English language - Dictionaries G...Oxford English ReferenceBritish Library Cataloguing Data The concise Oxford dictionary of current English.--8th ed. 1. English language--Dictionaries I. Allen, R. E. (Robert Edward), 1944-423 ISBN 0-19-861243-5 thumb index ISBN 0-19-861200-1 plain 1.0 G... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- G(1) n. (also g) (pl. Gs or G's) 1 the seventh letter of the alphabet. 2 Mus. the fifth note in the diatonic scale of C major. G(2) abbr. (also G.) 1 gauss. 2 giga-. 3 gravitational constant. 4 US sl. = GRAND n. 2. g abbr. (also g.) 1 gelding. 2 gram(s). 3 a gravity. b acceleration due to gravity. 2.0 GA... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GA abbr. US Georgia (in official postal use). Ga symb. Chem. the element gallium. Ga. abbr. Georgia (US). gab n. colloq. talk, chatter, twaddle. Ьgift of the gab the facility of speaking eloquently or profusely. ЬЬgabber n. [17th-c. var. of GOB(1)] gabardine n. (also gaberdine) 1 a smooth durable twill-woven cloth esp. of worsted or cotton. 2 a garment made of this, esp. a raincoat. [var. of GABERDINE] gabble v. & n. --v. 1 intr. a talk volubly or inarticulately. b read aloud too fast. 2 tr. utter too fast, esp. in reading aloud. --n. fast unintelligible talk. ЬЬgabbler n. [MDu. gabbelen (imit.)] gabbro n. (pl. -os) a dark granular plutonic rock of crystalline texture. ЬЬgabbroic adj. gabbroid adv. [It. f. Gabbro in Tuscany] gabby adj. (gabbier, gabbiest) colloq. talkative. [GAB + -Y(1)] gaberdine n. 1 var. of GABARDINE. 2 hist. a loose long upper garment worn esp. by Jews and almsmen. [OF gauvardine perh. f. MHG wallevart pilgrimage] gabion n. a cylindrical wicker or metal basket for filling with earth or stones, used in engineering or (formerly) in fortification. ЬЬgabionage n. [F f. It. gabbione f. gabbia CAGE] gable n. 1 a the triangular upper part of a wall at the end of a ridged roof. b (in full gable-end) a gable-topped wall. 2 a gable-shaped canopy over a window or door. ЬЬgabled adj. (also in comb.). [ME gable f. ON gafl] gad(1) v. & n. --v.intr. (gadded, gadding) (foll. by about, abroad, around) go about idly or in search of pleasure. --n. idle wandering or adventure (esp. in on the gad). [back-form. f. obs. gadling companion f. OE g‘deling f. g‘d fellowship] gad(2) int. (also by gad) an expression of surprise or emphatic assertion. [= God] gadabout n. a person who gads about; an idle pleasure-seeker. Gadarene adj. involving or engaged in headlong or suicidal rush or flight. [LL Gadarenus f. Gk Gadarenos of Gadara in anc. Palestine, with ref. to Matthew 8:28-32] gadfly n. (pl. -flies) 1 a cattle-biting fly, esp. a warble fly, horsefly, or bot-fly. 2 an irritating or harassing person. [obs. gad goad, spike f. ON gaddr, rel. to YARD(1)] gadget n. any small and usu. ingenious mechanical device or tool. ЬЬgadgeteer n. gadgetry n. gadgety adj. [19th-c. Naut.: orig. unkn.] gadoid n. & adj. --n. any marine fish of the cod family Gadidae, including haddock and whiting. --adj. belonging to or resembling the Gadidae. [mod.L gadus f. Gk gados cod + -OID] gadolinite n. a dark crystalline mineral consisting of ferrous silicate of beryllium. [J. Gadolin, Finnish mineralogist d. 1852] gadolinium n. Chem. a soft silvery metallic element of the lanthanoid series, occurring naturally in gadolinite. °Symb.: Gd. [mod.L f. GADOLINITE] gadroon n. a decoration on silverware etc., consisting of convex curves in a series forming an ornamental edge like inverted fluting. [F godron: cf. goder pucker] gadwall n. a brownish-grey freshwater duck, Anas strepera. [17th c.: orig. unkn.] gadzooks int. archaic an expression of asseveration etc. [GAD(2) + zooks of unkn. orig.] Gael n. 1 a Scottish Celt. 2 a Gaelic-speaking Celt. ЬЬGaeldom n. [Gael. Gaidheal] Gaelic n. & adj. --n. any of the Celtic languages spoken in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. --adj. of or relating to the Celts or the Celtic languages. Gaeltacht n. any of the regions in Ireland where the vernacular language is Irish. [Ir.] gaff(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a stick with an iron hook for landing large fish. b a barbed fishing-spear. 2 a spar to which the head of a fore-and-aft sail is bent. --v.tr. seize (a fish) with a gaff. [ME f. Prov. gaf hook] gaff(2) n. Brit. sl. Ьblow the gaff let out a plot or secret. [19th c., = nonsense: orig. unkn.] gaffe n. a blunder; an indiscreet act or remark. [F] gaffer n. 1 an old fellow; an elderly rustic. 2 Brit. colloq. a foreman or boss. 3 colloq. the chief electrician in a film or television production unit. [prob. contr. of GODFATHER] gag n. & v. --n. 1 a piece of cloth etc. thrust into or held over the mouth to prevent speaking or crying out, or to hold it open in surgery. 2 a joke or comic scene in a play, film, etc., or as part of a comedian's act. 3 an actor's interpolation in a dramatic dialogue. 4 a thing or circumstance restricting free speech. 5 a a joke or hoax. b a humorous action or situation. 6 an imposture or deception. 7 Parl. a closure or guillotine. --v. (gagged, gagging) 1 tr. apply a gag to. 2 tr. silence; deprive of free speech. 3 tr. apply a gag-bit to (a horse). 4 a intr. choke or retch. b tr. cause to do this. 5 intr. Theatr. make gags. Ьgag-bit a specially powerful bit for horse-breaking. gag man a deviser or performer of theatrical gags. [ME, orig. as verb: orig. uncert.] gaga adj. sl. 1 senile. 2 fatuous; slightly crazy. [F, = senile] gage(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a pledge; a thing deposited as security. 2 a a challenge to fight. b a symbol of this, esp. a glove thrown down. --v.tr. archaic stake, pledge; offer as a guarantee. [ME f. OF gage (n.), F gager (v.) ult. f. Gmc, rel. to WED] gage(2) US var. of GAUGE. gage(3) n. = GREENGAGE. [abbr.] gaggle n. & v. --n. 1 a flock of geese. 2 colloq. a disorderly group of people. --v.intr. (of geese) cackle. [ME, imit.: cf. gabble, cackle] gagster n. = gag man. gaiety n. (US gayety) 1 the state of being light-hearted or merry; mirth. 2 merrymaking, amusement. 3 a bright appearance. Ьgaiety of nations the cheerfulness or pleasure of numerous people. [F gaiet‚ (as GAY)] gaillardia n. any composite plant of the genus Gaillardia, with showy flowers. [mod.L f. Gaillard de Marentoneau, 18th-c. Fr. botanist] gaily adv. 1 in a gay or light-hearted manner. 2 with a bright or colourful appearance. gain v. & n. --v. 1 tr. obtain or secure (usu. something desired or favourable) (gain an advantage; gain recognition). 2 tr. acquire (a sum) as profits or as a result of changed conditions; earn. 3 tr. obtain as an increment or addition (gain momentum; gain weight). 4 tr. a win (a victory). b reclaim (land from the sea). 5 intr. (foll. by in) make a specified advance or improvement (gained in stature). 6 intr. & tr. (of a clock etc.) become fast, or be fast by (a specified amount of time). 7 intr. (often foll. by on, upon) come closer to a person or thing pursued. 8 tr. a bring over to one's interest or views. b (foll. by over) win by persuasion etc. 9 tr. reach or arrive at (a desired place). --n. 1 something gained, achieved, etc. 2 an increase of possessions etc.; a profit, advance, or improvement. 3 the acquisition of wealth. 4 (in pl.) sums of money acquired by trade etc., emoluments, winnings. 5 an increase in amount. 6 Electronics a the factor by which power etc. is increased. b the logarithm of this. Ьgain ground see GROUND(1). gain time improve one's chances by causing or accepting delay. ЬЬgainable adj. gainer n. gainings n.pl. [OF gaigner, gaaignier to till, acquire, ult. f. Gmc] gainful adj. 1 (of employment) paid. 2 lucrative, remunerative. ЬЬgainfully adv. gainfulness n. gainsay v.tr. (past and past part. gainsaid) archaic or literary deny, contradict. ЬЬgainsayer n. [ME f. obs. gain- against f. ON gegn straight f. Gmc + SAY] 'gainst prep. poet. = AGAINST. [abbr.] gait n. 1 a manner of walking; one's bearing or carriage as one walks. 2 the manner of forward motion of a runner, horse, vehicle, etc. Ьgo one's (or one's own) gait pursue one's own course. [var. of GATE(2)] gaiter n. a covering of cloth, leather, etc. for the leg below the knee, for the ankle, for part of a machine, etc. ЬЬgaitered adj. [F gu€tre, prob. rel. to WRIST] Gal. abbr. Galatians (New Testament). gal(1) n. sl. a girl. [repr. var. pronunc.] gal(2) n. Physics a unit of acceleration for a gravitational field, equal to one centimetre per second per second. [Galileo: see GALILEAN(1)] gal. abbr. gallon(s). gala n. 1 a festive occasion. 2 Brit. a festive gathering for sports, esp. swimming. [F or It. f. Sp. f. OF gale rejoicing f. Gmc] galactagogue adj. & n. --adj. inducing a flow of milk. --n. a galactagogue substance. [Gk gala galaktos milk, + agogos leading] galactic adj. of or relating to a galaxy or galaxies, esp. the Galaxy. [Gk galaktias, var. of galaxias: see GALAXY] galago n. (pl. -os) any small tree-climbing primate of the genus Galago, found in southern Africa, with large eyes and ears and a long tail. Also called bush-baby. [mod.L] galah n. Austral. 1 a small rose-breasted grey-backed cockatoo, Cacatua roseicapilla. 2 sl. a fool or simpleton. [Aboriginal] Galahad n. a person characterized by nobility, integrity, courtesy, etc. [name of a knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend] galantine n. white meat or fish boned, cooked, pressed, and served cold in aspic etc. [ME f. OF, alt. f. galatine jellied meat f. med.L galatina] galaxy n. (pl. -ies) 1 any of many independent systems of stars, gas, dust, etc., held together by gravitational attraction. 2 (the Galaxy) the galaxy of which the solar system is a part. 3 (the Galaxy) the irregular luminous band of stars indistinguishable to the naked eye encircling the heavens, the Milky Way. 4 (foll. by of) a brilliant company or gathering. [ME f. OF galaxie f. med.L galaxia, LL galaxias f. Gk f. gala galaktos milk] galbanum n. a bitter aromatic gum resin produced from kinds of ferula. [ME f. L f. Gk khalbane, prob. of Semitic orig.] gale(1) n. 1 a very strong wind, esp. (on the Beaufort scale) one of 32-54 m.p.h. 2 Naut. a storm. 3 an outburst, esp. of laughter. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] gale(2) n. (in full sweet-gale) bog myrtle. [OE gagel(le), MDu. gaghel] galea n. (pl. galeae or -as) Bot. & Zool. a structure like a helmet in shape, form, or function. ЬЬgaleate adj. galeated adj. [L, = helmet] galena n. a bluish, grey or black mineral ore of lead sulphide. °Chem. formula: PbS. [L, = lead ore (in a partly purified state)] galenic adj. & n. (also galenical) --adj. 1 of or relating to Galen, a Greek physician of the 2nd c. AD, or his methods. 2 made of natural as opposed to synthetic components. --n. a drug or medicament produced directly from animal or vegetable tissues. galenical var. of GALENIC. Galilean(1) adj. of or relating to Galileo, Italian astronomer d. 1642, or his methods. Galilean(2) adj. & n. --adj. 1 of Galilee in Palestine. 2 Christian. --n. 1 a native of Galilee. 2 a Christian. 3 (prec. by the) derog. Christ. galingale n. 1 an aromatic rhizome of an E. Asian plant of the genus Alpinia, formerly used in cookery and medicine. 2 (in full English galingale) a sedge (Cyperus longus) having a root with similar properties. [OE gallengar OF galingal f. Arab. kalanjan f. Chin. ge-liang-jiang mild ginger from Ge in Canton] galiot var. of GALLIOT. galipot n. a hardened deposit of resin formed on the stem of the cluster pine. [F: orig. unkn.] gall(1) n. 1 sl. impudence. 2 asperity, rancour. 3 bitterness; anything bitter (gall and wormwood). 4 the bile of animals. 5 the gall-bladder and its contents. Ьgall-bladder the vessel storing bile after its secretion by the liver and before release into the intestine. [ON, corresp. to OE gealla, f. Gmc] gall(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a sore on the skin made by chafing. 2 a mental soreness or vexation. b a cause of this. 3 a place rubbed bare. --v.tr. 1 rub sore; injure by rubbing. 2 vex, annoy, humiliate. ЬЬgallingly adv. [ME f. LG or Du. galle, corresp. to OE gealla sore on a horse] gall(3) n. 1 a growth produced by insects or fungus etc. on plants and trees, esp. on oak. 2 (attrib.) of insects producing galls (gall-fly). [ME f. OF galle f. L galla] gall. abbr. gallon(s). gallant adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 brave, chivalrous. 2 a (of a ship, horse, etc.) grand, fine, stately. b archaic finely dressed. 3 a markedly attentive to women. b concerned with sexual love; amatory. --n. 1 a ladies' man; a lover or paramour. 2 archaic a man of fashion; a fine gentleman. --v. 1 tr. flirt with. 2 tr. escort; act as a cavalier to (a lady). 3 intr. a play the gallant. b (foll. by with) flirt. ЬЬgallantly adv. [ME f. OF galant part. of galer make merry] gallantry n. (pl. -ies) 1 bravery; dashing courage. 2 courtliness; devotion to women. 3 a polite act or speech. 4 the conduct of a gallant; sexual intrigue; immorality. [F galanterie (as GALLANT)] galleon n. hist. 1 a ship of war (usu. Spanish). 2 a large Spanish ship used in American trade. 3 a vessel shorter and higher than a galley. [MDu. galjoen f. F galion f. galie galley, or f. Sp. galeўn] gallery n. (pl. -ies) 1 a room or building for showing works of art. 2 a balcony, esp. a platform projecting from the inner wall of a church, hall, etc., providing extra room for spectators etc. or reserved for musicians etc. (minstrels' gallery). 3 a the highest balcony in a theatre. b its occupants. 4 a a covered space for walking in, partly open at the side; a portico or colonnade. b a long narrow passage in the thickness of a wall or supported on corbels, open towards the interior of the building. 5 a long narrow room, passage, or corridor. 6 Mil. & Mining a horizontal underground passage. 7 a group of spectators at a golf-match etc. Ьplay to the gallery seek to win approval by appealing to popular taste. ЬЬgalleried adj. [F galerie f. It. galleria f. med.L galeria] galleryite n. a person occupying a seat in a gallery; a playgoer. galley n. (pl. -eys) 1 hist. a a low flat single-decked vessel using sails and oars, and usu. rowed by slaves or criminals. b an ancient Greek or Roman warship with one or more banks of oars. c a large open rowing-boat, e.g. that used by the captain of a man-of-war. 2 a ship's or aircraft's kitchen. 3 Printing a an oblong tray for set type. b the corresponding part of a composing-machine. c (in full galley proof) a proof in the form of long single-column strips from type in a galley, not in sheets or pages. Ьgalley-slave 1 hist. a person condemned to row in a galley. 2 a drudge. [ME f. OF galie f. med.L galea, med.Gk galaia] galliard n. hist. 1 a lively dance usu. in triple time for two persons. 2 the music for this. [ME f. OF gaillard valiant] Gallic adj. 1 French or typically French. 2 of the Gauls; Gaulish. ЬЬGallicize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). [L Gallicus f. Gallus a Gaul] gallic acid n. Chem. an acid extracted from gallnuts etc., formerly used in making ink. [F gallique f. galle GALL(3)] gallice adv. in French. [L, = in Gaulish] Gallicism n. a French idiom, esp. one adopted in another language. [F gallicisme (as GALLIC)] galligaskins n.pl. hist. or joc. breeches, trousers. [orig. wide hose of the 16th-17th c., f. obs. F garguesque for greguesque f. It. grechesca fem. of grechesco Greek] gallimaufry n. (pl. -ies) a heterogeneous mixture; a jumble or medley. [F galimafr‚e, of unkn. orig.] gallinaceous adj. of or relating to the order Galliformes, which includes domestic poultry, pheasants, partridges, etc. [L gallinaceus f. gallina hen f. gallus cock] gallinule n. 1 a moorhen. 2 any of various similar birds of the genus Porphyrula or Porphyrio. [mod.L gallinula, dimin. of L gallina hen f. gallus cock] galliot n. (also galiot) 1 a Dutch cargo-boat or fishing-vessel. 2 a small (usu. Mediterranean) galley. [ME f. OF galiote f. It. galeotta f. med.L galea galley] gallipot n. a small pot of earthenware, metal, etc., used for ointments etc. [prob. GALLEY + POT(1), because brought in galleys from the Mediterranean] gallium n. Chem. a soft bluish-white metallic element occurring naturally in zinc blende, bauxite, and kaolin. °Symb.: Ga. [mod.L f. L Gallia France (so named patriotically by its discoverer Lecoq de Boisbaudran d. 1912)] gallivant v.intr. colloq. 1 gad about. 2 flirt. [orig. uncert.] galliwasp n. a W. Indian lizard, Diploglossus monotropis. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] gallnut n. = GALL(3). Gallo- comb. form 1 French; French and. 2 Gaul (Gallo-Roman). [L Gallus a Gaul] gallon n. 1 a (in full imperial gallon) Brit. a measure of capacity equal to eight pints and equivalent to 4546 cc, used for liquids and corn etc. b US a measure of capacity equivalent to 3785 cc, used for liquids. 2 (usu. in pl.) colloq. a large amount. ЬЬgallonage n. [ME f. ONF galon, OF jalon, f. base of med.L galleta, galletum, perh. of Celtic orig.] galloon n. a narrow close-woven braid of gold, silver, silk, cotton, nylon, etc., for binding dresses etc. [F galon f. galonner trim with braid, of unkn. orig.] gallop n. & v. --n. 1 the fastest pace of a horse or other quadruped, with all the feet off the ground together in each stride. 2 a ride at this pace. 3 a track or ground for this. --v. (galloped, galloping) 1 a intr. (of a horse etc. or its rider) go at the pace of a gallop. b tr. make (a horse etc.) gallop. 2 intr. (foll. by through, over) read, recite, or talk at great speed. 3 intr. move or progress rapidly (galloping inflation). Ьat a gallop at the pace of a gallop. ЬЬgalloper n. [OF galop, galoper: see WALLOP] galloway n. 1 an animal of a breed of hornless black beef cattle from Galloway in SW Scotland. 2 this breed. gallows n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) 1 a structure, usu. of two uprights and a crosspiece, for the hanging of criminals. 2 (prec. by the) execution by hanging. Ьgallows humour grim and ironical humour. [ME f. ON g lgi] gallstone n. a small hard mass forming in the gall-bladder. Gallup poll n. an assessment of public opinion by questioning a representative sample, esp. as the basis for forecasting the results of voting. [G. H. Gallup, Amer. statistician d. 1984] galluses n.pl. dial. & US trouser-braces. [pl. of gallus var. of GALLOWS] galoot n. colloq. a person, esp. a strange or clumsy one. [19th-c. Naut. sl.: orig. unkn.] galop n. & v. --n. 1 a lively dance in duple time. 2 the music for this. --v.intr. (galoped, galoping) perform this dance. [F: see GALLOP] galore adv. in abundance (placed after noun : flowers galore). [Ir. go leўr to sufficiency] galosh n. (also golosh) (usu. in pl.) a waterproof overshoe, usu. of rubber. [ME f. OF galoche f. LL gallicula small Gallic shoe] galumph v.intr. colloq. 1 move noisily or clumsily. 2 go prancing in triumph. [coined by Lewis Carroll (in sense 2), perh. f. GALLOP + TRIUMPH] galvanic adj. 1 a sudden and remarkable (had a galvanic effect). b stimulating; full of energy. 2 of or producing an electric current by chemical action. ЬЬgalvanically adv. galvanism n. hist. 1 electricity produced by chemical action. 2 the use of electricity for medical purposes. ЬЬgalvanist n. [F galvanisme f. L. Galvani, It. physiologist d. 1798] galvanize v.tr. (also -ise) 1 (often foll. by into) rouse forcefully, esp. by shock or excitement (was galvanized into action). 2 stimulate by or as if by electricity. 3 coat (iron) with zinc (usu. without the use of electricity) as a protection against rust. ЬЬgalvanization n. galvanizer n. [F galvaniser: see GALVANISM] galvanometer n. an instrument for detecting and measuring small electric currents. ЬЬgalvanometric adj. gambade n. (also gambado) (pl. gambades; -os or -oes) 1 a horse's leap or bound. 2 a fantastic movement. 3 an escapade. [F gambade & Sp. gambado f. It. & Sp. gamba leg] gambier n. an astringent extract of an Eastern plant used in tanning etc. [Malay gambir name of the plant] gambit n. 1 a chess opening in which a player sacrifices a piece or pawn to secure an advantage. 2 an opening move in a discussion etc. 3 a trick or device. [earlier gambett f. It. gambetto tripping up f. gamba leg] gamble v. & n. --v. 1 intr. play games of chance for money, esp. for high stakes. 2 tr. a bet (a sum of money) in gambling. b (often foll. by away) lose (assets) by gambling. 3 intr. take great risks in the hope of substantial gain. 4 intr. (foll. by on) act in the hope or expectation of (gambled on fine weather). --n. 1 a risky undertaking or attempt. 2 a spell of gambling. ЬЬgambler n. [obs. gamel to sport, gamene GAME(1)] gamboge n. a gum resin produced by various E. Asian trees and used as a yellow pigment and as a purgative. [mod.L gambaugium f. Cambodia in SE Asia] gambol v. & n. --v.intr. (gambolled, gambolling; US gamboled, gamboling) skip or frolic playfully. --n. a playful frolic. [GAMBADE] gambrel n. (in full gambrel roof) 1 Brit. a roof like a hipped roof but with gable-like ends. 2 US = curb roof. [ONF gamberel f. gambier forked stick f. gambe leg (from the resemblance to the shape of a horse's hind leg)] game(1) n., adj., & v. --n. 1 a form or spell of play or sport, esp. a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck. 2 a single portion of play forming a scoring unit in some contests, e.g. bridge or tennis. 3 (in pl.) a athletics or sports as organized in a school etc. b a meeting for athletic etc. contests (Olympic Games). 4 a winning score in a game; the state of the score in a game (the game is two all). 5 the equipment for a game. 6 one's level of achievement in a game, as specified (played a good game). 7 a a piece of fun; a jest (was only playing a game with you). b (in pl.) dodges, tricks (none of your games!). 8 a scheme or undertaking etc. regarded as a game (so that's your game). 9 a policy or line of action. 10 (collect.) a wild animals or birds hunted for sport or food. b the flesh of these. 11 a hunted animal; a quarry or object of pursuit or attack. 12 a kept flock of swans. --adj. 1 spirited; eager and willing. 2 (foll. by for, or to + infin.) having the spirit or energy; eagerly prepared. --v.intr. play at games of chance for money; gamble. Ьthe game is up the scheme is revealed or foiled. game plan esp. US 1 a winning strategy worked out in advance for a particular match. 2 a plan of campaign, esp. in politics. game point Tennis etc. a point which, if won, would win the game. game (or games) theory the mathematical analysis of conflict in war, economics, games of skill, etc. game-warden an official locally supervising game and hunting. gaming-house a place frequented for gambling; a casino. gaming-table a table used for gambling. make game (or a game) of mock, taunt. off (or on) one's game playing badly (or well). on the game Brit. sl. involved in prostitution or thieving. play the game behave fairly or according to the rules. ЬЬgamely adv. gameness n. gamester n. [OE gamen] game(2) adj. (of a leg, arm, etc.) lame, crippled. [18th-c. dial.: orig. unkn.] gamebook n. a book for recording game killed by a sportsman. gamecock n. (also gamefowl) a cock bred and trained for cock-fighting. gamekeeper n. a person employed to breed and protect game. gamelan n. 1 a type of orchestra found in SE Asia (esp. Indonesia), with string and woodwind instruments, and a wide range of percussion instruments. 2 a kind of xylophone used in this. [Jav.] gamesman n. (pl. -men) an exponent of gamesmanship. gamesmanship n. the art or practice of winning games or other contests by gaining a psychological advantage over an opponent. gamesome adj. merry, sportive. ЬЬgamesomely adv. gamesomeness n. gametangium n. (pl. gametangia) Bot. an organ in which gametes are formed. [as GAMETE + aggeion vessel] gamete n. Biol. a mature germ cell able to unite with another in sexual reproduction. ЬЬgametic adj. [mod.L gameta f. Gk gamete wife f. gamos marriage] gameto- comb. form Biol. gamete. gametocyte n. Biol. any cell that is in the process of developing into one or more gametes. gametogenesis n. Biol. the process by which cells undergo meiosis to form gametes. gametophyte n. the gamete-producing form of a plant that has alternation of generations between this and the asexual form. ЬЬgametophytic adj. gamin n. 1 a street urchin. 2 an impudent child. [F] gamine n. 1 a girl gamin. 2 a girl with mischievous or boyish charm. [F] gamma n. 1 the third letter of the Greek alphabet. 2 a third-class mark given for a piece of work or in an examination. 3 Astron. the third brightest star in a constellation. 4 the third member of a series. Ьgamma radiation (or rays) electromagnetic radiation of very short wavelength emitted by some radioactive substances. [ME f. Gk] gammer n. archaic an old woman, esp. as a rustic name. [prob. contr. of GODMOTHER: cf. GAFFER] gammon(1) n. & v. --n. 1 the bottom piece of a flitch of bacon including a hind leg. 2 the ham of a pig cured like bacon. --v.tr. cure (bacon). [ONF gambon f. gambe leg: cf. JAMB] gammon(2) n. & v. --n. a kind of victory scoring two games at backgammon. --v.tr. defeat in this way. [app. = ME gamen GAME(1)] gammon(3) n. & v. colloq. --n. humbug, deception. --v. 1 intr. a talk speciously. b pretend. 2 tr. hoax, deceive. [18th c.: orig. uncert.] gammy adj. (gammier, gammiest) Brit. sl. (esp. of a leg) lame; permanently injured. [dial. form of GAME(2)] gamp n. Brit. colloq. an umbrella, esp. a large unwieldy one. [Mrs Gamp in Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit] gamut n. 1 the whole series or range or scope of anything (the whole gamut of crime). 2 Mus. a the whole series of notes used in medieval or modern music. b a major diatonic scale. c a people's or a period's recognized scale. d a voice's or instrument's compass. 3 Mus. the lowest note in the medieval sequence of hexachords, = modern G on the lowest line of the bass staff. [med.L gamma ut f. GAMMA taken as the name for a note one tone lower than A of the classical scale + ut the first of six arbitrary names of notes forming the hexachord, being syllables (ut, re, mi, fa, so, la) of the Latin hymn beginning Ut queant laxis)] gamy adj. (gamier, gamiest) 1 having the flavour or scent of game kept till it is high. 2 US scandalous, sensational. 3 = GAME(1) adj. ЬЬgamily adv. gaminess n. gander n. & v. --n. 1 a male goose. 2 sl. a look, a glance (take a gander). --v.intr. look or glance. [OE gandra, rel. to GANNET] gang(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a band of persons acting or going about together, esp. for criminal purposes. b colloq. such a band pursuing a purpose causing disapproval. 2 a set of workers, slaves, or prisoners. 3 a set of tools arranged to work simultaneously. --v.tr. arrange (tools etc.) to work in coordination. Ьgang-bang sl. an occasion on which several men successively have sexual intercourse with one woman. gang up colloq. 1 (often foll. by with) act in concert. 2 (foll. by on) combine against. [orig. = going, journey, f. ON gangr, ganga GOING, corresp. to OE gang] gang(2) v.intr. Sc. go. Ьgang agley (of a plan etc.) go wrong. [OE gangan: cf. GANG(1)] gangboard n. = GANGPLANK. ganger n. Brit. the foreman of a gang of workers, esp. navvies. gangle v.intr. move ungracefully. [back-form. f. GANGLING] gangling adj. (of a person) loosely built; lanky. [frequent. of GANG(2)] ganglion n. (pl. ganglia or ganglions) 1 a an enlargement or knot on a nerve etc. containing an assemblage of nerve-cells. b a mass of grey matter in the central nervous system forming a nerve-nucleus. 2 Med. a cyst, esp. on a tendon sheath. 3 a centre of activity or interest. ЬЬgangliar adj. gangliform adj. ganglionated adj. ganglionic adj. [Gk gagglion] gangly adj. (ganglier, gangliest) = GANGLING. gangplank n. a movable plank usu. with cleats nailed on it for boarding or disembarking from a ship etc. gangrene n. & v. --n. 1 Med. death and decomposition of a part of the body tissue, usu. resulting from obstructed circulation. 2 moral corruption. --v.tr. & intr. affect or become affected with gangrene. ЬЬgangrenous adj. [F gangrЉne f. L gangraena f. Gk gaggraina] gangster n. a member of a gang of violent criminals. ЬЬgangsterism n. gangue n. valueless earth etc. in which ore is found. [F f. G Gang lode = GANG(1)] gangway n. & int. --n. 1 Brit. a passage, esp. between rows of seats. 2 a an opening in the bulwarks by which a ship is entered or left. b a bridge laid from ship to shore. c a passage on a ship, esp. a platform connecting the quarterdeck and forecastle. 3 a temporary bridge on a building site etc. --int. make way! ganister n. a close-grained hard siliceous stone found in the coal measures of northern England, and used for furnace-linings. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] ganja n. marijuana. [Hindi ganjha] gannet n. 1 any sea bird of the genus Sula, esp. Sula bassana, catching fish by plunge-diving. 2 sl. a greedy person. ЬЬgannetry n. (pl. -ies). [OE ganot f. Gmc, rel. to GANDER] ganoid adj. & n. --adj. 1 (of fish scales) enamelled; smooth and bright. 2 having ganoid scales. --n. a fish having ganoid scales. [F gano‹de f. Gk ganos brightness] gantlet US var. of GAUNTLET(2). gantry n. (pl. -ies) 1 an overhead structure with a platform supporting a travelling crane, or railway or road signals. 2 a structure supporting a space rocket prior to launching. 3 (also gauntry) a wooden stand for barrels. [prob. f. gawn, dial. form of GALLON + TREE] gaol Brit. var. of JAIL . gaoler Brit. var. of JAILER. gap n. 1 an unfilled space or interval; a blank; a break in continuity. 2 a breach in a hedge, fence, or wall. 3 a wide (usu. undesirable) divergence in views, sympathies, development, etc. (generation gap). 4 a gorge or pass. Ьfill (or close etc.) a gap make up a deficiency. gap-toothed having gaps between the teeth. ЬЬgapped adj. gappy adj. [ME f. ON, = chasm, rel. to GAPE] gape v. & n. --v.intr. 1 a open one's mouth wide, esp. in amazement or wonder. b be or become wide open. 2 (foll. by at) gaze curiously or wondrously. 3 split; part asunder. 4 yawn. --n. 1 an open-mouthed stare. 2 a yawn. 3 (in pl.; prec. by the) a a disease of birds with gaping as a symptom, caused by infestation with gapeworm. b joc. a fit of yawning. 4 a an expanse of open mouth or beak. b the part of a beak that opens. 5 a rent or opening. ЬЬgapingly adv. [ME f. ON gapa] gaper n. 1 any bivalve mollusc of the genus Mya, with the shell open at one or both ends. 2 the comber fish, which gapes when dead. 3 a person who gapes. gapeworm n. a nematode worm, Syngamus tracheae, that infests the trachea and bronchi of birds and causes the gapes. gar n. = GARFISH 2. garage n. & v. --n. 1 a building or shed for the storage of a motor vehicle or vehicles. 2 an establishment selling petrol etc., or repairing and selling motor vehicles. --v.tr. put or keep (a motor vehicle) in a garage. Ьgarage sale US a sale of miscellaneous household goods, usu. for charity, held in the garage of a private house. [F f. garer shelter] garb n. & v. --n. 1 clothing, esp. of a distinctive kind. 2 the way a person is dressed. --v.tr. 1 (usu. in passive or refl.) put (esp. distinctive) clothes on (a person). 2 attire. [obs. F garbe f. It. garbo f. Gmc, rel. to GEAR] garbage n. 1 a refuse, filth. b domestic waste. 2 foul or rubbishy literature etc. Ьgarbage can US a dustbin. [AF: orig. unkn.] garble v.tr. 1 unintentionally distort or confuse (facts, messages, etc.). 2 a mutilate in order to misrepresent. b make (usu. unfair or malicious) selections from (facts, statements, etc.). ЬЬgarbler n. [It. garbellare f. Arab. garbala sift, perh. f. LL cribellare to sieve f. L cribrum sieve] garboard n. (in full garboard strake) the first range of planks or plates laid on a ship's bottom next to the keel. [Du. gaarboord, perh. f. garen GATHER + boord BOARD] gar‡on n. a waiter in a French restaurant, hotel, etc. [F, lit. 'boy'] Garda n. 1 the State police force of the Irish Republic. 2 (also garda) (pl. -dai) a member of this. [Ir. Garda SЎoch na Civic Guard] garden n. & v. --n. 1 esp. Brit. a piece of ground, usu. partly grassed and adjoining a private house, used for growing flowers, fruit, or vegetables, and as a place of recreation. 2 (esp. in pl.) ornamental grounds laid out for public enjoyment (botanical gardens). 3 a similar place with the service of refreshments (tea garden). 4 (attrib.) a (of plants) cultivated, not wild. b for use in a garden (garden seat). 5 (usu. in pl. prec. by a name) Brit. a street, square, etc. (Onslow Gardens). 6 an especially fertile region. 7 US a large public hall. 8 (the Garden) the philosophy or school of Epicurus. --v.intr. cultivate or work in a garden. Ьgarden centre an establishment where plants and garden equipment etc. are sold. garden city an industrial or other town laid out systematically with spacious surroundings, parks, etc. garden cress a cruciferous plant, Lepidium sativum, used in salads. garden party a social event held on a lawn or in a garden. garden suburb Brit. a suburb laid out spaciously with open spaces, parks, etc. garden warbler a European woodland songbird, Sylvia borin. ЬЬgardenesque adj. gardening n. [ME f. ONF gardin (OF jardin) ult. f. Gmc: cf. YARD(2)] gardener n. a person who gardens or is employed to tend a garden. Ьgardener-bird a bowerbird making a 'garden' of moss etc. in front of a bower. [ME ult. f. OF jardinier (as GARDEN)] gardenia n. any tree or shrub of the genus Gardenia, with large white or yellow flowers and usu. a fragrant scent. [mod.L f. Dr A. Garden, Sc. naturalist d. 1791] garfish n. (pl. same) 1 any mainly marine fish of the family Belonidae, esp. Belone belone, having long beaklike jaws with sharp teeth. Also called NEEDLEFISH. 2 US any similar freshwater fish of the genus Lepisosteus, with ganoid scales. Also called GAR or GARPIKE. 3 NZ & Austral. either of two marine fish of the genus Hemiramphus. Also called HALFBEAK. [app. f. OE gar spear + fisc FISH(1)] garganey n. (pl. -eys) a small duck, Anas querquedula, the drake of which has a white stripe from the eye to the neck. [It., dial. var. of garganello] gargantuan adj. enormous, gigantic. [the name of a giant in Rabelais' book Gargantua (1534)] garget n. 1 inflammation of a cow's or ewe's udder. 2 US pokeweed. [perh. f. obs. garget throat f. OF gargate, -guete] gargle v. & n. --v. 1 tr. (also absol.) wash (one's mouth and throat), esp. for medicinal purposes, with a liquid kept in motion by breathing through it. 2 intr. make a sound as when doing this. --n. 1 a liquid used for gargling. 2 sl. an alcoholic drink. [F gargouiller f. gargouille: see GARGOYLE] gargoyle n. a grotesque carved human or animal face or figure projecting from the gutter of (esp. a Gothic) building usu. as a spout to carry water clear of a wall. [OF gargouille throat, gargoyle] gargoylism n. Med. = HURLER'S SYNDROME. garibaldi n. (pl. garibaldis) 1 a kind of woman's or child's loose blouse, orig. of bright red material imitating the shirts worn by Garibaldi and his followers. 2 Brit. a biscuit containing a layer of currants. 3 US a small red Californian fish, Hypsypops rubicundus. [G. Garibaldi, It. patriot d. 1882] garish adj. 1 obtrusively bright; showy. 2 gaudy; over-decorated. ЬЬgarishly adv. garishness n. [16th-c. gaurish app. f. obs. gaure stare] garland n. & v. --n. 1 a wreath of flowers, leaves, etc., worn on the head or hung as a decoration. 2 a prize or distinction. 3 a literary anthology or miscellany. --v.tr. 1 adorn with garlands. 2 crown with a garland. [ME f. OF garlande, of unkn. orig.] garlic n. 1 any of various alliaceous plants, esp. Allium sativum. 2 the strong-smelling pungent-tasting bulb of this plant, used as a flavouring in cookery. ЬЬgarlicky adj. [OE garleac f. gar spear + leac LEEK] garment n. & v. --n. 1 a an article of dress. b (in pl.) clothes. 2 the outward and visible covering of anything. --v.tr. (usu. in passive) rhet. attire. [ME f. OF garnement (as GARNISH)] garner v. & n. --v.tr. 1 collect. 2 store, deposit. --n. literary a storehouse or granary. [ME (orig. as noun) f. OF gernier f. L granarium GRANARY] garnet n. a vitreous silicate mineral, esp. a transparent deep-red kind used as a gem. [ME f. OF grenat f. med.L granatum POMEGRANATE, from its resemblance to the pulp of the fruit] garnish v. & n. --v.tr. 1 decorate or embellish (esp. food). 2 Law a serve notice on (a person) for the purpose of legally seizing money belonging to a debtor or defendant. b summon (a person) as a party to litigation started between others. --n. (also garnishing) a decoration or embellishment, esp. to food. ЬЬgarnishment n. (in sense 2). [ME f. OF garnir f. Gmc] garnishee n. & v. Law --n. a person garnished. --v.tr. (garnishees, garnisheed) 1 garnish (a person). 2 attach (money etc.) by way of garnishment. garniture n. 1 decoration or trimmings, esp. of food. 2 accessories, appurtenances. [F (as GARNISH)] garotte var. of GARROTTE. garpike n. a gar or garfish (see GARFISH 2). [OE gar spear + PIKE(1)] garret n. 1 a top-floor or attic room, esp. a dismal one. 2 an attic. [ME f. OF garite watch-tower f. Gmc] garrison n. & v. --n. 1 the troops stationed in a fortress, town, etc., to defend it. 2 the building occupied by them. --v.tr. 1 provide (a place) with or occupy as a garrison. 2 place on garrison duty. Ьgarrison town a town having a permanent garrison. [ME f. OF garison f. garir defend, furnish f. Gmc] garrotte v. & n. (also garotte; US garrote) --v.tr. 1 execute or kill by strangulation, esp. with an iron or wire collar etc. 2 throttle in order to rob. --n. 1 a a Spanish method of execution by garrotting. b the apparatus used for this. 2 highway robbery in which the victim is throttled. [F garrotter or Sp. garrotear f. garrote a cudgel, of unkn. orig.] garrulous adj. 1 talkative, esp. on trivial matters. 2 loquacious, wordy. ЬЬgarrulity n. garrulously adv. garrulousness n. [L garrulus f. garrire chatter] garter n. & v. --n. 1 a band worn to keep a sock or stocking up. 2 (the Garter) Brit. a the highest order of English knighthood. b the badge of this. c membership of this. 3 US a suspender for a sock or stocking. --v.tr. fasten (a stocking) or encircle (a leg) with a garter. Ьgarter-belt US a suspender belt. Garter King of Arms see King of Arms. garter-snake any water-snake of the genus Thamnophis, native to N. America, having lengthwise stripes. garter stitch a plain knitting stitch or pattern, forming ridges in alternate rows. [ME f. OF gartier f. garet bend of the knee] garth n. Brit. 1 an open space within cloisters. 2 archaic a a close or yard. b a garden or paddock. [ME f. ON garthr = OE geard YARD(2)] gas n. & v. --n. (pl. gases) 1 any airlike substance which moves freely to fill any space available, irrespective of its quantity. 2 a such a substance (esp. found naturally or extracted from coal) used as a domestic or industrial fuel (also attrib. : gas cooker; gas fire). b an explosive mixture of firedamp with air. 3 nitrous oxide or another gas used as an anaesthetic (esp. in dentistry). 4 a gas or vapour used as a poisonous agent to disable an enemy in warfare. 5 US colloq. petrol, gasoline. 6 sl. pointless idle talk; boasting. 7 sl. an enjoyable, attractive, or amusing thing or person. --v. (gases, gassed, gassing) 1 tr. expose to gas, esp. to kill or make unconscious. 2 intr. give off gas. 3 tr. (usu. foll. by up) US colloq. fill (the tank of a motor vehicle) with petrol. 4 intr. colloq. talk idly or boastfully. Ьgas chamber an airtight chamber that can be filled with poisonous gas to kill people or animals. gas chromatography chromatography employing gas as the eluent. gas-cooled (of a nuclear reactor etc.) cooled by a current of gas. gas fire a domestic fire using gas as its fuel. gas-fired using gas as the fuel. gas gangrene a rapidly spreading gangrene of injured tissue infected by a soil bacterium and accompanied by the evolution of gas. gas mask a respirator used as a defence against poison gas. gas meter an apparatus recording the amount of gas consumed. gas oil a type of fuel oil distilled from petroleum and heavier than paraffin oil. gas plant Bot. fraxinella. gas-proof impervious to gas. gas ring a hollow ring perforated with gas jets, used esp. for cooking. gas station US a filling-station. gas-tight proof against the leakage of gas. gas turbine a turbine driven by a flow of gas or by gas from combustion. [invented by J. B. van Helmont, Belgian chemist d. 1644, after Gk khaos chaos] gasbag n. 1 a container of gas, esp. for holding the gas for a balloon or airship. 2 sl. an idle talker. Gascon n. 1 a native of Gascony. 2 (gascon) a braggart. [F f. L Vasco -onis] gaseous adj. of or like gas. ЬЬgaseousness n. gash(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a long and deep slash, cut, or wound. 2 a a cleft such as might be made by a slashing cut. b the act of making such a cut. --v.tr. make a gash in; cut. [var. of ME garse f. OF garcer scarify, perh. ult. f. Gk kharasso] gash(2) adj. Brit. sl. spare, extra. [20th-c. Naut. sl.: orig. unkn.] gasholder n. a large receptacle for storing gas; a gasometer. gasify v.tr. & intr. (-ies, -ied) convert or be converted into gas. ЬЬgasification n. gasket n. 1 a sheet or ring of rubber etc., shaped to seal the junction of metal surfaces. 2 a small cord securing a furled sail to a yard. Ьblow a gasket sl. lose one's temper. [perh. f. F garcette thin rope (orig. little girl)] gaskin n. the hinder part of a horse's thigh. [perh. erron. f. GALLIGASKINS] gaslight n. 1 a jet of burning gas, usu. heating a mantle, to provide light. 2 light emanating from this. gasman n. (pl. -men) a man who instals or services gas appliances, or reads gas meters. gasolene var. of GASOLINE. gasoline n. (also gasolene) 1 a volatile inflammable liquid distilled from petroleum and used for heating and lighting. 