dupery (du:p´эr i:, dyu:p´-) pl. -ies •n. a duping or being duped; deception

duple (du:´pэl, dyu:´-) •adj. 1 double; twofold 2 Music containing two (or a multiple of two) beats to the measure {duple time} [L duplus: see DOUBLE]

Duplessis-Mornay (dü ple si:´môř nei´) see MORNAY, Philippe de

duplex (du:´pleks', dyu:´-) •adj. 1 double; twofold 2 designating or of a system of telegraphy in which two messages may be sent simultaneously in opposite directions over a single circuit 3 Machinery having two units operating in the same way or simultaneously Æ n. 1 DUPLEX HOUSE 2 DUPLEX APARTMENT du·plex´i·ty •n. [L, consisting of two leaves, double < duo, TWO + -plex, -fold < plicare, to fold < IE base *plak-, *plag- > FLAG², Gr plax, surface, infl. by early assoc. with duplus, DOUBLE]

duplex apartment an apartment with rooms on two floors and a private inner staircase

duplex house a house consisting of two separate family units

duplicate (du:´pli kit, dyu:´-; for v., -keit') •adj. 1 double 2 having two similar parts 3 corresponding exactly 4 designating a way of playing bridge in which, for comparative scoring, the same hands are played off again by players who did not hold them originally •n. 1 an exact copy or reproduction; replica; facsimile 2 a counterpart or double 3 the game of duplicate bridge Æ 4 TAX DUPLICATE •vt. -cat'ed, -cat'ing 1 to make double or twofold 2 to make an exact copy or copies of 3 to make, do, or cause to happen again SYN. COPY in duplicate in two identical copies du´pli·ca·ble (-kэ bэl) or du´pli·cat'a·ble •adj. [ME duplicaten < L duplicatus, pp. of duplicare, to double: see DUPLEX]

duplicating machine a machine for making exact copies of a letter, photograph, drawing, etc.

duplication (du:'pli kei´shэn, dyu:'-) •n. 1 a duplicating or being duplicated 2 a copy; replica du´pli·ca'tive •adj. [ME duplicacioun < L duplicatio]

duplicator (du:´pli keit'эr, dyu:´-) •n. one that duplicates; specif., DUPLICATING MACHINE [LL, one that doubles < duplicare, DUPLICATE]

duplicitous (du: plis´э tэs, dyu:-) •adj. characterized by duplicity; deceitful

duplicity (du: plis´э ti:, dyu:-) pl. -ties •n. hypocritical cunning or deception; double-dealing Etymology [ME duplicite < OFr duplicité < LL duplicitas < L duplicare: see DUPLEX]

dura (dur´э, dyur´-) •n. DURA MATER

dura mater (du'rэ meit´эr, dyu'-) the outermost, toughest, and most fibrous of the three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord [ME < ML, lit., hard mother, transl. of Ar term]

durable (dur´э bэl, dyur´-) •adj. 1 lasting in spite of hard wear or frequent use 2 continuing to exist; stable •n. [pl.] DURABLE GOODS du'ra·bil´i·ty •n. du´ra·bly •adv. [ME & OFr < L durabilis < durare, to last, harden < IE *duros, long < base *deu-, to move forward (> TIRE¹): meaning infl. in L by durus, hard: see DURESS]

durable goods goods usable for a relatively long time, as machinery, automobiles, or household appliances

durable-press (-pres´) •adj. PERMANENT-PRESS

dural (dur´эl, dyur´-) •adj. of the dura mater

duralumin (du: ræl´yu: min, dyu:-) •n. a strong, lightweight alloy of aluminum with copper, manganese, magnesium, and silicon [DUR(ABLE) + ALUMIN(UM)]

duramen (du: rei´mэn, dyu:-) •n. HEARTWOOD [L, hardness < durare: see DURABLE]

durance (dur´эns, dyur´-) •n. imprisonment, esp. when long continued: mainly in durance vile [ME duraunce < OFr < L durans, prp. of durare, to last: see DURABLE]

Durango (dэ ræŋ´gou; Sp du: řäŋ´gô) 1 state of NW Mexico: 47,560 sq. mi. (123,181 sq. km); pop. 1,228,000 2 its capital: pop. 321,000: in full Vic·to·ri·a de Du·ran·go (vik tou´ri: э dei du: räŋ´gô)

duration (du: rei´shэn, dyu:-) •n. 1 continuance in time 2 the time that a thing continues or lasts [ME duracioun < ML duratio < pp. of L durare: see DURABLE]

Durban (dør´bэn) seaport in Natal, on the E coast of South Africa: pop. 506,000

durbar (dør´bär') •n. [Historical] in India or Africa, an official reception or audience held by a native prince, or by a British ruler or governor [Hindi < darbār < Pers, a ruler's court < dar, portal (for IE base see DOOR) + bār, court]

Dürer (dü´řэř; E dyu:r´эr), Al·brecht (äl´břeHt) 1471-1528; Ger. painter & wood engraver

duress (du: res´, dyu:-; du:´res', dyu:´-) •n. 1 imprisonment 2 the use of force or threats; compulsion {a confession signed under duress} [ME dures < OFr durece < L duritia, hardness, harshness < durus, hard < IE base *deru-, tree, oak (orig. ? hard) > TREE]

Durgapur (dur´gэ pur') city in the state of West Bengal, NE India: pop. 306,000

Durg-Bhilainagar (durg´bi lai nûg´эr) city in Madhya Pradesh, EC India: pop. 490,000

Durham (dør´эm) 1 county of N England, on the North Sea: 941 sq. mi. (2,436 sq. km); pop. 604,000 2 its county seat, on the Wear River: pop. 87,000 3 city in north central N.C.: pop. 137,000: see RALEIGH •n. old name of SHORTHORN [after the county, where orig. bred]

durian or durion (du:´ri: эn) •n. 1 the oval, spiny, edible fruit of an East Indian tree (Durio zibethinus) of the bombax family 2 the tree [Malay < dūri, thorn, prickle]

during (dur´iŋ, dyur´-) •prep. 1 throughout the entire time of; all through {food was scarce during the war} 2 at some point in the entire time of; in the course of {he left during the lecture} [ME duringe, prep., orig. prp. of duren, ENDURE]

Durkheim (dør´kem, dørk´haim), Émile 1858-1917; Fr. sociologist

durmast (dør´mæst') •n. any of several European oaks valued for their heavy, tough wood [? for dun mast oak, dark acorned oak: see DUN¹ & MAST²]

durn (dørn) •vt., vi., n., adj., adv., interj. chiefly dial. var. of DARN²

duro (du:´rou) pl. -ros •n. the silver peso, or dollar, of Spain and Spanish America [Sp, for peso duro, lit., hard peso]

Duroc (du:r´äk, dyu:r´-) any of a breed of large red or reddish-brown hog [after Duroc, name of a famous 19th-cent. stallion owned by a farmer who also had a herd of progenitor pigs]

durra (dur´э) •n. a variety of grain-producing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) widely grown in Asia and Africa

Durrell (dør´эl, dør el´), Lawrence (George) 1912-90; Brit. writer

Dürrenmatt (dur´эn mät), Fried·rich (fri:d´rik) 1921- ; Swiss playwright & novelist

Durrës (dur´эs) seaport in W Albania, on the Adriatic: as Epidamnus, an ancient Corinthian colony: pop. 66,000

durrie (dør´i:, dûr´-) •n. alt. sp. of DHURRIE

durst (dørst) now chiefly dial. pt. of DARE

durum (du:´rэm, dyu:´rэm) •n. a hard emmer wheat (Triticum durum) that yields flour and semolina used in macaroni, spaghetti, etc. Etymology [ModL < L, neut. of durus, hard: see DURESS]

Duse (du:´ze), E·le·o·no·ra (e'le ô nô´řä) 1859-1924; It. actress

Dushanbe (du: shän´be) capital of Tajikistan, in the W part: pop. 552,000

dusk (dûsk) •adj. [Old Poet.] dark in color; dusky; shadowy •n. 1 the time of evening when it is beginning to get dark; dim part of twilight 2 gloom; dusky quality •vt., vi. to make or become dusky or shadowy [ME, by metathesis < OE dox, dark-colored: for IE base see DUN¹]

dusky (dûs´ki:) dusk´i·er, dusk´i·est •adj. 1 somewhat dark in color; esp., swarthy 2 lacking light; dim; shadowy 3 gloomy; melancholy dusk´i·ly •adv. dusk´i·ness •n. SYN.—dusky suggests a darkness of color or an absence of light, verging on blackness [dusky twilight]; swarthy and tawny both refer only to color, swarthy suggesting a dark brown verging on black [a swarthy complexion] and tawny, a yellowish brown or tan [tawny hair] see also DARK

Düsseldorf (du:s´эl dörf') city in W Germany, on the Rhine: capital of North Rhine-Westphalia: pop. 571,000

dust (dûst) •n. 1 powdery earth or other matter in bits fine enough to be easily suspended in air 2 a cloud of such matter 3 confusion; turmoil 4 a) earth, esp. as the place of burial b) mortal remains disintegrated or thought of as disintegrating to earth or dust 5 a humble or abject condition 6 anything worthless 7 [Brit.] ashes, rubbish, etc. 8 pollen Æ 9 GOLD DUST 10 [Archaic] a particle •vt. 1 to sprinkle with dust or a fine powdery substance {to dust crops with an insecticide} 2 to sprinkle (powder, etc.) on something 3 to rid of dust, as by brushing, shaking, or wiping: often with off 4 [Archaic] to make dusty •vi. 1 to remove dust, esp. from furniture, floors, etc. 2 to bathe in dust: said of a bird bite the dust [Colloq.] to die, esp. in battle dust off 1 [Colloq.] to prepare to use Æ 2 [Slang] to pitch a baseball deliberately close to (the batter) lick the dust to be servile; grovel: cf. Mic. 7:17 make the dust fly 1 to act energetically 2 to move swiftly shake the dust off one's feet to leave with disdain or contempt: cf. Matt. 10:14 throw dust in someone's eyes to mislead or deceive someone [ME < OE, akin to MLowG: for IE base see DUN¹]

Dust Bowl region in SC U.S., including parts of Okla. & Tex., where eroded topsoil was blown away by winds during a drought in the 1930's [d- b-] any area like this

dust devil a small whirlwind that raises dust and litter in a narrow column

dust jacket 1 a detachable paper cover for a book to protect its binding and now usually designed to promote its contents: also dust wrapper 2 SLEEVE (n. 3)

dust ruffle a ruffled skirt hung from under the mattress and extending to the floor around the sides of a bed as a decoration

dust storm a windstorm that sweeps up clouds of dust when passing over an arid region

dustbin (dûst´bin') •n. [Brit.] a container for dust, rubbish, etc.

duster (dûs´tэr) •n. 1 a person or thing that dusts 2 a brush or cloth for removing dust from furniture, etc. 3 a device for sprinkling on a powder, as for applying an insecticide Æ 4 a lightweight coat worn to protect the clothes from dust, as formerly in open automobiles Æ 5 a short, loose, lightweight housecoat

dusting powder any fine, light powder used as an insecticide, medicine, toiletry, etc., or used to prevent sticking

dustless (dûst´lis) •adj. having or causing no dust

dustman (dûst´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. [Brit.] a man whose work is removing rubbish, ashes, garbage, etc.

dustpan (dûst´pæn') •n. a pan like a small shovel, usually with a short handle, into which dirt or debris from the floor is swept

dustproof (-pru:f') •adj. keeping out dust

dust-up (dûst´ûp') •n. [Slang] a commotion, quarrel, or fight

dusty (dûs´ti:) dust´i·er, dust´i·est •adj. 1 covered with dust; full of dust 2 like dust; powdery 3 of the color of dust dust´i·ly •adv. dust´i·ness •n. [ME dusti < OE dustig]

dusty miller any of various garden plants having foliage covered with white, woolly hairs

Dutch (dûch) •adj. 1 of the Netherlands, its people, or their language or culture 2 of the Pennsylvania Dutch 3 [Obs. or Slang] German •n. 1 the language of the Netherlands 2 [Obs. or Slang] German Æ go Dutch [Colloq.] to have every participant pay his or her own expenses Æ in Dutch [Colloq.] in trouble or disfavor the Dutch 1 the people of the Netherlands Æ 2 the Pennsylvania Dutch 3 [Obs.] the German people Etymology [ME Duch < MDu Duutsch, Dutch, German, akin to Ger Deutsch: see DEUTSCHLAND]

Dutch Belted any of a breed of dairy cattle that are black with a white stripe around the body

Dutch bob (or boy) a style of haircut with bangs and a straight, even bob that covers the ears

Dutch Borneo the part of Borneo that belonged to the Netherlands: now Kalimantan, Indonesia

Dutch courage [Slang] 1 courage resulting from the drinking of an alcoholic beverage 2 an alcoholic beverage

Dutch door a door with upper and lower halves that can be opened separately

Dutch East Indies NETHERLANDS (EAST) INDIES

Dutch elm disease a virulent and widespread disease of elms caused by a fungus (Ceratocystis ulmi) that produces wilting and drying of the leaves and, ultimately, death of the tree [from its first appearance in the Netherlands]

Dutch Guiana Suriname, when it was a dependent territory of the Netherlands (1667-1954)

Dutch metal tombac, an alloy of copper and zinc

Dutch New Guinea NETHERLANDS NEW GUINEA

Dutch oven 1 a heavy metal or enamelware pot with a high, arched lid, for cooking pot roasts, etc. 2 a metal container for roasting meats, etc., with an open side placed so that it is toward the fire 3 a brick oven whose walls are preheated for cooking

Dutch treat [Colloq.] any date, social outing, etc. on which each participant pays his or her own expenses

Dutch uncle [Colloq.] a person who bluntly and sternly lectures or scolds someone, often with benevolent intent

Dutchman (dûch´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of the Netherlands; Hollander 2 a Dutch ship 3 [Obs.] a German

Dutchman's-breeches (dûch´mэnz brich´iz) pl. -breech´es •n. Æ a spring dicentra (Dicentra cucullaria) with pinkish, double-spurred flowers, found in E U.S.

