enmesh (en mesh´, in-) •vt. to catch in or as in the meshes of a net; entangle

enmity (en´mэ ti:) pl. -ties •n. the bitter attitude or feelings of an enemy or of mutual enemies; hostility; antagonism SYN.—enmity denotes a strong, settled feeling of hatred, whether concealed, displayed, or latent; hostility usually suggests enmity expressed in active opposition, attacks, etc.; animosity suggests bitterness of feeling that tends to break out in open hostility; antagonism stresses the mutual hostility or enmity of persons, forces, etc. [ME enemite < OFr enemistie < VL *inimicitas < L inimicus: see ENEMY]

ennead (en´i: æd') •n. a group or set of nine (books, gods, etc.) [Gr enneas (gen. enneados) < ennea, NINE]

ennoble (en nou´bэl; e nou´-, i-) -bled, -bling •vt. 1 to raise to the rank of nobleman 2 to give a noble quality to; dignify en·no´ble·ment •n. en·no´bler •n. [ME ennoblen (only in pp.) < OFr ennoblir: see EN-¹ & NOBLE]

ennui (än´wi:'; Fr äñ nüi:´) •n. weariness and dissatisfaction resulting from inactivity or lack of interest; boredom [Fr: see ANNOY]

Enoch (i:´nэk) 1 a masculine name 2 Bible a) the eldest son of Cain: Gen. 4:17 b) the father of Methuselah: Gen. 5:21 [Gr Enōch < Heb chanoch, lit., dedicated]

enol (i:´nöl', -noul') •n. the form of a tautomeric compound containing the group C:C(OH) e·nol´ic (-näl´ik, -nou´lik) •adj. [< -ENE + -OL¹]

enology (i: näl´э ji:) •n. OENOLOGY e·nol´o·gist •n. [< Gr oinos, wine (akin to oinē, VINE) + -LOGY]

enormity (i: nör´mэ ti:, i-) pl. -ties •n. 1 great wickedness {the enormity of a crime} 2 a monstrous or outrageous act; very wicked crime 3 enormous size or extent; vastness: in modern use, considered a loose usage by some [Fr enormité < L enormitas < enormis, irregular, immoderate, immense < e-, out + norma, rule: see NORM]

enormous (i: nör´mэs, i-) •adj. 1 very much exceeding the usual size, number, or degree; of great size; huge; vast; immense 2 [Archaic] very wicked; outrageous e·nor´mous·ly •adv. e·nor´mous·ness •n. SYN.—enormous implies an exceeding by far what is normal in size, amount, or degree [an enormous nose, enormous expenses]; immense, basically implying immeasurability, suggests size beyond the regular run of measurements but does not connote abnormality in that which is very large [redwoods are immense trees]; huge usually suggests an immense mass or bulk [a huge building, huge profits]; gigantic, colossal, and mammoth basically imply a likeness to specific objects of great size (respectively, a giant, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the huge, extinct elephant) and therefore emphasize the idea of great magnitude, force, importance, etc., now often hyperbolically; tremendous, literally suggesting that which inspires awe or amazement because of its great size, is also used loosely as an intensive term [ME enormyouse < L enormis (see ENORMITY) + -OUS]

Enos (i:´nэs) 1 a masculine name 2 Bible a son of Seth: Gen. 4:26 [Gr Enōs < Heb enosh, lit., man, mankind]

enosis (e nou´sis) •n. union; specif., the proposed political union of Cyprus and Greece [ModGr]

enough (i: nûf´, i-) •adj. as much or as many as necessary, desirable, or tolerable; sufficient •n. the amount or number needed, desired, or allowed; sufficiency •adv. 1 as much or as often as necessary; to the required degree or amount; sufficiently 2 fully; quite {oddly enough} 3 just adequately; tolerably; fairly {he played well enough} SYN. SUFFICIENT [ME inough < OE genoh < Gmc comp. (seen also in Ger genug-, ON gnogr, Goth ganohs) < ge-, intens. + *noh, enough < IE base *enek-, *nek-, to attain, achieve > L nactus, attained, Sans nákşati, (he) attains]

enounce (i: nauns´, i-) e·nounced´, e·nounc´ing •vt. ENUNCIATE [Fr énoncer < L enuntiare]

Enovid (i:´nou vid, -nэ-) trademark for a hormonal compound used to regulate the menstrual cycle and as an oral contraceptive [arbitrary coinage, based on EN-¹ & OVI- & -ID]

enow (i: nau´, i-; -nou´) •adj., n., adv. [Archaic] enough [ME ynoghe, inou < OE genog, early form of genoh (see ENOUGH): considered in Scot dial. as pl.]

enphytotic (en'fai tät´ik) •adj. affecting certain plants of an area at regular intervals: said of various diseases: see EPIPHYTOTIC [< EN-² + Gr phyton, a plant (see -PHYTE) + -IC]

enplane (en plein´, in-) -planed´, -plan´ing •vi. to board an airplane [EN-¹ + PLANE4, after ENTRAIN¹]

enquire (en kwair´, in-) -quired´, -quir´ing •vt., vi. INQUIRE en·quir´y (-i:), pl. -quir´ies, •n.

enrage (en reij´, in-) -raged´, -rag´ing •vt. to put into a rage; make very angry; infuriate en·rag´ed·ly (-rei´jid li:) •adv. en·rage´ment •n. [OFr enrager]

enrapt (en ræpt´, in-) •adj. enraptured; rapt

enrapture (en ræp´chэr, in-) -tured, -tur·ing •vt. to fill with great pleasure or delight; entrance; enchant: also en·rav´ish (-ræv´ish)

enregister (en rej´is tэr) •vt. to enter in a register; enroll; record [Fr enregistrer]

enrich (en rich´, in-) •vt. to make rich or richer; specif., a) to give more wealth to b) to give greater value, importance, effectiveness, etc. to {to enrich a curriculum} c) to decorate; adorn d) to fertilize (soil) e) to add vitamins, minerals, etc. to (bread, flour, etc.) so as to increase the food value f) to concentrate (a radioactive isotope) in the making of nuclear fuel en·rich´ment •n. [ME enrichen < OFr enrichier]

enrobe (en roub´, in-) -robed´, -rob´ing •vt. to dress in or as in a robe

enroll or enrol (en roul´, in-) -rolled´, -roll´ing •vt. 1 to record in a list 2 to enlist 3 to accept as or cause to be a member 4 [Archaic] to roll up; wrap up Æ 5 to make a final fair copy of (a bill passed by a legislature) •vi. to enroll oneself or become enrolled; register; enlist; become a member [ME enrollen < OFr enroller: see EN-¹ & ROLL]

enrollee (en'roul i:´, en roul´i:) •n. a person who is enrolled

enrollment or enrolment (en roul´mэnt, in-) •n. 1 an enrolling or being enrolled 2 a list of those enrolled 3 the number of those enrolled

enroot (en ru:t´, in-) •vt. to implant firmly or deeply: used chiefly in the passive [EN-¹ + ROOT¹]

Ens Ensign ens (enz) •n. Philos. abstract being; existence, in the most general sense [LL ens (gen. entis), a being < prp. of esse, to be]

ensample (en sæm´pэl) •n. [Archaic] EXAMPLE [ME ensaumple < OFr ensample: see EXAMPLE]

ensanguine (en sæŋ´gwin) -guined, -guin·ing •vt. to stain with blood; make bloody [EN-¹ + SANGUINE]

Enschede (en'skэ dei´) city in E Netherlands, near the German border: pop. 145,000

ensconce (en skäns´, in-) -sconced´, -sconc´ing •vt. 1 [Now Rare] to hide; conceal; shelter 2 to place or settle comfortably, snugly, or securely {to ensconce oneself in an armchair} [EN-¹ + SCONCE²]

ensemble (än säm´bэl) •n. 1 all the parts considered as a whole; total effect 2 a whole costume, esp. one of matching or complementary articles of dress 3 a) a company of actors, dancers, etc., or all but the featured stars b) their performance together 4 Music a) a small group of musicians playing or singing together b) the instruments or voices constituting such a group c) the performance together of such a group, or of all the members of an orchestra, chorus, etc. [Fr < OFr, together < L insimul, at the same time < in-, in + simul, at the same time: see SAME]

Ensenada (en'sэ näd´э) seaport in N Baja California, Mexico, on the Pacific: pop. 175,000

ensheathe (en shi:ð´) -sheathed´, -sheath´ing •vt. to put in or cover with or as with a sheath

enshrine (en shrain´, in-) -shrined´, -shrin´ing •vt. 1 to enclose in or as in a shrine 2 to hold as sacred; cherish {enshrined in memory} en·shrine´ment •n.

enshroud (en shraud´, in-) •vt. to cover as if with a shroud; hide; veil; obscure

ensiform (en´si förm') •adj. sword-shaped, as an iris leaf; xiphoid [< L ensis, sword (< IE *nsi-s > Sans así-) + -FORM]

ensign (en´sain'; also, & for 4 always, -sэn) •n. 1 a badge, symbol, or token of office or authority 2 a flag or banner; specif., a national flag, as one displayed on a ship 3 [Historical] Brit. Army a commissioned officer who served as standard-bearer Æ 4 U.S. Navy a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, ranking just below a lieutenant junior grade [after Fr enseigne de vaisseau, ship's ensign, midshipman] en´sign·ship' (-ship') or en´sign·cy (-si:) •n. Etymology [ME & OFr enseigne < L insignia: see INSIGNIA]

ensilage (en´sэ lij') •n. 1 the preserving of green fodder by storage in a silo 2 SILAGE •vt. -laged', -lag'ing ENSILE [Fr < ensiler, to preserve in an underground granary < en- + silo: see SILO]

ensile (en sail´, en´sail') -siled´, -sil´ing •vt. to store (green fodder) in a silo, or orig. a pit, for preservation [Fr ensiler: see ENSILAGE]

enslave (en sleiv´, in-) -slaved´, -slav´ing •vt. 1 to put into slavery; make a slave of 2 to dominate; subjugate en·slave´ment •n. en·slav´er •n.

ensnare (en sner´, in-) -snared´, -snar´ing •vt. to catch in or as in a snare; trap en·snare´ment •n.

ensnarl (en snärl´, in-) •vt. to draw into a snarl or tangle

Ensor (en´sör'), James Sydney 1860-1949; Belgian painter

ensorcell or ensorcel (en sör´sэl) -celled or -celed, -cell·ing or -cel·ing •vt. to bewitch [OFr ensorceler, for *ensorcerer: see EN-¹ & SORCERY]

ensoul (en soul´) •vt. 1 to take or put into the soul 2 to endow with a soul en·soul´ment •n.

ensphere (en sfir´) -sphered´, -spher´ing •vt. to enclose in or as in a sphere

enstatite (en´stэ tait') •n. a mineral, MgSiO3, of the pyroxene group, occurring in orthorhombic form [Ger enstatit < Gr enstatēs, opponent + Ger -it, -ITE¹: from its refractory nature]

ensue (en su:´, -syu:´; in-) -sued´, -su´ing •vi. 1 to come afterward; follow immediately 2 to happen as a consequence; result •vt. [Archaic] to strive for; follow; pursue SYN. FOLLOW [ME ensuen < stem of OFr ensuivre < VL *insequere < L insequi < in- + sequi, to follow: see SEQUENT]

ensure (en shur´, in-) -sured´, -sur´ing •vt. 1 to make sure or certain; guarantee; secure {measures to ensure accuracy} 2 to make safe; protect {safety devices to ensure workers against accidents} 3 obs. var. of INSURE [ME ensuren < Anglo-Fr enseurer (for OFr asseurer: see ASSURE) < en- (see EN-¹) + OFr seur, SURE]

enswathe (en swäð´, -sweið´) -swathed´, -swath´ing •vt. to wrap or bind in or as in a bandage; swathe

-ent (эnt, ªnt) suffix 1 forming adjectives that has, shows, or does {insistent} 2 forming nouns a person or thing that {superintendent, solvent} See also -ANT [< OFr -ent, L -ens (gen. -entis), stem ending of certain present participles]

ent- (ent) combining form ENTO-: used before a vowel

entablature (en tæb´lэ chэr) •n. Archit. 1 a horizontal superstructure supported by columns and composed of architrave, frieze, and cornice 2 any structure like this [MFr < It intavolatura < intavolare < in-, in + tavola, table, base < L tabula: see TABLE]

entablement (en tei´bэl mэnt) •n. 1 obs. var. of ENTABLATURE 2 the platform or series of platforms directly beneath a statue and on top of the dado and the base [Fr < OFr < entabler: see EN-¹, TABLE, & -MENT]

entail (en teil´, in-) •vt. 1 Law to limit the inheritance of (real property) to a specific line or class of heirs 2 to cause or require as a necessary consequence; involve; necessitate {the plan entails work} •n. 1 an entailing or being entailed 2 that which is entailed, as an estate 3 necessary sequence, as the order of descent for an entailed inheritance en·tail´ment •n. [ME entailen < en-, in + taile, talie, an agreement < OFr taillié, pp. of taillier, to cut: see TAILOR]

entameba (en'tэ mi:´bэ) •n. any of a genus (Entamoeba) of amoebas parasitic in vertebrates, esp. a species (E. histolytica) causing amoebic dysentery: see ENDAMEBA

entangle (en tæŋ´gэl, in-) -gled, -gling •vt. 1 to involve in or as in a tangle; catch, as in a net, vine, etc., so that escape is difficult; ensnare 2 to involve in difficulty 3 to confuse mentally; perplex 4 to cause to be tangled or confused; complicate en·tan´gle·ment •n.

entasis (en´tэ sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. Archit. a slight, convex swelling in the shaft of a column: it prevents the illusion of concavity produced by a perfectly straight shaft [ModL < Gr entasis, lit., a stretching < enteinein, to stretch tight < en-, in + teinein: see THIN]

