levity (lev´i ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 [Rare] lightness of weight; buoyancy 2 lightness or gaiety of disposition, conduct, or speech; esp., improper or unbecoming gaiety or flippancy; lack of seriousness; frivolity 3 fickleness; instability [OFr levité < L levitas < levis, LIGHT²]
Levkás (lef käs´) one of the Ionian Islands, in the Ionian Sea, off the W coast of Greece: 114 sq. mi. (295 sq. km)
levo- (li:´vou, -vэ) combining form 1 toward or on the left-hand side {levorotatory} 2 Chem. levorotatory {levulose} Also, before a vowel, lev- [< L laevus, left < earlier *laiwos < IE *laiwos (> Gr laios) < base *(e)lei-, to bend, curve > EL(BOW)]
levogyrate (li:'vou jai´reit') •adj. LEVOROTATORY Also le'vo·gy´rous (-rэs) [prec. + GYRATE, adj.]
levorotation (-rou tei´shэn) •n. rotation to the left; counterclockwise rotation: usually said of the plane of polarization of light [LEVO- + ROTATION]
levorotatory (-rout´э tör'i:) •adj. 1 turning or circling to the left, in a counterclockwise direction 2 that turns the plane of polarized light counterclockwise: said of certain crystals, etc. [LEVO- + ROTATORY]
levulin (lev´yu: lin) •n. a colorless, starchlike carbohydrate (C6H10O5) which hydrolyzes to form levulose [fol. + -IN¹]
levulose (-lous') •n. FRUCTOSE [LEV(O)- + -UL(E) + -OSE²: so called because levorotatory]
levy (lev´i:) pl. lev´ies •n. 1 an imposing and collecting of a tax or other payment 2 an amount levied; tax, etc. 3 a) the enlistment, usually compulsory, of personnel, as for military service b) a group so enlisted •vt. lev´ied, lev´y·ing 1 to impose or collect (a tax, tribute, fine, etc.) 2 to enlist (troops) for military service, usually by force 3 to wage (war) •vi. 1 to make a levy 2 Law to seize property in order to satisfy a judgment: often with on [ME levee < MFr, fem. pp. of lever, to raise: see LEVER]
levy en masse (lev'i: en mæs´) an armed rising by civilians in a territory in order to resist an approaching invader Also levy in mass [partial transl. of Fr levée en masse]
lewd (lu:d) •adj. 1 showing, or intended to excite, lust or sexual desire, esp. in an offensive way; lascivious 2 [Obs.] a) unlearned; ignorant b) unprincipled; vicious lewd´ly •adv. lewd´ness •n. [ME lewed < OE læwede, lay, unlearned < ?]
Lewis (lu:´is) 1 a masculine name: dim. Lew, Lewie: see LOUIS 2 C(ecil) Day see DAY-LEWIS, C(ecil) 3 C(live) S(taples) 1898-1963; Brit. writer, born in Ireland 4 John L(lewellyn) 1880-1969; U.S. labor leader 5 Jerry Lee 1935- ; country music & rock singer and pianist 6 Mer·i·weth·er (mer´i: weð'эr) 1774-1809; Am. explorer: co-leader of the Lewis & Clark expedition (1804-06) to the Northwest 7 Sinclair 1885-1951; U.S. novelist 8 (Percy) Wynd·ham (win´dэm) 1884-1957; Brit. author & painter, born in the U.S. lewis (lu:´is) •n. an attachment for lifting heavy stones: it consists of a dovetailed iron piece made in sections that fit into a dovetailed opening in the stone [prob. < the name Lewis]
Lewis with Harris northernmost island of the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, consisting of a larger N part (Lewis) & a S part (Harris): 770 sq. mi. (2,002 sq. km): also called Lewis
Lewisham (lu´i shэm, -sэm) borough of SE Greater London, England: pop. 232,000
lewisite (lu:´is ait') •n. a pale-yellow, odorless, irritating arsenical compound, ClCH=CHAsCl2, used as a blistering poison gas [after W. L. Lewis (1878-1943), U.S. chemist]
Lewiston (lu:´is tэn) city in SW Me.: pop. 40,000 [prob. < a personal name]
lex lexicon lex (leks) pl. le·ges (li:´ji:z') •n. law [L]
lex loci (leks lou´sai') the law of the place [L]
lex non scripta (nän skrip´tэ) COMMON LAW [L, unwritten law]
lex scripta (skrip´tэ) STATUTE LAW [L, written law]
lex talionis (tei'li: ou´nis) the law of retaliation [L]
Lexan (leks´æn') trademark for a polycarbonate resin, used in molded products, as a substitute for glass, etc.
lexeme (leks´i:m') •n. Linguis. a word or stem that is a meaningful unit in a language and coincides with the abstract unit underlying a given set of inflected forms lex´em´ic (-i:´mik) •adj. [< Gr lexis, word (see LEXICON) + -EME]
lexical (leks´i kэl) •adj. 1 of a vocabulary, or stock of words, as that of a language; specif., of words as isolated items of vocabulary rather than elements in a grammatical structure 2 of, or having the nature of, a lexicon or lexicography [ModL lexicalis < Gr lexikon, LEXICON]
lexical meaning the meaning of a BASE¹ (n. 14) in a paradigm, apart from any meaning it may acquire as part of a sentence (Ex.: the meaning of walk in walks, walked, walking)
lexicog 1 lexicographer 2 lexicographic 3 lexicography
lexicographer (leks'i käg´rэ fэr) •n. a person who writes or compiles a dictionary [LGr lexikographos < Gr lexikon, LEXICON + graphein, to write: see GRAPHIC]
lexicography (leks'i käg´rэ fi:) •n. the act, process, art, or work of writing or compiling a dictionary or dictionaries lex·i·co·graph·ic (leks'i kou græf´ik, -kэ-) or lex'i·co·graph´i·cal •adj. lex'i·co·graph´i·cal·ly •adv. [< Gr lexikon, LEXICON + -GRAPHY]
lexicology (-käl´э ji:) •n. the study of the meanings and origins of words lex'i·co·log´i·cal (-kou läj´i kэl, -kэ-) •adj. lex'i·col´o·gist •n. [< Gr lexikon, fol. + -LOGY]
lexicon (leks´i kän', -kэn') •n. 1 a dictionary, esp. of an ancient language 2 the special vocabulary of a particular author, field of study, etc. 3 a record or inventory {a notable case in the lexicon of subversion} 4 Linguis. the total stock of morphemes in a language [Gr lexikon, neut. of lexikos, of words < lexis, a saying, phrase, word < legein: see LOGIC]
lexicostatistics (leks'i kou'stэ tis´tiks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] a technique used in GLOTTOCHRONOLOGY to determine the time when the languages under study separated, based on the statistical comparison of sample word lists from the languages
Lexington (leks´iŋ tэn) 1 city in NC Ky., in Fayette county, with which it constitutes a metropolitan government (Lexington-Fayette): pop. 225,000 (met. area 348,000) [after the Boston suburb] 2 suburb of Boston, in E Mass.: pop. 29,000: see CONCORD (town in Mass.) [after Robt. Sutton (1661-1723), 2d Baron of Lexington]
lexis (leks´is) •n. the full vocabulary of a language, or of a group, individual, field of study, etc. [see LEXICON]
Leyden (laid´ªn) alt. sp. of LEIDEN Leyden , Lucas van see LUCAS VAN LEYDEN
Leyden jar (or vial) (laid´ªn) a condenser for static electricity, consisting of a glass jar with a coat of tinfoil outside and inside and a metal rod connecting with the inner lining and passing through the lid [after LEIDEN, where invented]
Leyte (leit´i:; Sp lei´tei) island of EC Philippines, between Luzon & Mindanao: 2,785 sq. mi. (7,241 sq. km)
lez (lez) •n. [Slang] a lesbian: a term of contempt Also lez´zie or lez´zy
lf 1 Baseball left field; left fielder 2 Printing lightface 3 low frequency: also LF
LG Low German lg 1 large 2 Football left guard
LGr Late Greek
lgth length
LH 1 left hand: also lh 2 luteinizing hormone
Lhasa (lä´sэ) capital of Tibet, China, in the SE part: it is a Buddhist holy city: pop. c. 105,000
Lhasa apso (æp´sou) pl. -sos any of a Tibetan breed of small dog with dense, straight hair that hangs over the eyes and a tail that curls over the back [prec. + Tibet apso, sentinel]
LHD or L.H.D. Doctor of Human Letters; Doctor of the Humanities: an honorary degree [L Litterarum Humaniorum Doctor]
LHeb Late Hebrew
li (li:) pl. li a Chinese unit of linear measure, equal to about one third of a mile (.52 kilometer) •n. [Chin] Li Chem. symbol for lithium LI Long Island
Li Peng (li:´peŋ´) 1928- ; prime minister of China (1988- )
Li Po (li:´bou´, -pou) A.D. 701-762; Chin. poet
Li Tai Po (li:´ tai´ bou´) LI PO
liability (lai'э bil´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state of being liable 2 anything for which a person is liable 3 [pl.] Accounting a) the debts of a person or business, as notes payable or long-term debentures b) the accounts on a balance sheet showing these 4 something that works to one's disadvantage
liable (lai´э bэl; often, esp. for 3, lai´bэl) •adj. 1 legally bound or obligated, as to make good any loss or damage that occurs in a transaction; responsible 2 likely to have, suffer from, etc.; exposed to or subject to {liable to heart attacks} 3 subject to the possibility of; likely (to do, have, get, etc. something unpleasant or unwanted) {liable to cause hard feelings} SYN. LIKELY [prob. via Anglo-Fr < OFr lier, to bind < L ligare, to bind (see LIGATURE) + -ABLE]
liaise (li: eiz´) -aised´, -ais´ing •vi. [Brit. Colloq.] to establish liaison: usually with with [back-form. < fol.]
liaison (for 1, 2, 4, usually li: ei´zän', -zэn; also li:´э zän'; often lei´э-; for 3, usually li:'ei zouñ´, li:'e-; also, -zoun´, -zän´) •n. 1 a linking up or connecting of two or more separate entities or of the parts, as military units, of a whole so that they can work together effectively 2 an illicit love affair 3 in spoken French, the linking of words, under certain conditions, by pronouncing the final consonant, ordinarily silent, of one word as though it were the initial consonant of the following word, as in the phrase chez elle (pronounced shei zel´) 4 a person who functions as a connection, as between persons or groups [Fr < OFr < L ligato < ligare, to bind: see LIGATURE]
liana (li: ä´nэ, -æn´э) •n. any luxuriantly growing, woody, tropical vine that roots in the ground and climbs, as around tree trunks Also li·ane´ (-än´, -æn´) [NormFr liane < Fr lierne, liorne, altered (by assoc. with lier, to bind) < viorne < L viburnum, VIBURNUM]
Liao (li: au´) river in NE China, flowing from Inner Mongolia west & south into the Yellow Sea: c. 900 mi. (1,448 km)
Liaodong (-duŋ´) peninsula in Liaoning province, NE China, extending into the Yellow Sea
Liaoning (li: au´niŋ') province of NE China: 58,301 sq. mi. (151,000 sq. km); pop. 35,722,000; cap. Shenyang
Liaoyang (-yäŋ´) city in central Liaoning province, NE China: pop. 200,000
liar (lai эr) •n. a person who tells lies [ME lier < OE leogere < base of leogan (akin to OHG liugari): see LIE²]
liar dice a gambling game in which the throw of five dice by each player is concealed from the opponent and bluffing is permitted Also liar's dice
Liard (li:´ärd', li: är´) river in W Canada, flowing from S Yukon in a SE direction to British Columbia, then north & east into the Mackenzie River: 755 mi. (1,215 km)
Lias (lai´эs) •n. a series of rocks, the oldest or lowest part of the Jurassic System, noted for its fossils [ME lyas < OFr liois (Fr liais), kind of limestone < ? Gmc, as in MHG leie, stone]
Lib 1 Liberal 2 Liberia 3 Libya lib abbrev. 1 librarian 2 library lib (lib) short for LIBERATION (sense 2) •n.
lib. book [L liber]
libation (lai bei´shэn) •n. 1 the ritual of pouring out wine or oil upon the ground as a sacrifice to a god 2 the liquid so poured out 3 an alcoholic drink or the act of drinking: used humorously li·ba´tion·al •adj. [ME libacioun < L libatio < libare, to taste, pour out < IE base *lei-, to pour > Gr leibein]
libber (lib´эr) •n. [Colloq.] a person who advocates the securing of equal social and economic rights for some group, specif. for women: often a derogatory term [< LIB + -ER]
Libby (lib´i:), W(illard) F(rank) 1908-80; U.S. chemist
libel (lai´bэl) •n. 1 any false and malicious written or printed statement, or any sign, picture, or effigy, tending to expose a person to public ridicule, hatred, or contempt or to injure a person's reputation in any way 2 the act of publishing or displaying publicly such a thing 3 anything that gives an unflattering or damaging picture of the subject with which it is dealing 4 in ecclesiastical law and formerly in maritime law, a written statement containing the plaintiff's grievances; initial pleading •vt. -beled or -belled, -bel·ing or -bel·ling 1 to publish or make a libel against 2 to give an unflattering or damaging picture of 3 to bring suit against by presenting a LIBEL (n. 4) [ME, little book < OFr < L libellus, little book, writing, lampoon, dim. of liber, a book: see LIBRARY]
libelant or libellant (lai´bэl эnt) •n. a person who sues by filing a LIBEL (n. 4)
libelee or libellee (lai'bэl i:´) •n. the person in a suit against whom a LIBEL (n. 4) has been filed
libeler or libeller (lai´bэl эr) •n. a person who commits libel
libelous or libellous (-эs) •adj. 1 of the nature of, or involving, a libel 2 given to writing and publishing libels; defamatory li´bel·ous·ly or li´bel·lous·ly •adv.
