eyecup (-kûp') •n. a small cup whose rim is shaped to fit over the eye, used in applying medicine to the eyes or in washing them

eyed (aid) •adj. 1 having eyes (of a specified kind) {blue-eyed} 2 having markings that look like eyes; spotted

eyedropper (ai´dräp'эr) •n. DROPPER (sense 2)

eyeful (-ful') •n. 1 a quantity of something squirted or blown into the eye 2 a full look at something; good look 3 [Slang] a person or thing that looks striking or unusual

eyeglass (-glæs') •n. 1 a lens to help or correct faulty vision; monocle 2 [pl.] a pair of such lenses, usually in a frame; glasses 3 EYEPIECE 4 [Chiefly Brit.] EYECUP

eyehole (-houl') •n. 1 the socket for the eyeball 2 a peephole 3 EYELET (sense 1)

eyelash (-læsh') •n. 1 any of the hairs on the edge of the eyelid 2 a fringe of these hairs

eyeless (-lis) •adj. 1 without eyes 2 blind

eyelet (ai´lit) •n. 1 a small hole for receiving a shoestring, rope, cord, hook, etc. 2 a metal ring or short tube for reinforcing such a hole 3 a small hole edged by stitching in embroidered work 4 a peephole or loophole 5 a small eye; ocellus •vt. to provide with eyelets [ME oylet < OFr oeillet, dim. of oeil, eye < L oculus, EYE]

eyelid (ai´lid') •n. either of the two movable folds of flesh that cover and uncover the front of the eyeball [ME eielid, eien lidd: see EYE & LID]

eyeliner (ai´lain'эr) •n. a cosmetic preparation applied in a thin line on the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes

eyen (ai´эn) •n. archaic pl. of EYE

eye-opener (ai´ou'pэ nэr) •n. 1 a surprising piece of news, sudden realization, etc. 2 [Colloq.] an alcoholic drink, esp. one taken early in the day

eyepiece (-pi:s') •n. in a telescope, microscope, or other optical instrument, the lens or lenses nearest the viewer's eye: see MICROSCOPE, illus.

eyeshot (-shät') •n. the distance that a person can see; range of vision

eyesight (-sait') •n. 1 the power of seeing; sight; vision 2 the range of vision

eyes-only (aiz´oun´li:) •adj. [Colloq.] confidential: said of a business or government report, memorandum, etc. not to be made public

eyesore (-sör') •n. a thing that is unpleasant to look at [ME eie sor]

eyespot (-spät') •n. 1 a spot of color that looks like an eye 2 a small spot of pigment associated with sensitivity to light, found in many invertebrates

eyestalk (-stök') •n. a movable stalk with a compound eye at the tip, as in lobsters, shrimps, snails, and certain other crustaceans and mollusks

eyestrain (-strein') •n. a tired or strained condition of the eye muscles, caused as by too much use of the eyes, uncorrected visual defects, or reading in dim light

eyetooth (-tu:θ') pl. -teeth' •n. either of the two pointed teeth in the upper jaw between the bicuspids and the incisors; upper canine tooth cut one's eyeteeth to become experienced or sophisticated

eyewash (-wösh') •n. 1 a medicated solution for the eyes 2 [Slang] a) nonsense b) flattery c) something done only to impress an observer

eyewink (-wiŋk') •n. 1 a wink of the eye 2 an instant

eyewitness (-wit'nis) •n. 1 a person who sees or has seen something happen, as an accident, crime, etc. 2 a person who testifies to what he or she has seen

Eyre (er), Lake shallow salt lake in NE South Australia, varying from occasionally dry to c. 3,600 sq. mi. (9,300 sq. km) eyre (er) •n. Eng. History 1 a tour or circuit: chiefly in the phrase justices in eyre 2 a circuit court held by justices in eyre [ME & Anglo-Fr eire < OFr erre < errer, to travel: see ERRANT]

Eyre Peninsula peninsula in S South Australia, east of the Great Australian Bight: base, 250 mi. (400 km) across

eyrie or eyry (er´i:, ir´i:) pl. -ries •n. AERIE

eyrir (ei´rir') pl. au·rar (au´rär') •n. a monetary unit of Iceland, equal to ¹/100 of a krona [Ice < ON, a coin, unit of weight < L aureus, a gold coin, orig. adj., golden: see AUREATE]

Ez Bible 1 Ezekiel: also Eze or Ezek 2 Ezra: also Ezr

Ezekiel (i: zi:´ki: эl, i-) 1 a masculine name: dim. Zeke 2 Bible a) a Hebrew prophet of the 6th cent. B.C. b) the book of his prophecies (abbrev. Ezek, Ez, or Eze) 3 Moses Jacob 1844-1917; U.S. sculptor [LL(Ec) Ezechiel < Gr Iezekiēl < Heb yechezkel, lit., God strengthens]

Ezra (ez´rэ) 1 a masculine name 2 Bible a) a Hebrew scribe, prophet, and religious reformer of the 5th cent. B.C. b) the book telling of his life and teachings (abbrev. Ez or Ezr) [LL(Ec) < Heb ezra, lit., help]

F abbrev. 1 Fahrenheit 2 Father 3 February 4 Fellow (of a learned society) 5 female 6 Genetics filial generation 7 fine 8 Insurance fire 9 Chem. symbol for fluorine 10 Photog. f-number 11 folio(s) 12 following 13 franc(s) 14 French 15 Friar 16 Friday 17 Football fullback 18 Math. function 19 Pharmacy a) let there be made [L fiat] b)make [L fac] Also, for 5, 7, 10-13, 17, & 19, f F (ef) •n. 1 Educ. a) a grade indicating failing work b) sometimes, a grade indicating fair or average work 2 Music a) the fourth tone or note in the ascending scale of C major b) the scale having this tone as a keynote c) a note representing this tone d) a key, string, etc. producing this tone f abbrev. 1 farad(s) 2 Music forte 3 furlongs

F- (ef) prefix fighter: used in designations for aircraft {F-16}

F & AM or F & M Free and Accepted Masons

F & WS Fish and Wildlife Service

F clef BASS CLEF

F layer the two dense layers of ions in the F region of the ionosphere that are used to reflect long-range radio signals: the F1 layer, at an altitude of c. 200 to 300 km (c. 125 to 185 miles), exists during the day, and the permanent F2 layer, or Appleton layer, is at c. 225 to 400 km (c. 140 to 250 miles)

f or F (ef) pl. f's, F's •n. 1 the sixth letter of the English alphabet: a modification of the Old Greek digamma (F), ultimately from the Phoenician 2 any of the speech sounds that this letter represents, as, in English, the (f) in fire 3 a type or impression for F or f 4 the sixth in a sequence or group 5 an object shaped like F •adj. 1 of F or f 2 sixth in a sequence or group 3 shaped like F

F region the highest atmospheric zone within the ionosphere, at an altitude of c. 140 to 400 km (c. 90 to 250 mi.), containing the F layers

F.A.M. Free and Accepted Masons

F.I. Falkland Islands

F/, f/, or F: Photog. f-number

fa (fä) •n. Music a syllable representing the fourth tone of the diatonic scale: see SOLFEGGIO [ME < ML < fa(muli): see GAMUT]

fa la (fä lä´) 1 syllables used as a refrain in some old songs 2 a type of 16th- and 17th-century part song with this refrain Also sp. fal la (fäl lä´)

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

fabaceous (fэ bei´shэs) •adj. of the legume order of plants; leguminous [L fabaceus < faba, BEAN]

Fabian (fei´bi: эn) •adj. Æ 1 using a cautious strategy of delay and avoidance of battle 2 of the Fabian Society •n. a member of the Fabian Society Fa´bi·an·ism' •n. Etymology [L Fabianus, of Fabius: see FABIUS]

Fabian Society an organization of English socialists, established in 1884, aiming to bring about socialism by gradual reforms rather than revolutionary action [after fol.]

Fabius (fei´bi: эs) (full name Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus) died 203 B.C.; Rom. general & statesman: defeated Hannibal in the second Punic War by a cautious strategy of delay and avoidance of direct encounter: called Cunctator (the Delayer)

fable (fei´bэl) •n. 1 a fictitious story meant to teach a moral lesson: the characters are usually talking animals 2 a myth or legend 3 a story that is not true; falsehood 4 [Archaic] the plot of a literary work •vi., vt. -bled, -bling to write or tell (fables, legends, or falsehoods) fa´bler •n. [ME < OFr < L fabula, a story < fari, to speak: see FAME]

fabled (-bэld) •adj. 1 told of in fables or legends; mythical; legendary 2 unreal; fictitious

fabliau (fæ´bli: ou'; Fr få bli: ou´) pl. -aux' (-ouz'; Fr, -ou´) •n. in medieval literature, esp. French and English literature, a short story in verse telling comic incidents of ordinary life, usually with earthy realism [Fr < OFr, dial. form of fablel, dim. of fable, FABLE]

fabric (fæb´rik) •n. 1 a) anything constructed or made of parts put together; structure; building b) the framework or basic structure of anything 2 the style or plan of construction 3 a) a material made from fibers or threads by weaving, knitting, felting, etc., as any cloth, felt, lace, or the like b) the texture of such material 4 [Brit.] the construction and upkeep of a church building [MFr fabrique < L fabrica, a workshop, trade, product, fabric < faber, a workman < IE base *dhabh-, to fit together > OE (ge)dæfte, fit]

fabricate (fæb´ri keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to make, build, construct, etc., esp. by assembling parts; manufacture 2 to make up (a story, reason, lie, etc.); invent SYN. LIE², MAKE¹ fab´ri·ca'tor •n. [ME fabricaten < L fabricatus, pp. of fabricari, to construct, build < fabrica: see FABRIC]

fabrication (fæb'ri kei´shэn) •n. 1 a fabricating or being fabricated; construction; manufacture 2 a fabricated thing; esp., a falsehood, false excuse, etc. [ME fabricacioun < L fabricatio]

fabulist (fæb´yu: list, -yэ-) •n. 1 a person who writes or tells fables 2 a liar [Fr fabuliste < L fabula: see FABLE]

fabulous (fæb´yu: lэs, -yэ-) •adj. 1 of or like a fable; imaginary, fictitious, or legendary 2 hard to believe; incredible; astounding 3 [Colloq.] very good; wonderful SYN. FICTITIOUS fab´u·lous·ly •adv. fab´u·lous·ness •n. [ME < L fabulosus, fabled < fabula]

façade or facade (fэ säd´) •n. 1 the front of a building; part of a building facing a street, courtyard, etc. 2 the front part of anything: often used figuratively, with implications of an imposing appearance concealing something inferior [Fr < It facciata < faccia < VL facia: see FACE]

face (feis) •n. 1 the front of the head from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin, and from ear to ear; visage; countenance 2 the expression of the countenance 3 a surface of a thing; esp., a) the front, upper, or outer surface or part b) any one of the surfaces of a geometric figure or crystal 4 the side or surface that is marked, as of a clock, playing card, domino, etc., or that is finished, as of fabric, leather, etc. 5 the appearance; outward aspect; semblance 6 facial makeup; cosmetics: esp. in the phrases do one's face and put one's face on 7 dignity; self-respect; prestige: usually in lose (or save) face 8 the topography (of an area) 9 the functional or striking surface (of a tool, golf club, etc.) 10 what is shown by the language of a document, without explanation or addition 11 [Colloq.] effrontery; audacity 12 Mining the end of a tunnel, drift, etc., where work is being done 13 Printing a) the type surface on which a letter is cut; printing part of a letter or plate b) the full selection of type of a certain design •vt. faced, fac´ing [ME facen < the n.] 1 to turn, or have the face or front turned, toward {the building faces the square} 2 to meet or confront squarely or face to face 3 to confront with boldness, courage, etc. 4 to realize and be ready to meet (a condition, fact, etc.) 5 to put another material on the surface of 6 to level and smooth the surface of (esp. a block of stone) 7 to turn (a card, etc.) with the face up 8 Mil. to cause (a formation of soldiers) to pivot by giving the appropriate command 9 Sewing to apply a facing to (a collar, edge, etc.) •vi. 1 to turn, or have the face turned, toward a specified thing or person, or in a specified direction 2 Mil. to pivot in a specified direction: usually in the form of a command {right face!} face down to disconcert or overcome by a confident, bold manner face off Hockey to start or resume play with a face-off face to face 1 confronting each other 2 very near; in the presence: followed by with face up to 1 to face with courage; confront and resist 2 to realize and be ready to meet (a condition, fact, etc.) fly in the face of to be rashly defiant of in the face of 1 in the presence of 2 in spite of make a face to distort the face, esp. in a way expressing contempt, distaste, humor, etc.: also [Chiefly Brit.] pull a face on the face of it to all appearances; apparently pull (or wear) a long face to look sad, glum, disapproving, etc. put a bold face on to seem bold or confident about set one's face against to be determinedly against; disapprove of; resist show one's face to come and be seen; appear to someone's face in someone's presence; openly and without fear SYN.—face is the basic, direct word for the front of the head; countenance refers to the face as it reflects the emotions or feelings and is, hence, often applied to the facial expression [his happy countenance]; visage refers to the form, proportions, and expression of the face, especially as indicative of general temperament [a man of stern visage]; physiognomy refers to the general cast of features, esp. as characteristic of an ethnic group or as supposedly indicative of character [the physiognomy of an honest man] [ME < OFr < VL facia < L facies, the face, appearance < base of facere, DO¹]

face card any king, queen, or jack in a deck of cards

face cord a measure of wood cut for fuel, as arranged in a pile 8 feet wide, 4 feet high, and with pieces 12 to 18 inches in length

face lifting 1 plastic surgery for removing wrinkles, sagging flesh, etc. from the face 2 an altering, repairing, cleaning, etc., as of the exterior of a building Also face lift face-lift (feis´lift') •vt.

face mask a protective covering of plastic or metal for the face, worn in football, hockey, etc.

face powder a cosmetic powder, as of talcum, applied to the face

face value 1 the value printed or stamped on a bill, bond, coin, etc. 2 the amount of the death benefits of a life insurance policy 3 the seeming value {to take a promise at face value}

-faced (feist) combining form having a specified kind of face {round-faced}

face-harden (feis´härd'ªn) •vt. CASEHARDEN (sense 1)

faceless (feis´lis) •adj. 1 lacking a face 2 lacking a distinct character; without individuality; anonymous

face-off (feis´öf') •n. 1 Hockey the act of starting or resuming play when the referee drops the puck between two opposing players 2 [Colloq.] a confrontation of persons or groups in opposition

faceplate (feis´pleit') •n. 1 a disk fastened to the spindle of a lathe that holds in place work to be turned 2 a protective cover, as over a light switch, journal box, etc.

facer (feis´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that faces 2 [Brit. Colloq.] any sudden, unexpected difficulty or defeat

face-saving (feis´sei'viŋ) •adj. preserving or intended to preserve one's dignity, self-respect, or good reputation

facet (fæs´it) •n. 1 any of the small, polished plane surfaces of a cut gem: see GEM, illus. 2 any of a number of sides or aspects, as of a personality 3 Anat. any small, smooth surface on a bone or other hard part 4 Archit. the raised plane between the flutes of a column 5 Zool. the outer surface of an ommatidium of a compound eye, as in many insects and crustaceans •vt. -et·ed or -et·ted, -et·ing or -et·ting to cut or make facets on SYN. PHASE¹ [Fr facette, dim. of face, FACE]

facetiae (fэ si:´shi: i:') •n.pl. [Rare] witty sayings [L, pl. of facetia, a jest < facetus, elegant, witty, akin to fax, torch < IE base *Ghwok-, to gleam > Gr phaos, light]

facetious (fэ si:´shэs) •adj. joking or trying to be jocular, esp. at an inappropriate time SYN. WITTY fa·ce´tious·ly •adv. fa·ce´tious·ness •n. [Fr facétieux < L facetia: see FACETIAE & -OUS]

facia (fei´shi: э, -shэ) •n. chiefly Brit. var. of FASCIA

facial (fei´shэl) •adj. of or for the face Æ n. a treatment intended to improve the appearance of the skin of the face, as by massage, the application of creams and astringents, etc. fa´cial·ly •adv. [Fr < ML facialis < VL facia, FACE]

facial angle the angle made by the intersection of two lines drawn from the base of the nostrils, one to the ear opening and the other to the most prominent part of the forehead

facial index the ratio of the height to the width of the face; (height X 100) ÷ width: cf. CEPHALIC INDEX

facial tissue a sheet of soft tissue paper used for cleansing, as a handkerchief, etc.

