evolute (ev´э lu:t') •n. Geom. a curve that is the locus of the center of curvature of another curve (called the involute); the envelope of the perpendiculars, or normals, of the involute See INVOLUTE, illus. [< L evolutus: see EVOLUTION]
evolution (ev'э lu:´shэn; Brit usually, & Cdn also, i:'vэ-) •n. 1 an unfolding, opening out, or working out; process of development, as from a simple to a complex form, or of gradual, progressive change, as in a social and economic structure 2 a result or product of this; thing evolved 3 a) a movement that is part of a series or pattern b) a pattern produced, or seemingly produced, by such a series of movements {the evolutions of a fancy skater} 4 a setting free or giving off, as of gas in a chemical reaction 5 Biol. a) the development of a species, organism, or organ from its original or primitive state to its present or specialized state; phylogeny or ontogeny b) DARWINIAN THEORY (see LAMARCKISM, MUTATION) 6 Math. the extracting of a root of a given number: opposed to INVOLUTION 7 Mil. any of various movements or maneuvers by which troops, ships, etc. change formation [Fr évolution] ev'o·lu´tion·al •adj. ev'o·lu´tion·al·ly •adv. ev'o·lu´tion·ar'y •adj. [L evolutio, an unrolling or opening < evolutus, pp. of evolvere: see EVOLVE]
evolutionist (-ist) •n. 1 a person who accepts the principles of biological evolution 2 a person who believes in the possibility of political and social progress by gradual, peaceful steps •adj. 1 of the theory of evolution 2 of evolutionists ev'o·lu´tion·ism' •n. ev'o·lu'tion·is´tic •adj. ev'o·lu'tion·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.
evolve (i: välv´, -völv´; i-) e·volved´, e·volv´ing •vt. 1 to develop by gradual changes; unfold 2 to set free or give off (gas, heat, etc.) 3 to produce or change by evolution •vi. 1 to develop gradually by a process of growth and change Æ 2 to become disclosed; unfold e·volve´ment •n. [L evolvere, to roll out or forth < e-, out + volvere, to roll: see WALK]
evulsion (i: vûl´shэn) •n. a pulling out by force, or uprooting [ME evulsioun < evulsio < pp. of evellere, to pull out < e-, out + vellere, to pluck < IE base *wel-, to tear, injure > OE wæl, slaughter]
Evvoia (ev´i: э) alt. sp. of EUBOEA
evzone (ev´zoun') •n. a member of a special unit of riflemen in the Greek army whose uniform includes a wide skirt [< ModGr euzōnos < Gr, well-equipped, lit., well-girdled < eu-, well (see EU-) + zōnē, a girdle: see ZONE]
Ewe (ei´wei', ei´vei') pl. E´wes' or E´we' •n. 1 a member of a people of Togo and parts of Ghana and Benin 2 the Kwa language of this people ewe (yu:) •n. a female sheep [ME ewe < OE eowu, fem. of eow, sheep, akin to Ger dial. aue, a ewe < IE base *owi-s, sheep, L ovis]
Ewell (yu:´эl), Richard Stod·dert (städ´эrt) 1817-72; Confederate general in the Civil War
ewe-neck (yu:´nek') •n. a thin, badly arched neck sometimes occurring in horses and dogs ewe´-necked' •adj.
ewer (yu:´эr) •n. a large water pitcher with a wide mouth [ME < Anglo-Fr < OFr evier < ML aquarium, water pitcher < L: see AQUARIUM]
Ex Bible Exodus ex abbrev. 1 examined 2 example 3 exchange 4 executive 5 express 6 extra
ex cathedra (eks kæ´θi drэ; often, -kэ θi:´-) with the authority that comes from one's rank or office: often specif. with reference to papal pronouncements, on matters of faith or morals, regarded as having authoritative finality [ModL, lit., from the chair < L ex, from + cathedra, CHAIR, esp. of a teacher (in LL(Ec), of a bishop)]
ex gratia (eks grei´shi: э) as a favor, with no legal obligation {an ex gratia payment} [L, from favor]
ex libris (eks li:´bris) 1 belonging to the library of: an inscription followed by the owner's name, used on bookplates 2 a bookplate [L, lit., from the books (of)]
ex nihilo (eks' nai´э lou', -ni´hil ou'; -ne´-) out of nothing {the poet does not write ex nihilo}
ex officio (eks' э fish´ou', -i: ou') by virtue of one's office, or position [L, lit., from office]
ex parte (eks pär´ti:) on, or in the interest of, one side only; one-sided [L, lit., from the side or party: see EX-¹ & PART]
ex post facto (eks' poust fæk´tou) done or made afterward, esp. when having retroactive effect {an ex post facto law} [L, from (the thing) done afterward]
ex¹ (eks) •prep. 1 without; exclusive of {ex dividend, ex interest} 2 out of; free of {ex warehouse means free of charges until removed from the warehouse} Æ 3 of the (specified) college class, but not having graduated with it {Wm. Jones, Yale ex '61} •n. pl. ex´es [Colloq.] one's divorced husband or wife [L]
ex-¹ (for 1 eks, iks, egz, igz; for 2 eks) prefix 1 a) forth, from, out {extubate} b) beyond {exurb} c) away from, out of {explant} d) thoroughly e) upward f) without, not having {exsanguine}: it becomes ef- before f; e- before b, d, g, j, l, m, n, r, or v; often ec- before c or s; and, in many words of French origin, es- 2 former, previous, previously: used in hyphenated compounds {ex-president, ex-convict, ex-wife} [ME < OFr or L, akin to Gr ex-, exō-, ek- < IE base *eGhs, out]
ex² (eks) pl. ex´es •n. the letter X
ex-² (eks) prefix EXO-: used before a vowel
exa- (eks´э, egz´-) combining form one quintillion; the factor 10¹8 {exajoule}
exacerbate (eg zæs´эr beit', ig-) -bat'ed, -bat'ing •vt. 1 to make more intense or sharp; aggravate (disease, pain, annoyance, etc.) 2 to exasperate; annoy; irritate; embitter ex·ac'er·ba´tion •n. [< L exacerbatus, pp. of exacerbare, to exasperate, make angry < ex-, intens. + acerbus, bitter: see ACERBITY]
exact (eg zækt´, ig-) •adj. 1 characterized by, requiring, or capable of accuracy of detail; very accurate; methodical; correct {an exact science} 2 not deviating in form or content; without variation; precise {an exact replica} 3 being the very (one specified or understood) {the exact spot where I put it} 4 strict; severe; rigorous {an exact disciplinarian} •vt. [ME exacten] 1 to force payment of; extort: with from or of 2 to demand and get by authority or force; insist on: with from or of 3 to call for; make necessary; require SYN. DEMAND, EXPLICIT, CORRECT ex·act´a·ble •adj. ex·act´ness •n. ex·ac´tor or ex·act´er •n. [L exactus < pp. of exigere, to drive out, measure, determine < ex-, out + agere, to do: see ACT]
exacta (eg zæk´tэ, ig-) •n. PERFECTA
exacting (eg zæk´tiŋ, ig-) •adj. 1 making severe or excessive demands; not easily satisfied; strict {an exacting teacher} 2 demanding great care, patience, effort, etc.; arduous {an exacting job} SYN. ONEROUS ex·act´ing·ly •adv.
exaction (eg zæk´shэn, ig-) •n. 1 an exacting, as of money, time, etc. 2 an excessive demand; extortion 3 an exacted fee, tax, etc. [ME < OFr < L exactio]
exactitude (eg zæk´tэ tu:d', -tyu:d'; ig-) •n. the quality of being exact; precision; accuracy [Fr]
exactly (eg zækt´li:, ig-) •adv. in an exact manner; accurately; correctly; precisely: also used as an affirmative reply, equivalent to I agree, quite true
exaggerate (eg zæj´эr eit, ig-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to think, speak, or write of as greater than is really so; magnify beyond the fact; overstate 2 to increase or enlarge to an extreme or abnormal degree; overemphasize; intensify •vi. to give an exaggerated description or account ex·ag´ger·at·ed·ly •adj. ex·ag'ger·a´tion •n. ex·ag´ger·a'tive •adj. ex·ag´ger·a'tor •n. [< L exaggeratus, pp. of exaggerare, to increase, exaggerate < ex-, out, up + aggerare, to heap up < agger, a heap < aggerere, to bring toward < ad-, to + gerere, to carry: see GESTURE]
exalt (eg zölt´, ig-) •vt. to raise on high; elevate; lift up; specif., a) to raise in status, dignity, power, honor, wealth, etc. b) to praise; glorify; extol c) to fill with joy, pride, etc.; elate (used in the passive or in participial form) d) to heighten or intensify the action or effect of ex·alt´ed·ly •adv. ex·alt´er •n. [ME exalten < OFr exalter < LL (chiefly Ec) exaltare < ex-, out, up + altus, high: see OLD]
exaltation (eg'zöl tei´shэn) •n. 1 an exalting or being exalted 2 a feeling of great joy, pride, power, etc.; elation; rapture [ME exaltacioun < LL(Ec) exaltatio]
exam (eg zæm´, ig-) •n. short for EXAMINATION
examen (eg zei´mэn, ig-) •n. 1 an examination or detailed study 2 Eccles. a methodical scrutiny of one's conscience [L: see EXAMINE]
examination (eg zæm'э nei´shэn, ig-) •n. 1 an examining or being examined; investigation; inspection; checkup; scrutiny; inquiry; testing 2 means or method of examining 3 a set of questions asked in testing or interrogating; test [ME examinacioun < OFr examination < L examinatio: see EXAMINE]
examinatorial (-nэ tör´i: эl) •adj. of or having to do with an examiner or examination
examine (eg zæm´эn, ig-) -ined, -in·ing •vt. 1 to look at or into critically or methodically in order to find out the facts, condition, etc. of; investigate; inspect; scrutinize; inquire into 2 to test by carefully questioning in order to find out the knowledge, skill, qualifications, etc. of (a student, witness, job applicant, etc.) SYN. SCRUTINIZE ex·am´i·na·ble •adj. [ME examinen < OFr examiner < L examinare, to weigh, ponder, examine < examen, tongue of a balance, examination < ex-, out + base of agere, to lead, move: see ACT]
examinee (eg zæm'э ni:´, ig-) •n. a person being or to be examined
examiner (eg zæm´э nэr, ig-) •n. a person who examines, specif. one whose work is examining records, people, etc. Also ex·am´i·nant (-nэnt)
example (eg zæm´pэl, ig-; -zäm-) •n. 1 something selected to show the nature or character of the rest; single part or unit used as a sample; typical instance 2 a case, punishment, etc. that serves as a warning or caution {to fine a speeder as an example to others} 3 a person or thing to be imitated; model; pattern; precedent 4 a problem, as in mathematics, designed to illustrate a principle or method •vt. -pled, -pling to exemplify: obs., except in the passive SYN. INSTANCE, MODEL for example as an example; by way of illustration set an example to behave so as to be a pattern or model for others to imitate [ME < OFr example, essample < L exemplum, sample, example < eximere, to take out < ex-, out + emere, to buy < IE base *em-, to take > Lith imù]
exanimate (eks æn´э mit) •adj. 1 dead; inanimate 2 without animation; spiritless; inert [L exanimatus, pp. of exanimare, to deprive of air, kill < ex-, out of + anima, air, spirit (see ANIMAL) + -ATE¹]
exanthem (eks æn´θэm) •n. 1 a skin eruption or rash occurring in certain infectious diseases, as measles 2 an infectious disease characterized by such eruptions Also ex·an·the·ma (eks'æn θi:´mэ) pl. -mas or -ma·tas (-θem´э tэz, -θi:´mэ-) •n. [< LL exanthema < Gr exanthēma, efflorescence, eruption < exanthein, to bloom < ex-, out + anthein, to flower < anthos: see ANTHO-]
exarch¹ (eks´ärk') •n. 1 a governor of an outlying province in the ancient Byzantine Empire 2 the supreme head of the independent Orthodox Church of Bulgaria 3 Eastern Orthodox Ch. orig., an archbishop, or patriarch; later, a bishop or other clergyman serving as a patriarch's deputy or legate ex´arch'al •adj. [LL exarchus, overseer of monasteries < Gr exarchos, leader, chief (in LGr, prefect, bishop): see EX-¹ & -ARCH]
exarch² (eks´ärk') •adj. Bot. having the primary xylem maturing from the outer part of a stem toward the center: cf. ENDARCH [< EX-¹ + Gr archē, beginning]
exarchate (eks är´kit, -keit'; eks´är'-) •n. the position, rank, or province of an exarch [ML exarchatus]
exasperate¹ (eg zæs´pэr eit', ig-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to irritate or annoy very much; make angry; vex 2 [Archaic] to intensify (a feeling, disease, etc.); aggravate SYN. IRRITATE [< L exasperatus, pp. of exasperare < ex-, out, from + asperare, to roughen < asper, rough: see ASPERITY]
exasperate² (eg zæs´pэr it, -eit') •adj. 1 [Archaic] exasperated 2 Bot. having rough and prickly skin [< L exasperatus: see EXASPERATE1]
exasperation (eg zæs'pэr ei´shэn, ig-) •n. an exasperating or being exasperated; great irritation or annoyance
exc except
Excalibur (eks kæl´i bэr) Arthurian Legend King Arthur's sword: in one version of the legend, he draws it out of a stone; in another, it is given to him by Vivian, the Lady of the Lake [ME < OFr Escalibor < ML Caliburnus < Celt]
excavate (eks´kэ veit') -vat'ed, -vat'ing •vt. 1 to make a hole or cavity in, as by digging; hollow out 2 to form by hollowing out; dig {to excavate a tunnel} 3 to uncover or expose by digging; unearth {to excavate ancient ruins} 4 to dig out (earth, soil, etc.) •vi. to make an excavation [< L excavatus, pp. of excavare < ex-, out + cavare, to make hollow < cavus, hollow: see CAVE]
excavation (eks'kэ vei´shэn) •n. 1 an excavating or being excavated 2 a hole or hollow made by excavating 3 something unearthed by excavating SYN. HOLE [L excavatio]
excavator (eks´kэ veit'эr) •n. a person or thing that excavates; specif., a steam shovel, dredge, etc.
exceed (ek si:d´, ik-) •vt. 1 to go or be beyond (a limit, limiting regulation, measure, etc.) {to exceed a speed limit} 2 to be more than or greater than; surpass; outdo {to exceed one's expectations} •vi. [Now Rare] to surpass others, as in a quality or quantity; be outstanding [ME exceden < OFr exceder < L excedere < ex-, out, beyond + cedere, to go: see CEDE]
exceeding (-iŋ) •adj. surpassing; extraordinary; extreme •adv. [Archaic] EXCEEDINGLY
exceedingly (-iŋ li:) •adv. extremely; to a great degree; extraordinarily; very
excel (ek sel´, ik-) -celled´, -cel´ling •vi., vt. to be better or greater than, or superior to (another or others) SYN.—excel implies superiority in some quality, skill, achievement, etc. over all or over the one (or ones) specified [to excel at chess]; surpass implies a going beyond (someone or something specified) in degree, amount, or quality [no one surpasses him in generosity]; transcend suggests a surpassing to an extreme degree [it transcends all understanding]; outdo implies a going beyond someone else or a previous record in performance [he will not be outdone in bravery] [ME excellen < OFr exceller < L excellere, to raise, surpass, excel < ex-, out of, from + -cellere, to rise, project < IE base *kel-, to project > HILL, Gr kolophōn]
excellence (ek´sэ lэns) •n. 1 the fact or condition of excelling; superiority; surpassing goodness, merit, etc. 2 something in which a person or thing excels; particular virtue 3 [E-] EXCELLENCY [ME < OFr < L excellentia < prp. of excellere]
excellency (ek´sэ lэn si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 [E-] a title of honor applied to various persons of high position, as an ambassador, bishop, governor, etc.: with His, Her, or Your 2 EXCELLENCE [ME excellencie < L excellentia]
excellent (ek´sэ lэnt) •adj. 1 [Obs.] excelling; surpassing 2 outstandingly good of its kind; of exceptional merit, virtue, etc. ex´cel·lent·ly •adv. [ME < OFr < L excellens, prp. of excellere, EXCEL]
excelsior (eks sel´si: ör'; for n. ek sel´si: эr, ik-) •adj., interj. higher; always upward: used as a motto (as on the New York State seal) •n. long, thin wood shavings used for packing breakable things or as stuffing in some furniture [L, compar. of excelsus, lofty, high < pp. of excellere, EXCEL: n. < orig. use as trademark]
except (ek sept´, ik-) •vt. to leave out or take out; make an exception of; exclude; omit •vi. [Now Rare] to object; take exception: with to or against {to except to a remark} •prep. leaving out; other than; but {to everyone except me} [ME < L exceptus] conj. 1 [Archaic] unless 2 [Colloq.] were it not that; only {I'd quit except I need the money} except for if it were not for [ME excepten < OFr excepter < L exceptare, to take out, except < exceptus, pp. of excipere < ex-, out + capere, to take: see HAVE]
excepting (-iŋ) •prep., conj. EXCEPT
exception (ek sep´shэn, ik-) •n. 1 an excepting or being excepted; omission; exclusion 2 anything that is excepted; specif., a) a case to which a rule, general principle, etc. does not apply b) a person or thing different from or treated differently from others of the same class 3 objection or opposition 4 Law a formal objection or reservation to court action or opinion in the course of a trial take exception 1 to object; demur 2 to resent something; feel offended the exception proves the rule the exception tests the rule Often used to mean the exception establishes the rule [ME excepcioun < OFr exception < L exceptio]
exceptionable (-э bэl) •adj. liable to exception; open to objection ex·cep´tion·a·bly •adv.
