taramasalata (tä'rä mä'sä lä´tä) •n. a Greek appetizer consisting of a thick paste made from salted fish roe, onion, and lemon juice, pureed with bread or potato: often clipped to ta·ra·ma (tä´rä mä')

tarantella (tær'эn tel´э) •n. 1 a fast, whirling southern Italian dance for couples, in 6/8 time 2 music for this [It, dim. of TARANTO: pop. assoc. with fol. because of its lively character]

tarantism (tær´эn tiz'эm) •n. a nervous disease characterized by hysteria and popularly believed to be curable by dancing or manifested by a mania for dancing: prevalent in S Italy during the 16th and 17th cent. [It tarantismo: because formerly epidemic in the vicinity of TARANTO; pop. assoc. with the tarantula, by whose bite it was erroneously said to be caused]

Taranto (tä´rän tou'; also tэ rænt´ou) 1 seaport in SE Italy, on the Gulf of Taranto: pop. 244,000 2 Gulf of arm of the Ionian Sea, in SE Italy: c. 85 mi. (136 km) long [L Tarentum < Gr Taras, said to be named after Taras, son of Poseidon]

tarantula (tэ ræn´chu lэ, -chэ-; -tyu: lэ, -tэ lэ) pl. -las or -lae' (-li:') •n. 1 a wolf spider (Lycosa tarentula) of S Europe, whose bite was popularly but wrongly supposed to cause tarantism 2 any of numerous large, hairy spiders with a poisonous bite that has little effect on warmblooded animals; specif., any of a family (Theraphosidae) found in the SW U.S. and tropical America [ML < It tarantola < prec., near which the wolf spider was found]

Tarawa (tэ rä´wэ; tär´э wэ) coral atoll in the WC Pacific, near the equator: capital of Kiribati: 7.5 sq. mi. (19.4 sq. km); pop. 22,000

Tarbell (tär´bel', -bэl), Ida M(inerva) 1857-1944; U.S. journalist & author

tarboosh (tär bu:sh´) •n. a brimless cap of cloth or felt shaped like a truncated cone, worn by Muslim men, sometimes as the inner part of a turban [Ar tarbūsh]

Tardenoisian (tär'dэ noi´zi: эn) •adj. designating or of a Mesolithic culture characterized by microliths [after Fère-en-Tardenois, town in NE France, where implements were found]

tardigrade (tär´di greid') •n. any of a phylum (Tardigrada) of minute water animals with segmented bodies and four pairs of unsegmented legs, often regarded as primitive arthropods [Fr < L tardigradus, slow-paced: see TARDY & GRADE]

tardive dyskinesia (tär´div) a neuromuscular disorder, characterized by involuntary movements of the face, mouth, etc., believed to be induced by long-term use of certain tranquilizers or dopamine [tardive, developing late (< Fr, fem. of tardif, TARDY) + DYSKINESIA]

tardo (tär´dou) •adj., adv. Musical Direction slow [It < L tardus: see TARDY]

tardy (tär´di:) -di·er, -di·est •adj. 1 slow in moving, acting, etc. 2 behind time; late, delayed, or dilatory tar´di·ly •adv. tar´di·ness •n. [LME tardyve < OFr tardif < VL *tardivus < L tardus, slow, prob. < IE base *ter-, delicate, weak > Gr terēn, tender]

tardyon (tär´di: än) •n. any subatomic particle traveling slower than the speed of light: see also TACHYON

tare¹ (ter) •n. 1 any of several vetches, esp. the common vetch (Vicia sativa) 2 the seed of any of these plants 3 Bible a noxious weed thought to be darnel: Matt. 13:25-40 [ME, small seed, vetch < or akin to MDu tarwe, wheat < IE base *derwā-, kind of grain > Sans dŭrvā, millet grass: used in ME and Early ModE versions of N.T. to transl. LL(Ec) zizania, darnel]

tare² (ter) •n. 1 the weight of a container, wrapper, vehicle, etc. deducted from the total weight to determine the weight of the contents or load 2 the deduction of this •vt. tared, tar´ing to find out, allow for, or mark the tare of [LME < MFr < It tara, prob. < Ar taraha, to reject, throw, cast]

tare³ (ter) •vt., vi. archaic or dial. pt. & pp. of TEAR¹

Tarentum (tэ rent´эm) ancient name of TARANTO

targe (tärj) •n. [Obs. or Old Poet.] a shield or buckler [ME < OE < ON targa, akin to OHG zarga, a rim, frame < IE base *dergh-, to grip > Gr drakhmē: see DRACHMA]

target (tär´git) •n. 1 orig., a small shield, esp. a round one 2 a) a round, flat board, straw coil, etc., often one marked with concentric circles, set up to be aimed at, as in archery or rifle practice b) any object that is shot at, thrown at, etc. 3 an objective; goal 4 a ship, building, site, etc. that is the object of a military attack 5 an object of verbal attack, criticism, or ridicule 6 something resembling a target in shape or use; specif., Æ a) the sliding sight on a surveyor's leveling rod Æ b) a disk-shaped signal on a railroad switch c) a metallic insert, usually of tungsten or molybdenum, in the anode of an X-ray tube, upon which the stream of cathode rays impinges and from which X-rays emanate d) a surface, object, etc. subjected to irradiation or to bombardment as by nuclear particles •vt. to establish as a target, goal, etc. [ME < MFr targette, dim. of targe, a shield < Frank *targa, akin to prec.]

target date a date aimed at, as for the end of a project

Targum (tär´gum, tär gu:m´) pl. Tar´gums or Tar·gu·mim (tär gu:m´im) •n. any of several translations or paraphrases of parts of the Jewish Scriptures, written in the vernacular (Aramaic) of Judea [MHeb < Aram targūm, lit., interpretation]

Tarheel (tär´hi:l') •n. [Colloq.] a native or inhabitant of North Carolina, called the Tarheel State

tariff (tær´if) •n. 1 a list or system of taxes placed by a government upon exports or, esp., imports 2 a tax of this kind, or its rate 3 any list or scale of prices, charges, etc. Æ 4 [Colloq.] any bill, charge, fare, etc. •vt. 1 to make a schedule of tariffs on; set a tariff on 2 to fix the price of according to a tariff [It tariffa < Ar ta؟rīf, information, explanation < arafa, to know, inform]

Tarim (tä ri:m´, dä-) river in NW China flowing from the Tian Shan into E Xinjiang region: c. 1,300 mi. (2,092 km)

Tarkington (tär´kiŋ tэn), (Newton) Booth 1869-1946; U.S. novelist

tarlatan or tarletan (tär´lэ tэn) •n. a thin, stiff, open-weave muslin [Fr tarlatane, earlier tarnatane < ?]

Tarmac (tär´mæk') trademark for a coal-tar material used in paving •n. [t-] [Chiefly Brit., etc.] 1 an airport runway or apron 2 a paved road [< tarmacadam < TAR¹ + MACADAM]

tarn (tärn) •n. a small lake, esp. one that fills a cirque [ME terne < or akin to ON tjörn, tarn, lit., hole filled with water]

'tarnal (tär´nэl) •adj. short dial. form of ETERNAL: used chiefly as an intensive {a 'tarnal fool!}

tarnation (tär nei´shэn) •interj., n. dial. var. of DAMNATION: used as an intensive {what in tarnation is that?} [prob. < 'TAR(NAL) + (DAM)NATION]

tarnish (tär´nish) •vt. 1 to dull the luster of or discolor the surface of (a metal) as by exposure to air 2 a) to besmirch or sully (a reputation, honor, etc.) b) to spoil, mar, or debase {to tarnish a memory} •vi. 1 to lose luster; grow dull; discolor, as from oxidation 2 to become sullied, soiled, spoiled, marred, etc. •n. 1 the condition of being tarnished; dullness 2 the film of discoloration on the surface of tarnished metal 3 a stain; blemish tar´nish·a·ble •adj. [< Fr terniss-, inflectional stem of ternir, to make dim < MFr, prob. < OHG tarnjan, to conceal < tarni, hidden]

taro (ter´ou, tär´ou) pl. -ros •n. 1 a large, tropical Asiatic plant (Colocasia esculenta) of the arum family, with shield-shaped leaves: it is cultivated for its edible corms that are the source of poi 2 the tuber of this plant [< a Polynesian language < Proto-Polynesian *talo]

taroc or tarok (tэ räk´) •n. an old card game of Italy, Austria, etc. played with a deck of, usually, 78 cards that includes the tarot cards as trumps

tarot (tær´ou, -эt; tæ rou´) •n. [often T-] any of a set of 22 cards bearing pictures of certain traditional allegorical figures, used in fortunetelling: sometimes used in combination with other cards [Fr < MFr < OIt tarocco, prob. < Ar taraha, to reject > TARE²]

tarp (tärp) •n. [Colloq.] short for TARPAULIN

tarpaulin (tär pö´lin, tär´pэ lin) •n. 1 a) waterproof material; specif., canvas coated with a waterproofing compound b) a sheet of this used for spreading over something to protect it from getting wet 2 [Archaic] a sailor; tar [TAR¹ + -paulin, prob. < palling < PALL², a covering]

Tarpeia (tär pi:´э) Rom. Myth. a girl who treacherously opens the Capitoline citadel to the invading Sabines, who then crush her to death with their shields

Tarpeian (-эn) •adj. designating or of a cliff on the Capitoline Hill in Rome from which traitors to the state were hurled to their death [L Tarpeianus, after Tarpeia: see TARPEIA]

tarpon (tär´pэn, -pän') pl. -pons •n.or -pon any of a family (Megalopidae, order Elopiformes) of bony fishes; esp., a large, silvery game fish (Megalops atlanticus) with very large scales, found in the warmer parts of the W Atlantic [< ?]

Tarquin (tär´kwin) (Lucius Tarquinius Superbus) semilegendary Etruscan king of Rome (c. 534-c. 510 B.C.)

tarradiddle (tær'э did´ªl) •n. alt. sp. of TARADIDDLE

tarragon (tær´э gän') •n. 1 an Old World wormwood (Artemisia dracunculus) whose fragrant leaves are used for seasoning, esp. in vinegar 2 the leaves of this plant [Sp taragona < Ar tarkhūn < ? Gr drakōn, DRAGON]

tarriance (tær´i: эns) •n. [Archaic] 1 the act of tarrying; delay 2 a sojourn; stay

tarry¹ (tær´i:) -ried, -ry·ing •vi. 1 to delay, linger, be tardy, etc. 2 to stay for a time, esp. longer than originally intended; remain temporarily 3 to wait •vt. [Archaic] to wait for •n. [Now Rare] a sojourn; stay SYN. STAY³ tar´ri·er •n. [ME tarien, to delay, vex, hinder < OE tergan, to vex, provoke, prob. infl. by ME targen, to retard < OFr targer < VL *tardicare < L tardare, to delay < tardus, slow > TARDY]

tarry² (tär´i:) -ri·er, -ri·est •adj. 1 of or like tar 2 covered or smeared with tar tar´ri·ness •n.

tarsal (tär´sэl) •adj. of the tarsus of the foot or the tarsi of the eyelids •n. a tarsal bone or plate: see SKELETON, illus. [< ModL tarsus (see TARSUS) + -AL]

Tarshish (tär´shish') seaport or maritime region of uncertain location, mentioned in the Bible: cf. I Kings 10:22

tarsi (tär´sai') •n. pl. of TARSUS

tarsier (tär´si: эr) •n. any of a family (Tarsiidae) of small primates of the East Indies and the Philippines, with very large, gogglelike eyes, and a long, tufted tail: tarsiers live in trees, are active at night, and feed esp. on lizards and insects [Fr, so named by BUFFON < tarse, TARSUS, from the foot structure]

tarso- (tär´sou, -sэ) combining form tarsus or tarsal {tarsometatarsus} Also, before a vowel, tars- [< ModL tarsus]

tarsometatarsus (tär'sou met'э tär´ sэs) •n. the large bone in the lower part of a bird's leg, connecting the tibia with the toes [prec. + METATARSUS]

tarsus (tär´sэs) pl. tar´si' (-sai') •n. 1 Anat. a) the human ankle, consisting of seven bones between the tibia and metatarsus b) the small plate of connective tissue stiffening the eyelid 2 Zool. a) a group of bones in the ankle region of the hind limbs of tetrapods b) TARSOMETATARSUS c) the fifth segment from the base of an insect leg [ModL < Gr tarsos, flat of the foot, any flat surface, orig. a wickerwork frame for drying fruits or cheeses < IE base *ters-, to dry > THIRST, L torridus] Tarsus (tär´sэs) city in S Turkey, near the Mediterranean: in ancient times, the capital of Cilicia & birthplace of the Apostle Paul: pop. 51,000

tart¹ (tärt) •adj. 1 sharp in taste; sour; acid; acidulous 2 sharp in meaning or implication; cutting {a tart answer} SYN. SOUR tart´ly •adv. tart´ness •n. [ME < OE teart < PGmc *trat- < IE base *der- > TEAR¹]

tart² (tärt) •n. 1 a small shell of pastry filled with jam, jelly, etc. 2 in England, a small pie filled with fruit or jam and often having a top crust [ME tarte < OFr, prob. var. of tourte < LL(Ec) torta, twisted loaf < L tortus: see TORT]

tart³ (tärt) •n. [Colloq.] a prostitute or any promiscuous woman tart up [Slang, Chiefly Brit., etc.] to clothe, furnish, or decorate in a showy and, often, cheap way tart´y •adj. [< prec., orig., slang term of endearment]

tartan¹ (tär´tэn, tärt´ªn) •n. 1 woolen cloth with a woven pattern of straight lines of different colors and widths crossing at right angles, esp. as worn in the Scottish Highlands, where each clan has its own pattern 2 any plaid cloth like this 3 any tartan pattern 4 a garment made of tartan •adj. of, like, or made of tartan [prob. < MFr tiretaine, a cloth of mixed fibers < OFr tiret, a kind of cloth < tire, oriental cloth (of silk) < ML tyrius, material from Tyre < L Tyrus, TYRE; sp. infl. by ME tartarin, a rich material < MFr (drap) tartarin, Tartar (cloth)]

tartan² (tär´tэn, tärt´ªn) •n. a small, single-masted Mediterranean ship with a large lateen sail and a jib [Fr tartane < It tartana, prob. ult. < Ar tarrād (colloq. form tatrīda), small, swift kind of ship]