-facient (fei´shэnt) combining form forming adjectives making or causing to become {liquefacient} [< L faciens (gen. facientis), prp. of facere, to make, DO¹]

facies (fei´shi: i:z', -shi:z'; also, esp. for 2, -si:z') pl. fa´ci·es' •n. 1 the general appearance, aspect, or nature of anything 2 Ecol. a particular modification of the appearance or composition of a community 3 Geol. the characteristics of a rock body or part of a rock body that differentiate it from others, as in appearance, composition, etc. 4 Med. a) the appearance of the face as indicative of a specific disease or condition b) a surface [L, FACE]

facile (fæs´il) •adj. 1 not hard to do or achieve; easy 2 acting, working, or done easily, or in a quick, smooth way; fluent; ready {a facile wit} 3 using or showing little effort and not sincere or profound; superficial {a facile solution, facile emotions} 4 [Now Rare] easy to influence or persuade; affable SYN. EASY fac´ile·ly •adv. fac´ile·ness •n. [Fr < L facilis < facere, DO¹]

facilitate (fэ sil´э teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vt. to make easy or easier fa·cil´i·ta'tor •n. [< Fr faciliter < It facilitare < L facilis (see FACILE) + -ATE¹]

facilitation (fэ sil'э tei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of facilitating 2 Psychol. increased ease of performance of any action, resulting from the lessening of nerve resistance by the continued successive application of the necessary stimulus fa·cil´i·ta'tive •adj.

facility (fэ sil´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 ease of doing or making; absence of difficulty 2 a ready ability; skill; dexterity; fluency 3 [usually pl.] the means by which something can be done {poor transportation facilities} 4 a building, special room, etc. that facilitates or makes possible some activity {a new facility for outpatient treatment} 5 [Now Rare] a tendency to be easygoing, yielding, etc. [ME & OFr facilite < L facilitas, easiness < facilis, FACILE]

facing (feis´iŋ) •n. 1 a lining, often decorative, sewn on the inside edge of a garment or on a part that is turned back, as a collar 2 any material used for this 3 a covering of contrasting material to decorate or protect a building, brick wall, etc. 4 [pl.] the trimmings, collar, and cuffs of certain military coats

facsimile (fæk sim´э li:) •n. 1 (an) exact reproduction or copy 2 the transmission and reproduction of graphic matter by electrical means, as by radio or wire •adj. of or having the nature of a facsimile •vt. -led, -le·ing to make a facsimile of SYN. COPY [L fac, imper. of facere, DO¹ + simile, neut. of similis, SIMILAR]

fact (fækt) •n. 1 a deed; act: now esp. in the sense of a criminal deed in the phrases after the fact and before the fact {an accessory after the fact} 2 a thing that has actually happened or that is really true; thing that has been or is 3 the state of things as they are; reality; actuality; truth {fact as distinct from fancy} 4 something said to have occurred or supposed to be true {to check the accuracy of one's facts} 5 Law an actual or alleged incident or condition, as distinguished from its legal consequence as a matter of fact in reality; really; actually: also in fact or in point of fact Æ the facts of life 1 basic information about sexual reproduction 2 the harsh, unpleasant facts about a situation in life [L factum, that which is done, deed, fact, neut. pp. of facere, DO¹]

facticity (fæk tis´э ti:) •n. the quality or state of being a fact or factual; factuality

faction¹ (fæk´shэn) •n. 1 a group of people inside a political party, club, government, etc. working in a common cause against other such groups or against the main body 2 partisan conflict within an organization or a country; dissension fac´tion·al •adj. fac´tion·al·ly •adv. [< Fr faction & L factio, a making, doing, faction < pp. of facere, DO¹]

faction² (fæk´shэn) •n. a kind of fiction based on or incorporating recognizable historical events, real people, etc. [a blend of FACT & FICTION]

factionalism (-эl iz'эm) •n. 1 factional dissension 2 affiliation with a faction fac´tion·al·ist •n., adj.

factionalize (-эl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt., vi. to divide into factions fac'tion·al·i·za´tion •n.

factious (fæk´shэs) •adj. 1 producing or tending to produce faction; causing dissension 2 produced or characterized by faction fac´tious·ly •adv. fac´tious·ness •n. [L factiosus < factio]

factitious (fæk tish´эs) •adj. not natural, genuine, or spontaneous; forced or artificial {factitious needs created by advertising} fac·ti´tious·ly •adv. fac·ti´tious·ness •n. [L facticius < pp. of facere, DO¹]

factitive (fæk´tэ tiv) Gram. designating or of a verb that expresses the idea of making, calling, or thinking something to be of a certain character, using a noun, pronoun, or adjective as a complement to its direct object (Ex.: make the dress short, elect him mayor) •adj. [ModL, factitivus, irreg. < L factus, pp. of facere, DO¹]

factoid (fæk´toid') •n. a single fact or statistic variously regarded as being trivial, useless, unsubstantiated, etc. [FACT + -OID]

factor (fæk´tэr) •n. 1 a) a person who carries on business transactions for another; commission merchant; agent for the sale of goods entrusted to his possession b) an agent, as a banking or finance company, engaged in financing the operations of certain companies, or in financing wholesale and retail sales, through the purchase of accounts receivable 2 any of the circumstances, conditions, etc. that bring about a result; element or constituent that makes a thing what it is [< fig. use of 4] 3 Biol. GENE 4 Math. any of two or more quantities which form a product when multiplied together •vt. Æ Math. to resolve into factors •vi. to act in the capacity of a factor SYN. ELEMENT, AGENT factor in (or into) to include as a factor fac´tor·a·ble •adj. fac´tor·ship' •n. [ME factour < OFr facteur < L factor, doer, maker < pp. of facere, DO¹]

factor of safety the ratio of the maximum strength of a piece of material or a part to the probable maximum load to be applied to it

factor VIII an inherited plasma protein that is usually defective or missing in hemophiliacs, needed to stop excessive internal bleeding

factorage (-ij) •n. 1 the business of a factor; buying and selling on commission 2 a factor's commission

factorial (fæk tör´i: эl) •adj. 1 of a factor 2 Math. of factors or factorials •n. Math. the product of a given series of consecutive whole numbers beginning with 1 and ending with the specified number {the factorial of 5 (5!) is 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5, or 120}

factorize (fæk´tэr aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. Math. FACTOR fac'tor·i·za´tion •n.

factory (fæk´tэ ri:; often fæk´tri:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a building or buildings in which things are manufactured; manufacturing plant 2 a trading settlement maintained by factors [< Port feitoria] [Fr factorie < facteur: see FACTOR]

factotum (fæk tout´эm) •n. a person hired to do all sorts of work; handyman [ModL < L fac, imper. of facere, DO¹ + totum, neut. of totus, all, the whole]

factual (fæk´chu: эl) •adj. 1 of or containing facts 2 having the nature of fact; real; actual fac'tu·al´i·ty •n. fac´tu·al·ly •adv. [FACT + (ACT)UAL]

factualism (-iz'эm) •n. adherence or devotion to facts

facture (fæk´chэr) •n. the manner in which something, esp. a painting, is made or executed [ME < OFr < L factura < facere, to make, DO¹]

faculae (fæk´yu: li:') sing. -la (-lэ) •n.pl. bright areas visible on the surface of the sun, esp. near its edge [L, dim. of fax (gen. facis), torch: see FACETIAE]

facultative (fæk´эl teit'iv) •adj. 1 a) granting a faculty, or permission; permissive b) optional 2 that may or may not happen or be; contingent 3 having to do with a faculty or faculties 4 Biol. capable of living under varying conditions; e.g., able to live independently and as a parasite [Fr facultatif < L facultas: see FACULTY]

faculty (fæk´эl ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 [Obs.] the power to do; ability to perform an action 2 any natural or specialized power of a living organism; sense {the faculty of hearing, speech, etc.} 3 power or ability to do some particular thing; special aptitude or skill {a faculty for making friends} 4 in Canada, a college or school of a university [ME < ML facultas, transl. of Aristotle's dynamis, branch of learning] Æ 5 all the teachers of a school, college, or university or of one of its departments or divisions 6 all the members of any of the learned professions 7 a) a power or privilege conferred by authority b) [usually pl.] R.C.Ch. authorization granted to a bishop, priest, etc. permitting the performance of certain acts or functions otherwise prohibited to him 8 [Archaic] what a person is trained to do 9 any of the powers of the mind, as will or reason SYN. TALENT [ME & OFr faculte < L facultas < facilis: see FACILE]

fad (fæd) •n. a custom, style, etc. that many people are interested in for a short time; passing fashion; craze SYN. FASHION fad´dy •adj. [19th c. < Brit Midland dial.]

faddish (-ish) •adj. 1 having the nature of a fad 2 fond of fads; following fads fad´dish·ly •adv. fad´dish·ness •n.

faddism (-iz'эm) •n. the practice of following fads, or a tendency to do so fad´dist •n.

fade (feid) fad´ed, fad´ing •vi. 1 to become less distinct; lose color, brilliance, etc. 2 to lose freshness or strength; wither; wane 3 to disappear slowly; die out 4 to lose braking power: said of brakes that heat and glaze the lining in repeated hard use 5 to curve from its direct course 6 Radio, TV to vary in intensity: said of a signal •vt. 1 to cause to fade Æ 2 [Slang] to meet the bet of; cover: a dice player's term 3 Golf to deliberately cause (a ball) to slice slightly •n. the act of fading SYN. VANISH Æ fade back Football to move back from the line of scrimmage, as in order to throw a forward pass Æ fade in (or out) Film, Radio, TV to appear or cause to appear (or disappear) gradually; make or become more (or less) distinct [ME faden < OFr fader < fade, pale < VL *fatidus, prob. < L fatuus (see FATUOUS); infl. by vapidus, VAPID]

fadeaway (-э wei') •n. 1 Baseball old term for SCREWBALL (n. 1) 2 Basketball a shot in which the shooter leans or jumps away from the basket while shooting

fade-in (-in') •n. Film, Radio, TV a fading in; gradual appearance or becoming distinct of a scene or sound

fadeless (-lis) •adj. that will not fade; unfading

fade-out (-aut') •n. Film, Radio, TV a fading out; gradual disappearance or becoming indistinct of a scene or sound

fado (fä´du:) •n. a kind of Portuguese folk song, usually melancholy and nostalgic [Port, lit., fate < L fatum: see FATE]

faeces (fi:´si:z') •n.pl. alt. sp. of FECES fae·cal (fi:´kэl) •adj.

faena (fä ei´nä) •n. in bullfighting, the series of passes at the bull immediately before the kill, for displaying the matador's skill [Sp, lit., work]

faerie or faery (fei´эr i:, fer´i:) •n. [Archaic] 1 fairyland 2 pl. -ies a fairy •adj. [Archaic] fairy Also written faërie or faëry [OFr faerie (see FAIRY): E use due to Spenser]

Faeroe Islands (fer´ou) group of Danish islands in the N Atlantic, between Iceland & the Shetland Islands: 540 sq. mi. (1,400 sq. km); pop. 45,000: also Faer·oes

Faeroese (fer'ou i:z´, -i:s´) •n. 1 pl. Faer'o·ese´ a native or inhabitant of the Faeroe Islands 2 the North Germanic language of the Faeroe Islands, akin to Icelandic •adj. designating or of the Faeroe Islands, the people of these islands, or their language or culture

Fafnir (fäv´nir') Norse Myth. a giant who, in the form of a dragon, guards the Nibelung treasure: he is killed by Sigurd [ON Fāfnir]

fag end 1 a) the last part or coarse end of a piece of cloth b) the frayed, untwisted end of a rope 2 the last and worst part of anything; remnant [< ME fagge, broken thread]

fag hag [Slang] a heterosexual woman who prefers the company of and socializes with homosexual men: usually a term of derision or contempt

fag¹ (fæg) fagged, fag´ging •vi. 1 to work hard and become very tired 2 [Brit. Colloq.] to serve as a fag or servant •vt. 1 to make tired by hard work 2 [Brit. Colloq.] to employ (a boy) as a fag or servant •n. 1 [Brit., etc. Colloq.] a) hard, tiring work; drudgery b) fatigue; weariness c) a boy in an English public school who acts as a servant for another boy in a higher form, or class d) a menial worker; drudge Æ 2 [Slang] a male homosexual: a term of contempt and hostility fag´gy •adj. Etymology [< ? FAG END]

fag² (fæg) •n. [Old Slang] a cigarette [< fol.]

faggot¹ (fæg´эt) •n., vt. alt. sp. of FAGOT

faggot² (fæg´эt) •n. [Slang] a male homosexual: term of contempt fag´got·y •adj. [prob. extended < fag (homosexual), on the pattern of prec.]

fagot (fæg´эt) •n. 1 a bundle of sticks, twigs, or branches, esp. for use as fuel 2 Metallurgy a bundle or heap of iron or steel pieces to be worked into bars by hammering or rolling at welding temperature •vt. 1 to make into a fagot; form fagots of 2 Sewing to decorate with fagoting [ME < OFr, with change of suffix < VL *facellum < Gr phakelos, a bundle]

fagoting or faggoting (fæg´эt iŋ) •n. 1 a kind of drawnwork or hemstitch with wide spaces 2 openwork decoration in which the thread is drawn in crisscross or barlike stitches across the open seam

Fahd (fäd) (born Fahd ibn Abdul Aziz) 1922- ; king of Saudi Arabia (1982- )

Fahrenheit (fer´эn hait') •adj. designating or of a thermometer on which 32° is the freezing point and 212° is the boiling point of water: abbrev. F: the formula for converting a Fahrenheit temperature to Celsius is C° = 5/9(F° - 32) •n. this thermometer or its scale [after G. D. Fahrenheit (1686-1736), Ger physicist who devised the scale]

faience (fai´эns; fai äns´, fei-; Fr få yäñs´) •n. opaquely glazed earthenware [Fr, after Faenza, Italy, original place of its manufacture]

fail (feil) •vi. 1 to be lacking or insufficient; fall short {the water supply is failing} 2 to lose power or strength; weaken; die away 3 to stop operating or working {the brakes failed} 4 to be deficient or negligent in an obligation, duty, or expectation; default 5 to be unsuccessful in obtaining a desired end; be unable to do or become; miss 6 to become bankrupt 7 Educ. to get a grade of failure; not pass •vt. 1 to be useless or not helpful to; be inadequate for; disappoint 2 to leave; abandon {his courage failed him} 3 to miss, neglect, or omit: used with an infinitive {he failed to go} 4 Educ. a) to give a grade of failure to (a pupil) b) to get a grade of failure in (a subject) •n. failure: now only in the phrase without fail, without failing (to occur, do something, etc.) [ME faile < OFr faile < the v.] fail of to fail to achieve; be without [ME failen < OFr faillir, to fail, miss < L fallere, to deceive, disappoint < IE base *Ghwel-, to bend, deviate > Sans hválati, (he) loses the way, errs, Gr phēloein, to deceive]

failing (-iŋ) •n. 1 a failure 2 a slight fault or defect; weakness •prep. without; lacking {failing some rain soon, the crops will wither} SYN. FAULT

faille (fail, feil; Fr få´yª) •n. a ribbed, soft, plainly woven fabric of silk or rayon, for dresses, coats, etc. [Fr]

fail-safe (feil´seif') •adj. designating, of, or involving a procedure designed to prevent malfunctioning or unintentional operation, often specif. of nuclear-armed aircraft, through an intricate system of protective devices [FAIL, v. + SAFE, adj.]

