glair (gler) •n. 1 raw white of egg, used in sizing or glazing 2 a size or glaze made from this 3 any sticky matter resembling raw egg white •vt. to cover with glair glair´y •adj. [ME glaire < OFr < VL *claria < L clarus, CLEAR]
glaive (gleiv) •n. [Obs.] a sword; esp., a broadsword [ME < OFr, a lance < L gladius, sword: see GLADIATOR]
Glamorgan (glэ mör´gэn) former county of SE Wales, on the Bristol Channel: now divided into three counties a) Mid Glamorgan 393 sq. mi. (1,019 sq. km); pop. 534,000 b) South Glamorgan 161 sq. mi. (416 sq. km); pop. 394,000 c) West Glamorgan 315 sq. mi. (816 sq. km); pop. 365,000: also Gla·mor´gan·shire (-shir')
glamorize (glæm´эr aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make glamorous glam'or·i·za´tion •n.
glamorous or glamourous (glæm´эr эs) •adj. full of glamour; fascinating; alluring glam´or·ous·ly •adv.
glamour or glamor (glæm´эr) •n. 1 orig., a magic spell or charm Æ 2 seemingly mysterious and elusive fascination or allure, as of some person, object, scene, etc.; bewitching charm: the current sense [Scot var. of grammar (with sense of GRAMARYE), popularized by Sir Walter SCOTT; orig. esp. in cast the glamour, to cast an enchantment]
glamour stock a stock that is expected to increase in value and pay higher dividends from year to year
glance¹ (glæns, gläns) glanced, glanc´ing •vi. 1 to strike a surface obliquely and go off at an angle: usually with off 2 to make an indirect or passing reference: with over, at, etc. 3 to flash or gleam 4 to look suddenly and briefly; take a quick look •vt. to cause to strike (a surface) at an angle and be deflected •n. 1 a glancing off; deflected impact 2 a flash or gleam 3 a quick look SYN. FLASH [ME glansen, glenchen, prob. a blend < OFr glacier, to slip (see GLACIS) + guenchir, to elude < Frank *wenkjan, to totter; akin to OE wancol, unstable]
glance² (glæns) •n. any of various ores with a metallic luster: now applied to only a few metallic ores, such as silver glance (ARGENTITE) and lead glance (GALENA) [Ger glanz, lit., luster: for IE base see GLASS]
glancing (-iŋ) •adj. 1 striking obliquely and going off at an angle {a glancing blow} 2 indirect or passing glanc·ing·ly •adv.
gland¹ (glænd) •n. 1 any organ or specialized group of cells that produces secretions, as insulin or bile, or excretions, as urine: some glands, as the liver and kidneys, have ducts that empty into an organ: the ductless (or endocrine) glands, as the thyroid and adrenals, secrete hormones 2 loosely, any similar structure that is not a true gland {lymph glands} 3 Bot. an organ or layer of cells that produces and secretes some substance [Fr glande < OFr glandre < L glandula, tonsil, dim. of glans (gen. glandis), acorn (< IE base *gwel-, oak, acorn > Gr balanos)]
gland² (glænd) •n. Mech. a movable part that compresses the packing in a stuffing box [< ?]
glandered (glæn´dэrd) •adj. having glanders Also glan´der·ous
glanders (glæn´dэrz) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] a contagious, chronic or acute disease of horses, mules, etc. characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, ulcerous nodules on the skin, inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes, etc.: it is caused by bacteria (Pseudomonas mallei) and is transmitted to certain other animals and humans: see FARCY Etymology [OFr glandres < L glandulae, swollen glands in the neck, pl. of glandula: see GLAND¹]
glandular (glæn´jэ lэr) •adj. 1 of, like, or functioning as a gland 2 having or consisting of glands 3 derived from or affected by glands glan´du·lar·ly •adv. [Fr glandulaire: see GLANDULE]
glandular fever INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS
glandule (glæn´jul) •n. a small gland [Fr < L glandula: see GLAND¹]
glans (glænz) pl. glan·des (glæn´di:z') •n. 1 the head, or end, of the penis: in full glans penis 2 the corresponding part of the clitoris [L, lit., acorn: see GLAND¹]
glare¹ (gler) glared, glar´ing •vi. 1 to shine with a strong, steady, dazzling light 2 to be too bright or showy 3 to stare fiercely or angrily •vt. to send forth or express with a glare •n. 1 a strong, steady, dazzling light or brilliant reflection, as from sunlight 2 a too bright or dazzling display 3 a fierce or angry stare SYN. BLAZE¹ [ME glaren < or akin to MDu, to gleam, glare & OE glær, amber: for IE base see GLASS]
glare² (gler) •n. a smooth, bright, glassy surface, as of ice •adj. smooth, bright, and glassy [prob. < prec.]
glaring (gler´iŋ) •adj. 1 shining with a too bright, dazzling light 2 too bright and showy 3 staring in a fierce, angry manner 4 too obvious to be overlooked; flagrant {a glaring mistake} glar´ing·ly •adv.
Glarus (glär´эs) canton in EC Switzerland: 264 sq. mi. (684 sq. km); pop. 36,400: Fr. name Gla·ris (glå ři:s´)
glary (gler´i:) glar´i·er, glar´i·est •adj. shining with, or reflecting, a too bright light glar´i·ness •n.
Glaser , Donald Arthur 1926- ; U.S. physicist
Glasgow (glæs´kou, glæz´gou) seaport in SC Scotland, on the Clyde: pop. 762,000 Glasgow (glæs´kou, glæz´gou), Ellen (Anderson Gholson) 1873-1945; U.S. novelist
Glashow (glæ´shou), Sheldon Lee 1932- ; U.S. physicist
glasnost (gläs´nöst, -noust) •n. the official internal policy of candor in publicizing problems and weaknesses of Soviet or Russian society [Russ glasnost', opportunity to be heard]
glass (glæs, gläs) •n. 1 a hard, brittle substance made by fusing silicates with soda or potash, lime, and, sometimes, various metallic oxides into a molten mass that is cooled rapidly to prevent crystallization or annealed to eliminate stresses: various types of glass can be transparent, translucent, heat-resistant, flexible, shatterproof, photochromic, etc. 2 any substance like glass in composition, transparency, brittleness, etc. 3 GLASSWARE 4 a) an article made partly or wholly of glass, as a drinking container, mirror, windowpane, telescope, barometer, etc. b) [pl.] eyeglasses c) [pl.] binoculars 5 the quantity contained in a drinking glass •vt. 1 to put into glass jars for preserving 2 to mirror; reflect 3 to equip with glass panes; glaze 4 to look at through a telescope, etc. 5 to make glassy •vi. to become glassy •adj. of, made of or with, or like glass glass in to enclose with glass panes [ME glas < OE glæs, akin to Ger glas < IE base *Ghel-, to shine > GOLD, GLINT, GLOW] Glass (glæs), Philip 1937- ; U.S. composer
glass blowing the art or process of shaping molten glass into various forms by blowing air into a mass of it at the end of a tube glass blower
glass cutter 1 a person whose work is cutting sheets of glass to desired sizes or shapes 2 a person whose work is etching designs on glass surfaces 3 a tool for cutting, or etching designs on, glass glass cutting
glass harmonica a musical instrument consisting of a conveniently arranged series of graduated glasses from which tones are produced by rubbing the edges with a wet finger
glass snake any of a genus (Ophisaurus, family Anguidae) of snakelike, legless lizards found in the S U.S. and other warm regions: so called because its long tail breaks off easily
glass wool fine fibers of glass intertwined in a woolly mass, used in filters and as insulation
glassful (glæs´ful') pl. glass´fuls' •n. the amount that will fill a drinking glass
glasshouse (glæs´haus') •n. [Brit.] GREENHOUSE
glassine (glæ si:n´, glæs´i:n) •n. a thin but tough, glazed, nearly transparent paper, used as for the windows of envelopes [GLASS + -INE¹]
glassmaker (glæs´mei'kэr) •n. a person who makes glass or glassware glass´mak'ing •n.
glassware (glæs´wer') •n. articles made of glass
glasswork (-wørk') •n. 1 [pl., with sing. or pl. v.] a factory for making glass 2 the making or ornamentation of glass and glassware 3 GLASSWARE glass´work'er •n.
glassworm (glæs´wørm') •n. ARROWWORM
glasswort (glæs´wørt') •n. any of several fleshy plants (genera Salicornia and Salsola) of the goosefoot family, often found in saline coastal or desert areas: the ash is called barilla and formerly was used in making soap and glass [GLASS + WORT²]
glassy (glæs´i:, gläs´i:) glass´i·er, glass´i·est •adj. 1 like glass, as in smoothness or transparency 2 expressionless or lifeless {a glassy stare} glass´i·ly •adv. glass´i·ness •n. [ME glasi]
Glaswegian (glæs wi:´jэn, -ji: эn) •adj. of Glasgow •n. a native or inhabitant of Glasgow
Glauber's salt (or salts) (glau´bэrz) hydrated sodium sulfate, Na2SO4·10H2O, a crystalline salt used in medicine as a cathartic or diuretic, and in heating systems, etc. Also Glauber salt (or salts) [after J. R. Glauber (1604-68), Ger chemist]
glauco- (glö´kou, -kэ) combining form bluish-green, silvery, or gray {glauconite} Also, before a vowel, glauc- [< Gr glaukos, bright blue, bluish gray, gleaming < ?]
glaucoma (glö kou´mэ, glau-) •n. any of a group of related eye disorders characterized by increased pressure within the eye which impairs the vision and may slowly cause eye damage and total loss of vision glau·co´ma·tous (-kou´mэ tэs, -käm´э-) •adj. [L < Gr glaukōma < glaukos (see GLAUCO-) + -OMA]
glauconite (glö´kou nait', -kэ-) •n. a greenish silicate of iron and potassium, found in greensand [Ger glaukonit < Gr glaukon, neut. of glaukos: see GLAUCO-]
glaucous (glö´kэs) •adj. 1 bluish-green or yellowish-green 2 Bot. covered with a pale greenish bloom that can be rubbed off, as grapes, plums, cabbage leaves, etc. [L glaucus < Gr glaukos: see GLAUCO-]
glaucous gull a large, white and bluish-gray, arctic gull (Larus hyperboreus) that often preys on smaller birds
glaze (gleiz) glazed, glaz´ing •vt. 1 to fit (windows, etc.) with glass 2 to give a hard, glossy finish or coating to; specif., a) to overlay (pottery, etc.) with a substance that gives a glassy finish when fused b) to make the surface of (leather, etc.) glossy by polishing, etc. c) to cover (foods) with a glassy coating of sugar syrup, gelatin, etc. d) to coat (a painted surface) with a semitransparent color 3 to give (the eyes) a glassy look 4 to cover with a thin layer of ice •vi. 1 to become glassy or glossy 2 to form a glaze •n. 1 a) a glassy finish, as on pottery b) any substance used to produce this 2 a coat of semitransparent color applied to a painted surface to modify the effect 3 a substance, as hardened sugar syrup, gelatin, etc. forming a glassy coating on foods 4 a film or coating, as on the eyes 5 a thin coating of ice glaz´er •n. [ME glasen < glas, GLASS]
glazier (glei´zhэr; chiefly Brit, -zi: эr) •n. a person whose work is cutting glass and setting it in windows, etc. gla´zi·er·y (-zhэr i:, -zi: эr i:) •n. [ME glasier: see GLASS & -IER]
glazing (glei´ziŋ) •n. 1 the work of a glazier in fitting windows, etc. with glass 2 glass set or to be set in frames 3 a glaze or application of a glaze [ME glasinge: see GLASS & -ING]
Glazunov (glå zu: nôf´), A·lek·san·dr Kon·stan·ti·no·vich (å lyek sän´dřª kôn'stän ti:´nô vich) 1865-1936; Russ. composer
gleam (gli:m) •n. 1 a flash or beam of light 2 a faint light 3 a reflected brightness, as from a polished surface 4 a brief, faint manifestation or trace, as of hope, understanding, etc. •vi. 1 to shine or reflect with a gleam or gleams 2 to be manifested briefly; appear or be revealed suddenly SYN. FLASH gleam´y •adj. [ME glem < OE glæm < IE *ghlei- < *Ghel-, to shine, gleam > GOLD, GLASS, GLOW]
glean (gli:n) •vt., vi. 1 to collect (grain, etc. left by reapers) 2 to collect the remaining grain, etc. from (a reaped field) 3 a) to collect or find out (facts, information, etc.) gradually or bit by bit b) to examine or go through (books, etc.) so as to collect certain information glean´er •n. [ME glenen < OFr glener < VL glennare < Celt, as in OIr dīgleinn, he gleans < IE *Ghlend- < base *Ghel-: see GLEAM]
gleanings (gli:n iŋz) •n.pl. that which is gleaned
glebe (gli:b) •n. 1 a piece of church land forming part or all of a benefice 2 [Archaic] soil; earth; esp., a piece of cultivated land [ME < L gleba, clod, lump of earth (in ML(Ec), glebe), akin to globus: see GLOBE]
glede (gli:d) •n. the common European red kite (Milvus milvus) [ME < OE glida, akin to GLIDE, ON gletha]
glee (gli:) •n. 1 lively joy; gaiety; merriment 2 a part song for three or more men's voices, usually including a male alto [ME gle < OE gleo, entertainment, merriment, akin to (rare) ON gl## < IE *ghleu-, to be merry, jest < base *ghel-, to cry out > Gr chleuē, jest]
glee club a group formed to sing glees, part songs, and short choral compositions
gleed (gli:d) •n. [Now Chiefly Dial.] a glowing coal [ME glede < OE gled < base of glowan: see GLOW]
gleeful (gli:´fэl) •adj. full of glee; merry Also [Now Rare] glee´some (-sэm) glee´ful·ly •adv. glee´ful·ness •n.