Entebbe (en teb´э) city in S Uganda, on Lake Victoria: cap. of Uganda when it was a British protectorate (1894-1962): pop. 21,000

entelechy (en tel´i ki:) pl. -chies •n. 1 in Aristotelian philosophy, the actualization of potentiality or of essence 2 in vitalism, the inherent force which controls and directs the activities and development of a living being [ME entelechia < L < Gr entelecheia, actuality < en telei echein < en, in + telei, dat. of telos, end, completion + echein, to hold: see SCHEME]

entellus (en tel´эs) pl. -lus·es •n. HANUMAN [ModL, after Entellus, ancient Sicilian athletic hero]

entente (än tänt´; Fr äñ täñt´) •n. 1 an understanding or agreement, as between nations 2 the parties to this [Fr < OFr < entendre, to understand: see INTENT]

enter (ent´эr) •vt. 1 to come or go in or into 2 to force a way into; penetrate; pierce {the bullet entered his body} 3 to put into; insert 4 to write down in a record, list, diary, etc.; make an entry of 5 a) to list as a participant in a competition, race, etc. b) to become a participant in (a contest) 6 to join; become a part or member of (a political party, school, club, etc.) 7 to get (a person, etc.) admitted 8 to start upon; begin {to enter a career} 9 to present for consideration; submit, esp. formally or officially {to enter a protest} 10 to register (a ship or cargo) at a customhouse 11 Law a) to place on record before a court b) to go upon or into (land or property) and take possession Æ c) to file a claim for (a parcel of public land) •vi. 1 to come or go into some place; make an entrance: also used as a stage direction meaning he (or she) comes, or they come, on stage 2 to pierce; penetrate enter into 1 to engage in; take part in {to enter into a conversation} 2 to form a part or component of; be or become a factor in 3 to deal with; discuss 4 to sympathize with; appreciate and share {to enter into the spirit of an occasion} enter on (or upon) 1 to begin; set out on; start 2 to begin to possess or enjoy; take possession of [ME entren < OFr entrer < L intrare < intra, within, inside: see INTRA-]

enteric (en ter´ik) •adj. intestinal; of the enteron Also en·ter·al (en´tэr эl)

enteric fever old term for TYPHOID

enteritis (ent'эr ait´is) •n. inflammation of the intestine, esp. the small intestine [ENTER- + -ITIS]

entero- (en´tэr ou', -tэr э) combining form intestine {enterocolitis} Also, often before a vowel, enter- [< Gr enteron, intestine: see INTER-]

enterobiasis (en'tэr ou'bai´э sis) •n. infestation with pinworms [ModL < Enterobius, name of the genus (< prec. + Gr bios, life: see BIO-) + -IASIS]

enterococcus (-käk´эs) pl. -coc´ci' (-käk´sai') •n. a streptococcus normally present in the intestinal tract, that may be a cause of disease when found in other parts of the body en'ter·o·coc´cal (-käk´эl) •adj. [ModL < ENTERO- + -COCCUS]

enterocoele or enterocoel (en´tэr ou si:l') •n. a coelomic cavity, as in starfishes and sea urchins, formed from a pouchlike outward fold of the wall of the archenteron [ENTERO- + -COELE]

enterocolitis (en'tэr ou'kou lait´is) •n. inflammation of the colon and the small intestine [ModL < ENTERO- + COLITIS]

enterogastrone (-gæs´troun') •n. a hormone secreted by the upper intestinal mucosa, that inhibits the secretion of gastric juice and stomach movements, thereby slowing digestion, esp. of fats [ENTERO- + GASTR- + -ONE]

enterokinase (-kai´neis, -kin´eis) •n. an enzyme produced by the small intestine that transforms trypsinogen into trypsin [Ger < entero-, ENTERO- + kinase < kin(etisch), KINETIC + -ase, -ASE]

enteron (en´tэr än', -эn) •n. the alimentary canal [Gr enteron: see INTER-]

enterostomy (en'tэr äs´tэ mi:) pl. -mies •n. the surgical operation of making an artificial opening into the intestine through the abdominal wall, as for drainage [ENTERO- + -STOMY]

enterovirus (en'tэr ou'vai´rэs) •n. any of a genus (Enterovirus) of viruses causing gastrointestinal infection and other diseases, as poliomyelitis

enterprise (ent´эr praiz') •n. 1 an undertaking; project; specif., a) a bold, difficult, dangerous, or important undertaking b) a business venture or company 2 willingness to undertake new or risky projects; energy and initiative 3 active participation in projects [ME < OFr entreprise < fem. pp. of entreprendre, to undertake < entre- (L inter), in, between + prendre < L prehendere: see PREHENSILE]

enterprise zone a depressed urban area in which employers receive tax reductions or other incentives for establishing businesses and employing the disadvantaged

enterpriser (-prai'zэr) •n. ENTREPRENEUR

enterprising (ent´эr prai'ziŋ) •adj. showing enterprise; full of energy and initiative; willing to undertake new projects SYN. AMBITIOUS en´ter·pris'ing·ly •adv. [< archaic v. enterprise, to undertake < the n.]

entertain (ent'эr tein´) •vt. 1 [Archaic] to keep up; maintain 2 to hold the interest of and give pleasure to; divert; amuse 3 to give hospitality to; have as a guest 4 to allow oneself to think about; have in mind; consider {to entertain an idea} •vi. to give hospitality to guests SYN. AMUSE [ME entretinen < OFr entretenir, to maintain, hold together < entre (L inter), between + tenir < L tenere, to hold: see THIN]

entertainer (-эr) •n. a person who entertains; esp., a popular singer, dancer, comedian, etc.

entertaining (-iŋ) •adj. interesting and pleasurable; diverting; amusing en'ter·tain´ing·ly •adv.

entertainment (ent'эr tein´ mэnt) •n. 1 an entertaining or being entertained 2 something that entertains; interesting, diverting, or amusing thing; esp., a show or performance [ME & OFr entretenement]

enthalpy (en θæl´pi:, en´θэl pi:) •n. a measure of the energy content of a system per unit mass [Gr enthalpein, to warm in (< en-, EN-² < en, IN + thalpein, to heat) + -Y4]

enthrall or enthral (en θröl´, in-) -thralled´, -thrall´ing •vt. 1 [Now Rare] to make a slave of; enslave 2 to hold as if in a spell; captivate; fascinate en·thrall´ment or en·thral´ment •n. [ME enthrallen: see EN-¹ & THRALL]

enthrone (en θroun´, in-) -throned´, -thron´ing •vt. 1 to place on a throne; make a king or bishop of 2 to accord the highest place to; exalt en·throne´ment •n.

enthuse (en θu:z´, -θyu:z´; in-) -thused´, -thus´ing •vi. [Colloq.] to express enthusiasm •vt. [Colloq.] to make enthusiastic [back-form. < fol.]

enthusiasm (en θu:´zi: æz'эm, -θyu:´-; in-) •n. 1 orig., supernatural inspiration or possession; inspired prophetic or poetic ecstasy 2 [Archaic] religious fanaticism 3 intense or eager interest; zeal; fervor 4 something arousing such interest or zeal SYN. PASSION [Gr enthousiasmos < enthousiazein, to be inspired, be possessed by a god, inspire < enthous, entheos, possessed by a god < en-, in + theos, god: see THEO-]

enthusiast (-æst'; -эst) •n. a person full of enthusiasm; specif., a) [Archaic] a religious fanatic or zealot b) an ardent supporter SYN. ZEALOT [Gr enthousiastēs]

enthusiastic (en θu:'zi: æs´tik, -θyu:'-; in-) •adj. 1 having or showing enthusiasm; ardent 2 of, or having the nature of, enthusiasm en·thu'si·as´ti·cal·ly •adv. [Gr enthousiastikos]

enthymeme (en´θi mi:m') •n. Logic a syllogism in which one of the premises or the conclusion is not expressed but implied en'thy·me·mat´ic (-θэ mi: mæt´ik) •adj. [L enthymema < Gr enthymēma < enthymeisthai, to consider, reflect upon < en-, in + thymos, mind < IE *dhūmos < base *dheu- > DULL]

entice (en tais´, in-) -ticed´, -tic´ing •vt. to attract by offering hope of reward or pleasure; tempt; allure SYN. LURE en·tice´ment •n. en·tic´ing·ly •adv. [ME enticen < OFr enticier, to set afire, hence excite, entice, prob. < VL *intitiare < L in, + titio, a burning brand]

entire (en tair´, in-) •adj. 1 a) not lacking any of the parts; whole b) complete; thorough; absolute {entire confidence} 2 unbroken; intact 3 being wholly of one piece; undivided; continuous 4 not castrated 5 [Obs.] not mixed or alloyed; pure 6 Bot. having an unbroken margin, without notches or indentations, as some leaves •n. 1 [Now Rare] the whole; entirety 2 a stallion SYN. COMPLETE en·tire´ness •n. [ME enter < OFr entier < L integer, whole, untouched, undiminished: see INTEGER]

entirely (en tair´li:, in-) •adv. 1 wholly; completely; totally; fully 2 solely; only

entirety (en tair´ti:, -tai´rэ ti:; in-) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state or fact of being entire; wholeness; completeness 2 an entire thing; whole; total 3 Law undivided or sole possession in its entirety as a whole; completely [ME enterete < OFr entiereté]

entitle (en tait´ªl, in-) -tled, -tling •vt. 1 to give a title or name to 2 to honor or dignify by a title 3 to give a right or legal title to; qualify (a person) to something [ME entitlen < OFr entituler < LL intitulare < L in, in + titulus, TITLE]

entitlement (-mэnt) •n. 1 the condition or state of being entitled 2 something to which a person is entitled; specif., any of various benefits provided to qualifying persons under certain government programs, as Medicare

entity (en´tэ ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 being; existence 2 a thing that has definite, individual existence outside or within the mind; anything real in itself [< Fr entité or ML entitas < L ens (gen. entis), prp. of esse, to be: see IS]

ento- (en´tou, -tэ) combining form within or inner {entozoon} Also, before a vowel, ent- [ModL < Gr entos, within < IE *entos < base *en-, IN]

entoblast (en´tou blæst') •n. ENDODERM Also en´to·derm' (-dørm') [prec. + -BLAST]

entoil (en toil´) •vt. [Archaic] to trap in toils or snares; ensnare

entomb (en tu:m´, in-) •vt. 1 to place in a tomb or grave; bury 2 to be a tomb for en·tomb´ment •n. [ME entoumben < OFr entoumber: see EN-¹ & TOMB]

entomo- (en´tou mou', -tэ mэ) combining form insect or insects {entomology} Also, before a vowel, entom- [Fr < Gr entoma (zōa), notched (animals), insects < entomos, cut, notched (< en, IN) + temnein, to cut (see -TOMY); so named from their structure: see INSECT]

entomol entomological

entomology (en'tэ mäl´э ji:) •n. the branch of zoology that deals with insects en'to·mo·log´i·cal (-mэ läj´i kэl) or en'to·mo·log´ic •adj. en'to·mo·log´i·cal·ly •adv. en'to·mol´o·gist •n. [Fr entomologie: see ENTOMO- & -LOGY]

entomophagous (-mäf´э gэs) •adj. feeding chiefly on insects [ENTOMO- + -PHAGOUS]

entomophilous (-mäf´э lэs) •adj. pollinated by insects [ENTOMO- + -PHILOUS]

entomostracan (-mäs´trэ kэn) •n. any of a large variety of small crustaceans, as the copepods, barnacles, etc., formerly constituting a subclass (Entomostraca) [< ModL < entomo- (see ENTOMO-) + Gr ostrakon, a shell (see OSTRACIZE) + -AN]

entophyte (en´tэ fait') •n. ENDOPHYTE en'to·phyt´ic (-fit´ik) •adj. [ENTO- + -PHYTE]

entoproct (-präkt') •n. any of a phylum (Entoprocta) of small, mosslike aquatic invertebrates with a complete digestive tract and an anus opening near the mouth and within the circlet of oral tentacles [ENTO- + Gr prōktos, anus]

entourage (än'tu räzh´, än´tu räzh') •n. 1 [Now Rare] surroundings; environment 2 a group of accompanying attendants, assistants, or associates; retinue [Fr < entourer, to surround < en tour, around < en, in + tour, turn, round + -AGE]

entozoon (en'tэ zou´än', -эn) pl. -zo´a (-э) •n. an internal animal parasite, esp. a parasitic worm infesting the intestines, muscles, etc. en'to·zo´al (-эl) or en'to·zo´ic (-ik) •adj. [ENTO- + Gr zōion, animal: see BIO-]

entr'acte (än trækt´, än´trækt'; Fr äñ třækt´) •n. 1 the interval between two acts of a play, opera, etc.; intermission 2 a musical selection, dance, etc. performed during this interval [Fr < entre-, between + acte, an act]

entrails (en´treilz, -trэlz) •n.pl. 1 the inner organs of humans or animals; specif., the intestines; viscera; guts 2 the inner parts of a thing [ME & OFr entrailles < ML intralia < L interanea, pl. of interaneum, intestine < interaneus, internal < inter, between: see INTER-]

entrain¹ (en trein´, in-) •vt. to put (troops, etc.) aboard a train •vi. to go aboard a train [coined after EMBARK]

entrain² (en trein´) •vt. 1 [Rare] to drag along after oneself 2 Chem. to suspend (a liquid in the form of fine droplets) in a vapor, so that the vapor will carry the liquid away, as during distillation or evaporation en·train´ment •n. [< Fr entraïner < en- (< L inde), away + trainer, to drag < OFr trahiner: see TRAIN]

entrance¹ (en´trэns) •n. 1 the act or point of entering {to make an entrance} 2 a place for entering; door, gate, etc. 3 permission, right, or power to enter; admission [ME entraunce < OFr entrant, prp. of entrer: see ENTER]

entrance² (en træns´, -träns´; in-) -tranced´, -tranc´ing •vt. 1 to put into a trance 2 to fill with rapture or delight; enchant; charm; enrapture en·trance´ment •n. en·tranc´ing·ly •adv.

entranceway (en´trэns wei') •n. ENTRYWAY

entrant (en´trэnt) •n. a person who enters, esp. one who enters a contest [Fr < OFr: see ENTRANCE¹]

entrap (en træp´, in-) -trapped´, -trap´ping •vt. 1 to catch in or as in a trap 2 to deceive or trick into difficulty, as into incriminating oneself en·trap´ment •n. [OFr entraper]

entre nous (äñtřª nu:´; E än'trэ nu:´) between ourselves; confidentially [Fr, lit., between us]

entreat (en tri:t´, in-) •vt. 1 [Archaic] to behave toward; treat 2 to ask earnestly; beg; beseech; implore •vi. 1 to make an earnest appeal; plead 2 [Obs.] to speak or write (of) SYN. BEG en·treat´ing·ly •adv. en·treat´ment •n. [ME entreten, to treat, deal with, beseech < Anglo-Fr entretier < OFr entraiter < en-, in + traiter: see TREAT]

entreaty (en tri:t´i:, in-) pl. -treat´ies •n. an earnest request; supplication; prayer [ME entrete: see ENTREAT]

entrechat (än'trэ shä´, än´trэ shä'; Fr äñtrª shå´) •n. Ballet a leap straight upward during which the dancer crosses the legs and beats the calves together a number of times [Fr earlier entrechasse, altered (as if < entre, between, among + chasser < OFr chacier, CHASE¹) < It (capriola) intrecciata, lit., intertwined (leap) < intrecciare < in-, in + treccia, a plait: see TRESS]

entrecôte (äñtřª kout´; E än´trэ kout', än'trэ kout´) boned rib steak [Fr]

entree or entrée (än´trei', än trei´; Fr äñ třei´) •n. 1 a) the act of entering b) right, permission, or freedom to enter, use, or take part in; access 2 a) the main course of a meal b) in some countries, a dish served before the main course or between the fish and meat courses [Fr entrée < OFr < fem. pp. of entrer, ENTER]

entremets (än´trэ mei', än'trэ mei´; Fr äñ třª me´) pl. en´tre·mets' (-meiz'; Fr, -me´) •n. a dish served between the main courses or as a side dish [ME entermes < OFr entre, between (< L inter) + mes, a dish: see MESS]

entrench (en trench´, in-) •vt. 1 to surround or fortify with a trench or trenches 2 to establish securely: used in the passive voice or with a reflexive pronoun {an official entrenched in office} 3 to cut down into, as by erosion, so as to form a trough or trench •vi. to encroach or infringe (on or upon) en·trench´ment •n. [EN-¹ + TRENCH]

entrepôt (än´trэ pou', än'trэ pou´; Fr äñtřª pou´) •n. 1 a place for the storage of goods; warehouse 2 a distributing center for goods [Fr < OFr entreposer, to place in (temporary) storage, orig., to interpose, infl. by dépot (see DEPOT) < entre-, between (< L inter-, INTER-) + poser, to put in place: see POSE¹]

entrepreneur (än'trэ prэ nør´, -nur´, -nyur´) •n. a person who organizes and manages a business undertaking, assuming the risk for the sake of the profit en'tre·pre·neur´i·al •adj. en'tre·pre·neur´ship •n. [Fr < OFr entreprendre: see ENTERPRISE]

entresol (än´trэ säl', än'trэ säl´; Fr äñtřª sôl´) •n. a low story or floor just above the street floor; mezzanine [Fr < entre-, between + sol, ground < L solum > SOIL¹]

entropy (en´trэ pi:) •n. 1 a thermodynamic measure of the amount of energy unavailable for useful work in a system undergoing change 2 a measure of the degree of disorder in a substance or a system: entropy always increases and available energy diminishes in a closed system, as the universe 3 in information theory, a measure of the information content of a message evaluated as to its uncertainty en·trop´ic (-träp´ik) •adj. [Ger entropie, arbitrary use (by R. J. E. Clausius, 1822-88, Ger physicist) of Gr entropē, a turning toward, as if < Ger en(ergie), ENERGY + Gr tropē, a turning: see TROPE]

entrust (en trûst´, in-) •vt. 1 to charge or invest with a trust or duty {entrust a lawyer with records} 2 to assign the care of; turn over for safekeeping {entrust the key to me} SYN. COMMIT en·trust´ment •n.