failure (feil´yэr) •n. 1 the act, state, or fact of failing; specif., a) a falling short b) a losing of power or strength c) a breakdown in operation or function d) neglect or omission e) a not succeeding in doing or becoming f) a becoming bankrupt 2 a person or thing that fails 3 Educ. a) a failing to pass Æ b) a grade or mark (usually F) indicating a failing to pass [< earlier failer < Anglo-Fr < OFr faillir: see FAIL]

fain (fein) •adj. [Archaic] 1 glad; ready 2 reluctantly willing 3 eager •adv. [Archaic] with eagerness; gladly: used with would {he would fain stay} [ME joyful, joyfully < OE fægen, glad, akin to ON feginn < IE base *pek-, to be satisfied > FAIR¹]

fainéant (fei´ni: эnt; Fr fe nei äñ´) •adj. lazy; idle •n. a lazy, idle person [Fr < OFr faignant, an idler, orig. prp. of feindre (see FEIGN); altered by folk etym. as if < Fr fait, (he) does + néant, nothing]

faint (feint) •adj. 1 without strength; weak; feeble 2 without courage or hope; timid 3 done without strength, vigor, or enthusiasm; halfhearted 4 feeling weak and dizzy, as if about to swoon 5 dim; indistinct; unclear 6 far from certain {a faint chance} •n. 1 a condition of temporary loss of consciousness as a result of an inadequate flow of blood to the brain; swoon 2 [pl.] the crude, impure spirits given off in the first and last stages of the distillation of liquor •vi. 1 to fall into a faint; swoon: often with away 2 [Archaic] a) to weaken; languish b) to lose courage or hope faint´ish •adj. faint´ly •adv. faint´ness •n. [ME feint < OFr, sluggish, orig. pp. of feindre: see FEIGN]

fainthearted (-härt´id) •adj. cowardly; timid; shy faint´heart´ed·ly •adv. faint´heart´ed·ness •n.

fair ball Baseball a batted ball that stays inside the foul lines while in the air or, if it hits the ground before reaching the outfield, stays inside the foul lines until it has passed first or third base

fair catch Football a catch of a kicked ball made after signaling that no attempt will be made to run with the ball: opposing players are penalized if they interfere with the catcher

fair copy an exact copy of a document, manuscript, etc. after final corrections have been made on it

fair game 1 game that may lawfully be hunted 2 any legitimate object of attack or pursuit

Fair Isle knitted in a pattern of colorful bands; esp., designating a wool sweater with a patterned yoke [after Fair Isle, Scot island where pattern originated]

fair play the act or fact of abiding by the rules as in sports or games; fairness and honor in dealing with competitors, customers, etc.

fair sex women collectively: used with the

fair shake [Colloq.] fair, just, or equitable treatment

fair¹ (fer) •adj. 1 attractive; beautiful; lovely 2 unblemished; clean {a fair name} 3 light in color; blond {fair hair} [< notion that light coloring was desirable] 4 clear and sunny; free from storm or the threat of storm 5 easy to read; clear {a fair hand} 6 just and honest; impartial; unprejudiced; specif., free from discrimination based on race, religion, sex, etc. {fair employment practices, fair housing} 7 according to the rules {a fair blow} 8 likely; promising; advantageous {he is in a fair way to make money} 9 pleasant and courteous 10 favorable; helpful {a fair wind} 11 of moderately good size {a fair fortune} 12 neither very bad nor very good; average {in fair condition} 13 apparently favorable but really false; specious {fair words} 14 [Archaic] without obstacles; clear and open {a fair road} 15 Baseball of or having to do with the area of the playing field on or between the foul lines, including home plate •n. 1 [Obs.] beauty 2 [Archaic] a woman 3 [Archaic] something fair, or good •adv. 1 in a fair manner 2 straight; squarely {struck fair in the face} •vi. [Dial.] to become clear: said of the weather •vt. to give a smooth or streamlined surface to fair and square [Colloq.] with justice and honesty fair to middling [Colloq.] moderately good; passable no fair not according to the rules: often used as an interjection fair´ness •n. SYN.—fair, the general word, implies the treating of both or all sides alike, without reference to one's own feelings or interests [a fair exchange]; just implies adherence to a standard of rightness or lawfulness without reference to one's own inclinations [a just decision]; impartial and unbiased both imply freedom from prejudice for or against any side [an impartial chairman, an unbiased account]; dispassionate implies the absence of passion or strong emotion, hence, connotes cool, disinterested judgment [a dispassionate critic]; objective implies a viewing of persons or things without reference to oneself, one's interests, etc. [an objective newspaper] see also BEAUTIFUL —ANT. prejudiced, biased [ME < OE fæger, akin to FAIN, Goth fagrs, apt, fit < IE base *pek-, to be content, make (something) pretty > Lith púošiu, to ornament]

fair² (fer) •n. 1 orig., a gathering of people held at regular intervals for barter and sale of goods 2 a festival or carnival where there is entertainment and things are sold, often for charity; bazaar Æ 3 a) an event consisting of a usually competitive exhibition of livestock, household products, etc. plus amusement facilities and educational displays b) short for WORLD'S FAIR [ME feire < OFr < ML feria < LL, holiday (in LL(Ec), weekday) < L feriae, pl., festivals < OL fesiae, akin to L festus (see FEAST) < IE base *dhēs-, used in religious terms > Oscan fíísnu, temple, Arm dik, gods]

Fairbanks (fэr´bæŋks'), Douglas (Elton) 1883-1939; U.S. motion-picture actor Fairbanks (fer´bæŋks') city in EC Alas.: pop. 31,000 [after C. W. Fairbanks (1852-1918), prominent political figure]

Fairfield (fer´fi:ld') 1 city in SW Conn., near Bridgeport: pop. 53,000 [after an Eng village of the same name] 2 city in W Calif., near Vallejo: pop. 77,000 [after Fairfield, Conn.]

fairground (fer´graund') •n. [often pl.] an open space where fairs are held

fair-haired (fer´herd´) •adj. 1 having blond hair Æ 2 [Colloq.] favorite {the fair-haired boy of the family}

fairing¹ (fer´iŋ) •n. Engineering an additional part or structure added to an aircraft, tractor-trailer, etc. to smooth the outline and thus reduce drag [see FAIR¹, vt.]

fairing² (fer´iŋ) •n. [Brit.] a gift, esp. one got at a fair

fairish (fer´ish) •adj. moderately good, well, large, etc.

fair-lead (fer´li:d') •n. Naut. a pulley block, metal ring, etc. used to guide a line and cause it to run easily without chafing [< earlier fair-leader]

fairly (fer´li:) •adv. 1 justly; equitably 2 moderately; somewhat {fairly hot} 3 clearly; distinctly 4 completely or really {his voice fairly rang} 5 [Obs.] a) softly b) courteously [ME: see FAIR¹ & -LY²]

fair-minded (fer´main'did) •adj. just; impartial; unbiased fair´-mind'ed·ly •adv. fair´-mind'ed·ness •n.

fair-spoken (fer´spouk´эn) •adj. speaking or spoken courteously

fair-trade (fer´treid´) •adj. Æ designating or of an agreement whereby a seller undertakes to charge no less than the minimum price set by a manufacturer on a specified trademarked or brand-name commodity: most States no longer permit such agreements •vt. -trad´ed, -trad´ing to sell (a commodity) under such an agreement

fairway (fer´wei') •n. 1 a navigable channel in a river, harbor, etc.; often, specif., the middle of such a channel 2 the mowed part of a golf course between a tee and a green

Fairweather (fer´weð'эr), Mount mountain on the border between SE Alas. and NW British Columbia; 15,300 ft. (4,663 m) [named by James COOK in allusion to the state of the weather]

fair-weather (fer´weð´эr) •adj. 1 suitable only for fair weather 2 helpful, dependable, etc. only in agreeable, easy circumstances {fair-weather friends}

fairy (fer´i:) pl. fair´ies •n. 1 an imaginary being usually in human form and supposed to have magic powers, specif. one that is tiny, graceful, and delicate 2 [Slang] a male homosexual: term of contempt or derision •adj. 1 of fairies 2 fairylike; graceful; delicate fair´y·like' •adj. [ME, fairyland, fairy < OFr faerie < fée: see FAY¹]

fairy ring a circle of mushrooms often seen on grassy ground, originating from one initial mycelium and often accompanied by a circle of darker grass: so called because formerly thought to have been made by the dancing of fairies

fairy shrimp any of an order (Anostraca) of crustaceans, usually formed in temporary freshwater pools in early spring, having delicate colors and a graceful swimming motion

fairy tale 1 a story about fairies, giants, magic deeds, etc. 2 an unbelievable or untrue story; lie

fairyland (-lænd') •n. 1 the imaginary land where the fairies live 2 a lovely, enchanting place

Faisalabad (fai'säl'э bäd´, -sæl'э bæd´) city in NE Pakistan, near Lahore: pop. 1,092,000

fait accompli (fe tå kouñ pli:´; E feit'э käm'pli:´) something done, completed, or in effect that cannot be changed [Fr, an accomplished fact]

Faith (feiθ) a feminine name [see FAITH] faith (feiθ) •n. 1 unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence 2 unquestioning belief in God, religious tenets, etc. 3 a religion or a system of religious beliefs 4 anything believed 5 complete trust, confidence, or reliance 6 allegiance to some person or thing; loyalty See also BAD FAITH and GOOD FAITH •interj. indeed; in faith SYN. BELIEF break (or keep) faith 1 to be disloyal (or loyal) to one's beliefs, principles, etc. 2 to break (or keep) a promise in faith indeed; really on faith through trust; without proof or evidence [ME feith < OFr feid, fei < L fides, confidence, belief (in LL(Ec), the Christian religion) < fidere, to trust < IE base *bheidh-, to urge, be convinced > BIDE, Gr peithein, to persuade, L foedus, a compact]

faith cure 1 a method of trying to cure illness by having religious faith, praying, etc. 2 a cure allegedly brought about this way

faith healing (or cure) a healing or cure believed to have been accomplished through religious faith, prayer, etc. faith healer

faithful (feiθ´fэl) •adj. 1 keeping faith; maintaining allegiance; constant; loyal {faithful friends} 2 marked by or showing a strong sense of duty or responsibility; conscientious {faithful attendance} 3 accurate; reliable; exact {a faithful copy} 4 [Obs.] full of faith, esp. religious faith the faithful 1 the true believers (in any specified religion) 2 the loyal adherents or supporters faith´ful·ly •adv. faith´ful·ness •n. SYN.—faithful implies steadfast adherence to a person or thing to which one is bound as by an oath or obligation [a faithful wife]; loyal implies undeviating allegiance to a person, cause, institution, etc. which one feels morally bound to support or defend [a loyal friend]; constant suggests freedom from fickleness in affections or loyalties [a constant lover]; staunch (or stanch) implies such strong allegiance to one's principles or purposes as not to be turned aside by any cause [a staunch defender of the truth]; resolute stresses unwavering determination, often in adhering to one's personal ends or aims [resolute in one's decision] —ANT. faithless [ME]

faithless (feiθ´lis) •adj. 1 not keeping faith; dishonest; disloyal 2 unreliable; undependable 3 lacking faith; unbelieving faith´less·ly •adv. faith´less·ness •n. SYN.—faithless implies failure to adhere as to an oath or obligation [a faithless wife]; false, in this connection more or less synonymous with faithless, stresses failure in devotion to someone or something that has a moral claim to one's support [a false friend]; disloyal implies a breach of allegiance to a person, cause, institution, etc. [disloyal to one's family]; traitorous strictly implies the commission of treason; treacherous suggests an inclination or tendency to betray a trust [his treacherous colleagues]; perfidious adds to the meaning of treacherous a connotation of sordidness or depravity [a perfidious informer] —ANT. faithful [ME feithles]

Faiyûm (fai yu:m´, fei-) city in N Egypt, just west of the Nile: pop. 168,000: also El Faiyûm

fajita (fä hi:´tä, fэ hi:t´э) •n. a Tex-Mex dish consisting of grilled strips of beef or chicken, often served wrapped in a soft tortilla with vegetable slices or a sauce [AmSp]

fake¹ (feik) faked, fak´ing •vt., vi. 1 a) to make (something) seem real, satisfactory, etc. by any sort of deception or tampering b) to practice deception by simulating Æ 2 to improvise •n. anything or anyone not genuine; fraud; counterfeit •adj. 1 fraudulent; not genuine; sham; false 2 artificial; not real; specif., made of synthetic fibers, to resemble animal fur {fake fur} SYN. FALSE fake someone out [Colloq.] to deceive or outmaneuver someone as by a feint, bluff, or deceptive act fak´er •n. fak´er·y •n. [earlier feague, feake, ult. < ? Ger fegen, polish, sweep, in 17th-c. thieves' slang, to clean out a (victim's) purse]

fake² (feik) faked, fak´ing •vt. Naut. to lay out (a line) in long, parallel, partly overlapping lengths so that it will run out freely without kinking: usually with down [< ?]

fakey (fei´ki:) •adj. [Colloq.] inauthentic, hypocritical, phony, etc. {a fakey person}

fakir (fэ kir´) •n. 1 a member of a Muslim holy sect who lives by begging 2 a Hindu ascetic 3 any Muslim or Hindu itinerant beggar, often one reputed to perform marvels Also sp. fa·keer´ [Ar faqīr, lit., poor, a poor man]

falafel (fэ läf´эl) pl. -fel •n. 1 a small croquette or patty of ground chickpeas and other vegetables, seasoned with spices and deep-fried in oil 2 a sandwich made by stuffing this into the pocket of a pita [Ar falāfil]

Falange (fэ lænj´, -länj´; Sp fä län´he) •n. a fascist organization, founded in 1933, that became the only official political party of Spain under Franco [Sp, lit., phalanx < L phalanx, PHALANX]

Falangist (fэ læn´jist) •n. a member of the Falange

Falasha (fэ lä´shэ) •n. a member of a Hamitic tribe living in Ethiopia and practicing the Jewish religion [Eth, lit., immigrant]

falcate (fæl´keit', -kit) •adj. sickle-shaped; curved; hooked [L falcatus < falx (gen. falcis), a sickle < ? IE base *dhelg-, to pierce, needle > Ger dolch, dagger]

falchion (föl´chэn, -shэn) •n. 1 a medieval sword with a short, broad, slightly curved blade 2 [Old Poet.] any sword [ME & OFr fauchon < VL *falcio < L falx: see FALCATE]

falciform (fæl´si förm') •adj. FALCATE [< L falx, a sickle (see FALCATE) + -FORM]

falcon (föl´kэn, fö´kэn; fæl´-) •n. 1 any bird of prey trained to hunt and kill small game: in falconry the female is called a falcon, the male a tiercel 2 any of various birds of prey (family Falconidae), with long, pointed wings and a short, curved, notched beak 3 a small cannon used from the 15th to the 17th cent. [ME < OFr faucon < LL falco (gen. falconis), deriv. by folk etym. < L falx (see FALCATE) because of its curved beak and talons, but prob. < Gmc *falco (OHG falcho) < IE base *pel-, FALLOW²]

falconer (-эr) •n. 1 a person who breeds and trains falcons 2 a person who hunts with falcons [ME < OFr fauconnier]

falconet (föl'kэ net´, fö'kэ-) •n. 1 Zool. any small falcon, esp. any of various Asiatic kinds 2 an obsolete type of light cannon, smaller than the falcon [It falconetto < OIt falcone, FALCON] [dim. of FALCON]

falcon-gentle (föl´kэn jent'ªl, fö´kэn-) •n. a female falcon, esp. a female peregrine falcon [ME faucoun gentil < Fr: see FALCON & GENTLE]

falconry (föl´kэn ri:, fö´kэn-) •n. 1 the art of training falcons to hunt game 2 the sport of hunting with falcons [OFr fauconnerie]

falderal (fäl´dэ räl') •n. FOLDEROL [nonsense syllables]

faldstool (föld´stu:l') •n. 1 a portable stool or desk used in praying 2 R.C.Ch. a backless chair used as by a bishop when officiating in a church not his own 3 Anglican Ch. a desk at which the litany is read [ME foldstol < ML faldistolium, prob. via OFr faldestoel < Frank *faldistol (see FOLD¹ & STOOL), akin to OHG faltstuol, OE fyldestol]

