wool stapler 1 a person who sells wool 2 a person who sorts wool according to its staple, or fiber

woolen (-эn) •adj. 1 made of wool 2 of or relating to wool or woolen cloth •n. [pl.] woolen goods or clothing Also [Chiefly Brit.] wool´len [ME wullen < OE]

Woolf (wulf) 1 Leonard (Sidney) 1880-1969; Eng. publisher & writer 2 Virginia (born Adeline Virginia Stephen) 1882-1941; Eng. novelist & critic: wife of Leonard

woolfell (wul´fel') •n. the pelt of a wool-bearing animal with the wool still on it [WOOL + FELL4]

woolgathering (-gæð'эr iŋ) •n. absent-mindedness or daydreaming wool´gath'er·er •n. [from random wandering to gather tufts of wool caught on thorns and hedges]

woolgrower (-grou'эr) •n. one who raises sheep for wool

woolhat (wul´hät) •n. [South] 1 a person who owns or works a small farm 2 an unsophisticated or conservative person

woolly (wul´i:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. 1 of or like wool 2 bearing wool 3 covered with wool or something resembling wool in texture Æ 4 having characteristics of the early frontier life of the western U.S.; rough and uncivilized: used chiefly in wild and woolly 5 tangled and confused; fuzzy {woolly ideas} pl. -lies •n. 1 [West] a sheep 2 a) a woolen garment, esp. one with a fleecelike surface b) [pl.] long underwear made of wool wool´li·ness •n.

woolly aphid any of various aphids that secrete a hairlike covering of wax

woolly bear see TIGER MOTH

woolly-headed (-hed'id) •adj. confused, unclear, impractical, etc. in thought: also wool´ly-mind'ed (-main´did)

woolpack (wul´pæk') •n. 1 a large bag of canvas, cotton, etc. in which to pack wool or fleece for sale 2 a bale of wool so packed 3 a fleecy cumulus cloud

woolsack (-sæk') •n. 1 a sack of wool 2 a cushion stuffed with wool, on which the British Lord Chancellor sits in the House of Lords

woolshed (-shed') •n. a building in which sheep are sheared and the wool is packed for market

woolsorters' disease (-sört'эrz) pulmonary anthrax, an occupational disease of workers in unprocessed wool, contracted by inhaling the spores of the anthrax bacillus

Woolworth (wul´wэrθ), F(rank) W(in·field) 1852-1919; U.S. merchant

wooly (wul´i:) wool´i·er, wool´i·est •adj. WOOLLY •n. pl. wool´ies wool´i·ness •n.

woomera (wu:´mэr э) •n. a spear-throwing device used by Australian Aborigines [Austral native name]

Woonsocket (wun säk´it, wu:n-) city in N R.I.: pop. 44,000 [earlier Wansokutt Hill < the name in a S New England Algonquian language]

woops (wups, wu:ps) •vi., vt. [Colloq.] VOMIT [altered < OOPS]

woosh (wush) •vi., vt., n., interj. var. of WHOOSH

woozy (wu:´zi:, wuz´i:) wooz´i·er, wooz´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] 1 dizzy, faint, and sickish 2 befuddled, muddled, or dazed, as from drink, drugs, a blow, etc. wooz´i·ly •adv. wooz´i·ness •n. [prob. < wooze, var. of OOZE¹]

wop (wäp) •n. [sometimes W-] [Slang] an Italian or a person of Italian descent: an offensive term of hostility and contempt

Worcester (wus´tэr), Joseph Emerson 1784-1865; U.S. lexicographer Worcester (wus´tэr) 1 city in E England, in Hereford and Worcester: pop. 74,000 2 WORCESTERSHIRE 3 city in central Mass.: pop. 170,000

Worcester china (or porcelain) a fine china (or porcelain) made at Worcester, England, from 1751

Worcestershire (wus´tэr shir') former county of W England, now part of the county of Hereford and Worcester

Worcestershire sauce a spicy sauce for meats, poultry, etc., containing soy, vinegar, and other ingredients: orig. made in Worcester, England

word (wørd) •n. 1 a) a speech sound, or series of them, serving to communicate meaning and consisting of at least one base morpheme with or without prefixes or suffixes; unit of language between the morpheme and the sentence b) a letter or group of letters representing such a unit of language, written or printed usually in solid or hyphenated form 2 a brief expression, statement, remark, etc. {a word of advice} 3 a promise, affirmation, or assurance {to give a person one's word} 4 news; information; tidings {no word from home; what's the good word?} 5 a) a password or signal b) a command, order, or authorization {waiting for the word to go ahead} 6 [usually pl.] a) talk; speech b) the lyrics, text, libretto, etc. of a musical composition that is sung 7 [pl.] a quarrel; dispute; argument 8 [Archaic] a saying; proverb 9 Comput. a basic unit of storage in a memory, consisting of a certain number of bits •vt. to express in words; phrase a good word a favorable comment, or commendation at a word in quick response to a request or command; immediately be as good as one's word to live up to one's promises break one's word to fail to keep one's promise by word of mouth by speech, not by writing; orally hang on someone's words to listen to someone eagerly have a word with to have a brief conversation with have no words for to be incapable of describing have words with to argue angrily with in a word in short; briefly in so many words exactly and plainly man (or woman) of his (or her) word a person who keeps his (or her) promises of many (or few) words talkative (or not talkative) take someone at his (or her) word to take someone's words literally or seriously and, often, act accordingly take the words (right) out of one's mouth to say what one was about to say oneself {he took the words right out of my mouth} the Word 1 LOGOS 2 the Bible; Scriptures 3 GOSPEL (sense 1) (upon) my word! indeed! really!: an exclamation of surprise, irritation, etc. word for word in precisely the same words; exactly; verbatim [ME < OE, akin to Ger wort < IE *werdh- (extension of base *wer-, to speak, say) > Gr eirein, to speak, L verbum, word]

word blindness ALEXIA word´-blind' •adj.

word deafness a cerebral disorder characterized by loss of ability to understand spoken words; auditory aphasia

Word of God the Bible

word of honor pledged word; solemn promise; oath

word order the arrangement of words in a phrase, clause, or sentence

word processing the production of documents with a word processor

word processor a computerized device incorporating variously an electronic typewriter, video screen, memory, printer, etc., used to generate, edit, store, transmit, or duplicate documents, as letters, reports, etc. for a business

word square a square made of letters so arranged that they spell the same words in the same order horizontally and vertically

wordage (-ij) •n. 1 words collectively, or the number of words (of a story, novel, etc.) 2 verbiage; wordiness 3 wording; diction

word-association test (-э sou'si: ei´shэn) a psychological test in which the person being tested responds to a given word with the first word (or the first word in a specified category, such as an antonym) brought to mind

wordbook (-buk') •n. a dictionary, lexicon, or vocabulary

word-for-word (-fэr wørd´) •adj. in exactly the same words

wording (-iŋ) •n. choice and arrangement of words; diction

wordless (-lis) •adj. 1 without words; speechless 2 not expressed or not capable of being expressed in words word´less·ly •adv. word´less·ness •n.

word-of-mouth (-эv mauθ´) •adj. communicated orally

wordplay (-plei') •n. 1 subtle or clever exchange of words; repartee 2 punning or a pun

wordsmith (-smiθ') •n. 1 a person, esp. a professional writer, who uses language skillfully 2 a person who coins new words

Wordsworth (wørdz´wэrθ), William 1770-1850; Eng. poet: poet laureate (1843-50)

wordy (wør´di:) word´i·er, word´i·est •adj. 1 of words; verbal 2 containing or using many or too many words; verbose word´i·ly •adv. word´i·ness •n. SYN.—wordy is the general word implying the use of more words in speaking or writing than are necessary for communication [a wordy document]; verbose suggests a wordiness that results in obscurity, tediousness, bombast, etc. [a verbose acceptance speech]; prolix implies such a tiresome elaboration of trivial details as to be boring or dull [his prolix sermons]; diffuse suggests such verbosity and loose construction as to lose all force and sharpness [a rambling, diffuse harangue]; redundant, in this connection, implies the use of unnecessary or repetitious words or phrases [a redundant literary style] —ANT. concise, terse, pithy

wore (wör) •vt., vi. pt. of WEAR¹

work (wørk) •n. 1 physical or mental effort exerted to do or make something; purposeful activity; labor; toil 2 employment at a job or in a position 3 occupation, profession, business, trade, craft, etc. 4 a) something one is making, doing, or acting upon, esp. as part of one's occupation or duty; task; undertaking {to bring work home from the office} b) the amount of this {a day's work} 5 something that has been made or done; result of a specific kind of activity or way of working [to have dental work done, skillful brushwork]; specif., a) an act; deed (usually used in pl.) {a person of good works} b) [pl.] collected writings {the works of Poe} c) [pl.] engineering structures, as bridges, dams, docks, etc. d) a fortification e) needlework; embroidery f) WORK OF ART 6 material that is being or is to be processed, as in a machine tool, in some state of manufacture 7 [pl., with sing. v.] a place where work is done, as a factory, public utility plant, etc.: often in combination {steelworks, gasworks} 8 manner, style, quality, rate, etc. of working; workmanship 9 foam due to fermentation, as in cider 10 the action of, or effect produced by, natural forces 11 Mech. the product of force and the amount of displacement in the direction of that force: it is the means by which energy is transferred from one object or system to another 12 [pl.] Theol. acts done in compliance with religious laws or duties or aimed at fulfilling religious ideals •adj. of, for, or used in work •vi. worked or wrought, work´ing [OE wyrcan, wercan] 1 to exert oneself in order to do or make something; do work; labor; toil 2 to be employed 3 a) to perform its required or expected function; operate or act as specified b) to operate effectively; be effectual {a makeshift arrangement that works} 4 to undergo fermentation 5 to produce results or exert an influence {let it work in their minds} 6 to be manipulated, kneaded, etc. {putty that works easily} 7 to move, proceed, etc. slowly and with or as with difficulty 8 to move, twitch, etc. as from agitation {his face worked with emotion} 9 to change into a specified condition, as by repeated movement {the door worked loose} 10 Naut. to strain, as in a storm, so that the fastenings become slack: said of a ship •vt. 1 to cause; bring about; effect {an idea that worked harm} 2 to mold; shape; form {to work silver} 3 to sew, embroider, etc. {to work a sampler} 4 to solve (a mathematical problem, puzzle, etc.) 5 to draw, paint, carve, etc. (a portrait or likeness) 6 to manipulate; knead {to work dough} 7 to bring into a specified condition, as by movement back and forth {to work a nail loose} 8 to cultivate (soil) 9 to cause to function; operate; manage; use {to work a pump} 10 to cause fermentation in 11 to cause to work {to work a crew hard} 12 to influence; persuade {to work someone around to one's way of thinking} 13 to make (one's way, passage, etc.) by work or effort 14 to provoke; rouse; excite {to work oneself into a rage} 15 to carry on activity in, along, etc.; cover {a salesman working his territory} 16 [Colloq.] to make use of, esp. by artful contriving {to work one's connections} Æ 17 [Colloq.] to use one's influence, charm, etc. on (a person) to gain some profit or advantage Æ 18 [Slang] to move through (a crowd or room) greeting people, shaking hands, etc.: said esp. of a politician at work 1 working or engaged in work 2 operating {unseen forces were at work on the economy} Æ get the works [Slang] to be the victim of extreme measures Æ give someone the works [Slang] 1 to murder someone 2 to subject someone to an ordeal, either maliciously or jokingly in the works [Colloq.] in the process of being planned or done make short (or quick) work of to deal with or dispose of quickly out of work without a job; unemployed Æ shoot the works [Slang] 1 to risk everything on one chance or play 2 to make a supreme effort or attempt the works 1 the working parts or mechanism (of a watch, clock, etc.) Æ 2 [Colloq.] a) all possible accessories, extras, etc. b) everything that can be included (usually the whole works) work in 1 to introduce or insert 2 to be introduced or inserted work off 1 to get rid of or dissipate, as by exertion Æ 2 to pay (a debt or obligation) by work rather than with money work on (or upon) 1 to influence 2 to try to persuade work out 1 to make its way out, as from being embedded 2 to exhaust (a mine, etc.) 3 WORK OFF (sense 2) 4 to bring about by work; accomplish 5 to solve 6 to calculate 7 to result in some way {things did not work out as planned} 8 to add up to a total (at a specified amount) 9 to develop; elaborate 10 to put into practice 11 to engage in a training session or program for physical fitness or athletic skill work over 1 to work or do again Æ 2 [Colloq.] to subject to harsh or cruel treatment, as by beating, torture, etc. work up Æ 1 to make one's (or its) way up; advance; rise 2 to manipulate, mix, etc. into a specified object or shape 3 to develop; elaborate 4 to acquire knowledge of or skill at 5 to arouse; excite 6 [Slang] to bring about or cause (a sweat) by vigorous activity [ME werk < OE weorc, akin to Ger werk < IE base *werG-, to do, act > Gr ergon (for *wergon), action, work, organon, tool, instrument]

work basket a basket for holding sewing equipment

work camp 1 PRISON CAMP (sense 1) 2 a camp where work is done by volunteers, as for a religious organization

work ethic a system of values in which central importance is ascribed to work, or purposeful activity, and to qualities of character believed to be promoted by work

work farm a farm on which the workers are short-term prisoners convicted of less serious crimes

work force the total number of workers actively employed in, or available for work in, a nation, region, plant, etc.

work of art 1 something produced in one of the fine arts, esp. in one of the graphic or plastic arts, as a painting, sculpture, carving, etc. 2 anything made, done, performed, etc. with great skill and beauty

work sheet 1 a sheet of paper on which a record of work, working time, etc. is kept 2 a sheet of paper printed with practice exercises, problems, etc., to be worked on directly by students 3 a sheet of paper containing working notes, preliminary formulations, etc.

