# dict

Words: counterfeit
Meaning:
counter.feit\n   counterfeit  counterfeits  counterfeiting  counterfeited\n1. Counterfeit money, goods, or documents are not genuine, but have been made to look exactly like genuine ones in order to deceive people.\nHe admitted possessing and delivering counterfeit currency.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = fake\n  Counterfeit is also a noun.\nLevi Strauss says counterfeits of the company’s jeans are flooding Europe.\n  N-COUNT\n  = fake\n2. If someone counterfeits something, they make a version of it that is not genuine but has been made to look genuine in order to deceive people.\n...the coins Davies is alleged to have counterfeited.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  counter.feit.er      counterfeiters\n...a gang of counterfeiters.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: counterfoil
Meaning:
counter.foil\n   counterfoil  counterfoils\n  A counterfoil is the part of a cheque, ticket, or other document that you keep when you give the other part to someone else.\n  N-COUNT


Words: countermand
Meaning:
counter.mand\n   countermand  countermands  countermanding  countermanded\n  If you countermand an order, you cancel it, usually by giving a different order. (FORMAL)\nI can’t countermand an order Winger’s given.\n  VERB: V n\n  = override, overrule


Words: counterpane
Meaning:
counter.pane\n   counterpane  counterpanes\n  A counterpane is a decorative cover on a bed. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: counterpart
Meaning:
counter.part\n   counterpart  counterparts\n  Someone’s or something’s counterpart is another person or thing that has a similar function or position in a different place.\nThe Foreign Secretary telephoned his Italian counterpart to protest.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, usu poss N


Words: counterpoint
Meaning:
counter.point\n   counterpoint  counterpoints\n  Something that is a counterpoint to something else contrasts with it in a satisfying way. (JOURNALISM)\nParis is just a short train journey away, providing the perfect counterpoint to the peace and quiet of Reims.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N to n\n  = complement


Words: countersign
Meaning:
counter.sign\n   countersign  countersigns  countersigning  countersigned\n  If you countersign a document, you sign it after someone else has signed it.\nThe President has so far refused to countersign the Prime Minister’s desperate decree...\n  VERB: V n


Words: countertenor
Meaning:
counter.ten.or\n   countertenor  countertenors   also counter-tenor\n  A countertenor is a man who sings with a high voice that is similar to a low female singing voice.\n  N-COUNT\n  = alto


Words: countertop
Meaning:
counter.top\n   countertop  countertops\n  A countertop is a flat surface in a kitchen which is easily cleaned and on which you can prepare food. (AM; in BRIT, use worktop, work surface)\n  N-COUNT


Words: countervailing
Meaning:
counter.vail.ing\n   countervailing\n  A countervailing force, power, or opinion is one which is of equal strength to another one but is its opposite or opposes it. (FORMAL)\nTheir strategy is expansionist and imperialist, and it is greatest in effect, of course, when there is no countervailing power...\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: counterweight
Meaning:
counter.weight\n   counterweight  counterweights\n  A counterweight is an action or proposal that is intended to balance or counter other actions or proposals.\nHis no-inflation bill serves as a useful counterweight to proposals less acceptable to the Committee.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: countess
Meaning:
coun.tess\n   countess  countesses\n  A countess is a woman who has the same rank as a count or earl, or who is married to a count or earl.\n...the Countess of Lichfield.\n  N-COUNT; N-TITLE; N-VOC


Words: counting
Meaning:
count.ing\n   counting\n1. Not counting a particular thing means not including that thing. Counting a particular thing means including that thing.\n...an average operating profit of 15% to 16% of sales, not counting administrative expenses.\n  PREP\n  = including\n2. If you say and counting after a number or an amount of something, you mean that the number or amount is continuing to increase.\nThere is a 1,700-year-old tea tree still living in southern China which is more than 100 feet tall and counting.\n  PHRASE: amount PHR


Words: countless
Meaning:
count.less\n   countless\n  Countless means very many.\nThere are countless small ski areas dotted about the province.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = innumerable


Words: countrified
Meaning:
coun.tri.fied\n   countrified\n1. You use countrified to describe something that seems or looks like something in the country, rather than in a town.\nThe house was so handsome, with a lovely countrified garden.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Countrified is used to describe pop music that sounds similar to country music. (JOURNALISM)\nThe sound veers between jazz and countrified blues.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: country
Meaning:
coun.try\n   country  countries\n1. A country is one of the political units which the world is divided into, covering a particular area of land.\nIndonesia is the fifth most populous country in the world.\n...that disputed boundary between the two countries...\nYoung people do move around the country quite a bit these days.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The people who live in a particular country can be referred to as the country.\nSeventy per cent of this country is opposed to blood sports.\n  N-SING: usu the N\n\n3. The country consists of places such as farms, open fields, and villages which are away from towns and cities.\n...a healthy life in the country...\nShe was cycling along a country road near Compiegne...\n  N-SING: the N\n  = countryside\n4. A particular kind of country is an area of land which has particular characteristics or is connected with a particular well-known person.\nVarese Ligure is a small town in mountainous country east of Genoa.\n  N-UNCOUNT: supp N\n\n5. Country music is popular music from the southern United States.\n...a famous country singer named Katie Cocker.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n\n\n6. If you travel across country, you travel through country areas, avoiding major roads and towns.\nFrom here we walked across country to Covington.\n  PHRASE: v PHR\n\n7. If you travel across country, you travel a long distance, from one part of a country to another.\nWe’ve just moved all the way across country to begin a new life.\n  PHRASE: v PHR\n\n8. If a head of government or a government goes to the country, they hold a general election. (BRIT)\nThe Prime Minister does not have to go to the country for another year.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: country and western
Meaning:
coun.try and west.ern\n   country and western   also country-and-western\n  Country and western is the same as country music.\n...a successful country and western singer.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: country club
Meaning:
coun.try club\n   country club  country clubs\n  A country club is a club in the country where you can play sports and attend social events.\n  N-COUNT


Words: country cousin
Meaning:
coun.try cous.in\n   country cousin  country cousins\n  If you refer to someone as a country cousin, you think that they are unsophisticated because they come from the country.\n  N-COUNT


Words: country dancing
Meaning:
coun.try danc.ing\n   country dancing\n  Country dancing is traditional dancing in which people dance in rows or circles.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: country house
Meaning:
coun.try house\n   country house  country houses\n  A country house is a large, often attractive, house in the country, usually one that is or was owned by a rich or noble family. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: country seat
Meaning:
coun.try seat\n   country seat  country seats\n  A country seat is a large house with land in the country which is owned by someone who also owns a house in a town.\nHis family have a country seat in Oxfordshire.\n  N-COUNT


Words: countryman
Meaning:
country.man\n   countryman  countrymen\n1. Your countrymen are people from your own country.\nHe lost last year’s final to fellow countryman Michael Stich.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n  = compatriot\n2. A countryman is a person who lives in the country rather than in a city or a town.\nHe had the red face of a countryman.\n  N-COUNT


Words: countryside
Meaning:
country.side\n   countryside\n  The countryside is land which is away from towns and cities.\nI’ve always loved the English countryside...\nWe are surrounded by lots of beautiful countryside.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft the N


Words: countrywide
Meaning:
country.wide\n   countrywide\n  Something that happens or exists countrywide happens or exists throughout the whole of a particular country.\nArmed robbery and abduction have been on the increase countrywide...\nThey sent out questionnaires to 100 schools countrywide.\n  ADV: ADV after v, n ADV\n  = nationwide\n  Countrywide is also an adjective.\n...a countrywide network of volunteers.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: countrywoman
Meaning:
country.woman\n   countrywoman  countrywomen\n1. A countrywoman is a woman who lives in the country rather than in a city or a town.\nShe had the slow, soft voice of a countrywoman.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Your countrywomen are women from your own country.\nBritain’s Martine Le Moignan defeated her countrywoman Suzanne Horner in four games.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n  = compatriot


Words: county
Meaning:
coun.ty\n   county  counties\n  A county is a region of Britain, Ireland, or the USA which has its own local government.\nOver 50 events are planned throughout the county.\n  N-COUNT


Words: county council
Meaning:
coun.ty coun.cil\n   county council  county councils\n  A county council is an organization which runs local government in a county in Britain.\n...Devon County Council.\n  N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES


Words: county court
Meaning:
coun.ty court\n   county court  county courts\n  A county court is a local court which deals with private disputes between people, but does not deal with serious crimes. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: county seat
Meaning:
coun.ty seat\n   county seat  county seats\n  A county seat is the same as a county town. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: county town
Meaning:
coun.ty town\n   county town  county towns\n  A county town is the most important town in a county, where the local government is. (BRIT; in AM, use county seat)\nWe met in Dorchester, Dorset’s bustling county town.\n  N-COUNT


Words: coup
Meaning:
coup  coups\n1. When there is a coup, a group of people seize power in a country.\n...a military coup...\nThey were sentenced to death for their part in April’s coup attempt.\n  N-COUNT\n  = coup d’etat\n2. A coup is an achievement which is thought to be especially good because it was very difficult.\nThe sale is a big coup for the auction house...\n  N-COUNT


Words: coup d’etat
Meaning:
coup d’etat  coups d’etat\n  When there is a coup d’etat, a group of people seize power in a country.\n  N-COUNT\n  = coup


Words: coup de grace
Meaning:
coup de grace\n  A coup de grace is an action or event which finally destroys something, for example an institution, which has been gradually growing weaker. (FORMAL)\nIrving Kristol delivered the coup de grace in a letter dated June 12: they had decided to reject the proposal.\n  N-SING\n  = death blow


Words: coupe
Meaning:
coupe  coupes\n  A coupe is the same as a coupe. (AM)\n  N-COUNT\n\ncou.pe\n   coupe  coupes\n  A coupe is a car with a fixed roof, a sloping back, two doors, and seats for four people. (BRIT; in AM, use coupe)\n  N-COUNT


Words: couple
Meaning:
cou.ple\n   couple  couples  coupling  coupled\n1. If you refer to a couple of people or things, you mean two or approximately two of them, although the exact number is not important or you are not sure of it.\nAcross the street from me there are a couple of police officers standing guard...\nI think the trouble will clear up in a couple of days.\n...a small working-class town in Massachusetts, a couple of hundred miles from New York City.\n  QUANT: QUANT of pl-n\n\n  Couple is also a determiner in spoken American English, and before `more’ and `less’.\n...a couple weeks before the election...\nI think I can play maybe for a couple more years.\n  DET\n\n  Couple is also a pronoun.\nI’ve got a couple that don’t look too bad.\n  PRON\n\n2. A couple is two people who are married, living together, or having a sexual relationship.\nThe couple have no children.\n...after burglars ransacked an elderly couple’s home.\n  N-COUNT-COLL\n\n3. A couple is two people that you see together on a particular occasion or that have some association.\n...as the four couples began the opening dance...\n  N-COUNT-COLL\n\n4. If you say that one thing produces a particular effect when it is coupled with another, you mean that the two things combine to produce that effect.\n...a problem that is coupled with lower demand for the machines themselves...\nOver-use of those drugs, coupled with poor diet, leads to physical degeneration...\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed with n, V-ed\n  = combine\n5. If one piece of equipment is coupled to another, it is joined to it so that the two pieces of equipment work together.\nIts engine is coupled to a semiautomatic gearbox...\nThe various systems are coupled together in complex arrays.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed to n, be V-ed together\n\n6.\n  see also coupling


Words: couplet
Meaning:
cou.plet\n   couplet  couplets\n  A couplet is two lines of poetry which come next to each other, especially two lines that rhyme with each other and are the same length.\n...rhyming couplets.\n  N-COUNT


Words: coupling
Meaning:
cou.pling\n   coupling  couplings\n1. A coupling is a device which is used to join two vehicles or pieces of equipment together.\nBefore driving away, re-check the trailer coupling.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N\n\n2. An act of sexual intercourse is sometimes referred to as a coupling. (FORMAL)\n...sexual couplings.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3.\n  see also couple


Words: coupon
Meaning:
cou.pon\n   coupon  coupons\n1. A coupon is a piece of printed paper which allows you to pay less money than usual for a product, or to get it free.\nBring the coupon below to any Tecno store and pay just .10.99.\n...a 50p money-off coupon.\n  N-COUNT\n  = voucher\n2. A coupon is a small form, for example in a newspaper or magazine, which you send off to ask for information, to order something, or to enter a competition.\nSend the coupon with a cheque for .18.50, made payable to `Good Housekeeping’...\n  N-COUNT


Words: courage
Meaning:
cour.age\n   courage\n1. Courage is the quality shown by someone who decides to do something difficult or dangerous, even though they may be afraid.\nGeneral Lewis Mackenzie has impressed everyone with his authority and personal courage...\nThey do not have the courage to apologise for their actions.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = bravery\n  see also Dutch courage\n2. If you have the courage of your convictions, you have the confidence to do what you believe is right, even though other people may not agree or approve.\nDevelopers should have the courage of their convictions and stick to what they do best.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\nto pluck up the courage: see pluck


Words: courageous
Meaning:
cou.ra.geous\n   courageous\n  Someone who is courageous shows courage.\nIt was a very frightening experience and they were very courageous...\nIt was a courageous decision, and one that everybody admired.\n  ADJ\n  = brave


Words: courgette
Meaning:
cour.gette\n   courgette  courgettes\n  Courgettes are long thin vegetables with dark green skin. (BRIT; in AM, use zucchini)\n  N-VAR


Words: courier
Meaning:
cou.ri.er\n   courier  couriers  couriering couriered\n1. A courier is a person who is paid to take letters and parcels direct from one place to another.\nThe cheques were delivered to the bank by a private courier firm.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A courier is a person employed by a travel company to look after people who are on holiday.\n  N-COUNT\n  = rep\n3. If you courier something somewhere, you send it there by courier.\nI couriered it to Darren in New York.\n  VERB: V n to n, also V n


Words: course
Meaning:
course  courses  coursing  coursed\n1. Course is often used in the expression `of course’, or instead of `of course’ in informal spoken English. See of course.\n\n2. The course of a vehicle, especially a ship or aircraft, is the route along which it is travelling.\nAircraft can avoid each other by going up and down, as well as by altering course to left or right...\nThe tug was seaward of the Hakai Passage on a course that diverged from the Calvert Island coastline.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N\n\n3. A course of action is an action or a series of actions that you can do in a particular situation.\nMy best course of action was to help Gill by being loyal, loving and endlessly sympathetic...\nVietnam is trying to decide on its course for the future.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n4. You can refer to the way that events develop as, for example, the course of history or the course of events.\n...a series of decisive naval battles which altered the course of history...\n  N-SING: the N of n\n\n5. A course is a series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject.\n...a course in business administration...\nI’m shortly to begin a course on the modern novel.\n  N-COUNT: oft N in/on n\n\n  see also access course, correspondence course, refresher course, sandwich course\n6. A course of medical treatment is a series of treatments that a doctor gives someone.\nTreatment is supplemented with a course of antibiotics to kill the bacterium...\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n\n7. A course is one part of a meal.\nThe lunch was excellent, especially the first course.\n...a three-course dinner.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n8. In sport, a course is an area of land where races are held or golf is played, or the land over which a race takes place.\nOnly 12 seconds separated the first three riders on the Bickerstaffe course...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n9. The course of a river is the channel along which it flows.\nRomantic chateaux and castles overlook the river’s twisting course.\n  N-COUNT\n\n10. If something happens in the course of a particular period of time, it happens during that period of time.\nIn the course of the 1930s steel production in Britain approximately doubled...\nWe struck up a conversation, in the course of which it emerged that he was a sailing man.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n  = during\n11. If you do something as a matter of course, you do it as part of your normal work or way of life.\nIf police are carrying arms as a matter of course then doesn’t it encourage criminals to carry them?\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n12. If a ship or aircraft is on course, it is travelling along the correct route. If it is off course, it is no longer travelling along the correct route.\nThe ill fated ship was sent off course into shallow waters and rammed by another vessel.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR\n\n13. If you are on course for something, you are likely to achieve it.\nThe company is on course for profits of .20m in the next financial year.\n  PREP-PHRASE: usu v-link PREP\n\n14. If something runs its course or takes its course, it develops naturally and comes to a natural end.\nThey estimated that between 17,000 and 20,000 cows would die before the epidemic had run its course...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n15. If you stay the course, you finish something that you have started, even though it has become very difficult.\nThe oldest president in American history had stayed the course for two terms.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n16. If something changes or becomes true in the course of time, it changes or becomes true over a long period of time.\nIn the course of time, many of their myths become entangled.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n17.\nin due course: see due


Words: course book
Meaning:
course book  course books   also coursebook\n  A course book is a textbook that students and teachers use as the basis of a course.\n  N-COUNT


Words: course work
Meaning:
course work   also coursework\n  Course work is work that students do during a course, rather than in exams, especially work that counts towards a student’s final grade.\nSome 20 per cent of marks are awarded for coursework.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: coursing
Meaning:
cours.ing\n   coursing\n  Coursing is a sport in which rabbits or hares are hunted with dogs.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: court
Meaning:
NOUN USES\n   court  courts\n1. A court is a place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate.\nAt this rate, we could find ourselves in the divorce courts!\n...a county court judge...\nHe was deported on a court order following a conviction for armed robbery...\nThe 28-year-old striker was in court last week for breaking a rival player’s jaw.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N, N n, also in/at N\n\n2. You can refer to the people in a court, especially the judge, jury, or magistrates, as a court.\nA court at Tampa, Florida has convicted five officials on drugs charges.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A court is an area in which you play a game such as tennis, basketball, badminton, or squash.\nThe hotel has several tennis and squash courts...\nShe watched a few of the games while waiting to go on court.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N, also on/off N\n\n4. The court of a king or queen is the place where he or she lives and carries out ceremonial or administrative duties.\nShe came to visit England, where she was presented at the court of James I...\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss, also at N\n\n5.\n  see also Crown Court, High Court, kangaroo court\n6. If you go to court or take someone to court, you take legal action against them.\nThey have received at least twenty thousand pounds each but had gone to court to demand more.\n...members of trade associations who want to take bad debtors to court.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7. If someone holds court in a place, they are surrounded by a lot of people who are paying them a lot of attention because they are interesting or famous.\n...in the days when Marlene Dietrich and Ernest Hemingway held court in the famous El Floridita club.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n8. If a legal matter is decided or settled out of court, it is decided without legal action being taken in a court of law.\n...a payment of two million pounds in an out of court settlement.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR n\n\nVERB USES\n   court  courts  courting  courted\n1. To court a particular person, group, or country means to try to please them or improve your relations with them, often so that they will do something that you want them to do. (JOURNALISM)\nBoth Democratic and Republican parties are courting former supporters of Ross Perot...\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If you court something such as publicity or popularity, you try to attract it.\nHaving spent a lifetime avidly courting publicity, Paul has suddenly become secretive.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If you court something unpleasant such as disaster or unpopularity, you act in a way that makes it likely to happen.\nIf he thinks he can remain in power by force he is courting disaster...\n  VERB: V n\n  = invite


Words: court martial
Meaning:
court mar.tial\n   court martial  court martials  court martialling  court martialled   also court-martial\n\n  The spellings court martialing and court martialed are used in American English; courts martial is also used as a plural form for the noun.\n\n1. A court martial is a trial in a military court of a member of the armed forces who is charged with breaking a military law.\nHe is due to face a court-martial on drugs charges...\nHe was arrested, tried by court martial and shot.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If a member of the armed forces is court martialled, he or she is tried in a military court.\nI was court-martialled and sentenced to six months in a military prison.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed


Words: Court of Appeal
Meaning:
Court of Ap.peal\n   Court of Appeal Courts of Appeal\nin AM, usually use Court of Appeals\n  A Court of Appeal is a court which deals with appeals against legal judgments.\nThe case is being referred to the Court of Appeal.\n  N-COUNT


Words: court of inquiry
Meaning:
court of in.quiry\n   court of inquiry  courts of inquiry\n  A court of inquiry is a group of people who are officially appointed to investigate a serious accident or incident, or an official investigation into a serious accident or incident. (mainly BRIT)\nThe government has instituted a court of inquiry to look into the allegations.\n  N-COUNT


