Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

1 Esdras: an Apocryphal book consisting of a compilation from I Chronicles and II Chronicles and Ezra and Nehemiah
12-tone music: a type of serial music introduced by Arnold Schoenberg; uses a tone row formed by the twelve semitones of the chromatic scale (and inverted or backward versions of the row)
1st class: mail that includes letters and postcards and packages sealed against inspection
A: the 1st letter of the Roman alphabet
a la carte: a menu having individual dishes listed with separate prices
A-list: a list of names of specially favored people
ABA transit number: an identification number consisting of a two-part code assigned to banks and savings associations; the first part shows the location and the second identifies the bank itself
abbreviation: a shortened form of a word or phrase
abdication: the act of abdicating
abdication: a formal resignation and renunciation of powers
abecedarius: a poem having lines beginning with letters of the alphabet in regular order
abetment: the verbal act of urging on
abjuration: a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion
Abkhazian: a Circassian language spoken by the Abkhaz
ablative absolute: a constituent in Latin grammar; a noun and its modifier can function as a sentence modifier
ablative: the case indicating the agent in passive sentences or the instrument or manner or place of the action described by the verb
ablaut: a vowel whose quality or length is changed to indicate linguistic distinctions (such as sing sang sung song)
Abnaki: the Algonquian language spoken by the Abnaki and Penobscot
abnegation: the denial and rejection of a doctrine or belief
Aboriginal Australian: the Austronesian languages spoken by Australian aborigines
above: an earlier section of a written text
abracadabra: gibberish and nonsense
abridgement: a shortened version of a written work
absentee ballot: (election) a ballot that is cast while absent (usually mailed in prior to election day)
abstract: a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
absurdity: a message whose content is at variance with reason
abuse: a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
academic degree: an award conferred by a college or university signifying that the recipient has satisfactorily completed a course of study
Academy Award: an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance
acatalectic: (prosody) a line of verse that has the full number of syllables
accent: a diacritical mark used to indicate stress or placed above a vowel to indicate a special pronunciation
accent: the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people
accent: the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch)
accent: distinctive manner of oral expression
accentual system: the system of accentuation used in a particular language
accentuation: the use or application of an accent; the relative prominence of syllables in a phrase or utterance
acceptance: (contract law) words signifying consent to the terms of an offer (thereby creating a contract)
acceptation: the accepted meaning of a word
access: a code (a series of characters or digits) that must be entered in some way (typed or dialed or spoken) to get the use of something (a telephone line or a computer or a local area network etc.)
accession: agreeing with or consenting to (often unwillingly)
acciaccatura: an embellishing note usually written in smaller size
accidental: a musical notation that makes a note sharp or flat or natural although that is not part of the key signature
acclaim: enthusiastic approval
accolade: a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
accommodation: a settlement of differences
accompaniment: a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts
accord and satisfaction: the settlement of a debt by paying less than the amount demanded in exchange for extinguishing the debt
accord: concurrence of opinion
accord: a written agreement between two states or sovereigns
account: an itemized statement of money owed for goods shipped or services rendered
account: a record or narrative description of past events
account: a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
account: a short account of the news
account: the act of informing by verbal report
accounting: a convincing explanation that reveals basic causes
accusal: a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt
accusation: an assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence
accusative: the case of nouns serving as the direct object of a verb
Achomawi: the Shastan language spoken by the Achomawi
acid rock: a musical style that emerged in the 1960s; rock music inspired by or related to drug-induced experience
acknowledgement: a statement acknowledging something or someone
acknowledgment: a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
acoustic buoy: a buoy that can be heard (at night)
acquiescence: agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
acquisition agreement: contract governing the merger of two or more companies
acquittance: a legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or obligation
acronym: a word formed from the initial letters of the several words in the name and pronounced as one word
acrophony: naming a letter of the alphabet by using a word whose initial sound is the sound represented by that letter
acrostic: verse in which certain letters such as the first in each line form a word or message
acrostic: a puzzle where you fill a square grid with words reading the same down as across
act: a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
act: a manifestation of insincerity
act: a short performance that is part of a longer program
act: a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
acting out: (psychiatry) the display of previously inhibited emotions (often in actions rather than words); considered to be healthy and therapeutic
acting out: a (usually irritating) impulsive and uncontrollable outburst by a problem child or a neurotic adult
action: the series of events that form a plot
active application: an application that is currently running and in the foreground
actor's line: words making up the dialogue of a play
Acts of the Apostles: a New Testament book describing the development of the early church from Christ's Ascension to Paul's sojourn at Rome
acute: a mark placed above a vowel to indicate pronunciation
ad: a public promotion of some product or service
ad-lib: remark made spontaneously without prior preparation
adage: a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
adagio: (music) a composition played in adagio tempo (slowly and gracefully)
adaptation: a written work (as a novel) that has been recast in a new form
add-on: a software module that extends or enhances the capabilities of an existing application
addendum: textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end
Additions to Esther: an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Esther
address: the manner of speaking to another individual
address: a sign in front of a house or business carrying the conventional form by which its location is described
address: (computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored
address: written directions for finding some location; written on letters or packages that are to be delivered to that location
address: the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
adducing: citing as evidence or proof
adhesion contract: a contract that heavily restricts one party while leaving the other free (as some standard form printed contracts); implies inequality in bargaining power
adieu: a farewell remark
adjective: the word class that qualifies nouns
adjective: a word that expresses an attribute of something
adjunct: a construction that can be used to extend the meaning of a word or phrase but is not one of the main constituents of a sentence
adjuration: a solemn and earnest appeal to someone to do something
admission: an acknowledgment of the truth of something
admonishment: a firm rebuke
admonition: cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)
adnoun: an adjective used as a noun
Adonic line: a verse line with a dactyl followed by a spondee or trochee; supposedly used in laments by Adonis
adulation: servile flattery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise
advance: a tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others
advancement: encouragement of the progress or growth or acceptance of something
adventure story: a story of an adventure
adverb: a word that modifies something other than a noun
adverb: the word class that qualifies verbs or clauses
adverbial: a word or group of words function as an adverb
adverse opinion: an opinion concerning financial statements (usually based on an audit by a CPA) that the statements as a whole do not present results fairly or are not in conformity with the generally accepted accounting practices of the United States
advertorial: an advertisement that is written and presented in the style of an editorial or journalistic report
advice: a proposal for an appropriate course of action
advice and consent: a legal expression in the United States Constitution that allows the Senate to constrain the President's powers of appointment and treaty-making
advisory: an announcement that usually advises or warns the public of some threat
Aeneid: an epic in Latin by Virgil; tells the adventures of Aeneas after the Trojan War; provides an illustrious historical background for the Roman Empire
Aeolic dialect: the dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in Thessaly and Boeotia and Aeolis
aerogram: a letter sent by air mail
Aesop's fables: a collection of fables believed to have been written by the Greek storyteller Aesop
aether: a medium that was once supposed to fill all space and to support the propagation of electromagnetic waves
affected role: the semantic role of an entity that is not the agent but is directly involved in or affected by the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
affidavit: written declaration made under oath; a written statement sworn to be true before someone legally authorized to administer an oath
affirmation: (religion) a solemn declaration that serves the same purpose as an oath (if an oath is objectionable to the person on religious or ethical grounds)
affirmation: the act of affirming or asserting or stating something
affirmation: a statement asserting the existence or the truth of something
affirmative: a reply of affirmation
affirmative action: a policy designed to redress past discrimination against women and minority groups through measures to improve their economic and educational opportunities
affirmative pleading: any defensive pleading that affirms facts rather than merely denying the facts alleged by the plaintiff
affix: a linguistic element added to a word to produce an inflected or derived form
affray: noisy quarrel
affricate: a composite speech sound consisting of a stop and a fricative articulated at the same point (as `ch' in `chair' and `j' in `joy')
affrication: the conversion of a simple stop consonant into an affricate
Afghani: an Iranian language spoken in Afghanistan and Pakistan; the official language of Afghanistan
African American Vernacular English: a nonstandard form of American English characteristically spoken by African Americans in the United States
African-American music: music created by African-American musicians; early forms were songs that had a melodic line and a strong rhythmic beat with repeated choruses
Afrikaans: an official language of the Republic of South Africa; closely related to Dutch and Flemish
Afroasiatic language: a large family of related languages spoken both in Asia and Africa
afternoon: a conventional expression of greeting or farewell
afterpiece: a brief dramatic piece (usually comic) presented after a play
age limit: regulation establishing the maximum age for doing something or holding some position
agenda item: one of the items to be considered
agenda: a list of matters to be taken up (as at a meeting)
agent: the semantic role of the animate entity that instigates or causes the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
Agha: title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey)
agitprop: political propaganda (especially communist propaganda) communicated via art and literature and cinema
agnomen: an additional name or an epithet appended to a name (as in `Ferdinand the Great')
Agnus Dei: a liturgical prayer beginning with these Latin words
agony column: a newspaper column devoted to personal problems
agrapha: sayings of Jesus not recorded in the canonical Gospels
agreement: the verbal act of agreeing
agreement: the statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises
ahem: the utterance of a sound similar to clearing the throat; intended to get attention, express hesitancy, fill a pause, hide embarrassment, warn a friend, etc.
ahimsa: a Buddhist and Hindu and especially Jainist doctrine holding that all forms of life are sacred and urging the avoidance of violence
aide-memoire: a memorandum summarizing the items of an agreement (used especially in diplomatic communications)
air alert: the warning signal that begins a period of preparation for an enemy air attack
air mail: mail that is sent by air transport
Air Medal: a United States Air Force decoration for meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight
air sock: a truncated cloth cone mounted on a mast; used (e.g., at airports) to show the direction of the wind
air: medium for radio and television broadcasting
air: a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
airing: the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate
airmail: letters and packages that are transported by aircraft
airmail: a system of conveying mail by aircraft
airplane ticket: a ticket good for a trip on an airplane
Akan: a Kwa language spoken in Ghana and the Ivory Coast
Akkadian: an ancient branch of the Semitic languages
Akwa'ala: the Yuman language spoken by the Akwa'ala
al-Qur'an: the sacred writings of Islam revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina
Alabama: the Muskhogean language of the Alabama
alarm bell: the sound of an alarm (usually a bell)
alarm: an automatic signal (usually a sound) warning of danger
alarmism: needless warnings
Albanian: the Indo-European language spoken by the people of Albania
album: one or more recordings issued together; originally released on 12-inch phonograph records (usually with attractive record covers) and later on cassette audiotape and compact disc
Alcaic verse: verse in the meter used in Greek and Latin poetry consisting of strophes of 4 tetrametric lines; reputedly invented by Alcaeus
aleatory contract: a contract whose performance by one party depends on the occurrence of an uncertain contingent event (but if it is contingent on the outcome of a wager it is not enforceable)
aleph: the 1st letter of the Hebrew alphabet
alert: a warning serves to make you more alert to danger
Aleut: the language spoken by the Aleut
Alexandrine: (prosody) a line of verse that has six iambic feet
algebraic language: an algorithmic language having statements that resemble algebraic expressions
ALGOL: (from a combination of ALGOrithmic and Language); a programming language used to express computer programs as algorithms
Algonkian: the Algonquian language spoken by the Algonkian
Algonquian language: family of North American Indian languages spoken from Labrador to South Carolina and west to the Great Plains
algorism: the Arabic (or decimal) system of numeration
algorithmic language: an artificial language designed to express algorithms
alias: a name that has been assumed temporarily
alibi: (law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
alibi: a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
aliyah: (Judaism) the honor of being called up to the reading desk in the synagogue to read from the Torah
all clear: permission to proceed because obstacles have been removed
all clear: a signal (usually a siren) that danger is over
alla breve: a musical time signature indicating two or four half notes to a measure
allegation: (law) a formal accusation against somebody (often in a court of law)
allegation: statements affirming or denying certain matters of fact that you are prepared to prove
allegory: an expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances; an extended metaphor
allegory: a short moral story (often with animal characters)
allegory: a visible symbol representing an abstract idea
allegretto: a musical composition or musical passage to be performed at a somewhat quicker tempo than andante but not as fast as allegro
allegro: a musical composition or musical passage to be performed quickly in a brisk lively manner
alliance: a formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between nations or other groups to achieve a particular aim
alliteration: use of the same consonant at the beginning of each stressed syllable in a line of verse
allocution: (rhetoric) a formal or authoritative address that advises or exhorts
allograph: a variant form of a grapheme, as `m' or `M' or a handwritten version of that grapheme
allograph: a signature written by one person for another
allomorph: a variant phonological representation of a morpheme
allophone: (linguistics) any of various acoustically different forms of the same phoneme
allusion: passing reference or indirect mention
almanac: an annual publication containing tabular information in a particular field or fields arranged according to the calendar of a given year
almanac: an annual publication including weather forecasts and other miscellaneous information arranged according to the calendar of a given year
aloha: an acknowledgment that can be used to say hello or goodbye (aloha is Hawaiian and ciao is Italian)
alpha: the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet
alpha and omega: the basic meaning of something; the crucial part
alpha privative: the negative prefix a- or un-
alpha software: a first release of a software product that is usually tested only by the developers
alphabet: a character set that includes letters and is used to write a language
alphabetic character: the conventional characters of the alphabet used to represent speech
alphabetic script: a writing system based on alphabetic characters
alphanumeric characters: a character set that includes letters and digits and punctuation
Altaic language: a group of related languages spoken in Asia and southeastern Europe
alternative pleading: a pleading that alleges facts so separate that it is difficult to determine which facts the person intends to rely on
alto clef: a clef that puts middle C on the third line of a staff
alto: the lowest female singing voice
alto: the highest adult male singing voice
alveolar: a consonant articulated with the tip of the tongue near the gum ridge
AM: modulation of the amplitude of the (radio) carrier wave
ambage: a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things
ambiguity: an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context
amen cadence: a cadence (frequently ending church music) in which the chord of the subdominant precedes the chord of the tonic
amended return: a tax return that corrects the information in an earlier return
amendment: a statement that is added to or revises or improves a proposal or document (a bill or constitution etc.)
American language: the English language as used in the United States
American sign language: the sign language used in the United States
American Standard Code for Information Interchange: (computer science) a code for information exchange between computers made by different companies; a string of 7 binary digits represents each character; used in most microcomputers
American Standard Version: a revised version of the King James Version
American-Indian language: any of the languages spoken by Amerindians
Americanism: an expression that is characteristic of English as spoken by Americans
amicus curiae brief: a brief presented by someone interested in influencing the outcome of a lawsuit but who is not a party to it
ammunition: information that can be used to attack or defend a claim or argument or viewpoint
amnesty: a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense
ampersand: a punctuation mark (&) used to represent conjunction (and)
amphibology: an ambiguous grammatical construction; e.g., `they are flying planes' can mean either that someone is flying planes or that something is flying planes
amphibrach: a metrical unit with unstressed-stressed-unstressed syllables (e.g., `remember')
amphigory: nonsensical writing (usually verse)
anacoluthia: an abrupt change within a sentence from one syntactic structure to another
anadiplosis: repetition of the final words of a sentence or line at the beginning of the next
anagram: a word or phrase spelled by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase
analecta: a collection of excerpts from a literary work
analysis: a form of literary criticism in which the structure of a piece of writing is analyzed
analysis: the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g., `the father of the bride' instead of `the bride's father'
anamnesis: the case history of a medical patient as recalled by the patient
anapaest: a metrical unit with unstressed-unstressed-stressed syllables
anaphor: a word (such as a pronoun) used to avoid repetition; the referent of an anaphor is determined by its antecedent
anaphora: using a pronoun or similar word instead of repeating a word used earlier
anaphora: repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses
anaphoric pronoun: a pronoun that refers to an antecedent
anastrophe: the reversal of the normal order of words
anathema: a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
Anatolian language: an extinct branch of the Indo-European family of languages known from inscriptions and important in the reconstruction of Proto-Indo European
anatomical: an expression that relates to anatomy
Ancient Greek: the Greek language prior to the Roman Empire
ancient history: a history of the ancient world
andante: a musical composition or musical passage to be performed moderately slow
anecdote: short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)
Angas: a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria and closely related to Hausa
Angelus: a prayer said 3 times a day by Roman Catholics in memory of the Annunciation
angle bracket: either of two punctuation marks (`<' or `>') used in computer programming and sometimes used to enclose textual material
Anglian: one of the major dialects of Old English
Anglo-Norman: the French (Norman) language used in medieval England
animadversion: harsh criticism or disapproval
animal communication: communication between animals (of the same species)
animated cartoon: a film made by photographing a series of cartoon drawings to give the illusion of movement when projected in rapid sequence
anime: a style of animation developed in Japan, characterized by stylized colorful art and often adult themes
annals: reports of the work of a society or learned body etc
annals: a chronological account of events in successive years
annotation: a comment or instruction (usually added)
announcement: a formal public statement
announcement: a public statement containing information about an event that has happened or is going to happen
annual: a reference book that is published regularly once every year
Annunciation: (Christianity) the announcement to the Virgin Mary by the angel Gabriel of the incarnation of Christ
anomalous communication: communication by paranormal means
anonym: a fictitious name used when the person performs a particular social role
anonymous file transfer protocol: a common way to make software available; users are allowed to log in as `guest' without a password and copy whatever has been made available
answer: the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims
answer: the speech act of replying to a question
answer: a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
answer: a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
antecedent: the referent of an anaphor; a phrase or clause that is referred to by an anaphoric pronoun
antepenult: the 3rd syllable of a word counting back from the end
anthem: a song of devotion or loyalty (as to a nation or school)
anthem: a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
anthology: a collection of selected literary passages
anti-drug law: a law forbidding the sale or use of narcotic drugs
anti-virus program: a computer program that checks a computer for viruses and prevents their spread
anticlimax: a change from a serious subject to a disappointing one
Antido: an artificial language related to Ido
antigram: an anagram that means the opposite of the original word or phrase
antilog: the number of which a given number is the logarithm
antinomasia: substitution of a title for a name
antinomy: a contradiction between two statements that seem equally reasonable
antiphon: a verse or song to be chanted or sung in response
antiphonal: bound collection of antiphons
antiphony: alternate (responsive) singing by a choir in two parts
antiphrasis: the use of a word in a sense opposite to its normal sense (especially in irony)
antistrophe: the section of a choral ode answering a previous strophe in classical Greek drama; the second of two metrically corresponding sections in a poem
antithesis: the juxtaposition of contrasting words or ideas to give a feeling of balance
antitrust law: law intended to promote free competition in the market place by outlawing monopolies
antonym: a word that expresses a meaning opposed to the meaning of another word, in which case the two words are antonyms of each other
aorist: a verb tense in some languages (classical Greek and Sanskrit) expressing action (especially past action) without indicating its completion or continuation
Apache: the language of the Apache
apartheid: a social policy or racial segregation involving political and economic and legal discrimination against people who are not Whites; the former official policy in South Africa
apercu: a short synopsis
aphorism: a short pithy instructive saying
apocope: abbreviation of a word by omitting the final sound or sounds
Apocrypha: 14 books of the Old Testament included in the Vulgate (except for II Esdras) but omitted in Jewish and Protestant versions of the Bible; eastern Christian churches (except the Coptic Church) accept all these books as canonical; the Russian Orthodox Church accepts these texts as divinely inspired but does not grant them the same status
apologia: a formal written defense of something you believe in strongly
apology: an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
apophasis: mentioning something by saying it will not be mentioned
aposiopesis: breaking off in the middle of a sentence (as by writers of realistic conversations)
apostrophe: address to an absent or imaginary person
apostrophe: the mark (') used to indicate the omission of one or more letters from a printed word
appeal: request for a sum of money
appeal: earnest or urgent request
appellation: a geographical indication used to identify where the grapes for a wine are grown
appellation: identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others
appendix: supplementary material that is collected and appended at the back of a book
applause: a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
applesauce: nonsensical talk or writing
applet: a Java application; an application program that uses the client's web browser to provide a user interface
application: a verbal or written request for assistance or employment or admission to a school
application form: a form to use when making an application
application: a program that gives a computer instructions that provide the user with tools to accomplish a task
application-oriented language: a language whose statements resemble terminology of the user
appointment book: a book containing a calendar and space to keep a record of appointments
appraisal: a document appraising the value of something (as for insurance or taxation)
appreciation: an expression of gratitude
apprisal: informing by words
approbation: official recognition or approval
appropriation bill: a legislative act proposing to authorize the expenditure of public funds for a specified purpose
approval: a message expressing a favorable opinion
approximation: an imprecise or incomplete account
Arabian Nights' Entertainment: a collection of folktales in Arabic dating from the 10th century
Arabic alphabet: the alphabet of 28 characters derived from Aramaic and used for writing Arabic languages (and borrowed for writing Urdu)
Arabic language: the Semitic language of the Arabs; spoken in a variety of dialects
Aramaic: a Semitic language originally of the ancient Arameans but still spoken by other people in southwestern Asia
Aramaic script: an alphabetical (or perhaps syllabic) script used since the 9th century BC to write the Aramaic language; many other scripts were subsequently derived from it
Aranyaka: a treatise resembling a Brahmana but to be read or expounded by anchorites in the quiet of the forest
Arapahoe: the Algonquian language spoken by the Arapaho
Arawakan: a family of South American Indian languages spoken in northeastern South America
arbitration: (law) the hearing and determination of a dispute by an impartial referee agreed to by both parties (often used to settle disputes between labor and management)
arbitration clause: a clause in a contract providing for arbitration of disputes arising under the contract
Arcadic dialect: the dialect of Ancient Greek spoken by Arcadians
arcanum: information known only to a special group
archaicism: the use of an archaic expression
archives: collection of records especially about an institution
area code: a number usually of 3 digits assigned to a telephone area as in the United States and Canada
argle-bargle: a verbal dispute; a wrangling argument
argot: a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
arguing: a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement
argument: a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal
argument: a summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie
argument: (computer science) a reference or value that is passed to a function, procedure, subroutine, command, or program
argument: a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
aria: an elaborate song for solo voice
arietta: a short aria
Arikara: the Caddoan language spoken by the Arikara
arioso: (music) a short recitative that is melodic but is not an aria
arm-twisting: persuasion by the use of direct personal pressure
armband: worn around arm as identification or to indicate mourning
Armenian alphabet: a writing system having an alphabet of 38 letters in which the Armenian language is written
Armenian language: the Indo-European language spoken predominantly in Armenia, but also in Azerbaijan
arpeggio: a chord whose notes are played in rapid succession rather than simultaneously
arraignment: a legal document calling someone to court to answer an indictment
arrangement: a piece of music that has been adapted for performance by a particular set of voices or instruments
array: an impressive display
arrest warrant: a warrant authorizing law enforcement officials to apprehend an offender and bring that person to court
arrow: a mark to indicate a direction or relation
art rock: a style of rock music that emerged in the 1970s; associated with attempts to combine rock with jazz and other forms; intended for listening and not dancing
art: photographs or other visual representations in a printed publication
Arthurian legend: the legend of King Arthur and his court at Camelot
article: (grammar) a determiner that may indicate the specificity of reference of a noun phrase
article: nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
article of faith: (Christianity) any of the sections into which a creed or other statement of doctrine is divided
article: a separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)
articles of agreement: a contract between crew and captain of a ship
Articles of Confederation: a written agreement ratified in 1781 by the thirteen original states; it provided a legal symbol of their union by giving the central government no coercive power over the states or their citizens
articles of incorporation: a legal document that creates a corporation; it is filed with a state by the founders of a corporation and is governed by the laws of the state
articulation: the aspect of pronunciation that involves bringing articulatory organs together so as to shape the sounds of speech
articulation: expressing in coherent verbal form
artificial language: a language that is deliberately created for a specific purpose
artillery: a means of persuading or arguing
Artium Baccalaurens: a bachelor's degree in arts and sciences
Artium Magister: a master's degree in arts and sciences
Arulo: an artificial language intended for international use as an auxiliary language
ascender: a lowercase letter that has a part extending above other lowercase letters
ascender: (printing) the part of tall lowercase letters that extends above the other lowercase letters
ASCII character: any member of the standard code for representing characters by binary numbers
ASCII character set: (computer science) 128 characters that make up the ASCII coding scheme
ASCII control character: ASCII characters to indicate carriage return or tab or backspace; typed by depressing a key and the control key at the same time
ASCII text file: a text file that contains only ASCII characters without special formatting
aside: a line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage
aside: a message that departs from the main subject
Ask Jeeves: a widely used search engine accepting plain English questions or phrases or terms
asking: the verbal act of requesting
aspersion: a disparaging remark
aspirate: a consonant pronounced with aspiration
aspiration: a manner of articulation involving an audible release of breath
Assamese: the Magadhan language spoken by the Assamese people; closely related to Bengali
assassination: an attack intended to ruin someone's reputation
assay: a written report of the results of an analysis of the composition of some substance
assay-mark: a mark on an article of trade to indicate its origin and authenticity
assembler: a program to convert assembly language into machine language
assembly language: a low-level programing language; close approximation to machine language
assertion: a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary)
assibilation: pronunciation with a sibilant (hissing or whistling) sound
assignment: the instrument by which a claim or right or interest or property is transferred from one person to another
assize: an ancient writ issued by a court of assize to the sheriff for the recovery of property
assize: the regulation of weights and measures of articles offered for sale
Associate in Applied Science: an associate degree in applied science
Associate in Arts: an associate degree in arts
Associate in Nursing: an associate degree in nursing
associate: a degree granted by a two-year college on successful completion of the undergraduates course of studies
assonance: the repetition of similar vowels in the stressed syllables of successive words
assumption: a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn
assurance: a statement intended to inspire confidence
assurance: a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something
Assyrian Akkadian: an extinct language of the Assyrians in ancient Mesopotamia
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic: the language of modern Iraq
asterisk: a star-shaped character * used in printing
asyndeton: the omission of conjunctions where they would normally be used
Atayalic: a language spoken by a Malaysian people on Formosa
Athapaskan language: a group of Amerindian languages (the name coined by an American anthropologist, Edward Sapir)
Atharva-Veda: a collection of mantras and formulas
atlas: a collection of maps in book form
ATM: a means of digital communications that is capable of very high speeds; suitable for transmission of images or voice or video as well as data
atonalism: the absence of a key; alternative to the diatonic system
Atsugewi: the Shastan language spoken by the Atsugewi
Attacapan: a language spoken by the Atakapa of the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas
attachment: a writ authorizing the seizure of property that may be needed for the payment of a judgment in a judicial proceeding
attack: intense adverse criticism
attestation: the action of bearing witness
attestation: the evidence by which something is attested
attraction: an entertainment that is offered to the public
attributive genitive: a word in the genitive case that is used as an attributive adjective
audience: a conference (usually with someone important)
audio: the audible part of a transmitted signal
auditory communication: communication that relies on hearing
augmentation: the statement of a theme in notes of greater duration (usually twice the length of the original)
Augsburg Confession: the document drawn up in 1555 to defend the catholicity of Lutheran doctrine and to justify innovations in Lutheran practice; is still in effect today
Austro-Asiatic language: a family of languages spoken in southern and southeastern Asia
Austronesian language: the family of languages spoken in Australia and Formosa and Malaysia and Polynesia
author's name: the name that appears on the by-line to identify the author of a work
authoring language: software that can be used to develop interactive computer programs without the technically demanding task of computer programming
authorisation: a document giving an official instruction or command
authority: an authoritative written work
Authorized Version: an English translation of the Bible published in 1611
autobiography: a biography of yourself
autograph: something written by one's own hand
automatic face recognition: biometric identification by scanning a person's face and matching it against a library of known faces
auxiliary verb: a verb that combines with another verb in a verb phrase to help form tense, mood, voice, or condition of the verb it combines with
Avestan: the script in which the ancient Persian language of the Avesta is written
Avestan: an ancient Iranian language
axiom: (logic) a proposition that is not susceptible of proof or disproof; its truth is assumed to be self-evident
axiom: a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
ayin: the 16th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Ayurveda: (Sanskrit) an ancient medical treatise summarizing the Hindu art of healing and prolonging life; sometimes regarded as a 5th Veda
Azerbaijani: the Turkic language spoken by the Azerbaijani
Aztecan: the Uto-Aztecan language spoken by the Aztec
B: the 2nd letter of the Roman alphabet
babble: gibberish resembling the sounds of a baby
baby talk: the developing speech of a young child
baby talk: an adult's imitation of the speech of a young child
Babylonian: the ideographic and syllabic writing system in which the ancient Babylonian language was written
baccalaureate: a farewell sermon to a graduating class at their commencement ceremonies
baccalaureate: an academic degree conferred on someone who has successfully completed undergraduate studies
Bach: the music of Bach
Bachelor of Arts in Library Science: a bachelor's degree in library science
Bachelor of Arts in Nursing: a bachelor's degree in nursing
Bachelor of Divinity: a bachelor's degree in religion
Bachelor of Laws: a three-year law degree
Bachelor of Literature: a bachelor's degree in literature
Bachelor of Medicine: (a British degree) a bachelor's degree in medicine
Bachelor of Music: a bachelor's degree in music
Bachelor of Naval Science: a bachelor's degree in naval science
Bachelor of Science: a bachelor's degree in science
Bachelor of Science in Architecture: a bachelor's degree in architecture
Bachelor of Science in Engineering: a bachelor's degree in engineering
Bachelor of Theology: a bachelor's degree in theology
back channel: an alternative to the regular channels of communication that is used when agreements must be made secretly (especially in diplomacy or government)
back door: an undocumented way to get access to a computer system or the data it contains
back matter: written matter following the main text of a book
back talk: an impudent or insolent rejoinder
back-formation: a word invented (usually unwittingly by subtracting an affix) on the assumption that a familiar word derives from it
backbeat: a loud steady beat
backchat: light teasing repartee
backdown: a retraction of a previously held position
backgrounder: a press conference or interview in which a government official explains to reporters the background of an action or policy
backspace character: a control character that indicates moving a space to the left
backup file: (computer science) a computer file dedicated to storing and updating computer backups
Badaga: the dialect of Kannada that is spoken by the Badaga
Bade: a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
badge: an emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.)
badinage: frivolous banter
baedeker: any of a series of travel guidebooks published by the German firm founded by Karl Baedeker
bagatelle: a light piece of music for piano
Bahasa Indonesia: the dialect of Malay used as the national language of the Republic of Indonesia or of Malaysia
Bahasa Kebangsaan: the Malay language spoken in Malaysia
Baic: the Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Dali region of Yunnan
balderdash: trivial nonsense
Balinese: the Indonesian language of the people of Bali
ballad: a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
ballad: a narrative poem of popular origin
ballade: a poem consisting of 3 stanzas and an envoy
ballet: music written for a ballet
ballistic fingerprinting: identification of the gun that fired a bullet from an analysis of the unique marks that every gun makes on the bullet it fires and on the shell ejected from it
ballistocardiogram: a graphical recording made by a ballistocardiograph
ballot: a document listing the alternatives that is used in voting
ballroom music: a genre of popular music composed for ballroom dancing
ballyhoo: blatant or sensational promotion
baloney: pretentious or silly talk or writing
Baltic language: a branch of the Indo-European family of languages related to the Slavonic languages; Baltic languages have preserved many archaic features that are believed to have existed in Proto-Indo European
Baltic-Finnic: a group of Finnic languages including Finnish and Estonian
Balto-Slavic language: a family of Indo-European languages including the Slavic and Baltic languages
Baluchi: an Iranian language spoken in Pakistan and Iran and Afghanistan and Russia and the Persian gulf
ban: an official prohibition or edict against something
ban: a decree that prohibits something
banality: a trite or obvious remark
band: a range of frequencies between two limits
bank charter: a charter authorizing the operation of a bank
bank statement: a periodic statement prepared by a bank for each client
banner: a newspaper headline that runs across the full page
banning-order: an order that bans something
banns: a public announcement of a proposed marriage
banquet song: a song (sometimes improvised) sung by guests at a banquet
Bantoid language: a family of languages widely spoken in the southern half of the African continent
banzai: a Japanese cheer of enthusiasm or triumph
bar chart: a chart with bars whose lengths are proportional to quantities
bar exam: an examination conducted at regular intervals to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiction
bar line: a vertical line before the accented beat marking the boundary between musical bars
bar sinister: a mark of bastardy; lines from top right to bottom left
bar: musical notation for a repeating pattern of musical beats
barb: an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
barber's pole: striped pole outside a barbershop
barcarole: a boating song sung by Venetian gondoliers
bargain: an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each
bargaining: the negotiation of the terms of a transaction or agreement
baritone: the second lowest adult male singing voice
baronetcy: the title of a baron
barrage: the rapid and continuous delivery of linguistic communication (spoken or written)
base: a lower limit
base: (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
baseball clinic: a meeting at which baseball players receive special evaluation and instruction
BASIC: a popular programming language that is relatively easy to learn; an acronym for beginner's all-purpose symbolic instruction code; no longer in general use
Basic English: a simplified form of English proposed for use as an auxiliary language for international communication; devised by C. K. Ogden and I. A. Richards
basics: a statement of fundamental facts or principles
basketball clinic: a meeting at which basketball players receive special evaluation and instruction
Basque: the language of the Basque people; of no known relation to any other language
bass: the lowest part in polyphonic music
bass: the lowest adult male singing voice
basso continuo: a bass part written out in full and accompanied by numbers to indicate the chords to be played
basso profundo: a very deep bass voice
bastard title: a first page of some books displaying only the title of the book
bastardization: declaring or rendering bastard
Bata: a Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad
bathos: triteness or triviality of style
batrachomyomachia: a silly altercation
batting order: (baseball) a list of batters in the order in which they will bat
battle cry: a slogan used to rally support for a cause
battle cry: a yell intended to rally a group of soldiers in battle
bauble: a mock scepter carried by a court jester
bawdry: lewd or obscene talk or writing
bawling out: a severe scolding
bayat: an oath of allegiance to an emir
beacon: a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a distance
beam: a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
beat: (prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse
beat: the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music
Beatitude: one of the eight sayings of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; in Latin each saying begins with `beatus' (blessed)
bebop: an early form of modern jazz (originating around 1940)
beck: a beckoning gesture
beef: informal terms for objecting
Beethoven: the music of Beethoven
befooling: derision of someone or something as foolish or absurd or inconsistent
beggary: a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
beguine: music written in the bolero rhythm of the beguine dance
behest: an authoritative command or request
Bel and the Dragon: an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Daniel
belittling: a belittling comment
bell book: a logbook in which all orders concerning the main engines of a ship are recorded
bell buoy: a buoy with a bell on it
bell ringing: persuasion of voters in a political campaign
bell-like call: a birdcall that resembles the tone of a bell
belles lettres: creative writing valued for esthetic content
belling: a noisy mock serenade (made by banging pans and kettles) to a newly married couple
bellow: a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)
belly laugh: a burst of deep loud hearty laughter
belly laugh: a joke that seems extremely funny
bench mark: a surveyor's mark on a permanent object of predetermined position and elevation used as a reference point
benchmark: a standard by which something can be measured or judged
benediction: a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
benefactive role: the semantic role of the intended recipient who benefits from the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
benefit: a performance to raise money for a charitable cause
benefit album: concept album compiling a performer's work or work supporting some worthy cause
benefit concert: a concert given for the benefit of some charitable cause
Bengal light: a steady bright blue light; formerly used as a signal but now a firework
Bengali: a Magadhan language spoken by the Bengali people; the official language of Bangladesh and Bengal
benison: a spoken blessing
berating: a severe rebuke
Berber: a cluster of related dialects that were once the major language of northern Africa west of Egypt; now spoken mostly in Morocco
berceuse: a quiet song intended to lull a child to sleep
best evidence rule: a rule of evidence requiring that to prove the content of a writing or recording or photograph the original is required
best seller: a book that has had a large and rapid sale
bestiary: a medieval book (usually illustrated) with allegorical and amusing descriptions of real and fabled animals
beta: the 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet
beta software: software that has not yet been released but has received an alpha test and still has more bugs than a regular release
beth: the 2nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet
betrothal: a mutual promise to marry
Bhagavad-Gita: (Hinduism) the sacred `song of God' composed about 200 BC and incorporated into the Mahabharata (a Sanskrit epic); contains a discussion between Krishna and the Indian hero Arjuna on human nature and the purpose of life
bible: a book regarded as authoritative in its field
Biblical Aramaic: the form of Aramaic that was spoken in Palestine in the time of the New Testament
Biblical Latin: the form of Latin written between the 3rd and 8th centuries
bibliography: a list of writings with time and place of publication (such as the writings of a single author or the works referred to in preparing a document etc.)
