favour (fei´vэr) •n., vt. Brit. sp. of FAVOR

favus (fei´vэs) •n. an infectious skin disease of humans and many animals, esp. fowl, caused by an imperfect fungus (esp. Trichophyton schoenleinii) and characterized by itching and the formation of yellow crusts usually about the hair follicles, esp. on the head [ModL < L, honeycomb]

Fawkes (föks), Guy 1570-1606; Eng. conspirator: executed for participating in the GUNPOWDER PLOT

fawn lily DOGTOOTH VIOLET

fawn¹ (fön) •vi. 1 to show friendliness by licking hands, wagging its tail, etc.: said of a dog 2 to act servilely; cringe and flatter {courtiers fawning on a king} fawn´er •n. fawn´ing·ly •adv. [ME faunen < OE fagnian < fagen, var. of fægen: see FAIN]

fawn² (fön) •n. 1 a young deer less than one year old 2 a pale, yellowish brown •adj. of this color •vi., vt. to bring forth (young): said of a deer [ME < OFr faon, feon < LL *feto (gen. *fetonis), young animal, child < L fetus: see FETUS]

fax (fæks) •n. 1 the transmission and reproduction of graphic matter by electrical or electronic means, as over a telephone line; facsimile 2 a copy produced in this way 3 a device for producing such copies: also fax machine •adj. of, for, or by means of facsimile {a fax order} •vt. to transmit by fax [< FACSIMILE]

Fay or Faye (fei) a feminine name Etymology [< ? ME faie (see FAY¹) or ? ME fei, FAY²]

fay¹ (fei) •n. a fairy [ME faie < OFr fée < VL fata, one of the Fates < L fatum: see FATE]

fay² (fei) •n. [Archaic] faith: used in oaths [by my fay!] [ME fei < OFr: see FAITH]

fay³ (fei) •vt., vi. Shipbuilding to fit closely or exactly; join [ME feien < OE fegan, to join, fit, akin to fæger, FAIR¹]

Fayetteville (fei´эt vil') city in SC N.C.: pop. 76,000 [after the Marquis de (LA)FAYETTE]

Fayum or Fayyum (fai yum´, fei-) alt. sp. of FAIYÛM

faze (feiz) fazed, faz´ing •vt. to disturb; disconcert SYN. EMBARRASS [var. of FEEZE]

FB Football fullback Also fb

FBI FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

fbm feet board measure

fc 1 Printing follow copy 2 foot-candle FC Baseball fielder's choice

FCA Farm Credit Administration

fcap or fcp foolscap

FCC FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

FCIC Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

FCSC Foreign Claims Settlement Commission

FD Fire Department

FDA Food and Drug Administration

FDIC Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

FDN or fdn foundation

Fe Chem. symbol for iron [L ferrum]

fealty (fi:´эl ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 a) the duty and loyalty owed by a vassal or tenant to his feudal lord b) an oath of such loyalty 2 [Archaic] loyalty; fidelity SYN. ALLEGIANCE [ME feute, fealtye < OFr feauté, fealté < L fidelitas, FIDELITY]

Fear (fir), Cape cape on an island off the SE coast of N.C. fear (fir) •n. 1 a feeling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, etc.; timidity; dread; terror; fright; apprehension 2 respectful dread; awe; reverence 3 a feeling of uneasiness or apprehension; concern {a fear that it will rain} 4 a cause for fear; possibility; chance {there was no fear of difficulty} •vt. 1 [Obs.] to fill with fear; frighten 2 to be afraid of; dread 3 to feel reverence or awe for 4 to expect with misgiving; suspect {I fear I am late} •vi. 1 to feel fear; be afraid 2 to be uneasy, anxious, or doubtful for fear of in order to avoid or prevent; lest SYN.—fear is the general term for the anxiety and agitation felt at the presence of danger; dread refers to the fear or depression felt in anticipating something dangerous or disagreeable [to live in dread of poverty]; fright applies to a sudden, shocking, usually momentary fear [the mouse gave her a fright]; alarm implies the fright felt at the sudden realization of danger [he felt alarm at the sight of the pistol]; terror applies to an overwhelming, often paralyzing fear [the terror of soldiers in combat]; panic refers to a frantic, unreasoning fear, often one that spreads quickly and leads to irrational, aimless action [the cry of fire! created a panic] [ME fer < OE fær, lit., sudden attack, akin to OHG fāra, ambush, snare: for IE base see PERIL]

fearful (fir´fэl) •adj. 1 causing fear; terrifying; dreadful 2 feeling fear; afraid 3 showing or resulting from fear {a fearful look} 4 [Colloq.] very bad, offensive, great, etc. {a fearful liar} SYN. AFRAID fear´ful·ness •n.

fearfully (-fэl i:) •adv. 1 in a fearful manner 2 to a fearful extent 3 [Colloq.] very much; very {fearfully busy}

fearless (-lis) •adj. without fear; not afraid; brave; intrepid fear´less·ly •adv. fear´less·ness •n.

fearnought or fearnaught (fir´nöt') •n. 1 a heavy woolen cloth used for coats 2 a coat made of this

fearsome (fir´sэm) •adj. 1 causing fear; dreadful; horrible 2 frightened; timid fear´some·ly •adv. fear´some·ness •n.

feasance (fi:´zэns) •n. Law the performance of an act, condition, obligation, etc. [Anglo-Fr fesance (Fr faisance) < stem of faire, to do: see FEASIBLE]

feasible (fi:´zэ bэl) •adj. 1 capable of being done or carried out; practicable; possible {a feasible scheme} 2 within reason; likely; probable {a feasible story} 3 capable of being used or dealt with successfully; suitable {land feasible for cultivation} SYN. POSSIBLE fea'si·bil´i·ty, pl. -ties, •n. fea´si·ble·ness •n. fea´si·bly •adv. [ME faisible < OFr < stem of faire, to do < L facere: see DO¹]

feast (fi:st) •n. 1 a celebration or festival; esp., a periodic religious celebration, as in honor of God or a saint 2 a rich and elaborate meal; banquet 3 anything that gives pleasure because of its abundance or richness; special treat •vi. [ME festen < OFr fester < the n.] 1 to eat a rich, elaborate meal 2 to have a special treat •vt. 1 to entertain at a feast or banquet 2 to give pleasure to; delight {to feast one's eyes on a sight} feast´er •n. [ME feste < OFr < VL festa < pl. of L festum, festival < festus, festal, joyful, orig., of days for religious observance: see FAIR²]

feast day 1 FEAST (sense 1) 2 NAME DAY

Feast of Lots PURIM

feat¹ (fi:t) •n. an act or accomplishment showing unusual daring, skill, endurance, etc.; remarkable deed; exploit [ME fet < Anglo-Fr < OFr fait < L factum, a deed < neut. pp. of facere: see DO¹]

feat² (fi:t) •adj. [Archaic] 1 fitting 2 neat or neatly dressed 3 skillful [ME fet < OFr fait, pp. of faire, to do < L facere: see DO¹]

feather (feð´эr) •n. 1 Zool. any of the growths covering the body of a bird or making up a large part of the wing surface, as down or contour feathers: a typical contour feather consists of a horny central shaft, partly hollow, from which light, soft, narrow barbs, with interlocking barbules and barbicels, extend to form a thin, flat surface 2 a feather or featherlike part fastened to the shaft of an arrow to help control its flight 3 anything like or suggesting a feather or feathers in appearance, lightness, etc., as, a) a trifle b) a projecting part, esp. for fitting into a groove c) an irregular flaw in a gem d) the fringe of hair along the tail and along the back of the legs of some dogs 4 [pl.] [Archaic] a) plumage b) attire; dress 5 frame of mind; temper; vein 6 the act of feathering an oar or propeller •vt. 1 to provide (an arrow, etc.) with a feather 2 to cover, fit, or fringe with or as with feathers 3 to give a featheredge to 4 to join by inserting a wedge-shaped part into a groove 5 to turn (the blade of an oar) parallel to the line of movement in recovering after a stroke, so as to offer the least resistance to air or water 6 a) to turn (the blade of a propeller) on its shaft so that its leading and trailing edges are nearly parallel with the airplane's line of flight, thus preventing engine damage caused by airflow turning the propeller during an engine failure b) to change the angle of the blades of a helicopter rotor •vi. 1 to grow, or become covered with, feathers 2 to move, grow, or extend like feathers 3 to look like feathers 4 to feather an oar or propeller feather in one's cap a distinctive accomplishment; achievement worthy of pride feather one's nest to grow rich by taking advantage of circumstances in feather feathered in fine (or high or good) feather in very good humor, health, or form feath´er·less •adj. [ME fether < OE; akin to Ger feder < IE base *pet-, to fall, fly > Gr pteron, wing, piptein, L petere, to fall, Sans pátati, (he) flies]

feather bed a strong cloth container thickly filled with feathers or down, used as a mattress

feather palm any palm with featherlike, or pinnate, leaves: see FAN PALM

feather star any of an order (Comatulida) of unattached, free-swimming crinoids; comatulid

featherbed (-bed') •adj. Æ of, facilitating, or having to do with featherbedding Æ -bed'ded, -bed'ding •vi., vt. to engage in or subject to featherbedding

featherbedding (-bed'iŋ) •n. the practice of limiting output or requiring extra workers, as by union contract, in order to provide more jobs and prevent unemployment

featherbrain (-brein') •n. a silly, foolish, or frivolous person feath´er·brained' •adj.

feathercut (-kût') •n. a woman's style of haircut characterized by many curls with feathery tips

featheredge (-ej') •n. a very thin edge, as on a board or tool •vt. -edged', -edg'ing to give such an edge to

featherhead (-hed') •n. FEATHERBRAIN

feathering (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act of one who feathers 2 feathers collectively

featherstitch (-stich') •n. an embroidery stitch forming a zigzag line •vt., vi. to embroider with such a stitch [so called from resemblance to the arrangement of barbs on a feather]

featherweight (-weit') •n. 1 any person or thing of comparatively light weight or small size 2 an unimportant person or thing 3 a boxer between a junior featherweight and a junior lightweight, with a maximum weight of 126 pounds (57.15 kg) 4 the minimum weight that a racehorse may carry in a handicap •adj. 1 of featherweights 2 light or trivial

feathery (-i:) •adj. 1 covered with or as with feathers 2 resembling feathers; soft, light, etc. feath´er·i·ness •n.

featly (fi:t´li:) •adv. [Archaic] 1 suitably; aptly 2 neatly 3 skillfully; adroitly •adj. [Archaic] neat; graceful [ME fetli < fet: see FEAT²]

feature (fi:´chэr) •n. 1 orig., a) the make, shape, form, or appearance of a person or thing b) attractive appearance; physical beauty 2 a) [pl.] the form or look of the face; facial appearance b) any of the parts of the face, as the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. 3 a distinct or outstanding part, quality, or characteristic of something Æ 4 a prominently displayed or publicized attraction, as at an entertainment, sale, etc. Æ 5 a special story, article, etc. in a newspaper or magazine, often prominently displayed Æ 6 a motion picture, usually fictional, running more than 34 minutes, esp. as the main presentation in a theater •vt. -tured, -tur·ing Æ 1 to give prominence to; make a feature of 2 to sketch or show the features of 3 to be a feature of Æ 4 [Slang] to conceive of; imagine 5 [Dial.] to look like; favor Æ vi. to have a prominent part fea´ture·less •adj. [ME feture < OFr faiture < L factura, a making, formation < pp. of facere, to make, DO¹]

featured (-chэrd) •adj. 1 having (a specified kind of) facial features {broad-featured} Æ 2 given special prominence as a main attraction

feature-length (fi:´chэr leŋθ') •adj. of the usual length of a feature: said of a motion picture, magazine article, etc.

feaze (fi:z, feiz) feazed, feaz´ing •vt. var. of FAZE

Feb February

febri- (feb´ri, -rэ) combining form fever {febrifuge} [< L febris, FEVER]

febrific (fi: brif´ik) •adj. [Archaic] having or producing a fever [< Fr febrifique: see FEBRI- + -FIC]

febrifuge (feb´ri fyu:j') •n. any substance for reducing fever; antipyretic •adj. reducing fever [Fr fébrifuge (see FEBRI- & -FUGE), after LL febrifugia (see FEVERFEW), the centaury, regarded as an antipyretic]

febrile (fi:´bril, feb´ril) •adj. 1 of or characterized by fever; feverish 2 caused by fever [Fr fébrile < L febris, FEVER]

February (feb´ru: er'i:; also, -rэ wer'i:; widely feb´yu: er'i:, -yэ wer'i:) pl. -ar'ies •n. the second month of the year, having 28 days in regular years and 29 days in leap years: abbrev. Feb or F [ME Februarie < L Februarius (mensis), orig. month of expiation < februa, Rom. festival of purification held Feb. 15, pl. of februum, means of purification, prob. < IE *dhwes-, to stir up, blow, eddy > DEER, DIZZY]

fecal (fi:´kэl) •adj. of or consisting of feces

feces (fi:´si:z') •n.pl. waste matter expelled from the bowels; excrement [L faeces, pl. of faex, dregs, lees]

feckless (fek´lis) •adj. 1 weak; ineffective 2 careless; irresponsible feck´less·ly •adv. feck´less·ness •n. [Scot < feck (aphetic for EFFECT) + -LESS]

feculence (fek´yu: lэns) •n. 1 the state or quality of being feculent 2 a) dregs; sediment b) filth [Fr féculence < L faeculentia: see FECULENT]

feculent (-lэnt) •adj. containing, or having the nature of, feces; filthy; foul [ME < L faeculentus < faecula, dim. < faex: see FECES]

fecund (fi:´kэnd, fek´эnd) •adj. fruitful or fertile; productive; prolific SYN. FERTILE fe·cun·di·ty (fi: kûn´dэ ti:, fi-) •n. [ME fecound < OFr fecond < L fecundus, fertile: for IE base see FETUS]

fecundate (fi:´kэn deit', fek´эn-) -dat'ed, -dat'ing •vt. 1 to make fecund 2 to fertilize; impregnate; pollinate fe'cun·da´tion •n. [< L fecundatus, pp. of fecundare, to make fruitful < fecundus: see FECUND]

