lamp (læmp) •n. 1 a container with a wick for burning oil, alcohol, etc. to produce light or heat: the wick is often enclosed in a glass tube or chimney, to protect the flame 2 any of various devices for producing light or heat, as an electric light bulb or a gas jet 3 a holder, stand, or base for such a device 4 a source of knowledge, wisdom, or spiritual strength 5 [Old Poet.] the sun, moon, a star, etc. 6 [pl.] [Old Slang] the eyes •vt. Æ [Old Slang] to look at [ME lampe < OFr < VL lampade < L lampas (gen. lampadis < Gr < lampein, to shine < IE base *lap- > Latvian lāpa, torch]

lamp shell any of various brachiopods [from its resemblance to an ancient Roman oil lamp]

lampas¹ (læm´pэs) •n. an inflammatory disease of horses, in which the roof of the mouth becomes swollen Also lam´pers (-pэrz) [Fr < OFr, throat: ? akin to lamper, to guzzle (nasalized form of laper, to lap), prob. < Gmc *lapian < IE echoic base *lab-: see LAP²]

lampas² (læm´pэs) •n. an ornamentally designed cloth; esp., a silk cloth like damask [ME laumpas, prob. < MDu lampers]

lampblack (læmp´blæk') •n. fine soot produced by the incomplete combustion of oils and other forms of carbon: used as a pigment in paint, ink, etc.

Lampedusa (läm'pэ du:s´э, -du:z´э) Italian island in the Mediterranean, between Malta & Tunisia: 8 sq. mi. (21 sq. km)

lamper eel (læm´pэr) LAMPREY [Eng dial. lamper, var. of LAMPREY]

lampion (læm´pi: эn) •n. a small oil lamp, usually with a colored glass chimney, formerly used as for a carriage light [Fr < It lampione < lampa, a lamp < OFr lampe, LAMP]

lamplight (læmp´lait') •n. light given off by a lamp

lamplighter (-lait'эr) •n. 1 a person whose work was lighting and extinguishing gas street lamps Æ 2 a roll of paper, a wood splinter, etc. used to light lamps

lampoon (læm pu:n´) •n. a piece of satirical writing, usually attacking or ridiculing someone •vt. to attack or ridicule by means of a lampoon SYN. CARICATURE lam·poon´er or lam·poon´ist •n. lam·poon´er·y •n. [Fr lampon < lampons, let us drink (refrain in a drinking song) < lamper, to guzzle: see LAMPAS¹]

lamppost (læmp´poust'; often læm´poust') •n. a post supporting a street lamp

lamprey (læm´pri:) pl. -preys •n. any of an order (Petromyzoniformes) of jawless fish with a funnel-shaped, sucking mouth surrounded by rasping teeth with which it bores into the flesh of other fishes to suck their blood [ME lampreie < OFr < ML lampreda]

lampshade (læmp´sheid') •n. a partial cover for a lamp, designed to direct or diffuse its light

LAN (læn) •n. local area network: a computer NETWORK (sense 2c) within a small area or within a common environment, as one within a building or one connecting offices on separate floors

lanai (lэ nä´i:, -nai´; lä-) •n. a veranda or open-sided living room of a kind found in Hawaii [Haw lānai] Lanai (lä nä´i:, -nai´; lэ-) an island of Hawaii, west of Maui: 141 sq. mi. (365 sq. km); pop. 2,400 [Haw Lā-na'i, lit., day of conquest < Proto-Polynesian *la'ā, day + *ngaki, conquer]

Lanark (læn´эrk) former county of SC Scotland, now in the region of Strathclyde: also Lan´ark·shire' (-shir', -shэr)

lanate (lei´neit') •adj. Biol. having a woolly or hairy covering or appearance [L lanatus, woolly < lana, WOOL]

Lancashire (læŋ´kэ shir') county on the NW coast of England: 1,175 sq. mi. (3,043 sq. km); pop. 1,379,000; county seat, Lancaster

Lancaster (læŋ´kэ stэr; for 3 & 4 also, læŋ´kæs'tэr) 1 city in N Lancashire: pop. 126,000 2 LANCASHIRE 3 city in SE Pa.: pop. 56,000 (met. area 422,000) [after city in England] 4 city in SW Calif.: suburb of Los Angeles: pop. 97,000 [prob. after a railroad official]

Lancastrian (læŋ kæs´tri: эn) •adj. 1 of the English royal house of Lancaster 2 from Lancaster or Lancashire •n. 1 a member or follower of the house of Lancaster, esp. in the Wars of the Roses 2 a native or inhabitant of Lancaster or Lancashire

lance (læns, läns) •n. 1 a thrusting weapon consisting of a long wooden shaft with a sharp metal spearhead 2 LANCER 3 any sharp instrument resembling a lance, as a fish spear 4 a surgical lancet •vt. lanced, lanc´ing 1 to attack or pierce with or as with a lance 2 to cut open (a boil, etc.) with or as with a lancet [OFr < L lancea, light spear, lance, orig. Spanish lance < Celt]

lance corporal 1 Brit. Army a private acting temporarily as a corporal Æ 2 U.S. Marine Corps an enlisted man ranking below a corporal and above a private first class [< obs. lance-(pesade), lance corporal (< MFr lance pessade, infantry officer under the rank of corporal < It lancia spezzata, lit., broken lance) + CORPORAL¹]

lancelet (læns´lit) •n. CEPHALOCHORDATE [LANCE + -LET]

Lancelot (län´sэ lэt, -lät') Arthurian Legend the most celebrated of the Knights of the Round Table and the lover of Guinevere [Fr, double dim. < Lance < OHG Lanzo, lit., landed < lant, land]

lanceolate (læn´si: э lit, -leit') •adj. narrow and tapering like the head of a lance, as certain leaves: see LEAF, illus. [LL lanceolatus < lanceola, dim. of L lancea: see LANCE]

lancer (læns´эr) •n. a cavalry soldier armed with a lance or a member of a cavalry regiment originally armed with lances [Fr lancier < LL lancearius]

lancers (-эrz) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] 1 a 19th-cent. quadrille 2 music for this [< prec.]

lancet (læn´sit) •n. 1 a small, pointed surgical knife, usually two-edged, used for making small incisions, skin punctures, etc. 2 a) LANCET ARCH b) LANCET WINDOW [ME lancettis, pl. < OFr lancette, dim. of lance, LANCE]

lancet arch a narrow, sharply pointed arch

lancet window a tall, narrow window having a lancet arch

lanceted (-id) •adj. having lancet arches or windows

lancewood (læns´wud') •n. 1 a tough, elastic wood used for shafts, fishing rods, billiard cues, etc. 2 any of various tropical trees yielding such wood; esp., a tree (Oxandra lanceolata) of the custard-apple family

Lanchow (læn´chau´; Chin län´jou´) old form of LANZHOU

lanciform (læn´si förm') •adj. narrow and pointed, like the head of a lance [< LANCE + -FORM]

lancinate (-neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. to stab, pierce, or tear: now rare except in medical use {a lancinating pain} lan'ci·na´tion •n. [< L lancinatus, pp. of lancinare, to tear, akin to lacer: see LACERATE]

land (lænd) •n. 1 the solid part of the earth's surface not covered by water 2 a specific part of the earth's surface 3 a) a country, region, etc. {a distant land, one's native land} b) the inhabitants of such an area; nation's people 4 ground or soil in terms of its quality, location, etc. {rich land, high land} 5 a) ground considered as property; estate {to invest in land} b) [pl.] specific holdings in land 6 rural or farming regions as distinguished from urban regions {to return to the land} 7 that part of a grooved surface which is not indented, as any of the ridges between the grooves in the bore of a rifle Æ 8 the Lord: a euphemism {for land's sake!} 9 Econ. natural resources •vt. [ME landen < the n., replacing OE lendan < *landjan] 1 to put on shore from a ship or boat 2 to bring into; cause to enter or end up in a particular place or condition {a fight landed him in jail} 3 to set (an aircraft) down on land or water 4 to draw successfully onto land or into a boat; catch {to land a fish} 5 [Colloq.] to get, win, or secure {to land a job} 6 [Colloq.] to deliver (a blow) •vi. 1 to leave a ship or boat and go on shore; disembark 2 to come to a port or to shore: said of a ship 3 to arrive at a specified place; end up 4 to alight or come to rest, as after a flight, jump, or fall land on Æ [Colloq.] to scold or criticize severely [ME < OE, akin to OHG lant < IE base *lendh-, unoccupied land, heath, steppe > Bret lann, heath (> Fr lande, moor), Welsh llan, enclosure, yard] Land (lænd), Edwin Herbert 1909-91; U.S. physicist, inventor, & industrialist

-land (lænd, lэnd) combining form 1 a kind or quality of land {grassland, highland} 2 a particular place or realm {England, dreamland}

land bank Æ a bank that finances transactions in real estate: see also FEDERAL LAND BANK

land breeze a breeze blowing seaward from the land

land contract a contract in which a purchaser of real estate, upon making an initial payment, agrees to pay the seller stipulated amounts at specified intervals until the total purchase price is paid, at which time the seller transfers his interest in the property

land grant an appropriation of public land by the government for a railroad, State college, etc.

land measure 1 a system of square measure for finding the area of a piece of land 2 any unit of measurement in such a system, as an acre, hectare, etc.

land mine an explosive charge hidden under the surface of the ground and detonated as by pressure upon it

Land of Nod (näd) 1 Bible the country to which Cain journeyed after slaying Abel: Gen. 4:16 2 [l- of N-] the imaginary realm of sleep and dreams

Land of Promise PROMISED LAND

land office a government office that handles and records the sales and transfers of public lands

land plaster finely ground gypsum, used as a fertilizer

land rail CORNCRAKE

land reform the redistribution of agricultural land by breaking up large landholdings and apportioning shares to small farmers, peasants, etc.

land wind a wind blowing seaward from the land

Landau (län´dau'), Lev (Davidovich) (lyef) 1908-68; Soviet theoretical physicist landau (læn´dö', -dau') •n. 1 a four-wheeled covered carriage with the top in two sections, either of which can be lowered independently 2 a former style of automobile with a top whose back could be folded down [after Landau, town in SW Germany where orig. made]

landaulet or landaulette (læn'dэ let´) •n. 1 a small LANDAU (sense 1) 2 an early type of automobile with a folding hood over the rear set

landed (læn´did) •adj. 1 owning land {landed gentry} 2 consisting of, or having the nature of, land or real estate {a landed estate}

landed immigrant [Cdn.] an immigrant who has been admitted to Canada as a permanent resident

lander (læn´dэr) •n. a spacecraft designed to separate from an orbiting spacecraft and make a soft landing on a planet, moon, etc.

landfall (lænd´föl') •n. 1 a sighting of land from a ship at sea 2 the land sighted 3 a landing by ship or airplane

landfill (-fil') •n. 1 the disposal of garbage, rubbish, etc. by burying it under a shallow layer of ground 2 a place used for this purpose 3 garbage, rubbish, etc. so disposed of

landform (-förm') •n. any topographic feature on the earth's surface, as a plain, valley, hill, etc., caused by erosion, sedimentation, or movement

land-grabber (-græb'эr) •n. a person who gets possession of land unfairly or fraudulently

land-grant (-grænt') •adj. designating any of a number of colleges and universities originally given Federal aid, esp. by land grants, on condition that they offer instruction in agriculture and the mechanical arts: they are now supported by the individual States with supplementary Federal funds

landgrave (-greiv') •n. 1 in medieval Germany, a count having jurisdiction over a specified territory 2 later, the title of any of certain German princes land·gra´vi·ate (-grei´vi: it) •n. land´gra·vine' (-grэ vi:n') •n.fem. [Ger landgraf < land, LAND + graf, a count]

landholder (-houl'dэr) •n. an owner or occupant of land land´hold'ing •adj., n.

landing (læn´diŋ) •n. 1 the act of coming to shore or of going or putting ashore 2 a place where a ship or boat takes on or unloads cargo or passengers 3 a platform at the end of a flight of stairs 4 the act of alighting, or coming to the ground, as after a flight, jump, or fall

landing craft any of various naval craft designed to bring troops and equipment close to shore during amphibious operations

landing field a field provided with a smooth surface to enable airplanes to land and take off easily

landing gear the system of related parts on an aircraft or spacecraft used for support or mobility on land or water, including wheels, pontoons, shock absorbers, etc.

landing net a small, baglike net attached to a long handle, for taking a hooked fish from the water

landing strip AIRSTRIP

landlady (lænd´leid'i:) pl. -dies •n. 1 a woman who rents or leases land, houses, etc. to others 2 a woman who keeps a rooming house, inn, etc. [after LANDLORD]

ländler (lent´lэr) •n. 1 an Austrian country dance in slow rhythm and triple time 2 music for this [Ger < dial. Landl, region in Bavaria and Bohemia, dim. < land, LAND]

landless (lænd´lis) •adj. not owning land

landlocked (-läkt') •adj. 1 entirely or almost entirely surrounded by land, as a bay or a country 2 cut off from the sea and confined to fresh water by a geographical barrier {landlocked salmon}

landlord (-lörd') •n. 1 a person, esp. a man, who rents or leases land, houses, etc. to others 2 a man who keeps a rooming house, inn, etc. [ME londelorde < OE landhlaford: see LAND & LORD]

landlordism (-lörd'iz'эm) •n. the economic system under which land is privately owned and rented to tenants

landlubber (-lûb'эr) •n. a person who has had little experience at sea and is therefore awkward aboard a ship: a sailor's term of contempt [LAND + LUBBER]

landmark (-märk') •n. 1 any fixed object used to mark the boundary of a piece of land 2 any prominent feature of the landscape, as a tree or building, serving to identify a particular locality 3 an event, discovery, etc. considered as a high point or turning point in the history or development of something

landmass (-mæs') •n. a very large area of land; esp., a continent

land-office business (lænd´öf'is) [Colloq.] a booming business [with ref. to Western U.S. land offices in the 19th c.]

