gallnut (göl´nût') •n. NUTGALL

Gallo- (gæl´ou, -э) combining form French, French and {Gallophile} [L < Gallus, a Gaul]

galloglass (gæl´ou glæs') •n. an armed follower of any of the old Irish chieftains [Ir gallōglach, servant, soldier < gall, foreigner + ōglach, a youth, servant, soldier < OIr ōac, YOUNG]

gallon (gæl´эn) •n. 1 a unit of liquid measure equal to 4 quarts (3.7854 liters): the British and Canadian imperial gallon equals 4.546 liters 2 any container with a capacity of one gallon Abbrev. gal [ME galoun < NormFr galon < OFr jalon < VL *gallone < stem of LL galleta, a jug]

gallonage (-ij) •n. amount or capacity in gallons

galloon (gэ lu:n´) •n. a braid or ribbon, as of cotton or silk or of gold or silver thread, used for trimming or binding [Fr galon < galonner, to braid, adorn with lace, altered (? infl. by gala: see GALA) < OFr *garlonner < garlander, to ornament < garlande, GARLAND]

gallop (gæl´эp) •vi. 1 to go at a gallop 2 to move, progress, or act very fast; hurry •vt. to cause to gallop •n. [OFr galop] 1 the fastest gait of a horse or other animal, consisting of a succession of leaping strides with all the feet off the ground at one time 2 a ride on a galloping animal 3 any fast pace, speedy action, or rapid progression gal´lop·er •n. gal´lop·ing •adj. [ME galopen < OFr galoper < Frank *walahlaupan, to run well < *wala, akin to WELL² + *hlaupan, to run, akin to LEAP]

gallopade (gæl'э peid´) •n. GALOP [Fr galopade < galoper: see GALLOP & -ADE]

gallous (gæl´эs) •adj. Chem. of or containing divalent gallium [GALL(IUM) + -OUS]

Galloway (gæl´э wei') former district in SW Scotland, comprising the counties of Wigtown and Kirkcudbright: now part of the region of DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY •n. any of a breed of polled beef cattle, usually black with a curly coat, resembling the Aberdeen Angus and originating in the district of Galloway

gallowglass (gæl´ou glæs') •n. alt. sp. of GALLOGLASS

gallows (gæl´ouz) pl. -lows or -lows·es •n. 1 an upright frame with a crossbeam and a rope, for hanging condemned persons 2 any structure like this, used for suspending or supporting 3 the death sentence by hanging [ME galwes, pl. of galwe < OE galga, akin to Ger galgen < IE base *Ghalgh-, pliant tree branch > Lith žalgà, long, thin pole: the earliest gallows was a pulled-down branch that carried the victim with it when allowed to spring up]

gallows bird [Colloq.] a person who deserves hanging

gallows humor amused cynicism by one facing disaster; morbid or cynical humor

gallows tree a gallows [ME galwetre < OE galgtreow]

gallstone (göl´stoun') •n. a small, solid mass formed in some gallbladders or bile ducts; biliary calculus: it is formed of cholesterol, or, occasionally, of calcium salts, and can obstruct the flow of bile, causing pain, jaundice, and other symptoms

Gallup (gæl´эp), George Horace 1901-84; U.S. statistician

galluses (gæl´эs iz) •n.pl. [Colloq.] suspenders; braces [< gallus, dial. var. of GALLOWS]

Galois theory (gæl wä´) a branch of algebra that determines if an algebraic equation can be solved in terms of radicals [after E. Galois (1811-32), Fr mathematician]

galoot (gэ lu:t´) •n. [Slang] a person, esp. an awkward, ungainly person [orig., naval slang < ?]

galop (gæl´эp; Fr gå lou´) •n. 1 a lively round dance in 2/4 time 2 music for this •vi. to dance a galop [Fr: see GALLOP]

galore (gэ lör´) •adj. in abundance: used postpositively {a menu with salads galore} [Ir go leōr, enough < go, to + leōr, enough]

galosh or galoshe (gэ läsh´) •n. 1 orig., a heavy shoe or boot 2 an overshoe, esp. a high, warmly lined overshoe of rubber and fabric: usually used in pl. [ME galoche < OFr < ML galochium, shoe with a wooden sole < VL *calopus < Gr kalopous, lit., wooden foot < kalon, wood + pous, FOOT]

Galsworthy (gölz´wør'ði:, gælz´-), John 1867-1933; Eng. novelist & playwright

Galton (göl´tªn), Sir Francis 1822-1911; Eng. scientist & writer: pioneer in eugenics

galumph (gэ lûmf´) •vi. to march or bound along in a self-satisfied, triumphant manner [coined by Lewis CARROLL < GAL(LOP) + (TRI)UMPH]

Galvani (gæl vä´ni:), Lu·i·gi (lu wi:´ji:) 1737-98; It. physiologist & physicist

galvanic (gæl væn´ik) •adj. 1 of, caused by, or producing an electric current, esp. from a battery 2 stimulating or stimulated as if by electric shock; startling or convulsive Also gal·van´i·cal gal·van´i·cal·ly •adv. [fol. + -IC]

galvanism (gæl´vэ niz'эm) •n. 1 electricity produced by chemical action 2 Med. direct electrical current used to stimulate nerves and muscles [Fr galvanisme < It galvanismo: so called after GALVANI]

galvanize (gæl´vэ naiz') -nized', -niz'ing •vt. 1 to apply an electric current to 2 to stimulate as if by electric shock; rouse; stir; spur 3 to plate (metal) with zinc, originally by galvanic action gal'va·ni·za´tion •n. [Fr galvanizer < galvanisme: see GALVANISM]

galvano- (gæl´vэ nou', gæl væn´ou) combining form galvanic, galvanism {galvanometer}

galvanomagnetic (-mæg net´ik) •adj. of or relating to the generation of a transverse electric field in metals and semiconductors in the presence of a magnetic field

galvanometer (gæl'vэ näm´эt эr) •n. an instrument for detecting and measuring a small electric current gal'va·no'met´ric (-vэ nou'me´trik) •adj. gal'va·nom´e·try (-tri:) •n.

Galveston (gæl´vis tэn) seaport in SE Tex., on an island (Galveston Island) at the mouth of Galveston Bay: pop. 59,000 [< fol.]

Galveston Bay inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, in SE Tex. [after Bernardo de Gálvez (1746-86), gov. of Louisiana]

Galway (göl´wei) 1 county in Connacht province, W Ireland: 2,293 sq. mi. (5,939 sq. km); pop. 172,000 2 its county seat, on an inlet of the Atlantic (Galway Bay): pop. 37,800

Galwegian (gæl wi:´jэn) •adj. of Galloway or its people •n. a native or inhabitant of Galloway

galyak or galyac (gæl´yæk') •n. a flat, glossy fur made from the pelts of lambs or kids [< word used in Bukhara for a premature lamb < Russ golyak, bare, naked < IE base *gal- > CALLOW]

gam¹ (gæm) •n. 1 a social visit 2 a social visit or conversation between the crews of ships, esp. whaling ships, at sea 3 a school of whales •vi. gammed, gam´ming 1 to take part in a gam 2 to come together; congregate: said of whales [prob. < Scand, as in Norw, Swed dial. gams, loose conversation < ON gems, akin to GAME¹]

gam² (gæm) •n. a leg; often, specif., a woman's shapely leg [var. of GAMB]

Gama , Vasco da see DA GAMA, Vasco

gama grass (gä´mэ) any of several tall, perennial, American grasses (genus Tripsacum), used for forage [altered < GRAMA grass]

Gamaliel (gэ mei´li: эl, -meil´yэl) Bible a teacher of Saul of Tarsus; Acts 22:3 [LL < Gr Gamaliēl < Heb gamliel, lit., reward of God]

gamay (gæ mei´) •n. [sometimes G-] 1 a red grape used esp. in making Beaujolais 2 any of several wines made from this grape

gamb or gambe (gæmb) •n. an animal's leg or shank, esp. on a coat of arms [dial. Fr gambe (Fr jambe) < ML gamba, a leg (in LL, a hoof) < Gr kampē, a turn, bend: see CAMPUS]

gambado (gæm bei´dou) pl. -dos or -does •n. 1 [altered < Fr gambade < Prov gambado < It gambata, a kick < gamba, leg: see GAMBE] a) a curvetting leap, as by a horse b) a prank or antic2 a long legging, esp. one attached to a saddle to serve as a stirrup [< It gamba, a leg]

gambeson (gæm´bi sэn) •n. a medieval coat, made of leather or quilted cloth, worn as armor [ME < OFr < ML wambasium < LGr bambax, cotton: see BOMBAST]

Gambia (gæm´bi: э) 1 country on the W coast of Africa, surrounded on three sides by Senegal: formerly a British colony & protectorate, it became independent (1965) & a member of the Commonwealth: 3,451 sq. mi. (11,295 sq. km); pop. 695,800; cap. Banjul: official name The Gambia 2 river in W Africa, flowing from N Guinea, through Senegal & Gambia, into the Atlantic: c. 700 mi. (1,120 km)

gambier or gambir (gæm´bir') •n. an astringent substance extracted from various S Asian plants (genus Uncaria) of the madder family, chewed with the betel nut: used in tanning and dyeing and, formerly, in medicine [Malay gambir]

gambit (gæm´bit) •n. 1 Chess an opening in which a pawn or other piece is sacrificed to get an advantage in position 2 an opening maneuver, action, or remark intended to gain an advantage or to offer an opinion [Fr < OFr gambet < Sp gambito, a tripping < It gamba, a leg < ML gamba: see GAMB]

gamble (gæm´bэl) -bled, -bling •vi. 1 to play games of chance for money or some other stake 2 to take a risk in order to gain some advantage •vt. to risk in gambling; bet; wager •n. an act or undertaking involving risk of a loss gamble away to squander or lose in gambling gam´bler (-blэr) •n. [prob. back-form. < obs. gamler, a gambler < gamel, to play (altered < ME gamen, to play < game, GAME¹) + -ER: akin to Ger dial. gammeln, to sport, make merry]

gamboge (gæm´bouj´, -bu:j´, -bu:zh´) •n. 1 a gum resin obtained from a tropical Asian tree (Garcinia hanburyi) of the Saint Johnswort family, used as a yellow pigment and as a cathartic [ModL gambogium, after CAMBODIA, where first obtained]

gambol (gæm´bэl) •n. a jumping and skipping about in play; frolic •vi. -boled or -bolled, -bol·ing or -bol·ling to jump and skip about in play; frolic [earlier gambolde < Fr gambade, a gambol: see GAMBADO]

gambrel (gæm´brэl) •n. 1 the hock of a horse or similar animal 2 a frame shaped like a horse's hind leg, used by butchers for hanging carcasses Æ 3 GAMBREL ROOF [NormFr < OFr gambe: see GAMB]

gambrel roof a roof with two slopes on each of two sides, the lower steeper than the upper

gambusia (gæm byu:´zi: э, -si: э) •n. Æ any of a genus (Gambusia) of small freshwater livebearers useful in mosquito control, including the mosquito fish [ModL, altered from Cuban Sp gambusino]

game fish any fish regularly caught for sport

game fowl any of a breed of fowl trained for cockfighting

game laws laws regulating hunting and fishing in order to preserve game

game plan 1 the strategy planned before a game, esp. a football game 2 any long-range strategy to reach an objective

game point 1 the situation in a game, esp. tennis, when the next point scored could decide the winner 2 the winning point

game show a television program in which audience participants compete for prizes

game theory a method of using mathematical analysis to select the best available strategy in order to minimize one's maximum losses or maximize one's minimum winnings in a game, war, business competition, etc.

game¹ (geim) •n. 1 any form of play or way of playing; amusement; recreation; sport; frolic; play 2 a) any specific contest, engagement, amusement, computer simulation, or sport involving physical or mental competition under specific rules, as football, chess, or war games b) a single contest in such a competition {to win two out of three games} c) a subdivision of a contest, as in a set in tennis 3 a) the number of points required for winning {the game is 25} b) the score at any given point in a competition {at the half the game was 7 to 6} 4 that which is gained by winning; victory; win 5 a set of equipment for a competitive amusement {to sell toys and games} 6 a way or quality of playing in competition {to play a good game} 7 any test of skill, courage, or endurance {the game of life} 8 a project; scheme; plan {to see through another's game} 9 a) wild birds or animals hunted for sport or for use as food (see also BIG GAME) b) the flesh of such creatures used as food 10 any object of pursuit or attack: usually in fair game 11 [Colloq.] a business or vocation, esp. one with an element of risk {the stock-market game} •vi. gamed, gam´ing to play cards, etc. for stakes; gamble •adj. 1 designating or of wild birds or animals hunted for sport or for use as food 2 gam´er, gam´est a) plucky; courageous b) having enough spirit or enthusiasm; ready (for something) Æ ahead of the game [Colloq.] in the position of winning, esp. in gambling die game to die bravely and still fighting game away to squander or lose in gambling make game of to make fun of; make the butt of jokes, teasing, etc.; ridicule off one's game performing poorly play the game 1 [Colloq.] to act according to the rules of a game 2 to behave as fairness or custom requires The Game charades the game is up all chances for success are gone [ME < OE gamen, akin to OFris game, OHG gaman < ? IE base *gwhemb-, to leap merrily]

game² (geim) •adj. lame or injured: said esp. of a leg [< ?]