Fed 1 Federal 2 Federation

fed¹ (fed) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of FEED fed up [Colloq.] having had enough to become disgusted, bored, or annoyed

fed² (fed) •n. Æ [often F-] a Federal agent or officer Æ the Fed the Federal Reserve System

fedayeen (fed'ä yi:n´) •n.pl. Arab irregulars or guerrillas in the Middle East [Ar fidāرīyīn, pl. of fidāرī, lit., one who sacrifices himself (esp. for his country)]

federal (fed´эr эl) •adj. 1 of or formed by a compact; specif., designating or of a union of states, groups, etc. in which each member agrees to subordinate its governmental power to that of the central authority in certain specified common affairs 2 a) designating, of, or having to do with a central authority or government in such a union Æ b) [usually F-] designating, of, or having to do with the central government of the U.S. Æ 3 [F-] of or supporting the Federalist Party or its principle of strong centralized government Æ 4 [F-] of or supporting the government of the U.S. in the Civil War; Union; pro-Union •n. Æ 1 [F-] a Federalist Æ 2 [F-] a supporter or soldier of the U.S. government in the Civil War Æ 3 [F-] a Federal agent or officer fed´er·al·ly •adv. [< L foedus (gen. foederis), a league, compact, treaty: see FAITH & -AL]

Federal Bureau of Investigation a branch of the U.S. Department of Justice whose duty is to investigate violations of certain Federal laws

Federal Communications Commission a Federal agency whose duty is to regulate communication by telephone, telegraph, radio, TV, cable TV, and satellite

Federal Land Bank any of twelve regional banks established in 1916 to provide farmers with long-term loans secured by first mortgages on their farm property

Federal Republic of Germany see GERMANY

Federal Reserve Bank any of the twelve district banks of the Federal Reserve System

Federal Reserve note a note issued by the individual Federal Reserve Banks in various denominations of from 1 to 10,000 dollars, now the prevailing form of U.S. paper currency in circulation

Federal Reserve System a centralized banking system in the U.S. under a Board of Governors (formerly called the Federal Reserve Board) with supervisory powers over twelve Federal Reserve Banks, each a central bank for its district: established in 1913, it is intended to regulate banking and the economy by controlling the supply of money and credit

Federal Trade Commission a Federal agency whose duty is to investigate unfair methods of competition in business, fraudulent advertising, etc., and to restrain or prosecute those charged with such practices

federalism (fed´эr эl iz'эm) •n. 1 a) the federal principle of government or organization b) support of this principle Æ 2 [F-] the principles of the Federalist Party

federalist (-ist) •n. 1 a person who believes in or supports federalism Æ 2 [F-] a member or supporter of the Federalist Party •adj. 1 of or supporting federalism Æ 2 [F-] of or supporting the Federalist Party or its principles Also fed'er·al·is´tic Æ The Federalist a set of 85 articles by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, published in 1787 and 1788, analyzing the Constitution of the U.S. and urging its adoption

Federalist (or Federal) Party a political party in the U.S. (1789-1816), led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, which advocated the adoption of the Constitution and the establishment of a strong, centralized government

federalize (fed´эr эl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to unite (states, etc.) in a federal union 2 to put under the authority of a federal government fed'er·al·i·za´tion •n.

federate (fed´эr it; for v., -эr eit') •adj. united by common agreement under a central government or authority •vt., vi. -at'ed, -at'ing to unite in a federation Etymology [L foederatus, pp. of foederare, to league together < foedus: see FAITH]

federation (fed'эr ei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of uniting or of forming a union of states, groups, etc. by agreement of each member to subordinate its power to that of the central authority in common affairs 2 an organization formed by such an act; league; specif., a federal union of states, nations, etc. [Fr fédération < ML federatio < L foederatus: see FEDERATE]

federative (fed´эr eit'iv, -эr э tiv) •adj. of, forming, or having the nature of, a federation fed´er·a'tive·ly •adv.

fedora (fэ dör´э) •n. a soft felt hat with the crown creased lengthwise and a somewhat curved brim [Fr, after Fédora (1882), play by Sardou: the hat style was worn by one of the characters]

fee (fi:) •n. 1 orig., a) heritable land held from a feudal lord in return for service; fief; feudal benefice b) the right to hold such land c) payment, service, or homage due a superior 2 payment asked or given for professional services, admissions, licenses, tuition, etc.; charge 3 [Now Rare] a present of money; tip; gratuity 4 an inheritable estate in real property: see FEE SIMPLE, FEE TAIL •vt. feed, fee´ing [Now Rare] to give a fee, or tip, to SYN. WAGE hold in fee to own; possess [ME, estate, fief, payment < Anglo-Fr (< OFr feu, fief < Gmc, as in OHG feho, fihu, akin to OE feoh) < IE base *pek- > OE feoh, cattle, property]

fee simple absolute ownership of real property with unrestricted rights of disposition [Anglo-Fr: see FEE & SIMPLE]

fee tail an estate in real property which may be inherited only by a specified class of heirs, usually the natural children of the owner [Anglo-Fr fee tailé < fee (see FEE) + tailé, pp. of taillir, to cut, limit (OFr taillier): see TAILOR]

feeble (fi:´bэl) -bler, -blest •adj. weak; not strong; specif., a) infirm {a feeble old man} b) without force or effectiveness {a feeble light, a feeble attempt} c) easily broken; frail {a feeble barrier} SYN. WEAK fee´ble·ness •n. fee´bly •adv. [ME feble < OFr faible, feble < L flebilis, to be wept over < flere, to weep < IE base *bhlē-, to howl > BLEAT, BLARE]

feebleminded (-main'did) •adj. 1 mentally retarded; subnormal in intelligence: term no longer used in psychology 2 [Rare] having a weak will; irresolute fee´ble·mind'ed·ly •adv. fee´ble·mind'ed·ness •n.

feed (fi:d) fed, feed´ing •vt. 1 to give food to; provide food for 2 a) to provide as food {to feed oats to horses} b) to serve as food for 3 to provide something necessary for the growth, development, or existence of; nourish; sustain {to feed one's anger} 4 to provide (material to be used up, processed, etc.) {to feed coal into a stove} 5 to provide with material {feed the stove} 6 to provide satisfaction for; gratify {to feed one's vanity} 7 Sports to pass (the ball, puck, etc.) to (a teammate intending to make a shot, try for a goal, etc.) 8 Theater to supply (an actor) with (cue lines) •vi. 1 to eat: said chiefly of animals 2 to flow steadily, as into a machine for use, processing, etc. •n. 1 a) food given to animals; fodder b) the amount of fodder given at one time 2 a) the material fed into a machine b) the part of the machine supplying this material c) the supplying of this material 3 [Colloq.] a meal feed on (or upon) 1 to take as food; eat: said chiefly of animals 2 to get satisfaction, support, etc. from off one's feed [Slang] without appetite for food; somewhat sick [ME feden < OE fedan < base of foda, FOOD]

feed bag a bag filled with grain, fastened over a horse's muzzle for feeding put on the feed bag [Slang] to eat a meal

feedback (fi:d´bæk') •n. 1 Elec. the transfer of part of the output of an active circuit or device back to the input, either as an unwanted effect or in an intentional use, as to reduce distortion 2 a) a process in which the factors that produce a result are themselves modified, corrected, strengthened, etc. by that result b) a response, as one that sets such a process in motion

feeder (fi:d´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that feeds; specif., a) a device that feeds material into a machine b) a device that supplies food to animals or birds 2 an animal, esp. a steer, being fattened 3 anything that supplies or leads into something else; tributary; specif., a branch transportation line (in full feeder line) 4 Elec. a conductor supplying energy to a center from which the energy is distributed into various channels

feedlot (-lät') •n. an enclosed area where livestock, esp. cattle or hogs, are fed and fattened before being slaughtered for food

feedstock (-stäk') •n. raw material for industrial processing; often, specif., any of various petroleum products used in making petrochemicals and gasoline

feel (fi:l) felt, feel´ing •vt. 1 to touch or handle in order to become aware of; examine or test by touching or handling 2 to perceive or be aware of through physical sensation {to feel rain on the face} 3 a) to experience (an emotion or condition) {to feel joy, pain, etc.} b) to be moved by or very sensitive to {to feel death keenly} 4 to be aware of through intellectual perception {to feel the weight of an argument} 5 to think or believe, often for unanalyzed or emotional reasons {he feels that we should go} •vi. 1 to have physical sensation; be sentient 2 to appear to be to the senses, esp. to the sense of touch {the water feels warm} 3 to have the indicated emotional effect {it feels good to be wanted} 4 to try to find something by touching; grope (for) 5 to be or be aware of being {to feel sad, sick, certain, etc.} 6 to be moved to sympathy, pity, etc. (for) •n. 1 the act of feeling; perception by the senses 2 the sense of touch 3 the nature of a thing as perceived through touch {the feel of wet sawdust} 4 an emotional sensation or effect {the feel of happiness} 5 instinctive ability or appreciation {a feel for design} Æ feel like [Colloq.] to have an inclination or desire for {I feel like some ice cream} feel (like) oneself to feel normally healthy, fit, etc. feel one's way to move or advance cautiously, by or as if by groping Æ feel someone out to find out the opinions or attitude of someone by a cautious and indirect approach feel someone up [Slang] to fondle sexually feel strongly about to have decided opinions concerning feel up to [Colloq.] to feel capable of [ME felen < OE felan, akin to Ger fühlen & L palpare, to stroke < ? IE base *pel-, to fly, flutter, cause to tremble > OE fīfealde, Ger falter, butterfly]

feeler (fi:l´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that feels 2 a specialized organ of touch in an animal or insect, as an antenna 3 a remark, question, offer, etc. made to feel out another

feeling (fi:l´iŋ) •adj. full of or expressing emotion or sensitivity; sympathetic •n. 1 that one of the senses by which sensations of contact, pressure, temperature, and pain are transmitted through the skin; sense of touch 2 the power or faculty of experiencing physical sensation 3 an awareness; consciousness; sensation {a feeling of pain} 4 a) emotion or sensitivity {singing with feeling} b) an emotion 5 [pl.] sensibilities {to hurt someone's feelings} 6 a kindly, generous attitude; sympathy; pity 7 a) an opinion or sentiment {a feeling that he is honest} b) a premonition {a feeling that we will win} 8 an impression or emotional quality; air; atmosphere {the lonely feeling of the city at night} 9 a natural ability or sensitive appreciation {a feeling for music} 10 the emotional quality in a work of art feel´ing·ly •adv. SYN.—feeling, when unqualified in the context, refers to any of the subjective reactions, pleasant or unpleasant, that one may have to a situation and usually connotes an absence of reasoning [I can't trust my own feelings]; emotion implies an intense feeling with physical as well as mental manifestations [her breast heaved with emotion]; passion refers to a strong or overpowering emotion, connoting especially sexual love or intense anger; sentiment applies to a feeling, often a tender one, accompanied by some thought or reasoning [what are your sentiments in this matter?] [ME feling: see FEEL & -ING]

fee-splitting (fi:´split'iŋ) •n. the practice of giving part of the fee charged a referred client or patient to a colleague who makes the referral: it is considered an unethical practice in the medical profession

feet (fi:t) •n. pl. of FOOT feet of clay a weakness or defect of character (in an otherwise strong person) get one's feet wet to have or get one's first experience in some activity or pursuit have one's feet on the ground to be practical, realistic, etc. on one's feet 1 in a standing position 2 firmly established 3 in a sound or recovered condition 4 alert(ly) 5 without preparation; extemporaneously sit at the feet of to be an admiring disciple of stand on one's own (two) feet to be independent sweep (or carry) off one's feet to inspire strong and immediate enthusiasm, love, etc. in

feeze (fi:z, feiz) •n. 1 [Brit. Dial.] a rush, hard impact, or rub 2 [Colloq.] perturbation [ME fesen, to drive, put to flight < OE fesian, to drive < fus, eager < IE base *pent-, to go toward > FIND]

feh¹ (fei) •n. PEH [Heb]

feh² (fe) •interj. an exclamation of disgust, contempt, or scorn

feign (fein) •vt. 1 orig., to form; shape 2 to make up (a story, excuse, etc.); invent; fabricate 3 to make a false show of; pretend; imitate; simulate 4 [Archaic] to imagine •vi. to pretend; dissemble SYN. ASSUME feign´er •n. [ME feinen < OFr feindre (prp. feignant) < L fingere, to touch, handle, shape: see FIGURE]

feigned (feind) •adj. 1 [Now Rare] fictitious; imagined 2 pretended; simulated; sham

Feininger (fai´niŋ эr), Ly·o·nel (Charles Adrian) (lai´э nэl) 1871-1956; U.S. painter

feint (feint) •n. 1 a false show; sham 2 a pretended blow or attack intended to take the opponent off his guard, as in boxing or warfare •vi., vt. to deliver (such a blow or attack) [Fr feint < pp. of feindre: see FEIGN]

feist (faist) •n. [Dial.] a small, snappish dog [orig., lit., a fart < ME fīst < OE fisten, akin to Du veest, ON fisa < IE base *(s)peis-, to blow: see SPIRIT]

feisty (fais´ti:) feist´i·er, feist´i·est •adj. [Colloq. or Dial.] full of spirit; specif., a) lively, energetic, exuberant, etc. b) quarrelsome, aggressive, belligerent, etc. [prec. + -Y²]

felafel (fэ läf´эl) •n. alt. sp. of FALAFEL

feldsher (feld´shэr) •n. a medical worker, esp. in Russia, who acts as an assistant to a physician and is qualified by practical training to perform certain tasks: also feld·scher

feldspar (feld´spär') •n. any of several crystalline minerals made up of aluminum silicates with sodium, potassium, or calcium, usually glassy and moderately hard, found in igneous rocks feld·spath´ic (-spæθ´ik) or feld·spath´ose' (-spæθ´ous') •adj. [altered < Ger feldspath (now feldspat) < feld, FIELD + spath, spar < IE base *spe-, long, flat board > SPOON, SPADE¹]