Tartar (tär´tэr) •n. 1 TATAR 2 [usually t-] an irritable, violent, intractable person •adj. of Tatary or the Tatars catch a tartar to attack or oppose someone too strong for one; get more than one bargained for [ME Tartre < ML Tartarus, a Tatar, altered (after TARTARUS) < Pers Tātār] tartar (tär´tэr) •n. 1 cream of tartar, esp. the crude form present in grape juice and forming a reddish or whitish, crustlike deposit (argol) in wine casks 2 a hard deposit on the teeth, consisting of saliva proteins, food deposits, various salts, as calcium phosphate, etc.; dental calculus [ME < ML tartarum < MGr tartaron < ?]

tartar emetic antimony potassium tartrate, K(SbO)C4H4O6·½H2O, a poisonous, odorless, white salt used in medicine to cause expectoration, vomiting, and perspiring, and in dyeing as a mordant

tartar sauce (tär´tэr) a sauce, as for seafood, consisting of mayonnaise with chopped pickles, olives, capers, etc.: also sp. tar´tare sauce [Fr sauce tartare]

tartar steak STEAK TARTARE

Tartarean (tär ter´i: эn, -tær´-) •adj. of Tartarus; infernal

Tartarian (tär ter´i: эn) •adj. of Tatary or the Tatars

tartaric (tär tær´ik, -tär´-) •adj. of, containing, or derived from tartar or tartaric acid

tartaric acid a clear, colorless, crystalline acid, HOOC(CHOH)2COOH, found in vegetable tissues and fruit juices and obtained commercially from tartar: it is used in dyeing, photography, medicine, etc.

tartarous (tär´tэr эs) •adj. of, like, or containing tartar

Tartarus (tär´tэ rэs) Gr. Myth. 1 an infernal abyss below Hades, where Zeus hurls the rebel Titans, later a place of punishment for the wicked after death 2 HADES (sense 1a) [L < Gr Tartaros]

Tartary (tärt´эr i:) var. of TATARY

Tartini (täř ti:´ni:), Giu·sep·pe (ju: zep´pe) It. violinist, composer, & musical theoretician

tartlet (tärt´lit) •n. a small pastry tart [MFr tartelette: see TART¹ & -LET]

tartrate (tär´treit') •n. 1 a salt of tartaric acid containing the divalent, negative radical C4H4O6 2 an uncharged ester of this acid [Fr < tartre, TARTAR + -ate, -ATE²]

tartrated (-treit'id) •adj. 1 derived from or containing tartar 2 combined with tartaric acid

Tartu (tär´tu:) city in E Estonia: pop. 106,000

Tartuffe (tär tuf´; Fr tåř tüf´) the title hero, a religious hypocrite, of a satirical comedy (1664-69) by Molière •n. [t-] a hypocrite [Fr < It Tartufo, lit., a truffle]

Tarzan (tär´zэn, -zæn') •n. [also t-] any very strong, virile, and agile man: often used ironically or humorously [after Tarzan, jungle-raised hero of stories by Edgar Rice BURROUGHS]

Tashkent (tæsh kent´, täsh-) capital of Uzbekistan, on a branch of the Syr Darya: pop. 2,030,000

Tasian (tä´si: эn) •adj. designating or of the earliest known Neolithic farming culture of Egypt, preceding the Badarian [after Deir Tasa, village in upper Egypt, where artifacts were found]

task (tæsk, täsk) •n. 1 a piece of work assigned to or demanded of a person 2 any piece of work 3 an undertaking involving labor or difficulty •vt. 1 to assign a task to; require or demand a piece of work of 2 to put a burden on; strain; overtax take to task to reprimand or scold; reprove SYN.—task refers to a piece of work assigned to or demanded of someone, as by another person, by duty, etc., and usually implies that this is difficult or arduous work [he has the task of answering letters]; chore applies to any of the routine domestic activities for which one is responsible [his chore is washing the dishes]; stint refers to a task that is one's share of the work done by a group and usually connotes a minimum to be completed in the allotted time [we've all done our daily stint]; assignment applies to a specific, prescribed task allotted by someone in authority [classroom assignments]; job, in this connection, refers to a specific piece of work, as in one's trade or as voluntarily undertaken for pay [the job of painting our house] [ME taske < NormFr tasque (OFr tasche) < ML tasca, for taxa, a tax < L taxare, to rate, value, TAX]

task force 1 a specially trained, self-contained military unit assigned a specific mission or task, as the raiding of enemy installations 2 any group assigned to a specific project

taskmaster (tæsk´mæs'tэr) •n. a person, esp. a strict or demanding person, who assigns tasks or hard work to others

Tasman (täs´män'; E tæz´mэn), A·bel Jans·zoon (ä´bэl yän´soun) c. 1603-59; Du. navigator who discovered Tasmania & New Zealand

Tasman Sea (tæz´mэn) section of the South Pacific, between SE Australia & New Zealand

Tasmania (tæz mei´ni: э, -mein´yэ) 1 island south of Victoria, Australia: c. 24,450 sq. mi. (63,325 sq. km) 2 state of Australia comprising this island & smaller nearby islands: 26,383 sq. mi. (68,331 sq. km); pop. 427,000; cap. Hobart Tas·ma´ni·an •adj., n.

Tasmanian devil a stout, extremely voracious, flesh-eating species (Sarcophilus harrisi, family Dasyuridae) of Tasmanian marsupial, having black fur with white patches and a large head

Tasmanian wolf (or tiger) a fierce, flesh-eating, possibly extinct species (Thylacinus cynocephalus, family Thylacinidae) of Tasmanian marsupial with dark stripes on the back

tass (tæs, täs) •n. [Now Scot.] 1 a small drinking cup or goblet 2 its contents; a small draft [LME tasse < MFr < OFr < Ar tāsa, shallow metal cup < Pers tast, a cup] Tass (täs) a Soviet agency for gathering and distributing news [Russ < T(elyegrafnoe) A(gentstvo) S(ovetskogo) S(oyuza), Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union]

tasse (tæs) •n. any of a series of jointed, metal plates forming a skirtlike protection of armor for the lower trunk and thighs: see ARMOR, illus.: also tas´set [MFr, purse, pouch]

tassel¹ (tæs´эl) •n. 1 orig., a clasp or fibula 2 an ornamental tuft of threads, cords, etc. of equal length, hanging loosely from a knob or from the knot by which they are tied together 3 something resembling this; specif., the tassel-like inflorescence of some plants, as corn •vt. -seled or -selled, -sel·ing or -sel·ling to ornament with tassels Æ vi. to grow tassels, as corn [ME < OFr, knob, knot, button < VL *tassellus, altered < L taxillus, a small die (akin to talus, ankle), based on L tessella, small cube, piece of mosaic]

tassel² (tæs´эl) •n. [Obs.] TIERCEL

Tasso (täs´sô; E tæs´ou), Tor·qua·to (tôř kwä´tô) 1544-95; It. epic poet

taste (teist) tast´ed, tast´ing •vt. 1 orig., to test by touching 2 to test the flavor of by putting a little in one's mouth 3 to detect or distinguish the flavor of by the sense of taste {to taste sage in a dressing} 4 to eat or drink, esp. a small amount of 5 to receive the sensation of, as for the first time; experience; have {to have tasted freedom at last} 6 [Archaic] to appreciate; like •vi. 1 to discern or recognize flavors by the sense of taste; have the sense of taste 2 to eat or drink a small amount (of) 3 to have the specific taste or flavor: sometimes with of {the milk tastes sour; the salad tastes of garlic} 4 to have a sensation, limited experience, or anticipating sense (of something) •n. [ME < OFr tast < the v.] 1 orig., a) a test; trial b) the act of tasting 2 that one of the five senses that is stimulated by contact of a substance with the taste buds and is capable of distinguishing basically among sweet, sour, salt, and bitter: the flavor of any specific substance is usually recognized by its combined taste, smell, and texture 3 the quality of a thing that is perceived through the sense of taste; flavor; savor 4 a small amount put into the mouth to test the flavor 5 the distinguishing flavor of a substance {a chocolate taste} 6 a slight experience of something; sample {to get a taste of another's anger} 7 a small amount; bit; trace; suggestion; touch 8 a) the ability to notice, appreciate, and judge what is beautiful, appropriate, or harmonious, or what is excellent in art, music, decoration, clothing, etc. b) a specific preference; partiality; predilection {a taste for red ties} c) an attitude or a style reflecting such ability or preferences on the part of a group of people of a particular time and place 9 a liking; inclination; fondness; bent {to have no taste for business} in bad (poor, etc.) taste in a form, style, or manner showing lack or impairment of a sense of beauty, excellence, fitness, propriety, etc. in good (excellent, etc.) taste in a form or manner showing a sense of beauty, excellence, fitness, etc. in taste in good taste to one's taste 1 pleasing to one 2 so as to please one [ME tasten < OFr taster, to handle, touch, taste < VL *tastare, prob. < *taxitare, freq. of L taxare, to feel, touch sharply, judge of, freq. of tangere: see TACT]

taste bud an oval cluster of cells embedded principally in the epithelium of the tongue and functioning as the sense organ of taste

tasteful (teist´fэl) •adj. having or showing good taste {tasteful décor} taste´ful·ly •adv. taste´ful·ness •n.

tasteless (teist´lis) •adj. 1 a) without taste or flavor; flat; insipid b) dull; uninteresting 2 lacking good taste or showing poor taste taste´less·ly •adv. taste´less·ness •n.

taster (teis´tэr) •n. 1 a person who tastes; specif., a) a person employed to test the quality of wines, teas, etc. by tasting b) a servant who tastes food and drink prepared as for a sovereign, to detect poisoning 2 any of several devices used for tasting, sampling, or testing [ME tastour < Anglo-Fr]

tasty (teis´ti:) tast´i·er, tast´i·est •adj. 1 that tastes good; flavorful; savory 2 [Now Rare] TASTEFUL tast´i·ly •adv. tast´i·ness •n.

tat¹ (tæt) tat´ted, tat´ting •vt. to make by tatting •vi. to do tatting [prob. back-form. < TATTING]

tat² (tæt) •n. see TIT FOR TAT [< ? TAP¹]

ta-ta (tä tä´) •interj. [Brit., etc. Colloq.] goodbye: orig. a child's term

tatami (tэ tä´mi:) pl. -mi •n.or -mis a floor mat woven of rice straw, used traditionally in Japanese homes for sitting on, as when eating [Jpn < nominal form of tatamu, to fold up, pile up]

Tatar (tät´эr) •n. 1 a member of any of the Mongolian and Turkic peoples that took part in the invasion of central and W Asia and E Europe in the Middle Ages 2 a member of a Turkic people living in a region of EC European Russia, the Crimea, and parts of Asia 3 any of the Turkic languages of these peoples; esp., a language (Kazan Tatar) spoken around Kazan •adj. of the Tatars or their languages Also Ta·tar·i·an (tä ter´i: эn) or Ta·tar´ic [Pers]

Tatar Strait (tät´эr) strait between Sakhalin Island & the Asia mainland: c. 350 mi. (563 km) long

Tatary (tät´э ri:) vast region in Europe & Asia under the control of Tatar tribes in the late Middle Ages: its greatest extent was from SW Russia to the Pacific

Tate (teit) 1 (John Orley) Allen 1899-1979; U.S. poet & critic 2 Nahum 1652-1715; Brit. poet & dramatist, born in Ireland: poet laureate (1692-1715)

tater (teit´эr) •n. dial. form of POTATO

Tatra Mountains (tä´trэ) range of the Carpathian Mountains in N Slovakia & S Poland: highest peak, 8,737 ft. (2,663 m)

tatter (tæt´эr) •n. 1 a torn and hanging shred or piece, as of a garment 2 a separate shred or scrap; rag 3 [pl.] torn, ragged clothes •vt. to reduce to tatters; make ragged •vi. to become ragged [ME, prob. < ON töturr, rags, tatters, akin to Ger zotte, tuft < IE base *dā(i)-, to cut out, divide > TIDE¹]

tatterdemalion (tæt'эr di meil´yэn, -i: эn; also, -mæl´-) •n. a person in torn, ragged clothes; ragamuffin [< prec. + ?]

tattered (tæt´эrd) •adj. 1 in tatters; torn and ragged 2 wearing torn and ragged clothes [ME tatered]

tattersall (tæt´эr söl') •n. a checkered pattern of dark lines on a light background •adj. having such a pattern [after Tattersall's, a London horse market and gamblers' rendezvous, founded (1766) by Richard Tattersall]

tatting (tæt´iŋ) •n. 1 a fine lace made by looping and knotting thread that is wound on a hand shuttle: used for edging, trimming, etc. 2 the act or process of making this [prob. < Brit dial. tat, to tangle]

tattle (tæt´ªl) -tled, -tling •vi. 1 to talk idly; chatter; gossip 2 to reveal other people's secrets; tell tales 3 to inform against someone •vt. to reveal (a secret) through gossiping •n. idle talk; chatter; tattling [LME tattlen, prob. < MDu tatelen, of echoic orig.]

tattler (tæt´lэr) •n. 1 a person who tattles; gossip Æ 2 a grayish-brown sandpiper (Heteroscelus incanus) of the Pacific coastal region, known for its loud cry

tattletale (tæt´ªl teil') •n. an informer or talebearer: now chiefly a child's term

tattoo¹ (tæ tu:´) -tooed´, -too´ing •vt. 1 to puncture (the skin) with a needle and insert indelible colors so as to leave permanent marks or designs 2 to make (marks or designs) on the skin in this way •n. pl. -toos´ a tattooed mark or design tat·too´er or tat·too´ist •n. [< a Polynesian language < Proto-Polynesian *tatau]

tattoo² (tæ tu:´) pl. -toos´ •n. 1 a) a signal on a drum or bugle, summoning military personnel to their quarters at night b) in Great Britain, a military spectacle featuring music, marching, and military exercises 2 any continuous drumming or rapping •vt., vi. -tooed´, -too´ing to beat or tap on (a drum or other surface) [earlier taptoo < Du taptoe < tap toe, tap to (shut): a signal for closing barrooms]

tatty (tæt´i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. [Chiefly Brit., etc.] shabby, decrepit, or tawdry tat´ti·ly •adv. tat´ti·ness •n. [prob. < OE taetteca, a rag, akin to ON töturr, TATTER]

Tatum (teit´эm) 1 Art(hur) 1910-56; U.S. jazz pianist 2 Edward L(awrie) 1909-75; U.S. biochemist

tau (tau, tö) name of the nineteenth letter of the Greek alphabet (Τ, τ) •n. [ME taw, tau (esp. with ref. to the tau cross) < L tau < Gr < Sem, as in Heb tav, TAV]

tau cross a cross shaped like a capital tau: see CROSS, illus.