Landor (læn´dэr, -dör'), Walter Savage 1775-1864; Eng. writer & poet

landowner (lænd´oun'эr) •n. a person who owns land land´own'er·ship' •n. land´own'ing •adj., n.

Landowska (län dôf´skä), Wan·da (vän´dä) 1879-1959; U.S. harpsichordist, born in Poland

land-poor (-pur´) •adj. owning land, often much land, but poor, or lacking ready money, because of high taxes on the land, its low yield, etc.

Land's End cape in Cornwall at the southwesternmost point of England: also Lands End

Landsat (lænd´sæt') •n. any of a system of U.S. satellites for gathering and transmitting data about the earth's natural resources, topography, etc. [LAND + SAT(ELLITE)]

landscape (lænd´skeip') •n. 1 a picture representing a section of natural, inland scenery, as of prairie, woodland, mountains, etc. 2 the branch of painting, photography, etc. dealing with such pictures 3 an expanse of natural scenery seen by the eye in one view •vt. -scaped', -scap'ing to change the natural features of (a plot of ground) so as to make it more attractive, as by adding lawns, trees, bushes, etc. •vi. to work as a landscape architect or gardener land´scap'er •n. [17th-c. art borrowing (cf. EASEL, LAY FIGURE) < Du landschap < land + -schap, -SHIP: earlier also landskip, akin to OE landscipe, Ger landschaft]

landscape architecture the art or profession of planning or changing the natural scenery of a place for a desired purpose or effect landscape architect

landscape gardening the art or work of placing or arranging lawns, trees, bushes, etc. on a plot of ground to make it more attractive landscape gardener

landscapist (-skeip'ist) •n. a painter of landscapes

Landseer (lænd´sir), Sir Edwin Henry 1802-73; Eng. painter, esp. of animal pictures

landside (lænd´said') •n. the flat side of a plow, which is turned toward the land yet unbroken

landskip (-skip) •n. obs. var. of LANDSCAPE

landslide (-slaid') •n. 1 the sliding of a mass of loosened rocks or earth down a hillside or slope 2 the mass of loosened material sliding down 3 an overwhelming majority of votes for one candidate or party in an election 4 any overwhelming victory

landslip (-slip') •n. [Chiefly Brit.] LANDSLIDE (senses 1 & 2)

landsman (lændz´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a person who lives on land: distinguished from SEAMAN 2 a fellow countryman; compatriot [partly via Yidd < MHG lantsman, for earlier lantman < OHG < lant, LAND + man, MAN]

Landsteiner (lænd´stai'nэr; Ger länt´shtai'nэř), Karl 1868-1943; U.S. pathologist & immunologist, born in Austria

landward (lænd´wэrd) •adv. toward the land: also land´wards •adj. situated or facing toward the land

lane¹ (lein) •n. 1 a narrow way between hedges, walls, buildings, etc.; narrow country road or city street 2 any narrow way, as an opening in a crowd of people 3 a) a path or route designated, as for reasons of safety, for ships or aircraft Æ b) a marked strip of road wide enough for a single line of cars, trucks, etc. 4 any of the parallel courses marked off for contestants in a race 5 Basketball an area 12 feet wide extending from the free-throw line to just below the basket 6 Bowling a) a long, narrow strip of highly polished wood, along which the balls are rolled; alley b) [usually pl.] a bowling establishment [ME < OE lanu, akin to Du laan < ? IE base *elā-, to be in motion, go]

lane² (lein) •adj. Scot. var. of LONE

Lang (læŋ) 1 Andrew 1844-1912; Scot. writer 2 Fritz 1890-1976; U.S. film director, born in Austria lang language

langbeinite (læŋ´bain ait') •n. a mineral, K2Mg2(SO4)3, a natural sulfate of potassium and magnesium, used as a source of potash [Ger langbeinit, after A. Langbein, 19th-c. Ger chemist who identified it + -it, -ITE¹]

Langer (læŋ´эr), Susanne K(atherina) (born Susanne Katherina Knauth) 1895-1985; U.S. philosopher

Langerhans islets (or islands) ISLETS OF LANGERHANS

Langland (læŋ´lэnd), William c. 1330-c. 1400; Eng. poet: also Lang·ley (læŋ´li:)

langlauf (läŋ´lauf') •n. Skiing a cross-country run lang´läuf'er (-loi'fэř) •n. [Ger < lang, LONG¹ + lauf, a course < laufen, to run]

Langley (læŋ´li:), Samuel Pier·pont (pir´pänt') 1834-1906; U.S. astronomer, physicist, & pioneer in airplane construction Langley (læŋ´li:) city in SW British Columbia, Canada: suburb of Vancouver: pop. 69,000 langley (læŋ´li:) pl. -leys •n. a unit for measuring solar radiation, equal to one small calorie per square centimeter [after fol.]

Langmuir (læŋ´myur'), Irving 1881-1957; U.S. chemist

Langobard (læŋ´gou bärd') •n. LOMBARD (n. 2)

Langobardic (læŋ'gou bär´dik) •adj. of the Lombards, their language, or culture •n. the West Germanic language of the Lombards

langouste (läñ gu:st´) •n. SPINY LOBSTER [Fr]

langoustine (läŋ'gu sti:n´, læŋ'-; -gэ-; Fr läñ gu: sti:n´) •n. any of several edible decapod crustaceans; esp., a small lobster of the North Atlantic [Fr, dim. of prec.]

langrage or langridge (læŋ´grij) •n. a type of irregularly shaped shot formerly used in naval battles to damage rigging and sails Also lan´grel (-grэl) [< ?]

langsyne (læŋ´sain´, -zain´) •adv. [Scot.] long since; long ago •n. [Scot.] the long ago; bygone days Also lang syne [Scot < lang, LONG¹ + syne, since, contr. < sithen, SINCE]

Langtry (læŋ´tri:), Lillie (born Emily Charlotte Le Breton) 1852-1929; Eng. actress

language (læŋ´gwij) •n. 1 a) human speech b) [Archaic] the ability to communicate by this means c) a system of vocal sounds and combinations of such sounds to which meaning is attributed, used for the expression or communication of thoughts and feelings d) the written representation of such a system 2 a) any means of expressing or communicating, as gestures, signs, or animal sounds {body language} b) a special set of symbols, letters, numerals, rules, etc. used for the transmission of information, as in a computer 3 all the vocal sounds, words, and ways of combining them common to a particular nation, tribe, or other speech community {the French language} 4 the particular form or manner of selecting and combining words characteristic of a person, group, or profession; form or style of expression in words {the language of teenagers} 5 the study of language in general or of some particular language or languages; linguistics speak the same (or someone's) language to have the same beliefs, attitudes, etc. (as another) [ME < OFr langage < langue, tongue < L lingua, tongue, language, altered (by assoc. with lingere, to lick) < OL dingua < IE *dnghwa > OE tunge, TONGUE]

language arts the subjects taught in elementary and secondary schools for improving oral and written communication

language laboratory a classroom in which students learning a foreign language can practice sound and word patterns individually or under supervision with the aid of audio equipment, etc. Also language lab

langue d'oc (läñg dôk´) a group of French dialects spoken in medieval S France and surviving in Provençal [Fr, lit., language of oc (< Prov, yes < L hoc, this thing): from characteristic use of oc for affirmation (in contrast to LANGUE D'OÏL)]

langue d'oïl (läñg dô i:l´) a group of French dialects spoken in most of central and N France in the Middle Ages: it is the Old French from which modern French is derived [Fr, lit., language of oïl (< OFr, yes < LL hoc illi < L hoc, this + ille, that): from characteristic use of oïl (Fr oui) for affirmation: cf. LANGUE D'OC]

Languedoc (läñg dôk´) historical region of S France, between the E Pyrenees & the lower Rhone

Languedoc-Roussillon (läñg dök řu: si: youñ´) metropolitan region of France incorporating part of the Languedoc region and the Roussillon; 10,570 sq. mi. (127,376 sq. km); pop. 1,963,000; chief city, Montpellier

languet or languette (læŋ´gwit) •n. a thing or part resembling the tongue in shape or use [ME < MFr, dim. of OFr langue: see LANGUAGE]

languid (læŋ´gwid) •adj. 1 without vigor or vitality; drooping; weak 2 without interest or spirit; listless; indifferent 3 sluggish; dull; slow lan´guid·ly •adv. lan´guid·ness •n. [Fr languide < L languidus < languere, to be weary, akin to laxus: see LAX]

languish (-gwish) •vi. 1 to lose vigor or vitality; fail in health; become weak; droop 2 to live under distressing conditions; continue in a state of suffering {to languish in poverty} 3 to become slack or dull; lose intensity 4 to suffer with longing; pine 5 to put on an air of sentimental tenderness or wistful melancholy lan´guish·er •n. lan´guish·ment •n. [ME languishen < extended stem of OFr languir < L languescere < languere, to be weary: see LANGUID]

languishing (-gwish iŋ) •adj. that languishes; specif., a) becoming weak; drooping b) lingering c) slow; not intense d) pining; longing e) tender; sentimental; wistfully amorous lan´guish·ing·ly •adv.

languor (læŋ´gэr) •n. 1 a lack of vigor or vitality; weakness 2 a lack of interest or spirit; feeling of listlessness; indifference 3 the condition of being still, sluggish, or dull lan´guor·ous •adj. lan´guor·ous·ly •adv. [ME langour < OFr langueur < L languor < languere, to be weary: see LANGUID]

langur (lûŋ'gur´) •n. any of a genus (Presbytis) of lanky, long-tailed monkeys of SE Asia, with bushy eyebrows and a chin tuft [Hindi langūr < Sans lāngūlin, lit., having a tail]

laniard (læn´yэrd) •n. LANYARD

laniary (lei´ni: er'i:, læn´i:-) •adj. adapted for tearing; canine: said of teeth [L laniarius, of a butcher < lanius, a butcher, of Etr orig.]

Lanier (lэ nir´), Sidney 1842-81; U.S. poet

laniferous (lэ nif´эr эs) •adj. bearing wool or fine hairs resembling wool; fleecy Also la·nig´er·ous (-nij´-) [< L lanifer (< lana, WOOL + ferre, BEAR¹) + -OUS]

lank (læŋk) •adj. 1 long and slender; lean 2 straight and limp; not curly: said of hair lank´ly •adv. lank´ness •n. [ME < OE hlanc, slim, flexible < IE base *kleng-, to bend, wind > Ger lenken, to bend, ON hlekkr, a ring]

lanky (læŋk´i:) lank´i·er, lank´i·est •adj. awkwardly tall and lean or long and slender lank´i·ly •adv. lank´i·ness •n. [prec. + -Y²]

lanner (læn´эr) •n. a falcon (Falco biarmicus) of the Mediterranean region; specif., the female used in falconry [ME lanere < MFr lanier < VL *lanarius, type of falcon < L laniarius: see LANIARY]

lanneret (læn'эr et´) •n. the male of the lanner: it is smaller than the female [ME lanerette < MFr laneret, dim.]

lanolin (læn´э lin') •n. a fatty substance obtained from sheep wool and used as a base for ointments, cosmetics, etc.: also lan´o·line' (-lin', -li:n') [< L lana, WOOL + oleum, oil + -IN¹]

lanose (lei´nous') •adj. LANATE [L lanosus < lana, WOOL]

Lansing (læn´siŋ) capital of Mich., in the SC part: pop. 127,000 (met. area with East Lansing 433,000) [ult. after J. Lansing (1751-c. 1829), U.S. jurist]

lantana (læn tei´nэ, -tä´-) •n. any of a genus (Lantana) of shrubby plants of the verbena family, growing in tropical and subtropical America and often cultivated as pot plants [ModL < It dial., viburnum < Gaul < IE base *lento-, lithe, flexible > LINDEN, L lentus]

lantern (læn´tэrn) •n. 1 a transparent or translucent case for holding a light and protecting it from wind and weather: it usually has a handle on its framework so that it can be carried 2 the room containing the lamp at the top of a lighthouse 3 an open or windowed structure on the roof of a building or in the upper part of a tower or the like, to admit light or air 4 short for MAGIC LANTERN [ME < OFr lanterne < L lanterna < Gr lamptēr < lampein, to shine: see LAMP]

lantern fish any of a family (Myctophidae) of deep-sea bony fishes (order Myctophiformes) with a large mouth, large eyes, and luminescent organs along each side of the body

lantern fly any of various large, brightly colored South American homopteran insects (family Fulgoridae) having a long head with a hollow part formerly thought to emit light

lantern jaw 1 a projecting lower jaw 2 [pl.] long, thin jaws, with sunken cheeks, that give the face a lean, gaunt appearance lan´tern-jawed' •adj. [from resemblance to the early lantern with long sides of thin, concave horn]

lantern pinion (or wheel) an old type of gear consisting of two circular disks connected by projecting bars around their edges

lantern slide a photographic slide for projection, as, originally, by a magic lantern

lantern tree a Chilean tree (Crinodendron hookerianum) of a family (Elaeocarpaceae, order Malvales), of tropical dicotyledonous trees and shrubs having leathery, elliptical leaves and hanging, red flowers, sometimes grown in the far S U.S. as an ornamental

lanthanide series (læn´θэ naid', -nid) the rare-earth metals: see ELEMENT, table [< fol., first in the series]

lanthanum (-nэm) •n. a silvery chemical element of the rare-earth metals: symbol, La; at. wt., 138.91; at. no., 57; sp. gr., 6.194; melt. pt., 920°C; boil. pt., 3,470°C [ModL: so named (1839) by G. Mosander (see ERBIUM) < lanthana, lanthanum oxide, lit., the hidden one < Gr lanthanein, to be hidden (see LATENT): it had previously been undetected in the mineral cerite]

lanthorn (læn´tэrn) •n. archaic var. of LANTERN [altered by folk etym. < LANTERN, by assoc. with HORN, material once used for the sides]

lanugo (lэ nu:´gou, -nyu:´-) •n. a soft, downy growth; esp., a) the soft, downy hair covering the human fetus b) the fine hair covering most of the human body la·nu´gi·nous (-ji nэs) or la·nu´gi·nose' (-ji nous') •adj. [L, down < lana, WOOL]

