le Football left end Le Bible Leviticus
-le (эl, ªl) suffix 1 forming verbs denoting repeated action, esp. of a small or trivial kind {babble, sparkle} [ME v. suffix -len < OE -lian] 2 forming nouns, orig. usually with a diminutive sense {icicle, thimble} [ME n. suffix -el, -le < OE -ol, -ul, -el] 3 forming adjectives, esp. from verb stems {brittle} [ME adj. suffix -el < OE -ol]
Le Corbusier (lэ köř bü zyei´) (pseud. of Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris) 1887-1965; Fr. architect, born in Switzerland Le Havre (lэ häv´rэ, häv´эr; Fr lэ å´vřª) seaport in NW France, on the English Channel: pop. 200,000
Le Mans (lэ mäñ´) city in W France: pop. 150,000
lea¹ (li:) •n. [Old Poet.] a meadow or grassy field [ME leye < OE leah, orig., open ground in a wood, akin to Du -loo (in Waterloo, Ger -loh, grove < IE base *leuk-, to light > LIGHT¹ & L lucus, grove, orig., clearing, glade]
lea² (li:) •n. a measure of yarn varying from 80 to 300 yards, according to the kind of yarn (usually 80 yards for wool, 120 yards for silk and cotton, 300 yards for linen) [ME lee, prob. taken as sing. of leese < OFr lesse: see LEASH]
leach¹ (li:ch) •vt. 1 to cause (a liquid) to filter down through some material 2 to subject to the washing action of a filtering liquid {wood ashes are leached to extract lye} 3 to extract (a soluble substance) from some material by causing water to filter down through the material {lye is leached from wood ashes} •vi. 1 to lose soluble matter as a result of the filtering through of water {soil that has leached badly} 2 to dissolve and be washed away •n. 1 the action of leaching 2 a sievelike container used in leaching 3 the solution obtained by leaching leach´a·ble •adj. leach´er •n. [prob. < OE leccan, to water, irrigate, orig. a caus. form of base akin to ON leka: see LEAK]
leach² (li:ch) alt. sp. of LEECH²
leachy (li:ch´i:) •adj. porous, as soil [LEACH¹ + -Y²]
Leacock (li:´käk'), Stephen (Butler) 1869-1944; Cdn. humorist & economist, born in England
lead acetate a poisonous, colorless, crystalline compound, Pb(C2H3O2)2·3H2O, used in making varnishes and paints
lead arsenate a very poisonous, colorless, crystalline compound, Pb3(AsO4)2, used as an insecticide or herbicide
lead colic a form of lead poisoning causing abdominal pain
lead glass glass that contains lead oxide
lead line (led) Naut. a line with a lead weight at one end, used for measuring the depth of water
lead pencil (led) a pencil consisting of a slender stick of graphite encased in wood, etc.
lead poisoning (led) an acute or chronic poisoning caused by the absorption of lead or any of its salts into the body: it may result in anemia, constipation, colic, paralysis, or muscular cramps
lead tetraethyl TETRAETHYL LEAD
lead time (li:d) Manufacturing the period of time required from the decision to make a product to the beginning of actual production
lead¹ (li:d) led, lead´ing •vt. 1 a) to show the way to, or direct the course of, by going before or along with; conduct; guide b) to show (the way) in this manner c) to mark the way for {lights to lead you there} 2 to guide, or cause to follow one, by physical contact, holding the hand, pulling a rope, etc. {to lead a horse by the bridle} 3 to conduct (water, steam, rope, etc.) in a certain direction, channel, or the like 4 a) to guide or direct, as by persuasion or influence, to a course of action or thought {to lead pupils to think clearly} b) to cause; prompt {trouble that led him to drink} 5 to be the head of; specif., a) to proceed at the front of (a parade, etc.) b) to act as chief officer of; command the operations of (a military unit) c) to direct operations of (an expedition, etc.) d) to direct, conduct, or serve as the leader or conductor of (an orchestra, ballet, etc.) 6 a) to be the first or foremost among; be at the head of {to lead one's class in grades} b) to be ahead of by a specified margin 7 a) to live; spend; pass {to lead a hard life} b) to cause to live or spend {to lead someone a dog's life} 8 to aim a rifle, throw a ball, etc. just ahead of (a moving target or receiver) 9 Card Games to begin the play with (a specified card or suit); lay down as the first card or suit of a hand or round •vi. 1 to show the way by going before or along; act as guide 2 to be led; submit to being led: said esp. of a horse 3 to be or form a way (to, from, under, etc.); tend in a certain direction; go 4 to come, or bring one, as a result: with to {one thing led to another, a cold can lead to pneumonia} 5 to be or go first; act as leader Æ 6 Boxing to aim a first blow or one designed to test an opponent's defense {to lead with a right jab} 7 Card Games to play the first card of a hand or round •n. 1 the part of director or leader; leadership {to take the lead in a project} 2 example {follow my lead} 3 a) first or front place; precedence {the horse in the lead} b) the amount or distance that one is ahead {to hold a safe lead} 4 LEASH (sense 1) 5 anything that leads or serves as a clue 6 a long, narrow, navigable passage in an ice pack or ice field 7 a) the most important news story, as in a newspaper or telecast b) the opening words or paragraph of a news story, containing all the essential facts of the story Æ 8 Baseball a position taken by a base runner a short distance from his or her base in the direction of the next Æ 9 Boxing the act of leading, or the blow used 10 Card Games the act or right of playing first, as in a hand, or the card or suit played 11 Elec. a wire carrying current from one point to another in a circuit, or to or from a piece of apparatus Æ 12 Mining a stratum of ore; lode, ledge, or vein 13 Music the leading part or main melody in a harmonic composition 14 Naut. the course of a rope 15 Theater a) the principal role, or a main role, in a play or other production b) the actor or actress who plays such a role •adj. acting as leader {the lead horse} lead off 1 to begin; start Æ 2 Baseball to be the first batter in the lineup or of an INNING (sense 2a) lead on 1 to conduct further 2 to lure or tempt lead someone a merry chase (or dance) to cause someone trouble by luring into a vain pursuit lead up to 1 to prepare the way for 2 to approach (a subject) in a subtle or indirect way lead with one's chin [Colloq.] to act so imprudently as to invite disaster [ME leden < OE lædan, caus. of lithan, to travel, go, akin to Ger leiten: for IE base see LOAD]
lead² (led) •n. 1 a heavy, soft, malleable, bluish-gray metallic chemical element used in batteries and in numerous alloys and compounds: symbol, Pb; at. wt., 207.19; at. no., 82; sp. gr., 11.35; melt. pt., 327.4°C; boil. pt., 1,770°C 2 anything made of this metal; specif., a) a weight for measuring depth of water at sea, in a harbor, etc.: it is attached to a line and tossed over the side of a ship b) any of the strips of lead used to hold the individual panes in ornamental windows (usually used in pl.) c) [pl.] [Brit.] sheets of lead used for covering a roof d) Printing a thin strip of type metal inserted to increase the space between lines of type 3 bullets 4 a thin stick of graphite, used in pencils •adj. made of or containing lead •vt. 1 to cover, line, weight, or fasten with lead or leads 2 Ceramics to glaze (pottery) with a glaze made primarily of lead 3 Printing to increase the space between (lines of type) by inserting thin strips of type metal [ME lede < OE lead, akin to Du lood, Ger lot, plummet, prob. < Celt (as in MIr luaide, lead) < IE *ploud-, *pleud- < *pleu-, to flow < base *pel-, to flow, pour > L pluere, to rain, OIr lu-, to move]
leaded (led´эd) •adj. containing a lead compound to improve the octane rating: said of gasoline
leaden (led´ªn) •adj. 1 made of lead 2 having the inert heaviness of lead; hard to move or lift 3 sluggish; dull; heavy in action, feeling, etc. 4 depressed; dispirited; gloomy 5 of a dull gray lead´en·ly •adv. lead´en·ness •n.
leader (li:d´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that leads; directing, commanding, or guiding head, as of a group or activity 2 a horse harnessed before all others in the same hitch or as one of the two horses in the foremost span 3 a pipe for carrying fluid; specif., a) DOWNSPOUT b) a hot-air duct in a heating system 4 a tendon 5 a section of blank film or recording tape at the beginning of a reel, for use in threading, etc. Æ 6 a featured article of trade, esp. one offered at an attractively low price: cf. LOSS LEADER 7 Bot. the central or dominant stem of a plant, esp. of a tree Æ 8 Fishing a short piece of catgut, nylon, etc. used to attach the hook or lure to the fish line 9 Journalism LEADING ARTICLE 10 Music a) a conductor, esp. of a dance band b) the main performer in an instrumental or vocal section, generally given the solo passages 11 Naut. FAIR-LEAD 12 [pl.] Printing dots, dashes, etc. in a line, used to direct the eye across the page, as in a table of contents lead´er·less •adj.
leadership (-ship') •n. 1 the position or guidance of a leader 2 the ability to lead 3 the leaders of a group
lead-in (li:d´in') •n. 1 the wire leading from an aerial or antenna to a receiver or transmitter 2 an introduction •adj. that is a lead-in
leading article (li:d´iŋ) the principal article or, esp. in England, editorial in a newspaper
leading edge (li:d´iŋ) 1 Aeron. the front edge of a propeller blade or airfoil Æ 2 a position of leadership, as in cultural or technological advances
leading light (li:d´iŋ) an important or influential member of a club, community, etc.
leading question (li:d´iŋ) a question put in such a way as to suggest the answer sought
leading strings (li:d´iŋ) 1 strings or straps formerly used to guide and support a young child learning to walk 2 a condition of childlike dependence or restricting guidance: usually in phr. in leading strings (to)
leading tone (li:d´iŋ) Music the seventh tone of a scale, a half tone below the tonic
leading¹ (led´iŋ) •n. 1 a covering or being covered with lead 2 strips or sheets of lead, collectively
leading² (li:d´iŋ) •n. the action of one that leads; guidance; direction; leadership •adj. 1 that leads; guiding 2 principal; chief 3 playing the lead in a play, film, etc. SYN. CHIEF
leadoff (li:d´öf') •n. the first in a series of actions, moves, etc. •adj. Æ Baseball designating the first batter in a lineup or of an inning
lead-pipe cinch (led´paip´) [Slang] 1 a thing very easy to do 2 a sure thing; certainty [extended (prob. in allusion to the pliability of lead pipe) < PIPE, sense 12]
leadplant (led´plænt') •n. a small, leguminous, American plant (Amorpha canescens) thought by early miners to indicate lead deposits
leadsman (ledz´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. Naut. a man who uses a lead line to take soundings
leadwort (led´wørt') •n. any of several shrubby plants (genus Plumbago) of a family (Plumbaginaceae, order Plumbaginales) of dicotyledonous plants grown for their ornamental white, blue, or red flowers, esp. in warm climates [LEAD² + WORT²]
leady (led´i:) •adj. resembling lead; leaden
leaf (li:f) pl. leaves •n. 1 any of the flat, thin, expanded organs, usually green, growing laterally from the stem or twig of a plant: it usually consists of a broad blade, a petiole, or stalk, and stipules and is involved in the processes of photosynthesis and transpiration 2 in popular usage a) the blade of a leaf b) a petal 3 leaves collectively {choice tobacco leaf} 4 a design resembling a leaf, used as an ornament in architecture 5 a sheet of paper, esp. as part of a book, with a page on each side 6 a) a very thin sheet of metal; lamina b) such sheets collectively {covered with gold leaf} 7 a) a hinged section of a table top, forming an extension when raised into place b) a board inserted into a table top to increase its surface 8 a flat, hinged or movable part of a folding door, shutter, etc. Æ 9 one of a number of metal strips laid one upon another to make a leaf spring •vi. 1 to put forth or bear leaves: often with out 2 to turn the pages of a book, etc., esp. so as to glance quickly (through) •vt. turn the pages of in leaf having leaves grown; with foliage take a leaf from someone's book to follow someone's example turn over a new leaf to make a new start leaf´less •adj. leaf´like' •adj. [ME lefe < OE leaf, akin to Du loof, Ger laub < IE base *leubh-, to peel off, pull off > Lith lupù, to skin, pare off]
leaf bud a bud from which only stems and leaves develop, in contrast to flower buds, or mixed buds which produce both leaves and flowers
leaf fat fat built up in layers around the kidneys of a hog, used in making lard
leaf insect any of a family (Phylliidae, order Phasmatoptera) of sluggish, winged insects that resemble leaves
leaf lard the highest grade of lard, made from leaf fat
leaf miner any of various insect larvae, esp. of small moths and flies, that burrow into and eat the soft tissues of leaves and green stems
leaf mold 1 a rich soil consisting largely of decayed leaves 2 a mold that forms on leaves
leaf spot any of various plant diseases characterized by lesions in the form of spots on the leaves
leaf spring a spring built up of strips of metal: see SPRING, illus.
leafage (-ij) •n. leaves collectively; foliage
leafhopper (li:f´häp´эr) •n. any of a family (Cicadellidae) of homopteran insects that leap from one plant to another, sucking the juices and often transmitting plant diseases
leaflet (li:f´lit) •n. 1 one of the divisions of a compound leaf 2 a small or young leaf 3 a separate sheet of printed matter, often folded but not stitched •vt., vi. -let·ed or -let·ted, -let·ing or -let·ting to distribute leaflets to (people in public places) leaf´let·eer´ (-ir´) or leaf´let·er •n.
leafstalk (-stök') •n. the slender, usually cylindrical portion of a leaf, which supports the blade and is attached to the stem; petiole
leafy (li:f´i:) leaf´i·er, leaf´i·est •adj. 1 of, covered with, consisting of, or like a leaf or leaves 2 having many leaves 3 having broad leaves or consisting mainly of such leaves {spinach is a leafy vegetable} leaf´i·ness •n.