tau particle a charged lepton having a mass about 3,500 times greater than an electron

taught (töt) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of TEACH

taunt¹ (tönt, tänt) •adj. very tall: said of a ship's mast [prob. aphetic for naut. ataunt, fully rigged < Fr autant, as much]

taunt² (tönt, tänt) •vt. 1 to reproach in scornful or sarcastic language; jeer at; mock 2 to drive or provoke (a person) by taunting •n. a scornful or jeering remark; gibe SYN. RIDICULE taunt´er •n. taunt´ing·ly •adv. [< ? Fr tant pour tant, tit for tat]

Taunton (tönt´ªn, tänt´ªn) 1 city in SE Mass.: pop. 50,000 [after the English city] 2 county seat of Somerset, SW England: pop. 56,000

taupe (toup) •n. a dark, brownish gray, the color of moleskin •adj. of such a color [Fr < L talpa, mole]

taurine¹ (tör´ain', -in) •adj. 1 of or like a bull 2 [T-] of TAURUS (sense 2) [L taurinus < taurus, bull: see TAURUS]

taurine² (tör´i:n', -in) •n. a colorless, crystalline compound, NC2H7SO3, which is found in the free form in invertebrates and as a constituent of taurocholic acid in the bile of mammals [< L taurus (see TAURUS) + -INE³: because first obtained (1826) from ox bile]

taurocholic acid (tör'ou kou´lik) a colorless, crystalline acid, NC26H45O7S, that occurs in the bile of mammals as the sodium salt and promotes the intestinal absorption of lipids, as cholesterol [< prec. + CHOL(O)- + -IC]

tauromachy (tö räm´э ki:) •n. literary term for BULLFIGHTING [Gr tauromachia, bullfight < tauros, bull (see TAURUS) + machē, a battle]

Taurus (tö´rэs) 1 a N constellation between Aries and Orion containing the Hyades and the Pleiades star clusters, the Crab nebula, and Aldebaran 2 the second sign of the zodiac, entered by the sun about April 21 •n. a person born under this sign: also Tau´re·an (-ri: эn) [ME < L bull, ox, prob. < IE *tauros < base *tēu-, to swell > THUMB, L tumere, to swell]

Taurus Mountains (tö´rэs) mountain range along the S coast of Asia Minor, Turkey: highest peak, c. 12,250 ft. (3,735 m)

taut (töt) •adj. 1 tightly stretched, as a rope 2 showing strain; tense {a taut smile} 3 trim, tidy, well-disciplined, efficient, etc. {a taut ship} SYN. TIGHT taut´ly •adv. taut´ness •n. [ME toght, tight, firm, prob. < pp. of togen (< OE togian), to pull, TOW¹]

tauten (töt´ªn) •vt., vi. to make or become taut

tauto- (töt´ou, -э) combining form the same {tautology} [Gr < tauto < to auto, the same]

tautog (tö täg´) •n. an edible, black and greenish wrasse fish (Tautoga onitis) of the Atlantic coast of the U.S. [Narragansett tautaũog, pl. of taut]

tautological (töt'э läj´i kэl) •adj. of, involving, or using tautology tau'to·log´i·cal·ly •adv.

tautologous (tö täl´э gэs) •adj. 1 TAUTOLOGICAL 2 ANALYTIC (sense 5) tau·tol´o·gous·ly •adv.

tautology (tö täl´э ji:) pl. -gies •n. 1 a) needless repetition of an idea in a different word, phrase, or sentence; redundancy; pleonasm (Ex.: necessary essentials) b) an instance of such repetition 2 Logic a proposition that is ANALYTIC (sense 5) [LL tautologia < Gr: see TAUTO- & -LOGY]

tautomer (töt´э mэr) •n. a substance exhibiting tautomerism [back-form. < fol.]

tautomerism (tö täm´эr iz'эm) •n. Chem. the property of some substances of being in a condition of equilibrium between two isomeric forms and of reacting readily to form either tau·to·mer·ic (tö'tэ mer´ik) •adj. [< TAUTO- + Gr meros, a part + -ISM]

tautonym (töt´э nim') •n. Biol. 1 a scientific name consisting of two terms, in which the generic name and specific name are the same (Ex.: Vulpes vulpes, the red fox): this kind of name is no longer used in botany, but is common in zoology 2 a scientific name consisting of three terms, in which the name of the typical subdivision of the species repeats the specific name (Ex.: Lama glama glama, a domesticated llama) tau'to·nym´ic •adj. tau·ton·y·my (tö tän´э mi:) •n. [< TAUT(O)- + Gr onyma, NAME]

tav (täf, täv) name of the twenty-third letter of the Hebrew alphabet (ת): also sp. taw •n. [Heb tāw]

tavern (tæv´эrn) •n. 1 a place where liquors, beer, etc. are sold to be drunk on the premises; saloon; bar 2 an inn [ME taverne < OFr < L taberna, tavern, booth, stall made of boards, altered by dissimilation < *traberna < trabs, a beam, roof < IE base *treb-, beamed structure, building > THORP]

taverna (tä ver´nэ) •n. a small, inexpensive tavern or restaurant in Greece, often with music and dancing [ModGr taberna < L: see TAVERN]

taverner (tæv´эr nэr) •n. [Archaic] the proprietor of a tavern

taw¹ (tö) •n. 1 a fancy marble used to shoot with in playing marbles 2 the line from which the players shoot [< ?]

taw² (tö) •vt. to prepare (a natural product) for further treatment or use; specif., to make (skins) into leather by treating with alum, salt, etc. [ME tawen < OE tawian, to prepare, akin to Goth taujan, to do, make < ? IE base *deu-, to work on, process (something)]

tawdry (tö´dri:) -dri·er, -dri·est •adj. cheap and showy; gaudy; sleazy taw´dri·ness •n. [by syllabic merging of St. Audrey, esp. in St. Audrey laces, women's neckpieces sold at St. Audrey's fair in Norwich, England]

Tawney (tö´ni:), R(ichard) H(enry) 1880-1962; Brit. economic historian

tawny (tö´ni:) -ni·er, -ni·est •adj. brownish-yellow; tan •n. tawny color SYN. DUSKY taw´ni·ness •n. [ME tauny < OFr tanné, pp. of tanner, to TAN]

tawse (töz) pl. tawse [sometimes with pl. v.] a leather thong split into strips at the end, used as a whip: also sp. taws •n. [prob. pl. of obs. taw, thong, tawed leather < TAW²]

tax (tæks) •vt. 1 orig., to determine the value of; assess 2 a) to require to pay a percentage of income, property value, etc. for the support of a government b) to require to pay a special assessment, as in a society, labor union, etc. 3 to assess a tax on (income, property, purchases, etc.) 4 to impose a burden on; put a strain on {to tax one's strength} 5 to accuse; charge {to be taxed with negligence} •n. [ME] 1 a) a compulsory payment, usually a percentage, levied on income, property value, sales price, etc. for the support of a government b) a special assessment, as in a society, labor union, etc. 2 a heavy demand; burden; strain tax'a·bil´i·ty •n. tax´a·ble •adj. tax´er •n. [ME taxen < MFr taxer, to tax < L taxare, to appraise, tax, censure < base of tangere, to touch (see TACT): used interchangeably with tasken (see TASK) in ME]

tax duplicate 1 the certification of real-estate assessments to the taxing authorities 2 the basis upon which the tax collector prepares tax bills and for which the collector is held accountable to the auditor

tax rate the percentage of income, property value, etc. assessed as tax

tax shelter any financial investment made in order to acquire expenses, depreciation allowances, etc. or to defer income, as in an IRA or Keogh plan, so as to reduce one's income tax

tax stamp a stamp that shows that a tax has been paid

tax title the title conveyed to the purchaser of property sold for nonpayment of taxes

taxation (tæks ei´shэn) •n. 1 a taxing or being taxed 2 a tax or tax levy 3 revenue from taxes [ME taxacion < MFr taxation < L taxatio < pp. of taxare: see TAX]

Taxco (täks´kou) city in Guerrero state, S Mexico: resort & silver manufacturing center: pop. 64,000

tax-deductible (tæks´di: dûkt´э bэl) •adj. that is allowed as a deduction in computing income tax

taxeme (tæks´i:m') •n. any of the minimal features in grammatical construction, as selection of words, order of words or morphemes, modulation in stress and pitch, etc. tax·e·mic (tæk si:´mik) •adj. [coined (1933) by BLOOMFIELD < Gr taxis, arrangement (see TAXIS) + -EME]

tax-exempt (tæks´eg zempt´) •adj. 1 exempt from taxation; that may not be taxed 2 producing income that is exempt from taxation {tax-exempt bonds}

tax-free (tæks'fri:´) •adj. 1 having no taxes {a tax-free state} 2 TAX-EXEMPT

taxi (tæk´si:) pl. tax´is •n. short for TAXICAB •vi. tax´ied, tax´i·ing or tax´y·ing 1 to go in a taxicab 2 to move slowly along the ground or on the water as before taking off or after landing: said of an airplane •vt. 1 to carry in a taxicab 2 to cause (an airplane) to taxi

taxi dancer a person employed at a dance hall to dance with patrons, who pay a fee [so called (based on prec.) because hired to dance]

taxi squad [Colloq.] a group of reserve players in professional football who practice with the team but are not eligible to play in the games [after such a group kept on the payroll of a taxi company also owned by the owner of the Cleveland Browns in the 1940's]

taxi stand a place where taxicabs are stationed for hire

taxicab (-kæb') •n. an automobile in which passengers are carried for a fare [< taxi(meter) cab]

taxidermy (tæks´i dør'mi:) •n. the art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals, esp. so as to make them appear lifelike tax'i·der´mic •adj. tax´i·der'mist •n. [< Gr taxis (see TAXIS) + derma, skin]

taximeter (tæk´si: mi:t'эr) •n. an automatic device in taxicabs that computes and registers the fare due [Fr taximètre, altered (infl. by Gr taxis: see TAXIS) < taxamètre < Ger taxameter < ML taxa, TAX + -meter, -METER]

taxis (tæks´is) •n. 1 in ancient Greece, a unit of troops of varying size 2 Biol. the movement of a free-moving cell or organism toward or away from some external stimulus [ModL < Gr] 3 Surgery the replacement by hand of some displaced part without cutting any tissue [Gr, arrangement, division: see TACTICS]

-taxis (tæks´is) combining form 1 arrangement, order {phyllotaxis} 2 TAXIS (sense 2) {phototaxis} [ModL < Gr < taxis: see TAXIS]

taxiway (tæk´si: wei') •n. any of the roadways at an airport for use by airplanes in taxiing to and from the runways

taxon (tæks´än') pl. tax´a (-э) •n. a taxonomic category or unit, as a species or family [back-form. < fol.]

taxonomy (tæks än´э mi:) pl. -mies •n. 1 the science of classification; laws and principles covering the classifying of objects 2 Biol. a system of arranging animals and plants into natural, related groups based on some factor common to each, as structure, embryology, or biochemistry: the basic taxa now in use are, in descending order from most inclusive, kingdom, phylum (in botany, division), class, order, family, genus, and species tax'o·nom´ic (-э näm´ik) •adj. tax'o·nom´i·cal·ly •adv. tax·on´o·mist •n. [Fr taxonomie < Gr taxis (see TAXIS) + nomos, law (see -NOMY)]

taxpayer (tæks´pei'эr) •n. any person who pays taxes or is subject to taxation

taxus (tæks´эs) pl. tax´us YEW (n. 1) •n. [ModL < L, akin ? to Gr toxon, a bow < Scythian *tachša: akin to Pers tachš, bow, arrow]

Tay (tei) 1 river in EC Scotland, flowing into the North Sea: c. 120 mi. (193 km) 2 Firth of estuary of this river: 25 mi. (33 km)

Taylor (tei´lэr) 1 (James) Bay·ard (bai´эrd, bei´ärd') 1825-78; U.S. poet, journalist, & translator 2 Jeremy 1613-67; Eng. bishop & theological writer 3 Zachary 1784-1850; U.S. general: 12th president of the U.S. (1849-50) Taylor (tei´lэr) city in SE Mich.: suburb of Detroit: pop. 71,000 [after Zachary TAYLOR]

Tay-Sachs disease (tei´sæks´) a hereditary condition, found chiefly among descendants of some Eastern European Jews, caused by an enzyme deficiency and characterized by mental retardation, paralysis, and death in early childhood [after W. Tay (1843-1927), Eng physician, & B. Sachs (1858-1944), U.S. neurologist, who described it]

Tayside (tei´said') region of EC Scotland, on the Firth of Tay, including the former counties of Angus, Clackmannan, Kinross, & most of Perth

tazza (tät´sэ) •n. a shallow, ornamental cup or vase, usually with a pedestal [It < Ar tāsa: see TASS]

TB tuberculosis tb 1 trial balance 2 tubercle bacillus Tb 1 Chem. symbol for terbium 2 Bible Tobit

TBA, t.b.a, or tba to be announced

T-bar (ti:´bär') •n. Æ a T-shaped bar suspended from a power-driven endless cable, used to pull two skiers at a time uphill as they stand on their skis

Tbilisi (tэ bi'li: si:´; tû'bi li:´si:; tэ bil´i si:') capital of Georgia, on the Kura River: pop. 1,158,000

T-bill (ti:´bil') •n. short for TREASURY BILL

T-bone steak (ti:´boun') a beefsteak from the short loin, with a T-shaped bone, containing some tenderloin

tbs or tbsp 1 tablespoon(s) 2 tablespoonful(s)

tc tierce(s) Tc Chem. symbol for technetium

TCDD •n. a highly poisonous contaminant, C12H4O2Cl4, found in some herbicides: see DIOXIN [(2,3,7,8-)t(etra)c(hloro)d(ibenzo-p-)d(ioxin)]

Tchaikovsky (chai köf´ski:), Peter Il·ich (il´yich) 1840-93; Russ. composer: also Pëtr Il·yich Tschai·kow·sky (pyô´třª il yi:ch´ chai kôf´ski:)

Tchekov (che´köf'), Anton alt. sp. of Anton Pavlovich CHEKHOV: also Tche´khov

tchotchke (chäch´kэ, -ki:) •n. [Colloq.] a knickknack, collectible, trinket, etc. [Yidd tshatshke < Slav]