Words: court of law
Meaning:
court of law  courts of law\n  When you refer to a court of law, you are referring to a legal court, especially when talking about the evidence that might be given in a trial.\nWe have a witness who would swear to it in a court of law.\n  N-COUNT


Words: court shoe
Meaning:
court shoe  court shoes\n  Court shoes are women’s shoes that do not cover the top part of the foot and are usually made of plain leather with no design. (BRIT; in AM, use pumps)\n  N-COUNT


Words: courteous
Meaning:
cour.teous\n   courteous\n  Someone who is courteous is polite and respectful to other people.\nHe was a kind and courteous man...\nMy friend’s reply was courteous but firm.\n  ADJ\n  = polite\n=>  cour.teous.ly\nThen he nodded courteously to me and walked off to perform his unpleasant duty.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj


Words: courtesan
Meaning:
cour.tesan\n   courtesan  courtesans\n  In former times, a courtesan was a woman who had sexual relationships with rich and powerful men for money.\n  N-COUNT


Words: courtesy
Meaning:
cour.tesy\n   courtesy  courtesies\n1. Courtesy is politeness, respect, and consideration for others. (FORMAL)\n...a gentleman who behaves with the utmost courtesy towards ladies...\nHe did not even have the courtesy to reply to my fax.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = politeness\n2. If you refer to the courtesy of doing something, you are referring to a polite action. (FORMAL)\nBy extending the courtesy of a phone call to my clients, I was building a personal relationship with them...\n  N-SING: usu the N of -ing\n\n3. Courtesies are polite, conventional things that people say in formal situations. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n4. Courtesy is used to describe services that are provided free of charge by an organization to its customers, or to the general public.\nA courtesy shuttle bus operates between the hotel and the town.\n...a courtesy phone.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n5. A courtesy call or a courtesy visit is a formal visit that you pay someone as a way of showing them politeness or respect.\nThe President paid a courtesy call on Emperor Akihito.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n6. A courtesy title is a title that someone is allowed to use, although it has no legal or official status.\nBoth were accorded the courtesy title of Lady...\n  N-UNCOUNT: N n, by N\n\n7. If something is provided courtesy of someone or by courtesy of someone, they provide it. You often use this expression in order to thank them.\nThe waitress brings over some congratulatory glasses of champagne, courtesy of the restaurant...\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n8. If you say that one thing happens courtesy of another or by courtesy of another, you mean that the second thing causes or is responsible for the first thing.\nThe air was fresh, courtesy of three holes in the roof...\nAs millions will have seen, by courtesy of the slow motion re-runs, the referee made a mistake.\n  PREP-PHRASE


Words: courthouse
Meaning:
court.house\n   courthouse  courthouses\n1. A courthouse is a building in which a court of law meets. (AM; in BRIT, use court)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A courthouse is a building used by the government of a county. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: courtier
Meaning:
cour.ti.er\n   courtier  courtiers\n  Courtiers were noblemen and women who spent a lot of time at the court of a king or queen.\n  N-COUNT


Words: courtly
Meaning:
court.ly\n   courtly\n  You use courtly to describe someone whose behaviour is very polite, often in a rather old-fashioned way. (LITERARY)\nThe waiter made a courtly bow.\n  ADJ


Words: courtroom
Meaning:
court.room\n   courtroom  courtrooms\n  A courtroom is a room in which a legal court meets.\n  N-COUNT\n  = court


Words: courtship
Meaning:
court.ship\n   courtship  courtships\n1. Courtship is the activity of courting or the time during which a man and a woman are courting. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nAfter a short courtship, she accepted his marriage proposal.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. The courtship of male and female animals is their behaviour before they have sex.\nCourtship is somewhat vocal with a lot of displaying by the male.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: courtyard
Meaning:
court.yard\n   courtyard  courtyards\n  A courtyard is an open area of ground which is surrounded by buildings or walls.\nThey walked through the arch and into the cobbled courtyard.\n  N-COUNT


Words: couscous
Meaning:
cous.cous\n   couscous\n  Couscous is a type of food that is made from crushed steamed wheat, or a dish consisting of this food served with a spicy stew. It is traditionally eaten in North Africa.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: cousin
Meaning:
cous.in\n   cousin  cousins\n  Your cousin is the child of your uncle or aunt.\nMy cousin Mark helped me...\nWe are cousins.\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss\n\n  see also country cousin, second cousin


Words: couture
Meaning:
cou.ture\n   couture\n  Couture is the designing and making of expensive fashionable clothes, or the clothes themselves. (FORMAL)\n...Christian Lacroix’s first Paris couture collection.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n  = haute couture


Words: couturier
Meaning:
cou.tu.ri.er\n   couturier  couturiers\n  A couturier is a person who designs, makes, and sells expensive, fashionable clothes for women.\n  N-COUNT\n  = designer


Words: cove
Meaning:
cove  coves\n  A cove is a part of a coast where the land curves inwards so that the sea is partly enclosed.\n...a hillside overlooking Fairview Cove.\n  N-COUNT; N-IN-NAMES


Words: covenant
Meaning:
cov.enant\n   covenant  covenants\n1. A covenant is a formal written agreement between two or more people or groups of people which is recognized in law.\n...the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A covenant is a formal written promise to pay a sum of money each year for a fixed period, especially to a charity. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use pledge)\nIf you make regular gifts through a covenant we can reclaim the income tax which you have already paid on this money.\n  N-COUNT: also by N


Words: Coventry
Meaning:
Cov.en.try\n   Coventry\n  If people send you to Coventry, they avoid speaking to you whenever they meet you, as a way of punishing you for something that you have done. (BRIT)\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: cover
Meaning:
cov.er\n   cover  covers  covering  covered\n1. If you cover something, you place something else over it in order to protect it, hide it, or close it.\nCover the casserole with a tight-fitting lid...\nHe whimpered and covered his face...\nKeep what’s left in a covered container in the fridge.\n  VERB: V n with n, V n, V-ed\n\n2. If one thing covers another, it has been placed over it in order to protect it, hide it, or close it.\nHis finger went up to touch the black patch which covered his left eye...\nHis head was covered with a khaki turban.\n  VERB: V n, be V-ed with n\n\n3. If one thing covers another, it forms a layer over its surface.\nThe clouds had spread and nearly covered the entire sky...\nThe desk was covered with papers...\n  VERB: V n, be V-ed with/in n\n\n4. To cover something with or in something else means to put a layer of the second thing over its surface.\nThe trees in your garden may have covered the ground with apples, pears or plums...\n  VERB: V n with/in n\n\n5. If you cover a particular distance, you travel that distance.\nIt would not be easy to cover ten miles on that amount of petrol...\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. To cover someone or something means to protect them from attack, for example by pointing a gun in the direction of people who may attack them, ready to fire the gun if necessary.\nYou go first. I’ll cover you.\n  VERB: V n\n\n7. Cover is protection from enemy attack that is provided for troops or ships carrying out a particular operation, for example by aircraft.\nThey said they could not provide adequate air cover for ground operations.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = protection\n8. Cover is trees, rocks, or other places where you shelter from the weather or from an attack, or hide from someone.\nCharles lit the fuses and they ran for cover.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = shelter\n9. An insurance policy that covers a person or thing guarantees that money will be paid by the insurance company in relation to that person or thing.\nTheir insurer paid the .900 bill, even though the policy did not strictly cover it...\nYou should take out travel insurance covering you and your family against theft.\n  VERB: V n, V n against n\n\n10. Insurance cover is a guarantee from an insurance company that money will be paid by them if it is needed.\nMake sure that the firm’s insurance cover is adequate.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = protection\n11. If a law covers a particular set of people, things, or situations, it applies to them.\nThe law covers four categories of experiments...\n  VERB: V n\n\n12. If you cover a particular topic, you discuss it in a lecture, course, or book.\nThe Oxford Chemistry Primers aim to cover important topics in organic chemistry...\n  VERB: V n\n  = deal with\n13. If journalists, newspapers, or television companies cover an event, they report on it.\nRobinson was sent to Italy to cover the 1990 World Cup...\n  VERB: V n\n\n14. If a sum of money covers something, it is enough to pay for it.\nSend it to the address given with .1.50 to cover postage and administration...\n  VERB: V n\n\n15. A cover is something which is put over an object, usually in order to protect it.\n...a family room with washable covers on the furniture.\n...a duvet cover.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n16. The covers on your bed are the things such as sheets and blankets that you have on top of you.\n  N-PLURAL: usu the N\n  = bedclothes\n17. The cover of a book or a magazine is the outside part of it.\n...a small spiral-bound booklet with a green cover...\nI used to read every issue from cover to cover.\n  N-COUNT\n\n18. Something that is a cover for secret or illegal activities seems respectable or normal, and is intended to hide the activities.\nThey set up a spurious temple that was a cover for sexual debauchery...\nAs a cover story he generally tells people he is a freelance photographer.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n  = front\n19. If you cover for someone who is doing something secret or illegal, you give false information or do not give all the information you have, in order to protect them.\n(next)


Words: cover .1
Meaning:
Why would she cover for someone who was trying to kill her?\n  VERB: V for n\n\n20. If you cover for someone who is ill or away, you do their work for them while they are not there.\nShe did not have enough nurses to cover for those who went ill or took holiday.\n  VERB: V for n\n\n21. To cover a song originally performed by someone else means to record a new version of it.\nHe must make a decent living from other artists covering his songs.\n  VERB: V n\n\n22. A cover is the same as a cover version.\nThe single is a cover of an old Rolling Stones song.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n23.\n  see also covered, covering\n24. To blow someone’s cover means to cause their true identity or the true nature of their work to be revealed. (INFORMAL)\nThe young man looked embarrassed, as if he were a spy whose cover had been blown.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n25. If you break cover, you leave a place where you have been hiding or sheltering from attack, usually in order to run to another place.\nThey began running again, broke cover and dashed towards the road.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n26. If you take cover, you shelter from gunfire, bombs, or the weather.\nShoppers took cover behind cars as police marksmen returned fire.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR prep\n  = shelter\n27. If you are under cover, you are under something that protects you from gunfire, bombs, or the weather.\n`Get under cover!’ shouted Billy, and we darted once more for the tables.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR\n\n28. If you do something under cover of a particular situation, you are able to do it without being noticed because of that situation.\nThey move under cover of darkness.\n  PREP-PHRASE\n\n29. If you cover your back or cover your rear, you do something in order to protect yourself, for example against criticism or against accusations of doing something wrong.\nThe canny Premier covered his back by pointing out that he was of Scottish stock.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: cover charge
Meaning:
cov.er charge\n   cover charge  cover charges\n  A cover charge is a sum of money that you must pay in some restaurants and nightclubs in addition to the money that you pay there for your food and drink.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: cover girl
Meaning:
cov.er girl\n   cover girl  cover girls\n  A cover girl is an attractive woman whose photograph appears on the front of a magazine.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cover letter
Meaning:
cov.er let.ter\n   cover letter cover letters\n  A cover letter is the same as a covering letter. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: cover up
Meaning:
cover up\n1. If you cover something or someone up, you put something over them in order to protect or hide them.\nHe fell asleep in the front room so I covered him up with a duvet.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n\n2. If you cover up something that you do not want people to know about, you hide the truth about it.\nHe suspects there’s a conspiracy to cover up the crime...\nThey knew they had done something terribly wrong and lied to cover it up...\nHow do we know you’re not just covering up for your friend?\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P, V P for n\n\n  see also cover-up


Words: cover version
Meaning:
cov.er ver.sion\n   cover version  cover versions\n  A cover version of a song is a version of it recorded by a singer or band who did not originally perform the song.\n...a new album of Cole Porter cover versions.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n  = cover


Words: cover-mounted
Meaning:
also covermounted\n  Cover-mounted items such as cassettes, videos and CDs are attached to the front of a magazine as free gifts.\nThe first issue has a cover-mounted CD-ROM.\n  ADJ


Words: cover-up
Meaning:
cover-up  cover-ups\nin AM, also use coverup\n  A cover-up is an attempt to hide a crime or mistake.\nGeneral Schwarzkopf denied there’d been any cover-up.\n  N-COUNT


Words: coverage
Meaning:
cov.er.age\n   coverage\n  The coverage of something in the news is the reporting of it.\nNow a special TV network gives live coverage of most races...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: covered
Meaning:
cov.ered\n   covered\n  A covered area is an area that has a roof.\nThere are 40 shops, cafes and restaurants in a covered mall.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: covered wagon
Meaning:
cov.ered wag.on\n   covered wagon  covered wagons\n  A covered wagon is a wagon that has an arched canvas roof and is pulled by horses. Covered wagons were used by the early American settlers as they travelled across the country.\n  N-COUNT


Words: covering
Meaning:
cov.er.ing\n   covering  coverings\n  A covering is a layer of something that protects or hides something else.\nLeave a thin covering of fat...\nSawdust was used as a hygienic floor covering.\n  N-COUNT


Words: covering letter
Meaning:
cov.er.ing let.ter\n   covering letter  covering letters\n  A covering letter is a letter that you send with a parcel or with another letter in order to provide extra information. (BRIT; in AM, use cover letter)\n  N-COUNT


Words: coverlet
Meaning:
cov.er.let\n   coverlet  coverlets\n  A coverlet is the same as a bedspread. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: covermount
Meaning:
cov.er.mount\n   covermount covermounts\n  A covermount is a small gift attached to the front cover of a magazine.\n  N-COUNT


Words: covert
Meaning:
cov.ert\n   covert\n  Covert activities or situations are secret or hidden. (FORMAL)\nThey have been supplying covert military aid to the rebels...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=overt\n=>  cov.ert.ly\nThey covertly observed Lauren, who was sitting between Ned and Algie at a nearby table.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v\n  !=overtly


Words: covet
Meaning:
cov.et\n   covet  covets  coveting  coveted\n  If you covet something, you strongly want to have it for yourself. (FORMAL)\nShe coveted his job so openly that conversations between them were tense.\n  VERB: V n


Words: coveted
Meaning:
cov.et.ed\n   coveted\n  You use coveted to describe something that very many people would like to have.\n...one of sport’s most coveted trophies.\n...a supply of highly coveted hard currency.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: covetous
Meaning:
cov.et.ous\n   covetous\n  A covetous person has a strong desire to possess something, especially something that belongs to another person. (FORMAL)\nEven here a red Lamborghini Diablo sports car attracts covetous stares.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: covey
Meaning:
cov.ey\n   covey  coveys\n  A covey of grouse or partridges is a small group of them.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: cow
Meaning:
cow  cows  cowing  cowed\n1. A cow is a large female animal that is kept on farms for its milk. People sometimes refer to male and female animals of this species as cows.\nDad went out to milk the cows.\n...a herd of cows.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also cattle\n2. Some female animals, including elephants and whales, are called cows.\n...a cow elephant.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n\n\n3. If someone describes a woman as a cow, they dislike her and think that she is unpleasant or stupid. (INFORMAL, OFFENSIVE)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n\n4. If someone is cowed, they are made afraid, or made to behave in a particular way because they have been frightened or badly treated. (FORMAL)\nThe government, far from being cowed by these threats, has vowed to continue its policy.\n...cowing them into submission.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n into n/-ing\n  = intimidate\n=>  cowed\nBy this time she was so cowed by the beatings that she meekly obeyed.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ by n\n\n5.\n  see also mad cow disease, sacred cow


Words: coward
Meaning:
cow.ard\n   coward  cowards\n  If you call someone a coward, you disapprove of them because they are easily frightened and avoid dangerous or difficult situations.\nShe accused her husband of being a coward.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: cowardice
Meaning:
cow.ard.ice\n   cowardice\n  Cowardice is cowardly behaviour.\nHe openly accused his opponents of cowardice.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=bravery, courage


Words: cowardly
Meaning:
cow.ard.ly\n   cowardly\n  If you describe someone as cowardly, you disapprove of them because they are easily frightened and avoid doing dangerous and difficult things.\nI was too cowardly to complain.\n...a cowardly act of violence.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  !=brave, courageous


Words: cowbell
Meaning:
cow.bell\n   cowbell  cowbells\n  A cowbell is a small bell that is hung around a cow’s neck so that the ringing sound makes it possible to find the cow.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cowboy
Meaning:
cow.boy\n   cowboy  cowboys\n1. A cowboy is a male character in a western.\n...cowboy films.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A cowboy is a man employed to look after cattle in North America, especially in former times.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. You can refer to someone who runs a business as a cowboy if they run it dishonestly or are not experienced, skilful, or careful in their work. (BRIT)\nWe don’t want to look like a bunch of cowboys...\n  N-COUNT: oft N n  disapproval


Words: cower
Meaning:
cow.er\n   cower  cowers  cowering  cowered\n  If you cower, you bend forward and downwards because you are very frightened.\nThe hostages cowered in their seats.\n  VERB: V


Words: cowhide
Meaning:
cow.hide\n   cowhide\n  Cowhide is leather made from the skin of a cow.\n...cowhide boots.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: cowl
Meaning:
cowl  cowls\n  A cowl is a large loose hood covering a person’s head, or their head and shoulders. Cowls are worn especially by monks.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cowslip
Meaning:
cow.slip\n   cowslip  cowslips\n  A cowslip is a small wild plant with yellow, sweet-smelling flowers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cox
Meaning:
cox  coxes\n  In a rowing boat, the cox is the person who gives instructions to the rowers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: coxswain
Meaning:
cox.swain\n   coxswain  coxswains\n  The coxswain of a lifeboat or other small boat is the person who steers the boat.\n  N-COUNT


Words: coy
Meaning:
coy\n1. A coy person is shy, or pretends to be shy, about love and sex.\nShe is modest without being coy...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  coy.ly\nShe smiled coyly at Algie as he took her hand and raised it to his lips.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. If someone is being coy, they are unwilling to talk about something that they feel guilty or embarrassed about.\nMr Alexander is not the slightest bit coy about his ambitions.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about n\n  = reticent\n=>  coy.ly\nThe administration coyly refused to put a firm figure on the war’s costs.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: coyote
Meaning:
coy.ote\n   coyote  coyotes\n  A coyote is a small wolf which lives in the plains of North America.\n  N-COUNT


Words: coypu
Meaning:
coy.pu\n   coypu  coypus\n  A coypu is a large South American rodent which lives near water.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Cpl.
Meaning:
Cpl. is the written abbreviation for corporal when it is used as a title.\n...Cpl. G. Walker.\n  N-TITLE


Words: CPU
Meaning:
CPU  CPUs\n  In a computer, the CPU is the part that processes all the data and makes the computer work. CPU is an abbreviation for `central processing unit’. (COMPUTING)\n  N-COUNT


Words: crab
Meaning:
crab  crabs\n  A crab is a sea creature with a flat round body covered by a shell, and five pairs of legs with large claws on the front pair. Crabs usually move sideways.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  Crab is the flesh of this creature eaten as food.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crab apple
Meaning:
crab ap.ple\n   crab apple  crab apples\n  A crab apple is a tree like an apple tree that produces small sour fruit.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crabby
Meaning:
crab.by\n   crabby\n  Someone who is crabby is bad-tempered and unpleasant to people. (INFORMAL)\n  ADJ