work song a folk song sung by laborers, as in the fields, with a marked rhythm matching the rhythm of their work

workable (wørk´э bэl) •adj. 1 that can be worked 2 practicable; feasible work'a·bil´i·ty or work´a·ble·ness •n.

workaday (wørk´э dei') •adj. 1 of or suitable for working days; everyday 2 commonplace; ordinary [ME werkedai < werk, WORK + -e- (prob. as in sunnedai, SUNDAY, messeday, mass day) + dai, DAY]

workaholic (wørk'э höl´ik, -häl´-) •n. a person having a compulsive need to work work´a·hol'ism' •n. [WORK + -AHOLIC]

workbag (wørk´bæg') •n. a bag for holding implements and materials for work, as for knitting, crocheting, etc.

workbench (-bench') •n. a table at which work is done, as by a mechanic, carpenter, repairman, etc.

workbook (-buk') •n. Æ 1 a book based on a textbook or course of study, which contains exercises and questions for use by students 2 a book of operating instructions 3 a book in which one keeps a record of work planned or done

workbox (-bäks') •n. a box for work tools and materials

workday (-dei') •n. 1 a day on which work is ordinarily done, esp. as distinguished from a Sunday, holiday, etc. Æ 2 the part of a day during which work is done; specif., the number of hours constituting the required day's work for the regular wage or salary {a seven-hour workday} •adj. WORKADAY [LME werkdai, prob. < werk + dai (OE weorcdæg)]

worker (wørk´эr) •n. 1 a person, animal, or thing that works; specif., a person who is employed to do physical or mental work for wages, esp. in order to earn a living, as in a trade, industry, business, office, etc. or on a farm, ranch, etc. 2 a person who works for a cause, organization, etc. {volunteer workers, a party worker} 3 any of a class of sterile or sexually imperfect ants, bees, wasps, etc. that do work for the colony: with the exception of termites, workers are normally females 4 Printing an electrotype used to print from, as distinguished from one used as a mold for making duplicate electrotypes

-worker (wørk´эr) combining form a person who works in a (specified) industry or place or with (specified) materials or equipment {dockworker, steelworker}

workers' compensation the compensation to an employee for injury or occupational disease suffered in connection with employment, paid under a government-supervised insurance system contributed to by employers

workfare (wørk´fer') •n. a government program requiring employable recipients of welfare to register for work or work training [WORK + (WEL)FARE]

workhorse (wørk´hörs') •n. 1 a horse used for working, as for pulling a plow 2 a steady, responsible worker who assumes a heavy workload 3 a machine, vehicle, etc. that proves to be durable and dependable

workhouse (-haus') •n. 1 orig., a WORKSHOP (sense 1) 2 [Historical] in England, a poorhouse in which able residents had to work Æ 3 a kind of prison, where petty offenders are confined and made to work

working (wørk´iŋ) •adj. 1 that works 2 of, for, used in, or taken up by work {a working day, working clothes} 3 sufficient to allow work to be done {a working majority} 4 on which further work is or may be based {a working hypothesis} 5 moving or jerking convulsively, as from emotion: said of the face, features, etc. •n. 1 the act or process of a person or thing that works 2 the process of forming or shaping something 3 convulsive movement or jerking, as of the face 4 slow or gradual progress involving great effort or exertion 5 [usually pl.] a part of a mine, quarry, etc. where work is or has been done

working capital 1 Accounting the excess of cash and liquid assets over current liabilities 2 cash and other assets needed for the day-to-day operation of a business

working class workers as a class; esp., industrial or manual workers as a class; proletariat work´ing-class' •adj.

working day WORKDAY

working papers any official papers that legalize the employment of a minor or of an alien

working substance the air, gas, or liquid that works the pistons, vanes, etc. of an engine

workingman (-mæn') pl. -men' (-men') •n. a worker; esp., an industrial or manual worker; wage earner; laborer

workingwoman (-wum'эn) pl. -wom'en •n. a woman who is gainfully employed; often, specif., such a woman as distinct from a housewife

workload (wørk´loud') •n. the amount of work assigned for completion within a given period of time

workman (wørk´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 WORKINGMAN 2 a craftsman

workmanlike (-laik') •adj. characteristic of a good workman; skillful Also work´man·ly

workmanship (-ship') •n. 1 a) skill of a workman b) the quality of the work done or thing made; craftsmanship {furniture of fine workmanship} 2 something produced by this skill

workout (wørk´aut') •n. 1 a training session of exercises to maintain or improve one's physical or athletic skill 2 any strenuous exercise, work, etc.

workpeople (-pi:'pэl) •n.pl. [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] workers; esp., industrial or manual workers

workplace (-pleis') •n. the office, factory, etc. where one works

work-release (-ri li:s') •adj. designating or of a program in which certain prisoners are permitted to leave a penal institution for a specified time in order to hold jobs, prior to their full release

workroom (-ru:m') •n. a room in which work is done

works council [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] a committee of workers organized by their employer to discuss industrial relations

workshop (-shäp') •n. 1 a room or building where work, as home repairs or light manufacturing, is done 2 a seminar or series of meetings for intensive study, work, discussion, etc. in some field

workstation (-stei'shэn) •n. 1 a person's work area, including furniture, appliances, etc.; often, specif., such an area with a terminal or microcomputer 2 a computer, usually intermediate in power between a microcomputer and a minicomputer, used for complex or specialized applications, as in engineering design

work-study (-stûd´i:) •adj. of or relating to any of various programs, as at a university, which enable students to engage in part-time employment while continuing their studies

worktable (-tei'bэl) •n. a table at which work is done, esp. one with drawers for tools, materials, etc.

work-up (-ûp') •n. 1 a complete medical study of a patient, including a thorough examination, laboratory tests, a survey of the patient's case history, etc. 2 Printing an unwanted mark on a printed page caused by the rising of spacing material

workweek (-wi:k') •n. the total number of hours or days worked in a week for the regular wage or salary

workwoman (-wum'эn) pl. -wom'en •n. a woman worker, esp. a woman industrial or manual worker

world (wørld) •n. 1 a) the planet earth b) the whole universe c) any heavenly body thought of hypothetically as inhabited {worlds in space} 2 the earth and its inhabitants 3 a) the human race; mankind b) people generally; the public {a discovery that startled the world} 4 a) [also W-] some part of the earth {the Old World} b) some period of history, its society, etc. {the ancient world} c) any sphere or domain {the animal world} d) any sphere of human activity {the world of music} e) any sphere or state of existence {the world of tomorrow} 5 individual experience, outlook, etc. {a man whose world is narrow} 6 a) secular or social life and interests, as distinguished from the religious or spiritual b) people primarily concerned with secular affairs and pursuits 7 [often pl.] a large amount; great deal {the rest did him a world (or worlds) of good} 8 a star or planet SYN. EARTH bring into the world 1 to give birth to 2 to assist in the delivery of (a child) come into the world to be born for all the world 1 for any reason or consideration at all 2 in every respect; exactly in the world 1 on earth or in the universe; anywhere {where in the world could you find this?} 2 at all; ever {how in the world did you know?} Æ on top of the world [Colloq.] elated with joy, pride, success, etc.; exultant Æ out of this world [Slang] exceptionally fine; extraordinary; remarkable world without end forever [ME < OE werold, world, humanity, long time, akin to OHG weralt < early WGmc comp. < *wera-, man (see WEREWOLF) + *alth-, an age, mankind (for IE base see OLD): basic sense the age of man]

World Bank an agency (officially International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) of the U.N., established in 1945 to make loans to member nations

World Court INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

world power a nation or organization large or powerful enough to have a worldwide influence [transl. of Ger weltmacht]

World Series [also w- s-] an annual series of games between the winning teams of the two major U.S. baseball leagues to decide the championship

world soul a universal animating principle conceived of as analogous to the soul of a person

World War I the war (1914-18) between the Allies (Great Britain, France, Russia, the U.S., Italy, Japan, etc.) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, etc.)

World War II the war (1939-45) between the Allies (Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, the U.S., etc.) and the Axis (Germany, Italy, Japan, etc.)

worldbeater (-bi:t'эr) •n. [Colloq.] one that is, or that has the qualities needed to become, a great success

world-class (-klæs´) •adj. of the highest class, as in international competition

worldling (-liŋ) •n. a worldly person

worldly (wørld´li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. 1 of or limited to this world; temporal or secular 2 devoted to or concerned with the affairs, pleasures, etc. of this world: also world´ly-mind´ed 3 worldly-wise; sophisticated SYN. EARTHLY world´li·ness •n.

worldly-wise (-waiz´) •adj. wise in the ways or affairs of the world; sophisticated

world's fair any of various expositions at which the arts, crafts, industrial and agricultural products, scientific advances, etc. of various countries of the world are on display

world-shaking (wørld´shei'kiŋ) •adj. of great significance, effect, or influence; momentous

worldview (wørld´vyu:) •n. a comprehensive, esp. personal, philosophy or conception of the world and of human life

world-weary (-wir'i:) •adj. weary of the world; bored with living

worldwide (-waid´) •adj. extending throughout the world

worm (wørm) •n. 1 any of many slender, soft-bodied animals, some segmented, that live by burrowing underground, in water, or as parasites, including the annelids, nemerteans, nematodes, platyhelminths, acanthocephalans, and gordian worms 2 popularly, a) an insect larva, as a caterpillar, grub, or maggot b) any of several mollusks, as the shipworms c) any of various wormlike animals, as a rotifer or a blindworm d) [Obs.] a snake, or serpent 3 an abject, wretched, or contemptible person 4 something that gnaws or distresses one inwardly, suggesting a parasitic worm {the worm of conscience} 5 something thought of as being wormlike because of its spiral shape, etc.; specif., a) the thread of a screw b) the coil of a still c) an Archimedean screw or similar apparatus d) a short, rotating screw that meshes with the teeth of a worm gear or a rack 6 Anat. any organ or part resembling a worm, as the vermiform process 7 [pl.] Med. any disease or disorder caused by the presence of parasitic worms in the intestines, etc. 8 Zool. LYTTA •vi. to move, proceed, etc. like a worm, in a winding, creeping, or devious manner •vt. 1 to bring about, make, etc. in a winding, creeping, or devious manner {to worm one's way through a tunnel} 2 to insinuate (oneself) into a situation, conversation, etc. 3 to extract (information, secrets, etc.) by insinuation, cajolery, or subtle questioning 4 to purge of intestinal worms 5 Naut. to wind yarn or small rope around (a rope or cable), filling the spaces between the strands Æ 6 to rid (tobacco plants) of worms or grubs Æ can of worms [Colloq.] a complex, usually unpleasant problem worm´er •n. worm´like' •adj. [ME < OE wyrm, serpent, dragon, akin to Ger wurm < IE base *wer-, to turn, bend > WARP, L vermis, worm]

worm fence VIRGINIA (RAIL) FENCE

worm gear 1 a gear with teeth designed to mesh with the thread of a WORM (n. 5d): see GEAR, illus. 2 a mechanism consisting of this gear and a WORM (n. 5d)

worm lizard AMPHISBAENIAN

worm snake any of a superfamily (Typhlopoidea) of wormlike, nonpoisonous snakes with vestigial eyes

worm wheel WORM GEAR (sense 1)

worm-eaten (-i:t'ªn) •adj. 1 eaten into by worms, termites, etc. 2 worn-out, out-of-date, etc.

wormhole (-houl') •n. a hole made, as in wood, by a worm, termite, etc.

wormroot (-ru:t') •n. PINKROOT

Worms (vôřmz; E wørmz) city in SW Germany, on the Rhine, in the state of Hesse: scene of an assembly (Diet of Worms), 1521, at which Martin Luther was condemned for heresy: pop. 74,000

wormseed (wørm´si:d') •n. 1 any of a number of plants whose seeds are used in medicine as a remedy for worms, including the American wormseed (Chenopodium ambrosoides) of the goosefoot family 2 the seed of any of these plants 3 SANTONICA (sense 2)

worm's-eye view (wørmz´ai') an outlook from very close range, but from an inferior or menial position

wormwood (-wud') •n. 1 any of a genus (Artemisia) of strong-smelling plants of the composite family, with white or yellow flowers; esp., a Eurasian perennial (A. absinthium) that yields a bitter, dark-green oil (wormwood oil) formerly used in making absinthe 2 a bitter, unpleasant, or mortifying experience [ME wormwode, altered by folk etym. (infl. by worm, WORM + wode, WOOD¹: from use as a vermifuge) < wermode < OE wermod, akin to Ger wermut (> Fr vermout, vermouth)]

wormy (wør´mi:) worm´i·er, worm´i·est •adj. 1 containing a worm or worms; worm-infested 2 WORM-EATEN 3 like a worm 4 debased; groveling worm´i·ness •n.

worn (wörn) •vt., vi. pp. of WEAR¹ •adj. 1 showing the effects of use, wear, etc. 2 damaged by use or wear 3 showing the effects of worry or anxiety

worn-out (-aut´) •adj. 1 used or worn until no longer effective, usable, or serviceable 2 exhausted; tired out

worriment (wør´i mэnt) •n. 1 a worrying or being worried; anxiety 2 a cause of worry

worrisome (-sэm) •adj. 1 causing worry or anxiety 2 having a tendency to worry wor´ri·some·ly •adv.