TD 1 touchdown: also td 2 Treasury Department

TDE DDD

Te Chem. symbol for tellurium

Te Deum (ti: di:´эm, tei dei´um) 1 an ancient Christian hymn beginning Te Deum laudamus (We praise thee, O God) 2 music for this hymn 3 a service of thanksgiving at which this hymn is used [ME < LL(Ec)]

tea (ti:) •n. 1 a white-flowered, evergreen plant (Thea sinensis) of the tea family, grown in China, India, Japan, etc. 2 its dried and prepared leaves, used to make a beverage 3 the beverage made by soaking such leaves in boiling water 4 any of several plants resembling or used as tea 5 a tealike beverage made from such a plant or from a meat extract {camomile tea, beef tea} 6 [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a) a light meal, esp. in the late afternoon, at which tea is the usual beverage b) a more substantial, early evening meal that is often the main meal of the day (in Britain usually called high tea) 7 a reception or other social gathering in the afternoon, at which tea, coffee, etc. are served Æ 8 [Slang] marijuana •adj. designating a family (Theaceae, order Theales) of evergreen dicotyledonous trees, shrubs, or vines, often with showy flowers, found in warm regions and including the camellias and loblolly bay [Amoy Chin t'e (Mandarin ch'a)]

tea bag a small, porous bag, as of paper, containing tea leaves and used in making an individual cup of tea

tea ball a hollow, perforated metal ball used to hold tea leaves in making tea

tea biscuit [Chiefly Brit.] any of a variety of crackers or cookies often served with tea

tea cart a small table on wheels for holding a tea service, extra dishes at a dinner, etc.; serving cart

tea dance a dance held in the late afternoon, at teatime

tea party a social gathering at which tea is served, usually in the late afternoon

tea rose 1 a species of Chinese rose (Rosa odorata) with a sweet scent, producing a hybrid tea rose when crossed with various hybrid roses 2 a yellowish-pink color

tea set (or service) a set, as of china or silver, for serving tea (and often coffee) including a teapot (and often a coffeepot), creamer, sugar bowl, and, usually, a tray: other pieces and a set of matching cups, saucers, and plates may be included

tea table a table, usually small, at which or from which tea is served

tea tray a tray for carrying cups, plates, spoons, etc. in serving tea or other light refreshment

tea wagon TEA CART

teaberry (ti:´ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 WINTERGREEN (sense 1) 2 the berry of the wintergreen

teach (ti:ch) taught, teach´ing •vt. 1 to show or help (a person) to learn (how) to do something {to teach a child (how) to swim} 2 to give lessons to (a student, pupil, or class); guide the studies of; instruct 3 to give lessons in (a subject) to someone; help someone to develop (a skill or trait) {teaches French, taught him self-discipline} 4 a) to provide (a person) with knowledge, insight, etc. {the accident that taught her to be careful} b) to attempt to cause someone to understand or accept (a precept or philosophy), esp. by one's own example or preaching {her life itself teaches nonviolence} 5 to give instruction at or in (a place) {to teach school} •vi. to give lessons or instruction; be a teacher, esp. in a school or college teach'a·bil´i·ty or teach´a·ble·ness •n. teach´a·ble •adj. teach´a·bly •adv. SYN.—teach is the basic, inclusive word for the imparting of knowledge or skills and usually connotes some individual attention to the learner [he taught her how to skate]; instruct implies systematized teaching, usually in some particular subject [she instructs in chemistry]; educate stresses the development of latent faculties and powers by formal, systematic teaching, esp. in institutions of higher learning [he was educated in European universities]; train implies the development of a particular faculty or skill, or instruction toward a particular occupation, as by methodical discipline, exercise, etc. [he was trained as a mechanic]; school, often equivalent to any of the preceding, sometimes specifically connotes a disciplining to endure something difficult [he had to school himself to obedience] [ME techen < OE tæcan < base of tacn, a sign, symbol (see TOKEN); basic sense to show, demonstrate, as in Ger zeigen] Teach (ti:ch), Edward see BLACKBEARD

teacher (ti:´chэr) •n. a person who teaches, esp. as a profession; instructor teach´er·ship' •n.

teach-in (ti:ch´in') •n. a special, extended meeting, as at a college or university, with lectures, discussion, and debate on a controversial issue, esp. such a meeting held to protest against some policy [see TEACH & -IN²]

teaching (ti:´chiŋ) •n. 1 the action of a person who teaches; profession of a teacher 2 something taught; precept, doctrine, or instruction: usually used in pl.

teaching fellow a student in a graduate school under a grant that requires the performance of some teaching duties

teaching machine a computer or mechanical device used for programmed instruction, which provides immediate corrective feedback and, often, extra practice if needed

teacup (ti:´kûp') •n. 1 a cup for drinking tea, etc. 2 TEACUPFUL

teacupful (-ful') pl. -fuls' •n. as much as a teacup will hold, about three to eight fluid ounces

teahouse (ti:´haus') •n. a place, esp. in the Orient, where tea and other refreshments are served

teak (ti:k) •n. 1 a large East Indian tree (Tectona grandis) of the verbena family, with white flowers and hard, yellowish-brown wood used for shipbuilding, furniture, etc. 2 its wood: also teak´wood' [Port teca < Malayalam tēkka < Sans śāka]

teakettle (ti:´ket'ªl) •n. a covered kettle with a spout and handle, for boiling water to make tea, etc.

teal (ti:l) •n. 1 pl. teals or teal any of several small, short-necked, freshwater wild ducks (genus Anas) 2 a dark grayish or greenish blue: also teal blue [ME tele, akin to Du taling, MLowG telink, teal]

team (ti:m) •n. 1 a) [Obs.] progeny, race, or lineage b) [Dial.] a brood of young animals, esp. of ducks or pigs 2 two or more horses, oxen, etc. harnessed to the same vehicle or plow 3 a) two or more draft animals and their vehicle b) one draft animal and its vehicle 4 a) a group of people constituting one side in a contest or competition b) a group of people working together in a coordinated effort •vt. 1 to harness or yoke together in a team 2 to haul with a team •vi. 1 to drive a team Æ 2 to join in cooperative activity: often with up {to team up on a research project} •adj. of or done by a team [ME < OE, offspring, brood, team of draft animals (akin to Ger zaum, bridle, rein) < base of tēon, to draw < IE base *deuk-, to pull > DUCT]

team player one who subordinates personal aspirations and works in a coordinated effort with other members of a group, or team, in striving for a common goal

team teaching a system of instruction in which several teachers work cooperatively to integrate studies in various subjects for a single group of students

teammate (ti:m´meit') •n. a fellow member on a team

teamster (ti:m´stэr) •n. a person whose occupation is driving teams or trucks for hauling goods

teamwork (ti:m´wørk') •n. Æ 1 joint action by a group of people, in which individual interests are subordinated to group unity and efficiency; coordinated effort, as of an athletic team 2 work done by or with a team

teapot (ti:´pät') •n. a pot with a spout, handle, and lid, for brewing and pouring tea

teapoy (ti:´poi') •n. 1 a small, three-legged stand 2 a small table for holding a tea service [Hindi tipāī < tin, tir (< Sans trī, THREE) + Pers pāï (akin to Sans pad-, FOOT): sp. infl. by assoc. with tea]

tear gas (tir) a volatile liquid or gas that causes irritation of the eyes, a heavy flow of tears, and temporary blindness: used as in warfare or by the police tear´-gas', -gassed', -gas'sing, •vt.

tear sheet (ter) a sheet torn, or taken in unbound form, from a publication for special distribution

tear¹ (ter) tore, torn, tear´ing •vt. 1 to pull apart or separate into pieces by force; rip or rend (cloth, paper, etc.) 2 to make or cause by tearing or puncturing {to tear a hole in a dress} 3 to wound by tearing; lacerate {skin torn and bruised} 4 to force apart or divide into factions; disrupt; split {ranks torn by dissension} 5 to divide with doubt, uncertainty, etc.; agitate; torment {a mind torn between duty and desire} 6 to remove by or as by tearing, pulling, etc.: with up, out, away, off, etc. {to tear a plant up by its roots, to tear oneself away} •vi. 1 to be torn 2 to move violently or with speed; dash •n. 1 the act of tearing 2 the result of a tearing; torn place; rent 3 a rushing pace; great hurry Æ 4 [Slang] a carousal; spree tear at to make violent, pulling motions at in an attempt to tear or remove tear down 1 to wreck or demolish (a building, etc.) 2 to dismantle or take apart {to tear down an engine} 3 to cause to disintegrate 4 to controvert or disprove (an argument, etc.) point by point tear into [Colloq.] to attack impetuously and, often, devastatingly tear´er •n. SYN.—tear implies a pulling apart by force, so as to lacerate or leave ragged edges [to tear paper wrapping]; rip suggests a forcible tearing, especially along a seam or in a straight line [to rip a hem]; rend, a somewhat literary term, implies a tearing with violence [the tree was rent by a bolt of lightning] [ME teren < OE teran, to rend, akin to Ger zehren, to destroy, consume < IE base *der-, to skin, split > DRAB¹, DERMA¹]

tear² (tir) •n. 1 a drop of the salty fluid secreted by the lacrimal gland to lubricate the eyeball, kill bacteria, etc.: in humans, tears may flow for emotional reasons due to the tightening of muscles near the glands 2 anything resembling this, as a drop of transparent gum; tearlike mass 3 [pl.] sorrow; grief •vi. to fill with tears in tears crying; weeping [ME tere < OE tear, teagor, akin to Ger zähre < IE *daru, tear > OL dacrima (> L lacrima), Gr dakryon]

tearaway (ter´э wei') •adj. designed to be easily opened, separated, etc., as by tearing •n. [Brit.] a nonconformist, rebel, or bohemian person

teardrop (tir´dräp') •n. a tear •adj. shaped like a falling tear

tearful (tir´fэl) •adj. 1 in tears; weeping 2 causing tears; sad tear´ful·ly •adv. tear´ful·ness •n.

tearing (ter´iŋ) •adj. violent; impetuous; rushing

tear-jerker (tir´jørk'эr) •n. [Slang] a play, motion picture, etc. that is sad in a very maudlin way

tearless (tir´lis) •adj. 1 without tears; not weeping 2 unable to weep tear´less·ly •adv. tear´less·ness •n.

tearoom (ti:´ru:m') •n. a restaurant that serves tea, coffee, light lunches, etc.

teary (tir´i:) tear´i·er, tear´i·est •adj. 1 tearful; crying 2 of or like tears tear´i·ly •adv. tear´i·ness •n.

Teasdale (ti:z´deil'), Sara 1884-1933; U.S. poet

tease (ti:z) teased, teas´ing •vt. 1 a) to separate the fibers of; card or comb (flax, wool, etc.) b) to fluff (the hair) by brushing or combing in strokes from the hair ends toward the scalp c) to gently shred or pull apart (tissues, etc.) for microscopic examination, cellular research, etc. Æ d) to reveal, extract, obtain, etc. by painstaking effort (often with out) {it took hours to tease out the meaning of the story} 2 to raise a nap on (cloth) by brushing with teasels; teasel 3 to annoy or harass by persistent mocking or poking fun, playful fooling, etc. 4 to urge persistently; importune 5 a) to tantalize b) to excite sexually without intending to satisfy the desire aroused •vi. to indulge in teasing •n. 1 a teasing or being teased 2 a person who teases SYN. ANNOY teas´ing·ly •adv. [ME tesen < OE tæsan, to pull about, pluck, tease, akin to Du teezen < IE *di-s < base *dā(i)-, to cut apart, divide > TIDE¹]

teasel (ti:´zэl) •n. 1 any of a genus (Dipsacus) of bristly plants of the teasel family, with prickly, cylindrical heads of yellowish or purplish flowers, esp. the fuller's teasel (D. fullonum) with flower heads having sharp, spinelike bracts 2 a flower head of the fuller's teasel, used when dried for raising a nap on cloth 3 any device for raising a nap on cloth •adj. designating a family (Dipsacaceae, order Dipsacales) of dicotyledonous plants bearing dense flower heads covered with stiff bracts, including scabiosa and teasel •vt. -seled or -selled, -sel·ing or -sel·ling to raise a nap on (cloth) by means of teasels tea´sel·er or tea´sel·ler •n. [ME tasel < OE tæsel < base of tæsan, to TEASE]

teaser (ti:´zэr) •n. 1 a person or thing that teases 2 an annoying or puzzling problem

teaspoon (ti:´spu:n') •n. 1 a spoon for stirring tea, coffee, etc. and for eating some soft foods 2 a spoon used as a measuring unit in cookery, equal to ¹/3 of a tablespoon (1¹/3 fluid drams) 3 TEASPOONFUL

teaspoonful (-ful') pl. -fuls' •n. as much as a teaspoon will hold

teat (ti:t) •n. 1 NIPPLE (sense 1) 2 any small projection like a teat [ME tete < OFr < Gmc base akin to OE tit]

tea-table •adj. like that of people at a tea {tea-table talk}

teataster (ti:´teis'tэr) •n. a person whose work is tasting tea for grading

teatime (ti:´taim') •n. the time of day when TEA (n. 6a) is customarily served

teazel or teazle (ti:´zэl) •n., vt. alt. sp. of TEASEL

Tebet or Tebeth (tei veit´, tei´vэs) •n. the fourth month of the Jewish year: see JEWISH CALENDAR [Heb tēbhĕth]

tech 1 technical 2 technically 3 technology

technetium (tek ni:´shi: эm, -shэm) •n. a silver-gray, metallic chemical element obtained by the irradiation of molybdenum with deuterons and in the fission of uranium: it does not exist in nature and all its isotopes are radioactive: it is a superconductor, an inhibitor of metal corrosion, and a medical tracer: symbol, Tc; at. wt., 98.906; at. no., 43; sp. gr., 11.5; melt. pt., 2,172°C; boil. pt., 4,877°C [ModL < Gr technētos, artificial (< technasthai, to contrive by art < technē: see TECHNIC) + -IUM: so named (1947) by E. G. Segré (1905-89), It-American physicist, and C. Perrier, It physicist, who discovered it (1937)]

technetronic (tek'ni trän´ik) •adj. characterized by the application of technology and electronics to the solution of social, political, and economic problems {a technetronic society} [TECHN(OLOGY) + E(LEC)TRONIC]

technic (tek´nik; for n. 1, also tek ni:k´) •adj. TECHNICAL •n. 1 TECHNIQUE 2 [pl., with sing. or pl. v.] the study or principles of technology, an art, or the arts [Gr technikos < technē, art, artifice < IE base *teth-, to weave, build, join > Gr tektōn, carpenter, L texere, to weave, build]

technical (tek´ni kэl) •adj. 1 having to do with the practical, industrial, or mechanical arts or the applied sciences {a technical school} 2 of, used, or peculiar to a specific science, art, profession, craft, etc.; specialized {technical vocabulary} 3 skilled in a particular science, art, etc. {a technical assistant} 4 of, in or showing technique {technical skill} 5 in terms of some science, art, etc.; according to principles or rules {a technical difference} 6 concerned with or making use of technicalities or minute, formal points 7 Finance designating or of a market in which stock prices are sharply affected by short-run, speculative considerations {technical rally} •n. short for TECHNICAL FOUL tech´ni·cal·ly •adv. [prec. + -AL]

technical foul in certain team games, esp. basketball, a foul other than a personal foul charged against a player, a team, or a coach, usually for misconduct or a rule infraction not involving active play

technical knockout Boxing a victory won when the opponent, though not knocked out, is so badly hurt that the referee stops the match

technical sergeant U.S. Air Force a noncommissioned officer of the sixth grade, ranking above staff sergeant and below master sergeant

technicality (tek'ni kæl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state or quality of being technical 2 the use of technical terms, methods, etc. 3 a point, detail, term, method, etc. of or peculiar to an art, science, code, or skill, esp. one that only a technical expert would likely be aware of 4 a minute formal point, detail, etc. brought to bear upon a main issue {convicted on a technicality}

technician (tek nish´эn) •n. 1 a person skilled in the technicalities of some subject; technical expert 2 an artist, writer, musician, etc. who has great technical skill or knowledge