Dutchman's-pipe (-paip´) •n. any of several hardy, woody twining vines (genus Aristolochia) of the birthwort family having large, brownish or purple, U-shaped flowers with a pouchlike base [from the resemblance of the blossom to a pipe bowl]

duteous (du:t´i: эs, dyu:t´-) •adj. dutiful; obedient du´te·ous·ly •adv. du´te·ous·ness •n.

dutiable (du:t´i: э bэl, dyu:t´-) •adj. necessitating payment of a duty or tax, as imported goods

dutiful (du:t´i fэl, dyu:t´-) •adj. 1 showing, or resulting from, a sense of duty 2 having a proper sense of duty; obedient du´ti·ful·ly •adv. du´ti·ful·ness •n.

duty (du:t´i:, dyu:t´-) pl. -ties •n. 1 the obedience or respect that one should show toward one's parents, older people, etc. 2 conduct based on moral or legal obligation, or a sense of propriety {one's duty to vote} 3 any action, task, etc. required by or relating to one's occupation or position {the duties of a secretary} 4 a sense or feeling of obligation {duty calls} 5 service, esp. military service {overseas duty} 6 a payment due to the government, esp. a tax imposed on imports, exports, or manufactured goods 7 [Brit.] the performance of a machine as measured by the output of work per unit of fuel 8 the amount of work that a machine is meant to do; rated efficiency under specified conditions Æ 9 Agric. the amount of water needed for irrigation per acre per crop: also duty of water SYN. FUNCTION do duty for to substitute for; serve as on (or off) duty at (or temporarily relieved from) one's work, duty, etc. [ME duete < Anglo-Fr dueté, what is due (owing): see DUE & -TY¹]

duty-free (-fri:´) •adj. designating or of goods on which no duty or tax must be paid, or a shop selling such goods •adv. with no payment of a duty or tax required

duumvir (du: ûm´vir, dyu:-) pl. -virs' or -vi·ri' (-vi rai') •n. 1 either of two magistrates in ancient Rome who held office jointly 2 either member of any duumvirate Etymology [L, back-form. < duum virum, gen. pl. of duo viri, two men < duo, TWO + vir, a man]

duumvirate (du: ûm´vi rit, dyu:-) •n. 1 governmental position or authority held jointly by two persons 2 two such persons [L duumviratus: see DUUMVIR & -ATE²]

duvet (du: vei´, dyu:-) •n. a style of comforter, often filled with down, having a slipcover and used in place of a top sheet and blankets

duvetyn or duvetyne (du:´vэ ti:n', dyu:´-) •n. a soft textile with a short, velvety nap, originally made of cotton with a spun-silk filling [Fr duvetine < duvet, eiderdown < MFr, altered < dumet < OFr dum, dun, altered (? after plume) < ON dunn, DOWN²]

duxelles (du:k sel´) •n. a seasoned mixture of finely chopped mushrooms and shallots, sautéed and used as a garnish

DV 1 Douay Version (of the Bible) 2 God willing [L Deo volente]

Dvina (dvi: nä´) 1 river in NW Russia, flowing northwest into Dvina Bay near Arkhangelsk: 460 mi. (740 km): often called Northern Dvina 2 river in W Russia, flowing from the Valdai Hills northwest through Belarus & Latvia into the Gulf of Riga: 635 mi. (1,020 km): Latvian name Daugava: often called Western Dvina

Dvina Bay arm of the White Sea, in NW Russia: c. 65 mi. (105 km) long

Dvinsk (dvi:nsk) Russ. name of DAUGAVPILS

DVM or D.V.M. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dvořák (dvör´zhäk, -zhæk), An·to·nín (än´tö nin) 1841-1904; Czech composer

dwarf (dwörf) pl. dwarfs or dwarves (dwörvz) •n. 1 any human being, animal, or plant that is much smaller than the usual one of its species 2 Folklore a little being in human form, usually ugly or malformed, to whom magic powers are attributed 3 a star of relatively small size or mass and low luminosity: see WHITE DWARF •vt. 1 to keep from growing to full natural size 2 to make small or insignificant 3 to make seem small by comparison •vi. to become stunted or dwarfed •adj. undersized; stunted dwarf´ish •adj. dwarf´ish·ness •n. dwarf´ism' •n. [ME dwerf, dwergh < OE dweorg, akin to Ger zwerg < IE *dhwergh-, prob. < base *dhwer-, to trick, injure > Sans dhvarati, (he) injures]

dwarf chestnut 1 a chinquapin (Castanea pumila) native to SE U.S. 2 its edible nut

Dwayne (dwein) a masculine name

dweeb (dwi:b) •n. [Slang] a person regarded as socially dull, unsophisticated, foolish, awkward, etc. dweeb´ish •adj. [< ?]

dwell (dwel) dwelt or dwelled, dwell´ing •vi. to make one's home; reside; live dwell on (or upon) to linger over in thought or speech; think about or discuss at length dwell´er •n. [ME dwellen < OE dwellan, to lead astray, hinder, akin to ON dvelja, to delay < IE *dh(e)wel-, to obscure, make DULL]

dwelling (dwel´iŋ) •n. a place to live in; residence; house; abode Also dwelling place [ME: see DWELL]

DWI (di:´dûb´эl yu:'ai´) •n. a traffic citation issued to a person accused of driving while intoxicated [d(riving) w(hile) i(ntoxicated)]

Dwight (dwait) a masculine name [orig. a surname < ?]

dwindle (dwin´dэl) -dled, -dling •vi., vt. to keep on becoming or making smaller or less; diminish; shrink SYN. DECREASE [freq. of obs. dwine, to languish, fade < ME dwinen < OE dwīnan, akin to ON dvína < IE base *dheu-: see DIE¹]

dwt pennyweight, pennyweights [d(enarius) w(eigh)t]

DX Radio 1 distance 2 distant

Dy Chem. symbol for dysprosium

dyad (dai´æd') •n. 1 two units regarded as one; pair 2 Biol. a double chromosome resulting from the division of a tetrad in meiosis; half of a tetrad 3 Chem. an atom, element, or radical with a valence of two Æ 4 Sociology two persons in a continuing relationship involving interaction •adj. consisting of two dy·ad´ic •adj. [LL dyas (gen. dyadis) < Gr < dyo, TWO]

Dyak (dai´æk') •n. 1 a member of an aboriginal people living in the interior of Borneo 2 the Indonesian language of this people [Malay dayak, savage]

dyarchy (dai´är'ki:) pl. -chies •n. government shared by two rulers, powers, etc. [< Gr dyo, two + -ARCHY]

dybbuk (dib´эk) •n. Jewish Folklore the spirit of a dead person that enters the body of a living person and possesses it [Heb dibbūq < dābhaq, to cleave, hold to]

dye (dai) •n. 1 color produced in a substance by saturating it with a coloring agent; tint; hue 2 any substance used to give color to fabric, hair, etc.; coloring matter or a solution containing it •vt. dyed, dye´ing to color with or as with a dye [ME deien < OE deagian] •vi. to take on color in dyeing of (the) deepest dye of the most marked, esp. the worst, sort dy´er •n. Etymology [ME deie < OE deag, akin to OHG tougal, dark, secret < IE *dhwek-, dark color, secret < base *dheu-: see DULL]

dyed-in-the-wool (daid´ªn ðэ wul´) •adj. 1 dyed before being woven Æ 2 thoroughgoing; unchanging

dyeing (dai´iŋ) •vt., vi. prp. of DYE •n. the process or work of coloring fabrics with dyes

dyer's woad a biennial plant (Isatis tinctoria) of the crucifer family with yellow flowers: its leaves yield a blue dye

dyer's-broom (dai´эrz bru:m') •n. WOADWAXEN

dyer's-weed (-wi:d') •n. any of a number of plants that yield a dyestuff, as woadwaxen or dyer's woad

dyestuff (dai´stûf') •n. any substance constituting or yielding a dye

dyewood (-wud') •n. any wood yielding a dye

Dyfed (div´эd) county of SW Wales, on the Bristol & St. George's channels: 2,226 sq. mi. (5,765 sq. km); pop. 335,000

dying (dai´iŋ) •vi. prp. of DIE¹ •adj. 1 coming near to an end {a dying culture} 2 of or at the time of death {his dying words} •n. a ceasing to live or exist; death

dyke¹ (daik) •n., vt. DIKE¹

dyke² (daik) •n. [Slang] a lesbian, esp. one with physical characteristics traditionally thought of as belonging to men: a term of contempt and hostility dyk´ey •adj. [contr. < morphodyke, morphodite, altered < HERMAPHRODITE]

Dylan (dil´эn), Bob (born Robert Allen Zimmerman) 1941- ; U.S. folk-rock singer & composer

dyna- (dai nэ) combining form power {dynameter} Also, before a vowel, dyn- [< Gr dynamis, power: see DYNAMIC]

dynam- (dai næm´) combining form DYNAMO- Used before a vowel

dynameter (dai næm´эt эr) •n. an instrument for finding the magnifying power of a telescope [DYNA- + -METER]

dynamic (dai næm´ik) •adj. 1 relating to an object, or objects, in motion: opposed to STATIC 2 energetic; vigorous; forceful 3 relating to or tending toward change or productive activity 4 Comput. a) designating or of an event that occurs during the execution of a program {dynamic dump} b) designating or of memory that requires periodic renewal of its stored data 5 Electronics designating or of a speaker, microphone, etc. in which a diaphragm or cone is attached to a coil that vibrates within a fixed magnetic field Also dy·nam´i·cal •n. DYNAMICS (sense 2a) dy·nam´i·cal·ly •adv. [Fr dynamique < Gr dynamikos < dynamis, power, strength < dynasthai, to be able]

dynamics (dai næm´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v. for 1, 2c, & 3] 1 the branch of mechanics dealing with the motions of material bodies under the action of given forces; kinetics 2 a) the various forces, physical, moral, economic, etc., operating in any field b) the way such forces shift or change in relation to one another c) the study of such forces 3 the effect of varying degrees of loudness or softness in the performance of music

dynamism (dai´nэ miz'эm) •n. 1 the theory that force or energy, rather than mass or motion, is the basic principle of all phenomena 2 the quality of being energetic, vigorous, etc. dy'na·mis´tic •adj. Etymology [DYNAM(O)- + -ISM]

dynamite (dai´nэ mait') •n. 1 a powerful explosive made by soaking nitroglycerin into some absorbent, such as ammonium nitrate and wood pulp 2 [Colloq.] anything potentially dangerous •vt. -mit'ed, -mit'ing to blow up or destroy with dynamite Æ adj. [Slang] outstanding; very exciting, effective, etc. dy´na·mit'er •n. [coined (1866 or 1867) by Alfred Bernhard NOBEL < Gr dynamis: see DYNAMIC]

dynamo (dai´nэ mou') pl. -mos' •n. 1 early term for GENERATOR (sense 1b) 2 a forceful, dynamic person [< dynamoelectric machine]

dynamo- (dai´nэ mou') combining form power {dynamometer} [< Gr dynamis: see DYNAMIC]

dynamoelectric (dai'nэ mou'i lek´trik) •adj. having to do with the production of electrical energy from mechanical energy, or of mechanical energy from electrical energy Also dy'na·mo'e·lec´tri·cal

dynamometer (dai'nэ mäm´эt эr) •n. an apparatus for measuring force or power; esp., one for measuring mechanical power, as of an engine [Fr dynamomètre: see DYNAMO- & -METER]

dynamometry (dai'nэ mäm´э tri:) •n. the process of measuring forces at work dy'na·mo'met´ric (-mou'me´trik) •adj. [DYNAMO- + -METRY]

dynamotor (dai´nэ mout'эr) •n. an electrical machine combining generator and motor, for transforming current of one voltage to that of another voltage

