errancy (er´эn si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 the state or an instance of erring 2 a tendency to err [LL errantia < L errans, prp. of errare, ERR]

errand (er´эnd) •n. 1 a trip to carry a message or do a definite thing, often esp. for someone else 2 the thing to be done on such a trip; purpose or object for which one goes or is sent Etymology [ME erende < OE ærende, message, mission, news, lit., that delivered by messenger < base of ar, messenger; akin to OS ārundi, OHG ārunti]

errant (er´эnt) •adj. 1 roving or wandering, esp. in search of adventure; itinerant {a knight-errant} 2 a) erring or straying from what is right or the right course [OFr, prp. of errer (see ERR), confused with errer, to rove, travel] b) shifting about {an errant wind}3 obs. sp. of ARRANT er´rant·ly •adv. [ME erraunt < OFr errant, prp. of errer < ML iterare, to travel < L iter, a journey: see ITINERANT]

errantry (er´эn tri:) •n. the condition or behavior of a knight-errant; spirit or deeds of chivalry

errata (er rei´tэ, -rät´э) •n. 1 pl. of ERRATUM 2 a list of errors with their corrections, inserted on a separate page (errata page) of a published work

erratic (er ræt´ik; e ræt´-, i-) •adj. 1 having no fixed course or purpose; irregular; random; wandering 2 deviating from the normal, conventional, or customary course; eccentric; queer 3 Geol. designating a boulder or rock formation transported some distance from its original source, as by a glacier •n. an erratic person er·rat´i·cal·ly •adv. [ME erratik < OFr erratique < L erraticus, wandering < pp. of errare: see ERR]

erratum (er reit´эm, -rät´-) pl. -ta (-э) •n. an error discovered in a work already printed: see ERRATA [L, neut. of erratus < pp. of errare: see ERR]

Errol (er´эl) a masculine name

erroneous (эr rou´ni: эs; e rou´-, i-) •adj. containing or based on error; mistaken; wrong er·ro´ne·ous·ly •adv. [ME < L erroneus, wandering about < errare: see ERR]

error (er´эr) •n. 1 the state of believing what is untrue, incorrect, or wrong 2 a wrong belief; incorrect opinion 3 something incorrectly done through ignorance or carelessness; mistake 4 a departure from the accepted moral code; transgression; wrongdoing; sin 5 a) the difference between a computed or estimated result and the actual value, as in mathematics b) the amount by which something deviates from what is required Æ 6 Baseball any misplay in fielding a ball which, properly played, should have resulted in an out, but permits a runner to advance 7 Law a mistake in judgment or procedure of a court of record, usually prejudicial to one of the parties 8 Philately a flaw in a stamp or stamps from a defect in a printing plate, a difference in color, etc. er´ror·less •adj. SYN.—error implies deviation from truth, accuracy, correctness, right, etc. and is the broadest term in this comparison [an error in judgment, in computation, etc.]; mistake suggests an error resulting from carelessness, inattention, misunderstanding, etc. and does not in itself carry a strong implication of criticism [ a mistake in reading a blueprint]; blunder implies stupidity, clumsiness, inefficiency, etc. and carries a suggestion of more severe criticism [a tactical blunder cost them the war]; a slip is a mistake, usually slight, made inadvertently in speaking or writing; a faux pas is a social blunder or error in etiquette that causes embarrassment; boner and booboo, slang terms, are applied to a silly or ridiculous blunder [ME & OFr errour < L error < errare: see ERR]

ersatz (er´zäts', er zäts´) •n., adj. substitute or synthetic: the word usually suggests inferior quality SYN. ARTIFICIAL [Ger, lit., replacement < ersetzen, to replace < er- (< OHG ir-, re-) + setzen, to place, SET]

Erse (ørs) •n., adj. GAELIC (n. 1 & adj. 1) [ME Erish, var. of Irisc, IRISH]

Erskine (ør´skin) 1 John 1509-91; Scot. religious reformer: called Erskine of Dun 2 John 1695-1768; Scot. jurist: called Erskine of Carnock 3 John 1879-1951; U.S. educator & writer

erst (ørst) •adv. 1 [Obs.] at first; originally 2 [Archaic] formerly •adj. [Obs.] first [ME erest < OE ærest, superl. of ær: see ERE]

erstwhile (ørst´hwail') •adv. [Archaic] some time ago; formerly •adj. of an earlier time; former {my erstwhile friend}

eruct (i: rûkt´) •vt., vi. to belch Also e·ruc´tate' (-eit'), -tat·ed, -tat·ing e·ruc·ta·tion (i:'rûk tei´shэn, i: rûk'-) •n. [L eructare < e-, out + ructare, to belch < IE base *reug- > OE rocettan]

erudite (er´yu: dait', er´u:-; er´yэ-, er´э-) •adj. having or showing a wide knowledge gained from reading; learned; scholarly er´u·dite'ly •adv. [ME erudit < L eruditus, pp. of erudire, to instruct, lit., free from roughness < e-, out + rudis, RUDE]

erudition (er'yu: dish´эn, er'u:-; er'yэ-, er'э-) •n. learning acquired by reading and study; scholarship SYN. INFORMATION [ME erudicioun < L eruditio: see ERUDITE]

erumpent (i: rûm´pэnt) •adj. Bot. bursting out, as certain spores, seeds, etc. [< L erumpens, prp. of erumpere, to burst forth: see ERUPT]

erupt (i: rûpt´, i-) •vi. 1 to burst forth or out, as from some restraint {erupting lava, a riot erupted} 2 to throw forth lava, water, steam, etc., as a volcano or geyser 3 to break out in a rash 4 to break through the gums and become visible: said of new teeth •vt. to cause to burst forth; throw forth; eject e·rupt´i·ble •adj. [< L eruptus, pp. of erumpere, to break out, burst forth < e-, out + rumpere, to break: see RUPTURE]

eruption (i: rûp´shэn, i-) •n. 1 a bursting forth or out, as of lava from a volcano 2 a throwing forth of lava, water, steam, etc. 3 a sudden outburst, as of emotion or social discontent 4 Med. a) a breaking out in a rash b) a rash Etymology [ME erupcioun < L eruptio: see ERUPT]

eruptive (i: rûp´tiv, i-) •adj. 1 erupting or tending to erupt 2 of, produced by, or formed by eruption {eruptive rock} 3 Med. causing or characterized by a skin eruption •n. Geol. a rock thrown out by volcanic eruption e·rup´tive·ly •adv.

Erwin (ør´win) a masculine name: var. Irwin [Ger Erwin, earlier Herwin < OHG hari, host, crowd (akin to OE here: see HARRY) + wini, wine (see EDWIN)]

-ery (эr i:; in a few words er´i:) suffix 1 a place to {tannery, brewery} 2 a place for {nunnery, vinery} 3 the practice, act, or occupation of {surgery, robbery} 4 the product or goods of {pottery, millinery} 5 a collection of {greenery, crockery} 6 the state or condition of {drudgery, slavery} 7 the behavior or qualities of {tomfoolery} [ME -erie < OFr -erie < LL -aria, or by addition of -ie (L -ia) to OFr nouns of agency in -ier]

Erymanthus (er'э mæn´θэs), Mount mountain in the NW Peloponnesus, Greece: 7,297 ft. (2,224 m): in Greek mythology, haunt of a savage boar captured by Hercules Er'y·man´thi·an (-θi: эn) •adj.

eryngo (i: riŋ´gou, i-) pl. -goes •n. 1 any of a genus (Eryngium) of plants of the umbel family, with flowers in dense heads and usually stiff, spiny leaves 2 [Obs.] the candied root of the sea holly, formerly used as an aphrodisiac [via Sp or It eringio < L eryngium < Gr eryngion, dim. of ēryngos, prob. < ear, eros, spring, hence spring flower]

erysipelas (er'i sip´э lэs; also ir'-) •n. an acute infectious disease of the skin or mucous membranes caused by a streptococcus and characterized by local inflammation and fever er'y·si·pel´a·tous (-si pel´э tэs) •adj. [ME erisipela < L erysipelas < Gr < base of erythros, RED + -pelas, akin to L pellis: see FELL4]

erysipeloid (er'i sip´э loid'; also ir'-) •n. an infectious skin disease caused by bacteria (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae) and characterized by red-colored lesions [see ERYSIPELAS & -OID]

erythema (er'i θi:´mэ) •n. an abnormal redness of the skin caused by various agents, as sunlight, drugs, etc., that irritate and congest the capillaries er'y·the´mic (-mik) or er·y·them·a·tous (er'i θem´э tэs, -θi:´mэ-) •adj. [ModL < Gr erythēma < erythainein, to redden, blush < erythros, RED]

erythrism (er´i θriz'эm) •n. unusual redness, esp. of the hair of mammals or the feathers of birds er·y·thris·mal (er'i θriz´mэl) •adj. er'y·thris´tic (-θris´tik) •adj. [ERYTHR(O)- + -ISM]

erythrite (er´i θrait') •n. 1 ERYTHRITOL 2 a hydrous cobalt arsenate, Co3(AsO4)2·8H2O, usually rose-colored, used for painting glass, ceramics, etc. [ERYTHR(O)- + -ITE¹]

erythritol (e riθ´ri töl', -toul') •n. a sweet, colorless crystalline alcohol, CH2OH(CHOH)2CH2OH, obtained from some lichens and algae and by synthesis [< prec. + -OL¹]

erythro- (e riθ´rou, -rэ; i:-, i-) combining form 1 red {erythrocyte} 2 erythrocyte {erythroblast} Also, before a vowel, erythr- [< Gr erythros, RED]

erythroblast (e riθ´rou blæst') •n. a small nucleated cell, found normally in the marrow of bones, from which an erythrocyte develops e·ryth'ro·blas´tic •adj. [prec. + -BLAST]

erythroblastosis (e riθ'rou blæs tou´sis) •n. 1 the appearance of immature, nucleate red blood cells in the circulating blood 2 a disease of the developing fetus and newborn infant, characterized by a hemolytic anemia and jaundice and caused by an incompatibility of blood types between mother and fetus, usually involving the Rh factor: also called erythroblastosis fe·tal·is (fi tæl´is)

erythrocyte (e riθ´rou sait') •n. a mature red blood cell that normally does not have a nucleus: it is a very small, circular disk with both faces concave, and contains hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body tissues e·ryth'ro·cyt´ic (-sit´ik) •adj. [ERYTHRO- + -CYTE]

erythroid (er´i θroid') •adj. 1 reddish in color 2 pertaining to erythrocytes or the primitive cells from which they develop [ERYTHR(O)- + -OID]

erythromycin (e riθ'rou mai´sin) •n. an antibiotic, C37H67NO13, isolated from a soil bacterium (Streptomyces erythreus), used in treating various bacterial diseases [ERYTHRO- + -MYCIN]

erythron (er´i θrän', -θrэn) •n. the red blood cell system as an organic unit, comprising the erythrocytes, their sources of production and destruction, etc. [ModL < Gr erythron, neut. of erythros, RED]

erythropoiesis (e riθ'rou poi i:´sis) •n. the body process of developing red blood cells e·ryth'ro·poi·et´ic (-poi et´ik) •adj. [ModL
erythropoietin (-poi´э tin) •n. a hormone that stimulates erythropoiesis, produced mainly in the kidneys of higher organisms

erythrosine (e riθ´rou sin, -si:n') •n. a sodium or potassium salt, C20H6I4O5Na2, formed from an iodine derivative of fluorescein and used in making food colors, biological stains, etc. [ERYTHRO- + (EO)SIN]

Erzgebirge (eřts´gэ biř'gэ) mountain range along the border of Germany & Czech Republic: highest peak, 4,080 ft. (1,244 m)

Erzurum (er´zэ ru:m') city in NE Turkey: pop. 252,000

Es 1 Chem. symbol for einsteinium 2 Bible Esther

-es (iz, эz, z) suffix 1 forming the plural of some nouns, as fishes {glasses, witches, buzzes} 2 forming the 3d person sing., pres. indic., of certain verbs {he kisses} [ME < Northumbrian OE -s, 3d pers. sing., pres. tense inflection of verbs] [ME < OE -as, pl. inflection of masc. nouns]

es- (es, is, эs) prefix EX-¹ (sense 1): occurs in many words of French origin {escape}

Esau (i:´sö') Bible the son of Isaac and Rebecca, who sold his birthright to his younger twin brother, Jacob: Gen. 25:21-34, 27 [L < Gr Ēsau < Heb esav, lit., hairy]

Esbjerg (es´byer) seaport in SW Jutland, Denmark, on the North Sea: pop. 81,000

escadrille (es´kэ dril'; Fr es kå dři:´yª) •n. a squadron of airplanes, usually six, with their men and equipment, as in the French armed forces of World War I [Fr < Sp escudrilla, dim. of escuadra, squad, orig., square < VL *exquadra: see SQUARE]

escalade (es'kэ leid´) •n. the act of scaling or climbing the walls of a fortified place by ladders •vt. -lad´ed, -lad´ing to climb (a wall, etc.) or enter (a fortified place) by ladders [Fr < It scalata < scalare, to climb < L scala, ladder: see SCALE¹]

escalate (es´kэ leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vi. 1 to rise on or as on an escalator 2 to expand step by step, as from a limited or local conflict into a general, esp. nuclear, war 3 to grow or increase rapidly, often to the point of becoming unmanageable, as prices or wages •vt. to cause to escalate es'ca·la´tion •n. [back-form. < fol.]

escalator (es´kэ leit'эr) •n. 1 a moving stairway consisting of treads linked in an endless belt, used in department stores, subway stations, etc. 2 ESCALATOR CLAUSE [coined as a trademark (1895) < ESCALA(DE) + -tor, as in (ELEVA)TOR]

escalator clause a clause in a contract providing for increases or decreases in wages, prices, etc. based on fluctuations in the cost of living, production costs, etc.

