asyndeton | (noun) the omission of conjunctions where they would normally be used | - |
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atomisation | (noun) separating something into fine particles | Synonyms: atomization, fragmentation |
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(noun) annihilation by reducing something to atoms | Synonyms: atomization |
atomization | (noun) separating something into fine particles | Synonyms: atomisation, fragmentation |
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(noun) annihilation by reducing something to atoms | Synonyms: atomisation |
attention | (noun) the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something | Synonyms: aid, care, tending |
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(noun) a courteous act indicating affection | - |
(noun) a motionless erect stance with arms at the sides and feet together; assumed by military personnel during drill or review | - |
(noun) the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others | Synonyms: attending |
(noun) the faculty or power of mental concentration | - |
(noun) a general interest that leads people to want to know more | - |
attenuation | (noun) the property of something that has been weakened or reduced in thickness or density | - |
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(noun) weakening in force or intensity | Synonyms: fading |
attestation | (noun) the action of bearing witness | - |
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(noun) the evidence by which something is attested | - |
attraction | (noun) the quality of arousing interest; being attractive or something that attracts | Synonyms: attractiveness |
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(noun) a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts | Synonyms: attracter, attractive feature, attractor, magnet |
(noun) an entertainment that is offered to the public | - |
(noun) an entertainer who attracts large audiences | Synonyms: attracter, attractor, draw, drawing card |
(noun) the force by which one object attracts another | Synonyms: attractive force |
attribution | (noun) assigning to a cause or source | Synonyms: ascription |
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(noun) assigning some quality or character to a person or thing | Synonyms: ascription |
attrition | (noun) the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction | - |
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(noun) a wearing down to weaken or destroy | - |
(noun) sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation | Synonyms: contriteness, contrition |
(noun) the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice | Synonyms: abrasion, detrition, grinding |
(noun) erosion by friction | Synonyms: abrasion, corrasion, detrition |
auction | (noun) the public sale of something to the highest bidder | Synonyms: auction sale, vendue |
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(noun) a variety of bridge in which tricks made in excess of the contract are scored toward game; now generally superseded by contract bridge | Synonyms: auction bridge |
(verb) sell at an auction | Synonyms: auction off, auctioneer |
audition | (noun) a test of the suitability of a performer | Synonyms: tryout |
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(noun) the ability to hear; the auditory faculty | Synonyms: auditory modality, auditory sense, hearing, sense of hearing |
(verb) perform in order to get a role | Synonyms: try out |
augmentation | (noun) the act of augmenting | - |
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(noun) the statement of a theme in notes of greater duration (usually twice the length of the original) | - |
(noun) the amount by which something becomes greater | - |
auscultation | (noun) listening to sounds within the body (usually with a stethoscope) | - |
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authentication | (noun) validating the authenticity of something or someone | Synonyms: certification |
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(noun) a mark on an article of trade to indicate its origin and authenticity | Synonyms: assay-mark, hallmark |
authorisation | (noun) the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant | Synonyms: authorization, empowerment |
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(noun) the power or right to give orders or make decisions | Synonyms: authority, authorization, dominance, potency, say-so |
(noun) official permission or approval | Synonyms: authority, authorization, sanction |
(noun) a document giving an official instruction or command | Synonyms: authorization, mandate |
authorization | (noun) the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant | Synonyms: authorisation, empowerment |
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(noun) the power or right to give orders or make decisions | Synonyms: authorisation, authority, dominance, potency, say-so |
(noun) official permission or approval | Synonyms: authorisation, authority, sanction |
(noun) a document giving an official instruction or command | Synonyms: authorisation, mandate |
autochthon | (noun) the earliest known inhabitants of a region | - |
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automation | (noun) the act of implementing the control of equipment with advanced technology; usually involving electronic hardware | Synonyms: mechanisation, mechanization |
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(noun) equipment used to achieve automatic control or operation | - |
(noun) the condition of being automatically operated or controlled | - |
automaton | (noun) a mechanism that can move automatically | Synonyms: golem, robot |
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(noun) a machine that operates on its own without the need for human control | - |