Falk Is Falkland Islands

Falkirk (föl´kэrk, fö´-) city in Central Region, Scotland: site of a battle (1298) in which the Scots under Wallace were defeated by the English: pop. 38,000

Falkland Islands (fök´lэnd) British crown colony consisting of a group of islands in the S Atlantic, east of the tip of South America: 4,700 sq. mi. (12,150 sq. km); pop. 2,000

fall (föl) fell, fall´en, fall´ing •vi. I. to come down by the force of gravity; drop; descend 1 to come down because detached, pushed, dropped, etc.; move down and land forcibly {apples fall from the tree} 2 to come down suddenly from a standing or sitting position; tumble; topple; become prostrate 3 to be wounded or killed in battle 4 to come down in ruins; collapse {the building fell} 5 to hang down {hair falling about her shoulders} II. to pass to a position, condition, etc. regarded as lower 1 to take a downward direction {land falling away to the sea} 2 to become lower in amount, number, degree, intensity, value, etc.; drop; abate {prices fell} 3 to lose power; be overthrown {the government has fallen} 4 to lose status, reputation, dignity, etc. 5 to yield to temptation; do wrong; sin; specif. in earlier use (esp. of women), to lose chastity 6 to be captured or conquered 7 to take on a look of disappointment or dejection {his face fell} 8 to become lower in pitch or volume {her voice fell} III. to happen as if by dropping 1 to take place; occur {the meeting fell on a Friday} 2 to come by lot, distribution, inheritance, etc. {the estate falls to the son} 3 to pass into a specified condition; become {to fall ill, to fall in love} 4 to come at a specified place {the accent falls on the third syllable} 5 to be directed by chance {his eye fell on a misspelled word} 6 to be spoken in an involuntary way {the news fell from his lips} 7 to be born: said of animals 8 to be divided (into) {to fall into two classes} •vt. [Dial.] to fell (a tree, etc.) •n. [< the v.] 1 a dropping; descending; coming down 2 a coming down suddenly from a standing or sitting position 3 a hanging down, or a part hanging down 4 a downward direction or slope 5 a becoming lower or less; reduction in value, price, etc. 6 a lowering of the voice in pitch or volume 7 a capture; overthrow; ruin 8 a loss of status, reputation, etc. 9 a yielding to temptation; wrongdoing; moral lapse 10 a) a birth (said of animals) b) the number of animals born at one birth; litter 11 a) something that has fallen {a fall of leaves} b) a felling of trees, or timber felled at one time 12 that season of the year in which many trees lose their leaves; autumn: in the North Temperate Zone, generally regarded as including the months of September, October, and November 13 the amount of what has fallen {a six-inch fall of snow} 14 the distance that something falls 15 [usually pl., often with sing. v.] water falling over a cliff, etc.; cascade 16 a broad, turned-down ruff or collar worn in the 17th cent. 17 a) [Now Rare] a kind of veil hanging from the back of a woman's hat b) lace, ruffles, or other trimming on a dress, usually hanging from the collar 18 a long tress of hair, often synthetic, used by a woman to fill out her coiffure 19 Mech. the loose end of a cable or chain of a tackle 20 Naut. a) either of the lines used to lower or hoist a boat at the davits b) in a TACKLE (n. 2), the part of a rope between the free end and a pulley or between pulleys 21 a) Wrestling the act of throwing an opponent down so that both shoulders touch the floor b) a bout or division of a wrestling match •adj. of, in, for, or characteristic of the fall season Æ fall (all) over oneself [Colloq.] to behave in too eager or zealous a manner fall among to come among by chance fall away 1 to take away friendship, support, etc.; desert 2 to become less in size, strength, etc.; specif., to grow thin and weak fall back to withdraw; give way; retreat fall back on (or upon) 1 to turn, or return, to for security or help 2 to retreat to fall behind 1 to be outdistanced; drop behind 2 to fail to pay on time; be in arrears Æ fall down on [Slang] to fail or be unsuccessful in (a job, etc.) Æ fall for [Colloq.] 1 to fall in love with; become infatuated with 2 to be tricked or deceived by fall foul (or afoul) of 1 to collide with or become entangled with 2 to get into trouble or conflict with fall in 1 to collapse inward; cave in 2 to agree 3 Mil. to line up in proper formation fall in with 1 to meet by chance 2 to meet and join 3 to agree with; comply with fall off 1 to become smaller, less, lighter, etc. 2 to become worse; decline 3 Naut. to swing away from the heading, often, specif., to leeward fall on (or upon) 1 to attack 2 to be the duty of fall out 1 to have a disagreement; quarrel 2 to happen; result 3 Mil. to leave one's place in a formation fall short 1 to be lacking 2 to fail to meet a standard or goal: with of fall through to come to nothing; fail fall to to begin; start; specif., a) to start attacking b) to start eating fall under 1 to come under (an influence, etc.) 2 to be listed or classified as ride for a fall to behave in a manner likely to cause one trouble or injury the Fall (of Man) Christian Theol. Adam's sin of yielding to temptation in eating the forbidden fruit, and his subsequent loss of grace: see ORIGINAL SIN the fall of the cards the chance distribution of cards in a given deal [ME fallen < OE feallan, to fall, akin to Ger fallen < IE base *phol-, to fall > Lith púolu, to fall]

fall guy [Slang] a person made the victim, or left to face the consequences, of a scheme that has miscarried

fall line 1 the geographical line indicating the beginning of a plateau, usually marked by many waterfalls and rapids 2 [F- L-] the line east of the Appalachian Mountains, marking the end of the coastal plains and the beginning of the Piedmont Plateau 3 Skiing the line of direct descent down a hill

Fall River seaport in SE Mass.: pop. 93,000 [transl. of Algonquian name of the Taunton River, which flows into the ocean here]

Falla (fä´lyä), Ma·nuel de (mä nwel´ ðэ) 1876-1946; Sp. composer fallacious (fэ lei´shэs) •adj. 1 containing a fallacy; erroneous {fallacious reasoning} 2 a) misleading or deceptive b) causing disappointment; delusive fal·la´cious·ly •adv. fal·la´cious·ness •n. [L fallaciosus]

fallacy (fæl´э si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 orig., deception 2 aptness to mislead; deceptive or delusive quality {the fallacy of the senses} 3 a false or mistaken idea, opinion, etc.; error 4 a) an error in reasoning; flaw or defect in argument b) Logic an argument which does not conform to the rules of logic, esp. one that appears to be sound [ME fallace < OFr < L fallacia, deception, artifice < fallax (gen. fallacis), deceitful < fallere, to deceive: see FAIL]

fal-lal (fäl läl´) •n. a useless piece of finery or frippery [? contr. < rare falbala < Fr, FURBELOW]

fallback (föl´bæk') •n. 1 something in reserve that one can turn to for help 2 a withdrawing; retreat

fallen (föl´эn) •adj. 1 having come down; dropped 2 on the ground; prostrate 3 having lost status or moral reputation; degraded 4 captured; overthrown 5 ruined; destroyed 6 dead [ME, pp. of fallen, to FALL]

faller (föl´эr) •n. 1 a device, as in a stamping machine, that works by falling 2 a person who fells trees

fallfish (föl´fish') pl. -fish' •n. a freshwater minnow (Semotilis corporalis) found in clear waters of the NE U.S. [prob. so named because often found near falls or rapids]

fallible (fæl´э bэl) •adj. 1 liable to be mistaken or deceived 2 liable to be erroneous or inaccurate fal'li·bil´i·ty or fal´li·ble·ness •n. fal´li·bly •adv. [ME < ML fallibilis < L fallere, to deceive: see FAIL]

falling sickness former name for EPILEPSY

falling star METEOR (sense 1)

falling-out (föl'iŋ aut´) pl. fall'ing-outs´ •n.or fall'ings-out´ a disagreement; quarrel

falloff (föl´öf') •n. the act of becoming less or worse; decline

fallopian tube (fэ lou´pi: эn) either of two slender tubes that carry ova from the ovaries to the uterus Also Fallopian tube [after Gabriel Fallopius (L form of Gabriello Fallopio), 1523-62, It anatomist]

fallout (föl´aut') •n. Æ 1 the descent to earth of radioactive particles, as after a nuclear explosion Æ 2 these particles 3 whatever comes as an incidental consequence

fallow deer a small European deer (Dama dama) having a yellowish coat spotted with white in summer

fallow¹ (fæl´ou) •n. 1 land plowed but not seeded for one or more growing seasons, to kill weeds, make the soil richer, etc. 2 the plowing of land to be left idle in this way •adj. 1 left uncultivated or unplanted 2 untrained; inactive: said esp. of the mind •vt. to leave (land) unplanted after plowing [ME falwen < OE fealgian < fealh, fallow land; infl. by fealwian, to fade < fealo: see FALLOW2] lie fallow to remain uncultivated, unused, unproductive, etc. for a time fal´low·ness •n. [ME falow < OE fealh, akin to fealh, harrow, felly (of wheel) < IE base *pelk-, to turn > Gael olca, fallow land]

fallow² (fæl´ou) •adj. pale-yellow; brownish-yellow [ME falwe < OE fealo, akin to Ger fahl, fallow < Gmc *falwa < IE base *pel-, gray, pale > L pallidus]

Falmouth (fæl´mэθ) seaport & resort in Cornwall, SW England, on an inlet (Falmouth Bay) of the English Channel: pop. 18,000

false (föls) fals´er, fals´est •adj. 1 not true; in error; incorrect; mistaken {a false argument} 2 untruthful; lying; dishonest {a false witness} 3 disloyal; unfaithful {a false friend} 4 deceiving or meant to deceive; misleading {a false scent} 5 not real; artificial; counterfeit {false teeth} 6 not properly so named; deceptively resembling {false jasmine} 7 based on wrong or mistaken ideas {false pride} 8 Mech. temporary, nonessential, or added on for protection, disguise, etc. {a false drawer} 9 Music pitched inaccurately •adv. in a false manner play someone false to deceive, cheat, hoodwink, or betray someone put in a false position to cause misunderstanding of the intentions, opinions, etc. of false´ly •adv. false´ness •n. SYN.—false, in this comparison, refers to anything that is not in essence that which it purports to be and may or may not connote deliberate deception [false hair]; sham refers to an imitation or simulation of something and usually connotes intent to deceive [sham piety]; counterfeit and the colloquial bogus apply to a very careful imitation and always imply intent to deceive or defraud [counterfeit, or bogus, money]; fake is a less formal term for any person or thing that is not genuine [a fake doctor, chimney, etc.] see also FAITHLESS —ANT. genuine, real [ME < OFr < fals < L falsus, pp. of fallere, to deceive: see FAIL]

false arrest Law any unlawful detention or restraint of a person by one claiming legal power or authority

false bottom 1 a bottom, as of a box, between which and the real bottom there is a secret compartment 2 a bottom, as of a whiskey glass, formed to give the illusion that the glass holds more than it does

false fruit Bot. a fruit derived from the separate carpels of one flower, the uniting of a cluster of flowers, or tissue other than the ovary; pseudocarp: see TRUE FRUIT, ACCESSORY FRUIT

false imprisonment Law any unlawful detention or restraint of another person

false keel a narrow keel below the main keel, for protection and increased stability

false pregnancy PSEUDOCYESIS

false pretenses Law deliberate misrepresentation of fact in speech or action in order to obtain another's property

false relation CROSS RELATION

false ribs the five lower ribs on each side of the human body: so called because not directly attached to the sternum

false step 1 a misstep; stumble 2 a social blunder

false teeth an artificial denture, esp. a complete one

falseface (-feis') •n. a mask, esp. a comical or grotesque one

falsehearted (-härt'id) •adj. disloyal; deceitful

falsehood (föls´hud') •n. 1 lack of accuracy or truth; falsity; deception 2 the telling of lies; lying 3 a false statement; lie 4 a false belief, theory, idea, etc. [ME falshod: see FALSE & -HOOD]

falsetto (föl set´ou) pl. -tos •n. 1 an artificial way of singing or speaking, in which the voice is placed in a register much higher than that of the natural voice 2 the voice used in such singing, esp. by tenors, usually having a soft, colorless quality 3 a person singing or speaking in falsetto: also fal·set´tist •adj. of or singing in falsetto •adv. in falsetto [It, dim. of falso, false < L falsus, FALSE]

falsies (föl´si:z) •n.pl. [Colloq.] devices, as pads or breast-shaped forms, worn inside a brassiere to make the breasts look fuller

falsify (föl´sэ fai') -fied', -fy'ing •n. 1 to make false; specif., a) to give an untrue or misleading account of; misrepresent b) to alter (a record, etc.) fraudulently 2 to prove or show to be untrue or unfounded {to falsify their hopes} •vi. to tell falsehoods; lie fal´si·fi'a·ble •adj. fal'si·fi·ca´tion •n. fal´si·fi'er •n. [ME falsifien < OFr falsifier < ML falsificare < L falsificus, that acts falsely < falsus, FALSE + facere, to make, DO¹]

falsity (föl´sэ ti:) •n. 1 the condition or quality of being false; specif., a) incorrectness b) dishonesty c) deceitfulness d) disloyalty 2 pl. -ties something false; esp., a lie [ME falsete < OFr < L falsitas]

Falstaff (föl´stæf'), Sir John in Shakespeare's Henry IV and The Merry Wives of Windsor, a fat, witty, boastful knight, convivial but dissolute Fal·staff´i·an •adj.