League of Nations an association of nations (1920-46), established to promote international cooperation and peace: it was succeeded by the United Nations
league¹ (li:g) •n. 1 a compact or covenant made by nations, groups, or individuals for promoting common interests, assuring mutual protection, etc. 2 an association or alliance of individuals, groups, or nations formed by such a covenant 3 Sports a group of teams organized to compete against one another Æ 4 [Colloq.] a division according to grade or quality; class •vt., vi. leagued, leagu´ing to form into a league SYN. ALLIANCE in league associated for a common purpose; allied [ME ligg < OFr ligue < It liga < legare < L ligare, to blind: see LIGATURE]
league² (li:g) •n. 1 a unit of linear measure varying in different times and countries: in English-speaking countries it is usually about 3 statute miles or 3 nautical miles Æ 2 an old land measure in parts of the U.S. that were formerly Mexican, equal to about 4,400 acres [ME lege < OFr legue < LL leuga, leuca, Gallic mile < Celt *leuca > OE leowe, mile]
leaguer¹ (li:´gэr) •n. [Archaic] 1 a siege 2 a) a besieging army b) its camp •vt. [Obs.] to besiege [Du leger, a camp, bed: see LAIR]
leaguer² (li:´gэr) •n. a member of a league
Leah (li:´э) 1 a feminine name 2 Bible the elder of the sisters who were wives of Jacob: Gen. 29:13-30 [Heb Lēāh, gazelle]
leak (li:k) •vi. 1 to let a fluid substance out or in accidentally {the boats leaks} 2 to enter or escape accidentally from an object or container: often with in or out 3 to become known little by little, by accident, carelessness, or treachery {the truth leaked out} •vt. 1 to permit (water, air, light, radiation, etc.) to pass accidentally in or out; allow to leak 2 to allow (secret or confidential information) to become known •n. 1 an accidental hole or crack that lets something out or in 2 any means of escape for something that ought not to be let out, lost, etc. 3 the fact of leaking; leakage 4 a disclosure of secret or confidential information; specif., an ostensibly accidental disclosure by a government official to the news media, actually intended to produce an effect: in full news leak 5 a) a loss of electrical charge through faulty insulation b) the point where this occurs 6 [Slang] the act of urinating: usually in the phrase take a leak [ME leken < ON leka, to drip < IE base *leg-, to drip, trickle, LACK, OIr legaim, (I) dissolve, Welsh llaith, damp]
leakage (-ij) •n. 1 an act or instance of leaking; leak 2 something that leaks in or out 3 the amount that leaks in or out
leaker (-эr) •n. a person or thing that leaks; specif., a person who leaks secret or private information
Leakey (li:´ki:), L(ouis) S(eymour) B(azett) 1903-72; Brit. anthropologist, born in Kenya
leakproof (li:k´pru:f') •adj. that will not leak: said of a container, sealing device, etc.
leaky (li:k´i:) leak´i·er, leak´i·est •adj. allowing the accidental entrance or escape of a fluid substance; having a leak or leaks leak´i·ness •n.
leal (li:l) •adj. [Now Chiefly Scot.] loyal; true leal´ly •adv. [north Brit dial. & Scot < ME lele < OFr < L legalis: see LEGAL, LOYAL]
lean¹ (li:n) leaned or leant, lean´ing •vi. 1 to bend or deviate from an upright position; stand at a slant; incline 2 to bend or incline the body so as to rest part of one's weight upon or against something {he leaned on the desk} 3 to depend for encouragement, aid, etc.; rely (on or upon) 4 to have a particular mental inclination; tend (toward or to a certain opinion, attitude, etc.) •vt. to cause to lean {to lean one's head back, lean the ladder against the house} •n. the act or condition of leaning; inclination; slant Æ lean on [Slang] to pressure, as by using influence or intimidating lean´er •n. [ME lenen < OE hlinian, to lean, hlænan, to cause to lean, akin to Ger lehnen < IE base *lei-, to incline, lean > Gr klinein, L clinare]
lean² (li:n) •adj. 1 with little flesh or fat; thin; spare 2 containing little or no fat: said of meat 3 a) lacking in richness, profit, productivity, etc.; meager b) deficient in some quality or substance {a lean mixture in the carburetor} c) characterized by brevity, incisiveness, directness, etc. {a lean style} •n. meat containing little or no fat lean´ly •adv. lean´ness •n. [ME lene < OE hlæne, prob. akin to prec., in sense leaning, drooping, hence thin, slender]
Leander (li: æn´dэr) 1 a masculine name 2 Gr. Legend the lover of HERO [L < Gr Leiandros < ? leōn, lion + anēr (gen. andros), a man: see ANDRO-]
leaning (li:n´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of a person or thing that leans 2 tendency; inclination; penchant; predilection SYN. INCLINATION
Leaning Tower of Pisa bell tower in Pisa, Italy, which leans more than 17 ft. from the perpendicular
leant (lent) •vi., vt. alt. pt. & pp. of LEAN¹
lean-to (li:n´tu:') pl. lean´-tos' •n. 1 a roof with a single slope, its upper edge abutting a wall or building 2 a shed with a one-slope roof, the upper end of the rafters resting against an external support, such as trees or the wall of a building 3 a structure, as the wing of a building, whose roof is a lean-to •adj. having or characterized by such construction
leap (li:p) leapt (lept, li:pt) or lept or leaped, leap´ing •vi. 1 to move oneself suddenly from the ground, etc. by using one's leg muscles; jump; spring 2 to move suddenly or swiftly, as if by jumping; bound 3 to accept eagerly something offered: with at {to leap at a chance} •vt. 1 to pass over by a jump 2 to cause or force to leap {to leap a horse over a wall} •n. 1 the act of leaping; jump; spring 2 the distance covered in a jump 3 a place that is, or is to be, leapt over or from 4 a sudden transition by leaps and bounds very rapidly leap in the dark an act that is risky because its consequences cannot be foreseen leap´er •n. [ME lepen < OE hleapan, akin to MDu lopen, Ger laufen]
leap year a year of 366 days in the Gregorian calendar, occurring every fourth year: the additional day, Feb. 29, makes up for the time lost annually when the approximate 365¼-day cycle is computed as 365 days: a leap year is a year whose number is exactly divisible by 4, or, in case of the final year of a century, by 400
leapfrog (-frög') •n. a game in which each player in turn jumps, with legs spread wide, over the bent back of each of the other players •vi. -frogged', -frog'ging 1 to jump in or as if in leapfrog; skip (over) 2 to move or progress in jumps or stages •vt. to jump or skip over, as in leapfrog
Lear (lir) 1 see KING LEAR 2 Edward 1812-88; Eng. humorist, illustrator, & painter
learn (lørn) learned or learnt, learn´ing •vt. 1 to get knowledge of (a subject) or skill in (an art, trade, etc.) by study, experience, instruction, etc. 2 to come to know {to learn what happened} 3 to come to know how {to learn to swim} 4 to fix in the mind; memorize 5 to acquire as a habit or attitude {to learn humility} 6 to teach: now substandard or dialectal •vi. 1 to gain knowledge or skill 2 to be informed; hear (of or about) learn´a·ble •adj. learn´er •n. SYN.—learn, as considered here, implies a finding out of something without conscious effort [I learned of their marriage from a friend]; ascertain implies a finding out with certainty as by careful inquiry, experimentation, or research [I ascertained the firm's credit rating]; determine stresses intention to establish the facts exactly, often so as to settle something in doubt [to determine the exact denotation of a word]; discover implies a finding out, by chance, exploration, etc., of something already existing or known to others [to discover a plot, a star, etc.]; unearth, in its figurative sense, implies a bringing to light, as by diligent search, of something that has been concealed, lost, or forgotten [to unearth old documents, a secret, etc.] [ME lernen, to learn, teach < OE leornian (akin to Ger lernen) < WGmc *liznōn (akin to Goth laisjan, to teach) < IE base *leis-, track, furrow > L lira, furrow]
learned (lørn´id; for 3, lørnd) •adj. 1 a) having or showing much learning; well-informed; erudite b) having or showing much learning in some special field {a learned doctor} 2 of or characterized by scholarship, study, and learning {a learned society} 3 acquired by study, experience, etc. {a learned response} learn´ed·ly •adv. learn´ed·ness •n. [orig. pp. of prec. in obs. sense of teach]
learning (lørn´iŋ) •n. 1 the acquiring of knowledge or skill 2 acquired knowledge or skill; esp., much knowledge in a special field SYN. INFORMATION [ME lerning < OE leornung < leornian, to LEARN]
learning disability any of several conditions, believed to involve the nervous system, which interfere with mastering a skill such as reading or writing
learning-disabled (lørn´iŋ dis ei'bэld) •adj. having a learning disability
leary (lir´i:) lear´i·er, lear´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] LEERY
lease (li:s) •n. 1 a contract by which one party (landlord, or lessor) gives to another (tenant, or lessee) the use and possession of lands, buildings, property, etc. for a specified time and for fixed payments 2 the period of time for which such a contract is in force {a two-year lease} 3 the property that is leased •vt. leased, leas´ing [Anglo-Fr lesser < OFr laissier] 1 to give by a lease; let 2 to get by a lease; take a lease on SYN. HIRE new lease on life another chance to lead a happy life, be successful, etc. because of a new turn of events leas´a·ble •adj. leas´er •n. [ME leas < Anglo-Fr les < OFr lais < laissier: see LEASH]
lease-back (-bæk') •n. an arrangement by which a company sells a property and simultaneously obtains a long-term lease from the buyer for continued use of the deeded property: also called sale and lease-back
leasehold (-hould') •n. 1 the act or condition of holding by lease 2 lands, buildings, etc. held by lease •adj. held by lease lease´hold'er •n.
leash (li:sh) •n. 1 a cord, strap, etc. by which a dog or other animal is held in check 2 Hunting a set of three, as of hounds; brace and a half •vt. 1 to attach a leash to 2 to check or control by or as by a leash hold in leash to control; curb; restrain strain at the leash to be impatient to have freedom from restraint [ME lese < OFr lesse, length of cord, leash < laissier, to let, permit < laxare, to lighten, relieve < laxus, loose: see LAX]
leasing (li:z´iŋ) •n. [Obs.] lying, lies, or a lie [ME lesinge < OE leasung, falsehood < leasian, to lie < leas, lacking, false < base of leosan, to LOSE]
least (li:st) •adj. 1 alt. superl. of LITTLE 2 smallest or slightest in size, degree, importance, etc. {the least movement} 3 Biol. very small: used in names of species or varieties {least flycatcher} •adv. 1 superl. of LITTLE 2 in the smallest degree •n. the smallest in size, amount, importance, etc. at (the) least 1 at the very lowest figure or amount; with no less 2 at any rate; in any event not in the least not at all; not in the smallest degree [ME lest < OE læsest, læst, superl. of læssa, LESS]
least common denominator the least common multiple of the denominators of two or more fractions
least common multiple the smallest positive whole number that is exactly divisible by two or more given whole numbers {the least common multiple of 4, 5, and 10 is 20}
least flycatcher a small, gray tyrant flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) common in N North America
least squares a statistical method used to find the curve that most closely approximates a set of data: it is based on minimizing the sum of the squares of the differences between expected and observed values of the data
leastways (-weiz') •adv. [Chiefly Dial.] leastwise; anyway [< phr. at the least ways, at least]
leastwise (-waiz') •adv. [Colloq.] at least; anyway
leather (leð´эr) •n. 1 a material consisting of animal skin prepared for use by removing the hair and tanning 2 any of various articles or parts made of this material 3 the flap of a dog's ear •adj. of or made of leather •vt. 1 to cover or furnish with leather 2 [Colloq.] to whip or thrash with or as with a leather strap [ME lether < OE lether-, akin to Ger leder, ON lethr, MHG leder < Gmc *lethra < ? or akin ? to Celt base as in OIr lethar, Welsh lledr]
leather bar a bar frequented by gays, often sadomasochists, usually dressed in leather garments
leatherback (-bæk') •n. the only species (Dermochelys coriacea) of a family (Dermochelyidae) of tropical sea turtles, covered with a tough, leathery upper shell: it is the largest living turtle, weighing up to c. 725 kg (c. 1600 lbs.)
Leatherette (leð'эr et´) trademark for imitation leather made of paper or cloth •n. [l-] imitation leather similar to this, of paper, cloth, vinyl, etc.
leathern (leð´эrn) •adj. 1 made or consisting of leather 2 like leather [ME letherne < OE letheren]
leatherneck (leð´эr nek') •n. Æ [Slang] a U.S. Marine [from the leather lining that was part of the collar of the Marine uniform]
leatherwood (-wud') •n. a small North American tree (Dirca palustris) of the mezereum family, with a tough, flexible bark used by the Indians for making rope
leathery (-i:) •adj. like leather in appearance or texture; tough and flexible leath´er·i·ness •n.
leave of absence permission to be absent from work or duty, usually for an extended period of time; also, the period
leave¹ (li:v) left, leav´ing •vt. 1 to cause or allow to remain; not take away {to leave some of the food for latecomers} 2 to make, place, deposit, etc., and cause to remain behind one {to leave one's calling card} 3 to have remaining after one {the deceased leaves a widow} 4 to bequeath {to leave a fortune to charity} 5 to let be in the care of; entrust: with to or up to {to leave a decision to another} 6 to give as a remainder by subtraction {ten minus two leaves eight} 7 to reject {take it or leave it} 8 to go away from {to leave the house} 9 to let stay or cause to be in a certain condition {the flood left them homeless} 10 to give up; abandon; forsake 11 to stop living in, working for, or belonging to 12 [Chiefly Dial.] to let or allow {leave us go now} •vi. to go away, depart, or set out leave alone to refrain from bothering or disturbing leave off 1 to stop; cease 2 to stop doing, using, or wearing leave out 1 to omit 2 to fail to consider; ignore leav´er •n. [ME leven < OE læfan, lit., to let remain (< *lafjan < base of laf, remnant, what remains), akin to (be)lifan, to remain, Ger bleiben, OHG belīban < IE *leip-, to smear with grease, stick to < base *lei-, viscous, sticky > L limus: see LIME¹]
leave² (li:v) •n. 1 permission 2 a) permission to be absent from duty or work, esp. such permission given to personnel in the armed services b) the period for which such permission is granted beg leave to ask permission by your leave with your permission on leave absent from duty with permission take leave of to say goodbye to take one's leave to go away; depart [ME leve < OE leaf, permission, akin to obs. Ger laube, permission, erlauben, to allow, permit < IE base *leubh-, to like, desire > LIEF, LOVE, L libido]
leave³ (li:v) leaved, leav´ing •vi. to put forth, or bear, leaves; leaf [ME leven < lefe, LEAF]
leaved (li:vd) •adj. having leaves: usually in hyphenated compounds {narrow-leaved}
leaven (lev´эn) •n. 1 a) a small piece of fermenting dough put aside to be used for producing fermentation in a fresh batch of dough b) LEAVENING (sense 1) 2 LEAVENING (sense 2) •vt. 1 to make (batter or dough) rise before or during baking by means of a leavening agent 2 to spread through, causing a gradual change [ME levein < OFr levain < VL *levamen (in L, alleviation) < L levare, to make light, relieve, raise: see LEVER]
leavening (-iŋ) •n. 1 a substance used to make baked goods rise by the formation of gas, esp. carbon dioxide, in the batter or dough, as baking powder, yeast, etc.: also leavening agent 2 any influence spreading through something and working on it to bring about a gradual change; tempering quality or thing 3 a causing to be leavened
Leavenworth (lev´эn wørθ') city in NE Kans., on the Missouri River: site of a Federal prison: pop. 38,000 [ult. after U.S. Army Col. H. Leavenworth (1783-1834)]
leaves (li:vz) •n. pl. of LEAF
leave-taking (li:v´teik'iŋ) •n. the act of taking leave, or saying goodbye
leavings (-iŋz) •n.pl. things left over; leftovers, remnants, refuse, etc. [< LEAVE¹]
Leavis (li:´vis), F(rank) R(aymond) 1895-1978; Eng. literary critic
leavy (li:´vi:) •adj. archaic var. of LEAFY
Leb Lebanon
Lebanon (leb´э nän', -nэn) 1 country in SW Asia, at E end of the Mediterranean: a former French mandate (1920-41), declared independent by British & Free French forces (1941); became independent after elections (1944): c. 4,000 sq. mi. (10,360 sq. km); pop. 2,675,000; cap. Beirut 2 mountain range extending nearly the entire length of Lebanon: highest peak, 10,131 ft. (3,087 m) Leb'a·nese´ (-ni:z´, -ni:s´), pl. -nese´, •n., adj.