gamecock (geim´käk') •n. a specially bred rooster trained for cockfighting

gamekeeper (geim´ki:'pэr) •n. a person employed to breed and take care of game birds and animals on State farms or private estates

gamelan (gæm´э læn') •n. a musical ensemble of Indonesia, consisting of wind, string, and percussion instruments, as flute, lute, gongs, drums, and bamboo xylophones [Jav, a bamboo xylophone]

gamely (geim´li:) •adv. in a game, or plucky, manner

gameness (-nis) •n. a game, or plucky, quality

gamesmanship (geimz´mэn ship') •n. skill in using ploys to gain a victory or advantage over another person [< GAME¹ + (SPORT)SMANSHIP]

gamesome (geim´sэm) •adj. playful; sportive; frolicsome game´some·ly •adv. [ME gamsum: see GAME¹ & -SOME¹]

gamester (geim´stэr) •n. a gambler [GAME¹ + -STER]

gametangium (gæm'э tæn´ji: эm) pl. -gi·a (-э) •n. a plant structure in which gametes are produced [ModL: see GAMETE & ANGIO-]

gamete (gæm´i:t, gэ mi:t´) •n. a reproductive cell that is haploid and can unite with another gamete to form the cell (zygote) that develops into a new individual ga·met·ic (gэ met´ik) •adj. [ModL gameta < Gr gametē, a wife < gamein, to marry < gamos: see GAMO-]

gameto- (gэ mi:t´ou, -э) combining form gamete {gametophore}

gametocyte (gэ mi:t´э sait') •n. a parent cell, which undergoes meiosis and produces gametes

gametogenesis (gэ mi:t'ou jen´э sis) •n. the entire process of consecutive cell divisions and differentiation by which mature eggs or sperm are developed ga·me'to·gen´ic (-jen´ik) or gam·e·tog·e·nous (gæm'э täj´э nэs) •adj. gam'e·tog´e·ny (-ni:) •n.

gametophore (gэ mi:t´э för') •n. that part of a plant bearing the organs that produce gametes ga·me'to·phor´ic •adj.

gametophyte (-fait') •n. in plants, the gamete-bearing generation that is haploid and reproduces by eggs and sperms: distinguished from SPOROPHYTE ga·me'to·phyt´ic (-fit´ik) •adj.

gamic (gæm´ik) •adj. Biol. that can develop only after fertilization: said of such an ovum [< Gr gamos, marriage (see GAMO-) + -IC]

gamily (geim´э li:) •adv. in a gamy manner; esp., pluckily

gamin (gæm´in; Fr gå mæñ´) •n. 1 a neglected child left to roam the streets; street urchin 2 a girl with a roguish, saucy charm: also ga·mine (gæ mi:n´) [Fr]

gaminess (geim´i: nis) •n. the quality of being gamy

gaming (geim´iŋ) •n. 1 the act or practice of gambling 2 playing games that imitate possible business situations or war maneuvers, as preparation or training

gamma (gæm´э) •n. 1 name of the third letter of the Greek alphabet (Γ, γ) 2 the third of a group or series 3 a microgram 4 a number indicating the degree of contrast between the darkest and lightest parts of a photographic image 5 a unit of magnetic field intensity equal to 10-5 •adj. Chem. See ALPHA [ME < Gr < Sem, as in Heb gimel, akin to gamal, camel]

gamma globulin that fraction of blood serum which contains most antibodies, used in the temporary prevention of several infectious diseases, as measles and hepatitis

gamma ray 1 electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of 10-9 centimeters or less: may be produced by the reactions of nuclei or elementary particles or by the interaction of high energy electrons with matter 2 a stream of gamma rays

gammadion (gэ mei´di: эn) pl. -di·a (-э) •n. a figure made by four capital gammas radiating from a center; esp., a swastika [MGr, dim. < Gr gamma]

gammer (gæm´эr) •n. an old woman, esp. one from the country: now usually humorous: cf. GAFFER [altered < GODMOTHER]

gammon¹ (gæm´эn) •n. 1 the bottom end of a side of bacon 2 a smoked or cured ham or side of bacon [ME gambon < NormFr < dial. Fr gambe: see GAMB]

gammon² (gæm´эn) •n. Backgammon a victory in which the winner gets rid of all his men before his opponent gets rid of any •vt. to defeat by scoring a gammon [ME gammen, var. of game, gamen: see GAME¹]

gammon³ (gæm´эn) •vt. to secure (the bowsprit) to the stem of a vessel [< gammon, a lashing up < ?]

gammon4 (gæm´эn) •n., interj. [Brit. Colloq.] nonsense intended to deceive; humbug •vt., vi. [Brit. Colloq.] 1 to talk humbug (to) 2 to deceive or mislead [prob. orig. thieves' cant < ?]

gammy (gæm´i:) •adj. GAME² [altered < ? GAME²]

gamo- (gæm´ou, -э) combining form 1 sexually united {gamogenesis} 2 joined or united {gamosepalous} Also, before a vowel, gam- (gæm) [< Gr gamos, marriage < IE base *Gem-, to marry, be related > Sans jārá-h, suitor, jāmā, daughter-in-law, L gener, son-in-law]

gamogenesis (gæm'ou jen´э sis) •n. reproduction by the uniting of gametes; sexual reproduction gam'o·ge·net´ic (-jэ net´ik) •adj. gam'o·ge·net´i·cal·ly •adv.

gamopetalous (-pet´ªl эs) •adj. having the petals united so as to form a tubelike corolla as a morning glory

gamophyllous (-fil´эs) •adj. having leaves or leaflike organs joined by their edges

gamosepalous (-sep´эl эs) •adj. having the sepals united; monosepalous

-gamous (gэ mэs) combining form forming adjectives marrying, uniting sexually {heterogamous, polygamous} [< Gr gamos (see GAMO-) + -OUS]

Gamow (gæm´öf, -äf), George Antony 1904-68; U.S. astrophysicist, born in Russia

gamp (gæmp) •n. [Brit.] a large umbrella, esp. one that is bulky or awkwardly wrapped [in allusion to the umbrella of Mrs. Gamp in Dickens' Martin Chuzzlewit]

gamut (gæm´эt) •n. 1 Music a) the lowest note of the medieval scale, corresponding to modern G below middle C b) the complete medieval scale c) the entire series of recognized notes in modern music d) any complete musical scale, esp. the major scale 2 the entire range or extent, as of emotions SYN. RANGE [ML gamma ut < gamma, the gamut, name used by GUIDO D'AREZZO for the lowest note of his scale (< Gr gamma, GAMMA) + ut < L ut, that, used as a musical note, taken from a medieval song whose phrases began on successive ascending major tones: Ut queant laxis Resonare fibris, Mira gestorum Famuli tuorum, Solve polluti Labii reatum, Sancte Iohannes]

gamy (geim´i:) gam´i·er, gam´i·est •adj. 1 having a strong, tangy flavor like that of cooked game 2 strong in smell or taste; slightly tainted 3 plucky; game 4 a) risqué or racy b) salacious, coarse, or crude

-gamy (gэ mi:) combining form forming nouns marriage, sexual union {polygamy} [Gr -gamia < gamos: see GAMO-]

gan (gæn) •vt., vi. pt. of GIN³

Gand (gäñ) Fr. name of GHENT

Ganda (gän´dэ, gæn´-) pl. -das or -da •n. 1 a member of an agricultural people of S Uganda 2 their Bantu language

gander (gæn´dэr) •n. 1 a male goose 2 a stupid or silly fellow 3 [Slang] a look: chiefly in the phrase take a gander [ME < OE gan(d)ra, akin to Ger dial., Du, LowG gander, akin to Ger gans, GOOSE]

Gandhi (gän´di:, gæn´-) 1 Mrs. In·di·ra (Nehru) (in dir´э) 1917-84; Indian statesman: prime minister of India (1966-77; 1980-84): assassinated: daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru 2 Mo·han·das K(aramchand) 1869-1948; Hindu nationalist leader & social reformer: assassinated: called Mahatma Gandhi Gan´dhi·an •adj.

Gandhiism (-iz'эm) •n. the political theories of Gandhi, esp. his theories of passive resistance and civil disobedience to achieve reform

gandy dancer (gæn´di:) [Old Slang] a worker in a railroad section gang [prob. so named because of movements while using tools from the Gandy Manufacturing Co. (Chicago)]

ganef or ganof (gä´nэf) •n. [Slang] a thief [Yidd ganef < Heb ganav < ganav, to steal]

gang hook a multiple fishhook consisting of several, usually three, hooks with their shanks joined

gang plow a plow with a number of shares fastened side by side for making several furrows at a time

gang¹ (gæŋ) •n. 1 a group of people associated together in some way; specif., a) a group of workers directed by a foreman b) an organized group of criminals c) a squad of convicts at work d) a group of youths from one neighborhood banded together for social reasons; often specif., a band of juvenile delinquents 2 a set of like tools, machines, components, etc., designed or arranged to work together: often used attributively {gang drills} 3 a very large number of persons or things •vi. Æ to form, or be associated in, a gang (with up) •vt. Æ 1 [Colloq.] to attack as a gang Æ 2 to arrange in a gang, or coordinated set Æ gang up on [Colloq.] to attack or oppose as a group [ME, a band or company, orig., a going, journey < OE < base of gangan: see GANG2]

gang² (gæŋ) •vi. [Scot.] to go or work [ME gangen < OE gangan, akin to ON ganga, Goth gaggan, to go < IE base *Ghengh- > Sans jámhas-, a step]

gangbang (gæŋ´bæŋ') •n. [Slang] 1 [Vulgar] sexual intercourse, esp. rape, of one woman by several men in rapid succession 2 [Vulgar] a sexual orgy in which men and women change partners 3 a gang fight

gangbusters (-bûs'tэrz) •n.pl. [Slang] police or officials engaged in combating criminal gangs: now chiefly in like gangbusters, energetically or effectively

ganger (gæŋ´эr) •n. a foreman of a gang of workers

Ganges (gæn´ji:z) river in N India & Bangladesh, flowing from the Himalayas into the Bay of Bengal: c. 1,560 mi. (2,510 km) Gan·get·ic (gæn jet´ik) •adj.

gangland (gæŋ´lænd') •n. the sphere of criminal gangs

gangliated (gæŋ´gli: eit'id) •adj. having ganglia Also gan´gli·ate (-it, -eit')

gangling (gæŋ´gliŋ) •adj. thin, tall, and awkward; of loose, lanky build Also gan´gly [? altered (? infl. by DANGLE) < GANGREL, in obs. sense, lanky person]

ganglio- (gæŋ´gli: ou, -э) combining form ganglion Also, before a vowel, gangli-

ganglion (gæŋ´gli: эn, -än') pl. -gli·a (-э) or -gli·ons •n. 1 a mass of nerve cells serving as a center from which nerve impulses are transmitted 2 a center of force, energy, activity, etc. 3 a cystic tumor on a tendon sheath gan'gli·on´ic (-än´ik) •adj. [special use of LL ganglion, a swelling < Gr, tumor, prob. redupl. < IE base *gel-, to form into a ball > CLING, CLOD]

ganglioside (-э said') •n. any of a group of complex lipids found mainly on the membranes of nervous tissue and in the liver, spleen, and kidney [GANGLI(O)- + -OSE¹ + -IDE]

gangplank (gæŋ´plæŋk') •n. a narrow, movable platform or ramp forming a bridge by which to board or leave a ship [< gang, a going (see GANG¹) + PLANK]

gangrel (gæŋ´grэl, gæŋ´rэl) •n. [Now Chiefly Dial.] a roving beggar; vagrant [ME, a vagabond, tramp, prob. < gangen (see GANG²) + ending seen also in wastrel]

gangrene (gæŋ´gri:n', gæn´-; gæŋ gri:n´, gæn-) •n. decay of tissue in a part of the body when the blood supply is obstructed by injury, disease, etc. •vt., vi. -grened', -gren'ing [Now Rare] to develop gangrene (in) gan´gre·nous (-grэ nэs) •adj. [Fr gangrène < L gangraena < Gr gangraina, redupl. < gran, to gnaw < IE base *gras- > L gramen, grass, fodder]

gangster (gæŋ´stэr) •n. a member of a gang of criminals gang´ster·ism' •n. Etymology [see -STER]