Falster (fäl´stэr) one of the islands of Denmark, in the Baltic Sea: 198 sq. mi. (513 sq. km)

faltboat (fält´bout') •n. FOLDBOAT [Ger faltboot < falten, FOLD¹ + boot, BOAT]

falter (föl´tэr) •vi. 1 to move uncertainly or unsteadily; totter; stumble 2 to stumble in speech; speak haltingly; stammer 3 to act hesitantly; show uncertainty; waver; flinch {to falter under enemy fire} 4 to lose strength, certainty, etc.; weaken {the economy faltered} •vt. to say hesitantly or timidly •n. 1 a faltering 2 a faltering sound fal´ter·er •n. fal´ter·ing·ly •adv. [ME faltren, prob. < ON, as in faltra(sk), be uncertain]

fame (feim) •n. 1 [Rare or Archaic] public report; rumor 2 reputation, esp. good reputation 3 the state of being well known or much talked about; renown; celebrity •vt. famed, fam´ing [Archaic] to make famous [ME < OFr < L fama, fame, reputation, akin to fari, to speak < IE base *bhā-, to speak > BAN¹, BOON¹, Gr phēmē, utterance, report]

famed (feimd) •adj. much talked about or widely known; famous; renowned (for something) [pp. of prec.]

familial (fэ mil´yэl, -mil´i: эl) •adj. of, involving, or common to a family [Fr: see FAMILY & -AL]

familiar (fэ mil´yэr) •adj. 1 orig., having to do with a family 2 friendly, informal, or intimate {to be on familiar terms} 3 too friendly; unduly intimate or bold; presumptuous 4 having an intimate knowledge of; closely acquainted (with) {familiar with the Bible} 5 well-known; often encountered; common; ordinary {a familiar sight} 6 domesticated: said of animals •n. 1 a) a close friend or associate b) [Rare] HABITUÉ c) [Archaic] an ecclesiastical servant or agent 2 in folklore, an evil spirit constantly attending someone and typically viewed as dwelling within an animal; also, the animal within which such a spirit dwells fa·mil´iar·ly •adv. SYN.—familiar is applied to that which is known through constant association, and, with reference to persons, suggests informality, or even presumption, such as might prevail among members of a family; close is applied to persons or things very near to one in affection, attraction, interests, etc.; intimate implies very close association, acquaintance, relationship, etc. or suggests something of a very personal or private nature; confidential implies a relationship in which there is mutual trust and a sharing of private thoughts, problems, etc. see also COMMON [ME familier < OFr < L familiaris, of a household, domestic < familia, FAMILY]

familiarity (fэ mil'i: er´э ti:, -mil'yer´-) pl. -ties •n. 1 close association; intimacy 2 free and intimate behavior; absence of formality and ceremony 3 intimacy that is too bold or unwelcome 4 a highly intimate act, remark, etc.; often, specif., a caress or other act of sexual intimacy 5 close acquaintance (with something) [ME familiarite < OFr < L familiaritas < familiaris: see FAMILIAR]

familiarize (fэ mil´yэr aiz', -mil´i: эr-) -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make commonly known {WWII familiarized the term radar} 2 to make (another or oneself) accustomed or fully acquainted {familiarize yourself with the job} fa·mil'i·ar·i·za´tion •n.

familism (fæm´э liz'эm) •n. a form of social structure in which the needs of the family as a group are more important than the needs of any individual family member fam'i·lis´tic •adj.

family (fæm´э li:; often fæm´li:) pl. -lies •n. 1 [Obs.] all the people living in the same house; household: see also EXTENDED FAMILY 2 a) a social unit consisting of parents and the children they rear (see also NUCLEAR FAMILY) b) the children of the same parents c) one's husband (or wife) and children 3 a group of people related by ancestry or marriage; relatives 4 all those claiming descent from a common ancestor; tribe or clan; lineage 5 a criminal syndicate under a single leader {a Mafia family} 6 a COMMUNE² (sense 5) living in one household, esp. under one head 7 a group of things having a common source or similar features; specif., a) Biol. a category in the classification of plants or animals, ranking above a genus and below an order and including one or more similar genera: family names of plants have the suffix -aceae; those of animals, -idae b) Ecol. a community composed of organisms of the same species c) Linguis. a parent language and all the languages and dialects descended from it d) Math. a set of curves, functions, or other entities with some shared property •adj. of or for a family in a family way [Colloq.] pregnant; with child [ME familie < L familia, household establishment, akin to famulus, servant < ? IE *dhe-mo-, house (< base *dhē-: see DO¹) > Sans dhāman, household]

family Bible a large Bible containing a record of family births, deaths, and marriages

family circle 1 the close members of a family and intimate friends Æ 2 in some theaters, a section of less expensive seats in the upper balcony

family doctor a doctor, often a general practitioner, who looks after the health of the members of a family and keeps their medical histories

family man 1 a man who has a wife and children 2 a man devoted to his family and home

family name 1 SURNAME (sense 1) 2 a first or middle name that is or was a surname within the family, as the mother's maiden name

family planning the regulation, as by birth control methods, of the number, spacing, etc. of children that the family will have

family romance 1 Psychoanalysis a type of fantasy in which a person maintains that he or she is not the child of his or her real parents but of parents of a higher social class 2 loosely, the system of relationships within a family group

family room a room in a home, with informal furnishings, used for relaxation and recreation

family style a way of serving food, as in boardinghouses and some restaurants, by which the people at the table help themselves from large dishes passed around from hand to hand

family tree 1 a genealogical chart showing the relationship of ancestors and descendants in a given family 2 all the ancestors and descendants in a given family

famine (fæm´in) •n. 1 an acute and general shortage of food, or a period of this 2 any acute shortage 3 [Archaic] starvation [ME < OFr < VL *famina < L fames, hunger < IE base *dhē-, to wither away > DAZE]

famish (fæm´ish) •vt., vi. 1 to make or be very hungry; make or become weak from hunger 2 [Obs.] to starve to death fam´ish·ment •n. [ME famishen, altered (after verbs ending in -ish-: see -ISH) < famen, aphetic < OFr afamer < VL *affamare < L ad, to + fames, hunger: see FAMINE]

famous (fei´mэs) •adj. 1 much talked about; having fame, or celebrity; renowned 2 [Colloq.] excellent; very good; first-rate 3 [Archaic] notorious fa´mous·ly •adv. SYN.—famous is applied to persons or things that have received wide public attention and are generally known and talked about; renowned suggests a being named publicly again and again as for some outstanding quality, achievement, etc.; celebrated is applied to persons or things that have received much public honor or praise; noted implies a being brought to the wide notice of the public for some particular quality; notorious, in current usage, suggests a being widely but unfavorably known or talked about; distinguished implies a being noted as superior in its class or of its kind; eminent more strongly stresses the conspicuous superiority of persons or things; illustrious suggests a reputation based on brilliance of achievement or splendidness of character —ANT. obscure, unknown [ME < L famosus < fama: see FAME]

famulus (fæm´yu: lэs) pl. -li' (-lai') •n. an assistant, esp. of a medieval scholar or sorcerer [< L, a servant: see FAMILY]

fan belt a tough, thin belt on most automotive engines connecting the crankshaft to the cooling fan, alternator, etc.

fan mail letters, esp. of praise or adulation from strangers, received by a prominent or well-known person

fan palm any palm tree with broad, fan-shaped leaves: see FEATHER PALM

fan tracery the decoration on fan vaulting

fan vaulting Archit. vaulting in which the ribs are spread out like those of a fan

fan¹ (fæn) •n. 1 orig., a device for winnowing grain 2 any device or machine used to set up a current of air for ventilating or cooling; specif., a) any flat surface moved by hand b) a folding device made of paper, cloth, etc. which when opened has the shape of a sector of a circle c) a device consisting of one or more revolving blades or vanes attached to a rotary hub and operated by a motor 3 anything in the shape of a FAN¹ (n. 2b), as the tail of a bird 4 in a windmill, a small vane that keeps the large vanes, or sails, at right angles to the wind •vt. fanned, fan´ning [ME fannen < OE fannian] 1 to move or agitate (air) with or as with a fan 2 to direct a current of air toward or on with or as with a fan; blow on 3 to stir up; excite 4 to blow or drive away with a fan 5 to spread out into the shape of a FAN¹ (n. 2b) 6 to separate (grain) from chaff Æ 7 [Slang] a) to spank b) to fire (a pistol) several times quickly in succession by slapping the hammer back as with the alternate hand between shots Æ 8 Baseball to strike (a batter) out •vi. Æ Baseball to strike out fan out to scatter or spread out like an open FAN¹ (n. 2b) fan the air to strike at but fail to hit something [ME fanne < OE fann < L vannus, basket for winnowing grain < IE base *wē-, to blow, flutter > WIND², WINNOW]

fan² (fæn) •n. a person enthusiastic about a specified sport, pastime, or performer; devotee {a baseball fan, movie fan} [contr. < fol.]

fanatic (fэ næt´ik) •adj. unreasonably enthusiastic; overly zealous Also fa·nat´i·cal •n. a person whose extreme zeal, piety, etc. goes beyond what is reasonable; zealot SYN. ZEALOT fa·nat´i·cal·ly •adv. [< L fanaticus, of a temple, hence enthusiastic, inspired < fanum, a temple: see FANE]

fanaticism (-э siz'эm) •n. excessive and unreasonable zeal fa·nat´i·cize' (-saiz'), -cized', -ciz'ing, •vt., vi.

fancied (fæn´si:d) •adj. imaginary; imagined

fancier (fæn´si: эr) •n. a person with a special interest in and knowledge of something, particularly of the breeding of plants or animals {a dog fancier}

fanciful (fæn´sэ fэl) •adj. 1 full of fancy; indulging in fancies; imaginative in a playful way; whimsical 2 created in the fancy; imaginary; not real {a fanciful tale} 3 showing fancy in construction or design; quaint; odd {fanciful costumes} fan´ci·ful·ly •adv. fan´ci·ful·ness •n.

fancy (fæn´si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 imagination, now esp. light, playful, or whimsical imagination 2 illusion or delusion 3 a mental image 4 an arbitrary idea; notion; caprice; whim 5 an inclination, liking, or fondness, often transient {to take a fancy to someone} 6 [Rare] critical taste or judgment in art, dress, etc. •adj. -ci·er, -ci·est 1 based on fancy; capricious; whimsical; fanciful 2 higher than real value; extravagant {a fancy price} 3 made or added to please the fancy; ornamental; decorated; not plain; elaborate {a fancy necktie} 4 of superior skill; intricate and difficult {fancy diving} 5 of superior quality, and therefore more expensive {canned goods graded fancy} 6 bred for some special feature or excellence of type: said of animals •vt. -cied, -cy·ing 1 to form an idea of; imagine 2 to have a liking for; be fond of {to fancy rich desserts} 3 to believe something without being sure; suppose {they are, I fancy, still friends} fancy (that)! can you imagine (that)! the fancy [Obs.] the enthusiasts of some sport or hobby, esp. boxing fan´ci·less •adj. fan´ci·ly •adv. fan´ci·ness •n. [ME fantsy, contr. < fantasie: see FANTASY]

fancy dan (-dæn´) [Slang] a flashy, ostentatious person, often one who lacks real skill, stamina, etc. [prec. + (prob.) Dan, nickname for DANIEL]

fancy dress a masquerade costume

fancy man a man supported by a woman; esp., a pimp

fancy woman 1 a mistress 2 a prostitute

fancy-free (fæn´si: fri:´) •adj. 1 free to fall in love; not married, engaged, etc. 2 free from worry; carefree

fancywork (fæn´si: wørk') •n. embroidery, crocheting, and other ornamental needlework

fandango (fæn dæŋ´gou') pl. -gos' •n. 1 a lively Spanish dance in rhythm varying from slow to quick ¾ time 2 music for this 3 a foolish act [Sp]

fandom (fæn´dэm) •n. fans, collectively, as of a sport or entertainer

fane (fein) •n. [Archaic] a temple or church [L fanum, sanctuary, temple < *fasnom < IE base *dhēs-: see FAIR²]

fanfare (fæn´fer') •n. 1 a loud flourish of trumpets 2 noisy or showy display [Fr < fanfarer, to blow trumpets, prob. < fanfaron, braggart: see FANFARONADE]

fanfaronade (fæn'fэ rэ neid´) •n. boasting talk or showy action; bluster [Fr < Sp fanfarronada < fanfarrón, boaster, prob. < Ar farfār, loquacious]

fanfold paper paper that is perforated at regular intervals and folded on the perforations in alternating directions, designed to lie in flat stacks for continuous feeding, as into a computer printer

fang (fæŋ) •n. 1 a) one of the long, pointed teeth with which meat-eating animals seize and tear their prey; canine tooth b) one of the long, hollow or grooved teeth through which poisonous snakes inject their venom c) the root of a tooth 2 the pointed part of something SYN. TOOTH fanged (fæŋd) •adj. [ME, that which is seized < OE < base of fon, to take, catch, akin to Ger fangen < IE base *pak, *pag, to fasten, tie > L pangere (see PEACE), Sans pás-, noose]

fanjet (fæn´jet') •n. 1 TURBOFAN (sense 1) 2 an aircraft propelled by such an engine

fanlight (fæn´lait') •n. a semicircular window, often with sash bars in a fanlike arrangement, over a door or larger window

fanner (fæn´эr) •n. a person or thing that fans

Fannie Mae (or May) (mei´) Federal National Mortgage Association

Fannie or Fanny (fæn´i:) a feminine name: see FRANCES

fanny (fæn´i:) pl. -nies •n. [Slang] the buttocks [< ? FAN¹, vt. 7a]

fanon (fæn´эn) •n. a capelike vestment worn by the pope when celebrating a High Mass [ME fanoun < OFr fanon < Frank fano, piece of cloth, akin to Ger fahne, banner < IE base *pan-, fabric > Gr pēnos, L pannus]

fantabulous (fæn tæb´yu: lэs, -yэ-) •adj. [Slang] remarkably good [FANT(ASTIC) + (F)ABULOUS]

fantail (fæn´teil') •n. 1 a part, tail, or end spread out like an opened fan 2 Naut. a) the overhanging portion of the stern on some ships b) the part of the main deck at the stern 3 Zool. any of various birds with a very broad tail, as a variety of pigeon

fan-tan (fæn´tæn') •n. 1 a Chinese gambling game in which the players bet on the number of beans, etc. that will be left from a pile after it has been counted off in fours 2 a card game in which the players seek to discard all their cards in proper sequence Also fan tan [Chin fan t'an, lit., repeated divisions]

fantasia (fæn tei´zhэ, -zi: э; fænt'э zi:´э) •n. 1 a) any of a number of predominantly improvisational musical compositions, with a structure determined by the composer's fancy b) a literary work similarly constructed 2 a medley of familiar tunes [It < L phantasia: see FANTASY]

fantasist (fæn´tэ sist, -zist; fæn tei´zhist) •n. a person who creates a fantasy or fantasies

fantasize (fænt´э saiz') -sized', -siz'ing •vt. to create or imagine in a fantasy; have daydreams about •vi. to indulge in fantasies [FANTAS(Y) + -IZE]

fantasm (fæn´tæz'эm) •n. archaic var. of PHANTASM

fantast (-tæst') •n. an impractical dreamer; visionary

fantastic (fæn tæs´tik) •adj. 1 existing in the imagination; imaginary; unreal {fantastic terrors} 2 having a strange or weird appearance; grotesque; odd; quaint {fantastic designs} 3 strange and unusual; extravagant; capricious; eccentric {a fantastic plan} 4 seemingly impossible; incredible {fantastic progress in science} Also fan·tas´ti·cal •n. [Archaic] a person who is fantastic in behavior, dress, etc.; eccentric fan·tas´ti·cal·ly •adv. fan·tas´ti·cal·ness •n. SYN.—fantastic implies a lack of restraint in imagination, suggesting that which is extravagantly fanciful or unreal in design, conception, construction, etc. [fantastic notions]; bizarre suggests that which is extraordinarily eccentric or strange because of startling incongruities, extreme contrasts, etc. [music with a bizarre atonality]; grotesque suggests a ludicrously unnatural distortion of the normal or real, or a fantastic combination of elements [the grotesque grimaces of the comedian] [ME fantastik < OFr fantastique < ML fantasticus < LL phantasticus < Gr phantastikos, able to present or represent to the mind < phantazein, to make visible < phainein, to show: see FANTASY]

fantasticate (-ti keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. to make fantastic fan·tas'ti·ca´tion •n.