liber (lai´bэr, li:´ber') pl. li·bri (lai´brai', li:´bri:') •n. a book; esp., a book of public records, as of mortgages or deeds [L: see LIBRARY]
liberal (lib´эr эl; often lib´rэl) •adj. 1 orig., suitable for a freeman; not restricted: now only in LIBERAL ARTS, LIBERAL EDUCATION, etc. 2 giving freely; generous 3 large or plentiful; ample; abundant {a liberal reward} Æ 4 not restricted to the literal meaning; not strict {a liberal interpretation of the Bible} 5 tolerant of views differing from one's own; broad-minded; specif., not orthodox 6 of democratic or republican forms of government, as distinguished from monarchies, aristocracies, etc. 7 favoring reform or progress, as in religion, education, etc.; specif., favoring political reforms tending toward democracy and personal freedom for the individual; progressive 8 [L-] designating or of a political party upholding liberal principles, esp. such a party in England or Canada 9 [Obs.] excessively free or indecorous in behavior; licentious •n. 1 a person favoring liberalism 2 [L-] a member of a liberal political party lib´er·al·ly •adv. lib´er·al·ness •n. SYN.—liberal implies tolerance of others' views as well as open-mindedness to ideas that challenge tradition, established institutions, etc.; progressive, a relative term opposed to reactionary or conservative, is applied to persons favoring progress and reform in politics, education, etc. and connotes an inclination to more direct action than liberal; advanced specifically implies a being ahead of the times, as in science, the arts, philosophy, etc.; radical implies a favoring of fundamental or extreme change, specifically of the social structure; left, originally referring to the position in legislatures of the seats occupied by parties holding such views, implies political liberalism or radicalism [OFr < L liberalis < liber, free < IE base *leudhero-, belonging to the people, free < base *leudh-, to grow up, rise > Ger leute, people, OE leodan, to grow]
liberal arts 1 orig., the subjects in the TRIVIUM and QUADRIVIUM 2 the subjects of an academic college course, including literature, philosophy, languages, history, and, usually, survey courses of the sciences, as distinguished from professional or technical subjects: sometimes referred to as arts, as in Bachelor of Arts [transl. of L artes liberales, lit., arts befitting a freeman: so named in contrast to artes serviles, lower (lit., servile) arts, and because open to study only by freemen (L liberi); in later use understood as arts becoming a gentleman]
liberal education an education mainly in the liberal arts, providing the student with a broad cultural background rather than with training in any specific profession
liberalism (-iz'эm) •n. the quality or state of being liberal; specif., a) a political philosophy advocating personal freedom for the individual, democratic forms of government, gradual reform in political and social institutions, etc. b) a movement in Protestantism advocating a broad interpretation of the Bible, freedom from rigid doctrine and authoritarianism, etc.
liberality (lib'эr æl´i ti:) pl. -ties •n. the quality or state of being liberal; specif., a) willingness to give or share freely; generosity b) absence of narrowness or prejudice in thinking; broad-mindedness [ME liberalite < OFr < L liberalitas]
liberalize (lib´эr эl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt., vi. to make or become liberal lib'er·al·i·za´tion •n. lib´er·al·iz'er •n.
liberate (lib´эr eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to release from slavery, enemy occupation, etc. 2 [Slang] to steal or loot, esp. from a defeated enemy in wartime 3 Chem. to free from combination in a compound SYN. FREE [< L liberatus, pp. of liberare, to set free, release < liber, free: see LIBERAL]
liberation (lib'эr ei´shэn) •n. 1 a liberating or being liberated Æ 2 the securing of equal social and economic rights {women's liberation movement} lib'er·a´tion·ist •n.
liberation theology a Christian theology viewed or used as a means of freeing people from social, economic, or political oppression or injustice
liberator (lib´эr eit'эr) •n. a person who liberates; esp., one who frees a country from an enemy or tyranny
Liberec (li:´bэ řets') city in Bohemian region of N Czech Republic: pop. 100,000
Liberia (lai bir´i: э) country on the W coast of Africa: founded (1821) by the American Colonization Society as settlement for freed U.S. slaves; established as independent republic (1847): 43,000 sq. mi. (111,370 sq. km): pop. 2,307,000; cap. Monrovia Li·ber´i·an •adj., n.
libertarian (lib'эr ter´i: эn) •n. 1 a person who believes in the doctrine of the freedom of the will 2 a person who believes in full individual freedom of thought, expression, and action •adj. of or upholding either of these principles lib'er·tar´i·an·ism' •n. [LIBERT(Y) + -ARIAN]
liberté, égalité, fraternité (li: beř tei´ ei gå li: tei´ fřå teř ni: tei´) liberty, equality, fraternity: the motto of the French Revolution of 1789 [Fr]
liberticide (li børt´э said') •n. a destroyer of liberty •adj. destroying liberty [Fr: see LIBERTY & -CIDE]
libertine (lib´эr ti:n', -tin) •n. 1 in ancient Rome, a person who had been freed from slavery 2 a person, esp. a man, who leads an unrestrained, sexually immoral life; rake [prob. via Fr libertin] 3 [Archaic] a freethinker •adj. morally unrestrained; licentious lib´er·tin·ism' or lib´er·tin·age •n. [ME libertyn < L libertinus < libertus, freedman < liber, free: see LIBERAL]
liberty (lib´эr ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 freedom or release from slavery, imprisonment, captivity, or any other form of arbitrary control 2 the sum of rights and exemptions possessed in common by the people of a community, state, etc.: see also CIVIL LIBERTIES, POLITICAL LIBERTY 3 a particular right, franchise, or exemption from compulsion 4 a too free, too familiar, or impertinent action or attitude 5 the limits within which a certain amount of freedom may be exercised {to have the liberty of the third floor} 6 a) permission given to a sailor to go ashore; specif., in the U.S. Navy, permission given to an enlisted person to be absent from duty for a period ordinarily of 48 hours or less b) the period of time given 7 Philos. freedom to choose; freedom from compulsion or constraint SYN. FREEDOM at liberty 1 not confined; free 2 permitted (to do or say something); allowed 3 not busy or in use take liberties 1 to be too familiar or impertinent in action or speech: often used with with 2 to deal (with facts, data, etc.) in a distorting way [ME & OFr liberte < L libertas < liber, free: see LIBERAL] Liberty island in SE N.Y., in New York Bay: site of the Statue of Liberty: c. 10 acres or 0.015 sq. mi. (0.038 sq. km)
Liberty Bell the bell of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, rung on July 8, 1776, to proclaim the independence of the U.S.: it cracked in 1835
liberty cap a soft, closefitting cap without a visor, adopted by the French Revolutionists as a symbol of liberty
libidinal (li bid´ªn эl) •adj. of the libido
libidinize (-aiz') -nized', -niz'ing •vt. to regard or treat as an area or source of sexual gratification {the skin as a libidinized organ} [see LIBIDO & -IZE]
libidinous (-эs) •adj. full of or characterized by lust; lewd; lascivious li·bid´i·nous·ly •adv. li·bid´i·nous·ness •n. [ME lybidynous < L libidinosus < libido: see LIBIDO]
libido (li bai´dou, -bi:´-) •n. 1 the sexual urge or instinct 2 Psychoanalysis psychic energy generally; specif., a basic form of psychic energy, comprising the positive, loving instincts and manifested variously at different stages of personality development [ModL < L, pleasure, wantonness < libet, lubet, it pleases: for IE base see LOVE]
liblab or lib-lab (lib´læb') •adj. [Chiefly Brit.] of or relating to a coalition of liberal and labor groups, especially in politics •n. [Chiefly Brit.] a person belonging to or supporting such a coalition Also Lib-Lab
Libra (lai´brэ, li:´-) 1 a S constellation between Virgo and Scorpio; the Scales 2 the seventh sign of the zodiac, entered by the sun about September 23 •n. a person born under this sign: also Li´bran [L, a balance] libra (lai´brэ; also, and for 3 always, li:´-) pl. -brae' (-bri:') •n. 1 pound: abbrev. lb, L, l: the British symbol for the monetary unit (£) is derived from the first letter of this word 2 an ancient Roman unit of weight, equal to about 12 ounces 3 [Sp: cf. POUND¹] a) a former gold coin of Peru b) a unit of weight in Spain, and various Latin American countries, equal to about one pound [ME < L]
librarian (lai brer´i: эn) •n. 1 a person in charge of a library 2 a library worker trained in library science li·brar´i·an·ship' •n. [< L librarius + -AN]
library (lai´brer'i:; chiefly Brit, -brэ ri:) pl. -brar'ies •n. 1 a) a collection of books, periodicals, musical scores, films, phonograph records, etc., esp. a large, systematically arranged collection for reading or reference b) a room or building where such a collection is kept 2 a public or private institution in charge of the care and circulation of such a collection 3 a set or series of books issued in a single format by a publishing house [ME librarie < OFr < libraire, copyist < L librarius, n., transcriber of books, adj., of books < liber, a book, orig. inner bark or rind of a tree (which was written on) < IE base *leubh-, to peel off > LEAF, Gr lepein, to strip off rind]
Library of Congress the national library in Washington, D.C., established in 1800 by the U.S. Congress for the use of its members: it is now one of the largest public reference libraries in the world
library science the study of library organization and management
librate (lai´breit') -brat'ed, -brat'ing •vi. 1 to move back and forth slowly like the beam of a balance in coming to rest; oscillate 2 to remain balanced; hover [< L libratus, pp. of librare, to weigh, balance < libra, a balance]
libration (lai brei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of librating 2 Astron. a slight rocking motion of the moon which allows 59% of the moon's surface to be visible from the earth li´bra·to'ry (-brэ tör'i:) •adj. [L libratio]
librettist (li bret´ist) •n. a writer of librettos
libretto (li bret´ou) pl. -tos or -ti (-i:) •n. 1 the words, or text, of an opera, oratorio, or other long choral work 2 a book containing these words [It, dim. of libro (< L liber), a book: see LIBRARY]
Libreville (li:´brэ vi:l') capital of Gabon: seaport on the Gulf of Guinea: pop. 350,000
libri (lai´brai', li:´bri:') •n. pl. of LIBER
libriform (lai´brэ förm') •adj. Bot. designating or of wood fibers which are elongated and have simple pits [L liber (gen. libri), inner bark of a tree (see LIBRARY) + -FORM]
Librium (lib´ri: эm) trademark for a tranquilizing drug: see CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE [arbitrary coinage < Fr libre, free (< L liber: see LIBERTY) + -IUM]
Libya (lib´i: э, lib´yэ) 1 ancient Greek & Roman name of N Africa, west of Egypt 2 country in N Africa, on the Mediterranean under Turkish domination since 16th cent.; occupied by Italy (1911-43); placed under British and French military rule, it became an independent kingdom (1951) and a republic (1969): 679,359 sq. mi. (1,759,540 sq. km); pop. 3,876,000; cap. Tripoli
Libyan (lib´i: эn, lib´yэn) •adj. of Libya or its people •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Libya 2 the earliest form of the Berber language as found in inscriptions in ancient Libya
Libyan Desert E part of the Sahara, in Libya, Sudan, & Egypt west of the Nile
lice (lais) •n. pl. of LOUSE
license (lai´sэns) •n. 1 a formal permission to do something; esp. authorization by law to do some specified thing {license to marry, practice medicine, hunt, etc.} 2 a document, printed tag, permit, etc. indicating that such permission has been granted 3 a) freedom to deviate from strict conduct, rule, or practice, generally permitted by common consent {poetic license} b) an instance of such deviation 4 excessive, undisciplined freedom, constituting an abuse of liberty Also, Brit. sp., li´cence •vt. -censed, -cens·ing to give license or a license to or for; permit formally SYN. FREEDOM, AUTHORIZE li´cens·a·ble •adj. [OFr < L licentia < licens, prp. of licere, to be permitted: see LEISURE]
license plate a numbered or lettered metal tag displayed on a motor vehicle, indicating that the vehicle has been registered with the State and may be driven on public streets and highways
licensee (lai'sэns i:´) •n. a person to whom a license is granted
licenser (lai´sэns эr) •n. a person with authority to grant licenses: also sp. Law li´cen·sor
licensure (lai´sэn shur') •n. the act or practice or granting licenses, as to practice a profession
licentiate (lai sen´shi: it, -eit'; -shэt) •n. 1 a person licensed to practice a specified profession 2 in certain European and Canadian universities, an academic degree between that of bachelor and that of doctor li·cen´ti·ate·ship' •n. [ME licenciat < ML licentiatus, pp. of licentiare, to license < L licentia: see LICENSE]
licentious (lai sen´shэs) •adj. 1 [Rare] disregarding accepted rules and standards 2 morally unrestrained, esp. in sexual activity; lascivious li·cen´tious·ly •adv. li·cen´tious·ness •n. [L licentiosus < licentia: see LICENSE]
lich (lich) •n. [Now Brit. Dial.] a dead body; corpse [ME < OE lic, akin to Ger leiche, corpse < IE base *lig-, figure, shape, similar, like > LIKE²]
lich gate (lich´) [Brit.] a roofed gate at the entrance to a churchyard, where a coffin can be set down to await the arrival of the clergyman [see LICH]
lichee (li:´chi:') •n. LITCHI
lichen (lai´kэn) •n. 1 any of various small plants composed of a particular fungus and a particular alga growing in an intimate symbiotic association and forming a dual plant, commonly adhering in colored patches or spongelike branches to rock, wood, soil, etc. 2 any of various skin diseases characterized by papules and enlarged skin markings •vt. to cover with lichens li´chen·ous or li´chen·ose' (-ous') •adj. [L < Gr leichēn, prob. < leichein, to LICK]
lichenology (lai'kэn äl´э ji:) •n. the study of lichens
licht (likht) •adj., adv., n., vi., vt. Scot. var. of: 1 LIGHT¹ 2 LIGHT²
Lichtenstein (lik´tэn stain', -sti:n'), Roy 1923- ; U.S. painter
licit (lis´it) •adj. permitted; lawful SYN. LEGAL lic´it·ly •adv. lic´it·ness •n. [ME lycite < L licitus, pp. of licere, to be permitted: see LEISURE]
lick (lik) •vt. 1 to pass the tongue over {to lick one's lips} 2 to bring into a certain condition by passing the tongue over {to lick one's fingers clean} 3 to pass lightly over like a tongue {flames licking the logs} 4 [Colloq.] a) to whip; thrash b) to overcome, vanquish, or control •vi. to move lightly and quickly, as a flame {waves licking about her feet} •n. 1 the act of licking with the tongue 2 a small quantity 3 short for SALT LICK 4 [Colloq.] a) a sharp blow b) a short, rapid burst of activity, often careless, as in cleaning up, etc. (also lick and a promise) c) a fast pace; spurt of speed; clip Æ 5 [Slang] a phrase of jazz music, esp. an interpolated improvisation 6 [often pl.] [Slang] chance; turn {to get one's licks in} lick into shape [Colloq.] to bring into proper condition by careful, persistent work lick one's chops to anticipate eagerly lick up to consume as by licking or lapping [ME licken < OE liccian, akin to Ger lecken < IE base *leigh-, to lick > Gr leichein, L ligurrire, to lick, lingere, to lick up]
