captain
captain: n. & v. --n.
1 a a chief or leader. b the leader of a team, esp. in sports. c a powerful or influential person (captain of industry).
2 a the person in command of a merchant or passenger ship. b the pilot of a civil aircraft.
3 (as a title Captain) a an army or US Air Force officer next above lieutenant. b a Navy officer in command of a warship; one ranking below commodore or rear admiral and above commander. c US a police officer in charge of a precinct, ranking below Chief Officer.
4 a a foreman. b a head boy or girl in a school. c US a supervisor of waiters or bellboys.
5 a a great soldier or strategist. b an experienced commander. --v.tr. be captain of; lead. captain-general an honorary officer, esp. of artillery. Captain of the Fleet Brit. a Navy staff officer in charge of maintenance. captaincy n. (pl. -ies). captainship n. [ME & OF capitain f. LL capitaneus chief f. L caput capit- head]

custom
custom: n.
1 a the usual way of behaving or acting (a slave to custom). b a particular established way of behaving (our customs seem strange to foreigners).
2 Law established usage having the force of law.
3 business patronage; regular dealings or customers (lost a lot of custom).
4 (in pl.; also treated as sing.) a a duty levied on certain imported and exported goods. b the official department that administers this. c the area at a port, frontier, etc., where customs officials deal with incoming goods, baggage, etc. custom-built (or -made etc.) made to a customer's order. custom-house the office at a port or frontier etc. at which customs duties are levied. customs union a group of States with an agreed common tariff, and usu. free trade with each other. [ME and OF custume ult. f. L consuetudo -dinis: see CONSUETUDE]

cordage
cordage: n. cords or ropes, esp. in the rigging of a ship. [ME f. F (as CORD)]

coir
coir: n. fibre from the outer husk of the coconut, used for ropes, matting, etc. [Malayalam kayar cord f. kayaru be twisted]

claw
claw: n. & v. --n.
1 a a pointed horny nail on an animal's or bird's foot. b a foot armed with claws.
2 the pincers of a shellfish.
3 a device for grappling, holding, etc. --v.
1 tr. & intr. scratch, maul, or pull (a person or thing) with claws.
2 tr. & intr. Sc. scratch gently.
3 intr. Naut. beat to windward. claw bac.
1 regain laboriously or gradually.
2 recover (money paid out) from another source (e.g. taxation). claw-back n.
1 the act of clawing back.
2 money recovered in this way. claw-hammer a hammer with one side of the head forked for extracting nails. clawed adj. (also in comb.). clawer n. clawless adj. [OE clawu, clawian]

carcinoma
carcinoma: n. (pl. carcinomata or carcinomas) a cancer, esp. one arising in epithelial tissue. carcinomatous adj. [L f. Gk karkinoma f. karkinos crab]

clothier
clothier: n. a seller of men's clothes. [ME clother f. CLOTH]

cookie
cookie: n.
1 US a small sweet biscuit.
2 US sl. a person.
3 Sc. a plain bun. the way the cookie crumbles US colloq. how things turn out; the unalterable state of affairs. [Du. koekje dimin. of koek cake]

claimant
claimant: n. a person making a claim, esp. in a lawsuit or for a State benefit.

clever
clever: adj. (cleverer, cleverest.
1 skilful, talented; quick to understand and learn.
2 adroit, dextrous.
3 (of the doer or the thing done) ingenious, cunning. clever Dick (or clogs etc.) colloq. a person who is or purports to be smart or knowing. not too clever Austral. colloq. unwell, indisposed. cleverly adv. cleverness n. [ME, = adroit: perh. rel. to CLEAVE(2), with sense 'apt to seize']

condolence
condolence: n. (often in pl.) an expression of sympathy (sent my condolences).

calendar
calendar: n. & v. --n.
1 a system by which the beginning, length, and subdivisions of the year are fixed.
2 a chart or series of pages showing the days, weeks, and months of a particular year, or giving special seasonal information.
3 a timetable or programme of appointments, special events, etc. --v.tr. register or enter in a calendar or timetable etc. calendar month (or year) see MONTH YEAR . calendric adj. calendrical adj. [ME f. AF calender, OF calendier f. L calendarium account-book (as CALENDS)]

currant
currant: n.
1 a dried fruit of a small seedless variety of grape grown in the Levant and much used in cookery.
2 a any of various shrubs of the genus Ribes producing red, white, or black berries. b a berry of these shrubs. flowering currant an ornamental species of currant native to N. America. [ME raysons of coraunce f. AF, = grapes of Corinth (the orig. source)]

cyanide
cyanide: n. any of the highly poisonous salts or esters of hydrocyanic acid, esp. the potassium salt used in the extraction of gold and silver. [CYANOGEN + -IDE]

certain
certain: adj. & pron. --adj.
1 a (often foll. by of, or that + clause) confident, convinced (certain that I put it here). b (often foll. by that + clause) indisputable; known for sure (it is certain that he is guilty).
2 (often foll. by to + infin.) a that may be relied on to happen (it is certain to rain). b destined (certain to become a star).
3 definite, unfailing, reliable (a certain indication of the coming storm; his touch is certain).
4 (of a person, place, etc.) that might be specified, but is not (a certain lady; of a certain age).
5 some though not much (a certain reluctance).
6 (of a person, place, etc.) existing, though probably unknown to the reader or hearer (a certain John Smith). --pron. (as pl.) some but not all (certain of them were wounded). for certain without doubt. make certain = make sure (see SURE ). [ME f. OF ult. f. L certus settled]

celebrity
celebrity: n. (pl. -ies.
1 a well-known person.
2 fame. [F clbrit or L celebritas f. celeber: see CELEBRATE]

contact
contact: n. & v. --n.
1 the state or condition of touching, meeting, or communicating.
2 a person who is or may be communicated with for information, supplies, assistance, etc.
3 Electr. a a connection for the passage of a current. b a device for providing this.
4 a person likely to carry a contagious disease through being associated with an infected person.
5 (usu. in pl.) colloq. a contact lens. --v.tr.
1 get into communication with (a person).
2 begin correspondence or personal dealings with. contact lens a small lens placed directly on the eyeball to correct the vision. contact print a photographic print made by placing a negative directly on sensitized paper etc. and illuminating it. contact sport a sport in which participants necessarily come into bodily contact with one another. contactable adj. [L contactus f. contingere (as com-, tangere touch)]

constable
constable: n.
1 Brit. a a policeman or policewoman. b (also police constable) a police officer of the lowest rank.
2 the governor of a royal castle.
3 hist. the principal officer in a royal household. Chief Constable the head of the police force of a county or other region. [ME f. OF conestable f. LL comes stabuli count of the stable]

castrationcargo
cargo: n. (pl. -oes or -os.
1 goods carried on a ship or aircraft.
2 US goods carried in a motor vehicle. cargo cult (orig. in the Pacific Islands) a belief in the forthcoming arrival of ancestral spirits bringing cargoes of food and other goods. [Sp. (as CHARGE)]

connivercosmopolitan
cosmopolitan: adj. & n. --adj.
1 a of or from or knowing many parts of the world. b consisting of people from many or all parts.
2 free from national limitations or prejudices.
3 Ecol. (of a plant, animal, etc.) widely distributed. --n.
1 a cosmopolitan person.
2 Ecol. a widely distributed animal or plant. cosmopolitanism n. cosmopolitanize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). [COSMOPOLITE + -AN]

cartoon
cartoon: n. & v. --n.
1 a humorous drawing in a newspaper, magazine, etc., esp. as a topical comment.
2 a sequence of drawings, often with speech indicated, telling a story (strip cartoon).
3 a filmed sequence of drawings using the technique of animation.
4 a full-size drawing on stout paper as an artist's preliminary design for a painting, tapestry, mosaic, etc. --v.
1 tr. draw a cartoon of.
2 intr. draw cartoons. cartoonist n. [It. cartone f. carta CARD(1)]