escallonia (es'kэ lou´ni: э) •n. any of a genus (Escallonia) of shrubs of the saxifrage family, with white, pink, or red flowers [ModL, after Escallón, name of a Sp traveler who discovered the shrub in Colombia]

escallop or escalop (e skäl´эp, -skæl´-) •n., vt. SCALLOP [OFr escalope, a shell: see SCALLOP]

escapade (es'kэ peid´, es´kэ peid') •n. 1 [Archaic] an escape from restraint or confinement 2 a reckless adventure or prank [Fr < Sp escapada < escapar, to escape, flee < VL *excappare: see ESCAPE]

escape (e skeip´, i-) -caped´, -cap´ing •vi. 1 to get free; get away; get out; break loose, as from a prison 2 to avoid an illness, accident, pain, etc. {two were injured, but he escaped} 3 to flow, drain, or leak away {gas escaping from a pipe} 4 to slip away; disappear {the image escaped from her memory} 5 Bot. to grow wild, as a plant from a condition of cultivation •vt. 1 to get away from; flee from {to escape pursuers} 2 to manage to keep away from; avoid {to escape punishment} 3 to come from involuntarily or unintentionally {a scream escaped from her lips} 4 to slip away from; be missed, unperceived, or forgotten by {his name escapes me} •n. [ME escap] 1 an act or instance or escaping 2 the state of having escaped 3 a means or way of escape 4 an outward flow or leakage 5 a temporary mental release from reality {movies are her escape} 6 Bot. a garden plant growing wild •adj. 1 giving temporary mental release from reality 2 a) making escape possible {an escape hatch} b) giving a basis for evading or circumventing a claim, responsibility, etc. {an escape clause} es·cap´a·ble •adj. es·cap´er •n. SYN.—escape, as compared here, implies a getting out of, a keeping away from, or simply a remaining unaffected by an impending or present danger, evil, confinement, etc. [to escape death, criticism, etc.]; to avoid is to make a conscious effort to keep clear of something undesirable or harmful [to avoid crowds during a flu epidemic]; to evade is to escape or avoid by artifice, cunning, adroitness, etc. [to evade pursuit, one's duty, etc.]; to elude is to escape the grasp of someone or something by artful or slippery dodges or because of a baffling quality [the criminal eluded the police, the meaning eluded him] [ME escapen < NormFr escaper, var. of eschaper < VL *excappare < L ex-, out of (see EX-¹) + LL cappa, cloak (i.e., leave one's cloak behind)]

escape artist an entertainer, as in vaudeville, who is skilled at escaping from shackles or other confinement

escape mechanism colloq. term for DEFENSE MECHANISM (sense 2)

escape velocity the minimum speed required for a particle, space vehicle, or other body to escape permanently from the gravitational field of a planet, star, etc.: it is c. 11.3 km (c. 7 mi.) per second for escape from the earth

escapee (e skeip´i:', -skeip'i:´; i-; es'keip i:´) •n. a person who has escaped, esp. from confinement

escapement (e skeip´mэnt, i-) •n. 1 [Rare] the action of escaping or a means of escape 2 the part in a mechanical clock or watch that controls the speed and regularity of the balance wheel or pendulum, and thereby of the entire mechanism, by the movement of a notched wheel (escape wheel), one tooth of which is permitted to escape from the detaining catch at a time 3 a ratchet mechanism, esp. one in typewriters that regulates the horizontal movement of the carriage [ESCAPE + -MENT, after Fr échappement]

escapism (e skeip´iz'эm, i-) •n. 1 a tendency to escape from reality, the responsibilities and routine of real life, etc., esp. by unrealistic imaginative activity 2 behavior characterized by this tendency

escapist (-ist) •adj. characterized by, expressing, or catering to escapism •n. a person whose behavior, writing, etc. is escapist

escapologist (es'kei päl´э jist) •n. one who is adept at escaping; escape artist es'cap·ol´o·gy •n.

escargot (es kåř gou´) •n. a snail, esp. an edible variety [Fr]

escarole (es´kэ roul') •n. ENDIVE (sense 1) [Fr < ML escariola < L escarius, pertaining to food < esca, food: see ESCULENT]

escarp (e skärp´) •n., vt. SCARP [Fr n. escarpe < It scarpa: see SCARP]

escarpment (-mэnt) •n. 1 a steep slope or cliff formed by erosion or, less often, by faulting 2 ground formed into a steep slope on the exterior of a fortification See also SCARP [Fr escarpement < escarpe: see ESCARP]

Escaut (es kö´) Fr. name of SCHELDT (River)

-escence (es´эns) suffix forming nouns the process of becoming or beginning {obsolescence} [L -escentia < -escens: see -ESCENT]

-escent (es´эnt) suffix forming adjectives 1 in process of ~ing; starting to be, being, or becoming (as specified) {obsolescent} 2 giving off or reflecting light, or showing a play of color (as specified) {phosphorescent} [L -escens (gen. -escentis), prp. ending of inceptive or inchoative verbs in -escere]

eschalot (esh´э lät', esh'э lät´) •n. SHALLOT [Fr eschallotte: see SHALLOT]

eschar (es´kär', -kэr) •n. a dry scab that forms as a result of a burn or of corrosive action [altered (after L) < ME escare < OFr < LL eschara: see SCAR¹]

escharotic (es'kэ rät´ik) •adj. producing or tending to produce an eschar; corrosive; caustic •n. a corrosive or caustic substance [LL escharoticus < Gr escharōtikos]

eschatology (es'kэ täl´э ji:) •n. the branch of theology, or doctrines, dealing with death, resurrection, judgment, immortality, etc. es·cha·to·log·i·cal (es'kэ tэ läj´i kэl, -kæt'э-) •adj. [< Gr eschatos, furthest (< ex-, out < IE base *eGhs > L ex) + -LOGY]

escheat (es chi:t´) •n. Law 1 the reverting of property to the lord of the manor (in feudal law), to the crown (in England), or to the government (in the U.S.) when there are no legal heirs 2 property so reverting •vt. to cause to escheat; confiscate •vi. to revert or go by escheat es·cheat´a·ble •adj. [ME eschete < OFr, lit., that which falls to one < pp. of escheoir, to fall to one's share < VL *excadere, to fall upon < L ex-, out + cadere, to fall: see CASE¹]

eschew (es chu:´) •vt. to keep away from (something harmful or disliked); shun; avoid; abstain from es·chew´al •n. [ME eschewen < Anglo-Fr eschuer < OFr eschiver < OHG sciuhan, to fear: akin to SHY¹]

Escoffier (es kô fyei´), Au·guste (ô güst´) 1847-1935; Fr. chef & writer on cooking

escolar (es´kэ lär') •n. any of a family (Gempylidae) of large, deep-water, marine percoid fishes [Sp, lit., scholar (< LL scholaris: see SCHOLAR): so named because the rings around the eyes resemble spectacles]

Escondido (es'kэn di:´dou) city in S Calif., near San Diego: pop. 109,000 [Sp, hidden: after nearby Escondido Creek, whose source was difficult to find]

Escorial (es kör´i: эl; Sp es'kô řyäl´) huge quadrangle of granite buildings near Madrid, built (16th cent.) by Philip II of Spain: it encloses a palace, church, monastery, etc. [Sp escorial, lit., place where a mine has been exhausted < escoria < L scoria, dross < Gr skōria, SCORIA]

escort (es´kört'; for v. es kort´, is-) •n. 1 one or more persons (or cars, ships, airplanes, etc.) accompanying another or others to give protection or show honor 2 a man or boy accompanying a woman or girl, as to a party 3 accompaniment by an escort •vt. to go with as an escort; accompany to protect or show honor or courtesy to [Fr escorter < It scortare] SYN. ACCOMPANY [Fr escorte < It scorta < scorgere, to perceive, lead < LL *excorrigere < L ex-, out + corrigere, to set right, CORRECT]

escritoire (es'kri twär´) •n. a writing desk or table; secretary [OFr escriptoire < LL scriptorium, metallic style for writing on wax tablets < pp. of L scribere, to write: see SCRIBE]

escrow (es´krou', es krou´) •n. Law a written agreement or something of value put in the care of a third party and not delivered until certain conditions are fulfilled Æ in escrow Law put in the care of a third party until certain conditions are fulfilled, as a deed, money, etc. [OFr escroue, roll of writings, bond < ML scroda < MDu schrot, piece cut off: see SHRED]

escudo (es ku:´dou; Sp es ku:´ðô; Port ish ku:´du:) pl. -dos •n. 1 any of several obsolete coins of Spain, Portugal, and their former colonies 2 the basic monetary unit of Portugal and Cape Verde: see MONEY, table [Sp & Port, a shield, gold coin < L scutum, shield: so named from the inscription on the obverse]

esculent (es´kyu: lэnt, -kyэ-) •adj. fit for food; edible •n. something fit for food, esp. a vegetable [L esculentus < esca, food < IE *ēdes- < base *ed-, to eat > L edere, EAT]

Escurial (es kyur´i: эl) alt. sp. of ESCORIAL

escutcheon (e skûch´эn, i-) •n. 1 a shield or shield-shaped surface on which a coat of arms is displayed 2 something shaped like an escutcheon; specif., a) a protective, often ornamental shield or plate, as that around a keyhole b) the space on a ship's stern bearing the name a blot on one's escutcheon a stain on one's honor; disgrace to one's reputation [NormFr escuchon < VL *scutio < L scutum, shield < ? IE base *skeu-, to cover > SKY]

Esdraelon (ez'drэ i:´lэn, es'-) plain in N Israel, extending from the Jordan River valley to a coastal plain near Mt. Carmel: also, & in the Bible always, called JEZREEL

Esdras (ez´drэs) either of two books in the Apocrypha about EZRA [Gr Esdras, Ezra]

-ese (i:z, i:s) suffix 1 forming adjectives a) of a country or place {Javanese} b) in the language or dialect of {Cantonese} c) in the style of {Carlylese} 2 forming nouns a) a native or inhabitant of {Portuguese} b) the language or dialect of {Brooklynese} c) the style of or the jargon associated with (often used jocularly or derogatorily to form nonce words) {journalese} [OFr -eis, It -ese < L -ensis]

ESE or ese east-southeast

esemplastic (es'эm plæs´tik) •adj. bringing together or able to bring together different concepts and thoughts into a unified whole {the esemplastic ability of the imagination}

eserine (es´эr i:n', -in) •n. PHYSOSTIGMINE [Fr ésérine < ésér- (prob. < an Afr native term) + -ine, -INE³]

Esfahán (es'fä hæn´) city in WC Iran: cap. of Persia in the 17th cent.: pop. 927,000

Esk Eskimo

esker (es´kэr) •n. a winding, narrow ridge of sand or gravel, probably deposited by a stream flowing in or under glacial ice Also es·kar (es´kär', -kэr) [Ir eiscir, a ridge]

Eskimo (es´kэ mou') •n. 1 pl. -mos' or -mo' a member of a group of native North American peoples thinly scattered in areas extending from Greenland across N Canada and Alaska through the NE tip of Asia: cf. INUIT 2 any of the languages of the Eskimos, belonging to the Eskimo-Aleut language family and including a continuum of dialects called Inupiaq in Alaska, Inuktitut in Canada, and Kalaallisut in Greenland, as well as the Yupik languages •adj. of the Eskimos, their language, or their culture Es'ki·mo´an •adj. [earlier Esquimaw(es), prob. via Fr < Sp esquimao(s) (used by 16th-c. Basque fishermen in Labrador) < Montagnais ayashkimew, lit., ? snowshoe net makers]

Eskimo dog any of several large, strong dogs of the Arctic regions of E Asia and North America, characterized by erect ears, a heavy coat, and a wolflike appearance, used especially for pulling sleds

Eskimo-Aleut (-æl´i: u:t', -æl´yu:t', -э lu:t´) •n. a family of languages including Aleut and the Eskimo languages

Eskişehir (es ki:´she hir') city in WC Turkey: pop. 367,000

ESOP (i:´säp) •n. Employee Stock Ownership Plan: a compensation plan set up by a company and funded with its tax-deductible contributions by which qualified employees accumulate shares of the company's stock

esophagus (i säf´э gэs, i:-) pl. -a·gi' (-jai') •n. the tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach; gullet: see PHARYNX, illus. e·soph·a·ge·al (i säf'э ji:´эl, i:'sэ fæj´i: эl) •adj. [altered (after ML) < ME ysophagus, OFr ysofague < ML oesophagus < Gr oisophagos, lit., passage for food < oisein, fut. inf. of pherein, to carry (see BEAR¹) + phagein, to eat: see -PHAGOUS]

esoteric (es'э ter´ik) •adj. 1 a) intended for or understood by only a chosen few, as an inner group of disciples or initiates (said of ideas, literature, etc.) b) beyond the understanding or knowledge of most people; abstruse 2 confidential; private; withheld {an esoteric plan} Opposed to EXOTERIC es'o·ter´i·cal·ly •adv. [Gr esōterikos < esōteros, inner, compar. of esō, within < es, eis, into]

esoterica (-i kэ) •n.pl. esoteric facts or things

esotropia (es'ou trou´pi: э) •n. a condition in which only one eye fixes on an object while the other turns inward, producing the appearance of cross-eye: cf. EXOTROPIA [ModL < Gr esō, within + ModL -tropia, -TROPY]

ESP (i:'es pi:´) •n. extrasensory perception esp especially

espadrille (es´pэ dril') •n. a kind of shoe for casual wear, with a canvas upper and a sole of twisted rope [Fr, altered by metathesis < espardille < dial. (Gascon) espartilho, dim. < Sp esparto, ESPARTO]

espalier (es pæl´yэr, -yei'; is-) •n. 1 a lattice or trellis on which trees and shrubs are trained to grow flat 2 a plant, tree, etc. so trained •vt. 1 to train as or on an espalier 2 to provide with an espalier [Fr < It spalliera, support for the shoulders < spalla, the shoulder < L spatula: see SPATULA]

España (es pä´nyä) Sp. name of SPAIN

esparto (es pär´tou) •n. either of two kinds of long, coarse grass (Stipa tenacissima or Lygeum spartum) growing in Spain and N Africa, used to make cordage, baskets, shoes, and paper Also esparto grass [Sp < L spartum < Gr sparton, spartos < IE base *sper-, to turn > SPIRAL]

especial (e spesh´эl, i-) •adj. special; particular; outstanding; exceptional SYN. SPECIAL [ME & OFr < L specialis]

especially (-эl i:) •adv. particularly; mainly; to a marked degree; unusually

Esperanto (es'pэ rän´tou, -ræn´-) •n. an invented language for international (chiefly European) use, based on word bases common to the main European languages: it has self-evident parts of speech (all nouns end in -o, all adjectives in -a, etc.), a single and regular conjugation of verbs, a few simplified inflections, etc. [after pseud. of Dr. L. L. Zamenhof, Pol physician who invented the language (1887), lit. (in Esperanto), one who hopes < prp. of esperi, to hope < Romance forms (Fr espérer, Sp esperar, etc.) < L sperare, to hope]

espial (e spai´эl, i-) •n. 1 an espying or being espied; observation 2 discovery 3 [Obs.] a spy [ME espiaille < OFr < espier: see SPY]

espionage (es´pi: э näzh', -näj'; es'pi: э näzh´, -näj´; also es´pi: э nij') •n. 1 the act of spying 2 the use of spies by a government to learn the military secrets of other nations Æ 3 the use of spies in industry or commerce to learn the secrets of other companies [Fr espionnage < espionner, to spy < espion < It spione < spia, spy < Gmc *speha, akin to OHG spehon: see SPY]