exceptional (ek sep´shэ nэl, ik-) •adj. 1 constituting, or occurring as, an exception; not ordinary or average; esp., much above average in quality, ability, etc. {exceptional talents} Æ 2 needing special attention or presenting a special problem, as in education, because mentally gifted or, esp., because mentally, physically, or emotionally handicapped ex·cep'tion·al´i·ty (-næl´э ti:), pl. -ties, •n. ex·cep´tion·al·ly •adv.
exceptive (ek sep´tiv, ik-) •adj. 1 of, containing, or forming an exception 2 [Rare] inclined to take exception; captious [ML exceptivus]
excerpt (ek sørpt´, ik-; also, and for n., always, ek´sørpt') •vt. to select, take out, or quote (passages from a book, etc.); extract •n. a passage selected or quoted from a book, article, etc.; extract ex·cerp´tion •n. [< L excerptus, pp. of excerpere, to pick out, choose < ex-, out + carpere, to pick, pluck < IE *kerp- < base *(s)ker-, to cut, scrape > HARVEST]
excess (ek ses´, ik-; also, esp. for adj., ek´ses') •n. 1 action or conduct that goes beyond the usual, reasonable, or lawful limit 2 lack of moderation; intemperance; overindulgence 3 an amount or quantity greater than is necessary, desirable, usable, etc.; too much; superfluity 4 the amount or degree by which one thing exceeds another; remainder; surplus •adj. more than usual; extra; surplus {excess profits} •vt. to do away with the position or job of {the science center excessed many researchers} in excess of more than to excess to too great an extent or degree; too much [ME & OFr exces < L excessus < pp. of excedere: see EXCEED]
excessive (ek ses´iv, ik-) •adj. characterized by excess; being too much or too great; immoderate; inordinate ex·ces´sive·ly •adv. ex·ces´sive·ness •n. SYN.—excessive applies to that which goes beyond what is proper, right, or usual [excessive demands]; exorbitant is applied to that which is unreasonably excessive and often connotes a greedy desire for more than is just or due [exorbitant prices]; extravagant and immoderate both imply excessiveness resulting from lack of restraint or of prudence [extravagant praise, immoderate laughter]; inordinate implies a going beyond the orderly limits of convention or the bounds of good taste [his inordinate pride] [ME & OFr excessif < ML excessivus]
exch exchange
exchange (eks cheinj´, iks-) -changed´, -chang´ing •vt. 1 a) to give, hand over, or transfer (for another thing in return) b) to receive or give another thing for (something returned) 2 to give and receive (equivalent or similar things); interchange {to exchange gifts} 3 to give up for a substitute or alternative {to exchange honor for wealth} •vi. 1 to make an exchange; barter; trade 2 Finance to pass in exchange {currency that exchanges at par} •n. 1 a giving or taking of one thing for another; trade; barter 2 a giving to one another of similar things {an exchange of greetings} 3 the substituting of one thing for another {an exchange of tears for smiles} 4 a thing given or received in exchange 5 a place for exchanging; esp., a place where trade is carried on in securities or commodities by brokers, merchants, etc. {a stock exchange} Æ 6 a central office, or a system operated by it, providing telephone communication in a community or in part of a city 7 Commerce, Finance a) the payment of debts by negotiable drafts or bills of exchange, without actual transfer of money b) a bill of exchange c) a fee paid for settling accounts or collecting a draft, bill of exchange, etc. d) an exchanging of a sum of money of one country or of a depreciated issue for the equivalent in the money of another country or of a current issue e) EXCHANGE RATE f) difference in value between currencies g) [pl.] the checks, drafts, etc. presented to a clearinghouse for exchange and settlement •adj. 1 exchanged; interchanged 2 having to do with an exchange {an exchange broker} ex·change'a·bil´i·ty •n. ex·change´a·ble •adj. ex·chang´er •n. [ME eschaungen < OFr eschangier < VL *excambiare: see EX-¹ & CHANGE]
exchange rate the rate at which one currency can be exchanged for another, usually expressed as the value of the one in terms of the other
exchange student a student who, by prior arrangement, attends a school in a foreign country while a student from that country attends a school in the country of the first
exchequer (eks chek´эr, iks-; eks´chek'эr) •n. 1 [E-] a) under the Norman kings of England, an administrative and judicial state department in charge of revenue (so called from a table marked into squares, on which accounts of revenue were kept with counters) b) later, the British Court of Exchequer, which had jurisdiction over all cases relating to government revenue, now merged in the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice c) [often E-] the British state department in charge of the national revenue 2 the funds in the British treasury 3 a treasury, as of a country or organization 4 money in one's possession; funds; finances [ME escheker, lit., chessboard, court of revenue, treasury < OFr eschekier: see CHECKER¹]
excide (ek said´, ik-) -cid´ed, -cid´ing •vt. [Rare] to cut out [L excidere < ex-, out + caedere, to cut: see -CIDE]
excimer laser (ek´sэ mэr) a type of gas laser that emits powerful pulses of ultraviolet radiation used in weapons, industrial, or medical research: this radiation is emitted as the short-lived excimers, dimeric molecules that can only exist when a component is energized into an excited state, return to their ground states
excipient (ek sip´i: эnt) •n. Pharmacy any of various inert substances added to a prescription to give the desired consistency or form [< L excipiens, prp. of excipere: see EXCEPT]
excisable (ek sai´zэ bэl, ik-; also, esp. for 1, ek´sai'-) •adj. 1 subject to an excise tax 2 that can be excised, or cut out
excise¹ (ek´saiz' also, -sais') •n. 1 orig., any tax 2 a tax or duty on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of various commodities within a country, as liquor, tobacco, etc.: also excise tax 3 a fee paid for a license to carry on certain occupations, sports, etc. •vt. -cised', -cis'ing to put an excise on [altered (after fol.) < earlier accise < MDu accijs, earlier assijs < OFr assise: see ASSIZE]
excise² (ek saiz´, ik-) -cised´, -cis´ing •vt. to remove (a tumor, organ, etc.) by cutting out or away ex·ci´sion (-sizh´эn) •n. [< L excisus, pp. of excidere: see EXCIDE]
exciseman (ek´saiz'mæn') pl. -men' (-men') •n. in Great Britain, a government official who collects excises and enforces the laws concerning them
excitable (ek sait´э bэl, ik-) •adj. 1 that is easily excited 2 Physiol. capable of responding to the proper stimulus; irritable ex·cit'a·bil´i·ty •n. ex·cit´a·bly •adv.
excitant (ek sait´ªnt, ik-; ek´sэ tэnt) •adj. stimulating •n. a stimulant [L excitans, prp. of excitare: see EXCITE]
excitation (ek'sэ tei´shэn) •n. an exciting or being excited: see EXCITE (esp. senses 4, 5, 6) [ME excitacioun < LL excitatio]
excitatory (-э tör'i:) •adj. exciting or tending to excite Also ex·cit·a·tive (ik sait´э tiv)
excite (ek sait´, ik-) -cit´ed, -cit´ing •vt. 1 to put into motion or activity; stir up {tapping on the hive excited the bees} 2 to call forth; arouse; provoke {the rumors excited her curiosity} 3 to arouse the feelings or passions of {the news excited us} 4 Elec. a) to supply electric current to (the field winding of a motor, generator, or other device); also, to produce in this way a magnetic field in b) to supply a signal to (any stage of a vacuum-tube or transistor circuit) 5 Physics to raise (a nucleus, atom, etc.) to a higher energy state 6 Physiol. to produce or increase the response of (an organism, organ, tissue, etc.) to a proper stimulus SYN. PROVOKE [ME exciten < OFr exciter < L excitare, to call forth, excite, freq. of exciere, to call forth < ex-, out + pp. of ciere, to call, summon: see CITE]
excited (-id) •adj. 1 emotionally aroused; agitated 2 Physics in a state of excitation ex·cit´ed·ly •adv.
excitement (ek sait´mэnt, ik-) •n. 1 an exciting or being excited; agitation 2 something that excites [ME < OFr]
exciter (ek sait´эr, ik-) •n. 1 a person or thing that excites 2 Elec. a) a small generator that provides field current for a large generator or motor b) an oscillator that provides the carrier frequency voltage driving the various stages, as in a radio transmitter
exciting (ek sait´iŋ, ik-) •adj. causing excitement or agitation; stirring, thrilling, etc. ex·cit´ing·ly •adv.
exciton (ek sai´tän, ek´sэ tän') •n. a localized, electrically neutral, excited state that allows the transfer of energy but not electric charge through a semiconductor, insulator, etc., as an electron bound to a positive hole ex'ci·ton´ic •adj.
excitor (ek sait´эr, ik-; also, esp. for 2, -sai´tör') •n. 1 EXCITER 2 Physiol. a nerve which, when stimulated, causes increased activity of the part that it supplies [ME exciter]
excl 1 exclude 2 excluded 3 excluding 4 exclusive
exclaim (ek skleim´, ik-) •vi., vt. to cry out; speak or say suddenly and vehemently, as in surprise, anger, etc. ex·claim´er •n. [Fr exclamer < L exclamare < ex-, out + clamare, to cry, shout: see CLAMOR]
exclamation (ek'sklэ mei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of exclaiming; sudden, vehement utterance; outcry 2 something exclaimed; exclamatory word or phrase; interjection [ME exclamacioun < L exclamatio]
exclamation point (or mark) a mark (!) used after a word or sentence in writing or printing to express surprise, strong emotion, determination, etc.
exclamatory (ek sklæm´э tör'i:, ik-) •adj. of, containing, expressing, or using exclamation [< L exclamatus, pp. of exclamare (see EXCLAIM) + -ORY]
exclave (eks´kleiv') •n. a territory (of a nearby specified country) surrounded by foreign territory {East Prussia was an exclave of Germany}: cf. ENCLAVE [EX-¹ + (EN)CLAVE]
exclosure (eks klou´zhэr) •n. an area protected against the entrance of intruders, as animals [EX-¹ + (EN)CLOSURE]
exclude (eks klu:d´, ik sklu:d´) -clud´ed, -clud´ing •vt. 1 to refuse to admit, consider, include, etc.; shut out; keep from entering, happening, or being; reject; bar 2 to put out; force out; expel ex·clud´a·ble •adj. ex·clud´er •n. SYN.—exclude implies a keeping out or prohibiting of that which is not yet in [to exclude someone from membership]; debar connotes the existence of some barrier, as legal authority or force, which excludes someone from a privilege, right, etc. [to debar certain groups from voting]; disbar refers only to the expulsion of a lawyer from the group of those who are permitted to practice law; eliminate implies the removal of that which is already in, usually connoting its undesirability or irrelevance [to eliminate waste products]; suspend refers to the removal, usually temporary, of someone from some organization, institution, etc., as for the infraction of some rule [to suspend a student from school] —ANT. admit, include [ME excluden < L excludere < ex-, out + claudere, CLOSE³]
exclusion (eks klu:´zhэn, ik sklu:´-) •n. 1 an excluding or being excluded 2 a thing excluded to the exclusion of so as to keep out, bar, etc. ex·clu´sion·ar'y •adj. [ME exclusioun < L exclusio < pp. of excludere]
exclusion principle PAULI EXCLUSION PRINCIPLE
exclusionist (-ist) •n. a person in favor of excluding another or others, as from some privilege •adj. of, favoring, or causing exclusion ex·clu´sion·ism' •n.
exclusive (eks klu:´siv, ik sklu:´-) •adj. 1 excluding or tending to exclude all others; shutting out other considerations, happenings, existences, etc. {an exclusive interest in sports} 2 excluding all but what is specified {only is an exclusive particle} 3 given or belonging to no other; not shared or divided; sole {an exclusive right to sell something} 4 a) excluding certain people or groups, as for social or economic reasons {an exclusive club} b) snobbish; undemocratic 5 dealing only in costly items {an exclusive shop} 6 being the only one of its kind {an exclusive dress} •n. something exclusive; specif., a) a news item, feature, etc. printed or broadcast by only one newspaper, station, etc. b) an exclusive right, as to the sale of something exclusive of not including or allowing for; ignoring {the cost exclusive of taxes} ex·clu´sive·ly •adv. ex·clu´sive·ness •n. [ML exclusivus < L exclusus, pp. of excludere: see EXCLUDE]
exclusivity (eks'klu: siv´i ti:) •n. 1 the condition or practice of being exclusive; esp., clannishness or isolationism 2 exclusive rights to something; monopoly Also ex·clu´siv·ism' ex·clu´siv·ist •n., adj. ex·clu'siv·is´tic •adj.
excogitate (eks käj´э teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vt. 1 to think out carefully and fully 2 to contrive, devise, or invent by such thought ex·cog'i·ta´tion •n. ex·cog´i·ta'tive •adj. [< L excogitatus, pp. of excogitare: see EX-¹ & COGITATE]
excommunicate (eks'kэ myu:´ni keit'; for adj. n., usually, -kit) -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. to exclude, by an act of ecclesiastical authority, from the sacraments, rights, and privileges of a church; censure by cutting off from communion with a church •adj. excommunicated •n. an excommunicated person ex'com·mu'ni·ca´tion •n. ex'com·mu´ni·ca'tive (-keit'iv, -kэ tiv) •adj. ex'com·mu´ni·ca'tor •n. ex'com·mu´ni·ca·to'ry (-kэ tör'i:) •adj. [ME excommunicaten < LL(Ec) excommunicatus, pp. of excommunicare: see EX-¹ & COMMUNICATE]
excoriate (eks kör´i: eit, ik skör´-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to strip, scratch, or rub off the skin of; flay, abrade, chafe, etc. 2 to denounce harshly ex·co'ri·a´tion •n. [ME excoriaten < L excoriatus, pp. of excoriare < ex-, out, off + corium, the skin: see CORIUM]
excrement (eks´krэ mэnt) •n. waste matter from the bowels; feces ex'cre·men´tal (-ment´ªl) or ex'cre·men·ti´tious (-men tish´эs, -mэn-) •adj. [Fr excrément < L excrementum, that which is sifted out, refuse < excretus: see EXCRETE]
excrescence (eks kres´эns, iks-) •n. 1 [Now Rare] a normal outgrowth; natural appendage, as a fingernail 2 an abnormal or disfiguring outgrowth or addition, as a bunion [ME < OFr < L excrescentia, excrescences < excrescere, to grow out < ex-, out + crescere, to grow: see CRESCENT]
excrescency (-kres´эn si:) •n. 1 the condition of being excrescent 2 pl. -cies EXCRESCENCE
excrescent (eks kres´эnt, iks-) •adj. 1 forming an excrescence; growing abnormally; superfluous 2 Phonet. designating or of an epenthetic sound or letter in a word Etymology [ME < L excrescens, prp. of excrescere]
excreta (eks kri:t´э) •n.pl. waste matter excreted from the body, as sweat or urine ex·cre´tal •adj. [L, neut. pl. of excretus]
excrete (eks kri:t´, ik skri:t´) -cret´ed, -cret´ing •vt., vi. 1 to separate (waste matter) from the blood or tissue and eliminate from the body, as through the kidneys or sweat glands 2 Bot. to eliminate (waste matter) from the cells [< L excretus, pp. of excernere, to sift out < ex-, out of + cernere, to sift: see HARVEST]
excretion (eks kri:´shэn, ik skri:´-) •n. 1 the act or process of excreting 2 waste matter excreted; sweat, urine, etc. [VL excretio]
excretory (eks´krэ tör'i:, eks kri:t´э ri:) •adj. of or for excretion •n. pl. -ries an excretory organ [VL excretorius]
excruciate (eks kru:´shi: eit', ik skru:´-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to cause intense bodily pain to; torture 2 to subject to mental anguish; torment ex·cru'ci·a´tion •n. [< L excruciatus, pp. of excruciare < ex-, intens. + cruciare, to torture, crucify < crux, CROSS]
excruciating (-eit'iŋ) •adj. 1 causing intense physical or mental pain; agonizing 2 intense or extreme {with excruciating attention to detail} ex·cru´ci·at'ing·ly •adv.
exculpate (эks kûl´peit', eks´kûl-; ik skûl´-) -pat'ed, -pat'ing •vt. to free from blame; declare or prove guiltless ex·cul·pa·ble (эks kûl´pэ bэl) •adj. ex'cul·pa´tion •n. ex·cul´pa·to'ry •adj. [< L ex, out + culpatus, pp. of culpare, to blame < culpa, fault]
excurrent (eks kør´эnt) •adj. 1 running out or forth 2 Bot. a) projecting beyond the tip, as the midrib of certain leaves b) having an undivided projecting main stem, as fir trees 3 Zool. of ducts, tubes, or passages whose contents flow outward [L excurrens, prp. of excurrere, to run out, project < ex-, out + currere, to run: see CURRENT]
excursion (eks kør´zhэn, -shэn; ik skør´-) •n. 1 [Obs.] a military sortie; raid 2 a short trip taken with the intention of returning to the point of departure; short journey, as for pleasure; jaunt 3 a round trip (on a train, bus, ship, etc.) at reduced rates, usually with limits set on the dates of departure and return 4 a group taking such a trip 5 a deviation or digression 6 Physics a) a single movement outward from the mean position in an oscillating or alternating motion b) the distance involved in such a movement c) a sudden, very rapid rise in the neutron flux and power of a nuclear reactor 7 Med. the extent of movement from a central position, as of the eyes from a midmost location or of the chest during respiration •adj. of or for an excursion {excursion rates} ex·cur´sion·ist (-ist) •n. [L excursio, a running out or forth < excursus, pp. of excurrere: see EXCURRENT]
excursive (eks kør´siv) •adj. rambling; desultory; digressive ex·cur´sive·ly •adv. ex·cur´sive·ness •n.
