ('to be composed of) (our state ~s of thirty counties) 2. (formal) (d; intr.) to ~ in ('to be equivalent to') (freedom ~s in the absence of oppressive laws) consistent adj. ~ with (~ with our principles) consistory n. (usu. rel.) to convoke, hold a ~ consolation n. 1. to afford, offer ~ 2. ~ to 3. a ~ to + inf. (it's a ~ to know that they are safe = it's a ~ knowing that they are safe) 4. a ~ that + clause (our only ~ was that no one was hurt seriously) console v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ on (to ~ smb. on the loss of a loved one) 2. (d; refl.) to ~ with (I ~d myself with the thought that the situation could be worse) consomme n. 1. clear ~ 2. a bowl; cup of ~ consonant I adj. (formal) ~ to, with II n. 1. to articulate, pronounce a ~2. a dental; double, geminate; final; guttural; hard; labial; liquid; soft; unvoiced; velar; voiced ~ 3. (misc.) a ~ cluster consort v. (formal) (d; intr.) to ~ with consortium n. to form, organize a ~ conspicuous adj. ~ for, in conspiracy n. 1. to hatch, organize a ~ 2. to crush; foil a ~ 3. (a) criminal ~ 4. a ~ against; with 5. a ~ to + inf. (a ~ to overthrow the government) conspire v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ against; with 2. (E) they ~d to overthrow the government constable n. (BE) ['police officer'] a chief ~ consternation n. 1. to cause ~ 2. to express; feel ~ 3. in ~ 4. to smb.'s ~ (to our ~, the current was turned off) constituent n. (ling.) an immediate; ultimate ~ constitute v. (formal and rare) (N; used with a noun) they ~d her chief justice constitution n. ['basic law'] 1. to adopt, establish; ratify a ~ 2. to draw up, frame, write a ~ 3. to preserve, safeguard a ~ 4. to abrogate; amend a ~ 5. to violate a ~ 6. a written; unwritten ~ ['physical makeup'] 7. a feeble, frail; iron, rugged, strong ~ constitutional adj. ~ to + inf. (it is not ~ to censor the press) constitutionality n. to challenge, question; establish the ~ (of a law) constrain v. (formal) 1. (D; tr.) to ~ from 2. (H) to ~ smb. to do smt. constrained adj. (formal) (cannot stand alone) ~ to + inf. (we were ~ to act) constraint n. ['restriction'] 1. to impose, place, put a ~ on, upon 2. legal ~s ['control'] 3. to show ~ ['compulsion'] 4. under ~ (to act under ~) construction n. ['building industry'] 1. in ~ (he is in ~) ['act of building'] 2. shoddy ~ 3. commercial; modular; residential ~ 4. under ~ (the new skyscraper is under ~) ['interpretation'] 5. to put a ~ on (he put the wrong ~ on my statement) ['syntactic phrase'] 6. an absolute; idiomatic ~ construe v. 1. (d; tr.) to ~ as (he ~d the statement as a threat) 2. (M) I ~d his speech to be a warning consul n. a ~ general consulate n. a ~ general consult v. 1.(D; intr.) to ~ about; with (to ~ with smb. about a problem) 2. (D; tr.) to ~ about (to ~ smb. about smt.) consultant n. 1. a business; legal; medical; nursing; political ~ 2. a ~ for, on; to (a ~ to the president on foreign policy) 3. (med.) a ~ in consultation n. 1. to hold ~s 2. ~s about, on; with 3. in ~ (she is in ~ and cannot come to the phone) consumption n. conspicuous; mass ~ contact n. ['being together'] ['connection'] 1. to come in, into ~; to establish, make ~ 2. to maintain, stay in ~ 3. to bring into ~ 4. to break off; lose ~ 5. (electrical) to break ~ 6. close, intimate; direct; eye; face-to-face; indirect ~ 7. cultural; personal; radar; radio ~ (the control tower was in radar ~ with the plane) 8. ~ with (to establish ~ with one's relatives; to stay in ~ with friends) 9. in ~ (have they been in ~?) 10. on ~ (the bomb exploded on ~ with the ground) 11. a point of ~ ['acquaintance'] ['tie'] 12. business; professional; international; social ~s contagious adj. extremely, highly ~ contaminate v. (D; tr.) to ~ by, with (to ~ smb. with smt; a wound ~d by bacteria) contemplate v. (G) he ~d resigning contemplation n. 1. quiet ~ 2. lost in ~ contemporaneous adj. (formal) ~ with contemporary adj. ~ with contempt n. ['scorn'] 1. to demonstrate, display, show ~ for 2. bitter, deep, profound, total, unmitigated, utter ~ 3. ~ for 4. beneath ~ ['disrespect'] (legal) 5. to hold in ~ (to hold smb. in ~ of court) ('to accuse smb. of disrespect for a court') 6. civil; criminal ~ contemptible adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of him to behave like that) contemptuous adj. ~ of (he was ~ of all authority) contend v. (formal) 1. (D; intr.) ('to compete') to ~ for; with (to ~ for a position) 2. (L) ('to claim') he ~ed that he had been cheated contender n. 1. a leading; likely; presidential ~ 2. a ~ for (the leading ~ for the heavyweight crown) content I adj. 1. ~ with (they were ~ with their lot) 2. ~ to + inf. (she was not ~ to remain at home) II n. to smb.'s heart's ~ ('to one's complete satisfaction') III v. (formal) (d; refl.) to ~ with (to ~ oneself with a simple life) contention n. ['argument'] 1. to rebut, refute a ~ 2. a bone of ~ ('something contentious') 3. a ~ that + inf. (it is his ~ that taxes are too low) ['competition'] 4. in ~ with contents n. 1. to divulge the ~ (of a letter) 2. a table of ~ contest n. 1. to hold, stage a ~ 2. to judge a ~ 3. to enter a ~ 4. a bitter, hard-fought; close; onesided ~ 5. a baby; beauty; oratorical ~ 6. a ~ among, between; for contestant n. a ~ for contested adj. bitterly, hotly, vigorously ~ context n. 1. an historical ~ 2. in; out of ~; within a ~ (to cite a passage out of ~) contiguous adj. ~ to, with continent n. on a ~ contingency n. 1. to provide for every ~ 2. a ~ arises 3. an unforeseen ~ contingent adj. (pompous) (cannot stand alone) ~ on, upon (the time of his arrival is ~ on the weather) continuance n. ['adjournment'] (legal) (AE) to grant a ~ continue v. 1. to ~ unabated 2. (D; intr.) to ~ by (she ~d by citing more facts) 3. (D; intr.) to ~ with (she ~d with her work) 4. (E) they ~d to write 5. (G) they ~d writing continuity n. to break the ~ continuum n. 1. the health-illness ~ 2. along a ~ contraband n. 1. to smuggle ~ 2. to seize ~ 3. ~ of war