Copyright: Copyright ¢ Novell, Inc. 1994--96


Contents

Welcome to Random House Websters Unabridged Dictionary Help

To find information, choose from the following items.  To search for information and to move through Help, use the buttons along the top of the Help window.

Choose	For Information About
Dictionary Guide	Using the Random House Websters Unabridged Dictionary
Searching Entries	How to search dictionary entries
Entries	Contents of dictionary entries
Search (Index)	Topics listed alphabetically
Glossary	Meanings of terms
Menu Commands	Features by menus
Quick Reference	Using Help
About RH Websters Unabridged	Copyright, license, and warranty information


Undo
Edit, Undo

Purpose

Use Undo to reverse your last action in the Find text box.

Steps

1	Choose Undo from the Edit menu.


Menu Commands

File Menu

Lookup

Print

Exit

Edit Menu

Undo

Copy

Paste

Find

Replace

Preferences

Search type Menu

Browse on Index

Search on Main Entry

Search on Definitions

Anagrams

View history

X-Ref Menu

The current dictionary and other dictionaries you have installed display on this menu.  With your insertion point in a word, look up or cross-reference the word by choosing the current dictionary or another dictionary.

Help Menu

Using Help

Help Index

Glossary

Pronunciation

Grammatical Reference

About ...


Exit
File, Exit

Purpose

Use Exit to exit the dictionary.

Steps

1	Choose Exit from the File menu.


Copy
Edit, Copy

Purpose

Use Copy to copy text from a dictionary entry to the Clipboard where you can then paste or replace the text in your document.

Steps

1	Select the text you want to copy.

You can select the entire entry.

2	Choose Copy from the Edit menu.

See Also

Paste

Replace


Replace
Edit, Replace

Purpose

Use Replace to paste dictionary text into your document by inserting text or replacing existing text.

Steps

1	Position the insertion point in your document where you want to insert text from the dictionary.

or

Select a word or phrase that you want to replace.

2	Start the Random House Websters Unabridged Electronic Dictionary by selecting it from the Tools menu or using a hot key.

3	Select the word or phrase in the dictionary that you want to paste into the document.

4	Choose the Replace button.

or

Choose Replace from the Edit menu.

See Also

Copy

Hotkey

Paste


Search on Definitions
Search type, Search on Definitions

Purpose

Use Search on Definitions to search definitions for entries that contain the word you specify.

Not only is the definition text searched, but also words in the etymological information or other specified block or blocks.  The full keyword that you specify is found rather than parts of the keyword.  You can make your search more specific by including search commands or wildcard characters.

Steps

To perform a general search,

1	Choose Search on Definitions from the Search type menu or pop-up list.

2	Type the keyword in the Find text box and then choose Lookup.

3	While the search list is being assembled, go to the definition of any word by clicking the word.

or

Choose [image] or [image] to look at each entry, sequentially, in the search list.

To make your search more specific,

1	Type a keyword in the Find text box.

2	If you want to specify a search filter, choose Filter, make selections, then choose OK.

3	Click [image] to select and insert a search command or wildcard character.

You can also type the search command symbol or wildcard character in the Find text box.

4	Choose Lookup.

See Also

Definition Search Filter

Next, Previous, Pause, and Restart Buttons

Search Commands

Wildcard Characters


Definition Search Filter
Search type, Search on Definitions, Filter

Purpose

Use Definition Search Filter to select the part(s) of the entry to search, select the categories or groups of words to search, specify the range of words in which to search, and select case sensitivity and word forms.

Steps

1	Choose Search on Definitions from the Search type menu or pop-up list.

2	Choose Filter.

3	Select from the following options:

         	Select the blocks

Search only the individual parts of the entry you select.  You can choose Clear all or Select all.

         	Only if it has

Search only the categories or groups of words you select.  For example, only search words with audio prnounciations or illustrations in their entries.

         	Proximity

When searching multiple words, search within a range of words.

         	Case Sensitivity

Search for words in the case in which you type them.  For example, a search for atom would not search for Atom.

         	Find all Forms

Search for entries containing any form of a word.  For example, searching for march would also search for marches, marching, and marched.

4	Choose OK.

See Also

Search on Definitions


Anagrams
Search type, Anagrams

Purpose

Use Anagrams to search for words that are anagrams of other words or a group of letters.  Anagram searching is not case sensitive.

Steps

1	Choose Anagrams from the Search type menu or pop-up list.

2	Type a word or a series of letters in the Find text box.

3	If you want to specify a search filter to limit the number of letters in your search results, choose Filter, make selections, then choose OK.

4	Choose the Lookup button.

or

Choose Lookup from the File menu.

5	While the search list is being assembled, go to the entry of any word by clicking the word.

or

Choose [image] or [image] to look at each entry, sequentially, in the search list.

See Also

Anagram Search Filter

Next, Previous, Pause, and Restart Buttons


Browse on Index
Search type, Browse on Index

Purpose

Use Browse on Index to look through a complete dictionary word list.  Browsing starts when you type a letter or series of letters.  Example

Steps

1	Choose Browse on Index from the Search type menu or pop-up list.

2	If you want to specify a search filter, choose Filter, make selections, then choose OK.

3	Type the first few letters of a word in the Find text box.

Each time you add or delete letters, the search list is updated.

4	Click a word in the list to go to the entry of that word.

or

Choose [image] or [image] to look at each entry, sequentially, in the search list.

See Also

Browse Search Filters

Next, Previous, Pause, and Restart Buttons


Next, Previous, Pause, and Restart Buttons

Purpose

Use the buttons above the search list to move one word at a time forward or backward through the search list, pause the current search, and restart a search that you have paused.

Steps

1	Choose a search type from the Search type menu or pop-up list, then choose Lookup if necessary.

2	While the search list is being assembled or after is has been assembled, choose the buttons above the search list to perform the following actions:

Move forward one word at a time through the search list.

Move backward one word at a time through the search list.

Pause a search.

Restart a search that has been paused.  This button only displays if you have paused a search.

See Also

Lookup


View History
Search type, View history

Purpose

Use View history to show a list of words you have looked up in a session, with the most recent one on top.  You can quickly access dictionary entries in the list by clicking the words.

Steps

1	Choose View history from the Search type menu or pop-up list.

2	Click a word in the list to go to the entry of that word.

or

Choose [image] or [image] to look at each entry, sequentially, in the list.

See Also

Environment


Preferences
Edit, Preferences

Purpose

Use Preferences to change dictionary options.  You can change the path and filename of the dictionary, change the color and font size of entry text, turn off parts of the entry, change hot keys, and, for certain dictionaries, change the language of the interface.  You can also specify the number of words kept in View history, save the workspace, display Help prompts, turn off the logo on the main screen, and specify the screen layout.

Steps

1	Choose the Preferences button.

or

Choose Preferences from the Edit menu.

2	Choose from the following options:

         	File

Change the path and filename of the dictionary.

         	Display

Change the font size and color of the entry text; turn off display of parts of the entry.

         	Hotkey

Specify the keystrokes you want to use from a non-WordPerfect application to start the dictionary and to copy and paste.

         	Language

Change the language of the interface. The Random House Websters Unabridged Electronic Dictionary is available in English.

         	Environment

Specify the number of words to be kept in View history, specify to save the workspace, specify to show Help prompts, specify to display the logo on the main screen, and specify the screen layout.

See Also

Display

Environment

Hotkey

Language


Example

The 'painter' search command finds the word painter (for Search on Main Entry) or definitions that contain the word painter (for Search on Definitions) but does not find the words painters or Painter or any definitions containing those forms.


About ...
Help, About ...

Use About ... to see the program copyright information.


Inserting Text (def)
Inserting Text

Inserting text places the selected text from the dictionary at the insertion point in the document and moves the rest of the text to the right to accommodate it.


Replacing Text (def)
Replacing Text

Replacing text replaces the selected text in the document with the selected text from the dictionary.


Paste
Edit, Paste

Purpose

Use Paste with Copy to paste text from the Clipboard to your document or to paste text from a dictionary entry to the Find text box.

Steps

1	Copy text from a dictionary entry.

2	Position the insertion point in your document where you want to paste the text.

or

Position the insertion point in the Find text box.

3	Press Ctrl+v.

or

Select Paste from the Edit menu.

See Also

Copy


Find
Edit, Find

Purpose

Use Find to locate a specific word in the currently displayed entry.

Steps

1	Choose Find from the Edit menu.

2	Type the word you want to find in the Find text box in the Find in Definition dialog box.

You can include wildcard characters by typing them or by choosing the arrowhead button to the right of the Find text box and selecting ? or *.

3	Select from the following options:

         	Whole Words Only

Search for whole words, not parts of words.

         	Case Sensitive

Search for words in the case in which you type them.  For example, if you type atom, the search would not find Atom.

         	Start at Cursor Position

Search for words from the insertion point forward or backward in the entry.  The search will not encompass the entire entry.

4	Choose Find Next to search forward through the entry.

or

Choose Find Previous to search backward through the entry.

5	Choose Close when you are done searching.


Search on Main Entry
Search type, Search on Main Entry

Purpose

Use Search on Main Entry to look up a word by the entry word.  You can make your search more specific by including search commands or wildcard characters.  You can look up words from a dictionary entry, from WordPerfect, or from a non-WordPerfect application that supports copying to the Clipboard.

Steps

To look up a word by typing it directly,

1	Choose Search on Main Entry from the Search type menu or pop-up list.

2	Type the word you want to look up in the Find text box.

3	Choose the Lookup button.

or

Choose Lookup from the File menu.

To make your search more specific,

1	Type the word(s) or part of the word(s) you want to look up in the Find text box.

2	Click [image] to select and insert a search command or wildcard character.

You can also type the search command symbol or wildcard character in the Find text box.

3	Choose the Lookup button.

or

Choose Lookup from the File menu.

4	While the search list is being assembled, go to the definition of any word by clicking the word.

or

Choose [image] or [image] to look at each entry, sequentially, in the search list.