lickerish (lik´эr ish) •adj. 1 [Archaic] a) lecherous; lustful; lewd b) greedy or eager, esp. to eat or taste 2 [Obs.] tempting the appetite [altered < lickerous < ME lykerous < Anglo-Fr form of OFr lecheros]
lickety-split (lik´э ti: split´) •adv. [Colloq.] at great speed [fanciful formation based on LICK, n. 4c]
licking (lik´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of a person or thing that licks 2 [Colloq.] a) a whipping b) a defeat
lickspittle (-spit'ªl) •n. a servile flatterer; toady
licorice (lik´эr ish; often lik´rish; also lik´э ris) •n. 1 a European perennial plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) of the pea family, with spikes of blue flowers and short, flat pods 2 the dried root of this plant or the black extract made from it, used in medicine, esp. as a vehicle and a diluting agent, or as a flavoring 3 candy flavored with this extract or in imitation of it [ME licorys < OFr licorece < LL liquiritia, altered (by assoc. with liquor: see LIQUOR) < L glycyrrhiza < Gr glykys, sweet (see GLYCERIN) + rhiza, ROOT¹]
lictor (lik´tэr) •n. in ancient Rome, any of a group of minor officials who carried the fasces and cleared the way for the chief magistrates [ME (Wycliffe) littour < L lictor < base of ligare (see LIGAMENT), in allusion to the fasces]
lid (lid) •n. 1 a movable cover, hinged or unattached, as for a box, trunk, pot, etc.; top 2 short for EYELID Æ 3 [Colloq.] a curb or restraint {to put a lid on gambling} 4 [Slang] a cap, hat, etc. 5 [Slang] a small package of marijuana, usually about an ounce 6 Bot. loosely, an operculum [ME < OE hlid (akin to Ger -lid in augenlid, eyelid) < base seen in OE hlidan, to cover < IE base *lei-, to LEAN¹]
lidar (lai´där') •n. a meteorological instrument using transmitted and reflected laser light for detecting atmospheric particles, as pollutants, and determining their elevation, concentration, etc. [LI(GHT)¹ + (RA)DAR]
lidded (lid´id) •adj. 1 covered with or as with a lid 2 having (a specified kind of) eyelids {heavy-lidded}
lidless (lid´lis) •adj. 1 without a lid 2 without eyelids 3 [Old Poet.] not closed; watchful: said of the eyes
lido (li:´dou) •n. a resort at a beach [after Lido, island in NE Italy]
lidocaine (lai´dou kein', -dэ-) •n. a synthetic crystalline compound, C14H22N2O, used esp. in the form of its hydrochloride as a local anesthetic and to control irregularity in the heartbeat [(diethylaminoacetoxy)lid(ide) + (C)OCAINE]
Lie (li:) 1 Jonas 1880-1940; U.S. painter, born in Norway 2 Jonas (Lauritz Edemil) 1833-1908; Norw. novelist: uncle of the painter 3 Tryg·ve (Halvdan) (trig´vэ) 1896-1968; Norw. statesman: 1st secretary-general of the United Nations (1946-53)
lie detector a polygraph used on persons suspected of lying: it records certain bodily changes assumed to occur when the subject lies in answering questions
lie of the land [Chiefly Brit.] LAY OF THE LAND
lie¹ (lai) lay, lain, ly´ing •vi. 1 to be or put oneself in a reclining position along a relatively horizontal surface: often with down 2 to be in a more or less horizontal position on some supporting surface: said of inanimate things 3 to be or remain in a specified condition {motives that lie hidden} 4 to be situated {Canada lies to the north} 5 to extend; stretch {the road that lies before us} 6 to be; exist; be found {the love that lies in her eyes} 7 to be buried or entombed 8 [Archaic] to stay overnight or for a short while; lodge 9 [Archaic] to have sexual intercourse (with) 10 Law to be maintainable or admissible {an action that will not lie} •n. 1 the way in which something is situated or arranged; lay 2 an animal's lair or resting place 3 [Brit.] a period of resting 4 Golf the relative situation of a ball with reference to the advantage it offers the player {a good lie} Æ lie down on the job [Colloq.] to put forth less than one's best efforts lie in to be in confinement for childbirth lie off Naut. to stay at a distance from shore or another ship Æ lie over to stay and wait until some future time lie to Naut. to lie more or less stationary with the bow to the wind take lying down to submit to (punishment, a wrong, etc.) without protest [ME lien < 2d & 3d pers. sing. of earlier liggen < OE licgan, to lie, akin to Ger liegen < IE base *legh-, to lie, lay oneself down > L lectus & Gr lēchos, bed, lōchos, lair]
lie² (lai) lied, ly´ing •vi. 1 a) to make a statement that one knows is false, esp. with intent to deceive b) to make such statements habitually 2 to give a false impression; deceive one {statistics can lie} •vt. to bring, put, accomplish, etc. by lying {to lie oneself into office} •n. 1 a false statement or action, esp. one made with intent to deceive 2 anything that gives or is meant to give a false impression 3 the charge of lying give the lie to 1 to charge with telling a lie 2 to prove to be false; belie lie in one's throat (or teeth) to tell a foul or outrageous lie SYN.—lie is the simple direct word meaning to make a deliberately false statement; prevaricate strictly means to quibble or confuse the issue in order to evade the truth, but it is loosely used as a formal or affected substitute for lie; equivocate implies the deliberate use of ambiguity in order to deceive or mislead; fabricate suggests the invention of a false story, excuse, etc. intended to deceive and is, hence, sometimes used as a somewhat softer equivalent for lie; fib implies the telling of a falsehood about something unimportant and is sometimes a euphemism for lie [ME lien < OE leogan, akin to Ger lügen (Goth liugan) < IE base *leugh-, to tell lies > Lith lūgoti, to ask]
Liebfraumilch (li:b´frau milk'; Ger li:p´fřau milH') •n. a variety of white Rhine wine [Ger contr. < Liebfrauenmilch, orig. jocular formation (after Liebfrauenstift, monastery of our dear lady, i.e., the Virgin Mary) < lieb, dear + frauen, obs. gen. of frau, lady + milch, MILK: the wine was first produced at the monastery in WORMS]
Liebig (li:´biH), Baron Jus·tus von (yu:s´tus fôn) 1803-73; Ger. chemist
Liebknecht (li:p´kneHt'), Karl (käřl) 1871-1919; Ger. socialist leader
Liechtenstein (lik´tэn stain'; Ger liH´tэn shtain') country in WC Europe, on the Rhine: a principality: 61 sq. mi. (158 sq. km); pop. 27,000; cap. Vaduz
lied (li:d) pl. lied·er (li:´dэr) •n. a German song, esp. one whose words and music are of a lyrical, often popular, character [Ger: see LAUD]
Liederkranz (li:´dэr kränts', -krænts') trademark for a soft cheese having a strong odor and flavor [Ger, lit., garland of songs: see LIED]
lief (li:f) •adj. [Archaic] 1 valued; dear; beloved 2 willing •adv. willingly; gladly: only in would (or had) as lief [ME lef < OE leof, beloved, dear, akin to Ger lieb < IE base *leubh- > LOVE]
liege (li:j) •adj. 1 Feudal Law a) entitled to the service and allegiance of his vassals {a liege lord} b) bound to give service and allegiance to the lord {liege subjects} 2 loyal; faithful •n. Feudal Law 1 a lord or sovereign 2 a subject or vassal [OFr, prob. < Frank base akin to OHG ledig, free, but infl. by L ligare, to bind]
Liège (li: ezh´, -eizh´; Fr lyezh) 1 province of E Belgium: 1,526 sq. mi. (3,953 sq. km); pop. 992,000 2 its capital, on the Meuse River: pop. 203,000
liegeman (li:j´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a vassal 2 a loyal follower Also liege man
lien (li:n, li:´эn) •n. Law a claim on the property of another as security for the payment of a just debt [Fr < L ligamen, a band < ligare, to bind, tie: see LIGATURE]
Liepāja (li:´э pä'yэ) seaport in W Latvia, on the Baltic: pop. 109,000
lier (lai´эr) •n. one who lies (reclines)
lierne (li: ørn´) •n. Archit. a short rib used in Gothic vaulting to connect the bosses and intersections of the main ribs [Fr: see LIANA]
lieu (lu:) •n. place: now chiefly in in lieu of, in place of; instead of [ME liue < OFr lieu < L locus, place: see LOCUS]
Lieut Lieutenant
lieutenant (lu: ten´эnt; Brit & Cdn lef ten´-) •n. 1 a person who acts for a superior, as during the latter's absence; aide; deputy 2 an officer ranking below a captain as in a police or fire department 3 U.S. Mil. a title used in addressing a first lieutenant or second lieutenant: see also FIRST LIEUTENANT, SECOND LIEUTENANT 4 U.S. Navy an officer ranking above a lieutenant junior grade and below a lieutenant commander lieu·ten´an·cy (-эn si:), pl. -cies, •n. [ME lutenand, luftenand < MFr < lieu (see LIEU) + tenant, holding, prp. of tenir, to hold < L tenere, to hold: see THIN]
lieutenant colonel U.S. Mil. an officer ranking above a major and below a colonel
lieutenant commander U.S. Navy an officer ranking above a lieutenant and below a commander
lieutenant general U.S. Mil. an officer, with an insignia of three stars, ranking above a major general and below a general
lieutenant governor 1 an elected official of a State who ranks below the governor and substitutes for the governor in case of the latter's absence or death 2 the official head of the government of a Canadian province, appointed by the governor general: also lieu·ten´ant-gov´er·nor •n.
lieutenant junior grade U.S. Navy an officer ranking above an ensign and below a lieutenant
life (laif) pl. lives •n. 1 that property or quality of plants and animals that distinguishes them from inorganic matter or dead organisms; specif., the cellular biochemical activity or processes of an organism, characterized by the ingestion of nutrients, the storage and use of energy, the excretion of wastes, growth, reproduction, etc. 2 this activity, or the state of possessing this property {brought back to life} 3 a living being, esp. a human being {the lives lost in wars} 4 living things collectively, often of a specified kind {plant life} 5 the time a person or thing is alive or exists, or a specific portion of such time {his early life} 6 a sentence of imprisonment for the rest of one's life 7 one's manner of living {a life of ease} 8 the activities of a given time or in a given setting, and the people who take part in them {military life} 9 lives considered together as belonging to a certain class or type {high life} 10 a) an individual's animate existence b) an account of this; biography c) a specific aspect of an individual's activities {her love life} 11 the existence of the soul {eternal life} 12 something essential to the continued existence of something else {freedom of speech is the life of democracy} 13 the source of vigor or liveliness {the life of the party} 14 vigor; liveliness; animation; vivacity 15 the period of flourishing, usefulness, etc.; period during which anything lasts {fads have a short life} 16 another chance: often in the phrase get a life 17 Fine Arts a) a lifelike quality or appearance b) representation from living models {a class in life} •adj. 1 for a lifetime {a life sentence} 2 of or relating to the property of life {life processes} 3 using live models {a life class in art} a matter of life and death 1 something whose outcome determines whether a person lives or dies 2 any extremely important matter as large (or big) as life 1 LIFE-SIZE 2 in actual fact; truly bring to life 1 to bring back to consciousness 2 to make lively; animate come to life 1 to recover consciousness 2 to become lively or animated for dear life to, or as if to, save one's life; with a desperate intensity for life 1 for the duration of one's life 2 in order to save one's life for the life of me [Colloq.] even though my life were at stake on it; by any means: used in negative expressions from life from a living model Æ not on your life [Colloq.] by no means; certainly not see life to have a wide variety of social experiences take life to kill take one's (own) life to commit suicide Æ the life or the Life [Slang] prostitution as a trade Æ the life of Riley [Colloq.] a very pleasant or luxurious way of living to the life like the living original; exactly true to life corresponding to what happens or exists in real life; true to reality [ME < OE līf, akin to ON líf, life, Ger leib, body < IE base *leibh-, to LIVE¹]
life belt a life preserver in the form of a belt
life buoy a life preserver in the shape of a ring
life cycle 1 the series of changes in form undergone by an organism in development from its earliest stage to the recurrence of the same stage in the next generation 2 any series of changes like this
life expectancy the statistically probable length of time that a typical individual can be expected to live
life force ÉLAN VITAL
Life Guards a special unit of cavalry which serves as part of the ceremonial guard for the British sovereign [earlier also liefguard, prob. after Ger leibgarde, bodyguard < leib, body (see LIFE) + garde (see GUARD)]
life history 1 the history of the changes undergone by an organism in development from the egg, spore, etc. to its death in maturity 2 one series of such changes 3 the story of a person's life
life insurance insurance in which a stipulated sum is paid to the beneficiary or beneficiaries at the death of the insured, or, if specified, to the insured at a certain age
life interest interest (in property) that is payable during a person's lifetime, but which cannot be passed on to another at death
life jacket (or vest) a life preserver in the form of a sleeveless jacket or vest
life net a strong net used as by firefighters to catch people jumping from a burning building
life preserver 1 a buoyant device for saving a person from drowning by keeping the body afloat, as a ring or sleeveless jacket of canvas-covered cork or kapok 2 [Chiefly Brit.] BLACKJACK (sense 3)
life raft a small raft, now usually inflatable, for use as an emergency craft at sea
life science any of various sciences, as botany or zoology, dealing with living creatures and their life processes life scientist
life span 1 LIFETIME (n. 1) 2 the longest period of time that a typical individual can be expected to live
life table MORTALITY TABLE
life zone any of a series of biogeographic zones into which a continent, region, etc. is divided both by latitude and altitude on the basis of the characteristic animal and plant life in a zone
lifeblood (-blûd´) •n. 1 the blood necessary to life 2 a vital element or animating influence
lifeboat (-bout') •n. 1 a strong, seaworthy boat kept in readiness on the shore for use in rescuing people in danger of drowning 2 one of the small boats carried by a ship for use if the ship must be abandoned
life-giving (-giv'iŋ) •adj. 1 that gives or can give life 2 strengthening; refreshing; inspiring
lifeguard (-gärd') •n. Æ an expert swimmer employed as at a beach or pool to prevent drownings
lifeless (-lis) •adj. 1 without life; specif., a) that never had life; inanimate b) that no longer has life; dead c) having no living beings {a lifeless planet} 2 dull; listless SYN. DEAD life´less·ly •adv. life´less·ness •n.
