Great White Father name given by the American Indians to the president of the U.S.

Great White Way the brightly lighted, former theater district in New York City, on Broadway near Times Square

great world fashionable society and its way of life [transl. of Fr grand monde]

Great Yarmouth seaport on the eastern coast of England, in Norfolk: pop. 82,000

great year one full cycle of precession of the equinoxes, equal to c. 25,800 years

great-aunt (-ænt') •n. a sister of any of one's grandparents; grandaunt

greatcoat (greit´kout') •n. a heavy overcoat

greaten (greit´ªn) •vt., vi. to make or become great or greater

greater (greit´эr) •adj. [often G-] designating a big city and the cities and towns surrounding it, esp. the area included in the U.S. census

Greater Antilles group of islands in the West Indies, made up of the N & W Antilles, including the islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, & Puerto Rico

Greater Wollongong (wul´эn gäŋ', -göŋ') city in SE New South Wales, Australia: pop. 234,000

great-grandchild (greit'grænd´chaild') pl. -chil'dren •n. a child of any of one's grandchildren great'-grand´daugh'ter •n. great'-grand´son' •n.

great-grandparent (greit'grænd´per'эnt) •n. a parent of any of one's grandparents great´-grand´fa'ther •n. great´-grand´moth'er •n.

great-great- (greit´greit´) see GREAT-

greathearted (-härt'id) •adj. 1 brave; fearless; courageous 2 generous; magnanimous; unselfish

great-nephew (greit´nef'yu:) •n. a grandson of one's brother or sister; grandnephew

great-niece (-ni:s') •n. a granddaughter of one's brother or sister: grandniece

great-uncle (greit´ûŋ'kэl) •n. a brother of any of one's grandparents; granduncle

greave (gri:v) •n. armor for the leg from the ankle to the knee: see ARMOR, illus. [ME greve < OFr, shin, shin armor < Ar jaurab, stocking]

greaves (gri:vz) •n.pl. the sediment of skin, etc. formed when animal fat is melted down for tallow; specif., cracklings [whaling term < LowG greven, pl., MDu grēve, akin to Ger griebe: basic sense coarse elements that will not melt: for IE base see GREAT]

grebe (gri:b) pl. grebes •n.or grebe any of a worldwide order (Podicipediformes) of diving and swimming birds with broadly lobed toes and legs set far back on the body [< Fr grèbe < ?]

Grecian (gri:´shэn) •adj. GREEK (sense 1) •n. 1 a Greek 2 [Archaic] a scholar of Greek [< L Graecia, GREECE + -AN]

Grecian profile a profile in which the nose and forehead form an almost straight line

Grecism (gri:´siz'эm) •n. 1 a) an idiom of the Greek language b) an imitation of this 2 the spirit of Greek culture 3 imitation of Greek style in the arts [Fr grécisme < ML Graecismus < L Graeci, the Greeks]

Grecize (gri:´saiz') -cized', -ciz'ing •vt. to make Greek; give a Greek form to; Hellenize •vi. to imitate the Greeks in language, manner, etc. Also Gre´cian·ize', -ized', -iz'ing [Fr gréciser < L Graecizare < Graeci, the Greeks]

Greco , El see EL GRECO

Greco- (grek´ou, gri:´kou) combining form Greek, Greek and {Greco-Roman} [< L Graecus]

Greco-Roman (grek'ou rou´mэn, gri:´kou-) •adj. of or influenced by both Greece and Rome {Greco-Roman art, Greco-Roman wrestling}

gree¹ (gri:) •n. [Obs.] good will do (or make) gree [Archaic] to give satisfaction for an injury [ME gre < OFr gre, gred < L gratum, neut. of gratus: see GRACE]

gree² (gri:) •n. [Scot.] superiority, preeminence, or victory [ME gre < OFr gré, a step < L gradus, a step: see GRADE]

gree³ (gri:) greed, gree´ing •vt., vi. [Dial.] to agree or make agree [ME green < OFr grëer < gré, pleasure (see AGREE); also aphetic < ME agreen]

Greece (gri:s) country in the S Balkan Peninsula, including many islands in the Aegean, Ionian, & Mediterranean seas: 50,949 sq. mi. (131,950 sq. km); pop. 9,900,000; cap. Athens: in ancient times, the region comprised a number of small monarchies and city-states

greed (gri:d) •n. excessive desire for getting or having, esp. wealth; desire for more than one needs or deserves; avarice; cupidity [back-form. < fol.]

greedy (gri:d´i:) greed´i·er, greed´i·est •adj. 1 wanting or taking all that one can get, with no thought of others' needs; desiring more than one needs or deserves; avaricious; covetous 2 having too strong a desire for food and drink; gluttonous; voracious 3 intensely eager greed´i·ly •adv. greed´i·ness •n. SYN.—greedy implies an insatiable desire to possess or acquire something to an amount inordinately beyond what one needs or deserves and is the broadest of the terms compared here; avaricious stresses greed for money or riches and often connotes miserliness; grasping suggests an unscrupulous eagerness for gain that manifests itself in a seizing upon every opportunity to get what one desires; acquisitive stresses the exertion of effort in acquiring or accumulating wealth or material possessions to an excessive amount; covetous implies greed for something that another person rightfully possesses [ME gredie < OE grædig < base of græd- (in grædum, eagerly) + -ig (see -Y²), akin to Goth grēdags, lit., hungry < IE base *Gher-, to crave > Gr charis, grace, favor]

Greek (gri:k) •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of ancient or modern Greece 2 the language of the Greeks, constituting a separate branch of the Indo-European language family: see also LATE GREEK, MEDIEVAL GREEK, MODERN GREEK 3 ancient Greek, esp. that of the classical period (c. 8th-4th cent. B.C.) Æ 4 [Colloq.] a member of a Greek-letter fraternity, or sorority •adj. [ME Grec < the n. & < Fr grec < L Graecus] 1 of ancient or modern Greece, its people, language, or culture 2 designating or of Greek Catholics or the Greek Orthodox Church be Greek to one to be incomprehensible or unintelligible to one [ME Greke < OE Grec < L Graecus < Gr Graikos, name orig. used by Illyrians for the Dorians in Epirus (< Grāi, Grāii < Grāes, native name of the people of Epirus); later applied by the people of Italy to all Hellenes]

Greek (Orthodox) Church 1 the established church of Greece, an autonomous part of the Eastern Orthodox Church 2 loosely, the Eastern Orthodox Church

Greek Catholic 1 loosely, a member of certain Eastern Orthodox churches 2 a member of certain Eastern churches in communion with the WESTERN CHURCH (sense 1)

Greek cross a cross with four equal arms at right angles: see CROSS, illus.

Greek fire an incendiary material used in medieval warfare, described as able to burn in water [from its first use by Greeks of Byzantium]

Greek-letter (gri:k´let´эr) •adj. designating or of a student fraternity or sorority whose name is designated by a combination of Greek letters

Greeley (gri:´li:) city in NC Colo.: pop. 61,000 [after prec.] Greeley (gri:´li:), Horace 1811-72; U.S. journalist & political leader

Green river flowing from W Wyo. south into the Colorado River in SE Utah: 730 mi. (1,175 km) Green (gri:n) 1 John Richard 1837-83; Eng. historian 2 Paul (Eliot) 1894-1981; U.S. playwright 3 William 1873-1952; U.S. labor leader green (gri:n) •adj. 1 of the color that is characteristic of growing grass 2 a) overspread with or characterized by green plants or foliage {a green field} b) made of green-leaved vegetables {green salad} 3 keeping the green grass of summer; without snow; mild {a green December} 4 sickly or bilious, as from illness, fear, etc. 5 a) flourishing; active {to keep someone's memory green} b) of the time of one's youth {the green years} 6 not mature; unripe {green bananas} 7 not trained; inexperienced 8 easily led or deceived; simple; naive 9 not dried, seasoned, or cured; unprocessed {green lumber} 10 fresh; new 11 of, relating to, or advocating ecological awareness, the preservation of natural resources, etc. {green politics} 12 [Colloq.] jealous [see GREEN-EYED] •n. 1 the color of growing grass; any color between blue and yellow in the spectrum: green can be produced by blending blue and yellow pigments 2 any green pigment or dye 3 anything colored green, as clothing 4 [pl.] green leaves, branches, etc., used for ornamentation 5 [pl.] green leafy plants or vegetables eaten cooked or raw, as spinach, lettuce, etc. 6 an area of smooth turf set aside for special purposes {a village green} Æ 7 [Slang] money, esp. paper money: chiefly in long green and folding green 8 Golf the plot of carefully tended turf immediately surrounding each of the holes to facilitate putting •vt., vi. to make or become green green with envy very envious green´ish •adj. green´ly •adv. green´ness •n. [ME grene < OE, akin to Ger grün, Du groen: for IE base see GROW] green (gri:n) •adj. 1 of the color that is characteristic of growing grass 2 a) overspread with or characterized by green plants or foliage {a green field} b) made of green-leaved vegetables {green salad} 3 keeping the green grass of summer; without snow; mild {a green December} 4 sickly or bilious, as from illness, fear, etc. 5 a) flourishing; active {to keep someone's memory green} b) of the time of one's youth {the green years} 6 not mature; unripe {green bananas} 7 not trained; inexperienced 8 easily led or deceived; simple; naive 9 not dried, seasoned, or cured; unprocessed {green lumber} 10 fresh; new 11 of, relating to, or advocating ecological awareness, the preservation of natural resources, etc. {green politics} 12 [Colloq.] jealous [see GREEN-EYED] •n. 1 the color of growing grass; any color between blue and yellow in the spectrum: green can be produced by blending blue and yellow pigments 2 any green pigment or dye 3 anything colored green, as clothing 4 [pl.] green leaves, branches, etc., used for ornamentation 5 [pl.] green leafy plants or vegetables eaten cooked or raw, as spinach, lettuce, etc. 6 an area of smooth turf set aside for special purposes {a village green} Æ 7 [Slang] money, esp. paper money: chiefly in long green and folding green 8 Golf the plot of carefully tended turf immediately surrounding each of the holes to facilitate putting •vt., vi. to make or become green green with envy very envious green´ish •adj. green´ly •adv. green´ness •n. [ME grene < OE, akin to Ger grün, Du groen: for IE base see GROW]

green algae a division (Chlorophycota) of algae in which the chlorophyll is not obscured by other pigments

Green Bay 1 arm of Lake Michigan, extending into NE Wis.: c. 100 mi. (160 km) long 2 city & port in Wis., on this bay: pop. 96,000 [transl. of Fr Baie Verte]

green bean 1 a variety of kidney bean with long, narrow green pods 2 the edible, immature seed pod of this

Green Berets name for SPECIAL FORCES

green card Æ a registration card, originally green, granting an alien permission to reside and be employed in the U.S.

green corn young ears of sweet corn, in the milky stage

green dragon Æ an American wildflower (Arisaema dracontium) of the arum family, with a very long spadix and a greenish spathe

green earth 1 any of several earths or clays containing iron silicates used as a pale grayish-green pigment 2 TERRE-VERTE

green light [Colloq.] permission or authorization to proceed with some undertaking: usually in give (or get) the green light [in allusion to the green go signal of a traffic light]

green manure 1 a crop of plants, as clover, plowed under while still green to fertilize the soil 2 fresh manure

green mold any of various species of a fungus (esp. genus Penicillium) that produce greenish masses of spores

green monkey a small, ground-dwelling guenon monkey (Cercopithecus sabaeus) with greenish hair

Green Mountain Boys the Vermont soldiers organized and led by Ethan Allen in the American Revolution

Green Mountains range of the Appalachians, extending the length of Vermont: highest peak 4,393 ft. (1,340 m)

green onion an immature onion with a long stalk and green leaves, often eaten raw as in salads; scallion

green pepper the green, immature fruit of any red pepper, esp. the bell pepper: see CAPSICUM

green power money, as the source of economic power and, hence, social and political power [see GREEN, n. 7]

green revolution the simultaneous development of new varieties of food plants and improved agricultural techniques, resulting in greatly increased crop yields

Green River Ordinance a local ordinance prohibiting door-to-door selling [after such an ordinance passed (1931) in Green River, Wyo.]

green snake any of a genus (Opheodrys) of small, harmless, slender, green colubrine snakes of North America

green soap a soft, originally greenish, soap made of potassium hydroxide, certain vegetable oils, and alcohol, used in treating skin diseases

green tea tea prepared from leaves not fermented before drying: distinguished from BLACK TEA

green thumb an apparent skill or talent for growing plants easily

green turtle a large, edible species (Chelonia mydas, family Cheloniidae) of marine turtle

green vitriol FERROUS SULFATE

Greenaway (gri:n´э wei'), Kate 1846-1901; Eng. painter & illustrator, esp. of children's books

greenback (gri:n´bæk') •n. any piece of U.S. paper money printed in green ink on the back

Greenback Party a political party organized in the U.S. after the Civil War, which advocated that fiat money issued by the Federal government be the only currency

greenbelt (gri:n´belt') •n. a beltlike area around a city, reserved by official authority for park land, farms, etc.

greenbrier (-brai'эr) •n. any of several climbing woody vines (genus Smilax) of the lily family, with prickly stems, oval leaves, and, usually, black berries

Greene (gri:n) 1 Graham 1904-91; Eng. writer, esp. of novels 2 Nathanael 1742-86; Am. general in the Revolutionary War 3 Robert c. 1558-92; Eng. poet, dramatist, & pamphleteer

greenery (gri:n´эr i:) pl. -er·ies •n. 1 green vegetation; verdure 2 greens: see GREEN (n. 4) 3 a greenhouse

green-eyed (gri:n´aid') •adj. very jealous [see Othello III, iii]

greenfinch (gri:n´finch') •n. a finch (Carduelis chloris) with olive-green and yellow feathers, native to Europe

greengage (gri:n´geij') •n. a large plum with golden-green skin and flesh [after Sir William Gage, who introduced it into England from France (c. 1725)]

greengrocer (gri:n´grou'sэr) •n. [Brit.] a retail dealer in fresh vegetables and fruit green´gro'cer·y, pl. -cer·ies, •n.