champion
champion: n., v., adj., & adv. --n.
1 (often attrib.) a person (esp. in a sport or game), an animal, plant, etc., that has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition etc.
2 a a person who fights or argues for a cause or on behalf of another person. b hist. a knight etc. who fought in single combat on behalf of a king etc. --v.tr. support the cause of, defend, argue in favour of. --adj. colloq. or dial. first-class, splendid. --adv. colloq. or dial. splendidly, well. Champion of England (or King's or Queen's Champion) a hereditary official at coronations. [ME f. OF f. med.L campio -onis fighter f. L campus field]

contain
contain: v.tr.
1 hold or be capable of holding within itself; include, comprise.
2 (of measures) consist of or be equal to (a gallon contains eight pints).
3 prevent (an enemy, difficulty, etc.) from moving or extending.
4 control or restrain (oneself, one's feelings, etc.).
5 (of a number) be divisible by (a factor) without a remainder. containable adj. [ME f. OF contenir f. L continere content- (as com-, tenere hold)]

consolidationcomical
comical: adj. funny; causing laughter. comicality n. comically adv. [COMIC]

commence
commence: v.tr. & intr. formal begin. [ME f. OF com(m)encier f. Rmc (as COM-, L initiare INITIATE)]

choose
choose: v. (past chose; past part. chosen.
1 tr. select out of a greater number.
2 intr. (usu. foll. by between, from) take or select one or another.
3 tr. (usu. foll. by to + infin.) decide, be determined (chose to stay behind).
4 tr. (foll. by complement) select as (was chosen king).
5 tr. Theol. (esp. as chosen adj.) destine to be saved (God's chosen people). cannot choose but archaic must. nothing (or little) to choose between them they are equivalent. chooser n. [OE ceosan f. Gmc]

compromise
compromise: n. & v. --n.
1 the settlement of a dispute by mutual concession (reached a compromise by bargaining).
2 (often foll. by between) an intermediate state between conflicting opinions, actions, etc., reached by mutual concession or modification (a compromise between ideals and material necessity). --v.
1 a intr. settle a dispute by mutual concession (compromised over the terms). b tr. archaic settle (a dispute) by mutual concession.
2 tr. bring into disrepute or danger esp. by indiscretion or folly. compromiser n. compromisingly adv. [ME f. OF compromis f. LL compromissum neut. past part. of compromittere (as com-, promittere promise)]

crate
crate: n. & v. --n.
1 a large wickerwork basket or slatted wooden case etc. for packing esp. fragile goods for transportation.
2 sl. an old aeroplane or other vehicle. --v.tr. pack in a crate. crateful n. (pl. -fuls). [ME, perh. f. Du. krat basket etc.]

candid
candid: adj.
1 frank; not hiding one's thoughts.
2 (of a photograph) taken informally, usu. without the subject's knowledge. candid camera a small camera for taking candid photographs. candidly adv. candidness n. [F candide or L candidus white]

catechism
catechism: n.
1 a a summary of the principles of a religion in the form of questions and answers. b a book containing this.
2 a series of questions put to anyone. catechismal adj. [eccl.L catechismus (as CATECHIZE)]

cultural
cultural: adj. of or relating to the cultivation of the mind or manners, esp. through artistic or intellectual activity. culturally adv.

clothes
clothes: n.pl.
1 garments worn to cover the body and limbs.
2 bedclothes. clothes-hors.
1 a frame for airing washed clothes.
2 colloq. an affectedly fashionable person. clothes-line a rope or wire etc. on which washed clothes are hung to dry. clothes-moth any moth of the family Tineidae, with a larva destructive to wool, fur, etc. clothes-peg Brit. a clip or forked device for securing clothes to a clothes-line. clothes-pin US a clothes-peg. [OE clathas pl. of clath CLOTH]

cancel
cancel: v. & n. --v. (cancelled, cancelling; US canceled, canceling.
1 tr. a withdraw or revoke (a previous arrangement). b discontinue (an arrangement in progress).
2 tr. obliterate or delete (writing etc.).
3 tr. mark or pierce (a ticket, stamp, etc.) to invalidate it.
4 tr. annul; make void; abolish.
5 (often foll. by out) a tr. (of one factor or circumstance) neutralize or counterbalance (another). b intr. (of two factors or circumstances) neutralize each other.
6 tr. Math. strike out (an equal factor) on each side of an equation or from the numerator and denominator of a fraction. --n.
1 a countermand.
2 the cancellation of a postage stamp.
3 Printing a new page or section inserted in a book to replace the original text, usu. to correct an error.
4 Mus. US a natural-sign. canceller n. [ME f. F canceller f. L cancellare f. cancelli crossbars, lattice]

comforter
comforter: n.
1 a person who comforts.
2 a baby's dummy.
3 archaic a woollen scarf.
4 US a warm quilt. [ME f. AF confortour, OF -or (as COMFORT)]

certificate
certificate: n. & v. --n. a formal document attesting a fact, esp. birth, marriage, or death, a medical condition, a level of achievement, a fulfilment of requirements, ownership of shares, etc. --v.tr. (esp. as certificated adj.) provide with or license or attest by a certificate. Certificate of Secondary Education hist.
1 an examination set for secondary-school pupils in England and Wales.
2 the certificate gained by passing it. Replaced in 1988 by the General Certificate of Secondary Education. certification n. [F certificat or med.L certificatum f. certificare: see CERTIFY]

cabinet
cabinet: n.
1 a a cupboard or case with drawers, shelves, etc., for storing or displaying articles. b a piece of furniture housing a radio or television set etc.
2 (Cabinet) the committee of senior ministers responsible for controlling government policy.
3 archaic a small private room. cabinet-maker a skilled joiner. Cabinet Minister Brit. a member of the Cabinet. cabinet photograph one of abou.
6 b.
4 inches. cabinet pudding a steamed pudding with dried fruit. [CABIN + -ET(1), infl. by F cabinet]

complement
complement: n. & v. --n.
1 a something that completes. b one of a pair, or one of two things that go together.
2 (often full complement) the full number needed to man a ship, fill a conveyance, etc.
3 Gram. a word or phrase added to a verb to complete the predicate of a sentence.
4 Biochem. a group of proteins in the blood capable of lysing bacteria etc.
5 Math. any element not belonging to a specified set or class.
6 Geom. the amount by which an angle is less than 90 (cf. SUPPLEMENT). --v.tr.
1 complete.
2 form a complement to (the scarf complements her dress). complemental adj. [ME f. L complementum (as COMPLETE)]

caterpillar
caterpillar: n.
1 a the larva of a butterfly or moth. b (in general use) any similar larva of various insects.
2 (Caterpillar) a (in full Caterpillar track or tread) propr. a steel band passing round the wheels of a tractor etc. for travel on rough ground. b a vehicle with these tracks, e.g. a tractor or tank. [perh. AF var. of OF chatepelose lit. hairy cat, infl. by obs. piller ravager]

cruise
cruise: v. & n. --v.
1 intr. make a journey by sea calling at a series of ports usu. according to a predetermined plan, esp. for pleasure.
2 intr. sail about without a precise destination.
3 intr. a (of a motor vehicle or aircraft) travel at a moderate or economical speed. b (of a vehicle or its driver) travel at random, esp. slowly.
4 intr. achieve an objective, win a race etc., with ease.
5 intr. & tr. sl. walk or drive about (the streets etc.) in search of a sexual (esp. homosexual) partner. --n. a cruising voyage, esp. as a holiday. cruise missile one able to fly at a low altitude and guide itself by reference to the features of the region it traverses. cruising speed a comfortable and economical speed for a motor vehicle, below its maximum speed. [prob. f. Du. kruisen f. kruis CROSS]

concordance
concordance: n.
1 agreement.
2 a book containing an alphabetical list of the important words used in a book or by an author, usu. with citations of the passages concerned. [ME f. OF f. med.L concordantia (as concordant)]