Felicia (fэ lish´э, -i: э; -li:´shэ, -shi: э; -lis´i: э) a feminine name: see FELIX

felicific (fi:'li sif´ik) •adj. [Rare] producing or tending to produce happiness [< L felix (see FELICITY) + -FIC]

felicitate (fэ lis´i teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vt. 1 [Archaic] to make happy 2 to wish happiness to; congratulate •adj. [Obs.] made happy fe·lic'i·ta´tion •n. fe·lic´i·ta'tor •n. [< L felicitatus, pp. of felicitare, to make happy < felix: see FELICIFIC]

felicitous (fэ lis´i tэs) •adj. 1 used or expressed in a way suitable to the occasion; aptly chosen; appropriate; apt 2 having the knack of appropriate and pleasing expression fe·lic´i·tous·ly •adv. fe·lic´i·tous·ness •n. [< fol. + -OUS]

felicity (fэ lis´i ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 happiness; bliss 2 anything producing happiness; good fortune 3 a quality or knack of appropriate and pleasing expression in writing, speaking, painting, etc. 4 an apt expression or thought [ME felicite < OFr felicité < L felicitas, happiness < felix (gen. felicis), happy, orig., fertile, fruitful, nourishing: for IE base see FEMALE]

felid (fi:´lid) •n. any animal of the cat family [< ModL Felidae, the cat family < L felis: see FELINE]

feline (fi:´lain) •adj. 1 of a cat or the cat family 2 catlike; esp., a) crafty, sly, stealthy, etc. b) graceful in a sleek way •n. any animal of the cat family fe´line'ly •adv. fe·lin·i·ty (fi: lin´э ti:) •n. [L felinus < feles, cat]

Felix (fi:´liks) a masculine name: fem. Felicia Etymology [L, lit., happy: see FELICITY]

fell¹ (fel) •vi., vt. pt. of FALL

fell² (fel) •vt. 1 to cause to fall; knock down {to fell an opponent with a blow} 2 to cut down (a tree or trees) 3 Sewing to turn over (the rough edge of a seam) and sew down flat on the underside •n. 1 the trees cut down in one season 2 Sewing a felled seam fell´a·ble •adj. fell´er •n. [ME fellen < OE fællan, fellan (< Gmc *falljan), caus. of feallan (< Gmc *fallan), FALL]

fell³ (fel) •adj. 1 fierce; terrible; cruel 2 deadly: archaic except in the phrase one fell swoop, a single effort or action that is completely effective, devastating, etc. fell´ness •n. [ME fel < OFr < ML fello: see FELON¹]

fell4 (fel) •n. 1 an animal's hide or skin 2 a thin membrane of connective tissue under the hide [ME fel < OE, akin to Ger fell < IE base *pel-, skin, hide > FILM, L pellis, skin]

fell5 (fel) •n. [Brit.] 1 a rocky or barren hill 2 a moor; down [ME fel < Scand, as in ON fjall, mountain, akin to Ger fels, rock, cliff < IE base *pels- > MIr all, crag, Gr pella, stone]

fella (fel´э) •n. [Slang] FELLOW

fellah (fel´э) pl. fel´lahs (-эz) •n.or fel'la·heen´ a peasant or farm laborer in an Arab country [Ar fallāh (pl. fallāhīn), peasant, farmer < falaha, to plow]

fellate (fel´eit', fel eit´) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vi., vt. to engage in fellatio (with) fel´la'tor (-eit'эr) •n. fel´la·trice (-э tris) or fel·la´trix' (-ei´triks') •n.fem.

fellatio (fэ lei´shou, -shi: ou') •n. a sexual activity involving oral contact with the penis [ModL < L fellatus, pp. of fellare, to suck < IE base *dhē-: see FEMALE]

Fellini (fэ li:´ni:; It fel li:´ni:), Fe·de·ri·co (fe'dэ ri:´kou; It fe'de ři:´kö) 1920- ; It. motion-picture director

fellmonger (fel´mûŋ'gэr) •n. [Chiefly Brit.] a person who deals in or prepares animal skins [FELL4 + MONGER]

felloe (fel´ou) •n. FELLY¹

fellow (fel´ou; often fel´э) •n. 1 orig., a person who shares; partner or accomplice 2 a companion; associate 3 a person of the same class or rank; equal; peer 4 either of a pair of corresponding things; mate 5 a graduate student who holds a fellowship in a university or college 6 a member of a learned society 7 at some British and U.S. universities, a member of the governing body 8 [Obs.] a) a person of a lower social class b) a coarse, rough man 9 [Colloq.] a) a man or boy (often in familiar address) b) a person; one {a fellow must eat} 10 [Colloq.] a suitor; beau •adj. 1 having the same ideas, position, work, etc. 2 in the same condition; associated {fellow workers} [ME felaghe < Late OE feolaga, partner < feoh (see FEE) + laga, a laying down (see LAW), after ON félagi: basic sense, one laying down wealth for a joint undertaking; senses 5, 6, 7, after L socius: see ASSOCIATE]

fellow traveler a person who espouses the cause of a party, esp. a Communist Party, without being a member; sympathizer [transl. of Russ poputchik]

fellowship (fel´ou ship') •n. 1 companionship; friendly association 2 a mutual sharing, as of experience, activity, interest, etc. 3 a group of people with the same interests; company; brotherhood 4 an endowment, or a sum of money paid from such an endowment, for the support of a graduate student, scholar, etc. doing advanced study in some field 5 the rank or position of a fellow in a university or college [ME felauship]

felly¹ (fel´i:) pl. -lies •n. the rim of a spoked wheel, or a segment of the rim [ME felwe < OE felg, akin to Ger felge < IE *pel-, to turn > FALLOW¹]

felly² (fel´li:) •adv. in a fell manner; with cruelty

felon¹ (fel´эn) •n. 1 [Obs.] a villain 2 Law a person guilty of a major crime; criminal •adj. [Old Poet.] wicked; base; criminal [ME < OFr < ML felo, earlier fello < ?]

felon² (fel´эn) •n. a painful abscess or infection at the end of a finger or toe, near the nail; whitlow [ME < ? same base as prec.]

felonious (fэ lou´ni: эs) •adj. 1 [Old Poet.] wicked; base 2 Law of, like, or constituting a felony [altered (after FELONY) < ME felonous < OFr feloneus]

felonry (fel´эn ri:) •n. felons collectively

felony (fel´э ni:) pl. -nies •n. a major crime, as murder, arson, rape, etc., for which statute usually provides a greater punishment than for a misdemeanor: the usual minimum penalty is imprisonment for one year [ME felonie < OFr < ML felonia, treason, treachery < felo, FELON¹]

felsenmeer (fel´zэn mir') •n. an area that is usually found on gentle slopes above the timberline, covered with a layer of weathered rocks and boulders

felsite (fel´sait') •n. a fine-grained igneous rock consisting mainly of feldspar and quartz [< fol. + -ITE¹]

felspar (fel´spär') •n. FELDSPAR [altered < FELDSPAR, after Ger fels, rock]

felt¹ (felt) •n. 1 a fabric of wool, often mixed with fur or hair or with cotton, rayon, etc., the fibers being worked together by pressure, heat, chemical action, etc. instead of by weaving or knitting 2 any fabric or material with a fuzzy, springy surface like that of felt; esp., a heavy insulating material made of asbestos fibers matted together 3 anything made of felt •adj. made of felt •vt. 1 a) to make into felt b) to cover with felt 2 to cause (fibers) to mat together •vi. to become matted together [ME < OE, akin to Ger filz, Du filt (basic sense, cloth made by pounding or beating) < IE base *pel-, to beat, strike > L pellere, to beat, drive]

felt² (felt) •vt., vi. pt. and pp. of FEEL

felting (felt´iŋ) •n. 1 the making of felt 2 the material of which felt is made 3 felted cloth

felucca (fэ lûk´э) •n. a small, narrow ship propelled by oars or lateen sails and used esp. in the Mediterranean [< Sp < Ar falūka < ? Gr epholkion, small boat towed behind a ship]

fem feminine

female (fi:´meil') •adj. 1 designating or of the sex that produces ova and bears offspring: biological symbol, ♀: cf. MALE 2 of, characteristic of, or suitable to members of this sex; feminine 3 consisting of women or girls 4 designating or having a hollow part shaped to receive a corresponding inserted part (called male): said of pipe fittings, electric sockets, etc. 5 Bot. a) having pistils, archegonia, or oogonia and no stamens or antheridia b) designating or of a reproductive structure or part containing large gametes (eggs) that can be fertilized by smaller, motile gametes (sperms) c) designating or of any structure or part that produces fruit after it is fertilized •n. 1 a female person; woman or girl 2 a female animal or plant fe´male·ness •n. SYN.—female is the basic term applied to members of the sex that is biologically distinguished from the male sex and is used of animals or plants as well as of human beings; feminine is now the preferred term for references, other than those basically biological, to qualities thought to be characteristic of or suitable to women, as delicacy, gentleness, etc.; womanly suggests the noble qualities one associates with a woman, esp. one who has maturity of character; womanish, in contrast, suggests the weaknesses and faults that are regarded as characteristic of women; effeminate, used chiefly in reference to a man, implies delicacy, softness, or lack of virility; ladylike refers to manners, conduct, etc. such as are expected from a refined or well-bred woman see also WOMAN —ANT. male, masculine, manly, mannish [ME, altered after MALE < femelle < OFr < L femella, dim. of femina, a woman < IE base *dhē-, to suck, suckle > L felare, to suck, filius, son, fetus, progeny, Gr thēlazein, to suckle, thele, nipple]

feme (fem) •n. [Obs.] a woman [ME < OFr (Fr femme) < L femina: see FEMALE]

feme covert (fem´ kûv´эrt) Law a married woman [OFr, lit., woman covered]

feme sole (fem´ soul´) Law an unmarried woman; spinster, divorcée, or widow [OFr, lit., woman alone]

feminine (fem´э nin) •adj. 1 female; of women or girls 2 having qualities regarded as characteristic of women and girls, as gentleness, weakness, delicacy, modesty, etc.; womanly 3 suitable to or characteristic of a woman 4 effeminate; womanish: said of a man 5 Gram. designating, of, or belonging to the gender of words denoting, or referring to, females as well as many other words to which no distinction of sex is attributed 6 Music designating or of a cadence ending on an unaccented note or chord 7 Prosody a) ending with an unstressed syllable, as a line of verse b) designating or of a rhyme in which the rhyming elements have two, or sometimes three, syllables of which only the first is stressed (Ex.: danger, stranger; haziness, laziness) •n. Gram. 1 the feminine gender 2 a word or form in this gender SYN. FEMALE fem´i·nine·ly •adv. fem·i·nin·i·ty (fem'э nin´э ti:) •n. [ME < OFr < L femininus < femina, woman]

feminism (fem´э niz'эm) •n. 1 [Rare] feminine qualities 2 a) the principle that woman should have political, economic, and social rights equal to those of men b) the movement to win such rights for women fem´i·nist •n., adj. fem'i·nis´tic •adj. [< L femina, woman + -ISM]

feminize (fem´э naiz') -nized', -niz'ing •vt., vi. to make or become feminine or effeminate fem'i·ni·za´tion •n. [< L femina, woman + -IZE]

femme (fem; Fr fåm) pl. femmes (femz; Fr fåm) •n. 1 [Slang] a woman or wife 2 a homosexual who takes the female role in a relationship [Fr]

femme de chambre (fåm dэ shäñ´břª) 1 a chambermaid 2 a lady's maid [Fr]

femme fatale (fåm få tål´) pl. femmes fa·tales (fåm få tål´) an alluring woman, esp. one who leads men to their downfall or ruin [Fr, lit., deadly woman]

femto- (fem´tou) combining form one quadrillionth part of; the factor 10-¹5 {femtosecond} [< Dan femten, fifteen < ODan femtan < fem, five + -tjan, -teen]

femur (fi:´mэr) pl. fe´murs or fem·o·ra (fem´э rэ) •n. 1 the largest, longest, and heaviest bone in the body, extending from the hip to the knee: see SKELETON, illus. 2 a long leg segment in various animals, connecting the leg to the body fem·o·ral (fem´э rэl) •adj. [ModL < L, thigh]

fen¹ (fen) •n. an area of low, flat, marshy land; swamp; bog [ME < OE, akin to Ger fenne, marsh, Goth fani, mud < IE base *pen-, wet, slime, mire > Ger feucht, damp]

fen² (fûn) •n. a monetary unit of China, equal to ¹/100 of a yuan

fenagle (fэ nei´gэl) -gled, -gling •vi., vt. alt. sp. of FINAGLE

fence (fens) •n. 1 orig., a protection; defense 2 a barrier, as of wooden or metal posts, rails, wire mesh, etc., used as a boundary or means of protection or confinement 3 the art of self-defense with foil, saber, or epee; fencing 4 a) a person who deals in stolen goods b) a place where stolen goods are bought and sold •vt. fenced, fenc´ing 1 to enclose, restrict, or hamper with or as with a fence: with in, off, etc. 2 to keep (out) by or as by a fence 3 [Archaic] to ward off; protect; defend 4 to sell (stolen property) to a fence •vi. 1 to practice the art of fencing 2 to avoid giving a direct reply; be evasive (with); parry 3 to deal in stolen goods Æ mend one's fences to engage in politicking; look after one's political interests Æ on the fence uncommitted or undecided in a controversy fence´less •adj. [ME fens, aphetic for defens, DEFENSE]

fencer (fen´sэr) •n. 1 a person who fences with a foil, saber, or epee 2 one who makes or repairs fences

fencible (fen´sэ bэl) •adj. [Scot.] that can defend or be defended [ME fensable, aphetic for defensible]

fencing (fen´siŋ) •n. 1 the art or sport of fighting with a foil, saber, or epee 2 a) material for making fences b) a system of fences [< FENCE, v.]