Words: crabmeat
Meaning:
crab.meat\n   crabmeat   also crab meat\n  Crabmeat is the part of a crab that you eat.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crack
Meaning:
VERB USES\n   crack  cracks  cracking  cracked\n1. If something hard cracks, or if you crack it, it becomes slightly damaged, with lines appearing on its surface.\nA gas main had cracked under my neighbour’s garage and gas had seeped into our homes...\nRemove the dish from the oven, crack the salt crust and you will find the skin just peels off the fish.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n2. If something cracks, or if you crack it, it makes a sharp sound like the sound of a piece of wood breaking.\nThunder cracked in the sky...\nHe cracked his fingers nervously.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n3. If you crack a hard part of your body, such as your knee or your head, you hurt it by accidentally hitting it hard against something.\nHe cracked his head on the pavement and was knocked cold.\n  VERB: V n\n  = bang, bash\n4. When you crack something that has a shell, such as an egg or a nut, you break the shell in order to reach the inside part.\nCrack the eggs into a bowl.\n  VERB: V n\n  = break\n5. If you crack a problem or a code, you solve it, especially after a lot of thought.\nHe has finally cracked the system after years of painstaking research.\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. If someone cracks, they lose control of their emotions or actions because they are under a lot of pressure. (INFORMAL)\nShe’s calm and strong, and she is just not going to crack...\n  VERB: V\n\n7. If your voice cracks when you are speaking or singing, it changes in pitch because you are feeling a strong emotion.\nHer voice cracked and she began to cry.\n  VERB: V\n\n8. If you crack a joke, you tell it.\nHe cracked jokes and talked about beer and girls.\n  VERB: V n\n\n9.\n  see also cracked, cracking\n10. If you say that something is not all it’s cracked up to be, you mean that it is not as good as other people have said it is. (INFORMAL)\nPackage holidays are not always all they’re cracked up to be.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\nNOUN AND ADJECTIVE USES\n   crack  cracks\n1. A crack is a very narrow gap between two things, or between two parts of a thing.\nKathryn had seen him through a crack in the curtains.\n  N-COUNT\n  = chink\n2. If you open something such as a door, window, or curtain a crack, you open it only a small amount.\nHe went to the door, opened it a crack, and listened.\n  N-SING\n\n3. A crack is a line that appears on the surface of something when it is slightly damaged.\nThe plate had a crack in it...\nHundreds of office buildings and homes developed large cracks in walls and ceilings.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A crack is a sharp sound, like the sound of a piece of wood breaking.\nSuddenly there was a loud crack and glass flew into the car...\n`Crack!’.The first shot rang out, hitting Paolo.\n  N-COUNT; SOUND\n\n5. If you have or take a crack at something, you make an attempt to do or achieve something. (INFORMAL)\nI should love to have a crack at the Olympia title in my last year...\n  N-SING: N at n/-ing\n  = go, shot\n6. A crack is a slightly rude or cruel joke.\nWhen Paul made the crack about the `famous girl detective’, I began to suspect that he had it in for you.\n  N-COUNT\n\n7. Crack is a very pure form of the drug cocaine.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  see also crack cocaine\n8. A crack soldier or sportsman is highly trained and very skilful.\n...a crack undercover police officer...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n9.\n  see also craic\n10. If you say that someone does something at the crack of dawn, you are emphasizing that they do it very early in the morning.\nI often start work at the crack of dawn when there is a big order to get out.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v  emphasis


Words: crack cocaine
Meaning:
crack co.caine\n   crack cocaine   also crack-cocaine\n  Crack cocaine is a form of the drug cocaine which has been purified and made into crystals.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = crack


Words: crack down
Meaning:
crack down\n  If people in authority crack down on a group of people, they become stricter in making the group obey rules or laws.\nThe government has cracked down hard on those campaigning for greater democracy...\nThere has been a lot of drinking. We are cracking down now. Anyone who gets caught is fired.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P on n, V P\n  = clamp down\n  see also crackdown


Words: crack up
Meaning:
crack up\n1. If someone cracks up, they are under such a lot of emotional strain that they become mentally ill. (INFORMAL)\nShe would have cracked up if she hadn’t allowed herself some fun.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n2. If you crack up or if someone or something cracks you up, you laugh a lot. (INFORMAL)\nShe told stories that cracked me up and I swore to write them down so you could enjoy them too...\nWe all just cracked up laughing.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P


Words: crackdown
Meaning:
crack.down\n   crackdown  crackdowns\n  A crackdown is strong official action that is taken to punish people who break laws.\n...anti-government unrest that ended with the violent army crackdown.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cracked
Meaning:
cracked\n1. An object that is cracked has lines on its surface because it is damaged.\nThe ceiling was grey and cracked.\n...a cracked mirror.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A cracked voice or a cracked musical note sounds rough and unsteady.\nWhen he spoke, his voice was hoarse and cracked.\n  ADJ


Words: cracker
Meaning:
crack.er\n   cracker  crackers\n1. A cracker is a thin, crisp biscuit which is often eaten with cheese.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that someone or something is a cracker, you like and admire them very much. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nShe’s a cracker...\n`Dude’ is a cracker of an album.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n3. A cracker is a hollow cardboard tube covered with coloured paper. Crackers make a loud noise when they are pulled apart and usually contain a small toy and a paper hat. In Britain they are used mainly at Christmas.\n...a Christmas cracker.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cracking
Meaning:
crack.ing\n   cracking\n1. You use cracking to describe something you think is very good or exciting. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nIt’s a cracking novel...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = great, brilliant\n2. If you tell someone to get cracking, you are telling them to start doing something immediately. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nMark, you’d better get cracking, the sooner the better...\n  PHRASE: get inflects


Words: crackle
Meaning:
crack.le\n   crackle  crackles  crackling  crackled\n  If something crackles, it makes a rapid series of short, harsh noises.\nThe radio crackled again.\n...a crackling fire.\n  VERB: V, V-ing\n\n  Crackle is also a noun.\n...the crackle of flames and gunfire.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crackly
Meaning:
crack.ly\n   crackly\n  Something that is crackly, especially a recording or broadcast, has or makes a lot of short, harsh noises.\n...a crackly phone line.\n  ADJ


Words: crackpot
Meaning:
crack.pot\n   crackpot  crackpots\n  If you describe someone or their ideas as crackpot, you disapprove of them because you think that their ideas are strange and crazy. (INFORMAL)\n...crackpot schemes.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  disapproval\n\n  A crackpot is a crackpot person.\nShe was no more a crackpot than the rest of us.\n  N-COUNT\n  = nutter


Words: cradle
Meaning:
cra.dle\n   cradle  cradles  cradling  cradled\n1. A cradle is a baby’s bed with high sides. Cradles often have curved bases so that they rock from side to side.\n  N-COUNT\n  = crib\n2. The cradle is the part of a telephone on which the receiver rests while it is not being used.\nI dropped the receiver back in the cradle.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A cradle is a frame which supports or protects something.\nHe fixed the towing cradle round the hull.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A place that is referred to as the cradle of something is the place where it began.\nMali is the cradle of some of Africa’s richest civilizations.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, the N of n\n\n5. If you cradle someone or something in your arms or hands, you hold them carefully and gently.\nI cradled her in my arms...\nHe was sitting at the big table cradling a large bowl of milky coffee.\n  VERB: V n in n, V n\n\n6. If something affects you from the cradle to the grave, it affects you throughout your life.\nThe bond of brotherhood was one to last from the cradle to the grave.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: craft
Meaning:
craft  crafts  crafting  crafted\n\n  craft is both the singular and the plural form for meaning 1.\n\n1. You can refer to a boat, a spacecraft, or an aircraft as a craft.\nWith great difficulty, the fisherman manoeuvred his small craft close to the reef...\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also landing craft\n2. A craft is an activity such as weaving, carving, or pottery that involves making things skilfully with your hands.\nAll kinds of traditional craft industries are preserved here.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. You can use craft to refer to any activity or job that involves doing something skilfully.\nMaurice Murphy, one of the country’s leading classical trumpeters, learnt his craft with the Black Dyke Mills band.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. If something is crafted, it is made skilfully.\nThe windows would probably have been crafted in the latter part of the Middle Ages...\nMany delegates were willing to craft a compromise...\nThe author extracts the maximum from every carefully-crafted scene in this witty tale.\n...original, hand-crafted bags at affordable prices.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n, V-ed, V-ed


Words: craft fair
Meaning:
craft fair  craft fairs\n  A craft fair is an event at which people sell goods they have made.\n  N-COUNT


Words: craftsman
Meaning:
crafts.man\n   craftsman  craftsmen\n  A craftsman is a man who makes things skilfully with his hands.\nThe table in the kitchen was made by a local craftsman.\n  N-COUNT


Words: craftsmanship
Meaning:
crafts.man.ship\n   craftsmanship\n1. Craftsmanship is the skill that someone uses when they make beautiful things with their hands.\nIt is easy to appreciate the craftsmanship of Armani.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Craftsmanship is the quality that something has when it is beautiful and has been very carefully made.\nHis canoes are known for their style, fine detail and craftsmanship.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: craftspeople
Meaning:
crafts.people\n   craftspeople\n  Craftspeople are people who make things skilfully with their hands.\n...highly skilled craftspeople.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: craftswoman
Meaning:
crafts.wom.an\n   craftswoman  craftswomen\n  A craftswoman is a woman who makes things skilfully with her hands.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crafty
Meaning:
crafty  craftier  craftiest\n  If you describe someone as crafty, you mean that they achieve what they want in a clever way, often by deceiving people.\n...a crafty, lying character who enjoys plotting against others...\nA crafty look came to his eyes...\n  ADJ\n  = cunning


Words: craggy
Meaning:
crag.gy\n   craggy\n1. A craggy cliff or mountain is steep and rocky.\n...tiny villages on craggy cliffs.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. A craggy face has large features and deep lines.\nHe’s a very small man with a lined, craggy face.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: craic
Meaning:
craic\nin BRIT, also use crack\n  If you are talking about something that you did and you say `the craic was great’, or `it was a good craic’, you mean that you had a really good time, especially because everyone was talking, joking, and laughing. (IRISH INFORMAL)\nThey go to the pubs not for the drink alone, but for the crack.\n  N-SING


Words: cram
Meaning:
cram  crams  cramming  crammed\n1. If you cram things or people into a container or place, you put them into it, although there is hardly enough room for them.\nWhile nobody was looking, she squashed her school hat and crammed it into a wastebasket...\nI crammed my bag full of swimsuits and T-shirts and caught the sleeper down to Beziers...\nShe crammed her mouth with caviar.\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n full of n, V n with n\n  = stuff\n2. If people cram into a place or vehicle or cram a place or vehicle, so many of them enter it at one time that it is completely full.\nWe crammed into my car and set off...\nFriends and admirers crammed the chapel at the small Los Angeles cemetery where Monroe is buried.\n  VERB: V prep, V n\n  = pack\n3. If you are cramming for an examination, you are learning as much as possible in a short time just before you take the examination.\nShe was cramming for her Economics exam...\n  VERB: V for n\n\n=>  cram.ming\nIt would take two or three months of cramming to prepare for Vermont’s bar exam.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crammed
Meaning:
crammed\n1. If a place is crammed with things or people, it is full of them, so that there is hardly room for anything or anyone else.\nThe house is crammed with priceless furniture and works of art...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, usu ADJ with/full of n\n  = bursting, packed\n2. If people or things are crammed into a place or vehicle, it is full of them.\nBetween two and three thousand refugees were crammed into the church buildings.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ prep/adv\n  = packed


Words: crammer
Meaning:
cram.mer\n   crammer  crammers\n  A crammer is a school, teacher, or book which prepares students for an exam by teaching them a lot in a short time. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: cramp
Meaning:
cramp  cramps  cramping  cramped\n1. Cramp is a sudden strong pain caused by a muscle suddenly contracting. You sometimes get cramp in a muscle after you have been making a physical effort over a long period of time.\nHillsden was complaining of cramp in his calf muscles...\nShe started getting stomach cramps this morning.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl\n\n2. If someone or something cramps your style, their presence or existence restricts your behaviour in some way. (INFORMAL)\nLike more and more women, she believes marriage would cramp her style.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: cramped
Meaning:
cramped\n  A cramped room or building is not big enough for the people or things in it.\nThere are hundreds of families living in cramped conditions on the floor of the airport lounge...\n  ADJ\n  = confined  !=spacious, roomy


Words: crampon
Meaning:
cram.pon\n   crampon  crampons\n  Crampons are metal plates with spikes underneath which mountain climbers fasten to the bottom of their boots, especially when there is snow or ice, in order to make climbing easier.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: cranberry
Meaning:
cran.berry\n   cranberry  cranberries\n  Cranberries are red berries with a sour taste. They are often used to make a sauce or jelly that you eat with meat.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, oft N n


Words: crane
Meaning:
crane  cranes  craning  craned\n1. A crane is a large machine that moves heavy things by lifting them in the air.\nThe little prefabricated hut was lifted away by a huge crane.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A crane is a kind of large bird with a long neck and long legs.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you crane your neck or head, you stretch your neck in a particular direction in order to see or hear something better.\nShe craned her neck to get a better view...\nChildren craned to get close to him...\nShe craned forward to look at me.\n  VERB: V n, V to-inf, V adv/prep


Words: cranefly
Meaning:
crane.fly\n   cranefly  craneflies   also crane fly\n  A cranefly is a harmless flying insect with long legs.\n  N-COUNT\n  = daddy longlegs


Words: cranial
Meaning:
cra.nial\n   cranial\n  Cranial means relating to your cranium. (TECHNICAL)\n...cranial bleeding.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: cranium
Meaning:
cra.nium\n   cranium  craniums  or crania\n  Your cranium is the round part of your skull that contains your brain. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: crank
Meaning:
crank  cranks  cranking  cranked\n1. If you call someone a crank, you think their ideas or behaviour are strange. (INFORMAL)\nThe Prime Minister called Councillor Marshall `a crank’...\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n\n2. A crank is a device that you turn in order to make something move.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you crank an engine or machine, you make it move or function, especially by turning a handle.\nThe chauffeur got out to crank the motor.\n  VERB: V n


Words: crank up
Meaning:
crank up\n1. If you crank up a machine or a device, you make it function harder or at a greater level. (BRIT)\nJust crank up your hearing aid a peg or two.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n\n2. If you crank up a machine or device, you start it. (AM)\n...May’s warm weather, which caused Americans to crank up their air conditioners.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = start up\n3. If you crank up the volume of something, you turn it up until it is very loud.\nSomeone cranked up the volume of the public address system...\nBy about six, they’re cranking the music up loud again.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P adj, also V n P\n  = turn up\n4. To crank something up means to increase it or make it more intense. (mainly BRIT)\nThe legal authorities cranked up the investigation.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P


Words: crankshaft
Meaning:
crank.shaft\n   crankshaft  crankshafts\n  A crankshaft is the main shaft of an internal combustion engine.\nThe engine had a broken crankshaft.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cranky
Meaning:
cranky\n1. If you describe ideas or ways of behaving as cranky, you disapprove of them because you think they are strange. (INFORMAL)\nVegetarianism has shed its cranky image...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = eccentric\n2. Cranky means bad-tempered. (AM INFORMAL)\nIt was a long trek, and Jack and I both started to get cranky after about ten minutes.\n  ADJ\n  = ratty


Words: cranny
Meaning:
cran.ny\n   cranny  crannies\n  Crannies are very narrow openings or spaces in something.\nThey fled like lizards into crannies in the rocks.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n  = crevice\nevery nook and cranny: see nook


Words: crap
Meaning:
crap  craps  crapping  crapped\n1. If you describe something as crap, you think that it is wrong or of very poor quality. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n  Crap is also a noun.\nIt is a tedious, humourless load of crap.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = rubbish\n2. Crap is sometimes used to refer to faeces. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. To crap means to get rid of faeces from your body. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  VERB: V\n\n4. Craps or crap is a gambling game, played mainly in North America, in which you throw two dice and bet what the total will be.\nI’ll shoot some craps or play some blackjack.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crappy
Meaning:
crap.py\n   crappy  crappier  crappiest\n  If you describe something as crappy, you think it is of very poor quality. Many people consider this word offensive. (INFORMAL)\n...reading a crappy detective novel.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval


Words: crash
Meaning:
crash  crashes  crashing  crashed\n1. A crash is an accident in which a moving vehicle hits something and is damaged or destroyed.\nHis elder son was killed in a car crash a few years ago.\n...a plane crash.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n  = accident\n2. If a moving vehicle crashes or if the driver crashes it, it hits something and is damaged or destroyed.\nThe plane crashed mysteriously near the island of Ustica.\n...when his car crashed into the rear of a van...\nEven his death, after crashing his motorcycle on a bridge in New Orleans, was spectacular...\nHer body was found near a crashed car.\n  VERB: V, V into n, V n, V-ed\n\n3. If something crashes somewhere, it moves and hits something else violently, making a loud noise.\nThe door swung inwards to crash against a chest of drawers behind it...\nI heard them coming, crashing through the undergrowth, before I saw them.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V prep/adv\n\n4. A crash is a sudden, loud noise.\nTwo people in the flat recalled hearing a loud crash about 1.30 a.m.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If a business or financial system crashes, it fails suddenly, often with serious effects. (BUSINESS)\nWhen the market crashed, they assumed the deal would be cancelled.\n  VERB: V\n\n  Crash is also a noun.\nHe predicted correctly that there was going to be a stock market crash.\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. If a computer or a computer program crashes, it fails suddenly. (COMPUTING)\n...after the computer crashed for the second time in 10 days.\n  VERB: V


Words: crash barrier
Meaning:
crash bar.ri.er\n   crash barrier  crash barriers\n  A crash barrier is a strong low fence built along the side of a road or between the two halves of a motorway in order to prevent accidents. (BRIT; in AM, use guardrail)\n  N-COUNT


Words: crash course
Meaning:
crash course  crash courses\n  A crash course in a particular subject is a short course in which you are taught basic facts or skills, for example before you start a new job.\nI did a 15-week crash course in typing.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N in n


Words: crash helmet
Meaning:
crash hel.met\n   crash helmet  crash helmets\n  A crash helmet is a helmet that motorcyclists wear in order to protect their heads if they have an accident.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crash out
Meaning:
crash out\n  If someone crashes out somewhere, they fall asleep where they are because they are very tired or drunk. (INFORMAL)\nI just want to crash out on the sofa...\nThe band are crashed out on the floor.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V-ed P\n  = flake out


Words: crash-land
Meaning:
crash-land  crash-lands  crash-landing  crash-landed   also crash land\n  If a pilot crash-lands an aircraft, or if it crash-lands, it lands more quickly and less safely than usual, for example when there is something wrong with the aircraft, and it cannot land normally.\nHe arrives in his biplane and crash lands it in a tree...\nA light aircraft crash-landed on a putting green yesterday.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n=>  crash-landing      crash-landings\nHis plane made a crash-landing during a sandstorm yesterday.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crass
Meaning:
crass  crasser  crassest\n  Crass behaviour is stupid and does not show consideration for other people.\nThe government has behaved with crass insensitivity...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  crass.ly\n...one of the most crassly stupid political acts of modern times...\nThese teachings can be crassly misinterpreted.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with v


Words: crate
Meaning:
crate  crates  crating  crated\n1. A crate is a large box used for transporting or storing things.\n...a pile of wooden crates...\nA crane was already unloading crates and pallets.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If something is crated, it is packed in a crate so that it can be transported or stored somewhere safely.\nThe much repaired plane was crated for the return journey.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n\n3. A crate is a plastic or wire box divided into sections which is used for carrying bottles.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  A crate of something is the amount of it that is contained in a crate.\nWe’ve also got a bonus quiz with crates of beer as prizes!\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: crater
Meaning:
cra.ter\n   crater  craters\n  A crater is a very large hole in the ground, which has been caused by something hitting it or by an explosion.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cratered
Meaning:
cra.tered\n   cratered\n  If the surface of something is cratered, it has many craters in it.\n... the Moon’s cratered surface.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: cravat
Meaning:
cra.vat\n   cravat  cravats\n  A cravat is a piece of folded cloth which a man wears wrapped around his neck.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crave
Meaning:
crave  craves  craving  craved\n  If you crave something, you want to have it very much.\nThere may be certain times of day when smokers crave their cigarette...\nYou may be craving for some fresh air.\n  VERB: V n, V for n, also V to-inf\n\n=>  crav.ing      cravings\n...a craving for sugar.\n...her craving to be loved.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp


Words: craven
Meaning:
cra.ven\n   craven\n  Someone who is craven is very cowardly. (WRITTEN)\nThey condemned the deal as a craven surrender.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  !=courageous


Words: crawfish
Meaning:
craw.fish\n   crawfish  crawfish\n  A crawfish is a small shellfish with five pairs of legs which lives in rivers and streams. You can eat some types of crawfish. (AM; in BRIT, use crayfish)\n  N-COUNT\n  = crayfish


