Nouns denoting acts or actions

1-hitter
a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only one hit
 
11-plus
(formerly in Britain) an examination taken by 11 and 12 year old students to select suitable candidates for grammar school
 
2-hitter
a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only 2 hits
 
3-hitter
a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only 3 hits
 
4-hitter
a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team 4 hits
 
5-hitter
a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team 5 hits
 
a capella singing
singing without instrumental accompaniment
 
A-scan ultrasonography
the use of ultrasonography to measure the length of the eyeball
 
abandonment
the voluntary surrender of property (or a right to property) without attempting to reclaim it or give it away
 
abandonment
withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility
 
abandonment
the act of giving something up
 
abasement
depriving one of self-esteem
 
abatement
the act of abating
 
abatement of a nuisance
(law) the removal or termination or destruction of something that has been found to be a nuisance
 
abbreviation
shortening something by omitting parts of it
 
abdominal breathing
breathing in which most of the respiratory effort is done by the abdominal muscles
 
abdominocentesis
centesis of the belly to remove fluid for diagnosis
 
abdominoplasty
cosmetic surgery of the abdomen to remove wrinkles and tighten the skin over the stomach
 
abduction
(physiology) moving of a body part away from the central axis of the body
 
abduction
the criminal act of capturing and carrying away by force a family member; if a man's wife is abducted it is a crime against the family relationship and against the wife
 
abidance
the act of abiding (enduring without yielding)
 
abidance
acting according to certain accepted standards
 
abidance
the act of dwelling in a place
 
ablactation
the act of substituting other food for the mother's milk in the diet of a child or young mammal
 
ablation
surgical removal of a body part or tissue
 
able-bodiedism
discrimination in favor of the able-bodied
 
ablution
the ritual washing of a priest's hands or of sacred vessels
 
abnegation
renunciation of your own interests in favor of the interests of others
 
abnormality
behavior that breaches the rule or etiquette or custom or morality
 
abolishment
the act of abolishing a system or practice or institution (especially abolishing slavery)
 
abomination
an action that is vicious or vile; an action that arouses disgust or abhorrence
 
abort
the act of terminating a project or procedure before it is completed
 
aborticide
the act of destroying a fetus
 
abortion
termination of pregnancy
 
about turn
act of pivoting 180 degrees, especially in a military formation
 
about-face
a major change in attitude or principle or point of view
 
abreaction
(psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions
 
abrogation
the act of abrogating; an official or legal cancellation
 
abruption
an instance of sudden interruption
 
abscission
the act of cutting something off
 
abscondment
the act of running away secretly (as to avoid arrest)
 
abseil
(mountaineering) a descent of a vertical cliff or wall made by using a doubled rope that is fixed to a higher point and wrapped around the body
 
absence
failure to be present
 
absence without leave
unauthorized military absence
 
absenteeism
habitual absence from work
 
absolution
the act of absolving or remitting; formal redemption as pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance
 
abstinence
act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite
 
abstraction
the act of withdrawing or removing something
 
abuse
cruel or inhumane treatment
 
abuse
improper or excessive use
 
academicianship
the position of member of an honorary academy
 
acceleration
the act of accelerating; increasing the speed
 
accenting
the act of giving special importance or significance to something
 
acceptance
the act of taking something that is offered
 
acceptance sampling
a statistical procedure for accepting or rejecting a batch of merchandise or documents; involves determining the maximum number of defects discovered in a sample before the entire batch is rejected
 
acceptance
the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception
 
access
the act of approaching or entering
 
accession
the act of attaining or gaining access to a new office or right or position (especially the throne)
 
accommodation
(physiology) the automatic adjustment in focal length of the natural lens of the eye
 
accommodation
the act of providing something (lodging or seat or food) to meet a need
 
accommodation reflex
reflex changes in the eyes that enable an object to be focused on the retina
 
accompaniment
the act of accompanying someone or something in order to protect them
 
accomplished fact
an irreversible accomplishment
 
accomplishment
the action of accomplishing something
 
accordance
the act of granting rights
 
accountancy
the occupation of maintaining and auditing records and preparing financial reports for a business
 
accountantship
the position of accountant
 
accreditation
the act of granting credit or recognition (especially with respect to educational institution that maintains suitable standards)
 
accrual
the act of accumulating
 
acculturation
the adoption of the behavior patterns of the surrounding culture
 
ace
a serve that the receiver is unable to reach
 
acedia
apathy and inactivity in the practice of virtue (personified as one of the deadly sins)
 
acidimetry
volumetric analysis using standard solutions of acids to measure the amount of a base present
 
acquired reflex
an acquired response that is under the control of (conditional on the occurrence of) a stimulus
 
acquiring
the act of acquiring something
 
acquisition
the act of contracting or assuming or acquiring possession of something
 
acquittal
a judgment of not guilty
 
acrobatic feat
a stunt performed by an acrobat
 
acrobatics
the performance of stunts while in flight in an aircraft
 
acrobatics
the gymnastic moves of an acrobat
 
act of terrorism
the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear
 
acting
the performance of a part or role in a drama
 
actinometry
measuring the intensity of electromagnetic radiation (especially of the sun's rays)
 
actinotherapy
(medicine) the treatment of disease (especially cancer) by exposure to a radioactive substance
 
action
the most important or interesting work or activity in a specific area or field
 
action
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
 
action
an act by a government body or supranational organization
 
action replay
the immediate rebroadcast of some action (especially sports action) that has been recorded on videotape
 
action
a judicial proceeding brought by one party against another; one party prosecutes another for a wrong done or for protection of a right or for prevention of a wrong
 
action
a military engagement
 
Actium
the naval battle in which Antony and Cleopatra were defeated by Octavian's fleet under Agrippa in 31 BC
 
activating
the activity of causing to have energy and be active
 
activation
making active and effective (as a bomb)
 
active air defense
air defense by the use aircraft or missiles or artillery or electronic countermeasures
 
activity
any specific behavior
 
actual eviction
the physical ouster of a tenant from the leased premises; the tenant is relieved of any further duty to pay rent
 
actual possession
(law) immediate and direct physical control over property
 
actual sin
a sin committed of your own free will (as contrasted with original sin)
 
actualisation
making real or giving the appearance of reality
 
actuation
the act of propelling
 
actus reus
activity that transgresses moral or civil law
 
acupuncture
treatment of pain or disease by inserting the tips of needles at specific points on the skin
 
ad blitz
an organized program of advertisements
 
adagio
a slow section of a pas de deux requiring great skill and strength by the dancers
 
adaptation
(physiology) the responsive adjustment of a sense organ (as the eye) to varying conditions (as of light)
 
addiction
(Roman law) a formal award by a magistrate of a thing or person to another person (as the award of a debtor to his creditor); a surrender to a master
 
addition
the act of adding one thing to another
 
addition
the arithmetic operation of summing; calculating the sum of two or more numbers
 
adduction
(physiology) moving of a body part toward the central axis of the body
 
adenoidectomy
surgical removal of the adenoids; commonly performed along with tonsillectomy
 
adherence
faithful support for a cause or political party or religion
 
adjournment
the act of postponing to another time or place
 
adjournment
the termination of a meeting
 
adjudication
the final judgment in a legal proceeding; the act of pronouncing judgment based on the evidence presented
 
adjunction
an act of joining or adjoining things
 
adjustment
the act of making something different (as e.g. the size of a garment)
 
adjustment
the act of adjusting something to match a standard
 
administration
a method of tending to or managing the affairs of a some group of people (especially the group's business affairs)
 
administration
the act of administering medication
 
administration
the act of governing; exercising authority
 
administration
the act of meting out justice according to the law
 
administrative hearing
a hearing that takes place outside the judicial process before hearing examiners who have been granted judicial authority specifically for the purpose of conducting such hearings
 
administrivia
the tiresome but essential details that must be taken care of and tasks that must be performed in running an organization
 
admiralty
the office of admiral
 
admiration
a favorable judgment
 
admission
the act of admitting someone to enter
 
admixture
the act of mixing together
 
ado
a rapid active commotion
 
adoption
a legal proceeding that creates a parent-child relation between persons not related by blood; the adopted child is entitled to all privileges belonging to a natural child of the adoptive parents (including the right to inherit)
 
adoption
the appropriation (of ideas or words etc) from another source
 
adoration
the act of admiring strongly
 
adoration
the worship given to God alone
 
adornment
the action of decorating yourself with something colorful and interesting
 
adoxography
fine writing in praise of trivial or base subjects
 
adrenalectomy
surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands
 
adrenergic agonist eyedrop
a treatment for glaucoma; the eyedrops reduce intraocular pressure by decreasing the production of aqueous humor and increasing its drainage through the uveoscleral pathway
 
adult education
a course (via lectures or correspondence) for adults who are not otherwise engaged in formal study
 
adulteration
the act of adulterating (especially the illicit substitution of one substance for another)
 
adultery
extramarital sex that willfully and maliciously interferes with marriage relations
 
advance
the act of moving forward (as toward a goal)
 
advance
increase in price or value
 
advancement
gradual improvement or growth or development
 
advent
arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)
 
adventure
a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
 
advertising
the business of drawing public attention to goods and services
 
advisory service
a consulting service in which a CPA develops findings and conclusions and recommendations that are presented to the client for consideration and decision making
 
advocacy
active support of an idea or cause etc.; especially the act of pleading or arguing for something
 
Aegadean Isles
islands west of Sicily (now known as the Egadi Islands) where the Romans won a naval victory over the Carthaginians that ended the first Punic War in 241 BC
 
aegis
kindly endorsement and guidance
 
Aegospotamos
a river in ancient Thrace (now Turkey); in the mouth of this river the Spartan fleet under Lysander destroyed the Athenian fleet in the final battle of the Peloponnesian War (404 BC)
 
aeration
the act of charging a liquid with a gas making it effervescent
 
aerial
a pass to a receiver downfield from the passer
 
aerobic exercise
exercise that increases the need for oxygen
 
aeronautical engineering
the activity of designing and constructing aircraft
 
aerophagia
swallowing air (usually followed by belching and discomfort and flatulence)
 
aerophilately
the collection and study of airmail stamps
 
affaire d'honneur
a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
 
affairs
transactions of professional or public interest
 
affectation
a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display
 
affiliation
the act of becoming formally connected or joined
 
affirmation
a judgment by a higher court that the judgment of a lower court was correct and should stand
 
affixation
formation of a word by means of an affix
 
affixation
the act of attaching or affixing something
 
afforestation
the conversion of bare or cultivated land into forest (originally for the purpose of hunting)
 
affray
a noisy fight
 
affront
a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of deliberate disrespect
 
affusion
the act of baptizing someone by pouring water on their head
 
aftercare
care and treatment of a convalescent patient
 
agape
a religious meal shared as a sign of love and fellowship
 
ageism
discrimination on the basis of a person's age
 
agency
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
 
agglomeration
the act of collecting in a mass; the act of agglomerating
 
aggrandisement
the act of increasing the wealth or prestige or power or scope of something
 
aggravated assault
a reckless attack with intent to injure seriously (as with a deadly weapon)
 
aggravation
action that makes a problem or a disease (or its symptoms) worse
 
aggravation
unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment
 
aggregation
the act of gathering something together
 
aggression
deliberately unfriendly behavior
 
aggression
the act of initiating hostilities
 
aggression
violent action that is hostile and usually unprovoked
 
aggro
(informal British usage) aggravation or aggression
 
Agincourt
a battle in northern France in which English longbowmen under Henry V decisively defeated a much larger French army in 1415
 
agitation
the act of agitating something; causing it to move around (usually vigorously)
 
agitation
disturbance usually in protest
 
agon
a festivity in ancient Greece at which competitors contended for prizes
 
agribusiness
a large-scale farming enterprise
 
agriculture
the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock
 
agrypnia
a vigil before certain feasts (as e.g. Easter)
 
AI
the introduction of semen into the oviduct or uterus by some means other than sexual intercourse
 
aid
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
 
aid
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
 
aikido
a Japanese martial art employing principles similar to judo
 
aim
the action of directing something at an object
 
air attack
an attack by armed planes on a surface target
 
air cover
the use of military aircraft to provide protection against attack by enemy aircraft during ground or naval operations
 
air defense
defensive measures designed to destroy attacking enemy aircraft or missiles or to nullify their effectiveness
 
air reconnaissance
reconnaissance either by visual observation from the air or through the use of airborne sensors
 
air transport
transportation by air
 
air
travel via aircraft
 
airborne patrol
a patrol provided by aircraft
 
aircraft landing
landing an aircraft
 
airdrop
delivery of supplies or equipment or personnel by dropping them by parachute from an aircraft
 
airing
a short excursion (a walk or ride) in the open air
 
airing
the act of supplying fresh air and getting rid of foul air
 
airlift
transportation of people or goods by air (especially when other means of access are unavailable)
 
airplane maneuver
a maneuver executed by an aircraft
 
airplane mechanics
the craft of building and repairing airplanes
 
Alamo
a siege and massacre at a mission in San Antonio in 1836; Mexican forces under Santa Anna besieged and massacred American rebels who were fighting to make Texas independent of Mexico
 
alcohol abuse
excessive use of alcohol and alcoholic drinks
 
algometry
measuring sensitivity to pain or pressure
 
alienation
(law) the voluntary and absolute transfer of title and possession of real property from one person to another
 
alienation
the action of alienating; the action of causing to become unfriendly
 
alienation of affection
a tort based on willful and malicious interference with the marriage relation by a third party without justification or excuse
 
alignment
the act of adjusting or aligning the parts of a device in relation to each other
 
alimentation
the act of supplying food and nourishment
 
aliyah
(Judaism) immigration of Jews to Israel
 
alkalimetry
volumetric analysis using standard solutions of alkali to measure the amount of acid present
 
all fours
card games in which points are won for taking the high or low or jack or game
 
allegiance
the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
 
alleviation
the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance)
 
alliance
the act of forming an alliance or confederation
 
allocation
the act of distributing by allotting or apportioning; distribution according to a plan
 
allocation
(computer science) the assignment of particular areas of a magnetic disk to particular data or instructions
 
allopathy
the usual method of treating disease with remedies that produce effects differing from those produced by the disease itself
 
allowance
the act of allowing
 
allurement
the act of enticing a person to do something wrong (as an offer of sex in return for money)
 
alms
money or goods contributed to the poor
 
almsgiving
making voluntary contributions to aid the poor
 
alphabetisation
the act of putting in alphabetical order
 
Alpinism
mountain climbing (not restricted to the Alps)
 
alteration
the act of revising or altering (involving reconsideration and modification)
 
altering
the sterilization of an animal
 
alternation
successive change from one thing or state to another and back again
 
alternative medicine
the practice of medicine without the use of drugs; may involve herbal medicines or self-awareness or biofeedback or acupuncture
 
amalgamation
the combination of two or more commercial companies
 
ambages
(archaic) roundabout or mysterious ways of action
 
ambassadorship
the post of ambassador
 
amble
a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)
 
ambulation
walking about
 
ambuscade
the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
 
amelioration
the act of relieving ills and changing for the better
 
amendment
the act of amending or correcting
 
amends
something done or paid in expiation of a wrong
 
American football game
a game played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field 100 yards long; teams try to get possession of the ball and advance it across the opponents goal line in a series of (running or passing) plays
 
American War of Independence
the revolution of the American Colonies against Great Britain; 1775-1783
 
Americanism
a custom that is peculiar to the United States or its citizens
 
amnesty
the formal act of liberating someone
 
amnio
(pregnancy) extraction by centesis of amniotic fluid from a pregnant woman (after the 15th week of pregnancy) to aid in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities
 
amortisation
payment of an obligation in a series of installments or transfers
 
amortisation
the reduction of the value of an asset by prorating its cost over a period of years
 
amphibious assault
an amphibious operation attacking a land base that is carried out by troops that are landed by naval ships
 
amphibious demonstration
an amphibious operation conducted for the purpose of deceiving the enemy and leading him into a course of action unfavorable to him
 
amphibious landing
a military action of coordinated land, sea, and air forces organized for an invasion
 
amphibious operation
a military operation by both land and sea forces
 
amplification
(electronics) the act of increasing voltage or power or current
 
amplification
addition of extra material or illustration or clarifying detail
 
amputation
a surgical removal of all or part of a limb
 
amusement
an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
 
amygdalotomy
psychosurgery in which amygdaloid fibers that mediate limbic system activity are severed (in cases of extreme uncontrollable violence)
 
anaerobic exercise
exercise that builds muscles through tension
 
anagrams
a game whose object is to form words from a group of randomly chosen letters
 
anal intercourse
intercourse via the anus, committed by a man with a man or woman
 
analogy
drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect
 
analysis
an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole
 
analysis
a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various mental disorders; based on the theories of Sigmund Freud
 
anamnestic reaction
renewed rapid production of an antibody on the second (or subsequent) encounter with the same antigen
 
anaplasty
surgery concerned with therapeutic or cosmetic reformation of tissue
 
anastylosis
the archeological reassembly of ruined monuments from fallen or decayed fragments (incorporating new materials when necessary)
 
anathematisation
the formal act of pronouncing (someone or something) accursed
 
anatomy
a detailed analysis
 
ancestor worship
worship of ancestors
 
anchorage
the act of anchoring
 
anemography
recording anemometrical measurements
 
anemometry
measuring wind speed and direction
 
anger
belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong (personified as one of the deadly sins)
 
angiography
roentgenographic examination of blood vessels after injection of a radiopaque contrast medium; produces an angiogram
 
angioplasty
an operation to repair a damaged blood vessel or unblock a coronary artery
 
angling
fishing with a hook and line (and usually a pole)
 
angry walk
a stiff or threatening gait
 
angulation
the act of making angulate (having corners)
 
angulation
the precise measurement of angles
 
animal husbandry
breeding and caring for farm animals
 
animal-worship
the worship of animals
 
animalisation
an act that makes people cruel or lacking normal human qualities
 
animation
the making of animated cartoons
 
animation
the activity of giving vitality and vigour to something
 
animation
general activity and motion
 
annealing
hardening something by heat treatment
 
annexation
the formal act of acquiring something (especially territory) by conquest or occupation
 
annexation
incorporation by joining or uniting
 
annihilation
destruction by annihilating something
 
annotating
the act of adding notes
 
annoyance
the act of troubling or annoying someone
 
annulment
(law) a formal termination (of a relationship or a judicial proceeding etc)
 
anointing of the sick
a Catholic sacrament; a priest anoints a dying person with oil and prays for salvation
 
anointing
the act of applying oil or an oily liquid
 
answer
a nonverbal reaction
 
antagonism
(biochemistry) interference in or inhibition of the physiological action of a chemical substance by another having a similar structure
 
anthropolatry
the worship of human beings
 
anthropometry
measurement and study of the human body and its parts and capacities
 
anthropophagy
human cannibalism; the eating of human flesh
 
anti-takeover defense
resistance to or defense against a hostile takeover
 
anti-war movement
a campaign against entering or continuing a war
 
antiaircraft fire
firing at enemy aircraft
 
antic
a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
 
anticipatory breach
a breach of contract committed prior to the time of required performance
 
anticoagulation
the administration of an anticoagulant drug to retard coagulation of the blood
 
antifeminism
activity indicative of belief in the superiority of men over women
 
antipyresis
medication with antipyretics to treat a fever
 
antitrust case
a legal action brought against parties who are charged with limiting free competition in the market place
 
any-and-all bid
a takeover bid where the acquirer offers to buy any and all shares outstanding
 
apache dance
a violent fast dance in French vaudeville (an apache is a member of the French underworld)
 
apache devil dance
a ritual dance of the Apache
 
apery
the act of mimicking; imitative behavior
 
apheresis
a procedure in which blood is drawn and separated into its components by dialysis; some are retained and the rest are returned to the donor by transfusion
 
apiculture
the cultivation of bees on a commercial scale for the production of honey
 
apostasy
the act of abandoning a party for cause
 
apostleship
the position of apostle
 
apotheosis
the elevation of a person (as to the status of a god)
 
apparition
an act of appearing or becoming visible unexpectedly
 
appeal
(law) a legal proceeding in which the appellant resorts to a higher court for the purpose of obtaining a review of a lower court decision and a reversal of the lower court's judgment or the granting of a new trial
 
appearance
the act of appearing in public view
 
appearance
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
 
appearance
pretending that something is the case in order to make a good impression
 
appeasement
the act of appeasing (as by acceding to the demands of)
 
appendectomy
surgical removal of the vermiform appendix
 
application
the action of putting something into operation
 
application
the work of applying something
 
application
a diligent effort
 
application
the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose
 
appointment
the job to which you are (or hope to be) appointed
 
appointment
(law) the act of disposing of property by virtue of the power of appointment
 
appointment
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
 
apposition
the act of positioning close together (or side by side)
 
appraisal
an expert estimation of the quality, quantity, and other characteristics of someone or something
 
appreciation
an increase in price or value
 
apprehension
the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
 
apprenticeship
the position of apprentice
 
approach
a relatively short golf shot intended to put the ball onto the putting green
 
approach
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
 
approach
ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation
 
appropriation
a deliberate act of acquisition of something, often without the permission of the owner
 
approval
the formal act of approving
 
approximation
the act of bringing near or bringing together especially the cut edges of tissue
 
April fool
a practical joke or trick played on the first day of April
 
aquaculture
rearing aquatic animals or cultivating aquatic plants for food
 
aquatics
sports that involve bodies of water
 
aquatint
a method of etching that imitates the broad washes of a water color
 
aquiculture
a technique of growing plants (without soil) in water containing dissolved nutrients
 
Arab-Israeli War
tension between Arabs and Israeli erupted into a brief war in June 1967; Israel emerged as a major power in the Middle East
 
Arab-Israeli War
Egypt and Syria attacked Israel in October 1973 (on Yom Kippur); Israel counterattacked and drove the Syrians back and crossed the Suez Canal into Egypt
 
arbitrage
a kind of hedged investment meant to capture slight differences in price; when there is a difference in the price of something on two different markets the arbitrageur simultaneously buys at the lower price and sells at the higher price
 
arbitrament
the act of deciding as an arbiter; giving authoritative judgment
 
arboriculture
the tending of and caring for trees
 
arborolatry
the worship of trees
 
archery
the sport of shooting arrows with a bow
 
architecture
the profession of designing buildings and environments with consideration for their esthetic effect
 
area bombing
an extensive and systematic bombing intended to devastate a large target
 
arithmetic operation
a mathematical operation involving numbers
 
arm exercise
exercise designed to strengthen the arm muscles
 
Armageddon
any catastrophically destructive battle
 
armament
the act of equiping with weapons in preparation for war
 
armed combat
an engagement fought between two military forces
 
armed forces censorship
military censorship of personal communications to or from persons in the armed forces
 
armed robbery
robbery at gunpoint
 
arms control
a limitation on the size and armament of the armed forces of a country
 
arms deal
a deal to provide military arms
 
aromatherapy
the therapeutic use of aromatic plant extracts and essential oils in baths or massage
 
arousal
mutual sexual fondling prior to sexual intercourse
 
arousal
the act of arousing
 
arrangement
the act of arranging and adapting a piece of music
 
arrival
the act of arriving at a certain place
 
arrival
accomplishment of an objective
 
arrogation
seizure by the government
 
arson
malicious burning to destroy property
 
art class
a class in which you learn to draw or paint
 
art
the creation of beautiful or significant things
 
arterial blood gases
measurement of the pH level and the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in arterial blood; important in diagnosis of many respiratory diseases
 
arteriography
roentgenographic examination of arteries
 
arthrocentesis
removal of fluid from a joint by centesis
 
arthrodesis
the surgical fixation of a joint which is intended to result in bone fusion
 
arthrography
roentgenographic examination of a joint after injection of radiopaque contrast medium; produces an arthrogram
 
arthroplasty
surgical reconstruction or replacement of a malformed or degenerated joint
 
arthroscopy
a minimally invasive operation to repair a damaged joint; the surgeon examines the joint with an arthroscope while making repairs through a small incision
 
articulation
the act of joining things in such a way that motion is possible
 
artifice
a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
 
artificial respiration
an emergency procedure whereby breathing is maintained artificially
 
artillery fire
fire delivered by artillery
 
arts and crafts
the arts of decorative design and handicraft
 
asbestos abatement
the removal of asbestos from a public building
 
ascending
the act of changing location in an upward direction
 
ascesis
rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint
 
aspersion
an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
 
aspersion
the act of sprinkling water in baptism (rare)
 
asphyxiation
killing by depriving of oxygen
 
aspiration
the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing
 
ass
slang for sexual intercourse
 
assassination
murder of a public figure by surprise attack
 
assault
a threatened or attempted physical attack by someone who appears to be able to cause bodily harm if not stopped
 
assault
close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
 
assault and battery
an assault in which the assailant makes physical contact
 
assault
the crime of forcing a person to submit to sexual intercourse against his or her will
 
assay
a quantitative or qualitative test of a substance (especially an ore or a drug) to determine its components; frequently used to test for the presence or concentration of infectious agents or antibodies etc.
 
assemblage
the social act of assembling
 
assembly
the act of constructing something (as a piece of machinery)
 
assertiveness training
a method of psychotherapy that reinforces you for stating negative and positive feelings directly
 
assessment
the act of judging or assessing a person or situation or event
 
assignation
a secret rendezvous (especially between lovers)
 
assigning
the act of distributing something to designated places or persons
 
assignment
an undertaking that you have been assigned to do (as by an instructor)
 
assignment
a duty that you are assigned to perform (especially in the armed forces)
 
assist
(sports) the act of enabling another player to make a good play
 
assisted suicide
suicide of a terminally ill person that involves an assistant who serves to make dying as painless and dignified as possible
 
associateship
the position of associate (as in an office or academy)
 
association
the act of consorting with or joining with others
 
association football
a football game in which two teams of 11 players try to kick or head a ball into the opponents' goal
 
assortative mating
mating of individuals having more traits in common than likely in random mating
 
assortment
the act of distributing things into classes or categories of the same type
 
assumption
the act of assuming or taking for granted
 
assumption
the act of taking possession of or power over something
 
astrolatry
the worship of planets or stars
 
astronavigation
navigating according to the positions of the stars
 
at-bat
(baseball) a turn trying to get a hit
 
athletic game
a game involving athletic activity
 
athletic training
the course of practice and exercise and diet undertaken by an athlete
 
athletics
participation in sports events as an extracurricular activity
 
athletics
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
 
atomisation
annihilation by reducing something to atoms
 
atomisation
separating something into fine particles
 
atonement
the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity)
 
atrocity
an act of atrocious cruelty
 
attachment
the act of fastening things together
 
attack
an offensive move in a sport or game
 
attack
strong criticism
 
attack
the act of attacking
 
attack
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
 
attack
a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase
 
attainder
cancellation of civil rights
 
attainment
arrival at a new stage
 
attainment
the act of achieving an aim
 
attempt
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
 
attendance check
a call of students' names in a classroom
 
attendance
the act of being present (at a meeting or event etc.)
 
attention
a courteous act indicating affection
 
attestation report
a consulting service in which a CPA expresses a conclusion about the reliability of a written statement that is the responsibility of someone else
 
attitude
a theatrical pose created for effect
 
Attorney General of the United States
the position of the head of the Justice Department and the chief law enforcement officer of the United States
 
attorneyship
the position of attorney
 
attrition
the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction
 
auction pitch
an all-fours game in which the first card led is a trump
 
auction
a variety of bridge in which tricks made in excess of the contract are scored toward game; now generally superseded by contract bridge
 
auction
the public sale of something to the highest bidder
 
audible
a football play is changed orally after both teams have assumed their positions at the line of scrimmage
 
audiometry
measuring sensitivity of hearing
 
audit
a methodical examination or review of a condition or situation
 
audition
a test of the suitability of a performer
 
augmentation
the act of augmenting
 
auscultation
listening to sounds within the body (usually with a stethoscope)
 
Australian crawl
a swimming stroke; arms are moved alternately overhead accompanied by a flutter kick
 
authentication
validating the authenticity of something or someone
 
authorisation
the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant
 
authorship
the act of creating written works
 
authorship
the act of initiating a new idea or theory or writing
 
auto limitation
social control achieved as a manifestation of self-will or general consent
 
auto mechanics
the craft of building and repairing automobiles
 
auto racing
the sport of racing automobiles
 
auto-da-fe
the burning to death of heretics (as during the Spanish Inquisition)
 
autoeroticism
using you own body as a sexual object
 
autogenic therapy
training patients in self-induced relaxation
 
autolatry
the worship of yourself
 
automation
the act of implementing the control of equipment with advanced technology; usually involving electronic hardware
 
automatism
any reaction that occurs automatically without conscious thought or reflection (especially the undirected behavior seen in psychomotor epilepsy)
 
automotive engineering
the activity of designing and constructing automobiles
 
autoplasty
surgical repair by using tissue from another part of the patient's own body
 
autosexing
(especially of domestic fowl) breeding to reveal differential sex characteristics at hatching
 
autosuggestion
a system for self-improvement developed by Emile Coue which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s
 
autotomy
spontaneous removal or casting off of a body part (as the tail of a lizard or claw of a lobster) especially when the organism is injured or under attack
 
avarice
reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins)
 
avenue
a line of approach
 
aversion therapy
any technique of behavior modification that uses unpleasant stimuli in a controlled fashion to alter behavior in a therapeutic way; primarily used for alcoholism or drug abuse (but with little success)
 
aversion
the act of turning yourself (or your gaze) away
 
averting
the act of preventing something from occurring
 
avocation
an auxiliary activity
 
avoidance
deliberately avoiding; keeping away from or preventing from happening
 
avulsion
a forcible tearing or surgical separation of one body part from another
 
awakening
the act of waking
 
award
a grant made by a law court
 
away game
a game played away from home
 
B-scan ultrasonography
the use of ultrasonography to view structure in the back of the eye
 
babbitting
lining a surface or bearing with Babbitt metal
 
babel
a confusion of voices and other sounds
 
Babinski reflex
extension upward of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly on the outer side from the heel to the front; normal in infants under the age of two years but a sign of brain or spinal cord injury in older persons
 
baby
a project of personal concern to someone
 
baby sitting
the work of a baby sitter; caring for children when their parents are not home
 
Babylonian Captivity
the deportation of the Jews to Babylonia by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC
 
baccarat
a card game played in casinos in which two or more punters gamble against the banker; the player wins who holds 2 or 3 cards that total closest to nine
 
bacchanal
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
 
Bacchanalia
an orgiastic festival in ancient Greece in honor of Dionysus (= Bacchus)
 
back
(American football) the position of a player on a football team who is stationed behind the line of scrimmage
 
back circle
a feat in which an acrobat arches the back from a prone position and bends the knees until the toes touch the head
 
back door
a secret or underhand means of access (to a place or a position)
 
back exercise
exercise designed to strengthen the back muscles
 
backbend
an acrobatic feat in which the trunk is bent backward from a standing position until the hands touch the floor
 
backfire
a miscalculation that recoils on its maker
 
backgammon
a board game for two players; pieces move according to throws of the dice
 
backhand drive
a hard straight return made on the backhand side
 
backhand
a return made with the back of the hand facing the direction of the stroke
 
backhander
a backhanded blow
 
backing
the act of providing approval and support
 
backlash
an adverse reaction to some political or social occurrence
 
backpacking
carrying something in a pack on the back
 
backsliding
a failure to maintain a higher state
 
backstop
a precaution in case of an emergency
 
backstroke
a swimming stroke that resembles the crawl except the swimmer lies on his or her back
 
bacteriological warfare
the use of harmful bacteria as a weapon
 
badgering
the act of harassing someone
 
badminton
a game played on a court with light long-handled rackets used to volley a shuttlecock over a net
 
bag
an activity that you like or at which you are superior
 
bagatelle
a table game in which short cues are used to knock balls into holes that are guarded by wooden pegs; penalties are incurred if the pegs are knocked over
 
bailiffship
the office of bailiff
 
bailment
the delivery of personal property in trust by the bailor to the bailee
 
bait and switch
a deceptive way of selling that involves advertising a product at a very low price in order to attract customers who are then persuaded to switch to a more expensive product
 
bait casting
the single-handed rod casting of a relatively heavy (artificial) bait
 
baiting
harassment especially of a tethered animal
 
baking
cooking by dry heat in an oven
 
baking
making bread or cake or pastry etc.
 
Bakke decision
a ruling by the Supreme Court on affirmative action; the Court ruled in 1978 that medical schools are entitled to consider race as a factor in their admission policy
 
balancing
getting two things to correspond
 
balk
an illegal pitching motion while runners are on base
 
Balkan Wars
two wars (1912-1913) that were fought over the last of the European territories of the Ottoman Empire and that left the area around Constantinople (now Istanbul) as the only Ottoman territory in Europe
 
ball
a pitch that is not in the strike zone
 
ball game
a field game played with a ball (especially baseball)
 
ball hawking
a skillful maneuver in catching balls or in stealing the ball from the opposing team
 
ball
a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs
 
ball-breaker
a job or situation that is demanding and arduous and punishing
 
ballet
a theatrical representation of a story that is performed to music by trained dancers
 
ballooning
flying in a balloon
 
ballot
a choice that is made by counting the number of people in favor of each alternative
 
ballottement
a palpatory technique for feeling a floating object in the body (especially for determining the position of a fetus by feeling the rebound of the fetus after a quick digital tap on the wall of the uterus)
 
ballroom dance
any of a variety of social dances performed by couples in a ballroom
 
balls-up
something badly botched or muddled
 
band aid
hurried repair
 
bandaging
the act of applying a bandage
 
banditry
the practice of plundering in gangs
 
bang
a conspicuous success
 
banging
the act of subjecting to strong attack
 
banishment
rejection by means of an act of banishing or proscribing someone
 
bank
a flight maneuver; aircraft tips laterally about its longitudinal axis (especially in turning)
 
bank closing
act of closing down a bank because of a fiscal emergency or failure
 
bank examination
an examination of the affairs and records of a bank by a state or federal bank examiner
 
bank run
the concerted action of depositors who try to withdraw their money from a bank because they think it will fail
 
bank shot
a basketball shot that bounces off of the backboard before passing through the hoop
 
bank withdrawal
the withdrawal of money from your account at a bank
 
banking
engaging in the business of keeping money for savings and checking accounts or for exchange or for issuing loans and credit etc.
 
banking
transacting business with a bank; depositing or withdrawing funds or requesting a loan etc.
 
banking game
any gambling game in which bets are laid against the gambling house or the dealer
 
bankruptcy
a legal process intended to insure equality among the creditors of a corporation declared to be insolvent
 
Bannockburn
a battle in which the Scots under Robert the Bruce defeated the English and assured the independence of Scotland
 
banqueting
eating an elaborate meal (often accompanied by entertainment)
 
banzai attack
a mass attack of troops without concern for casualties; originated by Japanese who accompanied it with yells of `banzai'
 
baptism
a Christian sacrament signifying spiritual cleansing and rebirth
 
bar
the act of preventing
 
barbarisation
an act that makes people primitive and uncivilized
 
barbarism
a brutal barbarous savage act
 
barbecuing
roasting a large piece of meat on a revolving spit out of doors over an open fire
 
bardolatry
the idolization of William Shakespeare
 
bareboating
boating by chartering a bareboat and providing your own crew and provisions
 
baring
the removal of covering
 
barium enema
enema in which a contrast medium (usually barium sulfate) is injected into the rectum and X-rays are taken to search for lesions
 
baronetage
the state of a baronet
 
barracking
shouting to interrupt a speech with which you disagree
 
barrage jamming
electronic jamming over a wide range of frequencies simultaneously
 
barrage
the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target
 
barratry
(maritime law) a fraudulent breach of duty by the master of a ship that injures the owner of the ship or its cargo; includes every breach of trust such as stealing or sinking or deserting the ship or embezzling the cargo
 
barratry
the offense of vexatiously persisting in inciting lawsuits and quarrels
 
barratry
the crime of a judge whose judgment is influenced by bribery
 
barratry
traffic in ecclesiastical offices or preferments
 
barrel roll
a roll in which the plane follows a spiral course
 
barring
the act of excluding someone by a negative vote or veto
 
barter
an equal exchange
 
basal body temperature method
natural family planning in which the fertile period of the woman's menstrual cycle is inferred by noting the rise in basal body temperature that typically occurs with ovulation
 
base hit
(baseball) the successful act of striking a baseball in such a way that the batter reaches base safely
 
base on balls
(baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
 
baseball play
(baseball) a play executed by a baseball team
 
baseball score
the score of a baseball game
 
baseball swing
in baseball; a batter's attempt to hit a pitched ball
 
basic training
the initial period of training for new military personnel; involves intense physical activity and behavioral discipline
 
basket rummy
a form of rummy using two decks of cards and four jokers; jokers and deuces are wild; the object is to form groups of the same rank
 
basket
a score in basketball made by throwing the ball through the hoop
 
basketball play
a play executed by a basketball team
 
basketball score
the score in a basketball game
 
basketball shot
throwing the basketball toward the hoop
 
basketball
a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal hoop
 
basketry
the craft of basket making
 
bastardisation
an act that debases or corrupts
 
bastardy proceeding
a lawsuit filed to determine the father of a child born out of wedlock (and to provide for the support of the child once paternity is determined)
 
bastinado
a form of torture in which the soles of the feet are beaten with whips or cudgels
 
basting
moistening a roast as it is cooking
 
bath
a soaking and washing in a bathtub
 
bathe
the act of swimming for pleasure or recreation
 
bathing
immersing the body in water or sunshine
 
bathing
the act of washing yourself (or another person)
 
bathymetry
measuring the depths of the oceans
 
batting
(baseball) the batter's attempt to get on base
 
battle of Atlanta
a siege in which Federal troops under Sherman cut off the railroads supplying the city and then burned it; 1864
 
battle of Austerlitz
a decisive battle during the Napoleonic campaigns (1805); the French under Napoleon defeated the Russian armies of Czar Alexander I and the Austrian armies of Emperor Francis II
 
battle of Boyne
a battle in the War of the Grand Alliance in Ireland in 1690; William III defeated the deposed James II and so ended the Catholicism that had been reintroduced in England by the Stuarts
 
Battle of Britain
the prolonged bombardment of British cities by the German Luftwaffe during World War II and the aerial combat that accompanied it
 
battle of Brunanburh
a battle in 937 when Athelstan defeated the Scots
 
Battle of Bull Run
either of two battles during the American Civil War (1861 and 1862); Confederate forces defeated the Federal army in both battles
 
battle of Bunker Hill
the first important battle of the American War of Independence (1775) which was fought at Breed's Hill; the British defeated the colonial forces
 
battle of Caporetto
battle of World War I (1917); Italians were defeated by the Austrian and German forces
 
battle of Chattanooga
in the American Civil War (1863) the Union armies of Hooker, Thomas, and Sherman under the command of Ulysses S. Grant won a decisive victory over the Confederate Army under Braxton Bragg
 
battle of Chickamauga
a Confederate victory in the American Civil War (1863); Confederate forces under Braxton Bragg defeated Union forces
 
battle of Cowpens
battle in the American Revolution; Americans under Daniel Morgan defeated the British
 
battle of Crecy
the first decisive battle of the Hundred Years' War; in 1346 the English under Edward III defeated the French under Philip of Valois
 
battle of Cunaxa
battle in 401 BC when the Artaxerxes II defeated his younger brother who tried to usurp the throne
 
battle of Cynoscephalae
the battle that ended the second Macedonian War (197 BC); the Romans defeated Philip V who lost his control of Greece
 
Battle of El Alamein
a pitched battle in World War II (1942) resulting in a decisive Allied victory by British troops under Montgomery over German troops under Rommel
 
Battle of Flodden Field
a battle in 1513; the English defeated the invading Scots and James IV was killed
 
Battle of Fontenoy
a battle in 1745 in which the French army under Marshal Saxe defeated the English army and their allies under the duke of Cumberland
 
Battle of Fredericksburg
an important battle in the American Civil War (1862); the Union Army under A. E. Burnside was defeated by the Confederate Army under Robert E. Lee
 
Battle of Gettysburg
a battle of the American Civil War (1863); the defeat of Robert E. Lee's invading Confederate Army was a major victory for the Union
 
Battle of Granicus River
the battle in which Alexander won his first major victory against the Persians (334 BC)
 
Battle of Guadalcanal
a battle in World War II in the Pacific (1942-1943); the island was occupied by the Japanese and later recaptured by American forces
 
battle of Hastings
the decisive battle in which William the Conqueror (duke of Normandy) defeated the Saxons under Harold II (1066) and thus left England open for the Norman Conquest
 
battle of Hohenlinden
a battle during the Napoleonic Wars (1800); the French defeated the Austrians
 
battle of Ipsus
a battle between the successors of Alexander the Great (301 BC); Lysimachus and Seleucus defeated Antigonus and Demetrius
 
battle of Issus
a battle (333 BC) in which Alexander the Great defeated the Persians under Darius III
 
Battle of Jena
the battle in 1806 in which Napoleon decisively defeated the Prussians
 
battle of Jutland
an indecisive naval battle in World War I (1916); fought between the British and German fleets off the northwestern coast of Denmark
 
Battle of Kerbala
a battle in 680 in which the grandson of Mohammed and his followers were killed
 
Battle of Lake Trasimenus
a battle in 217 BC in which Hannibal ambushed a Roman army led by Flaminius
 
battle of Langside
(1568) Catholic forces supporting Mary Queen of Scots were routed by Protestants
 
Battle of Lepanto
Turkish sea power was destroyed in 1571 by a league of Christian nations organized by the Pope
 
battle of Leuctra
Thebes defeated Sparta in 371 BC; the battle ended Sparta's military supremacy in Greece
 
battle of Lule Burgas
the principal battle of the Balkan Wars (1912); Bulgarian forces defeated the Turks
 
battle of Lutzen
a battle in the Thirty Years' War (1632); Swedes under Gustavus Adolphus defeated the Holy Roman Empire under Wallenstein; Gustavus Adolphus was killed
 
Battle of Magenta
a battle in 1859 in which the French and Sardinian forces under Napoleon III defeated the Austrians under Francis Joseph I
 
Battle of Maldon
a battle in which the Danes defeated the Saxons in 991; celebrated in an old English poem
 
battle of Marathon
a battle in 490 BC in which the Athenians and their allies defeated the Persians
 
battle of Marston Moor
a battle in 1644 in which the Parliamentarians under the earl of Manchester defeated the Royalists under Prince Rupert
 
Battle of Midway
naval battle of World War II (June 1942); American planes based on land and on carriers decisively defeated a Japanese fleet on its way to invade the Midway Islands
 
battle of Minden
a battle in the Seven Years' War (1759) in which the English forces and their allies defeated the French
 
Battle of Monmouth Court House
a pitched battle in New Jersey during the American Revolution (1778) that ended with the withdrawal of British forces
 
Battle of Naseby
a battle in 1645 that settled the outcome of the first English Civil War as the Parliamentarians won a major victory over the Royalists
 
battle of Navarino
a decisive naval battle in the War of Greek Independence (1827); the Turkish and Egyptian fleet was defeated by an allied fleet of British and French and Russian warships
 
battle of Omdurman
a battle (1898) in which an English and Egyptian army under Kitchener defeated the Sudanese
 
battle of Panipat
battle in which the ruler of Afghanistan defeated the Mahrattas in 1761
 
battle of Pharsalus
Caesar defeated Pompey in 48 BC
 
battle of Philippi
Octavian and Mark Antony defeated Brutus and Cassius in 42 BC
 
battle of Pittsburgh Landing
the second great battle of the American Civil War (1862); the battle ended with the withdrawal of Confederate troops but it was not a Union victory
 
battle of Plassey
the victory in 1757 by the British under Clive over Siraj-ud-daula that established British supremacy over Bengal
 
battle of Plataea
a defeat of the Persian army by the Greeks at Plataea in 479 BC
 
battle of Poitiers
the battle in 1356 in which the English under the Black Prince defeated the French
 
Battle of Puebla
a battle in which Mexican forces defeated the French in 1862
 
Battle of Pydna
a major victory by the Romans over the Macedonians in 168 BC; resulted in the downfall of the ancient Macedonian kingdom
 
Battle of Ravenna
a battle between the French and an alliance of Spaniards and Swiss and Venetians in 1512
 
Battle of Rocroi
a battle in the Thirty Years' War (1643); the French defeated the Spanish invaders
 
battle of Rossbach
a battle in the Seven Years' War (1757); Prussian forces under Frederick the Great defeated the armies of France and Austria
 
battle of Saratoga
a battle during the American Revolution (1777); the British under Burgoyne were defeated
 
battle of Sempach
the Swiss Confederation escaped Hapsburg domination by their victory in 1386
 
battle of Solferino
an indecisive battle in 1859 between the French and Sardinians under Napoleon III and the Austrians under Francis Joseph I
 
battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse
a battle between the armies of Grant and Lee during the Wilderness Campaign
 
battle of St Mihiel
a battle in the Meuse-Argonne operation in World War I (1918); the battle in which American troops launched their first offensive in France
 
battle of Tannenberg
a battle in World War I (1914); decisive German victory over the Russians
 
battle of Tertry
a battle in France in 687 among the descendants of Clovis
 
battle of Teutoburger Wald
a battle in 9 AD in which the Germans under Arminius annihilated three Roman Legions
 
battle of Tewkesbury
the final battle of the War of the Roses in 1471 in which Edward IV defeated the Lancastrians
 
Battle of the Ardennes Bulge
a battle during World War II; in December 1944 von Rundstedt launched a powerful counteroffensive in the forest at Ardennes and caught the Allies by surprise
 
battle of the Bismarck Sea
a naval battle in World War II; Allied land-based bombers destroyed a Japanese convoy in the Bismarck Sea in March 1943
 
battle of the Chemin-des-Dames
a battle in World War I (May 1918); the Germans tried to attack before the American numbers were too great to defeat; the tactical success of the Germans proved to be a strategic failure
 
battle of the Coral Sea
a Japanese defeat in World War II (May 1942); the first naval battle fought entirely by planes based on aircraft carriers
 
Battle of the Little Bighorn
a battle in Montana near the Little Bighorn River between United States cavalry under Custer and several groups of Native Americans (1876); Custer was pursuing Sioux led by Sitting Bull; Custer underestimated the size of the Sioux forces (which were supported by Cheyenne warriors) and was killed along with all his command
 
Battle of the Marne
a World War I battle in northwestern France where the Allies defeated the Germans in 1918
 
battle of the Philippine Sea
a naval battle in World War II (1944); a decisive naval victory for the United States fleet over the Japanese who were trying to block supplies from reaching American troops on Leyte
 
Battle of the Somme
battle in World War I (1916)
 
Battle of the Somme
battle of World War II (1944)
 
Battle of the Spanish Armada
in the English Channel a small fleet of British ships successfully defeated the large armada sent from Spain by Philip II to invade England
 
battle of Thermopylae
a famous battle in 480 BC; a Greek army under Leonidas was annihilated by the Persians who were trying to conquer Greece
 
battle of Trafalgar
a naval battle in 1805 off the southwest coast of Spain; the French and Spanish fleets were defeated by the English under Nelson (who was mortally wounded)
 
battle of Trasimeno
a battle in central Italy where Hannibal defeated the Romans under Flaminius in 217 BC
 
battle of Valmy
the French defeated the Austrian and Prussian troops in 1792 (with a famous cannonade from the French artillery)
 
battle of Verdun
a battle in World War I (1916); in some of the bloodiest fighting in World War I the German offensive was stopped
 
battle of Wagram
a battle in the Napoleonic campaigns (1809); Napoleon defeated the Austrians
 
Battle of Wake Island
in December 1941 the island was captured by the Japanese after a gallant last-ditch stand by a few hundred United States marines
 
Battle of Waterloo
the battle on 18 June 1815 in which Prussian and British forces under Blucher and the Duke of Wellington routed the French forces under Napoleon
 
battle of wits
a contest in which intelligence rather than violence is used
 
battle of Zama
the battle in 202 BC in which Scipio decisively defeated Hannibal at the end of the second Punic War
 
battle royal
a noisy riotous fight
 
battle
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
 
battle
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
 
battle
an energetic attempt to achieve something
 
battledore
an ancient racket game
 
battue
a hunt in which beaters force the game to flee in the direction of the hunter
 
battue
indiscriminate slaughter
 
bawling
loud cries made while weeping
 
bazaar
a sale of miscellany; often for charity
 
beachhead
an initial accomplishment that opens the way for further developments
 
beagling
hunting rabbits with beagles
 
beanball
a baseball deliberately thrown at the batter's head
 
beano
a game in which numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards
 
bear hug
a wrestling hold with arms locked tightly around the opponent
 
bear hug
a takeover bid so attractive that the directors of the target company must approve it or risk shareholder protest
 
bearing false witness
criminal offense of making false statements under oath
 
beat
a stroke or blow
 
beat
the act of beating to windward; sailing as close as possible to the direction from which the wind is blowing
 
beatification
(Roman Catholic Church) an act of the Pope who declares that a deceased person lived a holy life and is worthy of public veneration; a first step toward canonization
 
beatification
the action of rendering supremely blessed and extremely happy
 
beating
the act of inflicting corporal punishment with repeated blows
 
beating
the act of overcoming or outdoing
 
beau geste
a gracious (but usually meaningless) gesture
 
beautification
the act of making something more beautiful
 
beauty treatment
enhancement of someone's personal beauty
 
bed rest
confinement to bed continuously (as in the case of some sick or injured persons)
 
beginning
the act of starting something
 
beguilement
an entertainment that provokes pleased interest and distracts you from worries and vexations
 
beguine
a ballroom dance that originated in the French West Indies; similar to the rumba
 
behalf
as the agent of or on someone's part (usually expressed as `on behalf of' rather than `in behalf of')
 
behavior modification
psychotherapy that seeks to extinguish or inhibit abnormal or maladaptive behavior by reinforcing desired behavior and extinguishing undesired behavior
 
behavior
(psychology) the aggregate of the responses or reactions or movements made by an organism in any situation
 
behavior
manner of acting or controlling yourself
 
beheading
execution by cutting off the victim's head
 
beheading
killing by cutting off the head
 
bel canto
a style of operatic singing
 
belch
a reflex that expels gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth
 
belching
the forceful expulsion of something from inside
 
beleaguering
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
 
belittling
the act of belittling
 
bell ringer
something that exactly succeeds in achieving its goal
 
bell ringing
playing a set of bells that are (usually) hung in a tower
 
belligerency
fighting; acts of overt warfare
 
belly dance
a Middle Eastern dance in which the dancer makes sensuous movements of the hips and abdomen
 
belly flop
a dive in which the abdomen bears the main force of impact with the water
 
belt
the act of hitting vigorously
 
bench press
a weightlift in which you lie on your back on a bench and press weights upward
 
bender
revelry in drinking; a merry drinking party
 
bender
a pitch of a baseball that is thrown with spin so that its path curves as it approaches the batter
 
bending
the act of bending something
 
benediction
the act of praying for divine protection
 
benefaction
an act intending or showing kindness and good will
 
benefit of clergy
sanction by a religious rite
 
benignity
a kind act
 
bent hang
a hang performed with the elbows bent
 
Berith
the Jewish rite of circumcision performed on a male child on the eighth day of his life
 
Berlin airlift
airlift in 1948 that supplied food and fuel to citizens of west Berlin when the Russians closed off land access to Berlin
 
berth
a job in an organization
 
Bertillon system
a system or procedure for identifying persons
 
best
the supreme effort one can make
 
bestiality
sexual activity between a person and an animal
 
bestowal
the act of conferring an honor or presenting a gift
 
bet
the act of gambling
 
beta blocker eyedrop
a treatment for glaucoma; the eyedrops reduce intraocular pressure by reducing the production of aqueous humor
 
betise
a stupid mistake
 
betrayal
an act of deliberate betrayal
 
betrothal
the act of becoming betrothed or engaged
 
bezique
a card game played with a pack of forty-eight cards (two of each suit for high cards); play resembles whist
 
bhakti
(Hinduism) loving devotion to a deity leading to salvation and nirvana; open to all persons independent of caste or sex
 
Bible-worship
the worship of the Bible
 
bicycling
riding a bicycle
 
bid
an attempt to get something
 
bidding contest
a series of competing bids
 
biff
(boxing) a blow with the fist
 
bifurcation
the act of splitting into two branches
 
big science
scientific research that requires massive capital investment but is expected to yield very significant results
 
bigamy
the offense of marrying someone while you have a living spouse from whom no valid divorce has occurred
 
bill
the entertainment offered at a public presentation
 
bill of review
a proceeding brought to obtain an explanation or an alteration or a reversal of a decree by the court that rendered it
 
billiards
any of several games played on rectangular cloth-covered table (with cushioned edges) in which long tapering cue sticks are used to propel ivory (or composition) balls
 