entry (en´tri:) pl. -tries •n. 1 a) the act of entering; entrance b) the right or freedom to enter; entree 2 a way or passage by which to enter; door, hall, etc.; entryway 3 a) the recording of an item, note, etc. in a list, journal, etc. b) an item thus recorded 4 the registration of a ship or cargo at a customhouse 5 one entered in a race, competition, etc.; entrant 6 a) a term defined, or a person, place, abbreviation, etc. identified, in a dictionary b) the heading under which an encyclopedia article is entered 7 Card Games a card that can win a trick and thus gain the lead 8 Law a) the taking possession of buildings, land, etc. by entering or setting foot upon them b) the entering upon premises with the intention of committing burglary or some other crime [ME < OFr entree < fem. pp. of entrer: see ENTER]

entryway (-wei') •n. a way or passage by which to enter

entwine (en twain´, in-) -twined´, -twin´ing •vt., vi. to twine, weave, or twist together or around

entwist (en twist´, in-) •vt. 1 to twist together or in (with) 2 to make into a twist

enucleate (i: nu:´kli: eit', -nyu:´-; i-; for adj., -it, -eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 [Archaic] to make clear; explain 2 Biol. to remove the nucleus from (a cell) 3 Surgery to remove (a tumor, organ, etc.) as a whole from its enclosing sac •adj. enucleated e·nu'cle·a´tion •n. [< L enucleatus, pp. of enucleare, to remove kernels < e-, out + nucleus: see NUCLEUS]

enumerate (i: nu:´mэr eit', -nyu:´-; i-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to determine the number of; count 2 to name one by one; specify, as in a list e·nu´mer·a·ble (-mэr э bэl) •adj. e·nu'mer·a´tion •n. e·nu´mer·a'tive •adj. e·nu´mer·a'tor •n. [< L enumeratus, pp. of enumerare < e-, out + numerare, to count < numerus, NUMBER]

enunciable (i: nûn´si: э bэl, i-; also, -shi:-) •adj. that can be enunciated [ML enuntiabilis]

enunciate (i: nûn´si: eit', i-; also, -shi:-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to state definitely; express in a systematic way {to enunciate a theory} 2 to announce; proclaim 3 to pronounce (words), esp. clearly and distinctly •vi. to pronounce words, esp. clearly and distinctly; articulate SYN. UTTER² e·nun'ci·a´tion (-si: ei´-) •n. e·nun´ci·a'tive (-eit'iv, -э tiv) •adj. e·nun´ci·a'tor •n. [< L enuntiatus, pp. of enuntiare < e-, out + nuntiare, to announce < nuntius, a messenger]

enure (эn yur´) -ured´, -ur´ing •vt., vi. INURE

enuresis (en'yu: ri:´sis) pl. -ses •n. inability to control urination; esp., involuntary bed-wetting en'u·ret´ic (-ret´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr enourein, to urinate in: see EN-¹ & URINE]

env envelope

envelop (en vel´эp, in-) •vt. 1 to wrap up; cover completely 2 to surround 3 to conceal; hide en·vel´op·ment •n. [ME envolupen < OFr envoluper: see EN-¹ & DEVELOP]

envelope (än´vэ loup', en´-) •n. 1 a thing that envelops; wrapper; covering 2 a folded paper container as for a letter, usually with a gummed flap for sealing 3 a) the outer covering of a rigid airship b) the bag that contains the gas in a balloon or nonrigid airship 4 the set of limitations, as for a particular aircraft, system, etc., within the boundaries of which it can operate safely and efficiently 5 Astron. a cloudy mass surrounding the nucleus of a comet; coma 6 Biol. any enclosing membrane, skin, shell, etc. 7 Math. a curve that is tangent to every one of a family of curves, or a surface that is tangent to every one of a family of surfaces [Fr & OFr enveloppe < OFr envoluper: see ENVELOP]

envenom (en ven´эm, in-) •vt. 1 to put venom or poison on or into; make poisonous 2 to fill with hate; embitter [ME envenimen < OFr envenimer]

enviable (en´vi: э bэl) •adj. good enough to be envied or desired en´vi·a·bly •adv.

envier (en´vi: эr) •n. a person who envies

envious (en´vi: эs) •adj. 1 characterized by envy; feeling, showing, or resulting from envy 2 [Obs.] a) emulous b) enviable en´vi·ous·ly •adv. en´vi·ous·ness •n. [ME < OFr envieus < L invidiosus < invidia, ENVY]

environ (en vai´rэn, in-) •vt. to surround; encircle [ME envirounen < OFr environner < environ, about: see ENVIRONS]

environment (en vai´rэn mэnt, in-; often, -vai´эrn-) •n. 1 [Rare] a surrounding or being surrounded 2 something that surrounds; surroundings 3 all the conditions, circumstances, and influences surrounding, and affecting the development of, an organism or group of organisms en·vi'ron·men´tal (-ment´ªl) •adj. en·vi'ron·men´tal·ly •adv. [prec. + -MENT]

environmentalist (en vai'rэn ment´ªl ist, in-) •n. 1 a person who accepts the theory that environment is of overriding importance in determining individual characteristics 2 a person working to solve environmental problems, such as air and water pollution, the exhaustion of natural resources, and uncontrolled population growth en·vi'ron·men´tal·ism' •n.

environs (эn vai´rэnz, in-) •n.pl. 1 the districts surrounding a town or city; suburbs or outskirts 2 surrounding area; vicinity [ME enviroun (sing.) < OFr environ, orig. adv., around < en-, EN-¹ + viron, a circuit < virer, to turn: see VEER¹]

envisage (en viz´ij, in-) -aged, -ag·ing •vt. 1 [Rare] to face; confront 2 to form an image of in the mind; visualize; imagine [Fr envisager: see EN-¹ & VISAGE]

envision (en vizh´эn, in-) •vt. to imagine (something not yet in existence); picture in the mind [EN-¹ + VISION]

envoi (än´voi', en´-) •n. 1 ENVOY² 2 something said or done in farewell or conclusion [Fr]

envoy¹ (än´voi', en´-) •n. 1 a messenger; agent 2 an agent sent by a government or ruler to transact diplomatic business; specif., a diplomat (envoy extraordinary) ranking just below an ambassador [Fr envoyé < pp. of envoyer, to send < OFr envoier < en- (L in), in + voie (L via: see VIA), way]

envoy² (än´voi', en´-) •n. a postscript to a poem, essay, or book, containing a dedication, climactic summary, explanation, etc.; specif., a short, concluding stanza of this kind added to a ballade and some other verse forms [ME envoye < OFr envoy, lit., a sending < envoier: see ENVOY1]

envy (en´vi:) pl. -vies •n. 1 a feeling of discontent and ill will because of another's advantages, possessions, etc.; resentful dislike of another who has something that one desires 2 desire for some advantage, quality, etc. that another has 3 an object of envious feeling 4 [Obs.] ill will; spite •vt. -vied, -vy·ing to feel envy toward, at, or because of; regard with envy •vi. [Obs.] to feel or show envy en´vy·ing·ly •adv. SYN.—to envy another is to feel ill will, jealousy, or discontent at the person's possession of something that one keenly desires to have or achieve oneself; begrudge implies an unwillingness that someone should possess or enjoy something that is needed or deserved; to covet is to long ardently and wrongfully for something that belongs to another [ME & OFr envie < L invidia < invidus, having hatred or ill will < invidere, to look askance at < in-, in, upon + videre, to look: see WISE²]

enwind (en waind´) -wound´, -wind´ing •vt. to wind around

enwomb (en wum´) •vt. to enclose in or as in a womb

enwrap (en ræp´) -wrapped´, -wrap´ping •vt. to wrap; envelop

enwreathe (en ri:θ´) -wreathed´, -wreath´ing •vt. to encircle or surround with or as with a wreath

enzootic (en'zou ät´ik) •adj. affecting animals in a certain area, climate, or season: said of diseases: cf. EPIZOOTIC •n. an enzootic disease [< Gr en-, in + zōion, animal (see QUICK) + -otic, as in EPIZOOTIC]

enzyme (en´zaim') •n. any of various proteins, formed in plant and animal cells or made synthetically, that act as organic catalysts in initiating or speeding up specific chemical reactions and that usually become inactive or unstable above c. 50°C (122°F) en'zy·mat´ic (-zai mæt´ik, -zi-) or en·zy´mic •adj. [Ger enzym < LGr enzymos, leavened < Gr en-, in + zymē, leaven (see ZYME)]

enzymology (en'zai mäl´э ji:, -zi-) •n. the science dealing with the structure and properties of enzymes and the chemical reactions they catalyze en'zy·mol´o·gist •n.

eo- (i:´ou, i:´э) prefix early, early part of a period {Eocene, Eolithic} [< Gr ēōs, dawn < IE base *awes-, to shine > EASTER, L aurora]

eobiont (i:'ou bai´änt', -эnt) •n. a hypothetical precursor of living organisms in the chemical evolution preceding the occurrence of life [coined by J. D. Bernal (1901- ), F. R. S. Brit physicist < prec. + Gr biount-, stem of biōn, living, prp. of bioun, to live < bios, life: see BIO-]

Eocene (i:´ou si:n', i:´э-) •adj. designating or of the second epoch of the Tertiary Period in the Cenozoic Era, during which mammals became the dominant animals the Eocene the Eocene Epoch or its rocks: see GEOLOGY, chart [EO- + -CENE]

eohippus (i:'ou hip´эs) •n. an extinct progenitor (genus Hyracotherium) of the modern horse, found in the Lower Eocene of W U.S.: it was about the size of a fox and had four toes on the front feet and three on the hind [ModL < EO- + -HIPPUS]

Eolian (i: ou´li: эn, -yэn) •adj., n. 1 AEOLIAN (sense 1) 2 [usually e-] carried, formed, eroded, or deposited by the wind, as sand dunes, sediment, etc.

Eolic (i: äl´ik) •adj., n. AEOLIC

eolith (i:´ou liθ', i:´э-) •n. any of the crude stone tools used during the Eolithic period [EO- + -LITH]

eolithic (i:'ou liθ´ik, i:'э-) •adj. designating or of the earliest period of the Stone Age, during which crude stone tools were first used [see EOLITH & -IC]

eom end of (the) month

eon (i:´эn, i:´än') •n. 1 an extremely long, indefinite period of time; thousands and thousands of years 2 Geol. a) a period of time greater than an era, as the Phanerozoic Eon b) a billion years SYN. PERIOD [LL < Gr aiōn, an age, lifetime, eternity < IE base *aiw-, vitality: see AYE¹]

eonian (i: ou´ni: эn) •adj. AEONIAN

Eos (i:´äs') Gr. Myth. the goddess of dawn: identified with the Roman goddess Aurora [L < Gr Ēōs: see EO-]

eosin (i:´ou sin, i:´э-) •n. 1 a) a rose-colored dye, C20H8O5Br4, prepared by brominating fluorescein and used to color inks, fabrics, etc. and to stain tissues b) its sodium or potassium salt, used as a reddish dye and as a stain in microscopy 2 any of various similar red dyes Also e´o·sine (-sin, -si:n') e'o·sin´ic •adj. [< Gr ēōs, dawn (see EO-) + -IN¹]

eosinophil (i:'ou sin´э fil') Biol. any structure, cell, etc. readily stainable with eosin; esp., the granular white blood cells that increase greatly in number in certain allergic and parasitic diseases Also e'o·sin´o·phile' (-fail') •n. e'o·sin'o·phil´ic (-fil´ik) •adj. [prec. + -O- + -PHIL]

eosinophile (-fail') Chem. easily stained by eosin Also e'o·sin´o·phil' (-fil') •adj. [see EOSINOPHIL]

-eous (i: эs) suffix var. of -OUS {gaseous} [< L -eus + -OUS]

EP extended play (record, tape, etc.)

ep- (ep) prefix EPI-: used before a vowel {epoxy}

ep·i·logue or ep·i·log (ep¿€ lôg¿) •n. 1 a closing section added to a novel, play, etc., providing further comment, interpretation, or information 2 a short speech or poem spoken to the audience by one of the actors at the end of a play 3 the actor or actors who speak this Etymology [ME epiloge < OFr epilogue < L epilogus < Gr epilogos, conclusion, epilogue < epilegein, to say in addition, add < epi-, upon + legein, to say, speak: see logic]

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

epact (i:´pækt') •n. 1 the period of about eleven days by which the solar year exceeds the lunar year of twelve months 2 the age, in days, of the calendar moon on the first of the year [Fr épacte < LL epactae < Gr epaktai (hemerai), intercalary (days) < epagein, to bring in, intercalate < epi-, on, in + agein, to bring, lead: see ACT]

Epaminondas (i pæm'э nän´dэs) c. 418-362 B.C.; Theban (Gr.) general & statesman

eparch (ep´ärk') •n. 1 in the Byzantine Empire, the governor of an eparchy 2 Eastern Orthodox Ch. a metropolitan or bishop [Gr eparchos < epi-, over + archos, ruler: see -ARCH]

eparchy (ep´är ki:, -är'-) pl. -arch·ies •n. 1 a) in the Byzantine Empire, an administrative district b) in modern Greece, a political subdivision of a province 2 Eastern Orthodox Ch. a diocese ep·ar´chi·al (-ki: эl) •adj. [Gr eparchia < eparchos: see EPARCH]