bicameral script: a script having two distinct cases
bicker: a quarrel about petty points
bid: (bridge) the number of tricks a bridge player is willing to contract to make
bid: an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
bid: a formal proposal to buy at a specified price
bidding: a request to be present
big stick: a display of force or power
bigram: a word that is written with two letters in an alphabetic writing system
Bihari: the Indic language spoken in Bihar (and by some people in Pakistan and Bangladesh)
bilabial: a consonant that is articulated using both lips; /p/ or /b/ or /w/
bilateral contract: a contract involving mutual promises (each party is both promisor and promisee)
bilingual dictionary: a dictionary giving equivalent words in two languages
bill: a list of particulars (as a playbill or bill of fare)
bill of attainder: a legislative act finding a person guilty of treason or felony without a trial
bill of entry: a list of goods received at a customhouse for export or import
bill of fare: a list of dishes available at a restaurant
bill of goods: a consignment of merchandise
bill of goods: communication (written or spoken) that persuades someone to accept something untrue or undesirable
bill of health: a certificate saying that a departing ship's company is healthy (to be presented at the next port of arrival)
bill of indictment: a formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense
bill of lading: a receipt given by the carrier to the shipper acknowledging receipt of the goods being shipped and specifying the terms of delivery
bill of Particulars: the particular events to be dealt with in a criminal trial; advises the defendant and the court of the facts the defendant will be required to meet
Bill of Rights: a statement of fundamental rights and privileges (especially the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution)
bill of sale: a deed transferring personal property
bill: an advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution
bill: a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement
bill: a statute in draft before it becomes law
bill-me order: an order that is received without payment; requires billing at a later date
billet doux: a personal letter to a loved one expressing affection
billet: a short personal letter
billing: request for payment of a debt
billingsgate: foul-mouthed or obscene abuse
Biloxi: the Siouan language spoken by the Biloxi
bimonthly: a periodical that is published twice a month or every two months (either 24 or 6 issues per year)
binary code: code using a string of 8 binary digits to represent characters
binary file: (computer science) a computer file containing machine-readable information that must be read by an application; characters use all 8 bits of each byte
binary notation: any notation that uses 2 characters (usually 0 and 1)
binary number system: a positional system of numeration that uses binary digits and a radix of two
binary: a pre-compiled, pre-linked program that is ready to run under a given operating system; a binary for one operating system will not run on a different operating system
biography: an account of the series of events making up a person's life
biometric authentication: the automatic identification of living individuals by using their physiological and behavioral characteristics
biquadratic: an equation of the fourth degree
birdcall: the characteristic sound produced by a bird
birth certificate: a copy of the official document giving details of a person's birth
birthday card: a card expressing a birthday greeting
bit: a small fragment
bite: wit having a sharp and caustic quality
Biu-Mandara: a group of Chadic languages spoken in the border area between Cameroon and Nigeria south of Lake Chad
biweekly: a periodical that is published twice a week or every two weeks (either 104 or 26 issues per year)
black and white: communication by means of written symbols (either printed or handwritten)
black belt: a black sash worn to show expert standards in the martial arts (judo or karate)
black book: a list of people who are out of favor
black comedy: comedy that uses black humor
black humor: the juxtaposition of morbid and farcical elements (in writing or drama) to give a disturbing effect
Black Tai: a branch of the Tai languages
Blackfoot: any of the Algonquian languages spoken by the Blackfoot
blah: pompous or pretentious talk or writing
Blaia Zimondal: an artificial language
blame game: accusations exchanged among people who refuse to accept sole responsibility for some undesirable event
blame: an accusation that you are responsible for some lapse or misdeed
blame: a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
blandishment: flattery intended to persuade
blank endorsement: an endorsement on commercial paper naming no payee and so payable to the bearer
blank space: a blank area
blank verse: unrhymed verse (usually in iambic pentameter)
blank: a blank character used to separate successive words in writing or printing
blarney: flattery designed to gain favor
blasphemy: blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred)
blather: foolish gibberish
blend: a new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings
blessing: a short prayer of thanks before a meal
blether: idle or foolish and irrelevant talk
blind: something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity
blinker: a blinking light on a motor vehicle that indicates the direction in which the vehicle is about to turn
blip: a radar echo displayed so as to show the position of a reflecting surface
block capital: a plain hand-drawn letter
blog: a shared on-line journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies
blotter: the daily written record of events (as arrests) in a police station
blowback: misinformation resulting from the recirculation into the source country of disinformation previously planted abroad by that country's intelligence service
blowup: an unrestrained expression of emotion
blue book: a register of persons who are socially prominent
blue book: a blue booklet used in universities for writing examinations
blue book: a report published by the British government; bound in blue
blue joke: an indelicate joke
blue law: a statute regulating work on Sundays
blue murder: an extravagantly loud outcry
blue note: a flattened third or seventh
blue peter: a blue flag with a white square in the center indicates that the vessel is ready to sail
blue ribbon: an honor or award gained for excellence
blue sky law: a state law regulating the sale of securities in an attempt to control the sale of securities in fraudulent enterprises
bluegrass: a type of country music played at a rapid tempo on banjos and guitars
blues: a type of folksong that originated among Black Americans at the beginning of the 20th century; has a melancholy sound from repeated use of blue notes
bluff: pretense that your position is stronger than it really is
blurb: a promotional statement (as found on the dust jackets of books)
bluster: vain and empty boasting
bluster: a swaggering show of courage
BMI: a measure of someone's weight in relation to height; to calculate one's BMI, multiply one's weight in pounds and divide that by the square of one's height in inches; overweight is a BMI greater than 25; obese is a BMI greater than 30
boarding card: a pass that allows you to board a ship or plane
boast: speaking of yourself in superlatives
bodice ripper: a romantic novel containing scenes in which the heroine is sexually violated
Bodo-Garo: Kamarupan languages spoken in the state of Assam in northeastern India
Bodoni font: a typeface (based on an 18th century design by Gianbattista Bodoni) distinguished by regular shape and hairline serifs and heavy downstrokes
body: the central message of a communication
body language: communication via the movements or attitudes of the body
boilerplate: standard formulations uniformly found in certain types of legal documents or news stories
Bokkos: a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
Bolanci: a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria and closely related to Hausa
bold: a typeface with thick heavy lines
bolero: music written in the rhythm of the bolero dance
bon mot: a clever remark
bon voyage: an organized expression of goodwill at the start of a trip or new venture
bone of contention: the subject of a dispute
boogie: an instrumental version of the blues (especially for piano)
book: a major division of a long written composition
book: a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
book jacket: a paper jacket for a book; a jacket on which promotional information is usually printed
Book of Amos: an Old Testament book telling Amos's prophecies
Book of Baruch: an Apocryphal book ascribed to Baruch
Book of Common Prayer: the Anglican service book of the Church of England; has had several revisions since the Reformation and is widely admired for the dignity and beauty of its language
Book of Deuteronomy: the fifth book of the Old Testament; contains a second statement of Mosaic law
Book of Ecclesiastes: an Old Testament book consisting of reflections on the vanity of human life; is traditionally attributed to Solomon but probably was written about 250 BC
Book of Esther: an Old Testament book telling of a beautiful Jewess who became queen of Persia and saved her people from massacre
Book of Exodus: the second book of the Old Testament: tells of the departure of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt led by Moses; God gave them the Ten Commandments and the rest of Mosaic law on Mount Sinai during the Exodus
Book of Ezekiel: an Old Testament book containing Ezekiel's prophecies of the downfall of Jerusalem and Judah and their subsequent restoration
Book of Ezra: an Old Testament book telling of a rabbi's efforts in the 5th century BC to reconstitute Jewish law and worship in Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity
book of facts: a book to which you can refer for authoritative facts
Book of Genesis: the first book of the Old Testament: tells of Creation; Adam and Eve; the Fall of Man; Cain and Abel; Noah and the flood; God's covenant with Abraham; Abraham and Isaac; Jacob and Esau; Joseph and his brothers
Book of Habakkuk: an Old Testament book telling Habakkuk's prophecies
Book of Haggai: an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Haggai which are concerned mainly with rebuilding the temples after the Babylonian Captivity
Book of Hosea: an Old Testament book telling Hosea's prophecies
book of instructions: a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
Book of Isaiah: an Old Testament book consisting of Isaiah's prophecies
Book of Jeremiah: a book in the Old Testament containing the oracles of the prophet Jeremiah
Book of Job: a book in the Old Testament containing Job's pleas to God about his afflictions and God's reply
Book of Joel: an Old Testament book telling Joel's prophecies
Book of Jonah: a book in the Old Testament that tells the story of Jonah and the whale
Book of Joshua: a book in the Old Testament describing how Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan (the Promised Land) after the death of Moses
Book of Judges: a book of the Old Testament that tells the history of Israel under the leaders known as judges
Book of Judith: an Apocryphal book telling how Judith saved her people
book of knowledge: an elementary encyclopedia dealing with general knowledge
Book of Lamentations: an Old Testament book lamenting the desolation of Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC; traditionally attributed to the prophet Jeremiah
Book of Leviticus: the third book of the Old Testament; contains Levitical law and ritual precedents
Book of Malachi: an Old Testament book containing the prophecies of Malachi
Book of Micah: an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Micah foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem
Book of Mormon: a sacred text revealed to Joseph Smith in 1830 by an ancient prophet Mormon; supposedly a record of ancient peoples of America translated by Joseph Smith
Book of Nahum: an Old Testament book telling Nahum's prophecy of the fall of Nineveh
Book of Nehemiah: an Old Testament book telling how a Jewish official at the court of Artaxerxes I in 444 BC became a leader in rebuilding Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity
Book of Numbers: the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
Book of Obadiah: an Old Testament book telling Obadiah's prophecies; the shortest book in the Christian Bible
Book of Proverbs: an Old Testament book consisting of proverbs from various Israeli sages (including Solomon)
Book of Psalms: an Old Testament book consisting of a collection of 150 Psalms
Book of Psalms: a collection of Psalms for liturgical use
Book of Ruth: a book of the Old Testament that tells the story of Ruth who was not an Israelite but who married an Israelite and who stayed with her mother-in-law Naomi after her husband died
Book of Susanna: an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Daniel
Book of the Prophet Daniel: an Old Testament book that tells of the apocalyptic visions and the experiences of Daniel in the court of Nebuchadnezzar
Book of Tobit: an Apocryphal book that was a popular novel for several centuries
Book of Zachariah: an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Zechariah which are concerned mainly with the renewal of Israel after the Babylonian Captivity
Book of Zephaniah: an Old Testament book telling the prophecies of Zephaniah which are concerned mainly with the approaching judgment by God upon the sinners of Judah
book review: a critical review of a book (usually a recently published book)
book token: a gift voucher that can be exchanged for books costing up to an amount given on the voucher
book: a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance
book: a compilation of the known facts regarding something or someone
booklet: a small book usually having a paper cover
bookplate: a label identifying the owner of a book in which it is pasted
borrower's card: a card certifying the bearer's right to use the library
bottle bill: a statute that would require merchants to reclaim used bottles
bottom line: the decisive point
bouffe: opera with a happy ending and in which some of the text is spoken
bound form: a morpheme that occurs only as part of a larger construction; eg an -s at the end of plural nouns
boundary condition: (mathematics) a condition specified for the solution to a set of differential equations
boustrophedon: an ancient writing system: having alternate lines written in opposite directions; literally `as the ox ploughs'
Bouyei: a branch of the Tai languages
bow: bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
bow: an appearance by actors or performers at the end of the concert or play in order to acknowledge the applause of the audience
brace: either of two punctuation marks ({ or }) used to enclose textual material
bracket: either of two punctuation marks ([ or ]) used to enclose textual material
brag: an instance of boastful talk
Brahmana: prose works attached to the Samhitas instructing the brahmins to perform the very elaborate sacrificial rituals
Brahmi: a script (probably adapted from the Aramaic about the 7th century BC) from which later Indian scripts developed
Brahms: the music of Brahms
Brahui: an isolated Dravidian language spoken by the Brahui in Pakistan
braille: a point system of writing in which patterns of raised dots represent letters and numerals
brain-teaser: a difficult problem
brake light: a red light on the rear of a motor vehicle that signals when the brakes are applied to slow or stop
brand: identification mark on skin, made by burning
brand: a name given to a product or service
brand: a symbol of disgrace or infamy
brandish: the act of waving
bravo: a cry of approval as from an audience at the end of great performance
breath: an indirect suggestion
Breton: a Celtic language of Brittany
breve: a diacritical mark (U-shaped) placed over a vowel to indicate a short sound
brevet: a document entitling a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily (but without higher pay)
breviary: (Roman Catholic Church) a book of prayers to be recited daily certain priests and members of religious orders
brevity: the use of brief expressions
brickbat: blunt criticism
brief: a condensed written summary or abstract
brief: a document stating the facts and points of law of a client's case
briefing: detailed instructions, as for a military operation
brinkmanship: the policy of pushing a dangerous situation to the brink of disaster (to the limits of safety)
British Crown: the symbol of the power of the British monarchy
Britishism: an expression that is used in Great Britain (especially as contrasted with American English)
broad arrow: a mark shaped like an arrowhead; used to mark convicts' clothing
broad arrow: an arrowhead mark identifying British government property
broadcast: message that is transmitted by radio or television
broadcast medium: a medium that disseminates via telecommunications
broadcast: a radio or television show
broadcasting: taking part in a radio or tv program
broadside: a speech of violent denunciation
Bronx cheer: a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
Bronze Star Medal: a United States military decoration awarded for meritorious service (except in aerial flight)
browse: reading superficially or at random
browser: a program used to view HTML documents
Brythonic: a southern group of Celtic languages
bucolic: a short poem descriptive of rural or pastoral life
bugle call: a signal broadcast by the sound of a bugle
building code: set of standards established and enforced by local government for the structural safety of buildings
building permit: a document authorizing the holder to construct a building of a particular kind on a particular lot
buildup: highly favorable publicity and praise
Bulgarian: a Slavic language spoken in Bulgaria
bulk mail: mail consisting of large numbers of identical items (circulars or advertisements) sent to individual addresses at less than 1st-class rates and paid for in one lot
bull session: an informal discussion (usually among men)
bull: a formal proclamation issued by the pope (usually written in antiquated characters and sealed with a leaden bulla)
bulletin: a brief report (especially an official statement issued for immediate publication or broadcast)
bumf: reading materials (documents, written information) that you must read and deal with but that you think are extremely boring
buncombe: unacceptable behavior (especially ludicrously false statements)
bundling: a onetime custom during courtship of unmarried couples occupying the same bed without undressing
bunk: a message that seems to convey no meaning
buoy: bright-colored; a float attached by rope to the seabed to mark channels in a harbor or underwater hazards
burden: the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
burglar alarm: a loud warning signal produced by a burglar alarm
burlesque: a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease)
burlesque: a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
Burmese: the official language of Burma
bus ticket: a ticket good for a ride on a bus
Bushido: traditional code of the Japanese samurai which stressed courage and loyalty and self-discipline and simple living
business card: a card on which are printed the person's name and business affiliation
business index: a statistical compilation that provides a context for economic or financial conditions
business letter: a letter dealing with business
business news: news about businesses and investments
bust-up: a serious quarrel (especially one that ends a friendship)
button: a round flat badge displaying information and suitable for pinning onto a garment
buyout bid: a bid to buy all of a person's holdings
buzzword: stock phrases that have become nonsense through endless repetition
by-line: a line giving the name of the writer of a story or article
bye: an automatic advance to the next round in a tournament without playing an opponent
bylaw: a rule adopted by an organization in order to regulate its own affairs and the behavior of its members
byname: a familiar name for a person (often a shortened version of a person's given name)
Byzantine Greek: the Greek language from about 600 to 1200 AD
C: the 3rd letter of the Roman alphabet
C: (music) the keynote of the scale of C major
C: a general-purpose programing language closely associated with the UNIX operating system
C and W: a simple style of folk music heard mostly in the southern United States; usually played on stringed instruments
C clef: a movable clef that puts middle C on one of the lines of a staff
C compiler: a compiler for programs written in C
C program: a program written in C
cabala: an esoteric or occult matter resembling the Kabbalah that is traditionally secret
cable: television that is transmitted over cable directly to the receiver
cable: a telegram sent abroad
cachet: a warrant formerly issued by a French king who could warrant imprisonment or death in a signed letter under his seal
cachet: an indication of approved or superior status
cachinnation: loud convulsive laughter
cackle: a loud laugh suggestive of a hen's cackle
cackle: noisy talk
cacography: poor handwriting
CAD: software used in art and architecture and engineering and manufacturing to assist in precision drawing
cadaster: a public register showing the details of ownership and value of land; made for the purpose of taxation
Caddoan language: a family of North American Indian languages spoken widely in the Midwest by the Caddo
cadence: the close of a musical section
cadenza: a brilliant solo passage occurring near the end of a piece of music
caduceus: an insignia used by the medical profession; modeled after the staff of Hermes
caesura: a break or pause (usually for sense) in the middle of a verse line
Cahita: the Uto-Aztecan language of the Cahita
cahoot: collusion
cairn: a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path
Cakchiquel: the Mayan language spoken by the Cakchiquel
calendar: a list or register of events (appointments or social events or court cases etc)
California Personality Inventory: a self-report personality inventory originally derived from the MMPI; consists of several hundred yes-no questions and yields scores on a number of scales including dominance and self acceptance and self control and socialization and achievement etc.
call: an instruction that interrupts the program being executed
call: a request
call: a demand for a show of hands in a card game
call forwarding: lets you transfer your incoming calls to any telephone that you can dial direct
call mark: a mark consisting of characters written on a book; used to indicate shelf location
call up: an order to report for military duty
call waiting: a way of letting you know that someone else is calling when you are using your telephone
call: a demand especially in the phrase
call: a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
call: a demand by a broker that a customer deposit enough to bring his margin up to the minimum requirement
call: a telephone connection
call-back: a return call
call-in: a telephone call to a radio station or a television station in which the caller participates in the on-going program
call-out: a challenge to a fight or duel
callback: a request by the manufacturer of a defective product to return the product (as for replacement or repair)
calligraphy: beautiful handwriting
calling card: a printed or written greeting that is left to indicate that you have visited
calling into question: a challenge to defend what someone has said
calorie chart: a list of foods and information about their caloric content
calque: an expression introduced into one language by translating it from another language
calumniation: a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
can: a buoy with a round bottom and conical top
Canaanite: the extinct language of the Semitic people who occupied Canaan before the Israelite conquest
Canaanitic language: a group of Semitic languages
Canadian French: the French language as spoken in Quebec, Canada
canard: a deliberately misleading fabrication
cancel: a notation cancelling a previous sharp or flat
cancellation: the speech act of revoking or annulling or making void
canon: a contrapuntal piece of music in which a melody in one part is imitated exactly in other parts
canon: a collection of books accepted as holy scripture especially the books of the Bible recognized by any Christian church as genuine and inspired
canon: a complete list of saints that have been recognized by the Roman Catholic Church
canon: a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy
cant: insincere talk about religion or morals
cantata: a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text
Canterbury Tales: an uncompleted series of tales written after 1387 by Geoffrey Chaucer
canticle: a hymn derived from the Bible
Canticle of Canticles: an Old Testament book consisting of a collection of love poems traditionally attributed to Solomon but actually written much later
Canticle of Simeon: the prayer of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)
canto: a major division of a long poem
canto: the highest part (usually the melody) in a piece of choral music
Cantonese dialect: the dialect of Chinese spoken in Canton and neighboring provinces and in Hong Kong and elsewhere outside China
cantus firmus: a pre-existing melody used as the basis for a polyphonic composition; originally drawn from plainchant, but later drawn from other sources
cap: an upper limit on what is allowed
capital: one of the large alphabetic characters used as the first letter in writing or printing proper names and sometimes for emphasis
capitalisation: writing in capital letters
capitulation: a summary that enumerates the main parts of a topic
capitulation: a document containing the terms of surrender
capriccio: an instrumental composition that doesn't adhere to rules for any specific musical form and is played with improvisation
caption: taking exception; especially a quibble based on a captious argument
caption: brief description accompanying an illustration
caption: translation of foreign dialogue of a movie or TV program; usually displayed at the bottom of the screen
carbon process: a process of printing on paper coated with bichromated gelatin containing pigment
card: a rectangular piece of stiff paper used to send messages (may have printed greetings or pictures)
card catalog: a library catalog in which each publication is described on a separate file card
card: a card certifying the identity of the bearer
card: (golf) a record of scores (as in golf)
career counseling: counseling on career opportunities
caret: a mark used by an author or editor to indicate where something is to be inserted into a text
Caribbean language: the family of languages spoken by the Carib
caricature: a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect
carioca: music composed for dancing the carioca
carping: persistent petty and unjustified criticism
cartoon strip: a sequence of drawings telling a story in a newspaper or comic book
cartoon: a humorous or satirical drawing published in a newspaper or magazine
cartridge font: any font that is contained in a cartridge that can be plugged into a computer printer
cascading menu: a secondary menu that appears while you are holding the cursor over an item on the primary menu
case: a statement of facts and reasons used to support an argument
case: a problem requiring investigation
case history: detailed record of the background of a person or group under study or treatment
case law: (civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
case study: a careful study of some social unit (as a corporation or division within a corporation) that attempts to determine what factors led to its success or failure
case: a specific size and style of type within a type family
case: nouns or pronouns or adjectives (often marked by inflection) related in some way to other words in a sentence
casebook: a book in which detailed written records of a case are kept and which are a source of information for subsequent work
Castilian: the Spanish language as spoken in Castile
catachresis: strained or paradoxical use of words either in error (as `blatant' to mean `flagrant') or deliberately (as in a mixed metaphor: `blind mouths')
Catalan: the Romance language spoken in Catalonia in eastern Spain (related to Spanish and Occitan)
catalectic: (prosody) a line of verse that lacks a syllable in the last metrical foot
catalexis: the absence of a syllable in the last foot of a line or verse
catalog: a book or pamphlet containing an enumeration of things
catalog: a complete list of things; usually arranged systematically
cataloged procedure: a set of control statements that have been placed in a library and can be retrieved by name
Catawba: the Siouan language spoken by the Catawba
catcall: a cry expressing disapproval
catch: a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)
catch phrase: a phrase that has become a catchword
catchword: a word printed at the top of the page of a dictionary or other reference book to indicate the first or last item on that page
catchword: a favorite saying of a sect or political group
catechism: a series of question put to an individual (such as a political candidate) to elicit their views
catechism: an elementary book summarizing the principles of a Christian religion; written as questions and answers
categorem: a categorematic expression; a term capable of standing alone as the subject or predicate of a logical proposition
categorical imperative: the moral principle that behavior should be determined by duty
Caucasian language: a number of languages spoken in the Caucasus that are unrelated to languages spoken elsewhere
cause of action: a claim sufficient to demand judicial attention; the facts that give rise to right of action
cause: a justification for something existing or happening
causerie: light informal conversation for social occasions
caustic remark: witty language used to convey insults or scorn
caution: a warning against certain acts
cautious statement: a statement made with careful qualifications
caveat: (law) a formal notice filed with a court or officer to suspend a proceeding until filer is given a hearing
caveat emptor: a commercial principle that without a warranty the buyer takes upon himself the risk of quality
cavil: an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections
Cayuga: the Iroquoian language spoken by the Cayuga
cease and desist order: (law) a judicial remedy issued in order to prohibit a party from doing or continuing to do a certain activity
Cebuano: language of the people of Cebu in the Philippines; its lexicon contributes to the official language of the Philippines
cedilla: a diacritical mark (,) placed below the letter c to indicate that it is pronounced as an s
celluloid: a medium that disseminates moving pictures
Celtic language: a branch of the Indo-European languages that (judging from inscriptions and place names) was spread widely over Europe in the pre-Christian era
center spread: the spread at the center of a magazine
centerfold: a magazine center spread; especially a foldout of a large photograph or map or other feature
Central Dravidian: a Dravidian language spoken primarily in central India
Central Thai: a branch of the Tai languages
certificate of incorporation: state approval of the articles of incorporation of a corporation
certificate: a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
certification: confirmation that some fact or statement is true through the use of documentary evidence
certiorari: a common law writ issued by a superior court to one of inferior jurisdiction demanding the record of a particular case
Chadic language: a family of Afroasiatic tonal languages (mostly two tones) spoken in the regions west and south of Lake Chad in north central Africa
chain letter: a letter that is sent successively to several people
challenge: a formal objection to the selection of a particular person as a juror
challenge: questioning a statement and demanding an explanation
challenge: a demand by a sentry for a password or identification
challenge: a call to engage in a contest or fight
chamber music: serious music performed by a small group of musicians
channel: (often plural) a means of communication or access
channel: a path over which electrical signals can pass
channels: official routes of communication
chanson de geste: Old French epic poems
chant: a repetitive song in which as many syllables as necessary are assigned to a single tone
chantey: a rhythmical work song originally sung by sailors
chapter: a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
character set: an ordered list of characters that are used together in writing or printing
character: a formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability
character: a written symbol that is used to represent speech
characterisation: the act of describing distinctive characteristics or essential features
characterisation: a graphic or vivid verbal description
characterisic function: (electronics) graph showing how a particular characteristic of a device varies with other parameters
characteristic: the integer part (positive or negative) of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the characteristic is 2
charade: a word acted out in an episode of the game of charades
charge: a formal statement of a command or injunction to do something
charge: (criminal law) a pleading describing some wrong or offense
Chari-Nile: a group of Nilo-Saharan language spoken in parts of the Sudan and Zaire and Uganda and Tanzania
charm: a verbal formula believed to have magical force
chart: (usually plural) a listing of best-selling recorded music
chart: a visual display of information
charter: a contract to hire or lease transportation
charter: a document incorporating an institution and specifying its rights; includes the articles of incorporation and the certificate of incorporation
chastening: a rebuke for making a mistake
chat room: a site on the internet where a number of users can communicate in real time (typically one dedicated to a particular topic)
chat show: a program during which well-known people discuss a topic or answer questions telephoned in by the audience
chat: an informal conversation
cheap shot: an unnecessarily aggressive and unfair remark directed at a defenseless person
Chechen: a northern Caucasian language spoken by the Chechen
check character: a character that is added to the end of a block of transmitted data and used to check the accuracy of the transmission
check register: a register of checks issued (usually in numeric order)
check stub: the part of a check that is retained as a record
check: a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.
check: the bill in a restaurant
checking program: a program that examines other computer programs for syntax errors
checklist: a list of items (names or tasks etc.) to be checked or consulted
cheek: an impudent statement
cheer: a cry or shout of approval
cheering: encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
Chemakuan: a group of Mosan languages spoken in Washington
Chemakum: a Chemakuan language spoken by the Chemakum
chemical formula: a representation of a substance using symbols for its constituent elements
chemical notation: a notation used by chemists to express technical facts in chemistry
Chemical Weapons Convention: a global treaty banning the production or acquisition or stockpiling or transfer or use of chemical weapons
Cheremiss: the Finnic language spoken by the Cheremis
Cherokee: the Iroquoian language spoken by the Cherokee
chevron: V-shaped sleeve badge indicating military rank and service
Cheyenne: the Algonquian language spoken by the Cheyenne
chi: the 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet
chiasmus: inversion in the second of two parallel phrases
Chichewa: the Bantu language of the Chewa of east central Africa
Chickasaw: the Muskhogean language of the Chickasaw
chicken scratch: cramped or illegible handwriting
chickenshit: a false statement that is considered to indicate timidity or fear
chiding: rebuking a person harshly
Chimariko: the Hokan language spoken by the Chimariko
ChiMwini: a Bantu language spoken in southern Somalia
Chinese: any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
Chinese Shan: a branch of the Tai languages
Chinook Jargon: a pidgin incorporating Chinook and French and English words; formerly used as a lingua franca in northwestern North America
Chinookan: a Penutian language spoken by the Chinook
Chippewa: the Algonquian language spoken by the Ojibwa
Chippewaian: the language spoken by the Chipewyan
Chiricahua Apache: an Apache language
Chishona: a Bantu language that is one of the two major languages of Zimbabwe
Chiwere: the Siouan language spoken by the Iowa and Oto and Missouri
Choctaw: the Muskhogean language of the Choctaw
choice of words: the manner in which something is expressed in words
Chopin: the music of Chopin
choral ode: ode sung by the chorus in classical Greek drama
choral: a stately Protestant (especially Lutheran) hymn tune
chorale prelude: a composition for organ using a chorale as a basis for variations
chord: a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together
choreography: a notation used by choreographers
choreography: the representation of dancing by symbols as music is represented by notes
chortle: a soft partly suppressed laugh
chorus: the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers
chrestomathy: a selection of passages from different authors that is compiled as an aid in learning a language
Christian Bible: the sacred writings of the Christian religions
Christian name: the first name given to Christians at birth or christening
Christmas card: a card expressing a Christmas greeting
Christmas carol: joyful religious song celebrating the birth of Christ
chromatic scale: a 12-note scale including all the semitones of the octave
chromolithography: single- or multi-color lithography
chronology: a record of events in the order of their occurrence
Chukchi language: an indigenous and isolated language of unknown origin spoken by the Chukchi that is pronounced differently by men and women
church doctrine: the written body of teachings of a religious group that are generally accepted by that group
church music: genre of music composed for performance as part of religious ceremonies
church roll: a list of the members of church
Chuvash: the Turkic language spoken by the Chuvash
cinema verite: a movie that shows ordinary people in actual activities without being controlled by a director
cipher: a secret method of writing
cipher: a message written in a secret code
Circassian: a northern Caucasian language spoken by the Circassian
circulation: the dissemination of copies of periodicals (as newspapers or magazines)
circumflex: a diacritical mark (^) placed above a vowel in some languages to indicate a special phonetic quality
circumlocution: an indirect way of expressing something
circumstantial evidence: evidence providing only a basis for inference about the fact in dispute
citation: a summons that commands the appearance of a party at a proceeding
citation: (law) the act of citing (as of spoken words or written passages or legal precedents etc.)
citation form: the form of a word that heads a lexical entry and is alphabetized in a dictionary
citation: an official award (as for bravery or service) usually given as formal public statement
citation: a passage or expression that is quoted or cited
claim: an assertion that something is true or factual
claim: an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
claim form: a form to use when filing a claim
clamor: loud and persistent outcry from many people
clarification: an interpretation that removes obstacles to understanding
class list: a list issued by examiners that categorizes students according to the class of honours they achieved in their degree examinations
Classical Greek: the dialect of Ancient Greek spoken and written in Attica and Athens and Ionia
classical Latin: the language of educated people in ancient Rome
classical: traditional genre of music conforming to an established form and appealing to critical interest and developed musical taste
classified: a short ad in a newspaper or magazine (usually in small print) and appearing along with other ads of the same type
classifier: a word or morpheme used in some languages in certain contexts (such as counting) to indicate the semantic class to which the counted item belongs
classifying adjective: an adjective that classifies its noun (e.g., `a nervous disease' or `a musical instrument')
clause: (grammar) an expression including a subject and predicate functioning as a part of a complex sentence
clean bill of health: an assurance that someone is healthy or something is in good condition
cleanup: (baseball) the fourth position in the batting order (usually filled by the best batter on the team)
clef: a musical notation written on a staff indicating the pitch of the notes following it
clericalism: a policy of supporting the influence and power of the clergy in secular or political matters
clerihew: a witty satiric verse containing two rhymed couplets and mentioning a famous person
clew: evidence that helps to solve a problem
CLI: a user interface in which you type commands instead of choosing them from a menu or selecting an icon
click: a stop consonant made by the suction of air into the mouth (as in Bantu)
cliffhanger: an episode that ends in suspense
climax: arrangement of clauses in ascending order of forcefulness
climax: the decisive moment in a novel or play
clincher: an argument that is conclusive
clinic: meeting for diagnosis of problems and instruction or remedial work in a particular activity
clipping: an excerpt cut from a newspaper or magazine
close: the last section of a communication
closed couplet: a rhymed couplet that forms a complete syntactic unit
closed session: a session (usually of a legislative body) that is closed to the public
closed-class word: a word that is uninflected and serves a grammatical function but has little identifiable meaning
closet drama: drama more suitable for reading that for performing
closure by compartment: closure imposed on the debate of specific sections of a bill
closure: a rule for limiting or ending debate in a deliberative body
clout: a target used in archery
cloven foot: the mark of Satan
clowning: a comic incident or series of incidents
clue: a slight indication
clutter: unwanted echoes that interfere with the observation of signals on a radar screen
coarseness: language or humor that is down-to-earth
cobblers: nonsense
COBOL: common business-oriented language
Cochimi: the Yuman language spoken by the Cochimi
cock-and-bull story: an interesting but highly implausible story; often told as an excuse
cockney: the nonstandard dialect of natives of the east end of London
Cocopah: the Yuman language spoken by the Cocopa
coda: the closing section of a musical composition
code: a coding system used for transmitting messages requiring brevity or secrecy
code flag: one of an international code of flag signals used between ships
code: a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)
code: (computer science) the symbolic arrangement of data or instructions in a computer program or the set of such instructions
codex: an official list of chemicals or medicines etc.
codex: an unbound manuscript of some ancient classic (as distinguished from a scroll)
codicil: a supplement to a will; a testamentary instrument intended to alter an already executed will
coding system: a system of signals used to represent letters or numbers in transmitting messages
cognate: a word is cognate with another if both derive from the same word in an ancestral language
cognomen: the name used to identify the members of a family (as distinguished from each member's given name)
coinage: a newly invented word or phrase
cold medium: a medium that usually, but not always, provides little involvement together with substantial stimulus; includes speech, television, cartoons
cold turkey: a blunt expression of views
cold water: disparagement of a plan or hope or expectation
collage film: a movie that juxtaposes different kinds of footage
collect: a short prayer generally preceding the lesson in the Church of Rome or the Church of England
collect call: a telephone call that the receiving party is asked to pay for
collection: a publication containing a variety of works
collective agreement: contract between labor and management governing wages and benefits and working conditions
collective bargaining: negotiation between an employer and trade union
collective noun: a noun that is singular in form but refers to a group of people or things
collegiate dictionary: an abridged dictionary of a size convenient to hold in the hand
collision: a conflict of opposed ideas or attitudes or goals
collocation: a grouping of words in a sentence
colloquialism: a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech
colloquium: an address to an academic meeting or seminar
colloquy: a conversation especially a formal one
colloquy: formal conversation
collotype: a photomechanical printing process that uses a glass plate with a gelatin surface that carries the image to be reproduced; can be used with one or more colors
collusion: agreement on a secret plot
colon: a punctuation mark (:) used after a word introducing a series or an example or an explanation (or after the salutation of a business letter)
color chart: a chart displaying colors
color circle: a chart in which complementary colors (or their names) are arranged on opposite sides of a circle
color code: system using colors to designate classifications
colorcast: a television program that is broadcast in color
colour supplement: (British) a magazine that is printed in color and circulated with a newspaper (especially on weekends)
column: a page or text that is vertically divided
column: an article giving opinions or perspectives
Comanche: the Shoshonean language spoken by the Comanche
Combined DNA Index System: the DNA file maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
combining form: a bound form used only in compounds
comeback: a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
comedy: light and humorous drama with a happy ending
comic book: a magazine devoted to comic strips
coming attraction: a movie that is advertised to draw customers
comma: a punctuation mark (,) used to indicate the separation of elements within the grammatical structure of a sentence
command language: a source language consisting of procedural operators that invoke functions to be executed
command line: commands that a user types in order to run an application
command prompt: (computer science) a symbol that appears on the computer screen to indicate that the computer is ready to receive a command
command: (computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program
commandment: something that is commanded
commedia dell'arte: Italian comedy of the 16th to 18th centuries improvised from standardized situations and stock characters
commemoration: a recognition of meritorious service
comment: a written explanation or criticism or illustration that is added to a book or other textual material
comment: a report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people
comment: a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
commerce: social exchange, especially of opinions, attitudes, etc.
commercial document: a document of or relating to commerce
commercial treaty: a treaty governing commerce between two or more nations
commercial: a commercially sponsored ad on radio or television
commination: prayers proclaiming God's anger against sinners; read in the Church of England on Ash Wednesday
commination: a threat of divine punishment or vengeance
commiseration: an expression of sympathy with another's grief
commission: an official document issued by a government and conferring on the recipient the rank of an officer in the armed forces
commitment: a message that makes a pledge
common chord: a three-note major or minor chord; a note and its third and fifth tones
common logarithm: a logarithm to the base 10
common measure: the usual (iambic) meter of a ballad
common noun: a noun that denotes any or all members of a class
commonplace book: a notebook in which you enter memorabilia
communicating: the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
communications protocol: (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
communion: sharing thoughts and feelings
communique: an official report (usually sent in haste)
Communist Manifesto: a socialist manifesto written by Marx and Engels (1842) describing the history of the working-class movement according to their views
commutation: a warrant substituting a lesser punishment for a greater one
commutation ticket: a ticket good for several trips or to attend a season of entertainments; sold at a reduced rate
comp: an intensive examination testing a student's proficiency in some special field of knowledge
compact: a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action
company name: the name by which a corporation is identified
comparative: the comparative form of an adjective or adverb
compatible software: software that can run on different computers without modification
compatible software: application software programs that share common conventions so they can be utilized together
compendium: a concise but comprehensive summary of a larger work
compilation: something that is compiled (as into a single book or file)
compiler: (computer science) a program that decodes instructions written in a higher order language and produces an assembly language program
complaint: (civil law) the first pleading of the plaintiff setting out the facts on which the claim for relief is based
complaint: an expression of grievance or resentment
complaint: (formerly) a loud cry (or repeated cries) of pain or rage or sorrow
complement: a word or phrase used to complete a grammatical construction
complex sentence: a sentence composed of at least one main clause and one subordinate clause
compliment: a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration
compliments: (usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare
composition: a musical work that has been created
composition: an essay (especially one written as an assignment)
composition: art and technique of printing with movable type
compound sentence: a sentence composed of at least two coordinate independent clauses
compromise: an accommodation in which both sides make concessions
computer architecture: the art of assembling logical elements into a computing device; the specification of the relation between parts of a computer system
computer database: (computer science) a database that can be accessed by computers
computer file: (computer science) a file maintained in computer-readable form
computer file name: (computer science) the name given to a computer file in order to distinguish it from other files; may contain an extension that indicates the type of file
computer language: a programming language designed for use on a specific class of computers
computer menu: (computer science) a list of options available to a computer user
computer program: (computer science) a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute
computer software: (computer science) written programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system and that are stored in read/write memory
computer virus: a software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer
con: an argument opposed to a proposal
conceding: the act of conceding or yielding
conceit: an elaborate poetic image or a far-fetched comparison of very dissimilar things
conceit: a witty or ingenious turn of phrase
conceit: an artistic device or effect
concept album: an album whose recordings are unified by some theme (instrumental or lyrical or narrative or compositional)
concert: a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
concerted music: music arranged in parts for several voices or instruments
concerto: a composition for orchestra and a soloist
concerto grosso: a baroque composition for orchestra and a group of solo instruments
concession: a point conceded or yielded
concession: a contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business
conciliation: any of various forms of mediation whereby disputes may be settled short of arbitration
conciseness: terseness and economy in writing and speaking achieved by expressing a great deal in just a few words
conclusion: a final settlement
conclusion: the proposition arrived at by logical reasoning (such as the proposition that must follow from the major and minor premises of a syllogism)
concord: agreement of opinions
concordance: an index of all main words in a book along with their immediate contexts
concurrence: agreement of results or opinions
concurring opinion: an opinion that agrees with the court's disposition of the case but is written to express a particular judge's reasoning
condemnation: an appeal to some supernatural power to inflict evil on someone or some group
condemnation: an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable
condescension: a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient
condition: an assumption on which rests the validity or effect of something else
condition: (usually plural) a statement of what is required as part of an agreement
conditional contract: a contract whose performance depends on a fact or event that affects legal relations
conditional sale: a sale in which the buyer receives title to the property only upon the performance of some condition (usually the full payment of the purchase price)
confederacy: a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act
conference call: a telephone call in which more than two people participate
conference: a discussion among participants who have an agreed (serious) topic
confession: an admission of misdeeds or faults
confession: a written document acknowledging an offense and signed by the guilty party
confession: the document that spells out the belief system of a given church (especially the Reformation churches of the 16th century)
confession: a public declaration of your faith
confidence: a secret that is confided or entrusted to another
confidential information: an indication of potential opportunity
confirmation: information that confirms or verifies
confirmation hearing: a hearing held by the US Senate to gather information on whether to approve or reject candidates for high federal office who are nominated by the president
confirmation: making something valid by formally ratifying or confirming it
conflict: a disagreement or argument about something important
confrontation: discord resulting from a clash of ideas or opinions
confrontation: a bold challenge
confrontation: a hostile disagreement face-to-face
confutation: the speech act of refuting conclusively
conga: music composed for dancing the conga
congratulation: the act of acknowledging that someone has an occasion for celebration
congratulation: (usually plural) an expression of pleasure at the success or good fortune of another
congratulations: an expression of approval and commendation
Congressional Medal of Honor: the highest U.S. military decoration awarded for bravery and valor in action `above and beyond the call of duty'
Congressional Record: a published written account of the speeches and debates and votes of the United States Congress
conical buoy: a buoy resembling a cone
conjecture: a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
conjunction: an uninflected function word that serves to conjoin words or phrases or clauses or sentences
conjuration: a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect
connivance: (law) tacit approval of someone's wrongdoing
connotation: what you must know in order to determine the reference of an expression
consent: permission to do something
consent decree: an agreement between two parties that is sanctioned by the court; for example, a company might agree to stop certain questionable practices without admitting guilt
consideration: a discussion of a topic (as in a meeting)
consonance: the repetition of consonants (or consonant patterns) especially at the ends of words
consonant: a speech sound that is not a vowel
consonant: a letter of the alphabet standing for a spoken consonant
consonant system: the system of consonants used in a particular language
conspectus: an overall summary
conspiracy of silence: a conspiracy not to talk about some situation or event
constant-width font: a typeface is which each character is given the same width (as by a typewriter)
constituent: (grammar) a word or phrase or clause forming part of a larger grammatical construction
Constitution of the United States: the constitution written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and subsequently ratified by the original thirteen states
constitution: law determining the fundamental political principles of a government
construal: an interpretation of the meaning of something; the act of construing
construction: a group of words that form a constituent of a sentence and are considered as a single unit
construction: an interpretation of a text or action
consuetudinal: a manual describing the customs of a particular group (especially the ceremonial practices of a monastic order)
consultation: a conference between two or more people to consider a particular question
contact: a channel for communication between groups
contact: a communicative interaction
contagion: the communication of an attitude or emotional state among a number of people
contempt: open disrespect for a person or thing
content word: a word to which an independent meaning can be assigned
content: what a communication that is about something is about
contention: a point asserted as part of an argument
contents: a list of divisions (chapters or articles) and the pages on which they start
context: discourse that surrounds a language unit and helps to determine its interpretation
contextual definition: a definition in which the term is used by embedding it in a larger expression containing its explanation
contingency procedure: an alternative to the normal procedure; triggered if an unusual but anticipated situation arises
continuant: consonant articulated by constricting (but not closing) the vocal tract
continuation: a part added to a book or play that continues and extends it
continuity: a detailed script used in making a film in order to avoid discontinuities from shot to shot
contour language: a tone language that uses pitch changes
contour: a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height
contract: a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law
contract of hazard: a sale of a tract of land as a whole without a warranty as to the acreage
contract offer: offer by an employer to contract to pay an employee at a given rate
contract under seal: a contract that is signed and has the (wax) seal of the signer attached
contract: (contract bridge) the highest bid becomes the contract setting the number of tricks that the bidder must make
contraction: a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds
contradiction: the speech act of contradicting someone
contradiction: (logic) a statement that is necessarily false
contraindication: (medicine) a reason that makes it inadvisable to prescribe a particular drug or employ a particular procedure or treatment
control: the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing prices or wages etc.