Binet-Simon Scale
the first intelligence test
 
binge
an occasion for excessive eating or drinking
 
binge
any act of immoderate indulgence
 
bingle
a base hit on which the batter stops safely at first base
 
biodefence
procedures involved in taking defensive measures against attacks using biological agents
 
biogenesis
the production of living organisms from other living organisms
 
biological research
scientific research conducted by biologists
 
biological terrorism
terrorism using the weapons of biological warfare
 
biologism
use of biological principles in explaining human especially social behavior
 
biomedical cloning
nuclear transplantation of a patient's own cells to make an oocyte from which immune-compatible cells (especially stem cells) can be derived for transplant
 
biopiracy
biological theft; illegal collection of indigenous plants by corporations who patent them for their own use
 
bioremediation
the act of treating waste or pollutants by the use of microorganisms (as bacteria) that can break down the undesirable substances
 
birdnesting
hunting for birds' nests to get the eggs
 
birling
rotating a log rapidly in the water (as a competitive sport)
 
birth control
limiting the number of children born
 
bisection
dividing into two equal parts
 
bisexuality
sexual activity with both men and women
 
bishopry
the office and dignity of a bishop
 
bitchery
aggressive remarks and behavior like that of a spiteful malicious woman
 
bite
a portion removed from the whole
 
bite
the act of gripping or chewing off with the teeth and jaws
 
bivouacking
the act of encamping and living in tents in a camp
 
biz
your occupation or line of work
 
Black Maria
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
 
black market
an illegal market in which goods or currencies are bought and sold in violation of rationing or controls
 
black operation
a covert operation not attributable to the organization carrying it out
 
blackening
changing to a darker color
 
blackjack
a gambling game using cards; the object is to hold cards having a higher count than those dealt to the banker up to but not exceeding 21
 
blackmail
extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information
 
blandishment
the act of urging by means of teasing or flattery
 
blasphemy
blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character
 
blast
a very long fly ball
 
blastoff
the launching of a missile or spacecraft to a specified destination
 
blaxploitation
the exploitation of black people (especially with regard to stereotyped roles in movies)
 
blaze
noisy and unrestrained mischief
 
bleach
the act of whitening something by bleaching it (exposing it to sunlight or using a chemical bleaching agent)
 
blend
the act of blending components together thoroughly
 
blending
a gradation involving small or imperceptible differences between grades
 
Blenheim
the First Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene of Savoy defeated the French in 1704 during the War of the Spanish Succession
 
blind alley
(figurative) a course of action that is unproductive and offers no hope of improvement
 
blind flying
using only instruments for flying an aircraft because you cannot see through clouds or mists etc.
 
blind stitching
stitching that is not easily seen or noticed
 
blindman's bluff
a children's game in which a blindfolded player tries to catch and identify other players
 
blink
a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly
 
blitz
a swift and violent military offensive with intensive aerial bombardment
 
blitz
(American football) defensive players try to break through the offensive line
 
block grant
a grant of federal money to state and local governments to support social welfare programs
 
block vote
a vote proportional in magnitude to the number of people that a delegate represents
 
block
the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements
 
blockade
a war measure that isolates some area of importance to the enemy
 
blockage
the act of blocking
 
blockbuster
an unusually successful hit with widespread popularity and huge sales (especially a movie or play or recording or novel)
 
blood count
the act of estimating the number of red and white corpuscles in a blood sample
 
blood feud
a feud in which members of the opposing parties murder each other
 
blood sport
sport that involves killing animals (especially hunting)
 
blood transfusion
the introduction of blood or blood plasma into a vein or artery
 
blood typing
determining a person's blood type by serological methods
 
Bloodless Revolution
the revolution against James II; there was little armed resistance to William and Mary in England although battles were fought in Scotland and Ireland (1688-1689)
 
bloodletting
formerly used as a treatment to reduce excess blood (one of the four humors of medieval medicine)
 
bloodshed
the shedding of blood resulting in murder
 
bloomer
an embarrassing mistake
 
blot
an act that brings discredit to the person who does it
 
blow
a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
 
blow
forceful exhalation through the nose or mouth
 
blowjob
slang for fellatio
 
blowout
a gay festivity
 
blue wall
the secrecy of police officers who lie or look the other way to protect other police officers
 
bluff
the act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of confidence in the strength of your cards
 
blush
sudden reddening of the face (as from embarrassment or guilt or shame or modesty)
 
board game
a game played on a specially designed board
 
boarding
the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft
 
boat racing
the sport of racing boats
 
boating
water travel for pleasure
 
bob
a short abrupt inclination (as of the head)
 
bobble
the momentary juggling of a batted or thrown baseball
 
bobsledding
riding on a bobsled
 
bocce
Italian bowling played on a long narrow dirt court
 
body English
a motion of the body by a player as if to make an object already propelled go in the desired direction
 
bodywork
the work of making or repairing vehicle bodies
 
Boer War
either of two wars: the first when the Boers fought England in order to regain the independence they had given up to obtain British help against the Zulus (1880-1881); the second when the Orange Free State and Transvaal declared war on Britain (1899-1902)
 
bohemianism
conduct characteristic of a bohemian
 
boiling
cooking in a liquid that has been brought to a boil
 
BOLD FMRI
functional magnetic resonance imaging that relies on intrinsic changes in hemoglobin oxygenation
 
bolero
a Spanish dance in triple time accompanied by guitar and castanets
 
bolivia
a form of canasta in which sequences can be melded
 
bolt
a sudden abandonment (as from a political party)
 
bolt
the act of moving with great haste
 
bombardment
the act (or an instance) of subjecting a body or substance to the impact of high-energy particles (as electrons or alpha rays)
 
bombardment
an attack by dropping bombs
 
bombing
the use of bombs for sabotage; a tactic frequently used by terrorists
 
bombing run
that part of the flight that begins with the approach to the target; includes target acquisition and ends with the release of the bombs
 
bond trading
trading in bonds (usually by a broker on the floor of an exchange)
 
bondage
sexual practice that involves physically restraining (by cords or handcuffs) one of the partners
 
bonding
fastening firmly together
 
book fair
bazaar at which books are sold or auctioned off in order to raise funds for a worthy cause
 
bookbinding
the craft of binding books
 
booking
employment for performers or performing groups that lasts for a limited period of time
 
booking
the act of reserving (a place or passage) or engaging the services of (a person or group)
 
bookkeeping
the activity of recording business transactions
 
boondoggle
work of little or no value done merely to look busy
 
boost
the act of giving a push
 
boost
the act of giving hope or support to someone
 
boot
a form of foot torture in which the feet are encased in iron and slowly crushed
 
boot sale
an outdoor sale at which people sell things from the trunk of their car
 
boot
the act of delivering a blow with the foot
 
bootlegging
the act of making or transporting alcoholic liquor for sale illegally
 
bootlegging
the act of selling illegally or without permission
 
boozing
the act of drinking alcoholic beverages to excess
 
bopeep
a game played with young children; you hide your face and suddenly reveal it as you say boo!
 
boring
the act of drilling
 
boring
the act of drilling a hole in the earth in the hope of producing petroleum
 
Borodino
Napoleon defeated the Russians in 1812 in a pitched battle at a village in western Russia west of Moscow, but irreparably weakened his army
 
borrowing
obtaining funds from a lender
 
bosie
a cricket ball bowled as if to break one way that actually breaks in the opposite way
 
bosom
a close affectionate and protective acceptance
 
bossism
domination of a political organization by a party boss
 
Boston Tea Party
demonstration (1773) by citizens of Boston who (disguised as Indians) raided three British ships in Boston harbor and dumped hundreds of chests of tea into the harbor; organized as a protest against taxes on tea
 
Bosworth Field
the battle that ended the Wars of the Roses (1485); Richard III was killed and Henry Tudor was crowned as Henry VII
 
botanical medicine
the use of plants or plant extracts for medicinal purposes (especially plants that are not part of the normal diet)
 
bottle collection
collecting bottles for reuse
 
bottle collection
the activity of collecting bottles
 
bounce
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
 
Bouvines
in 1214 the French under Philip Augustus defeated a coalition formed against him in one of the greatest battles of the middle ages
 
bow
a stroke with a curved piece of wood with taut horsehair strands that is used in playing stringed instruments
 
bowdlerisation
the act of deleting or modifying all passages considered to be indecent
 
bowdlerisation
written material that has been bowdlerized
 
Bowdlerism
censorship in the form of prudish expurgation
 
bowing
managing the bow in playing a stringed instrument
 
bowl
the act of rolling something (as the ball in bowling)
 
bowling
(cricket) the act of delivering a cricket ball to the batsman
 
bowling
the playing of a game of tenpins or duckpins etc
 
bowling
a game in which balls are rolled at an object or group of objects with the aim of knocking them over or moving them
 
bowling score
the score in a bowling match
 
bowls
a bowling game played on a level lawn with biased wooden balls that are rolled at a jack
 
box
a blow with the hand (usually on the ear)
 
boxing
fighting with the fists
 
boxing
the enclosure of something in a package or box
 
boycott
a group's refusal to have commercial dealings with some organization in protest against its policies
 
brachiation
swinging by the arms from branch to branch
 
brain drain
depletion or loss of intellectual and technical personnel
 
brain surgery
any surgical procedure involving the brain
 
brainstorming
a group problem-solving technique in which members spontaneously share ideas and solutions
 
brainwashing
forcible indoctrination into a new set of attitudes and beliefs
 
braising
cooking slowly in fat in a closed pot with little moisture
 
branching
the act of branching out or dividing into branches
 
branding
the act of stigmatizing
 
brawl
a noisy fight in a crowd
 
Braxton-Hicks contraction
painless contractions of the muscles of the uterus that continue throughout pregnancy with increasing frequency
 
breach
a failure to perform some promised act or obligation
 
breach of contract
a breach of a legal duty; failure to do something that is required in a contract
 
breach of duty
a breach of due care
 
breach of promise
failure to keep a promise (of marriage)
 
breach of the covenant of warranty
a failure of the seller's guarantee of good title
 
breach of the peace
any act of molesting, interrupting, hindering, agitating, or arousing from a state of repose or otherwise depriving inhabitants of the peace and quiet to which they are entitled
 
breach of trust
violation (either through fraud or negligence) by a trustee of a duty that equity requires of him
 
breach of trust with fraudulent intent
larceny after trust rather than after unlawful taking
 
breach of warranty
a breach that occurs when an item is deficient according to the terms of a warranty
 
break
a sudden dash
 
break
the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool
 
break dance
a form of solo dancing that involves rapid acrobatic moves in which different parts of the body touch the ground; normally performed to the rhythm of rap music
 
break
(tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving
 
break
the act of breaking something
 
break
an escape from jail
 
break
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
 
break
any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare
 
break
a pause from doing something (as work)
 
break-in
trespassing for an unlawful purpose; illegal entrance into premises with criminal intent
 
breakaway
the act of breaking away or withdrawing from
 
breakdown
the act of disrupting an established order so it fails to continue
 
breaking away
departing hastily
 
breaking wind
a reflex that expels intestinal gas through the anus
 
breakthrough
making an important discovery
 
breakthrough
a penetration of a barrier such as an enemy's defense
 
breakup
the termination or disintegration of a relationship (between persons or nations)
 
breast feeding
nourishing at the breast
 
breaststroke
a swimming stroke; the arms are extended together in front of the head and swept back on either side accompanied by a frog kick
 
breath
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
 
breathing out
the act of expelling air from the lungs
 
breathing
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
 
breech birth
delivery of an infant whose feet or buttocks appear first
 
breeding
the production of animals or plants by inbreeding or hybridization
 
breeding
helping someone grow up to be an accepted member of the community
 
breeding
the sexual activity of conceiving and bearing offspring
 
breeze
any undertaking that is easy to do
 
brewing
the production of malt beverages (as beer or ale) from malt and hops by grinding and boiling them and fermenting the result with yeast
 
bribery
the practice of offering something (usually money) in order to gain an illicit advantage
 
bricklaying
the craft of laying bricks
 
bricolage
construction of something by whatver material are available
 
bridal
archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast
 
bridge
any of various card games based on whist for four players
 
bridge whist
the earliest form of bridge; the dealer could name the trump suit
 
bridle
the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
 
bringing
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
 
Britishism
a custom that is peculiar to England or its citizens
 
broad jump
the act of jumping as far as possible from a running start
 
broadening
the action of making broader
 
broadening
the act of making something wider
 
broadside
the simultaneous firing of all the armament on one side of a warship
 
broil
cooking by direct exposure to radiant heat (as over a fire or under a grill)
 
bronchospasm
a spasm of the bronchi that makes exhalation difficult and noisy; associated with asthma and bronchitis
 
bronco busting
breaking a bronco to saddle
 
brouhaha
a confused disturbance far greater than its cause merits
 
browning
cooking to a brown crispiness over a fire or on a grill
 
browse
the act of feeding by continual nibbling
 
brush
contact with something dangerous or undesirable
 
brush
the act of brushing your hair
 
brush
the act of brushing your teeth
 
brush
a minor short-term fight
 
brush-off
a curt or disdainful rejection
 
brushup
practice intended to polish performance or refresh the memory
 
brutalisation
the activity of treating someone savagely or viciously
 
bruxism
involuntarily or unconsciously clenching or grinding the teeth, typically during sleep
 
bubble bath
a bath in which you add something to foam and scent the bath water
 
bubble dance
a solo dance similar to a fan dance except large balloons are used instead of fans
 
buccaneering
hijacking on the high seas or in similar contexts; taking a ship or plane away from the control of those who are legally entitled to it
 
buck-and-wing
a solo tap dance emphasizing sharp taps
 
buddy system
a cooperative practice of pairing two or more people together for mutual assistance or safety (especially in recreational swimming)
 
budget cut
the act of reducing budgeted expenditures
 
Buena Vista
a pitched battle in the Mexican War in 1847; United States forces under Zachary Taylor defeated the Mexican forces under Santa Anna at a locality in northern Mexico
 
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show
a spectacular show organized in 1883 by William F. Cody that featured horseback riding and marksmanship on a large scale; toured the United States and Europe
 
buffoonery
acting like a clown or buffoon
 
building
the act of constructing something
 
building
the commercial activity involved in repairing old structures or constructing new ones
 
buildup
the act of building up an accumulation
 
bull
a serious and ludicrous blunder
 
bull's eye
in target shooting: a score made by hitting the center of the target
 
bullet
(baseball) a pitch thrown with maximum velocity
 
bullfighting
the activity at a bullfight
 
bully pulpit
a public office of sufficiently high rank that it provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter
 
bullying
the act of intimidating a weaker person to make them do something
 
bunco
a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a person to buy worthless property
 
bundling
the act of binding something into a bundle
 
bundling
the act of shoving hastily
 
bunny hug
a syncopated ballroom dance formerly popular in the US
 
bunt
(baseball) the act of hitting a baseball lightly without swinging the bat
 
burden of proof
the duty of proving a disputed charge
 
bureaucratic procedure
needlessly time-consuming procedure
 
burglary
entering a building unlawfully with intent to commit a felony or to steal valuable property
 
burial
concealing something under the ground
 
burn
damage inflicted by fire
 
burning
a form of torture in which cigarettes or cigars or other hot implements are used to burn the victim's skin
 
burning
execution by fire
 
burning
the act of burning something
 
burning
execution by electricity
 
burnup
the amount of fuel used up (as in a nuclear reactor)
 
burst
the act of exploding or bursting
 
burst
a sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason)
 
burst
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
 
business
the volume of commercial activity
 
business activity
activity undertaken as part of a commercial enterprise
 
business deal
a particular instance of buying or selling
 
business life
a career in industrial or commercial or professional activities
 
business
the activity of providing goods and services involving financial and commercial and industrial aspects
 
business
incidental activity performed by an actor for dramatic effect
 
business
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
 
busman's holiday
a holiday where you do the same things you do at work
 
buss
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
 
bust-up takeover
a leveraged buyout in which the target company's assets are sold to repay the loan that financed the takeover
 
busywork
active work of little value
 
butchering
the business of a butcher
 
butchery
the savage and excessive killing of many people
 
butt welding
creating a butt joint by welding
 
butterfly
a swimming stroke in which the arms are thrown forward together out of the water while the feet kick up and down
 
buy-and-bust operation
an undercover operation by narcotics detectives to catch unsuspecting drug dealers
 
buyback
the act of purchasing back something previously sold
 
buyer's market
a market in which more people want to sell than want to buy
 
buying
the act of buying
 
buyout
acquisition of a company by purchasing a controlling percentage of its stock
 
buzz
a confusion of activity and gossip
 
BW
the use of bacteria or viruses or toxins to destroy men and animals or food
 
BW defense
defense against biological warfare
 
bye-election
a special election between regular elections
 
C-section
the delivery of a fetus by surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus (from the belief that Julius Caesar was born that way)
 
cabalism
adherence to some extreme traditional theological concept or interpretation
 
cabaret
a series of acts at a night club
 
CABG
open-heart surgery in which the rib cage is opened and a section of a blood vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery to bypass the blocked section of the coronary artery and improve the blood supply to the heart
 
cabinet minister
the job of a senior minister who is a member of the cabinet
 
cabinetmaking
the craft of a joiner
 
cabinetry
the craft of making furniture (especially furniture of high quality)
 
cabotage
navigation in coastal waters
 
cadetship
the position of cadet
 
cakewalk
a strutting dance based on a march; was performed in minstrel shows; originated as a competition among Black dancers to win a cake
 
cakewalk
an easy accomplishment
 
calculation
the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods
 
calendar method
natural family planning in which ovulation is assumed to occur 14 days before the onset of a period (the fertile period would be assumed to extend from day 10 through day 18 of her cycle)
 
calf roping
capturing a calf with a lasso and binding its feet
 
calibration
the act of checking or adjusting (by comparison with a standard) the accuracy of a measuring instrument
 
caliphate
the office of a caliph
 
calisthenics
light exercises designed to promote general fitness
 
calisthenics
the practice of calisthenic exercises
 
call
(sports) the decision made by an umpire or referee
 
call
a visit in an official or professional capacity
 
call
a brief social visit
 
call fire
fire delivered on a specific target in response to a request from the supported unit
 
call
the option to buy a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
 
call-back
the recall of an employee after a layoff
 
calling together
the act of convoking
 
calling
the particular occupation for which you are trained
 
callosectomy
severing the corpus callosum so that communication between the cerebral hemispheres is interrupted (in cases of severe intractable epilepsy)
 
calorimetry
measurement of quantities of heat
 
camber
the alignment of the wheels of a motor vehicle closer together at the bottom than at the top
 
camel racing
the sport of racing camels
 
camera care
keeping a camera in good working order
 
camouflage
the act of concealing the identity of something by modifying its appearance
 
campaign
a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end
 
campaign
an overland journey by hunters (especially in Africa)
 
campaign
several related operations aimed at achieving a particular goal (usually within geographical and temporal constraints)
 
campaigning
the campaign of a candidate to be elected
 
canalisation
the production of a canal or a conversion to canals
 
canalisation
management through specified channels of communication
 
cancan
a high-kicking dance of French origin performed by a female chorus line
 
cancellation
the act of cancelling; calling off some arrangement
 
candlepin bowling
a bowling game using slender bowling pins
 
canfield
a form of solitaire that involves gambling
 
Cannae
ancient city is southeastern Italy where Hannibal defeated the Romans in 216 BC
 
canned hunt
a hunt for animals that have been raised on game ranches until they are mature enough to be killed for trophy collections
 
cannibalism
the practice of eating the flesh of your own kind
 
cannon
a shot in billiards in which the cue ball contacts one object ball and then the other
 
cannonade
intense and continuous artillery fire
 
cannulation
the insertion of a cannula or tube into a hollow body organ
 
canonisation
(Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church) the act of admitting a deceased person into the canon of saints
 
canter
a smooth three-beat gait; between a trot and a gallop
 
cantillation
liturgical chanting
 
capacity
a specified function
 
capacity
the maximum production possible
 
Cape Passero
a naval battle in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Passero in which the Spanish navy was destroyed by France and England while attempting to recover Sicily and Sardinia from Italy (1719)
 
caper
a playful leap or hop
 
caper
gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
 
caper
a crime (especially a robbery)
 
capital offense
a crime so serious that capital punishment is considered appropriate
 
capital punishment
putting a condemned person to death
 
capitalisation
the act of capitalizing on an opportunity
 
capitalisation
an estimation of the value of a business
 
capitalisation
the sale of capital stock
 
capitulation
the act of surrendering (usually under agreed conditions)
 
capriole
(dressage) a vertical jump of a trained horse with a kick of the hind legs at the top of the jump
 
captaincy
the post of captain
 
capture
the removal of an opponent's piece from the chess board
 
capture
the act of forcibly dispossessing an owner of property
 
capture
the act of taking of a person by force
 
car care
keeping a car in good working order
 
caravanning
the practice of taking holidays in a caravan
 
carbon dating
a chemical analysis used to determine the age of organic materials based on their content of the radioisotope carbon 14; believed to be reliable up to 40,000 years
 
card game
a game played with playing cards
 
card trick
a trick performed with playing cards
 
cardiac massage
an emergency procedure that employs rhythmic compression of the heart (either through the chest wall or, during surgery, directly to the heart) in an attempt to maintain circulation during cardiac arrest
 
cardinalate
the office of cardinal
 
cardiography
diagnostic procedure consisting of recording the activity of the heart electronically with a cardiograph (and producing a cardiogram)
 
cardiopulmonary exercise
exercise intended to strengthen the circulatory system
 
cardiospasm
a spasm of the cardiac sphincter (between the esophagus and the stomach); if the cardiac sphincter does not relax during swallowing the passage of food into the stomach is obstructed
 
care delivery
the provision of health care
 
care
attention and management implying responsibility for safety
 
care
activity involved in maintaining something in good working order
 
careen
pitching dangerously to one side
 
career
the general progression of your working or professional life
 
careerism
the practice of advancing your career at the expense of your personal integrity
 
carelessness
failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances
 
caress
a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)
 
caressing
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
 
carioca
a lively ballroom dance that resembles the samba
 
carjacking
the violent theft of an occupied car
 
carnal abuse
any lascivious contact by an adult with the sexual organs of a child (especially not involving sexual intercourse)
 
carnal abuse
sexual intercourse with a person (girl or boy) who has not reached the age of consent (even if both parties participate willingly)
 
carnal knowledge
sexual activity between individuals, especially the insertion of a man's penis into a woman's vagina until orgasm and ejaculation occur
 
carnival
a festival marked by merrymaking and processions
 
carnival
a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment
 
carnival
a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.
 
carol
a joyful song (usually celebrating the birth of Christ)
 
caroling
singing joyful religious songs (especially at Christmas)
 
carpentry
the craft of a carpenter: making things out of wood
 
carriage trade
trade from upper-class customers
 
carrot
promise of reward as in
 
carry
the act of carrying something
 
carrying into action
the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it
 
carrying out
the act of accomplishing some aim or executing some order
 
cartage
the work of taking something away in a cart or truck and disposing of it
 
cartography
the making of maps and charts
 
cartwheel
acrobatic revolutions with the body turned sideways and the arms and legs outstretched like the spokes of a wheel
 
carving
removing parts from hard material to create a desired pattern or shape
 
carving
creating figures or designs in three dimensions
 
case load
the number of cases handled in a given period of time (as by a court or agency)
 
case study
a detailed analysis of a person or group from a social or psychological or medical point of view
 
case
a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
 
casework
close sociological study of a maladjusted person or family for diagnosis and treatment
 
casino
a card game in which cards face up on the table are taken with eligible cards in the hand
 
cast
the act of throwing a fishing line out over the water by means of a rod and reel
 
cast
a violent throw
 
cast
the act of throwing dice
 
castigation
verbal punishment
 
casting
the choice of actors to play particular roles in a play or movie
 
casting lots
making a chance decision by using lots (straws or pebbles etc.) that are thrown or drawn
 
casting vote
the deciding vote cast by the presiding officer to resolve a tie
 
casting
the act of creating something by casting it in a mold
 
castle
interchanging the positions of the king and a rook
 
castration
surgical removal of the testes or ovaries (usually to inhibit hormone secretion in cases of breast cancer in women or prostate cancer in men)
 
castration
neutering a male animal by removing the testicles
 
castration
the deletion of objectionable parts from a literary work
 
CAT
a method of examining body organs by scanning them with X rays and using a computer to construct a series of cross-sectional scans along a single axis
 
cat and mouse
a game for children in which the players form a circle and join hands; they raise their hands to let a player inside the circle or lower their hands to bar a second player who is chasing the first
 
cat's cradle
a game played with string looped over the fingers
 
catalog buying
buying goods to be shipped through the mail
 
cataract surgery
eye surgery that involves removing all or part of the lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens implant
 
catch
a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth
 
catch
the act of catching an object with the hands
 
catcher
the position on a baseball team of the player who is stationed behind home plate and who catches the balls that the pitcher throws
 
catching
(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
 
catching
becoming infected
 
catching
the act of detecting something; catching sight of something
 
catechesis
oral religious instruction (as before baptism or confirmation)
 
catechetical instruction
teaching religious principles by questions and answers
 
catering
providing food and services
 
catharsis
purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels
 
catheterisation
the operation of introducing a catheter into the body
 
catnap
sleeping for a short period of time (usually not in bed)
 
cattle breeding
breeding cattle
 
cattle drive
driving a bovine herd (as cows or bulls or steers)
 
Caudine Forks
a battle in the Apennines in 321 BC in which the Samnites defeated the Romans
 
causation
the act of causing something to happen
 
cauterisation
the act of coagulating blood and destroying tissue with a hot iron or caustic agent or by freezing
 
CBC
counting the number of white and red blood cells and the number of platelets in 1 cubic millimeter of blood
 
ceding back
the act of ceding back
 
ceding
the act of ceding
 
celebration
any joyous diversion
 
celebration
the public performance of a sacrament or solemn ceremony with all appropriate ritual
 
celestial guidance
a method of controlling the flight of a missile or spacecraft by reference to the positions of celestial bodies
 
celibacy
abstaining from sexual relations (as because of religious vows)
 
celiocentesis
removal of fluid from the abdomen by centesis
 
celioscopy
endoscopic examination of the abdomen through the abdominal wall
 
cell-mediated immune response
an immune response (chiefly against viral or fungal invasions or transplanted tissue) that involves T cells
 
cellular respiration
the metabolic processes whereby certain organisms obtain energy from organic molecules; processes that take place in the cells and tissues during which energy is released and carbon dioxide is produced and absorbed by the blood to be transported to the lungs
 
censoring
deleting parts of publications or correspondence or theatrical performances
 
censoring
counterintelligence achieved by banning or deleting any information of value to the enemy
 
census
a periodic count of the population
 
center
a position on a basketball team of the player who participates in the jump that starts the game
 
center
(American football) the position of the player on the line of scrimmage who puts the ball in play
 
center
the position on a hockey team of the player who participates in the face off at the beginning of the game
 
center field
the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is expected to field balls in the central third of the outfield
 
centering
(American football) putting the ball in play by passing it (between the legs) to a back
 
centesis
(surgery) the act of puncturing a body cavity or organ with a hollow needle in order to draw out fluid
 
centralisation
gathering to a center
 
centralisation
the act of consolidating power under a central control
 
cephalometry
measurement of human heads
 
ceramics
the art of making and decorating pottery
 
ceremonial dance
a dance that is part of a religious ritual
 
ceremony
any activity that is performed in an especially solemn elaborate or formal way
 
ceremony
the proper or conventional behavior on some solemn occasion
 
certification
the act of certifying or bestowing a franchise on
 
cha-cha
a modern ballroom dance from Latin America; small steps and swaying movements of the hips
 
Chaeronea
a battle in which Philip II of Macedon defeated the Athenians and Thebans (338 BC) and also Sulla defeated Mithridates (86 BC)
 
chair
the position of professor
 
chairmanship
the position of chairman
 
chalk talk
a talk that uses a blackboard and chalk
 
Chalons-sur-Marne
the battle in which Attila the Hun was defeated by the Romans and Visigoths in 451
 
champerty
an unethical agreement between an attorney and client that the attorney would sue and pay the costs of the client's suit in return for a portion of the damages awarded
 
chance
a risk involving danger
 
chance-medley
an unpremeditated killing of a human being in self defense
 
chancellorship
the office of chancellor
 
Chancellorsville
a major battle in the American Civil War (1863); the Confederates under Robert E. Lee defeated the Union forces under Joseph Hooker
 
chandelle
a flight maneuver consisting of a steep climbing turn executed to gain altitude while changing direction
 
change
the action of changing something
 
change of color
an act that changes the light that something reflects
 
change of course
a change in the direction that you are moving
 
change of direction
the act of changing the direction in which something is oriented
 
change of integrity
the act of changing the unity or wholeness of something
 
change of magnitude
the act of changing the amount or size of something
 
change of shape
an action that changes the shape of something
 
change of state
the act of changing something into something different in essential characteristics
 
change ringing
ringing tuned bells in a fixed order that is continually changing
 
change-of-pace
a baseball thrown with little velocity when the batter is expecting a fastball
 
channel
a way of selling a company's product either directly or via distributors
 
chanoyu
an ancient ritual for preparing and serving and drinking tea
 
chanting
the act of singing in a monotonous tone
 
chapel
a service conducted in a place of worship that has its own altar
 
chaplaincy
the position of chaplain
 
Chapultepec
a pitched battle in the Mexican War that resulted in a major victory for American forces over Mexican forces at a locality south of Mexico City (1847)
 
characterization
acting the part of a character on stage; dramatically representing the character by speech and action and gesture
 
charade
making a false outward show
 
charades
guessing game in which one player pantomimes a word or phrase for others to guess
 
charge
an impetuous rush toward someone or something
 
charge
a special assignment that is given to a person or group
 
charity
an activity or gift that benefits the public at large
 
charity shot
an unhindered basketball shot from the foul line; given to penalize the other team for committing a foul
 
charlatanism
the dishonesty of a charlatan
 
Charleston
an American ballroom dance in syncopated rhythm; popular early in the 20th century
 
charm campaign
a campaign of flattery and friendliness (by a company, politician, etc.) to become more popular and gain support
 
chase
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
 
chasse
(ballet) quick gliding steps with one foot always leading
 
cheap shot
an illegal and unsportsmanlike act of unnecessary violence
 
cheat
a deception for profit to yourself
 
cheat
the act of swindling by some fraudulent scheme
 
check
obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
 
check
(chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king
 
check
the act of inspecting or verifying
 
check-in
the act of reporting your presence (as at an airport or a hotel)
 
checkers
a checkerboard game for two players who each have 12 pieces; the object is to jump over and so capture the opponent's pieces
 
checkmate
a chess move constituting an inescapable and indefensible attack on the opponent's king
 
checkup
a thorough physical examination; includes a variety of tests depending on the age and sex and health of the person
 
chemical analysis
the act of decomposing a substance into its constituent elements
 
chemical defence
procedures involved in taking defensive measures against attacks using chemical agents
 
chemical engineering
the activity of applying chemistry to the solution of practical problems
 
chemical operations
warfare using chemical agents to kill or injure or incapacitate the enemy
 
chemical terrorism
terrorism using the chemical agents of chemical warfare; can undermine the personal security of citizens
 
chemosurgery
use of chemical to destroy diseased or malignant tissue; used in treatment of skin cancer
 
chemotaxis
movement by a cell or organism in reaction to a chemical stimulus
 
chemotherapy
the use of chemical agents to treat or control disease (or mental illness)
 
chess move
the act of moving a chess piece
 
chess opening
a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess
 
chess
a board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules; the object is to checkmate the opponent's king
 
chew
biting and grinding food in your mouth so it becomes soft enough to swallow
 
Cheyne-Stokes respiration
abnormal respiration in which periods of shallow and deep breathing alternate
 
chicane
the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
 
chieftaincy
the position of chieftain
 
child abuse
the physical or emotional or sexual mistreatment of children
 
child care
a service involving care for other people's children
 
child neglect
failure of caretakers to provide adequate emotional and physical care for a child
 
child pornography
the illegal use of children in pornographic pictures or films
 
child's game
a game enjoyed by children
 
child's play
activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
 
childbirth-preparation class
a course that teaches pregnant women to use breathing and concentration and exercise techniques to use during labor
 
chiller
excitation that makes your hair stand up or that chills your bones
 
chin-up
an arm exercise performed by pulling yourself up on a horizontal bar until your chin is level with the bar
 
Chinaman
a ball bowled by a left-handed bowler to a right-handed batsman that spins from off to leg
 
Chinese chequers
a board game in which each player tries to move a set of marbles through a set of holes from one point of a six-pointed star to the opposite point
 
Chinese Revolution
the republican revolution against the Manchu dynasty in China; 1911-1912
 
Chino-Japanese War
a war between China and Japan (1894 and 1895) over the control of the Korean Peninsula; China was overwhelmingly defeated at Port Arthur
 
chip
(golf) a low running approach shot
 
chip
the act of chipping something
 
chiropractic
a method of treatment that manipulates body structures (especially the spine) to relieve low back pain or even headache or high blood pressure
 
chlorination
disinfection of water by the addition of small amounts of chlorine or a chlorine compound
 
choice
the act of choosing or selecting
 
choke hold
a restraining hold; someone loops the arm around the neck of another person in a tight grip, usually from behind
 
choking
the act of suffocating (someone) by constricting the windpipe
 
cholangiography
roentgenographic examination of the bile ducts after a contrast medium has been injected
 
cholecystectomy
surgical removal of the gall bladder (usually for relief of gallstone pain)
 
cholelithotomy
removal of gallstone through an incision in the gallbladder
 
chomping
the act of chewing noisily
 
chop
a tennis return made with a downward motion that puts backspin on the ball
 
chop
a grounder that bounces high in the air
 
chore
a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee
 
choreography
a show involving artistic dancing
 
christening
giving a Christian name at baptism
 
Christian liturgy
the Christian worship services
 
chromosome mapping
(genetics) the process of locating genes on a chromosome
 
chrysotherapy
the use of chemicals containing gold for treating diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis)
 
church
a service conducted in a house of worship
 
cinch
a form of all fours in which the players bid for the privilege of naming trumps
 
cinematography
the act of making a film
 
circle
movement once around a course
 
circuit
a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area
 
circularisation
circulating printed notices as a means of advertising
 
circulation
the spread or transmission of something (as news or money) to a wider group or area
 
circumcision
the act of circumcising; surgical removal of the foreskin of males
 
circumcision
the act of circumcising performed on males eight days after birth as a Jewish and Muslim religious rite
 
circumduction
a circular movement of a limb or eye
 
circumnavigation
traveling around something (by ship or plane)
 
circumscription
the act of circumscribing
 
circumvention
the act of evading by going around
 
circumvolution
the act of turning or winding or folding around a central axis
 
circus
a performance given by a traveling company of acrobats, clowns, and trained animals
 
city planning
determining and drawing up plans for the future physical arrangement and condition of a community
 
civic duty
the responsibilities of a citizen
 
civil action
legal action to protect a private civil right or to compel a civil remedy (as distinguished from criminal prosecution)
 
civil censorship
military censorship of civilian communications (correspondence or printed matter of films) entering or leaving of circulating within territories controlled by armed forces
 
civil contempt
a failure to follow a court order that benefits someone else
 
civil defense
activities organized by civilians for their own protection in time of war or disaster
 
civil disobedience
a group's refusal to obey a law because they believe the law is immoral (as in protest against discrimination)
 
civil marriage
a marriage performed by a government official rather than by a clergyman
 
civil suit
a lawsuit alleging violations of civil law by the defendant
 
civil war
a war between factions in the same country
 
civil wrong
(law) any wrongdoing for which an action for damages may be brought
 
civility
the act of showing regard for others
 
claim
demand for something as rightful or due
 
clamber
an awkward climb
 
clampdown
sudden restriction on an activity
 
clandestine operation
an intelligence operation so planned and executed as to insure concealment
 
clanger
a conspicuous mistake whose effects seem to reverberate
 
clarification
the act of removing solid particles from a liquid
 
clasp
the act of grasping
 
class action
a lawsuit brought by a representative member of a large group of people on behalf of all members of the group
 
class period
a regularly scheduled session as part of a course of study
 
class struggle
conflict between social or economic classes (especially between the capitalist and proletariat classes)
 
class
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
 
classical ballet
a style of ballet based on precise conventional steps performed with graceful and flowing movements
 
classification
restriction imposed by the government on documents or weapons that are available only to certain authorized people
 
classroom project
a school task requiring considerable effort
 
classwork
the part of a student's work that is done in the classroom
 
clawback
finding a way to take money back from people that they were given in another way
 
clean
a weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then jerked overhead
 
cleaning
the act of making something clean
 
clear sailing
easy unobstructed progress
 
clearance
permission to proceed
 
clearance sale
a sale to reduce inventory
 
clearing
the act of freeing from suspicion
 
cleavage
the act of cleaving or splitting
 
clemency
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
 
clerkship
the job of clerk
 
click
depression of a button on a computer mouse
 
client-centered therapy
a method of psychotherapy developed by Carl Rogers in which the client determines the focus and pace of each session
 
cliff diving
diving into the water from a steep overhanging cliff
 
climax
the moment of most intense pleasure in sexual intercourse
 
climb
the act of climbing something
 
clinch
(boxing) the act of one boxer holding onto the other to avoid being hit and to rest momentarily
 
clinch
a tight or amorous embrace
 
clinical test
a rigorously controlled test of a new drug or a new invasive medical device on human subjects; in the United States it is conducted under the direction of the FDA before being made available for general clinical use
 
clip
a sharp slanting blow
 
clip
the act of clipping or snipping
 
clipping
cutting down to the desired size or shape
 
clitoridectomy
excision of the clitoris
 
clock golf
a form of golf in which you putt from positions arranged on the circumference of a circle around the hole
 
clog
a dance performed while wearing shoes with wooden soles; has heavy stamping steps
 
cloning
a general term for the research activity that creates a copy of some biological entity (a gene or organism or cell)
 
close call
something achieved (or escaped) by a narrow margin
 
close support
close-in firing by one unit against an enemy engaged by another unit
 
close supporting fire
fire on enemy troops or weapons or positions that are near the supported unit and are the most immediate and serious threat to it
 
close
the concluding part of any performance
 
close-order drill
(military) military drill of troops in standard marching (shoulder-to-shoulder)
 
close-quarter fighting
hand-to-hand fighting at close quarters
 
closed primary
a primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote
 
closed-heart surgery
heart surgery in which a small incision is made (the chest cavity is not opened)
 
closedown
termination of operations
 
closeout
a sale intended to dispose of all remaining stock
 
closing off
the act of isolating something; setting something apart from others
 
closing
approaching a particular destination; a coming closer; a narrowing of a gap
 
closing
a concluding action
 
closing
the act of closing something
 
clyster
an injection of a liquid through the anus to stimulate evacuation; sometimes used for diagnostic purposes
 
co-op
a jointly owned commercial enterprise (usually organized by farmers or consumers) that produces and distributes goods and services and is run for the benefit of its owners
 
co-optation
the selection of a new member (usually by a vote of the existing membership)
 
co-optation
the act of appointing summarily (with or without the appointee's consent)
 
coaching
the job of a professional coach
 
coaction
act of working jointly
 
coalescence
the union of diverse things into one body or form or group; the growing together of parts
 
coast
the act of moving smoothly along a surface while remaining in contact with it
 
cobbling
the shoemaker's trade
 
cockfighting
participation in the sport of matching gamecocks in a cockfight
 
cocooning
retreating to the seclusion of your home (as for privacy or escape)
 
codification
the act of codifying; arranging in a systematic order
 
coding
act of writing in code or cipher
 
coeducation
education of men and women in the same institutions
 
coercion
the act of compelling by force of authority
 
coercion
using force to cause something to occur
 
cognovit judgement
a judgment entered after a written confession by the debtor without the expense of ordinary legal proceedings
 
cohabitation
the act of living together and having a sexual relationship (especially without being married)
 
coin collecting
the collection and study of money (and coins in particular)
 
coinage
the act of inventing a word or phrase
 
coitus interruptus
a method of birth control in which coitus is initiated but the penis is deliberately withdrawn before ejaculation
 
cold shoulder
a refusal to recognize someone you know
 
cold storage
refrigerated storage for preservation
 
cold turkey
complete and abrupt withdrawal of all addictive drugs or anything else on which you have become dependent
 
collaboration
act of cooperating traitorously with an enemy that is occupying your country
 
collapse
the act of throwing yourself down
 
collar
a figurative restraint
 
collateral fraud
fraud that prevents a party from knowing their rights or from having a fair opportunity of presenting them at trial
 
collation
careful examination and comparison to note points of disagreement
 
collation
assembling in proper numerical or logical sequence
 
collectivisation
the organization of a nation or economy on the basis of collectivism
 
collimation
the accurate adjustment of the line of sight of a telescope
 
collision course
a course of action (following a given idea) that will lead to conflict if it continues unabated
 
colonialism
exploitation by a stronger country of weaker one; the use of the weaker country's resources to strengthen and enrich the stronger country
 
colonic
a water enema given to flush out the colon
 
colonisation
the act of colonizing; the establishment of colonies
 
colonoscopy
visual examination of the colon (with a colonoscope) from the cecum to the rectum; requires sedation
 
coloration
choice and use of colors (as by an artist)
 
coloratura
singing with florid ornamentation
 
colorimetric analysis
quantitative chemical analysis by color using a colorimeter
 
coloring
the act or process of changing the color of something
 
colostomy
a surgical operation that creates an opening from the colon to the surface of the body to function as an anus
 
comb
the act of drawing a comb through hair
 
comb-out
the act of carefully weeding out unwanted things or people
 
comb-out
the act of removing tangles from you hair with a comb
 
combat intelligence
intelligence that is required for the planning and conduct of tactical operations
 
combat mission
a mission to capture or defend something
 
combat
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
 
combination
the act of arranging elements into specified groups without regard to order
 
combination
the act of combining things to form a new whole
 
combined operation
a military operation carried out cooperatively by two or more allied nations or a military operation carried out by coordination of sea, land, and air forces
 
comeback
return by a celebrity to some previously successful activity
 
comedown
decline to a lower status or level
 
comedy ballet
a ballet that stresses the drama with features of comedy
 
comfort
assistance, such as that provided to an enemy or to a known criminal
 
comfort
the act of consoling; giving relief in affliction
 
coming together
the social act of assembling for some common purpose
 
coming together
the act of joining together as one
 
coming upon
a casual meeting with a person or thing
 
COMINT
technical and intelligence information derived from foreign communications by other than the intended recipients
 
command guidance
a method of controlling the flight of a missile by commands originating from the ground or from another missile
 
commandership
the position or office of commander
 
commerce
transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services)
 
commercial bribery
bribery of a purchasing agent in order to induce the agent to enter into a transaction
 
commercialisation
the act of commercializing something; involving something in commerce
 
commission
the act of granting authority to undertake certain functions
 
commission
the act of committing a crime
 
commitment
an engagement by contract involving financial obligation
 
commitment
the official act of consigning a person to confinement (as in a prison or mental hospital)
 
committal service
service committing a body to the grave
 
committal to writing
the activity of putting something in written form
 
commotion
the act of making a noisy disturbance
 
communalism
loyalty and commitment to the interests of your own minority or ethnic group rather than to society as a whole
 
communalism
the practice of communal living and common ownership
 
communications technology
the activity of designing and constructing and maintaining communication systems
 
communisation
the organization of a nation of the basis of communism
 
communisation
a change from private property to public property owned by the community
 
communisation
changing something from private to state ownership or control
 
community service
an unpaid service for the benefit of the public that is performed by lawbreakers as part (or all) of their sentence
 
community service
a service that is performed for the benefit of the public or its institutions
 
commutation
the travel of a commuter
 
commutation
the act of putting one thing or person in the place of another:
 
commutation
(law) the reduction in severity of a punishment imposed by law
 
commute
a regular journey of some distance to and from your place of work
 
compaction
the act of crushing
 
comparative negligence
(law) negligence allocated between the plaintiff and the defendant with a corresponding reduction in damages paid to the plaintiff
 
comparing
the act of examining resemblances
 
compensation
the act of compensating for service or loss or injury
 
compensatory spending
spending money raised by borrowing; used by governments to stimulate their economy
 
competence hearing
a hearing to determine legal capacity (to determine whether the defendant can understand the charges and cooperate with a lawyer in preparing a defense)
 
competition
the act of competing as for profit or a prize
 
compilation
the act of compiling (as into a single book or file or list)
 
complement fixation
an immune response in which an antigen-antibody combination inactivates a complement (so it is unavailable to participate in a second antigen-antibody combination)
 
complementary medicine
the practice of medicine that combines traditional medicine with alternative medicine
 
completion
(American football) a successful forward pass in football
 
compliance
the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another
 
complication
the act or process of complicating
 
composing
musical creation
 
compressing
applying pressure
 
compression
encoding information while reducing the bandwidth or bits required
 
compromise verdict
a verdict resulting from improper compromises between jurors on material issues
 
compromise
a middle way between two extremes
 
comptrollership
the position of comptroller
 
computer game
a game played against a computer
 
computer programing
creating a sequence of instructions to enable the computer to do something
 
computer technology
the activity of designing and constructing and programming computers
 
computerization
the control of processes by computer
 
Comstockery
censorship because of perceived obscenity or immorality
 
concatenation
the act of linking together as in a series or chain
 
concealing
the activity of keeping something secret
 
concentrated fire
fire from two or more weapons directed at a single target or area (as fire by batteries of two or more warships)
 
concentration
bringing together military forces
 
concentration
strengthening the concentration (as of a solute in a mixture) by removing diluting material
 
conception
the act of becoming pregnant; fertilization of an ovum by a spermatozoon
 
conceptualisation
inventing or contriving an idea or explanation and formulating it mentally
 
conchology
the collection and study of mollusc shells
 
conciliation
the act of placating and overcoming distrust and animosity
 
conclusion of law
a finding as to the applicability of a rule of law to particular facts
 
conclusion
the act of making up your mind about something
 
conclusion
the act of ending something
 
concoction
the act of creating something (a medicine or drink or soup etc.) by compounding or mixing a variety of components
 
concourse
a coming together of people
 
concubinage
cohabitation without being legally married
 
concurrence
acting together, as agents or circumstances or events
 
concurrent negligence
(law) negligence of two of more persons acting independently; the plaintiff may sue both together or separately
 
condemnation
(law) the act of condemning (as land forfeited for public use) or judging to be unfit for use (as a food product or an unsafe building)
 
condemnation
(criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed
 
condensation
the act of increasing the density of something
 
conditioned avoidance
a conditioned response that anticipates the occurrence of an aversive stimulus
 
conditioner
exercise that conditions the body
 
condonation
a pardon by treating the offender as if the offense had not occurred
 
conducting
the direction of an orchestra or choir
 
conducting
the way of administering a business
 
confectionery
the occupation and skills of a confectioner
 
confession
(Roman Catholic Church) the act of a penitent disclosing his sinfulness before a priest in the sacrament of penance in the hope of absolution
 
confinement
the act of restraining of a person's liberty by confining them
 
confinement
the act of keeping something within specified bounds (by force if necessary)
 
confirmation
a sacrament admitting a baptized person to full participation in the church
 
confirmation
a ceremony held in the synagogue (usually at Pentecost) to admit as adult members of the Jewish community young men and women who have successfully completed a course of study in Judaism
 
confluence
a flowing together
 
confrontation
a focussed comparison; bringing together for a careful comparison
 
confrontation
the act of hostile groups opposing each other
 
confusion
an act causing a disorderly combination of elements with identities lost and distinctions blended
 
confusion
a mistake that results from taking one thing to be another
 
conga
a Latin American dance of 3 steps and a kick by people in single file
 
conge
an abrupt and unceremonious dismissal
 
conge
formal permission to depart
 
congregating
the act of congregating
 
conjugation
the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes
 
conjugation
the act of making or becoming a single unit
 
conjuration
an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers
 
connecting flight
a flight with an intermediate stop and a change of aircraft (possibly a change of airlines)
 
connection
shifting from one form of transportation to another
 
connection
the act of bringing two things into contact (especially for communication)
 
conquering
the act of conquering
 
conquest
success in mastering something difficult
 
conquest
an act of winning the love or sexual favor of someone
 
conscription
compulsory military service
 
consecration
a solemn commitment of your life or your time to some cherished purpose (to a service or a goal)
 
consecration
(religion) sanctification of something by setting it apart (usually with religious rites) as dedicated to God
 
conservancy
the official conservation of trees and soil and rivers etc.
 
conservation
the preservation and careful management of the environment and of natural resources
 
consideration
a considerate and thoughtful act
 
consignment
the delivery of goods for sale or disposal
 
consolidation
the act of combining into an integral whole
 
constipation
the act of making something futile and useless (as by routine)
 
constitution
the act of forming or establishing something
 
constitutional
a regular walk taken as a form of exercise
 
constraint
the act of constraining; the threat or use of force to control the thoughts or behavior of others
 
constriction
the action or process of compressing
 
construction
drawing a figure satisfying certain conditions as part of solving a problem or proving a theorem
 
constructive eviction
action by a landlord that compels a tenant to leave the premises (as by rendering the premises unfit for occupancy); no physical expulsion or legal process is involved
 
constructive fraud
comprises all acts or omissions or concealments involving breach of equitable or legal duty or trust or confidence
 
constructive possession
(law) having the power and intention to have and control property but without direct control or actual presence upon it
 
consuetude
a custom or usage that has acquired the force of law
 
consulship
the post of consul
 
consultancy
the practice of giving expert advice within a particular field
 
consultation
the act of referring or consulting
 
consulting service
service provided by a professional advisor (e.g., a lawyer or doctor or CPA etc.)
 
consumer research
marketing research that yields information about the motives and needs of different classes of consumers
 
consumerism
a movement advocating greater protection of the interests of consumers
 
consummation
the act of bringing to completion or fruition
 
consummation
the completion of marriage by sexual intercourse
 
consumption
the act of consuming something
 
consumption
the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
 
contact
close interaction
 
contact sport
a sport that necessarily involves body contact between opposing players
 
contact
the act of touching physically
 
containment
the act of containing; keeping something from spreading
 
contamination
the act of contaminating or polluting; including (either intentionally or accidentally) unwanted substances or factors
 
contemplation
a long and thoughtful observation
 
contempt
a willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of a court or legislative body
 
contempt of Congress
deliberate obstruction of the operation of the federal legislative branch
 
contempt of court
disrespect for the rules of a court of law
 
contest
a struggle between rivals
 
continuance
the act of continuing an activity without interruption
 
continuing education
a program of instruction designed primarily for adult students who participate part-time
 
continuing trespass
trespass that is not transient or intermittent but continues as long as the offending object remains
 
continuous receiver watch
a watch established for the reception of traffic of interest to the unit maintaining the watch
 
contortion
the act of twisting or deforming the shape of something (e.g., yourself)
 
contra danse
a type of folk dance in which couples are arranged in sets or face one another in a line
 
contraception
birth control by the use of devices (diaphragm or intrauterine device or condom) or drugs or surgery
 
contract killing
a murder carried out on agreement with a hired killer
 
contract
a variety of bridge in which the bidder receives points toward game only for the number of tricks he bid
 
contraction
the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope
 
contraction
(physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
 
contracture
an abnormal and usually permanent contraction of a muscle
 
contrast
the act of distinguishing by comparing differences
 
contravention
coming into conflict with
 
contretemps
an awkward clash
 
contribution
a writing for publication especially one of a collection of writings as an article or story
 
contribution
act of giving in common with others for a common purpose especially to a charity
 
contribution
the effort contributed by a person in bringing about a result
 
contributory negligence
(law) behavior by the plaintiff that contributes to the harm resulting from the defendant's negligence
 
contrivance
the act of devising something
 
control
the activity of managing or exerting control over something
 
control
(physiology) regulation or maintenance of a function or action or reflex etc
 
controllership
the position of controller
 
contumacy
willful refusal to appear before a court or comply with a court order; can result in a finding of contempt of court
 
contumacy
obstinate rebelliousness and insubordination; resistance to authority
 
contusion
the action of bruising
 
convening
the act of convening
 
conventionalisation
the act of conventionalizing; conforming to a conventional style
 
convergence
the act of converging (coming closer)
 
conversion
a successful free throw or try for point after a touchdown
 
conversion
the act of changing from one use or function or purpose to another
 
conversion
act of exchanging one type of money or security for another
 
conversion
a spiritual enlightenment causing a person to lead a new life
 
conveyance
act of transferring property title from one person to another
 
conveyance
the act of moving something from one location to another
 
conviviality
a boisterous celebration; a merry festivity
 
convolution
the action of coiling or twisting or winding together
 
convoy
the act of escorting while in transit
 
cookery
the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat
 
cooperation
the practice of cooperating
 
cooperation
joint operation or action
 
coordination
the regulation of diverse elements into an integrated and harmonious operation
 
copout
a failure to face some difficulty squarely
 
coprophagia
eating feces; in human a symptom of some kinds of insanity
 
copying
an act of copying
 
copyright infringement
a violation of the rights secured by a copyright
 
coquetry
playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
 
corn dance
a rain dance of Amerindians
 
corneal graft
a surgical procedure in which part or all of a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by healthy corneal tissue from a donor
 
corner kick
a free kick from the corner awarded to the other side when a player has sent the ball behind his own goal line
 
cornhusking
the act of removing the husks from ears of corn
 
corporal punishment
the infliction of physical injury on someone convicted of committing a crime
 
corporate finance
the financial activities of corporation
 
correction
treatment of a specific defect
 
correction
the act of disciplining
 
correction
the act of offering an improvement to replace a mistake; setting right
 
correctional rehabilitation
providing penal custody or probation or parole for convicted offenders
 
corrections
the social control of offenders through a system of imprisonment and rehabilitation and probation and parole
 