Gangtok (gûŋ´täk') capital of Sikkim, in the SE part: pop. 36,700

gangue (gæŋ) •n. the commercially worthless mineral matter associated with economically valuable metallic minerals in a deposit [Fr < Ger gang, metallic vein, passage, lit., a going, akin to GANG¹]

gangway (gæŋ´wei') •n. 1 a passageway for entering, leaving, or going past 2 a) an opening in a vessel's bulwarks or railing that allows passage on or off b) GANGPLANK 3 a main level in a mine Æ 4 an incline for logs, leading up to a sawmill 5 [Brit.] a passageway between rows of seats; aisle; specif., in the House of Commons, the aisle separating frontbenchers from backbenchers •interj. make room! clear the way! [OE gangweg, thoroughfare (< GANG¹, in obs. sense a going & WAY)]

ganister (gæn´is tэr) •n. a hard, siliceous rock sometimes found underlying coal beds or produced synthetically, used in refractory linings of metallurgical furnaces [Ger dial. ganster < MHG, a spark, akin to OE gnast, spark: see GNEISS]

ganja or ganjah (gän´jэ) •n. MARIJUANA [Hindi gãja < Sans gañjā]

gannet (gæn´it) pl. -nets •n.or -net any of a genus (Morus, family Sulidae) of pelecaniform birds; esp., a white, gooselike, web-footed bird (M. bassanus) that breeds on cliffs along the N Atlantic coasts [ME ganat < OE ganot, solan goose, lit., a gander, akin to Du gent, OHG ganazzo, gander: for IE base see GOOSE]

gannister (gæn´is tэr) •n. alt. sp. of GANISTER

ganoid (gæn´oid') •adj. of or having growing scales with a hard glossy surface of many layers of enamel, as in many extinct and some living fishes •n. a fish having such scales, as the sturgeons, gars, and paddlefishes [Fr ganoïde < Gr ganos, brightness (prob. < IE base *gāu-, to rejoice > L gaudium, JOY) + -eidēs, -OID]

Gansu (gän´sü') province of NW China: c. 141,500 sq. mi. (366,480 sq. km): pop. 19,570,000: cap. Lanzhou

gantlet¹ (gönt´lit, gänt´-, gænt´-) •n. 1 a) a former military punishment in which the offender had to run between two rows of men who struck him with clubs, etc. as he passed b) a series of troubles or difficulties (in these senses, now spelled equally gauntlet) 2 a section of railroad track through a narrow passage where two lines of track overlap, one rail of each line being within the rails of the other •vt. to overlap (railroad tracks) so as to make a gantlet run the gantlet 1 to be punished by means of the gantlet 2 to proceed while under attack from both sides, as by criticism, gossip, etc. [earlier gantlope < Swed gatlopp, a running down a lane < gata, lane (akin to Ger gasse: see GAIT) + lopp, a run, akin to LEAP]

gantlet² (gönt´lit, gänt´-, gænt´-) •n. var. of GAUNTLET¹

gantline (gænt´lain') •n. Naut. a rope passing through an overhead pulley, used as for hoisting gear aloft [altered < ? girtline (< GIRT² + LINE²)]

gantry (gæn´tri:) pl. -tries •n. 1 a frame on which barrels can be set horizontally 2 a framework that spans a distance, often moving on wheels at each end, used for carrying a traveling crane 3 a bridgelike framework over railroad tracks, for supporting signals or for loading Æ 4 a wheeled framework with a crane, platforms at different levels, etc., used for assembling, positioning, and servicing a large rocket at its launching site [ME gauntre, altered (prob. infl. by tre, TREE) < OFr gantier, chantier < L canterius, beast of burden, trellis < Gr kanthēlios, a pack ass]

Ganymede (gæn´i mi:d') 1 Gr. Myth. a beautiful youth carried off by Zeus to be the cupbearer to the gods 2 the largest satellite of Jupiter: discovered in 1610 by Galileo [Gr Ganymēdēs]

GAO General Accounting Office

gaol (jeil) •n. Brit. sp. of JAIL gaol´er •n.

gap (gæp) •n. 1 a hole or opening, as in a wall or fence, made by breaking or parting; breach 2 a mountain pass, cleft, or ravine 3 an interruption of continuity in space or time; hiatus; lacuna 4 a lag or disparity between conditions, ideas, natures, etc. 5 SPARK GAP •vt. gapped, gap´ping to make an opening in; breach •vi. to come apart; open [ME < ON < gapa, to yawn, GAPE]

gape (geip; occas. gæp) gaped, gap´ing •vi. 1 to open the mouth wide, as in yawning or hunger 2 to stare with the mouth open, as in wonder or surprise 3 to open or be opened wide, as a chasm •n. 1 the act of gaping; specif., a) an open-mouthed stare b) a yawn 2 a wide gap or opening 3 Zool. the measure of the widest possible opening of a mouth or beak the gapes 1 a disease of young poultry and birds, characterized by gasping and choking and caused by gapeworms 2 a fit of yawning gap´er •n. gap´ing·ly •adv. [ME gapen < ON gapa < IE *ghēp- < IE *ghēp- < base *ghe-, to yawn, gape > GAB, Gr chasma, abyss, L hiatus]

gapeworm (geip´wørm') •n. a roundworm (Syngamus trachea) parasitic in the respiratory passage of young poultry and other birds and causing the gapes

gaptoothed (gæp´tu:θt') •adj. having a gap between two teeth, as because of a missing tooth

GAR Grand Army of the Republic gar (gär) pl. gar or gars •n. 1 any of an order (Semionotiformes) of North American freshwater bony fishes having an elongated body covered with ganoid scales, a long beaklike snout, and many sharp teeth 2 NEEDLEFISH [contr. < GARFISH]

garage (gэ räzh´, -räj´; Brit gær´äzh', -ij) •n. 1 a closed shelter for a motor vehicle or vehicles 2 a business establishment where motor vehicles are stored, repaired, serviced, etc. •vt. -raged´, -rag´ing to put or keep in a garage [Fr < garer, to protect, preserve < Gmc, as in OHG waron, to watch over: for IE base see WARN]

garage sale a sale of used or unwanted possessions, as household articles, often held in the garage of a house

Garamond (gær´э mänd') •n. a style of type orig. designed by Claude Garamond, 16th-cent. Fr. type founder

Garand rifle (gær´эnd, gэ rænd´) a semiautomatic, rapid-firing, .30-caliber rifle: the former standard infantry weapon of the U.S. Army: see also SPRINGFIELD RIFLE [after J. C. Garand, U.S. engineer who invented it]

garb (gärb) •n. 1 clothing; manner or style of dress, esp. as characteristic of an occupation, profession, or rank {clerical garb} 2 external form or appearance 3 [Obs.] style; manner •vt. to clothe; dress; attire [OFr garbe, gracefulness < It garbo, elegance < ? Gmc *garwī > OHG gar(a)wen, to prepare, dress, ornament]

garbage (gär´bij) •n. 1 spoiled or waste food, as from a market or kitchen, that is thrown away 2 any worthless, unnecessary, or offensive matter {literary garbage} [ME, entrails of fowls < ?]

garbanzo (gär bän´zou, -bæn´-; Sp gäř vän´θô, -sô) pl. -zos •n. CHICKPEA [Sp < Gr erebinthos < orobos, chickpea (+ -inthos, suffix of Pelasgian orig.) < IE *eregw(h)o-, pea > Ger erbse]

garble (gär´bэl) -bled, -bling •vt. 1 a) [Obs.] to sort by sifting b) [Rare] to select the best parts of 2 to suppress or distort parts of (a story, etc.) in telling, so as to mislead or misrepresent 3 to confuse or mix up (a quotation, story, message, etc.) unintentionally, as through inaccurate copying or poor radio transmission •n. the act or result of garbling gar´bler •n. [ME garbelen < It garbellare, to sift < garbello, a sieve < Ar gharbāl, earlier ghirbāl < LL cribellum, small sieve, dim. of L cribrum, a sieve, akin to cernere: see CRITIC]

Garbo (gär´bou), Greta (born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson) 1905-90; U.S. motion-picture actress, born in Sweden

garboard (strake) (gär´börd') the strake adjoining the keel [Du gaarbord < garen (contr. of gaderen, to GATHER) + boord, BOARD]

García Lorca (gäř θi:´ä lôř´kä; E gär si:´э lör´kэ), Fe·de·ri·co (fe'de ři:´kô) 1899-1936; Sp. poet & playwright

García Márquez (gäř si:´ä mäř´kes; E gär si:´э mär´kez), Ga·bri·el (gä'vri: el´; E gei´bri: эl, gä'bri: el´) 1928- ; Colombian writer

garçon (gåř souñ´) pl. -çons´ (-souñ´) •n. 1 a boy, youth or young man 2 a waiter or servant [Fr, old acc. of gars, boy: see GASKET]

garçonnière (gåř sô nyeř´) •n. a bachelor's quarters [Fr]

Garda (gär´dэ), Lake lake in N Italy, on the Lombardy-Veneto border: 143 sq. mi. (370 sq. km)

gardant (gär´dэnt, gärd´ªnt) •adj. alt. sp. of GUARDANT

garde-manger (gåřd'mäñ zhei´) pl. garde'-man·ger´ or Eng. garde'-man·gers´ (-zheiz´) •n. a cook (as on the staff of a restaurant or cruise ship) who prepares the cold foods such as salads, hors d'oeuvres, and fish [Fr]

garden (gärd´ªn) •n. 1 a piece of ground, usually close to a house, for growing vegetables, fruits, flowers, ornamental shrubs or trees, etc. 2 a well-cultivated region; area of fertile, developed land: also garden spot 3 [often pl.] a place outdoors for public enjoyment, planted with trees, flowers, etc., and sometimes having special displays of plants, a zoo, a duck pond, etc. •vi. to make, work in, or take care of a garden, lawn, etc. •vt. to make a garden of •adj. 1 of, for, used in, or grown in a garden 2 a) ordinary; commonplace b) hardy lead someone down the garden path to mislead or deceive someone [ME < NormFr gardin < Frank *gardo, akin to Ger garten, OE geard: see YARD², GARTH]

garden apartments a complex of low apartment buildings surrounded by lawn or landscaped areas

garden balsam a fleshy annual garden impatiens (Impatiens balsamina) with roselike white, lavender, yellow, pink, or red blossoms borne along the main stem in leaf axils

garden cress an annual plant (Lepidium sativum) of the crucifer family, sometimes grown as a salad plant

Garden Grove city in SW Calif.: pop. 143,000

garden heliotrope a tall valerian (Valeriana officinalis) with small, very fragrant, white, pink, or lavender flowers and a strong-smelling root formerly used in medicine

garden sage see SAGE² (sense 1)

Gardena (gär di:´nэ) city in SW Calif.: suburb of Los Angeles: pop. 50,000

gardener (gärd´ªn эr, gärd´nэr) •n. 1 a person who likes or is skilled at working in a garden 2 a person whose occupation is making and tending gardens

gardenia (gär di:n´yэ, -di:´ni: э) •n. any of a genus (Gardenia) of chiefly subtropical Old World plants of the madder family, with glossy leaves and highly fragrant, white or yellow, waxy flowers [ModL, after A. Garden (1730-91), Am botanist]

garden-variety (gärd´ªn vэ rai´э ti:) •adj. ordinary; commonplace {a garden-variety novelist} [see GARDEN, 2a]

Gardiner (gärd´nэr), Samuel Raw·son (rö´sэn) 1829-1902; Eng. historian

Gardner (gärd´nэr), Erle Stanley (ørl) 1889-1970; U.S. writer

gardyloo (gär'di: lu:´) •interj. [Historical] in Edinburgh, a cry warning people below that slops were about to be thrown from a window into the street [< Fr garde à l'eau, beware (of) the water]

Gareth (gær´iθ) Arthurian Legend a knight of the Round Table, nephew of King Arthur

Garfield (gär´fi:ld), James Abram 1831-81; 20th president of the U.S. (1881): assassinated

garfish (gär´fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es GAR [ME < gare, spear (< OE gar: see GORE³) + fish, FISH]

garganey (gär´gэ ni:) •n. a small freshwater European duck (Anas querquedula) resembling the American blue-winged teal [prob. < It dial. garganello < echoic base *garg-: see GARGLE]