chocolate
chocolate: n. & adj. --n.
1 a a food preparation in the form of a paste or solid block made from roasted and ground cacao seeds, usually sweetened. b a sweet made of or coated with this. c a drink made with chocolate.
2 a deep brown colour. --adj.
1 made from or of chocolate.
2 chocolate-coloured. chocolate-bo.
1 a decorated box filled with chocolates.
2 (attrib.) stereotypically pretty or romantic. chocolatey adj. (also chocolaty). [F chocolat or Sp. chocolate f. Aztec chocolatl]

concrete
concrete: adj., n., & v. --adj.
1 a existing in a material form; real. b specific, definite (concrete evidence; a concrete proposal).
2 Gram. (of a noun) denoting a material object as opposed to an abstract quality, state, or action. --n. (often attrib.) a composition of gravel, sand, cement, and water, used for building. --v.
1 tr. a cover with concrete. b embed in concrete.
2 a tr. & intr. form into a mass; solidify. b tr. make concrete instead of abstract. concrete-mixer a machine, usu. with a revolving drum, used for mixing concrete. concrete music music constructed by mixing recorded sounds. concrete poetry poetry using unusual typographical layout to enhance the effect on the page. in the concrete in reality or in practice. concretely adv. concreteness n. [F concret or L concretus past part. of concrescere (as com-, crescere cret- grow)]

career
career: n. & v. --n.
1 a one's advancement through life, esp. in a profession. b the progress through history of a group or institution.
2 a profession or occupation, esp. as offering advancement.
3 (attrib.) a pursuing or wishing to pursue a career (career woman). b working permanently in a specified profession (career diplomat).
4 swift course; impetus (in full career). --v.intr.
1 move or swerve about wildly.
2 go swiftly. [F carrire f. It. carriera ult. f. L carrus CAR]

creation
creation: n.
1 a the act of creating. b an instance of this.
2 a (usu. the Creation) the creating of the universe regarded as an act of God. b (usu. Creation) everything so created; the universe.
3 a product of human intelligence, esp. of imaginative thought or artistic ability.
4 a the act of investing with a title or rank. b an instance of this. [ME f. OF f. L creatio -onis (as CREATE)]

chromic
chromic: adj. Chem. of or containing trivalent chromium. chromic acid an acid that exists only in solution or in the form of chromate salts.

cor
cor: int. Brit. sl. expressing surprise, alarm, exasperation, etc. cor blimey see BLIMEY . [corrupt. of God]

creative
creative: adj.
1 inventive and imaginative.
2 creating or able to create. creatively adv. creativeness n. creativity n.

cachou
cachou: n.
1 a lozenge to sweeten the breath.
2 var. of CATECHU. [F f. Port. cachu f. Malay kachu: cf. CATECHU]

combustion
combustion: n.
1 burning; consumption by fire.
2 Chem. the development of light and heat from the chemical combination of a substance with oxygen. combustive adj. [ME f. F combustion or LL combustio f. L comburere combust- burn up]

caitiff
caitiff: n. & adj. poet. or archaic --n. a base or despicable person; a coward. --adj. base, despicable, cowardly. [ME f. OF caitif, chaitif ult. f. L captivus CAPTIVE]

crewel
crewel: n. a thin worsted yarn used for tapestry and embroidery. crewel-work a design worked in crewel on linen or cloth. [ME crule etc., of unkn. orig.]

children
children: pl. of CHILD.

casting
casting: n. an object made by casting, esp. of molten metal.

chlorine
chlorine: n. Chem. a poisonous greenish-yellow gaseous element of the halogen group occurring naturally in salt, sea-water, rock-salt, etc., and used for purifying water, bleaching, and the manufacture of many organic chemicals. Symb.: Cl. [Gk khloros green + -INE(4)]

converter
converter: n. (also convertor.
1 a person or thing that converts.
2 Electr. a an electrical apparatus for the interconversion of alternating current and direct current. b Electronics an apparatus for converting a signal from one frequency to another.
3 a reaction vessel used in making steel. converter reactor a nuclear reactor that converts fertile material into fissile material.

critical
critical: adj.
1 a making or involving adverse or censorious comments or judgements. b expressing or involving criticism.
2 skilful at or engaged in criticism.
3 providing textual criticism (a critical edition of Milton).
4 a of or at a crisis; involving risk or suspense (in a critical condition; a critical operation). b decisive, crucial (of critical importance; at the critical moment).
5 a Math. & Physics marking transition from one state etc. to another (critical angle). b Physics (of a nuclear reactor) maintaining a self-sustaining chain reaction. critical apparatus = APPARATUS 4. critical mass Physics the amount of fissile material needed to maintain a nuclear chain reaction. critical path the sequence of stages determining the minimum time needed for an operation. critical temperature Chem. the temperature above which a gas cannot be liquefied. criticality n. (in sense 5). critically adv. criticalness n. [L criticus: see CRITIC]

character
character: n. & v. --n.
1 the collective qualities or characteristics, esp. mental and moral, that distinguish a person or thing.
2 a moral strength (has a weak character). b reputation, esp. good reputation.
3 a a person in a novel, play, etc. b a part played by an actor; a role.
4 colloq. a person, esp. an eccentric or outstanding individual (he's a real character).
5 a a printed or written letter, symbol, or distinctive mark (Chinese characters). b Computing any of a group of symbols representing a letter etc.
6 a written description of a person's qualities; a testimonial.
7 a characteristic (esp. of a biological species). --v.tr. archaic inscribe; describe. character actor an actor who specializes in playing eccentric or unusual persons. character assassination a malicious attempt to harm or destroy a person's good reputation. in (or out of) character consistent (or inconsistent) with a person's character. characterful adj. characterfully adv. characterless adj. [ME f. OF caractere f. L character f. Gk kharakter stamp, impress]

crocodile
crocodile: n.
1 a any large tropical amphibious reptile of the order Crocodilia, with thick scaly skin, long tail, and long jaws. b leather from its skin, used to make bags, shoes, etc.
2 Brit. colloq. a line of schoolchildren etc. walking in pairs. crocodile clip a clip with teeth for gripping. crocodile tears insincere grief (from the belief that crocodiles wept while devouring or alluring their prey). crocodilian adj. [ME f. OF cocodrille f. med.L cocodrillus f. L crocodilus f. Gk krokodilos f. kroke pebble + drilos worm]

creak
creak: n. & v. --n. a harsh scraping or squeaking sound. --v.intr.
1 make a creak.
2 a move with a creaking noise. b move stiffly and awkwardly. c show weakness or frailty under strain. creakingly adv. [ME, imit.: cf. CRAKE, CROAK]

cholesterol
cholesterol: n. Biochem. a sterol found in most body tissues, including the blood, where high concentrations promote arteriosclerosis. [cholesterin f. Gk khole bile + stereos stiff]

caller
caller: n.
1 a person who calls, esp. one who pays a visit or makes a telephone call.
2 Austral. a racing commentator.

centaur
centaur: n. a creature in Greek mythology with the head, arms, and torso of a man and the body and legs of a horse. [ME f. L centaurus f. Gk kentauros, of unkn. orig.]