contraception n. to practice, use ~ contraceptive n. a chemical; oral; vaginal ~ contract I n. 1. to conclude, sign; negotiate; ratify a ~ 2. to carry out, execute a ~ 3. to draw up, write a ~ 4. to assign (after bidding), let; award a ~ 5. to abrogate, cancel, repudiate a ~ 6. to breach, break, violate a ~ 7. a legal, valid; void ~ 8. (colloq.) (AE) a sweetheart ~ ('an agreement favorable to the employer that was reached without the participation of the union members') 8. (AE) a yellow-dog ~ ('a contract that obligates the workers not to join a union') 9. a marriage ~ 10. a ~ for; with 11. under ~ with (that player is under ~ with our team) II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ for; with (the city ~ed for a new library with their firm) 2. (E) the firm ~ed to construct the bridge contractions n. to time (labor) ~ contractor n. a building; defense; electrical; general; plumbing ~; a sub- contractor contradiction n. 1. an apparent; basic; glaring; inherent ~ 2. a ~ between; to 3. in ~ with 4. (misc.) a ~ in terms contradictory adj. ~ to contradistinction n. (formal) in ~ to contraption n. (colloq.) to build, put together, slap together a ~ contrary I adj. (cannot stand alone) ~ to (his actions are ~ to the rules) II n. 1. on, to the ~ (does your back feel any better? on the ~, it feels much worse) 2. to the ~ (I will come next month unless you write to the ~) contrast I n. 1. to present a ~ 2. a harsh, sharp, startling, striking ~ 3. a ~ between, to, with 4. by ~ with 5. in ~ to (in ~ to their neighbors, they live modestly) II v. 1. to ~ sharply 2. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ with (their deeds ~ with their promises) contravention n. (formal) in ~ of (to act in ~ of international law) contribute v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ for (we ~d clothing for the flood victims) 2. (D; intr., tr.) to ~ to, towards (to ~ to charity; she ~d a week's salary to the relief fund) contribution n. 1. to make a ~ 2. to send in a ~ 3. a charitable; generous; monetary; token; voluntary ~ (to make a generous ~ to charity) 4. a brilliant, notable, outstanding, remarkable; key; major; valuable ~ (she made an outstanding ~ to science) 5. a ~ to, towards contributor n. ['one who gives money'] 1. a generous; regular ~ 2. a ~ to (a generous ~ to charity) ['one who contributes scholarly works'] 3. a prolific; regular ~ 4. a ~ to (a regular ~ to a journal) contrition n. 1. to show ~ 2. to express; feel ~ 3. an act of ~ 4. ~ for contrive v. (E) she somehow ~d to arrange a meeting control n. 1. to establish; exercise, exert ~ over 2. to assume, take ~ of 3. to bring smt. under ~ (the fire was finally brought under ~) 4. to wrest ~ from 5. to lose ~ of (she lost ~ of the car) 6. absolute; close, strict; full; government; lax, loose; parental; remote ~ (to exert strict ~ over smt.) 7. birth; communicable-disease; cost; damage; emissions; fire; flight; flood; gun; mission; pest; quality; stress; thought ~ 8. price; rent; wage ~(s) 9. ~ of, over (to establish ~ over prices) 10. in ~ of (she was in full ~ of the situation) 11. beyond, out of ~ (the car went out of ~; the fire got out of ~) 12. under ~ (the fire was finally brought under ~; the area was placed under the ~ of the military) controller n. an air-traffic, flight ~ controls n. ['restrictions'] 1. to impose, introduce; tighten ~ on 2. to lift, remove ~ from 3. price; rent; wage ~ ['regulating instruments'] 4. to take over the ~ (the copilot took over the ~) controversial adj. bitterly, highly ~ controversy n. 1. to arouse, cause, fuel, stir up (a) ~ 2. to settle a ~ 3. a bitter, furious, heated, lively ~ 4. a ~ about, over 5. a ~ between, with convalesce v. (D; intr.) to ~ from convenience n. ['comfort'] 1. a ~ to + int. (it's a great ~ to live in town = it's a great ~ living in town) 2. at one's ~ (answer at your ~) ['device that adds to comfort'] 3. modern ~s 4. (BE) a public ~ ('a public toilet') convenient adj. 1. ~ for (will Tuesday be ~ for you?) 2. ~ to + inf. (it is very ~ to have the bus stop so close = it is very ~ having the bus stop so close) 3. ~ that + clause (it's very ~ that he can drive you to work) convention n. ['assembly'] ['conference'] 1. to hold a ~ 2. an annual; national; party; political ~ ['agreement'] 3. a copyright ~ converge v. (d; intr.) to ~ on, upon; towards (to ~ on the speaker's platform) conversant adj. (cannot stand alone) ['familiar'] 1. thoroughly ~ 2. ~ in 3. ~ with (~ with procedures) conversation n. ['talk'] 1. to begin, strike up; carry on, have a ~ 2. to make ~ (we had little in common, and it was difficult to make ~) 3. to bug, monitor, tap a ~ 4. to monopolize; stimulate a ~ 5. to break off, terminate; interrupt a ~ 6. (an) animated, lively; intimate; light; serious ~ 7. (a) private; telephone ~ 8. fragments, scraps of a ~ (we overheard scraps of their ~) 9. (a) ~ about; with 10. in ~ (she was in ~ with a friend) ['sexual intercourse'] (legal) 11. criminal ~ ('adultery') conversations n. ['negotiations'] 1. to hold ~ 2. to bug, monitor ~ 3. to break off ~ 4. ~ about; with converse v. 1. to ~ fluently (to ~ fluently in a foreign language) 2. (D; intr.) to ~ about; with conversion n. ['change'] 1. condo ~ 2. a ~ from; to ['a score made by a kick or pass after a goal has been scored'] (Am. football, rugby) 3. to make a ~ ['adoption of a religion'] 4. to undergo ~ convert I n. 1. to gain a ~ 2. a ~ to (a ~ to Buddhism) II v. 1. (AE) (D; intr.) ('to change one's religion') to ~ from; to (they ~ed from Buddhism to Hinduism) 2. (D; intr., tr.) ('to change'); ('to change smb.'s religion') to ~ from; into, to (to ~ smb. to Islam; the plant ~ed to microchip production; they ~ed their money from marks into pounds; to ~ a barn into a garage) converter n. a catalytic ~ convertible adj. 1. freely ~ 2. ~ into, to (~ into hard currency) convey v. 1. (B) ('to give') ~ my best wishes to them 2. (D; tr.) ('to transfer') to ~ from; to (the title to the property was ~ed