dynast (dai´næst', -nэst) •n. a ruler, esp. a hereditary ruler [L dynastes < Gr dynastēs < dynasthai, to be strong]

dynasty (dai´nэs ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 a succession of rulers who are members of the same family 2 the period during which a certain family reigns dy·nas·tic (dai næs´tik) or dy·nas´ti·cal •adj. dy·nas´ti·cal·ly •adv. [ME dinastie < ML dynastia < Gr dynasteia, lordship, rule < dynastēs: see DYNAST]

dynatron (dai´nэ trän') •n. a four-electrode electron tube in which the anode functions as a dynode [DYNA- + (ELEC)TRON]

dyne (dain) •n. the amount of force that imparts to a mass of one gram an acceleration of one centimeter per second per second: the unit of force in the cgs system [Fr < Gr dynamis, power]

dynel (dai nel´) •n. 1 a synthetic fiber made from vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile 2 a hairlike yarn or fabric made from this fiber

dynode (dai´noud') •n. an electrode in an electron tube designed so that each impinging electron causes the emission of two or more secondary electrons [< Gr dyn(amis), power (see DYNAMIC) + -ODE¹]

dynorphin (dai nör´fin) •n. any of a group of brain peptides that are powerful pain relievers: though similar to endorphins, they differ in derivation, effectiveness, etc. [DYN(A)- + (M)ORPHIN(E)]

dys- (dis) prefix bad, ill, abnormal, impaired, difficult, etc. {dysfunction} [Gr, bad, hard, unlucky < IE base *dus-, bad, ill > Goth tuz-, OHG zur- (Ger zer-), Sans dus-]

dyscrasia (dis krei´zhэ, -zhi: э, -zi: э) •n. an abnormal imbalance in some part of the body, esp. in the blood [ModL < ML, distemper, disease < Gr dyskrasia, bad temperament < dys-, prec. + krasis, a mixing < kerannynai, to mix: see IDIOSYNCRASY]

dysentery (dis´эn ter'i:) •n. any of various intestinal inflammations characterized by abdominal pain and frequent and intense diarrhea with bloody, mucous feces dys'en·ter´ic •adj. [ME dissenterie < OFr < L dysenteria < Gr < dys-, DYS- + enteron, pl. entera, bowels: see INTER-]

dysfunction (dis fûŋk´shэn) •n. abnormal, impaired, or incomplete functioning, as of a body organ or part

dysfunctional (-эl) •adj. 1 unable to function normally, properly, etc. 2 of or characterized by abnormal or impaired psychosocial functioning {a dysfunctional family, dysfunctional behavior}

dysgenic (dis jen´ik) •adj. causing deterioration of hereditary qualities of a stock: cf. EUGENIC

dysgenics (dis jen´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the study of dysgenic trends in a population

dysgraphia (dis græf´i: э) •n. impairment of the ability to write, as a result of brain dysfunction [< DYS- + Gr graphia, writing < graphein: see GRAPHIC]

dyskinesia (dis'kэ ni:´zhэ) •n. impairment of body movements: cf. TARDIVE DYSKINESIA [< DYS- + Gr kinēsis, motion + -IA]

dyslexia (dis lek´si: э) •n. impairment of the ability to read, often as the result of genetic defect or brain injury dys·lex´ic or dys·lec´tic •adj., n. [ModL < DYS- + lexis, speech < legein, to speak: see LOGIC]

dyslogistic (dis'lou jis´tik) •adj. [Rare] disapproving; opprobrious: opposed to EULOGISTIC [DYS- + (EU)LOGISTIC]

dysmenorrhea (dis'men э ri:´э) •n. painful or difficult menstruation [ModL < DYS- + Gr mēn, MONTH + -RRHEA]

dyspareunia (dis'pэ ru:´ni: э) •n. sexual intercourse that is physically painful or difficult

dyspepsia (dis pep´si: э; also, -shэ) •n. impaired digestion; indigestion: cf. EUPEPSIA Also [Dial.] dys·pep´sy (-si:) [L < Gr dyspepsia < dys-, DYS- + pepsis, cooking, digestion < peptein, to soften, COOK]

dyspeptic (dis pep´tik) •adj. 1 of, causing, or having dyspepsia 2 morose; grouchy •n. a person who suffers from dyspepsia dys·pep´ti·cal·ly •adv. [< Gr dyspeptos (see DYSPEPSIA) + -IC]

dysphagia (dis fei´jэ, -ji: э) •n. Med. difficulty in swallowing dys·phag´ic (-fæj´ik) •adj. [ModL < DYS- + Gr phag(ein), to eat + -IA]

dysphasia (dis fei´zhэ, -zhi: э, -zi: э) •n. impairment of the ability to speak or, sometimes, to understand language, as the result of brain injury, a brain tumor, etc. dys·pha´sic (-fei´zik) •adj., n. [ModL < DYS- + -PHASIA]

dysphonia (dis fou´ni: э) •n. impairment of the ability to produce speech sounds, as because of hoarseness dys·phon´ic (-fän´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr dysphōnia < dys-, DYS- + phōnē, voice: see PHONO-]

dysphoria (dis för´i: э) •n. Psychol. a generalized feeling of ill-being; esp., an abnormal feeling of anxiety, discontent, physical discomfort, etc. dys·phor´ic (-för´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr dysphoria < dys-, DYS- + pherein, to BEAR¹]

dysplasia (dis plei´zhэ, -zhi: э, -zi: э) •n. a disordered growth or faulty development of various tissues or body parts dys·plas´tic (-plæs´tik) •adj. [ModL: see DYS- & -PLASIA]

dyspnea (disp ni:´э) •n. shortness of breath: see APNEA dysp·ne´al or dysp·ne´ic •adj. [L dispnoea < Gr dyspnoia < dys-, DYS- + pnoē, breathing < pnein, to breathe: see PNEUMA]

dysprosium (dis prou´zi: эm, -si:-) •n. a silver-white chemical element of the rare-earth metals: symbol, Dy; at. wt., 162.50; at. no., 66; sp. gr., 8.556; melt. pt., 1,412°C; boil. pt., 2,567°C: it is one of the most magnetic of all known substances and has a great capacity to absorb neutrons [ModL < Gr dysprositos, difficult of access < dys-, DYS- + prositos, approachable < prosienai, come to < pros, toward + ienai, to go (see ION): so named (1886) by its discoverer, Fr chemist P.-E. Lecoq de Boisbaudran (1838-1912)]

dysrhythmia (dis riθ´mi: э) •n. a lack of rhythm, as of the brain waves or in speech patterns

dystonia (dis tou´ne э) •n. a lack of normal muscle tone due to disease or infection of the nervous system dys·ton·ic (-tän´ik) •adj.

dystopia (dis tou´pi: э) •n. Æ 1 a hypothetical place, society, or situation in which conditions and the quality of life are dreadful 2 a novel or other work depicting a dystopian society or place Cf. UTOPIA dys·to´pi·an •adj. [DYS- + (U)TOPIA]

dystrophic (dis träf´ik, -trou´fik) •adj. 1 of or caused by dystrophy 2 of a lake or pond derived from a bog and characterized by brown, humic matter, high acidity, and poorly developed fauna and flora

dystrophy (dis´trэ fi:) •n. 1 faulty nutrition 2 faulty development, or degeneration: cf. MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY [ModL dystrophia < Gr: see DYS- & -TROPHY]

dysuria (dis yur´i: э) •n. difficult or painful urination [LL < Gr dysouria: see DYS- & -URIA]

dz dozen(s)

Dzerzhinsk (dziř zhinsk´) city in central European Russia, near Gorki: pop. 274,000

Dzhambul (jäm bu:l´) city in SE Kazakhstan: pop. 303,000

Dzungaria (zun ger´i: э) old name of JUNGGAR PENDI

E abbrev. 1 Earl 2 earth 3 east 4 eastern 5 empty 6 Football end 7 England 8 English 9 Baseball error(s) 10 excellent 11 Physics a) energy b) the modulus of elasticity c) electromotive force Also, for 2-6, 9, & 10 e E (i:) •n. 1 Educ. a) a grade indicating below-average work, often equivalent to condition b) sometimes, a grade indicating excellence 2 Music a) the third tone or note in the ascending scale of C major b) a key, string, etc. producing this tone c) the scale having this tone as the keynote

e- (i:; unstressed, i, э) prefix EX-¹: used before b, d, g, j, l, m, n, r, or v {eject, emit}

E & OE errors and omissions excepted

E layer a dense layer of ions in the E region of the ionosphere at an altitude of c. 100 km (c. 62 mi.), capable of reflecting radio waves

e pluribus unum (i:' plur'i: bus' u:´num) out of many, one: a motto of the U.S. [L]

E region the atmospheric zone within the ionosphere at an altitude of c. 90 to 140 km (c. 56 to 90 mi.), containing the E layer

E. coli (i: kou´lai') a species of Gram-negative bacteria normally present in the intestines of people and all vertebrates and widely used in biological research: its presence in water in certain quantities indicates fecal pollution that can cause diarrhea [ModL E(scherichia) coli after T. Escherich (1857-1911), Ger physician + L coli, of the colon]

e.g. for the sake of example; for example [L exempli gratia]

e¹ or E (i:) pl. e's, E's •n. 1 the fifth letter of the English alphabet: from the Greek epsilon, a borrowing from the Phoenician 2 any of the speech sounds that this letter represents, as, in English, the vowel (e) of bed or (i:) of equal, or, when unstressed, (э) as in father 3 a type or impression for E or e 4 the fifth in a sequence or group 5 an object shaped like E •adj. 1 of E or e 2 fifth in a sequence or group 3 shaped like E

e² (i:) •n. Math. the number used as the base of the system of natural logarithms, approximately 2.71828

ea each

each (i:ch) •adj., pron. every one of two or more considered separately {each (one) of you will be notified} •adv. apiece {give them two apples each} each other each one the other; one another {we help each other} Some speakers use each other only of two individuals and one another only of more than two, but in common use no distinction is made [ME ech, elc, each, every < OE ælc < *agilic, akin to OHG iogilith (Ger jeglich) < PGmc *aiw-galic: see AYE¹ & ALIKE]

Eads (i:dz), James Buchanan 1820-87; U.S. engineer: noted for bridge construction & river control

eager beaver [Slang] a person characterized by much, or too much, industry, initiative, or enthusiasm

eager¹ (i:´gэr) •adj. 1 feeling or showing keen desire; impatient or anxious to do or get; ardent 2 [Archaic] sharp; keen ea´ger·ly •adv. ea´ger·ness •n. SYN.—eager implies great enthusiasm, zeal, or sometimes impatience, in the desire for a pursuit of something [eager to begin work]: avid suggests an intense, sometimes greedy, desire to enjoy or possess something [avid for power]; keen implies deep interest and a spirited readiness to achieve something [the team was keen on winning]; anxious, in this connection, suggests eagerness, but with some uneasiness over the outcome [anxious to excel] [ME egre < OFr aigre < L acer, sharp, acute, ardent, eager: see ACID]

eager² (i:´gэr, ei´-) •n. EAGRE

eagle (i:´gэl) •n. 1 any of a number of large, strong, flesh-eating accipitrine birds of prey noted for their sharp vision and powerful wings, as the bald eagle 2 a representation of the eagle, used as a symbol or emblem of a nation, etc.; esp., a) the military standard of the Roman Empire Æ b) the national emblem of the U.S. Æ c) the military insigne of a colonel in the U.S. armed forces (captain in the U.S. Navy) Æ 3 a former U.S. gold coin worth $10 Æ 4 Golf a score of two under par on any hole [ME egle < OFr aigle < L aquila, eagle]

eagle ray any of a family (Myliobatidae, order Myliobatiformes) of sharp-headed rays with flat teeth and a notched spine on the tail

Eagle Scout 1 the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts 2 a Scout having this rank

eagle-eyed (-aid') •adj. having keen vision

eaglet (i:´glit) •n. a young eagle [Fr aiglette, dim. of aigle]

eaglewood (e´gэl wu:d') •n. LIGNALOES

eagre (i:´gэr, ei´-) •n. a high tidal wave in an estuary; bore [Brit dial. form, prob. ult. < OE eagor, flood, high tide, akin to ON ægir, ocean < IE *ēkw-, var. of base *akwa-, water > L aqua]

Eakins (ei´kinz), Thomas 1844-1916; U.S. painter & sculptor

ealdorman (öl´dэr mэn, eil´-) •n. Anglo-Saxon History the chief officer in a shire; alderman

Ealing (i:´liŋ) borough of Greater London, England: pop. 289,000

Eames chair (i:mz) trademark for an upholstered, contour swivel chair on rubber mounts [after C. Eames (1907-78), its U.S. designer]