constitution
constitution: n.
1 the act or method of constituting; the composition (of something).
2 a the body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a State or other organization is acknowledged to be governed. b a (usu. written) record of this.
3 a person's physical state as regards vitality, health, strength, etc.
4 a person's mental or psychological make-up.
5 hist. a decree or ordinance. [ME f. OF constitution or L constitutio (as constitute)]

county
county: n. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies.
1 a any of the territorial divisions of some countries, forming the chief unit of local administration. b US a political and administrative division of a State.
2 the people of a county, esp. the leading families. --adj. having the social status or characteristics of county families. county borough hist. a large borough ranking as a county for administrative purposes. county corporate hist. a city or town ranking as an administrative county. county council the elected governing body of an administrative county. county court a judicial court for civil cases (in the US for civil and criminal cases). county cricket cricket matches between teams representing counties. county family an aristocratic family with an ancestral seat in a county. County Palatine the territory of a Count or Earl Palatine. county town (US seat) the administrative capital of a county. [ME f. AF count, OF cont, cunt, f. L comitatus (as COUNT(2))]

consultant
consultant: n.
1 a person providing professional advice etc., esp. for a fee.
2 a senior specialist in a branch of medicine responsible for patients in a hospital. [prob. F (as consult)]

culture
culture: n. & v. --n.
1 a the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively (a city lacking in culture). b a refined understanding of this; intellectual development (a person of culture).
2 the customs, civilization, and achievements of a particular time or people (studied Chinese culture).
3 improvement by mental or physical training.
4 a the cultivation of plants; the rearing of bees, silkworms, etc. b the cultivation of the soil.
5 a quantity of micro-organisms and the nutrient material supporting their growth. --v.tr. maintain (bacteria etc.) in conditions suitable for growth. culture shock the feeling of disorientation experienced by a person suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture or way of life. culture vulture colloq. a person eager to acquire culture. the two cultures the arts and science. [ME f. F culture or L cultura (as CULT): (v.) f. obs. F culturer or med.L culturare]

condition
condition: n. & v. --n.
1 a stipulation; something upon the fulfilment of which something else depends.
2 a the state of being or fitness of a person or thing (arrived in bad condition; not in a condition to be used). b an ailment or abnormality (a heart condition).
3 (in pl.) circumstances, esp. those affecting the functioning or existence of something (working conditions are good).
4 archaic social rank (all sorts and conditions of men).
5 Gram. a clause expressing a condition.
6 US a subject in which a student must pass an examination within a stated time to maintain a provisionally granted status. --v.tr.
1 a bring into a good or desired state or condition. b make fit (esp. dogs or horses).
2 teach or accustom to adopt certain habits etc. (conditioned by society).
3 govern, determine (his behaviour was conditioned by his drunkenness).
4 a impose conditions on. b be essential to (the two things condition each other).
5 test the condition of (textiles etc.).
6 US subject (a student) to re-examination. conditioned reflex a reflex response to a non-natural stimulus, established by training. in (or out of) condition in good (or bad) condition. in no condition to certainly not fit to. on condition that with the stipulation that. [ME f. OF condicion (n.), condicionner (v.) or med.L condicionare f. L condicio -onis f. condicere (as com-, dicere say)]

chemistry
chemistry: n. (pl. -ies.
1 the study of the elements and the compounds they form and the reactions they undergo.
2 any complex (esp. emotional) change or process (the chemistry of fear).
3 colloq. a person's personality or temperament.

cellular
cellular: adj.
1 of or having small compartments or cavities.
2 of open texture; porous.
3 Physiol. of or consisting of cells. cellular blanket a blanket of open texture. cellular plant a plant with no distinct stem, leaves, etc. cellular radio a system of mobile radio-telephone transmission with an area divided into 'cells' each served by its own small transmitter. cellularity n. cellulate adj. cellulation n. cellulous adj. [F cellulaire f. mod.L cellularis: see CELLULE]

currency
currency: n. (pl. -ies.
1 a the money in general use in a country. b any other commodity used as a medium of exchange.
2 the condition of being current; prevalence (e.g. of words or ideas).
3 the time during which something is current.

cooking
cooking: n.
1 the art or process by which food is cooked.
2 (attrib.) suitable for or used in cooking (cooking apple; cooking utensils).

cootie
cootie: n. sl. a body louse. [perh. f. Malay kutu a biting parasite]

craft
craft: n. & v. --n.
1 skill, esp. in practical arts.
2 a (esp. in comb.) a trade or an art (statecraft; handicraft; priestcraft; the craft of pottery). b the members of a craft.
3 (pl. craft) a a boat or vessel. b an aircraft or spacecraft.
4 cunning or deceit.
5 (the Craft) the brotherhood of Freemasons. --v.tr. make in a skilful way (crafted a poem; a well-crafted piece of work). craft-brother a fellow worker in the same trade. craft-guild hist. a guild of workers of the same trade. [OE crft]

calculate
calculate: v.
1 tr. ascertain or determine beforehand, esp. by mathematics or by reckoning.
2 tr. plan deliberately.
3 intr. (foll. by on, upon) rely on; make an essential part of one's reckoning (calculated on a quick response).
4 tr. US colloq. suppose, believe. calculative adj. [LL calculare (as CALCULUS)]

cocktail
cocktail: n.
1 a usu. alcoholic drink made by mixing various spirits, fruit juices, etc.
2 a dish of mixed ingredients (fruit cocktail; shellfish cocktail).
3 any hybrid mixture. cocktail dress a usu. short evening dress suitable for wearing at a drinks party. cocktail stick a small pointed stick for serving an olive, cherry, small sausage, etc. [orig. unkn.: cf. earlier sense 'docked horse' f. COCK(1): the connection is unclear]

cyst
cyst: n.
1 Med. a sac containing morbid matter, a parasitic larva, etc.
2 Biol. a a hollow organ, bladder, etc., in an animal or plant, containing a liquid secretion. b a cell or cavity enclosing reproductive bodies, an embryo, parasite, micro-organism, etc. [LL cystis f. Gk kustis bladder]

calligraphy
calligraphy: n.
1 handwriting, esp. when fine or pleasing.
2 the art of handwriting. calligrapher n. calligraphic adj. calligraphist n. [Gk kalligraphia f. kallos beauty]

chattel
chattel: n. (usu. in pl.) a moveable possession; any possession or piece of property other than real estate or a freehold. chattel mortgage US the conveyance of chattels by mortgage as security for a debt. goods and chattels personal possessions. [ME f. OF chatel: see CATTLE]

college
college: n.
1 an establishment for further or higher education, sometimes part of a university.
2 an establishment for specialized professional education (business college; college of music; naval college).
3 the buildings or premises of a college (lived in college).
4 the students and teachers in a college.
5 Brit. a public school.
6 an organized body of persons with shared functions and privileges (College of Physicians). College of Arms (in the UK) a corporation recording lineage and granting arms. college of education Brit. a training college for schoolteachers. college pudding Brit. a small baked or steamed suet pudding with dried fruit. collegial adj. [ME f. OF college or L collegium f. collega (as COLLEAGUE)]

constellation
constellation: n.
1 a group of fixed stars whose outline is traditionally regarded as forming a particular figure.
2 a group of associated persons, ideas, etc. [ME f. OF f. LL constellatio -onis (as com-, stella star)]

contra
contra: n. (pl. contras) a member of a counter-revolutionary guerrilla force in Nicaragua. [abbr. of Sp. contrarevolucionario counter-revolutionary]

capitalist
capitalist: n. & adj. --n.
1 a person using or possessing capital; a rich person.
2 an advocate of capitalism. --adj. of or favouring capitalism. capitalistic adj. capitalistically adv.

chandelier
chandelier: n. an ornamental branched hanging support for several candles or electric light bulbs. [F (chandelle f. as CANDLE)]

cattle
cattle: n.pl.
1 any bison, buffalo, yak, or domesticated bovine animal, esp. of the genus Bos.
2 archaic livestock. cattle-cake Brit. a concentrated food for cattle, in cake form. cattle-grid Brit. a grid covering a ditch, allowing vehicles to pass over but not cattle, sheep, etc. cattle-guard US = cattle-grid. cattle-plague rinderpest. cattle-stop NZ = cattle-grid. [ME & AF catel f. OF chatel CHATTEL]

crucial
crucial: adj.
1 decisive, critical.
2 disp. very important. cruciality n. (pl. -ies). crucially adv. [F f. L crux crucis cross]

candle
candle: n. & v. --n.
1 a cylinder or block of wax or tallow with a central wick, for giving light when burning.
2 = CANDLEPOWER. --v.tr. test (an egg) for freshness by holding it to the light. cannot hold a candle to cannot be compared with; is much inferior to. not worth the candle not justifying the cost or trouble. candler n. [OE candel f. L candela f. candere shine]