2 US petrol. [GAS + -OL(2) + -INE(4), -ENE] gasometer n. a large tank in which gas is stored for distribution by pipes to users. [F gazomЉtre f. gaz gas + -mЉtre -METER] gasp v. & n. --v. 1 intr. catch one's breath with an open mouth as in exhaustion or astonishment. 2 intr. (foll. by for) strain to obtain by gasping (gasped for air). 3 tr. (often foll. by out) utter with gasps. --n. a convulsive catching of breath. Ьat one's last gasp 1 at the point of death. 2 exhausted. [ME f. ON geispa: cf. geip idle talk] gasper n. 1 a person who gasps. 2 Brit. sl. a cigarette. gasser n. 1 colloq. an idle talker. 2 sl. a very attractive or impressive person or thing. gassy adj. (gassier, gassiest) 1 a of or like gas. b full of gas. 2 colloq. (of talk etc.) pointless, verbose. ЬЬgassiness n. gasteropod var. of GASTROPOD. gasthaus n. a small inn or hotel in German-speaking countries. [G f. Gast GUEST + Haus HOUSE] gastrectomy n. (pl. -ies) a surgical operation in which the whole or part of the stomach is removed. [GASTRO- + -ECTOMY] gastric adj. of the stomach. Ьgastric flu a popular name for an intestinal disorder of unknown cause. gastric juice a thin clear virtually colourless acid fluid secreted by the stomach glands and active in promoting digestion. [mod.L gastricus f. Gk gaster gast(e)ros stomach] gastritis n. inflammation of the lining of the stomach. gastro- comb. form (also gastr- before a vowel) stomach. [Gk gaster gast(e)ros stomach] gastro-enteric adj. of or relating to the stomach and intestines. gastro-enteritis n. Med. inflammation of the stomach and intestines. gastronome n. a gourmet. [F f. gastronomie GASTRONOMY] gastronomy n. the practice, study, or art of eating and drinking well. ЬЬgastronomic adj. gastronomical adj. gastronomically adv. [F gastronomie f. Gk gastronomia (as GASTRO-, -nomia f. nomos law)] gastropod n. (also gasteropod) any mollusc of the class Gastropoda that moves along by means of a large muscular foot, e.g. a snail, slug, etc. ЬЬgastropodous adj. [F gast‚ropode f. mod.L gasteropoda (as GASTRO-, Gk pous podos foot)] gastroscope n. an optical instrument used for inspecting the interior of the stomach. gastrula n. (pl. gastrulae) Zool. an embryonic stage developing from the blastula. [mod.L f. Gk gaster gast(e)ros belly] gasworks n. a place where gas is manufactured and processed. gat(1) n. sl. a revolver or other firearm. [abbr. of GATLING] gat(2) archaic past of GET v. gate(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a barrier, usu. hinged, used to close an opening made for entrance and exit through a wall, fence, etc. 2 such an opening, esp. in the wall of a city, enclosure, or large building. 3 a means of entrance or exit. 4 a numbered place of access to aircraft at an airport. 5 a mountain pass. 6 an arrangement of slots into which the gear lever of a motor vehicle moves to engage the required gear. 7 a device for holding the frame of a cine film momentarily in position behind the lens of a camera or projector. 8 a an electrical signal that causes or controls the passage of other signals. b an electrical circuit with an output which depends on the combination of several inputs. 9 a device regulating the passage of water in a lock etc. 10 a the number of people entering by payment at the gates of a sports ground etc. b (in full gate-money) the proceeds taken for admission. 11 sl. the mouth. 12 US sl. dismissal. 13 = starting-gate. --v.tr. 1 Brit. confine to college or school entirely or after certain hours. 2 (as gated adj.) (of a road) having a gate or gates to control the movement of traffic or animals. [OE g‘t, geat, pl. gatu, f. Gmc] gate(2) n. (prec. or prefixed by a name) Brit. a street (Westgate). [ME f. ON gata, f. Gmc] gateau n. (pl. gateaus or gateaux) any of various rich cakes, usu. containing cream or fruit. [F gѓteau cake] gatecrasher n. an uninvited guest at a party etc. ЬЬgatecrash v.tr. & intr. gatefold n. a page in a book or magazine etc. that folds out to be larger than the page-format. gatehouse n. 1 a house standing by a gateway, esp. to a large house or park. 2 hist. a room over a city gate, often used as a prison. gatekeeper n. 1 an attendant at a gate, controlling entrance and exit. 2 any of several large brown species of butterfly, esp. Maniola tithonus, frequenting hedgerows and woodland. gateleg n. (in full gateleg table) a table with folding flaps supported by legs swung open like a gate. ЬЬgatelegged adj. gateman n. (pl. -men) = GATEKEEPER 1. gatepost n. a post on which a gate is hung or against which it shuts. Ьbetween you and me and the gatepost in strict confidence. gateway n. 1 an entrance with or opening for a gate. 2 a frame or structure built over a gate. gather v. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. bring or come together; assemble, accumulate. 2 tr. (usu. foll. by up) a bring together from scattered places or sources. b take up together from the ground, a surface, etc. c draw into a smaller compass. 3 tr. acquire by gradually collecting; amass. 4 tr. a pick a quantity of (flowers etc.). b collect (grain etc.) as a harvest. 5 tr. (often foll. by that + clause) infer or understand. 6 tr. be subjected to or affected by the accumulation or increase of (unread books gathering dust; gather speed; gather strength). 7 tr. (often foll. by up) summon up (one's thoughts, energy, etc.) for a purpose. 8 tr. gain or recover (one's breath). 9 tr. a draw (material, or one's brow) together in folds or wrinkles. b pucker or draw together (part of a dress) by running a thread through. 10 intr. come to a head; develop a purulent swelling. --n. (in pl.) a part of a garment that is gathered or drawn in. Ьgather way (of a ship) begin to move. ЬЬgatherer n. [OE gaderian f. WG] gathering n. 1 an assembly or meeting. 2 a purulent swelling. 3 a group of leaves taken together in bookbinding. Gatling n. (in full Gatling gun) a machine-gun with clustered barrels. [R. J. Gatling, Amer. inventor d. 1903] GATT abbr. (also Gatt) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. gauche adj. 1 lacking ease or grace; socially awkward. 2 tactless. ЬЬgauchely adv. gaucheness n. [F, = left-handed, awkward] gaucherie n. 1 gauche manners. 2 a gauche action. [F] gaucho n. (pl. -os) a cowboy from the S. American pampas. [Sp. f. Quechua] gaud n. 1 a gaudy thing; a showy ornament. 2 (in pl.) showy ceremonies. [perh. through AF f. OF gaudir rejoice f. L gaudere] gaudy(1) adj. (gaudier, gaudiest) tastelessly or extravagantly bright or showy. ЬЬgaudily adv. gaudiness n. [prob. f. GAUD + -Y(1)] gaudy(2) n. (pl. -ies) Brit. an annual feast or entertainment, esp. a college dinner for old members etc. [L gaudium joy or gaude imper. of gaudere rejoice] gauge n. & v. (US gage: see also sense 7) --n. 1 a standard measure to which certain things must conform, esp.: a the measure of the capacity or contents of a barrel. b the fineness of a textile. c the diameter of a bullet. d the thickness of sheet metal. 2 any of various instruments for measuring or determining this, or for measuring length, thickness, or other dimensions or properties. 3 the distance between a pair of rails or the wheels on one axle. 4 the capacity, extent, or scope of something. 5 a means of estimating; a criterion or test. 6 a graduated instrument measuring the force or quantity of rainfall, stream, tide, wind, etc. 7 (usu. gage) Naut. a relative position with respect to the wind. --v.tr. 1 measure exactly (esp. objects of standard size). 2 determine the capacity or content of. 3 estimate or form a judgement of (a person, temperament, situation, etc.). 4 make uniform; bring to a standard size or shape. Ьgauge pressure the amount by which a pressure exceeds that of the atmosphere. take the gauge of estimate. ЬЬgaugeable adj. gauger n. [ME f. ONF gauge, gauger, of unkn. orig.] Gaul n. a native or inhabitant of ancient Gaul. [Gaul the country f. F Gaule f. Gmc] gauleiter n. 1 an official governing a district under Nazi rule. 2 a local or petty tyrant. [G f. Gau administrative district + Leiter leader] Gaulish adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to the ancient Gauls. --n. their language. Gaullism n. 1 the principles and policies of Charles de Gaulle, French military and political leader (d. 1970), characterized by their conservatism, nationalism, and advocacy of centralized government. 2 adherence to these. ЬЬGaullist n. [F Gaullisme] gault n. Geol. 1 a series of clay and marl beds between the upper and lower greensand in S. England. 2 clay obtained from these beds. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] gaunt adj. 1 lean, haggard. 2 grim or desolate in appearance. ЬЬgauntly adv. gauntness n. [ME: orig. unkn.] gauntlet(1) n. 1 a stout glove with a long loose wrist. 2 hist. an armoured glove. 3 the part of a glove covering the wrist. 4 a challenge (esp. in throw down the gauntlet). [ME f. OF gantelet dimin. of gant glove f. Gmc] gauntlet(2) n. (US gantlet) Ьrun the gauntlet 1 be subjected to harsh criticism. 2 pass between two rows of people and receive blows from them, as a punishment or ordeal. [earlier gantlope f. Sw. gatlopp f. gata lane, lopp course, assim. to GAUNTLET(1)] gauntry var. of GANTRY 3. gaur n. a wild species of Indian cattle, Bos gaurus. [Hind.] gauss n. (pl. same or gausses) a unit of magnetic induction, equal to one ten-thousandth of a tesla. °Abbr.: G. [K. Gauss, Ger. mathematician d. 1855] Gaussian distribution n. Statistics = normal distribution. [as GAUSS] gauze n. 1 a thin transparent fabric of silk, cotton, etc. 2 a fine mesh of wire etc. 3 a slight haze. [F gaze f. Gaza in Palestine] gauzy adj. (gauzier, gauziest) 1 like gauze; thin and translucent. 2 flimsy, delicate. ЬЬgauzily adv. gauziness n. gave past of GIVE. gavel n. & v. --n. a small hammer used by an auctioneer, or for calling a meeting to order. --v. (gavelled, gavelling; US gaveled, gaveling) 1 intr. use a gavel. 2 tr. (often foll. by down) end (a meeting) or dismiss (a speaker) by use of a gavel. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] gavial var. of GHARIAL. gavotte n. 1 an old French dance in common time beginning on the third beat of the bar. 2 the music for this, or a piece of music in the rhythm of this as a movement in a suite. [F f. Prov. gavoto f. Gavot native of a region in the Alps] gawk v. & n. --v.intr. colloq. stare stupidly. --n. an awkward or bashful person. ЬЬgawkish adj. [rel. to obs. gaw gaze f. ON g heed] gawky adj. (gawkier, gawkiest) awkward or ungainly. ЬЬgawkily adv. gawkiness n. gawp v.intr. Brit. colloq. stare stupidly or obtrusively. ЬЬgawper n. [earlier gaup, galp f. ME galpen yawn, rel. to YELP] gay adj. & n. --adj. 1 light-hearted and carefree; mirthful. 2 characterized by cheerfulness or pleasure (a gay life). 3 brightly coloured; showy, brilliant (a gay scarf). 4 colloq. a homosexual. b intended for or used by homosexuals (a gay bar). °Generally informal in use, but favoured by homosexuals with ref. to themselves. 5 colloq. dissolute, immoral. --n. colloq. a homosexual, esp. male. ЬGay Liberation the advocacy of homosexuals' freedom from social discrimination. ЬЬgayness n. [ME f. OF gai, of unkn. orig.] gayal n. a wild species of Indian cattle, Bos fontalis. [Hindi] gayety US var. of GAIETY. gazania n. any herbaceous plant of the genus Gazania, with showy yellow or orange daisy-shaped flowers. [18th c.: f. Theodore of Gaza, Greek scholar d. 1478] gaze v. & n. --v.intr. (foll. by at, into, on, upon, etc.) look fixedly. --n. a fixed or intent look. ЬЬgazer n. [ME: orig. unkn.; cf. obs. gaw GAWK] gazebo n. (pl. -os or -oes) a small building or structure such as a summer-house or turret, designed to give a wide view. [perh. joc. f. GAZE, in imitation of L futures in -ebo: cf. LAVABO] gazelle n. any of various small graceful soft-eyed antelopes of Asia or Africa, esp. of the genus Gazella. [F prob. f. Sp. gacela f. Arab. gazal] gazette n. & v. --n. 1 a newspaper, esp. the official one of an organization or institution (University Gazette). 2 hist. a news-sheet; a periodical publication giving current events. 3 Brit. an official journal with a list of government appointments, bankruptcies, and other public notices (London Gazette). --v.tr. Brit. announce or publish in an official gazette. [F f. It. gazzetta f. gazeta, a Venetian small coin] gazetteer n. a geographical index or dictionary. [earlier = journalist, for whom such an index was provided: f. F gazettier f. It. gazzettiere (as GAZETTE)] gazpacho n. (pl. -os) a Spanish soup made with oil, garlic, onions, etc., and served cold. [Sp.] gazump v.tr. (also absol.) Brit. colloq. 1 (of a seller) raise the price of a property after having accepted an offer by (an intending buyer). 2 swindle. ЬЬgazumper n. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] gazunder v.tr. (also absol.) Brit. colloq. (of a buyer) lower the amount of an offer made to (the seller) for a property, esp. just before exchange of contracts. [GAZUMP + UNDER] 3.0 GB... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GB abbr. Great Britain. GBE abbr. (in the UK) Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross (of the Order) of the British Empire. GBH abbr. grievous bodily harm. 4.0 GC... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GC abbr. (in the UK) George Cross. GCB abbr. (in the UK) Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross (of the Order) of the Bath. GCE abbr. (in the UK) General Certificate of Education. GCHQ abbr. (in the UK) Government Communications Headquarters. GCMG abbr. (in the UK) Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross (of the Order) of St Michael & St George. GCSE abbr. (in the UK) General Certificate of Secondary Education. GCVO abbr. (in the UK) Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. 5.0 Gd... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Gd symb. Chem. the element gadolinium. Gdn. abbr. Garden. Gdns. abbr. Gardens. GDP abbr. gross domestic product. GDR abbr. German Democratic Republic. 6.0 Ge... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ge symb. Chem. the element germanium. gear n. & v. --n. 1 (often in pl.) a a set of toothed wheels that work together to transmit and control motion from an engine, esp. to the road wheels of a vehicle. b a mechanism for doing this. 2 a particular function or state of adjustment of engaged gears (low gear; second gear). 3 a mechanism of wheels, levers, etc., usu. for a special purpose (winding-gear). 4 a particular apparatus or mechanism, as specified (landing-gear). 5 equipment or tackle for a special purpose. 6 colloq. clothing, esp. when modern or fashionable. 7 goods; household utensils. 8 rigging. 9 a harness for a draught animal. --v. 1 tr. (foll. by to) adjust or adapt to suit a special purpose or need. 2 tr. (often foll. by up) equip with gears. 3 tr. (foll. by up) make ready or prepared. 4 tr. put (machinery) in gear. 5 intr. a be in gear. b (foll. by with) work smoothly with. Ьbe geared (or all geared) up (often foll. by for, or to + infin.) colloq. be ready or enthusiastic. first (or bottom) gear the lowest gear in a series. gear down (or up) provide with a low (or high) gear. gear lever (or shift) a lever used to engage or change gear, esp. in a motor vehicle. high (or low) gear a gear such that the driven end of a transmission revolves faster (or slower) than the driving end. in gear with a gear engaged. out of gear 1 with no gear engaged. 2 out of order. top gear the highest gear in a series. [ME f. ON gervi f. Gmc] gearbox n. 1 the casing that encloses a set of gears. 2 a set of gears with its casing, esp. in a motor vehicle. gearing n. 1 a set or arrangement of gears in a machine. 2 Brit. Commerce a the allocation of part of a dividend to preferred recipients. b the amount of this part. gearwheel n. 1 a toothed wheel in a set of gears. 2 (in a bicycle) the cog-wheel driven directly by the chain. gecko n. (pl. -os or -oes) any of various house lizards found in warm climates, with adhesive feet for climbing vertical surfaces. [Malay chichak etc., imit. of its cry] gee(1) int. (also gee whiz) US colloq. a mild expression of surprise, discovery, etc. [perh. abbr. of JESUS] gee(2) int. (often foll. by up) a command to a horse etc., esp. to go faster. [17th c.: orig. unkn.] gee(3) n. US sl. (usu. in pl.) a thousand dollars. [the letter G, as initial of GRAND] gee-gee n. Brit. colloq. a horse. [orig. a child's word, f. GEE(2)] geek n. Austral. sl. a look. [E dial.] geese pl. of GOOSE. gee-string var. of G-STRING 2. geezer n. sl. a person, esp. an old man. [dial. pronunc. of guiser mummer] Gehenna n. 1 (in the New Testament) hell. 2 a place of burning, torment, or misery. [eccl.L f. Gk f. Heb. g€' hinnom hell, orig. the valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem, where children were sacrificed] Geiger counter n. a device for measuring radioactivity by detecting and counting ionizing particles. [H. Geiger, Ger. physicist d. 1945] geisha n. (pl. same or geishas) 1 a Japanese hostess trained in entertaining men with dance and song. 2 a Japanese prostitute. [Jap.] Geissler tube n. a sealed tube of glass or quartz with a central constriction, filled with vapour for the production of a luminous electrical discharge. [H. Geissler, Ger. mechanic d. 1879] gel n. & v. --n. a semi-solid colloidal suspension or jelly, of a solid dispersed in a liquid. --v.intr. (gelled, gelling) form a gel. ЬЬgelation n. [abbr. of GELATIN] gelatin n. (also gelatine) a virtually colourless tasteless transparent water-soluble protein derived from collagen and used in food preparation, photography, etc. Ьgelatin paper a paper coated with sensitized gelatin for photography. ЬЬgelatinize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). gelatinization n. [F g‚latine f. It. gelatina f. gelata JELLY] gelatinous adj. 1 of or like gelatin. 2 of a jelly-like consistency. ЬЬgelatinously adv. gelation n. solidification by freezing. [L gelatio f. gelare freeze] geld v.tr. 1 deprive (usu. a male animal) of the ability to reproduce. 2 castrate or spay; excise the testicles or ovaries of. [ME f. ON gelda f. geldr barren f. Gmc] gelding n. a gelded animal, esp. a male horse. [ME f. ON geldingr: see GELD] gelid adj. 1 icy, ice-cold. 2 chilly, cool. [L gelidus f. gelu frost] gelignite n. an explosive made from nitroglycerine, cellulose nitrate, sodium nitrate, and wood pulp. [GELATIN + L ignis fire + -ITE(1)] gelly n. Brit. sl. gelignite. [abbr.] gem n. & v. --n. 1 a precious stone, esp. when cut and polished or engraved. 2 an object or person of great beauty or worth. --v.tr. (gemmed, gemming) adorn with or as with gems. ЬЬgemlike adj. gemmy adj. [ME f. OF gemme f. L gemma bud, jewel] Gemara n. a rabbinical commentary on the Mishnah, forming the second part of the Talmud. [Aram. gemarѓ completion] geminal adj. Chem. (of molecules) having two functional groups attached to the same atom. ЬЬgeminally adv. [as GEMINATE + -AL] geminate adj. & v. --adj. combined in pairs. --v.tr. 1 double, repeat. 2 arrange in pairs. ЬЬgemination n. [L geminatus past part. of geminare f. geminus twin] Gemini n. 1 a constellation, traditionally regarded as contained in the figures of twins. 2 a the third sign of the zodiac (the Twins). b a person born when the sun is in this sign. ЬЬGeminean n. & adj. [ME f. L, = twins] gemma n. (pl. gemmae) a small cellular body in cryptogams that separates from the mother-plant and starts a new one; an asexual spore. [L: see GEM] gemmation n. reproduction by gemmae. [F f. gemmer to bud, gemme bud] gemmiferous adj. 1 producing precious stones. 2 bearing buds. [L gemmifer (as GEMMA, -FEROUS)] gemmiparous adj. of or propagating by gemmation. [mod.L gemmiparus f. L gemma bud + parere bring forth] gemmology n. the study of gems. ЬЬgemmologist n. [L gemma gem + -LOGY] gemmule n. an encysted embryonic cell-cluster in sponges. [F gemmule or L gemmula little bud (as GEM)] gemstone n. a precious stone used as a gem. gemЃtlich adj. 1 pleasant and comfortable. 2 genial, agreeable. [G] Gen. abbr. 1 General. 2 Genesis (Old Testament). gen n. & v. Brit. sl. --n. information. --v.tr. & intr. (genned, genning) (foll. by up) provide with or obtain information. [perh. f. first syll. of general information] -gen comb. form 1 Chem. that which produces (hydrogen; antigen). 2 Bot. growth (endogen; exogen; acrogen). [F -gЉne f. Gk -genes -born, of a specified kind f. gen- root of gignomai be born, become] gendarme n. 1 a soldier, mounted or on foot, employed in police duties esp. in France. 2 a rock-tower on a mountain, occupying and blocking an ar€te. [F f. gens d'armes men of arms] gendarmerie n. 1 a force of gendarmes. 2 the headquarters of such a force. gender n. 1 a the grammatical classification of nouns and related words, roughly corresponding to the two sexes and sexlessness. b each of the classes of nouns (see MASCULINE, FEMININE, NEUTER, COMMON adj. 6). 2 (of nouns and related words) the property of belonging to such a class. 3 colloq. a person's sex. [ME f. OF gendre ult. f. L GENUS] gene n. a unit of heredity composed of DNA or RNA and forming part of a chromosome etc., that determines a particular characteristic of an individual. [G Gen: see -GEN] genealogical adj. 1 of or concerning genealogy. 2 tracing family descent. Ьgenealogical tree a chart like an inverted branching tree showing the descent of a family or of an animal species. ЬЬgenealogically adv. [F g‚n‚alogique f. Gk genealogikos (as GENEALOGY)] genealogy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor. b an account or exposition of this. 2 the study and investigation of lines of descent. 3 a plant's or animal's line of development from earlier forms. ЬЬgenealogist n. genealogize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). [ME f. OF genealogie f. LL genealogia f. Gk genealogia f. genea race] genera pl. of GENUS. general adj. & n. --adj. 1 a completely or almost universal. b including or affecting all or nearly all parts or cases of things. 2 prevalent, widespread, usual. 3 not partial, particular, local, or sectional. 4 not limited in application; relating to whole classes or all cases. 5 including points common to the individuals of a class and neglecting the differences (a general term). 6 not restricted or specialized (general knowledge). 7 a roughly corresponding or adequate. b sufficient for practical purposes. 8 not detailed (a general resemblance; a general idea). 9 vague, indefinite (spoke only in general terms). 10 chief or principal; having overall authority (general manager; Secretary-General). --n. 1 a an army officer ranking next below Field Marshal or above lieutenant-general. b US = lieutenant-general, major-general. 2 a commander of an army. 3 a tactician or strategist of specified merit (a great general). 4 the head of a religious order, e.g. of the Jesuits or Dominicans or the Salvation Army. 5 (prec. by the) archaic the public. Ьas a general rule in most cases. General American a form of US speech not markedly dialectal or regional. General Certificate of Education 1 an examination set esp. for secondary-school pupils at advanced level in England and Wales. 2 the certificate gained by passing it. General Certificate of Secondary Education an examination replacing and combining the GCE ordinary level and CSE examinations. general delivery US the delivery of letters to callers at a post office. general election the election of representatives to a legislature (esp. in the UK to the House of Commons) from constituencies throughout the country. general headquarters the headquarters of a military commander. general meeting a meeting open to all the members of a society etc. general of the army (or air force) US the officer of the highest rank in the army or air force. general practice the work of a general practitioner. general practitioner a doctor working in the community and treating cases of all kinds in the first instance, as distinct from a consultant or specialist. general staff the staff assisting a military commander in planning and administration. general strike a strike of workers in all or most trades. General Synod the highest governing body in the Church of England. in general 1 as a normal rule; usually. 2 for the most part. ЬЬgeneralness n. [ME f. OF f. L generalis (as GENUS)] generalissimo n. (pl. -os) the commander of a combined military force consisting of army, navy, and air-force units. [It., superl. of generale GENERAL] generalist n. a person competent in several different fields or activities (opp. SPECIALIST). generality n. (pl. -ies) 1 a statement or principle etc. having general validity or force. 2 applicability to a whole class of instances. 3 vagueness; lack of detail. 4 the state of being general. 5 (foll. by of) the main body or majority. [F g‚n‚ralit‚ f. LL generalitas -tatis (as GENERAL)] generalization n. (also -isation) 1 a general notion or proposition obtained by inference from (esp. limited or inadequate) particular cases. 2 the act or an instance of generalizing. [F g‚n‚ralisation (as GENERALIZE)] generalize v. (also -ise) 1 intr. a speak in general or indefinite terms. b form general principles or notions. 2 tr. reduce to a general statement, principle, or notion. 3 tr. a give a general character to. b call by a general name. 4 tr. infer (a law or conclusion) by induction. 5 tr. Math. & Philos. express in a general form; extend the application of. 6 tr. (in painting) render only the typical characteristics of. 7 tr. bring into general use. ЬЬgeneralizable adj. generalizability n. generalizer n. [F g‚n‚raliser (as GENERAL)] generally adv. 1 usually; in most cases. 2 in a general sense; without regard to particulars or exceptions (generally speaking). 3 for the most part; extensively (not generally known). 4 in most respects (they were generally well-behaved). generalship n. 1 the art or practice of exercising military command. 2 military skill; strategy. 3 skilful management; tact, diplomacy. generate v.tr. 1 bring into existence; produce, evolve. 2 produce (electricity). 3 Math. (of a point or line or surface conceived as moving) make (a line or surface or solid). 4 Math. & Linguistics produce (a set or sequence of items) by the formulation and application of precise criteria. ЬЬgenerable adj. [L generare beget (as GENUS)] generation n. 1 all the people born at a particular time, regarded collectively (my generation; the rising generation). 2 a single step in descent or pedigree (have known them for three generations). 3 a stage in (esp. technological) development (fourth-generation computers). 4 the average time in which children are ready to take the place of their parents (usu. reckoned at about 30 years). 5 production by natural or artificial process, esp. the production of electricity or heat. 6 a procreation; the propagation of species. b the act of begetting or being begotten. Ьgeneration gap differences of outlook or opinion between those of different generations. ЬЬgenerational adj. [ME f. OF f. L generatio -onis (as GENERATE)] generative adj. 1 of or concerning procreation. 2 able to produce, productive. Ьgenerative grammar a set of rules whereby permissible sentences may be generated from the elements of a language. [ME f. OF generatif or LL generativus (as GENERATE)] generator n. 1 a machine for converting mechanical into electrical energy; a dynamo. 2 an apparatus for producing gas, steam, etc. 3 a person who generates an idea etc.; an originator. generic adj. 1 characteristic of or relating to a class; general, not specific or special. 2 Biol. characteristic of or belonging to a genus. 3 (of goods, esp. a drug) having no brand name; not protected by a registered trade mark. ЬЬgenerically adv. [F g‚n‚rique f. L GENUS] generous adj. 1 giving or given freely. 2 magnanimous, noble-minded, unprejudiced. 3 a ample, abundant, copious (a generous portion). b (of wine) rich and full. ЬЬgenerosity n. generously adv. generousness n. [OF genereus f. L generosus noble, magnanimous (as GENUS)] genesis n. 1 the origin, or mode of formation or generation, of a thing. 2 (Genesis) the first book of the Old Testament, with an account of the creation of the world. [L f. Gk f. gen- be produced, root of gignomai become] genet n. (also genette) 1 any catlike mammal of the genus Genetta, native to Africa and S. Europe, with spotted fur and a long ringed bushy tail. 2 the fur of the genet. [ME f. OF genete f. Arab. jarnait] genetic adj. 1 of genetics or genes; inherited. 2 of, in, or concerning origin; causal. Ьgenetic code Biochem. the means by which genetic information is stored as sequences of nucleotide bases in the chromosomal DNA. genetic engineering the deliberate modification of the characters of an organism by the manipulation of DNA and the transformation of certain genes. genetic fingerprinting (or profiling) the analysis of characteristic patterns in DNA as a means of identifying individuals. ЬЬgenetically adv. [GENESIS after antithetic] genetics n.pl. (treated as sing.) the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics. ЬЬgeneticist n. genette var. of GENET. geneva n. Hollands gin. [Du. genever f. OF genevre f. L juniperus, with assim. to the place name Geneva] Geneva bands n.pl. two white cloth strips attached to the collar of some Protestants' clerical dress. [Geneva in Switzerland, where orig. worn by Calvinists] Geneva Convention n. an international agreement first made at Geneva in 1864 and later revised, governing the status and treatment of captured and wounded military personnel in wartime. genial(1) adj. 1 jovial, sociable, kindly, cheerful. 2 (of the climate) mild and warm; conducive to growth. 3 cheering, enlivening. ЬЬgeniality n. genially adv. [L genialis (as GENIUS)] genial(2) adj. Anat. of or relating to the chin. [Gk geneion chin f. genus jaw] genic adj. of or relating to genes. -genic comb. form forming adjectives meaning: 1 producing (carcinogenic; pathogenic). 2 well suited to (photogenic; radiogenic). 3 produced by (iatrogenic). ЬЬ-genically suffix forming adverbs. [-GEN + -IC] genie n. (pl. usu. genii) a jinnee, goblin, or familiar spirit of Arabian folklore. [F g‚nie f. L GENIUS: cf. JINNEE] genii pl. of GENIE, GENIUS. genista n. any almost leafless shrub of the genus Genista, with a profusion of yellow pea-shaped flowers, e.g. dyer's broom. [L] genital adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to animal reproduction. --n. (in pl.) the external reproductive organs. [OF g‚nital or L genitalis f. gignere genit- beget] genitalia n.pl. the genitals. [L, neut. pl. of genitalis: see GENITAL] genitive n. & adj. Gram. --n. the case of nouns and pronouns (and words in grammatical agreement with them) corresponding to of, from, and other prepositions and indicating possession or close association. --adj. of or in the genitive. ЬЬgenitival adj. genitivally adv. [ME f. OF genetif, -ive or L genitivus f. gignere genit- beget] genito- comb. form genital. genito-urinary adj. of the genital and urinary organs. genius n. (pl. geniuses or genii) 1 (pl. geniuses) a an exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability or tendency. b a person having this. 2 the tutelary spirit of a person, place, institution, etc. 3 a person or spirit regarded as powerfully influencing a person for good or evil. 4 the prevalent feeling or associations etc. of a nation, age, etc. [L (in sense 2) f. the root of gignere beget] genizah n. a room attached to a synagogue and housing damaged, discarded, or heretical books etc., and sacred relics. [Heb. genizah, lit. hiding-place f. ganaz hide, set aside] Genoa cake n. a rich fruit cake with almonds on top. [Genoa in Italy] Genoa jib n. a large jib or foresail used esp. on yachts. genocide n. the deliberate extermination of a people or nation. ЬЬgenocidal adj. [Gk genos race + -CIDE] genome n. 1 the haploid set of chromosomes of an organism. 2 the genetic material of an organism. [GENE + CHROMOSOME] genotype n. Biol. the genetic constitution of an individual. ЬЬgenotypic adj. [G Genotypus (as GENE, TYPE)] -genous comb. form forming adjectives meaning 'produced' (endogenous). genre n. 1 a kind or style, esp. of art or literature (e.g. novel, drama, satire). 2 (in full genre painting) the painting of scenes from ordinary life. [F, = a kind (as GENDER)] gens n. (pl. gentes) 1 Rom.Hist. a group of families sharing a name and claiming a common origin. 2 Anthropol. a number of people sharing descent through the male line. [L, f. the root of gignere beget] gent n. colloq. (often joc.) 1 a gentleman. 2 (in pl.) (in shop titles) men (gents' outfitters). 3 (the Gents) Brit. colloq. a men's public lavatory. [abbr. of GENTLEMAN] genteel adj. 1 affectedly or ostentatiously refined or stylish. 2 often iron. of or appropriate to the upper classes. ЬЬgenteelly adv. genteelness n. [earlier gentile, readoption of F gentil GENTLE] genteelism n. a word used because it is thought to be less vulgar than the commoner word (e.g. perspire for sweat). gentes pl. of GENS. gentian n. 1 any plant of the genus Gentiana or Gentianella, found esp. in mountainous regions, and having usu. vivid blue flowers. 2 (in full gentian bitter) a liquor extracted from the root of the gentian. Ьgentian violet a violet dye used as an antiseptic, esp. in the treatment of burns. [OE f. L gentiana f. Gentius king of Illyria] gentile adj. & n. --adj. 1 (Gentile) not Jewish; heathen. 2 of or relating to a nation or tribe. 3 Gram. (of a word) indicating nationality. --n. 1 (Gentile) a person who is not Jewish. 2 Gram. a word indicating nationality. [ME f. L gentilis f. gens gentis family: see GENS] gentility n. 1 social superiority. 2 good manners; habits associated with the nobility. 3 people of noble birth. [ME f. OF gentilit‚ (as GENTLE)] gentle adj., v., & n. --adj. (gentler, gentlest) 1 not rough; mild or kind, esp. in temperament. 2 moderate; not severe or drastic (a gentle rebuke; a gentle breeze). 3 (of birth, pursuits, etc.) honourable, of or fit for people of good social position. 4 quiet; requiring patience (gentle art). 5 archaic generous, courteous. --v.tr. 1 make gentle or docile. 2 handle (a horse etc.) firmly but gently. --n. a maggot, the larva of the meat-fly or bluebottle used as fishing-bait. ЬЬgentleness n. gently adv. [ME f. OF gentil f. L gentilis: see GENTILE] gentlefolk n.pl. literary people of good family. gentleman n. (pl. -men) 1 a man (in polite or formal use). 2 a chivalrous or well-bred man. 3 a man of good social position or of wealth and leisure (country gentleman). 4 a man of gentle birth attached to a royal household (gentleman in waiting). 5 (in pl. as a form of address) a male audience or the male part of an audience. Ьgentleman-at-arms one of a sovereign's bodyguard. gentleman farmer a country gentleman who farms. gentleman's (or -men's) agreement one which is binding in honour but not legally enforceable. [GENTLE + MAN after OF gentilz hom] gentlemanly adj. like a gentleman in looks or behaviour; befitting a gentleman. ЬЬgentlemanliness n. gentlewoman n. (pl. -women) archaic a woman of good birth or breeding. gentoo n. a penguin, Pygoscelis papua, esp. abundant in the Falkland Islands. [perh. f. Anglo-Ind. Gentoo = Hindu, f. Port. gentio GENTILE] gentrification n. the social advancement of an inner urban area by the arrival of affluent middle-class residents. ЬЬgentrify v.tr. (-ies, -ied). gentry n.pl. 1 the people next below the nobility in position and birth. 2 derog. people (these gentry). [prob. f. obs. gentrice f. OF genterise var. of gentelise nobility f. gentil GENTLE] genuflect v.intr. bend the knee, esp. in worship or as a sign of respect. ЬЬgenuflection n. (also genuflexion). genuflector n. [eccl.L genuflectere genuflex- f. L genu the knee + flectere bend] genuine adj. 1 really coming from its stated, advertised, or reputed source. 2 properly so called; not sham. 3 pure-bred. ЬЬgenuinely adv. genuineness n. [L genuinus f. genu knee, with ref. to a father's acknowledging a new-born child by placing it on his knee: later associated with GENUS] genus n. (pl. genera) 1 Biol. a taxonomic grouping of organisms having common characteristics distinct from those of other genera, usu. containing several or many species and being one of a series constituting a taxonomic family. 2 a kind or class having common characteristics. 3 Logic kinds of things including subordinate kinds or species. [L genus -eris birth, race, stock] -geny comb. form forming nouns meaning 'mode of production or development of' (anthropogeny; ontogeny; pathogeny). [F -g‚nie (as -GEN, -Y(3))] Geo. abbr. George. geo- comb. form earth. [Gk geo- f. ge earth] geobotany n. the study of the geographical distribution of plants. ЬЬgeobotanist n. geocentric adj. 1 considered as viewed from the centre of the earth. 2 having or representing the earth as the centre; not heliocentric. Ьgeocentric latitude the latitude at which a planet would appear if viewed from the centre of the earth. ЬЬgeocentrically adv. geochemistry n. the chemistry of the earth and its rocks, minerals, etc. ЬЬgeochemical adj. geochemist n. geochronology n. 1 the study and measurement of geological time by means of geological events. 2 the ordering of geological events. ЬЬgeochronological adj. geochronologist n. geode n. 1 a small cavity lined with crystals or other mineral matter. 2 a rock containing such a cavity. ЬЬgeodic adj. [L geodes f. Gk geodes earthy f. ge earth] geodesic adj. (also geodetic) 1 of or relating to geodesy. 2 of, involving, or consisting of a geodesic line. Ьgeodesic dome a dome constructed of short struts along geodesic lines. geodesic line the shortest possible line between two points on a curved surface. geodesy n. the branch of mathematics dealing with the figures and areas of the earth or large portions of it. ЬЬgeodesist n. [mod.L f. Gk geodaisia (as GEO-, daio divide)] geodetic var. of GEODESIC. geographic var. of GEOGRAPHICAL. geographical adj. (also geographic) of or relating to geography. Ьgeographical latitude the angle made with the plane of the equator by a perpendicular to the earth's surface at any point. geographical mile a distance equal to one minute of longitude or latitude at the equator (about 1850 metres). ЬЬgeographically adv. [geographic f. F g‚ographique or LL geographicus f. Gk geographikos (as GEO-, -GRAPHIC)] geography n. 1 the study of the earth's physical features, resources, and climate, and the physical aspects of its population. 2 the main physical features of an area. 3 the layout or arrangement of rooms in a building. ЬЬgeographer n. [F g‚ographie or L geographia f. Gk geographia (as GEO-, -GRAPHY)] geoid n. 1 the shape of the earth. 2 a shape formed by the mean sea level and its imagined extension under land areas. 3 an oblate spheroid. [Gk geoeides (as GEO-, -OID)] geology n. 1 the science of the earth, including the composition, structure, and origin of its rocks. 2 this science applied to any other planet or celestial body. 3 the geological features of a district. ЬЬgeologic adj. geological adj. geologically adv. geologist n. geologize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). [mod.L geologia (as GEO-, -LOGY)] geomagnetism n. the study of the magnetic properties of the earth. ЬЬgeomagnetic adj. geomagnetically adv. geomancy n. divination from the configuration of a handful of earth or random dots. ЬЬgeomantic adj. geometer n. 1 a person skilled in geometry. 2 any moth, esp. of the family Geometridae, having twiglike larvae which move in a looping fashion, seeming to measure the ground. [ME f. LL geometra f. L geometres f. Gk geometres (as GEO-, metres measurer)] geometric adj. (also geometrical) 1 of, according to, or like geometry. 2 (of a design, architectural feature, etc.) characterized by or decorated with regular lines and shapes. Ьgeometric mean the central number in a geometric progression, also calculable as the nth root of a product of n numbers (as 9 from 3 and 27). geometric progression a progression of numbers with a constant ratio between each number and the one before (as 1, 3, 9, 27, 81). geometric tracery tracery with openings of geometric form. ЬЬgeometrically adv. [F g‚ometrique f. L geometricus f. Gk geometrikos (as GEOMETER)] geometry n. 1 the branch of mathematics concerned with the properties and relations of points, lines, surfaces, and solids. 2 the relative arrangement of objects or parts. ЬЬgeometrician n. [ME f. OF geometrie f. L geometria f. Gk (as GEO-, -METRY)] geomorphology n. the study of the physical features of the surface of the earth and their relation to its geological structures. ЬЬgeomorphological adj. geomorphologist n. geophagy n. the practice of eating earth. [GEO- + Gk phago eat] geophysics n. the physics of the earth. ЬЬgeophysical adj. geophysicist n. geopolitics n. 1 the politics of a country as determined by its geographical features. 2 the study of this. ЬЬgeopolitical adj. geopolitically adv. geopolitician n. Geordie n. Brit. colloq. a native of Tyneside. [GEORGE + -IE] George n. Brit. sl. the automatic pilot of an aircraft. [the name George] George Cross n. (also George Medal) (in the UK) decorations for bravery awarded esp. to civilians, instituted in 1940 by King George VI. georgette n. a thin silk or cr€pe dress-material. [Georgette de la Plante, Fr. dressmaker] Georgian(1) adj. 1 of or characteristic of the time of Kings George I-IV (1714-1830). 2 of or characteristic of the time of Kings George V and VI (1910-52), esp. of the literature of 1910-20. Georgian(2) adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to Georgia in the Caucasus (USSR). --n. 1 a native of Georgia; a person of Georgian descent. 2 the language of Georgia. Georgian(3) adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to Georgia in the US. --n. a native of Georgia. geosphere n. 1 the solid surface of the earth. 