excursus (eks kør´sэs) pl. -sus·es or -sus •n. 1 a detailed discussion of some point in a work, added as an appendix 2 a lengthy digression, as in a literary work [L, a running forth, digression, pp. of excurrere: see EXCURRENT]
excusable (ek skyu:´zэ bэl, ik-) •adj. that can be excused; pardonable; justifiable ex·cus´a·bly •adv. [ME < OFr < excusabilis]
excusatory (-zэ tör'i:) •adj. of or containing an excuse or excuses; apologetic [ML excusatorius]
excuse (ek skyu:z´, ik-; for n., -skyu:s´) -cused´, -cus´ing •vt. 1 to try to free (a person) of blame; seek to exonerate 2 to try to minimize or pardon (a fault); apologize or give reasons for 3 to consider (an offense or fault) as not important; overlook; pardon {excuse my rudeness} 4 to release from an obligation, duty, promise, etc. 5 to permit to leave 6 to serve as an explanation or justification for; justify; exculpate; absolve {a selfish act that nothing will excuse} •n. 1 a plea in defense of or explanation for some action or behavior; apology 2 a release from obligation, duty, etc. 3 something that excuses; extenuating or justifying factor 4 a pretended reason for conduct; pretext a poor (or bad, etc.) excuse for a very inferior example of excuse oneself 1 to ask that one's fault be overlooked; apologize 2 to ask for permission to leave make one's excuses to express one's regret over not being able to attend a social gathering, etc. [ME excusen < OFr escuser & L excusare, to free from a charge < L ex-, from + causa, a charge: see CAUSE]
ex-directory (eks'dэ rek´tэ ri:) •adj. [Brit.] 1 designating a telephone number not listed in the telephone directory 2 designating a person with such a number
ex-dividend (eks div´э dend', -dэnd') •adj. designating a period during which the buyers of a company's stock are not entitled to receive a forthcoming dividend •adv. without the buyers being entitled to the forthcoming dividend {stock selling ex-dividend}
exec (eg zek´) •n. [Colloq.] 1 an executive officer 2 an executive exec abbrev. 1 executive 2 executor
execrable (ek´si krэ bэl) •adj. 1 deserving to be execrated; abominable; detestable 2 very inferior; of poorest quality ex´e·cra·bly •adv. [L execrabilis]
execrate (ek´si kreit') -crat'ed, -crat'ing •vt. 1 orig., to call down evil upon; curse 2 to speak abusively or contemptuously of; denounce scathingly 3 to loathe; detest; abhor •vi. to curse SYN. CURSE ex´e·cra'tive or ex´e·cra·to'ry (-krэ tör'i:) •adj. ex´e·cra'tor •n. [< L execratus, pp. of execrare, to curse < ex-, out + sacrare, to consecrate < sacer, SACRED]
execration (ek'si krei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of execrating; a cursing, denouncing, etc. 2 a curse 3 a person or thing cursed or detested [L execratio < execrare: see EXECRATE]
executant (eg zek´yu: tэnt, ig-; -yэ-) •n. a person who gets something done; esp., a performer, as on a musical instrument [Fr exécutant, prp. of exécuter: see EXECUTE]
execute (ek´si kyu:t') -cut'ed, -cut'ing •vt. 1 to follow out or carry out; do; perform; fulfill {to execute another's orders} 2 to carry into effect; administer (laws, etc.) 3 to put to death as in accordance with a legally imposed sentence 4 to create or produce in accordance with an idea, plan, blueprint, etc. {to execute a statue in marble} 5 to perform (a piece of music, a part in a play, etc.) 6 Comput. to perform the operations indicated in (an instruction or program) 7 Law to complete or make valid (a deed, contract, etc.) as by signing, sealing, and delivering •vi. Comput. to execute an instruction or program SYN. KILL¹, PERFORM ex´e·cut'a·ble •adj. [ME executen < OFr executer, back-form. < executeur: see EXECUTOR]
executer (ek´si kyu:t'эr) alt. sp. of EXECUTOR (sense 1) •n.
execution (ek'si kyu:´shэn) •n. 1 the act of executing; specif., a) a carrying out, doing, producing, etc. b) a putting to death as in accordance with a legally imposed sentence 2 the manner of doing or producing something, as of performing a piece of music or a role in a play 3 [Archaic] effective action, esp. of a destructive nature 4 Law a) a writ or order, issued by a court, giving authority to put a judgment into effect b) the legal method afforded for the enforcement of a judgment of a court c) the act of carrying out the provisions of such a writ or order d) the making valid of a legal instrument, as by signing, sealing, and delivering [ME execucion < Anglo-Fr < OFr execution < L executio, exsecutio: see EXECUTOR]
executioner (-эr) •n. a person who carries out the death penalty as imposed by a court
executive (eg zek´yu: tiv, ig-; -yэ-) •adj. 1 of, capable of, or concerned with, carrying out duties, functions, etc. or managing affairs, as in a business organization 2 empowered and required to administer (laws, government affairs, etc.); administrative: distinguished from LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL 3 of administrative or managerial personnel or functions •n. 1 a person, group of people, or branch of government empowered and required to administer the laws and affairs of a nation 2 any person whose function is to administer or manage affairs, as of a corporation, school, etc. Etymology [ME < ML executivus < L executus: see EXECUTOR]
Executive Mansion 1 the White House (in Washington, D.C.), official home of the President of the U.S. 2 the official home of the governor of a State
executive officer Mil. an officer who is chief assistant to the commanding officer
executive privilege the right of a President to withhold from the legislature or judiciary certain important information relating to the activities of the executive
executive session a session, as of a legislative body, commission, etc., that is not open to the public
executor (ek´si kyu:t'эr; for 2 eg zek´yu: tэr, ig-; -yэ-) •n. 1 a person who gets something done or produced 2 a person appointed to carry out the provisions and directions in a testator's will: cf. ADMINISTRATOR ex·ec'u·to´ri·al (-tör´i: эl) •adj. ex·ec·u·trix (eg zek´yu: triks', ig-; -yэ-), pl. -trix'es or ex·ec´u·tri´ces' (-trai´si:z'), •n.fem. [ME executour < OFr & ML executor, both < L executus, exsecutus, pp. of exequi, exsequi, to follow up, pursue < ex-, intens. + sequi, to follow: see SEQUENT]
executory (eg zek´yu: tör'i:, ig-; -yэ-) •adj. 1 executive; administrative 2 Law designed to be, or capable of being, put into effect at the appropriate time [LL exsecutorius < L exsecutus: see EXECUTOR]
exedra (ek´si drэ, ek si:´-) pl. -drae' (-dri:) •n. in ancient Greece, a room, building, or outdoor area with seats, where conversations were held [L < Gr exedra < ex-, out + hedra, a seat: see SIT]
exegesis (ek'sэ ji:´sis) pl. -ge´ses' (-si:z') •n. explanation, critical analysis, or interpretation of a word, literary passage, etc., esp. in the Bible ex'e·get´ic (-jet´ik) or ex'e·get´i·cal •adj. ex'e·get´i·cal·ly •adv. [Gr exēgēsis, explanation < exēgeisthai, to lead, explain < ex-, out + hēgeisthai, to lead, guide < IE base *seg-, *sag-, to trace, suspect > SEEK, L sagire, to perceive quickly]
exegete (ek´sэ ji:t') •n. an expert in exegesis
exegetics (ek'sэ jet´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the science, study, or practice of exegesis
exemplar (eg zem´plэr, -plär'; ig-) •n. 1 a person or thing regarded as worthy of imitation; model; pattern; archetype 2 a typical specimen or example 3 a copy of a book, pamphlet, etc. [ME < OFr exemplaire < LL exemplarium < L exemplum, a pattern, EXAMPLE]
exemplary (eg zem´plэ ri:, ig-; eg´zem plэr'i:) •adj. 1 serving as a model or example; worth imitating {exemplary behavior} 2 serving as a warning or deterrent {exemplary punishment} 3 serving as a sample, instance, type, etc.; illustrative {exemplary extracts} ex·em´pla·ri·ly •adv. ex·em´pla·ri·ness •n. [LL exemplaris: see EXEMPLAR]
exemplary damages Law damages awarded to the plaintiff beyond the actual loss, imposed as a punishment for the defendant's wrong
exemplification (eg zem'plэ fi kei´shэn, ig-) •n. 1 a showing by example 2 something that exemplifies; example 3 Law a legally attested or certified copy or transcript [ME < ML exemplificatio: see EXEMPLIFY]
exemplify (eg zem´plэ fai', ig-) -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to show by example; serve as an example of 2 to make a legally attested or certified copy or transcript of (a document) under seal [ME exemplifien < OFr exemplifier < ML exemplificare < L exemplum, an example + facere, to make, DO¹]
exemplum (eg zem´plэm, ig-) pl. -pla (-plэ) •n. 1 an example; illustration 2 a moralized tale or anecdote, esp. one included in a medieval sermon [L, EXAMPLE]
exempt (eg zempt´, ig-) •vt. to free from a rule or obligation which applies to others; excuse; release •adj. not subject to or bound by a rule, obligation, etc. applying to others [L exemptus] •n. an exempted person ex·empt´i·ble •adj. [ME exempten < Anglo-Fr exempter < L exemptus, pp. of eximere, to take out: see EXAMPLE]
exemption (eg zemp´shэn, ig-) •n. 1 an exempting or being exempted; freedom or release from a liability, obligation, etc.; immunity 2 a) the exempting from an individual's taxable income of a specified sum for the taxpayer and each dependent b) the sum specified c) any such dependent SYN.—exemption implies release from some obligation or legal requirement, esp. where others are not so released [exemption from the military draft]; immunity implies freedom from or protection against something disagreeable or menacing to which all or many are liable [immunity from a penalty, disease, taxes]; impunity specifically implies escape or freedom from punishment [to commit a crime with impunity] —ANT. liability [ME exempcioun < OFr exemption < L exemptio]
exenterate (eks en´tэr eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 orig., to disembowel 2 Surgery to take out (an organ) ex·en'ter·a´tion •n. [< L exenteratus, pp. of exenterare < Gr exenterizein < ex-, out + enteron, bowel: see INTER-]
exequatur (eks'i kweit´эr) •n. an official document given to a consul or commercial agent by the government of the country to which the person is assigned, authorizing the performance of duties there Etymology [L, 3d pers. sing., pres. subj., of exequi, exsequi, to follow out, perform: see EXECUTOR]
exequies (eks´i kwi:z) •n.pl. early var. of OBSEQUIES [ME exequies, pl. < OFr < L exequiae < exequi: see EXECUTOR]
exercise (ek´sэr saiz') •n. 1 active use or operation; employment {the exercise of an option} 2 performance (of duties, functions, etc.) 3 activity for the purpose of training or developing the body or mind; systematic practice; esp., bodily exertion for the sake of health 4 a regular series of specific movements designed to strengthen or develop some part of the body or some faculty {finger exercises for the piano} 5 a problem or group of written examples, passages, etc. to be studied and worked out for developing technical skill, as in mathematics, grammar, etc. Æ 6 [pl.] a set program of formal ceremonies, speeches, etc. {graduation exercises} •vt. -cised', -cis'ing 1 to put into action; use; employ {to exercise self-control} 2 to carry out (duties, etc.); perform; fulfill 3 [Now Rare] to use habitually; practice; train: used reflexively or in the passive {she was exercised in virtue} 4 to put (the body, a muscle, the mind, a skill, etc.) into use so as to develop or train 5 to drill (troops) 6 to engage the attention and energy of, esp. so as to worry, perplex, or harass: used esp. in the passive {greatly exercised about the decision} 7 to exert or have (influence, control, authority, etc.) •vi. to take exercise; do exercises SYN. PRACTICE ex´er·cis'a·ble •adj. [ME & OFr exercice < L exercitium < pp. of exercere, to drive out (farm animals to work), hence drill, exercise < ex-, out + arcere, to enclose < IE base *areq-, to protect, enclose > Gr arkein]
exerciser (-эr) •n. 1 one who exercises 2 a stationary apparatus with handlebars, a saddle, and rotating pedals much like a bicycle, used for exercising
exercitation (eg zør'sэ tei´shэn, ig-) •n. [Now Rare] exercise; esp., the exercising or display of special abilities, skills, etc. [ME exercitacioun < OFr exercitation < L exercitatio < pp. of exercitare, intens. of exercere: see EXERCISE]
Exercycle (ek´sэr sai'kэl) trademark for an EXERCISER (sense 2)
exergonic (ek'sэr gän´ik) •adj. of or having to do with a biochemical reaction that releases energy, as respiration or catabolism: opposed to ENDERGONIC
exergue (eks´ørg', eg´zørg') •n. 1 the space on a coin or medal below or around the pictures or designs, often used for the date, place, etc. 2 the inscription in this space [Fr, lit., that which is out of the work < ModL exergum < Gr ex, out, outside of + ergon, WORK]
exert (eg zørt´, ig-) •vt. 1 to put forth or use energetically; put into action or use {to exert strength, influence, etc.} 2 to apply (oneself) with great energy or straining effort ex·er´tive •adj. [L exsertare, freq. of exserere, to stretch out, put forth < ex-, out + serere, to join, fasten together: see SERIES]
exertion (eg zør´shэn, ig-) •n. 1 the act, fact, or process of exerting; active use of strength, power, etc.; exercise 2 energetic activity; effort SYN. EFFORT
Exeter (eks´э tэr) city in Devonshire, SW England: pop. 96,000
exeunt (ek´si: unt', -ûnt') they (two or more specified characters) leave the stage: a stage direction [L, 3d pers. pl., pres. indic., of exire: see EXIT]
exeunt omnes (äm´ni:z') all (of the characters who are on stage) leave: a stage direction [L]
exfoliate (eks fou´li: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt., vi. to cast or come off in flakes, scales, or layers, as skin, bark, rock, etc. ex·fo'li·a´tion •n. ex·fo´li·a'tive •adj. Etymology [< LL exfoliatus, pp. of exfoliare, to strip of leaves < L ex-, out + folium, a leaf: see FOIL²]
exhalant (eks heil´эnt) •adj. of or for exhalation •n. an organ or duct used for exhalation [L exhalans, prp. of exhalare]
exhalation (eks'hэ lei´shэn, ek'sэ-) •n. 1 an exhaling or being exhaled; expiration or evaporation 2 something exhaled, as air, steam, or an odor; emanation; effluvium [L exhalatio]
exhale (eks heil´, eks´heil') -haled´, -hal´ing •vi. 1 to breathe out 2 to be given off or rise into the air as vapor; evaporate •vt. 1 to breathe out (air, cigarette smoke, etc.) 2 to give off (vapor, fumes, etc.) [Fr exhaler < L exhalare < ex-, out + halare, to breathe < IE base *an- > Gr anemos, L animus]
exhaust (eg zöst´, ig-) •vt. 1 to draw off or let out completely (air, gas, etc.), as from a container 2 to use up; expend completely {to exhaust one's resources} 3 a) to empty completely; draw off the contents of; drain {to exhaust a well} b) to create a vacuum in 4 to drain of power, resources, etc. {war exhausts nations} 5 to tire out; make very weary; weaken 6 to deal with, study, or develop completely and thoroughly {to exhaust a subject} •vi. to be discharged or let out, as gas or steam from an engine •n. 1 a) the withdrawing of air, gas, etc. from a container or enclosure, as by means of a fan or pump b) an apparatus for doing this, as in getting rid of fumes, dust, stale air, etc. 2 a) the discharge or release of used steam, gas, etc. from a steam or gas turbine or from the cylinders of an engine at the end of every working stroke of the pistons b) the system of pipes, including mufflers, catalytic converters, etc. through which such steam, gas, etc. is released 3 something given off or let out, as fumes from a gasoline engine ex·haust'i·bil´i·ty •n. ex·haust´i·ble •adj. ex·haust´less •adj. [< L exhaustus, pp. of exhaurire, to draw out, exhaust < ex-, out + haurire, to draw, drain < IE base *aus- > ON ausa]
exhaustion (eg zös´chэn, ig-) •n. 1 the act of exhausting 2 the state of being exhausted; esp., a) great fatigue or weariness b) the condition of being used up; complete consumption [LL exhaustio]
exhaustive (eg zös´tiv, ig-) •adj. leaving nothing out; covering every possible detail; thorough ex·haus´tive·ly •adv. [ML exhaustivus]
exhibit (eg zib´it, ig-) •vt. 1 to present or expose to view; show; display 2 to present to public view for entertainment, instruction, advertising, judgment in a competition, etc. 3 to give evidence of; reveal {to exhibit impatience} 4 Law to present (a document or an object) formally to a court 5 Med. to administer (a drug, etc.) as a remedy •vi. to put pictures, wares, etc. on public display •n. 1 a show; display; presentation 2 a thing exhibited; esp., an object or objects displayed publicly 3 Law a document or object produced as evidence in a court SYN. PROOF, SHOW [ME exhibiten < L exhibitus, pp. of exhibere, to hold forth, present < ex-, out + habere, to hold: see HABIT]
exhibiter (-эr) •n. EXHIBITOR
exhibition (ek'sэ bish´эn) •n. 1 the act or fact of exhibiting 2 the thing or things exhibited 3 a public show or display, as of art, industrial products, athletic feats, etc. 4 [Brit.] a sum of money awarded by a school or university to help support a student [ME & OFr exhibicion < LL exhibitio < pp. of L exhibere: see EXHIBIT]
exhibitioner (-эr) •n. [Brit.] a student who is awarded an EXHIBITION (sense 4)
exhibitionism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 a tendency to call attention to oneself or show off one's talents, skill, etc. 2 Psychol. a) a tendency to expose parts of the body that are conventionally concealed, esp. in seeking sexual stimulation or gratification b) an instance of such exposure ex'hi·bi´tion·ist •n. ex'hi·bi'tion·is´tic •adj.