épater (ei på tei´) •vt. to startle or shock, as out of complacency, conventionality, etc. [Fr]

epaulet or epaulette (ep'э let´, ep´э let') •n. a shoulder ornament for certain uniforms, esp. military uniforms [Fr épaulette, dim. of épaule, shoulder < OFr espale < L spatula: see SPATULA]

epee or épée (ei pei´) •n. a sword, esp. a thin, pointed sword without a cutting edge, like a foil but heavier and more rigid, used in fencing e·pee´ist or é·pée´ist •n. [Fr épée < OFr espee < L spatha, broad, two-edged sword without a point < Gr spathē, any broad blade: see SPADE¹]

epeirogeny (ep'ai räj´э ni:) •n. movements of uplift or depression affecting large areas of the earth's crust and producing continents, ocean basins, etc. e·pei·ro·gen·ic (e pai'rou jen´ik) or e·pei'ro·ge·net´ic (-jэ net´ik) •adj. [< Gr ēpeiros, mainland + -GENY]

epencephalon (ep'эn sef´э län', -lэn) •n. 1 METENCEPHALON 2 [Rare] the cerebellum [ModL < EP- + ENCEPHALON]

ependyma (ep en´di mэ) •n. the membrane lining the central cavities of the brain and spinal cord [ModL, arbitrary use (by Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902), Ger pathologist) of Gr ependyma, an upper garment < ependyein, to put on over < epi-, over + endyein < en-, on + dyein, dip into, put on < IE base *deu-, to sink into, penetrate]

epenthesis (ep en´θэ sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. 1 Phonet. a change which involves the insertion of an unhistoric sound or letter in a word, as the b in mumble or the extra syllable in the pronunciation (æθ´э·li:t') for athlete 2 the inserted sound or letter ep·en·thet·ic (ep'en θet´ik) •adj. [LL < Gr < epi-, upon + en-, in + thesis, a placing: see THESIS]

epergne (i: pørn´, ei pern´) •n. an ornamental stand with several separate dishes, trays, etc., used as a table centerpiece for holding fruit, flowers, etc. [prob. < Fr épargne, a saving < épargner, to save < Frank *sparanjan, akin to Ger sparen, to save]

epexegesis (ep'ek'sэ ji:´sis) •n. additional explanation; further clarification, as by the addition of a word or words ep'ex'e·get´i·cal (-jet´i kªl) or ep'ex'e·get´ic •adj. [Gr epexēgēsis, detailed account < epexēgeisthai, to recount in detail < epi-, on, in + exēgeisthai, to point out: see EXEGESIS]

Eph Ephesians

eph- (ef) prefix EPI- {ephemeral}

ephah or epha (i:´fэ) •n. an ancient Hebrew unit of dry measure, estimated at from ¹/3 bushel to a little over one bushel [ME ephi < LL(Ec) < Heb efa]

ephebe (e fi:b´, ef´i:b') •n. a young man; specif., an ephebus [< L ephebus, EPHEBUS]

ephebus (e fi:´bэs) pl. -bi' (-bai') •n. in ancient Athens, a young citizen (18 to 20 years) undergoing physical and military training e·phe´bic •adj. [L < Gr ephēbos < epi-, at, upon + hēbē, early manhood]

ephedrine (e fe´drin; chiefly Brit, ef´э dri:n', -drin) •n. an alkaloid, C10H15NO, derived from certain Asiatic gymnosperms (family Ephedraceae) or synthesized, and used to relieve nasal congestion and asthma and to constrict certain blood vessels [< ModL Ephedra < L ephedra, the plant horsetail < Gr < ephedros, sitting by < epi-, on, near + hedra, a seat (see SIT) + -INE³]

ephemera (e fem´эr э, i-) pl. -er·as or -er·ae' (-i:') •n. 1 MAYFLY (sense 1) 2 a) an ephemeral thing b) [with pl. v.] ephemeral things collectively 3 printed matter (as theater programs, posters, guidebooks) meant to be of use for only a short time but preserved by collectors [ModL < Gr ephēmeron: see EPHEMERON]

ephemeral (e fem´эr эl; i-, i:-) •adj. 1 lasting only one day 2 short-lived; transitory {ephemeral glory} •n. an ephemeral thing; specif., an organism with a brief life cycle SYN. TRANSIENT e·phem´er·al·ly •adv. [< Gr ephēmeros (see EPHEMERON) + -AL]

ephemerid (e fem´эr id', i-) •n. MAYFLY (sense 1) [EPHEMER(A) + -ID]

ephemeris (e fem´эr is, i-) pl. eph·e·mer·i·des (ef'э mer´э di:z') •n. 1 a table giving the computed positions of a celestial body for every day of a given period 2 an astronomical almanac containing such tables 3 [Obs.] a calendar or diary [L < Gr ephēmeris, diary, calendar < ephēmeros: see EPHEMERON]

ephemeron (e fem´эr än', -эn; i-) pl. -er·a (-э) or -er·ons' MAYFLY (sense 1) •n. [Gr ephēmeron, short-lived insect < ephēmeros, for the day, short-lived < epi-, upon + hēmera, day]

Ephes Bible Ephesians

Ephesian (e fi:´zhэn, i-) •adj. of Ephesus or its people •n. a native or inhabitant of Ephesus

Ephesians (e fi: zhэnz, i-) a book of the New Testament: a letter from the Apostle Paul to the Christians of Ephesus: abbrev. Eph or Ephes

Ephesus (ef´i sэs) ancient Greek city in W Asia Minor, near what is now Izmir, Turkey: site of a large temple of Artemis (c. 550 B.C.-A.D. 260)

ephod (ef´äd', i:f´-) •n. a richly embroidered outer vestment worn by Jewish priests in ancient times: Ex. 28:28 [ME < LL(Ec) < Heb efod < afad, to put on]

ephor (ef´ör') pl. -ors or -o·ri' (-ou rai') •n. in ancient Sparta, any of a body of five magistrates annually elected by the people of Sparta [L ephorus < Gr ephoros, overseer < ephoran < epi-, over + horan, to see < IE *woros, attentive < base *wer-, to heed > WARN]

Ephraim (i:´frei im, -fri: эm) 1 a masculine name 2 Bible a) the younger son of Joseph: Gen. 41:51 b) the tribe of Israel descended from this son: Num. 1:32 c) the kingdom of Israel [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) < Heb efrayim, lit., very fruitful]

Ephraimite (i:´frei im ait', -fri: эm-) •n. a descendant of Ephraim; member of the tribe of Ephraim

epi- (ep´i, -э) prefix on, upon, over, on the outside, anterior, beside, besides, among: it becomes EP- before a vowel and, as EPH-, reflects original combining with a word containing an initial aspirate, represented by English h {epiglottis, epidemic, epidermis} [< Gr epi, at, on, to, upon, over, besides < IE base *epi > Sans ápi, L ob]

epibenthos (ep'i ben´θäs', -θэs) •n. the animals and plants living on the sea bottom between the low tide level and a depth of 100 fathoms [prec. + BENTHOS]

epiblast (ep´i blæst') •n. the outer layer of cells of an embryo [EPI- + -BLAST]

epiboly (i: pib´э li:) •n. Embryology the growth of a group of cells around another group, resulting from the more rapid division of the former, as in forming a gastrula ep·i·bol·ic (ep'i bäl´ik) •adj. [Gr epibolē, a throwing upon < epiballein, to throw upon < epi-, on, upon + ballein, to throw: see BALL²]

epic (ep´ik) •n. 1 a long narrative poem in a dignified style about the deeds of a traditional or historical hero or heroes; typically, a) a poem like the Iliad or the Odyssey, with certain formal characteristics (beginning in medias res, catalog passages, invocations of the muse, etc.) (called classical epic) b) a poem like Milton's Paradise Lost, in which such characteristics are applied to later or different materials (called art epic or literary epic) c) a poem like Beowulf, considered as expressing the early ideals and traditions of a people or nation (called folk epic or national epic) 2 any long narrative poem regarded as having the style, structure, and importance of an epic, as Dante's Divine Comedy 3 a prose narrative, play, movie, etc. regarded as having the qualities of an epic 4 a series of events regarded as a proper subject for an epic •adj. 1 of an epic 2 having the nature of an epic; specif., a) heroic; grand; majestic; imposing b) dealing with or characterized by events of historical or legendary importance: also ep´i·cal ep´i·cal·ly •adv. [L epicus < Gr epikos, (adj.) epic < epos, a word, speech, song, epic < IE *wekwos-, word < base *wekw-, to speak > L vox, OE woma, noise]

epicalyx (ep'i kei´liks') pl. -lyx'es or -ly·ces' (-li si:z') •n. a ring of small bracts at the base of certain flowers, resembling an extra outer calyx, as in the mallows [EPI- + CALYX]

epicanthus (ep'i kæn´θэs) •n. a small normal fold of skin from the upper eyelid sometimes covering the inner corner of the eye, as in many Asian peoples: also occurs with certain abnormal conditions, as Down's syndrome ep'i·can´thic •adj. [EPI- + CANTHUS]

epicardium (ep'i kär´di: эm) pl. -di·a (-э) •n. the innermost layer of the pericardium ep'i·car´di·al •adj. [ModL < EPI- + Gr kardia, HEART]

epicarp (ep´i kärp') •n. var. of EXOCARP [EPI- + -CARP]

epicedium (ep'i si:´di: эm, -si dai´эm) pl. -di·a (-э) •n. a funeral ode or hymn; dirge [L < Gr epikēdeion < epikēdeios, funereal < epi-, in, on + kēdos, grief, funeral rites: see HATE]

epicene (ep´i si:n') •adj. 1 designating a noun, as in Latin or Greek, having only one grammatical form to denote an individual of either sex 2 belonging to one sex but having characteristics of the other, or of neither; specif., effeminate; unmanly •n. an epicene person [ME < L epicoenus < Gr epikoinos, common < epi-, upon, to + koinos, common: see COM-]

epicenter (ep´i sent'эr) •n. 1 the area of the earth's surface directly above the place of origin, or focus, of an earthquake 2 a focal or central point Also ep'i·cen´trum (-sen´trэm), pl. -tra (-trэ) ep'i·cen´tral (-sen´trэl) •adj. [< ModL epicentrum < EPI- + L centrum, CENTER]

epicotyl (ep'i kät´ªl) •n. Bot. that part of the stem of a seedling or embryo just above the cotyledons ep'i·cot'yl·e´don·ar'y (-i:d´ªn er'i:) •adj. [< EPI- + COTYL(EDON)]

epicranium (ep'i krei´ni: эm) pl. -ni·a (-э) •n. 1 Anat. the structures covering the cranium 2 Entomology the upper portion of the head of an insect between the frons and the neck ep'i·cra´ni·al •adj.

epicritic (ep'i krit´ik) •adj. designating or of the nerve fibers in the skin that transmit the finer sensations of touch and temperature [Gr epikritikos, determinative < epikrisis, judgment < epikrinein, to judge < epi-, upon + krinein, to judge: see CRISIS]

Epictetus (ep'ik ti:t´эs) c. A.D. 50-c. 135; Gr. Stoic philosopher in Rome & Epirus

epicure (ep´i kyur') •n. 1 a person who enjoys and has a discriminating taste for fine foods and drinks 2 [Archaic] a person who is especially fond of luxury and sensuous pleasure SYN.—an epicure is a person who has a highly refined taste for fine foods and drinks and takes great pleasure in indulging it; a gourmet is a connoisseur in eating and drinking who appreciates subtle differences in flavor or quality; gourmand, occasionally equivalent to gourmet, is more often applied to a person who has a hearty liking for good food or one who is inclined to eat to excess; a gastronome is an expert in all phases of the art or science of good eating; a glutton is a greedy, voracious eater and drinker [< L Epicurus < Gr Epikouros: see EPICURUS]

Epicurean (ep'i kyu: ri:´эn, -kyur´i: эn) •adj. 1 of Epicurus or his philosophy 2 [e-] a) fond of luxury and sensuous pleasure, esp. that of eating and drinking b) suited to or characteristic of an epicure •n. 1 a follower of Epicurus or his philosophy 2 [e-] an epicure Etymology [ME Epicurien < L Epicureus < Gr Epikoureios < Epikouros]

Epicureanism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 the philosophy of Epicurus or his school 2 adherence to or practice of this philosophy 3 [e-] EPICURISM

epicurism (ep´i kyur iz'эm) •n. the tastes, habits, or pursuits of an epicure

Epicurus (ep'э kyur´эs) 341-270 B.C.; Gr. philosopher: founder of the Epicurean school, which held that the goal of man should be a life characterized by serenity of mind and the enjoyment of moderate pleasure

epicycle (ep´э sai'kэl) •n. 1 a circle whose center moves along the circumference of another, larger circle: term used to describe planetary motions in the Ptolemaic system 2 Geom. a circle which, by rolling around the interior or exterior of another circle, generates a hypocycloid or epicycloid respectively ep'i·cy´clic (-saik´lik) or ep'i·cy´cli·cal •adj. [ME epicicle < LL epicyclus < Gr epikyklos < epi-, upon + kyklos, a circle: see CYCLE]

epicyclic train a system of gears, belt pulleys, etc., in which at least one gear or pulley axis moves around the circumference of another fixed or moving axis, permitting an unusually high or low velocity ratio with relative simplicity of parts

epicycloid (ep'э sai´kloid') •n. Geom. the curve traced by a point on the circumference of a circle that rolls around the outside of a fixed circle: see HYPOCYCLOID ep'i·cy·cloi´dal (-kloid´ªl) •adj. [EPICYCL(E) + -OID]

epicycloidal gear a gear of an epicyclic train

Epidamnus (ep'э dæm´nэs) see DURRËS

epideictic (ep'э daik´tik) •adj. intended for display, esp. rhetorical display; designed to impress [Gr epideiktikos, declamatory < epideikt(os), verbal adj. (< epideiknynai, to display < epi-: see EPI- + deiknynai, to show: see DICTION) + -ikos, -IC]

epidemic (ep'э dem´ik) •adj. prevalent and spreading rapidly among many individuals in a community at the same time: said esp. of a serious human contagious disease: compare ENDEMIC Also ep'i·dem´i·cal •n. 1 an epidemic disease 2 the rapid spreading of such a disease 3 a rapid, widespread occurrence or growth ep'i·dem´i·cal·ly •adv. [Fr épidémique < MFr < ML epidemicus < epidemia < Gr epidēmia < epidēmios, among the people, general < epi-, EPI- + dēmos, people: see DEMOCRACY]

epidemic encephalitis any type of widespread encephalitis caused by various viruses

epidemiology (ep'э di:'mi: äl´э ji:, -dem'i:-) •n. 1 the branch of medicine that investigates the causes and control of epidemics 2 all the elements contributing to the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a disease in a population; ecology of a disease ep'i·de'mi·o·log´ic (-э läj´ik) or ep'i·de'mi·o·log´i·cal •adj. ep'i·de'mi·ol´o·gist •n. [Gr epidēmios (see EPIDEMIC) + -LOGY]

epidendrum (ep'i den´drэm) •n. any of a genus (Epidendrum) of small-flowered, chiefly tropical American, epiphytic orchids [ModL < epi-, EPI- + Gr dendron, tree: see DENDRO-]

epidermis (ep'э dør´mis) •n. 1 the outermost layer of the skin in vertebrates, having no blood vessels and consisting of several layers of cells, covering the dermis: see SKIN, illus. 2 the outermost layer of cells covering seed plants and ferns 3 any of various other integuments ep'i·der´mal or ep'i·der´mic •adj. [LL < Gr < epi-, upon (see EPI-) + derma, the skin: see DERMA¹]

