edict (i:´dikt') •n. 1 an official public proclamation or order issued by authority; decree 2 any command or order e·dic·tal (i: dik´tэl) •adj. [L edictum, neut. pp. of edicere, to proclaim < e-, out + dicere, to speak: see DICTION]

edification (ed'i fi kei´shэn) •n. an edifying or being edified; instruction; esp., moral or spiritual instruction, improvement, or enlightenment [ME edificacioun < LL(Ec) aedificatio < L, act of building]

edifice (ed´i fis) •n. 1 a building, esp. a large, imposing one 2 any elaborately constructed institution, organization, etc. SYN. BUILDING [ME < OFr < L aedificium, a building < aedificare: see EDIFY]

edify (ed´i fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to instruct in such a way as to improve, enlighten, or uplift morally or spiritually 2 [Archaic] to build; establish ed´i·fi'er •n. [ME edifien < OFr edifier < L aedificare, to build, construct (in LL(Ec) to edify) < aedes, a dwelling, house, temple, orig., hearth, fireplace < IE base *ai-dh-, to burn (> Gr aithein, to burn, OE ad, pyre) + -ficare < facere, to make, DO¹]

edile (i:´dail') •n. AEDILE

Edina (e dai´nэ, i-) suburb of Minneapolis, in E Minn.: pop. 46,000 [coined by Scot settlers as a diminutive of fol.]

Edinburgh (ed´ªn bør'э, -ou) capital of Scotland, in the Lothian region, on the Firth of Forth; pop. 419,000

Edirne (e dir´nэ) city in NW European Turkey, near the Greek border, on the site of an ancient Roman city (Adrianopolis) founded by the emperor Hadrian (c. A.D. 125): pop. 72,000

Edison (ed´i sэn), Thomas Alva 1847-1931; U.S. inventor, esp. of electrical & communication devices, including the incandescent lamp, phonograph, & microphone Edison (ed´i sэn) urban township in NC N.J.: pop. 89,000 [after prec., who had his first laboratory here]

edit abbrev. 1 edited (by) 2 edition 3 editor edit (ed´it) •vt. 1 to prepare (an author's works, journals, letters, etc.) for publication, by selection, arrangement, and annotation 2 to revise and make ready (a manuscript) for publication 3 to supervise the publication of and set the policy for (a newspaper, periodical, reference book, etc.) Æ 4 to prepare (a film, tape, or recording) for presentation by cutting and splicing, dubbing, rearranging, etc. 5 to make additions, deletions, or other changes in (a computer file) •n. [Colloq.] an act of editing {a cut made in the edit} Æ edit out to delete in editing [back-form. < EDITOR]

Edith (i:´diθ) a feminine name: dim. Edie [OE Eadgyth < ead (see EDGAR) + guth, combat, battle, war]

edition (i dish´эn) •n. 1 the size, style, or form in which a book is published {a pocket edition} 2 a) the total number of copies of a book or the like printed from the same plates, type, etc. and published at about the same time b) a single copy of such a printing 3 any of the versions of a textbook, reference book, etc. that is maintained by periodic revision {the fourth edition of a handbook} 4 the issue of a standard work or of the writings of a well-known author, distinguished by its editor, publisher, etc. {the Skeat edition of Chaucer} 5 any of the various regular issues of a newspaper {the Sunday edition} Æ 6 any set of like items made and offered for sale at one time {a limited edition of commemorative plates} [ME edicion < L editio, a bringing forth, publishing < edere: see EDITOR]

editor (ed´it эr) •n. 1 a person who edits; often, specif., one whose work is procuring and editing manuscripts Æ 2 the head of a department of a newspaper, magazine, etc. Æ 3 a device for editing motion-picture film, videotape, etc. as by viewing, cutting, and splicing ed´i·tor·ship' •n. [L < editus, pp. of edere, to give out, publish < e-, out + dare, to give: see DATE¹]

editor in chief pl. editors in chief the editor who heads or supervises the editorial staff of a publication

editorial (ed'i tör´i: эl) •adj. 1 a) of or by an editor b) of or for editing 2 characteristic of an editor or editorial; expressing opinion in the manner of an editor {an editorial comment} 3 denoting or of the stories, articles, etc. of a publication, as distinct from advertisements, pictures, etc. Æ n. a statement of opinion in a newspaper or magazine, or on radio or television, as by an editor, publisher, or owner ed'i·to´ri·al·ly •adv.

editorialist (-ist) •n. a writer of editorials

editorialize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt., vi. 1 to express editorial opinions about (something) 2 to put editorial opinions into (a factual news article, etc.) ed'i·to'ri·al·i·za´tion •n. ed'i·to´ri·al·iz'er •n.

EdM or Ed.M. Master of Education

Edmonton (ed´mэn tэn) capital of Alberta, Canada, in the central part: pop. 573,000 (met. area 786,000) [prob. after Edmonton, former borough of London, England]

Edmund or Edmond (ed´mэnd) a masculine name: dim. Ed, Ned [OE Eadmund < ead (see EDGAR) + mund, hand, protection: see MANUAL]

Edna (ed´nэ) a feminine name [Gr < Heb, delight: see EDEN]

Edo (i:´dou) •n. 1 a member of a people living in the Benin region of S Nigeria 2 the Kwa language of this people

Edom (i:´dэm) 1 Esau, Jacob's brother: Gen. 25:30 2 ancient kingdom in SW Asia, south of the Dead Sea

Edomite (-ait') •n. Bible a descendant of Edom, or Esau; inhabitant of Edom: Gen. 36 E´dom·it'ish •adj.

EDP electronic data processing

EDT Eastern Daylight Time

EDTA (i:'di:'ti:'ei´) •n. a colorless, crystalline solid, C10H16N2O8, used as an industrial chelating agent, food preservative, etc. and in medicine to chelate lead, copper, etc. in metal poisoning, to prevent coagulation of blood, etc. [e(thylene)d(iamine)t(etraacetic) a(cid)]

educ 1 education 2 educational

educable (ej´u: kэ bэl, ej´э-) •adj. that can be educated or trained ed'u·ca·bil´i·ty •n.

educate (ej´u: keit', ej´э-) -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to train or develop the knowledge, skill, mind, or character of, esp. by formal schooling or study; teach; instruct 2 to form and develop (one's taste, etc.) 3 to pay for the schooling of (a person) SYN. TEACH [ME educaten < L educatus, pp. of educare, to bring up, rear, or train < educere < e-, out + ducere, to lead: see DUCT]

educated (-keit'id) •adj. 1 having, or showing the results of, much education Æ 2 based on knowledge or experience {an educated guess}

education (ej'u: kei´shэn, ej'э-) •n. 1 the process of training and developing the knowledge, skill, mind, character, etc., esp. by formal schooling; teaching; training 2 knowledge, ability, etc. thus developed 3 a) formal schooling at an institution of learning b) a stage of this {a high-school education} 4 systematic study of the methods and theories of teaching and learning [L educatio: see EDUCATE]

educational (-shэ nэl) •adj. 1 relating to education 2 giving instruction or information; educating {an educational film} ed'u·ca´tion·al·ly •adv.

educational park a centralized, integrated educational facility in a metropolitan area, designed for students from widespread areas throughout the community and consisting variously of schools from kindergarten through college on one campus

educationist (-shэn ist) •n. an educator; esp., an authority on educational theory: often a disparaging term with varying connotations of inflexibility, intellectual limitations, or bias against traditionalism Also ed'u·ca´tion·al·ist (-shэ nэ list)

educative (ej´u: keit'iv, ej´э-) •adj. 1 educating or tending to educate; instructive 2 of education; educational

educator (-keit'эr) •n. 1 a person whose work is to educate others; teacher 2 a specialist in the theories and methods of education [L]

educe (i: du:s´, -dyu:s´) -duced´, -duc´ing •vt. 1 to draw out; elicit 2 to infer from data; deduce SYN. EXTRACT e·duc·i·ble •adj. e·duc·tion (i: dûk´shэn) •n. [L educere: see EDUCATE]

educt (i:´dûkt') •n. 1 something educed 2 a substance separated unchanged from another substance: distinguished from PRODUCT [L eductum, neut. pp. of educere]

Edward , Lake lake in EC Africa, between Zaire and Uganda: 830 sq. mi. (2,150 sq. km) Edward (ed´wэrd) 1 a masculine name: dim. Ed, Eddie, Ned, Ted, Teddy; equiv. Fr. Édouard, Ger. Eduard, It. & Sp. Eduardo, Scand. Edvard 2 1330-76; Prince of Wales: son of Edward III: called the Black Prince 3 Edward I 1239-1307; king of England (1272-1307): son of Henry III 4 Edward II 1284-1327; king of England (1307-27): son of Edward I 5 Edward III 1312-77; king of England (1327-77): son of Edward II 6 Edward IV 1442-83; king of England (1461-70; 1471-83): son of Richard, duke of York 7 Edward V 1470-83; king of England (1483): son of Edward IV: reputed to have been murdered by order of Richard III 8 Edward VI 1537-53; king of England & Ireland (1547-53): son of Henry VIII & Jane Seymour 9 Edward VII 1841-1910; king of Great Britain & Ireland (1901-10): son of Queen Victoria 10 Edward VIII see WINDSOR, Duke of [OE Eadweard < ead (see EDGAR) + weard, guardian, protector (see WARD): hence, wealthy (or fortunate) guardian]

Edward the Confessor c. 1004-66; king of England (1042-66): canonized: his day is Oct. 13

Edwardian (ed wär´di: эn, -wör´-) •adj. designating or of the reigns of any of the English kings named Edward; specif., a) designating, or in the style of, the architecture of the period of the first three Edwards b) of or characteristic of the time of Edward VII, esp. with reference to literature, art, and fashion

Edwards (ed´wэrdz), Jonathan 1703-58; Am. theologian

Edwin (ed´win) a masculine name: dim. Ed, Eddie; fem. Edwina [OE Eadwine < ead (see EDGAR) + wine, friend < Gmc *weniz < IE base *wen-, to strive, desire, love (> WIN(SOME), WISH, L Venus): lit., rich friend]

Edwina (ed wi:´nэ, -win´э) a feminine name: dim. Winnie: see EDWIN [fem. of prec.]

EE Electrical Engineer

-ee¹ (i:) suffix forming nouns 1 the recipient of a (specified) action, grant, or benefit {appointee, selectee, mortgagee} 2 a person in a (specified) condition {absentee, employee} 3 a person or thing associated in some way with another {bargee, goatee} 4 a person that performs the (specified) action {standee} [< Anglo-Fr & OFr -é, orig. masc. ending of pp. of verbs in -er < L -atus: see -ATE²]

-ee² (i:) suffix forming an old-fashioned nonstandard form of nouns of nationality ending in -ESE {Chinee, Portugee}

EEC European Economic Community

EEG electroencephalogram

eel (i:l) pl. eels or eel •n. 1 any of an order (Anguilliformes) of bony fishes with long, slippery, snakelike bodies and no pelvic fins 2 any of various other snakelike fishes, including the electric eel and lamprey eel·y (i:l´i:) •adj. [ME ele < OE æl, akin to Ger aal]

eelgrass (-græs') •n. 1 a flowering plant (Zostera marina) of the pondweed family, that grows underwater and has long, grasslike leaves 2 TAPE GRASS

eelpout (-paut') pl. -pout' or -pouts' •n. 1 any of a family (Zoarcidae, order Gadiformes) of marine bony fishes that resemble eels 2 BURBOT [OE ælepute: see EEL & POUT²]

eelworm (-wørm') •n. any of a large number of nematode worms that are either free-living or parasitic on plants

e'en (i:n) •adv. old poet. contr. of EVEN¹ •n. [Old Poet. or Dial.] even(ing)

EEOC Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

EER energy efficiency ratio

-eer (ir) suffix 1 forming nouns a) a person or thing that has to do with {auctioneer, mountaineer} b) a person who writes, makes, etc. (sometimes used derogatorily) {pamphleteer, profiteer} 2 forming verbs to have to do with {electioneer} [Fr -ier < L -arius]

e'er (er, ær, eir) •adv. old poet. contr. of EVER

eerie or eery (ir´i:, i:´ri:) -ri·er, -ri·est •adj. 1 orig., timid or frightened; uneasy because of superstitious fear 2 mysterious, uncanny, or weird, esp. in such a way as to frighten or disturb SYN. WEIRD ee´ri·ly •adv. ee´ri·ness •n. [N Eng dial & Scot < ME eri, filled with dread, prob. var. of erg, cowardly, timid < OE earg, akin to Ger arg, bad, wicked: for IE base see ORCHESTRA]

ef- (ef, if, эf) prefix EX-¹: used before f {efface}

efface (э feis´, i-) -faced´, -fac´ing •vt. 1 to rub out, as from a surface; erase; wipe out; obliterate {time effaced the memory} 2 to make (oneself) inconspicuous; withdraw (oneself) from notice SYN. ERASE ef·face´a·ble •adj. ef·face´ment •n. ef·fac´er •n. [Fr effacer < e- (see EF-) + face: see FACE]

effect (e fekt´, i-; often i:-, э-) •n. 1 anything brought about by a cause or agent; result 2 the power or ability to bring about results; efficacy {a law of little effect} 3 influence or action on something {the drug had a cathartic effect} 4 general meaning; purport {he spoke to this effect} 5 a) the impression produced on the mind of the observer or hearer, as by artistic design or manner of speaking, acting, etc. {to do something just for effect} b) something, as a design, aspect of nature, etc., that produces a particular impression {striking cloud effects} c) a scientific phenomenon {the Doppler effect} 6 the condition or fact of being operative or in force {the law goes into effect today} 7 [pl.] belongings; property {household effects} •vt. to bring about; produce as a result; cause; accomplish {to effect a compromise} give effect to to put into practice; make operative in effect 1 in result; actually; in fact 2 in essence; virtually 3 in operation; in force take effect to begin to produce results; become operative to the effect with the purport or meaning ef·fect´er •n. SYN.—effect is applied to that which is directly produced by an action, process, or agent and is the exact correlative of cause; consequence suggests that which follows something else on which it is dependent in some way, but does not connote as direct a connection with cause; result stresses that which is finally brought about by the effects or consequences of an action, process, etc.; issue, in this connection, suggests a result in which there is emergence from difficulties or conflict; outcome refers to the result of something that was in doubt see also PERFORM —ANT. cause [ME < OFr (& L) < L effectus, orig., pp. of efficere, to bring to pass, accomplish < ex-, out + facere, DO¹]