from them to you) conveyance n. ['vehicle'] a public ~ convict v. (D;tr.) to ~ of (he was ~ed of murder) conviction n. ['strong belief] 1. to carry ~ (his story carries ~) 2. a burning, deep, firm, strong; lifelong ~ 3. a ~ that + clause (she expressed her firm ~ that television was harmful to children) 4. by ~ (a pacifist by ~) ['guilty verdict'] 5. to get a ~ (the prosecutor got ten ~s last year) 6. to overturn a ~ (the appeals court overturned the ~) 7. a ~ for (a ~ for embezzlement) convince v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ of (he ~d me of his sincerity) 2. (slightly colloq.) (AE) (H) we ~ed ('persuaded') her to stay home 3. (L; must have an object) he ~d everyone that he was honest convinced adj. 1. absolutely, completely, firmly, thoroughly ~ 2. ~ that + clause (we are ~ that our project will succeed) convocation n. ['assembly'] 1. to hold a ~ ['assembly of graduates of a university'] (GB) 2. a member of ~ convoy n. 1. to form a ~ 2. in, under ~ (to travel in ~) convulsions n. to go into ~ cook I n. 1. the chief, head ~ 2. (AE) a short-order ~ II v. (C) ~ some vegetables for us; or ~ us some vegetables cooker n. a pressure ~ cookie n. 1. (AE) a homemade; sandwich ~ 2. a fortune ~ cooking n. 1. to do the ~ 2. home; home-style ~ cookout n. to have a ~ cool I adj. ['calm'] 1. to keep, remain, stay ~ ['indifferent'] ['unfriendly'] 2. ~ to, towards (she was ~ to the idea) II n. (slang) ['composure'] to keep; lose one's ~ III v. (D; tr.) to ~ to (boil the mixture and then ~ it to room temperature) coolant n. to add ~ coolness n. ['indifference'] ~ to, towards coop n. 1. a chicken ~ 2. (misc.) (colloq.) to fly the ~ ('to escape') cooperate v. (D; intr.) to ~ in, on; with (to ~ on a project with smb.) cooperation n. 1. close; wholehearted ~ 2. ~ in; with (~ in a project with another university) 3. in ~ with (their dictionary was published in ~ with the Ministry of Education) 4. (misc.) to enlist smb.'s ~ cooperative, co-op, coop n. a consumers'; farmers'; producers'; workers' ~ coop up v. (D; tr.) to ~ in; with (we were ~ed up in a small room) coordinate v. 1. to ~ closely 2. (D; tr.) to ~ with (we must ~ our operations with theirs) coordination n. 1. close ~ 2. ~ among, between; with cop v. (colloq.) (esp. AE) (D; intr.) to ~ out of ('to renege on') (to ~ out of a responsibility) cope v. (D; intr.) to ~ with (to ~ with difficulties) cop out v. (colloq.) (esp. AE) ('to renege') to ~ on (to ~ on a responsibility) copulate v. (D; intr.) to ~ with copy n. ['reproduction'] 1. to make, run off a ~ 2. to Xerox (T) a ~ 3. to print ~pies (the publisher decided to print ten thousand ~pies of the book) 4. to inscribe a ~ (the author inscribed a ~ of her book for him) 5. (a) clean, fair ~; hard ('readable') ~ (from a computer); a rough; true ~ 6. a backup; carbon; extra; master ~; photocopy; presentation; top (BE) ('original'); Xerox (T) ~ ['manuscript'] ['draft of material to be printed'] 7. to edit ~ ['issue'] 8. an advance; back ~ ['news'] 9. to make good ~ ('to be newsworthy') copybook n. (BE) to blot one's ~ ('to ruin one's reputation') copyright n. 1. (of a copyright office) to grant, register a ~ 2. (of an author, publisher) to apply for; claim; hold; secure a ~ 3. to infringe a ~ 4. an ad-interim; full-term; statutory ~ 5. a ~ on (a book)6.under ~ cord n. a communication (BE), emergency (AE); electric (AE; BE has flex); extension; spinal; umbilical ~ cordial adj. ~ to, towards cordon n. ['protective ring of police, soldiers'] 1. to form a ~ 2. to throw a ~ around, (an area) cords n. the vocal ~ core n. 1. the hard ~ 2. at the ~ (at the ~ of the problem) 3. to the ~ (rotten to the ~) cork n. to pop, remove a ~ corn n. ['maize'] 1. to grow, raise; husk ~ 2. hybrid; Indian; sweet; young ~ 3. an ear of ~ 4. (misc.) ~ on the cob corner n. 1. to round, turn a ~ 2. a blind ~ 3. (also fig.) around the ~ (they live around the ~; to go around the ~; prosperity is just around the ~) 4. at, on a ~ (of a street) 5. in the ~ (of a room) 6. (misc.) the four ~s of the globe; I could see her out of the ~ of my eye; (boxing) a neutral ~ cornerstone n. to lay a ~ corollary n. a ~ to coronation n. to hold a ~ corporal n. a lance ~ corporation n. 1. to establish, form, set up a ~ 2. to manage, run a ~ 3. to dissolve a ~ 4. (BE) a public ~ 5. a multinational ~ corps n. 1. the diplomatic; press ~ 2. an air; army; marine ~ corpse n. 1. to bury; lay out a ~ 2. to dig up, exhume a ~ 3. a ~ decays, decomposes, rots corpus n. (ling.) to collect, gather a ~ corpuscle n. a red; white ~ correct adj. ['true'] 1. ~ in (you are ~ in thinking that he is foolish) 2. ~ to + inf. (it would be ~ to say that we have committed a blunder) 3. ~ that + clause (is it ~ that he has resigned?) correction n. 1. to make a ~ 2. to mark ~s (in a text) correlate v. (d;intr.,tr.) to ~ with (to ~ one set of data with another set) correlation n. a ~ between correspond v. 1. (D; intr.) ('to be equal') to ~ to (what German word ~s to hound?) 2. (BE) (D; intr.) ('to be in harmony') to ~ with (his actions do not ~ with his words; to ~ with one's needs) 3. (D; intr.) ('to write') to ~ about; with (they have been ~ing with each other about this matter for years) correspondence n. ['exchange of letters'] 1. to carry on, conduct (a) ~ 2. to break off ~ 3. business, commercial; personal ~ 4. ~ about; between; with 5. in ~ with (to be in ~ with smb. about smt.) ['conformity'] 6. close ~ 7. ~ between (~ between theory and practice) correspondent n. a foreign; special; war ~ corresponding adj. ~ to corridor n. 1. an air; long; narrow; winding ~ 2. a ~ across; between; through corruption n. political ~ cortex n. the cerebral ~ cosigner n. a ~ for (a ~ for a promissory note) cosmetics n. to apply, put on; use ~ cost I n. 1. to bear a ~; to pay ~s; to spare no ~ 2. to cut, reduce ~s 3. to estimate; put, set a ~ at (he put the ~ at one hundred dollars) 4. court; direct; fixed; indirect; overhead ~s (who will pay the court ~s?) 5. a