convention
convention: n.
1 a general agreement, esp. agreement on social behaviour etc. by implicit consent of the majority. b a custom or customary practice, esp. an artificial or formal one.
2 a a formal assembly or conference for a common purpose. b US an assembly of the delegates of a political party to select candidates for office. c hist. a meeting of Parliament without a summons from the sovereign.
3 a a formal agreement. b an agreement between States, esp. one less formal than a treaty.
4 Cards an accepted method of play (in leading, bidding, etc.) used to convey information to a partner.
5 the act of convening. [ME f. OF f. L conventio -onis (as CONVENE)]

conscientious
conscientious: adj. (of a person or conduct) diligent and scrupulous. conscientious objector a person who for reasons of conscience objects to conforming to a requirement, esp. that of military service. conscientiously adv. conscientiousness n. [F consciencieux f. med.L conscientiosus (as conscience)]

creep
creep: v. & n. --v.intr. (past and past part. crept.
1 move with the body prone and close to the ground; crawl.
2 (often foll. by in, out, up, etc.) come, go, or move slowly and stealthily or timidly (crept out without being seen).
3 enter slowly (into a person's affections, life, awareness, etc.) (a feeling crept over her; crept into her heart).
4 colloq. act abjectly or obsequiously in the hope of advancement.
5 (of a plant) grow along the ground or up a wall by means of tendrils etc.
6 (as creeping adj.) developing slowly and steadily (creeping inflation).
7 (of the flesh) feel as if insects etc. were creeping over it, as a result of fear, horror, etc.
8 (of metals etc.) undergo creep. --n.
1 a the act of creeping. b an instance of this.
2 (in pl.; prec. by the) colloq. a nervous feeling of revulsion or fear (gives me the creeps).
3 sl. an unpleasant person.
4 the gradual downward movement of disintegrated rock due to gravitational forces etc.
5 (of metals etc.) a gradual change of shape under stress.
6 a low arch under a railway embankment, road, etc. creeping barrage a barrage moving ahead of advancing troops. creeping Jenny any of various creeping plants, esp. moneywort. creeping Jesus sl. an abject or hypocritical person. creep up on approach (a person) stealthily or unnoticed. [OE creopan f. Gmc]

change
change: n. & v. --n.
1 a the act or an instance of making or becoming different. b an alteration or modification (the change in her expression).
2 a money given in exchange for money in larger units or a different currency. b money returned as the balance of that given in payment. c = small change.
3 a new experience; variety (fancied a change; for a change).
4 a the substitution of one thing for another; an exchange (change of scene). b a set of clothes etc. put on in place of another.
5 (in full change of life) colloq. the menopause.
6 (usu. in pl.) the different orders in which a peal of bells can be rung.
7 (Change) (also 'Change) hist. a place where merchants etc. met to do business.
8 (of the moon) arrival at a fresh phase, esp. at the new moon. --v.
1 tr. & intr. undergo, show, or subject to change; make or become different (the wig changed his appearance; changed from an introvert into an extrovert).
2 tr. a take or use another instead of; go from one to another (change one's socks; changed his doctor; changed trains). b (usu. foll. by for) give up or get rid of in exchange (changed the car for a van).
3 tr. a give or get change in smaller denominations for (can you change a ten-pound note?). b (foll. by for) exchange (a sum of money) for (changed his dollars for pounds).
4 tr. & intr. put fresh clothes or coverings on (changed the baby as he was wet; changed into something loose).
5 tr. (often foll. by with) give and receive, exchange (changed places with him; we changed places).
6 intr. change trains etc. (changed at Crewe).
7 intr. (of the moon) arrive at a fresh phase, esp. become new. change colour blanch or flush. change down engage a lower gear in a vehicle. change gear engage a different gear in a vehicle. change hand.
1 pass to a different owner.
2 substitute one hand for another. change one's mind adopt a different opinion or plan. change of air a different climate; variety. change of heart a conversion to a different view. change over change from one system or situation to another. change-over n. such a change. change step begin to keep step with the opposite leg when marching etc. change the subject begin talking of something different, esp. to avoid embarrassment. change one's tun.
1 voice a different opinion from that expressed previously.
2 change one's style of language or manner, esp. from an insolent to a respectful tone. change up engage a higher gear in a vehicle. get no change out of sl.
1 fail to get information from.
2 fail to get the better of (in business etc.). ring the changes (on) vary the ways of expressing, arranging, or doing something. changeful adj. changer n. [ME f. AF chaunge, OF change, changer f. LL cambiare, L cambire barter, prob. of Celt. orig.]

cuckold
cuckold: n. & v. --n. the husband of an adulteress. --v.tr. make a cuckold of. cuckoldry n. [ME cukeweld, cokewold, f. OF cucu cuckoo]

caique
caique: n.
1 a light rowing-boat on the Bosporus.
2 a Levantine sailing-ship. [F f. It. caicco f. Turk. kayik]

catchup
catchup: var. of KETCHUP.

craftsman
craftsman: n. (pl. -men; fem. craftswoman, pl. -women.
1 a skilled and usu. time-served worker.
2 a person who practises a handicraft.
3 a private soldier in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. craftsmanship n. [ME, orig. craft's man]

caecum
caecum: n. (US cecum) (pl. -ca) a blind-ended pouch at the junction of the small and large intestines. caecal adj. [L for intestinum caecum f. caecus blind, transl. of Gk tuphlon enteron]

calve
calve: v.
1 a intr. give birth to a calf. b tr. (esp. in passive) give birth to (a calf).
2 tr. (also absol.) (of an iceberg) break off or shed (a mass of ice). [OE calfian]

cuneiform
cuneiform: adj. & n. --adj.
1 wedge-shaped.
2 of, relating to, or using the wedge-shaped writing impressed usu. in clay in ancient Babylonian etc. inscriptions. --n. cuneiform writing. [F cuniforme or mod.L cuneiformis f. L cuneus wedge]

cease
cease: v. & n. --v.tr. & intr. stop; bring or come to an end (ceased breathing). --n. (in without cease) unending. cease fire Mil. stop firing. cease-fire n.
1 the order to do this.
2 a period of truce; a suspension of hostilities. [ME f. OF cesser, L cessare frequent. of cedere cess- yield]

cadge
cadge: v.
1 tr. get or seek by begging.
2 intr. beg. cadger n. [19th c., earlier = ? bind, carry: orig. unkn.]

cart
cart: n. & v. --n.
1 a strong vehicle with two or four wheels for carrying loads, usu. drawn by a horse.
2 a light vehicle for pulling by hand.
3 a light vehicle with two wheels for driving in, drawn by a single horse. --v.tr.
1 convey in or as in a cart.
2 sl. carry (esp. a cumbersome thing) with difficulty or over a long distance (carted it all the way home). cart-horse a thickset horse suitable for heavy work. cart-loa.
1 an amount filling a cart.
2 a large quantity of anything. cart off remove, esp. by force. cart-track (or -road) a track or road too rough for ordinary vehicles. cart-wright a maker of carts. in the cart sl. in trouble or difficulty. put the cart before the hors.
1 reverse the proper order or procedure.
2 take an effect for a cause. carter n. cartful n. (pl. -fuls). [ME f. ON kartr cart & OE crt, prob. infl. by AF & ONF carete dimin. of carre CAR]

cion
cion: US var. of SCION 1.

coitus
coitus: n. Med. sexual intercourse. coitus interruptus sexual intercourse in which the penis is withdrawn before ejaculation. coital adj. [L (as COITION)]

calcaneus
calcaneus: n. (also calcaneum) (pl. calcanei or calcanea) the bone forming the heel. [L]

contemporary
contemporary: adj. & n. --adj.
1 living or occurring at the same time.
2 approximately equal in age.
3 following modern ideas or fashion in style or design. --n. (pl. -ies.
1 a person or thing living or existing at the same time as another.
2 a person of roughly the same age as another. contemporarily adv. contemporariness n. contemporarize v.tr. (also -ise). [med.L contemporarius (as contemporaneous)]

catfish
catfish: n. any of various esp. freshwater fish, usu. having whisker-like barbels round the mouth.