2 any of the almost spherical concentric regions of the earth and its atmosphere. geostationary adj. Electronics (of an artificial satellite of the earth) moving in such an orbit as to remain above the same point on the earth's surface (see also GEOSYNCHRONOUS). geostrophic adj. Meteorol. depending upon the rotation of the earth. [GEO- + Gk strophe a turning f. strepho to turn] geosynchronous adj. (of an artificial satellite of the earth) moving in an orbit equal to the earth's period of rotation (see also GEOSTATIONARY). geothermal adj. relating to, originating from, or produced by the internal heat of the earth. geotropism n. plant growth in relation to gravity. Ьnegative geotropism the tendency of stems etc. to grow away from the centre of the earth. positive geotropism the tendency of roots to grow towards the centre of the earth. ЬЬgeotropic adj. [GEO- + Gk tropikos f. trope a turning f. trepo to turn] Ger. abbr. German. geranium n. 1 any herb or shrub of the genus Geranium bearing fruit shaped like the bill of a crane, e.g. cranesbill. 2 (in general use) a cultivated pelargonium. 3 the colour of the scarlet geranium. [L f. Gk geranion f. geranos crane] gerbera n. any composite plant of the genus Gerbera of Africa or Asia, esp. the Transvaal daisy. [T. Gerber, Ger. naturalist d. 1743] gerbil n. (also jerbil) a mouselike desert rodent of the subfamily Gerbillinae, with long hind legs. [F gerbille f. mod.L gerbillus dimin. of gerbo JERBOA] gerenuk n. an antelope, Litocranius walleri, native to E. Africa, with a very long neck and small head. [Somali] gerfalcon var. of GYRFALCON. geriatric adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or relating to old people. 2 colloq. old, outdated. --n. 1 an old person, esp. one receiving special care. 2 colloq. a person or thing considered as relatively old or outdated. [Gk geras old age + iatros doctor] geriatrics n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) a branch of medicine or social science dealing with the health and care of old people. ЬЬgeriatrician n. germ n. 1 a micro-organism, esp. one which causes disease. 2 a a portion of an organism capable of developing into a new one; the rudiment of an animal or plant. b an embryo of a seed (wheat germ). 3 an original idea etc. from which something may develop; an elementary principle. Ьgerm-cell 1 a cell containing half the number of chromosomes of a somatic cell and able to unite with one from the opposite sex to form a new individual; a gamete. 2 any embryonic cell with the potential of developing into a gamete. germ warfare the systematic spreading of micro-organisms to cause disease in an enemy population. in germ not yet developed. ЬЬgermy adj. [F germe f. L germen germinis sprout] German n. & adj. --n. 1 a native or national of Germany; a person of German descent. 2 the language of Germany, also used in Austria and Switzerland. --adj. of or relating to Germany or its people or language. ЬGerman measles a contagious disease, rubella, with symptoms like mild measles. German shepherd (or shepherd dog) an Alsatian. German silver a white alloy of nickel, zinc, and copper. High German a literary and cultured form of German. Low German German dialects other than High German. [L Germanus with ref. to related peoples of Central and N. Europe, a name perh. given by Celts to their neighbours: cf. OIr. gair neighbour] german adj. (placed after brother, sister, or cousin) 1 having both parents the same (brother german). 2 having both grandparents the same on one side (cousin german). 3 archaic germane. [ME f. OF germain f. L germanus genuine, of the same parents] germander n. any plant of the genus Teucrium. Ьgermander speedwell a creeping plant, Veronica chamaedrys, with germander-like leaves and blue flowers. [ME f. med.L germandra ult. f. Gk khamaidrus f. khamai on the ground + drus oak] germane adj. (usu. foll. by to) relevant (to a subject under consideration). ЬЬgermanely adv. germaneness n. [var. of GERMAN] Germanic adj. & n. --adj. 1 having German characteristics. 2 hist. of the Germans. 3 of the Scandinavians, Anglo-Saxons, or Germans. 4 of the languages or language group called Germanic. --n. 1 the branch of Indo-European languages including English, German, Dutch, and the Scandinavian languages. 2 the (unrecorded) early language from which other Germanic languages developed. ЬEast Germanic an extinct group including Gothic. North Germanic the Scandinavian languages. West Germanic a group including High and Low German, English, Frisian, and Dutch. [L Germanicus (as GERMAN)] germanic adj. Chem. of or containing germanium, esp. in its quadrivalent state. Germanist n. an expert in or student of the language, literature, and civilization of Germany, or Germanic languages. germanium n. Chem. a lustrous brittle semi-metallic element occurring naturally in sulphide ores and used in semiconductors. °Symb.: Ge. [mod.L f. Germanus GERMAN] Germanize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise) make or become German; adopt or cause to adopt German customs etc. ЬЬGermanization n. Germanizer n. Germano- comb. form German; German and. germanous adj. Chem. containing germanium in the bivalent state. germicide n. a substance destroying germs, esp. those causing disease. ЬЬgermicidal adj. germinal adj. 1 relating to or of the nature of a germ or germs (see GERM 1). 2 in the earliest stage of development. 3 productive of new ideas. ЬЬgerminally adv. [L germen germin- sprout: see GERM] germinate v. 1 a intr. sprout, bud, or put forth shoots. b tr. cause to sprout or shoot. 2 a tr. cause (ideas etc.) to originate or develop. b intr. come into existence. ЬЬgermination n. germinative adj. germinator n. [L germinare germinat- (as GERM)] germon n. = ALBACORE 1. [F] gerontology n. the scientific study of old age, the process of ageing, and the special problems of old people. ЬЬgerontological adj. gerontologist n. [Gk geron -ontos old man + -LOGY] -gerous comb. form forming adjectives meaning 'bearing' (lanigerous). gerrymander v. & n. (also jerrymander) --v.tr. 1 manipulate the boundaries of (a constituency etc.) so as to give undue influence to some party or class. 2 manipulate (a situation etc.) to gain advantage. --n. this practice. ЬЬgerrymanderer n. [the name of Governor Gerry of Massachusetts + (SALA)MANDER, from the shape of a district on a political map drawn when he was in office (1812)] gerund n. Gram. a form of a verb functioning as a noun, orig. in Latin ending in -ndum (declinable), in English ending in -ing and used distinctly as a part of a verb (e.g. do you mind my asking you?). [LL gerundium f. gerundum var. of gerendum, the gerund of L gerere do] gerundive n. Gram. a form of a Latin verb, ending in -ndus (declinable) and functioning as an adjective meaning 'that should or must be done' etc. [LL gerundivus (modus mood) f. gerundium: see GERUND] gesso n. (pl. -oes) plaster of Paris or gypsum as used in painting or sculpture. [It. f. L gypsum: see GYPSUM] gestalt n. Psychol. an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts. Ьgestalt psychology a system maintaining that perceptions, reactions, etc., are gestalts. ЬЬgestaltism n. gestaltist n. [G, = form, shape] Gestapo n. 1 the German secret police under Nazi rule. 2 derog. an organization compared to this. [G, f. Geheime Staats polizei] gestate v.tr. 1 carry (a foetus) in gestation. 2 develop (an idea etc.). gestation n. 1 a the process of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth. b this period. 2 the private development of a plan, idea, etc. [L gestatio f. gestare frequent. of gerere carry] gesticulate v. 1 intr. use gestures instead of or in addition to speech. 2 tr. express with gestures. ЬЬgesticulation n. gesticulative adj. gesticulator n. gesticulatory adj. [L gesticulari f. gesticulus dimin. of gestus GESTURE] gesture n. & v. --n. 1 a significant movement of a limb or the body. 2 the use of such movements esp. to convey feeling or as a rhetorical device. 3 an action to evoke a response or convey intention, usu. friendly. --v.tr. & intr. gesticulate. ЬЬgestural adj. gesturer n. [ME f. med.L gestura f. L gerere gest- wield] gesundheit int. expressing a wish of good health, esp. before drinking or to a person who has sneezed. [G, = health] get v. & n. --v. (getting; past got; past part. got or US (and in comb.) gotten) 1 tr. come into the possession of; receive or earn (get a job; got њ200 a week; got first prize). 2 tr. fetch, obtain, procure, purchase (get my book for me; got a new car). 3 tr. go to reach or catch (a bus, train, etc.). 4 tr. prepare (a meal etc.). 5 intr. & tr. reach or cause to reach a certain state or condition; become or cause to become (get rich; get one's feet wet; get to be famous; got them ready; got him into trouble; cannot get the key into the lock). 6 tr. obtain as a result of calculation. 7 tr. contract (a disease etc.). 8 tr. establish or be in communication with via telephone or radio; receive (a radio signal). 9 tr. experience or suffer; have inflicted on one; receive as one's lot or penalty (got four years in prison). 10 a tr. succeed in bringing, placing, etc. (get it round the corner; get it on to the agenda; flattery will get you nowhere). b intr. & tr. succeed or cause to succeed in coming or going (will get you there somehow; got absolutely nowhere). 11 tr. (prec. by have) a possess (have not got a penny). b (foll. by to + infin.) be bound or obliged (have got to see you). 12 tr. (foll. by to + infin.) induce; prevail upon (got them to help me). 13 tr. colloq. understand (a person or an argument) (have you got that?; I get your point; do you get me?). 14 tr. colloq. inflict punishment or retribution on, esp. in retaliation (I'll get you for that). 15 tr. colloq. a annoy. b move; affect emotionally. c attract, obsess. d amuse. 16 tr. (foll. by to + infin.) develop an inclination as specified (am getting to like it). 17 intr. (foll. by verbal noun) begin (get going). 18 tr. (esp. in past or perfect) catch in an argument; corner, puzzle. 19 tr. establish (an idea etc.) in one's mind. 20 intr. sl. be off; go away. 21 tr. archaic beget. 22 tr. archaic learn; acquire (knowledge) by study. --n. 1 a an act of begetting (of animals). b an offspring (of animals). 2 sl. a fool or idiot. Ьget about (or around) 1 travel extensively or fast; go from place to place. 2 manage to walk, move about, etc. (esp. after illness). 3 (of news) be circulated, esp. orally. get across 1 manage to communicate (an idea etc.). 2 (of an idea etc.) be communicated successfully. 3 colloq. annoy, irritate. get along (or on) 1 (foll. by together, with) live harmoniously, accord. 2 be off! nonsense! get at 1 reach; get hold of. 2 colloq. imply (what are you getting at?). get away 1 escape. 2 (as imper.) colloq. expressing disbelief or scepticism. 3 (foll. by with) escape blame or punishment for. get back at colloq. retaliate against. get by colloq. 1 just manage, even with difficulty. 2 be acceptable. get down 1 alight, descend (from a vehicle, ladder, etc.). 2 record in writing. get a person down depress or deject him or her. get down to begin working on or discussing. get even (often foll. by with) 1 achieve revenge; act in retaliation. 2 equalize the score. get his (or hers etc.) sl. be killed. get hold of 1 grasp (physically). 2 grasp (intellectually); understand. 3 make contact with (a person). 4 acquire. get in 1 enter. 2 be elected. get into become interested or involved in. get it sl. be punished or in trouble. get it into one's head (foll. by that + clause) firmly believe or maintain; realize. get off 1 colloq. be acquitted; escape with little or no punishment. 2 start. 3 alight; alight from (a bus etc.). 4 go, or cause to go, to sleep. 5 (foll. by with, together) Brit. colloq. form an amorous or sexual relationship, esp. abruptly or quickly. get a person off colloq. cause a person to be acquitted. get on 1 make progress; manage. 2 enter (a bus etc.). 3 = get along 1. get on to colloq. 1 make contact with. 2 understand; become aware of. get out 1 leave or escape. 2 manage to go outdoors. 3 alight from a vehicle. 4 transpire; become known. 5 succeed in uttering, publishing, etc. 6 solve or finish (a puzzle etc.). 7 Cricket be dismissed. get-out n. a means of avoiding something. get a person out 1 help a person to leave or escape. 2 Cricket dismiss (a batsman). get out of 1 avoid or escape (a duty etc.). 2 abandon (a habit) gradually. get a thing out of manage to obtain it from (a person) esp. with difficulty. get outside (or outside of) sl. eat or drink. get over 1 recover from (an illness, upset, etc.). 2 overcome (a difficulty). 3 manage to communicate (an idea etc.). get a thing over (or over with) complete (a tedious task) promptly. get one's own back colloq. have one's revenge. get-rich-quick adj. designed to make a lot of money fast. get rid of see RID. get round (US around) 1 successfully coax or cajole (a person) esp. to secure a favour. 2 evade (a law etc.). get round to deal with (a task etc.) in due course. get somewhere make progress; be initially successful. get there colloq. 1 succeed. 2 understand what is meant. get through 1 pass or assist in passing (an examination, an ordeal, etc.). 2 finish or use up (esp. resources). 3 make contact by telephone. 4 (foll. by to) succeed in making (a person) listen or understand. get a thing through cause it to overcome obstacles, difficulties, etc. get to 1 reach. 2 = get down to. get together gather, assemble. get-together n. colloq. a social gathering. get up 1 rise or cause to rise from sitting etc., or from bed after sleeping or an illness. 2 ascend or mount, e.g. on horseback. 3 (of fire, wind, or the sea) begin to be strong or agitated. 4 prepare or organize. 5 enhance or refine one's knowledge of (a subject). 6 work up (a feeling, e.g. anger). 7 produce or stimulate (get up steam; get up speed). 8 (often refl.) dress or arrange elaborately; make presentable; arrange the appearance of. 9 (foll. by to) colloq. indulge or be involved in (always getting up to mischief). get-up n. colloq. a style or arrangement of dress etc., esp. an elaborate one. get-up-and-go colloq. energy, vim, enthusiasm. get the wind up see WIND(1). get with child archaic make pregnant. have got it bad (or badly) sl. be obsessed or affected emotionally. ЬЬgettable adj. [ME f. ON geta obtain, beget, guess, corresp. to OE gietan (recorded only in compounds), f. Gmc] get-at-able adj. colloq. accessible. getaway n. an escape, esp. after committing a crime. getter n. & v. --n. 1 in senses of GET v. 2 Physics a substance used to remove residual gas from an evacuated vessel. --v.tr. Physics remove (gas) or evacuate (a vessel) with a getter. geum n. any rosaceous plant of the genus Geum including herb bennet, with rosettes of leaves and yellow, red, or white flowers. [mod.L, var. of L gaeum] GeV abbr. gigaelectronvolt (equivalent to 10(9) electronvolts). gewgaw n. a gaudy plaything or ornament; a bauble. [ME: orig. unkn.] geyser n. 1 an intermittently gushing hot spring that throws up a tall column of water. 2 Brit. an apparatus for heating water rapidly for domestic use. [Icel. Geysir, the name of a particular spring in Iceland, rel. to geysa to gush] 7.0 GG =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GG abbr. Governor-General. 8.0 Ghanaian... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ghanaian adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to Ghana in W. Africa. --n. a native or national of Ghana; a person of Ghanaian descent. gharial n. (also gavial) a large Indian crocodile, Gavialis gangeticus, having a long narrow snout widening at the nostrils. Ьfalse gharial a similar crocodile, Tomistoma schlegelii, of Indonesia and Malaya. [Hind.] ghastly adj. & adv. --adj. (ghastlier, ghastliest) 1 horrible, frightful. 2 colloq. objectionable, unpleasant. 3 deathlike, pallid. --adv. in a ghastly or sickly way (ghastly pale). ЬЬghastlily adv. ghastliness n. [ME gastlich f. obs. gast terrify: gh after ghost] ghat n. (also ghaut) in India: 1 steps leading down to a river. 2 a landing-place. 3 a defile or mountain pass. [Hindi ghat] Ghazi n. (pl. Ghazis) a Muslim fighter against non-Muslims. [Arab. al-gazi part. of gaza raid] ghee n. (also ghi) Indian clarified butter esp. from the milk of a buffalo or cow. [Hindi ghi f. Skr. ghrit - sprinkled] gherao n. (pl. -os) (in India and Pakistan) coercion of employers, by which their workers prevent them from leaving the premises until certain demands are met. [Hind. gherna besiege] gherkin n. 1 a small variety of cucumber, or a young green cucumber, used for pickling. 2 a a trailing plant, Cucumis sativus, with cucumber-like fruits used for pickling. b this fruit. [Du. gurkkijn (unrecorded), dimin. of gurk, f. Slavonic, ult. f. med. Gk aggourion] ghetto n. & v. --n. (pl. -os) 1 a part of a city, esp. a slum area, occupied by a minority group or groups. 2 hist. the Jewish quarter in a city. 3 a segregated group or area. --v.tr. (-oes, -oed) put or keep (people) in a ghetto. Ьghetto-blaster sl. a large portable radio, esp. used to play loud pop music. [perh. f. It. getto foundry (applied to the site of the first ghetto in Venice in 1516)] ghi var. of GHEE. ghillie var. of GILLIE. ghost n. & v. --n. 1 the supposed apparition of a dead person or animal; a disembodied spirit. 2 a shadow or mere semblance (not a ghost of a chance). 3 an emaciated or pale person. 4 a secondary or duplicated image produced by defective television reception or by a telescope. 5 archaic a spirit or soul. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by for) act as ghost-writer. 2 tr. act as ghost-writer of (a work). Ьghost town a deserted town with few or no remaining inhabitants. ghost-write v.tr. & intr. act as ghost-writer (of). ghost-writer a person who writes on behalf of the credited author of a work. ЬЬghostlike adj. [OE gast f. WG: gh- occurs first in Caxton, prob. infl. by Flem. gheest] ghosting n. the appearance of a 'ghost' (see GHOST n. 4) or secondary image in a television picture. ghostly adj. (ghostlier, ghostliest) like a ghost; spectral. ЬЬghostliness n. [OE gastlic (as GHOST)] ghoul n. 1 a person morbidly interested in death etc. 2 an evil spirit or phantom. 3 a spirit in Muslim folklore preying on corpses. ЬЬghoulish adj. ghoulishly adv. ghoulishness n. [Arab. gul protean desert demon] GHQ abbr. General Headquarters. ghyll Brit. var. of GILL(3). 9.0 GI... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GI n. & adj. --n. a private soldier in the US Army. --adj. of or for US servicemen. [abbr. of government (or general) issue] giant n. & adj. --n. 1 an imaginary or mythical being of human form but superhuman size. 2 (in Greek mythology) one of such beings who fought against the gods. 3 an abnormally tall or large person, animal, or plant. 4 a person of exceptional ability, integrity, courage, etc. 5 a large star. --attrib.adj. 1 of extraordinary size or force, gigantic; monstrous. 2 colloq. extra large (giant packet). 3 (of a plant or animal) of a very large kind. Ьgiant-killer a person who defeats a seemingly much more powerful opponent. ЬЬgiantism n. giant-like adj. [ME geant (later infl. by L) f. OF, ult. f. L gigas gigant- f. Gk] giaour n. derog. or literary a non-Muslim, esp. a Christian (orig. a Turkish name). [Pers. gaur, gor] Gib. n. colloq. Gibraltar. [abbr.] gib n. a wood or metal bolt, wedge, or pin for holding a machine part etc. in place. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] gibber(1) v. & n. --v.intr. speak fast and inarticulately; chatter incoherently. --n. such speech or sound. [imit.] gibber(2) n. Austral. a boulder or large stone. [Aboriginal] gibberellin n. one of a group of plant hormones that stimulate the growth of leaves and shoots. [Gibberella a genus of fungi, dimin. of genus-name Gibbera f. L gibber hump] gibberish n. unintelligible or meaningless speech; nonsense. [perh. f. GIBBER(1) (but attested earlier) + -ISH(1) as used in Spanish, Swedish, etc.] gibbet n. & v. --n. hist. 1 a a gallows. b an upright post with an arm on which the bodies of executed criminals were hung up. 2 (prec. by the) death by hanging. --v.tr. (gibbeted, gibbeting) 1 put to death by hanging. 2 a expose on a gibbet. b hang up as on a gibbet. 3 hold up to contempt. [ME f. OF gibet gallows dimin. of gibe club, prob. f. Gmc] gibbon n. any small ape of the genus Hylobates, native to SE Asia, having a slender body and long arms. [F f. a native name] gibbous adj. 1 convex or protuberant. 2 (of a moon or planet) having the bright part greater than a semicircle and less than a circle. 3 humped or humpbacked. ЬЬgibbosity n. gibbously adv. gibbousness n. [ME f. LL gibbosus f. gibbus hump] gibe v. & n. (also jibe) --v.intr. (often foll. by at) jeer, mock. --n. an instance of gibing; a taunt. ЬЬgiber n. [perh. f. OF giber handle roughly] giblets n.pl. the liver, gizzard, neck, etc., of a bird, usu. removed and kept separate when the bird is prepared for cooking. [OF gibelet game stew, perh. f. gibier game] giddy adj. & v. --adj. (giddier, giddiest) 1 having a sensation of whirling and a tendency to fall, stagger, or spin round. 2 a overexcited as a result of success, pleasurable emotion, etc.; mentally intoxicated. b excitable, frivolous. 3 tending to make one giddy. --v.tr. & intr. (-ies, -ied) make or become giddy. ЬЬgiddily adv. giddiness n. [OE gidig insane, lit. 'possessed by a god'] gie v.tr. & intr. Sc. = GIVE. gift n. & v. --n. 1 a thing given; a present. 2 a natural ability or talent. 3 the power to give (in his gift). 4 the act or an instance of giving. 5 colloq. an easy task. --v.tr. 1 endow with gifts. 2 a (foll. by with) give to as a gift. b bestow as a gift. Ьgift of tongues see TONGUE. gift token (or voucher) a voucher used as a gift and exchangeable for goods. gift-wrap (-wrapped, -wrapping) wrap attractively as a gift. look a gift-horse in the mouth (usu. neg.) find fault with what has been given. [ME f. ON gipt f. Gmc, rel. to GIVE] gifted adj. exceptionally talented or intelligent. ЬЬgiftedly adv. giftedness n. gig(1) n. 1 a light two-wheeled one-horse carriage. 2 a light ship's boat for rowing or sailing. 3 a rowing-boat esp. for racing. [ME in var. senses: prob. imit.] gig(2) n. & v. colloq. --n. an engagement of an entertainer, esp. of musicians to play jazz or dance music, usu. for a single appearance. --v.intr. (gigged, gigging) perform a gig. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] gig(3) n. a kind of fishing-spear. [short for fizgig, fishgig: cf. Sp. fisga harpoon] giga- comb. form denoting a factor of 10(9). [Gk gigas giant] gigametre n. a metric unit equal to 10(9) metres. gigantic adj. 1 very large; enormous. 2 like or suited to a giant. ЬЬgigantesque adj. gigantically adv. [L gigas gigantis GIANT] gigantism n. abnormal largeness, esp. Med. excessive growth due to hormonal imbalance, or to polyploidy in plants. giggle v. & n. --v.intr. laugh in half-suppressed spasms, esp. in an affected or silly manner. --n. 1 such a laugh. 2 colloq. an amusing person or thing; a joke. ЬЬgiggler n. giggly adj. (gigglier, giggliest). giggliness n. [imit.: cf. Du. gichelen, G gickeln] gigolo n. (pl. -os) 1 a young man paid by an older woman to be her escort or lover. 2 a professional male dancing-partner or escort. [F, formed as masc. of gigole dance-hall woman] gigot n. a leg of mutton or lamb. Ьgigot sleeve a leg-of-mutton sleeve. [F, dimin. of dial. gigue leg] gigue n. 1 = JIG 1. 2 Mus. a lively dance usu. in a dotted rhythm with two sections each repeated. [F: see JIG(1)] gild(1) v.tr. (past part. gilded or as adj. in sense 1 gilt) 1 cover thinly with gold. 2 tinge with a golden colour or light. 3 give a specious or false brilliance to. Ьgilded cage luxurious but restrictive surroundings. gilded youth young people of wealth, fashion, and flair. gild the lily try to improve what is already beautiful or excellent. ЬЬgilder n. [OE gyldan f. Gmc] gild(2) var. of GUILD. gilding n. 1 the act or art of applying gilt. 2 material used in applying gilt. gilet n. a light often padded waistcoat, usu. worn for warmth by women. [F, = waistcoat] gilgai n. Austral. a saucer-like natural reservoir for rainwater. [Aboriginal] gill(1) n. & v. --n. (usu. in pl.) 1 the respiratory organ in fishes and other aquatic animals. 2 the vertical radial plates on the underside of mushrooms and other fungi. 3 the flesh below a person's jaws and ears (green about the gills). 4 the wattles or dewlap of fowls. --v.tr. 1 gut (a fish). 2 cut off the gills of (a mushroom). 3 catch in a gill-net. Ьgill-cover a bony case protecting a fish's gills; an operculum. gill-net a net for entangling fishes by the gills. ЬЬgilled adj. (also in comb.). [ME f. ON gil (unrecorded) f. Gmc] gill(2) n. 1 a unit of liquid measure, equal to a quarter of a pint. 2 Brit. dial. half a pint. [ME f. OF gille, med.L gillo f. LL gello, gillo water-pot] gill(3) n. (also ghyll) Brit. 1 a deep usu. wooded ravine. 2 a narrow mountain torrent. [ME f. ON gil glen] gill(4) n. (also Gill, jill, Jill) 1 derog. a young woman. 2 colloq. or dial. a female ferret. [ME, abbr. of Gillian f. OF Juliane f. L Juliana (Julius)] gillie n. (also ghillie) Sc. 1 a man or boy attending a person hunting or fishing. 2 hist. a Highland chief's attendant. [Gael. gille lad, servant] gillion n. 1 a thousand million. 2 a large number. °Mainly used to avoid the ambiguity of billion. [GIGA- + MILLION] gillyflower n. 1 (in full clove gillyflower) a clove-scented pink (see CLOVE(1) 2). 2 any of various similarly scented flowers such as the wallflower or white stock. [ME gilofre, gerofle f. OF gilofre, girofle, f. med.L f. Gk karuophullon clove-tree f. karuon nut + phullon leaf, assim. to FLOWER] gilt(1) adj. & n. --adj. 1 covered thinly with gold. 2 gold-coloured. --n. 1 gold or a goldlike substance applied in a thin layer to a surface. 2 (often in pl.) a gilt-edged security. Ьgilt-edged 1 (of securities, stocks, etc.) having a high degree of reliability as an investment. 2 having a gilded edge. [past part. of GILD(1)] gilt(2) n. a young unbred sow. [ME f. ON gyltr] gimbals n.pl. a contrivance, usu. of rings and pivots, for keeping instruments such as a compass and chronometer horizontal at sea, in the air, etc. [var. of earlier gimmal f. OF gemel double finger-ring f. L gemellus dimin. of geminus twin] gimcrack adj. & n. --adj. showy but flimsy and worthless. --n. a cheap showy ornament; a knick-knack. ЬЬgimcrackery n. gimcracky adj. [ME gibecrake a kind of ornament, of unkn. orig.] gimlet n. 1 a small tool with a screw-tip for boring holes. 2 a cocktail usu. of gin and lime-juice. Ьgimlet eye an eye with a piercing glance. [ME f. OF guimbelet, dimin. of guimble] gimmick n. colloq. a trick or device, esp. to attract attention, publicity, or trade. ЬЬgimmickry n. gimmicky adj. [20th-c. US: orig. unkn.] gimp(1) n. (also guimp, gymp) 1 a twist of silk etc. with cord or wire running through it, used esp. as trimming. 2 fishing-line of silk etc. bound with wire. 3 a coarser thread outlining the design of lace. [Du.: orig. unkn.] gimp(2) n. sl. a lame person or leg. gin(1) n. an alcoholic spirit distilled from grain or malt and flavoured with juniper berries. Ьgin rummy a form of the card-game rummy. [abbr. of GENEVA] gin(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a snare or trap. 2 a machine for separating cotton from its seeds. 3 a kind of crane and windlass. --v.tr. (ginned, ginning) 1 treat (cotton) in a gin. 2 trap. ЬЬginner n. [ME f. OF engin ENGINE] gin(3) n. Austral. an Aboriginal woman. [Aboriginal] ginger n., adj., & v. --n. 1 a a hot spicy root usu. powdered for use in cooking, or preserved in syrup, or candied. b the plant, Zingiber officinale, of SE Asia, having this root. 2 a light reddish-yellow colour. 3 spirit, mettle. 4 stimulation. --adj. of a ginger colour. --v.tr. 1 flavour with ginger. 2 (foll. by up) rouse or enliven. Ьblack ginger unscraped ginger. ginger ale an effervescent non-alcoholic clear drink flavoured with ginger extract. ginger beer an effervescent mildly alcoholic cloudy drink, made by fermenting a mixture of ginger and syrup. ginger group Brit. a group within a party or movement that presses for stronger or more radical policy or action. ginger-nut a ginger-flavoured biscuit. ginger-pop colloq. = ginger ale. ginger-snap a thin brittle biscuit flavoured with ginger. ginger wine a drink of fermented sugar, water, and bruised ginger. ЬЬgingery adj. [ME f. OE gingiber & OF gingi(m)bre, both f. med.L gingiber ult. f. Skr. srngaveram f. srngam horn + -vera body, with ref. to the antler-shape of the root] gingerbread n. 1 a cake made with treacle or syrup and flavoured with ginger. 2 (often attrib.) a gaudy or tawdry decoration or ornament. gingerly adv. & adj. --adv. in a careful or cautious manner. --adj. showing great care or caution. ЬЬgingerliness n. [perh. f. OF gensor delicate, compar. of gent graceful f. L genitus (well-)born] gingham n. a plain-woven cotton cloth esp. striped or checked. [Du. gingang f. Malay ginggang (orig. adj. = striped)] gingili n. 1 sesame. 2 sesame oil. [Hindi jinjali f. Arab. juljulan] gingiva n. (pl. gingivae) the gum. ЬЬgingival adj. [L] gingivitis n. inflammation of the gums. gingko var. of GINKGO. ginglymus n. (pl. ginglymi) Anat. a hingelike joint in the body with motion in one plane only, e.g. the elbow or knee. [mod.L f. Gk gigglumos hinge] gink n. sl. often derog. a fellow; a man. [20th-c. US: orig. unkn.] ginkgo n. (also gingko) (pl. -os or -oes) an orig. Chinese and Japanese tree, Ginkgo biloba, with fan-shaped leaves and yellow flowers. Also called maidenhair tree. [Jap. ginkyo f. Chin. yinxing silver apricot] ginormous adj. Brit. sl. very large; enormous. [GIANT + ENORMOUS] ginseng n. 1 any of several medicinal plants of the genus Panax, found in E. Asia and N. America. 2 the root of this. [Chin. renshen perh. = man-image, with allusion to its forked root] gippy tummy n. (also gyppy tummy) colloq. diarrhoea affecting visitors to hot countries. [abbr. of EGYPTIAN] gipsy var. of GYPSY. giraffe n. (pl. same or giraffes) a ruminant mammal, Giraffa camelopardalis of Africa, the tallest living animal, with a long neck and forelegs and a skin of dark patches separated by lighter lines. [F girafe, It. giraffa, ult. f. Arab. zarafa] girandole n. 1 a revolving cluster of fireworks. 2 a branched candle-bracket or candlestick. 3 an earring or pendant with a large central stone surrounded by small ones. [F f. It. girandola f. girare GYRATE] girasol n. (also girasole) a kind of opal reflecting a reddish glow; a fire-opal. [orig. = sunflower, f. F girasol or It. girasole f. girare (as GIRANDOLE) + sole sun] gird(1) v.tr. (past and past part. girded or girt) literary 1 encircle, attach, or secure with a belt or band. 2 secure (clothes) on the body with a girdle or belt. 3 enclose or encircle. 4 a (foll. by with) equip with a sword in a belt. b fasten (a sword) with a belt. 5 (foll. by round) place (cord etc.) round. Ьgird (or gird up) one's loins prepare for action. [OE gyrdan f. Gmc (as GIRTH)] gird(2) v. & n. --v.intr. (foll. by at) jeer or gibe. --n. a gibe or taunt. [ME, = strike etc.: orig. unkn.] girder n. a large iron or steel beam or compound structure for bearing loads, esp. in bridge-building. [GIRD(1) + -ER(1)] girdle(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a belt or cord worn round the waist. 2 a woman's corset extending from waist to thigh. 3 a thing that surrounds like a girdle. 4 the bony support for a limb (pelvic girdle). 5 the part of a cut gem dividing the crown from the base and embraced by the setting. 6 a ring round a tree made by the removal of bark. --v.tr. 1 surround with a girdle. 2 remove a ring of bark from (a tree), esp. to make it more fruitful. [OE gyrdel: see GIRD(1)] girdle(2) n. Sc. & N.Engl. a circular iron plate placed over a fire or otherwise heated for baking, toasting, etc. [var. of GRIDDLE] girl n. 1 a female child or youth. 2 colloq. a young (esp. unmarried) woman. 3 colloq. a girlfriend or sweetheart. 4 a female servant. Ьgirl Friday see FRIDAY. ЬЬgirlhood n. [ME gurle, girle, gerle, perh. rel. to LG g”r child] girlfriend n. 1 a regular female companion or lover. 2 a female friend. girlie adj. colloq. (of a magazine etc.) depicting nude or partially nude young women in erotic poses. girlish adj. of or like a girl. ЬЬgirlishly adv. girlishness n. giro n. & v. --n. (pl. -os) 1 a system of credit transfer between banks, post offices, etc. 2 a cheque or payment by giro. --v.tr. (-oes, -oed) pay by giro. [G f. It., = circulation (of money)] girt(1) past part. of GIRD(1). girt(2) var. of GIRTH. girth n. & v. (also girt) --n. 1 the distance around a thing. 2 a band round the body of a horse to secure the saddle etc. --v. 1 tr. a secure (a saddle etc.) with a girth. b put a girth on (a horse). 2 tr. surround, encircle. 3 intr. measure (an amount) in girth. [ME f. ON gj”rth, Goth. gairda f. Gmc] gismo n. (also gizmo) (pl. -os) sl. a gadget. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] gist n. 1 the substance or essence of a matter. 2 Law the real ground of an action etc. [OF, 3rd sing. pres. of gesir lie f. L jacere] git n. Brit. sl. a silly or contemptible person. [var. of GET n.] gЊte n. a furnished holiday house in France, usu. small and in a rural district. [orig. = lodging: F f. OF giste, rel. to g‚sir lie] gittern n. a medieval stringed instrument, a forerunner of the guitar. [ME f. OF guiterne: cf. CITTERN, GUITAR] give v. & n. --v. (past gave; past part. given) 1 tr. (also absol.; often foll. by to) transfer the possession of freely; hand over as a present (gave them her old curtains; gives to cancer research). 2 tr. a transfer the ownership of with or without actual delivery; bequeath (gave him њ200 in her will). b transfer, esp. temporarily or for safe keeping; hand over; provide with (gave him the dog to hold; gave them a drink). c administer (medicine). d deliver (a message) (give her my best wishes). 3 tr. (usu. foll. by for) make over in exchange or payment; pay; sell (gave him њ30 for the bicycle). 4 tr. a confer; grant (a benefit, an honour, etc.). b accord; bestow (one's affections, confidence, etc.). c award; administer (one's approval, blame, etc.); tell, offer (esp. something unpleasant) (gave him a talking-to; gave him my blessing; gave him the sack). d pledge, assign as a guarantee (gave his word). 5 tr. a effect or perform (an action etc.) (gave him a kiss; gave a jump). b utter (gave a shriek). 6 tr. allot; assign; grant (was given the contract). 7 tr. (in passive; foll. by to) be inclined to or fond of (is given to speculation). 8 tr. yield as a product or result (the lamp gives a bad light; the field gives fodder for twenty cows). 9 intr. a yield to pressure; become relaxed; lose firmness (this elastic doesn't give properly). b collapse (the roof gave under the pressure). 10 intr. (usu. foll. by of) grant; bestow (gave freely of his time). 11 tr. a commit, consign, or entrust (gave him into custody; give her into your care). b sanction the marriage of (a daughter etc.). 12 tr. devote; dedicate (gave his life to table tennis; shall give it my attention). 13 tr. (usu. absol.) colloq. tell what one knows (What happened? Come on, give!). 14 tr. present; offer; show; hold out (gives no sign of life; gave her his arm; give him your ear). 15 tr. Theatr. read, recite, perform, act, etc. (gave them Hamlet's soliloquy). 16 tr. impart; be a source of (gave him my sore throat; gave its name to the battle; gave me much pain; gives him a right to complain). 17 tr. allow (esp. a fixed amount of time) (can give you five minutes). 18 tr. (usu. foll. by for) value (something) (gives nothing for their opinions). 19 tr. concede; yield (I give you the victory). 20 tr. deliver (a judgement etc.) authoritatively (gave his verdict). 21 tr. Cricket (of an umpire) declare (a batsman) out or not out. 22 tr. toast (a person, cause, etc.) (I give you our President). 23 tr. provide (a party, meal, etc.) as host (gave a banquet). --n. 1 capacity to yield or bend under pressure; elasticity (there is no give in a stone floor). 2 ability to adapt or comply (no give in his attitudes). Ьgive and take v.tr. exchange (words, blows, or concessions). --n. an exchange of words etc.; a compromise. give as good as one gets retort adequately in words or blows. give away 1 transfer as a gift. 2 hand over (a bride) ceremonially to a bridegroom. 3 betray or expose to ridicule or detection. 4 Austral. abandon, desist from, give up, lose faith or interest in. give-away n. colloq. 1 an inadvertent betrayal or revelation. 2 an act of giving away. 3 a free gift; a low price. give back return (something) to its previous owner or in exchange. give a person the best see BEST. give birth (to) see BIRTH. give chase pursue a person, animal, etc.; hunt. give down (often absol.) (of a cow) let (milk) flow. give forth emit; publish; report. give the game (or show) away reveal a secret or intention. give a hand see HAND. give a person (or the devil) his or her due acknowledge, esp. grudgingly, a person's rights, abilities, etc. give in 1 cease fighting or arguing; yield. 2 hand in (a document etc.) to an official etc. give in marriage sanction the marriage of (one's daughter etc.). give it to a person colloq. scold or punish. give me I prefer or admire (give me the Greek islands). give off emit (vapour etc.). give oneself (of a woman) yield sexually. give oneself airs act pretentiously or snobbishly. give oneself up to 1 abandon oneself to an emotion, esp. despair. 2 addict oneself to. give on to (or into) (of a window, corridor, etc.) overlook or lead into. give or take colloq. add or subtract (a specified amount or number) in estimating. give out 1 announce; emit; distribute. 2 cease or break down from exhaustion etc. 3 run short. give over 1 colloq. cease from doing; abandon (a habit etc.); desist (give over sniffing). 2 hand over. 3 devote. give rise to cause, induce, suggest. give tongue 1 speak one's thoughts. 2 (of hounds) bark, esp. on finding a scent. give a person to understand inform authoritatively. give up 1 resign; surrender. 2 part with. 3 deliver (a wanted person etc.). 4 pronounce incurable or insoluble; renounce hope of. 5 renounce or cease (an activity). give up the ghost archaic or colloq. die. give way see WAY. give a person what for colloq. punish or scold severely. give one's word (or word of honour) promise solemnly. not give a damn (or monkey's or toss etc.) colloq. not care at all. what gives? colloq. what is the news?; what's happening? would give the world (or one's ears, eyes, etc.) for covet or wish for desperately. ЬЬgiveable adj. giver n. [OE g(i)efan f. Gmc] given adj. & n. --adj. 1 as previously stated or assumed; granted; specified (given that he is a liar, we cannot trust him; a given number of people). 2 Law (of a document) signed and dated (given this day the 30th June). --n. a known fact or situation. Ьgiven name US a name given at, or as if at, baptism; a Christian name. [past part. of GIVE] gizmo var. of GISMO. gizzard n. 1 the second part of a bird's stomach, for grinding food usu. with grit. 2 a muscular stomach of some fish, insects, molluscs, and other invertebrates. Ьstick in one's gizzard colloq. be distasteful. [ME giser f. OF giser, gesier etc., ult. f. L gigeria cooked entrails of fowl] 10.0 glabella... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- glabella n. (pl. glabellae) the smooth part of the forehead above and between the eyebrows. ЬЬglabellar adj. [mod.L f. L glabellus (adj.) dimin. of glaber smooth] glabrous adj. free from hair or down; smooth skinned. [L glaber glabri hairless] glac‚ adj. 1 (of fruit, esp. cherries) preserved in sugar, usu. resulting in a glossy surface. 2 (of cloth, leather, etc.) smooth; polished. Ьglac‚ icing icing made with icing sugar and water. [F, past part. of glacer to ice, gloss f. glace ice: see GLACIER] glacial adj. 1 of ice; icy. 2 Geol. characterized or produced by the presence or agency of ice. 3 Chem. forming icelike crystals upon freezing (glacial acetic acid). Ьglacial epoch (or period) a period when ice-sheets were exceptionally extensive. ЬЬglacially adv. [F glacial or L glacialis icy f. glacies ice] glaciated adj. 1 marked or polished by the action of ice. 2 covered or having been covered by glaciers or ice sheets. ЬЬglaciation n. [past part. of glaciate f. L glaciare freeze f. glacies ice] glacier n. a mass of land ice formed by the accumulation of snow on high ground. [F f. glace ice ult. f. L glacies] glaciology n. the science of the internal dynamics and effects of glaciers. ЬЬglaciological adj. glaciologist n. [L glacies ice + -LOGY] glacis n. (pl. same) a bank sloping down from a fort, on which attackers are exposed to the defenders' missiles etc. [F f. OF glacier to slip f. glace ice: see GLACIER] glad(1) adj. & v. --adj. (gladder, gladdest) 1 (predic.; usu. foll. by of, about, or to + infin.) pleased; willing (shall be glad to come; would be glad of a chance to talk about it). 2 a marked by, filled with, or expressing, joy (a glad expression). b (of news, events, etc.) giving joy (glad tidings). 3 (of objects) bright; beautiful. --v.tr. (gladded, gladding) archaic make glad. Ьthe glad eye colloq. an amorous glance. glad hand the hand of welcome. glad-hand v.tr. greet cordially; welcome. glad rags colloq. best clothes; evening dress. ЬЬgladly adv. gladness n. gladsome adj. poet. [OE gl‘d f. Gmc] glad(2) n. (also Austral. gladdie) colloq. a gladiolus. [abbr.] gladden v.tr. & intr. make or become glad. ЬЬgladdener n. gladdie Austral. var. of GLAD(2). glade n. an open space in a wood or forest. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] gladiator n. 1 hist. a man trained to fight with a sword or other weapons at ancient Roman shows. 