high ~ (the high ~ of energy) 6. a unit ~ 7. at a certain ~ (at any ~; at all ~s; at the ~ of his health; at a terrible ~; at no ~ to the taxpayer) II v. 1. (0; may be used with one inanimate object) it cost us ten dollars; it cost ten dollars 2. (P; with an animate object) his blunder cost us dearly 3. (misc.) it ~s (us) five thousand dollars a year to maintain this house co-star v. (D; intr.) to ~ with costly adj. ~ to + inf. (it is ~ to run an air conditioner all day) costume n. 1. an academic; bathing (BE), swimming (BE) ~ 2. (a) folk, national, native ~ (they were all in native ~) cot n. ['folding bed'] (AE; BE has camp bed) 1. to open up, unfold a ~ 2. a folding ~ ['child's bed'] (BE) 3. see crib cottage n. a summer; weekend ~ cotton I n. 1. to gin; grow; pick; plant ~ 2. (AE) absorbent ~ 3. a bale of ~ II v. (colloq.) (AE) (d; intr.) ('to take a liking') to ~ to cotton on v. (colloq.) (BE) (D; intr.) ('to understand') to ~ to cotton up v. (colloq.) (esp. AE) (d; intr.) ('to try to ingratiate oneself) to ~ to couch I n. a studio ~ II v. (formal) (D; tr.) to ~ in (to ~ a request in tactful language) cough I n. 1. to develop a ~ 2. to suppress a ~ 3. a bad, heavy; croupy; dry; hacking, persistent; smoker's ~ II v. to ~ loudly coughing n. a fit of ~ could v. (F) he ~ not attend the meeting council n. 1. to convene a ~ 2. a city (AE), local (BE); executive; student; township (AE) ~ 3. The Privy Council counsel I n. ['advice'] 1. to give, offer, provide ~ 2. sage, wise ~ 3. ~ about, concerning ['lawyer'] 4. a legal ~ 5. ~ for (~ for the defense; ~ for the prosecution) II v. 1. (D; tr.) to ~ about, in 2. (D; tr.) to ~ against (I ~ed him against going) 3. (H) he ~ed us to wait counseling n. family; guidance; marriage; pastoral; vocational ~ counselor, counsellor n. ['adviser'] 1. a guidance ~2.a ~ to (a ~ to the ambassador) count I n. ['act of counting'] ['total, tally'] 1. to make, take a ~ 2. to keep ~ of 3. to lose ~ of 4.(boxing) to go down for the ~ ('to be counted out'); to take a ~ of ten 5. an accurate, correct ~6. a blood; body; cell; pollen ~ 7. the ~ stands at... 8. by smb.'s ~ (by my ~) ['issue'] 9. on a certain ~ (on all ~s) ['charge, accusation'] 10. on a certain ~ (he was guilty on all ~s) II v. 1.(d;intr.) ('to be taken into account')to ~ against (your previous convictions will ~ against you) 2. (d; intr., tr.) ('to be considered; to consider') to ~ as (the draw ~s as a victory; we ~ed the draw as a victory) 3. (d; intr.) ('to be valued') (his opinion ~s for very little) 4. (d; intr.)('to rely') to ~ for; on, upon (she ~ed on us for help; she ~ed on us to help her) 5. (D; intr.) ('to name numbers') to ~ from; to (to ~ from one to ten) 6. (D; intr.) ('to be taken into account') to ~ towards (do associate members ~ towards a quorum?) 7. (N; refl.; used with an adjective) ('to consider') we must ~ ourselves lucky (to have escaped) countdown n. 1. a final ~ 2. a ~ from; to (the ~ to zero has begun) countenance n. (biblical) a shining ~ counter I adj., adv. to go ~ to II n. ['surface, table over which business is conducted'] 1. a bargain; lunch; notions (AE) ~2. at a ~ ['misc.'] 3. over the ~ ('through a broker's office'); ('without a prescription'); under the ~ ('illicitly') III v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) to-with (she ~ed with an even stronger argument; they ~ed our proposal with one of their own) 2. (L) she ~ed that her advice had not been heeded counterattack n. 1. to launch, make a ~ 2. a ~ against counterbalance n. a ~ to counterblow n. 1. to deal, deliver a ~ 2. a ~ against, to countercharge n. 1. to bring, file, make a ~ 2. a ~ against counterclaim n. 1. to bring, enter, make a ~ 2. a ~ against counterespionage n. 1. to conduct ~ 2. ~ against counterfeit n. a crude; skillful ~ counterintelligence n. to conduct ~ countermeasures n. 1. to take ~ 2. ~ against counteroffensive n. 1. to launch, undertake a ~ 2.to go over to the ~ 3. a ~ against counteroffer n. to make a ~ counterpart n. 1. to have a ~ in 2. a-of, to counterplot n. 1. to hatch a ~ 2. a ~ against counterpoint n. ['accompanying melody'] 1. double; single; triple ~ 2. in ~ to ['contrasting element'] 3. to serve as a ~ to counterproductive adj. ~ to counterproposal n. to make, offer a ~ to counterpunch n. to deliver, throw a ~ counterrevolution n. 1.to foment, stir up a ~2.tocarry out; organize a ~ 3. a ~ against countersign n. to give the ~ countersuit n. (legal) 1. to bring a ~ 2. a ~ against counterweight n. a ~ to country n. ['nation'] 1. to govern, rule, run a ~ 2.a civilized ~ 3. one's mother, native ~ 4. a host; neighboring ~ 5. developing; third-world; under-developed ~ies ['rural area'] 6. the back ~ 7.open; rough, rugged ~ (in open ~) 8. in the ~ (to live in the country) ['misc.'] 9. (BE) to go to the ~('to hold a general election') count up v. (d; intr.) to-to (the child could-to twenty) coup n. ['successful action'] to score a ~ (see also coup d'etat) coup de grace n. ['finishing shot'] to deliver the ~ coup d'etat n. ['sudden overthrow of a government'] 1. to carry out, stage a ~ 2. a bloodless; bloody ~ couple I n. a married; unmarried ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ to, with (to ~ a dining car to a train) couplet n. a rhyming ~ coupon n. 1. to detach; redeem a ~ 2. to clip ~s ('to profit from stocks and bonds') courage n. 1. to demonstrate, display, show ~ 2.to get up, muster, screw up, summon up ~ 3. to take ~ to + inf. (it takes ~ to tell the truth) 4.dauntless, indomitable; grim; moral; physical ~ 5.the ~ to + inf. (he lacked the ~ to do it) 6. of ~ (a person of great ~) courageous adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of her to volunteer) courier n. 1. to dispatch a ~ 2. a diplomatic ~ 3. a ~ to course I n. ['organized program of study'] 1. to conduct, give, offer, teach a ~ 2. to take a ~ 3. to audit, sit in on a ~ 4. to enroll for, register for, sign up for a ~ 5. to fail; pass a ~; to take a ~ pass-fail (AE) 6. to