epidermoid (ep'э dør´moid') •adj. like, or having the nature of, epidermis Also ep'i·der·moid´al

epidiascope (ep'э dai´э skoup') •n. an optical device for projecting on a screen a magnified image of an opaque or transparent object [EPI- + DIA- + -SCOPE]

epididymis (ep'э did´i mis) pl. ep'i·di·dym´i·des' (-di dim´i di:z') •n. a long, oval-shaped structure attached to the rear upper surface of each testicle, consisting mainly of the sperm ducts of the testicles ep'i·did´y·mal •adj. [ModL < Gr < epi-, upon + didymoi, testicles, orig. pl. of didymos, double, redupl. of duo, TWO]

epidote (ep´э dout') •n. hydrous calcium aluminum iron silicate, a yellowish-green to black mineral, Ca2(AlFe)3Si3O12(OH), found as monoclinic crystals, grains, or masses ep'i·dot´ic (-dät´ik) •adj. [Fr épidote < Gr epididonai, to give besides, increase < epi-, over + didonai, to give (see DATE¹): so named by R.-J. Haüy (1743-1822), Fr mineralogist; from the enlarged base of some of the crystal forms]

epidural (ep'э dur´эl, -dyur´-) •adj. on or outside the dura mater •n. anesthesia of the lower part of the body, by the epidural injection of a local anesthetic: in full epidural anesthesia [EPI- + DUR(A MATER) + -AL]

epifauna (ep'i fö´nэ) pl. -nas or -nae (-ni:) •n. the animals living on the surface of marine or freshwater sediments: cf. INFAUNA

epifocal (ep'э fou´kэl) •adj. over the focus, or center of disturbance, of an earthquake; epicentral

epigastric (ep'i gæs´trik) •adj. 1 of or located within the epigastrium 2 of or pertaining to the front walls of the abdomen

epigastrium (-gæs´tri: эm) pl. -tri·a (-э) •n. Anat. the upper middle portion of the abdomen, including the area over and in front of the stomach [ModL < Gr epigastrion, neut. of epigastrios, over the stomach < epi-, upon + gastēr, the stomach: see GASTRO-]

epigeal (ep'i ji:´эl) •adj. 1 Bot. a) growing on or close to the ground b) emerging from the ground after germination (said of cotyledons) 2 Zool. living or developing on the exposed surface of the earth or in shallow water See HYPOGEAL Also ep'i·ge´an [Gr epigeios, on the earth (< epi-, upon + gē, the earth) + -AL]

epigene (ep´i ji:n') •adj. Geol. produced or formed on or near the earth's surface {epigene rocks} [Fr épigène < Gr epigenēs, born late: see EPI- & -GEN]

epigenesis (ep'i jen´э sis) •n. 1 Biol. the theory that the embryo, influenced by its internal and external environment, develops progressively by stages, forming structures that were not originally present in the egg: cf. PREFORMATION 2 Geol. metamorphism 3 Med. a) the appearing of secondary symptoms b) a secondary symptom [ModL: see EPI- & -GENESIS]

epigenetic (-jэ net´ik) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, epigenesis 2 Geol. a) produced on or near the surface of the earth b) formed or deposited later than the enclosing rocks: said of ore deposits, structures, etc.

epigenous (e pij´э nэs, i:-) •adj. Bot. growing on the surface of a leaf or other plant part, esp. on the upper surface, as some fungi: see HYPOGENOUS [EPI- + -GENOUS]

epigeous (ep'i ji:´эs) •adj. EPIGEAL

epiglottis (ep'э glät´is) •n. the thin, triangular, lidlike piece of cartilage that folds back over the opening of the windpipe during swallowing, thus preventing food, etc. from entering the lungs: see PHARYNX, illus. ep'i·glot´tal or ep'i·glot´tic •adj. [ModL < Gr epiglōttis: see EPI- & GLOTTIS]

epigone (ep´э goun') pl. -gones' or e·pig·o·ni (e pig´э nai', i:-) •n. an inferior descendant, follower, or imitator ep·i·gon·ic •adj. [Ger sing. of epigonen < Gr (hoi) Epigonoi, lit., (the) Afterborn, epithet of the sons of the chiefs who fell in the first war against Thebes, pl. of epigonos, orig. adj., born after: see EPI- & GONO-]

epigram (ep´э græm') •n. 1 a short poem with a witty or satirical point 2 any terse, witty, pointed statement, often with a clever twist in thought (Ex.: Experience is the name everyone gives to his mistakes) 3 use of the epigram SYN. SAYING [ME < OFr epigramme < L epigramma < Gr, inscription, epigram < epigraphein < epi-, upon + graphein, to write: see GRAPHIC]

epigrammatic (ep'э grэ mæt´ik) •adj. 1 of the epigram or full of epigrams 2 having the nature of an epigram; terse, witty, etc. Also ep'i·gram·mat´i·cal ep'i·gram·mat´i·cal·ly •adv. [L epigrammaticus < Gr epigrammatikos]

epigrammatism (ep'э græm´э tiz'эm) •n. the use of epigrams, or a style characterized by epigram ep'i·gram´ma·tist •n.

epigrammatize (-taiz') -tized', -tiz'ing •vt., vi. to express (something) epigrammatically; make epigrams (about)

epigraph (ep´э græf') •n. 1 an inscription on a building, monument, etc. 2 a brief quotation placed at the beginning of a book, chapter, etc. [Gr epigraphē, inscription < epigraphein: see EPIGRAM]

epigraphic (ep'э græf´ik) •adj. of or having to do with an epigraph or epigraphy Also ep'i·graph´i·cal ep'i·graph´i·cal·ly •adv.

epigraphist (i: pig´rэ fist, i-) •n. a specialist in epigraphy: also e·pig´ra·pher

epigraphy (i: pig´rэ fi:, i-) •n. 1 inscriptions collectively 2 the study that deals with deciphering, interpreting, and classifying inscriptions, esp. ancient inscriptions

epigynous (i: pij´э nэs) •adj. designating petals, sepals, and stamens that are attached to the top of the ovary, as in a sunflower: see PERIGYNOUS, HYPOGYNOUS e·pig´y·ny •n. [EPI- + -GYNOUS]

epilepsy (ep´э lep'si:) •n. a recurrent disorder of the nervous system, characterized by seizures of excessive brain activity which cause mental and physical dysfunction, as convulsions, unconsciousness, etc.: see GRAND MAL, PETIT MAL, PSYCHOMOTOR(sense 2) [OFr epilepsie < LL epilepsia < Gr epilēpsia, epilēpsis, lit., a seizure, hence epilepsy < epilambanein, to seize upon < epi-, upon + lambanein, to seize: see LATCH]

epileptic (ep'э lep´tik) •adj. 1 of, like, or having the nature of epilepsy 2 having epilepsy •n. a person who has epilepsy ep'i·lep´ti·cal·ly •adv. [Fr épileptique < L epilepticus < Gr epilēptikos]

epileptoid (ep'э lep´toid') •adj. resembling epilepsy Also ep'i·lep´ti·form' (-tэ förm')

epilimnion (ep'э lim´ni: än', -эn) •n. an unfrozen lake's warm, upper layer of oxygen-rich water that is above the thermocline: see HYPOLIMNION [ModL < EPI- + Gr limnion, dim. of limnē, marshy lake, prob. < IE base *(e)lei-, to bend > LIMB¹]

epimere (ep´э mir') •n. the dorsal portion of the mesodermal mass in the early development of chordate embryos that gives rise to the skeletal muscles [EPI- + -MERE]

epimysium (-mis´i: эm) pl. -sia •n. the sheath of connective tissue surrounding a muscle [ModL < EPI- + Gr mys, muscle (see MYO-) + ModL -ium (see -IUM)]

epinasty (ep´э næs'ti:) •n. Bot. the condition in which an organ, as a leaf, turns downward because of the more rapid growth of the upper layers of cells: opposed to HYPONASTY ep'i·nas´tic •adj. [EPI- + -NASTY]

epinephrine (ep'э nef´rin, -ri:n') •n. a hormone, C9H13NO3, secreted by the medulla of the adrenal gland, that stimulates the heart, increases blood sugar, muscular strength, and endurance, etc.; adrenalin: it is extracted from animal adrenals or prepared synthetically [EPI- + NEPHR(O)- + -INE³]

epineurium (ep'э nur´i: эm, -nyur´-) •n. the layer of connective tissue surrounding a peripheral nerve Etymology [ModL < EPI- + Gr neuron, a NERVE]

Epiphany (i: pif´э ni:, i-) pl. -nies •n. 1 [e-] an appearance or manifestation of a god or other supernatural being 2 in many Christian churches, a yearly festival, held January 6, commemorating both the revealing of Jesus as the Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus: also called TWELFTH DAY 3 [e-] a) a moment of sudden intuitive understanding; flash of insight b) a scene, experience, etc. that occasions such a moment ep·i·phan·ic (ep'э fæn´ik) •adj. [ME & OFr epiphanie < LL(Ec) epiphania < Gr(Ec) epiphaneia, appearance < epiphainein, to show forth, manifest < epi-, upon + phainein, to show: see FANTASY]

epiphenomenalism (ep'э fэ näm´э nэl iz'эm) •n. the theory that mental or conscious processes simply accompany certain neural processes as epiphenomena

epiphenomenon (-fэ näm´э nэn, -nän') pl. -na (-nэ) •n. 1 a phenomenon that occurs with and seems to result from another but has no reciprocal effect or subsequent influence 2 Med. a secondary or additional occurrence in the course of a disease, usually unrelated to the disease ep'i·phe·nom´e·nal •adj. ep'i·phe·nom´e·nal·ly •adv. [EPI- + PHENOMENON]

epiphysis (i: pif´э sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. 1 the end part of a long bone which is at first separated from the main part by cartilage, but later fuses with it by ossification 2 the pineal body: in full, epiphysis cer·e·bri (ser´э brai') ep'i·phys´e·al or ep·i·phys·i·al (ep'э fiz´i: эl) •adj. [ModL < Gr epiphysis, a growth upon, excrescence < epiphyein, to grow upon < epi-, upon + phyein, to grow: see BONDAGE]

epiphyte (ep´э fait') •n. 1 a plant that grows on another plant but is not a parasite and produces its own food by photosynthesis, as certain orchids, mosses, and lichens; air plant 2 a plant parasitic on the external surface of an animal body ep'i·phyt´ic (-fit´ik) •adj. [EPI- + -PHYTE]

epiphytology (ep'i fai täl´э ji:) •n. the study of epidemic plant diseases [< prec. + -LOGY]

epiphytotic (-fai tät´ik) •adj. epidemic among plants •n. an epiphytotic disease [< EPI- + Gr phyton, a plant (see -PHYTE) + -OTIC]

epirogeny (ep'ai räj´э ni:) •n. EPEIROGENY e·pi·ro·gen·ic (e pai'rou jen´ik) •adj.

Epirus (i pai´rэs) 1 ancient kingdom on the E coast of the Ionian Sea, in what is now S Albania & NW Greece (fl. 3d cent. B.C.): see GREECE, map 2 region of modern Greece, in the same general area

Epis or Episc 1 Episcopal 2 Episcopalian

episcia (e pish´э, -i: э; i:-, i-) •n. any of a genus (Episcia) of tropical American plants of the gesneria family with elliptical, hairy leaves and white to red flowers [ModL < Gr episkia, fem. of episkios, shaded < epi-, EPI- + skia, shadow < IE *siya-, var. of base *skāi, to gleam softly > SHINE]

episcopacy (i: pis´kэ pэ si:, i-) pl. -cies •n. 1 the system of church government by bishops 2 EPISCOPATE [< LL(Ec) episcopatus, office of a bishop < episcopus, BISHOP]

episcopal (i: pis´kэ pэl, i-) •adj. 1 of or governed by bishops 2 [E-] designating or of any of various churches governed by bishops, including the Protestant Episcopal and the Anglican Church e·pis´co·pal·ly •adv. [ME < LL(Ec) episcopalis]

Episcopalian (i: pis'kэ peil´yэn, i-) •adj. 1 [e-] of church government by bishops 2 Episcopal: see EPISCOPAL (sense 2) •n. 1 [e-] any member of an episcopal church or a person believing in episcopal government Æ 2 any member of the Protestant Episcopal Church E·pis'co·pa´lian·ism' •n. [prec. + -IAN]

episcopalism (i: pis´kэ pэl iz'эm, i-) •n. the theory or doctrine that the authority to govern a church rests in a body of bishops and not in any individual

episcopate (i: pis´kэ pit, -peit'; i-) •n. 1 the position, rank, or term of office of a bishop 2 a bishop's see 3 bishops collectively [see EPISCOPACY]

episiotomy (i pi:'zi: ät´э mi:; -piz'i:-) pl. -mies •n. an incision of the perineum, often performed during childbirth to prevent injury to the vagina [< Gr epision, pubic region + -TOMY]

episode (ep´э soud') •n. 1 the part of an ancient Greek tragedy between two choric songs: it corresponds to an act 2 in a novel, poem, etc., any part of the story, or a narrative digression, that is largely complete in itself 3 any event or series of events complete in itself but forming part of a larger one {an episode in the war} 4 any installment of a serialized story or drama 5 Music a passage or section digressing from a main theme, as in a fugue or rondo SYN. OCCURRENCE [Gr epeisodion, addition, episode, orig. neut. of epeisodios, following upon the entrance < epi-, upon + eisodos, an entrance < eis-, into + hodos, way, road < IE base *sed-, to go]

episodic (ep'э säd´ik) •adj. 1 having the nature of an episode; incidental 2 divided into episodes, often not closely related or well integrated Also ep'i·sod´i·cal ep'i·sod´i·cal·ly •adv.