greenheart (gri:n´härt') •n. 1 any of various tropical trees, esp. bebeeru, whose wood is valued for its hardness and resistance to fungi and insects 2 the wood

greenhorn (gri:n´hörn') •n. 1 a) an inexperienced person; beginner; novice Æ b) [Now Rare] a newly arrived immigrant 2 a person easily deceived; dupe [orig. with reference to a young animal with immature horns]

greenhouse (gri:n´haus') •n. a building made mainly of glass, in which the temperature and humidity can be regulated for the cultivation of delicate or out-of-season plants •adj. of or contributing to the greenhouse effect {greenhouse gases}

greenhouse effect the warming of a planet and its lower atmosphere caused by trapped solar radiation: solar shortwave radiation easily penetrates to the planet where it is reradiated into the atmosphere as warmer, larger long waves that are readily absorbed by carbon dioxide, water vapor, etc., thus trapping heat

greenie (gri:n´i:) •n. [Slang] an amphetamine pill, used as a stimulant [after the color of a common type]

greening¹ (gri:n´iŋ) •n. any of various apples having greenish-yellow skins when ripe [MDu groeninc < groen: see GREEN]

greening² (gri:n´iŋ) •n. a becoming more mature and less naive, esp. in one's understanding of social and political forces [after The Greening of America (1970), book by C. Reich]

Greenland (gri:n´lэnd) self-governing island northeast of North America, an integral part of Denmark: it is the world's largest island: 840,000 sq. mi. (2,175,600 sq. km): ice-free land 131,930 sq. mi. (341,700 sq. km); pop. 53,000; cap. Godthaab [orig. so called (ON Grönland, 986 A.D.) to attract settlers]

Greenland Sea part of the Arctic Ocean east of Greenland

greenlet (gri:n´lit) •n. certain tropical vireo birds

greenling (gri:n´liŋ) •n. any of a family (Hexagrammidae) of large, predatory percoid fishes of the N Pacific, with a long dorsal fin

greenmail (-meil') •n. [Colloq.] the buying of a large amount of a company's stock in anticipation that the management, fearing that the buyer will gain control, will buy it back at a premium over the market price green´mail'er •n.

greenockite (gri:n´эk ait') •n. a rare yellow sulfide of cadmium, CdS [after C. M. Cathcart, Lord Greenock (1783-1859), Eng general who discovered it in 1841, + -ITE¹]

Greenough (gri:´nou), Horatio 1805-52; U.S. sculptor

greenroom (gri:n´ru:m') •n. a waiting room in some theaters or concert halls, for use by actors or musicians when they are offstage

greens fee (gri:nz´ fi:') a fee paid to play golf on a golf course

greensand (-sænd') •n. a green, sandy deposit containing much glauconite

Greensboro (gri:nz´bør'ou) city in NC N.C.: pop. 184,000 (met. area, with Winston-Salem & High Point, 942,000) [after Nathanael GREENE]

greenshank (gri:n´shæŋk') •n. a European sandpiper (Tringa nebularia) with greenish legs

greensickness (-sik´nis) •n. CHLOROSIS (sense 2)

greenskeeper (gri:nz´ki:'pэr) •n. the person in charge of maintaining the turf, bunkers, etc. of a golf course

greenstick fracture (gri:n´stik') a type of bone fracture, esp. of the long bones of children, in which the bone is bent and broken only on the convex side

greenstone (gri:n´stoun') •n. any of various altered basic igneous rocks having a dark-green color

greensward (-swörd') •n. green, grassy ground or turf

Greenville (gri:n´vil) city in NW S.C.: pop. 58,000 (met. area, with Spartanburg, 641,000) [after Nathanael GREENE]

Greenwich (gren´ich; chiefly Brit, grin´ij; for 2, also gri:n´wich) 1 borough of Greater London, located on the prime meridian: pop. 216,000: formerly the site of an astronomical observatory: see HERSTMONCEUX 2 suburb of Stamford, in SW Conn.: pop. 58,000

Greenwich (mean) time mean solar time of the meridian at Greenwich, England, used as the basis for standard time throughout most of the world

Greenwich Village (gren´ich) section of New York City, on the lower west side of Manhattan: noted as a center for artists, writers, etc.: formerly a village

greenwood (gri:n´wud') •n. a forest in leaf

Greer (grir), Ger·maine (ji:r mein´) 1939- ; Austral. journalist, writer, & feminist

greet¹ (gri:t) •vt. 1 to speak or write to with expressions of friendliness, respect, pleasure, etc., as in meeting or by letter; hail; welcome 2 to meet, receive, address, or acknowledge (a person, utterance, or event) in a specified way {the speech was greeted with cheers, he was greeted by a rifle shot} 3 to come or appear to; meet {a roaring sound greeted his ears} greet´er •n. [ME greten < OE gretan, grætan, akin to Du groetan, Ger grüssen < IE *ghredh- < base *gher-, echoic of outcry > L hirrire, to whimper, growl]

greet² (gri:t) •vi. [Scot.] to weep; lament [ME greten < OE grætan, akin to Goth gretan and to prec.]

greeting (gri:t´iŋ) •n. 1 the act or words of a person who greets; salutation; welcome 2 [often pl.] a message of regards from someone absent

greeting card CARD¹ (n. 1h)

gregarine (greg´э ri:n', -rain', -rin) •n. any of a subclass (Gregarinia) of sporozoan protozoans that are parasites in the digestive tract of insects, crustaceans, earthworms, etc. •adj. of or pertaining to these protozoans Also greg·a·rin·i·an (greg'э rin´i: эn) [< ModL Gregarina < L gregarius (see GREGARIOUS): name suggested by L. Dufour, 19th-c. Fr zoologist]

gregarious (grэ ger´i: эs) •adj. 1 living in herds or flocks 2 fond of the company of others; sociable 3 having to do with a herd, flock, or crowd 4 Bot. growing in clusters gre·gar´i·ous·ly •adv. gre·gar´i·ous·ness •n. [L gregarius, belonging to a flock < grex (gen. gregis), a flock, herd < IE base *ger-, to collect > Gr ageirein, to assemble]

grego (gri:´gou, grei´-) •n. a short cloak of coarse cloth with an attached hood, worn in the Levant [< It Greco or Port Grego, both < L Graecus, Greek]

Gregorian (grэ gör´i: эn) •adj. of or introduced by Pope Gregory I or Pope Gregory XIII

Gregorian calendar a corrected form of the Julian calendar, introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 and now used in most countries of the world: it provides for an ordinary year of 365 days and a leap year of 366 days every fourth, even year, exclusive of the final year of a century, which is a leap year only if exactly divisible by 400

Gregorian chant a ritual plainsong, monophonic and unmeasured, traditionally codified by Pope Gregory I, and formerly widely used in the Roman Catholic Church

Gregory (greg´эr i:) 1 a masculine name: dim. Greg; var. Gregg; equiv. Fr. Gregoire, Ger. & Scand. Gregor, It. & Sp. Gregorio 2 Gregory I (c. A.D. 540-604); pope (590-604): his day is Sept. 3: called the Great: also called St. Gregory I 3 Gregory VII (born Hildebrand) c. 1020-85; pope (1073-85): his day is May 25: also called St. Gregory VII 4 Gregory XIII (born Ugo Buoncompagni) 1502-85; pope (1572-85): see GREGORIAN CALENDAR 5 Lady Augusta (born Isabella Augusta Persse) 1852-1932; Ir. playwright [LL Gregorius < Gr Grēgorios, lit., vigilant, hence, watchman < dial. form of egeirein, to awaken < IE base *ger-, to grow, awaken]

Gregory of Nyssa (nis´э), Saint (c. A.D. 335-c. 394); Gr. theologian & bishop in Cappadocia: his day is March 9: brother of Saint Basil

Gregory of Tours , Saint (c. A.D. 538-c. 594); Frank. historian & bishop: his day is Nov. 17

greige (greizh) •n. 1 unbleached and undyed cloth or yarn 2 a color blending gray and beige •adj. grayish-beige [Fr grège, raw (silk) < It (seta) greggia < VL *gredius, raw]

greisen (grai´zэn) •n. a crystalline, igneous rock consisting mainly of quartz and white mica [Ger, var. of greiss < dial. greissen, to split]

gremial (gri:´mi: эl) •n. a lap cloth placed across the knees of a bishop, as when he sits during the celebration of Mass [LL gremialis < L gremium, bosom, lap < IE *grem- < base *ger-: see GREGARIOUS]

gremlin (grem´lin) •n. a small imaginary creature humorously blamed for the faulty operation of airplanes or the disruption of any procedure [prob. < Dan *græmling, imp, dim. of obs gram, a devil < ON gramr, angry, akin to OE gremian, to enrage: for IE base see GRIM]

Grenada (grэ nei´dэ) 1 southernmost island of the Windward group in the West Indies: 120 sq. mi. (311 sq. km) 2 country consisting of this island & the S Grenadines: formerly a British colony, it became independent (1974) & a member of the Commonwealth: 133 sq. mi. (345 sq. km); pop. 92,000

grenade (grэ neid´) •n. 1 a small bomb detonated by a fuze and thrown by hand or fired from a rifle 2 a glass container to be thrown so that it will break and disperse the chemicals inside: used for putting out fires, spreading tear gas, etc. [Fr < OFr, pomegranate < L (malum) granatum, (apple) with seeds, pomegranate < granatus, seedy < granum, seed, GRAIN]

grenadier (gren'э dir´) •n. 1 orig., an infantry soldier employed to carry and throw grenades 2 a member of a special regiment or corps, as of the Grenadier Guards of the British Army, attached to the royal household 3 any of a family (Macrouridae, order Gadiformes) of deep-sea bony fishes with a long, tapering tail, large head, and soft fins Etymology [Fr < grenade: see GRENADE]

grenadine¹ (gren´э di:n', gren'э di:n´) •n. a red syrup made from pomegranate juice, used for flavoring drinks, etc. [Fr < grenade, pomegranate]

grenadine² (gren´э di:n', gren'э di:n´) •n. a thin, loosely woven cotton, wool, silk, or rayon cloth, used for blouses, dresses, curtains, etc. [Fr < grenade (see GRENADE): from being spotted with grains]

Grenadines (gren´э di:nz) chain of small islands of the Windward group in the West Indies: the northern group is part of the nation of St. Vincent & the southern group is part of Grenada: c. 30 sq. mi. (78 sq. km)

Grendel (gren´dэl) the male monster slain by BEOWULF

Grenfell (gren´fel'), Sir Wilfred Thom·a·son (täm´э sэn) 1865-1940; Eng. physician, writer, & medical missionary to Labrador

Grenoble (grэ nou´bªl; Fr gřэ nô´blª) city in SE France, in the Alps: pop. 159,000

Gresham's law (gresh´эmz) the theory that when two or more kinds of money of equal denomination but unequal intrinsic value are in circulation, the one of greater value will tend to be hoarded or exported; popularly, the principle that bad money will drive good money out of circulation Etymology [after Sir Thomas Gresham (1519-79), Eng financier, formerly thought to have formulated it]

gressorial (gre sör´i: эl) •adj. adapted for walking, as the feet of certain birds [< L gressus, pp. of gradi: see GRADE]

Greta (gret´э, greit´э) a feminine name: see MARGARET [Swed or < Ger Grete]

Gretchen (grech´эn) a feminine name: see MARGARET [Ger, dim. of Margarete]

Gretna Green (gret´nэ) a border village in Scotland, where, formerly, many eloping English couples went to be married: used figuratively of any similar village or town