Technicolor (tek´ni kûl'эr) trademark for a process of making color motion pictures by combining several separate, synchronized films each of which is sensitive to a single color •n. [t-] 1 this process 2 bright, intense colors tech´ni·col'ored •adj.

technique (tek ni:k´) •n. 1 the method of procedure (with reference to practical or formal details), or way of using basic skills, in rendering an artistic work or carrying out a scientific or mechanical operation 2 the degree of expertness in following this {a pianist with good technique but poor expression} 3 any method or manner of accomplishing something [Fr < Gr technikos: see TECHNIC]

techno- (tek´nou, -nэ) combining form 1 art, science, skill {technography} 2 technical, technological {technocracy} [< Gr technē: see TECHNIC]

technocracy (tek näk´rэ si:) •n. government by technicians; specif., the theory or doctrine of a proposed system of government in which all economic resources, and hence the entire social system, would be controlled by scientists and engineers tech´no·crat' (-nэ kræt') •n. tech'no·crat´ic •adj. [prec. + -CRACY]

technography (tek näg´rэ fi:) •n. the historical description or study of arts and applied sciences in relationship to their geographical distribution [TECHNO- + -GRAPHY]

technological (tek'nэ läj´i kэl) •adj. 1 of or having to do with technology 2 due to developments in technology; resulting from technical progress in the use of machinery and automation in industry, agriculture, etc. {technological productivity, technological unemployment} Also tech'no·log´ic tech'no·log´i·cal·ly •adv.

technology (tek näl´э ji:) •n. 1 the science or study of the practical or industrial arts, applied sciences, etc. 2 the terms used in a science, etc.; technical terminology 3 applied science 4 a method, process, etc. for handling a specific technical problem 5 the system by which a society provides its members with those things needed or desired tech·nol´o·gist •n. tech·nol´o·gize', -gized', -giz'ing, •vt., vi. [Gr technologia, systematic treatment: see TECHNIC & -LOGY]

techy (tech´i:) tech´i·er, tech´i·est •adj. alt. sp. of TETCHY

tectonic (tek tän´ik) •adj. 1 of or having to do with building; constructional 2 architectural 3 designating, of, or pertaining to changes in the structure of the earth's crust, the forces responsible for such deformation, or the external forms produced [LL tectonicus < Gr tektonikos < tektōn, carpenter, builder: see TECHNIC]

tectonics (-iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] 1 the constructive arts in general; esp., the art of making things that have both beauty and usefulness 2 Geol. the study of the earth's crustal structure and the forces that produce changes in it [see TECTONIC]

tectonism (tek´tэ niz'эm) •n. DIASTROPHISM

tectrix (tek´triks') pl. -tri·ces' (-tri si:z') •n. WING COVERT [ModL, fem. of L tector, one who covers < tectus, pp. of tegere, to cover: see THATCH]

tectum (tek´tэm) pl. tec´ta (-tэ) •n. Biol. a rooflike structure or covering tec´tal •adj. [ModL < L, a roof < tectus: see TECTRIX]

Tecumseh (ti kûm´sэ) c. 1768-1813; chief of the Shawnee Indians: attempted to unite the W Indian tribes

ted (ted) ted´ded, ted´ding •vt. to spread or scatter (newly cut grass) for drying as hay ted´der •n. [ME tedden, prob. < ON tethja, to spread manure < IE base *dā(i)- > TIDE¹] Ted (ted) nickname for: 1 EDWARD 2 THEODORE Also Teddy ted (ted) ted´ded, ted´ding •vt. to spread or scatter (newly cut grass) for drying as hay ted´der •n. [ME tedden, prob. < ON tethja, to spread manure < IE base *dā(i)- > TIDE¹]

teddy (ted´i:) pl. -dies •n. a woman's one-piece undergarment, combining a chemise top with panties [prob. < the nickname Teddy]

teddy bear a child's stuffed toy made to look like a bear cub [after Teddy, nickname for Theodore ROOSEVELT: first used (1902) after a cartoon by C. K. Berryman, containing a small cub in jocular allusion to his fondness for big-game hunting]

Teddy boy 1 a British youth of the 1950's or early 1960's who affected flashy dress, esp. of a neo-Edwardian style 2 [Brit. Colloq.] any rough or delinquent youth [< Teddy, nickname for EDWARD]

tedious (ti:´di: эs, also ti:´jэs) •adj. full of tedium; long or verbose and wearisome; tiresome; boring te´di·ous·ly •adv. te´di·ous·ness •n. [ME < LL taediosus]

tedium (ti:´di: эm) •n. the condition or quality of being tiresome, wearisome, boring, or monotonous; tediousness [L taedium < taedet, it disgusts, offends]

tee shirt var. of T-SHIRT

tee¹ (ti:) pl. tees •n. 1 the letter T 2 something shaped like a T •adj. shaped like a T

tee² (ti:) •n. a mark aimed at in quoits, curling, etc. [< prec.: the mark was orig. T-shaped]

tee³ (ti:) •n. 1 a) a small, cone-shaped mound as of sand, on which a golf ball was formerly placed to be driven b) a small, pointed holder of wood, plastic, etc. now used to hold the ball c) the place at each hole from which a player makes the first shot Æ 2 a device on which a football is positioned for a kickoff •vt., vi. teed, tee´ing to place (a ball) on a tee tee off 1 to play a golf ball from a tee 2 to begin; start Æ 3 [Slang] to make angry or disgusted [prob. contr. < Scot dial. teaz (< ?), but now assoc. with prec. in form and sense]

tee-hee (ti:´hi:´) •interj., n. the sound of a titter or snicker •vi. -heed´, -hee´ing to titter or snicker [ME: echoic]

teel (ti:l) •n. 1 SESAME 2 the oil of sesame seed [< Hindi til < Sans tila]

teem¹ (ti:m) •vi. 1 orig., to produce offspring; bear 2 to be full, as though ready to bring forth young; abound; swarm {a river teeming with fish} [ME temen < OE tieman, to produce, bear < base of team, progeny: see TEAM]

teem² (ti:m) •vt. to empty; pour out •vi. to pour {a teeming rain} [ME temen < ON tœma, to empty]

-teen (ti:n) suffix ten and: used to form the cardinal numbers from thirteen to nineteen [ME -tene < OE -tene, -tyne, inflected form of tien, TEN]

teen¹ (ti:n) •n. 1 [pl.] the years from thirteen through nineteen (of a century or a person's age) 2 TEENAGER 3 the numbers from thirteen through nineteen •adj. TEENAGE [see -TEEN]

teen² (ti:n) •n. [Now Chiefly Dial.] 1 injury or harm 2 anger; wrath 3 grief or suffering [ME tene < OE teona, akin to OFris tiona, ON tjōn, injury < IE base *du-, to injure, destroy > Sans dū, pain]

teenage (ti:n´eij') •adj. 1 in one's teens 2 of, characteristic of, or for persons in their teens

teenager (ti:n´ei'jэr) •n. a person in his or her teens

teeny (ti:´ni:) -ni·er, -ni·est •adj. colloq. var. of TINY Also teen·sy (ti:n´zi:, -si:), -si·er, -si·est

teeny-bopper (ti:´ni: bäp'эr) •n. [Slang] a young teenager, esp. a girl, following the latest fads in fashion, popular music, etc. [< TEEN¹ + -Y¹ + BOP² + -ER]

teeny-weeny (ti:´ni: wi:´ni:) •adj. [Colloq.] very small; tiny: a facetious imitation of child's talk Also teen·sy-ween·sy (ti:n´zi: wi:n´zi:, ti:n´si: wi:n´si:)

teepee (ti:´pi:) •n. alt. sp. of TEPEE

Tees (ti:z) river in N England, flowing into the North Sea: 70 mi. (112 km)

teeter (ti:t´эr) •vi. to totter, wobble, waver, etc. •vt. to cause to teeter •n. short for TEETER-TOTTER [dial. titter < ME titeren < ON titra, to tremble, akin to Ger zittern < redupl. of IE base *drā-, to step > TRAP¹, TRIP]

teeterboard (-börd') •n. SEESAW

teeter-totter (-töt'эr, -tät'-) •n., vi. SEESAW

teeth (ti:θ) •n. pl. of TOOTH armed (or dressed) to the teeth as armed (or dressed up) as one can be get (or sink) one's teeth into to become fully occupied or absorbed with in the teeth of 1 directly against; in the face of 2 in opposition to; defying set one's teeth to prepare to meet firmly something difficult or unpleasant show one's teeth to show hostility; threaten angrily throw something in someone's teeth 1 to reproach someone for something 2 to hurl (a challenge, taunt, etc.) at someone

teethe (ti:ð) teethed, teeth´ing •vi. to grow teeth; cut one's teeth [ME tethen < tethe, teeth]

teething ring (ti:ð´iŋ) a ring of ivory, plastic, rubber, etc., for teething babies to bite on

teethridge (ti:θ´rij') •n. the ridge of gum along the inside of the upper front teeth

teetotal (ti:´tout´ªl, ti:´tout'ªl) •adj. 1 [Colloq.] entire; complete 2 of or advocating teetotalism tee´to´tal·er or tee´to´tal·ler •n. tee´to´tal·ly •adv. [redupl., for emphasis, of initial letter of TOTAL]

teetotalism (-iz'эm) •n. the principle or practice of never drinking any alcoholic liquor tee'to´tal·ist •n. [prec. + -ISM]

teetotum (ti: tout´эm) •n. a top spun with the fingers, esp. one with four lettered sides used in a game of chance [earlier T totum < the T (for totum) marked on one side + totum, the name of the toy < L totum, neut. of totus (see TOTAL): the four sides were orig. marked T (totum, all) A (aufer, take), D (depone, put), N (nihil, nothing)]

Teflon (tef´län') trademark for a tough, insoluble polymer, used in making nonsticking coatings, as for cookware, and in gaskets, bearings, electrical insulators, etc. •n. [t-] this substance, esp. as a coating [< (poly)te(tra)fl(uorethylene) + -on, arbitrary suffix for synthetic products]

tegmen (teg´mэn) pl. teg´mi·na (-mi nэ) •n. 1 a covering; integument 2 Bot. the inner coat of a seed 3 Zool. a) a beetle elytron b) a hardened forewing in some insects teg´mi·nal •adj. [L < tegere, to cover: see THATCH]

Tegucigalpa (te gu:'si: gäl´pä) capital of Honduras, in the SC part: pop. 533,000

tegular (teg´yu: lэr, -yэ-) •adj. 1 of or like a tile or tiles 2 arranged like tiles teg´u·lar·ly •adv. [< L tegula, a tile < tegere, to cover (see THATCH) + -AR]

tegument (teg´yu: mэnt, -yэ-) •n. INTEGUMENT teg'u·men´tal (-ment´ªl) or teg'u·men´ta·ry (-tэ ri:) •adj. [L tegumentum < tegere, to cover: see THATCH]

te-hee (ti:´hi:´) -heed´, -hee´ing •interj., n., vi. alt. sp. of TEE-HEE

Tehran (te rän´, tэ-; -ræn´) capital of Iran, in the NC part: pop. 4,530,000: also Te·he·ran (te rän´, tэ-; te'э rän´, te'he rän´; -ræn´)

Tehuantepec (tэ wänt´э pek') 1 Gulf of arm of the Pacific, off the S coast of Mexico: c. 300 mi. (483 km) wide 2 Isthmus of narrowest part of Mexico, between this gulf & the Gulf of Campeche: c. 125 mi. (201 km) wide

Tehuelche (te wel´che) pl. -ches •n.or -che a member of a South American Indian people of Patagonia, famous in older European literature for their height and strength [Araucanian cheu(ù)lche, lit., fearless & elusive]

Teide (teid´э), Pi·co de (pi:´kou dэ, de) volcanic mountain on Tenerife, Canary Islands: c. 12,200 ft. (3,718 m)

Teilhard de Chardin (te yåř dэ shåř dæñ´), Pierre 1881-1955; Fr. paleontologist, geologist, & philosopher

Tejano (te hä´nou, tэ-) pl. -nos •n. a Texan of Mexican descent: the term is considered by some to be derogatory

Tejo (te´zhu:) Port. name of TAGUS

Tekakwitha (tek'э kwiθ´э), Catherine (also called Kateri) 1656-1680; North American Indian religious; beatified: called Lily of the Mohawks: also sp. Teg'a·kwith´a (teg'э-) or Teg'a·koui´ta (-kwi:t´э)

tektite (tek´tait') •n. any of certain small, yellowish-green to black glassy bodies of various shapes, found in isolated locations around the world and thought to have originated as meteorites or from meteorite impacts: also tec´tite [< Gr tēktos, molten (< tēkein, to melt < IE base *tā- > THAW) + -ITE¹]

tel abbrev. 1 telegram 2 telegraph 3 telephone tel (tel) •n. alt. sp. of TELL²

tel- (tel) combining form 1 TELE- {TelAutograph} 2 TELO-² {telangiectasis}

Tel Aviv (tel' э vi:v´) seaport in W Israel, incorporating the former city of Jaffa: pop. 394,000 Tel A·vi·van (tel' э vi:´vэn)

telamon (tel´э män') pl. tel'a·mo´nes' (-mou´ni:z') •n. Archit. a supporting column in the form of a man's figure: see also ATLANTES, CARYATID [L < Gr telamōn, bearer < telassai, to bear < IE base *tel- > TOLERATE]

telangiectasis (tel æn'ji: ek´tэ sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') Med. chronic dilatation of capillaries and small arterial branches, producing small, reddish tumors in the skin, as of the face, thighs, etc.: also tel·an'gi·ec·ta´sia (-ek tei´zhэ, -zhi: э) •n. tel·an'gi·ec·tat´ic (-tæt´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr telos, an end (see TELO-²) + angeion, receptacle (see ANGIO-) + ektasis, extension, dilatation]

