longitude
longitude: n.
1 Geog. the angular distance east or west from a standard meridian such as Greenwich to the meridian of any place.
2 Astron. the angular distance of a celestial body north or south of the ecliptic measured along a great circle through the body and the poles of the ecliptic. [ME f. L longitudo -dinis f. longus long]

laccolith
laccolith: n. Geol. a lens-shaped intrusion of igneous rock which thrusts the overlying strata into a dome. [Gk lakkos reservoir + -LITH]

labile
labile: adj. Chem. (of a compound) unstable; liable to displacement or change esp. if an atom or group is easily replaced by other atoms or groups. lability n. [ME f. LL labilis f. labi to fall]

lack
lack: n. & v. --n. (usu. foll. by of) an absence, want, or deficiency (a lack of talent; felt the lack of warmth). --v.tr. be without or deficient in (lacks courage). for lack of owing to the absence of (went hungry for lack of money). lack for lack. [ME lac, lacen, corresp. to MDu., MLG lak deficiency, MDu. laken to lack]

labium
labium: n. (pl. labia.
1 (usu. in pl.) Anat. each of the two pairs of skin folds that enclose the vulva.
2 the lower lip in the mouth-parts of an insect or crustacean.
3 a lip, esp. the lower one of a labiate plant's corolla. labia majora the larger outer pair of labia (in sense 1). labia minora the smaller inner pair of labia (in sense 1). [L, = lip]

litter
litter: n. & v. --n.
1 a refuse, esp. paper, discarded in an open or public place. b odds and ends lying about. c (attrib.) for disposing of litter (litter-bin).
2 a state of untidiness, disorderly accumulation of papers etc.
3 the young animals brought forth at a birth.
4 a vehicle containing a couch shut in by curtains and carried on men's shoulders or by beasts of burden.
5 a framework with a couch for transporting the sick and wounded.
6 a straw, rushes, etc., as bedding, esp. for animals. b straw and dung in a farmyard. --v.tr.
1 make (a place) untidy with litter.
2 scatter untidily and leave lying about.
3 give birth to (whelps etc.).
4 (often foll. by down) a provide (a horse etc.) with litter as bedding. b spread litter or straw on (a floor) or in (a stable). litter-lout = LITTERBUG. littery adj. (in senses 1.
2 of n.). [ME f. AF litere, OF litiere f. med.L lectaria f. L lectus bed]

liquid
liquid: adj. & n. --adj.
1 having a consistency like that of water or oil, flowing freely but of constant volume.
2 having the qualities of water in appearance; translucent (liquid blue; a liquid lustre).
3 (of a gas, e.g. air, hydrogen) reduced to a liquid state by intense cold.
4 (of sounds) clear and pure; harmonious, fluent.
5 (of assets) easily converted into cash.
6 not fixed; fluid (liquid opinions). --n.
1 a liquid substance.
2 Phonet. the sound of l or r. liquid crystal a turbid liquid with some order in its molecular arrangement. liquid crystal display a form of visual display in electronic devices, in which the reflectivity of a matrix of liquid crystals changes as a signal is applied. liquid measure a unit for measuring the volume of liquids. liquid paraffin Pharm. a colourless odourless oily liquid obtained from petroleum and used as a laxative. liquidly adv. liquidness n. [ME f. L liquidus f. liquere be liquid]

labyrinth
labyrinth: n.
1 a complicated irregular network of passages or paths etc.; a maze.
2 an intricate or tangled arrangement.
3 Anat. the complex arrangement of bony and membranous canals and chambers of the inner ear which constitute the organs of hearing and balance. labyrinth fish = GOURAMI. labyrinthian adj. labyrinthine adj. [F labyrinthe or L labyrinthus f. Gk laburinthos]

loch
loch: n. Sc.
1 a lake.
2 an arm of the sea, esp. when narrow or partially land-locked. [ME f. Gael.]

lien
lien: n. Law a right over another's property to protect a debt charged on that property. [F f. OF loien f. L ligamen bond f. ligare bind]

liquor
liquor: n. & v. --n.
1 an alcoholic (esp. distilled) drink.
2 water used in brewing.
3 other liquid, esp. that produced in cooking.
4 Pharm. a solution of a specified drug in water. --v.tr.
1 dress (leather) with grease or oil.
2 steep (malt etc.) in water. [ME f. OF lic(o)ur f. L liquor -oris (as LIQUID)]

location
location: n.
1 a particular place; the place or position in which a person or thing is.
2 the act of locating or process of being located.
3 an actual place or natural setting featured in a film or broadcast, as distinct from a simulation in a studio (filmed entirely on location).
4 S.Afr. an area where Blacks are obliged to live, usu. on the outskirts of a town or city. [L locatio (as LOCATE)]