Greuze (gřëz), Jean Bap·tiste (zhäñ bå ti:st´) 1725-1805; Fr. painter

grew (gru:) •vi., vt. pt. of GROW [ME greu < OE greow]

grewsome (gru:´sэm) •adj. alt. sp. of GRUESOME

Grey (grei) 1 Charles 2d Earl Grey, 1764-1845; Eng. statesman; prime minister (1830-34) 2 Lady Jane Lady Jane Dudley, 1537-54; queen of England (July 10-19, 1553): beheaded 3 Zane (zein) 1875-1939; U.S. novelist grey (grei) •adj., n., vt., vi. Brit. sp. of GRAY

greyhound (grei´haund') •n. any of a breed of tall, slender, swift dog with a long, narrow head and a short, smooth coat, formerly much used in coursing and now very popular as a racing dog [ME grehounde < OE grighund, *grieghund, akin to ON greyhundr < *grieg, bitch, coward (prob. < IE *gherēu- < base *Gher-, to shine > GRAY) + hund, dog, HOUND¹]

gribble (grib´эl) •n. a small marine isopod (Limnoria lignorum) that bores into wooden objects under water and destroys them [prob. dim. < base of GRUB]

grid (grid) •n. 1 a framework of parallel bars; gridiron; grating 2 a network of evenly spaced horizontal and vertical bars or lines, esp. one for locating points when placed over a map, chart, building plan, etc. 3 on a speedway, the order in which racing cars start 4 Elec. a metallic plate in a storage cell for conducting the electric current and supporting the active material 5 Electronics an electrode, usually a wire spiral or mesh, having one or more openings for controlling the passage of electrons or ions in an electronic tube Æ adj. [Slang] having to do with football {a grid score} [short for GRIDIRON]

grid bias the direct-current voltage applied to the control grid of an electron tube to make it negative with respect to the cathode

grid current the flow of electrons between a grid and the cathode of an electron tube

gridder (grid´эr) •n. [Slang] a football player [< GRID, adj. & GRIDIRON]

griddle (grid´ªl) •n. a heavy, flat, metal plate or pan for cooking pancakes, etc. •vt. -dled, -dling to cook on a griddle [ME gredil < Anglo-Fr gridil < OFr *gredil, var. of graïl < L craticula, small gridiron < cratis, wickerwork: see CRATE]

griddlecake (-keik') •n. a thin, flat batter cake cooked on a griddle; pancake

gride (graid) grid´ed, grid´ing •vt., vi. 1 to scrape or grate with a rasping sound 2 [Obs.] to pierce or wound •n. a harsh, rasping sound made by scraping or grating [metathesis of ME girden, to pierce (see GIRD²), adopted (from Lydgate) & popularized by Spenser]

gridiron (grid´ai'эrn) •n. 1 a framework of metal bars or wires on which to broil meat or fish; grill 2 any framework or network resembling a gridiron Æ 3 a football field [ME gredirne, folk etym. on irne (see IRON) < gredire, var. of gredil: see GRIDDLE]

gridlock (grid´läk') •n. a traffic jam, as at an intersection, in which no vehicle can move in any direction [GRID + LOCK¹]

grief (gri:f) •n. 1 intense emotional suffering caused by loss, disaster, misfortune, etc.; acute sorrow; deep sadness 2 a cause or the subject of such suffering 3 [Colloq.] a) irritation or frustration, esp. from accidents, mishaps, etc. {the griefs of a computer operator} b) trouble; difficulty; problem {enough grief for one day} c) a cause of any of these come to grief to fail or be ruined [ME gref < OFr, sorrow, grief < grever: see GRIEVE]

grief-stricken (-strik'эn) •adj. stricken with grief; keenly distressed; sorrowful

Grieg (gri:g; Norw gřig), Ed·vard (Hagerup) (ed´värd; Norw ed´väřt) 1843-1907; Norw. composer

grievance (gri:v´эns) •n. 1 a circumstance thought to be unjust or injurious and ground for complaint or resentment 2 complaint or resentment, or a statement expressing this, against a real or imagined wrong 3 a complaint arising from circumstances or conditions relating to one's employment 4 [Obs.] a) the inflicting of injury or hardship b) a cause of injury or hardship [ME grevaunce < OFr grevance < grever: see GRIEVE]

grievance committee a committee formed to settle grievances according to formal procedures (grievance procedures) agreed upon, as by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement

grievant (gri:´vэnt) •n. one who presents a grievance, as before a grievance committee

grieve (gri:v) grieved, griev´ing •vt. 1 to cause to feel grief; afflict with deep, acute sorrow or distress 2 [Archaic] to harm; injure •vi. to feel deep, acute sorrow or distress; mourn [ME greven < OFr grever < L gravare, to burden, grieve < gravis, heavy, grievous: see GRAVE¹]

grievous (gri:v´эs) •adj. 1 causing grief 2 showing or characterized by grief {a grievous cry} 3 causing suffering; hard to bear; severe {grievous pain} 4 very serious; deplorable {a grievous fault} 5 atrocious; heinous {a grievous crime} griev´ous·ly •adv. griev´ous·ness •n. [ME grevous < OFr < grever: see GRIEVE]

griffe (grif) •n. Archit. a clawlike ornament extending from the base of a column [Fr, lit., claw < OFr grif < Frank *grif, akin to OHG grif: for IE base see GRIPE]

griffin (grif´in) •n. a mythical monster with the body and hind legs of a lion and the head, wings, and claws of an eagle [ME griffon < OFr grifoun < OHG or It grifo, both < L gryphus, earlier gryps < Gr gryps, griffin < grypos, hooked, curved (prob. so called from its hooked beak) < IE base *ger- > CRANK¹]

Griffith (grif´iθ) 1 a masculine name 2 D(avid) (Lewelyn) W(ark) 1875-1948; U.S. motion-picture producer & director [Welsh Gruffydd < ? L Rufus: see RUFUS]

griffon (grif´эn) •n. 1 GRIFFIN 2 any of a breed of medium-sized hunting dog, developed by a Dutch breeder in the 19th cent., with a square muzzle and a harsh, bristly coat: in full, wirehaired pointing griffon [Fr, lit., a griffin]

grifter (grif´tэr) •n. [Slang] a petty swindler, as one who operates a dishonest gambling device at a carnival; confidence man grift •vi., vt., n. [prob. altered < GRAFTER]

grig (grig) •n. 1 a lively, animated person 2 [Now Dial.] a small eel 3 [Now Dial.] a grasshopper or cricket [ME grege, anything diminutive, dwarf, prob. < Scand, as in Norw krek, Swed dial. krik, little animal]

Grignard reagent (gri:´nyärd') any of a class of reagents with the general formula RMgX, in which R is an organic radical, esp. an alkyl or aryl, and X is a halogen: these reagents react with a great variety of compounds and are used in the synthesis of organic compounds [after F. A. V. Grignard (1871-1935), Fr chemist]

gri-gri (gri:´gri:') •n. alt. sp. of GRIS-GRIS

grill¹ (gril) •n. 1 a) a portable outdoor cooking unit on wheels, using gas or charcoal for fuel, with parallel metal bars for broiling meat or fish; barbecue b) GRIDIRON 2 a large griddle 3 grilled food 4 short for GRILLROOM •vt. [Fr griller < the n.] 1 to cook on a grill; broil 2 to torture by applying heat Æ 3 to question relentlessly; cross-examine searchingly •vi. to be subjected to grilling [Fr gril < OFr gräil: see GRIDDLE]

grill² (gril) •n. alt. sp. of GRILLE

grillage (gril´ij) •n. a framework of beams laid crosswise, used as a support or foundation, as for a building on soft ground [Fr, wirework, grating, frame < grille: see GRILLE]

grille (gril) •n. 1 an open grating of wrought iron, bronze, wood, etc., forming a screen to a door, window, or other opening, or used as a divider 2 the metal bars in front of an automobile radiator 3 Court Tennis a square opening high on the back wall of the court on the hazard side [Fr < OFr graïlle < L craticula: see GRIDDLE]

grilled (grild) •adj. 1 having a grille 2 cooked on a grill or gridiron; broiled

grillroom (gril´ru:m') •n. a restaurant, club, or dining room that makes a specialty of grilled foods

grillwork (gril´wørk') •n. a grille, or something worked into the form of a grille

grilse (grils) pl. grilse •n.or grils´es a young salmon on its first return from the sea to fresh water [ME grills, prob. metathesis of OFr gisle, dim. < gris, gray: see GRISAILLE]

grim (grim) grim´mer, grim´mest •adj. 1 fierce; cruel; savage 2 hard and unyielding; relentless; stern; resolute {grim courage} 3 appearing stern, forbidding, harsh, etc. {a grim face} 4 repellent; uninviting {a grim task} 5 dealing with unpleasant subjects; frightful; ghastly {grim humor} grim´ly •adv. grim´ness •n. [ME < OE grimm, akin to Ger < IE base *ghrem-, to make a loud sound, roar angrily > GRUMBLE, Russ grom, thunder]

grimace (gri meis´, grim´is) •n. a twisting or distortion of the face, as in expressing pain, contempt, disgust, etc., or a wry look as in seeking to amuse •vi. -maced´, -mac´ing to make grimaces [Fr, altered (with pejorative suffix) < OFr grimuche, prob. < Frank *grima, a mask, akin to OE grima: see GRIME]

Grimaldi man (gri mäl´de, -möl´-) an Aurignacian human, similar to the Cro-Magnon [from the remains found near Grimaldi, village in Italy]

grimalkin (gri mæl´kin, -möl´-) •n. 1 a cat; esp., an old female cat 2 a malicious old woman [earlier gray malkin]

grime (graim) •n. dirt, esp. sooty dirt, rubbed into or covering a surface, as of the skin •vt. grimed, grim´ing to make very dirty or grimy [Early ModE, prob. < Fl grijm, akin to OE grima < IE *ghrei- < base *gher-, to rub hard, smear > Gr chrisma, ointment]

Grimes (Golden) (graimz) a yellow autumn eating apple [short for Grimes Golden Pippin, variety grown (c. 1790) by T. P. Grimes, W.Va. fruit grower]

Grimm (grim) 1 Ja·kob (Ludwig Karl) (yä´kôp) 1785-1863; Ger. philologist 2 Wil·helm (Karl) (vil´helm) 1786-1859; Ger. philologist: brother of Jakob, with whom he collaborated in the collection of fairy tales

Grimm's law (grimz) the statement of a series of systematic prehistoric changes of reconstructed Indo-European consonants to Proto-Germanic consonants: these hypothesized prehistoric sound shifts are reflected by consonant correspondences between Germanic words and their cognates in non-Germanic Indo-European languages: (1) IE voiceless stops (p, t, k) = Gmc voiceless fricatives (f, θ, h); hence, L pater (cf. PATERNAL) = E father, L tenuis (cf. TENUOUS) = E thin, Gr kardia (cf. CARDIAC) = E heart (2) IE voiced stops (b, d, g) = Gmc voiceless stops (p, t, k); hence, L bucca (cf. BUCCAL) = OE pohha, a sack, L decem (cf. DECIMAL) = E ten, L genu (cf. GENUFLECT) = E knee, which has lost the (k) sound (3) IE voiced aspirated stops (b + h, d + h, g + h) = Gmc voiced stops (b, d, g); hence, Sans bhrĕtar = E brother, Sans mādhu, honey = E mead, IE *ghostis = E guest These correspondences show the kinship, stressed in the etymologies of this dictionary, between various native English words and the English words borrowed from any of the non-Germanic Indo-European languages [after Jakob Grimm (see GRIMM) in honor of his formulation (1822) of parallels noted by himself & RASK]

Grimsby (grimz´bi:) seaport in Humberside, NE England, at the mouth of the Humber estuary: pop. 95,000

grimy (graim´i:) grim´i·er, grim´i·est •adj. covered with or full of grime; very dirty SYN. DIRTY grim´i·ly •adv. grim´i·ness •n.

grin (grin) grinned, grin´ning •vi. 1 to smile broadly as in amusement or pleasure, or, sometimes, in embarrassment 2 to draw back the lips and show the teeth in pain, scorn, etc. •vt. to express by grinning •n. the act or look of one who grins grin and bear it to accept philosophically something burdensome or painful grin´ner •n. grin´ning·ly •adv. [ME grennen < OE grennian, to gnash or bare the teeth, akin to OHG grennan, to mutter, Ger greinen, to weep]

grind (graind) ground, grind´ing •vt. 1 to crush into bits or fine particles between two hard surfaces; pulverize 2 to afflict with cruelty, hardship, etc.; crush; oppress {a people ground by tyranny} 3 to sharpen, shape, or smooth by friction 4 to press down or together with a crushing, turning motion; rub harshly or gratingly {to grind one's teeth} 5 to operate by turning the crank of {to grind a coffee mill} 6 to make or produce by grinding •vi. 1 to perform the act of grinding something 2 to be capable of being ground; undergo grinding 3 to grate 4 [Colloq.] to work or study hard and steadily Æ 5 [Slang] to move the hips in a circular motion, as in striptease dancing •n. 1 the act or operation of grinding 2 the degree of fineness of something ground into particles 3 long, difficult, tedious work or study; drudgery Æ 4 [Colloq.] a student who studies very hard Æ 5 [Slang] a circular movement of the hips made by or as by a striptease dancer grind out to produce by steady or laborious, often uninspired, effort grind´ing·ly •adv. [ME grinden < OE grindan < IE *ghrendh < base *ghren-, to rub away, pulverize > GROUND¹]

grindelia (grin di:l´yэ, -di:´li: э) •n. any of a genus (Grindelia) of coarse plants of the composite family, with large, yellow flower heads: the dried stems and leaves are used medicinally [ModL, after H. Grindel (1776-1836), professor of botany at Riga]

grinder (grain´dэr) •n. 1 a person who grinds; esp., one whose work is sharpening tools, etc. 2 a thing that grinds; specif., a) any of various machines for crushing or sharpening b) a molar tooth c) [pl.] [Colloq.] the teeth Æ 3 regional name of HERO SANDWICH [ME & OE grindere]

grindstone (graind´stoun') •n. 1 orig., a millstone 2 a revolving stone disk for sharpening bladed tools or shaping and polishing things keep (or have or put) one's nose to the grindstone to work hard and steadily

gringo (griŋ´gou) pl. -gos •n. in Latin America, a foreigner, esp. an American or Englishman: hostile and contemptuous term [MexSp < Sp, gibberish, altered < Griego, Greek < L Graecus, GREEK]

grip¹ (grip) •n. 1 the act of taking firmly and holding fast with the hand, teeth, an instrument, etc.; secure grasp; firm hold 2 the manner in which this is done 3 any special manner of clasping hands by which members of a secret or fraternal society identify one another as such Æ 4 the power of grasping firmly {to lose one's grip} 5 the power of understanding; mental grasp {to have a good grip on a matter} 6 firm control; mastery {in the grip of disease, to get a grip on oneself} 7 a mechanical contrivance for clutching or grasping 8 a part by which something is grasped; often, specif., a handle or hilt Æ 9 a small bag or satchel for holding clothes, etc. in traveling Æ [short for GRIPSACK] 10 one who handles properties and scenery on a stage or TV or movie set 11 Sports the manner of holding a ball, bat, club, racket, etc. •vt. gripped or gript, grip´ping 1 to take firmly and hold fast with the hand, teeth, an instrument, etc. 2 to give a GRIP¹ (n. 3) to 3 to fasten or join firmly (to) 4 a) to get and hold the attention of b) to have a strong emotional impact on •vi. to get a grip come to grips 1 to engage in hand-to-hand fighting 2 to struggle or try to cope (with) grip´per •n. [ME gripe < OE gripa, a clutch, handful < base of grīpan: see GRIPE]

grip² (grip) •n. alt. sp. of GRIPPE

gripe (graip) griped, grip´ing •vt. 1 [Archaic] a) to grasp; clutch b) to distress; oppress; afflict 2 to cause sudden, sharp pain in the bowels of Æ 3 [Slang] to annoy; irritate •vi. 1 to feel sharp pains in the bowels Æ 2 [Slang] to complain; grumble •n. 1 the pressure or pain of something distressing or afflicting 2 a sudden, sharp pain in the bowels: usually used in pl. 3 [Rare] a handle 4 a) a device that grips b) [pl.] Naut. hooks, straps, etc. for holding a ship's boat in place Æ 5 [Slang] a complaint 6 [Archaic] a) a grasping or clutching b) control; mastery grip´er •n. [ME gripen < OE grīpan, to seize, akin to Ger greifen < IE base *ghreib-, to grasp, akin to base of GRAB]

grippe (grip) •n. INFLUENZA grip´py, -pi·er, -pi·est, •adj. [Fr, lit., a seizure < gripper < Frank *gripan, akin to prec.]