exhibitive (eg zib´i tiv, ig-) •adj. serving or tending to exhibit: usually with of
exhibitor (eg zib´it эr, ig-) •n. one that exhibits; esp., a) a person, company, etc. that enters an exhibit as in a fair, show, or competition Æ b) the owner or manager of a motion-picture theater
exhibitory (-i tör'i:) •adj. 1 exhibiting 2 of or for exhibition [LL exhibitorius]
exhilarant (eg zil´э rэnt, ig-) •adj. that exhilarates; exhilarating •n. a thing that exhilarates [Fr < L exhilarans, prp. of exhilarare: see EXHILARATE]
exhilarate (eg zil´э reit', ig-) -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vt. 1 to make cheerful, merry, or lively 2 to invigorate or stimulate SYN. ANIMATE ex·hil´a·ra'tive •adj. [< L exhilaratus, pp. of exhilarare, to gladden < ex-, intens. + hilarare, to gladden < hilaris, glad: see HILARIOUS]
exhilaration (eg zil'э rei´shэn, ig-) •n. 1 the act of exhilarating 2 an exhilarated condition or feeling; liveliness; high spirits; stimulation [LL exhilaratio]
exhort (eg zört´, ig-) •vt., vi. to urge earnestly by advice, warning, etc. (to do what is proper or required); admonish strongly SYN. URGE [ME exhorten < L exhortari, to exhort < ex-, out + hortari, to urge: see HORTATORY]
exhortation (eg'zör tei´shэn, -zэr-; ek'sör-, -sэr-) •n. 1 the act of exhorting 2 a plea, sermon, etc. that exhorts [ME exhortacion < OFr < L exhortatio]
exhortatory (eg zör´tэ tör'i:, ig-) •adj. of, or having the nature of, exhortation; meant to exhort; admonitory Also ex·hor´ta·tive (-tiv) [ME < LL exhortatorius]
exhume (eks hyu:m´, ik syu:m´; eg zyu:m´, ig-) -humed´, -hum´ing •vt. 1 to dig out of the earth; disinter 2 to bring to light; disclose; reveal ex·hu·ma·tion (eks'hyu: mei´shэn, eks'yu:-; eg'zyu:-) •n. [ME exhumen < ML exhumare < L ex, out + humus, the ground: see HUMUS]
exigency (eks´э jэn si:; also eg zij´эn-, ig-) pl. -cies •n. 1 the condition or quality of being exigent; urgency 2 a situation calling for immediate action or attention 3 [pl.] pressing needs; demands; requirements Also ex´i·gence (-jэns) SYN. EMERGENCY, NEED [ML exigentia]
exigent (ek´sэ jэnt) •adj. 1 calling for immediate action or attention; urgent; critical 2 requiring more than is reasonable; demanding; exacting ex´i·gent·ly •adv. [L exigens, prp. of exigere, to drive out: see EXACT]
exigible (ek´sэ jэ bэl) •adj. that can be demanded or exacted [Fr < L exigere: see EXACT]
exiguous (eg zig´yu: эs, ig-) •adj. scanty; little; small; meager ex·i·gu·i·ty (ek'sэ gyu:´э ti:) •n. [L exiguus, small < exigere: see EXACT]
exile (eks´ail', eg´zail') •n. 1 a prolonged living away from one's country, community, etc., usually enforced; banishment, sometimes self-imposed 2 a person in exile 3 the span of time in exile •vt. -iled', -il'ing to force (one) to leave one's own country, community, etc.; banish SYN. BANISH in exile 1 banished 2 taking refuge {a government in exile} the Exile the period in the 6th cent. B.C. during which the Jews were held captive in Babylonia [ME & OFr exil < L exilium < exul, an exile, one banished < ex-, out + IE base *al-, to wander aimlessly > Gr alaomai, I wander, am banished]
exilic (eks il´ik; eg zil´ik, ig-) •adj. of exile, esp. the exile of the Jews in Babylonia
Eximbank or Ex-Im Bank (eks´im bæŋk') a U.S. government agency that aids in the exporting of U.S. goods and services by making or guaranteeing loans to foreign buyers of U.S. exports
exist (eg zist´, ig-) •vi. 1 to have reality or actual being; be 2 to occur or be present {the qualities that exist in a person} 3 to continue being; live {the refugees barely exist} [Fr exister < L existere, exsistere, to come forth, stand forth < ex-, out + sistere, to cause to stand, set, place, caus. of stare, STAND]
existence (eg zis´tэns, ig-) •n. 1 the act of existing; state or fact of being 2 continuance of being; life; living 3 occurrence; specific manifestation 4 a manner of existing, being, or living {derelicts have a poor existence} 5 a being; entity; thing that exists [ME < OFr < ML existentia < prp. of L existere]
existent (eg zis´tэnt, ig-) •adj. 1 having existence or being; existing 2 existing now; present; immediate [L existens, prp. of existere, EXIST]
existential (eg'zis ten´shэl, eks'is-; -chэl) •adj. 1 of, based on, or expressing existence 2 of, relating to, or as conceived of in, existentialism 3 Logic implicitly or explicitly asserting actuality as opposed to conceptual possibility [ModL existentialis]
existentialism (-iz'эm) •n. a philosophical and literary movement, variously religious and atheistic, stemming from Kierkegaard and represented by Sartre, Heidegger, etc.: it is based on the doctrine that concrete, individual existence takes precedence over abstract, conceptual essence and holds that human beings are totally free and responsible for their acts and that this responsibility is the source of their feelings of dread and anguish ex'is·ten´tial·ist •adj., n. [Fr existentialisme < existenciel]
exit (eks´it, eg´zit) •n. 1 an actor's departure from the stage 2 a going out; departure 3 a way out; doorway or passage leading out 4 he (or she) leaves the stage: a direction in a play script [L, 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of exire] Æ 5 a ramp or road leading from an expressway •vi. to leave; depart •vt. to leave (a building, road, vehicle, etc.) {she will exit the plane at Atlanta} [L exitus, orig. pp. of exire, to go out < ex-, out + ire, to go < IE base *ei- > YEAR, Sans ĕmi, Goth iddja (I went)]
exit poll a poll taken of a small percentage of voters as they leave their voting places, with the pollster asking if they voted for or against certain candidates or issues
Exmoor (eks´mur) hilly region of moors in SW England, mostly in Somerset
exo- (eks´ou, -э) prefix outside, outer, outer part {exogamy} [< Gr exō, without < ex-, EX-¹]
exobiology (eks'ou bai äl´э ji:) •n. the branch of biology investigating the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the effects of extraterrestrial environments on living organisms from the earth ex'o·bi'o·log´i·cal •adj. ex'o·bi·ol´o·gist •n.
exocarp (eks´ou kärp') •n. the outer layer of a ripened ovary or fruit, as the skin of a plum; epicarp [EXO- + -CARP]
exocentric (eks'ou sen´trik) •adj. Linguis. designating or of a construction whose syntactic function is different from that of any of its constituents (Ex.: all the way in the sentence he ran all the way): cf. ENDOCENTRIC
exocrine (eks´ou krin', -krain', -kri:n') •adj. designating or of any gland secreting externally, either directly or through a duct •n. any such gland, as a sweat gland, or its secretion [EXO- + -crine, as in ENDOCRINE]
exocytosis (ek'sou sai tou´sis) •n. a process in which a cell releases a large molecule, particle, etc.: opposed to ENDOCYTOSIS ex'o·cy·tose´ (-tous´, -toz´), -tosed, -tosing, •vt., vi. ex'o·cy·tot´ic (-tät´ik) •adj.
Exod Bible Exodus
exodontics (eks'ou dän´tiks) •n.pl. the branch of dentistry having to do with the extraction of teeth ex'o·don´ti·a (-shэ, -shi: э) or ex'o·don´tist •n. [ModL < L ex, out + Gr odōn (gen. odontos), TOOTH + -ICS]
exodus (eks´э dэs; also eg´zэ-) •n. a going out or forth, esp. in a large group [E-] 1 the departure of the Israelites from Egypt (with the) 2 the second book of the Pentateuch in the Bible, which describes this and gives the law of Moses: abbrev. Ex or Exod [< LL Exodus (O.T. book) < Gr Exodus, lit., a going out < ex-, out + hodos, way: see -ODE¹]
exogamy (eks äg´э mi:) •n. 1 the custom, often inviolable, of marrying only outside one's own clan, tribe, etc.; outbreeding: opposed to ENDOGAMY 2 Bot. cross-pollination ex·og´a·mous or ex·o·gam·ic (eks'э gæm´ik) •adj. [EXO- + -GAMY]
exogen (ek´sэ jэn, -jen') •n. old term for DICOTYLEDON [< Fr exogène: see EXO- & -GEN]
exogenous (eks äj´э nэs) •adj. 1 developing from without; originating externally 2 Biol. of or relating to external factors, as food or light, that have an effect upon an organism ex·og´e·nous·ly •adv. [prec. + -OUS]
exon (ek´sän) •n. a sequence in the genetic code that supplies the information for protein formation
exonerate (eg zän´эr eit', ig-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 orig., to relieve of (a burden, obligation, etc.); unload 2 to free from a charge or the imputation of guilt; declare or prove blameless; exculpate SYN. ABSOLVE ex·on'er·a´tion •n. ex·on´er·a'tive •adj. ex·on´er·a'tor •n. [< L exoneratus, pp. of exonerare, to disburden < ex-, out + onerare, to load < onus (gen. oneris), a burden: see ONUS]
exonumia (ek'sэ nu:´mi: э) •n. Numismatics collectible items other than coins or paper money, as medals or tokens ex'o·num´ist •n.
exopeptidase (eks'ou pep´tэ deis') •n. any of a number of enzymes that split off the terminal amino acids of a protein
exophthalmic goiter a disease of unknown cause characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland, overproduction of the thyroid hormone, and abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs
exophthalmos (eks'äf θæl´mэs) •n. abnormal protrusion of the eyeball, caused by various disorders Also ex'oph·thal´mus (-mэs) or ex'oph·thal´mi·a (-mi: э) ex'oph·thal´mic •adj. [ModL < Gr, with prominent eyes < ex-, out + ophthalmos, an eye: see OPHTHALMIA]
exorable (eks´э rэ bэl) •adj. that can be persuaded or moved by pleas [L exorabilis < exorare, to move by entreaty < ex-, out + orare: see ORATION]
exorbitance (eg zor´bi tэns, ig-) •n. 1 a going beyond what is right or reasonable, as in demands, prices, etc.; extravagance 2 [Archaic] lawlessness Also ex·or´bi·tan·cy, pl. -cies [ME exorbitaunce: see EXORBITANT]
exorbitant (-tэnt) •adj. going beyond what is reasonable, just, proper, usual, etc.; excessive; extravagant: said esp. of charges, prices, etc. SYN. EXCESSIVE ex·or´bi·tant·ly •adv. [ME < L exorbitans, prp. of exorbitare, to go out of the track < ex-, out + orbita, a track, ORBIT]
exorcise or exorcize (eks´ör saiz') -cised' or -cized', -cis'ing or -ciz'ing •vt. 1 to drive (an evil spirit or spirits) out or away by ritual prayers, incantations, etc. 2 [Rare] to adjure (such a spirit or spirits) 3 to free from such a spirit or spirits [ME exorcisen < LL(Ec) exorcizare < Gr exorkizein, to swear a person (in N.T., to banish an evil spirit) < ex-, out + horkizein, to make one swear < horkos, an oath, akin to horkanē, enclosure, herkos, fence, prob. < IE base *ser-, wickerwork > L sarcire, to patch]
exorcism (eks´ör siz'эm, -эr-) •n. 1 the act of exorcising 2 a verbal formula or ritual used in exorcising [ME exorcisme < LL(Ec) exorcismus < Gr exorkismos]
exorcist (-sist) •n. 1 a person who exorcises 2 R.C.Ch. a member of the second highest of the four former minor orders [ME < LL exorcista < Gr exorcistēs]
exordium (eg zör´di: эm, ig-; eks-, iks-) pl. -di·ums or -di·a (-э) •n. the opening part of an oration, treatise, etc. ex·or´di·al •adj. [L < exordiri, to begin a web, begin < ex-, from + ordiri, to lay the warp, begin: for IE base see ORDER]
exoskeleton (eks'ou skel´э tэn) •n. any hard, external, secreted supporting structure, as the shell of an oyster or the cuticle of a lobster: cf. ENDOSKELETON ex'o·skel´e·tal (-tэl) •adj.
exosmosis (eks'äs mou´sis, -äz-) •n. in osmosis, the slower, outward diffusion of the more dense fluid through the semipermeable membrane to mingle with the less dense: opposed to ENDOSMOSIS ex'os·mot´ic (-äz mät´ik) •adj. [altered (after OSMOSIS) < exosmose < Fr < Gr exo, out + ōsmos, impulse: see OSMOSIS]
exosphere (eks´ou sfir', eks´э-) •n. the outermost portion of a planet's, esp. the earth's, atmosphere, consisting of a hot layer of light atoms often moving at escape velocity [EXO- + SPHERE]
exospore (eks´ou spör') •n. Bot. 1 the outer layer of the covering of a spore 2 CONIDIUM [EXO- + SPORE]
exostosis (eks'äs tou´sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. an abnormal bony growth on the surface of a bone or tooth [ModL < Gr exostōsis < ex-, outside + osteon, a bone: see OSTEO-]
exoteric (eks'э ter´ik) •adj. 1 of the outside world; external 2 not limited to a select few or an inner group of disciples; suitable for the uninitiated 3 that can be understood by the public; popular Opposed to ESOTERIC ex'o·ter´i·cal·ly •adv. [LL exotericus < Gr exōterikos, external < compar. of exō, outside: see EX-¹]
exothermic (ek'sou θør´mik, -sэ-) •adj. designating or of a chemical change in which there is a liberation of heat, as in combustion Also ex'o·ther´mal [EXO- + THERMIC]
exotic (eg zät´ik, ig-) •adj. 1 foreign; not native 2 strange or different in a way that is striking or fascinating; strangely beautiful, enticing, etc. •n. 1 a foreign or imported thing 2 a plant that is not native 3 EXOTIC DANCER ex·ot´i·cal·ly •adv. ex·ot´i·cism (-э sizªm) •n. [L exoticus < Gr exōtikos < exō, outside: see EX-¹]
exotic dancer a belly dancer, stripteaser, or the like
exotic shorthair any of a breed of domestic cat, bred by crossing a Persian cat and an American shorthair, with a dense, soft coat, longer than that of other shorthairs, and round eyes
exotica (-i kэ) •n.pl. foreign or unfamiliar things, as curious or rare art objects, strange customs, etc. [ModL < L, neut. pl. of exoticus, EXOTIC]
exotoxin (eks´ou täk'sin) •n. Bacteriology a protein toxin, as tetanus or diphtheria, secreted by bacteria [EXO- + TOXIN]
exotropia (ek'sou trou´pi: э, -sэ-) •n. a condition in which only one eye fixes on an object while the other turns outward; walleye: cf. ESOTROPIA [ModL < EXO- + -tropia, -TROPY]
exp 1 expenses 2 experience 3 experiment 4 expiration 5 expires 6 export 7 express
expand (ek spænd´, ik-) •vt. 1 to spread out; open out; stretch out; unfold {the eagle expanded its wings} 2 to make greater in size, bulk, scope, etc.; enlarge; dilate; extend 3 to enlarge upon (a topic, idea, etc.); develop in detail 4 to work out or show the full form of (a contraction, mathematical equation, etc.) •vi. 1 to become expanded; spread out, unfold, enlarge, etc. 2 to become affable, warmly communicative, etc. ex·pand´a·ble •adj. ex·pand´er •n. SYN.—expand implies an increasing in size, bulk, or volume and is the broadest term here, being applicable when the enlarging force operates from either the inside or the outside or when the increase comes about by unfolding, puffing out, spreading, or opening; swell implies expansion beyond the normal limits or size; distend implies a swelling as a result of pressure from within that forces a bulging outward; inflate suggests the use of air or gas, or of something insubstantial, to distend or swell a thing; dilate suggests a widening or stretching of something circular —ANT. contract [ME expanden < L expandere < ex-, out + pandere, to spread, extend; akin to patere: see FATHOM]
expanded (-id) •adj. 1 increased in size, area, scope, etc. 2 Printing EXTENDED (sense 4)
expanded metal sheet metal that has been cut into parallel, attached strips and stretched into a latticelike form; used to reinforce concrete, as for plastering, lath, etc.
expanse (ek spæns´, ik-) •n. 1 a large, open area or unbroken surface; wide extent; great breadth 2 expansion [ME expans < L expansum, neut. pp. of expandere: see EXPAND]
expansible (ek spæn´sэ bэl, ik-) •adj. that can be expanded ex·pan'si·bil´i·ty •n.