Corregidor
the peninsula and island in the Philippines where Japanese forces besieged American forces in World War II; United States forces surrendered in 1942 and recaptured the area in 1945
 
correspondence course
a course offered (by mail) by a correspondence school
 
corrugation
the act of shaping into parallel ridges and grooves
 
corruption
inducement (as of a public official) by improper means (as bribery) to violate duty (as by commiting a felony)
 
corruption
destroying someone's (or some group's) honesty or loyalty; undermining moral integrity
 
corvee
unpaid labor (as for the maintenance of roads) required by a lord of his vassals in lieu of taxes
 
cosmetic surgery
plastic surgery to remove wrinkles and other signs of aging from your face; an incision is made near the hair line and skin is pulled back and excess tissue is excised
 
cosmetology
the practice of beautifying the face and hair and skin
 
cosmolatry
the worship of the cosmos
 
cost accounting
keeping account of the costs of items in production
 
cost analysis
breaking down the costs of some operation and reporting on each factor separately
 
cost cutting
the act of cutting costs
 
costing
cost accounting
 
cotilion
a lively dance originating in France in the 18th century
 
cottage industry
small-scale industry that can be carried on at home by family members using their own equipment
 
coughing up
the act of expelling (food or phlegm) by coughing
 
councillorship
the position of council member
 
counsellorship
the position of counselor
 
count
the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
 
countdown
counting backward from an arbitrary number to indicate the time remaining before some event (such as launching a space vehicle)
 
counter
a return punch (especially by a boxer)
 
counter-sabotage
counterintelligence designed to detect and counteract sabotage
 
counteraction
action intended to nullify the effects of some previous action
 
counterattack
an attack by a defending force against an attacking enemy force in order to regain lost ground or cut off enemy advance units etc.
 
counterattack
(chess) an attack that is intended to counter the opponent's advantage in another part of the board
 
counterbattery fire
fire delivered to neutralize or destroy indirect fire weapon systems
 
counterblow
a return blow; a retaliatory blow
 
counterbombardment
bombardment intended to destroy or neutralize enemy weapons
 
countercharge
a retaliatory charge
 
counterclaim
a claim filed in opposition to another claim in a legal action
 
countercoup
a sudden and decisive overthrow of a government that gained power by a coup d'etat
 
countercurrent
actions counter to the main group activity
 
counterdemonstration
a demonstration held in opposition to another demonstration
 
counterespionage
spying on the spies
 
counterfire
fire intended to neutralize or destroy enemy weapons
 
counterinsurgency
actions taken by a government to defeat insurgency
 
counterintelligence
intelligence activities concerned with identifying and counteracting the threat to security posed by hostile intelligence organizations or by individuals engaged in espionage or sabotage or subversion or terrorism
 
countermarch
(military) a march in the reverse direction or back along the same route
 
countermeasure
an action taken to offset another action
 
countermine
(military) a tunnel dug to defeat similar activities by the enemy
 
countermortar fire
mortar fire intended to destroy or neutralize enemy weapons
 
counteroffensive
a large scale offensive (more than a counterattack) undertaken by a defending force to seize the initiative from an attacking force
 
counterpreparation fire
intensive prearranged fire delivered when the immanence of enemy attack is discovered
 
counterrevolution
a revolution whose aim is to reverse the changes introduced by a previous revolution
 
countershot
a return shot; a retaliatory shot
 
countersubversion
the aspect of counterintelligence designed to detect and prevent subversive activities
 
countersuit
a suit brought against someone who has sued you
 
coup
a brilliant and notable success
 
coup d'oeil
a quick look
 
coup de grace
the blow that kills (usually mercifully)
 
coup de main
an attack without warning
 
coup
a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
 
courante
a court dance of the 16th century; consisted of short advances and retreats
 
course credit
recognition by a college or university that a course of studies has been successfully completed; typically measured in semester hours
 
course of lectures
a series of lectures dealing with a subject
 
course
a mode of action
 
coursework
work assigned to and done by a student during a course of study; usually it is evaluated as part of the student's grade in the course
 
coursing
hunting with dogs (usually greyhounds) that are trained to chase game (such as hares) by sight instead of by scent
 
court game
an athletic game played on a court
 
court tennis
an ancient form of tennis played in a four-walled court
 
court
respectful deference
 
court-martial
a trial that is conducted by a military court
 
courtesy
a courteous or respectful or considerate act
 
couture
high fashion designing and dressmaking
 
couvade
a custom among some peoples whereby the husband of a pregnant wife is put to bed at the time of bearing the child
 
cover
a false identity and background (especially one created for an undercover agent)
 
cover
fire that makes it difficult for the enemy to fire on your own individuals or formations
 
cover
the act of concealing the existence of something by obstructing the view of it
 
cover-up
concealment that attempts to prevent something scandalous from becoming public
 
covered option
a put or call option backed by the shares underlying the option
 
covering
the act of protecting something by covering it
 
covert operation
an intelligence operation so planned as to permit plausible denial by the sponsor
 
cozenage
a fraudulent business scheme
 
CPR
an emergency procedure consisting of external cardiac massage and artificial respiration; the first treatment for a person who has collapsed and has no pulse and has stopped breathing; attempts to restore circulation of the blood and prevent death or brain damage due to lack of oxygen
 
crab
a stroke of the oar that either misses the water or digs too deeply
 
crack
the act of cracking something
 
crack
a usually brief attempt
 
crackdown
severely repressive actions
 
cradlesong
the act of singing a quiet song to lull a child to sleep
 
craft fair
a fair at which objects made by craftsmen are offered for sale
 
craft
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
 
cranberry culture
the cultivation of cranberries
 
craniotomy
a surgical opening through the skull
 
crap game
playing craps
 
craps
a gambling game played with two dice; a first throw of 7 or 11 wins and a first throw of 2, 3, or 12 loses and a first throw of any other number must be repeated to win before a 7 is thrown, which loses the bet and the dice
 
crapshoot
a risky and uncertain venture
 
crash dive
a rapid descent by a submarine
 
crash landing
an emergency landing under circumstances where a normal landing is impossible (usually damaging the aircraft)
 
crash
the act of colliding with something
 
crawl
a very slow movement
 
crawl
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
 
craziness
foolish or senseless behavior
 
creating by mental acts
the act of creating something by thinking
 
creating by removal
the act of creating by removing something
 
creating from raw materials
the act of creating something that is different from the materials that went into it
 
Creation
(theology) God's act of bringing the universe into existence
 
creation
the human act of creating
 
creation
the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new
 
credit
used in the phrase `to your credit' in order to indicate an achievement deserving praise
 
credit hour
a unit of academic credit; one hour a week for an academic semester
 
cremation
the incineration of a dead body
 
crenelation
the action of constructing ramparts with gaps for firing guns or arrows
 
crib
the cards discarded by players at cribbage
 
crib
a card game (usually for two players) in which each player is dealt six cards and discards one or two
 
cricket
a game played with a ball and bat by two teams of 11 players; teams take turns trying to score runs
 
crime
an evil act not necessarily punishable by law
 
crime
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
 
Crimean War
a war in Crimea between Russia and a group of nations including England and France and Turkey and Sardinia; 1853-1856
 
criminal congress
forbidden or tabu sexual intercourse between individuals
 
criminal contempt
an act of disrespect that impedes the administration of justice
 
criminal maintenance
the unauthorized interference in a legal action by a person having no interest in it (as by helping one party with money or otherwise to continue the action) so as to obstruct justice or promote unnecessary litigation or unsettle the peace of the community
 
criminal negligence
(law) recklessly acting without reasonable caution and putting another person at risk of injury or death (or failing to do something with the same consequences)
 
criminal possession
(law) possession for which criminal sanctions are provided because the property may not lawfully be possessed or may not be possessed under certain circumstances
 
criminal prosecution
the institution and conduct of legal proceedings against a defendant for criminal behavior
 
criminal suit
a lawsuit alleging violations of criminal law by the defendant
 
criminalisation
legislation that makes something illegal
 
crisis intervention
psychotherapy that focuses on acute critical situations (depressive episodes or attempted suicides or drug overdoses) with the aim of restoring the person to the level of functioning before the crisis
 
crocheting
creating a garment of needlework
 
cronyism
favoritism shown to friends and associates (as by appointing them to positions without regard for their qualifications)
 
crooning
the act of singing popular songs in a sentimental manner
 
crooning
singing in a soft low tone
 
crop-dusting
the dispersion of fungicides or insecticides or fertilizer on growing crops (often from a low-flying aircraft)
 
croquet
a game in which players hit a wooden ball through a series of hoops; the winner is the first to traverse all the hoops and hit a peg
 
cross dressing
the practice of adopting the clothes or the manner or the sexual role of the opposite sex
 
cross
(genetics) the act of mixing different species or varieties of animals or plants and thus to produce hybrids
 
cross-country jumping
riding horses across country over obstructions to demonstrate horsemanship
 
cross-country skiing
the sport of skiing across the countryside (rather than downhill)
 
cross-fertilisation
interchange between different cultures or different ways of thinking that is mutually productive and beneficial
 
cross-pollination
stimulating influence among diverse elements
 
crossbreeding
reproduction by parents of different races (especially by white and non-white persons)
 
crosscheck
an illegal check (chopping at an opponent's arms or stick)
 
crossfire
fire from two or more points so that the lines of fire cross
 
crossing
traveling across
 
crossing
a voyage across a body of water (usually across the Atlantic Ocean)
 
crouch
the act of bending low with the limbs close to the body
 
crowd control
activity of controlling a crowd
 
crucifix
a gymnastic exercise performed on the rings when the gymnast supports himself with both arms extended horizontally
 
crucifixion
the act of executing by a method widespread in the ancient world; the victim's hands and feet are bound or nailed to a cross
 
crucifixion
the infliction of extremely painful punishment or suffering
 
cruel and unusual punishment
punishment prohibited by the 8th amendment to the U.S. Constitution; includes torture or degradation or punishment too severe for the crime committed
 
cruelty
a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering
 
cruise
an ocean trip taken for pleasure
 
Crusade
any of the more or less continuous military expeditions in the 11th to 13th centuries when Christian powers of Europe tried to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims
 
crushing
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
 
crutch
anything that serves as an expedient
 
crying
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
 
cryocautery
application of a substance that destroys tissue by freezing it
 
cryosurgery
the use of extreme cold (usually liquid nitrogen) to destroy unwanted tissue (warts or cataracts or skin cancers)
 
Cuban Revolution
the revolution led by Fidel Castro and a small band of guerrilla fighters against a corrupt dictatorship in Cuba; 1956-1959
 
cuckoldry
the practice of making cuckolds; sexual conquests of married women
 
cuddle
a close and affectionate (and often prolonged) embrace
 
culdoscopy
endoscopic examination of a woman's pelvic organs by the insertion of a culdoscope through the vagina
 
cultism
devotion to the doctrine or a cult or to the practices of a cult
 
cultism
religious zeal; the willingness to serve God
 
cultivation
socialization through training and education to develop one's mind or manners
 
cultivation
(agriculture) production of food by preparing the land to grow crops (especially on a large scale)
 
cultivation
the act of raising or growing plants (especially on a large scale)
 
culture
the raising of plants or animals
 
culture
(biology) the growing of microorganisms in a nutrient medium (such as gelatin or agar)
 
cumulative vote
an election in which each person has as many votes as there are positions to be filled and they can all be cast for one candidate or can be distributed in any manner
 
cunctation
the act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or defering an action to a later time
 
cunnilinctus
oral stimulation of the vulva or clitoris
 
cup tie
an eliminating game between teams in a cup competition
 
cupboard love
a show of affection motivated by selfishness
 
cupping
a treatment in which evacuated cups are applied to the skin to draw blood through the surface
 
curacy
the position of a curate
 
curatorship
the position of curator
 
curb service
service provided to customers who remain in their vehicles
 
curettage
surgery to remove tissue or growths from a bodily cavity (as the uterus) by scraping with a curette
 
Curietherapy
the use of radium in radiation therapy
 
curling
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target
 
current intelligence
intelligence of all types and forms of immediate interest; usually disseminated without delays for evaluation or interpretation
 
curtailment
the reduction of expenditures in order to become financially stable
 
curtailment
the act of withholding or withdrawing some book or writing from publication or circulation
 
curtain raiser
any preliminary activity
 
curvet
a light leap by a horse in which both hind legs leave the ground before the forelegs come down
 
custodianship
the position of custodian
 
custody
holding by the police
 
custody battle
litigation to settle custody of the children of a divorced couple
 
custody case
a legal action to determine custody (usually of children following a divorce)
 
custody
(with `in') guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
 
custom
habitual patronage
 
custom
accepted or habitual practice
 
cut
the act of reducing the amount or number
 
cut
an unexcused absence from class
 
cut
the act of penetrating or opening open with a sharp edge
 
cut
the act of cutting something into parts
 
cut
the division of a deck of cards before dealing
 
cut
the act of shortening something by chopping off the ends
 
cut
(sports) a stroke that puts reverse spin on the ball
 
cut-and-thrust
fighting with knives
 
cut-in
(film) a still picture that is introduced and that interrupts the action of a film
 
cut-in
(broadcasting) a local announcement inserted into a network program
 
cut-rate sale
an occasion (usually brief) for buying at specially reduced prices
 
cutback
a reduction in quantity or rate
 
cutting
the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film
 
cutting
the act of diluting something
 
cyber-terrorism
an assault on electronic communication networks
 
cybercrime
crime committed using a computer and the internet to steal a person's identity or sell contraband or stalk victims or disrupt operations with malevolent programs
 
cycling
the sport of traveling on a bicycle or motorcycle
 
cyclodestructive surgery
an eye operation that treats glaucoma by destroying the ciliary body with a laser
 
cytophotometry
the study of chemical compounds inside a cell by means of a cytophotometer
 
D and C
a surgical procedure usually performed under local anesthesia in which the cervix is dilated and the endometrial lining of the uterus is scraped with a curet; performed to obtain tissue samples or to stop prolonged bleeding or to remove small tumors or to remove fragments of placenta after childbirth or as a method of abortion
 
dab
a light touch or stroke
 
dacoity
robbery by a gang of armed dacoits
 
daily double
a single bet on two horse races in the same day
 
daily round
the usual activities in your day
 
dairy farming
the business of a dairy
 
daisy cutter
a batted or served ball that skims along close to the ground
 
dalliance
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
 
damage control
an effort to minimize or curtail damage or loss
 
damage
the act of damaging something or someone
 
damage
any harm or injury resulting from a violation of a legal right
 
dampening
the act of making something slightly wet
 
damper
a depressing restraint
 
dance lesson
a lesson in dancing
 
dance of death
a medieval dance in which a skeleton representing death leads a procession of others to the grave
 
dance step
a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance
 
dance
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
 
danger
a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury
 
dangling
the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)
 
Dardanelles campaign
the unsuccessful campaign in World War I (1915) by the English and French to open a passage for aid to Russia; defeated by the Turks
 
dark adaptation
the process of adjusting the eyes to low levels of illumination; cones adapt first; rods continue to adapt for up to four hours
 
dark field illumination
a form of microscopic examination of living material by scattered light; specimens appear luminous against a dark background
 
darning
the act of mending a hole in a garment with crossing threads
 
dart
a sudden quick movement
 
darts
a game in which small pointed missiles are thrown at a dartboard
 
dash
a quick run
 
dashing hopes
an act (or failure to act) that disappoints someone
 
data encryption
(computer science) the encryption of data for security purposes
 
database management
creation and maintenance of a database
 
date rape
rape in which the rapist is known to the victim (as when they are on a date together)
 
dating
use of chemical analysis to estimate the age of geological specimens
 
daubing
the application of plaster
 
dawah
missionary work for Islam
 
day care
childcare during the day while parents work
 
day game
a game played in daylight
 
de-escalation
(war) a reduction in intensity (of a crisis or a war)
 
deactivation
the act of deactivating or making ineffective (as a bomb)
 
deactivation
breaking up a military unit (by transfers or discharges)
 
dead reckoning
navigation without the aid of celestial observations
 
dead-man's float
a floating position with the face down and arms stretched forward
 
deadly sin
an unpardonable sin entailing a total loss of grace
 
deal
the act of apportioning or distributing something
 
deal
the act of distributing playing cards
 
dealing
method or manner of conduct in relation to others
 
dealing
the act of transacting within or between groups (as carrying on commercial activities)
 
dealings
social or verbal interchange (usually followed by `with')
 
deanery
the position or office of a dean
 
death
the act of killing
 
debarkation
the act of passengers and crew getting off of a ship or aircraft
 
debarment
the act of prevention by legal means
 
debasement
changing to a lower state (a less respected state)
 
debridement
surgical removal of foreign material and dead tissue from a wound in order to prevent infection and promote healing
 
debunking
the exposure of falseness or pretensions
 
debut
the act of beginning something new
 
decalcomania
the art of transfering designs from specially prepared paper to a wood or glass or metal surface
 
decampment
breaking camp
 
decantation
the act of gently pouring off a clear liquor (as from its original bottle) without disturbing the lees
 
deceit
the act of deceiving
 
deceleration
the act of decelerating; decreasing the speed
 
decentralisation
the spread of power away from the center to local branches or governments
 
decimalisation
the act of changing to a decimal system
 
decimation
destroying or killing a large part of the population (literally every tenth person as chosen by lot)
 
decipherment
the activity of making clear or converting from code into plain text
 
deck tennis
game played mainly on board ocean liners; players toss a ring back and forth over a net that is stretched across a small court
 
declassification
reduction or removal by the government of restrictions on a classified document or weapon
 
decolonisation
the action of changing from colonial to independent status
 
decompressing
relieving pressure (especially bringing a compressed person gradually back to atmospheric pressure)
 
decompression
restoring compressed information to its normal form for use or display
 
decontamination
the removal of contaminants
 
decoration
the act of decorating something (in the hope of making it more attractive)
 
decortication
removal of the outer covering of an organ or part
 
decoupage
the art of decorating a surface with shapes or pictures and then coating it with varnish or lacquer
 
decrease
the act of decreasing or reducing something
 
decriminalisation
legislation that makes something legal that was formerly illegal
 
deduction
the act of reducing the selling price of merchandise
 
deduction
the act of subtracting (removing a part from the whole)
 
deeds
performance of moral or religious acts
 
deep fording
fording at a deep place in the stream
 
deep supporting fire
fire on objectives not in the immediate vicinity of your forces but with the objective of destroying enemy reserves and weapons and interfering with the enemy command and supply and communications
 
deer hunt
hunting deer
 
deerstalking
stalking deer
 
defacement
the act of damaging the appearance or surface of something
 
defalcation
the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually owned by someone else
 
default
loss due to not showing up
 
default judgement
a judgment entered in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant defaults (fails to appear in court)
 
defecation reflex
normal response to the presence of feces in the rectum
 
defence
the act of defending someone or something against attack or injury
 
defence
protection from harm
 
defence
(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
 
defence
a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him
 
defenestration
the act of throwing someone or something out of a window
 
deference
a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard
 
deferment
act of putting off to a future time
 
defiance
a defiant act
 
defibrillation
treatment by stopping fibrillation of heart muscles (usually by electric shock delivered by a defibrillator)
 
deflation
the act of letting the air out of something
 
deflection
a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
 
defloration
the act of depriving a woman of her virginity (especially by rupturing the hymen through sexual intercourse)
 
defloration
an act that despoils the innocence or beauty of something
 
defoliation
causing the leaves of trees and other plants to fall off (as by the use of chemicals)
 
deforestation
the removal of trees
 
defrayal
the act of paying money
 
deglutition
the act of swallowing
 
degustation
taking a small amount into the mouth to test its quality
 
dehumanisation
the act of degrading people with respect to their best qualities
 
dekko
British slang for a look
 
delay
the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time
 
delectation
act of receiving pleasure from something
 
delegacy
the appointment of a delegate
 
delegating
authorizing subordinates to make certain decisions
 
deletion
the act of deleting something written or printed
 
deliberate defence
a defense organized before contact is made with the enemy and while time for organization is available; usually includes a fortified zone (with pillboxes) and communication systems
 
delineation
representation by drawing or painting etc
 
delinquency
an antisocial misdeed in violation of the law by a minor
 
deliverance
recovery or preservation from loss or danger
 
delivery
the voluntary transfer of something (title or possession) from one party to another
 
delivery
the act of delivering a child
 
delivery
(baseball) the act of throwing a baseball by a pitcher to a batter
 
delusion
the act of deluding; deception by creating illusory ideas
 
demand
the act of demanding
 
demand feeding
feeding a baby or animal whenever it shows a need
 
demarche
a move or step or maneuver in political or diplomatic affairs
 
demobilisation
act of changing from a war basis to a peace basis including disbanding or discharging troops
 
democratisation
the action of making something democratic
 
demolishing
complete destruction of a building
 
demolition
the act of demolishing
 
demonetisation
ending something (e.g. gold or silver) as no longer the legal tender of a country
 
demonolatry
the acts or rites of worshiping devils
 
demonstration
a show of military force or preparedness
 
demonstration
a public display of group feelings (usually of a political nature)
 
demonstration
a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view
 
demoralisation
destroying the moral basis for a doctrine or policy
 
demotion
act of lowering in rank or position
 
demurrage
detention of a ship or freight car or other cargo beyond its scheduled time of departure
 
denationalisation
changing something from state to private ownership or control
 
denigration
the act of expressing disapproval (especially of yourself)
 
densitometry
measuring the optical density of a substance by shining light on it and measuring its transmission
 
dental care
care for the teeth
 
dental practice
the practice of dentistry
 
dental procedure
a procedure employed by a dentist
 
departure
the act of departing
 
depersonalisation
representing a human being as a physical thing deprived of personal qualities or individuality
 
depilation
the act of removing hair (as from an animal skin)
 
depletion
the act of decreasing something markedly
 
deployment
the distribution of forces in preparation for battle or work
 
deportation
the expulsion from a country of an undesirable alien
 
deportation
the act of expelling a person from their native land
 
deposit
the act of putting something somewhere
 
deposition
the act of deposing someone; removing a powerful person from a position or office
 
depravity
a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
 
depreciation
a decrease in price or value
 
depredation
an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding
 
depression
pushing down
 
deprivation
act of depriving someone of food or money or rights
 
deracination
to move something from its natural environment
 
deracination
the act of pulling up or out; uprooting; cutting off from existence
 
derangement
the act of disturbing the mind or body
 
deregulating
the act of freeing from regulation (especially from governmental regulations)
 
dereliction
willful negligence
 
derision
the act of deriding or treating with contempt
 
derivation
the act of deriving something or obtaining something from a source or origin
 
derivation
drawing off water from its main channel as for irrigation
 
derivation
drawing of fluid or inflammation away from a diseased part of the body
 
dermabrasion
removal of scars or tattoos by anesthetizing the skin surface and then sanding or scraping off some of the outer skin layer
 
derogation
(law) the partial taking away of the effectiveness of a law; a partial repeal or abolition of a law
 
derring-do
brave and heroic feats
 
descent
the act of changing your location in a downward direction
 
desegregation
the action of incorporating a racial or religious group into a community
 
desensitisation procedure
a technique used in behavior therapy to treat phobias and other behavior problems involving anxiety; client is exposed to the threatening situation under relaxed conditions until the anxiety reaction is extinguished
 
design
the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
 
designation
the act of designating or identifying something
 
desktop publishing
(computer science) the use of microcomputers with graphics capacity to produce printed materials
 
despatch
killing a person or animal
 
despatch
the act of sending off something
 
desperate measure
desperate actions taken as a means to an end
 
despite
contemptuous disregard
 
despoilation
the act of stripping and taking by force
 
destabilisation
the action of destabilizing; making something less stable (especially of a government or country or economy)
 
destruction fire
fire delivered for the sole purpose of destroying material objects
 
destruction
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
 
detachment
the act of releasing from an attachment or connection
 
detecting
a police investigation to determine the perpetrator
 
detente
the easing of tensions or strained relations (especially between nations)
 
detention
a punishment in which a student must stay at school after others have gone home
 
determination
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
 
deterrence
the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety
 
detonation
the act of detonating an explosive
 
detoxification
treatment for poisoning by neutralizing the toxic properties (normally a function of the liver)
 
detoxification
a treatment for addiction to drugs or alcohol intended to remove the physiological effects of the addictive substances
 
detraction
the act of discrediting or detracting from someone's reputation (especially by slander)
 
detribalisation
the act of causing tribal people to abandon their customs and adopt urban ways of living
 
detribalisation
the decline or termination of tribal organization
 
detrition
effort expended in moving one object over another with pressure
 
devaluation
an official lowering of a nation's currency; a decrease in the value of a country's currency relative to that of foreign countries
 
devaluation
the reduction of something's value or worth
 
devastation
plundering with excessive damage and destruction
 
development
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
 
development
the act of making some area of land or water more profitable or productive or useful
 
deviance
deviate behavior
 
deviationism
ideological defection from the party line (especially from orthodox communism)
 
device
any clever maneuver
 
devilment
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
 
devilry
wicked and cruel behavior
 
devising
the act that results in something coming to be
 
devitalisation
the act of reducing the vitality of something
 
devoir
formal expression of respect
 
devolution
the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government)
 
devotion
(usually plural) religious observance or prayers (usually spoken silently)
 
devotion
commitment to some purpose
 
devotional
a short religious service
 
diagnosing
identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon
 
diagnostic procedure
a procedure followed in making a medical diagnosis
 
diagramming
providing a chart or outline of a system
 
dialysis
separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
 
diathermy
a method of physical therapy that involves generating local heat in body tissues by high-frequency electromagnetic currents
 
dichotomisation
the act of dividing into two sharply different categories
 
didactics
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
 
Dien Bien Phu
the French military base fell after a siege by Vietnam troops that lasted 56 days; ended the involvement of France in Indochina in 1954
 
diet
the act of restricting your food intake (or your intake of particular foods)
 
differential blood count
counting the number of specific types of white blood cells found in 1 cubic millimeter of blood; may be included as part of a complete blood count
 
differential diagnosis
a systematic method of diagnosing a disorder (e.g., headache) that lacks unique symptoms or signs
 
differentiation
the mathematical process of obtaining the derivative of a function
 
difficulty
an effort that is inconvenient
 
diffusion
the act of dispersing or diffusing something
 
dig
the act of digging
 
dig
the act of touching someone suddenly with your finger or elbow
 
digging up
the act of digging something up out of the ground (especially a corpse) where it has been buried
 
digital communications technology
the design and construction of communications technology that transmits information in digital form
 
digitalisation
the administration of digitalis for the treatment of certain heart disorders
 
digression
wandering from the main path of a journey
 
dihybrid cross
hybridization using two traits with two alleles each
 
dilatation
the act of expanding an aperture
 
dilution
weakening (reducing the concentration) by the addition of water or a thinner
 
dining
the act of eating dinner
 
dink
a soft return so that the tennis ball drops abruptly after crossing the net
 
dint
interchangeable with `means' in the expression `by means of'
 
dip
a gymnastic exercise on the parallel bars in which the body is lowered and raised by bending and straightening the arms
 
dip
a brief swim in water
 
direct action
a protest action by labor or minority groups to obtain their demands
 
direct fire
fire delivered on a target that is visible to the person aiming it
 
direct flight
a flight with one or more intermediate stops but no change of aircraft
 
direct marketing
marketing via a promotion delivered directly to the individual prospective customer
 
direct primary
a primary where voters directly select the candidates who will run for office
 
direct support
a mission requiring one force to support another specific force and authorizing it to answer directly the supported force's request for assistance
 
direct supporting fire
fire delivered in support of part of a force (as opposed to general supporting fire delivered in support of the force as a whole)
 
directed study
a course of study that is supervised and controlled by a specialist in the subject
 
directed verdict
a verdict entered by the court in a jury trial without consideration by the jury
 
direction
the act of setting and holding a course
 
direction
the act of managing something
 
directorship
the position of a director of a business concern
 
dirty pool
conduct that is unfair or unethical or unsportsmanlike
 
dirty trick
an unkind or aggressive trick
 
dirty tricks
underhand commercial or political behavior designed to discredit an opponent
 
dirty war
an offensive conducted by secret police or the military of a regime against revolutionary and terrorist insurgents and marked by the use of kidnapping and torture and murder with civilians often being the victims
 
dirtying
the act of soiling something
 
disability insurance
social insurance for the disabled
 
disappearance
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
 
disappearance
gradually ceasing to be visible
 
disapproval
the act of disapproving or condemning
 
disarmament
act of reducing or depriving of arms
 
disassembly
the act of taking something apart (as a piece of machinery)
 
disassortative mating
mating of individuals having traits more dissimilar than likely in random mating
 
disaster
an act that has disastrous consequences
 
disbandment
the act of disbanding
 
disbarment
the act of expelling a lawyer from the practice of law
 
disbursal
the act of spending or disbursing money
 
discard
(cards) the act of throwing out a useless card or of failing to follow suit
 
discard
getting rid something that is regarded as useless or undesirable
 
discharge
the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart)
 
discharge
the act of discharging a gun
 
discharge
a formal written statement of relinquishment
 
discharge
the act of venting
 
discipleship
the position of disciple
 
discipline
training to improve strength or self-control
 
discoloration
the act of changing the natural color of something by making it duller or dingier or unnatural or faded
 
disconnection
the act of breaking a connection
 
discontinuance
the act of discontinuing or breaking off; an interruption (temporary or permanent)
 
discord
strife resulting from a lack of agreement
 
discount business
the business of selling merchandise at a discount
 
discouragement
the act of discouraging
 
discourtesy
a lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings or others
 
discovered check
a check on the opponent's king that is delivered by moving a piece out of the line of attack by a queen or rook or bishop
 
discovery
the act of discovering something
 
discrimination
unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
 
disembowelment
the act of removing the bowels or viscera; the act of cutting so as to cause the viscera to protrude
 
disenfranchisement
the act of withdrawing certification or terminating a franchise
 
disengagement
to break off a military action with an enemy
 
disentanglement
the act of releasing from a snarled or tangled condition
 
disestablishment
the act terminating an established state of affairs; especially ending a connection with the Church of England
 
disfranchisement
the discontinuation of a franchise; especially the discontinuation of the right to vote
 
disgorgement
the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth
 
dishonesty
lack of honesty; acts of lying or cheating or stealing
 
dishonorable discharge
a discharge from the armed forces for a grave offense (as sabotage or espionage or cowardice or murder)
 
dishwashing
the act of washing dishes
 
disinfection
treatment to destroy harmful microorganisms
 
disinfestation
the activity of getting rid of vermin
 
disinheritance
the act by a donor that terminates the right of a person to inherit
 
disinvestment
the withdrawal of capital from a country or corporation
 
dislodgement
forced removal from a position of advantage
 
dismissal
a judgment disposing of the matter without a trial
 
dismount
the act of dismounting (a horse or bike etc.)
 
disobedience
the failure to obey
 
disorganisation
the disturbance of a systematic arrangement causing disorder and confusion
 
disparagement
the act of speaking contemptuously of
 
dispensation
the act of dispensing (giving out in portions)
 
dispensation
an exemption from some rule or obligation
 
displacement
act of removing from office or employment
 
displacement
act of taking the place of another especially using underhanded tactics
 
displacement
the act of uniform movement
 
display
something shown to the public
 
disposal
the act or means of getting rid of something
 
dispossession
the expulsion of someone (such as a tenant) from the possession of land by process of law
 
disproof
the act of determining that something is false
 
disqualification
the act of preventing someone from participating by finding them unqualified
 
disregard
willful lack of care and attention
 
disruption
the act of causing disorder
 
dissection
detailed critical analysis or examination one part at a time (as of a literary work)
 
dissection
cutting so as to separate into pieces
 
dissent
the act of protesting; a public (often organized) manifestation of dissent
 
disservice
an act intended to help that turns out badly
 
dissipation
dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure
 
dissipation
useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly
 
dissociation
the act of removing from association
 
dissolution of marriage
an annulment of a marriage
 
distemper
a method of painting in which the pigments are mixed with water and a binder; used for painting posters or murals or stage scenery
 
distension
the act of expanding by pressure from within
 
distortion
the mistake of misrepresenting the facts
 
distortion
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
 
distraction
the act of distracting; drawing someone's attention away from something
 
distraint
the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim
 
distributed fire
fire dispersed so as to engage effectively an area target
 
distribution
the act of distributing or spreading or apportioning
 
distribution
the commercial activity of transporting and selling goods from a producer to a consumer
 
disturbance
the act of disturbing something or someone; setting something in motion
 
disunion
the termination or destruction of union
 
divarication
branching at a wide angle
 
dive
a headlong plunge into water
 
dive
a steep nose-down descent by an aircraft
 
dive-bombing
a bombing run in which the bomber releases the bomb while flying straight toward the target
 
divergence
the act of moving away in different direction from a common point
 
diversification
the act of introducing variety (especially in investments or in the variety of goods and services offered)
 
diversion
an attack calculated to draw enemy defense away from the point of the principal attack
 
diversion
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
 
diversionary landing
an amphibious diversionary attack
 
divestiture
the sale by a company of a product line or a subsidiary or a division
 
Divine Office
canonical prayers recited daily by priests (e.g. the breviary of the Roman Catholic Church)
 
divine service
the act of public worship following prescribed rules
 
division
the act or process of dividing
 
division
an arithmetic operation that is the inverse of multiplication; the quotient of two numbers is computed
 
division
the act of dividing or partitioning; separation by the creation of a boundary that divides or keeps apart
 
divorce
the legal dissolution of a marriage
 
do-si-do
a square-dance figure; two dancers approach each other and circle back to back before returning to their original places
 
dockage
the act of securing an arriving vessel with ropes
 
doctor
children take the roles of physician or patient or nurse and pretend they are at the physician's office
 
documentation
documentary validation
 
doddle
an easy task
 
dodge
a quick evasive movement
 
dodging
nonperformance of something distasteful (as by deceit or trickery) that you are supposed to do
 
dog breeding
breeding dogs
 
dog paddle
an elementary swimming stroke imitating a swimming dog
 
dog show
a competitive exhibition of dogs
 
dogfight
a violent fight between dogs (sometimes organized illegally for entertainment and gambling)
 
dogfight
an aerial engagement between fighter planes
 
dogfight
disorderly fighting
 
dogtrot
a steady trot like that of a dog
 
dolce far niente
carefree idleness
 
dole
money received from the state
 
dolphin kick
a swimming kick; an up and down kick of the feet together
 
domestic flight
a flight that begins and ends in the same country
 
domestic terrorism
terrorism practiced in your own country against your own people
 
domestic violence
violence or physical abuse directed toward your spouse or domestic partner or other members of a household
 
domestication
accommodation to domestic life
 
domesticity
domestic activities or life
 
domination
social control by dominating
 
dominoes
any of several games played with small rectangular blocks
 
donkeywork
hard monotonous routine work
 
dormancy
quiet and inactive restfulness
 
dorsiflexion
the act of bending backward (of the body or a body part)
 
dosimetry
measuring the dose of radiation emitted by a radioactive source
 
double blind
a test procedure in which the identity of those receiving the intervention is concealed from both the administrators and the subjects until after the test is completed; designed to reduce or eliminate bias in the results
 
double cross
an act of betrayal
 
double dribble
an illegal dribble in basketball (the player uses both hands to dribble or the player starts to dribble a second time after coming to a stop)
 
double Dutch
the difficult version of jump rope in which players jump over two ropes that are swung in a crisscross manner by two turners
 
double entry
bookkeeper debits the transaction to one account and credits it to another
 
double fault
(tennis) two successive faults in serving resulting in the loss of the point
 
double feature
two games instead of one (especially in baseball when the same two teams play two games on the same day)
 
double jeopardy
the prosecution of a defendant for a criminal offense for which he has already been tried; prohibited in the fifth amendment to the United States Constitution
 
double leg circle
a gymnastic exercise performed on the pommel horse when the gymnast (with legs together) swings his legs in a circle while alternating hands on the pommels
 
double play
the act of getting two players out on one play
 
double reverse
(American football) a running play in which a first reverse is followed by a second reverse
 
double stopping
stopping two strings and producing two notes at the same time
 
double take
a delayed reaction indicating surprise
 
double
raising the stakes in a card game by a factor of 2
 
double
a base hit on which the batter stops safely at second base
 
double-blind experiment
an experimental procedure in which neither the subjects of the experiment nor the persons administering the experiment know the critical aspects of the experiment
 
double-dealing
acting in bad faith; deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another
 
doubles
tennis played with two players on each side
 
doubles
badminton played with two players on each side
 
douche
irrigation with a jet of water or medicated solution into or around a body part (especially the vagina) to treat infections or cleanse from odorous contents
 
dousing
the act of wetting something by submerging it
 
doweling
fastening by dowels
 
down
(American football) a complete play to advance the football
 
down-bow
a downward stroke from the heel to the tip of the bow
 
downshift
a change to a lower gear in a car or bicycle
 
downshift
a change from a financially rewarding but stressful career to a less well paid but more fulfilling one
 
downspin
a swift and dangerous downturn
 
downswing
a swing downward of a golf club
 
downswing
a worsening of business or economic activity
 
downtick
a transaction in the stock market at a price below the price of the preceding transaction
 
doze
a light fitful sleep
 
draft
the act of moving a load by drawing or pulling
 
draft
a large and hurried swallow
 
drafting
writing a first version to be filled out and polished later
 
drafting
the creation of artistic pictures or diagrams
 
drafting
the craft of drawing blueprints
 
drag
the act of dragging (pulling with force)
 
drag
a slow inhalation (as of tobacco smoke)
 
drain
a gradual depletion of energy or resources
 
drain
emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it
 
dramatic performance
the act of performing a drama
 
dramatics
participation in theatrical productions as an extracurricular activity
 
dramatisation
conversion into dramatic form
 
dramatisation
a dramatic representation
 
draw
(American football) the quarterback moves back as if to pass and then hands the ball to the fullback who is running toward the line of scrimmage
 
draw
poker in which a player can discard cards and receive substitutes from the dealer
 
draw
the act of drawing or hauling something
 
draw
a golf shot that curves to the left for a right-handed golfer
 
drawing
act of getting or draining something such as electricity or a liquid from a source
 
drawing
players buy (or are given) chances and prizes are distributed by casting lots
 
drenching
the act of making something completely wet
 
dress rehearsal
a full uninterrupted rehearsal in costumes shortly before the first performance
 
dressage
maneuvers of a horse in response to body signals by the rider
 
dressing
processes in the conversion of rough hides into leather
 
dressing
the activity of getting dressed; putting on clothes
 
dressmaking
the craft of making dresses
 
dribble
the propulsion of a ball by repeated taps or kicks
 
drifting
aimless wandering from place to place
 
drill
(military) the training of soldiers to march (as in ceremonial parades) or to perform the manual of arms
 
drill
systematic training by multiple repetitions
 
drinking bout
a long period of drinking
 
drinking
the act of consuming liquids
 
drip culture
a hydroponic method of growing plants by allowing nutrient solutions to drip slowly onto an inert medium in which the plants are growing
 
drip feed
the administration of a solution (blood or saline or plasma etc.) one drop at a time
 
drive
(sports) a hard straight return (as in tennis or squash)
 
drive
the act of driving a herd of animals overland
 
drive
hitting a golf ball off of a tee with a driver
 
drive
the act of applying force to propel something
 
drive
a journey in a vehicle (usually an automobile)
 
drive-by killing
homicide committed by shooting from a moving automobile
 
drive-by shooting
shooting someone from a car as it is driven past the victim
 
driving
the act of controlling and steering the movement of a vehicle or animal
 
Drogheda
in 1649 the place was captured by Oliver Cromwell, who massacred the Catholic inhabitants
 
drollery
a quaint and amusing jest
 
drop
the act of dropping something
 
dropkick
(football) kicking (as for a field goal) in which the football is dropped and kicked as it touches the ground
 
drug abuse
excessive use of drugs
 
drug bust
seizure of illegal drugs by the police
 
drug traffic
traffic in illegal drugs
 
drug war
conflict between law enforcement and those who deal in illegal drugs
 
drug withdrawal
the termination of drug taking
 
drugging
the administration of a sedative agent or drug
 
drumbeat
a vehement and vociferous advocacy of a cause
 
drumming
the act of playing drums
 
dry cleaning
the act of cleaning (fabrics) with a solvent other than water
 
dry run
a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)
 
dry walling
the activity of building stone walls without mortar
 
dry-gulching
the act of killing from ambush
 
duck hunting
hunting ducks
 
duckpins
a bowling game using a pin smaller than a tenpin but proportionately wider
 
ducks and drakes
a game in which a flat stone is bounced along the surface of calm water
 
due care
the care that a reasonable man would exercise under the circumstances; the standard for determining legal duty
 
due process
(law) the administration of justice according to established rules and principles; based on the principle that a person cannot be deprived of life or liberty or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards
 
duel
any struggle between two skillful opponents (individuals or groups)
 
duet
(ballet) a dance for two people (usually a ballerina and a danseur noble)
 
dumb show
a performance using gestures and body movements without words
 
dummy whist
a form of whist with three players; four hands are dealt with the hand opposite the dealer being face up
 
dumping
selling goods abroad at a price below that charged in the domestic market
 
dune cycling
bicycling or motorcycling on sand dunes
 
dunk
a basketball shot in which the basketball is propelled downward into the basket
 
Dunkerque
an amphibious evacuation in World War II (1940) when 330,000 Allied troops had to be evacuated from the beaches in northern France in a desperate retreat under enemy fire
 
dupery
something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage
 
duplication
the act of copying or making a duplicate (or duplicates) of something
 
dust contamination
the act of contaminating with dust particles
 
duster
a pitch thrown deliberately close to the batter
 
dutch auction
a method of selling in which the price is reduced until a buyer is found
 
Dutch treat
a dinner where each person pays for his own
 
duty
work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons
 
duty
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
 
dyeing
the use of dye to change the color of something permanently
 
dynamic headroom
the capacity of a system to reproduce loud sounds without distortion
 
e-commerce
commerce conducted electronically (as on the internet)
 
E-LASIK
a refractive surgery procedure that reshapes the cornea
 
earned run
a run that was not scored as the result of an error by the other team
 
earthing
fastening electrical equipment to earth
 
ease
freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
 
easiness
the quality of being easy in behavior or style
 
eating
the act of consuming food
 
ecarte
a card game for 2 players; played with 32 cards and king high
 
ecclesiasticism
excessive adherence to ecclesiastical forms and activities
 
ECCM
electronic warfare undertaken to insure effective friendly use of the electromagnetic spectrum in spite of the enemy's use of electronic warfare
 
echo
an imitation or repetition
 
echo sounding
determining the location of something by measuring the time it takes for an echo to return from it
 
echocardiography
a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that uses ultrasound to study to structure and motions of the heart
 
echoencephalography
a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that uses ultrasound to study the anatomy of the brain
 
echography
using the reflections of high-frequency sound waves to construct an image of a body organ (a sonogram); commonly used to observe fetal growth or study bodily organs
 
echolalia
(psychiatry) mechanical and meaningless repetition of the words of another person (as in schizophrenia)
 
ECM
electronic warfare undertaken to prevent or reduce an enemy's effective use of the electromagnetic spectrum
 
ecological terrorism
violence carried out to further the political or social objectives of the environmentalists
 
economic mobilisation
mobilization of the economy
 
economic strangulation
punishment of a group by cutting off commercial dealings with them
 
economy of scale
the saving in cost of production that is due to mass production
 
economy
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
 
ecotourism
tourism to exotic or threatened ecosystems to observe wildlife or to help preserve nature
 
ECT
the administration of a strong electric current that passes through the brain to induce convulsions and coma
 
editorship
the position of editor
 
education
the profession of teaching (especially at a school or college or university)
 
edutainment
entertainment that is intended to be educational
 
effacement
withdrawing into the background; making yourself inconspicuous
 
effectuation
the act of implementing (providing a practical means for accomplishing something); carrying into effect
 
effleurage
a rhythmic stroking
 
effort
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
 
effort
a notable achievement
 
effusion
flow under pressure
 
ego trip
an act undertaken to increase your own power and influence or to draw attention to your own importance
 
egress
the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent
 
eightsome
a Scottish reel for eight dancers
 
eisteddfod
any of several annual Welsh festivals involving artistic competitions (especially in singing)
 
ejection
the act of forcing out someone or something
 
ejection
the act of expelling or projecting or ejecting
 
elaboration
developing in intricate and painstaking detail
 
elbowing
jostling with the elbows
 
eldership
the office of elder
 
election
a vote to select the winner of a position or political office
 
election
the act of selecting someone or something; the exercise of deliberate choice
 
election fraud
misrepresentation or alteration of the true results of an election
 
elective
a course that the student can select from among alternatives
 
electric healing
the therapeutic application of electricity to the body (as in the treatment of various forms of paralysis)
 
electric shock
the use of electricity to administer punishment or torture
 
electric shock
a reflex response to the passage of electric current through the body
 
electrical work
the craft of an electrician
 
electrification
the act of providing electricity
 
electrification
the activity of thrilling or markedly exciting some person or group
 
electrocautery
application of a needle heated by an electric current to destroy tissue (as to remove warts)
 
electrocution
killing by electric shock
 
electrolysis
removing superfluous or unwanted hair by passing an electric current through the hair root
 
electromagnetic intrusion
the deliberate insertion of electromagnetic energy into transmission paths with the objective of confusing or deceiving operators
 
electromyography
diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders with the use of an electromyograph
 
electron microscopy
microscopy with the use of electron microscopes
 
electronic deception
the deliberate use of electromagnetic energy in a manner intended to convey misleading information
 
electronic imitative deception
the introduction of electromagnetic energy into enemy systems that imitates enemy emissions
 
electronic jamming
deliberate radiation or reflection of electromagnetic energy for the purpose of disrupting enemy use of electronic devices or systems
 
electronic manipulative deception
actions to eliminate revealing telltale indicators that could be used by the enemy (or to convey misleading indicators)
 
electronic reconnaissance
the detection and identification and evaluation and location of foreign electromagnetic radiations (other than radioactive)
 
electronic simulative deception
actions to represent friendly notional or actual capabilities to mislead hostile forces
 
electronic surveillance
surveillance by electronic means (e.g. television)
 
electrosurgery
surgery performed with electrical devices (as in electrocautery)
 
elementary education
education in elementary subjects (reading and writing and arithmetic) provided to young students at a grade school
 
elimination
the act of removing an unknown mathematical quantity by combining equations
 
elimination
the murder of a competitor
 
elimination
the act of removing or getting rid of something
 
ELINT
intelligence derived from electromagnetic radiations from foreign sources (other than radioactive sources)
 
ELISA
an assay that relies on an enzymatic conversion reaction and is used to detect the presence of specific substances (such as enzymes or viruses or antibodies or bacteria)
 
elongation
the act of lengthening something
 
elopement
the act of running away with a lover (usually to get married)
 
eluding
the act of avoiding capture (especially by cunning)
 
emanation
the act of emitting; causing to flow forth
 
emancipation
freeing someone from the control of another; especially a parent's relinquishing authority and control over a minor child
 
embalmment
preservation (of a dead body) by treating with balsams and drugs and other chemicals
 
embellishment
the act of adding extraneous decorations to something
 
embodiment
giving concrete form to an abstract concept
 
embolectomy
surgical removal of an embolus (usually from an artery)
 
embrace
the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)
 
embryonic stem-cell research
biological research on stem cells derived from embryos and on their use in medicine
 
EMDA
therapy that uses a local electric current to introduce the ions of a medicine into the tissues
 
emendation
a correction by emending; a correction resulting from critical editing
 
emergence
the act of emerging
 
emergency landing
an unscheduled airplane landing that is made under circumstances (engine failure or adverse weather) not under the pilot's control
 
emergency procedure
(medicine) a procedure adopted to meet an emergency (especially a medical emergency)
 
emigration
migration from a place (especially migration from your native country in order to settle in another)
 
emirate
the office of an emir
 
empiricism
the application of empirical methods in any art or science
 
empiricism
medical practice and advice based on observation and experience in ignorance of scientific findings
 
emplacement
the act of putting something in a certain place
 
employee-owned business
a commercial enterprise owned by the people who work for it
 
employment
the act of giving someone a job
 
employment
the act of using
 
employment
the occupation for which you are paid
 
emptying
the act of removing the contents of something
 
emulation
effort to equal or surpass another
 
en passant
(chess) a chess pawn that is moved two squares can be captured by an opponent's pawn commanding the square that was passed
 
enactment
the passing of a law by a legislative body
 
encasement
the act of enclosing something in a case
 
encephalography
roentgenography of the brain after spinal fluid has been replaced by a gas (usually oxygen); produces an encephalogram
 
enclosing
the act of enclosing something inside something else
 
encoding
the activity of converting data or information into code
 
encore
an extra or repeated performance; usually given in response to audience demand
 
encroachment
influencing strongly
 
encroachment
entry to another's property without right or permission
 
end
(American football) a position on the line of scrimmage
 
end
the part you are expected to play
 
end run
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line
 
endarterectomy
surgical removal of the inner lining of an artery that is clogged with atherosclerosis
 
endearment
the act of showing affection
 
endeavor
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
 
endorsement
the act of endorsing
 
endoscopy
visual examination of the interior of a hollow body organ by use of an endoscope
 
endowment
the act of endowing with a permanent source of income
 
endurance contest
any long and arduous undertaking
 
endurance riding
riding for long hours over long distances
 
enervation
surgical removal of a nerve
 
enfilade
gunfire directed along the length rather than the breadth of a formation
 
enfolding
the action of enfolding something
 
enforcement
the act of enforcing; ensuring observance of or obedience to
 
engagement
the act of sharing in the activities of a group
 
engineering
the practical application of technical and scientific knowledge to commerce or industry
 
English Civil War
civil war in England between the Parliamentarians and the Royalists under Charles I; 1644-1648
 
engorgement
eating ravenously or voraciously to satiation
 
engraving
making engraved or etched plates and printing designs from them
 
enhancement
an improvement that makes something more agreeable
 
Eniwetok
World War II (February 1944); American infantry landed and captured a Japanese stronghold
 
enlargement
the act of increasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope
 
enlisting
the act of getting recruits; enlisting people for the army (or for a job or a cause etc.)
 
enlistment
the act of enlisting (as in a military service)
 
ennoblement
the act of raising someone to the nobility
 
enormity
an act of extreme wickedness
 
enquiry
a systematic investigation of a matter of public interest
 
enrichment
act of making fuller or more meaningful or rewarding
 
enrollment
the act of enrolling
 
enslavement
the act of making slaves of your captives
 
entail
the act of entailing property; the creation of a fee tail from a fee simple
 
entering
the act of entering
 
enterostomy
surgical operation that creates a permanent opening through the abdominal wall into the intestine
 
enticement
the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire
 
entr'acte
a brief show (music or dance etc) inserted between the sections of a longer performance
 
entrapment
a defense that claims the defendant would not have broken the law if not tricked into doing it by law enforcement officials
 
entree
an entrance, especially a theatrical entrance onto a stage or as if onto a stage
 
enucleation
surgical removal of something without cutting into it
 
environmentalism
the activity of protecting the environment from pollution or destruction
 
envy
spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins)
 
epidural injection
injection of an anesthetic substance into the epidural space of the spinal cord in order to produce epidural anesthesia
 
epikeratophakia
using a piece of donated corneal tissue to repair the eye of someone who has had a cataract removed
 
episiotomy
surgical incision of the perineum to enlarge the vagina and so facilitate delivery during childbirth
 
equal temperament
the division of the scale based on an octave that is divided into twelve exactly equal semitones
 
equalisation
the act of making equal or uniform
 
equalizer
a score that makes the match even
 
equating
the act of regarding as equal
 
equestrian sport
a sport that tests horsemanship
 
equilibration
stabilization by bringing into equilibrium
 
equitation
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
 
equivocation
falsification by means of vague or ambiguous language
 
erasure
deletion by an act of expunging or erasing
 
erecting
the act of building or putting up
 
ergotropism
an affinity for work
 
erotica
creative activity (writing or pictures or films etc.) of no literary or artistic value other than to stimulate sexual desire
 
errand
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
 
error
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
 
error
(baseball) a failure of a defensive player to make an out when normal play would have sufficed
 
escalade
an act of scaling by the use of ladders (especially the walls of a fortification)
 
escalation
an increase to counteract a perceived discrepancy
 
escapade
any carefree episode
 
escape
a means or way of escaping
 
escape
an avoidance of danger or difficulty
 
escape mechanism
a form of behavior that evades unpleasant realities
 
escape
an inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy
 
escape
the act of escaping physically
 
ESM
electronic warfare undertaken under direct control of an operational commander to locate sources of radiated electromagnetic energy for the purpose of immediate threat recognition
 
espionage
the systematic use of spies to get military or political secrets
 
ESR
microwave spectroscopy in which there is resonant absorption of radiation by a paramagnet
 
essay
a tentative attempt
 
estimate
a judgment of the qualities of something or somebody
 
ethnic cleansing
the mass expulsion and killing of one ethnic or religious group in an area by another ethnic or religious group in that area
 
etiolation
the act of weakening by stunting the growth or development of something
 
etiolation
(botany) the act of causing a plant to develop without chlorophyll by growing it without exposure to sunlight
 
euchre
a card game similar to ecarte; each player is dealt 5 cards and the player making trump must take 3 tricks to win a hand
 
eupnea
normal relaxed breathing
 
eurhythmics
the interpretation in harmonious bodily movements of the rhythm of musical compositions; used to teach musical understanding
 
euthanasia
the act of killing someone painlessly (especially someone suffering from an incurable illness)
 
evacuation
the act of evacuating; leaving a place in an orderly fashion; especially for protection
 
evaluation
act of ascertaining or fixing the value or worth of
 
evasion
the act of physically escaping from something (an opponent or a pursuer or an unpleasant situation) by some adroit maneuver
 
evasion
the deliberate act of failing to pay money
 
evasive action
an action aimed at evading an opponent
 
eversion
the act of turning inside out
 
evil eye
a look that is believed to have the power of inflicting harm
 
evil
morally objectionable behavior
 
evildoing
the act of transgressing; the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
 
evisceration
surgical removal of an organ (or the contents of an organ) from a patient
 
evisceration
altering something (as a legislative act or a statement) in such a manner as to reduce its value
 