gripple (grip´эl) •adj. [Brit. Dial.] miserly; avaricious [ME gripel < OE gripul < base of gripan: see GRIPE]

gripsack (grip´sæk') early term for GRIP¹ (n. 9) •n. [GRIP¹ + SACK¹]

gript (gript) •vt., vi. alt. pt. & pp. of GRIP¹

Gris (gri:s), Juan (hwän) (born José Victoriano González) 1887-1927; Sp. painter, in France after 1906

grisaille (gri zeil´; Fr gři: zä´yª) •n. a style of painting, esp. on glass, in monochrome, usually using only gray tints and giving the effect of sculpture in relief [Fr < gris, gray < Frank *gris, akin to Du grijs, gray < IE *Ghrēi- < base *Gher-, to shine, gleam > GRAY]

Griselda (gri zel´dэ, -sel´-) 1 a feminine name 2 the heroine of various medieval tales, famous for her meek, long-suffering patience [Fr or It < Ger Griseldis, Grishilda]

griseofulvin (gris'i: ou ful´vin, griz'-) •n. an oral antibiotic, C17H17ClO6, taken to treat serious fungal infections of the skin, nails, etc.

griseous (gris´i: эs, griz´-) •adj. gray; esp., pearl-gray [ML griseus, of Gmc orig.: see GRISAILLE]

grisette (gri: zet´, gri-) •n. a French working girl [Fr, orig., gray woolen cloth used for dresses worn by working girls < gris, gray: see GRISAILLE]

gris-gris (gri:´gri:') pl. gris´-gris' •n. an amulet, charm, or spell associated with voodoo [Louisiana Fr, of Afr orig.: ult. < ? Ar hirz al-sihr, lit., amulet (of) the witchcraft]

griskin (gris´kin) •n. [Brit.] the lean section of pork loin [dim. of obs. grice, pig < ME gris < ON griss, young pig, hog: ? ult. of echoic orig.]

grisly (griz´li:) -li´er, -li·est •adj. terrifying; horrible; ghastly gris´li·ness •n. [ME grislich < OE grislic (akin to OFris grislyk) < base of a-grisan, to shudder with fear, prob. < IE *ghrei-: see GRIME]

Grisons (gři: zouñ´) Fr. name of GRAUBÜNDEN

grist (grist) •n. grain that is to be or has been ground; esp., a batch of such grain grist to (or for) one's mill anything that one can use profitably [ME < OE, akin to OHG grist- in gristgrimmon, to gnash the teeth: for prob. IE base see GRIME]

gristle (gris´эl) •n. cartilage, now esp. as found in meat gris´tli·ness •n. gris·tly (gris´li:) •adj. [ME gristel < OE gristle (akin to OFris gristel) < ? IE *ghrei-: see GRIME]

gristmill (grist´mil') •n. a mill for grinding grain, esp. for individual customers

grit (grit) •n. 1 rough, hard particles of sand, stone, etc. 2 the texture of stone, with regard to the fineness or coarseness of its grain 3 any of several sandstones with large, sharp grains, often used for grindstones Æ 4 stubborn courage; brave perseverance; pluck •vt. grit´ted, grit´ting 1 to cover with grit Æ 2 to clench or grind (the teeth) in anger or determination •vi. to make a grating sound SYN. FORTITUDE [with Early ModE vowel shortening < ME grete < OE greot, akin to Ger griess IE base *ghrēu-, to rub hard over, crumble > GREAT]

grith (griθ) •n. [Obs.] 1 security, protection, or peace, esp. as guaranteed by someone or in some place 2 a sanctuary [ME < OE < ON, orig., home]

grits (grits) •n.pl. [often with sing. v.] corn or other grain, soybeans, etc. ground more coarsely than for flour or meal; esp., in the South, hominy ground coarsely: grits are eaten as porridge, as a side dish, and in casseroles Etymology [ME gryttes (pl.) < OE grytte, akin to Ger grütze: for IE base see GRIT]

gritty (grit´i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. 1 of, like, or containing grit; sandy 2 brave; plucky grit´ti·ly •adv. grit´ti·ness •n.

grivet (griv´it) •n. a ground-dwelling, olive-green guenon monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) [Fr]

grizzle¹ (griz´эl) •n. 1 [Archaic] a) gray hair b) a gray wig 2 gray •vt., vi. -zled, -zling to make or become gray •adj. [Archaic] gray [< ME grisel < OFr adj. grisel < gris, gray: see GRISAILLE]

grizzle² (griz´эl) -zled, -zling •vt. [Brit.] 1 to grumble; complain 2 to fret or whimper

grizzled (griz´эld) •adj. 1 gray or streaked with gray 2 having gray hair [< GRIZZLE¹ + -ED]

grizzly (griz´li:) -zli·er, -zli·est •adj. grayish; grizzled •n. pl. -zlies short for GRIZZLY BEAR

grizzly bear a large, brown bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) of W North America, having long front claws [prec. + BEAR²: infl. by assoc. with GRISLY]

gro gross

groan (groun) •vi. 1 to utter a deep sound expressing pain, distress, or disapproval 2 to make a creaking or grating sound, as from great strain {a heavy gate groaning on its hinges} 3 to suffer from cruelty, injustice, etc.: with under •vt. to utter with a groan or groans •n. a sound made in groaning groan´er •n. groan´ing·ly •adv. [ME gronien < OE granian, akin to GRIN, Ger greinen, to weep]

groat (grout) •n. 1 an obsolete English silver coin worth fourpence 2 a trifling sum [ME grote < MDu groot or MLowG grote, lit., GREAT, mistransl. of MHG grosse, short for ML (denarius) grossus, lit., gross (i.e., thick) (denarius): see GROSS]

groats (grouts) •n.pl. hulled, or hulled and coarsely cracked, grain, esp. wheat, buckwheat, oats, or barley [ME grotes < OE grotan, pl.: for IE base see GRIT]

grocer (grou´sэr) •n. a storekeeper who sells food and various household supplies [ME grosser < OFr grossier, lit., dealer in the gross, wholesaler < ML grossarius < LL grossus: see GROSS]

grocery (grou´sэr i:; often grous´ri:) pl. -cer·ies •n. Æ 1 a grocer's store 2 [pl.] the food and supplies sold by a grocer [ME grocerye < OFr grosserie]

Grodno (gröd´nö) city in W Belarus, on the Neman River: pop. 247,000

grog (gräg) •n. 1 an alcoholic liquor, esp. rum, diluted with water 2 any alcoholic liquor [after Old Grog, nickname of Brit. Admiral E. Vernon (1684-1757), who ordered the sailors' rum to be diluted: so called because he wore a grogram cloak]

groggery (gräg´эr i:) pl. -ger·ies •n. [Archaic] a saloon

groggy (gräg´i:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. 1 orig., drunk; intoxicated 2 shaky or dizzy, as from a blow 3 sluggish or dull, as from lack of sleep grog´gi·ly •adv. grog´gi·ness •n. [< GROG + -Y²]

grogram (gräg´rэm) •n. 1 a coarse fabric in former use, made of silk, worsted, and mohair, often stiffened with gum 2 an article of clothing made of this [earlier grograin < OFr gros grain: see GROSS & GRAIN]

grogshop (gräg´shäp') •n. [Chiefly Brit.] a saloon

groin (groin) •n. 1 the hollow or fold where the abdomen joins either thigh 2 Archit. a) the sharp, curved edge formed at the junction of two intersecting vaults b) the rib of wood, stone, etc. covering this edge (see VAULT¹, illus.) 3 a strong, low sea wall built at a right angle to the coast to reduce shoreline erosion, esp. of a beach •vt. to build or provide with groins [Early ModE phonetic rendering of grine, var. of grinde < ME grynde, prob. < OE, abyss, in sense depression (akin to grund, GROUND¹)]

grommet (gräm´it) •n. 1 a ring of rope or metal used to fasten the edge of a sail to its stay, hold an oar in place, etc. 2 an eyelet, as of metal or plastic, protecting an opening in cloth, leather, etc. [< obs. Fr gromette (now gourmette), curb chain, bridle < gourmer, to curb, prob. < VL *grumus, throat]

gromwell (gräm´wel', -wэl) •n. any of a genus (Lithospermum) of plants of the borage family, with yellow or orange flowers and hard, stonelike nutlets [altered < ME gromil < OFr < ML gruinum milium, kind of millet < gruinus, of a crane (< L grus, crane) + L milium, MILLET]

Gromyko (gřô mi:´kô; E grэ mi:´kou), An·drei An·dre·ye·vich (än dřei´ än dřei´yi vich) 1909-89: Soviet diplomat

Groningen (grou´niŋ эn; Du khřou´niŋ эn) 1 province of the N Netherlands: 898 sq. mi. (2,335 sq. km); pop. 562,000 2 its capital: pop. 168,000

Grønland (gřön´län) Dan. name of GREENLAND

groom (gru:m; also grum) •n. 1 a man or boy whose work is tending, feeding, and currying horses 2 any of certain officials of the British royal household 3 BRIDEGROOM 4 [Archaic] a) a manservant b) any man •vt. 1 to clean and curry (a horse, dog, etc.) 2 to make neat and tidy Æ 3 to train for a particular purpose {to groom a man for politics} [ME grom, boy, groom < ?]

groomsman (gru:mz´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a man who attends a bridegroom at the wedding

groove (gru:v) •n. 1 a long, narrow furrow or hollow cut in a surface with a tool, as the track cut in a phonograph record for the needle to follow 2 any channel or rut cut or worn in a surface 3 a habitual way of doing something; settled routine 4 Anat. any narrow furrow, depression, or slit occurring on the surface of an organ, esp. of bone 5 Printing the indentation on the bottom of a piece of type •vt. grooved, groov´ing to make a groove or grooves in •vi. Æ [Slang] to react with spontaneous empathy to persons or situations [ME grofe < ON grof, a pit & < MDu groeve, both akin to Ger grube, a pit, hole, ditch: for IE base see GRAVE²]

groovy (gru:´vi:) groov´i·er, groov´i·est •adj. [Slang] very pleasing or attractive [< old slang in the groove, working effortlessly]

grope (group) groped, grop´ing •vi. to feel or search about blindly, hesitantly, or uncertainly; feel one's way •vt. 1 to seek or find (one's way) by groping 2 [Slang] to make sexual advances by touching (a person) •n. an act or instance of groping grop´er •n. grop´ing·ly •adv. [ME gropien < OE grapian, to touch, seize, akin to Ger greifen, to grasp: for IE base see GRIPE]

Gropius (grou´pi: эs), Walter 1883-1969; U.S. architect, born in Germany: founder of the BAUHAUS

gros de Londres (or londres) (grou dэ lön´drэ) a shiny fabric of lightweight silk having alternate wide and narrow ribs [Fr, lit., London gross: see GROGRAM]

gros point (grou) 1 a large needlepoint stitch over two vertical and two horizontal threads 2 work done with this stitch