worry (wør´i:) -ried, -ry·ing •vt. 1 a) to harass or treat roughly with or as with continual biting or tearing with the teeth {a dog worrying a bone} b) to pluck at, push on, touch, etc. repeatedly in a nervous or determined way {worrying the loose tooth with his tongue} 2 to annoy, bother, harass, vex, etc. 3 to cause to feel troubled or uneasy; make anxious; distress •vi. 1 to bite, pull, or tear (at an object) with or as with the teeth 2 to feel distressed in the mind; be anxious, troubled, or uneasy 3 to manage to get (along or through) in the face of trials and difficulties •n. pl. -ries 1 the act of worrying 2 a troubled state of mind; anxiety; distress; care; uneasiness 3 something that causes anxiety SYN. CARE not to worry! [Colloq.] you do not need to worry! wor´ri·er •n. [ME wirwen < OE wyrgan, to strangle, injure, akin to Ger würgen, to strangle < IE *werGh-, to twist, choke < base *wer-, to twist > WORM]

worry beads a string of smooth beads designed to be handled or stroked, as to relieve anxiety or nervousness: popular esp. in the Near East

worrywart (-wört') •n. [Colloq.] a person who tends to worry, esp. over insignificant details [WORRY + WART]

worse (wørs) •adj. 1 compar. of BAD¹ & ILL 2 a) bad, evil, harmful, unpleasant, etc. in a greater degree; less good b) of inferior quality or condition 3 in poorer health or physical condition; more ill; less well 4 in a less favorable condition; in a less satisfactory situation •adv. 1 compar. of BADLY & ILL 2 in a worse manner or way 3 to a worse extent or degree •n. that which is worse for the worse to a worse condition worse off 1 in a worse situation or condition 2 having less income, wealth, etc. [ME < OE wiersa (used as compar. of yfel, bad, EVIL), akin to OHG wirsiro, prob. < base of OHG & OS werran, to confuse]

worsen (wør´sэn) •vt., vi. to make or become worse [orig. dial. < prec. + -EN]

worser (-sэr) •adj., adv. worse: a redundant form now considered dial. or substandard

worship (wør´ship) •n. 1 a) reverence or devotion for a deity; religious homage or veneration b) a church service or other rite showing this 2 extreme devotion or intense love or admiration of any kind 3 [W-] [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a title of honor: used in speaking to or of magistrates, mayors, or certain others holding high rank: preceded by Your or by His or Her 4 [Rare] something worshiped 5 [Rare] a distinct type of religious group, as a sect 6 [Archaic] greatness of character; honor; dignity; worthiness •vt. -shiped or -shipped, -ship·ing or -ship·ping 1 to show religious devotion or reverence for; adore or venerate as a deity 2 to have intense love or admiration for; adore or idolize •vi. to engage in worship, or perform an act of religious devotion; specif., to offer prayers, attend church services, etc. SYN. REVERE¹ wor´ship·er or wor´ship·per •n. [ME worschip < OE weorthscipe, honor, dignity, worship: see WORTH¹ & -SHIP]

worshipful (-fэl) •adj. 1 [Chiefly Brit.] worthy of being worshiped; honorable; respected: used, capitalized and usually preceded by the, as an honorific epithet for magistrates, groups, certain lodge officials, etc. 2 feeling or offering great devotion or respect wor´ship·ful·ly •adv.

worst (wørst) •adj. 1 superl. of BAD¹ & ILL 2 a) bad, evil, harmful, unpleasant, etc. in the highest degree; least good b) of the lowest quality or condition 3 in the least favorable condition or least satisfactory situation •adv. 1 superl. of BADLY & ILL 2 in the worst manner 3 to a degree that is most bad, evil, unpleasant, etc. •n. that which is worst •vt. to get the better of; defeat at worst under the worst circumstances; at the greatest disadvantage give someone the worst of it to defeat or get the better of someone if (the) worst comes to (the) worst if the worst possible thing happens Æ (in) the worst way [Slang] very much; greatly make the worst of to be pessimistic about [ME worste < OE wyrsta, wierresta < base of wiersa, WORSE + -st, superl. suffix]

worst-case (-keis´) •adj. that is, or takes into account, the worst possible case, condition, situation, etc.

worsted (wus´tid, wør´stid) •n. 1 a smooth, hard-twisted thread or yarn made from long-staple wool 2 fabric made from this, with a smooth, hard surface •adj. made of worsted [ME wurstede, after Worsted, now Worstead, England, where first made]

wort¹ (wørt) •n. a liquid, produced from malt and hot water, which can be fermented to make beer or ale, or fermented and distilled to make whiskey [ME < OE wyrt- (in comp.), akin to Ger würze, a spice < IE base *wrād-, twig, root > L radix, ROOT¹]

wort² (wørt) •n. a plant, vegetable, or herb: now usually in compounds [spleenwort, liverwort] [ME < OE wyrt, root, herb, plant: for IE base see WORT1]

worth¹ (wørθ) •n. 1 material value, esp. as expressed in terms of money or some other medium of exchange 2 that quality of a person or thing that lends importance, value, merit, etc. and that is measurable by the esteem in which the person or thing is held 3 the amount or quantity of something that may be had for a given sum {a dollar's worth of nuts} 4 wealth; possessions; riches •adj. [with prepositional force] 1 deserving or worthy of; meriting {not worth the effort} 2 equal in worth or value to {a book that is worth $50} 3 having wealth or possessions amounting to {a man worth half a million} Æ for all one is worth to the extent of one's power or ability; to the utmost Æ put in one's two cents' worth to give one's own opinion; speak up SYN.—worth and value are used interchangeably when applied to the desirability of something material as measured by its equivalence in money, goods, etc. [the worth or value of a used car], but, in discrimination, worth implies an intrinsic excellence resulting as from superior moral, cultural, or spiritual qualities, and value suggests the excellence attributed to something with reference to its usability, importance, etc. [the true worth of a book cannot be measured by its commercial value] [ME < OE weorth, akin to weorthian, to honor, Ger wert, worth, werden, to become < IE *wert-, to turn: see VERSE]

worth² (wørθ) •vi. [Archaic] to become {woe worth the day} [ME worthen < OE weorthan, to become, used as auxiliary of the pass., akin to Ger werden: see WORTH1]

worthless (wørθ´lis) •adj. without worth or merit; useless, valueless, etc. worth´less·ly •adv. worth´less·ness •n.

worthwhile (-hwail´, -wail´) •adj. important or valuable enough to repay time or effort spent; of true value

worthy (wør´ði:) -thi·er, -thi·est •adj. 1 having worth, value, or merit 2 having enough worth or merit (for someone or something specified); meriting: often with of or an infinitive {a man worthy of her, a candidate worthy to be supported} •n. pl. -thies a person of outstanding worth or importance: often used humorously wor´thi·ly •adv. wor´thi·ness •n. [ME worthi]

-worthy (wør´ði:) combining form 1 worthy of; deserving {praiseworthy} 2 safe or suitable for {seaworthy}

wot (wät) •vt., vi. 1st & 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of WIT²

would (wud; unstressed, wэd) v.aux. 1 pt. of WILL² {she said she would be finished before six, in those days we would talk for hours on end} 2 used to express a supposition or condition {he would write if he knew you would answer, I wouldn't do that for anything} 3 used to make a very polite or formal request {would you please open the window?} •vt. [Old Poet.] if only; I wish {would that she were here} See usage note at WILL² [ME wolde < OE, pt. of willan, to wish, WILL¹]

would-be (wud´bi:') •adj. 1 wishing or pretending to be {a would-be expert} 2 intended, but failing, to be {a would-be work of art} [ME (northern) walde be]

wouldn't (wud´ªnt) would not

wouldst (wudst) archaic 2d pers. sing. pt. of WILL²: used with thou Also would·est (wud´ist) v.

wound¹ (wu:nd) •n. 1 an injury to the body in which the skin or other tissue is broken, cut, pierced, torn, etc. 2 an injury to a plant caused by cutting, scraping, or other external force 3 any hurt or injury to the feelings, honor, etc. •vt., vi. to inflict a wound or wounds (on or upon); hurt; injure [ME wundien < OE wundian < the n.] the wounded persons wounded, esp. in warfare [ME wunde < OE wund, akin to Ger wunde < IE *wen-, var. of base *wā-, to hit, wound > WEN¹]

wound² (waund) •vt., vi. 1 pt. & pp. of WIND¹ 2 pt. & pp. of WIND³

woundwort (wu:nd´wørt') •n. any of various plants, esp. betony, formerly used in dressing wounds [WOUND¹ + WORT²]

wove (wouv) •vt., vi. pt. & alt. pp. of WEAVE

wove paper paper made on a mold in which the wires are so closely woven together that the finished sheets do not readily show wire marks as on laid paper

woven (wou´vэn) •vt., vi. alt. pp. of WEAVE

wow¹ (wau) •interj. an exclamation of surprise, wonder, pleasure, pain, etc. •n. Æ [Slang] a remarkable, successful, exciting, etc. person or thing Æ vt. [Slang] to be a great success with; arouse enthusiasm in

wow² (wau) •n. a distortion in reproduced sound resulting from slow variations in the speed of the turntable, tape, etc. in either recording or playing: cf. FLUTTER (n. 6a) [echoic]

wowser (wau´zэr) •n. [Austral. & N.Z. Slang] a person who is rigorously puritanical, strait-laced, etc.

wp 1 word processing 2 word processor Also WP

WPA Works Progress (later, Work Projects) Administration

wpm words per minute

wr or WR Football wide receiver

WRAC Women's Royal Army Corps

wrack¹ (ræk) •n. 1 destruction; ruin: see RACK³ 2 a wrecked ship 3 a) wreckage b) a fragment of something that has been destroyed 4 seaweed or other marine plant life cast up on shore •vt., vi. [Archaic] to wreck or be wrecked [ME wrak, damage, wrecked ship < MDu wrak, a wreck, wrecked ship; akin to OE wræc, misery, something driven (< wrecan, to WREAK)]

wrack² (ræk) •vt. RACK¹; esp., a) to subject to extreme mental or physical suffering; torture b) to disturb violently; convulse [altered (infl. by prec.) < RACK¹]

wrack³ (ræk) •n. a rack of clouds or other vapor [altered < RACK4]

WRAF Women's Royal Air Force

wraith (reiθ) •n. 1 a ghost 2 the spectral figure of a person supposedly seen as a premonition just before that person's death wraith´like •adj. [Scot, earlier warth, guardian angel < ON vorthr, guardian < vartha, to ward, guard: for IE base see WARD]

Wrangel (ræŋ´gэl; Russ vřän´gel'yª) island of Russia in the Chukchi Sea: c. 2,000 sq. mi. (5,180 sq. km) [after Baron F. von Wrangel(l): see WRANGELL]

Wrangell (ræŋ´gэl) 1 mountain range in SE Alas.: highest peak, Mount Blackburn 2 Mount active volcano in these mountains: 14,006 ft. (4,270 m) [after Baron F. von Wrangel(l), 1796-1870, Russ explorer]

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park national park in SC Alas.; largest park in the world: 19,023 sq. mi. (49,269 sq. km)

wrangle¹ (ræŋ´gэl) -gled, -gling •vi. 1 to quarrel angrily and noisily 2 to argue; dispute •vt. to argue (a person) into or out of something •n. an angry, noisy dispute or quarrel SYN. QUARREL² [ME wranglen, freq. of wringen: see WRING]

wrangle² (ræŋ´gэl) -gled, -gling •vt. Æ to herd (livestock, esp. saddle horses) [back-form. < WRANGLER²]

wrangler¹ (-glэr) •n. a person who wrangles, or argues, esp. in a contentious way [WRANGLE¹ + -ER]

wrangler² (-glэr) •n. Æ a cowboy who herds livestock, esp. saddle horses [< (horse) wrangler, partial transl. of AmSp caballerango, a groom, footman]

wrap (ræp) wrapped, wrap´ping •vt. 1 a) to wind or fold (a covering) around something b) to cover by this means 2 to envelop, surround, overspread, etc. or hide, conceal, veil, etc. as by enveloping {a town wrapped in fog} 3 to enclose and fasten in a wrapper of paper, etc. {a box wrapped for mailing} 4 to wind or fold {to wrap one's arms around someone} •vi. to twine, extend, coil, etc.: usually with over, around, etc. •n. 1 an outer covering; esp., a) something worn by being wrapped around the body, as a shawl b) [usually pl.] an outer garment, as an overcoat c) a blanket 2 [pl.] secrecy; censorship; concealment {plans kept under wraps} wrapped up in 1 devoted to; absorbed or engrossed in (work, etc.) 2 involved or implicated in wrap up 1 to enfold in a covering 2 to put on warm clothing Æ 3 [Colloq.] a) to bring to an end; make final; conclude; settle b) to give a concluding, summarizing statement, report, etc. [ME wrappen]

wraparound (ræp´э raund') •adj. 1 that has a full-length opening and is wrapped around the body {a wraparound skirt} 2 molded, constructed, etc. so as to curve {a wraparound windshield} •n. a wraparound garment, esp. a skirt

wrapper (-эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that wraps 2 that in which something is wrapped; covering; cover; specif., a) the leaf of tobacco forming the covering of a cigar b) DUST JACKET c) the paper wrapping in which a newspaper, magazine, etc. is enclosed for mailing 3 a loose garment that is wrapped around the body; esp., a woman's dressing gown or baby's robe

wrapping (-iŋ) •n. [often pl.] the material, as paper, in which something is wrapped

wrapt (ræpt) •vt., vi. obs. pt. & pp. of WRAP

wrap-up (ræp´ûp') •adj. [Colloq.] 1 that wraps something up; concluding Æ 2 that comes at the end and summarizes •n. Æ 1 [Colloq.] a) the concluding event, action, etc. in a sequence b) a concluding, summarizing statement, report, etc. Æ 2 [Slang] a quick, easy sale or the customer to whom such a sale is made

wrasse (ræs) pl. wrass´es •n.or wrasse any of a family (Labridae) of percoid fishes having thick lips, spiny fins, strong teeth, and bright coloring, found esp. in tropical seas: some species are valued as food fishes, as the tautog, cunner, and hogfish [Corn wrach, gwrach]

wrastle (ræs´эl) -tled, -tling •n., vi., vt. dial. or colloq. var. of WRESTLE: also wras´sle, -sled, -sling

wrath (ræθ, räθ; chiefly Brit röθ) •n. 1 intense anger; rage; fury 2 any action carried out in great anger, esp. for punishment or vengeance •adj. [Archaic] wrathful SYN. ANGER [ME wraththe < OE wræththo < wrath, WROTH]

wrathful (-fэl) •adj. 1 full of wrath; intensely angry 2 resulting from, characterized by, or expressing wrath wrath´ful·ly •adv. wrath´ful·ness •n.