-ean (i:´эn) suffix of, belonging to, like {European, Aegean} [< L -ae-, -e-, -i- & Gr -ai-, -ei- (stem endings of nouns and adjectives) + -AN]

ear shell 1 ABALONE 2 the shell of the abalone, shaped somewhat like the human ear

ear trumpet a trumpet-shaped tube formerly used as a hearing aid by the partially deaf

ear¹ (ir) •n. 1 the part of the body specialized for the perception of sound; organ of hearing: the human ear consists of the external ear, the middle ear (tympanum), and the inner ear (labyrinth), which also senses one's state of equilibrium 2 the visible, external part of the ear 3 the sense of hearing 4 the ability to recognize slight differences in sound, esp. in the pitch, rhythm, etc. of musical tones 5 anything shaped or placed like an ear, as the handle of a pitcher or a small box in the upper corner of a newspaper page be all ears to be listening attentively or eagerly Æ bend someone's ear [Slang] to talk excessively to someone fall on deaf ears to be ignored or unheeded give (or lend) ear to give attention, esp. favorable attention; listen; heed Æ have (or keep) an ear to the ground to give careful attention to the trends of public opinion have the ear of to be in a favorable position to talk to and influence; be heeded by in one ear and out the other heard but without effect play by ear to play (a musical instrument or piece) without the use of notation, improvising an arrangement play it by ear [Colloq.] to act as the situation demands, without a preconceived plan; improvise set on its ear [Colloq.] to cause excitement, upheaval, etc. in turn a deaf ear to be unwilling to listen or heed [ME ere < OE ēare akin to Goth ausō, Ger ohr < IE base *ous-, ear > L auris, Gr ous, OIr au]

ear² (ir) •n. the grain-bearing spike of a cereal plant, esp. of corn •vi. to sprout ears; form ears [ME er < OE ēar, akin to Ger ähre, Goth ahs < IE *aces (< base *ak-, sharp) > L acus, chaff]

earache (ir´eik') •n. an ache or pain in the ear; otalgia

eardrop (-dräp') •n. 1 an earring or hanging ornament for the ear 2 [pl.] any of various liquid medicines put into the ear in drops

eardrum (-drûm') •n. TYMPANUM (sense 1)

eared (ird) •adj. having ears: often used in compounds meaning having (a specified kind of) ears [long-eared]

eared seal any of various seals (family Otariidae) with distinct external ears and hind limbs used in locomotion, including fur seals and sea lions

earflap (ir´flæp') •n. either of a pair of cloth or fur flaps on a cap, turned down to protect the ears from cold

earful (-ful') •n. [Colloq.] 1 enough or too much of what is heard 2 important or startling news or gossip 3 a scolding

Earhart (er´härt'), Amelia 1898-1937; U.S. pioneer aviator

earing (ir´iŋ) •n. a small rope passed through a cringle and used to attach the corner of a sail to a yard, gaff, or boom or to reef a sail [< EAR¹, sense 5]

Earl (ørl) a masculine name [see EARL] earl (ørl) •n. a British nobleman ranking above a viscount and below a marquess: the wife or widow of an earl is called a countess earl´dom •n. [ME erl, nobleman, count < OE eorl, warrior, akin to ON jarl, leader, noble]

Earl Marshal a high officer of state in England, marshal of state ceremonies and head of the Heralds' College

earlap (ir´læp') •n. 1 EARFLAP 2 the ear lobe 3 the external ear

earless seal (ir´lis) any of a family (Phocidae) of seals with inconspicuous ears and rudimentary hind limbs

Early (ør´li:), Jubal Anderson 1816-94; Confederate general in the Civil War early (ør´li:) -li·er, -li·est •adv., adj. 1 near the beginning of a given period of time or of a series, as of events; soon after the start 2 before the expected or customary time 3 in the far distant past; in ancient or remote times 4 in the near future; before much time has passed early on at an early stage; near the beginning ear´li·ness •n. [ME erli < OE ærlic, adv. (> ærlic, adj.) < ær, before (see ERE) + -lice, adv. suffix (see -LY², LIKE¹)]

Early American [also e- A-] of or characteristic of the early, especially the Colonial, period of U.S. history; specif., of a plain or sturdy style in furniture, arts, and crafts of this period

early bird [Colloq.] a person who arrives early, or one who gets up early in the morning

Early Modern English the English language as spoken and written from about the mid-15th cent. to about the mid-18th cent.

earmark (ir´märk') •n. 1 an identification mark or brand put on the ear of a domestic animal to show ownership 2 an identifying mark or feature; characteristic; sign •vt. 1 to mark the ears of (livestock) for identification 2 to set a distinctive or informative mark upon; identify 3 to set aside or reserve for a special purpose or recipient

earmuffs (-mûfs') •n.pl. cloth or fur coverings worn over the ears to keep them warm in cold weather

earn (ørn) •vt. 1 to receive (salary, wages, etc.) for one's labor or service 2 to get or deserve as a result of something one has done 3 to gain (interest, etc.) as profit Æ 4 Baseball to score (a run which is not a result of an error) against a pitcher: used only in the pp. earn´er •n. [ME ernen < OE earnian, to gain, labor for, lit., to harvest, akin to Ger ernte, harvest, OHG arnōn, to bring to harvest < IE base *es-en, summer, harvest time]

earned run average Baseball the average number of earned runs allowed by a pitcher for each nine innings pitched

earnest¹ (ør´nist) •adj. 1 serious and intense; not joking or playful; zealous and sincere 2 not petty or trivial; important SYN. SERIOUS in earnest 1 serious; not joking 2 in a serious or determined manner ear´nest·ly •adv. ear´nest·ness •n. [ME ernest < OE eornoste < eornost, earnestness, zeal, akin to Ger ernst, seriousness (OHG ernust) < IE base *er-, to set oneself in motion, arouse > RUN]

earnest² (ør´nist) •n. 1 money given as a part payment and pledge in binding a bargain: in full earnest money 2 something given or done as an indication or assurance of what is to come; token SYN. PLEDGE [altered (after prec.) < ME ernes < OFr erres < L arrae, pl. of arra, arrabo, earnest money < Gr arrabōn < Heb eravon < arav, to guarantee, pledge]

earnings (ørn´iŋz) •n.pl. 1 wages, salary, or other recompense earned by working 2 money made by an investment or an enterprise; profits

Earp (ørp), Wyatt (Berry Stapp) (wai´эt) 1848-1929; U.S. lawman

earphone (ir´foun') •n. a receiver for radio, telephone, a hearing aid, etc., either held to the ear or put into the ear

earpiece (ir´pi:s') •n. 1 either of the two parts of a frame for eyeglasses, that extend over the ears 2 EARPHONE

earplug (-plûg') •n. a plug inserted in the outer ear, as to deaden excessive noise or keep out water when swimming

earring (ir´riŋ', ir´iŋ) •n. a ring or other small ornament for the lobe of the ear, either passed through a hole pierced in the lobe or fastened with a screw or clip

earshot (ir´shät') •n. the distance within which a sound, esp. that of the unaided human voice, can be heard; range of hearing [by analogy with BOWSHOT]

earsplitting (-split'iŋ) •adj. so loud as to hurt the ears; deafening

earstone (-stoun') •n. OTOLITH (sense 1)

earth (ørθ) •n. 1 [often E-] the planet that we live on; terrestrial globe: it is the fifth largest planet of the solar system and the third in distance from the sun: diameter, c. 12,760 km (c. 7,930 mi.); period of revolution, one earth year; period of rotation, 24 hours; one satellite; symbol, ## 2 this world, as distinguished from heaven and hell 3 all the people on the earth 4 land, as distinguished from sea or sky; the ground 5 the soft, granular or crumbly part of land; soil; ground 6 [Old Poet.] a) the substance of the human body b) the human body c) the concerns, interests, etc. of human life; worldly matters 7 the hole of a burrowing animal; lair 8 [Obs.] a land or country 9 Chem. any of the metallic oxides, formerly classed as elements, which are reduced with difficulty to an alkaline earth metal, rare earth metal, or certain other metals 10 Elec. [Brit.] GROUND¹ •vt. 1 to cover (up) with soil for protection, as seeds or plants 2 to chase (an animal) into a hole or burrow •vi. to hide in a burrow: said of a fox, etc. come back (or down) to earth to stop being impractical; return to reality down to earth 1 practical; realistic 2 sincere; without affectation go to earth [Chiefly Brit.] to go into hiding on earth of all things: an intensive used mainly after interrogative pronouns {what on earth do you mean?} run to earth [< use in fox hunting] 1 to hunt down 2 to find by search SYN.—earth is applied to the globe or planet we live on, but in religious use is opposed to heaven or hell; universe refers to the whole system of planets, stars, space, etc. and to everything that exists in it; world is equivalent to earth, esp. as relates to human activities, but is sometimes a generalized synonym for universe [ME erthe < OE eorthe, akin to Ger erde < IE base *er- > Gr era, earth, Welsh erw, field]

earth mother [also E- M-] 1 the planet earth regarded, as in mythology, as the source of all life 2 any buxom, sensuous woman who is inclined to mother others

earth science any of various sciences, as geology or meteorology, dealing with the earth or its nonliving components earth scientist

earth station a dish antenna, amplifier, and transmitter or receiver used for sending or receiving signals directly to or from communications satellites

earth tone any of various soft colors like those found in nature in soil, vegetation, etc.; esp., brown, tan, or beige

earthborn (ørθ´börn') •adj. 1 born on or springing from the earth 2 human; mortal

earthbound (-baund') •adj. 1 confined to or by the earth or earthly things 2 headed for the earth

earthen (ørθ´эn) •adj. 1 made of earth or of baked clay 2 earthly

earthenware (-wer') •n. the coarser sort of containers, tableware, etc. made of baked clay

earthiness (ørθ´i: nis) •n. an earthy quality or state

earthlight (ørθ´lait') •n. EARTHSHINE

earthling (ørθ´liŋ) •n. 1 a person who lives on the earth; human being 2 a worldly person; worldling

earthly (ørθ´li:) •adj. 1 of the earth; specif., a) terrestrial b) worldly c) temporal or secular 2 conceivable; possible {a thing of no earthly good} earth´li·ness •n. SYN.—earthly is applied to that which belongs to the earth or to the present life and is chiefly contrasted with heavenly [earthly pleasures]; terrestrial, having as its opposite celestial (both Latin-derived parallels of the preceding terms), has special application in formal and scientific usage [terrestrial magnetism]; worldly implies reference to the material concerns or pursuits of humankind and is chiefly contrasted with spiritual [worldly wisdom]; mundane, although often used as a close synonym of worldly, now esp. stresses the commonplace or practical aspects of life [ to return to mundane matters after a flight of fancy]

earthman (ørθ´mæn') pl. -men' (-men') •n. a human being on or from the planet earth, as in science fiction

earthmover (ørθ´mu:'vэr) •n. a bulldozer or other large machine for excavating or moving large quantities of earth

earthnut (-nût') •n. 1 the root, tuber, or underground pod of various plants, as the peanut 2 TRUFFLE

earthquake (-kweik') •n. a shaking or trembling of the crust of the earth, caused by underground volcanic forces or by breaking and shifting of rock beneath the surface

earthshaking (-sheik´iŋ) •adj. profound or basic in significance, effect, or influence; momentous

earthshine (-shain') •n. the faint illumination of the dark part of the moon by sunlight reflected from the earth

earthstar (-stär') •n. any of a family (Geastracae) of puffball fungi, in which the outer wall of the spore fruit splits into a starlike form surrounding the spore sac

earthward (-wэrd) •adv., adj. toward the earth

earthwards (-wэrdz) •adv. EARTHWARD

earthwork (-wørk') •n. 1 an embankment made by piling up earth, esp. as a fortification 2 Engineering the work of excavating or building embankments 3 a work of art, usually massive in scale, incorporating a natural feature of an area, as a groove sculpted into a desert mesa or a wheat field planted in geometric patterns

earthworm (-wørm') •n. any of a number of oligochaetous worms that burrow in the soil, esp. any of a genus (Lumbricus) very important in aerating and fertilizing the soil

earthy (ørθ´i:) earth´i·er, earth´i·est •adj. 1 of or like earth or soil 2 [Archaic] worldly 3 a) coarse; unrefined b) simple and natural; hearty

earwax (ir´wæks') •n. the yellowish, waxlike secretion found in the canal of the external ear; cerumen

earwig (ir´wig') •n. any of an order (Dermaptera) of widely distributed insects with short, horny forewings, a pair of forceps at the terminal end of the abdomen, and biting mouthparts [ME erwig < OE earwicga < eare, EAR¹ + wicga, beetle, worm < IE base *weik-, to wind, bend > L vicia, VETCH: so called from the baseless notion that it particularly seeks out the human ear to crawl into]

ease (i:z) •n. 1 freedom from pain, worry, or trouble; comfort 2 freedom from stiffness, formality, or awkwardness; natural, easy manner; poise 3 freedom from difficulty; facility; adroitness {to write with ease} 4 freedom from poverty; state of being financially secure; affluence 5 rest; leisure; relaxation •vt. eased, eas´ing 1 to free from pain, worry, or trouble; comfort 2 to lessen or alleviate (pain, anxiety, etc.) 3 to make easier; facilitate 4 to reduce the strain, tension, or pressure of or on; loosen; slacken: often with away, down, up, or off 5 to fit or move by careful shifting, slow pressure, etc. {to ease a piano into place} •vi. 1 to move or be moved by careful shifting, slow pressure, etc. 2 to lessen in tension, speed, pain, etc. at ease 1 having no anxiety, pain, or discomfort 2 Mil. a) in a relaxed position but maintaining silence and staying in place b) the command to assume this position ease out to tactfully persuade (an employee, tenant, etc.) to leave ease the rudder (or helm) Naut. to reduce the angle the rudder makes with the fore-and-aft line so that the vessel will turn more gradually take one's ease to relax and be comfortable [ME ese < OFr aise < VL *adjaces < L adjacens, lying nearby, hence easy to reach: see ADJACENT]

easeful (-fэl) •adj. characterized by, promoting, or full of ease ease´ful·ly •adv.