(noun) someone who acts or responds in a mechanical or apathetic way | Synonyms: zombi, zombie |
autoregulation | (noun) (physiology) processes that maintain a generally constant physiological state in a cell or organism | - |
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autosuggestion | (noun) a system for self-improvement developed by Emile Coue which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s | Synonyms: auto-suggestion, self-suggestion |
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aversion | (noun) the act of turning yourself (or your gaze) away | Synonyms: averting |
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(noun) a feeling of intense dislike | Synonyms: antipathy, distaste |
aviation | (noun) travel via aircraft | Synonyms: air, air travel |
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(noun) the art of operating aircraft | Synonyms: airmanship |
(noun) the aggregation of a country's military aircraft | Synonyms: air power |
(noun) the operation of aircraft to provide transportation | - |
avocation | (noun) an auxiliary activity | Synonyms: by-line, hobby, pursuit, sideline, spare-time activity |
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avulsion | (noun) a forcible tearing or surgical separation of one body part from another | - |
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(noun) an abrupt change in the course of a stream that forms the boundary between two parcels of land resulting in the loss of part of the land of one landowner and a consequent increase in the land of another | - |
axon | (noun) long nerve fiber that conducts away from the cell body of the neuron | Synonyms: axone |
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baboon | (noun) large terrestrial monkeys having doglike muzzles | - |
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backgammon | (noun) a board game for two players; pieces move according to throws of the dice | - |
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backwardation | (noun) the market condition wherein the price of a forward or futures contract is trading below the expected spot price at contract maturity. | - |
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bacon | (noun) back and sides of a hog salted and dried or smoked; usually sliced thin and fried | - |
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badminton | (noun) a game played on a court with light long-handled rackets used to volley a shuttlecock over a net | - |
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balloon | (noun) large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air | - |
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(noun) small thin inflatable rubber bag with narrow neck | - |
(verb) become inflated | Synonyms: billow, inflate |
(verb) ride in a hot-air balloon | - |
bandoneon | (noun) a type of concertina popular in South America | - |
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bandwagon | (noun) a large ornate wagon for carrying a musical band | - |
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(noun) a popular trend that attracts growing support | - |
barbarisation | (noun) an act that makes people primitive and uncivilized | Synonyms: barbarization |
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barbarization | (noun) an act that makes people primitive and uncivilized | Synonyms: barbarisation |
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baron | (noun) a British peer of the lowest rank | - |
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(noun) a very wealthy or powerful businessman | Synonyms: big businessman, business leader, king, magnate, mogul, power, top executive, tycoon |
(noun) a nobleman (in various countries) of varying rank | - |
baryon | (noun) any of the elementary particles having a mass equal to or greater than that of a proton and that participate in strong interactions; a hadron with a baryon number of +1 | Synonyms: heavy particle |
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bassoon | (noun) a double-reed instrument; the tenor of the oboe family | - |
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bastardisation | (noun) an act that debases or corrupts | Synonyms: bastardization |
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bastardization | (noun) an act that debases or corrupts | Synonyms: bastardisation |
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(noun) declaring or rendering bastard | - |
bastion | (noun) projecting part of a rampart or other fortification | - |
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(noun) a stronghold into which people could go for shelter during a battle | Synonyms: citadel |
(noun) a group that defends a principle | - |
baton | (noun) a thin tapered rod used by a conductor to lead an orchestra or choir | Synonyms: wand |
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(noun) a hollow cylinder passed from runner to runner in a relay race | - |
(noun) a hollow metal rod that is wielded or twirled by a drum major or drum majorette | - |
(noun) a short staff carried by some officials to symbolize an office or an authority | - |
(noun) a short stout club used primarily by policemen | Synonyms: billy, billy club, billystick, nightstick, truncheon |
battalion | (noun) an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies | - |
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(noun) a large indefinite quantity | Synonyms: large number, multitude, pack, plurality |
battlewagon | (noun) large and heavily armoured warship | Synonyms: battleship |
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bazillion | (noun) a very large indefinite number (usually hyperbole) | Synonyms: billion, gazillion, jillion, million, trillion, zillion |
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beacon | (noun) a radio station that broadcasts a directional signal for navigational purposes | Synonyms: radio beacon |