convention: (diplomacy) an international agreement
conversation: the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
conversation stopper: a remark to which there is no polite conversational reply
converse: a proposition obtained by conversion
conversion: interchange of subject and predicate of a proposition
conveyance: document effecting a property transfer
conveyance: the transmission of information
cookbook: a book of recipes and cooking directions
cookie: a short line of text that a web site puts on your computer's hard drive when you access the web site
cool jazz: jazz that is restrained and fluid and marked by intricate harmonic structures often lagging slightly behind the beat
coordinate clause: a clause in a complex sentence that is grammatically equivalent to the main clause and that performs the same grammatical function
coordinating conjunction: a conjunction (like `and' or `or') that connects two identically constructed grammatical constituents
Copehan: a group of Penutian languages spoken to the west of the Sacramento river
copperplate: a graceful style of handwriting based on the writing used on copperplate engravings
Coptic: the liturgical language of the Coptic Church used in Egypt and Ethiopia; written in the Greek alphabet
copula: an equating verb (such as `be' or `become') that links the subject with the complement of a sentence
copy: material suitable for a journalistic account
copy editing: putting something into a form suitable for a printer
copy: a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
copy: matter to be printed; exclusive of graphical materials
copybook: a book containing models of good penmanship; used in teaching penmanship
copyright: a document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work
cordial reception: kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
cordon: cord or ribbon worn as an insignia of honor or rank
core dump: (computer science) dump of the contents of the chief registers in the CPU; usually used for debugging
corker: (dated slang) a remarkable or excellent thing or person
Cornish: a Celtic language spoken in Cornwall
cornucopia: a goat's horn filled with grain and flowers and fruit symbolizing prosperity
coronach: a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
corpus delicti: the body of evidence that constitute the offence; the objective proof that a crime has been committed (sometimes mistakenly thought to refer to the body of a homicide victim)
correction: something substituted for an error
correspondence: communication by the exchange of letters
corrigenda: a list of printing errors in a book along with their corrections
corrigendum: a printer's error; to be corrected
corroborating evidence: additional evidence or evidence of different kind that supports a proof already offered in a proceeding
cost-plus contract: a contract in which the contractor is paid his total cost plus a stated percentage of profit
Costanoan: a Penutian language spoken by the Costanoan
counsel: something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
count noun: a noun that forms plurals
countenance: formal and explicit approval
counterargument: an argument offered in opposition to another argument
counterattraction: a rival attraction
counterblast: a vigorous and unrestrained response
countercharge: a charge brought by an accused person against the accuser
countermand: a contrary command cancelling or reversing a previous command
counteroffer: an offer made by someone who has rejected a prior offer
counterplea: a plaintiff's reply to a defendant's plea
counterpoint: a musical form involving the simultaneous sound of two or more melodies
counterproposal: a proposal offered as an alternative to an earlier proposal
countersign: a second confirming signature endorsing a document already signed
countersign: a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group
coup de theatre: a highly successful theatrical production
coup de theatre: a sensational bit of stagecraft
couplet: a stanza consisting of two successive lines of verse; usually rhymed
coupon: a negotiable certificate that can be detached and redeemed as needed
course catalog: a catalog listing the courses offered by a college or university
course of study: an integrated course of academic studies
court order: a writ issued by a court of law requiring a person to do something or to refrain from doing something
courtesy: a courteous or respectful or considerate remark
courting: a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)
covenant: (Bible) an agreement between God and his people in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from them in return
cover letter: a letter sent along with other documents to provide additional information
coverage: the news as presented by reporters for newspapers or radio or television
CPI: an index of the cost of all goods and services to a typical consumer
crack: witty remark
crammer: a textbook designed for cramming
crank call: a hostile telephone call (from a crank)
crank letter: a hostile (usually anonymous) letter
crash course: a rapid and intense course of training or research (usually undertaken in an emergency)
credit: an entry on a list of persons who contributed to a film or written work
credit application: an application for a line of credit
credit: approval
credits: a list of acknowledgements of those who contributed to the creation of a film (usually run at the end of the film)
Cree: the Algonquian language spoken by the Cree
creole: a mother tongue that originates from contact between two languages
crib: a literal translation used in studying a foreign language (often used illicitly)
criminal law: the body of law dealing with crimes and their punishment
criminal record: a list of crimes for which an accused person has been previously convicted
crispness: an expressive style that is direct and to the point
criterion: a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
critical review: an essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
criticism: a written evaluation of a work of literature
criticism: disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
croak: a harsh hoarse utterance (as of a frog)
crock: nonsense; foolish talk
crocodile tears: a hypocritical display of sorrow; false or insincere weeping
Croix de Guerre: a French military decoration for gallantry
crosier: a staff surmounted by a crook or cross carried by bishops as a symbol of pastoral office
cross-examination: (law) close questioning of a hostile witness in a court of law to discredit or throw a new light on the testimony already provided in direct examination
cross-index: a reference at one place in a work to information at another place in the same work
cross-question: a question asked in cross-examination
crossbones: two crossed bones (or a representation of two crossed bones) used as a symbol danger or death
crossfire: a lively or heated interchange of ideas and opinions
crosshead: a heading of a subsection printed within the body of the text
crossover: the appropriation of a new style (especially in popular music) by combining elements of different genres in order to appeal to a wider audience
crossword: a puzzle in which words corresponding to numbered clues are to be found and written in to squares in the puzzle
crotchet: a musical note having the time value of a quarter of a whole note
Crow: a Siouan language spoken by the Crow
Crown: the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
crown: the award given to the champion
crux: the most important point
cry: a fit of weeping
cry: a loud utterance of emotion (especially when inarticulate)
cryptogram: a piece of writing in code or cipher
cue: an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
cuneiform: an ancient wedge-shaped script used in Mesopotamia and Persia
cupid: a symbol for love in the form of a cherubic naked boy with wings and a bow and arrow
curfew: a signal (usually a bell) announcing the start of curfew restrictions
curfew: an order that after a specific time certain activities (as being outside on the streets) are prohibited
curiosa: books on strange or unusual subjects (especially erotica)
curlicue: a short twisting line
curse: profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
curse: an evil spell
cursive: rapid handwriting in which letters are set down in full and are cursively connected within words without lifting the writing implement from the paper
curtain lecture: a private lecture to a husband by his wife
curtain raiser: a short play presented before the main play
curtsey: bending the knees; a gesture of respect made by women
curve: a line on a graph representing data
Cushitic: a group of languages spoken in Ethiopia and Somalia and northwestern Kenya and adjacent regions
cut: (film) an immediate transition from one shot to the next
cut: the omission that is made when an editorial change shortens a written passage
cut: a remark capable of wounding mentally
cut: a distinct selection of music from a recording or a compact disc
CV: a summary of your academic and work history
cyberpunk: a genre of fast-paced science fiction involving oppressive futuristic computerized societies
cyclic redundancy check: an error correction code that is recorded in each sector of a magnetic disk and used to catch errors in the data
cyclopaedia: a reference work (often in several volumes) containing articles on various topics (often arranged in alphabetical order) dealing with the entire range of human knowledge or with some particular specialty
Cymric: a Celtic language of Wales
cynosure: something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners)
Cyrillic alphabet: an alphabet derived from the Greek alphabet and used for writing Slavic languages (Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Ukrainian, and some other Slavic languages)
Czech: the Slavic language of Czechs
D: the 4th letter of the Roman alphabet
dactyl: a metrical unit with stressed-unstressed-unstressed syllables
dagger: a character used in printing to indicate a cross reference or footnote
dah: the longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code
daily: a newspaper that is published every day
Dakota: the Siouan language spoken by the Dakota
daleth: the 4th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
damnation: the act of damning
dance: an artistic form of nonverbal communication
dance music: music to dance to
Dangaleat: a Chadic language spoken in Chad; uses seven vowels plus differences in vowel length
dangling modifier: a word or phrase apparently modifying an unintended word because of its placement in a sentence: e.g., `when young' in `when young, circuses appeal to all of us'
dangling participle: a participle (usually at the beginning of a sentence) apparently modifying a word other than the word intended: e.g., `flying across the country' in `flying across the country the Rockies came into view'
Danish: a Scandinavian language that is the official language of Denmark
Dano-Norwegian: book language; one of two official languages of Norway; closely related to Danish
Dardic language: any of a group of Indic languages spoken in Kashmir and eastern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan
dare: a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
Dari Persian: an Iranian language spoken in Afghanistan
dark comedy: a comedy characterized by grim or satiric humor; a comedy having gloomy or disturbing elements
Das Kapital: a book written by Karl Marx (1867) describing his economic theories
dash: a punctuation mark (-) used between parts of a compound word or between the syllables of a word when the word is divided at the end of a line of text
data communication: electronic transmission of information that has been encoded digitally (as for storage and processing by computers)
data file: a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together
data format: the organization of information according to preset specifications (usually for computer processing)
data-storage medium: a medium for storing information
database: an organized body of related information
dateline: a line at the beginning of a news article giving the date and place of origin of the news dispatch
dative: the category of nouns serving as the indirect object of a verb
day return: a return ticket (at reduced fare) for traveling both ways in the same day
DBMS: a software system that facilitates the creation and maintenance and use of an electronic database
dead language: a language that is no longer learned as a native language
dead letter: mail that can neither be delivered nor returned
dead march: a slow march to be played for funeral processions
dead metaphor: a metaphor that has occurred so often that it has become a new meaning of the expression (e.g., `he is a snake' may once have been a metaphor but after years of use it has died and become a new sense of the word `snake')
Dead Sea scrolls: (Old Testament) a collection of written scrolls (containing nearly all of the Old Testament) found in a cave near the Dead Sea in the late 1940s
death warrant: a warrant to execute the death sentence
death's head: a human skull (or a representation of a human skull) used as a symbol of death
death-roll: a list of persons killed in a war or other disaster
debate: the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote)
debenture: a certificate or voucher acknowledging a debt
debriefing: report of a mission or task
debt: an obligation to pay or do something
debugger: a program that helps in locating and correcting programming errors
debut: the presentation of a debutante in society
decasyllable: a verse line having ten syllables
deceit: a misleading falsehood
decimal notation: any notation that uses 10 different characters (usually the digits 0 to 9)
decimal number system: a positional system of numeration that uses decimal digits and a base of ten
decimal point: the dot at the left of a decimal fraction
decision table: a table of all contingencies and the actions to be taken for each
declamation: vehement oratory
declamation: recitation of a speech from memory with studied gestures and intonation as an exercise in elocution or rhetoric
declaration: a statement of taxable goods or of dutiable properties
declaration: a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)
declaration: (law) unsworn statement that can be admitted in evidence in a legal transaction
declaration of estimated tax: return required of a taxpayer whose tax withheld from income does not meet the tax liability for the year
Declaration of Independence: the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the Colonies from Great Britain
declaration: a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
declarative sentence: a sentence (in the indicative mood) that makes a declaration
declination: a polite refusal of an invitation
decoration: an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event
decree nisi: a decree issued on a first petition for divorce; becomes absolute at some later date
decree: a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
dedication: a short message (as in a book or musical work or on a photograph) dedicating it to someone or something
deductible: a clause in an insurance policy that relieves the insurer of responsibility to pay the initial loss up to a stated amount
deed of trust: a written instrument legally conveying property to a trustee often used to secure an obligation such as a mortgage or promissory note
deed poll: a deed made and executed by only one party
deed: a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it
defective pleading: any pleading that fails to conform in form or substance to minimum standards of accuracy or sufficiency
defence: the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
defence: the justification for some act or belief
Defender of the Faith: a title that Leo X bestowed on Henry VIII and later withdrew; parliament restored the title and it has been used by English sovereigns ever since
defiance: a hostile challenge
definite article: a determiner (as `the' in English) that indicates specificity of reference
definition: a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol
degree program: a course of study leading to an academic degree
deictic: a word specifying identity or spatial or temporal location from the perspective of a speaker or hearer in the context in which the communication occurs
Delaware: the Algonquian language spoken by the Delaware
deliberation: (usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question
delivery: your characteristic style or manner of expressing yourself orally
delta: the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet
demagoguery: impassioned appeals to the prejudices and emotions of the populace
demand: an urgent or peremptory request
demand for identification: as by a sentry
demerit: a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually given in school or armed forces
demisemiquaver: a musical note having the time value of a thirty-second of a whole note
demo: a visual presentation showing how something works
demodulation: (electronics) the reception of a signal by extracting it from the carrier wave
demonisation: to represent as diabolically evil
demonstration: proof by a process of argument or a series of proposition proving an asserted conclusion
demonstrative: a pronoun that points out an intended referent
Demotic: the modern Greek vernacular
Demotic script: a simplified cursive form of the ancient hieratic script
demur: (law) a formal objection to an opponent's pleadings
demurrer: (law) any pleading that attacks the legal sufficiency of the opponent's pleadings
demythologisation: the restatement of a message (as a religious one) in rational terms
denial: the act of refusing to comply (as with a request)
denial: the act of asserting that something alleged is not true
denotation: the act of indicating or pointing out by name
denotatum: an actual object referred to by a linguistic expression
denouement: the final resolution of the main complication of a literary or dramatic work
denouncement: a public act of denouncing
dependent clause: a clause in a complex sentence that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and that functions within the sentence as a noun or adjective or adverb
deposit: a payment given as a guarantee that an obligation will be met
deposition: (law) a pretrial interrogation of a witness; usually conducted in a lawyer's office
deprecation: a prayer to avert or remove some evil or disaster
depreciation: a communication that belittles somebody or something
derision: contemptuous laughter
derivation: (historical linguistics) an explanation of the historical origins of a word or phrase
derivative: (linguistics) a word that is derived from another word
derivative: a financial instrument whose value is based on another security
descant: a decorative musical accompaniment (often improvised) added above a basic melody
descender: (printing) the part of lowercase letters that extends below the other lowercase letters
descender: a lowercase letter that has a part extending below other lowercase letters
description: the act of describing something
description: a statement that represents something in words
descriptive adjective: an adjective that ascribes to its noun the value of an attribute of that noun (e.g., `a nervous person' or `a musical speaking voice')
descriptive clause: a subordinate clause that does not limit or restrict the meaning of the noun phrase it modifies
descriptor: the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
designatum: something (whether existing or not) that is referred to by a linguistic expression
detail: extended treatment of particulars
detail file: (computer science) a computer file containing relatively transient data about a particular data processing task
detailing: an individualized description of a particular instance
details: true confidential information
detection: the detection that a signal is being received
detective novel: novel in which the reader is challenged to solve a puzzle before the detective explains it at the end
detective story: a narrative about someone who investigates crimes and obtains evidence leading to their resolution
determent: a communication that makes you afraid to try something
determinative: one of a limited class of noun modifiers that determine the referents of noun phrases
deterrent example: punishment intended as a warning to others
detraction: a petty disparagement
deuce: a word used in exclamations of confusion
Devanagari script: a syllabic script used in writing Sanskrit and Hindi
development: (music) the section of a composition or movement (especially in sonata form) where the major musical themes are developed and elaborated
deverbal noun: a noun that is derived from a verb
device: something in an artistic work designed to achieve a particular effect
device driver: (computer science) a program that determines how a computer will communicate with a peripheral device
Dhegiha: a branch of the Siouan languages
diacritic: a mark added to a letter to indicate a special pronunciation
diaeresis: a diacritical mark (two dots) placed over a vowel to indicate that it does not form a diphthong with an adjacent vowel
diagnostic program: a program that recognizes and explains faults in the equipment or mistakes in a computer program
diagonal: a punctuation mark (/) used to separate related items of information
dialect atlas: an atlas showing the distribution of distinctive linguistic features
dialog: a literary composition in the form of a conversation between two people
dialog: the lines spoken by characters in drama or fiction
dialog: a conversation between two persons
dialogue: a discussion intended to produce an agreement
diary: a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
diatonic scale: a scale with eight notes in an octave; all but two are separated by whole tones
diatribe: thunderous verbal attack
dibrach: a metrical unit with unstressed-unstressed syllables
dibs: a claim of rights
dictate: an authoritative rule
dictation: matter that has been dictated and transcribed; a dictated passage
dictation: speech intended for reproduction in writing
diction: the articulation of speech regarded from the point of view of its intelligibility to the audience
dictionary definition: a definition that reports the standard uses of a word or phrase or symbol
dictionary entry: the entry in a dictionary of information about a word
dictionary: a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them
dictum: an opinion voiced by a judge on a point of law not directly bearing on the case in question and therefore not binding
dictum: an authoritative declaration
didacticism: communication that is suitable for or intended to be instructive
Diegueno: the Yuman language spoken by the Diegueno
Dies Irae: the first words of a medieval Latin hymn describing the Last Judgment (literally `day of wrath')
diesis: a character used in printing to indicate a cross reference or footnote
differential equation: an equation containing differentials of a function
digest: a periodical that summarizes the news
digram: two successive letters (especially two letters used to represent a single sound: `sh' in `shoe')
dilation: a lengthy discussion (spoken or written) on a particular topic
dilatory plea: a plea that delays the action without settling the cause of action; it can challenge the jurisdiction or claim disability of the defendant etc. (such defenses are usually raised in the defendant's answer)
dime novel: a melodramatic paperback novel
diminution: the statement of a theme in notes of lesser duration (usually half the length of the original)
diminutive: a word that is formed with a suffix (such as -let or -kin) to indicate smallness
Dinka: a Nilotic language
diphthong: a vowel sound that starts near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves toward the position for another
diploma: a document certifying the successful completion of a course of study
diplomacy: negotiation between nations
direct antonym: antonyms that are commonly associated (e.g., `wet' and `dry')
direct discourse: a report of the exact words used in a discourse (e.g.,
direct evidence: evidence (usually the testimony of a witness) directly related to the fact in dispute
direct examination: (law) the initial questioning of a witness by the party that called the witness
direct mail: advertising sent directly to prospective customers via the mail
direct object: the object that receives the direct action of the verb
direction: a message describing how something is to be done
directive: a pronouncement encouraging or banning some activity
directory: an alphabetical list of names and addresses
directory: (computer science) a listing of the files stored in memory (usually on a hard disk)
dirt: disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
dirty word: a word that is considered to be unmentionable
dirty word: an offensive or indecent word or phrase
disagreement: the speech act of disagreeing or arguing or disputing
disambiguation: clarification that follows from the removal of ambiguity
disambiguator: (computer science) a natural language processing application that tries to determine the intended meaning of a word or phrase by examining the linguistic context in which it is used
disapproval: the expression of disapproval
disavowal: denial of any connection with or knowledge of
disclaimer: (law) a voluntary repudiation of a person's legal claim to something
disclosure: the speech act of making something evident
disco: popular dance music (especially in the late 1970s); melodic with a regular bass beat; intended mainly for dancing at discotheques
discography: a descriptive catalog of musical recordings
discord: disagreement among those expected to cooperate
discouragement: the expression of opposition and disapproval
discourse: extended verbal expression in speech or writing
discourse: an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
discourse: an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
discourtesy: an expression of lack of respect
discovery: something that is discovered
discovery: (law) compulsory pretrial disclosure of documents relevant to a case; enables one side in a litigation to elicit information from the other side concerning the facts in the case
discussion: an exchange of views on some topic
disheartenment: a communication that leaves you disheartened or daunted
disinformation: misinformation that is deliberately disseminated in order to influence or confuse rivals (foreign enemies or business competitors etc.)
disk file: (computer science) a computer file stored on a magnetic disk and identified by a unique label
dismissal: permission to go; the sending away of someone
dismissal: official notice that you have been fired from your job
disowning: refusal to acknowledge as one's own
display: behavior that makes your feelings public
display: exhibiting openly in public view
display: something intended to communicate a particular impression
disquisition: an elaborate analytical or explanatory essay or discussion
dissembling: pretending with intention to deceive
dissent: (law) the difference of one judge's opinion from that of the majority
dissent: a difference of opinion
dissenting opinion: an opinion that disagrees with the court's disposition of the case
dissertation: a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree
dissidence: disagreement; especially disagreement with the government
dissolve: (film) a gradual transition from one scene to the next; the next scene is gradually superimposed as the former scene fades out
dissuasion: a communication that dissuades you
dissuasion: persuading not to do or believe something; talking someone out of a belief or an intended course of action
dissyllable: a word having two syllables
distinction: an honor awarded to someone in recognition of achievement or superiority
Distinguished Conduct Medal: a British military decoration for distinguished conduct in the field
Distinguished Flying Cross: a United States Air Force decoration for heroism while participating in an aerial flight
Distinguished Service Cross: a United States Army decoration for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy
Distinguished Service Medal: a United States military decoration for meritorious service in wartime duty of great responsibility
Distinguished Service Order: a British military decoration for special service in action
distress call: an internationally recognized signal sent out by a ship or plane indicating that help is needed
distribution agreement: a contract governing the marketing of an item of merchandise
distribution list: list of names to whom a communication should be sent
dit: the shorter of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code
dithyramb: (ancient Greece) a passionate hymn (usually in honor of Dionysus)
dithyramb: a wildly enthusiastic speech or piece of writing
ditto: a mark used to indicate the word above it should be repeated
ditty: a short simple song (or the words of a poem intended to be sung)
divan: a collection of Persian or Arabic poems (usually by one author)
divertimento: a musical composition in several movements; has no fixed form
divestiture: an order to an offending party to rid itself of property; it has the purpose of depriving the defendant of the gains of wrongful behavior
Divina Commedia: a narrative epic poem written by Dante
divination: successful conjecture by unusual insight or good luck
divination: a prediction uttered under divine inspiration
divine revelation: communication of knowledge to man by a divine or supernatural agency
division: discord that splits a group
divulgement: the act of disclosing something that was secret or private
DNA fingerprint: biometric identification obtained by examining a person's unique sequence of DNA base pairs; often used for evidence in criminal law cases
do: the syllable naming the first (tonic) note of any major scale in solmization
docket: (law) the calendar of a court; the list of cases to be tried or a summary of the court's activities
Doctor of Arts: an honorary arts degree
Doctor of Arts: a doctor's degree with a special disciplinary focus
Doctor of Dental Medicine: a doctor's degree in dental medicine
Doctor of Dental Surgery: a doctor's degree in dental surgery
Doctor of Divinity: a doctor's degree in religion
Doctor of Education: a doctor's degree in education
Doctor of Fine Arts: an honorary degree in fine arts
Doctor of Humane Letters: an honorary degree in letters
Doctor of Humanities: an honorary degree in the humanities
Doctor of Laws: an honorary law degree
Doctor of Medicine: a doctor's degree in medicine
Doctor of Music: a doctor's degree in music
Doctor of Musical Arts: a doctor's degree in musical arts
Doctor of Optometry: a doctor's degree in optometry
Doctor of Osteopathy: doctor's degree in osteopathy
Doctor of Philosophy: a doctorate awarded for original contributions to knowledge
Doctor of Public Health: a doctor's degree in preventive medicine
Doctor of Sacred Theology: a doctor's degree in theology
Doctor of Science: an honorary degree in science
Doctor of Theology: a doctor's degree in theology
doctor's bill: statement of charges for medical services
doctorate: one of the highest earned academic degrees conferred by a university
doctorspeak: medical jargon
docudrama: a film or TV program presenting the facts about a person or event
document: writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
document: (computer science) a computer file that contains text (and possibly formatting instructions) using seven-bit ASCII characters
documentation: program listings or technical manuals describing the operation and use of programs
dodge: a statement that evades the question by cleverness or trickery
dog tag: metal plate on a dog collar bearing its registration number
dog tag: military identification tag worn on a chain around the neck
dog-ear: a corner of a page turned down to mark your place
doggerel: a comic verse of irregular measure
dogma: a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
Doing Business As: (law) a name under which a corporation conducts business that is not the legal name of the corporation as shown in its articles of incorporation
dollar diplomacy: diplomacy influenced by economic considerations
dollar mark: a mark ($) written before a number to indicate that it stands for the number of dollars
dollar: a symbol of commercialism or greed
domain name: strings of letters and numbers (separated by periods) that are used to name organizations and computers and addresses on the internet
dominant: (music) the fifth note of the diatonic scale
Don: a Spanish courtesy title or form of address for men that is prefixed to the forename
Dona: a Spanish courtesy title or form of address for a woman
donkey: the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
donor card: a card that you carry on your person and that authorizes the use of your organs for transplantation after your death
doo-wop: a genre (usually a cappella) of Black vocal-harmony music of the 1950s that evolved in New York City from gospel singing; characterized by close four-part harmonies; the name derived from some of the nonsense syllables sung by the backup
Doomsday Book: record of a British census and land survey in 1085-1086 ordered by William the Conqueror
dope sheet: a racing publication giving information on horses and the outcomes of horse races
dope: slang terms for inside information
Doric dialect: the dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in Doris
DOS: an operating system that is on a disk
dossier: a collection of papers containing detailed information about a particular person or subject (usually a person's record)
dotted line: a line made up of dots or dashes; often used to indicate where you are supposed to sign a contract
Douay-Rheims Version: an English translation of the Vulgate by Roman Catholic scholars
double bar: notation marking the end of principal parts of a musical composition; two adjacent bar lines
double Dutch: an incomprehensible talk
double entendre: an ambiguity with one interpretation that is indelicate
double first: a first-class honours degree in two subjects
double flat: a musical notation of two flats in front of a note indicating that it is to be lowered by two semitones
double indemnity: a clause in an insurance policy that provides for double the face value of the policy in the case of accidental death
double negative: a grammatically substandard but emphatic negative
double negative: an affirmative constructed from two negatives
double quotes: a pair of quotation marks
double rhyme: a two-syllable rhyme
double sharp: a musical notation of two sharps in front of a note indicating that it is to be raised by two semitones
double standard: an ethical or moral code that applies more strictly to one group than to another
double standard of sexual behavior: a code that permits greater sexual freedom for men than for women (associated with the subordination of women)
double talk: deliberately unintelligible gibberish
double-spacing: typing that leaves alternate lines blank
doublespeak: any language that pretends to communicate but actually does not
doubly transitive verb: a transitive verb that takes both a direct and an indirect object
dove: an emblem of peace
Dow-Jones Industrial Average: an indicator of stock market prices; based on the share values of 30 blue-chip stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange
downbeat: the first beat of a musical measure (as the conductor's arm moves downward)
downstroke: a stroke normally made in a downward direction
doxology: a hymn or verse in Christian liturgy glorifying God
DPhil: a British doctorate
draft: any of the various versions in the development of a written work
drama: the literary genre of works intended for the theater
drama: a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
dramatic art: the art of writing and producing plays
dramatic composition: a play for performance on the stage or television or in a movie etc.
dramatic irony: (theater) irony that occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play
Dravidian language: a large family of languages spoken in south and central India and Sri Lanka
drawing: an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
drawl: a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels
dress code: a set of rules specifying the correct manner of dress while on the premises of the institution (or specifying what manner of dress is prohibited)
drinking song: a song celebrating the joys of drinking; sung at drinking parties
drivel: a worthless message
driver's licence: a license authorizing the bearer to drive a motor vehicle
drogue: a funnel-shaped device towed as a target by an airplane
drone: an unchanging intonation
drop line: a headline with the top line flush left and succeeding lines indented to the right
drop-down menu: a menu of options that appears below the item when the computer user clicks on it
drumbeat: (military) the beating of a drum as a signal for lowering the flag at sundown
duet: a musical composition for two performers
dump: (computer science) a copy of the contents of a computer storage device; sometimes used in debugging programs
dump routine: a routine that writes from an internal store to some external medium
duodecimal notation: any notation that uses 12 different characters
duodecimal number system: a positional system of numeration that uses duodecimal digits and a radix of twelve
duologue: a part of the script in which the speaking roles are limited to two actors
duplicity: a fraudulent or duplicitous representation
dustup: an angry dispute
Dutch: the West Germanic language of the Netherlands
dysphemism: an offensive or disparaging expression that is substituted for an inoffensive one
dystopia: a work of fiction describing an imaginary place where life is extremely bad because of deprivation or oppression or terror
E: the 5th letter of the Roman alphabet
E.S.P.: apparent power to perceive things that are not present to the senses
eagle: an emblem representing power
earful: an outpouring of gossip
earmark: identification mark on the ear of a domestic animal
East Chadic: a group of Chadic languages spoken in Chad
East Germanic language: an extinct branch of the Germanic languages
East Midland: the dialect of Middle English that replaced West Saxon as the literary language and which developed into Modern English
East Tocharian: a dialect of Tocharian
Easter card: a card expressing an Easter greeting
Eastern Malayo-Polynesian: an eastern subfamily of Malayo-Polynesian languages
Eastern Turki: a Turkic literary language of medieval central Asia (named for one of the sons of Genghis Khan)
ECC: (telecommunication) a coding system that incorporates extra parity bits in order to detect errors
echo: a reply that repeats what has just been said
echocardiogram: a graphical image of the heart produced by an echocardiograph
echoencephalogram: a graphical image of the brain produced by an echoencephalograph
echolalia: an infant's repetition of sounds uttered by others
ecobabble: using the technical language of ecology to make the user seem ecologically aware
economic policy: a government policy for maintaining economic growth and tax revenues
ecphonesis: an exclamatory rhetorical device
ecumenicalism: (Christianity) the doctrine of the ecumenical movement that promotes cooperation and better understanding among different religious denominations: aimed at universal Christian unity
Edda: either of two distinct works in Old Icelandic dating from the late 13th century and consisting of 34 mythological and heroic ballads composed between 800 and 1200; the primary source for Scandinavian mythology
edict: a formal or authoritative proclamation
editing: putting something (as a literary work or a legislative bill) into acceptable form
edition: an issue of a newspaper
edition: the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published
editor: (computer science) a program designed to perform such editorial functions as rearrangement or modification or deletion of data
EEG: a graphical record of electrical activity of the brain; produced by an electroencephalograph
Egyptian: the ancient and now extinct language of Egypt under the Pharaohs; written records date back to 3000 BC
Eighteenth Amendment: an amendment to the Constitution of the United States adopted in 1920; prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages; repealed in 1932
eighth note: a musical note having the time value of an eighth of a whole note
eisegesis: personal interpretation of a text (especially of the Bible) using your own ideas
ejaculation: an abrupt emphatic exclamation expressing emotion
EKG: a graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph
elaboration: a discussion that provides additional information
Elamitic: an extinct ancient language of unknown affinities; spoken by the Elamites
electric bill: a bill for money owed for electricity used
electronic communication: communication by computer
electronic mail: (computer science) a system of world-wide electronic communication in which a computer user can compose a message at one terminal that can be regenerated at the recipient's terminal when the recipient logs in
electronic messaging: the sending and processing of e-mail by computer
electronic signal: a signal generated by electronic means
electronic text: text that is in a form that computer can store or display on a computer screen
electroretinogram: a graphical recording of the electrical activity of the retina that results when light is flashed into the eye
elegiac stanza: a quatrain in iambic pentameter with abab rhyme scheme
elegy: a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
elephant: the symbol of the Republican Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
elocution: an expert manner of speaking involving control of voice and gesture
eloquence: powerful and effective language
elucidation: an act of explaining that serves to clear up and cast light on
embargo: a government order imposing a trade barrier
embellishment: elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative (sometimes fictitious) detail
embossment: an impression produced by pressure or printing
Emergency Alert System: a federal warning system that is activated by FEMA; enables the President to take over the United States airwaves to warn the whole country of major catastrophic events
EMG: a graphical record of electric currents associated with muscle contractions
Emmy: an annual award by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievements in television
emoticon: a representation of a facial expression (as a smile or frown) created by typing a sequence of characters in sending email
emphasis: special and significant stress by means of position or repetition e.g.
empirical formula: a chemical formula showing the ratio of elements in a compound rather than the total number of atoms
employment agreement: contract between employer and employee
employment interview: an interview to determine whether an applicant is suitable for a position of employment
empty talk: loud and confused and empty talk
enabling act: a provision in a law that confers on appropriate officials the power to implement or enforce the law
enabling legislation: legislation that gives appropriate officials the authority to implement or enforce the law
enallage: a substitution of part of speech or gender or number or tense etc. (e.g., editorial `we' for `I')
enchiridion: a concise reference book providing specific information about a subject or location
enclosure: something (usually a supporting document) that is enclosed in an envelope with a covering letter
encomium: a formal expression of praise
encouragement: the expression of approval and support
encyclical: a letter from the pope sent to all Roman Catholic bishops throughout the world
ending: the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
endorsement: a signature that validates something
endorsement: a speech seconding a motion
enfeoffment: under the feudal system, the deed by which a person was given land in exchange for a pledge of service
English language: an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
enigma canon: a canon in which the entrances of successive parts were indicated by cryptic symbols and devices (popular in the 15th and 16th centuries)
enjambement: the continuation of a syntactic unit from one line of verse into the next line without a pause
enquiry: an instance of questioning
ensign: an emblem flown as a symbol of nationality
entente: a friendly understanding between political powers
entrance exam: examination to determine a candidate's preparation for a course of studies
entry: an item inserted in a written record
entry: something (manuscripts or architectural plans and models or estimates or works of art of all genres etc.) submitted for the judgment of others (as in a competition)
enumeration: a numbered list
envoi: a brief stanza concluding certain forms of poetry
epanalepsis: repetition after intervening words
epanodos: repetition of a group of words in reverse order
epanodos: recapitulation of the main ideas of a speech (especially in reverse order)
epanorthosis: immediate rephrasing for intensification or justification
epenthesis: the insertion of a vowel or consonant into a word to make its pronunciation easier
ephemeris: an annual publication containing astronomical tables that give the positions of the celestial bodies throughout the year
epic poetry: poetry celebrating the deeds of some hero
epic: a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
epideictic oratory: a type of oratory used to eulogize or condemn a person or group of people
epigram: a witty saying
epigraph: an engraved inscription
epigraph: a quotation at the beginning of some piece of writing
epilog: a short passage added at the end of a literary work
epilog: a short speech (often in verse) addressed directly to the audience by an actor at the end of a play
epiphora: repetition of the ends of two or more successive sentences, verses, etc.
epiplexis: a rhetorical device in which the speaker reproaches the audience in order to incite or convince them
episode: a brief section of a literary or dramatic work that forms part of a connected series
episode: a part of a broadcast serial
epistle: a specially long, formal letter
Epistle: a book of the New Testament written in the form of a letter from an Apostle
Epistle of James: a New Testament book attributed to Saint James the Apostle
Epistle of Jeremiah: an Apocryphal book consisting of a letter ascribed to Jeremiah to the Jews in exile in Babylon warning them against idolatry
Epistle of Jude: a New Testament book attributed to Saint Jude
Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Philemon: a New Testament book containing an epistle from Saint Paul to Philemon asking Philemon to forgive the slave for escaping
Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians: a New Testament book containing an epistle from Saint Paul to the Colossians in ancient Phrygia
Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians: a New Testament book containing the epistle from Saint Paul to the Ephesians which explains the divine plan for the world and the consummation of this in Christ
Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians: a New Testament book containing the epistle from Saint Paul to the Galatians
Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians: a New Testament book containing an epistle from Saint Paul to the church at Philippi in Macedonia
Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans: a New Testament book containing an exposition of the doctrines of Saint Paul; written in AD 58
Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Titus: a New Testament book containing Saint Paul's epistle to Titus; contains advice on pastoral matters
Epistle to the Hebrews: a New Testament book traditionally included among the epistle of Saint Paul but now generally considered not to have been written by him
epitaph: an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there
epitaph: a summary statement of commemoration for a dead person
epithalamium: an ode honoring a bride and bridegroom
epithet: descriptive word or phrase
epithet: a defamatory or abusive word or phrase
epitome: a brief abstract (as of an article or book)
eponym: the name derived from a person (real or imaginary)
eponym: the person for whom something is named
epos: a body of poetry that conveys the traditions of a society by treating some epic theme
epsilon: the 5th letter of the Greek alphabet
equal sign: a sign indicating that the quantities on either side are equal
equation: a mathematical statement that two expressions are equal
equivalent word: two words that can be interchanged in a context are said to be synonymous relative to that context
equivocation: a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth
ERA: (baseball) a measure of a pitcher's effectiveness; calculated as the average number of earned runs allowed by the pitcher for every nine innings pitched
erasure: a surface area where something has been erased
erasure: a correction made by erasing
Erewhon: a satirical novel written by Samuel Butler (1872) describing a fictitious land
erratum: a mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind
error: part of a statement that is not correct
escalator: a clause in a contract that provides for an increase or a decrease in wages or prices or benefits etc. depending on certain conditions (as a change in the cost of living index)
Eskimo-Aleut language: the family of languages that includes Eskimo and Aleut
esoterica: secrets known only to an initiated minority
Esperantido: an artificial language based on Esperanto and Ido
Esperanto: an artificial language based as far as possible on words common to all the European languages
esprit de l'escalier: a witty remark that occurs to you too late
Esquimau: the language spoken by the Eskimo
essay: an analytic or interpretive literary composition
Esselen: the Hokan language spoken by the Esselen
Esthonian: the official language of Estonia; belongs to the Baltic-Finnic family of languages
estimate: a statement indicating the likely cost of some job
estoppel: a rule of evidence whereby a person is barred from denying the truth of a fact that has already been settled
eta: the 7th letter of the Greek alphabet
ethic: a system of principles governing morality and acceptable conduct
Ethiopian language: the dominant and official language of Ethiopia; a Semitic language much influenced by the Cushitic language with which Amhara have been in close contact
ethnic joke: a joke at the expense of some ethnic group
ethnic music: the traditional and typically anonymous music that is an expression of the life of people in a community
ethnic slur: a slur on someone's race or language
etiquette: rules governing socially acceptable behavior
etude: a short composition for a solo instrument; intended as an exercise or to demonstrate technical virtuosity
etymological dictionary: a dictionary giving the historical origins of each word
etymology: a history of a word
etymon: a simple form inferred as the common basis from which related words in several languages can be derived by linguistic processes
eulogium: a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
euphemism: an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh
euphuism: an elegant style of prose of the Elizabethan period; characterized by balance and antithesis and alliteration and extended similes with and allusions to nature and mythology
euphuism: any artificially elegant style of language
Eurobabble: the jargon of European community documents and regulations
Europan: an artificial language proposed as an auxiliary European language
evangelism: zealous preaching and advocacy of the gospel
evasive answer: (law) an answer by a defendant that fails to admit or deny the allegations set forth in the complaint
Evening Prayer: (Anglican Church) a daily evening service with prayers prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer
evidence: an indication that makes something evident
evidence: (law) all the means by which any alleged matter of fact whose truth is investigated at judicial trial is established or disproved
Ewe: a Kwa language spoken by the Ewe in Ghana and Togo and Benin
Ewenki: the Tungusic language of the Evenki in eastern Siberia
exaggeration: extravagant exaggeration
exaggeration: making to seem more important than it really is
exam paper: a written examination
exam: a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge
examination: formal systematic questioning
exception: grounds for adverse criticism
excerpt: a passage selected from a larger work
exchange: a mutual expression of views (especially an unpleasant one)
exclaiming: an abrupt excited utterance
exclamation: a loud complaint or protest or reproach
exclamation mark: a punctuation mark (!) used after an exclamation
exclusionary rule: a rule that provides that otherwise admissible evidence cannot be used in a criminal trial if it was the result of illegal police conduct
exclusive: a news report that is reported first by one news organization
excoriation: severe censure
excuse: a note explaining an absence
execution sale: a sale of property by the sheriff under authority of a court's writ of execution in order satisfy an unpaid obligation
execution: (law) the completion of a legal instrument (such as a contract or deed) by signing it (and perhaps sealing and delivering it) so that it becomes legally binding and enforceable
execution: a routine court order that attempts to enforce the judgment that has been granted to a plaintiff by authorizing a sheriff to carry it out
executive program: a program that controls the execution of other programs
executive routine: a routine that coordinates the operation of subroutines
exegesis: an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of the Bible)
exemplification: showing by example
exhibit: an object or statement produced before a court of law and referred to while giving evidence
exhibitionism: extravagant and conspicuous behavior intended to attract attention to yourself
exhortation: a communication intended to urge or persuade the recipients to take some action
exhortation: the act of exhorting; an earnest attempt at persuasion
existential operator: a logical quantifier of a proposition that asserts the existence of at least one thing for which the proposition is true
exode: a farcical afterpiece in the ancient Roman theater
exordium: (rhetoric) the introductory section of an oration or discourse
expatiation: a discussion (spoken or written) that enlarges on a topic or theme at length or in detail
explanandum: (logic) a statement of something (a fact or thing or expression) to be explained
explanans: (logic) statements that explain the explicandum; the explanatory premises
explanation: the act of explaining; making something plain or intelligible
expletive: a word or phrase conveying no independent meaning but added to fill out a sentence or metrical line
explication: the act of making clear or removing obscurity from the meaning of a word or symbol or expression etc.