To look up a word used in a dictionary entry,

1	Place the insertion point in a word in an entry.

2	Click the right mouse button.

or

Choose the current dictionary from the X-Ref menu.

or

To cross-reference the word in another installed dictionary, choose another dictionary from the X-Ref menu.

To look up a word from WordPerfect for Windows 6.0, 6.0a, or 6.1,

1	Place the insertion point in the word you want to look up.

2	Choose the Random House Websters Unabridged Electronic Dictionary from the Tools menu.

To look up a word in a non-WordPerfect application using hot keys,

1	Select the word you want to look up.

2	Press and hold down Ctrl+Shift+D (or the keystrokes you have customized using Hotkey).

Note that hot keys do not work from within dialog boxes.

See Also

Anagrams

Browse on Index

Hotkey

Next, Previous, Pause, and Restart Buttons

Search Commands

Search on Definitions

Wildcard Characters


Browse Search Filters
Search type, Browse on Index, Filter

Purpose

Use Browse Search Filters to select a category or group filter for your browse search.  For example, you can select to search only words that include an audio pronunciation or an illustration in their entries.

Steps

1	Choose Browse on Index from the Search type menu or pop-up list.

2	Choose Filter.

3	Select the categories or groups of words you want to search.

4	Choose OK.

See Also

Browse on Index


anagram (def)
Anagram

A word, phrase or sentence formed from another by rearranging its letters.  Example: untie is  formed by rearranging the letters of unite.


Display
Preferences, Display

Purpose

Use Display to change the font size and color of the entry text and to turn off display of parts of the entry.

Steps

1	Choose the Preferences button.

or

Choose Preferences from the Edit menu.

2	Double-click the Display icon.

3	In the list under Group, select parts of the entry, then click a color under Select a Color to change the default color.

Choose Defaults to see the default colors and parts of the entry displayed.

4	Deselect check boxes under View ON/OFF to turn off display of parts of the entry.

5	Select a Font size for the entry text from the Font size drop-down list.

6	Choose OK.


Hotkey
Preferences, Hotkey

Purpose

Use Hotkey to specify keystrokes to start the dictionary from a non-WordPerfect application and to copy and paste.

Steps

1	Choose the Preferences button.

or

Choose Preferences from the Edit menu.

2	Double-click the Hotkey icon.

3	In the Hot key group box, select the keys and type the letter to specify the hot key combination for starting the dictionary from a non-WordPerfect application. Choose a hotkey that does not conflict with any belonging to the application.

4	Make sure Enabled is selected.

5	In the Parent Application keys group box, type letters in the text boxes to specify the keystrokes to copy or paste from the dictionary to a non-WordPerfect application.

You can select the check boxes to add a delete or a backspace, which can prevent the application from adding unwanted spaces.

6	Choose OK.

See Also

Paste

Replace


Clipboard (def)
Clipboard

A temporary storage area for copied text.


Environment
Preferences, Environment

Purpose

Use Environment to specify the number of words to be kept in View history, specify to save the workspace, specify to show Help prompts, specify to display the logo on the main screen, and specify the screen layout.

Steps

1	Choose the Preferences button.

or

Choose Preferences from the Edit menu.

2	Double-click the Environment icon.

3	Select from the following options:

         	Enter History Buffer

Specify the number of words that will be saved to be displayed when you select View history.  The default is 20 words.

         	Save Workspace

Save everything you have specified for the main dictionary dialog box, including display size and location.

         	Show Long Prompts

Display Help prompts across the title bar.  These prompts give help based on where your mouse pointer is positioned.  For example, a different Help prompt displays for each menu item.

         	Display logo on main screen

Turn Random House Websters Unabridged Electronic Dictionary logo on and off in the main dictionary dialog box.  If your workspace is limited, turning the logo off will allow you to make the main dictionary dialog box smaller.

         	Vertical or Horizontal Split, Definition on Right, Left, Bottom, or Top

Arrange the layout of the search list and definitions.

4	Choose OK.

See Also

View History


Anagram Search Filter
Search type, Anagrams, Filter

Purpose

Use Anagram Search Filter to find all possible letter combinations for using an anagram search or to specify the length of the anagrams you want to search.  For example, you can type a 5-letter word and specify to find all anagrams that are more than two letters.  The search list will display all anagrams of three or more letters.

Steps

1	Choose Anagrams from the Search type menu or pop-up list.

2	Choose Filter.

3	Select Find all Letter Combinations to search for all anagrams, regardless of word length.

4	If you want to restrict the search to words of a certain length, select More than and specify the number of letters.

5	Choose OK.

See Also

Anagrams


Wildcard * Example

For example, ar* generates a list of all words starting with ar.

All words that match the entered word will be found whether they have the same capitalization as the word or not.

If you want to search for two words, type letters for both words but do not include any spaces.  The search list will include two (or more) word combinations that match the text you type and single words that match the total number of letters of the entered text.  For example, electronicbanking.


Wildcard ? Example

For example, to? finds all three-letter words that start with to.

All words that match the entered word will be found whether they have the same capitalization as the word or not.

If you want to search for two words, type letters for both words but do not include any spaces.  The search list will include two (or more) word combinations that match the text you type and single words that match the total number of letters of the entered text.  For example, doubleo*.


Help Quick Reference

Click colored text or buttons to perform the following actions:

See another topic.

See a definition.

See a hint or more information.

See the main Help table of contents.

See a dialog box to help you search for Help topics on keywords.

See the previous topic displayed.

See a list of the most recent Help topics.

Print the current topic displayed.

Close Help.


 Hint

If you want to do an anagram search for multiple words, type the letters without including any spaces.


Language
Preferences, Language

Purpose

Use Language to change the language of the dictionary's interface.  The interface includes all text in menus, dialog boxes, and so forth.

Steps

1	Choose the Preferences button.

or

Choose Preferences from the Edit menu.

2	Double-click the Language icon.

3	Click [image], then select a language.

4	Choose OK.


Search Commands

Purpose

Use search commands to narrow or expand a search.

Steps

1	Choose Search on Main Entry or Search on Definitions from the Search type menu or pop-up list.

2	Type the word(s) or part of the word(s) you want to look up in the Find text box.

3	Click [image] to select and insert a search command listed below.

You can also type the search command symbol in the Find text box.

4	Choose the Lookup button.

or

Choose Lookup from the File menu.

Search Commands

         	&

AND.  Used with Search on Definitions only.  Narrows a search by retrieving only those entries that have both keywords in their definitions.  Example

         	|

OR.  Used with Search on Definitions only.  Expands a search by retrieving entries that have either the first word or the second word in their definitions.  Example

         	!

NOT.  Used with Search on Definitions only.  Narrows a search by retrieving only those entries that have the first keyword in their definitions but not the second. Example

         	( )

Group.  Used with Search on Definitions only.  Determines the order or priority of the search.  Keywords enclosed in parentheses are searched first. Example

         	''

Exact Match.  Used with Search on Main Entry and Search on Definitions.  Finds the word or the entries that contain the word exactly as you have typed it, in form and case. Example

See Also

Wildcard Characters


Wildcard Characters

Purpose

Use wildcard characters to narrow or expand a search.

Steps

1	Choose Search on Main Entry or Search on Definitions from the Search type menu or pop-up list.

2	Type the word(s) or part of the word(s) you want to look up in the Find text box.

3	Click [image] to select and insert a wildcard character listed below.

You can also type the wildcard character in the Find text box.

4	Choose the Lookup button.

or

Choose Lookup from the File menu.

Wildcard Characters

         	*

You can represent a series of letters by the character *.  Example

         	?

You can represent a single letter by the character ?.  Example

See Also

Search Commands


Lookup

Purpose

Use Lookup with a Search type to look up a word in the dictionary.

Steps

1	Choose from the following topics for more information about using Lookup with different search types:

Anagrams

Search on Definitions

Search on Main Entry


wildcard (def)
Wildcard

A search feature that allows you to represent a single letter by the wildcard character ? or a series of letters by the wildcard character *.


Print
File, Print

Purpose

Use Print to print the current dictionary entry or search list.

Steps

1	Display the dictionary entry or search list you want to print.

2	Choose Print from the File menu.

3	Select Definition or Word list, then specify the number of columns, if necessary.

4	Choose OK.


Example

Typing g in the Find text box after choosing Browse on Index displays a list of words starting with g.  Adding e to make ge changes the search list to words starting with ge, and so on.


Example

The painter & French search command finds every definition that contains both the word painter and the word French.


Example

The painter | French search command finds every definition that contains the word painter and every entry that contains the word French.


Example

The painter ! French search command finds every definition that contains the word painter but does not contain the word French.


Example

The (painter | sculptor) ! French search command finds every definition that contains the word painter as long as that definition does not contain the word French and every definition that contains the word sculptor as long as that definition does not contain the word French.

You can use no more than two commands unless you use a set of parentheses.  Parentheses must have both an opening and a closing parenthesis.


 Hint

To select text,

1	Click the mouse button where you want to start selecting.

2	Hold down the mouse button and move the pointer over the text you want to select.

3	Release the mouse button where you want to stop selecting.

The fastest way to select a word in a document or in a dictionary entry is to double-click it.


About RH Websters Unabridged
About Random House Websters Unabridged Dictionary

GRANT OF RIGHTS

This software program, including documentation and media (Software) is protected by copyright laws and international treaty and is a proprietary product of Novell, Inc., except that the content portions of the Software are a proprietary product of Random House, Inc., under license with Novell, Inc.  In exchange for payment of a onetime fee for the Software, Novell, Inc. and Random House, Inc. grant you the right to use the Software under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

You are licensed to use only one copy of this Software, unless Novell, Inc. or Random House, Inc. has given you a written license to use more than one copy.  For a single-user computer not attached to a network, or for a network server, the Software is considered "in use" when any portion of the Software is either loaded in memory or virtual memory (Loaded) or stored on a hard disk or other storage device (Stored).  For single-user computers or workstations attached to a network, the quantity of the Software "in use" is considered to be the greater of (i) the maximum number of computers on which the Software is Loaded at any one time, or (ii) the maximum number of computers on which the Software is Stored.