cancer
cancer: n.
1 a any malignant growth or tumour from an abnormal and uncontrolled division of body cells. b a disease caused by this.
2 an evil influence or corruption spreading uncontrollably.
3 (Cancer) a a constellation, traditionally regarded as contained in the figure of a crab. b the fourth sign of the zodiac (the Crab). c a person born when the sun is in this sign. cancer stick sl. a cigarette. Tropic of Cancer see TROPIC . Cancerian n. & adj. (in sense 3). cancerous adj. [ME f. L, = crab, cancer, after Gk karkinos]

color
color: etc. US var. of COLOUR etc.

chihuahua
chihuahua: n.
1 a very small dog of a smooth-haired large-eyed breed originating in Mexico.
2 this breed. [Chihuahua State and city in Mexico]

canary
canary: n. (pl. -ies.
1 any of various small finches of the genus Serinus, esp. S. canaria, a songbird native to the Canary Islands, with mainly yellow plumage.
2 hist. a sweet wine from the Canary Islands. canary-coloured coloured canary yellow. canary creeper a climbing plant, Tropaeolium peregrinum, with flowers of bright yellow deeply toothed petals which give the appearance of a small bird in flight. canary grass a Mediterranean plant Phalaris canariensis, grown as a crop plant for bird seed. canary yellow bright yellow. [Canary Islands f. F Canarie f. Sp. & L Canaria f. canis dog, one of the islands being noted in Roman times for large dogs]

cacophony
cacophony: n. (pl. -ies.
1 a harsh discordant mixture of sound.
2 dissonance; discord. cacophonous adj. [F cacophonie f. Gk kakophonia f. kakophonos f. kakos bad + phone sound]

calender
calender: n. & v. --n. a machine in which cloth, paper, etc., is pressed by rollers to glaze or smooth it. --v.tr. press in a calender. [F calendre(r), of unkn. orig.]

conversation
conversation: n.
1 the informal exchange of ideas by spoken words.
2 an instance of this. conversation piec.
1 a small genre painting of a group of figures.
2 a thing that serves as a topic of conversation because of its unusualness etc. conversation stopper colloq. an unexpected remark, esp. one that cannot readily be answered. [ME f. OF f. L conversatio -onis (as CONVERSE(1))]

coming
coming: adj. & n. --attrib.adj.
1 approaching, next (in the coming week; this coming Sunday).
2 of potential importance (a coming man). --n. arrival; approach.

cereal
cereal: n. & adj --n.
1 (usu. in pl.) a any kind of grain used for food. b any grass producing this, e.g. wheat, maize, rye, etc.
2 a breakfast food made from a cereal and requiring no cooking. --adj. of edible grain or products of it. [L cerealis f. Ceres goddess of agriculture]

chromium
chromium: n. Chem. a hard white metallic transition element, occurring naturally as chromite and used as a shiny decorative electroplated coating. Symb.: Cr. chromium steel = chrome steel. [mod.L f. F CHROME]

centipede
centipede: n. any arthropod of the class Chilopoda, with a wormlike body of many segments each with a pair of legs. [F centipde or L centipeda f. centum hundred + pes pedis foot]

clampcamera
camera: n.
1 an apparatus for taking photographs, consisting of a lightproof box to hold light-sensitive film, a lens, and a shutter mechanism, either for still photographs or for motion-picture film.
2 Telev. a piece of equipment which forms an optical image and converts it into electrical impulses for transmission or storage. camera obscura an internally darkened box with an aperture for projecting the image of an external object on a screen inside it. camera-ready Printing (of copy) in a form suitable for immediate photographic reproduction. in camer.
1 Law in a judge's private room.
2 privately; not in public. on camera (esp. of an actor or actress) being filmed or televised at a particular moment. [orig. = chamber f. L camera f. Gk kamara vault etc.]

confederation
confederation: n.
1 a union or alliance of States etc.
2 the act or an instance of confederating; the state of being confederated. [F confdration (as confederate)]

coffer
coffer: n.
1 a box, esp. a large strongbox for valuables.
2 (in pl.) a treasury or store of funds.
3 a sunken panel in a ceiling etc. coffer-dam a watertight enclosure pumped dry to permit work below the waterline on building bridges etc., or for repairing a ship. coffered adj. [ME f. OF coffre f. L cophinus f. Gk kophinos basket]

chemical
chemical: adj. & n. --adj. of, made by, or employing chemistry or chemicals. --n. a substance obtained or used in chemistry. chemical bond the force holding atoms together in a molecule or crystal. chemical engineer one engaged in chemical engineering, esp. professionally. chemical engineering the design, manufacture, and operation of industrial chemical plants. chemical reaction a process that involves change in the structure of atoms, molecules, or ions. chemical warfare warfare using poison gas and other chemicals. fine chemicals chemicals of high purity usu. used in small amounts. heavy chemicals bulk chemicals used in industry and agriculture. chemically adv. [chemic alchemic f. F chimique or mod.L chimicus, chymicus, f. med.L alchymicus: see ALCHEMY]

copulation
copulation: n.
1 sexual union.
2 a grammatical or logical connection. [ME f. OF f. L copulatio (as COPULATE)]

central
central: adj.
1 of, at, or forming the centre.
2 from the centre.
3 chief, essential, most important. Central America the isthmus joining North and South America. central bank a national bank issuing currency etc. central heating a method of warming a building by pipes, radiators, etc., fed from a central source of heat. central nervous system Anat. the complex of nerve tissues that controls the activities of the body, in vertebrates the brain and spinal cord. central processor (or processing unit) the principal operating part of a computer. centrality n. centrally adv. [F central or L centralis f. centrum CENTRE]

computer
computer: n.
1 a usu. electronic device for storing and processing data (usu. in binary form), according to instructions given to it in a variable program.
2 a person who computes or makes calculations. computer-literate able to use computers; familiar with the operation of computers. computer science the study of the principles and use of computers. computer virus a hidden code within a computer program intended to corrupt a system or destroy data stored in it.

cert
cert: n. sl. (esp. dead cert.
1 an event or result regarded as certain to happen.
2 a horse strongly tipped to win. [abbr. of CERTAIN, CERTAINTY]

corduroy
corduroy: n.
1 a thick cotton fabric with velvety ribs.
2 (in pl.) corduroy trousers. corduroy road a road made of tree-trunks laid across a swamp. [18th c.: prob. f. CORD ribbed fabric + obs. duroy coarse woollen fabric]

corporate
corporate: adj.
1 forming a corporation (corporate body; body corporate).
2 forming one body of many individuals.
3 of or belonging to a corporation or group (corporate responsibility).
4 corporative. corporately adv. corporatism n. [L corporare corporat- form into a body (corpus -oris)]

correct
correct: adj. & v. --adj.
1 true, right, accurate.
2 (of conduct, manners, etc.) proper, right.
3 in accordance with good standards of taste etc. --v.tr.
1 set right; amend (an error, omission, etc., or the person responsible for it).
2 mark the errors in (written or printed work etc.).
3 substitute the right thing for (the wrong one).
4 a admonish or rebuke (a person). b punish (a person or fault).
5 counteract (a harmful quality).
6 adjust (an instrument etc.) to function accurately or accord with a standard. correctly adv. correctness n. [ME (adj. through F) f. L corrigere correct- (as COM-, regere guide)]

camouflage
camouflage: n. & v. --n.
1 a the disguising of military vehicles, aircraft, ships, artillery, and installations by painting them or covering them to make them blend with their surroundings. b such a disguise.
2 the natural colouring of an animal which enables it to blend in with its surroundings.
3 a misleading or evasive precaution or expedient. --v.tr. hide or disguise by means of camouflage. [F f. camoufler disguise f. It. camuffare disguise, deceive]

complex
complex: n. & adj. --n.
1 a building, a series of rooms, a network, etc. made up of related parts (the arts complex).
2 Psychol. a related group of usu. repressed feelings or thoughts which cause abnormal behaviour or mental states (see inferiority complex (see OEDIPUS COMPLEX))).
3 (in general use) a preoccupation or obsession (has a complex about punctuality).
4 Chem. a compound in which molecules or ions form coordinate bonds to a metal atom or ion. --adj.
1 consisting of related parts; composite.
2 complicated (a complex problem).
3 Math. containing real and imaginary parts (cf. IMAGINARY). complex sentence a sentence containing a subordinate clause or clauses. complexity n. (pl. -ies). complexly adv. [F complexe or L complexus past part. of complectere embrace, assoc. with complexus plaited]

closercathedral
cathedral: n. the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's throne. cathedral city a city in which there is a cathedral. [ME (as adj.) f. OF cathedral or f. LL cathedralis f. L f. Gk kathedra seat]

calypso
calypso: n. (pl. -os) a W. Indian song in African rhythm, usu. improvised on a topical theme. [20th c.: orig. unkn.]