gleeman (gli:´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. [Obs.] a medieval minstrel [ME gleman < OE gleoman: see GLEE & MAN]
gleet (gli:t) •n. 1 any abnormal discharge from the body in man or animals 2 chronic inflammation of the urethra, as in gonorrhea, characterized by a mucous discharge [ME glete < OFr < L glittus, sticky, akin to LL glus, GLUE: see CLAY]
glen (glen) •n. a narrow, secluded valley [ME < Late MScot < Gael *glenn (now gleann), mountain valley, akin to Welsh glyn]
Glen More (glen mör´) valley across N Scotland, traversed by the Caledonian Canal: 60½ mi. (97.3 km) long
glen plaid (or check) (glen) [also G- p-] a plaid pattern or cloth with thin crossbarred stripes in black and white and one or more muted colors Also Glen·ur·quhart (glen ør´kэrt) •n. [after Glenurquhart, clan of Glen Urquhart, valley in NW Scotland]
Glenda (glen´dэ) a feminine name
Glendale (glen´deil) 1 city in SW Calif.: suburb of Los Angeles; pop. 180,000 2 city in SC Ariz.: suburb of Phoenix: pop. 148,000 [GLEN + DALE]
Glendower (glen´dau эr, glen dau´эr), Owen c. 1359-c. 1416; Welsh chieftain: rebelled against Henry IV
glengarry (bonnet) (glen gær´i:, glen´gær'i:) pl. -ries [occas. G- b-] a Scottish cap for men, creased lengthwise across the top and often having short ribbons at the back [after Glengary valley in Scotland]
Glenn (glen), John (Herschel, Jr.) 1921- ; U.S. astronaut & senator: 1st American to orbit the earth (1962)
Glenn or Glen (glen) a masculine name [Celt: see GLEN]
glenoid (gli:´noid', glen´oid') •adj. forming a smooth, shallow cavity or socket for a bone; esp., designating the cavity on the head of the scapula which, together with the head of the humerus, forms the shoulder joint [Gr glēnoeidēs < glēnē, socket of a joint, eyeball + -eidēs, -OID]
gley (glei) •n. a sticky, compact, clayey soil that sometimes develops in highly humid regions [earlier glei < Ukrainian (cf. Russ glina, clay) < IE base *glei-, to stick together > CLAY]
glia (glai´э; also gli:´э) •n. short for NEUROGLIA gli´al •adj.
gliadin (glai´э din) •n. any of a group of simple vegetable proteins found in gluten [Fr gliadine < MGr glia, glue (akin to Gr gloios: for base see CLAY) + -d- + Fr -ine, -IN¹]
glib (glib) glib´ber, -best •adj. 1 done in a smooth, offhand fashion 2 speaking or spoken in a smooth, fluent, easy manner, often in a way that is too smooth and easy to be convincing glib´ly •adv. glib´ness •n. [orig., slippery < or akin to Du glibberig, slippery, glibber, jelly]
glide (glaid) glid´ed, glid´ing •vi. 1 to flow or move smoothly and easily, as in skating 2 to move by or pass gradually and almost unnoticed, as time 3 Aeron. a) to fly in a glider b) to descend with little or no engine power, using airflow to control lift 4 Music, Phonet. to make a glide •vt. to cause to glide •n. 1 the act of gliding; smooth, easy flow or movement Æ 2 a small disk or ball, as of nylon, attached to the underside of furniture legs, etc. to allow easy sliding 3 Music loosely, a slur, portamento, or the like 4 Phonet. a) an intermediate sound produced in the transition of the speech organs from the position for one sound to that for another b) the nonsyllabic vowel in a diphthong: see OFF-GLIDE, ON-GLIDE [ME gliden < OE glidan, akin to Ger gleiten, prob. < IE *ghlei-dh (< base *Ghel-, to shine > GLASS, GLOW)]
glider (glaid´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that glides 2 a heavier-than-air aircraft without an engine, using airflow to produce free flight Æ 3 a porch seat suspended in a frame so that it can glide or swing back and forth
glim (glim) •n. [Slang] 1 a light, as a lamp, candle, etc. 2 an eye [ME glimme, radiance, prob. < Scand, as in OSwed glimma, akin to GLEAM, MHG glim, a spark]
glimmer (glim´эr) •vi. 1 to give a faint, flickering light 2 to appear or be seen faintly or dimly •n. 1 a faint, flickering light 2 a faint manifestation or dim perception [ME glimeren, to shine, freq. < base of OE glæm (see GLEAM), akin to Du glimmeren, Ger glimmern]
glimmering (glim´эr iŋ) •n. GLIMMER
glimpse (glimps) glimpsed, glimps´ing •vt. to catch a brief, quick view of, as in passing; perceive momentarily and incompletely •vi. to look quickly; glance (at) •n. 1 [Archaic] a brief, sudden shining; flash 2 a faint, fleeting appearance; slight trace 3 a brief, quick view [ME glimsen (with unhistoric -p-) < base of OE glæm (see GLEAM), akin to MHG glimsen, MDu glinsen]
Glinka (glin´kä; E gliŋ´kэ), Mi·kha·il I·va·no·vich (mi: khä i:l´ i vä´nô vich) 1804-57; Russ. composer
glint (glint) •vi. 1 to shine or reflect with intermittent flashes of light; gleam, flash, or glitter 2 [Archaic] to move quickly, esp. glancingly •n. a gleam, flash, or glitter [ME glenten, prob. < Scand, as in Swed dial glänta, akin to MHG glinzen, to glint, Ger glänzen, to shine < IE *ghlendh- < base *Ghel-, to shine > GLOW, GLASS]
glioma (glai ou´mэ; also gli:-) pl. -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n.or -mas a tumor of the brain, spinal cord, etc., composed of tissue that forms the supporting structure of nerves [ModL < MGr glia (see GLIADIN) + -ōma (see -OMA)]
glissade (gli seid´, -säd´) •n. 1 an intentional slide by a mountain climber down a steep snow-covered slope 2 Ballet a gliding step •vi. -sad´ed, -sad´ing to make a glissade; slide or glide [Fr < glisser, to slide, glide, prob. a blend < Frank *glitan (for IE base see GLIDE) + OFr glacier (see GLACIS)]
glissando (gli sän´dou; also, -sæn´-) pl. -di •n.or -dos Music 1 a sliding effect achieved by sounding a series of adjacent tones in rapid succession, as by running a finger over the white keys of a piano 2 a passage having this effect •adj., adv. Music (performed) with such an effect [formed as if It prp. equiv. to Fr glissant, prp. of glisser, to slide: see GLISSADE]
glisten (glis´эn) •vi. to shine or sparkle with reflected light, as a wet or polished surface •n. a glistening SYN. FLASH [ME glistnen (with unhistoric -t-) < OE glisnian < base of glisian, to shine < IE *ghleis- < base *Ghel- > GLEAM, GLASS]
glister (glis´tэr) •vi., n. archaic var. of GLISTEN [ME glisteren, prob. < LowG, as in MDu glinsteren, MLowG glistern, akin to prec.]
glitch (glich) •n. 1 [Slang] a mishap, error, malfunctioning, etc. 2 a sudden, brief change in the period of a pulsar, believed to be caused by sudden changes in the structure of the rotating star [< Ger colloq. glitsche, a slip < glitschen, to slip, slide, intens. of Ger gleiten: see GLIDE]
glitter (glit´эr) •vi. 1 to shine with a sparkling light; be bright; glisten; sparkle 2 to be strikingly brilliant, showy, or attractive •n. 1 a bright, sparkling light 2 striking or showy brilliance or attractiveness 3 bits of glittering material used for decoration 4 [Cdn.] a glaze of ice formed by quickly freezing rain: also glitter ice SYN. FLASH [ME gliteren, prob. < ON glitra, akin to Ger glitzern: for IE base see GLISTEN]
glitterati (glit'э rät´i:) •n.pl. [Colloq.] people who are wealthy, chic, famous, etc. [prec. + (LITER)ATI]
glittery (glit´эr i:) •adj. having glitter; glittering
glitz (glits) •n. [Colloq.] gaudy or glittery showiness or attractiveness; ostentation [< ?]
glitzy (glits´i:) glitz´i·er, glitz´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] 1 having glitter; sparkling; glittery 2 attracting attention in an ornate or gaudy way; showy; pretentious [< ?]
Gliwice (gli vi:´tse) city in S Poland: pop. 211,000
gloaming (gloum´iŋ) •n. evening dusk; twilight [ME (Scot) glomyng < OE glomung < glom, twilight, akin to glowan, to GLOW: adopted in literature < Scot dial.]
gloat (glout) •vi. to gaze or think with exultation, avarice, or malicious pleasure: often with over •n. the act of gloating [prob. via dial. < OE *glotian or ON glotta, to grin scornfully, akin to Ger glotzen, E dial. glout, to stare < IE *Ghlud- < base *Ghel-, to shine > GLOW]
glob (gläb) •n. a somewhat rounded mass or lump, as of jelly or grease [prob. contr. < GLOBULE, modeled on BLOB]
global (glou´bэl) •adj. 1 round like a ball; globe-shaped 2 of, relating to, or including the whole earth; worldwide 3 complete or comprehensive glob´al·ly •adv.
global village the world regarded as a single community, as a result of mass media, rapid travel, etc.
globalism (-iz'эm) •n. a policy, outlook, etc. that is worldwide in scope glob´al·ist •n., adj.
globalize (glou´bэl aiz') -ized, -iz'ing •vt. to make global; esp., to organize or establish worldwide glob'al·i·za´tion •n.
globate (glou´beit') •adj. round like a ball [L globatus, pp. of globare, to make into a ball < globus, GLOBE]
globe (gloub) •n. 1 any round, ball-shaped thing; sphere; specif., a) the earth b) a spherical model of the earth showing the continents, seas, etc. c) a similar model of the heavens, showing the constellations, etc. 2 anything shaped somewhat like a globe; specif., a) a round glass container, as for goldfish b) a rounded glass cover for a lamp c) a small, golden ball used as a symbol of authority •vt., vi. globed, glob´ing to form or gather into a globe [ME < L globus, a ball: for IE base see CLIMB]
globefish (gloub´fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es any puffer fish or porcupine fish
globeflower (-flau'эr) •n. 1 any of a genus (Trollius) of plants of the buttercup family, with white, orange, or yellow globe-shaped flowers 2 KERRIA
globe-trotter (gloub´trät'эr) •n. a person who travels widely about the world, esp. one who does so for pleasure or sightseeing globe´-trot'ting •n., adj.
globigerina ooze (glou bij'эr ai´nэ) a fine, deep-sea sediment covering approximately one-third of the ocean floors at depths usually between 2,000 and 4,000 m (c. 6,560 and 13,120 ft.), consisting predominantly of the empty, calcareous shells of a genus (Globigerina) of planktonic foraminifera [ModL Globigerina, a genus of foraminifera (< L globus, a ball, GLOBE + ger(ere), to bear + ModL -ina, taxonomic suffix < L, pl. of -inus, -INE¹) + OOZE²]
globin (glou´bin) •n. the protein component of hemoglobin: cf. HEME [< (HEMO)GLOBIN]
globoid (glou´boid') •adj. shaped somewhat like a globe or ball •n. anything globoid
globose (glou´bous') •adj. globoid or globular Also glo´bous (-bэs) glo´bose'ly •adv. glo·bos´i·ty (-bäs´i ti:) •n. [ME < L globosus]
globular (gläb´yu: lэr, -yэ-) •adj. 1 shaped like a globe or ball; spherical; round 2 made up of globules SYN. ROUND¹
globule (gläb´yu:l', -yul) •n. a tiny ball or globe; esp., a drop of liquid [Fr < L globulus, dim. of globus, GLOBE]
globulin (gläb´yu: lin, -yэ-) •n. any of a group of proteins, fully soluble only in salt solutions, found in both animal and vegetable tissues: see ALBUMIN [prec. + -IN¹]
glochidium (glou kid´i: эm) pl. -i·a (-э) •n. 1 Bot. a barbed hair or bristle, as on certain cacti or on the spore masses of ferns 2 Zool. the parasitic larval stage of freshwater mussels (family Unionidae) which infests the gills, etc. of many fishes glo·chid´i·ate (-it, -eit') •adj. [ModL < Gr glōchis, point (see GLOSS²) + ModL -idium, dim. suffix < Gr -idion]
glockenspiel (gläk´эn spi:l', -shpi:l') •n. a percussion instrument with chromatically tuned, flat metal bars set in a frame, that produce bell-like tones when struck with small hammers [Ger < glocke, a bell (see CLOCK¹) + spiel, play]
glögg or glogg (glûg, glög) •n. a Swedish drink made by heating wines, brandy, etc. with sugar and spices and adding raisins and almonds as a garnish [Swed glögg < glödga, to mull, lit., to burn < OSwed < glöth, glowing coal, akin to OE glæd: see GLEED]
glom (gläm) glommed, glom´ming •vt. [Slang] 1 to seize; grab 2 to steal 3 to look over; view; see glom onto [Slang] to take and hold; obtain; get [earlier glaum < Scot dial., prob. < Gael glaim, to snatch]
glomerate (gläm´эr it, -eit') •adj. formed into a rounded mass or ball; clustered [L glomeratus, pp. of glomerare, to wind or make into a ball < glomus, a ball, sphere, akin to globus, GLOBE]
glomeration (gläm'эr ei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of forming into a rounded mass; agglomeration or conglomeration 2 something formed into a rounded mass; cluster [L glomeratio < glomeratus: see GLOMERATE]
glomerulate (glou mer´yu: lit, -leit') •adj. grouped in small, dense clusters [< fol. + -ATE¹]
glomerule (gläm´эr u:l') •n. 1 a compact cluster, as of a flower head 2 GLOMERULUS [Fr glomérule < ModL glomerulus, dim. < L glomus (gen. glomeris), a ball, round knot: see GLOMERATE]
glomerulonephritis (glou mer'yu: lou'ne frait´is) •n. a type of nephritis characterized by inflamed glomeruli and probably caused by certain antibody-antigen complexes in the blood filtering through the kidney [ModL: see GLOMERULUS & NEPHRITIS]
glomerulus (glou mer´yu: lэs) pl. -li' (-lai') •n. any cluster or structure of blood vessels or nerves; esp., the tiny clusters of capillaries in the kidney which act as filters, initiating the formation of urine glo·mer´u·lar (-lэr) •adj. [ModL: see GLOMERULE]
Glomma (glö´mэ) river in SE Norway, flowing south into the Skagerrak: longest river in Scandinavia: 375 mi. (603 km)
glonoin (glän´ou in) •n. NITROGLYCERIN [GL(YCERIN) + O(XYGEN) + N(ITR)O(GEN) + -IN¹]
gloom (glu:m) •vi. 1 to be or look morose, displeased, or dejected 2 to be, become, or appear dark, dim, or dismal •vt. to make dark, dismal, dejected, etc. •n. 1 darkness; dimness; obscurity 2 a dark or dim place 3 deep sadness or hopelessness; dejection [< ME gloum(b)en, to look morose, prob. < Scand, as in Norw dial. glome, to stare somberly, akin to EFris glumen, to peer secretly (< IE *Ghlu- < base *ghêl- > GLEAM, GLOW): meaning infl. by OE glom, twilight]
gloomy (glu:m´i:) gloom´i·er, gloom´i·est •adj. 1 overspread with or enveloped in darkness or dimness 2 a) very sad or dejected; hopeless; melancholy b) morose or sullen 3 causing gloom; dismal; depressing SYN. DARK gloom´i·ly •adv. gloom´i·ness •n.