lifelike (-laik') •adj. 1 resembling actual life {lifelike dialogue in the movie} 2 closely resembling a real person or thing {a lifelike portrait}
lifeline (-lain') •n. 1 a rope or line for saving life, as one thrown to a person in the water 2 any rope strung along or above a vessel's weather deck to provide a handhold as in rough weather 3 the rope by means of which a diver is raised and lowered, used by the diver for signaling 4 Palmistry a line in the palm of the hand, curving about the base of the thumb, that reveals facts about the person's life 5 a commercial, esp. maritime, route of great importance 6 a route that is the only one over which supplies can be transported to a certain place
lifelong (-löŋ´) •adj. lasting or not changing during one's whole life {a lifelong love}
lifer (laif´эr) •n. [Slang] 1 a person sentenced to imprisonment for life 2 a person who spends his or her whole life working in a certain occupation or profession, esp. in the armed forces
lifesaver (-seiv'эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that saves people from drowning, as a lifeguard 2 [Colloq.] a person or thing that gives aid in time of need
lifesaving (-seiv'iŋ) •adj. designed for or connected with the saving of human life •n. the saving of human life, esp. through the prevention of drowning
life-size (-saiz') •adj. of the same size as the person or thing represented: said of a picture, sculpture, etc. Also life´-sized'
lifestyle (laif´stail') •n. the consistent, integrated way of life of an individual as typified by his or her manner, attitudes, possessions, etc. Also sp. life style
lifetime (-taim') •n. 1 the period of time that someone lives, or that something lasts, functions, or is in effect 2 a very long time {made to last a lifetime} •adj. lasting for such a period {a lifetime job}
lifework (-wørk´) •n. the work to which a person's life is devoted; most important work of one's life
LIFO (lai´fou') •n. a method of valuing inventories in which items sold or used are priced at the cost of the most recent acquisitions and those remaining are valued at the cost of earliest acquisitions: cf. FIFO [l(ast) i(n), f(irst) o(ut)]
lift (lift) •vt. 1 to bring up to a higher position; raise 2 to pick up and move or set {lift the box down from the shelf} 3 to hold up; support high in the air 4 to raise in rank, condition, dignity, spirits, etc.; bring to a higher level; elevate; exalt 5 to pay off (a mortgage, debt, etc.) 6 to end (a blockade, siege, etc.) by withdrawing forces 7 to revoke or rescind (a ban or order) 8 to loosen and remove (bulbs, seedlings, or root crops) from the soil 9 [Colloq.] to remove from its proper place; esp., to plagiarize {to lift a passage from another writer} 10 [Slang] to steal 11 to subject to FACE LIFTING 12 to transport, esp. by aircraft 13 Golf to pick (a ball) up, as from an unplayable position 14 Mil. to change the direction of or cease (fire) •vi. 1 to exert strength in raising or trying to raise something 2 to rise and vanish; be dispelled {the fog lifted} 3 to become raised or elevated; go up 4 to stop for a time •n. 1 a lifting, raising, or rising; upward movement 2 the amount lifted at one time 3 a) the distance through which something is lifted b) the extent of rise or elevation 4 lifting power or influence 5 elevation of spirits or mood 6 elevated position or carriage, as of the neck, head, etc. 7 a ride in the direction in which one is going 8 help of any kind 9 a swell or rise in the ground 10 the means by which a person or thing is lifted; specif., a) any layer of leather in the heel of a shoe b) [Brit.] ELEVATOR c) any of various devices used to transport people up or down a slope d) a device for lifting an automobile for repairs 11 Aeron. the component of total air force acting on a body, as an airfoil or wing, which is perpendicular to the direction of flight and is exerted, normally, in an upward direction 12 Mining a set of pumps in a mine lift up one's voice to speak out loudly lift´er •n. SYN.—lift, in its general literal sense, implies the use of some effort in bringing something up to a higher position [help me lift the table]; raise, often interchangeable with lift, specifically implies a bringing into an upright position by lifting one end [to raise a flagpole]; elevate is now a less frequent synonym for lift or raise [the balloon had been elevated 500 feet]; rear is a literary equivalent of raise [the giant trees reared their branches to the sky]; hoist implies the lifting of something heavy, usually by some mechanical means, as a block and tackle, crane, etc. [to hoist bales of cotton into a ship]; boost is a colloquial term implying a lifting by or as by a push from behind or below [boost me into the tree] All these terms are used figuratively to imply a bringing into a higher or better state [to lift, or hoist, one's spirits, to raise one's hopes, to elevate one's mind, to rear children, to boost sales] —ANT. lower [ME liften < ON lypta < lopt, air, akin to OE lyft, Ger luft, Du lucht]
lift pump a suction pump that raises a column of liquid to the level of a spout out of which the liquid runs of its own accord: cf. FORCE PUMP
lifting body a vehicle combining features of aircraft and spacecraft, designed for reentry into the atmosphere, flight at high altitudes, and the ability to land itself
liftoff (-öf') •n. 1 the initial vertical takeoff of a rocket, helicopter, etc. 2 the moment at which this occurs Also lift´-off'
ligament (lig´э mэnt) •n. 1 a bond or tie connecting one thing with another 2 Anat. a band of tough tissue connecting bones or holding organs in place [L ligamentum < ligare, to tie, bind: see LIGATURE]
ligan (lai´gэn) •n. LAGAN
ligand (lig´эnd, lai´gэnd) •n. an atom, group, ion, radical, or molecule which forms a coordination complex with a central atom or ion [< L ligandum, ger. of ligare, to bind: see LIGATURE]
ligate (lai´geit') -gat'ed, -gat'ing •vt. to tie or bind with a ligature, as a bleeding artery li·ga'tion •n. [< L ligatus, pp. of ligare, to bind, tie: see LIGATURE]
ligature (lig´э chэr) •n. 1 a tying or binding together 2 a thing used in tying or binding together; tie, bond, etc. 3 a) a written or printed character containing two or more letters united, as æ, …, ð b) a curved line connecting such letters in writing 4 Music a) in medieval mensural notation, a symbol representing two or more notes b) a curved line joining two or more notes in a tie or slur c) the notes so connected 5 Surgery a thread or wire used to tie up an artery, etc. •vt. -tured, -tur·ing to tie or bind together with a ligature; ligate [ME < MFr < LL ligatura < pp. of L ligare, to bind < IE base *leiG-, to bind > MLowG līk, a tie, MHG geleich, joint, Alb lidhe, a bond]
liger (lai´gэr) •n. the offspring of a male lion and a female tiger [LI(ON) + (TI)GER]
light adaptation the automatic adaptive response of the eye as it accommodates itself to brighter light
light air a wind whose speed is 1 to 3 miles per hour: see BEAUFORT SCALE
light bread [Slang] bread made of wheat flour with yeast as a leavening agent
light breeze a wind whose speed is 4 to 7 miles per hour: see BEAUFORT SCALE
light guide a hair-thin, fiber-optic cable Also light´guide'
light heavyweight a boxer between a super middleweight and a cruiserweight, with a maximum weight of 175 pounds (79.38 kg)
light horse light-armed cavalry light´-horse'man (-hörs'mэn), pl. -men (-mэn), •n.
light meter EXPOSURE METER
light opera a short, amusing musical play; operetta
light pen a hand-held, pen-shaped electronic device used to scan images, draw lines, designate points, etc. as on a computer video screen
light quantum PHOTON
light verse verse, usually rhymed, in which the subject is treated humorously, as parodies, limericks, etc.
light whiskey Æ a light-colored, mild whiskey aged in new or used casks for not less than four years
light¹ (lait) •n. 1 a) the form of electromagnetic radiation that acts upon the retina of the eye, optic nerve, etc., making sight possible: this energy is transmitted in a vacuum at a velocity of 299,792,458 meters per second (c. 186,000 miles per second) b) a form of radiant energy similar to this, but not acting on the normal retina, as ultraviolet and infrared radiation 2 the rate of flow of light radiation with respect to the sense of sight: it is measured in lumens 3 the sensation that light stimulates in the organs of sight 4 brightness; illumination, often of a specified kind {the dim light of a candle} 5 a source of light, as the sun, a lamp, a light bulb, etc. 6 TRAFFIC LIGHT 7 the light from the sun; daylight or dawn 8 a thing by means of which something can be started burning {a light for a cigar} 9 the means by which light is let in; window or windowpane 10 mental illumination; knowledge or information; enlightenment {to shed light on the past} 11 spiritual inspiration 12 public knowledge or view {to bring new facts to light} 13 the way in which something is seen; aspect {presented in a favorable light} 14 facial expression showing a mental or emotional state {a light of recognition in his eyes} 15 a person whose brilliant record makes him or her an example for others; outstanding figure {one of the shining lights of the school} 16 a) the quality suggesting light created in a painting, drawing, etc., esp. in certain areas b) such an area •adj. [ME liht < OE leoht] 1 having light; not dark; bright 2 pale in color; whitish; fair •adv. not brightly; in a pale way {a light blue color} •vt. light´ed or lit, light´ing [ME lighten < OE lihtan] 1 to set on fire; ignite {to light a bonfire} 2 to cause to give off light {to light a lamp} 3 to give light to; furnish with light; illuminate {lamps light the streets} 4 to brighten; animate 5 to show the way to by giving light {a beacon lights the ships to harbor} •vi. 1 to catch fire {the fuse lighted at once} 2 to be lighted; brighten: usually with up according to one's lights as one's opinions, information, or standards may direct in the light of with knowledge of; considering light up 1 to make or become light 2 to make or become bright, cheerful, etc. 3 [Colloq.] to begin smoking (a cigar, etc.) see the light (of day) 1 to come into existence 2 to come to public view Æ 3 to understand stand in one's own light to harm one's reputation by acting unwisely strike a light to make a flame, as with a match [ME liht < OE leoht, akin to Ger licht < IE base *leuk-, to shine, bright > Gr leukos, white, L lux & lumen, light, lucere, to shine, luna, moon, Welsh llug, gleam]
light² (lait) •adj. 1 having little weight; not heavy 2 having little weight for its size; of low specific gravity 3 below the usual or defined weight {a light coin} 4 less than usual or normal in amount, extent, intensity, force, etc.; specif., a) striking or making contact with little force or impact {a light blow} b) of less than the usual quantity or density {a light vote, a light rain} c) not thick, coarse, or massive; delicate and graceful in structure {light tracery} d) not violent or intense; mild {a light wind} e) soft, muted, or muffled {a light sound} f) not prolonged or intense {light applause} g) not deep; easily disturbed {a light sleep} 5 of little importance; not serious or profound {light conversation} 6 easy to bear; not burdensome {a light tax} 7 easy to do; not difficult {light housekeeping} 8 not burdened with grief or sorrow; gay; happy; buoyant {light spirits} 9 of a flighty nature; frivolous; capricious 10 loose in morals; wanton 11 dizzy; giddy 12 of an amusing or nonserious nature {light reading} 13 containing little alcohol {light wine} 14 containing fewer calories than others of its kind {light beer} 15 characterized by qualities suggestive of little weight; not dense, hard, full, etc.; specif., a) not as full as usual; moderate {a light meal} b) easy to digest c) well leavened; soft and spongy {a light cake} d) loose in consistency; easily crumbled; porous {light sand} 16 moving with ease and nimbleness {light on one's feet} 17 able to carry little weight or cargo {a light vehicle} 18 unstressed or slightly stressed: said of a syllable in phonetics, prosody, etc. 19 designating or of an industry equipped with relatively light machinery and producing relatively small products 20 designating, of, or equipped with weapons, armor, ships, etc. of a relatively small size or light weight 21 [Colloq.] a) lacking personnel; short-handed b) owing (a specified sum) to the pot in poker {light fifty cents} •adv. 1 LIGHTLY 2 with little luggage, cargo, etc. {to travel light} •vi. light´ed or lit, light´ing [ME lihten < OE lihtan: also aphetic for ALIGHT¹] 1 [Now Dial.] to get down from a horse or vehicle; dismount; alight 2 to come to rest after traveling through the air {ducks lighting on the pond} 3 to come or happen (on or upon) by chance 4 to fall or strike suddenly, as a blow light in the head 1 dizzy; giddy 2 simple; foolish Æ light into [Colloq.] 1 to attack 2 to scold; berate Æ light out [Colloq.] to depart suddenly make light of to treat as trifling or unimportant; pay little or no attention to light´ish •adj. [ME < OE leoht, akin to Ger leicht, Du licht < IE *lengwhto- < base *legwh-, light in movement and weight > L levis, Gr elaphros]
light-armed (lait' ärmd´) •adj. bearing light weapons
light-emitting diode LED
lighten¹ (lait´ªn) •vt. 1 to make light or bright; illuminate 2 to make light or pale 3 to cause to flash in or as in lightning: with out or forth 4 [Archaic] to give knowledge to; enlighten •vi. 1 to become light; grow brighter 2 to shine brightly; flash 3 to give off flashes of lightning SYN. RELIEVE light´en·er •n. [ME lightnen]
lighten² (lait´ªn) •vt. 1 a) to make lighter in weight b) to make less heavy; reduce the load of 2 to make less severe, harsh, or troublesome 3 to make more cheerful; gladden •vi. 1 to become lighter in weight 2 to become more cheerful lighten up [Colloq.] to become less serious, angry, worried, concerned, etc.; take it easy light´en·er •n. [ME lihtnen]
lighter¹ (lait´эr) •n. a person or thing that lights something or starts it burning {a cigar lighter}
lighter² (lait´эr) •n. a large, open barge used chiefly to load or unload ships anchored in a harbor •vt., vi. to transport (goods) in a lighter [LME < MDu lichter < lichten, to make light, unload < licht, LIGHT²]
lighterage (-эr ij) •n. 1 the loading or unloading of a ship, or transportation of goods, by means of a lighter, or barge 2 the charge for this
lighter-than-air (lait´эr ðæn er´) •adj. designating or of an airship or a balloon filled with a gas lighter than air
lightface (lait´feis') •n. a printing type having thin, light lines: this phrase is set in lightface •adj. set or printed in lightface Also light´faced'
lightfast (lait´fæst') •adj. that will not fade because of exposure to light light´fast'ness •n.
light-fingered (lait´fiŋ'gэrd) •adj. 1 having a light, delicate touch 2 a) skillful at stealing, esp. by picking pockets b) thievish light´-fin'gered·ness •n.
light-footed (-fut'id) •adj. stepping lightly and gracefully; nimble of foot Also [Old Poet.] light´-foot' light´-foot'ed·ly •adv. light´-foot'ed·ness •n.
light-handed (-hæn'did) •adj. 1 having a light, delicate touch 2 having little to carry
lightheaded (-hed'id) •adj. 1 mentally confused or feeling giddy; dizzy 2 not sensible; flighty; frivolous light´head'ed·ly •adv. light´head'ed·ness •n.
lighthearted (-härt'id) •adj. free from care; gay; cheerful light´heart'ed·ly •adv. light´heart'ed·ness •n.
lighthouse (lait´haus') •n. a tower located at some place important or dangerous to navigation: it has a very bright light at the top, and often foghorns, sirens, etc., by which ships are guided or warned
lighthouse tube Radio any of several electron tubes, shaped somewhat like a lighthouse, used for generating or amplifying very high or ultrahigh frequency signals
lighting (lait´iŋ) •n. 1 a giving light or being lighted; illumination; ignition 2 the distribution of light and shade, as in a painting 3 a) the art, practice, or manner of using and arranging lights on a stage, film or TV set, etc. b) these lights collectively
lightly (lait´li:) •adv. 1 with little weight, pressure, or motion; gently 2 to a small degree or amount {to spend lightly} 3 nimbly; deftly 4 cheerfully; merrily 5 a) with indifference or neglect b) so as to slight 6 with little or no reason 7 with little or no punishment {to let someone off lightly} 8 [Now Rare] with ease; readily
light-minded (lait´main'did) •adj. not serious; frivolous light´-mind'ed·ly •adv. light´-mind'ed·ness •n.
lightness¹ (lait´nis) •n. 1 the state, quality, or intensity of lighting; brightness 2 a) the state of being nearer to white than to black; paleness b) the relative amount of light reflected by an object ranging from black to white or colorless
lightness² (lait´nis) •n. 1 the state of being light, not heavy 2 mildness, nimbleness, delicacy, cheerfulness, lack of seriousness, etc.