Espírito Santo (i spi:´ři: tu sän´tu) state of E Brazil, on the Atlantic: 17,605 sq. mi. (45,597 sq. km); pop. 2,287,000; cap. Vitória

esplanade (es'plэ neid´, -näd´) •n. a level, open space of ground; esp., a public walk or roadway, often along a shore [Fr < It spianata < spianare, to level < L explanare, to level: see EXPLAIN]

Espoo (es´pou) city in S Finland, just west of Helsinki: pop. 153,000

espousal (e spau´zэl, i-) •n. 1 [often pl.] a) a betrothal or betrothal ceremony b) a marriage or wedding 2 an espousing (of some cause, idea, etc.); advocacy [ME espousaile < OFr espousailles (pl.) < L sponsalia < sponsus (fem. sponsa): see SPOUSE]

espouse (e spauz´, i-) -poused´, -pous´ing •vt. 1 to take as a spouse, esp. as a wife; marry 2 to give in marriage 3 to take up, support, or advocate (some cause, idea, etc.) es·pous´er •n. [ME espousen < OFr espouser < LL sponsare < L sponsus: see SPOUSE]

espresso (e spres´ou) pl. -sos •n. coffee prepared in a special machine from finely ground coffee beans, through which steam under high pressure is forced [It (caffè) espresso, pressed-out (coffee), pp. of esprimere, to press out, express < L exprimere: see EXPRESS]

esprit (e spri:´) •n. 1 spirit 2 lively intelligence or wit [Fr]

esprit de corps (e spri:´ dэ kör´) group spirit; sense of pride, honor, etc. shared by those in the same group or undertaking [Fr, lit., spirit of a body (of persons)]

esprit d'escalier (es při: des kå lyei´) clever repartee one thinks of too late

espy (e spai´, i-) -pied´, -py´ing •vt. to catch sight of; make out; spy; descry SYN. SEE¹ [ME espien < OFr espier: see SPY]

Esq or Esqr Esquire

-esque (esk) suffix forming adjectives 1 in the manner or style of {Romanesque} 2 having the quality of; like {statuesque} [Fr < It -esco < Gmc suffix akin to OHG -isc, -ISH]

Esquiline (es´kwэ lain') see SEVEN HILLS OF ROME [L (Mons) esquilinus, after Esquiliae, name of the hill < base akin to colere, to till: see CULT]

Esquimau (es´kэ mou') pl. -maux' (-mou', -mouz') •n.or -mau' archaic sp. of ESKIMO

esquire (es´kwair'; e skwair´, i-) •n. 1 [Historical] a candidate for knighthood, acting as attendant and shield-bearer for a knight; squire 2 in England, a member of the gentry ranking just below a knight 3 [E-] a title of courtesy, usually abbreviated Esq., Esqr., placed after a man's surname and corresponding more ceremoniously to Mr.: in the U.S., now specif. used for lawyers, male and female 4 [Archaic] a landed country gentleman; squire [ME esquier < OFr escuier < LL scutarius, a squire, shield-bearer < L scutum, a shield: see ESCUTCHEON]

ess (es) pl. ess´es •n. 1 the letter S 2 something shaped like an S

-ess (es, is, эs) suffix forming nouns female {lioness} In nouns of agent ending in -tor or -ter, the vowel is usually dropped before adding -ess [actress] As applied to persons, now often avoided as patronizing or discriminatory [poetess, Negress] [ME -esse, -isse < OFr -esse < LL -issa < Gr]

essay (e sei´; for n. 1 usually, & for n. 2 always, es´ei) •vt. 1 to test the nature or quality of; try out 2 to try; attempt •n. [OFr essai < LL exagium] 1 a) a trying or testing b) an attempt; trial 2 a short literary composition of an analytical, interpretive, or reflective kind, dealing with its subject in a nontechnical, limited, often unsystematic way and, usually, expressive of the author's outlook and personality 3 a proposed design for a new postage stamp or piece of paper money SYN. TRY es·say´er •n. [OFr essayer < VL *exagiare < LL exagium, a weight, weighing < ex-, out of + agere, to do: see ACT]

essayist (es´ei ist) •n. one who writes essays

essayistic (es'ei is´tic) •adj. having the style or tone of an essay

esse (es´i:, -ei) •n. being; existence; essence [L, to be]

Essen (es´ªn) city in W Germany, in the Ruhr valley, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia: pop. 629,000

essence (es´эns) •n. 1 something that is, or exists; entity 2 that which makes something what it is; intrinsic, fundamental nature or most important quality (of something); essential being 3 a) a substance that keeps, in concentrated form, the flavor, fragrance, or other properties of the plant, drug, food, etc. from which it is extracted; essential oil b) a solution of such a substance or oil in alcohol c) a perfume 4 Philos. a) the inward nature of anything, underlying its manifestations; true substance b) the indispensable conceptual characteristics and relations of anything in essence essentially of the essence of the greatest importance [ME < OFr & L essentia < esse, to be: for IE base see IS]

Essene (es´i:n', e si:n´) •n. a member of an ancient Jewish sect of ascetics and mystics, which existed from the 2d century B.C. to the 2d century A.D. Es·se·ni·an (es i:´ni: эn) or Es·sen´ic (-en´ik) •adj. [L Esseni < Gr Essēnoi, said (by Philo) to be < hosios, holy, pious, but < Syr hsēn, pl. < hsī, pious, holy]

essential (e sen´shэl, i-; often э-, i:-) •adj. 1 of or constituting the intrinsic, fundamental nature of something; basic; inherent {an essential difference} 2 absolute; complete; perfect 3 absolutely necessary; indispensable; requisite 4 containing, or having the properties of, a concentrated extract of a plant, drug, food, etc. {an essential oil} 5 Biochem. designating biological compounds, esp. amino acids, required by living systems, that must be consumed •n. something necessary or fundamental; indispensable, inherent, or basic feature or principle es·sen´tial·ly •adv. SYN.—essential, in strict usage, is applicable to that which constitutes the absolute essence or the fundamental nature of a thing and therefore must be present for the thing to exist, function, etc. [food is essential to life]; an indispensable person or thing cannot be done without if the specified or implied purpose is to be achieved; requisite is applied to that which is required by the circumstances or for the purpose and generally suggests a requirement that is imposed externally rather than an inherent need [the requisite experience for a position]; necessary implies a pressing need but does not always connote absolute indispensability [ME essencial < LL essentialis: see ESSENCE]

essential oil any volatile oil that gives distinctive odor, flavor, etc. to a plant, flower, or fruit

essentialism (-iz'эm) •n. Philos. a theory which stresses indispensable conceptual characteristics and relations of things as opposed to existence as particular experienced actuality es·sen´tial·ist •n.

essentiality (e sen'shi: æl´э ti:, i-) pl. -ties •n. essential quality, fact, or thing

essentialize (e sen´shэl aiz', i-) -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to concentrate on the essential meanings or aspects of

Essequibo (es'э ki:´bou) river in Guyana, flowing from the Guiana highlands northward to the Atlantic: c. 600 mi. (965 km)

Essex (es´iks) 1 former Anglo-Saxon kingdom in E England 2 county of SE England, on the North Sea: 1,418 sq. mi. (3,674 sq. km); pop. 1,497,000 Essex , 2d Earl of (Robert Devereux) 1566-1601; Eng. soldier & courtier: executed for treason

essonite (es´э nait') •n. a dark-brown kind of garnet [< Gr hēssōn, inferior (i.e., to real hyacinth) + -ITE¹]

EST Eastern Standard Time Est 1 Bible Esther 2 Estonia 3 Estonian est 1 established: also estab 2 estate 3 estimate 4 estimated

-est (est, ist, эst) suffix 1 forming the superlative degree of most adjectives and adverbs of one or two syllables {greatest, soonest} [ME < OE -est, -ost, -ast, superl. suffix of adj. & adv., akin to OHG -isto < IE *-istho- (> Gr -isto-, Sans -ištha-)] 2 forming the archaic 2d pers. sing., pres. indic., of verbs {goest, hadst, didst} [ME < OE -est, -ast, 2d pers. sing., pres. tense inflection < IE *-si, *-s + initial dental of enclitic pron.: see THOU¹]

establish (e stæb´lish, i-) •vt. 1 to make stable; make firm; settle {to establish a habit} 2 to order, ordain, or enact (a law, statute, etc.) permanently 3 to set up (a government, nation, business, etc.); found; institute 4 to cause to be or happen; bring about {efforts to establish a friendship} 5 to settle in an office or position, or set up as in business or a profession 6 to make a state institution of (a church) 7 to set up (a precedent, theory, reputation, etc.) permanently; cause to be accepted or recognized 8 to prove; demonstrate {to establish one's cause at law} 9 Card Games to win control of (a suit) so that one is sure of taking all the remaining tricks in it es·tab´lish·er •n. [ME establissen < extended stem of OFr establir < L stabilire < stabilis, STABLE¹]

established church a church officially recognized by the government and supported as a national institution [E- C-] the Church of England

establishment (-mэnt) •n. 1 an establishing or being established 2 a thing established, as a business, military organization, household, etc. the Establishment 1 the social, economic, and political leaders as of a nation, regarded as holding the chief measure of power and influence 2 the ruling inner circle or dominant group of any field of endeavor, organization, institution, etc. 3 ESTABLISHED CHURCH

establishmentarian (e stæb'lish mэn ter´i: эn, i-) •n. [also E-] a member or supporter of the Establishment •adj. [also E-] belonging to, supporting, or characteristic of the Establishment

estaminet (es tå mi: ne´) •n. a café [Fr]

estancia (es tän´syä) •n. a large estate, esp. a cattle ranch, in Spanish America [Sp, orig., a stopping place]

estate (e steit´, i-) •n. 1 a) state or condition {to restore the theater to its former estate} b) a condition or stage of life {to come to man's estate} c) status or rank 2 [Historical] esp. in feudal times, any of the three social classes having specific political powers: the first estate was the Lords Spiritual (clergy), the second estate the Lords Temporal (nobility), and the third estate the Commons (bourgeoisie): see also FOURTH ESTATE 3 property; possessions; capital; fortune 4 the assets and liabilities of a dead or bankrupt person 5 landed property; individually owned piece of land containing a residence, esp. one that is large and maintained by great wealth 6 [Brit.] DEVELOPMENT (sense 4) 7 [Archaic] display of wealth; pomp 8 Law a) the degree, nature, extent, and quality of interest or ownership that one has in land or other property b) all the property, real or personal, owned by one [ME & OFr estat, STATE]

estate car [Brit.] STATION WAGON

Estates-General (e steits´ jen´эr эl, i-) •n. STATES-GENERAL (sense 1)

esteem (e sti:m´, i-) •vt. 1 to have great regard for; value highly; respect 2 to hold to be; consider; regard {we esteem it an honor to be invited} •n. 1 favorable opinion; high regard; respect {to be held in high esteem} 2 [Archaic] an opinion; estimation SYN. APPRECIATE, REGARD [ME estemen < OFr estimer < L aestimare, to value, appraise, estimate; prob. < *ais-temos, one who cuts copper, mints money < IE *ayos- (L aes), brass, copper (see ORE) + *tem-, to cut: see -TOMY]

Estelle (e stel´, i-) a feminine name; var. Estella, Stella [Fr]

ester (es´tэr) •n. an organic compound, comparable to an inorganic salt: generally, HR (inorganic acid) +R¹OH (alcohol) = RR¹ (ester) + H2O (water) or RCOOH (organic acid) + R¹OH = RCOOR¹ (ester) + H2O [Ger, contr. < essigäther < essig, vinegar (< L acetum: see ACETO-) + äther (< L aether), ETHER]

esterase (es´tэr eis') •n. any of a group of enzymes by whose action the hydrolysis or, sometimes, synthesis of esters is accelerated [prec. + -ASE]

esterify (es ter´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt., vi. to change into an ester es·ter'i·fi·ca´tion •n.

Estes Park (es´ti:z) resort town in N Colo., at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park: pop. 3,200 [after Joel Estes, first settler (c. 1859)]

Esther (es´tэr) 1 a feminine name: var. Hester 2 Bible a) the Jewish wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus: she saved her people from slaughter by Haman b) the Old Testament book telling her story (abbrev. Esth, Es, Est) [LL(Ec) Esthera < Gr(Ec) Esthēr < Heb ester, prob. < Pers sitareh, star < IE base *ster-, STAR]

esthesia (es θi:´zhэ, -zhi: э, -zi: э) •n. the ability to feel sensations [ModL < Gr aisthēsis, perception, sense-impression < aisthanesthai: see AESTHETIC]

esthesiometer (es θi:'zi: äm´э tэr, -si:-) •n. an instrument for measuring the sensitivity of the sense of touch, esp. one for testing how far apart two points pressed against the skin have to be for the points to be felt as separate [< ModL aesthesia, AESTHESIA + -METER]

esthete (es´θi:t') •n. AESTHETE

esthetic (es θet´ik) •adj. 1 AESTHETIC 2 of esthesia; having to do with sensation es·thet´i·cal·ly •adv. [see AESTHETIC]

esthetician (es'θэ tish´эn) •n. AESTHETICIAN

estheticism (es θet´э siz'эm) •n. AESTHETICISM

esthetics (es θet´iks) •n.pl. AESTHETICS

Esthonia (es tou´ni: э, -θou´-) old sp. of ESTONIA

estimable (es´tэ mэ bэl) •adj. 1 [Obs.] that can be estimated or evaluated; calculable 2 worthy of esteem; deserving to be respected or valued es´ti·ma·bly •adv. [ME & OFr < L aestimabilis < aestimare: see ESTEEM]

estimate (es´tэ meit'; for n., -mit) -mat'ed, -mat'ing •vt. 1 to form an opinion or judgment about 2 to judge or determine generally but carefully (size, value, cost, requirements, etc.); calculate approximately •vi. to make an estimate or estimates •n. 1 a general calculation of size, value, etc.; esp., an approximate computation of the probable cost of a piece of work made by a person undertaking to do the work 2 an opinion or judgment es´ti·ma'tive •adj. es´ti·ma'tor •n. SYN.—estimate, in this comparison, refers broadly to the forming of a personal opinion or judgment; appraise implies the aim of giving an accurate or expert judgment, as of value or worth [to appraise a new house]; evaluate also connotes an attempt at an exact judgment, but rarely with reference to value in terms of money [let us evaluate the evidence]; rate implies assignment of comparative value, quality, etc. [he is rated the best in his field] see also CALCULATE [< L aestimatus, pp. of aestimare: see ESTEEM]

estimation (es'tэ mei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of estimating 2 an estimate, opinion, or judgment 3 esteem; regard [ME estimacioun < OFr estimacion < L aestimatio]

estival (es´tэ vэl, es tai´vэl) •adj. of or pertaining to summer [L aestivalis < aestivus < aestas, summer < IE base *ai-dh-, to burn: see EDIFY]

estivate (es´tэ veit') -vat'ed, -vat'ing •vi. 1 to spend the summer 2 to pass the summer in a dormant state, as snails: cf. HIBERNATE [< L aestivatus, pp. of aestivare < aestas: see ESTIVAL]

estivation (es'tэ vei´shэn) •n. 1 Zool. the state of an estivating creature 2 Bot. the arrangement of petals in a flower bud before it opens