effective (e fek´tiv, i-; often i:-, э-) •adj. 1 having an effect; producing a result 2 producing a definite or desired result; efficient 3 in effect; operative; active 4 actual, not merely potential or theoretical 5 making a striking impression; impressive 6 equipped and ready for combat •n. a soldier, unit, etc. equipped and ready for combat: usually used in pl. ef·fec´tive·ly •adv. ef·fec´tive·ness •n. SYN.—effective is applied to that which produces a definite effect or result [an effective speaker]; efficacious refers to that which is capable of producing the desired effect or result [an efficacious remedy]; effectual specifically implies the production of the desired effect or result in a decisive manner [an effectual reply to his charge]; efficient implies skill and economy of energy in producing the desired result and is often applied to persons [an efficient worker] —ANT. futile [ME & OFr effectif < L effectivus]

effector (e fek´tэr, i-) •n. 1 a muscle, gland, cell, etc. capable of responding to a stimulus, esp. to a nerve impulse 2 that part of a nerve which transmits an impulse to an organ of response [L, a producer < effectus: see EFFECT]

effectual (e fek´chu: эl, i-; often i:-, э-) •adj. 1 producing, or able to produce, the desired effect 2 having legal force; valid SYN. EFFECTIVE ef·fec'tu·al´i·ty (-æl´э ti:) •n. [ME < OFr effectuel < ML effectualis]

effectually (-э li:) •adv. with the desired effect; completely; effectively

effectuate (-eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. to bring about; cause to happen; effect ef·fec'tu·a´tion •n. [< Fr effectuer (< L effectus: see EFFECT), with ending after verbs in -ate (e.g., ACTUATE)]

effeminacy (e fem´э nэ si:, i-) •n. the quality or state of being effeminate

effeminate (e fem´э nit, i-) •adj. 1 having the qualities generally attributed to women, as weakness, timidity, delicacy, etc.; unmanly; not virile 2 characterized by such qualities; weak; soft, decadent, etc. {effeminate art} SYN. FEMALE ef·fem´i·nate·ly •adv. [ME effeminat < L effeminatus pp. of effeminare, to make womanish < ex-, out + femina, a woman: see FEMALE]

effendi (e fen´di:) pl. -dis •n. Sir; Mr.: a Turkish title of respect [Turk efendi < ModGr aphentēs < Gr authentēs, a master: see AUTHENTIC]

efferent (ef´эr эnt) •adj. Physiol. carrying away from a central part; specif., designating nerves that carry impulses away from a nerve center: opposed to AFFERENT •n. an efferent nerve, duct, etc. [< L efferens, prp. of efferre, to carry out < ex-, out + ferre, BEAR¹]

effervesce (ef'эr ves´) -vesced´, -vesc´ing •vi. 1 to give off gas bubbles, as carbonated beverages; bubble; foam 2 to rise and come out in bubbles, as gas in a liquid 3 to be lively and high-spirited [L effervescere, to boil up, foam up < ex-, out + fervescere, to begin to boil < fervere, to boil: see FERVENT]

effervescent (-ves´эnt) •adj. 1 giving off gas bubbles; bubbling up; foaming 2 lively and high-spirited; vivacious ef'fer·ves´cence •n. ef'fer·ves´cent·ly •adv. [L effervescens, prp.: see EFFERVESCE]

effete (e fi:t, i-) •adj. 1 no longer capable of producing; spent and sterile 2 lacking vigor, force of character, moral stamina, etc.; decadent, soft, overrefined, etc. ef·fete´ly •adv. ef·fete´ness •n. [L effetus, that has brought forth offspring, exhausted < ex-, out + fetus, productive: for IE base see FEMALE]

efficacious (ef'i kei´shэs) •adj. producing or capable of producing the desired effect; having the intended result; effective {an efficacious drug} SYN. EFFECTIVE ef'fi·ca´cious·ly •adv. ef'fi·ca´cious·ness •n. [L efficax (gen. efficacis) < efficere, to bring to pass, accomplish (see EFFECT) + -OUS]

efficacy (ef´i kэ si:) pl. -cies •n. power to produce effects or intended results; effectiveness [ME & OFr efficace < L efficacia < efficax: see EFFICACIOUS]

efficiency (e fish´эn si:, i-; often, i:-, э-) pl. -cies •n. 1 ability to produce a desired effect, product, etc. with a minimum of effort, expense, or waste; quality or fact of being efficient 2 short for the ratio of effective work to the energy expended in producing it, as of a machine; output divided by input Æ 3 short for EFFICIENCY APARTMENT [L efficientia: see EFFICIENT]

efficiency apartment a small apartment consisting basically, apart from bathroom, of a single room with a kitchenette

efficiency engineer (or expert) a person whose work is to increase the productive efficiency of a business or industry by finding better methods of performing various operations, reducing waste and costs, etc.

efficient (e fish´эnt, i-; often, i:-, э-) •adj. 1 directly producing an effect or result; causative; effective {the efficient cause} 2 producing a desired effect, product, etc. with a minimum of effort, expense, or waste; working well SYN. EFFECTIVE ef·fi´cient·ly •adv. [ME & OFr < L efficiens, prp. of efficere: see EFFECT]

-efficient (e fish´эnt, i-; often, i:-, э-) combining form working or operating efficiently with regard to; making efficient use of {cost-efficient, energy-efficient}

effigy (ef´i ji:) pl. -gies •n. a portrait, statue, or the like, esp. of a person; likeness; often, a crude representation of a despised person burn (or hang) in effigy to burn (or hang) an image of a person in public, as a way of protesting, as against that person's policies [Fr effigie < L effigies, a copy, image < effingere < ex-, out + fingere, to form: see FIGURE]

effloresce (ef'flэ res´) -resced´, -resc´ing •vi. 1 to blossom out; flower; bloom 2 Chem. a) to change from a crystalline to a powdery state through loss of the water of crystallization when exposed to air b) to develop a powdery crust as a result of evaporation or chemical change [L efflorescere, to blossom, flourish < ex-, out + florescere, to begin to blossom < florere, to blossom < flos (gen. floris), a flower: see BLOOM¹]

efflorescence (-res´эns) •n. 1 a flowering; blooming 2 the time of flowering 3 the peak or fulfillment, as of a career 4 Chem. a) the changing of certain crystalline compounds to a whitish powder or powdery crust through loss of their water of crystallization b) the powder or crust thus formed 5 Med. an eruption on the skin; rash or other skin lesion ef'flo·res´cent •adj. [Fr < L efflorescens, prp. of efflorescere: see EFFLORESCE]

effluence (ef´lu: эns) •n. 1 a flowing out or forth 2 a thing that flows out or forth; emanation [ME < ML effluentia < L effluens, prp. of effluere, to flow out < ex-, out + fluere, to flow: see FLUENT]

effluent (-эnt) •adj. flowing out or forth: opposed to AFFLUENT •n. a thing that flows out or forth; specif., a) a stream flowing out of a body of water b) the outflow of a sewer, septic tank, etc. [ME < L effluens: see EFFLUENCE]

effluvium (e flu:´vi: эm, i-) pl. -vi·a (-э) or -vi·ums •n. 1 a real or supposed outflow in the form of a vapor or stream of invisible particles; aura 2 a disagreeable or noxious vapor or odor ef·flu´vi·al •adj. [L, a flowing out, outlet < effluere: see EFFLUENCE]

efflux (ef´flûks') •n. 1 a flowing out, or emanating 2 a thing that flows out; outflow; emanation 3 an ending; expiration Also ef·flux·ion (e flûk´shэn) [< L effluxus, pp. of effluere: see EFFLUENCE]

effort (ef´эrt) •n. 1 the using of energy to get something done; exertion of strength or mental power 2 a try, esp. a hard try; attempt; endeavor 3 a product or result of working or trying; achievement ef´fort·ful •adj. SYN.—effort implies a conscious attempt to achieve a particular end [make some effort to be friendly]; exertion implies an energetic, even violent, use of power, strength, etc., often without reference to any particular end [she feels faint after any exertion]; endeavor suggests an earnest, sustained attempt to accomplish a particular, usually meritorious, end [a life spent in the endeavor to do good]; pains (see PAIN, n. 5) suggests a laborious, diligent attempt [to take pains with one's work] —ANT. ease [Fr < OFr esforz < esforcier, to make an effort < VL *exfortiare < ex-, intens. + *fortiare: see FORCE]

effortless (-lis) •adj. making, requiring, or showing virtually no effort SYN. EASY ef´fort·less·ly •adv. ef´fort·less·ness •n.

effrontery (e frûnt´эr i:, i-) pl. -ter·ies •n. unashamed boldness; impudence; audacity; presumption SYN. TEMERITY [Fr effronterie < effronté, shameless, bold < L effrons, barefaced, shameless < ex-, from + frons, forehead: see FRONT]

effulgence (e fûl´jэns, i-) •n. great brightness; radiance; brilliance ef·ful´gent •adj. [< L effulgere, prp. of effulgere < ex-, forth + fulgere, to shine: see FLAGRANT]

effuse (e fyu:z´, i-; for adj., -fyu:s´) -fused´, -fus´ing •vt., vi. 1 to pour out or forth 2 to spread out; diffuse; radiate •adj. 1 [Obs.] poured or spread out freely 2 Bot. spread out loosely and flat, without form: said esp. of inflorescences [< L effusus, pp. of effundere, to pour forth < ex-, out + fundere, to pour: see FOUND²]

effusion (e fyu:´zhэn, i-) •n. 1 a pouring forth 2 unrestrained or emotional expression in speaking or writing 3 a) an escape of fluid that is bloody, serous, etc. into body cavities or tissues b) this fluid 4 the passage of a gas under pressure through an orifice whose size is smaller than the mean free path of the gas molecules, as in measuring low vapor pressures [ME & OFr < L effusio: see EFFUSE]

effusive (e fyu:´siv, i-) •adj. 1 [Archaic] pouring out or forth; overflowing 2 expressing excessive emotion in an unrestrained manner; too demonstrative 3 designating or of igneous rocks formed from lava that has flowed out on the earth's surface ef·fu´sive·ly •adv. ef·fu´sive·ness •n.

Efik (ef´ik) pl. Ef´iks or Ef´ik •n. 1 a member of a people of SE Nigeria 2 the Niger-Congo language of this people, belonging to the same group as the Bantu languages

EFT electronic fund transfer: a banking system by which transactions, such as deposits or bill payments, are made through computer databases

eft¹ (eft) •n. NEWT [ME euete < OE efeta, older, dial., literary form of NEWT]

eft² (eft) •adv. [Obs.] 1 again 2 afterward [ME < OE, orig. compar. (Gmc *aftis) of AFT]

EFTA European Free Trade Association

eftsoons (eft su:nz´) •adv. 1 [Archaic] a) soon afterward b) immediately 2 [Obs.] repeatedly 3 [Obs.] again Also eft·soon (eft su:n´) •adv. [ME eftsone < OE eftsona < EFT² + sona: see SOON]

Eg 1 Egypt 2 Egyptian

egad (i: gæd´) •interj. [Archaic] a softened or euphemistic oath [prob. < oh God]

egalitarian (i: gæl'э ter´i: эn) •adj. of, advocating, or characterized by the belief that all people should have equal political, social, and economic rights •n. an advocate or supporter of this belief e·gal'i·tar´i·an·ism' •n. [< Fr égalitaire < égalité < OFr equalité (see EQUALITY) + -IAN]

égalité (ei gå li: tei´) •n. equality [Fr]

Egbert (eg´bэrt) 1 a masculine name: dim. Bert 2 died A.D. 839; king of the West Saxons (802-839) & first king of the English (829-839) [OE Ecgbeorht < ecg (see EDGE) + beorht (see BRIGHT): hence, bright sword]

Egeria (i: jir´i: э) Rom. Myth. a nymph who advised Numa, second king of Rome •n. any woman who acts as an advisor [L < Gr Ēgeria]

egest (i: jest´) •vt. to pass off (perspiration, excrement, etc.); excrete e·ges´tion •n. [< L egestus, pp. of egerere, to bear out, discharge < e-, out + gerere, to bear]

egesta (i: jes´tэ) •n.pl. egested matter; feces, perspiration, etc. [ModL < L, neut. pl. of egestus: see EGEST]

egg and dart a decorative molding used in architecture and cabinetwork, consisting of an egg-shaped form alternating with a form shaped like an arrow, anchor, or tongue Also egg and anchor or egg and tongue

egg coal anthracite coal about 2 to 4 inches (5.08 to 10.16 cm) in diameter

egg cream [Chiefly New York City] a drink of chocolate syrup, soda water, and milk

egg foo yong (or young or yung) (eg'fu: yûŋ´) a Chinese-American dish consisting of eggs beaten and cooked with bean sprouts, onions, minced pork or shrimp, etc.

egg roll a Chinese-American dish consisting of thin, flat egg dough wrapped around minced vegetables, meat, shrimp, etc. in a small roll and fried in deep fat

egg tooth a tooth-like structure on the nose or beak of young reptiles and birds used to break the egg membrane or shell at the time of hatching

egg¹ (eg) •n. 1 the oval or round body laid by a female bird, fish, reptile, insect, etc., containing the germ of a new individual along with food for its development, and having an enclosing shell or membrane 2 a reproductive cell produced by the female; ovum: also called egg cell 3 a hen's egg, raw or cooked in any way 4 a thing resembling a hen's egg 5 [Slang] a person {he's a good egg} •vt. 1 to mix or cover with the yolk or white of eggs, as in cooking Æ 2 [Colloq.] to throw eggs at egg on one's face [Colloq.] embarrassment due to an obvious blunder Æ lay an egg [Colloq.] to fail completely Said of a joke, theatrical performance, entertainer, etc. put (or have) all one's eggs in one basket to risk all that one has on a single venture, method, etc. [ME < ON, replacing native ey < OE æg, akin to Ger ei (pl. eier), prob. < IE base *owjom-, *ojom-, of a bird (> L ovum, Gr ōion) < *awei-, bird (> L avis)]

egg² (eg) •vt. to urge or incite: with on [ME eggen < ON eggja, lit., to give edge to < egg, EDGE]

eggbeater (eg´bi:t'эr) •n. 1 a kitchen utensil, esp. one with rotary blades, for beating eggs, cream, etc. 2 [Slang] a helicopter

egghead (eg´hed') •n. [Slang] an intellectual: usually a term of mild derision as used by anti-intellectuals