glop (gläp) •n. [Colloq.] any soft, gluey substance, thick liquid, etc. glop´py •adj. [< ? GL(UE) + (SL)OP]
Gloria (glör´i: э, glou´ri: э) a feminine name •n. 1 short for a) GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO b) GLORIA PATRI 2 the music for either of these 3 [g-] a halo or its representation in art 4 [g-] a glossy, closely woven cloth of cotton, rayon, silk and wool, etc., used esp. for umbrellas [L, glory]
Gloria in excelsis Deo (in ek shel´sis dei´ou, -sel´-) glory (be) to God on high: first words of the greater doxology [L]
Gloria Patri (pä´tri:) glory (be) to the Father: first words of the lesser doxology [L]
glorify (glör´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to make glorious; give glory to 2 to exalt and honor (God), as in worship 3 to praise extravagantly; honor; extol 4 to make seem better, larger, finer, etc. than is actually the case glo'ri·fi·ca´tion •n. glo´ri·fi'er •n. [ME glorifien < OFr glorifier < LL(Ec) glorificare: see GLORY & -FY]
gloriole (glou´ri: oul', glör´i:-) •n. GLORY (sense 6) [Fr < L gloriola, dim. of gloria, glory]
glorious (glör´i: эs) •adj. 1 having, giving, or deserving glory 2 splendid; magnificent 3 [Colloq.] very delightful or enjoyable glo´ri·ous·ly •adv. glo´ri·ous·ness •n. [ME & Anglo-Fr < OFr glorios < L gloriosus]
glory (glör´i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a) great honor and admiration won by doing something important or valuable; fame; renown b) anything bringing this 2 worshipful adoration or praise 3 the condition of highest achievement, splendor, prosperity, etc. {Greece in her glory} 4 radiant beauty or splendor; magnificence 5 heaven or the bliss of heaven 6 a) a halo or its representation in art b) any circle of light •vi. -ried, -ry·ing to be very proud; rejoice; exult: with in gone to glory dead in one's glory at one's best, happiest, etc. [ME glorie < OFr < L gloria]
gloss abbrev. glossary
gloss¹ (glös, gläs) •n. 1 the brightness or luster of a smooth, polished surface; sheen 2 a deceptively smooth or pleasant outward appearance, as in manners or speech 3 short for LIP GLOSS •vt. 1 to give a polished, shiny surface to; make lustrous 2 to smooth over or cover up (an error, inadequacy, fault, etc.); make appear right by specious argument or by minimizing: often with over [a blend of vt. 1 & GLOSS²] •vi. to become shiny gloss´er •n. [prob. < Scand, as in Norw dial. glosa, to gleam: for IE base see GLASS]
gloss² (glös, gläs) •n. 1 words of explanation or translation inserted between the lines of a text 2 a) a note of comment or explanation accompanying a text, as in a footnote or margin b) a collection of such notes 3 a false or misleading interpretation •vt. 1 to furnish (a text) with glosses 2 to interpret falsely •vi. to write notes of explanation for a text; annotate gloss´er •n. [ME glose < OFr or ML glosa, for L glossa, foreign or strange word needing explanation < Gr glōssa, orig., tongue, language < *glōchia, pointed object < glochis, point < IE base *glogh-, thorn, point > OSlav gloge, thorn]
glossa (gläs´э, glös´-) pl. -sae (-i:, -ai') •n.or -sas the tongue of a vertebrate, or any tonguelike structure, as of a butterfly or moth; esp., either of the middle lobes of the labium of an insect [ModL < Gr glōssa, tongue: see GLOSS²]
glossal (gläs´эl, glös´-) •adj. of the tongue [prec. + -AL]
glossary (glös´э ri:, gläs´-) pl. -ries •n. a list of difficult, technical, or foreign terms with definitions or translations, as for some particular author, field of knowledge, etc., often included in alphabetical listing at the end of a textbook glos·sar·i·al (glö ser´i: эl, glä-) •adj. glos´sar·ist •n. [ME glosarie < L glossarium < glossa: see GLOSS²]
glossator (gläs´eit'эr; glös´-, gläs eit´-, glös-) •n. a person who writes textual glosses [ME glosatour < ML glossator]
glossitis (gläs ait´is, glös-) •n. Med. inflammation of the tongue glos·sit´ic (-it´ik) •adj. [fol. + -ITIS]
glosso- (gläs´ou, glös´-; -э) combining form 1 tongue, tongue and {glossitis} 2 of words or language {glossolalia} Also, before a vowel, gloss- [ModL < Gr glōssa: see GLOSS²]
glossographer (glэ säg´rэ fэr; glö-, glä-) •n. a writer of glosses or glossaries glos·sog´ra·phy •n. [Gr glōssographos < glōssa (see GLOSS²) + graphein, to write: see GRAPHIC]
glossolalia (gläs'ou lei´li: э, glös'-) •n. 1 ecstatic or apparently ecstatic utterance of usually unintelligible speechlike sounds, as in a religious assembly, viewed by some as a manifestation of deep religious experience 2 GIFT OF TONGUES [ModL < glosso- (see GLOSSO-) + Gr lalia, a speaking < lalein, to speak, prattle, of echoic orig.]
glossy (glös´i:, gläs´-) gloss´i·er, gloss´i·est •adj. 1 having a smooth, shiny appearance or finish 2 smooth and plausible; specious pl. gloss´ies •n. 1 Photog. a print with a glossy finish: opposed to MATTE² 2 [Colloq.] a magazine printed on glossy paper; slick gloss´i·ly •adv. gloss´i·ness •n. [GLOSS¹ + -Y³]
glottal (glät´ªl) •adj. of or produced in or at the glottis Also glot´tic (-ik)
glottal stop Phonet. a speech sound (IPA symbol [##]) articulated by a momentary complete closing of the glottis: it is sometimes heard as a variant for medial t (as in bottle or water) in some English dialects, and is the medial sound in the negative expression conventionally spelled unh-unh in English
glottis (glät´is) pl. -tis·es or -ti·des' (-i di:z') •n. the opening between the vocal cords in the larynx [ModL < Gr glōttis < glōtta, Attic var. of glōssa: see GLOSS²]
glotto- (glät´ou) combining form language
glottochronology (glät'ou krэ näl´э ji:) •n. a method for estimating the dates when the branches of a family of languages separated from the parent language and from one another [see GLOTTIS & CHRONOLOGY]
Gloucester (gläs´tэr, glös´-) 1 city in SW England, on the Severn: pop. 92,000 2 GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Gloucestershire (-shir) county of SW England, on Severn estuary: 1,020 sq. mi. (2,638 sq. km); pop. 509,000; county seat, Gloucester
glove (glûv) •n. 1 a covering for the hand, made of leather, cloth, etc., with a separate sheath for each finger and the thumb 2 Sports a) a similar covering of padded leather worn by baseball players in the field (see also MITT) b) a padded mitten worn by boxers (usually boxing glove) •vt. gloved, glov´ing 1 to supply with gloves 2 to cover with or as with a glove Æ 3 Baseball to catch (a ball) with a glove put on the gloves [Colloq.] to box [ME < OE glof & ON glofi < ? Gmc *ga-lōfa < *ga-, together (OE ge-) + *lōfa (Goth lōfa), palm of the hand: for IE base see LUFF]
glove box a sealed enclosure containing a window for viewing and ports with attached gloves for handling toxic, radioactive, sterile, etc. materials inside the enclosure
glove compartment a compartment built into the dashboard of an automobile, for miscellaneous articles
glover (glûv´эr) •n. one who makes or sells gloves
glow (glou) •vi. 1 to give off a bright light as a result of great heat; be incandescent or red-hot 2 to give out a steady, even light without flame or blaze 3 to be or feel hot; give out heat 4 to radiate health or high spirits 5 to be elated or enlivened by emotion {to glow with pride} 6 to show brilliant, conspicuous colors; be bright; specif., a) to be flushed, as from emotion, enthusiasm, etc.; be rosy or ruddy b) to gleam; flash; light up (said of the eyes) c) to be bright or luminescent (said of colors) •n. 1 a light given off as the result of great heat; incandescence 2 steady, even light without flame or blaze 3 brilliance, vividness, or luminescence of color 4 brightness of skin color, as from good health, emotion, etc.; flush 5 a sensation of warmth and well-being 6 warmth of emotion; ardor, eagerness, etc. SYN. BLAZE¹ glow´ing •adj. glow´ing·ly •adv. [ME glowen < OE glowan, akin to Ger glühen < IE *ghlō- < base *Ghel-, to shine > GOLD, GLEAM, YELLOW, Gr chlōros, light green]
glow lamp (glou) a type of discharge: see DISCHARGE TUBE
glower (glau´эr) •vi. to stare with sullen anger; scowl •n. a sullen, angry stare; scowl glow´er·ing •adj. glow´er·ing·ly •adv. [ME glouren, var. of gloren, prob. < ON, as in Norw dial. glōra, Swed dial. glora, to stare, gape < IE *Ghlōu- < base *Ghel-: see GLOW]
glowworm (glou´wørm') •n. any of a number of beetles or beetle larvae that give off a luminescent light; esp., the wingless female or the larva of the firefly
gloxinia (gläks in´i: э) •n. a cultivated tropical plant (Sinningia speciosa) of the gesneria family, with large, downy leaves and bell-shaped flowers of various colors [ModL, after B. P. Gloxin, 18th-c. Ger botanist]
gloze (glouz) glozed, gloz´ing •vt., vi. 1 orig., to make glosses or comments (on); explain 2 [Now Rare] to explain away or gloss (over) 3 [Obs.] to fawn or flatter (someone) •n. [Now Rare] 1 a gloss; comment 2 flattery 3 specious talk or insincere action [ME glosen < OFr gloser < glose: see GLOSS²]
glucagon (glu:´kэ gän') •n. a hormone formed in the pancreas, or certain cells, that increases the concentration of blood sugar and opposes the action of insulin [Ger glukagon < glukose (< Fr glucose, GLUCOSE) + Gr agōn, a struggle (see AGON): so named from effect on insulin]
Gluck (gluk), Chris·toph Wil·li·bald (kris´tôf vil´i bält') 1714-87; Ger. composer
gluconate (glu:´kэ neit') •n. 1 a salt of gluconic acid, containing the monovalent negative radical HOCH2(CHOH)5COO 2 an uncharged ester of this acid
gluconic acid (glu: kän´ik) a crystalline substance, CH2OH(CHOH)4COOH, prepared by the oxidation of glucose and used in food products and pharmaceuticals, for cleaning metals, etc. [GLUC(OSE) + -ON(E) + -IC]
glucose (glu:´kous') •n. a crystalline monosaccharide occurring naturally in fruits, honey, and blood: the commercial form, also containing dextrin and maltose, is prepared as a sweet syrup or, upon desiccation, as a white solid, by the hydrolysis of starch in the presence of dilute acids or enzymes [Fr < Gr gleúkos, sweet wine, sweetness, akin to glykys, sweet: see GLYCERIN]
glucoside (glu:´kэ said') •n. 1 early term for GLYCOSIDE 2 a glycoside whose sugar constituent is glucose glu'co·sid´ic (-sid´ik) •adj. [prec. + -IDE]
glue (glu:) •n. 1 a hard, brittle gelatin made by boiling animal skins, bones, hoofs, etc. to a jelly: when heated in water, it forms a sticky, viscous liquid used to stick things together 2 any of various similar adhesive preparations made from casein, resin, etc. •vt. glued, glu´ing to make stick with or as with glue glu´er •n. [ME gleu < OFr glu, birdlime < LL glus (gen. glutis), glue: see CLAY]
gluepot (-pät') •n. a pot like a double boiler for melting glue
glue-sniffing (-snif'iŋ) •n. the practice of inhaling the fumes of glue containing toluene or other solvents for the intoxicating and euphoric effects: it may cause damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, etc. glue´-sniff´er •n.