Lanús (lä nu:s´) city in E Argentina: suburb of Buenos Aires: pop. 466,000

lanyard (læn´yэrd) •n. 1 a short rope or cord used on board ship for holding or fastening something 2 a cord worn around the neck, as by sailors, from which to hang something, as a knife, whistle, etc. 3 a cord with attached hook, for firing certain types of cannon [altered (infl. by YARD¹) < ME lanyer < MFr laniere < OFr lasniere < lasne, noose, earlier nasle < Frank *nastila, a cord, lace, dim. of Gmc *nast- < IE base *ned- > L nodus, knot]

Lanzhou (län´jou´) city in NW China, on the Huang: capital of Gansu province: pop. 1,430,000

Lao (lä´ou) pl. La·o •adj., n.or La·os LAOTIAN

Laocoön (lei äk´ou än') Gr. Myth. a priest of Troy who, with his two sons, is destroyed by two huge sea serpents after he warns the Trojans against the wooden horse [L < Gr Laokoōn]

Laodicea (lei äd'i si:´э, lei´э dэ-) 1 ancient city in Phrygia, SW Asia Minor 2 ancient name of LATAKIA (the seaport)

Laodicean (-эn) •adj. 1 of Laodicea 2 indifferent or lukewarm in religion, as the early Christians of LAODICEA (city in Phrygia): Rev. 3:14-16 3 indifferent or lukewarm about any subject •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Laodicea 2 one who is indifferent or lukewarm, esp. in religion

Laoighis (lei´ish) county in Leinster province, central Ireland: 664 sq. mi. (1,719 sq. km); pop. 52,000

Laomedon (lei äm´э dän') Gr. Myth. father of Priam and founder of Troy [L < Gr Laomedōn]

Laos (lä´ous, laus) country in the NW part of the Indochinese peninsula: formerly a French protectorate, it became an independent kingdom (1949) & a republic (1975): 91,429 sq. mi. (236,804 sq. km); pop. 3,679,000; cap. Vientiane See INDOCHINA, map

Laotian (lei ou´shэn) •adj. of Laos, its people, culture, etc. •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Laos; specif., a member of a Buddhist Thai people 2 their Thai language

Laotzu (lau´dzû´) 6th cent. B.C.; Chin. philosopher: reputed founder of Taoism: also Lao´-tze´ or Lao´-tsze´ (-dzû´)

lap dissolve Film, TV a dissolving view in which a new scene is blended in with a scene being faded out, as by lapping two exposures on one film or two images on a TV screen

lap dog any pet dog small enough to be held in the lap

lap joint a joint made by lapping one piece or part over another and fastening them together Also lapped joint lap´-joint' •vt.

lap robe a heavy blanket, fur covering, etc. laid over the lap and knees for warmth, as when watching outdoor sports

lap¹ (læp) •n. 1 [Now Rare] the loose lower part of a garment, which may be doubled or folded over; skirt of a coat or gown 2 the front part of the skirt when it is held up to form a hollow place in which things can be carried 3 a) the front part from the waist to the knees of a person in a sitting position b) the part of the clothing covering this 4 anything hollow like a lap, as a valley 5 that in which a person or thing rests or is cared for, sheltered, or coddled 6 a part extending over another part; overlapping part 7 a) such extension; overlapping b) amount or place of this 8 a turn or loop, as of a rope around a post 9 a rotating disk for cutting and polishing glass, gems, etc. 10 a) one complete circuit around a racetrack, in a race consisting of more than one b) one part or stage of an extended project 11 the act or condition of lapping •vt. lapped, lap´ping [ME lappen < the n.] 1 to fold (over or on) 2 to wrap; enfold 3 to hold in or as in the lap; envelop {lapped in luxury} 4 to place partly upon something else {to lap one board over another} 5 to lie partly upon; overlap {one board laps the other} 6 to cut or polish (glass, gems, etc.) with a lap 7 to get a lap ahead of (an opponent) in a race •vi. 1 to be folded {rough edges must lap under} 2 to lie partly upon something or upon one another; overlap 3 to project beyond something in space, or extend beyond something in time (with over) drop (or dump, etc.) into someone's lap to cause to be someone's responsibility in the lap of luxury surrounded by luxury in the lap of the gods beyond human control or power [ME lappe < OE læppa, fold or hanging part of a garment, skin; akin to Ger lappen < IE base *leb-, lāb-, to hang down > L labare, to totter, labi, to fall, sink, lapsus, a fall]

lap² (læp) lapped, lap´ping •vi., vt. 1 to drink (a liquid) by dipping it up with the tongue in the manner of a dog 2 to move or strike gently with a light splashing sound such as a dog makes in lapping: said of waves, etc. •n. 1 the act of lapping 2 the sound of lapping 3 something that is, or is intended to be, lapped up lap up 1 to take up (liquid or liquid food) by lapping 2 [Colloq.] to eat or drink greedily 3 [Colloq.] a) to accept with enthusiasm b) to believe too readily lap´per •n. [ME lapen < OE lapian, akin to MDu lapen, OHG laffan, to lick < IE echoic base *lab-, to lick > L lambere]

laparo- (læp´э rou', -rэ) combining form the flank, the abdominal wall {laparotomy} Also, before a vowel, lapar- [< Gr lapara, the flank < laparos, weak, thin < IE base *lep-, to peel off: see LEPER]

laparoscope (læp´э rou skoup') •n. an instrument introduced surgically into the abdomen for examining the abdominal or pelvic organs: used in diagnosis, female sterilization, etc. lap'a·ro·scop´ic (-skäp´ik) or lap'a·ros´co·py (-räs´kэ pi:) •n. [prec. + -SCOPE]

laparotomy (læp'э rät´э mi:) pl. -mies •n. a surgical incision into the abdomen at the flanks or, less precisely, at any point [LAPARO- + -TOMY]

lapboard (læp´börd') •n. a flat board placed on or over the lap and used as a table or desk

lapel (lэ pel´) •n. either of the front parts of a coat, jacket, etc. folded back on the chest, forming a continuation of the collar [dim. of LAP¹]

lapful (læp´ful') pl. -fuls' •n. as much as a lap can hold

lapidarian (læp'э der´i: эn) •adj. LAPIDARY

lapidary (læp´э der'i:) pl. -dar'ies •n. 1 a person who cuts, polishes, and engraves precious stones 2 the art of such a person 3 an expert in precious stones; collector of or dealer in gems: also lap´i·dar'ist •adj. [L lapidarius] 1 of or connected with the art of cutting and engraving precious stones 2 engraved on stone 3 short, precise, and elegant, like an inscription on a monument [ME lapidarie < LL lapidarius < L, of stones < lapis (gen. lapidis), a stone, akin to Gr lepas, ult.? < IE base *lep-: see LEPER]

lapidate (læp´э deit') lap´i·dat'ed, -dat'ing •vt. [Rare] 1 to throw stones at 2 to stone to death lap'i·da´tion •n. [< L lapidatus, pp. of lapidare, to stone < lapis (see LAPIDARY)]

lapidify (lэ pid´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt., vi. [Rare] to turn into stone [Fr lapidifier < ML lapidificare < L lapis (gen. lapidis), a stone + facere, to make: see DO¹]

lapillus (lэ pil´эs) pl. -pil´li' (-ai') •n. a small fragment of igneous rock, up to the size of a walnut, ejected from a volcano [L, dim. of lapis, stone]

lapin (læp´in; Fr lå pæñ´) •n. rabbit fur, generally dyed in imitation of more valuable skins [Fr, rabbit < lapereau < or akin to Port laparo, of Iberian-Balearic orig.]

lapis (lei´pis, læp´is) pl. la·pi·des (lei´pi di:z', læp´i-) •n. Latin word for stone: used esp. in chemistry

lapis lazuli (læp´is læz´yu: lai', -læzh´-; -li:') 1 an azure-blue, opaque, semiprecious stone, a mixture of various minerals 2 its color [ModL < L lapis, a stone + ML lazuli, gen. of lazulus, azure < Ar lāzaward: see AZURE]

Laplace (lå plås´), Marquis Pierre Si·mon de (pyeř si: mouñ´ dэ) 1749-1827; Fr. mathematician & astronomer

Lapland (læp´lænd') region of N Europe, including the N parts of Norway, Sweden, & Finland, & the NW extremity of European Russia, inhabited by the Lapps

Lapp (læp) •n. 1 a member of a people living in Lapland: also Lap´land'er 2 the Finnic language of this people: also Lap´pish [Swed]

lappet (læp´it) •n. 1 a loose flap or fold of a garment or head covering 2 any fleshy or membranous part hanging loosely or in a fold, as the dewlap of a cow, the lobe of the ear, etc. [dim. of LAP¹]

Lapsang (læp´sæŋ') •adj. designating a fine variety of souchong tea with a smoky flavor

lapse (læps) •n. 1 a slip of the tongue, pen, or memory; small error; fault 2 a) a falling away from a moral standard; moral slip b) a falling or slipping into a lower or worse condition, esp. for a short time 3 a falling away from one's belief or faith 4 a gliding or passing away, as of time or of anything continuously flowing 5 [Rare] a falling into ruin 6 Law a) the termination or forfeiture of a right or privilege through disuse, through failure of some contingency, or through failure to meet stated obligations within a stated time b) the failure of a bequest or devise to take effect because of the death of the person who was to receive it •vi. lapsed, laps´ing [L lapsare < labi: see LAP¹] 1 to slip or fall; esp., to slip into a specified state {to lapse into a coma} 2 to slip or deviate from a higher standard or fall into (former) erroneous ways; backslide 3 to stop practicing one's religion; lose or abandon one's faith 4 to pass away; elapse: said of time 5 to come to an end; stop {my subscription lapsed} 6 to become forfeit or void because of failure to pay the premium at the stipulated time: said of an insurance policy 7 Law to pass to another proprietor by reason of negligence or death •vt. to make forfeit or void by not meeting standards laps´a·ble or laps´i·ble •adj. laps´er •n. [L lapsus, a fall: see LAP¹]

lapse rate the rate of decrease of an atmospheric variable, usually temperate, with increase of altitude

lapstrake (læp´streik') •adj. built with the planks of the hull overlapping, as a boat Also Æ lap´streak' (-stri:k') [LAP¹ + STRAKE]

lapsus (læp´sэs) •n. a slip; error; lapse [L]

lapsus linguae (liŋ´gwi:') a slip of the tongue [L]

Laptev Sea (läp´tef', -tev') arm of the Arctic Ocean, between the New Siberian Islands & the Taimyr Peninsula

laptop (læp´täp') •n. a microcomputer small and light enough to sit on the user's lap and containing, in a single unit, a keyboard, LCD screen, microprocessor, and, usually, a rechargeable battery

Laputa (lэ pyu:t´э) in Swift's Gulliver's Travels, a flying island inhabited by impractical, visionary philosophers who engage in various absurd activities La·pu´tan •adj., n.

lapwing (læp´wiŋ') •n. any of a genus (Vanellus) of black-and-white plovers; esp., an Old World crested species (V. vanellus) with broad, rounded wings, noted for spectacular aerial displays [ME lapwinge, altered (by folk etym., by assoc. with lappe, LAP¹ & wing, WING) < OE hleapewince < hleapan, to LEAP + wince < wincian (see WINK): prob. so called from its irregular flight]

lar (lär) •n. sing. of LARES

Laramie (lær´э mi:) city in SE Wyo.: pop. 27,000 [after J. Laramie (died c. 1821), trapper & explorer]

larboard (lär´bэrd, -börd') •n. the left-hand side of a ship as one faces forward; port •adj. on or of this side Now largely replaced by PORT4 [ME laddeborde, orig. lading side < OE hladan, to lade + bord, side: sp. infl. by STARBOARD]

larceny (lär´sэ ni:) pl. -nies •n. Law the taking of personal property without consent and with the intention of permanently depriving the owner of it; theft: in some States, and formerly in England, larceny in which the value of the property equals or exceeds a specified amount is grand larceny, and larceny involving lesser amounts is petit (or petty) larceny SYN. THEFT lar´ce·nist or lar´ce·ner •n. lar´ce·nous •adj. lar´ce·nous·ly •adv. [ME < Anglo-Fr larcin < OFr larrecin < L latrocinium < latrocinari, to rob, plunder < latro, mercenary soldier, robber < Gr *latrōn < latron, wages, pay < IE *lēi-, to possess, acquire > OE læs, landed property]

larch (lärch) •n. 1 any of a genus (Larix) of trees of the pine family, found in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, bearing cones and needlelike leaves that are shed annually 2 the tough wood of this tree [early modern Ger larche (Ger lärche) < L larix]

lard (lärd) •n. the fat of hogs, melted down and clarified to become a white, soft solid; esp., the inner abdominal fat •vt. [ME larden < OFr larder] 1 to cover or smear with lard or other fat; grease 2 to put strips of fat pork, bacon, etc. over, or into slits in (meat or poultry) before cooking; interlard 3 to add to; embellish; garnish {a talk larded with jokes} lard´y, lard´i·er, lard´i·est, •adj. [OFr < L lardum, bacon fat, lard < IE base *lai-, fat > Gr larinos, fattened, fat, L largus, large]

larder (lärd´эr) •n. 1 a place where the food supplies of a household are kept; pantry 2 a supply of food; provisions [ME < OFr lardier, orig., storehouse for bacon < ML lardarium < L lardum, prec.]

larder beetle a small, mostly black dermestid beetle (Dermestes lardarius) whose larvae feed on dead animal matter, cheese, etc.