You may make copies of any written documentation which accompanies the Software in support of your authorized use of the Software.  You may also make an archival copy of the Software for each copy licensed to you.

RESTRICTIONS

You may not rent, lend or lease the Software without the written permission of Random House, Inc.  You may not decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, copy, create a derivative work, or otherwise use the Software except as stated in this Agreement.  Irrespective of the number of sets of media included with the Software or later obtained by you, you are granted the right to use the Software only in the quantity actually licensed to you.

LIMITED WARRANTY/LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

This Software is licensed AS IS.  If any materials or media in this package are defective, return them to your reseller or supplier within 90 days of the date of purchase, and they will be replaced at no charge.

These warranties are in lieu of any other warranties, express or implied, including the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.  In no event will Novell, Inc. or Random House, Inc. be liable to you for damages, including any loss of profits, lost savings, loss of data, or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of your use of or inability to use the Software, even if Novell, Inc. , Random House, Inc. or an authorized representative has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Some jurisdictions do not allow excluding or limiting implied warranties or limiting liability for incidental or consequential damages, and some jurisdictions have special statutory consumer protection provisions that may supersede this limitation.  As a result, this limitation of liability may not apply to you if prohibited by the laws of your jurisdiction.

GENERAL

If any provision of this Agreement is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, then that provision shall be severed from this Agreement and will not affect the validity and enforceability of any of the remaining provisions.  This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS

The Software and any accompanying materials are provided with Restricted Rights.  Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of The Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013, or subparagraphs (c)(1) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software--Restricted Rights at 48 CFR 52.227-19, as applicable.  Contractor/manufacturer is Random House, Inc., 201 East 50th St., New York, NY  10022

TRADEMARKS

WordPerfect is a registered trademark of Corel, Inc.  All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

RANDOM HOUSE WEBSTERS UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY

The Random House Websters Unabridged Dictionary is based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition, Copyright © 1996, 1993, 1987, by Random House, Inc.  First Edition, Copyright © 1983, 1981, 1979, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1967, 1966, by Random House, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition, is a revised and updated edition of the Random House Dictionary of the English Language, Second Edition, Unabridged.  Random House Unabridged Dictionary, The Random House Dictionary of the English Language, and the abbreviations RHD, RHDEL, RHD-I, and RHD-II are trademarks of Random House, Inc.

A number of entered words which we have reason to believe constitute trademarks have been designated as such.  However, no attempt has been made to designate as trademarks or service marks all words or terms in which proprietary rights may exist.  The inclusion, exclusion, or definition of a word or term is not intended to affect, or to express a judgment on, the validity or legal status of the word or term as a trademark, service mark, or other proprietary term.

Version 2.0

Software copyright © 1994--96 by Novell, Inc.

Copyright (c) 1996, Random House, Inc., All rights reserved.


Guide to Using Random House Unabridged Dictionary

The following contain information about the Dictionary:

Definitions

Labels

Parts of Speech

Etymologies

Etymology Key

Pronunciation Key

Abbreviations Used in the Definitions

Language Abbreviations

Sound Option

Illustration Option

End-of-Entry Notes


Abbreviations Used in the Definitions

ab.	about
Abbr.	abbreviation
adj.	adjective
adv.	adverb
Ant.	antonym(s)
at.no.	atomic number
at.wt.	atomic weight
c	about (Latin circa)
cap.,caps.	capital, capitals
Cap.	capital (of country or state)
Cf.	compare (Latin confer)
cm	centimeter, centimeters
compar.	comparative
conj.	conjunction
def.,defs.	definition, definitions
E	east
esp.	especially
1st pers.	first person
fol.	followed
ft.	foot, feet
gen.	genitive
in.	inch, inches
indic.	indicative
interj.	interjection
km	kilometer, kilometers
l.c.	lower case (not capitalized)
m	meter, meters
mi.	mile, miles
mm	millimeter, millimeters
N	north
n.	noun
nom.	nominative
n.pl.	plural noun
obj.	objective
past part.,pp.	past participle
pl.	plural
poss.	possessive
prec.	preceded
prep.	preposition
pres.	present tense
pres. part.	present participle
pron.	pronoun
pt.	preterit (past tense)
S	south
2nd pers.	second person
sing.	singular
sp.gr.	specific gravity
sq.cm	square centimeter, square centimeters
sq.ft.	square foot, square feet
sq.in.	square inch, square inches
sq.km	square kilometer, square kilometers
sq.mi	square mile, square miles
sq.yd.	square yard, square yards
subj.	subjunctive
superl.	superlative
Syn.	synonym(s)
3rd pers.	third person
v.	verb
v.i.	intransitive verb
v.t.	transitive verb
W	west
yd.	yard, yards
See Also

Etymology Key

Language Abbreviations


About Random House Unabridged Dictionary

GRANT OF RIGHTS

This software program, including any documentation and media (Software) is protected by copyright laws and international treaty and is a proprietary product of Novell, Inc., except that the content portions of the Software are a proprietary product of the company noted below, under license with Novell, Inc.  In exchange for payment of a onetime fee for the Software, Novell, Inc. and the content licensor grant you the right to use the Software under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

You are licensed to use only one copy of this Software, unless Novell, Inc. or the content licensor has given you a written license to use more than one copy.  For a single-user computer not attached to a network, or for a network server, the Software is considered "in use" when any portion of the Software is either loaded in memory or virtual memory (Loaded) or stored on a hard disk or other storage device (Stored).  For single-user computers or workstations attached to a network, the quantity of the Software "in use" is considered to be the greater of (i) the maximum number of computers on which the Software is Loaded at any one time, or (ii) the maximum number of computers on which the Software is Stored.

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RANDOM HOUSE UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY

The Random House Unabridged Dictionary is based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition, Copyright © 1993, 1987, by Random House, Inc.  First Edition, Copyright © 1983, 1981, 1979, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1967, 1966, by Random House, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition, is a revised and updated edition of the Random House Dictionary of the English Language, Second Edition, Unabridged.  Random House Unabridged Dictionary, The Random House Dictionary of the English Language, and the abbreviations RHD, RHDEL, RHD-I, and RHD-II are trademarks of Random House, Inc.

A number of entered words which we have reason to believe constitute trademarks have been designated as such.  However, no attempt has been made to designate as trademarks or service marks all words or terms in which proprietary rights may exist.  The inclusion, exclusion, or definition of a word or term is not intended to affect, or to express a judgment on, the validity or legal status of the word or term as a trademark, service mark, or other proprietary term.

Version 1.7

Software copyright © 1994 by Novell, Inc.


Glossary

A

Anagram

Archaic

B

Baby Talk

C

Clipboard

D

Disparaging

E

Eye Dialect

F

Facetious

G

No Entries

H

No Entries

I

Idiom

Inflected Forms

Informal

J

No Entries

K

Keyword

L

Literary

M

No Entries

N

Nonstandard

O

Obs. (Obsolete)

Offensive

Older Use

P

Parts of Speech

Pron. Spelling

Q

No Entries

R

Rare

S

Slang

T

No Entries

U

No Entries

V

Vulgar

W

Wildcard

X

No Entries

Y

No Entries

Z

No Entries


Entries

Range of Vocabulary Entries in the Dictionary

Main Entries

Variants

Undefined Entries


Range of Vocabulary Entries in the Dictionary
  Entries, Range of Vocabulary Entries in the Dictionary

This Dictionary contains not only words and phrases from the general vocabulary but a large number of specialized terms as from sports, telecommunications, history, and business.  It contains as well a large technical and scientific vocabulary: terms from medicine, as for current therapeutic techniques and drugs; botanical terms, from exotic flora to common houseplants; terms from astronomy, space, and physics; and terms from the expanding lexicon of computers.  In addition, the Dictionary's vocabulary encompasses a variety of proper nouns-given names, names of significant people and places, names from the Bible and mythology, and select titles from the arts and literature.  Also included are abbreviations, symbols, and foreign words and phrases.  All these entries can be searched, for easy access, from a single alphabetical index.


Baby Talk

A term with this label is thought to be used by small children and is therefore used by adults in imitation of a child, as in speaking to babies, young children, sweethearts, or pets.


Main Entries
  Entries, Main Entries

Typeface

All main entries appear flush to the left in large boldface type.  Certain main entries are shown in italics, but most are entered in roman typeface.  This distinction makes it easy for users of this Dictionary to ascertain the appropriate form to use for each headword, as when writing a report or academic paper.  Italicized terms included book and play titles; titles of long poems and musical compositions; names of works of art, ships, and aircraft; and those foreign words and phrases that have not been naturalized or assimilated into English.  Note that some main entries that appear in the Dictionary in roman type are commonly italicized for particular definitions.  These definitions will be marked "(italics)."

count [image] ess  (koun'tis), n.  1. the wife or widow of a count...

com [image] tesse  (kô [image] tes'), n., pl.  -tesses (-tes'). French.  countess.

En [image] dym [image] i [image] on  (en  dim' [image]  [image] n), n.  1. Class. Myth. a young man kept forever youthful through eternal sleep and loved by Selene. 2. (italics) a narrative poem (1818) by John Keats.

Word division

To provide information about where to break words at the end of a line, the Dictionary divides entry words into syllables, using a raised centered dot.  (In hyphenated compounds, the hyphen itself automatically serves to mark division between two syllables.)  These divisions follow traditional American practice in the fields of editing and typesetting.  Thus, although some word segments, as -tion and -ble, are never divided, entry words are primarily broken phonetically, that is, after vowels for either long or unstressed (open) syllables and after consonants for short (or closed) syllables.  Capitalized acronyms, as NATO, are not divided into syllables.