fantasy (fænt´э si:, -zi:) pl. -sies •n. 1 imagination or fancy; esp., wild, visionary fancy 2 an unnatural or bizarre mental image; illusion; phantasm 3 an odd notion; whim; caprice 4 a) a work of fiction portraying highly IMAGINATIVE (sense 3) characters or settings that have no counterparts in the real world b) such works, collectively, as a literary form; specif., those works dealing with dragons, elves, ghosts, etc. 5 Music FANTASIA (sense 1a) 6 Psychol. a) a more-or-less connected series of mental images, as in a daydream, usually involving some unfulfilled desire b) the activity of forming such images •vt. -sied, -sy·ing to form fantasies about •vi. to indulge in fantasies, as by daydreaming [ME fantasie < OFr < L phantasia, idea, notion < Gr, appearance of a thing < phainein, to show, appear < IE base *bhā-, to gleam, shine > OE bonian, to ornament]

fantod (fæn´täd') •n. a nervous condition: now usually in the humorous phrase the fantods, a state of restless anxiety [prob. < FANT(ASTIC) + -od < ?]

fantom (fæn´tэm) •n., adj. obs. sp. of PHANTOM

fanwise (fæn´waiz') •adv. opened out like a folding fan

fanzine (fæn´zi:n') •n. a magazine, usually produced by amateurs, devoted to a special-interest group, such as fans of science fiction or comic books [FAN² + (MAGA)ZINE]

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization (of the UN)

far (fär) far´ther, far´thest •adj. : see also FURTHER, FURTHEST 1 distant in space or time; not near; remote 2 extending a long way {a far journey} 3 more distant {the far side of the room} 4 very different in quality or nature {far from poor} •adv. 1 very distant in space, time, or degree 2 to or from a great distance in time or position 3 very much; considerably {far better} 4 to a certain distance or degree {how far did you go?} •n. a distant place {to come from far} as far as 1 to the distance, extent, or degree that 2 [Colloq.] with reference to; as for by far considerably; to a great degree; very much Also far and away far and near everywhere far and wide widely; everywhere far be it from me I would not presume or wish far gone in an advanced state of deterioration far out FAR-OUT go far 1 to cover much extent; last long 2 to accomplish much; achieve much success in so far as to the extent or degree that so far up to this place, time, or degree Also thus far so far as to the extent or point that so far, so good up to this point everything is all right SYN.—far generally suggests that which is an indefinitely long way off in space, time, relation, etc. [far lands]; distant, although also suggesting a considerable interval of separation [a distant sound], is the term used when the measure of any interval is specified [desks four feet distant from one another]; remote is applied to that which is far off in space, time, connection, etc. from a place, thing, or person understood as a point of reference [a remote village]; removed, used predicatively, stresses separateness, distinctness, or lack of connection more strongly than remote —ANT. near, close [ME farr, fer (> dial. form fur) < OE feorr, akin to OHG ferro < IE base *per-, forward, beyond > L per, Gr per]

Far East countries of E Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, & Mongolia: the term sometimes includes the countries of Southeast Asia & the Malay Archipelago

far point the farthest point at which vision is distinct when the lens, muscles, etc. of the eye are relaxed

farad (fær´æd', -эd) •n. a unit of capacitance, equal to the amount that permits the storing of one coulomb of charge for each volt of applied potential [after Michael FARADAY]

faraday (fær´э dei') •n. a unit of quantity of electricity, used especially in electrolysis, equal to the amount necessary to free one gram atomic weight of a univalent element: equal to c. 96,485 coulombs [after fol.] Faraday (fær´э dei'), Michael 1791-1867; Eng. scientist: noted esp. for his work in electricity & magnetism

faradic (fэ ræd´ik) •adj. Elec. of or pertaining to an intermittent, asymmetrical alternating current produced by the secondary winding of an induction coil [see FARAD]

faradize (fær´э daiz') -dized', -diz'ing •vt. to treat or stimulate with faradic current [after Michael FARADAY: see -IZE]

farandole (fær´эn doul') •n. 1 a lively dance of S France, in 6/8 time, by a winding chain of dancers 2 the music for this dance [Fr < Prov farandoulo]

faraway (fär´э wei') •adj. 1 distant in time, place, degree, etc. 2 dreamy; abstracted {a faraway look}

farce (färs) •n. 1 orig., stuffing, as for a fowl 2 an exaggerated comedy based on broadly humorous, highly unlikely situations 3 broad humor of the kind found in such plays 4 something absurd or ridiculous, as an obvious pretense {his show of grief was a farce} •vt. farced, farc´ing to fill out with or as with stuffing or seasoning {to farce a play with old jokes} [Fr, stuffing, hence farce < VL *farsa < pp. of L farcire, to stuff: early farces were used to fill interludes between acts]

farceur (fåř sëř´) •n. 1 an actor in farces 2 a writer of farces 3 a joker; humorist; wag far·ceuse´ (-söz´) •n.fem. [Fr]

farcical (fär´si kэl) •adj. of, or having the nature of, a farce; absurd, ridiculous, etc. SYN. FUNNY far'ci·cal´i·ty (-kæl´э ti:), pl. -ties, •n. far´ci·cal·ly •adv.

farcy (fär´si:) •n. a chronic form of glanders characterized by skin ulcers and swollen lymph vessels [ME farsine < OFr farcin < ML farcina (for LL farciminum) < L farcimen, a sausage < farcire, to stuff]

fardel (färd´ªl) •n. [Archaic] 1 a pack; bundle 2 a burden; misfortune [ME < OFr < OIt fardello, dim. < fardo, a bundle, pack < Ar farda, a bundle, camel's load]

fare (fer) fared, far´ing •vi. 1 [Old Poet.] to travel; go 2 to happen; result {how did it fare with him?} 3 to be in a specified condition or position; get on; go through an experience {he fared well on his trip} 4 to eat or be given food •n. 1 money paid for transportation in a train, taxi, plane, etc. 2 a passenger who pays a fare 3 a) food b) the usual kind of diet 4 [Archaic] the condition of things SYN. FOOD [ME faren < OE faran, to go, wander, akin to Ger fahren & Du raren < IE base *per-, to come over, transport > L portare, to carry, Gr peran, to pass over, peira, a trial, poros, a way]

fare-thee-well (fer´ði: wel´) •n. Æ the highest or ultimate degree: usually in the phrase to a fare-thee-well Also fare-you-well

farewell (fer wel´; for adj. fer´wel´) •interj. goodbye •n. 1 words spoken at parting, usually of good wishes 2 a leaving or going away •adj. parting; last; final {a farewell gesture} [FARE (imper.) + WELL²] Farewell , Cape southernmost tip of Greenland

farewell-to-spring (-tэ spriŋ´) •n. a W American plant (Clarkia amoena) of the evening-primrose family, with showy purple, pink, or white flowers

farfel (fär´fэl) •n. noodle dough formed into small grains or pellets [Yidd farfal, ferfel < MHG varvelen, soup with fragments of dough or beaten egg]

far-fetched (fär´fecht´) •adj. 1 [Archaic] brought from a distance 2 that is barely believable based on logical or normal thinking

far-flung (-flûŋ´) •adj. extending over a wide area

Fargo (fär´gou) city in E N.Dak., on the Red River of the North: pop. 74,000 [after W. G. Fargo, of Wells, Fargo & Co., express shippers]

farina (fэ ri:´nэ) •n. 1 flour or meal made from cereal grains (esp. whole wheat), potatoes, nuts, etc. and eaten as a cooked cereal 2 potato starch or other starch [ME < L, ground grain, meal < far, sort of grain, spelt < IE base *bhares- > OE bere, BARLEY]

farinaceous (fær'э nei´shэs) •adj. 1 containing, consisting of, or made from flour or meal 2 like meal 3 containing starch [LL farinaceus < L farina: see FARINA]

farinose (fær´э nous') •adj. 1 producing farina 2 full of meal; mealy 3 Biol. producing or covered with a powderlike substance, as fine hairs [LL farinosus]

farkleberry (fär´kªl ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. an evergreen shrub or small tree (Vaccinium arboreum) of the heath family, with bell-shaped, white flowers and round, black berries, found in the S U.S. [< ?]

farm (färm) •n. 1 a) orig., a fixed sum payable at regular intervals, as rent, taxes, etc. b) the letting out, for a fixed amount, of the collection of taxes, with the privilege of keeping all that is collected c) the condition of being let out at a fixed rent 2 a district of a country leased out by a government for the collection of taxes 3 a piece of land (with house, barns, etc.) on which crops or animals are raised: orig., such land let out to tenants 4 any place where certain things are raised {a tract of water for raising fish is a fish farm} 5 Baseball a minor-league team having an agreement with a major-league team to train its young or inexperienced players: in full, farm club (or team) •vt. 1 to cultivate (land) 2 to collect the taxes and other fees of (a business) on a commission basis or for a fixed amount 3 to turn over to another for a fee •vi. to work on or operate a farm; raise crops or animals on a farm farm out 1 to rent (land, a business, etc.) in return for a fixed payment 2 to send (work) from a shop, office, etc. to workers on the outside 3 to let out the labor of (a convict, etc.) for a fixed amount 4 to destroy the fertility of (land), as by failing to rotate crops Æ 5 Baseball to assign to a FARM (n. 5) [ME < OFr ferme < ML firma, fixed payment, farm < firmare, to farm, lease, orig., to make a contract < L, to make firm, secure < firmus, FIRM¹]

farm cheese a mild, firm pressed cheese Also called farmer cheese or farmer's cheese

Farmer (fär´mэr), Fannie (Merritt) 1857-1915; U.S. teacher & writer on cooking farmer (fär´mэr) •n. 1 a person who earns a living by farming; esp., one who manages or operates a farm 2 a person who pays for a right, as, formerly, to collect and keep taxes 3 a person who contracts to do something for a fixed price [ME fermour, farmer, bailiff < Anglo-Fr fermer < OFr fermier < ferme: see FARM]

farmhand (färm´hænd') •n. a hired laborer on a farm

farmhouse (-haus') •n. a house on a farm; esp., the main dwelling house on a farm

farming (färm´iŋ) •adj. of or for agriculture •n. 1 the business of operating a farm; agriculture 2 the letting out to farm of land, revenue, etc.

Farmington Hills (fär´miŋ tэn) city in SE Mich.: suburb of Detroit: pop. 75,000 [after Farmington, N.Y.]

farmland (färm´lænd') •n. land used or suitable for use in farming

farmstead (-sted') •n. the land and buildings of a farm

farmyard (-yärd') •n. the yard surrounding or enclosed by the farm buildings

faro (fer´ou) •n. a gambling game in which the players bet on the cards to be uncovered by the removal of cards from the top of the dealer's pack [Fr pharaon, PHARAOH (< LL(Ec) Pharao); so named from the picture of a Pharaoh (as the king) on French playing cards orig. used for the game]

Faroe Islands (fer´ou) alt. sp. of FAEROE ISLANDS

Faroese (fer'ou ez´, -es´) •n. alt. sp. of FAEROESE

far-off (fär´öf´) •adj. distant; remote

farouche (fэ ru:sh´) •adj. 1 wild; savage; fierce 2 unsociable in a fierce or surly way; lacking social grace [Fr < OFr forasche, ill-tamed < VL forasticus, out-of-doors < L foras, outside, out-of-doors, akin to foris, DOOR]

far-out (fär´aut´) •adj. Æ [Colloq.] very advanced, experimental, or nonconformist; esp., avant-garde

Farquhar (fär´kwэr, -kэr), George 1678-1707; Brit. playwright, born in Ireland

farrago (fэ rei´gou, -rä´-) pl. -goes •n. a confused mixture; jumble; hodgepodge far·rag´i·nous (-ræj´э nэs) •adj. [L, mixed fodder for cattle, mixture, medley < far: see FARINA]

Farragut (fær´э gэt), David Glasgow (born James Glasgow Farragut) 1801-70; U.S. admiral: Union naval commander in the Civil War

far-reaching (fär´ri:ch´iŋ) •adj. having a wide range, extent, influence, or effect

Farrell (fær´эl), James T(homas) 1904-79; U.S. novelist

farrier (fær´i: эr) •n. [Brit.] a person who shoes horses; blacksmith; also, sometimes, one who treats the diseases of horses [ME ferrour < OFr ferreor < ML ferrator < VL *ferrare, to shoe horses < L ferrum, iron]

farriery (-i: эr i:) pl. -er·ies •n. [Brit.] the work or shop of a farrier

farrow¹ (fær´ou) •n. 1 [Obs.] a young pig 2 a litter of pigs •vt., vi. to give birth to (a litter of pigs) [ME farwen] [altered (after v.) < OE fearh, young pig < IE *poros, pig (< base *per-, to root up, dig) > L porcus, PORK, MIr orc]

farrow² (fær´ou) •adj. [Chiefly Scot. or North Eng.] not bearing a calf in a given season [earlier ferow, prob. akin to obs. Du verrekoe, barren cow, Ger färse, heifer, OE fearr, bull]

farseeing (fär´si:´iŋ) •adj. FARSIGHTED (senses 1 & 2)

farsighted (-sait'id) •adj. 1 capable of seeing far 2 having or showing prudent judgment and foresight 3 having better vision for distant objects than for near ones; hyperopic far´sight'ed·ly •adv. far´sight'ed·ness •n.

fart (färt) •vi. to pass, or emit, gas from the intestines through the anus •n. [ME] 1 such a passing of gas 2 [Slang] a person, esp. an old one, regarded as a fool, nuisance, etc. Now a vulgar term fart around [Slang] to spend time idly, foolishly, etc. [ME ferten < OE *feortan, akin to OHG ferzan < IE base *perd- > Sans párdatē, Gr perdomai]

farther (fär´ðэr) •adj. 1 compar. of FAR 2 more distant or remote 3 additional; further •adv. 1 compar. of FAR 2 at or to a greater distance or more remote point in space or time 3 to a greater degree or extent; further 4 [Archaic] in addition; further In sense 3 of the adj. and senses 3 and 4 of the adv., FURTHER is more commonly used [ME ferther, var. of further, substituted for regular ferrer (compar. of fer) < OE fyrre, compar. of feorr, FAR]

farthermost (-moust') •adj. most distant; farthest

farthest (fär´ðist) •adj. 1 superl. of FAR 2 most distant; most remote 3 [Rare] most extended; longest •adv. 1 superl. of FAR 2 at or to the greatest distance or most remote point in space or time 3 to the greatest degree or extent; most [ME ferthest: see FARTHER]

farthing (fär´ðiŋ) •n. 1 a former small British coin, equal to one fourth of a penny 2 a thing of little value; the least amount [ME ferthing < OE feorthing, lit., a fourthling, fourth part, dim. of feortha, FOURTH]

farthingale (fär´θiŋ geil') •n. 1 a hoop, openwork frame, or circular pad worn under the skirt, about the hips, by women in the 16th and 17th cent. 2 the skirt or petticoat worn over this [OFr verdugalle, farthingale < Sp verdugado, provided with hoops, farthingale < verdugo, young shoot of a tree, rod, hoop < verde < L viridis, green]

FAS 1 Foreign Agricultural Service 2 free alongside ship: also fas

fasces (fæs´i:z') •n.pl. a bundle of rods bound about an ax with projecting blade, carried before ancient Roman magistrates as a symbol of authority: later the symbol of Italian fascism [L, pl. of fascis, a bundle, fagot, packet < OE base *bhasko-, bundle > MIr basc, neckband]