Estonia (es tou´ni: э) country in N Europe, on the Baltic Sea: from 1940 to 1991 it was a republic of the U.S.S.R.: 17,4000 sq. mi. (45,000 sq. km); pop. 1,500,000; cap. Tallinn: formerly, Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

Estonian (-tou´ni: эn, -toun´yэn) •adj. of Estonia, its people, their language, or culture •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Estonia 2 the Finnic language of the Estonians

estop (e stäp´) -topped´, -top´ping •vt. 1 orig., to stop up 2 [Rare] to stop; prevent; bar 3 Law to bar or prevent by estoppel [ME estoppen < Anglo-Fr & OFr estoper < VL *stuppare, to stop with tow: see STOP]

estoppel (e stäp´эl) •n. the barring of a person, in a legal proceeding, from making allegations or denials which are contrary to either a previous statement or act by that person or a previous adjudication [OFr estoupail, stopper, bung < estoper: see ESTOP]

estovers (es tou´vэrz) •n.pl. certain reasonable necessities allowed by law, as wood given to a tenant for fuel or repairs, alimony for a divorced wife, etc. [ME < OFr estovoir, to be necessary (inf. used as n.) < L est opus, it is needed]

estradiol (es'trэ dai´öl', -oul') •n. a female sex hormone, C18H24O2, used in correcting female hormone deficiency and in the treatment of cancers in males and females [ESTR(ONE) + -a- + DI-¹ + -OL¹]

estrange (e streinj´, i-) -tranged´, -trang´ing •vt. 1 to remove, as from usual surroundings or associates; keep apart or away 2 to turn (a person) from an affectionate or friendly attitude to an indifferent, unfriendly, or hostile one; alienate the affections of es·trange´ment •n. [OFr estranger, to remove < ML extraneare, to treat as a stranger < L extraneus, STRANGE]

estray (э strei´) •n. 1 any person or thing out of its usual place 2 Law a stray and unclaimed domestic animal •vi. [Archaic] to stray [Anglo-Fr < estraier: see STRAY]

estreat (es tri:t´) •n. a true copy or extract of an original record entered in a law court, as of fines •vt. 1 to take from the records of a law court for purposes of prosecution 2 to take as a levy, fine, etc. [ME & Anglo-Fr estrete < OFr estraite < ML extracta < pp. of L extrahere: see EXTRACT]

Estremadura (es'trэ mэ dur´э) 1 region of WC Spain, on the Portuguese border: 16,063 sq. mi. (41,602 sq. km); pop. 1,050,000 2 region of W Portugal, on the Atlantic: chief city, Lisbon

estriol (es´trai öl', -oul'; -tri:-) •n. a female sex hormone, C18H24O3, present in the urine during pregnancy, thus indicating normal fetal and placental activity [ES(TRUS) + TRI- + -OL¹]

estrogen (es´trэ jэn, -jen') •n. any of several female sex hormones or synthetic compounds that cause estrus [< ESTRUS + -GEN]

estrogenic (es'trэ jen´ik) •adj. 1 of estrogen 2 of or producing estrus

estrone (es´troun') •n. a female sex hormone, C18H22O2 [ESTR(US) + -ONE]

estrous (es´trэs; chiefly Brit i:s´-) •adj. of, or having the characteristics of, estrus

estrous cycle the regular female reproductive cycle of most placental mammals that is under hormonal control and includes a period of heat, followed by ovulation and complex changes of the uterine lining

estrus (es´trэs; chiefly Brit, i:s´-) •n. 1 the periodic sexual excitement of most female placental mammals, corresponding to rut in males; heat 2 the period of this when the female will accept mating with the male, characterized by changes in the sex organs Also es´trum (-trэm) [ModL < L oestrus, gadfly, horsefly, frenzy < Gr oistros, gadfly, sting, frenzy < IE base *eis-, to move violently > ON eisa, to rush on, L ira, ire, Lith aistra, violent passion]

estuarine (es´tyu: э rin, -chu:-; -rain') •adj. 1 of an estuary 2 formed or deposited in an estuary

estuary (es´tyu: er i:, -chu:-) pl. -ar'ies •n. an inlet or arm of the sea; esp., the lower portion or wide mouth of a river, where the salty tide meets the freshwater current es'tu·ar´i·al •adj. [L aestuarium < aestus, the tide, orig., a boiling, akin to aestas, summer heat: see ESTIVAL]

esu electrostatic unit(s)

esurient (i: sur´i: эnt, -syur´-) •adj. hungry; voracious; greedy e·su´ri·ence or e·su´ri·en·cy •n. e·su´ri·ent·ly •adv. [< L esuriens, prp. of esurire, to be hungry < pp. of edere, EAT]

et (et; Fr ei) conj. and [L, or Fr < L]

-et (et, it, эt) suffix little: used to form nouns from other nouns {islet, eaglet} [ME -et < OFr -et, masc., -ete (Fr -ette), fem. < LL -itus, -ita]

et al. 1 and elsewhere [L et alibi] 2 and others [L et alii]

et cetera (et set´эr э, -se´trэ) and others; and the like; and the rest; and so forth [L]

Et or et Chem. symbol for ETHYL

et seq. 1 and the following [L et sequens] 2 and those that follow [et sequentes or et sequentia]

et tu, Brute! (et tu:' bru:´tei) and you (too), Brutus!: said to be Julius Caesar's reproach on seeing his friend Brutus among his assassins [L]

eta (eit´э, i:t´э) •n. name of the seventh letter of the Greek alphabet (Η, η): in English transliteration, as in the etymologies of this dictionary, it is shown as ē [LL < Gr ēta < Sem, as in Heb chet, HET] ETA estimated time of arrival

étagère (ei tå zheř´) •n. a free-standing set of open shelves for displaying small art objects, ornaments, etc. [Fr]

etalon (eit´э län') •n. an optical instrument with two plane parallel reflecting surfaces, used for the precise measurement of distance or the wavelength of light

etamine (et´э mi:n') •n. a loosely woven cotton or worsted cloth, used for dresses, curtains, etc. [Fr étamine < VL *staminea < L stamineus, full of threads < stamen, thread]

etc. et cetera

etceteras (et set´эr эz, -se´trэz) •n.pl. additional things or persons; customary extras

etch (ech) •vt. 1 to make (a drawing, design, etc.) on metal, glass, etc. by the action of an acid, esp. by coating the surface with wax and letting acid eat into the lines or areas laid bare with a special needle 2 to prepare (a metal plate, glass, etc.) in this way, for use in printing such drawings or designs 3 to depict or impress sharply and distinctly •vi. to make etchings etch´er •n. [Du etsen < Ger ätzen, to corrode < MHG etzen, to cause to eat, caus. of ezzen (Ger essen), EAT]

etchant (ech´эnt) •n. a substance, as an acid, used in etching

etching (ech´iŋ) •n. 1 the art, process, or act of one who etches 2 an etched plate, drawing, or design 3 a print made from an etched surface

ETD estimated time of departure

Eteocles (i: ti:´э kli:z', -ti:´ou-) Gr. Myth. a son of Oedipus and Jocasta: see SEVEN AGAINST THEBES [L < Gr Eteoklēs]

eternal (i: tør´nэl, i-) •adj. 1 without beginning or end; existing through all time; everlasting 2 of eternity 3 forever the same; always true or valid; unchanging {the eternal verities} 4 always going on; never stopping; perpetual {eternal rest} 5 seeming never to stop; happening very often {her eternal complaints} 6 Philos., Theol. outside or beyond time or time relationships; timeless SYN. CONTINUAL the Eternal name for God e·ter´nal·ly •adv. e·ter´nal·ness •n. [ME < OFr < LL aeternalis < L aeturnus < aevum, an age < IE base *aiw-, *āju-, a life, vital force > AYE¹]

eterne (i: tørn´, i-) •adj. [Archaic] eternal

eternity (i: tør´nэ ti:, i-) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality, state, or fact of being eternal; eternal existence or duration; continuance without end 2 infinite time; time without beginning or end 3 a long period of time that seems endless {an eternity of waiting} 4 the endless time after death [ME eternite < OFr eternité < L aeternitas]

eternize (i: tør´naiz', i-; i:´tэr-) -nized, -niz·ing •vt. 1 to make eternal; cause to last forever 2 to make famous forever; immortalize Also e·ter´nal·ize', -ized', -iz'ing e·ter'ni·za´tion •n. [Fr éterniser < ML aeternizare < L aeternus]

etesian (i: ti:´zhэn, -zi: эn) •adj. annual: said of certain Mediterranean winds that blow from the north for several weeks every summer [L etesius < Gr etēsios < etos, year < IE base *wet- > L vetus, old, Goth withrus, yearling lamb]

eth (eð) •n. EDH Eth 1 Ethiopia 2 Ethiopic

-eth¹ (iθ, эθ) suffix -TH²: used with bases ending in a vowel {fortieth} [see -TH²]

-eth² (eθ, iθ, эθ) suffix forming the archaic 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of verbs {asketh, bringeth}: see also -TH³ [ME -(e)th < OE -(a)th (ult. < IE *ti- > L -(i)t, Sans -ti)]

Ethan (i:´θэn) a masculine name [LL(Ec) < Heb etan, lit., strength, firmness]

ethane (eθ´ein'; Brit usually i:´θein') •n. an odorless, colorless, gaseous alkane, CH3CH3, found in natural gas and used as a refrigerant and in fuel mixtures [ETH(YL) + -ANE]

ethanol (eθ´э nöl', -noul'; Brit also i:´θэ-) •n. ALCOHOL (sense 1) [prec. + -OL¹]

Ethel (eθ´эl) a feminine name: var. Ethyl [short for Ethelinda, Etheldred, and other names compounded < OE Æthelu < æthele, noble]

Ethelbert (eθ´эl bэrt) 1 a masculine name 2 c. A.D. 552-616; king of Kent (560-616) [OE Æthelbryht, lit., noble bright < æthele, noble + beorht, bright: see ALBERT]

Ethelred II (eθ´эl red') A.D. 968-1016; king of England (978-1016): called the Unready

ethene (eθ´i:n') •n. ETHYLENE

ether (i:´θэr) •n. 1 an imaginary substance regarded by the ancients as filling all space beyond the sphere of the moon, and making up the stars and planets 2 the upper regions of space; clear sky 3 [Rare] the air 4 Chem. any of a series of organic compounds having an oxygen atom linking two carbon atoms from two hydrocarbon radicals, generally ROR¹; esp., ethyl ether, a volatile, colorless, highly flammable liquid, H5C2OC2H5, prepared by the reaction of sulfuric acid and ethyl alcohol and used as an anesthetic and a solvent for resins and fats 5 Physics a hypothetical invisible substance postulated (in older theory) as pervading space and serving as the medium for the transmission of light waves and other forms of radiant energy e·ther·ic (i θer´ik, -θir´-) •adj. [ME < L aether < Gr aithēr < aithein, to kindle, burn < IE base *aidh- > L aestas, summer, OE ætan, to burn]

ethereal (i: θir´i: эl, i-) •adj. 1 of or like the ether, or upper regions of space 2 very light; airy; delicate {ethereal music} 3 not earthly; heavenly; celestial 4 Chem. of, like, or containing ether, esp. if mixed with an essential oil e·the're·al´i·ty (-æl´э ti:) or e·the´re·al·ness •n. e·the´re·al·ly •adv. [< L aetherius < Gr aitherios + -AL]

etherealize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make, or treat as being, ethereal e·the're·al·i·za´tion •n.

Etherege (eθ´эr ij), Sir George c. 1635-91; Eng. playwright of the Restoration

etherify (i: θer´э fai', i-; i:´thэr-) -fied', -fy'ing •vt. to change (an alcohol) into ether e·ther'i·fi·ca´tion •n.

etherize (i:´θэr aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. Æ to anesthetize (a patient) with ether fumes e'ther·i·za´tion •n.

ethic (eθ´ik) •n. 1 a system of moral standards or values {the humanist ethic} 2 a particular moral standard or value {the success ethic} [ME ethik < OFr ethique < LL ethica < Gr ēthikē (technē), ethical (art): see ETHICAL]

ethical (eθ´i kэl) •adj. 1 having to do with ethics or morality; of or conforming to moral standards 2 conforming to the standards of conduct of a given profession or group 3 designating or of a drug obtainable only on a doctor's prescription SYN. MORAL eth'i·cal´i·ty (-kæl´э ti:) or eth´i·cal·ness •n. eth´i·cal·ly •adv. [ME ethik (< L ethicus < Gr ēthikos < ēthos, character, custom < IE base *swedh-, essential quality, own character > Goth swes, L suus, one's own & suescere, to become accustomed) + -AL]

ethicist (eθ´i sist) •n. a person versed in ethics or devoted to ethical ideals Also eth·i·cian (eθ ish´эn)

ethics (eθ´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v. in 1 & 2, and occas. 3] 1 the study of standards of conduct and moral judgment; moral philosophy 2 a treatise on this study 3 the system or code of morals of a particular person, religion, group, profession, etc.