wrathy (-i:) wrath´i·er, wrath´i·est •n. [Old Colloq.] wrathful; angry

wreak (ri:k) •vt. 1 to give vent or free play to (one's anger, malice, rage, etc.) 2 to inflict (vengeance), cause (harm or havoc), etc. 3 [Archaic] to avenge wreak´er •n. [ME wreken < OE wrecan, to revenge, punish, akin to Ger rächen, Goth wrikan < IE base *wreg-, to shove, oppress, hunt down, L urgere, to press, URGE]

wreath (ri:θ) pl. wreaths (ri:ðz) •n. 1 a twisted band or ring of leaves, flowers, etc.; esp., a) a chaplet worn as a mark of honor or victory b) a garland laid upon a grave or hung on a door, window, etc. 2 something suggesting this in shape; twisted or circular band {wreaths of smoke} wreath´like' •adj. [ME wrethe < OE writha, a ring, a twisted band < writhan, to twist: see WRITHE]

wreathe (ri:ð) wreathed, wreath´ing •vt. 1 to coil, twist, or entwine, esp. so as to form into a wreath 2 to coil, twist, or entwine around; encircle {clouds wreathed the mountains} 3 to decorate with wreaths 4 to cover or envelop {a face wreathed in smiles} •vi. 1 to move with a twisting or coiling motion 2 to have or take the form of a wreath [Early ModE, back-form. < ME wrethen, pp. of writhen, WRITHE; in later use < prec.]

wreck (rek) •n. 1 goods or wreckage cast ashore after a shipwreck 2 a) the disabling or destruction of a ship by a storm or other disaster; shipwreck b) a ship that has been disabled or destroyed by a storm or other disaster 3 the remains of anything that has been destroyed or badly damaged 4 a person who is physically in very poor health or emotionally upset or exhausted 5 a wrecking or being wrecked; destruction; ruin •vt. 1 to destroy or damage badly 2 to tear down or dismantle (a building, etc.) 3 to bring to ruin or disaster; overthrow; thwart; defeat 4 to destroy the health, or physical or mental soundness, of •vi. 1 to be wrecked 2 to work as a wrecker [ME wrek < Anglo-Fr wrec < ON vrek, driftwood, wreckage, akin to MDu wrak, wrack: for IE base see WREAK]

wreckage (-ij) •n. 1 a wrecking or being wrecked 2 the remains of something that has been wrecked

wrecker (-эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that wrecks 2 a person who causes ruin, obstruction, or disruption of any kind; specif., a person using false lights, etc. to lead ships to destruction in order to plunder the wreckage 3 a person, car, train, boat, etc. that salvages or clears away wrecks; specif., a truck equipped to tow away wrecked or disabled automobiles 4 a person or business that demolishes or dismantles old buildings, motor vehicles, etc., salvaging usable materials and parts {house wrecker, auto wrecker}

wrecking (-iŋ) •n. the act or work of a wrecker •adj. engaged or used in dismantling or salvaging wrecks

wrecking bar a small crowbar with a chisel-like point at one end and a curved claw at the other

Wren (ren) •n. [Colloq.] a member of the (British) Women's Royal Naval Service wren (ren) •n. 1 any of a large family (Troglodytidae) of small, insect-eating passerine birds having a long bill, rounded wings, and a stubby, erect tail; esp., the house wren (Troglodytes aedon), that often nests in birdhouses in North America 2 any of certain other passerine birds of various families [ME wrenne < OE wrenna, prob. akin to OHG rentilo, ON rindill] Wren (ren), Sir Christopher 1632-1723; Eng. architect

wrench (rench) •n. 1 a sudden, sharp twist or pull 2 an injury caused by a twist or jerk, as to the back, a joint, etc. 3 a sudden feeling of anguish, grief, etc., as at parting with someone 4 any of a number of tools used for holding and turning nuts, bolts, pipes, etc. 5 a false or strained interpretation of an original meaning •vt. 1 to twist, pull, or jerk suddenly and violently 2 to injure (a part of the body) with a twist or wrench 3 to distort, strain, or give a false interpretation of (a meaning, statement, etc.) •vi. to pull or tug (at something) with a wrenching movement [ME < OE wrenc, a trick, deceit; akin to Ger ränke, a bend, twist < IE *wreng- < base *wer-, to twist, turn > WORM]

wrest (rest) •vt. 1 to turn or twist; esp., to pull or force away violently with a twisting motion 2 to take or extract by force; usurp; extort; wring 3 to distort or change the true meaning, purpose, use, etc. of; pervert; twist •n. the act of wresting; a twist; wrench wrest´er •n. [ME wresten < OE wræstan, to twist violently, akin to ON reista < IE base *wer-, to turn, bend, twist > WRITHE]

wrestle (res´эl; often ræs´-) -tled, -tling •vi. 1 to struggle hand to hand with an opponent in an attempt to throw or force him or her to the ground without striking blows 2 to struggle in opposition; strive; contend •vt. 1 to struggle or fight with by wrestling; wrestle with 2 to move, lift, etc. with great effort, using wrestling or grappling movements {to wrestle a boulder into place} Æ 3 in the W U.S., to throw (a calf, etc.) for branding •n. 1 the action of wrestling; wrestling bout 2 a struggle or contest wres´tler •n. [ME wrestlen, wrastlen < OE wræstlian, freq. of wræstan, to twist: see WREST]

wrestling (-liŋ) •n. a form of sport in which the opponents struggle hand to hand, attempting to throw or force each other to the ground without striking blows

wretch (rech) •n. 1 a miserable or unhappy person; person in deep distress or misfortune 2 a person who is despised or scorned [ME wrecche < OE wrecca, an outcast, lit., one driven out < wrecan, to drive out, punish: see WREAK]

wretched (-id) •adj. 1 deeply distressed or unhappy; miserable; unfortunate 2 characterized by or causing distress or misery; dismal {wretched slums} 3 poor in quality; very inferior {a wretched meal} 4 contemptible; despicable wretch´ed·ly •adv. wretch´ed·ness •n. [ME wrecched < wrecche < OE wræcc, wretched < wrecan: see WRETCH]

wrick (rik) •vt., n. [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] sprain or wrench [via dial. < ME wrikken, to move jerkily: for base see WRY]

wriggle (rig´эl) -gled, -gling •vi. 1 to move to and fro with a twisting, writhing motion; twist and turn; squirm 2 to move along with a wriggling motion 3 to make one's way by subtle or shifty means; dodge; equivocate {to wriggle out of a difficulty} •vt. 1 to cause to wriggle 2 to bring into a specified condition, form, etc. by wriggling •n. a wriggling movement or action wrig´gly, -gli·er, -gli·est, •adj. [MLowG wriggeln, akin to OFris wrigia: see WRY]

wriggler (-lэr) •n. 1 a person or thing that wriggles 2 the larva of a mosquito

Wright (rait) 1 Frank Lloyd 1869-1959; U.S. architect 2 Orville 1871-1948 U.S. airplane inventor with his brother Wilbur 3 Richard 1908-60; U.S. novelist 4 Wilbur 1867-1912; U.S. airplane inventor wright (rait) •n. a person who makes, constructs, or repairs: used chiefly in compounds {wheelwright, shipwright} [ME < OE wyrhta, a worker, maker < wyrcan, to WORK]

wring (riŋ) wrung or •vt. [Rare] wringed, wring´ing 1 a) to squeeze, press, twist, or compress, esp. so as to force out water or other liquid b) to force out (water or other liquid) by this means, as from wet clothes (usually with out) 2 to clasp and twist (the hands) together as an expression of distress 3 to clasp (another's hand) forcefully in greeting 4 to wrench or twist forcibly 5 to get or extract by force, threats, persistence, etc.; extort 6 to afflict with anguish, distress, pity, etc. {a story to wring one's heart} •vi. to writhe, squirm, or twist with force or great effort •n. the action of wringing or twisting [ME wringen < OE wringan, to press, compress, strain, akin to Ger ringen, to struggle, wrestle < IE *wreng- < base *wer-, to turn, bend > WORM]

wringer (-эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that wrings 2 a machine or device for squeezing out water or other liquid, esp. one fitted with opposed rollers to squeeze water from wet clothes Æ put someone through the wringer [Slang] to subject someone to a painful or trying experience, as a harsh interrogation [ME, an oppressor]

wrinkle¹ (riŋ´kэl) •n. 1 a small ridge or furrow in a normally smooth surface, caused by contraction, crumpling, folding, etc. 2 a crease or pucker in the skin, as any of those caused by aging, frowning, etc. •vt. -kled, -kling to form a wrinkle or wrinkles in, as by contracting; pucker; crease •vi. to be or become wrinkled wrin´kly, -kli·er, -kli·est, •adj. [ME wrinkel, a wrinkle, prob. back-form. < wrinkled < OE (ge)wrinclod, pp. of (ge)wrinclian, to wind about, akin to wringan, to press, WRING]

wrinkle² (riŋ´kэl) •n. [Colloq.] a clever or novel trick, idea, or device [prob. altered by assoc. with prec. < obs. wrench, a trick, artifice, ult. < OE wrenc, akin to WRENCH]

wrist (rist) •n. 1 the joint or part of the arm between the hand and the forearm; carpus 2 the corresponding part in an animal 3 the part of a sleeve, glove, etc. that covers the wrist 4 WRIST PIN Æ a slap (or tap) on the wrist a token punishment that is much less severe than seems called for [ME < OE < base of wræstan, to twist, WREST]

wrist pin the stud or pin by which a connecting rod is attached to a piston, wheel, etc.

wristband (rist´bænd') •n. a band that goes around the wrist, as the cuff of a sleeve

wristlet (-lit) •n. 1 a closefitting band or strip of material worn around, or sometimes sewed on a sleeve at, the wrist, as for warmth 2 a bracelet

wristlock (-läk') •n. a wrestling hold in which one wrestler secures a lock on the wrist and twists the arm of the opposing wrestler

wristwatch (-wäch') •n. a watch worn on a strap or band that fits around the wrist

writ of assistance a writ issued by a court of equity, ordering the transfer of real property to the rightful owner

writ of certiorari CERTIORARI

writ of error a writ directed to a lower court by an appellate court requiring the submission of the record of a legal action for review, in order to ascertain whether or not errors have been committed and so that the judgment may be upheld, reversed, or corrected

writ of prohibition an order from a higher court to a lower one directing it to cease hearing or prosecuting some matter outside its jurisdiction

writ¹ (rit) •vt., vi. archaic pt. & pp. of WRITE

writ² (rit) •n. 1 [Now Rare] something written; writing; document 2 a formal legal document ordering or prohibiting some action [ME < OE < writan: see WRITE]

write (rait) wrote, writ´ten, writ´ing •vt. 1 a) to form or inscribe (words, letters, symbols, etc.) on a surface, as by cutting, carving, embossing, or, esp., marking with a pen or pencil b) to form the words, letters, or symbols of with pencil, chalk, typewriter, etc.; put down in a form to be read {to write a paragraph, a formula, etc.} 2 to form or inscribe (words) in cursive style: opposed to PRINT (vt. 7) 3 to spell (a name, word, etc.) {words written alike are often pronounced differently} 4 to know (a specific alphabet, language, etc.) well enough to communicate in writing 5 to be the author or composer of (literary or musical material) 6 to draw up or compose in legal form 7 to fill in (a check, money order, etc.) with necessary writing 8 to cover with writing {to write three pages} 9 to communicate in writing {he wrote that he would be late} 10 to communicate with in writing; write a letter or note to {write her before you go} 11 to entitle or designate in writing {he writes himself Judge} 12 to underwrite 13 to record (information) in a computer's memory or on a tape, etc. for use by a computer 14 to leave marks, signs, or evidence of; show clearly {greed was written on his face} •vi. 1 to form or inscribe words, letters, symbols, etc. on a surface, esp. by making marks with a pen or pencil 2 to form words in cursive style: opposed to PRINT (vi. 3) 3 to write books or other literary matter; be an author or writer 4 to write a letter or letters 5 to be employed at written work, as a clerk, copyist, etc. 6 to produce writing of a specified kind {to write legibly, a pen that writes scratchily} write down 1 to put into written form; write a record of 2 to disparage or depreciate in writing 3 to write in a pointedly simple style, as for readers considered to be less cultivated than the writer 4 to reduce the book value of (an asset) write in Æ to vote for (someone not officially on a ballot) by inserting that person's name on the ballot write off 1 to cancel or remove from accounts (bad debts, claims, etc.) 2 to drop from consideration 3 AMORTIZE (sense 2) write out 1 to put into writing 2 to write in full 3 to exhaust (oneself) of ideas by writing prolifically write up 1 to write a record or account of 2 to complete in writing 3 to praise or make much of in writing 4 Accounting to set down an excessive value for (an asset) [ME writen < OE writan, to scratch, engrave, write, akin to Ger reissen, to tear < IE base *wer-, to tear off, scratch > Gr rhinē, a rasp]

write-down (rait´daun') •n. Finance a reduction in the book value of an asset, as because of depreciation or a decline in market value

write-in (-in') •n. 1 a vote for some person whose name is not on the ballot, made by inserting that person's name 2 a person whose name is so inserted •adj. of or relating to a write-in {write-in campaign}

write-off (-öf') •n. something written off, amortized, etc.