Lebensraum (lei´bэns řaum') •n. territory for political and economic expansion: term of German imperialism [Ger, living space]
Lebkuchen (leip´ku:'khэn) •n. a chewy cookie made with candied fruits, spices, and honey [Ger < MHG lebekuoche < lebe, loaf, akin to leip (< OHG leib, hlaib), LOAF¹) + MHG kuoche, cake > Ger kuchen: see CAKE]
Lebrun (lэ břën´), Charles (shåřl) 1619-90; Fr. historical painter: also Le Brun
lech (lech) •vi. [Slang] to behave like a lecher; lust (for, after, etc.) •n. [Slang] 1 a lecherous desire 2 a lecherous person
lecher (lech´эr) •n. a man who indulges in lechery; lewd, grossly sensual man [ME lechoure < OFr lecheur < lechier, to live a debauched life, lit., lick < Frank *lekkon, akin to Ger lecken, to LICK]
lecherous (lech´эr эs) •adj. given to, characterized by, or stimulating to lechery; lustful lech´er·ous·ly •adv. lech´er·ous·ness •n. [ME < OFr lecheros]
lechery (lech´эr i:) pl. -er·ies •n. unrestrained, excessive indulgence of sexual desires; gross sensuality; lewdness [ME lecherie < OFr < lecheur, LECHER]
lecithin (les´i θin) •n. any of several phosphatides found in nerve tissue, blood, milk, egg yolk, soybeans, corn, etc.: used in medicine, foods, cosmetics, etc. as a wetting, emulsifying, and penetrating agent [< Gr lekithos, yolk of an egg + -IN¹]
lecithinase (-θin eis') •n. any of a group of enzymes that hydrolyze lecithin [prec. + -ASE]
Lecky (lek´i:), William Edward Hart·pole (härt´poul') 1838-1903; Brit. historian, born in Ireland
Leconte de Lisle (lэ kouñt dэ li:l´), Charles Ma·rie (René) (shåřl må ři:´) 1818-94; Fr. poet
lect 1 lecture 2 lecturer
-lect combining form a variety within a language
lectern (lek´tэrn) •n. 1 a reading desk in a church, esp. such a desk from which a part of the Scriptures is read in a church service 2 a stand for holding the notes, written speech, etc., as of a lecturer [ME lectorne, altered (infl. by L forms) < earlier lettrun < OFr < ML lectrum < L lectus, pp. of legere, to read: see LOGIC]
lectin (lek´tin) •n. any of several proteins, found in plants and animals, that bind to specific sugar molecules, as on cancer or red blood cells [coined (1954) < L lectus, pp. of legere, to select + -IN¹]
lection (lek´shэn) •n. 1 [Now Rare] the version in a particular text of a certain passage 2 a selection, as of Scripture, forming part of a religious service; lesson [L lectio < lectus: see LECTIN]
lectionary (-shэ ner'i:) pl. -ar'ies •n. a sequence or list of lections to be read in church services during the year [ML(Ec) lectionarium: see LECTION & -ARY]
lector (lek´tэr) •n. 1 a person who reads the Scripture lessons in a church service 2 [Historical] R.C.Ch., History a member of the second of the four minor orders 3 a college or university lecturer, esp. in Europe [LME < L, reader (in ML(Ec), church officer) < lectus: see LECTERN]
lecture (lek´chэr) •n. 1 a) an informative talk given as before an audience or class and usually prepared beforehand b) the text of such a talk 2 a lengthy rebuke or scolding •vi. -tured, -tur·ing to give a lecture or lectures •vt. 1 to give a lecture to 2 to rebuke or scold at length SYN. SPEECH [ME, act of reading < ML lectura < pp. of L legere, to read: see LOGIC]
lecturer (-эr) •n. a person who gives lectures, esp. by profession or in connection with teaching duties: sometimes used as an academic title for one who teaches at a college or university but does not have the rank or tenure of a regular faculty member
lectureship (-ship') •n. 1 the position or rank of a lecturer 2 a series of lectures or the foundation supporting such a series
lecythis (les´i θis) •adj. designating a family (Lecythidaceae, order Lecythidales) of dicotyledonous tropical shrubs and trees, including the Brazil nut and anchovy pear
LED (el'i:'di:´) Æ n. a semiconductor diode that emits light when voltage is applied: used in lamps and for alphanumeric displays, as on digital watches: cf. LCD [l(ight-)e(mitting) d(iode)] led (led) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of LEAD¹
Leda (li:´dэ) Gr. Myth. a queen of Sparta and the wife of Tyndareus: she is the mother (variously by Tyndareus and by Zeus, who visited her in the form of a swan) of Clytemnestra, Helen of Troy and Castor and Pollux [L < Gr Lēda]
Ledbetter (led´bet'эr), Hud·die (hûd´i:) (called Leadbelly) 1888-1949; U.S. blues singer
Lederberg (led´эr børg', lei´dэr-), Joshua 1925- ; U.S. geneticist
lederhosen (lei´dэr hou'zэn) •n. short leather pants of a kind worn with suspenders by men and boys in the Alps [Ger < MHG lederhose < leder, LEATHER + hose, pants: see HOSE]
ledge (lej) •n. 1 a shelf or shelflike projection 2 a) a projecting ridge of rocks b) such a ridge under the surface of the water near the shore 3 Mining a vein ledg´y •adj. [ME legge, prob. < base of leggen, to LAY¹]
ledger (lej´эr) •n. 1 a large, flat stone placed over a tomb 2 a) a large, horizontal timber in a scaffold b) LEDGER BOARD (sense 1) 3 Bookkeeping the book of final entry, used, in a double-entry system, for recording all debits and credits, as by transfer from a journal, according to the accounts to which they belong [< ME sense large volume kept in one place in church] [ME legger, prob. < ME leggen or liggen after MDu ligger: see LAY¹, LIE¹]
ledger board 1 a board attached to studding to help support the joists; ribbon strip 2 a board forming the top rail as of a fence
ledger line Music a short line written above or below the staff, for notes beyond the range of the staff
Lee (li:) 1 a masculine or feminine name [var. of LEIGH; also short for LEROY] 2 Ann 1736-84; Eng. mystic: founder of the Shakers in America (1776) 3 Charles 1731-82; Am. general in the Revolutionary War, born in England 4 Henry 1756-1818; Am. general in the Revolutionary War & statesman: called Light-Horse Harry Lee 5 Richard Henry 1732-94; Am. Revolutionary statesman: signer of the Declaration of Independence: cousin of Henry 6 Robert E(dward) 1807-70; commander in chief of the Confederate army in the Civil War: son of Henry 7 Tsung-Dao (dzuŋ´dau´) 1926- ; Chin. physicist in the U.S. lee (li:) •n. 1 shelter; protection 2 a sheltered place, esp. one on that side of anything away from the wind 3 Naut. the side or direction away from the wind •adj. 1 designating, of, or on the side sheltered or away from the wind Æ 2 facing or located in the direction toward which a glacier moves: opposed to STOSS [ME le < OE hleo, shelter, akin to ON hle, Du lij, Ger lee (in sense 3) < IE *leu- < base *el-, warm > L calere, to be warm]
lee shore the shore on the lee side of a ship; shore toward which the wind is blowing and driving a ship
lee tide a leeward tide: in full leeward tidal current
leeboard (-börd') •n. a large, flat board or piece of metal let down into the water on the lee side of a sailboat to lessen its leeward drift
leech¹ (li:ch) •n. 1 [Archaic] a physician 2 any of a subclass (Hirudinea) of mostly flattened, annelid worms living in water or wet earth and having a well-developed sucker at each end: most are bloodsuckers, and one species (Hirudo medicinalis) has been used in medicine, esp. in former times, to bleed patients 3 a person who clings to another to gain some personal advantage; parasite •vt. 1 [Obs.] to heal 2 to apply leeches to; bleed with leeches 3 to cling to (another) as a parasite; drain dry •vi. to act as a parasite: often with onto [ME leche < OE læce, akin to OHG lāhhi, Goth lēkeis, magician, healer, OE lacnian, to heal, prob. < IE base *leg-, collect, gather together > L lex (see LEGAL); sense 2 is supposedly same word (from use in medicine), but OE (Kentish) lyce, ME liche, MDu lieke suggest different word assimilated by folk etym.]
leech² (li:ch) •n. 1 the after edge of a fore-and-aft sail 2 either of the vertical edges of a square sail [LME lyche, akin to ON lik < Du lijk, boltrope < IE base *leig-, to bind, fasten > L ligare, to tie]
Leeds (li:dz) city in N England, in West Yorkshire: pop. 442,000
leek (li:k) •n. any of various perennial, onionlike, wild or garden vegetables (genus Allium, esp. A. porrum) of the lily family, having a small bulb with a cylindrical stem, and broad, flat, folded leaves: used in soups, sauces, etc. [ME lek < OE leac, akin to Ger lauch < ? IE base *leug-, to bend > L luxus, excess: so named ? from its outward-bent leaves]
leer (lir) •n. a sly, sidelong look showing salaciousness, malicious triumph, etc. •vi. to look with a leer leer´ing·ly •adv. [< ME lere, cheek < OE hleor: in sense look over one's cheek, look askance]
leery (lir´i:) leer´i·er, leer´i·est •adj. 1 [Obs.] knowing Æ 2 on one's guard; wary; suspicious [prob. < ME lere (var. of lore, LORE¹) + -Y³: current sense infl. by prec.]
lees (li:z) •n.pl. dregs or sediment, as of fermenting wine [pl. of lee (obs. in sing.) < ME lie < OFr < ML lia < Gaul *liga, akin to OIr lige, a bed, layer < IE base *legh- > LIE¹]
Lee's Birthday Jan. 19, Robert E. Lee's birthday, a legal holiday in several Southern States
leet (li:t) •n. [Historical] in England, a manorial court or its jurisdiction [ME & Anglo-Fr lete, akin ? to OE læth, land division, esp. in southeast England]
Leeuwarden (lei´väř'dэn) city in N Netherlands: capital of Friesland province: pop. 86,000
Leeuwenhoek (lei´vэn hu:k'), An·ton van (än´tôn vän) 1632-1723; Du. naturalist & pioneer in microscopy
leeward (li:´wэrd´; naut. lu:´эrd) •adj. 1 in the direction toward which the wind blows 2 on the lee side •n. the side or direction away from the wind •adv. toward the lee; away from the wind Opposed to WINDWARD
Leeward Islands (li:´wэrd) 1 N group of islands in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, extending from Puerto Rico southeast to the Windward Islands 2 former British colony in this group (dissolved 1962), now separate countries or territories
leeway (li:´wei') •n. 1 the leeward drift of a ship or aircraft from the course being steered 2 [Colloq.] a) margin of time, money, etc. b) room for freedom of action
Left Bank a district in Paris on the left bank of the Seine, associated with artists, Bohemians, etc.
left brain the left cerebal hemisphere of the human brain, which includes areas associated with logical thinking, numerical calculation, and language skills: popularly regarded as the center of rational thought left´-brain´ •adj. left´-brained´ •adj.
left field 1 Baseball the left-hand part of the outfield (as viewed from home plate) 2 the position of the outfielder stationed there out in left field [Slang] not reasonable, sensible, or probable
left heart the half of the heart containing the left ventricle and left atrium, which supply oxygenated blood to all parts of the body
left wing the more liberal or radical section of a political party, group, etc. left´-wing´ •adj. left´-wing´er •n. [see LEFT¹, n. 3]
left¹ (left) •adj. 1 a) designating or of that side of one's body which is toward the west when one faces north, the side of the less-used hand in most people b) designating or of the corresponding side of anything c) closer to the left side of a person directly before and facing the thing mentioned or understood {the top left drawer of a desk} 2 of the side or bank of a river on the left of a person facing downstream 3 of the political left; liberal or radical •n. 1 a) all or part of the left side b) what is on the left side c) a direction or location on the left side (often with the) d) a turn toward the left side {take a left at the fork} 2 Boxing a) the left hand b) a blow delivered with the left hand 3 [often L-] Politics a liberal or radical position, esp. one varying from moderate socialism to communism, or a party or group advocating this: often with the •adv. on or toward the left hand or side SYN. LIBERAL have two left feet to be very clumsy [ME (Kentish) var. of lift < OE lyft, weak, akin to EFris luf, weak]
left² (left) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of LEAVE¹
left-hand (left´hænd´) •adj. 1 being on or directed toward the left 2 of, for, or with the left hand
left-handed (-hæn´did) •adj. 1 using the left hand more skillfully than, and in preference to, the right 2 done with the left hand 3 clumsy; awkward 4 designating an insincere or ambiguous compliment, esp. one that is indirectly unflattering or derogatory 5 MORGANATIC: from the custom of having the groom give his left hand to the bride at such a wedding 6 made for use with the left hand or by left-handed people 7 turning from right to left; worked by counterclockwise motion 8 designating one who swings a bat, club, etc. rightward •adv. 1 with the left hand {to write left-handed} 2 in such a way that the bat, club, etc. swings rightward left´-hand´ed·ly •adv. left´-hand´ed·ness •n. left´-hand'er •n.