EW
military action involving the use of electromagnetic energy to determine or exploit or reduce or prevent hostile use of the electromagnetic spectrum
 
exacerbation
violent and bitter exasperation
 
exacta
a bet that you can pick the first and second finishers in the right order
 
exaction
act of demanding or levying by force or authority
 
exaggeration
the act of making something more noticeable than usual
 
examination
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
 
examination
the act of giving students or candidates a test (as by questions) to determine what they know or have learned
 
example
a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding
 
exasperation
actions that cause great irritation (or even anger)
 
excavation
the act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth
 
excess
excessive indulgence
 
exchange
the act of giving something in return for something received
 
exchange
(chess) the capture by both players (usually on consecutive moves) of pieces of equal value
 
exchange
(chess) gaining (or losing) a rook in return for a knight or bishop
 
exchange transfusion
slow removal of a person's blood and its replacement with equal amounts of a donor's blood
 
exchange
reciprocal transfer of equivalent sums of money (especially the currencies of different countries)
 
exchange
the act of changing one thing for another thing
 
exchange
(sports) an unbroken sequence of several successive strokes
 
excision
the act of banishing a member of a church from the communion of believers and the privileges of the church; cutting a person off from a religious society
 
excitation
something that agitates and arouses
 
exculpation
the act of freeing from guilt or blame
 
excursion
a journey taken for pleasure
 
execution
unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being
 
exemption
an act exempting someone
 
exenteration
surgical removal of the organs within a body cavity (as those of the pelvis)
 
exercise
an action, often used negatively and without consequences
 
exercise set
several exercises intended to be done in series
 
exercise
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
 
exfiltration operation
a clandestine rescue operation to bring a defector or refugee or an operative and family out of danger
 
exhaustion
the act of exhausting something entirely
 
exhibition
the act of exhibiting
 
exhibition game
a game whose outcome is not recorded in the season's standing
 
exhibitionism
the perverse act of exposing and attracting attention to your own genitals
 
exit
the act of going out
 
exodus
a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment
 
exoneration
the act of vindicating or defending against criticism or censure etc.
 
expanding upon
adding information or detail
 
expectoration
the act of spitting (forcefully expelling saliva)
 
expedient
a means to an end; not necessarily a principled or ethical one
 
expedition
a journey organized for a particular purpose
 
expedition
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
 
expending
the act of spending money for goods or services
 
experiment
a venture at something new or different
 
experiment
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
 
experimental procedure
the specific techniques used in conducting a particular experiment
 
exploitation
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
 
exploration
a careful systematic search
 
exploration
to travel for the purpose of discovery
 
exploratory survey
exploring in order to gain information
 
explosion
a golf shot from a bunker that typically moves sand as well as the golf ball
 
exponentiation
the process of raising a quantity to some assigned power
 
exportation
the commercial activity of selling and shipping goods to a foreign country
 
exposure
the act of exposing film to light
 
exposure
presentation to view in an open or public manner
 
exposure
the act of subjecting someone to an influencing experience
 
exposure
abandoning without shelter or protection (as by leaving an infant out in the open)
 
exposure therapy
a form of behavior therapy in which a survivor confronts feelings or phobias or anxieties about a traumatic event and relives it in the therapy situation
 
express
rapid transport of goods
 
expression
the act of forcing something out by squeezing or pressing
 
expropriation
taking out of an owner's hands (especially taking property by public authority)
 
expulsion
squeezing out by applying pressure
 
extemporisation
a performance given extempore without planning or preparation
 
extension
act of expanding in scope; making more widely available
 
extension
act of stretching or straightening out a flexed limb
 
extension course
a course offered as part of an extension service
 
extension
an educational opportunity provided by colleges and universities to people who are not enrolled as regular students
 
extenuation
to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious
 
exteriorisation
embodying in an outward form
 
extermination
the act of exterminating
 
extinction
the act of extinguishing; causing to stop burning
 
extortion
the felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence)
 
extortion
unjust exaction (as by the misuse of authority)
 
extra point
in American football a point awarded for a successful place kick following a touchdown
 
extracapsular surgery
cataract surgery in which only the front of the lens is removed; the back of the lens capsule remains intact and provides support for the lens implant
 
extraction
the action of taking out something (especially using effort or force)
 
extracurricular activity
educational activities not falling within the scope of the regular curriculum
 
extradition
the surrender of an accused or convicted person by one state or country to another (usually under the provisions of a statute or treaty)
 
extramarital sex
sexual intercourse between individuals who are not married to one another
 
extravagance
excessive spending
 
extravaganza
any lavishly staged or spectacular entertainment
 
eye contact
contact that occurs when two people look directly at each other
 
eye movement
the movement of the eyes
 
eye operation
any surgical procedure involving the eyes
 
eye-beaming
a radiant glance of the eye
 
eyedrop
a method of irrigating the eye used by ophthalmologists
 
eyeful
a full view; a good look
 
fabrication
writing in a fictional form
 
fabrication
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
 
fabrication
the act of making something (a product) from raw materials
 
face lift
a renovation that improves the outward appearance (as of a building) but usually does not involve major changes
 
face saver
an act that avoids a loss of face (of dignity or prestige)
 
face-off
(ice hockey) the method of starting play; a referee drops the puck between two opposing players
 
facial
care for the face that usually involves cleansing and massage and the application of cosmetic creams
 
facilitation
act of assisting or making easier the progress or improvement of something
 
facility
something designed and created to serve a particular function and to afford a particular convenience or service
 
facility
a service that an organization or a piece of equipment offers you
 
facing
providing something with a surface of a different material
 
fade
a golf shot that curves to the right for a right-handed golfer
 
failing
failure to reach a minimum required performance
 
failure
an unexpected omission
 
failure
an act that fails
 
fair ball
(baseball) a ball struck with the bat so that it stays between the lines (the foul lines) that define the width of the playing field
 
fair catch
(American football) a catch of a punt on the fly by a defensive player who has signalled that he will not run and so should not be tackled
 
fair hearing
a hearing that is granted in extraordinary situations where the normal judicial process would be inadequate to secure due process because the person would be harmed or denied their rights before a judicial remedy became available (as in deportation or loss of welfare benefits)
 
fair trade
trade that is conducted legally
 
fair trade
trade that satisfies certain criteria on the supply chain of the goods involved, usually including fair payment for producers; often with other social and environmental considerations
 
faith
loyalty or allegiance to a cause or a person
 
faith cure
care provided through prayer and faith in God
 
fake
(football) a deceptive move made by a football player
 
fakery
the act of faking (or the product of faking)
 
fall
a lapse into sin; a loss of innocence or of chastity
 
fall
a sudden drop from an upright position
 
false imprisonment
(law) confinement without legal authority
 
false pretence
(law) an offense involving intent to defraud and false representation and obtaining property as a result of that misrepresentation
 
false verdict
a manifestly unjust verdict; not true to the evidence
 
falsehood
the act of rendering something false as by fraudulent changes (of documents or measures etc.) or counterfeiting
 
falsification
a willful perversion of facts
 
falter
the act of pausing uncertainly
 
familiarity
an act of undue intimacy
 
family medicine
medical practice that provides health care regardless of age or sex while placing emphasis on the family unit
 
family therapy
any of several therapeutic approaches in which a family is treated as a whole
 
fan dance
a solo dance in which large fans are manipulated to suggest or reveal nakedness
 
fan tan
a Chinese gambling game; a random number of counters are placed under a bowl and you gamble on how many will be left (0, 1, 2, or 3 modulo 4)
 
fandango
a provocative Spanish courtship dance in triple time; performed by a man and a woman playing castanets
 
fantan
a card game in which you play your sevens and other cards in sequence in the same suit as the sevens; you win if you are the first to use all your cards
 
farandole
a lively dance from Provence; all the dancers join hands and execute various figures
 
fare-stage
a section along the route of a bus for which the fare is the same
 
farewell
the act of departing politely
 
farming
agriculture considered as an occupation or way of life
 
faro
a card game in which players bet against the dealer on the cards he will draw from a dealing box
 
fartlek
a method of athletic training (especially for runners) in which strenuous effort and normal effort alternate in a continuous exercise
 
fashion
characteristic or habitual practice
 
fast break
(basketball) a rapid dash to get a shot as soon as possible after taking possession of the ball
 
fast one
a cunning or deceitful action or device
 
fast track
a rapid means of achieving a goal
 
fast
abstaining from food
 
Fat Tuesday
a carnival held in some countries on Shrove Tuesday (the last day before Lent) but especially in New Orleans
 
fatherhood
the status of a father
 
fatherhood
the status of a religious leader
 
fatigue
labor of a nonmilitary kind done by soldiers (cleaning or digging or draining or so on)
 
fatism
discrimination against people who are overweight
 
fatwa
a ruling on a point of Islamic law that is given by a recognized authority
 
fault
(sports) a serve that is illegal (e.g., that lands outside the prescribed area)
 
faux pas
a socially awkward or tactless act
 
favor
an act of gracious kindness
 
feather
turning an oar parallel to the water between pulls
 
featherbedding
the practice (usually by a labor union) of requiring an employer to hire more workers than are required
 
February Revolution
the revolution against the czarist government which led to the abdication of Nicholas II and the creation of a provisional government in March 1917
 
federalisation
the act of being put under federal control
 
federation
the act of constituting a political unity out of a number of separate states or colonies or provinces so that each member retains the management of its internal affairs
 
fee splitting
payment (usually by doctors or lawyers) of part of the fee in return for the referral
 
feel
manual stimulation of the genital area for sexual pleasure
 
feigning
the act of giving a false appearance
 
feint
any distracting or deceptive maneuver (as a mock attack)
 
fell
the act of felling something (as a tree)
 
fellatio
oral stimulation of the penis
 
felo-de-se
an act of deliberate self destruction
 
felony
a serious crime (such as murder or arson)
 
feminism
the movement aimed at equal rights for women
 
fencing
the art or sport of fighting with swords (especially the use of foils or epees or sabres to score points under a set of rules)
 
fenestration
surgical procedure that creates a new fenestra to the cochlea in order to restore hearing lost because of osteosclerosis
 
feria
(in Spanish speaking regions) a local festival or fair, usually in honor of some patron saint
 
ferry
transport by boat or aircraft
 
festival
an organized series of acts and performances (usually in one place)
 
fetal movement
motion of a fetus within the uterus (usually detected by the 16th week of pregnancy)
 
fetch
the action of fetching
 
fetich
excessive or irrational devotion to some activity
 
fetichism
sexual arousal or gratification resulting from handling a fetish (or a specific part of the body other than the sexual organs)
 
fetometry
measurement of a fetus (especially the diameter of the head)
 
fetoscopy
prenatal diagnosis that allows direct observation of a fetus in the uterus and the withdrawal of fetal blood
 
feud
a bitter quarrel between two parties
 
feudal lordship
the position and authority of a feudal lord
 
fibbing
a trivial act of lying or being deliberately unclear
 
fibrillation
act or process of forming fibrils
 
fiduciary duty
the legal duty of a fiduciary to act in the best interests of the beneficiary
 
field game
an outdoor game played on a field of specified dimensions
 
field general
(American football) the position of the football player in the backfield who directs the offensive play of his team
 
field goal
a score in American football; a score made by kicking the ball between the opponents' goal posts
 
field hockey
a game resembling ice hockey that is played on an open field; two opposing teams use curved hockey sticks try to drive a ball into the opponents' net
 
field press censorship
security review of news (including all information or material intended for dissemination to the public) subject to the jurisdiction of the armed forces
 
field sport
a sport that is played outdoors
 
field trial
a test of young hunting dogs to determine their skill in pointing and retrieving
 
field trip
a group excursion (to a museum or the woods or some historic place) for firsthand examination
 
field work
an investigation carried out in the field rather than in a laboratory or headquarters
 
field
a particular kind of commercial enterprise
 
fielder's choice
a play made on a ground ball in which the fielder chooses to put out an advancing runner instead of the batter
 
fielding
(baseball) handling the ball while playing in the field
 
FIFO
inventory accounting in which the oldest items (those first acquired) are assumed to be the first sold
 
Fifth Crusade
a Crusade under papal control from 1218 to 1221 that achieved military victories but failed when dissension arose over accepting the terms they had been offered
 
fight
a boxing or wrestling match
 
figuration
decorating with a design
 
figuration
representing figuratively as by emblem or allegory
 
figure
a predetermined set of movements in dancing or skating
 
figure eight
a skating figure that carves an 8 in the ice
 
figure skating
ice skating where the skates trace outlines of selected figures
 
filial duty
duty of a child to its parents
 
filibuster
(law) a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches
 
filicide
the murder of your own son or daughter
 
filing
the act of using a file (as in shaping or smoothing an object)
 
filing
preservation and methodical arrangement as of documents and papers etc.
 
filling
the act of filling something
 
film festival
a cinematic festival that features films (usually films produced during the past year)
 
film making
the production of movies
 
filtration
the act of changing a fluid by passing it through a filter
 
filtration surgery
eye surgery that opens a passage allowing excess aqueous humor to drain into surrounding tissues; a treatment for glaucoma
 
final decision
a judgment disposing of the case before the court; after the judgment (or an appeal from it) is rendered all that remains is to enforce the judgment
 
finalisation
the act of finalizing
 
finance
the commercial activity of providing funds and capital
 
finance
the management of money and credit and banking and investments
 
financial audit
an attestation that the client's financial statement is accurate
 
financing
the act of financing
 
finding
the decision of a court on issues of fact or law
 
finding of fact
(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment
 
fine-tooth comb
a method of examining in minute detail
 
finger-painting
painting by using the fingers to spread the paint
 
finger-roll
a basketball shot that rolls off the tips of the fingers into the basket
 
fingering
touching something with the fingers
 
fingering
the placement of the fingers for playing different notes (or sequences of notes) on a musical instrument
 
fingerprinting
the procedure of taking inked impressions of a person's fingerprints for the purpose of identification
 
finish
the act of finishing
 
fire control
preparation for the delivery of shellfire on a target
 
fire drill
an exercise intended to train people in duties and escape procedures to be followed in case of fire
 
fire sale
a sale of merchandise supposedly damaged by fire
 
fire sale
a sale of assets at very low prices typically when the seller faces bankruptcy
 
fire watching
(during World War II in Britain) watching for fires started by bombs that dropped from the sky
 
fire
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
 
fire-worship
the worship of fire
 
fireman
play in which children pretend to put out a fire
 
fireman's carry
the act of carrying a person over your shoulder
 
firewall
(colloquial) the application of maximum thrust
 
firing
the act of setting something on fire
 
first aid
emergency care given before regular medical aid can be obtained
 
first base
the initial stage in accomplishing something
 
first battle of Ypres
battle in World War I (1914); heavy but indecisive fighting as the Allies and the Germans both tried to break through the lines of the others
 
First Crusade
a Crusade from 1096 to 1099; captured Jerusalem and created a theocracy there
 
first step
the first of a series of actions
 
first strike
the initial use of nuclear weapons to attack a country that also has nuclear weapons; considered feasible only when the attacker can destroy the other country's ability to retaliate
 
First World War
a war between the allies (Russia, France, British Empire, Italy, United States, Japan, Rumania, Serbia, Belgium, Greece, Portugal, Montenegro) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria) from 1914 to 1918
 
first
the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed at first of the bases in the infield (counting counterclockwise from home plate)
 
fish-worship
the worship of fish
 
fishing
the occupation of catching fish for a living
 
fishing
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
 
fistfight
a fight with bare fists
 
fits and starts
repeated bursts of activity
 
fitting
putting clothes on to see whether they fit
 
fives
a game resembling handball; played on a court with a front wall and two side walls
 
fix
something craved, especially an intravenous injection of a narcotic drug
 
fix
an exemption granted after influence (e.g., money) is brought to bear
 
fix
the act of putting something in working order again
 
fix
a determination of the place where something is
 
fixation
the activity of fastening something firmly in position
 
fixation
(histology) the preservation and hardening of a tissue sample to retain as nearly as possible the same relations they had in the living body
 
fixed intonation
the intonation of keyboard instruments where the pitch of each note is fixed and cannot be varied by the performer
 
flagellation
beating as a source of erotic or religious stimulation
 
flagellation
beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment
 
flamenco
a style of dancing characteristic of the Andalusian Gypsies; vigorous and rhythmic with clapping and stamping of feet
 
flare
(baseball) a fly ball hit a short distance into the outfield
 
flare
a short forward pass to a back who is running toward the sidelines
 
flash butt welding
butt welding by creating an electric arc between the two pieces which melts and joins them; used for joining segments of metal pipe
 
flex
the act of flexing
 
flexible sigmoidoscopy
visual examination (with a sigmoidoscope) of the lower third of the colon in a search for polyps
 
flexion
act of bending a joint; especially a joint between the bones of a limb so that the angle between them is decreased
 
flicker
the act of moving back and forth
 
flight
a scheduled trip by plane between designated airports
 
flight control
control from ground stations of airplanes in flight by means of messages transmitted to the pilot electronically
 
flight
an instance of traveling by air
 
flinch
a reflex response to sudden pain
 
fling
the act of flinging
 
fling
a brief indulgence of your impulses
 
flip
a dive in which the diver somersaults before entering the water
 
flip
a sudden, quick movement
 
flip
(sports) the act of throwing the ball to another member of your team
 
flip
an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return
 
flip
the act of flipping a coin
 
flip-flop
a backward somersault
 
flit
a secret move (to avoid paying debts)
 
floatation
financing a commercial enterprise by bond or stock shares
 
floating
the act of someone who floats on the water
 
flood control
(engineering) the art or technique of trying to control rivers with dams etc in order to minimize the occurrence of floods
 
flood
the act of flooding; filling to overflowing
 
flood
a large flow
 
flooding
a technique used in behavior therapy; client is flooded with experiences of a particular kind until becoming either averse to them or numbed to them
 
floriculture
the cultivation of flowering plants
 
flounce
the act of walking with exaggerated jerky motions
 
flow
the act of flowing or streaming; continuous progression
 
fluff
a blunder (especially an actor's forgetting the lines)
 
fluorescence microscopy
light microscopy in which the specimen is irradiated at wavelengths that excite fluorochromes
 
fluoridation
the addition of a fluoride to the water supply (to prevent dental decay)
 
fluoroscopy
examination of body structures using a fluoroscope
 
flutter kick
a swimming kick; the legs are moved rapidly up and down without bending the knees
 
flux
in constant change
 
fly casting
casting an artificial fly as a lure
 
fly
(baseball) a hit that flies up in the air
 
fly-by
a flight at a low altitude (usually of military aircraft) over spectators on the ground
 
fly-fishing
angling with an artificial fly as a lure
 
flying colors
complete success
 
flying mare
a wrestling maneuver
 
flying visit
a visit that last for only a very short time
 
fMRI
a form of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain that registers blood flow to functioning areas of the brain
 
focalisation
the act of bringing into focus
 
foiling
an act of hindering someone's plans or efforts
 
fold
the act of folding
 
foliation
the production of foil by cutting or beating metal into thin leaves
 
foliation
the work of coating glass with metal foil
 
folk dance
a style of dancing that originated among ordinary people (not in the royal courts)
 
follow-on
an immediate second innings forced on a cricket team scoring a prescribed number of runs fewer than its opponents in the first innings
 
follow-through
carrying some project or intention to full completion
 
follow-through
the act of carrying a stroke to its natural completion
 
followup
an activity that continues something that has already begun or that repeats something that has already been done
 
followup
a subsequent examination of a patient for the purpose of monitoring earlier treatment
 
fomentation
application of warm wet coverings to a part of the body to relieve pain and inflammation
 
fomentation
deliberate and intentional triggering (of trouble or discord)
 
fool's errand
a fruitless mission
 
foot
travel by walking
 
football play
(American football) a play by the offensive team
 
football score
the score in a football game
 
football
any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal
 
footfault
a fault that occurs when the server in tennis fails to keep both feet behind the baseline
 
footstep
the act of taking a step in walking
 
footwork
skillful maneuvering or dealing
 
footwork
the manner of using the feet
 
forage
the act of searching for food and provisions
 
foray
an initial attempt (especially outside your usual areas of competence)
 
foray
a sudden short attack
 
forbearance
a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges; refraining from acting
 
forbiddance
the action of prohibiting or inhibiting or forbidding (or an instance thereof)
 
force
a putout of a base runner who is required to run; the putout is accomplished by holding the ball while touching the base to which the runner must advance before the runner reaches that base
 
force
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
 
forced feeding
feeding that consists of the delivery of a nutrient solution (as through a nasal tube) to someone who cannot or will not eat
 
forceps delivery
delivery in which forceps are inserted through the vagina and used to grasp the head of the fetus and pull it through the birth canal; since the forceps can injure the fetus this procedure has generally given way to cesarean deliveries
 
ford
the act of crossing a stream or river by wading or in a car or on a horse
 
foreclosure
the legal proceedings initiated by a creditor to repossess the collateral for loan that is in default
 
forehand drive
(sports) hard straight return made on the forehand side (as in tennis or badminton or squash)
 
forehand
(sports) a return made with the palm of the hand facing the direction of the stroke (as in tennis or badminton or squash)
 
foreign direct investment
a joint venture between a foreign company and a United States company
 
foreign direct investment
investing in United States businesses by foreign citizens (often involves stock ownership of the business)
 
foremanship
the position of foreman
 
forensics
scientific tests or techniques used in the investigation of crimes
 
forestalling
the act of preventing something by anticipating and disposing of it effectively
 
forfeit
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
 
forgery
criminal falsification by making or altering an instrument with intent to defraud
 
forging
shaping metal by heating and hammering
 
forgiveness
the act of excusing a mistake or offense
 
forgoing
the act of renouncing; sacrificing or giving up or surrendering (a possession or right or title or privilege etc.)
 
forlorn hope
a hopeless or desperate enterprise
 
formalisation
the act of making formal (as by stating formal rules governing classes of expressions)
 
formalism
the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms
 
formality
compliance with formal rules
 
formation
creation by mental activity
 
formation
the act of fabricating something in a particular shape
 
fornication
voluntary sexual intercourse between persons not married to each other
 
forsaking
the act of forsaking
 
Fort Ticonderoga
a pitched battle in which American revolutionary troops captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775
 
fortification
the addition of an ingredient for the purpose of enrichment (as the addition of alcohol to wine or the addition of vitamins to food)
 
forward
a position on a basketball, soccer, or hockey team
 
forwarding
the act of sending on to another destination
 
forwarding
the advancement of some enterprise
 
Fosbury flop
jumping over the bar backwards and head first
 
fossilisation
becoming inflexible or out of date
 
foster care
supervised care for delinquent or neglected children usually in an institution or substitute home
 
foul
an act that violates the rules of a sport
 
foul ball
(baseball) a ball struck with the bat so that it does not stay between the lines (the foul lines) that define the width of the playing field
 
foul play
unfair or dishonest behavior (especially involving violence)
 
four-card monte
a gambling card game of Spanish origin; 3 or 4 cards are dealt face up and players bet that one of them will be matched before the others as the cards are dealt from the pack one at a time
 
Fourth Crusade
a Crusade from 1202 to 1204 that was diverted into a battle for Constantinople and failed to recapture Jerusalem
 
fox hunting
mounted hunters follow hounds in pursuit of a fox
 
foxtrot
a ballroom dance in quadruple time; combines short and long and fast and slow steps fixed sequences
 
fractionation
separation into portions
 
frame
one of the ten divisions into which bowling is divided
 
frame-up
an act that incriminates someone on a false charge
 
framing
formulation of the plans and important details
 
Franco-Prussian War
a war between France and Prussia that ended the Second Empire in France and led to the founding of modern Germany; 1870-1871
 
frank breech
position of a fetus in which the buttocks are present at the maternal pelvic outlet
 
fraternisation
associating with others in a brotherly or friendly way; especially with an enemy
 
fratricide
the murder of your sibling
 
fratricide
fire that injures or kills an ally
 
fraud
intentional deception resulting in injury to another person
 
fraud in fact
actual deceit; concealing something or making a false representation with an evil intent to cause injury to another
 
fraud in law
fraud that is presumed from the circumstances although the one who commits it need not have had any evil intent
 
fraud in the factum
fraud that arises from a disparity between the instrument intended to be executed and the instrument actually executed; e.g., leading someone to sign the wrong contract
 
fraud in the inducement
fraud which intentionally causes a person to execute an instrument or make an agreement or render a judgment; e.g., misleading someone about the true facts
 
fraudulent scheme
an illegal enterprise (such as extortion or fraud or drug peddling or prostitution) carried on for profit
 
free kick
(soccer) a place kick that is allowed for a foul or infringement by the other team
 
free time
time that is free from duties or responsibilities
 
free trade
international trade free of government interference
 
freeing
the act of liberating someone or something
 
freeze
fixing (of prices or wages etc) at a particular level
 
freeze
an interruption or temporary suspension of progress or movement
 
freight
transporting goods commercially at rates cheaper than express rates
 
French and Indian War
a war in North America between France and Britain (both aided by American Indian tribes); 1755-1760
 
French kiss
an openmouthed kiss in which your tongue is inserted into the other's mouth
 
French leave
an abrupt and unannounced departure (without saying farewell)
 
French lesson
instruction in the French language
 
French Revolution
the revolution in France against the Bourbons; 1789-1799
 
fresco
a durable method of painting on a wall by using watercolors on wet plaster
 
Freudian slip
a slip-up that (according to Sigmund Freud) results from the operation of unconscious wishes or conflicts and can reveal unconscious processes in normal healthy individuals
 
friendly takeover
a takeover that is welcomed by the management of the target company
 
frightening
the act of inspiring with fear
 
frisk
the act of searching someone for concealed weapons or illegal drugs
 
frog kick
a swimming kick; knees are drawn upward and outward so the legs can be brought together when fully extended
 
front-porch campaign
a campaign in which the candidate makes speeches but does not travel
 
frontal lobotomy
surgical interruption of nerve tracts to and from the frontal lobe of the brain; often results in marked cognitive and personality changes
 
frottage
masturbation by rubbing against another person (as in a crowd)
 
fruition
something that is made real or concrete
 
frying
cooking in fat or oil in a pan or griddle
 
fueling
the activity of supplying or taking on fuel
 
fulfillment
the act of consummating something (a desire or promise etc)
 
full gainer
a dive in which the diver throws the feet forward to complete a full backward somersault and enters the water feet first and facing away from the diving board
 
full nelson
a wrestling hold in which the holder puts both arms under the opponent's arms and exerts pressure on the back of the neck (illegal in amateur wrestling)
 
fullback
(American football) an offensive position in the backfield
 
fulmination
the act of exploding with noise and violence
 
fumble
(sports) dropping the ball
 
fumigation
the application of a gas or smoke to something for the purpose of disinfecting it
 
fun
violent and excited activity
 
fun
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
 
funambulism
walking on a tightrope or slack rope
 
function
the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group
 
fund-raising campaign
a campaign to raise money for some cause
 
fundamental analysis
(stock exchange) the use of fundamentals as an investment strategy
 
furnishing
the act of providing a house or room with furniture and other removable items such as shelves, carpets, appliances, etc.
 
furor
a sudden outburst (as of protest)
 
fusion
the act of fusing (or melting) together
 
fusion cooking
cooking that combines ingredients and techniques and seasonings from different cuisines
 
fusion
correction of an unstable part of the spine by joining two or more vertebrae; usually done surgically but sometimes done by traction or immobilization
 
G-Jo
treatment of symptoms by applying pressure with the fingers to specific pressure points on the body
 
gag reflex
normal reflex consisting of retching; may be produced by touching the soft palate in the back of the mouth
 
gait
a person's manner of walking
 
gait
a horse's manner of moving
 
gallantry
polite attentiveness to women
 
gallop
a fast gait of a horse; a two-beat stride during which all four legs are off the ground simultaneously
 
galvanisation
either the work of covering with metal by the use of a galvanic current or the coating of iron with zinc to protect it from rusting
 
galvanisation
stimulation that arouses a person to lively action
 
gambit
a chess move early in the game in which the player sacrifices minor pieces in order to obtain an advantageous position
 
gambit
a maneuver in a game or conversation
 
gamble
a risky act or venture
 
gambling game
a game that involves gambling
 
gambling
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
 
game
an amusement or pastime
 
game
a contest with rules to determine a winner
 
game
a single play of a sport or other contest
 
game
frivolous or trifling behavior
 
gang fight
a fight between rival gangs of adolescents
 
gantlet
a form of punishment in which a person is forced to run between two lines of men facing each other and armed with clubs or whips to beat the victim
 
gape
a stare of amazement (usually with the mouth open)
 
garage sale
an outdoor sale of used personal or household items held on the seller's premises
 
garbage collection
the collection and removal of garbage
 
gardening
the cultivation of plants
 
gash
a strong sweeping cut made with a sharp instrument
 
gasp
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
 
gassing
the deliberate act of poisoning some person or animal with gas
 
gastrectomy
surgical removal of all or part of the stomach
 
gastric lavage
washing out the stomach with sterile water or a saltwater solution; removes blood or poisons
 
gastroenterostomy
surgical creation of an opening between the stomach wall and the small intestines; performed when the normal opening has been eliminated
 
gastrogavage
feeding a nutrient solution into the stomach through a tube through a surgically created opening
 
gastromy
surgical incision into the stomach
 
gastronomy
the art and practice of choosing and preparing and eating good food
 
gastroscopy
visual examination of the stomach by means of a gastroscope inserted through the esophagus
 
gastrostomy
surgical creation of an opening through the abdominal wall into the stomach (as for gastrogavage)
 
gather
the act of gathering something
 
gavotte
an old formal French dance in quadruple time
 
gay lib
the movement aimed at liberating homosexuals from legal or social or economic oppression
 
gayness
a sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with) persons of the same sex
 
gaze
a long fixed look
 
GCA
aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar
 
gender role
the overt expression of attitudes that indicate to others the degree of your maleness or femaleness
 
general election
a national or state election; candidates are chosen in all constituencies
 
general verdict
an ordinary verdict declaring which party prevails without any special findings of fact
 
generalcy
the office and authority of a general
 
generation
the production of heat or electricity
 
generation
the act of producing offspring or multiplying by such production
 
generosity
acting generously
 
genetic fingerprinting
the procedure of analyzing the DNA in samples of a person's body tissue or body fluid for the purpose of identification
 
genetic screening
analyzing a group of people to determine genetic susceptibility to a particular disease
 
genital torture
blunt or penetrating trauma or rape (vaginal or anal)
 
genocide
systematic killing of a racial or cultural group
 
gentrification
the restoration of run-down urban areas by the middle class (resulting in the displacement of low-income residents)
 
geophagia
eating earth, clay, chalk; occurs in some primitive tribes, sometimes in cases of nutritional deficiency or obsessive behavior
 
geotropism
an orienting response to gravity
 
German lesson
instruction in the German language
 
Germanism
a custom that is peculiar to Germany or its citizens
 
gerrymander
an act of gerrymandering (dividing a voting area so as to give your own party an unfair advantage)
 
gesture
motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
 
gesture
something done as an indication of intention
 
get
a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
 
getaway
a rapid escape (as by criminals)
 
getting even
a reciprocal group action
 
ghost dance
a religious dance of Native Americans looking for communication with the dead
 
gift
the act of giving
 
gig
a booking for musicians
 
gin
a form of rummy in which a player can go out if the cards remaining in their hand total less than 10 points
 
gip
(sometimes offensive) an act of swindling or cheating
 
give-and-go
a basketball maneuver; one offensive player passes the ball to another, then runs toward the basket to take a return pass
 
give-and-take
mutual interaction; the activity of reciprocating or exchanging (especially information)
 
giving
disposing of property by voluntary transfer without receiving value in return
 
glamorisation
the act of glamorizing; making something or someone more beautiful (often in a superficial way)
 
glare
an angry stare
 
glide
the activity of flying a glider
 
glissade
(ballet) a gliding or sliding step in ballet
 
glorification
the act of glorifying (as in worship)
 
glorification
a portrayal of something as ideal
 
gluttony
eating to excess (personified as one of the deadly sins)
 
glyptography
carving or engraving (especially on stones)
 
Go Fish
a card game for two players who try to assemble books of cards by asking the opponent for particular cards
 
go
a board game for two players who place counters on a grid; the object is to surround and so capture the opponent's counters
 
go-around
an approach that fails and gives way to another attempt
 
go-slow
a form of protest by workers in which they deliberately slow down in order to cause problem from their employers
 
goal
a successful attempt at scoring
 
goal-kick
(association football) a kick by the defending side after the attacking side sends the ball over the goal-line
 
goal-kick
(rugby) an attempt to kick a goal
 
goalie
the defensive position on an ice hockey or soccer or lacrosse team who stands in front of the goal and tries to prevent opposing players from scoring
 
going ashore
debarkation from a boat or ship
 
going to Jerusalem
a child's game in which players march to music around a group of chairs that contains one chair less than the number of players; when the music abruptly stops the players scramble to sit and the player who does not find a chair is eliminated; then a chair is removed and the march resumes until only the winner is seated
 
going
advancing toward a goal
 
going-out-of-business sale
a sale of all the tangible assets of a business that is about to close
 
going-over
a careful and thorough inspection
 
gold rush
a large migration of people to a newly discovered gold field
 
goldbrick
anything that is supposed to be valuable but turns out to be worthless
 
goldbricking
the evasion of work or duty
 
golden parachute
giving top executives lucrative benefits that must be paid by the acquirer if they are discharged after a takeover
 
golf lesson
a lesson in playing golf
 
golf shot
the act of swinging a golf club at a golf ball and (usually) hitting it
 
golf
a game played on a large open course with 9 or 18 holes; the object is use as few strokes as possible in playing all the holes
 
golfing
playing golf
 
gonioscopy
an examination of the front part of the eye to check the angle where the iris meets the cornea; it is used to distinguish between open-angle glaucoma and closed-angle glaucoma
 
good turn
a favor for someone
 
goose bump
reflex erection of hairs of the skin in response to cold or emotional stress or skin irritation
 
goose step
a manner of marching with legs straight and swinging high
 
gouge
the act of gouging
 
governorship
the office of governor
 
gradation
the act of arranging in grades
 
grading
changing the ground level to a smooth horizontal or gently sloping surface
 
grading
evaluation of performance by assigning a grade or score
 
grading
the act of arranging in a graduated series
 
graduation
the successful completion of a program of study
 
graft
the act of grafting something onto something else
 
Gram's procedure
a staining technique used to classify bacteria; bacteria are stained with gentian violet and then treated with Gram's solution; after being decolorized with alcohol and treated with safranine and washed in water, those that retain the gentian violet are Gram-positive and those that do not retain it are Gram-negative
 
grammatolatry
the worship of words
 
grand circle
a gymnastic exercise performed on the horizontal bar by swinging around it with the body fully extended
 
grand larceny
larceny of property having a value greater than some amount (the amount varies by locale)
 
grand tour
a sightseeing tour of a building or institution
 
grand tour
an extended cultural tour of Europe taken by wealthy young Englishmen (especially in the 18th century) as part of their education
 
grant
the act of providing a subsidy
 
grant-in-aid
a grant from a central government to a local government
 
granulation
the act of forming something into granules or grains
 
grapple
the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat
 
grappling
the sport of hand-to-hand struggle between unarmed contestants who try to throw each other down
 
grasping
the act of gripping something firmly with the hands (or the tentacles)
 
gratification
the act or an instance of satisfying
 
gravimetric analysis
quantitative analysis by weight
 
gravimetry
the measurement of specific gravity
 
gravure
the act of intaglio printing
 
gray market
an unofficial market in which goods are bought and sold at prices lower than the official price set by a regulatory agency
 
graze
the act of grazing
 
grazing fire
fire approximately parallel to the ground; the center of the cone of fire does rise above 1 meter from the ground
 
grazing
the act of brushing against while passing
 
great care
more attention and consideration than is normally bestowed by prudent persons
 
Greco-Roman wrestling
a style of wrestling where the wrestlers are forbidden to tackle or trip or use holds below the waist
 
greenmail
(corporation) the practice of purchasing enough shares in a firm to threaten a takeover and thereby forcing the owners to buy those shares back at a premium in order to stay in business
 
greyhound racing
the sport of racing greyhounds
 
grind
the act of grinding to a powder or dust
 
grooming
activity leading to skilled behavior
 
groove
a settled and monotonous routine that is hard to escape
 
grooving
the cutting of spiral grooves on the inside of the barrel of a firearm
 
grope
the act of groping; and instance of groping
 
ground attack
an attack by ground troops
 
ground ball
(baseball) a hit that travels along the ground
 
ground stroke
a tennis return made by hitting the ball after it has bounced once
 
groundbreaking
the ceremonial breaking of the ground to formally begin a construction project
 
groundwork
preliminary preparation as a basis or foundation
 
group action
action taken by a group of people
 
group participation
participation by all members of a group
 
group practice
(medicine) the practice of medicine by a group of physicians who share their premises and other resources
 
group psychotherapy
psychotherapy in which a small group of individuals meet with a therapist; interactions among the members are considered to be therapeutic
 
grouping
the activity of putting things together in groups
 
guard
(American football) a position on the line of scrimmage
 
guard
a position on a basketball team
 
guard
the duty of serving as a sentry
 
guard
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
 
guardianship
the responsibility of a guardian or keeper
 
guerrilla theater
dramatization of a social issue; enacted outside in a park or on the street
 
guessing game
a game in which participants compete to identify some obscurely indicated thing
 
guidance
the act of guiding or showing the way
 
gulp
a spasmodic reflex of the throat made as if in swallowing
 
gulping
the drinking of large mouthfuls rapidly
 
gumming
ineffectual chewing (as if without teeth)
 
gun
the discharge of a firearm as signal or as a salute in military ceremonies
 
gun control
efforts to regulate or control sales of guns
 
gunfight
a fight involving shooting small arms with the intent to kill or frighten
 
gunfire
the act of shooting a gun
 
gunrunning
the smuggling of guns and ammunition into a country secretly and illegally
 
gymnastic exercise
(gymnastics) an exercise designed to develop and display strength and agility and balance (usually performed with or on some gymnastic apparatus)
 
gymnastic exercise
a sport that involves exercises intended to display strength and balance and agility
 
gynaeolatry
the worship of women
 
gyration
the act of rotating in a circle or spiral
 
habanera
a Cuban dance in duple time
 
habit
(psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition
 
habitation
the act of dwelling in or living permanently in a place (said of both animals and men)
 
habitual abortion
repeated spontaneous abortion (often for no known reason)
 
habituation
a general accommodation to unchanging environmental conditions
 
habitude
habitual mode of behavior
 
hackwork
professional work done according to formula
 
Had crime
(Islam) serious crimes committed by Muslims and punishable by punishments established in the Koran
 
haematemesis
vomiting blood
 
haemodialysis
dialysis of the blood to remove toxic substances or metabolic wastes from the bloodstream; used in the case of kidney failure
 
haemorrhoidectomy
surgical procedure for tying hemorrhoids and excising them
 
haemostasia
surgical procedure of stopping the flow of blood (as with a hemostat)
 
hagiolatry
the worship of saints
 
hair care
care for the hair: the activity of washing or cutting or curling or arranging the hair
 
hair coloring
the act of dyeing or tinting one's hair
 
haircut
the act of cutting the hair
 
hairweaving
the act of interweaving a hairpiece with your own hair
 
half gainer
a dive in which the diver throws the feet forward and up to complete a half backward somersault and enters the water facing the diving board
 
half nelson
a wrestling hold in which the holder puts an arm under the opponent's arm and exerts pressure on the back of the neck
 
half volley
a tennis return made by hitting the ball immediately after it bounces
 
halfback
(American football) an offensive back usually positioned behind the quarterback and to the side of the fullback
 
halma
a board game in which players try to move their pieces into their opponent's bases
 
hammer
the act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows)
 
hammerlock
a wrestling hold in which the opponent's arm is twisted up behind his back
 
hamming
poor acting by a ham actor
 
Hampton Roads
a naval battle of the American Civil War (1862); the indecisive battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac
 
hand job
slang for masturbation
 
hand
physical assistance
 
handball
a game played in a walled court or against a single wall by two or four players who strike a rubber ball with their hands
 
handicraft
a craft that requires skillful hands
 
handing over
the act of passing something to another person
 
handling
manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something
 
handling
the action of touching with the hands (or the skillful use of the hands) or by the use of mechanical means
 
handling
the management of someone or something
 
handoff
(American football) a play in which one player hands the ball to a teammate
 
handout
giving money or food or clothing to a needy person
 
handover
act of relinquishing property or authority etc
 
handspring
an acrobatic feat in which a person goes from a standing position to a handstand and back again
 
handstand
the act of supporting yourself by your hands alone in an upside down position
 
handwriting
the activity of writing by hand
 
hang
a gymnastic exercise performed on the rings or horizontal bar or parallel bars when the gymnast's weight is supported by the arms
 
hang gliding
gliding in a hang glider
 
hanging
a form of capital punishment; victim is suspended by the neck from a gallows or gibbet until dead
 
hangover
something that has survived from the past
 
hank panky
illicit sexual intercourse
 
harakiri
ritual suicide by self-disembowelment on a sword; practiced by samurai in the traditional Japanese society
 
harassing fire
fire designed to disturb the rest of enemy troops and to curtail movement and to lower enemy morale
 
harassment
the act of tormenting by continued persistent attacks and criticism
 
hard sell
forceful and insistent advertising
 
hardball
baseball as distinguished from softball
 
hardening
the act of making something harder (firmer or tighter or more compact)
 
hare and hounds
an outdoor game; one group of players (the hares) start off on a long run scattering bits of paper (the scent) and pursuers (the hounds) try to catch them before they reach a designated spot
 
harlotry
offering sexual intercourse for pay
 
harmonisation
singing in harmony
 
harvest
the gathering of a ripened crop
 
harvest
the season for gathering crops
 
haste
the act of moving hurriedly and in a careless manner
 
hasty defence
a defense organized while in contact with the enemy or when time is limited
 
hat
an informal term for a person's role
 
hat trick
(sports) three consecutive scores by one player or three scores in one game (as in cricket or ice hockey etc.)
 
hatha yoga
yogic exercises (popular in the West) that combine difficult postures (which force the mind to withdraw from the outside world) with controlled breathing
 
hauling
the activity of transporting goods by truck
 
havoc
violent and needless disturbance
 
Hawaiian dancing
a Polynesian rain dance performed by a woman
 
hawking
the act of selling goods for a living
 
haying
the harvesting of hay
 
haying
the season for cutting and drying and storing grass as fodder
 
haymaking
cutting grass and curing it to make hay
 
haymaking
taking full advantage of an opportunity while it lasts
 
head trip
the act of satisfying your own desires and giving yourself pleasure
 
head
oral stimulation of the genitals
 
header
a headlong jump (or fall)
 
header
(soccer) the act of hitting the ball with your head
 
headlock
a wrestling hold in which the opponent's head is locked between the crook of your elbow and the side of your body
 
headmastership
the position of headmaster
 
headmistressship
the position of headmistress
 
headshake
the act of turning your head left and right to signify denial or disbelief or bemusement
 
headship
the position of head
 
headship
the position of headmaster or headmistress
 
headshot
a shot aimed at a person's head
 
headshot
an attempt to put the soccer ball into the net by using the head
 
headstand
an acrobatic feat in which a person balances on the head (usually with the help of the hands)
 
health care
social insurance for the ill and injured
 
health care
the preservation of mental and physical health by preventing or treating illness through services offered by the health profession
 
hearing
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
 
hearing
the act of hearing attentively
 
heart surgery
any surgical procedure involving the heart
 
heave
the act of lifting something with great effort
 
heave
throwing something heavy (with great effort)
 
heave
the act of raising something
 
heave
an involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomiting
 
heaving
breathing heavily (as after exertion)
 
heavy lifting
difficult work
 
Hebrew lesson
instruction in the Hebrew language
 
hecatomb
a great sacrifice; an ancient Greek or Roman sacrifice of 100 oxen
 
Heimlich manoeuvere
an emergency procedure to help someone who is choking because food is lodged in the trachea
 
heist
the act of stealing
 
Hejira
the flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 which marked the beginning of the Muslim era; the Muslim calendar begins in that year
 
heliolatry
the worship of the sun
 
heliotherapy
therapeutic exposure to sunlight
 
heliotropism
an orienting response to the sun
 
hell raising
making trouble just for the fun of it
 
helm
(figurative) a position of leadership
 
help desk
a service that provides information and assistance to the users of a computer network
 
herbal medicine
the use of medicinal herbs to prevent or treat disease or promote health
 
heritage
hereditary succession to a title or an office or property
 
heroics
ostentatious or vainglorious or extravagant or melodramatic conduct
 
heterosexism
discrimination in favor of heterosexual and against homosexual people
 
heterosexualism
a sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with) persons of the opposite sex
 
hi-fi
the reproduction of sound with little or no distortion
 
hibernation
the act of retiring into inactivity
 
hide and go seek
a game in which a child covers his eyes while the other players hide then tries to find them
 
high colonic
an enema that injects large amounts of fluid high into the colon for cleansing purposes
 
high finance
large and complex financial transactions (often used with the implication that those individuals or institutions who engage in them are unethical)
 
high jinks
noisy and mischievous merrymaking
 
high jump
the act of jumping as high as possible over a horizontal bar
 
High Mass
a solemn and elaborate Mass with music
 
high tech
highly advanced technological development (especially in electronics)
 
high treason
a crime that undermines the offender's government
 
high-angle fire
fire from a cannon that is fired at an elevation greater than that for the maximum range
 
high-low
poker in which the high and low hands split the pot
 
higher education
education provided by a college or university
 
highjack
seizure of a vehicle in transit either to rob it or divert it to an alternate destination
 
highjacking
robbery of a traveller or vehicle in transit or seizing control of a vehicle by the use of force
 
highland fling
a vigorous Scottish reel
 
highway robbery
robbery of travellers on or near a public road
 
hijab
the custom in some Islamic societies of women dressing modestly outside the home
 
hike
a long walk usually for exercise or pleasure
 
hinderance
the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding
 
hire
the act of hiring something or someone
 
hiring freeze
a freeze on hiring
 
historiography
the writing of history
 
history lesson
a lesson in the facts of history
 
hit
(baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)
 
hit
a connection made via the internet to another website
 
hit
a murder carried out by an underworld syndicate
 
hit
the act of contacting one thing with another
 
hitch
the uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg
 
hobbyism
a devotion to hobbies
 
hockey
a game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of six skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents' goal with angled hockey sticks
 
hold-down
a limitation or constraint
 
holding
the act of retaining something
 
holdout
the act of hiding playing cards in a gambling game so they are available for personal use later
 
holistic medicine
medical care of the whole person considered as subject to personal and social as well as organic factors
 
holocaust
an act of mass destruction and loss of life (especially in war or by fire)
 
Holocaust
the mass murder of Jews under the German Nazi regime from 1941 until 1945
 
Holy Communion
the act of participating in the celebration of the Eucharist
 
holy order
the sacrament of ordination
 
home banking
banking in which transactions are conducted by means of electronic communication (via telephone or computer)
 
home game
a game played at home
 
home invasion
burglary of a dwelling while the residents are at home
 
home run
a base hit on which the batter scores a run
 
home study
a course of study carried out at home rather than in a classroom
 
homecoming
an annual school or university reunion for graduates
 
homecoming
a coming to or returning home
 
homemaking
the management of a household
 
homeopathy
a method of treating disease with small amounts of remedies that, in large amounts in healthy people, produce symptoms similar to those being treated
 
homework
preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home)
 
homicide
the killing of a human being by another human being
 
homogenisation
the act of making something homogeneous or uniform in composition
 
honor killing
an ancient tradition still sometimes observed; a male member of the family kills a female relative for tarnishing the family image
 
honorable discharge
a discharge from the armed forces with a commendable record
 
honoring
conformity with law or custom or practice etc.
 