Fasching (fä´shiŋ) •n. the pre-Lenten period of revelry celebrated in Austria and parts of Germany [Ger < MHG vastschang < vast, fast + schanc, a pouring out, hence, draft (of beer, liquor)]

fascia (fæsh´i: э, fæsh´э; for 3, fei´shi: э, -shэ) pl. -ci·ae' (-i:) or -ci·as •n. 1 a flat strip; band; fillet 2 [Brit.] a) an instrument panel or dashboard, as of an automobile b) a board over a shop front, bearing the proprietor's name, etc. 3 Anat. a thin layer of connective tissue covering, supporting, or connecting the muscles or inner organs of the body 4 Archit. a flat, horizontal band, esp. one of two or three making up an architrave 5 Biol. a distinct band of color fas´ci·al •adj. [L, a band, sash]

fasciate (fæsh´i: eit') •adj. 1 bound with a band or fillet 2 Bot. a) abnormally enlarged and flattened, as some plant stems b) growing in a fascicle 3 Zool. marked by broad, colored bands Also fas´ci·at'ed [L fasciatus, pp. of fasciare, to swathe, wrap with bands < fascia: see FASCIA]

fasciation (fæsh'i: ei´shэn) •n. 1 the condition of being fasciate 2 a binding up 3 Bot. an abnormal broadening, flattening, and clumping of plant stems, as in broccoli [Fr]

fascicle (fæs´i kэl) •n. 1 any of the sections of a book being brought out in installments prior to its publication in completed form 2 a small bundle 3 Bot. a small tuft or cluster of fibers, leaves, stems, roots, etc. [ME < OFr < L fasciculus, dim. of fascis: see FASCES]

fasciculate (fэ sik´yu: lit, -leit') •adj. formed of, or growing in, bundles or clusters Also fas·cic´u·lat'ed (-leit'id) or fas·cic´u·lar (-lэr) [< L fasciculus, dim. of fascis (see FASCES) + -ATE¹]

fasciculus (fэ sik´yu: lэs) pl. -u·li' (-lai') •n. 1 a small bundle of fibers; specif., a bundle of nerve fibers in the central nervous system 2 FASCICLE (sense 1) [L, dim. of fascis, a bundle: see FASCES]

fascinate (fæs´э neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 orig., to put under a spell; bewitch 2 to attract or hold motionless, as by a fixed look or by inspiring terror 3 to hold the attention of by being very interesting or delightful; charm; captivate SYN. ATTRACT fas´ci·nat'ing·ly •adv. [< L fascinatus, pp. of fascinare, to bewitch, charm < fascinum, a charm < ? or akin to Gr baskanos, sorcerer]

fascination (fæs'э nei´shэn) •n. 1 a fascinating or being fascinated 2 strong attraction; charm; allure

fascinator (fæs´э neit'эr) •n. 1 a person who fascinates Æ 2 [Old-fashioned] a woman's light scarf, usually knitted or crocheted, worn around the head or neck [L, an enchanter]

fascine (fæ si:n´) •n. a bundle of sticks bound together, formerly used to fill ditches, strengthen the sides of trenches, etc. [Fr < OFr < L fascina, a bundle of sticks, a fagot < fascis: see FASCES]

fascism (fæsh´iz'эm) •n. 1 [F-] the doctrines, methods, or movement of the Fascisti 2 [sometimes F-] a system of government characterized by rigid one-party dictatorship, forcible suppression of opposition, private economic enterprise under centralized governmental control, belligerent nationalism, racism, and militarism, etc.: first instituted in Italy in 1922 3 a) a political movement based on such policies b) fascist behavior See also NAZI [It fascismo < fascio, political group < L fascis: see FASCES]

fascist (-ist) •n. 1 [F-] a) a member of the Fascisti b) a member of some similar party; Nazi, Falangist, etc. 2 a person who believes in or practices fascism •adj. 1 [F-] of Fascists or Fascism 2 of, believing in, or practicing fascism fa·scis·tic (fэ shis´tik, fæ-) •adj. fa·scis´ti·cal·ly •adv. [It fascista: see FASCISTI]

Fascisti (fэ shis´ti:, fæ-; It fä shi:´sti:) •n.pl. an Italian political organization which seized power and set up a fascist dictatorship (1922-43) under Mussolini [It, pl. of fascista, a Fascist < L fascis: see FASCES]

fash (fæsh) •vt., vi. [Scot.] to trouble; annoy; vex •n. vexation [< MFr fascher, to vex < VL *fasticare < L fastidire, to feel loathing < L fastidium: see FASTIDIOUS]

fashion (fæsh´эn) •n. 1 the make, form, or shape of a thing 2 [Now Rare] kind; sort 3 the way in which something is made or done; manner 4 the current style or mode of dress, speech, conduct, etc. 5 something, esp. a garment, in the current style 6 fashionable people as a group {a man of fashion} •vt. 1 to make in a certain way; give a certain form to; shape; mold 2 to fit; accommodate {music fashioned to our taste} 3 [Obs.] to think up; contrive after (or in) a fashion in some way or to some extent, but not very well fash´ion·er •n. SYN.—fashion is the prevailing custom in dress, manners, speech, etc. of a particular place or time, esp. as established by the dominant section of society or the leaders in the fields of art, literature, etc.; style, often a close synonym for fashion, in discriminating use suggests a distinctive fashion, esp. the way of dressing, living, etc. that distinguishes persons with money and taste; mode, the French word expressing this idea, suggests the height of fashion in dress, behavior, etc. at any particular time; vogue stresses the general acceptance or great popularity of a certain fashion; fad stresses the impulsive enthusiasm with which a fashion is taken up for a short time; rage and craze both stress an intense, sometimes irrational enthusiasm for a passing fashion see also MAKE¹ [ME fasoun < OFr faceon < L factio, a making: see FACTION¹]

fashion plate 1 a picture showing a current style in dress 2 a fashionably dressed person

fashionable (-э bэl) •adj. 1 following the current style; in fashion; stylish 2 of, characteristic of, or used by people who follow the current style of dress, speech, conduct, etc. •n. a fashionable person fash´ion·a·ble·ness •n. fash´ion·a·bly •adv.

fast break a play, as in basketball, in which a team quickly moves down the playing area in an attempt to score before an adequate defense can be set up

fast day a religious holy day, etc. observed by fasting

fast lane 1 a lane on an expressway for moving at higher speeds or passing other vehicles 2 a way of living variously regarded as fast-paced, success-oriented, very sophisticated, expensive, etc.

fast reactor a type of nuclear reactor which makes little or no use of a moderator to slow down the high-energy neutrons

fast time [Colloq.] DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

fast track 1 FAST LANE (sense 2) 2 a career path offering rapid advancement 3 a building method in which construction begins even before plans and designs are completed

fast¹ (fæst, fäst) •adj. 1 not easily moved, freed, or separated; firm, fixed, or stuck {the ship was fast on the rocks} 2 firmly fastened or shut {make the shutters fast} 3 loyal; devoted {fast friends} 4 that will not fade {fast colors} 5 rapid in movement or action; swift; quick; speedy 6 permitting or facilitating swift movement {a fast highway} 7 taking or lasting a short time {a fast lunch} 8 showing or keeping to a time in advance of a standard or scheduled time {his watch is fast} 9 a) living in a reckless, wild, dissipated way {a fast crowd} b) promiscuous sexually Æ 10 [Colloq.] glib and deceptive {a fast talker} 11 [Slang] acting, gotten, done, etc. quickly and often dishonestly {out for a fast buck} 12 Bacteriology resistant to dissolution or decolorization, as certain bacteria 13 Photog. adapted to or allowing very short exposure time {a fast lens, fast film} 14 [Now Dial.] complete; sound {a fast sleep} •adv. [ME faste < OE fæste < adj.] 1 firmly; fixedly 2 thoroughly; soundly {fast asleep} 3 rapidly; swiftly; quickly; speedily 4 ahead of time 5 in a reckless, dissipated way; wildly 6 [Obs. or Old Poet.] close; near {fast by the river} •n. something that fastens or is used in fastening, as a rope for mooring {a stern fast} Æ a fast one [Slang] a tricky or deceptive act {to pull a fast one on someone} play fast and loose to behave with reckless duplicity or insincerity SYN.—fast and rapid are generally interchangeable in expressing the idea of a relatively high rate of movement or action, but fast more often refers to the person or thing that moves or acts, and rapid to the action [a fast typist, rapid transcription]; swift implies great rapidity, but in addition often connotes smooth, easy movement; fleet suggests a nimbleness or lightness in that which moves swiftly; quick implies promptness of action, or occurrence in a brief space of time, rather than velocity [a quick reply]; speedy intensifies the idea of quickness, but may also connote high velocity [a speedy recovery, a speedy flight]; hasty suggests hurried action and may connote carelessness, rashness, or impatience —ANT. slow [ME < OE fæst, akin to Ger fest, firm, stable < IE base *pasto-, fixed, secure > Arm hast]

fast² (fæst, fäst) •vi. 1 to abstain from all or certain foods, as in observing a holy day 2 to eat very little or nothing •n. 1 the act of fasting 2 a day or period of fasting break one's fast to eat food for the first time after fasting, or for the first time in the day [ME fasten < OE fæstan, akin to Ger fasten, Goth fastan, lit., hold fast < base of prec.]

fastback (-bæk') •n. an automobile body which slopes from the roof to the rear bumper

fastball (-bäl') •n. Baseball a pitch thrown with great velocity in a relatively straight line

fasten (fæs´эn, fäs´-) •vt. 1 to join (one thing to another); attach; connect 2 to make fast or secure, as by locking, shutting, buttoning, etc.; fix firmly in place 3 to hold, fix, or direct (the attention, gaze, etc.) steadily on something 4 to cause to be connected or attributed; impute {to fasten a crime on someone} 5 to force (oneself) on or upon another in an annoying way •vi. 1 to become attached or joined 2 to take a firm hold (on or upon); seize; cling 3 to concentrate (on or upon) SYN. TIE [ME fastnen < OE fæstnian < base of fæst: see FAST¹]

fastener (-эr) •n. 1 a person who fastens 2 any of various devices for fastening things together; fastening

fastening (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act or way of making something fast, or secure 2 anything used to fasten; bolt, clasp, hook, lock, button, etc.

fast-food (fæst´fu:d´) •adj. designating a business that offers food, as hamburgers, prepared and served quickly

fastidious (fæs tid´i: эs, fэ stid´-) •adj. 1 not easy to please; very critical or discriminating 2 refined in a too dainty or oversensitive way, so as to be easily disgusted SYN. DAINTY fas·tid´i·ous·ly •adv. fas·tid´i·ous·ness •n. [ME < L fastidiosus < fastidium, a loathing, disgust < fastus, disdain, contempt, pride (< ? IE base *bhars-, projection, point, BRISTLE) + taedium: see TEDIUM]

fastigiate (fæs tij´i: it, -eit') •adj. having a narrow, spirelike shape, as various trees Also fas·tig´i·at'ed (-eit'id) [LL fastigiatus, for L fastigatus < fastigium, a slope, roof < IE *bharsti- < base *bhars-: see FASTIDIOUS]

fastigium (fæs tij´i: эm) •n. 1 the most severe point in the course of an illness 2 the highest point in the roof of the fourth ventricle of the brain [ModL < L, an extremity, orig., the top of a gable: see FASTIGIATE]

fastness (fæst´nis, fäst´-) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being fast 2 a secure place; stronghold [ME fastnesse < OE fæstnes: see FAST¹ & -NESS]

fast-talk (-tök´) •vt. [Colloq.] to persuade with fast, smooth, but often deceitful talk

fastuous (fæs´tyu: эs) •adj. 1 haughty; lofty 2 ostentatious; pretentious [L fastuosus < fastus: see FASTIDIOUS]

fat (fæt) fat´ter, fat´test •adj. 1 a) containing or full of fat; oily; greasy b) having much fat in relation to lean (said of meat) c) containing volatile oil {fat coal} d) containing much resin {fat wood} 2 a) fleshy; plump b) too plump; corpulent; obese 3 thick; broad {the fat part of the bat} 4 containing something valuable in great quantity; fertile; productive {fat land} 5 profitable; lucrative {a fat job} 6 prosperous 7 supplied plentifully; ample 8 stupid; dull 9 [Slang] desirable because large or important {a fat role for an actor} •n. 1 any of various mixtures of solid or semisolid triglycerides found in adipose animal tissue or in the seeds of plants: they are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents, and their oiliness causes translucent markings on paper 2 any such substance used in cooking 3 fleshiness; plumpness; corpulence 4 the richest or finest part of anything 5 anything unnecessary or superfluous that can be trimmed away 6 Chem. a class of neutral lipids consisting of the various triglycerides: they are called oils if in the liquid state •vt., vi. fat´ted, fat´ting to make or become fat: now usually FATTEN [ME fatten < OE fættian] Æ a fat chance [Slang] very little or no chance a fat lot [Slang] very little or nothing chew the fat [Slang] to talk together; chat the fat is in the fire the unfortunate thing has happened and cannot be undone the fat of the land the best things obtainable; great luxury [after LL(Ec) medulla terrae, Gen. 45:18] fat´ly •adv. fat´ness •n. [ME < OE fætt, pp. of fætan, to fatten, akin to Ger feist, plump < OHG feizzen, to make fat < IE *poid- < base *pi-, to be fat, distended > Gr pimelē, lard, Sans pīná-, fat]

fat cat [Slang] a wealthy, influential person, esp. one who is a heavy contributor to a political party or campaign

fat city [also F- C-] [Slang] a place or condition of prosperity, comfort, success, etc.

fat farm [Colloq.] a resort or spa where well-to-do people go to lose weight through a regimen of diet and exercise

fata morgana (fät´э mör gän´э) a mirage, esp. one sometimes seen off the coast of Sicily near the Strait of Messina: so called because formerly supposed to be the work of Morgan le Fay [It, lit., MORGAN LE FAY]

fatal (feit´ªl) •adj. 1 orig., fated; destined; inevitable 2 important in its outcome; fateful; decisive {the fatal day arrived} 3 resulting in death 4 very destructive; most unfortunate; disastrous 5 concerned with or determining fate fa´tal·ness •n. SYN.—fatal implies the inevitability or actual occurrence of death or disaster [a fatal disease, a fatal mistake]; deadly is applied to a thing that can and probably (but not inevitably) will cause death [a deadly poison]; mortal implies that death has occurred and is applied to the immediate cause of death [he has received a mortal blow]; lethal is applied to that which in its nature or purpose is a cause of death [a lethal weapon] [ME < OFr & < L fatalis < fatum, FATE]

fatalism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 the belief that all events are determined by fate and are hence inevitable 2 acceptance of every event as inevitable fa´tal·ist •n. fa'tal·is´tic •adj. fa'tal·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.

fatality (fei tæl´э ti:, fэ-) pl. -ties •n. 1 fate or necessity; subjection to fate 2 something caused by fate 3 a strong likelihood of ending in disaster 4 a fatal quality; deadly effect; deadliness {the fatality of any specified disease} 5 a death caused by a disaster, as in an accident, war, etc. [Fr fatalité < LL fatalitas < L fatalis, FATAL]

fatally (feit´ªl i:) •adv. 1 as determined by fate; inevitably 2 so as to cause death or disaster; mortally

fatback (fæt´bæk') •n. 1 fat from the back of a hog, usually dried and salted in strips 2 MENHADEN

fate (feit) •n. 1 the power or agency supposed to determine the outcome of events before they occur; destiny 2 a) something inevitable, supposedly determined by this power b) what happens or has happened to a person or entity; lot; fortune 3 final outcome 4 death; destruction; doom 5 [F-] any of the three FATES •vt. fat´ed, fat´ing to destine: now usually in the passive SYN.—fate refers to the inevitability of a course of events as supposedly predetermined by a god or other agency beyond human control; destiny also refers to an inevitable succession of events as determined supernaturally or by necessity, but often implies a favorable outcome [it was her destiny to become famous]; portion and lot refer to what is supposedly distributed in the determining of fate, but portion implies an equitable apportionment and lot implies a random assignment; doom always connotes an unfavorable or disastrous fate [ME < L fatum, prophetic declaration, oracle < neut. pp. of fari, to speak: see FAME]

fated (feit´id) •adj. 1 ordained or determined by fate; destined 2 destined to destruction; doomed

fateful (-fэl) •adj. 1 revealing what is to come; prophetic 2 having important consequences; significant; decisive 3 controlled as if by fate 4 bringing death or destruction SYN. OMINOUS fate´ful·ly •adv. fate´ful·ness •n.