2 a person defending or opposing a cause; a controversialist. ЬЬgladiatorial adj. [L f. gladius sword] gladiolus n. (pl. gladioli or gladioluses) any iridaceous plant of the genus Gladiolus with sword-shaped leaves and usu. brightly coloured flower-spikes. [L, dimin. of gladius sword] Gladstone bag n. a bag like a briefcase having two equal compartments joined by a hinge. [W. E. Gladstone, Engl. statesman d. 1898] Glagolitic adj. of or relating to the alphabet ascribed to St Cyril and formerly used in writing some Slavonic languages. [mod.L glagoliticus f. Serbo-Croatian glagolica Glagolitic alphabet f. OSlav. glagol word] glair n. (also glaire) 1 white of egg. 2 an adhesive preparation made from this, used in bookbinding etc. ЬЬglaireous adj. glairy adj. [ME f. OF glaire, ult. f. L clara fem. of clarus clear] glaire var. of GLAIR. glaive n. archaic poet. 1 a broadsword. 2 any sword. [ME f. OF, app. f. L gladius sword] Glam. abbr. Glamorgan. glam adj., n., & v. colloq. --adj. glamorous. --n. glamour. --v.tr. (glammed, glamming) glamorize. [abbr.] glamorize v.tr. (also glamourize, -ise) make glamorous or attractive. ЬЬglamorization n. glamour n. & v. (US glamor) --n. 1 physical attractiveness, esp. when achieved by make-up etc. 2 alluring or exciting beauty or charm (the glamour of New York). --v.tr. 1 poet. affect with glamour; bewitch; enchant. 2 colloq. make glamorous. Ьcast a glamour over enchant. glamour girl (or boy) an attractive young woman (or man), esp. a model etc. ЬЬglamorous adj. glamorously adv. [18th c.: var. of GRAMMAR, with ref. to the occult practices associated with learning in the Middle Ages] glance(1) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by down, up, etc.) cast a momentary look (glanced up at the sky). 2 intr. (often foll. by off) (esp. of a weapon) glide or bounce (off an object). 3 intr. (usu. foll. by over, off, from) (of talk or a talker) pass quickly over a subject or subjects (glanced over the question of payment). 4 intr. (of a bright object or light) flash, dart, or gleam; reflect (the sun glanced off the knife). 5 tr. (esp. of a weapon) strike (an object) obliquely. 6 tr. Cricket deflect (the ball) with an oblique stroke. --n. 1 (usu. foll. by at, into, over, etc.) a brief look (took a glance at the paper; threw a glance over her shoulder). 2 a a flash or gleam (a glance of sunlight). b a sudden movement producing this. 3 a swift oblique movement or impact. 4 Cricket a stroke with the bat's face turned slantwise to deflect the ball. Ьat a glance immediately upon looking. glance at 1 give a brief look at. 2 make a passing and usu. sarcastic allusion to. glance one's eye (foll. by at, over, etc.) look at briefly (esp. a document). glance over (or through) read cursorily. ЬЬglancingly adv. [ME glence etc., prob. a nasalized form of obs. glace in the same sense, f. OF glacier to slip: see GLACIS] glance(2) n. any lustrous sulphide ore (copper glance; lead glance). [G Glanz lustre] gland(1) n. 1 a an organ in an animal body secreting substances for use in the body or for ejection. b a structure resembling this, such as a lymph gland. 2 Bot. a secreting cell or group of cells on the surface of a plant-structure. [F glande f. OF glandre f. L glandulae throat-glands] gland(2) n. a sleeve used to produce a seal round a moving shaft. [19th c.: perh. var. of glam, glan a vice, rel. to CLAMP(1)] glanders n.pl. (also treated as sing.) 1 a contagious disease of horses, caused by a bacterium and characterized by swellings below the jaw and mucous discharge from the nostrils. 2 this disease in humans or other animals. ЬЬglandered adj. glanderous adj. [OF glandre: see GLAND(1)] glandular adj. of or relating to a gland or glands. Ьglandular fever an infectious viral disease characterized by swelling of the lymph glands and prolonged lassitude, infectious mononucleosis (see MONONUCLEOSIS). [F glandulaire (as GLAND(1))] glans n. (pl. glandes) the rounded part forming the end of the penis or clitoris. [L, = acorn] glare(1) v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (usu. foll. by at, upon) look fiercely or fixedly. 2 intr. shine dazzlingly or disagreeably. 3 tr. express (hate, defiance, etc.) by a look. 4 intr. be over-conspicuous or obtrusive. --n. 1 a strong fierce light, esp. sunshine. b oppressive public attention (the glare of fame). 2 a fierce or fixed look (a glare of defiance). 3 tawdry brilliance. ЬЬglary adj. [ME, prob. ult. rel. to GLASS: cf. MDu. and MLG glaren gleam, glare] glare(2) adj. US (esp. of ice) smooth and glassy. [perh. f. glare frost (16th c., of uncert. orig.)] glaring adj. 1 obvious, conspicuous (a glaring error). 2 shining oppressively. 3 staring fiercely. ЬЬglaringly adv. glaringness n. glasnost n. (in the Soviet Union) the policy or practice of more open consultative government and wider dissemination of information. [Russ. glasnost', lit. = publicity, openness] glass n., v., & adj. --n. 1 a (often attrib.) a hard, brittle, usu. transparent, translucent, or shiny substance, made by fusing sand with soda and lime and sometimes other ingredients (a glass jug) (cf. crown glass, flint glass, plate glass). b a substance of similar properties or composition. 2 (often collect.) an object or objects made from, or partly from, glass, esp.: a a drinking vessel. b a mirror; a looking-glass. c an hour- or sand-glass. d a window. e a greenhouse (rows of lettuce under glass). f glass ornaments. g a barometer. h a glass disc covering a watch-face. i a magnifying lens. j a monocle. 3 (in pl.) a spectacles. b field-glasses; opera-glasses. 4 the amount of liquid contained in a glass; a drink (he likes a glass). --v.tr. 1 (usu. as glassed adj.) fit with glass; glaze. 2 poet. reflect as in a mirror. 3 Mil. look at or for with field-glasses. --adj. of or made from glass. Ьglass-blower a person who blows semi-molten glass to make glassware. glass-blowing this occupation. glass case an exhibition display case made mostly from glass. glass-cloth 1 a linen cloth for drying glasses. 2 a cloth covered with powdered glass or abrasive, like glass-paper. glass cloth a woven fabric of fine-spun glass. glass-cutter 1 a worker who cuts glass. 2 a tool used for cutting glass. glass eye a false eye made from glass. glass fibre 1 a filament or filaments of glass made into fabric. 2 such filaments embedded in plastic as reinforcement. glass-gall = SANDIVER. glass-making the manufacture of glass. glass-paper paper covered with glass-dust or abrasive and used for smoothing and polishing. glass snake any snakelike lizard of the genus Ophisaurus, with a very brittle tail. glass wool glass in the form of fine fibres used for packing and insulation. has had a glass too much is rather drunk. ЬЬglassful n. (pl. -fuls). glassless adj. glasslike adj. [OE gl‘s f. Gmc: cf. GLAZE] glasshouse n. 1 a greenhouse. 2 Brit. sl. a military prison. 3 a building where glass is made. glassie var. of GLASSY n. glassine n. a glossy transparent paper. [GLASS] glassware n. articles made from glass, esp. drinking glasses, tableware, etc. glasswort n. any plant of the genus Salicornia or Salsola formerly burnt for use in glass-making. glassy adj. & n. --adj. (glassier, glassiest) 1 of or resembling glass, esp. in smoothness. 2 (of the eye, the expression, etc.) abstracted; dull; fixed (fixed her with a glassy stare). --n. (also glassie) Austral. a glass marble. Ьthe (or just the) glassy Austral. the most excellent person or thing. ЬЬglassily adv. glassiness n. Glaswegian adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to Glasgow in Scotland. --n. a native of Glasgow. [Glasgow after Norwegian etc.] Glauber's salt n. (also Glauber's salts) a crystalline hydrated form of sodium sulphate used esp. as a laxative. [J. R. Glauber, Ger. chemist d. 1668] glaucoma n. an eye-condition with increased pressure within the eyeball, causing gradual loss of sight. ЬЬglaucomatous adj. [L f. Gk glaukoma -atos, ult. f. glaukos: see GLAUCOUS] glaucous adj. 1 of a dull greyish green or blue. 2 covered with a powdery bloom as of grapes. [L glaucus f. Gk glaukos] glaze v. & n. --v. 1 tr. a fit (a window, picture, etc.) with glass. b provide (a building) with glass windows. 2 tr. a cover (pottery etc.) with a glaze. b fix (paint) on pottery with a glaze. 3 tr. cover (pastry, meat, etc.) with a glaze. 4 intr. (often foll. by over) (of the eyes) become fixed or glassy (his eyes glazed over). 5 tr. cover (cloth, paper, leather, a painted surface, etc.) with a glaze. 6 tr. give a glassy surface to, e.g. by rubbing. --n. 1 a vitreous substance, usu. a special glass, used to glaze pottery. 2 a smooth shiny coating of milk, sugar, gelatine, etc., on food. 3 a thin topcoat of transparent paint used to modify the tone of the underlying colour. 4 a smooth surface formed by glazing. 5 US a thin coating of ice. Ьglazed frost a glassy coating of ice caused by frozen rain or a sudden thaw succeeded by a frost. glaze in enclose (a building, a window frame, etc.) with glass. ЬЬglazer n. glazy adj. [ME f. an oblique form of GLASS] glazier n. a person whose trade is glazing windows etc. ЬЬglaziery n. glazing n. 1 the act or an instance of glazing. 2 windows (see also double glazing). 3 material used to produce a glaze. GLC abbr. hist. (in the UK) Greater London Council. gleam n. & v. --n. 1 a faint or brief light (a gleam of sunlight). 2 a faint, sudden, intermittent, or temporary show (not a gleam of hope). --v.intr. 1 emit gleams. 2 shine with a faint or intermittent brightness. 3 (of a quality) be indicated (fear gleamed in his eyes). ЬЬgleamingly adv. gleamy adj. [OE gl‘m: cf. GLIMMER] glean v. 1 tr. collect or scrape together (news, facts, gossip, etc.) in small quantities. 2 a tr. (also absol.) gather (ears of corn etc.) after the harvest. b tr. strip (a field etc.) after a harvest. ЬЬgleaner n. [ME f. OF glener f. LL glennare, prob. of Celt. orig.] gleanings n.pl. things gleaned, esp. facts. glebe n. 1 a piece of land serving as part of a clergyman's benefice and providing income. 2 poet. earth; land; a field. [ME f. L gl(a)eba clod, soil] glee n. 1 mirth; delight (watched the enemy's defeat with glee). 2 a song for three or more, esp. adult male, voices, singing different parts simultaneously, usu. unaccompanied. Ьglee club a society for singing part-songs. ЬЬgleesome adj. [OE glio, gleo minstrelsy, jest f. Gmc] gleeful adj. joyful. ЬЬgleefully adv. gleefulness n. Gleichschaltung n. the standardization of political, economic, and social institutions in authoritarian States. [G] glen n. a narrow valley. [Gael. & Ir. gleann] glengarry n. (pl. -ies) a brimless Scottish hat with a cleft down the centre and usu. two ribbons hanging at the back. [Glengarry in Scotland] glenoid cavity n. a shallow depression on a bone, esp. the scapula and temporal bone, receiving the projection of another bone to form a joint. [F gl‚no‹de f. Gk glenoeides f. glene socket] gley n. a tacky waterlogged soil grey to blue in colour. [Ukrainian, = sticky blue clay, rel. to CLAY] glia n. = NEUROGLIA. ЬЬglial adj. [Gk, = glue] glib adj. (glibber, glibbest) 1 (of a speaker, speech, etc.) fluent and voluble but insincere and shallow. 2 archaic smooth; unimpeded. ЬЬglibly adv. glibness n. [rel. to obs. glibbery slippery f. Gmc: perh. imit.] glide v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (of a stream, bird, snake, ship, train, skater, etc.) move with a smooth continuous motion. 2 intr. (of an aircraft, esp. a glider) fly without engine-power. 3 intr. of time etc.: a pass gently and imperceptibly. b (often foll. by into) pass and change gradually and imperceptibly (night glided into day). 4 intr. move quietly or stealthily. 5 tr. cause to glide (breezes glided the ship on its course). 6 tr. cross in a glider. --n. 1 a the act of gliding. b an instance of this. 2 Phonet. a gradually changing sound made in passing from one position of the speech-organs to another. 3 a gliding dance or dance-step. 4 a flight in a glider. 5 Cricket = GLANCE n. 4. Ьglide clip Austral. a paper fastener made of bent wire. glide path an aircraft's line of descent to land, esp. as indicated by ground radar. ЬЬglidingly adv. [OE glidan f. WG] glider n. 1 a an aircraft that flies without an engine. b a glider pilot. 2 a person or thing that glides. glim n. 1 a faint light. 2 archaic sl. a candle; a lantern. [17th c.: perh. abbr. of GLIMMER or GLIMPSE] glimmer v. & n. --v.intr. shine faintly or intermittently. --n. 1 a feeble or wavering light. 2 (usu. foll. by of) a faint gleam (of hope, understanding, etc.). 3 a glimpse. ЬЬglimmeringly adv. [ME prob. f. Scand. f. WG: see GLEAM] glimmering n. 1 = GLIMMER n. 2 an act of glimmering. glimpse n. & v. --n. (often foll. by of) 1 a momentary or partial view (caught a glimpse of her). 2 a faint and transient appearance (glimpses of the truth). --v. 1 tr. see faintly or partly (glimpsed his face in the crowd). 2 intr. (often foll. by at) cast a passing glance. 3 intr. a shine faintly or intermittently. b poet. appear faintly; dawn. [ME glimse corresp. to MHG glimsen f. WG (as GLIMMER)] glint v. & n. --v.intr. & tr. flash or cause to flash; glitter; sparkle; reflect (eyes glinted with amusement; the sword glinted fire). --n. a brief flash of light; a sparkle. [alt. of ME glent, prob. of Scand. orig.] glissade n. & v. --n. 1 an act of sliding down a steep slope of snow or ice, usu. on the feet with the support of an ice-axe etc. 2 a gliding step in ballet. --v.intr. perform a glissade. [F f. glisser slip, slide] glissando n. (pl. glissandi or -os) Mus. a continuous slide of adjacent notes upwards or downwards. [It. f. F glissant sliding (as GLISSADE)] gliss‚ n. (also pas gliss‚) Ballet a sliding step in which the flat of the foot is often used. [F, past part. of glisser: see GLISSADE] glisten v. & n. --v.intr. shine, esp. like a wet object, snow, etc.; glitter. --n. a glitter; a sparkle. [OE glisnian f. glisian shine] glister v. & n. archaic --v.intr. sparkle; glitter. --n. a sparkle; a gleam. [ME f. MLG glistern, MDu glisteren, rel. to GLISTEN] glitch n. colloq. a sudden irregularity or malfunction (of equipment etc.). [20th c.: orig. unkn.] glitter v. & n. --v.intr. 1 shine, esp. with a bright reflected light; sparkle. 2 (usu. foll. by with) a be showy or splendid (glittered with diamonds). b be ostentatious or flashily brilliant (glittering rhetoric). --n. 1 a gleam; a sparkle. 2 showiness; splendour. 3 tiny pieces of sparkling material as on Christmas-tree decorations. ЬЬglitteringly adv. glittery adj. [ME f. ON glitra f. Gmc] glitterati n.pl. sl. the fashionable set of literary or show-business people. [GLITTER + LITERATI] glitz n. sl. extravagant but superficial display; show-business glamour. [back-form. f. GLITZY] glitzy adj. (glitzier, glitziest) sl. extravagant, ostentatious; tawdry, gaudy. ЬЬglitzily adv. glitziness n. [GLITTER, after RITZY: cf. G glitzerig glittering] gloaming n. poet. twilight; dusk. [OE glomung f. glom twilight, rel. to GLOW] gloat v. & n. --v.intr. (often foll. by on, upon, over) consider or contemplate with lust, greed, malice, triumph, etc. (gloated over his collection). --n. 1 the act of gloating. 2 a look or expression of triumphant satisfaction. ЬЬgloater n. gloatingly adv. [16th c.: orig. unkn., but perh. rel. to ON glotta grin, MHG glotzen stare] glob n. a mass or lump of semi-liquid substance, e.g. mud. [20th c.: perh. f. BLOB and GOB(1)] global adj. 1 worldwide (global conflict). 2 relating to or embracing a group of items etc.; total. Ьglobal warming the increase in temperature of the earth's atmosphere caused by the greenhouse effect. ЬЬglobally adv. [F (as GLOBE)] globe n. & v. --n. 1 a (prec. by the) the planet earth. b a planet, star, or sun. c any spherical body; a ball. 2 a spherical representation of the earth or of the constellations with a map on the surface. 3 a golden sphere as an emblem of sovereignty; an orb. 4 any spherical glass vessel, esp. a fish bowl, a lamp, etc. 5 the eyeball. --v.tr. & intr. make (usu. in passive) or become globular. Ьglobe artichoke the partly edible head of the artichoke plant. globe-fish any tropical fish of the family Tetraodontidae, able to inflate itself into a spherical form: also called PUFFER-FISH. globe-flower any ranunculaceous plant of the genus Trollius with globular usu. yellow flowers. globe lightning = ball lightning (see BALL(1)). globe-trotter a person who travels widely. globe-trotting such travel. ЬЬglobelike adj. globoid adj. & n. globose adj. [F globe or L globus] globigerina n. any planktonic protozoan of the genus Globigerina, living near the surface of the sea. [mod.L f. L globus globe + -ger carrying + -INA] globular adj. 1 globe-shaped, spherical. 2 composed of globules. ЬЬglobularity n. globularly adv. globule n. 1 a small globe or round particle; a drop. 2 a pill. ЬЬglobulous adj. [F globule or L globulus (as GLOBE)] globulin n. any of a group of proteins found in plant and animal tissues and esp. responsible for the transport of molecules etc. glockenspiel n. a musical instrument consisting of a series of bells or metal bars or tubes suspended or mounted in a frame and struck by hammers. [G, = bell-play] glom v. US sl. (glommed, glomming) 1 tr. steal; grab. 2 intr. (usu. foll. by on to) steal; grab. [var. of Sc. glaum (18th c., of unkn. orig.)] glomerate adj. Bot. & Anat. compactly clustered. [L glomeratus past part. of glomerare f. glomus -eris ball] glomerule n. a clustered flower-head. glomerulus n. (pl. glomeruli) a cluster of small organisms, tissues, or blood vessels, esp. of the capillaries of the kidney. ЬЬglomerular adj. [mod.L, dimin. of L glomus -eris ball] gloom n. & v. --n. 1 darkness; obscurity. 2 melancholy; despondency. 3 poet. a dark place. --v. 1 intr. be gloomy or melancholy; frown. 2 intr. (of the sky etc.) be dull or threatening; lour. 3 intr. appear darkly or obscurely. 4 tr. cover with gloom; make dark or dismal. [ME gloum(b)e, of unkn. orig.: cf. GLUM] gloomy adj. (gloomier, gloomiest) 1 dark; unlighted. 2 depressed; sullen. 3 dismal; depressing. ЬЬgloomily adv. gloominess n. glop n. US sl. a liquid or sticky mess, esp. inedible food. [imit.: cf. obs. glop swallow greedily] Gloria n. 1 any of various doxologies beginning with Gloria, esp. the hymn beginning with Gloria in excelsis Deo (Glory be to God in the highest). 2 an aureole. [L, = glory] glorify v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 exalt to heavenly glory; make glorious. 2 transform into something more splendid. 3 extol; praise. 4 (as glorified adj.) seeming or pretending to be more splendid than in reality (just a glorified office boy). ЬЬglorification n. glorifier n. [ME f. OF glorifier f. eccl.L glorificare f. LL glorificus f. L gloria glory] gloriole n. an aureole; a halo. [F f. L gloriola dimin. of gloria glory] glorious adj. 1 possessing glory; illustrious. 2 conferring glory; honourable. 3 colloq. splendid; magnificent; delightful (a glorious day; glorious fun). 4 iron. intense; unmitigated (a glorious muddle). 5 colloq. happily intoxicated. ЬЬgloriously adv. gloriousness n. [ME f. AF glorious, OF glorios, -eus f. L gloriosus (as GLORY)] glory n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 high renown or fame; honour. 2 adoring praise and thanksgiving (Glory to the Lord). 3 resplendent majesty or magnificence; great beauty (the glory of Versailles; the glory of the rose). 4 a thing that brings renown or praise; a distinction. 5 the bliss and splendour of heaven. 6 colloq. a state of exaltation, prosperity, happiness, etc. (is in his glory playing with his trains). 7 an aureole, a halo. 8 an anthelion. --v.intr. (often foll. by in, or to + infin.) pride oneself; exult (glory in their skill). Ьglory be! 1 a devout ejaculation. 2 colloq. an exclamation of surprise or delight. glory-box Austral. & NZ a box for women's clothes etc., stored in preparation for marriage. glory-hole 1 colloq. an untidy room, drawer, or receptacle. 2 US an open quarry. glory-of-the-snow = CHIONODOXA. go to glory sl. die; be destroyed. [ME f. AF & OF glorie f. L gloria] Glos. abbr. Gloucestershire. gloss(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a surface shine or lustre. b an instance of this; a smooth finish. 2 a deceptively attractive appearance. b an instance of this. 3 (in full gloss paint) paint formulated to give a hard glossy finish (cf. MATT). --v.tr. make glossy. Ьgloss over 1 seek to conceal beneath a false appearance. 2 conceal or evade by mentioning briefly or misleadingly. ЬЬglosser n. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] gloss(2) n. & v. --n. 1 a an explanatory word or phrase inserted between the lines or in the margin of a text. b a comment, explanation, interpretation, or paraphrase. 2 a misrepresentation of another's words. 3 a a glossary. b an interlinear translation or annotation. --v. 1 tr. a add a gloss or glosses to (a text, word, etc.). b read a different sense into; explain away. 2 intr. (often foll. by on) make (esp. unfavourable) comments. 3 intr. write or introduce glosses. ЬЬglosser n. [alt. of GLOZE after med.L glossa] glossal adj. Anat. of the tongue; lingual. [Gk glossa tongue] glossary n. (pl. -ies) 1 (also gloss) an alphabetical list of terms or words found in or relating to a specific subject or text, esp. dialect, with explanations; a brief dictionary. 2 a collection of glosses. ЬЬglossarial adj. glossarist n. [L glossarium f. glossa GLOSS(2)] glossator n. 1 a writer of glosses. 2 hist. a commentator on, or interpreter of, medieval law-texts. [ME f. med.L f. glossare f. glossa GLOSS(2)] glosseme n. any meaningful feature of a language that cannot be analysed into smaller meaningful units. [Gk glossema f. glossa GLOSS(2)] glossitis n. inflammation of the tongue. [Gk glossa tongue + -ITIS] glossographer n. a writer of glosses or commentaries. [GLOSS(2) + -GRAPHER] glossolalia n. = gift of tongues (see TONGUE). [mod.L f. Gk glossa tongue + -lalia speaking] glosso-laryngeal adj. of the tongue and larynx. [Gk glossa tongue + LARYNGEAL] glossy adj. & n. --adj. (glossier, glossiest) 1 having a shine; smooth. 2 (of paper etc.) smooth and shiny. 3 (of a magazine etc.) printed on such paper. --n. (pl. -ies) colloq. 1 a glossy magazine. 2 a photograph with a glossy surface. ЬЬglossily adv. glossiness n. glottal adj. of or produced by the glottis. Ьglottal stop a sound produced by the sudden opening or shutting of the glottis. glottis n. the space at the upper end of the windpipe and between the vocal cords, affecting voice modulation through expansion or contraction. ЬЬglottic adj. [mod.L f. Gk glottis f. glotta var. of glossa tongue] Gloucester n. (usu. double Gloucester, orig. a richer kind) a kind of hard cheese orig. made in Gloucestershire in S. England. glove n. & v. --n. 1 a covering for the hand, of wool, leather, cotton, etc., worn esp. for protection against cold or dirt, and usu. having separate fingers. 2 a padded protective glove, esp.: a a boxing glove. b a wicket-keeper's glove. --v.tr. cover or provide with a glove or gloves. Ьfit like a glove fit exactly. glove box 1 a box for gloves. 2 a closed chamber with sealed-in gloves for handling radioactive material etc. 3 = glove compartment. glove compartment a recess for small articles in the dashboard of a motor vehicle. glove puppet a small cloth puppet fitted on the hand and worked by the fingers. throw down (or take up) the glove issue (or accept) a challenge. with the gloves off mercilessly; unfairly; with no compunction. ЬЬgloveless adj. glover n. [OE glof, corresp. to ON glўfi, perh. f. Gmc] glow v. & n. --v.intr. 1 a throw out light and heat without flame; be incandescent. b shine like something heated in this way. 2 (of the cheeks) redden, esp. from cold or exercise. 3 (often foll. by with) a (of the body) be heated, esp. from exertion; sweat. b express or experience strong emotion (glowed with pride; glowing with indignation). 4 showing a warm colour (the painting glows with warmth). 5 (as glowing adj.) expressing pride or satisfaction (a glowing report). --n. 1 a glowing state. 2 a bright warm colour, esp. the red of cheeks. 3 ardour; passion. 4 a feeling induced by good health, exercise, etc.; well-being. Ьglow discharge a luminous sparkless electrical discharge from a pointed conductor in a gas at low pressure. glow-worm any beetle of the genus Lampyris whose wingless female emits light from the end of the abdomen. in a glow colloq. hot or flushed; sweating. ЬЬglowingly adv. [OE glowan f. Gmc] glower v. & n. --v.intr. (often foll. by at) stare or scowl, esp. angrily. --n. a glowering look. ЬЬgloweringly adv. [orig. uncert.: perh. Sc. var. of ME glore f. LG or Scand., or f. obs. (ME) glow stare + -ER(4)] gloxinia n. any tropical plant of the genus Gloxinia, native to S. America, with large bell flowers of various colours. [mod.L f. B. P. Gloxin, 18th-c. Ger. botanist] gloze v. 1 tr. (also gloze over) explain away; extenuate; palliate. 2 intr. archaic a (usu. foll. by on, upon) comment. b talk speciously; fawn. [ME f. OF gloser f. glose f. med.L glosa, gloza f. L glossa tongue, GLOSS(2)] glucagon n. a polypeptide hormone formed in the pancreas, which aids the breakdown of glycogen. [Gk glukus sweet + agon leading] glucose n. 1 a simple sugar containing six carbon atoms, found mainly in its dextrorotatory form (see DEXTROSE), which is an important energy source in living organisms and obtainable from some carbohydrates by hydrolysis. °Chem. formula: C[6]H[12]O[6]. 2 a syrup containing glucose sugars from the incomplete hydrolysis of starch. [F f. Gk gleukos sweet wine, rel. to glukus sweet] glucoside n. a compound giving glucose and other products upon hydrolysis. ЬЬglucosidic adj. glue n. & v. --n. an adhesive substance used for sticking objects or materials together. --v.tr. (glues, glued, gluing or glueing) 1 fasten or join with glue. 2 keep or put very close (an eye glued to the keyhole). Ьglue-pot 1 a pot with an outer vessel holding water to heat glue. 2 colloq. an area of sticky mud etc. glue-sniffer a person who inhales the fumes from adhesives as a drug. ЬЬgluelike adj. gluer n. gluey adj. (gluier, gluiest). glueyness n. [ME f. OF glu (n.), gluer (v.), f. LL glus glutis f. L gluten] glum adj. (glummer, glummest) looking or feeling dejected; sullen; displeased. ЬЬglumly adv. glumness n. [rel. to dial. glum (v.) frown, var. of gloume GLOOM v.] glume n. 1 a membranous bract surrounding the spikelet of grasses or the florets of sedges. 2 the husk of grain. ЬЬglumaceous adj. glumose adj. [L gluma husk] gluon n. Physics any of a group of elementary particles that are thought to bind quarks together. [GLUE + -ON] glut v. & n. --v.tr. (glutted, glutting) 1 feed (a person, one's stomach, etc.) or indulge (an appetite, a desire, etc.) to the full; satiate; cloy. 2 fill to excess; choke up. 3 Econ. overstock (a market) with goods. --n. 1 Econ. supply exceeding demand; a surfeit (a glut in the market). 2 full indulgence; one's fill. [ME prob. f. OF gloutir swallow f. L gluttire: cf. GLUTTON] glutamate n. any salt or ester of glutamic acid, esp. a sodium salt used to enhance the flavour of food. glutamic acid n. a naturally occurring amino acid, a constituent of many proteins. [GLUTEN + AMINE + -IC] gluten n. 1 a mixture of proteins present in cereal grains. 2 archaic a sticky substance. [F f. L gluten glutinis glue] gluteus n. (pl. glutei) any of the three muscles in each buttock. ЬЬgluteal adj. [mod.L f. Gk gloutos buttock] glutinous adj. sticky; like glue. ЬЬglutinously adv. glutinousness n. [F glutineux or L glutinosus (as GLUTEN)] glutton n. 1 an excessively greedy eater. 2 (often foll. by for) colloq. a person insatiably eager (a glutton for work). 3 a voracious animal Gulo gulo, of the weasel family. Also called WOLVERINE. Ьa glutton for punishment a person eager to take on hard or unpleasant tasks. ЬЬgluttonize v.intr. (also -ise). gluttonous adj. gluttonously adv. [ME f. OF gluton, gloton f. L glutto -onis f. gluttire swallow, gluttus greedy] gluttony n. habitual greed or excess in eating. [OF glutonie (as GLUTTON)] glyceride n. any fatty-acid ester of glycerol. glycerine n. (US glycerin) = GLYCEROL. [F glycerin f. Gk glukeros sweet] glycerol n. a colourless sweet viscous liquid formed as a by-product in the manufacture of soap, used as an emollient and laxative, in explosives, etc. °Chem. formula: C[3]H[8]O[3]. Also called GLYCERINE. [GLYCERINE + -OL(1)] glycine n. the simplest naturally occurring amino acid, a general constituent of proteins. [G Glycin f. Gk glukus sweet] glyco- comb. form sugar. [Gk glukus sweet] glycogen n. a polysaccharide serving as a store of carbohydrates, esp. in animal tissues, and yielding glucose on hydrolysis. ЬЬglycogenic adj. glycogenesis n. Biochem. the formation of glycogen from sugar. glycol n. a diol, esp. ethylene glycol. ЬЬglycolic adj. glycollic adj. [GLYCERINE + -OL(1), orig. as being intermediate between glycerine and alcohol] glycolysis n. Biochem. the breakdown of glucose by enzymes in most living organisms to release energy and pyruvic acid. glycoprotein n. any of a group of compounds consisting of a protein combined with a carbohydrate. glycoside n. any compound giving sugar and other products on hydrolysis. ЬЬglycosidic adj. [GLYCO-, after GLUCOSIDE] glycosuria n. a condition characterized by an excess of sugar in the urine, associated with diabetes, kidney disease, etc. ЬЬglycosuric adj. [F glycose glucose + -URIA] glyph n. 1 a sculptured character or symbol. 2 a vertical groove, esp. that on a Greek frieze. ЬЬglyphic adj. [F glyphe f. Gk gluphe carving f. glupho carve] glyptal n. an alkyd resin, esp. one formed from glycerine and phthalic acid or anhydride. [perh. f. glycerol + ph th alic] glyptic adj. of or concerning carving, esp. on precious stones. [F glyptique or Gk gluptikos f. gluptes carver f. glupho carve] glyptodont n. any extinct armadillo-like edentate animal of the genus Glyptodon native to S. America, having fluted teeth and a body covered in a hard thick bony shell. [mod.L f. Gk gluptos carved + odous odontos tooth] glyptography n. the art or scientific study of gem-engraving. [Gk gluptos carved + -GRAPHY] 11.0 GM... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GM abbr. 1 (in the UK) George Medal. 2 (in the US) General Motors. 3 general manager. gm abbr. gram(s). G-man n. (pl. G-men) 1 US colloq. a federal criminal-investigation officer. 2 Ir. a political detective. [Government + MAN] GMT abbr. Greenwich mean time. GMWU abbr. (in the UK) General & Municipal Workers' Union. 12.0 gnamma... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- gnamma n. (also namma) Austral. a natural hole in a rock, containing water; a waterhole. [Aboriginal] gnarled adj. (also gnarly) (of a tree, hands, etc.) knobbly, twisted, rugged. [var. of knarled, rel. to KNURL] gnash v. & n. --v. 1 tr. grind (the teeth). 2 intr. (of the teeth) strike together; grind. --n. an act of grinding the teeth. [var. of obs. gnacche or gnast, rel. to ON gnastan a gnashing (imit.)] gnat n. 1 any small two-winged biting fly of the genus Culex, esp. C. pipiens. 2 an insignificant annoyance. 3 a tiny thing. [OE gn‘tt] gnathic adj. of or relating to the jaws. [Gk gnathos jaw] gnaw v. (past part. gnawed or gnawn) 1 a tr. (usu. foll. by away, off, in two, etc.) bite persistently; wear away by biting. b intr. (often foll. by at, into) bite, nibble. 2 a intr. (often foll. by at, into) (of a destructive agent, pain, fear, etc.) corrode; waste away; consume; torture. b tr. corrode, consume, torture, etc. with pain, fear, etc. (was gnawed by doubt). 3 tr. (as gnawing adj.) persistent; worrying. ЬЬgnawingly adv. [OE gnagen, ult. imit.] gneiss n. a usu. coarse-grained metamorphic rock foliated by mineral layers, principally of feldspar, quartz, and ferromagnesian minerals. ЬЬgneissic adj. gneissoid adj. gneissose adj. [G] gnocchi n.pl. an Italian dish of small dumplings usu. made from potato, semolina flour, etc., or from spinach and cheese. [It., pl. of gnocco f. nocchio knot in wood] gnome(1) n. 1 a a dwarfish legendary creature supposed to guard the earth's treasures underground; a goblin. b a figure of a gnome, esp. as a garden ornament. 2 (esp. in pl.) colloq. a person with sinister influence, esp. financial (gnomes of Zurich). ЬЬgnomish adj. [F f. mod.L gnomus (word invented by Paracelsus)] gnome(2) n. a maxim; an aphorism. [Gk gnome opinion f. gignosko know] gnomic adj. 1 of, consisting of, or using gnomes or aphorisms; sententious (see GNOME(2)). 2 Gram. (of a tense) used without the implication of time to express a general truth, e.g. men were deceivers ever. ЬЬgnomically adv. [Gk gnomikos (as GNOME(2))] gnomon n. 1 the rod or pin etc. on a sundial that shows the time by the position of its shadow. 2 Geom. the part of a parallelogram left when a similar parallelogram has been taken from its corner. 3 Astron. a column etc. used in observing the sun's meridian altitude. ЬЬgnomonic adj. [F or L gnomon f. Gk gnomon indicator etc. f. gignosko know] gnosis n. knowledge of spiritual mysteries. [Gk gnosis knowledge (as GNOMON)] gnostic adj. & n. --adj. 1 relating to knowledge, esp. esoteric mystical knowledge. 2 (Gnostic) concerning the Gnostics; occult; mystic. --n. (Gnostic) (usu. in pl.) a Christian heretic of the 1st-3rd c. claiming gnosis. ЬЬGnosticism n. gnosticize v.tr. & intr. [eccl.L gnosticus f. Gk gnostikos (as GNOSIS)] GNP abbr. gross national product. Gnr. abbr. Brit. Gunner. gns. abbr. Brit. hist. guineas. gnu n. any antelope of the genus Connochaetes, native to S. Africa, with a large erect head and brown stripes on the neck and shoulders. Also called WILDEBEEST. [Bushman nqu, prob. through Du. gnoe] 13.0 go... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- go(1) v., n., & adj. --v. (3rd sing. present goes; past went; past part. gone) 1 intr. a start moving or be moving from one place or point in time to another; travel, proceed. b (foll. by to + infin., or and + verb) proceed in order to (went to find him; go and buy some bread). c (foll. by and + verb) colloq. expressing annoyance (you went and told him; they've gone and broken it; she went and won). 2 intr. (foll. by verbal noun) make a special trip for; participate in; proceed to do (went skiing; then went shopping; often goes running). 3 intr. lie or extend in a certain direction (the road goes to London). 4 intr. leave; depart (they had to go). 5 intr. move, act, work, etc. (the clock doesn't go; his brain is going all the time). 6 intr. a make a specified movement (go like this with your foot). b make a sound (often of a specified kind) (the gun went bang; the door bell went). c colloq. say (so he goes to me 'Why didn't you like it?'). d (of an animal) make (its characteristic cry) (the cow went 'moo'). 7 intr. be in a specified state (go hungry; went in fear of his life). 8 intr. a pass into a specified condition (gone bad; went mad; went to sleep). b colloq. die. c proceed or escape in a specified condition (the poet went unrecognized; the crime went unnoticed). 9 intr. (of time or distance) pass, elapse; be traversed (ten days to go before Easter; the last mile went quickly). 10 intr. a (of a document, verse, song, etc.) have a specified content or wording; run (the tune goes like this). b be current or accepted (so the story goes). c be suitable; fit; match (the shoes don't go with the hat). d be regularly kept or put (the forks go here). e find room; fit (this won't go into the cupboard). 11 intr. a turn out, proceed; take a course or view (things went well; Liverpool went Labour). b be successful (make the party go; went like a bomb). c progress (we've still a long way to go). 12 intr. a be sold (went for њ1; went cheap). b (of money) be spent (њ200 went on a new jacket). 13 intr. a be relinquished, dismissed, or abolished (the car will have to go). b fail, decline; give way, collapse (his sight is going; the bulb has gone). 14 intr. be acceptable or permitted; be accepted without question (anything goes; what I say goes). 15 intr. (often foll. by by, with, on, upon) be guided by; judge or act on or in harmony with (have nothing to go on; a good rule to go by). 16 intr. attend or visit or travel to regularly (goes to church; goes to school; this train goes to Bristol). 17 intr. (foll. by pres. part.) colloq. proceed (often foolishly) to do (went running to the police; don't go making him angry). 18 intr. act or proceed to a certain point (will go so far and no further; went as high as њ100). 19 intr. (of a number) be capable of being contained in another (6 into 12 goes twice; 6 into 5 won't go). 20 tr. Cards bid; declare (go nap; has gone two spades). 21 intr. (usu. foll. by to) be allotted or awarded; pass (first prize went to the girl; the job went to his rival). 22 intr. (foll. by to, towards) amount to; contribute to (12 inches go to make a foot; this will go towards your holiday). 23 intr. (in imper.) begin motion (a starter's order in a race) (ready, steady, go!). 24 intr. (usu. foll. by to) refer or appeal (go to him for help). 25 intr. (often foll. by on) take up a specified profession (went on the stage; gone soldiering; went to sea). 26 intr. (usu. foll. by by, under) be known or called (goes by the name of Droopy). 27 tr. colloq. proceed to (go jump in the lake). 28 intr. (foll. by for) apply to; have relevance for (that goes for me too). --n. (pl. goes) 1 the act or an instance of going. 2 mettle; spirit; dash; animation (she has a lot of go in her). 3 vigorous activity (it's all go). 4 colloq. a success (made a go of it). 5 colloq. a turn; an attempt (I'll have a go; it's my go; all in one go). 6 colloq. a state of affairs (a rum go). 7 colloq. an attack of illness (a bad go of flu). 8 colloq. a quantity of liquor, food, etc. served at one time. --adj. colloq. 1 functioning properly (all systems are go). 2 fashionable; progressive. Ьall the go colloq. in fashion. as (or so) far as it goes an expression of caution against taking a statement too positively (the work is good as far as it goes). as (a person or thing) goes as the average is (a good actor as actors go). from the word go colloq. from the very beginning. give it a go colloq. make an effort to succeed. go about 1 busy oneself with; set to work at. 2 be socially active. 3 (foll. by pres. part.) make a habit of doing (goes about telling lies). 4 Naut. change to an opposite tack. go ahead proceed without hesitation. go-ahead n. permission to proceed. --adj. enterprising. go along with agree to; take the same view as. go around 1 (foll. by with) be regularly in the company of. 2 = go about 3. go-as-you-please untrammelled; free. go at take in hand energetically; attack. go away depart, esp. from home for a holiday etc. go back on fail to keep (one's word, promise, etc.). go bail see BAIL(1). go begging see BEG. go-between an intermediary; a negotiator. go by 1 pass. 2 be dependent on; be guided by. go-by colloq. a snub; a slight (gave it the go-by). go by default see DEFAULT. go-cart 1 a handcart; a pushchair. 2 = go-kart. 3 archaic a baby-walker. go-devil US an instrument used to clean the inside of pipes etc. go down 1 a (of an amount) become less (the coffee has gone down a lot). b subside (the flood went down). c decrease in price; lose value. 2 a (of a ship) sink. b (of the sun) set. 3 (usu. foll. by to) be continued to a specified point. 4 deteriorate; fail; (of a computer network etc.) cease to function. 5 be recorded in writing. 6 be swallowed. 7 (often foll. by with) find acceptance. 8 Brit. colloq. leave university. 9 colloq. be sent to prison (went down for ten years). 10 (often foll. by before) fall (before a conqueror). go down with Brit. begin to suffer from (a disease). go Dutch see DUTCH. go far be very successful. go for 1 go to fetch. 2 be accounted as or achieve (went for nothing). 3 prefer; choose (that's the one I go for). 4 colloq. strive to attain (go for it!). 5 colloq. attack (the dog went for him). go-getter colloq. an aggressively enterprising person, esp. a businessman. go-go colloq. 1 (of a dancer, music, etc.) in modern style, lively, and rhythmic. 2 unrestrained; energetic. 3 (of investment) speculative. go great guns see GUN. go halves (or shares) (often foll. by with) share equally. go in 1 enter a room, house, etc. 2 (usu. foll. by for) enter as a competitor. 3 Cricket take or begin an innings. 4 (of the sun etc.) become obscured by cloud. go in for take as one's object, style, pursuit, principle, etc. going!, gone! an auctioneer's announcement that bidding is closing or closed. go into 1 enter (a profession, Parliament, etc.). 2 take part in; be a part of. 3 investigate. 4 allow oneself to pass into (hysterics etc.). 5 dress oneself in (mourning etc.). 6 frequent (society). go it colloq. 1 act vigorously, furiously, etc. 2 indulge in dissipation. go it alone see ALONE. go it strong colloq. go to great lengths; exaggerate. go-kart a miniature racing car with a skeleton body. go a long way 1 (often foll. by towards) have a great effect. 2 (of food, money, etc.) last a long time, buy much. 3 = go far. go off 1 explode. 2 leave the stage. 3 gradually cease to be felt. 4 (esp. of foodstuffs) deteriorate; decompose. 5 go to sleep; become unconscious. 6 begin. 7 die. 8 be got rid of by sale etc. 9 Brit. colloq. begin to dislike (I've gone off him). go-off colloq. a start (at the first go-off). go off at Austral. & NZ sl. reprimand, scold. go off well (or badly etc.) (of an enterprise etc.) be received or accomplished well (or badly etc.). go on 1 (often foll. by pres. part.) continue, persevere (decided to go on with it; went on trying; unable to go on). 2 colloq. a talk at great length. b (foll. by at) admonish (went on and on at him). 3 (foll. by to + infin.) proceed (went on to become a star). 4 happen. 5 conduct oneself (shameful, the way they went on). 6 Theatr. appear on stage. 