expansile (-sil) •adj. 1 tending to expand 2 of or characteristic of expansion
expansion (ek spæn´shэn, ik-) •n. 1 an expanding or being expanded; enlargement; dilation 2 an expanded thing or part 3 the amount, degree, or extent of expansion 4 a development or full treatment, as of a topic 5 the process or result of working out or giving the full form of a contraction, equation, etc. 6 Mech. the expanding in volume of steam in the cylinder of a steam engine after cutoff, or of gas in the cylinder of an internal-combustion engine after explosion [LL expansio < L expansus: see EXPANSE]
expansion bolt a bolt with an attachment that expands as the bolt is screwed in so as to anchor it in place, used in holes drilled in stone, concrete, etc.
expansionary (-shэ ner'i:) •adj. directed toward expansion
expansionism (ek spæn´shэn iz'эm, ik-) •n. the policy of expanding a nation's territory or its sphere of influence, often at the expense of other nations ex·pan´sion·ist •adj., n. ex·pan'sion·is´tic •adj.
expansive (ek spæn´siv, ik-) •adj. 1 tending or being able to expand 2 of, or working by means of, expansion 3 widely extended; broad; extensive; comprehensive 4 characterized by a free and generous nature; sympathetic; demonstrative; open {an expansive person} 5 Psychiatry in or of a state characterized by overestimation of oneself, overgenerosity, euphoria, and, at times, delusions of grandeur ex·pan´sive·ly •adv. ex·pan´sive·ness or ex·pan·siv·i·ty (ek'spæn siv´э ti:) •n. [< L expansus (see EXPANSE) + -IVE]
expatiate (eks pei´shi: eit', ik spei´-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. 1 orig., to roam or wander freely 2 to speak or write in great detail; elaborate or enlarge (on or upon) ex·pa'ti·a´tion •n. [< L expatiatus, pp. of expatiari, exspatiari, to go out of one's course, wander < ex-, out + spatiari, to walk, roam < spatium, SPACE]
expatriate (eks pei´tri: eit'; for adj. n., usually, -it) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt., vi. 1 to drive (a person) from his or her native land; exile 2 to withdraw (oneself) from one's native land or from allegiance to it •adj. that has become an expatriate; expatriated •n. an expatriated person SYN. BANISH ex·pa'tri·a´tion •n. [< pp. of ML expatriare, to leave the homeland < L ex, out of + patria, fatherland < pater, FATHER]
expect (ek spekt´, ik-) •vt. 1 orig., to await; wait for 2 to look for as likely to occur or appear; look forward to; anticipate {I expected you sooner} 3 to look for as due, proper, or necessary {to expect a reward} 4 [Colloq.] to suppose; presume; guess be expecting [Colloq.] to be pregnant ex·pect´a·ble •adj. SYN.—expect implies a considerable degree of confidence that a particular event will happen [to expect guests for dinner]; anticipate implies a looking forward to something with a foretaste of the pleasure or distress it promises, or a realizing of something in advance, and a taking of steps to meet it [to anticipate trouble]; hope implies a desire for something, accompanied by some confidence in the belief that it can be realized [to hope for the best]; await implies a waiting for, or a being ready for, a person or thing [a hearty welcome awaits you] Etymology [L expectare, exspectare < ex-, out + spectare, to look, freq. of specere, to see: see SPECTACLE]
expectancy (ek spek´tэn si:, ik-) pl. -cies •n. 1 an expecting or being expected; expectation 2 that which is expected, esp. on a statistical basis {life expectancy} Also ex·pect´ance (-tэns) [ML expectantia < L expectans: see EXPECTANT]
expectant (ek spek´tэnt, ik-) •adj. 1 expecting; specif., a) having or showing expectation b) waiting, as for the birth of a child or for an inheritance •n. a person who expects something ex·pect´ant·ly •adv. [ME < OFr < L expectans, prp. of expectare]
expectation (ek'spek tei´shэn) •n. 1 a looking forward to; anticipation 2 a looking for as due, proper, or necessary 3 a thing looked forward to 4 [also pl.] a reason or warrant for looking forward to something; prospect for the future, as of advancement or prosperity 5 the probability of the occurrence, duration, etc. of something, esp. as indicated by statistics ex·pect·a·tive (ek spek´tэ tiv, ik-) •adj. [L expectatio < pp. of expectare: see EXPECT]
expectorant (ek spek´tэ rænt, ik-) •adj. causing or easing the bringing up of phlegm, mucus, etc. from the respiratory tract •n. an expectorant medicine [L expectorans, prp. of expectorare: see EXPECTORATE]
expectorate (ek spek´tэ reit', ik-) -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vt., vi. 1 to cough up and spit out (phlegm, mucus, etc.) 2 to spit ex·pec'to·ra´tion •n. [< L expectoratus, pp. of expectorare, to expel from the breast < ex-, out + pectus (gen. pectoris), breast]
expediency (ek spi:´di: эn si:, ik-) pl. -cies •n. 1 the quality or state of being expedient; suitability for a given purpose; appropriateness to the conditions 2 the doing or consideration of what is of selfish use or advantage rather than of what is right or just; self-interest 3 an expedient Also ex·pe´di·ence
expedient (ek spi:´di: эnt, ik-) •adj. 1 useful for effecting a desired result; suited to the circumstances or the occasion; advantageous; convenient 2 based on or offering what is of use or advantage rather than what is right or just; guided by self-interest; politic •n. 1 an expedient thing; means to an end 2 a device used in an emergency; makeshift; resource SYN. RESOURCE ex·pe´di·ent·ly •adv. [ME < OFr < L expediens, prp. of expedire: see EXPEDITE]
expediential (ek spi:'di: эn´shэl, ik-) •adj. based on or guided by expediency
expedite (eks´pэ dait') -dit'ed, -dit'ing •vt. 1 to speed up or make easy the progress or action of; hasten; facilitate 2 to do quickly 3 [Rare] to send off; issue officially; dispatch •adj. 1 [Obs.] not impeded 2 [Obs.] prompt, ready, or alert [< L expeditus, pp. of expedire, lit., to free one caught by the feet, hence hasten, dispatch < ex-, out + pes (gen. pedis), FOOT]
expediter (-эr) •n. a person who expedites; esp., one employed by an industry, government agency, etc. to expedite urgent or involved projects
expedition (eks'pэ dish´эn) •n. 1 a) a sending forth or starting out on a journey, voyage, march, etc. for some definite purpose, as exploration or battle b) the journey, etc. itself c) the people, ships, equipment, etc. on such a journey 2 efficient speed; dispatch SYN. HASTE, TRIP ex'pe·di´tion·ar'y •adj. [ME expedicioun < OFr expedition < L expeditio < pp. of expedire: see EXPEDITE]
expeditious (eks'pэ dish´эs) •adj. done with or characterized by expedition; efficient and speedy; prompt ex'pe·di´tious·ly •adv.
expel (ek spel´, ik-) -pelled´, -pel´ling •vt. 1 to drive out by force; force out; eject 2 to dismiss or send away by authority; deprive of rights, membership, etc. SYN. EJECT ex·pel´la·ble •adj. ex·pel·lee (ek'spel i:´) •n. ex·pel´ler •n. [ME expellen < L expellere < ex-, out + pellere, to thrust: see PULSE¹]
expellant or expellent (-эnt) •adj. expelling or tending to expel •n. an expellant medicine [< L expellans, prp. of expellere]
expend (ek spend´, ik-) •vt. 1 to spend 2 to consume by using; use up [ME expenden < L expendere, to weigh out, pay out < ex-, out + pendere, to weigh: see PENDANT]
expendable (ek spen´dэ bэl, ik-) •adj. 1 that can be expended 2 Mil. a) designating supplies or equipment expected to be used up or destroyed in service and therefore not entered on a certificate of expenditure b) designating equipment or men considered replaceable and therefore worth sacrificing to gain an objective •n. a person or thing considered expendable ex·pend'a·bil´i·ty •n.
expenditure (ek spen´di chэr, ik-) •n. 1 the act of expending; a spending or using up of money, time, etc. 2 the amount of money, time, etc. expended; expense [< ML expenditus, irreg. pp. for L expendere + -URE]
expense (ek spens´, ik-) •n. 1 [Obs.] the act of expending; a spending or using up 2 financial cost; fee; charge 3 any cost or sacrifice 4 [pl.] a) charges or costs met with in running a business, doing one's work, maintaining property, etc. b) money to pay for these charges 5 a cause of spending; drain on one's finances {a car can be a considerable expense} •vt. -pensed´, -pensing 1 to charge or record as an expense 2 to charge to an expense account at the expense of with the payment, onus, loss, etc. borne by [ME < Anglo-Fr < LL expensa (pecunia), paid out (money) < L expensum, neut. pp. of expendere: see EXPEND]
expense account a record of business expenses of an employee, to be paid for by the employer
expensive (ek spen´siv, ik-) •adj. requiring or involving much expense; high-priced; dear SYN. COSTLY ex·pen´sive·ly •adv. ex·pen´sive·ness •n.
experience (ek spir´i: эns, ik-) •n. 1 the act of living through an event or events; personal involvement in or observation of events as they occur 2 anything observed or lived through {an experience he'll never forget} 3 a) all that has happened in one's life to date {not within his experience} b) everything done or undergone by a group, people in general, etc. 4 the effect on a person of anything or everything that has happened to that person; individual reaction to events, feelings, etc. 5 a) activity that includes training, observation of practice, and personal participation b) the period of such activity c) knowledge, skill, or practice resulting from this •vt. -enced, -enc·ing to have experience of; personally encounter or feel; meet with; undergo [ME < OFr < L experientia, trial, proof, experiment < experiens, prp. of experiri, to try, test: see PERIL]
experienced (-эnst) •adj. 1 having had much experience, as in a particular occupation or activity 2 having learned from experience; made wise, competent, etc. by experience
experiential (ek spir'i: en´shэl, ik-; -chэl) •adj. of or based on experience; empirical ex·pe'ri·en´tial·ly •adv. [< L experientia + -AL]
experiment (ek sper´э mэnt, ik-; also, & for v. usually, -ment; often, -spir´-) •n. 1 a test or trial of something; specif., a) any action or process undertaken to discover something not yet known or to demonstrate something known b) any action or process designed to find out whether something is effective, workable, valid, etc. 2 the conducting of such tests or trials; experimentation •vi. to make an experiment or experiments SYN. TRIAL ex·per´i·ment'er •n. [ME < OFr < L experimentum, a trial, test < experiri: see PERIL]
experimental (ek sper'э ment´ªl, ik-; often, -spir'-) •adj. 1 of or based on experience rather than on theory or authority 2 based on, tested by, or having the nature of, experiment 3 for the sake of experiment; designed to test 4 tentative 5 of or used for experiments ex·per'i·men´tal·ly •adv. [ME < ML experimentalis: see EXPERIMENT]
experimentalism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 the theory or practice of depending on experimentation; empiricism 2 fondness for experimenting or for new experiences, procedures, etc. ex·per'i·men´tal·ist •n., adj.
experimentation (ek sper'э mэn tei´shэn, -men-; ik-; often, -spir'-) •n. the conducting of experiments [ML experimentatio]
expert (eks´pэrt; for adj., also eks pørt´, ik spørt´) •adj. 1 very skillful; having much training and knowledge in some special field 2 of or from an expert {an expert opinion} •n. a person who is very skillful or highly trained and informed in some special field [Fr] ex´pert·ly •adv. ex´pert·ness •n. [ME < OFr < L expertus, pp. of experiri: see PERIL]
expertise (ek'spэr ti:z´; also, -ti:s´) •n. the skill, knowledge, judgment, etc. of an expert [Fr]
expertize (ek´spэr taiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to give an expert opinion of genuineness, value, etc. of (a postage stamp, painting, etc.) ex'pert·i·za´tion •n.
expiable (eks´pi: э bэl) •adj. that can be expiated [Fr]
expiate (eks´pi: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to make amends or reparation for (wrongdoing or guilt); atone for 2 to pay the penalty of; suffer for ex'pi·a´tion •n. ex´pi·a'tor •n. [< L expiatus, pp. of expiare, to make satisfaction or atonement < ex-, out + piare, to appease, akin to pius, PIOUS]
expiatory (eks´pi: э tör'i:) •adj. that expiates or is meant to expiate [LL expiatorius]
expiration (ek'spэ rei´shэn) •n. 1 a breathing out, as of air from the lungs 2 a) something breathed out b) a sound, etc. made by breathing out 3 a breathing one's last; dying 4 a coming to an end; close 5 a formal termination on a closing date, as of a contract or subscription [ME expiracioun < L expiratio, exspiratio < pp. of exspirare, EXPIRE]
expiratory (ek spai´rэ tör'i:, -spai´эr э-; ik-) •adj. of expiration; relating to breathing out air from the lungs
expire (ek spair´, ik-) -pired´, -pir´ing •vt. 1 to breathe out (air from the lungs) 2 [Obs.] to give off (an odor, etc.) •vi. 1 to breathe out air 2 to breathe one's last breath; die 3 to come to an end; terminate; cease {the lease expired} SYN. DIE¹ [ME expiren < L exspirare < ex-, out + spirare, to breathe: see SPIRIT]
expiry (eks pai´ri:; also eks´pэ-) pl. -ries •n. 1 a coming to an end; termination 2 [Archaic] death [prec. + -Y¹]
explain (ek splein´, ik-) •vt. 1 to make clear, plain, or understandable 2 to give the meaning or interpretation of; expound 3 to account for; state reasons for •vi. to give an explanation explain away to state reasons for so as to justify, often by minimizing, or make understandable explain oneself 1 to make clear what one means 2 to give reasons justifying one's conduct ex·plain´a·ble •adj. SYN.—explain implies a making clear or intelligible of something that is not known or understood [to explain how a machine operates]; expound implies a systematic and thorough explanation, often one made by a person having expert knowledge [to expound a theory]; explicate implies a scholarly analysis or exposition that is developed in detail [the explication of a Biblical passage]; elucidate implies a shedding light upon by clear and specific explanation, illustration, etc. [to elucidate the country's foreign policy]; to interpret is to bring out meanings not immediately apparent, as by translation, searching insight, or special knowledge [how do you interpret his silence?]; construe suggests a particular interpretation of something whose meaning is ambiguous [his statement is not to be lightly construed] [ME explanen < L explanare, to flatten < ex-, out + planare, to make level < planus, level (see PLANE²): sp. infl. by PLAIN¹]
explanation (eks'plэ nei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of explaining 2 something that explains 3 the interpretation, meaning, or sense given in explaining 4 a mutual defining of terms, declaration of motives, etc. to clear up a misunderstanding or settle a dispute [ME explanacioun < L explanatio < pp. of explanare]
explanatory (ek splæn´э tör'i:, ik-) •adj. explaining or intended to explain Also ex·plan´a·tive (-э tiv) ex·plan´a·to'ri·ly •adv. [LL explanatorius]
explant (eks plænt´) •vt. to transfer (living tissue) for culture in an artificial medium •n. this tissue or culture ex'plan·ta´tion (-plæn tei´shэn) •n. [EX-¹ + PLANT, vt.]