Gargantua (gär gæn´chu: э, -tyu: э) a giant king, noted for his size and prodigious feats and appetite, in Gargantua and Pantagruel, a satire by Rabelais (1552) Gar·gan´tu·an or gar·gan´tu·an •adj. [Fr < Sp garganta, throat, gullet < echoic base *garg-: see GARGLE]

garget (gär´git) •n. an inflammation of the udders of cows, ewes, etc., usually caused by bacteria [ME < OFr gargate, throat < echoic base *garg-: see GARGLE]

gargle (gär´gэl) -gled, -gling •vt., vi. 1 to rinse or wash (the throat) with a liquid kept in motion by the slow expulsion of air from the lungs 2 to utter or speak with the sound of gargling •n. 1 a liquid used for gargling 2 a gargling sound [Fr gargouiller < gargouille, throat, waterspout, gargoyle < echoic base *garg- > Gr gargarizein, to gargle, Sans gharghara-h, gurgling]

gargoyle (gär´goil') •n. 1 a waterspout, usually in the form of a grotesquely carved animal or fantastic creature, projecting from the gutter of a building 2 a projecting ornament (on a building) that looks like this 3 a person with grotesque features gar´goyled' •adj. [ME gargule, throat < OFr gargouille: see GARGLE]

garibaldi (gær'э böl´di:, -bæl´-) •n. a woman's loose, high-necked blouse with full sleeves, patterned after the red shirts worn by the followers of Garibaldi Garibaldi (gær'э böl´di:; It gä'ři: bäl´di:), Giu·sep·pe (ju: zep´pe) 1807-82; It. patriot & general: leader in the movement to unify Italy

garish (gær´ish, ger´-) •adj. 1 too bright or gaudy; showy; glaring {garish colors} 2 gaudily or showily dressed, decorated, written, etc. gar´ish·ly •adv. gar´ish·ness •n. [earlier gaurish, prob. < ME gauren, to stare]

Garland (gär´lэnd) 1 (Hannibal) Ham·lin (hæm´lin) 1860-1940; U.S. novelist & short-story writer 2 Judy (born Frances Gumm) 1922-69; U.S. motion-picture actress, singer, & dancer garland (gär´lэnd) •n. 1 a wreath or woven chain of flowers, leaves, etc. worn on the head or used as decoration, esp. as a symbol of victory, honor, etc. 2 anthology of poems, songs, etc. 3 Naut. a band or ring of rope used as to hoist spars or prevent chafing •vt. to form into or decorate with a garland or garlands [ME < OFr garlande] Garland (gär´lэnd) city in NE Tex.: suburb of Dallas: pop. 181,000 [after A. H. Garland, U.S. attorney general (1885-89)]

garlic (gär´lik) •n. 1 a bulbous herb (Allium sativum) of the lily family 2 the strong-smelling bulb of this plant, made up of small sections called cloves, used as seasoning in meats, salads, etc. gar´lick·y (-lik i:) •adj. [ME garlek < OE garleac < gar, a spear (see GORE³) + leac, LEEK: from the spearlike leaves]

garlicked (gär´likt) •adj. seasoned with garlic

garment (gär´mэnt) •n. 1 a) any article of clothing b) [pl.] clothes; costume 2 a covering •vt. to cover with, or as with, a garment; clothe [ME, contr. < OFr garnement < garnir: see GARNISH]

garner (gär´nэr) •n. a place for storing grain; granary •vt. 1 to gather up and store in or as in a granary 2 to get or earn 3 to collect or gather [ME gerner < OFr grenier < L granarium, granary < granum, GRAIN]

garnet¹ (gär´nit) •n. 1 any of a group of hard silicate minerals having the general formula A3B2(SiO4)3, occurring chiefly as well-formed crystals in metamorphic rocks: red varieties are often used as gems, ordinary varieties as abrasives 2 a deep red 3 a single-crystal synthetic form used in lasers, electronics, etc. [ME gernet < OFr grenat < ML granatus < granatum, garnet, lit., pomegranate < L (see POMEGRANATE): from the resemblance in color]

garnet² (gär´nit) •n. Naut. a hoisting tackle for loading cargo [LME garnett, prob. < or akin to Du garnaat]

garni (gär ni:´) •adj. garnished: said of food [Fr, pp. of garnir, to garnish]

garnierite (gär´ni: эr ait') •n. Mineralogy an apple-green hydrated silicate of magnesium and nickel, an ore of nickel [after J. Garnier, 19th-c. Fr geologist]

garnish (gär´nish) •vt. 1 to decorate; adorn; embellish; trim 2 to decorate (food) with something that adds color or flavor {a steak garnished with parsley} 3 Law to bring garnishment proceedings against; garnishee •n. 1 a decoration; ornament 2 something put on or around food to add color or flavor, as parsley or watercress 3 [Obs.] a fee, esp. one formerly extorted from new prisoners by inmates of English jails or by the jailer gar´nish·er •n. [ME garnischen < extended stem of OFr garnir, to furnish, protect < Gmc *warnjan > WARN]

garnishee (gär'ni shi:´) •n. Law a person who is in possession of money or other property of a defendant and is ordered not to dispose of it pending settlement of the lawsuit •vt. -eed´, -ee´ing Law a) to attach (a debtor's property, wages, etc.) by the authority of a court, so that it can be used to pay the debt b) to serve (a person) with a garnishment [prec. + -EE¹]

garnishment (gär´nish mэnt) •n. 1 a decoration; embellishment 2 Law a notice ordering a person not to dispose of a defendant's property or money in his possession pending settlement of the lawsuit

garniture (gär´ni chэr) •n. an ornament; decoration; embellishment; trimming [Fr < OFr garnir: see GARNISH]

Garonne (gå řôn´) river in SW France, flowing from the Pyrenees into the Gironde: c. 400 mi. (640 km)

garpike (gär´paik') •n. GAR

garret (gær´it) •n. the space, room, or rooms just below the roof of a house, esp. a sloping roof; attic [ME garite, a watchtower, loft < OFr < garir, to watch < Frank *warjan, to protect, akin to OE warian: for IE base see WARN]

Garrick (gær´ik), David 1717-79; Eng. actor & theater manager

Garrison (gær´э sªn), William Lloyd 1805-79; U.S. editor, lecturer, & abolitionist leader garrison (gær´э sэn) •n. 1 troops stationed in a fort or fortified place 2 a fortified place with troops, guns, etc.; military post or station •vt. 1 a) to station troops in (a fortified place) for its defense b) to occupy and control by sending troops into 2 to place (troops) on duty in a garrison [ME garison < OFr < garir (see GARRET); meaning infl. by assoc. with ME & OFr garnison, a garrison, provisions < garnir, to furnish: see GARNISH]

garrison cap 1 OVERSEAS CAP 2 SERVICE CAP

Garrison finish (gær´э sэn) a close finish, as in a horse race, in which the winner comes from behind at the last moment [after Snapper Garrison, 19th-c. U.S. jockey]

garrote (gэ rout´, ge rät´) •n. 1 a) a method of execution, as formerly in Spain, with an iron collar tightened about the neck by a screw b) the iron collar so used 2 a) a cord, thong, or length of wire for strangling a robbery victim, enemy sentry, etc. in a surprise attack b) a disabling by strangling in this way; strangulation •vt. -rot´ed or -rot´ted, -rot´ing or -rot´ting 1 to execute or attack with a garrote or by strangling 2 to disable by strangling, as in an attack for robbery Also sp. ga·rotte´ or gar·rotte´ (-rät´, -rout´) gar·rot´er •n. [Sp, orig., a stick used to wind a cord, prob. < OFr garrot, crossbow bolt, for earlier guaroc < garokier, to garrote < Frank *wrokkan, to twist < IE *werGh-, to twist, choke < base *wer-, to turn > WORM, WRENCH]

garrulous (gær´э lэs; gær´yu:-, -yэ-) •adj. talking much or too much, esp. about unimportant things; loquacious SYN. TALKATIVE gar·ru·li·ty (gэ ru:´lэ ti:) or gar´ru·lous·ness •n. gar´ru·lous·ly •adv. [L garrulus < garrire, to chatter: for IE base see CARE]

garter (gärt´эr) •n. 1 an elastic band, or a fastener suspended from a band, girdle, etc., for holding a stocking or sock in position 2 an elastic band formerly worn to keep a shirt sleeve pushed up 3 [G-] a) the badge of the Order of the Garter b) the order itself c) membership in it •vt. to bind, support, or fasten with or as with a garter [ME < NormFr gartier < OFr garet, jaret, small of the leg behind the knee < Celt, as in Bret gar, shank of the leg]

garter belt a wide belt, usually of elastic fabric, with garters suspended from it, worn by women

garter snake any of various small, harmless, striped colubrine snakes (genus Thamnophis) common in North America

garth (gärθ) •n. [Archaic] an enclosed yard or garden [ME < ON garthr, akin to OE geard, YARD²]

Garvey (gär´vi:), Marcus 1887-1940; Jamaican black nationalist leader in the U.S.

Gary (ger´i:, gær´-) 1 a masculine name: var. Garry 2 city in NW Ind., on Lake Michigan: pop. 117,000 (met. area, with Hammond, 605,000): see CHICAGO [after E. H. Gary (1846-1927), U.S. industrialist] [< OE *Garwig, lit., spear (of) battle < gar, a spear + wig < Gmc *wiga-, battle < IE base *wīk-, to be bold > L vincere, to conquer]

gas (gæs) pl. gas·es or gas·ses (gæs´iz) •n. 1 the fluid form of a substance in which it can expand indefinitely and completely fill its container; form that is neither liquid nor solid; vapor 2 any mixture of flammable gases used for lighting, heating, or cooking 3 any gas, as nitrous oxide, used as an anesthetic 4 any substance, as phosgene, intentionally dispersed through the atmosphere, as in war, to act as a poison, irritant, or asphyxiant 5 various gaseous substances formed by living or decaying matter, esp. if formed in the stomach, bowels, etc. 6 [Colloq.] short for GASOLINE Æ 7 [Slang] a) idle or boastful talk b) something or someone that is very pleasing, exciting, amusing, etc. {the movie was a gas} 8 Mining a mixture of firedamp with air, that explodes if ignited •vt. gassed, gas´sing 1 to supply with gas 2 to subject to the action of gas 3 to injure or kill by gas, as in war Æ 4 [Slang] to thrill, delight, amuse greatly, etc. •vi. 1 to give off gas Æ 2 [Slang] to talk in an idle or boastful way •adj. of, using, or operated by gas Æ gas it up [Colloq.] to supply (a vehicle) with gasoline Æ step on the gas 1 [Slang] to press on the accelerator of an automobile 2 to hurry; move or act faster [ModL, altered by Van Helmont (1577-1644), Belgian chemist (with g- pronounced, as in Du, as a voiced fricative) < Gr chaos, air (see CHAOS), term used by Paracelsus]

gas bacillus a rod-shaped microorganism (genus Clostridium) that infects wounds and causes gas to form in them

gas black CARBON BLACK

gas burner GAS JET (sense 2)

gas chamber a room in which people are put to be killed with poison gas

gas coal soft coal from which illuminating gas is distilled

gas fitter a person whose work is installing and repairing gas pipes and fixtures

gas fixture a heating or lighting fixture that uses gas

gas furnace 1 a furnace or reactor that distills gas from coal, etc. 2 a furnace that burns gas as fuel

gas gangrene a gangrene in which gas bacilli multiply in extensive, dirty wounds, producing severe pain, swollen, gas-filled tissue, and toxemia

gas guzzler [Slang] an automobile that has low fuel mileage gas-guz·zling (gæs´gûz'ªliŋ) •adj.

gas jet 1 a flame of illuminating gas 2 a nozzle or burner at the end of a gas fixture

gas log imitation log in the form of a hollow, perforated cylinder, used as a gas burner in a fireplace

gas main a large underground pipe that conducts gas into smaller pipes leading into houses, factories, etc.

gas mantle a MANTLE (n. 3) to be used over a gas burner

gas mask a device worn over the face to prevent the breathing in of poisonous gases by chemically filtering them out of the air

gas meter an instrument for measuring the quantity of a gas, esp. of illuminating gas consumed as fuel

gas oil an oily liquid obtained in the fractional distillation of petroleum, boiling between the kerosene and lubricating oil fractions: used esp. as a diesel fuel and heating oil

gas plant a perennial plant (Dictamnus albus) of the rue family, with fragrant white, pink, or purple flowers that on hot nights give off a flammable gas

gas station SERVICE STATION (sense 2)

gas turbine a turbine driven by the pressure of a burning mixture of compressed air and fuel

gasbag (gæs´bæg') •n. 1 a bag to hold gas, as in a balloon Æ 2 [Slang] a person who talks too much

Gascogne (gås kôn´yª) Fr. name of GASCONY

Gascon (gæs´kэn) •adj. 1 of Gascony or its people, reputed to be boastful 2 [g-] boastful; swaggering •n. 1 a native of Gascony 2 [g-] a boaster; swaggerer [Fr < L Vasco (gen. Vasconis), a BASQUE]

gasconade (gæs'kэ neid´) •n. boastful or blustering talk •vi. -ad´ed, -ad´ing to boast or bluster [Fr gasconnade: see GASCON & -ADE]

Gascony (gæs´kэ ni:) historical region in SW France, on the Bay of Biscay [ME Gascoyne < OFr Gascogne < LL Vasconia < L Vascones, pl., the Basques]

gaselier (gæs'э lir´) •n. an early, ornamental chandelier with branches ending in gas jets [GAS + (CHAND)ELIER]

gaseous (gæs´i: эs; also gæsh´эs) •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, or in the form of, gas 2 [Colloq.] GASSY (sense 1) gas´e·ous·ness •n.

gash (gæsh) •vt. to make a long, deep cut in; slash •n. a long, deep cut [ME garse < OFr] [earlier garse < ME garsen < OFr garser < VL *charassare < Gr charassein, to cut, engrave]

gashouse (gæs´haus') •n. GASWORKS: formerly used figuratively to suggest slum areas, rowdiness, etc.

gasiform (gæs´i förm') •adj. in the form of gas; gaseous

gasify (gæs´i fai') gas´i·fied', -fy'ing •vt., vi. to change into gas gas'i·fi·ca´tion •n.