Words: crawl
Meaning:
crawl  crawls  crawling  crawled\n1. When you crawl, you move forward on your hands and knees.\nDon’t worry if your baby seems a little reluctant to crawl or walk...\nI began to crawl on my hands and knees towards the door...\nAs he tried to crawl away, he was hit in the shoulder.\n  VERB: V, V prep/adv, V prep/adv\n\n2. When an insect crawls somewhere, it moves there quite slowly.\nI watched the moth crawl up the outside of the lampshade.\n  VERB: V prep\n\n3. If someone or something crawls somewhere, they move or progress slowly or with great difficulty.\nI crawled out of bed at nine-thirty...\nHairpin turns force the car to crawl at 10 miles an hour in some places.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V\n\n  Crawl is also a noun.\nThe traffic on the approach road slowed to a crawl.\n  N-SING: a N\n\n4. If you say that a place is crawling with people or animals, you are emphasizing that it is full of them. (INFORMAL)\nThis place is crawling with police.\n  VERB: only cont, V with n  emphasis\n\n5. The crawl is a kind of swimming stroke which you do lying on your front, swinging one arm over your head, and then the other arm.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n6. If something makes your skin crawl or makes your flesh crawl, it makes you feel shocked or disgusted.\nI hated this man, his very touch made my skin crawl.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7.\n  see also kerb-crawling, pub crawl


Words: crawler
Meaning:
crawl.er\n   crawler crawlers\n  A crawler is a computer program that visits websites and collects information when you do an Internet search. (COMPUTING)\n  N-COUNT


Words: crayfish
Meaning:
cray.fish\n   crayfish  crayfish\n  A crayfish is a small shellfish with five pairs of legs which lives in rivers and streams. You can eat some types of crayfish.\n  N-COUNT\n  = crawfish


Words: crayon
Meaning:
cray.on\n   crayon  crayons\n  A crayon is a pencil containing coloured wax or clay, or a rod of coloured wax used for drawing.\n  N-COUNT


Words: craze
Meaning:
craze  crazes\n  If there is a craze for something, it is very popular for a short time.\nWalking is the latest fitness craze.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  = fad


Words: crazed
Meaning:
crazed\n  Crazed people are wild and uncontrolled, and perhaps insane. (WRITTEN)\nA crazed gunman slaughtered five people last night.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = crazy


Words: crazily
Meaning:
cra.zi.ly\n   crazily\n  If something moves crazily, it moves in a way or in a direction that you do not expect. (WRITTEN)\nThe ball bounced crazily over his shoulder into the net.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  = wildly\n  see also crazy


Words: crazy
Meaning:
cra.zy\n   crazy  crazier  craziest  crazies\n1. If you describe someone or something as crazy, you think they are very foolish or strange. (INFORMAL)\nPeople thought they were all crazy to try to make money from manufacturing...\nThat’s why he’s got so caught up with this crazy idea about Mr. Trancas.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  cra.zi.ly\nThe teenagers shook their long, black hair and gesticulated crazily...\n  ADV: ADV after v, ADV adj\n\n2. Someone who is crazy is insane. (INFORMAL)\nIf I sat home and worried about all this stuff, I’d go crazy...\nHe strides around the room beaming like a crazy man.\n  ADJ\n  = mad\n  Crazy is also a noun.\nOutside, mumbling, was one of New York’s ever-present crazies.\n  N-COUNT\n  = loony\n3. If you are crazy about something, you are very enthusiastic about it. If you are not crazy about something, you do not like it. (INFORMAL)\nHe’s still crazy about both his work and his hobbies...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ about n\n  = mad\n  Crazy is also a combining form.\nEvery football-crazy schoolboy in Europe dreams of one day being involved in the championships.\n  COMB in ADJ\n\n4. If you are crazy about someone, you are deeply in love with them. (INFORMAL)\nNone of that matters, because we’re crazy about each other.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ about n\n\n5. If something or someone makes you crazy or drives you crazy, they make you extremely annoyed or upset. (INFORMAL)\nThis sitting around is driving me crazy...\nWhen Jock woke up and found you gone he went crazy.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = mad\n6. You use like crazy to emphasize that something happens to a great degree. (INFORMAL)\nThe stuff was selling like crazy...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v  emphasis\n  = like mad


Words: crazy paving
Meaning:
cra.zy pav.ing\n   crazy paving\n  Crazy paving is pieces of stone of different shapes fitted together to make a path or flat area.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: creak
Meaning:
creak  creaks  creaking  creaked\n  If something creaks, it makes a short, high-pitched sound when it moves.\nThe bed-springs creaked...\nThe door creaked open...\n...the creaking stairs.\n  VERB: V, V adj, V-ing\n\n  Creak is also a noun.\nThe door was pulled open with a creak.\n  N-COUNT


Words: creaky
Meaning:
creaky\n1. A creaky object creaks when it moves.\nShe pushed open a creaky door.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you describe something as creaky, you think it is bad in some way because it is old or old-fashioned.\n...its creaky and corrupt political system.\n  ADJ


Words: cream
Meaning:
cream  creams  creaming  creamed\n1. Cream is a thick yellowish-white liquid taken from milk. You can use it in cooking or put it on fruit or desserts.\n...strawberries and cream.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  see also clotted cream, double cream, single cream, sour cream, whipping cream\n2. Cream is used in the names of soups that contain cream or milk.\n...cream of mushroom soup.\n  N-UNCOUNT: N of n\n\n3. A cream is a substance that you rub into your skin, for example to keep it soft or to heal or protect it.\nGently apply the cream to the affected areas.\n...sun protection creams.\n  N-VAR\n\n  see also face cream\n4. Something that is cream is yellowish-white in colour.\n...cream silk stockings.\n...a cream-coloured Persian cat.\n  COLOUR\n\n5. Cream is used in expressions such as the cream of society and the cream of British athletes to refer to the best people or things of a particular kind.\nThe Ball was attended by the cream of Hollywood society.\n  N-SING-COLL: the N of n\n\n  You can refer to the best people or things of a particular kind as the cream of the crop.\n  PHRASE\n\n6.\n  see also ice cream, peaches and cream, salad cream, shaving cream


Words: cream cracker
Meaning:
cream crack.er\n   cream cracker  cream crackers\n  Cream crackers are crisp dry biscuits which are eaten with cheese. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT\n  = cracker


Words: cream of tartar
Meaning:
cream of tar.tar\n   cream of tartar\n  Cream of tartar is a white powder used in baking.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: cream off
Meaning:
cream off\n1. To cream off part of a group of people means to take them away and treat them in a special way, because they are better than the others.\nThe private schools cream off many of the best pupils.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)  disapproval\n\n2. If a person or organization creams off a large amount of money, they take it and use it for themselves. (INFORMAL)\nThis means smaller banks can cream off big profits during lending booms...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)  disapproval


Words: cream tea
Meaning:
cream tea  cream teas\n  In Britain, a cream tea is an afternoon meal that consists of tea to drink and small cakes called scones that are eaten with jam and cream. Cream teas are served in places such as tea shops.\n  N-COUNT


Words: creamer
Meaning:
cream.er\n   creamer  creamers\n  Creamer is a white powder that is used in tea and coffee instead of milk.\n...coffee whitened with a non-dairy creamer.\n  N-MASS


Words: creamery
Meaning:
cream.ery\n   creamery  creameries\n  A creamery is a place where milk and cream are made into butter and cheese.\n  N-COUNT\n  = dairy


Words: creamy
Meaning:
creamy  creamier  creamiest\n1. Food or drink that is creamy contains a lot of cream or milk.\n...rich, creamy coffee.\n...a creamy chocolate and nut candy bar.\n  ADJ\n\n2. Food that is creamy has a soft smooth texture and appearance.\n...creamy mashed potato...\nWhisk the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.\n  ADJ


Words: crease
Meaning:
crease  creases  creasing  creased\n1. Creases are lines that are made in cloth or paper when it is crushed or folded.\nShe stood up, frowning at the creases in her silk dress...\nPapa flattened the creases of the map with his broad hands.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n2. If cloth or paper creases or if you crease it, lines form in it when it is crushed or folded.\nMost outfits crease a bit when you are travelling...\nLiz sat down on the bed, lowering herself carefully so as not to crease her skirt.\n  VERB: V, V n\n  = crumple\n=>  creased\nHis clothes were creased, as if he had slept in them.\n  ADJ\n\n3. Creases in someone’s skin are lines which form where their skin folds when they move.\nWhen Crevecoeur smiled, the creases in his face deepened.\n  N-COUNT\n  = wrinkle\n=>  creased\n...Jock’s creased drunken face.\n  ADJ\n\n4. In cricket, the crease is a line on the playing surface where the batsman stands.\nHaynes was still at the crease, unbeaten on 84.\n  N-SING: the N, poss N


Words: create
Meaning:
cre.ate\n   create  creates  creating  created\n1. To create something means to cause it to happen or exist.\nWe set business free to create more jobs in Britain...\nCriticizing will only destroy a relationship and create feelings of failure.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n  = produce  !=destroy\n=>  crea.tion\nThese businesses stimulate the creation of local jobs...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n\n\n2. When someone creates a new product or process, they invent it or design it.\nIt is really great for a radio producer to create a show like this...\n  VERB: V n


Words: creation
Meaning:
crea.tion\n   creation  creations\n1. In many religions, creation is the making of the universe, earth, and creatures by God.\nFor the first time since creation, the survival of the Earth is entirely in our hands.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the N\n\n2. People sometimes refer to the whole universe as creation. (LITERARY)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. You can refer to something that someone has made as a creation, especially if it shows skill, imagination, or artistic ability.\nThe bathroom is entirely my own creation...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n4.\n  see also create


Words: creationism
Meaning:
crea.tion.ism\n   creationism\n  Creationism is the belief that the account of the creation of the universe in the Bible is true, and that the theory of evolution is incorrect.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: creationist
Meaning:
crea.tion.ist\n   creationist  creationists\n  A creationist is someone who believes that the story of the creation of the universe in the Bible is true, and who rejects the theory of evolution.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=evolutionist


Words: creative
Meaning:
crea.tive\n   creative\n1. A creative person has the ability to invent and develop original ideas, especially in the arts.\nLike so many creative people he was never satisfied.\n...her obvious creative talents.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  crea.tiv.ity\nAmerican art reached a peak of creativity in the ’50s and 60s.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Creative activities involve the inventing and making of new kinds of things.\n...creative writing...\nCooking is creative.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. If you use something in a creative way, you use it in a new way that produces interesting and unusual results.\n...his creative use of words.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  crea.tive.ly\nGenet teaches you to think creatively.\n  ADV


Words: creative accounting
Meaning:
crea.tive ac.count.ing\n   creative accounting\n  Creative accounting is when companies present or organize their accounts in such a way that they gain money for themselves or give a false impression of their profits.\nMuch of the apparent growth in profits that occurred in the 1980s was the result of creative accounting.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: creator
Meaning:
crea.tor\n   creator  creators\n1. The creator of something is the person who made it or invented it.\n...Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond...\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss\n\n2. God is sometimes referred to as the Creator.\nThis was the first object placed in the heavens by the Creator.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: creature
Meaning:
crea.ture\n   creature  creatures\n1. You can refer to any living thing that is not a plant as a creature, especially when it is of an unknown or unfamiliar kind. People also refer to imaginary animals and beings as creatures.\nAlaskan Eskimos believe that every living creature possesses a spirit...\nThe garden is surrounded by a hedge in which many small creatures can live...\n  N-COUNT\n  = being\n2. If you say that someone is a particular type of creature, you are focusing on a particular quality they have.\nShe’s charming, a sweet creature...\nShe was a creature of the emotions, rather than reason.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\na creature of habit: see habit


Words: creature comforts
Meaning:
crea.ture com.forts\n   creature comforts\n  Creature comforts are the things that you need to feel comfortable in a place, for example good food and modern equipment.\nThey appreciate all the creature comforts of home.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: creche
Meaning:
creche  creches   also creche\n  A creche is a place where small children can be left to be looked after while their parents are doing something else. (BRIT; in AM, use day nursery)\n  N-COUNT


Words: credence
Meaning:
cre.dence\n   credence\n1. If something lends or gives credence to a theory or story, it makes it easier to believe. (FORMAL)\nGood studies are needed to lend credence to the notion that genuine progress can be made in this important field.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = credibility\n2. If you give credence to a theory or story, you believe it. (FORMAL)\nYou’re surely not giving any credence to this story of Hythe’s?\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: credentials
Meaning:
cre.den.tials\n   credentials\n1. Someone’s credentials are their previous achievements, training, and general background, which indicate that they are qualified to do something.\n...her credentials as a Bach specialist...\nI can testify to the credentials of the clientele.\n  N-PLURAL: with supp\n\n2. Someone’s credentials are a letter or certificate that proves their identity or qualifications.\nBritain’s new ambassador to Lebanon has presented his credentials to the President.\n  N-PLURAL: usu poss N


Words: credibility
Meaning:
cred.ibil.ity\n   credibility\n  If someone or something has credibility, people believe in them and trust them.\nThe police have lost their credibility...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: credibility gap
Meaning:
cred.ibil.ity gap\n   credibility gap\n  A credibility gap is the difference between what a person says or promises and what they actually think or do.\nThere is a credibility gap developing between employers and employees.\n  N-SING


Words: credible
Meaning:
cred.ible\n   credible\n1. Credible means able to be trusted or believed.\nBaroness Thatcher’s claims seem credible to many...\nBut in order to maintain a credible threat of intervention, we have to maintain a credible alliance.\n  ADJ\n  = plausible\n2. A credible candidate, policy, or system, for example, is one that appears to have a chance of being successful.\nMr Robertson would be a credible candidate...\n  ADJ


Words: credit
Meaning:
cred.it\n   credit  credits  crediting  credited\n1. If you are allowed credit, you are allowed to pay for goods or services several weeks or months after you have received them.\nThe group can’t get credit to buy farming machinery...\nYou can ask a dealer for a discount whether you pay cash or buy on credit.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft on N\n\n2. If someone or their bank account is in credit, their bank account has money in it. (mainly BRIT)\nThe idea that I could be charged when I’m in credit makes me very angry...\nInterest is payable on credit balances.\n  N-UNCOUNT: in N, N n\n\n3. When a sum of money is credited to an account, the bank adds that sum of money to the total in the account.\nShe noticed that only $80,000 had been credited to her account...\nMidland decided to change the way it credited payments to accounts...\nInterest is calculated daily and credited once a year, on 1 April.\n  VERB: be V-ed to n, V n to n, be V-ed, also V n\n  !=debit\n4. A credit is a sum of money which is added to an account.\nThe statement of total debits and credits is known as a balance.\n  N-COUNT\n  !=debit\n5. A credit is an amount of money that is given to someone.\nSenator Bill Bradley outlined his own tax cut, giving families $350 in tax credits per child...\n  N-COUNT\n  = allowance\n6. If you get the credit for something good, people praise you because you are responsible for it, or are thought to be responsible for it.\nIt would be wrong for us to take all the credit...\nSome of the credit for her relaxed manner must go to Andy.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft the N for n/-ing\n  !=blame\n7. If people credit someone with an achievement or if it is credited to them, people say or believe that they were responsible for it.\nThe staff are crediting him with having saved Hythe’s life...\nThe screenplay for `Gabriel Over the White House’ is credited to Carey Wilson.\n  VERB: V n with -ing, be V-ed to n, also V n to n\n\n8. If you credit someone with a quality, you believe or say that they have it.\nI wonder why you can’t credit him with the same generosity of spirit...\n  VERB: V n with n\n\n9. If you say that someone is a credit to someone or something, you mean that their qualities or achievements will make people have a good opinion of the person or thing mentioned.\nHe is one of the greatest British players of recent times and is a credit to his profession.\n  N-SING: a N to n\n  !=disgrace\n10. The list of people who helped to make a film, a CD, or a television programme is called the credits.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n11. A credit is a successfully completed part of a higher education course. At some universities and colleges you need a certain number of credits to be awarded a degree.\n  N-COUNT\n\n12. If you say that something does someone credit, you mean that they should be praised or admired because of it.\nYou’re a nice girl, Lettie, and your kind heart does you credit.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n13. To give someone credit for a good quality means to believe that they have it.\nBratbakk had more ability than the media gave him credit for.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n\n\n14. You say on the credit side in order to introduce one or more good things about a situation or person, usually when you have already mentioned the bad things about them.\nOn the credit side, he’s always been wonderful with his mother.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n15. If something is to someone’s credit, they deserve praise for it.\nShe had managed to pull herself together and, to her credit, continued to look upon life as a positive experience...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl, it v-link PHR that\n\n16. If you already have one or more achievements to your credit, you have achieved them.\nI have twenty novels and countless magazine stories to my credit.\n  PHRASE


Words: credit card
Meaning:
cred.it card\n   credit card  credit cards\n  A credit card is a plastic card that you use to buy goods on credit. Compare charge card.\n  N-COUNT


Words: credit hour
Meaning:
cred.it hour\n   credit hour  credit hours\n  A credit hour is a credit that a school or college awards to students who have completed a course of study. (AM)\nNow he needs only two credit hours to graduate.\n  N-COUNT


Words: credit note
Meaning:
cred.it note\n   credit note  credit notes\n  A credit note is a piece of paper that a shop gives you when you return goods that you have bought from it. It states that you are entitled to take goods of the same value without paying for them. (BRIT; in AM, use credit slip)\n  N-COUNT


Words: credit rating
Meaning:
cred.it rat.ing\n   credit rating\n  Your credit rating is a judgment of how likely you are to pay money back if you borrow it or buy things on credit.\n  N-SING


Words: credit slip
Meaning:
cred.it slip\n   credit slip  credit slips\n  A credit slip is the same as a credit note. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: credit transfer
Meaning:
cred.it trans.fer\n   credit transfer  credit transfers\n1. A credit transfer is a direct payment of money from one bank account into another. (BRIT; in AM, use money transfer)\n  N-COUNT: also by N\n\n2. If a student has a credit transfer when they change from one school or college to another, their credits are transferred from their old school or college to their new one. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: creditable
Meaning:
cred.it.able\n   creditable\n1. A creditable performance or achievement is of a reasonably high standard.\nThey turned out a quite creditable performance...\n  ADJ\n  = respectable\n2. If you describe someone’s actions or aims as creditable, you mean that they are morally good.\nNot a very creditable attitude, I’m afraid.\n  ADJ


Words: creditor
Meaning:
credi.tor\n   creditor  creditors\n  Your creditors are the people who you owe money to.\nThe company said it would pay in full all its creditors.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n  !=debtor


Words: creditworthy
Meaning:
credit.worthy\n   creditworthy   also credit-worthy\n  A creditworthy person or organization is one who can safely be lent money or allowed to have goods on credit, for example because in the past they have always paid back what they owe.\nBuilding societies make loans to creditworthy customers.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  credit.worthi.ness\nThey now take extra steps to verify the creditworthiness of customers.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: credo
Meaning:
cre.do\n   credo   credos\n  A credo is a set of beliefs, principles, or opinions that strongly influence the way a person lives or works. (FORMAL)\nLord Clarendon’s liberal credo was one of the foundations of his political conduct.\n  N-COUNT\n  = creed


Words: credulity
Meaning:
cre.du.lity\n   credulity\n  Credulity is a willingness to believe that something is real or true. (WRITTEN)\nThe plot does stretch credulity.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: credulous
Meaning:
credu.lous\n   credulous\n  If you describe someone as credulous, you have a low opinion of them because they are too ready to believe what people tell them and are easily deceived.\n...quack doctors charming money out of the pockets of credulous health-hungry citizens.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = gullible


Words: creed
Meaning:
creed  creeds\n1. A creed is a set of beliefs, principles, or opinions that strongly influence the way people live or work. (FORMAL)\n...their devotion to their creed of self-help.\n  N-COUNT\n  = credo\n2. A creed is a religion. (FORMAL)\nThe centre is open to all, no matter what race or creed.\n  N-COUNT\n  = faith