easel (i:´zэl) •n. an upright frame or tripod to hold an artist's canvas, a picture on display, etc. [17th c. < Du ezel (Ger esel), ass, ult. < L asellus, dim. of asinus, ASS¹: for sense, cf. Fr chevalet, easel, lit., little horse & SAWHORSE]

easement (i:z´mэnt) •n. 1 an easing or being eased 2 something that gives ease; a comfort, relief, or convenience 3 Law a right or privilege that a person may have in another's land, as the right of way [ME esement < OFr aisement]

easily (i:´zэ li:) •adv. 1 in an easy manner; with little or no difficulty, discomfort, awkwardness, etc. 2 without a doubt; by far {easily the best of the lot} 3 very likely {it may easily snow again before spring} [ME esili]

easiness (i:´zi: nis) •n. the quality or state of being easy to do or get, or of being at ease

east (i:st) •n. 1 the direction to the right of a person facing north; direction in which sunrise occurs: it is properly the point on the horizon at which the center of the sun rises at the equinox 2 the point on a compass at 90°, directly opposite west 3 a region or district in or toward this direction •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the east 2 from the east {an east wind} 3 [E-] designating the eastern part of a continent, country, etc. {East Africa} 4 in, of, or toward the altar of a church •adv. in, toward, or from the east; in an easterly direction the East Æ 1 the eastern part of the U.S.; specif., a) the part east of the Allegheny Mountains, from Me. through Md. b) the part east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio 2 the eastern part of the earth, esp. Asia and the nearby islands; Orient [ME est < OE east, akin to Ger osten, ON austr < Gmc base *aust-, dawn < IE base *awes-, to shine, dawn > L aurora, dawn, aurum, gold]

East Anglia 1 former Anglo-Saxon kingdom in E England 2 corresponding section in modern England, chiefly comprising the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk

East Berlin see BERLIN

east by north the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due east and east-northeast; 11°15' north of due east

east by south the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due east and east-southeast; 11°15' south of due east

East China Sea part of the Pacific Ocean east of China and west of Kyushu, Japan, and the Ryukyu Islands: c. 480,000 sq. mi. (1,243,000 sq. km)

East Flanders province of NW Belgium: 1,147 sq. mi. (2,971 sq. km); pop. 1,330,000; cap. Ghent

East Germany see GERMANY

East Hartford suburb of Hartford, Conn., on the Connecticut River opposite Hartford: pop. 50,000

East India Company any of several European companies for carrying on trade with the East Indies; esp., such an English company chartered in 1600 and dissolved in 1874

East Indies 1 Malay Archipelago; esp., the islands of Indonesia 2 [Historical] India, Indochina, and the Malay Archipelago: also East India East Indian

East Lansing city in SC Mich.: suburb of Lansing: pop. 51,000: see LANSING

East London seaport on the SE coast of South Africa, on the Indian Ocean: pop. 161,000

East Lothian (lou´θi: эn) former county of SE Scotland, now a district in Lothian region

East Orange city in NE N.J., adjoining Newark: pop. 74,000 [after Orange, ruling family of the Netherlands (early 17th-c.) at the time the Dutch were settling colonies in North America]

East Pakistan former province of Pakistan: since 1971, the country of Bangladesh

East Providence city in E R.I.: suburb of Providence: pop. 50,000

East Prussia former province of Prussia, in NE Germany, on the Baltic Sea, separated from the rest of Germany (1919-39) by the Polish Corridor: in 1945, divided between Poland and the U.S.S.R.

East River strait in SE N.Y., connecting Long Island Sound and upper New York Bay and separating Manhattan Island from Long Island: 16 mi. (25.5 km) long

East Siberian Sea part of the Arctic Ocean, off the NE coast of Russia, east of the New Siberian Islands

East St. Louis city in SW Ill., on the Mississippi, opposite St. Louis, Mo.: pop. 41,000

East Sussex county in SE England, on the English Channel: 693 sq. mi. (1,795 sq. km): pop. 679,000

East York metropolitan borough of Toronto, Canada: pop. 102,000 [orig. the E portion of the county of York, after the House of YORK]

eastbound (i:st´baund') •adj. bound east; going eastward

Easter (i:s´tэr) •n. 1 an annual Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, held on the first Sunday after the date of the first full moon that occurs on or after March 21 2 the Sunday of this festival: also Easter Sunday [ME ester < OE eastre, pl. eastron, spring, Easter; orig., name of pagan vernal festival almost coincident in date with paschal festival of the church < Eastre, dawn goddess < PGmc *Austro (> Ger Ostern) < IE base *awes-: see EAST]

Easter egg a colored egg or an egg-shaped piece of candy, etc., used as an Easter gift or ornament

Easter Island island in the South Pacific, c. 2,000 mi. (3,200 km) west of Valparaiso, Chile, & governed as an integral part of Chile: 64 sq. mi. (118 sq. km); pop. c. 2,000 [from the fact that it was discovered Easter day, 1722]

Easter lily any of several species of white-flowered lilies (esp. Lilium longiflorum), commonly grown for Easter display

Easter Rising an insurrection against the British government in Dublin on Easter Monday, 1916, resulting eventually in the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922

easterly (i:s´tэr li:) •adj., adv. 1 in or toward the east 2 from the east, as a wind •n. pl. -lies a wind from the east

eastern (i:s´tэrn) •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the east 2 from the east {an eastern wind} 3 [E-] a) of or characteristic of the East b) of the Eastern Church [ME esterne < OE easterne]

Eastern Church 1 orig., the Christian Church in much of the eastern part of the Roman Empire, consisting of the four patriarchates in eastern Europe, western Asia, and Egypt, headed by the bishops of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem: distinguished from the WESTERN CHURCH (sense 1) 2 EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH 3 collectively, the Eastern Christian churches in communion with the Western churches

Eastern Hemisphere that half of the earth which includes Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia

Eastern Orthodox Church the Christian church dominant in E Europe, W Asia, and N Africa, orig. made up of four patriarchates (Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusalem) rejecting the authority of the Roman see in 1054 and now also including certain autonomous churches of Russia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, etc.

Eastern Province province of Saudi Arabia, on the Persian Gulf: c. 41,200 sq. mi. (106,700 sq. km)

Eastern Roman Empire Byzantine Empire, esp. so called from A.D. 395, when the Roman Empire was divided, until A.D. 476, when the Western Roman emperor was deposed

Eastern Shore 1 E shore of Chesapeake Bay, including all of Md. and Va. east of the Bay 2 sometimes, the entire Delmarva Peninsula

Eastern Standard Time a standard time used in the zone which includes the Eastern States of the U.S., corresponding to the mean solar time of the 75th meridian west of Greenwich, England: it is five hours behind Greenwich time: see TIME ZONE, map

easterner (i:s´tэr nэr) •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of the east Æ 2 [E-] a native or inhabitant of the eastern part of the U.S.

easternize (i:s´tэrn aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make eastern in character, habits, ideas, etc. east'ern·i·za´tion •n.

easternmost (-moust') •adj. farthest east

Eastertide (i:s´tэr taid') •n. the period after Easter, extending in various churches to Ascension Day, Pentecost Sunday, or Trinity Sunday Etymology [EASTER + TIDE¹]

easting (i:s´tiŋ) •n. 1 Naut. the distance due east covered by a vessel traveling on any easterly course 2 an easterly direction

Eastman (i:st´mэn), George 1854-1932; U.S. industrialist & inventor of photographic equipment

east-northeast (i:st´nörθ'i:st´; naut., -nör-) •n. the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due east and northeast; 22°30' north of due east •adj., adv. 1 in or toward this direction 2 from this direction, as a wind

Easton (i:s´tэn) city in EC Pa.: pop. 26,000: see ALLENTOWN [after Easton Neston in Northamptonshire, England, country estate of the father-in-law of a son of William Penn]

east-southeast (i:st´sauθ'i:st´; naut., -sau-) •n. the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due east and southeast; 22°30' south of due east •adj., adv. 1 in or toward this direction 2 from this direction, as a wind

eastward (i:st´wэrd) •adv., adj. toward the east •n. an eastward direction, point, or region

eastwardly (-li:) •adv., adj. 1 toward the east 2 from the east {an eastwardly wind}

eastwards (i:st´wэrds) •adv. EASTWARD

easy (i:´zi:) eas´i·er, eas´i·est •adj. 1 that can be done, got, mastered, endured, etc. with ease; not difficult; not exacting 2 free from trouble, anxiety, pain, etc. {an easy life} 3 conducive to comfort or rest; comfortable {an easy chair} 4 fond of comfort, ease, or idleness 5 free from constraint; not stiff, awkward, or embarrassed {an easy manner} 6 not strict, harsh, or severe; lenient {easy terms} 7 readily influenced; compliant or credulous {an easy mark} 8 a) unhurried; not fast {an easy pace} b) not steep; gradual {an easy descent} 9 a) in little demand (said of a commodity) b) lacking firmness in prices (said of a market) c) with funds plentiful and interest rates low (said of a money market) •adv. [Colloq.] 1 easily 2 slowly and carefully easy come, easy go gotten and spent or lost with equal ease: implying a carefree attitude toward money easy does it! be careful! go slowly! etc. Æ easy on the eyes [Colloq.] pleasant to look at; attractive Æ go easy on [Colloq.] 1 to use or consume with restraint {go easy on the paper} 2 to deal with leniently {to go easy on traffic violators} Æ on easy street well-to-do; in easy circumstances take it easy [Colloq.] 1 to refrain from anger, haste, etc. 2 to refrain from hard work; relax; rest Sometimes used as a farewell SYN.—easy is the broadest term here in its application to that which demands little effort or presents little difficulty [easy work]; facile means occurring, moving, working, etc. easily and quickly, sometimes unfavorably suggesting a lack of thoroughness or depth [a facile style]; effortless, in contrast, favorably suggests expert skill or knowledge as responsible for performance that seems to require no effort [ the effortless grace of the skater]; smooth suggests freedom from or riddance of irregularities, obstacles, or difficulties as bringing ease of movement [a smooth path to success]; simple, in this connection, suggests freedom from complication, elaboration, or involvement, as making something easy to understand [a simple explanation] —ANT. hard, difficult [ME esi < OFr aisé, pp. of aisier (& aasié, pp. of aaisier < a- + aisier) < aise: see EASE]

easy chair a stuffed or padded armchair

easy mark [Colloq.] a person easily duped or taken advantage of

easy virtue loose morals; sexual promiscuity {a person of easy virtue}

easygoing (i:´zi: gou'iŋ) •adj. 1 dealing with things in a relaxed manner; not hurried or agitated 2 not strict; lenient

eat (i:t) ate (eit; Brit usually et), eat·en (i:t´ªn), eat´ing •vt. 1 to put (food) in the mouth, chew if necessary, and swallow 2 to use up, devour, destroy, or waste as by eating; consume or ravage: usually with away or up 3 to penetrate and destroy, as acid does; corrode 4 to make by or as by eating {the acid ate holes in the cloth} 5 to bring into a specified condition by eating {to eat oneself sick} 6 [Colloq.] to absorb (a financial loss); accept responsibility for losses resulting from (unsold goods, bad debts, etc.) Æ 7 [Slang] to worry or bother {what's eating him?} 8 [Vulgar Slang] to perform fellatio or cunnilingus on •vi. 1 to eat food; have a meal or meals 2 to destroy or use up something gradually: often with into eat one's words to retract something said earlier Æ eat out 1 to have a meal in a restaurant 2 [Slang] to rebuke severely eat up 1 to consume all of {eat up your broccoli} 2 [Colloq.] to respond to with avid, uncritical interest or delight eat´er •n. [ME eten < OE etan, akin to Ger essen < IE base *ed-, to eat > L edere, Gr edmenai]

eatable (i:t´э bэl) •adj. fit to be eaten; edible •n. a thing fit to be eaten; food: usually used in pl.