fend (fend) •vt. [Archaic] to defend •vi. to resist; parry fend for oneself to manage by oneself; get along without help fend off to ward off; parry [ME fenden, aphetic for defenden, DEFEND]

fender (fen´dэr) •n. anything that fends off or protects something else; specif., Æ a) a metal or plastic enclosure over the wheels of an automobile or other vehicle to protect against splashing mud, etc. Æ b) a device on the front of a streetcar or locomotive to catch or push aside anything on the track c) a low screen or frame in front of a fireplace to keep the hot coals in d) a pad or cushion of canvas, rope, wood, etc. hung over a ship's side to protect it when going alongside a pier or another ship

fender bender [Colloq.] a minor automobile accident

Fénelon (fein louñ´; E fen´ªl än'), Fran·çois de Sa·li·gnac de La Mothe (fřäñ swå´ dэ så li: nyåk´ dэ lå môt´) 1651-1715; Fr. clergyman & writer

fenestra (fi nes´trэ) pl. -trae' (-tri:') •n. 1 a small opening, as the covered oval openings in the inner wall of the middle ear 2 a small, transparent spot, as in the wings of some insects 3 any small opening in a membrane fe·nes´tral •adj. [ModL < L, window, prob. < Etr *fnestra]

fenestrated (fi nes´treit'id, fen´es treit'id) •adj. 1 having windows, openings, or perforations 2 Biol. having fenestrae Also fe·nes´trate (-trit; -treit') [pp. of rare v. < L fenestratus, pp. of fenestrare, to furnish with openings < fenestra, window: see FENESTRA]

fenestration (fen'es trei´shэn) •n. 1 the arrangement of windows and doors in a building 2 Surgery the act of perforating or making an opening, esp. into the inner ear in certain cases of otosclerosis [see FENESTRATED & -ION]

Fenian (fi:´ni: эn, fi:n´yэn) •n. 1 any of a group of legendary military heroes of ancient Ireland Æ 2 a member of a secret revolutionary movement formed in New York and Ireland to free Ireland from English rule: the movement was most active in the 1860s and continued until WWI •adj. of the Fenians Fe´ni·an·ism' •n. [< pl. of Ir Gael Fiann, the old militia of Ireland, after Finn, Fionn, hero of Irish tradition: assoc. with OIr fēne, inhabitant of Ireland]

fennec (fen´ek') •n. a small, fawn-colored desert fox (Fennecus zerda) with large ears and large eyes, found in N Africa and Arabia [Ar fának]

fennel (fen´эl) •n. a tall herb (Foeniculum vulgare) of the umbel family, with feathery leaves and yellow flowers: its foliage and aromatic seeds are used to flavor foods and medicines [ME fenel < OE finul < L faeniculum, dim. of faenum, earlier fenum, hay]

fennelflower (-flau'эr) •n. any of a genus (Nigella) of plants of the buttercup family, with finely divided foliage and blue, yellow, or white flowers [so named from being confused with prec.]

fenny (fen´i:) •adj. 1 full of fens; marshy; boggy 2 of or found in fens [ME fenni < OE fennig]

Fenris (fen´ris) Norse Myth. a great wolf, bound by the gods with a magic rope Also Fen·rir (fen´rir') [ON]

fenugreek (fen´yu: gri:k') •n. a leguminous herb (Trigonella foenumgraecum) native to SE Europe and W Asia, used for forage and formerly in medicine and having seeds used in cooking [ME fenugrek < OFr fenugrec < L faenum-graecum, lit., Greek hay]

feoff (fef, fi:f) •vt. [Historical] to give or sell a fief to; enfeoff •n. var. of FIEF feoff´ment •n. feof´for or feoff´er •n. [Early ME feoffen < Anglo-Fr feoffer < OFr fieuffer, fieffer < fieu, fief: see FEE]

feoffee (fef i:´, fi:f i:´) •n. a person granted a fief [ME feoffe < Anglo-Fr feoffé, pp. of feoffer]

-fer (fэr) suffix forming nouns bearer, producer {conifer} [< Fr -fère or L -fer < ferre, BEAR¹]

ferae naturae (fi:´ri: nэ tu:´ri:) Law nondomesticated animals and fowls that are not the private property of anyone [L, of a wild nature]

feral (fir´эl, fer´-) •adj. 1 untamed; wild 2 savage [ML feralis < L fera, wild animal < ferus, FIERCE + -AL]

ferbam (før´bæm') •n. a fungicide, FeC9H18N3S6, used to control certain diseases, esp. of fruit trees [fer(ric dimethyldithiocar)bam(ate)]

fer-de-lance (fer´dэ læns') •n. a large, poisonous pit viper (Bothrops atrox) found in tropical America [Fr, iron tip of a lance (from the shape of the head)]

Ferdinand (før´dªn ænd') 1 a masculine name 2 Ferdinand I c. 1000-65; king of Castile (1035-65) & of León (1037-65): called the Great 3 Ferdinand I 1503-64; emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (1558-64), born in Spain 4 Ferdinand I (born Maximilian Karl Leopold Maria) 1861-1948; king of Bulgaria (1908-18): abdicated: father of Boris III 5 Ferdinand II 1578-1637; emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (1619-37) 6 Ferdinand V 1452-1516; king of Castile (1474-1504); (as Ferdinand II) king of Aragon & Sicily (1479-1516); (as Ferdinand III) king of Naples (1504-16): husband of Isabella I of Castile: called the Catholic [Fr; prob. < Gmc *farthi-, journey < faran, to travel (see FARE) + *nanths, courage > Goth (ana)nanthjan, to be bold, OE nethan, to dare; hence, lit., ? bold traveler]

fere (fi:r) •n. [Archaic] 1 a companion; mate 2 a husband or wife; spouse [ME fere < OE (Anglian) fera, aphetic for gefera < ge-, together + -fera < base of faran, to go: see FARE]

feretory (fer´э tör'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a portable reliquary 2 a place for keeping this [altered < ME fertre < OFr fiertre < L feretrum, a litter, bier < Gr pheretron < pherein, BEAR¹]

feria (fir´i: э, fer´-) pl. -ri·as or -ri·ae' (-i:') •n. 1 [pl.] in ancient Rome, holidays or festivals 2 Eccles. any weekday, except Saturday, that is not a feast day or vigil fe´ri·al •adj. [LL: see FAIR²]

ferine (fir´ain, -in) •adj. FERAL [L ferinus < ferus, FIERCE]

ferity (fer´i ti:) •n. the state or quality of being wild, savage, or untamed [L feritas < ferus, FIERCE]

Fermanagh (fэr mæn´э) district & former county of SW Northern Ireland

fermata (fer mät´э) Music PAUSE (sense 4) •n. [It < fermare, to stop, confirm < L firmare, to make firm < firmus, FIRM¹]

ferment (før´ment'; for v. fэr ment´) •n. 1 a substance or organism causing fermentation, as yeast, bacteria, enzymes, etc. 2 FERMENTATION 3 a state of excitement or agitation •vt. 1 to cause fermentation in 2 to excite; agitate •vi. 1 to be in the process of fermentation 2 to be excited or agitated; seethe fer·ment´a·ble •adj. [ME < OFr < L fermentum, leaven, yeast < fervere, to boil, be agitated: see BARM]

fermentation (før'mэn tei´shэn) •n. 1 the breakdown of complex molecules in organic compounds, caused by the influence of a ferment {bacteria cause milk to curdle by fermentation} 2 excitement; agitation [ME fermentacioun < LL fermentatio: see FERMENT]

fermentative (fэr ment´э tiv) •adj. of, causing, or resulting from fermentation

fermi (fer´mi:, før´-) •n. Physics a unit of length equal to 10-¹5 meter: see FEMTO- [after fol.] Fermi (fer´mi:), En·ri·co (en ri:´kou) 1901-54; U.S. nuclear physicist, born in Italy

Fermi surface an aspect of electronic structure that can be visualized in a three-dimensional graph and is based on the distribution of electrons into different states of momentum as they move in different directions

fermion (fer´mi: än', før´-) •n. any subatomic particle, including leptons and baryons, that obeys the Pauli exclusion principle: see BOSON [after prec. + -ON]

fermium (fer´mi: эm, før´-) •n. a radioactive chemical element produced by intense neutron irradiation of plutonium, as in a cyclotron: symbol, Fm; at. wt., (257): at. no., 100 [ModL: so named (1955) by A. Ghiorso and co-workers, after FERMI (in honor of his studies in nuclear physics) + -IUM]

fern (førn) •n. any of a widespread division (Filicophyta) of nonflowering embryophytes having roots, stems, and fronds, and reproducing by spores instead of by seeds fern´y •adj. [ME < OE fearn < IE *porno-, leaf, feather (> Sans parna, feather, leaf) < base *per-, to transport, fly > FARE]

fern seed the dustlike spores of ferns: formerly believed to make the person who carried them invisible

Fernando de Noronha (feř näñ´du dэ nô řô´nyэ) island in the S Atlantic, northeast of Natal, Brazil: with neighboring islets it constitutes a territory of Brazil: c. 10 sq. mi. (26 sq. km); pop. 1,400

Fernando Póo (feř nän´dô pô´ô) old name of BIOKO

fernery (førn´эr i:) pl. -er·ies •n. 1 a place where ferns are grown 2 a collection of growing ferns

ferocious (fэ rou´shэs) •adj. 1 fierce; savage; violently cruel 2 [Colloq.] very great {a ferocious appetite} fe·ro´cious·ly •adv. fe·ro´cious·ness •n. [< L ferox (gen. ferocis), wild, untamed < ferus, FIERCE + base akin to oculus, EYE + -OUS]

ferocity (fэ räs´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. the state or quality of being ferocious [Fr ferocité < L ferocitas]

-ferous (fэr эs) suffix forming adjectives bearing, producing {coniferous} [L -fer < ferre, BEAR¹ + -OUS]

Ferrara (fэ rär´э) commune in NC Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region: pop. 158,000

ferrate (fer´eit') •n. a salt of the hypothetical ferric acid, containing the divalent negative radical FeO4 [< L ferrum, iron (see FERRO-) + -ATE²]

ferredoxin (fer'э däk´sin) •n. a protein, containing iron, that is found in chloroplasts and transports electrons in photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and other biological processes [FER(RO)- + REDOX + -IN¹]

ferreous (fer´i: эs) •adj. of, like, or containing iron [L ferreus < ferrum, iron + -OUS]

ferret¹ (fer´эt) •n. a narrow ribbon of cotton, wool, silk, etc. Also fer´ret·ing [< It fioretti, floss silk, orig. pl. of fioretto, dim. of fiore, a flower < L flos, FLOWER]

ferret² (fer´эt) •n. 1 a small, domesticated European polecat with pink eyes and yellowish fur, easily tamed for hunting rabbits, rats, etc. 2 a rare, black-footed weasel (Mustela nigripes) of the W U.S. •vt. 1 to force out of hiding with or as if with a ferret 2 to search for persistently and discover (facts, the truth, etc.); search: with out 3 [Archaic] to keep after; harass •vi. 1 to hunt with ferrets 2 to search around fer´ret·er •n. fer´ret·y (-i:) •adj. [ME feret < OFr furet < LL furetus, dim. of furo, a ferret < L fur, thief: see FURTIVE]

ferri- (fer´ai, -i, -э) combining form containing ferric iron {ferricyanide}: see FERRO- [< L ferrum: see FERRO-]

ferriage (fer´i: ij) •n. 1 transportation by ferry 2 the charge for this [< FERRY + -AGE]

ferric (fer´ik) •adj. 1 of, containing, or derived from iron 2 Chem. designating or of trivalent iron, or compounds containing such iron: distinguished from FERROUS [< L ferrum, iron (see FERRO-) + -IC]

ferric oxide a brown or reddish oxide of iron, Fe2O3, occurring naturally as hematite or prepared by the oxidation of iron: used as a pigment, in polishing compounds, in magnetic tapes, etc.

ferricyanic acid (fer'ai sai æn´ik, fer'i-) a brown, crystalline, unstable acid, H3Fe(CN)6 [FERRI- + CYANIC]

ferricyanide (-sai´э naid') •n. a salt of ferricyanic acid containing the trivalent negative radical Fe(CN)6, in which the iron is trivalent

ferriferous (fэ rif´эr эs) •adj. bearing or containing iron [FERRI- + -FEROUS]

ferrimagnetic (fer'ai mæg net´ik, fer'i:-) •adj. designating a material, as the ferrite magnetite, having weak, permanent magnetism: such a material is used in recording tape fer·ri·mag·net·ism' (-mæg´nэ tiz'эm) •n.