Eggleston (eg´ªl stэn), Edward 1837-1902; U.S. writer

eggnog (eg´näg') •n. a thick drink made of beaten eggs, milk, sugar, and nutmeg, often containing whiskey, rum, wine, etc. [EGG¹ + NOG²]

eggplant (-plænt') •n. 1 a perennial plant (Solanum melongena) of the nightshade family, with a large, ovoid, usually purple-skinned fruit which is eaten as a vegetable 2 the fruit

eggs Benedict poached eggs served over ham on a split, toasted English muffin, topped with hollandaise sauce [< ?]

eggshell (eg´shel') •n. the hard, brittle outer covering of an egg of a reptile, bird, or monotreme •adj. 1 fragile and thin, like eggshell 2 yellowish-white

eggy (eg´i:) •adj. 1 containing eggs, often, specif., beaten eggs {eggy bread} 2 having the taste or smell of eggs 3 smeared or covered with egg {eggy spoons}

egis (i:´jis) •n. alt. sp. of AEGIS

eglantine (eg´lэn tain', -ti:n') •n. a European rose (Rosa eglanteria) with hooked spines, sweet-scented leaves, and usually pink flowers; sweetbrier: naturalized in W U.S. [Fr églantine < OFr aiglent < LL *aculentus < L aculeus, a sting, prickle, dim. of acus, a point, sting: see ACUITY]

Egmont (eg´mänt'; Du ekh´mônt), Count of (born Lamoral Egmont) 1522-68: Fl. statesman & general

ego (i:´gou, eg´ou) pl. e´gos •n. 1 the self; the individual as self-aware 2 egotism; conceit 3 Philos. the self, variously conceived as a spiritual substance on which experience is superimposed, the series of acts and mental states introspectively recognized, etc. 4 Psychoanalysis that part of the psyche which experiences the external world, or reality, through the senses, organizes the thought processes rationally, and governs action: it mediates between the impulses of the id, the demands of the environment, and the standards of the superego [L : see I²]

ego ideal Psychoanalysis the ego's conception of a better or more successful future self, based on identification with parents or parental substitutes

ego psychology the study of the adaptive and mediating functions of the ego and their role in personality development and emotional disorder

ego trip [Slang] a trip, or experience, that gratifies or indulges the ego e´go-trip', -tripped', -trip'ping, •vi.

egocentric (i:'gou sen´trik, eg'ou-) •adj. 1 viewing everything in relation to oneself; self-centered 2 Philos. based on the belief that the world exists or can be known only in relation to the individual's mind •n. an egocentric person e'go·cen´tri·cal·ly •adv. e'go·cen·tric´i·ty (-tris´э ti:) •n. e'go·cen´trism' (-triz'эm) •n.

egoism (i:´gou iz'эm, eg´ou-) •n. 1 the tendency to be self-centered, or to consider only oneself and one's own interests; selfishness 2 egotism; conceit 3 Ethics the doctrine that self-interest is the proper goal of all human actions: opposed to ALTRUISM [Fr égoïsme < L ego: see I²]

egoist (-ist) •n. 1 a person who is self-centered or selfish 2 a conceited person; egotist 3 a person who accepts the doctrine of egoism [Fr égoïste < L ego: see I²]

egoistic (i:'gou is´tik, eg'ou-) •adj. 1 self-centered or selfish 2 egotistic; conceited 3 of an egoist or egoism Also e'go·is´ti·cal e'go·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.

egomania (i:'gou mei´ni: э, i:g'ou-; -mein´yэ) •n. abnormally excessive egotism e'go·ma´ni·ac' (-ni: æk') or e'go·ma·ni´a·cal (-mэ nai´э kэl) •adj. [EGO + -MANIA]

egotism (i:´gou tiz'эm, eg´ou-; i:´gэ-, eg´э-) •n. 1 constant, excessive reference to oneself in speaking or writing 2 self-conceit 3 selfishness Egotism is generally considered more opprobrious than egoism [L ego, I² + -tism (for -ISM), as in NEPOTISM]

egotist (-tist) •n. a person characterized by egotism e'go·tis´tic or e'go·tis´ti·cal •adj. e'go·tis´ti·cal·ly •adv.

egregious (i: gri:´jэs, i-; also, -ji: эs) •adj. 1 [Archaic] remarkable 2 outstanding for undesirable qualities; remarkably bad; flagrant {an egregious error} e·gre´gious·ly •adv. e·gre´gious·ness •n. [L egregius, separated from the herd, hence select < e-, out + grex: see GREGARIOUS]

egress (i:´gres') •n. 1 the act of going out or forth; emergence: also e·gres·sion (i: gresh´эn) 2 the right to go out 3 a way out; exit [L egressus < pp. of egredi, to go out < e-, out + gradi, to step, go: see GRADE]

egret (i:´gret', -grit; eg´rit) pl. -grets' or -gret •n. 1 any of several herons, usually with long, white plumes; esp., the great egret (Casmerodius albus) of the U.S. 2 AIGRETTE (sense 1) [ME < OFr aigrette, kind of heron, tuft of feathers < Prov aigreta < aigron < Frank *heigro: see HERON]

Egypt abbrev. Egyptian Egypt (i:´jipt) country in NE Africa, on the Mediterranean and Red seas: ancient Egyptian dynasties may date back as far as 4500 B.C.; in modern times, occupied by the British in 1882 & achieved independence in 1922: 386,650 sq. mi. (1,001,420 sq. km); pop. 50,525,000; cap. Cairo: official name Arab Republic of Egypt

Egyptian (i: jip´shэn, i-) •adj. 1 of Egypt, its people, or their culture 2 designating or of the language of the ancient Egyptians 3 [Obs.] gypsy •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Egypt 2 the language of the ancient Egyptians, constituting a subfamily of the Afroasiatic family of languages 3 [Obs.] a gypsy

Egyptian mau (mau) any of a breed of domestic cat, prob. originating in ancient Egypt, with almond-shaped, usually green eyes and a light-colored coat covered with a pattern of dark spots and stripes

Egyptology (i:´jip täl´э ji:) •n. the science or study of ancient Egyptian architecture, inscriptions, language, customs, etc. E'gyp·tol´o·gist •n.

eh (ei, e, eñ) •interj. 1 an exclamation of surprise 2 an expression of doubt or inquiry equivalent to a) What did you say? b) Don't you agree?

EHF or ehf extremely high frequency

Ehrenburg (er´эn børg'), Il·ya (Grigoryevich) (i:l´yä') 1891-1967; Soviet writer

Ehrlich (er´lik) 1 Paul 1854-1915; Ger. bacteriologist: pioneer in immunology & chemotherapy 2 Paul Ralph 1932- ; U.S. biologist

eider (ai´dэr) pl. -ders or -der •n. 1 any of several large sea ducks (esp. genus Somateria) that live in northern regions of Europe, Asia, and North America: often eider duck 2 EIDERDOWN (sense 1) [ult. < ON æthar, gen of æthr, eider duck]

eiderdown (-daun') •n. 1 the soft, fine breast feathers, or down, of the eider duck, used as a stuffing for quilts, pillows, etc. 2 a bed quilt stuffed with such feathers [< ON æthar-dūn: see EIDER & DOWN¹]

eidetic (ai det´ik) •adj. designating or of mental images that are unusually vivid and almost photographically exact ei·det´i·cal·ly •adv. [Gr eidētikos, constituting a figure < eidos, what is seen, shape: see -OID]

eidolon (ai dou´lэn) pl. -lons or -la (-lэ) •n. 1 an image without real existence; phantom; apparition Æ 2 an ideal person or thing ei·dol´ic (-däl´ik) •adj. [Gr eidōlon, an image: see IDOL]

Eiffel Tower (ai´fэl) tower of iron framework in Paris, built for the International Exposition of 1889: 984 ft. (300 m) high [after A. G. Eiffel (1832-1923), Fr engineer who designed it]

Eigen (ai´gэn), Man·fred (män´freit') 1927- ; Ger. chemist

eight (eit) •adj. totaling one more than seven •n. 1 the cardinal number between seven and nine; 8; VIII 2 any group of eight people or things, as a crew of eight oarsmen 3 a) something numbered eight or having eight units, as a playing card, throw of dice, etc. b) an engine with eight cylinders or an automobile with such an engine 4 anything shaped like an eight, as a figure in skating [ME eighte < OE eahta, akin to Ger acht < IE base *oktō(u)- L octo, Gr oktō, OIr ocht]

eight ball 1 a black ball with the number eight on it, used in playing pool 2 a form of pool in which a player who inadvertently pockets the eight ball before pocketing all of his or her balls immediately loses the game behind the eight ball [Slang] in a very unfavorable position

eighteen (ei´ti:n´) •adj. totaling eight more than ten •n. the cardinal number between seventeen and nineteen; 18; XVIII [ME eightetene < OE eahtatiene: see EIGHT & TEEN¹]

eighteenmo (ei'ti:n´mou') pl. -mos •n. 1 the page size of a book made up of printer's sheets folded into eighteen leaves, each leaf being approximately 4 by 6½ in. 2 a book consisting of pages of this size Usually written 18mo or 18° •adj. OCTODECIMO [prec. + -mo, as in OCTODECIMO]

eighteenth (ei´ti:nθ´) •adj. 1 preceded by seventeen others in a series; 18th 2 designating any of the eighteen equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the seventeenth 2 any one of the eighteen equal parts of something; ¹/18 •adv. in the eighteenth place, rank, group, etc. [ME eihtetenthe: see EIGHTEEN & -TH²]

eightfold (eit´fould') •adj. 1 having eight parts 2 having eight times as much or as many •adv. eight times as much or as many [EIGHT + FOLD¹]

eighth (eitθ) •adj. 1 preceded by seven others in a series; 8th 2 designating any of the eight equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the seventh 2 any of the eight equal parts of something; ¹/8 3 Music OCTAVE •adv. in the eighth place, rank, group, etc. eighth´ly •adv. [ME eightethe < OE eahtotha < eahta: see EIGHT & -TH²]

eighth note Music a note having one eighth the duration of a whole note: see NOTE, illus.

eightieth (eit´i: iθ) •adj. 1 preceded by seventy-nine others in a series; 80th 2 designating any of the eighty equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the seventy-ninth 2 any one of the eighty equal parts of something; ¹/80 •adv. in the eightieth place, rank, group, etc. [ME eightetithe: see EIGHTY & -TH²]

eightmo (eit´mou') pl. -mos •adj., n. OCTAVO

eighty (eit´i:) •adj. eight times ten •n. pl. eight´ies the cardinal number between seventy-nine and eighty-one; 80; LXXX the eighties the numbers or years, as of a century, from eighty through eighty-nine [ME eighteti < OE (hund)eahtatig: see EIGHT & -TY²]

eighty-six (eit'i: siks´) •vt. [Slang] 1 to refuse to serve at, or eject from, a place where alcoholic drinks are sold, as because of drunkenness 2 to cut off, eject, eliminate, kill, etc. Also 86

eikon (ai´kän') •n. ICON

Eilat (ei lät´) seaport in S Israel, at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba: pop. 13,000

Eileen (ai li:n´, ei-) a feminine name; var. Aileen [Ir Eibhlīn]

-ein (i:n, i: in) Chem. suffix 1 used to differentiate a compound from another having a similar spelling but ending in -in or -ine 2 used to indicate a compound containing an internal anhydride Also -eine [altered < -IN¹ & -INE³]

Eindhoven (aint´hou'vэn) city in North Brabant province, S Netherlands: pop. 192,000

einkorn (ain´körn') •n. any of certain primitive forms of wheat (esp., Triticum monococcum) cultivated by some prehistoric peoples

Einstein (ain´stain') •n. [sometimes e-] a highly intelligent person Einstein (ain´stain'), Albert 1879-1955; U.S. physicist, born in Germany: formulated theory of relativity Ein·stein´i·an (-stain´i: эn) •adj.

einsteinium (ain stain´i: эm) •n. a radioactive chemical element of the actinide series discovered in the debris of the first thermonuclear explosion in 1952, but now produced by irradiating plutonium with neutrons: symbol, Es; at. wt., (252); at. no., 99; melt. pt., 860°C [ModL, after EINSTEIN (in honor of his theoretical studies of mass and energy) + -IUM: so named (1955) by A. Ghiorso and co-workers, who identified it]

Eire (er´э) Gael. name of IRELAND; also, the former official name (1937-49) of the country of Ireland

Eisenhower (ai´zen hau'эr), Dwight David 1890-1969; U.S. general & 34th president of the U.S. (1953-61): commander of Allied forces in Europe (1943-45; 1951-52)