Single words are normally divided into syllables at their own entries only.  In multiple-word entries, the individual words are marked for stress in relation to one another but are not syllabified.

e [image] lec [image] tron [image] ic  (i lek tron'ik, [image] 'lek-), adj.  1. of or pertaining to electronics...

im [image] ag [image] ing  (im' [image] jing), n.  1. Psychol. a technique in which one uses mental images...

electron'ic im'aging,  a system of photography

Multiple-word entries formed from components that are not entirely assimilated into English, whether or not italicized, are usually syllabified and pronounced in full, even when their component parts are pronounced elsewhere in the Dictionary.

bro [image] de [image] rie an [image] glaise  (br [image] 'd [image] r [image] ' äng gl [image] z' -glez'; Fr. b [image] ôd [image] [image] [image] ä [image] glez'), fine white needlework done on...

Users should be cautioned that although the Dictionary shows the total number of syllables into which a word may be broken, not all syllable breaks should be used as end-of-line divisions.  It is not advisable, for example, to break a word before or after a single character; one would try not to break cit [image] y or a [image] lone.  And hyphenated compounds, as country-and-western and habit-forming, are best split at the hyphen.  Note, too, that syllable divisions for the spelling of an entry word may not always correspond with divisions shown inside the pronunciation parentheses, as with dou [image] ble (dub' [image] l).  These two kinds of syllable division are determined by different sets of rules.

Boldface entries are normally divided according to the first pronunciation shown, which is generally the most common one.  For example, the main entry for process is divided after the c: proc [image] ess, although pro [image] cess, not shown and corresponding to a pronunciation less widely used in the United States, would be equally correct.  However, when the pronunciation and, consequently, the division into syllables shift according to part of speech function, the Dictionary shows more than one division; syllables in the main entry are divided according to the pronunciation for the first part of speech in the entry, while appropriate division for any subsequent part of speech is shown, in boldface type, at the beginning of the definitions given for that part of speech.

prog [image] ress  (n. prog'res, -r [image] s or, esp. Brit., pr [image] 'gres; v. pr [image] gres'), n.  1. a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage: the progress of a student toward a degree....-v.i. pro [image] gress 11. to go forward or onward in space or time: The wagon train progressed through the valley.

Notice that when a boldface spelling that is stressed or syllabified must break at the end of a line of Dictionary text, it usually breaks with a centered dot rather than a hyphen.  The hyphen is used in these places only when it is actually part of the spelling.

broad-gauge  (brôd'g [image] j'), adj.  1. Railroads. of or pertaining to equipment designed for a railroad having track of a broad gauge: broad-gauge rolling stock.  2. of wide scope, application, or experience: broad-gauge efforts to improve the health of our citizens.  Also, broad'-gauged'. [1835-45, for earlier sense]

break-e [image] ven  (br [image] k' [image] 'v [image] n), adj.  1. having income exactly equal to expenditure, thus showing neither profit nor loss. -n.  2. See break-even point.  Also, break' [image] e'ven. [1935-40, Amer.]

Identically spelled entries

Single words that are spelled identically but differ in derivation are given separate main entries.  Such entries are called homographs.  Homographs entered in lowercase roman type, with no distinguishing diacritical marks in the spelling, are marked with a small superscript number immediately following the spelled form and are given etymologies that explain their origins.  Homographs that are capitalized or italicized, while entered separately, are not numbered.  Near homographs, as pairs in which one of the words is spelled with ü, ç, or the like, and the other is spelled with those letters unmarked, are also not numbered.

(r [image] z), n., adj., v., rosed, ros [image] ing. -n.  1. any of the wild or cultivated, usually prickly-stemmed, showy-flowered shrubs of the genus Rosa....[bef. 900; ME; OE [image] < L rosa; akin to Gk rhódon (see RHODODENDRON)] -rose'less, adj. -rose'like, adj.

(r [image] z), v.  1. pt. of rise.  2. Nonstandard. a pp. of rise.

Rose  (r [image] z), n.  1. Billy, 1899-1966, U.S. theatrical producer.  2. a female given name.

ro [image] sé  (r [image] z [image] '), n. a pink table wine in which the pale color is produced by removing the grape skins from the must before fermentation is completed. [1425-75; < F: lit., pink]

Word stress in multiple word entries

Although this Dictionary makes use of two kinds of stress marks, primary stress (') and secondary stress ('), three gradations of stress can actually be shown in boldface entries: primary, secondary, and relative lack of stress.  A syllable that would be pronounced with relatively heavy stress is immediately followed by a primary stress mark; a syllable pronounced with slightly less stress is immediately followed by a secondary stress mark; and a syllable that would be said with little stress remains unmarked.  No stress is shown in the spellings for main entries that contain abbreviations, Roman numerals, or letters of the alphabet that are individually pronounced as such.

Knights' of the Round' Ta'ble, a legendary order of knights created by King Arthur.

St. Clair  (s [image] nt' klâr'; for 1 also sing'klâr, sin'-)  1. Arthur, 1736-1818, American Revolutionary War general...

T cell,  Immunol.  any of several closely related lymphocytes, developed in the thymus, that circulate in the...

The use of stress marks in any boldface entry of two or more words is intended to show the stress pattern for that entry as a unit-the usual accentual relationship among those words.  It does not show the relationship of one syllable to another within an individual word.  For example, the pattern ' ' indicates approximately equal stress: compan'ionate mar'riage; the pattern ' ' indicates that the first word receives greater stress than the second: compan'ion cell'; and the pattern ' ' shows the kind of relationship heard in utterances like New' York'.  Note that the usual stress for a particular word, when said in isolation, may shift when that word is used in a longer utterance: by itself, en'do [image] cra'ni [image] al is said with one secondary and one primary stress, but as an attributive modifier, it may change its pattern and be pronounced with two primary stresses, as in en'docra'nial cast'.  Note, too, that because regional, individual, and circumstantial differences are characteristic of spoken discourse, users should be aware that their own stress patterns, when different from the ones found in the Dictionary, may be equally valid.

Implicit entries

Many terms containing two or more words, as rug cleaner, social change, or silk dress, are self-defining.  That is, their meanings can readily be understood by combining the appropriate senses of their component words.  Such terms do not need to appear as entries in the Dictionary.  In addition, regular plurals, like boxes, regular past tense forms, like walked, etc., are to be considered part of the lexicon even though they do not show overtly as Dictionary entries.


Variants
  Entries, Variants

A characteristic of the English language is the existence of alternate spellings and alternate terms.  In the Dictionary, terms are usually defined at the forms a reader is most likely to find in contemporary writing, but common variant forms are shown at many entries.  These forms range from simple spelling variants of the main entry (ameba-amoeba) through forms similar to the main entry but not identical, as those in which only the suffix differs (exploratory-explorative), to forms that are substantially different from the main entry (riboflavin-vitamin B2).  Variants, entered in boldface type, are preceded by "Also" or "Also called."  Their location in an entry depends on whether they apply to the whole entry, to one part of speech only, or to particular definitions.

en [image] do [image] crine  (en'd [image] krin, -kr [image] n', -kr [image] n'), Anat., Physiol. -adj.  Also, en [image] do [image] cri [image] nal (en'd [image] kr [image] n'l, -kr [image] n'l), en [image] do [image] crin [image] ic (en'd [image] krin'ik), endocrinous. 1. secreting internally into the blood or lymph.... -n. 3. an internal secretion; hormone. 4. See endocrine gland.  Cf. exocrine. [1910-15; ENDO- + -crine < Gk krínein to separate]

pro [image] gram  (pr [image] 'gram, -gr [image] m), n., v., -grammed or -gramed, -gram [image] ming or -gram [image] ing. -n. 1. a plan of action to accomplish a specified end: a school lunch program... -v.i.  15. to plan or write a program.  Also, esp. Brit., pro'gramme. [1625-35; < LL programma < Gk prógramma public notice in writing.]

At the entry for endocrine, all three variants apply to the adjective part of speech only, while at the entry for program, the variant programme applies to the entire entry.

Some variant spellings are shown only at certain basic terms throughout the main vocabulary listing, but not at nearby derived forms.  Thus the Dictionary gives the chiefly British variant colour at the entry for color, but does not show colourful, colourcast, etc., which may be inferred.  Similarly, a noun ending in -isation is implied at -ization entries wherever -ise, another spelling variant commonly found in Great Britain, is shown for the related verb ending in -ize.

Main entry listings for variants

Many variant forms are entered as headwords in the main vocabulary listings, where they are not given full definitions but are cross-referred to the form that does have the definition.  However, if a user cannot find a given term, he or she should look for the main entry of an alternate form by using the Browse feature.  (Main entries for variants may have additional full definitions for other senses.)

Ha [image] ba [image] na  (Sp. ä vä'nä), n.  Havana.

nau'tical archaeol'ogy.  See marine archaeology.

Notice that the word "See" is used as a cross-referencing device to guide the user to a main entry of two or more words.  This is done so that such a cross reference will not be mistaken for a complete definition.


Undefined Entries
  Entries, Undefined Entries

The meanings of certain terms are evident from the sum of their parts, the already defined base word plus a prefix or a suffix.  There is consequently no need for the Dictionary to define all of these terms separately.

It should be understood that no group of run-on forms at any given entry can be considered complete.  Prefixes, like non- and re-, and suffixes like -ly, -ity, -like, and -ness, which are used to help form the undefined entries in this Dictionary, are often highly productive parts of language.  They are used to create new lexical combinations as circumstances require.  The fact that a particular form of this sort cannot be found in a dictionary does not mean that it is not a "real word."