writer (rait´эr) •n. 1 a person who writes 2 a person whose work or occupation is writing; now, specif., an author, journalist, or the like 3 [Scot.] a solicitor or lawyer

writerly (rait´эr li:) •adj. 1 of or characteristic of a writer 2 characterized by the qualities of a writer's craft, esp. by those that reflect a self-conscious display of literary techniques

writer's cramp painful, spasmodic contraction of the muscles of the hand or fingers, resulting from writing for too long a time

write-up (rait´ûp') •n. 1 [Colloq.] a written report or description, as in a newspaper, magazine, etc.; sometimes, specif., a favorable account, as for a publicity release 2 Finance a statement of the alleged assets of a corporation in excess of the true value

writhe (raið) writhed, writh´ing •vt. to cause to twist or turn; contort •vi. 1 to make twisting or turning movements; contort the body, as in agony; squirm 2 to suffer great emotional distress, as from embarrassment, revulsion, etc. •n. a writhing movement; contortion writh´er •n. [ME writhen < OE writhan, to twist, wind about, akin to ON rītha < IE base *wer-, to bend, twist > WREATH, WRY]

writhen (rið´эn) •adj. [Archaic] writhed; twisted; contorted [ME wrythen, pp. of writhen, to WRITHE]

writing (rait´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of a person who writes 2 something written, as a letter, document, inscription, etc. 3 written form 4 short for HANDWRITING 5 a book, poem, article, or other literary work: usually used in pl. 6 the profession or occupation of a writer 7 the art, style, etc. of literary composition •adj. 1 that writes 2 used in writing

written (rit´ªn) •vt., vi. pp. of WRITE •adj. put down in a form to be read; not spoken or oral

wrnt warrant

Wrocław (vřôts´läf) city in Silesia, SW Poland, on the Oder River: pop. 627,000

wrong (röŋ) •adj. 1 not in accordance with justice, law, morality, etc.; unlawful, immoral, or improper 2 not in accordance with an established standard, previous arrangement, given intention, etc. {the wrong method, came on the wrong day} 3 not suitable or appropriate {the wrong thing to say} 4 a) contrary to fact, reason, some set standard, etc.; incorrect; inaccurate; false b) acting, judging, believing, etc. incorrectly; mistaken 5 unsatisfactory; in a bad state or condition 6 not functioning properly; out of order {something wrong with her eyes} 7 designating the side, surface, etc. that is not meant to be seen; designating the unfinished, inner, or under side {the wrong side of a fabric} •adv. in a wrong manner, direction, etc.; so as to be wrong; incorrectly; amiss •n. 1 that which is not right, or not just, proper, correct, etc.; esp., an unjust or immoral act 2 Law a violation or invasion of a legal right; injurious act, as a tort •vt. 1 to treat badly or unjustly; do wrong to; injure 2 to think badly of without real justification 3 to malign; dishonor 4 to seduce (a woman) Æ get someone in wrong [Colloq.] to bring someone into disfavor get someone (or something) wrong [Colloq.] to fail to understand someone (or something) properly go wrong 1 to turn out badly 2 to change from good behavior to bad; go astray in the wrong not on the side supported by truth, justice, etc. wrong´er •n. wrong´ly •adv. wrong´ness •n. SYN.—wrong implies the inflicting of unmerited injury or harm upon another [he was wronged by false charges]; oppress implies a burdening with harsh, rigorous impositions or the cruel or unjust use of power [oppressed by heavy taxation]; persecute suggests constant harassment or the relentless infliction of cruelty and suffering [the persecuted minorities of Nazi Germany]; aggrieve suggests the infliction of such wrongs or injuries as seem a just cause for complaint or resentment [aggrieved by her ill-treatment of him]; abuse suggests improper or hurtful treatment, as by the use of insulting or coarse language [her much-abused husband] [ME, crooked, twisted, wrong < OE wrang < ON rangr, wrangr, wrong, twisted: for IE base see WRING]

wrong font the incorrect font: used in proofreading to designate a type face of the wrong size or style

wrong number 1 a) a telephone number reached through error, as by dialing incorrectly b) the person reached by so dialing 2 [Slang] someone or something considered to be unsuitable, undesirable, untrustworthy, etc.

wrongdoing (-du:'iŋ) •n. any act or behavior that is wrong; the doing of wrong; transgression wrong´do'er •n.

wrongful (-fэl) •adj. 1 full of wrong; unjust or injurious 2 without legal right; unlawful wrong´ful·ly •adv. wrong´ful·ness •n.

wrongheaded (-hed´id) •adj. stubborn in adhering to wrong opinions, ideas, etc.; perverse wrong´head´ed·ly •adv. wrong´head´ed·ness •n.

wrote (rout) •vt., vi. pt. of WRITE

wroth (röθ; chiefly Brit, rouθ) •adj. angry; wrathful; incensed [ME < OE wrath, bad, wroth < the pt. stem of writhan, to twist, WRITHE]

wrought (röt) •vi., vt. alt. pt. & pp. of WORK •adj. 1 formed; fashioned 2 shaped by hammering or beating: said of metals 3 elaborated with care 4 decorated; ornamented [ME wrogt, altered < worgt, pp. of weorken < OE wyrcan, to WORK]

wrought iron a kind of iron that contains some slag and very little carbon: it is resistant to corrosion, tough, and ductile, and is used in fences, grating, rivets, etc. wrought´-i´ron •adj.

wrought-up (röt´ûp´) •adj. very disturbed or excited

wrung (rûŋ) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of WRING

wry (rai) wried, wry´ing •vt., vi. to writhe or twist •adj. wri´er or wry´er, wri´est or wry´est 1 turned or bent to one side; twisted; distorted 2 made by twisting or distorting the features {a wry face expressing distaste} 3 stubbornly contrary 4 distorted in meaning, interpretation, etc. 5 perverse, ironic, etc. {wry humor} wry´ly •adv. wry´ness •n. [ME wrien, to twist, bend < OE wrigian, to turn, twist, akin to OFris wrigia, to bend, stoop < IE *wreik- (> L rica, head veil) < base *wer-, to turn, bend]

wryneck (-nek') •n. 1 a) TORTICOLLIS b) a person afflicted with this 2 any of a genus (Jynx) of Old World woodpeckers with long, soft tail feathers and a habit of twisting the neck

WSW west-southwest

wt weight

Wuchang (wu´chäŋ´) see WUHAN

Wuhan (wu´hän´) city in EC China, formed by the merger of the cities of Hankow, Hanyang, & Wuchang: capital of Hubei province: pop. 3,200,000

Wuhu (wu:´hu:´) city in Anhui province, E China, on the Chang River: pop. 300,000

wulfenite (wul´fэn ait') •n. a mineral, lead molybdate, PbMoO4, having a high luster and occurring usually as yellow, tetragonal crystals [Ger wulfenit, after F. X. von Wulfen (1728-1805), Austrian mineralogist]

Wulfila (wul´fэ lэ) var. of ULFILAS

wunderbar (vun´dэř bäř') •adj., interj. wonderful [Ger]

Wunderkind (-kint') pl. -kin'der •n. a child prodigy [Ger < wunder, WONDER + kind, child < OHG: for IE base see KIND]

Wuppertal (vup´эř täl') city in the Ruhr Basin of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: pop. 382,000

wurst (wørst, wurst) •n. sausage: often used in combination {bratwurst, knackwurst} [Ger < OHG]

Württemberg (wørt´эm børg'; Ger vüř´tэm beřk') former state in SW West Germany: see BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG

Würzburg (wørts´bэrg; Ger vüřts´buřk) city in S Germany, on the Main River, in the state of Bavaria: pop. 130,000

wuss (wus) •n. [Slang] a person regarded as weak, ineffectual, overly sensitive, etc.; wimp Also wuss´y, pl. wuss´ies

Wuxi (wü´shi:´) city in Jiangsu province, E China, on the Grand Canal: pop. 900,000: old forms Wuh·si, Wu·sih

WV West Virginia: also WVa

WWI World War I

WWII World War II

WY Wyoming

Wyandot (wai´эn dät') pl. -dots' or -dot' •adj., n. 1 a member of a North American Indian group formed in the 17th cent. from Huron-speaking peoples of W Ontario: they lived first in Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario, and now live in Oklahoma 2 the Iroquoian language of this people [< Wyandot wé˙ndat]

Wyandotte (wai´эn dät') •n. 1 alt. sp. of WYANDOT 2 any of a breed of medium-sized domestic chicken, usually white, with a round, low-set body [after prec.]

Wyatt (wai´эt), Sir Thomas c. 1503-42; Eng. poet & diplomat

wych-elm (wich´elm') •n. 1 a small variety of elm (Ulmus glabra), native to Europe and N Asia 2 its wood [< ME wyche (see WITCH HAZEL) + ELM: from the pliant branches]

Wycherley (wich´эr li:), William c. 1640-1716; Eng. dramatist

Wycliffe (or Wyclif) (wik´lif), John c. 1330-84; Eng. religious reformer: made the 1st complete translation of the Bible into English (from the Vulgate)

wye (wai) pl. wyes •n. 1 the letter Y 2 something shaped like Y Wye (wai) river in SE Wales & W England, flowing southeast into the Severn estuary: c. 130 mi. (209 km)

Wyeth (wai´эθ) 1 Andrew (Newell) 1917- ; U.S. painter: son of Newell 2 N(ewell) C(onvers) 1882-1945; U.S. painter & illustrator

wynd (waind) •n. [Scot.] a narrow lane or alley [MScot wynde < ME winden, to WIND¹]

wynn (win) •n. var. of WEN²

Wyo Wyoming

Wyoming (wai ou´miŋ) 1 Mountain State of the W U.S.: admitted, 1890; 97,914 sq. mi. (253,596 sq. km); pop. 454,000; cap. Cheyenne: abbrev. WY or Wyo 2 city in SW Mich.: suburb of Grand Rapids: pop. 64,000 Wy·o´ming·ite' (-ait') •n. [after fol.]

Wyoming Valley valley of the Susquehanna River, NE Pa.: site of a massacre (1778) [< Ger Wayomick, etc. < Munsee (a Delaware language) chwewamink, lit., large river bottom]

wyvern (wai´vэrn) •n. Heraldry a dragon with forelegs only, wings, and a barbed tail [ME wivere < NormFr wivre (OFr guivre), dragon, serpent < L vipera: see VIPER]

X abbrev. 1 Christ: used also in combination, as in Xmas [see XP] 2 extra X (eks) •n. 1 a mark shaped like an X used: a) to represent the signature of a person who cannot write b) to indicate a particular point on a map, diagram, etc. c) as a symbol for a kiss in letters, etc. d) to indicate the degree of fineness of flour, sugar, etc. 2 the Roman numeral 10: with a superior bar (X¯), 10,000: XX = 20, XXX = 30, and X before another Roman numeral expresses a number 10 less than that numeral (XC = 90) 3 a person or thing unknown or unrevealed Æ 4 a motion-picture rating meaning that no one under the age of seventeen is to be admitted x abbrev. 1 by (in indicating dimensions) {3 ft. x 4 ft.} 2 extra 3 the power of magnification (in optical instruments)

X chromosome Genetics one of the sex chromosomes: see SEX CHROMOSOME

x div or XD ex (without) dividend

x¹ or X (eks) pl. x's, X's •n. 1 the twenty-fourth letter of the English alphabet: from a western Greek alphabet 2 any of the speech sounds that this letter represents, as, in English, the (ks) of lax, (gz) of exact, (ksh) of anxious, (gzh) of luxurious, or (z) of xylophone 3 a type or impression for X or x 4 the twenty-fourth in a sequence or group 5 an object shaped like X •adj. 1 of X or x 2 twenty-fourth in a sequence or group 3 shaped like X

x² (eks) x-ed or x'd, x-ing or x'ing •vt. 1 to indicate (one's choice or answer) by or as by marking with an X 2 to delete or cancel (written or printed matter) with or as with an X or a series of X's: usually used with out •n. one's choice or answer (on a ballot, test, etc.)

x³ (eks) •n. Math. 1 the first of a set of unknown quantities, y usually being second 2 a variable 3 an abscissa

xanthan (zæn´θэn) •n. a gum produced by bacterial fermentation, used as a thickener, as in commercial foods Also xanthan gum [< Xanth(omonas campestris), a species of bacteria used in the process + -AN]

xanthate (zæn´θeit') •n. a salt or ester of xanthic acid

xanthein (zæn´θi: in) •n. the water-soluble part of the yellow pigment present in the cell sap of some plants [Fr xanthéine, arbitrarily differentiated from xanthine, XANTHINE]

xanthene (zæn´θi:n') •n. a ring system, C6H4CH2OC6H4, occurring as yellowish, crystalline leaflets in the molecules of many dyes [XANTH(O)- + -ENE]

xanthene dye any of various dyes that contain the xanthene ring structure in their molecules

xanthic (zæn´θik) •adj. 1 yellow or yellowish 2 of or having to do with xanthine [Fr xanthique: see XANTHO- & -IC]

xanthic acid 1 an unstable, oily, colorless liquid, C3H6OS2, that decomposes into ethyl alcohol and carbon disulfide at 24°C 2 any of a series of acids having the general formula ROC(S)SH, in which R is any hydrocarbon radical

xanthine (-θi:n', -θin) •n. 1 a white, crystalline, nitrogenous compound, C5H4N4O2, resembling uric acid: it is present in blood, urine, and certain plants 2 any of various derivatives of this compound [Fr: see XANTHO- & -IN¹]