Gaskell (gæs´kэl), Mrs. (Elizabeth Cleghorn) (born Elizabeth Cleghorn Stevenson) 1810-65; Eng. novelist

gasket (gæs´kit) •n. 1 a piece or ring of rubber, metal, paper, etc. placed at a joint to make it leakproof 2 Naut. a length of rope or canvas for securing a furled sail to a yard or boom blow a gasket [Slang] to become enraged [prob. altered < Fr garcette < OFr garcete, small cord, orig., little girl, dim. of garce, fem. of gars, boy < ML *warkjone < Frank *wrakjo, mercenary soldier; akin to OE wrecca, WRETCH]

gaskin (gæs´kin) •n. 1 [pl.] [Obs.] galligaskins 2 the upper part of the hind leg of a horse or other hoofed animal [contr. < GALLIGASKINS]

gaslight (gæs´lait') •n. 1 the light produced by burning illuminating gas 2 a gas jet or burner •adj. of or suggesting the period when gaslight was used for lighting {gaslight melodrama}

gasman (gæs´mæn') pl. -men' (-men') •n. 1 an employee of a gas company who reads consumers' gas meters for billing purposes 2 GAS FITTER 3 Mining an inspector who checks the ventilation and guards against firedamp

gasohol (gæs´э höl') •n. a motor fuel mixture with about 90 percent unleaded gasoline and 10 percent ethyl alcohol [blend of GASOLINE & ALCOHOL]

gasolier (gæs'э lir´) •n. alt. sp. of GASELIER

gasoline (gæs'э li:n´, gæs´э li:n') •n. a volatile, highly flammable, colorless liquid mixture of hydrocarbons produced by the fractional distillation of petroleum and used chiefly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines: also gas'o·lene´ [GAS + -OL² + -INE³]

gasometer (gæs'äm´эt эr) •n. 1 a container for holding and measuring gas 2 a tank or reservoir for storing gas [Fr gazomètre: see GAS & -METER]

gasp (gæsp) •vi. to inhale suddenly, as in surprise, or breathe with effort, as in choking •vt. to say or tell with gasps •n. a gasping; catching of the breath with difficulty at the last gasp 1 just before death 2 just before the end; at the last moment [ME gaspen < ON geispa, to yawn, prob. by metathesis of *geipsa < geipa, to gossip: for IE base see GAPE]

Gaspé Peninsula (gæs pei´) peninsula in S Quebec, Canada, extending into the Gulf of St. Lawrence: c. 150 mi. (240 km) long [Fr < Algonquian (Micmac) gachepe, the end]

gasper (gäs´pэr) •n. [Brit. Slang] a cheap cigarette

gassed (gæst) •adj. Æ [Slang] drunk; intoxicated

gasser (gæs´эr) •n. Æ 1 an oil well that produces gas 2 [Slang] a) a person who talks a great deal Æ b) someone or something that is remarkable, very funny, etc.

Gasset , José Ortega y see ORTEGA Y GASSET, José

gassy (gæs´i:) -si·er, -si·est •adj. 1 full of, containing, or producing gas; esp., flatulent 2 like gas 3 [Colloq.] full of talk, esp. boastful talk

gastero- (gæs´tэr ou', -э) combining form GASTRO-

Gasthaus (gäst´haus') pl. -häus'er (-hoi'zэř) •n. an inn [Ger, lit., guest house]

gastr- (gæstr) combining form GASTRO- Used before a vowel

gastraea or gastrea (gæs tri:´э) •n. the hypothetical ancestral form of flatworms, structured like the gastrula stage in embryology [ModL < Gr gastēr, stomach]

gastrectomy (gæs trek´tэ mi:) pl. -mies •n. the surgical removal of all, or esp. part, of the stomach [GASTR(O)- + -ECTOMY: see GASTRO-]

gastric (gæs´trik) •adj. of, in, or near the stomach [GASTR(O)- + -IC]

gastric juice the clear digestive fluid produced by glands in the mucous membrane lining the stomach: it contains enzymes and hydrochloric acid and has a pH of c. 2.0

gastric ulcer an ulcer in the lining of the stomach

gastrin (gæs´trin) •n. a polypeptide hormone secreted in the stomach, that stimulates production of gastric juice [GASTR(O)- + -IN¹]

gastritis (gæs trait´is) •n. inflammation of the stomach, esp. of the stomach lining [ModL < fol. + -ITIS]

gastro- (gæs´trou, -trэ) combining form 1 stomach {gastroscope} 2 stomach and {gastrocolic} [< Gr gastēr, the stomach < *grastēr, lit., eater, gnawer < gran, to gnaw, devour < IE base *gras-, to devour > L gramen, grass]

gastrocolic (gæs'trou käl´ik) •adj. of or attached to the stomach and the transverse colon

gastroderm (gæs´trou dørm') •n. ENDODERM

gastroenteritis (gæs'trou en'tэr ait´is) •n. an inflammation of the stomach and the intestines [ModL < GASTRO- + ENTER(O)- + -ITIS]

gastroenterology (-en'tэr äl´э ji:) •n. the medical specialty that is concerned with disorders of the digestive system gas'tro·en'ter·ol´o·gist •n. [GASTRO- + ENTER(O)- + -OLOGY]

gastrointestinal (-in tes´tэ nэl) •adj. of the stomach and the intestines

gastrolith (gæs´trou liθ) •n. a stony concretion formed in the stomach [GASTRO- + -LITH]

gastronome (gæs´trэ noum') •n. a person who enjoys and has a discriminating taste for foods Also gas·tron·o·mer (gæs trän´э mэr) or gas·tron´o·mist (-mist) SYN. EPICURE [Fr < gastronomie: see GASTRONOMY]

gastronomy (gæs trän´э mi:) •n. the art or science of good eating; epicurism gas'tro·nom´ic (-trэ näm´ik) or gas'tro·nom´i·cal •adj. gas'tro·nom´i·cal·ly •adv. [Fr gastronomie, after Gr Gastronomia, poem by Archestratus (4th c. B.C.): see GASTRO- & -NOMY]

gastropod (gæs´trou päd') •n. any of a large class (Gastropoda) of mollusks having one-piece, straight or spiral shells, as snails, limpets, etc., or having no shells or greatly reduced shells, as certain slugs: most gastropods move by means of a broad, muscular, ventral foot gas·trop·o·dan (gæs träp´э dэn) or gas·trop´o·dous (-dэs) •adj. [< ModL Gastropoda < GASTRO- + -POD]

gastroscope (gæs´trэ skoup') •n. a fiber-optic endoscope inserted through the mouth for visually inspecting the inside of the stomach gas'tro·scop´ic (-skäp´ik) •adj. gas·tros·co·pist (gæs träs´kэ pist) •n. gas·tros·co·py (gæs träs´kэ pi:) •n. [GASTRO- + -SCOPE]

gastrotomy (gæs trät´э mi:) pl. -mies •n. surgical incision into the stomach [GASTRO- + -TOMY]

gastrotrich (gæs´trou trik) •n. any of a phylum (Gastrotricha) of minute, freshwater and marine, wormlike animals that swim by means of cilia [< ModL Gastrotricha < GASTRO- + -tricha, ciliate creatures < Gr neut. pl. of -trichos, haired < thrix (gen. trichos), hair]

gastrovascular (gæs'trou væs´kyu: lэr) •adj. Zool. 1 having both a digestive and a circulatory function 2 of organs with such a dual function

gastrula (gæs´tru: lэ) pl. -lae' (-li:', -lai) •n.or -las an embryo in an early stage of development, consisting of a sac with two layers, the ectoderm and endoderm, enclosing a central cavity, the archenteron, that opens to the outside through the blastopore [ModL, dim. < Gr gastēr, the stomach]

gastrulation (gæs'tru: lei´shэn) •n. the process of forming a gastrula from a blastula, as by epiboly

gasworks (gæs´wørks') •n.pl. [with sing. v.] a plant where gas for heating and lighting is prepared

gat¹ (gæt) •vt., vi. archaic pt. of GET

gat² (gæt) •n. a narrow channel of water as between cliffs or sandbanks [< Scand, as in Dan, Swed, ON gat, an opening, passage, akin to OE geat: see GATE¹]

gat³ (gæt) •n. [Old Slang] a pistol [< GAT(LING GUN)]

-gate (geit) combining form a scandal characterized by charges of corruption or illegal acts carried out, usually in a covert manner, by people with power or influence {Koreagate} [< (WATER)GATE]

gate¹ (geit) •n. 1 a movable framework or solid structure, esp. one that swings on hinges, controlling entrance or exit through an opening in a fence or wall 2 an opening providing passageway through a fence or wall, with or without such a structure; gateway 3 any means of entrance, exit, or access, as any of the numbered exits at an airport terminal 4 a mountain pass 5 a movable barrier, as at a railroad crossing or for controlling the start of a horse race 6 a structure controlling the flow of water, as in a pipe, canal, etc. Æ 7 a frame in which a saw or saws are set 8 in slalom racing, an opening between two upright poles through which the skier must pass 9 a) the total amount of money received in admission prices to a performance or exhibition b) the total number of spectators who pay to see such an event 10 Elec. a circuit with one output and two or more inputs, whose output is energized only when certain input conditions are satisfied •vt. gat´ed, gat´ing [Brit.] to confine (a student) to the college grounds Æ give (or get) the gate [Slang] to subject (or be subjected) to dismissal [ME < OE gatu, pl. of geat, a gate, akin to OFris jet, Du & ON gat, opening]

gate² (geit) •n. 1 a channel through which molten metal is poured into a mold 2 the waste part of a casting formed at this channel [altered (infl. by prec.) < OE gyte, a pouring forth, akin to geotan, to pour: for IE base see FOUND³]

gate³ (geit) •n. [Now Dial.] 1 a road or path 2 a way of doing something [ME < ON gata: see GAIT]

gâteau or gateau (gæ tou´; Fr gå tou´) pl. -teaux (-tou´, -touz´; Fr, -tou´) •n. 1 a rich layer cake or a pastry shell filled as with custard or mousse 2 a meat, fish, or vegetable preparation shaped like a cake [Fr, cake < OFr gastel < Frank *wastil]

gate-crasher (geit´kræsh'эr) •n. [Colloq.] a person who attends a social affair without an invitation or attends a performance, etc. without paying admission gate´-crash' •vt., vi.

gatefold (geit´fould') •n. a page larger than the others in a magazine or book, bound so it can be unfolded and opened out like a gate

gatehouse (geit´haus') •n. a house beside or over a gateway, used as a porter's lodge, etc.

gatekeeper (-ki:'pэr) •n. a person in charge of a gate to control passage through it Also gate´man (-mэn), pl. -men (-mэn)

gateleg table (geit´leg') a table with drop leaves supported by gatelike legs swung back against the frame to permit the leaves to drop Also gate´legged' table

gatepost (geit´poust') •n. the post on which a gate is hung or the one to which it is fastened when closed

Gates (geits), Horatio c. 1728-1806; Am. general in the Revolutionary War

Gateshead (geits´hed') city in NE England: pop. 210,000

gateway (geit´wei') •n. 1 an entrance as in a wall, fitted with a gate 2 a means of access