eatery (i:t´эr i:) pl. -er·ies •n. [Colloq.] a restaurant [EAT + -ERY]

eating (i:t´iŋ) •n. 1 the action of a person or thing that eats 2 something edible, with reference to its quality as food •adj. 1 that eats or consumes 2 good for eating uncooked {eating apples} 3 used for eating or dining {eating utensils, an eating place}

Eaton (i:t´ªn), Cyrus S(tephen) 1883-1979; U.S. industrialist & financier, born in Canada

eats (i:ts) •n.pl. [Colloq.] things to eat; food; meals

eau (ou) pl. eaux (ou) •n. water [Fr < L aqua, water]

Eau Claire (ou' kler´) city in WC Wis.: pop. 57,000 [Fr, clear water, for the Eau Claire River which flows through the city]

eau de Cologne (ou' dэ kэ loun´) COLOGNE [Fr, lit., water of Cologne: orig. made at Cologne, Germany]

eau de vie (oud vi:´) pl. eaux de vie (oud vi:´) brandy, esp. a clear spirit distilled from fruit other than grapes [Fr, lit., water of life]

eaves (i:vz) •n.pl. sing. eave the lower edge or edges of a roof, usually projecting beyond the sides of a building [orig. sing., ME eves (pl. evesen) < OE efes, edge, border, eaves, akin to ON ups, church porch, OHG obiza, porch < IE *upes- < base *upo-, up from behind > UP¹, L summus]

eavesdrop (i:vz´dräp') •n. [Rare] water that drips from the eaves, or the ground on which it drips •vi. -dropped', -drop'ping to listen secretly to the private conversation of others [prob. back-form. < eavesdropper, lit., one who stands on the eavesdrop to listen] eaves´drop'per •n. [ME evesdrop, altered (after drop, DROP) < OE yfesdrype: see EAVES & DRIP]

ebb (eb) •n. 1 the flow of water back toward the sea, as the tide falls 2 a weakening or lessening; decline {the ebb of faith} •vi. [ME ebben < OE ebbian] 1 to flow back; recede, as the tide 2 to weaken or lessen; decline SYN. WANE [ME ebbe < OE ebba (common LowG, as in MLowG ebbe > Ger ebbe, OFris ebba) < Gmc *abjan, a going back < IE base *apo-, from, away from > OFF]

ebb tide the outgoing or falling tide: cf. FLOOD TIDE

EBCDIC (eb´sэ dik') •n. a standard computer code for the alphanumeric representation of data

Ebenezer (eb'э ni:´zэr) a masculine name [Heb even-haezer, lit., stone of the help: see 1 Sam. 7:12]

Eblis (eb´lis) Muslim Myth. Satan [Ar Iblīs]

EbN east by north

ebon (eb´эn) •adj., n. [Old Poet.] EBONY [ME eban < L ebenus, hebenus < Gr ebenos < Egypt hbny (> Heb hovne)]

ebonite (-э nait') •n. early term for HARD RUBBER [EBON(Y) + -ITE¹]

ebonize (eb´э naiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to blacken with paint or stain so as to make look like ebony

ebony (eb´э ni:) pl. -on·ies •n. 1 the hard, heavy, dark, durable wood of any of various trees, esp. of a group of persimmons native to tropical Africa, Asia, and Sri Lanka: it is used for furniture and decorative woodwork 2 any tree that yields this wood •adj. 1 made of ebony 2 like ebony, esp. in color; dark or black 3 designating a family (Ebenaceae, order Ebenales) of dicotyledonous tropical trees and shrubs, including the persimmon [ME ebenif < LL(Ec) ebenius < ebenus: see EBON]

Eboracum (i bör´э kэm) ancient name of YORK: chief city of the Roman province of Britain

Ebro (ei´břô; E i:´brou) river in N Spain, flowing southeast into the Mediterranean: c. 575 mi. (925 km)

EbS east by south

ebullient (i bul´yэnt, -bûl´-) •adj. 1 bubbling; boiling 2 overflowing with enthusiasm, high spirits, etc.; exuberant e·bul´lience or e·bul´lien·cy •n. e·bul´lient·ly •adv. [L ebulliens, prp. of ebullire, to boil up < e-, out + bullire, BOIL¹]

ebullition (eb'э lish´эn, eb'yu:-) •n. 1 a boiling or bubbling up; effervescence 2 a sudden outburst, as of some emotion [ME ebullitioun < LL ebullitio < pp. of ebullire: see EBULLIENT]

eburnation (i:'bэr nei´shэn, eb'эr-) •n. an abnormal condition of bone or cartilage in which it becomes very dense and smooth like ivory [< L eburnus, of ivory (< ebur, IVORY) + -ATION]

EC European Community Ec 1 Bible Ecclesiastes 2 Ecuador

ec- (ek, ik) prefix EX-¹ (sense 1): used before c or s {eccentric}

Ecbatana (ek bæt´ªn э) capital of ancient Media, on the site of modern HAMADAN (Iran)

ecbolic (ek bäl´ik) •adj. helping to bring forth the fetus in birth, or causing abortion, by contracting the uterus: said of certain drugs •n. an ecbolic drug [Gr ekbolē, a throwing out < ek-, out + ballein, to throw (see BALL²) + -IC]

ecce (ek´si:, ek´ei; Eccles. et´chei) •interj. behold! lo! see! [L]

ecce homo (et´chei hou´mou) a picture or statue of Jesus wearing the crown of thorns [L, behold the man: the Vulgate version of Pilate's words when he presented Jesus to the populace before the Crucifixion: John 19:5]

eccentric (эk sen´trik, ik-) •adj. 1 not having the same center, as two circles one inside the other: opposed to CONCENTRIC: see CONCENTRIC, illus. 2 not having the axis exactly in the center; off-center {an eccentric wheel} 3 not exactly circular in shape or motion 4 deviating from the norm, as in conduct; out of the ordinary; odd; unconventional •n. 1 a disk set off center on a shaft and revolving inside a strap that is attached to one end of a rod, thereby converting the circular motion of the shaft into back-and-forth motion of the rod 2 an odd or unconventional person ec·cen´tri·cal·ly •adv. [ME eccentrik < ML eccentricus < LL eccentros, out of the center, eccentric < Gr ekkentros < ek-, out of (see EX-¹) + kentron, CENTER]

eccentricity (ek'sen tris´э ti:, -sэn-) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state, quality, or amount of being eccentric 2 deviation from what is ordinary or customary, as in conduct or manner; oddity; unconventionality 3 Math. the ratio of the distances from any point of a conic section to the focus and to the directrix: the value of this ratio determines the type of conic section (zero = circle, between zero and one = ellipse, one = parabola, more than one = hyperbola) 4 Mech. the distance between the center of a shaft and the center of its eccentric wheel: sometimes, erroneously, called a throw SYN. IDIOSYNCRASY [see ECCENTRIC]

ecchymosis (ek'i mou´sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. Med. 1 an oozing of blood from a blood vessel into the tissues as the result of contusions or disease 2 a black-and-blue or yellowish mark caused by this ec'chy·mot´ic (-mät´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr ekchymōsis < ekchymousthai, to pour out, extravasate < ek-, out of (see EX-¹) + cheein, to pour: see FOUND²]

Eccl or Eccles Bible Ecclesiastes eccl or eccles 1 ecclesiastic 2 ecclesiastical Eccl or Eccles Bible Ecclesiastes eccl or eccles 1 ecclesiastic 2 ecclesiastical

Eccles (ek´эlz), John Ca·rew (kэ ru:´) 1903- ; Brit. neurobiologist, born in Australia

ecclesia (e kli:´zi: э, -klei´-; i-) pl. -si·ae' (-i:') •n. 1 in ancient Greek states, a political assembly of citizens 2 Eccles. a) the members of a church b) a church building [L, assembly, in LL(Ec), assembly of Christians < Gr ekklēsia, assembly (in N.T., the church as a body of Christians) < ekklētos, summoned < ekkalein, to summon < ek-, out (see EX-²) + kalein, to call (see CLAMOR)]

Ecclesiastes (e kli:'zi: æs´ti:z', i-) Bible a book of teachings, written as though by Solomon: abbrev. Eccles, Eccl, or Ec [LL(Ec) < Gr ekklēsiastēs, member of an ecclesia (see ECCLESIA) used in LXX for Heb kohelet, he who calls together an assembly < kahal, assembly]

ecclesiastic (e kli:'zi: æs´tik, i-) •adj. ECCLESIASTICAL •n. a Christian member of the clergy [LL(Ec) ecclesiasticus < Gr ekklēsiastikos: see ECCLESIA]

ecclesiastical (-ti kэl) •adj. 1 of the church, the organization of the church, or the clergy 2 used chiefly in early writings relating to Christianity {ecclesiastical Latin (or Greek)} ec·cle'si·as´ti·cal·ly •adv. [ME: see ECCLESIASTIC & -AL]

ecclesiasticism (-tэ siz'эm) •n. 1 ecclesiastical principles, rituals, customs, etc. 2 strong attachment to these things

Ecclesiasticus (e kli:'zi: æs´ti kэs, i-) a book of proverbs in the Old Testament Apocrypha and the Douay Bible: abbrev. Ecclus [LL(Ec), short for ecclesiasticus liber, lit., the church book (see ECCLESIASTIC): from its frequent use for catechetical teaching]

ecclesiology (e kli:'zi: äl´э ji:, i-) •n. the study of church architecture, art, etc. [< ECCLESIA + -LOGY]

Ecclus Bible Ecclesiasticus

eccrine (ek´rin, -rain', -ri:n') •adj. designating or of the common sweat glands of the human body that secrete the clear, watery sweat important in heat regulation: see APOCRINE [< Gr ekkrinein, to separate, secrete: see EX-¹ & ENDOCRINE]

ecdysiast (ek diz´i: æst') •n. a stripteaser [coined (1940) by H(enry) L(ouis) MENCKEN < fol. + -ast, one occupied with (< ME -aste < L -astes < Gr -astēs)]

ecdysis (ek´dэ sis) •n. Zool. the shedding of an outer layer of skin or integument, as by snakes or insects [ModL < Gr ekdysis, a getting out, stripping < ekdyein, to strip off < ek-, out of + dyein, to enter]

ecdysone (ek´dэ soun') •n. a hormone produced in the prothoracic glands of insects or in similar glands in crustaceans, for stimulating growth and the molting of the exoskeleton [prec. + -ONE]

ecesis (i: si:´sis) •n. the successful establishment of a plant or animal in a new locality [< Gr oikēsis, act of dwelling, residence < oikein, to inhabit < oikos, house (see ECO-) + -sis, fem. suffix of action]

ECG electrocardiogram

echelon (esh´э län') •n. 1 a) a steplike formation of ships or troops, in which each unit is slightly to the left or right of the one preceding it b) a similar formation of aircraft with each step at a higher or lower level 2 any of the units in such a formation 3 a subdivision of a military force, according to position [rear echelon] or to function [command echelon] 4 a) any of the levels of responsibility or importance in an organization b) the persons at one of these levels •vt., vi. to assemble, or assume position, in echelon [Fr échelon, ladder rung < échelle < OFr eschelle < L scala, ladder: see SCALE¹]

echeveria (ech'э vir´i: э, ek'-) •n. any of a large genus (Echeveria) of tropical American plants of the orpine family, with dense rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves [ModL, after Echeveri, Mex illustrator of 19th-c. botanical works]

echidna (i: kid´nэ) •n. any of a family (Tachyglossidae) of small, toothless Australasian monotremes with a long, tapering snout and a sticky, extensible tongue; spiny anteater [ModL < L, adder, viper < Gr, ult. < IE base *eGhi-, snake > Ger egel, leech]

echinate (ek´i neit', e kai´nit) •adj. covered with prickles; prickly; bristling, as a porcupine Also ech´i·nat'ed [L echinatus < echinus, ECHINUS]

echino- (i: kai´nou, -nэ; ek´i nou, -nэ) combining form prickly, spiny {echinoderm} Also, before a vowel, e·chin- [< Gr echinos, sea urchin, hedgehog: see ECHINUS]

echinococcus (i: kai'nou käk´эs, ek'i nou-) •n. any of a genus (Echinococcus) of tapeworms that cause disease in mammals: see HYDATID [ModL < prec. + -COCCUS]

echinoderm (i: kai´nou dørm', ek´i nou-) •n. any of a phylum (Echinodermata) of marine animals with a water-vascular system, and usually with a hard, spiny skeleton and radial body, including the starfishes and sea urchins e·chi'no·der´ma·tous (-dør´mэ tэs) •adj. [< ModL Echinodermata: see ECHINO- & -DERM]

echinoid (i: kai´noid', ek´э-) •adj. of or like a sea urchin •n. any of a class (Echinoidea) of echinoderms, including the sea urchins and sand dollars [ECHIN(O)- + -OID]

echinus (i: kai´nэs) pl. e·chi´ni' (-nai') •n. 1 SEA URCHIN 2 Archit. a) molding under the abacus of the capital of a Doric column b) any of several similar moldings [L < Gr echinos < IE *eGhinos, of snakes < base *eGhi-, snake]

echo (ek´ou) pl. -oes •n. 1 a) the repetition of a sound by reflection of sound waves from a surface b) a sound so produced 2 a) any repetition or imitation of the words, style, ideas, etc. of another b) a person who thus repeats or imitates 3 sympathetic response 4 Electronics a radar wave reflected from an object, appearing as a spot of light on a radarscope 5 Music a) a soft repetition of a phrase b) an organ stop for producing the effect of echo 6 Radio, TV the reception of two similar and almost simultaneous signals due to the reflection of one of them from the E layer in transmission •vi. -oed, -o·ing 1 to resound with an echo; reverberate 2 to be repeated as or like an echo •vt. 1 a) to repeat (another's words, ideas, etc.) b) to repeat the words, etc. of (another person) 2 to repeat or reflect (sound) from a surface [E-] Gr. Myth. a nymph who, because of her unreturned love for Narcissus, pines away until only her voice remains ech·o·ey (ek´ou i:') •adj. [ME ecco < L echo < Gr ēchō < IE base *(s)waGh-, var. of *wag-, to cry out > L vagire, OE swogan, to sound, roar]

echo chamber a room used in recording and broadcasting to increase resonance, produce echo effects, etc.