Eisenstaedt (ai´zэn stæt'), Alfred 1898- ; U.S. photographer, born in Germany

Eisenstein (ai´zэn stain'), Ser·gei Mik·hai·lo·vich (syeř gyei´ mi: khai´lô vich') 1898-1948; Russ. motion-picture director & producer

eisteddfod (ais teð´vöd') pl. -fods or Welsh eis·tedd·fod·au (ais'teð vöd´ai') •n. a yearly meeting in Wales of poets, musicians, etc., at which prizes are given for compositions and performances: 19th-cent. revival of an old Welsh custom [Welsh, a sitting, session < *eistedd, to sit (< *eitsedd < IE *aty-en-sed-< base *sed- > L sedere, SIT]

either (i:´ðэr, ai´-) •adj. 1 one or the other (of two) {use either hand} 2 each (of two); the one and the other {he had a tool in either hand} pron. one or the other (of two) conj. the first element of the pair of disjunctive correlatives either . . . or, implying a choice of alternatives {either go or stay} •adv. 1 any more than the other; also (following negative expressions) {if you don't go, I won't either} 2 [Colloq.] certainly; indeed: used as an intensifier in a negative statement {It's mine. It isn't either!} [ME < OE æghwæther < a (æ), always (see AY) + gehwæther, each of two (see WHETHER): akin to, and of same formation as, OHG eogihwedar]

either-or (-ör´) •adj. designating a proposition, situation, etc. limited to only two alternatives

ejaculate (i: jæk´yu: leit', i-; -yэ-) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt., vi. 1 to eject or discharge (esp. semen) 2 to utter suddenly and vehemently; exclaim e·jac´u·la'tive •adj. e·jac´u·la'tor •n. [< L ejaculatus, pp. of ejaculari, to throw out < e-, out + jaculari, to throw < jaculum, a dart, missile < jacere, to throw: see JET¹]

ejaculation (i: jæk'yu: lei´shэn, i-; -yэ-) •n. 1 a sudden ejection of fluid, esp. of semen, from the body 2 a sudden vehement utterance; exclamation 3 R.C.Ch. any very brief private prayer [see EJACULATE]

ejaculatory (i: jæk´yu: lэ tör'i:, i-; -yэ-) •adj. 1 ejaculating; of or for ejaculation {an ejaculatory duct} 2 of the nature of an ejaculation; exclamatory {ejaculatory words}

eject (i: jekt´, i-) •vt. 1 to throw out; cast out; expel; emit; discharge {the chimney ejects smoke} 2 to drive out; evict {to eject a heckler} •vi. to be ejected from an aircraft as by means of an ejection seat e·ject´a·ble •adj. e·jec´tion •n. e·jec´tive •adj. e·jec´tor •n. SYN.—eject, the term of broadest application here, implies generally a throwing or casting out from within [to eject saliva from the mouth]; expel suggests a driving out, as by force, specif. a forcing out of a country, organization, etc., often in disgrace [expelled from school]; evict refers to the forcing out, as of a tenant, by legal procedure; dismiss, in this connection, refers to the removal of an employee, etc. but does not in itself suggest the reason for the separation [dismissed for incompetence]; oust implies the getting rid of something undesirable, as by force or the action of law [to oust corrupt officials] [< L ejectus, pp. of ejicere, to throw out < e- out (see EX-¹) + jacere, to throw (see JET¹)]

ejecta (i: jek´tэ) •n.pl. ejected matter, as from the body, a volcano, etc. [ModL < neut. pl. of ejectus]

ejection seat a seat designed to be ejected with its occupant from an aircraft in an emergency and parachuted to the ground

ejectment (i: jekt´mэnt, i-) •n. 1 an ejecting or ousting; eviction 2 Law an action to secure or recover possession of real property by the true owner

ejido (e hi:´dô) pl. -dos •n. in Mexico, the communal farmland of a village, usually assigned in small parcels to the villagers to be farmed under a federally supported system of communal land tenure [Sp]

eke¹ (i:k) eked, ek´ing •vt. [Now Dial.] to make larger or longer; increase eke out 1 to add to so as to make sufficient; supplement {to eke out an income with a second job} 2 to manage to make (a living) with difficulty 3 to use (a supply) frugally [ME eken, to increase < OE eacan & eacian: see WAX²]

eke² (i:k) •adv., conj. [Archaic] also [ME < OE eac, akin to Ger auch < IE base *au-, again, on the other hand > L aut, Gr au, on the other hand]

EKG electrocardiogram [Ger elektrokardiogramm]

ekistics (i: kis´tiks, i-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the science of city and area planning, dealing with the integration of the basic needs of both the individual and the entire community, as transportation, communication, entertainment, etc. e·kis´ti·cal •adj. [< Gr oikos, house (see ECO-) + -ICS]

el (el) •n. 1 ELL¹ (sense 1) Æ 2 [Colloq.] an elevated railway [< EL(EVATED)]

El Cajon (el kэ houn´) city in S Calif.: suburb of San Diego: pop. 89,000 [Sp, the box: the city is boxed in by hills]

El Dorado or Eldorado (el'dэ rä´dou, -rei´dou, -ræd´ou) •n. a legendary country in South America, supposed to be rich in gold and precious stones and sought by early Spanish explorers pl. -dos any place that is, or is supposed to be, rich in gold, opportunity, etc. [Sp, the gilded; dorado, pp. of dorar, to gild < LL deaurare, to gild + L de-, intens. + aurum, gold]

El Faiyûm see FAIYÛM

El Ferrol (el' fэ roul´) seaport in NW Spain, on the Atlantic: pop. 92,000: official name El Ferrol del Cau·di·llo (del' kau di:´you)

El Greco (el grek´ou) (born Domenikos Theotokopoulos) c. 1541-c. 1614; painter in Italy (c. 1560-75) & Spain, born in Crete

El Misti (el mi:´sti:) dormant volcano in S Peru: c. 19,100 ft. (5,820 m)

El Monte (el mänt´i:) city in SW Calif.: suburb of Los Angeles: pop. 106,000 [Sp, the thicket: from a dense clump of willows there]

El Niño (el ni:n´you) a warm inshore current annually flowing south along the coast of Ecuador and, about every seven to ten years, extending down the coast of Peru, where it has a devastating effect (El Niño Effect) on weather, crops, fish, etc. [Sp, the (Christ) Child: because it occurs near Christmas]

El Obeid (el ou beid´) city in central Sudan: pop. 140,000

El Paso (el pæs´ou) city in westernmost Tex., on the Rio Grande: pop. 515,000 [Sp, after El Paso del Norte, ford (of the river) of the north; i.e., the Rio Grande]

El Progreso (el' prou gres´ou) city in NW Honduras: pop. 105,000

El Sal or El Salv El Salvador

El Salvador (el sæl´vэ dör'; el' säl'vэ dör´) country in Central America, southwest of Honduras, on the Pacific: independent since 1841: 8,260 sq. mi. (21,393 sq. km); pop. 5,105,000; cap. San Salvador

elaborate (i: læb´э rit, i-; for v., -э reit') •adj. 1 worked out carefully; developed in great detail 2 highly wrought or ornamented; complicated 3 painstaking •vt. -rat'ed, -rat'ing 1 to produce by effort; develop by labor 2 to work out carefully; develop in great detail 3 to change (food or substances in the body) into compounds that can be assimilated, excreted, etc. •vi. to state something in detail or add more details: usually with on or upon e·lab´o·rate·ly •adv. e·lab´o·rate·ness •n. e·lab'o·ra´tion •n. e·lab·o·ra·tive (i: læb´э reit'iv, -э rэ tiv) •adj. e·lab´o·ra'tor •n. [L elaboratus, pp. of elaborare, to work out, labor greatly < e-, out + laborare < labor, LABOR]

elaeoptene (el'i: äp´ti:n') •n. ELEOPTENE

Elagabalus (el'э gæb´э lэs) (born Varius Avitus Bassianus) c. A.D. 205-222; Rom. emperor (218-222)

Elaine (i: lein´, i-) 1 a feminine name: see HELEN 2 Arthurian Legend a) a woman of Astolat, who loves Lancelot b) the mother of Galahad [OFr]

Elam (i:´lэm) ancient kingdom of SW Asia, at the head of the Persian Gulf (fl. 13th & 12th cent. B.C.)

Elamite (i:´lэm ait') •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Elam 2 the extinct language of the Elamites, of unknown relationship •adj. of Elam, the Elamites, or their language

Elamitic (i:'lэm it´ik) •n. ELAMITE (n. 2) •adj. ELAMITE

élan (ei läñ´, -län´) •n. spirited self-assurance; verve; dash [Fr, a start, outburst, impetuosity < élancer, to dart, throw < é-, out + lancer, to throw a lance, hence throw < LL (Ec) lanceare < lancea, LANCE]

élan vital (ei läñ vi: tål´) in Bergsonian philosophy, the original vital impulse which is the substance of consciousness and nature [Fr, lit., vital force]

eland (i:´lэnd) pl. e´land •n.or e´lands either of two large, oxlike African antelopes (genus Taurotragus) with spirally twisted horns [Afrik < Du, elk < obs. Ger elen(d) < Lith élnis: see ELK]

elapine (el´э pain', -pin, -pi:n') •adj. of or pertaining to a family (Elapidae) of poisonous snakes with small, erect fangs, including the cobras and coral snakes el´a·pid' (-pid') •n. Etymology [< ModL Elapinae, name of the subfamily < Elaps, a genus of venomous snakes (< MGr elaps serpent, fish, altered < Gr ellops + -inae, -INAE]

elapse (i: læps´, i-) e·lapsed´, e·laps´ing •vi. to slip by; pass: said of time [< L elapsus, pp. of elabi, to glide away < e-, out + labi, to glide, fall: see LABOR]

elasmobranch (i: læs´mou bræŋk', -læz´-) •adj. designating or of a class (Chondrichthyes) of fishes characterized by cartilaginous skeletons, placoid scales, and lack of air bladders •n. any fish of this class, as the shark, skate, or ray [< ModL Elasmobranchii < Gr elasmos, beaten metal (akin to fol.) + L branchia, gills]

elastic (i: læs´tik, i-) •adj. 1 able to spring back to its original size, shape, or position after being stretched, squeezed, flexed, expanded, etc.; flexible; springy 2 able to recover easily from dejection, fatigue, etc.; buoyant {an elastic temperament} 3 readily changed or changing to suit circumstances; adaptable {elastic regulations} 4 Econ. responding to changes in price: said of the demand for, or supply of, particular goods or services •n. 1 an elastic fabric made flexible by strands of rubber or a rubberlike synthetic running through it 2 a band, garter, etc. of this material 3 a rubber band e·las´ti·cal·ly •adv. SYN.—elastic implies ability to return without permanent injury to the original size or shape after being stretched, expanded, etc. [an elastic garter]; resilient implies ability to spring back quickly into shape after being deformed, esp. by compression [a healthy, resilient skin]; flexible refers to anything that can be bent without breaking, whether or not it returns to its original form [a flexible wire]; supple is applied to that which is easily bent, twisted, or folded without breaking, cracking, etc. [kidskin is supple] —ANT. rigid, stiff [ModL elasticus < LGr elastikos < Gr elaunein, to set in motion, beat out < IE base *el-, to drive, move go, > ? LANE¹]

elastic tissue a connective tissue consisting largely of yellow, elastic fibers, occurring especially in the walls of arteries and veins

elasticity (i:'læs tis´э ti:, i læs'-) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality or condition of being elastic; specif., a) springiness; flexibility; resilience b) buoyancy of spirit c) adaptability 2 Econ. the degree to which the demand for, or supply of, particular goods or services responds to a change in price

elasticize (i: læs´tэ saiz', i-) -cized', -ciz'ing •vt. to make (fabric) elastic, as by interweaving with rubber strands

elastin (i: læs´tin) •n. a yellow, fibrous protein that is the basic constituent of elastic connective tissue, as in a lung or artery [see ELASTIC & -IN¹]

elastomer (i: læs´tэ mэr) •n. a rubberlike synthetic polymer, as silicone rubber e·las'to·mer´ic (-mer´ik) •adj. [< ELAST(IC) + (POLY)MER]

Elat or Elath (ei lät´) alt. sp. of EILAT

elate (i: leit´, i-) -lat´ed, -lat´ing •vt. to raise the spirits of; make very proud, happy, or joyful •adj. [Old Poet.] filled with elation e·lat´ed·ly •adv. e·lat´ed·ness •n. [< L elatus, pp. of efferre, to bring out, lift up < ex-, out + ferre, BEAR¹]

elater (el´э tэr) •n. 1 an elastic filament that scatters the ripe spores, found in certain plants, as in the capsule of a liverwort 2 CLICK BEETLE [ModL < Gr elatēr, driver < elaunein: see ELASTIC]

elaterid (i: læt´эr id) •n. CLICK BEETLE •adj. of the family of click beetles

elaterite (i: læt´эr ait') •n. a dark-brown, rubberlike, elastic mineral hydrocarbon [ELATER, sense 1 + -ITE¹]

elaterium (el'э tir´i: эm) •n. a cathartic obtained from the dried juice of the squirting cucumber of the gourd family [L < Gr elatērion, neut. of elatērios, driving < elaunein: see ELASTIC]

elation (i: lei´shэn, i-) •n. a feeling of exultant joy or pride; high spirits [L elatio: see ELATE]

Elazig (el'э zig´) city in EC Turkey: pop. 143,000

Elba (el´bэ) Italian island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, between Corsica & Italy: site of Napoleon's first exile (1814-15): 86 sq. mi. (223 sq. km)

Elbe (el´bэ, elb) river in central Europe, flowing from NW Czech Republic through Germany into the North Sea at Hamburg: c. 725 mi. (1,170 km)

Elbert (el´bэrt), Mount peak of the Sawatch Range, central Colo.: highest peak of the Rocky Mts. of the conterminous U.S.: 14,443 ft. (4,400 m) [after S. H. Elbert, territorial gov. of Colo. (1873-74)]

elbow (el´bou') •n. 1 a) the joint between the upper and lower arm; esp., the outer part of the angle made by a bent arm b) the joint corresponding to this in the forelimb of quadrupeds 2 the part of a sleeve covering the elbow 3 anything bent like an elbow, as a fitting for joining plumbing pipes at a 45° or 90° angle •vt. 1 to shove or jostle with or as with elbows 2 to push (one's way) with the elbows or rudely •vi. 1 to make one's way by shoving or jostling 2 to form an angle at one's elbow very close to one; easy to reach out at (the) elbows shabby; poverty-stricken up to the elbows [Colloq.] deeply engaged (in work, etc.) [ME elbowe < OE elboga < PGmc *alino-boga (> Ger ellenbogen): see ELL² & BOW²]

elbow grease [Colloq.] vigorous physical effort

elbowroom (el´bou ru:m') •n. room enough to move or work in; ample space or scope

Elbrus (el´brus, -bru:z'), Mount mountain of the Caucasus range, in SW Russia: highest peak in Europe, 18,481 ft. (5,633 m): also sp. El'brus

Elburz Mountains (el burz´) mountain range in N Iran, along the Caspian Sea: highest peak, Mount Damavand