episome (ep´э soum') •n. a small genetic element or unit of DNA that is not essential to the life of the cell: it can be lost or transferred, and it can replicate independently [EPI- + -SOME³]

epistasis (i: pis´tэ sis) •n. Genetics the suppression of gene expression by one or more other genes [ModL < Gr, a stopping < ephistanai, to stop, orig. to place upon < epi-, EPI- + histanai, to STAND]

epistaxis (ep'i stæk´sis) •n. Med. nosebleed [ModL < Gr epistazein, to bleed at the nose < epi-, upon + stazein, to fall in drops: see STAGNATE]

epistemic (ep'i sti:´mik) •adj. of or having to do with knowledge or the act or ways of knowing ep'i·ste´mi·cal·ly •adv. [< Gr epistēmē (see EPISTEMOLOGY) + -IC]

epistemology (i: pis'tэ mäl´э ji:, i-) pl. -gies •n. the study or theory of the nature, sources, and limits of knowledge e·pis'te·mo·log´i·cal (-mэ läj´i kэl) •adj. e·pis'te·mo·log´i·cal·ly •adv. e·pis'te·mol´o·gist •n. [< Gr epistēmē, knowledge < epistanai, to understand, believe (< epi- + histanai, orig., to stand before, confront: see STAND) + -LOGY]

episternum (ep'i stør´nэm) pl. -na (-nэ) •n. 1 the most anterior part of the sternum in amphibians and mammals 2 in some lizards, a dermal bone lying ventral to the sternum [ModL: see EPI- & STERNUM]

epistle (i: pis´эl) •n. 1 a letter, esp. a long, formal, instructive letter: now generally a facetious use 2 [E-] a) any of the letters in the New Testament written by an Apostle b) a selection, usually from these Epistles, read in various churches [ME epistel < OFr epistle (& OE epistol) < L epistola, epistula < Gr epistolē, a letter, message < epistellein, to send to < epi-, to + stellein, to send, summon: see STALK¹]

epistler (i: pis´lэr, -эl эr; -pist´lэr) •n. 1 a letter writer 2 [usually E-] the person who reads the Epistle during Mass, etc.: also e·pis·to·ler (i: pis´tэ lэr)

epistolary (i: pis´tэ ler'i:) •adj. 1 of or suitable to letters or letter writing 2 contained in or conducted by letters 3 written in the form of a series of letters exchanged by the characters, as certain novels of the 18th cent. [Fr épistolaire < L epistolaris < epistola, EPISTLE]

epistyle (ep´i stail') •n. ARCHITRAVE (sense 1) [L epistylium < Gr epistylion < epi-, upon + stylos, column: see STYLITE]

epitaph (ep´э tæf', -täf') •n. 1 an inscription on a tomb or gravestone in memory of the person buried there 2 a short composition in prose or verse, written as a tribute to a dead person ep'i·taph´ic or ep'i·taph´i·al •adj. [ME & OFr epitaphe < L epitaphium, eulogy < Gr epitaphion < epi, upon, at + taphos, tomb < thaptein, to bury]

epitasis (i: pit´э sis) •n. that part of a play, esp. in classical drama, between the protasis, or exposition, and the catastrophe or denouement [ModL < Gr, a stretching, intensity < epiteinein, to stretch, intensify < epi-, EPI- + teinein, to stretch: see THIN]

epitaxy (ep´i tæk'si:) •n. the overgrowth in layers of a crystalline substance deposited in a definite orientation on a base or substratum composed of different crystals ep'i·tax´i·al or ep'i·tax´ic •adj. [EPI- + -taxy, an arranging < Gr -taxia < taxis: see TAXIS]

epithalamium (ep'i θэ lei´mi: эm) pl. -mi·ums or -mi·a (-э) a song or poem in honor of a bride or bridegroom, or of both; nuptial song: also ep'i·tha·la´mi·on' (-än', -эn), pl. -mi·a (-э) •n. [L < Gr epithalamion < epithalamios, nuptial < epi-, at + thalamos, bridal chamber < IE base *dhel-, an arch, hollow > DALE, DELL]

epithelial (ep'i θi:´li: эl) •adj. of, or like, epithelium

epithelioid (-oid') •adj. resembling epithelium

epithelioma (ep'i θi:'li: ou´mэ) pl. -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n.or -mas any tumor composed mostly of epithelial cells: a former term for a malignant tumor of the skin [ModL < fol. + -OMA]

epithelium (ep'i θi:´li: эm) pl. -li·ums or -li·a (-э) •n. cellular tissue covering external body surfaces, as the epidermis, or lining internal surfaces, as hollow organs, vessels, etc.: it consists of one or more layers of cells with little intercellular material [ModL < Gr epi-, upon + thēlē, nipple: see FEMALE]

epithelize (ep'i θi:´laiz') -lized', -liz'ing •vt. to cover with epithelium Also ep'i·the´li·al·ize', -ized', -iz'ing

epithet (ep´э θet', -θэt) •n. 1 an adjective, noun, or phrase, often specif. a disparaging one, used to characterize some person or thing (Ex.: egghead for an intellectual) 2 a descriptive name or title (Ex.: Philip the Fair; America the Beautiful) ep'i·thet´ic or ep'i·thet´i·cal •adj. [L epitheton < Gr, lit., that which is added < epitithenai, to put on, add < epi-, on + tithenai, to put, DO¹]

epitome (i: pit´э mi:', i-) pl. -mes' •n. 1 a short statement of the main points of a book, report, incident, etc.; abstract; summary 2 a person or thing that shows all the typical qualities of something SYN. ABRIDGMENT [L < Gr epitomē, abridgment < epitemnein, to cut short < epi-, upon + temnein, to cut: see -TOMY]

epitomize (-maiz') -mized', -miz'ing •vt. to make or be an epitome of e·pit´o·miz'er •n.

epitope (ep´i toup') •n. Immunology the site on an antigen to which an antibody attaches: its structure determines the antibody for which it is a receptor [< EPI- + Gr topos, place: see TOPIC]

epizoic (ep'i zou´ik) •adj. living on or attached to the external surface of an animal, but not parasitic ep'i·zo´ite' (-ait') •n. epizoon (-zou´än', -эn) pl. -zo´a (-э) •n. a parasite or commensal living on the outside of an animal's body [ModL < EPI- + Gr zōion, animal: see QUICK]

epizootic (-zou ät´ik) •adj. epidemic among animals •n. an epizootic disease [Fr épizootique < épizootie (formed by analogy with épidémie: see EPIDEMIC) < prec.]

epizootiology (ep'i zou ät'i: äl´э ji:) •n. the study of epidemic animal diseases [prec. + -LOGY]

epoch (ep´эk; also ep´äk'; Cdn & Brit usually i:´päk') •n. 1 the beginning of a new and important period in the history of anything {the first earth satellite marked a new epoch in the study of the universe} 2 a period of time considered in terms of noteworthy and characteristic events, developments, persons, etc. {an epoch of social revolution} 3 a point in time or a precise date 4 Astron. the time at which observations are made, as of the positions of planets or stars 5 Geol. a subdivision of a geologic period {the Eocene Epoch}: see also ERA, PERIOD, AGE SYN. PERIOD ep´och·al •adj. ep´och·al·ly •adv. [ML epocha < Gr epochē, a check, cessation < epechein, to hold in, check < epi-, upon + echein, to hold: see SCHEME]

epode (ep´oud') •n. 1 a form of lyric poem, as of Horace, in which a short line follows a longer one 2 the stanza that follows the strophe and antistrophe in a Pindaric or ancient Greek ode [MFr épode < L epodos < Gr epōidos, incantation, lit., song sung after < epi-, upon, after + aeidein, to sing: see ODE]

eponym (ep´э nim') •n. 1 a real or mythical person from whose name the name of a nation, institution, etc. is derived {William Penn is the eponym of Pennsylvania} 2 a person whose name has become identified with some period, movement, theory, etc. e·pon·y·mous (i: pän´э mэs, i-) or ep·o·nym·ic (ep'э nim´ik) •adj. [< Gr epōnymos, eponymous < epi-, upon + onyma, NAME]

eponymy (i: pän´э mi:, i-) •n. the name derivation of a people, nation, etc. from the name of a real or mythical person [prec. + -Y³]

epopee (ep´э pi:', ep'э pi:´) •n. 1 an epic poem 2 epic poetry [Fr épopée < Gr epopoiia, the making of epics < epopoios, epic poet < epos (see EPIC) song + poiein, to make (see POET)]

epos (ep´äs') •n. 1 an epic poem 2 epic poetry 3 a collection of poems of a primitive epic nature, handed down orally 4 a series of epic events [L < Gr: see EPIC]

epoxide (ep äk´said') •n. a compound containing the epoxy group

epoxidize (-sэ daiz') -dized', -diz'ing •vt. to convert (an unsaturated compound) into an epoxide ep·ox'i·da´tion •n.

epoxy (i: päk´si:, i-; also e-) •adj. designating or of a compound in which an oxygen atom is joined to each of two attached atoms, usually carbon; specif., designating any of various thermosetting resins, containing epoxy groups, that are blended with other chemicals to form strong, hard, chemically resistant adhesives, enamel coatings, etc. •n. pl. -ox´ies an epoxy resin [EP- + OXY(GEN)]

EPROM (i:´präm') •n. a type of PROM chip whose bit patterns can be erased and reprogrammed by the user [E(rasable) + PROM]

E-proposition (i:´ präp'э zish´эn) •n. Logic a universal negative proposition

epsilon (ep´sэ län', -lэn) name of the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet (Ε, ε) •n. Etymology [LGr e psilon, lit., plain e: so named to distinguish it from ai, which had come to have the same pronun.]

Epsom (ep´sэm) town in Surrey, England, southwest of London: site of Epsom Downs, where the Derby is run: now part of the borough of Epsom and Ewell, pop. 69,000

Epsom salts (or salt) a white, crystalline salt, magnesium sulfate, MgSO4·7H2O, used as a cathartic [after prec.]

Epstein (ep´stain), Sir Jacob 1880-1959; Brit. sculptor, born in the U.S.

Epstein-Barr virus (-bär´) a herpes-like virus that causes infectious mononucleosis and may cause various forms of cancer [after M. A. Epstein (1921- ) & Y. M. Barr (1932- ), Brit scientists who isolated it in 1964]

eq 1 equal 2 equalization 3 equalize 4 equalizer 5 equation 6 equivalent Also, for 2-4, EQ

eqpt equipment

equable (ek´wэ bэl, i:´kwэ-) •adj. 1 not varying or fluctuating much; steady; uniform {an equable temperature} 2 not readily upset; even; tranquil; serene {an equable temperament} SYN. STEADY eq'ua·bil´i·ty (-bil´э ti:) •n. eq´ua·bly •adv. [L aequabilis < aequare, to make equal < aequus, EQUAL]

equal (i:´kwэl) •adj. 1 of the same quantity, size, number, value, degree, intensity, quality, etc. 2 having the same rights, privileges, ability, rank, etc. 3 evenly proportioned; balanced or uniform in effect or operation 4 having the necessary ability, strength, power, capacity, or courage: with to {equal to the challenge} 5 [Archaic] fair; just; impartial 6 [Archaic] smooth and flat; level 7 [Archaic] equable •n. any thing or person that is equal {to be the equal of another} •vt. e´qualed or e´qualled, e´qual·ing or e´qual·ling 1 to be equal to; match in value 2 to do or make something equal to {to equal a record} 3 [Archaic] to make equal; equalize SYN. SAME [ME < L aequalis, equal < aequus, level, even, flat]

Equal Rights Amendment a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution stating that civil rights may not be denied to a resident of the U.S. on account of sex

equal sign (or mark) the sign (=), indicating that the terms on either side of it are equal or equivalent

equal-area (i:´kwэl er´i: э) •adj. designating any of several map projections in which areas enclosed between corresponding meridians and parallels are proportionally equal to areas on the earth's surface, but distances and directions are distorted

equalitarian (i: kwäl'э ter´i: эn, -kwöl'-; i-) •adj., n. EGALITARIAN e·qual'i·tar´i·an·ism' •n.

equality (i: kwöl´э ti:, -kwäl´-; i-) pl. -ties •n. state or instance of being equal [ME equalite < OFr equalité < L aequalitas]

equalize (i:´kwэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make equal 2 to make uniform 3 to compensate for or correct (varying frequency or response characteristics) in recording, playback, etc. e'qual·i·za´tion •n.

equalizer (-эr) •n. 1 a person who equalizes 2 a thing that equalizes, as a group of components inserted in a circuit so as to change the frequency response; specif., an electronic device that amplifies or reduces particular ranges of audio frequencies Æ 3 [Slang] a gun

equally (i:´kwэl i:) •adv. in an equal manner; in or to an equal extent or degree; uniformly, impartially, etc.

equanimity (ek'wэ nim´э ti:, i:'kwэ-) •n. the quality of remaining calm and undisturbed; evenness of mind or temper; composure SYN.—equanimity implies an inherent evenness of temper or disposition that is not easily disturbed; composure implies the disciplining of one's emotions in a trying situation or habitual self-possession in the face of excitement; serenity implies a lofty, clear peace of mind that is not easily clouded by ordinary stresses or excitements; nonchalance implies a casual indifference to or a cool detachment from situations that might be expected to disturb one emotionally; sang-froid implies great coolness and presence of mind in dangerous or trying circumstances [L aequanimitas < aequanimis < aequus, even, plain + animus, the mind: see ANIMAL]

Equat Gui or Equat Guin Equatorial Guinea

equate (i: kweit´, i-) e·quat´ed, e·quat´ing •vt. 1 a) to make equal or equivalent; equalize b) to treat, regard, or express as equal, equivalent, identical, or closely related {to equate wealth with happiness} 2 Math. to state or express the equality of; put in the form of an equation •vi. [Rare] to be equal e·quat´a·ble •adj. [ME equaten < L aequatus, pp. of aequare, to make equal < aequus, plain, even]

equation (i: kwei´zhэn, i-) •n. 1 the act of equating; equalization 2 the state of being equated; equality, equivalence, or balance; also, identification or association 3 a) a complex whole {the human equation} b) an element in a complex whole (see also PERSONAL EQUATION) 4 a statement of equality between two quantities, as shown by the equal sign (=) {a quadratic equation} 5 an expression in which symbols and formulas are used to represent a balanced chemical reaction (Ex.: H2SO4 + 2NaCl = 2HCl + Na2SO4) e·qua´tion·al •adj. [ME equacioun < L aequatio]

equation of time Astron. the constantly changing difference between the true sundial (apparent solar time) and mean solar time: the apparent solar time may be as much as 16 minutes ahead or behind: see ANALEMMA

equator (i: kweit´эr, i-) •n. 1 an imaginary circle around the earth, equally distant at all points from both the North and South Poles: it divides the earth's surface into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres: see LATITUDE, illus. 2 a circle like this around any celestial body 3 any circle that divides a sphere or other body into two equal and symmetrical parts 4 CELESTIAL EQUATOR [ME < ML < LL aequator, lit., one who makes equal: see EQUATE]

equatorial (i:'kwэ tör´i: эl, ek'wэ-) •adj. 1 of or near the earth's equator 2 of any equator 3 like or characteristic of conditions near the earth's equator {equatorial heat} 4 designating or of a telescope mounted in such a way as to have two axes of motion, one (called polar axis) parallel to the earth's axis, the other (called declination axis) perpendicular to it: by rotation about the polar axis it can follow the apparent motion of a celestial body •n. an equatorial telescope

Equatorial Guinea country in WC Africa, consisting of a mainland section (unofficially Río Muni) between Gabon & Cameroon, & two islands (Bioko and Annobón), 370 mi. (595 km) apart, in the Gulf of Guinea: formerly (until 1968) a Spanish possession: 10,830 sq. mi. (28,051 sq. km); pop. 359,000; cap. Malabo

equerry (ek´wэr i:, i: kwer´i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 an officer in charge of the horses of a royal or noble household 2 an officer who is a personal attendant on some member of a royal family [altered (after L equus, horse) < Fr écurie < OFr escuerie, status of a squire: see ESQUIRE]

equestrian (i: kwes´tri: эn, i-) •adj. 1 of horses, horsemen, horseback riding, or horsemanship 2 on horseback, or so represented {an equestrian statue} 3 a) of the ancient Roman equites b) of or made up of knights •n. a rider on horseback, esp. one performing acrobatics on horseback, as in a circus e·ques´tri·an·ism' •n. e·ques'tri·enne´ (-tri: en´) •n.fem. [< L equestris (< eques, horseman < equus, horse: see HIPPO-) + -AN]

equi- (i:´kwi, -kwэ; also ek´wi, -wэ) combining form equal, equally {equidistant} [L aequi-, comb. form of aequus, level, even]

equiangular (i:'kwi æŋ´gyu: lэr) •adj. having all angles equal

equidistant (i:'kwi dis´tэnt) •adj. equally distant e'qui·dis´tance •n. e'qui·dis´tant·ly •adv.