Gros Ventre (grou´ vänt´) 1 a member of a western tribe of the Arapaho 2 HIDATSA [Fr, lit., big belly]

grosbeak (grous´bi:k') •n. any of various passerine birds (family Fringillidae or Emberizidae) with a thick, strong, conical bill [Fr grosbec: see GROSS & BEAK]

groschen (grou´shэn) pl. -schen •n. a monetary unit of Austria, equal to 1/100 of a schilling [Ger < 14th-c. dial. grosch(e) < Czech groš < ML (denarius) grossus: see GROAT]

grosgrain (grou´grein') •n. a closely woven silk or rayon fabric with prominent, crosswise ribbing, used for ribbons, trimming, etc. [Fr: see GROGRAM]

gross (grous) •adj. 1 big or fat and coarse-looking; corpulent; burly 2 glaring; flagrant; very bad {a gross miscalculation} 3 dense; thick 4 a) lacking fineness, as in texture b) lacking fine distinctions or specific details 5 lacking in refinement or perception; insensitive; dull 6 vulgar; obscene; coarse {gross language} 7 [Slang] unpleasant, disgusting, offensive, etc. 8 with no deductions; total; entire {gross income}: opposed to NET² 9 [Archaic] evident; obvious •n. [ME groos < OFr grosse, orig. fem. of gros] 1 pl. gross´es overall total, as of income, before deductions are taken 2 pl. gross twelve dozen •vt., vi. to earn (a specified total amount) before expenses are deducted SYN. COARSE gross out [Slang] to offend, disgust, shock, etc. in the gross 1 in bulk; as a whole 2 wholesale: also by the gross gross´ly •adv. gross´ness •n. [ME grose < OFr gros, big, thick, coarse < LL grossus, thick]

gross national product the total value of a nation's annual output of goods and services

gross ton [Brit.] TON (sense 2)

gross weight the total weight of a commodity, including the weight of the packaging or container

grosser (grous´эr) •n. [Slang] something, esp. a motion picture, that earns an amount of money: usually with a qualifier {big grosser}

grossularite (gräs´yu: lэr ait', -yэ-; gräs´э-) •n. a kind of garnet, Ca3Al2(SiO4)3, occurring in various colors [Ger grossularit < ModL grossularia, orig. gooseberry genus (in reference to color of some varieties) < Fr groseille: see GOOSEBERRY]

grosz (gřôsh) pl. grosz´y (-i:) •n. a monetary unit of Poland, equal to ¹/100 of a złoty [Pol, akin to Czech groš: see GROSCHEN] Grosz (grous), George 1893-1959; U.S. painter & caricaturist, born in Germany

grot (grät) •n. [Old Poet.] a grotto [Fr grotte < It grotta]

grotesque (grou tesk´) •adj. 1 in or of a style of painting, sculpture, etc. in which forms of persons and animals are intermingled as with foliage, flowers, or fruits in a fantastic or bizarre design 2 characterized by distortions or striking incongruities in appearance, shape, or manner; fantastic; bizarre 3 ludicrously eccentric or strange; ridiculous; absurd •n. 1 a grotesque painting, sculpture, design, etc. 2 a grotesque thing or quality SYN. FANTASTIC gro·tesque´ly •adv. gro·tesque´ness •n. [Fr < It grottesca (pittura), orig., (picture) in a cave < grotta, GROTTO: from resemblance to designs found in Roman caves]

grotesquerie or grotesquery (grou tes´kэ ri:) pl. -que·ries •n. 1 a grotesque thing 2 the quality or state of being grotesque [< prec.]

Grotius (grou´shi: эs), Hugo (born Huigh de Groot) 1583-1645; Du. scholar, jurist, & statesman

grotto (grät´ou) pl. -toes or -tos •n. 1 a cave 2 a cavelike summerhouse, shrine, etc. [It grotta < ML grupta < VL crupta, for L crypta, CRYPT]

grotty (grät´i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] dirty, cheap, nasty, disgusting, etc.: a generalized term of disapproval [< GROTESQUE + -Y²]

grouch (grauch) •vi. to grumble or complain in a sulky way •n. 1 a person who grouches continually 2 a grumbling or sulky mood 3 a complaint [< earlier grutch < ME grucchen: see GRUDGE]

grouchy (grau´chi:) grouch´i·er, grouch´i·est •adj. in a grouch; grumbling; sulky grouch´i·ly •adv. grouch´i·ness •n.

ground bass Music a short phrase, usually of four to eight measures, played repeatedly in the bass against the melodies and harmonies of the upper parts

ground beetle any of a large family (Carabidae) of nocturnal beetles that live under rocks, rubbish, etc. and prey on other insects

ground control personnel, electronic equipment, etc. on the ground, serving to guide airplanes and spacecraft in takeoff, flight, and landing operations

ground cover any of various low, dense-growing plants, as ivy, pachysandra, etc., used for covering the ground, as in places where it is difficult to grow grass

ground crew a group of people in charge of the maintenance and repair of aircraft

ground fir GROUND PINE

ground floor that floor of a building which is approximately level with the ground; first floor Æ in on the ground floor [Colloq.] in at the beginning (of a business, etc.) and thus in an especially advantageous position

ground glass 1 glass whose surface has been ground so that it diffuses light and is therefore not transparent 2 glass ground into fine particles

ground hemlock a low, spreading evergreen shrub (Taxus canadensis) of the yew family, native to the NE U.S.

ground ice ANCHOR ICE

ground ivy a creeping plant (Glechoma hederacea) of the mint family, with round, toothed leaves and blue flowers

ground loop a sudden, unexpected sharp turn made by an airplane on the ground: used to avoid something, but also due to loss of control

ground meristem the basic primary tissue of the growing tip of a stem or root, excluding the epidermis and vascular bundles, which gives rise to the cortex, rays, and pith

ground pine any of several lycopods (genus Lycopodium) having forking stems covered with leaves resembling the needles of some evergreens; ground fir

ground plan 1 FLOOR PLAN 2 a first or basic plan

ground plum a low, perennial, prairie milk vetch (Astragalus crassicarpus), with thick-walled, edible pods

ground rent [Chiefly Brit.] rent paid for land on which the occupant can build or make improvements

ground rule 1 Baseball any of a set of rules adapted to playing conditions in a specific ballpark 2 any of a set of rules governing a specific activity

ground squirrel any of a genus (Citellus) of small, burrowing squirrels

ground state the lowest energy state of a particle, nucleus, atom, or molecule

ground stroke a stroke, as in tennis, made in returning the ball after it has struck the ground

ground swell 1 a violent swelling or rolling of the ocean, caused by a distant storm or earthquake 2 a rapidly growing wave of popular sentiment, opinion, etc.: usually ground·swell (graund´swel')

ground water water found underground in porous rock strata and soils, as in a spring

ground wave a radio wave that follows the curvature of the earth near the ground

ground wire a wire acting as a conductor from an electric circuit, antenna, etc. to the ground

ground zero 1 the land or water surface area directly below or above the point of detonation of a nuclear bomb 2 [Slang] a) nothing b) the beginning; starting point c) the most basic condition or level

ground¹ (graund) •n. 1 a) orig., the lowest part, base, or bottom of anything b) the bottom of a body of water 2 the surface of the earth, specif. the solid surface 3 the soil of the earth; earth; land 4 a) any particular piece of land; esp., one set aside for a specified purpose {a hunting ground} b) [pl.] land surrounding or attached to a house or other building; esp., the lawns, garden, etc. of an estate 5 any particular area of reference, discussion, work, etc.; topic; subject {arguments covering the same ground} 6 [often pl.] basis; foundation 7 [often pl.] the logical basis of a conclusion, action, etc.; valid reason, motive, or cause 8 the background or surface over which other parts are spread or laid, as the main surface of a painting 9 [pl.] the particles that settle to the bottom of a liquid; dregs; sediment {coffee grounds} 10 Elec. a) a conducting body (as the earth, or an object connected with the earth) whose potential is taken as zero and to which an electric circuit can be connected b) the connection of an electrical conductor with a ground c) a device, as a stake, iron pipe, etc., that makes such a connection •adj. 1 of, on, or near the ground 2 growing or living in or on the ground Æ 3 Football designating the part of the offensive game plan using running plays •vt. 1 to set on, or cause to touch, the ground 2 to cause (a ship, etc.) to run aground 3 to found on a firm basis; establish 4 to base (a claim, argument, etc.) on something specified 5 to instruct (a person) in the elements or first principles of 6 to provide with a background 7 a) to keep (an aircraft or pilot) from flying Æ b) [Colloq.] to punish (a young person, esp. a teenager) by not permitting to leave home to engage in social activity 8 Elec. to connect (an electrical conductor) with the ground, which becomes part of the circuit Æ 9 Football to throw or knock (an opposing player) to the ground •vi. 1 to strike the bottom or run ashore: said of a ship Æ 2 Baseball a) to hit a grounder b) to be put out on a grounder (usually with out) Æ 3 Football to throw an incomplete pass intentionally, to avoid being sacked break ground 1 to dig; excavate 2 to plow 3 to start building 4 to start any undertaking: also break new ground cover ground 1 to move or traverse a certain distance 2 to make a certain amount of progress cut the ground from under one (or one's feet) to deprive one of effective defense or argument Æ from the ground up from the first or elementary principles, methods, etc. to the last or most advanced; completely; thoroughly gain ground 1 to move forward 2 to make progress 3 to gain in strength, extent, popularity, etc. Æ get off the ground to get (something) started; begin or cause to begin to make progress give ground to withdraw under attack; retreat; yield go to ground to go into hiding or seclusion hold (or stand) one's ground to keep one's position against attack or opposition; not withdraw or retreat lose ground 1 to drop back; fall behind 2 to lose in strength, extent, popularity, etc. on delicate ground in a situation requiring tact on firm ground 1 in a safe situation 2 firmly supported by facts or evidence on one's own ground 1 dealing with a situation or subject that one knows well 2 at home Æ run into the ground [Colloq.] to do too long or too often; overdo shift one's ground to change one's argument or defense suit (right) down to the ground [Colloq.] to suit completely [ME grund < OE, ground, bottom, akin to Ger grund, ON grunnr: for IE base see GRIND]

ground² (graund) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of GRIND

groundbreaking (graund´breik'iŋ) •adj. 1 designating or of the ceremony of breaking ground, as for a new building 2 pioneering •n. a groundbreaking ceremony for a new building ground´break'er •n.

ground-cherry (graund´cher´i:) •n. any of a genus (Physalis) of plants of the nightshade family, including the Chinese-lantern plant, having small tomatolike fruits completely enclosed by a papery calyx

grounder (graun´dэr) Baseball, Cricket a batted ball that strikes the ground almost immediately and rolls or bounces along Also ground ball •n.

groundfire (graund´fair') •n. gunfire directed at aircraft from the ground

groundhog (graund´hög') •n. WOODCHUCK Also ground hog [prob. transl. of Afrik aardvark, AARDVARK]

Groundhog Day Feb. 2, when, according to tradition, the groundhog comes out of hibernation: if it sees its shadow, it supposedly returns to its hole for six more weeks of winter weather

groundless (graund´lis) •adj. without reason or cause; unjustified ground´less·ly •adv. ground´less·ness •n.

groundling (graund´liŋ) •n. 1 a) a fish that lives close to the bottom of the water b) an animal that lives on or in the ground c) a plant that grows close to the ground 2 a) in an Elizabethan theater, a person who watched the performance from cheap standing room in the pit b) a person lacking critical ability or taste

groundmass (graund´mæs') •n. Geol. the small-grained matrix in which larger crystals are embedded

groundnut (graund´nût') •n. 1 any of various plants with edible tubers or tuberlike parts, as the peanut 2 the edible tuber or tuberlike part

groundsel (graund´sªl, graun´-) •n. any of a large genus (Senecio) of plants of the composite family, with usually yellow, rayed flower heads [ME grundeswylie < OE grundeswylige, altered (after grund, GROUND¹) < earlier gundeswelge, ? lit., pus swallower < gund, pus + swelgan, to SWALLOW², from its use in poultices]

groundsill (graund´sэl) •n. the lowest horizontal timber in the framework of a building Also ground´sel (-sªl)

groundskeeper (graundz´ki:'pэr) •n. a person who tends the grounds of a playing field, estate, cemetery, etc. Also ground´keep'er

groundspeed (graund´spi:d') •n. the speed of an aircraft in flight relative to the ground it passes over

ground-to-air (graund´tu: er´) •adj. SURFACE-TO-AIR

ground-to-ground (-tu: graund´) •adj. SURFACE-TO-SURFACE

groundwork (graund´wørk') •n. a foundation; basis SYN. BASE¹

group (gru:p) •n. 1 a number of persons or things gathered closely together and forming a recognizable unit; cluster; aggregation; band {a group of houses} 2 a collection of objects or figures forming a design or part of a design, as in a work of art 3 a number of persons or things classified together because of common characteristics, community of interests, etc. 4 Chem. a) RADICAL (n. 3) b) a number of elements with similar properties, forming one of the vertical columns of the periodic table c) a number of elements having similar chemical reactions 5 Geol. a stratigraphic unit consisting of two or more formations 6 Math. a closed set of elements having an associative binary operation (usually multiplication), an identity element (I X a = a X I = a), and an inverse element for each element (a X 1/a = 1/a X a = I) Æ 7 a military aircraft unit; specif., in the U.S. Air Force, a subdivision of a wing, composed of two or more squadrons Æ 8 U.S. Mil. a unit made up of two or more battalions or squadrons •vt., vi. to assemble or form into a group or groups •adj. of, characteristic of, or involving a group {group attitudes} SYN.—group is the basic, general word expressing the simple idea of an assembly of persons, animals, or things without further connotation; herd is applied to a group of cattle, sheep, or similar large animals feeding, living, or moving together; flock, to goats, sheep, or birds; drove, to cattle, hogs, or sheep; pack, to hounds or wolves; pride, to lions; swarm, to insects; school, to fish, porpoises, whales, or the like; bevy, to quails; covey, to partridges or quails; flight, to birds flying together In extended applications, flock connotes guidance and care, herd and pack are used contemptuously of people, swarm suggests a thronging, and bevy and covey are used of girls or women [Fr groupe < It gruppo, a knot, lump, group < Gmc *kruppa, round mass: see CROP]

group dynamics 1 the personal interrelationships among members of a small group 2 the study of these interrelationships

group insurance insurance, esp. life or health insurance, available to employees or members of an organization as a group at special, low rates

group medicine 1 the practice of medicine by a number of specialists working together in association 2 medical care provided, esp. by such an association, to the members of a group at a fixed, usually annual, rate

group therapy (or psychotherapy) a form of treatment for a group of patients with similar emotional problems or disorders, as by mutual criticism, psychodrama, etc., usually under a therapist's supervision

grouper¹ (gru:´pэr) pl. -per •n.or -pers any of several large sea basses (esp. genera Epinephelus and Mycteroperca) found in warm seas [Port garoupa < ? a South American Indian language]

grouper² (gru:´pэr) •n. [Slang] any of a group of people, usually unmarried, who rent a home jointly for weekends, esp. during the summer

groupie (gru:´pi:) •n. [Colloq.] a girl fan of rock groups or other popular personalities, who follows them about, often in the hope of achieving sexual intimacy

groupthink (grup´thiŋk') •n. the tendency of members of a committee, profession, etc. to conform to those opinions or feelings prevailing in their group

grouse¹ (graus) pl. grouse •n. any of a family (Tetraonidae) of gallinaceous game birds with a round, plump body, feathered legs, feather-covered nostrils, and mottled feathers, as the ruffed grouse or sage grouse [Early ModE < ?]