Lardner (lärd´nэr), Ring(gold Wilmer) 1885-1933; U.S. sports reporter & humorist

lardon (lärd´ªn) •n. a strip of bacon or pork used to lard meat Also lar·doon (lär du:n´) [ME < MFr < lard, LARD]

Laredo (lэ rei´dou) city in S Tex., on the Rio Grande: pop. 123,000 [after Laredo, town in Spain]

lares (lei´ri:z') sing. lar (lär) •n.pl. in ancient Rome, guardian spirits; esp., the deified spirits of ancestors, who watch over the households of their descendants [L, pl. of lar < ? IE base *las-, greedy, wanton > LUST]

lares and penates 1 the household gods of the ancient Romans: see LARES, PENATES 2 the treasured belongings of a family or household

largando (lär gän´dou) •adj., adv. ALLARGANDO [It]

large (lärj) larg´er, larg´est •adj. 1 [Archaic] liberal; generous 2 big; great; specif., a) taking up much space; bulky b) enclosing much space; spacious {a large office} c) of great extent or amount {a large sum} 3 big as compared with others of its kind; of more than usual or average size, extent, or amount 4 comprehensive; far-reaching {to have large views on a subject} 5 pompous or exaggerated {large talk} 6 operating on a big scale {a large manufacturer} 7 Naut. favorable; specif., quartering: said of a wind •adv. 1 in a large way; so as to be large {to write large} 2 Naut. with a favoring wind, specif. one on the quarter •n. liberty: now only in the phrase AT LARGE (see phrase below) at large 1 free; not confined; not in jail 2 fully; in complete detail 3 in general; taken altogether Æ 4 representing an entire State or other district rather than only one of its subdivisions {a congressman at large} large´ness •n. SYN.—large, big, and great are often interchangeable in meaning of more than usual size, extent, etc. [a large, big, or great oak], but in strict discrimination, large is used with reference to dimensions or quantity [a large studio, amount, etc.], big, to bulk, weight, or extent [a big baby, big business], and great, to size or extent that is impressive, imposing, surprising, etc. [a great river, success, etc.] —ANT. small, little [OFr < L largus: see LARD]

large calorie CALORIE (sense 2)

large intestine the relatively large section of the intestines of vertebrates, between the small intestine and the anus, including the cecum, colon, and rectum: see INTESTINE, illus.

largehearted (-härt'id) •adj. generous; kindly

largely (-li:) •adv. 1 much; in great amounts 2 for the most part; mainly

large-minded (-main'did) •adj. liberal in one's views; broad-minded

largemouth (black) bass (lärj´mauθ') a black bass (Micropterus salmoides) found in warm, sluggish waters

large-scale (-skeil´) •adj. 1 drawn to a large scale: said of a map, etc. 2 of wide scope; over a large area; extensive {large-scale business operations}

largess or largesse (lär jes´, lär´jis) •n. 1 generous giving, as from a patron 2 a gift or gifts given in a generous, or sometimes showy, way 3 nobility of spirit [ME largesse < OFr < large, LARGE]

larghetto (lär get´ou) •adj., adv. Musical Direction relatively slow, but faster than largo •n. pl. -tos a larghetto movement or passage [It < largo: see LARGO]

largish (lärj´ish) •adj. rather large

largo (lär´gou) •adj., adv. Musical Direction slow and stately •n. pl. -gos a largo movement or passage [It, large, slow < L largus, large: see LARD] Largo (lär´gou) city in WC Fla.: pop. 66,000 [after nearby Lake Largo (< Sp largo, long), now drained]

lari (lä´ri:) pl. -ri •n.or -ris a monetary unit of the Maldives, equal to ¹/100 of a rufiyaa

lariat (lær´i: эt) •n. 1 a rope used for tethering grazing horses, etc. 2 LASSO •vt. to tie or catch with a lariat [Sp la reata < la, the + reata, a rope < reatar, to tie (horses) in single file, orig., retie < re-, RE- + atar, to tie < L aptare < aptus: see APT]

larine (lær´in, -ain') •adj. 1 designating or of a suborder (Lari) of seabirds, including gulls, skuas, and skimmers 2 of or like a gull [< ModL Larinae, name of the subfamily < LL(Ec) larus, a ravenous sea bird < Gr laros < IE echoic base *lā-: see LAMENT]

Larisa (lä´ri: sä'; E lэ ris´э) city in E Thessaly, Greece: pop. 102,000: also sp. La·ris´sa

lark¹ (lärk) •n. 1 any of a large family (Alaudidae) of Old World passerine birds, esp. the skylark: the horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) is the only New World lark 2 any of various birds from other families, as the meadowlark [ME lark, laverke < OE laferce, older læwerce, akin to Ger lerche (OHG lērahha), ON lævirki (Dan lerke)]

lark² (lärk) •vi. 1 to play or frolic; have a merry time 2 to cause one's horse to jump fences, etc. unnecessarily •n. a frolic or spree; merry prank lark´er •n. lark´ish or lark´y •adj. [? alteration (infl. by prec.) of northern dial. lake < ME laike, to play < ON leika & OE lacan, akin to Goth laikan, to hop, leap < IE base *leig-, *loig-, to hop > Sans rĕjatē, (he) hops, quivers]

Larkin (lär´kin), Philip (Arthur) 1922-85; Brit. poet

larkspur (lärk´spør') •n. DELPHINIUM

Larousse (lэ ru:s´, læ-; Fr lå řu:s´), Pierre A·tha·nase (å tå näz´) 1817-75; Fr. lexicographer & grammarian

larrigan (ler´i gэn) •n. a high moccasin made of oiled leather, worn by woodsmen [of Cdn orig. < ?]

larrikin (lær´i kin) •n. [Slang, Chiefly Austral.] a hoodlum or rowdy, esp. a young one [ult. < ? LARK²]

larrup (lær´эp) •vt. [Colloq. or Dial.] to whip; flog; beat [East Anglian dial., prob., with intrusive vowel, for *lerp, *larp < or akin to Du larpen, to thrash]

Larry (lær´i:) a masculine name: see LAURENCE

larva (lär´vэ) pl. -vae' (-vi:') •n.or -vas the early, free-living, immature form of any animal that changes structurally when it becomes an adult, usually by a complex metamorphosis {the caterpillar is the larva of the butterfly, the tadpole is the larva of the frog} lar´val •adj. [L, ghost, specter, akin to lar, household spirit: see LARES]

larvicide (-vi said') •n. a substance used to kill harmful larvae lar'vi·ci´dal •adj. [< prec. + -CIDE]

laryngeal (lэ rin´ji: эl, -jэl) •adj. 1 of, in, or near the larynx 2 used for treating the larynx 3 Phonet. articulated in, or by constriction of, the larynx •n. a laryngeal sound

laryngectomy (lær'in jek´tэ mi:) •n. the surgical removal of all or part of the larynx [LARYNG(O)- + -ECTOMY]

laryngitis (lær'in jait´is) •n. an inflammation of the larynx, often characterized by a temporary loss of voice lar'yn·git´ic (-jit´ik) •adj. [ModL < fol. + -ITIS]

laryngo- (lэ riŋ´gou, -gэ) combining form 1 larynx {laryngoscope} 2 larynx and Also, before a vowel, la·ryng´- [< Gr larynx (gen. laryngos), LARYNX]

laryngology (lær'in gäl´э ji:) •n. the branch of medicine having to do with diseases of the larynx and adjacent parts lar'yn·gol´o·gist •n.

laryngoscope (lэ riŋ´gou skoup', -gэ-) •n. an instrument for examining the interior of the larynx [LARYNGO- + -SCOPE]

laryngoscopy (lær'in gäs´kэ pi:) •n. examination of the larynx by means of a laryngoscope la·ryn·go·scop·ic (lэ riŋ'gou skäp´ik, -gэ-) or la·ryn'go·scop´i·cal •adj.

larynx (lær´iŋks) pl. lar´ynx·es (-iz') or la·ryn·ges (lэ rin´ji:z') •n. 1 the structure of muscle and cartilage at the upper end of the human trachea, containing the vocal cords and serving as the organ of voice: see LUNG, PHARYNX, illus. 2 a similar structure in most other vertebrates [ModL < Gr]

Las Casas (läs kä´säs'), Bar·to·lo·mé de (bäř'tô lô mei´ de) 1474-1566; Sp. missionary & historian in the Americas

Las Cruces (läs kru´sis) city in S N.Mex., on the Rio Grande: pop. 62,000 [Sp, lit., the crosses: prob. from crosses marking an early burial spot]

Las Palmas (läs päl´mэs) seaport in the Canary Islands: pop. 366,000

Las Vegas (läs vei´gэs) city in SE Nev.: pop. 258,000 (met. area 741,000)

lasagna (lэ zän´yэ, -sän´-) •n. 1 pasta in wide, flat strips 2 a dish consisting of this pasta baked with alternating layers of, typically, tomato sauce, ground meat, and cheese Also la·sa´gne (-yэ) [It (pl. lasagne) < VL *lasania, a kind of noodle < L lasanum, a pot < Gr lasanon, pot with feet, trivet]

LaSalle (lэ sæl´; Fr lå sål´) city in S Quebec, Canada, on Montreal island: pop. 76,000 [after prec.]

lascar (læs´kэr) •n. an Indian or East Indian sailor, employed on European ships [Hindi lashkar, army, camp < Pers, army < Ar al-'askar, army]

Lascaux (læs kou´) cave in the Dordogne region, SW France, containing Upper Paleolithic paintings and engravings

lascivious (lэ siv´i: эs) •adj. 1 characterized by or expressing lust or lewdness; wanton 2 tending to excite lustful desires las·civ´i·ous·ly •adv. las·civ´i·ous·ness •n. [ME lascyuyous < ML lasciviosus < LL < L lascivia, wantonness < lascivus: see LUST]

lase (leiz) lased, las´ing •vi. to emit laser light [back-form. < fol.]

laser (lei´zэr) •n. a device containing a substance the majority of whose atoms or molecules can be put into an excited energy state, allowing the substance to emit coherent light of a precise wavelength in an intense, narrow beam [l(ight) a(mplification by) s(timulated) e(mission of) r(adiation)]

laser printer a computer printer that uses a laser beam to reproduce images or text on a photosensitive drum to which toner is applied

laserdisc (-disk') •n. a videodisc on which audio and video signals are recorded in the form of microscopic pits, which are read by a laser beam: also written laser disc (or disk)

lash¹ (læsh) •n. 1 a whip, esp. the flexible striking part as distinguished from the handle 2 a stroke with or as with a whip; switch 3 a sharp, censuring or rebuking remark 4 an eyelash •vt. [ME laschen < ?] 1 to strike or drive with or as with a lash; flog 2 to swing or move quickly or angrily; switch {the cat lashed her tail} 3 to strike with great force; dash against {waves lashed the cliffs} 4 to attack violently in words; censure or rebuke 5 to incite by appealing to the emotions {to lash a crowd into a frenzy of anger} •vi. 1 to move quickly or violently; switch 2 to make strokes with or as with a whip lash out 1 to strike out violently 2 to speak angrily or in bitter criticism lash´er •n. [ME lassche < the v.]

lash² (læsh) •vt. to fasten or tie with a rope, etc. [ME lashen < OFr lachier, var. of lacier: see LACE]

lashing¹ (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act of a person or thing that lashes; specif., a) a whipping b) a strong rebuke 2 [pl.] [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] a large amount; lots

lashing² (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act of fastening or tying with a rope, etc. 2 a rope, etc. so used

lash-up (læsh´ûp') •n. [Colloq.] 1 a temporary or improvised contrivance; expedient 2 any arrangement or setup [< lash up, to fasten < LASH² + UP¹]

Laski (læs´ki:), Harold J(oseph) 1893-1950; Eng. political scientist & socialist leader

L-asparaginase (el'æs pær´э ji neis', -æs'pэr æj´i-; -neiz') •n. an enzyme that destroys asparagine, a nonessential amino acid needed as a nutrient by rapidly growing cells: used in treating leukemia [L(EVOROTATORY) + ASPARAGIN(E) + -ASE]

lass (læs) •n. 1 a young woman; girl 2 a sweetheart 3 [Scot.] a girl servant; maid [north ME lasce, lasse: prob. < Anglo-N *lasqa < ON loskr, weak, idle < IE *lēid-, var. of base *lēi- > LATE, LET¹]

Lassa fever (läs´э) an acute virus disease endemic to W Africa, characterized by high fever and inflammation of various body organs and parts [after Lassa, village in E Nigeria, where first detected]

Lassalle (lэ sæl´; Ger lä säl´), Ferdinand 1825-64; Ger. socialist & writer

Lassen Volcanic National Park (läs´эn) national park in N Calif.: it contains volcanic peaks, lava flows, hot springs, & an active volcano, Lassen Peak, 10,457 ft. (3,187 m) high: 166 sq. mi. (430 sq. km) [after P. Lassen (fl. 1845), Dan pioneer]

lassie (læs´i:) •n. [Scot.] a young woman; girl [dim. of LASS]

lassitude (læs´i tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. a state or feeling of being tired and listless; weariness; languor [Fr < L lassitudo < lassus, faint, weary: see LATE]

lasso (læs´ou'; often læs´u:' &, for vt., læ su:´) pl. -sos' •n.or -soes' a long rope or leather thong with a sliding noose at one end, used to catch cattle or wild horses •vt. -soed', -so'ing to catch with a lasso las´so·er •n. [Sp lazo < L laqueus, noose, snare: see LACE]

last hurrah a final attempt or appearance, as in politics

Last Judgment Theol. 1 the final judgment of mankind at the end of the world 2 the time of this

last name SURNAME

last quarter 1 the time of month between second half-moon and new moon 2 the phase of the moon after the waning gibbous when only the left half of its face, as viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, reflects sunlight to the earth: see MOON, illus.