label
label: n. & v. --n.
1 a usu. small piece of paper, card, linen, metal, etc., for attaching to an object and giving its name, information about it, instructions for use, etc.
2 esp. derog. a short classifying phrase or name applied to a person, a work of art, etc.
3 a a small fabric label sewn into a garment bearing the maker's name. b the logo, title, or trademark of esp. a fashion or recording company (brought it out under his own label). c the piece of paper in the centre of a gramophone record describing its contents etc.
4 an adhesive stamp on a parcel etc.
5 a word placed before, after, or in the course of a dictionary definition etc. to specify its subject, register, nationality, etc.
6 Archit. a dripstone.
7 Heraldry the mark of an eldest son, consisting of a superimposed horizontal bar with usu. three downward projections. --v.tr. (labelled, labelling.
1 attach a label to.
2 (usu. foll. by as) assign to a category (labelled them as irresponsible).
3 a replace (an atom) by an atom of a usu. radioactive isotope as a means of identification. b replace an atom in (a molecule) or atoms in the molecules of (a substance).
4 (as labelled adj.) made identifiable by the replacement of atoms. labeller n. [ME f. OF, = ribbon, prob. f. Gmc (as LAP(1))]

learning
learning: n. knowledge acquired by study. [OE leornung (as LEARN)]

lymph
lymph: n.
1 Physiol. a colourless fluid containing white blood cells, drained from the tissues and conveyed through the body in the lymphatic system.
2 this fluid used as a vaccine.
3 exudation from a sore etc.
4 poet. pure water. lymph gland (or node) a small mass of tissue in the lymphatic system where lymph is purified and lymphocytes are formed. lymphoid adj. lymphous adj. [F lymphe or L lympha, limpa water]

lettering
lettering: n.
1 the process of inscribing letters.
2 letters inscribed.

lobster
lobster: n. & v. --n.
1 any large marine crustacean of the family Nephropidae, with stalked eyes and two pincer-like claws as the first pair of ten limbs.
2 its flesh as food. --v.intr. catch lobsters. lobster-pot a basket in which lobsters are trapped. lobster thermidor a mixture of lobster meat, mushrooms, cream, egg yolks, and sherry, cooked in a lobster shell. [OE lopustre, corrupt. of L locusta crustacean, locust: thermidor f. the name of the 11th month of the Fr. revolutionary calendar]

lachrymal
lachrymal: adj. & n. (also lacrimal, lacrymal) --adj.
1 literary of or for tears.
2 (usu. as lacrimal) Anat. concerned in the secretion of tears (lacrimal canal; lacrimal duct). --n.
1 = lachrymal vase.
2 (in pl.) (usu. as lacrimals) the lacrimal organs. lachrymal vase hist. a phial holding the tears of mourners at a funeral. [ME f. med.L lachrymalis f. L lacrima tear]

lover
lover: n.
1 a person in love with another.
2 a person with whom another is having sexual relations.
3 (in pl.) a couple in love or having sexual relations.
4 a person who likes or enjoys something specified (a music lover; a lover of words). loverless adj.

landscape
landscape: n. & v. --n.
1 natural or imaginary scenery, as seen in a broad view.
2 (often attrib.) a picture representing this; the genre of landscape painting.
3 (in graphic design etc.) a format in which the width of an illustration etc. is greater than the height (cf. PORTRAIT). --v.tr. (also absol.) improve (a piece of land) by landscape gardening. landscape gardener (or architect) a person who plans the layout of landscapes, esp. extensive grounds. landscape gardening (or architecture) the laying out of esp. extensive grounds to resemble natural scenery. landscape-marble marble with treelike markings. landscape-painter an artist who paints landscapes. landscapist n. [MDu. landscap (as LAND, -SHIP)]

literature
literature: n.
1 written works, esp. those whose value lies in beauty of language or in emotional effect.
2 the realm of letters.
3 the writings of a country or period.
4 literary production.
5 colloq. printed matter, leaflets, etc.
6 the material in print on a particular subject (there is a considerable literature on geraniums). [ME, = literary culture, f. L litteratura (as LITERATE)]

lingerie
lingerie: n. women's underwear and nightclothes. [F f. linge linen]

laggerlactic
lactic: adj. Chem. of, relating to, or obtained from milk. lactic acid a clear odourless syrupy carboxylic acid formed in sour milk, and produced in the muscle tissues during strenuous exercise. [L lac lactis milk]