leftish (left´ish) •adj. inclined to be leftist or a leftist
leftist (-ist) •n. a person whose political position is liberal or radical; member of the left •adj. liberal or radical left´ism' •n.
leftover (-ou'vэr) •n. 1 something left over 2 [usually pl.] food left over from one meal and, often, eaten at a later meal •adj. remaining unused, uneaten, etc.
leftward (-wэrd) •adv., adj. on or toward the left: also left´wards •adv.
lefty (lef´ti:) pl. left´ies •n. [Slang] 1 a left-handed person: often used as a nickname 2 LEFTIST
leg (leg) •n. 1 one of the parts of the body by means of which animals stand and walk: in human beings, one of the lower limbs, often, specif., the part from the knee to the foot 2 a cut of meat consisting of the leg or its lower part 3 the part of a stocking, slacks, etc. that covers the leg 4 anything that resembles a leg in shape or use; specif., a) a bar or pole used as a support or prop b) any of the supports of a piece of furniture c) any of the branches of a forked or jointed object 5 the run made by a sailing vessel on one tack 6 any of the stages of a journey or other course 7 [pl.] [Slang] a sustained ability to attract audiences: said as of a film 8 Cricket that part of the field which lies to the left and back of the batsman 9 Math. either of the sides of a triangle other than its base or, in a right-angled triangle, its hypotenuse •vi. legged, leg´ging [Colloq.] to walk or run: used chiefly in the phr. leg it get up on one's hind legs [Colloq.] to become assertive, aggressive, belligerent, etc. give a leg up [Colloq.] 1 to help to mount 2 to help advance not have a leg to stand on [Colloq.] to have absolutely no defense, excuse, or justification on one's (or its) last legs [Colloq.] not far from exhaustion, death, breakdown, etc. pull someone's leg [Colloq.] to make fun of or fool by playing on a person's credulity shake a leg [Slang] 1 to hurry 2 to dance stretch one's legs to walk, esp. after sitting a long time take to one's legs to run away leg´less •adj. [ME < ON leggr, a leg, limb < IE base *lek-, limb > L lacertus, muscle, lacerta, lizard] leg abbrev. 1 legal 2 legato 3 legislative 4 legislature leg (leg) •n. 1 one of the parts of the body by means of which animals stand and walk: in human beings, one of the lower limbs, often, specif., the part from the knee to the foot 2 a cut of meat consisting of the leg or its lower part 3 the part of a stocking, slacks, etc. that covers the leg 4 anything that resembles a leg in shape or use; specif., a) a bar or pole used as a support or prop b) any of the supports of a piece of furniture c) any of the branches of a forked or jointed object 5 the run made by a sailing vessel on one tack 6 any of the stages of a journey or other course 7 [pl.] [Slang] a sustained ability to attract audiences: said as of a film 8 Cricket that part of the field which lies to the left and back of the batsman 9 Math. either of the sides of a triangle other than its base or, in a right-angled triangle, its hypotenuse •vi. legged, leg´ging [Colloq.] to walk or run: used chiefly in the phr. leg it get up on one's hind legs [Colloq.] to become assertive, aggressive, belligerent, etc. give a leg up [Colloq.] 1 to help to mount 2 to help advance not have a leg to stand on [Colloq.] to have absolutely no defense, excuse, or justification on one's (or its) last legs [Colloq.] not far from exhaustion, death, breakdown, etc. pull someone's leg [Colloq.] to make fun of or fool by playing on a person's credulity shake a leg [Slang] 1 to hurry 2 to dance stretch one's legs to walk, esp. after sitting a long time take to one's legs to run away leg´less •adj. [ME < ON leggr, a leg, limb < IE base *lek-, limb > L lacertus, muscle, lacerta, lizard]
leg bye Cricket a run scored for a ball that touches the batsman on any part of the body except the hand
leg warmers a set of coverings for the legs, worn for warmth or, as by dancers rehearsing, to prevent leg cramps
legacy (leg´э si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 money or property left to someone by a will; bequest 2 anything handed down from, or as from, an ancestor [ME legacie < OFr < ML legatia < L legatus: see LEGATE]
legal (li:´gэl) •adj. 1 of, created by, based upon, or authorized by law 2 in conformity with the positive rules of law; permitted by law {a legal act} 3 that can be enforced in a court of law {legal rights} 4 of or applicable to lawyers {legal ethics} 5 in terms of the law {a legal offense} 6 Theol. a) of the Mosaic law b) of the doctrine of salvation by good works rather than free grace •n.pl. LEGAL LIST le´gal·ly •adv. SYN.—legal implies literal connection or conformity with statute or common law or its administration [legal rights]; lawful, a more general word, may suggest conformity to the principle rather than to the letter of the law or may broadly refer to that which is not contrary to the law [a lawful but shady enterprise]; legitimate implies legality of a claim to a title or right [a legitimate heir] or accordance with what is sanctioned or accepted as lawful, reasonable, etc. [a legitimate argument]; licit implies strict conformity to the law, especially in trade, commerce, or personal relations [licit marriage] —ANT. illegal, unlawful, illicit [MFr légal < L legalis < lex (gen. legis), law, prob. < IE base *leg-, to collect > L legere, Gr legein, to collect]
legal age the age at which a person acquires full legal rights and responsibilities; majority
legal cap writing paper used by lawyers for documents, 8½ by 13 or 14 inches, folded at the top and with a ruled margin
legal eagle [Slang] a lawyer, esp. one regarded as highly skilled
legal holiday a holiday set by statute, during which government and, usually, business affairs are suspended, schools and courts are closed, etc.
legal list investments that banks and certain other fiduciaries are legally authorized to make
legal pad a writing pad of yellow or white, lined paper the size of legal cap or slightly smaller
legal reserve the funds that a bank, insurance company, etc. is required by law to maintain as reserves
legal separation an agreement by which a husband and wife live apart but are not divorced
legal tender money that may be legally offered in payment of an obligation and that a creditor must accept
legalese (li:'gэl i:z´) •n. the conventional language of legal forms, documents, etc., involving special vocabulary and formulations, often thought of as abstruse and incomprehensible to the layman
legalism (li:´gэl iz'эm) •n. 1 strict, often too strict and literal, adherence to law or to a code 2 Theol. the doctrine of salvation by good works le´gal·ist •n. le'gal·is´tic •adj. le'gal·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.
legality (li gæl´i ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 quality, condition, or instance of being legal or lawful 2 [pl.] legal aspects [ML legalitas]
legalize (li:´gэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make legal or lawful le'gal·i·za´tion •n.
legal-size (li:´gэl saiz') •adj. designating paper of the size used for a legal pad: also le´gal-sized'
Leganés (le'gä nes´) city in central Spain: a suburb of Madrid: pop. 163,000
legate (leg´it) •n. 1 an envoy or ambassador 2 Rom. History the governor of a province, or his deputy leg´ate·ship' •n. leg´a·tine •adj. [ME < OFr legat < L legatus, pp. of legare, to send as ambassador < lex, law: see LEGAL]
legatee (leg'э ti:´) •n. one to whom a legacy is bequeathed [< L legatus, pp. of legare, to bequeath, appoint (see LEGATE) + -EE¹]
legation (li gei´shэn) •n. 1 a) the act of sending a legate on a mission b) the mission 2 a diplomatic minister and staff collectively, representing their government in a foreign country and ranking just below an embassy 3 the residence or offices of such a legation 4 the position or authority of such a legation [ME legacion < OFr < L legatio]
legato (li gät´ou) •adj., adv. Musical Direction in a smooth, even style, with no noticeable interruption between the notes: cf. STACCATO [It, pp. of legare < L ligare, to tie, bind: see LEECH²]
legator (li geit´эr) •n. one who bequeaths legacies; testator
legend (lej´эnd) •n. 1 a) a story handed down for generations among a people and popularly believed to have a historical basis, although not verifiable (cf. MYTH) b) all such stories belonging to a particular group of people {famous in Irish legend} 2 a) a notable person whose deeds or exploits are much talked about in his or her own time b) the stories of his or her exploits 3 an inscription on a coin, coat of arms, etc. 4 a title, brief description, or key accompanying an illustration or map [ME legende < OFr < ML legenda, things to read, neut. pl. of L legendus, ger. of legere, to read: see LOGIC]
legendary (lej´эn der'i:) •adj. 1 of, based on, or presented in legends 2 a) remarkable; extraordinary b) well-known; famous SYN. FICTITIOUS
Legendre (lэ zhäñ´dřª), A·dri·en Ma·rie (å dři: æñ må ři:´) 1752-1833; Fr. mathematician
legendry (lej´эn dri:) •n. legends collectively
Léger (lei zhei´) 1 A·lex·is Saint-Lé·ger (å lek si: sæñ lei zhei´) see ST. JOHN PERSE 2 Fer·nand (feř näñ´) 1881-1955; Fr. painter
leger line (lej´эr) [Chiefly Brit.] LEDGER LINE [altered < ledger line]
legerdemain (lej'эr di mein´) •n. 1 sleight of hand; tricks of a stage magician 2 trickery of any sort; deceit [ME < MFr leger de main, lit., light of hand < leger (< LL *levarius < L levis, LIGHT²) + de (< L de, of, from) + main < L manus, hand]
leges (li:´ji:z') •n. pl. of LEX
-legged (leg´id, legd) combining form having (a specified number or kind of) legs {long-legged, four-legged}
leggiero (le jer´ou) •adj., adv. Musical Direction in a light, nimble, or graceful manner
legging (leg´iŋ, -in) •n. 1 a covering of canvas, leather, etc. for protecting the leg below the knee 2 [pl.] a child's outer garment with legs, worn in cold weather
leggy (leg´i:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. 1 having long and awkward legs {a leggy colt} 2 [Colloq.] having long, well-shaped legs {a leggy chorus girl} 3 [Colloq.] having long, spindly stems with leaves far apart {leggy plants} leg´gi·ness •n.
Leghorn (leg´hörn', leg´эrn) seaport in Tuscany, W Italy, on the Ligurian Sea: pop. 175,000: It. name LIVORNO •n. 1 [usually l-] any of a breed of small, domestic chicken with white feathers, originating in the Mediterranean region: the prevalent egg-producing breed in the U.S. 2 [l-] a) a plaiting made of an Italian wheat straw, cut green and bleached when dry b) a hat, typically broad-brimmed, made of this straw [altered by folk etym. < It Livorno]
legible (lej´э bэl) •adj. 1 that can be read or deciphered 2 that can be read or deciphered easily leg'i·bil´i·ty •n. leg´i·bly •adv. [ME (northern) legeable < LL legibilis < L legere, to read: see LOGIC]
legion (li:´jэn) •n. 1 Rom. History a military division varying at times from 3,000 to 6,000 foot soldiers, with additional cavalrymen 2 a large group of soldiers; army 3 a large number; multitude {a legion of admirers} •adj. numerous; many: used in the predicate {her honors were legion} [L-] short for AMERICAN LEGION, Foreign Legion, etc. [OFr < L legio < legere, to choose: see LOGIC]
Legion of Honor 1 a French honorary society founded in 1802 by Napoleon for recognition of distinguished military or civil service 2 the decoration given to those receiving such recognition
Legion of Merit a U.S. decoration awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. or of foreign nations for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services
legionary (-er'i:) •adj. of or constituting a legion or legions •n. pl. -ar'ies a member of a legion [L legionarius]
legionary ant ARMY ANT
legionnaire (li:'jэ ner´) •n. 1 a member of a legion 2 [often L-] a member of the American Legion, Foreign Legion, etc. [Fr légionnaire < L legionarius]
Legionnaires' disease [Colloq.] an acute respiratory infection, often with pneumonia, caused by bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) that may contaminate water or soil [after an outbreak of the illness at an American Legion convention in July, 1976]
legis 1 legislation 2 legislative 3 legislature
legislate (lej´is leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vi. to make or pass a law or laws •vt. to cause to be, become, go, etc. by making laws [back-form. < LEGISLATOR]
legislation (lej'is lei´shэn) •n. 1 the act or process of making a law or laws 2 the law or laws made [LL legislatio < L lex (gen. legis), law (see LEGAL) + latio, a bringing, proposing < latus, pp. of ferre, to bring, BEAR¹]
legislative (lej´is leit'iv, -lэ tiv) •adj. 1 of legislation {legislative powers} Æ 2 of a legislature or its members {legislative party whip} 3 having the power to make laws {a legislative assembly} 4 brought about or enforced by legislation •n. the lawmaking branch of a government; legislature leg´is·la'tive·ly •adv.
legislator (-leit'эr; also, -lei'tör') •n. a member of a legislative assembly; lawmaker [L legis lator, lit., a proposer of a law: for bases see LEGISLATION]
legislature (-lei'chэr) •n. a body of persons given the responsibility and power to make laws for a country or state; specif., the lawmaking body of a State, corresponding to the U.S. Congress [see LEGISLATOR & -URE]
legist (li:´jist) •n. a person who has special knowledge of the law, or of some branch of it [LME < MFr legiste < ML legista < L lex, law: see LEGAL]
legit (lэ jit´) •adj. [Slang] legitimate
legitimacy (lэ jit´э mэ si:) •n. the quality or state of being legitimate
legitimate (-mэt; for v., -meit') •adj. 1 conceived or born of parents legally married to each other 2 a) sanctioned by law or custom; lawful {a legitimate claim} b) conforming to or abiding by the law 3 ruling by the rights of heredity {a legitimate king} 4 a) reasonable; logically correct {a legitimate inference} b) justifiable or justified 5 conforming to or in accordance with established rules, standards, principles 6 Theater designating or of professionally produced stage plays, as distinguished from films, vaudeville, etc. •vt. -mat'ed, -mat'ing LEGITIMIZE (esp. sense 1c) SYN. LEGAL le·git´i·mate·ly •adv. le·git'i·ma´tion •n. [ML legitimatus, pp. of legitimare, to make lawful < L legitimus, lawful < lex: see LEGAL]
legitimatize (lэ jit´э mэ taiz') -tized', -tiz'ing •vt. LEGITIMIZE
legitimist (-mist) •n. a supporter of legitimate authority or, esp., of claims to monarchy based on the rights of heredity le·git´i·mism •n. [Fr légitimiste]
legitimize (-maiz') -mized', -miz'ing •vt. 1 to make or declare legitimate; specif., a) to make lawful; give legal force or status to b) to give official or formal sanction to; authorize c) to give the status of a legitimate child to (one born out of wedlock) 2 to make seem just, right, or reasonable; justify le·git'i·mi·za´tion •n.