echo sounding the determining of depth of water by means of a device (echo sounder) that measures the time required for a sound wave to be reflected from the bottom: a similar process (echo ranging) is used to measure the distance to an underwater object

echo word Linguis. a word that is ECHOIC (sense 2), or onomatopoeic

echocardiography (ek'ou kär'di: äg´rэ fi:) pl. -phies a technique for examining the internal structure of the heart, using reflections from high-frequency sound waves to form a picture or display (echocardiogram) •n. ech'o·car'di·o·graph´ic (-di: э græf´ik) •adj. ech'o·car'di·ol´o·gy (-di: äl´э ji:) •n.

echogram (ek´ou græm') •n. a display or record produced on an oscilloscope by the reflection of ultrasonic waves from tissue: by using this procedure, the abnormal tissue structures can be distinguished from the healthy tissue [ECHO + -GRAM]

echoic (e kou´ik) •adj. 1 having the nature of an echo 2 imitative in sound; onomatopoeic: a term used, as in the etymologies of this dictionary, to indicate that a word, as TINKLE, is formed in approximate imitation of some sound ech·o·ism (ek´ou iz'эm) •n.

echolalia (ek'ou lei´li: э) •n. the automatic repetition by someone of words spoken in his or her presence, esp. as a symptom of mental disorder [ModL < echo (see ECHO) + -lalia, speech defect < Gr lalia, speech < lalein, to talk, prattle < redupl. of IE echoic *la- (as in L lallare, Ger lallen, to lull)]

echolocation (ek´ou lou kei'shэn) •n. the determination, as by a bat, of the position of an object by the emission of sound waves which are reflected back to the sender as echoes ech´o·lo'cate', -cat'ed, -cat'ing, •vt., vi.

echt (eHt) •adj. genuine; real; authentic [Ger]

Eck (ek), Jo·hann Mai·er von (you´hän' mai´эř fôn) 1486-1543; Ger. Catholic theologian

Eckhart (ek´häřt'), Jo·han·nes (yô hän´эs) c. 1260-c. 1327; Ger. theologian & mystic: called Meister Eckhart

éclair (ei kler´; also i-, i:-) •n. a small, oblong pastry shell filled with flavored custard or whipped cream and covered with frosting [Fr, lit., a flash, lightning]

éclaircissement (ei kleř si:s mäñ´) •n. a clearing up, as of a disputed or difficult point; clarification [Fr < éclaircir, to clear up < OFr esclarcir < Vl *exclaricire < L ex-, intens. + claricare, to gleam < clarus, CLEAR]

eclampsia (ek læmp´si: э) •n. an attack of convulsions; specif., a disorder that may occur late in pregnancy, characterized by convulsions, edema, and elevated blood pressure [ModL < Gr eklampsis, a shining forth < ek-, out + lampein, to shine: see LAMP]

éclat (ei klä´; also i-, i:-) •n. 1 brilliant or conspicuous success 2 dazzling display; striking effect 3 approval; acclaim 4 fame; renown [Fr, noise, clap, splendor < éclater, to burst (out), shine, prob. < Gmc base seen in Langobardic slaitan, to tear, split, akin to SLIT]

eclectic (ek lek´tik) •adj. 1 selecting from various systems, doctrines, or sources 2 composed of material gathered from various sources, systems, etc. •n. a person who uses eclectic methods in philosophy, science, or art ec·lec´ti·cal·ly •adv. [Gr eklektikos < eklegein, to select, pick out < ek-, out + legein, to choose, pick: see LOGIC]

eclecticism (ek lek´tэ siz'эm) •n. 1 an eclectic method or system of thought 2 the using or upholding of such a method or system

eclipse (i klips´, i:-) •n. 1 the partial or total obscuring of one celestial body by another, esp. of the sun when the moon comes between it and the earth (called solar eclipse), or of the moon when the earth's shadow is cast upon it (called lunar eclipse) 2 any overshadowing or cutting off of light 3 a dimming or extinction, as of fame or glory •vt. e·clipsed´, e·clips´ing [ME eclipsen] 1 to cause an eclipse of; darken or obscure 2 to make seem less brilliant, famous, etc.; overshadow; outshine; surpass [ME < OFr < L eclipsis < Gr ekleipsis, an abandoning, eclipse < ekleipein, to leave out, fail < ek-, out + leipein, to leave < IE base *leikw-, to leave > LOAN, L linquere]

ecliptic (i klip´tik, i:-) •n. 1 the great circle on the celestial sphere intersecting the celestial equator at about 23½° and representing the changing position of the sun with respect to the background stars, as seen from the orbiting earth during one year 2 the plane of the earth's orbit extended infinitely •adj. of eclipses or the ecliptic [ME ecliptik < ML ecliptica < LL (linea) ecliptica < Gr ekleiptikos, of an eclipse]

eclogue (ek´lög') •n. a short, usually pastoral, poem, often in the form of a dialogue between two shepherds [ME eclog < L ecloga, a short poem (esp. one of the Eclogae, bucolic poems of Virgil) < Gr eklogē, selection, esp. of poems < eklegein: see ECLECTIC]

eclosion (i: klou´zhэn) •n. the emergence of an insect from its egg or from the pupal case [Fr éclosion < éclore, to hatch, be hatched < OFr esclore < VL *exclaudere, to hatch out, altered (as if < L ex- + claudere, to CLOSE²) < L excludere to hatch, drive out, EXCLUDE]

eco- (ek´ou, ek´э; i:´kou, i:´kэ) combining form environment or habitat {ecotype} [LL oeco- < Gr oiko- < oikos, house: < IE base *weio, house, settlement > OE wic, house, village, L vicus, group of houses, villa, country house, farm]

ecocide (ek´ou said', i:´kou-) •n. the destruction of the environment or of ecosystems, as by the use of defoliants or the emission of pollutants ec'o·ci´dal •adj. [prec. + -CIDE]

ecol 1 ecological 2 ecology

école (ei kôl´) •n. school [Fr < L schola]

ecology (i: käl´э ji:) •n. 1 a) the branch of biology that deals with the relations between living organisms and their environment b) the complex of relations between a specific organism and its environment 2 Sociology the study of the relationship and adjustment of human groups to their geographical and social environments ec·o·log·i·cal (ek'э läj´i kэl, i:'kэ-) or ec'o·log´ic •adj. e·col´o·gist •n. [Ger ökologie < Gr oikos (see ECO-) + -logia, -LOGY]

econ 1 economic 2 economics 3 economy

econometrics (i: kän'э me´triks', i-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the use of mathematical and statistical methods in the field of economics to verify and develop economic theories e·con'o·met´ric •adj. e·con'o·me·tri´cian (-mэ trish´эn) •n. [ECONO(MY) + METRICS]

economic (ek'э näm´ik, i:'kэ-) •adj. 1 of or having to do with the management of the income, expenditures, etc. of a household, business, community, or government 2 of or having to do with the production, distribution, and consumption of wealth 3 of or having to do with economics 4 of or having to do with the satisfaction of the material needs of people {economic biology} 5 [Archaic] economical [L oeconomicus < Gr oikonomia: see ECONOMY]

economic geography the branch of geography that deals with the relation of economic conditions to physical geography and natural resources

economical (-i kэl) •adj. 1 not wasting money, time, fuel, etc.; thrifty {an economical person, an economical stove} 2 expressed or done with economy, using few lines, words, etc. {an economical style} 3 of economics; economic SYN. THRIFTY ec'o·nom´i·cal·ly •adv.

economics (ek'э näm´iks, i:'kэ-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] 1 the science that deals with the production, distribution, and consumption of wealth, and with the various related problems of labor, finance, taxation, etc. 2 economic factors

economies of scale circumstances, conditions, etc. which encourage mass production of a commodity by lowering its unit cost as greater quantities are produced

economist (i kän´э mist, i:-) •n. 1 a specialist in economics 2 [Archaic] an economical or thrifty person

economize (i kän´э maiz', i:-) -mized', -miz'ing •vi. to avoid waste or needless expenditure; reduce expenses •vt. to manage or use with thrift e·con´o·miz'er •n.

economy (i kän´э mi:, i:-) pl. -mies •n. 1 the management of the income, expenditures, etc. of a household, business, community, or government 2 a) careful management of wealth, resources, etc.; avoidance of waste by careful planning and use; thrift or thrifty use b) restrained or efficient use of one's materials, technique, etc., esp. by an artist c) an instance of such management or use, or a way of economizing 3 an orderly management or arrangement of parts; organization or system {the economy of the human body} 4 a) a system of producing, distributing, and consuming wealth b) the condition of such a system {a healthy economy} •adj. 1 costing less than the standard or traditional kind {an economy car, an economy flight} 2 providing more of a product at a lower unit price {an economy package} [L oeconomia < Gr oikonomia, management of a household or state, public revenue < oikonomos, manager < oikos, house (see ECO-) + -nomia, -NOMY]

ECOSOC Economic and Social Council (of the UN)

ecospecies (ek´ou spi:´shi:z', i:´kou-) •n. a biological species, distinguished from its close relatives, with which it can interbreed, by its adaptations to its particular environment e'co·spe·cif´ic •adj. [ECO- + SPECIES]

ecosphere (-sfir') •n. the zone of the earth, a planet, a star, etc. which contains or is theoretically capable of containing living organisms; specif., the BIOSPHERE [ECO- + SPHERE]

ecosystem (-sis'tэm) •n. a system made up of a community of animals, plants, and bacteria interrelated together with its physical and chemical environment [ECO- + SYSTEM]

ecotone (-toun') •n. a transitional zone between two adjacent communities, containing species characteristic of both as well as other species occurring only within the zone [< ECO- + Gr tonos, a stretching: see TONE]

ecotype (-taip') •n. a group, or race, within a species, having unique physical characteristics genetically adapted to particular environmental conditions ec'o·typ´ic (-tip´ik) •adj. ec'o·typ´i·cal·ly •adv. [ECO- + TYPE]

écraseur (ei křä zëř´) •n. a surgical instrument consisting of a looped wire or cord, gradually tightened about a part so as to cut it off [Fr < écraser, to crush]

ecru (ek´ru:', ei´kru:') •adj., n. light tan; beige [Fr écru, unbleached, raw < OFr escru < es- (L ex-), intens. + cru, raw < L crudus (see CRUDE): in reference to the color of unbleached linen]

ECSC European Coal and Steel Community

ecstasy (ek´stэ si:) pl. -sies •n. 1 a state of being overpowered by emotion, as by joy, grief, or passion {an ecstasy of delight} 2 a feeling of overpowering joy; great delight; rapture 3 a trance, esp. one resulting from religious fervor SYN.—ecstasy implies extreme emotional exaltation, now usually intense delight, that overpowers the senses and lifts one into a trancelike state; bliss implies a state of great happiness and contentment, often suggesting heavenly joy; rapture now generally suggests the mental exaltation experienced when one's entire attention is captured by something that evokes great joy or pleasure; transport implies a being carried away by any powerful emotion [ME & OFr extasie < LL(Ec) ecstasis < Gr ekstasis, a being put out of its place, distraction, trance < ek-, out + histanai, to set: see STAND]

ecstatic (ek stæt´ik, ik-) •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, or characterized by ecstasy 2 causing, or caused by, ecstasy 3 subject to ecstasy ec·stat´i·cal·ly •adv. [ML ecstaticus < Gr ekstatikos]