Words: creek
Meaning:
creek  creeks\n1. A creek is a narrow place where the sea comes a long way into the land. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT: oft in names\n\n2. A creek is a small stream or river. (AM)\nFollow Austin Creek for a few miles.\n  N-COUNT: oft in names\n\n3. If someone is up the creek, they are in a bad or difficult situation, or are wrong in some way. You can also say that someone is up the creek without a paddle. (INFORMAL)\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR


Words: creep
Meaning:
creep  creeps  creeping  crept\n1. When people or animals creep somewhere, they move quietly and slowly.\nBack I go to the hotel and creep up to my room...\nThe rabbit creeps away and hides in a hole.\n  VERB: V adv/prep, V adv/prep\n\n2. If something creeps somewhere, it moves very slowly.\nMist had crept in again from the sea.\n  VERB: V adv/prep\n\n3. If something creeps in or creeps back, it begins to occur or becomes part of something without people realizing or without them wanting it.\nInsecurity might creep in...\nAn increasing ratio of mistakes, perhaps induced by tiredness, crept into her game.\n...a proposal that crept through unnoticed at the National Council in December...\n  VERB: V in, V into n, V adv/prep\n\n4. If a rate or number creeps up to a higher level, it gradually reaches that level.\nThe inflation rate has been creeping up to 9.5 per cent...\nThe average number of students in each class is creeping up from three to four.\n  VERB: V up to n, V up, also V adj-compar\n\n5. If you describe someone as a creep, you mean that you dislike them a great deal, especially because they are insincere and flatter people. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n\n6. If someone or something gives you the creeps, they make you feel very nervous or frightened. (INFORMAL)\nI always hated that statue. It gave me the creeps.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7.\nto make someone’s flesh creep: see flesh


Words: creep up on
Meaning:
creep up on\n1. If you creep up on someone, you move slowly closer to them without being seen by them.\nThey’ll creep up on you while you’re asleep.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P P n\n\n2. If a feeling or state creeps up on you, you hardly notice that it is beginning to affect you or happen to you.\nThe desire to be a mother may creep up on you unexpectedly.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P P n


Words: creeper
Meaning:
creep.er\n   creeper  creepers\n  Creepers are plants with long stems that wind themselves around objects.\n  N-COUNT


Words: creepy
Meaning:
creepy  creepier  creepiest\n  If you say that something or someone is creepy, you mean they make you feel very nervous or frightened. (INFORMAL)\nThere were certain places that were really creepy at night...\n  ADJ


Words: creepy-crawly
Meaning:
creepy-crawly  creepy-crawlies\n  You can refer to insects as creepy-crawlies when they give you a feeling of fear or disgust. This word is mainly used by children. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT: usu pl  disapproval


Words: cremate
Meaning:
cre.mate\n   cremate  cremates  cremating  cremated\n  When someone is cremated, their dead body is burned, usually as part of a funeral service.\nShe wants Chris to be cremated.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n\n=>  cre.ma.tion      cremations\nAt Miss Garbo’s request there was a cremation after a private ceremony...\nHalf of California’s deceased opt for cremation.\n  N-VAR


Words: crematorium
Meaning:
crema.to.rium\n   crematorium  crematoria  or crematoriums\n  A crematorium is a building in which the bodies of dead people are burned.\n  N-COUNT


Words: creme de la creme
Meaning:
creme de la creme\n  If you refer to someone or something as the creme de la creme, you mean they are the very best person or thing of their kind. (JOURNALISM)\n...the creme de la creme of fashion designers.\n  N-SING: the N  approval


Words: crenellated
Meaning:
cren.el.lat.ed\n   crenellated\nin AM, also use crenelated\n  In a castle, a crenellated wall has gaps in the top or openings through which to fire at attackers. (TECHNICAL)\n...crenellated turrets.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: creole
Meaning:
cre.ole\n   creole  creoles   also Creole\n1. A creole is a language that has developed from a mixture of different languages and has become the main language in a particular place.\nShe begins speaking in the Creole of Haiti.\n...French Creole.\n  N-VAR\n  = patois\n2. A Creole is a person of mixed African and European race, who lives in the West Indies and speaks a creole language.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A Creole is a person descended from the Europeans who first settled in the West Indies or the southern United States of America.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. Creole means belonging to or relating to the Creole community.\nCoconut Rice Balls is a Creole dish.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: creosote
Meaning:
creo.sote\n   creosote\n  Creosote is a thick dark liquid made from coal tar which is used to prevent wood from rotting.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crepe
Meaning:
crepe  crepes\n1. Crepe is a thin fabric with an uneven surface and is made of cotton, silk, or wool.\nUse a crepe bandage to support the affected area.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n\n2. A crepe is a thin pancake.\n...chicken-filled crepes.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Crepe is a type of rubber with a rough surface.\n...a pair of crepe-soled ankle-boots.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: crepe paper
Meaning:
crepe pa.per\n   crepe paper\n  Crepe paper is stretchy paper with an uneven surface. Coloured crepe paper is often used for making decorations.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crepuscular
Meaning:
cre.pus.cu.lar\n   crepuscular\n  Crepuscular means relating to twilight. (LITERARY)\n...peering through the crepuscular gloom.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: crescendo
Meaning:
cre.scen.do\n   crescendo  crescendos\n1. A crescendo is a noise that gets louder and louder. Some people also use crescendo to refer to the point when a noise is at its loudest.\nThe applause rose to a crescendo and cameras clicked.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n\n\n2. People sometimes describe an increase in the intensity of something, or its most intense point, as a crescendo. (JOURNALISM)\nThere was a crescendo of parliamentary and press criticism...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n3. In music, a crescendo is a section of a piece of music in which the music gradually gets louder and louder.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: crescent
Meaning:
cres.cent\n   crescent  crescents\n1. A crescent is a curved shape that is wider in the middle than at its ends, like the shape of the moon during its first and last quarters. It is the most important symbol of the Islamic faith.\nA glittering Islamic crescent tops the mosque.\n...a narrow crescent of sand dunes.\n...a crescent moon.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Crescent is sometimes used as part of the name of a street or row of houses that is usually built in a curve. (mainly BRIT)\n...44 Colville Crescent.\n  N-IN-NAMES


Words: cress
Meaning:
cress\n1. Cress is a plant with small green leaves that are used in salads or to decorate food. See also mustard and cress.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Watercress is sometimes referred to as cress.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crest
Meaning:
crest  crests\n1. The crest of a hill or a wave is the top of it.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  If you say that you are on the crest of a wave, you mean that you are feeling very happy and confident because things are going well for you.\nThe band are riding on the crest of a wave with the worldwide success of their number one selling single.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v\n\n2. A bird’s crest is a group of upright feathers on the top of its head.\nBoth birds had a dark blue crest.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A crest is a design that is the symbol of a noble family, a town, or an organization.\nOn the wall is the family crest.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crested
Meaning:
crest.ed\n   crested\n1. A crested bird is a bird that has a crest on its head.\n...crested hawks.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Crested objects have on them the crest of a noble family, a town, or an organization.\n...crested writing paper.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: crestfallen
Meaning:
crest.fallen\n   crestfallen\n  If you look crestfallen, you look sad and disappointed about something.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: cretin
Meaning:
cret.in\n   cretin  cretins\n  If you call someone a cretin, you think they are very stupid. (OFFENSIVE)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n  = moron


Words: cretinous
Meaning:
cret.in.ous\n   cretinous\n  If you describe someone as cretinous, you think they are very stupid. (OFFENSIVE)\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = moronic


Words: crevasse
Meaning:
cre.vasse\n   crevasse  crevasses\n  A crevasse is a large, deep crack in thick ice or rock.\nHe fell down a crevasse.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crevice
Meaning:
crev.ice\n   crevice  crevices\n  A crevice is a narrow crack or gap, especially in a rock.\n...a huge boulder with rare ferns growing in every crevice.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crew
Meaning:
crew  crews  crewing  crewed\n1. The crew of a ship, an aircraft, or a spacecraft is the people who work on and operate it.\nThe mission for the crew of the space shuttle Endeavour is essentially over...\nThe surviving crew members were ferried ashore.\n  N-COUNT-COLL\n\n2. A crew is a group of people with special technical skills who work together on a task or project.\n...a two-man film crew making a documentary...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. If you crew a boat, you work on it as part of the crew.\nShe was already a keen and experienced sailor, having crewed in both Merlin and Grayling...\nThere were to be five teams of three crewing the boat.\n...a fully crewed yacht.\n  VERB: V, V n, V-ed\n\n4. You can use crew to refer to a group of people you disapprove of. (INFORMAL)\nThis crew of killers and life-wreckers are headed by the mad but cunning Nino Brown.\n  N-SING-COLL: oft N of n  disapproval\n  = bunch, gang


Words: crew cut
Meaning:
crew cut  crew cuts   also crewcut\n  A crew cut is a man’s hairstyle in which his hair is cut very short.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crew neck
Meaning:
crew neck  crew necks\nin AM, use crewneck\n  A crew neck or a crew neck sweater is a sweater with a round neck.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crib death
Meaning:
crib death  crib deaths\n  Crib death is the sudden death of a baby while it is asleep, although the baby had not previously been ill. (AM; in BRIT, use cot death)\n  N-VAR


Words: crick
Meaning:
crick  cricks\n  If you have a crick in your neck or in your back, you have a pain there caused by muscles becoming stiff.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cricket
Meaning:
crick.et\n   cricket  crickets\n1. Cricket is an outdoor game played between two teams. Players try to score points, called runs, by hitting a ball with a wooden bat.\nDuring the summer term we would play cricket at the village ground.\n...the Yorkshire County Cricket Club.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A cricket is a small jumping insect that produces short, loud sounds by rubbing its wings together.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cricketing
Meaning:
crick.et.ing\n   cricketing\n  Cricketing means relating to or taking part in cricket.\n...Australia’s cricketing heroes.\n...his cricketing career.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: crikey
Meaning:
cri.key\n   crikey\n  Some people say crikey in order to express surprise, especially at something unpleasant. (INFORMAL)\n  EXCLAM  feelings\n  = blimey


Words: crime
Meaning:
crime  crimes\n1. A crime is an illegal action or activity for which a person can be punished by law.\nHe and Lieutenant Cassidy were checking the scene of the crime...\nMr Steele has committed no crime and poses no danger to the public...\nWe need a positive programme of crime prevention.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If you say that doing something is a crime, you think it is very wrong or a serious mistake.\nIt would be a crime to travel all the way to Australia and not stop in Sydney.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft it v-link N to-inf  disapproval\n  = sin


Words: crime scene
Meaning:
crime scene crime scenes\n  A crime scene is a place that is being investigated by the police because a crime has taken place there.\nPhotographs of the crime scene began to arrive within twenty minutes.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crime wave
Meaning:
crime wave   also crimewave\n  When more crimes than usual are committed in a particular place, you can refer to this as a crime wave.\nThe country is in the grip of a teenage crime wave.\n  N-SING


Words: criminal
Meaning:
crimi.nal\n   criminal  criminals\n1. A criminal is a person who regularly commits crimes.\nA group of gunmen attacked a prison and set free nine criminals in Moroto.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Criminal means connected with crime.\nHer husband faces various criminal charges...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n3. If you describe an action as criminal, you think it is very wrong or a serious mistake.\nHe said a full-scale dispute involving strikes would be criminal.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ  disapproval


Words: criminal court
Meaning:
crimi.nal court\n   criminal court  criminal courts\n  A criminal court is a law court that deals with criminal offences.\n  N-COUNT


Words: criminalize
Meaning:
crimi.nal.ize\n   criminalize  criminalizes  criminalizing  criminalized\nin BRIT, also use criminalise\n  If a government criminalizes an action or person, it officially declares that the action or the person’s behaviour is illegal.\nThere is no move to criminalise alcohol.\n  VERB: V n


Words: criminology
Meaning:
crimi.nol.ogy\n   criminology\n  Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminals.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  crimi.nolo.gist      criminologists\n...a criminologist at the University of Montreal.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crimp
Meaning:
crimp  crimps  crimping  crimped\n1. If you crimp something such as a piece of fabric or pastry, you make small folds in it.\nCrimp the edges to seal them tightly.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. To crimp something means to restrict or reduce it. (AM)\nThe dollar’s recent strength is crimping overseas sales and profits.\n  VERB: V n


Words: Crimplene
Meaning:
Crimp.lene\n  also crimplene\n  Crimplene is an artificial fabric used for making clothes which does not crease easily. (TRADEMARK) (mainly BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: crimson
Meaning:
crim.son\n   crimson  crimsons\n  Something that is crimson is deep red in colour.\n...a mass of crimson flowers.\n  COLOUR


Words: cringe
Meaning:
cringe  cringes  cringing  cringed\n  If you cringe at something, you feel embarrassed or disgusted, and perhaps show this feeling in your expression or by making a slight movement.\nMolly had cringed when Ann started picking up the guitar...\nChris had cringed at the thought of using her own family for publicity...\nI cringed in horror.\n  VERB: V, V at n, V in n\n  = recoil


Words: crinkle
Meaning:
crin.kle\n   crinkle  crinkles  crinkling  crinkled\n1. If something crinkles or if you crinkle it, it becomes slightly creased or folded.\nHe shrugged whimsically, his eyes crinkling behind his glasses...\nWhen she laughs, she crinkles her perfectly-formed nose...\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n2. Crinkles are small creases or folds.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crinkly
Meaning:
crin.kly\n   crinkly\n  A crinkly object has many small creases or folds in it or in its surface.\n...her big crinkly face.\n...crinkly paper.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: crinoline
Meaning:
crino.line\n   crinoline  crinolines\n  A crinoline was a round frame which women wore under their skirts in the 19th century.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cripple
Meaning:
crip.ple\n   cripple  cripples  crippling  crippled\n1. A person with a physical disability or a serious permanent injury is sometimes referred to as a cripple. (OFFENSIVE)\nShe has gone from being a healthy, fit, and sporty young woman to being a cripple.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If someone is crippled by an injury, it is so serious that they can never move their body properly again.\nMr Easton was seriously crippled in an accident and had to leave his job...\nHe had been warned that another bad fall could cripple him for life...\nHe heaved his crippled leg into an easier position.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n, V-ed\n\n3. If something cripples a person, it causes them severe psychological or emotional problems.\nHoward wanted to be a popular singer, but stage fright crippled him...\nI’m not perfect but I’m also not emotionally crippled or lonely.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n4. To cripple a machine, organization, or system means to damage it severely or prevent it from working properly.\nA total cut-off of supplies would cripple the country’s economy...\nThe pilot was able to maneuver the crippled aircraft out of the hostile area.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed


Words: crippling
Meaning:
crip.pling\n   crippling\n1. A crippling illness or disability is one that severely damages your health or your body.\nArthritis and rheumatism are prominent crippling diseases...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. If you say that an action, policy, or situation has a crippling effect on something, you mean it has a very serious, harmful effect.\nThe high cost of capital has a crippling effect on many small American high-tech firms...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: crisis
Meaning:
cri.sis\n   crisis  crises\n  A crisis is a situation in which something or someone is affected by one or more very serious problems.\nNatural disasters have obviously contributed to the continent’s economic crisis...\nThe Italian political system has been judged to be in terminal crisis for decades.\n...children’s illnesses or other family crises...\n...someone to turn to in moments of crisis.\n  N-VAR: oft supp N


Words: crisis management
Meaning:
cri.sis man.age.ment\n\n  People use crisis management to refer to a management style that concentrates on solving the immediate problems occurring in a business rather than looking for long-term solutions. (BUSINESS)\nToday’s NSC is overcome by day-to-day crisis management.\n...a crisis-management team.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crisp
Meaning:
crisp  crisper  crispest  crisps  crisping  crisped\n1. Food that is crisp is pleasantly hard, or has a pleasantly hard surface.\nBake the potatoes for 15 minutes, till they’re nice and crisp.\n...crisp bacon.\n...crisp lettuce.\n  ADJ  approval\n  !=soggy\n=>  crisp.ness\nThe pizza base retains its crispness without becoming brittle.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  crisp.ly\n...crisply fried onion rings.\n  ADV\n\n2. If food crisps or if you crisp it, it becomes pleasantly hard, for example because you have heated it at a high temperature.\nCook the bacon until it begins to crisp...\nSpread breadcrumbs on a dry baking sheet and crisp them in the oven.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n3. Crisps are very thin slices of fried potato that are eaten cold as a snack. (BRIT; in AM, use chips or potato chips)\n...a packet of crisps.\n...cheese and onion potato crisps.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n4. Weather that is pleasantly fresh, cold, and dry can be described as crisp.\n...a crisp autumn day.\n  ADJ  approval\n\n5. Crisp cloth or paper is clean and has no creases in it.\nI slipped between the crisp clean sheets.\n...crisp banknotes.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  crisp.ly\n...his crisply pressed suit.\n  ADV


Words: crispbread
Meaning:
crisp.bread\n   crispbread  crispbreads\n  Crispbreads are thin dry biscuits made from wheat or rye. They are often eaten instead of bread by people who want to lose weight.\n  N-VAR


Words: crispy
Meaning:
crispy  crispier  crispiest\n  Food that is crispy is pleasantly hard, or has a pleasantly hard surface.\n...crispy fried onions.\n...crispy bread rolls.\n  ADJ  approval\n  = crisp


Words: criss-cross
Meaning:
criss-cross  criss-crosses  criss-crossing  criss-crossed   also crisscross\n1. If a person or thing criss-crosses an area, they travel from one side to the other and back again many times, following different routes. If a number of things criss-cross an area, they cross it, and cross over each other.\nThey criss-crossed the country by bus...\nTelephone wires criss-cross the street.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n2. If two sets of lines or things criss-cross, they cross over each other.\nWires criss-cross between the tops of the poles, forming a grid...\nThe roads here are quite a maze, criss-crossing one another in a fashion that at times defies logic.\n  V-RECIP: pl-n V, V pron-recip\n\n3. A criss-cross pattern or design consists of lines crossing each other.\nSlash the tops of the loaves with a sharp serrated knife in a criss-cross pattern.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: criterion
Meaning:
cri.teri.on\n   criterion  criteria\n  A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something.\nThe most important criterion for entry is that applicants must design and make their own work...\n  N-COUNT: oft N for n/-ing


Words: critic
Meaning:
crit.ic\n   critic  critics\n1. A critic is a person who writes about and expresses opinions about things such as books, films, music, or art.\nThe New York critics had praised her performance.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n  = reviewer\n2. Someone who is a critic of a person or system disapproves of them and criticizes them publicly.\nHer critics accused her of caring only about success.\n  N-COUNT: usu with poss


Words: critical
Meaning:
criti.cal\n   critical\n1. A critical time, factor, or situation is extremely important.\nThe incident happened at a critical point in the campaign...\nHe says setting priorities is of critical importance...\nHow you finance a business is critical to the success of your venture.\n  ADJ\n  = crucial\n=>  criti.cal.ly\nEconomic prosperity depends critically on an open world trading system...\nIt was a critically important moment in his career.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj\n\n2. A critical situation is very serious and dangerous.\nThe German authorities are considering an airlift if the situation becomes critical...\nIts day-to-day finances are in a critical state.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  criti.cal.ly\nMoscow is running critically low on food supplies.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj\n\n3. If a person is critical or in a critical condition in hospital, they are seriously ill.\nTen of the injured are said to be in critical condition.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  criti.cal.ly\nShe was critically ill...\n  ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV with v\n\n4. To be critical of someone or something means to criticize them.\nHis report is highly critical of the trial judge...\nHe has apologised for critical remarks he made about the referee.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ of n\n\n=>  criti.cal.ly\nShe spoke critically of Lara.\n  ADV\n\n5. A critical approach to something involves examining and judging it carefully.\nWe need to become critical text-readers...\n...the critical analysis of political ideas.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  criti.cal.ly\nWyman watched them critically.\n  ADV\n\n6. If something or someone receives critical acclaim, critics say that they are very good.\nThe film met with considerable critical and public acclaim...\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: critical mass
Meaning:
criti.cal mass\n   critical mass\n1. In physics, the critical mass of a substance is the minimum amount of it that is needed for a nuclear chain reaction. (TECHNICAL)\n  N-SING: also no det\n\n2. A critical mass of something is an amount of it that makes it possible for something to happen or continue.\nOnly in this way can the critical mass of participation be reached.\n  N-SING: also no det