explication: a detailed explanation of the meaning of something
explication de texte: a method of literary criticism that analyzes details of a text in order to reveal its structure and meaning
explicit definition: a definition that gives an exact equivalent of the term defined
explosion: a sudden outburst
explosion: the terminal forced release of pressure built up during the occlusive phase of a stop consonant
exponent: a mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself
expose: the exposure of an impostor or a fraud
exposition: (music) the section of a movement (especially in sonata form) where the major musical themes first occur
exposition: an account that sets forth the meaning or intent of a writing or discourse
exposition: a systematic interpretation or explanation (usually written) of a specific topic
expostulation: an exclamation of protest or remonstrance or reproof
expostulation: the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
exposure: the disclosure of something secret
express: mail that is distributed by a rapid and efficient system
expression: a group of symbols that make a mathematical statement
expression: the style of expressing yourself
expression: a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
expression: expression without words
expression: the communication (in speech or writing) of your beliefs or opinions
expressive style: a way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period
extension: a string of characters beginning with a period and followed by one or more letters; the optional second part of a PC computer filename
extension: the spreading of something (a belief or practice) into new regions
extenuation: a partial excuse to mitigate censure; an attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances
extra: an additional edition of a newspaper (usually to report a crisis)
extropy: the prediction that human intelligence and technology will enable life to expand in an orderly way throughout the entire universe
exultation: the utterance of sounds expressing great joy
eye chart: a chart that is read from a fixed distance; used as a test of vision
eye contact: a meeting of the eyes between two people that expresses meaningful nonverbal communication
eye dialect: the use of misspellings to identify a colloquial or uneducated speaker
eye rhyme: an imperfect rhyme (e.g., `love' and `move')
Eysenck Personality Inventory: a self-report personality inventory based on Hans Eysenck's factor analysis of personality which assumes three basic factors (the two most important being extraversion to introversion and neuroticism)
F: the 6th letter of the Roman alphabet
F clef: a clef that puts the F below middle C on the fourth line of a staff
fa: the syllable naming the fourth (subdominant) note of the diatonic scale in solmization
fa la: meaningless syllables in the refrain of a partsong
fable: a deliberately false or improbable account
fable: a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
facade: a showy misrepresentation intended to conceal something unpleasant
face: a contorted facial expression
facial expression: a gesture executed with the facial muscles
facial profiling: identification of criminals and terrorist by means of videotapes of their faces
facing pages: two facing pages of a book or other publication
fact: a statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened
factoid: a brief (usually one sentence and usually trivial) news item
factoid: something resembling a fact; unverified (often invented) information that is given credibility because it appeared in print
fado: a sad Portuguese folksong
Faeroese: a Scandinavian language (closely related to Icelandic) that is spoken on the Faroe Islands
fair copy: a clean copy of a corrected draft
fair-trade act: formerly a state law that protected manufacturers from price-cutting by allowing them to set minimum retail prices for their merchandise; eliminated by the United States Congress in 1975
fair-trade agreement: an agreement (illegal in the United States) between the manufacturer of a trademarked item of merchandise and its retail distributors to sell the item at a price at or above the price set by the manufacturer
fairy story: a story about fairies; told to amuse children
false alarm: a warning that is given about something that fails to occur
false return: an incorrect income tax return
falsehood: a false statement
family Bible: a large Bible with pages to record marriages and births
family history: part of a patient's medical history in which questions are asked in an attempt to find out whether the patient has hereditary tendencies toward particular diseases
fan letter: a letter that is a piece of fan mail
fanfare: a gaudy outward display
fanfare: (music) a short lively tune played on brass instruments
Fang: a Bantu language spoken in Cameroon
fantasia: a musical composition of a free form usually incorporating several familiar themes
fantasy: fiction with a large amount of imagination in it
FAQ: a list of questions that are frequently asked (about a given topic) along with their answers
farce: a comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations
farewell: an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
farm bill: a statute that would regulate farm production and prices
fasces: bundle of rods containing an axe with the blade protruding; in ancient Rome it was a symbol of a magistrate's power; in modern Italy it is a symbol of fascism
fascicle: an installment of a printed work
Fatihah: the first or opening sura of the Quran which is the central prayer of Islam and is used on all special occasions as well as during the five daily prayers
fatwah: (Islam) a legal opinion or ruling issued by an Islamic scholar
feature: a special or prominent article in a newspaper or magazine
feature: the principal (full-length) film in a program at a movie theater
federal job safety law: a law passed by the United States Congress that created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to prevent employees from being injured or contracting diseases in the course of their employment
feedback: response to an inquiry or experiment
feminine: a gender that refers chiefly (but not exclusively) to females or to objects classified as female
fence mending: social action to improve poor relations (especially in politics)
fermata: a musical notation (over a note or chord or rest) that indicates it is to be prolonged by an unspecified amount
festschrift: a collection of writings published in honor of a scholar
fib: a trivial lie
fiber optics: the transmission of light signals via glass fibers
fiction: a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
fictionalisation: a literary work based partly or wholly on fact but written as if it were fiction
field guide: a guidebook describing natural objects of some type that might be encountered in the field
fieri facias: a writ ordering a levy on the belongings of a debtor to satisfy the debt
fifth: the musical interval between one note and another five notes away from it
Fifth Amendment: an amendment to the Constitution of the United States that imposes restrictions on the government's prosecution of persons accused of crimes; mandates due process of law and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy; requires just compensation if private property is taken for public use
fig: a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
fight: an intense verbal dispute
figure: language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
Fijian: the Oceanic language spoken on Fiji
filing: the entering of a legal document into the public record
filler: copy to fill space between more important articles in the layout of a magazine or newspaper
film clip: a strip of motion picture film used in a telecast
film noir: a movie that is marked by a mood of pessimism, fatalism, menace, and cynical characters
film: a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement
final cut: the final edited version of a movie as approved by the director and producer
final injunction: injunction issued on completion of a trial
final: an examination administered at the end of an academic term
financial forecast: a forecast of the expected financial position and the results of operations and cash flows based on expected conditions
financial statement: a document showing credits and debits
fine print: material printed in small type
fine print: the part of a contract that contains reservations and qualifications that are often printed in small type
finger alphabet: an alphabet used by the deaf; letters are represented by finger positions
finger scan: biometric identification by automatically scanning a person's fingerprints electronically
finger spelling: an alphabet of manual signs
fingerboard: a guidepost resembling a hand with a pointing index finger
fingerpointing: the imputation of blame
fingerprint: a generic term for any identifying characteristic
fingerprint: a print made by an impression of the ridges in the skin of a finger; often used for biometric identification in criminal investigations
Finnish: the official language of Finland; belongs to the Baltic Finnic family of languages
Finno-Ugrian: a family of Uralic languages indigenous to Scandinavia and Hungary and Russia and western Siberia (prior to the Slavic expansion into those regions)
fire alarm: a shout or bell to warn that fire has broken out
fire code: set of standards established and enforced by government for fire prevention and safety in case of fire as in fire escapes etc
firestorm: an outburst of controversy
firmware: (computer science) coded instructions that are stored permanently in read-only memory
First Amendment: an amendment to the Constitution of the United States guaranteeing the right of free expression; includes freedom of assembly and freedom of the press and freedom of religion and freedom of speech
First Epistle of John: the first New Testament epistle traditionally attributed to Saint John the Apostle
First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians: a New Testament book containing the first epistle from Saint Paul to the church at Corinth
First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians: a New Testament book containing Saint Paul's first epistle to the Thessalonians
First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy: a New Testament book containing Saint Paul's first epistle to Timothy; contains advice on pastoral matters
First Epistle of Peter: the first New Testament book traditionally attributed to Saint Peter the Apostle
first language: one's native language; the language learned by children and passed from one generation to the next
first name: the name that precedes the surname
first person: pronouns and verbs used to refer to the speaker or writer of the language in which they occur
first reading: the first presentation of a bill in a legislature
first: an honours degree of the highest class
fiscal policy: a government policy for dealing with the budget (especially with taxation and borrowing)
fishing licence: a license authorizing the bearer to fish during a specified period of time
fixed-point notation: a radix numeration system in which the location of the decimal point is fixed by convention
fixed-point part: the positive fractional part of the representation of a logarithm; in the expression log 643 = 2.808 the mantissa is .808
flag waving: an appeal intended to arouse patriotic emotions
flag: a listing printed in all issues of a newspaper or magazine (usually on the editorial page) that gives the name of the publication and the names of the editorial staff, etc.
flag: a rectangular piece of fabric used as a signalling device
flamenco: guitar music composed for dancing the flamenco
flare: a sudden outburst of emotion
flare: a burst of light used to communicate or illuminate
flash card: a card with words or numbers or pictures that is flashed to a class by the teacher
flash: a short news announcement concerning some on-going news story
flash-forward: a transition (in literary or theatrical works or films) to a later event or scene that interrupts the normal chronological development of the story
flashback: a transition (in literary or theatrical works or films) to an earlier event or scene that interrupts the normal chronological development of the story
flat: a musical notation indicating one half step lower than the note named
flatness: a want of animation or brilliance
flattery: excessive or insincere praise
flatulence: pompously embellished language
flaunt: the act of displaying something ostentatiously
fleer: contempt expressed by mockery in looks or words
Fleet Street: British journalism
Flemish dialect: one of two official languages of Belgium; closely related to Dutch
flick: a short stroke
flip chart: a chart with several sheets hinged at the top; sheets can be flipped over to present information sequentially
floater: an insurance policy covering loss of movable property (e.g. jewelry) regardless of its location
floating-point notation: a radix numeration system in which the location of the decimal point is indicated by an exponent of the radix; in the floating-point representation system, 0.0012 is represented as 0.12-2 where -2 is the exponent
florilegium: an anthology of short literary pieces and poems and ballads etc.
flourish: a display of ornamental speech or language
flourish: a showy gesture
flourish: an ornamental embellishment in writing
flow chart: a diagram of the sequence of operations in a computer program or an accounting system
flummery: meaningless ceremonies and flattery
flyleaf: a blank leaf in the front or back of a book
FM: modulation of the frequency of the (radio) carrier wave
foghorn: a loud low warning signal that can be heard by fogbound ships
foldout: an oversize page that is folded in to a book or magazine
folio: a sheet of any written or printed material (especially in a manuscript or book)
folio: the system of numbering pages
folk ballad: a song that is traditionally sung by the common people of a region and forms part of their culture
folk etymology: a popular but erroneous etymology
folk tale: a tale circulated by word of mouth among the common folk
follies: a revue with elaborate costuming
foolscap: a size of paper used especially in Britain
foot: (prosody) a group of 2 or 3 syllables forming the basic unit of poetic rhythm
footer: a printed note placed below the text on a printed page
footmark: a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
footprint: a trace suggesting that something was once present or felt or otherwise important
footprint evidence: evidence in the form of footprints
forecast: a prediction about how something (as the weather) will develop
forecasting: a statement made about the future
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: an act passed by Congress in 1978 to establish procedures for requesting judicial authorization for foreign intelligence surveillance and to create the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court; intended to increase United States counterintelligence; separate from ordinary law enforcement surveillance
foreign policy: a policy governing international relations
foreknowledge: knowledge of an event before it occurs
forerunner: something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
forewarning: an early warning about a future event
foreword: a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
form: a printed document with spaces in which to write
form: an arrangement of the elements in a composition or discourse
form class: one of the traditional categories of words intended to reflect their functions in a grammatical context
form letter: a letter that is printed in multiple copies and mailed to a list of recipients
form of address: an identifying appellation signifying status or function: e.g. `Mr.' or `General'
formative: minimal language unit that has a syntactic (or morphological) function
Formosan: the Austronesian languages spoken on Formosa
formula: a conventionalized statement expressing some fundamental principle
formula: directions for making something
formulary: (pharmacology) a book containing a compilation of pharmaceutical products with their formulas and methods of preparation
forte: a musical composition or musical passage to be performed loudly
fortissimo: a musical composition or musical passage to be performed very loudly
FORTRAN: a high-level programing language for mathematical and scientific purposes; stands for formula translation
Fortran compiler: a compiler for programs written in FORTRAN
FORTRAN program: a program written in FORTRAN
fortunetelling: the practice of predicting people's futures (usually for payment)
fosterage: encouragement; aiding the development of something
foundry proof: a proof taken from a form before duplicate plates are made
fountainhead: an abundant source
four-letter Anglo-Saxon word: any of several short English words (often having 4 letters) generally regarded as obscene or offensive
four-part harmony: harmony in which each chord has four notes that create four melodic lines
Fourteenth Amendment: an amendment to the Constitution of the United States adopted in 1868; extends the guarantees of the Bill of Rights to the states as well as to the federal government
fourth: the musical interval between one note and another four notes away from it
Fox: the Algonquian language of the Fox
fragment: an incomplete piece
frame: a single drawing in a comic strip
frame: an application that divides the user's display into two or more windows that can be scrolled independently
franchise: an authorization to sell a company's goods or services in a particular place
Frau: a German courtesy title or form of address for an adult woman
Fraulein: a German courtesy title or form of address for an unmarried woman
free form: a morpheme that can occur alone
free list: a list of commodities that are not subject to tariffs
free press: a press not restricted or controlled by government censorship regarding politics or ideology
free verse: unrhymed verse without a consistent metrical pattern
freemail: a service providing free email delivery in exchange for exposure to advertising
freeware: software that is provided without charge
French: the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
frequency band: a band of adjacent radio frequencies (e.g., assigned for transmitting radio or television signals)
frequency-response characteristic: (electronics) a graph of frequency response with signal amplitude or gain plotted against frequency
frequentative: a verb form that serves to express frequent repetition of an action
fricative: a continuant consonant produced by breath moving against a narrowing of the vocal tract
Frisian: a West Germanic language spoken in Friesland in the northwestern Netherlands; a near relative of English
Friulian: a Rhaeto-Romance dialect spoken in northeastern Italy
front matter: written matter preceding the main text of a book
frown: a facial expression of dislike or displeasure
fruit of the poisonous tree: a rule that once primary evidence is determined to have been illegally obtained any secondary evidence following from it may also not be used
FTP: protocol that allows users to copy files between their local system and any system they can reach on the network
fugue: a musical form consisting of a theme repeated a fifth above or a fourth below its first statement
Fulani: a family of languages of the Fulani of West Africa and used as a lingua franca in the sub-Saharan regions from Senegal to Chad; the best known of the West African languages
full faith and credit: a guarantee to pay interest and principal on debt; usually issued by the United States Treasury
full page: something that covers an entire page
full point: a punctuation mark (.) placed at the end of a declarative sentence to indicate a full stop or after abbreviations
fulsomeness: excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm
fun: verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
function call: a call that passes control to a subroutine; after the subroutine is executed control returns to the next instruction in main program
function: a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
funk: an earthy type of jazz combining it with blues and soul; has a heavy bass line that accentuates the first beat in the bar
funny: an account of an amusing incident (usually with a punch line)
future: a verb tense that expresses actions or states in the future
futures contract: an agreement to buy or sell a specific amount of a commodity or financial instrument at a particular price on a stipulated future date; the contract can be sold before the settlement date
G: the 7th letter of the Roman alphabet
G clef: a clef that puts the G above middle C on the second line of a staff
gabble: rapid and indistinct speech
Gadaba: the Dravidian language spoken by the Gadaba
gag law: any law that limits freedom of the press
gag line: the point of a joke or humorous story
gag order: a court order restricting information or comment by the participants involved in a lawsuit
gag: a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
galanty show: a drama executed by throwing shadows on a wall
Galician: a language spoken in Galicia, an Autonomus Community of Spain
galley proof: a proof taken before the type is broken up to print pages
Gallicism: a word or phrase borrowed from French
gambit: an opening remark intended to secure an advantage for the speaker
gambling contract: a contract whose performance by one party is contingent on the outcome of a bet; unenforceable by statute in most jurisdictions
game law: a regulation intended to manage or preserve game animals
game license: a license authorizing the bearer to kill a certain type of animal during a specified period of time
game show: a television or radio program in which contestants compete for awards
gamma: the 3rd letter of the Greek alphabet
gamut: the entire scale of musical notes
gantlet: to offer or accept a challenge
gap: a difference (especially an unfortunate difference) between two opinions or two views or two situations
gape: an expression of openmouthed astonishment
gapped scale: a musical scale with fewer than seven notes
garnishment: a court order to an employer to withhold all or part of an employee's wages and to send the money to the court or to the person who won a lawsuit against the employee
Gathic: an ancient Iranian language
gaudery: cheap or pretentious or vain display
gavotte: music composed in quadruple time for dancing the gavotte
gazette: a newspaper or official journal
gazetteer: a geographical dictionary (as at the back of an atlas)
Gemara: the second part of the Talmud consisting primarily of commentary on the Mishna
geminate: a doubled or long consonant
gemination: the doubling of a word or phrase (as for rhetorical effect)
gen: informal term for information
gender: a grammatical category in inflected languages governing the agreement between nouns and pronouns and adjectives; in some languages it is quite arbitrary but in Indo-European languages it is usually based on sex or animateness
generation gap: a difference between the views of young people and their parents
generic noun: a noun that does not specify either masculine or feminine gender
genetic counseling: guidance for prospective parents on the likelihood of genetic disorders in their future children
Geneva Convention: an agreement first drawn up in Geneva in 1864 and later revised concerning the treatment of captured and wounded military personnel and civilians in wartime
genitive: the case expressing ownership
genre: a style of expressing yourself in writing
genre: an expressive style of music
gentlemen's agreement: a personal agreement based on honor and not legally binding
genuflection: the act of bending the knees in worship or reverence
geordie: the nonstandard dialect of natives of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Georgian: a southern Caucasian language with 3 million speakers and a long literary tradition
German language: the standard German language; developed historically from West Germanic
Germanic language: a branch of the Indo-European family of languages; members that are spoken currently fall into two major groups: Scandinavian and West Germanic
gerund: a noun formed from a verb (such as the `-ing' form of an English verb when used as a noun)
gesticulation: a deliberate and vigorous gesture or motion
gesture: the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
get-well card: a card expressing get-well wishes
Gettysburg Address: a three-minute address by Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War at the dedication of a national cemetery on the site of the Battle of Gettysburg (November 19, 1863)
Gheg dialect: the dialect of Albanian spoken in northern Albania and Yugoslavia
ghost word: a word form that has entered the language through the perpetuation of an error
ghost: a suggestion of some quality
GI: (law) a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin
gibber: unintelligible talking
Gidar: a Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad
giggle: a foolish or nervous laugh
GIGO: (computer science) a rule stating that the quality of the output is a function of the quality of the input; put garbage in and you get garbage out
gigue: music in three-four time for dancing a jig
Gikuyu: a Bantu language spoken in western Kenya
Gilbert and Sullivan: the music of Gilbert and Sullivan
gimel: the 3rd letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Giriama: a Bantu language spoken in the coastal regions of eastern Kenya
giveaway: an unintentional disclosure
giving: the imparting of news or promises etc.
giving up: a verbal act of admitting defeat
glad hand: a warm welcome; may be insincere
glasnost: a policy of the Soviet government allowing freer discussion of social problems
glass ceiling: a ceiling based on attitudinal or organizational bias in the work force that prevents minorities and women from advancing to leadership positions
glide: a vowellike sound that serves as a consonant
glimpse: a vague indication
glissando: a rapid series of ascending or descending notes on the musical scale
glop: writing or music that is excessively sweet and sentimental
gloss: an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge; usually published as an appendix to a text on that field
gloss: an explanation or definition of an obscure word in a text
glossy: a magazine printed on good quality paper
glottal catch: a stop consonant articulated by releasing pressure at the glottis; as in the sudden onset of a vowel
gnome: a short pithy saying expressing a general truth
go-ahead: a signal to proceed
goad: a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
gobbledygook: incomprehensible or pompous jargon of specialists
Goidelic: any of several related languages of the Celts in Ireland and Scotland
golden handshake: a lucrative severance agreement offered to an employee (usually as an incentive to retire)
golden oldie: a song that was formerly popular
golden rule: any important rule
Gondi: a Dravidian language spoken by the Gond in south central India
Gongorism: an affected elegance of style that was introduced into Spanish literature by the poet Gongora
good authority: testimony by someone who should know
good morning: a conventional expression of greeting or farewell
good night: a conventional expression of farewell
good word: good news
good word: something that recommends (or expresses commendation of) a person or thing as worthy or desirable
Google: a widely used search engine that uses text-matching techniques to find web pages that are important and relevant to a user's search
Gordian knot: any very difficult problem; insoluble in its own terms
Gospel According to John: the last of the four Gospels in the New Testament
Gospel According to Luke: one of the four Gospels in the New Testament; contains details of Jesus's birth and early life
Gospel According to Mark: the shortest of the four Gospels in the New Testament
Gospel According to Matthew: one of the Gospels in the New Testament; includes the Sermon on the Mount
gospel: folk music consisting of a genre of a cappella music originating with Black slaves in the United States and featuring call and response; influential on the development of other genres of popular music (especially soul)
gospel: an unquestionable truth
Gospels: the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings
gossiping: a conversation that spreads personal information about other people
Gothic: a heavy typeface in use from 15th to 18th centuries
Gothic: extinct East Germanic language of the ancient Goths; the only surviving record being fragments of a 4th-century translation of the Bible by Bishop Ulfilas
Gothic romance: a romance that deals with desolate and mysterious and grotesque events
GPA: a measure of a student's academic achievement at a college or university; calculated by dividing the total number of grade points received by the total number attempted
gradation: a degree of ablaut
gradual: (Roman Catholic Church) an antiphon (usually from the Book of Psalms) immediately after the epistle at Mass
graduation: a line (as on a vessel or ruler) that marks a measurement
grammatical category: (grammar) a category of words having the same grammatical properties
grammatical meaning: the meaning of a word that depends on its role in a sentence; varies with inflectional form
grammatical rule: a linguistic rule for the syntax of grammatical utterances
Grand Guignol: a play of a macabre or horrific nature
grand opera: opera in which all the text is sung
grandiloquence: high-flown style; excessive use of verbal ornamentation
Granth Sahib: the principal sacred text of Sikhism contains hymns and poetry as well as the teachings of the first five gurus
grapevine: gossip spread by spoken communication
graph: a visual representation of the relations between certain quantities, represented as points, plotted with reference to a set of axes
graphic design: visual communication by a skillful combination of text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, books, etc.
grave: a mark (`) placed above a vowel to indicate pronunciation
gravure: a printing process that uses an etched or engraved plate; the plate is smeared with ink and wiped clean, then the ink left in the recesses makes the print
Greek alphabet: the alphabet used by ancient Greeks
Greek mode: any of the descending diatonic scales in the music of classical Greece
green card: a card that identifies the bearer as an alien with permanent resident status in the United States
green light: permission to proceed with a project or to take action
green paper: a preliminary report of government proposals that is published in order to stimulate discussion
greeting card: a card sent to express personal greetings
greeting: (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
Gregorian chant: a variety of plainsong named after Pope Gregory I
Gregorian mode: any of a system of modes used in Gregorian chants up until 1600; derived historically from the Greek mode
grievance: a complaint about a (real or imaginary) wrong that causes resentment and is grounds for action
grievance: an allegation that something imposes an illegal obligation or denies some legal right or causes injustice
grimoire: a manual of black magic (for invoking spirits and demons)
grin: a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
groan: an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
grocery list: a list of groceries to be purchased
grocery list: a list of heterogenous items that someone wants
Gros Ventre: a Siouan language spoken by the Hidatsa
ground bass: a short melody in the bass that is constantly repeated
ground rule: (baseball) a special rule (as in baseball) dealing with situations that arise due to the nature of the playing grounds
groupware: software that can be used by a group of people who are working on the same information but may be distributed in space
growling: a gruff or angry utterance (suggestive of the growling of an animal)
grumble: a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone
Guarani: the language spoken by the Guarani of Paraguay and Bolivia
guarantee: an unconditional commitment that something will happen or that something is true
guarantee: a written assurance that some product or service will be provided or will meet certain specifications
GUI: a user interface based on graphics (icons and pictures and menus) instead of text; uses a mouse as well as a keyboard as an input device
guide: something that offers basic information or instruction
guideline: a light line that is used in lettering to help align the letters
guidepost: a post bearing a sign that gives directions or shows the way
Gujerati: the Indic language spoken by the people of India who live in Gujarat in western India
gummed label: an adhesive label
gunboat diplomacy: diplomacy in which the nations threaten to use force in order to obtain their objectives
gutter press: press that engages in sensational journalism (especially concerning the private lives of public figures)
guttural: a consonant articulated in the back of the mouth or throat
H: the 8th letter of the Roman alphabet
ha-ha: a loud laugh that sounds like a horse neighing
habanera: music composed in duple time for dancing the habanera
habeas corpus: a writ ordering a prisoner to be brought before a judge
hacek: a diacritical mark (an inverted circumflex) placed above certain letters (such as the letter c) to indicate pronunciation
Haggadah: Talmudic literature that does not deal with law but is still part of Jewish tradition
haggle: an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)
Hagiographa: the third of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures
hagiography: a biography that idealizes or idolizes the person (especially a person who is a saint)
hagiology: literature narrating the lives (and legends) of the saints
Haida: the Na-Dene language of the Haida
haiku: an epigrammatic Japanese verse form of three short lines
hail: enthusiastic greeting
Hail Mary: a salutation to the Virgin Mary now used in prayers to her
hair stroke: a very fine line in writing or printing
hairline: a very thin line
Haitian Creole: a creole language spoken by most Haitians; based on French and various African languages
Hakenkreuz: the official emblem of the Nazi Party and the Third Reich; a cross with the arms bent at right angles in a clockwise direction
Hakham: a Hebrew title of respect for a wise and highly educated man
Hakka dialect: a dialect of Chinese spoken in southeastern China by the Hakka
Halacha: Talmudic literature that deals with law and with the interpretation of the laws on the Hebrew Scriptures
half note: a musical note having the time value of half a whole note
half page: something that covers (the top or bottom) half of a page
half rest: a musical rest having the time value of half a whole rest or equal in duration to two beats in common time
half step: the musical interval between adjacent keys on a keyboard instrument
half-truth: a partially true statement intended to deceive or mislead
hall pass: written permission from a teacher for a student to be out the classroom and in the halls of the school
Hallel: (Judaism) a chant of praise (Psalms 113 through 118) used at Passover and Shabuoth and Sukkoth and Hanukkah and Rosh Hodesh
hallelujah: a shout or song of praise to God
halloo: a shout to attract attention
Hamitic language: a group of languages in northern Africa related to Semitic
hammer and sickle: the emblem on the flag of the Soviet Union
hand: a round of applause to signify approval
hand: something written by hand
handclap: a clap of the hands to indicate approval
handclasp: grasping and shaking a person's hand (as to acknowledge an introduction or to agree on a contract)
Handel: the music of Handel
handout: an announcement distributed to members of the press in order to supplement or replace an oral presentation
Hani: a Loloish language
hanky panky: verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way
Hansard: the official published verbatim report of the proceedings of a parliamentary body; originally of the British Parliament
hapax legomenon: a word with a special meaning used for a special occasion
Haphtarah: a short selection from the Prophets read on every Sabbath in a Jewish synagogue following a reading from the Torah
harangue: a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
hard copy: (computer science) matter that is held in a computer and is typed or printed on paper
hard news: news that deals with serious topics or events
Hare Krishna: a chant to the Hindu god Krishna
harmonisation: a piece of harmonized music
harmony: the structure of music with respect to the composition and progression of chords
hash mark: an insignia worn to indicate years of service
Hastinapura: one of two classical Hindu epics; a great collection of poetry worked into and around a central heroic narrative (eight times as large as the Iliad and Odyssey combined)
Haussa: the chief member of the Chadic family of Afroasiatic languages; widely used as a trading language
Havasupai: the Yuman language spoken by the Havasupai
Hawaiian: the Oceanic languages spoken on Hawaii
Haydn: the music of Haydn
HDTV: a television system that has more than the usual number of lines per frame so its pictures show more detail
he: the 5th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
head word: a content word that can be qualified by a modifier
head: (grammar) the word in a grammatical constituent that plays the same grammatical role as the whole constituent
head: a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about
head: a V-shaped mark at one end of an arrow pointer
head: the subject matter at issue
headline: the heading or caption of a newspaper article
headlinese: using the abbreviated style of headline writers
heads-up: a warning message
headword: a word placed at the beginning of a line or paragraph (as in a dictionary entry)
health code: set of standards established and enforced by government for health requirements as in plumbing etc
hearing: a session (of a committee or grand jury) in which witnesses are called and testimony is taken
hearsay evidence: evidence based on what someone has told the witness and not of direct knowledge
hearsay rule: a rule that declares not admissible as evidence any statement other than that by a witness
hearsay: gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
heart-to-heart: an intimate talk in private
heavy metal: loud and harsh sounding rock music with a strong beat; lyrics usually involve violent or fantastic imagery
Hebraic alphabet: a Semitic alphabet used since the 5th century BC for writing the Hebrew language (and later for writing Yiddish and Ladino)
Hebrew: the ancient Canaanitic language of the Hebrews that has been revived as the official language of Israel
Hebrew Scripture: the Jewish scriptures which consist of three divisions--the Torah and the Prophets and the Writings
hedge: an intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement
heliogram: a message transmitted by means of the sun's rays
Hellenic language: the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages
hello: an expression of greeting
Helvetica: a typeface in which characters have no serifs
hemidemisemiquaver: a musical note having the time value of a sixty-fourth of a whole note
hendiadys: use of two conjoined nouns instead of a noun and modifier
Herero: a Banto language spoken by the Herero in Namibia, Botswana, and Angola
heroic couplet: a couplet consisting of two rhymed lines of iambic pentameter and written in an elevated style
heroic stanza: a quatrain consisting of two heroic couplets written in an elevated style; the rhyme scheme is abab
heroic: a verse form suited to the treatment of heroic or elevated themes; dactylic hexameter or iambic pentameter
Herr: a German courtesy title or form of address for a man
heteronym: two words are heteronyms if they are spelled the same way but differ in pronunciation
heth: the 8th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
hexadecimal notation: any notation that uses 16 different characters
hexadecimal number system: a positional system of numeration that uses hexadecimal digits and a radix of sixteen
hexameter: a verse line having six metrical feet
hiatus: a missing piece (as a gap in a manuscript)
hieratic: a cursive form of Egyptian hieroglyphics; used especially by the priests
hieroglyph: a writing system using picture symbols; used in ancient Egypt
hieroglyph: writing that resembles hieroglyphics (usually by being illegible)
high comedy: a sophisticated comedy; often satirizing genteel society
high sign: a silent signal of warning or recognition
high-five: a gesture of greeting or elation; one person's upraised palm slaps the upraised palm of another person
high-level formatting: (computer science) the format for the root directory and the file allocation tables and other basic configurations
high-level language: a problem-oriented language requiring little knowledge of the computer on which it will be run
higher criticism: the scientific study of biblical writings to determine their origin and meaning
higher law: a principle that takes precedent over the laws of society
Higher National Diploma: a diploma given for vocational training that prepares the student for a career in a particular area; good students may progress to a course leading to a degree
Highway Code: the code of rules governing the use of public roads
hillbilly music: country music originating in mountainous regions of southern United States
Himalayish: the Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Tibet and Nepal and Bhutan and Sikkim
Hindi: the most widely spoken of modern Indic vernaculars; spoken mostly in the north of India; along with English it is the official language of India; usually written in Devanagari script
Hindoostani: a form of Hindi spoken around Delhi
Hindu-Arabic numeral: one of the symbols 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0
hip-hop: genre of African-American music of the 1980s and 1990s in which rhyming lyrics are chanted to a musical accompaniment; several forms of rap have emerged
Hippocratic oath: an oath taken by physicians to observe medical ethics deriving from Hippocrates
histogram: a bar chart representing a frequency distribution; heights of the bars represent observed frequencies
historical document: writing having historical value (as opposed to fiction or myth etc.)
historical present: the use of the present tense to describe past actions or states
historiography: a body of historical literature
histrionics: a deliberate display of emotion for effect
histrionics: a performance of a play
hit list: a list of victims to be eliminated (as by murder)
hit parade: a ranked list of the songs that are most popular at a given time
Hitchiti: the Muskhogean language spoken by the Hitchiti
Hittite: the language of the Hittites and the principal language of the Anatolian group of languages; deciphered from cuneiform inscriptions
Hmong language: a language of uncertain affiliation spoken by the Hmong
hockey clinic: a meeting at which hockey players receive special evaluation and instruction
Hokan: a family of Amerindian languages spoken in California
holdout: a refusal by a negotiator to come to terms in the hope of obtaining a better deal
holograph: handwritten book or document
holonym: a word that names the whole of which a given word is a part
home key: the basic key in which a piece of music is written
home movie: a film made at home by an amateur photographer
home page: the opening page of a web site
homestead law: a law conferring privileges on owners of homesteads
homework problem: a problem that students are assigned to do outside of class
homily: a sermon on a moral or religious topic
homograph: two words are homographs if they are spelled the same way but differ in meaning (e.g. fair)
homonym: two words are homonyms if they are pronounced and spelled the same way but have different meanings
homophone: two words are homophones if they are pronounced the same way but differ in meaning or spelling or both (e.g. bare and bear)
homophony: the same pronunciation for words of different origins
homophony: part music with one dominant voice (in a homophonic style)
honeyed words: inconsequential expressions of affection
honorable mention: an official recognition of merit
honorary degree: a degree conferred to honor the recipient
honorific: an expression of respect
honours: a university degree with honors
hooey: senseless talk
hoof mark: a visible impression on a surface made by the hoof of an animal
hooray: a victory cheer
hoot: a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
Hopi: the Shoshonean language spoken by the Hopi
Horatian ode: an ode with several stanzas
horn: a noise made by the driver of an automobile to give warning
hornbook: a primer that provides instruction in the rudiments or basic skills of a branch of knowledge
hornpipe: music for dancing the hornpipe
horoscope: a prediction of someone's future based on the relative positions of the planets
horse trading: negotiation accompanied by mutual concessions and shrewd bargaining
hosanna: a cry of praise or adoration (to God)
hot jazz: jazz that is emotionally charged and intense and marked by strong rhythms and improvisation
hot medium: a medium that usually, but not always, provides complete involvement together without considerable stimulus; includes radio, film, photography
hotel bill: statement of charges for staying in a hotel
Hottentot: any of the Khoisan languages spoken by the pastoral people of Namibia and South Africa
house organ: a periodical published by a business firm for its employees and customers
howl: a long loud emotional utterance
HTML: a set of tags and rules (conforming to SGML) for using them in developing hypertext documents
HTTP: a protocol (utilizing TCP) to transfer hypertext requests and information between servers and browsers
Hualapai: the Yuman language spoken by the Walapai
huddle: (informal) a quick private conference
humbug: communication (written or spoken) intended to deceive
humor: a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
Hungarian: the official language of Hungary (also spoken in Rumania); belongs to the Ugric family of languages
Hunkpapa: a Siouan language spoken by the Hunkpapa
Hupa: the Athapaskan language spoken by the Hupa
hybrid: a word that is composed of parts from different languages (e.g., `monolingual' has a Greek prefix and a Latin root)
hymeneal: a wedding hymn
hymnal: a songbook containing a collection of hymns
hypallage: reversal of the syntactic relation of two words (as in `her beauty's face')
hyperbaton: reversal of normal word order (as in `cheese I love')
hypercatalectic: (prosody) a line of poetry having an extra syllable or syllables at the end of the last metrical foot
hyperlink: a link from a hypertext file to another location or file; typically activated by clicking on a highlighted word or icon at a particular location on the screen
hypermedia: a multimedia system in which related items of information are connected and can be presented together
hypernym: a word that is more generic than a given word
hypertext: machine-readable text that is not sequential but is organized so that related items of information are connected
hypertext system: a database management system that allows strings of text (`objects') to be processed as a complex network of nodes that are linked together in an arbitrary way
hypocorism: a name of endearment (especially one using a diminutive suffix)
hypocrisy: an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction
hyponym: a word that is more specific than a given word
hypothesis: a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations
hypothetical imperative: a principle stating the action required to attain a desired goal
hypozeugma: use of a series of subjects with a single predicate
hypozeuxis: use of a series of parallel clauses (as in `I came, I saw, I conquered')
hysteron proteron: reversal of normal order of two words or sentences etc. (as in `bred and born')
I: the 9th letter of the Roman alphabet
I Chronicles: the first of two Old Testament books telling the history of Judah and Israel until the return from the Babylonian Captivity in 536 BC
I Kings: the first of two Old Testament books telling the histories of the kings of Judah and Israel
I Maccabees: an Apocryphal book describing the life of Judas Maccabaeus
I Samuel: the first of two books in the Old Testament that tell of Saul and David
I.D.: a card or badge used to identify the bearer
iamb: a metrical unit with unstressed-stressed syllables
iambic: a verse line consisting of iambs
Icelandic: a Scandinavian language that is the official language of Iceland
icon: (computer science) a graphic symbol (usually a simple picture) that denotes a program or a command or a data file or a concept in a graphical user interface
idea: (music) melodic subject of a musical composition
identification: evidence of identity; something that identifies a person or thing
identifier: a symbol that establishes the identity of the one bearing it
ideogram: a graphic character that indicates the meaning of a thing without indicating the sounds used to say it
ideography: the use of ideograms in writing
idiolect: the language or speech of one individual at a particular period in life
Idiom Neutral: an artificial language proposed for use as an auxiliary international language; based on Volapuk but with a vocabulary selected on the basis of the maximum internationality of the roots
idiom: an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up
idiom: a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language
idiot light: a colored warning light on an instrument panel (as for low oil pressure)
idle words: empty rhetoric or insincere or exaggerated talk
Ido: an artificial language that is a revision and simplification of Esperanto
idyl: a musical composition that evokes rural life
II Chronicles: the second of two Old Testament books telling the history of Judah and Israel until the return from the Babylonian Captivity in 536 BC
II Esdras: an Apocryphal book of angelic revelations
II Kings: the second of two Old Testament books telling the histories of the kings of Judah and Israel
II Maccabees: an Apocryphal book describing the life of Judas Maccabaeus
II Samuel: the second of two books of the Old Testament that tell of Saul and David
ijtihad: the endeavor of a Moslem scholar to derive a rule of divine law from the Koran and Hadith without relying on the views of other scholars; by the end of the 10th century theologians decided that debate on such matters would be closed and Muslim theology and law were frozen
Iliad: a Greek epic poem (attributed to Homer) describing the siege of Troy
Illinois: the Algonquian language of the Illinois and Miami
illustration: artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
Illyrian: a minor and almost extinct branch of the Indo-European languages; spoken along the Dalmatian coast
imbroglio: a very embarrassing misunderstanding
Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary: (Christianity) the Roman Catholic dogma that God preserved the Virgin Mary from any stain of original sin from the moment she was conceived
immediate constituent: a constituent of a sentence at the first step in an analysis: e.g., subject and predicate
impeachment: a formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office
imperial decree: a decree issued by a sovereign ruler
imperialism: a policy of extending your rule over foreign countries
implication: an accusation that brings into intimate and usually incriminating connection
implosion: the initial occluded phase of a stop consonant
import barrier: any regulation or policy that restricts international trade
import: the message that is intended or expressed or signified
importunity: insistent solicitation and entreaty
imprecation: a slanderous accusation
imprecation: the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
impression: all the copies of a work printed at one time
impression: a symbol that is the result of printing or engraving
imprint: an identification of a publisher; a publisher's name along with the date and address and edition that is printed at the bottom of the title page
impromptu: an extemporaneous speech or remark
impromptu: a short musical passage that seems to have been made spontaneously without advance preparation
imputation: a statement attributing something dishonest (especially a criminal offense)
in-joke: a joke that is appreciated only by members of some particular group of people
inaugural: an address delivered at an inaugural ceremony (especially by a United States president)
Incarnation: (Christianity) the Christian doctrine of the union of God and man in the person of Jesus Christ
incidental: an item that is incidental
incidental music: music composed to accompany the action of a drama or to fill intervals between scenes
incitement: needed encouragement
incoherence: nonsense that is simply incoherent and unintelligible
income tax return: document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability
indefinite article: a determiner (as `a' or `some' in English) that indicates nonspecific reference
indent: an order for goods to be exported or imported
indent: the space left between the margin and the start of an indented line
indenture: a contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified term
indenture: formal agreement between the issuer of bonds and the bondholders as to terms of the debt
independent clause: a clause in a complex sentence that can stand alone as a complete sentence
index: an alphabetical listing of names and topics along with page numbers where they are discussed
index: a number or ratio (a value on a scale of measurement) derived from a series of observed facts; can reveal relative changes as a function of time
indicant: something that serves to indicate or suggest
indication: (medicine) a reason to prescribe a drug or perform a procedure
indication: something (as a course of action) that is indicated as expedient or necessary
indicator: a signal for attracting attention
indictment: an accusation of wrongdoing
indigenous language: a language that originated in a specified place and was not brought to that place from elsewhere
indirect antonym: antonyms whose opposition is mediated (e.g., the antonymy of `wet' and `parched' is mediated by the similarity of `parched' to `dry')
indirect discourse: a report of a discourse in which deictic terms are modified appropriately (e.g.,
indirect object: the object that is the recipient or beneficiary of the action of the verb
indirect request: an expression of some desire or inclination
Indo-Aryan: a branch of the Indo-Iranian family of languages
Indo-European language: the family of languages that by 1000 BC were spoken throughout Europe and in parts of southwestern and southern Asia
Indo-Iranian language: the branch of the Indo-European family of languages including the Indic and Iranian language groups
inferior: a character or symbol set or printed or written beneath or slightly below and to the side of another character
infinitive: the uninflected form of the verb
infix: an affix that is inserted inside the word
infix notation: a notation for forming mathematical expressions using parentheses and governed by rules of operator precedence; operators are dispersed among the operands
inflection: a manner of speaking in which the loudness or pitch or tone of the voice is modified