gluey (glu:´i:) glu´i·er, glu´i·est •adj. 1 like glue; sticky 2 covered with or full of glue glu´ey·ness •n. glu´i·ly •adv.
glug (glûg) glugged, glug´ging •vi. to make the muffled, gurgling sound of liquid flowing in spurts as from a bottle •vt. to drink, esp. by taking large gulps of •n. 1 a glugging sound 2 a large gulp of liquid [echoic]
glum (glûm) glum´mer, glum´mest •adj. feeling or looking gloomy, sullen, or morose glum´ly •adv. glum´ness •n. [prob. < ME glomen, var. of gloum(b)en: see GLOOM]
glumaceous (glu: mei´shэs) •adj. 1 having glumes 2 like glumes
glume (glu:m) •n. either of the two empty sterile bracts at the base of a grass spikelet, or a similar structure on the spikelets of sedges [ModL gluma < L, husk < base of glubere, to peel, flay: see CLEAVE¹]
gluon (glu:´än') •n. a quantum of energy or massless particle postulated to carry the force that binds quarks together within subatomic particles [GLU(E) + -ON]
glut (glût) glut´ted, glut´ting •vi. to eat like a glutton; overindulge •vt. 1 to feed, fill, supply, etc. to excess; surfeit 2 to flood (the market) with certain goods so that the supply is greater than the demand •n. [< the v.] 1 a glutting or being glutted 2 a supply of certain goods that is greater than the demand SYN. SATIATE [ME glutten < OFr gloter, to swallow < L gluttire, prob. ult. < IE base *gel-, to devour > Ger kehle, OE ceole, throat]
glutamate (glu:t´э meit') •n. a salt or ester of glutamic acid
glutamic acid (glu: tæm´ik) a nonessential amino acid, COOH(CH2)2CH(NH2)COOH: see AMINO ACID [GLUT(EN) + AM(INO) + -IC]
glutamine (glu:t´э mi:n', -min) •n. a nonessential amino acid, H2NC(O)(CH2)2CH(NH2)COOH: see AMINO ACID [GLUT(EN) + AMINE]
gluteal (glu:t´i: эl; also glu: ti:´-) •adj. of or near the muscles of the buttocks [GLUTE(US) + -AL]
gluten (glu:t´ªn) •n. a gray, sticky, nutritious mixture of proteins, including gliadin, found in wheat and other grain: it gives dough its tough, elastic quality glu´ten·ous •adj. [L gluten, glue, akin to LL glus, GLUE]
gluten bread bread made from flour rich in gluten and low in starch
gluteus (glu:t´i: эs; also glu: ti:´эs) pl. -te´i' (-ai') •n. any of the three muscles that form each of the buttocks and act to extend, abduct, and rotate the thigh [ModL < Gr gloutos, rump, buttock: for IE base see CLIMB]
glutinous (glu:t´ªn эs) •adj. gluey; sticky glu´ti·nous·ly •adv. [ME < L glutinosus < gluten: see GLUTEN]
glutton (glût´ªn) •n. 1 a person who greedily eats too much 2 a person with a great capacity for something {a glutton for work} 3 WOLVERINE [transl. of Ger vielfrass, lit., great devourer] SYN. EPICURE glut´ton·ize', -ized', -iz'ing, •vt., vi. [ME glotoun < OFr gloton < L gluto, glutto < glutire, gluttire, to devour, akin to gula, GULLET]
gluttonous (glût´ªn эs) •adj. inclined to eat too much and greedily glut´ton·ous·ly •adv. [ME glotonous < OFr glotonos: see GLUTTON]
gluttony (glût´ªn i:) pl. -ton·ies •n. the habit or act of eating too much [ME glotonie < OFr < gloton, GLUTTON]
glyceraldehyde (glis'эr æl´dэ haid') •n. the simplest aldehyde sugar, C3H6O3, used as the standard reference for carbohydrate structure and produced in the body by the oxidation of sugars
glyceric acid (gli ser´ik, glis´эr ik) a syrupy liquid, C3H6O4, occurring in two optically active forms: it is prepared by the oxidation of glycerin
glyceride (glis´эr aid', -id) •n. an ester of glycerol
glycerin (-in, -i:n') nontechnical term for GLYCEROL Also sp. glyc´er·ine (-in, -i:n') •n. [Fr glycérine < Gr glykeros, sweet < *dlykeros < ? IE base *dlku-, sweet > Gr glykys, L dulcis, sweet]
glycerinate (glis´эr in eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. to treat with glycerin glyc'er·i·na´tion •n.
glycerol (glis´эr öl', -oul') •n. an odorless, colorless, syrupy liquid, C3H5(OH)3, prepared by the hydrolysis of fats and oils: it is used as a solvent, skin lotion, food preservative, etc., and in the manufacture of explosives, alkyd resins, etc.: cf. GLYCERIN Etymology [GLYCER(IN) + -OL¹]
glyceryl (glis´эr il') •n. the trivalent radical C3H5 derived from glycerol [GLYCER(IN) + -YL]
glycine (glai´si:n', -sin; glai si:n´) •n. a sweet nonessential amino acid, CH2(NH2)COOH: it is the simplest amino acid and does not have mirror image isomeric forms: see AMINO ACID [< Gr glykys, sweet (see GLYCERIN) + -INE³]
glyco- (glai´kou, -kэ) combining form glycerol, sugar, sweet, glycogen, glycine Also, before a vowel, glyc- (glaik) [Gr glyko- < glykys: see GLYCERIN]
glycogen (glai´kэ jэn, -jen') •n. a polysaccharide, (C6H10O5)x, produced and stored in animal tissues, esp. in the liver and muscles, and changed into glucose as the body needs it [prec. + -GEN]
glycogenesis (glai'kou jen´э sis) •n. the formation of glycogen [ModL < prec., after -GENESIS]
glycogenic (-jen´ik) •adj. of glycogen or glycogenesis
glycol (glai´köl', -koul') •n. 1 ETHYLENE GLYCOL 2 any of a group of alcohols with a hydroxyl group attached to each of two carbon atoms, as ethylene glycol [GLYC(ERIN) + -OL¹]
glycolic acid (glai käl´ik) a crystalline acid, CH2OHCOOH, found in sugar cane or prepared by the oxidation of glycol
glycolysis (glai käl´i sis) •n. a complex series of cellular biochemical reactions, not requiring oxygen, that splits glucose, glycogen, or other carbohydrates into pyruvic, or lactic, acid while storing energy in ATP molecules gly·co·lyt·ic (glai'kou lit´ik) •adj. [GLYCO- + -LYSIS]
glyconeogenesis (glai'kou ni:'ou jen´э sis) •n. the production in the body of carbohydrates, esp. glycogen, from amino acids, fats, and other noncarbohydrates [GLYCO- + NEO- + -GENESIS]
glycoprotein (glai'kou prou´ti:n') •n. any of a class of compounds in which a protein is combined with a carbohydrate group
glycoside (glai kэ said') •n. any of a group of sugar derivatives, widely distributed in plants, which on hydrolysis yield a sugar and one or more other substances gly'co·sid´ic (-sid´ik) •adj. [Fr < glycose (altered after Gr glykys), for glucose, GLUCOSE + -ide, -IDE]
glycosuria (glai'kou sur´i: э) •n. the presence of sugar in the urine, often associated with diabetes mellitus gly'co·su´ric •adj. [ModL: see GLYCO- & -URIA]
glyph (glif) •n. 1 a pictograph or other symbolic character or sign, esp. when cut into a surface or carved in relief 2 Archit. a vertical channel or groove glyph´ic •adj. [Gr glyphē, a carving < glyphein, to carve, cut < IE base *gleubh- > CLEAVE¹]
glyphography (glif äg´rэ fi:) •n. a method of producing a printing plate by engraving on a wax-coated copperplate which is then used to make an electrotype [< Gr glyphē (see GLYPH) + -GRAPHY]
glyptic (glip´tik) •adj. having to do with carving or engraving, esp. on gems [Fr glyptique < Gr glyptikos < Gr glyptos, carved < glyphein: see GLYPH]
glyptics (-tiks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the art of carving or engraving designs on gems, etc. [< prec.]
glyptodont (glip´tэ dänt') •n. any of a family (Glyptodontidae) of extinct South American edentate mammals, similar to, but much larger than, an armadillo [ModL < Gr glyptos (see GLYPTIC) + -ODONT: so called from its fluted teeth]
glyptograph (-græf') •n. 1 a design cut or engraved on a gem, seal, etc. 2 a gem, seal, etc. so engraved glyp·tog·ra·phy (glip täg´rэ fi:) •n. [< Gr glyptos (see GLYPTIC) + -GRAPH]
GM 1 General Manager 2 general merchandise 3 Grand Master gm gram(s)
G-man (ji:´mæn') pl. G´-men' (-men') •n. Æ an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation [assoc. with g(overnment) man, but prob. orig. of officers in the G division of the Dublin Police]
GMAT Graduate Management Admission Test
Gmc Germanic
GMT or Gmt Greenwich mean time
Gn Bible Genesis gn guinea(s)
gnar or gnarr (när) gnarred, gnar´ring •vi. [Now Rare] to snarl or growl [echoic]
gnarl¹ (närl) •n. a knot on the trunk or branch of a tree •vt. to make knotted or twisted; contort •vi. to form gnarls Etymology [back-form. < GNARLED]
gnarl² (närl) •vi. to snarl; growl Etymology [freq. of echoic gnar]
gnarled (närld) •adj. 1 knotty and twisted, as the trunk of an old tree 2 roughened, hardened, sinewy, etc., as hands that do rough work Also gnarl´y, gnarl´i·er, or gnarl´i·est [ult. < ME knorre, a knot: see KNUR]
gnash (næsh) •vt. 1 to grind or strike (the teeth) together, as in anger or pain 2 to bite by grinding the teeth •vi. to grind the teeth together •n. the act of gnashing [Early ModE for earlier gnast < ME gnasten, prob. < ON gnīsta, to gnash (the teeth), gnastan, to gnash, prob. > IE *ghnei- < base *ghen- > GNAW]
gnat (næt) •n. 1 any of various small insects, esp. certain dipterous flies, which often bite 2 [Brit.] a mosquito strain at a gnat to hesitate or have scruples about trifles: Matt. 23:24 gnat´ty •adj. [ME < OE gnæt, akin to Ger dial. gnatze, LowG gnatte < IE *ghnedh- < base *ghen- > GNAW]
gnathic (næθ´ik) •adj. of the jaw [< Gr gnathos, jaw (for IE base see CHIN) + -IC]
gnathic index a measurement of the relative amount of protrusion of the jaw, expressed in terms of the ratio of the distance from the nasion to the basion (arbitrarily taken as 100) to the distance from the basion to the middle point of the alveolar process
gnathite (nei´θait', næθ´ait') •n. a mouth appendage of an arthropod, modified for chewing [< Gr gnathos, jaw + -ITE¹]
gnathonic (nei θän´ik) •adj. [Rare] fawning or flattering [after Gnatho, sycophant in Terence's play Eunuchus]
-gnathous combining form having a (specified kind of) jaw {prognathous} [< Gr gnathos: see GNATHIC]
gnaw (nö) gnawed, gnawed or •vt. [Rare] gnawn, gnaw´ing 1 to cut, bite, and wear away bit by bit with the teeth 2 to make by gnawing {to gnaw a hole} 3 to consume; wear away; corrode 4 to torment, as by constant pain, fear, etc.; harass •vi. 1 to bite repeatedly: with on, away, at, etc. 2 a) to produce an effect of continual biting, consuming, or corroding (with on, away, at, etc.) b) to erode c) to torment [ME gnawen < OE gnagen, akin to Ger nagen (OHG gnagan) < IE *ghnēgh < base *ghen-, to gnaw away, rub away > GNASH, GNAT]
gnawing (nö´iŋ) •n. 1 a sensation of dull, constant pain or suffering 2 [pl.] pangs, esp. of hunger
gneiss (nais) •n. a coarsegrained, metamorphic rock resembling granite, consisting of alternating layers of different minerals, such as feldspar, quartz, mica, and hornblende, and having a banded appearance gneiss´ic •adj. gneiss´oid •adj. [Ger gneis < OHG gneisto, a spark, akin to ON gneisti, OE gnast: from the luster of certain of the components]
GNMA See GINNIE MAE
gnocchi (nä´ki:, nö´-; It nyôk´ki:) •n. small, variously shaped dumplings of flour, and sometimes potato, served with a sauce [It, pl. of gnocco, dumpling, altered < nocchio, knot (in wood), prob. < Langobardic; akin to MHG knoche, a knot, gnarl: for IE base see KNUCKLE]
gnome¹ (noum) •n. Folklore any of a race of small, misshapen, dwarflike beings, supposed to dwell in the earth and guard its treasures gnom´ish •adj. [Fr < ModL gnomus < Gr gnōmē (see GNOME2): so called by PARACELSUS, prob. from the belief that gnomes had occult knowledge of the earth]
gnome² (noum, nou´mi:) •n. a wise, pithy saying; maxim [LL, a sentence, maxim < Gr gnōmē, thought, judgment, intelligence < gignōskein, to KNOW]
gnomic (nou´mik, näm´ik) •adj. 1 wise and pithy; full of aphorisms 2 designating or of a writer of aphorisms [Gr gnōmikos < gnōmē: see GNOME2]
gnomon (nou´män') •n. 1 a column or pin on a sundial, etc. that casts a shadow indicating the time of day: see SUNDIAL, illus. 2 the part of a parallelogram remaining after a similar, smaller parallelogram has been taken from one of its corners [L < Gr gnōmōn, one who knows or examines, index of a sundial < base of gignōskein, to KNOW]
gnomonic (nou´män´ik) •adj. 1 of a gnomon, or sundial 2 of the measurement of time by sundials
-gnomy combining form art or science of judging or determining {physiognomy} Etymology [Gr -gnōmia < gnōmē: see GNOME²]
gnosis (nou´sis) •n. knowledge of spiritual things; esp., an esoteric, syncretistic, allegedly superior spiritual knowledge gained by self-illumination and limited to an elite few, like that the Gnostics claimed to have [LL(Ec) < Gr gnōsis, knowledge < gignōskein, to KNOW]
-gnosis combining form knowledge, recognition {diagnosis} [< Gr gnōsis: see GNOSIS]
gnostic (näs´tik) •adj. 1 of knowledge; specif., of gnosis 2 [G-] of Gnostics or Gnosticism •n. an adherent of Gnosticism [LL(Ec) gnosticus < Gr gnōstikos] [Gr gnōstikos < gnōsis: see GNOSIS]
Gnosticism (näs´tэ siz'эm) •n. an occult salvational system, heterodox and syncretistic, stressing gnosis as essential, viewing matter as evil, and variously combining ideas derived esp. from mythology, ancient Greek philosophy, ancient religions, and, eventually, from Christianity
gnotobiotics (nou'tou bai ät´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the study of organisms raised in germ-free conditions: often a specific microorganism is also introduced gno'to·bi·ot´ic (-ik) •adj.