Run-on entries; root plus suffix

Run-ons are derivatives of the main entry, formed primarily by adding a suffix to the main entry form or its root, but sometimes by deleting or replacing a suffix.  Run-ons can also be formed from compounds, as by adding a hyphen to a two-word entry to form an adjective.  When the meaning of the run-on form can be readily understood and term therefore does not require defining, the run-on is placed at the end of the main entry, following all definitions and any bracketed etymology, but preceding any end-of-entry notes.  Each run-on or set of run-ons (the set indicating that two or more run-ons share a meaning) is preceded by a lightface dash and, when applicable, followed by one or more parts of speech.

bron [image] cho [image] scope  (brong'k [image] sk [image] p'), n. Med.  a lighted, flexible tubular instrument that is inserted into the trachea for diagnosis and for removing inhaled objects. [1895-1900; BRONCHO- + -SCOPE] -bron [image] cho [image] scop [image] ic (brong'k [image] skop'ik), adj. -bron [image] chos [image] co [image] pist (brongkos'k [image] pist), n.

Since -ic, when attached to nouns, forms adjectives with the meaning 'of or pertaining to (the base word)', the run-on bronchoscopic can be assumed to mean 'of or pertaining to a bronchoscope'.  The other run-ons at this entry are similarly derived by using the definitions for the individual suffixed forms.

as [image] trol [image] o [image] gy  ( [image] strol' [image] j [image]), n.  1. the study that assumes and attempts to interpret the influence of the heavenly bodies on human affairs. 2. Obs. the science of astronomy. [1325-75; ME < L astrologia < Gk. See ASTRO-, -LOGY] -as [image] trol'o [image] ger, as [image] trol'o [image] gist, n. -as [image] tro [image] log [image] i [image] cal (as'tr [image] loj'i k [image] l), as'tro [image] log'ic, as [image] trol [image] o [image] gous ( [image] strol' [image] g [image] s), adj. as'tro [image] log'i [image] cal [image] ly, adv.

At the entry for astrology, the two noun run-ons (astrologer, astrologist) form one set, while the three adjective run-ons (astrological, astrologic, astrologous) form another.

Run-ons are usually divided into syllables and stressed.  When necessary, a parenthesized pronunciation is added.


Anagram

A word, phrase or sentence formed from another by rearranging its letters.  Example: angel is an anagram of glean.


Definitions

Sense Division

Idioms

Cross References


Archaic

Entries or definitions now archaic were current roughly to 1900, but are now employed only as conscious archaisms.


Clipboard

A temporary storage area for cut or copied text or graphics.


Labels

Field Labels

Usage Labels


Symbols and Abbreviations
  Etymologies, Symbols and Abbreviations

The following symbols and abbreviations occur with particular frequency in the etymologies.

<	This symbol, meaning "from," is used to show descent from one language or group of languages to another.  It is placed before a language label (e.g., < OF... < L... < Gk) in order to indicate from what source and in what form a word has entered English and to trace, in turn, the line of descent from one pre-English source to another. negative...  [...< L [image] denying (see NEGATE, -IVE), r. ME negatif (n. and adj.) < MF < L, as above] It is also placed between an attested word and an earlier unattested form (marked with an asterisk), signifying that the unattested form is reconstructed for an earlier unnamed stage in the development of the language in question. cousin...  [...L [image]...equiv. to con- CON- + [image] second cousin (presumably orig. "pertaining to the sister") < [image], equiv. to *swesr-, gradational var. of *swesor (> soror SISTER) + *-inos [image] ...] This symbol is not used between words that belong to different named historical periods of the same language.  It is omitted, for example, between ME and OE forms, MHG and G forms, and OF and F forms. It is also not used before the analysis of a word-that is, before the breaking down of a word into its constituent morphemes.  See equiv. to below.
<<	This symbol is used to show descent from one language to another but with an intermediate stage omitted.  It may be read as "goes back to."
>	This symbol, meaning "whence," is used to indicate that the word following it is descended from the word preceding it.  It generally serves the purpose of citing a modern foreign language word that is akin to the entry word.   yet...  [...ME yet(e), OE gieta, c. MHG ieze yet, now > G jetzt now] An additional function of this symbol is to separate the stages in a sequence of sense shifts. biretta...  [...< ML birrettum cap, equiv. to LL birr(us) BIRRUS + -ettum -ET; appar. by shift "hooded cloak" > "hood" > "cap"...]
equiv. to	This abbreviation, meaning "equivalent to," precedes the analysis of a word.  It is used to show that a word is made up of the words or morphemes that follow it. ferreous...  [...< L ferreus, equiv. to ferr(um) iron + -eus -EOUS] In the etymologies of Japanese and Korean loanwords that these languages have in turn borrowed from Middle Chinese, equiv. to is used to link the Middle Chinese sources and the corresponding modern Chinese words. bonsai...  [...< Japn bon-sai tray planting < MChin, equiv. to Chin pén and [image] plant, shoot]
+	This symbol is used between morphemes, the constituents of a compound or a blend, etc., in order to indicate that these are the immediate constituents of the word being analyzed. distinctly...   [DISTINCT + -LY] boron...  [BOR(AX) + (CARB)ON]
deriv. of	This abbreviation indicates that the form preceding it-for example, a particular form of speech-is a derivative of the form that follows.
See Also

Etymology Key


Parentheses
  Etymologies, Parentheses

Parentheses are used to set off any element that is lost or replaced when constituents are joined in the derivation of an entry word or of an italicized word within an etymology.

combo...  [...COMB(INATION) + -O]

compander...  [...COM(PRESS) + (EX)PAND + [image])

orbicular...  [...< LL [image] circular, equiv. to L orbicul(us) small disk (orbi(s) ORB + -culus [image]) + [image] [image]]

Similarly, parentheses set off entire words (and their translations) that are lost in ellipsis.

[...< ML [image] (herba) dovelike (plant)...]

A third function of parentheses is to collapse, for the sake of brevity, two or more variant spellings or forms.  Hence, in the etymology below, s(e)alm(e) signifies that salm, salme, sealm, and sealme are all attested spellings of the Middle English word for "psalm."

psalm...  [...ME psalm(e), s(e)alm(e), OE ps(e)alm...]

A fourth function is to highlight an intermediary language that may or may not have played a role in the transmission of a form to English.  In such cases, the intermediary word and the more basic etymon may both have functioned as a source, each reinforcing the other, as with words of Latin origin that also existed in French.

facility...  [...late ME facilite (< MF) < L [image].  See FACILE, -ITY]

Finally, parentheses are used to enclose the analysis of a preceding word that is itself part of a larger analysis (as with Latin orbiculus in the etymology of orbicular above), and in a variety of other situations where a subsidiary analysis or additional information is set off from other parts of the etymology.


Language Labels
  Etymologies, Language Labels

Language labels, as given in Language Abbreviations, precede the italicized etyma.  An unlabeled form is to be understood as an English word.

harewood...  [...var. of obs. airewood, equiv. to obs. aire harewood...]

A language label is shown alone without an accompanying italicized form when there is no significant difference in form or meaning between the word in the given language and the preceding word in the etymology, or the headword of the entry.  In some cases an italicized word is not shown after a language label when the word is identical to one immediately following.

base...  [...ME < MF < L basis...]

Note that after an entry such as Holy Ghost, the etymology [ME;OE] means that the entire phrase occurs in Middle English and Old English in the form appropriate to these stages of the language; for the forms of the individual words, the user is to consult their respective etymologies.  A language label is followed by a colon and a translation when there is a difference in meaning but none in form between a word in a given language and the preceding word.

incentive...  [...ME < LL [image] provocative, L: setting the tune, equiv. to incent(us)...]


Facetious

A term may be labeled "Facetious" if it is used consciously for humorous or playful effect.


Typefaces
  Etymologies, Typefaces

Three styles of type are used in the etymologies.  Roman type is used for translations, definitions, comments on grammar, and other explanatory matter.

Italic type is used for all words or parts of words (usually not entries in the Dictionary) from which the entry words are formed by derivation or composition.  Foreign words, those labeled ME, OE, "obs.," "earlier," dial.," and those, including proper names, that are not otherwise entries in the Dictionary are italicized.

Small capitals indicate a cross reference to another entry in the Dictionary where further information may be obtained about the meaning or etymology of a word.  Especially frequent reference is made to numerous affixes or combining forms that correspond to common elements in pre-English words, as [image], -ION, -IVE, etc., for Latin [image], -ion-, [image], etc.


Special Types of Etymologies
  Etymologies, Special Types of Etymologies

In addition to the etymologies concerned with tracing words to their non-English sources, there are those that require only simple cross references to their parts.  These are chiefly words derived within English.

Acronyms, when not accounted for in the definition, are shown in italics with parentheses enclosing all parts but those composing the entry word.

NATO...  [N(orth) A(tlantic) T(reaty) O(rganization)]

scuba...  [s(elf)-c(ontained) u(nderwater) b(reathing) a(pparatus)]

Blends are shown in small capitals.  Parentheses delineate the portions of words that do not enter into the blend only when the words share no phonetic material.  When phonetic material is shared, the abbreviation "b." for "blend of" and the conjunction and are used.

brunch...  [BR(EAKFAST) + (L)UNCH]

airmada...  [b. AIR and ARMADA]

For entries that contain the name of an individual, the etymology generally has a cross-reference to a biographical entry in the Dictionary or a brief biographical note, with the person's full name, dates, profession, and nationality, when these are known.  The same information is also given on occasion for the originator of a word or phrase, especially when the originator is also the discoverer of the concept or object described in the definition.

Briggsian logarithm...  [named after H. BRIGGS; see -IAN]

Alzheimer's disease...  [named after Alois Alzheimer (1864-1015), German neurologist, who described it in 1907]


Idiom

Idioms, expressions whose meanings are not predictable from the usual meanings of the constituent elements, are shown in boldface type under the main entry for one of the content words in the idiom.


Inflected Forms

Inflected forms, as plurals for nouns or past tense and past participle forms for verbs, are available for use by speakers of English whether or not they are shown explicitly at their entries in the Dictionary.  Thus hats is implied for hat, looked for look, etc.  These are regular forms and would not be shown.  The Dictionary shows inflected forms primarily for entry words that form their inflections irregularly, although some regular forms are also given.


Informal

An informal term is not likely to occur in formal, prepared speech or carefully edited writing except when used intentionally to convey a casual tone.