Ethiop (i:´θi: äp') •n., adj. [Archaic] ETHIOPIAN Also E´thi·ope' (-oup')

Ethiopia (i:'θi: ou´pi: э) 1 ancient kingdom (possibly dating to the 10th cent. B.C.) in NE Africa, on the Red Sea, corresponding to modern Sudan & N Ethiopia (the country) 2 country in E Africa, on the Red Sea: established, 1855: 471,800 sq. mi. (1,221,900 sq. km); pop. 43,882,000; cap. Addis Ababa

Ethiopian (-ou´pi: эn) •adj. 1 of Ethiopia, its people, or culture 2 [Archaic] BLACK (sense 2a) 3 designating or of the biogeographic realm that includes Madagascar and all of Africa, except some parts of N Africa in the Palearctic realm •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Ethiopia 2 [Archaic] a black person

Ethiopic (-äp´ik, -ou´pik) •adj. 1 ETHIOPIAN 2 designating or of the Semitic languages of the Ethiopians •n. 1 the classical Semitic language of Ethiopia, still used as the liturgical language of the Christian church in Ethiopia 2 a group of Semitic languages spoken in Ethiopia, including classical Ethiopic [< L aethiopicus < Gr aithiopikos < Aithiops, Ethiopian, lit., with burnt face < aithein, to burn (see ETHER) + ōps, face, EYE]

ethmoid (eθ´moid') •adj. designating or of the perforated bone or bones that form part of the septum and walls of the nasal cavity: the olfactory nerves pass through the perforations •n. an ethmoid bone [Gr ēthmoeidēs < ēthmos, strainer, sieve (< ēthein, to strain < IE base *sē(i)-) + eidos, -OID]

ethnic (eθ´nik) •adj. 1 [Now Rare] of nations or groups neither Christian nor Jewish; heathen 2 designating or of a population subgroup having a common cultural heritage, as distinguished by customs, characteristics, language, common history, etc. Also eth´ni·cal •n. a member of an ethnic group, esp. a member of a minority or nationality group that is part of a larger community eth´ni·cal·ly •adv. [ME ethnik < LL(Ec) ethnicus, pagan < Gr ethnikos, national (in LGr(Ec), gentile, heathen) < ethnos, nation, people, ta ethnē, nations (in LXX, non-Jews, in N.T., gentile Christians): akin to ēthos: see ETHICAL]

ethnicity (eθ nis´э ti:) •n. ethnic classification or affiliation [prec. + -ITY]

ethno- (eθ´nou, -nэ) combining form ethnic group or division; people or peoples {ethnology} Also, before a vowel, ethn- [Fr < Gr ethnos: see ETHNIC]

ethnocentrism (eθ'nou sen´triz'эm, -nэ-) •n. 1 the emotional attitude that one's own ethnic group, nation, or culture is superior 2 an excessive or inappropriate concern for racial matters eth'no·cen´tric •adj. eth'no·cen´tri·cal·ly •adv. [prec. + CENTR- + -ISM]

ethnography (eθ näg´rэ fi:) •n. the branch of anthropology that deals descriptively with specific cultures, esp. those of nonliterate peoples or groups eth·nog´ra·pher •n. eth'no·graph´ic (-nou græf´ik, -nэ-) or eth'no·graph´i·cal •adj. eth'no·graph´i·cal·ly •adv. [Fr ethnographie: see ETHNO- & -GRAPHY]

ethnology (eθ näl´э ji:) •n. the branch of anthropology that studies comparatively the cultures of contemporary, or recent, societies or language groups eth·no·log·i·cal (eθ'nou läj´i kэl, -nэ-) or eth'no·log´ic •adj. eth'no·log´i·cal·ly •adv. eth·nol´o·gist •n. [ETHNO- + -LOGY]

ethnomusicology (eθ'nou myu:'zi käl´э ji:) •n. 1 the study of the music of a particular region and its sociocultural implications, esp. of music outside the European art tradition 2 the comparative study of the music of different cultural groups eth'no·mu'si·col´o·gist •n.

ethology (i: θäl´э ji:) •n. Biol. the scientific study of the characteristic behavior patterns of animals e·tho·log·i·cal (i:'θэ läj´i kэl) •adj. e·thol´o·gist •n. [L ethologia, character portrayal < Gr ēthologia: see ETHOS & -LOGY]

ethos (i:´θäs') •n. the characteristic and distinguishing attitudes, habits, beliefs, etc. of an individual or of a group [Gr ēthos, disposition, character: see ETHICAL]

ethyl (eθ´эl) •n. the monovalent radical, C2H5, which forms the base of many compounds, as ethyl alcohol and ether eth·yl·ic (i θil´ik) •adj. [ETH(ER) + -YL]

ethyl acetate a colorless, fruity-smelling liquid ester, CH3COOC2H5, formed from acetic acid and ethyl alcohol and used as a solvent, in flavoring, in manufacturing synthetic resins, etc.

ethyl alcohol ALCOHOL (sense 1)

ethyl cellulose an ethyl ether of cellulose obtained as a white granular solid by treating wood pulp soaked in sodium hydroxide (alkali cellulose) with ethyl chloride: used in adhesives, plastics, insulation, etc.

ethyl chloride a colorless liquid, C2H5Cl, prepared by heating ethyl alcohol with hydrogen chloride in the presence of zinc chloride: used in preparing tetraethyl lead, and ethyl cellulose, and as a local anesthetic

ethyl ether see ETHER (sense 4)

ethylate (eθ´эl eit'; for n., -it) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. to compound with one or more ethyl groups •n. a compound formed by the replacement of the hydrogen atom in the hydroxyl group of ethyl alcohol by an active metal eth'yl·a´tion •n.

ethylene (eθ´эl i:n') •n. a colorless, flammable, gaseous alkene, H2C:CH2, obtained by the cracking of natural or coal gas, by the dehydration of alcohol, etc.: it is the simplest alkene and is used to synthesize organic chemicals, esp. polyethylene, to hasten the ripening of fruits, and as an anesthetic [ETHYL + -ENE]

ethylene glycol a colorless, viscous liquid, HOCH2CH2OH, used as an antifreeze, solvent, in resins, etc.

ethylene series a group of similar hydrocarbons: see ALKENE

ethyl-para-aminobenzoate (eθ'эl pær э æm'э nou ben´zou eit, -it) •n. BENZOCAINE

etiolate (i:´ti: э leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. 1 to cause to be pale and unhealthy 2 to deprive of strength; weaken 3 Bot. to blanch or bleach by depriving of sunlight e'ti·o·la´tion •n. [Fr étioler < dial. var. of éteule, stubble, straw < OFr estouble: see STUBBLE]

etiology (i:t'i: äl´э ji:) pl. -gies •n. 1 the assignment of a cause, or the cause assigned {the etiology of a folkway} 2 the science of causes or origins 3 a) the science of the causes or origins of disease b) the causes of a specific disease e'ti·o·log´ic (-э läj´ik) or e'ti·o·log´i·cal •adj. e'ti·o·log´i·cal·ly •adv. [LL aetiologia < Gr aitiologia < aitia, cause (< base of aisa, fate: see DIET¹) + logia, description: see -LOGY]

etiquette (et´i kit; also, -ket') •n. 1 the forms, manners, and ceremonies established by convention as acceptable or required in social relations, in a profession, or in official life 2 the rules for such forms, manners, and ceremonies SYN. DECORUM [Fr étiquette, lit., TICKET]

Etna (et´nэ), Mount volcanic mountain in E Sicily: 10,900 ft. (3,320 m)

Etobicoke (i tou´bi kou') city within metropolitan Toronto, Canada: pop. 303,000 [ult. < Ojibwa (? Wahdobekaug or Wadopikang), place where the black alders grow]

Eton (i:t´ªn) town in Buckinghamshire, on the Thames, near London: pop. 5,000: site of a private preparatory school for boys (Eton College)

Eton collar a broad, white linen collar worn with an Eton jacket, or a collar resembling this

Eton jacket (or coat) a black, waist-length jacket with broad lapels, left open in front, as that worn by students at Eton College

Etonian (i: tou´ni: эn) •adj. of Eton •n. a student or former student at Eton College

Etruria (i trur´i: э) ancient country (fl. 6th cent. B.C.) occupying what is now Tuscany & part of Umbria in WC Italy [L]

Etruscan (i trûs´kэn) •adj. of Etruria, its people, their language, or culture •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Etruria 2 the language of the ancient Etruscans, of unknown relationship Also E·tru·ri·an (i trur´i: эn) [< L Etruscus < ? Etr *etrsco-]

-ette (et) suffix forming nouns 1 little {statuette} Æ 2 female [majorette]: as applied to persons, now often avoided as patronizing [suffragette] 3 a substitute for {leatherette} [Fr: see -ET]

étude (ei´tu:d', -tyu:d'; Fr ei tüd´) •n. a musical composition for a solo instrument, designed to give practice in some special point of technique, but often performed for its artistic worth [Fr, STUDY]

etui (ei twi:´, e-; e´twi:') •n. an ornamental case for small articles, as needles [Fr étui < OFr estui < estuier, to place in a cover, enclose < VL *studiare, to treat with care < L studium: see STUDY]

ETV educational television

ety or etym etymology

etymological (et'э mэ läj´i kэl) •adj. of or according to the etymology, or to the principles of etymology et'y·mo·log´i·cal·ly •adv. [< L etymologicus < Gr etymologikos + -AL]

etymologist (et'э mäl´э jist) •n. an expert in etymology

etymologize (-jaiz') -gized', -giz'ing •vt., vi. to trace the etymology of, or give or suggest an etymology for (a word or words)

etymology (et'э mäl´э ji:) pl. -gies •n. 1 the origin and development of a word, affix, phrase, etc.; the tracing of a word or other form back as far as possible in its own language and to its source in contemporary or earlier languages: in this dictionary etymologies are given in doubled brackets preceding the senses to which they apply 2 the branch of linguistics dealing with word origin and development [ME & OFr ethimologie < L etymologia < Gr: see ETYMON & -LOGY]

etymon (et´э män') pl. -mons' or -ma (-mэ) •n. 1 the earlier form of a word, as at an earlier period in the development of a language: in this dictionary etymons are shown in italic type within the etymologies {Old English eage is the etymon of Modern English eye} 2 a word or morpheme from which derivatives or compounds have developed [L < Gr etymon, literal sense of a word, etymology, neut. of etymos, true < IE *seto- < base *es-, to be > IS, L sum, est]

Eu Chem. symbol for europium

eu- (yu:, yu) prefix good, well {eulogy, euphony} [Fr & ModL < Gr eu-, good, well < IE base *esu-, good]

Euboea (yu: bi:´э) large island in the Aegean Sea, off the E coast of Greece: 1,467 sq. mi. (3,800 sq. km)

eucaine (yu:´kein', yu: kein´) •n. either of two cocainelike synthetic alkaloids, alpha-eucaine, C19H27NO4, or beta-eucaine, C15H21NO2, made from piperidine: the hydrochloride of beta-eucaine is used as a local anesthetic for animals and was formerly used for humans [EU- + (CO)CAINE]

eucalyptol or eucalyptole (yu:'kэ lip´töl, -toul) •n. an essential oil, C10H18O, with a camphorlike odor and spicy taste, used in medicines and perfumes: the chief component of eucalyptus oil [fol. + -OL¹, -OLE]

eucalyptus (yu:'kэ lip´tэs) pl. -tus·es or -ti' (-tai') any of a genus (Eucalyptus) of tall, aromatic, chiefly Australian evergreen trees of the myrtle family, bearing pendent leaves and umbels of white, red, or pink flowers and valued for their timber, gum, and oil Also eu´ca·lypt' •n. [ModL < EU- + Gr kalyptos, covered (from the covering of the buds) < kalyptein, to cover, CONCEAL]

eucalyptus oil an essential oil derived from eucalyptus leaves, used as an antiseptic and expectorant

eucaryote (yu: kær´i: out') •n. EUKARYOTE

eucharis (yu:´kэ ris) •n. any of a genus (Eucharis) of South American plants of the lily family, with white, fragrant flowers [ModL < Gr, charming, gracious < eu- (see EU-) + charis, favor (see EUCHARIST)]

Eucharist (yu:´kэ rist) •n. 1 HOLY COMMUNION 2 the consecrated bread and wine used in Holy Communion, or either of these Eu'cha·ris´tic •adj. [ME eukarist < OFr eucariste < LL(Ec) eucharistia < Gr, gratitude (in N.T., the Eucharist) < eucharistos, grateful < eu-, well (see EU-) + charizesthai, to show favor to]

euchre (yu:´kэr) •n. 1 a card game basically for two, three, or four players, played with thirty-two cards (sevens up through aces), five cards being dealt to each player 2 a euchring or being euchred •vt. -chred, -chring 1 to prevent (the trump-naming opponent at euchre) from taking the required three tricks 2 [Colloq.] to outwit or cheat {they were euchred out of their savings} [earlier also yuker, uker < ?]

euchromatin (yu: krou´mэ tin) •n. Biol. the portion of the chromatin that accepts a light stain and contains most of the active genetic material: cf. HETEROCHROMATIN Etymology [Ger: see EU- & CHROMATIN]

euclase (yu:´kleis') •n. a green or blue crystalline silicate of aluminum and beryllium, HBeAlSiO5, used as a gem [Fr < eu- (see EU-) + Gr klasis, a breaking < klan, to break (see CLASTIC): so named from breaking easily]

Euclid (yu:´klid) fl. 300 B.C.; Gr. mathematician: author of a basic work in geometry Eu·clid´e·an (-i: эn) or Eu·clid´i·an •adj. [L Euclides < Gr Eukleidēs] Euclid (yu:´klid) city in NE Ohio: suburb of Cleveland: pop. 55,000 [so named (after prec.) by its surveyors]

eudaemonia or eudemonia (yu:'di mou´ni: э) •n. happiness or well-being; specif., in Aristotle's philosophy, happiness or well-being, the main universal goal, distinct from pleasure and derived from a life of activity governed by reason [Gr eudaimonia, happiness < eudaimōn, blessed with a good genius, fortunate < eu- (see EU-) + daimōn (see DAEMON)]

eudaemonism (yu: di:´mэn iz'эm) •n. the ethical doctrine that personal happiness is the chief good and the proper aim of action, esp. such happiness conceived of in terms of well-being based on virtuous and rational self-realization Also eu·de´mon·ism' eu·dae´mon·ist •n., adj. eu·dae'mon·is´tic •adj. [Gr eudaimonismos, a calling happy < eudaimonizein, to call happy < eudaimōn: see EUDEMONIA]

eudiometer (yu:'di: äm´эt эr) •n. 1 orig., an instrument for measuring the amount of oxygen in the air 2 an instrument for measuring and analyzing gases volumetrically eu'di·o·met´ric (-э met´rik) or eu'di·o·met´ri·cal •adj. eu'di·om´e·try •n. [< Gr eudios, clear, fair (< eudia, fair weather < eu- (see EU-) + dia, day < IE *diw-, glowing day < base dei-, to shine > DEITY) + -METER]

Eugene (yu: ji:n´) city in W Oreg.: pop. 113,000 [after Eugene Skinner, early settler] Eugene (yu ji:n´, yu:´ji:n; for 2, Fr ö zhen´) 1 a masculine name: dim. Gene; fem. Eugenia 2 Prince (François Eugène de Savoie-Carignan) 1663-1736; Austrian general, born in France [Fr Eugène < L Eugenius < Gr Eugenios < eugenēs, well-born: see EU- & GENUS]

Eugenia (yu: ji:´ni: э, -ji:n´yэ) a feminine name: dim. Genie [L < Gr Eugenia: see EUGENE (the masculine name)] eugenia (yu ji:´ni: э, -ji:n´yэ) •n. any of various tropical evergreen trees and shrubs of the myrtle family with colorful, cherrylike fruit which is often edible

eugenic (yu: jen´ik) •adj. 1 causing improvement of hereditary qualities of a stock: cf. DYSGENIC 2 of, relating to, or improved by eugenics Also eu·gen´i·cal eu·gen´i·cal·ly •adv. [Gr eugenēs, well-born: see EUGENE (the masculine name)]

eugenicist (yu: jen´э sist) •n. a specialist in or advocate of eugenics Also eu·gen·ist (yu:´jэ nist)

eugenics (yu: jen´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the movement devoted to improving the human species through the control of hereditary factors in mating [< Gr eugenēs (see EUGENE, the masculine name) + -ICS]