Gath (gæθ) Bible one of the cities of the Philistines: 2 Sam. 1:20 Etymology [Heb, lit., wine press]

gather (gæð´эr) •vt. 1 to cause to come together in one place or group 2 to get or collect gradually from various places, sources, etc.; amass; accumulate {to gather information} 3 to bring close {to gather a blanket about one's legs} 4 to pick, pluck, or collect by picking; harvest {to gather crops} 5 to get as an idea or impression; infer; conclude {I gather that you disagree} 6 to prepare to collect (oneself, one's energies) to meet a situation 7 to gain or acquire gradually {to gather speed} 8 to draw (cloth) on a thread loosely stitched across it into fixed folds or puckers 9 to wrinkle (one's brow) 10 to put (the pages or signatures of a book) in proper order for binding •vi. 1 to come together; assemble {to gather for lunch} 2 to form pus; come to a head, as a boil; fester 3 to increase {clouds gathered} 4 to become wrinkled: said of the brow •n. a pucker or fold made in cloth be gathered to one's fathers to die: cf. Judg. 2:10 gather up 1 to pick up and assemble 2 to draw together; make more compact gath´er·er •n. SYN.—gather is the general term for a bringing or coming together [to gather scattered objects, people gathered at the corners]; collect usually implies careful choice in gathering from various sources, a bringing into an orderly arrangement, etc. [he collects coins]; assemble applies especially to the gathering together of persons for some special purpose [assemble the students in the auditorium]; muster applies to a formal assembling, especially of troops for inspection, roll call, etc. see also INFER [ME gaderen < OE gad(e)rian, akin to OFris gaduria, Du gaderen < IE base *ghedh-, to unite, join > (TO)GETHER, GOOD, Ger gatte, spouse]

gathering (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act of one that gathers 2 what is gathered; specif., a) a meeting; assemblage; crowd b) a gather in cloth 3 a boil or abscess

Gatineau (gæt´ªn ou; Fr gå ti: nou´) city in S Quebec, Canada, near Ottawa: pop. 81,000

Gatling gun (gæt´liŋ) an early kind of machine gun having a cluster of barrels designed to be successively discharged automatically when rotated about an axis [after R. J. Gatling (1818-1903), U.S. inventor]

gator or 'gator (gei´tэr) •n. short for ALLIGATOR

GATT (gæt) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

Gatun (gä tu:n´) town in Central Panama: site of a dam (Gatun Dam), which forms a lake (Gatun Lake), 163 sq. mi. (423 sq. km), that is part of the route of the Panama Canal

gauche (goush) •adj. lacking grace, esp. social grace; awkward; tactless gauche´ly •adv. gauche´ness •n. [Fr < MFr gauchir, to become crooked, warped, ult. < Frank *wankjan, to totter (akin to Ger wanken), confused with *walken, to beat, full (cloth)]

gaucherie (gou´shэ ri:, gou'shэ ri:´; Fr goush ři:´) •n. 1 awkwardness; tactlessness 2 a gauche act or expression [Fr: see GAUCHE]

gaucho (gau´chou) pl. -chos •n. a cowboy, usually of mixed Indian and Spanish ancestry, living on the South American pampas [AmSp, prob. of Araucanian orig.]

gaud (göd) •n. a cheap, showy trinket [ME gaude, a large bead in a rosary, trinket, prob. ult. < L gaudium, JOY]

gaudery (göd´эr i:) pl. -er·ies •n. gaudy, or ostentatious, appearance, clothes, etc.; finery

Gaudí (i Cornet) (gau di:´i: kör´net), An·to·ni·o (än tö´ne ou') 1852-1926; Sp. architect

gaudy¹ (göd´i:) gaud´i·er, gaud´i·est •adj. bright and showy, but lacking in good taste; cheaply brilliant and ornate gaud´i·ly •adv. gaud´i·ness •n. [GAUD + -Y³]

gaudy² (göd´i:) pl. gaud´ies •n. a feast; esp., an annual dinner or reunion at a British university [< L gaudium, JOY]

gauffer (göf´эr, gäf´-) •vt., n. alt. sp. of GOFFER

gauge (geij) •n. 1 a standard measure or scale of measurement 2 dimensions, capacity, thickness, etc. 3 any device for measuring something, as the thickness of wire, the dimensions of a machined part, the amount of liquid in a container, steam pressure, etc. 4 any means of estimating or judging 5 the distance between the rails of a rail track: cf. STANDARD GAUGE, BROAD GAUGE, NARROW GAUGE 6 the distance between parallel wheels at opposite ends of an axle 7 the size of a bore, esp. of a shotgun, expressed in terms of the number per pound of round lead balls of a diameter equal to that of the bore 8 the thickness of sheet metal, diameter of wire, etc. 9 a) a measure of the fineness of a knitted or crocheted fabric b) the fineness of a machine-knitted fabric expressed in terms of the number of loops per 1½ inches 10 Naut. the position of a ship in relation to another ship and the wind {a sailboat that has the weather gauge of another boat is to windward of it} 11 Plastering the amount of plaster of Paris used with common plaster to hasten its setting Usually GAGE¹ in technical senses •vt. gauged, gaug´ing [ME gaugen < NormFr gaugier, prob. < VL *gallicare < ?] 1 to measure accurately by means of a gauge 2 to measure the size, amount, extent, or capacity of 3 to estimate; judge; appraise 4 to bring to correct gauge; make conform with a standard 5 Masonry to cut or rub (bricks or stone) to a desired shape 6 Plastering to mix (plaster) in the proportions required for a specified setting time SYN. STANDARD gauge´a·ble •adj. [ME < NormFr: see the vt.]

gauger (gei´jэr) •n. 1 a person or thing that gauges 2 [Chiefly Brit.] an official who measures the contents of casks of liquor, etc. to be taxed 3 a collector of excise taxes [ME < Anglo-Fr gaugeour < prec.]

Gauguin (gou gæñ´), (Eugène Henri) Paul (pôl) 1848-1903; Fr. painter

Gaul (göl) 1 ancient region in W Europe, consisting of what is now mainly France & Belgium: after 5th cent. B.C.: also called Transalpine Gaul 2 ancient region in N Italy, occupied by the Gauls (4th cent. B.C.): in full Cisalpine Gaul 3 ancient division of the Roman Empire, including Cisalpine Gaul & Transalpine Gaul (1st-5th cent. A.D.) •n. 1 any of the Celtic-speaking people of Gaul 2 a Frenchman [Fr < Frank *walha, Romans, foreigners, orig., Celts < WGmc *walhos < Celt name > WALES, WELSH, L Volcae]

Gaulish (göl´ish) •n. the Celtic language or languages of ancient Gaul •adj. designating or of Gaul or the Gauls or their language or culture

Gaullism (göl´iz'эm) •n. the political policies of Charles de Gaulle, characterized by extreme nationalism Gaull´ist •n., adj.

gaultheria (göl θir´i: э) •n. any of a large genus (Gaultheria) of evergreen shrubs of the heath family, including the American wintergreen [ModL, after M. Gaulthier, 18th-c. Cdn physician]

gaunt (gönt, gänt) •adj. 1 thin and bony; hollow-eyed and haggard, as from great hunger or age; emaciated 2 looking grim, forbidding, or desolate gaunt´ly •adv. gaunt´ness •n. [ME gawnte, earlier gant, slender, thin, gaunt < ?]

gauntlet¹ (gönt´lit, gänt´-) •n. 1 a medieval glove, usually of leather covered with metal plates, worn by knights in armor to protect the hand in combat: see ARMOR, illus. 2 a) a long glove with a flaring cuff covering the lower part of the arm b) the flaring cuff take up the gauntlet 1 to accept a challenge 2 to undertake the defense of a person, etc. throw down the gauntlet to challenge, as to combat [ME < OFr gantelet, dim. of gant, a glove < Frank *want, a mitten, akin to EFris wante]

gauntlet² (gönt´lit, gänt´-) see GANTLET¹ (n. 1) •n.

gauntleted (-id) •adj. wearing a gauntlet, or glove

gauntry (gön´tri:) pl. -tries •n. var. of GANTRY

gaur (gaur) pl. gaur •n.or gaurs a wild ox of India (Bos gaurus), the world's largest type of cattle [Hindi < Sans gaura, akin to gáuh, COW¹]

gauss (gaus) •n. Elec. a cgs unit used in measuring magnetic induction or magnetic flux density, equal to one line of magnetic flux per square centimeter [after K. F. Gauss (1777-1855), Ger mathematician & astronomer]

Gaussian curve (gaus´i: эn) Statistics the symmetrical bell-shaped graph of a normal distribution [see GAUSS]

Gautama (gaut´э mэ, göt´-) •n. see BUDDHA

Gautier (gou tyei´), Thé·o·phile (tei ô fi:l´) 1811-72; Fr. poet, novelist, & critic

gauze (göz) •n. 1 any very thin, light, transparent, loosely woven material, as of cotton or silk 2 any similar but stiff material, as of thin wire 3 a thin mist [Fr gaze < Sp gasa < Ar azz, raw silk < Pers käž]

gauzy (gö´zi:) gauz´i·er, gauz´i·est •adj. thin, light, and transparent, like gauze; diaphanous gauz´i·ly •adv. gauz´i·ness •n.

gavage (gэ väzh´) •n. the administration of liquids through a stomach tube, as in forced feeding [Fr < gaver, to stuff: see GAVOTTE]

gave (geiv) •vt., vi. pt. of GIVE

gavel (gæv´эl) •n. a small mallet rapped on the table by a presiding officer in calling for attention or silence, or by an auctioneer •vt. -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling 1 to strike with or as with a gavel 2 to cause (a meeting) to end, be in order, etc. by striking a gavel [? dial. var. of Scot gable, a fork, tool with forked handle < ME < OE gafol, akin to Ger gabel]

gavelkind (gæv´эl kaind') •n. [Historical] in Great Britain, a system of land tenure by which: a) the property of a man dying intestate was divided equally among his sons; b) the tenant could dispose of his land by feoffment at the age of fifteen; c) the land did not escheat upon the conviction of the tenant as a felon [ME gavelkynde (orig. Kentish) < gavel, tribute, tax, rent (< OE gafol < base of giefan: see GIVE) + kynde, KIND]

gavial (gei´vi: эl) •n. 1 any of the only species (Gavialis gangeticus) of a subfamily (Gavialinae) of large crocodilian reptiles: it has a very long, slender snout and lives in N India 2 a medium-sized crocodile (Tomistoma schlegeli) of Borneo and Sumatra: in full false gavial [Fr < Hindi ghariyāl]

gavotte (gэ vät´) •n. 1 a 17th-cent. dance like the minuet, but faster and livelier 2 the music for this, in 4/4 time Also sp. ga·vot´ [Fr < Prov gavoto, dance of the Gavots, name used for a people of Hautes-Alpes, France, lit., boors, gluttons < gaver, to stuff, force-feed (poultry) < OProv gava, crop]

GAW guaranteed annual wage

Gawain (gэ wein´; gä´wein', -win) Arthurian Legend a knight of the Round Table, nephew of King Arthur [Fr Gauvain < ? Gmc *Gawin]

gawk (gök) •n. a clumsy, stupid fellow; simpleton •vi. to stare stupidly, like a gawk gawk´ish •adj. [prob. var. of GOWK]

gawky (gö´ki:) gawk´i·er, gawk´i·est •adj. awkward; clumsy; ungainly gawk´i·ly •adv. gawk´i·ness •n. [prob. < ME gouki, foolish < gouk: see GOWK]

gawp (göp) •vi. [Slang] to stare open-mouthed; gawk or gape [dial., altered < ME galpen, to yawn, gape]

Gay (gei), John 1685-1732; Eng. poet & playwright gay (gei) •adj. 1 joyous and lively; merry; happy; lighthearted 2 bright; brilliant {gay colors} 3 given to social life and pleasures {a gay life} 4 wanton; licentious {a gay dog} Æ 5 a) homosexual b) of, for, or relating to homosexuals {gay liberation} Æ n. a homosexual; esp., a homosexual man SYN. LIVELY gay´ness •n. [ME gai < OFr < ? Frank *gahi, swift, impetuous, akin to Ger jäh] gay (gei) •adj. 1 joyous and lively; merry; happy; lighthearted 2 bright; brilliant {gay colors} 3 given to social life and pleasures {a gay life} 4 wanton; licentious {a gay dog} Æ 5 a) homosexual b) of, for, or relating to homosexuals {gay liberation} Æ n. a homosexual; esp., a homosexual man SYN. LIVELY gay´ness •n. [ME gai < OFr < ? Frank *gahi, swift, impetuous, akin to Ger jäh]

Gaya (gä´yэ) city in Bihar, NE India: pop. 345,000

gayety (gei´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. alt. sp. of GAIETY

Gayle (geil) a feminine name: see GAIL

Gay-Lussac (gei lü såk´), Jo·seph Louis (zhô zef´ lwi:) 1778-1850; Fr. chemist & physicist