expletive (eks´plэ tiv) •n. 1 an oath or exclamation, esp. an obscenity 2 a word, phrase, etc. not needed for the sense but used merely to fill out a sentence or metrical line, for grammar, rhythm, balance, etc. {there in there is nothing left is an expletive} 3 [Rare] anything serving as a filler •adj. used to fill out a sentence, line, etc. Also ex´ple·to'ry (-tör'i:) [LL expletivus, serving to fill < L expletus, pp. of explere, to fill < ex-, out, up + plere, to fill: see FULL¹]
explicable (eks´pli kэ bэl; often ik splik´э-) •adj. that can be explained; explainable [L explicabilis < explicare: see EXPLICATE]
explicate (eks´pli keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. to make clear or explicit (something obscure or implied); explain fully SYN. EXPLAIN ex'pli·ca´tion •n. ex·pli·ca·tive (eks´pli keit'iv; also ik splik´э tiv) or ex·pli·ca·to·ry (eks´pli kэ tör'i:; also ik splik´э-) •adj. ex´pli·ca'tor •n. [< L explicatus, pp. of explicare, to unfold < ex-, out + plicare, to fold: see FLAX]
explication de texte (ek spli: kä syouñt tekst´) an intensive scrutiny and interpretation of the interrelated details of a written work, esp. a literary one [Fr]
explicit (eks plis´it, ik splis´-) •adj. 1 clearly stated and leaving nothing implied; distinctly expressed; definite: distinguished from IMPLICIT 2 saying what is meant, without reservation or disguise; outspoken 3 plain to see; readily observable ex·plic´it·ly •adv. ex·plic´it·ness •n. SYN.—explicit is applied to that which is so clearly stated or distinctly set forth that there should be no doubt as to the meaning; express adds to explicit the ideas of directness and positiveness; exact and precise, in this connection, both suggest that which is strictly defined, accurately stated, or made unmistakably clear; definite implies precise limitations as to the nature, character, meaning, etc. of something; specific implies the pointing up of details or the particularizing of references —ANT. vague, ambiguous [OFr explicite < ML explicitus < L, pp. of explicare: see EXPLICATE]
explicit function Math. a function whose values may be computed directly, as y = x² + 1: compare IMPLICIT FUNCTION
explode (ek sploud´, ik-) -plod´ed, -plod´ing •vt. 1 to cause to be rejected; expose as false; discredit {to explode a theory} 2 to make burst with a loud noise; blow up; detonate 3 to cause to change suddenly and violently from a solid or liquid to a quickly expanding gas 4 to cause rapid nuclear fusion or fission in, with accompanying destructive force •vi. 1 to be exploded; burst noisily and violently 2 to break forth noisily {to explode with anger} 3 to increase very rapidly {the area's population is exploding} ex·plod´a·ble •adj. ex·plod´er •n. [orig., to drive off the stage by clapping and hooting < L explodere < ex-, off + plaudere, to applaud]
exploded view a photograph or drawing showing separately but in proper sequence and relationship the various parts of an assembly, as of a machine
exploit (eks´ploit'; also, and for v. usually, eks ploit´, ik sploit´) •n. an act remarkable for brilliance or daring; bold deed •vt. 1 to make use of; turn to account; utilize productively 2 to make unethical use of for one's own advantage or profit; specif., to make profit from the labor of (others) without giving a just return 3 Advertising to stir up interest in; promote {to exploit a product} ex·ploit´a·ble •adj. ex·ploit´er •n. [ME & OFr esploit, an exploit, action < L explicitum, neut. pp. of explicare: see EXPLICATE]
exploitation (eks'ploi tei´shэn) •n. an exploiting or being exploited (in various senses)
exploitative (eks ploit´э tiv, ik sploit´-) •adj. 1 exploiting 2 of exploitation Also ex·ploi·tive (eks ploit´iv, ik sploit´-)
exploration (eks'plэ rei´shэn, -plör ei´-) •n. an exploring or being explored [L exploratio < pp. of explorare: see EXPLORE]
exploratory (eks plör´э tör'i:, ik splör´-) •adj. of, in, or for exploration Also ex·plor´a·tive (-tiv) [ME < L exploratorius]
explore (ek splör´, ik-) -plored´, -plor´ing •vt. 1 to look into closely; examine carefully; investigate 2 to travel in (a region previously unknown or little known) in order to learn about its natural features, inhabitants, etc. 3 Med. to examine (an organ, wound, etc.) by operation, probing, etc., as in order to make a diagnosis •vi. to explore new regions, etc. [L explorare, to search out < ex-, out + plorare, to cry out, wail]
explorer (-эr) •n. 1 a person who explores; esp., one who explores an unknown or little-known region 2 [E-] any of a series of U.S. satellites designed to study space, esp. the solar wind and radiation: Explorer 1 (January 31, 1958) was the first successful U.S. satellite
explosion (ek splou´zhэn, ik-) •n. 1 an exploding; esp., a blowing up, or bursting with a loud noise; detonation 2 the noise made by exploding 3 a noisy outburst; loud breaking forth {an explosion of wrath} 4 a sudden, rapid, and widespread increase {a population explosion} 5 Phonet. PLOSION [L explosio < pp. of explodere: see EXPLODE]
explosive (ek splou´siv, ik-) •adj. 1 of, causing, or having the nature of, an explosion 2 tending to explode; esp., tending to burst forth noisily 3 Phonet. PLOSIVE •n. 1 a substance that can explode, as gunpowder 2 Phonet. PLOSIVE ex·plo´sive·ly •adv. ex·plo´sive·ness •n.
expo (eks´pou) •n. [Colloq.] short for EXPOSITION
exponent (eks poun´эnt, ik spoun´-; also, esp. for n. 3, eks´poun'-) •adj. explaining, interpreting, or expounding •n. 1 a person who sets forth, expounds, or promotes (principles, methods, etc.) 2 a person or thing that is an example or symbol (of something); representative 3 Algebra a small figure or symbol placed above and at the right of another figure or symbol to show how many times the latter is to be multiplied by itself (Ex.: b³ = b X b X b): zero, negative, and fractional exponents have special rules (Ex.: a0 = 1, a-² = 1/a², a½ = √a) [L exponens, prp. of exponere: see EXPOUND]
exponential (eks'pou nen´shэl, -chэl) •adj. 1 Math. a) of or relating to an exponent b) involving a variable or unknown quantity as an exponent 2 increasing in extraordinary proportions because of greatly increased population ex'po·nen´tial·ly •adv.
export (for v. eks pört´, ik spört´, also eks´pört'; for n. adj. eks´pört') •vt. 1 to carry or send (goods) to another country or other countries, esp. for purposes of sale 2 to carry or send (ideas, culture, etc.) from one place to another 3 [Obs.] to carry off; transport •n. 1 something exported 2 the act or process of exporting •adj. of or for exporting or exports ex·port´a·ble •adj. ex·port´er •n. [L exportare < ex-, out + portare, to carry: see PORT²]
exportation (eks'pör tei´shэn) •n. 1 the act or process of exporting 2 anything exported [L exportatio]
expose (eks pouz´, ik spouz´) -posed´, -pos´ing •vt. 1 a) to lay open (to danger, attack, ridicule, etc.); leave unprotected b) to make accessible or subject (to an influence or action) 2 to put or leave out in an unprotected place; abandon {some ancient peoples exposed unwanted infants} 3 to allow to be seen; disclose; reveal; exhibit; display 4 a) to make (a crime, fraud, etc.) known; unmask b) to make known the crimes, etc. of 5 Photog. to subject (a sensitized film or plate) to radiation having a photochemical effect SYN. SHOW ex·pos´er •n. [ME exposen < OFr exposer < L expositus, pp. of exponere (see EXPOUND) but infl. by OFr poser: see POSE¹]
exposé (eks'pou zei´, eks´pou zei') •n. a public disclosure of a scandal, crime, etc. [Fr < pp. of exposer: see EXPOSE]
exposition (eks'pэ zish´эn) •n. 1 a setting forth of facts, ideas, etc.; detailed explanation 2 writing or speaking that sets forth or explains 3 an exhibition; esp., a large public exhibition or show, often international in scope [< Fr] 4 that part of a play, etc. which reveals what has happened before, who the characters are, etc. 5 the first section of certain musical forms, which introduces the main theme or themes, as in a sonata, or all the voices, as in a fugue ex'po·si´tion·al •adj. [ME exposicioun < OFr exposition < L expositio < expositus, pp. of exponere: see EXPOUND]
expositor (eks päz´эt эr, ik späz´-) •n. a person who expounds or explains [ME expositour < OFr expositeur < L expositor < expositus: see EXPOSITION]
expository (eks päz´э tör'i:, ik späz´-) •adj. of, like, or containing exposition; explanatory Also ex·pos´i·tive (-э tiv) [ML expositorius]
expostulate (eks päs´chэ leit', ik späs´-) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vi. to reason with a person earnestly, objecting to that person's actions or intentions; remonstrate (with) SYN. OBJECT ex·pos'tu·la´tion •n. ex·pos´tu·la'tor •n. ex·pos´tu·la·to'ry (-lэ tör'i:) •adj. [< L expostulatus, pp. of expostulare, to demand vehemently, require < ex-, intens. + postulare: see POSTULATE]
exposure (eks pou´zhэr, ik spou´-) •n. 1 an exposing or being exposed 2 a location, as of a house, in relation to the sun, winds, etc. {an eastern exposure} 3 appearance, esp. frequent appearance, before the public, as in the theater, on radio and TV, etc. 4 the fact of being exposed in a helpless condition to the elements 5 Photog. a) the subjection of a sensitized film or plate to the action of light rays, X-rays, etc. b) a sensitized surface or section of a film for making one picture c) the time during which such a surface or film is exposed [EXPOS(E) + -URE]
exposure meter Photog. an instrument that measures the intensity of light striking, or reflecting from, the subject, used to find the correct exposure settings; light meter
expound (eks paund´, ik spaund´) •vt. 1 to set forth point by point; state in detail 2 to explain or interpret; clarify •vi. to comment (on); make a statement SYN. EXPLAIN ex·pound´er •n. [ME expounden < OFr expondre < L exponere, to put forth, expound < ex-, out + ponere, to put: see POSITION]
express (eks pres´, ik spres´) •vt. 1 to press out or squeeze out (juice, etc.) 2 to get by pressure; elicit by force; extort 3 to put into words; represent by language; state 4 to make known; reveal; show {his face expressed sorrow} 5 to picture, represent, or symbolize in music, art, etc. 6 to show by sign; symbolize; signify {the sign + expresses addition} Æ 7 to send by express •adj. [ME & OFr expres < L expressus] 1 a) expressed and not implied; explicit {to give express orders} b) specific {his express reason for going} 2 exact {she is the express image of her aunt} 3 made for or suited to a special purpose {express regulations} 4 fast, direct, and making few stops {an express train} [orig., for the express purpose of running to one station] 5 characterized by speed or velocity; specif., a) for fast driving {an express highway} b) high-speed {an express bullet} c) for high-speed projectiles {an express rifle} d) having to do with railway express, pony express, etc. •adv. by express •n. 1 [Chiefly Brit.] a) a special messenger; courier b) a message delivered by such a messenger; dispatch sent swiftly 2 a) an express train, bus, elevator, etc. b) an express rifle 3 the pony express Æ 4 a) a method or service for transporting goods or sending money or mail rapidly, but at extra cost b) the goods transported or money sent by express c) a business concern operating such a service 5 any method or means of swift transmission SYN. EXPLICIT, UTTER² express oneself 1 to state one's thoughts 2 to give expression to one's feelings, imagination, etc., in creative or artistic activity ex·press´er •n. ex·press´i·ble •adj. [ME expressen < ML expressare < L expressus, pp. of exprimere, to express, lit., force out < ex-, out + premere: see PRESS¹]
express rifle a hunting rifle using a large charge and a light bullet of large caliber, discharged with a high initial velocity; used to kill large game at short range
expressage (-ij) •n. 1 the carrying of packages, etc. by express 2 the charge for this
expression (eks presh´эn, ik spresh´-) •n. 1 a pressing out or squeezing out, as of juice 2 a putting into words or representing in language 3 a picturing, representing, or symbolizing in art, music, etc. 4 a manner of expressing; esp., a meaningful and eloquent manner of speaking, singing, etc. {to read with expression} 5 a particular word, phrase, or sentence {catch cold is an idiomatic expression} 6 a showing of feeling, character, etc. {laughter as an expression of joy} 7 a look, intonation, sign, etc. that conveys meaning or feeling {a quizzical expression on the face} 8 a symbol or set of symbols expressing some mathematical fact, as a quantity or operation 9 a showing by a symbol, sign, figures, etc. 10 Genetics the manifestation of a trait caused by a particular gene [ME expressioun < L expressio < expressus: see EXPRESS]
expressionism (-iz'эm) •n. an early 20th-cent. movement in art, literature, and drama, characterized by distortion of reality and the use of symbols, stylization, etc. to give objective expression to inner experience ex·pres´sion·ist •adj., n. ex·pres'sion·is´tic •adj. ex·pres'sion·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.
expressionless (-lis) •adj. lacking expression; blank and impassive ex·pres´sion·less·ly •adv.
expressive (eks pres´iv, ik spres´-) •adj. 1 of or characterized by expression 2 that expresses or shows; indicative (of) {a song expressive of joy} 3 full of meaning or feeling {an expressive nod} ex·pres´sive·ly •adv. ex·pres´sive·ness •n. [ME < ML expressivus]
expressivity (eks'pres siv´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality of being expressive 2 Genetics the relative degree to which a trait caused by a gene is manifested in an individual
expressly (eks pres´li:, ik spres´-) •adv. 1 in a plain and definite way; explicitly 2 for the specific purpose; particularly
expressman (eks pres´mэn, ik spres´-) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a person employed by an express company; esp., a driver of an express truck, who collects and delivers packages
expresso (ek spres´ou) •n. ESPRESSO
expressway (eks pres´wei', ik spres´-) •n. a divided highway for through traffic, with full or partial control of access and generally with overpasses or underpasses at intersections [EXPRESS + (HIGH)WAY]
expropriate (eks prou´pri: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to take (land, property, etc.) from its owner; esp., to take for public use or in the public interest, as by right of eminent domain 2 to transfer (property) from another to oneself 3 to deprive of ownership; dispossess ex·pro'pri·a´tion •n. ex·pro´pri·a'tor •n. [< ML expropriatus, pp. of expropriare, to deprive of one's own < L ex-, out + proprius, one's own]
expulsion (eks pûl´shэn, ik spûl´-) •n. an expelling, or forcing out, or the condition of being expelled ex·pul´sive (-siv) •adj. [ME expulsioun < OFr expulsion < L expulsio < expulsus, pp. of expellere]
expunction (ek spûnk´shэn, ik-) •n. an expunging or being expunged [LL expunctio < L expunctus]
expunge (ek spûnj´, ik-) -punged´, -pung´ing •vt. to erase or remove completely; blot out or strike out; delete; cancel SYN. ERASE [L expungere (pp. expunctus), to mark (with points) for omission, erase < ex-, out + pungere, to prick: see POINT]
expurgate (eks´pэr geit') -gat'ed, -gat'ing •vt. 1 to remove passages considered obscene or otherwise objectionable from (a book, etc.) 2 to expunge (objectionable material) from; delete ex'pur·ga´tion •n. ex´pur·ga'tor •n. ex·pur´ga·to'ry (-gэ tör'i:) •adj. [< L expurgatus, pp. of expurgare, to purge, cleanse < ex-, out + purgare, PURGE]
exquisite (eks´kwi zit, -kwiz'it; often ik skwiz´it) •adj. 1 carefully done or elaborately made {an exquisite design} 2 very beautiful or lovely, esp. in a delicate or carefully wrought way {exquisite lace} 3 of highest quality; consummate {exquisite technique} 4 highly sensitive; keenly discriminating; fastidious {an exquisite ear for music} 5 sharply intense; keen {exquisite pain} •n. a person who makes a great show of being refined and fastidious in matters of taste, etc. SYN. DELICATE ex´qui·site·ly •adv. ex´qui·site·ness •n. [ME, carefully sought out < L exquisitus, pp. of exquirere, to search out < ex-, out + quaerere, to ask]
exr executor
exsanguine (eks sæŋ´gwin) •adj. bloodless; anemic [EX-¹ + L sanguis (gen. sanguinis), blood]
exscind (ek sind´) •vt. to cut out; excise; extirpate [L exscindere < ex-, out + scindere, to cut: see SCISSION]
exsect (eks sekt´) •vt. to cut out ex·sec´tion •n. [< L exsectus, pp. of exsecare < ex-, out + secare, to cut: see SAW²]
exsert (eks sørt´) •vt. to thrust out; protrude; project •adj. EXSERTED ex·ser´tile (-sørt´ªl) •adj. ex·ser´tion •n. [< L exsertus, pp. of exserere, to stretch out: see EXERT]
exserted (-id) •adj. projecting, as from a sheath or pod
exsiccate (ek´si keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt., vi. to dry up ex'sic·ca´tion •n. [ME exsiccaten < L exsiccatus, pp. of exsiccare, to make dry < ex-, out + siccare, to dry < siccus, dry: see DESICCATE]
exstipulate (eks stip´yu lit, -leit') •adj. Bot. having no stipules
exstrophy (ek´strэ fi:) •n. Med. the turning inside out of an organ; esp., such a congenital condition of the urinary bladder [< EX-¹ + Gr strophē, a turning: see STROPHE]
ext 1 extension 2 exterior 3 external 4 extra 5 extract
extant (eks´tэnt; ek stænt´, ik-) •adj. 1 still existing; not extinct; not lost or destroyed 2 [Archaic] standing out; conspicuous [L extans, exstans, prp. of exstare, to stand out or forth < ex-, out + stare, STAND]
extemporal (eks tem´pэ rэl) •adj. archaic var. of EXTEMPORANEOUS [L extemporalis: see EXTEMPORE]
extemporaneous (eks'tem' pэ rei´ni: эs, ik stem'-) •adj. 1 made, done, or spoken without any preparation; unpremeditated; offhand {an extemporaneous speech} 2 spoken with some preparation but not written out or memorized: distinguished from IMPROMPTU 3 speaking or adept at speaking without preparation 4 made for the occasion; improvised SYN. IMPROMPTU ex'tem'po·ra´ne·ous·ly •adv. [LL extemporaneus: see EXTEMPORE]
extemporary (eks tem´pэ rer'i:, ik stem´-) •adj. EXTEMPORANEOUS SYN. IMPROMPTU ex·tem'po·rar´i·ly •adv. ex·tem´po·rar'i·ness •n.
extempore (eks tem´pэ ri:, ik stem´-) •adv., adj. without preparation; offhand {a speech given extempore} SYN. IMPROMPTU [L, lit., out of the time < ex-, from, out of + tempore, abl. of tempus, time: see TEMPER]
extemporize (-raiz') -rized', -riz'ing •vi., vt. 1 to speak, perform, or compose extempore; improvise 2 to furnish or contrive (things) in a makeshift way to meet a pressing need ex·tem'po·ri·za´tion •n. ex·tem´po·riz'er •n.
extend (ek stend´, ik-) •vt. 1 to stretch out or draw out to a certain point, or for a certain distance or time 2 to enlarge in area, scope, influence, meaning, effect, etc.; widen; broaden; expand; spread 3 to stretch or thrust forth; hold out; proffer 4 to present for acceptance; offer; accord; grant 5 to stretch or straighten out (a flexed limb of the body) 6 a) to make longer in time or space; prolong b) to allow a period of time for the payment of (a loan, mortgage, etc.) beyond that originally set 7 to make (oneself) work or try very hard 8 to give added bulk or body to (a substance) by adding another, usually cheaper or inferior, substance 9 [Obs.] to gain control of by force 10 Commerce to calculate (an amount on an invoice) by multiplying quantity by price •vi. 1 to be extended 2 to lie or stretch {the fence extends to the meadow} SYN.—extend and lengthen both imply a making longer in space or time, but extend, in addition, may signify an enlarging in area, scope, influence, meaning, etc.; elongate is a synonym for lengthen in the spatial sense and is more commonly used in technical applications; prolong and protract both primarily imply an extending in time, prolong suggesting continuation beyond the usual or expected time, and protract a being drawn out needlessly or wearingly [ME extended < L extendere < ex-, out + tendere, to stretch: see THIN]
extended (-sten´did) •adj. 1 stretched out; spread out 2 prolonged; continued 3 enlarged in influence, meaning, scope, effect, etc.; extensive 4 Printing designating type with a wider face than is standard for the height
extended care nursing care provided for a limited time after a hospital stay, as in a special facility
extended family a group of relatives by blood, marriage, or adoption, often including a nuclear family, living in close proximity or together, esp. if three generations are involved
extender (ek sten´dэr, ik-) •n. 1 a substance or ingredient added to another to give more bulk or body or to adulterate or dilute it 2 a part added or attached, for lengthening
extendible (ek sten´dэ bэl) •adj. EXTENSIBLE Also ex·tend´a·ble ex·tend´i·bil´i·ty (-bil´э ti:) or ex·tend´a·bil´i·ty •n.