Elche (el´chei') city in SE Spain, near Alicante: pop. 163,000

eld (eld) •n. [Archaic] 1 old age 2 ancient times; antiquity; days of yore [ME elde < OE eldo < base of ald, eald, OLD]

elder statesman 1 [Historical] in Japan, any of a number of retired statesmen who served informally as a group of advisors to the emperor 2 any elderly retired statesman who continues to be consulted unofficially on governmental matters

elder¹ (el´dэr) •adj. 1 born or brought forth earlier than another or others; exceeding another in age; senior; older 2 of longer standing or superior rank, position, validity, etc. 3 earlier; former; ancient •n. 1 an older person 2 an aged person 3 a forefather; ancestor; predecessor 4 an older person with some authority or dignity in a tribe or community 5 a) an officer in an early Christian church b) in some Protestant churches, a minister; also, a member appointed to the ruling body who may also assist at Communion Æ c) Mormon Ch. a member of the Melchizedek priesthood [ME < OE (Mercian) eldra, ældra, compar. < base of ald, eald, OLD]

elder² (el´dэr) •n. 1 any of a genus (Sambucus) of shrubs and small trees of the honeysuckle family, with compound leaves and flat-topped clusters of small white flowers followed by red or purple berries 2 any of various unrelated plants, as the box elder or the marsh elder [ME ellerne & (with intrusive -d- as in ALDER) eldore < OE ellern, ellen, akin to MLowG ellern, eldern < IE base *el- > ELM, ALDER, L alnus, elder]

elderberry (-ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 ELDER² (sense 1) 2 its berry, or drupe, used for making wines, jelly, etc.

elderly (el´dэr li:) •adj. 1 somewhat old; past middle age; approaching old age 2 quite old; already in old age; aged •n. elderly people as a group: usually preceded by the eld´er·li·ness •n.

eldership (el´dэr ship') •n. 1 the position or duties of an elder in a church 2 a group of elders; presbytery [ELDER¹ + -SHIP]

eldest (el´dist) •adj. oldest; esp., firstborn or oldest surviving [ME < OE eldest(a), ieldest(a), superl. of ald, eald: see OLD]

eldritch (el´drich') •adj. weird; eerie [Early ModE elrich, prob. < ME elf, elve, elf + rice, realm: see -RIC]

Eleanor (el´э nэr, -nör') a feminine name: dim. Ella, Nell, Nora; var. Leonora [OFr Elienor: see HELEN]

Eleanor of Aquitaine c. 1122-1204; queen of France (1137-52) as the wife of Louis VII & queen of England (1154-89) as the wife of Henry II

Eleatic (el'i: æt´ik) •adj. designating or of an ancient Greek school of philosophy which held that true being is singular and unchanging and that plurality, change, and motion are illusory: Parmenides and Zeno were its best-known adherents •n. an Eleatic philosopher El'e·at´i·cism' (-æt´i siz'эm) •n. [L Eleaticus, after Elea (Velia), ancient Gr colony in Italy]

Eleazar (el'i: ei´zэr) Bible Aaron's son and successor as high priest: Num. 20:28 [LL(Ec) Eleazar < Gr(Ec) < Heb elazar, lit., God has helped]

elec 1 electric 2 electrical 3 electricity

elecampane (el'i kæm pein´) •n. a tall, hairy European perennial plant (Inula helenium) of the composite family, having flower heads with many slender, yellow rays: naturalized in the NE U.S. [ME elena campana, altered < ML enula campana < L inula (altered by metathesis < Gr helenion, prob. < Helenē, daughter of Zeus) + campana (< campus, field: see CAMPUS)]

elect (i: lekt´, i-) •adj. 1 chosen; given preference 2 elected but not yet installed in office {the mayor-elect} 3 Theol. chosen by God for salvation and eternal life •n. a person who is elect •vt. 1 to select for some office by voting 2 to choose; select {we elected to stay} 3 Theol. to choose for eternal salvation: only in the passive, with God as the implied subject •vi. to make a choice; choose the elect 1 persons belonging to a specially privileged group 2 Theol. those chosen by God for salvation and eternal life [ME < L electus, pp. of eligere, to pick out, choose < e-, out + legere, to pick, choose: see LOGIC]

electable (i: lek´tэ bэl, i-) •adj. capable of being elected e·lect'a·bil´i·ty •n.

election (i: lek´shэn, i-) •n. 1 a choosing or choice 2 a) a choosing or being chosen for office by vote b) a voting, as in a municipality, on some proposition, issue, etc. 3 Theol. the selection by God of certain people for salvation and eternal life [ME eleccioun < OFr election < L electio, a choice, in LL(Ec), the election of believers: see ELECT]

electioneer (i: lek'shэ nir´, i-) •vi. to canvass votes for, or otherwise work for the success of, a candidate, political party, etc. in an election e·lec'tion·eer´er •n.

elective (i: lek´tiv, i-) •adj. 1 a) filled by election {an elective office} b) chosen by election; elected 2 of or based on election 3 having the power to choose 4 that may be chosen but is not required; optional 5 [Now Rare] having or referring to a tendency to attract or combine with certain substances in preference to others Æ n. an optional course or subject in a school or college curriculum e·lec´tive·ly •adv. [ME < LL electivus]

elector (i: lek´tэr, i-) •n. 1 a person who elects; specif., a qualified voter 2 a member of the electoral college 3 [usually E-] any of the German princes of the Holy Roman Empire who took part in the election of the emperor [transl. of Ger Kurfürst, lit., choosing prince] [ME electour < L elector]

electoral (i: lek´tэr эl, i-; often i:'lek tör´эl, i lek'-) •adj. 1 of an election or electors 2 made up of electors

electoral college [often E- C-] Æ an assembly elected by the voters to perform the formal duty of electing the president and the vice president of the United States: the electors of each State, equal in number to its members in Congress, are expected to cast their votes for the candidates selected by the popular vote in their State

electorate (i: lek´tэr it, i-) •n. 1 all those qualified to vote in an election 2 the rank or territory of an elector in the Holy Roman Empire [ML electoratus]

Electra (i: lek´trэ, i-) Gr. Myth. a daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra: she encourages her brother, Orestes, to kill their mother and their mother's lover, who together murdered Agamemnon [L < Gr Elektra, lit., shining one: see ELECTRIC]

Electra complex [Obs.] Psychoanalysis the unconscious tendency of a daughter to be attached to her father and hostile toward her mother: cf. OEDIPUS COMPLEX

electret (i: lek´trit, -tret'; i-) •n. any of certain materials that have a permanent electric charge after being melted and resolidified in a strong electric field: used in telephones, microphones, etc.

electric (i: lek´trik, i-) •adj. 1 of, charged with, or conducting electricity {an electric wire} 2 producing, or produced by, electricity {an electric generator} 3 operated by electricity {an electric iron} 4 using electronic amplification: said of certain musical instruments {electric guitar, bass, etc.} 5 very tense or exciting; electrifying 6 designating a color that is very bright or metallic {electric blue} •n. 1 [Archaic] a substance which does not conduct electricity but can be used to store or excite an electrical charge Æ 2 a train, car, etc. operated by electricity [ModL electricus (coined, 1600, by William Gilbert), lit., produced from amber by rubbing < ML, of amber < L electrum, amber, electrum < Gr ēlektron, akin to ēlektōr, shining, the sun < ?]

electric chair 1 an apparatus in the form of a chair, used in electrocuting persons sentenced to death 2 the death sentence by electrocution Often preceded by the

electric eel any of a family (Electrophoridae) of large, eel-shaped cyprinoid fishes of N South America, having special organs that can give severe electric shocks

electric eye PHOTOELECTRIC CELL

electric field the electrically charged region of space surrounding an electrically charged body

electric furnace a furnace heated to high temperatures by an electric current, used in smelting, melting metals, steel making, manufacturing carbides, etc.

electric needle a high-frequency electrode in the form of a needle, used in surgery to cauterize tissue

electric ray any of an order (Torpediniformes) of cartilaginous fishes with electric organs that can stun enemies or prey

electrical (-tri kэl) •adj. 1 ELECTRIC 2 connected with the science or use of electricity {an electrical engineer}

electrical transcription TRANSCRIPTION (sense 2c)

electrically (-tri kэl i:) •adv. by or with electricity

electrician (i:'lek trish´эn; i: lek'-, i-) •n. a person whose work is the construction, repair, or installation of electric apparatus

electricity (i:'lek tris´i ti:; i: lek'-, i-) •n. 1 a property of certain fundamental particles of all matter, as electrons (negative charges) and protons or positrons (positive charges) that have a force field associated with them and that can be separated by the expenditure of energy: electrical charge can be generated by friction, induction, or chemical change and is manifested by an accumulation of electrons on an atom or body, constituting a negative charge, and a loss of electrons, constituting a corresponding positive charge 2 a) an electric current (see CURRENT, n. 3) b) an electric charge (see CHARGE, n. I, 3) 3 the branch of physics dealing with electricity 4 electric current supplied as a public utility for lighting, heating, etc. 5 strong emotional tension, excitement, etc. [see ELECTRIC]

electrify (i: lek´trэ fai', i-) -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to charge with electricity 2 to give an electric shock to 3 to give a shock of excitement to; thrill 4 to equip for the use of electricity; provide with electric power e·lec'tri·fi´a·ble •adj. e·lec'tri·fi·ca´tion •n. e·lec´tri·fi'er •n.

electro (i: lek´trou', i-) pl. -tros' •n. short for ELECTROTYPE [< Gr ēlektron (with sense of ModL electricus): see ELECTRIC]

electro- (i: lek´trou, -trэ; i-) combining form 1 electric {electromagnet} 2 electrically {electrocute} 3 electricity {electrostatics} 4 electrolysis {electrodeposit}

electroacoustics (i: lek'trou э ku:s´tiks, i-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] a branch of acoustics dealing with the conversion of sound into electricity and vice versa, as in a microphone or a speaker e·lec'tro·a·cous´tic or e·lec'tro·a·cous´ti·cal •adj.

electroanalysis (i: lek'trou э næl´э sis, i-) •n. analysis of a substance by means of electrolysis e·lec'tro·an'a·lyt´ic (-æn'э lit´ik) or e·lec'tro·an'a·lyt´i·cal •adj.

electrocardiogram (i: lek'trou kär´di: э greim', -trэ-; i-) •n. a graphic tracing showing the variations in electric force which trigger the contractions of the heart: it is used in the diagnosis of heart disease

electrocardiograph (-kär´di: э græf') •n. an instrument for making an electrocardiogram e·lec'tro·car'di·o·graph´ic •adj. e·lec'tro·car'di·o·graph´i·cal·ly •adv. e·lec'tro·car'di·og´ra·phy (-äg´rэ fi:) •n.

electrochemistry (-kem´is tri:) •n. the science that deals with the use of electrical energy to bring about a chemical reaction or with the generation of electrical energy by means of chemical action e·lec'tro·chem´i·cal •adj. e·lec'tro·chem´i·cal·ly •adv.

electroconvulsive therapy (-kэn vûl´siv) ELECTROSHOCK THERAPY

electrocute (i: lek´trэ kyu:t', i-) -cut'ed, -cut'ing •vt. to kill with a charge of electricity; specif., to execute in the electric chair e·lec'tro·cu´tion •n. [ELECTRO- + (EXE)CUTE]

electrode (i: lek´troud', i-) •n. any terminal that conducts an electric current into or away from various conducting substances in a circuit, as the anode or cathode in a battery or the carbons in an arc lamp, or that emits, collects, or controls the flow of electrons in an electron tube, as the cathode, plate, or grid [ELECTR(O)- + -ODE¹]

electrodeposit (i: lek'trou di: päz´it, i-; -trэ-) •vt. to deposit (a metal, etc.) electrolytically •n. a deposit made by an electric current, as in electroplating e·lec'tro·dep'o·si´tion (-dep'э zish´эn) •n.

electrodialysis (-dai æl´э sis) •n. the rapid removal of undesired ions from solution by the application of a direct current to electrodes inserted into a dialysis system

electrodynamics (-dai næm´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the branch of physics dealing with the phenomena of electric currents and associated magnetic forces e·lec'tro·dy·nam´ic •adj. e·lec'tro·dy·nam´i·cal·ly •adv.

electrodynamometer (-dai'nэ mäm´эt эr) •n. an instrument in which the magnetic forces between two parts of the same circuit are used for detecting or measuring an electric current

electroencephalogram (i: lek'trou en sef´э lou græm', -э lэ-; i-) •n. a graphic tracing of the variations in electric force in the brain [ELECTRO- + ENCEPHALO- + -GRAM]

electroencephalograph (-en sef´o lэ græf', -э lэ-) •n. an instrument for making electroencephalograms e·lec'tro·en·ceph'a·lo·graph´ic •adj. e·lec'tro·en·ceph'a·log´ra·phy (-э läg´rэ fi:) •n.

electroforming (i: lek´trou förm'iŋ, i-; -trэ-) •n. the production or reproduction of articles by the electrolytic deposition of a metal on a conducting mold

electrogasdynamics (i: lek'trou gæs'dai næm´iks, i-; -trэ-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the process of producing high voltage from low-voltage input by the movement of charged ionized particles in a hot gas stream to an electrode where these ions are collected: used to precipitate particulate matter in pollution control, or as a source of electric power, etc.

electrograph (i: lek´trou græf', i-; -trэ-) •n. 1 an electrical device for etching or engraving plates 2 a telegraphic instrument for transmitting photographs, drawings, etc.

electrohydraulic (i: lek'trou hai drö´lik, i-; -trэ-) •adj. designating or of a process for converting electrical energy to high-pressure, mechanical shock waves by the discharge of a high-voltage arc under the surface of a liquid medium: used in metal shaping, breaking up rock, etc.

electrojet (i: lek´trou jet', i-; -trэ-) •n. a narrow, high-velocity stream of electric energy that girdles the earth in the ionosphere above the magnetic equator and near the auroral displays

electrokinetics (i:'lek´trou ki net´iks, i-; -trэ-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the branch of electrodynamics dealing with electricity in motion, or electric currents: cf. ELECTROSTATICS

electrologist (i:'lek träl´э jist; i: lek'-, i-) •n. a practitioner of ELECTROLYSIS (sense 2)

electroluminescence (i: lek'trou lu:'mэ nes'эns, i-; -trэ-) •n. the emission of cold light by certain substances when acted upon by an alternating electric field e·lec'tro·lu'mi·nes´cent •adj.

electrolysis (i:'lek träl´i sis; i: lek'-, i-) •n. 1 the decomposition of an electrolyte by the action of an electric current passing through it 2 the removal of unwanted hair from the body by destroying the hair roots with an electrified needle [ELECTRO- + -LYSIS]

electrolyte (i: lek´trou lait', i-; -trэ-) •n. any substance which in solution or in a liquid form is capable of conducting an electric current by the movement of its dissociated positive and negative ions to the electrodes [ELECTRO- + -LYTE¹]

electrolytic (i: lek'trou lit´ik, i-; -trэ-) •adj. 1 of or produced by electrolysis 2 of or containing an electrolyte e·lec'tro·lyt´i·cal·ly •adv.