equilateral (i:'kwi læt´эr эl) •adj. having all sides equal {an equilateral triangle}: see TRIANGLE, illus. •n. 1 a figure having equal sides 2 a side exactly equal to another or others [LL aequilateralis < L aequus (see EQUAL) + latus, side: see LATERAL]

equilibrant (i: kwil´э brэnt, i-) •n. Physics a force or combination of forces that can balance another force or other forces [Fr équilibrant, prp. of équilibrer, to equilibrate < équilibre, equilibrium < L aequilibrium, EQUILIBRIUM]

equilibrate (i: kwil´э breit', i-; also i:'kwi lai´breit') -brat'ed, -brat'ing •vt., vi. to bring into or be in equilibrium; balance or counterbalance e·quil'i·bra´tion •n. e·quil´i·bra'tor •n. [< LL aequilibratus, in equilibrium, level, pp. of *aequilibrare]

equilibrist (i: kwil´э brist, i-) •n. a performer who does tricks of balancing, as a tightrope walker [Fr équilibriste < équilibre: see EQUILIBRANT]

equilibrium (i:'kwi lib´ri: эm; also ek'wi-) pl. -ri·ums or -ri·a (-э) •n. 1 a state of balance or equality between opposing forces 2 a state of balance or adjustment of conflicting desires, interests, etc. 3 a) the ability of the animal body to keep itself properly oriented or positioned; bodily stability or balance b) mental or emotional stability or balance; poise 4 the condition in a reversible chemical reaction in which the products of the reaction are consumed by the reverse reaction at the same rate as they are formed, and there is no net change in the concentrations of the products or the reactants 5 the stage of a radioactive material at which the rate of disintegration and the rate of formation are equal for each intermediate product in the radioactive decay series [L aequilibrium < aequilibris, evenly balanced < aequus (see EQUAL) + libra, a balance]

equimolal (i:'kwi mou´lэl) •adj. having the same molal concentration of solute in a solvent

equimolar (-mou´lэr) •adj. 1 having the same molar concentration of solute in a solvent 2 having the same number of moles of a given substance

equimolecular (i:'kwi mou lek´yu: lэr) •adj. having an equal number of molecules

equine (i:´kwain'; also e´kwain') •adj. of, like, or characteristic of a horse •n. a horse [L equinus < equus: see EQUESTRIAN]

equine infectious anemia a viral disease of horses, similar to malaria, characterized by sudden fever, swelling, and anemia; swamp fever

equinoctial (i:'kwi näk´shэl) •adj. 1 relating to either of the equinoxes or to equal periods of day and night 2 occurring at or about the time of an equinox 3 equatorial •n. 1 CELESTIAL EQUATOR 2 a storm occurring at or about the time of an equinox [ME & OFr equinoxial < L aequinoctialis]

equinoctial circle (or line) CELESTIAL EQUATOR

equinoctial year see YEAR (sense 2)

equinox (i:´kwi näks', ek´wэ näks) •n. 1 the time when the sun crosses the equator, making night and day of equal length in all parts of the earth: in the Northern Hemisphere the vernal equinox occurs about March 21, the autumnal equinox about September 22 2 either of the two points on the celestial sphere where the sun's path crosses the celestial equator: also called equinoctial point [ME < OFr equinoxe < ML aequinoxium < L aequinoctium < aequus (see EQUAL) + nox, NIGHT]

equip abbrev. equipment equip (i: kwip´, i-) e·quipped´, e·quip´ping •vt. 1 to provide with what is needed; outfit {troops equipped for battle} 2 to prepare by training, instruction, etc. 3 to dress (oneself) for a certain purpose SYN. FURNISH [Fr équiper < OFr esquiper, to embark, put out to sea, prob. < ON skipa, to arrange, make ready < skip, SHIP]

equipage (ek´wi pij') •n. 1 the furnishings, accessories, or outfit of a ship, army, expedition, etc.; equipment 2 a carriage, esp. one with horses and liveried servants 3 [Archaic] a) toilet articles b) a case for these 4 [Archaic] retinue; body of attendants [MFr < esquiper: see EQUIP]

equipment (i: kwip´mэnt, i-) •n. 1 an equipping or being equipped 2 whatever a person, group, or thing is equipped with; the special things needed for some purpose; supplies, furnishings, apparatus, etc. 3 goods used in providing service, esp. in transportation, as the rolling stock of a railroad 4 one's abilities, knowledge, etc.

equipoise (ek´wi poiz', i:´kwi-) •n. 1 equal distribution of weight; state of balance, or equilibrium 2 a weight or force that balances another; counterbalance [EQUI- + POISE¹]

equipollent (i:'kwi päl´эnt) •adj. 1 equal in force, weight, or validity 2 equivalent in meaning or result •n. something equipollent e'qui·pol´lence or e'qui·pol´len·cy •n. [ME & OFr equipolent < L aequipollens < aequus (see EQUAL) + pollens, prp. of pollere, to be strong]

equiponderant (i:'kwi pän´dэr эnt) •adj. of the same weight; evenly balanced e'qui·pon´der·ance •n. [ML aequiponderans, prp. of aequiponderare < L aequus (see EQUAL) + ponderare, to weigh: see PONDER]

equiponderate (-pän´dэr eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to counterbalance 2 to make evenly balanced [< pp. of ML aequiponderare: see EQUIPONDERANT]

equipotential (-pou ten´shэl) •adj. 1 having equal potentiality or power 2 Physics of the same potential at all points

equisetum (ek'wi si:t´эm) pl. -tums or -ta (-э) •n. HORSETAIL [ModL < L equisaetum, the plant horsetail < equus, horse (see HIPPO-) + saeta, bristle: see SINEW]

equitable (ek´wit э bэl) •adj. 1 characterized by equity; fair; just: said of actions, results of actions, etc. 2 Law a) having to do with equity, as distinguished from common or statute law b) valid in equity eq´ui·ta·ble·ness •n. eq´ui·ta·bly •adv. [Fr équitable < équité]

equitant (ek´wi tэnt) •adj. Bot. overlapping: said of a leaf whose base overlaps and covers partly the leaf above it, as in the iris [L equitans, prp. of equitare: see EQUITATION]

equitation (ek'wi tei´shэn) •n. the art of riding on horseback; horsemanship [L equitatio < equitatus, pp. of equitare, to ride < eques: see EQUESTRIAN]

equites (ek´wi ti:z') •n.pl. members of a specially privileged class of citizens in ancient Rome, from which the cavalry was formed; equestrian order of knights [L, pl. of eques: see EQUESTRIAN]

equity (ek´wit i:) pl. -ties •n. 1 fairness; impartiality; justice 2 anything that is fair or equitable Æ 3 the value of property beyond the total amount owed on it in mortgages, liens, etc. 4 Accounting, Finance a) assets minus liabilities; net worth; capital b) that portion of a company's net worth belonging to its owners or shareholders {shareholders' equity} c) [pl.] shares of stock {bonds and equities} 5 Law a) resort to general principles of fairness and justice whenever existing law is inadequate b) a system of rules and doctrines, as in the U.S., supplementing common and statute law and superseding such law when it proves inadequate for just settlement c) a right or claim recognized in a court of equity d) EQUITY OF REDEMPTION •adj. of or relating to stocks, stock markets, etc. {equity financing} [ME equite < OFr équité < L aequitas, equality < aequus: see EQUAL]

equity capital funds contributed by the owners of a business

equity of redemption the right of a mortgagor in default to redeem the mortgaged property by paying the principal, interest, and costs within a specified reasonable time

equiv equivalent

equivalence (i: kwiv´э lэns, i-) •n. 1 the condition of being equivalent; equality of quantity, value, force, meaning, etc. 2 Chem. equality of combining capacity; the principle that different weights of different substances are equivalent in chemical reactions Also e·quiv´a·len·cy [Fr équivalence < ML aequivalentia]

equivalent (i: kwiv´э lэnt, i-) •adj. 1 equal in quantity, value, force, meaning, etc. 2 Chem. having the same valence 3 Geom. equal in area, volume, etc., but not of the same shape •n. 1 an equivalent thing 2 Chem. a) the quantity by weight (of a substance) that combines with 8 grams of oxygen or 1.008 grams of hydrogen b) the weight obtained by dividing the atomic weight by the valence SYN. SAME e·quiv´a·lent·ly •adv. [ME < OFr < LL aequivalens, prp. of aequivalere, to have equal power: see EQUI- & VALUE]

equivocal (i: kwiv´э kэl, i-) •adj. 1 that can have more than one interpretation; having two or more meanings; purposely vague, misleading, or ambiguous {an equivocal reply} 2 uncertain; undecided; doubtful {an equivocal outcome} 3 suspicious; questionable {equivocal conduct} SYN. OBSCURE e·quiv'o·cal´i·ty (-kæl´э ti:) or e·quiv´o·cal·ness •n. e·quiv´o·cal·ly •adv. [< LL aequivocus (see EQUIVOCATE) & -AL]

equivocate (i: kwiv´э keit', i-) -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vi. to use equivocal terms in order to deceive, mislead, hedge, etc.; be deliberately ambiguous SYN. LIE² e·quiv'o·ca´tion •n. e·quiv´o·ca'tor •n. [ME equivocaten < ML aequivocatus, pp. of aequivocari, to have the same sound < LL aequivocus, of like sound < L aequus (see EQUAL) + vox, VOICE]

equivoque or equivoke (ek wi vouk', i: kwi-) •n. [Now Rare] 1 an ambiguous expression or term 2 a pun or punning 3 verbal ambiguity; double meaning [Fr, orig. adj., equivocal < LL aequivocus: see EQUIVOCATE]

Equuleus (i: kwul´i: эs) a very small N constellation near the celestial equator and Pegasus [L, dim. of equus, horse: see HIPPO-]

Er Chem. symbol for erbium er (variously û, э, ä, etc.; ør, эr are spelling pronunciations) •interj. a conventionalized representation of a sound often made by a speaker when hesitating briefly; vocalized pause

-er (эr) suffix 1 forming nouns a) a person having to do with, esp. as an occupation or profession (added to nouns) {hatter, geographer} (see also -IER, -YER) b) a person native to or living in (added to place names and nouns) {New Yorker, cottager} c) a thing or action connected with (added to nouns, noun compounds, and noun phrases) {diner} d) a person or thing that ~s (added to verbs) {roller} (see also -AR, -OR) [ME -er(e) < OE -ere < WGmc *-arj, *-ārj < or akin to, and reinforced by, L -arius, -arium, agentive suffixes (Anglo-Fr -er, -ier), L -ar (OFr -er), L -atur (OFr -ëure), L -atorium (OFr -ëor, Fr -oir), L -ator (OFr -ëor)] 2 forming the comparative degree of many adjectives and adverbs {later, greater} [ME -re, -er < OE -ra] 3 the action of ~ing: added to verb bases in legal language {demurrer, repleader} [ME < Anglo-Fr inf. suffix] 4 repeatedly: added to verbs and verb bases {flicker, patter} [ME -ren, -rien < OE -rian, freq. suffix]

ERA 1 Baseball earned run average: also era 2 Equal Rights Amendment era (ir´э, er´э; also i: ´rэ) •n. 1 a system of reckoning time by numbering the years from some important occurrence or given point of time {the Christian Era} 2 an event or date that marks the beginning of a new or important period in the history of something 3 a period of time measured from some important occurrence or date 4 a period of time considered in terms of noteworthy and characteristic events, developments, individuals, etc. {an era of progress} 5 any of the five main divisions of geologic time {the Paleozoic Era}: see also EPOCH, PERIOD, AGE SYN. PERIOD [LL aera, era, earlier senses, counters, items of account < pl. of L aes (gen. aeris), copper: see ORE]

eradiate (i: rei´di: eit', i-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vi., vt. to shoot out, as light rays; radiate e·ra'di·a´tion •n.

eradicate (i: ræd´i keit', i-) -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to tear out by the roots; uproot 2 to get rid of; wipe out; destroy SYN. EXTERMINATE e·rad´i·ca·ble (-kэ bэl) •adj. e·rad'i·ca´tion •n. e·rad´i·ca'tive •adj. e·rad´i·ca'tor •n. [ME eradicaten < L eradicatus, pp. of eradicare, to root out < e-, out + radix (gen. radicis), ROOT¹]

erase (i: reis´, i-) e·rased´, e·ras´ing •vt. 1 to rub, scrape, or wipe out (esp. written or engraved letters); efface; expunge 2 to remove (something recorded) from (magnetic tape) 3 to remove any sign of; obliterate, as from the mind 4 to remove (data) from a computer storage device 5 [Slang] to kill e·ras´a·ble •adj. SYN.—erase implies a scraping or rubbing out of something written or drawn, or figuratively, the removal of an impression; to expunge is to remove or wipe out completely; efface implies a rubbing out from a surface, and, in extended use, suggests a destroying of the distinguishing marks, or even of the very existence, of something; obliterate implies a thorough blotting out of something so that all visible traces of it are removed; delete implies the marking of written or printed matter for removal, or the removal of the matter itself [< L erasus, pp. of eradere, to scratch out < e-, out + radere, to scrape, scratch: see RAT]

eraser (i: rei´sэr, i-) •n. a thing that erases; specif., a device made of rubber for erasing ink or pencil marks, or a pad of felt or cloth for removing chalk marks from a blackboard

erasion (i: rei´zhэn, i-) •n. 1 the act of erasing 2 Surgery the removal of diseased tissue by scraping, as with a curet Etymology [ML erasio]

Erasmus (i ræz´mэs), Des·i·der·i·us (des'э dir´i: эs) (born Gerhard Gerhards) c. 1466-1536; Du. humanist, scholar, & theologian E·ras´mi·an (-mi: эn) •adj., n.

Erastian (i: ræs´ti: эn) •adj. 1 of or supporting Thomas Erastus or his doctrines 2 advocating the supreme authority of the state in church matters •n. a follower of Erastus or his doctrines E·ras´tian·ism' •n.