grouse² (graus) groused, grous´ing •vi. [Colloq.] to complain; grumble •n. [Colloq.] a complaint grous´er •n. [orig. Brit army slang < ?]

grout (graut) •n. 1 a) coarse meal b) [pl.] GROATS 2 [usually pl.] [Brit.] sediment; dregs 3 a thin mortar used to fill chinks, as between tiles 4 a fine plaster for finishing surfaces •vt. to fill or finish with grout grout´er •n. [ME < OE grut, residue of malt liquor, fine meal, akin to greot, GRIT]

grouty (graut´i:) grout´i·er, grout´i·est •adj. [Dial.] rough or surly [< dial. grout, to grumble + -Y²]

grove (grouv) •n. 1 a small wood or group of trees without undergrowth 2 a group of trees planted and cultivated to bear fruit, nuts, etc.; orchard [ME grof < OE graf, akin to græfa, thicket]

grovel (grûv´эl, gräv´-) -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling •vi. 1 to lie prone or crawl in a prostrate position, esp. abjectly 2 to behave humbly or abjectly, as before authority; debase oneself in a servile fashion 3 to wallow in what is low or contemptible grov´el·er or grov´el·ler •n. [back-form. (first found in Shakespeare) < grovelling, down on one's face (assumed to be prp.) < ME grufelinge < gruf, for o grufe, on the face (< ON ā grūfu) + -ling, -LING²]

grow (grou) grew, grown, grow´ing •vi. 1 to come into being or be produced naturally; spring up; sprout 2 to exist as living vegetation; thrive {cactus grows in sand} 3 to increase in size and develop toward maturity, as a plant or animal does by assimilating food 4 to increase in size, quantity, or degree, or in some specified manner {to grow in wisdom} 5 to come to be; become {to grow weary} 6 to become attached or united by growth •vt. 1 to cause to grow; raise; cultivate 2 to cover with a growth: used in the passive {a yard grown over with weeds} 3 to allow to grow {to grow a beard} 4 to cause to be or to exist; develop grow into 1 to develop so as to be {a boy grows into a man} 2 to grow or develop so as to fit into or be suited to grow on [Colloq.] to have a gradually increasing effect on; come gradually to seem more important, dear, or admirable to grow out of 1 to develop from 2 to outgrow grow up 1 to reach maturity; become adult or attain full growth 2 to come to be; develop; arise grow´er •n. [ME growen < OE growan, akin to ON grōa, OHG gruoen < IE base *ghrō-, to grow, turn green > GREEN, GRASS]

growing pains 1 recurrent pains in the joints and muscles, esp. of the legs, of growing children: a loose term with no precise medical meaning 2 difficulties experienced in the early development of a person, project, etc.

growing point the apex of a stem or root, containing actively dividing and elongating cells

growl (graul) •vi. 1 to make a low, rumbling, menacing sound in the throat, as a dog does 2 to complain in an angry or surly manner 3 to rumble, as thunder, cannons, etc. •vt. to express by growling •n. 1 the act or sound of growling Æ 2 Jazz a low, rough, husky, often muted sound produced on a trumpet, trombone, etc. growl´ing·ly •adv. [ME groulen, to rumble, prob. of echoic orig.]

growler (-эr) •n. 1 a person, animal, or thing that growls Æ 2 [Slang] a) a pail or can formerly used to carry out beer bought at a saloon, etc. b) a keg of beer, equal to 1/8 barrel 3 a small iceberg Æ 4 an electromagnetic device used to find short circuits in coils and for magnetizing and demagnetizing

grown (groun) •vi., vt. pp. of GROW •adj. 1 having completed its growth; fully developed; mature 2 covered with a specified growth 3 cultivated as specified {home-grown}

grown-up (groun´ûp´; for n., -ûp') •adj. 1 that is an adult 2 of, for, or like an adult •n. an adult: also grown´up'

growth (grouθ) •n. 1 the process of growing or developing; specif., a) gradual development toward maturity b) formation and development 2 a) degree of increase in size, weight, power, etc. b) the full extent of such increase 3 something that grows or has grown {a thick growth of grass} 4 an outgrowth or offshoot 5 a tumor or other abnormal mass of tissue developed in or on the body •adj. of or designating a stock, mutual fund, etc. or a company, industry, etc. whose value or earnings grow at a rate above average

growth factor any genetic, hormonal, or nutritional factor whose absence prevents normal growth of an organism

growth hormone 1 a polypeptide hormone of the anterior part of the pituitary gland, that promotes normal growth 2 any of various substances that promote growth, as of plants or beef cattle

Grozny (gřôz´ni:) city in SW Russia, at the northern foot of the Caucasus Mountains: pop. 393,000

GRT gross registered tons

grub (grûb) grubbed, grub´bing •vi. 1 to dig in the ground 2 to work hard, esp. at something menial or tedious; drudge 3 to search about; rummage 4 [Old Slang] to eat [< n. 3] •vt. 1 to clear (ground) of roots and stumps by digging them up 2 to dig up by or as by the roots; root out; uproot •n. [ME grubbe, prob. < the v.] 1 the short, fat, wormlike larva of certain insects, esp. of a beetle 2 a person who works hard at some menial or tedious work; drudge 3 [Slang] food [< ? notion what is grubbed for] grub´ber •n. [ME grubben, to dig, prob. < OE *grybban (akin to OHG grubilōn, to bore into): for IE base see GRAVE²]

grubby (grûb´i:) -bi·er, -bi·est •adj. 1 infested with grubs, esp. with botfly larvae, as cattle or sheep 2 dirty; messy; untidy 3 inferior, contemptible, mean, etc. grub´bi·ly •adv. grub´bi·ness •n.

grubstake (grûb´steik') •n. [Colloq.] 1 money or supplies advanced to a prospector in return for a share in any findings 2 money advanced for any enterprise •vt. -staked', -stak'ing [Colloq.] to provide with a grubstake grub´stak'er •n. [GRUB, n. 3 + STAKE]

Grubstreet (grûb´stri:t') •n. literary hacks •adj. [also g-] of or like literary hacks or their work [after earlier name of a London street where many literary hacks lived]

grudge (grûj) grudged, grudg´ing •vt. 1 to envy and resent (someone) because of that person's possession or enjoyment of (something); begrudge {to grudge a person his success} 2 to give with reluctance {the miser grudged his dog its food} •n. 1 a strong, continued feeling of hostility or ill will against someone over a real or fancied grievance 2 a reason or cause for this grudg´ing·ly •adv. [LME gruggen, var. of grucchen < OFr grouchier]

grue (gru:) •n. [Chiefly Scot.] a shudder of fear [see GRUESOME]

gruel (gru:´эl) •n. 1 thin, easily digested porridge made by cooking meal in water or milk 2 [Old Brit. Colloq.] punishment [ME < OFr, coarse meal < ML *grutellum, dim. of grutum, meal, mash < Gmc *grut, hulled dried grain, akin to GROATS]

grueling or gruelling (-iŋ) •adj. extremely trying; exhausting •n. [Brit. Colloq.] harsh treatment or punishment [prp. of obs. v. gruel, to punish < prec.]

gruesome (gru:´sэm) •adj. causing horror or disgust; grisly grue´some·ly •adv. grue´some·ness •n. [< dial. grue, to shudder (< ME gruwen, akin to MHG < IE base *Ghreu-, to grind down > GRIT) + -SOME¹]

gruff (grûf) •adj. 1 rough or surly in manner or speech; brusquely rude 2 harsh and throaty; hoarse SYN. BLUNT gruff´ly •adv. gruff´ness •n. [< Du grof, akin to Ger grob, coarse, surly < OHG gerob < ge-, intens. + base akin to OE hreof, rough, scabby < IE base *kreup-: see GRAUPEL]

grugru (gru:´gru:') •n. 1 a West Indian palm tree (Acrocomia sclerocarpa) with spiny trunk and leaves and edible nuts 2 the large, wormlike, edible larva of a genus (Rhynchophorus) of weevils infesting this palm [Sp grugrú, prob. < Carib name]

gruiform (gru:´э förm') •adj. designating or of an order (Gruiformes) of marshland or grassland birds, including rails, cranes, and bustards

grum (grûm) grum´mer, grum´mest •adj. [Now Rare] gloomy or glum [< ? GR(IM) + (GL)UM]

grumble (grûm´bэl) -bled, -bling •vi. 1 to make low, unintelligible sounds in the throat; growl 2 to mutter or mumble in discontent; complain in a surly or peevish manner 3 to rumble, as thunder •vt. to express by grumbling •n. 1 the act of grumbling, esp. in complaint 2 a rumble grum´bler •n. grum´bling·ly •adv. grum´bly •adj. [prob. < Du grommelen, akin to Ger grummeln, OE gremman, to enrage: for IE base see GRIM]

grume (gru:m) •n. [Rare] 1 a thick, sticky fluid 2 a clot of blood [< LL grumus, little heap: for IE base see CRUMB]

grummet (grûm´it) •n. var. of GROMMET

grump (grûmp) •n. 1 [often pl.] a fit of bad humor 2 a grumpy person •vi. to complain and grumble [prob. echoic of ill-tempered cry]

grumpy (grûm´pi:) grump´i·er, grump´i·est •adj. grouchy; peevish; bad-tempered Occas. grump´ish grump´i·ly •adv. grump´i·ness •n. [prec. + -Y²]

Grundy, Mrs. (grûn´di:) a personification of conventional social disapproval, prudishness, narrow-mindedness, etc. Grun´dy·ism' •n. [a neighbor repeatedly referred to (but never appearing) in Tom Morton's play Speed the Plough (1798) with the question What will Mrs. Grundy say?]

Grünewald (gřü´nэ vält'), Mat·thi·as (mä ti:´äs) (born Mathis Gothardt) c. 1470-1528; Ger. painter

grunge (grûnj) •n. [Slang] something grungy; specif., garbage or dirt

grungy (grûn´ji:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. [Slang] dirty, messy, disreputable, etc.; unpleasant in any way [? a blend of GRIMY, DINGY & grunt, childish euphemism for defecate]

grunion (gru:n´yэn, -youn'; grun´yэn, grûn´-) pl. -ion •n.or -ions a silverside fish (Leuresthes tenuis) of the California coast: it spawns on sandy beaches during high tides in the spring [prob. < Sp gruñón, grumbler < L grunnire, to grunt < IE *gru-, echoic]

grunt (grûnt) •vi. 1 to make the short, deep, hoarse sound of a hog 2 to make a sound like this, as in annoyance, contempt, effort, etc. •vt. to express by grunting {to grunt one's disapproval} •n. 1 the sound made in grunting 2 any of a family (Haemulidae) of marine percoid fishes that grunt when removed from water Æ 3 [Slang] a U.S. infantryman in the war in Vietnam [ME grunten < OE grunnettan (akin to Ger grunzen), freq. of grunian, to grunt < IE *gru-, echoic > L grunnire]

grunter (-эr) •n. 1 a person or animal that makes a grunting sound; esp., a hog 2 GRUNT (n. 2) [ME gruntare]

Grus (gru:s) a S constellation between Piscis Austrinus and Indus Etymology [L, the crane]

Gruyère (cheese) (gru: yer´, gri:-; Fr gřü yeř´) [often g- c-] a light-yellow Swiss cheese, very rich in butterfat [after Gruyère, district in W Switzerland, where first produced]

gryphon (grif´эn) •n. var. of GRIFFIN

GS 1 general secretary 2 general staff 3 ground speed: also gs

GSA 1 General Services Administration 2 Girl Scouts of America

G-string (ji:´striŋ') •n. 1 a narrow loincloth 2 a similar cloth or band, usually with spangles or tassels, as worn by striptease dancers [< ?]