Eugénie (yu ji:´ni:; Fr ö zhei ni:´), Empress (born Eugenia Maria de Montijo de Guzmán) 1826-1920; wife of Louis Napoleon & empress of France (1853-71), born in Spain

eugenol (yu:´jэ nöl', -noul') •n. a colorless, aromatic liquid phenol, C10H12O2, found in oil of cloves and used in perfumes, as an antiseptic in dentistry, etc. [< ModL Eugenia, a genus of tropical trees + -OL¹]

euglena (yu: gli:´nэ) •n. any of a genus (Euglena) of green protists with a single flagellum, a reddish eyespot, and a flexible body shape [ModL < EU- + Gr glēnē, pupil of the eye < IE base *Gel-, *Glē-, to gleam > CLEAN]

euglenoid movement (yu: gli:´noid') the expansion and contraction of the cell body of various flagellates

euhemerism (yu: hi:´mэr iz'эm, -hem´эr-) •n. the theory of the Greek writer Euhemerus (4th cent. B.C.) that the gods of mythology were deified human beings; theory that myths are based on traditional accounts of real people and events eu·he´mer·ist •n., adj. eu·he'mer·is´tic •adj. [< L Euhemerus (< Gr Euhēmeros) + -ISM]

euhemerize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to interpret (myths, etc.) by euhemerism

eukaryote (yu: kær´i: out') •n. an organism, as any plant or animal, made up of cells with true nuclei that divide by mitosis: cf. PROKARYOTE eu·kar'y·ot´ic (-ät´ik) •adj. [< Gr eu-, good + karyōtis, a date < karyon, a nut, fruit stone, kernel]

eulachon (yu:´lэ kän') •n. CANDLEFISH [Chinook jargon ulâkân]

Euler (oi´lэr), Le·on·hard (lei´ôn häřt') 1707-83; Swiss mathematician

eulogia (yu: lou´ji: э, -jэ) •n. 1 orig., the Eucharist 2 bread blessed but not consecrated, and given in small pieces to the noncommunicants at Mass, esp. in the Eastern Orthodox Church [ML, food, blessing (in ML(Ec), the Eucharist): see EULOGY]

eulogistic (yu:'lou jis´tik, -lэ-) •adj. of or expressing eulogy; praising highly; laudatory eu'lo·gis´ti·cal·ly •adv.

eulogium (yu lou´ji: эm) pl. -gi·ums or -gi·a (-ji: э, -jэ) •n. EULOGY [ML]

eulogize (yu:´lэ jaiz') -gized', -giz'ing •vt. to praise highly; compose a eulogy about; extol SYN. PRAISE eu´lo·gist or eu´lo·giz'er •n.

eulogy (yu:´lэ ji:) pl. -gies •n. 1 speech or writing in praise of a person, event, or thing; esp., a formal speech praising a person who has recently died 2 high praise; commendation SYN. TRIBUTE [ME euloge < ML eulogia < Gr, praise, lit., fine language (in LXX & N.T., blessing) < eulegein, to speak well of, bless: see EU- & -LOGY]

Eumenides (yu: men´i di:z') •n.pl. FURIES [L < Gr, lit., the gracious ones < eumenēs, well-disposed, gracious < eu- (see EU-) + menos, the mind, temper: a propitiatory euphemism]

Eunice (yu:´nis) a feminine name [LL(Ec) < Gr Eunikē, lit., good victory < eu- (see EU-) + nikē, victory]

eunuch (yu:´nэk, -nûk') •n. 1 a castrated man in charge of an Oriental harem or employed as a chamberlain or high officer by an Oriental potentate 2 any man or boy lacking normal function of the testes, as through castration or disease [ME eunuk < L eunuchus < Gr eunouchos, guardian of the bed, chamberlain, eunuch < eunē, bed + echein, to have, hold: see SCHEME]

euonymus (yu: än´э mэs) •n. any of a genus (Euonymus) of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and woody vines of the staff-tree family, with colorful seeds and pods [ModL, used by LINNAEUS < L, the spindle tree < Gr euōnymos, lit., of good name, lucky < eu- (see EU-) + onyma, dial. form of onoma, NAME]

eupatorium (yu:'pэ tör´i: эm) •n. any of a genus (Eupatorium) of plants of the composite family, including the mistflower, joe-pye weed, and boneset [ModL < Gr eupatorion, hemp agrimony, named in honor of Mithridates Eupatōr, king of Pontus]

eupatrid (yu:´pэ trid') pl. -pat´rid·ae' (-pæ´tri di:') or -pat´rids' (-pæ´tridz') •n. [also E-] any of the hereditary aristocrats of ancient Athens or other Greek states [Gr eupatridēs < eu- (see EU-) + patēr, FATHER]

eupepsia (yu: pep´si: э; also, -shэ) •n. normal digestion: cf. DYSPEPSIA [ModL < Gr, digestibility: see EU- & DYSPEPSIA]

eupeptic (yu: pep´tik) •adj. 1 of or having normal digestion 2 healthy and happy; cheerful [< Gr eupeptos (< eu- (see EU-) + peptein, to digest: see COOK) + -IC]

euphausiid (yu:'fэ yu:´si: id') •n. KRILL Also eu·pha·u´sid' (-sid') [< ModL Euphausia, name of the genus < Gr eu- (see EU-) + ? pha(inein), to show (see -PHANE) + ousia, substance (see HOMOIOUSIAN) + -ID]

euphemism (yu:´fэ miz'эm) •n. 1 the use of a word or phrase that is less expressive or direct but considered less distasteful, less offensive, etc. than another 2 a word or phrase so substituted (Ex.: remains for corpse) eu´phe·mist •n. eu'phe·mis´tic or eu'phe·mis´ti·cal •adj. eu'phe·mis´ti·cal·ly •adv. [Gr euphēmismos < euphēmizein, to use words of good omen < euphēmos, of good sound or omen < eu- (see EU-) + phēmē, voice < phanai, to say: see BAN¹]

euphemize (-maiz') -mized', -miz'ing •vt., vi. to speak or write (of) euphemistically

euphenics (yu: fen´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] a movement seeking to improve the human species by modifying the biological development of the individual, as through prenatal gene manipulation with chemicals [coined (1963) by Joshua Lederberg, U.S. geneticist < EU- + phen- (as in PHENOTYPE + -ICS, after EUGENICS]

euphonic (yu: fän´ik) •adj. 1 of or having to do with euphony 2 euphonious Also eu·phon´i·cal eu·phon´i·cal·ly •adv. [ML euphonicus]

euphonious (yu: fou´ni: эs) •adj. characterized by euphony; having a pleasant sound; harmonious eu·pho´ni·ous·ly •adv.

euphonium (yu: fou´ni: эm) •n. a valved brass instrument like the baritone but more mellow in tone, due to a larger bore [< Gr euphōnos, musical (see EUPHONY) + (HARMON)IUM]

euphony (yu:´fэ ni:) pl. -nies •n. 1 the quality of having a pleasing sound 2 pleasant combination of agreeable sounds in spoken words 3 such a combination of words [Fr euphonie < LL euphonia < Gr euphōnia < euphōnos, sweet-voiced, musical < eu- (see EU-) + phōnē, voice: see PHONE¹]

euphorbia (yu: för´bi: э) •n. SPURGE [ME euforbia < L euphorbea, said to be named after Euphorbus, physician of 1st c. A.D., who used it medically]

euphoria (yu: för´i: э) •n. a feeling of vigor, well-being, or high spirits eu·phor´ic (-för´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr, power of bearing easily < euphoros, bearing well < eu- (see EU-) + pherein, BEAR¹]

euphoriant (-эnt) •n. Med. a drug or other agent that produces euphoria

euphotic (yu: fout´ik) •adj. Ecol. of or pertaining to the uppermost portion of a body of water that receives sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis: see APHOTIC [EU- + PHOTIC]

euphrasy (yu:´frэ si:) pl. -sies •n. EYEBRIGHT [ME eufrasie < ML euphrasia < Gr < euphrainein, to cheer < eu- (see EU-) + phrēn, mind (see PHRENO-]

Euphrates (yu: freit´i:z) river flowing from EC Turkey generally southward through Syria & Iraq, joining the Tigris to form the Shatt-al-Arab: c. 1,700 mi. (2,735 km)

Euphrosyne (yu: fräs´i ni:') Gr. Myth. Joy, one of the three Graces [L < Gr Euphrosynē < euphrōn, cheerful < eu- (see EU-) + phrēn, mind]

euphuism (yu:´fyu: iz'эm) •n. 1 the artificial, affected, high-flown style of speaking or writing used by John Lyly and his imitators, characterized by alliteration, balanced sentences, far-fetched figures of speech, etc. 2 any artificial, high-flown style of speech or writing 3 an instance of this eu´phu·ist •n. [< Euphues, fictitious character in two prose romances by John Lyly < Gr euphyēs, shapely, graceful < eu- (see EU-) + phyē, growth < phyein, to grow (see BONDAGE) + -ISM]

euphuistic (yu:'fyu: is´tik) •adj. of, having the nature of, or characterized by euphuism SYN. BOMBASTIC eu'phu·is´ti·cal •adj. eu'phu·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.

euplastic (yu: plæs´tik) •adj. Physiol. easily formed into or adapted to the formation of tissue •n. a euplastic material [EU- + -PLASTIC]

euploid (yu:´ploid') •adj. with the complement of chromosomes being an exact multiple of the haploid number, as diploid, triploid, etc.: see HETEROPLOID eu´ploid'y (-ploi'di:) •n. [EU- + -PLOID]

eupnea or eupnoea (yu:p ni:´э) •n. [Obs.] normal breathing: see APNEA, DYSPNEA [ModL < Gr eupnoia < eu- (see EU-) + pnoē, breathing < pnein, to breathe: see PNEUMA]

Eur 1 Europe 2 European

Eurasia (yu rei´zhэ; chiefly Brit, -shэ) land mass made up of the continents of Europe & Asia

Eurasian (-zhэn) •adj. 1 of Eurasia 2 of mixed European and Asian descent •n. 1 a person who has one European parent and one Asian parent, or a person who is generally of mixed European and Asian descent 2 a member of a people of both Europe and Asia

Euratom (yur´э täm', yu: ræt´эm) European Atomic Energy Community, a unit of the European Communities

eureka (yu: ri:´kэ) •interj. I have found (it): exclamation supposedly uttered by Archimedes when he discovered a way to determine the purity of gold by applying the principle of specific gravity [Gr heurēka, I have found, perf. of heuriskein, to find, discover < IE base *wer-, to find, take > Arm gerem, (I) capture, OIr fūar, I have found]

eurhythmics (yu: rið´miks) •n.pl. EURYTHMICS eu·rhyth´mic •adj. eu·rhyth´my •n.

Euripides (yu rip´э di:z') 480-406 B.C.; Gr. writer of tragedies Eu·rip'i·de´an (-di:´эn) •adj.

euripus (yu: rai´pэs) pl. -pi' (-pai') •n. a strait or channel with a violent current or tide [L < Gr euripos < eu- (see EU-) + rhipē, rush, impetus, orig., turning motion < IE *wrei- < base *wer-, to turn > L vertere, Ger reiben, to grate]

Euro- (yu:´rou, -rэ; yur´ou, -э) combining form European, European and {Euromart, Euro-American}: also, before a vowel, Eur- [Eurasia]

Eurobond (yu:´rou bänd', yur´э-) •n. a bond issued in an international, usually European, market and repayable in the currency of issue

Euroclydon (yu: räk´li dän', -dэn) •n. 1 Bible a stormy northeast wind of the Mediterranean, referred to in the account of Paul's voyage to Rome: Acts 27:14 2 any stormy wind [Gr(Ec) euroklydōn, prob. in error (as if < euros, east wind + klydōn, wave, billow), for eurakylōn, a northeast wind < euros (see EURUS) + L aquilo, the north (or north-by-east) wind < aquilus, dark, stormy, orig., watery < aqua, water]

Eurocommunism (yu:'rou käm´yu: niz'эm, yur'э käm´yэ-) •n. a former policy of some western European Communist parties stressing their independence from the Soviet Union, support of democratic political procedures, etc. Eu'ro·com´mu·nist •adj., n.