Words: criticism
Meaning:
criti.cism\n   criticism  criticisms\n1. Criticism is the action of expressing disapproval of something or someone. A criticism is a statement that expresses disapproval.\nThis policy had repeatedly come under strong criticism on Capitol Hill...\nThe criticism that the English do not truly care about their children was often voiced.\n  N-VAR: oft N of n, N that\n  !=praise\n2. Criticism is a serious examination and judgment of something such as a book or play.\nShe has published more than 20 books including novels, poetry and literary criticism.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: criticize
Meaning:
criti.cize\n   criticize  criticizes  criticizing  criticized\nin BRIT, also use criticise\n  If you criticize someone or something, you express your disapproval of them by saying what you think is wrong with them.\nHis mother had rarely criticized him or any of her children...\nThe minister criticised the police for failing to come up with any leads...\n  VERB: V n, V n for n/-ing\n  !=praise


Words: critique
Meaning:
cri.tique\n   critique  critiques\n  A critique is a written examination and judgment of a situation or of a person’s work or ideas. (FORMAL)\nShe had brought a book, a feminist critique of Victorian lady novelists.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n


Words: critter
Meaning:
crit.ter\n   critter  critters\n  A critter is a living creature. (AM INFORMAL)\n...little furry critters.\n  N-COUNT


Words: croak
Meaning:
croak  croaks  croaking  croaked\n1. When a frog or bird croaks, it makes a harsh, low sound.\nThousands of frogs croaked in the reeds by the riverbank.\n  VERB: V\n\n  Croak is also a noun.\n...the guttural croak of the frogs.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If someone croaks something, they say it in a low, rough voice.\nTiller moaned and managed to croak, `Help me.’...\nShe croaked something unintelligible.\n  VERB: V with quote, V n\n\n  Croak is also a noun.\nHis voice was just a croak.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crochet
Meaning:
cro.chet\n   crochet  crochets  crocheting  crocheted\n1. Crochet is a way of making cloth out of cotton or wool by using a needle with a small hook at the end.\n...a black crochet waistcoat.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you crochet, you make cloth by using a needle with a small hook at the end.\nShe offered to teach me to crochet...\nMa and I crocheted new quilts.\n...crocheted rugs.\n  VERB: V, V n, V-ed


Words: crock
Meaning:
crock  crocks\n1. A crock is a clay pot or jar. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you describe someone as an old crock, you mean that they are old and weak. (BRIT INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you describe what someone has said as a crock, you mean that you think it is foolish, wrong, or untrue. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT: usu sing  disapproval\n\n4.\na crock of gold: see gold


Words: crockery
Meaning:
crock.ery\n   crockery\n  Crockery is the plates, cups, saucers, and dishes that you use at meals. (mainly BRIT)\nWe had no fridge, cooker, cutlery or crockery.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crocodile
Meaning:
croco.dile\n   crocodile  crocodiles\n  A crocodile is a large reptile with a long body and strong jaws. Crocodiles live in rivers and eat meat.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crocodile tears
Meaning:
croco.dile tears\n   crocodile tears\n  If someone is crying crocodile tears, their tears and sadness are not genuine or sincere.\nThe sight of George shedding crocodile tears made me sick.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: crocus
Meaning:
cro.cus\n   crocus  crocuses\n  Crocuses are small white, yellow, or purple flowers that are grown in parks and gardens in the early spring.\n  N-COUNT


Words: croft
Meaning:
croft  crofts\n  In Scotland, a croft is a small piece of land which is owned and farmed by one family and which provides them with food.\n...a remote croft near Loch Nevis.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crofter
Meaning:
croft.er\n   crofter  crofters\n  In Scotland, a crofter is a person who lives on a croft or small farm.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crofting
Meaning:
croft.ing\n   crofting\n  In Scotland, crofting is the activity of farming on small pieces of land.\n...isolated crofting communities.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: croissant
Meaning:
crois.sant\n   croissant  croissants\n  Croissants are small, sweet bread rolls in the shape of a crescent that are eaten for breakfast.\n...coffee and croissants.\n  N-VAR


Words: crony
Meaning:
cro.ny\n   crony  cronies\n  You can refer to friends that someone spends a lot of time with as their cronies, especially when you disapprove of them. (INFORMAL)\nHe returned from a lunchtime drinking session with his business cronies.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N  disapproval


Words: cronyism
Meaning:
cro.ny.ism\n   cronyism\n  If you accuse someone in authority of cronyism, you mean that they use their power or authority to get jobs for their friends. (JOURNALISM)\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: crook
Meaning:
crook  crooks  crooking  crooked\n1. A crook is a dishonest person or a criminal. (INFORMAL)\nThe man is a crook and a liar...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The crook of your arm or leg is the soft inside part where you bend your elbow or knee.\nShe hid her face in the crook of her arm.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, the N of n\n\n3. If you crook your arm or finger, you bend it.\nHe crooked his finger: `Come forward,’ he said.\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. A crook is a long pole with a large hook at the end. A crook is carried by a bishop in religious ceremonies, or by a shepherd.\n...a shepherd’s crook.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If someone says they will do something by hook or by crook, they are determined to do it, even if they have to make a great effort or use dishonest means.\nThey intend to get their way, by hook or by crook.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl, PHR with v


Words: crooked
Meaning:
crook.ed\n   crooked\n1. If you describe something as crooked, especially something that is usually straight, you mean that it is bent or twisted.\n...the crooked line of his broken nose.\n...a crooked little tree.\n  ADJ\n  !=straight\n2. A crooked smile is uneven and bigger on one side than the other.\nPolly gave her a crooked grin.\n  ADJ\n  = lopsided\n=>  crook.ed.ly\nNick was smiling crookedly at her.\n  ADV\n\n3. If you describe a person or an activity as crooked, you mean that they are dishonest or criminal. (INFORMAL)\n...a crooked cop...\n  ADJ\n  = bent


Words: croon
Meaning:
croon  croons  crooning  crooned\n1. If you croon, you sing or hum quietly and gently.\nHe would much rather have been crooning in a smoky bar...\nLater in the evening, Lewis began to croon another Springsteen song.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n2. If one person talks to another in a soft gentle voice, you can describe them as crooning, especially if you think they are being sentimental or insincere.\n`Dear boy,’ she crooned, hugging him heartily...\nThe man was crooning soft words of encouragement to his wife.\n  VERB: V with quote, V n, also V


Words: crooner
Meaning:
croon.er\n   crooner  crooners\n  A crooner is a male singer who sings sentimental songs, especially the love songs of the 1930s and 1940s.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crop
Meaning:
crop  crops  cropping  cropped\n1. Crops are plants such as wheat and potatoes that are grown in large quantities for food.\nRice farmers here still plant and harvest their crops by hand...\nThe main crop is wheat and this is grown even on the very steep slopes.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also cash crop\n2. The plants or fruits that are collected at harvest time are referred to as a crop.\nEach year it produces a fine crop of fruit...\nThe US government says that this year’s corn crop should be about 8 percent more than last year...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  = harvest\n3. You can refer to a group of people or things that have appeared together as a crop of people or things. (INFORMAL)\nThe present crop of books and documentaries about Marilyn Monroe exploit the thirtieth anniversary of her death...\n  N-SING: N of n\n  = batch\n4. When a plant crops, it produces fruits or parts which people want.\nAlthough these vegetables adapt well to our temperate climate, they tend to crop poorly.\n  VERB: V\n\n5. To crop someone’s hair means to cut it short.\nShe cropped her hair and dyed it blonde.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  cropped\nShe had cropped grey hair.\n  ADJ\n\n6. A crop is a short hairstyle.\nShe had her long hair cut into a boyish crop.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n7. If you crop a photograph, you cut part of it off, in order to get rid of part of the picture or to be able to frame it.\nI decided to crop the picture just above the water line...\nHer husband was cropped from the photograph.\n  VERB: V n, be V-ed from n\n\n8.\nthe cream of the crop: see cream


Words: crop top
Meaning:
crop top  crop tops\n  A crop top is a very short, usually tight, top worn by a girl or a woman.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crop up
Meaning:
crop up\n  If something crops up, it appears or happens, usually unexpectedly.\nHis name has cropped up at every selection meeting this season...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n  = come up


Words: cropped
Meaning:
cropped\n  Cropped items of clothing are shorter than normal.\nWomen athletes wear cropped tops and tight shorts.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n  see also crop


Words: cropper
Meaning:
crop.per\n   cropper\n  If you say that someone has come a cropper, you mean that they have had an unexpected and embarrassing failure. (INFORMAL)\n...internet businesses that came a cropper.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: croquet
Meaning:
cro.quet\n   croquet\n  Croquet is a game played on grass in which the players use long wooden sticks called mallets to hit balls through metal arches.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: croquette
Meaning:
cro.quette\n   croquette  croquettes\n  Croquettes are small amounts of mashed potato or meat rolled in breadcrumbs and fried.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cross
Meaning:
VERB AND NOUN USES\n   cross  crosses  crossing  crossed\n\nPlease look at category 16 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. If you cross something such as a room, a road, or an area of land or water, you move or travel to the other side of it. If you cross to a place, you move or travel over a room, road, or area of land or water in order to reach that place.\nShe was partly to blame for failing to look as she crossed the road...\nNine Albanians have crossed the border into Greece and asked for political asylum...\nEgan crossed to the drinks cabinet and poured a Scotch.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V to/into n, also V adv/prep\n\n2. A road, railway, or bridge that crosses an area of land or water passes over it.\nThe Defford to Eckington road crosses the river half a mile outside Eckington.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. Lines or roads that cross meet and go across each other.\n...the intersection where Main and Center streets cross...\nIt is near where the pilgrimage route crosses the road to Quimper.\n  V-RECIP: pl-n V, V n\n\n4. If someone or something crosses a limit or boundary, for example the limit of acceptable behaviour, they go beyond it.\nI normally never write into magazines but Mr Stubbs has finally crossed the line...\n  VERB: V n\n\n5. If an expression crosses someone’s face, it appears briefly on their face. (WRITTEN)\nBerg tilts his head and a mischievous look crosses his face...\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. A cross is a shape that consists of a vertical line or piece with a shorter horizontal line or piece across it. It is the most important Christian symbol.\nRound her neck was a cross on a silver chain...\n  N-COUNT\n\n7. If Christians cross themselves, they make the sign of a cross by moving their hand across the top half of their body.\n`Holy Mother of God!’ Marco crossed himself.\n  VERB: V pron-refl\n\n8. If you describe something as a cross that someone has to bear, you mean it is a problem or disadvantage which they have to deal with or bear.\nMy wife is much cleverer than me; it is a cross I have to bear.\n  N-COUNT\n  = burden\n9. A cross is a written mark in the shape of an X. You can use it, for example, to indicate that an answer to a question is wrong, to mark the position of something on a map, or to indicate your vote on a ballot paper.\nPut a tick next to those activities you like and a cross next to those you dislike.\n  N-COUNT\n\n10. If a cheque is crossed, two parallel lines are drawn across it or printed on it to indicate that it must be paid into a bank account and cannot be cashed. (BRIT)\nCheques/postal orders should be crossed and made payable to Newmarket Promotions.\n...a crossed cheque.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed\n\n11. If you cross your arms, legs, or fingers, you put one of them on top of the other.\nJill crossed her legs and rested her chin on one fist, as if lost in deep thought...\nHe was sitting there in the living room with his legs crossed.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n12. If you cross someone who is likely to get angry, you oppose them or refuse to do what they want.\nIf you ever cross him, forget it, you’re finished.\n  VERB: V n\n\n13. Something that is a cross between two things is neither one thing nor the other, but a mixture of both.\nIt was a lovely dog. It was a cross between a collie and a golden retriever.\n  N-SING: a N between pl-n\n\n14. In some team sports such as football and hockey, a cross is the passing of the ball from the side of the field to a player in the centre, usually in front of the goal.\nLe Tissier hit an accurate cross to Groves.\n  N-COUNT\n\n15. A cross street is a road that crosses another more important road. (AM)\nThe Army boys had personnel carriers blockading the cross streets.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n16.\nto cross your fingers: see finger\ncross my heart: see heart\nto cross your mind: see mind\npeople’s paths cross: see path\nto cross the Rubicon: see Rubicon\nto cross swords: see sword\n  see also crossing\n\nADJECTIVE USE\n   cross  crosser  crossest\n  Someone who is cross is rather angry or irritated.\nI’m terribly cross with him...\nShe was rather cross about having to trail across London.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n  = annoyed\n=>  cross.ly\n`No, no, no,’ Morris said crossly.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: cross off
Meaning:
cross off\n  If you cross off words on a list, you decide that they no longer belong on the list, and often you draw a line through them to indicate this.\nI checked the chart and found I had crossed off the wrong thing...\nThey have enough trouble finding nutritious food without crossing meat off their shopping lists.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P n, also V n P


Words: cross out
Meaning:
cross out\n  If you cross out words on a page, you draw a line through them, because they are wrong or because you want to change them.\nHe crossed out `fellow subjects’, and instead inserted `fellow citizens’.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = delete


Words: cross-border
Meaning:
cross-border\n1. Cross-border trade occurs between companies in different countries.\nCurrency-conversion costs remain one of the biggest obstacles to cross-border trade...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = overseas  !=domestic\n2. Cross-border attacks involve people crossing a border and going a short way into another country.\n...a cross-border raid into Zambian territory.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: cross-breed
Meaning:
cross-breed  cross-breeds  cross-breeding  cross-bred   also crossbreed\n1. If one species of animal or plant cross-breeds with another, they reproduce, and new or different animals or plants are produced. You can also say that someone cross-breeds something such as an animal or plant.\nBy cross-breeding with our native red deer, the skia deer have affected the gene pool...\nUnfortunately attempts to crossbreed it with other potatoes have been unsuccessful...\nDr Russel is creating an elite herd by cross-breeding goats from around the globe.\n...a cross-bred labrador.\n  V-RECIP: V with n, V n with n, V pl-n, V-ed, also pl-n V\n\n2. A cross-breed is an animal that is the result of cross-breeding.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cross-Channel
Meaning:
cross-Channel   also cross-channel\n  Cross-Channel travel is travel across the English Channel, especially by boat.\n...the cross-channel ferry...\nDieppe has plenty to attract cross-Channel visitors.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: cross-check
Meaning:
cross-check  cross-checks  cross-checking  cross-checked\n  If you cross-check information, you check that it is correct using a different method or source from the one originally used to obtain it.\nYou have to scrupulously check and cross-check everything you hear...\nHis version will later be cross-checked against that of the university...\nThey want to ensure such claims are justified by cross-checking with other records.\n  VERB: V n, be V-ed against n, V with n, also V, V n with n


Words: cross-country
Meaning:
cross-country\n1. Cross-country is the sport of running, riding, or skiing across open countryside rather than along roads or around a running track.\nShe finished third in the world cross-country championships in Antwerp.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n\n2. A cross-country journey involves less important roads or railway lines, or takes you from one side of a country to the other.\n...cross-country rail services...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Cross-country is also an adverb.\nI drove cross-country in his van.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: cross-cultural
Meaning:
cross-cultural\n  Cross-cultural means involving two or more different cultures.\nMinority cultures within the United States often raised issues of cross-cultural conflict.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: cross-current
Meaning:
cross-current  cross-currents\nin AM, also use crosscurrent\n1. A cross-current is a current in a river or sea that flows across another current.\nCross-currents can sweep the strongest swimmer helplessly away.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n2. You can refer to conflicting ideas or traditions as cross-currents.\n...the cross-currents within the Conservative Party.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, usu with supp


Words: cross-dress
Meaning:
cross-dress  cross-dresses  cross-dressing  cross-dressed\n  If someone cross-dresses, they wear the clothes of the opposite sex, especially for sexual pleasure.\nIf they want to cross-dress that’s fine.\n  VERB: V\n\n=>  cross-dresser      cross-dressers\nThe Society maintains that the majority of cross-dressers are heterosexual.\n  N-COUNT\n  = transvestite\n=>  cross-dressing\nCross-dressing is far more common than we realise.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = transvestism


Words: cross-examine
Meaning:
cross-examine  cross-examines  cross-examining  cross-examined\n  When a lawyer cross-examines someone during a trial or hearing, he or she questions them about the evidence that they have already given.\nThe accused’s lawyers will get a chance to cross-examine him...\nYou know you are liable to be cross-examined mercilessly about the assault.\n  VERB: V n, be V-ed about n, also V n about n\n\n=>  cross-examination      cross-examinations\n...during the cross-examination of a witness in a murder case...\nUnder cross-examination, he admitted the state troopers used more destructive ammunition than usual.\n  N-VAR


Words: cross-legged
Meaning:
cross-legged\n  If someone is sitting cross-legged, they are sitting on the floor with their legs bent so that their knees point outwards.\nHe sat cross-legged on the floor.\n  ADV: ADV after v


Words: cross-purposes
Meaning:
cross-purposes   also cross purposes\n  If people are at cross-purposes, they do not understand each other because they are working towards or talking about different things without realizing it.\nThe two friends find themselves at cross-purposes with the officials.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR, oft PHR with n


Words: cross-question
Meaning:
cross-question  cross-questions  cross-questioning  cross-questioned\n  If you cross-question someone, you ask them a lot of questions about something.\nThe police came back and cross-questioned Des again.\n  VERB: V n


Words: cross-reference
Meaning:
cross-reference  cross-references  cross-referencing  cross-referenced\n1. A cross-reference is a note in a book which tells you that there is relevant or more detailed information in another part of the book.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If something such as a book is cross-referenced, cross-references are put in it.\nNearly 2,300 plant lists have been checked and cross-referenced.\n...an index of products and services which is cross-referenced to the supplying companies.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed


Words: cross-section
Meaning:
cross-section  cross-sections   also cross section\n1. If you refer to a cross-section of particular things or people, you mean a group of them that you think is typical or representative of all of them.\nI was surprised at the cross-section of people there...\nIt is good that there is a wide cross-section of sport on television.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n2. A cross-section of an object is what you would see if you could cut straight through the middle of it.\n...a cross-section of an airplane...\nThe hall is square in cross-section.\n  N-COUNT: also in N


Words: cross-stitch
Meaning:
cross-stitch   also cross stitch\n  Cross-stitch is a type of decorative sewing where one stitch crosses another.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crossbar
Meaning:
cross.bar\n   crossbar  crossbars\n1. A crossbar is a horizontal piece of wood attached to two upright pieces, for example a part of the goal in football.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The crossbar of a man’s or boy’s bicycle is the horizontal metal bar between the handlebars and the saddle.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crossbow
Meaning:
cross.bow\n   crossbow  crossbows\n  A crossbow is a weapon consisting of a small, powerful bow that is fixed across a piece of wood, and aimed like a gun.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crossfire
Meaning:
cross.fire\n   crossfire   also cross-fire\n1. Crossfire is gunfire, for example in a battle, that comes from two or more different directions and passes through the same area.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you are caught in the crossfire, you become involved in an unpleasant situation in which people are arguing with each other, although you do not want to be involved or say which person you agree with.\nThey say they are caught in the crossfire between the education establishment and the government.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR


Words: crossing
Meaning:
cross.ing\n   crossing  crossings\n1. A crossing is a journey by boat or ship to a place on the other side of a sea, river, or lake.\nThe vessel docked in Swansea after a ten-hour crossing.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A crossing is a place where two roads, paths, or lines cross.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A crossing is the same as a pedestrian crossing. (BRIT; in AM, use crosswalk)\nA car hit her on a crossing.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also pelican crossing, zebra crossing\n4. A crossing is the same as a grade crossing or a level crossing.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crossover
Meaning:
cross.over\n   crossover  crossovers\n1. A crossover of one style and another, especially in music or fashion, is a combination of the two different styles.\n...the contemporary crossover of pop, jazz and funk.\n  N-VAR: oft N n\n\n2. In music or fashion, if someone makes a crossover from one style to another, they become successful outside the style they were originally known for.\nI told her the crossover from actress to singer is easier than singer to actress.\n  N-SING: usu N from/to n