7 Cricket begin bowling. 8 (of a garment) be large enough for its wearer. 9 take one's turn to do something. 10 (also go upon) colloq. use as evidence (police don't have anything to go on). 11 colloq. (esp. in neg.) a concern oneself about. b care for (don't go much on red hair). 12 become chargeable to (the parish etc.). go on! colloq. an expression of encouragement or disbelief. go out 1 leave a room, house, etc. 2 be broadcast. 3 be extinguished. 4 (often foll. by with) be courting. 5 (of a government) leave office. 6 cease to be fashionable. 7 (usu. foll. by to) depart, esp. to a colony etc. 8 colloq. lose consciousness. 9 (of workers) strike. 10 (usu. foll. by to) (of the heart etc.) expand with sympathy etc. towards (my heart goes out to them). 11 Golf play the first nine holes in a round. 12 Cards be the first to dispose of one's hand. 13 (of a tide) turn to low tide. go over 1 inspect the details of; rehearse; retouch. 2 (often foll. by to) change one's allegiance or religion. 3 (of a play etc.) be successful (went over well in Dundee). go round 1 spin, revolve. 2 be long enough to encompass. 3 (of food etc.) suffice for everybody. 4 (usu. foll. by to) visit informally. 5 = go around. go slow work slowly, as a form of industrial action. go-slow Brit. such industrial action. go through 1 be dealt with or completed. 2 discuss in detail; scrutinize in sequence. 3 perform (a ceremony, a recitation, etc.). 4 undergo. 5 colloq. use up; spend (money etc.). 6 make holes in. 7 (of a book) be successively published (in so many editions). 8 Austral. sl. abscond. go through with not leave unfinished; complete. go to! archaic an exclamation of disbelief, impatience, admonition, etc. go to the bar become a barrister. go to blazes (or hell or Jericho etc.) sl. an exclamation of dismissal, contempt, etc. go to the country see COUNTRY. go together 1 match; fit. 2 be courting. go to it! colloq. begin work! go-to-meeting (of a hat, clothes, etc.) suitable for going to church in. go to show (or prove) serve to demonstrate (or prove). go under sink; fail; succumb. go up 1 increase in price. 2 Brit. colloq. enter university. 3 be consumed (in flames etc.); explode. go well (or ill etc.) (often foll. by with) turn out well, (or ill etc.). go with 1 be harmonious with; match. 2 agree to; take the same view as. 3 a be a pair with. b be courting. 4 follow the drift of. go without manage without; forgo (also absol. : we shall just have to go without). go with the tide (or times) do as others do; follow the drift. have a go at 1 attack, criticize. 2 attempt, try. on the go colloq. 1 in constant motion. 2 constantly working. to go US (of refreshments etc.) to be eaten or drunk off the premises. who goes there? a sentry's challenge. [OE gan f. Gmc: went orig. past of WEND] go(2) n. a Japanese board game of territorial possession and capture. [Jap.] goad n. & v. --n. 1 a spiked stick used for urging cattle forward. 2 anything that torments, incites, or stimulates. --v.tr. 1 urge on with a goad. 2 (usu. foll. by on, into) irritate; stimulate (goaded him into retaliating; goaded me on to win). [OE gad, rel. to Lombard gaida arrowhead f. Gmc] goal n. 1 the object of a person's ambition or effort; a destination; an aim (fame is his goal; London was our goal). 2 a Football a pair of posts with a crossbar between which the ball has to be sent to score. b a cage or basket used similarly in other games. c a point won (scored 3 goals). 3 a point marking the end of a race. Ьgoal average Football the ratio of the numbers of goals scored for and against a team in a series of matches. goal difference Football the difference of goals scored for and against. goal-kick 1 Assoc. Football a kick by the defending side after attackers send the ball over the goal-line without scoring. 2 Rugby Football an attempt to kick a goal. goal-line Football a line between each pair of goalposts, extended to form the end-boundary of a field of play (cf. touch-line). goal-minder (or -tender) US a goalkeeper at ice hockey. goal-mouth Football the space between or near the goalposts. in goal in the position of goalkeeper. ЬЬgoalless adj. [16th c.: orig. unkn.: perh. identical with ME gol boundary] goalball n. a team ball game for blind and visually handicapped players. goalie n. colloq. = GOALKEEPER. goalkeeper n. a player stationed to protect the goal in various sports. goalpost n. either of the two upright posts of a goal. Ьmove the goalposts alter the basis or scope of a procedure during its course, so as to fit adverse circumstances encountered. goanna n. Austral. a monitor lizard. [corrupt. of IGUANA] goat n. 1 a a hardy lively frisky short-haired domesticated mammal, Capra aegagrus, having horns and (in the male) a beard, and kept for its milk and meat. b either of two similar mammals, the mountain goat and the Spanish goat. 2 any other mammal of the genus Capra, including the ibex. 3 a lecherous man. 4 colloq. a foolish person. 5 (the Goat) the zodiacal sign or constellation Capricorn. 6 US a scapegoat. Ьget a person's goat colloq. irritate a person. goat-antelope any antelope-like member of the goat family, including the chamois and goral. goat-god Pan. goat moth any of various large moths of the family Cossidae. goat's-beard 1 a meadow plant, Tragopogon pratensis. 2 a herbaceous plant, Aruncus dioicus, with long plumes of white flowers. ЬЬgoatish adj. goaty adj. [OE gat she-goat f. Gmc] goatee n. a small pointed beard like that of a goat. goatherd n. a person who tends goats. goatskin n. 1 the skin of a goat. 2 a garment or bottle made out of goatskin. goatsucker n. = NIGHTJAR. gob(1) n. esp. Brit. sl. the mouth. Ьgob-stopper a very large hard sweet. [perh. f. Gael. & Ir., = beak, mouth] gob(2) n. & v. Brit. sl. --n. a clot of slimy matter. --v.intr. (gobbed, gobbing) spit. [ME f. OF go(u)be mouthful] gob(3) n. sl. a US sailor. [20th c.: cf. GOBBY] gobbet n. 1 a piece or lump of raw meat, flesh, food, etc. 2 an extract from a text, esp. one set for translation or comment in an examination. [ME f. OF gobet (as GOB(2))] gobble(1) v.tr. & intr. eat hurriedly and noisily. ЬЬgobbler n. [prob. dial. f. GOB(2)] gobble(2) v.intr. 1 (of a turkeycock) make a characteristic swallowing sound in the throat. 2 make such a sound when speaking, esp. when excited, angry, etc. [imit.: perh. based on GOBBLE(1)] gobbledegook n. (also gobbledygook) colloq. pompous or unintelligible jargon. [prob. imit. of a turkeycock] gobbler n. colloq. a turkeycock. gobby n. (pl. -ies) sl. 1 a coastguard. 2 an American sailor. [perh. f. GOB(2) + -Y(1)] Gobelin n. (in full Gobelin tapestry) 1 a tapestry made at the Gobelins factory. 2 a tapestry imitating this. [name of a State factory in Paris, called Gobelins after its orig. owners] gobemouche n. (pl. gobemouches pronunc. same) a gullible listener. [F gobe-mouches, = fly-catcher f. gober swallow + mouches flies] goblet n. 1 a drinking-vessel with a foot and a stem, usu. of glass. 2 archaic a metal or glass bowl-shaped drinking-cup without handles, sometimes with a foot and a cover. 3 poet. a drinking-cup. [ME f. OF gobelet dimin. of gobel cup, of unkn. orig.] goblin n. a mischievous ugly dwarflike creature of folklore. [ME prob. f. AF gobelin, med.L gobelinus, prob. f. name dimin. of Gobel, rel. to G Kobold: see COBALT] goby n. (pl. -ies) any small marine fish of the family Gabiidae, having ventral fins joined to form a sucker or disc. [L gobius, cobius f. Gk kobios GUDGEON(1)] GOC abbr. General Officer Commanding. god n. 1 a (in many religions) a superhuman being or spirit worshipped as having power over nature, human fortunes, etc.; a deity. b an image, idol, animal, or other object worshipped as divine or symbolizing a god. 2 (God) (in Christian and other monotheistic religions) the creator and ruler of the universe; the supreme being. 3 a an adored, admired, or influential person. b something worshipped like a god (makes a god of success). 4 Theatr. (in pl.) a the gallery. b the people sitting in it. 5 (God!) an exclamation of surprise, anger, etc. Ьby God! an exclamation of surprise etc. for God's sake! see SAKE(1). God-awful sl. extremely unpleasant, nasty, etc. God bless an expression of good wishes on parting. God bless me (or my soul) see BLESS. God damn (you, him , etc.) may (you etc.) be damned. god-damn (or -dam or -damned) sl. accursed, damnable. god-daughter a female godchild. God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (in the Christian tradition) the Persons of the Trinity. God-fearing earnestly religious. God forbid (foll. by that + clause, or absol.) may it not happen! God-forsaken devoid of all merit; dismal; dreary. God grant (foll. by that + clause) may it happen. God help (you, him , etc.) an expression of concern for or sympathy with a person. God knows 1 it is beyond all knowledge (God knows what will become of him). 2 I call God to witness that (God knows we tried hard enough). God's Acre a churchyard. God's book the Bible. God's gift often iron. a godsend. God's own country an earthly paradise, esp. the United States. God squad sl. 1 a religious organization, esp. an evangelical Christian group. 2 its members. God's truth the absolute truth. God willing if Providence allows. good God! an exclamation of surprise, anger, etc. in God's name an appeal for help. my (or oh) God! an exclamation of surprise, anger, etc. play God assume importance or superiority. thank God! an exclamation of pleasure or relief. with God dead and in Heaven. ЬЬgodhood n. godship n. godward adj. & adv. godwards adv. [OE f. Gmc] godchild n. a person in relation to a godparent. goddess n. 1 a female deity. 2 a woman who is adored, esp. for her beauty. godet n. a triangular piece of material inserted in a dress, glove, etc. [F] godetia n. any plant of the genus Godetia, having showy rose-purple or reddish flowers. [mod.L f. C. H. Godet, Swiss botanist d. 1879] godfather n. 1 a male godparent. 2 esp. US a person directing an illegal organization, esp. the Mafia. Ьmy godfathers! euphem. my God! godhead n. (also Godhead) 1 a the state of being God or a god. b divine nature. 2 a deity. 3 (the Godhead) God. godless adj. 1 impious; wicked. 2 without a god. 3 not recognizing God. ЬЬgodlessness n. godlike adj. 1 resembling God or a god in some quality, esp. in physical beauty. 2 befitting or appropriate to a god. godly adj. religious, pious, devout. ЬЬgodliness n. godmother n. a female godparent. godown n. a warehouse in parts of E. Asia, esp. in India. [Port. gudao f. Malay godong perh. f. Telugu gidangi place where goods lie f. kidu lie] godparent n. a person who presents a child at baptism and responds on the child's behalf. godsend n. an unexpected but welcome event or acquisition. godson n. a male godchild. Godspeed int. an expression of good wishes to a person starting a journey. godwit n. any wading bird of the genus Limosa, with long legs and a long straight or slightly upcurved bill. [16th c.: of unkn. orig.] Godwottery n. joc. affected, archaic, or excessively elaborate speech or writing, esp. regarding gardens. [God wot (in a poem on gardens, by T. E. Brown 1876)] goer n. 1 a person or thing that goes (a slow goer). 2 (often in comb.) a person who attends, esp. regularly (a churchgoer). 3 colloq. a a lively or persevering person. b a sexually promiscuous person. 4 Austral. colloq. a project likely to be accepted or to succeed. goes 3rd sing. present of GO(1). goest archaic 2nd sing. present of GO(1). goeth archaic 3rd sing. present of GO(1). Goethean adj. & n. (also Goethian) --adj. of, relating to, or characteristic of the German writer J. W. von Goethe (d. 1832). --n. an admirer or follower of Goethe. gofer n. esp. US sl. a person who runs errands, esp. on a film set or in an office; a dogsbody. [go for (see GO(1))] goffer v. & n. --v.tr. 1 make wavy, flute, or crimp (a lace edge, a trimming, etc.) with heated irons. 2 (as goffered adj.) (of the edges of a book) embossed. --n. 1 an iron used for goffering. 2 ornamental plaiting used for frills etc. [F gaufrer stamp with a patterned tool f. gaufre honeycomb, rel. to WAFER, WAFFLE(2)] goggle v., adj., & n. --v. 1 intr. a (often foll. by at) look with wide-open eyes. b (of the eyes) be rolled about; protrude. 2 tr. turn (the eyes) sideways or from side to side. --adj. (usu. attrib.) (of the eyes) protuberant or rolling. --n. 1 (in pl.) a spectacles for protecting the eyes from glare, dust, water, etc. b colloq. spectacles. 2 (in pl.) a sheep disease, the staggers. 3 a goggling expression. Ьgoggle-box Brit. colloq. a television set. goggle-dive an underwater dive in goggles. goggle-eyed having staring or protuberant eyes. [ME, prob. from a base gog (unrecorded) expressive of oscillating movement] goglet n. Ind. a long-necked usu. porous earthenware vessel used for keeping water cool. [Port. gorgoleta] Goidel n. a Celt who speaks Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, or Manx. ЬЬGoidelic n. [OIr. Gўidel] going n. & adj. --n. 1 a the act or process of going. b an instance of this; a departure. 2 a the condition of the ground for walking, riding, etc. b progress affected by this (found the going hard). --adj. 1 in or into action (set the clock going). 2 existing, available; to be had (there's cold beef going; one of the best fellows going). 3 current, prevalent (the going rate). Ьget going start steadily talking, working, etc. (can't stop him when he gets going). going away a departure, esp. on a honeymoon. going concern a thriving business. going for one colloq. acting in one's favour (he has got a lot going for him). going on fifteen etc. esp. US approaching one's fifteenth etc. birthday. going on for approaching (a time, an age, etc.) (must be going on for 6 years). going-over 1 colloq. an inspection or overhaul. 2 sl. a thrashing. 3 US colloq. a scolding. goings-on behaviour, esp. morally suspect. going to intending or intended to; about to; likely to (it's going to sink!). heavy going slow or difficult to progress with (found Proust heavy going). to be going on with to start with; for the time being. while the going is good while conditions are favourable. [GO(1): in some senses f. earlier a-going: see A(2)] goitre n. (US goiter) Med. a swelling of the neck resulting from enlargement of the thyroid gland. ЬЬgoitred adj. goitrous adj. [F, back-form. f. goitreux or f. Prov. goitron, ult. f. L guttur throat] Golconda n. a mine or source of wealth, advantages, etc. [city near Hyderabad, India] gold n. & adj. --n. 1 a yellow malleable ductile high density metallic element resistant to chemical reaction, occurring naturally in quartz veins and gravel, and precious as a monetary medium, in jewellery, etc. °Symb.: Au. 2 the colour of gold. 3 a coins or articles made of gold. b money in large sums, wealth. 4 something precious, beautiful, or brilliant (all that glitters is not gold). 5 = gold medal. 6 gold used for coating a surface or as a pigment, gilding. 7 the bull's-eye of an archery target (usu. gilt). --adj. 1 made wholly or chiefly of gold. 2 coloured like gold. Ьage of gold = golden age. gold amalgam an easily-moulded combination of gold with mercury. gold-beater a person who beats gold out into gold leaf. gold-beater's skin a membrane used to separate leaves of gold during beating, or as a covering for slight wounds. gold bloc a bloc of countries having a gold standard. gold brick sl. 1 a thing with only a surface appearance of value, a sham or fraud. 2 US a lazy person. gold-digger 1 sl. a woman who wheedles money out of men. 2 a person who digs for gold. gold-dust 1 gold in fine particles as often found naturally. 2 a plant, Alyssum saxatile, with many small yellow flowers. gold-field a district in which gold is found as a mineral. gold foil gold beaten into a thin sheet. gold leaf gold beaten into a very thin sheet. gold medal a medal of gold, usu. awarded as first prize. gold-mine 1 a place where gold is mined. 2 colloq. a source of wealth. gold of pleasure an annual yellow-flowered plant, Camelina sativa. gold plate 1 vessels made of gold. 2 material plated with gold. gold-plate v.tr. plate with gold. gold reserve a reserve of gold coins or bullion held by a central bank etc. gold-rush a rush to a newly-discovered gold-field. gold standard a system by which the value of a currency is defined in terms of gold, for which the currency may be exchanged. Gold Stick 1 (in the UK) a gilt rod carried on State occasions by the colonel of the Life Guards or the captain of the gentlemen-at-arms. 2 the officer carrying this rod. gold thread 1 a thread of silk etc. with gold wire wound round it. 2 a bitter plant, Coptis tinfolia. [OE f. Gmc] goldcrest n. a small bird, Regulus regulus, with a golden crest. golden adj. 1 a made or consisting of gold (golden sovereign). b yielding gold. 2 coloured or shining like gold (golden hair). 3 precious; valuable; excellent; important (a golden memory; a golden opportunity). Ьgolden age 1 a supposed past age when people were happy and innocent. 2 the period of a nation's greatest prosperity, literary merit, etc. golden-ager US an old person. golden balls a pawnbroker's sign. golden boy (or girl) colloq. a popular or successful person. golden calf wealth as an object of worship (Exod. 32). golden chain the laburnum. golden delicious a variety of dessert apple. golden disc an award given to a performer after the sale of 500,000 copies of a record. golden eagle a large eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, with yellow-tipped head-feathers. golden-eye any marine duck of the genus Bucephala. Golden Fleece (in Greek mythology) a fleece of gold sought and won by Jason. golden goose a continuing source of wealth or profit. golden hamster a usu. tawny hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, kept as a pet or laboratory animal. golden handshake colloq. a payment given on redundancy or early retirement. golden hello colloq. a payment made by an employer to a keenly sought recruit. Golden Horde the Tartar horde that overran E. Europe in the 13th c. (from the richness of the leader's tent). Golden Horn the harbour of Istanbul. golden jubilee 1 the fiftieth anniversary of a sovereign's accession. 2 any other fiftieth anniversary. golden mean 1 the principle of moderation, as opposed to excess. 2 = golden section. golden number the number of a year in the Metonic lunar cycle, used to fix the date of Easter. golden oldie colloq. an old hit record or film etc. that is still well known and popular. golden opinions high regard. golden oriole a European oriole, Oriolus oriolus, of which the male has yellow and black plumage and the female has mainly green plumage. golden perch Austral. = CALLOP. golden retriever a retriever with a thick golden-coloured coat. golden rod any plant of the genus Solidago with a rodlike stem and a spike of small bright-yellow flowers. golden rule a basic principle of action, esp. 'do as you would be done by'. golden section the division of a line so that the whole is to the greater part as that part is to the smaller part. Golden State US California. golden syrup Brit. a pale treacle. golden wedding the fiftieth anniversary of a wedding. ЬЬgoldenly adv. goldenness n. goldfinch n. any of various bright-coloured songbirds of the genus Carduelis, esp. the Eurasian C. carduelis, with a yellow band across each wing. [OE goldfinc (as GOLD, FINCH)] goldfish n. a small reddish-golden Chinese carp kept for ornament, Carassius auratus. Ьgoldfish bowl 1 a globular glass container for goldfish. 2 a situation lacking privacy. goldilocks n. 1 a person with golden hair. 2 a a kind of buttercup, Ranunculus auricomus. b a composite plant, Aster linosyris, like the golden rod. [goldy f. GOLD + LOCK(2)] goldsmith n. a worker in gold, a manufacturer of gold articles. [OE (as GOLD, SMITH)] golem n. 1 a clay figure supposedly brought to life in Jewish legend. 2 an automaton; a robot. [Yiddish goylem f. Heb. golem shapeless mass] golf n. & v. --n. a game played on a course set in open country, in which a small hard ball is driven with clubs into a series of 18 or 9 holes with the fewest possible strokes. --v.intr. play golf. Ьgolf-bag a bag used for carrying clubs and balls. golf ball 1 a ball used in golf. 2 colloq. a small ball used in some electric typewriters to carry the type. golf cart 1 a trolley used for carrying clubs in golf. 2 a motorized cart for golfers and equipment. golf club 1 a club used in golf. 2 an association for playing golf. 3 the premises used by a golf club. golf-course (or -links) the course on which golf is played. [15th-c. Sc.: orig. unkn.] golfer n. 1 a golf-player. 2 a cardigan. Golgi body n. (also Golgi apparatus) Biol. an organelle of vesicles and folded membranes within the cytoplasm of most eukaryotic cells, involved esp. in the secretion of substances. [C. Golgi, It. cytologist d. 1926] Goliath beetle n. any large beetle of the genus Goliathus, esp. G. giganteus native to Africa. [LL f. Heb. golyat giant slain by David (1 Sam. 17)] golliwog n. a black-faced brightly dressed soft doll with fuzzy hair. [19th c.: perh. f. GOLLY(1) + POLLIWOG] gollop v. & n. colloq. --v.tr. (golloped, golloping) swallow hastily or greedily. --n. a hasty gulp. [perh. f. GULP, infl. by GOBBLE(1)] golly(1) int. expressing surprise. [euphem. for GOD] golly(2) n. (pl. -ies) colloq. = GOLLIWOG. [abbr.] golosh Brit. var. of GALOSH. GOM abbr. Grand Old Man (name orig. applied to W. E. Gladstone). gombeen n. Ir. usury. Ьgombeen-man a moneylender. [Ir. gaimbЎn perh. f. the same OCelt. source as med.L cambire CHANGE] -gon comb. form forming nouns denoting plane figures with a specified number of angles (hexagon; polygon; n-gon). [Gk -gonos -angled] gonad n. an animal organ producing gametes, e.g. the testis or ovary. ЬЬgonadal adj. [mod.L gonas gonad- f. Gk gone, gonos generation, seed] gonadotrophic hormone n. (also gonadotropic) Biochem. any of various hormones stimulating the activity of the gonads. gonadotrophin n. = GONADOTROPHIC HORMONE. gondola n. 1 a light flat-bottomed boat used on Venetian canals, with a central cabin and a high point at each end, worked by one oar at the stern. 2 a car suspended from an airship or balloon. 3 an island of shelves used to display goods in a supermarket. 4 (also gondola car) US a flat-bottomed open railway goods wagon. 5 a car attached to a ski-lift. [Venetian It., of obscure orig.] gondolier n. the oarsman on a gondola. [F f. It. gondoliere (as GONDOLA)] gone adj. 1 (of time) past (not until gone nine). 2 a lost; hopeless. b dead. 3 colloq. pregnant for a specified time (already three months gone). 4 sl. completely enthralled or entranced, esp. by rhythmic music, drugs, etc. Ьbe gone depart; leave temporarily (cf. BEGONE). gone away! a huntsman's cry, indicating that a fox has been started. gone goose (or gosling) colloq. a person or thing beyond hope. gone on sl. infatuated with. [past part. of GO(1)] goner n. sl. a person or thing that is doomed, ended, irrevocably lost, etc.; a dead person. gonfalon n. 1 a banner, often with streamers, hung from a crossbar. 2 hist. such a banner as the standard of some Italian republics. ЬЬgonfalonier n. [It. gonfalone f. Gmc (cf. VANE)] gong n. & v. --n. 1 a metal disc with a turned rim, giving a resonant note when struck. 2 a saucer-shaped bell. 3 Brit. sl. a medal; a decoration. --v.tr. 1 summon with a gong. 2 (of traffic police) sound a gong etc. to direct (a motorist) to stop. [Malay gong, gung of imit. orig.] goniometer n. an instrument for measuring angles. ЬЬgoniometry n. goniometric adj. goniometrical adj. [F goniomЉtre f. Gk gonia angle] gonococcus n. (pl. gonococci) a bacterium causing gonorrhoea. ЬЬgonococcal adj. [Gk gonos generation, semen + COCCUS] gonorrhoea n. (US gonorrhea) a venereal disease with inflammatory discharge from the urethra or vagina. ЬЬgonorrhoeal adj. [LL f. Gk gonorrhoia f. gonos semen + rhoia flux] goo n. 1 a sticky or slimy substance. 2 sickly sentiment. [20th c.: perh. f. burgoo (Naut. sl.) = porridge] good adj., n., & adv. --adj. (better, best) 1 having the right or desired qualities; satisfactory, adequate. 2 a (of a person) efficient, competent (good at French; a good driver). b (of a thing) reliable, efficient (good brakes). c (of health etc.) strong (good eyesight). 3 a kind, benevolent (good of you to come). b morally excellent; virtuous (a good deed). c charitable (good works). d well-behaved (a good child). 4 enjoyable, agreeable (a good party; good news). 5 thorough, considerable (gave it a good wash). 6 a not less than (waited a good hour). b considerable in number, quality, etc. (a good many people). 7 healthy, beneficial (milk is good for you). 8 a valid, sound (a good reason). b financially sound (his credit is good). 9 in exclamations of surprise (good heavens!). 10 right, proper, expedient (thought it good to have a try). 11 fresh, eatable, untainted (is the meat still good?). 12 (sometimes patronizing) commendable, worthy (good old George; your good lady wife; good men and true; my good man). 13 well shaped, attractive (has good legs; good looks). 14 in courteous greetings and farewells (good afternoon). --n. 1 (only in sing.) that which is good; what is beneficial or morally right (only good can come of it; did it for your own good; what good will it do?). 2 (only in sing.) a desirable end or object; a thing worth attaining (sacrificing the present for a future good). 3 (in pl.) a movable property or merchandise. b Brit. things to be transported, as distinct from passengers. c (prec. by the) colloq. what one has undertaken to supply (esp. deliver the goods). d (prec. by the) sl. the real thing; the genuine article. 4 (as pl.; prec. by the) virtuous people. --adv. US colloq. well (doing pretty good). Ьas good as practically (he as good as told me). be so good as (or be good enough) to (often in a request) be kind and do (a favour) (be so good as to open the window). be (a certain amount) to the good have as net profit or advantage. do good show kindness, act philanthropically. do a person good be beneficial to. for good (and all) finally, permanently. good and colloq. used as an intensifier before an adj. or adv. (raining good and hard; was good and angry). the good book the Bible. good breeding correct or courteous manners. good faith see FAITH. good for 1 beneficial to; having a good effect on. 2 able to perform; inclined for (good for a ten-mile walk). 3 able to be trusted to pay (is good for њ100). good form see FORM. good-for-nothing (or -nought) adj. worthless. --n. a worthless person. good for you! (or him!, her!, etc.) exclamation of approval towards a person. Good Friday the Friday before Easter Sunday commemorating the Crucifixion of Christ. good-hearted kindly, well-meaning. good humour a genial mood. a good job a fortunate state of affairs (it's a good job you came early). good-looker a handsome or attractive person. good-looking handsome; attractive. good luck 1 good fortune, happy chance. 2 exclamation of well-wishing. good money 1 genuine money; money that might usefully have been spent elsewhere. 2 colloq. high wages. good nature a friendly disposition. good oil Austral. sl. reliable information. good on you! (or him! etc.) = good for you! goods and chattels see CHATTEL. good-time recklessly pursuing pleasure. good-timer a person who recklessly pursues pleasure. good times a period of prosperity. good will the intention and hope that good will result (see also GOODWILL). a good word (often in phr. put in a good word for) words in recommendation or defence of a person. good works charitable acts. have a good mind see MIND. have the goods on a person sl. have advantageous information about a person. have a good time enjoy oneself. in a person's good books see BOOK. in good faith with honest or sincere intentions. in good time 1 with no risk of being late. 2 (also all in good time) in due course but without haste. make good 1 make up for, compensate for, pay (an expense). 2 fulfil (a promise); effect (a purpose or an intended action). 3 demonstrate the truth of (a statement); substantiate (a charge). 4 gain and hold (a position). 5 replace or restore (a thing lost or damaged). 6 (absol.) accomplish what one intended. no good 1 mischief (is up to no good). 2 useless; to no advantage (it is no good arguing). no-good --adj. useless. --n. a useless thing or person. take in good part not be offended by. to the good having as profit or benefit. ЬЬgoodish adj. [OE god f. Gmc] goodbye int. & n. (US goodby) --int. expressing good wishes on parting, ending a telephone conversation, etc., or said with reference to a thing got rid of or irrevocably lost. --n. (pl. goodbyes or US goodbys) the saying of 'goodbye'; a parting; a farewell. [contr. of God be with you! with good substituted after good night etc.] good-humoured adj. genial, cheerful, amiable. ЬЬgood-humouredly adv. goodie var. of GOODY(1) n. goodly adj. (goodlier, goodliest) 1 comely, handsome. 2 of imposing size etc. ЬЬgoodliness n. [OE godlic (as GOOD, -LY(1))] goodman n. (pl. -men) Sc. archaic the head of a household. good-natured adj. kind, patient; easygoing. ЬЬgood-naturedly adv. goodness n. & int. --n. 1 virtue; excellence, esp. moral. 2 kindness, generosity (had the goodness to wait). 3 what is good or beneficial in a thing (vegetables with all the goodness boiled out). --int. (as a substitution for 'God') expressing surprise, anger, etc. (goodness me!; goodness knows; for goodness' sake!). [OE godnes (as GOOD, -NESS)] goodo adj. Austral. & NZ = GOOD adj. 10. good-tempered adj. having a good temper; not easily annoyed. ЬЬgood-temperedly adv. goodwife n. (pl. -wives) Sc. archaic the mistress of a household. goodwill n. 1 kindly feeling. 2 the established reputation of a business etc. as enhancing its value. 3 cheerful consent or acquiescence; readiness, zeal. goody(1) n. & int. --n. (also goodie) (pl. -ies) 1 colloq. a good or favoured person, esp. a hero in a story, film, etc. 2 (usu. in pl.) something good or attractive, esp. to eat. 3 = GOODY-GOODY n. --int. expressing childish delight. goody(2) n. (pl. goodies) archaic (often as a title prefixed to a surname) an elderly woman of humble station (Goody Blake). [for GOODWIFE: cf. HUSSY] goody-goody n. & adj. colloq. --n. a smug or obtrusively virtuous person. --adj. obtrusively or smugly virtuous. gooey adj. (gooier, gooiest) sl. 1 viscous, sticky. 2 sickly, sentimental. ЬЬgooeyness n. (also gooiness). [GOO + -Y(2)] goof n. & v. sl. --n. 1 a foolish or stupid person. 2 a mistake. --v. 1 tr. bungle, mess up. 2 intr. blunder, make a mistake. 3 intr. (often foll. by off) idle. 4 tr. (as goofed adj.) stupefied with drugs. [var. of dial. goff f. F goffe f. It. goffo f. med.L gufus coarse] goofy adj. (goofier, goofiest) 1 stupid, silly, daft. 2 having protruding or crooked front teeth. ЬЬgoofily adv. goofiness n. goog n. Austral. sl. an egg. Ьfull as a goog very drunk. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] googly n. (pl. -ies) Cricket an off-break ball bowled with apparent leg-break action. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] googol n. ten raised to the hundredth power (10(100)). °Not in formal use. [arbitrary formation] gook n. US sl. offens. a foreigner, esp. a coloured person from E. Asia. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] goolie n. (also gooly) (pl. -ies) 1 (usu. in pl.) sl. a testicle. 2 Austral. sl. a stone or pebble. [app. of Ind. orig.; cf. Hind. golЎ bullet, ball, pill] goon n. sl. 1 a stupid or playful person. 2 esp. US a person hired by racketeers etc. to terrorize political or industrial opponents. [perh. f. dial. gooney booby: infl. by the subhuman cartoon character 'Alice the Goon'] goop n. sl. a stupid or fatuous person. [20th c.: cf. GOOF] goopy adj. sl. (goopier, goopiest) stupid, fatuous. ЬЬgoopiness n. goosander n. a large diving duck, Mergus merganser, with a narrow serrated bill. [prob. f. GOOSE + -ander in bergander sheldrake] goose n. & v. --n. (pl. geese) 1 a any of various large water-birds of the family Anatidae, with short legs, webbed feet, and a broad bill. b the female of this (opp. GANDER). c the flesh of a goose as food. 2 colloq. a simpleton. 3 (pl. gooses) a tailor's smoothing-iron, having a handle like a goose's neck. --v.tr. sl. poke (a person) in the bottom. Ьgoose bumps US = goose-flesh. goose-egg US a zero score in a game. goose-flesh (or -pimples or -skin) a bristling state of the skin produced by cold or fright. goose-step a military marching step in which the knees are kept stiff. [OE gos f. Gmc] gooseberry n. (pl. -ies) 1 a round edible yellowish-green berry with a thin usu. translucent skin enclosing seeds in a juicy flesh. 2 the thorny shrub, Ribes grossularia, bearing this fruit. Ьplay gooseberry Brit. colloq. be an unwanted extra (usu. third) person. [perh. f. GOOSE + BERRY] goosefoot n. (pl. -foots) any plant of the genus Chenopodium, having leaves shaped like the foot of a goose. goosegog n. Brit. colloq. a gooseberry. [joc. corrupt.] goosegrass n. cleavers. GOP abbr. US Grand Old Party (the Republican Party). gopher(1) n. 1 (in full pocket gopher) any burrowing rodent of the family Geomyidae, native to N. America, having external cheek pouches and sharp front teeth. 2 a N. American ground squirrel. 3 a tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus, native to the southern US, that excavates tunnels as shelter from the sun. Ьgopher snake a cribo. [18th c.: orig. uncert.] gopher(2) n. 1 Bibl. a tree from the wood of which Noah's ark was made. 2 (in full gopher-wood) a tree, Cladrastis lutea, yielding yellowish timber. [Heb. goper] goral n. a goat-antelope, Nemorhaedus goral, native to mountainous regions of N. India, having short horns curving to the rear. [native name] gorblimey int. & n. Brit. colloq. --int. an expression of surprise, indignation, etc. --n. (pl. -eys) a soft service cap. [corrupt. of God blind me] gorcock n. Sc. & N.Engl. the male of the red grouse. [gor- (of unkn. orig.) + COCK(1)] Gordian knot n. 1 an intricate knot. 2 a difficult problem or task. Ьcut the Gordian knot solve a problem by force or by evasion. [Gordius, king of Phrygia, who tied an intricate knot that remained tied until cut by Alexander the Great] Gordon setter n. 1 a setter of a black and tan breed, used as a gun dog. 2 this breed. [4th Duke of Gordon, d. 1827, promoter of the breed] gore(1) n. blood shed and clotted. [OE gor dung, dirt] gore(2) v.tr. pierce with a horn, tusk, etc. [ME: orig. unkn.] gore(3) n. & v. --n. 1 a wedge-shaped piece in a garment. 2 a triangular or tapering piece in an umbrella etc. --v.tr. shape with a gore. [OE gara triangular piece of land, rel. to OE gar spear, a spearhead being triangular] gorge n. & v. --n. 1 a narrow opening between hills or a rocky ravine, often with a stream running through it. 2 an act of gorging; a feast. 3 the contents of the stomach; what has been swallowed. 4 the neck of a bastion or other outwork; the rear entrance to a work. 5 US a mass of ice etc. blocking a narrow passage. --v. 1 intr. feed greedily. 2 tr. a (often refl.) satiate, glut. b swallow, devour greedily. Ьcast the gorge at reject with loathing. one's gorge rises at one is sickened by. ЬЬgorger n. [ME f. OF gorge throat ult. f. L gurges whirlpool] gorgeous adj. 1 richly coloured, sumptuous, magnificent. 2 colloq. very pleasant, splendid (gorgeous weather). 3 colloq. strikingly beautiful. ЬЬgorgeously adv. gorgeousness n. [earlier gorgayse, -yas f. OF gorgias fine, elegant, of unkn. orig.] gorget n. 1 hist. a a piece of armour for the throat. b a woman's wimple. 2 a patch of colour on the throat of a bird, insect, etc. [OF gorgete (as GORGE)] Gorgio n. (pl. -os) the Gypsy name for a non-Gypsy. [Romany] gorgon n. 1 (in Greek mythology) each of three snake-haired sisters (esp. Medusa) with the power to turn anyone who looked at them to stone. 2 a frightening or repulsive person, esp. a woman. ЬЬgorgonian adj. [L Gorgo -onis f. Gk Gorgo f. gorgos terrible] gorgonian n. & adj. --n. a usu. brightly coloured horny coral of the order Gorgonacea, having a treelike skeleton bearing polyps, e.g. a sea fan. --adj. of or relating to the Gorgonacea. [mod.L (as GORGON), with ref. to its petrifaction] gorgonize v.tr. (also -ise) 1 stare at like a gorgon. 2 paralyse with terror etc. Gorgonzola n. a type of rich cheese with bluish-green veins. [Gorgonzola in Italy] gorilla n. the largest anthropoid ape, Gorilla gorilla, native to Central Africa, having a large head, short neck, and prominent mouth. [adopted as the specific name in 1847 f. Gk Gorillai an African tribe noted for hairiness] gormandize v. & n. (also -ise) --v. 1 intr. & tr. eat or devour voraciously. 2 intr. indulge in good eating. --n. = GOURMANDISE. ЬЬgormandizer n. [as GOURMANDISE] gormless adj. esp. Brit. colloq. foolish, lacking sense. ЬЬgormlessly adv. gormlessness n. [orig. gaumless f. dial. gaum understanding] gorse n. any spiny yellow-flowered shrub of the genus Ulex, esp. growing on European wastelands. Also called FURZE. ЬЬgorsy adj. [OE gors(t) rel. to OHG gersta, L hordeum, barley] Gorsedd n. a meeting of Welsh etc. bards and druids (esp. as a daily preliminary to the eisteddfod). [Welsh, lit. 'throne'] gory adj. (gorier, goriest) 1 involving bloodshed; bloodthirsty (a gory film). 2 covered in gore. ЬЬgorily adv. goriness n. gosh int. expressing surprise. [euphem. for GOD] goshawk n. a large short-winged hawk, Accipiter gentilis. [OE gos-hafoc (as GOOSE, HAWK(1))] gosling n. a young goose. [ME, orig. gesling f. ON g‘slingr] gospel n. 1 the teaching or revelation of Christ. 2 (Gospel) a the record of Christ's life and teaching in the first four books of the New Testament. b each of these books. c a portion from one of them read at a service. 3 a thing regarded as absolutely true (take my word as gospel). 4 a principle one acts on or advocates. 5 (in full gospel music) Black American evangelical religious singing. ЬGospel side the north side of the altar, at which the Gospel is read. gospel truth something as true as the Gospel. [OE godspel (as GOOD, spel news, SPELL(1)), rendering eccl.L bona annuntiatio, bonus nuntius = evangelium EVANGEL: assoc. with GOD] gospeller n. the reader of the Gospel in a Communion service. Ьhot gospeller a zealous puritan; a rabid propagandist. gossamer n. & adj. --n. 1 a filmy substance of small spiders' webs. 2 delicate filmy material. 3 a thread of gossamer. --adj. light and flimsy as gossamer. ЬЬgossamered adj. gossamery adj. [ME gos(e)somer(e), app. f. GOOSE + SUMMER(1) (goose summer = St Martin's summer, i.e. early November when geese were eaten, gossamer being common then)] gossip n. & v. --n. 1 a easy or unconstrained talk or writing esp. about persons or social incidents. b idle talk; groundless rumour. 2 an informal chat, esp. about persons or social incidents. 3 a person who indulges in gossip. --v.intr. (gossiped, gossiping) talk or write gossip. Ьgossip column a section of a newspaper devoted to gossip about well-known people. gossip columnist a regular writer of gossip columns. gossip-monger a perpetrator of gossip. ЬЬgossiper n. gossipy adj. [earlier sense 'godparent': f. OE godsibb person related to one in GOD: see SIB] gossoon n. Ir. a lad. [earlier garsoon f. F gar‡on boy] got past and past part. of GET. Goth n. 1 a member of a Germanic tribe that invaded the Roman Empire in the 3rd-5th c. 2 an uncivilized or ignorant person. [LL Gothi (pl.) f. Gk Go(t)thoi f. Goth.] Gothic adj. & n. --adj. 1 of the Goths or their language. 2 in the style of architecture prevalent in W. Europe in the 12th-16th c., characterized by pointed arches. 3 (of a novel etc.) in a style popular in the 18th-19th c., with supernatural or horrifying events. 4 barbarous, uncouth. 5 Printing (of type) old-fashioned German, black letter, or sanserif. --n. 1 the Gothic language. 2 Gothic architecture. 3 Printing Gothic type. ЬЬGothically adv. Gothicism n. Gothicize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). [F gothique or LL gothicus f. Gothi: see GOTH] gotta colloq. have got a; have got to (I gotta pain; we gotta go). [corrupt.] gotten US past part. of GET. G”tterd„mmerung n. 1 the twilight (i.e. downfall) of the gods. 2 the complete downfall of a regime etc. [G, esp. as the title of an opera by Wagner] gouache n. 1 a method of painting in opaque pigments ground in water and thickened with a gluelike substance. 2 these pigments. 3 a picture painted in this way. [F f. It. guazzo] Gouda n. a flat round usu. Dutch cheese with a yellow rind. [Gouda in Holland, where orig. made] gouge n. & v. --n. 1 a a chisel with a concave blade, used in carpentry, sculpture, and surgery. b an indentation or groove made with or as with this. 2 US colloq. a swindle. --v. 1 tr. cut with or as with a gouge. 2 tr. a (foll. by out) force out (esp. an eye with the thumb) with or as with a gouge. b force out the eye of (a person). 3 tr. US colloq. swindle; extort money from. 4 intr. Austral. dig for opal. ЬЬgouger n. [F f. LL gubia, perh. of Celt. orig.] goulash n. 1 a highly-seasoned Hungarian dish of meat and vegetables, usu. flavoured with paprika. 2 (in contract bridge) a re-deal, several cards at a time, of the four hands (unshuffled, but with each hand arranged in suits and order of value) when no player has bid. [Magyar guly s-hЈs f. guly s herdsman + hЈs meat] gourami n. 1 a a large freshwater fish, Osphronemus goramy, native to SE Asia, used as food. b any small fish of the family Osphronemidae, usu. kept in aquariums. 2 any small brightly coloured freshwater fish of the family Belontiidae, usu. kept in aquariums. Also called LABYRINTH FISH. [Malay gurami] gourd n. 1 a any of various fleshy usu. large fruits with a hard skin, often used as containers, ornaments, etc. b any of various climbing or trailing plants of the family Cucurbitaceae bearing this fruit. Also called CUCURBIT. 