extensible (ek sten´sэ bэl, ik-) •adj. that can be extended Also ex·ten´sile (-sэl) ex·ten'si·bil´i·ty •n. [Fr < ML extensibilis < L extensus, pp. of extendere]
extension (ek sten´shэn, ik-; -chэn) •n. 1 an extending or being extended 2 the amount or degree to which something is or can be extended; range; extent 3 a part that forms a continuation or addition {an extension to a factory} 4 an extra period of time allowed a debtor for making payment 5 a branch of a university for students who cannot attend the university proper 6 an extra telephone connected to the same line as the main telephone 7 a) the straightening of a flexed limb b) traction applied to a fractured or dislocated limb so as to bring it into its normal position 8 Commerce a) an amount on an invoice calculated by multiplying quantity by price b) the calculation of such an amount 9 Logic the class of all particular objects to which a term refers; denotation: cf. INTENSION (sense 4) 10 Physics that property of a body by which it occupies space Æ adj. designating a device that can be extended or that extends something else {extension ladder, extension cord} ex·ten¿sion·al •adj. [ME extensioun < L extensio < pp. of extendere: see EXTEND]
extensity (ek sten´sэ ti:, ik-) •n. 1 the quality of having extension 2 Psychol. that quality of sensation which permits the perception of space or size
extensive (ek sten´siv, ik-) •adj. 1 having great extent; covering a large area; vast 2 having a wide scope, effect, influence, etc.; far-reaching; comprehensive 3 of or characterized by extension 4 designating or of farming in which large areas of land are used with minimum expense, resulting in a low yield per acre: see INTENSIVE (sense 4) ex·ten´sive·ly •adv. ex·ten´sive·ness •n. [ME < L extensivus < extensus: see EXTENSIBLE]
extensometer (ek'sten säm´эt эr) •n. an instrument for measuring extremely small degrees of expansion, contraction, or deformation, as in a test piece of metal subjected to tension [< L extensus (see EXTENSIBLE) + -METER]
extensor (ek sten´sэr, -sör'; ik-) •n. a muscle that extends or straightens some part of the body, esp. a flexed arm or leg [LL extensor, stretcher < L extensus: see EXTENSIBLE]
extent (ek stent´, ik-) •n. 1 the space, amount, or degree to which a thing extends; size; length; breadth 2 range or limits of anything; scope; coverage 3 an extended space; vast area {an extent of woodland} 4 [Historical] Eng. Law a) a writ directing the seizure of a debtor's property to compel payment of the debt b) a valuation of property, as one made in connection with such a writ [ME extente < Anglo-Fr < OFr estente < estendre < L extendere]
extenuate (ek sten´yu: eit', ik-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 orig., to make thin or lean 2 [Now Rare] to diminish or weaken 3 to lessen or seem to lessen the seriousness of (an offense, guilt, etc.) by giving excuses or serving as an excuse {extenuating circumstances} 4 [Archaic] to underrate; underestimate 5 [Obs.] to belittle or disparage ex·ten´u·a'tor •n. [< L extenuatus, pp. of extenuare < ex-, out + tenuare, to make thin < tenuis, THIN]
extenuation (ek sten'yu: ei´shэn, ik-) •n. 1 an extenuating or being extenuated; esp., mitigation, as of the seriousness of a crime, offense, etc. 2 a thing that extenuates; partial excuse [ME extenuacioun < L extenuatio]
extenuatory (ek sten´yu: э tör'i:, ik-) •adj. extenuating or tending to extenuate Also ex·ten´u·a'tive (-eit'iv)
exterior (ek stir´i: эr, ik-) •adj. 1 a) on the outside; outer; outermost {an exterior wall} b) to be used on the outside {exterior paint} 2 originating outside; acting or coming from without {exterior forces} •n. 1 an outside or outside surface 2 an outward appearance {a misleading exterior} Æ 3 a picture, view, stage setting, etc. of a scene outdoors ex·te´ri·or·ly •adv. [L, compar. of exter, exterus, on the outside: see EXTERNAL]
exterior angle 1 any of the four angles formed on the outside of two straight lines when crossed by a transversal: see ALTERNATE ANGLES, illus. 2 an angle formed by any side of a polygon and the extension of the adjacent side
exteriority (ek stir'i: ör´э ti:, ik-) •n. 1 the state or quality of being exterior or exteriorized 2 external aspect
exteriorize (ek stir´i: эr aiz', ik-) -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to give or attribute an external form or objective character outside the self to (states of mind, attitudes, etc.) 2 EXTERNALIZE ex·te'ri·or·i·za´tion •n.
exterminate (ek stør´mэ neit', ik-) -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. to destroy or get rid of entirely, as by killing; wipe out; annihilate ex·ter'mi·na´tion •n. SYN.—exterminate implies the complete, wholesale destruction of things or living beings whose existence is considered undesirable; extirpate and eradicate both suggest the extinction or abolition of something, extirpate implying a deliberate and violent destruction at the very source so that the thing cannot be regenerated, and eradicate connoting less violence and, often, the working of natural processes or a methodical plan [< L exterminatus, pp. of exterminare, lit., to drive beyond the boundaries, hence drive out, destroy < ex-, out + terminus, boundary: see TERM]
exterminator (ek stør´mэ neit'эr, ik-) •n. a person or thing that exterminates; specif., Æ a) a person whose work or business is exterminating rats, cockroaches, and other vermin Æ b) a powder, liquid, etc. for exterminating vermin [LL(Ec)]
exterminatory (-mэ nэ tör'i:) •adj. exterminating or tending to exterminate Also ex·ter´mi·na'tive (-mэ neit'iv; -mэ nэ tiv)
extern (eks´tørn') •n. a person connected with, but not living in, an institution, as a nonresident doctor in a hospital: opposed to INTERN [Fr externe < L externus: see EXTERNAL]
external (eks tør´nэl, -tørn´ªl; ik stør´nэl, -størn´ªl) •adj. 1 on or having to do with the outside; outer; exterior 2 on, or for use on, the outside of the body {a machine for external use only} 3 a) outwardly visible b) existing apart from the mind; material {external reality} 4 originating outside; acting or coming from without {an external force} 5 a) for outward appearance or show; superficial {external politeness} b) not basic or essential {external factors} 6 having to do with foreign countries and international affairs •n. 1 an outside or outward surface or part 2 [pl.] outward appearance or behavior; superficialities ex·ter´nal·ly •adv. [ME < L externus, outward, external < exter, exterus, on the outside, compar. form < ex, out of (see EX-¹) + -AL]
external degree a college or university degree granted to a non-resident student who has earned credits for work experience, non-academic training, independent study, and the passing of proficiency examinations, but has spent little or no time in formal classroom sessions
external galaxy any galaxy beyond our own galaxy
external respiration exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide across external or respiratory surfaces, as gills or lungs, in multicellular organisms: cf. INTERNAL RESPIRATION
external-combustion engine (-kэm bûs´chэn) an engine, as a steam engine, that obtains its power from heat produced by burning fuel outside the cylinder, turbine, etc.
externalism (eks tør´nэl iz'эm, ik stør´-) •n. 1 EXTERNALITY (sense 1) 2 too great a regard for externals
externality (eks'tэr næl´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being external 2 pl. -ties an external thing
externalize (eks tør´nэl aiz', ik stør´-) -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make external; embody 2 EXTERIORIZE ex·ter'nal·i·za´tion •n.
exteroceptor (eks´tэr ou sep'tэr) •n. a sense organ receiving stimuli from the external environment, as the eye or the heat receptors in the skin ex'ter·o·cep´tive (-tiv) •adj. [L exter (see EXTERNAL) + -O- + (RE)CEPTOR]
exterritorial (eks'ter э tör´i: эl) •adj. EXTRATERRITORIAL
extinct (ek stiŋkt´, ik-) •adj. 1 a) having died down or burned out; extinguished {an extinct fire} b) no longer active {an extinct volcano} 2 no longer in existence or use; specif., having no living descendant {an extinct species} 3 that no living person holds or can claim: said of offices, titles, etc. SYN. DEAD [ME < L extinctus, exstinctus, pp. of exstinguere: see EXTINGUISH]
extinction (ek stiŋk´shэn, ik-) •n. 1 a putting out or being put out, as of a fire 2 a destroying or being destroyed; annihilation; abolition 3 the fact or state of being or becoming extinct; dying out, as a species of animal [ME extinccioun < L exstinctio < exstinctus: see EXTINCT]
extinctive (-tiv) •adj. serving or tending to extinguish [ME extinctif: see EXTINCT]
extinguish (ek stiŋ´gwish, ik-) •vt. 1 to put out (a fire, etc.); quench; smother 2 to put an end to; destroy or cause to die out 3 to put in the shade; eclipse; obscure 4 Law a) to make void; nullify b) to settle (a debt) ex·tin´guish·a·ble •adj. ex·tin´guish·ment •n. [L extinguere, exstinguere, to quench, destroy < ex-, out + stinguere, to extinguish (for IE base see STICK) + -ISH]
extinguisher (-эr) •n. a person or thing that extinguishes; esp., FIRE EXTINGUISHER
extirpate (ek´stэr peit'; also ek stør´-) -pat'ed, -pat'ing •vt. 1 to pull up by the roots; root out 2 to destroy or remove completely; exterminate; abolish SYN. EXTERMINATE ex'tir·pa´tion •n. ex´tir·pa'tive •adj. ex´tir·pa'tor •n. [< L extirpatus, pp. of extirpare, exstirpare, to root out < ex-, out + stirps, lower part of a tree, root < IE base *ster-, stiff > STARE, STARVE, STARK]
extol or extoll (eks toul´, -täl´; ik stoul´, -stäl´) -tolled´, -tol´ling •vt. to praise highly; laud SYN. PRAISE ex·tol´ler •n. ex·tol´ment or ex·toll´ment •n. [ME extollen < L extollere, to raise up < ex-, out, up + tollere, to raise: see TOLERATE]
extort (eks tört´, ik stört´) •vt. to get (money, etc.) from someone by violence, threats, misuse of authority, etc.; exact or wrest (from) SYN. EXTRACT ex·tort´er •n. ex·tor´tive •adj. [< L extortus, pp. of extorquere, to twist or turn out < ex-, out + torquere, to twist: see TORT]
extortion (eks tör´shэn, ik stör´-) •n. 1 a) the act of extorting, or getting money, etc. by threats, misuse of authority, etc. (sometimes applied to the exaction of too high a price) b) the legal offense committed by an official who extorts 2 something extorted [ME extorcioun < OFr extorcion < LL(Ec) extorsio < L extortus]
extortionate (eks tör´shэ nit, ik stör´-) •adj. 1 characterized by, or having the nature of, extortion: also ex·tor´tion·ar'y (-ner'i:) 2 excessive; exorbitant {an extortionate price}
extortioner (eks tör´shэ nэr, ik stör´-) •n. a person practicing extortion Also ex·tor´tion·ist
extra (eks´trэ) •adj. 1 more, larger, or better than is expected, usual, or necessary; additional or superior 2 requiring payment of an added charge •n. an extra person or thing, as, a) an additional charge (often used in pl.) Æ b) a special edition of a newspaper as formerly put out between regular editions to cover news of unusual importance c) an additional benefit or feature d) a spare or leftover copy of something e) an extra worker f) Cricket a run not made from a hit, as a bye g) Film an actor hired by the day to play a minor part, as a member of a crowd scene, etc. •adv. more than usually; esp., exceptionally {extra good quality} [contr. < EXTRAORDINARY; also < L extra, additional, extra < extra, adv., more than, outside: see EXTRA-]
extra- (eks´trэ) prefix outside, outside the scope or region of, beyond, besides: added to adjectives The list below contains some common compounds formed with this prefix that do not have special meanings: extracellular extrahistoric extracontinental extralinguistic extracorporeal extraofficial extracranial extraplanetary extrafamilial extraprofessional extragovernmental extrasocial extrahepatic extrasolar [L < exter, exterus: see EXTERNAL]
extra-base hit (eks´trэ beis´) Baseball any hit greater than a single; double, triple, or home run
extrabold (-bould´) •n. Printing a style of type heavier than boldface
extracanonical (ek'strэ kэ nän´i kэl) •adj. not included in the canon; not among the authorized books
extract (for v. eks trækt´, ik strækt´; for n. eks´trækt') •vt. 1 to draw out by effort; pull out {to extract a tooth, to extract a promise from someone} 2 to remove or separate (metal) from ore 3 to obtain (a substance, esp. an essence or concentrate) by pressing, distilling, using a solvent, etc. {to extract juice from fruit} 4 to obtain as if by drawing out; deduce (a principle), derive or elicit (information, pleasure, etc.), or the like 5 to copy out or quote (a passage from a book, etc.); excerpt 6 Math. to compute (the root of a quantity) •n. something extracted; specif., a) a concentrated form, whether solid, viscid, or liquid, of a food, flavoring, etc. {beef extract} b) a passage selected from a book, etc.; excerpt; quotation c) Pharmacy the concentrated substance obtained by dissolving a drug in some solvent, as ether or alcohol, and then evaporating the preparation ex·tract´a·ble or ex·tract´i·ble •adj. SYN.—extract implies a drawing out of something, as if by pulling, sucking, etc.[to extract a promise]; educe suggests a drawing out or evolving of something that is latent or undeveloped [laws were educed from tribal customs]; elicit connotes difficulty or skill in drawing out something hidden or buried [his jokes elicited no smiles]; evoke implies a calling forth or summoning, as of a mental image, by stimulating the emotions [the odor evoked a memory of childhood]; extort suggests a forcing or wresting of something, as by violence or threats [to extort a ransom] [ME extracten < L extractus, pp. of extrahere, to draw out < ex-, out + trahere, to DRAW]
extraction (eks træk´shэn, ik stræk´-) •n. 1 the act or process of extracting; specif., the extracting of a tooth by a dentist 2 origin; lineage; descent {of Navaho extraction} 3 a thing extracted; extract [ME extraccioun < ML extractio]
extractive (eks træk´tiv, ik stræk´-) •adj. 1 extracting or having to do with extraction 2 capable of being extracted 3 having the nature of an extract •n. 1 an extractive substance 2 an extract [ME extractif < ML extractivus]
extractor (eks træk´tэr, ik stræk´-) •n. a person or thing that extracts; specif., the part of a breech-loading gun that withdraws the cartridge or shell case from the chamber
extracurricular (eks'trэ kэ rik´yu: lэr, -yэ-) •adj. 1 a) not part of the required curriculum; outside the regular course of study but under the supervision of the school {dramatics, athletics, and other extracurricular activities} b) not part of one's regular work, routine, etc. 2 [Colloq.] EXTRAMARITAL
extraditable (eks´trэ dait'э bэl) •adj. 1 that can be extradited 2 making liable to extradition
extradite (eks´trэ dait') -dit'ed, -dit'ing •vt. 1 to turn over (a person accused or convicted of a crime) to the jurisdiction of another country, State, etc. where the crime was allegedly committed 2 to obtain the extradition of [back-form. < fol.]
extradition (eks'trэ dish´эn) •n. the act of extraditing, as by treaty, a person accused or convicted of a crime [Fr < L ex, out + traditio, a surrender: see TRADITION]
extrados (eks trei´däs') •n. Archit. the outside curve of an arch: see ARCH¹, illus. [Fr < L extra, beyond + Fr dos < L dorsum, back]
extragalactic (eks'trэ gэ læk´tik) •adj. outside or beyond our own galaxy
extrajudicial (-ju: dish´эl) •adj. 1 outside or beyond the jurisdiction of a court 2 outside the usual course of justice ex'tra·ju·di´cial·ly •adv.
extralegal (-li:´gэl) •adj. outside of legal control or authority; not regulated by law ex'tra·le´gal·ly •adv.