cockney
cockney: n. & adj. --n. (pl. -eys.
1 a a native of East London, esp. one born within hearing of Bow Bells. b the dialect or accent typical of this area.
2 Austral. a young snapper fish, Chrysophrys auratus. --adj. of or characteristic of cockneys or their dialect or accent. cockneyism n. [ME cokeney cock's egg, later derog. for 'townsman']

conversion
conversion: n.
1 a the act or an instance of converting or the process of being converted, esp. in belief or religion. b an instance of this.
2 a an adaptation of a building for new purposes. b a converted building.
3 transposition, inversion.
4 Theol. the turning of sinners to God.
5 the transformation of fertile into fissile material in a nuclear reactor.
6 Rugby Football the scoring of points by a successful kick at goal after scoring a try.
7 Psychol. the change of an unconscious conflict into a physical disorder or disease. [ME f. OF f. L conversio -onis (as CONVERT)]

caballero
caballero: n. (pl. -os) a Spanish gentleman. [Sp.: see CAVALIER]

camel
camel: n.
1 either of two kinds of large cud-chewing mammals having slender cushion-footed legs and one hump (Arabian camel, Camelus dromedarius) or two humps (Bactrian camel, Camelus bactrianus).
2 a fawn colour.
3 an apparatus for providing additional buoyancy to ships etc. camel (or camel's) -hai.
1 the hair of a camel.
2 a a fine soft hair used in artists' brushes. b a fabric made of this. [OE f. L camelus f. Gk kamelos, of Semitic orig.]

cognac
cognac: n. a high-quality brandy, properly that distilled in Cognac in W. France.

circumference
circumference: n.
1 the enclosing boundary, esp. of a circle or other figure enclosed by a curve.
2 the distance round. circumferential adj. circumferentially adv. [ME f. OF circonference f. L circumferentia (as CIRCUM-, ferre bear)]

covenant
covenant: n. & v. --n.
1 an agreement; a contract.
2 Law a a contract drawn up under a seal, esp. undertaking to make regular payments to a charity. b a clause of a covenant.
3 (Covenant) Bibl. the agreement between God and the Israelites (see Ark of the Covenant). --v.tr. & intr. agree, esp. by legal covenant. land of the Covenant Canaan. covenantal adj. covenantor n. [ME f. OF, pres. part. of co(n)venir, formed as CONVENE]

coarse
coarse: adj.
1 a rough or loose in texture or grain; made of large particles. b (of a person's features) rough or large.
2 lacking refinement or delicacy; crude, obscene (coarse humour).
3 rude, uncivil.
4 inferior, common. coarse fish Brit. any freshwater fish other than salmon and trout. coarsely adv. coarseness n. coarsish adj. [ME: orig. unkn.]

chard
chard: n. a kind of beet, Beta vulgaris, with edible broad white leaf-stalks and green blades. Also called seakale beet. [F carde, and chardon thistle: cf. CARDOON]

chance
chance: n., adj., & v. --n.
1 a a possibility (just a chance we will catch the train). b (often in pl.) probability (the chances are against it).
2 a risk (have to take a chance).
3 a an undesigned occurrence (just a chance that they met). b the absence of design or discoverable cause (here merely because of chance).
4 an opportunity (didn't have a chance to speak to him).
5 the way things happen; fortune; luck (we'll just leave it to chance).
6 (often Chance) the course of events regarded as a power; fate (blind Chance rules the universe).
7 Cricket an opportunity for dismissing a batsman. --adj. fortuitous, accidental (a chance meeting). --v.
1 tr. colloq. risk (we'll chance it and go).
2 intr. (often foll. by that + clause, or to + infin.) happen without intention (it chanced that I found it; I chanced to find it). by any chance as it happens; perhaps. by chance without design; unintentionally. chance one's arm make an attempt though unlikely to succeed. chance on (or upon) happen to find, meet, etc. game of chance a game decided by luck, not skill. the off chance the slight possibility. on the chance (often foll. by of, or that + clause) in view of the possibility. stand a chance have a prospect of success etc. take a chance (or chances) behave riskily; risk failure. take a (or one's) chance on (or with) consent to take the consequences of; trust to luck. [ME f. AF ch(e)aunce, OF chance choir fall ult. f. L cadere]

communication
communication: n.
1 a the act of imparting, esp. news. b an instance of this. c the information etc. communicated.
2 a means of connecting different places, such as a door, passage, road, or railway.
3 social intercourse (it was difficult to maintain communication in the uproar).
4 (in pl.) the science and practice of transmitting information esp. by electronic or mechanical means.
5 (in pl.) Mil. the means of transport between a base and the front.
6 a paper read to a learned society. communication cord Brit. a cord or chain in a railway carriage that may be pulled to stop the train in an emergency. communication (or communications) satellite an artificial satellite used to relay telephone circuits or broadcast programmes. communication theory the study of the principles and methods by which information is conveyed.

citizen
citizen: n.
1 a member of a State or Commonwealth, either native or naturalized (British citizen).
2 (usu. foll. by of) a an inhabitant of a city. b a freeman of a city.
3 US a civilian. citizen of the world a person who is at home anywhere; a cosmopolitan. Citizens' Advice Bureau (in the UK) an office at which the public can receive free advice and information on civil matters. citizen's arrest an arrest by an ordinary person without a warrant, allowable in certain cases. citizen's band a system of local intercommunication by individuals on special radio frequencies. citizenhood n. citizenry n. citizenship n. [ME f. AF citesein, OF citeain ult. f. L civitas -tatis city: cf. DENIZEN]

carousercorpse
corpse: n. a dead (usu. human) body. corpse-candl.
1 a lambent flame seen in a churchyard or over a grave, regarded as an omen of death.
2 a lighted candle placed beside a corpse before burial. [ME corps, var. spelling of cors (CORSE), f. OF cors f. L corpus body]

combat
combat: n. & v. --n. a fight, struggle, or contest. --v. (combated, combating.
1 intr. engage in combat.
2 tr. engage in combat with.
3 tr. oppose; strive against. combat fatigue a mental disorder caused by stress in wartime combat. single combat a duel. [F combat f. combattre f. LL (as COM-, L batuere fight)]

conjunction
conjunction: n.
1 a the action of joining; the condition of being joined. b an instance of this.
2 Gram. a word used to connect clauses or sentences or words in the same clause (e.g. and, but, if).
3 a a combination (of events or circumstances). b a number of associated persons or things.
4 Astron. & Astrol. the alignment of two bodies in the solar system so that they have the same longitude as seen from the earth. in conjunction with together with. conjunctional adj. [ME f. OF conjonction f. L conjunctio -onis (as conjunct)]

cavalry
cavalry: n. (pl. -ies) (usu. treated as pl.) soldiers on horseback or in armoured vehicles. cavalry twill a strong fabric in a double twill. [F cavallerie f. It. cavalleria f. cavallo horse f. L caballus]

correction
correction: n.
1 a the act or process of correcting. b an instance of this.
2 a thing substituted for what is wrong.
3 archaic punishment (house of correction). correctional adj. [ME f. OF f. L correctio -onis (as CORRECT)]