Dating the Entries; Americanisms
  Etymologies, Dating the Entries; Americanisms

The date appearing inside the square etymology brackets refers to the time when the entry word or phrase, or an older form of it, was first recorded in English.  Most dates are expressed as a spread of years, giving the time within which the earliest document containing the main entry word was written or published.

gold  [bef. 900; ME; OE;...]

higgledy-piggledy  [1590-1600;...]

magnetic star  [1975-80]

We believe that such a spread is more useful to the Dictionary's users than a specific date, since words do not necessarily enter the spoken language in the same year they are first written down.  In many cases a term may have existed in the spoken language long before it first appeared in texts and, in any event, earlier written evidence may exist that has not yet been discovered or reported.  Very old writings, especially those in Old and Middle English manuscripts, are difficult to date-often such manuscripts are copies or compilations of works composed at an unknown time.  We have necessarily taken the dates of such manuscripts-as best as this can be determined by scholars-to represent the dates of their contents.  For these reasons, older terms are given broader date ranges than more recent ones, and caution should be used in interpreting any entry's date.  The date refers only to a word's earliest known meaning, usually its primary or core definition, but sometimes to a long obsolete meaning or a sense of the term's immediate forerunner, as shown in the etymology.

Though most words cannot be dated precisely, many coinages can be.  Thus the date for a coined word will often appear as a single year, rather than as a date spread.

snark  [1876;...]

momism  [coined by U.S. author Philip Wylie...(1942)]

reggae  [...coined in the song "Do the Reggay" (1968)...]

Technical and scientific terms coined in another language and subsequently borrowed into English are also dated by the year of coinage, which is shown in parentheses following the language and foreign spelling (if there is one) of the word in its language of origin.

brontosaurus  [< NL (1879),...]

dopa  [< G Dopa (1917),...]

Dates are usually not given for entries that are names, as names of people and places, mythological figures, or trademarks; nor for such items as combining forms, inflected forms, most abbreviations, and spelling variants of dated words.  Words derived from such names and terms will, however, often be dated:

Prussian  [1555-65;...]

Wassermann test  [1910-15;...]

A few terms, especially those with recent dates, are known by the editors to have existed before the date of their earliest written evidence.  The dates for such words are preceded by the symbol [image], which should read as "probably earlier than."

Americanisms, terms first recorded in the U.S. or colonial America, are indicated by the label Amer. after the date.

craps  [1835-45, Amer.;...]


Etymology Key
  Etymologies, Symbols and Abbreviations, Etymology Key

	probably earlier than
<	descended from, borrowed from
<<	descended from, borrowed from through intermediate stages not shown
>	whence
?	origin unknown
*	unattested, reconstructed
abbr.	abbreviation
abl.	ablative
acc.	accusative
adj.	adjective, adjectival
adv.	adverb, adverbial
alter.	alteration
Amer.	Americanism
aph.	aphetic
appar.	apparently
assoc.	association
aug.	augmentative
b.	blend of, blended
c.	cognate with
cf.	compare
comb. form	combining form
comp.	comparative
contr.	contraction
d.	died
dat.	dative
deriv.	derivative
dial.	dialect, dialectal
dim.	diminutive
E	east, eastern
equiv.	equivalent
etym.	etymology, etymological
fem.	feminine
fig.	figurative
freq.	frequentative
fut.	future
gen.	genitive
ger.	gerund, gerundive
imit.	imitative
impv.	imperative
indic.	indicative
inf.	infinitive
intransit.	intransitive
irreg.	irregularly
lit.	literally
masc.	masculine
mod.	modern
N	north, northern
n.	noun, nominal
neut.	neuter
nom.	nominative
n.s.	noun stem
obl.	oblique
obs.	obsolete
orig.	origin, originally
pass.	passive
perh.	perhaps
pl.	plural
prep.	preposition
pres.	present
prob.	probably
pron.	pronunciation, pronounced
prp.	present participle
ptp.	past participle
r.	replacing
redupl.	reduplication
repr.	representing
resp.	respelling, respelled
S	south, southern
s.	stem
sing.	singular
sp.	spelling, spelled
subj.	subjunctive
superl.	superlative
syll.	syllable
trans.	translation
transit.	transitive
ult.	ultimately
uncert.	uncertain
v.	verb, verbal
var.	variant
voc.	vocative
v.s.	verb stem
W	west, western


Hint

If you are not sure of a word's spelling, check it in the Random House Unabridged Dictionary.


Disparaging

This usage label indicates that a term is used with disparaging intent, as to belittle a particular racial, religious, or social group.


Keyword

In Help, the word around which a definition search is conducted.


Sense Division
  Definitions, Sense Division

Order

Definitions within an entry are individually numbered in a single sequence that includes all parts of speech.  In each part of speech group, the most frequently encountered meanings generally come before less common ones.  Specialized senses follow those in the common vocabulary, and rare, archaic, or obsolete senses are listed last.  This order may be modified slightly when it is desirable to group related meanings together.

A numbered definition can be divided into lettered subsenses, as when they share a label.

bronze  (bronz), n., v.,  bronzed, bronz [image] ing, adj. -n. 1. Metall. a. any of various alloys consisting essentially of copper and tin, the tin content not exceeding 11 percent. b. any of various other alloys having a large copper content.  2. a metallic brownish color.  3. a work of art, as a statue, statuette, bust, or medal, composed of...

Variations in form

For some meanings, the entry word is used in a form that differs slightly, as in typeface or case, from the one shown as the headword.  An italicized label indicating the change-for example, (italics), (cap.), or (l.c.)-appears in parentheses at the beginning of the definition.

For meanings using a singular main entry in the plural form or vice versa, the changed form is spelled out at the beginning of the definition.

Od [image] ys [image] sey  (od' [image] s [image]), n., pl. -seys for 2.  1. (italics) an epic poem attributed to Homer, describing Odysseus's adventures in his ten-year attempt to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.  2. (often l.c.) a long series of wanderings or adventures, esp. when filled with notable experiences, hardships, etc. -Od'ys [image] se'an, adj.

heav [image] en  (hev' [image] n), n.  1. the abode of God, the angels, and the spirits of the righteous after death; the place or state of existence of the blessed after the mortal life. 2. (cap.) Often, Heavens. the celestial powers; God. 3. a metonym for God (used in expressions of emphasis, surprise, etc.): For heaven's sake! 4. heavens, a. (used interjectionally to express emphasis, surprise, etc.): Heavens, what a cold room! b. (used with a singular v.) a wooden roof or canopy over the outer stage of an Elizabethan theater. 5. Usually, heavens. the sky, firmament, or expanse of space surrounding the earth.

Grammatical information

Information is included with some nouns indicating whether they are normally used with singular or plural verbs.

gym [image] nas [image] tics  (jim nas'tiks), n. 1. (used with a plural v.) gymnastic exercises. 2. (used with a singular v.) the practice, art, or competitive sport of gymnastic exercises. 3. (used with a plural v.) mental feats or other exercises of skill: verbal gymnastics. [1645-55; see GYMNASTIC, -ICS]

Additional information indicating that for a given sense the entry word is sometimes followed or preceded by a specified word, as up or about, is shown in a parenthetical phrase at the beginning of the definition.

(plump), adj., -er, -est, v. -adj. 1. well filled out or rounded in form; somewhat fleshy or fat. -v.i. 2. to become plump (often fol. by up or out). -v.t. 3. to make plump (often fol. by up or out): to plump up the sofa pillows. [1475-85; earlier plompe dull, rude < MD plomp blunt, not pointed; c. MLG plump] -plump'ly, adv. -plump'ness, n.

If the specified word must always precede or follow the headword for a particular sense, the term is shown as an idiom.

(p [image] p), v.t. Slang. 1. to cause to become out of breath or fatigued; exhaust: Climbing that mountain pooped the whole group. 2. poop out, a. to cease from or fail in something, as from fear or exhaustion: When the time for action came, they all pooped out and went home instead. b. to break down; stop functioning: The heater has pooped out again. [1885-90; perh. to be identified with [image]]


Nonstandard

A nonstandard term is characteristic of the speech of persons with little education and is often regarded as a marker of low social status.


Idioms
  Definitions, Idioms

Idioms, expressions whose meanings are not predictable from the usual meanings of the constituent elements, are shown in boldface type under the main entry for one of the content words in the idiom.  When the idiom might feasibly be listed at either of two such words, it is fully defined at one of them and may be cross-referred to this definition at the other.

The part of speech under which an idiom is shown depends on the grammatical function of the main entry word in the idiom, and not on the grammatical function of the idiom in a sentence.  Thus at bag, the idiom in the bag would be listed under the noun definitions.

Idioms are listed in alphabetical order, after all the other definitions for the part of speech under which they appear.  Pronunciation and stress are not shown.  Note that a single idiom may have several subsenses.

bag  (bag), n., v., bagged, bag [image] ging, interj. -n. 1. a container or receptacle of leather, plastic, cloth, paper, etc., capable of being closed at the mouth; pouch....14. bags, a. Informal. plenty; much; many (usually fol. by of): bags of time; bags of money. b. Slang. trousers. 15. bag and baggage, a. with all one's personal property: When they went to collect the rent, they found he had left, bag and baggage. b. completely; totally: The equipment had disappeared, bag and baggage, without even the slightest trace. 16. bag of bones, an emaciated person or animal. 17. bag of tricks, a supply of expedient resources; stratagems: Maybe they will finally be honest with us, once, they've run through their bag of tricks. 18. hold the bag, Informal. to be forced to bear the entire blame, responsibility, or loss that was to have been shared: His accomplices flew to South America on news of the theft and left him holding the bag. 19. in the bag, Informal. virtually certain; assured; definite: Her promotion is in the bag. The sale of the house is in the bag. 20. old bag, Slang. an unattractive, often slatternly woman: a gossipy old bag. -v.i. 21. to swell or bulge: A swift breeze made the sails bag out. 22. to hang loosely like an empty bag: His socks bagged at the ankles. 23. to pack groceries or other items into a bag. -v.t. 24. to cause to swell or bulge; distend: The wind bagged the curtain. 25. to put into a bag. 26. Informal. to kill or catch, as in hunting: I bagged my first deer when I was a teenager. 27. Theat. clew (def. 10a.) 28. bag school, Slang. to be truant. Also, bag it. -interj. 29. bags! Brit. Slang (used to lay first claim to something): Bags it! Bags, I go first! [1200-50; 1920-25 for def. 20; ME bagge < ON baggi pack, bundle] -bag'like', adj.