G-suit (ji:´su:t') •n. a garment worn by astronauts and high-speed pilots to avoid blackouts during rapid acceleration: it exerts pressure on the abdomen and legs to prevent the pooling of blood away from the heart and brain [G for gravity]

GT gross ton(s) gt 1 gilt 2 great 3 gross ton(s) 4 Pharmacy gutta

Gt Brit or Gt Br Great Britain

gtc good till canceled: added to an order for stocks or securities

Gtd guaranteed

GU 1 genitourinary: also gu 2 Guam

guacamole (gwä'kэ mou´li:, -lei) •n. a thick sauce or paste of seasoned, mashed or puréed avocados, served as a dip, in salads, etc. [AmSp < Nahuatl a:wakamo:lli < a:wakaλ, AVOCADO + mo:lli, a sauce (altered by analogy with Sp mole, soft)]

guacharo (gwä´chэ rou') pl. -ros' •n. a South American night goatsucker (Steatornis caripensis) of a family (Steatornithidae) with only one species; oilbird: the melted fat of the young birds is used for cooking and lighting [Sp guácharo, lit., sickly, whining: prob. so named from its cry]

guaco (gwä´kou) pl. -cos •n. any of several South American plants (genus Mikania of the composite family and genus Aristolochia of the birthwort family) used by the natives for asthma, snakebite, etc. [AmSp, prob. < a Mayan language]

Guadalajara (gwä'dªl э här´э; Sp gwä'ðä lä hä´řä) city in W Mexico: capital of Jalisco: pop. 2,244,000

Guadalcanal (gwä'dªl kэ næl´) largest island of the Solomon Islands, in the SW Pacific: c. 2,060 sq. mi. (5,336 sq. km)

Guadalquivir (-kwiv´эr; Sp gwä'ðäl ki: viř´) river in S Spain, flowing into the Atlantic: c. 375 mi. (603 km)

Guadeloupe (gwä'dэ lu:p´) overseas department of France consisting of two islands (BASSE-TERRE & GRANDE-TERRE) and five island dependencies in the Leeward Islands: 657 sq. mi. (1,702 sq. km); pop. 328,000; cap. Basse-Terre

Guadiana (gwä'di: ä´nэ) river flowing from SC Spain west & then south into the Atlantic, forming part of the Spanish-Portuguese border: c. 510 mi. (816 km)

guaiac (gwai´æk') •n. 1 a greenish-brown resin from the wood of two species of guaiacum (Guaiacum sanctum and G. officinale) used as a reagent in tests for blood traces, in varnishes, etc. 2 GUAIACUM (sense 2) [< GUAIACUM]

guaiacol (gwai´э köl', -koul') •n. a whitish, crystalline solid or slightly yellowish, oily liquid, C6H4(OH)OCH3, prepared from guaiacum or wood creosote and used in medicine as an expectorant or antiseptic and as a chemical reagent [fol. + -OL¹]

guaiacum (gwai´э kэm) •n. 1 any of a genus (Guaiacum) of trees of the caltrop family native to tropical America, with blue or purple flowers and fruit growing in capsules 2 the hard, dense wood of any of these trees: see LIGNUM VITAE 3 GUAIAC (sense 1) [ModL < Sp guayaco < Taino guayacan]

Guam (gwäm) largest of the Mariana Islands, in the W Pacific: an unincorporated territory of the U.S.: 209 sq. mi (541 sq. km); pop. 133,000; cap. Agana: abbrev. GU

guan (gwän) •n. any of several gallinaceous game birds (family Cracidae) of Central and South America that feed on fruits [AmSp < the Carib name]

guanaco (gwä nä´kou) pl. -cos or -co a wooly, reddish-brown, wild Andean llama (Lama guanacoe) •n. [Sp < Quechua huanacu]

Guanajuato (gwä'nä hwä´tô) 1 state of central Mexico: rich mining center, esp. for silver: 11,773 sq. mi. (30,491 sq. km); pop. 3,295,000 2 its capital: pop. 45,000

guanay (gwä nai´) •n. a white-breasted, crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii) of Peru and Chile: it is a major source of guano [Sp < the Quechua name]

Guangdong (gûäŋ´du:ŋ´) province of SE China, on the South China Sea: 89,344 sq. mi. (231,400 sq. km); pop. 61,000,000; cap. Guangzhou

Guangxi (gwäŋ´si:´) autonomous region in S China: 85,097 sq. mi. (220,400 sq. km); pop. 38,000,000; cap. Nanning: also Guang´xi´-Zhuang´ (-jwäŋ´)

Guangzhou (gwäŋ´jou) seaport in SE China, in the Zhu River delta: capital of Guangdong province: pop. 3,120,000

guanidine (gwä´nэ di:n', -din) •n. a strongly poisonous crystalline base, (NH2)2C:NH, normally found in the urine as a result of protein metabolism [< fol.]

guanine (gwä´ni:n', -nin) •n. a crystalline purine base, C5H5N5O, contained in the nucleic acids of all tissue: it links with cytosine in the DNA structure [< fol. (a commercial source of the base) + -INE³]

guano (gwä´nou) pl. -nos •n. 1 manure of sea birds, found especially on islands off the coast of Peru 2 any natural or artificial fertilizer resembling this, as bat manure [Sp < Quechua huanu, dung]

Guantánamo (gwän tä´nэ mou') city in SE Cuba: pop. 125,000

Guantánamo Bay inlet of the Caribbean, on the SE coast of Cuba: site of a U.S. naval station: 12 mi. (19 km) long

Guaporé (gwä'pô ře´) river in central South America, flowing from central Brazil northwest along the Brazil-Bolivia border into the Mamoré: c. 750 mi. (1,210 km)

guar guaranteed guar (gwär) •n. an annual leguminous plant (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) native to India and grown in the SW U.S. for forage [Hindi guār]

Guaraní (gwä'rä ni:´) •n. 1 pl. -nís´ or -ní´ a member of a South American Indian people who lived in an area between the Paraguay River and the Atlantic 2 the language of this people, related to Tupí 3 pl. -nís´ [g-] the basic monetary unit of Paraguay See MONEY, table [Guaraní guariñi, lit., warrior]

guarantee (gær'эn ti:´, gær´эn ti:') •n. 1 GUARANTY (n. 1 & 3) 2 a pledge or assurance; specif., a) a pledge that something is as represented and will be replaced if it does not meet specifications b) a positive assurance that something will be done in the manner specified 3 a guarantor 4 a person who receives a guaranty 5 a sign or portent {the clouds were a guarantee of rain} •vt. -teed´, -tee´ing 1 to give a guarantee or guaranty for {to guarantee a product} 2 to state with confidence; promise {to guarantee that a thing will be done} [altered < GUARANTY, after words ending in -EE¹]

guarantor (gær´эn tör', gær'эn tör´) •n. a person who makes or gives a guaranty or guarantee

guaranty (gær´эn ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 a pledge by which a person commits himself to the payment of another's debt or the fulfillment of another's obligation in the event of default 2 an agreement that secures the existence or maintenance of something 3 something given or held as security 4 a guarantor •vt. -tied, -ty·ing GUARANTEE [OFr garantie < garantir, to guarantee < garant, warant, a warrant, supporter < Frank *warand, prp. of *warjan, to verify (akin to OHG werēn < wār, true < IE *weros, true > L verus), infl. also by *warjan, to defend, akin to OE werian: see WEIR]

guard (gärd) •vt. 1 to keep safe from harm; watch over and protect; defend; shield 2 to watch over; specif., a) to keep from escape or trouble b) to hold in check; control; restrain c) Sports to keep (an opponent) from making a gain or scoring; also, to cover (a goal or area) in defensive play d) to supervise entrances and exits through (a door, gate, etc.) 3 to cover (a piece of machinery) with a device to protect the operator 4 [Archaic] to escort •vi. 1 to keep watch; take precautions (against) 2 to act as a guard •n. [ME garde < OFr garder, to protect < Gmc *wardon (> Ger warten, to wait) < IE base *wer-, to heed > WARE², L vereri, to fear] 1 the act or duty of guarding; careful watch; wariness; defense; protection 2 a) a posture of alert readiness for defense, as in boxing, fencing, etc. b) the arms or weapon in such a posture 3 any device that protects against injury or loss; specif., a) the part of the handle of a sword, knife, or fork that protects the hand b) a chain or cord attached to a watch, bracelet, etc. to protect against loss c) a ring worn to keep a more valuable ring from slipping off the finger d) a safety device, as in machinery e) an article worn to protect a part of the body, as in a sport {a catcher's shin guards} 4 a person or group that guards; specif., a) a sentinel or sentry b) a railway brakeman or gatekeeper c) [Brit.] a railroad conductor d) a person who guards prisoners e) [pl.] a special unit of troops assigned to the British royal household f) a military unit with a special ceremonial function {a color guard} Æ 5 Basketball either of two players who are the main ball handlers and offensive leaders positioned at the rear of the court on offense: see POINT GUARD Æ 6 Football either of two players on offense at the left and the right of the center whose purpose is blocking: see also NOSE GUARD mount guard to go on sentry duty off (one's) guard not alert for protection or defense on (one's) guard alert for protection or defense; vigilant stand guard to do sentry duty guard´er •n. [LME garde < the n.]

guard cell either of the two bean-shaped cells which surround and control a stoma, or air pore, in the epidermis of a plant

guard hair any of the coarse protective hairs in the outer fur of certain mammals

guardant (gär´dэnt, gärd´ªnt) •adj. Heraldry having the face fully turned toward the observer {a lion guardant} [Fr gardant, prp. of garder: see GUARD]

guarded (gärd´id) •adj. 1 kept safe; watched over and protected; defended 2 kept from escape or trouble; held in check; supervised 3 cautious; noncommittal {a guarded reply} Æ 4 serious and of uncertain prognosis {a patient in guarded condition} guard´ed·ly •adv.

guardhouse (gärd´haus') •n. Mil. 1 a building used by the members of a guard when not walking a post 2 a building where personnel are confined for minor offenses or while awaiting court-martial

guardian (gärd´i: эn, gärd´yэn) •n. 1 a person who guards, protects, or takes care of another person, property, etc.; custodian 2 a person legally placed in charge of the affairs of a minor or of a person of unsound mind •adj. protecting guard´i·an·ship' •n. [ME gardein < OFr gardien, altered (modeled on nouns ending in -ien < L -ianus) < gardenc < Frank *warding < Gmc *wardon (see GUARD) + -ing, akin to -ING]

guardrail (gärd´reil') •n. 1 a protective railing, as on a staircase Æ 2 an extra rail alongside the main rail of a railroad at a crossing, etc., as to keep the cars on the track

guardroom (-ru:m') •n. Mil. 1 a room used by the members of a guard when not walking a post 2 a room in which military offenders are confined

guardsman (gärdz´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a member of any military body called a guard Æ 2 any member of a National Guard

Guarneri (gwäř ne´ři:) 1 (L. name Guarnerius) name of a family of violin-makers of Cremona, Italy (fl. 17th-18th cent.) 2 Giu·sep·pe An·to·nio (ju: zep´pe æn tô´nyô) c. 1687-1745; It. violin-maker

Guarnerius (gwäř ner´i: эs) •n. a violin made by a member of the Guarneri family

Guat Guatemala

Guatemala (gwä'tэ mä´lэ) country in Central America, south & east of Mexico: 42,042 sq. mi. (108,889 sq. km); pop. 8,335,000; cap. Guatemala City Gua'te·ma´lan •adj., n.

Guatemala City capital of Guatemala, in the S part: pop. 1,300,000

guava (gwä´vэ) •n. 1 any of several tropical American plants (genus Psidium) of the myrtle family, esp. a tree (P. guajava) bearing a yellowish, round or pear-shaped, edible fruit 2 the fruit, used for jelly, preserves, etc. [Sp guayaba < Taino guayavá, prob. ult. < Tupi]

guayabera (gwä'yä beř´ä) •n. a loosefitting, usually white shirt customarily worn hanging free: it is especially popular in Latin America [AmSp]

Guayaquil (gwai'ä ki:l´) seaport in W Ecuador: pop. 1,300,000

Guaynabo (gwai nä´bô, -vô) city in NE Puerto Rico, near San Juan: pop. 73,000

guayule (gwä yu:´li:, -lei; gwai-; also, wai yu:´-, wai u:´-) •n. 1 a small shrub (Parthenium argentatum) of the composite family, grown in N Mexico, Texas, etc. for the rubber obtained from it 2 this rubber: also guayule rubber [AmSp < Nahuatl kwawolli < kwawiλ, tree + olli, rubber]

gubernatorial (gu:'bэr nэ tör´i: эl; also gyu:'-, & gu'-; -bэ nэ-) •adj. of a governor or the office of governor [L gubernator, helmsman, governor < pp. of gubernare (see GOVERN) + -IAL]

guck (gûk) •n. [Slang] any thick, viscous, sticky or slimy substance [< ? G(OO) + (M)UCK]

gudgeon¹ (gûj´эn) •n. 1 any of a genus (Gobio) of small, European, freshwater cyprinoid fishes that are easily caught and used for bait 2 any of various other fishes, as a goby or killifish [ME gogeon < OFr goujon < L gobio < Gr kōbios]

gudgeon² (gûj´эn) •n. 1 a metal pin or shaft at the end of an axle, on which a wheel turns 2 the socket of a hinge, into which the pin is fitted 3 the part of a shaft that revolves in a bearing [ME gogoun < OFr gojon, pivot]

Gudrun (gud´ru:n') Norse Legend the daughter of the Nibelung king: she lures Sigurd away from the Valkyrie Brynhild and marries him [ON Guthrūn < guthr, war, battle + runa, close friend (secret-sharer) < ON rūn: see RUNE]

guelderrose (gel´dэr rouz') •n. SNOWBALL (sense 2) [after Guelderland (or GELDERLAND)]

Guelph¹ or Guelf (gwelf) •n. any member of a political party in medieval Italy that supported the authority of the pope in opposition to the aristocratic party of the Ghibellines [It Guelfo, for MHG Welf, a family name < OHG welf, a WHELP: the war cry of the anti-imperialists at the battle of Weinsberg (1140)]

Guelph² (gwelf) city in SE Ontario, Canada: pop. 81,000

guenon (gэ noun´, -nän´) •n. any of a genus (Cercopithecus) of long-tailed African monkeys, including the green monkey and grivet Etymology [Fr]

guerdon (gør´dэn, gørd´ªn) [Archaic] •n. a reward; recompense •vt. to reward [ME guerdoun < OFr gueredon, altered (after L donum, gift) < Frank & OHG widarlōn < OHG widar, back, counter + lōn, reward < IE base *lāu-, to capture > L lucrum, riches]

Guernsey (gørn´zi:) second largest of the Channel Islands of the United Kingdom, north and west of Jersey: 25 sq. mi. (65 sq. km); pop. 53,000 •n. pl. -seys 1 any of a breed of medium-sized dairy cattle, originally from this island, usually fawn-colored with white markings 2 [g-] a closefitting, knitted woolen shirt, worn by seamen [orig. made on the island]