complete; drop; drop out of; withdraw from a ~ 7. to introduce; organize, plan a ~ 8. to cancel a ~ 9. a demanding, difficult, rigorous; easy, gut (colloq.) ~ 10. an advanced; beginning, elementary, introductory; intermediate ~ 11. (at a university) an elective; graduate, postgraduate (esp. BE); intensive; laboratory; lecture; non-credit; required; survey; undergraduate ~ 12. a correspondence; day-release (BE); extension(AE); makeup; refresher ~ 13. a ~ covers, deals with, treats a subject (our history ~ covered the nineteenth century) 14. a ~ in, on (she took a ~ in mathematics; I offered a ~ on lexicography) ['itinerary'] ['path'] 15. to chart, map out, mark out a ~ 16. to follow, pursue, take a ~ (the law must take its ~) 17. to set ~ for (we set ~ for the nearest port) 18. to change ~ (it's not good to change ~ in midstream) 19. to stay the ~ ('to persist until the end') 20. to run its ~ (the disease ran its expected ~) 21. a collision; middle; natural; zigzag ~ (events took their natural ~) 22. a ~ of action (to pursue a ~ of action) 23. off ~; on ~(our ship was right on ~; to be on a collision ~; the plane was off ~) ['playing area'] 24. a golf ~; racecourse (esp. BE) ['training area'] 25. an obstacle ~ ['period'] 26. in the ~ of (in the ~ of an investigation; in the ~ of time; in due ~) ['misc.']27. of ~ ('naturally') (see the Usage Note for track) II v. (d; intr.) to ~ through (the blood ~d through her veins) court n. ['place where justice is administered'] 1.to hold ~ 2. to adjourn; dismiss (a) ~ 3. to take smb. to ~ 4. to clog the ~s (with frivolous litigation) 5. an appeals (esp. BE), appellate; circuit; city, municipal; county; criminal; crown (BE); district (AE); domestic relations, family; federal(US); high; juvenile; kangaroo ('irregular'); magistrate's; moot; night; orphans'; police; pro-bate; small- claims; superior; supreme; traffic; trial ~ 6. a ~ of appeals; a ~ of common pleas; a ~ of domestic relations; a ~ of law; a ~ of original jurisdiction 7. in ~ (to testify in ~; in open ~) 8.out of ~ (to settle a case out of ~) ['sovereign's residence'] 9. to hold ~ 10. at ~ (at the ~ of Louis XIV) ['homage'] 11. to pay ~ to smb. ['sports arena'] 12. a basketball; clay (for tennis); grass(for tennis); squash; tennis; volleyball ~ ['motel'](obsol.) (AE) 13. a motor, tourist ~ courteous adj. 1. ~ to, towards (she is ~ to everyone) 2. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of him to do that) courtesy n. 1. to demonstrate, extend, show ~(they showed us every ~) 2. common; unfailing ~ 3. professional; senatorial (US) ~ 4. ~ to, towards(it was done as a ~ to you) 5. the ~ to + inf. (he didn't have the ~ to answer my letter) 6. (misc.)she did me the ~ of remaining silent; a basket of fruit was delivered to our door: ~ of the management courthouse n. (esp. AE) a county; federal; state ~ court martial n. 1. to hold a ~ 2. a drumhead; general; special; summary ~ cousin n. 1. a first; second ~; a first ~ once removed 2. a ~ to (she is a first ~ to the count) 3.(colloq.) kissing ('friendly') ~s covenant n. a ~ between Coventry n. (esp. BE) to send to-('to ostracize') cover I n. ['shelter'] ['concealment'] 1. to seek; take ~ 2. to break ~ 3. (colloq.) to blow one's ~('to give oneself away') 4. under ~ (under ~ of darkness) ['covering'] 5. cloud ~ 6. a dust; mat-tress; pillow ~ ['defense'] 7. air ~ ['front'] 8. a ~ for (the whole operation was a ~ for foreign agents) ['envelope'] 9. under separate ~ ['binding'] 10. from ~ to ~ (to read a book from ~ to ~) II v. 1. ('to report on') to-live (the event will be ~ed live by TV) 2. (D; refl., tr.) ('to protect') to ~ against (this policy will ~ you against flood damage) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ for ('to substitute for') (to ~ for a friend) coverage n. ['insurance'] 1. to provide ~ for 2.comprehensive, full ~ ['reporting'] 3. to receive ~ 4. complete, extensive, full, wide ~ (the story received wide ~) 5. live; television ~ cover up v. (D; intr.) to ~ for ('to protect') (she ~ed up for me when I made that blunder) covetous adj. ~ of cow I n. 1. to milk a ~ 2. a dairy, milch ~ 3. ~s calve; low, moo 4. the meat of the ~ is beef 5. a young ~ is a calf 6. (misc.) (colloq.) holy ~! (AE); silly ~! (BE) II v. (D; tr.) to ~ into (to ~ smb. into making concessions) coward n. an abject, dastardly, dirty ~ cowardice n. 1. to demonstrate, show ~ 2. abject, rank; moral ~ 3. (misc.) a streak of ~ cowardly adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of them to behave like that) coy adj. ~ about; with (don't be ~ with me about your past record) cozen v. (formal) 1. (d; tr.) to ~ into 2. (d; tr.) to ~ out of (to ~ smb. out of his money) cozy up v. (colloq.) (AE) (D; intr.) to ~ to crab n. ['rower's defective stroke'] to catch a ~ crack n. ['remark'] (colloq.) 1. to make a ~ 2. a dirty, nasty ~ 3. a ~ that (her ~ that you are always late was unjustified) ['moment'] 4. at the ~ of dawn ['attempt'] 5. to have a ~ at (let's have a ~ at it) crackdown n. 1. to launch a ~ 2. a ~ on (a ~ on drunk drivers) crack down v. (D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on drug dealers) cracked up adj. (colloq.) (cannot stand alone) ['reputed'] ~ to be (this hotel is not what it's ~ to be) cracker n. (esp. AE) a graham; soda; unsalted ~ crackpot n. (colloq.) a ~ to + inf. (he was a ~ to do it) cradle n. 1. to rock a ~ 2. (misc.) from the ~ to the grave ('during one's whole life') craft n. ['occupation'] 1. to ply, practice a ~ 2. to learn, master a ~ ['boat'] 3. a landing ~ 4. (in plural) small ~ craftsman n. a master ~ cram v. 1. (D; intr.) ('to study hastily') to ~ for (to ~ for an exam) 2. (d; tr.) ('to jam') to ~ into (to ~ one's things into a suitcase) cramp n. 1. to get a ~ (esp. AE)/get ~ (BE) 2. writer's ~ 3. (BE) seized with ~ cranberry n. to pick ~ries crane n. to operate a ~ crank n. ['handle'] to turn, use a ~ crap game n. a floating ~ craps n. to play, shoot ~ crash I n. 1. a loud, resounding ~ 2. a plane; stockmarket ~ II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ into (the car ~ed into a pole) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ through (the car ~ed through the barrier) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to the floor) 4. (misc.) the plane ~ed in flames crass adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of him to ask how much you earn) crave v. 1. to ~ strongly 2. (d; intr.) to ~ for (to ~ for peace and quiet) USAGE NOTE: The phrase to crave for smt. is less common than to crave smt. craving n. 1. to feel, have a ~ 2. a powerful, strong ~ 3. a ~ for craw n. ['crop of a bird or insect'] to stick in smb.'s ~ ('to be distasteful to smb.') crawl I n. ['swimming stroke'] 1. to swim the ~ ['act of crawling'] (also fig.) 2. to a ~ (traffic slowed to a ~) II v. 1.