Ferris wheel (fer´is) a large, upright wheel revolving on a fixed axle and having seats hanging between two parallel rims: used as an amusement-park ride [after George W. G. Ferris (1859-96), U.S. engineer who constructed the first one for the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893]

ferrite (fer´ait') •n. 1 any of various yellowish or reddish-brown, crystalline substances occurring in rocks and having the general formula MFe2O4, where M is some divalent metal, as nickel, zinc, etc. 2 one of the forms of pure metallic iron, having high magnetic permeability and occurring as a constituent of ordinary iron and steel 3 any of various compounds in which ferric oxide combines with another metallic oxide, as calcium ferrite, CaOFe2O3 [< L ferrum, iron + -ITE¹]

ferritin (fer´i tin, -э-, -tªn) •n. an iron-storing protein found in certain body tissue

ferro- (fer´ou, -э) combining form 1 iron {ferromagnetic} 2 iron and {ferromanganese} 3 containing ferrous iron {ferrocyanide}: see FERRI- [< L ferrum, iron, prob. via Etr < Sem base seen in Heb-Phoen barzel, Assyr parz-illu]

ferroalloy (fer'ou æl´oi', -э loi´) •n. any of various alloys of iron used in the manufacture of steel: named from the added metal, as ferrochromium, ferromanganese, etc.

ferrochromium (-krou´mi: эm) •n. an alloy of iron and chromium Also fer´ro·chrome' (-kroum')

ferroconcrete (-kän´kri:t') •n. REINFORCED CONCRETE

ferrocyanide (-sai´э naid', -nid') •n. a salt of ferrocyanic acid, H4Fe(CN)6, containing the tetravalent negative radical Fe(CN)6, in which the iron is divalent

ferroelectric (-i: lek´trik) •n. any of various crystalline, solid materials that have a natural polarization of the electric fields in the crystal lattice and that exhibit exceptional piezoelectric and elastic properties

Ferrol see EL FERROL

ferromagnesian (fer'ou mæg ni:´shэn, -ni:´zhэn) •adj. Mineralogy containing iron and magnesium

ferromagnetic (-mæg net´ik) •adj. designating a material, as iron, nickel, or cobalt, having a high magnetic permeability which varies with the magnetizing force fer'ro·mag´net·ism' (-mæg´nэ tiz'эm) •n.

ferromanganese (-mæŋ´gэ ni:s', -ni:z') •n. an alloy of iron and manganese, used for making hard steel

ferrosilicon (-sil´i kän') •n. a compound of iron and silicon, used in making steel, as a deoxidizing agent, etc.

ferrotype (fer´ou taip', fer´э-) •n. 1 a positive photograph taken directly on a thin plate of black-enameled iron coated with a sensitized emulsion; tintype 2 the process of making such photographs •vt. -typed', -typ'ing to give a glossy finish to (a photographic print) by squeezing into contact with a highly polished surface, usually chromium-plated steel, stainless steel, or plastic [FERRO- + -TYPE]

ferrous (fer´эs) •adj. 1 of, containing, or derived from iron 2 Chem. designating or of divalent iron, or compounds containing it: distinguished from FERRIC [< L ferrum, iron (see FERRO-) + -OUS]

ferrous oxide the black, powdery monoxide of iron, FeO

ferrous sulfate a green, crystalline compound, FeSO4·7H2O, used in dyeing, the making of ink, etc.; copperas

ferruginous (fэ ru:´ji nэs) •adj. 1 of, containing, or having the nature of, iron 2 having the color of iron rust; reddish-brown [L ferruginus < ferrugo, iron rust, color of iron rust < ferrum, iron: see FERRO-]

ferrule (fer´эl, -u:l') •n. 1 a metal ring or cap put around the end of a cane, tool handle, etc. to prevent splitting or to give added strength 2 Mech. a short tube or bushing for tightening a joint •vt. -ruled, -rul·ing to furnish with a ferrule [formerly verrel < ME & OFr virole, iron ring on a staff < L viriola, dim. of viriae, bracelets, via Celt < IE *weir-, wire, twisted work (> WIRE) < base *wei-, to bend, twist > L viere, to twist, bind around; sp. altered after L ferrum, iron]

ferry (fer´i:) -ried, -ry·ing •vt. 1 to take (people, cars, etc.) across a river or narrow body of water in a boat, raft, etc. 2 to cross (a river, etc.) on a ferry 3 to deliver (airplanes) by flying to the destination 4 to transport by airplane •vi. to cross a river, etc. by ferry •n. pl. -ries 1 a system for carrying people, cars, or goods across a river, etc. by boat 2 a boat used for this 3 the place where a ferry docks on either shore 4 the legal right to transport by ferry for a fee 5 the delivery of airplanes to their destination by flying them [ME ferien < OE ferian, to carry, convey, esp. by water, caus. of faran, to go: see FARE]

ferryboat (-bout') •n. FERRY (n. 2)

ferryman (-mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a person who owns, manages, or works on a ferry

fertile (ført´ªl; chiefly Brit & Cdn før´tail') •adj. 1 producing abundantly; rich in resources or invention; fruitful; prolific 2 causing or helping fertility {the sun's fertile warmth} 3 able to produce young, seeds, fruit, pollen, spores, etc. 4 capable of development into a new individual; fertilized {fertile eggs} fer´tile·ly •adv. fer´tile·ness •n. SYN.—fertile implies a producing, or power of producing, fruit or offspring, and may be used figuratively of the mind; fecund implies the abundant production of offspring or fruit, or, figuratively, of creations of the mind; fruitful specifically suggests the bearing of much fruit, but it is also used to imply fertility (of soil), favorable or profitable results, etc.; prolific, a close synonym for fecund, more often carries derogatory connotations of overly rapid production or reproduction —ANT. sterile, barren [ME < OFr < L fertilis < stem of ferre, BEAR¹]

fertile material material which can be converted into a fissile material by a neutron-induced nuclear reaction, as uranium-238 or thorium-232

fertility (fэr til´э ti:) •n. the quality, state, or degree of being fertile; fecundity

fertilize (ført´ªl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make fertile; make fruitful or productive; enrich {nitrates fertilize soil} 2 to spread fertilizer on 3 Biol. to make (the female reproductive cell or female individual) fruitful by pollinating, or impregnating, with the male gamete fer´til·iz'a·ble •adj. fer'til·i·za´tion •n.

fertilizer (-ai'zэr) •n. a person or thing that fertilizes; specif., any material, as manure, chemicals, etc., put on or in the soil to improve the quality or quantity of plant growth

ferula (fer´yu: lэ, fer´u-) pl. -lae' (-li:') •n. 1 any of a genus (Ferula) of plants of the umbel family, valuable as a source of various gums, as asafetida 2 FERULE [ModL < L, giant fennel, hence, stick, whip, rod, prob. akin to festuca, blade of grass]

ferule (fer´эl, -u:l', -yul') •n. a flat stick or ruler used for punishing children •vt. -uled, -ul·ing to strike or punish with a ferule [ME ferul < L ferula: see FERULA]

fervency (før´vэn si:) •n. great warmth of feeling; ardor [ME < OFr fervence < L fervens: see FERVENT]

fervent (før´vэnt) •adj. 1 hot; burning; glowing 2 having or showing great warmth of feeling; intensely devoted or earnest; ardent SYN. PASSIONATE fer´vent·ly •adv. [ME + OFr & < L fervens (gen. ferventis), prp. of fervere, to glow, boil, rage < IE *bhreu-, to boil up < base *bher-, to boil > BREW, BURN¹]

fervid (før´vid) •adj. 1 hot; glowing 2 impassioned; fervent SYN. PASSIONATE fer´vid·ly •adv. fer´vid·ness •n. [L fervidus < fervere: see FERVENT]

fervor (før´vэr) •n. 1 intense heat 2 great warmth of emotion; ardor; zeal Brit. sp. fer´vour SYN. PASSION [ME < OFr < L < fervere: see FERVENT]

Fès (fes) var. of FEZ

Fescennine (fes´э nain', -nin) •adj. [often f-] vulgar; obscene; scurrilous [L Fescenninus, after Fescennia, city in Etruria noted for scurrilous verse]

fescue (fes´kyu:') •n. 1 [Rare] a long stick, straw, etc., used as a teacher's pointer 2 any of a genus (Festuca) of grasses, many of which are used in the temperate zone as lawn and pasture grasses [ME festu < OFr < L festuca, a straw, blade of grass]

fess or fesse (fes) •n. Heraldry a horizontal band forming the middle third of a shield [ME fesse < OFr < L fascia, a band, FASCIA]

-fest (fest) combining form an occasion of much or many (of the thing specified): often used to form colloquial or slang words {songfest, slugfest} [< Ger fest, a celebration < L festum: see FEAST]

festa (fes´tэ) •n. a holiday celebration; festival [It]

festal (fes´tэl) •adj. of or like a joyous celebration; festive fes´tal·ly •adv. [< L festum (see FEAST) + -AL]

fester (fes´tэr) •n. a small sore filled with pus; pustule •vi. [ME festren < the n.] 1 to form pus; ulcerate 2 to grow embittered; rankle 3 to decay •vt. 1 to cause the formation of pus in 2 to make rankle; embitter [ME festre < OFr < L fistula: see FISTULA]

festinate (fes´tэ neit'; for adj., -nit) -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt., vi. [Rare] to hurry; speed •adj. [Rare] hurried [< L festinatus, pp. of festinare, to hurry < IE base *bheres, quick > MIr bras, swift]

festination (fes'tэ nei´shэn) •n. an involuntary inclination to hurry in walking, esp. seen in certain nervous diseases, as Parkinson's disease [L festinatio, haste: see FESTINATE]

festival (fes´tэ vэl) •n. 1 a time or day of feasting or celebration; esp., a periodic religious celebration 2 a celebration, entertainment, or series of performances of a certain kind, often held periodically {a Bach festival} 3 merrymaking; festivity •adj. of, for, or fit for a festival [ME, n. & adj. < OFr < ML festivalis < L festivus: see FESTIVE]

festive (fes´tiv) •adj. 1 of, for, or suited to a feast or festival 2 merry; joyous fes´tive·ly •adv. fes´tive·ness •n. [L festivus < festum: see FEAST]

festivity (fes tiv´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 merrymaking; gaiety; joyful celebration 2 a) a festival b) [pl.] festive proceedings; things done in celebration [ME festivite < OFr < L festivus: see FESTIVE]

festoon (fes tu:n´) •n. 1 a wreath or garland of flowers, leaves, paper, etc. hanging in a loop or curve 2 any carved or molded decoration resembling this, as on furniture •vt. 1 to adorn or hang with festoons 2 to form into a festoon or festoons 3 to join by festoons [Fr feston < It festone < festa < VL: see FEAST]

festoonery (-эr i:) •n. an arrangement of festoons

Festschrift (fest´shrift') pl. -schrift'en (-shrif'tэn) •n.or -schrifts' [also f-] a collection of articles by the colleagues, former students, etc. of a noted scholar, published in his or her honor [Ger < fest, festival, holiday + schrift, a writing]

FET •n. field-effect transistor

feta (cheese) (fet´э) a white, soft cheese, orig. made in Greece [< ModGr (tyri) pheta < tyri, cheese (< Gr tyros) + pheta < It fetta, a slice, ult. < L offa, a morsel, piece]

fetal (fi:t´ªl) •adj. of, pertaining to, or like a fetus

fetation (fi: tei´shэn) •n. 1 fetal development 2 pregnancy

fetch¹ (fech) •vt. 1 to go after and come back with; bring; get 2 to cause to come; produce; elicit 3 to draw (a breath) or heave (a sigh, groan, etc.) 4 [Rare] to derive or infer 5 to arrive at; reach, esp. when sailing against the wind or tide 6 to bring as a price; sell for 7 [Colloq.] to attract; charm; captivate 8 [Colloq.] to deliver or deal (a blow, stroke, etc.) •vi. 1 to go after things and bring them back; specif., to retrieve game: said of hounds 2 Naut. a) to take or hold a course b) to veer •n. 1 the act of fetching 2 a trick; dodge 3 the distance a wind blows unobstructed over water, esp. as a factor affecting the buildup of waves SYN. BRING fetch and carry to do minor tasks or chores fetch up 1 [Colloq.] to reach; stop 2 [Dial.] to bring up or raise (a child, pet, etc.) [ME fecchen < OE feccan, earlier fetian < IE *pedyo- (extension of base *ped-, FOOT) > Ger fassen, to grasp]

fetch² (fech) •n. the apparition of a living person; wraith [< ?]

fetching (fech´iŋ) •adj. attractive; charming fetch´ing·ly •adv.

fête champêtre (fet shäñ pe´trª) an outdoor feast or entertainment [Fr, rural festival]

fete or fête (feit, fet) •n. a festival; entertainment; esp., a gala entertainment held outdoors •vt. fet´ed or fêt´ed, fet´ing or fêt´ing to celebrate or honor with a fete; entertain [Fr fête < OFr feste: see FEAST]

feterita (fet'э ri:t´э) •n. a cultivated sorghum (Sorghum bicolor var. caudatum) with large white, yellow, or red seeds, grown for grain and forage in the SW U.S. [prob. < Ar dial. name]

feti- (fi:t´i, -э) combining form fetus {fetiparous} Also fe·to- (fi:t´ou, -э)

fetial (fi:´shэl) •n. in ancient Rome, any of a group of twenty priests who served a ceremonial function or gave advice in the conduct of war, diplomatic negotiations, etc. Also fe·ti·a·lis (fi:'shi: ei´lis) •n. pl. -a´les (-ei´li:z) •adj. of these priests or their functions [L fetialis < fetiales, pl., college of priests < OL *fetis < IE *dhē-ti-s, statute < base *dhē-: see DO¹]

feticide (fi:t´э said') •n. the killing of a fetus; illegal abortion fe'ti·ci´dal (-said´ªl) •adj. [< FETUS + -CIDE]

fetid (fet´id; also fi:t´-) •adj. having a bad smell, as of decay; stinking; putrid fet´id·ly •adv. fet´id·ness •n. [ME < L fetidus, foetidus < L foetere, to stink < IE *dhwoitos < base *dheu-, to blow about > DULL]

fetiparous (fi: tip´э rэs) •adj. designating or of animals whose young are born incompletely developed, as marsupials [FETI- + -PAROUS]

fetish (fet´ish; also fi:t´-) •n. 1 any object believed by superstitious people to have magical power 2 any thing or activity to which one is irrationally devoted {to make a fetish of sports} 3 Psychiatry any nonsexual object, such as a foot or a glove, that abnormally excites erotic feelings Also sp. fet´ich [Fr fétiche < Port feitiço, a charm, sorcery; orig. adj. < L facticius, made by art, FACTITIOUS]

fetishism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 worship of or belief in fetishes 2 Psychiatry an abnormal condition in which erotic feelings are excited by a nonsexual object, as a foot, glove, etc. Also sp. fet´ich·ism' fet´ish·ist •n. fet'ish·is´tic •adj. [Fr fétichisme]

fetlock (fet´läk') •n. 1 a tuft of hair on the back of the leg of a horse, donkey, etc., just above the hoof 2 the joint or projection bearing this tuft See HORSE, illus. [ME fitlok (understood in ME as comp. of fet, FEET + lok, LOCK²) < MDu or MLowG cognate of MHG vizzeloch < vissel, dim. (< base of OHG fuoz, FOOT) + -och, -OCK]

fetology (fi: täl´э ji:) •n. the study and treatment of the fetus, esp. while in the uterus fe·tol·o·gist •n.