electrolyze (i: lek´trou laiz', i-; -trэ-) -lyzed', -lyz'ing •vt. to subject to, or decompose by, electrolysis

electromagnet (i: lek'trou mæg´nit, i-; -trэ-) •n. a soft iron core surrounded by a coil of wire, that temporarily becomes a magnet when an electric current flows through the wire

electromagnetic (i: lek'trou mæg net´ik, i-; -trэ-) •adj. of, produced by, or having to do with electromagnetism or an electromagnet e·lec'tro·mag·net´i·cal·ly •adv.

electromagnetic spectrum the complete range of frequencies of electromagnetic waves from the lowest to the highest, including, in order, radio, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma ray waves

electromagnetic wave a wave propagated through space or matter by oscillating electric and magnetic fields: in a vacuum it travels at the speed of light

electromagnetism (-mæg´nэ tiz'эm) •n. 1 magnetism produced by an electric current 2 the branch of physics that deals with electricity and magnetism

electromechanical (-mэ kæn´i kэl') •adj. designating or of a mechanical device or operation that is activated or regulated by electricity

electrometallurgy (-met´э lør´ji:, -met´ªl ør'-) •n. the branch of metallurgy having to do with the use of electricity, as for producing heat in smelting, refining, etc., or for refining, plating, or depositing metals by electrolysis

electrometer (i:'lek träm´эt эr; i: lek'-, i-) •n. 1 a device for detecting or measuring differences of potential by means of electrostatic forces 2 an active circuit arrangement for measuring differences of potential without drawing appreciable current

electromotive (i: lek'trou mout´iv, i-; -trэ-) •adj. 1 producing an electric current through differences in potential 2 relating to electromotive force

electromotive force the force or electric pressure that causes or tends to cause a current to flow in a circuit, equivalent to the potential difference between the terminals and commonly measured in volts

electromyograph (-mai´ou græf', -mai´э-) •n. an instrument that displays and records graphic tracings (electromyograms) of the voltage levels in muscle tissue, used in the diagnosis of muscle and nerve disorders: the tracing is made audible by connecting the voltage to a speaker e·lec'tro·my·og´ra·phy (-äg´rэ fi:) •n.

electron (i: lek´trän', i-; also, -trэn) •n. a stable elementary particle that forms a part of all atoms and has a negative charge of 1.602 X 10-¹9 coulomb: the mass of an electron is about ¹/1837 that of a proton with a rest mass of 9.10939 X 10-²8 gram, and the number of electrons circulating around a nucleus is equal to the number of positive charges on the nucleus; negatron [coined (1891) by G. J. Stoney (1826-1911), Ir physicist < ELECTR(IC) + -ON]

electron gun the part of a cathode-ray tube that collects, focuses, and emits the electrons

electron lens a configuration of electric or magnetic fields, or a combination of both, that serves to focus or deflect an electron beam, as in an electron microscope

electron microscope an instrument that focuses a beam of electrons on an object, using electric or magnetic fields, to form an enlarged image of the object on a fluorescent screen or photographic plate: it is much more powerful than any optical microscope

electron multiplier a device that amplifies a stream of electrons by causing it to strike electrodes at successively higher potentials: secondary electrons produced at each electrode increase the quantity of electrons in the stream

electron optics the branch of electronics having to do with the focusing and deflection of beams of electrons by means of electric and magnetic fields, which act upon the beams in the same way that lenses act on light rays

electron telescope an instrument using a cathode-ray tube to form a visible image of infrared rays brought into focus from a distant object by optical lenses

electron tube a sealed glass or metal tube completely evacuated or filled with gas at low pressure and having two or more electrodes that control the flow of electrons

electronegative (i: lek'trou neg´э tiv, i-; -trэ-) •adj. 1 having a negative electrical charge; tending to move to the positive electrode, or anode, in electrolysis 2 having the ability to attract electrons, esp. in forming a chemical bond •n. an electronegative substance

electronic (i:'lek trän´ik, i: lek'-, i-; also el'ek-) •adj. 1 of electrons 2 operating, produced, or done by the action of electrons or by devices dependent on such action 3 characterized by the prevalence of electronic equipment, etc. e·lec'tron´i·cal·ly •adv.

electronic mail messages typed or loaded into a terminal and sent, as by telephone line, to a receiving terminal

electronic music music in which the sounds are originated, organized, or altered by electronic devices

electronic organ a musical instrument with a console like that of a pipe organ, but producing tones by means of electronic devices instead of pipes

electronics (-iks) •n.pl. 1 [with sing. v.] the science that deals with the behavior and control of electrons in vacuums and gases, and with the use of electron tubes, photoelectric cells, transistors, etc. 2 electronic equipment, systems, etc.

electron-volt (-voult') •n. a unit of energy equal to that attained by an electron falling unimpeded through a potential difference of one volt; 1.602 X 10-¹² erg: also e·lec´tron·volt'

electrooptics (i: lek'trou äp´tiks, i-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the technology that deals with the production, control, and detection of light by electrical devices e·lec'tro·op´tic or e·lec'tro·op´ti·cal •adj. e·lec'tro·op´ti·cal·ly •adv.

electrophilic (i: lek'trou fil´ik, i-; -trэ-) •adj. designating or of a chemical, ion, etc. that accepts additional electrons

electrophoresis (-fэ ri:´sis) •n. the migration of charged colloidal particles or of molecules through a fluid or gel subjected to an electric field e·lec'tro·pho·ret´ic (-fэ ret´ik) •adj. [ModL < ELECTRO- + (CATA)PHORESIS]

electrophorus (i:'lek träf´э rэs; i: lek'-, i-) pl. -ri' (-rai) •n. an apparatus consisting of an insulated resin disk and a metal plate, used in generating static electricity by induction [ModL < ELECTRO- + Gr -phoros, bearing < pherein, BEAR¹]

electrophysiology (i: lek'trou fiz'i: äl´э ji:, i-; -trэ-) •n. 1 the study of the electrical properties of living cells 2 the study of the production of electric currents by living organisms e·lec'tro·phys'i·o·log´i·cal (-fiz'i: э läj´i kэl) •adj. e·lec'tro·phys'i·ol´o·gist •n.

electroplate (i: lek´trou pleit', i-; -trэ-) -plat'ed, -plat'ing •vt. to deposit a coating of metal on by electrolysis

electropositive (i: lek'trou päz´э tiv, i-) •adj. 1 having a positive electrical charge; tending to move toward the negative electrode, or cathode, in electrolysis 2 having the ability to give up electrons, esp. in forming a chemical bond •n. an electropositive substance

electroscope (i: lek´trou skoup', i-; -trэ-) •n. an instrument for detecting very small charges of electricity, electric fields, or radiation: it can indicate whether they are positive or negative, as by the divergence of electrically charged strips of gold leaf: when fitted with optical means for quantitative observation of the divergence, an electroscope serves as an electrometer e·lec'tro·scop´ic (-skäp´ik) •adj.

electroshock therapy (-shäk') a form of shock therapy in which electric current is applied to the brain: see also SHOCK THERAPY

electrosleep (-sli:p') •n. the experimental treatment of insomnia, psychiatric disorders, anxiety, etc. by passing a mild electric current through the brain

electrostatic (i: lek'trou stæt´ik, i-; -trэ-) •adj. 1 of or having to do with electrostatics 2 designating or of a speaker in which electric force is applied to metal plates causing a diaphragm suspended between them to vibrate e·lec'tro·stat´i·cal·ly •adv.

electrostatic generator a generator which produces high-voltage electricity by electrostatic induction: sometimes used to accelerate charged particles for nuclear reactions

electrostatic units the system of cgs units that assigns the value of one to the dielectric constant of a vacuum

electrostatics (i: lek'trou stæt´iks, i-; -trэ-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the branch of electromagnetic theory dealing with electric charges at rest, or static electricity: cf. ELECTROKINETICS

electrosurgery (-sør´jэr i:) •n. the use of electricity in surgery, as in cauterizing

electrosynthesis (-sin´θэ sis) •n. Chem. synthesis produced by means of an electric current

electrotherapy (-θer´э pi:) •n. the treatment of disease by means of electricity e·lec'tro·ther´a·pist •n.

electrothermal (-θør´mэl) •adj. using, relating to, or generating heat from electric energy

electrothermics (-θør´miks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the branch of science which deals with the direct transformations of electric energy and heat, as in the heating chamber of certain rockets e·lec'tro·ther´mic •adj.

electrotonus (i:'lek trät´э nэs, -trät´ªn эs; i: lek'-, i-) •n. the changed electrical state of a nerve or muscle when an electric current is passed through it e·lec'tro·ton´ic (-trou tän´ik, -trэ-) •adj. [ModL: see ELECTRO- & TONE]

electrotype (i: lek´trou taip', i-; -trэ-) •n. Printing 1 a plate made by electroplating a wax or plastic impression of the original page of type, etc. 2 a print made from such a plate •vt., vi. -typed', -typ'ing to make an electrotype of e·lec´tro·typ'er •n. e·lec'tro·typ´ic (-tip´ik) •adj.

electrovalence (i: lek'trou vei´lэns, i-; -trэ-) •n. 1 the number of electrons an atom gains or loses in forming a compound during a chemical reaction 2 IONIC BOND: also e·lec´tro·va´lent bond (-lэnt)

electrum (i: lek´trэm, i-) •n. a light-yellow alloy of gold and silver [L < Gr ēlektron: see ELECTRIC]

electuary (i: lek´chu: er'i:, i-) pl. -ar'ies •n. a medicine made by mixing drugs with honey or syrup to form a paste [ME electuarie < LL electuarium < Gr ekleikton < ekleichein, to lick out < ek-, out + leichein, to LICK]

eleemosynary (el'i mäs´э ner'i:; el'i: э-, -i: i:-) •adj. 1 of or for charity or alms; charitable 2 supported by or dependent on charity 3 given as charity; free [ML eleemosynarius < LL(Ec) eleemosyna, ALMS]

elegance (el´э gэns) •n. 1 the quality of being elegant; specif., a) dignified richness and grace, as of design b) polished fastidiousness or refined grace, as in manners 2 anything elegant Also, esp. for sense 2, el´e·gan·cy, pl. -cies [Fr élégance < L elegantia]

elegant (el´э gэnt) •adj. 1 characterized by dignified richness and grace, as of design, dress, style, etc.; luxurious or opulent in a restrained, tasteful manner 2 characterized by a sense of propriety or refinement; impressively fastidious in manners and tastes 3 marked by concision, incisiveness, and ingenuity; cleverly apt and simple {an elegant solution to a complex problem} 4 [Colloq.] excellent; fine; first-rate el´e·gant·ly •adv. [Fr élégant < L elegans prp. of *elegare < e-, out + *legare, var. of legere, to choose: see LOGIC]

elegiac (el i:´ji: æk', i li:´-; el'э jai´æk', -эk) •adj. 1 Gr. & Latin Prosody of or composed in dactylic-hexameter couplets, the second line (sometimes called a pentameter) having only an accented syllable in the third and sixth feet: the form was used for elegies and various other lyric poems 2 of, like, or fit for an elegy 3 sad; mournful; plaintive Also el·e·gi·a·cal (el'э jai´э kэl) •n. 1 an elegiac couplet 2 [pl.] a series of such couplets; poem or poems written in such couplets [LL elegiacus < Gr elegeiakos < elegeia: see ELEGY]

elegist (el´э jist) •n. a writer of an elegy or elegies

elegit (i: li:´jit) •n. Law a writ of execution by which a plaintiff is given possession of the defendant's goods until the plaintiff's claim is satisfied [L, 3d pers. sing., perf. indic., of eligere, to choose: see ELECT]

elegize (el´э jaiz') -gized', -giz'ing •vi. to write an elegy •vt. to commemorate or lament as in an elegy

elegy (el´э ji:) pl. -gies •n. 1 any poem in elegiac verse 2 a poem or song of lament and praise for the dead, as Shelley's Adonais 3 any poem, song, etc. in a mournfully contemplative tone {Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard} [Fr élégie < L elegia < Gr elegeia < elegos, a lament < ? IE base *el- > ALMS]

elem 1 element(s) 2 elementary

element (el´э mэnt) •n. 1 any of the four substances (earth, air, fire, and water) formerly believed to constitute all physical matter 2 any of these four substances thought of as the natural environment of a class of living beings 3 the natural or suitable environment, situation, etc. for a person or thing: often in the phrase in (or out of) one's element 4 a) a component part or quality, often one that is basic or essential {a good story has an element of suspense} b) a constituent group of a specified kind {the criminal element in a city} c) a determining factor d) any of the data needed or used to make certain calculations, solve a particular problem, etc. 5 on certain electric typewriters, a hollow, metal ball with raised letters, symbols, etc. that print as the corresponding keys are depressed 6 Chem. any substance that cannot be separated into different substances by ordinary chemical methods: all matter is composed of such substances: elements can be transformed into other elements by radioactive decay or by nuclear reactions 7 Comput. one item of data, as in an ARRAY (sense 5) 8 [pl.] Eccles. the bread and wine of Communion 9 Elec. a) any device with terminals at which it can be connected with other electrical devices b) the wire coil that becomes glowing hot, as in an electric oven 10 Math. a) an infinitesimal part of any magnitude; differential b) the point, line, etc. that generates a line, surface, etc. c) a part of a set or configuration, as a side of a triangle or a number in a matrix 11 Mil. a subdivision of a unit or formation the elements 1 the first or basic principles; rudiments 2 wind, rain, and the other forces of nature that make the weather SYN.—element, in its general use, is the broadest term for any of the basic, irreducible parts or principles of anything, concrete or abstract [the elements of a science]; component and constituent both refer to any of the simple or compound parts of some complex thing or concept, but constituent also implies that the part is essential to the complex [hemoglobin is a constituent of blood]; ingredient refers to any of the substances (sometimes nonessential) that are mixed together in preparing a food, medicine, etc. [the ingredients of a cocktail]; factor applies to any of the component parts that are instrumental in determining the nature of the complex [luck was a factor in his success] [ME < OFr < L elementum, first principle, element]