last rites 1 final rites and prayers for a dead person 2 sacraments administered to a person near death

last straw the last of a sequence of annoyances or troubles that results in a breakdown, loss of patience, etc. [from the last straw that broke the back of the overburdened camel in the fable]

Last Supper the last supper eaten by Jesus with his disciples before the Crucifixion: cf. LORD'S SUPPER

last word 1 a) the final word or speech, regarded as settling the argument b) final authority 2 something regarded as perfect or definitive 3 [Colloq.] the very latest style

last¹ (læst, läst) •adj. 1 alt. superl. of LATE 2 being or coming after all others in place; farthest from the first; hindmost 3 coming after all others in time; farthest from the beginning; latest 4 only remaining {took the last chocolate in the box} 5 directly before the present {last month} 6 farthest from what is expected; least likely {would be the last person to suspect anything} 7 utmost; greatest 8 coming after all others in importance; lowest in rank 9 newest {the last thing in hats} 10 conclusive; authoritative {the last word in scientific research} 11 individual: used as an intensive {to spend every last cent} •adv. 1 alt. superl. of LATE 2 after all others; at the end 3 most recently 4 finally; in conclusion •n. 1 someone or something which comes last {the last of the kings} 2 the final or concluding part; end {friends to the last} at (long) last after a long time; finally see the last of to see for the last time [ME laste, earlier latest, latst < OE latost, superl. of adj. læt, adv. late: see LATE]

last² (læst, läst) •vi. 1 to remain in existence or operation; continue; go on; endure 2 to remain in good condition; wear well 3 to continue unconsumed, unspent, etc. {enough food to last for a month} •vt. to continue or endure throughout: often with out {doubtful whether he can last (out) the training period} SYN. CONTINUE last´er •n. [ME lasten < OE læstan, akin to Ger leisten, vt., to perform, carry out, Goth laistjan, lit., to follow in the track of < IE base *leis-, a track, spoor > L lira, furrow (see LEARN): sense development: to follow to go on, continue]

last³ (læst, läst) •n. a block or form shaped like a person's foot, on which shoes are made or repaired •vt. to form with a last stick to one's last 1 to keep to one's own work 2 to mind one's own business last´er •n. [ME laste < OE læst, a boot, læste, shoemaker's last < base of last, footstep, track, furrow < same base as prec.]

last4 (læst, läst) •n. a measure or weight that varies for different things and in different places, often one equal to 4,000 pounds [ME laste < OE hlæst (akin to Ger last, OHG hlast) < base of hladan: see LADE]

last-ditch (-dich´) •adj. made, done, used, etc. in a final, often desperate act of resistance or opposition

Lastex (læs´teks') trademark for a fine, round rubber thread wound with cotton, rayon, silk, etc. and woven or knitted into fabric [coined < (E)LAS(TIC) + TEX(TILE)]

lasting (læs´tiŋ) •adj. that lasts a long time; enduring; durable {a lasting peace} •n. 1 a strong twilled cloth 2 [Archaic] endurance last´ing·ly •adv. last´ing·ness •n.

lastly (læst´li:) •adv. in conclusion; finally

lat latitude Lat 1 Latin 2 Latvia 3 Latvian

Latakia (lät'э ki:´э, læt'-) 1 seaport in W Syria, on the Mediterranean: pop. 197,000 2 coastal region of NW Syria, bordering on the Mediterranean •n. a fine grade of highly aromatic Turkish smoking tobacco, produced near the port of Latakia

latch (læch) •n. 1 a fastening for a door or gate, esp. one capable of being worked from either side by means of a lever and consisting of a bar that falls into a notch in a piece attached to the doorjamb or gatepost 2 a spring lock on a door; specif., a NIGHT LATCH 3 a fastening for a window, etc. •vt., vi. to fasten or close with a latch Æ latch onto [Colloq.] to get or obtain on the latch fastened by the LATCH (sense 1) but not locked or bolted [ME lacche < lacchen, to seize, catch hold of < OE læccan < IE base *(s)lagw-, to grasp, seize > Gr lazesthai, to take, lambanein, to seize]

latchet (læch´it) •n. [Archaic] a strap or lace for fastening a sandal or shoe to the foot [ME lachet < OFr, dial. var. of lacet, dim. of laz: see LACE]

latchkey (læch´ki:') •n. a key for drawing back or unfastening the latch of a door, esp. of an outer door, from the outside •adj. designating, of, or having to do with a child or children who receive no supervision at home after school hours, because their parents are away working [from the door key carried by such a child]

latchstring (-striŋ') •n. a cord fastened to the bar of a latch and passed through a hole in the door so that the latch can be raised from the outside

late (leit) lat´er or lat´ter, lat´est or last •adj. 1 happening, coming, etc. after the usual, proper, or expected time; tardy; behindhand 2 a) happening, being, continuing, etc. far on in the day, night, year, etc. {the late afternoon, a late party} b) happening, being, continuing, etc. toward the end; far advanced in a period, development, etc. {the late Middle Ages} 3 happening, appearing, etc. just previous to the present time; recent {a late news bulletin} 4 having been so recently but not now {the late allies} 5 having recently died •adv. lat´er, lat´est or last [ME < OE < base of the adj.] 1 after the usual, proper, or expected time; tardily 2 at or until an advanced time of the day, night, year, etc. 3 toward the end of a given period, development, etc. 4 recently; lately {as late as yesterday} SYN. DEAD of late lately late´ness •n. [ME < OE læt, slow, sluggish, tardy, akin to Du laat, Ger lass, slow, lazy < IE *lēid < base *lēi-, to neglect, let go > LET¹, L lassus, weak]

late bloomer a person who matures, achieves proficiency in some field or skill, etc. later than such a person is normally expected to

Late Greek the Greek language of the period after classical Greek: term applied chiefly to the written language seen in patristic writings and texts from A.D. c. 200-c. 600

Late Latin the Latin language of the period after classical Latin, seen chiefly in late Western Roman Empire and patristic writings from A.D. c. 200-c. 600

latecomer (leit´kûm'эr) •n. one that arrives or comes late

lateen (læ ti:n´, lэ-) •adj. designating or of a triangular, fore-and-aft-rigged sail attached to a long yard suspended obliquely from a short mast: now used chiefly on Mediterranean vessels •n. a lateen-rigged vessel Also la·teen´er [Fr latine < (voile) latine, Latin (sail) < fem. of L Latinus, LATIN]

lateen-rigged (-rigd') •adj. having a lateen sail or sails

lately (leit´li:) •adv. recently; a short while ago

latent (leit´ªnt) •adj. 1 present but invisible or inactive; lying hidden and undeveloped within a person or thing, as a quality or power 2 Biol. dormant but capable of normal development under the best conditions: said of buds, spores, cocoons, etc. 3 Psychol. unconsciously but not actively so {a latent homosexual} la´ten·cy •n. la´tent·ly •adv. SYN.—latent applies to that which exists but is as yet concealed or unrevealed [his latent ability]; potential applies to that which exists in an undeveloped state but which can be brought to development in the normal course of events [a potential concert pianist]; dormant suggests a lack of visible activity, as of something asleep [a dormant volcano]; quiescent implies a stopping of activity, usually only temporarily [the raging sea had become quiescent] —ANT. active, actual, operative [L latens, prp. of latere, to lie hidden, lurk < IE *lāidh- < base *lā-, to be hidden > ON lōmr, deception, Gr lēthē, forgetfulness, lanthanein, to be hidden]

latent ambiguity Law uncertainty existing where language employed in an instrument is clear and appears to have but one meaning, yet outside evidence makes it capable of more than one meaning: see PATENT AMBIGUITY

latent heat the heat liberated or absorbed by a substance as it changes phase at a constant temperature and pressure

latent period 1 the interval in the course of a disease between infection and the first appearance of the symptoms; incubation period 2 the interval between a stimulus and its response

later (leit´эr) •adj. alt. compar. of LATE •adv. at a later time; after some time; subsequently later on subsequently

laterad (læt´эr æd') •adv. Anat. toward the side [< L later(alis) < gen. of latus, side (see LATERAL) + -AD²]

lateral (læt´эr эl) •adj. 1 of, at, from, or toward the side; sideways {lateral movement} 2 articulated by partial blockage of the air passage with the tongue in such a way that breath escapes along one or both sides of the tongue •n. 1 anything located, done, etc. to the side; lateral part, growth, branch, etc. Æ 2 Football short for LATERAL PASS 3 Mining a drift off to the side of and parallel to a main drift 4 Phonet. a lateral sound, as (l) Football to throw a lateral pass •vi. lat´er·al·ly •adv. [L lateralis < latus (gen. lateris), a side, prob. akin to latus, broad < IE *stlā-to- < base *stel-, to spread out > Arm lain, broad]

lateral line a row of sensory organs along each side of the head and body in fishes and a few amphibians, probably for detecting vibrations, currents, and pressure

lateral pass Football a short pass parallel to the goal line or in a slightly backward direction

Lateran (læt´эr эn) 1 the church of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the pope as bishop of Rome 2 the palace, now a museum, adjoining this church [< L Lateranus, pl. laterani, name of the Roman family (the Plautii Laterani) whose palace once occupied the same site]

laterite (læt´эr ait') •n. Geol. a red, residual soil containing large amounts of aluminum and ferric hydroxides, formed by the decomposition of many kinds of rocks, and found esp. in well-drained tropical rain forests lat'er·it´ic (-it´ik) •adj. [L later, brick, tile (prob. akin to latus, broad: see LATERAL) + -ITE¹]

laterization (læt'эr i zei´shэn) •n. the process by which rock is converted into laterite lat´er·ize' (-эr aiz'), -ized', -iz'ing, •vt.

latest (leit´ist) •adj., adv. 1 alt. superl. of LATE 2 most recent; newest 3 [Archaic] last at the latest no later than (the time specified) the latest the most recent thing, development, etc.

latex (lei´teks') pl. lat·i·ces (læt´i si:z') or la´tex'es •n. 1 a milky liquid containing resins, proteins, etc., present in certain plants and trees, as the rubber tree, milkweed, and poppy: used esp. as the basis of rubber 2 a suspension in water of particles of natural or synthetic rubber or plastic: used in rubber goods, adhesives, paints, etc. [L latex (gen. laticis), a fluid, liquid < Gr latax, a drop, wine lees < IE base *lat-, wet > MIr laith, beer]

lath (læθ, läθ) pl. laths (læðz, læθs, läðz, läθs) •n. 1 any of the thin, narrow strips of wood used in lattices or nailed to two-by-fours, rafters, etc. as a foundation for plaster, tiles, etc. 2 any foundation for plaster, as wire screening or expanded metal 3 laths collectively, esp. when used as a base for plaster •vt. to cover with laths [ME lathe (< OE *læthth, akin to OHG latta) & latte (< OE lætt, akin to ON latto)]

lathe (leið) •n. a machine for shaping an article of wood, metal, etc. by holding and turning it rapidly against the edge of a cutting or abrading tool •vt. lathed, lath´ing to shape on a lathe [ME lath, turning lathe, supporting stand, prob. < MDu lade in the same senses (> Dan dreielad, turning lathe): for IE base see LADE]

lather (læð´эr) •n. 1 the foam or froth formed by soap or other detergent in water 2 foamy sweat, as that on a racehorse Æ 3 [Slang] an excited or agitated state •vt. 1 to cover with lather 2 [Colloq.] to flog soundly •vi. to form, or become covered with, lather [ME < OE leathor, washing soda or soap, akin to ON lauthr, washing soda, foam < IE *loutro- < base *lou-, to LAVE¹]

lathery (-эr i:) •adj. made of, covered with, or capable of forming lather

lathi (lä´ti:) •n. in India, a heavy stick of bamboo and iron, used as a club esp. by police [Hindi]

lathing (læθ´iŋ) •n. 1 laths collectively, esp. when serving as a base for plaster 2 the putting up of laths on walls, ceilings, etc.

lathy (-i:) lath´i·er, lath´i·est •adj. like a lath; tall and thin

lathyrism (læθ´э riz'эm) •n. a painful, poisoned condition caused by the ingestion of certain peas (esp. genus Lathyrus) and characterized by paralysis of the legs, hyperesthesia, etc.

laticiferous (læt'i sif´эr эs) •adj. producing, containing, or secreting latex [see LATEX & -FEROUS]

latifundium (læt'э fûn´di: эm) pl. -di·a (-э) •n. a large landed estate, typically owned by an absentee landlord and worked by serfs, as in some Latin American countries [L < latus, broad (see LATERAL) + fundus, estate, orig., bottom: see FOUND²]

Latimer (læt´э mэr), Hugh c. 1485-1555; Eng. Protestant bishop & religious reformer: burned at the stake

latimeria (læt'э mir´i: э) •n. a deep-sea coelacanth fish (Latimeria chalumnae) with large, circular scales and six of its seven fins lobelike: discovered in 1938 and found only near the Comoro Islands [ModL, after M. E. D. Courtenay-Latimer (1907- ), director of South African museum + -IA]

Latin (læt´ªn) •adj. 1 of ancient Latium or its people 2 of ancient Rome or its people 3 of or in the language of ancient Latium and ancient Rome 4 designating or of the languages derived from Latin, the peoples who speak them, their countries, cultures, etc. 5 of the Roman Catholic Church, esp. as distinguished from the Eastern Church •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of ancient Latium or ancient Rome 2 the Italic language of ancient Latium and ancient Rome: see also OLD LATIN, LATE LATIN, LOW LATIN, MEDIEVAL LATIN, MODERN LATIN 3 a person whose language is derived from Latin, as a Spaniard, Italian, or Latin American 4 a Roman Catholic: so called esp. by Eastern Christians [L Latinus < Latium, Latium (in which Rome was included), orig. ? flat land < IE *tletiom < base *(s)tel-, to spread out > L latus, broad]

Latin America that part of the Western Hemisphere south of the U.S., in Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, & South America, where Spanish, Portuguese, & French are the official languages Latin American

Latin Church WESTERN CHURCH (sense 1)

Latin cross a plain, right-angled cross having the vertical bar longest: see CROSS, illus.