TelAutograph (tel öt´э græf') trademark for an apparatus for transmitting writing, pictures, etc.: it produces facsimiles at the receiving end by means of an electrically controlled pen that makes the same motions as the transmitting pen •n. this apparatus: written tel·au´to·graph' [< TEL(E)- + AUTOGRAPH]

tele- (tel´i, -э) combining form 1 at, over, from, or to a distance {telegraph} [Gr tēle- < tēle, far off < IE base *kwel-, distant, remote > Welsh pell, distant] 2 of, in, or by television {telecast} [< TELE(VISION)]

telecast (tel´i kæst') -cast' or -cast'ed, -cast'ing •vt., vi. to broadcast by television •n. a television broadcast tel´e·cast'er •n. [prec. + (BROAD)CAST]

telecommunication (tel'i kэ myu:'ni kei´shэn) •n. [also pl., with sing. or pl. v.] communication by electronic or electric means, as through radio, telephone, telegraph, television, or computers

telecommuting (tel'э kэ myut´iŋ) •n. an electronic mode of doing work outside the office that traditionally has been done in the office, as by a computer terminal in the employee's home

teleconference (tel´i kän'fэr эns) •n. a conference of individuals in different locations, as by speakerphone, closed-circuit TV, etc. •vi. -enced, -enc·ing to hold such a conference

telecourse (tel´i körs') •n. a course of televised lectures for credit or for auditing, offered by a college or other school

teledu (tel´э du:') •n. a small, badgerlike, burrowing carnivore (Mydaus javanensis), that ejects a vile-smelling fluid when molested: native to Java, Borneo, and Sumatra [Malay]

telefilm (tel´э film) •n. a film made to be broadcast on television

teleg 1 telegram 2 telegraph 3 telegraphy

telegenic (tel'э jen´ik) •adj. looking or likely to look attractive on television: said of a person [TELE- + -GENIC]

telegony (tэ leg´э ni:) •n. the supposed transmission of characters of one sire to offspring subsequently born to other sires by the same female tel·e·gon·ic (tel'э gän´ik) •adj. [Ger telegonie: see TELE- & -GONY]

telegram (tel´э græm') •n. a message transmitted by telegraph [TELE- + -GRAM]

telegraph (tel´э græf') •n. 1 orig., any signaling apparatus 2 an apparatus or system that converts a coded message into electric impulses and sends it to a distant receiver: orig., Morse code signals were sent using a key that opened and closed the circuit to activate an electromagnetic sounder, but now teletypewriters, computers, radio and microwave signals, satellites, and lasers are used •vt. 1 to send (a message) by telegraph 2 to send a telegram to 3 [Colloq.] to signal (an intended action, decision, etc.) unintentionally to another, as by a gesture or look •vi. to send a telegram te·leg·ra·pher (tэ leg´rэ fэr) or te·leg´ra·phist •n. [Fr télégraphe: see TELE- & -GRAPH: orig. used of a semaphore]

telegraph plant a tick trefoil (Desmodium gyrans) of tropical Asia: so called because the two lateral leaflets of each leaf move like a railroad semaphore signal

telegraphic (tel'э græf´ik) •adj. 1 of or transmitted by telegraph 2 in the concise style of a telegram tel'e·graph´i·cal·ly •adv.

telegraphy (tэ leg´rэ fi:) •n. 1 the operation of telegraph apparatus or the study of this 2 the transmission of messages by telegraph

telekinesis (tel'i ki ni:´sis) •n. Parapsychology the causing of an object to move by means of psychic forces, as by a spiritualistic medium, and not by means of any physical force tel'e·ki·net´ic (-net´ik) •adj. [ModL < tele-, TELE- + Gr kinēsis, motion < kinein, to move: see CITE]

Telemachus (tэ lem´э kэs) Gr. Legend the son of Odysseus and Penelope: he helps his father slay his mother's suitors [L < Gr Tēlemachos]

Telemann (te´lэ män'), Ge·org Phi·lipp (gei ôřk´ fi:´lip) 1681-1767; Ger. composer

telemark (tel´э märk') •n. Skiing a slow turning movement in which the outer ski is advanced and turned in at a widening angle until the turn is accomplished [after Telemark, region in S Norway]

telemarketing (tel'э mär´kэt iŋ) •n. the use of the telephone in marketing for sales research and promotion, processing orders, customer assistance, etc.

telemeter (tel´э mi:t'эr, tэ lem´эt эr) •n. 1 an instrument for determining the distance to a remote object; range finder 2 any device for transmitting measurements of physical phenomena, as temperature, radiation, etc., to a distant recorder or observer: used in satellites, spacecraft, etc. •vt., vi. to transmit by telemeter tel'e·met´ric (-me´trik) •adj. tel'e·met´ri·cal·ly •adv. te·lem·e·try (tэ lem´э tri:) •n. [TELE- + -METER]

telencephalon (tel'en sef´э län') pl. -la (-lэ) •n. the most anterior part of the forebrain, including the cerebral hemispheres and olfactory lobes tel'en·ce·phal´ic (-sэ fæl´ik) •adj. [ModL: see TELE- & ENCEPHALON]

teleology (ti:'li: äl´э ji:, tel'i:-) •n. 1 the study of final causes 2 the fact or quality of being directed toward a definite end or of having an ultimate purpose, esp. as attributed to natural processes 3 a) a belief, as that of vitalism, that natural phenomena are determined not only by mechanical causes but by an overall design or purpose in nature b) the study of evidence for this belief 4 Ethics the evaluation of conduct, as in utilitarianism, in relation to the end or ends it serves te'le·o·log´i·cal •adj. te'le·ol´o·gist •n. [ModL teleologia < Gr telos, teleos, an end (see TELO-¹) + -logia (see -LOGY)]

teleonomy (ti:'li: än´э mi:, tel'i:-) •n. the concept that an organism's structures or functions must have given it an evolutionary advantage te'le·o·nom´ic (-э näm´ik) •adj.

teleoperator (tel'э äp´эr eit'эr) •n. a robotic device controlled from a distance by a human operator: usually used to provide safety for the operator, as in working with radioactive materials

teleost (tel´i: äst', ti:´li:-) •n. any of many orders of bony fishes having a consolidated internal skeleton, swim bladder, thin cycloid scales, etc. •adj. of or belonging to the teleosts Also tel'e·os´te·an (-äs'ti: эn) [< Gr teleos, complete < telos (see TELO-¹) + osteon, bone: see OSSIFY]

telepathy (tэ lep´э θi:) •n. Parapsychology communication between minds by some means other than the normal sensory channels; transference of thought tel·e·path (tel´э pæθ') •n. tel'e·path´ic •adj. tel'e·path´i·cal·ly •adv. te·lep´a·thist •n. [TELE- + -PATHY: coined (1882) by F. W. Myers (1843-1901), Eng writer]

telephone (tel´э foun') •n. Æ 1 a system for transmitting speech or computerized information over distances, usually by converting sounds into electric impulses that are sent through a network of wires and cables: some systems transmit by means of radio waves 2 any device having a transmitter, receiver, and dialing mechanism, used in a telephone system Æ -phoned', -phon'ing •vi. 1 to talk over a telephone; convey a message by telephone 2 to try to make a connection by dialing a telephone number •vt. 1 to convey (a message) by telephone 2 to speak to or reach (a person) by telephone; call tel´e·phon'er •n. tel'e·phon´ic (-fän´ik) •adj. tel'e·phon´i·cal·ly •adv. [TELE- + -PHONE: term adopted by BELL (1876) after use for other sound instruments]

telephone book a book in which are listed alphabetically the names of persons, businesses, etc. having telephones in a specified area, along with their addresses and telephone numbers: also telephone directory

telephone booth a booth in a public place containing a telephone, usually operated by inserting coins

telephone receiver see RECEIVER (sense 2b)

telephonist (tel´э foun'ist, tэ lef´э nist) •n. [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a telephone switchboard operator

telephony (tэ lef´э ni:) •n. 1 the science of telephonic transmission 2 the making or operation of telephones

telephoto (tel´э fout'ou) •adj. 1 TELEPHOTOGRAPHIC 2 designating or of a compound camera lens that produces a large image of a distant object [T-] trademark for a TELEPHOTOGRAPH (sense 2) or a system of telephotography

telephotograph (tel'э fout´э græf') •n. 1 a photograph taken with a telephoto lens 2 a photograph transmitted by telephotography •vt., vi. 1 to take (photographs) with a telephoto lens 2 to transmit (photographs) by telephotography

telephotography (tel'э fэ täg´rэ fi:) •n. 1 the art or process of photographing distant objects by using a telephoto lens 2 the science or process of transmitting photographs over distances by converting light rays into electric signals which are sent over wire or radio channels: the receiver converts the electric signals back into light rays to which a photographic film is exposed tel'e·pho'to·graph´ic (-fout'э græf´ik) •adj.

teleplay (tel´э plei') •n. a play or screenplay written for, or produced on, television

teleportation (tel'э pör tei´shэn) •n. the theoretical transportation of matter through space by converting it into energy and then reconverting it at the terminal point tel´e·port' •vt. [TELE- + (TRANS)PORTATION]

teleprinter (tel´э print'эr) •n. TELETYPEWRITER

teleprocessing (-präs´es iŋ) •n. data processing with computer terminals, over communication lines

TelePrompTer (tel´э prämp'tэr) trademark for an electronic device that, unseen by the audience, unrolls a prepared speech, script, etc. line by line, as a prompting aid to a speaker or actor on television •n. this device: written tel´e·promp'ter

teleran (tel´э ræn') •n. an electronic aid to aerial navigation by which data received by radar, maps of the terrain, etc. are transmitted to aircraft by television [tele(vision) r(adar) a(ir) n(avigation)]

telescope (tel´э skoup') •n. an optical instrument for making distant objects, as the stars, appear nearer and consequently larger: it consists of two or more lenses or mirrors •adj. having parts that slide one inside another •vi. -scoped', -scop'ing to slide or be forced one into another like the concentric tubes of a small, collapsible telescope •vt. 1 to cause to telescope 2 to condense; shorten, as by combining parts, compressing, etc. [It telescopio (coined by GALILEO, 1611) < ModL telescopium < Gr tēleskopos, seeing from a distance: see TELE- & -SCOPE]

telescopic (tel'э skäp´ik) •adj. 1 of a telescope or telescopes 2 seen or obtained by a telescope 3 visible only with the aid of a telescope 4 having distant vision: said esp. of a sight or lens that apparently enlarges distant objects 5 having sections that slide one inside another {a telescopic drinking tumbler} Also tel'e·scop´i·cal tel'e·scop´i·cal·ly •adv.

Telescopium (tel'э skou´pi: эm) a S constellation between Sagittarius and Pavo

telescopy (tэ les´kэ pi:) •n. the art or practice of using a telescope te·les´co·pist •n.

telesis (tel´э sis) •n. the purposeful use of natural and social forces; planned progress [ModL < Gr telein, to fulfill, complete < telos, an end: see TELO-²]

telespectroscope (tel'э spek´trэ skoup') •n. an instrument combining a telescope and a spectroscope, for producing the spectra of stars

telesthesia (tel'es θi:´zhэ, -zi: э) •n. Parapsychology extrasensory perception of distant objects, events, etc. tel'es·thet´ic (-θet´ik) •adj. [ModL: see TELE- & ESTHESIA]

telestich or telestic (tэ les´tik, tel´э stik') •n. an acrostic in which the last letters of the lines spell a word or words when taken in order [< Gr telos, an end (see TELO-²) + stichos, a line (see STICH), modeled on ACROSTIC]

teletext (tel´э tekst') •n. a communications service in which information, as news, is superimposed onto a television signal and broadcast to home television sets

telethon (tel´э θän') •n. a campaign, as on a lengthy telecast, seeking support for a cause, as by pledged donations made by telephone [TELE(VISION) + (MARA)THON]

Teletype (tel´э taip') trademark for a former kind of telegraphic apparatus that printed messages typed on the keyboard of the transmitter

teletypewriter (tel'э taip´rait'эr) •n. a form of telegraph in which the receiver prints messages typed on the keyboard (like that of a typewriter) of the transmitter: the striking of the keys produces electrical impulses that activate the corresponding keys on the receiver

teleutospore (tэ lu:t´ou spör') •n. TELIOSPORE te·leu'to·spor´ic •adj. [< Gr teleutē, completion, end < telos, end (see TELO-²) + SPORE]

televangelist (tel'э væn´jэ list) •n. a minister who uses TV broadcasts or cablecasts to spread an evangelistic message, solicit donations, etc. tel'e·van´ge·lism (-liz'эm) •n.

televise (tel´э vaiz') -vised', -vis'ing •vt., vi. to put on, or transmit by, television tel´e·vi'sor •n.

television (tel´э vizh'эn) •n. 1 the practice or science of transmitting scenes or views by radio or, sometimes, by wire: the television transmitter, by means of a camera tube, such as an image orthicon or vidicon, converts light rays into electric signals for modulation upon a radio carrier wave or for transmission over wires; the television receiver reconverts the signals into electron beams that are projected against the fluorescent screen of the kinescope, or picture tube, reproducing the original image 2 a) broadcasting by television as an industry, entertainment, art, etc. b) all the facilities and related activities of such broadcasting 3 a television receiving set 4 a television program or programs {they watched television last night} •adj. of, using, used in, or sent by television tel'e·vi´sion·al •adj. tel'e·vi´sion·al·ly •adv. [TELE- + VISION]

telex (tel´eks') •n. 1 a teletypewriter using a telephone dial to establish connections 2 a message sent in this way •vt. to send (a message) by telex [TEL(ETYPEWRITER) + EX(CHANGE)]

telial (ti:´li: эl, tel´i:-) •adj. 1 of a telium 2 designating or of the final stage in the life cycle of the rust fungi

telic (ti:´lik, tel´ik) •adj. 1 directed toward an end; purposeful 2 Linguis. PERFECTIVE Opposed to ATELIC [Gr telikos < telos, an end: see TELO-²]

teliospore (ti:´li: ou spör', tel´i: ou-) •n. a thick-walled resting spore that develops in late summer during the telial stage of the rust fungi and germinates the next spring te'li·o·spor´ic •adj. [< fol. + SPORE]

telium (ti:´li: эm, tel´i:-) pl. -li·a (-э) •n. the teliospore-bearing sorus of the rust fungi [ModL < Gr teleios, complete < Gr telos, an end: see TELO-²]