language
language: n.
1 the method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in an agreed way.
2 the language of a particular community or country etc. (speaks several languages).
3 a the faculty of speech. b a style or the faculty of expression; the use of words, etc. (his language was poetic; hasn't the language to express it). c (also bad language) coarse, crude, or abusive speech (didn't like his language).
4 a system of symbols and rules for writing computer programs or algorithms.
5 any method of expression (the language of mime; sign language).
6 a professional or specialized vocabulary.
7 literary style. language laboratory a room equipped with tape recorders etc. for learning a foreign language. language of flowers a set of symbolic meanings attached to different flowers. speak the same language have a similar outlook, manner of expression, etc. [ME f. OF langage ult. f. L lingua tongue]

leak
leak: n. & v. --n.
1 a a hole in a vessel, pipe, or container etc. caused by wear or damage, through which matter, esp. liquid or gas, passes accidentally in or out. b the matter passing in or out through this. c the act or an instance of leaking.
2 a a similar escape of electrical charge. b the charge that escapes.
3 the intentional disclosure of secret information. --v.
1 a intr. (of liquid, gas, etc.) pass in or out through a leak. b tr. lose or admit (liquid, gas, etc.) through a leak.
2 tr. intentionally disclose (secret information).
3 intr. (often foll. by out) (of a secret, secret information) become known. have (or take) a leak sl. urinate. leaker n. [ME prob. f. LG]

lyric
lyric: adj. & n. --adj.
1 (of poetry) expressing the writer's emotions, usu. briefly and in stanzas or recognized forms.
2 (of a poet) writing in this manner.
3 of or for the lyre.
4 meant to be sung, fit to be expressed in song, songlike (lyric drama; lyric opera). --n.
1 a lyric poem or verse.
2 (in pl.) lyric verses.
3 (usu. in pl.) the words of a song. [F lyrique or L lyricus f. Gk lurikos (as LYRE)]

lactation
lactation: n.
1 the secretion of milk by the mammary glands.
2 the suckling of young. [L lactare suckle f. lac lactis milk]

liberation
liberation: n. the act or an instance of liberating; the state of being liberated. liberation theology a theory which interprets liberation from social, political, and economic oppression as an anticipation of ultimate salvation. liberationist n. [ME f. L liberatio f. liberare: see LIBERATE]

lacking
lacking: adj.
1 absent or deficient (money was lacking; is lacking in determination).
2 colloq. deficient in intellect; mentally subnormal.

lymphatic
lymphatic: adj. & n. --adj.
1 of or secreting or conveying lymph (lymphatic gland).
2 (of a person) pale, flabby, or sluggish. --n. a veinlike vessel conveying lymph. lymphatic system a network of vessels conveying lymph. [orig. = frenzied, f. L lymphaticus mad f. Gk numpholeptos seized by nymphs: now assoc. with LYMPH (on the analogy of spermatic etc.)]

lotion
lotion: n. a medicinal or cosmetic liquid preparation applied externally. [ME f. OF lotion or L lotio f. lavare lot- wash]

lottery
lottery: n. (pl. -ies.
1 a means of raising money by selling numbered tickets and giving prizes to the holders of numbers drawn at random.
2 an enterprise, process, etc., whose success is governed by chance (life is a lottery). [prob. f. Du. loterij (as LOT)]

length
length: n.
1 measurement or extent from end to end; the greater of two or the greatest of three dimensions of a body.
2 extent in, of, or with regard to, time (a stay of some length; the length of a speech).
3 the distance a thing extends (at arm's length; ships a cable's length apart).
4 the length of a horse, boat, etc., as a measure of the lead in a race.
5 a long stretch or extent (a length of hair).
6 a degree of thoroughness in action (went to great lengths; prepared to go to any length).
7 a piece of material of a certain length (a length of cloth).
8 Prosody the quantity of a vowel or syllable.
9 Cricket a the distance from the batsman at which the ball pitches (the bowler keeps a good length). b the proper amount of this. 10 the extent of a garment in a vertical direction when worn. 11 the full extent of one's body. at lengt.
1 (also at full or great etc. length) in detail, without curtailment.
2 after a long time, at last. [OE lengthu f. Gmc (as LONG(1))]

large
large: adj. & n. --adj.
1 of considerable or relatively great size or extent.
2 of the larger kind (the large intestine).
3 of wide range; comprehensive.
4 pursuing an activity on a large scale (large farmer). --n. (at large.
1 at liberty.
2 as a body or whole (popular with the people at large).
3 (of a narration etc.) at full length and with all details.
4 without a specific target (scatters insults at large).
5 US representing a whole area and not merely a part of it (congressman at large). in large on a large scale. large as life see LIFE . large-minded liberal; not narrow-minded. larger than life see LIFE . large-scale made or occurring on a large scale or in large amounts. largeness n. largish adj. [ME f. OF f. fem. of L largus copious]

labrum
labrum: n. (pl. labra) the upper lip in the mouth-parts of an insect. [L, = lip: rel. to LABIUM]