(d; intr.) to-into (to-into a hole) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ out of (to ~ out of the ruins) 3. (d; intr.) to ~ with (the city is ~ing with reporters) crawl out v. (D; intr.) to ~ from under (to ~ from under the ruins) crayon n. colored ~s craze n. 1. the current, latest, newest ~ 2. the ~ swept the country 3. a ~ for crazy adj. (colloq.) ['infatuated'] 1. (cannot stand alone) ~ about (he is ~ about her) ['foolish'] 2. ~ to + int. (it was ~ of her to do that; she was ~ to drive without headlights) 3. to drive smb. ~ cream n. ['component of milk'] 1. to whip ~ 2. clotted (BE); double (BE), whipping; ice; single (BE); sour, soured (BE); whipped ~ ['cosmetic'] 3. to apply ~ 4. cold; face; hand; shaving; skin; vanishing ~ crease n. to iron out, remove the ~s credence n. 1. to attach, give, lend ~ to 2. to find; gain ~ credentials n. 1. to present one's ~ 2. to evaluate; examine smb.'s ~ credibility n. 1. to establish ~ 2. to lose one's ~ 3. (misc.) a ~ gap credit I n. ['time given for payment'] 1. to allow, give, extend, offer ~ (this store does not give ~) 2. to deny, refuse smb. ~ 3. consumer ~ 4. on ~ (to buy smt. on ~) ['recognition'] ['honor'] 5. to do ~ to; to reflect ~ on (her work does ~ to her teachers) 6. to get, take ~ for (he took ~ for my work) 7. to give smb. ~ for (I give her ~ for being so sensible) 8. a ~ to (she is a ~ to her parents) 9. ~ that + clause (it was to her ~ that she never gave up) 10. to smb.'s ~ (to her ~, she was never late to work; with all due ~ to you) ['sum allowed, deducted'] 11. an energy (AE); tax ~ ['recognition that a student has completed a course or unit of study'] 12. to get, receive ~ for a course 13. advanced ~ II v. 1. (D;tr.) to ~ to (to ~ an amount to smb.'s account) 2. (d; tr.) to ~ with (to ~ smb. with common sense; to ~ an account with fifty dollars) credit card n. to issue a ~ creditor n. to pay off one's ~s credo n. a ~ that + clause (it is our ~ that everyone is equal) credulity n. to strain smb.'s ~ creed n. 1. to adhere to a ~ 2. a political; religious ~ 3. a ~ that + clause (it is our ~ that we must help the poor) 4. (misc.) all races and ~s creep v. (d; intr.) to ~ into (to ~ into a hole) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ out of (an insect crept out of the pipe) 3. (misc.) to ~ on all fours; to ~ out from under a bush creeps n. (colloq.) ['fear'] it gives me the ~ creep up v. (D; intr.) to ~ on (he crept up on me in the dark) creepy adj. (colloq.) ['weird'] ~ about (there is smt. ~ about him) crescendo n. 1. to reach a ~ 2. a deafening ~ crest n. ['top'] 1. to ride the ~ (to ride the ~ of popularity) 2. at the ~ ['heraldic device'] 3. a family ~ crew n. ['group working together'] 1. a ground; gun; road; skeleton; stage; tank; work; wrecking ~ ['ship's personnel'] 2. a ship's ~ 3. a ~ mutinies 4. in a ~ ['rowing team'] 5. a varsity ~ 6. to go out for ~ ['misc.'] 7. a motley ~ ('a disparate group') crib I n. (AE) 1. to assemble, put up a ~ 2. to dismantle a ~ (BE has cot) II v. (colloq.) (D; intr., tr.) ('to plagiarize') to ~ from cricket I n. ['game'] 1. to play ~ ['fair play'] (colloq.) 2. ~ to + int. (it's not ~ to cheat at cards) II n. ['insect'] ~s chirp crier n. a town ~ crime n. 1. to commit, perpetrate a ~ 2. to deter; eradicate, stamp out, wipe out; prevent ~ 3. an atrocious, brutal, heinous, horrible, infamous, outrageous, vicious ~ 4. a daring; economic; major, serious; minor, petty; perfect; political; victimless; violent; war ~; (a) white collar ~; a ~ of passion 5. organized ~ 6. a ~ against (a ~ against humanity) 7. a ~ to + inf. (it was a ~ to butcher French like that) 8. a ~ that + clause (it is a ~ that so many people go to bed hungry) 9. (misc.) to investigate a ~; to report a ~ (to the police); it's a ~ the way he behaves criminal I adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of him to do that) 2. ~ that + clause (it is ~ that he is allowed to remain in this country) II n. 1. to apprehend, arrest a ~; to bring a ~ to justice 2. to pardon; parole; release a ~ 3. to rehabilitate a ~ 4. a born; common; desperate; habitual, hardened, inveterate; infamous, notorious; master; war ~ 5. a band, gang of ~s crimp n. (colloq.) (AE) ['obstacle'] to put a ~ in crisis n. 1. to cause, precipitate, provoke, stir up a ~ 2. to aggravate a ~ 3. to avert, forestall a ~ 4. to defuse, overcome, settle a ~; to ride out a ~ 5. an acute, grave, serious; impending; mounting ~ 6. a cabinet; economic, financial; energy; food; housing; identity; mid-life; political ~ 7. a ~ concerning, over (there was a ~ over the budget deficit) 8. a ~ in (the ~ in health care) 9. in a ~ crisp n. burned to a ~ criterion n. 1. to apply; establish a ~ 2. to meet, satisfy criteria 3. a reliable, valid ~ critic n. 1. a harsh, severe, unkind; impartial ~ 2. an art; drama; literary; music; social ~ critical adj. ['criticizing'] 1. ~ of (he was ~ of my work) ['crucial'] 2. ~ to (~ to our work) 3. ~ that + clause; subj. (it is ~ that the work be/should be completed on time) criticism n. 1. to arouse, provoke, stir up ~ 2. to express, offer ~; to level ~ at 3. to take ~ 4. to temper one's ~ 5. to subject smb. to ~ 6. adverse, biting, damaging, devastating, harsh, hostile, scathing, severe, sharp, sweeping, unsparing, withering ~ 7. constructive; fair; mild; nitpicking, petty; sober; valid ~ 8. textual ~ 9. (the) higher; lower ~ (of the Bible) 10. the barbs of ~ criticize v. 1. to ~ fairly; harshly, severely, sharply 2. (D; tr.) to ~ for (to ~ smb. for sloppy work) critique n. to give, present a ~ crop I n. 1. to grow; plant a ~ 2. to gather, harvest, reap a ~ 3. to bear, yield a ~ 4. to rotate ~s 5. to dust, spray ~s 6. a bountiful, bumper, record; poor ~ 7. a cash; staple ~ II v. (N; used with an adjective) they ~ped the grass short cropper n. ['failure'] to come a ~ ('to fail') croquet n. to play ~ croquettes n. chicken; salmon ~s cross I adj. ['irritable'] ~ at, with (~ at smt.; ~ with smb.) II n. ['symbol of the Christian religion'] 1. to die on the ~ (said of Jesus Christ) 2. to bear one's ~ ('to bear a heavy burden') 3. to make the sign of the ~['figure of a cross'] 4. to make one's ~ (in place of a signature) 5. a Greek; Latin; Maltese ~ ['mixture'] 6. a ~ between (a ~ between two breeds) III v. 1. (D; intr., tr.) ('to go') to ~ from; to (they ~ed from one bank of the river to the other; we ~ed the valley from one ridge to the other) 2. (D; tr.) ('to breed') to ~ with (to ~ one breed with another) cross-examination n. 1. to conduct a ~ 2. to subject smb. to ~ 3. a rapid-fire ~ 4. under ~ cross-examine v. to ~ sharply cross fire n. to be caught in a ~ crossing n. 1. to make a ~ 2. a rough; smooth ~ 3. a border ~ 4. a grade (AE), level (BE); Panda (BE), pedestriar, pelican (BE), zebra (BE); rail-road (AE), railway (esp. BE) ~ 5. a transoceanic ~ 6. at a ~ (at the border ~) crossover v. (D; intr.) to ~ into, to (she ~ed over to the other lane) cross-purposes n. at ~ (to work at ~) cross-refer v. (D;intr.,tr.) to ~ to cross-reference n. 1. to make a ~ 2. a ~ to crossroads n. at a ~ (also fig.) crossword (BE) see crossword puzzle crossword puzzle n. (esp. AE) to do, work (out) a crow I n. 1. ~s caw 2. (misc.) as the ~ flies ('in a straight line'); to eat ~ ('to be placed in a humiliating position') II v. (colloq.) ('to exult') (d; intr.) to ~ about, over (to ~ about one's success; to ~ over an enemy's misfortune) crowd I n. ['throng'] 1. to attract, draw a ~ 2. to disperse a ~ 3. an enormous, huge, tremendous; overflow ~ 4. a ~ collects, gathers; disperses; thins out 5. a ~ mills, swarms (around the entrance) ['audience'] 6. a capacity ~ ['group'] 7. a bad; fast, wild ~; the wrong ~ (to run around with a fast ~; she got in with the wrong ~) II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ around (to ~ around the entrance) 2. (d; intr.) to ~ into (to ~ into a small room) 3. (d; tr.) to ~ off, out of (they ~ed me off the road) 4. (d; intr.) to ~ through (they ~ed through the turnstiles) 5. (misc.) to ~ together crown I n. ['part of a tooth'] 1. to put a ~ on (a tooth) ['monarch's headdress'] 2. to wear a ~ ['boxing title'] 3. to win the (heavyweight) ~ II v. 1. (d; tr.) to ~ with (their efforts were ~ed with success) 2. (N; used with a noun) they ~ed him emperor crucial adj. 1. ~ for, to (these negotiations are ~ for/to the future of our firm) 2. ~ that + clause; subj. (it is ~ that this matter remain/should remain secret) crude adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of him to say that) cruel adj. 1. ~ to, towards (~ to animals) 2. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of him to say that) cruelty n. 1. to demonstrate, display ~ 2. consummate, deliberate, wanton ~ 3. mental ~ 4. ~ to, towards (~ to animals) cruise I n. 1. to go on, take a ~ 2. a shakedown; world ~ 3. a ~ around (to take a ~ around the world) II v. (D; intr.) to ~ around (to ~ around the world) cruiser n. a battle; heavy; light; medium ~ crumble v. (D; intr.) to ~ into crunch n. (colloq.) (esp. AE) ['shortage'] 1. an energy ~ ['showdown'] 2. if it comes to a ~ crusade I n. 1. to conduct; launch a ~ 2. to embark on; engage in; go on; join a ~ 3. a one-man, one-woman ~ 4. a holy ~ 5. a ~ against; for (a ~ against smoking) II v. (D; intr.) to ~ against; for (to ~ against smoking) crush I n. (colloq.) ['infatuation'] 1. a schoolboy; schoolgirl; youthful ~ 2. a ~ on (to have a ~ on smb.) II v. 1. (d; intr.) to ~ against (the mob ~ed against the barriers) 2. (misc.) to ~ smb. to death crust n. (colloq.) ['impudence'] the ~ to + inf. (she had the ~ to ask for a raise) crotch n. 1. to walk on, with ~es 2. a pair of ~es cry I n. 1. to give, raise (formal), utter a ~ 2. an anguished, plaintive; heart-rending; loud, lusty; piercing; rallying ~ 3. a battle, war ~ 4. a ~ for (a ~ for help) 5. (misc.) a far ~ from ('very far from') II v. 1. to ~ loudly 2. (d; intr.) ('to appeal') to ~ for (to ~ for justice) 3. (d; intr.) ('to weep') to ~ for, with (to ~ for joy; to ~ with grief) 4. (d; intr.) ('to weep') to ~ over (to ~ over one's bad luck) 5. (d; intr.) to ~ to ('to complain to') (don't come ~ing to me) 6. (misc.) to ~ wolf ('to give a false alarm'); to ~ havoc ('to warn of disaster'); to ~ one's eyes out; to ~ over spilled/spilt milk ('to complain in vain'); she cried herself to sleep cry out v. 1. (d; intr.) ('to appeal') to ~ against; for (to ~ against injustice; to ~ for equal rights) 2. (d; intr., tr.) ('to shout') to ~ to (he cried out to us to stop) crystal n. fine ~ cube n. an ice ~ cube root n. to find, extract the ~ cucumber n. 1. to peel; slice a ~ 2. (misc.) as cool as a ~ cuddle up v. (D; intr.) to ~ to (the twins ~d up to each other) cudgels n. ['defense'] to take up the ~ for cue n. ['signal'] 1. to give the ~ 2. to take one's ~ from smb. 3. to miss the ~ 4. on ~ cuff n. 1. a French ~ 2. (misc.) (esp. AE) on the ~ ('on credit') cull v. (D; tr.) to ~ from culminate v. (d; intr.) to ~ in (to ~ in victory) cult n. 1. to join a ~ 2. a cargo; fertility; personality ~ cultivation n. under ~ culture n. ['enlightenment'] ['developed intellectual faculties'] 1. to develop a ~ 2. to bring ~ to 3.to disseminate, foster, spread ~ 4. ethnic; human; material ~ ['professional training'] 5. beauty ~['bacteria cultured for examination or vaccine production'] 6. to do, grow a ~ cunning I adj. ~ to + inf. (it was ~ of them to do that) II n. to show ~ cup n. ['prize'] 1. to lose; win a ~ 2. a challenge ~['small drinking vessel'] 3. to drain one's ~ 4. a coffee; drinking; paper; plastic ~; teacup 5.