Eurocrat (yu:r´э kræt') •n. any of the officials or employees of the European Economic Community [EURO- + -CRAT, with implied pun on BUREAUCRAT]

Eurocurrency (yu:r´ou kør'эn si:) pl. -cies •n. deposits denominated in the currency of, but held in banks outside of, their country of origin, esp. in Europe

Eurodollars (yu:´rou däl'эrz, yur´э-) •n.pl. deposits of U.S. dollars in banks outside the U.S., especially in Europe Eu´ro·dol'lar •adj.

euroky (yu: rou´ki:) Biol. the ability of an organism to live under variable environmental conditions: opposed to STENOKY: also eu·ry·o·ky (yu:'ri: ou´ki:) •n. eu·ro´kous (-rou´kэs) or eu'ry·o´kous (-ri: ou´kэs) •adj. [contr. < euryoky < EURY- + -oky < Gr oikia, a dwelling, akin to oikos, house: see ECO-]

Euromart (yu:´rou märt', yur´э-) EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY: also Eu´ro·mar'ket (-mär'kit)

Europa (yu: rou´pэ) 1 Gr. Myth. a Phoenician princess loved by Zeus: he, disguised as a white bull, carries her off across the sea to Crete 2 the fourth largest satellite of Jupiter: discovered in 1610 by Galileo [L < Gr Eurōpē]

Europe (yur´эp) 1 continent between Asia & the Atlantic Ocean: the Ural Mountains & the Ural River are generally considered the E boundary: c. 4,000,000 sq. mi. (10,360,000 sq. km); pop. c. 688,000,000 2 EUROPEAN COMMUNITY [L Europa < Gr Eurōpē]

European (yur'э pi:´эn) •adj. of Europe, its people, or their languages or cultures •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Europe 2 in Africa and Asia, any Caucasoid, or white person

European Community an organization of European countries (originating in 1951) for the purpose of bringing about the political and economic unification of western Europe: the organization consists of three units, the European Coal and Steel Community (created in 1951), the European Economic Community, or Common Market (created in 1957), and the European Atomic Energy Community (created in 1957)

European Economic Community an association of European nations formed in 1957 to promote economic cooperation by eliminating trade barriers among members, establishing uniform trade policies with nonmembers, etc.; the Common Market

European plan a system of hotel operation in which the rate charged to guests covers rooms and service but not meals: distinguished from AMERICAN PLAN

Europeanize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make European in habits, dress, culture, scope, etc. 2 to integrate (the economy of a European nation) with that of other European nations Eu'ro·pe'an·i·za´tion •n.

europium (yu: rou´pi: эm) •n. a chemical element of the rare-earth metals used as the red phosphor in color TV's: symbol, Eu; at. wt., 151.96; at. no., 63; sp. gr., 5.23; melt. pt., 822°C; boil. pt., 1,597°C [ModL: so named (1901) by E. A. Demarçay (1852-1904), Fr chemist < EUROPE + -IUM]

Eurus (yu:´rэs) Gr. Myth. the god of the east wind or southeast wind [ME < L < Gr euros, prob. ult. < IE base *eus-, to burn > L urere, to burn]

eury- (yu:´ri, -rэ; yur´i, -э) combining form wide, broad {euryhaline} [ModL < Gr < eurys, wide, broad < IE base *wer-, broad > Sans uru]

eurybath (yu:´ri bæθ', yur´э-) •n. Biol. an organism that can live in a wide range of water depths: opposed to STENOBATH eu'ry·bath´ic •adj. [prec. + Gr bathos, depth]

Eurydice (yu: rid´i si:') Gr. Myth. the wife of ORPHEUS [L < Gr Eurydikē]

euryhaline (yu:'ri hei´lain', -hæl´ain', yur'э-) •adj. Biol. able to exist in waters with wide variations in their salt content: opposed to STENOHALINE [Ger euryhalin < eury-, EURY- + Gr halinos, saline < hals, SALT]

euryhygric (-hai´grik) •adj. Biol. able to withstand a wide range of humidity: opposed to STENOHYGRIC [EURY- + HYGR- + -IC]

euryphagous (yu: rif´э gэs) •adj. Biol. eating a wide variety of foods: opposed to STENOPHAGOUS [EURY- + -PHAGOUS]

eurypterid (yu: rip´tэr id') •n. any of an extinct order (Eurypterida) of large, aquatic arthropods of the Paleozoic Era, similar to the horseshoe crab and sometimes reaching a length of c. 1.8 m (c. 6 ft.) [< ModL Eurypterida < Gr eurys, broad + pteron, FEATHER, wing: so named from a pair of broad swimming appendages]

eurytherm (yu:´ri θørm', yur´э-) •n. an organism that can live in a wide range of temperatures: opposed to STENOTHERM eu'ry·ther´mal (-θør´mэl), eu'ry·ther´mous (-mэs), or eu'ry·ther´mic (-mik) •adj. [Ger, independent of temperature variations: see EURY- & THERM]

eurythmic (yu: rið´mik) •adj. 1 characterized by perfect proportion and harmony, or by movement in rhythm 2 of eurhythmics or eurythmy Also eu·ryth´mi·cal

eurythmics (-miks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the art of performing various bodily movements in rhythm, usually to musical accompaniment [< EURHYTHMY + -ICS]

eurythmy (yu: rið´mi:) •n. 1 rhythmic movement 2 harmonious proportion 3 a method of teaching dancing or rhythmic movement, esp. to the recitation of verse or prose [L eurythmia < Gr < eurythmos, rhythmic < eu- (see EU-) + rhythmos, RHYTHM]

eurytopic (yu:'ri täp´ik, yur'э-) •adj. Biol. able to withstand a wide range of environmental conditions: opposed to STENOTOPIC eu'ry·to·pic´i·ty (-tou pis´э ti:) •n. [< Ger eurytop, widely distributed (< EURY- + -top < Gr topos, place: see TOPIC) + -IC]

Eusebius (Pamphili) (yu: si:´bi: эs pæm´fэ lai') c. A.D. 264-340; Gr. ecclesiastical historian

eustachian tube (yu: stei´ki: эn; widely, -stei´shэn, -shi: эn) [also E- t-] a slender tube between the middle ear and the pharynx, which serves to equalize air pressure on both sides of the eardrum: see EAR¹, illus. [after Bartolommeo Eustachio (1520-74), It anatomist]

eustatic (yu: stæt´ik) •adj. of or pertaining to changes in sea level throughout the world, as because of extensive formation or melting of icecaps [EU- + STATIC]

eustele (yu:´sti:l, yu: sti:´li:) •n. the typical vascular cylinder of a dicotyledonous plant or a gymnosperm, consisting of a ring of collateral bundles of xylem, cambium, and phloem [EU- + STELE]

eutectic (yu: tek´tik) •adj. fusing at the lowest possible temperature; specif., designating or of a mixture or alloy with a melting point lower than that of any other combination of the same components •n. a eutectic mixture or alloy eu·tec´toid' •adj., n. [< Gr eutēktos, easily fused < eu- (see EU-) + tēkein, to melt (< IE *tāk- < base *tā-, to melt > THAW) + -IC]

Euterpe (yu: tør´pi:) Gr. Myth. the Muse of music and lyric poetry [L < Gr Euterpē < euterpēs, charming < eu- (see EU-) + terpein, to delight, charm < IE base *terp-, enjoy]

euthanasia (yu:'θэ nei´zhэ, -zhi: э, -zi: э) •n. 1 [Now Rare] an easy and painless death 2 act or practice of causing death painlessly, so as to end suffering: advocated by some as a way to deal with persons dying of incurable, painful diseases [Gr, painless, happy death < eu- (see EU-) + thanatos, death: see DULL]

euthanize (yu:´θэ naiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to put to death by euthanasia

euthenics (yu: θen´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the science of improving the human species through control of environmental factors [< Gr euthēnein, to flourish (< eu- (see EU-) + IE base *gwhen-, to swell > Pers āganiš, full) + -ICS]

euthyroid (yu: θai´roid') •n. of, characterized by, or having a normal thyroid: see HYPERTHYROID, HYPOTHYROID

eutrophic (yu: träf´ik, -trou´fik) •adj. designating or of a body of water, esp. a lake or pond, rich in nutrients which cause excessive growth of aquatic plants, esp. algae: the resulting bacteria consume nearly all the oxygen, esp. during warm weather, choking the fish, etc. eu·troph'i·ca´tion •n. [EU- + TROPHIC]

euxenite (yu:k´sэ nait') •n. a lustrous, brown-black mineral containing columbium, titanium, yttrium, erbium, cerium, and uranium [Ger euxenit < Gr euxenos, hospitable (< eu- (see EU-) + xenos, stranger, guest) + -ITE¹: so named from containing several rare elements]

Euxine Sea (yuk´sэn, -sain) ancient name of the BLACK SEA [L Pontus Euxinus]

ev or eV electron-volt

Eva (i:´vэ) a feminine name: see EVE EVA extravehicular activity

evacuant (i: væk´yu: эnt, i-) •adj. causing evacuation, esp. of the bowels; cathartic or emetic •n. an evacuant medicine [L evacuans, prp. of evacuare: see EVACUATE]

evacuate (i: væk´yu: eit', i-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to make empty; remove the contents of; specif., to remove air from so as to make a vacuum 2 to discharge (bodily waste, esp. feces) 3 a) to remove (inhabitants, etc.) from (a place or area), as for protective purposes b) to give up military occupation of; withdraw from •vi. 1 to withdraw, as from a besieged town or area of danger 2 to discharge bodily waste, esp. feces e·vac´u·a'tive •adj. e·vac´u·a'tor •n. [< L evacuatus, pp. of evacuare < e-, out + vacuare, to make empty < vacuus, empty]

evacuation (i: væk'yu: ei´shэn, i-) •n. 1 an evacuating or being evacuated 2 something evacuated; specif., feces Etymology [ME evacuacioun < L evacuatio]

evacuee (i: væk'yu: i:´, -væk´yu: i:'; i-) •n. a person evacuated from an area of danger

evade (i: veid´, i-) e·vad´ed, e·vad´ing •vi. 1 [Rare] to escape; get away 2 to be deceitful or clever in avoiding or escaping something; use evasion •vt. 1 to avoid or escape from by deceit or cleverness; elude {to evade a pursuer} 2 to avoid doing or answering directly; get around; get out of {to evade a question, to evade payment of a tax} SYN. ESCAPE e·vad´a·ble •adj. e·vad´er •n. [Fr évader < L evadere < e-, out, from + vadere, to go: see WADE]

evaginate (i: væj´э neit', i-) -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 to turn inside out 2 to cause to protrude by turning inside out e·vag'i·na´tion •n. [< L evaginatus, pp. of evaginare, to unsheathe < e-, from + vagina, a sheath]

evaluate (i: væl´yu: eit', i-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to find the value or amount of 2 to judge or determine the worth or quality of; appraise 3 Math. to find the numerical value of; express in numbers SYN. ESTIMATE e·val'u·a´tion •n. e·val´u·a'tive •adj. e·val´u·a'tor •n. [back-form. < EVALUATION < Fr évaluation < OFr évaluer < value < valu: see VALUE]

Evan (ev´эn) a masculine name [Welsh, var. of JOHN]

evanesce (ev'э nes´) -nesced´, -nesc´ing •vi. to fade from sight like mist or smoke; disappear; vanish [L evanescere < e-, out + vanescere, to vanish < vanus, VAIN]

evanescence (-nes´эns) •n. 1 a fading from sight; vanishing 2 a tendency to fade from sight; evanescent quality; transitoriness [ML evanescentia: see EVANESCENT]

evanescent (-nes´эnt) •adj. tending to fade from sight; vanishing; ephemeral SYN. TRANSIENT ev'a·nes´cent·ly •adv. [< L evanescens, prp.: see EVANESCE]

evangel (i: væn´jэl, i-) •n. 1 the gospel 2 [E-] any of the four Gospels 3 an evangelist [Gr euangelos] [ME & OFr evangile < L evangelium, good news (in LL(Ec), gospel) < Gr euangelion, good news (in N.T., gospel) < euangelos, bringing good news < eu-, well + angelos, messenger: see ANGEL]

evangelical (i:'væn jel´i kэl, ev'эn-) •adj. 1 in, of, or according to the Gospels or the teaching of the New Testament 2 of those Protestant churches, as the Methodist and Baptist, that emphasize salvation by faith and reject the efficacy of the sacraments and good works alone 3 [E-] designating or of a number of Protestant sects with this belief 4 of the Low Church party in the Church of England 5 of or promoting evangelism; evangelistic Also e'van·gel´ic •n. [E-] a member of an evangelical church e'van·gel´i·cal·ism' •n. e'van·gel´i·cal·ly •adv. [< LL(Ec) evangelicus < Gr euangelikos < euangelion (see EVANGEL) + -AL]

Evangeline (i: væn´jэ li:n', -lain', -lin) a feminine name [Fr Évangeline < LL(Ec) evangelium: see EVANGEL]

evangelism (i: væn´jэ liz'эm, i-) •n. 1 a preaching of, or zealous effort to spread, the gospel, as in revival meetings or by televised services 2 any zealous effort in propagandizing for a cause e·van'ge·lis´tic (-lis´tik) •adj. e·van'ge·lis´ti·cal·ly •adv. [LGr(Ec) euangelismos]

evangelist (-list) •n. 1 [E-] any of the four writers of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John 2 a revivalist or a preacher who holds large public services in various cities, now often televised [ME & OFr evangeliste < LL(Ec) evangelista < Gr euangelistēs, bringer of good news (in N.T., evangelist): see EVANGEL]

evangelize (i: væn´jэ laiz', i-) -lized', -liz'ing •vt. 1 to preach the gospel to 2 to convert to Christianity •vi. to preach the gospel e·van'ge·li·za´tion •n. [ME evangelisen < OFr evangeliser < LL(Ec) evangelizare < LGr(Ec) euangelizein < euangelion: see EVANGEL]

evanish (i: væn´ish) •vi. [Old Poet.] VANISH [ME evanishen < OFr evaniss-, extended stem of esvanir < VL *exvanire, for L evanescere, EVANESCE]

Evans (ev´эnz) 1 Sir Arthur John 1851-1941; Eng. archaeologist 2 Herbert McLean 1882-1971; U.S. anatomist & biologist 3 Mary Ann see ELIOT, George 4 Maurice 1901-89; U.S. actor, born in England 5 Walker 1903-75; U.S. photographer

Evanston (ev´эn stэn) city in NE Ill., on Lake Michigan: suburb of Chicago: pop. 73,000 [after Dr. John Evans, local philanthropist]

Evansville (ev´эnz vil') city in SW Ind., on the Ohio River: pop. 126,000 [after Gen. R. M. Evans, a founder, who served in the War of 1812]

evaporable (i: væp´э rэ bэl, i-) •adj. that can be evaporated e·vap'o·ra·bil´i·ty •n. [ML evaporabilis]

evaporate (i: væp´э reit', i-) -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vt. 1 to change (a liquid or solid) into vapor; drive out or draw off in the form of vapor 2 to remove moisture from (milk, vegetables, fruits, etc.) by heating or drying so as to get a concentrated product 3 a) to deposit (a metal, metallic salts, etc.) by sublimation b) to drive out (neutrons, electrons, etc.) •vi. 1 to become vapor; pass off in the form of vapor 2 to give off vapor 3 to disappear like vapor; vanish e·vap'o·ra´tion •n. e·vap´o·ra'tive •adj. e·vap´o·ra'tor •n. [ME evaporaten < L evaporatus, pp. of evaporare < e-, out, from + vaporare, to emit vapor < vapor, VAPOR]

evaporated milk unsweetened milk thickened by evaporation to about half its weight, and then canned and sterilized: cf. CONDENSED MILK

evapotranspiration (i: væp'ou træn'spэ rei´shэn) •n. the total water loss from the soil, including that by direct evaporation and that by transpiration from the surfaces of plants [EVAPO(RATION) + TRANSPIRATION]

evasion (i: vei´zhэn, i-) •n. 1 an evading; specif., an avoiding of a duty, question, etc. by deceit or cleverness 2 a way of doing this; subterfuge [ME & OFr < L evasio < evasus, pp. of evadere: see EVADE]

evasive (i: vei´siv, i-) •adj. 1 tending or seeking to evade; not straightforward; tricky; equivocal 2 hard to catch, grasp, etc.; elusive e·va´sive·ly •adv. e·va´sive·ness •n. [< L evasus (see EVASION) + -IVE]

Eve (i:v) 1 a feminine name: var. Eva 2 Bible the first woman, Adam's wife: Gen. 3:20 [ME < LL(Ec) Eva, Heva < Heb Hawwāh, lit. life, living being] eve (i:v) •n. 1 [Old Poet.] evening 2 [often E-] the evening or day before a holiday {Christmas Eve} 3 the period immediately before some event {on the eve of victory} [ME, var. of even < OE æfen, EVENING]

evection (i: vek´shэn, i-) •n. a periodical variation in the motion of the moon in its orbit, caused by the attraction of the sun e·vec´tion·al •adj. [L evectio, a going up, carrying out < evectus, pp. of evehere < e-, out, from + vehere, to carry: see WAY]