lightning (lait´niŋ) •n. 1 a flash of light in the sky caused by the discharge of atmospheric electricity from one cloud to another or between a cloud and the earth 2 such a discharge of electricity •vi. to give off such a discharge •adj. like lightning [ME lightninge < lightnen, to LIGHTEN¹]
lightning arrester a device that protects electronic or electrical equipment from lightning by causing the discharge to be grounded
lightning bug (or beetle) FIREFLY
lightning rod a pointed metal rod placed high on a building, etc. and grounded at the lower end to act as a conductor and divert lightning from the structure
light-o'-love (lait´э lûv') •n. a person, usually a woman, who is wanton or inconstant in love
lightproof (lait´pru:f') •adj. that does not admit light
lights (laits) •n.pl. [Dial.] the lungs of animals, as sheep, hogs, or cattle, used as food [ME lihtes < liht, LIGHT²: so called from being lighter in weight than the rest of the body: cf. LUNG]
lights out 1 a signal, as in a military camp, etc., to extinguish lights at bedtime 2 bedtime
lightship (lait´ship') •n. a ship moored in a place dangerous or important to navigation and bearing a light or lights and foghorns, sirens, etc. by which ships are warned or guided
lightsome¹ (lait´sэm) •adj. 1 nimble, buoyant, graceful, or lively 2 lighthearted; gay 3 not serious; frivolous [ME lihtsum: see LIGHT² & -SOME¹]
lightsome² (lait´sэm) •adj. 1 giving light; luminous 2 well-lighted; bright [ME lyghtesum: see LIGHT¹ & -SOME¹]
light-struck (lait´strûk') •adj. Photog. damaged or fogged by being exposed to light accidentally
lightwave (lait´weiv') •adj. of or designating a communications system, equipment, etc. using fiber optics
lightweight (lait´weit') •n. 1 one below normal weight 2 a boxer between a junior lightweight and a junior welterweight, with a maximum weight of 135 pounds (61.24 kg) Æ 3 [Colloq.] a person of limited influence, intelligence, or competence •adj. 1 light in weight 2 of lightweights 3 not serious
lightwood (-wud') •n. [Chiefly South] 1 very dry wood Æ 2 dry, resinous pine wood that burns readily with a bright light
light-year (-yir') •n. Astron. a unit of distance equal to the distance that light travels in a vacuum in one year, c. 9,460,000,000,000 km (5,880,000,000,000 mi.): cf. PARSEC
lignaloes (lain æl´ouz', lig næl´-) •n. the resinous wood of various tropical trees containing an oil used in perfumes, soaps, foods, etc. [ME ligne aloes < OFr lignalöé < ML lignum aloës, wood of aloe: see LIGNEOUS & ALOE]
ligneous (lig´ni: эs) •adj. of, or having the nature of, wood; woody [L ligneus < lignum, wood < *legnom, collected wood < base of legere, to collect: see LOGIC]
ligni- (lig´ni, -nэ) combining form wood {lignify} Also ligno- (-nou, -nэ) or, before a vowel, lign- [< L lignum: see LIGNEOUS]
lignify (lig´ni fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. to make into wood •vi. to become wood or like wood as a result of the depositing of lignin in the cell walls lig'ni·fi·ca´tion •n. [prec. + -FY]
lignin (lig´nin) •n. an amorphous, cellulose-like, organic substance which acts as a binder for the cellulose fibers in wood and certain plants and adds strength and stiffness to the cell walls [LIGN(I)- + -IN¹]
lignite (lig´nait') •n. a soft, brownish-black coal in which the texture of the original wood can often still be seen: it is denser and contains more carbon than peat lig·nit´ic (-nit´ik) •adj. [Fr: see LIGNEOUS & -ITE¹]
lignocellulose (lig'nou sel´yu: lous') •n. any of several combinations of lignin and hemicellulose, forming the essential part of woody tissue lig'no·cel'lu·lo´sic (-lou´sik) •adj. [LIGNO- (see LIGNI-) + CELLULOSE]
lignum vitae (lig´nэm vait´i:) 1 GUAIACUM (sense 1) 2 Commerce the very hard wood of the guaiacum, used in marine and machine bearings, casters, pulleys, etc. [ModL < L lignum, wood (see LIGNEOUS) + vitae, gen. of vita, life: see BIO-]
ligroin (lig´rou in) •n. a mixture of hydrocarbons, a colorless, flammable liquid, obtained in the fractional distillation of petroleum and used as a motor fuel and as a solvent for fats and oils in dry cleaning, etc. [arbitrary coinage, prob. < Gr liguros, clear + -IN¹]
ligula (lig´yu: lэ) pl. -lae' (-li:') •n.or -las Zool. a structure containing typically the terminal lobes of the labium of an insect [see LIGULE]
ligulate (-lit, -leit') •adj. 1 of or having ligules 2 shaped like a strap
ligule (lig´yu:l) •n. 1 a strap-shaped corolla in the flowers of certain composite plants 2 a thin membrane attached to a leaf of grass at the point where the blade meets the leaf sheath 3 any of various similar appendages on other plants [L ligula, a spoon, tongue of a shoe, shoe strap < IE base *leigh-, to lick > MIr liag, LICK: infl. by assoc. with L lingua, tongue, ligare, to bind]
ligure (lig´yur) •n. Bible one of the twelve precious stones in the breastplate of the Jewish high priest, thought to be yellow jacinth: Ex. 28:19 [LL(Ec) ligurius < Gr(Ec) ligyrion]
Liguria (li gyur´i: э) region of NW Italy, on the Ligurian Sea: 2,091 sq. mi. (5,416 sq. km); pop. 1,778,000; chief city, Genoa Li·gu´ri·an •adj., n.
Ligurian Sea part of the Mediterranean, between Corsica & NW Italy
likable (laik´э bэl) •adj. having qualities that inspire liking; easy to like because attractive, pleasant, genial, etc. lik´a·ble·ness or lik'a·bil´i·ty •n.
Likasi (li käs´i:) city in SE Zaire: pop. 185,000
-like (laik) suffix 1 forming adjectives like, characteristic of, suitable for {doglike, manlike, homelike} 2 forming adverbs in the manner of {coward-like} Words formed with -like are sometimes hyphenated and are always hyphenated when three l's fall together [bull-like] [< LIKE¹]
like¹ (laik) •adj. 1 having almost or exactly the same qualities, characteristics, etc.; similar; equal {a cup of sugar and a like amount of flour} 2 [Rare] alike 3 [Dial.] likely •adv. [Colloq.] likely {like as not, he is already there} •prep. 1 similar to; somewhat resembling {she is like a bird} 2 in a manner characteristic of; similarly to {she sings like a bird} 3 in accord with the nature of; characteristic of {not like her to cry} 4 in the mood for; desirous of {to feel like sleeping} 5 indicative or prophetic of {it looks like a clear day tomorrow} 6 as for example {fruit, like pears and peaches, for dessert} Like was originally an adjective in senses 1, 3, 5, and an adverb in sense 2, and is still considered so by conservative grammarians conj. [Colloq.] 1 in the way that; as {it was just like you said} 2 as if {it looks like he is late} •n. a person or thing regarded as the equal or counterpart of another or of the person or thing being discussed {I've never met her like} •vt. liked, lik´ing [Obs.] to compare; liken •vi. [Dial.] to be on the verge; be about (to have done something) {he like to broke the door down} Like is also used without meaning or syntactic function, as in casual talk, before or after a word, phrase, or clause [it's like hot] like anything [Colloq.] very much; exceedingly like blazes (or crazy or the devil, mad, etc.) [Colloq.] with furious energy, speed, etc. nothing like not at all like; completely different from something like almost like; about the like others of the same kind the like (or likes) of [Colloq.] any person or thing like [ME lik, aphetic for ilik < OE gelic, similar, equal, lit., of the same form or shape, akin to Ger gleich < PGmc *galīka- < *ga-, prefix of uncert. meaning + *līka, body, (ON līk, Goth leik, OE lic): for IE base see LICH]
like² (laik) liked, lik´ing •vi. 1 [Obs.] to please 2 to be so inclined; choose {leave whenever you like} •vt. 1 to have a taste or fondness for; be pleased with; have a preference for; enjoy 2 to want or wish {I would like to see him} 3 [Colloq.] to favor and support as the probable winner {I like Cleveland in the Series} •n. [pl.] preferences, tastes, or affections more like it [Colloq.] closer to being what is wanted lik´er •n. [ME liken < OE lician (akin to Goth leikan) < base of lic, body, form (see LIKE1): sense development: to be of like form be like be suited to be pleasing to]
likeable (laik´э bэl) •adj. LIKABLE
likelihood (laik´li: hud') •n. the fact of being likely to happen or something that is likely to happen; probability [ME liklihode: see LIKELY & -HOOD]
likely (laik´li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. 1 apparently true to the facts; credible; probable {a likely cause} 2 seeming as if it would happen or might happen; reasonably to be expected; apparently destined {it is likely to rain} 3 such as will probably be satisfactory or rewarding; suitable {a likely choice for the job} 4 having good prospects; promising {a likely lad} 5 [Dial.] attractive; agreeable •adv. probably {she will very likely go} SYN.—likely suggests probability or an eventuality that can reasonably be expected [he's not likely to win]; liable and apt are loosely or informally used equivalents of likely, but in strict discrimination, liable implies exposure or susceptibility to something undesirable [you're liable to be killed if you play with firearms] and apt suggests a natural or habitual inclination or tendency [such people are always apt to be fearful]; prone also suggests a propensity or predisposition to something that seems almost inevitable [she's prone to have accidents] —ANT. unlikely, indisposed [ME likly, prob. aphetic < OE geliclic (or < ? ON likligr): see LIKE¹ & -LY¹]
like-minded (laik´main'did) •adj. having the same ideas, tastes, etc.; agreeing mentally like´-mind'ed·ly •adv. like´-mind'ed·ness •n.
liken (laik´эn) •vt. to represent or describe as being like, or similar; compare
likeness (laik´nis) •n. 1 the state or quality of being like; similarity 2 (the same) form or shape; semblance {Jupiter appeared in the likeness of a swan} 3 something that is like; copy, portrait, etc. SYN.—likeness implies close correspondence in appearance, qualities, nature, etc. [his remarkable likeness to his brother]; similarity suggests only partial correspondence [your problem bears a certain similarity to mine]; resemblance usually implies correspondence in appearance or in superficial aspects [the resemblance between a diamond and zircon]; analogy refers to a correspondence between attributes or circumstances of things that are basically unlike [the analogy between a calculating machine and the human brain] —ANT. unlikeness, difference
likewise (laik´waiz') •adv. 1 in the same manner 2 also; too; moreover [short for in like wise]
liking (laik´iŋ) •n. 1 fondness; affection 2 preference; taste; pleasure; predilection {not to my liking} [ME < OE licung < lician: see LIKE²]
likuta (li: ku:´tä) pl. ma·ku´ta (mä-) •n. a monetary unit of Zaire, equal to ¹/100 of a zaire
lilac (lai´lэk, -läk', -læk') •n. 1 any of a genus (Syringa) of hardy shrubs or trees of the olive family, with large clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers ranging in color from white, through many shades of lavender, to deep crimson 2 the flower of this plant 3 pale purple •adj. of a pale-purple color [Fr (now lilas) < Ar līlak < Pers līlak, nīlak, bluish < nīl, indigo < Sans nila, dark blue, indigo]
lilangeni (li´läŋ gen'i:) pl. em´a·lan·gen'i (em´э-) •n. the basic monetary unit of Swaziland See MONEY, table [native name, lit., royal]
lilied (lil´i:d) •adj. 1 having many lilies; decorated or covered with lilies 2 [Archaic] like a lily; fair
Lilith (lil´iθ) 1 in ancient Semitic folklore, a female demon or vampire that lives in desolate places 2 in medieval Jewish folklore, a) the first wife of Adam, before the creation of Eve b) a night witch who menaces infants [Heb līlīth < Assyr-Bab lilītu, lit., of the night]
Liliuokalani (li li:´u: ou'kä lä´ni:), Lydia Ka·me·ke·ha (kä'mei kei´hä) 1838-1917; queen of the Hawaiian Islands (1891-93)
Lille (li:l) city in N France: pop. 174,000
Lillian (lil´i: эn) a feminine name: dim. Lil, Lily, Lilly Also Lil´i·an [earlier Lilion, prob. < L lilium, lily]
Lilliput (lil´э pût', -pэt) in Swift's Gulliver's Travels, a land inhabited by tiny people about six inches tall
Lilliputian (lil'э pyu:´shэn) •adj. 1 of Lilliput or its people 2 very small; tiny 3 narrow-minded; petty •n. 1 an inhabitant of Lilliput 2 a very small person 3 a narrow-minded person
Li-Lo (lai´lou') trademark for a kind of inflatable mattress or raft used to lie on at the beach
Lilongwe (li löŋ´wei) capital of Malawi, in the W part: pop. 187,000
lilt (lilt) •vt., vi. to sing, speak, play, or move with a light, graceful rhythm or swing •n. 1 a merry song or tune with a light, swingy, and graceful rhythm 2 a light, swingy, and graceful rhythm or movement lilt´ing •adj. lilt´ing·ly •adv. [ME lilten, lulten, prob. of echoic orig.]