Gay-Lussac's law (gei´lu: sæks´) 1 the statement that the volumes of two or more gases that combine to give a gaseous product are in the proportion of small whole numbers to each other and to the volume of the product 2 CHARLES'S LAW

gayly (gei´li:) •adv. alt. sp. of GAILY

gaywings (gei´wiŋz´) •n. a trailing pink or white milkwort (Polygala paucifolia) found in the E U.S. and Canada

gaz gazetteer

Gaza (gäz´э, gæz´э, gei´zэ) city in SW Asia, at the SE end of the Mediterranean: in ancient times, one of the chief cities of the Philistines; Biblical site of Samson's death (Judg. 16:21-30): from 1949 to 1967, control of the city and a surrounding strip of land (Gaza Strip), alternately occupied by Egypt and Israel, was in dispute: since 1967 under Israeli administration: pop. 118,000

gazabo (gэ zei´bou) pl. -bos •n.or -boes [Old Slang] a fellow; guy: often derogatory [< Sp gazapo, an artful knave, back-form. < gazapatón, foolish talk, ult. < Gr kakemphaton, neut. of kakemphatos, ill-sounding, equivocal]

gaze (geiz) gazed, gaz´ing •vi. to look intently and steadily; stare, as in wonder or expectancy •n. a steady look gaz´er •n. [ME gazen < Scand, as in Norw & Swed dial. gasa, to stare < ON gas, GOOSE]

gazebo (gэ zi:´bou, -zei´-) pl. -bos or -boes •n. 1 a turret, windowed balcony, or summerhouse from which one can gaze at the surrounding scenery 2 GAZABO [jocular formation < prec., after L videbo, I shall see]

gazehound (geiz´haund') •n. [Archaic] a dog that hunts by sight instead of scent, as a greyhound

gazelle (gэ zel´) pl. -zelles´ •n.or -zelle´ any of various small, swift, graceful antelopes (esp. genera Gazella and Procapra) of Africa, the near East, and Asia with spirally twisted, backward-pointing horns and large, lustrous eyes [Fr < Ar ghazāl]

gazette (gэ zet´) •n. 1 a newspaper: now used mainly in some newspaper titles 2 [Brit.] any of various official publications containing announcements and bulletins •vt. -zet´ted, -zet´ting [Brit.] to publish, announce, or list in a gazette [Fr < It gazzetta < dial. (Venetian) gazeta, a small coin, price of the newspaper, orig., prob. dim. of L gaza, treasure < Gr < Pers, the royal treasure]

gazetteer (gæz'э tir´) •n. 1 [Archaic] a person who writes for a gazette 2 a dictionary or index of geographical names [prob. after L. Echard's use for his geographical dictionary (c. 1700)] [Fr gazettier]

Gaziantep (gä'zi: än tep´) city in S Turkey, near the Syrian border: pop. 374,000

gazpacho (gäs pä´chou, gäz-; Sp gäθ pä´chô, gäs-) •n. a Spanish soup made with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and onions, chopped up raw with oil, vinegar, etc. and served cold [Sp]

GB abbrev. Great Britain Gb gilbert GB (ji:'bi:´) •n. SARIN

GCA Aeron. ground-controlled approach

g-cal gram calorie(s)

GCD or gcd greatest common divisor

gcs gigacycles per second

gd guard Gd Chem. symbol for gadolinium

Gdańsk (gªdänsk´) seaport in N Poland, on the Baltic Sea: pop. 464,000: Ger. name DANZIG

gdn garden

GDP gross domestic product

GDR German Democratic Republic (East Germany)

gds goods

Gdynia (gªdi:n´yä) seaport in N Poland, on the Baltic Sea: pop. 240,000

Ge 1 Bible abbrev. Genesis 2 Chem. symbol for germanium Ge (zhei) •n. a family of South American Indian languages of Brazil, many now extinct Ge (ji:; gei) var. of GAEA [Gr gē, earth]

geanticlinal (ji:'æn'ti klai´nэl) •n. GEANTICLINE •adj. of, or having the nature of, a geanticline

geanticline (ji: æn´ti klain') •n. Geol. a great upward folding of the earth's crust, larger and more complex than an anticline, commonly measured in tens or hundreds of miles [Gr gē, earth + ANTICLINE]

gear (gir) •n. 1 a) orig., the clothing and equipment of a soldier, knight, etc. b) clothing; apparel 2 movable property; esp., apparatus or equipment for some particular task, as a workman's tools, the rigging of a ship, a harness, etc. 3 a) a toothed wheel, disk, etc. designed to mesh with another or with the thread of a worm b) [often pl.] a system of two or more gears meshed together so that the motion of one controls the speed and torque of another c) a specific adjustment of such a system d) any part of a mechanism performing a specific function {the steering gear} •adj. [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] highly acceptable, attractive, etc. •vt. 1 to furnish with gear; harness 2 to adapt (one thing) so as to conform with another {to gear production to demand} 3 Mech. a) to connect by gears b) to furnish with gears c) to put into gear •vi. Mech. to be in, or come into, proper adjustment or working order gear down to adjust gears so that the driven element goes slower than the driving element, with a consequent increase in torque gear up 1 to adjust gears so that the driven element goes faster than the driving element, with a consequent decrease in torque 2 to accelerate; increase efficiency (of) {the factory geared up production} Æ high gear 1 the arrangement of gears providing the greatest speed but little torque 2 [Colloq.] high speed or efficiency in (or out of) gear 1 (not) connected to the motor 2 (not) in proper adjustment or working order Æ low gear 1 the arrangement of gears providing little speed but great torque 2 [Colloq.] low speed or efficiency reverse gear the arrangement of gears providing reverse, or backward, motion Æ shift gears 1 to change from one gear arrangement to another 2 to change one's approach in handling a problem [ME gere, prob. < ON gervi, preparation, ornament, akin to OE gearo, YARE]

gear ratio the fixed relationship between the rotating speeds of two gears indicating available torque

gearbox (gir´bäks') •n. 1 TRANSMISSION (sense 2) 2 a case enclosing gears to protect them from dirt

gearing (gir´iŋ) •n. 1 the act or manner of fitting a machine with gears 2 a system of gears or other parts for transmitting motion

gearshift (gir´shift') •n. the lever used to engage or disengage any of a number of sets of transmission gears to a motor, etc.

gearwheel (-hwi:l', -wi:l') •n. a toothed wheel in a system of gears; cogwheel

gecko (gek´ou) pl. -os •n.or -oes any of a family (Gekkonidae) of soft-skinned, insect-eating, tropical and subtropical lizards with a short, stout body, a large head, and suction pads on the feet [prob. < Malay ge'kok, ? echoic of its cry]

GED trademark for General Educational Development

Geddes (ged´i:z), Norman Bel (bel) 1893-1958; U.S. theatrical & industrial designer

gee¹ (ji:) •interj., n. a command to a horse, ox, etc., meaning a) turn right! b) go ahead! (in this sense, usually gee up) •vt., vi. geed, gee´ing to turn to the right: opposed to HAW² [Early ModE < ?]

gee² (ji:) •interj. [Slang] an exclamation of surprise, wonder, etc. [euphemistic contr. < JE(SUS)]

gee³ (ji:) •n. 1 the letter G Æ 2 [Slang] one thousand dollars [G(RAND), n. 2]

geegaw (gi:´gö) •n. var. of GEWGAW

geek (gi:k) •n. 1 a performer of grotesque or depraved acts in a carnival, etc., such as biting off the head of a live chicken 2 [Slang] any person considered to be different from others in a negative or bizarre way, as a teenager seen as being awkward, tall and gangling, stupid, or antisocial geek·y (gi:´ki:), geek´i·er, geek´i·est, •adj. [< dial. geck, fool < Du gek, madman, fool < MLowG geck: orig. echoic of unintelligible cries]

Geelong (ji: löŋ´) seaport in S Victoria, Australia: pop. (with suburbs) 177,000

Geelvink Bay (kheil´viŋk) old name of SARERA BAY

geese (gi:s) •n. pl. of GOOSE

gee-whiz (ji:´hwiz´, -wiz´) •interj. a child's exclamation of surprise, objection, etc. [euphemistic alt. of JESUS]

Geez (gi: ez´) •n. ETHIOPIC (n. 1)

geezer (gi:´zэr) •n. [Slang] an eccentric man or, rarely, woman: usually preceded by old [< dial. guiser, a mummer < GUISE]

gefilte fish (gэ fil´tэ fish) chopped fish, usually a mixture, as of whitefish, pike, and carp, mixed with chopped onion, egg, seasoning, etc. and boiled, orig. in a casing of the fish skin: it is usually served cold in the form of balls or cakes [E Yidd < gefilte, inflected adj. form of pp. of filn, to fill + fish, fish]

gegenschein (gei´gэn shain', geg´эn-) •n. [also G-] a diffuse, faint light, sometimes visible almost directly opposite the sun in the night sky, and thought to be sunlight reflected from dust [Ger < gegen, against + schein, a SHINE, gleam]

Gehenna (gi hen´э, gэ-) the valley of Hinnom, near Jerusalem, where refuse was burned in Biblical times •n. 1 a place of torment 2 hell [LL(Ec) < Gr Geenna, hell < Heb gey hinom, where the kings Ahaz and Manasseh were said to have sacrificed their sons to Moloch]

Geiger counter (gai´gэr) an instrument for detecting and counting ionizing particles that pass through it: it consists of a needlelike electrode inside a hollow metallic cylinder filled with gas which, when ionized by the radiation, sets up a current in an electric field: a refined version (Geiger-Müller counter) with an amplifying system is used for detecting and measuring radioactivity [after H. Geiger (1882-1945), Ger physicist]

Geisel (gai´zэl), Theodor Seuss (su:s) (pseud. Dr. Seuss) 1904-91; U.S. writer & illustrator, esp. of children's books

geisha (gei´shэ; also gi:´-) pl. -sha •n.or -shas a Japanese woman trained in singing, dancing, the art of conversation, etc., to serve as a hired companion to men [Jpn < Sino-Jpn gei, art (of dancing, singing) + sha, person]

Geissler tube (gais´lэr tu:b) a glass tube having two electrodes and containing a gas which, when electrified, takes on a luminous glow of a color characteristic of the gas: used in spectroscopy, etc. [after H. Geissler (1814-79), Ger. inventor]

gel (jel) •n. a jellylike substance formed by cooling a colloidal solution into a solid or semisolid phase: cf. SOL³ •vi. gelled, gel´ling to form a gel; jellify [< GELATIN]

gelada (jel´э dэ, jэ lä´-) •n. an Ethiopian baboon (Theropithecus gelada) characterized by a bare red patch on the chest Also gelada baboon [ModL, the species name; of Sem orig.]

Geländesprung (gэ len´dэ shpřuŋ') •n. Skiing a jump, as over an obstacle, made from a crouching position by propelling oneself with the ski poles [Ger < gelände, open terrain + sprung, a leap]

gelati (jэ lät´i:) •n. an Italian sherbet made of whole milk, sugar, gelatin, and flavoring Also ge·la´to (-ou) Etymology [It, pl. of gelato, orig., frozen, pp. of gelare, to freeze < L: see GELATIN]

gelatin (jel´э tin, -эtªn) •n. 1 the tasteless, odorless, brittle mixture of proteins extracted by boiling skin, bones, horns, etc.; also, a similar vegetable substance: gelatin dissolves in hot water, forming a jellylike substance when cool, and is used in the preparation of various foods, medicine capsules, photographic film, etc. 2 something, as a jelly, made with gelatin 3 a sheet of translucent material in any of various colors, placed over stage lights for special effects Also gel´a·tine [Fr gélatine < It gelatina < gelata, a jelly < pp. of L gelare, to freeze < IE base *gel-, to freeze > COOL, L gelu, frost]

gelatinize (jэ læt´ªn aiz'; jel´э tin aiz', -эtªn-) -nized', -niz'ing •vt. 1 to change into gelatin or gelatinous matter 2 Photog. to coat with gelatin •vi. to be changed into gelatin or gelatinous matter ge·lat'i·ni·za´tion •n.

gelatinoid (-oid') •adj. like gelatin •n. a gelatinoid substance

gelatinous (jэ læt´ªn эs) •adj. 1 of or containing gelatin 2 like gelatin or jelly; having the consistency of gelatin or jelly; viscous ge·lat´i·nous·ness •n.

gelation¹ (ji: lei´shэn) •n. solidification by cooling or freezing [L gelatio < pp. of gelare, to freeze: see GELATIN]

gelation² (jel ei´shэn) •n. the coagulation of a sol to form a gel [GEL + -ATION]

geld¹ (geld) geld´ed or gelt, geld´ing •vt. 1 to castrate (esp. a horse) 2 to deprive of anything essential; weaken [ME gelden < ON gelda, to castrate < geldr, barren < IE base *Ghel-, to cut > OWelsh gylym, knife, ON gylta, sow, Goth giltha, scythe]

geld² (geld) •n. a tax paid to the crown by English landholders in Anglo-Saxon and Norman times [ML (Domesday Book) geldum < OE gield, payment (akin to Ger geld, money): for IE base see YIELD]