Eye Dialect

This usage label is used for deliberate misspellings in literature that are calculated to convey a character's lack of education or habitual use of dialectal pronunciations, but that in fact represent perfectly standard pronunciations, often the only ones in use, as the one conveyed by wimmin, for women.


Offensive

This label indicates that the term so labeled is likely to be perceived as offensive by a listener or reader, whether or not any offense was intended.


Parts of Speech

Single-word entries are given italicized labels, preceding a definition or group of definitions, to show grammatical function.  Among the abbreviations used for the traditional parts of speech are n., pron., adj., adv., conj., prep., and interj., standing for noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, conjunction, preposition, and interjection, respectively.  The generalized abbreviation v. for verb is also used, as at the beginning of a group of verbal idiom definitions, or for verbal list words that are both transitive and intransitive, or for inflected forms, when transitivity or intransitivity is labeled at following definitions.  But most verb labels are specific: v.t. for transitive verbs and v.i. for those that are intransitive.  Other labels include n.pl. for plural nouns and Trademark for entries with names that are legally the property of the companies that have registered the terms.

If an entry word is used for more than one grammatical function, the appropriate part of speech label precedes each set of definitions shown for that part of speech.

ben [image] ze [image] noid  (ben'z [image] noid'), Chem. -adj. 1. of, pertaining to, or similar to benzene, esp. with respect to structure. -n. 2. any benzene compound. [1885-90; BENZENE + -OID]

Note that benzenoid can be an adjective (definition 1) or a noun (definition 2).


Literary

An entry term with this usage label is used rarely in contemporary speech or writing except to create a literary, poetic, evocative effect.


Cross References
  Definitions, Cross References

Abbreviations, symbols, etc.

Some abbreviations, symbols, acronyms, etc., are simply defined with their full, expanded forms.  Some of these full forms may be sufficient to define the entries, but others are themselves shown as main entries, with more extensive definitions.  Some of these definitions may in turn show the abbreviated form.  Entries for chemical elements also show atomic number, atomic weight, etc.

Hidden entries

A hidden entry is enclosed in parentheses and shown in boldface within the text of a broader entry, where its definition is made clear.  A main entry for an item thus defined refers the user to the broader entry with the instruction to "See under" (the broader entry).

jun'gle fowl',  any of the several East Indian, gallinaceous birds of the genus Gallus, as G. gallus (red jungle fowl), believed to be the ancestor of the domestic fowl. [1815-25]

red' jun'gle fowl'.  See under jungle fowl.

Comparisons

A "Cf." at the end of a definition, preceding one or more terms in boldface type, indicates that a user can compare the information in that definition with related information at the entries for the cross-referenced terms.

Similar cross references are used to pinpoint more specific relationships between definitions.  For example, one term may be opposed to, contrasted with, or distinguished from another.  These cross references are enclosed in parentheses at the end of a definition, with the entry referred to shown in italics.

elec'tromagnet'ic field',  Elect. the coupled electric and magnetic fields that are generated by time-varying currents and accelerated charges. Cf. Maxwell's field equations.

in [image] tra vi [image] res  (in'tr [image] v [image] 'r [image] z), Law.  within the legal power or authority of an individual or corporation (opposed to ultra vires). [1875-80; < L [image] within the powers]


Obs. (Obsolete)

Obsolete terms have not been in widespread use since about 1750.  They may be encountered in literature written before this time.


Older Use

A term with this usage label, though commonly used in the early part of the 20th century, is now primarily heard among older members of the population.  Examples are certain slang terms from the 1920's or 1930's.


Pron. Spelling

Terms with this label, which stands for Pronunciation Spelling, differ from those labeled "Eye Dialect" in that they are not intended to convey a lack of education, but merely continuous, especially rapid, speech.  The label is used for such forms as gonna going to (followed by a verb) and lemme let me, and the pronunciations they reflect, while not the only ones possible, are used by speakers at all educational and social levels, on formal as well as informal occasions.


Parts of Speech

Parts of Speech

Inflected Forms


Inflected Forms
  Parts of Speech, Inflected Forms

Inflected forms, as plurals for nouns or past tense and past participle forms for verbs, are available for use by speakers of English whether or not they are shown explicitly at their entries in the Dictionary.  Thus hats is implied for hat, looked for look, etc.  These are regular forms and would not be shown.  The Dictionary shows inflected forms primarily for entry words that form their inflections irregularly, although some regular forms are also given.

Nouns

Plurals are shown only for count nouns, like city and key, that refer to things that are countable.  They are not shown for mass nouns, like atrophy, since one would refer to the atrophy, not atrophies, of several persons or things.  The following kinds of nouns and noun phrases show plurals: (1) nouns ending in a final -y that changes to -ies when the plural is formed, as blasphemy: blasphemies; (2) nouns ending in -ey, whether the plural is -s or -ies, as monkey: monkeys and money: moneys or monies; (3) nouns with plurals that are not native English formations, as alumna: alumnae and alumnus: alumni; (4) nouns with a zero plural, that is, with a plural identical to the singular, as Chinese: Chinese and sheep: sheep; (5) nouns changing their spelling internally to form the plural, as louse: lice; and (6) noun phrases or compounds, when the user might not be sure which element is to be pluralized, as mother-in-law: mothers-in-law, spoonful: spoonfuls, and solicitor general: solicitors general.

Plurals are also shown for (7) all nouns ending in -o, -ful, or -us; (8) nouns ending in elements that usually form their plurals in a different way, like -goose (mongoose: mongooses); and (9) nouns with plurals that require information about their pronunciation, as when the voiceless (s) in house becomes the voiced (z) in houses.

All plurals, regular and irregular, are shown whenever a term can have more than one plural, and Latin names of constellations show the genitive form, as used in naming stars.

(bas), n., pl. (esp. collectively)  bass, (esp. referring to two or more kinds or species) bass [image] es.  1. any of numerous edible, spiny-finned, freshwater or marine fishes of the families Serranidae and Centrarchidae. 2. (originally) the European perch, Perca fluviatilis. [1375-1425; late ME bas, earlier bærs, OE bærs (with loss of r before s as in [image], PASSEL, etc.); D baars, G Barsh, OSw aghboore]

O [image] ri [image] on  ( [image] r [image] ' [image] n),  n., gen. Or [image] i [image] o [image] nis ( [image] r' [image] [image] 'nis, or'-, [image] r [image] ' [image] nis) for 2. 1. Class. Myth. a giant hunter who pursued the Pleiades, was eventually slain by Artemis, and was then placed in the sky as a constellation. 2. Astron. the Hunter, a constellation lying on the celestial equator between Canis Major and Taurus, containing the bright stars Betelgeuse and Rigel.

Pronouns

The entire paradigm of inflections is shown at nominative pronouns.

I  ( [image]), pron., nom.  I, poss. my or mine, obj. me; pl. nom. we, poss. our or ours, obj. us; n., pl. I's. -pron. 1. the nominative singular pronoun, used by a speaker in referring to himself or herself.

Verbs

Past and past participle forms are shown especially for the following: (1) verbs ending in -e, as examine: examined, examining, since the final -e is dropped before endings are added; (2) verbs ending in -y, as deny: denied, denying, in which y changes to -i before -ed; (3) verbs doubling the consonant before adding inflectional endings, as tap: tapped, tapping; and (4) verbs forming the past or past participle other than by adding -ed or -d, as went for go, or broke for break.

Adjectives and adverbs

All adjectives and adverbs that form the comparison and superlative by adding the suffixes -er and -est will show these inflections.  Examples are green: greener, greenest and classy: classier, classiest.

On the other hand, many polysyllabic adjectives and adverbs can be compared only with more and most, as the adjective familiar, and certain adjectives and adverbs are considered to have absolute senses that do not admit of comparison.  These two groups will not show inflections.


Rare

This usage label indicates terms that, while not obsolete or archaic, are simply not often found in contemporary idiom.


Vulgar

Vulgar terms are considered inappropriate in many circumstances because of their associations with a taboo subject.  Major taboo subjects in English-speaking cultures are sex and excretion and the parts of the body associated with those functions.


Slang

Often metaphorical, slang terms may be vivid, playful, and elliptical.  Much slang is ephemeral, becoming dated in a relatively short time, but some slang terms find their way into the standard language.  Slang terms are used in formal speech and writing only for special effect.


End-of-Entry Notes

Many entries feature additional information, which cannot be covered by definitions and labels alone, concerning subtleties of sense distinction and usage, and the geographical distribution of variant forms.  This information is contained in labeled notes and appears at the end of an entry, following the etymology and any derived, run-on forms.

Synonym Lists and Studies

Antonym Lists

Usage Notes

Pronunciation Notes

Regional Variation Notes


Synonym Lists and Studies

Synonym lists and studies are preceded by -Syn. and may be keyed to particular definitions by number.  The lists are general in nature, and the user is advised to check the entries of individual synonyms for their precise meanings.  The studies compare several terms that are closely related in meaning by describing and clarifying discriminations of a more detailed nature.


Antonym Lists

Antonym lists are preceded by -Ant.  These lists are brief, guiding the user to the entries of antonyms where a fuller treatment may be found.


Usage Notes

Preceded by -Usage, these notes describe many of the disputed or problematic issues in grammar and usage, and they are intended to reflect the actual practice of speakers and writers of English at various levels of formality and in various contexts, as well as the opinions of those who, on the basis of their training and experience, have been recognized as authorities in such matters, especially teachers and editors.