Lily (lil´i:) a feminine name [dim. of Lilian or < prec.] lily (lil´i:) pl. lil´ies •n. 1 any of a large genus (Lilium) of perennial plants of the lily family, grown from a bulb and having typically trumpet-shaped flowers, white or colored 2 the flower or the bulb of any of these plants 3 any of several plants similar to the true lily, as the waterlily 4 the flower of any of these plants 5 the heraldic fleur-de-lis, as in the royal arms of France •adj. 1 designating a family (Liliaceae, order Liliales) of monocotyledonous plants, including the tulips, hyacinths, onions, and asparagus 2 like a lily, as in whiteness, delicacy, purity, etc. gild the lily to attempt vain improvements on something that is already excellent or perfect [ME lilie < OE < L lilium]
lily of the valley pl. lilies of the valley a perennial plant (Convallaria majalis) of the lily family, that grows in the shade and has a single pair of basal, oblong leaves and a single leafless raceme of very fragrant, small, white, bell-shaped flowers [transl. of LL(Ec) lilium convallium in S. of Sol. 2:1 (Vulg)]
lily pad one of the large, flat, floating leaves of the waterlily
lily-livered (lil´i: liv'эrd) •adj. cowardly; timid [first recorded in Shakespeare's Macbeth, V, iii]
lily-white (-hwait´, -wait´) •adj. 1 white as a lily 2 innocent and pure; unsullied: often used sarcastically Æ 3 practicing discrimination against, or segregation of, nonwhites, esp. blacks
LIM linear (induction) motor
Lima (li:´mэ; for 2, lai´-) 1 capital of Peru, in the WC part: pop. 5,257,000 2 city in NW Ohio: pop. 46,000 [after Lima, Peru]
lima bean (lai´mэ) [also L- b-] 1 a common variety of bean (Phaseolus limensis), with creamy flowers and broad pods 2 the broad, flat, nutritious seed of this plant [after LIMA, Peru: from being native to tropical America]
limacine (lim´э sain', lai´mэ-; -sin) •adj. of or like slugs or shell-less snails Also li·mac·i·form (lai mæs´э förm') [ModL limacinus < L limax (gen. limacis), a slug < IE *leimāk, snail (> Gr leimax) < base *(s)lei-, SLIME]
limb¹ (lim) •n. 1 an arm, leg, or wing 2 a large branch of a tree 3 any projecting part forming an outgrowth or extension from a larger body 4 a person or thing regarded as a branch, part, agent, or representative {a policeman is a limb of the law} 5 [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] a naughty child •vt. [Rare] to dismember; disjoint Æ out on a limb [Colloq.] in a precarious or vulnerable position or situation limb´less •adj. [with unhistoric -b < ME lim < OE, akin to ON limr, limb < IE base *(e)lei-, to bend > EL(BOW)]
limb² (lim) •n. 1 a border, margin, or edge 2 Astron. the apparent outer edge of a celestial object 3 Bot. the spreading outer portion of the corolla of certain flowers [Fr limbe, orig., limbo < ML(Ec) limbus < L: see LIMBO]
limbate (lim´beit') •adj. having a distinct border or edging, as of a color different from the main part of a plant [LL limbatus < L limbus: see LIMBO]
limbed (limd) •adj. having (a specified number or kind of) limbs {straight-limbed, four-limbed}
limber¹ (lim´bэr) •adj. 1 easily bent; flexible; pliant 2 able to bend the body easily; supple; lithe •vt. to make limber {to limber the fingers} •vi. to make oneself limber, as by exercises: usually with up lim´ber·ness •n. [< ? LIMB¹]
limber² (lim´bэr) •n. the two-wheeled, detachable front part of a gun carriage, usually supporting an ammunition chest •vt., vi. to attach the limber to (a gun carriage), as in preparing to move off: often with up [ME lymour < ? ML limonarius, of the shaft of a cart < limo, shaft < ?]
limbers (lim´bэrz) •n.pl. Naut. holes in the lower part of a vessel's frames to allow bilge water to drain to the pump [prob. < Fr lumière, a hole, aperture, lit., light < VL luminaria, orig. pl. of L luminare, a light, window: see LUMINARY]
limbic system a primitive part of the brain near the brain stem thought to control emotions, behavior, smell, etc.
limbo (lim´bou') pl. -bos' •n. a dance, originated in the West Indies, in which the dancers bend from the knees as far back as possible to pass beneath a bar that is put lower and lower [prob. altered < LIMBER¹] Limbo (lim´bou') [often l-] in some Christian theologies, the eternal abode or state, neither heaven nor hell, of the souls of infants or others dying in original sin but free of grievous personal sin, or, before the coming of Christ, the temporary abode or state of all holy souls after death •n. pl. -bos' [l-] 1 any intermediate, indeterminate state or condition 2 a place or condition of confinement, neglect, or oblivion [ME < L, abl. of limbus, edge, border (in in limbo, in or on the border) < IE *(s)lemb-, to hand down: see LIMP¹]
Limburg (lim´børg') 1 province of NE Belgium: 930 sq. mi. (2,408 sq. km); pop. 730,000; cap. Hasselt: also Lim´bourg (Fr læñ bu:ř´) 2 province of SE Netherlands: 837 sq. mi. (2,169 sq. km); pop. 1,085,000; cap. Maastricht 3 former duchy occupying the general area of these two provinces
Limburger (cheese) (lim´børg'эr) a semisoft cheese of whole milk, with a strong odor and flavor, made originally in Limburg, Belgium Also Lim´burg' (cheese)
limbus (lim´bэs) pl. -bi' (-bai') •n. a distinct border or edging, often of a contrasting color, as of a body organ [L: see LIMBO]
lime burner a person who burns limestone, shells, etc. to make lime
lime sulfur solution made by boiling together sulfur, water, and lime: used as an insecticide and fungicide, esp. in the form of a spray
lime twig 1 a twig smeared with birdlime to snare birds 2 any kind of snare
lime¹ (laim) •n. 1 short for BIRDLIME 2 a white substance, calcium oxide, CaO, obtained by the action of heat on limestone, shells, and other material containing calcium carbonate, and used in making mortar and cement, and, when hydrated, in neutralizing acid soil 3 a calcareous deposit from water inside pipes, pans, etc. •vt. limed, lim´ing 1 to cement 2 to smear with birdlime 3 to catch with or as with birdlime 4 to apply lime to; treat with lime [ME < OE lim, akin to Ger leim < IE base *(s)lei-, SLIME, wet and sticky, to smooth over > Gr leios, smooth, L limus, slime, mud, linere, to smear, levis, smooth, OE lam, clay]
lime² (laim) •n. 1 a small, lemon-shaped, greenish-yellow citrus fruit with a juicy, sour pulp, rich in ascorbic acid 2 the small, thorny, semitropical citrus tree (Citrus aurantifolia) that it grows on, originally native to S Asia 3 greenish yellow •adj. 1 made with or of limes 2 having a flavor like that of limes 3 greenish-yellow [Fr < Prov limo < Ar līmah < līm, citrus fruit > LEMON]
lime³ (laim) •n. LINDEN [< earlier line < ME lind: see LINDEN]
limeade (laim´eid´) •n. a drink made of lime juice, sweetening, and water
Limehouse (laim´haus') district in the E London borough of Tower Hamlets, on the Thames: former Chinese quarter
limekiln (laim´kil', -kiln') •n. a furnace in which limestone, shells, etc. are reduced to lime by burning
limelight (-lait') •n. 1 a brilliant light created by the incandescence of lime, formerly used in theaters to throw an intense beam of light upon a particular part of the stage, a certain actor, etc. 2 the part of a stage where a limelight or spotlight is cast 3 a prominent or conspicuous position before the public
limen (lai´mэn) pl. li´mens or lim·i·na (lim´i nэ) •n. Physiol., Psychol. THRESHOLD [L limen (gen. liminis), threshold, akin to limes, border, frontier: used as transl. of Ger schwelle]
Limerick (lim´эr ik, lim´rik) 1 county in SW Ireland, in Munster province: 1,037 sq. mi. (2,685 sq. km); pop. 101,000 2 its county seat: pop. 61,000 limerick (lim´эr ik, lim´rik) •n. a nonsense poem of five anapestic lines, now often bawdy, usually with the rhyme scheme aabba, the first, second, and fifth lines having three stresses, the third and fourth having two: the form was popularized by Edward Lear (Ex.: There was a young lady named Harris, / Whom nothing could ever embarrass / Till the bath salts one day / In the tub where she lay / Turned out to be plaster of Paris) [prob. < Ir refrain containing the name]
limestone (laim´stoun') •n. rock consisting mainly of calcium carbonate, often composed of the organic remains of sea animals, as mollusks, corals, etc., and used as building stone, a source of lime, etc.: when crystallized by heat and pressure it becomes marble
limewater (laim´wöt'er) •n. a solution of calcium hydroxide in water, used to neutralize acids and to absorb carbon dioxide from the air
limey (laim´i:) •n. [Slang] 1 an English sailor or, sometimes, soldier 2 any Englishman •adj. [Slang] British [from the LIME² juice formerly served to the crew on British ships to prevent scurvy]
limicoline (lai mik´э lain', -lin) •adj. inhabiting the shore; specif., designating or of a shorebird [< LL limicola, mud dweller < L limus, mud (see LIME¹) + colere, to dwell (see CULT) + -INE¹]
limicolous (-lэs) •adj. living in mud [< L limicola (see LIMICOLINE) + -OUS]
liminal (lim´i nэl, lai´mi-) •adj. 1 Physiol., Psychol. of or at the limen, or threshold 2 at a point where one perception or condition blends or crosses over into another
limit (lim´it) •n. 1 the point, line, or edge where something ends or must end; boundary or border beyond which something ceases to be or to be possible 2 [pl.] bounds; boundary lines 3 the greatest number or amount allowed {to catch the limit for a day of trout fishing} 4 the maximum amount which may be bet, or by which a bet may be raised, at one time, as in poker 5 Math. a fixed quantity or value which a varying quantity is regarded as approaching indefinitely •vt. to confine within bounds; set a limit to; restrict; curb [ME limiten < OFr limiter < L limitare] the limit Æ [Colloq.] any person or thing regarded as unbearable, remarkable, etc. to an extreme degree lim´it·a·ble •adj. lim´it·er •n. SYN.—limit implies the prescribing of a point in space, time, or extent, beyond which it is impossible or forbidden to go [limit your slogan to 25 words]; bound implies an enclosing in boundaries or borders [a meadow bounded by hills]; restrict implies a boundary that completely encloses and connotes a restraining within these bounds [the soldier was restricted to the camp area]; circumscribe emphasizes more strongly the cutting off or isolation of that which is within the bounds [he leads the circumscribed life of a monk]; confine stresses the restraint or hampering of enclosing limits [confined in jail] —ANT. widen, expand [OFr limite < L limes (gen. limitis), border, frontier]
limitary (lim´i ter'i:) •adj. 1 serving as a limit or boundary 2 [Now Rare] limited; restricted [L limitaris]
limitation (lim'i tei´shэn) •n. 1 a limiting or being limited 2 something that limits, as some factor in makeup which restricts the scope of a person's activity or accomplishment; qualification 3 Law a period of time, fixed by statute, during which legal action can be brought, as for settling a claim [ME limitacioun < OFr limitacion < L limitatio]
limitative (lim´i teit'iv) •adj. limiting; restrictive [Fr limitatif < ML limitativus]
limited (lim´it id) •adj. 1 a) confined within bounds; restricted b) circumscribed or narrow in scope or extent c) brief; very short {a limited time} Æ 2 accommodating a restricted number of passengers, making fewer stops than on the regular runs, and often charging extra fare: said of a train, bus, etc. 3 exercising governmental powers under constitutional restrictions; not having absolute power {a limited monarch} 4 a) of or designating a partnership in which the liability of certain of its partners is limited to the amount of their individual investments b) [Chiefly Brit.] designating a company in which the liability of its shareholders is similarly restricted Æ n. a limited train, bus, etc. lim´it·ed·ly •adv. lim´it·ed·ness •n.
limited access highway EXPRESSWAY
limited edition 1 a special, finely bound edition of a book, of which only a predetermined number of copies are printed Æ 2 a collector's item, as a doll, plate, coin, etc., of which only a given number are made
limiting (lim´it iŋ) •adj. 1 that limits 2 Gram. designating or of any of a class of adjectives that limit or specify the range of application of the noun modified (Ex.: this, several, any)
limiting factor an environmental factor that limits the growth or activities of an organism or that restricts the size of a population or its geographical range
limitless (-lis) •adj. without limits; unbounded; vast; infinite lim´it·less·ly •adv. lim´it·less·ness •n.
limivorous (lai miv´э rэs) •adj. eating mud or earth for the organic matter in it, as earthworms do [< L limus, mud, slime (see LIME¹) + -VOROUS]
limn (lim) limned, limn·ing (lim´iŋ, -niŋ) •vt. 1 to paint or draw 2 to portray in words; describe 3 [Obs.] to illuminate (manuscripts) limn·er (lim´эr, -nэr) •n. [ME limnen, contr. < luminen, for enluminen < OFr enluminer < L illuminare, ILLUMINATE]
limnetic (lim net´ik) •adj. designating, of, or living in the open waters of lakes, away from shore vegetation [< Gr limnē, marsh (see LIMNOLOGY) + E -etic < L or Gr: L -eticus < Gr -etikos, adj. suffix]
limnology (lim näl´э ji:) •n. the science that deals with the physical, chemical, and biological properties and features of fresh waters, esp. lakes and ponds lim'no·log´i·cal (-nэ läj´i kэl) •adj. lim·nol´o·gist •n. [< Gr limnē, marsh, akin to leimōn (see LIMONITE) + -LOGY]
limo (lim´ou) pl. lim´os •n. [Colloq.] LIMOUSINE
Limoges (li: mouzh´; Fr li: môzh´) city in WC France: pop. 144,000 •n. fine porcelain made there: also Limoges ware
limonene (lim´э ni:n') •n. any of three isomeric terpenes, C10H16, present in many plant products such as lemon peel, orange oil, pine needles, peppermint, etc. [< ModL Limonum (< Fr limon, LEMON) + -ENE]
limonite (lai´mэ nait') •n. a brownish, hydrous ferric oxide consisting of several minerals: an important ore of iron li'mo·nit´ic (-nit´ik) •adj. [< Gr leimōn, meadow, orig., low ground (for IE base see LIMB¹) + -ITE¹]
Limousin (li: mu: zæñ´) 1 historical region of WC France, west of Auvergne 2 metropolitan region of modern France in the same general area: 6,541 sq. mi. (16,942 sq. km); pop. 738,000; chief city, Limoges
limousine (lim'э zi:n´, lim´э zi:n') •n. 1 a former kind of automobile with a closed compartment seating three or more passengers and the top extended forward over the driver's seat 2 any large, luxurious sedan, esp. one driven by a chauffeur and with a glass partition separating the driver and passengers Æ 3 a buslike sedan used to carry passengers to or from an airport, train station, etc. [Fr, lit., cloak, cape: from the costume worn in prec.]
limp¹ (limp) •vi. 1 to walk with or as with a lame or partially disabled leg 2 to move or proceed unevenly, jerkily, or laboriously, as because of being impaired, defective, damaged, etc. •n. a halt or lameness in walking limp´er •n. limp´ing·ly •adv. [ME lympen < OE limpan, to befall, occur (in a specialized sense, to walk lamely), akin to MHG limpfen, to walk with a limp, OHG limfan, to befall, happen < IE *(s)lemb- < base *leb-, to hang down, be limp > SLUMP, MHG lumpe, rag, L labor, limbus]
limp² (limp) •adj. 1 lacking or having lost stiffness or body; flaccid, drooping, wilted, etc. 2 lacking firmness, energy, or vigor 3 flexible, as the binding of some books limp´ly •adv. limp´ness •n. [< base of prec., akin to MHG lampen, to hang limply]
limpet (limp´it) •n. a gastropod mollusk of various families, mostly marine, with a single, low, cone-shaped shell and a thick, fleshy foot, by means of which it clings to rocks, timbers, etc. [ME lempet < OE lempedu < ML lempreda, limpet, LAMPREY]
limpid (lim´pid) •adj. 1 perfectly clear; transparent; not cloudy or turbid {limpid waters} 2 clear and simple {limpid prose} lim·pid´i·ty or lim´pid·ness •n. lim´pid·ly •adv. [Fr limpide < L limpidus, altered (? from liquidus, LIQUID) < OL limpa, lumpa, water: see LYMPH]
limpkin (limp´kin) •n. a gruiform bird (Aramus guarauna) of a family (Aramidae) with only one species, found in Florida, Central America, the West Indies, and South America [LIMP¹ + -KIN: from its walk]
Limpopo (lim pou´pou) river in SE Africa, flowing from Transvaal, South Africa across Mozambique into the Indian Ocean: c. 1,000 mi. (1,609 km)
limpsy or limpsey (limp´si:) -si·er, -si·est •adj. [Dial.] limp, as from exhaustion or weakness
limulus (lim´yu: lэs) pl. -li' (-lai') •n. HORSESHOE CRAB [ModL < L limulus, dim. of limus, oblique + -OID]
limy (laim´i:) lim´i·er, lim´i·est •adj. 1 covered with, consisting of, or like birdlime; sticky 2 of, like, or containing lime lim´i·ness •n.
linac (lain´æk') •n. short for LINEAR ACCELERATOR
linage (lain´ij) •n. 1 the number of written or printed lines on a page or in an article, advertisement, etc. 2 payment based on the number of lines produced by a writer
linalool (lin æl´ou öl', -æl´э oul'; lin'э lu:l´) •n. a terpene alcohol, C10H17OH, in several essential oils, used in perfumery [< MexSp linaloa, an aromatic Mexican wood (< Sp lináloe < ML lignum aloës: see LIGNALOES) + -OL¹]
linchpin (linch´pin') •n. 1 a pin that goes through the end of an axle outside the wheel to keep the wheel from coming off 2 anything serving to hold together the parts of a whole [ME lynspin < lyns (< OE lynis, linchpin, akin to Ger lünse < IE base *(e)lei- to bend > ELL², Sans āníh, linchpin) + pin, PIN]
Lincoln (liŋ´kэn) 1 capital of Nebr., in the SE part: pop. 192,000 [after Pres. Lincoln] 2 LINCOLNSHIRE 3 city in Lincolnshire, England: pop. 78,000 •n. a breed of sheep with long wool: orig. from Lincolnshire Lincoln (liŋ´kэn), Abraham 1809-65; 16th president of the U.S. (1861-65): assassinated Æ Lin·coln·esque (liŋ'kэn esk´) •adj. Æ Lin·coln·i·an (liŋ kou´ni: эn) •adj.