2 the hollow hard skin of the gourd-fruit, dried and used as a drinking-vessel, water container, etc. ЬЬgourdful n. (pl. -fuls). [ME f. AF gurde, OF gourde ult. f. L cucurbita] gourmand n. & adj. --n. 1 a glutton. 2 disp. a gourmet. --adj. gluttonous; fond of eating, esp. to excess. ЬЬgourmandism n. [ME f. OF, of unkn. orig.] gourmandise n. the habits of a gourmand; gluttony. [F (as GOURMAND)] gourmet n. a connoisseur of good or delicate food. [F, = wine-taster: sense infl. by GOURMAND] gout n. 1 a disease with inflammation of the smaller joints, esp. the toe, as a result of excess uric acid salts in the blood. 2 archaic a a drop, esp. of blood. b a splash or spot. ЬЬgouty adj. goutily adv. goutiness n. [ME f. OF goute f. L gutta drop, with ref. to the medieval theory of the flowing down of humours] Gov. abbr. 1 Government. 2 Governor. gov. abbr. governor. govern v. 1 a tr. rule or control (a State, subject, etc.) with authority; conduct the policy and affairs of (an organization etc.). b intr. be in government. 2 a tr. influence or determine (a person or a course of action). b intr. be the predominating influence. 3 tr. be a standard or principle for; constitute a law for; serve to decide (a case). 4 tr. check or control (esp. passions). 5 tr. Gram. (esp. of a verb or preposition) have (a noun or pronoun or its case) depending on it. 6 tr. be in military command of (a fort, town). Ьgoverning body the managers of an institution. ЬЬgovernable adj. governability n. governableness n. [ME f. OF governer f. L gubernare steer, rule f. Gk kubernao] governance n. 1 the act or manner of governing. 2 the office or function of governing. 3 sway, control. [ME f. OF (as GOVERN)] governess n. a woman employed to teach children in a private household. [earlier governeress f. OF governeresse (as GOVERNOR)] governessy adj. characteristic of a governess; prim. government n. 1 the act or manner of governing. 2 the system by which a State or community is governed. 3 a a body of persons governing a State. b (usu. Government) a particular ministry in office. 4 the State as an agent. 5 Gram. the relation between a governed and a governing word. ЬGovernment House the official residence of a governor. government issue US (of equipment) provided by the government. government paper (or securities) bonds etc. issued by the government. government surplus unused equipment sold by the government. ЬЬgovernmental adj. governmentally adv. [ME f. OF governement (as GOVERN)] governor n. 1 a person who governs; a ruler. 2 a an official governing a province, town, etc. b a representative of the Crown in a colony. 3 the executive head of each State of the US. 4 an officer commanding a fortress or garrison. 5 the head or a member of a governing body of an institution. 6 the official in charge of a prison. 7 a sl. one's employer. b sl. one's father. c colloq. (as a form of address) sir. 8 Mech. an automatic regulator controlling the speed of an engine etc. ЬGovernor-General the representative of the Crown in a Commonwealth country that regards the Queen as Head of State. ЬЬgovernorate n. governorship n. [ME f. AF gouvernour, OF govern‰o(u)r f. L gubernator -oris (as GOVERN)] Govt. abbr. Government. gowan n. Sc. 1 a daisy. 2 any white or yellow field-flower. [prob. var. of dial. gollan ranunculus etc., and rel. to gold in marigold] gowk n. dial. 1 a cuckoo. 2 an awkward or halfwitted person; a fool. [ME f. ON gaukr f. Gmc] gown n. & v. --n. 1 a loose flowing garment, esp. a long dress worn by a woman. 2 the official robe of an alderman, judge, cleric, member of a university, etc. 3 a surgeon's overall. 4 the members of a university as distinct from the permanent residents of the university town (cf. TOWN). --v.tr. (usu. as gowned adj.) attire in a gown. [ME f. OF goune, gon(n)e f. LL gunna fur garment: cf. med. Gk gouna fur] goy n. (pl. goyim or goys) sl. derog. a Jewish name for a non-Jew. ЬЬgoyish adj. (also goyisch). [Heb. goy people, nation] 14.0 GP... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GP abbr. 1 general practitioner. 2 Grand Prix. Gp. Capt. abbr. (in the RAF) Group Captain. GPI abbr. general paralysis of the insane. GPO abbr. 1 General Post Office. 2 US Government Printing Office. 15.0 GR... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GR abbr. King George. [L Georgius Rex] gr abbr. (also gr.) 1 gram(s). 2 grains. 3 gross. 4 grey. Graafian follicle n. a follicle in the mammalian ovary in which an ovum develops prior to ovulation. [R. de Graaf, Du. anatomist d. 1673] grab v. & n. --v. (grabbed, grabbing) 1 tr. a seize suddenly. b capture, arrest. 2 tr. take greedily or unfairly. 3 tr. sl. attract the attention of, impress. 4 intr. (foll. by at) make a sudden snatch at. 5 intr. (of the brakes of a motor vehicle) act harshly or jerkily. --n. 1 a sudden clutch or attempt to seize. 2 a mechanical device for clutching. 3 the practice of grabbing; rapacious proceedings esp. in politics and commerce. 4 a children's card-game in which certain cards may be snatched from the table. Ьgrab-bag US a lucky dip. grab handle (or rail etc.) a handle or rail etc. to steady passengers in a moving vehicle. up for grabs sl. easily obtainable; inviting capture. ЬЬgrabber n. [MLG, MDu. grabben: cf. GRIP, GRIPE, GROPE] grabble v.intr. 1 grope about, feel for something. 2 (often foll. by for) sprawl on all fours, scramble (for something). [Du. & LG grabbeln scramble for a thing (as GRAB)] grabby adj. colloq. tending to grab; greedy, grasping. graben n. (pl. same or grabens) Geol. a depression of the earth's surface between faults. [G, orig. = ditch] grace n. & v. --n. 1 attractiveness, esp. in elegance of proportion or manner or movement; gracefulness. 2 courteous good will (had the grace to apologize). 3 an attractive feature; an accomplishment (social graces). 4 a (in Christian belief) the unmerited favour of God; a divine saving and strengthening influence. b the state of receiving this. c a divinely given talent. 5 goodwill, favour (fall from grace). 6 delay granted as a favour (a year's grace). 7 a short thanksgiving before or after a meal. 8 (Grace) (in Greek mythology) each of three beautiful sister goddesses, bestowers of beauty and charm. 9 (Grace) (prec. by His, Her, Your) forms of description or address for a duke, duchess, or archbishop. --v.tr. (often foll. by with) add grace to, enhance; confer honour or dignity on (graced us with his presence). Ьdays of grace the time allowed by law for payment of a sum due. grace and favour house etc. Brit. a house etc. occupied by permission of a sovereign etc. grace-note Mus. an extra note as an embellishment not essential to the harmony or melody. in a person's good (or bad) graces regarded by a person with favour (or disfavour). with good (or bad) grace as if willingly (or reluctantly). [ME f. OF f. L gratia f. gratus pleasing: cf. GRATEFUL] graceful adj. having or showing grace or elegance. ЬЬgracefully adv. gracefulness n. graceless adj. lacking grace or elegance or charm. ЬЬgracelessly adv. gracelessness n. gracile adj. slender; gracefully slender. [L gracilis slender] gracility n. 1 slenderness. 2 (of literary style) unornamented simplicity. gracious adj. & int. --adj. 1 kind; indulgent and beneficent to inferiors. 2 (of God) merciful, benign. 3 poet. kindly, courteous. 4 a polite epithet used of royal persons or their acts (the gracious speech from the throne). --int. expressing surprise. Ьgracious living an elegant way of life. ЬЬgraciosity n. graciously adv. graciousness n. [ME f. OF f. L gratiosus (as GRACE)] grackle n. 1 any of various orioles, esp. of the genus Quiscalus, native to America, the males of which are shiny black with a blue-green sheen. Also called BLACKBIRD. 2 any of various minas, esp. of the genus Gracula, native to Asia. [mod.L Gracula f. L graculus jackdaw] grad n. colloq. = GRADUATE n. 1. [abbr.] gradate v. 1 v.intr. & tr. pass or cause to pass by gradations from one shade to another. 2 tr. arrange in steps or grades of size etc. [back-form. f. GRADATION] gradation n. (usu. in pl.) 1 a stage of transition or advance. 2 a a certain degree in rank, intensity, merit, divergence, etc. b such a degree; an arrangement in such degrees. 3 (of paint etc.) the gradual passing from one shade, tone, etc., to another. 4 Philol. ablaut. ЬЬgradational adj. gradationally adv. [L gradatio f. gradus step] grade n. & v. --n. 1 a a certain degree in rank, merit, proficiency, quality, etc. b a class of persons or things of the same grade. 2 a a mark indicating the quality of a student's work. b an examination, esp. in music. 3 US a class in school, concerned with a particular year's work and usu. numbered from the first upwards. 4 a a gradient or slope. b the rate of ascent or descent. 5 a a variety of cattle produced by crossing native stock with a superior breed. b a group of animals at a similar level of development. 6 Philol. a relative position in a series of forms involving ablaut. --v. 1 tr. arrange in or allocate to grades; class, sort. 2 intr. (foll. by up, down, off, into, etc.) pass gradually between grades, or into a grade. 3 tr. give a grade to (a student). 4 tr. blend so as to affect the grade of colour with tints passing into each other. 5 tr. reduce (a road etc.) to easy gradients. 6 tr. (often foll. by up) cross (livestock) with a better breed. Ьat grade US on the same level. grade crossing US = level crossing. grade school US elementary school. make the grade colloq. succeed; reach the desired standard. [F grade or L gradus step] grader n. 1 a person or thing that grades. 2 a wheeled machine for levelling the ground, esp. in road-making. 3 (in comb.) US a pupil of a specified grade in a school. gradient n. 1 a a stretch of road, railway, etc., that slopes from the horizontal. b the amount of such a slope. 2 the rate of rise or fall of temperature, pressure, etc., in passing from one region to another. [prob. formed on GRADE after salient] gradine n. (also gradin) 1 each of a series of low steps or a tier of seats. 2 a ledge at the back of an altar. [It. gradino dimin. of grado GRADE] gradual adj. & n. --adj. 1 taking place or progressing slowly or by degrees. 2 not rapid or steep or abrupt. --n. Eccl. 1 a response sung or recited between the Epistle and Gospel in the Mass. 2 a book of music for the sung Mass service. ЬЬgradually adv. gradualness n. [med.L gradualis, -ale f. L gradus step, the noun referring to the altar-steps on which the response is sung] gradualism n. a policy of gradual reform rather than sudden change or revolution. ЬЬgradualist n. gradualistic adj. graduand n. Brit. a person about to receive an academic degree. [med.L graduandus gerundive of graduare GRADUATE] graduate n. & v. --n. 1 a person who has been awarded an academic degree (also attrib.: graduate student). 2 US a person who has completed a school course. --v. 1 a intr. take an academic degree. b tr. US admit to an academic degree or a certificate of completion of School Studies. 2 intr. a (foll. by from) be a graduate of a specified university. b (foll. by in) be a graduate in a specified subject. 3 tr. US send out as a graduate from a university etc. 4 intr. a (foll. by to) move up to (a higher grade of activity etc.). b (foll. by as, in) gain specified qualifications. 5 tr. mark out in degrees or parts. 6 tr. arrange in gradations; apportion (e.g. tax) according to a scale. 7 intr. (foll. by into, away) pass by degrees. Ьgraduated pension (in the UK) a system of pension contributions by employees in proportion to their wages or salary. graduate school a department of a university for advanced work by graduates. ЬЬgraduator n. [med.L graduari take a degree f. L gradus step] graduation n. 1 the act or an instance of graduating or being graduated. 2 a ceremony at which degrees are conferred. 3 each or all of the marks on a vessel or instrument indicating degrees of quantity etc. Graecism n. (also Grecism) 1 a Greek idiom, esp. as imitated in another language. 2 a the Greek spirit, style, mode of expression, etc. b the imitation of these. [F gr‚cisme or med.L Graecismus f. Graecus GREEK] Graecize v.tr. (also Grecize, -ise) give a Greek character or form to. [L Graecizare (as GRAECISM)] Graeco- comb. form (also Greco-) Greek; Greek and. [L Graecus GREEK] Graeco-Roman adj. 1 of or relating to the Greeks and Romans. 2 Wrestling denoting a style attacking only the upper part of the body. graffito n. (pl. graffiti) 1 (usu. in pl.) a piece of writing or drawing scribbled, scratched, or sprayed on a surface. °Not a mass noun in this sense, and so a plural construction is needed, e.g. graffiti are (not is) an art form. 2 Art a form of decoration made by scratches on wet plaster, showing a different-coloured under-surface. [It. f. graffio a scratch] graft(1) n. & v. --n. 1 Bot. a a shoot or scion inserted into a slit of stock, from which it receives sap. b the place where a graft is inserted. 2 Surgery a piece of living tissue, organ, etc., transplanted surgically. 3 sl. hard work. --v. 1 tr. a (often foll. by into, on, together, etc.) insert (a scion) as a graft. b insert a graft on (a stock). 2 intr. insert a graft. 3 tr. Surgery transplant (living tissue). 4 tr. (foll. by in, on) insert or fix (a thing) permanently to another. 5 intr. sl. work hard. Ьgrafting-clay (or -wax) a substance for covering the united parts of a graft and stock. ЬЬgrafter n. [ME (earlier graff) f. OF grafe, grefe f. L graphium f. Gk graphion stylus f. grapho write] graft(2) n. & v. colloq. --n. 1 practices, esp. bribery, used to secure illicit gains in politics or business. 2 such gains. --v.intr. seek or make such gains. ЬЬgrafter n. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] Grail n. (in full Holy Grail) 1 (in medieval legend) the cup or platter used by Christ at the Last Supper, and in which Joseph of Arimathea received Christ's blood at the Cross, esp. as the object of quests by medieval knights. 2 any object of a quest. [ME f. OF graal etc. f. med.L gradalis dish, of unkn. orig.] grain n. & v. --n. 1 a fruit or seed of a cereal. 2 a (collect.) wheat or any allied grass used as food, corn. b (collect.) their fruit. c any particular species of corn. 3 a a small hard particle of salt, sand, etc. b a discrete particle or crystal, usu. small, in a rock or metal. c a piece of solid propellant for use in a rocket engine. 4 the smallest unit of weight in the troy system (equivalent to 1/480 of an ounce), and in the avoirdupois system (equivalent to 1/437.5 of an ounce). 5 the smallest possible quantity (not a grain of truth in it). 6 a roughness of surface. b Photog. a granular appearance on a photograph or negative. 7 the texture of skin, wood, stone, etc.; the arrangement and size of constituent particles. 8 a a pattern of lines of fibre in wood or paper. b lamination or planes of cleavage in stone, coal, etc. 9 nature, temper, tendency. 10 a hist. kermes or cochineal, or dye made from either of these. b poet. dye; colour. --v. 1 tr. paint in imitation of the grain of wood or marble. 2 tr. give a granular surface to. 3 tr. dye in grain. 4 tr. & intr. form into grains. 5 tr. remove hair from (hides). Ьagainst the grain contrary to one's natural inclination or feeling. grain-leather leather dressed with grain-side out. grain-side the side of a hide on which the hair was. grains of Paradise capsules of a W. African plant (Aframomum melegueta), used as a spice and a drug. in grain thorough, genuine, by nature, downright, indelible. ЬЬgrained adj. (also in comb.). grainer n. grainless adj. [ME f. OF f. L granum] grainy adj. (grainier, grainiest) 1 granular. 2 resembling the grain of wood. 3 Photog. having a granular appearance. ЬЬgraininess n. grallatorial adj. Zool. of or relating to long-legged wading birds, e.g. storks, flamingos, etc. [mod.L grallatorius f. L grallator stilt-walker f. grallae stilts] gram(1) n. (also gramme) a metric unit of mass equal to one-thousandth of a kilogram. Ьgram-atom Chem. the quantity of a chemical element equal to its relative atomic mass in grams (see MOLE(4)). gram-equivalent Chem. the quantity of a substance equal to its equivalent weight in grams. gram-molecule Chem. the quantity of a substance equal to its relative molecular mass in grams. [F gramme f. Gk gramma small weight] gram(2) n. any of various pulses used as food. [Port. gr°.o f. L granum grain] -gram comb. form forming nouns denoting a thing written or recorded (often in a certain way) (anagram; epigram; monogram; telegram). ЬЬ-grammatic comb. form forming adjectives. [from or after Gk gramma -atos thing written, letter of the alphabet, f. grapho write] graminaceous adj. of or like grass; grassy. [L gramen -inis grass] gramineous adj. = GRAMINACEOUS. [L gramineus f. gramen -inis grass] graminivorous adj. feeding on grass, cereals, etc. [L gramen -inis grass + -VOROUS] grammalogue n. 1 a word represented by a single shorthand sign. 2 a logogram. [irreg. f. Gk gramma letter of the alphabet + logos word] grammar n. 1 a the study or rules of a language's inflections or other means of showing the relation between words, including its phonetic system. b a body of form and usages in a specified language (Latin grammar). 2 a person's manner or quality of observance or application of the rules of grammar (bad grammar). 3 a book on grammar. 4 the elements or rudiments of an art or science. 5 Brit. colloq. = grammar school. Ьgrammar school 1 Brit. esp. hist. a selective State secondary school with a mainly academic curriculum. 2 Brit. hist. a school founded in or before the 16th c. for teaching Latin, later becoming a secondary school teaching academic subjects. 3 US a school intermediate between primary and high school. ЬЬgrammarless adj. [ME f. AF gramere, OF gramaire f. L grammatica f. Gk grammatike (tekhne) (art) of letters f. gramma -atos letter of the alphabet] grammarian n. an expert in grammar or linguistics; a philologist. [ME f. OF gramarien] grammatical adj. 1 a of or relating to grammar. b determined by grammar, esp. by form or inflection (grammatical gender). 2 conforming to the rules of grammar, or to the formal principles of an art, science, etc. ЬЬgrammatically adv. grammaticalness n. [F grammatical or LL grammaticalis f. L grammaticus f. Gk grammatikos (as GRAMMAR)] gramme var. of GRAM(1). gramophone n. an instrument reproducing recorded sound by a stylus resting on a rotating grooved disc. °Now more usually called record-player. ЬЬgramophonic adj. [formed by inversion of PHONOGRAM] grampus n. (pl. grampuses) 1 a dolphin, Grampus griseus, with a blunt snout and long pointed black flippers. 2 a person breathing heavily and loudly. [earlier graundepose, grapeys f. OF grapois etc. f. med.L craspiscis f. L crassus piscis fat fish] Gram's method n. Biol. a method of differentiating bacteria by staining with a dye, then attempting to remove the dye with a solvent, for purposes of identification. ЬGram-positive (or negative) (of bacteria) that do (or do not) retain the dye. [H. C. J. Gram, Da. physician d. 1938] gran n. colloq. grandmother (cf. GRANNY). [abbr.] granadilla n. (also grenadilla) a passion-fruit. [Sp., dimin. of granada pomegranate] granary n. (pl. -ies) 1 a storehouse for threshed grain. 2 a region producing, and esp. exporting, much corn. [L granarium f. granum grain] grand adj. & n. --adj. 1 a splendid, magnificent, imposing, dignified. b solemn or lofty in conception, execution, or expression; noble. 2 main; of chief importance (grand staircase; grand entrance). 3 (Grand) of the highest rank, esp. in official titles (Grand Cross; grand vizier; Grand Inquisitor). 4 colloq. excellent, enjoyable (had a grand time; in grand condition). 5 belonging to high society; wealthy (the grand folk at the big house). 6 (in comb.) in names of family relationships, denoting the second degree of ascent or descent (granddaughter). 7 (Grand) (in French phrases or imitations) great (grand army; Grand Monarch; Grand Hotel). 8 Law serious, important (grand larceny) (cf. COMMON, PETTY). --n. 1 = grand piano. 2 (pl. same) (usu. in pl.) esp. US sl. a thousand dollars or pounds. Ьgrand aunt a great-aunt (see GREAT adj. 11). grand duchy a State ruled by a grand duke or duchess. grand duke (or duchess) 1 a prince (or princess) or noble person ruling over a territory. 2 (Grand Duke) hist. the son or grandson of a Russian tsar. grand jury esp. US Law a jury selected to examine the validity of an accusation prior to trial. grand master 1 a chess-player of the highest class. 2 the head of a military order of knighthood, of Freemasons, etc. Grand National a steeplechase held annually at Aintree, Liverpool. grand nephew (or niece) a great-nephew or -niece (see GREAT adj. 11). grand opera opera on a serious theme, or in which the entire libretto (including dialogue) is sung. grand piano a large full-toned piano standing on three legs, with the body, strings, and soundboard arranged horizontally and in line with the keys. grand slam 1 Sport the winning of all of a group of championships. 2 Bridge the winning of 13 tricks. grand total the final amount after everything is added up; the sum of other totals. grand tour hist. a cultural tour of Europe, esp. in the 18th c. for educational purposes. ЬЬgrandly adv. grandness n. [ME f. AF graunt, OF grant f. L grandis full-grown] grandad n. (also grand-dad) colloq. 1 grandfather. 2 an elderly man. grandam n. 1 (also grandame) archaic grandmother. 2 an old woman. 3 an ancestress. [ME f. AF graund dame (as GRAND, DAME)] grandchild n. (pl. -children) a child of one's son or daughter. granddaughter n. a female grandchild. grande dame n. a dignified lady of high rank. [F] grandee n. 1 a Spanish or Portuguese nobleman of the highest rank. 2 a person of high rank or eminence. [Sp. & Port. grande, assim. to -EE] grandeur n. 1 majesty, splendour; dignity of appearance or bearing. 2 high rank, eminence. 3 nobility of character. [F f. grand great, GRAND] grandfather n. a male grandparent. Ьgrandfather clock a clock in a tall wooden case, driven by weights. ЬЬgrandfatherly adj. Grand Guignol n. a dramatic entertainment of a sensational or horrific nature. [the name (= Great Punch) of a theatre in Paris] grandiflora adj. bearing large flowers. [mod.L (often used in specific names of large-flowered plants) f. L grandis great + FLORA] grandiloquent adj. 1 pompous or inflated in language. 2 given to boastful talk. ЬЬgrandiloquence n. grandiloquently adv. [L grandiloquus (as GRAND, -loquus -speaking f. loqui speak), after eloquent etc.] grandiose adj. 1 producing or meant to produce an imposing effect. 2 planned on an ambitious or magnificent scale. ЬЬgrandiosely adv. grandiosity n. [F f. It. grandioso (as GRAND, -OSE(1))] grandma n. colloq. grandmother. grand mal n. a serious form of epilepsy with loss of consciousness (cf. PETIT MAL). [F, = great sickness] grandmama n. archaic colloq. = GRANDMA. grandmother n. a female grandparent. Ьgrandmother clock a clock like a grandfather clock but in a smaller case. teach one's grandmother to suck eggs presume to advise a more experienced person. ЬЬgrandmotherly adj. grandpa n. colloq. grandfather. grandpapa n. archaic colloq. = GRANDPA. grandparent n. a parent of one's father or mother. Grand Prix n. any of several important international motor or motor-cycle racing events. [F, = great or chief prize] grand siЉcle n. the classical or golden age, esp. the 17th c. in France. [F, = great century or age] grandsire n. archaic 1 grandfather, old man, ancestor. 2 Bell-ringing a method of change-ringing. grandson n. a male grandchild. grandstand n. the main stand, usu. roofed, for spectators at a racecourse etc. Ьgrandstand finish a close and exciting finish to a race etc. grange n. 1 a country house with farm-buildings. 2 archaic a barn. [ME f. AF graunge, OF grange f. med.L granica (villa) ult. f. L granum GRAIN] graniferous adj. producing grain or a grainlike seed. ЬЬgraniform adj. [L granum GRAIN] granite n. 1 a granular crystalline igneous rock of quartz, mica, feldspar, etc., used for building. 2 a determined or resolute quality, attitude, etc. ЬЬgranitic adj. granitoid adj. & n. [It. granito, lit. grained f. grano f. L granum GRAIN] graniteware n. 1 a speckled form of earthenware imitating the appearance of granite. 2 a kind of enamelled ironware. granivorous adj. feeding on grain. ЬЬgranivore n. [L granum GRAIN] granny n. (also grannie) (pl. -ies) colloq. grandmother. Ьgranny bond Brit. colloq. a form of National Savings certificate orig. available only to pensioners. granny flat (or annexe) Brit. part of a house made into self-contained accommodation for an elderly relative. granny knot a reef-knot crossed the wrong way and therefore insecure. [obs. grannam for GRANDAM + -Y(2)] Granny Smith n. an Australian green variety of apple. [Maria Ann ('Granny') Smith d. 1870] grant v. & n. --v.tr. 1 a consent to fulfil (a request, wish, etc.) (granted all he asked). b allow (a person) to have (a thing) (granted me my freedom). c (as granted) colloq. apology accepted; pardon given. 2 give (rights, property, etc.) formally; transfer legally. 3 (often foll. by that + clause) admit as true; concede, esp. as a basis for argument. --n. 1 the process of granting or a thing granted. 2 a sum of money given by the State for any of various purposes, esp. to finance education. 3 Law a a legal conveyance by written instrument. b formal conferment. Ьgrant-in-aid (pl. grants-in-aid) a grant by central government to local government or an institution. take for granted 1 assume something to be true or valid. 2 cease to appreciate through familiarity. ЬЬgrantable adj. grantee n. (esp. in sense 2 of v.). granter n. grantor n. (esp. in sense 2 of v.). [ME f. OF gr(e)anter var. of creanter ult. f. part. of L credere entrust] Granth n. (also Grunth) the sacred scriptures of the Sikhs. [Hindi, = book, code f. Skr. grantha tying, literary composition] gran turismo n. (pl. -os) a touring-car. [It., = great touring] granular adj. 1 of or like grains or granules. 2 having a granulated surface or structure. ЬЬgranularity n. granularly adv. [LL granulum GRANULE] granulate v. 1 tr. & intr. form into grains (granulated sugar). 2 tr. roughen the surface of. 3 intr. (of a wound etc.) form small prominences as the beginning of healing; heal, join. ЬЬgranulation n. granulator n. granule n. a small grain. [LL granulum, dimin. of L granum grain] granulocyte n. Physiol. any of various white blood cells having granules in their cytoplasm. ЬЬgranulocytic adj. granulometric adj. relating to the distribution of grain sizes in sand etc. [F granulom‚trique (as GRANULE, METRIC)] grape n. 1 a berry (usu. green, purple, or black) growing in clusters on a vine, used as fruit and in making wine. 2 (prec. by the) colloq. wine. 3 = GRAPESHOT. 4 (in pl.) a diseased growth like a bunch of grapes on the pastern of a horse etc., or on a pleura in cattle. Ьgrape hyacinth any liliaceous plant of the genus Muscari, with clusters of usu. blue flowers. grape-sugar dextrose. ЬЬgrapey adj. (also grapy). [ME f. OF grape bunch of grapes prob. f. graper gather (grapes) f. grap(p)e hook, ult. f. Gmc] grapefruit n. (pl. same) 1 a large round yellow citrus fruit with an acid juicy pulp. 2 the tree, Citrus paradisi, bearing this fruit. grapeshot n. hist. small balls used as charge in a cannon and scattering when fired. grapevine n. 1 any of various vines of the genus Vitis, esp. Vitis vinifera. 2 colloq. the means of transmission of unofficial information or rumour (heard it through the grapevine). graph(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a diagram showing the relation between variable quantities, usu. of two variables, each measured along one of a pair of axes at right angles. 2 Math. a collection of points whose coordinates satisfy a given relation. --v.tr. plot or trace on a graph. Ьgraph paper paper printed with a network of lines as a basis for drawing graphs. [abbr. of graphic formula] graph(2) n. Linguistics a visual symbol, esp. a letter or letters, representing a unit of sound or other feature of speech. [Gk graphe writing] -graph comb. form forming nouns and verbs meaning: 1 a thing written or drawn etc. in a specified way (autograph; photograph). 2 an instrument that records (heliograph; seismograph; telegraph). grapheme n. Linguistics 1 a class of letters etc. representing a unit of sound. 2 a feature of a written expression that cannot be analysed into smaller meaningful units. ЬЬgraphematic adj. graphemic adj. graphemically adv. [GRAPH(2) + -EME] -grapher comb. form forming nouns denoting a person concerned with a subject (geographer; radiographer). [from or after Gk - graphos writer + -ER(1)] graphic adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or relating to the visual or descriptive arts, esp. writing and drawing. 2 vividly descriptive. 3 (of minerals) showing marks like writing on the surface or in a fracture. 4 = GRAPHICAL. --n. a product of the graphic arts (cf. GRAPHICS). Ьgraphic arts the visual and technical arts involving design, writing, drawing, printing, etc. graphic equalizer a device for the separate control of the strength and quality of selected frequency bands. ЬЬgraphically adv. graphicness n. [L graphicus f. Gk graphikos f. graphe writing] -graphic comb. form (also -graphical) forming adjectives corresponding to nouns in -graphy (see -GRAPHY). ЬЬ-graphically comb. form forming adverbs. [from or after Gk -graphikos (as GRAPHIC)] graphicacy n. the ability to read a map, graph, etc., or to present information by means of diagrams. [GRAPHIC, after literacy, numeracy] graphical adj. 1 of or in the form of graphs (see GRAPH(1)). 2 graphic. ЬЬgraphically adv. graphics n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) 1 the products of the graphic arts, esp. commercial design or illustration. 2 the use of diagrams in calculation and design. 3 (in full computer graphics) Computing a mode of processing and output in which a significant part of the information is in pictorial form. graphite n. a crystalline allotropic form of carbon used as a solid lubricant, in pencils, and as a moderator in nuclear reactors etc. Also called PLUMBAGO, black lead. ЬЬgraphitic adj. graphitize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). [G Graphit f. Gk grapho write] graphology n. 1 the study of handwriting esp. as a supposed guide to character. 2 a system of graphic formulae; notation for graphs (see GRAPH(1)). 3 Linguistics the study of systems of writing. ЬЬgraphological adj. graphologist n. [Gk graphe writing] -graphy comb. form forming nouns denoting: 1 a descriptive science (bibliography; geography). 2 a technique of producing images (photography; radiography). 3 a style or method of writing, drawing, etc. (calligraphy). [from or after F or G -graphie f. L -graphia f. Gk -graphia writing] grapnel n. 1 a device with iron claws, attached to a rope and used for dragging or grasping. 2 a small anchor with several flukes. [ME f. AF f. OF grapon f. Gmc: cf. GRAPE] grappa n. a brandy distilled from the fermented residue of grapes after they have been pressed in wine-making. [It.] grapple v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by with) fight at close quarters or in close combat. 2 intr. (foll. by with) try to manage or overcome a difficult problem etc. 3 tr. a grip with the hands; come to close quarters with. b seize with or as with a grapnel; grasp. --n. 1 a a hold or grip in or as in wrestling. b a contest at close quarters. 2 a clutching-instrument; a grapnel. Ьgrappling-iron (or -hook) = GRAPNEL. ЬЬgrappler n. [OF grapil (n.) f. Prov., dimin. of grapa hook (as GRAPNEL)] graptolite n. an extinct marine invertebrate animal found as a fossil in lower Palaeozoic rocks. [Gk graptos marked with letters + -LITE] grasp v. & n. --v. 1 tr. a clutch at; seize greedily. b hold firmly; grip. 2 intr. (foll. by at) try to seize; accept avidly. 3 tr. understand or realize (a fact or meaning). --n. 1 a firm hold; a grip. 2 (foll. by of) a mastery or control (a grasp of the situation). b a mental hold or understanding (a grasp of the facts). 3 mental agility (a quick grasp). Ьgrasp at a straw see STRAW. grasp the nettle tackle a difficulty boldly. within one's grasp capable of being grasped or comprehended by one. ЬЬgraspable adj. grasper n. [ME graspe, grapse perh. f. OE gr‘psan (unrecorded) f. Gmc, rel. to GROPE: cf. LG grapsen] grasping adj. avaricious, greedy. ЬЬgraspingly adv. graspingness n. grass n. & v. --n. 1 a vegetation belonging to a group of small plants with green blades that are eaten by cattle, horses, sheep, etc. b any species of this. c any plant of the family Gramineae, which includes cereals, reeds, and bamboos. 2 pasture land. 3 grass-covered ground, a lawn (keep off the grass). 4 grazing (out to grass; be at grass). 5 sl. marijuana. 6 Brit. sl. an informer, esp. a police informer. 7 the earth's surface above a mine; the pit-head. 8 sl. asparagus. --v. 1 tr. cover with turf. 2 tr. US provide with pasture. 3 Brit. sl. a tr. betray, esp. to the police. b intr. inform the police. 4 tr. knock down; fell (an opponent). 5 tr. a bring (a fish) to the bank. b bring down (a bird) by a shot. Ьat grass out of work, on holiday, etc. grass bird Austral. any of various warblers, esp. of the genus Megalurus, living among reeds. grass-box a receptacle for cut grass on a lawnmower. grass-cloth a linen-like cloth woven from ramie etc. grass court a grass-covered lawn-tennis court. grass of Parnassus a herbaceous plant, Parnassia palustris. grass parakeet Austral. a parakeet, esp. of the genus Neophema, frequenting grassland. grass roots 1 a fundamental level or source. 2 ordinary people, esp. as voters; the rank and file of an organization, esp. a political party. grass skirt a skirt made of long grass and leaves fastened to a waistband. grass snake 1 Brit. the common ringed snake, Natrix natrix. 2 US the common greensnake, Opheodrys vernalis. grass tree = BLACKBOY. grass widow (or widower) a person whose husband (or wife) is away for a prolonged period. grass-wrack eel-grass. not let the grass grow under one's feet be quick to act or to seize an opportunity. ЬЬgrassless adj. grasslike adj. [OE gr‘s f. Gmc, rel. to GREEN, GROW] grasshopper n. a jumping and chirping plant-eating insect of the order Saltatoria. grassland n. a large open area covered with grass, esp. one used for grazing. grassy adj. (grassier, grassiest) 1 covered with or abounding in grass. 2 resembling grass. 3 of grass. ЬЬgrassiness n. grate(1) v. 1 tr. reduce to small particles by rubbing on a serrated surface. 2 intr. (often foll. by against, on) rub with a harsh scraping sound. 3 tr. utter in a harsh tone. 4 intr. (often foll. by on) a sound harshly or discordantly. b have an irritating effect. 5 tr. grind (one's teeth). 6 intr. (of a hinge etc.) creak. [ME f. OF grater ult. f. WG] grate(2) n. 1 the recess of a fireplace or furnace. 2 a metal frame confining fuel in a grate. [ME, = grating f. OF ult. f. L cratis hurdle] grateful adj. 1 thankful; feeling or showing gratitude (am grateful to you for helping). 2 pleasant, acceptable. ЬЬgratefully adv. gratefulness n. [obs. grate (adj.) f. L gratus + -FUL] grater n. a device for reducing cheese or other food to small particles. graticule n. 1 fine lines or fibres incorporated in a telescope or other optical instrument as a measuring scale or as an aid in locating objects. 2 Surveying a network of lines on paper representing meridians and parallels. [F f. med.L graticula for craticula gridiron f. L cratis hurdle] gratify v.tr. (-fies, -fied) 1 a please, delight. b please by compliance; assent to the wish of. 2 indulge in or yield to (a feeling or desire). ЬЬgratification n. gratifier n. gratifying adj. gratifyingly adv. [F gratifier or L gratificari do a favour to, make a present of, f. gratus pleasing] grating(1) adj. 1 sounding harsh or discordant (a grating laugh). 2 having an irritating effect. ЬЬgratingly adv. grating(2) n. 1 a framework of parallel or crossed metal bars. 2 Optics a set of parallel wires, lines ruled on glass, etc., for producing spectra by diffraction. gratis adv. & adj. free; without charge. [L, contracted ablat. pl. of gratia favour] gratitude n. being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. [F gratitude or med.L gratitudo f. gratus thankful] gratuitous adj. 1 given or done free of charge. 2 uncalled for; unwarranted; lacking good reason (a gratuitous insult). ЬЬgratuitously adv. gratuitousness n. [L gratuitus spontaneous: cf. fortuitous] gratuity n. (pl. -ies) money given in recognition of services; a tip. [OF gratuit‚ or med.L gratuitas gift f. L gratus grateful] gratulatory adj. expressing congratulation. [LL gratulatorius f. L gratus grateful] graunch v.intr. & tr. make or cause to make a crunching or grinding sound. [imit.] gravamen n. (pl. gravamens or gravamina) 1 the essence or most serious part of an argument. 2 a grievance. [LL, = inconvenience, f. L gravare to load f. gravis heavy] grave(1) n. 1 a a trench dug in the ground to receive a coffin on burial. b a mound or memorial stone placed over this. 2 (prec. by the) death, esp. as indicating mortal finality. 3 something compared to or regarded as a grave. Ьturn in one's grave (of a dead person) be thought of in certain circumstances as likely to have been shocked or angry when alive. ЬЬgraveless adj. graveward adv. & adj. [OE gr‘f f. WG] grave(2) adj. & n. --adj. 1 a serious, weighty, important (a grave matter). b dignified, solemn, sombre (a grave look). 2 extremely serious or threatening (grave danger). 3 (of sound) low-pitched, not acute. --n. = grave accent. Ьgrave accent a mark (`) placed over a vowel in some languages to denote pronunciation, length, etc., orig. indicating low or falling pitch. ЬЬgravely adv. graveness n. [F grave or L gravis heavy, serious] grave(3) v.tr. (past part. graven or graved) 1 (foll. by in, on) fix indelibly (on one's memory). 2 archaic engrave, carve. Ьgraven image an idol. [OE grafan dig, engrave f. Gmc: cf. GROOVE] grave(4) v.tr. clean (a ship's bottom) by burning off accretions and by tarring. Ьgraving dock = dry dock. [perh. F dial. grave = OF greve shore] gravedigger n. 1 a person who digs graves. 2 (in full gravedigger beetle) a sexton beetle. gravel n. & v. --n. 1 a a mixture of coarse sand and small water-worn or pounded stones, used for paths and roads and as an aggregate. b Geol. a stratum of this. 2 Med. aggregations of crystals formed in the urinary tract. --v.tr. (gravelled, gravelling; US graveled, graveling) 1 lay or strew with gravel. 2 perplex, puzzle, nonplus (from an obs. sense 'run (a ship) aground'). Ьgravel-blind literary almost completely blind ('more than sand-blind', in Shakesp. Merchant of Venice II. ii. 33). [ME f. OF gravel(e) dimin. of grave (as GRAVE(4))] gravelly adj. 1 of or like gravel. 2 having or containing gravel. 3 (of a voice) deep and rough-sounding. graven past part. of GRAVE(3). graver n. 1 an engraving tool; a burin. 2 archaic an engraver; a carver. Graves n. a light usu. white wine from Graves in France. Graves' disease n. exophthalmic goitre with characteristic swelling of the neck and protrusion of the eyes, resulting from an overactive thyroid gland. [R. J. Graves, Ir. physician d. 1853] gravestone n. a stone (usu. inscribed) marking a grave. graveyard n. a burial-ground, esp. by a church. gravid adj. literary or Zool. pregnant. [L gravidus f. gravis heavy] gravimeter n. an instrument for measuring the difference in the force of gravity from one place to another. [F gravimЉtre f. L gravis heavy] gravimetric adj. 1 of or relating to the measurement of weight. 2 denoting chemical analysis based on weight. gravimetry n. the measurement of weight. gravitas n. solemn demeanour; seriousness. [L f. gravis serious] gravitate v. 1 intr. (foll. by to, towards) move or be attracted to some source of influence. 2 tr. & intr. a move or tend by force of gravity towards. b sink by or as if by gravity. [mod.L gravitare GRAVITAS] gravitation n. Physics 1 a force of attraction between any particle of matter in the universe and any other. 2 the effect of this, esp. the falling of bodies to the earth. [mod.L gravitatio (as GRAVITY)] gravitational adj. of or relating to gravitation. Ьgravitational constant the constant in Newton's law of gravitation relating gravity to the masses and separation of particles. °Symb.: G. gravitational field the region of space surrounding a body in which another body experiences a force of attraction. ЬЬgravitationally adv. gravity n. 1 a the force that attracts a body to the centre of the earth or other celestial body. b the degree of intensity of this measured by acceleration. c gravitational force. 2 the property of having weight. 3 a importance, seriousness; the quality of being grave. b solemnity, sobriety; serious demeanour. Ьgravity feed the supply of material by its fall under gravity. [F gravit‚ or L gravitas f. gravis heavy] gravure n. = PHOTOGRAVURE. [abbr.] gravy n. (pl. -ies) 1 a the juices exuding from meat during and after cooking. b a dressing or sauce for food, made from these or from other materials, e.g. stock. 2 sl. unearned or unexpected money. Ьgravy-boat a boat-shaped vessel for serving gravy. gravy train sl. a source of easy financial benefit. [ME, perh. from a misreading as grav‚ of OF gran‚, prob. f. grain spice: see GRAIN] gray(1) n. Physics the SI unit of the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation, corresponding to one joule per kilogram. °Abbr.: Gy. [L. H. Gray, Engl. radiobiologist d. 1965] gray(2) US var. of GREY. grayling n. 1 any silver-grey freshwater fish of the genus Thymallus, with a long high dorsal fin. 2 a butterfly, Hipparchia semele, having wings with grey undersides and bright eye-spots on the upper side. [gray var. of GREY + -LING(2)] graywacke US var. of GREYWACKE. graze(1) v. 1 intr. (of cattle, sheep, etc.) eat growing grass. 