legman (leg´mæn') pl. -men' (-men') •n. 1 a news reporter who gathers information at the scene of events or at various sources, usually transmitting it to an office or news room for editing 2 a person who runs errands or gathers information to assist someone in an office
leg-of-mutton (leg´эv mût´ªn) •adj. shaped somewhat like a leg of mutton; specif., designating a sleeve that puffs out toward the shoulder
legong (lei´göŋ') •n. a traditional Balinese dance, performed by two young girls [Balinese]
Legree , Simon see SIMON LEGREE
legroom (leg´ru:m') •n. adequate space for the legs while seated, as in a car or theater seat
legume (leg´yu:m'; also li gyu:m´) •n. 1 any of an order (Fabales) of dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees, including the peas, beans, mimosas, and the Kentucky coffee tree, with usually compound leaves, flowers having a single carpel, and fruit that is a dry pod splitting along two sutures: many legumes are nitrogen-fixing and often are used as green manure and for forage 2 the pod or seed of some members of this order, used for food [Fr légume < L legumen, lit., anything that can be gathered < legere, to gather: see LOGIC]
leguminous (lэ gyu:´mэ nэs) •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, or bearing a legume or legumes 2 of the order of plants bearing legumes
legwork (leg´wørk') •n. [Colloq.] travel away from the center of work as a necessary, but routine, part of a job, as of a news reporter
Lehár (lei´här'), Franz (fränts) 1870-1948; Hung. composer of operettas
Lehigh (li:´hai') river in E Pa., flowing into the Delaware: c. 120 mi. (193 km) [< ? Algonquian]
lehua (lei hu:´ä') •n. 1 a tropical tree (Metrosideros collina) of the myrtle family, with clusters of bright-red flowers and hard, durable wood: it grows in Hawaii and other Pacific islands 2 its wood 3 its flower [Haw]
lei¹ (lei, lei´i:) pl. leis •n. in Hawaii, a wreath of flowers and leaves, generally worn about the neck [Haw]
lei² (lei) •n. pl. of LEU
Leibniz (laip´nits'), Baron Gott·fried Wil·helm von (gôt´fři:t' vil´helm' fôn) 1646-1716; Ger. philosopher & mathematician: also sp. Leibnitz
Leicester (les´tэr) city in central England: county seat of Leicestershire: pop. 282,000 •n. any of a breed of large sheep with long, coarse wool, and, usually, an open face, originally developed in Leicestershire Leicester (les´tэr), Earl of (Robert Dudley) c. 1532-88; Eng. courtier & general: favorite of Elizabeth I
Leicestershire (-shir', -shэr) county of central England: 986 sq. mi. (2,553 sq. km); pop. 866,000
Leiden (laid´ªn) city in W Netherlands: pop. 105,000
Leif (li:f, leif; leiv) a masculine name [ON Leifr, lit., descendant < base of leifa; akin to OE læfan, LEAVE¹]
Leif Ericson see ERICSON, Leif
Leigh (li:) a masculine or feminine name; var. Lee [< surname Leigh < ME leye: see LEA¹]
Leinster (len´stэr) province of E Ireland: 7,580 sq. mi. (19,632 sq. km); pop. 1,790,000
Leipzig (laip´sig, -sik) city in E Germany, in the state of Saxony: pop. 556,000
leishmaniasis (li:sh'mэ nai´э sis) •n. any of several diseases caused by protozoan parasites (genus Leishmania); esp., kala azar [ModL < Leishmania, after Sir W. B. Leishman (1865-1926), Scot bacteriologist]
leister (li:s´tэr) •n. a kind of fish spear, usually with three prongs •vt. to spear (fish) with a leister [< Scand, as in ON ljoster < ljosta, to strike < IE base *leu-, to cut off > Gr lyein, to loosen, dissolve]
leisure (li:´zhэr, lezh´эr) •n. free, unoccupied time during which a person may indulge in rest, recreation, etc. •adj. 1 free and unoccupied; spare {leisure time} 2 having much leisure; not working for a living {the leisure class} at leisure 1 having free or spare time 2 with no hurry 3 not occupied or engaged at one's leisure when one has the time or opportunity lei´sured •adj. [ME leiser < OFr leisir, substantive use of inf., to be permitted < L licere < IE base *leik-, to offer for sale, bargain]
leisure suit a man's suit, designed for casual wear, having the jacket styled like a shirt, typically with a button front, and usually worn without a necktie
leisurely (-li:) •adj. characterized by or having leisure; without haste; deliberate; slow {to make a leisurely inspection of a place} •adv. in an unhurried manner
leitmotif or leitmotiv (lait´mou ti:f') •n. 1 a short, recurring musical phrase or theme, esp. as used in Wagnerian opera to represent a given character, emotion, etc. 2 a dominant theme or underlying pattern [Ger leitmotiv < leiten, to LEAD¹ + motiv, MOTIVE]
Leitrim (li:´trэm) county in Connacht province, N Ireland: 589 sq. mi. (1,525 sq. km); pop. 28,000
Leix (leish, li:sh) var. sp. of LAOIGHIS
Leizhou (lei´jou') peninsula in Guangdong province, SE China, opposite Hainan island: c. 90 mi. (145 km) long
lek¹ (lek) •n. the basic monetary unit of Albania: see MONEY, table
lek² (lek) •n. an area where certain male animals, as the male of the prairie chicken, gather to perform their courtship displays
lekvar (lek´vär') •n. a sweet purée of cooked plums or prunes, used chiefly as a filling in pastries [Hung]
Lely (li:´li:, lei´-), Sir Peter (born Peter van der Faes) 1618-80; Du. portrait painter in England
LEM (lem) pl. LEMs •n. a lunar excursion module, the manned spacecraft that landed on the moon
leman (lem´эn, li:´mэn) •n. [Archaic] a sweetheart or lover (man or woman); esp., a mistress [ME lemman, lefman < lef, dear (see LIEF) + man] Leman (li:´mэn), Lake Lake (of) GENEVA: Fr. name Lac Lé·man (låk lei mäñ´)
lemma¹ (lem´э) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-э tэ) •n. 1 a proposition proved, or sometimes assumed, to be true and used in proving a theorem 2 the subject of a composition, gloss, or note, esp. when used as a heading 3 a term that has been glossed in a list [L < Gr lēmma, something taken or received, something taken for granted < lambanein, to seize, assume < IE base *(s)lagw-, to grasp > LATCH]
lemma² (lem´э) •n. the outer or lower of the two bracts or scales surrounding the flower of a grass [Gr, a husk < base of lepein, to peel: see LEPER]
lemming (lem´iŋ) pl. -mings •n.or -ming any of various small, mostly arctic rodents (family Cricetidae) resembling mice but having short tails and fur-covered feet: some species (esp. genus Lemmus) undertake spectacular mass migrations at peaks of population growth, ultimately drowning while trying to cross the sea [Dan < ON læmingi, lemming, orig., prob. barker < IE echoic base *lā- > L latrare, to bark, lamentum, LAMENT]
lemniscus (lem nis´kэs) pl. -nis´ci (-nis´ai) •n. a band of sensory nerve fibers in the central nervous system, usually terminating in the thalamus [ModL < L, hanging ribbon < Gr lēmniskos, ribbon]
Lemnos (lem´näs', -nous') Greek island in the N Aegean: 186 sq. mi. (483 sq. km)
lemon (lem´эn) •n. 1 a small, egg-shaped, edible citrus fruit with a pale-yellow rind and a juicy, sour pulp, rich in ascorbic acid 2 the small, spiny, semitropical evergreen citrus tree (Citrus limon) bearing this fruit 3 pale yellow Æ 4 [Slang] a) something, esp. a manufactured article, that is defective or imperfect b) an inadequate person •adj. 1 pale-yellow 2 made with or from lemons 3 having a flavor more or less like that of lemons lem´on·y •adj. [ME lymon < MFr limon < Ar laimūn < Pers līmūn]
lemon balm a perennial mint (Melissa officinalis) with white or yellowish flowers and aromatic leaves: used in flavoring food, liqueurs, and medicines
lemon butter 1 a spread made of butter flavored with lemon 2 a sauce of melted butter, lemon juice, and seasoning, used on fish, vegetables, etc.: also lemon butter sauce
lemon drop a small, hard, lemon-flavored candy
lemon verbena a Chilean shrub (Aloysia triphylla) of the verbena family, with white flowers and whorls of narrow, lemon-scented leaves
lemonade (lem'эn eid´) •n. a drink made of lemon juice, sweetening, and water [Fr limonade]
lempira (lem pir´э) pl. -ras •n. the basic monetary unit of Honduras: see MONEY, table [AmSp, after Lempira, native chief who resisted the Spaniards]
Lemuel (lem´yu: эl) a masculine name: dim. Lem [Heb lemūēl, lit., belonging to God]
lemur (li:´mэr) •n. any of a family (Lemuridae) of prosimian primates with large eyes, a long tail, a pointed muzzle, and soft, woolly fur: they are mostly tree-dwelling and nocturnal, and are found only in Madagascar and the Comoro Islands: see also INDRI lem·u·rine (lem´yu rain', -rin) •adj. lem´u·roid' (-roid') •adj., n. [< L lemures, ghosts, specters (akin to Gr lamia: see LAMIA): so called from its nocturnal habits]
lemures (lem´yu: ri:z') •n.pl. Rom. Myth. evil, night-walking spirits of the dead [L: see LEMUR]
Lena (li:´nэ, lei´-) 1 a feminine name: var. Lina: see HELENA, MAGDALENE 2 river in EC Siberian Russia, rising near Lake Baikal and flowing northeast into the Laptev Sea: c. 2,680 mi. (4,300 km)
Lenape (len´э pi:') pl. Len´a·pe' DELAWARE (n. 1 & 2) •n. [short for Lenape Leni-lenape, lit., real man < leni, real + lenape, man]
lend (lend) lent, lend´ing •vt. 1 to let another use or have (a thing) temporarily and on condition that it, or the equivalent, be returned: opposed to BORROW 2 to let out (money) at interest 3 to give; impart {a fire lends cheer to a room} •vi. to make a loan or loans lend itself (or oneself) to to be adapted to, useful for, or open to lend´a·ble •adj. lend´er •n. [< ME lenen (with unhistoric -d < pt.) < OE lænan < læn, a LOAN]
lending library (or department) CIRCULATING LIBRARY
lend-lease (-li:s´) •n. in World War II, material aid in the form of munitions, tools, food, etc. granted under specified conditions to foreign countries whose defense was deemed vital to the defense of the U.S. lend´-lease´, -leased´, -leas´ing, •vt.
L'Enfant (läñ fäñ´), Pierre Charles (pyeř shåřl´) 1754-1825; Fr. engineer & architect who served in the Am. Revolutionary army & drew up plans for Washington, D.C.
length (leŋkθ, leŋθ) •n. 1 the measure of how long a thing is; measurement of anything from end to end; the greatest of the two or three dimensions of anything 2 extent in space; distance anything extends 3 extent in time; duration 4 a long stretch or extent 5 the quality, state, or fact of being long 6 a piece of a certain or standardized length {a length of stove pipe} 7 a unit of measure consisting of the length of an object or animal competing in a race {to win a boat race by two lengths} 8 Phonet. a) the duration of the pronunciation of a vowel {the i in bride has greater length than the i in bright} b) popularly, the quality of a vowel 9 Prosody syllabic quantity at full length stretched out; completely extended at length 1 after a long time; finally 2 in or to the whole extent; in full 3 for a long time and in great detail go to any length to do whatever is necessary; scruple at nothing [ME < OE lengthu < base of lang, LONG¹ + -TH¹]
-length (leŋkθ, leŋθ) combining form forming adjectives of a (specified) length, of such length as to reach a (specified) point or part {full-length}
lengthen (leŋk´θэn, leŋ´-) •vt., vi. to make or become longer SYN. EXTEND length´en·er •n.
lengthwise (leŋkθ´waiz', leŋ´-) •adv., adj. in the direction of the length: also length´ways' (-weiz')
lengthy (leŋk´θi:, leŋ´-) length´i·er, length´i·est •adj. having length; long; esp., too long, or so long as to be tiresome {a lengthy voyage, a lengthy sermon} length´i·ly •adv. length´i·ness •n.
lenient (li:n´yэnt, li:´ni: эnt) •adj. 1 not harsh or severe in disciplining, punishing, judging, etc.; mild; merciful; clement 2 [Archaic] soothing le´ni·en·cy, pl. -cies, or le´ni·ence •n. le´ni·ent·ly •adv. [L leniens, prp. of lenire, to soften, alleviate < lenis, smooth, soft, mild < IE base *leī-: see LATE]
Lenin (len´in; Russ lye´nyin), V(ladimir) I(lyich) (orig., surname Ulyanov; also called Nikolai Lenin) 1870-1924; Russ. leader of the Communist revolution of 1917: premier of the U.S.S.R. (1917-24)
Lenin Peak mountain located on the border between Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan: c. 23,400 ft. (7,132 m)
Leninakan (len'in э kän´) old name of KUMAYRY
Leningrad (len´in græd') name (1924-91) of ST. PETERSBURG (Russia)
Leninism (len´in iz'эm) •n. the communist theories, doctrines, policies, and methods of Lenin, including esp. his theory of the dictatorship of the proletariat and analysis of imperialism: a development of Marxism Len´in·ist •n., adj.