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(noun) a tower with a light that gives warning of shoals to passing ships | Synonyms: beacon light, lighthouse, pharos |
(noun) a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a distance | Synonyms: beacon fire |
(verb) guide with a beacon | - |
(verb) shine like a beacon | - |
beatification | (noun) (Roman Catholic Church) an act of the Pope who declares that a deceased person lived a holy life and is worthy of public veneration; a first step toward canonization | - |
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(noun) the action of rendering supremely blessed and extremely happy | - |
(noun) a state of supreme happiness | Synonyms: beatitude, blessedness |
beautification | (noun) the act of making something more beautiful | - |
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beckon | (verb) signal with the hands or nod | Synonyms: wave |
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(verb) summon with a wave, nod, or some other gesture | - |
(verb) appear inviting | - |
bellybutton | (noun) a scar where the umbilical cord was attached | Synonyms: belly button, navel, omphalos, omphalus, umbilicus |
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benediction | (noun) the act of praying for divine protection | Synonyms: blessing |
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(noun) a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection | Synonyms: blessing |
benefaction | (noun) an act intending or showing kindness and good will | Synonyms: benevolence |
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(noun) a contribution of money or assistance | - |
beneficiation | (noun) crushing and separating ore into valuable substances or waste by any of a variety of techniques | Synonyms: mineral dressing, mineral extraction, mineral processing, ore dressing, ore processing |
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benison | (noun) a spoken blessing | - |
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betatron | (noun) accelerates a continuous beam of electrons to high speeds by means of the electric field produced by changing magnetic flux | Synonyms: induction accelerator |
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bevatron | (noun) a cyclotron that accelerates protons up to several billion electron volts | - |
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bifurcation | (noun) the act of splitting into two branches | - |
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(noun) the place where something divides into two branches | - |
(noun) a bifurcating branch (one or both of them) | - |
billion | (adjective) denoting a quantity consisting of one thousand million items or units in the United States | - |
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(adjective) denoting a quantity consisting of one million million items or units in Great Britain | - |
(noun) the number that is represented as a one followed by 9 zeros | Synonyms: 1000000000, one thousand million |
(noun) the number that is represented as a one followed by 12 zeros; in the United Kingdom the usage followed in the United States is frequently seen | Synonyms: 1000000000000, one million million |
(noun) a very large indefinite number (usually hyperbole) | Synonyms: bazillion, gazillion, jillion, million, trillion, zillion |
bilocation | (noun) the ability (said of certain Roman Catholic saints) to exist simultaneously in two locations | - |
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bioremediation | (noun) the act of treating waste or pollutants by the use of microorganisms (as bacteria) that can break down the undesirable substances | - |
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(noun) the branch of biotechnology that uses biological process to overcome environmental problems | - |
bioweapon | (noun) any weapon usable in biological warfare | Synonyms: bioarm, biological weapon |
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bisection | (noun) dividing into two equal parts | - |
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bison | (noun) any of several large humped bovids having shaggy manes and large heads and short horns | - |
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blaxploitation | (noun) the exploitation of black people (especially with regard to stereotyped roles in movies) | - |
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blazon | (noun) the official symbols of a family, state, etc. | Synonyms: arms, blazonry, coat of arms |
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(verb) decorate with heraldic arms | Synonyms: emblazon |
bludgeon | (noun) a club used as a weapon | - |
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(verb) strike with a club or a bludgeon | Synonyms: club |
(verb) overcome or coerce as if by using a heavy club | - |
bombardon | (noun) a large shawm; the bass member of the shawm family | Synonyms: bombard |
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(noun) a tuba that coils over the shoulder of the musician | Synonyms: helicon |
bombilation | (noun) sound of rapid vibration | Synonyms: bombination, buzz |
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bombination | (noun) sound of rapid vibration | Synonyms: bombilation, buzz |
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bonbon | (noun) a candy that usually has a center of fondant or fruit or nuts coated in chocolate | - |
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bondsperson | (noun) someone who signs a bond as surety for someone else | - |
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boon | (adjective) very close and convivial | - |
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(noun) a desirable state | Synonyms: blessing |