Tell (tel), William see WILLIAM TELL

tell¹ (tel) told, tell´ing •vt. 1 orig., to enumerate; count; reckon 2 to give an account of (a story, etc.) in speech or writing 3 to express in words; utter; say {to tell the truth} 4 to report; announce; publish 5 to reveal; disclose; make known {a smile that told her joy} 6 to recognize; distinguish; discriminate {unable to tell one from the other} 7 to decide; know {one can't tell what will happen} 8 to let know; inform; acquaint {tell me about the game} 9 to request; direct; order; command {tell him to leave} 10 to state emphatically; assure {it's there, I tell you} •vi. 1 to give an account or description (of something) 2 to give evidence or be an indication (of something) 3 to carry tales; reveal secrets {to kiss and tell} 4 to produce a result; be effective; have a marked effect {efforts that are beginning to tell} SYN. REVEAL¹ Æ do tell! [Colloq.] is that a fact?: often used sarcastically tell off 1 to count (persons, etc.) and separate from the total number 2 [Colloq.] to rebuke severely tell on 1 to have a marked, usually adverse, effect on 2 [Colloq.] to inform against or gossip about [ME tellen < OE tellan, lit., to calculate, reckon < Gmc *taljan > Ger zahl, number: see TALE]

tell² (tel) •n. Archaeol. esp. in the Middle East, a large mound or hill, built up gradually, covering the successive remains of ancient communities [Ar tall, a mound]

tellable (tel´э bэl) •adj. 1 that can be told 2 worth being told

teller (tel´эr) •n. 1 a person who tells (a story, etc.); narrator; recounter 2 a person who counts; specif., a) one who counts votes, as in a legislative body b) a bank clerk who pays out or receives money Teller (tel´эr), Edward 1908- ; U.S. nuclear physicist, born in Hungary

telling (tel´iŋ) •adj. 1 having an effect; forceful; striking {a telling retort} 2 that tells or reveals much tell´ing·ly •adv.

telltale (tel´teil') •n. 1 a person who tells secrets or informs; talebearer; tattler 2 an outward indication of something secret 3 any of various devices for indicating or recording information; indicator; specif., Æ a) a row of dangling ropes, etc. hung over a railroad track to warn trainmen, riding on top of a car, of an approaching low bridge, tunnel, etc. b) a device indicating the position of a ship's rudder c) a time clock d) a gauge on a pipe organ showing the air pressure •adj. revealing what is meant to be kept secret {the telltale mud on his shoes}

tellurian (te lur´i: эn, tэ-) •adj. of the earth; terrestrial •n. 1 an inhabitant of the earth 2 an apparatus for demonstrating how the earth's position and movement (diurnal rotation, annual revolution, etc.) cause day and night and the cycle of the seasons: also tel·lu´ri·on (-än', -эn) [< L tellus, gen. telluris, the earth (< IE base *telo-, flat surface > THILL, DEAL³) + -AN]

telluric acid a heavy, white, crystalline acid, H2TeO4

telluric¹ (te lur´ik, tэ-) •adj. of, derived from, or containing tellurium, esp. in a higher valence than in the corresponding tellurous compounds

telluric² (te lur´ik, tэ-) •adj. 1 terrestrial; tellurian 2 of or arising from the earth, or soil

telluride (tel´yu: raid', -yэ-) •n. a compound of tellurium combined with an electropositive element or with a radical

tellurite (tel´yu: rait', -yэ-) •n. 1 a salt of tellurous acid 2 native tellurium dioxide, TeO2

tellurium (te lur´i: эm, tэ-) •n. a rare, tin-white, brittle, nonmetallic chemical element, belonging to the same family of elements as sulfur and selenium and occurring naturally in mineral tellurite and tellurides: it is used as a glass tint, as an alloying material, and in thermoelectric converters: symbol, Te; at. wt., 127.60; at. no., 52; sp. gr., 6.24; melt. pt., 449.5°C; boil. pt., 989.8°C [ModL: coined (1798) by M. H. Klaproth (1743-1817), Ger chemist, for element discovered (1783) by F. J. M. von Reichenstein, Austrian mineralogist < L tellus, earth (see TELLURIAN) + -IUM, in contrast to URANIUM]

tellurize (tel´yu: raiz', -yэ-) -rized', -riz'ing •vt. to combine or treat with tellurium

tellurous (tel´yu: rэs, -yэ-; te lur´эs, tэ-) •adj. of, derived from, or containing tellurium, esp. in a lower valence than in the corresponding telluric compounds

tellurous acid a white, crystalline powder, H2TeO3

Tellus (tel´эs) Rom. Myth. the goddess of the earth: identified with the Greek Gaea [L: see TELLURIAN]

telly (tel´i:) pl. -lies •n. Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.) colloq. term for TELEVISION [altered < TELE(VISION)]

telo-¹ (tel´ou, -э) combining form TELE- {telodynamic}

telo-² (tel´ou, -э) combining form end {telophase} [< Gr telos, an end, completion, orig. prob. turning point < IE base *kwel-, to turn > WHEEL]

telodynamic (tel'ou dai næm´ik) •adj. of or for the transmission of mechanical power to a distance by cables and pulleys [TELO-¹ + DYNAMIC]

telome (ti:´loum') •n. Bot. the terminal branchlet of a primitive vascular plant [Ger telom < tel- (< Gr telos: see TELO-²) + -om (< ModL -oma, a stem, mass < L -oma: see -OMA)]

telophase (tel´ou feiz', tel´э-) •n. Biol. the final stage of mitosis, in which the parent cell becomes completely divided into two cells, each having a reorganized nucleus [TELO-² + PHASE¹]

telpher (tel´fэr) •n. an electrically driven car suspended from and run on overhead cables •vt. to transport by telpher [< TEL(E)- + Gr pherein, to BEAR¹]

telpherage (-ij) •n. a transportation system using telphers

telson (tel´sэn) •n. the last, stinging segment of the body of a scorpion, or a projection of the last body segment, as in many decapod crustaceans [ModL < Gr, a limit, boundary, prob. akin to telos, end: see TELO-²]

Telstar (tel´stär') •n. either of two experimental communications satellites used between July 10, 1962, and May, 1965, to amplify and relay various signals, esp. television, across the oceans [TEL(E)- + STAR]

Telugu (tel´э gu:') •n. 1 pl. -gus' or -gu' a member of a people living in Andhra Pradesh, India 2 the Dravidian language of this people •adj. designating or of the Telugus or their language or culture Also sp. Tel´e·gu' [< the Telugu name]

temblor (tem´blör', -blэr; Sp tem blôř´) pl. -blors' or -blo´res (-blôřes) •n. EARTHQUAKE [< Sp temblor (de tierra), lit., trembling (of the earth) < temblar, to tremble < VL tremulare: see TREMBLE]

temerarious (tem'эr er´i: эs) •adj. reckless; rash tem'er·ar´i·ous·ly •adv. [L temerarius < temere: see TEMERITY]

temerity (tэ mer´э ti:) •n. foolish or rash boldness; foolhardiness; recklessness SYN.—temerity refers to a rashness or foolish boldness that results from underrating the dangers or failing to evaluate the consequences [he had the temerity to criticize his employer]; audacity suggests either great presumption or defiance of social conventions, morals, etc. [shocked at the audacity of his proposal]; effrontery, always derogatory in usage, connotes shamelessness or insolence in defying the rules of propriety, courtesy, etc. [his effrontery in addressing the teacher by her first name]; nerve, cheek, and gall are colloquial equivalents of effrontery, but nerve and cheek usually suggest mere impudence or sauciness and gall, unmitigated insolence [ME temeryte < L temeritas < temere, rashly, blindly < IE base *tem-, dark > OS thimm, dark, L tenebrae, darkness]

temp abbrev. 1 temperature 2 temporary temp (temp) •n. [Colloq.] short for TEMPORARY (n.)

temp. in the time of [L tempore]

Tempe (for 1 tem pi:´; also tem´pi:; for 2 tem´pi:) 1 city in SC Ariz., on the Salt River: suburb of Phoenix: pop. 142,000 2 Vale of valley of the Piniós River in NE Thessaly, Greece, between Mounts Olympus & Ossa: anciently regarded as sacred to Apollo [after the sacred Greek valley]

tempeh (tem´pei) •n. a cheeselike high-protein food, orig. of Indonesia, made with cooked soybeans fermented with a rhizopus fungus and used as a meat substitute, in salads, etc.

temper (tem´pэr) •vt. 1 to make suitable, desirable, or free from excess by mingling with something else; reduce in intensity, esp. by the admixture of some other quality; moderate; assuage; mollify {to temper criticism with reason} 2 a) to bring to the proper texture, consistency, hardness, etc. by mixing with something or treating in some way {to temper paints with oil, to temper steel by heating and sudden cooling, to temper clay by moistening and kneading} b) to toughen, as by rigors or trying experiences 3 [Rare] to fit; adapt 4 [Archaic] to mix in proper proportions 5 Music to adjust the pitch of (a note) or tune (an instrument) according to some temperament •vi. to be or become tempered •n. 1 the state of being tempered; specif., a) [Archaic] a properly proportioned mixture b) the state of a metal with regard to the degree of hardness and resilience 2 frame of mind; disposition; mood {in a bad temper} 3 calmness of mind; composure: now only in the phrases lose one's temper and keep one's temper 4 a tendency to become angry readily {to have a temper} 5 anger; rage {to go into a temper} 6 something used to temper a mixture, etc. 7 the trend in thought and feeling (of an era, period, etc.); character {the temper of the times, the modern temper} 8 [Archaic] a middle course; mean 9 [Obs.] character; quality SYN. DISPOSITION, MOOD¹ tem'per·a·bil´i·ty •n. tem´per·a·ble •adj. tem´per·er •n. [ME tempren < OE temprian & OFr temprer, both < L temperare, to observe proper measure, mix, regulate, forbear < tempus (gen. temporis), time, period, orig., a span < IE *tempos, a span < *temp-, to pull < base *ten-, to stretch > THIN]

tempera (tem´pэr э) •n. 1 a) a process of painting in which pigments are mixed with size, casein, or egg, esp. egg yolk, to produce a dull finish b) the paint used in this process 2 POSTER COLOR [It < temperare < L: see TEMPER]

temperament (tem´pэr э mэnt; often, -prэ-) •n. 1 orig., the act or an instance of tempering; proportionate mixture or balance of ingredients 2 in medieval physiology, any of the four conditions of body and mind, the sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric (or bilious), and melancholic temperaments, attributed to an excess of one of the four corresponding humors: see HUMOR 3 one's customary frame of mind or natural disposition; nature {a man of even temperament} 4 a nature that is excitable, moody, capricious, volatile, etc. {the temperament of a prima donna} 5 [Obs.] a) climate b) temperature 6 Music a system of adjustment of the intervals between the tones of an instrument of fixed intonation: it may be pure temperament, in which the intervals are set exactly according to theory, or equal temperament, as in a piano, in which the pitch of the tones is slightly adjusted to make them suitable for all keys SYN. DISPOSITION [ME < L temperamentum, proper mixing < temperare: see TEMPER]

temperamental (tem'pэr э ment´ªl; often, -prэ-) •adj. 1 of or caused by temperament 2 having an excitable temperament; easily upset 3 erratic in behavior; unpredictable tem'per·a·men´tal·ly •adv.

temperance (tem´pэr эns; -prэns) •n. 1 the state or quality of being temperate; self-restraint in conduct, expression, indulgence of the appetites, etc.; moderation 2 moderation in drinking alcoholic liquors or total abstinence from alcoholic liquors [ME < MFr < L temperantia, moderation, sobriety < prp. of temperare: see TEMPER]

temperate (tem´pэr it; often, -prit) •adj. 1 moderate in indulging the appetites; not self-indulgent; abstemious, esp. in the use of alcoholic liquors 2 moderate in one's actions, speech, etc.; self-restrained 3 moderate or restrained {a temperate reply} 4 a) neither very hot nor very cold (said of climate, etc.) b) having a temperate climate SYN. MODERATE tem´per·ate·ly •adv. tem´per·ate·ness •n. [ME temperat < L temperatus, pp. of temperare, to TEMPER]

Temperate Zone either of the two zones of the earth (North Temperate Zone and South Temperate Zone) between the tropics and the polar circles

temperature (tem´pэr э chэr; often, -prэ chэr, -pэr chэr, -pэ chэr) •n. 1 the degree of hotness or coldness of anything, usually as measured on a thermometer; specif., a) the degree of heat of a living body b) an excess of this over the normal (about 98.6°F or 37°C in humans); fever c) the degree of heat of the atmosphere 2 [Obs.] temperament [L temperatura < temperatus, TEMPERATE]

temperature gradient the rate of temperature change, esp. with increase in altitude

tempered (tem´pэrd) •adj. 1 having been given the desired temper, consistency, hardness, etc. {tempered steel} 2 modified by addition of or mixture with other qualities, ingredients, etc. {the mercy in a tempered justice} 3 having a (specified kind of) temper {bad-tempered} 4 Music adjusted to a temperament, esp. equal temperament

tempest (tem´pist) •n. 1 a violent storm with high winds, esp. one accompanied by rain, hail, or snow 2 a violent outburst; tumult •vt. [Old Poet.] to agitate violently Æ tempest in a teapot a great commotion over a small problem [ME < OFr tempeste < VL *tempesta, for L tempestas, portion of time, weather, a calamity, storm, tempest < tempus, time: see TEMPER]

tempestuous (tem pes´chu: эs, -chэ wэs; -tyu: эs) •adj. 1 of, involving, or like a tempest 2 violent; turbulent tem·pes´tu·ous·ly •adv. tem·pes´tu·ous·ness •n. [MFr tempestueus < LL tempestuosus < L tempestas]

tempi (tem´pi:) •n. alt. pl. of TEMPO

Templar (tem´plэr) •n. 1 KNIGHT TEMPLAR [from occupying quarters near the site of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem] 2 [t-] a barrister or law student of the Temple in London [ME templer < OFr templier < ML templarius < L templum: see TEMPLE¹]

template (tem´plit) •n. 1 a pattern, usually in the form of a thin plate of metal, wood, plastic, etc., for forming an accurate copy of an object or shape 2 Archit. a) a short stone or timber placed under a beam to help distribute the pressure b) a beam for supporting joists over an open space, as a doorway [altered (infl. by PLATE) < templet < Fr, dim. of temple < L templum, small timber, purlin, akin to fol.]