Latin Quarter a section of Paris, south of the Seine, where many artists and students live

Latin Rite 1 the liturgy and other rites of the Catholic Church as authorized for use in Rome and generally throughout the Western Church 2 WESTERN CHURCH (sense 1)

Latin square a square array of numbers, etc. so arranged that every element occurs exactly once in each row and in each column

Latina (læ ti:´nэ, lэ-) pl. -nas •n. [sometimes l-] 1 a Latin American woman or girl 2 a woman or girl who is HISPANIC (adj. 2) •adj. of Latinas [fem. of LATINO]

Latinate (-eit', -it) •adj. of, derived from, or similar to Latin Also La·tin·ic (læ tin´ik)

Latinism (læt´ªn iz'эm) •n. 1 a Latin idiom or expression, used in another language 2 a Latin quality

Latinist (-ist) •n. a scholar in Latin

Latinity (læ tin´i ti:) •n. the use or knowledge of Latin [L latinitas]

Latinize (læt´ªn aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to translate into Latin 2 to give Latin form or characteristics to 3 to transliterate into the Latin alphabet; Romanize 4 to bring into conformity with the rites, practices, etc. of the Roman Catholic Church •vi. to use Latin expressions, forms, etc. Lat'in·i·za´tion •n. Lat´in·iz'er •n. [LL latinizare, to translate into Latin < L Latinus, LATIN]

Latino (læ ti:´nou, lэ-) pl. -nos •n. [sometimes l-] 1 a Latin American 2 HISPANIC •adj. of, relating to, or characteristic of Latinos {Latino music} [AmSp < Sp, lit., Latin < L Latinus, LATIN]

latish (leit´ish) •adj., adv. somewhat late

latitude (læt´э tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. 1 [Rare] breadth; width 2 [Rare] extent; scope; range of applicability 3 freedom from narrow restrictions; freedom of opinion, conduct, or action 4 see ASTRONOMICAL LATITUDE, CELESTIAL LATITUDE 5 Geog. a) angular distance, measured in degrees, north or south from the equator {a ship at forty degrees north latitude} b) a region or place as determined by such measurement Cf. LONGITUDE lat'i·tu´di·nal •adj. lat'i·tu´di·nal·ly •adv. [OFr < L latitudo < latus, wide: see LATERAL]

latitudinarian (læt'э tu:'dэ ner´i: эn, -tyu:´-) •adj. liberal in one's views; permitting free thought, esp. in religious matters; very tolerant •n. a person who has very liberal views and, in religion, cares little about particular creeds and forms lat'i·tu'di·nar´i·an·ism' •n. [< L latitudo (gen. latitudinis): see LATITUDE & -ARIAN]

Latium (lei´shэm, -shi: эm) 1 region of central Italy, on the Tyrrhenian Sea: 6,642 sq. mi. (17,203 sq. km); pop. 5,080,000; chief city, Rome 2 ancient country in the part of this region southeast of Rome [L: see LATIN]

latke (lät´kэ) pl. -kes •n. a pancake, often, specif., one made of grated raw potatoes [Yidd < Russ latka, a patch]

latria (lэ trai´э) •n. R.C.Ch. that worship which is due to God alone: distinguished from DULIA, HYPERDULIA [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) latreia < Gr, hired service < latreuein, to serve, worship < latris, hired servant: for IE base see LARCENY]

latrine (lэ tri:n´) •n. a toilet, privy, etc. for the use of a large number of people, as in an army camp [Fr < L latrina, contr. of lavatrina, bath < lavare, to wash: see LAVE¹]

Latrobe (lэ troub´), Benjamin Henry 1764-1820; U.S. architect, born in England

-latry (lэ tri:) combining form worship of or excessive devotion to {bibliolatry, demonolatry} [Gr(Ec) -latreia < latreia: see LATRIA]

latten (læt´ªn) •n. 1 brass or a brasslike alloy hammered into thin sheets, formerly used for making church vessels 2 any metal, esp. tin, in thin sheets [ME laton < OFr < Ar lātūn, copper]

latter (læt´эr) •adj. 1 alt. compar. of LATE 2 a) later; more recent b) nearer the end or close {the latter part of May} 3 last mentioned of two: often used absolutely (with the) {Jack and Bill are twins, but the latter is shorter than the former}: opposed to FORMER¹ [ME lattre < OE lættra, compar. of læt: it represents the orig. compar. form; LATER is a new formation]

latter-day (-dei') •adj. of recent or present time; modern

Latter-day Saint see MORMON

latterly (læt´эr li:) •adv. lately; of late; recently

lattermost (-moust') •adj. [Rare] last in order

lattice (læt´is) •n. 1 an openwork structure of crossed strips or bars of wood, metal, etc. used as a screen, support, etc. 2 something resembling or suggesting such a structure 3 a door, gate, shutter, trellis, etc. formed of such a structure 4 Physics a) a three-dimensional pattern of points in space, as of atoms or groups of atoms in a solid or crystal b) SPACE LATTICE c) the arrangement in a geometric pattern of fissionable and nonfissionable material in a nuclear reactor •vt. -ticed, -tic·ing 1 to arrange like a lattice; make a lattice of 2 to furnish or cover with a lattice or latticework lat´tice·like' •adj. [ME latis < OFr lattis < latte < MHG < OHG latta: see LATH]

latticework (-wørk') •n. 1 a lattice 2 lattices collectively; trelliswork Also lat´tic·ing

latticinio (læt'э chi:n´you) •n. 1 opaque white glass, often used in threads for a decorative pattern on glassware 2 this type of glassware [It, lit., food prepared with milk < LL lacticinium < L lac, milk: see GALACTIC]

Lattimore (læt´э mör'), Richmond (Alexander) 1906-84; U.S. scholar, translator, & poet

Latv 1 Latvia 2 Latvian

Latvia (læt´vi: э) country in N Europe, on the Baltic Sea: from 1940 to 1991 it was a republic of the U.S.S.R.: 24,594 sq. mi. (63,698 sq. km); pop. 2,600,000; cap. Riga: formerly, Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

Latvian (-эn) •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Latvia 2 the Baltic language of the Latvians •adj. designating or of Latvia, its people, or their language or culture

laud (löd) •n. 1 praise 2 any song or hymn of praise 3 [often L-] [pl., usually with sing. v.] the service of dawn which constitutes the second (or, when said together with matins, the first) of the canonical hours and includes psalms of praise; morning prayer •vt. to praise; extol [ME lauden < L laudare < the n.] SYN. PRAISE [ME laude < OFr < ML(Ec) laudes, pl. < L laus (gen. laudis), glory, praise < ? IE echoic base *lēu- > OE leoth, Ger lied, song] Laud (löd), William 1573-1645; Eng. prelate: archbishop of Canterbury (1633-45): executed

laudable (löd´э bэl) •adj. worthy of being lauded; praiseworthy; commendable laud'a·bil´i·ty or laud´a·ble·ness •n. laud´a·bly •adv. [L laudabilis]

laudanum (lö´dэ nэm, löd´ªn эm) •n. 1 [Archaic] any of certain opium preparations 2 a solution of opium in alcohol [ModL, altered use (by PARACELSUS) of ML var. of ladanum: see LABDANUM]

laudation (lö dei´shэn) •n. a lauding or being lauded; praise; commendation [L laudatio]

laudatory (löd´э tör'i:) •adj. expressing praise; eulogistic; commendatory Also laud´a·tive [LL laudatorius < L laudare: see LAUD]

laugh (læf, läf) •vi. 1 to make the explosive sounds of the voice, and the characteristic movements of the features and body, that express mirth, amusement, ridicule, etc. 2 to be amused 3 to feel or suggest joyousness; appear bright and gay {laughing eyes} •vt. 1 to express or say with laughter 2 to bring about, effect, or cause to be by means of laughter {to laugh oneself hoarse} •n. 1 the act or sound of laughing 2 anything that provokes or is fit to provoke laughter 3 [pl.] [Colloq.] mere diversion or pleasure have the last laugh to win after apparent defeat and discomfiture laugh at 1 to be amused by 2 to make fun of; ridicule; deride 3 to be indifferent to or contemptuous of; disregard laugh away to get rid of (something unpleasant or embarrassing) by laughter laugh down to silence or suppress by laughing laugh up (or in) one's sleeve to laugh secretly or inwardly laugh off to scorn, avoid, or reject by laughter or ridicule laugh on (or out of) the other (or wrong) side of one's face (or mouth) to undergo a change in mood from joy to sorrow, from amusement to annoyance, etc. no laughing matter a serious matter laugh´er •n. SYN.—laugh is the general word for the sounds or exhalation made in expressing mirth, amusement, etc.; chuckle implies soft laughter in low tones, expressive of mild amusement or inward satisfaction; giggle and titter both refer to a half-suppressed laugh consisting of a series of rapid, high-pitched sounds, suggesting embarrassment, silliness, etc., but titter is also used of a laugh of mild amusement suppressed in affected politeness; snicker is used of a sly, half-suppressed laugh, as at another's discomfiture or a bawdy story; guffaw refers to loud, coarse laughter [ME laughen < OE hleahhan, akin to Ger lachen (OHG hlahhan) < IE base *klēg-, to cry out, sound > Gr klangē, L clangor]

laugh track recorded laughter added to a soundtrack, as of a TV program, to simulate audience laughter

laughable (-э bэl) •adj. 1 of such a nature as to cause laughter; amusing 2 so ridiculous as to deserve laughter or scorn; ludicrous SYN. FUNNY laugh´a·ble·ness •n. laugh´a·bly •adv.

laugher (-эr) •n. 1 one that laughs Æ 2 [Colloq.] a contest won by a wide margin; easy victory

laughing (-iŋ) •adj. 1 that laughs or appears to laugh {a laughing brook} 2 uttered with laughter {a laughing remark} •n. laughter laugh´ing·ly •adv.

laughing gas nitrous oxide used as an anesthetic: so called from the reaction of laughter and exhilaration that inhaling it may produce

laughing jackass KOOKABURRA

laughingstock (læf´iŋ stäk') •n. a person or thing made the object of ridicule; butt

laughter (læf´tэr, läf´-) •n. 1 the action of laughing or the sound resulting 2 an indication of amusement {with laughter in her eyes} 3 [Archaic] a matter for or cause of laughter [ME < OE hleahtor (akin to Ger gelächter) < base of hleahhan, to LAUGH]

launce (löns, læns, läns) •n. SAND LANCE [prob. < LANCE, from its shape]

launch pad the platform from which a rocket, guided missile, etc. is launched Also launching pad

launch vehicle any system, usually a rocket, designed to launch a spacecraft or other payload

launch window the period of time during which a missile, spacecraft, etc. must be launched so that it can arrive at a desired location at a specific time

launch¹ (lönch) •vt. 1 to hurl, discharge, or send off (a weapon, blow, etc.) 2 to send forth with some force {to launch a plane by catapult} 3 to cause (a newly built vessel) to slide from the land into the water; set afloat 4 to set in operation; start {to launch an attack} 5 to start (a person) on some course or career •vi. 1 to put to sea: often with out or forth 2 to start on some new course or enterprise: often with out or forth 3 to throw oneself (into) with vigor; rush; plunge {to launch into a tirade} •n. the act or process of launching a ship, spacecraft, plane, etc. •adj. designating or of vehicles, facilities, sites, etc. used in the launching of spacecraft or missiles [ME launchen < OFr lanchier < LL(Ec) lanceare, to wield a lance < L lancea, LANCE]

launch² (lönch) •n. 1 the largest boat carried by a warship 2 an open, or partly enclosed, motorboat [Sp or Port lancha < ? Malay lancharan < lanchar, swift]

launcher (-эr) •n. 1 a catapult 2 a device for shooting a grenade from a rifle: in full grenade launcher 3 a device or structure that provides initial guidance to a self-propelled missile, spacecraft, etc. or that catapults an airplane from a flight deck

launder (lön´dэr) •n. a water trough, esp. one used in mining for washing dirt from the ore •vt. 1 to wash, or wash and iron (clothes, etc.) 2 to exchange or invest (money) in such a way as to conceal that it came from an illegal or improper source 3 to make (something improper or offensive) seem less so •vi. 1 to withstand washing {a fabric that launders well} 2 to do laundry laun´der·er •n. laun´der·ing •n. [ME, contr. < lavender, washerwoman < OFr lavandier < ML lavandarius < LL lavandaria, things to be washed < L lavandus, ger. of L lavare, to wash: see LAVE¹]

launderette (lön'dэr et´) •n. a self-service laundry [< a former service mark]

laundress (lön´dris) •n. a woman whose work is washing clothes, ironing, etc.; washerwoman

Laundromat (lön´drou mæt', -drэ-) service mark for a self-service laundry •n. [l-] such a laundry: also laun·der·mat (lön´dэr mæt') [< a trademark for an automatic washing machine]

laundry (lön´dri:) pl. -dries •n. 1 [Rare] the act or process of laundering 2 a) a room with facilities for laundering b) a commercial establishment for this 3 a batch of clothes, linens, etc. that has been, or is about to be, laundered 4 a place or process for laundering money that has been illegally or improperly obtained [ME lavenderie < OFr < lavandier: see LAUNDER]

laundry list [Colloq.] a lengthy, inclusive list of data, matters for consideration, etc., often one regarded as unorganized or showing a lack of necessary selectiveness

laundryman (-mæn', -mэn) pl. -men' (-men', -mэn) •n. a man who works in or for a laundry, esp. one who collects and delivers clothes, etc. for laundering service

laundrywoman (-wum'эn) pl. -wom'en (-wim'in) •n. LAUNDRESS

Laura (lör´э) a feminine name: var. Loretta, Lori, Lorinda [prob. short for Laurencia, fem. of LAURENCE]