boron | (noun) a trivalent metalloid element; occurs both in a hard black crystal and in the form of a yellow or brown powder | Synonyms: atomic number 5, B |
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boson | (noun) any particle that obeys Bose-Einstein statistics but not the Pauli exclusion principle; all nuclei with an even mass number are bosons | - |
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botheration | (noun) something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness | Synonyms: annoyance, bother, infliction, nuisance, pain, pain in the ass, pain in the neck |
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(noun) the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed | Synonyms: annoyance, irritation, vexation |
bouillon | (noun) a clear seasoned broth | - |
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bourbon | (noun) whiskey distilled from a mash of corn and malt and rye and aged in charred oak barrels | - |
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bourdon | (noun) a pipe of the bagpipe that is tuned to produce a single continuous tone | Synonyms: drone, drone pipe |
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bourgeon | (verb) produce buds, branches, or germinate | Synonyms: burgeon forth, germinate, pullulate, shoot, sprout, spud |
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bourguignon | (noun) reduced red wine with onions and parsley and thyme and butter | Synonyms: bourguignon sauce, Burgundy sauce |
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boustrophedon | (noun) an ancient writing system: having alternate lines written in opposite directions; literally `as the ox ploughs' | - |
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bowdlerisation | (noun) the act of deleting or modifying all passages considered to be indecent | Synonyms: bowdlerization |
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(noun) written material that has been bowdlerized | Synonyms: bowdlerization |
bowdlerization | (noun) the act of deleting or modifying all passages considered to be indecent | Synonyms: bowdlerisation |
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(noun) written material that has been bowdlerized | Synonyms: bowdlerisation |
brachiation | (noun) swinging by the arms from branch to branch | - |
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bridoon | (noun) a bit resembling a snaffle bit; used with a separate curb | - |
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brutalisation | (noun) an act that makes people cruel or lacking normal human qualities | Synonyms: animalisation, animalization, brutalization |
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(noun) the activity of treating someone savagely or viciously | Synonyms: brutalization |
(noun) the condition of being treated in a cruel and savage manner | Synonyms: brutalization |
brutalization | (noun) an act that makes people cruel or lacking normal human qualities | Synonyms: animalisation, animalization, brutalisation |
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(noun) the activity of treating someone savagely or viciously | Synonyms: brutalisation |
(noun) the condition of being treated in a cruel and savage manner | Synonyms: brutalisation |
buffoon | (noun) a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior | Synonyms: clown, goof, goofball, merry andrew |
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(noun) a rude or vulgar fool | Synonyms: clown |
bullion | (noun) gold or silver in bars or ingots | - |
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(noun) a mass of precious metal | - |
bunion | (noun) a painful swelling of the bursa of the first joint of the big toe | - |
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burgeon | (verb) grow and flourish | - |
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businessperson | (noun) a capitalist who engages in industrial commercial enterprise | Synonyms: bourgeois |
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button | (noun) a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes | - |
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(noun) an electrical switch operated by pressing | Synonyms: push, push button |
(noun) a device that when pressed will release part of a mechanism | Synonyms: release |
(noun) any artifact that resembles a button | - |
(noun) a specific area or icon in graphical user interface systems that is clicked or pressed in order to select a command or perform an action | - |
(noun) a female sexual organ homologous to the penis | Synonyms: clit, clitoris |
(noun) a round flat badge displaying information and suitable for pinning onto a garment | - |
(noun) any of various plant parts that resemble buttons | - |
(verb) fasten with buttons | - |
(verb) provide with buttons | - |
cabochon | (noun) a highly polished gem that is cut convexly but without facets | - |
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cachinnation | (noun) loud convulsive laughter | - |
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cacodaemon | (noun) an evil spirit | Synonyms: cacodemon |
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cacodemon | (noun) an evil spirit | Synonyms: cacodaemon |
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caisson | (noun) large watertight chamber used for construction under water | Synonyms: cofferdam, pneumatic caisson |
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(noun) an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome | Synonyms: coffer, lacunar |
(noun) a chest to hold ammunition | Synonyms: ammunition chest |
(noun) a two-wheeled military vehicle carrying artillery ammunition | - |
calcification | (noun) a process that impregnates something with calcium (or calcium salts) | - |
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(noun) tissue hardened by deposition of lime salts | - |
(noun) an inflexible and unchanging state | - |