elemental (el'э ment´ªl) •adj. 1 of any or all of the four elements: see ELEMENT (sense 1) 2 of or like natural forces; characteristic of the physical universe 3 basic and powerful; not subtle or refined; primal {hunger and sex are elemental drives} 4 ELEMENTARY (sense 2a) 5 being an essential or basic part or parts 6 being a chemical element in uncombined form •n. a basic principle; rudiment: usually used in pl. el'e·men´tal·ly •adv. [ME < ML elementalis]

elementary (el'э ment´э ri:) •adj. 1 ELEMENTAL 2 a) of first principles, rudiments, or fundamentals; introductory; basic; simple b) of or having to do with the formal instruction of children in basic subjects {elementary education} el·e·men·ta·ri·ly (el'э ment´э rэ li:, -men´ter´э li:) •adv. el'e·men´ta·ri·ness •n. [ME elementare < L elementarius]

elementary particle any of the various indivisible subatomic particles that make up matter: until recently considered to be any fermion or boson although today many fermions and bosons are thought to be composed of quarks

elementary school a school of the first six grades (sometimes, first eight grades), where basic subjects are taught

elemi (el´э mi:) •n. any of various resins from tropical trees of the bursera family, used esp. in varnishes, ointments, and inks [Fr élémi < Sp elemi < Ar al-lāmī]

elenchus (i: leŋ´kэs) pl. -chi' (-kai') •n. a logical refutation, esp. one that disproves a proposition by proving the direct contrary of its conclusion e·lenc´tic or e·lench´tic (-leŋk´tik) •adj. [L < Gr elenchos, cross-examination, refutation < elenchein, to shame, refute]

eleoptene (el'i: äp´ti:n') •n. that part of an essential oil which does not become solid: cf. STEAROPTENE [< Gr elaion, olive oil, OIL + ptēnos, winged; akin to pteron, wing, FEATHER]

elephant (el´э fэnt) pl. -phants •n.or -phant any of an order (Proboscidea) of huge, thick-skinned, almost hairless mammals, the largest of extant four-footed animals, with a long, flexible snout (called a trunk) and, usually, two ivory tusks growing out of the upper jaw: the two existing species are the Asian (or Indian) elephant (Elephas maximus), which is commonly domesticated, and the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), which has a flatter head and larger ears [ME elefaunt < L elephantus < Gr elephas (gen. elephantos), elephant, ivory < ? Berber elu, elephant + Egypt 3bw, elephant, ivory]

elephantiasis (el'э fэn tai´э sis) •n. a chronic disease characterized by the enlargement of certain parts of the body, esp. the legs and genitals, and by the hardening and ulceration of the surrounding skin: it is caused by obstruction of the lymphatic vessels, often due to infestation by filarial worms [L < Gr elephantiasis < elephas, elephant: from resemblance of the skin to the elephant's hide + -ASIS]

Elephantine (el'э fæn tai´ni:, -ti:´-) small island in the Nile, opposite Aswan: site of ancient ruins elephantine (el'э fæn´ti:n', el´э fэn ti:n'; -tain') •adj. 1 of an elephant or elephants 2 like an elephant in size or gait; huge, heavy, slow, clumsy, ungainly, etc. [L elephantinus < Gr elephantinos]

elephant's-ear (el´э fэnts ir') •n. 1 any of several plants (genus Colocasia) of the arum family, esp. an ornamental (C. antiquorum) having enormous heart-shaped leaves 2 any of various cultivated begonias with large, showy leaves

Eleusinian (el'yu: sin´i: эn) •adj. 1 of Eleusis 2 designating or of the secret religious rites (Eleusinian mysteries) celebrated at the ancient Greek city of Eleusis in honor of Demeter and Persephone

Eleusis (e lu:´sis) town in Greece, northwest of Athens: site of an ancient Greek city (also Eleusis), seat of the Eleusinian mysteries

elev elevation

elevate (el´э veit') -vat'ed, -vat'ing •vt. 1 to lift up; raise 2 to raise the pitch or volume of (esp. the voice) 3 to raise (a person) in rank or position; promote 4 to raise to a higher intellectual or moral level 5 to raise the spirits of; elate; exhilarate •adj. [Archaic] elevated SYN. LIFT [ME elevaten < L elevatus, pp. of elevare, to raise < e-, out + levare, to make light, lift < levis, LIGHT²]

elevated (-veit'id) •adj. 1 lifted up; raised; high 2 exalted; dignified; lofty 3 high-spirited; exhilarated 4 higher than normal {an elevated temperature} Æ n. ELEVATED RAILWAY

elevated railway (or railroad) a railway elevated on a framework, leaving the street below free for other traffic

elevation (el'э vei´shэn) •n. 1 an elevating or being elevated 2 a high place or position 3 height above a surface, as of the earth 4 a) the ability of a dancer to attain height in the air while executing a leap b) the height thus attained 5 dignity; eminence; loftiness 6 a flat scale drawing of the front, rear, or side of a building, etc. 7 Aeron. the angular altitude of any object above the horizon 8 Geog. height above sea level; altitude 9 Mil. angular distance of the muzzle of a gun above the horizontal SYN. HEIGHT [ME elevacioun < OFr elevacion < L elevatio]

elevator (el´э veit'эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that raises or lifts up Æ 2 a platform, cage, or boxlike structure suspended by motor-operated cables, for hoisting or lowering people or things, as in a building or mine Æ 3 a machine, usually consisting of buckets or scoops fastened to an endless belt or chain, for hoisting grain, etc., as in a warehouse Æ 4 GRAIN ELEVATOR 5 a pilot-controlled airfoil attached to the trailing edge of the tail section's horizontal stabilizers, used to make an aircraft go up or down and to control pitching [LL(Ec), one who raises up, a deliverer: see ELEVATE]

elevator shoe a shoe designed to increase the wearer's height

eleven (i: lev´эn, i-) •adj. totaling one more than ten •n. 1 the cardinal number between ten and twelve; 11; XI 2 any group of eleven people or things; esp., a football or cricket team 3 something numbered eleven or having eleven units, as a throw of dice [ME elleven < OE endleofan, akin to OFris andlofa, OHG einlif (Ger elf) < Gmc *ainlif, lit., one left over (after ten) < *ain- (OE an: see A¹, AN¹ + *-lif, left over, prob. < IE base *leikw-, to leave behind > LOAN]

eleven-plus (-plûs´) •n. an examination given in school, esp. formerly, at about the age of eleven to determine whether a pupil will go to a vocational or academic secondary school

elevenses (i lev´эn ziz) •n.pl. [Brit. Colloq.] tea, a light snack, etc. served in the late morning [pl. of elevens, luncheon, pl. of ELEVEN: orig. an eleven-o'clock meal]

eleventh (i: lev´эnθ, i-; often э-) •adj. 1 preceded by ten others in a series; 11th 2 designating any of the eleven equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the tenth 2 any of the eleven equal parts of something; ¹/11 •adv. in the eleventh place, rank, group, etc. at the eleventh hour at the last possible time; just before it is too late [< Matt. 20:1-16] Etymology [ME elleventhe < OE endlyfta: see ELEVEN & -TH²]

elevon (el´э vän') •n. an aileron on a tailless airplane, that also serves as an elevator [ELEV(ATOR) + (AILER)ON]

elf (elf) pl. elves (elvz) •n. 1 Folklore a tiny, often prankish imaginary being in human form, supposedly exercising magic powers and haunting woods and hills; sprite 2 a small child or being, esp. a mischievous one elf´like' •adj. [ME < OE ælf, akin to OHG alb (Ger, nightmare), prob. < IE base *albho-, white > L albus, white: prob. basic sense whitish figure (in the mist)]

elfin (elf´in) •adj. of or like an elf; tiny, delicate, etc. •n. an elf [prob. < ME elvene, gen. pl.: see ELF]

elfish (elf´ish) •adj. like or characteristic of an elf; elfin or prankish elf´ish·ly •adv. elf´ish·ness •n.

elflock (elf´läk') •n. a lock of hair tangled as if by elves

Elgar (el´gэr, -gär'), Sir Edward (William) 1857-1934; Eng. composer

Elgin (el´jin) city in NE Ill., near Chicago: pop. 77,000 Etymology [after the title of a Scots hymn written in honor of the town of Elgin, Scotland]

Elgin marbles (el´gin) a collection of ancient Athenian marble sculptures taken chiefly from the Parthenon, in the British Museum since 1816 [after 7th Earl of Elgin (1766-1841), who brought them to England]

Elgon (el´gän'), Mount extinct volcano on the border of Kenya & Uganda: 14,178 ft. (4,321 m): crater, 5 mi. (8 km) wide

Eli (i:´lai') 1 a masculine name 2 Bible a high priest of Israel and teacher of Samuel: 1 Sam. 3 [Heb, lit., high]

Elia (i:´li:´э) pseud. of Charles LAMB

Elias (i: lai´эs, i-) Bible var. of ELIJAH [L < Gr Elias < Heb: see ELIJAH]

elicit (i: lis´it, i-) •vt. 1 to draw forth; evoke {to elicit an angry reply} 2 to cause to be revealed {to elicit facts} SYN. EXTRACT e·lic´it·a·ble •adj. e·lic'i·ta´tion •n. e·lic´i·tor •n. [< L elicitus, pp. of elicere, to draw out < e-, out + lacere, to entice, akin to laqueus: see LACE]

elide (i: laid´, i-) e·lid´ed, e·lid´ing •vt. 1 to leave out; suppress, omit, or ignore 2 to leave out or slur over (a vowel, syllable, etc.) in pronunciation e·lid´i·ble •adj. [L elidere, to strike out < e-, out + laedere, to hurt]

eligible (el´i jэ bэl) •adj. 1 fit to be chosen; legally or morally qualified 2 suitable or desirable, esp. for marriage Æ 3 Football allowed by the rules to catch a forward pass •n. an eligible person el'i·gi·bil´i·ty •n. el´i·gi·bly •adv. [ME < ML eligibilis < L eligere: see ELECT]

Elihu (i: lai´hyu:', i-; el´i hyu:') Bible one of Job's visitors in his affliction: Job 32-37 [Heb, lit., my God is he]

Elijah (i: lai´jэ, i-) 1 a masculine name: dim. Lige; var. Elias, Ellis, Eliot 2 Bible a prophet of Israel in the 9th century B.C.: 1 Kings 17-19; 2 Kings 2:1-11 [Heb eliyahu, lit., Jehovah is God]

eliminate (i: lim´э neit', i-) -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 to take out; remove; get rid of 2 to leave out of consideration; reject; omit 3 to drop (a person, team, etc. losing a round or match in a contest) from further competition 4 Algebra to get rid of (an unknown quantity) by combining equations 5 Physiol. to expel (waste products) from the body; excrete SYN. EXCLUDE e·lim'i·na´tion •n. e·lim´i·na'tive •adj. e·lim´i·na'tor •n. e·lim´i·na·to'ry (-nэ tör'i:) •adj. [< L eliminatus, pp. of eliminare, to turn out of doors, banish < e-, out + limen, threshold (akin to limes, boundary) < IE base *(e)lei-, to bend > LIMB¹]

Elinor (el´э nэr, -nör') a feminine name: see ELEANOR

elint (el´int) •n. the gathering of intelligence by monitoring with electronic equipment from airplanes, ships, satellites, etc. [< el(ectronic) int(elligence)]

Eliot (el´i: эt, el´yэt) 1 a masculine name: see ELLIS 2 Charles William 1834-1926; U.S. educator: president of Harvard U. (1869-1909) 3 George (pseud. of Mary Ann Evans) 1819-80; Eng. novelist 4 John 1604-90; Am. clergyman, born in England: known for missionary work among the Am. Indians 5 T(homas) S(tearns) 1888-1965; Brit. poet & critic, born in the U.S. [dim. of ELLIS]

Eliotic (el'i: ät´ik) •adj. of, like, or characteristic of T. S. Eliot or his style

Elis (i:´lis) ancient country in the W Peloponnesus, in which Olympia was located

Elisabeth (i: liz´э bэθ, i-) a feminine name: see ELIZABETH

Elisha (i: lai´shэ, i-) 1 a masculine name: var. Ellis 2 Bible a prophet of Israel, ordained by Elijah as his successor: 1 Kings 19:16, 19; 2 Kings 2 [Heb, lit., God is salvation]

elision (i: lizh´эn, i-) •n. 1 the omission, assimilation, or slurring over of a vowel, syllable, etc. in pronunciation: often used in poetry to preserve meter, as when a word ends with a vowel before another word beginning with a vowel (Ex.: th' inevitable hour) 2 any act or instance of leaving out or omitting a part or parts [L elisio, a striking out (in LL, elision) < pp. of elidere: see ELIDE]

elite (ei li:t´, i-) •n. 1 [also with pl. v.] the group or part of a group selected or regarded as the finest, best, most distinguished, most powerful, etc. 2 a size of type for typewriters, measuring twelve characters to the linear inch •adj. of, forming, or suitable for an elite [Fr élite < OFr eslite, fem. pp. of eslire, to choose < VL *exligere, for L eligere: see ELECT]

elitism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 government or control by an elite 2 advocacy of control by, or privileges for, an elite 3 the fact of sensing or believing that one is a member of an elite

elitist (-ist) •adj. of, having, or advocating elitism •n. 1 one who advocates elitism 2 a person who is or who believes himself or herself to be a member of an elite group

elixir (i: liks´ir, i-; -эr) •n. 1 a hypothetical substance sought by medieval alchemists to change base metals into gold or (in full elixir of life) to prolong life indefinitely 2 [Rare] the quintessence; underlying principle 3 a supposed remedy for all ailments; panacea 4 Pharmacy a sweetened, aromatic solution used as a vehicle for a medicine or alcohol, or as a nonmedicated flavoring [ME < ML < Ar al-iksīr < al, the + iksīr, philosopher's stone, prob. < Gr xērion, powder for drying wounds < xēros, dry: see XERO-]

Eliz Elizabethan

Eliza (i: lai´zэ, i-) a feminine name: dim. Liza: see ELIZABETH

Elizabeth city in NE N.J., adjacent to Newark: pop. 110,000 [after the wife of Sir George Carteret (1610?-80), proprietor of a colony in the region] Elizabeth (i: liz´э bэθ, i-) 1 a feminine name: dim. Bess, Bessie, Beth, Betsy, Betty, Elsie, Libby, Lisa, Lizzie; var. Elisabeth, Eliza 2 Bible the mother of John the Baptist and a kinswoman of Mary: Luke 1 3 see ELIZABETH PETROVNA 4 Elizabeth I 1533-1603; queen of England (1558-1603): daughter of Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn 5 Elizabeth II (born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) 1926- ; queen of Great Britain & Northern Ireland: head of the Commonwealth of Nations (1952- ): daughter of George VI [LL(Ec) Elizabetha < Gr(Ec) Elisabet < Heb elisheva, lit., God is (my) oath]