GNP gross national product
gnu (nu:, nyu:) pl. gnus •n.or gnu either of two large African antelopes (genus Connochaetes) with an oxlike head, horns that curve forward, and a horselike mane and tail; wildebeest [Fr gnou < Xhosa ngu]
GO general order(s)
Go Kart (gou´ kärt') trademark for a kind of KART (sense 2)
go¹ (gou) went, gone, go´ing •vi. I. indicating motion without reference to destination or point of departure 1 to move along; travel; proceed {to go 90 miles an hour} 2 to be moving {who goes there?} 3 a) to be in operation, as a mechanism, action, etc. b) to work or operate properly; function {a clock that isn't going} 4 to behave in a certain way; gesture, act, or make sounds as specified or shown {the balloon went pop} 5 to take or follow a particular course, line of action, etc.; specif., a) to turn out; result {the war went badly} b) to be guided, regulated, or directed by a procedure, method, etc. {to go by what someone says} c) to take its course; proceed {how is the evening going?}: sometimes used merely to emphasize a following verb [did you have to go and do that?] 6 to pass: said of time 7 to pass from person to person {a rumor went through the office} 8 to be known or accepted {to go by the name of Lindsay} 9 to move about or be in a certain condition or state, usually for some time {to go in rags} 10 to pass into a certain condition, state, etc.; become; turn {to go mad} 11 to have a certain form, arrangement, etc.; be expressed, phrased, voiced, or sung {as the saying goes} 12 to be or act in harmony; fit in {a hat that goes well with the dress} 13 to put oneself {to go to some trouble} 14 to contribute to a result; tend; help {facts that go to prove a case} Æ 15 to have force, validity, acceptance, etc. {that rule still goes, anything goes} 16 [Colloq.] to perform in an especially inspired or exciting manner {a jazz band that can really go} II. indicating motion from a point of departure 1 to move off; leave; depart 2 to begin to move off, as in a race: used as a command 3 a) orig., to leave a court of justice b) to continue (unpunished, unrewarded, unrequited, etc.) 4 to cease to have an effect; come to an end; pass away {the pain has gone} 5 to die 6 to be removed or eliminated {the third paragraph had to go} 7 to break away; be carried away or broken off {the mast went in the storm} 8 to fail; give way {his eyesight is going} 9 to be given up or sacrificed {the country house must go} 10 to pass into the hands of someone; be allotted, awarded, or given {the prize goes to Jean} 11 to be sold (for a specified sum) 12 [Colloq.] to pass bodily waste matter; relieve oneself III. indicating motion toward a place, point, etc. 1 to move toward a place or person or in a certain direction {to go to the back of the room} 2 to move out of sight or out of the presence of the speaker: used as a command 3 to make regularly scheduled trips as specified {a bus that goes to Chicago} 4 a) to extend, lead, reach, etc. to a place {a road that goes to London} b) to be able to extend or reach {the belt won't go around his waist} 5 to move toward, enter, or attend and then engage in or take part in the activities of: additional meaning is conveyed by the use of a noun governed by to, or by a participle [to go to college, to go swimming]; reason for going is indicated by an infinitive, by and with a verb, or by a noun governed by to [to go to learn, to go to breakfast] 6 to be capable of passing (through), fitting (into), etc. {it won't go through the door} 7 to be capable of being divided (into) {5 goes into 10 twice} 8 to carry one's case, plan, etc. (to an authority) 9 to turn or resort (to) {to go to war} 10 a) to carry one's activity to specified lengths {the pitcher went 7 innings} b) to extend or reach so far in behavior, action, etc. {to go too far in one's protests} 11 to endure; last; hold out 12 to have a particular or regular place or position {the shirts go in the top drawer} •vt. 1 to travel or proceed along {to go Route 90} 2 to bet; wager Æ 3 [Colloq.] to tolerate; put up with {I can't go him} 4 [Colloq.] to furnish (bail) for an arrested person 5 [Colloq.] to be willing to pay, bid, etc. (a specified sum) Æ 6 [Colloq.] to appreciate or enjoy {could you go a piece of pie?} 7 [Colloq.] to say: used to describe dialogue [He goes When? and she goes Tonight!] •n. pl. goes 1 the act of going 2 something that operates successfully; a success {to make a go of a marriage} 3 [Colloq.] the power of going; animation; energy 4 [Colloq.] a state of affairs Æ 5 [Colloq.] an agreement, or bargain {is it a go?} 6 [Colloq.] a try; attempt; endeavor 7 [Brit. Colloq.] a quantity given or taken at one time 8 Cribbage a) a call made by a player who cannot play a card because any card in his hand will carry the count above 31 b) a point received for playing the last card in any sequence with a count less than 31 Æ adj. [Slang] 1 functioning properly or ready to go 2 all right; OK See also phrases under GOING as people (or things) go in comparison with how other people (or things) are Æ from the word go'' from the outset go about 1 to be occupied with; be busy at; do 2 to move from place to place; circulate 3 COME ABOUT (sense 3) (at COME) go after [Colloq.] to try to catch or get; pursue go against to be or act in opposition to go along 1 to proceed; continue 2 to agree; cooperate 3 to accompany: often with with go around 1 to enclose; surround Æ 2 to be enough to provide a share for each 3 to move from place to place; circulate go at to attack or work at Æ go back on 1 [Colloq.] to be faithless or disloyal to; betray 2 to break (a promise, etc.) go beyond to exceed go by 1 to pass 2 to be guided or led by 3 to be known or referred to by go down 1 to descend; sink; set 2 to suffer defeat; lose 3 to be perpetuated, as in history 4 to fall; decline {prices went down} 5 to be swallowed 6 [Colloq.] to be accepted with approval 7 [Colloq.] to take place; happen 8 [Brit.] to leave a university, esp. upon graduation go down on [Vulgar Slang] to perform oral sex on go for 1 to be regarded or taken as 2 to try to get Æ 3 to advocate; support Æ 4 [Colloq.] to attack 5 [Colloq.] to be attracted by; like very much go hard with to cause trouble or pain to Æ go in for [Colloq.] to engage, take part, or indulge in; be given to go into 1 to inquire into 2 to take up as a study or occupation 3 to examine or review go in with to share expenses or obligations with; join go it [Colloq.] to carry on some activity; proceed; act {to go it alone} go off 1 to go away; leave, esp. suddenly 2 to explode; detonate 3 to make a noise 4 to happen go on 1 to move ahead; proceed; continue 2 to behave 3 to happen; take place 4 [Colloq.] to chatter or rant 5 Theater to make an entrance Æ go (a person) one better [Colloq.] to outdo or surpass (a person) go out 1 to come to an end; specif., a) to be extinguished b) to become outdated 2 to attend social affairs, the theater, etc. 3 to go on strike 4 to try out (for an athletic team, etc.) 5 to play the first nine holes of an 18-hole golf course go over 1 to examine thoroughly 2 to do again 3 to review Æ 4 [Colloq.] to be successful Æ go some [Colloq.] to do or achieve quite a lot go through 1 to perform thoroughly 2 to endure; suffer; experience Æ 3 to look through; search Æ 4 to get approval or acceptance 5 to spend go through with to pursue to the end; complete go to! [Archaic] come! indeed! Used to express disapproval, disbelief, etc. go together 1 to match; harmonize Æ 2 [Colloq.] to date only each other go under Æ to fail, as in business go up 1 to rise in value, price, etc.; increase 2 [Brit.] to enter a university go up in flames (or smoke) to burn go with [Colloq.] to be a sweetheart of go without to manage or do without have a go at [Colloq.] to try; attempt let go 1 to set free; let escape 2 to release one's hold or grip 3 to give up; abandon, as one's interest in something 4 to dismiss from a job; fire let oneself go to be unrestrained or uninhibited no go [Colloq.] not possible; without use or value on the go [Colloq.] in constant motion or action to go Æ 1 [Colloq.] to be taken out: said of food in a restaurant 2 remaining; still to be completed, etc. {one finished, two to go} Æ what goes? [Slang] what's happening? [ME gon < OE gan, akin to Du gaan, Ger gehen < IE base *Ghē-, orig., to leave behind, go away > Sans jíhītē, (he) goes; the pt. WENT is < WEND replacing OE eode, ME yede]
go² (gou) •n. [also G-] a Japanese game played with black and white stones on a board marked with many intersecting lines [Sino-Jpn]
goa (gou´э) •n. a small, long-haired, brownish-gray antelope (Procapra picticaudata) of Tibet [Tibetan dgoba] Goa (gou´э) small region on the SW coast of India: 1,350 sq. mi. (3,496 sq. km); formerly part of Portuguese India, since 1962 it has formed (with DAMAN & DIU) a territory of India (called GOA, DAMAN, and DIU), 1,472 sq. mi. (3,813 sq. km); pop. 1,140,000 Go´an (-эn) •adj., n.
Goa powder ARAROBA (sense 1) [first used in GOA, c. 1852]
goad (goud) •n. 1 a sharp-pointed stick used in driving oxen 2 any driving impulse; spur •vt. to drive with or as with a goad; prod into action; urge on [ME gode < OE gad, akin to Langobardic gaida, javelin < IE base *Ghei-, to throw > Sans hinvati, (he) hurls]
go-ahead (gou´э hed') •adj. 1 advancing; not pausing 2 enterprising; pushing •n. permission or signal to proceed: usually with the
goal (goul) •n. 1 the line or place at which a race, trip, etc. is ended 2 an object or end that one strives to attain; aim 3 in certain games, a) the line, crossbar, or net over or into which the ball or puck must be passed to score b) the act of so scoring c) the score made SYN. INTENTION [ME gol, boundary < ? or akin ? to OE gælan, to hinder, impede]
goal line 1 a line representing the goal in various games 2 Football either of the two lines, one at each end of the field, across which the ball must be carried or caught for a touchdown
goal post either of a pair of upright posts with a crossbar, used as a goal in football, soccer, etc.: in football the ball must be kicked over the crossbar to score a field goal or an extra point after a touchdown
goalkeeper (-ki:'pэr) •n. in certain games, a player stationed at a goal to prevent the ball or puck from crossing or entering it Also goal·ie (goul´i:) or goal´tend'er (-ten'dэr)
goaltending (goul´ten'diŋ) •n. 1 Basketball the illegal touching of a shot after it has begun its downward flight toward the basket or the touching of a free throw at any point in its course 2 Hockey, Lacrosse the act of guarding a goal, as a goalkeeper does
goanna (gou æn´э) •n. an Australian monitor lizard
goat (gout) •n. 1 pl. goats or goat a) any of a genus (Capra) of wild or domesticated bovid ruminants with hollow horns Æ b) ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT 2 a lecherous man Æ 3 [Colloq.] a person forced to take the blame or punishment for others; scapegoat [G-] Capricorn, the constellation and tenth sign of the zodiac Æ get someone's goat [Colloq.] to annoy, anger, or irritate someone [ME gote < OE gat, akin to Du geit, Ger geiss < IE base *ghaido-, he-goat > L haedus, kid goat]
goat antelope any of several bovid ruminants intermediate in their characteristics between goats and antelopes, as the serow, goral, and chamois
goatee (gou'ti:´) •n. a small, pointed beard on a man's chin [< GOAT + -EE¹: from the resemblance to a goat's beard]
goatfish (gout´fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es any of a percoid family (Mullidae) of edible, tropical reef fishes with large scales, two barbels on the lower jaw, and bright coloration
goatherd (gout´hørd') •n. one who herds or tends goats
goatish (gout´ish') •adj. 1 like, or characteristic of a goat 2 lustful; lecherous goat´ish·ly •adv. goat´ish·ness •n.