charge
charge: v. & n. --v.
1 tr. a ask (an amount) as a price (charges 5 a ticket). b ask (a person) for an amount as a price (you forgot to charge me).
2 tr. a (foll. by to, up to) debit the cost of to (a person or account) (charge it to my account; charge it up to me). b debit (a person or an account) (bought a new car and charged the company).
3 tr. a (often foll. by with) accuse (of an offence) (charged him with theft). b (foll. by that + clause) make an accusation that.
4 tr. (foll. by to + infin.) instruct or urge.
5 (foll. by with) a tr. entrust with. b refl. undertake.
6 a intr. make a rushing attack; rush headlong. b tr. make a rushing attack on; throw oneself against.
7 tr. (often foll. by up) a give an electric charge to (a body). b store energy in (a battery).
8 tr. (often foll. by with) load or fill (a vessel, gun, etc.) to the full or proper extent.
9 tr. (usu. as charged adj.) a (foll. by with) saturated with (air charged with vapour). b (usu. foll. by with) pervaded (with strong feelings etc.) (atmosphere charged with emotion; a charged atmosphere). --n.
1 a a price asked for goods or services. b a financial liability or commitment.
2 an accusation, esp. against a prisoner brought to trial.
3 a a task, duty, or commission. b care, custody, responsible possession. c a person or thing entrusted; a minister's congregation.
4 a an impetuous rush or attack, esp. in a battle. b the signal for this.
5 the appropriate amount of material to be put into a receptacle, mechanism, etc. at one time, esp. of explosive for a gun.
6 a a property of matter that is a consequence of the interaction between its constituent particles and exists in a positive or negative form, causing electrical phenomena. b the quantity of this carried by a body. c energy stored chemically for conversion into electricity. d the process of charging a battery.
7 an exhortation; directions, orders.
8 a burden or load.
9 Heraldry a device; a bearing. charge account US a credit account at a shop etc. charge card a credit card for which the account must be paid in full when a statement is issued. charge-hand Brit. a worker, ranking below a foreman, in charge of others on a particular job. charge-nurse Brit. a nurse in charge of a ward etc. charge-sheet Brit. a record of cases and charges made at a police station. free of charge gratis. give a person in charge hand a person over to the police. in charge having command. lay to a person's charge accuse a person of. put a person on a charge charge a person with a specified offence. return to the charge begin again, esp. in argument. take charge (often foll. by of) assume control or direction. chargeable adj. [ME f. OF charger f. LL car(ri)care load f. L carrus CAR]

carton
carton: n. a light box or container, esp. one made of cardboard. [F (as CARTOON)]

camper
camper: n.
1 a person who camps out or lives temporarily in a tent, hut, etc., esp. on holiday.
2 a large motor vehicle with accommodation for camping out.

cream
cream: n., v., & adj. --n.
1 a the fatty content of milk which gathers at the top and can be made into butter by churning. b this eaten (often whipped) with a dessert, as a cake-filling, etc. (strawberries and cream; cream gateau).
2 the part of a liquid that gathers at the top.
3 (usu. prec. by the) the best or choicest part of something, esp.: a the point of an anecdote. b an lite group of people (the cream of the nation).
4 a creamlike preparation, esp. a cosmetic (hand cream).
5 a very pale yellow or off-white colour.
6 a a dish or sweet like or made with cream. b a soup or sauce containing milk or cream. c a full-bodied mellow sweet sherry. d a biscuit with a creamy sandwich filling. e a chocolate-covered usu. fruit-flavoured fondant. --v.
1 tr. a take the cream from (milk). b take the best or a specified part from.
2 tr. work (butter etc.) to a creamy consistency.
3 tr. treat (the skin etc.) with cosmetic cream.
4 tr. add cream to (coffee etc.).
5 intr. (of milk or any other liquid) form a cream or scum.
6 tr. US colloq. defeat (esp. in a sporting contest). --adj. pale yellow; off-white. cream bun (or cake) a bun or cake filled or topped with cream. cream cheese a soft rich cheese made from unskimmed milk and cream. cream-coloured pale yellowish white. cream cracker Brit. a crisp dry unsweetened biscuit usu. eaten with cheese. cream-laid (or -wove) laid (or wove) cream-coloured paper. cream of.
1 take (the best or a specified part) from a whole (creamed off the brightest pupils).
2 = sense 1b of v. cream of tartar purified and crystallized potassium hydrogen tartrate, used in medicine, baking powder, etc. cream puf.
1 a cake made of puff pastry filled with cream.
2 an ineffectual or effeminate person. cream soda a carbonated vanilla-flavoured soft drink. cream tea afternoon tea with scones, jam, and cream. [ME f. OF cre(s)me f. LL cramum (perh. f. Gaulish) & eccl.L chrisma CHRISM]

cranky
cranky: adj. (crankier, crankiest.
1 colloq. eccentric, esp. obsessed with a particular theory (cranky ideas about women).
2 working badly; shaky.
3 esp. US ill-tempered or crotchety. crankily adv. crankiness n. [perh. f. obs. crank rogue feigning sickness]

consumption
consumption: n.
1 the act or an instance of consuming; the process of being consumed.
2 any disease causing wasting of tissues, esp. pulmonary tuberculosis.
3 an amount consumed.
4 the purchase and use of goods etc. [ME f. OF consomption f. L consumptio (as consume)]

carbon
carbon: n.
1 a non-metallic element occurring naturally as diamond, graphite, and charcoal, and in all organic compounds. Symb.: C.
2 a = carbon copy. b = carbon paper.
3 a rod of carbon in an arc lamp. carbon black a fine carbon powder made by burning hydrocarbons in insufficient air. carbon cop.
1 a copy made with carbon paper.
2 a person or thing identical or similar to another (is a carbon copy of his father). carbon cycle Biol. the cycle in which carbon compounds are interconverted, usu. by living organisms. carbon dating the determination of the age of an organic object from the ratio of isotopes which changes as carbon-14 decays. carbon dioxide a colourless odourless gas occurring naturally in the atmosphere and formed by respiration. Chem. formula: CO[2]. carbon disulphide a colourless liquid used as a solvent. Chem. formula: CS[2]. carbon fibre a thin strong crystalline filament of carbon used as strengthening material in resins, ceramics, etc. carbon-14 a long-lived radioactive carbon isotope of mass 14, used in radiocarbon dating, and as a tracer in biochemistry. carbon monoxide a colourless odourless toxic gas formed by the incomplete burning of carbon. Chem. formula: CO. carbon paper a thin carbon-coated paper used for making (esp. typed) copies. carbon steel a steel with properties dependent on the percentage of carbon present. carbon tetrachloride a colourless volatile liquid used as a solvent. Chem. formula: CCl[4]. carbon-12 a carbon isotope of mass 12, used in calculations of atomic mass units. [F carbone f. L carbo -onis charcoal]

cataract
cataract: n.
1 a a large waterfall or cascade. b a downpour; a rush of water.
2 Med. a condition in which the eye-lens becomes progressively opaque resulting in blurred vision. [L cataracta f. Gk katarrhaktes down-rushing; in med. sense prob. f. obs. sense 'portcullis']

conversant
conversant: adj. (foll. by with) well experienced or acquainted with a subject, person, etc. conversance n. conversancy n. [ME f. OF, pres. part. of converser CONVERSE(1)]

competition
competition: n.
1 (often foll. by for) competing, esp. in an examination, in trade, etc.
2 an event or contest in which people compete.
3 a the people competing against a person. b the opposition they represent. [LL competitio rivalry (as COMPETITIVE)]

colouring
colouring: n. (US coloring.
1 the process of or skill in using colour(s).
2 the style in which a thing is coloured, or in which an artist uses colour.
3 facial complexion.

cortisone
cortisone: n. Biochem. a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex or synthetically, used medicinally esp. against inflammation and allergy. [Chem. name 17-hydroxy-11-dehydro cortico ster one]