Pronunciation Notes

These notes, preceded by -Pronunciation, discuss the regional distribution, acceptability, or history of various pronunciations of the entry word.


Regional Variation Notes

These notes constitute brief dialect studies that discuss different regional terms for the same item or different regional forms of the same word.  They are preceded by -Regional Variation.  Where relevant, cross references are given to other entries that treat regional variation.


Language Abbreviations

AF	Anglo-French
Afr	African
Afrik	Afrikaans
AL	Anglo-Latin
Amer	American
AmerInd	American Indian
AmerSp	American Spanish
Ar	Arabic
Aram	Aramaic
Austral	Australian
Bulg	Bulgarian
CanF	Canadian French
Celt	Celtic
Chin	Chinese
D	Dutch
Dan	Danish
E	English
EGmc	East Germanic
F	French
Fris	Frisian
G	German
Gallo-Rom	Gallo-Romance
Gk	Greek
Gmc	Germanic
Goth	Gothic
Heb	Hebrew
Icel	Icelandic
IE	Indo-European
Ir	Irish
It	Italian
Japn	Japanese
Kor	Korean
L	Latin
LaF	Louisiana French
LG	Low German
LGk	Late Greek
Lith	Lithuanian
LL	Late Latin
MChin	Middle Chinese
MD	Middle Dutch
ME	Middle English
MexSp	Mexican Spanish
MF	Middle French
MGk	Medieval Greek
MHG	Middle High German
MIr	Middle Irish
ML	Medieval Latin
MLG	Middle Low German
ModGk	Modern Greek
ModHeb	Modern Hebrew
MPers	Middle Persian
NL	Neo-Latin
Norw	Norwegian
OCS	Old Church Slavonic
ODan	Old Danish
OE	Old English
OF	Old French
OFris	Old Frisian
OHG	Old High German
OIr	Old Irish
OIt	Old Italian
OL	Old Latin
ON	Old Norse
ONF	Old North French
OPers	Old Persian
OPr	Old Provençal
OPruss	Old Prussian
ORuss	Old Russian
OS	Old Saxon
OSp	Old Spanish
OSw	Old Swedish
PaG	Pennsylvania German
Pers	Persian
Pg	Portuguese
Pol	Polish
Pr	Provençal
Rom	Romance
Rum	Rumanian
Russ	Russian
Scand	Scandinavian
Scot	Scottish
ScotGael	Scots Gaelic
Sem	Semitic
Skt	Sanskrit
Slav	Slavic
Sp	Spanish
SpAr	Spanish Arabic
Sw	Swedish
SwissF	Swiss French
Turk	Turkish
VL	Vulgar Latin
WAfr	West African
WGmc	West Germanic
See Also

Abbreviations Used in the Definitions


Wildcard

A search feature in this dictionary that allows you to represent a single letter or a series of letters in a search pattern by substituting the wildcard characters ? or *.


Pronunciation Key

Stress. The symbol ('), as in mother (mu [image] ' [image] r), and red' wine', marks primary stress; any syllable immediately followed by (') is pronounced with greater emphasis than syllables not marked (').  The symbol ('), as used following the second syllables of grandmother (grand'mu [image] ' [image] r), and ice' wa'ter, marks secondary stress; a syllable marked for secondary stress is pronounced with less emphasis than one marked (') but with more than those bearing no stress mark.

a	act, bat, marry

age, paid, say

â(r)	air, dare, Mary

ah, part, balm

b	back, cabin, cab

ch	child, teacher, beach

d	do, madder, bed

e	edge, set, merry

equal, seat, bee, mighty

ear, mere

f	fit, differ, puff

g 	give, trigger, beg

h	hit, behave, hear

hw	which, nowhere

i	if, big, mirror, furniture

ice, bite, pirate, deny

j	just, tragic, fudge

k	keep, token, make

l	low, mellow, all, bottle (bot'l)

m	my, summer, him

n	now, sinner, on, button (but'n)

ng	sing, Washington

o	ox, bomb, wasp

over, boat, no

order, ball, raw

oi	oil, joint, joy

book, tour

ooze, fool, too

ou	out, loud, cow

p	pot, supper, stop

r	read, hurry, near

s	see, passing, miss

sh	shoe, fashion, push

t	ten, matter, bit

th	thin, ether, path

that, either, smooth

u	up, sun

û(r)	urge, burn, cur

v	voice, river, live

w	witch, away

y	yes, onion

z	zoo, lazy, those

zh	treasure, mirage

occurs in unaccented syllables to indicate the sound of the reduced vowel in alone, system, easily, gallop, circus

occurs between [image] and r and between ou and r to show triphthongal quality, as in fire (fi [image] e), hour (ou [image] r)

Foreign Sounds

as in French ami ( [image] -m [image] ') [a vowel intermediate in quality between the a of cat and the ä of calm, but closer to the former]

as in Scottish loch (lô [image]); German ach (ä [image]) or ich (i [image]) [a consonant made by bringing the tongue into the position for k as in coo or k as in key, while pronouncing a strong, rasping h]

as in French bon (bô [image]) [used to indicate that the preceding vowel is nasalized.  Four such vowels are found in French: un bon vin blanc ( [image] [image] bô [image] va [image] blä [image])]

as in French feu (f [image]); German schön (sh [image] n) [a vowel made with the lips rounded in the position for [image] as in over, while trying to say [image] as in able]

as in French rouge ( [image] [image] zh); German rot ( [image] [image] t); Italian mare (mä' [image] e); Spanish pero (pe' [image] ô) [a symbol for any non-English r, including a trill or flap in Italian and Spanish and a sound in French and German similar to [image] but pronounced with voice]

as in French tu (t [image]); German über ( [image] 'b [image] [image]) [a vowel made with the lips rounded in position for [image] as in ooze, while trying to say [image] as in east]

as in French Bastogne (b [image] stôn'y [image]) [a faint prolongation of the preceding voiced consonant or glide]


Usage Labels

Labels of Place

Labels of Time

Labels of Style

See Also

Field Labels


Field Labels

Some entries or individual definitions are restricted in use to one particular subject field, like history, or to two related fields, like chemistry and physics.  These entries and definitions are appropriately labeled throughout the Dictionary.  Often, however, the content of the definition will make the scope of its use sufficiently clear without overt labeling.

See Also

Usage Labels


Labels of Place

Entries or definitions that are limited in use to a particular geographical location are given regional labels, like Canadian, Chiefly Brit., or South Midland U.S.  Entries not so labeled are considered to be in general use throughout the U.S.  A few terms, especially those with a somewhat rural flavor, like agin or opry, are too widespread to warrant specific regional label.  These are labeled Dial.


Labels of Time

Not all entries and definitions are equally current.  To help the user of the Dictionary discriminate between terms in contemporary use and terms of historical interest, the following labels are used:

Obs.

Obsolete terms have not been in widespread use since about 1750.  They may be encountered in literature written before this time.

Archaic

Entries or definitions now archaic were current roughly to 1900, but now are employed only as conscious archaisms.

Rare

This label indicates terms that, while not obsolete or archaic, are simply not often found in the contemporary idiom.

Older Use

A term with this label, though commonly used in the early part of the 20th century, is now primarily heard among older members of the population.  Examples are certain slang terms from the 1920's and 1930's.


Labels of Style

Entries that are not used freely as part of the standard vocabulary are given stylistic or status labels so that the user can make useful judgments about the setting in which a term might be appropriate, the kind of speaker who might use it, the kind of communication intended, and the likely effect on the listener or reader.  The following stylistic labels are used in this Dictionary:

Informal

An informal term is not likely to occur in formal, prepared speech or carefully edited writing except when used intentionally to convey a casual tone.

Nonstandard

A nonstandard term is characteristic of the speech of persons with little education and is often regarded as a marker of low social status.

Slang

Often metaphorical, slang terms may be vivid, playful, and elliptical.  Much slang is ephemeral, becoming dated in a relatively short period of time, but some slang terms find their way into the standard language.  Slang terms are used in formal speech and writing only for special effect.

Vulgar

Vulgar terms are considered inappropriate in many circumstances because of their association with a taboo subject.  Major taboo subjects in English-speaking cultures are sex and excretion and the parts of the body associated with those functions.

Disparaging

This label indicates that a term is used with disparaging intent, as to belittle a particular racial, religious, or social group.

Offensive

This label indicates that the term so labeled is likely to be perceived as offensive by a listener or reader, whether or not any offense was intended.

Facetious

A term may be labeled "Facetious" if it is used consciously for humorous or playful effect.

Baby Talk

A term with this label is thought to be used by small children and is therefore used by adults in imitation of a child, as in speaking to babies, young children, sweethearts, or pets.

Literary

An entry term with this label is used rarely in contemporary speech or writing except to create a literary, poetic, evocative effect.

Eye Dialect

This label is used for deliberate misspellings in literature that are calculated to convey a character's lack of education or habitual use of dialectal pronunciations, but that in fact represent perfectly standard pronunciations, often the only ones in use, as the one conveyed by wimmin, for women.

Pron. Spelling

Terms with this label, which stands for "Pronunciation Spelling," differ from those labeled "Eye Dialect" in that they are not intended to convey a lack of education, but merely continuous, especially rapid, speech.  The label is used for such forms as gonna going to (followed by a verb) and lemme let me, and the pronunciations they reflect, while not the only ones possible, are used by speakers at all educational and social levels, on formal as well as informal occasions.


Etymologies

Etymologies in this Dictionary appear in square brackets after the definitions or, when they occur, after the variant spellings of the entry word.

Symbols and Abbreviations

Etymology Key

Parentheses

Language Labels

Typefaces

Special Types of Etymologies

Dating the Entries; Americanisms


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See Also

Sound Option


 Sound Option

Purpose

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Steps

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See Also

Illustration Option


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