fetor (fi:t´эr, fi:´tör') •n. a strong, disagreeable smell; stench [L fetor, foetor < foetere: see FETID]

fetoscope (fi:´tэ skoup') •n. 1 an endoscope used to examine a fetus in the womb 2 a special stethoscope used to listen to the fetal heartbeat fe·to·scop·ic (fi:'tэ skäp´ik) •adj. fe·tos·co·py (fi: täs´kэ pi:) •n.

fetter (fet´эr) •n. 1 a shackle or chain for the feet 2 anything that holds in check; restraint •vt. [ME feterien < OE (ge)feterian] 1 to bind with fetters; shackle; chain 2 to hold in check; restrain; confine [ME feter < OE < base of fot, FOOT, akin to Ger fessel]

fetterbush (fet´эr bush') •n. 1 any of a genus (Leucothoe) of plants of the heath family, found in E U.S., with white, bell-shaped flowers 2 any of various other plants of the heath family

fetterlock (fet´эr läk') •n. FETLOCK

fettle (fet´ªl) fet´tled, fet´tling •vt. 1 [Dial.] to put in order or readiness; arrange 2 to line or cover (the hearth of a puddling furnace) with ore, silica, or other loose material •n. 1 condition of body and mind {in fine fettle} 2 FETTLING [ME fetlen, to make ready, prob. < OE fetel, belt (akin to feter, FETTER), confused with fætel, container < fæt, VAT]

fettling (fet´liŋ) •n. a loose material, as silica, used to fettle a puddling furnace [see FETTLE]

fettuccine (fet'u: chi:´ni:) •n.pl. [usually with sing. v.] narrow, flat noodles, often served with butter, cheese, etc. Also sp. fet'tu·ci´ne or fet'tu·ci´ni [It, lit., little ribbons < fetta: see FETA]

fetus (fi:t´эs) pl. -tus·es •n. the unborn young of an animal while still in the uterus or egg, esp. in its later stages and specif., in humans, from about the eighth week after conception until birth: see EMBRYO [ME < L fetus, foetus, a bringing forth, progeny; as adj., pregnant, fruitful: see FEMALE]

feu (fyu:) •n. Scot. Law 1 [Historical] a right to hold land for which the holder must pay in grain or money rather than in military service 2 a right to use land in perpetuity for a fixed annual payment 3 the land so held or used •vt. to grant (land) on feu [Scot for FEE]

feud¹ (fyu:d) •n. a bitter, long-continued, and deadly quarrel, esp. between clans or families •vi. to carry on a feud; quarrel [ME fede < OFr faide < Frank *faida, akin to OHG fehida, enmity, revenge < IE base *peik-, hostile > FOE, Lith pìktas, angry]

feud² (fyu:d) •n. land held from a feudal lord in return for service; fief [ME < ML feodum < Frank *fehu- (akin to OHG feho, cattle, property: see FEE) + *od, *ot, wealth, akin to OE ead]

feudal system FEUDALISM

feudal¹ (fyu:d´ªl) •adj. 1 of a feud (land) 2 of or like feudalism feu´dal·ly •adv. [ML feudalis]

feudal² (fyu:d´ªl) •adj. of or like a feud (quarrel)

feudalism (fyu:d´ªl iz'эm) •n. 1 the economic, political, and social system in medieval Europe, in which land, worked by serfs who were bound to it, was held by vassals in exchange for military and other services given to overlords 2 a society organized like that in medieval Europe feu´dal·ist •n. feu'dal·is´tic •adj.

feudality (fyu: dæl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality or state of being feudal 2 a feudal holding or estate; fief [Fr feodalité]

feudalize (fyu:d´ªl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make feudal; establish feudalism in feu'dal·i·za´tion •n.

feudatory (fyu:´dэ tör'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a person holding land by feudal tenure 2 the land held; fief •adj. 1 of the feudal relationship between vassal and lord 2 owing feudal allegiance (to) [ML feodatorius < feodare, to enfeoff < feodum, feudum: see FEUD²]

feudist¹ (fyu:d´ist) •n. a participant in a feud (quarrel)

feudist² (fyu:d´ist) •n. a specialist in feudal law

feuilleton (fëyª touñ´) •n. 1 that part of a French newspaper which contains serialized fiction, light reviews, etc. 2 a piece printed in this section 3 any light, popular piece of writing [Fr < feuillet, a leaf, sheet < dim. of OFr fuil: see FOIL²]

feuilletonist (fø´yэ tэn ist) •n. a writer of feuilletons

fever (fi:´vэr) •n. 1 a state of increased body temperature caused by exercise, ovulation, infections, etc.; pyrexia 2 any of various diseases characterized by a high fever {yellow fever} 3 a condition of nervousness or restless excitement •vt. to cause fever in fe´vered •adj. [ME < OE fefer & OFr fievre, both < L febris < IE base *dhegwh-, to burn > L fovere, to warm, MIr daig, fire]

fever blister (or sore) COLD SORE

feverfew (fi:´vэr fyu:') •n. a bushy plant (Chrysanthemum parthenium) of the composite family, with finely divided foliage and flowers with white florets around a yellow disk [ME fevyrfue < OE feverfuge & Anglo-Fr *fewerfue, both < LL febrifugia < L febris, FEVER + fugia < fugare, to drive away; akin to fugere, to flee: see FUGITIVE]

feverish (fi:´vэr ish') •adj. 1 having fever, esp. slight fever 2 of, like, or caused by fever 3 causing fever 4 greatly excited or agitated Also fe´ver·ous fe´ver·ish·ly •adv. fe´ver·ish·ness •n.

feverwort (fi:´vэr wørt') •n. Æ HORSE GENTIAN Also fe´ver·root' (-ru:t')

few (fyu:) •adj. not many; a small number of {few seats were left, a few people came} pron. not many; a small number {many left, few stayed; a few of the men wore hats} few and far between scarce; rare the few the minority; esp., a small select group few´ness •n. [ME fewe < OE feawe, feawa, pl., akin to OFris fē, Goth fawai, pl. < IE base *pōu-, small, little > L paucus, Gr pauros, little]

fey (fei) •adj. 1 [Now Chiefly Scot.] a) orig., fated; doomed to death b) in an unusually excited state, formerly believed to portend sudden death 2 strange or unusual in any of certain ways, as, variously, eccentric, whimsical, visionary, elfin, shy, otherworldly fey´ly •adv. fey´ness •n. [ME feie < OE fæge, fated, akin to Ger feige, cowardly (OHG feigi, doomed) < IE base *peik-, hostile > FOE, FEUD¹, L piger, averse]

Feydeau (fei dou´), Georges (zhôřzh) 1862-1921; Fr. playwright

Feynman (fain´mэn), Richard Phillips 1918-88; U.S. physicist

fez (fez) pl. fez´zes •n. a brimless felt hat shaped like a truncated cone, usually red, with a flat crown from which a long, black tassel hangs: the Turkish national headdress of men in the 19th and early 20th cent. [Fr < Turk fes, after fol.] Fez (fez) city in NC Morocco: pop. 563,000

Fezzan (fe zæn´) region of SW Libya, in the Sahara: c. 200,000 sq. mi. (518,000 sq. km)

ff 1 folios 2 following (pages, lines, etc.) 3 Music fortissimo

FFA Future Farmers of America

FG Basketball, Football field goal

FHA 1 Farmers Home Administration 2 Federal Housing Administration (1934-65)

FHLBB Federal Home Loan Bank Board

fiacre (fi: ä´kэr; Fr fyå´křª) •n. in France, a small carriage for hire: used in the 17th-19th cent. [Fr, after the Hotel St. Fiacre in Paris, location of the first office for renting such vehicles]

fiancé (fi:'än sei´; also fi: än´sei', fi:´än sei') •n. a man who is engaged to be married [Fr, pp. of fiancer < OFr fiance, a promise < fier, to trust < VL *fidare, for L fidere: see FAITH]

fiancée (fi:'än sei´; also fi: än´sei, fi:´än sei') •n. a woman who is engaged to be married [Fr, fem. pp. of fiancer: see FIANCÉ]

fianchetto (fi:'эn ket´ou, -chet´ou) -toed, -to·ing •vt., vi. Chess to move (a bishop) from its initial position diagonally into the adjacent knight's file

fiasco¹ (fi: æs´kou) pl. -coes •n.or -cos a complete failure; esp., an ambitious project that ends as a ridiculous failure [Fr < It (far) fiasco, to fail < fiasco, bottle (< Gmc *flasko, FLASK)]

fiasco² (fi: äs´kou) pl. -coes or -chi (-ki:) •n. a bottle; esp., a long-necked wine bottle with a rounded lower portion covered in woven straw

fiat (fai´æt', -эt) •n. 1 an order issued by legal authority, usually beginning with fiat (let it be done); decree 2 a sanction; authorization 3 any arbitrary order [L, 3d pers. sing., pres. subj., of fieri, to become, come into existence < IE base *bheu- > BE]

fiat money currency made legal tender by fiat and neither backed by, nor necessarily convertible into, gold or silver

fib (fib) •n. a small or trivial lie •vi. fibbed, fib´bing to tell such a lie or lies SYN. LIE² fib´ber •n. [16th- & 17th-c. slang: said to be clipped form of obs. fible-fable, redupl. form of FABLE]

fiber optics 1 the branch of optics dealing with the transmission of light and images, as around bends and curves, through transparent fibers 2 the fibers thus used fi´ber-op´tic •adj.

fiber or fibre (fai´bэr) •n. 1 a) a slender, threadlike structure that combines with others to form animal or vegetable tissue b) the tissue so formed {muscle fiber} 2 a slender, threadlike structure made from a mineral or synthetically {rayon fibers} 3 a) any substance that can be separated into threads or threadlike structures for spinning, weaving, etc. {cotton fiber} b) any such thread or structure {wool fibers} 4 a threadlike root 5 the texture of something {a fabric of coarse fiber} 6 character or nature; quality {a man of strong moral fiber} 7 ROUGHAGE fi´ber·like' •adj. [Fr fibre < L fibra, akin to filum, thread: see FILE¹]

fiberboard (-börd') •n. 1 a building material consisting of wood or other vegetable fibers compressed into stiff sheets 2 a sheet of this material

fiberfill (-fil') •n. a resilient, lightweight, fluffy filling for quilts, etc., made of synthetic fibers

Fiberglas (fai´bэr glæs') trademark for finespun filaments of glass made into yarn that is woven into textiles, used in woolly masses as insulation, and pressed and molded as plastic material •n. [f-] this substance: usually fiberglass, fiber glass, or fiber-glass

fiberscope (fai´bэr skoup') •n. a fiber-optic device for use in places difficult to see or reach, as an endoscope for a biopsy

Fibonacci series (fi:'bэ nä´chi:) a sequence of integers in which each integer (Fibonacci number) after the second is the sum of the two preceding integers; specif., the series 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, . . . [after L. Fibonacci, 13th-c. It. mathematician, who developed it]

fibr- combining form FIBRO-: used before a vowel

Fibranne (fai´brein', -bræn') trademark for a fabric of spun rayon, often woven to resemble linen •n. [also f-] this fabric

fibril (fai´bril) •n. 1 a small fiber, esp. a component of a larger fiber 2 a root hair fi´bril·lar (-brэ lэr) or fi´bril·lar'y (-brэ ler'i:) •adj. [< ModL fibrilla, dim. of L fibra, FIBER]

fibrillation (fib'ri lei´shэn, fai'bri-) •n. a rapid, uncoordinated series of contractions of some portion of the heart muscle, causing irregular heartbeats and sometimes ineffectual pumping of blood [< prec. + -ATION]

fibrillose (fai´brэ lous') •adj. of or like fibrils

fibrin (fai´brin) •n. a fibrous, insoluble blood protein: in the clotting process, thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin monomers which polymerize to form clots [FIBR(E) + -IN¹]

fibrino- (fai´bri nou', -nэ; -brэ-) combining form fibrin {fibrinogen}

fibrinogen (fai brin´э jэn, -jen') •n. a soluble protein of the blood plasma that is converted to fibrin by the action of the enzyme thrombin in the clotting of blood Etymology [prec. + -GEN]

fibrinogenic (fai brin'э jen´ik, fai'brэ nou'-) •adj. 1 of or like fibrinogen 2 able to form fibrin Also fi'bri·nog´e·nous (-näj´э nэs)

fibrinolysin (fai'brэ näl´э sin) •n. any of various enzymes, esp. plasmin, capable of digesting fibrin in the bloodstream [FIBRINO- + LYSIN]

fibrinolysis (-sis) •n. the digestion or dissolution of fibrin by an enzyme fi'bri·no·lyt´ic (-nou lit´ik) •adj. [FIBRINO- + -LYSIS]

fibrinous (fai´brэ nэs) •adj. of, like, or containing fibrin

fibro- (fai´brou, -brэ) combining form fibrous matter or structure {fibroblast} [< L fibra, FIBER]

fibroblast (fai´brou blæst') •n. a large, flat, oval cell found in connective tissue and responsible for the formation of fibers fi'bro·blas´tic •adj. [prec. + -BLAST]

fibroid (fai´broid') •adj. like, composed of, or forming fibrous tissue •n. a fibrous tumor, esp. a benign tumor of the uterus Etymology [FIBR(O)- + -OID]

fibroin (fai´brou in) •n. a pale-yellow, albuminoid protein forming almost the entire thread of a spider and the core of raw silk [FIBRO- + -IN¹]

fibroma (fai brou´mэ) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. a benign tumor derived from, or composed mostly of, fibrous tissue fi·brom´a·tous (-bräm´э tэs, -brou´mэ-) •adj. [ModL FIBR(O)- + -OMA]

fibronectin (fai'brou nek´tin) •n. an adhesive glycoprotein that helps destroy bacteria, etc. in the blood or that helps structure connective tissue

fibroplasia (-plei´zhэ, -plei´zhi: э, -plei´zi: э) •n. the growth of fibrous tissue, as in wound healing or in certain diseases

fibrosis (fai brou´sis) •n. an excessive growth of fibrous connective tissue in an organ, part, or tissue, esp. in response to an injury fi·brot´ic (-brät´ik) •adj. [ModL < FIBR(O)- + -OSIS]

fibrositis (fai'brou sait´is) •n. an excessive growth of white fibrous tissue, as of the muscle sheaths, resulting from inflammation; muscular rheumatism Etymology [ModL < fibrosus, FIBROUS + -ITIS]

fibrous (fai´brэs) •adj. 1 containing or composed of fibers 2 like fiber [< ModL fibrosus]

fibrovascular (fai'brou væs´kyu: lэr) •adj. Bot. having or composed of fibers and ducts for transporting a fluid, as sap

fibula (fib´yu: lэ) pl. -lae' (-li:') or -las •n. 1 the long, thin outer bone of the human leg between the knee and the ankle: see SKELETON, illus. 2 a similar bone in the hind leg of other animals 3 in ancient Greece or Rome, a buckle or clasp for fastening garments fib´u·lar (-lэr) •adj. [L, a clasp, pin (< base of figere, to fasten, FIX): the bone, as it appears in man, is like a clasp]