Erastus (i ræs´tэs), Thomas (born Thomas Liebler or Lieber) 1524-83; Ger. theologian & physician

erasure (i: rei´shэr, i-) •n. 1 the act of erasing 2 an erased word, mark, etc. 3 the place on a surface where something has been erased

Erato (er´э tou') Gr. Myth. the Muse of erotic lyric poetry [L < Gr Eratō < eratos, beloved < eran, to love]

Eratosthenes (er'э täs´θэ ni:z') c. 275-c. 195 B.C.; Gr. geographer, astronomer, & mathematician

Erbil (er´bil) IRBIL (city in Iraq)

erbium (ør´bi: эm) •n. a trivalent chemical element of the rare-earth metals: symbol, Er; at. wt., 167.26; at. no., 68; sp. gr., 9.066; melt. pt., 1,529°C; boil. pt., 2,863°C [ModL: so named (1843) by K. G. Mosander (1797-1858), Swed chemist, after Ytterby, village in Sweden where the rare-earth minerals were first found + -IUM]

ere (er) •prep. [Archaic] before (in time) conj. [Old Poet.] 1 before 2 sooner than; rather than [ME er < OE ær, adv., prep., conj., akin to Ger eher, ehe, orig. compar. as seen in Goth airis, earlier < air, early < IE *aier-, dawn < base *ai-, to burn, shine]

Erebus (er´э bэs) 1 Gr. Myth. the dark place under the earth through which the dead passed before entering Hades 2 Mount volcanic mountain on Ross Island, near Victoria Land, Antarctica: c. 12,500 ft. (3,800 m) [L < Gr Erebos < IE base *regwos-, darkness > Arm erekoy, evening, Goth rigis, darkness]

Erechtheum (er'ek θi:´эm) temple on the Acropolis in Athens, built 5th cent. B.C.: it contains famous examples of Ionic architecture [Gr Erechtheion < Erechtheus, lit., the render, a mythical king of Athens supposedly entombed there < erechthein, to rend, break < IE base *rekth-, to harm > Sans ráksas-, torment]

erect (i: rekt´, i-) •adj. 1 not bending or leaning; straight up; upright; vertical 2 sticking out or up; bristling; stiff 3 [Archaic] a) not depressed; uplifted b) alert •vt. 1 to raise or construct (a building, etc.) 2 to set up; cause to arise {to erect arbitrary social barriers} 3 to set in an upright position; raise 4 to set up; assemble 5 [Archaic] to establish; found 6 Geom. to construct or draw (a perpendicular, figure, etc.) upon a base line 7 Physiol. to cause to become swollen and rigid by being filled with blood e·rect´ly •adv. e·rect´ness •n. [ME < L erectus, pp. of erigere, to set up < e-, out, up + regere, to make straight: see RIGHT]

erectile (i: rek´til, i-; -tail') •adj. that can become erect: used esp. to designate tissue, as in the penis, that becomes swollen and rigid when filled with blood e·rec·til·i·ty (i:'rek til´э ti:, i rek'-) •n. [Fr < L erectus]

erection (i: rek´shэn, i-) •n. 1 an erecting or being erected 2 something erected; structure, building, etc. 3 Physiol. a being or becoming rigid and erect by filling with blood; specif., such a condition of the penis

erector (i: rek´tэr, i-) •n. a person or thing that erects; specif., a muscle that causes erection

erelong (er'löŋ´) •adv. [Archaic] before long; soon

eremite (er´э mait') •n. a religious recluse; hermit er'e·mit´ic (-mit´ik) or er'e·mit´i·cal •adj. [ME < OFr or LL; OFr ermite, hermite: see HERMIT]

eremurus (er'э myur´эs) pl. -mu´ri' (-ai') •n. any of a genus (Eremurus) of perennial plants of the lily family, cultivated for their tall spikes of small, white or colored flowers [ModL < Gr erēmos, desolate (see HERMIT) + ModL -urus < Gr oura, tail: see URO-²]

erenow (er'nau´) •adv. [Archaic] before now; heretofore

erepsin (i: rep´sin) •n. an enzyme mixture once thought to be one enzyme, secreted by the small intestine and involved in the breaking down of proteins into their component amino acids [Ger < L ereptus, pp. of eripere, to snatch away (< e-, out + rapere, to snatch: see RAPE¹) + Ger pepsin, PEPSIN]

erethism (er´э θiz'эm) •n. [Rare] Physiol. an abnormal extreme irritability or sensitivity of an organ, tissue, etc. [Fr éréthisme < Gr erethismos, irritation < erethizein, to irritate < IE base *er- > RISE, RUN]

erewhile (er'hwail´) •adv. [Archaic] a short while before; a short time ago Also ere'whiles´ (er'-) [ME er whil]

Erfurt (er´furt) city in central Germany: pop. 217,000

erg¹ (ørg) •n. Physics the unit of work or energy in the cgs (metric) system, being the work done by one dyne acting through a distance of one centimeter [< Gr ergon, WORK]

erg² (ørg) •n. a vast desert area of deep, rolling sand dunes

ergo (er´gou) conj., adv. therefore; hence [L]

ergocalciferol (ør'gou kæl sif´эr öl', -oul') •n. a crystalline sterol, C28H43OH, formed by the ultraviolet irradiation of ergosterol; vitamin D2

ergograph (ør´gou græf') •n. an instrument for measuring and recording the amount of work that a muscle is capable of doing [< Gr ergon, WORK + -GRAPH]

ergometer (ør gäm´эt эr) •n. an instrument for measuring the amount of work done by a muscle or muscles over a period of time er·gom´e·try (-tri:) •n. [< Gr ergon, WORK + -METER]

ergonomics (ør'gou näm´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the study of the problems of people in adjusting to their environment; esp., the science that seeks to adapt work or working conditions to suit the worker er'go·nom´ic or er'go·nom´i·cal •adj. er·gon´o·mist (-gän´э mэst) •n. [ERG¹ + (EC)ONOMICS]

ergonovine (ør'gou nou´vi:n', -vin) •n. a water-soluble alkaloid of ergot, C19H23N3O2, used to increase contraction of the uterus during childbirth and prevent uterine hemorrhage [ergo- (< Fr < ergot, ERGOT) + nov- (< L novus, NEW) + -INE³]

ergosterol (ør gäs´tэr öl', -oul') •n. a crystalline plant sterol, C28H43OH, formerly prepared from ergot but now chiefly from yeast: when exposed to ultraviolet rays it produces a vitamin (D2) used to prevent or cure rickets [< fol. + STEROL]

ergot (ør´gэt, -gät') •n. 1 the hard, reddish-brown or black grainlike masses (sclerotia) of certain parasitic fungi (esp. genus Claviceps) that replace the kernels of rye, or of other cereal plants 2 the disease in which this occurs; specif., the disease of rye caused by a species (Claviceps purpurea) of this fungus 3 the dried sclerotia of the rye fungus from which several alkaloids are extracted that have the ability to contract blood vessels and smooth muscle tissue 4 any of these alkaloids er·got·ic (ør gät´ik) •adj. [Fr < OFr argot, a rooster's spur, hence (from the shape) the disease growth in the plant]

ergotamine (ør gät´э mi:n', -min) •n. an alkaloid, C33H35O5N5, isolated from ergot and used esp. in the treatment of migraine headaches [prec. + AMINE]

ergotism (ør´gэt iz'эm) •n. an acute or chronic poisoning resulting from the excessive or improper use of ergot or the eating of grain or grain products infested with ergot fungus

Eric (er´ik) a masculine name: var. Erik; fem. Erica, Erika [Scand < ON Eirìkr < Gmc *aizo, honor (akin to Ger ehre, honor) + base akin to L rex (see RIGHT): hence, lit., honorable ruler]

Eric the Red fl. 10th cent.; Norw. explorer & adventurer: discovered & colonized Greenland

Erica (er´i kэ) a feminine name: var. Erika: see ERIC

ericaceous (er'i kei´shэs) •adj. of the heath family of plants

Ericson (er´ik sэn), Leif fl. 1000; Norw. explorer & adventurer: discovered Vinland, believed to be part of North America: son of Eric the Red: also Leif Ericsson

Ericsson (er´ik sэn), John 1803-89; U.S. naval engineer & inventor, born in Sweden: builder of the Monitor

Eridanus (i: rid´э nэs, -rid´ªn эs) a long S constellation extending from the celestial equator to Hydrus and including the bright star Achernar [L < Gr Ēridanos, poetic name of the Po River]

Erie (ir´i:) 1 port on Lake Erie, in NW Pa.: pop. 109,000 2 Lake one of the Great Lakes, between Lake Huron & Lake Ontario: 9,940 sq. mi. (25,745 sq. km); 241 mi. (388 km) long •n. pl. Eries or Erie a member of an Iroquoian Indian people who lived in an area east and southeast of Lake Erie [NAmFr Erie, Erié < Huron name of the village called Rigué by the Iroquois]

Erie Canal former barge canal between Buffalo, on Lake Erie, and Albany, on the Hudson, completed in 1825: c. 360 mi. (580 km) long: much of it is now part of New York State Barge Canal

Erigena (i rij´э nэ), Jo·han·nes Sco·tus (jou hän´эs skout´эs) A.D. 810-877; Ir. theologian & philosopher in France

erigeron (i: rij´эr än') •n. any of a genus (Erigeron) of plants of the composite family having daisylike, yellow flower heads with white, rose, or violet rays Etymology [ModL < L, groundsel < Gr ērigerōn < ēri, early + gerōn, old man (see CORN¹): from the hoary down on some varieties]

Erin (er´in) 1 a feminine name 2 old poet. name for IRELAND [OIr Ērinn, dat. of Ēriu, Eire]

Erin go bragh (er'in gou brä´) Ireland forever: a slogan [Ir]

Erinyes (i: rin´i i:z', er in´-) sing. E·rin·ys (i: rin´is, er in´-) •n.pl. Gr. Myth. FURIES [L < Gr Erinys]

Eris (i:´ris, er´is) Gr. Myth. the goddess of strife and discord [L < Gr Eris, lit., strife < IE *erei- < base *er-, to set in motion > RUN]

ERISA Employee Retirement Income Security Act

eristic (er is´tik) •adj. of or provoking controversy or given to sophistical argument and specious reasoning •n. 1 eristic discourse or argument 2 a person who engages in such discourse or argument [Gr eristikos < erizein, to strive, dispute < eris, strife: see ERIS]

Eritrea (er'э tri:´э) country in E Africa, on the Red Sea: formerly part of Ethiopia, it became independent (1993): 45,400 sq. mi. (117,600 sq. km); pop. 2,615,000; cap. Asmara Er'i·tre´an •adj., n.

Erivan (er´э vän') alt. sp. of YEREVAN

Erlangen (er´läŋ эn) city in SE Germany, near Nuremberg, in the state of Bavaria: pop. 101,000

Erlenmeyer flask (ør´lэn mai'эr, er´-) [also e- f-] a conical laboratory flask with a flat bottom and a short, straight neck [after Emil Erlenmeyer (1825-1909), Ger chemist]

erlking (ørl´kiŋ', erl´-) •n. Gmc. Folklore a spirit who does mischief and evil, esp. to children: orig. a literary character [partial transl. of Ger erlkönig, lit., alder king, from Herder's poem; a misunderstanding by Herder (1778) of Dan ellerkonge, var. of elverkonge, king of the elves]

ermine (ør´min) pl. -mines or -mine •n. 1 any of several northern weasels having brown fur in summer and white fur with a black-tipped tail in winter, as the stoat 2 the soft, white fur of this animal, used for women's coats, trimming, etc. 3 the position, rank, or functions of some European judges or peers, whose state robe is trimmed with ermine 4 Heraldry a representation of a fur indicated by black spots on a white field [ME & OFr ermin; OFr ermine, hermine, prob. < MHG hermin, erminelike < harme, ermine < OHG harmo, weasel (OE hearma): infl. by folk-etym. assoc. with L (mus) Armenius, Armenian (mouse)]

ermined (-mind) •adj. wearing or trimmed with ermine

erne or ern (ørn) •n. a sea eagle; esp., the European white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) which lives near the sea, lakes, or rivers [ME ern < OE earn, akin to MLowG arn < IE base *er-, *or-, great bird, eagle > Ger aar, eagle & Gr ornis, bird]

Ernest (ør´nist) a masculine name: dim. Ernie; var. Earnest; equiv. It. & Sp. Ernesto, Ger. Ernst; fem. Ernestine [Ger Ernst < OHG Ernust, Ernost, lit., resolute < ernust: see EARNEST]

Ernestine (ør´nis ti:n') a feminine name: dim. Tina [Ger, fem. < Ernst: see ERNEST]

Ernst (eřnst), Max (mäks) 1891-1976; Ger. surrealist painter, in France & the U.S.

Erode (i roud´) city in Tamil Nadu state, S India, on the Cauvery River: pop. 275,000 erode (i: roud´, i-) e·rod´ed, e·rod´ing •vt. 1 to eat into; wear away; disintegrate {acid erodes metal} 2 to form by wearing away gradually {the running water eroded a gully} 3 to cause to deteriorate, decay, or vanish •vi. to become eroded e·rod´i·ble •adj. [Fr éroder < L erodere < e-, out, off + rodere, to gnaw: see RAT] erode (i: roud´, i-) e·rod´ed, e·rod´ing •vt. 1 to eat into; wear away; disintegrate {acid erodes metal} 2 to form by wearing away gradually {the running water eroded a gully} 3 to cause to deteriorate, decay, or vanish •vi. to become eroded e·rod´i·ble •adj. [Fr éroder < L erodere < e-, out, off + rodere, to gnaw: see RAT]

erogenous (i: räj´э nэs, i-) •adj. designating or of those areas of the body that are particularly sensitive to sexual stimulation Also er·o·gen·ic (er'ou jen´ik) [< Gr erōs, love + -GENOUS]

-eroo (э ru:´) suffix forming humorous slangy nouns from other nouns {switcheroo} [prob. < BUCKAROO]

Eros (er´äs', ir´-) Gr. Myth. the god of love, son of Aphrodite: identified with the Roman god Cupid •n. 1 [e-] sexual love or desire 2 Psychoanalysis the life instinct, based on the libido, sublimated impulses, and self-preservation [L < Gr Erōs < erōs, love]

erose (i: rous´) •adj. 1 irregular, as if gnawed away 2 Bot. having an irregularly notched edge, as some leaves e·rose´ly •adv. [L erosus, pp. of erodere: see ERODE]

erosion (i: rou´zhэn, i-) •n. an eroding or being eroded e·ro´sion·al •adj. [L erosio < erosus, pp. of erodere]

erosive (i: rou´siv, i-) •adj. causing erosion; eroding

erotic (i: rät´ik, i-) •adj. 1 of or arousing sexual feelings or desires; having to do with sexual love; amatory 2 highly susceptible to sexual stimulation •n. an erotic person e·rot´i·cal·ly •adv. [Gr erōtikos < erōs (gen. erōtos), love]

erotica (i: rät´i kэ, i-) •n.pl. [often with sing. v.] books, pictures, etc. having to do with or intended to arouse sexual feelings or desires [ModL < Gr erōtika, neut. pl.]

eroticism (i: rät´э siz'эm, i-) •n. 1 erotic quality or character 2 a) sexual instincts or desire b) sexual excitement or behavior 3 preoccupation with sex Also, and for 2 now usually, er·o·tism (er´э tiz'эm)

eroticize (-э saiz') -cized', -ciz'ing •vt. to make erotic or arouse sexual feelings in e·rot'i·ci·za´tion •n.

erotogenic (er'э tou'jen´ik; i: rät'ou-, i-) •adj. EROGENOUS [eroto-, sexual desire (< Gr erōto- < stem of erōs, love) + -GENIC]

erotomania (er'э tou'mei´ni: э, -mein´yэ; i: rät'ou-, i-) •n. abnormally strong sexual desire [ModL: see EROTOGENIC & -MANIA]

err (ør; widely er) •vi. 1 to be wrong or mistaken; fall into error 2 to deviate from the established moral code; do wrong 3 [Obs.] to go astray; wander [ME erren < OFr errer < L errare, to wander, go astray, err < IE *eras- > RACE¹, Ger irren, to err]