hoofing
dancing in which the steps are more important than gestures or postures
 
hook
a short swinging punch delivered from the side with the elbow bent
 
hook
a basketball shot made over the head with the hand that is farther from the basket
 
hooky
failure to attend (especially school)
 
hooliganism
willful wanton and malicious destruction of the property of others
 
hop
the act of hopping; jumping upward or forward (especially on one foot)
 
hopscotch
a game in which a child tosses a stone into an area drawn on the ground and then hops through it and back to regain the stone
 
horizontal combination
absorption into a single firm of several firms involved in the same level of production and sharing resources at that level
 
hornpipe
a British solo dance performed by sailors
 
horse breeding
breeding horses
 
horse racing
the sport of racing horses
 
horse trade
the swapping of horses (accompanied by much bargaining)
 
horseback riding
travel by being carried on horseback
 
horseplay
rowdy or boisterous play
 
horseshoes
a game in which iron rings (or open iron rings) are thrown at a stake in the ground in the hope of encircling it
 
horseshow
a competitive exhibition of horses
 
horsewhipping
the act of whipping with a horsewhip
 
hospice
a program of medical and emotional care for the terminally ill
 
hospital care
placing in medical care in a hospital
 
hostile fire
fire that injures or kills an enemy
 
hostile takeover
a takeover that is resisted by the management of the target company
 
hot seat
a difficult position where you are subjected to stress and criticism
 
hotfoot
a practical joke that involves inserting a match surreptitiously between the sole and upper of the victim's shoe and then lighting it
 
house
play in which children take the roles of father or mother or children and pretend to interact like adults
 
house arrest
confinement to your own home
 
house painting
the occupation of a house painter
 
house-raising
construction by a group of neighbors
 
housecleaning
the act of cleaning the rooms and furnishings of a house
 
housecleaning
(figurative) the act of reforming by the removal of unwanted personnel or practices or conditions
 
housekeeping
the work of cleaning and running a house
 
housewifery
the work of a housewife
 
housing start
the act of starting to construct a house
 
howler
a glaring blunder
 
HRT
hormones (estrogen and progestin) are given to postmenopausal women; believed to protect them from heart disease and osteoporosis
 
huffing
an act of forcible exhalation
 
Human Genome Project
an international study of the entire human genetic material
 
human reproductive cloning
the reproductive cloning of a sentient human being; generally considered ethically unacceptable
 
humanisation
the act of making more human
 
humming
the act of singing with closed lips
 
humoral immune response
an immune response (chiefly against bacterial invasion) that is mediated by B cells
 
humoring
the act of indulging or gratifying a desire
 
hunch
the act of bending yourself into a humped position
 
Hundred Years' War
the series of wars fought intermittently between France and England; 1337-1453
 
hunger strike
a voluntary fast undertaken as a means of protest
 
hunt
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
 
hunt
the work of finding and killing or capturing animals for food or pelts
 
hunt
the activity of looking thoroughly in order to find something or someone
 
hurdle
the act of jumping over an obstacle
 
hurling
a traditional Irish game resembling hockey; played by two teams of 15 players each
 
hurrying
changing location rapidly
 
hustings
the activities involved in political campaigning (especially speech making)
 
hydropathy
the internal and external use of water in the treatment of disease
 
hydroplane racing
racing in high-speed motor boats
 
hymnody
the act of singing psalms or hymns
 
hyperemesis
severe and excessive vomiting
 
hyperemesis gravidarum
hyperemesis during pregnancy; if severe it can result in damage to the brain and liver and kidney
 
hyperextension
greater than normal extension
 
hyperpnea
energetic (deep and rapid) respiration that occurs normally after exercise or abnormally with fever or various disorders
 
hyperventilation
an increased depth and rate of breathing greater than demanded by the body needs; can cause dizziness and tingling of the fingers and toes and chest pain if continued
 
hyphenation
connecting syllables and words by hyphens
 
hyphenation
division of a word especially at the end of a line on a page
 
hypnoanalysis
the use of hypnosis in conjunction with psychoanalysis
 
hypnogenesis
the induction of sleep or hypnosis
 
hypnopedia
teaching during sleep (as by using recordings to teach a foreign language to someone who is asleep)
 
hypnotherapy
the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy
 
hypnotism
the act of inducing hypnosis
 
hypophysectomy
surgical removal of the pituitary gland
 
hypopnea
slow or shallow breathing
 
hypostatisation
regarding something abstract as a material thing
 
hypsography
measurement of the elevation of land above sea level
 
hysterectomy
surgical removal of the uterus
 
hysteroscopy
visual examination of the uterus and uterine lining using an endoscope inserted through the vagina
 
hysterotomy
surgical incision into the uterus (as in cesarean section)
 
ice show
any entertainment performed by ice skaters
 
ice skating
skating on ice
 
icebreaker
a beginning that relaxes a tense or formal atmosphere
 
icing
(ice hockey) the act of shooting the puck from within your own defensive area the length of the rink beyond the opponent's goal
 
iconolatry
the worship of sacred images
 
identity theft
the co-option of another person's personal information (e.g., name, Social Security number, credit card number, passport) without that person's knowledge and the fraudulent use of such knowledge
 
idleness
having no employment
 
idol worship
the worship of idols; the worship of physical objects or images as gods
 
idolisation
the act of worshiping blindly and to excess
 
ileostomy
surgical procedure that creates an opening from the ileum through the abdominal wall to function as an anus; performed in cases of cancer of the colon or ulcerative colitis
 
illegal possession
possession of controlled substances
 
image compression
the compression of graphics for storage or transmission
 
imaging
(medicine) obtaining pictures of the interior of the body
 
imitation
copying (or trying to copy) the actions of someone else
 
immersion
a form of baptism in which part or all of a person's body is submerged
 
immigration
migration into a place (especially migration to a country of which you are not a native in order to settle there)
 
imminent abortion
the appearance of symptoms that signal the impending loss of the products of conception
 
immobilisation
fixation (as by a plaster cast) of a body part in order to promote proper healing
 
immobilisation
the act of limiting movement or making incapable of movement
 
immolation
killing or offering as a sacrifice
 
immune reaction
a bodily defense reaction that recognizes an invading substance (an antigen: such as a virus or fungus or bacteria or transplanted organ) and produces antibodies specific against that antigen
 
immunisation
the act of making immune (especially by inoculation)
 
immunohistochemistry
an assay that shows specific antigens in tissues by the use of markers that are either fluorescent dyes or enzymes (such as horseradish peroxidase)
 
immunotherapy
therapy designed to produce immunity to a disease or to enhance resistance by the immune system
 
impact
the violent interaction of individuals or groups entering into combat
 
impaction
a sharp collision produced by striking or dashing against something
 
impairment
damage that results in a reduction of strength or quality
 
impalement
the act of piercing with a sharpened stake as a form of punishment or torture
 
impasto
painting that applies the pigment thickly so that brush or palette knife marks are visible
 
imperative
some duty that is essential and urgent
 
imperialism
any instance of aggressive extension of authority
 
impersonation
pretending to be another person
 
impersonation
imitating the mannerisms of another person
 
impetus
the act of applying force suddenly
 
implantation
a surgical procedure that places something in the human body
 
implantation
the act of planting or setting in the ground
 
importation
the commercial activity of buying and bringing in goods from a foreign country
 
imposition
the act of imposing something (as a tax or an embargo)
 
impounding
placing private property in the custody of an officer of the law
 
impoverishment
the act of making someone poor
 
impress
the act of coercing someone into government service
 
impression
the act of pressing one thing on or into the surface of another
 
impression
an impressionistic portrayal of a person
 
imprisonment
putting someone in prison or in jail as lawful punishment
 
imprisonment
the act of confining someone in a prison (or as if in a prison)
 
impropriety
an indecent or improper act
 
improvement
the act of improving something
 
improvisation
an unplanned expedient
 
in-fighting
boxing at close quarters
 
in-fighting
conflict between members of the same organization (usually concealed from outsiders)
 
inactivity
being inactive; being less active
 
inaugural
the ceremonial induction into a position
 
inauguration
the act of starting a new operation or practice
 
inborn reflex
an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus
 
inbreeding
the act of mating closely related individuals
 
incarnation
the act of attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas etc.
 
incentive option
an option granted to corporate executives if the company achieves certain financial goals
 
incest
sexual intercourse between persons too closely related to marry (as between a parent and a child)
 
Inchon
a battle in the Korean War (1950); United States forces landed at Inchon
 
incineration
the act of burning something completely; reducing it to ashes
 
incision
the cutting of or into body tissues or organs (especially by a surgeon as part of an operation)
 
incitation
an act of urging on or spurring on or rousing to action or instigating
 
inclination
the act of inclining; bending forward
 
incline bench press
a bench press performed on an inclined bench
 
inclusion
the act of including
 
incomplete abortion
termination of pregnancy without expulsion of all of the products of conception
 
incorporation
including by incorporating
 
incorporation
consolidating two or more things; union in (or into) one body
 
increase
the act of increasing something
 
incubation
maintaining something at the most favorable temperature for its development
 
inculcation
teaching or impressing upon the mind by frequent instruction or repetition
 
incumbency
the office of an incumbent
 
incumbency
a duty that is incumbent upon you
 
incurrence
the act of incurring (making yourself subject to something undesirable)
 
incurring
acquiring or coming into something (usually undesirable)
 
incursion
the mistake of incurring liability or blame
 
incursion
the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)
 
incursion
an attack that penetrates into enemy territory
 
incurvation
the action of creating a curved shape
 
indecent exposure
vulgar and offensive nakedness in a public place
 
indelicacy
an impolite act or expression
 
indemnification
an act of compensation for actual loss or damage or for trouble and annoyance
 
indentation
the act of cutting into an edge with toothlike notches or angular incisions
 
indexation
a system of economic regulation: wages and interest are tied to the cost-of-living index in order to reduce the effects of inflation
 
indexing
the act of classifying and providing an index in order to make items easier to retrieve
 
Indian Mutiny
discontent with British administration in India led to numerous mutinies in 1857 and 1858; the revolt was put down after several battles and sieges (notably the siege at Lucknow)
 
indignity
an affront to one's dignity or self-esteem
 
indirect fire
fire delivered on a target that is not itself used as the point of aim for the weapons
 
indirect immunofluorescence
a method of using fluorescence microscopy to detect the presence of an antigen indirectly
 
indirection
deceitful action that is not straightforward
 
indirection
indirect procedure or action
 
indiscretion
a petty misdeed
 
indoctrination
teaching someone to accept doctrines uncritically
 
induced abortion
a deliberate termination of pregnancy
 
inducement
act of bringing about a desired result
 
induction
the act of bringing about something (especially at an early time)
 
induction of labor
(obstetrics) inducing the childbirth process artificially by administering oxytocin or by puncturing the amniotic sac
 
induction
an act that sets in motion some course of events
 
indulgence
the remission by the pope of the temporal punishment in purgatory that is still due for sins even after absolution
 
industrial arts
a course in the methods of using tools and machinery as taught in secondary schools and technical schools
 
industrial enterprise
the development of industry on an extensive scale
 
industry
the organized action of making of goods and services for sale
 
inertial guidance
a method of controlling the flight of a missile by devices that respond to inertial forces
 
infant feeding
feeding an infant
 
infanticide
murdering an infant
 
infantilism
infantile behavior in mature persons
 
infiltration
a process in which individuals (or small groups) penetrate an area (especially the military penetration of enemy positions without detection)
 
inflaming
arousal to violent emotion
 
inflation
the act of filling something with air
 
inflation therapy
therapy in which water or oxygen or a drug is introduced into the respiratory tract with inhaled air
 
infliction
an act causing pain or damage
 
influence
causing something without any direct or apparent effort
 
information gathering
the act of collecting information
 
infraction
a crime less serious than a felony
 
infrared therapy
the use of infrared radiation (as by infrared lamps or heating pads or hot water bottles) to relieve pain and increase circulation to a particular area of the body
 
infringement
an act that disregards an agreement or a right
 
infusion
the act of infusing or introducing a certain modifying element or quality
 
infusion
(medicine) the passive introduction of a substance (a fluid or drug or electrolyte) into a vein or between tissues (as by gravitational force)
 
ingratiation
the act of gaining acceptance or affection for yourself by persuasive and subtle blandishments
 
inhibition
(psychology) the conscious exclusion of unacceptable thoughts or desires
 
iniquity
an unjust act
 
injection
the forceful insertion of a substance under pressure
 
injection
the act of putting a liquid into the body by means of a syringe
 
injury
wrongdoing that violates another's rights and is unjustly inflicted
 
injury
an act that causes someone or something to receive physical damage
 
innings
the batting turn of a cricket player or team
 
inoculating
the act of protecting against disease by introducing a vaccine into the body to induce immunity
 
inoculation
taking a vaccine as a precaution against contracting a disease
 
inquest
an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death
 
inroad
an encroachment or intrusion
 
inroad
an invasion or hostile attack
 
inscription
the activity of inscribing (especially carving or engraving) letters or words
 
insemination
the act of sowing (of seeds in the ground or, figuratively, of germs in the body or ideas in the mind, etc.)
 
insemination
the introduction of semen into the genital tract of a female
 
insertion
the act of putting one thing into another
 
inside job
some transgression committed with the assistance of someone trusted by the victim
 
inside loop
a loop consisting of a climb followed by inverted flight followed by a dive that returns to horizontal flight
 
insider trading
buying or selling corporate stock by a corporate officer or other insider on the basis of information that has not been made public and is supposed to remain confidential
 
insistence
the act of insisting on something
 
insolence
an offensive disrespectful impudent act
 
inspection and repair
periodic maintenance on a car or machine
 
inspection
a formal or official examination
 
inspectorship
the office of inspector
 
inspiration
arousing to a particular emotion or action
 
inspissation
the act of thickening
 
installation
the act of installing something (as equipment)
 
instillation
the introduction of a liquid (by pouring or injection) drop by drop
 
instruction
the profession of a teacher
 
instructorship
the position of instructor
 
instrument flying
navigation of an airplane solely by instruments
 
instrument landing
an aircraft landing made entirely by means of instruments
 
instrument
the means whereby some act is accomplished
 
instrumental music
music produced by playing a musical instrument
 
instrumentation
the act of providing or using the instruments needed for some implementation
 
instrumentation
the act of arranging a piece of music for an orchestra and assigning parts to the different musical instruments
 
insubordination
an insubordinate act
 
insufflation
an act of blowing or breathing on or into something
 
insulation
the act of protecting something by surrounding it with material that reduces or prevents the transmission of sound or heat or electricity
 
insulin shock
the administration of sufficient insulin to induce convulsions and coma
 
insurance claim
demand for payment in accordance with an insurance policy
 
insurgence
an organized rebellion aimed at overthrowing a constituted government through the use of subversion and armed conflict
 
insurrection
organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another
 
integrated logistic support
the pooling of specific resources by subscribing nations for the support of some joint operation
 
integration
an operation used in the calculus whereby the integral of a function is determined
 
intelligence
the operation of gathering information about an enemy
 
intemperance
consumption of alcoholic drinks
 
intemperance
excess in action and immoderate indulgence of bodily appetites, especially in passion or indulgence
 
intensification
action that makes something stronger or more extreme
 
intensification
the act of increasing the contrast of (a photographic film)
 
intensive care
close monitoring and constant medical care of patients with life-threatening conditions
 
intention
an act of intending; a volition that you intend to carry out
 
inter-service support
action by one military service to provide logistic (or administrative) support to another military service
 
interaction
a mutual or reciprocal action; interacting
 
interagency support
provision of logistic (or administrative) support by one or more of the military services to one or more departments or agencies of the United States government
 
interception
the act of intercepting; preventing something from proceeding or arriving
 
interception
(American football) the act of catching a football by a player on the opposing team
 
intercession
the act of intervening (as to mediate a dispute, etc.)
 
intercommunion
participation in Holy Communion by members of more than one church (eg Catholic and Orthodox)
 
interconnection
(computer science) the act of interconnecting (wires or computers or theories etc.)
 
interdiction fire
fire directed to an area to prevent the enemy from using that area
 
interest
a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)
 
interference
(American football) blocking a player's path with your body
 
interim overhaul
an overhaul between the regular times for overhauling
 
interior decorating
the trade or act of decorating the interior of a building or room, especially with regard to color combination, paint, fabrics, carpeting, etc.
 
interjection
the action of interjecting or interposing an action or remark that interrupts
 
interlock
the act of interlocking or meshing
 
intermediation
the act of intervening for the purpose of bringing about a settlement
 
intermission
the act of suspending activity temporarily
 
internal control
an accounting procedure or system designed to promote efficiency or assure the implementation of a policy or safeguard assets or avoid fraud and error etc.
 
international affairs
affairs between nations
 
international flight
a flight that takes off in one country and lands in another
 
international logistic support
arrangements made between nations to assist each other
 
international terrorism
terrorism practiced in a foreign country by terrorists who are not native to that country
 
internationalisation
the act of bringing something under international control
 
internship
the position of a medical intern
 
interpenetration
the action of penetrating between or among
 
interpenetration
mutual penetration; diffusion of each through the other
 
interplay
reciprocal action and reaction
 
interposition
the act or fact of interposing one thing between or among others
 
interpretation
the act of interpreting something as expressed in an artistic performance
 
interpretative dance
a form of modern dance in which the dancer's movements depict an emotion or tell a story
 
intersection
the act of intersecting (as joining by causing your path to intersect your target's path)
 
interspersal
the act of combining one thing at intervals among other things
 
intervention
(law) a proceeding that permits a person to enter into a lawsuit already in progress; admission of person not an original party to the suit so that person can protect some right or interest that is allegedly affected by the proceedings
 
intervention
care provided to improve a situation (especially medical procedures or applications that are intended to relieve illness or injury)
 
intestinal bypass
surgical operation that shortens the small intestine; used in treating obesity
 
intifada
an uprising by Palestinian Arabs (in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank) against Israel in the late 1980s and again in 2000
 
intonation
singing by a soloist of the opening piece of plainsong
 
intonation
the production of musical tones (by voice or instrument); especially the exactitude of the pitch relations
 
intracapsular surgery
cataract surgery in which the entire lens is removed
 
intradermal injection
an injection into the skin
 
intramuscular injection
an injection into a muscle
 
intravenous injection
an injection into a vein
 
intrinsic fraud
fraud (as by use of forged documents or false claims or perjury) that misleads a court or jury and induces a finding for the one perpetrating the fraud
 
intrusion
entrance by force or without permission or welcome
 
inunction
anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
 
invasion
the act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder
 
invasion of Iwo
a bloody and prolonged operation on the island of Iwo Jima in which American marines landed and defeated Japanese defenders (February and March 1945)
 
invasion of privacy
the wrongful intrusion by individuals or the government into private affairs with which the public has no concern
 
invention
the act of inventing
 
inventory accounting
accounting that controls and evaluates inventory
 
inventory control
supervision of the supply and storage and accessibility of items in order to insure an adequate supply without excessive oversupply
 
inventory
making an itemized list of merchandise or supplies on hand
 
inversion
a term formerly used to mean taking on the gender role of the opposite sex
 
inversion
turning upside down; setting on end
 
inverted hang
a hang performed on the rings with the body upside down
 
investigating
the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically
 
investing
the act of investing; laying out money or capital in an enterprise with the expectation of profit
 
investiture
the ceremonial act of clothing someone in the insignia of an office; the formal promotion of a person to an office or rank
 
investment
the act of putting on robes or vestments
 
invigilation
keeping watch over examination candidates to prevent cheating
 
invocation
the act of appealing for help
 
IPO
a corporation's first offer to sell stock to the public
 
IQ test
a psychometric test of intelligence
 
Iran-Iraq War
a dispute over control of the waterway between Iraq and Iran broke out into open fighting in 1980 and continued until 1988, when they accepted a UN cease-fire resolution
 
iridectomy
an eye operation that treats closed-angle glaucoma by surgical removal of part of the iris of the eye
 
iridotomy
a surgical procedure that makes an incision in the iris of the eye in order to enlarge the pupil or to treat closed-angle glaucoma
 
ironing
the work of using heat to smooth washed clothes in order to remove any wrinkles
 
irreverence
a disrespectful act
 
irrigation
(medicine) cleaning a wound or body organ by flushing or washing out with water or a medicated solution
 
irrigation
supplying dry land with water by means of ditches etc
 
irruption
a sudden violent entrance; a bursting in
 
isolation
a country's withdrawal from international politics
 
isometric exercise
muscle-building exercises (or a system of musclebuilding exercises) involving muscular contractions against resistance without movement (the muscles contracts but the length of the muscle does not change)
 
isotonic exercise
exercise in which opposing muscles contract and there is controlled movement (tension is constant while the lengths of the muscles change)
 
issuance
the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)
 
issue
the act of issuing printed materials
 
Isthmian Games
the ancient Panhellenic games held biennially on the Isthmus of Corinth in the first and third years of each Olympiad
 
itemisation
the act of making a list of items
 
iteration
doing or saying again; a repeated performance
 
itineration
journeying from place to place preaching or lecturing; a preaching tour or lecturing tour
 
IV
administration of nutrients through a vein
 
IVP
performing pyelography with intravenous injection of a contrast medium
 
Ivry la Bataille
a battle (1590) in which the Huguenots under Henry IV defeated the Catholics under the duke of Mayenne
 
IW
the use of information or information technology during a time of crisis or conflict to achieve or promote specific objectives over a specific adversary or adversaries
 
jab
a quick short straight punch
 
jab
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
 
jackknife
a dive in which the diver bends to touch the ankles before straightening out
 
jacks
a game in which jackstones are thrown and picked up in various groups between bounces of a small rubber ball
 
jackstraws
a game in which players try to pick each jackstraw (or spillikin) off of a pile without moving any of the others
 
jag
a bout of drinking or drug taking
 
jai alai
a Basque or Spanish game played in a court with a ball and a wickerwork racket
 
jail delivery
the use of force to liberate prisoners
 
jam session
an impromptu jazz concert
 
Japanese stranglehold
a wrestling hold in which the opponent's arms are crossed in front of his own neck to exert pressure on his windpipe
 
jazz festival
a festival that features performances by jazz artists
 
jehad
a holy struggle or striving by a Muslim for a moral or spiritual or political goal
 
jejunostomy
surgical creation of an opening between the jejunum and the anterior abdominal wall; will allow artificial feeding
 
jerk
raising a weight from shoulder height to above the head by straightening the arms
 
jerk
an abrupt spasmodic movement
 
jerk
a sudden abrupt pull
 
jerry-building
construction of inferior buildings for a quick profit
 
jest
activity characterized by good humor
 
jig
any of various old rustic dances involving kicking and leaping
 
jiggle
a slight irregular shaking motion
 
jitterbug
a jerky American dance that was popular in the 1940s
 
jiujitsu
a method of self-defense without weapons that was developed in China and Japan; holds and blows are supplemented by clever use of the attacker's own weight and strength
 
job
a damaging piece of work
 
job
the performance of a piece of work
 
job
the responsibility to do something
 
job action
a temporary action by workers to protest management decision or to make demands
 
jog trot
an easy gait of a horse; midway between a walk and a trot
 
jog
a slow pace of running
 
jog
a slight push or shake
 
jogging
running at a jog trot as a form of cardiopulmonary exercise
 
joint venture
a venture by a partnership or conglomerate designed to share risk or expertise
 
jostle
the act of jostling (forcing your way by pushing)
 
journalism
the profession of reporting or photographing or editing news stories for one of the media
 
journey
the act of traveling from one place to another
 
joyride
a ride in a car taken solely for pleasure
 
judgement in personam
a judgment rendered against an individual (or corporation) for the payment of money damages
 
judgement in rem
a judgment pronounced on the status of some particular subject or property or thing (as opposed to one pronounced on persons)
 
judgement on the merits
judgment rendered through analysis and adjudication of the factual issues presented
 
judgement on the pleadings
a judgment rendered by the court prior to a verdict because no material issue of fact exists and one party or the other is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law
 
judgement
(law) the determination by a court of competent jurisdiction on matters submitted to it
 
judgeship
the position of judge
 
judicial proceeding
a legal proceeding in a court; a judicial contest to determine and enforce legal rights
 
judicial review
review by a court of law of actions of a government official or entity or of some other legally appointed person or body or the review by an appellate court of the decision of a trial court
 
judicial torture
torture that is sanctioned by the state and executed by duly accredited officials
 
judo
a sport adapted from jujitsu (using principles of not resisting) and similar to wrestling; developed in Japan
 
juggle
the act of rearranging things to give a misleading impression
 
juggle
throwing and catching several objects simultaneously
 
jugglery
artful trickery designed to achieve an end
 
jugglery
the performance of a juggler
 
jumble sale
a sale of donated articles
 
jump ball
(basketball) the way play begins or resumes when possession is disputed; an official tosses the ball up between two players who jump in an effort to tap it to a teammate
 
jump rope
a child's game or a cardiopulmonary exercise in which the player jumps over a swinging rope
 
jump shot
(basketball) a player releases the basketball at the high point of a jump
 
jump
the act of jumping; propelling yourself off the ground
 
jump
descent with a parachute
 
jump
a sudden involuntary movement
 
jumping
the act of participating in an athletic competition in which you must jump
 
jumping up and down
jumping in one spot (as in excitement)
 
jumping-off point
a beginning from which an enterprise is launched
 
jumpstart
starting an automobile engine that has a weak battery by means of jumper cables to another car
 
junket
a trip taken by an official at public expense
 
junketing
taking an excursion for pleasure
 
jury duty
the civic duty to serve on a jury
 
justice
judgment involved in the determination of rights and the assignment of rewards and punishments
 
justification
the act of defending or explaining or making excuses for by reasoning
 
jut
the act of projecting out from something
 
karaoke
singing popular songs accompanied by a recording of an orchestra (usually in bars or nightclubs)
 
karate
a traditional Japanese system of unarmed combat; sharp blows and kicks are given to pressure-sensitive points on the body of the opponent
 
keeping
conformity or harmony
 
Kegel exercises
exercises for women designed to improve the ability to hold urine
 
Kennesaw Mountain
battle of the American Civil War (1864); Union forces under William Tecumseh Sherman were repulsed by Confederate troops under Joseph Eggleston Johnston
 
keratoscopy
examination of the cornea with a keratoscope to detect irregularities in its anterior surface
 
keratotomy
surgical incision into the cornea
 
key stroke
the stroke of a key; one depression of a key on a keyboard
 
khanate
the position of a khan
 
kia quen
a form of foot torture used by the Chinese in which the victim's foot was placed between three pieces of bamboo and systematically squeezed
 
kick in the butt
punishment inflicted by kicking the victim in the behind
 
kick turn
a standing turn made in skiing; one ski is raised to the vertical and pivoted backward to become parallel with the other ski but headed in the opposite direction and then the other ski is aligned with the first
 
kick up
raising the feet backward with the hands on the ground; a first movement in doing a handstand
 
kick
a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics
 
kickoff
(football) a kick from the center of the field to start a football game or to resume it after a score
 
kidnapping
(law) the unlawful act of capturing and carrying away a person against their will and holding them in false imprisonment
 
kill
the destruction of an enemy plane or ship or tank or missile
 
kill
the act of terminating a life
 
kinesis
a movement that is a response to a stimulus but is not oriented with respect to the source of stimulation
 
kip
a gymnastic exercise performed starting from a position with the legs over the upper body and moving to an erect position by arching the back and swinging the legs out and down while forcing the chest upright
 
kiss
a light glancing touch
 
kittee
a form of torture used by American Indians in which sensitive parts of the body were squeezed between two boards until the victim could bear no more
 
klondike
a form of solitaire that begins with seven piles of cards with the top cards facing up; descending sequences of cards of alternating colors are built on these piles; as aces become available they are placed above the seven piles; the object is to build sequences in suit from ace to king as the remaining cards are dealt out one at a time
 
knee bend
exercising by repeatedly assuming a crouching position with the knees bent; strengthens the leg muscles
 
knee jerk
a reflex extension of the leg resulting from a sharp tap on the patellar tendon
 
kneel
supporting yourself on your knees
 
knife thrust
a strong blow with a knife or other sharp pointed instrument
 
knight's service
land tenure by service to the lord as a knight
 
knitting
creating knitted wear
 
knock on
(rugby) knocking the ball forward while trying to catch it (a foul)
 
knockdown
a blow that knocks the opponent off his feet
 
knuckleball
a baseball pitch thrown with little speed or spin
 
KO
a blow that renders the opponent unconscious
 
Korean War
a war between North and South Korea; South Korea was aided by the United States and other members of the United Nations; 1950-1953
 
kung fu
a Chinese martial art
 
Kwajalein
an amphibious assault in the Pacific in World War II (January 1944); American forces landed and captured a Japanese air base
 
Kwanzaa
a festival featuring African-American culture; celebrated between Christmas and New Year
 
labor market
the market in which workers compete for jobs and employers compete for workers
 
labor of love
productive work performed voluntarily without material reward or compensation
 
labor
productive work (especially physical work done for wages)
 
labor
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
 
lace making
the act or art of making handmade lace
 
laceration
the act of lacerating
 
lacrosse
a game invented by American Indians; now played by two teams who use long-handled rackets to catch and carry and throw the ball toward the opponents' goal
 
lactation
feeding an infant by giving suck at the breast
 
lag
the act of slowing down or falling behind
 
lamentation
the passionate and demonstrative activity of expressing grief
 
lamination
bonding thin sheets together
 
laminectomy
surgical removal of the bony arches on one or more vertebrae
 
lancers
a quadrille for 8 or 16 couples
 
land development
making an area of land more useful
 
land reform
a redistribution of agricultural land (especially by government action)
 
land-office business
very large and profitable volume of commercial activity
 
landfall
the first sighting of land from the sea after a voyage (or flight over water)
 
landing
the act of coming to land after a voyage
 
landing
the act of coming down to the earth (or other surface)
 
landing approach
the approach to a landing field by an airplane
 
landler
a moderately slow Austrian country dance in triple time; involves spinning and clapping
 
landscape gardening
working as a landscape gardener
 
language lesson
a period of instruction learning a language
 
language teaching
teaching people to speak and understand a foreign language
 
lap choly
removal of the gall bladder through small punctures in the abdomen to permit the insertion of a laparoscope and surgical instruments
 
lap of honour
a lap by the winning person or team run to celebrate the victory
 
lap
touching with the tongue
 
laparoscopy
laparotomy performed with a laparoscope that makes a small incision to examine the abdominal cavity (especially the ovaries and Fallopian tubes)
 
laparotomy
surgical incision into the abdominal wall; often done to examine abdominal organs
 
lapidation
the act of pelting with stones; punishment inflicted by throwing stones at the victim (even unto death)
 
lapse
a mistake resulting from inattention
 
larceny
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
 
large order
a formidable task or requirement
 
laryngectomy
surgical removal of part or all of the larynx (usually to treat cancer of the larynx)
 
laryngismus
laryngeal spasm caused by the sudden contraction of laryngeal muscles
 
laser trabecular surgery
eye surgery that makes many tiny laser burns in an area that will increase the drainage of aqueous humor
 
lash
a quick blow delivered with a whip or whiplike object
 
LASIK
a refractive surgery procedure that reshapes the cornea
 
last
a person's dying act; the final thing a person can do
 
last hurrah
a final performance or effort (especially before retirement)
 
last mile
the last walk of a condemned person to the execution place
 
last resort
an expedient adopted only in desperation
 
last respects
the act of expressing respect for someone who has died
 
last rites
rites performed in connection with a death or burial
 
last straw
the final irritation that stretches your patience beyond the limit
 
lateral
a pass to a receiver upfield from the passer
 
laughter
the activity of laughing; the manifestation of joy or mirth or scorn
 
launch
the act of propelling with force
 
launching
the act of moving a newly built vessel into the water for the first time
 
laundering
washing clothes and bed linens
 
lavage
washing out a hollow organ (especially the stomach) by flushing with water
 
lavation
the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
 
law enforcement
ensuring obedience to the laws
 
law practice
the practice of law
 
law
the learned profession that is mastered by graduate study in a law school and that is responsible for the judicial system
 
lawmaking
the act of making or enacting laws
 
lawn tennis
a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court
 
laxation
the act of making something less tight
 
laying on
the act of contacting something with your hand
 
laying on of hands
laying hands on a person's head to invoke spiritual blessing in Christian ordination
 
laying on of hands
the application of a faith healer's hands to the patient's body
 
laying waste
destruction achieved by causing something to be wrecked or ruined
 
layoff
the act of laying off an employee or a work force
 
layout
the act of laying out (as by making plans for something)
 
layover
a brief stay in the course of a journey
 
layup
a basketball shot made with one hand from a position under or beside the basket (and usually banked off the backboard)
 
laziness
relaxed and easy activity
 
lead
the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge
 
lead
a position of being the initiator of something and an example that others will follow (especially in the phrase `take the lead')
 
leadership
the activity of leading
 
leading astray
the act of enticing others into sinful ways
 
leaner
(horseshoes) the throw of a horseshoe so as to lean against (but not encircle) the stake
 
leaning
the act of deviating from a vertical position
 
leapfrog
a game in which one child bends down and another leaps over
 
leapfrog
advancing as if in the child's game, by leaping over obstacles or competitors
 
learned profession
one of the three professions traditionally believed to require advanced learning and high principles
 
learned reaction
a reaction that has been acquired by learning
 
lease-lend
the transfer of goods and services to an ally to aid in a common cause
 
least effort
the least effortful way to do something
 
lechery
unrestrained indulgence in sexual activity
 
lecture demonstration
presentation of an example of what the lecturer is discoursing about
 
lecture
teaching by giving a discourse on some subject (typically to a class)
 
lectureship
the post of lecturer
 
left
a turn toward the side of the body that is on the north when the person is facing east
 
left field
the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is expected to field balls in the left third of the outfield (looking from home plate)
 
leg
(nautical) the distance traveled by a sailing vessel on a single tack
 
leg curl
an exercise designed to strengthen the flexor muscles of the leg
 
leg exercise
exercise designed to strengthen the leg muscles
 
leg extensor
an exercise designed to strengthen the extensor muscles of the leg
 
leg
a section or portion of a journey or course
 
leg-pull
as a joke: trying to make somebody believe something that is not true
 
legal duty
acts which the law requires be done or forborne
 
legal proceeding
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
 
legal separation
(law) the cessation of cohabitation of man and wife (either by mutual agreement or under a court order)
 
legalisation
the act of making lawful
 
legateship
the post or office of legate
 
legislatorship
the office of legislator
 
legitimation
the act of rendering a person legitimate
 
leisure
freedom to choose a pastime or enjoyable activity
 
lending
disposing of money or property with the expectation that the same thing (or an equivalent) will be returned
 
lengthening
the act of prolonging something
 
lenience
lightening a penalty or excusing from a chore by judges or parents or teachers
 
lesbianism
female homosexuality
 
lesson
a unit of instruction
 
lesson
a task assigned for individual study
 
let
a serve that strikes the net before falling into the receiver's court; the ball must be served again
 
letting down
the act of causing something to move to a lower level
 
lever hang
a hang performed on the rings with the body stationary in a horizontal position
 
leverage
investing with borrowed money as a way to amplify potential gains (at the risk of greater losses)
 
leveraged buyout
a buyout using borrowed money; the target company's assets are usually security for the loan
 
levitation
the act of raising (a body) from the ground by presumably spiritualistic means
 
levy
the act of drafting into military service
 
lexicography
the act of writing dictionaries
 
Lexington and Concord
the first battle of the American Revolution (April 19, 1775)
 
Leyte invasion
a battle in World War II; the return of United States troops to the Philippines began with landings on Leyte Island in October 1944; the battle marked first use of kamikaze aircraft by the Japanese
 
libation
the act of pouring a liquid offering (especially wine) as a religious ceremony
 
liberalisation
the act of making less strict
 
liberation
the attempt to achieve equal rights or status
 
librarianship
the position of librarian
 
license
the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization
 
lie-in
a long stay in bed in the morning
 
lieu
the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
 
lieutenancy
the position of a lieutenant
 
life class
an art class using a live human model
 
lifesaving
saving the lives of drowning persons
 
lifework
the principal work of your career
 
LIFO
inventory accounting in which the most recently acquired items are assumed to be the first sold
 
lift
a ride in a car
 
lift
the act of giving temporary assistance
 
ligation
(surgery) tying a duct or blood vessel with a ligature (as to prevent bleeding during surgery)
 
ligature
the act of tying or binding things together
 
light adaptation
the process of adjusting the eyes to relatively high levels of illumination; the pupil constricts and the cones system is operative
 
light reflex
reflex contraction of the sphincter muscle of the iris in response to a bright light (or certain drugs) causing the pupil to become smaller
 
light show
a display of colored lights moving in shifting patterns
 
lightening
changing to a lighter color
 
lighterage
the transportation of goods on a lighter
 
lighting
the craft of providing artificial light
 
likening
the act of comparing similarities
 
limitation
an act of limiting or restricting (as by regulation)
 
limited war
a war whose objective is less than the unconditional defeat of the enemy
 
lindy
an energetic American dance that was popular in the 1930s (probably named for the aviator Charles Lindbergh)
 
line
acting in conformity
 
line backer
(American football) the position of a defensive football player who plays close behind the line of scrimmage
 
line double
a double resulting from a line drive
 
line drive
(baseball) a hit that flies straight out from the batter
 
line management
administration of the activities contributing directly to an organization's output
 
line of duty
all that is normally required in some area of responsibility
 
line of least resistance
the easiest way
 
line single
a single resulting from a line drive
 
line triple
a triple resulting from a line drive
 
lineation
the act of marking or outlining with lines
 
lineman
(American football) the position of a player on a football team who is stationed on the line of scrimmage
 
lingering
the act of tarrying
 
linguistic performance
(linguistics) a speaker's actual use of language in real situations; what the speaker actually says, including grammatical errors and other non-linguistic features such as hesitations and other disfluencies (contrasted with linguistic competence)
 
lining
the act of attaching an inside lining (to a garment or curtain etc.)
 
linkage
the act of linking things together
 
lip sync
combining audio and video recording in such a way that the sound is perfectly synchronized with the action that produced it; especially synchronizing the movements of a speaker's lips with the sound of his speech
 
lipectomy
plastic surgery involving the breakdown and removal of fatty tissue
 
liposuction
lipectomy (especially for cosmetic purposes) in which excess fatty tissue is removed from under the skin by suction
 
lipreading
perceiving what a person is saying by observing the movements of the lips
 
liquidation
termination of a business operation by using its assets to discharge its liabilities
 
lis pendens
a pending lawsuit
 
literature
the profession or art of a writer
 
lithography
the act of making a lithographic print
 
lithotomy
surgical removal of a stone (calculus)
 
Little Office
a Roman Catholic office honoring the Virgin Mary; similar to but shorter than the Divine Office
 
liturgy
a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship
 
livery
the care (feeding and stabling) of horses for pay
 
load-shedding
cutting off the electric current on certain lines when the demand becomes greater than the supply
 
loading
the labor of putting a load of something on or in a vehicle or ship or container etc.
 
loan approval
formal authorization to get a loan (usually from a bank)
 
lob
an easy return of a tennis ball in a high arc
 
lob
the act of propelling something (as a ball or shell etc.) in a high arc
 
lobbyism
the practice of lobbying; the activities of a lobbyist
 
lobectomy
surgical removal of a lobe from any organ of the body (as the lung or brain)
 
lock
any wrestling hold in which some part of the opponent's body is twisted or pressured
 
lockage
passage through a lock in a canal or waterway
 
lockdown
the act of confining prisoners to their cells (usually to regain control during a riot)
 
locking
the act of locking something up to protect it
 
lockout
a management action resisting employee's demands; employees are barred from entering the workplace until they agree to terms
 
lockstep
a manner of marching in file in which each person's leg moves with and behind the corresponding leg of the person ahead
 
lockstep
a standard procedure that is followed mindlessly
 
locomotion
self-propelled movement
 
lodging
the act of lodging
 
loft bombing
a bombing run in which the bomber approaches the target at a low altitude and pulls up just before releasing the bomb
 
logging
the work of cutting down trees for timber
 
logic programing
creating a program that enables the computer to reason logically
 
logistic assessment
a judgment of the logistic support required for some particular military operation
 
logistic assistance
assistance between and within military commands
 
logistics
handling an operation that involves providing labor and materials be supplied as needed
 
logrolling
act of exchanging favors for mutual gain; especially trading of influence or votes among legislators to gain passage of certain projects
 
long division
the operation of division in which the sequence of steps are indicated in detail
 
long fly
a gymnastic exercise involving a long leap from a vaulting horse
 
long haul
a journey over a long distance
 
long shot
a venture that involves great risk but promises great rewards
 
long whist
a card game for four players who form two partnerships; a pack of 52 cards is dealt and each side scores one point for each trick it takes in excess of six
 
longways
country dancing performed with couples in two long lines facing each other
 
look
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
 
look-over
a swift cursory examination or inspection
 
looking
the act of searching visually
 
lookout
the act of looking out
 
loop
a flight maneuver; aircraft flies a complete circle in the vertical plane
 
loose end
work that is left incomplete
 
looting
plundering during riots or in wartime
 
Lord's Supper
the traditional Passover supper of Jesus with his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion
 
lordolatry
the worship of a lord because of his rank or title
 
loss
the act of losing someone or something
 
lost cause
a defeated cause or a cause for which defeat is inevitable
 
love match
a marriage for love's sake; not an arranged marriage
 
love
sexual activities (often including sexual intercourse) between two people
 
low level flight
flight at very low altitudes
 
Low Mass
a Mass recited without music
 
lowering
the act of causing to become less
 
lubrication
an application of a lubricant to something
 
Lucknow
the British residents of Lucknow were besieged by Indian insurgents during the Indian Mutiny (1857)
 
lucky dip
a game in which prizes (e.g., candies or coins) are concealed in a container and for a small sum a player can draw one out at random
 
lucky dip
a selection or decision purely at random
 
Ludi Saeculares
the centennial rites and games of ancient Rome that marked the commencement of a new generation (100 years representing the longest life in a generation); observances may have begun as early as the 5th century BC and lasted well into the Christian era
 
ludo
a simple board game in which players move counters according to the throw of dice
 
luff
the act of sailing close to the wind
 
luging
riding a light one-man toboggan
 
lumbar puncture
removal by centesis of fluid from the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region of the spinal cord for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes
 
lumbering
the trade of cutting or preparing or selling timber
 
lumpectomy
surgical removal of a tumor without removing much of the surrounding tissue or lymph nodes; performed in some cases of breast cancer
 
lunching
the act of eating lunch
 
lunge
the act of moving forward suddenly
 
lunge
(fencing) an attacking thrust made with one foot forward and the back leg straight and with the sword arm outstretched forward
 
lurch
abrupt up-and-down motion (as caused by a ship or other conveyance)
 
lurch
an unsteady uneven gait
 
lust
self-indulgent sexual desire (personified as one of the deadly sins)
 
lustrum
a ceremonial purification of the Roman population every five years following the census
 
luxuriation
an activity that affords excessive pleasure and enjoyment
 
lymphangiography
roentgenographic examination of lymph nodes and lymph vessels after injection of a radiopaque contrast medium; produces a lymphangiogram
 
lynch law
the practice of punishing people by hanging without due process of law
 
lynching
putting a person to death by mob action without due process of law
 
Macedonian War
one the four wars between Macedonia and Rome in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, which ended in the defeat of Macedonia and its annexation as a Roman province
 
maculation
the act of spotting or staining something
 
magistracy
the position of magistrate
 
maglev
high-speed rail technology; train is suspended on a magnetic cushion above a magnetized track and so travels free of friction
 
magnification
the act of expanding something in apparent size
 
Mah-Jongg
Chinese game played by 4 people with 144 tiles
 
maiden flight
the first flight of its kind
 
maiden voyage
the first voyage of its kind
 
mail call
a call of names of those receiving mail
 
mail fraud
use of the mails to defraud someone
 
mailing
the transmission of a letter
 
maintenance
the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence
 
major surgery
any surgical procedure that involves anesthesia or respiratory assistance
 
make
the act of mixing cards haphazardly
 
make-believe
the enactment of a pretense
 
make-do
something contrived to meet an urgent need or emergency
 
makeover
a complete reconstruction and renovation of something
 
makeover
an overall beauty treatment (involving a person's hair style and cosmetics and clothing) intended to change or improve a person's appearance
 
makeready
final preparation and adjustments
 
male orgasm
an orgasm accompanied by the sensation of ejaculation of semen
 
malfeasance
wrongful conduct by a public official
 
malingering
evading duty or work by pretending to be incapacitated
 
malpractice
a wrongful act that the actor had no right to do; improper professional conduct
 
malpractice
professional wrongdoing that results in injury or damage
 
malversation
misconduct in public office
 
mambo
a Latin American dance similar in rhythm to the rumba
 
mammography
a diagnostic procedure to detect breast tumors by the use of X rays
 
mammothermography
the use of thermography to detect breast tumors (which appear as hot spots)
 
management control
an internal control performed by one or more managers
 
managership
the position of manager
 
mandate
the commission that is given to a government and its policies through an electoral victory
 
maneuver
a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
 
maneuver
a military training exercise
 
maneuver
a move made to gain a tactical end
 
Manhattan Project
code name for the secret United States project set up in 1942 to develop atomic bombs for use in World War II
 
manhood
the status of being a man
 
manhunt
an organized search (by police) for a person (charged with a crime)
 
manicure
professional care for the hands and fingernails
 
Manila Bay
a naval battle in the Spanish-American War (1898); the American fleet under Admiral Dewey defeated the Spanish fleet
 
manipulation
exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage
 
manslaughter
homicide without malice aforethought
 
Mantineia
the site of three famous battles among Greek city-states: in 418 BC and 362 BC and 207 BC
 
manual labor
labor done with the hands
 
manual
(military) a prescribed drill in handling a rifle
 
manumission
the formal act of freeing from slavery
 
marbles
a children's game played with little balls made of a hard substance (as glass)
 
march
a steady advance
 
march
the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)
 
Marengo
a battle in 1800 in which the French under Napoleon Bonaparte won a great victory over the Austrians
 
mariticide
the murder of a husband by his wife
 
market analysis
marketing research that yields information about the marketplace
 
market capitalisation
an estimation of the value of a business that is obtained by multiplying the number of shares outstanding by the current price of a share
 
market gardening
the growing of vegetables or flowers for market
 
market penetration
the extent to which a product is recognized and bought by customers in a particular market
 
market research
research that gathers and analyzes information about the moving of good or services from producer to consumer
 
market
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
 
marketing
the commercial processes involved in promoting and selling and distributing a product or service
 
marketing
shopping at a market
 
marketing
the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money
 
marking
the act of making a visible mark on a surface
 
marriage
the act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony
 
marshalship
the post of marshall
 
martial art
any of several Oriental arts of weaponless self-defense; usually practiced as a sport
 
martyr operation
killing or injuring others while annihilating yourself; usually accomplished with a bomb
 
mask
activity that tries to conceal something
 
masonry
the craft of a mason
 
Mass
(Roman Catholic Church and Protestant Churches) the celebration of the Eucharist
 
mass production
the production of large quantities of a standardized article (often using assembly line techniques)
 
mass spectroscopy
the use of spectroscopy to determine the masses of small electrically charged particles
 
massage
kneading and rubbing parts of the body to increase circulation and promote relaxation
 
masse
a shot in billiards made by hitting the cue ball with the cue held nearly vertically; the cue ball spins around another ball before hitting the object ball
 
mastectomy
surgical removal of a breast to remove a malignant tumor
 
mastering
the act of making a master recording from which copies can be made
 
masterpiece
an outstanding achievement
 
mastership
the position of master
 
masterstroke
an achievement demonstrating great skill or mastery
 
mastery
the act of mastering or subordinating someone
 
mastoidectomy
surgical removal of some or all of the mastoid process
 
mastopexy
plastic surgery to lift or reshape the breasts
 
masturbation
manual stimulation of the genital organs (of yourself or another) for sexual pleasure
 
match play
golf scoring by holes won
 
matchmaking
mediation in order to bring about a marriage between others
 
matchup
the pairing of people or things as for comparison or competition
 
material breach
a breach serious enough to destroy the value of the contract and to give a basis for an action for breach of contract
 
materials handling
act of loading and unloading and moving goods within e.g. a factory especially using mechanical devices
 
maternalism
motherly care; behavior characteristic of a mother; the practice of acting as a mother does toward her children
 
mathematical operation
(mathematics) calculation by mathematical methods
 
matric
admission to a group (especially a college or university)
 
matricide
the murder of your mother
 
matrimony
the ceremony or sacrament of marriage
 
matrix addition
the addition of matrices
 
matrix inversion
determination of a matrix that when multiplied by the given matrix will yield a unit matrix
 
matrix multiplication
the multiplication of matrices
 
matrix operation
a mathematical operation involving matrices
 
matrix transposition
the interchange of each row of a square matrix with the corresponding column
 
maximation
the act of raising to the highest possible point or condition or position
 
maximization
the mathematical process of finding the maximum value of a function
 
mayhem
the willful and unlawful crippling or mutilation of another person
 
mayoralty
the position of mayor
 
mazurka
a Polish national dance in triple time
 
McCarthyism
unscrupulously accusing people of disloyalty (as by saying they were Communists)
 
meander
an aimless amble on a winding course
 
means test
an inquiry into the financial position of someone applying for financial aid
 
measure
the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule
 
measure
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
 
meat grinder
any action resulting in injury or destruction
 
meat packing
wholesale packaging of meat for future sale (including slaughtering and processing and distribution to retailers)
 
mechanics
the technical aspects of doing something
 
medal play
golf scoring by total strokes taken
 
meddling
the act of altering something secretly or improperly
 
medevac
the evacuation of persons (usually by air transportation) to a place where they can receive medical care
 
Medicaid
health care for the needy; a federally and state-funded program
 
medical aid
professional treatment for illness or injury
 
medical diagnosis
identification of a disease from its symptoms
 
medical practice
the practice of medicine
 
medical procedure
a procedure employed by medical or dental practitioners
 
medical prognosis
a prediction of the course of a disease
 
Medicare
health care for the aged; a federally administered system of health insurance available to persons aged 65 and over
 
medication
the act of treating with medicines or remedies
 
medicine
punishment for one's actions
 
medicine
the learned profession that is mastered by graduate training in a medical school and that is devoted to preventing or alleviating or curing diseases and injuries
 
medium
an occupation for which you are especially well suited
 
megavitamin therapy
therapy based on a theory that taking very large doses of vitamins will prevent or cure physical or psychological disorders
 
meniscectomy
surgical removal of the meniscus of the knee
 
mental measurement
a generic term used to cover any application of measurement techniques to the quantification of mental functions
 
mental test
any standardized procedure for measuring sensitivity or memory or intelligence or aptitude or personality etc
 
mercy
alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed
 
meshugaas
(Yiddish) craziness; senseless behavior or activity
 
messiahship
the position of messiah
 
metalwork
the activity of making things out of metal in a skillful manner
 
metamorphosis
a complete change of physical form or substance especially as by magic or witchcraft
 
metamorphosis
a striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
 
Metaurus River
a battle during the second Punic War (207 BC); Hannibal's brother Hasdrubal was defeated by the Romans which ended Hannibal's hopes for success in Italy
 
meteortropism
an effect of climate on biological processes (as the effect on joint pains etc.)
 
meter reading
the act of measuring with meters or similar instruments
 
method
an acting technique introduced by Stanislavsky in which the actor recalls emotions or reactions from his or her own life and uses them to identify with the character being portrayed
 
metrazol shock
the administration of sufficient Metrazol to induce convulsions and coma
 
metrication
the act of changing from imperial units of measurement to metric units: meters, grams, seconds
 
metrification
writing a metrical composition (or the metrical structure of a composition)
 
Meuse-Argonne operation
an American operation in World War I (1918); American troops under Pershing drove back the German armies which were saved only by the armistice on November 11
 
Mexican Revolution
a revolution for agrarian reforms led in northern Mexico by Pancho Villa and in southern Mexico by Emiliano Zapata (1910-1911)
 
Mexican War
after disputes over Texas lands that were settled by Mexicans the United States declared war on Mexico in 1846 and by treaty in 1848 took Texas and California and Arizona and New Mexico and Nevada and Utah and part of Colorado and paid Mexico $15,000,000
 
Michelson-Morley experiment
a celebrated experiment conducted by Albert Michelson and Edward Morley; their failure to detect any influence of the earth's motion on the velocity of light was the starting point for Einstein's theory of relativity
 
micrometry
measuring with a micrometer
 
microscopy
research with the use of microscopes
 
microsurgery
surgery using operating microscopes and miniaturized precision instruments to perform intricate procedures on very small structures
 
microwave spectroscopy
the use of spectroscopy to study atomic or molecular resonances in the microwave spectrum
 
micturition reflex
relaxation of the urethral sphincter in response to increased pressure in the bladder
 
mid-off
the fielding position in cricket closest to the bowler on the off side
 
mid-on
the fielding position in cricket closest to the bowler on the on side
 
midwifery
assisting women at childbirth
 
migration
the movement of persons from one country or locality to another
 
mikvah
(Hebrew) a ritual purification and cleansing bath that Orthodox Jews take on certain occasions (as before Sabbath or after menstruation)
 
militainment
entertainment with military themes in which the Department of Defense is celebrated
 
militarisation
act of assembling and putting into readiness for war or other emergency:
 
military censorship
all types of censorship conducted by personnel of the armed forces
 
military ceremony
a military custom performed in observance of some event or anniversary
 
military control
the control of a country by military forces of a foreign power
 
military drill
training in marching and the use of weapons
 
military mission
an operation that is assigned by a higher headquarters
 
military operation
activity by a military or naval force (as a maneuver or campaign)
 
military press
a weightlift in which the barbell is lifted to shoulder height and then smoothly lifted overhead
 
military service
land tenure by service in the lord's army
 
military training
training soldiers in military procedures
 
mimicry
the resemblance of an animal species to another species or to natural objects; provides concealment and protection from predators
 
mind game
deliberate actions of calculated psychological manipulation intended to intimidate or confuse (usually for competitive advantage)
 
mind game
any game designed to exercise the intellect
 
mine disposal
the disposal of explosive mines
 
minelaying
laying explosive mines in concealed places to destroy enemy personnel and equipment
 
minesweeping
the activity of detecting and disposing of marine mines
 
mingling
the action of people mingling and coming into contact
 
miniature golf
a novelty version of golf played with golf balls and putters on a miniature course featuring many obstacles
 
miniaturisation
act of making on a greatly reduced scale
 
minimally invasive coronary bypass surgery
heart surgery in which a coronary bypass is performed on the beating heart by the use of small instruments and cameras threaded through small incisions
 
minimisation
the act of reducing something to the least possible amount or degree or position
 
minister
the job of a head of a government department
 
ministration
assistance in time of difficulty
 
ministry
the work of a minister of religion
 
Ministry of Transportation test
a compulsory annual test of older motor vehicles for safety and exhaust fumes
 
minor surgery
any surgical procedure that does not involve anesthesia or respiratory assistance
 
mintage
act or process of minting coins
 
minuet
a stately court dance in the 17th century
 
minus
an arithmetic operation in which the difference between two numbers is calculated
 
miotic eyedrop
a treatment for glaucoma; the eyedrops increase the outflow of aqueous humor by constricting the pupil
 
miracle-worship
the worship of miracles
 
misapplication
wrong use or application
 
misappropriation
wrongful borrowing
 
misbehavior
improper or wicked or immoral behavior
 
miscalculation
a mistake in calculating
 
miscarriage
a natural loss of the products of conception
 
misconduct
bad or dishonest management by persons supposed to act on another's behalf
 
miscount
an inaccurate count
 
miscue
a faulty shot in billiards; the cue tip slips off the cue ball
 
miscue
a minor inadvertent mistake usually observed in speech or writing or in small accidents or memory lapses etc.
 