Temple (tem´pэl), Sir William 1628-99; Brit. diplomat & writer Temple (tem´pэl) city in central Tex., south of Waco: pop. 46,000 [after Maj. B. M. Temple, construction engineer for the railroad (1880-81)]

Temple Bar a former London gateway before the Temple buildings: the heads of executed traitors and criminals were exhibited on it: see TEMPLE¹ (sense 4)

temple¹ (tem´pэl) •n. 1 a) a building for the worship of a divinity or divinities b) anything viewed as the dwelling place of God or a divinity 2 a) [T-] any of three Jewish sacred edifices for worshiping Jehovah, successively built in ancient Jerusalem b) a synagogue, esp. of a Reform congregation 3 a church 4 [T-] either of two sets (Inner Temple and Middle Temple) of London buildings housing two of England's four principal law societies: their site was formerly occupied by the London branch of the Knights Templars: see also INNS OF COURT 5 a building, usually of imposing size, etc., serving the public or an organization in some special way {a temple of art, a Masonic temple} tem´pled •adj. [ME < OE tempel & OFr temple, both < L templum, temple, sanctuary, orig., space marked out: for IE base see TEMPER]

temple² (tem´pэl) •n. 1 either of the flat surfaces alongside the forehead, in front of each ear Æ 2 either of the sidepieces of a pair of glasses that fit across the temples and over the ears [OFr < VL tempula, altered < L tempora, the temples, pl. of tempus, akin to tempus, time (in reference to pulse): see TEMPER]

temple³ (tem´pэl) •n. a device for keeping the cloth in a loom stretched to its correct width during weaving [LME < MFr: see TEMPLATE]

templet (tem´plit) •n. alt. sp. of TEMPLATE

tempo (tem´pou) pl. -pos or -pi (-pi:) •n. 1 the speed at which a musical composition is, or is supposed to be, performed: it is indicated by such notations as allegro, andante, etc. or by reference to metronome timing 2 rate of activity; pace {the tempo of modern living} in tempo conforming to the speed at which a piece of music is, or should be, played out of tempo not in tempo [It < L tempus, time: see TEMPER]

temporal bone either of a pair of compound bones forming the sides of the skull: see SKULL, illus.

temporal¹ (tem´pэ rэl; often, -prэl) •adj. 1 lasting only for a time; transitory; temporary, not eternal 2 of this world; worldly, not spiritual 3 civil or secular rather than ecclesiastical 4 of or limited by time 5 Gram. expressing distinctions in time; pertaining to tense •n. a temporal thing, power, etc. tem´po·ral·ly •adv. [ME < L temporalis < tempus, time: see TEMPER]

temporal² (tem´pэ rэl; often, -prэl) •adj. of or near the temple or temples (of the head) [LL temporalis < L tempora: see TEMPLE²]

temporality (tem'pэ ræl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality or state of being temporal 2 [usually pl.] secular properties or revenues of a church [ME temporalite < LL(Ec) temporalitas]

temporary (tem´pэ rer'i:) •adj. lasting, enjoyed, used, etc. for a time only; not permanent •n. an employee hired for temporary service, esp. an office worker tem·po·rar·i·ly (tem´pэ rer'э li:, tem'pэ rer´э li:) •adv. tem´po·rar'i·ness •n. SYN.—temporary applies to a post held (or to the person holding such a post) for a limited time, subject to dismissal by those having the power of appointment [a temporary mail carrier]; provisional is specifically applied to a government established for the time being in a country, a newly formed nation, etc. until a permanent government can be formed; ad interim refers to an appointment for an intervening period, as between the death of an official and the election of a successor; acting is applied to one who temporarily takes over the powers of a regular official during the latter's absence [a vice-president often serves as acting president] —ANT. permanent [L temporarius < tempus, time: see TEMPER]

temporize (tem´pэ raiz') -rized', -riz'ing •vi. 1 to suit one's actions to the time, occasion, or circumstances, without reference to principle 2 a) to give temporary compliance or agreement, evade immediate decision, etc., so as to gain time or avoid argument b) to parley or deal (with a person, etc.) so as to gain time 3 to effect a compromise (with a person, etc., or between persons or parties); negotiate tem'po·ri·za´tion •n. tem´po·riz'er •n. [Fr temporiser < ML temporizare < L tempus, time: see TEMPER]

tempt (tempt) •vt. 1 orig., to test; try 2 to try to persuade; induce or entice, esp. to something immoral or sensually pleasurable 3 to rouse desire in; be inviting to; attract 4 to provoke or run the risk of provoking (fate, etc.) 5 to incline strongly {to be tempted to accept} SYN. LURE tempt´a·ble •adj. [ME tempten < OFr tempter < LL(Ec) temptare < L, to try the strength of, urge < IE *temp-: see TEMPER]

temptation (temp tei´shэn) •n. 1 a tempting or being tempted 2 something that tempts; enticement [OFr < LL(Ec) temptatio < L, an attack, trial]

tempter (temp´tэr) •n. a person who tempts the Tempter the Devil; Satan [ME temptour < MFr tempteur < L temptator, tempter, in LL(Ec), Satan]

tempting (-tiŋ) •adj. that tempts; alluring; attractive; seductive tempt´ing·ly •adv.

temptress (-tris) •n. a woman who tempts, esp. sexually

tempura (tem´pu rä', tem pur´э) •n. a Japanese dish consisting of shrimp, fish, vegetables, etc. dipped in an egg batter and deep-fried [Jpn < ? Port tempero, condiment, flavor]

tempus fugit (tem´pэs fyu:´jit) time flies [L]

ten (ten) •adj. totaling one more than nine •n. 1 the cardinal number between nine and eleven; 10; X 2 any group of ten people or things 3 something numbered ten or having ten units, as a) a playing card, throw of dice, etc. Æ b) [Colloq.] a ten-dollar bill [ME < OE ten, t##n, tene, akin to Ger zehn < IE *dé##, ten > Sans dáça, Gr dēka, L decem]

ten- (ten) TENO-: used before a vowel

Ten Commandments Bible the ten laws constituting the fundamental moral code of Israel, given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai; Decalogue: Ex. 20:2-17; Deut. 5:6-22

tenable (ten´э bэl) •adj. that can be held, defended, or maintained ten'a·bil´i·ty or ten´a·ble·ness •n. ten´a·bly •adv. [Fr < OFr < tenir, to hold: see TENANT]

tenace (ten´eis', -эs) •n. Bridge an imperfect sequence of high cards in the same unit, as the ace and queen without the king [< Sp tenaza, lit., tongs, pincers < L tenaces, things that hold fast < tenax: see TENACIOUS]

tenacious (tэ nei´shэs) •adj. 1 holding firmly {a tenacious grip} 2 that retains well; retentive {a tenacious memory} 3 that holds together strongly; cohesive; tough {a tenacious wood} 4 that clings; adhesive; sticky 5 persistent; stubborn {tenacious courage} te·na´cious·ly •adv. te·na´cious·ness •n. [L tenax (gen. tenacis) < tenere, to hold: see TENANT]

tenacity (tэ næs´э ti:) •n. the quality or state of being tenacious [L tenacitas]

tenaculum (tэ næk´yu: lэm, -yэ-) pl. -la (-lэ) •n. Surgery a pointed, hooked instrument for lifting and holding parts, as blood vessels [LL, instrument for holding < L tenere, to hold: see TENANT]

tenaille or tenail (te neil´) •n. an outwork before the curtain between two bastions [Fr tenaille, lit., pincers, tongs < VL *tenacula, for LL tenaculum: see TENACULUM]

tenancy (ten´эn si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 a) the condition of being a tenant; occupation of land, a building, etc. by rental or lease b) [Obs.] property occupied by a tenant c) the duration of such an occupancy 2 possession or occupation of property, an office, etc. by any kind of title or right

tenant (ten´эnt) •n. 1 a person who pays rent to occupy or use land, a building, etc. 2 an occupant of or dweller in a specified place 3 a person who possesses lands, etc. by any kind of title •vt. to hold as a tenant; occupy ten´ant·a·ble •adj. ten´ant·less •adj. [ME tenaunt < OFr tenant, orig. prp. of tenir, to hold < L tenere, to hold < IE base *ten-, to pull, stretch > THIN]

tenant farmer a person who farms land owned by another and pays rent in cash or in a share of the crops

tenantry (ten´эn tri:) pl. -ries •n. 1 the tenants collectively, as of an estate 2 the condition of being a tenant [ME: see TENANT & -RY]

ten-cent store (ten´sent´) short for FIVE-AND-TEN-CENT STORE

tench (tench) pl. tench´es •n.or tench a small, European, freshwater cyprinoid fish (Tinca tinca) now established in North America [ME & OFr tenche < LL tinca]

tend¹ (tend) •vt. 1 to take care of; minister to; watch over; look after; attend to {to tend plants or animals, to tend the sick} 2 to be in charge of or at work at; manage or operate {to tend a store} 3 Naut. to be on the alert to keep (a rope, diver's air line, etc.) from fouling •vi. to pay attention; attend tend on to wait upon; serve [ME tenden, aphetic < attenden: see ATTEND]

tend² (tend) •vi. 1 to be directed; proceed or extend {the road tends south} 2 to have an inclination, tendency, bias, etc. to do something; incline {tending to overeat} 3 to lead or be directed (to or toward a specified result) [ME tenden < OFr tendre < L tendere, to stretch, extend, tend: see THIN]

tendance (ten´dэns) •n. 1 a tending, attention, or care 2 [Obs.] attendants collectively

tendency (ten´dэn si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 an inclination to move or act in a particular direction or way; constant disposition to some action or state; leaning; bias; propensity; bent 2 a course or apparent course toward some purpose, object, or result; drift 3 a definite purpose or point of view in something said or written SYN.—tendency refers to an inclination or disposition to move in a particular direction or act in a certain way, esp. as a result of some inherent quality or habit [he has a tendency toward exaggeration]; trend suggests a general direction, with neither a definite course nor goal, subject to change or fluctuation by some external force [a recent trend in literature]; current differs from trend in connoting a clearly defined course, but one also subject to change [the current of one's life]; drift refers either to the course along which something is being carried or driven [the drift toward absolute conformity] or to a course taken by something that has unstated implications [what is the drift of this argument?]; tenor, equivalent in this connection to drift, connotes more strongly the clarity or purport of the unstated purpose or objective [the general tenor of the Bill of Rights] [ML tendentia < L tendens, prp. of tendere, to TEND²]

tendentious (ten den´shэs) •adj. characterized by a deliberate tendency or aim; esp., advancing a definite point of view {tendentious writings} Also sp. ten·den´cious ten·den´tious·ly •adv. ten·den´tious·ness •n. [Ger tendenziös < tendenz (< ML tendentia), TENDENCY]

tender offer a public offer to purchase a block of stock in a corporation, often the controlling interest, within a specified period and at a stipulated price, usually well above the existing market price

tender¹ (ten´dэr) •adj. 1 soft or delicate and easily chewed, broken, cut, etc.; fragile, succulent, etc. 2 weak of constitution or physique; unable to endure pain, hardship, etc.; feeble; frail 3 having weakness due to youth; immature; young {the tender years} 4 of soft quality or delicate tone; subdued {tender colors} 5 that requires careful handling; ticklish; delicate {a tender question} 6 gentle, mild, or light; not rough or heavy {a tender touch} 7 a) that has or expresses affection, love, consideration, etc. {a tender smile} b) careful; considerate {tender of another's feelings} 8 sparing; chary {tender of one's praise} 9 a) acutely sensitive, as to pain, insult, etc. b) sensitive to impressions, emotions, moral influences, etc.; impressionable {a tender conscience} c) sensitive to others' feelings; sympathetic; compassionate {a tender heart} 10 giving physical pain, as from overuse or when not fully healed; painful; hurting {a tender pitching arm} 11 Naut. tending to lean over under sail; crank •vt. 1 to make tender 2 [Archaic] to treat with tenderness ten´der·ly •adv. ten´der·ness •n. SYN.—tender, in this connection, implies a softness or gentleness in one's relations with others that is expressive of warm affection, concern, etc. [a tender caress]; compassionate is applied to one who is easily affected by another's troubles or pains and is quick to show pity or mercy [a compassionate judge]; sympathetic implies the ability or disposition to enter into another's mental state or emotions and thus to share sorrows, joys, desires, etc. [a sympathetic interest in a colleague's career]; warm and warmhearted suggest a sympathetic interest or affection characterized by cordiality, generosity, etc. [warm, or warmhearted, hospitality] [ME tendre < OFr < L tener, soft, delicate, tender, prob. altered (infl. by tenuis, THIN) < Sabine terenum, soft, akin to Gr terēn, tender < IE *ter-, tender, weak, orig., rubbed, worn down < base *ter-, to rub > THROW]

tender² (ten´dэr) •vt. 1 to offer in payment of an obligation 2 to present for acceptance; offer {to tender an invitation, apology, etc.} 3 to submit as a tender {to tender a bid} •n. 1 an offer of money, services, etc. made to satisfy an obligation, avoid legal action, etc. 2 a formal offer, as a proposal of marriage, a bid stating terms of a contract, or a bid on a printed form submitted to buy securities at a certain price Æ 3 something offered in payment, esp. money: cf. LEGAL TENDER ten´der·er •n. [Fr tendre < L tendere, to stretch, extend, TEND²]

tender³ (ten´dэr) •n. 1 a person who tends, or has charge of, something 2 a) an auxiliary ship for supplying or servicing another ship or a submarine, seaplane, buoys, etc. b) a boat for carrying passengers, etc. to or from a ship close to shore 3 a railroad car carrying fuel and water for a steam locomotive, to the rear of which it is attached

tenderfoot (ten´dэr fut') pl. -foots' or -feet' •n. 1 a newcomer to the ranching and mining country of the West, unused to the hardships of the life 2 any newcomer, novice, or beginner 3 a beginner in the Boy Scouts

tenderhearted (ten´dэr härt'id) •adj. having a tender heart; quick to feel pity; sympathetic ten´der·heart´ed·ly •adv. ten´der·heart´ed·ness •n.

tenderize (ten´dэr aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make (meat) tender by using a process or adding a substance that softens tissues ten'der·i·za´tion •n. ten´der·iz'er •n.

tenderloin (ten´dэr loin') •n. 1 the tenderest part of a loin of beef, pork, etc., located on either side of the backbone and consisting of the psoas muscle 2 [usually T-] any urban district similar to the Tenderloin [T-] a former district in New York City, in which there was much graft and corruption: so called because regarded as a choice assignment for police seeking graft

tendinitis (ten'dэ nait´is) •n. inflammation of a tendon [< ModL tendo (gen. tendinis), TENDON + -itis, -ITIS]