Words: crossroads
Meaning:
cross.roads\n   crossroads  crossroads\n1. A crossroads is a place where two roads meet and cross each other.\nTurn right at the first crossroads.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that something is at a crossroads, you mean that it has reached a very important stage in its development where it could go one way or another.\nThe company was clearly at a crossroads...\n  N-SING: oft at a N


Words: crosswalk
Meaning:
cross.walk\n   crosswalk  crosswalks\n  A crosswalk is a place where pedestrians can cross a street and where drivers must stop to let them cross. (AM; in BRIT, usually use pedestrian crossing)\n  N-COUNT


Words: crosswind
Meaning:
cross.wind\n   crosswind  crosswinds   also cross-wind\n  A crosswind is a strong wind that blows across the direction that vehicles, boats, or aircraft are travelling in, and that makes it difficult for them to keep moving steadily forward.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crosswise
Meaning:
cross.wise\n   crosswise\nin AM, also use crossways\n  Crosswise means diagonally across something.\nRinse and slice the courgettes crosswise.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n  = diagonally


Words: crossword
Meaning:
cross.word\n   crossword  crosswords\n  A crossword or crossword puzzle is a word game in which you work out the answers and write them in the white squares of a pattern of small black and white squares.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crotch
Meaning:
crotch  crotches\n1. Your crotch is the part of your body between the tops of your legs.\nGlover kicked him hard in the crotch.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The crotch of something such as a pair of trousers is the part that covers the area between the tops of your legs.\nThey were too long in the crotch.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crotchet
Meaning:
crotch.et\n   crotchet  crotchets\n  A crotchet is a musical note that has a time value equal to two quavers. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use quarter note)\n  N-COUNT


Words: crotchety
Meaning:
crotch.ety\n   crotchety\n  A crotchety person is bad-tempered and easily irritated. (INFORMAL)\n...a crotchety old man.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = grumpy


Words: crouch
Meaning:
crouch  crouches  crouching  crouched\n  If you are crouching, your legs are bent under you so that you are close to the ground and leaning forward slightly.\nWe were crouching in the bushes...\nThe man was crouched behind the Mercedes.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V-ed\n  = squat\n  Crouch is also a noun.\nThey walked in a crouch, each bent over close to the ground.\n  N-SING\n\n  Crouch down means the same as crouch.\nHe crouched down and reached under the mattress...\nHe crouched down beside him.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P, V P prep/adv


Words: croup
Meaning:
croup\n  Croup is a disease which children sometimes suffer from that makes it difficult for them to breathe and causes them to cough a lot.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also the N


Words: croupier
Meaning:
crou.pi.er\n   croupier  croupiers\n  A croupier is the person in charge of a gambling table in a casino, who collects the bets and pays money to the people who have won.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crouton
Meaning:
crou.ton\n   crouton  croutons\n  Croutons are small pieces of toasted or fried bread that are added to soup just before you eat it.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: crow
Meaning:
crow  crows  crowing  crowed\n1. A crow is a large black bird which makes a loud, harsh noise.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. When a cock crows, it makes a loud sound, often early in the morning.\nThe cock crows and the dawn chorus begins.\n  VERB: V\n\n3. If you say that someone is crowing about something they have achieved or are pleased about, you disapprove of them because they keep telling people proudly about it. (INFORMAL)\nEdwards is already crowing about his assured victory...\nWe’ve seen them all crowing that the movement is dead.\n  VERB: V about/over n, V that  disapproval\n  = boast\n4. If you say that a place is a particular distance away as the crow flies, you mean that it is that distance away measured in a straight line.\nI live at Mesa, Washington, about 10 miles as the crow flies from Hanford.\n  PHRASE: oft amount PHR


Words: crow’s feet
Meaning:
crow’s feet\n  Crow’s feet are wrinkles which some older people have at the outside corners of their eyes.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: crow’s nest
Meaning:
crow’s nest\n  On a ship, the crow’s nest is a small platform high up on the mast, where a person can go to look in all directions.\n  N-SING


Words: crowbar
Meaning:
crow.bar\n   crowbar  crowbars\n  A crowbar is a heavy iron bar which is used as a lever.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crowd
Meaning:
crowd  crowds  crowding  crowded\n1. A crowd is a large group of people who have gathered together, for example to watch or listen to something interesting, or to protest about something.\nA huge crowd gathered in a square outside the Kremlin walls...\nThe crowd were enormously enthusiastic...\nThe explosions took place in shopping centres as crowds of people were shopping for Mothers’ Day.\n  N-COUNT-COLL: oft N of n\n  = throng\n2. A particular crowd is a group of friends, or a set of people who share the same interests or job. (INFORMAL)\nAll the old crowd have come out for this occasion.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n\n3. When people crowd around someone or something, they gather closely together around them.\nThe hungry refugees crowded around the tractors...\nPolice blocked off the road as hotel staff and guests crowded around.\n  VERB: V round/around n, V round/around\n  = cluster\n4. If people crowd into a place or are crowded into a place, large numbers of them enter it so that it becomes very full.\nHundreds of thousands of people have crowded into the center of the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius...\nOne group of journalists were crowded into a minibus...\n`Bravo, bravo,’ chanted party workers crowded in the main hall.\n  VERB: V into n, be V-ed into n, V-ed\n  = pack, cram\n5. If a group of people crowd a place, there are so many of them there that it is full.\nThousands of demonstrators crowded the streets shouting slogans.\n  VERB: V n\n  = pack\n6. If people crowd you, they stand very closely around you trying to see or speak to you, so that you feel uncomfortable.\nIt had been a tense, restless day with people crowding her all the time.\n  VERB: V n


Words: crowd in
Meaning:
crowd in\n  If problems or thoughts crowd in on you, a lot of them happen to you or affect you at the same time, so that they occupy all your attention and make you feel unable to escape.\nEverything is crowding in on me...\nShe tried to sleep, but thoughts crowded in and images flashed into her mind.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P on n, V P


Words: crowd out
Meaning:
crowd out\n  If one thing crowds out another, it is so successful or common that the other thing does not have the opportunity to be successful or exist.\nIn the 1980s American exports crowded out European films.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = squeeze out


Words: crowd-pleaser
Meaning:
crowd-pleaser  crowd-pleasers   also crowd pleaser\n  If you describe a performer, politician, or sports player as a crowd-pleaser, you mean they always please their audience. You can also describe an action or event as a crowd-pleaser.\nHe gets spectacular goals and is a real crowd pleaser.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crowd-puller
Meaning:
crowd-puller  crowd-pullers   also crowd puller\n  If you describe a performer or event as a crowd-puller, you mean that they attract a large audience.\nThe exhibition is hardly a crowd-puller.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crowded
Meaning:
crowd.ed\n   crowded\n1. If a place is crowded, it is full of people.\nHe peered slowly around the small crowded room...\n  ADJ: oft ADJ with n\n\n2. If a place is crowded, a lot of people live there.\n...a crowded city of 2 million...\n  ADJ\n\n3. If your timetable, your life, or your mind is crowded, it is full of events, activities, or thoughts.\nNever before has a summit had such a crowded agenda.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ with n\n  = packed


Words: crown
Meaning:
crown  crowns  crowning  crowned\n1. A crown is a circular ornament, usually made of gold and jewels, which a king or queen wears on their head at official ceremonies. You can also use crown to refer to anything circular that is worn on someone’s head.\n...a crown of flowers.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. The government of a country that has a king or queen is sometimes referred to as the Crown. In British criminal cases the prosecutor is the Crown.\nShe says the sovereignty of the Crown must be preserved.\n...a Minister of the Crown.\n...chief witness for the Crown.\n  N-PROPER: the N\n\n3. When a king or queen is crowned, a crown is placed on their head as part of a ceremony in which they are officially made king or queen.\nElizabeth was crowned in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953...\nTwo days later, Juan Carlos was crowned king.\n...the newly crowned King.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed, be V-ed n, V-ed\n\n4. Your crown is the top part of your head, at the back.\nHe laid his hand gently on the crown of her head.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu with supp\n\n5. A crown is an artificial top piece fixed over a broken or decayed tooth.\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. In sport, winning an important competition is sometimes referred to as a crown.\n...his dream of a fourth Wimbledon crown.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n7. An achievement or event that crowns something makes it perfect, successful, or complete.\nThe summit was crowned by the signing of the historic START treaty.\n...the crowning achievement of his career.\n  VERB: V n, V-ing


Words: Crown Court
Meaning:
Crown Court  Crown Courts\n  In England and Wales, a Crown Court is a court in which criminal cases are tried by a judge and jury rather than by a magistrate.\nHe appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday on a drink-driving charge.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft in names


Words: crown jewel
Meaning:
crown jew.el\n   crown jewel  crown jewels\n  The Crown Jewels are the crown, sceptre, and other precious objects which are used on important official occasions by the King or Queen.\n  N-PLURAL: the N


Words: Crown Prince
Meaning:
Crown Prince  Crown Princes\n  A Crown Prince is a prince who will be king of his country when the present king or queen dies.\n...the crown prince’s palace.\n...Sultan Mahmood’s son, Crown Prince Ibrahim Mahmood.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing; N-TITLE


Words: Crown Princess
Meaning:
Crown Prin.cess\n   Crown Princess  Crown Princesses\n  A Crown Princess is a princess who is the wife of a Crown Prince, or will be queen of her country when the present king or queen dies.\n...his second wife, Crown Princess Catherine.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N in sing; N-TITLE


Words: crown prosecutor
Meaning:
crown pros.ecu.tor\n   crown prosecutor  crown prosecutors\n  In Britain, a crown prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the state and who prosecutes people who are accused of crimes.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: crucial
Meaning:
cru.cial\n   crucial\n  If you describe something as crucial, you mean it is extremely important.\nHe had administrators under him but took the crucial decisions himself...\nImproved consumer confidence is crucial to an economic recovery.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n  = critical\n=>  cru.cial.ly\nChewing properly is crucially important...\nCrucially, though, it failed to secure the backing of the banks.\n  ADV


Words: crucible
Meaning:
cru.ci.ble\n   crucible  crucibles\n1. A crucible is a pot in which metals or other substances can be melted or heated up to very high temperatures.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Crucible is used to refer to a situation in which something is tested or a conflict takes place, often one which produces something new. (LITERARY)\n...a system in which ideas are tested in the crucible of party contention...\n  N-SING: oft N of n


Words: crucifix
Meaning:
cru.ci.fix\n   crucifix  crucifixes\n  A crucifix is a cross with a figure of Christ on it.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crucifixion
Meaning:
cru.ci.fix.ion\n   crucifixion  crucifixions\n1. Crucifixion is a way of killing people which was common in the Roman Empire, in which they were tied or nailed to a cross and left to die.\n...her historical novel about the crucifixion of Christians in Rome.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. The Crucifixion is the crucifixion of Christ.\n...the central message of the Crucifixion.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: cruciform
Meaning:
cru.ci.form\n   cruciform\n  A cruciform building or object is shaped like a cross. (FORMAL)\n...a cruciform tower.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: crucify
Meaning:
cru.ci.fy\n   crucify  crucifies  crucifying  crucified\n1. If someone is crucified, they are killed by being tied or nailed to a cross and left to die.\n...the day that Christ was crucified.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n\n2. To crucify someone means to criticize or punish them severely. (INFORMAL)\nShe’ll crucify me if she finds you still here...\n  VERB: V n


Words: crude
Meaning:
crude  cruder  crudest  crudes\n1. A crude method or measurement is not exact or detailed, but may be useful or correct in a rough, general way.\nStandard measurements of blood pressure are an important but crude way of assessing the risk of heart disease or strokes...\n  ADJ\n  = rough\n=>  crude.ly\nThe donors can be split.a little crudely.into two groups...\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n\n2. If you describe an object that someone has made as crude, you mean that it has been made in a very simple way or from very simple parts.\n...crude wooden boxes.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  crude.ly\n...a crudely carved wooden form...\n  ADV: usu ADV -ed\n\n3. If you describe someone as crude, you disapprove of them because they speak or behave in a rude, offensive, or unsophisticated way.\nNev! Must you be quite so crude?\n...crude language.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n  = coarse\n=>  crude.ly\nHe hated it when she spoke so crudely...\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n\n4. Crude substances are in a natural or unrefined state, and have not yet been used in manufacturing processes.\n...8.5 million tonnes of crude steel.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = raw  !=refined\n5. Crude is the same as crude oil.\n  N-MASS


Words: crude oil
Meaning:
crude oil\n  Crude oil is oil in its natural state before it has been processed or refined.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crudites
Meaning:
crudi.tes\n   crudites\n  Crudites are pieces of raw vegetable, often served before a meal.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: cruel
Meaning:
cru.el\n   cruel  crueller  cruellest\nin AM, use crueler, cruelest\n1. Someone who is cruel deliberately causes pain or distress to people or animals.\nChildren can be so cruel...\nDon’t you think it’s cruel to cage a creature up?\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf\n  !=kind\n=>  cru.el.ly\nDouglas was often cruelly tormented by jealous siblings.\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. A situation or event that is cruel is very harsh and causes people distress.\n...struggling to survive in a cruel world with which they cannot cope...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  cru.el.ly\nHis life has been cruelly shattered by an event not of his own making.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v


Words: cruelty
Meaning:
cru.el.ty\n   cruelty  cruelties\n  Cruelty is behaviour that deliberately causes pain or distress to people or animals.\nBritain had laws against cruelty to animals but none to protect children...\nHe had been unable to escape the cruelties of war.\n  N-VAR: usu with supp, oft N to n


Words: cruet
Meaning:
cru.et\n   cruet  cruets\n1. A cruet is a small container, or set of containers, for salt, pepper, or mustard which is used at meals. (BRIT)\n...a cruet set.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A cruet is a small glass bottle that contains oil or vinegar and is used at the table at meals. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: cruise
Meaning:
cruise  cruises  cruising  cruised\n1. A cruise is a holiday during which you travel on a ship or boat and visit a number of places.\nHe and his wife were planning to go on a world cruise...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you cruise a sea, river, or canal, you travel around it or along it on a cruise.\nShe wants to cruise the canals of France in a barge...\nDuring their summer holidays they cruised further afield to Normandy and Brittany.\n  VERB: V n, V prep/adv\n\n3. If a car, ship, or aircraft cruises somewhere, it moves there at a steady comfortable speed.\nA black and white police car cruised past.\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n4. If a team or sports player cruises to victory, they win easily. (JOURNALISM)\nGraf looked in awesome form as she cruised to an easy victory.\n  VERB: V to n


Words: cruise missile
Meaning:
cruise mis.sile\n   cruise missile  cruise missiles\n  A cruise missile is a missile which carries a nuclear warhead and which is guided by a computer.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cruiser
Meaning:
cruis.er\n   cruiser  cruisers\n1. A cruiser is a motor boat which has an area for people to live or sleep.\n...a motor cruiser.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n  see also cabin cruiser\n2. A cruiser is a large fast warship.\nItaly had lost three cruisers and two destroyers.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A cruiser is a police car. (AM)\n  N-COUNT


Words: cruiserweight
Meaning:
cruiser.weight\n   cruiserweight  cruiserweights\n  A cruiserweight is another name for a light heavyweight. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: crumb
Meaning:
crumb  crumbs\n1. Crumbs are tiny pieces that fall from bread, biscuits, or cake when you cut it or eat it.\nI stood up, brushing crumbs from my trousers.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n2. A crumb of something, for example information, is a very small amount of it.\nAt last Andrew gave them a crumb of information...\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: crumble
Meaning:
crum.ble\n   crumble  crumbles  crumbling  crumbled\n1. If something crumbles, or if you crumble it, it breaks into a lot of small pieces.\nUnder the pressure, the flint crumbled into fragments...\nRoughly crumble the cheese into a bowl.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n2. If an old building or piece of land is crumbling, parts of it keep breaking off.\nThe high and low-rise apartment blocks built in the 1960s are crumbling...\nThe cliffs were estimated to be crumbling into the sea at the rate of 10ft an hour.\n  VERB: V, V prep/adv\n  = disintegrate\n  Crumble away means the same as crumble.\nBritain’s coastline stretches 4000 kilometres and much of it is crumbling away.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n3. If something such as a system, relationship, or hope crumbles, it comes to an end.\nTheir economy crumbled under the weight of United Nations sanctions...\n  VERB: V\n\n  Crumble away means the same as crumble.\nOpposition more or less crumbled away.\n  PHRASAL VERB\n\n4. If someone crumbles, they stop resisting or trying to win, or become unable to cope.\nHe is a skilled and ruthless leader who isn’t likely to crumble under pressure.\n  VERB: V\n\n5. A crumble is a baked pudding made from fruit covered with a mixture of flour, butter, and sugar. (BRIT)\n...apple crumble.\n  N-VAR: usu n N


Words: crumbly
Meaning:
crum.bly\n   crumbly  crumblier  crumbliest\n  Something that is crumbly is easily broken into a lot of little pieces.\n...crumbly cheese.\n  ADJ


Words: crummy
Meaning:
crum.my\n   crummy  crummier  crummiest\n  Something that is crummy is unpleasant, of very poor quality, or not good enough. (INFORMAL)\nWhen I first came here, I had a crummy flat.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval


Words: crumpet
Meaning:
crum.pet\n   crumpet  crumpets\n1. Crumpets are round, flat pieces of a substance like bread or batter with small holes in them. You toast them and eat them with butter. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Some men refer to attractive women as crumpet. This use could cause offence. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crumple
Meaning:
crum.ple\n   crumple  crumples  crumpling  crumpled\n1. If you crumple something such as paper or cloth, or if it crumples, it is squashed and becomes full of untidy creases and folds.\nShe crumpled the paper in her hand...\nThe front and rear of the car will crumple during a collision.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n  Crumple up means the same as crumple.\nShe crumpled up her coffee cup...\nNancy looked at the note angrily, then crumpled it up and threw it in a nearby wastepaper basket.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n=>  crum.pled\nHis uniform was crumpled, untidy, splashed with mud.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If someone crumples, they collapse, for example when they have received a shock. (WRITTEN)\nHis body crumpled...\nHe immediately crumpled to the floor...\nChance McAllister lay crumpled on the floor.\n  VERB: V, V prep, V-ed


Words: crunch
Meaning:
crunch  crunches  crunching  crunched\n1. If you crunch something hard, such as a sweet, you crush it noisily between your teeth.\nShe sucked an ice cube into her mouth, and crunched it loudly...\nRichard crunched into the apple.\n  VERB: V n, V into/on n\n\n2. If something crunches or if you crunch it, it makes a breaking or crushing noise, for example when you step on it.\nA piece of china crunched under my foot...\nHe crunched the sheets of paper in his hands.\n  VERB: V, V n\n  = scrunch\n  Crunch is also a noun.\nShe heard the crunch of tires on the gravel driveway.\n  N-COUNT; SOUND\n\n3. If you crunch across a surface made of very small stones, you move across it causing it to make a crunching noise.\nI crunched across the gravel.\n...wheels crunching over a stony surface.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V prep/adv\n\n4. You can refer to an important time or event, for example when an important decision has to be made, as the crunch.\nHe can rely on my support when the crunch comes...\nThe Prime Minister is expected to call a crunch meeting on Monday.\n  N-SING: usu the N, oft N n\n\n  If you say that something will happen if or when it comes to the crunch, you mean that it will happen if or when the time comes when something has to be done.\nIf it comes to the crunch, I’ll resign over this.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n5. To crunch numbers means to do a lot of calculations using a calculator or computer.\nI pored over the books with great enthusiasm, often crunching the numbers until 1:00 a.m.\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. A situation in which a business or economy has very little money can be referred to as a crunch. (BUSINESS)\n...a financial crunch that could threaten the company’s future.\n  N-COUNT: usu supp N\n  = crisis


Words: crunchy
Meaning:
crunchy  crunchier  crunchiest\n  Food that is crunchy is pleasantly hard or crisp so that it makes a noise when you eat it.\n...fresh, crunchy vegetables...\n  ADJ  approval\n  = crisp