Laurasia (lö rei´zhэ, -shэ) a hypothetical ancient continent that included what are now North America and Eurasia, supposed to have separated and moved apart from Pangea at about the end of the Paleozoic Era [LAUR(ENTIAN) + (EUR)ASIA]

laureate (lör´i: it; for v., -eit') •adj. 1 woven of sprigs of laurel: said of a crown or wreath 2 crowned with a laurel wreath as a mark of honor or distinction 3 worthy of honor; distinguished; preeminent, esp. among poets •n. 1 a person on whom honor or distinction is conferred 2 POET LAUREATE •vt. -at'ed, -at'ing [Archaic] 1 to honor or confer distinction upon 2 to appoint to the position of poet laureate lau´re·ate·ship' •n. [ME < L laureatus < laurea (corona), laurel (wreath), fem. of laureus, of laurel < laurus, laurel]

laurel (lör´эl) •n. 1 any of a genus (Laurus) of evergreen trees or shrubs of the laurel family, native to S Europe and widely cultivated in the U.S., with large, glossy, aromatic leaves, greenish-yellow flowers, and black berries; specif., the poet's laurel (L. nobilis) 2 the foliage of this tree, esp. as woven into wreaths such as those used by the ancient Greeks to crown the victors in various contests 3 [pl.] a) fame; honor b) victory 4 any of various trees and shrubs resembling the true laurel, as the mountain laurel, cherry laurel, or California laurel •adj. designating a family (Lauraceae, order Laurales) of dicotyledonous shrubs and trees, including the sassafras, cinnamon, and camphor •vt. -reled or -relled, -rel·ing or -rel·ling 1 to crown with laurel 2 to honor look to one's laurels to beware of having one's achievements surpassed rest on one's laurels to be satisfied with what one has already achieved [ME laurer, lorel < OFr lorier < L laurus] Laurel (lör´эl), Stan(ley) (born Arthur Stanley Jefferson) 1890-1965; U.S. motion-picture comedian, born in England

Laurence (lör´эns) a masculine name: dim. Larry; var. Lawrence; equiv. Fr. Laurent, Ger. Lorenz, It. & Sp. Lorenzo; fem. Laura [L Laurentius, prob. < Laurentum, town in Latium < ? laurus, laurel]

Laurentian (lö ren´shэn) •adj. 1 of or relating to the St. Lawrence River 2 designating or of a series of rocks of the Precambrian system in E Canada [< L laurentius, Lawrence + -AN]

Laurentian Mountains mountain range in S Quebec, Canada, extending along the St. Lawrence River valley: highest peak, 3,905 ft. (1,360 m): also Laurentian Highlands

Laurentian Plateau CANADIAN SHIELD

lauric acid (lör´ik) a fatty acid, CH3(CH2)10COOH, occurring in many vegetable fats, used in detergents, soaps, wetting agents, etc. [< ModL Laurus < L laurus, LAUREL + -IC]

Laurier (lö´ri: ei', lö'ri: ei´), Sir Wilfrid 1841-1919; Cdn. statesman: prime minister (1896-1911)

lauryl alcohol (lör´эl) a white solid, C12H26O, which has a low melting point and yields a pleasant-smelling liquid: used in the manufacture of detergents, perfumes, etc. [< ModL Laurus (see LAURIC ACID) + -YL]

Lausanne (lou zæn´) city in W Switzerland, on Lake Geneva: pop. 127,000

lava (lä´vэ, læv´э) •n. 1 melted rock issuing from a volcano 2 such rock when solidified by cooling [It < dial. (Neapolitan) lave < L labes, a fall, subsidence < labi, to slide < IE base *lāb-, to hang down > LAP¹, LIP]

lavabo (lэ vä´bou, -vei´-) pl. -boes •n. 1 [often L-] R.C.Ch. a) a short ritual, after the Offertory of Mass, in which the celebrant washes his fingers b) the basin used (in full lavabo dish (or basin or bowl)) 2 a) a basin and a tank for water above it, hung on a wall b) a wall planter resembling this [L, I shall wash < lavare: see LAVE¹]

lavage (lэ väzh´, læv´ij) •n. Med. the washing out of an organ, as the stomach, intestinal tract, or sinuses [Fr < laver < L lavare, to wash: see LAVE¹]

Laval (lå vål´; E lэ væl´) city in SW Quebec, on an island just northwest of Montreal: pop. 284,000 [after François de Laval (1623-1708), 1st bishop of Quebec] Laval (lå vål´; E lэ væl´), Pierre (pyeř) 1883-1945; Fr. politician: premier of France (1931-32; 1935-36): executed for treason

lava-lava (lä´vэ lä´vэ) •n. a loincloth or skirt of printed cloth, worn by men and women on the South Sea islands [Samoan]

lavaliere or lavalier (læv'э lir´, lä'vэ-) •n. an ornament hanging from a chain, worn around the neck Also la·val·lière (also Fr lå vå lyeř´) [Fr lavallière, kind of tie, after Duchesse de La Vallière (1644-1710), mistress of Louis XIV]

lavation (læ vei´shэn) •n. the act of washing; esp., LAVAGE [L lavatio < lavare, to wash: see LAVE¹]

lavatory (læv´э tör'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 [Now Rare] a bowl or basin, esp. one with faucets and drainage, for washing the face and hands; washbowl 2 a) a room equipped with a washbowl and flush toilet; toilet b) [Chiefly Brit.] a flush toilet [LL lavatorium < L lavare, to wash: see LAVE1]

lave¹ (leiv) laved, lav´ing •vt. [Old Poet.] 1 to wash or bathe 2 to flow along or against 3 to dip or pour with or as with a ladle •vi. to wash or bathe [ME laven < OE & OFr: OE lafian (akin to MDu laven, OHG labon) < L lavare; OFr laver < L lavare < IE base *lou-, to wash > LATHER, LYE]

lave² (leiv) •n. [Scot.] what is left over [OE laf: see LEAVE¹]

lavender (læv´эn dэr) •n. 1 any of a genus (Lavandula) of fragrant European plants of the mint family, having spikes of pale-purplish flowers and yielding an aromatic oil (oil of lavender) 2 the dried flowers, leaves, and stalks of this plant, used to fill sachets and to perfume clothes, linens, etc. 3 a pale purple •adj. pale-purple •vt. to perfume with lavender [ME < Anglo-Fr lavendre < ML lavandria, akin to lavendula (> Ger lavendel) < L lavare, to wash (see LAVE¹): from use as bath perfume]

lavender water a perfume or toilet water made from flowers of the lavender plant

laver¹ (lei´vэr) •n. 1 [Archaic] a) a large basin to wash in b) water or any cleansing liquid 2 a large basin used for ceremonial washing by priests of the ancient Jewish Temple [ME lavour < OFr laveoir < L lavatorium < lavare, to wash: see LAVE¹]

laver² (lei´vэr) •n. any of various large, edible, ribbonlike seaweeds [L, water plant]

Lavinia (lэ vin´i: э, -vin´yэ) a feminine name: var. Lavina [L]

lavish (læv´ish) •adj. 1 very generous or liberal in giving or spending, often extravagantly so; prodigal 2 more than enough; very abundant; unstinted {lavish entertainment} •vt. to give or spend generously or liberally {to lavish time and money on pets} SYN. PROFUSE lav´ish·ly •adv. lav´ish·ness •n. [< ME lavas, abundance < MFr < OFr lavasse, torrent of rain, prob. < laver, to wash: see LAVE¹]

Lavoisier (lå vwå zyei´; E lэ vwä´zi: ei'), An·toine Lau·rent (äñ twån lô řäñ´) 1743-94; Fr. chemist: guillotined

law (lö) •n. 1 a) all the rules of conduct established and enforced by the authority, legislation, or custom of a given community, state, or other group b) any one of such rules 2 the condition existing when obedience to such rules is general {to establish law and order} 3 the branch of knowledge dealing with such rules; jurisprudence 4 the system of courts in which such rules are referred to in defending one's rights, securing justice, etc. {to resort to law to settle a matter} 5 all such rules having to do with a particular sphere of human activity {business law} 6 common law, as distinguished from equity 7 the profession of lawyers, judges, etc.: often with the 8 a) a sequence of events in nature or in human activities that has been observed to occur with unvarying uniformity under the same conditions (often law of nature) b) the formulation in words of such a sequence {the law of gravitation, the law of diminishing returns} 9 any rule or principle expected to be observed {the laws of health, a law of grammar} 10 inherent tendency; instinct {the law of self-preservation} 11 Eccles. a) a divine commandment b) all divine commandments collectively 12 Math., Logic, etc. a general principle to which all applicable cases must conform {the laws of exponents} 13 [Brit.] Sports an allowance in distance or time as in a race; handicap •vi., vt. [Colloq. or Dial.] to take legal action (against) go to law to take a problem or dispute to a law court for settlement lay down the law 1 to give explicit orders in an authoritative manner 2 to give a scolding (to) read law to study to become a lawyer the Law 1 the Mosaic law, or the part of the Jewish Scriptures containing it; specif., the Pentateuch Æ 2 [the l-] [Colloq.] a policeman or the police SYN.—law, in its specific application, implies prescription and enforcement by a ruling authority [the law of the land]; a rule may not be authoritatively enforced, but it is generally observed in the interests of order, uniformity, etc. [the rules of golf]; regulation refers to a rule of a group or organization, enforced by authority [military regulations]; a statute is a law enacted by a legislative body; an ordinance is a local, generally municipal, law; a canon is, strictly, a law of a church, but the term is also used of any rule or principle regarded as true or in conformity with good usage [the canons of taste] see also THEORY [ME lawe < OE lagu < Anglo-Norm *lagu, akin to ON log, pl. of lag, something laid down or settled < IE base *legh-, to lie down > LIE¹]

law court a court for administering justice under the law

law French NORMAN FRENCH (sense 2)

law merchant all the rules and usages originating in the customs of merchants and now applied to dealings in trade and commerce, where not changed by statute; mercantile or commercial law

law of mass action the law that the rate of a chemical reaction is directly proportional to the concentrations of the reactants

Law of Moses MOSAIC LAW

law of nations INTERNATIONAL LAW

law-abiding (lö´э baid'iŋ) •adj. obeying the law

lawbook (-buk') •n. a book containing or discussing laws, esp. one used as a textbook by law students

lawbreaker (-breik'эr) •n. a person who violates the law law´break'ing •adj., n.

lawful (lö´fэl) •adj. 1 in conformity with the principles of the law; permitted by law {a lawful act}: see also LEGAL (sense 2) 2 recognized by or established by law; just or valid {lawful debts} 3 obeying the law; law-abiding SYN. LEGAL law´ful·ly •adv. law´ful·ness •n.

lawgiver (-giv'эr) •n. a person who draws up, introduces, or enacts a code of laws for a nation or people; lawmaker

lawless (-lis) •adj. 1 without law; not regulated by the authority of law {a lawless city} 2 not in conformity with law; illegal {lawless practices} 3 not obeying the law; unruly; disorderly law´less·ly •adv. law´less·ness •n.

lawmaker (-mei'kэr) •n. a person who makes or helps to make laws; esp., a member of a legislature; legislator law´mak'ing •adj., n.

lawman (-mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a law officer; esp., a marshal, sheriff, constable, etc.

lawn bowling a game played on a smooth lawn with wooden balls, which are rolled to stop as near as possible to a target ball (the jack)

lawn mower a hand-propelled or power-driven machine for cutting the grass of a lawn

lawn tennis see TENNIS

lawn¹ (lön) •n. 1 land covered with grass kept closely mowed, esp. in front of or around a house 2 [Archaic] an open space in a forest; glade lawn´y •adj. [ME launde < OFr, heath < Bret lann, heath, country: see LAND]

lawn² (lön) •n. a fine, sheer cloth of linen or cotton, used for blouses, curtains, etc. lawn´y •adj. [ME lawne, for laune lynen, Laon linen, after Laon, city in France, where made]

Lawrence (lör´эns, lär´-) 1 a masculine name: see LAURENCE 2 D(avid) H(erbert) 1885-1930; Eng. novelist & poet 3 Ernest O(rlando) 1901-58; U.S. physicist 4 Gertrude (born Gertrud Alexandra Dagmar Lawrence Klasen) 1898-1952; Eng. actress 5 Sir Thomas 1769-1830; Eng. portrait painter 6 T(homas) E(dward) (changed name, 1927, to Thomas Edward Shaw) 1888-1935; Brit. adventurer & writer: called Lawrence of Arabia Lawrence 1 city in NE Mass.: pop. 70,000: see BOSTON [after Abbot Lawrence (1792-1855), Boston merchant, founder of the town] 2 city in NE Kans., on the Kansas River: pop. 66,000 [after Amos A. Lawrence (1814-86), Boston manufacturer; active in antislavery group that founded the town]

lawrencium (lö ren´si: эm) •n. a radioactive chemical element that is the last member of the actinide series: originally produced by bombarding californium with boron nuclei: symbol, Lr; at. wt., (262); at. no., 103 [ModL: so named after E. O. Lawrence (see LAWRENCE), who invented the cyclotron + -IUM]

Lawson (lö´sэn) •adj. designating or of a style of overstuffed sofa or chair with straight lines and a low back higher than the arms, which are square or rolled [after T. W. Lawson (1857-1925), U.S. financier, for whom designed]

lawsuit (lö´su:t') •n. a suit between private parties at law or in equity; case before a civil court