inflection: the patterns of stress and intonation in a language
inflectional ending: an inflection that is added at the end of a root word
info: a message received and understood
infomercial: a television commercial presented in the form of a short documentary
information: formal accusation of a crime
information bulletin: a bulletin containing the latest information
information return: a return that provides information to the tax collector but does not compute the tax liability
informed consent: consent by a patient to undergo a medical or surgical treatment or to participate in an experiment after the patient understands the risks involved
informing: a speech act that conveys information
informing: to furnish incriminating evidence to an officer of the law (usually in return for favors)
Ingrian: a Finnic language spoken by the Ingrian
inhospitality: unkind and inconsiderate welcome
initial: the first letter of a word (especially a person's name)
initialisation: (computer science) the format of sectors on the surface of a hard disk drive so that the operating system can access them and setting a starting position
initialism: an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of the several words in the name and pronounced separately
injunction: a formal command or admonition
innuendo: an indirect (and usually malicious) implication
input data: (computer science) a computer file that contains data that serve as input to a device or program
input program: a utility program that organizes the input to a computer
input routine: a routine that writes from an external source to an internal store
input: signal going into an electronic system
inquiring: a request for information
inquisition: a severe interrogation (often violating the rights or privacy of individuals)
insanity plea: (criminal law) a plea in which the defendant claims innocence due to mental incompetence at the time
inscription: letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something
insert: a folded section placed between the leaves of another publication
insertion: a message (spoken or written) that is introduced or inserted
insider information: important information about the plans or condition of a corporation that has not been released to the public; use for personal profit is illegal
insignia: a badge worn to show official position
insignia of rank: an insignia worn on a military uniform
insistence: continual and persistent demands
installment: a part of a published serial
instruction book: a book of directions for using or operating some piece of equipment
instrument: the semantic role of the entity (usually inanimate) that the agent uses to perform an action or start a process
instrument: (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
instrumental music: music intended to be performed by a musical instrument or group of instruments
instrumentation: the instruments called for in a musical score or arrangement for a band or orchestra
insurance: written contract or certificate of insurance
intelligence: secret information about an enemy (or potential enemy)
intelligence: information about recent and important events
intensifier: a modifier that has little meaning except to intensify the meaning it modifies
intent: the intended meaning of a communication
intercession: a prayer to God on behalf of another person
intercommunication: mutual communication; communication with each other
intercourse: communication between individuals
interdict: an ecclesiastical censure by the Roman Catholic Church withdrawing certain sacraments and Christian burial from a person or all persons in a particular district
interdict: a court order prohibiting a party from doing a certain activity
interdiction: authoritative prohibition
interface: (computer science) a program that controls a display for the user (usually on a computer monitor) and that allows the user to interact with the system
interference: a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries
interior monologue: a literary genre that presents a fictional character's sequence of thoughts in the form of a monologue
interlanguage: a common language used by speakers of different languages
interleaf: a blank leaf inserted between the leaves of a book
Interlingua: an artificial language proposed for use as an auxiliary international language; based on words common to English and the Romance languages
interlingual rendition: a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language
interlocutory injunction: injunction issued during a trial to maintain the status quo or preserve the subject matter of the litigation until the trial is over
intermezzo: a short movement coming between the major sections of a symphony
intermezzo: a short piece of instrumental music composed for performance between acts of a drama or opera
internal rhyme: a rhyme between words in the same line
international Morse code: a telegraph code in which letters and numbers are represented by strings of dots and dashes (short and long signals)
International Wanted Notice: an Interpol notice describing a wanted person and asking that he or she be arrested with a view to extradition; a wanted notice that is issued by Interpol at the request of an Interpol member country and distributed to all member countries
Internationale: a revolutionary socialist anthem
Internet Explorer: a commercial browser
internet site: a computer connected to the internet that maintains a series of web pages on the World Wide Web
interpellation: (parliament) a parliamentary procedure of demanding that a government official explain some act or policy
interpretation: an explanation that results from interpreting something
interpreter: (computer science) a program that translates and executes source language statements one line at a time
interrogation: a transmission that will trigger an answering transmission from a transponder
interrogation point: a punctuation mark (?) placed at the end of a sentence to indicate a question
interrogation: a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply
interval: the difference in pitch between two notes
interview: the questioning of a person (or a conversation in which information is elicited); often conducted by journalists
intonation pattern: intonations characteristic of questions and requests and statements
intonation: rise and fall of the voice pitch
intransitive: a verb (or verb construction) that does not take an object
intro: a brief introductory passage to a piece of popular music
intro: formally making a person known to another or to the public
introduction: a new proposal
introduction: a basic or elementary instructional text
introduction: the first section of a communication
introit: a composition of vocal music that is appropriate for opening church services
invective: abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
inventory item: an item listed in an inventory
inventory: a detailed list of all the items in stock
inversion: (counterpoint) a variation of a melody or part in which ascending intervals are replaced by descending intervals and vice versa
inverted comma: a punctuation mark used to attribute the enclosed text to someone else
invitation: a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
invite: a colloquial expression for invitation
invocation: an incantation used in conjuring or summoning a devil
invocation: a prayer asking God's help as part of a religious service
involution: a long and intricate and complicated grammatical construction
iota: the 9th letter of the Greek alphabet
Ioway: a dialect of the Chiwere language spoken by the Iowa
ipse dixit: an unsupported dogmatic assertion
Iranian language: the modern Persian language spoken in Iran
iris scanning: biometric identification by scanning the iris of the eye
Irish bull: obscene words for unacceptable behavior
Irish Gaelic: the Celtic language of Ireland
irony: a trope that involves incongruity between what is expected and what occurs
Iroquoian language: a family of North American Indian languages spoken by the Iroquois
Irula: a Dravidian language closely related to Tamil that is spoken in a hilly section of southwestern India
isolationism: a policy of nonparticipation in international economic and political relations
isometric: a line connecting isometric points
issue: one of a series published periodically
Italian: the Romance language spoken in Italy
italic: a typeface with letters slanting upward to the right
italic: a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right
Italic language: a branch of the Indo-European languages of which Latin is the chief representative
item: a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list
item: an individual instance of a type of symbol
itinerary: a guidebook for travelers
J: the 10th letter of the Roman alphabet
jabberwocky: nonsensical language (according to Lewis Carroll)
jactitation: (law) a false boast that can harm others; especially a false claim to be married to someone (formerly actionable at law)
Japanese: the language (usually considered to be Altaic) spoken by the Japanese
jargon: specialized technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject
Java: a platform-independent object-oriented programming language
Javanese: the Indonesian language spoken on Java
jawbreaker: a word that is hard to pronounce
jazz: a genre of popular music that originated in New Orleans around 1900 and developed through increasingly complex styles
jazz: a style of dance music popular in the 1920s; similar to New Orleans jazz but played by large bands
jeer: showing your contempt by derision
jeremiad: a long and mournful complaint
jeu d'esprit: a witty comment or writing
Jinghpaw: a Kachinic language
Jirrbal: a language of Australian aborigines
jive: a style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz
job: (computer science) a program application that may consist of several steps but is a single logical unit
job application: an application for a job
job control: a program that is called to prepare each job to be run
job description: description of the responsibilities associated with a given job
job-control language: a problem-oriented language used to describe job requirements to an operating system
jocosity: fun characterized by humor
John Hancock: a person's own signature
joint resolution: a resolution passed by both houses of Congress which becomes legally binding when signed by the Chief Executive (or passed over the Chief Executive's veto)
joint return: a return filed by a husband and wife
joker: an inconspicuous clause in a document or bill that affects its meaning in a way that is not immediately apparent
jot: a brief (and hurriedly handwritten) note
jotter: a small notebook for rough notes
journal: a periodical dedicated to a particular subject
journalese: the style in which newspapers are written
journalism: newspapers and magazines collectively
Judeo-Spanish: the Spanish dialect spoken by Sephardic Jews but written in the Hebrew script
judgement: the legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision
judicial admission: (law) an agreement or concession made by parties in a judicial proceeding (or by their attorneys) relating to the business before the court; must be in writing unless they are part of the court record
judicial separation: a judicial decree regulating the rights and responsibilities of a married couple living apart
judicial writ: (law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer
jump: (film) an abrupt transition from one scene to another
jump cut: an immediate transition from one scene to another
junk e-mail: unwanted e-mail (usually of a commercial nature sent out in bulk)
junk mail: third-class mail consisting of advertising and often addressed to `resident' or `occupant'
justification: a statement in explanation of some action or belief
Justinian code: the legal code of ancient Rome; codified under Justinian; the basis for many modern systems of civil law
K: the 11th letter of the Roman alphabet
Kachinic: Tibeto-Burman languages spoken in northernmost Burma and adjacent China and India
Kadai language: a family of Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in southeastern Asia
Kafiri: a Dardic language spoken by the Kafir in northeastern Afghanistan
Kalapooian: a Penutian language spoken by the Kalapuya
Kam Muang: a branch of the Tai languages
Kam-Sui: a group of Kadai languages
Kamarupan: the Tibeto-Burman language spoken in northeastern India and adjacent regions of western Burma
Kamasutra: (Hinduism) an ancient Sanskrit text giving rules for sensuous and sensual pleasure and love and marriage in accordance with Hindu law
Kamba: a Bantu language spoken by the Kamba in Kenya
Kamia: the Yuman language spoken by the Kamia
Kanarese: a Dravidian language spoken in southern India
Kansas: the Dhegiha dialect spoken by the Kansa
kaph: the 11th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
kappa: the 10th letter of the Greek alphabet
Kapsiki: a Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad
Karakalpak: the Turkic language spoken by the Karakalpak
Karelian: a Finnic language spoken by the people of Karelia
Karenic: the Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Thailand and Burmese borderlands
Karok: the Quoratean language of the Karok
Kashmiri: the official state language of Kashmir
Kassite: an ancient language spoken by the Kassites
Katharevusa: literary style of Modern Greek containing features borrowed from Koine
Kazakh: the Turkic language spoken by the Kazak
keen: a funeral lament sung with loud wailing
Kekchi: a Mayan language spoken by the Kekchi
kenning: conventional metaphoric name for something, used especially in Old English and Old Norse poetry
Kentish: one of the major dialects of Old English
Kentish: a dialect of Middle English
Kera: a Chadic language spoken in Chad
kerugma: preaching the gospel of Christ in the manner of the early church
key: a list of words or phrases that explain symbols or abbreviations
key: a list of answers to a test
key: a generic term for any device whose possession entitles the holder to a means of access
key signature: the sharps or flats that follow the clef and indicate the key
key word: a significant word used in indexing or cataloging
key word: a word that is used as a pattern to decode an encrypted message
key: any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
keycard: a plastic card that has a magnetically coded strip that is scanned in order to operate a mechanism
keynote: the principal theme in a speech or literary work
keynote address: a speech setting forth the keynote
keynote: (music) the first note of a diatonic scale
Khalkha: the language of the Khalkha that is the official language of the Mongolian People's Republic
Khamti: a branch of the Tai languages
Khirghiz: the Turkic language spoken by the Kirghiz
Khmer: the Mon-Khmer language spoken in Cambodia
Khoisan language: a family of languages spoken in southern Africa
Khowar: a Dardic language spoken in northwestern Pakistan
Khuen: a branch of the Tai languages
Kichaga: a Bantu language spoken by the Chaga in northern Tanzania
Kickapoo: the Algonquian language of the Kickapoo
Kiliwi: the Yuman language spoken by the Kiliwa
Kinyarwanda: a Bantu language
Kiowa: the Tanoan language spoken by the Kiowa
kiss of peace: (Roman Catholic Church) a greeting signifying Christian love for those assisting at the Eucharist
Kiswahili: a Bantu language
koan: a paradoxical anecdote or a riddle that has no solution; used in Zen Buddhism to show the inadequacy of logical reasoning
Koasati: the Muskhogean language spoken by the Koasati
Koine: a Greek dialect that flourished under the Roman Empire
Kol Nidre: the opening prayer on the eve of Yom Kippur
Kolami: the Dravidian language spoken by the Kolam in central India
Kongo: the Bantu language spoken by the Kongo living in the tropical forests of Zaire and Congo and Angola
Konqueror: a freeware browser for Linux
Kordofanian: a group of languages spoken in the relatively small Kordofan area of the south Sudan
Korean: the Altaic language spoken by Koreans
Kotar: a Dravidian language spoken by the Kota
Kotoko: a Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad
kotow: a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission
Kuchean dialect: a dialect of Tocharian
Kui: the Dravidian language spoken by the Kui in southeastern India
Kuki-Chin: Kamarupan languages spoken in western Burma and Bangladesh and easternmost India
Kulanapan: a group of languages of the Hokan family
Kurdish: an Iranian language spoken in Turkey and Iran and Iraq and Syria and Russia
Kurux: a Dravidian language spoken in eastern India
Kusan: a Penutian language spoken by the Kusan
Kuvi: a Dravidian language spoken in southeast India
kvetch: (Yiddish) a nagging complaint
Kwa: a group of African language in the Niger-Congo group spoken from the Ivory Coast east to Nigeria
Kwakiutl: a Wakashan language spoken by the Kwakiutl
kwela: a kind of danceable music popular among black South Africans; includes a whistle among its instruments
L: the 12th letter of the Roman alphabet
la: the syllable naming the sixth (submediant) note of a major or minor scale in solmization
Labanotation: a system of notation for dance movements that uses symbols to represent points on a dancer's body and the direction of the dancer's movement and the tempo and the dynamics
label: a brief description given for purposes of identification
label: an identifying or descriptive marker that is attached to an object
label: trade name of a company that produces musical recordings
labial stop: a stop consonant that is produced with the lips
labial: a consonant whose articulation involves movement of the lips
labiodental: a consonant whose articulation involves the lips and teeth
laconicism: terseness of expression
Ladin: a Rhaeto-Romance dialect of Romansh spoken in southeastern Switzerland
Ladyship: a title used to address any peeress except a duchess
Laffer curve: a graph purporting to show the relation between tax rates and government income; income increases as tax rates increase up to an optimum beyond which income declines
Lahu: a Loloish language
laissez passer: a document indicating permission to do something without restrictions
lambda: the 11th letter of the Greek alphabet
lamedh: the 12th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
lament: a cry of sorrow and grief
landler: music in triple time for dancing the landler
landmark: a mark showing the boundary of a piece of land
language system: a system of linguistic units or elements used in a particular language
language unit: one of the natural units into which linguistic messages can be analyzed
language: a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
language: the text of a popular song or musical-comedy number
language: a system of words used to name things in a particular discipline
language: (language) communication by word of mouth
Langue d'oc French: medieval provincial dialects of French formerly spoken in the south of France
Langue d'oil French: medieval provincial dialects of French spoken in central and northern France
Lao: the Tai language of a Buddhist people living in the area of the Mekong River in Thailand and Laos
Lappish: any of the languages spoken by the Lapps and generally assumed to be Uralic languages
larghetto: (music) a composition or passage played in a slow tempo slightly faster than largo but slower than adagio
largo: (music) a composition or passage that is to be performed in a slow and dignified manner
last word: an authoritative statement
last word: the final statement in a verbal argument
Late Greek: the Greek language in the 3rd to 8th centuries
latent content: (psychoanalysis) hidden meaning of a fantasy or dream
Lateran Treaty: the agreement signed in the Lateran Palace in 1929 by Italy and the Holy See which recognized the Vatican City as a sovereign and independent papal state
latest: the most recent news or development
Latin: any dialect of the language of ancient Rome
Latinesce: an artificial language based on Latin
Latinian language: the group of languages derived from Latin
Latinism: a word or phrase borrowed from Latin
laugh: a facial expression characteristic of a person laughing
laugh: the sound of laughing
law: legal document setting forth rules governing a particular kind of activity
law degree: degree conferred on someone who successfully completes law school
lead sheet: a sheet containing the words and melody for a song (and some indication of harmony) written in simple form
lead: a news story of major importance
lead: the introductory section of a story
leading indicator: one of 11 indicators for different sections of the economy; used by the Department of Commerce to predict economic trends in the near future
leading question: a question phrased in such a way as to suggest the desired answer; a lawyer may ask leading questions on cross-examination
leading tone: (music) the seventh note of the diatonic scale
leak: unauthorized (especially deliberate) disclosure of confidential information
learner's dictionary: a dictionary specially written for those learning a foreign language
learner's permit: a document authorizing the bearer to learn to drive an automobile
learning curve: a graph showing the rate of learning (especially a graph showing the amount recalled as a function of the number of attempts to recall)
lease: a contract granting use or occupation of property during a specified time for a specified payment
leave: permission to do something
lecture: a speech that is open to the public
lecture: a lengthy rebuke
ledger line: a short line; a notation for extending the range above or below the staff
leer: a facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls
legal code: a code of laws adopted by a state or nation
legalese: a style that uses the abstruse technical vocabulary of the law
legislation: law enacted by a legislative body
legislative act: an act passed by a legislative body
leitmotif: a melodic phrase that accompanies the reappearance of a person or situation (as in Wagner's operas)
lemma: a subsidiary proposition that is assumed to be true in order to prove another proposition
lemma: the heading that indicates the subject of an annotation or a literary composition or a dictionary entry
lens: (metaphor) a channel through which something can be seen or understood
lesson: the significance of a story or event
letter: a strictly literal interpretation (as distinct from the intention)
letter of intent: any letter expressing an intention to take (or forgo) some action
letter of mark and reprisal: a license to a private citizen to seize property of another nation
letter paper: paper cut to an appropriate size for writing letters; usually with matching envelopes
letter telegram: a cheaper form of telegram that is sent abroad for delivery the next day
letter: a written message addressed to a person or organization
letter: an award earned by participation in a school sport
lettercard: a postcard that folds so the message is inside
letterhead: a sheet of stationery with name and address of the organization printed at the top
letterpress: printing from a plate with raised characters
letters of administration: legal document naming someone to administer an estate when no executor has been named
letters patent: an official document granting a right or privilege
letters testamentary: a legal document from a probate court or court officer informing you of your appointment as executor of a will and empowering you to discharge those responsibilities
letterset printing: image is transferred from a relief type plate to a roller
Lettish: the official language of Latvia; belongs to the Baltic branch of Indo-European
lexeme: a minimal unit (as a word or stem) in the lexicon of a language; `go' and `went' and `gone' and `going' are all members of the English lexeme `go'
lexical database: a database of information about words
lexical disambiguation: disambiguation of the sense of a polysemantic word
lexical meaning: the meaning of a content word that depends on the nonlinguistic concepts it is used to express
libel: the written statement of a plaintiff explaining the cause of action (the defamation) and any relief he seeks
libel: a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
liberty chit: a permit to enter or leave a military installation
library catalog: an enumeration of all the resources of a library
library program: a program in a program library
library routine: a debugged routine that is maintained in a program library
libretto: the words of an opera or musical play
licence: a legal document giving official permission to do something
license number: the number on the license plate that identifies the car that bears it
licensing agreement: contract giving someone the legal right to use a patent or trademark
lie: a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
lied: a German art song of the 19th century for voice and piano
ligature: (music) a group of notes connected by a slur
ligature: character consisting of two or more letters combined into one
light: a visual warning signal
light opera: a short amusing opera
lights-out: (military) signal to turn the lights out
limerick: a humorous verse form of 5 anapestic lines with a rhyme scheme aabba
limited edition: an edition that is restricted to a specific number of copies
line: a mark that is long relative to its width
line: text consisting of a row of words written across a page or computer screen
line: persuasive but insincere talk that is usually intended to deceive or impress
line item: an item in an appropriation bill
line of gab: plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
line of poetry: a single line of words in a poem
line score: a summary of the scoring in a game (usually in tabular form)
Linear A: an undeciphered writing system used in Crete in the 17th century B.C.
Linear B: a syllabic script used in Greece in the 13th century B.C.
linear equation: a polynomial equation of the first degree
lineup: the schedule of programs for a particular period
lingam: the Hindu phallic symbol of Siva
lingual: a consonant that is produced with the tongue and other speech organs
Lingualumina: an artificial language
linguistic profiling: using speech characteristics or dialect to identify a speaker's race or religion or social class
linguistic rule: (linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
linguistic string: a linear sequence of words as spoken or written
linguistic universal: (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages
Lingvo Kosmopolita: an artificial language
link: (computing) an instruction that connects one part of a program or an element on a list to another program or list
linkage editor: an editor program that creates one module from several by resolving cross-references among the modules
Linux: an open-source version of the UNIX operating system
lipogram: a text that excludes a particular letter or particular letters of the alphabet
liquid: a frictionless continuant that is not a nasal consonant (especially `l' and `r')
liquor licence: a license authorizing the holder to sell alcoholic beverages
LISP: a flexible procedure-oriented programing language that manipulates symbols in the form of lists
LISP compiler: a compiler for programs written in LISP
LISP program: a program written in LISP
list: a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
Lisu: a Loloish language
Litany: a prayer consisting of a series of invocations by the priest with responses from the congregation
litany: any long and tedious address or recital
literal interpretation: an interpretation based on the exact wording
literary composition: imaginative or creative writing
literary review: a review devoted to literary criticism
literature: creative writing of recognized artistic value
literature: published writings in a particular style on a particular subject
lithography: a method of planographic printing from a metal or stone surface
Lithuanian: the official language of Lithuania; belongs to the Baltic branch of Indo-European
litmus test: a test that relies on a single indicator
litotes: understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary)
little dictionary: a dictionary that is small enough to carry in your pocket
living will: a document written by someone still legally capable requesting that he should be allowed to die if subsequently severely disabled or suffering terminal illness
Livonian: the Finnic language spoken by the people of Livonia in Estonia and Latvia
loan application: an application to borrow money
loan: a word borrowed from another language; e.g. `blitz' is a German word borrowed into modern English
lobe: the enhanced response of an antenna in a given direction as indicated by a loop in its radiation pattern
local call: a telephone call made within a local calling area
localism: a phrase or pronunciation that is peculiar to a particular locality
locative: the semantic role of the noun phrase that designates the place of the state or action denoted by the verb
locus classicus: an authoritative and often-quoted passage
lodgement: bringing a charge or accusation against someone
log: a written record of events on a voyage (of a ship or plane)
log: a written record of messages sent or received
log: the exponent required to produce a given number
logbook: a book in which the log is written
logic bomb: a set of instructions inserted into a program that are designed to execute (or `explode') if a particular condition is satisfied; when exploded it may delete or corrupt data, or print a spurious message, or have other harmful effects
logic diagram: a graphical representation of a program using formal logic
logical proof: proof of a logical theorem
logical quantifier: (logic) a word (such as `some' or `all' or `no') that binds the variables in a logical proposition
logion: a saying of Jesus that is regarded as authentic although it is not recorded in the Gospels
logo: a company emblem or device
logogram: a single written symbol that represents an entire word or phrase without indicating its pronunciation
logomachy: argument about words or the meaning of words
Lolo: a Loloish language
Lolo-Burmese: the Tibeto-Burman language spoken in northern Burma and Yunnan
Loloish: languages spoken by hill tribes in northern Burma and neighboring areas
long distance: a telephone call made outside the local calling area
long-windedness: boring verbosity
loop: the basic pattern of the human fingerprint
loop: a computer program that performs a series of instructions repeatedly until some specified condition is satisfied
loophole: an ambiguity (especially one in the text of a law or contract) that makes it possible to evade a difficulty or obligation
loose sentence: a complex sentence in which the main clause comes first and the subordinate clause follows
Lord's Prayer: the prayer that Christ gave his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9-13)
Lordship: a title used to address any British peer except a duke and extended to a bishop or a judge
love lyric: the lyric of a love song
love song: a song about love or expressing love for another person
love story: a story dealing with love
low blow: unscrupulous abuse
low comedy: a comedy characterized by slapstick and burlesque
Low Latin: any dialect of Latin other than classical Latin
lower criticism: the study of existing manuscripts of the Scriptures in order to determine the original text
lowercase: the characters that were once kept in bottom half of a compositor's type case
lubber line: a fixed line on a ship's compass indicating its heading
lucubration: a solemn literary work that is the product of laborious cogitation
Ludian: a Baltic-Finnic language
LuGanda: the Bantu language of the Buganda people; spoken in Uganda
Lukasiewicz notation: a parenthesis-free notation for forming mathematical expressions in which each operator precedes its operands
luncheon voucher: coupon redeemable at a restaurant and entitling the holder to a meal
Luo: a Nilotic language
luridness: the journalistic use of subject matter that appeals to vulgar tastes
Lusatian: a Slavonic language spoken in rural area of southeastern Germany
Luwian: an Anatolian language
Luyia: a Bantu language
Lycian: an Anatolian language
Lydian: an Anatolian language
lynx: a text browser
lyric: a short poem of songlike quality
M: the 13th letter of the Roman alphabet
mace: a ceremonial staff carried as a symbol of office or authority
Macedonian: the Slavic language of modern Macedonia
machine code: a set of instructions coded so that the computer can use it directly without further translation
machine-displayable text: electronic text that is stored and used in the form of a digital image
machine-readable text: electronic text that is stored as strings of characters and that can be displayed in a variety of formats
mackle: a printed impression that is blurred or doubled
macro: a single computer instruction that results in a series of instructions in machine language
macron: a diacritical mark (-) placed above a vowel to indicate a long sound
macumba: popular dance music of Brazil; derived from the practices of the macumba religious cult
madrigal: an unaccompanied partsong for 2 or 3 voices; follows a strict poetic form
mag: a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
Magadhan: a subfamily of Indic languages
magazine article: an article published in a magazine
magnetic medium: any storage medium in which different patterns of magnetization are used to represent stored bits or bytes of information
Magnificat: (Luke) the canticle of the Virgin Mary (from Luke 1:46 beginning `Magnificat anima mea Dominum')
Mahabharatam: (Hinduism) a sacred epic Sanskrit poem of India dealing in many episodes with the struggle between two rival families
Mahratti: an Indic language; the state language of Maharashtra in west central India; written in the Devanagari script
maiden name: a woman's surname before marriage
mail: the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
mail order: a purchase negotiated by mail
mail: the system whereby messages are transmitted via the post office
mailer: an advertisement that is sent by mail
mailing list: a list of names and addresses to which advertising material is mailed
mailing-card: a card for sending messages by post without an envelope
main file: (computer science) a computer file that is used as the authority in a given job and that is relatively permanent
major diatonic scale: a diatonic scale with notes separated by whole tones except for the 3rd and 4th and 7th and 8th
major form class: any of the major parts of speech of traditional grammar
major key: a key whose harmony is based on the major scale
major lobe: the maximum lobe in the radiation pattern which is intended to be along the forward axis and which gives the effect of a beam
major premise: the premise of a syllogism that contains the major term (which is the predicate of the conclusion)
major term: the term in a syllogism that is the predicate of the conclusion
majority opinion: the opinion joined by a majority of the court (generally known simply as `the opinion')
malaprop: the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
Malay: a western subfamily of Western Malayo-Polynesian languages
Malayalam: a Dravidian language (closely related to Tamil) that is spoken in southwestern India
Malayo-Polynesian: the branch of the Austronesian languages spoken from Madagascar to the central Pacific
Maleseet: the Algonquian language of the Malecite and Passamaquody
malevolent program: a computer program designed to have undesirable or harmful effects
malignment: slanderous defamation
Maltese language: the national language of the Republic of Malta; a Semitic language derived from Arabic but with many loan words from Italian, Spanish, and Norman-French
Malto: the Dravidian language spoken by the Malto
malware: malicious software, designed to break into a system
Mam: a Mayan language spoken by the Mam
Manchu: the Tungusic language spoken by the Manchu
Manda: a Dravidian language spoken in south central India
Mandaean: the form of Aramaic used by the Mandeans
mandamus: an extraordinary writ commanding an official to perform a ministerial act that the law recognizes as an absolute duty and not a matter for the official's discretion; used only when all other judicial remedies fail
Mandarin Chinese: the dialect of Chinese spoken in Beijing and adopted as the official language for all of China
mandatory injunction: injunction requiring the performance of some specific act
Mande: a group of African languages in the Niger-Congo group spoken from Senegal east as far as the Ivory Coast
manga: graphic novel that originated in Japan, usually intended for adults and characterized by highly stylized art
manifest: a customs document listing the contents put on a ship or plane
manifest destiny: a policy of imperialism rationalized as inevitable (as if granted by God)
manifestation: a manifest indication of the existence or presence or nature of some person or thing
manifesto: a public declaration of intentions (as issued by a political party or government)
manner name: a word that denotes a manner of doing something
mantle: the cloak as a symbol of authority
mantra: (Sanskrit) literally a `sacred utterance' in Vedism; one of a collection of orally transmitted poetic hymns
mantra: a commonly repeated word or phrase
manual: a small handbook
manuscript: the form of a literary work submitted for publication
Manx: the ancient Gaelic formerly spoken on the Isle of Man; the language is sometimes used on ceremonial occasions
Maori: the Oceanic language spoken by the Maori in New Zealand
maple-leaf: the emblem of Canada
MapQuest: a free, widely-used Web Map Server
Maracan language: the language spoken by the Maraco
march: genre of music written for marching
marching orders: an order from a superior officer for troops to depart
marching orders: (informal) a notice of dismissal or discharge
margin: the blank space that surrounds the text on a page
marginalia: notes written in the margin
Maricopa: the Yuman language spoken by the Maricopa and the Halchidhoma
Mariposan: a Penutian language spoken by the Yokuts in the San Joaquin Valley
mark: a written or printed symbol (as for punctuation)
mark: a distinguishing symbol
mark: a visible indication made on a surface
mark: a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
mark: a reference point to shoot at
market letter: a newsletter written by an analyst of the stock market and sold to subscribers
market order: an order to a broker to sell or buy stocks or commodities at the prevailing market price
markup: detailed stylistic instructions for typesetting something that is to be printed; manual markup is usually written on the copy (e.g. underlining words that are to be set in italics)
markup language: a set of symbols and rules for their use when doing a markup of a document
marriage contract: a prenuptial agreement or contract
marriage counseling: counseling on marital problems and disagreements
marriage licence: a license authorizing two people to marry
marriage offer: an offer of marriage
Marseillaise: the French national anthem
martial music: brisk marching music suitable for troops marching in a military parade
Masa: an independent group of closely related Chadic languages spoken in the area between the Biu-Mandara and East Chadic languages
Masai: a Nilotic language
masculine: a gender that refers chiefly (but not exclusively) to males or to objects classified as male
Mashi: a Bantu language
Masorah: a vast body of textual criticism of the Hebrew Scriptures including notes on features of writing and on the occurrence of certain words and on variant sources and instructions for pronunciation and other comments that were written between AD 600 and 900 by Jewish scribes in the margins or at the end of texts
Mass: a sequence of prayers constituting the Christian Eucharistic rite
Mass: a musical setting for a Mass
Mass card: (Roman Catholic Church) a card sent to a bereaved family that says the sender has arranged for a Mass to be said in memory of the deceased
mass medium: (usually plural) transmissions that are disseminated widely to the public
mass noun: a noun that does not form plurals
Massachusetts: the Algonquian language of the Massachuset
Master in Business Administration: a master's degree in business
Master in Public Affairs: a master's degree in questions of public concern
Master of Architecture: a degree granted for the successful completion of advanced study of architecture
Master of Arts in Library Science: a master's degree in library science
Master of Arts in Teaching: a master's degree in teaching
Master of Divinity: a master's degree in religion
Master of Education: a master's degree in education
Master of Fine Arts: a master's degree in fine arts
Master of Laws: an advanced law degree
Master of Library Science: a master's degree in library science
Master of Literature: a master's degree in literature
Master of Science: a master's degree in science
Master of Science in Engineering: a master's degree in engineering
Master of Theology: a master's degree in theology
master's degree: an academic degree higher than a bachelor's degree but lower than a doctor's degree
masthead: the title of a newspaper or magazine; usually printed on the front page and on the editorial page
Matabele: a Bantu language sometimes considered a dialect of Zulu
Matakam: a Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad
material: information (data or ideas or observations) that can be used or reworked into a finished form
mathematical notation: a notation used by mathematicians
mathematical proof: proof of a mathematical theorem
mathematical statement: a statement of a mathematical relation
mathematical symbol: a character that is used to indicates a mathematical relation or operation
matinee: a theatrical performance held during the daytime (especially in the afternoon)
matronymic: a name derived from the name of your mother or a maternal ancestor
matter: written works (especially in books or magazines)
matter of fact: a disputed factual contention that is generally left for a jury to decide
matter of law: a disputed legal contention that is generally left for a judge to decide
Mattole: the Athapaskan language spoken by the Mattole
Maxwell's equations: four differential equations that summarize classical properties of electromagnetic fields
Mayan language: a family of American Indian languages spoken by Mayas
Mayday: an internationally recognized distress signal via radiotelephone (from the French m'aider)
mazurka: music composed for dancing the mazurka
McGuffey Eclectic Readers: readers that combined lessons in reading with moralistic messages
mea culpa: an acknowledgment of your error or guilt
mearstone: an old term for a landmark that consisted of a pile of stones surmounted by an upright slab
Medaille Militaire: a French military decoration
medallion: an emblem indicating that a taxicab is registered
mediant: (music) the third note of a diatonic scale; midway between the tonic and the dominant
mediation: a negotiation to resolve differences that is conducted by some impartial party
Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System: relational database of the United States National Library of Medicine for the storage and retrieval of bibliographical information concerning the biomedical literature
medical report: a report of the results of a medical examination of a patient
Medieval Latin: Latin used for liturgical purposes during the Middle Ages
medium: an intervening substance through which signals can travel as a means for communication
medium: a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information
medley: a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
Megillah: (Judaism) the scroll of parchment that contains the biblical story of Esther; traditionally read in synagogues to celebrate Purim
megillah: (Yiddish) a long boring tediously detailed account
melodrama: an extravagant comedy in which action is more salient than characterization
mem: the 13th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
membership card: a card certifying membership in an organization
memo: a written proposal or reminder
memoir: an account of the author's personal experiences
memoir: an essay on a scientific or scholarly topic
memorabilia: a record of things worth remembering
memorial: a written statement of facts submitted in conjunction with a petition to an authority
menace: a threat or the act of threatening
Menominee: the Algonquian language spoken by the Menomini
mention: a remark that calls attention to something or someone
merit badge: a badge award to Boy Scouts in recognition of special projects
meronym: a word that names a part of a larger whole
message: a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
Messiah: an oratorio composed by Handel in 1742
metalanguage: a language that can be used to describe languages
metalepsis: substituting metonymy of one figurative sense for another
metaphor: a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity
meteorology: predicting what the weather will be
metonym: a word that denotes one thing but refers to a related thing
metonymy: substituting the name of an attribute or feature for the name of the thing itself (as in `they counted heads')
Mexican Spanish: the dialect of Spanish spoken in Mexico
mezuza: religious texts from Deuteronomy inscribed on parchment and rolled up in a case that is attached to the doorframe of many Jewish households in accordance with Jewish law
mezzo: the female singing voice between contralto and soprano
mi: the syllable naming the third (mediant) note of any major scale in solmization
Micmac: the Algonquian language of the Micmac
Microsoft disk operating system: an operating system developed by Bill Gates for personal computers
middle C: the note designated by the first ledger line below the treble staff; 261.63 hertz
Middle English: English from about 1100 to 1450
Middle High German: High German from 1100 to 1500
Middle Irish: Irish Gaelic from 1100 to 1500
Middle Low German: Low German from 1100 to 1500
middle name: a name between your first name and your surname
middle term: the term in a syllogism that is common to both premises and excluded from the conclusion
MIDI: a standard protocol for communication between electronic musical instruments and computers
Midrash: (Judaism) an ancient commentary on part of the Hebrew scriptures that is based on Jewish methods of interpretation and attached to the biblical text
midterm: an examination administered in the middle of an academic term
Mikir-Meithei: Kamarupan languages spoken in the states of Manipur and Assam in northeastern India
milepost: stone post at side of a road to show distances
military greeting: a formal military gesture of respect
military intelligence: information about the armed forces of another country that is useful in planning and conducting military policy or military operations
mimesis: the representation of another person's words in a speech
Min dialect: any of the forms of Chinese spoken in Fukien province
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory: a self-report personality inventory consisting of 550 items that describe feelings or actions which the person is asked to agree with or disagree with; many scales estimating traits and qualities of personality have been developed using MMPI items
minor diatonic scale: a diatonic scale with notes separated by whole tones except for the 2nd and 3rd and 5th and 6th
minor key: a key based on the minor scale
minor premise: the premise of a syllogism that contains the minor term (which is the subject of the conclusion)
minor term: the term in a syllogism that is the subject of the conclusion
minstrel show: a variety show in which the performers are made up in blackface
minstrelsy: ballads sung by minstrels
mintmark: a mark on a coin that identifies the mint where it was produced
minuet: a stately piece of music composed for dancing the minuet; often incorporated into a sonata or suite
minus sign: a sign indicating the operation of subtraction
minuscule: a small cursive script developed from uncial between the 7th and 9th centuries and used in medieval manuscripts
minute: a short note
minute book: a book in which minutes have been written
minutes: a written account of what transpired at a meeting
miracle play: a medieval play representing episodes from the life of a saint or martyr
Miranda rule: the rule that police (when interrogating you after an arrest) are obliged to warn you that anything you say may be used as evidence and to read you your constitutional rights (the right to a lawyer and the right to remain silent until advised by a lawyer)
Mirish: little known Kamarupan languages
misconstrual: a kind of misinterpretation resulting from putting a wrong construction on words or actions (often deliberately)
misconstruction: an ungrammatical constituent
misdirection: incorrect directions or instructions
misdirection: an incorrect charge to a jury given by a judge
Mishnah: the first part of the Talmud; a collection of early oral interpretations of the scriptures that was compiled about AD 200
misinformation: information that is incorrect
misinterpretation: putting the wrong interpretation on
misnomer: an incorrect or unsuitable name
mispronunciation: incorrect pronunciation
misquotation: an incorrect quotation
misreading: misinterpretation caused by inaccurate reading
Miss: a form of address for an unmarried woman
missal: (Roman Catholic Church) a book containing all the prayers and responses needed to celebrate Mass throughout the year
Missouri: a dialect of the Chiwere language spoken by the Missouri
Missouri Compromise: an agreement in 1820 between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the United States concerning the extension of slavery into new territories
misspelling: a spelling that is incorrect
misstatement: a statement that contains a mistake
Mister: a form of address for a man
mistranslation: an incorrect translation
mixed metaphor: a combination of two or more metaphors that together produce a ridiculous effect
mock-heroic: a satirical imitation of heroic verse
modal: an auxiliary verb (such as `can' or `will') that is used to express modality
mode: any of various fixed orders of the various diatonic notes within an octave
Modern English: English since about 1450
Modern Greek: the Greek language as spoken and written today
Modern Hebrew: Hebrew used in Israel today; revived from ancient Hebrew
modern jazz: any of various styles of jazz that appeared after 1940
modernization: a modernized version (as of a play)
modifier: a content word that qualifies the meaning of a noun or verb
modulation: (electronics) the transmission of a signal by using it to vary a carrier wave; changing the carrier's amplitude or frequency or phase
modulation: a musical passage moving from one key to another
modus vivendi: a temporary accommodation of a disagreement between parties pending a permanent settlement
Mohawk: the Iroquoian language spoken by the Mohawk
Mohican: the Algonquian language spoken by the Mohican
Mojave: the Yuman language spoken by the Mohave
Mokulu: a Chadic language spoken in Chad
molecular formula: a chemical formula based on analysis and molecular weight
Mon: the Mon-Khmer language spoken by the Mon
Mon-Khmer: a branch of the Austro-Asiatic languages
Monario: an artificial language
Mongolic language: a family of Altaic language spoken in Mongolia
monition: a summons issued after the filing of a libel or claim directing all parties concerned to show cause why the judgment asked for should not be granted
monitor program: a program that observes and regulates and controls or verifies the operations of a data-processing system
monody: music consisting of a single vocal part (usually with accompaniment)
monogram: a graphic symbol consisting of 2 or more letters combined (usually your initials); printed on stationery or embroidered on clothing
monograph: a detailed and documented treatise on a particular subject
monologue: a (usually long) dramatic speech by a single actor
monologue: a long utterance by one person (especially one that prevents others from participating in the conversation)
monologue: speech you make to yourself
monosyllabic word: a word or utterance of one syllable
monotone: a single tone repeated with different words or different rhythms (especially in rendering liturgical texts)
Monroe Doctrine: an American foreign policy opposing interference in the western hemisphere from outside powers
monthly: a periodical that is published every month (or 12 issues per year)
Moquelumnan: a Penutian language spoken by the Miwok
moral principle: the principle that conduct should be moral
moralisation: indulgence in moral pronouncements; the exposition (often superficially) of a particular moral code
moralism: a moral maxim
morality play: an allegorical play popular in the 15th and 16th centuries; characters personified virtues and vices
morceau: a short literary or musical composition
Mordvinian: the Finnic language spoken by the Mordvinians
morpheme: minimal meaningful language unit; it cannot be divided into smaller meaningful units
morphological rule: a linguistic rule for the formation of words
morphophoneme: (linguistics) the phonemes (or strings of phonemes) that constitute the various allomorphs of a morpheme
morphophonemic system: the morphophonemics of a particular language
mortgage application: an application for a mortgage loan
mortgage deed: deed embodying a mortgage
Mosaic: a freeware browser
Mosan: a family of Amerindian languages spoken in Washington and British Columbia
mot juste: the appropriate word or expression
motet: an unaccompanied choral composition with sacred lyrics; intended to be sung as part of a church service; originated in the 13th century
motif: a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
motion: a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote
moue: a disdainful grimace
movement: a major self-contained part of a symphony or sonata
Mozart: the music of Mozart
MRD: a machine-readable version of a standard dictionary; organized alphabetically
Mrs.: a form of address for a married woman
Ms.: a form of address for a woman
mu: the 12th letter of the Greek alphabet
muckraking: the exposure of scandal (especially about public figures)
mud: slanderous remarks or charges
mug book: a file of mug shots (pictures of criminals that are kept on file by the police)
multidimensional language: a programming language whose expressions are assembled in more than one dimension
multimedia: transmission that combine media of communication (text and graphics and sound etc.)
multiplex: communicates two or more signals over a common channel
mumble: a soft indistinct utterance
mumbling: indistinct enunciation
mumbo jumbo: language or ritual causing, or intending to cause, confusion
Munda: a family of languages spoken by people scattered throughout central India
muniments: deeds and other documentary evidence of title to land
Munjuk: a Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad
murder charge: an indictment charging someone with murder
murder mystery: a narrative about a murder and how the murderer is discovered
murmur: a schwa that is incidental to the pronunciation of a consonant
Murphy's Law: humorous axiom stating that anything that can go wrong will go wrong
Musgoi: a Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad
music: an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
music hall: a variety show with songs and comic acts etc.