goatsbeard (gouts´bird') •n. 1 a hardy plant (Aruncus dioicus) of the rose family, with spikes of white flowers in clusters 2 any of a genus (Tragopogon) of plants of the composite family, with flower heads and seed heads that resemble large dandelions, as salsify
goatskin (gout´skin') •n. 1 the skin of a goat 2 leather made from this 3 a container as for wine or water, made of this leather
goat's-rue (gouts´ru:') •n. Æ 1 a plant (Tephrosia virginiana) of the pea family, with yellowish and purple flowers 2 a bushy Old World plant (Galega officinalis) of the pea family, with thick clusters of white or blue flowers similar to a pea plant's flower
goatsucker (gout´sûk'эr) •n. any of an order (Caprimulgiformes) of large-mouthed, usually nocturnal birds that feed on insects or fruit; esp., any of the nightjars [transl. of L caprimulgus < capri, goat + mulgere, to milk: it was thought to suck milk from goats]
gob¹ (gäb) •n. 1 a lump or mass, as of something soft 2 [pl.] [Colloq.] a large quantity or amount 3 waste material produced in coal mining, consisting of clay, shale, etc. [ME gobbe < OFr gobe, back-form. < gobet: see GOBBET]
gob² (gäb) •n. [Slang] a sailor in the U.S. Navy [< ?]
gobbet (gäb´it) •n. [Now Rare] 1 a fragment or bit, esp. of raw flesh 2 a lump; chunk; mass 3 a mouthful [ME gobet, small piece < OFr mouthful, prob. < Gaul *gobbo-, mouth]
gobble¹ (gäb´эl) •n. the characteristic throaty sound made by a male turkey •vi. -bled, -bling to make this sound [echoic, var. of GABBLE]
gobble² (gäb´эl) -bled, -bling •vt., vi. 1 to eat quickly and greedily 2 to seize eagerly; snatch (up) [prob. freq. formation on base of OFr gober, to swallow < gobet, GOBBET]
gobbledygook (gäb´эl di: guk', -dэ-; -gu:k') •n. [Slang] talk or writing, esp. of officialdom, that is pompous, wordy, involved, and full of long, Latinized words Also gob´ble·de·gook' [first used in current sense by Maury Maverick (1895-1954), U.S. Representative: ? echoic of turkey cries]
gobbler (gäb´lэr) •n. a male turkey [GOBBL(E)¹ + -ER]
Gobelin (gäb´э lin, gou´bэ-; Fr gô blæñ´) •adj. designating, of, or like a kind of tapestry made at the Gobelin works in Paris •n. Gobelin tapestry
go-between (gou´bi: twi:n') •n. a person who deals with each of two sides in making arrangements between them; intermediary
Gobi (gou´bi:) desert plateau in E Asia, chiefly in Mongolia: c. 500,000 sq. mi. (1,294,000 sq. km)
goblet (gäb´lit) •n. 1 orig., a bowl-shaped drinking container without handles 2 a drinking glass with a base and stem [ME gobelet < OFr < gobel < ? Bret gob, kop, cup]
goblin (gäb´lin) •n. Folklore an evil or mischievous spirit, often represented in pictures as humanlike and ugly or misshapen in form [ME gobelin < OFr < ML gobelinus < VL *cobalus < Gr kobalos, sprite]
gobo (gou´bou) pl. -bos or -boes •n. 1 a black screen used to reduce light falling on a camera lens 2 a screen to shield a microphone from unwanted sounds [< ?]
goby (gou´bi:) pl. -bies •n.or -by any of a family (Gobiidae) of small, predatory, spiny-finned percoid fishes of tropical and subtropical seas: the pelvic fins are united as a suction disk that clings to rocky surfaces [L gobio, gobius, gudgeon < Gr kōbios]
go-by (gou´bai') •n. [Colloq.] a passing by; esp., an intentional disregard or slight: chiefly in give (or get) the go-by to slight (or be slighted)
go-cart (gou´kärt') •n. 1 old term for a child's walker or stroller 2 a former type of light carriage 3 KART (sense 2)
god (gäd, göd) •n. 1 any of various beings conceived of as supernatural, immortal, and having special powers over the lives and affairs of people and the course of nature; deity, esp. a male deity: typically considered objects of worship 2 an image that is worshiped; idol 3 a person or thing deified or excessively honored and admired [G-] in monotheistic religions, the creator and ruler of the universe, regarded as eternal, infinite, all-powerful, and all-knowing; Supreme Being; Almighty Often used in exclamations [by god! God almighty! my god!] God willing if God is willing [ME < OE, akin to Ger gott, Goth guth, prob. < IE base *Ghau-, to call out to, invoke > Sans havaté, (he) calls upon]
Godard (gô dåř´: E gou där´), Jean-Luc (zhäñ lük´; E zhän lu:k´) 1930- ; Fr. motion-picture director
Godavari (gou dä´vэr i:) river in central India, flowing from the Western Ghats into the Bay of Bengal: c. 900 mi. (1,440 km)
godchild (gäd´chaild') pl. -chil'dren (-chil'drэn) •n. the person for whom a godparent is sponsor [ME]
goddamned (gäd´dæmd', -dæm') •adj. strongly cursed or damned: often shortened to god´damn' or god´dam' (-dæm') Used as a curse or strong intensive
Goddard (gäd´эrd), Robert Hutchings 1882-1945; U.S. physicist
goddaughter (gäd´döt'эr) •n. a female godchild [ME goddoughter < OE goddohtor]
goddess (gäd´is) •n. 1 a female god 2 a woman greatly admired, as for her beauty [ME godesse]
Gödel (gou´dэl), Kurt 1906-78; U.S. mathematician, born in Czechoslovakia
go-devil (gou´dev'эl) •n. 1 a rotary tool for scraping out obstructions from an oil pipeline 2 a metal weight dropped into an oil well to set off an explosive charge 3 a railroad handcar
godfather (gäd´fä'ðэr) •n. a male godparent
God-fearing (gäd´fir'iŋ) •adj. [occas. g-] 1 fearing God 2 devout; pious
Godforsaken (-fэr sei'kэn) •adj. [occas. g-] 1 depraved; wicked 2 desolate; forlorn
Godfrey (gäd´fri:) a masculine name: equiv. Ger. Gottfried [OFr Godefrei < OHG Godafrid < god, GOD + fridu, peace: hence, lit., peace (of) God]
God-given (gäd´giv'эn) •adj. [occas. g-] 1 given by God 2 very welcome; suitable or opportune
godhead (gäd´hed') •n. godhood; divinity [G-] God: usually with the [ME godhede]
godhood (-hud') •n. the state or quality of being a god; divinity [ME godhod: see -HOOD]
Godiva (gэ dai´vэ) Eng. Legend an 11th-cent. noblewoman of Coventry who, on the dare of her husband, rides naked through the streets on horseback so that he will abolish a heavy tax
godless (gäd´lis) •adj. 1 denying the existence of God or a god; irreligious; atheistic 2 impious; wicked god´less·ness •n. [ME godles < OE godleas]
godlike (-laik') •adj. like or suitable to God or a god; divine [ME]
godling (gäd´liŋ) •n. a minor god [see -LING¹]
godly (gäd´li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. 1 of or from God; divine 2 devoted to God; pious; devout; religious god´li·ness •n. [ME: see GOD & -LY¹]
godmother (gäd´mûð'эr) •n. a female godparent
godown (gou´daun', gou daun´) •n. in the Far East, a warehouse [Anglo-Ind < Malay gudang < Telugu gidangi]
godparent (gäd´per'эnt, -pær'-) •n. a person who sponsors a child, as at baptism, and assumes responsibility for its faith; godmother or godfather
God's acre a burial ground, esp. one in a churchyard
godsend (gäd´send') •n. anything unexpected and needed or desired that comes at the opportune moment, as if sent by God [contr. of God's send: ME sande, mission, message < OE sand < sendan, to SEND¹]
godson (gäd´sûn') •n. a male godchild
Godspeed (gäd'spi:d´) •n. success; good fortune: a wish for the welfare of a person starting on a journey or venture [contr. of God speed you]
Godthaab (göt´höp) capital of Greenland, on the SW coast: pop. 10,500
Godunov (gô'du nôf´), Bo·ris Feo·do·ro·vich (bô ři:s´ fyô´dô řô'vich) c. 1551-1605; czar of Russia (1598-1605)
Godwin (gäd´win) 1 a masculine name 2 Mary Woll·stone·craft (wul´stэn kræft') 1759-97; Eng. writer: wife of William Godwin & by him mother of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley 3 William 1756-1836; Eng. political philosopher & writer [OE Godewine, friend (of) God: see EDWIN]
Godwin Austen mountain in the Karakorum range, N Jammu & Kashmir, near the Xinjiang border: second highest mountain in the world: 28,250 ft. (8,611 m)
godwit (gäd´wit) •n. any of a genus (Limosa, family Scolopacidae) of brownish shorebirds with a long bill that curves slightly up [orig. prob. echoic of cry]
Goebbels (gö´bэls), Joseph (Paul) 1897-1945; Ger. Nazi propagandist
goer (gou´эr) •n. one that goes
Goering or Göring (gö´řiŋ), Her·mann (Wilhelm) (heř´män) 1893-1946; Ger. Nazi field marshal
Goethals (gou´θэlz), George Washington 1858-1928; U.S. army officer & engineer: in charge of building the Panama Canal (1907-14)
Goethe (gö´tэ; also Anglicized to gør´tэ, geit´э), Jo·hann Wolf·gang von (you´hän vôlf´gäŋ fôn) 1749-1832; Ger. poet & dramatist
goethite (gø´θait', gør´-; -tait; also, gou´-) •n. a hydrous oxide mineral of iron, Fe2O3·H2O [Ger göthit, after prec., in honor of his studies in geology and mineralogy]
gofer or go-fer (gou´fэr) •n. [Slang] an employee who performs minor or menial tasks such as running errands [from being asked to go for whatever is needed]
goffer (gäf´эr, göf´-) •vt. to pleat, crimp, or flute (cloth, paper, etc.) •n. 1 an iron used to goffer cloth, etc. 2 the act of pleating or fluting; also, a series of pleats, crimps, or flutes: also gof´fer·ing [Fr gaufrer, to crimp < gaufre, waffle < Du wafel, WAFFLE¹]
Gog and Magog (gäg´ эnd mei´gäg') Bible personification of the nations that, under Satan, are to war against the kingdom of God: Rev. 20:8 [Heb gog, magog: see Ezek. 38:2]
go-getter (gou´get´эr) •n. [Colloq.] an enterprising and aggressive person who usually achieves personal ambitions
goggle (gäg´эl) -gled, -gling •vi. 1 a) to stare with bulging or wide-open eyes b) to roll the eyes 2 a) to bulge or open wide in a stare b) to roll: said of the eyes •n. 1 a staring with bulging eyes 2 [pl.] large spectacles, esp. those fitted with side guards to protect the eyes against dust, wind, sparks, etc. •adj. bulging or rolling: said of the eyes [ME gogelen, to look obliquely, freq. formation prob. < Celt base, as in Ir gog, a nod, Welsh gogi, to shake]
goggle-eye (gäg´эl ai') •n. Æ any of various fishes with large, bulging eyes, as the rock bass
goggle-eyed (-aid') •adj. having eyes that bulge or roll
goggler (gäg´lэr) •n. 1 one who goggles 2 GOGGLE-EYE
Gogh , Vincent van see VAN GOGH, Vincent
goglet (gäg´lit) •n. a porous earthenware container with a long neck, for keeping water cool by evaporation [Port gorgoleta, dim., ult. < L gurgulio, gullet, akin to gurges: see GORGE]
go-go (gou´gou') •adj. 1 of dancing to rock music, as in discothèques 2 of a dancer, often semi-nude, performing erotic movements to rock music, as in a bar [short for à gogo < Fr, in plenty, ad lib., in clover < à, to + gogo, abundance, jocular redupl. of gogue, joy, prob. of echoic orig.]