Gelderland (gel´dэr lænd'; Du khel´dэř länt') province of E Netherlands: 1,937 sq. mi. (5,016 sq. km); pop. 1,745,000 ; cap. Arnhem

gelding (gel´diŋ) •n. 1 a gelded animal; esp., a castrated male horse 2 [Archaic] a eunuch [ME < ON geldingr: see GELD¹ + -ING]

Gelibolu (gel'i: bô lu:´) seaport in S European Turkey, on the Gallipoli Peninsula: strategic point in the defense of the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits: pop. 13,000

gelid (jel´id) •adj. extremely cold; frozen ge·lid·i·ty (ji: lid´э ti:) •n. [L gelidus < gelu, frost: see GELATIN]

gelignite (jel´ig nait', jэ lig´-) •n. a sensitive blasting explosive that is a mixture of nitroglycerin, nitrocellulose, etc. Also called gelatin dynamite [GE(LATIN) + L lign(um), wood + -ITE¹]

Gell-Mann (gel män´, -mæn´), Murray 1929- ; U.S. physicist

gelsemium (jel si:´mi: эm) •n. 1 any of a genus (Gelsemium) of twining shrubs of the logania family, bearing fragrant yellow flowers 2 the poisonous root of one variety, once used to treat spasms and pain [ModL < It gelsomino, jessamine < Ar yāsamīn: see JASMINE]

Gelsenkirchen (gel'zэn kiř´Hэn) city in WC Germany, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia: pop. 295,000

gelt¹ (gelt) •vt. alt. pt. & pp. of GELD¹

gelt² (gelt) •n. [Slang] money Etymology [Yidd geld < MHG (a late-19th-c. borrowing): orig. (16th c.) < Ger or Du geld, but fell out of use exc. dialectally: cf. GELD²]

gem (jem) •n. 1 a) a cut and polished gemstone or a pearl, used for ornamentation b) GEMSTONE {a fortune in uncut gems} 2 anything prized for its beauty and value, esp. if small and perfect of its kind 3 a highly valued person Æ 4 a kind of muffin •vt. gemmed, gem´ming to adorn or set with or as with gems [ME gemme < OFr < L gemma, a swelling, bud, precious stone < IE *Gembhna < base *Gembh-, to bite, tooth > COMB¹]

Gemara (gэ mä rä´; gэ mä´rä, -mör´э) •n. 1 the second and supplementary part of the Talmud, providing a commentary on the first part (the MISHNA) 2 loosely, the Talmud [< Heb-Aram gemara < Aram gemara, lit., study, learning < verb root gmr, to finish]

Gemeinschaft (gэ main´shäft') pl. -schaf'ten (-shäf'tэn) •n. [also g-] a social relationship between individuals which is based on common feeling, kinship, or membership in a community: opposed to GESELLSCHAFT [Ger, community < gemein, common + -schaft, -SHIP]

geminate (jem´э neit') •adj. growing or combined in pairs; coupled •vt. -nat'ed, -nat'ing to arrange in pairs; double •vi. to become doubled or paired gem'i·na´tion •n. [< L geminatus, pp. of geminare, to double < geminus, twin]

Gemini (jem´э nai', -ni:') 1 a N constellation between Cancer and Taurus, containing the bright stars Castor and Pollux 2 the third sign of the zodiac, entered by the sun about May 21 •n. a person born under this sign [L, twins]

gemma (jem´э) pl. -mae (-i:) •n. Biol. a budlike outgrowth which becomes detached and develops into a new organism, as in certain liverworts gem·ma·ceous (jem ei´shэs) •adj. [L: see GEM]

gemmate (jem´eit') •adj. having, or reproducing by, gemmae •vi. -mat'ed, -mat'ing to have, or reproduce by, gemmae; bud gem·ma´tion •n. [L gemmatus, pp. of gemmare, to put forth buds < gemma, a bud: see GEM]

gemmiferous (je mif´эr эs) •adj. producing or reproducing by buds or gemmae; gemmiparous

gemmiparous (jem ip´э rэs) •adj. Biol. of or reproducing by gemmation; budding [< L gemma, a bud (see GEM) + -I- + -PAROUS]

gemmulation (jem'yu: lei´shэn) •n. Biol. formation of or reproduction by gemmules

gemmule (jem´yu:l') •n. Biol. a bud of a moss or a reproductive body of an alga or of certain sponges; small gemma [Fr < L gemmula, dim. of gemma, a bud: see GEM]

gemmy (jem´i:) •adj. 1 set with gems 2 like a gem; glittering [ME]

gemology or gemmology (jem äl´э ji:) •n. the science or study of gems and gemstones gem'o·log´i·cal or gem'mo·log´i·cal (-ou läj´i kэl) •adj. gem·ol´o·gist or gem·mol´o·gist •n. [< L gemma (see GEM) + -O- + -LOGY: sp. infl. by GEM]

gemot or gemote (gэ mout´) •n. an early English public assembly or court, before the Norman Conquest; moot [OE < ge-, collective prefix (akin to L cum: see COM-) + mōt, assembly: see MOOT]

gemsbok (gemz´bäk') pl. -bok' •n.or -boks' a large antelope (Oryx gazella) of S Africa, with long, straight horns and a tufted tail [Afrik < Ger gemsbock < gemse, chamois < OHG *gamuz < LL camox (see CHAMOIS) + bock, BUCK¹]

gemstone (jem´stoun') •n. any mineral or petrified substance that can be cut and polished for setting into a piece of jewelry

gemütlich (gэ müt´liH) •adj. agreeable, cheerful, cozy, etc. [Ger]

gemütlichkeit (gэ müt´likh kait') •n. warm cordiality; agreeableness; friendliness; congeniality [Ger]

gen 1 gender 2 genera 3 general 4 generic 5 genitive 6 genus Gen 1 General 2 Bible Genesis

-gen (jэn, jen) suffix forming nouns 1 something that produces {hydrogen} 2 something produced (in a specified way) {pathogen} Also -gene [Fr -gène < Gr -genēs, born < base of gignesthai, to be born, become: see GENUS]

gendarme (zhän därm´, zhän´därm'; Fr zhäñ dåřm´) pl. -darmes´ (-därmz´; Fr, -dåřm´) •n. 1 [Historical] a French cavalryman commanding a squad 2 in France, Belgium, etc., a) a soldier serving as an armed policeman b) a police officer; esp., a French police officer 3 any policeman: a humorous usage [Fr < gens d'armes, men-at-arms < L gens, GENS + de, of + arma, arms]

gendarmerie (zhän'där'mэ ri:´, zhän där´mэ ri:; Fr zhäñ dåř mэ ři:´) •n. gendarmes collectively Also gen·dar´mer·y [Fr]

gender gap the apparent disparity between men and women in values, attitudes, voting patterns, etc.

gender¹ (jen´dэr) •n. 1 Gram. a) the formal classification by which nouns are grouped and inflected, or changed in form, so as to reflect certain syntactic relationships: pronouns, modifiers, and verbs may also be so inflected: although gender is not a formal feature of English, some nouns and the third person singular pronouns are distinguished according to sex or the lack of sex (Ex.: man or he, masculine gender; woman or she, feminine gender; door or it, neuter gender): in most Indo-European languages, as well as in many others, gender is not necessarily correlated with sex b) any one of such groupings, or an inflectional form showing membership in such a group 2 the fact or condition of being a male or a female human being, esp. with regard to how this affects or determines a person's self-image, social status, goals, etc. [ME < OFr gendre, with unhistoric -d- < L genus (gen. generis), descent, origin, transl. Gr genos, race, class, sex: see GENUS]

gender² (jen´dэr) •vt., vi. archaic var. of ENGENDER

gender-specific (jen´dэr spэ sif´ik) •adj. of or limited to either males or females {eye and hair color are not gender-specific}

gene (ji:n) •n. Genetics any of the units occurring at specific points on the chromosomes, by which hereditary characters are transmitted and determined: each is regarded as a particular state of organization of the chromatin in the chromosome, consisting primarily of DNA and protein: see DOMINANT, RECESSIVE, MENDEL'S LAWS [< Ger gen, short for pangen (< pan-, PAN- + -gen, -GEN, after PANGENESIS)] Gene (ji:n) a masculine name: see EUGENE

gene flow the passage of particular genes through a population of animals or plants as a result of cross-fertilizations within the population

gene pool the total of all the genes of a species

geneal genealogy

genealogical (ji:'ni: э läj´i kэl, jen'i:-) •adj. 1 of genealogy 2 tracing a line of descent ge'ne·a·log´i·cal·ly •adv.

genealogy (ji:'ni: äl´э ji:, -æl´-; jen'i:-) pl. -gies •n. 1 a chart or recorded history of the descent of a person or family from an ancestor or ancestors 2 the science or study of family descent 3 descent from an ancestor; pedigree; lineage ge'ne·al´o·gist •n. [ME genelogi < OFr genealogie < LL genealogia < Gr < genea, race, descent (akin to genos: see GENUS) + -logia, -LOGY]

genera (jen´эr э) •n. pl. of GENUS

generable (jen´эr э bэl) •adj. that can be generated [L generabilis]

general (jen´эr эl; often jen´rэl) •adj. 1 of, for, or from the whole or all; not particular or local {a general anesthetic, the general welfare} 2 of, for, or applying to a whole genus, kind, class, order, or race {the general classifications of matter} 3 existing or occurring extensively; common; widespread {a general unrest} 4 most common; usual {the general spelling of a word} 5 concerned with the main or overall features; lacking in details; not specific {the general features of a plan} 6 not precise; vague {to speak in general terms} 7 senior or highest in rank {an attorney general} 8 not connected with or limited to one branch or department of learning, business, etc.; not specialized {a general store} •n. 1 the main or overall fact, condition, idea, etc.: opposed to PARTICULAR 2 the head of some religious orders 3 [Archaic] the public; populace 4 a) any of various military officers ranking above a colonel; specif., U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force such an officer, with an insignia of four stars, ranking above a lieutenant general (see also BRIGADIER GENERAL, MAJOR GENERAL) b) U.S. Marine Corps an officer of the highest rank SYN. COMMON, UNIVERSAL in general 1 in the main; usually 2 without specific details 3 with reference to all spoken of [ME < OFr < L generalis < genus (gen. generis), kind, class: see GENUS]

general admission admission fee paid for usually unreserved seats, as in a theater, stadium, etc.

General American American English as conversationally spoken by most people in the greater part of the U.S., exclusive of much of New England and most of the South: a term no longer much used

general assembly Æ 1 [often G- A-] in some States of the U.S., the legislative assembly 2 [G- A-] the deliberative assembly of the United Nations 3 the highest governing body of the Presbyterian Church or the national association of certain other Protestant denominations

general contractor a person who contracts to construct a building or buildings, for a stipulated sum, in accordance with certain plans and specifications, or to remodel or build an addition to a building

General Court 1 orig., a Colonial legislative assembly with limited judicial powers 2 now, the legislature of New Hampshire or Massachusetts: the official title

general court-martial the highest military court, for judging the gravest offenses: it consists of five or more officers or enlisted men, and can impose the death sentence

general delivery 1 delivery of mail at the post office to addressees who call for it 2 the department of the post office that handles this mail 3 mail sent to general delivery

general election 1 an election to choose from among candidates previously nominated in a primary election, by party convention, etc. 2 a nationwide or Statewide election

general headquarters Mil. the headquarters of a commanding general in the field

general of the air force U.S. Air Force an officer of the highest rank, with an insignia of five stars: a World War II rank

general of the army U.S. Army an officer of the highest rank, with an insignia of five stars: a World War II rank, not used since

general officer Mil. any officer above a colonel in rank

general order Mil. 1 any of a numbered series of orders under competent authority, including general directives, announcements, etc. 2 any of the permanent orders giving in general the duties of sentries

general paresis (or paralysis) PARESIS (sense 2)

general practitioner a practicing physician who does not specialize in any particular field of medicine

General Secretary the head of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

general semantics a doctrine and educational movement concerned with the employment of an understanding of the relationship between symbols, esp. language, and reality to improve the adjustment of people to each other and to the environment

general staff Mil. a group of officers who assist the commander of a high unit in planning, coordinating, and supervising operations

general store a store where many sorts of merchandise are sold, but not in separate departments

general strike a strike by the workers in an entire industry or, esp., throughout an entire community or country

generalcy (jen´эr эl si:) pl. -cies •n. the rank, commission, tenure of office, or authority of a general