musical drama: opera in which the musical and dramatic elements are equally important; the music is appropriate to the action
musical notation: (music) notation used by musicians
musical note: a notation representing the pitch and duration of a musical sound
musical octave: a musical interval of eight tones
musical passage: a short section of a musical composition
musical phrase: a short musical passage
musical scale: (music) a series of notes differing in pitch according to a specific scheme (usually within an octave)
musical score: a written form of a musical composition; parts for different instruments appear on separate staves on large pages
musical time signature: a musical notation indicating the number of beats to a measure and kind of note that takes a beat
musical: a play or film whose action and dialogue is interspersed with singing and dancing
Muskhogean language: a family of North American Indian languages spoken in the southeastern United States
Muskogee: the Muskhogean language spoken by the Muskogee
muster roll: a list of names of officers and men in a military unit or ship's company
Mwera: a Bantu language spoken in southern coastal Tanzania
myogram: a graphical recording of muscle activity
mystery play: a medieval play representing episodes from the life of Christ
mystery: a story about a crime (usually murder) presented as a novel or play or movie
mystifier: a particularly baffling problem that is said to have a correct solution
myth: a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
mythologisation: the restatement of a message as a myth
N: the 14th letter of the Roman alphabet
N.B.: a Latin phrase (or its abbreviation) used to indicate that special attention should be paid to something
Na-Dene: a family of North American Indian languages
Naga: Kamarupan languages spoken in northeastern India and western Burma
Nahuatl: the Uto-Aztecan language spoken by the Nahuatl
Naiki: a Dravidian language spoken in south central India
name: a language unit by which a person or thing is known
name calling: verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
name tag: a tag showing the name of the person who wears it
name-dropping: the practice of casually mentioning important people in order to impress your listener
naming: the verbal act of naming
Nancere: a Chadic language spoken in Chad
Nanticoke: the Algonquian language spoken by the Nanticoke and Conoy
Napierian logarithm: a logarithm to the base e
narration: (rhetoric) the second section of an oration in which the facts are set forth
narration: a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
narration: the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
nasal: a consonant produced through the nose with the mouth closed
nasalisation: the act of nasalizing; the utterance of sounds modulated by the nasal resonators
national anthem: a song formally adopted as the anthem for a nation
national trading policy: a government's policy controlling foreign trade
native language: the language that a person has spoken from earliest childhood
nativism: the policy of perpetuating native cultures (in opposition to acculturation)
natural language processing application: an application program that deals with natural language text
natural language: a human written or spoken language used by a community; opposed to e.g. a computer language
Navajo: the Athapaskan language spoken by the Navaho
Navy Cross: a United States Navy decoration for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy
nay: a negative
naysaying: the act of saying no to a request
necrology: a list of people who died recently
necrology: a notice of someone's death; usually includes a short biography
negation: (logic) a proposition that is true if and only if another proposition is false
negation: the speech act of negating
negation: a negative statement; a statement that is a refusal or denial of some other statement
negative: a reply of denial
negative identification: evidence proving that you are not who you say you are not; evidence establishing that you are not among a group of people already known to the system; recognition by the system leads to rejection
negotiable instrument: an unconditional order or promise to pay an amount of money
Negro spiritual: a kind of religious song originated by Blacks in the southern United States
Nepali: the official state language of Nepal
Netscape: a commercial browser
network architecture: specification of design principles (including data formats and procedures) for creating a network configuration of data processors
network programming: the schedule of programs to be broadcast on a network
neural net: computer architecture in which processors are connected in a manner suggestive of connections between neurons; can learn by trial and error
neuter: a gender that refers chiefly (but not exclusively) to inanimate objects (neither masculine nor feminine)
neutralism: a policy of neutrality or nonalignment in international affairs
new criticism: literary criticism based on close analysis of the text
New Deal: the economic policy of F. D. Roosevelt
new edition: a publication (such as a book) that has been modified or updated and offered again for sale
New English Bible: a modern English version of the Bible and Apocrypha
New Latin: Latin since the Renaissance; used for scientific nomenclature
New Norwegian: one of two official languages of Norway; based on rural dialects
New Testament: the collection of books of the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline and other epistles, and Revelation; composed soon after Christ's death; the second half of the Christian Bible
Newari: Himalayish language spoken in the Kathmandu valley of Nepal
news: information reported in a newspaper or news magazine
news: informal information of any kind that is not previously known to someone
news article: an article reporting news
news conference: a conference at which press and tv reporters ask questions of a politician or other celebrity
news item: an item in a newspaper
news magazine: a magazine devoted to reports of current events; usually published weekly
news photography: photography of newsworthy events
news: a program devoted to current events, often using interviews and commentary
newscast: a broadcast of news or commentary on the news
newsletter: report or open letter giving informal or confidential news of interest to a special group
newspaper ad: a printed advertisement that is published in a newspaper
newspaper: a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
newsreel: a short film and commentary about current events
Nez Perce: the Shahaptian language spoken by the Nez Perce
Nganasan: the Uralic language spoken by the Nganasan
Nguni: a group of southern Bantu languages
Nibelungenlied: an epic poem written in Middle High German and based on the legends of Siegfried and Teutonic kings
Nicene Creed: (Christianity) a formal creed summarizing Christian beliefs; first adopted in 325 and later expanded
nicety: a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
nickname: a descriptive name for a place or thing
Niger-Congo: a family of African language spoken in west Africa
Niger-Kordofanian language: the family of languages that includes most of the languages spoken in Africa south of the Sahara; the majority of them are tonal languages but there are important exceptions (e.g., Swahili or Fula)
night letter: a cheaper form of telegram sent for delivery the next day
nihil obstat: the phrase used by the official censor of the Roman Catholic Church to say that a publication has been examined and contains nothing offensive to the church
Nilo-Saharan language: a family of East African languages spoken by Nilotic peoples from the Sahara south to Kenya and Tanzania
Nilotic language: a group of languages of East Africa belonging to the Chari-Nile group
Nineteenth Amendment: an amendment to the Constitution of the United States adopted in 1920; guarantees that no state can deny the right to vote on the basis of sex
no: a negative
Nobel prize: an annual award for outstanding contributions to chemistry or physics or physiology and medicine or literature or economics or peace
nocturne: a pensive lyrical piece of music (especially for the piano)
nod: a sign of assent or salutation or command
noise: a loud outcry of protest or complaint
nol pros: an entry in the court record to the effect that the plaintiff or prosecutor will not proceed
nolo contendere: (law) an answer of `no contest' by a defendant who does not admit guilt but that subjects him to conviction
nom de plume: an author's pseudonym
nominal: a phrase that can function as the subject or object of a verb
nominating address: an address (usually at a political convention) proposing the name of a candidate to run for election
nominative: the category of nouns serving as the grammatical subject of a verb
non sequitur: a reply that has no relevance to what preceded it
non-standard speech: speech that differs from the usual accepted, easily recognizable speech of native adult members of a speech community
Non-Ugric: one of two branches of the Finno-Ugric languages; a family of languages including Finnish and Estonian (but not Hungarian)
nonaggression: a policy of not initiating hostilities
nonconformity: lack of harmony or correspondence
nonfiction: prose writing that is not fictional
noninterference: a foreign policy of staying out of other countries' disputes
Nootka: a Wakashan language spoken by the Nootka
North Atlantic Treaty: the treaty signed in 1949 by 12 countries that established NATO
North Dravidian: a Dravidian language spoken primarily in eastern India
North Germanic language: the northern family of Germanic languages that are spoken in Scandinavia and Iceland
Northern: a dialect of Middle English that developed into Scottish Lallans
Norwegian: a Scandinavian language that is spoken in Norway
nose: a symbol of inquisitiveness
notation: a technical system of symbols used to represent special things
note: a tone of voice that shows what the speaker is feeling
note: a brief written record
notebook: a book with blank pages for recording notes or memoranda
notebook entry: an entry in a notebook
notepaper: writing paper intended for writing short notes or letters
nothings: inconsequential conversation
notice: advance notification (usually written) of the intention to withdraw from an arrangement of contract
notice: a short critical review
notice: an announcement containing information about an event
notice: a request for payment
noun: a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action
noun: the word class that can serve as the subject or object of a verb, the object of a preposition, or in apposition
Nov-Esperanto: an artificial language based on Esperanto
Nov-Latin: an artificial language based on Latin
novel: an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
novelette: a short novel
Novial: an artificial language
nu: the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet
nullity: something that is null (especially an enactment that has no legal validity)
number: a numbered item in a series
number: a numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification and may be attached to accounts, memberships, etc.
number: the grammatical category for the forms of nouns and pronouns and verbs that are used depending on the number of entities involved (singular or dual or plural)
number representation system: any notation for the representation of numbers
number: a symbol used to represent a number
number: the number is used in calling a particular telephone
numeration: naming numbers
nun: the 14th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Nung: a branch of the Tai languages
nursery rhyme: a tale in rhymed verse for children
nuts and bolts: detailed practical information about how something works or how something can be accomplished
Nyamwezi: a Bantu language spoken in central Tanzania
O: the 15th letter of the Roman alphabet
O.K.: an endorsement
Oak Leaf Cluster: a United States military decoration consisting of bronze or silver oak leaves and acorns awarded to anyone who has won a given medal before
oath: a solemn promise, usually invoking a divine witness, regarding your future acts or behavior
oath: a commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law); to lie under oath is to become subject to prosecution for perjury
obbligato: a part of the score that must be performed without change or omission
obbligato: a persistent but subordinate motif
obiter dictum: an incidental remark
object: (grammar) a constituent that is acted upon
object code: the machine-language output of a compiler that is ready for execution on a particular computer
object language: the language into which a text written in another language is to be translated
object language: a computer language into which something written in another computer language is to be translated
object of a preposition: the object governed by a preposition
object program: a fully compiled or assembled program ready to be loaded into the computer
object-oriented database: a database in which the operations carried out on information items (data objects) are considered part of their definition
object-oriented database management system: a database management system designed to manage an object-oriented database
object-oriented programing language: (computer science) a programming language that enables the programmer to associate a set of procedures with each type of data structure
objection: the speech act of objecting
obligation: a legal agreement specifying a payment or action and the penalty for failure to comply
oblique: any grammatical case other than the nominative
observation: a remark expressing careful consideration
obstruent: a consonant that is produced with a partial or complete blockage of the airflow from the lungs through the nose or mouth
Occidental: an artificial language
occlusive: a consonant produced by stopping the flow of air at some point and suddenly releasing it
occupation licence: a license to pursue a particular occupation
octal notation: any mathematical notation that uses 8 different characters (usually the digits 0 to 7)
octal number system: a positional system of numeration that uses octal digits and a radix of eight
octameter: a verse line having eight metrical feet
octave: a rhythmic group of eight lines of verse
octet: a musical composition written for eight performers
octosyllable: a verse line having eight syllables or a poem of octosyllabic lines
ode: a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
Odyssey: a Greek epic poem (attributed to Homer) describing the journey of Odysseus after the fall of Troy
offbeat: an unaccented beat (especially the last beat of a measure)
offer: the verbal act of offering
offer: something offered (as a proposal or bid)
officialese: the style of writing characteristic of some government officials: formal and obscure
offprint: a separately printed article that originally appeared in a larger publication
offset lithography: offset printing by lithography
offset: a plate makes an inked impression on a rubber-blanketed cylinder, which in turn transfers it to the paper
Ofo: a Siouan language spoken by the Ofo
Ogalala: a Siouan language spoken by the Oglala
Old Church Slavonic: the Slavic language into which the Bible was translated in the 9th century
Old English: English prior to about 1100
Old French: the earliest form of the French language; 9th to 15th century
Old Frisian: the Frisian language until the 16th century; the Germanic language of ancient Frisia
Old High German: High German prior to 1200
Old Icelandic: the extinct dialect of Old Norse that was spoken in Iceland up until about 1600
Old Irish: Irish Gaelic up to about 1100
Old Italian: the Italian language up to the middle of the 16th century
Old Latin: the oldest recorded Latin (dating back at early as the 6th century B.C.)
Old Norse: the extinct Germanic language of medieval Scandinavia and Iceland from about to 700 to 1350
Old North French: the medieval Norman dialect of Old French
Old Prussian: a dead language of the (non-German) Prussians (extinct after 1700); thought to belong to the Baltic branch of Indo-European
Old Saxon: Low German prior to 1200
old style: a typeface (based on an 18th century design) distinguished by irregularity and slanted ascender serifs and little contrast between light and heavy strokes
Old Testament: the collection of books comprising the sacred scripture of the Hebrews and recording their history as the chosen people; the first half of the Christian Bible
olive branch: something offered to an adversary in the hope of obtaining peace
Ollari: a Dravidian language spoken in south central India
Omaha: the Dhegiha dialect spoken by the Omaha
omega: the last (24th) letter of the Greek alphabet
omerta: a code of silence practiced by the Mafia; a refusal to give evidence to the police about criminal activities
omicron: the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet
omnibus: an anthology of articles on a related subject or an anthology of the works of a single author
Omotic: a group of related languages spoken in a valley of southern Ethiopia; closely related to Cushitic languages
on-license: a license to sell liquor for consumption on the premises
one-dimensional language: a programming language whose expressions are represented by strings of characters
one-liner: a one-line joke
Oneida: the Iroquoian language spoken by the Oneida
onomasticon: a list of proper nouns naming persons or places
onomatopoeia: using words that imitate the sound they denote
Onondaga: the Iroquoian language spoken by the Onondaga
open account: an unpaid credit order
open door: the policy of granting equal trade opportunities to all countries
open letter: a letter of protest; addressed to one person but intended for the general public
open secret: something that is supposed to be secret but is generally known
open sesame: a magical command; used by Ali Baba
opening: the initial part of the introduction
opening line: the first line of a piece of writing (as a newspaper story)
Opera: a commercial browser
opera: a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
operation code: the portion of a set of operation descriptions that specifies the operation to be performed; the set of operations in a computer
opinion: a message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof
Optez: an artificial language
oracle: a prophecy (usually obscure or allegorical) revealed by a priest or priestess; believed to be infallible
oral contract: an agreement that is not in writing and is not signed by the parties but is a real existing contract that lacks only the formal requirement of a memorandum to render it enforceable in litigation
oral presentation: delivering an address to a public audience
oral: an examination conducted by spoken communication
oration: an instance of oratory
oratory: addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous)
orchestration: an arrangement of a piece of music for performance by an orchestra or band
order: a request for something to be made, supplied, or served
order: (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
order book: a printed copy of the order of the day
order form: a form to use when placing an order
order of the day: the order of business for an assembly on a given day
Order of the Purple Heart: a United States military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces who is wounded in action
order: a body of rules followed by an assembly
order: a commercial document used to request someone to supply something in return for payment and providing specifications and quantities
ordinance: a statute enacted by a city government
ordinance: an authoritative rule
organ: a periodical that is published by a special interest group
organization chart: a chart showing the lines of responsibility between departments of a large organization
oriflamme: an inspiring symbol or ideal that serves as a rallying point in a struggle
orinasal: a speech sound produced with both the oral and nasal passages open (as French nasal vowels)
orison: reverent petition to a deity
Oriya: a Magadhan language that is spoken by the Oriya and is the official language of the Indian state of Orissa
orphan: the first line of a paragraph that is set as the last line of a page or column
orthoepy: the way a word or a language is customarily spoken
orthography: a method of representing the sounds of a language by written or printed symbols
OS: (computer science) software that controls the execution of computer programs and may provide various services
Osage: the Dhegiha dialect spoken by the Osage
Oscan: an extinct Italic language of ancient southern Italy
Osco-Umbrian: a group of dead languages of ancient Italy; they were displace by Latin
Ossete: a northeastern Iranian language spoken in Russia
ostensive definition: a definition that points out or exhibits instances of the term defined
ostinato: a musical phrase repeated over and over during a composition
Ostyak: a Ugric language (related to Hungarian) spoken by the Ostyak
Ostyak-Samoyed: the Uralic language spoken by the Ostyak-Samoyed
Otoe: a dialect of the Chiwere language spoken by the Oto
ottava rima: a stanza of eight lines of heroic verse with the rhyme scheme abababcc
out-of-court settlement: resolution of a dispute prior to the rendering of a final decision by the trial court
output contract: a contract in which you promise to deliver your entire output to the other party who promises to accept it
output file: (computer science) a computer file that contains data that are the output of a device or program
output program: a utility program that organizes the output of a computer
output routine: a routine that controls an output device
output: signal that comes out of an electronic system
outtake: a scene that is filmed but is not used in the final editing of the film
ovation: enthusiastic recognition (especially one accompanied by loud applause)
overappraisal: an appraisal that is too high
overbid: a bid that is higher than preceding bids
overbid: (bridge) a bid that is higher than your opponent's bid (especially when your partner has not bid at all and your bid exceeds the value of your hand)
oversimplification: a simplification that goes too far (to the point of misrepresentation)
overtone: (usually plural) an ulterior implicit meaning or quality
overture: orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio
overview: a general summary of a subject
Oxford English: the dialect of English spoken at Oxford University and regarded by many as affected and pretentious
Oxford English Dictionary: an unabridged dictionary constructed on historical principles
oxymoron: conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence')
oxytone: word having stress or an acute accent on the last syllable
P: the 16th letter of the Roman alphabet
Pabir: a Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad
pablum: worthless or oversimplified ideas
pacification: a treaty to cease hostilities
packaging: a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution
packet: (computer science) a message or message fragment
paean: (ancient Greece) a hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to invoke or thank a deity)
page: one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
paging: calling out the name of a person (especially by a loudspeaker system)
Pahlavi: the script (derived from the Aramaic alphabet) used to write the Pahlavi language
Paiute: the Shoshonean language spoken by the Paiute
Paiwanic: a Formosan language
Palaic: an Anatolian language
palatal: a semivowel produced with the tongue near the palate (like the initial sound in the English word `yeast')
Pali: an ancient Prakrit language (derived from Sanskrit) that is the scriptural and liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism
palimpsest: a manuscript (usually written on papyrus or parchment) on which more than one text has been written with the earlier writing incompletely erased and still visible
palindrome: a word or phrase that reads the same backward as forward
Pamlico: the Algonquian language of the Pamlico
pamphlet: a brief treatise on a subject of interest; published in the form of a booklet
panel discussion: discussion of a subject of public interest by a group of persons forming a panel usually before an audience
paper: a medium for written communication
paper: a scholarly article describing the results of observations or stating hypotheses
paper trail: the written evidence of someone's activities
Papuan language: any of the indigenous languages spoken in Papua New Guinea or New Britain or the Solomon Islands that are not Malayo-Polynesian languages
papyrus: a document written on papyrus
parable: (New Testament) any of the stories told by Jesus to convey his religious message
paradigm: the class of all items that can be substituted into the same position (or slot) in a grammatical sentence (are in paradigmatic relation with one another)
paradox: (logic) a statement that contradicts itself
paragraph: one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line
paralanguage: the use of manner of speaking to communicate particular meanings
paraleipsis: suggesting by deliberately concise treatment that much of significance is omitted
Paralipomenon: (Old Testament) an obsolete name for the Old Testament books of I Chronicles and II Chronicles which were regarded as supplementary to Kings
Parallel Lives: a collection of biographies of famous pairs of Greeks and Romans written by Plutarch; used by Shakespeare in writing some of his plays
paraph: a flourish added after or under your signature (originally to protect against forgery)
paraphrase: rewording for the purpose of clarification
parapsychology: phenomena that appear to contradict physical laws and suggest the possibility of causation by mental processes
parcel post: postal service that handles packages
paregmenon: juxtaposing words having a common derivation (as in `sense and sensibility')
parenthesis: either of two punctuation marks (or) used to enclose textual material
parenthesis-free notation: a notation for forming mathematical expressions that does not use parentheses to delimit components
parenthetical: an expression in parentheses
parisology: the use of ambiguous words
Parji: a Dravidian language spoken in south central India
parking ticket: a ticket issued for parking in a restricted place
Parkinson's law: C. Northcote Parkinson's cynical observation that the number of subordinates in an organization will increase linearly regardless of the amount of work to be done
Parkinson's law: C. Northcote Parkinson's cynical observation that work will expand so as to fill the time available for its completion
parley: a negotiation between enemies
parol evidence rule: a rule that oral evidence cannot be used to contradict the terms of a written contract
parole: a promise
paronomasia: a humorous play on words
paronym: a word that strongly resembles another word in spelling
paroxytone: word having stress or acute accent on the next to last syllable
parser: a computer program that divides code up into functional components
part music: vocal music for several voices in independent parts (usually performed without accompaniment)
part: the melody carried by a particular voice or instrument in polyphonic music
part-of-speech tagger: a tagging program whose labels indicate a word's part of speech
Parthian: the Iranian language spoken in the Parthian kingdom (250 BC to AD 226)
partial differential equation: a differential equation involving a functions of more than one variable
participant role: (linguistics) the underlying relation that a constituent has with the main verb in a clause
participial: a non-finite form of the verb; in English it is used adjectivally and to form compound tenses
particle: a function word that can be used in English to form phrasal verbs
particular: (logic) a proposition that asserts something about some (but not all) members of a class
partita: (music) an instrumental suite common in the 18th century
partita: one of the variations contained in a partita
partitive: word (such a `some' or `less') that is used to indicate a part as distinct from a whole
partnership: a contract between two or more persons who agree to pool talent and money and share profits or losses
parts catalog: a list advertising parts for machinery along with prices
parts inventory: an inventory of replacement parts
partsong: a song with two or more voice parts
party line: the policy of a political group
Pascal: a programing language designed to teach programming through a top-down modular approach
Pascal compiler: a compiler for programs written in Pascal
Paschal Lamb: figure of a lamb; emblematic of Christ
Pasigraphy: an artificial international language using characters (as mathematical symbols) instead of words to express ideas
paso doble: music in march time composed for dancing the paso doble; often played at bull fights
pass: a complimentary ticket
pass: any authorization to pass or go somewhere
passage: a section of text; particularly a section of medium length
passing note: a nonharmonic note inserted for transition between harmonic notes
Passion play: a play representing the Passion of Christ
passport: a document issued by a country to a citizen allowing that person to travel abroad and re-enter the home country
past participle: a participle that expresses completed action
past: a verb tense that expresses actions or states in the past
pastoral: a literary work idealizing the rural life (especially the life of shepherds)
pastoral: a letter from a pastor to the congregation
patch: a short set of commands to correct a bug in a computer program
patent application: an application for sole rights to an invention
patent: a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
Paternoster: (Roman Catholic Church) the Lord's Prayer in Latin; translates as `our father'
pathos: a style that has the power to evoke feelings
patois: a regional dialect of a language (especially French); usually considered substandard
patristics: the writings of the early Church Fathers
patronym: a family name derived from name of your father or a paternal ancestor (especially with an affix (such as -son in English or O'- in Irish) added to the name of your father or a paternal ancestor)
pattern: graphical representation (in polar or Cartesian coordinates) of the spatial distribution of radiation from an antenna as a function of angle
Patwin: a Copehan language spoken by the Patwin
pavan: music composed for dancing the pavane
Pawnee: the Caddoan language spoken by the Pawnee
pay claim: the wage demanded from management for workers by their union representatives
pe: the 17th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Peace of Westphalia: the peace treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War in 1648
pedal: a sustained bass note
pedantry: an ostentatious and inappropriate display of learning
peepshow: a short pornographic film shown in a small coin-operated booth
peg: small markers inserted into a surface to mark scores or define locations etc.
Pehlevi: the Iranian language of the Zoroastrian literature of the 3rd to 10th centuries
penal code: the legal code governing crimes and their punishment
Pengo: a Dravidian language spoken in south central India
pennant: a flag longer than it is wide (and often tapering)
Pennsylvania Dutch: a dialect of High German spoken in parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland
pentameter: a verse line having five metrical feet
Pentateuch: the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
pentatone: a gapped scale with five notes; usually the fourth and seventh notes of the diatonic scale are omitted
penult: the next to last syllable in a word
Penutian: a family of Amerindian language spoken in the great interior valley of California
pep talk: a speech of exhortation attempting to instill enthusiasm and determination in a team or staff
percent sign: a sign (`%') used to indicate that the number preceding it should be understood as a proportion multiplied by 100
perestroika: an economic policy adopted in the former Soviet Union; intended to increase automation and labor efficiency but it led eventually to the end of central planning in the Russian economy
performance: a dramatic or musical entertainment
periodic sentence: a complex sentence in which the main clause comes last and is preceded by the subordinate clause
periodical: a publication that appears at fixed intervals
Permic: a group of Finnic languages spoken in the northwest Urals
permission: approval to do something
peroration: (rhetoric) the concluding section of an oration
peroration: a flowery and highly rhetorical oration
Persian: the language of Persia (Iran) in any of its ancient forms
persiflage: light teasing
person: a grammatical category used in the classification of pronouns, possessive determiners, and verb forms according to whether they indicate the speaker, the addressee, or a third party
personal: a short newspaper article about a particular person or group
personal letter: a letter dealing with personal affairs
personal pronoun: a pronoun expressing a distinction of person
personality assessment: a questionnaire that is supposed to yield a description of a person's personality traits
personification: representing an abstract quality or idea as a person or creature
persuasion: the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
pertainym: meaning relating to or pertaining to
perusal: reading carefully with intent to remember
pet peeve: an opportunity for complaint that is seldom missed
petition: a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
Petrarchan sonnet: a sonnet consisting of an octave with the rhyme pattern abbaabba, followed by a sestet with the rhyme pattern cdecde or cdcdcd
Ph.D.: a doctorate usually based on at least 3 years graduate study and a dissertation; the highest degree awarded graduate study
phatic communication: conversational speech used to communicate sociability more than information
phi: the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet
Philippine: official language of the Philippines; based on Tagalog; draws its lexicon from other Philippine languages
philosophizing: the exposition (often superficially) of a particular philosophy
Phoenician: the extinct language of an ancient Semitic people who dominated trade in the ancient world
phonation: the sound made by the vibration of vocal folds modified by the resonance of the vocal tract
phone bill: statement of charges for telephone service
phone book: a directory containing an alphabetical list of telephone subscribers and their telephone numbers
phone message: a message transmitted by telephone
phone: (phonetics) an individual sound unit of speech without concern as to whether or not it is a phoneme of some language
phone-in: a program in which the audience participates by telephone
phoneme: (linguistics) one of a small set of speech sounds that are distinguished by the speakers of a particular language
phonemic system: the system of phonemes recognized in a language
phonetic alphabet: an alphabet of characters intended to represent specific sounds of speech
phonetic symbol: a written character used in phonetic transcription of represent a particular speech sound
phonetic transcription: a transcription intended to represent each distinct speech sound with a separate symbol
phonogram: any written symbol standing for a sound or syllable or morpheme or word
phonologic system: the system of phones used in a particular language
photo credit: a note acknowledging the source of a published photograph
photo-offset: a method of offset printing using photomechanical plates
photogravure: printing from an intaglio plate prepared by photographic methods
photojournalism: journalism that presents a story primarily through the use of pictures
photolithography: a planographic printing process using plates made from a photographic image
phrasal verb: an English verb followed by one or more particles where the combination behaves as a syntactic and semantic unit
phrase: an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
phrase book: a book containing common expressions in a foreign language along with their translations
Phrygian: a Thraco-Phrygian language spoken by the ancient inhabitants of Phrygia and now extinct--preserved only in a few inscriptions
phylactery: (Judaism) either of two small leather cases containing texts from the Hebrew Scriptures (known collectively as tefillin); traditionally worn (on the forehead and the left arm) by Jewish men during morning prayer
pi: the 16th letter of the Greek alphabet
pianism: performance by or technique of a pianist
piano music: sheet music to be played on a piano
piano sonata: a sonata for piano
pibroch: martial music with variations; to be played by bagpipes
pickup: a warrant to take someone into custody
pictograph: a graphic character used in picture writing
pictorial: a periodical (magazine or newspaper) containing many pictures
pictorial matter: illustrations used to decorate or explain a text
picture postcard: a postcard with a picture on one side
picture writing: a writing system using pictographs
picture: the visible part of a television transmission
pidgin: an artificial language used for trade between speakers of different languages
Pidlimdi: a three-tone Chadic language
pie chart: a circular chart divided into triangular areas proportional to the percentages of the whole
piece: an artistic or literary composition
piece of paper: paper used for writing or printing
piece of writing: the work of a writer; anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect)
Pilgrim's Progress: an allegory written by John Bunyan in 1678
pillow talk: intimate conversation between lovers (typically occurring in bed)
pilot: a program exemplifying a contemplated series; intended to attract sponsors
Pima: the Uto-Aztecan language spoken by the Pima
PIN number: a number you choose and use to gain access to various accounts
Pindaric ode: an ode form used by Pindar; has triple groups of triple units
pinning: a mutual promise of a couple not to date anyone else; on college campuses it was once signaled by the giving of a fraternity pin
pip: a mark on a die or on a playing card (shape depending on the suit)
pitch accent: emphasis that results from pitch rather than loudness
pitch: promotion by means of an argument and demonstration
pizzicato: a note or passage that is played pizzicato
place: the passage that is being read
place name: the name by which a geographical place is known
place: an item on a list or in a sequence
placeholder: a symbol in a logical or mathematical expression that can be replaced by the name of any member of specified set
plagiarism: a piece of writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as being your own work
plainchant: (Roman Catholic Church) a liturgical chant consisting of a single, unaccompanied melodic line
plaint: (United Kingdom) a written statement of the grounds of complaint made to court of law asking for the grievance to be redressed
plank: an endorsed policy in the platform of a political party
planographic printing: the process of printing from a surface on which the printing areas are not raised but are ink-receptive (as opposed to ink repellent)
platform: a document stating the aims and principles of a political party
Plattdeutsch: a German dialect spoken in northern Germany
play: a theatrical performance of a drama
play list: a list of musical selections for performance or for broadcast by radio
play reading: performance of a play by a group of readers
playbill: a theatrical program
playbook: a book containing the scripts of one or more dramatic plays
playbook: a notebook containing descriptions and diagrams of the plays that a team has practiced (especially an American football team)
playlet: a short play
plea: (law) a defendant's answer by a factual matter (as distinguished from a demurrer)
plea bargain: (criminal law) a negotiation in which the defendant agrees to enter a plea of guilty to a lesser charge and the prosecutor agrees to drop a more serious charge
plea: a humble request for help from someone in authority
pleading: (law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding
pleonasm: using more words than necessary
plight: a solemn pledge of fidelity
ploce: (rhetoric) repetition to gain special emphasis or extend meaning
plot: a chart or graph showing the movements or progress of an object
plot: the story that is told in a novel or play or movie etc.
plot line: the plot of a book or play or film
plural: the form of a word that is used to denote more than one
plus sign: a sign indicating the operation of addition
PM: modulation of the phase of the carrier wave
poem: a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
poesy: literature in metrical form
poetic rhythm: (prosody) a system of versification
poetry: any communication resembling poetry in beauty or the evocation of feeling
point: a brief version of the essential meaning of something
point of order: a question as to whether the current proceedings are allowed by parliamentary procedure
point of reference: an indicator that orients you generally
point system: a system of writing or printing using patterns of raised dots that can be read by touch
pointing out: indication by demonstration
Pokomo: a Bantu language spoken in the Kenyan coastal areas of East Africa
polemic: a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)
policy: a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government
Polish: the Slavic language of Poland
polka: music performed for dancing the polka
polyphone: a letter that has two or more pronunciations
polyphonic prose: a rhythmical prose employing the poetic devices of alliteration and assonance
polyptoton: repetition of a word in a different case or inflection in the same sentence
polysemant: a word having more than one meaning
polysyllabic word: a word of more than three syllables
polysyndeton: using several conjunctions in close succession, especially where some might be omitted (as in `he ran and jumped and laughed for joy')
polytonalism: music that uses two or more different keys at the same time
Pomo: the Kulanapan language spoken by the Pomo
Ponka: the Dhegiha dialect spoken by the Ponca
pons asinorum: a problem that severely tests the ability of an inexperienced person
pony express: express mail carried by relays of riders on horseback; especially between Missouri and California around 1860
poor law: a law providing support for the poor
pop quiz: a quiz given without prior warning
pop: music of general appeal to teenagers; a bland watered-down version of rock'n'roll with more rhythm and harmony and an emphasis on romantic love
pop-up: a book (usually for children) that contains one or more pages such that a three-dimensional structure rises up when a page is opened
popular music: any genre of music having wide appeal (but usually only for a short time)
popularisation: an interpretation that easily understandable and acceptable
popularism: music adapted to the understanding and taste of the majority
population profile: a chart showing the number of people as a function of their ages
portal: a site that the owner positions as an entrance to other sites on the internet
portfolio: a list of the financial assets held by an individual or a bank or other financial institution
portrait: a word picture of a person's appearance and character
Portuguese: the Romance language spoken in Portugal and Brazil
poser: a particularly difficult or baffling question or problem
posit: (logic) a proposition that is accepted as true in order to provide a basis for logical reasoning
position paper: a report that explains or justifies or recommends some particular policy
position: an opinion that is held in opposition to another in an argument or dispute
positional notation: a numeration system in which a real number is represented by an ordered set of characters where the value of a character depends on its position
positive identification: evidence proving that you are who you say you are; evidence establishing that you are among the group of people already known to the system; recognition by the system leads to acceptance
positive: the primary form of an adjective or adverb; denotes a quality without qualification, comparison, or relation to increase or diminution
post: a pole or stake set up to mark something (as the start or end of a race track)
Post-It: brand name for a slip of notepaper that has an adhesive that allows it to stick to a surface and be removed without damaging the surface
postage: a small adhesive token stuck on a letter or package to indicate that that postal fees have been paid
poste restante: a notation written on mail that is to be held at the post office until called for (not in the United States or Canada)
postfix: an affix that is added at the end of the word
posting: (bookkeeping) a listing on the company's records
postlude: a voluntary played at the end of a religious service
postmark: a cancellation mark stamped on mail by postal officials; indicates the post office and date of mailing
postmortem: discussion of an event after it has occurred
postposition: (linguistics) the placing of one linguistic element after another (as placing a modifier after the word that it modifies in a sentence or placing an affix after the base to which it is attached)
postulation: (logic) a declaration of something self-evident; something that can be assumed as the basis for argument
Potawatomi: the Algonquian language spoken by the Potawatomi
potboiler: a literary composition of poor quality that was written quickly to make money (to boil the pot)
potshot: criticism aimed at an easy target and made without careful consideration
pound: a symbol for a unit of currency (especially for the pound sterling in Great Britain)
power of attorney: a legal instrument authorizing someone to act as the grantor's agent
Powhatan: the Algonquian language of the Powhatan
PR: a promotion intended to create goodwill for a person or institution
praenomen: the first name of a citizen of ancient Rome
pragmatic: an imperial decree that becomes part of the fundamental law of the land
praise: offering words of homage as an act of worship
Prakrit: any of the modern Indic languages
Prakrit: any of the vernacular Indic languages of north and central India (as distinguished from Sanskrit) recorded from the 3rd century BC to the 4th century AD
prayer: a fixed text used in praying
prayer book: a book containing prayers
Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Children: an Apocryphal book consisting of text added to the Book of Daniel
prayer wheel: a cylinder with prayers written on it; each revolution counts as uttering the prayers; used especially by Buddhists in Tibet
preachification: moralization delivered tediously in a preachy manner
preaching: a moralistic rebuke
preamble: a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)
precedent: a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
precept: rule of personal conduct
precision cookie: a cookie that is saved permanently on your hard drive
predicate: (logic) what is predicated of the subject of a proposition; the second term in a proposition is predicated of the first term by means of the copula
predicate: one of the two main constituents of a sentence; the predicate contains the verb and its complements
predicator: an expression that predicates
preempt: a high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding
preferment: the act of making accusations
prefix: an affix that is added in front of the word
prelim: an examination taken by graduate students to determine their fitness to continue
preliminary prospectus: a first draft of a prospectus; must be clearly marked to indicate that parts may be changed in the final prospectus
prelude: music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera
premiere: the first public performance of a play or movie
preparation: (music) a note that produces a dissonant chord is first heard in a consonant chord
preposition: a function word that combines with a noun or pronoun or noun phrase to form a prepositional phrase that can have an adverbial or adjectival relation to some other word
preposition: (linguistics) the placing of one linguistic element before another (as placing a modifier before the word it modifies in a sentence or placing an affix before the base to which it is attached)
prepositional phrase: a phrase beginning with a preposition
prescript: prescribed guide for conduct or action
prescription: written instructions from a physician or dentist to a druggist concerning the form and dosage of a drug to be issued to a given patient
prescription: written instructions for an optician on the lenses for a given person
prescription: directions prescribed beforehand; the action of prescribing authoritative rules or directions
present participle: a participle expressing present action; in English is formed by adding -ing
present: a verb tense that expresses actions or states at the time of speaking
presentation: the act of making something publicly available; presenting news or other information by broadcasting or printing it
presentation: the act of presenting a proposal
presentment: a document that must be accepted and paid by another person
Presidential Directive: a directive issued by the President of the United States; usually addressed to all heads of departments and agencies
press: the print media responsible for gathering and publishing news in the form of newspapers or magazines
pretension: the advancing of a claim
pretext: something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
pretrial: (law) a conference held before the trial begins to bring the parties together to outline discovery proceedings and to define the issues to be tried; more useful in civil than in criminal cases
preview: a screening for a select audience in advance of release for the general public
preview: an advertisement consisting of short scenes from a motion picture that will appear in the near future
previous question: a motion calling for an immediate vote on the main question under discussion by a deliberative assembly
price: a monetary reward for helping to catch a criminal
price control: restriction on maximum prices that is established and maintained by the government (as during periods of war or inflation)
price floor: floor below which prices are not allowed to fall
price index: an index that traces the relative changes in the price of an individual good (or a market basket of goods) over time
price list: a listing of prices for different goods or services
price tag: a tag showing the price of the article it is attached to
primer: an introductory textbook
primitive: a word serving as the basis for inflected or derived forms
primitive: a mathematical expression from which another expression is derived
primo: the principal part of a duet (especially a piano duet)
Princeton WordNet: a machine-readable lexical database organized by meanings; developed at Princeton University
print: availability in printed form
print: the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication
print media: a medium that disseminates printed matter
printed symbol: a written or printed symbol
printing: text handwritten in the style of printed matter
printing: reproduction by applying ink to paper as for publication
printout: the output of a computer in printed form
Prix de Rome: an annual prize awarded by the French government in a competition of painters and artists and sculptors and musicians and architects; the winner in each category receives support for a period of study in Rome
prix fixe: a menu listing fixed meals at fixed prices
Prix Goncourt: an award given annually for contributions to French literature
pro: an argument in favor of a proposal
probate: a judicial certificate saying that a will is genuine and conferring on the executors the power to administer the estate
problem: a question raised for consideration or solution
process printing: a method of printing colored reproductions from halftone plates
process: a writ issued by authority of law; usually compels the defendant's attendance in a civil suit; failure to appear results in a default judgment against the defendant
processional march: a march to be played for processions
processional: religious music used in a procession
procrustean bed: a standard that is enforced uniformly without regard to individuality
producer price index: an index of changes in wholesale prices
production: a presentation for the stage or screen or radio or television
production: a display that is exaggerated or unduly complicated
production order: an order that initiates the manufacturing process
profanity: vulgar or irreverent speech or action
professing: an open avowal (true or false) of some belief or opinion
profession: affirmation of acceptance of some religion or faith
proffer: a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection
profile: biographical sketch
profile: an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics
profiling: recording a person's behavior and analyzing psychological characteristics in order to predict or assess their ability in a certain sphere or to identify a particular group of people
program music: musical compositions intended to evoke images or remind the listener of events
program: an announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event
programing language: (computer science) a language designed for programming computers
programma: an edict that has been publicly posted
progress report: a report of work accomplished during a specified time period
prohibition: refusal to approve or assent to
prohibition: a law forbidding the sale of alcoholic beverages
projection: the projection of an image from a film onto a screen
prolegomenon: a preliminary discussion inserted at the beginning of a book or treatise
prolepsis: anticipating and answering objections in advance
Prolog: a computer language designed in Europe to support natural language processing
prologue: an introduction to a play
promise: a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
prompt copy: the copy of the playscript used by the prompter
prompt: a cue given to a performer (usually the beginning of the next line to be spoken)
prompting: persuasion formulated as a suggestion
promulgation: the official announcement of a new law or ordinance whereby the law or ordinance is put into effect
pronominal: a phrase that functions as a pronoun
pronoun: a function word that is used in place of a noun or noun phrase
pronunciation: the manner in which someone utters a word
proof: a formal series of statements showing that if one thing is true something else necessarily follows from it
proof: (printing) an impression made to check for errors
propaganda: information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause
proparoxytone: word having stress or acute accent on the antepenult
proper name: a noun that denotes a particular thing; usually capitalized
property settlement: (matrimonial law) the division of property owned or acquired by marriage partners during their marriage
Prophets: the second of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures
proportional font: any font whose different characters have different widths
proposal: something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
proposal: the act of making a proposal
proposition: an offer for a private bargain (especially a request for sexual favors)
proposition: (logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false
prose: matter of fact, commonplace, or dull expression
prose: ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
prose poem: prose that resembles poetry
proselytism: the practice of proselytizing
prospectus: a formal written offer to sell securities (filed with the SEC) that sets forth a plan for a (proposed) business enterprise
protectionism: the policy of imposing duties or quotas on imports in order to protect home industries from overseas competition
protest: the act of making a strong public expression of disagreement and disapproval
protest: a formal and solemn declaration of objection
protestation: a strong declaration of protest
prothalamion: a song in celebration of a marriage
Proto-Indo European: a prehistoric unrecorded language that was the ancestor of all Indo-European languages
Proto-Norse: the Germanic language of Scandinavia up until about 700
protocol: forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state
Provencal: the medieval dialects of Langue d'oc (southern France)
provision: a stipulated condition
proxy: a power of attorney document given by shareholders of a corporation authorizing a specific vote on their behalf at a corporate meeting
PS: a note appended to a letter after the signature
psalm: any sacred song used to praise the deity
Psalm: one of the 150 lyrical poems and prayers that comprise the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament; said to have been written by David
Pseudepigrapha: 52 texts written between 200 BC and AD 200 but ascribed to various prophets and kings in the Hebrew scriptures; many are apocalyptic in nature
psi: the 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet
psychobabble: using language loaded with psychological terminology
psychokinesis: the power to move something by thinking about it without the application of physical force
public discussion: free and open discussion of (or debate on) some question of public interest
public law: a law affecting the public at large
publication: a copy of a printed work offered for distribution
puff: exaggerated praise (as for promotional purposes)
puffery: a flattering commendation (especially when used for promotional purposes)
Pujunan: a Penutian language spoken by the Maidu
pulp: an inexpensive magazine printed on poor quality paper
pulse modulation: modulation that imposes a signal on a train of pulses
pulse-time modulation: modulation of the time between successive pulses
punctilio: a fine point of etiquette or petty formality
punctuation: the marks used to clarify meaning by indicating separation of words into sentences and clauses and phrases
Punic: the Phoenician dialect of ancient Carthage
Punjabi: the Indic language spoken by people in Pakistan and Punjab
punk: rock music with deliberately offensive lyrics expressing anger and social alienation; in part a reaction against progressive rock
puppet play: a show in which the actors are puppets
Purana: a body of 18 works written between the first and 11th centuries and incorporating legends and speculative histories of the universe and myths and customary observances
purchase agreement: a contract stating the terms of a purchase
purism: scrupulous or exaggerated insistence on purity or correctness (especially in language)
purple passage: a passage full of ornate and flowery language
push-down list: a list in which the next item to be removed is the item most recently stored (LIFO)
push-down queue: a queue in which the last item to go in is the first item to come out (LIFO)
put-down: a crushing remark
putoff: a pretext for delay or inaction
Q: the 17th letter of the Roman alphabet
Qiangic: the Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Sichuan
qoph: the 19th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
quadratic: an equation in which the highest power of an unknown quantity is a square
quadrille: music for dancing the quadrille
qualification: a statement that limits or restricts some claim
quantifier: (grammar) a word that expresses a quantity (as `fifteen' or `many')
Quapaw: the Dhegiha dialect spoken by the Quapaw
quarter rest: a musical rest having one-fourth the time value of a whole rest
quarter tone: half of a semitone
quarterly: a periodical that is published every quarter (or four issues per year)
quartet: a musical composition for four performers
quasi contract: a contract created by law for reasons of justice without any expression of assent
quatrain: a stanza of four lines
Quechuan language: the language of the Quechua which was spoken by the Incas
Queen's English: English as spoken by educated persons in southern England
question: an informal reference to a marriage proposal
questionnaire: a form containing a set of questions; submitted to people to gain statistical information
queue: (information processing) an ordered list of tasks to be performed or messages to be transmitted
Quiche: the Mayan language spoken by the Quiche
quickstep: military march accompanying quick time
quintet: a musical composition for five performers
quitclaim: document transferring title or right or claim to another
quiz: an examination consisting of a few short questions
quiz program: a game show in which contestants answer questions
Quoratean: a group of languages of the Hokan family
quota: a limitation on imports
quotation: a statement of the current market price of a security or commodity
R: the 18th letter of the Roman alphabet
R and B: a combination of blues and jazz that was developed in the United States by Black musicians; an important precursor of rock 'n' roll
Rabbi: a Hebrew title of respect for a Jewish scholar or teacher
racecard: a program for a race meeting; lists the races and the names of the horses
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act: law intended to eradicate organized crime by establishing strong sanctions and forfeiture provisions
racon: a device that, on receiving radar signals, transmits coded signals in response to help navigators determine their position
radar echo: an electronic signal that has been reflected back to the radar antenna; contains information about the location and distance of the reflecting object
radical: a character conveying the lexical meaning of a logogram
radical sign: a sign indicating the extraction of a root
radio beacon: a characteristic signal emitted by a transmitter used for navigation
radio broadcast: a broadcast via radio
radio news: a radio broadcast of news
radio: medium for communication
radiogram: a message transmitted by wireless telegraphy
radiotelegraph: telegraphy that uses transmission by radio rather than by wire
radiotelegraphic signal: a signal transmitted by telegraphy
radiotelephone: telephony that uses transmission by radio rather than by wire
rag: music with a syncopated melody (usually for the piano)
rag: newspaper with half-size pages
railroad ticket: a ticket good for a ride on a railroad train
rain check: a ticket stub entitling the holder to admission to a future event if the scheduled event was cancelled due to rain
rain check: a promise that an unaccepted offer will be renewed in the future
rallying point: a point or principle on which scattered or opposing groups can come together
Ramayana: one of two classical Hindu epics telling of the banishment of Rama from his kingdom and the abduction of his wife by a demon and Rama's restoration to the throne
random number generator: a routine designed to yield a random number
rap: voluble conversation
rap session: conversation in a situation where feelings can be expressed and criticized or supported
rasp: uttering in an irritated tone
raster font: the font that is displayed on a computer screen
ration card: a card certifying the bearer's right to purchase rationed goods
rave: an extravagantly enthusiastic review
raving: declaiming wildly
ray: the syllable naming the second (supertonic) note of any major scale in solmization
re-introduction: a proposal of something previously rejected
read: something that is read
read-only file: (computer science) a file that you can read but cannot change
reader: one of a series of texts for students learning to read
reading: a particular interpretation or performance
reading clinic: a clinic for people with reading disabilities
reading program: a program designed to teach literacy skills
reading: written material intended to be read
reading: a public instance of reciting or repeating (from memory) something prepared in advance
readout: the output of a computer in readable form
readout: the information displayed or recorded on an electronic device
ready reckoner: a handbook of tables used to facilitate computation
reaffirmation: renewed affirmation
real presence: (Christianity) the Christian doctrine that the body of Christ is actually present in the Eucharist
realisation: a musical composition that has been completed or enriched by someone other than the composer
reason: an explanation of the cause of some phenomenon
rebroadcast: a broadcast that repeated at a later time
rebuff: an instance of driving away or warding off
rebuke: an act or expression of criticism and censure
rebus: a puzzle where you decode a message consisting of pictures representing syllables and words
rebuttal: the speech act of refuting by offering a contrary contention or argument
rebuttal: (law) a pleading by the defendant in reply to a plaintiff's surrejoinder
recall: a bugle call that signals troops to return
recall: a call to return
recap: a summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion
recapitulation: (music) the section of a composition or movement (especially in sonata form) in which musical themes that were introduced earlier are repeated
recasting: changing a particular word or phrase
receipt: an acknowledgment (usually tangible) that payment has been made
Received Pronunciation: the approved pronunciation of British English; originally based on the King's English as spoken at public schools and at Oxford and Cambridge Universities (and widely accepted elsewhere in Britain); until recently it was the pronunciation of English used in British broadcasting
reception: quality or fidelity of a received broadcast
reception: the manner in which something is greeted
recessional: a hymn that is sung at the end of a service as the clergy and choir withdraw
recipient: the semantic role of the animate entity that is passively involved in the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
reciprocal pronoun: a pronoun or pronominal phrase (as `each other') that expresses a mutual action or relationship between the individuals indicated in the plural subject
recital: performance of music or dance especially by soloists
recital: a detailed account or description of something
recital: a detailed statement giving facts and figures
recitation: written matter that is recited from memory
recitative: a vocal passage of narrative text that a singer delivers with natural rhythms of speech
reckoning: a bill for an amount due
recognition: the explicit and formal acknowledgement of a government or of the national independence of a country
recommendation: something (as a course of action) that is recommended as advisable
reconsideration: a consideration of a topic (as in a meeting) with a view to changing an earlier decision
reconstruction: an interpretation formed by piecing together bits of evidence
record: anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
recounting: an act of narration
recrimination: mutual accusations
recto: right-hand page
recursive definition: (mathematics) a definition of a function from which values of the function can be calculated in a finite number of steps
recursive routine: a routine that can call itself
red flag: the emblem of socialist revolution
red flag: a flag that serves as a warning signal
red light: the signal to stop
red light: a cautionary sign of danger
Red Tai: a branch of the Tai languages
redefinition: the act of giving a new definition
Rediffusion: a system for distributing radio or tv programs
redirect examination: (law) questioning of a witness by the party that called the witness after that witness has been subject to cross-examination
redundancy: repetition of messages to reduce the probability of errors in transmission
reduplication: a word formed by or containing a repeated syllable or speech sound (usually at the beginning of the word)
reduplication: the syllable added in a reduplicated word form
reel: music composed for dancing a reel
reenforcement: information that makes more forcible or convincing
reference manual: a manual containing information organized in a summary manner
reference: a publication (or a passage from a publication) that is referred to
referent: something referred to; the object of a reference
referent: something that refers; a term that refers to another term
referent: the first term in a proposition; the term to which other terms relate
referral: a recommendation to consult the (professional) person or group to whom one has been referred
reflexive verb: a verb whose agent performs an action that is directed at the agent
reflexive: a personal pronoun compounded with -self to show the agent's action affects the agent
refusal: a message refusing to accept something that is offered
refusal: the act of refusing
reggae: popular music originating in the West Indies; repetitive bass riffs and regular chords played on the off beat by a guitar
regionalism: a foreign policy that defines the international interests of a country in terms of particular geographic areas
regionalism: a feature (as a pronunciation or expression or custom) that is characteristic of a particular region
register language: a tone language that uses different voice registers
register: an official written record of names or events or transactions
registered mail: mail that is registered by the post office when sent in order to assure safe delivery
registration: a document certifying an act of registering
reharmonisation: a piece of music whose original harmony has been revised
rehash: old material that is slightly reworked and used again
reintroduction: an act of renewed introduction
reissue: a publication (such as a book) that is reprinted without changes or editing and offered again for sale
rejection: the speech act of rejecting
rejoinder: (law) a pleading made by a defendant in response to the plaintiff's replication
relational database: a database in which relations between information items are explicitly specified as accessible attributes
relational database management system: a database management system designed to manage a relational database
relative clause: a clause introduced by a relative pronoun
relative pronoun: a pronoun (as `that' or `which' or `who') that introduces a relative clause referring to some antecedent
relatum: a term in a proposition that is related to the referent of the proposition
religious song: religious music for singing
religious text: writing that is venerated for the worship of a deity
relinquishing: a verbal act of renouncing a claim or right or position etc.