lenis (li:´nis; also lei´-) Phonet. articulated with little muscle tension and little or no aspiration, as (b) and (d) •adj. •n. a lenis sound Opposed to FORTIS [L, smooth, soft, mild: see LENIENT]
lenitive (len´э tiv) •adj. soothing or assuaging; lessening pain or distress •n. anything that soothes; esp., a lenitive medicine [< ML lenitivus < L lenitus, pp. of lenire, to soften: see LENIENT]
lenity (-ti:) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being lenient; mildness; gentleness; mercifulness 2 pl. -ties a lenient act SYN. MERCY [OFr lenité < L lenitas < lenis, mild: see LENIENT]
leno (li:´nou) •n. 1 a type of weave in which the warp yarns are paired and twisted 2 a soft, meshed fabric of this weave [Fr linon < lin, flax: see LINEN]
Lenore (lэ nör´) a feminine name: see LEONORA
lens (lenz) •n. 1 a) a piece of glass, or other transparent substance, with two curved surfaces, or one plane and one curved, regularly bringing together or spreading rays of light passing through it: a lens or combination of lenses is used in optical instruments, eyeglasses, etc. to form an image b) a combination of two or more such pieces 2 any of various devices used to focus microwaves, electrons, or sound waves 3 Anat. a transparent, biconvex body situated between the iris and the vitreous humor of the eye: it focuses upon the retina light rays entering the pupil: see EYE, illus. •vt. [Colloq.] 1 to photograph 2 to make a film of [L, lentil: from the resemblance to the shape of a lentil]
Lent (lent) •n. 1 the period of forty weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter, observed variously in Christian churches by fasting and penitence 2 in the Middle Ages, the period from Martinmas (November 11) to Christmas: in full St. Martin's Lent [ME lenten < OE lengten, the spring < Gmc *langat-tin < base of LONG¹ + *tina-, day < IE base *dei-, to shine > L dies, day: from the lengthening of the days in the spring; akin to Ger lenz, spring] lent (lent) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of LEND
lentamente (len'tэ men´tei) •adv. Musical Direction slowly [It < lento, LENTO]
lentando (len tän´dou) •adv., adj. Musical Direction slowing down by degrees [It < lentare, to make slow < lento, LENTO]
Lenten (lent´ªn) •adj. [also l-] 1 of, connected with, or suitable for Lent 2 spare; meager {Lenten fare} [ME lenten < OE lengten, full form of LENT: now felt as LENT + -EN]
lentic (lent´ik) •adj. Ecol. designating, of, or living in still water, as lakes, ponds, or marshes: cf. LOTIC [< L lentus, slow (see LITHE) + -IC]
lenticel (len´ti sel') •n. a spongy area in the bark of a woody plant, serving as a pore to permit the exchange of gases between the stem and the atmosphere len'ti·cel´late (-sel´it) •adj. [ModL lenticella, dim. < L lens (gen. lentis), lentil]
lenticular (len tik´yu: lэr) •adj. 1 shaped like a lentil or biconvex lens 2 of a lens 3 of the lens of the eye 4 designating or of a projection screen made up of a series of small cylindrical lenses set on the surface: the screen is very bright over a wide angle of viewing [L lenticularis < lenticula: see LENTIL]
lenticulate (-leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. to emboss lenticules on the base side of (a film) in order to produce, with a special color filter, pictures in natural color len·tic'u·la´tion •n.
lenticule (len´ti kyu:l') •n. any of the microscopic lenses lenticulated on a film [< L lenticula: see LENTIL]
lentiginous (len tij´э nэs) •adj. 1 of lentigo 2 freckled Also len·tig´i·nose' (-nous') [L lentiginosus < lentigo: see LENTIGO]
lentigo (-tai´gou) pl. len·tig´i·nes' (-tij´э ni:z') •n. 1 a frecklelike spot on the skin that often appears during or after middle age 2 a freckle [L < lens, lentil]
lentil (lent´ªl) •n. 1 an Old World plant (Lens culinaris) of the pea family with small, edible seeds shaped like biconvex lenses 2 the seed of this plant [ME < OFr lentille < L lenticula, dim. of lens, lentil]
lentissimo (len tis´э mou') •adv., adj. Musical Direction very slow [It, superl. of lento: see LENTO]
lentivirus (len´ti vai'rэs) •n. any of a genus (Lentivirus) of retroviruses that have a slow but persistent rate of replication and cause various chronic, progressive diseases in hoofed animals, esp. sheep
lento (len´tou) •adv., adj. Musical Direction slow [It < L lentus, pliant, lasting, calm: see LITHE]
lentoid (len´toid') •adj. lens-shaped [< L lens (gen. lentis): see LENS & -OID]
Leo (li:´ou) 1 a masculine name: var. Leon; fem. Leona 2 a N constellation between Cancer and Virgo, containing the star Regulus 3 the fifth sign of the zodiac, entered by the sun about July 21 4 Leo I, Saint (c. A.D. 400-461); pope (440-461): his day is November 10: called the Great 5 Leo III, Saint (died A.D. 816); pope (795-816): his day is June 12 6 Leo XIII (born Gioacchino Pecci) 1810-1903: pope (1878-1903) •n. a person born under the sign of Leo [L: see LION]
Leo Minor a small N constellation between Leo and Ursa Major [L, lit., the Lesser Lion]
Leon (li:´än') a masculine name: see LEO
León (le ôn´) 1 region in NW Spain: from the 10th cent., a kingdom which united with Castile (1037-1157), separated (1157-1230), and permanently united with Castile (1230) 2 city in this region: pop. 132,000 3 city in central Mexico, in Guanajuato state: pop. 656,000: in full León de los Al·da·mas (de lôs äl dä´mäs) 4 city in W Nicaragua: pop. 63,000
Leona (li: ou´nэ) a feminine name: see LEO
Leonard (len´эrd) a masculine name: dim. Len, Lenny [Fr Léonard < OFr Leonard < OHG *Lewenhart, lit., strong as a lion < lewo, lion (< L leo: see LION) + hart, strong, HARD]
Leonardesque (li:'ou när desk´) •adj. resembling Leonardo da Vinci or his style of painting
Leonardo da Vinci see DA VINCI, Leonardo
Leoncavallo (le ôn'kä väl´lô), Rug·gie·ro (řu:d je´řô) 1858-1919; It. operatic composer
leone (li: oun´) •n. the basic monetary unit of Sierra Leone: see MONEY, table
Leonidas (li: än´э dэs) died 480 B.C.; king of Sparta (c. 491-480): defeated & killed by the Persians at Thermopylae
Leonids (li:´э nidz') •n.pl. the meteor showers visible annually about November 16: they appear to radiate from the constellation Leo Also Le·on·i·des (li: än´i di:z') [Fr < L Leo (gen. Leonis): see LEO & -ID]
leonine (li:´э nain') •adj. of, characteristic of, or like a lion [ME < OFr leonin < L leoninus < leo, LION]
Leonora (li:'э nör´э) a feminine name: dim. Nora; var. Lenora, Lenore, Leonore: see ELEANOR
Leonore (li:´э nör') a feminine name: var. of LEONORA
Leontief (li: änt´yef), Was·si·ly (væs´эli:) 1906- ; U.S. economist, born in Russia
leopard (lep´эrd) pl. -ards or -ard •n. 1 any of various large, ferocious cats, including the jaguar and snow leopard; esp., a species (Panthera pardus) of Africa and S Asia usually having a tawny coat spotted with black 2 Heraldry a lion represented in side view, with one foreleg raised and the head facing the viewer leop´ard·ess •n.fem. [ME leoparde < OFr leupart < LL leopardus < Gr leopardos < leōn, lion + pardos, pard, panther]
Leopardi (le'ô päř´di:), Conte Gia·co·mo (jä´kô mô) 1798-1837; It. poet
Leopold (li:´э pould') 1 a masculine name 2 Leopold I 1640-1705; emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (1658-1705) 3 Leopold I 1790-1865; king of Belgium (1831-65) 4 Leopold II 1747-92; emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (1790-92): son of Maria Theresa 5 Leopold II 1835-1909; king of Belgium (1865-1909): son of Leopold I 6 Leopold III 1901-83; king of Belgium (1934-51): abdicated: son of Albert I [Ger < OHG Liutbalt < liut, people (orig., prob., free man, akin to OE leod, man, king) + balt, strong, BOLD]
Léopoldville (li:´э pould vil'; lei-) old name of KINSHASA
leotard (li:´э tärd') •n. a one-piece, tightfitting, sleeved or sleeveless garment that covers, usually, only the torso: it is worn by acrobats, dancers, etc.: see also UNITARD [after J. Léotard, 19th-c. Fr aerial performer]
Lepanto (li pæn´tou, -pän´-), Gulf of old name of Gulf of CORINTH; site of naval battle (Battle of Lepanto, 1571) in which the European powers defeated Turkey
leper (lep´эr) •n. 1 a person having leprosy 2 a person to be shunned or ostracized, as because of the danger of moral contamination [ME lepre, leprosy < OFr < LL lepra (L leprae, pl.) < Gr < lepros, rough, scaly < lepein, to peel < IE base *lep-, to peel off, scale > OE læfer, rush, reed]
lepido- (lep´э dou') combining form scaly Also, before a vowel, lep´id- [< Gr lepis (gen. lepidos), a scale < lepein: see LEPER]
lepidolite (li pid´э lait', lep´i dou lait') •n. mica that contains lithium, commonly occurring in scaly masses of rose, lilac, or gray color [prec. + -LITE]
lepidopteran (lep'э däp´tэr эn) •n. any of a large order (Lepidoptera) of insects, consisting of the butterflies and moths, characterized by two pairs of broad, membranous wings covered with very fine scales, often brightly colored: the larvae are caterpillars lep'i·dop´ter·ous •adj. [< ModL Lepidoptera (see LEPIDO- & -PTEROUS) + -AN]
lepidopterist (-ist) •n. a specialist in the study of lepidopteran insects lep·i·dop·ter·ol·o·gy •n.
lepidosiren (lep'э dou'sai´rэn) •n. any of a genus (Lepidosiren) of lungfishes with an eel-like form, found in swamps and stagnant waters of the South American tropics [ModL < LEPIDO- + SIREN]
lepidote (lep´i dout') •adj. Biol. covered with small flakes, scales, or scalelike hairs; scurfy [Gr lepidōtos < lepis (gen. lepidos), a scale: see LEPIDO-]
Lepidus (lep´э dэs), (Marcus Aemilius) died 13 B.C.; Rom. triumvir (43-36 B.C.), with Antony & Octavian
Lepontine Alps (li pän´tin) division of the W Alps between Switzerland & Italy: highest peak, 11,684 ft. (3,560 m)
leporid (lep´э rid) pl. le·por·i·dae (li pör´i di:') •n. any of a family (Leporidae) of lagomorphic mammals, consisting of the hares and rabbits •adj. of this family [< ModL Leporidae < L lepus (gen. leporis) hare, of Iberian-Balearic orig. > Gr lebēris, Fr lapin]
leporine (lep´э rain', -rin) •adj. of or like a hare or hares [L leporinus < lepus: see LEPORID]
leprechaun (lep´rэ kön') •n. Ir. Folklore a fairy in the form of a little old man who can reveal a buried crock of gold to anyone who catches him [Ir lupracān < OIr luchorpan < lu, little + corpān, dim. of corp, body < L corpus, body: see CORPUS]
leprosarium (lep'rэ ser´i: эm) pl. -ri·ums (-э) •n.or -ri·a a hospital or colony for leprosy patients [LEPROS(Y) + (SANIT)ARIUM]
leprose (lep´rous') •adj. Biol. scaly; scurfy [LL leprosus: see LEPROUS]
leprosy (lep´rэ si:) •n. a progressive infectious disease caused by a bacterium (Mycobacterium leprae) that attacks the skin, flesh, nerves, etc.; it is characterized by nodules, ulcers, white scaly scabs, deformities, and the eventual loss of sensation, and is apparently communicated only after long and close contact [ME leprūsē < leprus, lepros: see LEPROUS]
leprous (-rэs) •adj. 1 of or like leprosy 2 having leprosy 3 LEPROSE [ME lepros < OFr < LL leprosus < lepra: see LEPER]
-lepsy (lep´si:) combining form a fit, attack, seizure {narcolepsy} Also -lep´si·a [ModL -lepsia < Gr -lēpsia < lēpsis, an attack < base of lambanein, to seize: see LEMMA¹]
lept (lept) •vi., vt. alt. pt. of LEAP
lepto- (lep´tou, -tэ) combining form thin, fine, slender {leptodactylous} Also, before a vowel, lept- [Gr lepto- < leptos, thin: see LEPTON¹]
leptocephalus (lep'tou sef´э lэs) pl. -li' (-lai') •n. the marine, ribbonlike larva of tarpons, bonefishes, and eels [ModL: see LEPTO- & -CEPHALOUS]
leptodactylous (-dæk´tэ lэs) •adj. having slender toes, as some birds [LEPTO- + DACTYL + -OUS]
lepton¹ (lep´tän') pl. lep´ta (-tэ) •n. 1 a small coin of ancient Greece 2 a monetary unit of modern Greece, equal to ¹/100 of a drachma [Gr < leptos, thin, small < lepein, to peel: see LEPER]
lepton² (lep´tän') •n. any of a class of light fermions that do not interact strongly with other particles or nuclei, including the electrons, neutrinos, muons, etc. lep'ton´ic •adj. [LEPT(O)- + -ON]
leptophos (lep´tэ fäs') •n. a dangerous, white, solid, neurotoxic insecticide, C13H10BrCl2O2PS
leptospirosis (lep'tou spai rou´sis) •n. any of several systemic infections of humans and domestic animals caused by a genus (Leptospira) of spirochetes found in sewage and natural waters, and involving variously the eyes, liver, kidneys, etc. lep'to·spi´ral (-spai´rэl) •adj. [ModL < Leptospira (< LEPTO- + L spira: see SPIRE¹) + -OSIS]
Lepus (li:´pэs) a S constellation between Eridanus and Canis Major [L, the Hare: see LEPORID]
Lérida (lei´ri: dä') city in NE Spain: pop. 110,000
Lermontov (ler´män tôf'), Mi·kha·il Yur·ie·vich (mi: khä i:l´ yu:ř´yэ vich') 1814-41; Russ. poet & novelist
Leroy (lэ roi´, li:´roi') a masculine name Also LeRoy [< Fr le roi, the king]
Lesage (lэ säzh´), A·lain Re·né (å læñ řэ nei´) 1668-1747; Fr. novelist & dramatist: also Le Sage
Lesbian (lez´bi: эn) •adj. 1 of Lesbos, its people, etc. 2 [usually l-] [from the eroticism or homosexuality attributed to Sappho and her followers in Lesbos] a) of homosexuality between women b) [Rare] eroticn. 1 a native or inhabitant of Lesbos 2 [usually l-] a homosexual woman les´bi·an·ism' •n. [L Lesbius < Gr Lesbios]
Lesbos (lez´bäs, -bэs) Greek island in the Aegean, off the coast of Asia Minor: c. 630 sq. mi. (1,630 sq. km)
lèse-majesté (lez'mæ'zhes tei´, -mæj´isti:) •n. 1 a crime against the sovereign; offense against a ruler's dignity as head of the state; treason 2 any insolent or slighting behavior toward a person to whom deference is due Also lese' maj´es·ty (-mæj´is ti:) [Fr < L laesa majestas < laesa, fem. of laesus (see LESION) + majestas, MAJESTY]
lesion (li:´zhэn) •n. 1 an injury; hurt; damage 2 an injury or other change in an organ or tissue of the body tending to result in impairment or loss of function [ME < MFr < L laesio < laesus, pp. of laedere, to harm, injure]
Leslie (lez´li:, les´-) a masculine or feminine name: dim. Les [< surname, orig. place name said to be < less lee (lea), i.e., smaller meadow, dell]
Lesotho (le sût´hou', le sou´θou') country in SE Africa, surrounded by South Africa: formerly the British protectorate of Basutoland, it became an independent member of the Commonwealth in 1966: 11,716 sq. mi. (30,462 sq. km); pop. 1,552,000; cap. Maseru
lespedeza (les'pэ di:´zэ) •n. any of a genus (Lespedeza) of annual or perennial plants of the pea family, cultivated for forage, hay, soil improvement, etc. [ModL Lespedeza, erroneously for *Zespedesa, after V. M. de Zespedes, 18th-c. Sp governor of E Florida]
less (les) •adj. 1 alt. compar. of LITTLE 2 not so much; smaller in size or amount {to drink less milk, take less time} 3 fewer {in less than 25 words} •adv. 1 compar. of LITTLE 2 to a smaller extent {less likely to succeed} •n. a smaller amount •prep. with the deduction of; minus {$5,000 less taxes} less and less to a decreasing degree; decreasingly much (or still) less to an even smaller degree or extent {she won't even talk to him, much less work with him} no less a person than a person of no lower importance, rank, etc. than USAGE—although the use of less instead of fewer with plural nouns is very old, it is objected to by some, esp. immediately preceding a plural noun [less coins in his pocket] [ME les < OE læs, adv. læssa, adj. (used as compar. of lytel, LITTLE), akin to OFris les < IE *leis- < base *lei-, to diminish, meager, > LITTLE]