Lawton (löt´ªn) city in SW Okla.: pop. 81,000 [after Maj. Gen. H. W. Lawton (1843-99)]

lawyer (lö´yэr) •n. a person who has been trained in the law, esp. one whose profession is advising others in matters of law or representing them in lawsuits •vi. to work as a lawyer law´yer·ly •adj. SYN.—lawyer is the general term for a person trained in the law and authorized to advise or represent others in legal matters; counselor and its British equivalent, barrister, refer to a lawyer who conducts cases in court; attorney, usually, and its British equivalent, solicitor, always, refer to a lawyer legally empowered to act for a client, as in drawing up a contract or will, settling property, etc.; counsel, often equivalent to counselor, is frequently used collectively for a group of counselors [ME lawyere: see LAW & -IER]

lawyering (-iŋ) •n. the profession of being a lawyer; the practice of law

lax (læks) •adj. 1 a) loose; emptying easily (said of the bowels) b) having lax bowels 2 slack; of a loose texture; not rigid or tight 3 not strict or exact; careless {lax morals} 4 Bot. loose; open: said of a flower cluster 5 Phonet. articulated with the jaw and tongue muscles relatively relaxed: said of certain vowels, as (e) and (i): opposed to TENSE¹ •n. a lax vowel SYN. REMISS lax´ly •adv. lax´ness •n. [ME < L laxus < IE base *(s)lēg-, loose, lax > SLACK¹]

laxation (læks ei´shэn) •n. the act or process of making or being made lax [ME laxacion < L laxatio]

laxative (læks´э tiv) •adj. tending to make lax; specif., making the bowels loose and relieving constipation •n. any laxative medicine; mild cathartic SYN. PHYSIC [ME laxatif < OFr < ML laxativus < LL, mitigating < pp. of L laxare, to relax, slacken < laxus: see LAX]

laxity (læks´i ti:) •n. the quality or condition of being lax; looseness [Fr laxité < L laxitas]

Laxness (läks´nes), Hall·dór (Kiljan) (häl´döř) (born Halldór Gudjonsson) 1902- ; Icelandic novelist

lay analyst a psychoanalyst who is not a medical doctor

lay brother a member of a clerical religious order or congregation who is not a priest or a clerical student

lay day Commerce any of the days allowed for loading or unloading a ship without payment of extra charge [short for delay day]

lay figure 1 an artist's jointed model of the human form, on which drapery is arranged to get the proper effect 2 a person who is a mere puppet or a nonentity [earlier layman < Du leeman < MDu led, limb, joint, akin to OE lith, limb + man, man]

lay of the land 1 the arrangement of the natural features of an area 2 the existing state or disposition of affairs

lay reader READER (sense 2)

lay¹ (lei) laid, lay´ing •vt. 1 to cause to come down or fall with force; knock down, as from an erect position {a blow laid him low} 2 to cause to lie; place or put so as to be in a resting or recumbent position; deposit: often with on or in {lay the pen on the desk} 3 a) to put down or place (bricks, carpeting, etc.) in the correct position or way for a specific purpose b) to cause to be situated in a particular place or condition {the scene is laid in France} c) to establish or prepare as a basis or for use {to lay the groundwork} d) to arrange the fuel in a fireplace for (a fire) 4 to place; put; set: esp. of something abstract {to lay emphasis on accuracy} 5 to produce and deposit (an egg or eggs) 6 a) to cause to subside or settle {lay the dust} b) to allay, suppress, overcome, or appease {to lay a ghost, lay one's fears} 7 to press or smooth down {to lay the nap of cloth} 8 to bet (a specified sum, etc.) 9 to impose or place (a tax, penalty, etc. on or upon) 10 to work out; devise {to lay plans} 11 to prepare (a table) for a meal; set with silverware, plates, etc. 12 to advance, present, or assert {to lay claim to property, to lay a matter before the voters} 13 to attribute; ascribe; charge; impute {to lay the blame on someone} 14 to arrange and twist together (strands) so as to form (rope, yarn, etc.) Æ 15 [Slang] to have sexual intercourse with 16 Mil. to aim (a gun) by adjusting its direction and elevation •vi. 1 to lay an egg or eggs 2 to bet; wager 3 to lie; recline: a dialectal or substandard usage 4 [Dial.] to get ready; plan {laying to rob a store} 5 Naut. to go; proceed {all hands lay aft to the fantail} •n. 1 the way or position in which something is situated or arranged {the lay of the land} Æ 2 a share in the profits of some enterprise, esp. of a whaling expedition 3 the direction or amount of twist of the strands of a rope, cable, etc. Æ 4 [Colloq.] terms of employment, a sale, etc. Æ 5 [Slang] a) an instance of sexual intercourse b) a person regarded as a sexual partner 6 [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] one's occupation, esp. as a criminal lay about one to deliver blows on all sides; strike out in every direction lay a course 1 Naut. to proceed in a certain direction without the need for tacking 2 to make plans to do something lay aside 1 to put to one side; lay out of the way 2 to save; lay away lay away 1 to set aside for future use; save Æ 2 to set (merchandise) aside for future delivery Æ 3 to bury: usually in the passive lay by 1 to save; lay away 2 [Dial.] Æ a) to cultivate (a crop) for the last time b) to harvest and store (a crop or crops) lay down 1 to sacrifice or give up (one's life) 2 to assert or declare emphatically 3 to bet; wager 4 to store away, as wine in a cellar lay for [Colloq.] to be waiting to attack lay in to get and store away lay into [Slang] 1 to attack and hit repeatedly; beat 2 to attack with words; scold lay it on (thick) [Colloq.] 1 to exaggerate 2 to express praise effusively lay off 1 to put (a garment, etc.) aside Æ 2 to put (an employee) out of work, esp. temporarily 3 to mark off the boundaries of Æ 4 [Slang] a) to cease b) to stop criticizing, teasing, etc. c) to stop for a rest 5 [Slang] to transfer part of (a bet) to another bookmaker so as to minimize risk: said of a bookmaker lay on 1 to spread on 2 to attack with force; strike repeatedly lay oneself open to expose oneself to attack, blame, etc. lay open 1 to open up; cut open 2 to expose; uncover lay out 1 to spend 2 to arrange according to a plan 3 to spread out (clothes, equipment, etc.) ready for wear, inspection, etc. 4 to make (a dead body) ready for burial and for viewing, as at a wake 5 [Slang] to knock down or make unconscious 6 [Slang] to scold or censure (someone) lay over Æ to stop a while in a place before going on lay something on someone [Slang] 1 to tell something to someone 2 to give something to someone lay to 1 to attribute to; credit to or blame on 2 to apply oneself with vigor 3 Naut. a) to check a ship's forward motion, esp. by bringing the bow into the wind b) to lie more or less stationary with the bow to the wind (now usually lie to) lay to rest to bury; inter lay up 1 to store for future use; hoard 2 to disable; confine to bed or the sickroom {laid up with the flu} 3 to take (a ship) out of operation, as by putting into a dry dock for repairs [ME leyen, new formation < 3d pers. sing. of earlier leggen < OE lecgan, lit., to make lie (akin to Goth lagjan, Ger legen) < pt. base of OE licgan, to LIE¹]

lay² (lei) •vi. pt. of LIE¹

lay³ (lei) •adj. 1 of or consisting of the laity, or ordinary people, as distinguished from the clergy 2 not belonging to or connected with a given profession; nonprofessional {a legal handbook for lay readers} [ME lai < OFr < LL(Ec) laicus, lay, not priestly < Gr laikos < laos, the people]

lay4 (lei) •n. 1 a short poem, esp. a narrative poem, orig. for singing as by a medieval minstrel 2 [Obs.] a song or melody [ME lai < OFr < Bret *laid, song, akin to Ir laod]

layabout (lei´э baut') •n. [Brit. Colloq.] a loafer; bum

Layamon (lei´э mэn, lai´-) fl. c. 1200; Eng. poet and chronicler

layaway (lei´э wei') •n. 1 a method of buying in which a deposit is made on something that is then set aside for delivery only after it is paid for in full, as by monthly payments 2 the state of an item thus set aside: chiefly in in layaway

lay-by (-bai') •n. 1 a widened section of a stream, canal, etc. where vessels can lay over or pass 2 a railroad siding 3 [Brit.] a widened section as along a highway, for emergency parking

layer (lei´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that lays 2 a single thickness, coat, fold, or stratum 3 a shoot or twig (of a living plant) bent down and partly covered with earth so that it may take root •vt., vi. to grow (a plant) by means of a LAYER (sense 3)

layer cake a cake made in two or more layers, with icing, preserves, etc. between them

layerage (lei´эr ij) •n. the growing of plants by layering

layette (lei et´) •n. a complete outfit for a newborn baby, including clothes, bedding, and accessories [Fr, dim. of laie, packing box, drawer < Fl laeye < MDu lade, a chest, trunk < Gmc *hlatho-, container < base of LADE]

layman (lei´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a member of the laity; person not a member of the clergy 2 a person not belonging to or skilled in a given profession {a medical textbook not for the layman} [LAY³ + MAN]

layoff (lei´öf') •n. the act of laying off; esp., temporary unemployment, or the period of this [< phr. LAY OFF (see LAY¹)]

layout (lei´aut') •n. 1 the act or process of laying something out 2 the manner in which anything is laid out; arrangement; specif., the plan or makeup of a newspaper, book page, advertisement, etc. 3 the thing laid out 4 the art or process of arranging type, illustrations, etc. in an advertisement, newspaper, etc. 5 an outfit or set, as of tools 6 [Colloq.] a residence, factory, etc., esp. when large and complex

layover (-ou'vэr) •n. a stopping for a while in some place during a journey [< phr. LAYOVER (see LAY¹)]

layperson (lei´pør'sэn) •n. a layman

layup (-ûp') •n. Æ Basketball a leaping, one-handed shot made from a position very close to the basket, usually off the backboard

laywoman (lei´wum'эn) pl. -wom'en (-wim'in) •n. 1 a woman of the laity; woman not a nun, not a member of the clergy, etc. 2 a woman not belonging to or skilled in a given profession

lazar (lei´zэr, læz´эr) •n. [Rare] an impoverished, diseased, esp. leprous, person [ME < ML lazarus, leper < LL(Ec) Lazarus < Gr(Ec) Lazaros, LAZARUS]

lazaretto (læz'э ret´ou) pl. -tos •n. 1 a public hospital for poor people having contagious diseases, esp. for lepers 2 a building or ship used as a quarantine station 3 a storage space below deck in the stern of a ship or boat Also, and for 3 usually, laz'a·ret´ or laz·a·rette (læz'э ret´) [It < Venetian lazareto, nazareto, after Venetian church of Santa Madonna di Nazaret, used as a plague hospital during the 15th c.; initial l- by assoc. with lazzaro, leper: see LAZAR]

Lazarus (læz´э rэs) Bible a) the brother of Mary and Martha, raised from the dead by Jesus: John 11 b) the diseased beggar in Jesus' parable of the rich man and the beggar: Luke 16:19-31 [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) Lazaros < Heb el'azar, lit., God has helped] Lazarus (læz´э rэs), Emma 1849-87; U.S. poet

laze (leiz) lazed, laz´ing •vi. to be lazy or idle; loaf •vt. to spend (time, etc.) in idleness: often with away •n. an act or instance of lazing [back-form. < LAZY]

lazulite (læz´yu: lait') •n. a glassy, azure-blue mineral, (Mg, Fe)Al2(PO4)2(OH), that is a monoclinic hydrous aluminum phosphate [Ger lazulith, altered (infl. by ML lazulum, azure + Gr lithos, stone) < earlier lazurstein < ML lazur (see AZURE) + stein, STONE]

lazy (lei´zi:) -zi·er, -zi·est •adj. 1 not eager or willing to work or exert oneself; indolent; slothful 2 slow and heavy; sluggish {a lazy river} 3 tending to cause laziness {a lazy day} Æ 4 designating or of a letter or figure placed on its side in a livestock brand •vi., vt. -zied, -zy·ing LAZE la´zi·ly •adv. la´zi·ness •n. [Early ModE, prob. < MLowG or MDu, as in MLowG lasich, slack, loose < IE les-, slack, tired, akin to base *lēi-: see LATE]

Lazy Susan a rotating tray placed at the center of a dining table, from which one can help oneself to food

lazy tongs a device consisting of a series of crossed, jointed bars: it can be extended to pick up or deposit small objects at a distance

lazybones (-bounz') •n. [Colloq.] a lazy person

lazzarone (læz'э rou´nei'; It läd'zä řô´ne) pl. -ro´ni •n. any of a class of homeless beggars formerly common on the streets of Naples [It < lazzaro, leper < ML lazarus: see LAZAR]

LB 1 Bachelor of Letters; Bachelor of Literature: also L.B. [L Lit(t)erarum Baccalaureus] 2 Football linebacker lb 1 Football linebacker 2 pound; pounds [L libra, pl. librae]

LC 1 Lance Corporal 2 Library of Congress lc 1 left center (of the stage) 2 Printing lower case

LC- prefix U.S. Navy landing craft: additional letters indicate type, as LCV, Landing Craft Vehicle

LCD •n. a device for alphanumeric displays, as on digital watches, using a pattern of tiny, sealed capsules which contain a transparent liquid crystal that becomes opaque when an electric field is applied to it: the contrast between transparent and opaque areas forms the image of a number, letter, etc.: cf. LED [l(iquid-)c(rystal) d(isplay)]

lcd or LCD least (or lowest) common denominator

l'chaim or l'chayim (lэ khä´yim) •interj. to life: a drinking toast [Heb]

lcm or LCM least (or lowest) common multiple

LDC a country less developed economically than most other countries [l(ess-)d(eveloped) c(ountry)]

LDL a lipoprotein that carries cholesterol in the blood to the cell tissues and that in excess is believed to increase the risk of coronary artery disease: cf. HDL [l(ow-)d(ensity) l(ipoprotein)]

L-dopa (el'dou´pэ) •n. see DOPA

LDS 1 Latter-day Saints 2 Licentiate in Dental Surgery