relocatable program: a program that can be located in different parts of memory at different times
reminder: a message that helps you remember something
rendering: a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
renouncement: an act (spoken or written) declaring that something is surrendered or disowned
rent-roll: a register of rents; includes the names of tenants and the amount of rent they pay
renunciation: rejecting or disowning or disclaiming as invalid
reorder: a repeated order for the same merchandise
repartee: adroitness and cleverness in reply
repetition: the repeated use of the same word or word pattern as a rhetorical device
repetitiousness: verboseness resulting from excessive repetitions
replication: (law) a pleading made by a plaintiff in reply to the defendant's plea or answer
reply: the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange
report: a written evaluation of a student's scholarship and deportment
report: a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
representation: a factual statement made by one party in order to induce another party to enter into a contract
representation: a statement of facts and reasons made in appealing or protesting
reprieve: a warrant granting postponement (usually to postpone the execution of the death sentence)
reproach: a mild rebuke or criticism
republication: something that has been published again; a fresh publication (as of a literary work)
repudiation: refusal to acknowledge or pay a debt or honor a contract (especially by public authorities)
Requiem: a musical setting for a Mass celebrating the dead
requiescat: a prayer for the repose of the soul of a dead person
requirements contract: a contract in which you agree to purchase all your requirements of a particular sort from one party
requisition: the act of requiring; an authoritative request or demand, especially by a military or public authority that takes something over (usually temporarily) for military or public use
requisition: an official form on which a request in made
rerun: a program that is broadcast again
res gestae: rule of evidence that covers words that are so closely associated with an occurrence that the words are considered part of the occurrence and as such their report does not violate the hearsay rule
res ipsa loquitur: a rule of evidence whereby the negligence of an alleged wrongdoer can be inferred from the fact that the accident happened
rescript: a reply by a Pope to an inquiry concerning a point of law or morality
rescript: the act of rewriting something
rescript: something that has been written again
reservation: the written record or promise of an arrangement by which accommodations are secured in advance
reserve clause: a clause that used to be part of the contract with a professional athlete extending the contract for a year beyond its expiration
resh: the 20th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
resignation: a formal document giving notice of your intention to resign
resignation: the act of giving up (a claim or office or possession etc.)
resolution: (music) a dissonant chord is followed by a consonant chord
respects: (often used with `pay') a formal expression of esteem
response: a phrase recited or sung by the congregation following a versicle by the priest or minister
rest: a musical notation indicating a silence of a specified duration
restatement: a revised statement
restrictive clause: a subordinate clause that limits or restricts the meaning of the noun phrase it modifies
result: the semantic role of the noun phrase whose referent exists only by virtue of the activity denoted by the verb in the clause
resume: short descriptive summary (of events)
retail price index: an index of changes in retail prices
retained object: an object in a passive construction
retinal scanning: biometric identification by scanning the retina of the eye
retreat: (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset
retreat: (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position
retroflection: an articulatory gesture made by turning the tip of the tongue back against the roof of the mouth
retronym: a word introduced because an existing term has become inadequate
retrospection: reference to things past
retroversion: translation back into the original language
return address: the address of the sender of a letter or parcel indicating where it should be returned if it cannot be delivered
return ticket: a ticket to a place and back (usually over the same route)
reusable program: a program that can be loaded once and executed repeatedly
reusable routine: a routine that can be loaded once and executed repeatedly
reveille: (military) signal to wake up
Revelation of Saint John the Divine: the last book of the New Testament; contains visionary descriptions of heaven and of conflicts between good and evil and of the end of the world; attributed to Saint John the Apostle
revenue stamp: a small piece of adhesive paper that is put on an object to show that a government tax has been paid
Reverend: a title of respect for a clergyman
reverse Polish notation: a parenthesis-free notation for forming mathematical expressions in which each operator follows its operands
review: a periodical that publishes critical essays on current affairs or literature or art
review copy: a copy of a newly published book that is sent for review to a writer or periodical
review: a variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians
Revised Standard Version: a revision of the American Standard Version
Revised Version: a British revision of the Authorized Version
revising: editing that involves writing something again
reward: the offer of money for helping to find a criminal or for returning lost property
RFD: free government delivery of mail in outlying country areas
Rhaeto-Romanic: Romance dialects spoken in parts of southeastern Switzerland and northern Italy and the Tyrol
rhapsody: (music) a free instrumental composition in one extended movement; typically emotional or exuberant in character
rhapsody: (in ancient Greece) an epic poem adapted for recitation
rhetoric: using language effectively to please or persuade
rhetorical device: a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)
rhetorical question: a statement that is formulated as a question but that is not supposed to be answered
rho: the 17th letter of the Greek alphabet
rhumba: syncopated music in duple time for dancing the rumba
rhyme royal: a stanza form having seven lines of iambic pentameter; introduced by Chaucer
rhyme: correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)
rhyme: a piece of poetry
rhyming slang: slang that replaces words with rhyming words or expressions and then typically omits the rhyming component
rhythm: the arrangement of spoken words alternating stressed and unstressed elements
rib: a teasing remark
ribaldry: ribald humor
rictus: a gaping grimace
rider: a clause that is appended to a legislative bill
ridicule: language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate
riff: a jazz ostinato; usually provides a background for a solo improvisation
Rig-Veda: a Veda consisting of a collection of Hindu poems dating from before 2000 BC
rigamarole: a set of confused and meaningless statements
rights issue: an offering of common stock to existing shareholders who hold subscription rights or pre-emptive rights that entitle them to buy newly issued shares at a discount from the price at which they will be offered to the public later
Riksmaal: in 1929 this dialect of Norwegian was officially renamed Bokmal
ringing: the giving of a ring as a token of engagement
Riot Act: a former English law requiring mobs to disperse after a magistrate reads the law to them
riot act: a vigorous reprimand
ritz: ostentatious display of elegance
Ro: an artificial language for international use that rejects all existing words and is based instead on an abstract analysis of ideas
roadbook: a guidebook describing the roads of a country; contains maps and (sometimes) a gazetteer
rock concert: a performance of rock music
rock opera: an opera with rock music
rock: a genre of popular music originating in the 1950s; a blend of black rhythm-and-blues with white country-and-western
rockabilly: a fusion of black music and country music that was popular in the 1950s; sometimes described as blues with a country beat
rocket: propels bright light high in the sky, or used to propel a lifesaving line or harpoon
rogation: a solemn supplication ceremony prescribed by the church
roll: a list of names
roll: a document that can be rolled up (as for storage)
roman a clef: a novel in which actual persons and events are disguised as fictional characters
Roman alphabet: the alphabet evolved by the ancient Romans which serves for writing most of the languages of western Europe
roman fleuve: a French novel in the form of a long chronicle of a family or other social group
Roman numeral: a symbol in the old Roman notation; I,V,X,L,C,D,M represent 1,5,10,50,100,500,1000 respectively in Arabic notation
roman: a typeface used in ancient Roman inscriptions
Romanal: an artificial language
romance: a novel dealing with idealized events remote from everyday life
Romany: the Indic language of the Gypsies
rondeau: a French verse form of 10 or 13 lines running on two rhymes; the opening phrase is repeated as the refrain of the second and third stanzas
rondeau: a musical form that is often the last movement of a sonata
rondelet: a shorter form of rondeau
Rosetta Stone: a part of an inscribed granite stela that was originally about six feet tall and was set up in 196 BC; the inscriptions in hieroglyphics and Demotic and Greek gave the first clues to the decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphics
rota: a roster of names showing the order in which people should perform certain duties
rotogravure: printing by transferring an image from a photogravure plate to a cylinder in a rotary press
rotogravure: printed material (text and pictures) produced by an intaglio printing process in a rotary press
rotundity: the fullness of a tone of voice
rough cut: the first print of a movie after preliminary editing
roulade: (music) an elaborate run of several notes sung to one syllable
round: an outburst of applause
round hand: a clearly written style of longhand with large round curves
round robin: a letter signed by a number of people
round table: a meeting of peers for discussion and exchange of views
round: a partsong in which voices follow each other; one voice starts and others join in one after another until all are singing different parts of the song at the same time
roundel: English form of rondeau having three triplets with a refrain after the first and third
roundelay: a song in which a line or phrase is repeated as the refrain
roundup: a summary list; as in e.g.
royal charter: a charter granted by the sovereign (especially in Great Britain)
rubric: a title or heading that is printed in red or in a special type
rubric: an authoritative rule of conduct or procedure
rubric: directions for the conduct of Christian church services (often printed in red in a prayer book)
rubric: a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with
rule: any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order
rule: directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted
rule of evidence: (law) a rule of law whereby any alleged matter of fact that is submitted for investigation at a judicial trial is established or disproved
Rumanian: an eastern Romance language spoken in Romania
Rumansh: the Rhaeto-Romance language spoken in southeastern Switzerland; it is an official language of Switzerland
run-on sentence: an ungrammatical sentence in which two or more independent clauses are conjoined without a conjunction
rundown: a concluding summary (as in presenting a case before a law court)
rune: any character from an ancient Germanic alphabet used in Scandinavia from the 3rd century to the Middle Ages
running head: a heading printed at the top of every page (or every other page) of a book
running title: the title (or a shortened title) of a book used as a running head
ruralism: a rural idiom or expression
Russian: the Slavic language that is the official language of Russia
Ryukyuan: the language (related to Japanese) that is spoken by the people of the Ryukyu Islands
S: the 19th letter of the Roman alphabet
Saame: the language of nomadic Lapps in northern Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula
Sabellian: an extinct Osco-Umbrian language of ancient Italy that survives only in a few inscriptions
sackcloth and ashes: a display of extreme remorse or repentance or grief
sacred scripture: any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group
sadhe: the 18th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Saek: a branch of the Tai languages
safe-conduct: a document or escort providing safe passage through a region especially in time of war
safety net: a guarantee of professional or financial security
saga: a narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family; originally (12th to 14th centuries) a story of the families that settled Iceland and their descendants but now any prose narrative that resembles such an account
Saharan: a Nilo-Saharan language spoken in parts of Chad
salaam: a deep bow; a Muslim form of salutation
sale: an agreement (or contract) in which property is transferred from the seller (vendor) to the buyer (vendee) for a fixed price in money (paid or agreed to be paid by the buyer)
sales promotion: promotion that supplements or coordinates advertising
Salic law: the code of laws of the Salian Franks and other German tribes
Salishan: a family of Mosan language spoken in northwestern United States and western Canada
SALT I: the first treaty between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics resulting from the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
SALT II: the second treaty between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics resulting from the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks
salutation: word of greeting used to begin a letter
salutation: an act of honor or courteous recognition
salutatory: an opening or welcoming statement (especially one delivered at graduation exercises)
salute: an act of greeting with friendly words and gestures like bowing or lifting the hat
salvo: a sudden outburst of cheers
Sama-Veda: a collection of mantras and tunes for use with the Rig-Veda
samba: music composed for dancing the samba
samekh: the 15th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Samhita: one of four collections of sacred texts
samizdat: a system of clandestine printing and distribution of dissident or banned literature
Samoyedic: the Uralic languages spoken by the Samoyed in northwestern Siberia
San Carlos Apache: an Apache language
sandhi: the articulatory process whereby the pronunciation of a word or morpheme changes when it is followed immediately by another (especially in fluent speech)
Sango: a trade language widely used in Chad
Sanskrit literature: Hindu literature written in Sanskrit
Sanskritic language: (Hinduism) an ancient language of India (the language of the Vedas and of Hinduism); an official language of India although it is now used only for religious purposes
Santee: the Siouan language spoken by the Santee
sapiential book: any of the biblical books (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus) that are considered to contain wisdom
saraband: music composed for dancing the saraband
Sardinian: the Italian dialect spoken in Sardinia; sometimes considered a separate language with many loan words from Spanish
satyr play: an ancient Greek burlesque with a chorus of satyrs
Savara: a Dravidian language spoken by the Savara in southeastern India (north of Madras)
say-so: one chap's arbitrary assertion
Sayanci: a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
scale of C major: (music) the major scale having no sharps or flats
scandalmongering: spreading malicious gossip
scansion: analysis of verse into metrical patterns
scare quote: the use of quotation marks to indicate that it is not the authors preferred terminology
scarlet letter: the letter A in red; Puritans required adulterers to wear it
scatology: a preoccupation with obscenity (especially that dealing with excrement or excretory functions)
scenario: a postulated sequence of possible events
scenario: an outline or synopsis of a play (or, by extension, of a literary work)
scene: a subdivision of an act of a play
scene: a consecutive series of pictures that constitutes a unit of action in a film
scepter: a ceremonial or emblematic staff
schedule: an ordered list of times at which things are planned to occur
scherzo: a fast movement (usually in triple time)
schmegegge: (Yiddish) baloney; hot air; nonsense
scholia: a marginal note written by a scholiast (a commentator on ancient or classical literature)
school newspaper: a newspaper written and published by students in a school
school text: a book prepared for use in schools or colleges
schottische: music performed for dancing the schottische
Schrodinger wave equation: the fundamental equation of wave mechanics
schwa: a neutral middle vowel; occurs in unstressed syllables
science fiction: literary fantasy involving the imagined impact of science on society
scire facias: a judicial writ based on some record and requiring the party against whom it is brought to show cause why the record should not be enforced or annulled
Scots English: the dialect of English used in Scotland
Scottish Gaelic: the Gaelic of Scotland
Scottish Lallans: a dialect of English spoken in the Lowlands of Scotland
scrape: a deep bow with the foot drawn backwards (indicating excessive humility)
scream: sharp piercing cry
screamer: a sensational newspaper headline
screed: a long piece of writing
screed: a long monotonous harangue
screening: the display of a motion picture
screenplay: a script for a film including dialogue and descriptions of characters and sets
script: a particular orthography or writing system
Scythian: the Iranian language spoken by the ancient Scythians
seal: a stamp affixed to a document (as to attest to its authenticity or to seal it)
search engine: a computer program that retrieves documents or files or data from a database or from a computer network (especially from the internet)
search warrant: a warrant authorizing law enforcement officials to search for objects or people involved in the commission of a crime and to produce them in court; the warrant describes the locations where the officials may search
Second Epistel of John: the second New Testament epistle traditionally attributed to Saint John the Apostle
Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians: a New Testament book containing the second epistle from Saint Paul to the church at Corinth
Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians: a New Testament book containing Saint Paul's second epistle to the Thessalonians
Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to Timothy: a New Testament book containing Saint Paul's second epistle to Timothy; contains advice on pastoral matters
Second Epistle of Peter: the second New Testament book traditionally attributed to Saint Peter the Apostle
second person: pronouns and verbs used to refer to the person addressed by the language in which they occur
second reading: the second presentation of a bill in a legislature; to approve its general principles (Britain) or to discuss a committee's report and take a vote (US)
second-hand speech: overheard conversation (especially overheard cellphone conversation)
secondo: the second or lower part of a duet (especially a piano duet)
secret: something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
section: a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
security: a guarantee that an obligation will be met
seed catalog: a list advertising seeds and their prices
segno: (music) a notation written at the beginning or end of a passage that is to be repeated
self-accusation: an admission that you have failed to do or be something you know you should do or be
self-adapting program: a program that can change its performance in response to its environment
self-assertion: the act of putting forth your own opinions in a boastful or inconsiderate manner that implies you feel superior to others
self-contradiction: contradicting yourself
self-expression: the expression of one's individuality (usually through creative activities)
self-incrimination: an accusation that incriminates yourself
self-report inventory: a personality inventory in which a person is asked which of a list of traits and characteristics describe her or him or to indicate which behaviors and hypothetical choices he or she would make
self-reproach: the act of blaming yourself
semibreve: a musical note having the longest time value (equal to four beats in common time)
semicolon: a punctuation mark (`;') used to connect independent clauses; indicates a closer relation than does a period
semimonthly: a periodical that is published twice each month (or 24 issues per year)
Seminole: the Muskhogean language of the Seminole
semiquaver: a musical note having the time value of a sixteenth of a whole note
Semitic: a major branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family
semiweekly: a periodical that is published twice each week (or 104 issues per year)
Seneca: the Iroquoian language spoken by the Seneca
Senor: a Spanish title or form of address for a man; similar to the English `Mr' or `sir'
Senora: a Spanish title or form of address for a married woman; similar to the English `Mrs' or `madam'
Senorita: a Spanish title or form of address used to or of an unmarried girl or woman; similar to the English `Miss'
sensationalism: subject matter that is calculated to excite and please vulgar tastes
sense tagger: a tagging program whose labels indicate the meanings of words or expressions
sense: the meaning of a word or expression; the way in which a word or expression or situation can be interpreted
sentence: a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
sentence stress: the distribution of stresses within a sentence
sentential function: formal expression containing variables; becomes a sentence when variables are replaced by constants
sentimentalism: the excessive expression of tender feelings, nostalgia, or sadness in any form
septet: a musical composition written for seven performers
Septuagint: the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament; said to have been translated from the Hebrew by Jewish scholars at the request of Ptolemy II
sequestration: a writ that authorizes the seizure of property
Serbo-Croatian: the Slavic language of the Serbs and Croats; the Serbian dialect is usually written in the Cyrillic alphabet and the Croatian dialect is usually written in the Roman alphabet
serenade: a song characteristically played outside the house of a woman
Serer: a West African language closely related to Fula; spoken primarily in Senegal and Gambia
serial music: 20th century music that uses a definite order of notes as a thematic basis for a musical composition
serial: a periodical that appears at scheduled times
serial: a serialized set of programs
serif: a short line at the end of the main strokes of a character
seriocomedy: a comedy with serious elements or overtones
Sermon on the Mount: the first major discourse delivered by Jesus (Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6:20-49)
service book: a book setting forth the forms of church service
service contract: a contract for maintenance services
service program: (computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer
service routine: a routine that can be used as needed
Sesotho: the dialect of Sotho spoken by the Basotho; an official language of Lesotho
sesquipedalia: a very long word (a foot and a half long)
sesquipedality: using long words
session: a meeting for execution of a group's functions
session cookie: a cookie that is stored temporarily and is destroyed when you close the link
sestet: a rhythmic group of six lines of verse
sestet: a musical composition written for six performers
Setswana: the dialect of Sotho spoken by the Tswana in Botswana
settlement: a conclusive resolution of a matter and disposition of it
seventh: the musical interval between one note and another seven notes away from it
seventh chord: a triad with a seventh added
severable contract: a contract which, in the event of a breach by one of the parties, can be considered as several independent agreements expressed in a single instrument
severance agreement: an agreement on the terms on which an employee will leave
sex manual: a manual containing instruction in sexual techniques; intended to enhance the reader's sexual life
sforzando: (music) a notation written above a note and indicating that it is to be played with a strong initial attack
sforzando: an accented chord
SGML: (computer science) a standardized language for the descriptive markup of documents; a set of rules for using whatever markup vocabulary is adopted
shadow: an indication that something has been present
shaft: a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
shaggy dog story: a long rambling joke whose humor derives from its pointlessness
Shahaptian: a Penutian language spoken by the Shahaptian
shake: a note that alternates rapidly with another note a semitone above it
Shakespearean sonnet: a sonnet consisting three quatrains and a concluding couplet in iambic pentameter with the rhyme pattern abab cdcd efef gg
Shanghai dialect: a dialect of Chinese spoken in the Yangtze delta
shareware: software that is available free of charge; may be distributed for evaluation with a fee requested for additional features or a manual etc.
sharp: a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named
sharp tongue: a bitter or critical manner of speaking
Shasta: the Shastan language spoken by the Shasta
Shastan: a group of languages of the Hokan family in California
Shawnee: the Algonquian language spoken by the Shawnee
sheet music: a musical composition in printed or written form
Shema: a liturgical prayer (considered to be the essence of Jewish religion) that is recited at least twice daily by adult Jewish males to declare their faith
shibboleth: a manner of speaking that is distinctive of a particular group of people
Shield of David: a six-pointed star formed from two equilateral triangles; an emblem symbolizing Judaism
shin: the 22nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Shina: a Dardic language spoken in northern Kashmir
ship's papers: official papers which a ship is legally required to have; related to ownership, cargo, etc.
shirttail: a brief addendum at the end of a newspaper article
shmooze: (Yiddish) a warm heart-to-heart talk
shocker: a sensational message (in a film or play or novel)
Shona: a Bantu language spoken in Zimbabwe
shoot-'em-up: a movie featuring shooting and violence
shooting script: the final detailed script for making a movie or TV program
shop talk: talk about your business that only others in the same business can understand
shopping list: a list of items to be purchased
short account: the aggregate of short sales on an open market
short list: a list of applicants winnowed from a longer list who have been deemed suitable and from which the successful person will be chosen
short order: an order for food that can be prepared quickly
short shrift: a brief and unsympathetic rejection
short story: a prose narrative shorter than a novel
short subject: a brief film; often shown prior to showing the feature
shorthand: a method of writing rapidly using an abbreviated symbolic system
Shoshone: the language spoken by the Shoshone (belonging to the Uto-Aztecan family)
Shoshonean language: a subfamily of Uto-Aztecan languages spoken mainly in the southwestern United States
shoulder flash: something worn on the shoulder of a military uniform as an emblem of a division etc.
shouting: uttering a loud inarticulate cry as of pain or excitement
show: a social event involving a public performance or entertainment
show bill: a poster advertising a show or play
showstopper: an act so striking or impressive that the show must be delayed until the audience quiets down
shrink-wrapped software: software on CD-ROMs that are boxed and shrink-wrapped and sold in stores (implying a widely supported standard platform)
shrug: a gesture involving the shoulders
shucks: an expression of disappointment or irritation
shuttle diplomacy: international negotiations conducted by a mediator who frequently flies back and forth between the negotiating parties
si: the syllable naming the seventh (subtonic) note of any musical scale in solmization
sibilant: a consonant characterized by a hissing sound (like s or sh)
sick joke: a joke in bad taste
sick list: a list of those who are ill (e.g. on a warship or in a regiment etc)
sidebar: a short news story presenting sidelights on a major story
sidebar: (law) a courtroom conference between the lawyers and the judge that is held out of the jury's hearing
sigh: an utterance made by exhaling audibly
sight: anything that is seen
sight gag: a joke whose effect is achieved by visual means rather than by speech (as in a movie)
sigma: the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet
sign: a gesture that is part of a sign language
sign: a public display of a message
sign: a character indicating a relation between quantities
sign: a fundamental linguistic unit linking a signifier to that which is signified
sign language: language expressed by visible hand gestures
sign manual: the signature of a sovereign on an official document
sign of the cross: a gesture with the right hand moving to form a cross; used by Catholics as a profession of faith
sign: any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
signal fire: a fire set as a signal
signalisation: a conspicuous indication
signature: your name written in your own handwriting
signature: a sheet with several pages printed on it; it folds to page size and is bound with other signatures to form a book
signature recognition: biometric identification by automatically scanning a person's signature and matching it electronically against a library of known signatures
signature: a melody used to identify a performer or a dance band or radio/tv program
Signora: an Italian title or form of address for a married woman
Signorina: an Italian title or form of address for an unmarried woman
silent movie: a movie without a soundtrack
silver screen: the film industry
Silver Star Medal: a United States military decoration for gallantry in action
simile: a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with `like' or `as')
simper: a silly self-conscious smile
simple sentence: a sentence having no coordinate clauses or subordinate clauses
simplification: an explanation that omits superfluous details and reduces complexity
simulcast: a broadcast that is carried simultaneously by radio and television (or by FM and AM radio)
simultaneous equations: a set of equations in two or more variables for which there are values that can satisfy all the equations simultaneously
sin: the 21st letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Sindhi: the Indic language of Sind which is spoken also in western India
Singhalese: the Indic language spoken by the people of Sri Lanka
singing voice: the musical quality of the voice while singing
singing: disclosing information or giving evidence about another
single quote: a single quotation mark
single-spacing: typing that does not leave lines blank
singsong: a regular and monotonous rising and falling intonation
singular: the form of a word that is used to denote a singleton
Sinitic language: a group of Sino-Tibetan languages
Sino-Tibetan language: the family of tonal languages spoken in eastern Asia
Siouan language: a family of North American Indian languages spoken by the Sioux
siren: a warning signal that is a loud wailing sound
sitcom: a humorous television program based on situations that could arise in everyday life
sitcom: a humorous drama based on situations that might arise in day-to-day life
sitting: a session as of a legislature or court
Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire: a self-report personality inventory developed by Raymond B. Cattell to measure the 16 personality dimensions that emerged from his factor analysis of a wide range of traits
sixth: the musical interval between one note and another six notes away from it
Skagit: a Salishan dialect spoken by the Skagit
sketch: a brief literary description
skiffle: a style of popular music in the 1950s; based on American folk music and played on guitars and improvised percussion instruments
skim: reading or glancing through quickly
skin flick: a pornographic movie
skinny: confidential information about a topic or person
skull session: a session (as of executives or advisors) to discuss policy or strategy or to solve problems or exchange ideas
skywriting: writing formed in the sky by smoke released from an airplane
slander: words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
slang: informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions; often vituperative or vulgar
slanguage: language characterized by excessive use of slang or cant
slapstick: a boisterous comedy with chases and collisions and practical jokes
slate: a list of candidates nominated by a political party to run for election to public offices
slating: a severely critical attack
Slavonic language: a branch of the Indo-European family of languages
slide chart: a hand-held device, usually of paper, cardboard, or plastic, for conducting simple calculations or looking up information
slide: (music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale
slip of the tongue: an accidental and usually trivial mistake in speaking
sloganeering: persuasion by means of empty slogans
slot: a position in a grammatical linguistic construction in which a variety of alternative units are interchangeable
Slovak: the Slavic language spoken in Slovakia
Slovene: the Slavic language of Slovenes
slow motion: a movie that apparently takes place at a slower than normal speed; achieved by taking the film at a faster rate
slur: (music) a curved line spanning notes that are to be played legato
small cap: a character having the form of an upper-case letter but the same height as lower-case letters
smear word: an epithet that can be used to smear someone's reputation
smiley: an emoticon of a smiling face
smirk: a smile expressing smugness or scorn instead of pleasure
smoke: an indication of some hidden activity
smoking gun: indisputable evidence (especially of a crime)
snail mail: any mail that is physically delivered by the postal service
snapshot program: a trace program that produces output for selected conditions
snarl: an angry vicious expression
snarl: a vicious angry growl
sneak preview: a preview to test audience reactions
sneer: a contemptuous or scornful remark
snicker: a disrespectful laugh
snow job: a long and elaborate misrepresentation
so: the syllable naming the fifth (dominant) note of any musical scale in solmization
soap opera: a serialized program usually dealing with sentimentalized family matters that is broadcast on radio or television (frequently sponsored by a company advertising soap products)
sob story: a sentimental story (or drama) of personal distress; designed to arouse sympathy
social action: a social policy of reform (especially socioeconomic reform)
social policy: a policy of for dealing with social issues
Social Security number: the number of a particular individual's Social Security account
soft copy: (computer science) matter that is in a form that a computer can store or display it on a computer screen
soft news: news that does not deal with serious topics or events
Sokoro: a Chadic language spoken in Chad
solfa syllable: one of the names for notes of a musical scale in solmization
solfa: a system of solmization using the solfa syllables: do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti
solicitation: an entreaty addressed to someone of superior status
soliloquy: a (usually long) dramatic speech intended to give the illusion of unspoken reflections
solmisation: a system of naming the notes of a musical scale by syllables instead of letters
solo: a musical composition for one voice or instrument (with or without accompaniment)
Solresol: an artificial language
Somali: the Cushitic language spoken by the Somali
Somrai: a Chadic language spoken in Chad
sonant: a speech sound accompanied by sound from the vocal cords
sonata: a musical composition of 3 or 4 movements of contrasting forms
sonatina: a short and simple sonata
song and dance: theatrical performance combining singing and dancing
song: a short musical composition with words
songbook: a book containing a collection of songs
Songhai: a Nilo-Saharan language spoken by the Songhai in Mali and Niger
sonnet: a verse form consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme
sop: a concession given to mollify or placate
soprano: the highest female voice; the voice of a boy before puberty
soprano clef: a clef that puts middle C on the bottom line of the staff
sort program: a utility program that sorts data items
SOS: an internationally recognized distress signal in radio code
Sotho: any of the mutually intelligible southern Bantu languages of the Sotho in Botswana and South Africa and Lesotho
soul: a secular form of gospel that was a major Black musical genre in the 1960s and 1970s
sound bite: a very short speech; usually on radio or television
sour grapes: disparagement of something that is unattainable
source: a document (or organization) from which information is obtained
source book: a collection of historically important documents published together as a book
source code: program instructions written as an ASCII text file; must be translated by a compiler or interpreter or assembler into the object code for a particular computer before execution
source language: a language that is to be translated into another language
source materials: publications from which information is obtained
source program: a program written in a language from which statements are translated into machine language
South Dravidian: a Dravidian language spoken primarily in southern India
South-Central Dravidian: a Dravidian language spoken primarily in south central India
Southern Tai: a branch of the Tai languages
southernism: a locution or pronunciation peculiar to the southern United States
Southwestern: a dialect of Middle English
space: one of the areas between or below or above the lines of a musical staff
spaghetti Western: a low-budget Western movie produced by a European (especially an Italian) film company
Spanish: the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
spar buoy: a buoy resembling a vertical log
sparring: an argument in which the participants are trying to gain some advantage
speaking: the utterance of intelligible speech
spec: a detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work
special: a television production that features a particular person or work or topic
special: a special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising
special act: a legislative act that applies only to a particular person or particular district
special delivery: mail that is delivered by a special carrier (for an additional charge)
special pleading: (law) a pleading that alleges new facts in avoidance of the opposing allegations
special pleading: an argument that ignores all unfavorable evidence
special session: a session that is held in addition to the regular sessions
specification: naming explicitly
specification: (patent law) a document drawn up by the applicant for a patent of invention that provides an explicit and detailed description of the nature and use of an invention
specious argument: an argument that appears good at first view but is really fallacious
spectacle: something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
spectacular: a lavishly produced performance
spectrum line: an isolated component of a spectrum formed by radiation at a uniform frequency
speech: the exchange of spoken words
speech: something spoken
speech act: the use of language to perform some act
speed limit: regulation establishing the top speed permitted on a given road
speeding ticket: a ticket issued for driving above the speed limit
spell-checker: an electronic dictionary in a word processor that can be used to catch misspelled words
speller: an introductory textbook to teach spelling
spelling: forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage
Spenserian sonnet: a sonnet consisting of three quatrains and a concluding couplet in iambic pentameter with the rhyme pattern abab bcbd cdcd ee
Spenserian stanza: a stanza with eight lines of iambic pentameter and a concluding Alexandrine with the rhyme pattern abab bcbc c
spider: a computer program that prowls the internet looking for publicly accessible resources that can be added to a database; the database can then be searched with a search engine
spirit rapping: alleged form of communication with spirits of the dead
spiritual bouquet: (Roman Catholic Church) a card indicating that the sender will perform certain devotional acts on behalf of another
split infinitive: an infinitive with an adverb between `to' and the verb (e.g., `to boldly go')
splurge: an ostentatious display (of effort or extravagance etc.)