Fates (feits) Gr. & Rom. Myth. the three goddesses who control human destiny and life: see CLOTHO, LACHESIS, ATROPOS

fath fathom(s)

fathead (fæt´hed') •n. [Slang] a stupid person; blockhead fat´head'ed •adj.

father (fä´ðэr) •n. 1 a man who has begotten a child; esp., a man as he is related to his child or children 2 a) a stepfather b) an adoptive father c) a father-in-law 3 the male parent of a plant or animal 4 a person regarded as a male parent; protector 5 a forefather; ancestor: usually used in pl. 6 an originator, founder, or inventor 7 any man deserving of respect or reverence because of age, position, etc. 8 a senator of ancient Rome 9 any of the leaders of a city, assembly, etc.: usually used in pl. 10 [often F-] any of the early Christian religious writers considered reliable authorities on the doctrines and teachings of the Church 11 [often F-] a Christian priest: used esp. as a title •vt. 1 to be the father of; beget 2 to look after or care for as a father does 3 to bring into being; found, originate, or invent 4 to take the responsibility for 5 to impose improperly as a responsibility; foist {the mistake was fathered on him} [F-] God, or God as the first person in the Trinity [ME fader < OE fæder, akin to ON fathir, OHG fater, Goth fadar < IE *pðtĕr > L pater, Gr patēr, Sans pitár: ult. origin prob. echoic of baby talk, as in PAPA, Hindi bābū]

father confessor 1 a priest who hears confessions, as in the Roman Catholic Church 2 a person whom one consults, esp. regularly, as about personal difficulties

father image (or figure) a person substituted in one's mind for one's father and often the object of emotions felt toward the father

Father Time time personified as a very old man carrying a scythe and an hourglass

fatherhood (-hud') •n. 1 the state of being a father; paternity 2 the qualities or character of a father 3 fathers collectively [ME faderhod: see -HOOD]

father-in-law (-in lö') pl. fa´thers-in-law' •n. the father of one's wife or husband

fatherland (-lænd') •n. 1 a person's native land or country 2 the land or country of one's ancestors [prob. < Du vaderland, Ger vaterland]

fatherless (-lis) •adj. 1 not having a father living, or lacking a father's protection 2 not knowing the identity of one's father [ME faderles < OE fæderleas]

fatherly (-li:) •adj. 1 of a father 2 having traits considered typical of fathers; kind, protective, wise, etc.; paternal •adv. [Archaic] as a father fa´ther·li·ness •n. [ME faderly < OE fæderlic]

Father's Day the third Sunday in June, a day set aside (in the U.S.) in honor of fathers

fathom (fæð´эm) •n. a length of 6 feet, used as a unit of measure for the depth of water or the length of a rope or cable •vt. 1 to measure the depth of; sound 2 to get to the bottom of; understand thoroughly fath´om·a·ble •adj. [ME fadme < OE fæthm (akin to OFris fethm, OS pl. fathmōs), the two arms outstretched (to embrace, measure), akin to Ger faden, thread < IE base *pet-, to stretch out > L patere, to stretch out]

Fathometer (fæ ðäm´эt эr) trademark for a type of echo sounder •n. [f-] such a device

fathomless (fæð´эm lis) •adj. 1 too deep to be measured 2 incomprehensible fath´om·less·ness •n.

fatidic (fei tid´ik, fэ-) •adj. of divination or prophecy; prophetic Also fa·tid´i·cal [L fatidicus, prophesying < fatum, FATE + dicere, to say: see DICTION]

fatigable (fæt´i gэ bэl) •adj. that can be fatigued or easily tired fat'i·ga·bil´i·ty •n.

fatigue (fэ ti:g´) •n. 1 physical or mental exhaustion; weariness 2 the cause of this; hard work; toil 3 any manual labor or menial duty, other than drill or instruction, assigned to soldiers: in full, fatigue duty 4 [pl.] sturdy work clothing worn by soldiers doing fatigue duty: also fatigue clothes (or clothing) 5 the tendency of a metal or other material to crack and fail under repeated applications of stress 6 Physiol. the decreased ability to function or inability to respond of an organism or one of its parts due to prolonged exertion or repeated stimulation •vt., vi. -tigued´, -tigu´ing 1 to make or become tired or exhausted; weary 2 to subject to or undergo fatigue [Fr < fatiguer < L fatigare, to weary < *fatis, exhaustion < base of fames, hunger (see FAMINE) + agere, to drive, make (see ACT)]

Fatima (fæt´i mэ, fät´-; fэ ti:´mэ) c. A.D. 606-632; daughter of Mohammed

Fatimid (fæt´i mid') •adj. 1 descended from Mohammed's daughter, Fatima 2 designating or of a dynasty of Muslim rulers, descended from Fatima and Ali, that ruled over Egyptian Islam and parts of N Africa (909-1171) •n. any Fatimid ruler or descendant Also Fat´i·mite' (-mait')

fatling (fæt´liŋ) •n. a calf, lamb, kid, or young pig fattened for slaughter [FAT + -LING¹]

fat-soluble (fæt´säl´yu: bэl) •adj. soluble in fats or in solvents for fats

fatten (fæt´ªn) •vt. 1 to make fat, or plump, as by feeding; specif., to make (cattle, etc.) fat for slaughter 2 to make (land) fertile 3 to make richer, fuller, etc. •vi. to become fat fat´ten·er •n.

fattish (-ish) •adj. somewhat fat

fatty (fæt´i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. 1 containing, consisting of, or made of fat 2 very plump; obese 3 resembling fat; greasy; oily •n. pl. -ties [Colloq.] a fat person fat´ti·ness •n.

fatty acid any of a class of lipids consisting of various saturated or unsaturated, monobasic organic acids, generally R·COOH, usually in a straight chain: they occur naturally in the form of glycerol esters in animal or vegetable fats and oils

fatty degeneration Pathology the abnormal occurrence of fat particles in tissue

fatuity (fэ tu:´э ti:, -tyu:´-; fæ-) pl. -ties •n. 1 stupidity, esp. complacent stupidity; smug foolishness 2 a fatuous remark, act, etc. 3 [Archaic] idiocy or imbecility fa·tu´i·tous •adj. [Fr fatuité < L fatuitas < fatuus: see FATUOUS]

fatuous (fæch´u: эs) •adj. 1 complacently stupid or inane; silly; foolish 2 [Archaic] like an ignis fatuus; illusory; unreal SYN. SILLY fat´u·ous·ly •adv. fat´u·ous·ness •n. [L fatuus, foolish < IE base *bhāt-, to strike > BATTER¹]

fat-witted (fæt´wit'id) •adj. thick-headed; dull; stupid

faubourg (fô bu:ř´; E fou´bur', -burg') •n. 1 a suburb 2 a city district that was at one time a suburb [Fr for earlier faux bourg, lit., false town, folk-etym. form of OFr forsbourc, lit., outside town, hence suburb < fors (Fr hors), outside + bourg, town]

faucal (fö´kэl) •adj. Phonet. of or articulated in the fauces: said of certain speech sounds, as guttural sounds in the Semitic languages [< fol. + -AL]

fauces (fö´si:z') •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the passage leading from the back of the mouth into the pharynx fau´cial (-shэl) •adj. [L, throat, gullet]

faucet (fö´sit, fä´-) •n. a device with a hand-operated valve for regulating the flow of a liquid from a pipe, barrel, etc.; cock; tap [ME < OFr fausset, prob. < faulser, to make a breach in, falsify < LL falsare < L falsus, FALSE]

faugh (fö: conventionalized pronun.; actually, an expulsion of air, often with vibration of the lips) •interj. an exclamation of disgust, scorn, etc.

Faulkner (fök´nэr), William 1897-1962; U.S. novelist

fault (fölt) •n. 1 [Obs.] failure to have or do what is required; lack 2 something that mars the appearance, character, structure, etc.; defect or failing 3 something done wrongly; specif., a) a misdeed; offense b) an error; mistake 4 responsibility for something wrong; blame {it's her fault that they are late} 5 Elec. a defect or point of defect in a circuit, which prevents the current from following the intended course 6 Geol. a fracture or zone of fractures in rock strata together with movement that displaces the sides relative to one another 7 Hunting a break in the line of the scent 8 Racket Sports a) an error in service, as failure to serve to the proper court b) a ball improperly served •vt. 1 to find fault with; blame or criticize 2 Geol. to cause a fault in •vi. 1 to commit a fault: archaic except in racket sports 2 Geol. to develop a fault at fault 1 unable to find the scent: said of hunting dogs 2 not knowing what to do; perplexed 3 guilty of error; deserving blame: also in fault find fault (with) to seek and point out faults (of); complain (about); criticize to a fault too much; excessively SYN.—fault, in this comparison, refers to a definite, although not strongly condemnatory, imperfection in character [her only fault is stubbornness]; failing implies an even less serious shortcoming, usually one of those common to mankind [tardiness was one of his failings]; weakness applies to a minor shortcoming that results from a lack of perfect self-control [talking too much is my weakness]; foible refers to a slight weakness that is regarded more as an amusing idiosyncrasy than an actual defect in character [eating desserts first is one of his foibles]; vice, although stronger in its implication of moral failure than any of the preceding terms, does not in this connection suggest actual depravity or wickedness [gambling is his only vice] —ANT. virtue [ME faute < OFr faulte, a lack < VL *fallita < *fallitus, for L falsus: see FALSE]

faultfinder (-fain'dэr) •n. a person given to finding fault; chronic, captious complainer

faultfinding (-fain'diŋ) •n., adj. finding fault; calling attention to defects SYN. CRITICAL

faultless (-lis) •adj. without any fault or defect; perfect fault´less·ly •adv. fault´less·ness •n.

faulty (fölt´i:) fault´i·er, fault´i·est •adj. having a fault or faults; defective, blemished, imperfect, or erroneous fault´i·ly •adv. fault´i·ness •n. [ME fauti]

faun (fön) •n. any of a class of minor Roman deities, usually represented as having the body of a man, but the horns, pointed ears, tail, and hind legs of a goat: see also SATYR [ME < L faunus: see FAUNUS]

fauna (fö´nэ) pl. -nas or -nae (-ni:) •n. 1 the animals of a specified region or time {the fauna of North America} 2 a descriptive list of such animals fau´nal •adj. [ModL < LL Fauna, sister of fol.: adopted by Carolus LINNAEUS (1746) as term parallel to FLORA]

Faunus (fö´nэs) Rom. Myth. a god of nature, the patron of farming and animals: identified with the Greek Pan [L < ? IE *dhaunos, wolf, strangler < base *dhau-, to strangle > Gr Daunos; infl. by Roman folk-etym. assoc. with L favere, to favor]

Fauré (fô řei´), Gabriel (Urbain) 1845-1924; Fr. composer

Faust (faust) the hero of several medieval legends, and later literary and operatic works, an old philosopher who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power Also Faus·tus (fös´tэs, faus´-) Faust·i·an (faus´ti: эn, fös´-) •adj. [Ger < L faustus, fortunate < base of favere: see FAVOR]

faute de mieux (fout dэ myö´) for want of (something) better [Fr]

fauteuil (fô të´yª) •n. an upholstered chair; esp., one with open arms [Fr < OFr faldestoel, FALDSTOOL]

fauvism (fou´viz'эm) •n. [often F-] a French expressionist movement in painting at the beginning of the 20th cent., involving Matisse, Derain, Vlaminck, etc.: it was characterized by bold distortion of form and the use of strong, pure color fauve (fouv) or fau´vist •n., adj. [Fr fauvisme < fauve, wild beast, orig. adj., fawn-colored, dun < OFr < Frank *falw < Gmc *falwa, FALLOW²]

faux (fou) •adj. false or artificial [Fr]

faux pas (fou pä´) pl. faux pas (fou päz´) a social blunder; error in etiquette; tactless act or remark SYN. ERROR [Fr, lit., false step]

faux-naïf (fou nå i:f´) •adj. 1 artificially or affectedly naive 2 of a literary or artistic style that pretends to be simple, childlike, or unsophisticated •n. a faux-naïf person, style, etc. [Fr]

fava bean (fä´vэ) BROAD BEAN Etymology [It fava, bean (< L faba, BEAN) + BEAN]

favela (fэ ve´lэ) •n. a slum [Port]

faveolate (fэ vi:´э lit', -leit') •adj. honeycombed; containing cells; alveolate [< ModL faveolus, dim. of L favus, honeycomb + -ATE¹]

favism (fä´viz'эm, fei´-) •n. an acute anemia in certain people, caused by their reaction to the fava bean or its pollen

favonian (fэ vou´ni: эn) •adj. of or like the west wind; esp., gentle, mild, etc. [L Favonianus < Favonius, west wind < favere: see FAVOR]

favor (fei´vэr) •n. 1 friendly or kind regard; good will; approval; liking 2 unfair partiality; favoritism 3 a kind, obliging, friendly, or generous act {to do someone a favor} 4 [pl.] consent (of a woman) to sexual intimacy 5 a small gift, souvenir, or token (orig., a token of love) 6 [Archaic] a business letter or note {your favor of the 15th June} 7 [Archaic] a) appearance or look b) face or countenance 8 [Obs.] attractiveness; charm •vt. 1 to regard with favor; approve or like 2 to be indulgent or too indulgent toward; be partial to; prefer unfairly 3 to be for; support; advocate; endorse 4 to make easier; help; assist {rain favored his escape} 5 to do a kindness for 6 to look like; resemble in facial features {to favor one's mother} 7 to use gently; spare {to favor an injured leg} find favor to be regarded with favor; be pleasing to in favor favored; liked in favor of 1 approving; supporting; endorsing 2 to the advantage of 3 payable to, as a check, etc. in one's favor to one's advantage or credit out of favor no longer popular or a favorite; not liked fa´vor·er •n. [ME favour < OFr < L favor < favere, to favor < IE base *ghow-, to perceive > OE (ofer) gumian, to neglect, Czech hověti, to take precautions (with), spare]

favorable (fei´vэr э bэl) •adj. 1 approving or commending 2 advantageous 3 pleasing or desirable {a favorable impression} fa´vor·a·ble·ness •n. fa´vor·a·bly •adv. SYN.—favorable applies to that which is distinctly helpful or advantageous in gaining an end [a favorable climate for citrus fruits]; auspicious refers to something regarded as a good omen of some undertaking [he made an auspicious debut]; propitious is now usually applied to a circumstance or a time that appears favorable for doing or beginning something [a propitious moment] —ANT. adverse, unfavorable [ME < OFr < L favorabilis]

favored (fei´vэrd) •adj. 1 regarded or treated with favor; specif., a) provided with advantages; talented b) specially privileged 2 having (specified) features: often in hyphenated compounds {ill-favored}

favorite (fei´vэr it) •n. 1 a person or thing regarded with special liking, or more highly than others; specif., a person liked very much and granted special privileges as by a king, high official, etc. 2 a contestant regarded as most likely to win •adj. held in special regard; best liked; preferred [MFr < It favorito, pp. of favorire, to favor < favore < L favor, FAVOR]

favorite son 1 a famous man honored and praised in his native city, district, etc. because of his achievements 2 a) a candidate favored by the political leaders of his own State, city, etc., as for presidential nomination b) a candidate at a political convention who controls a State's votes for brokering, or who is available as a compromise nominee

favoritism (fei´vэr э tiz'эm) •n. 1 the showing of more kindness and indulgence to some person or persons than to others; act of being unfairly partial 2 the condition of being a favorite