Guerrero (ge ře´řô) state of S Mexico: 24,887 sq. mi. (64,457 sq. km); pop. 2,110,000

guerrilla (gэ ril´э; also ger il´э) •n. 1 [Archaic] warfare carried on by guerrillas 2 any member of a small defensive force of irregular soldiers, usually volunteers, making surprise raids, esp. behind the lines of an invading enemy army •adj. of or by guerrillas Also sp. gue·ril´la [Sp, dim. of guerra, war < Fr guerre or It guerra, both < Frank *werra: see WAR¹]

guerrilla theater a form of propaganda or political protest in which a group of activists perform satirical skits, sing songs, engage in playful pranks, etc. in the midst of a public event or activity

guess (ges) •vt., vi. 1 to form a judgment or estimate of (something) without actual knowledge or enough facts for certainty; conjecture; surmise 2 to judge correctly by doing this 3 to think or suppose {I guess I can do it} •n. 1 the act of guessing 2 a judgment or estimate formed by guessing; conjecture; surmise guess´a·ble •adj. guess´er •n. SYN.—guess implies the forming of a judgment or estimate (often a correct one) haphazardly [he guessed the number of beans in the jar]; to conjecture is to infer or predict from incomplete or uncertain evidence [I cannot conjecture what his plans are]; surmise implies a conjecturing through mere intuition or imagination [she surmised the truth] [ME gessen, to judge, estimate, prob. < MDu, akin to Dan gisse, Swed gissa, ON geta: for IE base see GET]

guesstimate (ges´tэ mit; for v., -meit') •n. [Slang] an estimate based on a guess or conjecture •vt. -mat'ed, -mat'ing [Slang] to form a guesstimate of Also sp. gues´ti·mate [prec. + (ES)TIMATE]

guesswork (ges´wørk') •n. 1 the act of guessing 2 a judgment, result, etc. arrived at by guessing

guest (gest) •n. 1 a) a person entertained at the home of another; visitor b) a person entertained by another acting as host at a restaurant, theater, etc. 2 any paying customer of a hotel, restaurant, etc. 3 a nonmember receiving the hospitality of a club, institution, etc. 4 a person who appears or performs on a program by special invitation 5 INQUILINE •adj. 1 for guests 2 performing by special invitation {a guest artist} •vt. to entertain as a guest Æ vi. to be, or perform as, a guest SYN. VISITOR [ME gest < ON gestr, akin to OE gæst, Ger gast < IE base *ghostis, stranger, guest > L hostis]

guest of honor 1 the person in whose honor a festivity or ceremony is held 2 a guest attending a festivity or ceremony by special invitation

Guevara (gei vär´э), Che (born Ernesto Guevara) 1928-67; Cuban revolutionary leader, born in Argentina

guff (gûf) •n. [Slang] 1 foolish talk; nonsense 2 brash or insolent talk [echoic]

guffaw (gû fö´, gэ-) •n. a loud, coarse burst of laughter •vi. to laugh in this way SYN. LAUGH [echoic]

guggle (gûg´эl) -gled, -gling •n., vi., vt. GURGLE [echoic]

Guiana (gi: æn´э, -ä´nэ) 1 region in N South America, including Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana 2 an area including this region, SE Venezuela, & part of N Brazil, bounded by the Orinoco, Negro, & Amazon rivers & the Atlantic Ocean

guidance (gaid´ªns) •n. 1 the act of guiding; direction; leadership 2 something that guides 3 advice or assistance, as that given to students by vocational or educational counselors 4 the process of directing the course of a spacecraft, missile, etc.

guide (gaid) guid´ed, guid´ing •vt. 1 to point out the way for; direct on a course; conduct; lead 2 to direct the course or motion of (a vehicle, implement, etc.) by physical action 3 to give instruction to; train 4 to direct (the policies, actions, etc.) of; manage; regulate •vi. to act as a guide •n. a person or thing that guides; specif., a) a person whose work is conducting strangers or tourists through a region, building, etc. b) a person who directs, or serves as the model for, another's conduct, career, etc. c) a part that controls the motion of other parts of a machine d) a guidebook e) a book giving instruction in the elements of some subject; handbook {a guide to mathematics} f) Mil. a soldier at the right front of a column, who regulates its pace and alignment and indicates its route guid´a·ble •adj. [ME giden < OFr guider < guide < It guida < Goth *wida, leader, guide < *witan, to observe, akin to OE witan, to see: see WISE¹]

guide dog a dog trained to lead a blind person

guide word a word printed at the top of a page in a dictionary, encyclopedia, etc., usually the first or last entry on the page

guidebook (gaid´buk') •n. a book containing directions and information for tourists

guided missile a military missile guided during flight to a target by internal preset, or self-reacting, devices or external electronic signals: see BALLISTIC MISSILE

guideline (-lain') •n. Æ a standard or principle by which to make a judgment or determine a policy or course of action

guidepost (-poust') •n. 1 a post with a sign and directions for travelers, placed at a roadside or crossroads 2 anything that serves as a guide, standard, example, etc.; guideline

guideway (-wei') •n. a track, channel, etc. along which something moves or slides, as a tool or train

Guido d'Arezzo (gwi:´dô dä řet´tsô) c. 990-c. 1050; It. monk & musical theoretician: also called Guido A·re·ti·no

guidon (gai´dэn, gaidªn) •n. 1 [Historical] a small flag or pennant carried by the guide of mounted cavalry 2 the identification flag of a military unit or the soldier carrying it [Fr < It guidone < guidare < guida: see GUIDE]

Guienne (güi: yen´) alt. sp. of GUYENNE

guild (gild) •n. 1 in medieval times, a union of men in the same craft or trade to uphold standards and protect the members 2 any association for mutual aid and the promotion of common interests 3 an old term for a group of plants in some way dependent upon other plants, as the epiphytes, saprophytes, parasites, or climbing vines [ME gild, blend of ON gildi, guild, guild-feast & OE gyld, association (of paying members), akin to OHG gelt, OFris ield, all < base seen in OE gieldan, to pay: see YIELD]

guild socialism a form of socialism proposed in England in the early 20th cent., emphasizing government ownership of all industries, each to be managed by a guild of workers

guilder (gil´dэr) •n. 1 the basic monetary unit of the Netherlands and Suriname: see MONEY, table 2 a former coin of Germany, Austria, etc. [ME gilder, altered < MDu gulden: see GULDEN]

guildhall (gild´höl') •n. 1 a hall where a guild meets 2 [Brit.] a town hall [G-] the hall of the City of London: preceded by The [ME gildhall < OE gildheall]

guildsman (gildz´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a member of a guild

guile (gail) •n. slyness and cunning in dealing with others; craftiness [ME gile < OFr guile < Frank *wigila, guile, akin to OE wigle: see WILE]

guileful (gail´fэl) •adj. full of guile; deceitful; tricky guile´ful·ly •adv. guile´ful·ness •n.

guileless (gail´lis) •adj. without guile; candid; frank guile´less·ly •adv. guile´less·ness •n.

Guilin (gwi:´lin´) city in Guangxi province, S China: pop. 170,000

Guillain-Barré syndrome (gi: læn'bä rei´, -læñ´-) an acute neurological disorder of unknown cause, involving partial paralysis of several muscle groups and occurring rarely after certain viral infections and vaccinations [after G. Guillain & J. Barré, 20th-c. Fr neurologists]

guillemot (gil´э mät') •n. any of various narrow-billed, northern alcidine shorebirds (genera Uria and Cepphus) [Fr, dim. of Guillaume, William: see ROBIN]

guilloche (gi loush´) •n. a decorative design in which two or more curved lines or bands are interwoven, forming a series of spaces between them [Fr guillochis < guillocher, to ornament with lines < OIt ghiocciare, to drop, drip < LL *guttiare < L gutta, a drop]

guillotine (gil´э ti:n'; also gi:´yэ ti:n' or gi:´э ; for v., usually gil'э ti:n´ & also gi:'yэ ti:n´ or gi:'э-) •n. 1 an instrument for beheading by means of a heavy blade dropped between two grooved uprights 2 an instrument, working on a similar principle, as for cutting paper 3 [Brit.] a method of limiting Parliamentary debate on a bill by voting at previously fixed times on specific sections of it •vt. -tined´, -tin´ing to behead with a guillotine [Fr guillotiner < the n.] [Fr, after J. I. Guillotin (1738-1814), Fr physician who advocated its use during the French Revolution in preference to less humane methods]

guilt (gilt) •n. 1 the state of having done a wrong or committed an offense; culpability, legal or ethical 2 a painful feeling of self-reproach resulting from a belief that one has done something wrong or immoral 3 conduct that involves guilt; crime; sin [ME gilt < OE gylt, a sin, offense]

guiltless (-lis) •adj. 1 free from guilt; innocent 2 having no knowledge or experience: with of guilt´less·ly •adv.

guilty (gilt´i:) guilt´i·er, guilt´i·est •adj. 1 having guilt; deserving blame or punishment; culpable 2 having one's guilt proved; legally judged an offender 3 showing or conscious of guilt {a guilty look} 4 of or involving guilt or a sense of guilt {a guilty conscience} guilt´i·ly •adv. guilt´i·ness •n. [ME gilti < OE gyltig]

guimpe (gæmp, gimp) •n. 1 a blouse worn under a pinafore or jumper 2 a wide piece of cloth used in some nun's habits to cover the neck and shoulders [Fr: see GIMP¹]

guinea (gin´i:) •n. 1 a former English gold coin, last minted in 1813, equal to 21 shillings: the word is still used in England in giving prices of luxury items 2 GUINEA FOWL [the gold of which it was first made came from Guinea] Guinea (gin´i:) 1 coastal region of W Africa, between Senegal & Nigeria 2 country in this region: formerly a French colony, it became independent (1958): 94,925 sq. mi. (245,857 sq. km); pop. 5,400,000; cap. Conakry 3 Gulf of, part of the Atlantic, off the W coast of Africa Guin´e·an •adj., n.

guinea fowl (gin´i:) any of a family (Numididae) of gallinaceous African birds with a featherless head, rounded body, and dark feathers spotted with white, esp. the widespread domesticated species (Numida meleagris) [orig. imported from Guinea]

guinea hen 1 a female guinea fowl 2 any guinea fowl

Guinea pepper 1 any of several African plants (genus Xylopia) of the custard-apple family, esp. a tree (X. aethiopica) with fruits used in spices and folk medicine 2 the fruit of any of these plants

guinea pig 1 any of various small, plump rodents (genus Cavia) with short ears and no external tail: often domesticated and used in biological experiments Æ 2 any person or thing used in an experiment or test [prob. orig. brought to England by ships plying between England, Guinea, and South America]

Guinea worm a nematode worm (Dracunculus medinensis) of tropical Africa and S Asia, parasitic as an adult in the subcutaneous tissues of people and other mammals: the female can reach a length of c. 90 cm (c. 3 ft.)

Guinea-Bissau (-bi sau´) country in W Africa, on the coast between Guinea & Senegal: formerly a Portuguese territory, it became independent (1973): 13,948 sq. mi. (36,125 sq. km); pop. 859,000; cap. Bissau

Guinevere (gwin´э vir') 1 a feminine name 2 Arthurian Legend the wife of King Arthur and mistress of Lancelot Also Guin´e·ver [< Celt; first element < Welsh gwen, white]

Guinness (gin´эs), Sir Alec 1914- ; Eng. actor

guipure (gi: pyur´; Fr gi: püř´) •n. 1 lace without any ground mesh, having the patterns held together by connecting threads 2 a kind of gimp fabric [Fr < guiper, to cover with silk < Frank *wipan, to wind, akin to WHIP]

guiro (gwi:´rou, gwir´ou) pl. -ros •n. a Latin American rhythm instrument typically consisting of a long-necked gourd that is sounded by scraping a stick along ridges cut into its surface [AmSp güiro, lit., gourd]

Guise (gi:z) 1 name of a Fr. ducal family of the 16th & 17th cent. 2 Fran·çois de Lor·raine (fřäñ swå´ dэ lô řen´) 2d Duc de Guise 1519-63; statesman 3 Hen·ri de Lorraine (äñ ři:´) 3d Duc de Guise 1550-88; statesman: son of François guise (gaiz) •n. 1 [Archaic] a) manner or way b) customary behavior, manner, or carriage 2 manner of dress; garb 3 outward aspect; semblance 4 a false or deceiving appearance; pretense {under the guise of friendship} •vt. guised, guis´ing 1 [Archaic] to dress or arrange 2 [Brit. Dial.] to disguise •vi. [Brit. Dial.] to go in disguise SYN. APPEARANCE [ME gise < OFr guise < OHG wisa, way, manner, akin to WISE²]

guitar (gi tär´) •n. a musical instrument related to the lute but having a flat back and usually six strings that are plucked or strummed with the fingers or a plectrum gui·tar´ist •n. [Fr guitare < OSp guitarra < Ar qītār < Gr kithara, lyre, lute]

guitarfish (-fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es any of an order (Rhinobatiformes) of cartilaginous fishes with a long, narrow sharklike tail and a broad raylike body

Guiyang (gwi:´yäŋ´) city in S China: capital of Guizhou province: pop. 530,000

Guizhou (gwi:´jou´) province of S China: 67,181 sq. mi. (173,998 sq. km); pop. 29,320,000; cap. Guiyang

Gujarat (gu'jэ rät´) state of W India: 75,670 sq. mi. (195,984 sq. km); pop. 33,960,000; cap. Ahmedabad

Gujarati (gu'jэ rät´i:) •n. the Indic language spoken in the region of Gujarat •adj. designating or of this language or Gujarat

Gujranwala (guj'rэn wäl´э) city in NE Pakistan: pop. 597,000