Gogol (gô´gôl; E gou´gэl), Ni·ko·lai Va·sil·ie·vich (ni:'kô lai´ vä si:l´yэ vich) 1809-52; Russ. novelist & dramatist
Goiânia (goi ä´ni: э) city in central Brazil: capital of Goiás state: pop. 703,000
Goiás (goi äs´) state of central Brazil: 247,900 sq. mi. (642,092 sq. km); pop. 4,450,000; cap. Goiânia
Goidelic (goi del´ik) •n. the branch of the Celtic languages that includes Irish, Gaelic, and Manx •adj. designating or of this group of languages or the peoples who speak them [< OIr Góidel: see GAEL]
going (gou´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of one who goes: usually used in compounds {opera-going} 2 a leaving; departure 3 the condition of the ground or land as it affects traveling, walking, etc. 4 circumstances affecting progress 5 [Slang] current situation or course of events in any given area, time, or sphere {when the going gets tough be prepared to sell your stocks} •adj. 1 moving; running; working 2 conducting its business successfully {a going concern} 3 in existence or available {the best bet going} 4 commonly accepted; current {the going rate for plumbers} be going to to be intending to; will or shall Æ get going [Colloq.] to start; begin Æ get one going [Slang] to cause a person to be excited, angry, etc. going on [Colloq.] nearing or nearly (a specified age or time) Æ have something going for one [Slang] to have something working to one's advantage
going-over (-ou´vэr) •n. [Colloq.] Æ 1 an inspection or examination, esp. a thorough one Æ 2 a severe scolding or beating
goings-on (gou´iŋz än´) •n.pl. [Colloq.] actions or events, esp. when regarded with disapproval
goiter or goitre (goit´эr) •n. an enlargement of the thyroid gland, often visible as a swelling in the lower part of the front of the neck goi´trous •adj. [Fr goitre, back-form. < OFr goitron, throat < VL *gutturio < L guttur, throat: see GUTTURAL]
Golconda (gäl kän´dэ) ancient city, now ruins, in SC India, near Hyderabad: noted for diamond cutting in the 16th cent. •n. a source of great wealth, as a mine
gold (gould) •n. 1 a heavy, yellow, inert, metallic chemical element with a high degree of ductility and malleability: it is a precious metal and is used in the manufacture of coins, jewelry, alloys, etc.: symbol, Au; at. wt., 196.967; at. no., 79; sp. gr., 18.88; melt. pt., 1,064.4°C; boil. pt., 3,080°C 2 a) gold coin b) money; riches; wealth 3 the bright yellow color of gold 4 something regarded as having the value, brilliance, etc. of gold {a voice of pure gold} 5 short for GOLD MEDAL •adj. 1 of, made of, like, or plated with gold 2 having the color of gold 3 secured by or redeemable in gold; based on gold Æ 4 designating a record, tape, disc, video, etc. which has registered sales of a specified number, as one million, or value, as $500,000: gold reflects a lesser number or value than platinum [after the gold-plated copy awarded to the performer(s)] [ME < OE, akin to Ger gold, ON goll < IE base *Ghel-, to shine, gleam > GLOW, YELLOW]
gold beetle any of various gold-colored beetles Also gold´bug' (-bûg')
gold bug [Colloq.] one who buys, or advocates buying, gold as protection against an anticipated collapse in the value of currency, stocks, etc.
gold certificate 1 [Historical] a type of U.S. paper currency redeemable in gold 2 a certificate or its equivalent, representing a share of the U.S. gold reserve, issued to or redeemed from the Federal Reserve Banks when gold is bought or sold by the U.S. Treasury
Gold Coast former British territory in W Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea: see GHANA Gold Coast [Colloq.] a district where rich people live, esp. along a shore, as of a lake
gold digger [Slang] a woman who in her personal relations with men tries to get money and gifts from them
gold dust gold in very small bits or as a powder, the normal state in which it is found in placer mining
gold foil gold beaten into thin sheets slightly thicker than gold leaf [ME golde foyle]
gold leaf gold beaten into very thin sheets, used for gilding
gold medal a medal, made of or like gold, given as an award to the person winning a competition, race, etc.
gold mine 1 a mine from which gold ore is obtained 2 [Colloq.] a source of something very valuable or profitable
gold plate tableware made of or plated with gold
gold reserve the gold held by the government of a country, specif., when used, as formerly in the U.S., to secure its currency, support credit expansion, make payments to foreign governments, etc.
gold rush a rush of people to territory where gold has recently been discovered, as to California in 1849
gold standard a monetary standard solely in terms of gold, in which the basic currency unit is made equal to and redeemable by a specified quantity of gold
gold star a small, gold-colored star displayed to represent a member of the U.S. armed forces killed in war
goldbeater (-bi:t'эr) •n. a person who pounds gold into thin leaves for use in gilding gold´beat'ing •n.
goldbrick (-brik) •n. 1 [Colloq.] a worthless metal bar gilded and sold as solid gold in a swindle 2 [Colloq.] anything worthless passed off as genuine or valuable 3 [Mil. Slang] a person who tries to avoid work; shirker; loafer: also gold´brick'er •vi. [Mil. Slang] to shirk a duty or avoid work; loaf
golden (goul´dэn, gould´ªn) •adj. 1 made of, containing, or yielding gold 2 having the color and luster of gold; bright-yellow 3 very valuable or precious; excellent 4 prosperous and joyful; flourishing 5 favorable; auspicious {a golden opportunity} 6 marking or celebrating the 50th year {a golden anniversary} 7 gifted in a way that promises future success {a golden boy} 8 richly mellow, as a voice gold´en·ly •adv. gold´en·ness •n. [ME golden < gold (for earlier gilden)]
Golden Age Gr. & Rom. Myth. the early age in which mankind was ideally happy, prosperous, and innocent [g- a-] a period of great progress, prosperity, or cultural achievement [g- a-] of or for golden agers [after L (Ovid) aurea aetas]
golden ager (ei´jэr) [also G- A-] [Colloq.] an elderly person, specif. one who is 65 or older and retired
golden aster any of a genus (Chrysopsis) of North American plants of the composite family, with golden ray flowers
golden bantam corn a variety of sweet corn with bright-yellow kernels on small ears
golden calf 1 Bible a calf of gold worshiped by the Israelites while Moses was at Mount Sinai: 1 Kings 12:28 2 riches regarded as an object of worship and greedy pursuit
Golden Delicious a variety of yellow apple first grown in W. Va.
golden eagle a large, strong eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) found in mountainous districts of the Northern Hemisphere, with brown feathers on the back of its head and neck
Golden Fleece Gr. Myth. the fleece of gold that hung in a sacred grove at Colchis guarded by a dragon until taken away by Jason and the Argonauts
Golden Gate strait between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific: 2 mi. (3.2 km) wide [so named (1846) by John Charles FRÉMONT after the GOLDEN HORN in anticipation of the flow of Oriental riches through the strait]
golden glow a tall garden black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia laciniata) with numerous globular, yellow ray flower heads
golden handshake [Colloq.] payment offered to induce an employee to retire early
Golden Horde the Mongol armies that invaded Europe in 1237 and, under the Khans, ruled Russia for two centuries [from the splendors of their leader's camp]
Golden Horn arm of the Bosporus in European Turkey, forming the harbor of Istanbul
golden mean the safe, prudent way between extremes; moderation [transl. of L (Horace) aurea mediocritas]
golden nematode a small, European nematode worm (Heterodera rostochiensis) now found in the E U.S. as a destructive potato parasite
golden oldie something from the past, esp. a popular song, that continues to be popular
golden parachute [Colloq.] a large sum of money or other compensation given as severance pay to a top executive who is dismissed from a corporation as a result of its being acquired by another company
golden pheasant a pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) originally of China and Tibet, with brightly colored feathers and an orange crest
golden retriever any of a breed of medium-sized hunting dog with hanging ears and a dense, golden coat feathered on the legs, neck, and tail
golden rule the precept that one should behave toward others as one would want others to behave toward oneself: see Matt. 7:12; Luke 6:31
golden warbler any of a number of small, yellow, American warblers, as the yellow warbler
golden wedding a 50th wedding anniversary
goldeneye (goul´dэn ai', gould´ªn-) pl. -eyes' •n.or -eye' a swift, diving wild duck (Bucephala clangula) of North America and the Old World, with yellow eyes, a dark-green back, and a white breast
goldenrain tree a small, deciduous Asian tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) of the soapberry family having small yellow flowers and papery fruit pods
goldenrod (goul´dэn räd', gold´ªn-) •n. any of a genus (Solidago) of chiefly North American plants of the composite family, typically with long, branching stalks bearing one-sided clusters of small, yellow flower heads through the late summer and fall
goldenseal (-si:l') •n. an American plant (Hydrastis canadensis) of the buttercup family, with large, round leaves and a thick, yellow rootstock, formerly much used in medicine
gold-filled (gould´fild') •adj. made of a base metal overlaid with gold
goldfinch (gould´finch') •n. any of various yellow-and-black finches; esp., an Eurasian songbird (Carduelis carduelis) or an American species (C. tristis) [ME < OE goldfinc: see GOLD & FINCH]
goldfish (-fish') pl. -fish' •n. a small freshwater cyprinoid fish (Carassius auratus) often kept in ponds and aquariums and represented by numerous domestic varieties
Goldilocks (goul´di: läks') a little girl in a folk tale who visits the home of three bears •n. [g-] 1 a person with yellow hair 2 a European plant (Linosyris vulgaris) of the composite family, with clusters of small, yellow flowers
Golding (goul´ diŋ), William Gerald 1911- ; Brit. writer
Goldoni (gôl dô´ni:), Car·lo (käř´lô) 1707-93; It. dramatist
Goldsmith (gould´smiθ), Oliver c. 1730-74; Brit. poet, playwright, & novelist, born in Ireland goldsmith (gould´smiθ') •n. an artisan who makes and repairs articles of gold [ME < OE]
goldsmith beetle Æ 1 a large, bright-yellow American scarab beetle (Cotalpa lanigera) that feeds on tree foliage 2 a shiny, golden-yellow European scarab beetle (Cetonia aurata)
goldstone (gould´stoun') •n. AVENTURINE (sense 1)
goldthread (-θred') •n. Æ any of a genus (Coptis) of North American plants of the buttercup family, esp. a small perennial (C. groenlandica) with white flowers and yellow rhizomes, used in folk medicine
Goldwyn (gould´win'), Samuel (born Samuel Goldfish) 1882-1974; U.S. motion-picture producer, born in Poland
golem (gou´lэm, -lem') •n. Jewish Legend a man artificially created by cabalistic rites; robot [Heb, orig., embryo; later, monster (> Yidd goylem, dolt), akin to Ar ghulām, lad]
golf (gölf, gälf) •n. an outdoor game played on a large course with a small, hard ball and a set of clubs, the object being to hit the ball into each of a series of nine or eighteen holes in turn, using the fewest possible strokes •vi. to play golf golf´er •n. [LME (Scot) golf, gouff, usually deriv. < Du kolf, a club, but all early forms have g-, and the -l- may be unhistoric, hence < ? Scot gowf, to strike < gowf, a blow (with the open hand)]
golf club 1 any of the various clubs with a wooden or metal head and a long, slender shaft, used in golf 2 an organization owning a golf course, clubhouse, etc., for the use of its members
golf course (or links) a tract of land for playing golf, with tees, greens, fairways, hazards, etc.
Golgi apparatus (göl´ji:, goul´ji:) a network of stainable cytoplasmic fibers, rods, granules, etc., that can collect proteins and secrete them outside the cell: see CELL, illus. Also Golgi body [after C. Golgi (1844-1926), It neurologist, who first observed it (1909)]
Golgotha (gäl´gэ θэ, göl´-) Bible the place where Jesus was crucified; Calvary: Mark 15:22 •n. [g-] 1 [Rare] a burial place 2 a place of agony or sacrifice [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) golgotha < Aram gulgulta < Heb gulgolet, skull, place of a skull]
goliard (goul´yэrd) •n. any of a class of wandering students of the late Middle Ages who wrote satirical Latin verse and often served as minstrels and jesters gol·iar´dic (-yär´dik) •adj. [contr. < ME goliardeis (< OFr goliardois) & OFr goliart, glutton < gole (< L gula: see GULLET) + -art, -ARD]
Goliath (gэ lai´эθ) Bible the Philistine giant killed by David with a stone shot from a sling: 1 Sam. 17:4, 49 [LL(Ec) < Heb golyat]
golliwog or golliwogg (gäl´ai wäg', gäl´i:-) •n. 1 a grotesque black doll used in illustrations by Florence K. Upton (died 1922) for a series of children's books 2 a grotesque person [arbitrary formation, ? after POLLIWOG]
golly (gäl´i:) •interj. an exclamation of surprise, etc.: a euphemism for God
golosh or goloshe (gэ läsh´) •n. Brit. sp. of GALOSH
gombroon (gäm bru:n´) •n. a type of white, semitransparent Persian pottery [after Gombroon (Bandar Abbas), town on the Persian Gulf]
Gomel (gô´mel) city in SE Belarus: pop. 465,000
gomeral (gäm´эr эl) •n. [Scot.] a simpleton; fool [< ? obs. gome, a man (< OE guma: see HOMAGE) + -(e)rel, depreciatory suffix < OFr -erel]
Gomorrah (gэ mör´э) see SODOM [Gr Gomorrha < Heb]
Gompers (gäm´pэrz), Samuel 1850-1924; U.S. labor leader, born in England
gomphosis (gäm fou´sis) pl. -ses •n. a form of immovable joint in which a bone or other hard part, as a tooth, fits into a socket [ModL < Gr gomphōsis, a nailing together < gomphos, a nail, bolt, tooth: see COMB¹]
gomuti (gou mu:t´i:) •n. 1 a Malayan palm (Arenga pinnata) with feathery leaves and a sweet sap from which a crude sugar and an alcoholic beverage, arrack, are made 2 the wiry fibers from the leaf stalks of this palm used in making ropes, brushes, etc. [Malay gemuti]
-gon (gän, gэn) combining form a figure having (a specified number of) angles {pentagon} [Gr -gōnon < gōnia, an angle: see KNEE]
gonad (gou´næd'; also gän´æd') •n. an organ or gland in animals that produces reproductive cells; esp., an ovary or testis go·nad´al •adj. [< ModL gonas (pl. gonades) < Gr gonē, a seed, generation < IE *gon- < base *Gen-, to produce > GENUS]
gonadotropin (gou næd'ou trou´pin) •n. a hormone that supports and stimulates the function and growth of the gonads Also go·nad'o·tro´phin (-fin) go·nad'o·trop´ic (-träp´ik) or go·nad'o·troph´ic (-träf´ik, -trou´fik) •adj.