2 tr. a feed (cattle etc.) on growing grass. b feed on (grass). 3 intr. pasture cattle. ЬЬgrazer n. [OE grasian f. gr‘s GRASS] graze(2) v. & n. --v. 1 tr. rub or scrape (a part of the body, esp. the skin) so as to break the surface without causing bleeding. 2 a tr. touch lightly in passing. b intr. (foll. by against, along, etc.) move with a light passing contact. --n. an act or instance of grazing. [perh. a specific use of GRAZE(1), as if 'take off the grass close to the ground' (of a shot etc.)] grazier n. 1 a person who feeds cattle for market. 2 Austral. a large-scale sheep-farmer or cattle-farmer. ЬЬgraziery n. [GRASS + -IER] grazing n. grassland suitable for pasturage. grease n. & v. --n. 1 oily or fatty matter esp. as a lubricant. 2 the melted fat of a dead animal. 3 oily matter in unprocessed wool. --v.tr. smear or lubricate with grease. Ьgrease-gun a device for pumping grease under pressure to a particular point. grease the palm of colloq. bribe. like greased lightning colloq. very fast. ЬЬgreaseless adj. [ME f. AF grece, gresse, OF graisse ult. f. L crassus (adj.) fat] greasepaint n. a waxy composition used as make-up for actors. greaseproof adj. impervious to the penetration of grease. greaser n. 1 a person or thing that greases. 2 sl. a member of a gang of youths with long hair and riding motor cycles. 3 US sl. offens. a Mexican or Spanish-American. 4 sl. a gentle landing of an aircraft. greasy adj. (greasier, greasiest) 1 a of or like grease. b smeared or covered with grease. c containing or having too much grease. 2 a slippery. b (of a person or manner) unpleasantly unctuous, smarmy. c objectionable. ЬЬgreasily adv. greasiness n. great adj. & n. --adj. 1 a of a size, amount, extent, or intensity considerably above the normal or average; big (made a great hole; take great care; lived to a great age). b also with implied surprise, admiration, contempt, etc., esp. in exclamations (you great idiot!; great stuff!; look at that great wasp). c reinforcing other words denoting size, quantity, etc. (a great big hole; a great many). 2 important, pre-eminent; worthy or most worthy of consideration (the great thing is not to get caught). 3 grand, imposing (a great occasion; the great hall). 4 a (esp. of a public or historic figure) distinguished; prominent. b (the Great) as a title denoting the most important of the name (Alfred the Great). 5 a (of a person) remarkable in ability, character, achievement, etc. (great men; a great thinker). b (of a thing) outstanding of its kind (the Great Fire). 6 (foll. by at, on) competent, skilled, well-informed. 7 fully deserving the name of; doing a thing habitually or extensively (a great reader; a great believer in tolerance; not a great one for travelling). 8 (also greater) the larger of the name, species, etc. (great auk; greater celandine). 9 (Greater) (of a city etc.) including adjacent urban areas (Greater Manchester). 10 colloq. a very enjoyable or satisfactory; attractive, fine (had a great time; it would be great if we won). b (as an exclam.) fine, very good. 11 (in comb.) (in names of family relationships) denoting one degree further removed upwards or downwards (great-uncle; great-great-grandmother). --n. 1 a great or outstanding person or thing. 2 (in pl.) (Greats) colloq. (at Oxford University) an honours course or final examinations in classics and philosophy. Ьgreat and small all classes or types. the Great Bear see BEAR(2). Great Britain England, Wales, and Scotland. great circle see CIRCLE. Great Dane see DANE. great deal see DEAL(1). great-hearted magnanimous; having a noble or generous mind. great-heartedness magnanimity. the great majority by far the most. great northern diver a diving sea bird, Gavia immer, of the northern hemisphere. great organ the chief manual in a large organ, with its related pipes and mechanism. Great Russian n. a member or the language of the principal ethnic group in the USSR; Russian. --adj. of or relating to this people or language. great tit a Eurasian songbird, Parus major, with black and white head markings. great toe the big toe. Great War the world war of 1914-18. to a great extent largely. ЬЬgreatness n. [OE great f. WG] greatcoat n. a long heavy overcoat. greatly adv. by a considerable amount; much (greatly admired; greatly superior). greave n. (usu. in pl.) armour for the shin. [ME f. OF greve shin, greave, of unkn. orig.] grebe n. any diving bird of the family Podicipedidae, with a long neck, lobed toes, and almost no tail. Ьlittle grebe a small water bird of the grebe family, Tachybaptus ruficollis. [F grЉbe, of unkn. orig.] Grecian adj. (of architecture or facial outline) following Greek models or ideals. ЬGrecian nose a straight nose that continues the line of the forehead without a dip. [OF grecien or med.L graecianus (unrecorded) f. L Graecia Greece] Grecism var. of GRAECISM. Grecize var. of GRAECIZE. Greco- var. of GRAECO-. greed n. an excessive desire, esp. for food or wealth. [back-form. f. GREEDY] greedy adj. (greedier, greediest) 1 having or showing an excessive appetite for food or drink. 2 wanting wealth or pleasure to excess. 3 (foll. by for, or to + infin.) very keen or eager; needing intensely (greedy for affection; greedy to learn). ЬЬgreedily adv. greediness n. [OE gr‘dig f. Gmc] Greek n. & adj. --n. 1 a a native or national of modern Greece; a person of Greek descent. b a native or citizen of any of the ancient States of Greece; a member of the Greek people. 2 the Indo-European language of Greece. --adj. of Greece or its people or language; Hellenic. ЬGreek (or Greek Orthodox) Church the national Church of Greece (see also Orthodox Church). Greek cross a cross with four equal arms. Greek fire hist. a combustible composition for igniting enemy ships etc. Greek to me colloq. incomprehensible to me. ЬЬGreekness n. [OE Grecas (pl.) f. Gmc f. L Graecus Greek f. Gk Graikoi, the prehistoric name of the Hellenes (in Aristotle)] green adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 of the colour between blue and yellow in the spectrum; coloured like grass, emeralds, etc. 2 a covered with leaves or grass. b mild and without snow (a green Christmas). 3 (of fruit etc. or wood) unripe or unseasoned. 4 not dried, smoked, or tanned. 5 inexperienced, na‹ve, gullible. 6 a (of the complexion) pale, sickly-hued. b jealous, envious. 7 young, flourishing. 8 not withered or worn out (a green old age). 9 vegetable (green food; green salad). 10 (also Green) concerned with or supporting protection of the environment as a political principle. 11 archaic fresh; not healed (a green wound). --n. 1 a green colour or pigment. 2 green clothes or material (dressed in green). 3 a a piece of public or common grassy land (village green). b a grassy area used for a special purpose (putting-green; bowling-green). c Golf a putting-green. d Golf a fairway. 4 (in pl.) green vegetables. 5 vigour, youth, virility (in the green). 6 a green light. 7 a green ball, piece, etc., in a game or sport. 8 (also Green) a member or supporter of an environmentalist group or party. 9 (in pl.) sl. sexual intercourse. 10 sl. low-grade marijuana. 11 sl. money. 12 green foliage or growing plants. --v. 1 tr. & intr. make or become green. 2 tr. sl. hoax; take in. Ьgreen belt an area of open land round a city, designated for preservation. Green Beret colloq. a British or American commando. green card an international insurance document for motorists. green cheese 1 cheese coloured green with sage. 2 whey cheese. 3 unripened cheese. Green Cloth (in full Board of Green Cloth) (in the UK) the Lord Steward's department of the Royal Household. green crop a crop used as fodder in a green state rather than as hay etc. green drake the common mayfly. green earth a hydrous silicate of potassium, iron, and other metals. green-eyed jealous. the green-eyed monster jealousy. green fat part of a turtle, highly regarded by gourmets. green-fee Golf a charge for playing one round on a course. green fingers skill in growing plants. green goose a goose killed under four months old and eaten without stuffing. green in a person's eye a sign of gullibility (do you see any green in my eye?). green leek any of several green-faced Australian parakeets. green light 1 a signal to proceed on a road, railway, etc. 2 colloq. permission to go ahead with a project. green linnet = GREENFINCH. green manure growing plants ploughed into the soil as fertilizer. green meat grass and green vegetables as food. Green Paper (in the UK) a preliminary report of Government proposals, for discussion. green plover a lapwing. green pound the exchange rate for the pound for payments for agricultural produce in the EEC. green revolution greatly increased crop production in underdeveloped countries. green-room a room in a theatre for actors and actresses who are off stage. green-stick fracture a bone-fracture, esp. in children, in which one side of the bone is broken and one only bent. green tea tea made from steam-dried, not fermented, leaves. green thumb = green fingers. green turtle a green-shelled sea turtle, Chelonia mydas, highly regarded as food. green vitriol ferrous sulphate crystals. ЬЬgreenish adj. greenly adv. greenness n. [OE grene (adj. & n.), grenian (v.), f. Gmc, rel. to GROW] greenback n. US 1 a US legal-tender note. 2 any of various green-backed animals. greenbottle n. any fly of the genus Lucilia, esp. L. sericata which lays eggs in the flesh of sheep. greenery n. green foliage or growing plants. greenfeed n. Austral. & NZ forage grown to be fed fresh to livestock. greenfield n. (attrib.) (of a site, in terms of its potential development) having no previous building development on it. greenfinch n. a finch, Carduelis chloris, with green and yellow plumage. greenfly n. (pl. -flies) Brit. 1 a green aphid. 2 these collectively. greengage n. a roundish green fine-flavoured variety of plum. [Sir W. Gage d. 1727] greengrocer n. Brit. a retailer of fruit and vegetables. greengrocery n. (pl. -ies) Brit. 1 the business of a greengrocer. 2 goods sold by a greengrocer. greenhead n. 1 any biting fly of the genus Chrysops. 2 an Australian ant, Chalcoponera metallica, with a painful sting. greenheart n. 1 any of several tropical American trees, esp. Ocotea rodiaei. 2 the hard greenish wood of one of these. greenhorn n. an inexperienced or foolish person; a new recruit. greenhouse n. a light structure with the sides and roof mainly of glass, for rearing delicate plants or hastening the growth of plants. Ьgreenhouse effect the trapping of the sun's warmth in the lower atmosphere of the earth caused by an increase in carbon dioxide, which is more transparent to solar radiation than to the reflected radiation from the earth. greenhouse gas any of various gases, esp. carbon dioxide, that contribute to the greenhouse effect. greening n. a variety of apple that is green when ripe. [prob. f. MDu. groeninc (as GREEN)] greenkeeper n. the keeper of a golf-course. greenlet n. = VIREO. greensand n. 1 a greenish kind of sandstone, often imperfectly cemented. 2 a stratum largely formed of this sandstone. greenshank n. a large sandpiper, Tringa nebularia. greensick adj. affected with chlorosis. ЬЬgreensickness n. greenstone n. 1 a greenish igneous rock containing feldspar and hornblende. 2 a variety of jade found in New Zealand, used for tools, ornaments, etc. greenstuff n. vegetation; green vegetables. greensward n. 1 grassy turf. 2 an expanse of this. greenweed n. (dyer's greenweed) a bushy plant, Genista tinctoria, with deep yellow flowers. Greenwich Mean Time n. (also Greenwich Time) the local time on the meridian of Greenwich, used as an international basis of time-reckoning. [Greenwich in London, former site of the Royal Observatory] greenwood n. a wood in summer, esp. as the scene of outlaw life. greeny adj. greenish (greeny-yellow). greenyard n. Brit. an enclosure for stray animals, a pound. greet(1) v.tr. 1 address politely or welcomingly on meeting or arrival. 2 receive or acknowledge in a specified way (was greeted with derision). 3 (of a sight, sound, etc.) become apparent to or noticed by. ЬЬgreeter n. [OE gretan handle, attack, salute f. WG] greet(2) v.intr. Sc. weep. [OE gretan, greotan, of uncert. orig.] greeting n. 1 the act or an instance of welcoming or addressing politely. 2 words, gestures, etc., used to greet a person. 3 (often in pl.) an expression of goodwill. Ьgreetings card a decorative card sent to convey greetings. gregarious adj. 1 fond of company. 2 living in flocks or communities. 3 growing in clusters. ЬЬgregariously adv. gregariousness n. [L gregarius f. grex gregis flock] Gregorian calendar n. the calendar introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, as a correction of the Julian calendar. [med.L Gregorianus f. LL Gregorius f. Gk Gregorios Gregory] Gregorian chant n. plainsong ritual music, named after Pope Gregory I. Gregorian telescope n. a reflecting telescope in which light reflected from a secondary mirror passes through a hole in a primary mirror. [J. Gregory, Sc. mathematician d. 1675, who devised it] gregory-powder n. hist. a compound powder of rhubarb, magnesia, and ginger, used as a laxative. [J. Gregory, Sc. physician d. 1822] gremlin n. colloq. 1 an imaginary mischievous sprite regarded as responsible for mechanical faults, esp. in aircraft. 2 any similar cause of trouble. [20th c.: orig. unkn., but prob. after goblin] grenade n. 1 a small bomb thrown by hand (hand-grenade) or shot from a rifle. 2 a glass receptacle containing chemicals which disperse on impact, for testing drains, extinguishing fires, etc. [F f. OF grenate and Sp. granada POMEGRANATE] grenadier n. 1 a Brit. (Grenadiers or Grenadier Guards) the first regiment of the royal household infantry. b hist. a soldier armed with grenades. 2 any deep-sea fish of the family Macrouridae, with a long tapering body and pointed tail, and secreting luminous bacteria when disturbed. [F (as GRENADE)] grenadilla var. of GRANADILLA. grenadine(1) n. a French cordial syrup of pomegranates etc. [F f. grenade: see GRENADE] grenadine(2) n. a dress-fabric of loosely woven silk or silk and wool. [F, earlier grenade grained silk f. grenu grained] Gresham's law n. the tendency for money of lower intrinsic value to circulate more freely than money of higher intrinsic and equal nominal value. [Sir T. Gresham, Engl. financier d. 1579] gressorial adj. Zool. 1 walking. 2 adapted for walking. [mod.L gressorius f. L gradi gress- walk] grew past of GROW. grey adj., n., & v. (US gray) --adj. 1 of a colour intermediate between black and white, as of ashes or lead. 2 a (of the weather etc.) dull, dismal; heavily overcast. b bleak, depressing; (of a person) depressed. 3 a (of hair) turning white with age etc. b (of a person) having grey hair. 4 anonymous, nondescript, unidentifiable. --n. 1 a a grey colour or pigment. b grey clothes or material (dressed in grey). 2 a cold sunless light. 3 a grey or white horse. --v.tr. & intr. make or become grey. Ьgrey area 1 a situation or topic sharing features of more than one category and not clearly attributable to any one category. 2 S.Afr. an area where Black and Coloured people live (usu. illicitly) alongside White. 3 Brit. an area in economic decline. grey eminence = ђMINENCE GRISE. Grey Friar a Franciscan friar. grey goose = GREYLAG. grey-hen the female of the black grouse (cf. BLACKCOCK). grey matter 1 the darker tissues of the brain and spinal cord consisting of nerve-cell bodies and branching dendrites. 2 colloq. intelligence. grey squirrel an American squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, brought to Europe in the 19th c. ЬЬgreyish adj. greyly adv. greyness n. [OE gr‘g f. Gmc] greybeard n. archaic 1 an old man. 2 a large stoneware jug for spirits. 3 Brit. clematis in seed. greyhound n. 1 a dog of a tall slender breed having keen sight and capable of high speed, used in racing and coursing. 2 this breed. [OE grighund f. grieg bitch (unrecorded: cf. ON grey) + hund dog, rel. to HOUND] greylag n. (in full greylag goose) a wild goose, Anser anser, native to Europe. [GREY + LAG(1) (because of its late migration)] greywacke n. (US graywacke) Geol. a dark and coarse-grained sandstone, usu. with an admixture of clay. [Anglicized f. G Grauwacke f. grau grey: see WACKE] grid n. 1 a framework of spaced parallel bars; a grating. 2 a system of numbered squares printed on a map and forming the basis of map references. 3 a network of lines, electric-power connections, gas-supply lines, etc. 4 a pattern of lines marking the starting-places on a motor-racing track. 5 the wire network between the filament and the anode of a thermionic valve etc. 6 an arrangement of town streets in a rectangular pattern. Ьgrid bias Electr. a fixed voltage applied between the cathode and the control grid of a thermionic valve which determines its operating conditions. ЬЬgridded adj. [back-form. f. GRIDIRON] griddle n. & v. --n. 1 = GIRDLE(2). 2 a miner's wire-bottomed sieve. --v.tr. 1 cook with a griddle; grill. 2 sieve with a griddle. [ME f. OF gredil, gridil gridiron ult. f. L craticula dimin. of cratis hurdle; cf. GRATE(2), GRILL(1)] gridiron n. 1 a cooking utensil of metal bars for broiling or grilling. 2 a frame of parallel beams for supporting a ship in dock. 3 US a football field (with parallel lines marking out the area of play). 4 Theatr. a plank structure over a stage supporting the mechanism for drop-scenes etc. 5 = GRID 6. [ME gredire, var. of gredil GRIDDLE, later assoc. with IRON] grief n. 1 deep or intense sorrow or mourning. 2 the cause of this. Ьcome to grief meet with disaster; fail. good (or great) grief! an exclamation of surprise, alarm, etc. [ME f. AF gref, OF grief f. grever GRIEVE(1)] grievance n. a real or fancied cause for complaint. [ME, = injury, f. OF grevance (as GRIEF)] grieve(1) v. 1 tr. cause grief or great distress to. 2 intr. suffer grief, esp. at another's death. ЬЬgriever n. [ME f. OF grever ult. f. L gravare f. gravis heavy] grieve(2) n. Sc. a farm-bailiff; an overseer. [OE groe.fa: cf. REEVE(1)] grievous adj. 1 (of pain etc.) severe. 2 causing grief or suffering. 3 injurious. 4 flagrant, heinous. Ьgrievous bodily harm Law serious injury inflicted intentionally on a person. ЬЬgrievously adv. grievousness n. [ME f. OF grevos (as GRIEVE(1))] griffin n. (also gryphon) a fabulous creature with an eagle's head and wings and a lion's body. [ME f. OF grifoun ult. f. LL gryphus f. L gryps f. Gk grups] griffon n. 1 a a dog of a small terrier-like breed with coarse or smooth hair. b this breed. 2 (in full griffon vulture) a large vulture, Gyps fulvus. 3 = GRIFFIN. [F (in sense 1) or var. of GRIFFIN] grig n. 1 a small eel. 2 a grasshopper or cricket. Ьmerry (or lively) as a grig full of fun; extravagantly lively. [ME, orig. = dwarf: orig. unkn.] grill(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a device on a cooker for radiating heat downwards. b = GRIDIRON(1). 2 a dish of food cooked on a grill. 3 (in full grill room) a restaurant serving grilled food. --v. 1 tr. & intr. cook or be cooked under a grill or on a gridiron. 2 tr. & intr. subject or be subjected to extreme heat, esp. from the sun. 3 tr. subject to severe questioning or interrogation. ЬЬgriller n. grilling n. (in sense 3 of v.). [F gril (n.), griller (v.), f. OF forms of GRILLE] grill(2) var. of GRILLE. grillage n. a heavy framework of cross-timbering or metal beams forming a foundation for building on difficult ground. [F (as GRILLE)] grille n. (also grill) 1 a grating or latticed screen, used as a partition or to allow discreet vision. 2 a metal grid protecting the radiator of a motor vehicle. [F f. OF gra‹lle f. med.L graticula, craticula: see GRIDDLE] grilse n. a young salmon that has returned to fresh water from the sea for the first time. [ME: orig. unkn.] grim adj. (grimmer, grimmest) 1 of a stern or forbidding appearance. 2 harsh, merciless, severe. 3 ghastly, joyless, sinister (has a grim truth in it). 4 unpleasant, unattractive. Ьlike grim death with great determination. ЬЬgrimly adv. grimness n. [OE f. Gmc] grimace n. & v. --n. a distortion of the face made in disgust etc. or to amuse. --v.intr. make a grimace. ЬЬgrimacer n. [F f. Sp. grimazo f. grima fright] grimalkin n. archaic (esp. in fiction) 1 an old she-cat. 2 a spiteful old woman. [GREY + Malkin dimin. of the name Matilda] grime n. & v. --n. soot or dirt ingrained in a surface, esp. of buildings or the skin. --v.tr. blacken with grime; befoul. [orig. as verb: f. MLG & MDu.] grimy adj. (grimier, grimiest) covered with grime; dirty. ЬЬgrimily adv. griminess n. grin v. & n. --v. (grinned, grinning) 1 intr. a smile broadly, showing the teeth. b make a forced, unrestrained, or stupid smile. 2 tr. express by grinning (grinned his satisfaction). --n. the act or action of grinning. Ьgrin and bear it take pain or misfortune stoically. ЬЬgrinner n. grinningly adv. [OE grennian f. Gmc] grind v. & n. --v. (past and past part. ground) 1 a tr. reduce to small particles or powder by crushing esp. by passing through a mill. b intr. (of a mill, machine, etc.) move with a crushing action. 2 a tr. reduce, sharpen, or smooth by friction. b tr. & intr. rub or rub together gratingly (grind one's teeth). 3 tr. (often foll. by down) oppress; harass with exactions (grinding poverty). 4 intr. a (often foll. by away) work or study hard. b (foll. by out) produce with effort (grinding out verses). c (foll. by on) (of a sound) continue gratingly or monotonously. 5 tr. turn the handle of e.g. a coffee-mill, barrel-organ, etc. 6 intr. sl. (of a dancer) rotate the hips. 7 intr. coarse sl. have sexual intercourse. --n. 1 the act or an instance of grinding. 2 colloq. hard dull work; a laborious task (the daily grind). 3 the size of ground particles. 4 sl. a dancer's rotary movement of the hips. 5 coarse sl. an act of sexual intercourse. Ьgrind to a halt stop laboriously. ground glass 1 glass made non-transparent by grinding etc. 2 glass ground to a powder. ЬЬgrindingly adv. [OE grindan, of unkn. orig.] grinder n. 1 a person or thing that grinds, esp. a machine (often in comb.: coffee-grinder; organ-grinder). 2 a molar tooth. grindstone n. 1 a thick revolving disc used for grinding, sharpening, and polishing. 2 a kind of stone used for this. Ьkeep one's nose to the grindstone work hard and continuously. gringo n. (pl. -os) colloq. a foreigner, esp. a British or N. American person, in a Spanish-speaking country. [Sp., = gibberish] grip v. & n. --v. (gripped, gripping) 1 a tr. grasp tightly; take a firm hold of. b intr. take a firm hold, esp. by friction. 2 tr. (of a feeling or emotion) deeply affect (a person) (was gripped by fear). 3 tr. compel the attention or interest of (a gripping story). --n. 1 a a firm hold; a tight grasp or clasp. b a manner of grasping or holding. 2 the power of holding attention. 3 a mental or intellectual understanding or mastery. b effective control of a situation or one's behaviour etc. (lose one's grip). 4 a a part of a machine that grips or holds something. b a part or attachment by which a tool, implement, weapon, etc., is held in the hand. 5 = HAIRGRIP. 6 a travelling bag. 7 an assistant in a theatre, film studio, etc. 8 Austral. sl. a job or occupation. Ьcome (or get) to grips with approach purposefully; begin to deal with. in the grip of dominated or affected by (esp. an adverse circumstance or unpleasant sensation). ЬЬgripper n. grippingly adv. [OE gripe, gripa handful (as GRIPE)] gripe v. & n. --v. 1 intr. colloq. complain, esp. peevishly. 2 tr. affect with gastric or intestinal pain. 3 tr. archaic clutch, grip. 4 Naut. a tr. secure with gripes. b intr. turn to face the wind in spite of the helm. --n. 1 (usu. in pl.) gastric or intestinal pain; colic. 2 colloq. a a complaint. b the act of griping. 3 a grip or clutch. 4 (in pl.) Naut. lashings securing a boat in its place. ЬGripe Water propr. a carminative solution to relieve colic and stomach ailments in infants. ЬЬgriper n. gripingly adv. [OE gripan f. Gmc: cf. GROPE] grippe n. archaic or colloq. influenza. [F f. gripper seize] grisaille n. 1 a method of painting in grey monochrome, often to imitate sculpture. 2 a painting or stained-glass window of this kind. [F f. gris grey] griseofulvin n. an antibiotic used against fungal infections of the hair and skin. [mod.L griseofulvum f. med.L griseus grey + L fulvus reddish-yellow] grisette n. a young working-class Frenchwoman. [F, orig. a grey dress-material, f. gris grey] grisly adj. (grislier, grisliest) causing horror, disgust, or fear. ЬЬgrisliness n. [OE grislic terrifying] grison n. any weasel-like mammal of the genus Galictis, with dark fur and a white stripe across the forehead. [F, app. f. grison grey] grist n. 1 corn to grind. 2 malt crushed for brewing. Ьgrist to the (or a person's) mill a source of profit or advantage. [OE f. Gmc, rel. to GRIND] gristle n. tough flexible tissue in vertebrates; cartilage. ЬЬgristly adj. [OE gristle] grit n. & v. --n. 1 particles of stone or sand, esp. as causing discomfort, clogging machinery, etc. 2 coarse sandstone. 3 colloq. pluck, endurance; strength of character. --v. (gritted, gritting) 1 tr. spread grit on (icy roads etc.). 2 tr. clench (the teeth). 3 intr. make or move with a grating sound. ЬЬgritter n. gritty adj. (grittier, grittiest). grittily adv. grittiness n. [OE greot f. Gmc: cf. GRITS, GROATS] grits n.pl. 1 coarsely ground grain, esp. oatmeal. 2 oats that have been husked but not ground. [OE grytt(e): cf. GRIT, GROATS] grizzle v.intr. Brit. colloq. 1 (esp. of a child) cry fretfully. 2 complain whiningly. ЬЬgrizzler n. grizzly adj. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] grizzled adj. having, or streaked with, grey hair. [grizzle grey f. OF grisel f. gris grey] grizzly adj. & n. --adj. (grizzlier, grizzliest) grey, greyish, grey-haired. --n. (pl. -ies) (in full grizzly bear) a large variety of brown bear, found in N. America and N. Russia. groan v. & n. --v. 1 a intr. make a deep sound expressing pain, grief, or disapproval. b tr. utter with groans. 2 intr. complain inarticulately. 3 intr. (usu. foll. by under, beneath, with) be loaded or oppressed. --n. the sound made in groaning. Ьgroan inwardly be distressed. ЬЬgroaner n. groaningly adv. [OE granian f. Gmc, rel. to GRIN] groat n. hist. 1 a silver coin worth four old pence. 2 archaic a small sum (don't care a groat). [ME f. MDu. groot, orig. = great, i.e. thick (penny): cf. GROSCHEN] groats n.pl. hulled or crushed grain, esp. oats. [OE grotan (pl.): cf. grot fragment, greot GRIT, grytt bran] grocer n. a dealer in food and household provisions. [ME & AF grosser, orig. one who sells in the gross, f. OF grossier f. med.L grossarius (as GROSS)] grocery n. (pl. -ies) 1 a grocer's trade or shop. 2 (in pl.) provisions, esp. food, sold by a grocer. grockle n. dial. & sl. a visitor or holiday-maker, esp. from the North or Midlands to SW England. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] grog n. 1 a drink of spirit (orig. rum) and water. 2 Austral. & NZ colloq. alcoholic liquor, esp. beer. [said to be from 'Old Grog', the reputed nickname (f. his GROGRAM cloak) of Admiral Vernon, who in 1740 first had diluted instead of neat rum served out to sailors] groggy adj. (groggier, groggiest) incapable or unsteady from being dazed or semi-conscious. ЬЬgroggily adv. grogginess n. grogram n. a coarse fabric of silk, mohair, and wool, or a mixture of these, often stiffened with gum. [F gros grain coarse grain (as GROSS, GRAIN)] groin(1) n. & v. --n. 1 the depression between the belly and the thigh. 2 Archit. a an edge formed by intersecting vaults. b an arch supporting a vault. --v.tr. Archit. build with groins. [ME grynde, perh. f. OE grynde depression] groin(2) US var. of GROYNE. grommet n. (also grummet) 1 a metal, plastic, or rubber eyelet placed in a hole to protect or insulate a rope or cable etc. passed through it. 2 a tube passed through the eardrum in surgery to make a communication with the middle ear. [obs. F grommette f. gourmer to curb, of unkn. orig.] gromwell n. any of various plants of the genus Lithospermum, with hard seeds formerly used in medicine. [ME f. OF gromil, prob. f. med.L gruinum milium (unrecorded) crane's millet] groom n. & v. --n. 1 a person employed to take care of horses. 2 = BRIDEGROOM. 3 Brit. Mil. any of certain officers of the Royal Household. --v.tr. 1 a curry or tend (a horse). b give a neat appearance to (a person etc.). 2 (of an ape or monkey etc.) clean and comb the fur (of its fellow) with the fingers. 3 prepare or train (a person) for a particular purpose or activity (was groomed for the top job). [ME, orig. = boy: orig. unkn.] groove n. & v. --n. 1 a a channel or hollow, esp. one made to guide motion or receive a corresponding ridge. b a spiral track cut in a gramophone record. 2 an established routine or habit, esp. a monotonous one. --v. 1 tr. make a groove or grooves in. 2 intr. sl. a enjoy oneself. b (often foll. by with) make progress; get on well. °Often with ref. to popular music or jazz; now largely disused in general contexts. Ьin the groove sl. 1 doing or performing well. 2 fashionable. [ME, = mine-shaft, f. obs. Du. groeve furrow f. Gmc] groovy adj. (groovier, grooviest) 1 sl. fashionable and exciting; enjoyable, excellent. 2 of or like a groove. ЬЬgroovily adv. grooviness n. grope v. & n. --v. 1 intr. (usu. foll. by for) feel about or search blindly or uncertainly with the hands. 2 intr. (foll. by for, after) search mentally (was groping for the answer). 3 tr. feel (one's way) towards something. 4 tr. sl. fondle clumsily for sexual pleasure. --n. the process or an instance of groping. ЬЬgroper n. gropingly adv. [OE grapian f. Gmc] groper n. esp. Austral. & NZ = GROUPER. [var. of GROUPER] grosbeak n. any of various finches of the families Cardinalidae and Fringillidae, having stout conical bills and usu. brightly coloured plumage. [F grosbec (as GROSS)] groschen n. 1 an Austrian coin and monetary unit, one hundredth of a schilling. 2 colloq. a German 10-pfennig piece. 3 hist. a small German silver coin. [G f. MHG gros, grosse f. med.L (denarius) grossus thick (penny): cf. GROAT] grosgrain n. a corded fabric of silk etc. [F, = coarse grain (as GROSS, GRAIN)] gros point n. cross-stitch embroidery on canvas. [F (as GROSS, POINT)] gross adj., v., & n. --adj. 1 overfed, bloated; repulsively fat. 2 (of a person, manners, or morals) noticeably coarse, unrefined, or indecent. 3 flagrant; conspicuously wrong (gross negligence). 4 total; without deductions; not net (gross tonnage; gross income). 5 a luxuriant, rank. b thick, solid, dense. 6 (of the senses etc.) dull; lacking sensitivity. --v.tr. produce or earn as gross profit or income. --n. (pl. same) an amount equal to twelve dozen. Ьby the gross in large quantities; wholesale. gross domestic product the total value of goods produced and services provided in a country in one year. gross national product the gross domestic product plus the total of net income from abroad. gross out US sl. disgust, esp. by repulsive or obscene behaviour. gross up increase (a net amount) to its value before deductions. ЬЬgrossly adv. grossness n. [ME f. OF gros grosse large f. LL grossus: (n.) f. F grosse douzaine large dozen] grot n. & adj. Brit. sl. --n. rubbish, junk. --adj. dirty . [back-form. f. GROTTY] grotesque adj. & n. --adj. 1 comically or repulsively distorted; monstrous, unnatural. 2 incongruous, ludicrous, absurd. --n. 1 a decorative form interweaving human and animal features. 2 a comically distorted figure or design. 3 Printing a family of sanserif typefaces. ЬЬgrotesquely adv. grotesqueness n. grotesquerie n. [earlier crotesque f. F crotesque f. It. grottesca grotto-like (painting etc.) fem. of grottesco (as GROTTO, -ESQUE)] grotto n. (pl. -oes or -os) 1 a small picturesque cave. 2 an artificial ornamental cave, e.g. in a park or large garden. ЬЬgrottoed adj. [It. grotta ult. f. L crypta f. Gk krupte CRYPT] grotty adj. (grottier, grottiest) Brit. sl. unpleasant, dirty, shabby, unattractive. ЬЬgrottiness n. [shortening of GROTESQUE + -Y(1)] grouch v. & n. colloq. --v.intr. grumble. --n. 1 a discontented person. 2 a fit of grumbling or the sulks. 3 a cause of discontent. [var. of grutch: see GRUDGE] grouchy adj. (grouchier, grouchiest) colloq. discontented, grumpy. ЬЬgrouchily adv. grouchiness n. ground(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a the surface of the earth, esp. as contrasted with the air around it. b a part of this specified in some way (low ground). 2 the substance of the earth's surface; soil, earth (stony ground; dug deep into the ground). 3 a a position, area, or distance on the earth's surface. b the extent of activity etc. achieved or of a subject dealt with (the book covers a lot of ground). 4 (often in pl.) a foundation, motive, or reason (there is ground for concern; there are grounds for believing; excused on the grounds of ill-health). 5 an area of a special kind or designated for special use (often in comb.: cricket-ground; fishing-grounds). 6 (in pl.) an area of usu. enclosed land attached to a house etc. 7 an area or basis for consideration, agreement, etc. (common ground; on firm ground). 8 a (in painting) the prepared surface giving the predominant colour or tone. b (in embroidery, ceramics, etc.) the undecorated surface. 9 (in full ground bass) Mus. a short theme in the bass constantly repeated with the upper parts of the music varied. 10 (in pl.) solid particles, esp. of coffee, forming a residue. 11 Electr. = EARTH. 12 the bottom of the sea (the ship touched ground). 13 Brit. the floor of a room etc. 14 a piece of wood fixed to a wall as a base for boards, plaster, or joinery. 15 (attrib.) a (of animals) living on or in the ground; (of fish) living at the bottom of water; (of plants) dwarfish or trailing. b relating to or concerned with the ground (ground staff). --v. 1 tr. refuse authority for (a pilot or an aircraft) to fly. 2 a tr. run (a ship) aground; strand. b intr. (of a ship) run aground. 3 tr. (foll. by in) instruct thoroughly (in a subject). 4 tr. (often as grounded adj.) (foll. by on) base (a principle, conclusion, etc.) on. 5 tr. Electr. = EARTH v. 6 intr. alight on the ground. 7 tr. place or lay (esp. weapons) on the ground. Ьbreak new (or fresh) ground treat a subject previously not dealt with. cut the ground from under a person's feet anticipate and pre-empt a person's arguments, plans, etc. down to the ground Brit. colloq. thoroughly; in every respect. fall to the ground (of a plan etc.) fail. gain (or make) ground 1 advance steadily; make progress. 2 (foll. by on) catch (a person) up. get in on the ground floor become part of an enterprise in its early stages. get off the ground colloq. make a successful start. give (or lose) ground 1 retreat, decline. 2 lose the advantage or one's position in an argument, contest, etc. go to ground 1 (of a fox etc.) enter its earth or burrow etc. 2 (of a person) become inaccessible for a prolonged period. ground-bait bait thrown to the bottom of a fishing-ground. ground control the personnel directing the landing etc. of aircraft or spacecraft. ground cover plants covering the surface of the earth, esp. low-growing spreading plants that inhibit the growth of weeds. ground elder a garden weed, Aegopodium podagraria, spreading by means of underground stems. ground floor the floor of a building at ground level. ground frost frost on the surface of the ground or in the top layer of soil. ground level 1 the level of the ground; the ground floor. 2 Physics the lowest energy state of an atom etc. ground-plan 1 the plan of a building at ground level. 2 the general outline of a scheme. ground-rent rent for land leased for building. ground rule a basic principle. ground speed an aircraft's speed relative to the ground. ground-squirrel 1 a squirrel-like rodent, e.g. a chipmunk, gopher, etc. 2 any squirrel of the genus Spermophilus living in burrows. ground staff the non-flying personnel of an airport or airbase. ground state Physics = ground level 2. ground stroke Tennis a stroke played near the ground after the ball has bounced. ground swell 1 a heavy sea caused by a distant or past storm or an earthquake. 2 an increasingly forceful presence (esp. of public opinion). ground zero the point on the ground under an exploding (usu. nuclear) bomb. hold one's ground not retreat or give way. on the ground at the point of production or operation; in practical conditions. on one's own ground on one's own territory or subject; on one's own terms. thin on the ground not numerous. work (or run etc.) oneself into the ground colloq. work etc. to the point of exhaustion. ЬЬgrounder n. [OE grund f. Gmc] ground(2) past and past part. of GRIND. groundage n. Brit. duty levied on a ship entering a port or lying on a shore. groundhog n. 1 = AARDVARK. 2 US a marmot; a woodchuck. grounding n. basic training or instruction in a subject. groundless adj. without motive or foundation. ЬЬgroundlessly adv. groundlessness n. [OE grundleas (as GROUND(1), -LESS)] groundling n. 1 a a creeping or dwarf plant. b an animal that lives near the ground, at the bottom of a lake, etc., esp. a ground-fish. 2 a person on the ground as opposed to one in an aircraft. 3 a spectator or reader of inferior taste (with ref. to Shakesp. Hamlet III. ii. 11). groundnut n. 1 Brit. = PEANUT. 2 a a N. American wild bean. b its edible tuber. groundsel n. any composite plant of the genus Senecio, esp. S. vulgaris, used as a food for cage-birds. [OE grundeswylige, gund‘swelgi‘ (perh. = pus-absorber f. gund pus, with ref. to use for poultices)] groundsheet n. a waterproof sheet for spreading on the ground, esp. in a tent. groundsman n. (pl. -men) a person who maintains a sports ground. groundwater n. water found in soil or in pores, crevices, etc., in rock. groundwork n. 1 preliminary or basic work. 2 a foundation or basis. group n. & v. --n. 1 a number of persons or things located close together, or considered or classed together. 2 (attrib.) concerning or done by a group (a group photograph; group sex). 3 a number of people working together or sharing beliefs, e.g. part of a political party. 4 a number of commercial companies under common ownership. 5 an ensemble playing popular music. 6 a division of an air force or air-fleet. 7 Math. a set of elements, together with an associative binary operation, which contains an inverse for each element and an identity element. 8 Chem. a a set of ions or radicals giving a characteristic qualitative reaction. b a set of elements having similar properties. c a combination of atoms having a recognizable identity in a number of compounds. --v. 1 tr. & intr. form or be formed into a group. 2 tr. (often foll. by with) place in a group or groups. 3 tr. form (colours, figures, etc.) into a well-arranged and harmonious whole. 4 tr. classify. Ьgroup captain an RAF officer next below air commodore. group dynamics Psychol. the field of social psychology concerned with the nature, development, and interactions of human groups. group practice a medical practice in which several doctors are associated. group therapy therapy in which patients with a similar condition are brought together to assist one another psychologically. group velocity the speed of travel of the energy of a wave or wave-group. ЬЬgroupage n. [F groupe f. It. gruppo f. Gmc, rel. to CROP] grouper n. any marine fish of the family Serranidae, with heavy body, big head, and wide mouth. [Port. garupa, prob. f. native name in S. America] groupie n. sl. an ardent follower of touring pop groups, esp. a young woman seeking sexual relations with them. grouping n. a process or system of allocation to groups. grouse(1) n. (pl. same) 1 any of various game-birds of the family Tetraonidae, with a plump body and feathered legs. 2 the flesh of a grouse used as food. [16th c.: orig. uncert.] grouse(2) v. & n. colloq. --v.intr. grumble or complain pettily. --n. a complaint. ЬЬgrouser n. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] grout(1) n. & v. --n. a thin fluid mortar for filling gaps in tiling etc. --v.tr. provide or fill with grout. ЬЬgrouter n. [perh. f. GROUT(2), but cf. F dial. grouter grout a wall] grout(2) n. sediment, dregs. [OE grut, rel. to GRITS, GROATS] grouter n. Austral. sl. an unfair advantage. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] grove n. a small wood or group of trees. ЬЬgrovy adj. [OE graf, rel. to gr‘fa brushwood] grovel v.intr. (grovelled, grovelling; US groveled, groveling) 1 behave obsequiously in seeking favour or forgiveness. 2 lie prone in abject humility. ЬЬgroveller n. grovelling adj. grovellingly adv. [back-form. f. obs. grovelling (adv.) f. gruf face down f. on grufe f. ON grЈfu, later taken as pres. part.] grow v. (past grew; past part. grown) 1 intr. increase in size, height, quantity, degree, or in any way regarded as measurable (e.g. authority or reputation) (often foll. by in: grew in stature). 2 intr. a develop or exist as a living plant or natural product. b develop in a specific way or direction (began to grow sideways). c germinate, sprout; spring up. 3 intr. be produced; come naturally into existence; arise. 4 intr. (as grown adj.) fully matured; adult. 5 intr. a become gradually (grow rich; grow less). b (foll. by to + infin.) come by degrees (grew to like it). 6 intr. (foll. by into) a become, having grown or developed (the acorn has grown into a tall oak; will grow into a fine athlete). b become large enough for or suited to (will grow into the coat; grew into her new job). 7 intr. (foll. by on) become gradually more favoured by. 8 tr. a produce (plants, fruit, wood, etc.) by cultivation. b bring forth. c cause (a beard etc.) to develop. 