(misc.) to be in one's cups ('to be drunk') cupboard n. 1. an airing (BE); built-in ~ 2. (usu. fig.) a bare ~ cupid n. to play ~ curb n. ['restraint'] a ~ on curd n. soybean (AE), soya bean (B E) ~ cure I n. 1. to effect, provide, work a ~ 2. a certain, sure; complete; miraculous ~ 3. a rest; water ~ 4.a ~ for II v. (D;tr.) to ~ of (to ~ smb. of a disease) curfew n. 1. to impose a ~ 2. to lift a ~ 3. a mid-night ~ curious adj. ['eager to know'] 1. ~ about (~ about smb.'s past) 2. ~ to + inf. (I would be ~ to know what really happened) ['odd'] 3. ~ that + clause(it is ~ that she didn't remember the incident) curiosity n. 1. to arouse, excite, pique, whet(one's) ~ 2. to satisfy one's ~ 3. healthy; idle; intellectual; natural; unquenchable ~ 4. ~ about 5. out of ~ (he did it out of ~) curls n. natural ~ curl up v. (D; intr.) to ~ in, into (to ~ into a ball) currency n. ['paper money'] 1. to issue; print ~ 2.to call in, withdraw ~ 3. convertible, hard; foreign; non-convertible, soft, weak; stable, strong ~ ['general use'] 4. to enjoy, have ~ (to enjoy wide ~) current n. ['flow of electricity'] 1. alternating; direct; electric; high-tension; low-tension; oscillating ~ ['flow'] 2. an air ~ 3. an underwater ~ 4.against; with the ~ curriculum n. 1. to draw up, design a ~ 2. a college, university; school ~ 3. a basic, core ~ 4. a ~ in (the ~ in engineering) curry n. 1. hot, mild ~ 2. fish; meat; vegetable ~ curse I n. 1. to pronounce, put a ~ on, upon smb.2. to utter a ~ 3. to lift a ~ 4. under a ~ II v. (D; tr.) to ~ for (she ~d him for his clumsiness) curtain n. 1. to draw; lower; raise a ~ 2. (in the theater) to ring down; ring up the ~ 3. to hang, put up ~s 4. a drop; shower; stage, theater ~ 5. (fig.)a bamboo; iron ~ 6. (in the theater) the ~ goes up, rises; comes down, drops, falls curtain call n. to take a ~ curtains n. (colloq.) ['ruin'] ~ for (it will be ~ for him if he loses his job) curtsy I n. to make a ~ II v. (D;intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to the Queen) curve I n. 1. to describe, make a ~ (the road makes a ~ to the right) 2. to plot a ~ ('to locate a curve by plotted points') 3. (teaching) to grade(AE), mark on a ~ 4. a hairpin, horseshoe; sharp II v. 1. to ~ sharply 2. (D;intr.) to ~ to (to ~ to the right) custody n. ['guardianship'] 1. to award, grant ~ 2. to receive, take ~ 3. joint ~ ['arrest'] 4. to take smb. into ~ 5. police; protective ~ 6. in ~ ('underarrest') (held in ~) custom n. 1. to establish a ~ 2. to cherish, observe, practice a ~ 3. (a) local ~ 4. an ancient, old; pagan; quaint; tribal ~ 5. a ~ to + inf. (it is not our ~ to break the law) 6. a ~ that + clause (it is an old ~ that men tip their hats when greeting smb.) customary adj. ~ to + inf. (it is ~ to tip the waiter) customer n. 1. to attract ~s 2. an irate; prospective; satisfied; steady ~ 3. a cash ~ 4. (misc.) an ugly ~ ('a violent person') customs n. 1. to clear, get through, go through, pass through ~ (we got through ~ very quickly) 2.to clear, get smt. through ~ (we got the toys through ~ without difficulty) 3. to declare smt. at cut I n. ['wound made by smt. sharp'] 1. a clean; deep; superficial ~ ['reduction'] 2. to take a ~ 3.a budget; pay; personnel; tax ~ 4. a ~ in (we had to take a ~ in pay) ['haircut'] 5. a crew ~ II v. 1. ('to gash') to ~ deeply 2. (C) ('to sever') ~ a slice of cake for me; or: ~ me a slice of cake 3. (d; intr.) ('to go') to ~ across (to ~ across a field) 4. (D; tr.) ('to sever') to ~ from (to ~ a branch from a tree; he was cut from the team; she cut a thin slice from the loaf) 5. (d; intr.) ('to slice') to ~ into (she cut into the cake) 6. (D; tr.) ('to slice') to ~ into (he cut the meat into small pieces)7. (D; refl.) ('to gash') to ~ on (she cut herself on a knife) 8. (D; tr.) ('to remove') to ~ out of (she was cut out of the will) 9. (d; intr.) ('to go') to ~ through (they cut through the woods; let's ~ through this building) 10. (D; tr.) ('to reduce') to ~ to (they cut the budget to the minimum) 11. (N; used with an adjective) ('to trim') she cut her hair short 12. (misc.) to ~ smb. short ('to interrupt smb.'); to ~ smb. to the quick ('to insult smb. deeply') cut ahead v. (d; intr.) to ~ of ('to cut off) (the other runner cut ahead of her) cutaway v. (D; tr.) to ~ from cutback n. a ~ in (a ~ in production) cut back v. (D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on smoking) cut down v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ on (to ~ on smoking)2. (misc.) to ~ smb. down to size ('to deflate smb.'s ego') cut in v. 1. (D; intr.) to ~ on (he cut in on me when I was dancing) 2. (slang) (D; tr.) to ~ on (he cut me in on the deal) cutlet n. a veal ~ cut off v. 1. (C) ('to slice') he cut off a slice for me; or: he cut me off a slice 2. (D; tr.) ('to separate') to ~ from (we were cut off from civilization)cut out adj. ['suited'] 1. ~ for (she wasn't ~ for this job 2. ~ to + inf. (I wasn't ~ to be an administrator) cut out v. (D; tr.) to ~ from (to ~ an article out from the newspaper) cutter n. a cookie (AE); paper ~ cutting n. a press ~ (BE; AE has press clipping) cut up v. (D; tr.) to ~ into (to ~ smt. up into pieces) cycle n. 1. to complete a ~; to come full ~ 2. to go through, pass through a ~ 3. a business; economic; estrous (AE), oestrous (BE); life; menstrual ~ 4. (as on a washing machine) a delicate; normal; permanent-press ~ 5. in ~s (some epidemics occur in ~s) cynical adj. ~ about (~ about smb.'s motives) cypher (esp. BE) see cipher czar n. a financial; gambling; shipbuilding ~ (BE spelling is tsar)