ECT electroconvulsive therapy

ecto- (ek´tou, -tэ) combining form outside, external {ectoderm}: also ect- [ModL < Gr ektos, outside < IE *eGhs-, out > L ex]

ectoblast (ek´tou blæst', -tэ-) •n. EPIBLAST

ectocommensal (-kэ men´sэl) •n. a commensal living on the outer surface of the host organism

ectoderm (ek´tou dørm', -tэ-) •n. 1 the outer layer of cells of an animal embryo, from which the nervous system, skin, hair, teeth, etc. are developed 2 the layer or layers of cells composing the skin, nervous system, etc. in all animals except protozoans and sponges ec'to·der´mal or ec'to·der´mic •adj. [ECTO- + -DERM]

ectogenesis (ek'tou jen´э sis, -tэ-) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. the growth process of embryonic tissue placed in an artificial environment, as a test tube ec'to·ge·net´ic (-jэ net´ik) •adj.

ectogenous (ek täj´э nэs) •adj. that can develop outside the host: said of certain parasitic bacteria: also ec·to·gen·ic (ek'tou jen´ik, -tэ-)

ectomere (ek´tou mir', -tэ-) •n. any of the blastomeres that contribute to the formation of the ectoderm of an embryo ec'to·mer´ic (-mэr´ik) •adj. [ECTO- + -MERE]

ectomorph (-mörf') •n. an ectomorphic individual

ectomorphic (ek'tou mör´fik, -tэ-) •adj. designating or of the slender physical type, characterized by predominance of the structures developed from the ectodermal layer of the embryo, as skin, nerves, brain, and sense organs: cf. ENDOMORPHIC, MESOMORPHIC ec'to·mor´phi·cal·ly •adv. ec´to·mor'phy •n. [ECTO- + -MORPHIC]

-ectomy (ek´tэ mi:) combining form a surgical excision of {appendectomy} [< Gr ektomē, a cutting out < ek-, out + temnein, to cut: see -TOMY]

ectoparasite (ek'tou pær´э sait', -tэ-) •n. any parasite that lives on the outer surface of an animal: opposed to ENDOPARASITE ec'to·par'a·sit´ic (-sit´ik) •adj.

ectopia (ek tou´pi: э) •n. an abnormal position of a body part or organ, esp. at birth ec·top·ic (ek täp´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr ektopos, away from a place < ek-, out of (see EX-¹) + topos, a place (see TOPIC) + ModL -ia, -IA]

ectopic pregnancy a pregnancy with the fertilized ovum developing outside the uterus, as in a Fallopian tube

ectoplasm (ek´tou plæz'эm, -tэ-) •n. 1 the outer layer of the cytoplasm of a cell: distinguished from ENDOPLASM 2 the vaporous, luminous substance believed by spiritualists to emanate from a medium in a trance, or from an object undergoing telekinesis ec'to·plas´mic •adj. [ECTO- + -PLASM]

ectoproct (-präkt') •n. BRYOZOAN ec'to·proc´tan •adj. [< ModL Ectoprocta < ecto- (see ECTO-) + Gr prōktos, anus]

ectosarc (-särk') •n. the ectoplasm of one-celled animals [< ECTO- + Gr sarx (gen. sarkos), flesh]

ectothermal (ek´tou θør´mэl, -tэ-) •adj. COLDBLOODED (sense 1) ec´to·therm' (-θørm') •n. ec´to·ther'my (-θør'mi:) •n.

ectype (ek´taip') •n. a reproduction of an original; copy [L ectypus < Gr ektypos, engraved in relief < ek-, out (see EX-¹) + typos, a figure (see TYPE)]

écu (ei kü´) pl. -cus´ (-kü´) •n. any of various French silver or gold coins, esp. a silver crown of the 17th-18th cent. [Fr < OFr escu < L scutum, a shield]

ECU or ecu (ei ku:´, i:'si:'yu:´) •n. European Currency Unit (a monetary unit of the European Community)

Ecua Ecuador

Ecuador (ek´wэ dör') country on the NW coast of South America: independent since 1830: 109,483 sq. mi. (283,561 sq. km); pop. 9,647,000; cap. Quito Ec'ua·do´re·an, Ec'ua·do´ri·an, or Ec'ua·dor´an •adj., n.

ecumenical (ek'yu: men´i kэl, -yэ-) •adj. 1 general, or universal; esp., of or concerning the Christian church as a whole 2 a) furthering or intended to further the unity or unification of Christian churches b) of or having to do with ecumenism Also ec'u·men´ic ec'u·men´i·cal·ism' •n. ec'u·men´i·cal·ly •adv. [LL oecumenicus < Gr oikoumenikos, of or from the whole world < oikoumenē (gē), the inhabited (world) < oikein, to dwell, inhabit < oikos: see ECO-]

ecumenicism (-i siz'эm) •n. ECUMENISM

ecumenism (ek´yu: mэ niz'эm, -yэ-; often e kyu:´-, i-) •n. 1 the ecumenical movement among Christian churches 2 the principles or practice of promoting cooperation or better understanding among differing religious faiths Also ec·u·me·nic·i·ty (ek'yu: mэ nis´э ti:, -yэ-) ec´u·men·ist •n.

eczema (ek´zэ mэ, -sэ-; eg´zэ-; often ig zi:´-) •n. a noncontagious skin disorder of unknown cause, characterized by inflammation, itching, and the formation of scales ec·zem·a·tous (ek zem´э tэs, -sem´-; eg zem´-) •adj. [ModL < Gr ekzema < ek-, out + zein, to boil: see YEAST]

ed 1 edited (by) 2 a) edition b) editor 3 education ED Department of Education

-ed (ed, id, эd, as a separate syllable, esp. after t or d; d after a voiced sound in the same syllable; t after a voiceless sound in the same syllable) suffix 1 forming the past tense of weak verbs {walked, wanted} [as ending of past tense < ME < OE -ede, -ode, -ade, -de; as ending of past participles and analogous forms < ME < OE -ed, -od, -ad] 2 [< OE -ede] a) forming the past participle of weak verbs b) forming analogous adjectives from nouns and verbs and from adjectives ending in -ate {cultured people, measured cadences; echinated}3 forming adjectives from nouns that is provided with or characterized by {bearded, diseased}

EDA Economic Development Administration

edacious (i: dei´shэs, i-) •adj. voracious; consuming; devouring [< L edax (gen. edacis) < edere, EAT + -IOUS]

edacity (i: dæs´э ti:, i-) •n. the state of being edacious; huge capacity for eating: now humorous [L edacitas]

Edam (cheese) (i:´dэm, -dæm'; ei däm´) a mild, yellow cheese, made in a round mold, usually with a red-paraffin coating [after Edam, town in NW Netherlands, where orig. made]

edaphic (i: dæf´ik, i-) •adj. Ecol. pertaining to the chemical and physical characteristics of the soil, without reference to climate [< Gr edaphos, soil, earth, bottom (prob. < or akin to hedos, seat, chair < IE *sedos- < base *sed-, SIT) + -IC]

EDB (i:'di:'bi:´) •n. a carcinogenic, colorless liquid, BrCH2CH2Br, used as an additive to remove the lead during the burning of leaded gasoline and, formerly, as a fumigant to protect stored food, esp. grain and fruit, from insects, rodents, etc. [e(thylene) d(i)b(romide)]

EdB or Ed.B. Bachelor of Education

EdD or Ed.D. Doctor of Education

Edda (ed´э) either of two early Icelandic literary works: a) the Prose (or Younger) Edda (c. 1230), a summary of Norse mythology with two treatises on skaldic poetry, attributed to Snorri Sturluson b) the Poetic (or Elder) Edda, a collection (made c. 1200) of Old Norse poetry Ed·dic (ed´ik) or Ed·da·ic (e dei´ik, i-) •adj. [ON]

Eddington (ed´iŋ tэn), Sir Arthur Stanley 1882-1944; Eng. astronomer & astrophysicist

eddo (ed´ou) pl. -does •n. the edible corm of the taro [prob. < native name in W Afr]

Eddy (ed´i:), Mary Baker (born Mary Morse Baker) 1821- 1910; U.S. founder of Christian Science eddy (ed´i:) pl. -dies •n. 1 a current of air, water, etc. moving against the main current and with a circular motion; little whirlpool or whirlwind 2 a contrary movement or trend, limited in importance or effect •vi. -died, -dy·ing to move with a circular motion against the main current; move in an eddy [ME ydy, prob. < ON itha, an eddy, whirlpool < IE base *eti, and, furthermore > L et]

Eddystone Light (ed´i stэn) lighthouse on dangerous rocks (Eddystone Rocks) just off the SE coast of Cornwall, in the English Channel

Ede (ei´dэ) city in central Netherlands: pop. 88,000

edelweiss (ei´dэl vais', eid´ªl-) •n. a small, flowering plant (Leontopodium alpinum) of the composite family, native to the high mountains of Europe and central Asia, esp. the Alps, with leaves and petal-like bracts that are white and woolly [Ger < edel, noble, precious + weiss, WHITE]

edema (i: di:´mэ, i-) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. 1 an abnormal accumulation of fluid in cells, tissues, or cavities of the body, resulting in swelling 2 a similar swelling in plant cells or tissues e·dem·a·tous (i: dem´э tэs, i-) •adj. [ModL < Gr oidēma, a swelling, tumor < IE base *oid-, to swell > OE ator, poison]

Eden (i:d´ªn) Bible the garden where Adam and Eve first lived; Paradise: Gen. 2:8 •n. any delightful place or state; a paradise E·den´ic or e·den·ic (i: den´ik) •adj. Etymology [LL < Heb, lit., delight] Eden (i:d´ªn), (Robert) Anthony Earl of Avon 1897-1977; Brit. statesman: prime minister (1955-57)

edentate (i: den´teit', i-) •adj. 1 without teeth 2 of the edentates •n. any of an order (Edentata) of mammals having only molars or no teeth at all, as the sloths, armadillos, and anteaters [ModL edentatus < L, pp. of edentare, to render toothless < e-, out + dens (gen. dentis), TOOTH + -ATE¹]

edentulous (i: den´tyu: lэs, i-; -den´chэ-) •adj. without teeth [L edentulus < e-, out + dens, TOOTH]

Edessa (i: des´э; i-) ancient city in NW Mesopotamia, on the site of modern URFA (Turkey)

Edgar (ed´gэr) a masculine name: dim. Ed, Ned •n. any of the statuettes awarded annually in the U.S. for the best mystery novel, short story, etc. [after Edgar Allan Poe] [OE Eadgar < ead, riches, prosperity, happiness (< Gmc *autha- > Goth audags, fortunate, OHG ot, wealth) + gar, a spear: see GORE³]

edge (ej) •n. 1 the thin, sharp, cutting part of a blade 2 the quality of being sharp or keen 3 the projecting ledge or brink, as of a cliff 4 the part farthest from the middle; line where something begins or ends; border, or part nearest the border; margin 5 the verge or brink, as of a condition 6 Geom. a line or line segment at which two plane surfaces meet Æ 7 [Colloq.] advantage {you have the edge on me} •vt. edged, edg´ing 1 a) to form or put an edge on; provide an edge for b) to trim the edge of 2 to make (one's way) sideways, as through a crowd 3 to move gradually or cautiously 4 [Colloq.] to defeat in a contest by a narrow margin: often with out Æ 5 Skiing to tilt (a ski) so that one edge bites into the snow, as in traversing a slope •vi. 1 to move sideways 2 to move gradually or cautiously {to edge away from danger} SYN. BORDER on edge 1 so tense or nervous as to be easily upset; irritable 2 eager; impatient set someone's teeth on edge 1 to give a sensation of tingling discomfort, as the sound of a fingernail scraped on a slate does 2 to irritate; provoke take the edge off to dull the intensity, force, or pleasure of edg´er •n. [ME egge < OE ecg, akin to ON egg, Ger ecke, corner < IE base *ak-, sharp: see ACID]

edge species Ecol. a species of animal or plant living primarily in an ecotone

edge tool a tool with a cutting edge, as a chisel

edgeways (ej´weiz') •adv. with the edge foremost; on, by, with, or toward the edge Also edge´wise' (-waiz') get a word in edgeways to manage to say something in a conversation being monopolized by another or others

Edgeworth (ej´wэrθ), Maria 1767-1849; Ir. novelist, born in England

edging (ej´iŋ) •n. something forming an edge or placed along the edge; fringe, trimming, etc. for a border

edgy (ej´i:) edg´i·er, edg´i·est •adj. 1 having an edge or edges; sharp 2 irritable; on edge 3 having outlines that are too sharp: said of drawings, paintings, etc. edg´i·ly •adv. edg´i·ness •n.

edh (eð) •n. name of: 1 a letter of the Old English alphabet (ð, Ð), a modification of Roman d, D, used to represent the voiced or voiceless interdental fricative: in Middle English orthography it was replaced by th 2 the lowercase form of this letter as used in some phonetic alphabets, as the IPA, to represent the voiced interdental fricative (ð)

edible (ed´э bэl) •adj. fit to be eaten •n. anything fit to be eaten; food: usually used in pl. ed'i·bil´i·ty (-bil´э ti:) or ed´i·ble·ness •n. [LL edibilis < L edere, EAT]