-fic (fik) a suffix forming adjectives making, creating {terrific, scientific} [< Fr & L; Fr -fique < L -ficus < unstressed form of facere, to make, DO¹]

FICA Federal Insurance Contributions Act

-fication (fi kei´shэn) a suffix forming nouns a making, creating, causing {calcification, glorification} [< Fr & L; Fr -fication < L -ficatio < -ficare, unstressed combining form of facere, to make, DO¹]

fiche (fi:sh) •n. short for MICROFICHE

Fichte (fiH´tэ), Jo·hann Gott·lieb (you´hän gôt´li:p) 1762-1814; Ger. philosopher

fichu (fish´u:; Fr fi: shü´) •n. a three-cornered lace or muslin cape for women, worn with the ends fastened or crossed in front [Fr < pp. of ficher, to thrust in, attach < VL *figicare, for L figere, FIX]

fickle (fik´эl) •adj. changeable or unstable in affection, interest, loyalty, etc.; capricious SYN. INCONSTANT fick´le·ness •n. [ME fikel < OE ficol, tricky < base of befician, to deceive, akin to gefic, betrayal, deceit: for IE base see FEY]

fico (fi:´kou) pl. -coes •n. 1 [Archaic] a worthless trifle; FIG¹ (sense 3) 2 [Obs.] FIG¹ (sense 4) [< It fico, fig, fica, derisive gesture, vulva < VL *fica, for L ficus, FIG¹]

fictile (fik´til, -tэl) •adj. 1 that can be molded; plastic 2 formed of molded clay, earth, etc. 3 of pottery or ceramics [L fictilis < pp. of fingere: see FICTION]

fiction (fik´shэn) •n. 1 a making up of imaginary happenings; feigning 2 anything made up or imagined, as a statement, story, etc. 3 a) literary narratives, collectively, which portray imaginary characters or events, specif. novels and short stories b) a narrative of this kind 4 something accepted as fact for the sake of convenience, although not necessarily true fic´tion·al •adj. fic´tion·al·ly •adv. fic·tion·eer (fik'shэ nir´) •n. fic·tion·ist (fik´shэn ist) •n. [ME ficcioun < OFr fiction < L fictio, a making, counterfeiting < pp. of fingere, to form, mold: see DOUGH]

fictionalize (-shэ nэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to deal with (historical events, a person's life, etc.) in fictional form, as in a narrative that includes imaginary events, characters, dialogue, etc. Also fic´tion·ize' fic'tion·al·i·za´tion •n.

fictitious (fik tish´эs) •adj. 1 of or like fiction; imaginary 2 not real; pretended; false {fictitious joy} 3 assumed for disguise or deception {a fictitious name} fic·ti´tious·ly •adv. SYN.—fictitious refers to that which is invented by the imagination and is therefore not real, true, or actually existent [Gulliver is a fictitious character]; fabulous suggests that which is incredible or astounding, but does not necessarily connote nonexistence [the man's wealth is fabulous]; legendary refers to something that may have a historical basis in fact but, in popular tradition, has undergone great elaboration and exaggeration [the legendary amours of Don Juan]; mythical basically applies to the highly imaginary explanation of natural or historical phenomena by a people and, therefore, connotes that what it qualifies is a product of the imagination; apocryphal suggests that which is of doubtful authenticity or authorship —ANT. real, true, factual [L ficticius < pp. of fingere, to form, devise: see DOUGH]

fictive (fik´tiv) •adj. 1 of fiction or the production of fiction 2 not real; imaginary; feigned fic´tive·ly •adv. [Fr fictif < ML fictivus]

ficus (fai´kэs) pl. fi´cus •n. any of a genus (Ficus) of tropical shrubs, trees, and climbing plants of the mulberry family, with glossy, leathery leaves, including the rubber plant: often grown indoors as an ornamental [ModL < L, fig tree]

fid (fid) •n. 1 a round, pointed wooden tool for separating the strands of a rope in splicing 2 a square wooden or metal bar for supporting a topmast [Early ModE naut. term < ?]

-fid (fid) combining form split or separated into (a specified number or kind of) parts {palmatifid} [L -fidus, split < base of findere: see FISSION]

fiddle (fid´ªl) •n. 1 [Colloq.] any stringed instrument played with a bow, esp. the violin Æ 2 [Slang] a petty swindle 3 Naut. a frame or railing on a ship's table to keep dishes, etc. from sliding off in rough weather •vt. -dled, -dling 1 [Colloq.] to play (a tune) on a fiddle 2 [Slang] to swindle in a petty way •vi. 1 [Colloq.] to play a fiddle 2 to play or tinker (with), esp. in a nervous way fiddle around [Colloq.] to pass time aimlessly fiddle away to waste (time) fit as a fiddle in excellent health; physically fit [ME fithele < OE < VL *vitula < L vitulari, to rejoice: vi- (< IE *woi-, wi-, outcry > OE wi, Gr ia) + ? base of tollere, to raise, exalt]

fiddledeedee (fid'ªl di: di:´) •n., interj. nonsense [prob. < prec., with addition of nonsense syllables]

fiddle-faddle (fid´ªl fæd'ªl) •n., interj. nonsense •vi. [Colloq.] to be concerned with trifles; fuss [redupl. of FIDDLE or obs. faddle, to trifle]

fiddlehead (-hed') •n. 1 a carved decoration on a ship's bow, curved like the scroll of a violin head 2 CROSIER (sense 2)

fiddler (fid´lэr) •n. 1 a person who fiddles 2 FIDDLER CRAB

fiddler crab a small, burrowing crab (genus Uca), the male of which has one claw much larger than the other

fiddlestick (fid´ªl stik') •n. 1 the bow for a fiddle 2 a trifle; mere nothing

fiddlesticks (-stiks') •interj. nonsense!

fiddlewood (-wud') •n. 1 any of several tropical American timber trees of the verbena family, valuable for their hard wood 2 the wood

fiddling (fidªliŋ) •adj. trifling; useless; petty

fideism (fi:´dei iz'эm, fai´di:-) •n. the view that everything that can be known with certainty about God or divine things is known only or primarily by faith and never by reason alone fi´de·ist •n. fi'de·is´tic •adj. [ModL fideismus < L fides, FAITH + -ismus, -ISM]

Fidelismo (fi:'del iz´mou') •n. [also f-] the social revolution in Cuba led by Fidel Castro, or its principles [AmSp, after Fidel Castro + -ismo, -ISM]

Fidelista (-is´tэ) •n. [also f-] an adherent of Fidelismo

fidelity (fэ del´э ti:, fai-) pl. -ties •n. 1 faithful devotion to duty or to one's obligations or vows; loyalty; faithfulness 2 accuracy of a description, translation, etc. or of the reproduction of sound, an image, etc. SYN. ALLEGIANCE [ME fidelite < OFr < L fidelitas < fidelis, faithful, trusty < fides, FAITH]

fidget (fij´it) •n. 1 the state of being restless, nervous, or uneasy 2 a fidgety person •vi. to move about in a restless, nervous, or uneasy way •vt. to make restless or uneasy the fidgets restless, uneasy feelings or movements [< obs. fidge, to fidget < ME fichen < ? or akin to ON fìkja, to fidget]

fidgety (-it i:) •adj. nervous; uneasy fidg´et·i·ness •n.

fiducial (fi du:´shэl, -dyu:´-; fai-) •adj. 1 based on firm faith 2 used as a standard of reference for measurement or calculation {a fiducial point} 3 FIDUCIARY [L fiducialis < fiducia, trust: see FIDUCIARY]

fiduciary (fi du:´shi: er'i:, -dyu:´-; -shi: э ri:, -shэ ri:) •adj. 1 designating or of a person who holds something in trust for another; of a trustee or trusteeship {a fiduciary guardian for a minor child} 2 held in trust {fiduciary property} 3 valuable only because of public confidence and support: said of certain money •n. pl. -ar'ies TRUSTEE (sense 1) [L fiduciarius < fiducia, trust, thing held in trust < fidere, to trust: see FAITH]

fie (fai) •interj. for shame!: now often used in mock reproach [ME fi < OFr, of echoic orig., as in L fu, Gr phy]

fief (fi:f) •n. under feudalism, heritable land held from a lord in return for service [Fr: see FEE]

fiefdom (-dэm) •n. [Colloq.] 1 FIEF 2 anything under a person's complete control or authority

field (fi:ld) •n. 1 a wide stretch of open land; plain 2 a piece of cleared land, set off or enclosed, for raising crops or pasturing livestock 3 a piece of land used for some particular purpose {a landing field} 4 an area of land producing some natural resource {a gold field} 5 any wide, unbroken expanse {a field of ice} 6 a) a battlefield b) a battle 7 a) an area of military operations b) a military area away from the post or headquarters 8 a) an area where practical work is done, as by a social worker, geologist, etc., away from the central office, laboratory, or the like b) a realm of knowledge or of special work or opportunity {the field of electronics} 9 an area of observation, as in a microscope 10 the background, as on a flag or coin 11 a) an area where games or athletic events are held b) the part of such an area, usually inside a closed racing track, where contests in the high jump, long jump, shot put, pole vault, etc. are held Æ c) in baseball, the outfield d) all the entrants in a contest e) all the active players on the field, as in baseball or football f) all the entrants in a contest except the one(s) specified g) the team not at bat, as in baseball or cricket 12 Comput. any of the units of storage that are grouped to form a RECORD (n. 7) 13 Heraldry the surface or part of the surface of a shield 14 Math. a set of numbers or other algebraic elements for which arithmetic operations (except for division by zero) are defined in a consistent manner to yield another element of the set 15 Physics a physical quantity specified at points throughout a region of space 16 TV a) the area viewed by the camera b) the area that the scanning element covers in one vertical sweep •adj. 1 of, operating in, or held on the field or fields 2 growing in fields; having a field as its habitat •vt. 1 Baseball, Cricket a) to stop or catch or to catch and throw (a ball) in play b) to put (a player) into a field position 2 [Colloq.] to answer (a question) extemporaneously •vi. Baseball, Cricket to play as a fielder keep (or hold) the field to continue activity, as in games, military operations, etc. Æ play the field to take a broad area of operations; not confine one's activities to one object take (or leave) the field to begin (or withdraw from) activity in a game, military operation, etc. [ME feld < OE, akin to Ger feld, Du veld < IE *pelt- < base *pele-, *pla-, flat and broad > L planus, plane, Gr palamē, flat hand] Field (fi:ld) 1 Cyrus West 1819-92; U.S. industrialist: promoted the first transatlantic cable 2 Eugene 1850-95; U.S. journalist & poet

field artillery movable artillery capable of accompanying an army into battle

field corn any variety of corn grown for feeding livestock

field day 1 a day devoted to military exercises and display 2 a day of athletic events and contests Æ 3 a day spent in outdoor scientific study 4 an occasion of enjoyably exciting events, extraordinary opportunity, or highly successful activity {the press had a field day with the senator's confession}

field event any of the contests held on the field in a track meet, as the high jump, shot put, etc.

field glasses a small, portable, binocular telescope: also field glass

field goal 1 Basketball a shot made from play scoring two points or, if made from a certain distance (in professional basketball, at least 25 feet), three points 2 Football a goal kicked from the field, scoring three points

field gun a mobile cannon

field hand 1 orig., a plantation slave who worked in the fields 2 a hired farm laborer

field hockey HOCKEY (sense 2)

field hospital a temporary military hospital near the combat zone, for emergency treatment

field house 1 a building near an athletic field, with lockers, showers, etc. for the athletes' use 2 a large building for basketball games, indoor track meets, etc.

field magnet the magnet used to create and maintain the magnetic field in a motor or generator

field marshal in some armies, an officer of the highest rank

field mouse any of several kinds of mice that live in fields

field of force a FIELD (n. 15) for which the physical quantity is a force

field of honor 1 a dueling place 2 a battleground

field officer Mil. a colonel, lieutenant colonel, or major

field pea a strain of the common pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense) with mottled leaves and purplish flowers, grown for forage

field spaniel any of a breed of medium-sized spaniel, usually black, with a silky coat fringed on the legs and ears, often used as a hunting dog

field sparrow Æ a rust-colored North American sparrow (Spizella pusilla) with a whitish belly and pink bill

field theory Physics a theory in which the basic quantities are physical fields

field trial a competition in which the performance of hunting dogs is tested in the field

field trip a trip away from the classroom to permit the gathering of data at first hand

field winding the winding of a field magnet

fielder (fi:l´dэr) •n. Baseball, Cricket a player in the field whose chief purpose is to stop or catch batted balls

fielder's choice Baseball an attempt by a fielder to retire a runner already on base rather than the batter: the batter is not credited with a base hit if he reaches first base safely

fieldfare (fi:ld´fer') •n. a European thrush (Turdus pilaris) with a grayish head and brown wings [ME feldefare, altered (after faren, FARE) < OE feldeware, lit., field-dweller < feld, FIELD + ? wærian, to guard, inhabit: ? folk etym.]