Xanthippe (zæn tip´i:) 5th cent. B.C.; wife of Socrates: the prototype of the quarrelsome, nagging wife

xantho- (zæn´θou, -θэ) combining form yellow {xanthoma} Also, before a vowel, xanth- [ModL < Gr xanthos, yellow < ? IE *asno- < base *as, gray]

xanthochroid (zæn´θэ kroid') •adj. [Rare] having light-colored hair and complexion •n. [Rare] a xanthochroid person [Gr xanthochroos (see XANTHO-) & -CHROOUS), taken as if < xanthos, yellow + ōchros, pale]

xanthoma (zæn θou´mэ) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. a small tumor, esp. of the skin, formed by a deposit of lipids, often in a soft, rounded, yellowish mass xan·thom´a·tous (-θäm´э tэs, -θou´mэ-) •adj. [XANTH(O)- + -OMA]

xanthone (zæn´θoun') •n. a ring ketone, C6H4(CO)OC6H4, occurring in some plant pigments and dyes [XANTH(O)- + -ONE]

xanthophyll (-θэ fil) •n. a yellow, crystalline pigment, C40H56O2, found in plants; lutein: it is related to carotene and is the basis of the yellow seen in autumn leaves xan'tho·phyl´lous (-fil´эs) •adj. [XANTHO- + -PHYLL]

xanthous (zæn´θэs) •adj. yellow or yellowish [< Gr xanthos, yellow (see XANTHO-) + -OUS]

Xanthus (zæn´θэs) ancient city in Lycia, SW Asia Minor

Xavier (zei´vi: эr, zæv´i:-; zeiv´yэr), Saint Francis (1506-52); Sp. Jesuit missionary: his day is Dec. 3

x-axis (eks´æk'sis) pl. x´-ax'es' (-si:z') •n. Geom. 1 the horizontal, or more nearly horizontal, axis in a plane Cartesian coordinate system along which the abscissa is measured 2 one of the three axes in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system

Xe Chem. symbol for xenon

xebec (zi:´bek') •n. a small, three-masted ship having an overhanging bow and stern and both square and lateen sails: once common in the Mediterranean [altered (infl. by Sp form) < earlier chebec < Fr chébec < It sciabecco, prob. via Sp xabeque (now jabeque) < Ar shabbāk, a small warship]

xenia (zi:´ni: э, zi:n´yэ) •n. Bot. the immediate influence of pollen from one strain of a plant upon the endosperm of another strain, resulting in hybrid characters in the form, color, etc. of the resulting growth, as in the colors of corn grains [ModL < Gr, hospitality < xenos, foreign, stranger]

xeno- (zen´ou, -э; zi:´nou, -nэ) combining form 1 stranger, foreigner {xenophobia} 2 strange, foreign {xenolith} Also, before a vowel, xen- [< Gr xenos, foreign, stranger]

xenobiotic (zen'ou bai ät´ik, zen'э-; zi:'nou-, zi:'nэ-) •adj. designating or of a chemical substance that is foreign, and usually harmful, to living organisms •n. such a substance [prec. (sense 2) + BIOTIC]

xenogenesis (-jen´э sis) •n. Biol. 1 a) SPONTANEOUS GENERATION b) ALTERNATION OF GENERATIONS 2 the supposed production of an individual completely different from either of its parents xen'o·ge·net´ic (-jэ net´ik) or xen'o·gen´ic (-jen´ik) •adj. [ModL: see XENO- & -GENESIS]

xenograft (zen´ou græft', zen´э-; zi:´nou-, zi:´nэ-) •n. a graft of skin, bone, etc. from an individual of another species; heterograft: cf. ALLOGRAFT, AUTOGRAFT [XENO- + GRAFT]

xenolith (-liθ') •n. Geol. a rock fragment different in kind from the igneous rock in which it is embedded xen'o·lith´ic •adj. [XENO- + -LITH]

xenon (zi:´nän', zen´än') •n. a heavy, colorless, noble, gaseous chemical element present in the air in minute quantities, found to react with fluorine and other reactive compounds and to form salts and acids in solution: used in bubble chambers, electric luminescent tubes, lasers, vacuum tubes, etc.: symbol, Xe; at. wt., 131.30; at. no., 54; density, 5.887 g/l (0°C); melt. pt., -111.9°C; boil. pt., -107.1°C [ModL < Gr, neut. of xenos, foreign, a stranger: so named (1898) by Sir William RAMSAY & M. W. Travers (see KRYPTON), as the hitherto unknown inert gas]

xenon hexafluoride (hek'sэ flör´aid', -flur´-; -flu:´э raid') large, colorless crystals, XeF6, prepared from gaseous xenon and fluorine

xenon tetrafluoride (te'trэ flör´aid', -flur´-; -flu:´э raid') a stable compound, XeF4, prepared by mixing gaseous xenon and fluorine, heating the mixture to 400°C in a nickel container, and then cooling it to form large, colorless crystals

Xenophanes (zi näf´э ni:z') c. 570-c. 480 B.C.; Gr. Eleatic philosopher

xenophilia (zen'ou fil´i: э, zen'э-; zi:'nou-, zi:'nэ-) •n. attraction to or admiration of strangers or foreigners or of anything foreign or strange xen´o·phile' (-fail') •n. xen'o·phil´ic (-fil´ik) •adj. [ModL: see XENO- & -PHILIA]

xenophobia (-fou´bi: э) •n. fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything foreign or strange xen´o·phobe' (-foub') •n. xen'o·pho´bic (-fou´bik) •adj. [ModL: see XENO- & -PHOBIA]

Xenophon (zen´э fэn, -fän') c. 430-c. 355 B.C.; Gr. historian, essayist, & military leader

xerarch (zir´ärk') •adj. Ecol. developing in dry or desert sites: said of a sere [XER(O)- + -ARCH]

xeric (zir´ik) •adj. 1 of, pertaining to, or having dry or desertlike conditions 2 XEROPHYTIC [< fol. + -IC]

xero- (zir´ou, -э) combining form dry {xerophyte} Also, before a vowel, xer- [< Gr xēros, dry < IE *sero-, dry: see SERENE]

xeroderma (zir'ou dør´mэ) •n. ICHTHYOSIS [prec. + DERMA¹]

xerography (zir äg´rэ fi:) •n. a process for copying printed material, pictures, etc., in which the latent image of the original material is transferred by the action of light to an electrically charged surface to which the image attracts oppositely charged dry ink particles, which are then fused in place on the copy paper, reproducing the original image xe·ro·graph·ic (zir'ou græf´ik) •adj. [XERO- + -GRAPHY]

xerophilous (zir äf´э lэs) •adj. capable of thriving in a hot, dry climate, as certain plants and animals xe·roph´i·ly •n. [XERO- + -PHILOUS]

xerophthalmia (zir'äf θæl´mi: э) •n. a form of conjunctivitis characterized by a dry and lusterless condition of the eyeball and caused by a deficiency of vitamin A xe'roph·thal´mic •adj. [LL < Gr xērophthalmia: see XERO- & OPHTHALMIA]

xerophyte (zir´э fait') •n. a plant structurally adapted to growing under very dry or desert conditions, often having greatly reduced leaf surfaces for avoiding water loss, thick, fleshy parts for water storage, and hairs, spines, or thorns xe'ro·phyt´ic (-fit´ik) •adj. [XERO- + -PHYTE]

xeroradiography (zir'ou rei'di: äg´rэ fi:) •n. an X-ray technique that quickly produces a detailed xerographic image of the X-rayed part: used esp. for the early detection of breast tumors [XERO- + RADIOGRAPHY]

xerosere (zir´ou sir') •n. Ecol. a sere beginning in a dry area [XERO- + SERE¹]

xerosis (zi rou´sis) •n. Med. abnormal dryness, as of the skin or eyeball [Gr xērosis: see XERO- & -OSIS]

xerothermic (zir'ou θør´mik) •adj. of or pertaining to a hot and dry climatic period, as one of the postglacial periods [XERO- + THERMIC]

Xerox (zir´äks') trademark for a device for copying graphic or printed material by xerography •vt., vi. [x-] to reproduce by xerography •n. [x-] a copy made by xerography

Xerxes I (zørk´si:z') c. 519-465 B.C.; king of Persia (486-465): son of Darius I: called the Great

Xhosa (kou´sä, -zä) •n. 1 pl. Xho´sas or Xho´sa a member of a people living mainly in Cape Province, South Africa 2 the Bantu language of this people, closely related to Zulu •adj. designating or of the Xhosa or their language or culture Also sp. Xo´sa

Xi (shi:) river in S China, flowing east into the South China Sea: 1,250 mi. (2,011 km) xi (zai, sai; Gr ksi:) name of the fourteenth letter of the Greek alphabet (Ξ, ξ) •n. [Gr xi, earlier xei]

xi or XI ex (without) interest

Xiamen (shi:´ä´møn´) 1 seaport on an island in Taiwan Strait, SE China: pop. 500,000 2 the island

Xi'an (shi:´än´) city in NC China, on the Wei River: capital of Shaanxi province: pop. 2,800,000

Xiang (shi:´äŋ´) river in SE China, flowing from Guangdong province north into Dongting Lake: c. 715 mi. (1,150 km)

Xiao Hinggan Ling (shau´hiŋ´gän´liŋ´) mountain range in NE China running parallel to the Amur River: highest peak, 4,665 ft. (1,422 m): cf. DA HINGGAN LING

Xingú (shi:ŋ´gu:´) river in NC Brazil, flowing north into the Amazon: c. 1,200 mi. (1,931 km)

Xining (shi:´niŋ´) city in NW China: capital of Qinghai province: pop. 320,000

Xinjiang (shin´ji:´äŋ´) autonomous region of NW China, between Tibet & Kazakhstan: 635,830 sq. mi. (1,646,793 sq. km); pop. 13,081,000; cap. Ürümqi: also Xin·ji·ang-Uy·gur (-wi:´gur´)

-xion suffix chiefly Brit. sp. of -(c)tion {connexion (connection)}: see -TION

xiphisternum (zif'э stør´nэm) pl. -na (-nэ) •n. Anat., Zool. the cartilaginous process at the lowermost end of the sternum xiph'i·ster´nal •adj. [ModL < Gr xiphos, sword + ModL sternum, STERNUM]

xiphoid (zif´oid') •adj. Anat., Zool. shaped like a sword; ensiform •n. XIPHISTERNUM: in full xiphoid process [Gr xiphoeides, sword-shaped < xiphos, sword + eidēs, -OID]

xiphosuran (zif'ou sur´эn, -syur´-; zif'э-) •n. any of an order (Xiphosura) of arthropods made up of the horseshoe crabs and related extinct forms •adj. of or pertaining to this order [< Gr xiphos, sword + oura, tail: see URO-²]

Xizang (shi:´dzäŋ´) Chin. name of TIBET

XL 1 extra large 2 extra long

Xmas (eks´mэs) •n. colloq. var. of CHRISTMAS [see XP]

Xn Christian

Xnty Christianity

XP a symbol or emblem for Christ [first two letters (chi & rho) of Gr XPIΣTOΣ, Khristos]

X-ray (eks´rei') •n. 1 a band of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between gamma rays and ultraviolet radiation (c. .005 to c. 5 nanometers), produced by the bombardment of a substance (usually one of the heavy metals) by a stream of electrons moving at great velocity, as in a vacuum tube: X-rays are capable of penetrating opaque or solid substances, ionizing gases and body tissues through which they pass or, by extended exposure, destroying tissue, and affecting photographic plates and fluorescent screens: they are widely used in medicine for study, diagnosis, and treatment of certain organic disorders, esp. of internal structures of the body 2 a photograph made by means of X-rays •adj. of, by, or having to do with X-rays •vt. to examine, treat, or photograph with X-rays Also X ray, x-ray, or x ray [transl. of Ger x-strahl (< x, algebraic symbol for an unknown quantity + strahl, ray): so named by ROENTGEN (1895), because of its unknown character]

X-ray therapy medical treatment by controlled use of X-rays

X-ray tube an evacuated tube containing a metal target that is bombarded by electrons from a cathode and that subsequently emits X-rays

XS extra small

Xuzhou (shu:´jou´) city in NW Jiangsu province, E China: pop. 773,000

xylan (zai´læn') •n. a yellow, gummy pentosan that is found in woody tissues and yields xylose upon hydrolysis [XYL(O)- + -AN]

xylem (zai´lэm, -lem') •n. the woody vascular tissue of a plant, characterized by the presence of vessels or tracheids or both, fibers, and parenchyma, that conducts water and mineral salts in the stems, roots, and leaves and gives support to the softer tissues [Ger < Gr xylon, wood]

xylem ray a transverse sheet of soft, living cells wholly within the wood or xylem and extending from the pith of a stem to the phloem

xylene (zai´li:n') •n. any of three isomeric, colorless hydrocarbons, C8H10, having the characteristics of benzene and derived from coal tar, wood tar, and petroleum: used as solvents, antiseptics, etc. [XYL(O)- + -ENE]

xylidine (zai´lэ di:n, zil´э-) •n. 1 any of the six poisonous, liquid, isomeric compounds having the formula C8H11N, resembling aniline and derived from xylene 2 a mixture of these isomeric compounds, used in making certain dyes and in organic synthesis [< prec. + -ID(E) + -INE³]

xylitol (zai´lэ töl', -toul') •n. a crystalline alcohol, CH2OH(CHOH)3CH2OH, derived from the sugar xylose, used as a sweetener

xylo- (zai´lou, -lэ) combining form wood {xylograph} Also, before a vowel, xyl- [ModL < Gr xylon, wood]

xylograph (zai´lou græf') •n. [Rare] a woodcut or a wood engraving [prec. + -GRAPH]

xylography (zai läg´rэ fi:) •n. [Rare] the art of making woodcuts or wood engravings xy·log´ra·pher •n. xy·lo·graph·ic (zai'lэ græf´ik) or xy'lo·graph´i·cal •adj. [Fr xylographie: see XYLO- & -GRAPHY]

xyloid (zai´loid') •adj. of or like wood; woody [XYL(O)- + -OID]

xylol (-löl', -loul') •n. XYLENE [XYL(O)- + -OL²]

xylophagous (zai läf´э gэs) •adj. eating, boring into, or destroying wood, as certain mollusks or the larvae of certain insects [Gr xylophagos: see XYLO- & -PHAGOUS]

xylophone (zai´lэ foun') •n. a musical percussion instrument consisting of a series of wooden bars graduated in length so as to sound the notes of the scale when struck with mallets xy´lo·phon'ist (-fou'nist, zai läf´э nist) •n. [XYLO- + -PHONE]

xylose (zai´lous') •n. a colorless, crystalline pentose, C5H10O5, formed by the hydrolysis of xylan, straw, corncobs, etc. and used as a sweetener, in dyeing, etc. [XYL(AN) + -OSE¹]

xylotomous (zai lät´э mэs) •adj. that can bore into or cut wood: said of certain insects [< XYLO- + Gr tomos, cutting (see -TOMY)]

xylotomy (-mi:) •n. the preparation of sections of wood for microscopic inspection xy·lot´o·mist •n. [XYLO- + -TOMY]

xyster (zis´tэr) •n. [Obs.] a surgical instrument for scraping bones [ModL < Gr xystēr < xyein, to scrape < IE base *kes-, to scrape > HARDS]