Elizabeth Petrovna (pэ trouv´nэ) 1709-62; empress of Russia (1741-62): daughter of Peter I

Elizabethan (i: liz'э bi:´θэn, -beθ´эn; i-) •adj. of or characteristic of the time when Elizabeth I was queen of England •n. an English person, esp. a writer, of the time of Queen Elizabeth I

Elizabethan sonnet SHAKESPEAREAN SONNET

elk (elk) pl. elk or elks •n. 1 MOOSE: the common term in Europe Æ 2 WAPITI 3 a light, flexible leather of cowhide or calfskin [ME, irreg. development (with -k for -ch) < OE eolh, akin to Ger elch, ON elgr < Gmc base *alchis < IE base *el-, stag, hart > Welsh elain, doe, Lith élnis, Gr elaphos, deer]

Elkhart (elk´härt', el´kärt') city in N Ind.: pop. 44,000 [after the nearby Elkhart River, transl. of Indian name, allegedly given because of an island at its mouth shaped like an elk's heart]

elkhound (elk´haund') •n. NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND

ell¹ (el) •n. Æ 1 an extension or wing at right angles to the main structure 2 an L-shaped pipe or conduit fitting

ell² (el) •n. a former English unit of measure, mainly for cloth, equal to 45 inches, or any of various other European measures of different lengths [ME elle, elne < OE eln, akin to Ger elle < Gmc *alinō, lit., arm, hence arm's length < IE base *elei-, to bend, *olina, elbow > L ulna, arm, elbow, Gr ōlenē, elbow]

Ella (el´э) a feminine name: see ELEANOR

Ellen (el´эn) a feminine name: dim. Ellie: see HELEN

Ellesmere (elz´mir') northernmost island of the Arctic Archipelago, in Baffin Region of Northwest Territories, Canada: 82,119 sq. mi. (212,687 sq. km) [after F. Egerton (1800-57), 1st Earl of Ellesmere, Eng statesman]

Ellice Islands (el´is) group of islands in the WC Pacific, north of Fiji: under British control, 1892-1978; name changed to TUVALU in 1976 and as such became independent in 1978

Ellington (el´iŋ tэn), Duke (born Edward Kennedy Ellington) 1899-1974; U.S. jazz musician & composer

Elliot or Elliott (el´i: эt) a masculine name: see ELIOT

ellipse (e lips´, i-) pl. -lip´ses' (-si:z') •n. Geom. the path of a point that moves so that the sum of its distances from two fixed points, the foci, is constant; closed curve formed by the section of a cone cut by a plane less steeply inclined than the side of the cone: see also CONIC SECTION, illus. [ModL ellipsis < Gr elleipsis, a defect, ellipse < elleipein, to fall short < en-, in + leipein, to leave (see LOAN): so named from falling short of a perfect circle]

ellipsis (e lip´sis, i-) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. 1 Gram. the omission of a word or words necessary for complete grammatical construction but understood in the context (Ex.: if possible for if it is possible) 2 ELLIPSIS POINTS [L < Gr elleipsis: see ELLIPSE]

ellipsis points (or dots) Writing, Printing the characters (. . . or formerly ***) forming a punctuation mark indicating an intentional omission of words or letters or an abrupt change of thought, lapse of time, incomplete statement, etc.

ellipsoid (e lip´soid', i-) •n. Geom. 1 a solid formed by rotating an ellipse around either axis: its plane sections are all ellipses or circles 2 the surface of such a solid •adj. of or shaped like an ellipsoid Also el·lip·soi·dal (el'ip soi´dэl, -soid´ªl) [Fr ellipsoïde: see ELLIPSE & -OID]

elliptical (e lip´ti kэl, i-) •adj. 1 of, or having the form of, an ellipse, as some leaves: see LEAF, illus. 2 of or characterized by ellipsis; with a word or words omitted, with obscure, incomplete constructions, etc. Also el·lip´tic el·lip´ti·cal·ly •adv. [< Gr elleiptikos (see ELLIPSE) + -AL]

ellipticity (el'ip tis´э ti:) •n. 1 the condition of being elliptical; elliptical form 2 the degree of deviation of an ellipse, elliptical orbit, etc. from circular form, or of a spheroid from spherical form

Ellis (el´is) 1 a masculine name: dim. Eliot: see ELIJAH, ELISHA 2 (Henry) Have·lock (hæv´läk, -lэk) 1859-1939; Eng. psychologist & writer, esp. on human sexual behavior

Ellis Island (el´is) small, government-owned island in Upper New York Bay: former (1892-1943) examination center for immigrants seeking to enter the U.S.: 27 acres (11 hectares) [after S. Ellis, a former owner]

Ellison (el´i sэn), Ralph Waldo 1914- ; U.S. writer

Ellsworth (elz´wørθ') 1 Lincoln 1880-1951; U.S. polar explorer 2 Oliver 1745-1807; U.S. jurist: chief justice of the U.S. (1796-1800)

elm (elm) •adj. designating a family (Ulmaceae, order Urticales) of dicotyledonous trees growing largely in the North Temperate Zone •n. 1 any of a genus (Ulmus) of tall, deciduous shade trees of the elm family, once widely planted as a lawn tree: see DUTCH ELM DISEASE 2 its hard, heavy wood [ME & OE, akin to OHG elm: see ELDER²]

elm bark beetle the bark-boring beetle (Scolytus multistriatus) that feeds on the bark of elm trees and carries Dutch elm disease

elm leaf beetle a beetle (Pyrrhalta luteola) that feeds on the leaves of elm trees while in both its larval and adult stages

Elman (el´mэn), Mi·scha (mish´э) 1891-1967; U.S. violinist, born in Russia

Elmer (el´mэr) a masculine name [ult. < ? OE Æthelmær ( < æthel, noble + mære famous), or < ? Egilmær (< egil- < ege, awe, dread + mære)]

Elmhurst (elm´hørst') city in NE Ill.: suburb of Chicago: pop. 42,000 [after the many elms set out there + hurst]

elocution (el'э kyu:´shэn) •n. 1 style or manner of speaking or reading in public 2 the art of public speaking or declaiming: now often associated with a studied or artificial style of speaking el'o·cu´tion·ar'y •adj. el'o·cu´tion·ist •n. [ME ellocucioun < L elocutio < pp. of eloqui: see ELOQUENT]

elodea (i: lou´dэ э, i-; el'э di:´э) •n. any of a genus (Elodea) of submerged water plants of the frog's-bit family, with whorls of short, grasslike leaves: often used in aquariums because it releases large amounts of oxygen [ModL < Gr helōdēs, swampy < helos, a swamp < IE base *selos- < Sans sáras-, a lake, pool]

Elohim (e'lou him´, -hi:m´; e lou´him', -hi:m') God: name used in parts of the Jewish scriptures: see JEHOVAH [Heb elohim, pl. of eloah, God]

Elohist (e´lou hist', e lou´-) the unknown author of those parts of the Hebrew scriptures in which the name Elohim, instead of Yahweh (Jehovah), is used for God: see YAHWIST El·o·his·tic (el'ou his´tik) •adj.

eloign or eloin (i: loin´, i-; also, esp. for n., i:´loin') •vt. 1 [Archaic] to seclude (oneself) 2 a) to carry away (property) b) Law to remove (property) beyond the jurisdiction of a sheriff e·loign´ment or e·loin´ment (-mэnt) •n. [ME eloinen < OFr esloignier < es- (L ex-) + L longe, far (adv.): see LONG¹]

Eloise (el'ou i:z´, el´ou i:z') a feminine name: equiv. Fr. Héloïse: see LOUISE

elongate (i: löŋ´geit', i-) -gat'ed, -gat'ing •vt., vi. to make or become longer; stretch •adj. 1 lengthened; stretched 2 Bot. long and narrow, as certain leaves SYN. EXTEND [< LL elongatus, pp. of elongare, to prolong < L e-, out + longus, LONG¹]

elongation (i:'löŋ'gei´shэn, i löŋ'-) •n. 1 an elongating or being elongated; lengthening; extension 2 something elongated; lengthened part; continuation 3 the angular distance in degrees of a planet or the moon from the sun, as viewed from the earth [ME elongacioun < ML elongatio]

elope (i: loup´, i-) e·loped´, e·lop´ing •vi. 1 to run away secretly, esp. in order to get married 2 to run away; escape; abscond e·lope´ment •n. e·lop´er •n. [Anglo-Fr aloper, prob. < ME *aleapen, to leap up, run away < OE ahleapan (infl. ? by ON hlaupa, to run > LOPE) < a-, away + hleapan, to run, LEAP]

eloquence (el´э kwэns) •n. 1 speech or writing that is vivid, forceful, fluent, graceful, and persuasive 2 the art or manner of such speech or writing 3 persuasive power [ME & OFr < L eloquentia: see ELOQUENT]

eloquent (el´э kwэnt) •adj. 1 having, or characterized by, eloquence; fluent, forceful, and persuasive 2 vividly expressive {an eloquent sigh} el´o·quent·ly •adv. [ME & OFr < L eloquens, prp. of eloqui, to speak out, utter < e-, out + loqui, to speak]

Elsa (el´sэ) a feminine name Etymology [Ger < ?]

else (els) •adj. 1 different; other {somebody else} 2 in addition; more {is there anything else?} Else follows the word modified and after a pronoun takes the possessive inflection [anybody else's] •adv. 1 in a different or additional time, place, or manner; differently; otherwise {where else can I go?} 2 if not {study, (or) else you will fail} [ME & OE elles, adv. gen. of n. base el-, other (as in OE el-land, foreign land), akin to Goth aljis, OHG elles, of same formation < IE base *al-, that, yonder one > L alius, another, alienus, belonging to another, Gr allos, other]

elsewhere (els´hwer', -wer') •adv. in or to some other place; somewhere else [ME elleswher < OE elleshwær]

Elsie (el´si:) a feminine name: see ALICE, ELIZABETH

Elsinore (el´sэ nör') HELSINGØR: name used in Shakespeare's Hamlet

Éluard (ei lü åř´), Paul (pôl) (pseud. of Eugène Grindel) 1895-1952; Fr. poet

eluate (el´yu it, -eit') •n. the solution that results from eluting

elucidate (э lu:´sэ deit', i-) -dat'ed, -dat'ing •vt., vi. to make clear (esp. something abstruse); explain SYN. EXPLAIN e·lu'ci·da´tion •n. e·lu´ci·da'tive •adj. e·lu´ci·da'tor •n. [< LL elucidatus, pp. of elucidare, to make light or clear < L e-, out + lucidus: see LUCID]

elucubration (i: lu:'kэ brei´shэn, -kyu:-; i-) •n. LUCUBRATION

elude (i: lu:d´, i-) e·lud´ed, e·lud´ing •vt. 1 to avoid or escape from by quickness, cunning, etc.; evade 2 to escape detection, notice, or understanding by {his name eludes me} SYN. ESCAPE [L eludere to finish play, parry a blow, frustrate < e-, out + ludere, to play: see LUDICROUS]

Elul (e lu:l´, el´ul') •n. the twelfth month of the Jewish year: see JEWISH CALENDAR [Heb elul, akin to Akkadian elul, elūlu, month name and festival of that month; ? also akin to Aram alal, he brought in]

elusion (i: lu:´zhэn, i-) •n. an eluding; escape or avoidance by quickness or cunning; evasion [LL elusio < L elusus, pp. of eludere]

elusive (i: lu:´siv, i-) •adj. 1 tending to elude 2 hard to grasp or retain mentally; baffling Also [Rare] e·lu´so·ry (-sэ ri:) e·lu´sive·ly •adv. e·lu´sive·ness •n. [< L elusus (see ELUSION) + -IVE]

elute (i: lu:t´, i-) e·lut´ed, e·lut´ing •vt. to remove (adsorbed material) by use of a solvent e·lu´tion •n. [< L elutus, pp. of eluere, to wash out: see ELUTRIATE]

elutriate (i: lu:´tri: eit', i-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. to purify (an insoluble powder) by washing and straining or by decanting e·lu'tri·a´tion •n. [< L elutriatus, pp. of elutriare, to wash out, rack off < eluere < e-, out + luere, var. of lavare, to LAVE¹]

eluvial (i: lu:´vi: эl, i-) •adj. of or relating to eluvium or to eluviation

eluviate (i: lu:´vi: eit', i-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. to be subjected to eluviation

eluviation (i: lu:'vi: ei´shэn, i-) •n. the weathering of rocks in place and the movement of soil material in solution or in suspension downward or sideways by water [see ELUVIUM & -ATION]

eluvium (i: lu:´vi: эm, i-) •n. an accumulation of dust and soil particles caused by the weathering and disintegration of rocks in place, or deposited by drifting winds: distinguished from ALLUVIUM [ModL < L eluere (see ELUTRIATE), after L alluvium: see ALLUVIUM]

elver (el´vэr) •n. a young eel, esp. a young freshwater eel that has migrated from saltwater, where it first develops by metamorphosis from a larva [for eelfare, the passage of young eels up a stream]

elves (elvz) •n. pl. of ELF

Elvira (el vai´rэ, -vir´э) a feminine name [Sp, prob. < Goth]

elvish (el´vish) •adj. ELFISH elv´ish·ly •adv.

Ely (i:´li:), Isle of former county in EC England, now part of Cambridgeshire

Elyria (i: lir´i: э, i-) city in N Ohio, near Cleveland: pop. 57,000 [after J. Ely (1775-1852), a founder of the town, and Maria, his wife: ? infl. by ILLYRIA]

Elysian (i: lizh´эn, -liz´i: эn; i-) •adj. 1 in or like Elysium 2 happy; blissful; delightful

Elysium (i: lizh´эm, -liz´i: эm; i-) Gr. Myth. the dwelling place of virtuous people after death •n. any place or condition of ideal bliss or complete happiness; paradise Also Elysian fields [L < Gr Ēlysion (pedion), Elysian (plain), plain of the departed, of non-IE orig.]