Fielding (fi:l´diŋ), Henry 1707-54; Eng. novelist

fieldpiece (fi:ld´pi:s') •n. FIELD GUN

Fields (fi:ldz), W.C. (born Claude William Dukenfield) 1880-1946; U.S. actor & comedian

fieldsman (fi:ldz´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a fielder in cricket

fieldstrip (fi:ld´strip') -stripped', -strip'ping •vt. to disassemble (a firearm) for cleaning and inspection

field-test (-test') •vt. to test (a device, method, etc.) under actual operating conditions

fieldwork (fi:ld´wørk') •n. 1 any temporary fortification, as an earthen barrier, made by troops in the field 2 the work of collecting scientific data in the field, as by a geologist, botanist, etc. field´work'er •n.

fiend (fi:nd) •n. 1 an evil spirit; devil 2 an inhumanly wicked or cruel person Æ 3 [Colloq.] a) a person addicted to some activity, habit, etc. {a fresh-air fiend} b) a person who is excellent at some activity {a fiend at tennis} the Fiend Satan [ME fend, feend < OE feond, lit., the one hating, orig. prp. < base of feogan, to hate, akin to Goth fijands < fijan, to hate < IE base *pē(i)-, to harm]

fiendish (fi:n´dish) •adj. 1 of or like a fiend; devilish; inhumanly wicked or cruel 2 extremely vexatious or difficult fiend´ish·ly •adv. fiend´ish·ness •n.

fierce (firs) fierc´er, fierc´est •adj. 1 of a violently cruel nature; savage; wild {a fierce dog} 2 violent; uncontrolled {a fierce storm} 3 intensely eager; intense; ardent {a fierce embrace} Æ 4 [Colloq.] very distasteful, disagreeable, bad, etc. fierce´ly •adv. fierce´ness •n. [ME fers < OFr fers, fier < L ferus, wild, savage < IE base *ghwer-, wild animal > Gr thēr, animal]

fiery (fai´эr i:, fai´ri:) -er·i·er, -er·i·est •adj. 1 containing or consisting of fire 2 like fire; glaring, hot, etc. 3 characterized by strong emotion; ardent; spirited {fiery words} 4 easily stirred up; excitable {a fiery nature} 5 easily set on fire; flammable {fiery fumes} 6 inflamed {a fiery sore} fi´er·i·ly •adv. fi´er·i·ness •n. [ME firi]

fiery cross 1 a wooden cross with charred or bloody ends, used by ancient Scottish clans as a signal calling men to battle Æ 2 a burning cross, used by the Ku Klux Klan as an emblem or to inspire terror

Fiesole (fye´zô le), Gio·van·ni da (jô vän´ni: dä): see ANGELICO, Fra

fiesta (fi: es´tэ) •n. 1 a religious festival; esp., a saint's day 2 any gala celebration; holiday [Sp < VL festa: see FEAST]

Fife (faif) region, formerly a county, of E Scotland, between the Firths of Tay & Forth: 505 sq. mi. (1,308 sq. km); pop. 345,000 fife (faif) •n. a small flute having from six to eight finger holes, and usually no key, used mainly with drums in playing marches •vt., vi. fifed, fif´ing to play on a fife fif´er •n. [Ger pfeife, a pipe, fife < MHG pfife < OHG pfifa < VL *pipa, PIPE] fife (faif) •n. a small flute having from six to eight finger holes, and usually no key, used mainly with drums in playing marches •vt., vi. fifed, fif´ing to play on a fife fif´er •n. [Ger pfeife, a pipe, fife < MHG pfife < OHG pfifa < VL *pipa, PIPE]

fife rail Naut. an inboard rail with holes for belaying pins

FIFO (fai´fou') •n. Accounting a method of valuing inventories in which items sold or used are priced at the cost of earliest acquisitions and those remaining are valued at the cost of most recent acquisitions: cf. LIFO [f(irst) i(n), f(irst) o(ut)]

fifteen (fif´ti:n´) •adj. totaling five more than ten •n. the cardinal number between fourteen and sixteen; 15; XV [ME fiftene < OE: see FIVE & -TEEN]

fifteenth (fif´teenθ´) •adj. 1 preceded by fourteen others in a series; 15th 2 designating any of the fifteen equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the fourteenth 2 any of the fifteen equal parts of something; ¹/15 •adv. in the fifteenth place, rank, group, etc. [ME fiftenthe < fifteotha < fiftene: see FIFTEEN & -TH²]

fifth (fifθ) •adj. 1 preceded by four others in a series; 5th 2 designating any of the five equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the fourth 2 any of the five equal parts of something; ¹/5 Æ 3 a fifth of a gallon or 4/5 of a quart 4 Music a) the fifth tone of an ascending diatonic scale, or a tone four degrees above or below any given tone in such a scale; dominant b) the interval between two such tones, or a combination of them •adv. in the fifth place, rank, group, etc. fifth´ly •adv. [ME fifte < OE fifta < fif, FIVE]

Fifth Amendment an amendment to the U.S. Constitution mainly guaranteeing certain protections in criminal cases, specif. the clause protecting persons from being compelled to testify against themselves

fifth column 1 those people in Madrid who aided the forces of Francisco Franco in his uprising against the Spanish republic (1936-39) 2 any group of people who aid the enemy from within their own country fifth columnist [first used by the Sp Nationalist General Mola (1936), who, besieging Madrid with four columns from the outside, boasted of having a fifth column within]

Fifth Republic the republic established in France in 1958: its constitution strengthened the presidential role

fifth wheel 1 a) a horizontal wheel-like structure placed over the front axle of a carriage or wagon to support it on turns Æ b) a similar structure on the rear of the cab of a tractor-trailer, serving as a coupling for attaching the trailer 2 an unnecessary or superfluous person or thing

fiftieth (fif´ti: iθ) •adj. 1 preceded by forty-nine others in a series; 50th 2 designating any of the fifty equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the forty-ninth 2 any of fifty equal parts of something; ¹/50 •adv. in the fiftieth place, rank, group, etc. [ME fiftithe < OE fiftigotha < fiftig: see FIFTY & -TH²]

fifty (fif´ti:) •adj. five times ten •n. pl. -ties the cardinal number between forty-nine and fifty-one; 50; L the fifties the numbers or years, as of a century, from fifty through fifty-nine [ME fifti < OE fiftig: see FIVE & -TY²]

fifty-fifty (fif´ti: fif´ti:) •adj. [Colloq.] shared equally between two persons or things; equal; even •adv. [Colloq.] equally; half-and-half

fig abbrev. 1 figurative 2 figuratively 3 figure(s)

fig leaf 1 a leaf of a fig tree 2 a representation of such a leaf used, as in sculpture, to conceal the genitals of a nude 3 anything intended to conceal

fig marigold any of a genus (Mesembryanthemum) of fleshy plants of the carpetweed family, with showy flowers, grown in warm, dry climates

fig wasp any of a family (Agaonidae) of small wasps living in certain figs, esp. a wasp (Blastophaga psenes) active in the pollination of certain cultivated strains

fig¹ (fig) •n. 1 the hollow, pear-shaped false fruit (syconium) of the fig tree, with sweet, pulpy flesh containing numerous tiny, seedlike true fruits (achenes) 2 any of a genus (Ficus) of fig-bearing trees of the mulberry family, esp. any of the many cultivated varieties of a tree (F. carica) bearing edible figs 3 a trifling amount; little bit {not worth a fig} 4 a gesture of contempt or disdain made as by placing the thumb between the first two fingers or under the upper teeth [ME fige < OFr < VL *fica, for L ficus, fig tree, fig]

fig² (fig) figged, fig´ging •vt. to dress showily: with out or up •n. [Colloq.] 1 dress; appearance 2 shape; condition in full fig [Colloq.] completely dressed or outfitted, esp. in a showy manner [altered < obs. feague, to whip, polish; confused with the contr. for FIGURE, prob. from the use of this contracted form in reference to plates in books of fashions]

figeater (fig´i:t'эr) •n. Æ a large, velvety scarab beetle (Cotinis nitida), the adults of which feed on ripe fruit: the green June bug of the S U.S.

fight (fait) fought, fight´ing •vi. 1 a) to take part in a physical struggle or battle; struggle b) to box, esp. professionally 2 to struggle or work hard in trying to beat or overcome someone or something; contend •vt. 1 a) to oppose physically or in battle, as with fists, weapons, etc. b) to box with in a contest 2 to try to overcome; struggle against or contend with, as by argument, legislation, etc. 3 to engage in or carry on (a war, conflict, case, etc.) 4 to gain by struggle {to fight one's way to the top} 5 to cause to fight; manage (a boxer, gamecock, etc.) •n. [ME < OE feoht] 1 a physical struggle; battle; combat 2 any struggle, contest, or quarrel 3 power or readiness to fight; pugnacious spirit {full of fight} SYN. CONFLICT fight it out to fight until one side is defeated fight off to struggle to avoid [ME fighten < OE feohtan, akin to Ger fechten < IE base *pek-, to pluck hair or wool > OE feoh (see FEE) & L pecten, a comb, pecu, cattle]

fighter (-эr) •n. 1 one that fights or is inclined to fight 2 a prizefighter; pugilist 3 a small, fast, highly maneuverable airplane for aerial combat that may be equipped with bombs, rockets, etc.

fighting chance a chance to win or succeed, but only after a hard struggle

fighting words [Colloq.] a remark that stirs up antagonism

figment (fig´mэnt) •n. something merely imagined or made up in the mind [ME < L figmentum < fingere, to form: see DOUGH]

figural (fig´yur эl, -yэr-) •adj. of or made up of human or animal figures, as a painting; representational

figurant (fig´yu: rэnt, -ränt'; fig'yu: ränt´) •n. 1 a member of a corps de ballet 2 a supernumerary on the stage fig´u·rante •n.fem. [Fr, masc. prp. of figurer, to FIGURE]

figuration (fig'yu: rei´shэn, -yэ-) •n. 1 a forming; shaping 2 form; appearance 3 representation or symbolization 4 Music the repetition of a figure or motif, esp. in variations on a theme fig'u·ra´tion·al •adj. [ME figuracioun < L figuratio < figuratus: see FIGURATIVE]

figurative (fig´yur э tiv', -yэr-) •adj. 1 representing by means of a figure, symbol, or likeness 2 having to do with figure drawing, painting, etc. 3 not in its original, usual, literal, or exact sense; representing one concept in terms of another that may be thought of as analogous with it; metaphoric {in screaming headlines, the word screaming is a figurative use} 4 containing figures of speech fig´ur·a·tive'ly •adv. [ME < OFr figuratif < LL figurativus < L figuratus, pp. of figurare, to form, fashion < figura, FIGURE]

figure (fig´yэr, -yur; often, esp. for v., & Brit always, fig´эr) •n. 1 the outline or shape of something; form 2 the shape of the human body; human form 3 a person, esp. one seen or thought of in a specified way {a great social figure} 4 a likeness or representation of a person or thing 5 an illustration; diagram; picture; drawing 6 an artistic design in fabrics, etc.; pattern 7 a) the symbol for a number {the figure 5} b) [pl.] calculation with such symbols; arithmetic {very good at figures} 8 a sum of money 9 Dancing, Skating a series or pattern of steps or movements 10 Geom. a surface or space bounded on all sides by lines or planes 11 Logic the form of a syllogism with reference to the use of the middle term as variously the subject or the predicate of the premises 12 Music a series of consecutive tones or chords forming a distinct group which with other similar groups completes a phrase or theme; motif 13 Rhetoric FIGURE OF SPEECH •vt. -ured, -ur·ing [ME figuren < the n.] 1 to represent in definite form; give a shape to 2 to represent mentally; imagine 3 to ornament with a design 4 to compute with figures 5 [Colloq.] to believe; consider; decide 6 Music to indicate chords for (the bass) by writing the appropriate figures next to the notes •vi. 1 to appear prominently; be conspicuous 2 to do arithmetic Æ 3 [Colloq.] to consider; calculate Æ 4 [Colloq.] to be just as expected or as anticipated SYN. FORM figure in Æ to add in; include Æ figure on 1 to count on; rely on 2 to consider as part of a scheme or project; plan on Æ figure out 1 to solve; compute 2 to understand; reason out Æ figure up to add; total fig´ur·er •n. [ME < OFr < L figura < fingere, to form, shape: see DOUGH]

figure of speech an expression, as a metaphor or simile, using words in a nonliteral sense or unusual manner to add vividness, beauty, etc. to what is said or written

figure skating ice skating with emphasis, esp. formerly, on the tracing of elaborate figures on the ice by the performer and, now, on athletic leaps and spins, displays of agility, etc.

figured (-yэrd) •adj. 1 shaped; formed 2 represented or shown by a picture, diagram, etc. 3 having a design or pattern 4 Music marked with figures (Arabic numerals) representing the appropriate accompanying chords: said of the bass

figure-eight knot (fig´yэr eit´) a kind of knot: see KNOT¹, illus. Also fig´ure-of-eight´ knot (-эv eit´)

figurehead (fig´yэr hed') •n. 1 a carved figure on the bow of a ship 2 a person put in a position of leadership because of name, rank, etc., but having no real power, authority, or responsibility