Goncourt (gouñ ku:ř´) 1 Ed·mond Louis An·toine Hu·ot de (ed mouñ´ lwi:´ äñ twån´ ü ou´dэ) 1822-96; Fr. novelist & art critic 2 Jules Al·fred Huot de (zhül´ ål fřed´) 1830-70; Fr. novelist & art critic: brother of Edmond, with whom he collaborated
Gond (gänd, gound) •n. a member of a group of aboriginal peoples of central India [< native (Gondi) name]
Gondar (gän´dэr) city in NW Ethiopia: former capital: pop. 69,000
Gondi (gän´di:, goun´-) •n. a Dravidian language, consisting of many dialects, spoken by the Gonds
gondola (gän´dou lэ, -dэ-; often gän dou´lэ, gэn-) •n. 1 a long, narrow boat for a few passengers used on the canals of Venice, having a high, pointed prow and stern and propelled by a single long oar at the stern Æ 2 a flat-bottomed river barge Æ 3 a railroad freight car with no top and, often, with low sides: also gondola car 4 a cabin suspended under an airship or balloon, for holding the motors, instruments, passengers, etc. Æ 5 a car suspended from and moved along a cable, for holding passengers [It (Venetian) < Rhaeto-Romanic (dial.) gondolá, to rock]
gondolier (gän'dou lir´, -dэ-) •n. a man who propels a gondola [Fr < It gondoliere < gondola]
Gondwana (gänd wä´nэ) a hypothetical ancient continent that included what are now India, Australia, Africa, South America, and Antarctica, supposed to have separated and moved apart from Pangea at about the end of the Paleozoic Era [after the Gondwana Series, an extensive tillite deposit in Gondwana, region in central India < GOND]
gone (gön, gän) •vi., vt. pp. of GO¹ •adj. 1 moved away; departed 2 ruined 3 lost 4 dead 5 faint; weak 6 used up; consumed 7 ago; past Æ 8 [Slang] a) excellent; first-rate b) enraptured or inspired c) pregnant far gone 1 much advanced; deeply involved 2 nearly dead gone on [Colloq.] in love with [ME gon < OE gan]
gonef (gän´эf) •n. [Slang] alt. sp. of GANEF
goner (gön´эr) •n. a person or thing that is beyond help or seems certain to die soon, be ruined, etc. [< GONE + -ER]
Goneril (gän´эr il) in Shakespeare's King Lear, the elder of Lear's two cruel and disloyal daughters
gonfalon (gän´fэ län', -lэn) •n. a flag hanging from a crosspiece instead of an upright staff, usually ending in streamers; esp., such a standard of any of the medieval republics of Italy [Fr < OFr gonfanon, banner < Frank *gundfano, battle standard (akin to OE guthfana) < gund, battle (akin to OE guth: see DEFEND) + fano (OE fana), banner: see FANON]
gonfalonier (gän'fэ lэn ir´) •n. 1 the bearer of a gonfalon 2 in some medieval republics of Italy, a high official [< Fr or It: Fr gonfalonier < It gonfaloniere]
gong (göŋ, gäŋ) •n. 1 a slightly convex metallic disk that gives a loud, resonant tone when struck: used as a signal, percussion instrument, etc. 2 a saucer-shaped bell with such a tone 3 [Brit. Slang] a medal [Malay gun: echoic]
Gongorism (gäŋ´gэ riz'эm) •n. a highly mannered Spanish literary style characterized by affected diction and strained figures of speech [after the style of Luis de Góngora y Argote (1561-1627), Sp poet]
gonidium (gou nid´i: эm) pl. -nid´i·a (-э) •n. 1 a reproductive cell produced asexually in certain algae, as tetraspores or zoospores 2 any of the chlorophyll-bearing algal cells in lichens go·nid´i·al •adj. [ModL, dim. < Gr gonos: for base see GONAD]
goniff or gonif (gän´if) •n. [Slang] var. of GANEF
gonio- (gou´ni: ou') combining form angle {goniometry} Also go·ni- (gou´ni:) [< Gr gōnia, an angle: see KNEE]
goniometer (gou'ni: äm´э tэr) •n. 1 an instrument for measuring angles, esp. of solid bodies 2 Radio an electrical device used to determine the direction or angle of signals coming from a transmitting station [prec. + -METER]
goniometry (gou'ni: äm´э tri:) •n. the theory or science of measuring angles go'ni·o·met´ric (-ni: э me´trik) •adj. [GONIO- + -METRY]
gonion (gou´ni: än') pl. -ni·a (-э) •n. the point where the bottom of the lower jaw curves upward toward the ear [ModL < Gr gonia, an angle: see KNEE]
-gonium (gou´ni: эm) combining form forming nouns a cell or structure in which reproductive cells are formed {archegonium} [ModL < Gr gonos: see GONO-]
gono- (gän´ou, -э) combining form reproductive, sexual {gonococcus, gonophore} Also, before a vowel, gon- (gän) [< Gr gonos, gonē, procreation, offspring, semen, seed: see GONAD]
gonococcus (gän'ou käk´эs, gän'э-) pl. -coc´ci' (-käk´sai') •n. the bacterium (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) that causes gonorrhea gon'o·coc´cal (-käk´эl) •adj. [ModL < prec. + COCCUS]
gonof or gonoph (gän´эf) •n. [Slang] alt. sp. of GANEF
gonophore (gän´ou för, gän´э-) •n. 1 an extension of the axis of a flower, lifting the pistil and stamens above the floral envelope 2 a hydranth of a hydroid colony, specialized for the asexual production of offspring gon'o·phor´ic (-för´ik) or go·noph·o·rous (gou näf´э rэs) •adj. [GONO- + -PHORE]
gonopore (gän´ou pör', gän´э-) •n. an external genital opening through which gametes are released, as in earthworms or insects [GONO- + PORE²]
gonorrhea or gonorrhoea (gän'э ri:´э) •n. an infectious venereal disease caused by gonococci, characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the genitourinary tract and a discharge of mucous and pus: it can seriously affect other mucous membranes, esp. those of the eye, as in a baby during childbirth gon´or·rhe´al or gon'or·rhoe´al •adj. [LL gonorrhoea < Gr gonorrhoia < gonos, a seed, semen (see GONAD) + rhoia < rheein, to flow: see STREAM]
-gony (gэ ni:) combining form production, generation, coming into being {cosmogony, theogony} [L -gonia < Gr < base of gignesthai, to be born: see GENUS]
gonzo (gän´zou) •adj. [Slang] 1 bizarre, unrestrained, or extravagant: used esp. of a style of personal journalism 2 crazy or foolish [< It, blockhead < ?]
goo (gu:) •n. [Slang] 1 anything sticky, as glue 2 anything sticky and sweet 3 excessive sentimentality [prob. < baby talk]
goober (gu:´bэr, gub´эr) •n. [Chiefly South] a peanut [< Kongo nguba]
good (gud) bet´ter, best •adj. I. a general term of approval or commendation 1 a) suitable to a purpose; effective; efficient {a lamp good to read by} b) producing favorable results; beneficial; salutary {good exercise for the legs} c) in accord with prevailing usage {good English} d) clever or witty {a good quip} 2 fertile {good soil} 3 fresh; unspoiled; uncontaminated {good eggs} 4 valid; genuine; real {good money, a good excuse} 5 healthy; strong; vigorous {good eyesight} 6 financially safe or sound {a good investment} 7 honorable; worthy; respectable {one's good name} 8 enjoyable, desirable, pleasant, happy, etc. {a good life} 9 dependable; reliable; right {good advice} 10 thorough; complete {a good job of cleaning up} 11 a) excellent of its kind {a good novel} b) best or considered best {her good china} 12 adequate; ample; sufficient; satisfying {a good meal} 13 morally sound or excellent; specif., a) virtuous; honest; just b) pious; devout c) kind, benevolent, generous, sympathetic, etc. d) well-behaved; dutiful 14 a) proper; becoming; correct {good manners} b) socially acceptable {a good family} 15 able; skilled; expert {a good swimmer} 16 loyal or conforming {a good Democrat} 17 Law effectual; valid {good title} II. a general intensive 1 to a considerable amount, extent, or degree {a good many, a good beating} 2 at least; full {we waited a good six hours} •n. something good; specif., a) that which is morally right b) worth; virtue; merit {the good in a man} c) something contributing to health, welfare, happiness, etc.; benefit; advantage {the greatest good of the greatest number} d) something desirable or desired: see also GOODS •interj. an exclamation of satisfaction, pleasure, agreement, etc.: in some exclamatory phrases expressing surprise, consternation, etc. (Ex.: good gracious! good grief!), good is a euphemism for God •adv. well, completely, fully, etc.: variously regarded as substandard, dialectal, or colloquial as good as in effect; virtually; nearly come to no good to come to a bad end; end in failure, trouble, etc. for good (and all) for always; finally; permanently Æ good and [Colloq.] very or altogether good for 1 able to survive, endure, or be used for (a specified period of time) 2 worth {a coupon good for 10¢} 3 able to pay, repay, or give 4 sure to result in {good for a laugh} Æ 5 used to express approval {good for you!} Æ make good 1 to give or do something as a substitute for; repay or replace 2 to fulfill 3 to succeed in doing; accomplish 4 to be successful 5 to prove no good useless or worthless the good 1 those who are good 2 what is morally good to the good as a profit, benefit, or advantage [ME gode < OE gōd, akin to Ger gut < IE base *ghedh-, to unite, be associated, suitable > GATHER]
good afternoon a salutation of greeting or farewell used in the afternoon
Good Book the Bible: usually with the
good cheer 1 merrymaking; revelry 2 good food and drink; feasting 3 cheerful or courageous spirit
Good Conduct Medal a U.S. military decoration awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity
good day a salutation of greeting or farewell
good evening a salutation of greeting or farewell used in the evening
good faith absence of malice or any intention to deceive; good intentions; sincerity
good fellow an agreeable, convivial person
Good Friday the Friday before Easter Sunday, observed in commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus
Good Hope 1 Cape of cape at the SW tip of Africa, on the Atlantic 2 Cape of old name of CAPE PROVINCE
good humor a cheerful, agreeable, pleasant mood
good looks (-luks) attractive personal appearance; esp., pleasing facial features
good morning a salutation of greeting or farewell used in the morning
good nature a pleasant, agreeable, or kindly disposition; amiability; geniality
good night a salutation of farewell used at night in parting or going to bed
good old boy [Colloq.] a man of the Southern U.S., variously characterized as easygoing, companionable, assertively masculine, and strongly identifying with his regional lifestyle
good Samaritan a person who pities and helps another or others unselfishly: see Luke 10:30-37
Good Shepherd name for JESUS: John 10:11
good speed success; good luck: a farewell expressing good wishes to a person starting on a trip or venture
good turn a good deed; friendly, helpful act; favor
goodbye or good-bye (gud'bai´) pl. -byes´ farewell: a term used at parting: also sp. good'by´ or good'-by´ •interj., n. [contr. of God be with ye]
good-fellowship (gud´fel´ou ship') •n. hearty, convivial companionship [prec. + -SHIP]
good-for-nothing (gud´fэr nûθ´iŋ) •adj. useless or worthless •n. a useless or worthless person
good-hearted (gud´härt'id) •adj. kind and generous good´-heart'ed·ly •adv. good´-heart'ed·ness •n.
good-humored (-hyu:´mэrd) •adj. having or showing good humor; cheerful and agreeable good´-hu´mored·ly •adv.
goodish (gud´ish) •adj. 1 fairly good 2 fairly large
good-looking (gud´luk´iŋ) •adj. pleasing in appearance; beautiful or handsome SYN. BEAUTIFUL
goodly (gud´li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. 1 of attractive appearance; good-looking 2 of good quality; fine 3 rather large; ample {a goodly sum} good´li·ness •n.
goodman (gud´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. [Archaic] 1 a husband or master of a household 2 a title equivalent to Mr., applied to a man ranking below a gentleman [ME: see GOOD & MAN] Goodman (gud´mэn), Ben·ny (ben´i:) (born Benjamin David Goodman) 1909-86; U.S. clarinetist, jazz musician, & band leader
good-natured (gud´nei´chэrd) •adj. having or showing good nature; pleasant; agreeable; affable SYN. AMIABLE good´-na´tured·ly •adv.
goodness (gud´nis) •n. 1 the state or quality of being good; specif., a) virtue; excellence b) kindness; generosity; benevolence 2 the best part, essence, or valuable element of a thing •interj. an exclamation of surprise or wonder: a euphemism for God {for goodness' sake!} [ME goodnesse < OE godnes]
goods (gudz) •n.pl. 1 movable personal property 2 merchandise; wares 3 fabric; cloth 4 [Brit.] freight: usually used attributively Æ deliver the goods [Colloq.] to do or produce the thing required Æ get (or have) the goods on [Slang] to discover (or know) something incriminating about Æ the goods [Slang] what is required, genuine, or valid
good-sized (gud´saizd´) •adj. ample; big or fairly big
good-tempered (-tem'pэrd) •adj. having a good temper; not easily angered or annoyed; amiable good´-tem'pered·ly •adv.
good-time Charlie (or Charley) (-taim´) [Colloq.] a carefree, sociable, pleasure-seeking fellow