splutter: an utterance (of words) with spitting sounds (as in rage)
spoken word: a word that is spoken aloud
spondee: a metrical unit with stressed-stressed syllables
spoonerism: transposition of initial consonants in a pair of words
sports page: any page in the sports section of a newspaper
sports section: the section of a newspaper that reports on sports
sportscast: a broadcast of sports news or commentary
spot: a section of an entertainment that is assigned to a specific performer or performance
spot: a short section or illustration (as between radio or tv programs or in a magazine) that is often used for advertising
spread eagle: an emblem (an eagle with wings and legs spread) on the obverse of the Great Seal of the United States
spreadsheet: a screen-oriented interactive program enabling a user to lay out financial data on the screen
sprechgesang: a style of dramatic vocalization between singing and speaking
sprung rhythm: a poetic rhythm that imitates the rhythm of speech
spyware: computer software that obtains information from a user's computer without the user's knowledge or consent
square-dance music: music performed for square dancing
squiggle: an illegible scrawl
staff: a rod carried as a symbol
staff line: any of the 5 horizontal marks comprising a staff
staff: (music) the system of five horizontal lines on which the musical notes are written
stage: the theater as a profession (usually `the stage')
stage direction: an instruction written as part of the script of a play
stage name: the pseudonym of an actor
stage whisper: a loud whisper that can be overheard; on the stage it is heard by the audience but it supposed to be inaudible to the rest of the cast
staging: the production of a drama on the stage
Stamp Act: an act passed by the British Parliament in 1756 that raised revenue from the American Colonies by a duty in the form of a stamp required on all newspapers and legal or commercial documents; opposition by the Colonies resulted in the repeal of the act in 1766
Standard and Poor's Index: a broadly based stock market index
standing: an ordered listing of scores or results showing the relative positions of competitors (individuals or teams) in a sporting event
standing order: a rule of order permanently in force
stanza: a fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem
star chart: a chart showing the relative positions of the stars in a particular part of the sky
star shell: an artillery shell containing an illuminant
start: a signal to begin (as in a race)
starting post: a post marking the starting point of a race (especially a horse race)
state's evidence: evidence for the prosecution in criminal proceedings
statement: a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
statement: a nonverbal message
statement: (music) the presentation of a musical theme
static: angry criticism
statute book: a record of the whole body of legislation in a given jurisdiction
statute of limitations: a statute prescribing the time period during which legal action can be taken
stay: a judicial order forbidding some action until an event occurs or the order is lifted
stay of execution: an order whereby a judgment is precluded from being executed for a specific period of time
stem vowel: a vowel that ends a stem and precedes an inflection
stenograph: a shorthand character
step: a musical interval of two semitones
stipulative definition: a definition that is stipulated by someone and that is not a standard usage
stock index: index based on a statistical compilation of the share prices of a number of representative stocks
stock power: a power of attorney document to transfer ownership of a registered security from the owner to another party
stock symbol: the letters used to identify listed companies on the securities exchanges where they are traded
stock warrant: a written certificate that gives the holder the right to purchase shares of a stock for a specified price within a specified period of time
stock-index futures: a futures contract based on a stock index; a bet on the future price of the indexed group of stocks
stop order: an order to a broker to sell (buy) when the price of a security falls (rises) to a designated level
stop payment: a depositor's order to a bank to refuse payment on a check
stop press: late news that is inserted into the newspaper at the last minute
stoplight: a visual signal to control the flow of traffic at intersections
stored program: a program that is stored in the memory of the computer that executes it
storm cone: a canvas cone hoisted to warn of high winds
storm signal: a signal announcing the approach of a storm (particularly a storm of marked violence)
story: a piece of fiction that narrates a chain of related events
storybook: a book containing a collection of stories (usually for children)
straight face: a serious facial expression giving no evidence of interest or amusement
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks: negotiations between the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics opened in 1969 in Helsinki designed to limit both countries' stock of nuclear weapons
strategic warning: (military) a warning prior to the start of a threatening act
stratified language: a language that cannot be used as its own metalanguage
Stravinsky: the music of Stravinsky
straw man: a weak or sham argument set up to be easily refuted
stream of consciousness: a literary genre that reveals a character's thoughts and feeling as they develop by means of a long soliloquy
street name: the name of a street
street name: the name of a brokerage firm in which stock is held on behalf of a customer
street name: slang for something (especially for an illegal drug)
street name: an alternative name that a person chooses or is given (especially in inner city neighborhoods)
street sign: a sign visible from the street
stress mark: a mark indicating the stress on a syllable
stricture: severe criticism
string: a linear sequence (as of characters, words, proteins, etc.)
stripe: a piece of braid, usually on the sleeve, indicating military rank or length of service
stroke: a mark made on a surface by a pen, pencil, or paintbrush
strophe: one section of a lyric poem or choral ode in classical Greek drama
structural formula: an expanded molecular formula showing the arrangement of atoms within the molecule
stub: a torn part of a ticket returned to the holder as a receipt
studbook: official record of the pedigree of purebred animals especially horses
study: a composition intended to develop one aspect of the performer's technique
stuff: information in some unspecified form
stuffer: an advertising circular that is enclosed with other material and (usually) sent by mail
stump speech: political oratory
style: editorial directions to be followed in spelling and punctuation and capitalization and typographical display
style sheet: a sheet summarizing the editorial conventions to be followed in preparing text for publication
subcontract: a contract assigning to another party some obligations of a prior contract
subdata base: a subset of data in a database that are used in a specific application
subdirectory: (computer science) a directory that is listed in another directory
subdominant: (music) the fourth note of the diatonic scale
subhead: a heading of a subdivision of a text
subject: (grammar) one of the two main constituents of a sentence; the grammatical constituent about which something is predicated
subject: (logic) the first term of a proposition
subject: the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
submediant: (music) the sixth note of a major or minor scale (or the third below the tonic)
submission: an agreement between parties in a dispute to abide by the decision of an arbiter
submission: a legal document summarizing an agreement between parties in a dispute to abide by the decision of an arbiter
submission: (law) a contention presented by a lawyer to a judge or jury as part of the case he is arguing
subordinate conjunction: a conjunction (like `since' or `that' or `who') that introduces a dependent clause
subornation: perjured testimony that someone was persuaded to give
subornation: underhandedly or improperly inducing someone to do something improper or unlawful
subornation of perjury: (law) inducing someone to make a false oath as part of a judicial proceeding
subpoena duces tecum: a writ issued by a court at the request of one of the parties to a suit; it requires a witness to bring to court or to a deposition any relevant documents under the witness's control
subpoena: a writ issued by court authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding; disobedience may be punishable as a contempt of court
subscription: agreement expressed by (or as if expressed by) signing your name
substantive: any word or group of words functioning as a noun
substrate: an indigenous language that contributes features to the language of an invading people who impose their language on the indigenous population
substring: a string that is part of a longer string
subtitle: secondary or explanatory title
sudoku: a number puzzle in which the numbers 1 through 9 must be placed into a grid of cells so that each row or column contains only one of each number
suicide pact: an agreement by two or more people to commit suicide together at a given place and time
suit: a petition or appeal made to a person of superior status or rank
suite: a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected
Sukur: a Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad
summarisation: the act of preparing a summary (or an instance thereof); stating briefly and succinctly
summary: a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form
summer stock: theatrical productions performed by a stock company during the summer
summons: an order to appear in person at a given place and time
sumpsimus: a correct expression that takes the place of a popular but incorrect expression
Sundanese: the Indonesian language spoken on West Java
superior: a character or symbol set or printed or written above and immediately to one side of another character
superlative: an exaggerated expression (usually of praise)
superlative: the superlative form of an adjective or adverb
superscription: an inscription written above something else
superstrate: the language of a later invading people that is imposed on an indigenous population and contributes features to their language
supertitle: translation of the words of a foreign opera (or choral work) projected on a screen above the stage
supertonic: (music) the second note of a diatonic scale
supervisor call instruction: an instruction that interrupts the program being executed and passes control to the supervisor
supervisory software: specialized programs that reside permanently in the computer's main memory and control the processing of user's programs
sura: one of the sections (or chapters) in the Koran
surd: a consonant produced without sound from the vocal cords
surface mail: mail that is sent by land or sea
surrebuttal: (law) a pleading by the plaintiff in reply to the defendant's rebutter
surrejoinder: (law) a pleading by the plaintiff in reply to the defendant's rejoinder
sursum corda: (Roman Catholic Church) a Latin versicle meaning `lift up your hearts'
suspension point: (usually plural) one of a series of points indicating that something has been omitted or that the sentence is incomplete
sustaining program: a program without a commercial sponsor
susurration: speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
sutra: a rule or aphorism in Sanskrit literature or a group of aphoristic doctrinal summaries prepared for memorization
Swahili: the most widely spoken Bantu languages; the official language of Kenya and Tanzania and widely used as a lingua franca in east and central Africa
Swazi: a Bantu language closely related to Zulu
Swedish: a Scandinavian language that is the official language of Sweden and one of two official languages of Finland
swung dash: a punctuation mark used in text to indicate the omission of a word
syllabary: a writing system whose characters represent syllables
syllabicity: the pattern of syllable formation in a particular language
syllable: a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme
syllepsis: use of a word to govern two or more words though agreeing in number or case etc. with only one
symbol: an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
symbolisation: the use of symbols to convey meaning
symbolism: a system of symbols and symbolic representations
sympathy card: a card expressing sympathy
symphonic music: a long and complex sonata for symphony orchestra
symphonic poem: an orchestral composition based on literature or folk tales
symploce: repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning and another at the end of successive clauses, i.e., simultaneous use of anaphora and epistrophe
symptom: anything that accompanies X and is regarded as an indication of X's existence
syncategorem: a syncategorematic expression; a word that cannot be used alone as a term in a logical proposition
syncopation: a musical rhythm accenting a normally weak beat
syncopation: music (especially dance music) that has a syncopated rhythm
syncopation: (phonology) the loss of sounds from within a word (as in `fo'c'sle' for `forecastle')
synecdoche: substituting a more inclusive term for a less inclusive one or vice versa
synesthetic metaphor: a metaphor that exploits a similarity between experiences in different sense modalities
synonym finder: a book containing a classified list of synonyms
Synoptic Gospels: the first three Gospels which describe events in Christ's life from a similar point of view
syntagm: a syntactic string of words that forms a part of some larger syntactic unit
syntax checker: a program to check natural language syntax
syntax language: a language used to describe the syntax of another language
system command: a computer user's instruction (not part of a program) that calls for action by the computer's executive program
system error: an instruction that is either not recognized by an operating system or is in violation of the procedural rules
system program: a program (as an operating system or compiler or utility program) that controls some aspect of the operation of a computer
T: the 20th letter of the Roman alphabet
Ta'ziyeh: (Islam) a form of Iranian musical pageant that is the theatrical expression of religious passion; based on the Battle of Kerbala and performed annually (in Farsi)
tab: sensationalist journalism
tablature: a musical notation indicating the fingering to be used
table d'hote: a menu offering a complete meal with limited choices at a fixed price
table lifting: manipulation of a table during a seance; attributed to spirits
table talk: conversation during a meal
tabular matter: information set out in tabular form
tachogram: a graphical record of speed and distance produced by a tachograph
tactical warning: (military) a warning after the initiation of a hostile act
Tadzhik: the Iranian language of the Tajik that is closely related to Farsi; spoken in Iran and Tajikistan
tag: a label associated with something for the purpose of identification
tag: a label written or printed on paper, cardboard, or plastic that is attached to something to indicate its owner, nature, price, etc.
Tagalog: the language of the Tagalog on which Filipino is based
tagger: a computer program that attaches labels to the grammatical constituents of textual matter
Tahitian: the Oceanic language spoken on Tahiti
Tai: the most widespread and best known of the Kadai family of languages
Tai Long: a branch of the Tai languages
takeaway: a concession made by a labor union to a company that is trying to lower its expenditures
takeout: (bridge) a bid that asks your partner to bid another suit
Takilman: a Penutian language spoken by the Takelma
talk: discussion; (`talk about' is a less formal alternative for `discussion of')
talk: idle gossip or rumor
talk: an exchange of ideas via conversation
talkie: a movie with synchronized speech and singing
talking point: an especially persuasive point helping to support an argument or discussion
tall tale: an improbable (unusual or incredible or fanciful) story
Talmud: the collection of ancient rabbinic writings on Jewish law and tradition (the Mishna and the Gemara) that constitute the basis of religious authority in Orthodox Judaism
Talmudic literature: (Judaism) ancient rabbinical writings
Tamil: the Dravidian language spoken since prehistoric times by the Tamil in southern India and Sri Lanka
tango: music written in duple time for dancing the tango
tanka: a form of Japanese poetry; the 1st and 3rd lines have five syllables and the 2nd, 4th, and 5th have seven syllables
Tanoan language: a family of North American Indian language spoken in southwestern United States
tantra: any of a fairly recent class of Hindu or Buddhist religious literature concerned with ritual acts of body and speech and mind
tarantella: music composed in six-eight time for dancing the tarantella
Tatahumara: the Uto-Aztecan language of the Tatahumara
Tatar: the Turkic language spoken by the Tatar living from the Volga to the Ural Mountains
tattoo: a drumbeat or bugle call that signals the military to return to their quarters
tau: the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet
tautology: useless repetition
tautology: (logic) a statement that is necessarily true
taw: the 23rd letter of the Hebrew alphabet
tax bill: money owed for taxes
tax form: a form to use when paying your taxes
Tay: a branch of the Tai languages
TCP: a protocol developed for the internet to get data from one network device to another
TCP/IP: a set of protocols (including TCP) developed for the internet in the 1970s to get data from one network device to another
Te Deum: an ancient liturgical hymn
teach-in: an extended session (as on a college campus) for lectures and discussion on an important and usually controversial issue
teacher's certificate: a certificate saying that the holder is qualified to teach in the public schools
tear sheet: a sheet that can be easily torn out of a publication
tearjerker: an excessively sentimental narrative
teaser: an attention-getting opening presented at the start of a television show
teaser: an advertisement that offers something free in order to arouse customers' interest
techno: a style of fast heavy electronic dance music usually without vocals
technobabble: technical jargon from computing and other high-tech subjects
telecast: a television broadcast
telecom: (often plural) systems used in transmitting messages over a distance electronically
teleconference: a conference of people who are in different locations that is made possible by the use of such telecommunications equipment as closed-circuit television
telefilm: a movie that is made to be shown on television
telegnosis: apparent knowledge of distant events without using sensory perceptions
telegram: a message transmitted by telegraph
telegraph form: a form to use when sending a telegram
telegraphese: language characterized by terseness and ellipsis as in telegrams
telegraphy: communicating at a distance by electric transmission over wire
telepathy: apparent communication from one mind to another without using sensory perceptions
telephone conversation: a conversation over the telephone
telephone interview: an interview conducted over the telephone
telephone: transmitting speech at a distance
televangelism: evangelism at a distance by the use of television
television news: a television broadcast of news
Telugu: a Dravidian language spoken by the Telugu in southeastern India
temporal: the semantic role of the noun phrase that designates the time of the state or action denoted by the verb
Ten Commandments: the biblical commandments of Moses
tender offer: an offer to buy shares in a corporation (usually above the market price) for cash or securities or both
tenor clef: a clef that puts middle C on the fourth line of the staff; used for writing music for bassoons or cellos or tenor horns
tenor: the adult male singing voice above baritone
tense: a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
tense system: a system of tenses used in a particular language
term: one of the substantive phrases in a logical proposition
term: a word or expression used for some particular thing
term paper: a composition intended to indicate a student's progress during a school term
terseness: a neatly short and concise expressive style
terza rima: a verse form with a rhyme scheme: aba bcb cdc, etc.
test ban: a ban on the testing of nuclear weapons that is mutually agreed to by countries that possess nuclear weapons
Testament: either of the two main parts of the Christian Bible
testament: strong evidence for something
testament: a legal document declaring a person's wishes regarding the disposal of their property when they die
testimonial: something that serves as evidence
testimonial: something given or done as an expression of esteem
testimony: a solemn statement made under oath
testimony: an assertion offering firsthand authentication of a fact
tete-a-tete: a private conversation between two people
teth: the 9th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
tetragram: a word that is written with four letters in an alphabetic writing system
Tetragrammaton: four Hebrew letters usually transliterated as YHWH (Yahweh) or JHVH (Jehovah) signifying the Hebrew name for God which the Jews regarded as too holy to pronounce
tetralogy: a series of four related works (plays or operas or novels)
tetrameter: a verse line having four metrical feet
text: the main body of a written work (as distinct from illustrations or footnotes etc.)
text: a passage from the Bible that is used as the subject of a sermon
text editor: (computer science) an application that can be used to create and view and edit text files
text: the words of something written
text-matching: a computer program that looks for text that matches a given text
textual criticism: comparison of a particular text with related materials in order to establish authenticity
thalweg: a line following the lowest points of a valley
thanatopsis: an essay expressing a view on the subject of death
thank you: a conversational expression of gratitude
thanks: an acknowledgment of appreciation
The Great Charter: the royal charter of political rights given to rebellious English barons by King John in 1215
The Star-Spangled Banner: a poem written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812 was set to music and adopted by Congress in 1931 as the national anthem of the United States
theater of the absurd: plays stressing the irrational or illogical aspects of life, usually to show that modern life is pointless
theater ticket: a ticket good for admission to a theater
theme song: a melody that recurs and comes to represent a musical play or movie
theorem: a proposition deducible from basic postulates
thermogram: a graphical record produced by a thermograph
thesis: an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument
theta: the 8th letter of the Greek alphabet
thickness: indistinct articulation
thing: a statement regarded as an object
think piece: an article in a newspaper or magazine or journal that represents opinions and ideas and discussion rather than bare facts
third: the musical interval between one note and another three notes away from it
third class: mail consisting of printed matter qualifying for reduced postal rates
third degree: interrogation often accompanied by torture to extort information or a confession
Third Epistel of John: the third New Testament epistle traditionally attributed to Saint John the Apostle
third person: pronouns and verbs that are used to refer to something other than the speaker or addressee of the language in which they occur
Tho: a branch of the Tai languages
thorn: a Germanic character of runic origin
Thracian: a Thraco-Phrygian language spoken by the ancient people of Thrace but extinct by the early Middle Ages
Thraco-Phrygian: an extinct branch of the Indo-European language family thought by some to be related to Armenian
threat: declaration of an intention or a determination to inflict harm on another
threat: a warning that something unpleasant is imminent
three-D: a movie with images having three dimensional form or appearance
three-way calling: a way of adding a third party to your conversation without the assistance of a telephone operator
thriller: a suspenseful adventure story or play or movie
throwaway: words spoken in a casual way with conscious under-emphasis
thrust: verbal criticism
thumbprint: fingerprint made by the thumb (especially by the pad of the thumb)
Tibetan: Himalayish language spoken in Tibet
Tibeto-Burman language: a branch of the Sino-Tibetan family of languages spoken from Tibet to the Malay Peninsula
ticket: a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment)
ticket: a summons issued to an offender (especially to someone who violates a traffic regulation)
ticket book: a book of tickets that can be torn out and used
ticket-of-leave: a permit formerly given to convicts allowing them to leave prison under specific restrictions
tickler: a file of memoranda or notices that remind of things to be done
ticktack: system of signalling by hand signs used by bookmakers at racetracks
tie: (music) a slur over two notes of the same pitch; indicates that the note is to be sustained for their combined time value
tilde: a diacritical mark (~) placed over the letter n in Spanish to indicate a palatal nasal sound or over a vowel in Portuguese to indicate nasalization
time sheet: a record of the hours worked by employees
time signal: a signal (especially electronic or by radio) indicating the precisely correct time
timecard: a card recording an employee's starting and quitting times each work day
timeline: a sequence of related events arranged in chronological order and displayed along a line (usually drawn left to right or top to bottom)
timetable: a schedule of times of arrivals and departures
timetable: a schedule listing events and the times at which they will take place
tip sheet: a publication containing the latest information or tips or predictions for a particular business or stock market information or horse racing results, etc.
tipstaff: staff with a metal tip carried as a sign of office by e.g. a bailiff or constable
title: (usually plural) written material introduced into a movie or TV show to give credits or represent dialogue or explain an action
title: a general or descriptive heading for a section of a written work
title: the name of a work of art or literary composition etc.
title: an appellation signifying nobility
title bar: (computer science) a horizontal label at the top of a window, bearing the name of the currently active document
title deed: a legal document proving a person's right to property
title page: a page of a book displaying the title and author and publisher
titter: a nervous restrained laugh
Tlingit: the Na-Dene language spoken by the Tlingit
toccata: a baroque musical composition (usually for a keyboard instrument) with full chords and rapid elaborate runs in a rhythmically free style
Tocharian: a branch of the Indo-European language family that originated in central Asia during the first millennium A.D.
Toda: the Dravidian language spoken by the Toda in southern India
toggle: any instruction that works first one way and then the other; it turns something on the first time it is used and then turns it off the next time
token: something serving as a sign of something else
toll call: a long-distance telephone call at charges above a local rate
tome: a (usually) large and scholarly book
tonal language: a language in which different tones distinguish different meanings
tonal system: the system of tones used in a particular language or dialect of a tone language
tone: the quality of a person's voice
Tonga: the language of the Tongan people of south central Africa (Zambia and Rhodesia)
Tongan: the Polynesian language spoken by the Tongan people
tongue: a manner of speaking
tongue twister: an expression that is difficult to articulate clearly
top billing: the advertisement of a star's name at the top of a theatrical poster
topic sentence: a sentence that states the topic of its paragraph
topicalization: (linguistics) emphasis placed on the topic or focus of a sentence by preposing it to the beginning of the sentence; placing the topic at the beginning of the sentence is typical for English
toponomy: the nomenclature of regional anatomy
topper: an exceedingly good witticism that surpasses all that have gone before
Torah: the whole body of the Jewish sacred writings and tradition including the oral tradition
Torah: (Judaism) the scroll of parchment on which the first five books of the Hebrew Scripture is written; is used in a synagogue during services
torch song: a popular song concerned with disappointment in love
Tosk dialect: the dialect of Albanian spoken in southern Albania and in areas of Greece and Italy
touch: the act of soliciting money (as a gift or loan)
touch system: typewriting in which the fingers are trained to hit particular keys; typist can read and type at the same time
tra-la: a set of nonsensical syllables used while humming a refrain
trace: a visible mark (as a footprint) left by the passage of person or animal or vehicle
trace program: a utility program that exhibits the sequence and results of executing the instructions in another program
tracing routine: a routine that provides a chronological record of the execution of a computer program
trad: traditional jazz as revived in the 1950s
trade bill: a statute that would regulate foreign trade
trade book: a book intended for general readership
trade magazine: a magazine published for and read by members of a particular trade group
trade secret: a secret (method or device or formula) that gives a manufacturer an advantage over the competition
trade-last: a compliment that I heard about you that I offer to trade for a compliment you have heard about me
trademark: a formally registered symbol identifying the manufacturer or distributor of a product
trading stamp: a token resembling a stamp given by a retailer to a buyer; the token is redeemable for articles on a special list
traffic: the amount of activity over a communication system during a given period of time
tragedy: drama in which the protagonist is overcome by some superior force or circumstance; excites terror or pity
tragicomedy: a dramatic composition involving elements of both tragedy and comedy usually with the tragic predominating
transcript: something that has been transcribed; a written record (usually typewritten) of dictated or recorded speech
transcription: something written, especially copied from one medium to another, as a typewritten version of dictation
transfer: a ticket that allows a passenger to change conveyances
transformation: a rule describing the conversion of one syntactic structure into another related syntactic structure
transition: a passage that connects a topic to one that follows
transitive: a verb (or verb construction) that requires an object in order to be grammatical
translating program: a program that translates one programming language into another
translation: rewording something in less technical terminology
transliteration: a transcription from one alphabet to another
transmission: communication by means of transmitted signals
travelog: a film or illustrated lecture on traveling
treatise: a formal exposition
Treaty of Versailles: the treaty imposed on Germany by the Allied powers in 1920 after the end of World War I which demanded exorbitant reparations from the Germans
trend line: a line on a graph indicating a statistical trend
trick or treat: a request by children on Halloween; they pass from door to door asking for goodies and threatening to play tricks on those who refuse
trigram: a word that is written with three letters in an alphabetic writing system
trill: the articulation of a consonant (especially the consonant `r') with a rapid flutter of the tongue against the palate or uvula
trio: a musical composition for three performers
triple-spacing: typing that leaves two lines blank between lines of typing
tripos: final honors degree examinations at Cambridge University
trisyllable: a word having three syllables
trochee: a metrical unit with stressed-unstressed syllables
trojan: a program that appears desirable but actually contains something harmful
trophy: an award for success in war or hunting
true bill: an indictment endorsed by a grand jury
true statement: a true statement
truism: an obvious truth
Truman doctrine: President Truman's policy of providing economic and military aid to any country threatened by communism or totalitarian ideology
Tshiluba: a Bantu language spoken in southeastern Congo
Tsimshian: a Penutian language spoken by the Tsimshian
Tsouic: a Formosan language
Tuareg: the dialect of Berber spoken by the Tuareg
Tulu: a Dravidian language spoken by the Tulu
Tungusic language: a family of Altaic languages spoken in Mongolia and neighboring areas
Tupi: the language spoken by the Tupi of Brazil and Paraguay
Tupi-Guarani language: a family of South American Indian languages
Turcoman: the Turkic language spoken by the Turkoman
Turkic language: a subfamily of Altaic languages
Turkish: a Turkic language spoken by the Turks
turn of expression: a distinctive spoken or written expression
Tuscan: a dialect of Italian spoken in Tuscany (especially Florence)
Tuscarora: the Iroquoian language spoken by the Tuscarora
tushery: writing of poor quality; characterized by affected choice of archaic words
Tutelo: the Siouan language spoken by the Tutelo
tutorial: a session of intensive tuition given by a tutor to an individual or to a small number of students
TV: broadcasting visual images of stationary or moving objects
TV program: a program broadcast by television
Twilight of the Gods: myth about the ultimate destruction of the gods in a battle with evil
two-note call: a birdcall having two notes
twofer: a coupon that allows the holder to purchase two items (as two tickets to a play) for the price of one
twofer: an offer of two for the price of one
type: all of the tokens of the same symbol
type: printed characters
type family: a complete set of type suitable for printing text
typescript: typewritten matter especially a typewritten copy of a manuscript
typewriting: writing done with a typewriter
U: the 21st letter of the Roman alphabet
Ubykh: an extinct Caucasian language spoken exclusively in Turkey
Ugaritic: an extinct Semitic language of northern Syria
Ugrian: one of the two branches of the Finno-Ugric family of languages; spoken in Hungary and northwestern Siberia
Uighur: the Turkic language spoken by approximately 7,000,000 Uighur in extreme northwestern China
Uighur: the script (derived from Aramaic) used to write the Uighur language
ukase: an edict of the Russian tsar
Ukrainian: the Slavic language spoken in the Ukraine
ultima: the last syllable in a word
ultimatum: a final peremptory demand
Umbrian: an extinct Italic language of ancient southern Italy
Umbundu: a Bantu language spoken in Angola
umlaut: a diacritical mark (two dots) placed over a vowel to indicate a change in sound in some languages
umpirage: mediation by an umpire
unabridged: a dictionary that has not been shortened by the omitting terms or definitions; a comprehensive dictionary
uncial: a style of orthography characterized by somewhat rounded capital letters; found especially in Greek and Latin manuscripts of the 4th to 8th centuries
underline: a line drawn underneath (especially under written matter)
understatement: a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said
undertone: a quiet or hushed tone of voice
unicameral script: a script with a single case
unilateral contract: a one-sided agreement whereby you promise to do (or refrain from doing) something in return for a performance (not a promise)
union card: a card certifying membership in a labor union
United States Code: a consolidation and codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States; is prepared and published by a unit of the United States House of Representatives
Universal Product Code: code consisting of a series of vertical bars of variable width that are scanned by a laser; printed on consumer product packages to identify the item for a computer that provides the price and registers inventory information
universal quantifier: a logical quantifier of a proposition that asserts that the proposition is true for all members of a class of things
universal: (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class
UNIX operating system: trademark for a powerful operating system
unknown: a variable whose values are solutions of an equation
unspoken accusation: an accusation that is understood without needing to be spoken
unstratified language: a programming language that (like natural language) can be used as its own metalanguage
unveiling: putting on display for the first time
Upanishad: a later sacred text of Hinduism of a mystical nature dealing with metaphysical questions
update: information or data that updates
upgrade: software that provides better performance than an earlier version did
uplink: a transmission from Earth to a spacecraft or the path of such a transmission
upsilon: the 20th letter of the Greek alphabet
upstroke: a stroke normally made in an upward direction
Ural-Altaic: a (postulated) group of languages including many of the indigenous languages of Russia (but not Russian)
Uralic language: a family of Ural-Altaic languages
urban legend: a story that appears mysteriously and spreads spontaneously in various forms and is usually false; contains elements of humor or horror and is popularly believed to be true
Urdu: the official literary language of Pakistan, closely related to Hindi; widely used in India (mostly by Moslems); written in Arabic script
Urim and Thummim: lots thrown to determine God's answers to yes-no questions
URL: the address of a web page on the world wide web
usage: the customary manner in which a language (or a form of a language) is spoken or written
Usbek: the Turkic language spoken by the Uzbek
Ute: the Shoshonean language spoken by the Utes
Uto-Aztecan language: a family of American Indian languages
utopia: a work of fiction describing a utopia
Utopia: a book written by Sir Thomas More (1516) describing the perfect society on an imaginary island
utterance: the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
V: the 22nd letter of the Roman alphabet
V sign: a sign (for victory); making a V with the index and middle fingers
valediction: a farewell oration (especially one delivered during graduation exercises by an outstanding member of a graduating class)
Valentine: a card sent or given (as to a sweetheart) on Saint Valentine's Day
value statement: a statement of the desirability of something
vamp: an improvised musical accompaniment
variable: a symbol (like x or y) that is used in mathematical or logical expressions to represent a variable quantity
variation: a repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished
variety: a show consisting of a series of short unrelated performances
variorum: an edition containing various versions of a text or notes by various scholars or editors
vaunt: extravagant self-praise
Vedanga: Vedic texts from the fifth and fourth centuries BC dealing with phonetics and ritual injunctions and linguistics and grammar and etymology and lexicography and prosody and astronomy and astrology
Vedic literature: (from the Sanskrit word for `knowledge') any of the most ancient sacred writings of Hinduism written in early Sanskrit; traditionally believed to comprise the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas, and the Upanishads
vehicle: a medium for the expression or achievement of something
vein: a distinctive style or manner
velar: a consonant produced with the back of the tongue touching or near the soft palate
venire facias: a judicial writ ordering a sheriff to summon people for jury duty
Vepsian: a Finnic language spoken by the Veps
verb: a content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence
verb: the word class that serves as the predicate of a sentence
verbalisation: the activity of expressing something in words
verbalisation: the words that are spoken in the activity of verbalization
verbalism: overabundance of words
verboseness: an expressive style that uses excessive or empty words
verification: (law) an affidavit attached to a statement confirming the truth of that statement
vernacular: the everyday speech of the people (as distinguished from literary language)
verse: a line of metrical text
versicle: a short verse said or sung by a priest or minister in public worship and followed by a response from the congregation
versification: the art or practice of writing verse
versification: the form or metrical composition of a poem
versification: a metrical adaptation of something (e.g., of a prose text)
version: an interpretation of a matter from a particular viewpoint
verso: left-hand page
Very Reverend: a title of respect for various ecclesiastical officials (as cathedral deans and canons and others)
Very-light: a colored flare fired from a Very pistol
vicious circle: an argument that assumes that which is to be proved
Victoria Cross: a British military decoration for gallantry
video: (computer science) the appearance of text and graphics on a video display
Vietnamese: the Mon-Khmer language spoken in Vietnam
visa: an endorsement made in a passport that allows the bearer to enter the country issuing it
viscountcy: the title of a viscount
visible speech: a phonetic alphabet invented by Melville Bell in the 19th century
visual communication: communication that relies on vision
visual signal: a signal that involves visual communication
vocabulary: a listing of the words used in some enterprise
vocal: music intended to be performed by one or more singers, usually with instrumental accompaniment
vocalism: the system of vowels used in a particular language
vocative: the case (in some inflected languages) used when the referent of the noun is being addressed
Vogul: the Ugric language (related to Hungarian) spoken by the Vogul
voice: something suggestive of speech in being a medium of expression
voice mail: a computerized system for answering and routing telephone calls; telephone messages can be recorded and stored and relayed
voice over: the voice on an unseen commentator in a film of television program
voice part: a part written for a singer
voiceprint: biometric identification by electronically recording and graphically representing a person's voice
Volapuk: one of the first artificial language constructed for use as an auxiliary international language; based largely on English but with some German and French and Latin roots
Volgaic: a group of Finnic languages spoken around the Volga river
Voltaic: a group of Niger-Congo languages spoken primarily in southeastern Mali and northern Ghana
volume: a publication that is one of a set of several similar publications
voluntary: composition (often improvised) for a solo instrument (especially solo organ) and not a regular part of a religious service or musical performance
volvelle: a circular slide chart having rotating parts
vote of confidence: an expression of approval and encouragement
Votyak: the Finnic language spoken by the Votyak
voucher: a document that serves as evidence of some expenditure
vow: a solemn pledge (to oneself or to another or to a deity) to do something or to behave in a certain manner
vowel: a letter of the alphabet standing for a spoken vowel
vowel point: a mark placed below or near a consonant (as in Hebrew or Arabic) to indicate the spoken vowel
vowel: a speech sound made with the vocal tract open
Vulgar Latin: nonclassical Latin dialects spoken in the Roman Empire; source of Romance languages
Vulgate: the Latin edition of the Bible translated from Hebrew and Greek mainly by St. Jerome at the end of the 4th century; as revised in 1592 it was adopted as the official text for the Roman Catholic Church
W: the 23rd letter of the Roman alphabet
wafture: the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
wage concession: an agreement to raise wages
wage floor: floor below which wages are not allowed to fall
waggery: waggish behavior
Wagner: the music of Wagner
waiting list: a roster of those waiting to obtain something
Wakashan language: a family of North American Indian languages of British Columbia and Washington
wake-up call: a telephone call that you request be made a specific time in order to wake you up at that time (especially in hotels)
wake-up call: a warning to take action concerning something that was overlooked or neglected
walk-through: a thorough explanation (usually accompanied by a demonstration) of each step in a procedure or process
Walloon: a dialect of French spoken in Belgium and adjacent parts of France
walloper: a gross untruth; a blatant lie
waltz: music composed in triple time for waltzing
Wandala: a Chadic language spoken in the Mandara mountains in Cameroon; has only two vowels
want ad: a newspaper advertisement stating what is wanted
wanted notice: a public announcement by a law enforcement agency that they desire to question or arrest some person
Warji: a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria
Warlpiri: a language of Australian aborigines
warning: a message informing of danger
warning: notification of something, usually in advance
warning of attack: a warning to national policy makers that an enemy intends to launch an attack in the near future
warning of war: a warning to national policy makers that an enemy intends war or is preparing for war and is on a course that increases the risk of war
warrant: a writ from a court commanding police to perform specified acts
watch fire: a fire lighted at night as a signal
watermark: a distinguishing mark impressed on paper during manufacture; visible when paper is held up to the light
wave equation: a differential equation that describes the passage of harmonic waves through a medium
waw: the 6th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
weasel word: an equivocal qualification; a word used to avoid making an outright assertion
weather forecast: a forecast of the weather
Web Map Service: a computer program that produces maps of spatially referenced data dynamically from geographic information
web page: a document connected to the World Wide Web and viewable by anyone connected to the internet who has a web browser
wedding march: a march to be played for a wedding procession
weekly: a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)
welcome: a greeting or reception
well-wishing: an expression of good will from one person to another
wellerism: a comparison comprising a well-known quotation followed by a facetious sequel
West African: a group of languages spoken in the extreme western part of West Africa
West Chadic: a group of Chadic languages spoken in northern Nigeria; Hausa in the most important member
West Germanic language: a branch of the Germanic languages
West Midland: a dialect of Middle English
West Saxon: a literary dialect of Old English
Western: a film about life in the western United States during the period of exploration and development
Western Malayo-Polynesian: a western subfamily of Malayo-Polynesian languages
what for: a strong reprimand
whimper: a complaint uttered in a plaintive whining way
whip-round: (British) solicitation of money usually for a benevolent purpose
whistle buoy: a buoy that makes a whistling noise
whistle: the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle
white book: a government report; bound in white
white feather: a symbol of cowardice
white lie: an unimportant lie (especially one told to be tactful or polite)
white line: a white stripe in the middle of a road to mark traffic lanes
white pages: a telephone directory or section of a directory (usually printed on white paper) where the names of people are listed alphabetically along with their telephone numbers
White Russian: the Slavic language spoken in Belarus
White Tai: a branch of the Tai languages
whole rest: a musical rest equal in duration to four beats in common time
whoop: a loud hooting cry of exultation or excitement
Wichita: the Caddoan language spoken by the Wichita
wig: British slang for a scolding
wince: the facial expression of sudden pain
Windows: (trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
wings: stylized bird wings worn as an insignia by qualified pilots or air crew members
wink: closing one eye quickly as a signal
Winnebago: the Siouan language spoken by the Winnebago
winning post: the post at the end of a racecourse
Wintun: a Copehan language spoken by the Wintun
wireless: transmission by radio waves
Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach: an Apocryphal book mainly of maxims (resembling Proverbs in that respect)
Wisdom of Solomon: an Apocryphal book consisting mainly of a meditation on wisdom; although ascribed to Solomon it was probably written in the first century BC
wish list: a list of events that you wish would occur
witness: testimony by word or deed to your religious faith
Wolof: the West African language of the Wolof in Senegal; related to Fula
won-lost record: (sports) a record of win versus losses
word: a unit of language that native speakers can identify
word: a brief statement
word: a verbal command for action
word accent: the distribution of stresses within a polysyllabic word
word finder: a thesaurus organized to help you find the word you want but cannot think of
Word of God: the message of the Gospel of Christ
word order: the order of words in a text
word processing system: an application that provides the user with tools needed to write and edit and format text and to send it to a printer
word salad: jumble of incoherent speech as sometimes heard in schizophrenia
wordbook: a reference book containing words (usually with their meanings)
wordnet: any of the machine-readable lexical databases modeled after the Princeton WordNet
WordNet3.1: the latest publicly released version of WordNet
words: language that is spoken or written
words: the words that are spoken
work papers: a legal document giving information required for employment of certain people in certain countries
work song: a usually rhythmical song to accompany repetitious work
workbook: a student's book or booklet containing problems with spaces for solving them
working agreement: an informal agreement to work together
working papers: records kept of activities involved in carrying out a project
worksheet: a piece of paper recording work planned or done on a project
worksheet: a sheet of paper with multiple columns; used by an accountant to assemble figures for financial statements
world premiere: (music) the first public performance (as of a dramatic or musical work) anywhere in the world
worm: a software program capable of reproducing itself that can spread from one computer to the next over a network
writ of detinue: a writ ordering the release of goods that have been unlawfully detained
writ of election: a writ ordering the holding of an election
writ of error: a judicial writ from an appellate court ordering the court of record to produce the records of trial
writ of prohibition: a judicial writ from a higher court ordering a lower court not to exercise jurisdiction in a particular case
writ of right: a writ ordering that land be restored to its rightful owner
writing: letters or symbols that are written or imprinted on a surface to represent the sounds or words of a language
writing: (usually plural) the collected work of an author
written account: a written document preserving knowledge of facts or events
written agreement: a legal document summarizing the agreement between parties
written word: the written form of a word
X: the 24th letter of the Roman alphabet
Xhosa: a Bantu language closely related to Zulu
xi: the 14th letter of the Greek alphabet
Xishuangbanna Dai: a branch of the Tai languages
Y: the 25th letter of the Roman alphabet
Yahi: the Yanan language spoken by the Yahi
Yahoo: a widely used search engine for the web that finds information, news, images, products, finance
Yajur-Veda: a collection of sacrificial formulas and prayers
Yakut: the Turkic language spoken by the Yakut
Yana: the Yanan language spoken by the Yana
Yanan: a language group of the Hokan family
yardstick: a measure or standard used for comparison
Yavapai: the Yuman language spoken by the Yavapai
Yay: a branch of the Tai languages
yea: an affirmative
yearbook: a book published annually by the graduating class of a high school or college usually containing photographs of faculty and graduating students
yellow light: the signal to proceed with caution
yellow pages: a telephone directory or section of a directory (usually printed on yellow paper) where business products and services are listed alphabetically by field along with classified advertising
yellow-dog contract: a labor contract (now illegal) whereby the employee agrees not to join a trade union
Yenisei-Samoyed: the Uralic language spoken by the Yeniseian
yes: an affirmative
yes-no question: a question that can be answered by yes or no
Yiddish: a dialect of High German including some Hebrew and other words; spoken in Europe as a vernacular by many Jews; written in the Hebrew script
yodel: a songlike cry in which the voice fluctuates rapidly between the normal voice and falsetto
yodh: the 10th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Yoruba: a Kwa language spoken by the Yoruba in southwestern Nigeria
Yucateco: a Mayan language spoken by the Yucatec
Yuma: the Yuman language spoken by the Yuma
Yuman: a group of language of the Hokan family in Arizona and California and Mexico
Yurak-Samoyed: a Uralic language spoken by a Samoyed of northern Siberia
Z: the 26th letter of the Roman alphabet
Zapotecan: the language of the Zapotec
zayin: the 7th letter of the Hebrew alphabet
Zend-Avesta: a collection of Zoroastrian texts gathered during the 4th or 6th centuries
zero-tolerance policy: any policy that allows no exception
zeta: the 6th letter of the Greek alphabet
zeugma: use of a verb with two or more complements, playing on the verb's polysemy, for humorous effect
Zhuang: a branch of the Tai languages
Ziegfeld Follies: a series of extravagant revues produced by Flo Ziegfeld
zinger: a striking or amusing or caustic remark
Zionism: a policy for establishing and developing a national homeland for Jews in Palestine
ZIP code: a code of letters and digits added to a postal address to aid in the sorting of mail
Zulu: a Bantu language of considerable literary importance in southeastern Africa
zydeco: music of southern Louisiana that combines French dance melodies with Caribbean music and blues
Zyrian: the Finnic language spoken by the Komi