Y Chem. symbol for yttrium Y (wai) •n. short for: 1 YMCA 2 YWCA 3 YMHA 4 YWHA y abbrev. 1 yard(s) 2 year(s)

y- (i:, i) [Archaic] prefix forming, together with the appropriate inflectional change in the base, the past participle of verbs: its use, as a poetic archaism, survived until the end of the 16th cent. {yclept} [ME y-, i- < OE ge-, perfective prefix (basic sense together): for IE base see COM-]

Y chromosome see SEX CHROMOSOME

-y¹ (i:, i) suffix forming nouns 1 little, dear: used in forming diminutives, nicknames, and terms of endearment [kitty, Billy, daddy] 2 -IE (sense 2) [ME -y, -i, -ie, prob. based on OFr -i, -e, in such familiar names as Davi (for David), Mathe (for Matheu), etc.]

y¹ or Y (wai) pl. y's, Y's •n. 1 the twenty-fifth letter of the English alphabet: from the Greek upsilon 2 any of the speech sounds that this letter represents, as, in English, the semivowel (y) at the beginning of a syllable, as in yes or beyond, or the vowel (i) of myth, (i:) of city, or (ai) of my (IPA diphthong [aI]) 3 a type or impression for Y or y 4 the twenty-fifth in a sequence or group 5 an object shaped like Y •adj. 1 of Y or y 2 twenty-fifth in a sequence or group 3 shaped like Y

y² (wai) •n. Math. 1 the second of a set of unknown quantities, x usually being the first 2 a variable 3 an ordinate

-y² (i:, i) suffix forming adjectives 1 having, full of, or characterized by {dirty, healthy} 2 rather, somewhat {yellowy, chilly, dusky} 3 inclined or tending to {drowsy, sticky} 4 suggestive of, somewhat like {wavy} Sometimes used with a slight intensive force that does not change the meaning of the root adjective [stilly] [ME -y, -ie < OE -ig, akin to L -ic(us), Gr -ik(os)]

-y³ (i:, i) suffix forming nouns 1 quality or condition {jealousy, zoanthropy} 2 a shop or goods of a (specified) kind {coopery} 3 a collective body of a (specified) kind {soldiery} [ME -ie < OFr < L -ia < or akin to Gr -ia, -eia]

-y4 (i:, i) suffix forming nouns action of {inquiry} [ME -ie < Anglo-Fr < L -ium]

yabber (yæb´эr) •vi., n. [Austral. Colloq.] talk; jabber [< native Austral yabba]

Yablonovyy Range (yä´blou nou vi:'yэ) range of mountains in SE Asian Russia, a watershed between areas of Pacific & Arctic drainage: highest peak, c. 8,500 ft. (2,590 m): also Ya·blo·noi (yä'blэ noi´)

yacht (yät) •n. any of various relatively small vessels for pleasure cruises, racing, etc. •vi. to sail or cruise in a yacht [Du jacht, earlier jaghte, short for jaghtschip, pursuit ship (i.e., against pirates) < jaght, a hunt < jagen, to chase + schip, a SHIP]

yachting (-iŋ) •n. the action, sport, or recreation of sailing in a yacht

yachtsman (yäts´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn •vi., n. •n. a person who owns or sails a yacht yachts´man·ship' •n. yachts´wom'an, pl. -wom'en, •n.fem.

yack, yack-yack, or yackety-yak alt. sp. of yak, yak-yak, yakety-yak

Yadkin (yæd´kin) river in central N.C., the upper course of the Pee Dee: 200 mi. (321 km) [< ? AmInd]

yagi (antenna) (yä´gi:, yæg´i:) a VHF or UHF directional antenna array in which a basic dipole antenna is supplemented by several parallel reflector and director elements: used when television reception is weak [after H. Yagi (1886-1976), Jpn electrical engineer]

yah (yä, yæ) •interj. a shout of derision, defiance, etc.

Yahata (yä´hä tä') var. of YAWATA

Yahoo (yä´hu:') •n. 1 in Swift's Gulliver's Travels, any of a race of brutish, degraded creatures subject to the Houyhnhnms and having the form and all the vices of man: see also HOUYHNHNM 2 [y-] a person who is variously thought of as being coarse, uneducated, unrefined, anti-intellectual, crudely materialistic, etc.

yahrzeit (yär´tsait, yör´-) •n. Judaism the anniversary of the death of a parent or other member of the immediate family, commemorated by the lighting of a 24-hour candle (yahrzeit candle), the saying of kaddish, etc. [Yidd yortsayt < MHG jārzīt, anniversary < jār (Ger jahr), YEAR + zīt (Ger zeit), time: see TIDE¹]

Yahweh or Yahwe (yä´we, -wei) God: a form of the Hebrew name in the Old Testament: see TETRAGRAMMATON Also Yah´ve or Yah·veh (yä´ve, -vei) [Heb, hypothetical reconstruction of the Tetragrammaton YHWH: first component, ya, Yahu, god < older Canaanite name]

Yahwism (-wiz'эm) •n. 1 the worship of Yahweh (Jehovah) 2 the use of Yahweh as a name for God

Yahwist (-wist) the unidentified writer or writers of certain Old Testament passages in which Yahweh (Jehovah) instead of Elohim is used as the name for God: cf. ELOHIST Yah·wis´tic •adj.

yak¹ (yæk) pl. yaks •n.or yak a stocky, long-haired wild ox (Bos grunniens) of Tibet and central Asia, often domesticated as a beast of burden and for its milk, meat, etc. [< Tibet g-yag, male yak]

yak² (yæk; also, for n. 2, yäk) yakked, yak´king •vi. [Slang] to talk much or idly; chatter •n. [Slang] 1 idle or voluble talk 2 a) a loud laugh, esp. as audience response to comedy b) a joke or comic bit that evokes such a laugh Also, for vi. & n. (sense 1), yak´-yak´ or yak·e·ty-yak (yæk´it i: yæk´) yak´ker •n. [echoic]

Yakima (yæk´э mö', -э mэ) •n. 1 pl. -mas or -ma a member of a North American Indian people of the Sahaptin group living in the State of Washington 2 the language of this people, a dialect of Sahaptin [< ? Nez Percé yáqamo˙] Yakima (yæk´э mö', -э mэ) city in SC Wash.: pop. 55,000 [after prec.]

yakitori (yä'ki: tör´i:) •n. a Japanese dish consisting of small, marinated chunks of meat, typically chicken and giblets, placed on skewers, often together with vegetable pieces, and grilled

Yakut (yä kut´, -ku:t´) •n. 1 pl. Ya·kuts´ or Ya·kut´ a member of a people living in NE Siberia 2 the Turkic language of this people [Yakut saxa < *čaqa < *yaqa, edge, border]

Yakutsk (yä kutsk´) city in EC Asian Russia, on the Lena River: pop. 149,000

Yale (lock) (yeil) trademark for a key-operated, pin-tumbler cylinder lock [after Linus Yale (1821-68), U.S. locksmith]

Yalow (yæl´ou), Ros·a·lyn Suss·man (räz´э lin sûs´mэn) 1921- ; U.S. biochemist

Yalta (yöl´tэ) seaport in the S Crimea, Ukraine, on the Black Sea: site of a conference (Feb., 1945) of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin: pop. 62,000

Yalu (yä´lu:') river flowing from Jilin province, China, along the Manchuria-North Korea border into the Yellow Sea: c. 500 mi. (804 km)

yam (yæm) •n. 1 a) the edible, starchy, tuberous root of any of several tropical climbing plants (genus Dioscorea) of the yam family, widely grown in the tropics for food b) any of these plants 2 any of various other similar plants, as the barbasco Æ 3 a moist, orange-colored variety of sweet potato 4 old Scot. name for POTATO (sense 2) •adj. designating a family (Dioscoreaceae, order Liliales), of climbing, chiefly tropical monocotyledonous plants, including the barbasco [Port inhame, prob. < WAfr native name]

yamalka or yamulka (yäm´эl kэ) •n. var. of YARMULKE

yamen (yä´mэn) •n. [Historical] the office or residence of a mandarin or public official in China [Chin]

yammer (yæm´эr) •vi. [Colloq.] 1 to whine, whimper, or complain 2 to shout, yell, clamor, etc. 3 to talk loudly or continually •vt. [Colloq.] to say loudly and fretfully •n. [Colloq.] the act of yammering, or something yammered yam´mer·er •n. [ME yameren < OE geomerian, to lament, groan < geomor, sad, mournful, wretched: infl. by MDu & MLowG jammeren, of echoic orig.]

Yamoussoukro (yä'mu: su:´krô) capital of the Ivory Coast, in the central part: pop. 120,000

yang (yäŋ, yæŋ) •n. in Chinese philosophy, the active, positive, masculine force or principle in the universe, source of light and heat: it is always both contrasted with and complementary to the YIN² [Mandarin yang, male, daylight, solar]

Yang Chen Ning (yäŋ´ chen´ niŋ´) 1922- ; Chin. physicist

Yangon (yæn gön´) capital of Myanmar: seaport in the S part: pop. 2,458,000

Yangtze (yæŋk´si:) see CHANG

Yanina (yä´ni: nä') old name of IOANNINA

Yank (yæŋk) •n. [Slang] a Yankee; esp., a U.S. soldier in World Wars I and II yank (yæŋk) •n. Æ [Colloq.] a sudden, strong pull; jerk •vt., vi. [Colloq.] to jerk [< ?]

Yankee (yæŋ´ki:) •n. Æ 1 a native or inhabitant of New England Æ 2 a) a native or inhabitant of a Northern State; Northerner b) a Union soldier in the Civil War Æ 3 a native or inhabitant of the U.S. Æ adj. of, like, or characteristic of the Yankees [< ? Du Jan Kees (taken as pl.) < Jan, John + Kees, dial. form of kaas, cheese; orig. (Jan Kaas) used as disparaging nickname for a Hollander, later for Dutch freebooter; applied by colonial Dutch in New York to English settlers in Connecticut]

Yankee Doodle (du:d´ªl) an early American song with several versions of humorous verses, popular during the Revolutionary War [< YANKEE + (?) TOOTLE, in reference to sound made in tonguing a flute or fife, for which the tune was apparently first written]

Yankeedom (-dэm) name for the United States; esp., the northern States or New England •n. Yankees collectively

Yankeeism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 Yankee character or characteristics 2 a particular Yankee mannerism, idiom, etc.

Yanqui (yäŋ´ki:) pl. -quis (-ki:s) •n. YANKEE (sense 3): an AmSp respelling

Yaoundé (yä'u:n dei´) capital of Cameroon, in the SW part: pop. 436,000

Yap (yäp, yæp) group of islands in the W Carolines, W Pacific: part of the Federated States of Micronesia: c. 80 sq. mi. (207 sq. km) yap (yæp) yapped, yap´ping •vi. 1 to make a sharp, shrill bark or yelp 2 [Slang] to talk noisily and stupidly; jabber •n. 1 a sharp, shrill bark or yelp 2 [Slang] noisy, stupid talk; jabber 3 [Slang] a crude, noisy, or contemptible person 4 [Slang] the mouth yap´per •n. yap´ping·ly •adv. [echoic] yap (yæp) yapped, yap´ping •vi. 1 to make a sharp, shrill bark or yelp 2 [Slang] to talk noisily and stupidly; jabber •n. 1 a sharp, shrill bark or yelp 2 [Slang] noisy, stupid talk; jabber 3 [Slang] a crude, noisy, or contemptible person 4 [Slang] the mouth yap´per •n. yap´ping·ly •adv. [echoic]

yapok or yapock (yэ päk´) •n. a small, water-dwelling opossum (Chironectes minimus, family Didelphidae) of Central and South America, with webbed hind feet [< ?]

Yaqui (yä´ki:) •n. 1 pl. -quis or -qui a member of a North American Indian people living in Sonora, Mexico 2 the Uto-Aztecan language of this people [Sp < Yaqui hiyak, pl. hiyakim, a self-designation < name of a river in Yaqui territory]

yar (yär) var. of YARE (senses 1 & 2) •adj.