Evelyn (ev´э lin; Brit usually, i:v´lin) 1 a feminine and masculine name: fem. var. Evelina, Eveline 2 John 1620-1706; Eng. diarist

even money equal stakes in betting, with no odds

even¹ (i:´vэn) •adj. 1 flat; level; smooth {even country} 2 not irregular; not varying; uniform; constant {an even tempo} 3 calm; tranquil; serene; placid {an even disposition} 4 in the same plane or line; in line {water even with the rim} 5 equally balanced 6 a) owing and being owed nothing b) with neither a profit nor a loss 7 revenged for a wrong, insult, etc. 8 just; equitable; fair {an even exchange} 9 equal or identical in number, quantity, degree, score, etc. 10 exactly divisible by two: said of numbers: opposed to ODD 11 exact {an even mile} •adv. 1 [Obs.] in an even manner 2 used as an intensive or emphatic particle meaning: a) though it may seem improbable; moreover; indeed; fully {even unto death, even a fool could understand} b) exactly; precisely; just; in no other way but {it happened even as I expected} c) just as; while; already {even as he spoke, she entered} d) still; yet (used in emphasizing a comparison) {an even worse mistake} e) [Archaic] namely; particularly {one there was, even John} •vt., vi. to make, become, or be even; level off; equalize or be equalized SYN. LEVEL, STEADY even if supposing that; though e´ven·ly •adv. e´ven·ness •n. [ME < OE efne, efen, akin to Ger eben, Goth ibns < ? IE base *yem-, hold together > MIr emon, twins]

even² (i:´vэn) •n. [Archaic] evening [see EVE]

evenfall (-föl') •n. [Old Poet.] twilight; dusk

evenhanded (i:´vэn hæn'did) •adj. impartial; fair; just

evening (i:v´niŋ) •n. 1 the last part of the day; close of the day and early part of night; period between sunset or the last meal of the day and bedtime 2 in some parts of the South, in rural areas, and in parts of England, the period from noon through sunset and twilight 3 the last period, as of life, a career, etc. 4 a part of the night spent in a specified way {a musical evening} •adj. of, in, or for the evening [ME < OE æfnung, verbal n. < æfnian, to grow toward evening < æfen, evening, akin to Ger abend, prob. < IE base *epi-, *opi-, after, later (> Gr epi, L ob): basic sense later part of the day]

evening dress (or clothes) formal clothes worn on formal occasions in the evening

evening prayer [often E- P-] 1 R.C.Ch. the sixth of the seven canonical hours; vespers 2 Anglican Ch. EVENSONG

evening primrose any of a genus (Oenothera) of plants of the evening-primrose family, with yellow, pink, or white flowers, many of which open in the evening

evening star a bright planet, esp. Venus, that can be seen in the W sky soon after sunset

evening-primrose (-prim´rouz') •adj. designating a family (Onagraceae, order Myrtales) of dicotyledonous plants found chiefly in temperate America, including the fuchsia, sundrops, and willow herbs

evenings (i:v´niŋz') •adv. during every evening or most evenings

even-pinnate (i:'vэn pin´eit, -it) •adj. with pinnate leaflets that are symmetrically paired: see LEAF, illus.

evensong (i:´vэn söŋ') •n. 1 [often E-] a) R.C.Ch. vespers (see VESPER, sense 2a) b) Anglican Ch. the worship service assigned to the evening 2 a song sung at evening 3 [Archaic] evening [ME < OE æfensang: see EVENING & SONG]

even-steven or even-stephen (i:´vэn sti:´vэn) •adj. [Colloq.] [often e- S-] EVEN¹ (senses 4 -9): also even steven or even stephen [rhyming slang < EVEN¹ + STEVEN]

event (i: vent´, i-) •n. 1 a happening or occurrence, esp. when important 2 [Archaic] a result; consequence; outcome 3 a particular contest or item in a program {the pole vault, high jump, and other events} SYN. OCCURRENCE in any event no matter what happens; anyhow: also at all events in the event [Chiefly Brit.] as it turns out or turned out in the event of if there should happen to be; in case of in the event that if it should happen that [OFr < L eventus, event, pp. of evenire, to happen < e-, out + venire, COME]

even-tempered (i:´vэn tem'pэrd) •adj. not quickly angered or excited; placid; calm

eventful (i: vent´fэl, i-) •adj. 1 full of outstanding events {an eventful year} 2 having an important outcome; momentous {an eventful conversation} e·vent´ful·ly •adv. e·vent´ful·ness •n.

eventide (i:´vэn taid') •n. [Archaic] evening [ME < OE æfentid: see EVENING & TIDE¹]

eventual (i: ven´chu: эl, -shu:-; i-) •adj. 1 [Archaic] contingent or possible 2 happening at the end of, or as a result of, a series of events; ultimate; final {eventual success} [< L eventus (see EVENT) + -AL]

eventuality (i: ven'chu: æl´э ti:, -shu:-; i-) pl. -ties •n. a possible event, outcome, or condition; contingency

eventually (i: ven´chu: эl i:, -shu:-; -chэ li:, -shэ-; -shu:-; i-) •adv. finally; ultimately; in the end

eventuate (i: ven´chu: eit', -shu:-; i-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. to happen in the end; result: often with in [< L eventus (see EVENT) + -ATE¹]

ever (ev´эr) •adv. 1 at all times; always {lived happily ever after} 2 at any time {have you ever seen an eclipse?} 3 at all; by any chance; in any way {how can I ever repay you?} Ever is also used colloquially as an intensifier [was she ever tired!] ever and anon (or again) [Archaic] now and then; occasionally ever so [Colloq.] very; extremely for ever and ever always: also for ever and a day [ME < OE æfre, prob. < WGmc bases of OE a, always, ever (see AYE¹) + ? feorr, FAR]

Everest (ev´эr ist, ev´rist), Mount peak of the Himalayas, on the border of Nepal & Tibet: highest known mountain in the world: 29,028 ft. (8,848 m)

Everett (ev´эr it, ev´rit) 1 a masculine name 2 Edward 1794-1865; U.S. statesman, orator, & clergyman [Du Evert, Everhart < OFr Everart < OHG Eburhart < ebur, wild boar + harto, strong (see HARD): hence, lit., strong (as a) wild boar] Everett port in NW Wash., on Puget Sound: pop. 70,000: see SEATTLE [after Everett Colby, son of a founder]

everglade (ev´эr gleid') •n. a tract of marshy land covered in places with tall grass; swampland the Everglades large tract of subtropical marshland in S Fla.: c. 40 mi. (65 km) wide [EVER (in sense unending) + GLADE]

Everglades National Park national park in the S part of the Everglades: wildlife refuge & biosphere reserve: 2,185 sq. mi. (5,660 sq. km)

evergreen (ev´эr gri:n') •adj. having leaves that are green all year: opposed to DECIDUOUS •n. 1 an evergreen plant or tree, including most conifers and many broad-leaved plants, as some rhododendrons, hollies, etc. 2 [pl.] the branches and twigs of evergreens, used for decoration

everlasting (ev'эr læs´tiŋ) •adj. 1 never coming to an end; lasting forever; eternal 2 going on for a long time; lasting indefinitely; durable 3 going on too long or happening too often; seeming never to stop •n. 1 eternity 2 a) any of various plants, mostly of the composite family, whose blossoms keep their color and shape when dried; esp., the strawflower b) the blossom of such a plant the Everlasting name for God ev'er·last´ing·ly •adv. ev'er·last´ing·ness •n.

evermore (ev'эr mör´, ev´эr mör') •adv. 1 [Archaic] forever; constantly 2 [Obs.] for all future time for evermore forever; always [ME evermor, earlier efre ma < OE æfre ma: see EVER & MORE]

eversible (i: vør´sэ bэl) •adj. that can be everted [< L eversus (see EVERSION) + -IBLE]

eversion (i: vør´shэn, -zhэn) •n. an everting or being everted [ME & OFr < L eversio < eversus, pp. of evertere]

evert (i: vørt´) •vt. to turn outward or inside out, as an eyelid [L evertere < e-, out + vertere, to turn: see VERSE]

evertor (i: vørt´эr) •n. a muscle that everts or rotates a part, esp. the foot, outward

every (ev´ri:) •adj. 1 each, individually and separately; each, and including all {every man among you} 2 the fullest possible; all that there could be {given every chance to do the job} 3 each group or interval (a specified number or time) {take a pill every three hours} every now and then from time to time; occasionally: also [Colloq.] every so often every other each alternate, as the first, third, fifth, etc. Æ every which way [Colloq.] 1 in every direction 2 in complete disorder [ME everiche < OE æfre ælc, lit., ever each]

every one every person or thing of those named {to remind every one of the students}

everybody (ev´ri: bäd'i:, -bûd'i:, -bэd i:) pron. every person; everyone

everyday (ev´ri: dei', -dei´) •adj. 1 daily {one's everyday routine} 2 suitable for ordinary days {everyday shoes} 3 usual; common {an everyday occurrence}

Everyman (ev´ri: mæn) •n. [often e-] a person or fictional character regarded as representing the human race or the common person

everyone (ev´ri: wûn', -wэn) pron. every person; everybody

everything (ev´ri: thiŋ') pron. 1 every thing; all things; all 2 all things pertinent to a specified matter 3 the most important thing {money is everything to him}

everywhere (ev´ri: hwer', -wer') •adv. in or to every place

evict (i: vikt´, i-) •vt. 1 to recover (property) through court judgment or superior claim 2 to remove (a tenant) from leased premises by legal procedure, as for failure to pay rent SYN. EJECT e·vic´tion •n. [ME evicten < L evictus, pp. of evincere, EVINCE]

evidence (ev´э dэns; also, esp. for v., -dens') •n. 1 [Archaic] the condition of being evident 2 something that makes another thing evident; indication; sign 3 something that tends to prove; ground for belief 4 Law something presented in a legal proceeding, as a statement of a witness, an object, etc., which bears on or establishes a point in question: distinguished from TESTIMONY and PROOF: see also STATE'S EVIDENCE •vt. -denced, -denc·ing 1 to make evident; indicate; show 2 to bear witness to; attest SYN. PROOF in evidence plainly visible or perceptible [ME < OFr < L evidentia < evidens, clear, evident < e-, from + videns, prp. of videre, to see: see WISE²]

evident (ev´э dэnt; also, -dent') •adj. easy to see or perceive; clear; obvious; plain, apparent SYN.—evident and apparent apply to that which can be readily perceived or easily inferred, but evident implies the existence of external signs [his evident disappointment] and apparent suggests the use of deductive reasoning [it's apparent he'll win]; manifest applies to that which is immediately, often intuitively, clear to the understanding; obvious refers to that which is so noticeable or obtrusive that no one can fail to perceive it; palpable applies esp. to that which can be perceived through some sense other than that of sight [palpable signs of fever]; clear implies that there is no confusion or obscurity to hinder understanding [clear proof]; plain implies such simplicity or lack of complexity as to be easily perceptible [the plain facts are these] [ME < OFr < L evidens (gen. evidentis): see EVIDENCE]

evidential (ev'э den´shэl) •adj. 1 of, serving as, or based on evidence 2 providing, or having the nature of, evidence ev'i·den´tial·ly •adv.

evidentiary (-shэ ri:) •adj. EVIDENTIAL

evidently (ev'э dent´li:, ev´э dэnt li:) •adv. 1 obviously; clearly 2 apparently (but not necessarily); seemingly

evil (i:´vэl) •adj. 1 a) morally bad or wrong; wicked; depraved b) resulting from or based on conduct regarded as immoral {an evil reputation} 2 causing pain or trouble; harmful; injurious 3 offensive or disgusting {an evil odor} 4 threatening or bringing misfortune; unlucky; disastrous; unfortunate {an evil hour} •adv. in an evil, wicked, or offensive way Now only in hyphenated compounds [evil-hearted] •n. 1 anything morally bad or wrong; wickedness; depravity; sin 2 anything that causes harm, pain, misery, disaster, etc. SYN. BAD¹ the Evil One the Devil; Satan e´vil·ly •adv. e´vil·ness •n. [ME ivel < OE yfel, akin to Ger übel < IE *upelo- < base *upo-, up from under > UP¹, Sans upa, toward]

evil eye 1 a look or stare which, in superstitious belief, is able to harm or bewitch the one stared at 2 the supposed power to cast such a look With the

evildoer (-du:'эr) •n. a person who does evil, esp. habitually e´vil·do'ing •n.

evil-minded (-main´did) •adj. having an evil mind or disposition; specif., a) malicious or wicked b) habitually putting an evil interpretation, esp. a salacious or prurient one, on even innocent things e´vil-mind´ed·ly •adv. e´vil-mind´ed·ness •n.

evince (i: vins´, i-) e·vinced´, e·vinc´ing •vt. 1 [Obs.] to overcome 2 to show plainly; indicate; make manifest; esp., to show that one has (a specified quality, feeling, etc.) e·vin´ci·ble •adj. e·vin´cive •adj. [L evincere, to conquer, win one's point < e-, intens. + vincere, to conquer: see VICTOR]

eviscerate (i: vis´эr eit', i-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to remove the viscera from; disembowel 2 to deprive of an essential part; take away the force, significance, etc. of 3 Surgery to remove the contents of (an organ) •vi. 1 to protrude through a surgical incision, as the viscera 2 to experience such a protrusion e·vis'cer·a´tion •n. [< L evisceratus, pp. of eviscerare < e-, out + viscera, VISCERA]

evitable (ev´i tэ bэl) •adj. avoidable [L evitabilis < evitare, to shun < e-, from + vitare, to avoid: see WIDE]

evocable (ev´э kэ bэl) •adj. that can be evoked [Fr évocable: see EVOKE]

evocation (ev'э kei´shэn, i:'vou-) •n. 1 an evoking, or calling forth 2 INDUCTION (sense 5) [ME evocacion < L evocatio < pp. of evocare]

evocative (i: väk´э tiv, i-) •adj. tending to evoke e·voc´a·tive·ly •adv. e·voc´a·tive·ness •n. [L evocativus]

evocator (ev´э keit'эr, i:´vou-) •n. a person who evokes

evoke (i: vouk´, i-) e·voked´, e·vok´ing •vt. 1 to call forth or summon (a spirit, demon, etc.), as by chanting magical words; conjure up 2 to draw forth or elicit (a particular mental image, reaction, etc.) SYN. EXTRACT [Fr évoquer < L evocare < e-, out, from + vocare, to call < vox, VOICE]