labilitylabour
labour: n. & v. (US, Austral. labor) --n.
1 a physical or mental work; exertion; toil. b such work considered as supplying the needs of a community.
2 a workers, esp. manual, considered as a class or political force (a dispute between capital and labour). b (Labour) the Labour Party.
3 the process of childbirth, esp. the period from the start of uterine contractions to delivery (has been in labour for three hours).
4 a particular task, esp. of a difficult nature. --v.
1 intr. work hard; exert oneself.
2 intr. (usu. foll. by for, or to + infin.) strive for a purpose (laboured to fulfil his promise).
3 tr. a treat at excessive length; elaborate needlessly (I will not labour the point). b (as laboured adj.) done with great effort; not spontaneous or fluent.
4 intr. (often foll. by under) suffer under (a disadvantage or delusion) (laboured under universal disapproval).
5 intr. proceed with trouble or difficulty (laboured slowly up the hill).
6 intr. (of a ship) roll or pitch heavily.
7 tr. archaic or poet. till (the ground). labour camp a prison camp enforcing a regime of hard labour. Labour Day Ma.
1 (or in the US and Canada the first Monday in September), celebrated in honour of working people. Labour Exchange Brit. colloq. or hist. an employment exchange; a jobcentre. labour force the body of workers employed, esp. at a single plant. labouring man a labourer. labour-intensive (of a form of work) needing a large work force. labour in vain make a fruitless effort. labour-market the supply of labour with reference to the demand on it. labour of Hercules a task needing enormous strength or effort. labour of love a task done for pleasure, not reward. Labour Part.
1 a British political party formed to represent the interests of ordinary working people.
2 any similar political party in other countries. labour-saving (of an appliance etc.) designed to reduce or eliminate work. labour union US a trade union. lost labour fruitless effort. [ME f. OF labo(u)r, labourer f. L labor, -oris, laborare]

limerick
limerick: n. a humorous or comic form of five-line stanza with a rhyme-scheme aabba. [said to be from the chorus 'will you come up to Limerick?' sung between improvised verses at a gathering: f. Limerick in Ireland]

lambert
lambert: n. a former unit of luminance, equal to the emission or reflection of one lumen per square centimetre. [J. H. Lambert, Ger. physicist d. 1777]

library
library: n. (pl. -ies.
1 a a collection of books etc. for use by the public or by members of a group. b a person's collection of books.
2 a room or building containing a collection of books (for reading or reference rather than for sale).
3 a a similar collection of films, records, computer routines, etc. b the place where these are kept.
4 a series of books issued by a publisher in similar bindings etc., usu. as a set.
5 a public institution charged with the care of a collection of books, films, etc. library edition a strongly bound edition. library school a college or a department in a university or polytechnic teaching librarianship. library science the study of librarianship. [ME f. OF librairie f. L libraria (taberna shop), fem. of librarius bookseller's, of books, f. liber libri book]

lactobacillus
lactobacillus: n. (pl. -bacilli) Biol. any Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Lactobacillus, producing lactic acid from the fermentation of carbohydrates.

learn
learn: v. (past and past part. learned or learnt.
1 tr. gain knowledge of or skill in by study, experience, or being taught.
2 tr. (foll. by to + infin.) acquire or develop a particular ability (learn to swim).
3 tr. commit to memory (will try to learn your names).
4 intr. (foll. by of) be informed about.
5 tr. (foll. by that, how, etc. + clause) become aware of by information or from observation.
6 intr. receive instruction; acquire knowledge or skill.
7 tr. archaic or sl. teach. learn one's lesson see LESSON . learnable adj. learnability n. [OE leornian f. Gmc: cf. LORE(1)]

logger
logger: n. US a lumberjack.

leopard
leopard: n. (fem. leopardess.
1 any large African or Asian flesh-eating cat, Panthera pardus, with either a black-spotted yellowish-fawn or all black coat. Also called PANTHER.
2 Heraldry a lion passant guardant as in the arms of England.
3 (attrib.) spotted like a leopard (leopard moth). leopard's bane any plant of the genus Doronicum, with large yellow daisy-like flowers. [ME f. OF f. LL f. late Gk leopardos (as LION, PARD)]

listen
listen: v.intr.
1 a make an effort to hear something. b attentively hear a person speaking.
2 (foll. by to) a give attention with the ear (listened to my story). b take notice of; respond to advice or a request or to the person expressing it.
3 (also listen out) (often foll. by for) seek to hear or be aware of by waiting alertly. listen i.
1 tap a telephonic communication.
2 use a radio receiving set. listening-pos.
1 a a point near an enemy's lines for detecting movements by sound. b a station for intercepting electronic communications.
2 a place for the gathering of information from reports etc. [OE hlysnan f. WG]