Yarborough (yär´bør'ou, -bэr э) •n. a bridge or whist hand containing no card higher than a nine [said to be so named after an Earl of Yarborough, who would bet 1,000 to 1 against its occurring]

yard goods textiles made in standard widths, usually sold by the yard

yard sale a sale of used or unwanted possessions, as household articles, often held in the yard of a house

yard¹ (yärd) •n. 1 a) a unit of linear measure equal to 3 feet or 36 inches (.9144 meter) (abbrev. yd or y) b) a cubic yard (.7646 cubic meter) {a yard of topsoil} 2 Naut. a) a slender rod or spar, tapering toward the ends, fastened at right angles across a mast to support a sail b) the transverse member of a mast on non-sailing ships: used to hold signal flags, lights, etc. Æ 3 [Old Slang] one hundred dollars or, sometimes, one thousand dollars the whole nine yards [Colloq.] everything, or the limit [< ?] [ME yerde < OE gierd, rod, staff, yard measure, akin to obs. Ger gerte, rod < IE *ghazdho-, var. of base *ghasto-, rod, pole > L hasta, pole, spear]

yard² (yärd) •n. 1 a) the space or grounds surrounding or surrounded by a building or group of buildings (often in combination) {churchyard, farmyard, etc.} b) a plot of grass adjacent to a building, house, etc. 2 a pen or other enclosure for livestock or poultry 3 an enclosed place used for a particular purpose or business {a lumber yard, shipyard} 4 a place where wild deer, moose, etc. herd together for feeding during the winter 5 a railroad center where trains are made up, serviced, switched from track to track, etc. •vt. to put, keep, or enclose in a yard: often with up the Yard [Colloq.] short for SCOTLAND YARD [ME yerd < OE geard, enclosure, akin to ON garthr, OHG gart, GARDEN < IE *gherdh-, to enclose, surround (> GIRDLE, Russ górod, town) < base *gher-, to grasp, contain]

yardage¹ (yärd´ij) •n. 1 measurement in yards 2 the extent or amount of something so measured Æ 3 distance covered in advancing a football

yardage² (yärd´ij) •n. 1 the use of a yard for storage, as for cattle at a railroad station 2 the charge for this

yardarm (yärd´ärm') •n. Naut. either half of a yard supporting a square sail, signal lights, etc.

yardbird (-børd') •n. [Slang] 1 a military recruit; rookie, esp. one frequently assigned to cleanup or other menial duties 2 a prisoner; convict

yardland (-lænd') •n. VIRGATE¹

yardman (yärd´mæn', -mэn) pl. -men' (-men', -mэn) •n. a person who works in a yard, esp. a railroad yard

yardmaster (-mæs'tэr) •n. a person in charge of a railroad yard

yardstick (-stik') •n. 1 a graduated stick or rod one yard in length, used in measuring 2 any test or standard used in measuring, judging, etc. SYN. STANDARD

yardwork (-wørk') •n. the work of caring for the lawn, plants, trees, etc. of a yard adjacent to a house

yare (yer) •adj. [Now Chiefly Dial.] 1 ready; prepared 2 brisk; active; quick 3 responding quickly and truly to the helm: said of a ship •adv. [Obs.] quickly; promptly [ME < OE gearo (akin to Ger gar, OS garu): prob. < ge- (see Y-) + earu, ready (< IE base *er- > RISE)]

Yarkand (yär'känd´) SHACHE

Yarmouth (yär´mэθ) GREAT YARMOUTH

yarmulke (yär´mэl kэ, yä´-) •n. a skullcap variously worn by Jewish men and boys, esp. when at prayer or study, at meals, etc.: also yar´mel·ke [E Yidd yarmulke < Pol jarmułka, orig., a skullcap worn as by priests < earlier ja murka, ult. < ML almutia, cowl, hood]

yarn (yärn) •n. 1 any fiber, as wool, silk, flax, cotton, nylon, glass, etc., spun into strands for weaving, knitting, or making thread 2 coarse fibers woven into strands for rope-making 3 [Colloq.] a tale or story, esp. one that seems exaggerated or hard to believe •vi. [Old Colloq.] to tell yarns spin a yarn [Colloq.] to tell a yarn [ME < OE gearn, yarn, akin to Ger garn < IE base *gher-, intestine > L haru-spex, soothsayer, lit., intestine-seer, Gr chordē]

yarn-dyed (-daid') •adj. woven of yarn dyed before weaving

Yaroslavl or Yaroslavl' (yä'rou släv´эl) city in W European Russia, on the Volga: pop. 626,000

yarrow (yær´ou) •n. any of a genus (Achillea) of perennial plants of the composite family; esp., the common yarrow (A. millefolium), having a strong smell and taste, finely divided leaves, and clusters of small, pink or white flower heads [ME yarowe < OE gæruwe, akin to Ger garbe]

yashmak or yashmac (yäsh mäk´, yæsh´mæk') •n. the double veil worn by Muslim women in public [Ar yashmaq]

yataghan or yatagan (yæt´э gæn') •n. a type of Turkish short saber with a double-curved blade and a handle without a guard [Turk yatagan]

yatter (yæt´эr) •vi. [Slang] to talk idly and foolishly about trivial things; chatter continuously •n. [Slang] 1 the act of yattering 2 idle talk; chatter [prob. < YA(K)² + (CHA)TTER]

yauld (yöd, yäd, yäld) •adj. [Scot.] active, nimble, etc.

yaup (yöp, yäp) •vi., n. var. of YAWP

yaupon (yö´pэn) •n. an evergreen holly (Ilex vomitoria) of the SE U.S.: its leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for tea [Catawba yánpan]

yautia (yau ti:´э) •n. 1 the starchy tuber of any of various tropical plants (genus Xanthosoma) of the arum family, cultivated for food in tropical America; malanga 2 this plant [AmSp yautía < Taino]

yaw (yö) •vi. 1 to swing back and forth across its course, as a ship pushed by high waves 2 to swing to the left or right on the vertical axis so that the longitudinal axis forms an angle with the line of flight; esp., to rotate or oscillate about the vertical axis: said of a projectile, aircraft, spacecraft, etc. •vt. to cause to yaw •n. 1 an act of yawing 2 the angle formed by a yawing craft [ON jaga, to sway, move back and forth < or akin to Du & Ger jagen, to hunt]

Yawata (yä´wä tä') former city in N Kyushu, Japan, now part of Kitakyushu

yawl¹ (yöl) •n. 1 orig., a ship's boat; jolly boat 2 a small, two-masted sailing vessel similar to a ketch but with the mizzenmast located aft of the rudderpost [< MLowG jolle or Du jol]

yawl² (yöl) •vi., n. Brit. dial. var. of YOWL

yawn (yön) •vi. 1 to open the mouth wide, esp. involuntarily, and breathe in deeply, as a result of fatigue, drowsiness, or boredom 2 to be or become wide open; gape {a yawning chasm} •vt. to express or utter with a yawn •n. 1 an act of yawning or opening wide 2 a wide opening; chasm yawn´er •n. [ME yanen, prob. merging OE ginian & ganian, to gape, akin to Ger gähnen < IE base *Ghei-, to gape, prob. echoic of the yawning sound > Gr chainein, L hiare, to gape]

yawp (yöp, yäp) •vi. 1 a) to utter a loud, harsh call or cry b) [Slang] to talk noisily and stupidly 2 [Colloq.] to yawn aloud; gape •n. the act or sound of yawping [ME yolpen, prob. echoic var. of yelpen, YELP]

yaws (yöz) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] a tropical infectious disease caused by a spirochete (Treponema pertenue) and characterized by raspberrylike skin eruptions followed sometimes by destructive lesions of the skin and bones [< a Carib language: cf. Galibi ïaïa]

y-axis (wai´æk'sis) pl. y´-ax'es' (-si:z') •n. Geom. 1 the vertical, or more nearly vertical, axis in a plane Cartesian coordinate system along which the ordinate is measured 2 one of the three axes in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system

yay (yei) •adv. 1 YEA (sense 1) 2 [Colloq.] this; so: often with a gesture indicating size {yay big, yay high} •n., interj. YEA

Yazoo (yæz´u:) river flowing from NW Miss. southwest into the Mississippi River near Vicksburg: 188 mi. (302 km) [Fr Yasou, Yazou, etc.: name of an AmInd people of unknown affiliation]

YB Yearbook Yb Chem. symbol for ytterbium

yclept or y-clept (i: klept´) •vt. [Archaic] called; named; known as {a giant yclept Barbarossa}: also sp. y·cleped´ or y-cleped´ (-klept´) [ME ycleped < OE geclypod < ge-, Y- + pp. of clipian, to call, CLEPE (popularized by SPENSER & MILTON)]

yd yard(s)

ye¹ (ðэ, ði, ði:; now often erroneously or facetiously yi:) •adj., definite article archaic var. of THE: y was substituted by early printers for the thorn (þ), the Old and Middle English character representing the sound (ð) or (θ): sometimes written ye

ye² (yi:; unstressed, yi) pron. archaic var. of YOU: orig., used only as nominative plural, later as nominative singular, and still later, esp. in dialectal speech, as accusative singular and plural [ME < OE ge, ye, nom. pl. corresponding to thu, thou, akin to Goth jus, but with vowel modified after we (see WE): for IE base see YOU]

yea (yei) •adv. 1 yes: used to express affirmation 2 indeed; truly; verily: used to introduce a question or statement 3 [Archaic] not only that, but more; moreover {a thousand, yea, ten thousand} •n. 1 an affirmative statement or vote 2 a person voting in the affirmative •interj. Æ an exclamation used in cheering on an athletic team, etc. [ME ye < OE gea, akin to Ger ja]

yeah (yæ, ye, ye´э, etc.) •adv. [Colloq.] yes: an affirmative reply [prob. < Du & Ger ja, merged with prec.]

yean (yi:n) •vt., vi. to bring forth (young): said of a sheep or goat [ME genen < OE *ge-eanian < ge- (see Y-) + eanian, to bring forth lambs, akin to Du oonen < IE base *agwhnos, lamb > Gr amnos, L agnus, lamb]

yeanling (-liŋ) •n. a lamb or kid [prec. + LING¹]

year (yir) •n. 1 a) a period of 365 days (in leap year, 366 days) divided into 12 months and regarded in the Gregorian calendar as beginning Jan. 1 and ending the following Dec. 31 b) a period of more or less the same length in other calendars 2 the period (365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds of mean solar time) spent by the sun in making its apparent passage from vernal equinox to vernal equinox: the year of the seasons: also tropical year or equinoctial year or solar year 3 the period (365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, and 9.54 seconds of mean solar time) spent by the sun in its apparent passage from a fixed star and back to the same position again: it is the true period of the earth's revolution, and the difference in time between this and the tropical year is due to the precession of the equinoxes: also sidereal year 4 a period of 12 lunar months, as in the Jewish calendar: also lunar year 5 the period of time occupied by any planet in making one complete revolution from perihelion to perihelion: for the earth this period is 365 days, 6 hours, 13 minutes, and 53 seconds: it is slightly longer than the sidereal year due to the extra time needed to reach an advancing perihelion, the lag being caused by the gravitational pull of the other planets: also anomalistic year 6 a period of 12 calendar months reckoned from any date {a year from today} 7 a calendar year of a specified number in a particular era {the year 500 B.C.} 8 a particular annual period of less than 365 days {a school year} 9 [pl.] a) age {old for his years} b) time; esp., a long time {he died years ago} year after year every year or for many successive years year by year each year year in, year out every year [ME yere < OE gear, akin to Ger jahr < IE *yēro-, year, summer (> Gr hōros, time, year, OSlav jara, spring) < base *ei-, to go (> L ire, to go): basic sense that which passes]

yearbook (-buk') •n. a book published yearly; specif., a) a book giving statistics and data of the preceding year b) a publication of the graduating class of a school or college, with pictures and reports of the school year just coming to an end

year-end (-end´) •n. the end of a year, calendar or fiscal •adj. happening, done, etc. at year-end Also year´end´

yearling (yir´liŋ) •n. 1 an animal one year old or in its second year 2 Horse Racing a horse one year old: all thoroughbreds' birthdays are arbitrarily set at January 1, at which time a foal born on any date of the preceding year is reckoned one year old •adj. being a year old

yearlong (yir´löŋ´) •adj. continuing for a full year

yearly (-li:) •adj. 1 done, happening, appearing, etc. once a year, or every year {a yearly event} 2 of a year, or of each year •adv. annually; every year

yearn (yørn) •vi. 1 to be filled with longing or desire 2 to feel tenderness or sympathy yearn´er •n. [ME yernen < OE gyrnan < georn, eager, akin to Ger gern, gladly: see HORTATORY]

yearning (yørn´iŋ) •n. deep or anxious longing, desire, etc. [ME yerning < OE girninge: see YEARN + -ING]

year-round (yir´raund´) •adj. open, in use, operating, etc. throughout the year •adv. throughout the year {to travel year-round}

yeasayer (yei´sei'эr) •n. a person who has an affirmative or positive attitude toward life [YEA + SAY + -ER]

yeast (yi:st) •n. 1 a) any of various single-celled ascomycetous fungi (esp. genus Saccharomyces) in which little or no mycelium develops and which ordinarily reproduce by budding: they live on sugary solutions, ferment sugars to form alcohol and carbon dioxide, and are used in making beer, whiskey, etc. and as a leavening in baking b) BREWER'S YEAST: also yeast plant 2 a) the yellowish, moist mass of yeast plants occurring as a froth on fermenting solutions b) this substance dried in flakes or granules or compressed into cakes 3 foam; froth 4 a) something that agitates or causes ferment; leaven b) ferment; agitation •vi. [Rare] to froth or ferment [ME yest < OE gist, akin to Ger gischt, spray, froth & OHG jesan, to ferment < IE base *yes-, to foam, boil up > Gr zein, to boil, seethe]

yeasty (yi:s´ti:) yeast´i·er, yeast´i·est •adj. 1 of, like, or containing yeast 2 frothy; foamy 3 light; superficial; frivolous 4 in a ferment; restless yeast´i·ness •n.

Yeats (yeits), William Butler 1865-1939; Ir. poet, playwright, & essayist