-less (lis, lэs) suffix forming adjectives 1 without, lacking {pitiless, valueless} 2 not able or apt to {relentless, tireless, reckless} 3 not able or apt to be ~ed {dauntless} [ME -les, -leas < OE -leas < leas, free, loose, akin to losian, LOSE]
lessee (les i:´) •n. a person to whom property is leased; tenant [ME < Anglo-Fr < OFr lessé, pp. of lesser < OFr laissier: see LEASE & -EE¹]
lessen (les´эn) •vt. 1 to make less; decrease 2 [Archaic] to belittle; minimize; disparage •vi. to become less SYN. DECREASE
Lesseps (les´эps; Fr le seps´), Vicomte Fer·di·nand Ma·rie de (feř di: näñ må ři:´ dэ) 1805-94; Fr. engineer & diplomat: promoter & planner of the Suez Canal
lesser (les´эr) •adj. 1 alt. compar. of LITTLE 2 smaller, less, or less important •adv. less [LESS + -ER]
Lesser Antilles group of islands in the West Indies, southeast of Puerto Rico, including the Leeward Islands, the Windward Islands, & the islands off the N coast of Venezuela
lesser panda a small, reddish Himalayan carnivore (Ailurus fulgens) of the same family (Procyonidae) as the raccoon, with a long, ringed tail
Lessing (les´iŋ) 1 Doris (May) 1919- ; Brit. writer 2 Gott·hold E·phra·im (gôt´hôlt' ei´fřä im') 1729-81; Ger. dramatist & critic
lesson (les´эn) •n. 1 something to be learned; specif., a) an exercise or assignment that a student is to prepare or learn within a given time; unit of instruction b) the instruction given during one class or instruction period c) something that needs to be learned (or the event through which it is learned) for the sake of one's safety, well-being, etc. d) [pl.] course of instruction {music lessons} 2 a selection, as of Scripture, forming part of a religious service; lection 3 a rebuke; reproof •vt. [Now Rare] 1 to give a lesson to 2 to rebuke; reprove [ME lessoun < OFr leçon < L lectio, a reading, hence text, lesson < pp. of legere, to read: see LOGIC]
lessor (les´ör', les ör´) •n. a person who gives a lease; landlord [Anglo-Fr < lesser: see LEASE]
lest (lest) conj. 1 for fear that; in case; so that . . . not {speak low lest you be overheard} 2 that: used only after an expression denoting fear {afraid lest he should fall} [ME leste < OE the læste < thy læs the, lit., by the less that < thy, instrumental of thæt, pron. + læs (see LESS) + the, particle]
Lester (les´tэr) a masculine name: dim. Les [orig. surname < LEICESTER]
-let (lit, lэt) suffix forming nouns 1 small {piglet, starlet} 2 a small object worn as a band on (a specified part of the body) {armlet} [ME < MFr -el (< L -ellus) + -et, both dim. suffixes]
let¹ (let) let, let´ting •vt. 1 to leave; forsake; abandon: now only in phrases let alone or let be, to refrain from bothering, disturbing, touching, etc. 2 a) to give the use of (a house, room, etc.) to a tenant in return for rent; rent; hire out b) to give out (work), assign (a contract), etc. 3 to allow or cause to escape; cause to flow or come out, as by shedding, emitting, etc. {to let blood} 4 to allow to pass, come, or go {let me in} 5 to allow; permit: followed by an infinitive, normally without to [let me help], or by an adverb, etc. with the verb itself unexpressed [let me up] 6 to cause to; make: usually with know or hear {let me hear from you} When used in commands, suggestions, or dares with a noun or pronoun as object, let serves as an auxiliary [let us give generously; just let him make one false move] •vi. to be rented or leased {house to let} let alone 1 see (vt. 1 above) 2 much less; not to mention {he would not taste the oysters, let alone the squid} let down 1 to lower 2 to slow up; relax; slacken 3 to disappoint or fail let off 1 to give forth (steam, etc.) 2 to excuse from work for a short time 3 to deal leniently with; release with light punishment or none let on [Colloq.] 1 to indicate one's awareness of a fact 2 to pretend let out 1 to allow to flow, run, etc. away; release 2 to give forth; emit 3 to lease or rent out 4 to reveal (a secret, etc.) 5 to make a garment larger by reducing (the seams, hem, etc.) 6 to cut (fur pelts) into strips that are then sewn together to achieve suppleness, attractive shading, etc. Æ 7 to dismiss or be dismissed, as school let someone have it to attack, hit, shoot, etc. someone let up 1 to slacken; relax 2 to cease Æ let up on [Colloq.] to stop dealing harshly or severely with SYN.—let may imply positive consent but more often stresses the offering of no opposition or resistance, sometimes connoting negligence, lack of power, etc. [don't let this happen again]; allow and permit imply power or authority to give or deny consent, allow connoting a refraining from the enforcement of usual requirements [honor students were allowed to miss the examinations], and permit more positively suggesting formal consent or authorization [he was permitted to talk to the prisoner]; suffer, now somewhat rare in this sense, is closely synonymous with allow and may connote passive consent or reluctant tolerance see also HIRE [ME leten < OE lætan, to leave behind, akin to Ger lassen < IE *lēd- < base *lēi-, to neglect, leave behind > LATE, L letum, death]
let² (let) let´ted or let, let´ting •vt. [Archaic] to hinder; obstruct; prevent •n. 1 an obstacle or impediment: used in the legal phrase without let or hindrance 2 Tennis, etc. an interference with the course of the ball in some way specified in the rules, making it necessary to play the point over again [ME letten < OE lettan, to hinder, lit., to make late (akin to Goth latjan, to delay) < base of læt, LATE]
letch (lech) •vi., n. LECH
letdown (let´daun') •n. 1 a slowing up or feeling of dejection, as after great excitement, effort, etc. 2 the gliding descent of an airplane as it prepares to land 3 a disappointment or disillusionment
lethal (li:´θэl) •adj. causing or capable of causing death; fatal or deadly SYN. FATAL le´thal´i·ty (-θæl´i ti:) •n. le´thal·ly •adv. [L letalis, lethalis < letum, death: see LET¹]
lethal gene a gene that causes death during some immature stage in the development of an organism: also lethal factor
lethargic (li θär´jik) •adj. 1 of or producing lethargy 2 having lethargy; abnormally drowsy or dull, sluggish, etc. le·thar´gi·cal·ly •adv. [ME litargik < L lethargicus < Gr lēthargikos]
lethargize (leθ´эr jaiz') -gized', -giz'ing •vt. to make lethargic
lethargy (leθ´эr ji:) •n. 1 a condition of abnormal drowsiness or torpor 2 a great lack of energy; sluggishness, dullness, apathy, etc. [ME litarge < OFr < LL lethargia < Gr lēthargia < lēthargos, forgetful < lēthē (see LETHE) + argos, idle < a-, not + ergon, WORK]
Lethbridge (leθ´brij') city in S Alberta, Canada: pop. 59,000 [after W. Lethbridge (1824-1901), president of local coal-mining company]
Lethe (li:´θi:) Gr. & Rom. Myth. the river of forgetfulness, flowing through Hades, whose water produces loss of memory in those who drink of it •n. oblivion; forgetfulness Le·the·an (li: θi:´эn) •adj. [L < Gr lēthē, forgetfulness, oblivion: see LATENT]
Letitia (li tish´э) a feminine name: dim. Letty [< L laetitia, gladness < laetus, gay, glad]
let's (lets) let us
Lett (let) •n. LATVIAN (n. 1) [Ger Lette < Latvian Latvi]
letted (let´id) •vt. alt. pt. & pp. of LET²
letter bomb a small explosive device, as one used by terrorists, designed to be mailed in an envelope
letter box MAILBOX
letter carrier a postal employee who delivers mail
letter of advice a letter notifying its recipient of something relating to a commercial transaction, as one notifying a buyer that goods have been shipped
letter of credit a letter from a bank asking that the holder of the letter be allowed to draw specified sums of money from other banks or agencies, to be charged to the account of the writer of the letter
letter opener a knifelike tool for slitting open sealed envelopes
letter¹ (let´эr) •n. 1 a written or printed symbol employed to represent a speech sound or sounds; character in an alphabet: in some languages, as English, some words contain letters that are no longer sounded 2 a written or printed message to a person or group, usually sent by mail in an envelope 3 an official document giving certain authorities or privileges: usually used in pl. 4 [pl.] a) literature generally b) learning; knowledge, esp. of literature 5 strict interpretation of the literal meaning, or the literal meaning itself; exact wording Æ 6 a cloth representation of the first letter of the name of a school or college, awarded and worn for superior performance in sports, etc. 7 Printing a) a type, impression, or photographic reproduction of a character of the alphabet b) a particular style of type •vt. 1 to make hand-printed letters on; mark with letters {to letter a poster} 2 to set down in hand-printed letters {to letter one's name} •vi. 1 to make hand-printed letters Æ 2 [Colloq.] to earn a school letter as in a sport to the letter just as written or directed; precisely let´ter·er •n. [ME lettre < OFr < L littera, letter of the alphabet, (in pl.) a letter, epistle]
letter² (let´эr) •n. a person who lets, or rents out, property
letterboxed (-bäkst') •adj. recorded for playback on videotape, video discs, etc. by means of a format that preserves a wide-screen film image, using dark bands above and below the image
lettered (let´эrd) •adj. 1 able to read and write; literate 2 very well educated; learned 3 inscribed or marked with letters
letterhead (let´эr hed') •n. 1 the name, address, etc. of a person or firm printed as a heading on a sheet of letter paper 2 a sheet of letter paper with such a heading printed on it
lettering (-iŋ) •n. the process of putting letters on something by inscribing, printing, painting, engraving, etc., or the letters so made
letterman (-mæn') pl. -men' (-men') •n. a student who has won a school letter, as for proficiency in a sport
letter-perfect (-pør´fikt) •adj. 1 correct in all its letters, or in every respect 2 knowing one's lesson, theatrical role, etc. perfectly
letterpress (-pres') •n. 1 a) the method of printing from raised surfaces, as set type (cf. OFFSET) b) matter printed by this method 2 [Chiefly Brit.] reading matter, as distinguished from illustrations
letter-quality (-kwöl´i ti:) •adj. of or producing printed characters similar in quality and clarity to typewritten characters
letters (or letter) of credence a formal document which a country's diplomatic representative carries as credentials to a foreign government: also letters credential
letters (or letter) of marque a former government document authorizing an individual to make reprisals on the subjects of an enemy nation, specif. to arm a ship and capture enemy merchant ships and cargo: also letters (or letter) of marque and reprisal
letters of administration Law a document issued by the probate court or some officer who has authority, directing a person to administer the goods or property of a dead person
letters patent (-pæt´ªnt) a document granting a patent: see PATENT
letters testamentary Law a document issued by the probate court or some officer who has authority, directing the person named as executor in a will to act in that capacity
Lettish (let´ish) •adj., n. LATVIAN
lettre de cachet (le třª dэ kå shei´) pl. let·tres de ca·chet´ (le třª dэ-) a sealed letter; esp., in France before the Revolution, a letter containing a royal warrant for the imprisonment without trial of a specified person [Fr]
lettuce (let´эs) •n. 1 any of a genus (Lactuca) of hardy, annual composite plants; specif., a plant (L. sativa) grown for its crisp, succulent, green leaves 2 the leaves of such a plant, much used for salads 3 [Slang] paper money [ME letuse < OFr laituës, pl. of laitue < L lactuca < lac (gen. lactis), milk (see GALACTIC): from its milky juice]
letup (let´ûp') •n. [Colloq.] 1 a slackening or lessening, as of effort 2 a stop or pause [< phr. let up]
leu (le´u) pl. lei (lei) •n. the basic monetary unit of Romania: see MONEY, table [Romanian, lit., lion < L leo, LION]
leucine (lu:´si:n', -sin) •n. an essential amino acid, (CH3)2CHCH2CH(NH2)COOH, produced by the hydrolysis of proteins by pancreatic enzymes during digestion and by the putrefaction of nitrogenous organic matter: see AMINO ACID [< Gr leukos, white (see LIGHT¹) + -INE³]
leucite (-sait') •n. a white or gray mineral, KAl(SiO3)2, found in potassium-rich igneous rocks [Ger leucit, now leuzit (< Gr leukos, white: see LIGHT¹) + -it, -ITE¹]
leuco- (lu:´kou, -kэ) combining form 1 white, weakly colored, or colorless {leucoplast} 2 leukocyte Also, before a vowel, leuc-
leucoplast (lu:´kou plæst') •n. any of the colorless granules found in the protoplasm of vegetable cells in which starch forms in the absence of light [prec. + -PLAST]
leukapheresis (lu:'kэ fe ri:´sis) •n. a medical procedure that separates certain leukocytes from the blood, used to collect leukocytes for donation or to remove excessive leukocytes from a patient's blood
leukemia (lu: ki:´mi: э) •n. any of a group of neoplastic diseases of the blood-forming organs, resulting in an abnormal increase in the production of leukocytes, often accompanied by anemia and enlargement of the lymph nodes, spleen, and liver Also sp. leu·kae´mi·a leu·ke´mic (-mik) •adj. leu·ke´moid' (-moid') •adj. [ModL: see LEUCO- & -EMIA]
leuko- (lu:´kou, -kэ) combining form LEUCO- Now often the preferred form in medical and biological usage Also, before a vowel, leuk-
leukocyte (lu:´kou sait', -kэ-) •n. any of the small, colorless nucleated cells in the blood, lymph, and tissues, which are important in the body's defenses against infection, including granular types such as neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, and nongranular types such as lymphocytes and monocytes; white blood corpuscle leu'ko·cyt´ic (-sit´ik) •adj. leu'ko·cy´toid' (-sai´toid') •adj. [see LEUCO- & -CYTE]
leukocytoblast (lu:'kou sait´ou blæst', -kэ-; -sait´э-) •n. the precursor cell to a mature leukocyte leu'ko·cy'to·blas´tic (-blæs´tik) •adj. [see LEUCO- & CYTO- & BLAST]
leukocytosis (-sai tou´sis) •n. an increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood: it is a normal response to pregnancy and is found in certain intoxications and in many infections and cases of inflammation leu'ko·cy·tot´ic (-tät´ik) •adj. [ModL < LEUKOCYTE + -OSIS]
leukoderma (-dør´mэ) •n. a lack of pigmentation, often congenital, in areas of the skin, resulting in white patches [ModL: see LEUCO- & -DERM]
leukoma (lu: kou´mэ) •n. a dense, white opacity of the cornea, caused by injury or inflammation [ModL < Gr leukōma < leukos, white: see LIGHT¹ & -OMA]
leukopenia (lu:'kou pi:´ni:´э, -kэ-) •n. a decrease below normal in the number of leukocytes in the blood leu'ko·pe´nic •adj. [ModL < leuko- (var. of LEUCO-) + Gr penia, poverty]
leukoplakia (lu:'kou plei´ki: э, lu:'kэ-) •n. a disease, sometimes precancerous, characterized by thick, white patches covering the tongue, gums, etc.