misdeal
an incorrect deal
 
misdirection
management that is careless or inefficient
 
misfeasance
doing a proper act in a wrongful or injurious manner
 
misgovernment
government that is inefficient or dishonest
 
mission impossible
an extremely dangerous or difficult mission
 
mission
the organized work of a religious missionary
 
misstep
an unintentional but embarrassing blunder
 
mistreatment
the practice of treating (someone or something) badly
 
mistrial
a trial that is invalid or inconclusive
 
mitigation
the action of lessening in severity or intensity
 
mitsvah
(Judaism) a good deed performed out of religious duty
 
mixed farming
growing crops and feed and livestock all on the same farm
 
mnemonic
a device (such as a rhyme or acronym) used to aid recall
 
mobilisation
act of marshaling and organizing and making ready for use or action
 
mock
the act of mocking or ridiculing
 
mockery
humorous or satirical mimicry
 
modality
a method of therapy that involves physical or electrical therapeutic treatment
 
model
the act of representing something (usually on a smaller scale)
 
modeling
a preliminary sculpture in wax or clay from which a finished work can be copied
 
moderatorship
the position of moderator
 
modern ballet
a style of ballet that admits a wider variety of movements
 
modern dance
a style of theatrical dancing that is not as restricted as classical ballet; movements are expressive of feelings
 
modernisation
making modern in appearance or behavior
 
modernism
practices typical of contemporary life or thought
 
modified radical mastectomy
removal of a breast and the pectoralis minor and some lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit
 
modulation
the act of modifying or adjusting according to due measure and proportion (as with regard to artistic effect)
 
modus operandi
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
 
molestation
the act of subjecting someone to unwanted or improper sexual advances or activity (especially women or children)
 
mollification
the act of appeasing someone or causing someone to be more favorably inclined
 
momism
excessive protection
 
monetisation
establishing something (e.g. gold or silver) as the legal tender of a country
 
money laundering
concealing the source of illegally gotten money
 
moneymaking
the act of making money (and accumulating wealth)
 
monitoring
the act of observing something (and sometimes keeping a record of it)
 
monkey business
mischievous or deceitful behavior
 
monoculture
the cultivation of a single crop (on a farm or area or country)
 
monohybrid cross
hybridization using a single trait with two alleles (as in Mendel's experiments with garden peas)
 
monolatry
the worship of a single god but without claiming that it is the only god
 
monopolisation
domination (of a market or commodity) to the exclusion of others
 
Monopoly
a board game in which players try to gain a monopoly on real estate as pieces advance around the board according to the throw of a die
 
moon shot
the launching of a spacecraft to the moon
 
moon-worship
the worship of the moon
 
moonwalk
a kind of dance step in which the dancer seems to be sliding on the spot
 
moonwalk
an exploratory walk by an astronaut on the surface of the moon
 
moot
a hypothetical case that law students argue as an exercise
 
mopping
cleaning with a mop
 
moral obligation
an obligation arising out of considerations of right and wrong
 
morale booster
anything that serves to increase morale
 
moralisation
the act of making moral (or more moral)
 
moralism
judgments about another person's morality
 
Moro reflex
a normal reflex of young infants; a sudden loud noise causes the child to stretch out the arms and flex the legs
 
morris dance
any of various English folk dances performed by dancers in costume
 
mortar fire
artillery fire delivered by a mortar
 
mortification
(Christianity) the act of mortifying the lusts of the flesh by self-denial and privation (especially by bodily pain or discomfort inflicted on yourself)
 
motility
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
 
motion study
an analysis of a specific job in an effort to find the most efficient method in terms of time and effort
 
motion
the act of changing location from one place to another
 
motivating
the act of motivating; providing incentive
 
motor control
control of muscles
 
motorcycling
riding a motorcycle
 
motoring
the act of driving an automobile
 
motorisation
the act of motorizing (equiping with motors or with motor vehicles)
 
mottling
the act of coloring with areas of different shades
 
mound
the position on a baseball team of the player who throws the ball for a batter to try to hit
 
mountain climbing
the activity of climbing a mountain
 
mousetrap
(American football) a play in which a defensive player is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and then blocked off as the runner goes through the place the lineman vacated
 
move
the act of deciding to do something
 
move
(game) a player's turn to take some action permitted by the rules of the game
 
move
the act of changing your residence or place of business
 
movement
the act of changing the location of something
 
moving in
the act of occupying or taking possession of a building
 
MPEG
a set of standards adopted by the moving pictures experts group for the compression of digital video and audio data or a file of data compressed according to those standards
 
MRI
the use of nuclear magnetic resonance of protons to produce proton density images
 
mud bath
a bath in warm mud (as for treating rheumatism)
 
mudra
ritual hand movement in Hindu religious dancing
 
mug's game
a futile or unprofitable endeavor
 
mugging
assault with intent to rob
 
multiple voting
the act of voting in more than one place by the same person at the same election (illegal in U.S.)
 
multiplication
an arithmetic operation that is the inverse of division; the product of two numbers is computed
 
mumble-the-peg
a game in which players throw or flip a jackknife in various ways so that the knife sticks in the ground
 
mummification
embalmment and drying a dead body and wrapping it as a mummy
 
munch
a large bite
 
murder conviction
conviction for murder
 
mush
a journey by dogsled
 
music
musical activity (singing or whistling etc.)
 
music lesson
a lesson in performing music
 
musical chairs
a rearrangement that has no practical effect or significance
 
musical performance
the act of performing music
 
muster call
a call of the names of personnel at a military assembly
 
mutiny
open rebellion against constituted authority (especially by seamen or soldiers against their officers)
 
mycophagy
the practice of eating fungi (especially mushrooms collected in the wild)
 
mydriasis
reflex pupillary dilation as a muscle pulls the iris outward; occurs in response to a decrease in light or certain drugs
 
myelography
roentgenography of the spinal cord to detect possible lesions (usually after injection of a contrast medium into the subarachnoid space)
 
myotactic reflex
reflex contraction of a muscle when an attached tendon is pulled; important in maintaining erect posture
 
myotomy
surgical incision or division of a muscle
 
myringectomy
surgical removal of the eardrum
 
myringoplasty
surgical repair of a perforated eardrum with a tissue graft
 
myringotomy
surgical incision into the eardrum (to relieve pressure or release pus from the middle ear)
 
mystification
the activity of obscuring people's understanding, leaving them baffled or bewildered
 
nail pulling
a form of torture in which the fingernails or toenails are removed
 
naked option
a put or call option for which the seller or buyer has no underlying security position
 
name
by the sanction or authority of
 
Napoleon
a card game similar to whist; usually played for stakes
 
Napoleonic Wars
a series of wars fought between France (led by Napoleon Bonaparte) and alliances involving England and Prussia and Russia and Austria at different times; 1799-1815
 
naprapathy
a drugless method of treatment based on the belief that disease symptoms arise from problems with ligaments and connective tissues
 
narcoterrorism
the financing of terrorist activities by participation in the drug trade
 
narrowing
the act of making something narrower
 
nasogastric feeding
feeding consisting of delivering liquid nutrients through a tube passing through the nose and into the stomach
 
national assistance
benefits paid to bring incomes up to minimum levels established by law
 
national censorship
censorship under civil authority of communications entering or leaving or crossing the borders of the United States or its territories or possessions
 
national insurance
social insurance program in Britain; based on contributions from employers and employees; provides payments to unemployed and sick and retired people as well as medical services
 
national service
compulsory service in the military during peacetime
 
nationalisation
the action of rendering national in character
 
nationalisation
the action of forming or becoming a nation
 
natural
(craps) a first roll of 7 or 11 that immediately wins the stake
 
natural family planning
any of several methods of family planning that do not involve sterilization or contraceptive devices or drugs; coitus is avoided during the fertile time of a woman's menstrual cycle
 
naturalisation
the introduction of animals or plants to places where they flourish but are not indigenous
 
naturalisation
changing the pronunciation of a borrowed word to agree with the borrowers' phonology
 
naturalisation
the proceeding whereby a foreigner is granted citizenship
 
naturism
going without clothes as a social practice
 
naturopathy
a method of treating disease using food and exercise and heat to assist the natural healing process
 
nauch
an intricate traditional dance in India performed by professional dancing girls
 
naught
complete failure
 
naval battle
a pitched battle between naval fleets
 
naval blockade
the interdiction of a nation's lines of communication at sea by the use of naval power
 
naval campaign
an operation conducted primarily by naval forces in order to gain or extend or maintain control of the sea
 
navigation
ship traffic
 
navigation
the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place
 
navigation
the work of a sailor
 
near thing
something that barely avoids failure or disaster
 
neck exercise
exercise designed to strengthen the neck muscles
 
necrophagia
feeding on corpses or carrion
 
needlecraft
work (such as sewing or embroidery) that is done with a needle
 
negative chemotaxis
movement away from a chemical stimulus
 
neglect of duty
(law) breach of a duty
 
negotiation
the activity or business of negotiating an agreement; coming to terms
 
nelson
any of several wrestling holds in which an arm is passed under the opponent's arm from behind and the hand exerts pressure on the back of the neck
 
Nemean Games
the ancient Panhellenic games held biennially at Nemea in the second and fourth years of each Olympiad
 
neocolonialism
control by a powerful country of its former colonies (or other less developed countries) by economic pressures
 
nephrectomy
surgical removal of a kidney
 
nephrotomy
incision into a kidney (usually to remove a kidney stone)
 
nepotism
favoritism shown to relatives or close friends by those in power (as by giving them jobs)
 
netball
a team game that resembles basketball; a soccer ball is to be thrown so that it passes through a ring on the top of a post
 
netting
creating nets
 
neurectomy
surgical removal of all or part of a nerve
 
neuromarketing
marketing based on studies of consumers' sensorimotor, cognitive, and affective responses
 
neuroplasty
plastic surgery of the nerves
 
neurosurgery
any surgery that involves the nervous system (brain or spinal cord or peripheral nerves)
 
neurotropism
an affinity for neural tissues
 
neutralisation
action intended to keep a country politically neutral or exclude it from a possible war
 
neutralisation
(euphemism) the removal of a threat by killing or destroying it (especially in a covert operation or military operation)
 
neutrality
nonparticipation in a dispute or war
 
neutralization fire
fire that is delivered in order to render the target ineffective or unusable
 
new deal
a reapportioning of something
 
Newmarket
a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck); a player plays the lowest card of a suit in his hand and successively higher cards are played until the sequence stops; the player who plays a card matching one in the layout wins all the chips on that card
 
newspapering
journalism practiced for the newspapers
 
newspeak
deliberately ambiguous and contradictory language used to mislead and manipulate the public
 
nibble
gentle biting
 
nick
a small cut
 
night game
a game played under artificial illumination at night
 
night life
the activity of people seeking nighttime diversion (as at the theater, a nightclub, etc.)
 
night life
the entertainment available to people seeking nighttime diversion
 
night-stop
a break in a journey for the night
 
nightcap
the final game of a double header
 
nightwork
work to be done at night
 
nihil obstat
authoritative approval
 
nim
game in which matchsticks are arranged in rows and players alternately remove one or more of them; in some versions the object is to take the last remaining matchstick on the table and in other versions the object is to avoid taking the last remaining matchstick on the table
 
ninepins
a bowling game that is played by rolling a bowling ball down a bowling alley at a target of nine wooden pins
 
ninjitsu
the traditional Japanese method of espionage; involves stealthy movements and the use of camouflage
 
nip
a small sharp bite or snip
 
nisus
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
 
no ball
unlawfully delivered ball in cricket
 
no-brainer
anything that requires little thought
 
no-hit game
a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team no hits
 
no-trump
a version of contract bridge in which no suit is designated as trump for the duration of the hand
 
noblesse oblige
the obligation of those of high rank to be honorable and generous (often used ironically)
 
noctambulation
walking by a person who is asleep
 
nod
the act of nodding the head
 
nomenklatura
the system of patronage in communist countries; controlled by committees in the Communist Party
 
nomination
the act of officially naming a candidate
 
non pros
a judgment entered in favor of the defendant when the plaintiff has not continued his action (e.g., has not appeared in court)
 
non-engagement
withdrawing from the activities of a group
 
nonacceptance
the act of refusing an offer
 
nonaccomplishment
an act that does not achieve its intended goal
 
nonappearance
failure to appear (especially as at court)
 
nonattendance
the failure to attend
 
nonconformance
failure to conform to accepted standards of behavior
 
nonconformism
the practice of nonconformity
 
none
a service in the Roman Catholic Church formerly read or chanted at 3 PM (the ninth hour counting from sunrise) but now somewhat earlier
 
nonfeasance
a failure to act when under an obligation to do so; a refusal (without sufficient excuse) to do that which it is your legal duty to do
 
nonobservance
a lack of conformity with law or custom or practice etc.
 
nonprofit
an organization chartered for other than profit-making activities
 
nonproliferation
the prevention of something increasing or spreading (especially the prevention of an increase in the number of countries possessing nuclear weapons)
 
nonresistance
group refusal to resort to violence even in defense against violence
 
nonstop
a flight made without intermediate stops between source and destination
 
nonviolence
peaceful resistance to a government by fasting or refusing to cooperate
 
normalisation
the imposition of standards or regulations
 
Norman Conquest
the invasion and settlement of England by the Normans following the battle of Hastings (1066)
 
North American Free Trade Agreement
an agreement for free trade between the United States and Canada and Mexico; became effective in 1994 for ten years
 
nose job
cosmetic surgery to improve the appearance of your nose
 
notation
the activity of representing something by a special system of marks or characters
 
notification
an accusation of crime made by a grand jury on its own initiative
 
noughts and crosses
a game in which two players alternately put crosses and circles in one of the compartments of a square grid of nine spaces; the object is to get a row of three crosses or three circles before the opponent does
 
nourishment
the act of nourishing
 
novation
(law) the replacement of one obligation by another by mutual agreement of both parties; usually the replacement of one of the original parties to a contract with the consent of the remaining party
 
novelisation
converting something into the form of a novel
 
novena
a Roman Catholic devotion consisting of prayers on nine consecutive days
 
nuclear deterrence
the military doctrine that an enemy will be deterred from using nuclear weapons as long as he can be destroyed as a consequence
 
nuclear terrorism
the use of a nuclear device by a terrorist organization to cause massive devastation or the use (or threat of use) of fissionable radioactive materials
 
nude dancing
erotic dancing with little or no clothing
 
nullification
the act of nullifying; making null and void; counteracting or overriding the effect or force of something
 
number crunching
performing complex and lengthy numerical calculations
 
numbers
an illegal daily lottery
 
nursing
the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm
 
nursing care
care by a skilled nurse
 
nurturance
physical and emotional care and nourishment
 
nutation
uncontrolled nodding
 
nystagmus
involuntary movements of the eyeballs; its presence or absence is used to diagnose a variety of neurological and visual disorders
 
obedience
the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
 
obedience
behavior intended to please your parents
 
obfuscation
darkening or obscuring the sight of something
 
object-oriented programing
creating a program that can use and support objects
 
objectification
the act of representing an abstraction as a physical thing
 
objection
(law) a procedure whereby a party to a suit says that a particular line of questioning or a particular witness or a piece of evidence or other matter is improper and should not be continued and asks the court to rule on its impropriety or illegality
 
Oblation
the act of offering the bread and wine of the Eucharist
 
oblation
the act of contributing to the funds of a church or charity
 
obscenity
an obscene act
 
obscurantism
a deliberate act intended to make something obscure
 
observance
the act of observing; taking a patient look
 
observation
the act of making and recording a measurement
 
observed fire
fire for which the point of impact (the burst) can be seen by an observer; fire can be adjusted on the basis of the observations
 
obstruction
the act of obstructing
 
obstruction
getting in someone's way
 
obstruction of justice
impeding those who seek justice in a court (as by trying to influence or intimidate any juror or witness or officer of the court); can result in a finding of contempt of court
 
obstructionism
deliberate interference
 
obtainment
the act of obtaining
 
occult
supernatural practices and techniques
 
occupancy
an act of being a tenant or occupant
 
occupation
any activity that occupies a person's attention
 
occupational therapy
therapy based on engagement in meaningful activities of daily life, especially to enable or encourage participation in such activities in spite of impairments or limitations in physical or mental functions
 
ocean trip
an act of traveling by water
 
oculism
the craft of an oculist
 
odyssey
a long wandering and eventful journey
 
offence
a transgression that constitutes a violation of what is judged to be right
 
offence
the action of attacking an enemy
 
Offertory
the part of the Eucharist when bread and wine are offered to God
 
office
a religious rite or service prescribed by ecclesiastical authorities
 
Office of the Dead
an office read or sung before a burial mass in the Roman Catholic Church
 
official immunity
personal immunity accorded to a public official from liability to anyone injured by actions that are the consequence of exerting official authority
 
officiating
the act of umpiring
 
officiation
the performance of a religious or ceremonial or public duty
 
offside
(sport) the mistake of occupying an illegal position on the playing field (in football, soccer, ice hockey, field hockey, etc.)
 
oil change
replacing dirty oil with clean
 
oil conservation
the conservation of petroleum resources
 
oil painting
the art or method of painting with oil paints
 
Okinawa campaign
a campaign in the closing days of World War II in the Pacific (April to June 1945); in savage close-quarter fighting United States marines and regular army troops took the island from the Japanese; considered the greatest victory of the Pacific campaign for the Americans
 
Oktoberfest
an autumn festival that involves merrymaking and drinking beer
 
old maid
a card game using a pack of cards from which one queen has been removed; players match cards and the player holding the unmatched queen at the end of the game is the loser (or `old maid')
 
old sledge
a form of all fours in which a total of seven points is game
 
old-age insurance
insurance paid to the elderly
 
Olympian Games
the ancient Panhellenic celebration at Olympia in honor of Zeus; held every 4 years beginning in 776 BC
 
omission
a mistake resulting from neglect
 
omophagia
the eating of raw food
 
on the road
travelling about
 
one-and-one
a foul shot that must be made in order to earn the right to a second foul shot
 
one-night stand
a performance in one place on one night only
 
one-night stand
a brief sexual encounter lasting only for a single night
 
one-step
an early ballroom dance; precursor to the fox-trot
 
one-upmanship
the practice of keeping one jump ahead of a friend or competitor
 
oophorectomy
surgical removal of one of both ovaries
 
oophorosalpingectomy
surgical removal of one or both ovaries and the corresponding Fallopian tubes
 
open primary
a primary in which any registered voter can vote (but must vote for candidates of only one party)
 
open sesame
any very successful means of achieving a result
 
open-heart surgery
heart surgery in which the rib cage is spread open, the heart is stopped and blood is detoured through a heart-lung machine while a heart valve or coronary artery is surgically repaired
 
opencast mining
the mining of ore or coal from an open mine
 
opening
becoming open or being made open
 
opening
the act of opening something
 
operating procedure
a procedure for operating something or for dealing with a given situation
 
operation
a business especially one run on a large scale
 
operation
the activity of operating something (a machine or business etc.)
 
operation
a planned activity involving many people performing various actions
 
Operation Desert Storm
the United States and its allies defeated Iraq in a ground war that lasted 100 hours (1991)
 
operation
a process or series of acts especially of a practical or mechanical nature involved in a particular form of work
 
operation
a medical procedure involving an incision with instruments; performed to repair damage or arrest disease in a living body
 
operations research
research designed to determine most efficient way to do something
 
operations
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
 
ophiolatry
the worship of snakes
 
ophthalmectomy
surgical removal of an eye
 
ophthalmoscopy
examination of the interior of an eye using an ophthalmoscope
 
opinion
the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
 
opposition
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
 
oppression
the act of subjugating by cruelty
 
optimisation
the act of rendering optimal
 
optometry
the practice of an optometrist
 
oral contraception
contraception achieved by taking oral contraceptive pills
 
orchestration
an arrangement of events that attempts to achieve a maximum effect
 
orchidectomy
surgical removal of one or both testicles
 
orchiopexy
operation to bring an undescended testicle into the scrotum
 
orchotomy
surgical incision into the testis to obtain material for analysis (as in cases of abnormally low sperm count)
 
ordeal
a primitive method of determining a person's guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused person to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under divine control; escape was usually taken as a sign of innocence
 
order arms
a position in the manual of arms; the rifle is held vertically on the right side with the butt on the ground; often used as a command
 
order
the act of putting things in a sequential arrangement
 
ordinance
the act of ordaining; the act of conferring (or receiving) holy orders
 
organ transplant
an operation moving an organ from one organism (the donor) to another (the recipient)
 
organisation
the activity or result of distributing or disposing persons or things properly or methodically
 
organisation
the act of organizing a business or an activity related to a business
 
orgy
secret rite in the cults of ancient Greek or Roman deities involving singing and dancing and drinking and sexual activity
 
orientation
the act of orienting
 
orientation
a course introducing a new situation or environment
 
origami
the Japanese art of folding paper into shapes representing objects (e.g., flowers or birds)
 
original sin
a sin said to be inherited by all descendants of Adam
 
ornamentalism
the practice of ornamental display
 
orthodontic treatment
dental treatment that corrects irregularities of the teeth or of the relation of the teeth to surrounding anatomy; treatment is usually by braces or mechanical aids
 
orthoptics
treatment of defects of binocular vision (such as strabismus and amblyopia) by nonsurgical measures (especially by exercises to strengthen the eye muscles)
 
oscitance
an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth; usually triggered by fatigue or boredom
 
osteoclasis
treatment of a skeletal deformity by intentionally fracturing a bone
 
osteopathy
therapy based on the assumption that restoring health is best accomplished by manipulating the skeleton and muscles
 
osteotomy
surgical sectioning of bone
 
ostomy
surgical procedure that creates an artificial opening for the elimination of bodily wastes
 
ostracism
the act of excluding someone from society by general consent
 
otoplasty
reconstructive surgery of the auricle of the external ear
 
ouster
a wrongful dispossession
 
ouster
the act of ejecting someone or forcing them out
 
out
(baseball) a failure by a batter or runner to reach a base safely in baseball
 
outburst
a sudden violent disturbance
 
outdoor game
an athletic game that is played outdoors
 
outercourse
sexual stimulation without vaginal penetration
 
outfitting
the act of renovating and fitting out a ship
 
outlet
activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion
 
output
production of a certain amount
 
outrage
a wantonly cruel act
 
outrage
the act of scandalizing
 
outreach
the act of reaching out
 
outside loop
a loop consisting of a dive followed by inverted flight followed by a climb that returns to horizontal flight
 
over-the-shoulder bombing
a special case of loft bombing in which the bomb is released past the vertical so it is tossed back to the target
 
overachievement
better than expected performance (better than might have been predicted from intelligence tests)
 
overcapitalisation
(business) too much capitalization (the sale of more stock than the business warrants)
 
overcast
a cast that falls beyond the intended spot
 
overexertion
excessive exertion; so much exertion that discomfort or injury results
 
overexploitation
exploitation to the point of diminishing returns
 
overexposure
the act of exposing film to too much light or for too long a time
 
overexposure
the act of exposing someone excessively to an influencing experience
 
overfeeding
excessive feeding
 
overflight
a flight by an aircraft over a particular area (especially over an area in foreign territory)
 
overhand pitch
a baseball pitch in which the hand moves above the shoulder
 
overhaul
the act of improving by renewing and restoring
 
overhead
a hard return hitting the tennis ball above your head
 
overkill
any effort that seems to go farther than would be necessary to achieve its goal
 
overlordship
the position of overlord
 
overpayment
the act of paying too much
 
overproduction
too much production or more than expected
 
overreaction
an excessive reaction; a reaction with inappropriate emotional behavior
 
oversight
management by overseeing the performance or operation of a person or group
 
oversimplification
an act of excessive simplification; the act of making something seem simpler than it really is
 
overt operation
the collection of intelligence openly without concealment
 
overtaking
going by something that is moving in order to get in front of it
 
overthrow
the termination of a ruler or institution (especially by force)
 
overturn
the act of upsetting something
 
overturn
an improbable and unexpected victory
 
overwork
the act of working too much or too long
 
ovulation method
natural family planning in which the fertile period is inferred from changes in the character and quantity of cervical mucus; ovulation is marked by an increase in mucus that becomes sticky and then clearer and slippery
 
own goal
(soccer) a goal that results when a player inadvertently knocks the ball into the goal he is defending
 
ownership
the act of having and controlling property
 
pac-man strategy
the target company defends itself by threatening to take over its acquirer
 
pace lap
the first lap of a car race that prepares the cars for a fast start
 
pace
a step in walking or running
 
pachinko
a Japanese pinball game played on a vertical board
 
pachisi
an ancient board game resembling backgammon; played on a cross-shaped board
 
pacing
walking with slow regular strides
 
pack riding
riding with a pack
 
package holiday
a tour arranged by a travel agent; transportation and food and lodging are all provided at an inclusive price
 
packaging
the business of packing
 
paederasty
sexual relations between a man and a boy (usually anal intercourse with the boy as a passive partner)
 
paedophilia
a sexual attraction to children
 
pageant
an elaborate representation of scenes from history etc; usually involves a parade with rich costumes
 
paintball
a game that simulates military combat; players on one team try to eliminate players on the opposing team by shooting capsules of paint at them
 
painting
creating a picture with paints
 
painting
the act of applying paint to a surface
 
pairing
the act of grouping things or people in pairs
 
pall-mall
a 17th century game; a wooden ball was driven along an alley with a mallet
 
palliation
easing the severity of a pain or a disease without removing the cause
 
pallone
an Italian game similar to tennis
 
palpation
a method of examination in which the examiner feels the size or shape or firmness or location of something (of body parts when the examiner is a health professional)
 
palpebration
repeated blinking or winking (especially if uncontrolled and persistent)
 
pancreatectomy
surgical removal of part or all of the pancreas
 
pandiculation
yawning and stretching (as when first waking up)
 
panhysterectomy
surgical removal of the uterus and the ovaries and oviducts and cervix and related lymph nodes
 
panto
an abbreviation of pantomime
 
paper route
the job of delivering newspapers regularly
 
paperhanging
the application of wallpaper
 
papermaking
the craft of making paper
 
paperwork
work that involves handling papers: forms or letters or reports etc.
 
papism
offensive terms for the practices and rituals of the Roman Catholic Church
 
parade
a visible display
 
paragliding
gliding in a parasail
 
paraphilia
abnormal sexual activity
 
parcel
the allotment of some amount by dividing something
 
parcellation
the division into parcels
 
Parcheesi
a modern board game based on pachisi
 
pargeting
ornamental plastering
 
parimutuel
betting where winners share the total amount wagered
 
parking
the act of maneuvering a vehicle into a location where it can be left temporarily
 
parlay
a series of wagers in which the winnings from one wager are used as a stake for the subsequent wagers
 
parlor game
a game suitable for playing in a parlor
 
parole
(law) a conditional release from imprisonment that entitles the person to serve the remainder of the sentence outside the prison as long as the terms of release are complied with
 
parricide
the murder of your own father or mother
 
parry
(fencing) blocking a lunge or deflecting it with a circular motion of the sword
 
part-singing
singing with three or more voice parts
 
partial breach
a breach that does not destroy the value of the contract but can give rise to a claim for damages
 
partial verdict
(criminal law) a finding that the defendant is guilty of some charges but innocent of others
 
party game
a game to amuse guests at a party
 
party spirit
devotion to a political party
 
pas
(ballet) a step in dancing (especially in classical ballet)
 
pas de quatre
(ballet) a dance for four people
 
pas de trois
(ballet) a dance for three people
 
pas seul
(ballet) a solo dance or dance figure
 
paso doble
a ballroom dance in fast duple time
 
pass
a flight or run by an aircraft over a target
 
pass
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
 
pass
success in satisfying a test or requirement
 
passage
a bodily reaction of changing from one place or stage to another
 
passage
a journey usually by ship
 
passage
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
 
passed ball
a pitch that the catcher should have caught but did not; allows a base runner to advance a base
 
passing shot
a tennis return that passes an opponent who has approached the net
 
passive air defense
air defense by the use of deception or dispersion or protective construction
 
Passover supper
(Judaism) the ceremonial dinner on the first night (or both nights) of Passover
 
pasteurisation
partial sterilization of foods at a temperature that destroys harmful microorganisms without major changes in the chemistry of the food
 
pastorate
the position of pastor
 
patching
the act of mending a hole in a garment by sewing a patch over it
 
patent infringement
violation of the rights secured by a patent
 
path
a course of conduct
 
patience
a card game played by one person
 
patricide
the murder of your father
 
patrol
the activity of going around or through an area at regular intervals for security purposes
 
patronage
(politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support
 
patronage
the business given to a commercial establishment by its customers
 
pattern
a customary way of operation or behavior
 
pause
temporary inactivity
 
pavage
the act of applying paving materials to an area
 
pavan
a stately court dance of the 16th and 17th centuries
 
pawn
borrowing and leaving an article as security for repayment of the loan
 
pay cut
the act of reducing a salary
 
payback
the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life
 
payment
an act of requiting; returning in kind
 
peace initiative
opening move in negotiating a peace treaty
 
peace march
a protest march against (a particular) war and in favor of peace
 
peacekeeping
the activity of keeping the peace by military forces (especially when international military forces enforce a truce between hostile groups or nations)
 
Peasant's Revolt
a widespread rebellion in 1381 against poll taxes and other inequities that oppressed the poorer people of England; suppressed by Richard II
 
peasanthood
the state of being a peasant
 
pedicure
professional care for the feet and toenails
 
peek
a secret look
 
Peloponnesian War
a war in which Athens and its allies were defeated by the league centered on Sparta; 431-404 BC
 
pelvimetry
measurement of the dimensions of the bony birth canal (to determine whether vaginal birth is possible)
 
penalisation
the act of punishing
 
penance
a Catholic sacrament; repentance and confession and atonement and absolution
 
penance
voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing
 
penetration
the act (by a man) of inserting his penis into the vagina of a woman
 
penetration
the act of entering into or through something
 
penny ante
a business deal on a trivial scale
 
penny ante
poker played for small stakes
 
peonage
the practice of making a debtor work for his creditor until the debt is discharged
 
perambulation
a walk around a territory (a parish or manor or forest etc.) in order to officially assert and record its boundaries
 
perception
becoming aware of something via the senses
 
percolation
the act of making coffee in a percolator
 
percolation
the filtration of a liquid for extraction or purification
 
percussion
the act of exploding a percussion cap
 
percussion
the act of playing a percussion instrument
 
percussion
tapping a part of the body for diagnostic purposes
 
peregrination
traveling or wandering around
 
perfect game
a game in which a pitcher does not allow any opposing player to reach base
 
perfection
the act of making something perfect
 
perforation
the act of punching a hole (especially a row of holes as for ease of separation)
 
performance
any recognized accomplishment
 
performance
the act of presenting a play or a piece of music or other entertainment
 
perfumery
the art of making perfumes
 
perfusion
pumping a liquid into an organ or tissue (especially by way of blood vessels)
 
perineotomy
surgical incision into the perineum
 
permissive waste
(law) reduction in the value of an estate caused by act or neglect
 
permutation
the act of changing the arrangement of a given number of elements
 
permutation
act of changing the lineal order of objects in a group
 
permutation
complete change in character or condition
 
persecution
the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)
 
perseverance
the act of persisting or persevering; continuing or repeating behavior
 
Persian Gulf War
a war fought between Iraq and a coalition led by the United States that freed Kuwait from Iraqi invaders; 1990-1991
 
personal care
care for someone who is disabled or is otherwise unable to care for themselves; can including bathing and cooking and managing bodily functions
 
personal foul
a foul that involves unnecessarily rough contact (as in basketball or football)
 
personality test
any test that is intended to assess personality
 
pervaporation
the concentration of a colloidal solution whose colloid will not pass through a semipermeable membrane; solution is placed in a bag of the membrane and the solvent is evaporated off
 
perversion
the action of perverting something (turning it to a wrong use)
 
perversion
an aberrant sexual practice
 
PET
using a computerized radiographic technique to examine the metabolic activity in various tissues (especially in the brain)
 
pet sitting
the work of a pet sitter; caring for pets in their own home while their owners are away from home
 
Petersburg Campaign
the final campaign of the American Civil War (1864-65); Union forces under Grant besieged and finally defeated Confederate forces under Lee
 
petit larceny
larceny of property having a value less than some amount (the amount varies by locale)
 
petrissage
massage of the skin which is gently lifted and squeezed
 
petroglyph
a carving or line drawing on rock (especially one made by prehistoric people)
 
phacoemulsification
extracapsular surgery for cataracts in which ultrasonic sound breaks the cortex and nucleus of the lens into small fragments that are then vacuumed away through a small tube
 
phalloplasty
reconstructive surgery on the penis to repair congenital abnormality or injury
 
phase I clinical trial
a clinical trial on a few persons to determine the safety of a new drug or invasive medical device; for drugs, dosage or toxicity limits should be obtained
 
phase II clinical trial
a clinical trial on more persons than in phase I; intended to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment for the condition it is intended to treat; possible side effects are monitored
 
phase III clinical trial
a large clinical trial of a treatment or drug that in phase I and phase II has been shown to be efficacious with tolerable side effects; after successful conclusion of these clinical trials it will receive formal approval from the FDA
 
phase IV clinical trial
sometimes the FDA approves a drug for general use but requires the manufacturer to continue to monitor its effects; during this phase the drug may be tried on slightly different patient populations than those studied in earlier trials
 
phase-out
the act or instance of a planned discontinuation
 
philanthropic gift
voluntary promotion of human welfare
 
philately
the collection and study of postage stamps
 
phlebectomy
surgical removal or all or part of a vein; sometimes done in cases of severe varicose veins
 
phlebotomy
surgical incision into a vein; used to treat hemochromatosis
 
phonics
teaching reading by training beginners to associate letters with their sound values
 
photocoagulation
surgical procedure that uses an intense laser beam to destroy diseased retinal tissue or to make a scar that will hold the retina in cases of detached retina
 
photography
the occupation of taking and printing photographs or making movies
 
photography
the act of taking and printing photographs
 
photogravure
using photography to produce a plate for printing
 
photometry
measurement of the properties of light (especially luminous intensity)
 
phototherapy
the use of strong light to treat acne or hyperbilirubinemia of the newborn
 
phototropism
an orienting response to light
 
phrase
dance movements that are linked in a single choreographic sequence
 
phrasing
the grouping of musical phrases in a melodic line
 
physiatrics
therapy that uses physical agents: exercise and massage and other modalities
 
physical rehabilitation
providing help for disabled persons; the removal or reduction of disabilities
 
physician-assisted suicide
assisted suicide where the assistant is a physician
 
physiological nystagmus
small involuntary tremors of the eyeballs; when it is eliminated by stabilizing the image on the retina, visual perception fades rapidly from fatigue of the retinal receptors
 
piaffe
a cadenced trot executed by the horse in one spot
 
piano lesson
a lesson in playing the piano
 
pick
a basketball maneuver; obstructing an opponent with one's body
 
pick-off
a baseball play in which a base runner is caught off base and tagged out
 
picket
a form of military punishment used by the British in the late 17th century in which a soldier was forced to stand on one foot on a pointed stake
 
picking
the act of picking (crops or fruit or hops etc.)
 
pickings
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
 
pickup
the act of taking aboard passengers or freight
 
pickup
the act or process of picking up or collecting from various places
 
pictorial representation
visual representation as by photography or painting
 
piecework
work paid for according to the quantity produced
 
piggyback
the act of carrying something piggyback
 
pigsticking
the sport of hunting wild boar with spears
 
piked reverse hang
a reverse hang performed on the rings
 
pilferage
the act of stealing small amounts or small articles
 
pilgrimage
a journey to a sacred place
 
pillage
the act of stealing valuable things from a place
 
pillow fight
a child's game of fighting with pillows
 
pilot program
activity planned as a test or trial
 
pilotage
the occupation of a pilot
 
pinball
a game played on a sloping board; the object is to propel marbles against pins or into pockets
 
pinch
a squeeze with the fingers
 
Ping-Pong
a game (trademark Ping-Pong) resembling tennis but played on a table with paddles and a light hollow ball
 
piping
playing a pipe or the bagpipes
 
piquet
a card game for two players using a reduced pack of 32 cards
 
piracy
the act of plagiarizing; taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own
 
pirouette
(ballet) a rapid spin of the body (especially on the toes as in ballet)
 
pisha paysha
(Yiddish) a card game for two players one of whom is usually a child; the deck is place face down with one card face upward; players draw from the deck alternately hoping to build up or down from the open card; the player with the fewest cards when the deck is exhausted is the winner
 
piss-up
vulgar expression for a bout of heavy drinking
 
pit stop
a brief stop at a pit during an automobile race to take on fuel or service the car
 
pit stop
a stop during an automobile trip for rest and refreshment
 
pitch
the action or manner of throwing something
 
pitch
a high approach shot in golf
 
pitched battle
a fierce battle fought in close combat between troops in predetermined positions at a chosen time and place
 
pitching
(baseball) playing the position of pitcher on a baseball team
 
pitching change
replacing a pitcher in baseball
 
pivot
the act of turning on (or as if on) a pivot
 
pivot shot
a one-handed basketball shot made while whirling on the pivot foot
 
place bet
a bet that a horse will finish a race no worse than second
 
place kick
(sports) a kick in which the ball is placed on the ground before kicking
 
place-worship
the worship of places
 
placebo
(Roman Catholic Church) vespers of the office for the dead
 
placement
contact established between applicants and prospective employees
 
placer mining
mining valuable minerals from a placer by washing or dredging
 
planking
the work of covering an area with planks
 
planning
the act or process of drawing up plans or layouts for some project or enterprise
 
planning
an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action
 
plant closing
act of shutting down operation of a plant
 
plantar reflex
flexion of the toes when the sole of the foot is stroked firmly on the outer side from the heel to the front in persons over the age of 2 years; under 2 years the results should be extension of the toes (Babinski reflex)
 
planting
putting seeds or young plants in the ground to grow
 
planting
the act of fixing firmly in place
 
plasmapheresis
plasma is separated from whole blood and the rest is returned to the donor
 
plateletpheresis
platelets are separated from whole blood and the rest is returned to the donor
 
plating
the application of a thin coat of metal (as by electrolysis)
 
play
a preset plan of action in team sports
 
play
utilization or exercise
 
play therapy
form of psychotherapy for children that uses play situations for diagnosis or treatment
 
play
the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
 
play
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
 
playback
the act of reproducing recorded sound
 
playing
the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation
 
playing
the act of playing a musical instrument
 
playoff game
one game in the series of games constituting a playoff
 
plea
an answer indicating why a suit should be dismissed
 
pleasantry
an agreeable or amusing remark
 
pleasing
the act of one who pleases
 
pleasure
an activity that affords enjoyment
 
pleasure
sexual gratification
 
pleating
the act of folding in parallel folds
 
plebiscite
a vote by the electorate determining public opinion on a question of national importance
 
Plevna
the town was taken from the Turks by the Russians in 1877 after a siege of 143 days
 
plod
the act of walking with a slow heavy gait
 
ploughing
tilling the land with a plow
 
pluck
the act of pulling and releasing a taut cord
 
plum
a highly desirable position or assignment
 
plumbery
the occupation of a plumber (installing and repairing pipes and fixtures for water or gas or sewage in a building)
 
plunderage
the act of plundering (especially the embezzlement of goods on shipboard)
 
plunk
(baseball) hitting a baseball so that it drops suddenly
 
pluralism
the practice of one person holding more than one benefice at a time
 
PM
an examination and dissection of a dead body to determine cause of death or the changes produced by disease
 
pneumonectomy
surgical removal of a lung (usually to treat lung cancer)
 
poaching
cooking in simmering liquid
 
pocket billiards
any of various games played on a pool table having 6 pockets
 
pocket veto
indirect veto of legislation by refusing to sign it
 
pogrom
organized persecution of an ethnic group (especially Jews)
 
point duty
the control of traffic by a policeman stationed at an intersection
 
poison pill
the target company defends itself by making its stock less attractive to an acquirer
 
poisoning
the act of giving poison to a person or animal with the intent to kill
 
poke check
knocking the puck away by jabbing at it with the hockey stick
 
poker
any of various card games in which players bet that they hold the highest-ranking hand
 
polarography
an electrochemical method of chemical analysis
 
police action
a local military action without declaration of war; against violators of international peace and order
 
police investigation
the investigation of criminal activities
 
polishing
the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it
 
politics
the profession devoted to governing and to political affairs
 
politics
the activities and affairs involved in managing a state or a government
 
polity
shrewd or crafty management of public affairs
 
polka
a Bohemian dance with 3 steps and a hop in fast time
 
poll
the counting of votes (as in an election)
 
polo
a game similar to field hockey but played on horseback using long-handled mallets and a wooden ball
 
polypectomy
surgical removal of a polyp
 
pony-trekking
a sport in which people ride across country on ponies
 
pop fly
a short high fly ball
 
popularisation
the act of making something attractive to the general public
 
popularity contest
competition (real or figurative) for popular support
 
population
the act of populating (causing to live in a place)
 
population control
control over the growth of population; a government program
 
porcupine provision
a measure undertaken by a corporation to discourage unwanted takeover attempts
 
pork-barreling
acquisition of government money for benefits to a specific locale
 
Port Arthur
a battle in the Chino-Japanese War (1894); Japanese captured the port and fortifications from the Chinese
 
port-access coronary bypass surgery
heart surgery in which a coronary bypass is performed by the use of small instruments and tiny cameras threaded through small incisions while the heart is stopped and blood is pumped through a heart-lung machine
 
portage
carrying boats and supplies overland
 
porterage
the transportation of burdens by porters
 
portfolio
the role of the head of a government department
 
portraiture
the activity of making portraits
 
posing
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
 
position
the act of positing; an assumption taken as a postulate or axiom
 
position
(in team sports) the role assigned to an individual player
 
positive chemotaxis
movement toward a chemical stimulus
 
possession
(sport) the act of controlling the ball (or puck)
 
post
the delivery and collection of letters and packages
 
post office
a children's game in which kisses are exchanged for pretended letters
 
post-rotational nystagmus
nystagmus caused by suddenly stopping the rapid rotation of the body; large slow movements of the eyeballs are in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation
 
potassium-argon dating
geological dating that relies on the proportions of radioactive potassium in a rock sample and its decay product, argon
 
potation
the act of drinking (especially an alcoholic drink)
 
potshot
a shot taken at an easy or casual target (as by a pothunter)
 
pottery
the craft of making earthenware
 
pounce
the act of pouncing
 
power dive
a dive of an airplane that is accelerated both by gravity and by the power of the engine
 
power play
a play in which there is a concentration of players in one location on the field of play
 
power play
(ice hockey) a play in which one team has a numerical advantage over the other as a result of penalties
 
power play
an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power
 
power trip
(slang) a self-aggrandizing action undertaken simply for the pleasure of exercising control over other people
 
power walking
a form of cardiopulmonary exercise consisting of rapid walking accompanied by vigorous swinging of the arms
 
practical joke
a prank or trick played on a person (especially one intended to make the victim appear foolish)
 
practice
the exercise of a profession
 
practice
translating an idea into action
 
praetorship
the office of praetor
 
prance
a proud stiff pompous gait
 
pratfall
a fall onto your buttocks
 
prayer meeting
a service at which people sing hymns and pray together
 
prayer
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
 
pre-emptive strike
a surprise attack that is launched in order to prevent the enemy from doing it to you
 
precedence
the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
 
precentorship
the position of precentor
 
preceptorship
the position of preceptor
 
preclinical phase
a laboratory test of a new drug or a new invasive medical device on animal subjects; conducted to gather evidence justifying a clinical trial
 
predation
the act of preying by a predator who kills and eats the prey
 
predetermination
the act of determining or ordaining in advance what is to take place
 
preemption
a prior appropriation of something
 
prefabrication
the manufacture of sections of a building at the factory so they can be easily and rapidly assembled at the building site
 
prefecture
the office of prefect
 
preferment
the act of preferring
 
prefixation
formation of a word by means of a prefix
 
prelacy
the office or station of a prelate
 
premiership
the office of premier
 
prenatal diagnosis
any of the diagnostic procedures used to determine whether a fetus has a genetic abnormality
 
preoccupancy
the act of taking occupancy before someone else does
 
preparation fire
fire delivered on a target in preparation for an assault
 
preparation
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
 
prepayment
payment in advance
 
presence
the act of being present
 
presentation
the activity of formally presenting something (as a prize or reward)
 
preservation
the activity of protecting something from loss or danger
 
presidency
the office and function of president
 
President of the United States
the office of the United States head of state
 
press
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
 
press-up
an arm exercise performed lying face to the floor and pushing the body up and down with the arms
 
prestidigitation
manual dexterity in the execution of tricks
 
presumption
a kind of discourtesy in the form of an act of presuming
 
preventive attack
a strike that is carried out in order to deter expected aggression by hostile forces
 
preventive medicine
the branch of medicine concerned with preventing disease
 
price cut
cutting the price of merchandise to one lower than the usual or advertised price
 
price freeze
a freeze of prices at a given level
 
price-fixing
control (by agreement among producers or by government) of the price of a commodity in interstate commerce
 
prick
the act of puncturing with a small point
 
pride
unreasonable and inordinate self-esteem (personified as one of the deadly sins)
 
primary care
the medical care received on first contact with the medical system (before being referred elsewhere)
 
primary censorship
armed forces censorship performed by personnel of a military unit on the personal communications of persons assigned to that unit
 
primary health care
health care that is provided by a health care professional in the first contact of a patient with the health care system
 
primary
a preliminary election where delegates or nominees are chosen
 
primateship
the office of primate
 
priming
the act of making something ready
 
primping
careful or finicky grooming
 
primrose path
a life of ease and pleasure
 
principalship
the post of principal
 
printing
the business of producing printed material for sale or distribution
 
printmaking
artistic design and manufacture of prints as woodcuts or silkscreens
 
priorship
the office of prior
 
prisoner of war censorship
military censorship of communication to and from prisoners of war and civilian internees held by the armed forces
 
prisoner's base
a children's game; two teams capture opposing players by tagging them and taking them to their own base
 
private practice
the practice of a profession independently and not as an employee
 
private treaty
a sale of property at a price agreed on by the seller and buyer without an intervening agency
 
probate
the act of proving that an instrument purporting to be a will was signed and executed in accord with legal requirements
 
probation
(law) a way of dealing with offenders without imprisoning them; a defendant found guilty of a crime is released by the court without imprisonment subject to conditions imposed by the court
 
probe
an exploratory action or expedition
 
probe
an investigation conducted using a flexible surgical instrument to explore an injury or a body cavity
 
procedure
a mode of conducting legal and parliamentary proceedings
 
procedure
a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
 
procession
the group action of a collection of people or animals or vehicles moving ahead in more or less regular formation
 
proclamation
the formal act of proclaiming; giving public notice
 
proconsulate
the position of proconsul
 
proctoplasty
reconstructive surgery of the anus or rectum
 
proctorship
the position of proctor
 
proctoscopy
visual examination of the rectum and the end of the colon by means of a proctoscope
 
procural
the act of getting possession of something
 
product development
improving an existing product or developing new kinds of products
 
product introduction
the introduction (usually by an advertising campaign) of a new product or product line
 
product research
marketing research that yields information about desired characteristics of the product or service
 
production
(law) the act of exhibiting in a court of law
 
production
the creation of value or wealth by producing goods and services
 
production
(economics) manufacturing or mining or growing something (usually in large quantities) for sale
 
production
the act or process of producing something
 
profanation
degradation of something worthy of respect; cheapening
 
profession
an occupation requiring special education (especially in the liberal arts or sciences)
 
professional baseball
playing baseball for money
 
professional basketball
playing basketball for money
 
professional boxing
boxing for money
 
professional football
football played for pay
 
professional golf
playing golf for money
 
professional tennis
playing tennis for money
 
professional wrestling
wrestling for money
 
program trading
a trading technique involving large blocks of stock with trades triggered by computer programs
 
program
a performance (or series of performances) at a public presentation
 
programing
setting an order and time for planned events
 
projective device
any personality test designed to yield information about someone's personality on the basis of their unrestricted response to ambiguous objects or situations
 
prolonged interrogation
a form of psychological torture inflicted by questioning the victim for hours
 
prolusion
exercising in preparation for strenuous activity
 
promenade
a march of all the guests at the opening of a formal dance
 
promenade
a square dance figure; couples march counterclockwise in a circle
 
promiscuity
indulging in promiscuous (casual and indiscriminate) sexual relations
 
promotion
act of raising in rank or position
 
pronation
rotation of the hands and forearms so that the palms face downward
 
proof
the act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something
 
propaedeutic
a course that provides an introduction to an art or science (or to more advanced study generally)
 
prophylaxis
the prevention of disease
 
proportional representation
representation of all parties in proportion to their popular vote
 
proportional sampling
the population is divided into subpopulations (strata) and random samples are taken of each stratum
 
proposition
a task to be dealt with
 
propping up
the act of propping up with shores
 
props
proper respect
 
proration
the proportional limitation of production or distribution of something (e.g. crude oil or natural gas) to some fractional part of the total capacity of each producer
 
prorogation
discontinuation of the meeting (of a legislative body) without dissolving it
 
prosecution
the continuance of something begun with a view to its completion
 
proselytism
the state of being a proselyte; spiritual rebirth resulting from the zeal of crusading advocacy of the gospel
 
prostatectomy
surgical removal of part or all of the prostate gland
 
prostration
the act of assuming a prostrate position
 
prostration
abject submission; the emotional equivalent of prostrating your body
 
protection
the activity of protecting someone or something
 
protection
the imposition of duties or quotas on imports in order to protect domestic industry against foreign competition
 
protection
payment extorted by gangsters on threat of violence
 
protectorship
the position of protector
 
protest march
occasion when you can express opposition by marching (usually on some government institution) without a license
 
providence
the guardianship and control exercised by a deity
 
provision
the activity of supplying or providing something
 
prowl
the act of prowling (walking about in a stealthy manner)
 
proxy fight
a measure used by an acquirer to gain control of a takeover target; acquirer tries to persuade other shareholders that the management of the target should be replaced
 
pruning
the act of trimming a plant
 
psychological operation
military actions designed to influence the perceptions and attitudes of individuals, groups, and foreign governments
 
psychological warfare
the use of psychological tactics to destroy the opponents' morale
 
psychosurgery
brain surgery on human patients intended to relieve severe and otherwise intractable mental or behavioral problems
 
psychotherapy
the treatment of mental or emotional problems by psychological means
 
pub crawl
a tour of bars or public houses (usually taking one drink at each stop)
 
public assistance
governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need
 
public office
a position concerning the people as a whole
 
public service
employment within a government system (especially in the civil service)
 
public violence
a public act of violence by an unruly mob
 
public-relations campaign
an advertising campaign intended to improve public relations
 
publication
the communication of something to the public; making information generally known
 
publication
the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution
 
puffing
blowing tobacco smoke out into the air
 
pull
a sustained effort
 
pull
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
 
pullback
(military) the act of pulling back (especially an orderly withdrawal of troops)
 
pulverisation
annihilation by pulverizing something
 
pump priming
introducing water into a pump to improve the seal and start the water flowing
 
punch-up
a fistfight
 
punctilio
strict observance of formalities
 
punctuation
the use of certain marks to clarify meaning of written material by grouping words grammatically into sentences and clauses and phrases
 
puncture
the act of puncturing or perforating
 
Punic War
one of the three wars between Carthage and Rome that resulted in the destruction of Carthage and its annexation by Rome; 264-241 BC, 218-201 BC, 149-146 BC
 
punt
(football) a kick in which the football is dropped from the hands and kicked before it touches the ground
 
puppetry
a stilted dramatic performance (as if by puppets)
 
purchase
the acquisition of something for payment
 
purgation
the act of clearing yourself (or another) from some stigma or charge
 
purgation
a ceremonial cleansing from defilement or uncleanness by the performance of appropriate rites
 
purge
an abrupt or sudden removal of a person or group from an organization or place
 
purge
an act of removing by cleansing; ridding of sediment or other undesired elements
 
purification
the act of cleaning by getting rid of impurities
 
purification
the act of purging of sin or guilt; moral or spiritual cleansing
 
purveyance
the act of supplying something
 
push
an effort to advance
 
push back
the act of forcing the enemy to withdraw
 
push
the act of applying force in order to move something away
 
pushball
a game using a leather ball six feet in diameter; the two side try to push it across the opponents' goal
 
put
the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
 
putout
an out resulting from a fielding play (not a strikeout)
 
putt
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
 
pyelography
roentgenography of the kidney and ureters (usually after injection with a radiopaque dye)
 
pyramiding
a fraudulent business practice involving some form of pyramid scheme e.g., the chain of distribution is artificially expanded by an excessive number of distributors selling to other distributors at progressively higher wholesale prices until retail prices are unnecessarily inflated
 
pyrography
the act of producing drawings on wood or leather by using heated tools or a fine flame
 
pyrotechnics
the craft of making fireworks
 
pyrrhic
an ancient Greek dance imitating the motions of warfare
 
Pythian Games
the ancient Panhellenic celebration at Delphi held every four years in the third year of the Olympiad in honor of Apollo
 
quadrature
the construction of a square having the same area as some other figure
 
quadrille
a square dance of 5 or more figures for 4 or more couples
 
qualification
the act of modifying or changing the strength of some idea
 
quality control
maintenance of standards of quality of manufactured goods
 
quantification
the act of discovering or expressing the quantity of something
 
quantisation
the act of dividing into quanta or expressing in terms of quantum theory
 
quantitative analysis
chemical analysis to determine the amounts of each element in the substance
 
quarantine
isolation to prevent the spread of infectious disease
 
quarrying
the extraction of building stone or slate from an open surface quarry
 
quarter
clemency or mercy shown to a defeated opponent
 
quartering
dividing into four equal parts
 
quest
the act of searching for something
 
quick march
marching at quick time
 
quickstep
a ballroom dance with both quick and slow steps
 
quitclaim
act of transferring a title or right or claim to another
 
quiver
the act of vibrating
 
quo warranto
a hearing to determine by what authority someone has an office or franchise or liberty
 
quotation
the practice of quoting from books or plays etc.
 