Lincoln Park city in SE Mich.: pop. 42,000 [after Pres. Lincoln]
Lincolniana (liŋ koun'i: æn´э, -än´э) •n.pl. books, papers, objects, etc. having to do with Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln's Inn see INNS OF COURT
Lincolnshire (liŋ´kэn shir', -shэr) county in NE England, on the North Sea: 2,272 sq. mi. (5,885 sq. km); pop. 556,000
lincomycin (liŋ'kou mai´sin) •n. an antibiotic drug, C18H34N2O6S, used in the treatment of various bacterial diseases, esp. those resistant to penicillin or those involving an allergy to penicillin [(Streptomyces lincoln(ensis), the bacteria from which derived (isolated from a soil sample collected near LINCOLN, Nebr.) + MYC- + -IN¹]
Lind (lind), Jenny (born Johanna Maria Lind; Mme. Otto Goldschmidt) 1820-87; Swed. soprano: called the Swedish Nightingale
Linda (lin´dэ) a feminine name: see BELINDA
lindane (lin´dein') •n. an isomeric form of benzene hexachloride, used as an insecticide [after T. van der Linden, 20th-c. Du chemist + -ANE]
Lindbergh (lind´børg'), Charles Augustus 1902-74; U.S. aviator: made first nonstop solo flight from New York to Paris (1927)
linden (lin´dэn) •n. BASSWOOD •adj. designating a family (Tiliaceae) of chiefly tropical, dicotyledonous trees (order Malvales), including the jutes [ME, adj. < OE < lind, linden, akin to Ger linde: popularized as n. via Ger linden, pl. of linde: prob. < IE base *lento-, flexible, yielding > LITHE]
Lindsay (lind´zi:) 1 a feminine name: also Lind´sey 2 (Nicholas) Va·chel (vei´chэl) 1879-1931; U.S. poet
Lindy (Hop) (lin´di:) [also l- h-] a lively dance for couples, popular in the early 1930's [after C. A. Lindbergh's (Lindy's) transatlantic hop]
line breeding the producing of desired characteristics in animals by inbreeding through several successive generations line´-breed', -bred', -breed'ing, •vt.
line drawing a drawing done entirely in lines, from which a cut (line cut) can be photoengraved for printing
line drive Baseball a hard-hit ball that travels close to, and nearly parallel with, the ground
line engraving 1 a kind of engraving in which the effect is produced by lines of varying thickness and nearness to each other 2 a plate engraved in this way 3 a print from such a plate
Line Islands (lain) group of coral atolls of Kiribati in the central Pacific, south of Hawaii, formerly divided between the U.S. and Great Britain
line judge 1 Football an official who watches for illegal shifts or motions and who keeps the official time of the game 2 Tennis LINESMAN
line of battle troops, ships, etc. drawn up to fight
line of credit 1 a declaration by a bank that it will extend credit to a borrower up to a specified maximum amount 2 the maximum amount so specified
line of fire 1 the course of a bullet, shell, etc. that has been, or is to be, fired 2 a position open to attack of any kind
line of force a line in a field of electrical or magnetic force that indicates the direction taken by the force at any point
line of scrimmage Football an imaginary line, parallel to the goal lines, on which the ball rests at the start of each play and on either side of which the teams line up
line of sight 1 an imaginary straight line joining the center of the eye of the observer with the object viewed 2 Radio, TV the straight path from a transmitting antenna to the horizon, representing the normal range of high-frequency wave propagation Also line of vision
line officer 1 Mil. a commissioned officer in charge of combat troops Æ 2 U.S. Navy a commissioned officer eligible to command a ship at sea
line printer a high-speed computer printer that prints an entire line at a time, rather than single characters
line squall a strong sudden wind along a line of windstorms or thunderstorms
line storm EQUINOCTIAL (n. 2)
line¹ (lain) •n. 1 a) a cord, rope, wire, string, or the like b) a long, fine, strong cord with a hook, sinker, leader, etc. used in fishing c) a clothesline d) a cord, steel tape, etc. used in measuring or leveling e) a rope, hawser, or cable used on a ship f) a rein (usually used in pl.) Æ 2 a) a wire or wires connecting a telephone or telegraph system b) a system of such wires c) effective contact between telephones d) a telephone extension {call me on line 9} 3 any wire, pipe, system of pipes or wires, etc. for conducting water, gas, electricity, etc. 4 a very thin, threadlike mark; specif., a) a long, thin mark made by a pencil, pen, chalk, etc. b) a similar mark cut in a hard surface, as by engraving c) a thin crease in the palm or on the face 5 a mark made on the ground in certain sports; specif., a) any of the straight, narrow marks dividing or bounding a football field, tennis court, etc. (often used in combination) {sideline} b) a mark indicating a starting point, a limit not to be crossed, or a point which must be reached or passed Æ 6 a border or boundary {the State line} 7 a division between conditions, qualities, classes, etc.; limit; demarcation 8 [pl.] outline; contour; lineament {built along modern lines} 9 [pl.] [Archaic] lot in life; one's fate 10 [usually pl.] a plan of construction; plan of making or doing 11 a row or series of persons or things of a particular kind; specif., a) a row of written or printed characters extending across or part way across a page b) a single row of words or characters making up a unit of poetry, often of a specified number of feet Æ c) a row of persons waiting in turn to buy something, enter a theater, etc.; queue d) an assembly line or a similar arrangement for the packing, shipping, etc. of merchandise 12 a connected series of persons or things following each other in time or place; succession {a line of Democratic presidents} 13 LINEAGE¹ 14 the descendants of a common ancestor or of a particular breed Æ 15 a) a transportation system or service consisting of regular trips by buses, ships, etc. between two or more points Æ b) a company operating such a system c) one branch or division of such a system {the main line of a railroad} d) a single track of a railroad 16 the course or direction anything moving takes; path {the line of fire} 17 a) a course of conduct, action, explanation, etc. {the line of an argument} b) a course of movement 18 a person's trade or occupation {what's his line?} Æ 19 a stock of goods of a particular type considered with reference to quality, quantity, variety, etc. 20 a) the field of one's special knowledge, interest, or ability b) a source or piece of information {a line on a bargain} 21 a short letter, note, or card {drop me a line} 22 [pl.] all the speeches in a play; esp., the speeches of any single character 23 [Colloq.] persuasive or flattering talk that is insincere 24 [Slang] a small quantity of cocaine sniffed at one time 25 [pl.] [Chiefly Brit.] a marriage certificate: in full marriage lines 26 Bridge the horizontal line on a score sheet below which are recorded points that count toward a game and above which, all other points Æ 27 Football a) short for LINE OF SCRIMMAGE b) the players arranged in a row on either side of the line of scrimmage at the start of each play 28 Geog. an imaginary circle of the earth or of the celestial sphere, as the equator or the equinoctial circle 29 Hockey the two wings and the center playing together 30 Math. a) the path of a moving point, thought of as having length but not breadth, whether straight or curved b) such a path when considered perfectly straight 31 Mil. a) a formation of ships, troops, etc. in which elements are abreast of each other b) the area or position in closest contact with the enemy during combat c) the troops in this area d) the officers in immediate command of fighting ships or combat troops Æ e) the combatant branches of the army as distinguished from the supporting branches and the staff 32 Music any of the long parallel marks forming the staff 33 TV a scanning line •vt. lined, lin´ing 1 to mark with lines 2 to draw or trace with or as with lines 3 to bring or cause to come into a straight row or into conformity; bring into alignment: often with up 4 to form a line along {elms line the streets} 5 to place objects along the edge of {line the walk with flowers} Æ 6 Baseball to hit (a pitched ball) in a line drive •vi. 1 to form a line: usually with up Æ 2 Baseball to hit a line drive all along the line 1 everywhere 2 at every turn of events bring (or come or get) into line to bring (or come or cause to come) into a straight row or into conformity; bring or come into alignment down the line completely; entirely draw the (or a) line to set a limit Æ get a line on [Colloq.] to find out about hard lines [Brit. Slang] misfortune; bad luck Æ hit the line 1 Football to try to carry the ball through the opposing line 2 to try boldly or firmly to do something hold the line to stand firm; not permit a breakthrough or retreat: often used figuratively in line 1 in a straight row; in alignment 2 in agreement or conformity 3 behaving properly or as required in line for being considered for in line of duty in the performance of authorized or prescribed military duty lay (or put) it on the line 1 to put up or pay money; pay up 2 to speak frankly and in detail 3 to stake (one's reputation, etc.) on something: usually with the object of the verb explicitly stated line out Æ 1 Baseball to be put out by hitting a line drive that is caught by a fielder 2 to sing or utter forcefully, loudly, or emphatically {to line out a song} line up 1 to form a line 2 to bring into a line 3 to organize effectively, secure a pledge of support from, etc. 4 to take a position (against a competitor or rival) on a line in the same plane; level on line in or into active use or production {the new plant came on line this year} out of line 1 not in a straight line; not in alignment 2 not in agreement or conformity 3 impertinent, insubordinate, etc. read between the lines to discover a hidden meaning or purpose in something written, said, or done lin´a·ble or line´a·ble •adj. [ME merging OE, a cord, with OFr ligne (both < L linea, lit., linen thread, n. use of fem. of lineus, of flax < linum, flax)]
line² (lain) lined, lin´ing •vt. 1 to put a layer or lining of a different material on the inside of 2 to be used as a lining in {cloth lined the trunk} 3 to fill; stuff: now chiefly in line one's pockets, to make money, esp. greedily or unethically [ME lynen < lin, long-fiber flax, linen cloth < OE, ult. < L linum, flax: from use of linen to line clothes]
lineage¹ (lin´i: ij) •n. 1 direct descent from an ancestor 2 ancestry; family; stock 3 descendants from a common ancestor [ME linage < OFr lignage < ligne: see LINE¹]
lineage² (lain´ij) •n. LINAGE
lineal (lin´i: эl) •adj. 1 in the direct line of descent from an ancestor 2 hereditary 3 of or composed of lines; linear lin'e·al´i·ty (-æl´э ti:) •n. lin´e·al·ly •adv. [OFr linéal < LL linealis < L linea: see LINE¹]
lineament (lin´i: э mэnt) •n. 1 any of the features of the body, usually of the face, esp. with regard to its outline 2 a distinctive feature or characteristic 3 any extensive, linear surface feature on a planet, as a fault line, that indicates the nature of the underlying crust Usually used in pl. lin´e·a·men´tal •adj. [ME liniamente < L lineamentum < lineare, to fashion to a straight line < linea, LINE¹]
linear (lin´i: эr) •adj. 1 of or relating to a line or lines 2 made of or using lines {linear design} 3 in relation to length only; extended in a line 4 designating or of a style of art in which forms are sharply delineated and line is emphasized over color, light and shadow, etc. 5 having an effect or giving a response directly proportional to stimulus, force, or input: used esp. of electronic devices 6 easy to comprehend because of being logical and not complex 7 narrow and uniform in width, as the leaves of grasses: see LEAF, illus. 8 Chem. having the basic structure of a straight chain 9 Math. of or involving terms of a linear equation lin´e·ar·ly •adv. [L linearis]
linear (induction) motor an electric motor that produces thrust in a direct line, as distinguished from the rotary motion produced by a rotary engine, by the interaction of a moving magnetic field and the current induced by the field
linear accelerator a high-energy accelerator in which charged particles are given electrostatic acceleration in a straight line at periodic intervals as they pass between metal tubes along the flight path
linear algebra the algebra of vectors and matrices, as distinct from the ordinary algebra of real numbers and the abstract algebra of unspecified entities
Linear B a Minoan syllabic script inscribed on clay tablets discovered on Crete, found to be an archaic form of Greek: Linear A is an earlier script also used in Minoan inscriptions
linear equation an algebraic equation whose variable quantity or quantities are in the first power only and whose graph is a straight line (Ex.: 2x + 3y - 5 = 0)
linear measure 1 measurement of length, as distinguished from volume, weight, etc. 2 a system of measuring length, in which 12 inches = 1 foot or one in which 100 centimeters = 1 meter: see MEASURE, table
linear perspective see PERSPECTIVE
linear programming Math. a procedure for minimizing or maximizing a linear function of several variables, subject to a finite number of linear restrictions on these variables
linearity (lin'i: ær´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality or state of being linear 2 Electronics a) the extent to which any signal modification process, as detection, is accomplished without amplitude distortion b) the fidelity with which a televised image is reproduced as determined by the extent to which there is a uniform distribution of the picture elements on the screen 3 Physics the extent to which any effect is exactly proportional to its cause
linearize (lin´i: эr aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to give a linear form to lin'e·ar·i·za´tion •n.
lineate (lin´i: it, -eit') •adj. having or marked with lines; streaked [L lineatus, pp. of lineare: see LINEAMENT]
lineation (lin'i: ei´shэn) •n. 1 a) a marking with lines b) a system or series of lines 2 a division into lines 3 parallelism in rock structures [ME lyneacion < L lineatio]
linebacker (lain´bæk'эr) •n. Football any of the players on defense stationed directly behind the line
lineman (lain´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a person who carries a surveying line, tape, or chain 2 a person whose work is setting up and repairing telephone lines, electric power lines, etc. Æ 3 Football one of the players in the line
linen (lin´эn) •n. 1 yarn, thread, or cloth made of flax 2 [often pl.] things made of linen, or of cotton, etc., as tablecloths, sheets, shirts, etc.: cf. BED LINEN, TABLE LINEN 3 fine stationery orig. made from linen rags •adj. 1 spun from flax {linen thread} 2 made of linen [ME < OE (akin to Ger leinen) < lin, flax: see LINE²]
linen closet a closet with shelves for sheets, towels, table linen, etc.