extramarital (-mær´i tэl, -itªl) •adj. of or relating to sexual intercourse with someone other than one's spouse {extramarital affairs}
extramundane (-mûn´dein') •adj. outside the physical world; not of this world [LL extramundanus: see EXTRA- & MUNDANE]
extramural (-myur´эl) •adj. outside the walls or limits of a city, school, university, etc. {extramural activities} [see EXTRA- & MURAL]
extraneous (eks trei´ni: эs, ik strei´-) •adj. 1 coming from outside; foreign {an extraneous substance} 2 not truly or properly belonging; not essential 3 not pertinent; irrelevant SYN. EXTRINSIC ex·tra´ne·ous·ly •adv. ex·tra´ne·ous·ness •n. [L extraneus, external, foreign < extra: see EXTRA-]
extranuclear (eks'trэ nu:´kli: эr, -nyu:´-) •adj. located or occurring outside of the nucleus of a cell
extraordinaire (ik strör'dэ ner´; Fr ek střöř di: neř´) •adj. extraordinary: used after the noun [Fr]
extraordinary (ek strörd´ªn er'i:, ik-; -strör´dэ ner'i:; also eks'trэ örd´ªn er'i:, -ör´dэ ner'i:) •adj. 1 not according to the usual custom or regular plan {an extraordinary session of Congress} 2 going far beyond the ordinary degree, measure, limit, etc.; very unusual; exceptional; remarkable 3 outside the regular staff; sent on a special errand; having special authority or responsibility {a minister extraordinary} ex·tra·or´di·nar'i·ly •adv. ex·tra·or´di·nar'i·ness •n. [ME extraordinari < L extraordinarius < extra ordinem, out of the usual order < extra + acc. of ordo, ORDER]
extrapolate (ek stræp´э leit', ik-) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt., vi. 1 Statistics to estimate or infer (a value, quantity, etc. beyond the known range) on the basis of certain variables within the known range, from which the estimated value is assumed to follow 2 to arrive at (conclusions or results) by hypothesizing from known facts or observations 3 to speculate as to consequences on the basis of (known facts or observations) ex·trap'o·la´tion •n. ex·trap´o·la'tive •adj. ex·trap´o·la'tor •n. [L extra (see EXTRA-) + (INTER)POLATE]
extrasensory (eks'trэ sen´sэ ri:) •adj. occurring or seeming to occur apart from, or in addition to, the normal function of the usual senses {extrasensory perception}
extrasystole (-sis´tэ li:') •n. a disturbance of heart rhythm resulting in an extra contraction of the heart between regular beats ex'tra·sys·tol´ic (-sis täl´ik) •adj. [EXTRA- + SYSTOLE]
extraterrestrial (eks'trэ tэ res´tri: эl) •adj. existing, taking place, or coming from outside the limits of the earth •n. an extraterrestrial being, as in science fiction
extraterritorial (-ter'э tör´i: эl) •adj. 1 outside the territorial limits or jurisdiction of the country, State, etc. 2 of extraterritoriality {extraterritorial rights} ex'tra·ter'ri·to´ri·al·ly •adv.
extraterritoriality (-ter'э tör'i: æl´э ti:) •n. 1 freedom from the jurisdiction of the country in which one is living, as in the case of foreign diplomats 2 jurisdiction of a country over its citizens in foreign lands
extrauterine (-yu:t´эr in) •adj. outside the uterus
extravagance (ek stræv´э gэns, ik-) •n. 1 a going beyond reasonable or proper limits in conduct or speech; unreasonable excess 2 a spending of more than is reasonable or necessary; excessive expenditure; wastefulness 3 an instance of excess in spending, behavior, or speech Also ex·trav´a·gan·cy, pl. -cies [Fr: see EXTRAVAGANT]
extravagant (-gэnt) •adj. 1 orig., straying beyond bounds; wandering 2 going beyond reasonable limits; excessive or unrestrained {extravagant demands} 3 too ornate or showy {extravagant designs} 4 costing or spending too much; wasteful SYN. EXCESSIVE, PROFUSE ex·trav´a·gant·ly •adv. [ME & Anglo-Fr extravagaunt < ML extravagans, prp. of extravagari, to stray < L extra, beyond + vagari, to wander < vagus: see VAGUE]
extravaganza (ek stræv'э gæn´zэ, ik-) •n. 1 a literary, musical, or dramatic fantasy characterized by a loose structure and farce 2 a spectacular, elaborate theatrical production, as some musicals [respelled by analogy with L ex- < It estravaganza, extravagance < estravagante < ML extravagans: see EXTRAVAGANT]
extravagate (ek stræv´э geit') -gat'ed, -gat'ing •vi. [Rare] 1 to stray; wander 2 to go beyond reasonable limits; be extravagant ex·trav'a·ga´tion •n. [< ML extravagatus, pp.: see EXTRAVAGANT]
extravasate (ek stræv´э seit') -sat'ed, -sat'ing •vt. to allow or force (blood, etc.) to flow from its normal vessels into the surrounding body tissues •vi. 1 to flow out or escape into surrounding tissues: said of blood, lymph, etc. 2 to flow out, as lava from a vent ex·trav'a·sa´tion •n. [L extra (see EXTRA-) + vas, a vessel + -ATE¹]
extravascular (eks'trэ væs´kyu: lэr) •adj. outside the vascular system, or the blood and lymph vessels
extravehicular (-vi: hik´yu: lэr) •adj. designating or of activity by an astronaut outside a vehicle in space
extraversion (eks'trэ vør´zhэn) •n. EXTROVERSION (sense 2) ex´tra·vert' (-vørt') •n., adj.
Extremadura (ek'strэ mэ dur´э) Sp. name of ESTREMADURA
extreme (ek stri:m´, ik-) •adj. 1 at the end or outermost point; farthest away; most remote; utmost 2 a) in or to the greatest degree; very great or greatest {extreme pain} b) to an excessive degree; immoderate 3 far from what is usual or conventional 4 deviating to the greatest degree from the center of opinion, as in politics 5 very severe; drastic {extreme measures} 6 [Archaic] last; final •n. 1 either of two things that are as different or far as possible from each other 2 an extreme degree 3 an extreme act, expedient, etc. 4 an extreme state or condition {an extreme of distress} 5 [Obs.] an extreme point; extremity 6 Math. a) the first or last term of a proportion b) EXTREMUM go to extremes to be excessive or immoderate in speech or action in the extreme to the utmost degree ex·treme´ly •adv. ex·treme´ness •n. [ME & OFr < L extremus, last, outermost, superl. of exterus, outer: see EXTERNAL]
Extreme Unction ANOINTING OF THE SICK
extremely high frequency Radio any frequency between 30,000 and 300,000 megahertz
extremism (ek stri:m´iz'эm, ik-) •n. the quality or state of going to extremes, esp. the extreme right or extreme left in politics ex·trem´ist •adj., n.
extremity (ek strem´э ti:, ik-) pl. -ties •n. 1 the outermost or utmost point or part; end 2 the greatest degree 3 a state of extreme necessity, danger, etc. 4 [Archaic] the end of life; dying 5 an extreme measure; severe or strong action: usually used in pl. 6 a) a body limb b) [pl.] the hands and feet [ME & OFr extremite < L extremitas < extremus: see EXTREME]
extremum (ek stri:´mэm) pl. -tre´ma (-mэ) •n. Math. the maximum or minimum value of a function [ModL < L, an end, neut. of extremus: see EXTREME]
extricate (eks´tri keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. to set free; release or disentangle (from a net, difficulty, embarrassment, etc.) ex'tri·ca·bil´i·ty •n. ex´tri·ca·ble (-kэ bэl) •adj. ex'tri·ca´tion •n. [< L extricatus, pp. of extricare, to disentangle < ex-, out + tricae, vexations: see TRICK]
extrinsic (eks trin´sik, -zik; ik strin´-) •adj. 1 not really belonging to the thing with which it is connected; not inherent 2 being, coming, or acting from the outside; extraneous Opposed to INTRINSIC ex·trin´si·cal·ly •adv. SYN.—extrinsic refers to that which, coming from outside a thing, is not inherent in its real nature [the extrinsic advantages of wealth]; extraneous, often synonymous with extrinsic, may connote the possibility of integration of the external object into the thing to which it is added [extraneous grace notes]; foreign implies that the external object is organically so different that it cannot become assimilated [a foreign substance in the blood]; alien emphasizes the incompatibility of the external object with the subject in question [nothing human is alien to me] —ANT. intrinsic [Fr extrinseque < L extrinsecus, from without, outer < exter, without + secus, following, otherwise < base of sequi, to follow: see SEQUENT]
extrinsic factor vitamin B12
extro- (eks´trou, -trэ) prefix EXTRA- (when opposed to INTRO-)
extrorse (eks trörs´) •adj. Bot. turned outward or away from the axis of growth: opposed to INTRORSE ex·trorse´ly •adv. [Fr < LL extrorsus < L extra, outside + versus, pp. of vertere, to turn: see VERSE]
extroversion (eks'trou vør´zhэn, -shэn; -trэ-) •n. 1 Med. EXSTROPHY 2 Psychol. an attitude in which one's interest is directed to things outside oneself and to other persons rather than to oneself or one's experiences [Ger] [altered < Ger extraversion < L extra- (see EXTRA-) + ML versio, a turning < L versus: see VERSE]
extrovert (eks´trэ vørt') •n. Psychol. someone characterized by extroversion; a person who is active and expressive, or other than introspective: opposed to INTROVERT •adj. EXTROVERTED [see EXTROVERSION]
extroverted (-id) •adj. characterized by extroversion
extrude (eks tru:d´, ik stru:d´) -trud´ed, -trud´ing •vt. 1 to push or force out; expel 2 to force (metal, plastic, etc.) through a die or very small holes to give it a certain shape •vi. to be extruded; esp., to protrude ex·trud´er •n. ex·tru´sion •n. [L extrudere, to thrust out or forth < ex-, out + trudere, THRUST]
extrusive (eks tru:´siv) •adj. 1 extruding or tending to extrude 2 Geol. forced out in a molten state through the earth's crust {extrusive rock}
extubate (eks tu:´beit', -tyu:´-) -bat'ed, -bat'ing •vt. to remove a tube from (a part of the body, as an air passage) ex'tu·ba´tion •n. [EX-¹ + TUB(E) + -ATE¹]
exuberance (eg zu:´bэr эns, -zyu:´-; ig-) •n. 1 the state or quality of being exuberant; great abundance; luxuriance 2 an instance of this; esp., action or speech showing high spirits Also ex·u´ber·an·cy (-эn si:), pl. -cies [Fr exúberance < L exuberantia < exuberans, prp. of exuberare, to come forth in abundance < ex-, intens. + uberare, to bear abundantly < uber, UDDER]
exuberant (-эnt) •adj. 1 growing profusely; luxuriant or prolific {exuberant vegetation} 2 characterized by good health and high spirits; full of life; uninhibited 3 overly elaborate; flowery 4 very great; extreme ex·u´ber·ant·ly •adv. [ME < L exuberans: see EXUBERANCE]
exuberate (-bэr eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. [Rare] to be exuberant; abound [ME exuberaten < L exuberatus, pp. of exuberare]
exudate (eks´yu: deit', -dit; ek´sэ-, eg´zyu:-) •n. matter exuded [L exudatus, pp. of exudare: see EXUDE]
exudation (eks'yu: dei´shэn, ek'sэ-; eg'zyu:-) •n. 1 the act of exuding 2 something exuded, as sweat [< prec. + -ION]
exude (eg zyu:d´, -zu:d´; ig-) -ud´ed, -ud´ing •vt., vi. 1 to pass out in drops through pores, an incision, etc.; ooze; discharge 2 to diffuse or seem to radiate {to exude joy} [L exudare, exsudare < ex-, out + sudare, to sweat < sudor, SWEAT]
exult (eg zûlt´, ig-) •vi. 1 to rejoice greatly; be jubilant; glory 2 [Obs.] to leap up; leap with joy ex·ult´ing·ly •adv. [Fr exulter < L exultare, exsultare, to leap up, leap for joy < ex-, intens. + saltare, freq. of salire: see SALIENT]
exultant (eg zûlt´ªnt, ig-) •adj. exulting; triumphant; jubilant ex·ult´ant·ly •adv. [L exsultans, prp. of exsultare]
exultation (eg'zûl tei´shэn, eks'ûl-) •n. the act of exulting; rejoicing; jubilation; triumph Also ex·ult·ance (eg zûlt´ªns, ig-) or ex·ult´an·cy (-zûlt´ªn si:) [ME exultacion < L exultatio, exsultatio < pp. of exsultare]
exurb (eks´ørb') •n. a region, generally semirural, beyond the suburbs of a city, inhabited largely by persons in the upper-income group ex·ur´ban •adj. [EX-¹ + (SUB)URB: coined (1955) by A. C. Spectorsky (1910-72), U.S. author and editor]
exurbanite (eks ør´bэn ait') •n. a person living in an exurb; esp., one commuting to the city as a business or professional person •adj. a characteristic of exurbia or exurbanites [coined (1955) by A. C. Spectorsky < EX-¹ + (SUB)URBANITE]
exurbia (eks ør´bi: э) •n. the exurbs collectively; usually used to connote an affluent lifestyle regarded as characteristic of exurbanites
exuviae (eks u:´vi: i:', eks yu:´-; eg zu:´-, ig-) sing. -vi·a (-э) •n.pl. Zool. castoff coverings of animals, as crab shells or the skins of snakes ex·u´vi·al •adj. [L, that which is stripped off, spoils < exuere, to strip off < ex-, away + IE base *eu-, to put on > Lith aviù, to wear footwear]
exuviate (-vi: eit') -vi·at'ed, -vi·at'ing •vt., vi. to cast off (a skin, shell, etc.); molt ex·u'vi·a´tion •n. [prec. + -ATE¹]
ex-voto (eks´vou'tou) pl. -tos •n. 1 a votive offering 2 a painting or other artwork, usually nonprofessional, placed in a church as a token of thanks for blessings
-ey (i:, i) suffix -Y³: used esp. after a word ending in y {clayey, gooey}
eyas (ai´эs) •n. an unfledged bird; nestling; esp., a young hawk taken from its nest for training in falconry [ME, by faulty division (infl. by ey, egg) of a nyas, a niais < OFr niais, nestling < VL *nidax < L nidus, NEST]
eye (ai) •n. 1 the organ of sight in humans and animals 2 a) the eyeball b) the iris {brown eyes} 3 the area around the eye, including the eyelids {to get a black eye} 4 [often pl.] the power of seeing; sight; vision {weak eyes} 5 a look; glance; gaze {to cast an eye on something} 6 attention; regard; observation 7 the power of judging, estimating, discriminating, etc. by eyesight {a good eye for distances} 8 [often pl.] judgment; opinion; estimation {in the eyes of the law} 9 a thing like an eye in appearance or function; specif., a) a bud of a tuber, as a potato b) the spot on a peacock's tail feather c) the center of a flower; disk d) a hole in a tool, as for a handle e) the threading hole in a needle f) a loop of metal, rope, or thread {hook and eye} g) an organ sensitive to light, as in certain lower forms of life h) PHOTOELECTRIC CELL i) a section of any of certain cuts of meat {eye of round} a) a hole, as in certain cheeses 10 [Slang] a detective: esp. in private eye 11 Meteorol. the calm, low-pressure center (of a hurricane), around which winds of high velocity move 12 [pl.] Naut. the part of the main deck of a vessel that is farthest forward •vt. eyed, eye´ing or ey´ing 1 to look at; watch carefully; observe 2 to provide with eyes, or holes •vi. [Obs.] to appear (to the eyes) all eyes extremely attentive an eye for an eye punishment or retaliation similar or equivalent to the injury suffered catch one's eye to attract one's attention eyes right (or left) Mil. a command to snap the head to the right (or left) while marching, as a salute when passing in review feast one's eyes on to look at with pleasure or admiration Æ give someone the eye [Slang] to look at someone, esp. in an admiring or inviting way have an eye for to have a keen appreciation of have an eye to to watch out for; attend to have eyes for [Colloq.] to be very interested in and want in a pig's eye [Slang] never; under no circumstances in the eye of the wind Naut. directly against the wind in the public eye 1 much seen in public 2 often brought to public attention; well-known keep an eye on to look after; watch carefully Æ keep an eye out for to be watchful for keep one's eyes open (or peeled or skinned) to be on the lookout; be watchful lay (or set or clap) eyes on to see; look at make eyes at to look at amorously or flirtatiously my eye! [Slang] an exclamation of contradiction, astonishment, etc. open one's eyes to make one aware of the facts, real reasons, etc. run one's eye over to glance at hurriedly see eye to eye to agree completely see with half an eye to see or understand (something) easily because it is so evident shut one's eyes to to refuse to see or think about with an eye to paying attention to; considering [ME ey, eie < OE ēage, akin to Ger auge < IE base *okw-, to see > Gr osse, eyes, ōps, face, eye, L oculus]
eye bolt a bolt with a loop for a head
eye contact direct visual contact with the eyes of another person
eye dialect nonstandard respelling of words to suggest dialectal or colloquial pronunciation
eye rhyme similarity in the spelling, rather than the pronunciation, of the ends of words or lines of verse (Ex.: lone, none; though, cough)
eye shadow a cosmetic preparation of any of various colors applied to the upper eyelids
eye splice a splice made by turning back the end of a rope and interlacing its strands into the body of the rope so as to form an end loop, or eye: see SPLICE, illus.
eyeball (ai´böl') •n. the ball-shaped part of the eye, enclosed by the socket and eyelids Æ vt., vi. [Colloq.] to observe, examine, measure, etc. (something) visually eyeball to eyeball [Slang] in direct personal contact; person to person
eyebeam (-bi:m') •n. [Archaic] a beam, or glance, of the eye; quick look
eyebright (-brait') •n. any of a genus (Euphrasia) of plants of the figwort family, esp. a small plant (E. americana) of NE U.S. having pale lavender flowers in leafy clusters: formerly used in treating eye disorders
eyebrow (-brau') •n. 1 the bony arch over each eye 2 the arch of hair growing on this raise (or lift) an eyebrow to appear or feel skeptical, surprised, mildly scandalized, etc. [ME eiebrou: see EYE + BROW]
eye-catcher (-kæch'эr) •n. something that especially attracts one's attention eye´-catch'ing •adj.