quotient verdict
an improper and unacceptable kind of compromise verdict
 
rabbinate
the office or function of a rabbi
 
rabbit punch
a short chopping blow to the back of the neck
 
race riot
a riot caused by hatred for one another of members of different races in the same community
 
racial discrimination
discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race
 
racial profiling
a form of racism consisting of the (alleged) policy of policemen who stop and search vehicles driven by persons belonging to particular racial groups
 
racing
the sport of engaging in contests of speed
 
rack
a form of torture in which pain is inflicted by stretching the body
 
rack
a rapid gait of a horse in which each foot strikes the ground separately
 
racketeering
engaging in a racket
 
racquetball
a game played on a handball court with short-handled rackets
 
radar fire
gunfire aimed a target that is being tracked by radar
 
radial keratotomy
radial pattern of incisions in the cornea that cause the cornea to bulge; performed to correct myopia
 
radiation
the act of spreading outward from a central source
 
radical chic
an affectation of radical left-wing views and the fashionable dress and lifestyle that goes with them
 
radical mastectomy
removal of a breast and the underlying muscles (pectoralis major and pectoralis minor) and lymph nodes in the adjacent armpit
 
radio observation
an observation made with a radio telescope
 
radioactive dating
measurement of the amount of radioactive material (usually carbon 14) that an object contains; can be used to estimate the age of the object
 
radiography
photography that uses other kinds of radiation than visible light
 
radiology
(radiology) examination of the inner structure of opaque objects using X rays or other penetrating radiation
 
radiophotography
transmission of photographs by radio waves
 
raffle
a lottery in which the prizes are goods rather than money
 
rag
a boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)
 
raid
an attempt by speculators to defraud investors
 
rail technology
the activity of designing and constructing and operating railroads
 
rain dance
a ritual dance intended to bring rain
 
rainmaking
activity intended to produce rain
 
raise
increasing the size of a bet (as in poker)
 
rally
the feat of mustering strength for a renewed effort
 
rallying
the act of mobilizing for a common purpose
 
Ramadan
(Islam) a fast (held from sunrise to sunset) that is carried out during the Islamic month of Ramadan
 
rampage
violently angry and destructive behavior
 
ranching
farming for the raising of livestock (particularly cattle)
 
random sampling
the selection of a random sample; each element of the population has an equal chance of being selected
 
randomisation
a deliberately haphazard arrangement of observations so as to simulate chance
 
rank order
an arrangement according to rank
 
ransacking
a thorough search for something (often causing disorder or confusion)
 
ransom
payment for the release of someone
 
ransom
the act of freeing from captivity or punishment
 
rape conviction
conviction for rape
 
rape
the act of despoiling a country in warfare
 
rapprochement
the reestablishing of cordial relations
 
raree-show
a street show
 
rat race
an exhausting routine that leaves no time for relaxation
 
rationalisation
the organization of a business according to scientific principles of management in order to increase efficiency
 
rationalisation
(mathematics) the simplification of an expression or equation by eliminating radicals without changing the value of the expression or the roots of the equation
 
rationalisation
systematic organization; the act of organizing something according to a system or a rationale
 
rationing
the act of rationing
 
razmataz
any exciting and complex play intended to confuse (dazzle) the opponent
 
rbi
a run that is the result of the batter's performance
 
re-afforestation
the restoration (replanting) of a forest that had been reduced by fire or cutting
 
re-creation
the act of creating again
 
re-establishment
restoration to a previous state
 
re-formation
forming again (especially with improvements or removal of defects); renewing and reconstituting
 
reach
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
 
reaction
doing something in opposition to another way of doing it that you don't like
 
reaction
a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent
 
reading assignment
the reading of a passage assigned by the teacher
 
readjustment
the act of adjusting again (to changed circumstances)
 
readmission
the act of admitting someone again
 
reaffiliation
affiliation anew
 
real-estate business
the business of selling real estate
 
realisation
a sale in order to obtain money (as a sale of stock or a sale of the estate of a bankrupt person) or the money so obtained
 
realisation
the completion or enrichment of a piece of music left sparsely notated by a composer
 
reallocation
a new apportionment (especially a new apportionment of congressional seats in the United States on the basis of census results)
 
reappearance
the act of someone appearing again
 
rearmament
the act of arming again
 
rearrangement
changing an arrangement
 
reassembly
assembling again
 
reassignment
assignment to a different duty
 
reassurance
the act of reassuring; restoring someone's confidence
 
rebellion
refusal to accept some authority or code or convention
 
rebound
a reaction to a crisis or setback or frustration
 
rebound
the act of securing possession of the rebounding basketball after a missed shot
 
rebuff
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
 
rebuilding
building again
 
reburial
the act of burying again
 
recalculation
the act of calculating again (usually to eliminate errors or to include additional data)
 
recall
the act of removing an official by petition
 
recapitulation
(music) the repetition of themes introduced earlier (especially when one is composing the final part of a movement)
 
recapture
a legal seizure by the government of profits beyond a fixed amount
 
recapture
the act of taking something back
 
recce
reconnaissance (by shortening)
 
receding
the act of becoming more distant
 
receipt
the act of receiving
 
receivership
the office of a receiver
 
receivership
a court action that places property under the control of a receiver during litigation so that it can be preserved for the benefit of all
 
reception
(American football) the act of catching a pass in football
 
recidivism
habitual relapse into crime
 
reciprocal inhibition
a method of behavior therapy based on the inhibition of one response by the occurrence of another response that is mutually incompatible with it; a relaxation response might be conditioned to a stimulus that previously evoked anxiety
 
reciprocal
hybridization involving a pair of crosses that reverse the sexes associated with each genotype
 
reciprocation
alternating back-and-forth movement
 
reciprocation
the act of making or doing something in return
 
reciprocity
mutual exchange of commercial or other privileges
 
recirculation
circulation again
 
recission
(law) the act of rescinding; the cancellation of a contract and the return of the parties to the positions they would have had if the contract had not been made
 
reclamation
the recovery of useful substances from waste products
 
reclamation
rescuing from error and returning to a rightful course
 
reclamation
the conversion of wasteland into land suitable for use of habitation or cultivation
 
reclassification
classifying something again (usually in a new category)
 
reclining
the act of assuming or maintaining a reclining position
 
recoding
converting from one code to another
 
recognition
designation by the chair granting a person the right to speak in a deliberative body
 
recommencement
beginning again
 
reconnaissance by fire
a method of reconnaissance in which fire is placed on a suspected enemy position in order to cause the enemy to disclose his presence by moving or returning fire
 
reconnaissance in force
an offensive operation designed to discover or test the enemy's strength (or to obtain other information)
 
reconnaissance
the act of reconnoitring (especially to gain information about an enemy or potential enemy)
 
reconstruction
the activity of constructing something again
 
record
an extreme attainment; the best (or worst) performance ever attested (as in a sport)
 
record
the sum of recognized accomplishments
 
recording
the act of making a record (especially an audio record)
 
recount
an additional (usually a second) count; especially of the votes in a close election
 
recourse
act of turning to for assistance
 
recovery
the act of regaining or saving something lost (or in danger of becoming lost)
 
recreation
activity that refreshes and recreates; activity that renews your health and spirits by enjoyment and relaxation
 
rectification
determination of the length of a curve; finding a straight line equal in length to a given curve
 
rectorate
the office or station of a rector
 
recusal
(law) the disqualification of a judge or jury by reason of prejudice or conflict of interest; a judge can be recused by objections of either party or judges can disqualify themselves
 
recusancy
refusal to submit to established authority; originally the refusal of Roman Catholics to attend services of the Church of England
 
recusation
(law) an objection grounded on the judge's relationship to one of the parties
 
recycling
the act of processing used or abandoned materials for use in creating new products
 
red flag
something that irritates or demands immediate action
 
red herring
any diversion intended to distract attention from the main issue
 
redaction
the act of putting something in writing
 
redemption
(theology) the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil
 
redeployment
the withdrawal and redistribution of forces in an attempt to use them more effectively
 
redetermination
determining again
 
redeye
a night flight from which the passengers emerge with eyes red from lack of sleep
 
rediscovery
the act of discovering again
 
redistribution
distributing again
 
redress
act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil
 
reduction
the act of reducing complexity
 
redundancy
repetition of an act needlessly
 
reduplication
the act of repeating over and again (or an instance thereof)
 
reelection
election again
 
reenactment
performing a role in an event that occurred at an earlier time
 
reenforcement
a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission
 
reenlistment
a renewed enlistment
 
reentry
the act of entering again
 
referendum
a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate
 
referral
the act of referring (as forwarding an applicant for employment or referring a matter to an appropriate agency)
 
refit
outfitting a ship again (by repairing or replacing parts)
 
reflexology
massage to relieve tension by finger pressure; based on the belief that there are reflex points on the feet, hands, and head that are connected to every part of the body
 
refocusing
focusing again
 
reform
a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses
 
reform
self-improvement in behavior or morals by abandoning some vice
 
reform
a campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractices
 
refresher
a course that reviews and updates a topic for those who have not kept abreast of developments
 
refrigeration
deliberately lowering the body's temperature for therapeutic purposes
 
refund
the act of returning money received previously
 
regaining
getting something back again
 
regency
the office of a regent
 
regeneration
the activity of spiritual or physical renewal
 
regicide
the act of killing a king
 
regimentation
the imposition of order or discipline
 
registration fire
fire delivered to obtain accurate data for subsequent effective engagement of targets
 
regress
returning to a former state
 
regularisation
the act of bringing to uniformity; making regular
 
regulating
the act of controlling or directing according to rule
 
regulatory offence
crimes created by statutes and not by common law
 
rehabilitation
the treatment of physical disabilities by massage and electrotherapy and exercises
 
rehabilitation
the restoration of someone to a useful place in society
 
rehabilitation
vindication of a person's character and the re-establishment of that person's reputation
 
rehearing
the act of hearing again
 
rehearsal
(psychology) a form of practice; repetition of information (silently or aloud) in order to keep it in short-term memory
 
reimposition
imposition again
 
reinforcement
an act performed to strengthen approved behavior
 
reinstatement
the act of restoring someone to a previous position
 
reinterpretation
a new or different interpretation
 
rejection
the act of rejecting something
 
rejuvenation
the act of restoring to a more youthful condition
 
relation
(usually plural) mutual dealings or connections among persons or groups
 
relaxation
a method of solving simultaneous equations by guessing a solution and then reducing the errors that result by successive approximations until all the errors are less than some specified amount
 
relay
the act of passing something along from one person or group to another
 
release
the act of allowing a fluid to escape
 
release
(music) the act or manner of terminating a musical phrase or tone
 
relegation
mild banishment; consignment to an inferior position
 
relegation
the act of assigning (someone or something) to a particular class or category
 
relief
the act of freeing a city or town that has been besieged
 
relief
aid for the aged or indigent or handicapped
 
religious ceremony
a ceremony having religious meaning
 
religious rite
an established ceremony prescribed by a religion
 
relinquishing
the act of giving up and abandoning a struggle or task etc.
 
relocation
the transportation of people (as a family or colony) to a new settlement (as after an upheaval of some kind)
 
remand
the act of sending an accused person back into custody to await trial (or the continuation of the trial)
 
remarriage
the act of marrying again
 
remilitarisation
the act of militarizing again
 
remise
(fencing) a second thrust made on the same lunge (as when your opponent fails to riposte)
 
remission
(law) the act of remitting (especially the referral of a law case to another court)
 
remotion
the act of removing
 
removal
dismissal from office
 
remuneration
the act of paying for goods or services or to recompense for losses
 
Renaissance
the revival of learning and culture
 
rendering
giving in acknowledgment of obligation
 
rendezvous
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
 
rendition
handing over prisoners to the country in which a crime was committed
 
renege
the mistake of not following suit when able to do so
 
renewal
the act of renewing
 
rent
the act of rending or ripping or splitting something
 
rental
the act of paying for the use of something (as an apartment or house or car)
 
reordering
a rearrangement in a different order
 
reorganisation
the imposition of a new organization; organizing differently (often involving extensive and drastic changes)
 
reorganization
an extensive alteration of the structure of a corporation or government
 
repatriation
the act of returning to the country of origin
 
repeating
the act of doing or performing again
 
replacement
the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another
 
repletion
eating until excessively full
 
replication
the repetition of an experiment in order to test the validity of its conclusion
 
replication
the act of making copies
 
repositing
depositing in a warehouse
 
repositioning
the act of placing in a new position
 
repossession
the action of regaining possession (especially the seizure of collateral securing a loan that is in default)
 
representation
an activity that stands as an equivalent of something or results in an equivalent
 
representation
the act of representing; standing in for someone or some group and speaking with authority in their behalf
 
repression
the act of repressing; control by holding down
 
reprieve
the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
 
reprisal
a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime
 
reproductive cloning
making a full living copy of an organism; requires a surrogate mother
 
republication
the act of publishing again
 
repulsion
the act of repulsing or repelling an attack; a successful defensive stand
 
Requiem
a Mass celebrated for the dead
 
required course
a course that all students are required to take
 
requisition
seizing property that belongs to someone else and holding it until profits pay the demand for which it was seized
 
res gestae
things done
 
resale
the selling of something purchased
 
rescue operation
an operation organized to free from danger or confinement
 
research
systematic investigation to establish facts
 
research project
research into questions posed by scientific theories and hypotheses
 
resection
surgical removal of part of a structure or organ
 
reservation
the act of keeping back or setting aside for some future occasion
 
reshipment
the act of shipping again (especially by transferring to another ship)
 
reshuffle
a redistribution of something
 
reshuffle
shuffling again
 
residency
the position of physician who is receiving special training in a hospital (usually after completing an internship)
 
resistance
the military action of resisting the enemy's advance
 
resistance
group action in opposition to those in power
 
resisting arrest
physical efforts to oppose a lawful arrest; the resistance is classified as assault and battery upon the person of the police officer attempting to make the arrest
 
resolution
a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner
 
resolution
finding a solution to a problem
 
respiration
a single complete act of breathing in and out
 
rest-cure
rest as a medical treatment for stress or anxiety etc.
 
restitution
the act of restoring something to its original state
 
restoration
the act of restoring something or someone to a satisfactory state
 
Restoration
the re-establishment of the British monarchy in 1660
 
restraint
the act of controlling by restraining someone or something
 
restraint of trade
any act that tends to prevent free competition in business
 
resurgence
bringing again into activity and prominence
 
resurrection
a revival from inactivity and disuse
 
resurvey
a new survey or study
 
resuscitation
the act of reviving a person and returning them to consciousness
 
retail
the selling of goods to consumers; usually in small quantities and not for resale
 
retailing
the activities involved in selling commodities directly to consumers
 
retake
a shot or scene that is photographed again
 
retaliation
action taken in return for an injury or offense
 
retaliatory eviction
an eviction in reprisal for the tenant's good-faith complaints against the landlord; illegal in many states
 
retirement
withdrawal from your position or occupation
 
retirement
withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation
 
retraction
the act of pulling or holding or drawing a part back
 
retraining
training for a new occupation
 
retreat
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
 
retreat
the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant)
 
retrial
a new trial in which issues already litigated and to which the court has already rendered a verdict or decision are reexamined by the same court; occurs when the initial trial is found to have been improper or unfair due to procedural errors
 
retribution
the act of correcting for your wrongdoing
 
retrofit
the act of adding a component or accessory to something that did not have it when it was manufactured
 
retroflection
the act of bending backward
 
return
the act of going back to a prior location
 
return
(American football) the act of running back the ball after a kickoff or punt or interception or fumble
 
return
a tennis stroke that sends the ball back to the other player
 
reunification
the act of coming together again
 
reveille
a signal to get up in the morning; in the military it is a bugle call at sunrise
 
revel
unrestrained merrymaking
 
revenue sharing
distribution of part of the federal tax income to states and municipalities
 
reverence
an act showing respect (especially a bow or curtsy)
 
reversal
a judgment by a higher court that the judgment of a lower court was incorrect and should be set aside
 
reversal
a change from one state to the opposite state
 
reversal
turning in the opposite direction
 
reversal
the act of reversing the order or place of
 
reverse
(American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction
 
reverse hang
a hang with the arms extended in back
 
reverse split
a decrease in the number of outstanding shares of a corporation without changing the shareholders' equity
 
review
(law) a judicial reexamination of the proceedings of a court (especially by an appellate court)
 
revocation
the act (by someone having the authority) of annulling something previously done
 
revolution
the overthrow of a government by those who are governed
 
rhinoscopy
examination of the nasal passages (either through the anterior nares or with a rhinoscope through the nasopharynx)
 
rhinotomy
surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the nose to drain accumulated pus
 
rhizotomy
surgical procedure in which spinal nerve roots are cut; done (anterior roots) to relieve intractable pain or (posterior roots) to stop severe muscle spasms
 
rhumba
a folk dance in duple time that originated in Cuba with Spanish and African elements; features complex footwork and violent movement
 
rhumba
a ballroom dance based on the Cuban folk dance
 
ribbing
the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances
 
riffle
shuffling by splitting the pack and interweaving the two halves at their corners
 
rigamarole
a long and complicated and confusing procedure
 
right
a turn toward the side of the body that is on the south when the person is facing east
 
right field
the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is expected to field balls in the right third of the outfield (looking from home plate)
 
ring containment
a strategy of defense in cases of bioterrorism; vaccination only of people exposed and others who are in contact with them
 
ring dance
a folk dance; dancers form a circle
 
ring vaccination
administering vaccine only to people in close contact with an isolated infected patient; prevents the spread of a highly infectious disease by surrounding the patient with a ring of immunization
 
ring-a-rosy
a children's game in which the players dance around in a circle and at a given signal all squat
 
ringer
(horseshoes) the successful throw of a horseshoe or quoit so as to encircle a stake or peg
 
rinse
washing lightly without soap
 
rinse
the act of giving a light tint to the hair
 
rinse
the removal of soap with clean water in the final stage of washing
 
riot control
the measures taken to control a riot
 
riposte
(fencing) a counterattack made immediately after successfully parrying the opponents lunge
 
rising trot
the rider rises from the saddle every second stride
 
risk arbitrage
arbitrage involving risk; as in the simultaneous purchase of stock in a target company and sale of stock in its potential acquirer; if the takeover fails the arbitrageur may lose a great deal of money
 
rite of passage
a ritual performed in some cultures at times when an individual changes status (as from adolescence to adulthood)
 
rite
any customary observance or practice
 
ritual
the prescribed procedure for conducting religious ceremonies
 
ritual
stereotyped behavior
 
ritual killing
the act of killing (an animal or person) in order to propitiate a deity
 
ritualism
exaggerated emphasis on the importance of rites or ritualistic forms in worship
 
road
a way or means to achieve something
 
road construction
the construction of roads
 
road rage
violence exhibited by drivers in traffic
 
road show
a show on tour
 
roasting
cooking (meat) by dry heat in an oven (usually with fat added)
 
robbery
larceny by threat of violence
 
robbery conviction
conviction for robbery
 
robotic telesurgery
microsurgery in which the surgeon performs surgery by manipulating the hands of a robot
 
rock climbing
the sport or pastime of scaling rock masses on mountain sides (especially with the help of ropes and special equipment)
 
rocket firing
the launching of a rocket or missile under its own power
 
rodeo
an exhibition of cowboy skills
 
role
normal or customary activity of a person in a particular social setting
 
roleplaying
acting a particular role (as in psychotherapy)
 
roll
a flight maneuver; aircraft rotates about its longitudinal axis without changing direction or losing altitude
 
roll
walking with a swaying gait
 
roll call
calling out an official list of names
 
rollback
reducing prices back to some earlier level
 
roller
a grounder that rolls along the infield
 
roller skating
skating on wheels
 
rollerblading
skating using Rollerblades
 
rolling
the act of robbing a helpless person
 
rolling
propelling something on wheels
 
rollover
the act of changing the institution that invests your pension plan without incurring a tax penalty
 
romanticisation
the act of indulging in sentiment
 
roofing
the craft of a roofer
 
rooting reflex
reflex consisting of head-turning and sucking movements elicited in a normal infant by gently stroking the side of the mouth or cheek
 
rope-a-dope
a boxing tactic: pretending to be trapped against the ropes while your opponent wears himself out throwing punches
 
roping
capturing cattle or horses with a lasso
 
Rorschach test
a projective tests using bilaterally symmetrical inkblots; subjects state what they see in the inkblot
 
rotary motion
the act of rotating as if on an axis
 
rotational nystagmus
nystagmus caused by the body rotating rapidly; large slow movements of the eyeballs are in the direction of rotation
 
rouge et noir
a card game in which two rows of cards are dealt and players can bet on the color of the cards or on which row will have a count nearer some number
 
roughness
harsh or severe speech or behavior
 
roulette
a gambling game in which players bet on which compartment of a revolving wheel a small ball will come to rest in
 
round
(often plural) a series of professional calls (usually in a set order)
 
round dance
a ballroom dance characterized by revolving movement
 
round trip
a trip to some place and back again
 
round
the activity of playing 18 holes of golf
 
round-the-clock patrol
a continuous nonstop patrol
 
rounders
an English ball game similar to baseball
 
roundhouse
a hook delivered with an exaggerated swing
 
rounding
(mathematics) a miscalculation that results from rounding off numbers to a convenient number of decimals
 
roundup
the activity of gathering livestock together so that they can be counted or branded or sold
 
roundup
the systematic gathering up of suspects by the police
 
routemarch
a long training march for troops
 
roving
travelling about without any clear destination
 
row
the act of rowing as a sport
 
royal casino
a form of casino in which face cards have extra point values
 
Royal National Eisteddfod
an eisteddfod with competitions in music and drama and poetry and the fine arts
 
royal road
an auspicious way or means to achieve something
 
royalism
adherence or attachment to a monarchy or to the principle of monarchal government
 
rub up
a review that refreshes your memory
 
rub
the act of rubbing or wiping
 
rubber stamp
routine authorization of an action without questions
 
rubber-necking
going about to look at places of interest
 
rubdown
the act of rubbing down, usually for relaxation or medicinal purposes
 
rubidium-strontium dating
geological dating based on the proportions of radioactive rubidium into its decay product strontium; radioactive rubidium has a half-life of 47,000,000,000 years
 
ruff
(card games) the act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suit
 
ruffianism
violent lawless behavior
 
rugby
a form of football played with an oval ball
 
ruggedisation
the act of making a piece of equipment rugged (strengthening to resist wear or abuse)
 
rulership
the position of ruler
 
rum
a card game based on collecting sets and sequences; the winner is the first to meld all their cards
 
rumination
(of ruminants) chewing (the cud)
 
rumination
regurgitation of small amounts of food; seen in some infants after feeding
 
run
a regular trip
 
run
a short trip
 
run
the act of running; traveling on foot at a fast pace
 
run
(American football) a play in which a player attempts to carry the ball through or past the opposing team
 
run
a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
 
run
the act of testing something
 
run-through
an uninterrupted rehearsal
 
run-up
the approach run during which an athlete gathers speed
 
running
the act of administering or being in charge of something
 
running away
the act of leaving (without permission) the place you are expected to be
 
running
the act of participating in an athletic competition involving running on a track
 
runoff
a final election to resolve an earlier election that did not produce a winner
 
rupture
the act of making a sudden noisy break
 
rush
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
 
Russian bank
solitaire with two players using separate packs
 
Russian Revolution
the coup d'etat by the Bolsheviks under Lenin in November 1917 that led to a period of civil war which ended in victory for the Bolsheviks in 1922
 
Russian roulette
a stunt in which you spin the cylinder of a revolver that is loaded with only one bullet and then point the muzzle at your head and pull the trigger
 
Russo-Japanese War
Japanese victory in the war with Russia (1904-1905) gave Japan power over Korea and Manchuria
 
rustication
the action of retiring to and living in the country
 
rustication
temporary dismissal of a student from a university
 
rustication
banishment into the country
 
rustication
the construction of masonry or brickwork in a rustic manner
 
rustling
the stealing of cattle
 
saber rattling
the ostentatious display of military power (with the implied threat that it might be used)
 
sabotage
a deliberate act of destruction or disruption in which equipment is damaged
 
saccade
a rapid, jerky movement of the eyes between positions of rest
 
sack
the plundering of a place by an army or mob; usually involves destruction and slaughter
 
sacrament
a formal religious ceremony conferring a specific grace on those who receive it; the two Protestant ceremonies are baptism and the Lord's Supper; in the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church there are seven traditional rites accepted as instituted by Jesus: baptism and confirmation and Holy Eucharist and penance and holy orders and matrimony and extreme unction
 
sacrament of the Eucharist
a Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper by consecrating bread and wine
 
sacrifice
(baseball) an out that advances the base runners
 
sacrifice fly
a sacrifice made by hitting a long fly ball
 
safe harbor
the target company defends itself by acquiring a company so onerously regulated that it makes the target less attractive
 
safe sex
sexual activity (especially sexual intercourse) with the use of measures (such as latex condoms) to avoid the transmission of disease (especially AIDS)
 
safety
a score in American football; a player is tackled behind his own goal line
 
safety squeeze
the runner on third base waits to start home until the batter has bunted successfully
 
sailing
the departure of a vessel from a port
 
sailing
riding in a sailboat
 
sainthood
the status and dignity of a saint
 
Saipan
US forces captured the island from the Japanese in July 1944; it was an important air base until the end of World War II
 
sale
a particular instance of selling
 
sale
the general activity of selling
 
Salerno
a battle in World War II; the port was captured by United States troops in September 1943
 
sales campaign
an advertising campaign intended to promote sales
 
sales resistance
resistance by potential customers to aggressive selling practices
 
sally
a venture off the beaten path
 
sally
a military action in which besieged troops burst forth from their position
 
salpingectomy
surgical removal of one or both Fallopian tubes
 
salt mine
a job involving drudgery and confinement
 
salting
the act of adding salt to food
 
salvage
the act of rescuing a ship or its crew or its cargo from a shipwreck or a fire
 
salvage
the act of saving goods or property that were in danger of damage or destruction
 
salvation
saving someone or something from harm or from an unpleasant situation
 
salvation
a means of preserving from harm or unpleasantness
 
salve
anything that remedies or heals or soothes
 
samba
a form of canasta using three decks of cards and six jokers
 
samba
a lively ballroom dance from Brazil
 
sampling
(statistics) the selection of a suitable sample for study
 
sampling
measurement at regular intervals of the amplitude of a varying waveform (in order to convert it to digital form)
 
sanctification
a religious ceremony in which something is made holy
 
sanction
the act of final authorization
 
sanction
a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards
 
sanitation
making something sanitary (free of germs) as by sterilizing
 
Santiago de Cuba
a naval battle in the Spanish-American War (1898); the United States fleet bottled up the Spanish ships in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba and destroyed them when they tried to escape
 
saraband
a stately court dance of the 17th and 18th centuries; in slow time
 
sashay
a square dance figure; partners circle each other taking sideways steps
 
satiation
the act of achieving full gratification
 
satisfaction
act of fulfilling a desire or need or appetite
 
saturation
the act of soaking thoroughly with a liquid
 
Saturnalia
an orgiastic festival in ancient Rome in honor of Saturn
 
Satyagraha
the form of nonviolent resistance initiated in India by Mahatma Gandhi in order to oppose British rule and to hasten political reforms
 
saunter
a careless leisurely gait
 
save
(sports) the act of preventing the opposition from scoring
 
scalage
the act of scaling in weight or quantity or dimension
 
scalage
estimation of the amount of lumber in a log
 
scald
the act of burning with steam or hot water
 
scaling
ascent by or as if by a ladder
 
scaling
act of measuring or arranging or adjusting according to a scale
 
scamper
rushing about hastily in an undignified way
 
scan
the act of scanning; systematic examination of a prescribed region
 
scanning
the act of systematically moving a finely focused beam of light or electrons over a surface in order to produce an image of it for analysis or transmission
 
scat
singing jazz; the singer substitutes nonsense syllables for the words of the song and tries to sound like a musical instrument
 
scatology
(medicine) the chemical analysis of excrement (for medical diagnosis or for paleontological purposes)
 
scatophagy
the eating of excrement or other filth
 
scatter
the act of scattering
 
schedule feeding
feeding a baby or animal according to a fixed schedule (e.g., every 4 hours)
 
scheduled fire
prearranged fire delivered at a predetermined time
 
scheduled maintenance
maintenance at a regularly scheduled time
 
schematisation
the act of reducing to a scheme or formula
 
schism
division of a group into opposing factions
 
schlep
a tedious or difficult journey
 
school assignment
a school task performed by a student to satisfy the teacher
 
schooling
the training of an animal (especially the training of a horse for dressage)
 
schooling
the act of teaching at school
 
schottische
a German round dance resembling a slow polka
 
schtick
(Yiddish) a prank or piece of clowning
 
schtick
(Yiddish) a contrived and often used bit of business that a performer uses to steal attention
 
schtick
(Yiddish) a devious trick; a bit of cheating
 
scission
the act of dividing by cutting or splitting
 
scissor grip
a wrestling hold in which you wrap your legs around the opponents body or head and put your feet together and squeeze
 
scissors
a gymnastic exercise performed on the pommel horse when the gymnast moves his legs as the blades of scissors move
 
scissors kick
a kick used in the sidestroke; legs are brought together in a scissoring motion
 
sclaff
a poor golf stroke in which the club head hits the ground before hitting the ball
 
sclerotomy
surgical incision of the sclerotic coat of the eye
 
SCNT
moving a cell nucleus and its genetic material from one cell to another
 
scoop shot
a basketball shot made with an underhand scooping motion
 
Scopes trial
a highly publicized trial in 1925 when John Thomas Scopes violated a Tennessee state law by teaching evolution in high school; Scopes was prosecuted by William Jennings Bryan and defended by Clarence Darrow; Scopes was convicted but the verdict was later reversed
 
scorched-earth policy
the target company defends itself by selling off its crown jewels
 
scorcher
a very hard hit ball
 
score
the act of scoring in a game or sport
 
score
a seduction culminating in sexual intercourse
 
Scottish reel
a lively dance of Scottish Highlanders; marked by circular moves and gliding steps
 
scouring
moving over territory to search for something
 
scouring
the act of cleaning a surface by rubbing it with a brush and soap and water
 
scouting trip
an expedition undertaken to gain information
 
Scrabble
a board game in which words are formed from letters in patterns similar to a crossword puzzle; each letter has a value and those values are used to score the game
 
scramble
an unceremonious and disorganized struggle
 
screen pass
a short forward pass in which the receiver is protected by a screen of blockers
 
screen test
a filmed audition of an actor or actress
 
screening
testing objects or persons in order to identify those with particular characteristics
 
screwball
a pitch with reverse spin that curves toward the side of the plate from which it was thrown
 
screwup
the complete mismanagement or mishandling of a situation
 
scrimmage
(American football) practice play between a football team's squads
 
scrum
(rugby) the method of beginning play in which the forwards of each team crouch side by side with locked arms; play starts when the ball is thrown in between them and the two sides compete for possession
 
scrutiny
a prolonged intense look
 
scuba diving
skin diving with scuba apparatus
 
scud
the act of moving along swiftly (as before a gale)
 
scuff
the act of scuffing (scraping or dragging the feet)
 
sculling
rowing by a single oarsman in a racing shell
 
scumble
the application of very thin coat of color over the surface of a picture
 
scut work
trivial, unrewarding, tedious, dirty, and disagreeable chores
 
sea bathing
bathing in the sea or ocean
 
sea-duty
naval service aboard a ship at sea
 
seafaring
travel by water
 
sealing
the act of treating something to make it repel water
 
search
boarding and inspecting a ship on the high seas
 
search
an investigation seeking answers
 
search and destroy mission
an operation developed for United States troops in Vietnam; troops would move through a designated area destroying troops as they found them
 
search and rescue mission
a rescue mission to search for survivors and to rescue them
 
search mission
a mission to discover something
 
searching fire
fire distributed in depth by successive changes in the elevation of the gun
 
seasoning
the act of adding a seasoning to food
 
seating
the service of ushering people to their seats
 
Secession
the withdrawal of eleven southern states from the Union in 1860 which precipitated the American Civil War
 
secession
formal separation from an alliance or federation
 
seclusion
the act of secluding yourself from others
 
second battle of Ypres
battle in World War I (1915); Germans wanted to try chlorine (a toxic yellow gas) as a weapon and succeeded in taking considerable territory from the Allied salient
 
Second Crusade
a Crusade from 1145 to 1147 that failed because of internal disagreements among the crusaders and led to the loss of Jerusalem in 1187
 
second fiddle
a secondary role or function
 
second nature
acquired behavior that is practiced so long it seems innate
 
second wind
the return of relatively easy breathing after initial exhaustion during continuous exertion
 
Second World War
a war between the Allies (Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, USSR, Yugoslavia) and the Axis (Albania, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Rumania, Slovakia, Thailand) from 1939 to 1945
 
second
the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed near the second of the bases in the infield
 
secondary censorship
armed forces censorship of the personal communications of officers or civilian employees or enlisted personnel not subject to primary censorship
 
secondary education
education beyond the elementary grades; provided by a high school or college preparatory school
 
secondment
the detachment of a person from their regular organization for temporary assignment elsewhere
 
secret ballot
a vote in which each person's choice is secret but the totaled votes are public
 
Secretary of Agriculture
the position of the head of the Department of Agriculture
 
Secretary of Commerce
the position of the head of the Department of Commerce
 
Secretary of Commerce and Labor
head of a former executive department created in 1903 and divided into two departments in 1913
 
Secretary of Defense
the position of the head of the Department of Defense
 
Secretary of Education
the position of the head of the Education Department
 
Secretary of Energy
the position of the head of the Department of Energy
 
Secretary of Health and Human Services
the position of the head of the Department of Health and Human Services
 
Secretary of Health Education and Welfare
head of a former executive department created in 1953 and divided into two departments in 1979
 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
the position of the head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development
 
Secretary of Labor
the position of the head of the Department of Labor
 
Secretary of State
the position of the head of the State Department
 
Secretary of the Interior
the position of the head of the Department of the Interior
 
Secretary of the Navy
head of a former executive department; combined with the War Secretary to form the Defense Secretary in 1947
 
Secretary of the Treasury
the position of the head of the Treasury Department
 
Secretary of Transportation
the position of the head of the Department of Transportation
 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
the position of the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs
 
Secretary of War
head of a former executive department; combined with the Navy Secretary to form the Defense Secretary in 1947
 
secretaryship
the position of secretary
 
Section Eight
a discharge from the US Army based on unfitness or character traits deemed undesirable
 
secularisation
the activity of changing something (art or education or society or morality etc.) so it is no longer under the control or influence of religion
 
secularisation
transfer of property from ecclesiastical to civil possession
 
security intelligence
intelligence on the identity and capability and intentions of hostile individuals or organizations that may be engaged in espionage or sabotage or subversion or terrorism
 
security
measures taken as a precaution against theft or espionage or sabotage etc.
 
sedition
an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government
 
seduction
enticing someone astray from right behavior
 
seeking
an attempt to acquire or gain something
 
segregation
the act of segregating or sequestering
 
segue
the act of changing smoothly from one state or situation to another
 
seismography
the measurement of tremors and shocks and undulatory movements of earthquakes
 
seizure
the taking possession of something by legal process
 
selective jamming
electronic jamming of a specific channel or frequency
 
self-abuse
manual stimulation of your own genital organ for sexual pleasure
 
self-analysis
the application of psychotherapeutic principles to the analysis of your own personality
 
self-annihilation
the act of killing yourself
 
self-assertion
the act of asserting yourself in an aggressive manner
 
self-control
the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses
 
self-defence
the act of defending yourself
 
self-destruction
the act of destroying yourself
 
self-discovery
discovering your own individuality
 
self-flagellation
self-punishment inflicted by whipping
 
self-fulfillment
the fulfillment of your capacities
 
self-help
the act of helping or improving yourself without relying on anyone else
 
self-improvement
the act of improving yourself
 
self-organisation
organizing yourself (especially organizing your own labor union)
 
self-preservation
preservation of yourself from harm; a natural or instinctive tendency
 
self-punishment
punishment inflicted on yourself
 
self-renewal
the act of renewing yourself (or itself)
 
self-service
the practice of serving yourself (as in a grocery or cafeteria)
 
selflessness
acting with less concern for yourself than for the success of the joint activity
 
sell
the activity of persuading someone to buy
 
seller's market
a market in which more people want to buy than want to sell
 
selloff
a sale of a relatively large number of assets (stocks or bonds or commodities) at a low price typically done to dispose of them rather than as normal trade
 
sellout
the selling of an entire stock of something
 
sellout
a betrayal of one's principles principles, country, cause, etc.
 
seminar
a course offered for a small group of advanced students
 
senatorship
the office of senator
 
sending
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
 
sensitisation
rendering an organism sensitive to a serum by a series of injections
 
sensory activity
activity intended to achieve a particular sensory result
 
sensory deprivation
a form of psychological torture inflicted by depriving the victim of all sensory input
 
separation
the act of dividing or disconnecting
 
separation
the social act of separating or parting company
 
separation
sorting one thing from others
 
separationism
advocacy of a policy of strict separation of church and state
 
septation
the division or partitioning of a cavity into parts by a septum
 
septectomy
surgical removal of all or part of a septum (especially the nasal septum or atrial septum)
 
sequence
the action of following in order
 
serialisation
publication in serial form
 
sericulture
the production of raw silk by raising silkworms
 
serigraphy
the act of making a print by the silkscreen method
 
serve
(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
 
service
work done by one person or group that benefits another
 
service
(law) the acts performed by an English feudal tenant for the benefit of his lord which formed the consideration for the property granted to him
 
service
employment in or work for another
 
service
the performance of duties by a waiter or servant
 
service
an act of help or assistance
 
service call
a trip made by a repairman to visit the location of something in need of service
 
service cutback
the act of reducing service
 
service
the act of delivering a writ or summons upon someone
 
service
the act of mating by male animals
 
services
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
 
session
a meeting devoted to a particular activity
 
set
the act of putting something in position
 
set shot
a two-handed basketball shot from a stationary position
 
set-to
a brief but vigorous fight
 
Seven Years' War
a war of England and Prussia against France and Austria (1756-1763); Britain and Prussia got the better of it
 
Seventh Crusade
a Crusade initiated in 1248 after the loss of Jerusalem in 1244 and defeated in 1249
 
severance
the act of severing
 
sewage disposal
the disposal of sewage
 
Seward's Folly
the transaction in 1867 in which the United States Secretary of State William Henry Seward purchased Alaska from Russia
 
sewing
joining or attaching by stitches
 
sex crime
a statutory offense that provides that it is a crime to knowingly cause another person to engage in an unwanted sexual act by force or threat
 
sex
activities associated with sexual intercourse
 
sex-change operation
surgical procedures and hormonal treatments designed to alter a person's sexual characteristics so that the resemble those of the opposite sex
 
sexcapade
a sexual escapade; an illicit affair
 
sexism
discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of the opposite sex
 
sexploitation
the commercial exploitation of sex or sexuality or explicit sexual material
 
sexual discrimination
discrimination (usually in employment) that excludes one sex (usually women) to the benefit of the other sex
 
sexual harassment
unwelcome sexual behavior by a supervisor toward an employee
 
sexual immorality
the evil ascribed to sexual acts that violate social conventions
 
shadowboxing
sparring with an imaginary opponent (for exercise or training)
 
shadowing
the act of following someone secretly
 
shag
a lively dance step consisting of hopping on each foot in turn
 
shake
a reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement
 
shake
causing to move repeatedly from side to side
 
shakedown
extortion of money (as by blackmail)
 
shakedown
a very thorough search of a person or a place
 
shaking
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
 
shallow fording
fording at a shallow place
 
shamble
walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet
 
shampoo
the act of washing your hair with shampoo
 
shank
a poor golf stroke in which the heel of the club hits the ball
 
shape-up
a way of hiring longshoremen by the day; applicants gather around a union boss who selects those to be hired
 
share-out
a distribution in shares
 
shattering
the act of breaking something into small pieces
 
shave
the act of removing hair with a razor
 
shearing
removing by cutting off or clipping
 
sheepshearing
act of shearing sheep
 
sheepshearing
a festival held at the time sheep are normally sheared
 
sheet-metal work
the craft of doing sheet metal work (as in ventilation systems)
 
shell game
a swindling sleight-of-hand game; victim guesses which of three things a pellet is under
 
shellfire
shooting artillery shells
 
shielding
the act of shielding from harm
 
shift
the act of moving from one place to another
 
shift
the act of changing one thing or position for another
 
shimmy
lively dancing (usually to ragtime music) with much shaking of the shoulders and hips
 
shingling
the laying on of shingles
 
shinney
a simple version of hockey played by children on the streets (or on ice or on a field) using a ball or can as the puck
 
ship building
the construction of ships
 
shipping
the commercial enterprise of moving goods and materials
 
Shirodkar's operation
a surgical procedure in which a suture is used to close the cervix in a pregnant woman; is performed when the cervix has failed to retain previous pregnancies
 
shirring
baking shelled eggs
 
shock therapy
treatment of certain psychotic states by the administration of shocks that are followed by convulsions
 
shoeshine
the act of shining shoes
 
shoestring catch
(baseball) a running catch made near the ground
 
shogi
a form of chess played on a board of 81 squares; each player has 20 pieces
 
shoot
the act of shooting at targets
 
shoot-down
murder by shooting someone down in cold blood
 
shooting
killing someone by gunfire
 
shooting
the act of firing a projectile
 
shop
a course of instruction in a trade (as carpentry or electricity)
 
shoplifting
the act of stealing goods that are on display in a store
 
shopping
searching for or buying goods or services
 
shore duty
naval service at land bases
 
short covering
the purchase of securities or commodities by a short seller to close out a short sale
 
short division
the operation of division in which the sequence of steps is performed without writing them out
 
short sale
sale of securities or commodity futures not owned by the seller (who hopes to buy them back later at a lower price)
 
short
the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed between second and third base
 
shortening
act of decreasing in length
 
shot
an attempt to score in a game
 
shot
a blow hard enough to cause injury
 
shot
informal words for any attempt or effort
 
shot
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
 
shove
the act of shoving (giving a push to someone or something)
 
shove-halfpenny
a game in which coins or discs are slid by hand across a board toward a mark
 
shovelboard
a game in which players use long sticks to shove wooden disks onto the scoring area marked on a smooth surface
 
show
the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
 
show trial
a trial held for show; the guilt of the accused person has been decided in advance
 
shower
washing yourself by standing upright under water sprayed from a nozzle
 
showjumping
riding horses in competitions over set courses to demonstrate skill in jumping over obstacles
 
shrift
the act of being shriven
 
shrinking
the act of becoming less
 
shudder
an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)
 
shufti
a quick look around (originally military slang)
 
shy
a quick throw
 
side-glance
a glance sideways
 
sideshow
a minor show that is part of a larger one (as at the circus)
 
sideslip
an unexpected slide
 
sideslip
a flight maneuver; aircraft slides sideways in the air
 
sidestep
a step to one side (as in boxing or dancing)
 
sidestroke
a swimming stroke in which the arms move forward and backward while the legs do a scissors kick
 
siege of Orleans
a long siege of Orleans by the English was relieved by Joan of Arc in 1429
 
siege of Syracuse
the Athenian siege of Syracuse (415-413 BC) was eventually won by Syracuse
 
siege of Syracuse
the Roman siege of Syracuse (214-212 BC) was eventually won by the Romans who sacked the city (killing Archimedes)
 
siege of Vicksburg
a decisive battle in the American Civil War (1863); after being besieged for nearly seven weeks the Confederates surrendered
 
siege of Yorktown
in 1781 the British under Cornwallis surrendered after a siege of three weeks by American and French troops; the surrender ended the American Revolution
 
siesta
a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)
 
sifting
the act of separating grain from chaff
 
sight
the act of looking or seeing or observing
 
sighting
the act of observing
 
SIGINT
intelligence information gathered from communications intelligence or electronics intelligence or telemetry intelligence
 
sigmoidectomy
surgical removal of part or all of the sigmoid colon (usually to remove a malignant tumor)
 
silent treatment
an aloof refusal to speak to someone you know
 
simple mastectomy
removal of a breast leaving the underlying muscles and the lymph nodes intact
 
simplification
elimination of superfluous details
 
simulation
the act of imitating the behavior of some situation or some process by means of something suitably analogous (especially for the purpose of study or personnel training)
 
sin
an act that is regarded by theologians as a transgression of God's will
 
sinecure
an office that involves minimal duties
 
singalong
informal group singing of popular songs
 
singing
the act of singing vocal music
 
single combat
a fight between two people
 
single entry
a simple bookkeeping system; transactions are entered in only one account
 
singles
tennis played with one person on each side
 
singles
badminton played with one person on each side
 
sinker
a pitch that curves downward rapidly as it approaches the plate
 
sip
a small drink
 
sit-down
a strike in which workers refuse to leave the workplace until a settlement is reached
 
sit-in
a form of civil disobedience in which demonstrators occupy seats and refuse to move
 
sit-up
a stomach exercise in which a person sits up from a supine position without using the arms for leverage
 
site visit
a visit in an official capacity to examine a site to determine its suitability for some enterprise
 
sitting
the act of assuming or maintaining a seated position
 
sitting trot
the rider sits still in the saddle
 
Sixth Crusade
a Crusade from 1228 to 1229 led by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II who fell ill and was excommunicated by the Pope; by negotiation Frederick II was able to crown himself king of Jerusalem
 
sixty-nine
oral sex practiced simultaneously by two people
 
skank
a rhythmic dance to reggae music performed by bending forward and extending the hands while bending the knees
 
skateboarding
the sport of skating on a skateboard
 
skating
the sport of gliding on skates
 
skedaddle
a hasty flight
 
skeet
the sport of shooting at clay pigeons that are hurled upward in such a way as to simulate the flight of a bird
 
ski jumping
the act of performing a jump on skis from a high ramp overhanging a snow covered slope
 
skiing
a sport in which participants must travel on skis
 
skimming
failure to declare income in order to avoid paying taxes on it
 
skimming
the act of removing floating material from the surface of a liquid
 
skin care
care for the skin
 
skin diving
underwater swimming without any more breathing equipment than a snorkel
 
skinny-dip
a naked swim
 
skip
a gait in which steps and hops alternate
 
skit
a short theatrical episode
 
skull practice
teaching strategy to an athletic team
 
skydiving
performing acrobatics in free fall before pulling the ripcord of a parachute
 
slam dance
a form of dancing in which dancers slam into one another; normally performed to punk rock
 
slam dunk
a forceful dunk
 
slap
the act of smacking something; a blow delivered with an open hand
 
slapshot
a fast shot made with a short powerful swing of the hockey stick
 
slating
the act of laying slates for a roof
 
slaughter
the killing of animals (as for food)
 
slave trade
traffic in slaves; especially in Black Africans transported to America in the 16th to 19th centuries
 
slaveholding
the practice of owning slaves
 
slavery
work done under harsh conditions for little or no pay
 
sledding
the sport of riding on a sled or sleigh
 
sleep deprivation
a form of psychological torture inflicted by depriving the victim of sleep
 
sleep talking
uttering speech while asleep
 
sleeper
an unexpected hit
 
sleeping
the suspension of consciousness and decrease in metabolic rate
 
slicing
the act of cutting into slices
 
slider
a fastball that curves slightly away from the side from which it was thrown
 
slight care
such care as a careless or inattentive person would exercise
 
slinging
throwing with a wide motion (as if with a sling)
 
slippage
failing to hold or slipping out of place
 
smack
an enthusiastic kiss
 
smacker
a loud kiss
 
smacker
a very powerful blow with the fist
 
smell
the act of perceiving the odor of something
 
smoke screen
an action intended to conceal or confuse or obscure
 
smoke
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
 
smooth
the act of smoothing
 
smuggling
secretly importing prohibited goods or goods on which duty is due
 
snafu
an acronym often used by soldiers in World War II: situation normal all fucked up
 
snake dance
a ceremonial dance (as by the Hopi) in which snakes are handled or invoked
 
snakes and ladders
a board game for children who use dice to move counters up ladders and down snakes
 
snap
the act of snapping the fingers; movement of a finger from the tip to the base of the thumb on the same hand
 
snap roll
a fast roll
 
snatch
a weightlift in which the barbell is lifted overhead in one rapid motion
 
snick
a glancing contact with the ball off the edge of the cricket bat
 
sniff
sensing an odor by inhaling through the nose
 
sniffle
the act of breathing heavily through the nose (as when the nose is congested)
 
snipe
a gunshot from a concealed location
 
snipe hunt
an elaborate practical joke in which the unsuspecting victim hunts a snipe and is typically left in the dark holding a bag and waiting for the snipe to run into it
 
snivel
whining in a tearful manner
 
snogging
(British informal) cuddle and kiss
 
snooker
a form of pool played with 15 red balls and six balls of other colors and a cue ball
 
snore
the act of snoring or producing a snoring sound
 
snorkel diving
skin diving with a snorkel
 
snowboarding
the act of sliding down a snow-covered slope while standing on a snowboard
 
soak
washing something by allowing it to soak
 
soar
the act of rising upward into the air
 
sob
convulsive gasp made while weeping
 
sobriety
abstaining from excess
 
socage
land tenure by agricultural service or payment of rent; not burdened with military service
 
social activity
activity considered appropriate on social occasions
 
social control
control exerted (actively or passively) by group action
 
social dancing
dancing as part of a social occasion
 
social insurance
government provision for unemployed, injured, or aged people; financed by contributions from employers and employees as well as by government revenue
 
Social Security
social welfare program in the U.S.; includes old-age and survivors insurance and some unemployment insurance and old-age assistance
 
social service
an organized activity to improve the condition of disadvantaged people in society
 
social work
any of various services designed to aid the poor and aged and to increase the welfare of children
 
socialisation
the act of meeting for social purposes
 
socialisation
the action of establishing on a socialist basis
 
soft sell
suggestive or persuasive advertising
 
soft-shoe
tap dancing wearing shoes that have soft soles
 
softball
a game closely resembling baseball that is played on a smaller diamond and with a ball that is larger and softer
 
soil conservation
protection of soil against erosion or deterioration
 
sojourn
a temporary stay (e.g., as a guest)
 
solfege
a voice exercise; singing scales or runs to the same syllable
 
solfege
singing using solfa syllables to denote the notes of the scale of C major
 
solicitorship
the position of solicitor
 
solo
a flight in which the aircraft pilot is unaccompanied
 
solo
any activity that is performed alone without assistance
 
solo blast
a home run with no runners on base
 
solution
the successful action of solving a problem
 
song
the act of singing
 
SOP
a prescribed procedure to be followed routinely
 
sophistication
falsification by the use of sophistry; misleading by means of specious fallacies
 
sortie
(military) an operational flight by a single aircraft (as in a military operation)
 
sorting
grouping by class or kind or size
 
soul
the human embodiment of something
 
sound ranging
locating a source of sound (as an enemy gun) by measurements of the time the sound arrives at microphones in known positions
 
sound reproduction
the reproduction of sound
 
sounding
the act of measuring depth of water (usually with a sounding line)
 
sovereign immunity
an exemption that precludes bringing a suit against the sovereign government without the government's consent
 
space travel
a voyage outside the Earth's atmosphere
 
space walk
any kind of physical activity outside a spacecraft by one of the crew
 
spade casino
a form of casino in which spades have the value of one point
 
spadework
dull or routine preliminary work preparing for an undertaking
 
span
the act of sitting or standing astride
 
Spanish Civil War
civil war in Spain in which Franco succeeded in overthrowing the republican government; during the war Spain became a battleground for fascists and socialists from all countries; 1936-1939
 