9 tr. (in passive; foll. by over, up) be covered with a growth. Ьgrowing bag a bag containing peat-based potting compost in which plants may be grown. growing pains 1 early difficulties in the development of an enterprise etc. 2 neuralgic pain in children's legs due to fatigue etc. grown-up adj. adult. --n. an adult person. grow out of 1 become too large to wear (a garment). 2 become too mature to retain (a childish habit etc.). 3 be the result or development of. grow together coalesce. grow up 1 a advance to maturity. b (esp. in imper.) begin to behave sensibly. 2 (of a custom) arise, become common. ЬЬgrowable adj. [OE growan f. Gmc, rel. to GRASS, GREEN] grower n. 1 (often in comb.) a person growing produce (fruit-grower). 2 a plant that grows in a specified way (a fast grower). growl v. & n. --v. 1 intr. a (often foll. by at) (esp. of a dog) make a low guttural sound, usu. of anger. b murmur angrily. 2 intr. rumble. 3 tr. (often foll. by out) utter with a growl. --n. 1 a growling sound, esp. made by a dog. 2 an angry murmur; complaint. 3 a rumble. ЬЬgrowlingly adv. [prob. imit.] growler n. 1 a person or thing that growls, esp. sl. a dog. 2 a small iceberg. grown past part. of GROW. growth n. 1 the act or process of growing. 2 an increase in size or value. 3 something that has grown or is growing. 4 Med. a morbid formation. 5 the cultivation of produce. 6 a crop or yield of grapes. Ьfull growth the size ultimately attained; maturity. growth hormone Biol. a substance which stimulates the growth of a plant or animal. growth industry an industry that is developing rapidly. growth stock etc. stock etc. that tends to increase in capital value rather than yield high income. groyne n. (US groin) a timber framework or low broad wall built out from a shore to check erosion of a beach. [dial. groin snout f. OF groign f. LL grunium pig's snout] grub n. & v. --n. 1 the larva of an insect, esp. of a beetle. 2 colloq. food. --v. (grubbed, grubbing) 1 tr. & intr. dig superficially. 2 tr. a clear (the ground) of roots and stumps. b clear away (roots etc.). 3 tr. (foll. by up, out) a fetch by digging (grubbing up weeds). b extract (information etc.) by searching in books etc. 4 intr. search, rummage. 5 intr. (foll. by on, along, away) toil, plod. Ьgrub-screw a small headless screw, esp. used to attach a handle etc. to a spindle. ЬЬgrubber n. (also in comb.). [ME, (v.) perh. corresp. to OE grybban (unrecorded) f. Gmc] grubby adj. (grubbier, grubbiest) 1 dirty, grimy, slovenly. 2 of or infested with grubs. ЬЬgrubbily adv. grubbiness n. grubstake n. & v. US colloq. --n. material or provisions supplied to an enterprise in return for a share in the resulting profits (orig. in prospecting for ore). --v.tr. provide with a grubstake. ЬЬgrubstaker n. Grub Street n. (often attrib.) the world or class of literary hacks and impoverished authors. [name of a street (later Milton St.) in Moorgate, London, inhabited by these in the 17th c.] grudge n. & v. --n. a persistent feeling of ill will or resentment, esp. one due to an insult or injury (bears a grudge against me). --v.tr. 1 be resentfully unwilling to give, grant, or allow (a thing). 2 (foll. by verbal noun or to + infin.) be reluctant to do (a thing) (grudged paying so much). ЬЬgrudger n. [ME grutch f. OF grouchier murmur, of unkn. orig.] grudging adj. reluctant; not willing. ЬЬgrudgingly adv. grudgingness n. gruel n. a liquid food of oatmeal etc. boiled in milk or water chiefly for invalids. [ME f. OF, ult. f. Gmc, rel. to GROUT(1)] gruelling adj. & n. (US grueling) --adj. extremely demanding, severe, or tiring. --n. a harsh or exhausting experience; punishment. ЬЬgruellingly adv. [GRUEL as verb, = exhaust, punish] gruesome adj. horrible, grisly, disgusting. ЬЬgruesomely adv. gruesomeness n. [Sc. grue to shudder f. Scand. + -SOME(1)] gruff adj. 1 a (of a voice) low and harsh. b (of a person) having a gruff voice. 2 surly, laconic, rough-mannered. ЬЬgruffly adv. gruffness n. [Du., MLG grof coarse f. WG (rel. to ROUGH)] grumble v. & n. --v. 1 intr. a (often foll. by at, about, over) complain peevishly. b be discontented. 2 intr. a utter a dull inarticulate sound; murmur, growl faintly. b rumble. 3 tr. (often foll. by out) utter complainingly. 4 intr. (as grumbling adj.) colloq. giving intermittent discomfort without causing illness (a grumbling appendix). --n. 1 a complaint. 2 a a dull inarticulate sound; a murmur. b a rumble. ЬЬgrumbler n. grumbling adj. grumblingly adv. grumbly adj. [obs. grumme: cf. MDu. grommen, MLG grommelen, f. Gmc] grummet var. of GROMMET. grump n. colloq. 1 a grumpy person. 2 (in pl.) a fit of sulks. ЬЬgrumpish adj. grumpishly adv. [imit.] grumpy adj. (grumpier, grumpiest) morosely irritable; surly. ЬЬgrumpily adv. grumpiness n. Grundy n. (pl. -ies) (in full Mrs Grundy) a person embodying conventional propriety and prudery. ЬЬGrundyism n. [a person repeatedly mentioned in T. Morton's comedy Speed the Plough (1798)] grunion n. a slender Californian marine fish, Leuresthes tenuis, that comes ashore to spawn. [prob. f. Sp. gru¤ўn grunter] grunt n. & v. --n. 1 a low guttural sound made by a pig. 2 a sound resembling this. 3 any fish of the genus Haemulon that grunts when caught. --v. 1 intr. (of a pig) make a grunt or grunts. 2 intr. (of a person) make a low inarticulate sound resembling this, esp. to express discontent, dissent, fatigue, etc. 3 tr. utter with a grunt. [OE grunnettan, prob. orig. imit.] grunter n. 1 a person or animal that grunts, esp. a pig. 2 a grunting fish, esp. = GRUNT n. 3. Grunth var. of GRANTH. GruyЉre n. a firm pale cheese made from cow's milk. [GruyЉre, a district in Switzerland where it was first made] gryphon var. of GRIFFIN. grysbok n. any small antelope of the genus Raphicerus, native to S. Africa. [S.Afr. Du. f. Du. grijs grey + bok BUCK(1)] 16.0 gs... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- gs. abbr. Brit. hist. guineas. G-string n. 1 Mus. a string sounding the note G. 2 (also gee-string) a narrow strip of cloth etc. covering only the genitals and attached to a string round the waist, as worn esp. by striptease artistes. G-suit n. a garment with inflatable pressurized pouches, worn by pilots and astronauts to enable them to withstand high acceleration. [g = gravity + SUIT] 17.0 GT... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- GT n. a high-performance saloon car. [abbr. f. It. gran turismo great touring] Gt. abbr. Great. 18.0 guacamole... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- guacamole n. a dish of mashed avocado pears mixed with chopped onion, tomatoes, chilli peppers, and seasoning. [Amer. Sp. f. Nahuatl ahuacamolli f. ahuacatl avocado + molli sauce] guacharo n. (pl. -os) a nocturnal bird, Steatornis caripensis, native to S. America and feeding on fruit. Also called oil-bird. [S.Amer. Sp.] guaiac var. of GUAIACUM 2. guaiacum n. 1 any tree of the genus Guaiacum, native to tropical America. 2 (also guaiac) a the hard dense oily timber of some of these, esp. G. officinale. Also called LIGNUM VITAE. b the resin from this used medicinally. [mod.L f. Sp. guayaco of Haitian orig.] guan n. any of various game-birds of the family Cracidae, of tropical America. [prob. f. a native name] guanaco n. (pl. -os) a llama-like camelid, Lama guanicoe, with a coat of soft pale-brown hair used for wool. [Quechua huanaco] guanine n. Biochem. a purine derivative found in all living organisms as a component base of DNA and RNA. [GUANO + -INE(4)] guano n. & v. (pl. -os) --n. 1 the excrement of sea-fowl, found esp. in the islands off Peru and used as manure. 2 an artificial manure, esp. that made from fish. --v.tr. (-oes, -oed) fertilize with guano. [Sp. f. Quechua huanu dung] Guarani n. 1 a a member of a S. American Indian people. b the language of this people. 2 (guarani) the monetary unit of Paraguay. [Sp.] guarantee n. & v. --n. 1 a a formal promise or assurance, esp. that an obligation will be fulfilled or that something is of a specified quality and durability. b a document giving such an undertaking. 2 = GUARANTY. 3 a person making a guaranty or giving a security. --v.tr. (guarantees, guaranteed) 1 a give or serve as a guarantee for; answer for the due fulfilment of (a contract etc.) or the genuineness of (an article). b assure the permanence etc. of. c provide with a guarantee. 2 (foll. by that + clause, or to + infin.) give a promise or assurance. 3 a (foll. by to) secure the possession of (a thing) for a person. b make (a person) secure against a risk or in possession of a thing. Ьguarantee fund a sum pledged as a contingent indemnity for loss. [earlier garante, perh. f. Sp. garante = F garant WARRANT: later infl. by F garantie guaranty] guarantor n. a person who gives a guarantee or guaranty. guaranty n. (pl. -ies) 1 a written or other undertaking to answer for the payment of a debt or for the performance of an obligation by another person liable in the first instance. 2 a thing serving as security for a guaranty. [AF guarantie, var. of warantie WARRANTY] guard v. & n. --v. 1 tr. (often foll. by from, against) watch over and defend or protect from harm. 2 tr. keep watch by (a door etc.) so as to control entry or exit. 3 tr. supervise (prisoners etc.) and prevent from escaping. 4 tr. provide (machinery) with a protective device. 5 tr. keep (thoughts or speech) in check. 6 tr. provide with safeguards. 7 intr. (foll. by against) take precautions. 8 tr. (in various games) protect (a piece, card, etc.) with set moves. --n. 1 a state of vigilance or watchfulness. 2 a person who protects or keeps watch. 3 a body of soldiers etc. serving to protect a place or person; an escort. 4 US a prison warder. 5 a part of an army detached for some purpose (advance guard). 6 (in pl.) (usu. Guards) any of various bodies of troops nominally employed to guard a monarch. 7 a thing that protects or defends. 8 (often in comb.) a device fitted to a machine, vehicle, weapon, etc., to prevent injury or accident to the user (fire-guard). 9 Brit. an official who rides with and is in general charge of a train. 10 in some sports: a a protective or defensive player. b a defensive posture or motion. Ьbe on (or keep or stand) guard (of a sentry etc.) keep watch. guard cell Bot. either of a pair of cells surrounding the stomata in plants. guard-rail a rail, e.g. a handrail, fitted as a support or to prevent an accident. guard ring Electronics a ring-shaped electrode used to limit the extent of an electric field, esp. in a capacitor. guard's van Brit. a coach or compartment occupied by a guard. lower one's guard reduce vigilance against attack. off (or off one's) guard unprepared for some surprise or difficulty. on (or on one's) guard prepared for all contingencies; vigilant. raise one's guard become vigilant against attack. ЬЬguarder n. guardless adj. [ME f. OF garde, garder ult. f. WG, rel. to WARD n.] guardant adj. Heraldry depicted with the body sideways and the face towards the viewer. guarded adj. (of a remark etc.) cautious, avoiding commitment. ЬЬguardedly adv. guardedness n. guardhouse n. a building used to accommodate a military guard or to detain prisoners. guardian n. 1 a defender, protector, or keeper. 2 a person having legal custody of another person and his or her property when that person is incapable of managing his or her own affairs. 3 the superior of a Franciscan convent. Ьguardian angel a spirit conceived as watching over a person or place. ЬЬguardianship n. [ME f. AF gardein, OF garden f. Frank., rel. to WARD, WARDEN] guardroom n. a room with the same purpose as a guardhouse. guardsman n. (pl. -men) 1 a soldier belonging to a body of guards. 2 (in the UK) a soldier of a regiment of Guards. guava n. 1 a small tropical American tree, Psidium guajava, bearing an edible pale yellow fruit with pink juicy flesh. 2 this fruit. [Sp. guayaba prob. f. a S. Amer. name] guayule n. 1 a silver-leaved shrub, Parthenium argentatum, native to Mexico. 2 a rubber substitute made from the sap of this plant. [Amer. Sp. f. Nahuatl cuauhuli] gubbins n. Brit. 1 a set of equipment or paraphernalia. 2 a gadget. 3 something of little value. 4 colloq. a foolish person (often with ref. to oneself). [orig. = fragments, f. obs. gobbon: perh. rel. to GOBBET] gubernatorial adj. esp. US of or relating to a governor. [L gubernator governor] gudgeon(1) n. 1 a small European freshwater fish, Gobio gobio, often used as bait. 2 a credulous or easily fooled person. [ME f. OF goujon f. L gobio -onis GOBY] gudgeon(2) n. 1 any of various kinds of pivot working a wheel, bell, etc. 2 the tubular part of a hinge into which the pin fits to effect the joint. 3 a socket at the stern of a boat, into which a rudder is fitted. 4 a pin holding two blocks of stone etc. together. Ьgudgeon-pin (in an internal-combustion engine) a pin holding a piston-rod and a connecting-rod together. [ME f. OF goujon dimin. of gouge GOUGE] guelder rose n. a deciduous shrub, Viburnum opulus, with round bunches of creamy-white flowers. Also called snowball tree. [Du. geldersch f. Gelderland a province in the Netherlands] guenon n. any African monkey of the genus Cercopithecus, having a characteristic long tail, e.g. the vervet. [F: orig. unkn.] guerdon n. & v. poet. --n. a reward or recompense. --v.tr. give a reward to. [ME f. OF guerdon f. med.L widerdonum f. WG widarlon (as WITH, LOAN(1)), assim. to L donum gift] Guernsey n. (pl. -eys) 1 a an animal of a breed of dairy cattle from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. b this breed. 2 (guernsey) a a thick (usu. blue) woollen sweater of a distinctive pattern. b Austral. a football shirt. Ьget a guernsey Austral. colloq. 1 be selected for a football team. 2 gain recognition. guernsey lily a kind of nerine orig. from S. Africa, with large pink lily-like flowers. guerrilla n. (also guerilla) a member of a small independently acting (usu. political) group taking part in irregular fighting, esp. against larger regular forces. Ьguerrilla war (or warfare) fighting by or with guerrillas. [Sp. guerrilla, dimin. of guerra war] guess v. & n. --v. 1 tr. (often absol.) estimate without calculation or measurement, or on the basis of inadequate data. 2 tr. (often foll. by that etc. + clause, or to + infin.) form a hypothesis or opinion about; conjecture; think likely (cannot guess how you did it; guess them to be Italian). 3 tr. conjecture or estimate correctly by guessing (you have to guess the weight). 4 intr. (foll. by at) make a conjecture about. --n. an estimate or conjecture reached by guessing. Ьanybody's (or anyone's) guess something very vague or difficult to determine. I guess colloq. I think it likely; I suppose. keep a person guessing colloq. withhold information. ЬЬguessable adj. guesser n. [ME gesse, of uncert. orig.: cf. OSw. gissa, MLG, MDu. gissen: f. the root of GET v.] guess-rope var. of GUEST-ROPE. guesswork n. the process of or results got by guessing. guest n. & v. --n. 1 a person invited to visit another's house or have a meal etc. at the expense of the inviter. 2 a person lodging at a hotel, boarding-house, etc. 3 a an outside performer invited to take part with a regular body of performers. b a person who takes part by invitation in a radio or television programme (often attrib.: guest artist). 4 (attrib.) a serving or set aside for guests (guest-room; guest-night). b acting as a guest (guest speaker). 5 an organism living in close association with another. --v.intr. be a guest on a radio or television show or in a theatrical performance etc. Ьbe my guest colloq. make what use you wish of the available facilities. guest-house a private house offering paid accommodation. guest of honour the most important guest at an occasion. ЬЬguestship n. [ME f. ON gestr f. Gmc] guestimate n. (also guesstimate) colloq. an estimate based on a mixture of guesswork and calculation. [GUESS + ESTIMATE] guest-rope n. (also guess-rope) 1 a second rope fastened to a boat in tow to steady it. 2 a rope slung outside a ship to give a hold for boats coming alongside. [17th c.: orig. uncert.] guff n. sl. empty talk; nonsense. [19th c., orig. = 'puff': imit.] guffaw n. & v. --n. a coarse or boisterous laugh. --v. 1 intr. utter a guffaw. 2 tr. say with a guffaw. [orig. Sc.: imit.] guidance n. 1 advice or information aimed at resolving a problem, difficulty, etc. 2 the process of guiding or being guided. guide n. & v. --n. 1 a person who leads or shows the way, or directs the movements of a person or group. 2 a person who conducts travellers on tours etc. 3 a professional mountain-climber in charge of a group. 4 an adviser. 5 a directing principle or standard (one's feelings are a bad guide). 6 a book with essential information on a subject, esp. = GUIDEBOOK. 7 a thing marking a position or guiding the eye. 8 a soldier, vehicle, or ship whose position determines the movements of others. 9 Mech. a a bar, rod, etc., directing the motion of something. b a gauge etc. controlling a tool. 10 (Guide) Brit. a member of a girls' organization similar to the Scouts. --v.tr. 1 a act as guide to; lead or direct. b arrange the course of (events). 2 be the principle, motive, or ground of (an action, judgement, etc.). 3 direct the affairs of (a State etc.). Ьguided missile a missile directed to its target by remote control or by equipment within itself. guide-dog a dog trained to guide a blind person. guide-rope a rope guiding the movement of a crane, airship, etc. Queen's (or King's) Guide a Guide (sense 10) who has reached the highest rank of proficiency. ЬЬguidable adj. guider n. [ME f. OF guide (n.), guider (v.), earlier guier ult. f. Gmc, rel. to WIT(2)] guidebook n. a book of information about a place for visitors, tourists, etc. guideline n. a principle or criterion guiding or directing action. guidepost n. = SIGNPOST. Guider n. an adult leader of Guides (see GUIDE n. 10). guideway n. a groove or track that guides movement. guidon n. a pennant narrowing to a point or fork at the free end, esp. one used as the standard of a regiment of dragoons. [F f. It. guidone f. guida GUIDE] guild n. (also gild) 1 an association of people for mutual aid or the pursuit of a common goal. 2 a medieval association of craftsmen or merchants. [ME prob. f. MLG, MDu. gilde f. Gmc: rel. to OE gild payment, sacrifice] guilder n. 1 the chief monetary unit of the Netherlands. 2 hist. a gold coin of the Netherlands and Germany. [ME, alt. of Du. gulden: see GULDEN] guildhall n. 1 the meeting-place of a guild or corporation; a town hall. 2 (the Guildhall) the hall of the Corporation of the City of London, used for ceremonial occasions. guildsman n. (pl. -men; fem. guildswoman, pl. -women) a member of a guild. guile n. treachery, deceit; cunning or sly behaviour. ЬЬguileful adj. guilefully adv. guilefulness n. guileless adj. guilelessly adv. guilelessness n. [ME f. OF, prob. f. Gmc] guillemot n. any fast-flying sea bird of the genus Uria or Cepphus, nesting on cliffs or islands. [F f. Guillaume William] guilloche n. an architectural or metalwork ornament imitating braided ribbons. [F guillochis (or guilloche the tool used)] guillotine n. & v. --n. 1 a machine with a heavy knife-blade sliding vertically in grooves, used for beheading. 2 a device for cutting paper, metal, etc. 3 a surgical instrument for excising the uvula etc. 4 Parl. a method of preventing delay in the discussion of a legislative bill by fixing times at which various parts of it must be voted on. --v.tr. 1 use a guillotine on. 2 Parl. end discussion of (a bill) by applying a guillotine. ЬЬguillotiner n. [F f. J.-I. Guillotin, Fr. physician d. 1814, who recommended its use for executions in 1789] guilt n. 1 the fact of having committed a specified or implied offence. 2 a culpability. b the feeling of this. Ьguilt complex Psychol. a mental obsession with the idea of having done wrong. [OE gylt, of unkn. orig.] guiltless adj. 1 (often foll. by of an offence) innocent. 2 (foll. by of) not having knowledge or possession of. ЬЬguiltlessly adv. guiltlessness n. [OE gyltleas (as GUILT, -LESS)] guilty adj. (guiltier, guiltiest) 1 culpable of or responsible for a wrong. 2 conscious of or affected by guilt (a guilty conscience; a guilty look). 3 concerning guilt (a guilty secret). 4 a (often foll. by of) having committed a (specified) offence. b Law adjudged to have committed a specified offence, esp. by a verdict in a trial. ЬЬguiltily adv. guiltiness n. [OE gyltig (as GUILT, -Y(1))] guimp var. of GIMP(1). guinea n. 1 Brit. hist. the sum of 21 old shillings (њ1.05), used esp. in determining professional fees. 2 hist. a former British gold coin worth 21 shillings, first coined for the African trade. Ьguinea-fowl any African fowl of the family Numididae, esp. Numida meleagris, with slate-coloured white-spotted plumage. guinea-pig 1 a domesticated S. American cavy, Cavia porcellus, kept as a pet or for research in biology etc. 2 a person or thing used as a subject for experiment. [Guinea in W. Africa] guipure n. a heavy lace of linen pieces joined by embroidery. [F f. guiper cover with silk etc. f. Gmc] guise n. 1 an assumed appearance; a pretence (in the guise of; under the guise of). 2 external appearance. 3 archaic style of attire, garb. [ME f. OF ult. f. Gmc] guitar n. a usu. six-stringed musical instrument with a fretted finger-board, played by plucking with the fingers or a plectrum. ЬЬguitarist n. [Sp. guitarra (partly through F guitare) f. Gk kithara: see CITTERN, GITTERN] guiver n. (also gyver) Austral. & NZ sl. 1 plausible talk. 2 affectation of speech or manner. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] Gujarati n. & adj. --n. (pl. Gujaratis) 1 the language of Gujarat in W. India. 2 a native of Gujarat. --adj. of or relating to Gujarat or its language. [Hind.: see -I(2)] gulch n. US a ravine, esp. one in which a torrent flows. [perh. dial. gulch to swallow] gulden n. = GUILDER. [Du. & G, = GOLDEN] gules n. & adj. (usu. placed after noun) Heraldry red. [ME f. OF goules red-dyed fur neck ornaments f. gole throat] gulf n. & v. --n. 1 a stretch of sea consisting of a deep inlet with a narrow mouth. 2 (the Gulf) the Persian Gulf. 3 a deep hollow; a chasm or abyss. 4 a wide difference of feelings, opinion, etc. --v.tr. engulf; swallow up. ЬGulf Stream an oceanic warm current flowing from the Gulf of Mexico to Newfoundland where it is deflected into the Atlantic Ocean. [ME f. OF golfe f. It. golfo ult. f. Gk kolpos bosom, gulf] gulfweed n. = SARGASSO. gull(1) n. any of various long-winged web-footed sea birds of the family Laridae, usu. having white plumage with a mantle varying from pearly-grey to black, and a bright bill. ЬЬgullery n. (pl. -ies). [ME ult. f. OCelt.] gull(2) v.tr. (usu. in passive; foll. by into) dupe, fool. [perh. f. obs. gull yellow f. ON gulr] Gullah n. 1 a member of a Negro people living on the coast of S. Carolina or the nearby sea islands. 2 the Creole language spoken by them. [perh. a shortening of Angola, or f. a tribal name Golas] gullet n. 1 the food-passage extending from the mouth to the stomach; the oesophagus. 2 the throat. [ME f. OF dimin. of go(u)le throat f. L gula] gullible adj. easily persuaded or deceived, credulous. ЬЬgullibility n. gullibly adv. [GULL(2) + -IBLE] gully n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a water-worn ravine. 2 a deep artificial channel; a gutter or drain. 3 Austral. & NZ a river valley. 4 Cricket a the fielding position between point and slips. b a fielder in this position. --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 form (channels) by water action. 2 make gullies in. Ьgully-hole an opening in a street to a drain or sewer. [F goulet bottle-neck (as GULLET)] gulp v. & n. --v. 1 tr. (often foll. by down) swallow hastily, greedily, or with effort. 2 intr. swallow gaspingly or with difficulty; choke. 3 tr. (foll. by down, back) stifle, suppress (esp. tears). --n. 1 an act of gulping (drained it at one gulp). 2 an effort to swallow. 3 a large mouthful of a drink. ЬЬgulper n. gulpingly adv. gulpy adj. [ME prob. f. MDu. gulpen (imit.)] gum(1) n. & v. --n. 1 a a viscous secretion of some trees and shrubs that hardens on drying but is soluble in water (cf. RESIN). b an adhesive substance made from this. 2 US chewing gum. 3 = GUMDROP. 4 = gum arabic. 5 = gum-tree. 6 a secretion collecting in the corner of the eye. 7 US = GUMBOOT. --v. (gummed, gumming) 1 tr. smear or cover with gum. 2 tr. (usu. foll. by down, together, etc.) fasten with gum. 3 intr. exude gum. Ьgum arabic a gum exuded by some kinds of acacia and used as glue and in incense. gum benjamin benzoin. gum dragon tragacanth. gum juniper sandarac. gum resin a vegetable secretion of resin mixed with gum, e.g. gamboge. gum-tree a tree exuding gum, esp. a eucalyptus. gum up 1 (of a mechanism etc.) become clogged or obstructed with stickiness. 2 colloq. interfere with the smooth running of (gum up the works). up a gum-tree colloq. in great difficulties. [ME f. OF gomme ult. f. L gummi, cummi f. Gk kommi f. Egypt. kemai] gum(2) n. (usu. in pl.) the firm flesh around the roots of the teeth. Ьgum-shield a pad protecting a boxer's teeth and gums. [OE goma rel. to OHG guomo, ON gўmr roof or floor of the mouth] gum(3) n. colloq. (in oaths) God (by gum!). [corrupt. of God] gumbo n. (pl. -os) US 1 okra. 2 a soup thickened with okra pods. 3 (Gumbo) a patois of Blacks and Creoles spoken esp. in Louisiana. [of Afr. orig.] gumboil n. a small abscess on the gums. gumboot n. a rubber boot; a wellington. gumdrop n. a soft coloured sweet made with gelatin or gum arabic. gumma n. (pl. gummas or gummata) Med. a small soft swelling occurring in the connective tissue of the liver, brain, testes, and heart, and characteristic of the late stages of syphilis. ЬЬgummatous adj. [mod.L f. L gummi GUM(1)] gummy(1) adj. (gummier, gummiest) 1 viscous, sticky. 2 abounding in or exuding gum. ЬЬgumminess n. [ME f. GUM(1) + -Y(1)] gummy(2) adj. & n. --adj. (gummier, gummiest) toothless. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 Austral. a small shark, Mustelus antarcticus, having rounded teeth with which it crushes hard-shelled prey. 2 Austral. & NZ a toothless sheep. ЬЬgummily adv. [GUM(2) + -Y(1)] gumption n. colloq. 1 resourcefulness, initiative; enterprising spirit. 2 common sense. [18th-c. Sc.: orig. unkn.] gumshoe n. US 1 a galosh. 2 sl. a detective. gun n. & v. --n. 1 any kind of weapon consisting of a metal tube and often held in the hand with a grip at one end, from which bullets or other missiles are propelled with great force, esp. by a contained explosion. 2 any device imitative of this, e.g. a starting pistol. 3 a device for discharging insecticide, grease, electrons, etc., in the required direction (often in comb.: grease-gun). 4 a member of a shooting-party. 5 US a gunman. 6 the firing of a gun. 7 (in pl.) Naut. sl. a gunnery officer. --v. (gunned, gunning) 1 tr. a (usu. foll. by down) shoot (a person) with a gun. b shoot at with a gun. 2 tr. colloq. accelerate (an engine or vehicle). 3 intr. go shooting. 4 intr. (foll. by for) seek out determinedly to attack or rebuke. Ьgo great guns colloq. proceed forcefully or vigorously or successfully. gun-carriage a wheeled support for a gun. gun-cotton an explosive used for blasting, made by steeping cotton in nitric and sulphuric acids. gun crew a team manning a gun. gun dog a dog trained to follow sportsmen using guns. gun-shy (esp. of a sporting dog) alarmed at the report of a gun. gun-site a (usu. fortified) emplacement for a gun. jump the gun colloq. start before a signal is given, or before an agreed time. stick to one's guns colloq. maintain one's position under attack. ЬЬgunless adj. gunned adj. [ME gunne, gonne, perh. f. the Scand. name Gunnhildr] gunboat n. a small vessel of shallow draught and with relatively heavy guns. Ьgunboat diplomacy political negotiation supported by the use or threat of military force. gunfight n. US a fight with firearms. ЬЬgunfighter n. gunfire n. 1 the firing of a gun or guns, esp. repeatedly. 2 the noise from this. gunge n. & v. Brit. colloq. --n. sticky or viscous matter, esp. when messy or indeterminate. --v.tr. (usu. foll. by up) clog or obstruct with gunge. ЬЬgungy adj. [20th c.: orig. uncert.: cf. GOO, GUNK] gung-ho adj. enthusiastic, eager. [Chin. gonghe work together, slogan adopted by US Marines in 1942] gunk n. sl. viscous or liquid material. [20th c.: orig. the name of a detergent (propr.)] gunlock n. a mechanism by which the charge of a gun is exploded. gunman n. (pl. -men) a man armed with a gun, esp. in committing a crime. gun-metal n. 1 a dull bluish-grey colour. 2 an alloy of copper and tin or zinc (formerly used for guns). gunnel(1) n. any small eel-shaped marine fish of the family Pholidae, esp. Pholis gunnellus. Also called BUTTERFISH. [17th c.: orig. unkn.] gunnel(2) var. of GUNWALE. gunner n. 1 an artillery soldier (esp. as an official term for a private). 2 Naut. a warrant-officer in charge of a battery, magazine, etc. 3 a member of an aircraft crew who operates a gun. 4 a person who hunts game with a gun. gunnera n. any plant of the genus Gunnera from S. America and New Zealand, having large leaves and often grown for ornament. [J. E. Gunnerus, Norw. botanist d. 1773] gunnery n. 1 the construction and management of large guns. 2 the firing of guns. gunny n. (pl. -ies) 1 coarse sacking, usu. of jute fibre. 2 a sack made of this. [Hindi & Marathi goni f. Skr. goni sack] gunplay n. the use of guns. gunpoint n. the point of a gun. Ьat gunpoint threatened with a gun or an ultimatum etc. gunpowder n. 1 an explosive made of saltpetre, sulphur, and charcoal. 2 a fine green tea of granular appearance. gunpower n. the strength or quantity of available guns. gunroom n. Brit. 1 a room in a house for storing sporting-guns. 2 quarters for junior officers (orig. for gunners) in a warship. gunrunner n. a person engaged in the illegal sale or importing of firearms. ЬЬgunrunning n. gunship n. a heavily-armed helicopter or other aircraft. gunshot n. 1 a shot fired from a gun. 2 the range of a gun (within gunshot). gunslinger n. esp. US sl. a gunman. ЬЬgunslinging n. gunsmith n. a person who makes, sells, and repairs small firearms. gunstock n. the wooden mounting of the barrel of a gun. Gunter's chain n. Surveying 1 a measuring chain of 66 ft. 2 this length as a unit. [E. Gunter, Engl. mathematician d. 1626] gunwale n. (also gunnel) the upper edge of the side of a boat or ship. [GUN + WALE (because formerly used to support guns)] gunyah n. Austral. an Aboriginal bush hut. [Aboriginal] guppy n. (pl. -ies) a freshwater fish, Poecilia reticulata, of the W. Indies and S. America, frequently kept in aquariums, and giving birth to live young. [R. J. L. Guppy, 19th-c. Trinidad clergyman who sent the first specimen to the British Museum] gurdwara n. a Sikh temple. [Punjabi gurduara f. Skr. guru teacher + dvara door] gurgle v. & n. --v. 1 intr. make a bubbling sound as of water from a bottle. 2 tr. utter with such a sound. --n. a gurgling sound. ЬЬgurgler n. [imit., or f. Du. gorgelen, G gurgeln, or med.L gurgulare f. L gurgulio gullet] Gurkha n. 1 a member of the dominant Hindu race in Nepal. 2 a Nepalese soldier serving in the British army. [native name, f. Skr. gaus cow + raksh protect] gurnard n. (also gurnet) any marine fish of the family Triglidae, having a large spiny head with mailed sides, and three finger-like pectoral rays used for walking on the sea bed etc. [ME f. OF gornart f. grondir to grunt f. L grunnire] guru n. 1 a Hindu spiritual teacher or head of a religious sect. 2 a an influential teacher. b a revered mentor. [Hindi guru teacher f. Skr. gurЈs grave, dignified] gush v. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. emit or flow in a sudden and copious stream. 2 intr. speak or behave with effusiveness or sentimental affectation. --n. 1 a sudden or copious stream. 2 an effusive or sentimental manner. ЬЬgushing adj. gushingly adv. [ME gosshe, gusche, prob. imit.] gusher n. 1 an oil well from which oil flows without being pumped. 2 an effusive person. gushy adj. (gushier, gushiest) excessively effusive or sentimental. ЬЬgushily adv. gushiness n. gusset n. 1 a piece let into a garment etc. to strengthen or enlarge a part. 2 a bracket strengthening an angle of a structure. ЬЬgusseted adj. [ME f. OF gousset flexible piece filling up a joint in armour f. gousse pod, shell] gust n. & v. --n. 1 a sudden strong rush of wind. 2 a burst of rain, fire, smoke, or sound. 3 a passionate or emotional outburst. --v.intr. blow in gusts. [ON gustr, rel. to gjўsa to gush] gustation n. the act or capacity of tasting. ЬЬgustative adj. gustatory adj. [F gustation or L gustatio f. gustare f. gustus taste] gusto n. (pl. -oes) 1 zest; enjoyment or vigour in doing something. 2 (foll. by for) archaic relish or liking. 3 archaic a style of artistic execution. [It. f. L gustus taste] gusty adj. (gustier, gustiest) 1 characterized by or blowing in strong winds. 2 characterized by gusto. ЬЬgustily adv. gustiness n. gut n. & v. --n. 1 the lower alimentary canal or a part of this; the intestine. 2 (in pl.) the bowel or entrails, esp. of animals. 3 (in pl.) colloq. personal courage and determination; vigorous application and perseverance. 4 (in pl.) colloq. the belly as the source of appetite. 5 (in pl.) a the contents of anything, esp. representing substantiality. b the essence of a thing, e.g. of an issue or problem. 6 a material for violin or racket strings or surgical use made from the intestines of animals. b material for fishing-lines made from the silk-glands of silkworms. 7 a a narrow water-passage; a sound, straits. b a defile or narrow passage. 8 (attrib.) a instinctive (a gut reaction). b fundamental (a gut issue). --v.tr. (gutted, gutting) 1 remove or destroy (esp. by fire) the internal fittings of (a house etc.). 2 take out the guts of (a fish). 3 extract the essence of (a book etc.). Ьgut-rot colloq. 1 = rot-gut. 2 a stomach upset. hate a person's guts colloq. dislike a person intensely. sweat (or work) one's guts out colloq. work extremely hard. [OE guttas (pl.), prob. rel. to geotan pour] gutless adj. colloq. lacking courage or determination; feeble. ЬЬgutlessly adv. gutlessness n. gutsy adj. (gutsier, gutsiest) colloq. 1 courageous. 2 greedy. ЬЬgutsily adv. gutsiness n. gutta-percha n. a tough plastic substance obtained from the latex of various Malaysian trees. [Malay getah gum + percha name of a tree] guttate adj. Biol. having droplike markings. [L guttatus speckled f. gutta drop] gutter n. & v. --n. 1 a shallow trough below the eaves of a house, or a channel at the side of a street, to carry off rainwater. 2 (prec. by the) a poor or degraded background or environment. 3 an open conduit along which liquid flows out. 4 a groove. 5 a track made by the flow of water. --v. 1 intr. flow in streams. 2 tr. furrow, channel. Ьgutter press sensational journalism concerned esp. with the private lives of public figures. [ME f. AF gotere, OF gotiere ult. f. L gutta drop] guttering n. 1 a the gutters of a building etc. b a section or length of a gutter. 2 material for gutters. guttersnipe n. a street urchin. guttural adj. & n. --adj. 1 throaty, harsh-sounding. 2 a Phonet. (of a consonant) produced in the throat or by the back of the tongue and palate. b (of a sound) coming from the throat. c of the throat. --n. Phonet. a guttural consonant (e.g. k, g). ЬЬgutturally adv. [F guttural or med.L gutturalis f. L guttur throat] guv n. Brit. sl. = GOVERNOR 7. [abbr.] guy(1) n. & v. --n. 1 colloq. a man; a fellow. 2 (usu. in pl.) US a person of either sex. 3 Brit. an effigy of Guy Fawkes in ragged clothing, burnt on a bonfire on 5 Nov. 4 Brit. a grotesquely dressed person. --v.tr. 1 ridicule. 2 exhibit in effigy. [Guy Fawkes, conspirator in the Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament in 1605] guy(2) n. & v. --n. a rope or chain to secure a tent or steady a crane-load etc. --v.tr. secure with a guy or guys. [prob. of LG orig.: cf. LG & Du. gei brail etc.] guzzle v.tr. & intr. eat, drink, or consume excessively or greedily. ЬЬguzzler n. [perh. f. OF gosiller chatter, vomit f. gosier throat] 19.0 Gy... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Gy abbr. = GRAY(1). gybe v. & n. (US jibe) --v. 1 intr. (of a fore-and-aft sail or boom) swing across in wearing or running before the wind. 2 tr. cause (a sail) to do this. 3 intr. (of a ship or its crew) change course so that this happens. --n. a change of course causing gybing. [obs. Du. gijben] gym n. colloq. 1 a gymnasium. 2 gymnastics. [abbr.] gymkhana n. 1 a meeting for competition or display in sport, esp. horse-riding. 2 a public place with facilities for athletics. [Hind. gendkhana ball-house, racket-court, assim. to GYMNASIUM] gymnasium n. (pl. gymnasiums or gymnasia) 1 a room or building equipped for gymnastics. 2 a school in Germany or Scandinavia that prepares pupils for university entrance. ЬЬgymnasial adj. [L f. Gk gumnasion f. gumnazo exercise f. gumnos naked] gymnast n. an expert in gymnastics. [F gymnaste or Gk gumnastes athlete-trainer f. gumnazo: see GYMNASIUM] gymnastic adj. of or involving gymnastics. ЬЬgymnastically adv. [L gymnasticus f. Gk gumnastikos (as GYMNASIUM)] gymnastics n.pl. (also treated as sing.) 1 exercises developing or displaying physical agility and coordination, usu. in competition. 2 other forms of physical or mental agility. gymno- comb. form Biol. bare, naked. [Gk gumnos naked] gymnosophist n. a member of an ancient Hindu sect wearing little clothing and devoted to contemplation. ЬЬgymnosophy n. [ME f. F gymnosophiste f. L gymnosophistae (pl.) f. Gk gumnosophistai: see GYMNO-, SOPHIST] gymnosperm n. any of various plants having seeds unprotected by an ovary, including conifers, cycads, and ginkgos (opp. ANGIOSPERM). ЬЬgymnospermous adj. gymp var. of GIMP(1). gymslip n. a sleeveless tunic, usu. belted, worn by schoolgirls. gynaeceum var. of GYNOECIUM. gynaeco- comb. form (US gyneco-) woman, women; female. [Gk gune gunaikos woman] gynaecology n. (US gynecology) the science of the physiological functions and diseases of women and girls, esp. those affecting the reproductive system. ЬЬgynaecological adj. gynaecologically adv. gynaecologist n. gynecologic adj. US. gynaecomastia n. (US gynecomastia) Med. enlargement of a man's breasts, usu. due to hormone imbalance or hormone therapy. gynandromorph n. Biol. an individual, esp. an insect, having male and female characteristics. ЬЬgynandromorphic adj. gynandromorphism n. [formed as GYNANDROUS + Gk morphe form] gynandrous adj. Bot. with stamens and pistil united in one column as in orchids. [Gk gunandros of doubtful sex, f. gune woman + aner andros man] gyneco- comb. form US var. of GYNAECO-. gynoecium n. (also gynaecium) (pl. -cia) Bot. the carpels of a flower taken collectively. [mod.L f. Gk gunaikeion women's apartments (as GYNAECO-, Gk oikos house)] -gynous comb. form Bot. forming adjectives meaning 'having specified female organs or pistils' (monogynous). [Gk -gunos f. gune woman] gyp(1) n. Brit. colloq. 1 pain or severe discomfort. 2 a scolding (gave them gyp). [19th c.: perh. f. gee-up (see GEE(2))] gyp(2) n. Brit. a college servant at Cambridge and Durham. [perh. f. obs. gippo scullion, orig. a man's short tunic, f. obs. F jupeau] gyp(3) v. & n. sl. --v.tr. (gypped, gypping) cheat, swindle. --n. an act of cheating; a swindle. [19th c.: perh. f. GYP(2)] gyppy tummy var. of GIPPY TUMMY. gypsophila n. any plant of the genus Gypsophila, with a profusion of small usu. white composite flowers. [mod.L f. Gk gupsos chalk + philos loving] gypsum n. a hydrated form of calcium sulphate occurring naturally and used to make plaster of Paris and in the building industry. ЬЬgypseous adj. gypsiferous adj. [L f. Gk gupsos] Gypsy n. (also Gipsy) (pl. -ies) 1 a member of a nomadic people of Europe and N. America, of Hindu origin with dark skin and hair, and speaking a language related to Hindi. 2 (gypsy) a person resembling or living like a Gypsy. Ьgypsy moth a kind of tussock moth, Lymantria dispar, of which the larvae are very destructive to foliage. ЬЬGypsydom n. Gypsyfied adj. Gypsyhood n. Gypsyish adj. [earlier gipcyan, gipsen f. EGYPTIAN, from the supposed origin of Gypsies when they appeared in England in the early 16th c.] gyrate v. & adj. --v.intr. go in a circle or spiral; revolve, whirl. --adj. Bot. arranged in rings or convolutions. ЬЬgyration n. gyratorn. gyratory adj. [L gyrare gyrat- revolve f. gyrus ring f. Gk guros] gyre v. & n. esp. poet. --v.intr. whirl or gyrate. --n. a gyration. [L gyrus ring f. Gk guros] gyrfalcon n. (also gerfalcon) a large falcon, Falco rusticolus, of the northern hemisphere. [ME f. OF gerfaucon f. Frank. gerfalco f. ON geirf lki: see FALCON] gyro n. (pl. -os) colloq. 1 = GYROSCOPE. 2 = GYROCOMPASS. [abbr.] gyro- comb. form rotation. [Gk guros ring] gyrocompass n. a non-magnetic compass giving true north and bearings from it by means of a gyroscope. gyrograph n. an instrument for recording revolutions. gyromagnetic adj. 1 Physics of the magnetic and mechanical properties of a rotating charged particle. 2 (of a compass) combining a gyroscope and a normal magnetic compass. gyropilot n. a gyrocompass used for automatic steering. gyroplane n. a form of aircraft deriving its lift mainly from freely rotating overhead vanes. gyroscope n. a rotating wheel whose axis is free to turn but maintains a fixed direction unless perturbed, esp. used for stabilization or with the compass in an aircraft, ship, etc. ЬЬgyroscopic adj. gyroscopically adv. [F (as GYRO-, SCOPE(2))] gyrostabilizer n. a gyroscopic device for maintaining the equilibrium of a ship, aircraft, platform, etc. gyrus n. (pl. gyri) a fold or convolution, esp. of the brain. [L f. Gk guros ring] gyttja n. Geol. a lake deposit of a usu. black organic sediment. [Sw., = mud, ooze] gyver var. of GUIVER. Яндекс.Реклама: Заказная печать блокнотов Киев |