lineolate (lin´i: э leit') •adj. Biol. marked with fine, usually parallel, lines [ModL lineolatus < L lineola, dim. of linea: see LINE¹]
liner¹ (lain´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that traces lines or stripes Æ 2 a steamship, passenger airplane, etc. in regular service for a specific line Æ 3 LINE DRIVE 4 a cosmetic applied in a fine line, as along the eyelid or, in the theater, to accentuate a natural line in the face
liner² (lain´эr) •n. 1 a person who makes or attaches linings 2 a lining or something that suggests a lining by fitting inside something else {a helmet liner} Æ 3 the cover or jacket of a long-playing record, usually containing information (liner notes) on the back about the music, the performers, etc.
linesman (lainz´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 LINEMAN 2 Football an official who measures and marks the gains or losses in ground and determines where the ball goes out of bounds 3 Tennis an official who reports whether the ball is inside or outside the lines
lineup (lain´ûp') •n. an arrangement of persons or things in or as in a line; specif., a) a group lined up by police, one of whom a witness is to identify as a suspect b) a schedule of television programs c) Sports the list of a team's players arranged according to the positions they play, their order at bat, etc.
ling abbrev. linguistics
ling¹ (liŋ) pl. ling •n.or lings any of several edible gadoid fishes mostly of the N Atlantic [ME lenge, akin to MDu lange, ON langa < base of LONG¹: so named from its shape]
-ling¹ (liŋ) suffix forming nouns 1 small or young (person or thing specified) {duckling} 2 one related to a (specified) thing, esp. so as to seem unimportant or contemptible {hireling, earthling} [ME < OE, combining the bases of -LE + -ING]
ling² (liŋ) •n. HEATHER [ME < ON lyng < IE base *lenk-, to bend > -LING²]
-ling² (liŋ) suffix forming adverbs [Now Chiefly Dial.] in a (specified) manner, condition, or direction; to a (specified) extent {darkling} [ME -linge < OE -ling, -lang < IE base *lenk-, to bend > Latvian lùnkans, flexible]
Lingala (liŋ gä´lэ) •n. a Bantu language used as a lingua franca in the western part of Zaire
lingam (liŋ´gэm) •n. the phallic symbol used in the worship of the Hindu god Siva: cf. YONI Also lin´ga [Sans, lit., token, symbol]
lingcod (liŋ´käd') pl. -cod' •n.or -cods' Æ a large greenling fish (Ophiodon elongatus) of the N Pacific [LING¹ + COD¹]
linger (liŋ´gэr) •vi. 1 to continue to stay, esp. through reluctance to leave {lingering at the door} 2 to continue to live or exist although very close to death or the end 3 to be unnecessarily slow in doing something; delay; loiter •vt. to spend (time) idly, slowly, etc. SYN. STAY³ lin´ger·er •n. lin´ger·ing •adj. lin´ger·ing·ly •adv. [North ME lengeren, freq. of lengen, to delay, stay < OE lengan, to lengthen, delay < base of lang, LONG¹]
lingerie (Fr læñzh ři:´; E læn'zhэ ri:´, -jэ-; commonly län'zhэ rei´, lön'-) •n. 1 [Obs.] articles made of linen 2 women's underwear and night clothes of silk, nylon, lace, etc. [Fr < linge, linen < L lineus, linen < linum, flax, linen]
lingo (liŋ´gou') pl. -goes' •n. [Colloq.] language; esp., a dialect, jargon, or special vocabulary that one is not familiar with: a humorous or disparaging term {the lingo of the doctors} SYN. DIALECT [Prov lingo, lengo < L lingua, tongue: see LANGUAGE]
lingonberry (liŋ´эn ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. COWBERRY [< Swed lingon, lingonberry (akin to ON lyng, heather: see LING²) + BERRY]
lingua (liŋ´gwэ) pl. -guae (-gwi:) •n. a tongue or an organ resembling a tongue, as the proboscis of a butterfly or moth [L: see LANGUAGE]
lingua franca (liŋ´gwэ fræŋ´kэ) pl. lin´gua fran´cas or lin·guae fran·cae (liŋ´gwi: fræn´si:) 1 a hybrid language of Italian, Spanish, French, Greek, Arabic, and Turkish elements, spoken, esp. formerly, in certain Mediterranean ports 2 any hybrid language used for communication between different peoples, as pidgin English 3 something that is like a common language [It, lit., Frankish language]
lingual (liŋ´gwэl) •adj. 1 of the tongue 2 of language or languages 3 Phonet. articulated with the tongue, as (l) and (t): not widely used as a technical term •n. Phonet. a lingual sound: not widely used as a technical term lin´gual·ly •adv. [ME < ML lingualis < L lingua: see LANGUAGE]
linguiform (liŋ´gwэ förm') •adj. shaped like a tongue [< L lingua (see LANGUAGE) + -FORM]
linguine (liŋ gwi:´ni:) •n. pasta in thin, flat, narrow strips, often served with seafood sauces Also sp. lin·gui´ni (-ni:) [altered < It linguini, pl. of linguina, dim. of lingua, tongue (< L: see LANGUAGE)]
linguist (liŋ´gwist) •n. 1 a specialist in linguistics: cf. PHILOLOGIST 2 loosely, POLYGLOT (n. 1) [< L lingua (see LANGUAGE) + -IST]
linguistic (liŋ gwis´tik) •adj. 1 of language 2 of linguistics lin·guis´ti·cal·ly •adv.
linguistic atlas a bound collection of maps charting the geographical distribution of linguistic forms and usages
linguistic form a meaningful unit of speech, as a morpheme, word, phrase, sentence, etc.
linguistic geography the branch of linguistics studying the geographical distribution of linguistic forms and usages linguistic geographer
linguistic stock 1 a parent language and all the languages and dialects derived from it 2 all the native speakers of any of these languages or dialects
linguistics (liŋ gwis´tiks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] 1 the science of language, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics: sometimes subdivided into descriptive, historical, comparative, theoretical, and geographical linguistics: often general linguistics 2 the study of the structure, development, etc. of a particular language and its relationship to other languages {English linguistics} [< LINGUISTIC]
lingulate (liŋ´gyu: lit, -leit') •adj. shaped like a tongue; linguiform [L lingulatus < lingula, dim. of lingua, the tongue: see LANGUAGE]
liniment (lin´э mэnt) •n. a medicated liquid to be rubbed on the skin for soothing sore, sprained, or inflamed areas [ME lynyment < LL linimentum < L linere, to smear: see LIME¹]
linin (lai´nin) •n. the achromatic substance constituting the netlike structure that connects the granules of chromatin in the nucleus of a cell [< L linum, flax + -IN¹]
lining (lain´iŋ) •n. 1 the act or process of covering the inner surface of something 2 the material used or suitable for this purpose [see LINE² & -ING]
link motion a valve gear that reverses the motion in steam engines: it operates by a slotted bar linked with the eccentric rods
link¹ (liŋk) •n. 1 any of the series of rings or loops making up a chain 2 a) a section of something resembling a chain {a link of sausage} b) a point or stage in a series of circumstances {a weak link in the evidence} 3 CUFF LINK 4 anything serving to connect or tie {a link with the past} 5 a) one division (¹/100) of a surveyor's, or Gunter's, chain, equal to 7.92 inches (20.12 centimeters) b) ¹/100 of an engineer's chain, equal to 1 foot (3.048 meters) 6 Chem. BOND¹ (sense 8) 7 Elec. the part of a fuse that melts when the current becomes too strong 8 Mech. a short connecting rod for transmitting power or motion 9 Radio, TV a radio unit for transmitting sound or picture between specific stations •vt., vi. to join together with or as with a link or links SYN. JOIN link´er •n. [ME linke < Scand, as in ON hlekkr, Dan lænke, Swed länk, in same senses, akin to OE hlence, link of a chain, coat of mail < base of hlencan, to twist < IE base *kleng-, to bend, wind > LANK]
link² (liŋk) •n. a torch made of tow and pitch [prob. < ML linchinus, var. of lichinus, a lamp < L lychnus, a light < Gr lychnos, a lamp < IE *luksnos < base *leuk-, to shine, LIGHT¹]
linkage (liŋk´ij) •n. 1 a linking or being linked 2 a series or system of links, slides, cranks, wheels, or gears for transmitting power or motion 3 Biol. the tendency of some genes to remain together and act as a unit (linkage group) in inheritance, generally in the same chromosome 4 Chem. a) BOND¹ (sense 8) b) the type of bonding between various atoms or groups in a molecule 5 Elec. the product of the number of lines of magnetic flux times the number of turns in the coil surrounding it
linkboy (liŋk´boi') •n. a boy or man formerly hired to carry a link, or torch, to light one's way at night Also link´man (-mэn), pl. -men (-mэn)
linking verb a verb that functions chiefly as a connection between a subject and a predicate complement (Ex.: be, appear, seem, become); copula
Linköping (lin´shö'piŋ) city in SE Sweden: pop. 116,000
links (liŋks) •n.pl. 1 [Scot.] a stretch of rolling, sandy land, esp. along a seashore 2 GOLF COURSE [OE hlincas, pl. of hlinc, a slope, akin to hlence: see LINK¹]
linkup (liŋk´ûp') •n. a joining together of two objects, factions, interests, etc.
linkwork (liŋk´wørk') •n. 1 anything made in links, as a chain 2 a gear system operating by links
Linlithgow (lin liθ´gou) old name of WEST LOTHIAN
linn (lin) •n. 1 [Scot.] a waterfall or a pool of water at its base 2 a steep ravine [< OE hlynn, torrent, confused with Gael linne, a pond: orig., noise, roar < hlynnan, to resound < IE *k(e)len- < base *kel-, to cry out > L clamor]
Linnaean or Linnean (li ni:´эn) •adj. of Linnaeus; esp., designating or of his system of classifying plants and animals by using a double name, the first word naming the genus, and the second the species
Linnaeus (li ni:´эs), Car·o·lus (kær´э lэs) (Latinized form of Karl von Linné) 1707-78; Swed. botanist: considered the founder of the binomial nomenclature that is the basis of modern taxonomy
linnet (lin´it) •n. either of two small, variously colored finches, an Old World species (Acanthis cannabina) or a New World species (Carpodacus mexicanus) [ME linet < OFr linette < lin, flax (< L linum): so called because it feeds on flaxseed]
lino (lai´nou) •n. [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] short for LINOLEUM
linocut (lai´nou kût', -nэ-) •n. 1 a design cut into the surface of a block of linoleum 2 a print made from this [LINO(LEUM) + CUT]
linoleate (li nou´li: eit') •n. a salt or ester of linoleic acid [< fol. + -ATE²]
linoleic acid (lin'ou li:´ik, li nou´li: ik) an unsaturated fatty acid, C18H32O2, found as a glyceryl ester in linseed oil and other fats and oils: used as a drying agent and in soaps, foods, etc. and considered essential in animal diets [< L linum, flax + OLEIC]
linolenate (lin'ou li:´næt', -len´eit') •n. a salt or ester of linolenic acid [< fol. + -ATE²]
linolenic acid (lin'ou li:´nik, -len´ik) an unsaturated fatty acid, C18H30O2, found as a glyceryl ester in fats and oils: used in drying oils, varnishes, resins, paints, etc. and considered essential in animal diets [< LINOL(EIC ACID) + -EN(E) + -IC]
linoleum (li nou´li: эm) •n. 1 a hard, smooth, washable floor covering, formerly much used, esp. in kitchens 2 any floor covering similar to linoleum [coined (1863) by F. Walton, Eng manufacturer < L linum, flax + oleum, OIL]
Linotype (lain´э taip') trademark for a typesetting machine that casts an entire line of type in one bar, or slug: it is operated from a keyboard •n. [often l-] 1 a machine of this kind 2 matter set in this way •vt., vi. -typed', -typ'ing [l-] to set (matter) with this machine li´no·typ'ist or li´no·typ'er •n. [< line of type]
linsang (lin´sæŋ') •n. any of several small, long-tailed, catlike carnivores (family Viverridae) found in the Old World tropics [Javanese linsan, wlinsan]
linseed (lin´si:d') •n. the seed of flax; flaxseed [ME linsed < OE linsæd < lin, flax (see LINE²) + sæd, SEED]
linseed oil a yellowish oil extracted from flaxseed, and used, because of its drying qualities, in making oil paints, printer's ink, linoleum, etc.
linsey-woolsey (lin´zi: wul´zi:) pl. -wool´seys •n. 1 a coarse cloth made of linen and wool or cotton and wool: also lin´sey 2 [Obs.] an incongruous mixture; jumble [ME linsy wolsye < lin, linen (see LINE²) + wolle, WOOL + jingling suffix]
linstock (lin´stäk') •n. a long stick formerly used to hold a lighted match for firing a cannon [altered (by assoc. with fol., used as tinder) < Du lontstok < lont, a match, lunt + stok, a stick]
lint (lint) •n. 1 scraped and softened linen formerly used as a dressing for wounds 2 cotton fiber used to make yarn 3 the waste cotton remaining after ginning 4 a) bits of thread, ravelings, or fluff from cloth or yarn b) this fluff caught by a removable screen in a clothes dryer •vi. to give off lint or fluff lint´less •adj. lint´y, lint´i·er, lint´i·est, •adj. [ME linnet, prob. < lin, linen: see LINE²]
lintel (lint´ªl) •n. the horizontal crosspiece over an opening, as a door, window, usually carrying the weight of the structure above it: see FRAME, illus. [OFr < VL *limitellus, for limitaris, altered (by assoc. with L limes, gen. limitis, border, frontier < L liminaris, of a threshold or lintel < limen: see LIMEN]
linter (lint´эr) •n. 1 a machine for removing the short, fuzzy fibers which remain stuck to cotton seeds after ginning 2 [pl.] these fibers, used in making cotton batting, guncotton, etc.
lintwhite (lint´hwait', -wait') •n. LINNET [ME lynkwhitte, altered < OE lynetuige, lit., flax-plucker < lin (see LINE²) + -twige < or akin to twiccian: see TWITCH]
liny (lain´i:) lin´i·er, lin´i·est •adj. 1 like a line; thin 2 marked with, or full of, lines or streaks
Linz (lints) city in N Austria, on the Danube: pop. 200,000
Linzer torte (lin´zэr tört') pl. Linzer tortes (törts) [sometimes l- t-] a rich pastry with a bottom crust and lattice top of a special ground-almond dough and a filling of raspberry jam Also Lin·zer·tor·te (lints´эř töř'tэ) pl. -tor'ten (-töř'tэn) •n.