Spanish-American War
a war between the United States and Spain in 1898
 
spank
a slap with the flat of the hand
 
spanking
the act of slapping on the buttocks
 
spar
making the motions of attack and defense with the fists and arms; a part of training for a boxer
 
spare
a score in tenpins; knocking down all ten after rolling two balls
 
sparge
the act of sprinkling or splashing water
 
spasm
(pathology) sudden constriction of a hollow organ (as a blood vessel)
 
spasmolysis
the relaxation or relief of muscle spasms
 
spatter
the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface
 
spaying
neutering a female by removing the ovaries
 
speakership
the position of Speaker
 
special verdict
a verdict rendered on certain specific factual issues posed by the court without finding for one party or the other
 
specialisation
the special line of work you have adopted as your career
 
specialisation
the act of specializing; making something suitable for a special purpose
 
specific performance
the performance of a legal contract as specified by its terms
 
specification
a restriction that is insisted upon as a condition for an agreement
 
spectacle
a blunder that makes you look ridiculous; used in the phrase `make a spectacle of' yourself
 
spectator sport
a sport that many people find entertaining to watch
 
spectrographic analysis
the use of spectroscopes to analyze spectra
 
speech therapy
any therapy intended to correct a disorder of speech
 
speed skating
competitive skating on speed skates (usually around an oval course)
 
spelaeology
the pastime of exploring caves
 
spending cut
the act of reducing spending
 
spending spree
a brief period of extravagant spending
 
sperm count
the act of estimating the number of spermatozoa in an ejaculate
 
spiccato
bowing in such a way that the bow bounces lightly off the strings
 
spin
a distinctive interpretation (especially as used by politicians to sway public opinion)
 
spin
a short drive in a car
 
spin the bottle
a game in which a player spins a bottle and kisses the person that it points to when it stops spinning
 
spin the plate
a game in which something round (as a plate) is spun on edge and the name of a player is called; the named player must catch the spinning object before it falls or pay a forfeit
 
spin
rapid descent of an aircraft in a steep spiral
 
spin
the act of rotating rapidly
 
spinning
creating thread
 
spiral
flying downward in a helical path with a large radius
 
spiritualisation
the act of making something spiritual; infusing it with spiritual content
 
spirometry
the use of a spirometer to measure vital capacity
 
spitball
an illegal pitch in which a foreign substance (spit or Vaseline) is applied to the ball by the pitcher before he throws it
 
splash
the act of scattering water about haphazardly
 
splashdown
a landing of a spacecraft in the sea at the end of a space flight
 
splenectomy
surgical removal of the spleen
 
split
extending the legs at right angles to the trunk (one in front and the other in back)
 
split ticket
a ballot cast by a voter who votes for candidates from more than one party
 
split
an increase in the number of outstanding shares of a corporation without changing the shareholders' equity
 
split-brain technique
brain surgery on animals in which the corpus callosum (and sometimes the optic chiasm) is severed so that communication between the cerebral hemispheres is interrupted
 
splitsville
separation or breakup or divorce
 
spoil
the act of spoiling something by causing damage to it
 
spoliation
(law) the intentional destruction of a document or an alteration of it that destroys its value as evidence
 
sponge bath
you wash your body with a sponge or washcloth instead of in a bathtub
 
sponsorship
the act of sponsoring (either officially or financially)
 
spoonfeeding
feeding someone (as a baby) from a spoon
 
spoonfeeding
teaching in an overly simplified way that discourages independent thought
 
sport
the occupation of athletes who compete for pay
 
sporting life
active interest in gambling on sports events
 
spot check
a check on work performance or product quality made at random times without warning
 
spot pass
a pass to a designated spot on the field; the receiver should arrive at that spot the same time the ball does
 
spot welding
creating an overlapping joint by welding at small points
 
spray painting
applying paint with a sprayer
 
spraying
the application of a liquid in the form of small particles ejected from a sprayer
 
spread eagle
a skating figure executed with the skates heel to heel in a straight line
 
spread
act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
 
spring break
a week or more of recess during the spring term at school
 
spring-cleaning
the activity of cleaning a house thoroughly at the end of winter
 
spying
keeping a secret or furtive watch
 
spying
the act of keeping a secret watch for intelligence purposes
 
squandering
spending resources lavishly and wastefully
 
squandermania
prodigious squandering (usually by a government)
 
square dance
American country dancing in which couples form squares
 
square-bashing
drill on a barracks square
 
squash
a game played in an enclosed court by two or four players who strike the ball with long-handled rackets
 
squat
the act of assuming or maintaining a crouching position with the knees bent and the buttocks near the heels
 
squeeze
the act of forcing yourself (or being forced) into or through a restricted space
 
squeeze play
a baseball play in which a runner on third base tries to score as the batter bunts the pitch
 
squeeze
the act of gripping and pressing firmly
 
squint
the act of squinting; looking with the eyes partly closed
 
squirm
the act of wiggling
 
stabilisation
the act of stabilizing something or making it more stable
 
stabilisation
the act of making something (as a vessel or aircraft) less likely to overturn
 
staging
travel by stagecoach
 
staging
getting rid of a stage of a multistage rocket
 
staining
(histology) the use of a dye to color specimens for microscopic study
 
stakeout
surveillance of some place or some person by the police (as in anticipation of a crime)
 
stalk
the act of following prey stealthily
 
stalk
a hunt for game carried on by following it stealthily or waiting in ambush
 
stall
a tactic used to mislead or delay
 
stampede
a headlong rush of people on a common impulse
 
stand
a stop made by a touring musical or theatrical group to give a performance
 
stand
a defensive effort
 
standdown
(military) a temporary stop of offensive military action
 
standing
the act of assuming or maintaining an erect upright position
 
Stanford-Binet test
revision of the Binet-Simon Scale
 
stapedectomy
surgical removal of the stapes of the middle ear
 
stare
a fixed look with eyes open wide
 
stargazing
observation of the stars
 
start
a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning)
 
starter
a culture containing yeast or bacteria that is used to start the process of fermentation or souring in making butter or cheese or dough
 
startle reaction
a complicated involuntary reaction to a sudden unexpected stimulus (especially a loud noise); involves flexion of most skeletal muscles and a variety of visceral reactions
 
startup
the act of setting in operation
 
starvation
the act of depriving of food or subjecting to famine
 
state-sponsored terrorism
terrorism practiced by a government against its own people or in support of international terrorism
 
Stations of the Cross
(Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary
 
stay
continuing or remaining in a place or state
 
steal
a stolen base; an instance in which a base runner advances safely during the delivery of a pitch (without the help of a hit or walk or passed ball or wild pitch)
 
stealing
avoiding detection by moving carefully
 
steam fitting
care (installation and maintenance) of equipment for ventilating or heating or refrigerating
 
steel engraving
the act of engraving on a steel plate
 
steer roping
capturing a steer with a lasso
 
steerage
the act of steering a ship
 
stem
a turn made in skiing; the back of one ski is forced outward and the other ski is brought parallel to it
 
stem-cell research
research on stem cells and their use in medicine
 
stenography
the act or art of writing in shorthand
 
step
the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down
 
stepping stone
any means of advancement
 
sterilisation
the procedure of making some object free of live bacteria or other microorganisms (usually by heat or chemical means)
 
sterilisation
the act of making an organism barren or infertile (unable to reproduce)
 
stewardship
the position of steward
 
stick
threat of a penalty
 
stickball
a form of baseball played in the streets with a rubber ball and broomstick handle
 
stiffening
the act of becoming stiff
 
stimulation
the act of arousing an organism to action
 
sting operation
a complicated confidence game planned and executed with great care (especially an operation implemented by undercover agents to apprehend criminals)
 
sting
operation designed to catch a person committing a criminal act
 
stinger
a sharp stinging blow
 
stint
an individual's prescribed share of work
 
stirring
agitating a liquid with an implement
 
stock issue
(corporation law) the authorization and delivery of shares of stock for sale to the public or the shares thus offered at a particular time
 
stocking
the activity of supplying a stock of something
 
stockpiling
accumulating and storing a reserve supply
 
stocktake
an instance of stocktaking
 
stomach exercise
an exercise designed to strengthen the abdominal muscles
 
stomp
a dance involving a rhythmical stamping step
 
stonewalling
stalling or delaying especially by refusing to answer questions or cooperate
 
stoop
an inclination of the top half of the body forward and downward
 
stop
the act of stopping something
 
stopping
the kind of playing that involves pressing the fingers on the strings of a stringed instrument to control the pitch
 
storage
the commercial enterprise of storing goods and materials
 
storage
the act of storing something
 
storm
a direct and violent assault on a stronghold
 
stowage
the act of packing or storing away
 
strabotomy
the surgical operation of cutting a muscle or tendon of the eye in order to correct strabismus
 
straddle
the option to buy or sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date; consists of an equal number of put and call options
 
straddle
a gymnastic exercise performed with a leg on either side of the parallel bars
 
strafe
an attack of machine-gun fire or cannon fire from a low flying airplane
 
straight and narrow
the way of proper and honest behavior
 
straight hang
a hang performed on the rings or parallel bars with the body erect and the arms at the sides
 
straight poker
poker in which each player gets 5 cards face down and bets are made without drawing any further cards
 
straight ticket
a ballot cast by a voter who votes for all the candidates of one party
 
straight-arm
(American football) the act of warding off a tackler by holding the arm fully extended with the hand against the opponent
 
strain
an intense or violent exertion
 
stranglehold
a wrestling hold in which the arms are pressed against the opponent's windpipe
 
strangulation
(pathology) constriction of a body part so as to cut off the flow of blood or other fluid
 
strapado
a form of torture in which the hands are tied behind a person's back and they are lifted off the ground by a rope tied to their wrists, then allowed to drop until their fall is checked with a jerk by the rope
 
strategic buyout
an acquisition based on analysis of the benefits of consolidation in anticipation of increased earning power
 
strategic intelligence
intelligence that is required for forming policy and military plans at national and international levels
 
stratification
the act or process or arranging persons into classes or social strata
 
stratification
the placing of seeds in damp sand or sawdust or peat moss in order to preserve them or promote germination
 
strengthening
the act of increasing the strength of something
 
stretch
extension to or beyond the ordinary limit
 
stretch
exercise designed to extend the limbs and muscles to their full extent
 
stretching
act of expanding by lengthening or widening
 
stride
significant progress (especially in the phrase `make strides')
 
strife
bitter conflict; heated often violent dissension
 
strike
an attack that is intended to seize or inflict damage on or destroy an objective
 
strike
(baseball) a pitch that the batter swings at and misses, or that the batter hits into foul territory, or that the batter does not swing at but the umpire judges to be in the area over home plate and between the batter's knees and shoulders
 
strike
a score in tenpins: knocking down all ten with the first ball
 
strike
a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions
 
strikebreaking
confrontational activities intended to break up a strike by workers
 
strikeout
an out resulting from the batter getting three strikes
 
strip cropping
cultivation of crops in strips following the contours of the land to minimize erosion
 
strip poker
poker in which a player's losses are paid by removing an article of clothing
 
strip search
searching someone for concealed weapons or illegal drugs by having them remove their clothes
 
strip
a form of erotic entertainment in which a dancer gradually undresses to music
 
strip-Jack-naked
a card game for two players in which the object is to win all of the other player's cards
 
striping
the act of marking with stripes
 
stroke
a single complete movement
 
stroke
any one of the repeated movements of the limbs and body used for locomotion in swimming or rowing
 
stroke
a light touch with the hands
 
struggle
strenuous effort
 
stud
poker in which each player receives hole cards and the remainder are dealt face up; bets are placed after each card is dealt
 
studentship
the position of student
 
study
a detailed critical inspection
 
stumping
campaigning for something by making political speeches (stump speeches)
 
stunt
a difficult or unusual or dangerous feat; usually done to gain attention
 
stupefaction
the action of stupefying; making dull or lethargic
 
stylisation
the act of stylizing; causing to conform to a particular style
 
sub-test
one of a battery of related tests
 
subbing
working as a substitute for someone who is ill or on leave of absence
 
subcutaneous injection
an injection under the skin
 
subdivision
the act of subdividing; division of something previously divided
 
subjoining
the act of supplementing
 
submarine ball
a pitch thrown sidearm instead of overhead
 
subrogation
(law) the act of substituting of one creditor for another
 
subscription
the act of signing your name; writing your signature (as on a document)
 
subscription
a pledged contribution
 
subsistence farming
farming that provides for the basic needs of the farmer without surpluses for marketing
 
subvention
the act or process of providing aid or help of any sort
 
subversion
the act of subverting; as overthrowing or destroying a legally constituted government
 
success
an attainment that is successful
 
succession
acquisition of property by descent or by will
 
succussion
shaking a person to determine whether a large amount of liquid is present in a body cavity
 
suck
the act of sucking
 
sucker punch
an unexpected punch
 
suckling reflex
reflex behavior in newborn mammals; includes finding and grasping the nipple in the mouth and sucking on it and swallowing the milk
 
suction curettage
a method of induced abortion; prior to the 14th week of gestation the embryo and placenta are removed by applying suction to the dilated cervix
 
suffixation
formation of a word by means of a suffix
 
suicide bombing
a terrorist bombing carried out by someone who does not hope to survive it
 
suicide pill
a poison pill with potentially catastrophic implications for the company it is intended to protect
 
suicide squeeze
the runner on third base starts home as the pitcher delivers the ball
 
sumo
a Japanese form of wrestling; you lose if you are forced out of a small ring or if any part of your body (other than your feet) touches the ground
 
sun bathing
immersing the body in sunlight
 
sun dance
a ceremonial dance performed by Amerindians at the summer solstice
 
Sunday punch
a hard punch that renders the opponent unable to continue boxing
 
Sunnah
(Islam) the way of life prescribed as normative for Muslims on the basis of the teachings and practices of Muhammad and interpretations of the Koran
 
superannuation
the act of discharging someone because of age (especially to cause someone to retire from service on a pension)
 
supererogation
an effort above and beyond the call of duty
 
superfecta
a bet that you can pick the first four finishers in a race in the right order
 
superposition
the placement of one thing on top of another
 
superposition
(geometry) the placement of one object ideally in the position of another one in order to show that the two coincide
 
superscription
the activity of superscribing
 
supersedure
act of replacing one person or thing by another especially one held to be superior
 
supination
rotation of the hands and forearms so that the palms face upward
 
supping
ingestion of liquid food with a spoon or by drinking
 
support
aiding the cause or policy or interests of
 
support
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
 
support
the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening
 
supporting fire
fire delivered by supporting units to protect or assist a unit in combat
 
suppressive fire
fire on or about a weapon system to degrade its performance below what is needed to fulfill its mission objectives
 
surf casting
casting (artificial) bait far out into the ocean (up to 200 yards) with the waves breaking around you
 
surfacing
emerging to the surface and becoming apparent
 
surfboarding
the sport of riding a surfboard toward the shore on the crest of a wave
 
surge
a sudden or abrupt strong increase
 
surgical contraception
contraception by surgical sterilization
 
surgical strike
an attack (usually without prior warning) intended to deal only with a specific target
 
surprisal
the act of surprising someone
 
surrender
the delivery of a principal into lawful custody
 
surveillance
close observation of a person or group (usually by the police)
 
surveillance of disease
the ongoing systematic collection and analysis of data about an infectious disease that can lead to action being taken to control or prevent the disease
 
surveying
the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map
 
survival
something that survives
 
survivors insurance
insurance paid to surviving spouses
 
suspension
a temporary debarment (from a privilege or position etc)
 
suttee
the act of a Hindu widow willingly cremating herself on the funeral pyre of her dead husband
 
suturing
surgical joining of two surfaces
 
swaddling clothes
restrictions placed on the immature
 
swallow dive
a dive in which the diver arches the back with arms outstretched before entering the water
 
swat
a sharp blow
 
Swedish massage
massage combined with a system of active and passive exercises for the muscles and joints
 
sweep
a movement in an arc
 
sweeping
the act of cleaning with a broom
 
sweepstakes
a lottery in which the prize consists of the money paid by the participants
 
sweetening
the act of adding a sweetener to food
 
swerve
the act of turning aside suddenly
 
swim
the act of swimming
 
swimming kick
a movement of the legs in swimming
 
swimming stroke
a method of moving the arms and legs to push against the water and propel the swimmer forward
 
swing
a square dance figure; a pair of dancers join hands and dance around a point between them
 
swing
a sweeping blow or stroke
 
swing
changing location by moving back and forth
 
swipe
a sweeping stroke or blow
 
switch
a basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other
 
switcheroo
a sudden unexpected switch
 
swiz
British slang for a swindle
 
swoop
a swift descent through the air
 
swoop
a very rapid raid
 
sword dance
any of various dances by men who step nimbly over swords or flourish them in the air
 
syllabication
forming or dividing words into syllables
 
symbolatry
the worship of symbols
 
symbolisation
the practice of investing things with symbolic meaning
 
symbolising
the act of representing something with a symbol
 
sympathectomy
surgical interruption of a nerve pathway in the sympathetic nervous system
 
sympathetic strike
a strike in support of other workers who are on strike; a strike not resulting from direct grievances against the workers' employer
 
synchronisation
an adjustment that causes something to occur or recur in unison
 
synchronisation
coordinating by causing to indicate the same time
 
syndication
selling (an article or cartoon) for publication in many magazines or newspapers at the same time
 
syndication
organizing into or administering as a syndicate
 
systematism
the habitual practice of systematization and classification
 
table game
a game that is played on a table
 
tabulation
the act of putting into tabular form
 
tack
sailing a zigzag course
 
tack
(nautical) the act of changing tack
 
tackle
(American football) grasping an opposing player with the intention of stopping by throwing to the ground
 
tackle
(American football) a position on the line of scrimmage
 
tae kwon do
a Korean martial art similar to karate
 
tag
a game in which one child chases the others; the one who is caught becomes the next chaser
 
tag
(sports) the act of touching a player in a game (which changes their status in the game)
 
tai chi
a Chinese system of slow meditative physical exercise designed for relaxation and balance and health
 
tailback
(American football) the position of the offensive back on a football team who lines up farthest from the line of scrimmage
 
tailoring
the occupation of a tailor
 
take
the act of photographing a scene or part of a scene without interruption
 
take-in
the act of taking in as by fooling or cheating or swindling someone
 
take-up
the action of taking up as by tightening or absorption or reeling in
 
takeaway
the act of taking the ball or puck away from the team on the offense (as by the interception of a pass)
 
takeoff
a departure; especially of airplanes
 
takeover
a change by sale or merger in the controlling interest of a corporation
 
takeover attempt
an attempt to take control of a corporation
 
takeover bid
an offer to buy shares in order to take over the company
 
talk
the act of giving a talk to an audience
 
tango
a ballroom dance of Latin-American origin
 
tankage
the act of storing in tanks
 
tanning
making leather from rawhide
 
tap dance
a dance step tapped out audibly with the feet
 
tap
the act of tapping a telephone or telegraph line to get information
 
tap-off
the act of starting a basketball game with a jump ball
 
tapering
the act of gradually lowering the size or amount
 
tapotement
massage in which the body is tapped rhythmically with the fingers or with short rapid movements of the sides of the hand; used to loosen mucus on the chest walls of patients with bronchitis
 
tarantella
a lively whirling Italian dance for two persons
 
Tarawa-Makin
battles in World War II in the Pacific (November 1943); United States Marines took the islands from the Japanese after bitter fighting
 
Tarchanoff phenomenon
a change in the electrical properties of the skin in response to stress or anxiety; can be measured either by recording the electrical resistance of the skin or by recording weak currents generated by the body
 
target practice
practice in shooting at targets
 
taste
a kind of sensing; distinguishing substances by means of the taste buds
 
tattoo
the practice of making a design on the skin by pricking and staining
 
taunt
aggravation by deriding or mocking or criticizing
 
tax avoidance
the minimization of tax liability by lawful methods
 
tax collection
the collection of taxes
 
tax cut
the act of reducing taxation
 
tax evasion
the deliberate failure to pay taxes (usually by making a false report)
 
taxation
the imposition of taxes; the practice of the government in levying taxes on the subjects of a state
 
taxis
a locomotor response toward or away from an external stimulus by a motile (and usually simple) organism
 
taxis
the surgical procedure of manually restoring a displaced body part
 
taxonomy
practice of classifying plants and animals according to their presumed natural relationships
 
Tazir crime
(Islam) minor crimes committed by Muslims; crimes that are not mentioned in the Koran so judges are free to punish the offender in any appropriate way
 
teachership
the position of teacher
 
teaching reading
teaching beginners to read
 
team sport
a sport that involves competition between teams of players
 
team teaching
a method of coordinated classroom teaching involving a team of teachers working together with a single group of students
 
teamwork
cooperative work done by a team (especially when it is effective)
 
tear
the act of tearing
 
teasing
playful vexation
 
technical analysis
(stock exchange) analysis of past price changes in the hope of forecasting future price changes
 
technical
(basketball) a foul that can be assessed on a player or a coach or a team for unsportsmanlike conduct; does not usually involve physical contact during play
 
technology
the application of the knowledge and usage of tools (such as machines or utensils) and techniques to control one's environment
 
teeoff
the act of hitting a golf ball from the teeing ground at the start of each hole
 
teetotaling
abstaining from alcohol
 
telecommerce
the use of the telephone as an interactive medium for promotion and sales
 
telecommuting
employment at home while communicating with the workplace by phone or fax or modem
 
telemark
a turn made in skiing; the outside ski is placed ahead and turned gradually inwards
 
telemetry
automatic transmission and measurement of data from remote sources by wire or radio or other means
 
telephone order
receiving orders via telephone
 
telephotography
photography using a telephoto lens
 
telephotography
transmission and reproduction of photographs and charts and pictures over a distance
 
teleportation
a hypothetical mode of instantaneous transportation; matter is dematerialized at one place and recreated at another
 
TELINT
intelligence derived from the interception and processing and analysis of foreign telemetry
 
temperament
an adjustment of the intervals (as in tuning a keyboard instrument) so that the scale can be used to play in different keys
 
temperance
the act of tempering
 
tenderisation
the act of making meat tender by pounding or marinating it
 
tennis lesson
a lesson in playing tennis
 
tennis shot
the act of hitting a tennis ball with a tennis racket
 
tenpin bowling
bowling down an alley at a target of ten wooden pins
 
tension
the action of stretching something tight
 
terrain intelligence
tactical intelligence on the natural and man-made characteristics of an area
 
terrestrial guidance
a method of controlling the flight of a missile by devices that respond to the strength and direction of the earth's gravitational field
 
territorialisation
the act of organizing as a territory
 
territoriality
the behavior of a male animal that defines and defends its territory
 
terror
the use of extreme fear in order to coerce people (especially for political reasons)
 
terrorisation
an act of terrorism
 
terrorist attack
a surprise attack involving the deliberate use of violence against civilians in the hope of attaining political or religious aims
 
tessellation
the careful juxtaposition of shapes in a pattern
 
tessellation
the act of adorning with mosaic
 
test case
a representative legal action whose outcome is likely to become a precedent
 
test
the act of undergoing testing
 
testcross
a cross between an organism whose genotype for a certain trait is unknown and an organism that is homozygous recessive for that trait so the unknown genotype can be determined from that of the offspring
 
testimonial immunity
an exemption that displaces the privilege against self-incrimination; neither compelled testimony or any fruits of it can be used against the witness who therefore can no longer fear self-incrimination
 
testing
an examination of the characteristics of something
 
testing
the act of subjecting to experimental test in order to determine how well something works
 
tetanus
a sustained muscular contraction resulting from a rapid series of nerve impulses
 
tetherball
a game with two players who use rackets to strike a ball that is tethered to the top of a pole; the object is to wrap the string around the pole
 
Texas leaguer
(baseball) a fly ball that falls between and infielder and an outfielder
 
thaneship
the position of thane
 
thanks
with the help of or owing to
 
the devil
something difficult or awkward to do or deal with
 
the way of the world
the manner in which people typically behave or things typically happen
 
Thematic Apperception Test
a projective technique using black-and-white pictures; subjects tell a story about each picture
 
theology
the learned profession acquired by specialized courses in religion (usually taught at a college or seminary)
 
theoterrorism
terrorism for a religious purpose
 
therapeutic abortion
a legally induced abortion for medical reasons (as when the mother's life is threatened)
 
therapy
(medicine) the act of caring for someone (as by medication or remedial training etc.)
 
thermocautery
cautery (destruction of tissue) by heat
 
thermography
diagnostic technique using a thermograph to record the heat produced by different parts of the body; used to study blood flow and to detect tumors
 
thermogravimetry
the measurement of changes in weight as a function of changes in temperature used as a technique of chemically analyzing substances
 
thermometry
the measurement of temperature
 
thermotherapy
the use of heat to treat a disease or disorder; heating pads or hot compresses or hot-water bottles are used to promote circulation in peripheral vascular disease or to relax tense muscles
 
thermotropism
an orienting response to warmth
 
thing
an action
 
third battle of Ypres
battle in World War I (1917); an Allied offensive which eventually failed because tanks bogged down in the waterlogged soil of Flanders; Germans introduced mustard gas which interfered with the Allied artillery
 
Third Crusade
a Crusade from 1189 to 1192 led by Richard I and the king of France that failed because an army torn by dissensions and fighting on foreign soil could not succeed against forces united by religious zeal
 
third
the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed near the third of the bases in the infield (counting counterclockwise from home plate)
 
Thirty Years' War
a series of conflicts (1618-1648) between Protestants and Catholics starting in Germany and spreading until France and Denmark and Sweden were opposing the Holy Roman Empire and Spain
 
thoracentesis
removal of fluid from the chest by centesis for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes
 
thoracotomy
surgical incision into the chest walls opening up the pleural cavity
 
thoroughbred racing
the sport of racing thoroughbred horses
 
thrash
a swimming kick used while treading water
 
three-bagger
a base hit at which the batter stops safely at third base
 
three-point landing
a landing in which all three wheels of the aircraft touch the ground at the same time
 
three-point turn
the act of turning a vehicle around in a limited space by moving in a series of back and forward arcs
 
three-ring circus
a circus with simultaneous performances in three rings
 
threshing
the separation of grain or seeds from the husks and straw
 
thrill
something that causes you to experience a sudden intense feeling or sensation
 
thrombectomy
surgical removal of a blood clot (thrombus) from a blood vessel
 
thrombolytic therapy
therapy consisting of the administration of a pharmacological agent to cause thrombolysis of an abnormal blood clot
 
throne
the position and power of an exalted person (a sovereign or bishop) who is entitled to sit in a chair of state on ceremonial occasions
 
throw
the act of throwing (propelling something with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist)
 
throw
casting an object in order to determine an outcome randomly
 
throw-in
(rugby) an act or instance of throwing a ball in to put it into play
 
thuggee
murder and robbery by thugs
 
thuggery
violent or brutal acts as of thugs
 
thump
a heavy blow with the hand
 
thwack
a hard blow with a flat object
 
thyroidectomy
surgical removal of the thyroid gland
 
tickle
the act of tickling
 
tiddlywinks
a game in which players try to flip plastic disks into a cup by pressing them on the side sharply with a larger disk
 
tightening
the act of making something tighter
 
tiling
the application of tiles to cover a surface
 
tillage
the cultivation of soil for raising crops
 
tilling
cultivation of the land in order to raise crops
 
time exposure
exposure of a film for a relatively long time (more than half a second)
 
timework
work paid for at a rate per unit of time
 
timing
the regulation of occurrence, pace, or coordination to achieve a desired effect (as in music, theater, athletics, mechanics)
 
tinning
the application of a thin layer of soft solder to the ends of wires before soldering them
 
tinning
the application of a protective layer of tin
 
tinting
the act of adding a tinge of color
 
tip in
a basketball shot made by tapping the rebounding ball back into the basket
 
tit for tat
an equivalent given in return
 
titillation
an agreeable arousal
 
titivation
sprucing up; making decorative additions to
 
titration
a measured amount of a solution of unknown concentration is added to a known volume of a second solution until the reaction between them is just complete; the concentration of the unknown solution (the titer) can then be calculated
 
TKO
a knockout declared by the referee who judges one boxer unable to continue
 
TLC
considerate and solicitous care
 
tobogganing
riding on a long light sled with low handrails
 
toe dance
a dance performed on tiptoe
 
toe-in
the alignment of the front wheels of a motor vehicle closer together at the front than at the back
 
toehold
a wrestling hold in which the toe is held and the leg is twisted against the joints
 
toilet training
training a young child to use the toilet
 
toilet
the act of dressing and preparing yourself
 
toke
a puff of a marijuana or hashish cigarette
 
token economy
a form of behavior therapy that has been used in some mental institutions; patients are rewarded with tokens for appropriate behavior and the tokens may be cashed in for valued rewards
 
tolerance
the act of tolerating something
 
toleration
official recognition of the right of individuals to hold dissenting opinions (especially in religion)
 
tombola
a lottery in which tickets are drawn from a revolving drum
 
tonometry
the measurement of intraocular pressure by determining the amount of force needed to make a slight indentation in the cornea
 
tonsillectomy
surgical removal of the palatine tonsils; commonly performed along with adenoidectomy
 
tonsure
shaving the crown of the head by priests or members of a monastic order
 
tool-and-die work
the craft of making special tools and dies
 
tooth
a means of enforcement
 
topiary
making decorative shapes by trimming shrubs or trees
 
topical prostaglandin eyedrop
a treatment for glaucoma; the eyedrops increase the outflow of aqueous humor through the uveoscleral pathway
 
torture
the deliberate, systematic, or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons in an attempt to force another person to yield information or to make a confession or for any other reason
 
toss
an abrupt movement
 
total hysterectomy
surgical removal of the uterus and cervix
 
touch football
a version of American football in which the ball carrier is touched rather than tackled
 
touch
the act of putting two things together with no space between them
 
touchback
(American football) a play in which the opposing team has kicked the football into your end zone
 
touchdown
a score in American football; being in possession of the ball across the opponents' goal line
 
touchdown
a landing (as the wheels touch the landing field); especially of airplanes
 
tour de force
a masterly or brilliant feat
 
tourism
the business of providing services to tourists
 
tow
the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope
 
TPN
administration of a nutritionally adequate solution through a catheter into the vena cava; used in cases of long-term coma or severe burns or severe gastrointestinal syndromes
 
tracheostomy
a surgical operation that creates an opening into the trachea with a tube inserted to provide a passage for air; performed when the pharynx is obstructed by edema or cancer or other causes
 
tracing
the act of drawing a plan or diagram or outline
 
tracing
the discovery and description of the course of development of something
 
track and field
participating in athletic sports performed on a running track or on the field associated with it
 
track record
the fastest time ever recorded for a specific distance at a particular racetrack
 
tracking
the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind
 
traction
(orthopedics) the act of pulling on a bone or limb (as in a fracture) to relieve pressure or align parts in a special way during healing
 
trade
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
 
tradeoff
an exchange that occurs as a compromise
 
trading
buying or selling securities or commodities
 
traditionalism
adherence to tradition (especially in cultural or religious matters)
 
traffic
buying and selling; especially illicit trade
 
traffic control
control of the flow of traffic in a building or a city
 
trail riding
riding along a roughly blazed path
 
transactional immunity
a broader form of use immunity that also protects the witness from any prosecution brought about relating to transactions to which they gave testimony
 
transfer
the act of transfering something from one form to another
 
transfer
transferring ownership
 
transfiguration
the act of transforming so as to exalt or glorify
 
transformation
(genetics) modification of a cell or bacterium by the uptake and incorporation of exogenous DNA
 
transformation
the act of changing in form or shape or appearance
 
transfusion
the action of pouring a liquid from one vessel to another
 
transfusion reaction
reaction of the body to a transfusion of blood that is not compatible with its own blood; an adverse reaction can range from fever and hives to renal failure and shock and death
 
transgression
the action of going beyond or overstepping some boundary or limit
 
transmission
the act of sending a message; causing a message to be transmitted
 
transmogrification
the act of changing into a different form or appearance (especially a fantastic or grotesque one)
 
transmutation
an act that changes the form or character or substance of something
 
transorbital lobotomy
a method of performing prefrontal lobotomy in which the surgical knife is inserted above the eyeball and moved to cut brain fibers
 
transplant
the act of removing something from one location and introducing it in another location
 
transposition
(electricity) a rearrangement of the relative positions of power lines in order to minimize the effects of mutual capacitance and inductance
 
transposition
(music) playing in a different key from the key intended; moving the pitch of a piece of music upwards or downwards
 
transposition
(mathematics) the transfer of a quantity from one side of an equation to the other along with a change of sign
 
transshipment
the transfer from one conveyance to another for shipment
 
trap block
(American football) an illegal block
 
travel
the act of going from one place to another
 
traversal
travel across
 
traversal
taking a zigzag path on skis
 
treading water
a stroke that keeps the head above water by thrashing the legs and arms
 
treasure hunt
a game in which players try to find hidden articles by using a series of clues
 
treasurership
the position of treasurer
 
tree surgery
treatment of damaged or decaying trees
 
trek
a journey by ox wagon (especially an organized migration by a group of settlers)
 
trek
any long and difficult trip
 
trench warfare
a struggle (usually prolonged) between competing entities in which neither side is able to win
 
trench warfare
a type of armed combat in which the opposing troops fight from trenches that face each other
 
trend setting
the initiating or popularizing of a trend or fashion
 
trephination
an operation that removes a circular section of bone from the skull
 
trespass
a wrongful interference with the possession of property (personal property as well as realty), or the action instituted to recover damages
 
trespass de bonis asportatis
an action brought to recover damages from a person who has taken goods or property from its rightful owner
 
trespass on the case
an action brought to recover damages from a person whose actions have resulted indirectly in injury or loss
 
trespass quare clausum fregit
the defendant unlawfully enters the land of the plaintiff
 
trespass viet armis
trespass with force and arms resulting in injury to another's person or property
 
triage
sorting and allocating aid on the basis of need for or likely benefit from medical treatment or food
 
trial
(law) the determination of a person's innocence or guilt by due process of law
 
trial and error
experimenting until a solution is found
 
triangulation
a method of surveying; the area is divided into triangles and the length of one side and its angles with the other two are measured, then the lengths of the other sides can be calculated
 
tribadism
a form of lesbianism that simulates heterosexual intercourse
 
tribalisation
the act of making tribal; unification on a tribal basis
 
tribuneship
the position of tribune
 
tribute
payment by one nation for protection by another
 
trick
(card games) in a single round, the sequence of cards played by all the players; the high card is the winner
 
trick
an attempt to get you to do something foolish or imprudent
 
trifurcation
the act of splitting into three branches
 
trimming
the act of adding decoration
 
trine immersion
baptism by immersion three times (in the names in turn of the Trinity)
 
trip
a light or nimble tread
 
trip
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
 
triple play
the act of getting three players out on one play
 
Trojan War
(Greek mythology) a great war fought between Greece and Troy; the Greeks sailed to Troy to recover Helen of Troy, the beautiful wife of Menelaus who had been abducted by Paris; after ten years the Greeks (via the Trojan Horse) achieved final victory and burned Troy to the ground
 
troll
angling by drawing a baited line through the water
 
troop movement
movement of military units to a new location
 
trophotropism
an orienting response to food
 
tropism
an involuntary orienting response; positive or negative reaction to a stimulus source
 
trot
a gait faster than a walk; diagonally opposite legs strike the ground together
 
truck farming
growing vegetables for the market
 
truckling
the act of obeying meanly (especially obeying in a humble manner or for unworthy reasons)
 
trudge
a long difficult walk
 
truncation
the act of cutting short
 
truncation
the replacement of an edge or solid angle (as in cutting a gemstone) by a plane (especially by a plane that is equally inclined to the adjacent faces)
 
truncation error
(mathematics) a miscalculation that results from cutting off a numerical calculation before it is finished
 
trust busting
(law) government activities seeking to dissolve corporate trusts and monopolies (especially under the United States antitrust laws)
 
trusteeship
the position of trustee
 
tsuris
(Yiddish) aggravating trouble
 
Tsushima
a naval battle in the Russo-Japanese War (1905); the Japanese fleet defeated the Russian fleet in the Korean Strait
 
tubal ligation
a sterilization procedure with women; both Fallopian tubes are tied in two places and the tubes removed in between the ligations
 
tug-of-war
any hard struggle between equally matched groups
 
tuition
teaching pupils individually (usually by a tutor hired privately)
 
tumble
an acrobatic feat of rolling or turning end over end
 
tune
the adjustment of a radio receiver or other circuit to a required frequency
 
tune-up
adjustments made to an engine to improve its performance
 
tuning
(music) calibrating something (an instrument or electronic circuit) to a standard frequency
 
turf war
a bitter struggle for territory or power or control or rights
 
turkey trot
an early ragtime one-step
 
Turkish bath
you sweat in a steam room before getting a rubdown and cold shower
 
turn
taking a short walk out and back
 
turn
the act of turning away or in the opposite direction
 
turn
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
 
turn
turning or twisting around (in place)
 
turnaround
act or process of unloading and loading and servicing a vessel or aircraft for a return trip
 
turning
act of changing in practice or custom
 
turning
the activity of shaping something on a lathe
 
turnout
(ballet) the outward rotation of a dancer's leg from the hip
 
turnout
attendance for a particular event or purpose (as to vote in an election)
 
TURP
removal of significant amounts of prostate tissue (as in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia)
 
twiddle
a series of small (usually idle) twists or turns
 
twist
social dancing in which couples vigorously twist their hips and arms in time to the music; was popular in the 1960s
 
twist
the act of winding or twisting
 
two-handed backhand
a backhand shot made holding the racquet in both hands
 
two-step
a ballroom dance in duple meter; marked by sliding steps
 
two-tier bid
a takeover bid where the acquirer offers to pay more for the shares needed to gain control than for the remaining shares
 
tympanoplasty
surgical correction or repair of defects or injuries in the eardrum or the bones of the middle ear
 
typification
the act of representing by a type or symbol; the action of typifying
 
typography
the craft of composing type and printing from it
 
typology
classification according to general type
 
tyrannicide
killing a tyrant
 
u-turn
complete reversal of direction of travel
 
ultimate frisbee
a game between two teams whose players try to toss a Frisbee to one another until they cross the opponents goal; possession changes hands when the Frisbee is intercepted or touches the ground or goes out of bounds
 
umbrella
having the function of uniting a group of similar things
 
umbrella
a formation of military planes maintained over ground operations or targets
 
underachievement
poorer than expected performance (poorer than might have been predicted from intelligence tests)
 
undercover operation
an operation involving secret work within a community or institution
 
undercut
a cut made underneath to remove material
 
underexposure
inadequate publicity
 
underexposure
the act of exposing film to too little light or for too short a time
 
Underground Railroad
secret aid to escaping slaves that was provided by abolitionists in the years before the American Civil War
 
underpayment
the act of paying less than required
 
underproduction
inadequate production or less than expected
 
undertaking
the trade of a funeral director
 
undoing
an act that makes a previous act of no effect (as if not done)
 
undoing
loosening the ties that fasten something
 
unearned run
a run that was scored as a result of an error by the other team
 
unemployment compensation
payment by a United States agency to unemployed people
 
unionisation
act of forming labor unions
 
United States Civil War
civil war in the United States between the North and the South; 1861-1865
 
unitisation
conversion of an investment trust into a unit investment trust
 
unitisation
the act of packaging cargo into unit loads
 
unitisation
the joint development of a petroleum resource that straddles territory controlled by different companies
 
unloading
the labor of taking a load of something off of or out of a vehicle or ship or container etc.
 
unobserved fire
fire for which the point of impact (the bursts) cannot be observed
 
unwritten law
law based on customary behavior
 
up-bow
an upward stroke from the tip to the heel of the bow
 
update
the act of bringing someone or something up to date
 
updating
the act of changing something to bring it up to date (usually by adding something)
 
upgrade
the act of improving something (especially machinery) by raising it to a higher grade (as by adding or replacing components)
 
upholstery
the craft of upholstering
 
uppercut
a swinging blow directed upward (especially at an opponent's chin)
 
UPPP
surgical resection of unnecessary palatal and oropharyngeal tissue to open the airway; intended to cure extreme cases of snoring (with or without sleep apnea)
 
uptick
a transaction in the stock market at a price above the price of the preceding transaction
 
upturn
an upward movement or trend as in business activity
 
uranalysis
(medicine) the chemical analysis of urine (for medical diagnosis)
 
uranoplasty
surgical correction of a defect of the palate
 
urban renewal
the clearing and rebuilding and redevelopment of urban slums
 
urging
the act of earnestly supporting or encouraging
 
ushering in
the introduction of something new
 
usurpation
wrongfully seizing and holding (an office or powers) by force (especially the seizure of a throne or supreme authority)
 
usury
the act of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest
 
uterine contraction
a rhythmic tightening in labor of the upper uterine musculature that contracts the size of the uterus and pushes the fetus toward the birth canal
 
utility
the service (electric power or water or transportation) provided by a public utility
 
uxoricide
the murder of a wife by her husband
 
vacation
the act of making something legally void
 
vacationing
the act of taking a vacation
 
vaginismus
muscular contraction that causes the vagina to close; usually an anxiety reaction before coitus or pelvic examination
 
valediction
the act of saying farewell
 
valet parking
a service provided (at a club or restaurant or airport etc.) whereby a patron leaves a car at the entrance and an attendant parks and retrieves it
 
valse
a ballroom dance in triple time with a strong accent on the first beat
 
value judgement
an assessment that reveals more about the values of the person making the assessment than about the reality of what is assessed
 
valvotomy
incision into a stenosed cardiac valve to relieve the obstruction
 
vampirism
the actions or practices of a vampire
 
vanishing
a sudden disappearance from sight
 
vaporisation
annihilation by vaporizing something
 
variance
an official dispensation to act contrary to a rule or regulation (typically a building regulation)
 
variance
an activity that varies from a norm or standard
 
variation
the act of changing or altering something slightly but noticeably from the norm or standard
 
variolation
the obsolete process of inoculating a susceptible person with material taken from a vesicle of a person who has smallpox
 
vasectomy
surgical procedure that removes all or part of the vas deferens (usually as a means of sterilization); is sometimes reversible
 
vasoconstriction
decrease in the diameter of blood vessels
 
vasodilation
dilation of blood vessels (especially the arteries)
 
vasosection
surgical incision into or division of the vas deferens
 
vasovasostomy
a surgical procedure that attempts to restore the function of the vas deferens after a vasectomy
 
vegetation
inactivity that is passive and monotonous, comparable to the inactivity of plant life
 
veneering
the act of applying veneer
 
venial sin
a pardonable sin regarded as entailing only a partial loss of grace
 
venipuncture
(medicine) puncture of a vein through the skin in order to withdraw blood for analysis or to start an intravenous drip or to inject medication or a radiopaque dye
 
venography
roentgenographic examination of veins
 
venture
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
 
venture
a commercial undertaking that risks a loss but promises a profit
 
verbal creation
creating something by the use of speech and language
 
version
manual turning of a fetus in the uterus (usually to aid delivery)
 
vertical bank
a bank so steep that the plane's lateral axis approaches the vertical
 
vertical combination
absorption into a single firm of several firms involved in all aspects of a product's manufacture from raw materials to distribution
 
vesper
a late afternoon or evening worship service
 
veto
a vote that blocks a decision
 
vexatious litigation
litigation shown to have been instituted maliciously and without probable cause
 
viatical settlement
sale of an insurance policy by a terminally ill policy holder
 
viatication
purchasing insurance policies for cash from terminally ill policy holders
 
vice
a specific form of evildoing
 
vice crime
a vice that is illegal
 
vice-presidency
the office and function of a vice president
 
viceroyship
the position of viceroy
 
victimless crime
an act that is legally a crime but that seem to have no victims
 
victory celebration
a celebration following a victory in a battle or sports competition
 
Vietnam War
a prolonged war (1954-1975) between the communist armies of North Vietnam who were supported by the Chinese and the armies of South Vietnam who were supported by the United States
 
viewing
a vigil held over a corpse the night before burial
 
vigil
the rite of staying awake for devotional purposes (especially on the eve of a religious festival)
 
vigil
a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
 
vigilantism
the actions of a vigilance committee in trying to enforce the laws
 
villainy
a criminal or vicious act
 
viniculture
the cultivation of grapes and grape vines; grape growing
 
violin lesson
a lesson in playing the violin
 
Virginia reel
an American country dance which starts with the couples facing each other in two lines
 
virtual reality
a hypothetical three-dimensional visual world created by a computer; user wears special goggles and fiber optic gloves etc., and can enter and move about in this world and interact with objects as if inside it
 
viscometry
the measurement of viscosity
 
visit
the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
 
visit
the act of going to see some person in a professional capacity
 
visit
the act of visiting in an official capacity (as for an inspection)
 
visitation
an official visit for inspection or supervision
 
visiting
the activity of making visits
 
vitiation
nullification by the destruction of the legal force; rendering null
 
vitrectomy
a surgical procedure that removes the vitreous humor and replace it with saline solution
 
vivisection
the act of operating on living animals (especially in scientific research)
 
viziership
the position of vizier
 
vocal music
music that is vocalized (as contrasted with instrumental music)
 
vocational rehabilitation
providing training in a specific trade with the aim of gaining employment
 
voice
a means or agency by which something is expressed or communicated
 
voicing
the act of adjusting an organ pipe (or wind instrument) so that it conforms to the standards of tone and pitch and color
 
volition
the act of making a choice
 
volley
a tennis return made by hitting the ball before it bounces
 
volleyball
a game in which two teams hit an inflated ball over a high net using their hands
 
volumetric analysis
quantitative analysis by the use of definite volumes of standard solutions or reagents
 
volumetric analysis
determination of the volume of gases (or changes in their volume) during combination
 
vote
the opinion of a group as determined by voting
 
voyage
a journey to some distant place
 
voyeurism
a perversion in which a person receives sexual gratification from seeing the genitalia of others or witnessing others' sexual behavior
 
vulgarisation
the act of rendering something coarse and unrefined
 
vulvectomy
surgical removal of part or all of the vulva
 
waddle
walking with short steps and the weight tilting from one foot to the other
 
wading
walking with your feet in shallow water
 
wage freeze
a freeze of wages at a given level
 
wait
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
 
walk
a slow gait of a horse in which two feet are always on the ground
 
walk
the act of walking somewhere
 
walk
careers in general
 
walk
the act of traveling by foot
 
walk-through
the act of walking in order to view something
 
walk-through
a first perfunctory rehearsal of a theatrical production in which actors read their lines from the script and move as directed
 
walkabout
nomadic excursions into the bush made by an Aborigine
 
walkabout
a public stroll by a celebrity to meet people informally
 
walkabout
a walking trip or tour
 
walkout
a strike in which the workers walk out
 
walkout
the act of walking out (of a meeting or organization) as a sign of protest
 
walkover
backbends combined with handstands
 
wallop
a severe blow
 
war
a concerted campaign to end something that is injurious
 
war crime
a crime committed in wartime; violation of rules of war
 
war dance
a ceremonial dance performed before a battle or after a victory
 
war game
a simulation of a military operation intended to train military commanders or to demonstrate a situation or to test a proposed strategy
 
War of 1812
a war (1812-1814) between the United States and England which was trying to interfere with American trade with France
 
War of Greek Independence
the Greeks rebelled against Turkish rule in 1821; with the support of England and France and Russia they won independence in 1828 at Navarino (although the country included only half its present size)
 
War of the Austrian Succession
Prussia and Austria fought over Silesia and most of the rest of Europe took sides; 1740-1748
 
War of the League of Augsburg
an aggressive war waged by Louis XIV against Spain and the Holy Roman Empire and England and Holland and other states (1689-1697)
 
War of the Spanish Succession
a general war in Europe (1701-1714) that broke out when Louis XIV installed his grandson on the throne of Spain; England and Holland hoped to limit Louis' power
 
war
an active struggle between competing entities
 
war
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
 
wardenship
the position of warden
 
wardership
the position of warder
 
warm up
performing mild exercises to prepare for some more strenuous activity
 
warpath
a course leading to warfare or battle
 
Wars of the Roses
struggle for the English throne (1455-1485) between the house of York (white rose) and the house of Lancaster (red rose) ending with the accession of the Tudor monarch Henry VII
 
wash
any enterprise in which losses and gains cancel out
 
washing-up
the washing of dishes etc after a meal
 
waste of effort
a useless effort
 
waste of material
a useless consumption of material
 
waste of money
money spent for inadequate return
 
waste of time
the devotion of time to a useless activity
 
watch night
a devotional service (especially on New Year's Eve)
 
water conservation
the conservation of water resources
 
water development
making an area of water more useful
 
water polo
a game played in a swimming pool by two teams of swimmers who try to throw an inflated ball into the opponents' goal
 
water-skiing
skiing on water while being towed by a motorboat
 
watercolor
the art or technique of painting with watercolors
 
watering
wetting with water
 
wave
a movement like that of a sudden occurrence or increase in a specified phenomenon
 
waxing
the application of wax to a surface
 
way
a journey or passage
 
wayfaring
traveling (especially on foot)
 
weakening
the act of reducing the strength of something
 
wear
the act of having on your person as a covering or adornment
 
weaving
creating fabric
 
weight gaining
bodybuilding that increases muscle mass and body weight
 
weightlift
bodybuilding by exercise that involves lifting weights
 
welding
fastening two pieces of metal together by softening with heat and applying pressure
 
wetting
the act of making something wet
 
wheeze
breathing with a husky or whistling sound
 
whiff
a strikeout resulting from the batter swinging at and missing the ball for the third strike
 
whispering campaign
the organized dissemination of derogatory rumors designed to discredit a candidate
 
whistle-stop tour
a tour by a candidate as part of a political campaign in which a series of small towns are visited
 
whistling
the act of whistling a tune
 
white backlash
backlash by white racists against black civil rights advances
 
white man's burden
the supposed responsibility of the white race to provide care for their non-white subjects
 
white sale
a sale of household linens
 
whitewash
a specious or deceptive clearing that attempts to gloss over failings and defects
 
whole-word method
teaching reading by training beginners to associate printed words with spoken words
 
wholesale
the selling of goods to merchants; usually in large quantities for resale to consumers
 
whoopee
noisy and boisterous revelry
 
widegrip pushup
a pushup with the arms widely separated
 
wild pitch
an errant pitch that the catcher cannot be expected to catch and that allows a base runner to advance a base
 
wild-goose chase
the fruitless pursuit of something unattainable
 
wildcat strike
a strike undertaken by workers without approval from the officials of their union
 
Wilderness Campaign
American Civil War; a series of indecisive battles in Grant's campaign (1864) against Lee in which both armies suffered terrible losses
 
wilding
an outrageous rampage usually involving sexual attacks by men on women
 
wilt
causing to become limp or drooping
 
wind
breath
 
window dressing
the decoration of shop windows
 
window-washing
the activity of washing windows
 
wine making
the craft and science of growing grapes and making wine
 
wing shooting
shooting game birds that are flying (on the wing)
 
wingback
(American football) the position of the offensive back who lines up behind or outside the end
 
wings
a means of flight or ascent
 
winning
succeeding with great difficulty
 
wipeout
a spill in some sport (as a fall from a bicycle or while skiing or being capsized on a surfboard)
 
wiring
the work of installing the wires for an electrical system or device
 
witch-hunt
searching out and harassing dissenters
 
witching
the use or practice of witchcraft
 
withdrawal
the act of taking out money or other capital
 
withdrawal
the act of withdrawing blood, tumors, etc.
 
withdrawal
the act of ceasing to participate in an activity
 
withdrawal
the act of withdrawing
 
withholding
the act of deducting from an employee's salary
 
withholding
the act of holding back or keeping within your possession or control
 
womanhood
the status of a woman
 
word game
any game involving the formation or alteration or discovery of words
 
word play
playing on words or speech sounds
 
work
activity directed toward making or doing something
 
work flow
progress (or rate of progress) in work being done
 
work load
work that a person is expected to do in a specified time
 
work to rule
a job action in which workers cause a slowdown by doing only the minimum amount required by the rules of the workplace
 
work-in
occasion when workers continue to work as a protest against e.g. proposed dismissal or closure of the factory
 
work-study program
an educational plan in which students alternate between paid employment and formal study
 
workshop
a brief intensive course for a small group; emphasizes problem solving
 
world record
the best record in the whole world
 
world war
a war in which the major nations of the world are involved
 
worrying
the act of moving something by repeated tugs or pushes
 
worsening
changing something with the result that it becomes worse
 
worship
the activity of worshipping
 
worst
the weakest effort or poorest achievement one is capable of
 
wound
the act of inflicting a wound
 
wrestling hold
a hold used in the sport of wrestling
 
write-in
a vote cast by writing in the name of a candidate who is not listed on the ballot
 
write-off
the act of cancelling from an account a bad debt or a worthless asset
 
writing assignment
an assignment to write something
 
wrong-site surgery
a surgical operation performed on the wrong part of the body
 
X-radiation
obtaining images by the use of X rays
 
X-ray photography
radiography that uses X-rays to produce a roentgenogram
 
X-ray therapy
the therapeutic use of X rays
 
xenotransplant
a surgical procedure in which tissue or whole organs are transfered from one species to another species
 
xerography
forming an image by the action of light on a specially coated charged plate; the latent image is developed with powders that adhere only to electrically charged areas
 
xeroradiography
radiography using X-rays and xerographic (rather than roentgenographic) techniques
 
Yalu River
a battle in the Korean War (November 1950); when UN troops advanced north to the Yalu River 200,000 Chinese troops crossed the river and drove them back
 
yodeling
singing by changing back and forth between the chest voice and a falsetto
 
yoga
a system of physical, breathing and meditation exercises practiced to promote control of the body and mind
 
youth crusade
political or religious or social reform movement or agitation consisting chiefly of young people
 
zero-sum game
a game in which the total of all the gains and losses is zero
 
zizz
a nap
 
zone fire
artillery or mortar fire delivered in a constant direction at several quadrant elevations
 
zoning
dividing an area into zones or sections reserved for different purposes such as residence and business and manufacturing etc
 
zoophilia
a sexual attraction to animals