leukopoiesis (-poi i:´sis) •n. the process of forming leukocytes leu'ko·poi·et´ic (-et´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr leukos, white + poiēsis, a making: see LEUCO- & POESY]
leukorrhea (lu:'kэ ri:´э) •n. an abnormal, whitish discharge from the vagina leu'kor·rhe´al •adj. [ModL: see LEUCO- + -RRHEA]
leukotomy (lu kät´э mi:) pl. -mies •n. LOBOTOMY
leukotriene (lu:'kou trai´i:n', -kэ-) •n. any of a group of compounds similar to the prostaglandins, which are released in the body when various cells are stimulated as by pollen, and cause constriction of air passages, swelling, and inflammation, as in asthma and rheumatoid arthritis [LEUKO- (var. of LEUCO-) + TRI- + -ENE: it contains three double bonds]
Leuven (lö´vэn) city in central Belgium: pop. 85,000
lev (lef) pl. le·va (le´vэ) •n. the basic monetary unit of Bulgaria: see MONEY, table [Bulg, lit., lion < OSlav livu, ult. < Gr leōn, lion] Lev Bible Leviticus
Levalloisian (lev'э loi´zi: эn) •adj. designating or of a middle paleolithic culture, characterized by the production of flake tools [after fol. where such tools were found]
Levallois-Perret (lэ vål lwå pe re´) city in NC France, on the Seine: suburb of Paris: pop. 54,000
Levant (lэ vænt´) region on the E Mediterranean, including all countries bordering the sea between Greece & Egypt •n. [l-] 1 LEVANT MOROCCO 2 rare var. of LEVANTER¹ (sense 1) [Fr levant < It levante (< L levans, rising, raising, prp. of levare, to raise: see LEVER): applied to the East, from the rising of the sun] levant (lэ vænt´) •vi. [Brit.] to disappear unexpectedly, leaving unpaid debts [prob. < Sp levantar, to start suddenly (as game), lit., to rise, ult. < L levare, to raise: see LEVER]
Levant morocco a fine morocco leather with a large, irregular grain, used esp. in bookbinding
levanter¹ (lэ væn´tэr) •n. 1 a strong wind that blows over the Mediterranean area from the east 2 [L-] LEVANTINE (sense 1) [prec. + -ER]
levanter² (lэ væn´tэr) •n. [Brit.] one who disappears, leaving unpaid debts
Levantine (li væn´tin, -tain'; lev´эn-) •adj. of the Levant •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of the Levant 2 [l-] a strong, twilled silk cloth [Fr levantin]
levator (lэ veit´эr) pl. lev·a·to·res (lev'э tör´i:z') or le·va´tors •n. 1 a muscle that raises a limb or other part of the body 2 a surgical instrument for lifting depressed fragments of bone in a skull fracture [ModL < pp. of L levare, to raise: see LEVER]
levee¹ (lev´i:) •n. 1 an embankment built alongside a river to prevent high water from flooding bordering land 2 a landing place, as a pier, on the bank of a river 3 a low ridge of earth around a field to be irrigated •vt. lev´eed, lev´ee·ing to build a levee along [Fr levée, fem. pp. of OFr lever, to raise: see LEVER]
levee² (lev´i:; lэ vi:´, -vei´) •n. 1 [Historical] a morning reception held by a sovereign or person of high rank upon arising 2 any formal or stylish reception 3 [Brit.] a reception held in the afternoon by the king or his representative, attended only by men [Fr levé, for OFr lever, substantival use of inf., to raise, se lever, to rise: see LEVEE1]
level (lev´эl) •n. 1 an instrument for determining, or adjusting a surface to, an even horizontal plane: it has a glass tube partly filled with liquid so as to leave an air bubble that moves to the exact center of the tube when the instrument is on an even horizontal plane; often there is another such tube which indicates when the instrument is perpendicular to the horizontal 2 a) SURVEYOR'S LEVEL b) a measuring of differences in elevation with this instrument 3 a) a horizontal plane or line; esp., such a plane taken as a basis for the measurement of elevation {sea level} b) the height, or altitude, of such a plane 4 a relatively flat and even area of land or other surface; horizontal area 5 the same horizontal plane {to keep the tops of pictures on a level} 6 usual or normal position with reference to a certain height {water seeks its level} 7 position, elevation, or rank considered as one of the planes in a scale of values {levels of income} 8 a horizontal drift or gallery in a mine 9 the degree of concentration of a substance in a fluid 10 Physics the ratio of a quantity's magnitude to an arbitrarily selected magnitude •adj. 1 having no part higher than any other; perfectly flat and even; conforming to the surface of still water 2 conforming to the plane of the horizon; not sloping 3 being of the same height or being in the same plane; even (with) 4 even with the top of the container; not heaping {a level teaspoonful} 5 a) equal in importance, rank, degree, etc. b) conforming to a specified level or rank {high-level talks} c) equally advanced in development d) even or uniform in tone, color, pitch, volume, rate, etc. 6 a) not having or showing sudden differences or inequalities; well-balanced; equable b) not excited or disturbed; calm or steady 7 paid or to be paid in equal amounts over a period of time Æ 8 [Slang] honest; straight •adv. [Now Rare] on a level line •vt. -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling 1 to make level; specif., a) to make perfectly horizontal by means of a level b) to make flat and even c) to equalize in height, rank, quality, etc. (often with down or up) d) to make even in tone, color, pitch, etc. 2 to knock to the ground; demolish; lay low {the storm leveled the tree} 3 to aim (a gun, etc.) for firing 4 to aim or direct 5 Surveying to determine the differences in altitude in (a plot of ground) •vi. 1 to aim a gun, etc. (at) 2 to bring people or things to an equal rank, condition, etc.: usually with down or up Æ 3 [Slang] to be frank and honest (with someone) find one's (or its) level to reach one's proper or natural place according to one's qualities, capacity, etc. level off 1 to make flat and even 2 to become horizontal, as an airplane in flight: also level out 3 to become stable or constant one's level best [Colloq.] the best one can do Æ on the level [Slang] honest(ly) and fair(ly) lev´el·ly •adv. lev´el·ness •n. SYN.—level is applied to a surface that is parallel to, or conforms with, the horizon; flat implies the absence to any marked degree of depressions or elevations in a surface, in whatever direction it lies; plane describes a real or imaginary surface that is absolutely flat and wholly contains every straight line joining any two points lying in it; even is applied to a surface that is uniformly level or flat, or to a surface that is in the same plane with, or in a plane parallel to, another; a smooth surface has no roughness or projections, often as a result of wear, planing, polishing, etc. [OFr livel < VL *libellus < L libella, dim. of libra, a balance, level, weight]
level crossing [Brit.] GRADE CROSSING
leveler (lev´эl эr) •n. 1 one that levels 2 a person who wishes to abolish political and social inequalities 3 [L-] a member of an English party that arose among radical Parliamentarians (c. 1646) and advocated the leveling of all social ranks and the establishment of a more democratic government Also sp. lev´el·ler
levelheaded (lev´эl hed'id) •adj. having or showing an even temper and sound judgment; sensible lev´el·head´ed·ly •adv. lev´el·head'ed·ness •n.
leveling rod (or staff) Surveying a graduated rod used in determining the difference in elevation between two points
lever (lev´эr, li:´vэr) •n. 1 a bar used as a pry 2 a means to an end 3 Mech. a device consisting of a bar turning about a fixed point, the fulcrum, using power or force applied at a second point to lift or sustain a weight at a third point; hence, any handle or the like used to operate something •vt. 1 to move, lift, etc. with or as with a lever 2 to use as a lever [OFr leveour < lever, to raise < L levare < levis, light: see LIGHT²]
leverage (-ij) •n. 1 the action of a lever 2 the increased force resulting from this 3 increased means of accomplishing some purpose •vt. -aged, -ag·ing to speculate in (a business investment) largely through the use of borrowed funds, or credit, with the expectation of earning substantial profits; also, to mortgage (oneself or one's assets) in this way
leveraged buyout Business the acquisition of a corporation by a group of investors using mostly borrowed funds which are secured by the assets of the corporation being acquired
leveret (lev´эr it) •n. an immature hare [LME < MFr levrette, dim. of levre, hare < L lepus (gen. leporis): see LEPORID]
Levi (li:´vai') 1 a masculine name: dim. Lev 2 Bible the third son of Jacob and Leah: Gen. 29:34 See also LEVITE [Heb, lēwī, lit., joining]
leviable (lev´i: э bэl) •adj. 1 that can be levied upon; taxable; assessable 2 that can be levied
leviathan (lэ vai´э θэn) •n. 1 Bible a sea monster, variously thought of as a reptile or a whale 2 anything huge or very powerful [ME < LL(Ec) < Heb liwyāthān < base akin to Akkadian lawū, to surround, Ar liyatu, snake]
levier (lev´i: эr) •n. a person who levies taxes, fines, tributes, etc.
levigate (lev´i geit') -gat'ed, -gat'ing •vt. 1 to grind to a fine, smooth powder 2 to separate fine particles from coarse particles of (a substance) by grinding in water so as to suspend the fine particles, which settle to the bottom last [< L levigatus, pp. of levigare, to make smooth, polish < levis, smooth (see LIME¹) + agere, to make (see ACT)]
levin (lev´in) •n. [Archaic] lightning [ME levene, ult. < IE base *leuk-, to shine > LIGHT¹]
levirate (lev´э rit, -reit'; li:´vэ-) •n. a custom of the Jews in Biblical times by which a dead man's brother was obligated to marry the widow if there were no sons: Deut. 25:5-10 lev'i·rat´ic (-э ræt´ik) or lev'i·rat´i·cal •adj. [L levir, husband's brother, brother-in-law (< *daiwer < IE *dāiwēr > Sans dēvár, Gr daēr, OE tacor) + -ATE²]
Levi's (li:´vaiz') trademark for closefitting trousers of heavy denim, reinforced at the seams, etc. with small copper rivets •n.pl. such trousers: usually written Le´vis or le´vis [after Levi Strauss, who first made them in San Francisco (c. 1850)]
Lévi-Strauss (lei´vi: straus´), Claude 1908- ; Fr. social anthropologist, born in Belgium
levitate (lev´э teit') -tat'ed, -tat'ing •vt. to cause to rise and float in the air •vi. to rise and float in the air because of, or as if because of, lightness and buoyancy lev´i·ta'tor •n. [< L levis, LIGHT² by analogy with GRAVITATE]
levitation (lev'э tei´shэn) •n. 1 a levitating or being levitated 2 the illusion of raising and keeping a heavy body in the air with little or no physical support
Levite (li:´vait') •n. Bible any member of the tribe of Levi, chosen to assist the priests in the Temple: Num. 18:6 [LL(Ec) Levites < Gr(Ec) Leuitēs < Heb lēwī: see LEVI]
Levitical (lэ vit´i kэl) •adj. 1 of the Levites 2 of Leviticus or its laws [< LL(Ec) Leviticus + -AL]
Leviticus (-kэs) the third book of the Pentateuch in the Bible, containing the laws relating to priests and Levites: abbrev. Lev, Lv, or Le [LL(Ec) Leviticus (liber) < Gr(Ec) Leuitikon (biblion), lit., the Levitical (book)]
Levittown (lev´it taun') 1 city in SE N.Y., on Long Island: pop. 53,000 2 city in SE Pa., northeast of Philadelphia: pop. 55,000 [after Levitt & Sons, Inc., builders of planned towns]