Words: crusade
Meaning:
cru.sade\n   crusade  crusades  crusading  crusaded\n1. A crusade is a long and determined attempt to achieve something for a cause that you feel strongly about.\nFootballers launched an unprecedented crusade against racism on the terraces...\n  N-COUNT: oft N against/for n, N to-inf\n  = campaign\n2. If you crusade for a particular cause, you make a long and determined effort to achieve something for it.\n...a newspaper that has crusaded against the country’s cocaine traffickers.\n...an adopted boy whose cause is taken up by a crusading lawyer.\n  VERB: V against/for n, V-ing\n  = campaign\n3. The Crusades were the wars that were fought by Christians in Palestine against the Muslims during the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth centuries.\n  N-PROPER-PLURAL: the N


Words: crusader
Meaning:
cru.sad.er\n   crusader  crusaders\n1. A crusader for a cause is someone who does a lot in support of it.\nHe has set himself up as a crusader for higher press and broadcasting standards.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n2. A Crusader was a knight who fought in the Crusades.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crush
Meaning:
crush  crushes  crushing  crushed\n1. To crush something means to press it very hard so that its shape is destroyed or so that it breaks into pieces.\nAndrew crushed his empty can...\nPeel and crush the garlic.\n...crushed ice.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V-ed\n\n2. To crush a protest or movement, or a group of opponents, means to defeat it completely, usually by force.\nThe military operation was the first step in a plan to crush the uprising.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  crush.ing\n...the violent crushing of anti-government demonstrations.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n\n\n3. If you are crushed by something, it upsets you a great deal.\nListen to criticism but don’t be crushed by it.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n  = devastate\n4. If you are crushed against someone or something, you are pushed or pressed against them.\nWe were at the front, crushed against the stage.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed prep\n\n5. A crush is a crowd of people close together, in which it is difficult to move.\nFranklin and his thirteen-year-old son somehow got separated in the crush...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n\n6. If you have a crush on someone, you are in love with them but do not have a relationship with them. (INFORMAL)\nShe had a crush on you, you know...\n  N-COUNT: usu N on n


Words: crusher
Meaning:
crush.er\n   crusher  crushers\n  A crusher is a piece of equipment used for crushing things.\n...a garlic crusher.\n  N-COUNT: usu n N


Words: crushing
Meaning:
crush.ing\n   crushing\n  A crushing defeat, burden, or disappointment is a very great or severe one.\nHis loss would be a crushing blow to Liverpool’s title hopes.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis


Words: crushingly
Meaning:
crush.ing.ly\n   crushingly\n  You can use crushingly to emphasize the degree of a negative quality.\n...a collection of crushingly bad jokes...\n  ADV: ADV adj  emphasis


Words: crust
Meaning:
crust  crusts\n1. The crust on a loaf of bread is the outside part.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A pie’s crust is its cooked pastry.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A crust is a hard layer of something, especially on top of a softer or wetter substance.\nAs the water evaporates, a crust of salt is left on the surface of the soil.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. The earth’s crust is its outer layer.\nEarthquakes leave scars in the earth’s crust.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n5.\n  see also upper crust


Words: crustacean
Meaning:
crus.ta.cean\n   crustacean  crustaceans\n  A crustacean is an animal with a hard shell and several pairs of legs, which usually lives in water. Crabs, lobsters, and shrimps are crustaceans.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crusted
Meaning:
crust.ed\n   crusted\n  If something is crusted with a substance, it is covered with a hard or thick layer of that substance. (LITERARY)\n...flat grey stones crusted with lichen...\n  ADJ: oft ADJ with n\n  = encrusted\n  Crusted is also a combining form.\nHe sat down to remove his mud-crusted boots.\n  COMB in ADJ


Words: crusty
Meaning:
crusty  crustier  crustiest\n  Crusty bread has a hard, crisp outside.\n...crusty French loaves.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: crutch
Meaning:
crutch  crutches\n1. A crutch is a stick whose top fits round or under the user’s arm, which someone with an injured foot or leg uses to support their weight when walking.\nI can walk without the aid of crutches...\nI was on crutches for a while.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl, oft on N\n\n2. If you refer to someone or something as a crutch, you mean that they give you help or support.\nHe gave up the crutch of alcohol.\n  N-SING\n\n3. Your crutch is the same as your crotch. (mainly BRIT)\nHe kicked him in the crutch.\n  N-COUNT


Words: crux
Meaning:
crux\n  The crux of a problem or argument is the most important or difficult part of it which affects everything else.\nHe said the crux of the matter was economic policy.\n  N-SING: the N, usu N of n


Words: cry
Meaning:
cry  cries  crying  cried\n1. When you cry, tears come from your eyes, usually because you are unhappy or hurt.\nI hung up the phone and started to cry...\nPlease don’t cry...\nHe cried with anger and frustration.\n...a crying baby.\n  VERB: V, V, V with n, V-ing\n\n  Cry is also a noun.\nA nurse patted me on the shoulder and said, `You have a good cry, dear.’\n  N-SING\n\n=>  cry.ing\nShe had been unable to sleep for three days because of her 13-week-old son’s crying.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with poss\n\n2. If you cry something, you shout it or say it loudly.\n`Nancy Drew,’ she cried, `you’re under arrest!’...\n  VERB: V with quote\n\n  Cry out means the same as cry.\n`You’re wrong, quite wrong!’ Henry cried out, suddenly excited...\nAccording to the legend, she cried out that no storm was going to stop her from finishing her ride.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P with quote, V P that\n\n3. A cry is a loud, high sound that you make when you feel a strong emotion such as fear, pain, or pleasure.\nA cry of horror broke from me...\nWith a cry, she rushed forward.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n4. A cry is a shouted word or phrase, usually one that is intended to attract someone’s attention.\nThousands of Ukrainians burst into cries of `bravo’ on the steps of the parliament...\nPassers-by heard his cries for help.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of/for n\n  = shout\n  see also battle cry, rallying cry\n5. You can refer to a public protest about something or an appeal for something as a cry of some kind. (JOURNALISM)\nThere have been cries of outrage about this expenditure...\n  N-COUNT: usu N of/for n\n\n6. A bird’s or animal’s cry is the loud, high sound that it makes.\n...the cry of a seagull.\n  N-COUNT\n  = call\n7.\n  see also crying\n8. Something that is a far cry from something else is very different from it.\nTheir lives are a far cry from his own poor childhood.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR n\n\n9. You use the expression for crying out loud in order to show that you are annoyed or impatient, or to add force to a question or request. (INFORMAL, SPOKEN)\nI mean, what’s he ever done in his life, for crying out loud?\n  EXCLAM: PHR with cl  feelings\n\n10.\nto cry your eyes out: see eye\na shoulder to cry on: see shoulder


Words: cry off
Meaning:
cry off\n  If you cry off, you tell someone that you cannot do something that you have agreed or arranged to do.\nBarron invited her to the races and she agreed, but she caught flu and had to cry off at the last minute.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: cry out
Meaning:
cry out\n  If you cry out, you call out loudly because you are frightened, unhappy, or in pain.\nHe was crying out in pain on the ground when the ambulance arrived...\nHart cried out as his head struck rock.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P in n, V P\n\n  see also cry 2


Words: cry out for
Meaning:
cry out for\n  If you say that something cries out for a particular thing or action, you mean that it needs that thing or action very much.\nThis is a disgraceful state of affairs and cries out for a thorough investigation.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P P n


Words: crybaby
Meaning:
cry.baby\n   crybaby crybabies  also cry baby; cry-baby\n  If someone calls a child a crybaby, they mean that the child cries a lot for no good reason. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: crying
Meaning:
cry.ing\n   crying\n1. If you say that there is a crying need for something, you mean that there is a very great need for it.\nThere is a crying need for more magistrates from the ethnic minority communities.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR n\n\n2. You can say that something is a crying shame if you are annoyed and upset about it.\nIt’s a crying shame that police have to put up with these mindless attacks.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, oft it v-link PHR that  feelings\n\n3.\n  see also cry


Words: cryogenics
Meaning:
cryo.gen.ics\n   cryogenics\n  Cryogenics is a branch of physics that studies what happens to things at extremely low temperatures.\n  N-PLURAL\n  The form cryogenic is used as a modifier.


Words: crypt
Meaning:
crypt  crypts\n  A crypt is an underground room underneath a church or cathedral.\n...people buried in the crypt of an old London church.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cryptic
Meaning:
cryp.tic\n   cryptic\n  A cryptic remark or message contains a hidden meaning or is difficult to understand.\nHe has issued a short, cryptic statement denying the spying charges...\nMy father’s notes are more cryptic here.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  cryp.ti.cal.ly\n`Not necessarily,’ she says cryptically.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: crypto-
Meaning:
crypto-\n  Crypto- is added to adjectives and nouns to form other adjectives and nouns which refer to people who have hidden beliefs and principles.\n  COMB in ADJ and N


Words: crystal
Meaning:
crys.tal\n   crystal  crystals\n1. A crystal is a small piece of a substance that has formed naturally into a regular symmetrical shape.\n...salt crystals.\n...a single crystal of silicon.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n  see also liquid crystal, liquid crystal display\n2. Crystal is a transparent rock that is used to make jewellery and ornaments.\n...a strand of crystal beads.\n  N-VAR\n\n3. Crystal is a high quality glass, usually with patterns cut into its surface.\nSome of the finest drinking glasses are made from lead crystal.\n...crystal glasses.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. Glasses and other containers made of crystal are referred to as crystal.\nGet out your best china and crystal.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: crystal ball
Meaning:
crys.tal ball\n   crystal ball  crystal balls\n  If you say that someone, especially an expert, looks into a crystal ball, you mean that they are trying to predict the future. Crystal balls are traditionally used by fortune-tellers.\nLocal economists have looked into their crystal balls and seen something rather nasty...\n  N-COUNT


Words: crystal clear
Meaning:
crys.tal clear\n   crystal clear\n1. Water that is crystal clear is absolutely clear and transparent like glass.\nThe cliffs, lapped by a crystal-clear sea, remind her of Capri.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you say that a message or statement is crystal clear, you are emphasizing that it is very easy to understand.\nThe message is crystal clear.if you lose weight, you will have a happier, healthier, better life...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ  emphasis


Words: crystalline
Meaning:
crys.tal.line\n   crystalline\n1. A crystalline substance is in the form of crystals or contains crystals.\nDiamond is the crystalline form of the element carbon.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Crystalline means clear or bright. (LITERARY)\n...a huge plain dotted with crystalline lakes.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: crystallize
Meaning:
crys.tal.lize\n   crystallize  crystallizes  crystallizing  crystallized\nin BRIT, also use crystallise\n1. If you crystallize an opinion or idea, or if it crystallizes, it becomes fixed and definite in someone’s mind.\nHe has managed to crystallise the feelings of millions of ordinary Russians...\nNow my thoughts really began to crystallise.\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n2. If a substance crystallizes, or something crystallizes it, it turns into crystals.\nDon’t stir or the sugar will crystallise.\n...a 19th century technique that actually crystallizes the tin.\n  VERB: V, V n


Words: crystallized
Meaning:
crys.tal.lized\n   crystallized\nin BRIT, also use crystallised\n  Crystallized fruits and sweets are covered in sugar which has been melted and then allowed to go hard.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: CS gas
Meaning:
CS gas\n  CS gas is a gas which causes you to cry and makes breathing painful. It is sometimes used by the police to control a crowd which is rioting. (BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = tear gas


Words: cub
Meaning:
cub  cubs\n\n  The spelling Cub is also used for meanings 2 and 3.\n\n1. A cub is a young wild animal such as a lion, wolf, or bear.\n...three five-week-old lion cubs.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n2. The Cubs or the Cub Scouts is a version of the Scouts for boys between the ages of eight and ten.\n  N-PROPER-COLL: the N\n\n3. A cub or a cub scout is a boy who is a member of the Cubs.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cub reporter
Meaning:
cub re.port.er\n   cub reporter  cub reporters\n  A cub reporter is a young newspaper journalist who is still being trained.\nHe had been a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Cuban
Meaning:
Cu.ban\n   Cuban  Cubans\n1. Cuban means belonging or relating to Cuba, or to its people or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Cuban is a Cuban citizen, or a person of Cuban origin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cubby-hole
Meaning:
cubby-hole  cubby-holes   also cubbyhole\n  A cubby-hole is a very small room or space for storing things.\nIt’s in the cubby-hole under the stairs.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cube
Meaning:
cube  cubes  cubing  cubed\n1. A cube is a solid object with six square surfaces which are all the same size.\n...cold water with ice cubes in it...\nThe cabinet comes with locks and key and is shaped like a cube.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. When you cube food, you cut it into cube-shaped pieces.\nRemove the seeds and stones and cube the flesh...\nServe with cubed bread.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n3. The cube of a number is another number that is produced by multiplying the first number by itself twice. For example, the cube of 2 is 8.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu the N of n


Words: cube root
Meaning:
cube root  cube roots\n  The cube root of a number is another number that makes the first number when it is multiplied by itself twice. For example, the cube root of 8 is 2.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, the N of n


Words: cubic
Meaning:
cu.bic\n   cubic\n  Cubic is used in front of units of length to form units of volume such as `cubic metre’ and `cubic foot’.\n...3 billion cubic metres of soil.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: cubicle
Meaning:
cu.bi.cle\n   cubicle  cubicles\n  A cubicle is a very small enclosed area, for example one where you can have a shower or change your clothes.\n...a separate shower cubicle...\n  N-COUNT


Words: Cubism
Meaning:
Cub.ism\n   Cubism\n  Cubism is a style of art, begun in the early twentieth century, in which objects are represented as if they could be seen from several different positions at the same time, using many lines and geometric shapes.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Cubist
Meaning:
Cub.ist\n   Cubist  Cubists\n1. A Cubist is an artist who painted in the style of Cubism.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Cubist art is art in the style of Cubism.\n...Picasso’s seminal Cubist painting, `The Poet’.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: cuckold
Meaning:
cuck.old\n   cuckold  cuckolds  cuckolding  cuckolded\n1. A cuckold is a man whose wife is having an affair with another man. (LITERARY)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If a married woman is having an affair, she and her lover are cuckolding her husband. (LITERARY)\nHis wife had cuckolded him.\n  VERB: V n


Words: cuckoo
Meaning:
cuckoo  cuckoos\n  A cuckoo is a bird that has a call of two quick notes, and lays its eggs in other birds’ nests.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cuckoo clock
Meaning:
cuckoo clock  cuckoo clocks\n  A cuckoo clock is a clock with a door from which a toy cuckoo comes out and makes noises like a cuckoo every hour or half hour.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cucumber
Meaning:
cu.cum.ber\n   cucumber  cucumbers\n1. A cucumber is a long thin vegetable with a hard green skin and wet transparent flesh. It is eaten raw in salads.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If you say that someone is as cool as a cucumber, you are emphasizing that they are very calm and relaxed, especially when you would not expect them to be.\nYou can hardly be held responsible for Darrow waltzing in, cool as a cucumber, and demanding thousands of pounds.\n  PHRASE  emphasis


Words: cud
Meaning:
cud\n  When animals such as cows or sheep chew the cud, they slowly chew their partly digested food over and over again in their mouth before finally swallowing it.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n  = ruminate


Words: cuddle
Meaning:
cud.dle\n   cuddle  cuddles  cuddling  cuddled\n  If you cuddle someone, you put your arms round them and hold them close as a way of showing your affection.\nHe cuddled the newborn girl...\nThey used to kiss and cuddle in front of everyone.\n  V-RECIP: V n (non-recip), pl-n V\n  = hug\n  Cuddle is also a noun.\nGive her a cuddle.\n  N-COUNT\n  = hug


Words: cuddly
Meaning:
cud.dly\n   cuddly  cuddlier  cuddliest\n1. A cuddly person or animal makes you want to cuddle them.\nHe is a small, cuddly man with spectacles.\n  ADJ  approval\n\n2. Cuddly toys are soft toys that look like animals.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: cudgel
Meaning:
cudg.el\n   cudgel  cudgels\n1. A cudgel is a thick, short stick that is used as a weapon.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you take up the cudgels for someone or something, you speak or fight in support of them.\nThe trade unions took up the cudgels for the 367 staff made redundant.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR for/against n


Words: cue
Meaning:
cue  cues  cueing  cued\n1. In the theatre or in a musical performance, a performer’s cue is something another performer says or does that is a signal for them to begin speaking, playing, or doing something.\nI had never known him miss a cue.\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss\n\n2. If one performer cues another, they say or do something which is a signal for the second performer to begin speaking, playing, or doing something.\nHe read the scene, with Seaton cueing him.\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If you say that something that happens is a cue for an action, you mean that people start doing that action when it happens.\nThat was the cue for several months of intense bargaining...\n  N-COUNT: oft N for n, N to-inf\n\n4. A cue is a long, thin wooden stick that is used to hit the ball in games such as snooker, billiards, and pool.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. If you say that something happened on cue or as if on cue, you mean that it happened just when it was expected to happen, or just at the right time.\nKevin arrived right on cue to care for Harry...\n  PHRASE\n\n6. If you take your cue from someone or something, you do something similar in a particular situation.\nTaking his cue from his companion, he apologized for his earlier display of temper.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR from n


Words: cuff
Meaning:
cuff  cuffs  cuffing  cuffed\n1. The cuffs of a shirt or dress are the parts at the ends of the sleeves, which are thicker than the rest of the sleeve.\n...a pale blue shirt with white collar and cuffs.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n2. The cuffs on a pair of pants or trousers are the parts at the ends of the legs, which are folded up. (AM; in BRIT, use turn-up)\n...the cuffs of his jeans.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n3. If the police cuff someone, they put handcuffs on them. (INFORMAL)\nShe hoped they wouldn’t cuff her hands behind her back.\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. An off-the-cuff remark is made without being prepared or thought about in advance.\nI didn’t mean any offence. It was a flippant, off-the-cuff remark...\n  PHRASE: PHR n, PHR after v


Words: cufflink
Meaning:
cuff.link\n   cufflink  cufflinks\n  Cufflinks are small decorative objects used for holding together shirt cuffs around the wrist.\n...a pair of gold cufflinks.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: cuisine
Meaning:
cui.sine\n   cuisine  cuisines\n1. The cuisine of a country or district is the style of cooking that is characteristic of that place.\nThe cuisine of Japan is low in fat.\n...traditional French cuisine.\n  N-VAR: usu with supp\n  = cooking\n2. The skill or profession of cooking unusual or interesting food can be referred to as cuisine.\n...residential courses in gourmet cuisine.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: cul-de-sac
Meaning:
cul-de-sac  cul-de-sacs\n  A cul-de-sac is a short road which is closed off at one end. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use dead end)\n...a four-bedroom detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing\n  = close


Words: culinary
Meaning:
culi.nary\n   culinary\n  Culinary means concerned with cooking. (FORMAL)\nShe was keen to acquire more advanced culinary skills...\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: cull
Meaning:
cull  culls  culling  culled\n1. If items or ideas are culled from a particular source or number of sources, they are taken and gathered together.\nAll this, needless to say, had been culled second-hand from radio reports...\nLaura was passing around photographs she’d culled from the albums at home.\n  VERB: be V-ed from n, V n from n\n\n2. To cull animals means to kill the weaker animals in a group in order to reduce their numbers.\nTo save remaining herds and habitat, the national parks department is planning to cull 2000 elephants.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Cull is also a noun.\nIn the reserves of Zimbabwe and South Africa, annual culls are already routine.\n  N-COUNT\n\n=>  cull.ing\nThe culling of seal cubs has led to an outcry from environmental groups.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp


Words: culminate
Meaning:
cul.mi.nate\n   culminate  culminates  culminating  culminated\n  If you say that an activity, process, or series of events culminates in or with a particular event, you mean that event happens at the end of it.\nThey had an argument, which culminated in Tom getting drunk...\n  VERB: V in/with n\n  = conclude


Words: culmination
Meaning:
cul.mi.na.tion\n   culmination\n  Something, especially something important, that is the culmination of an activity, process, or series of events happens at the end of it.\nTheir arrest was the culmination of an operation in which 120 other people were detained.\n  N-SING: usu the N of n


Words: culottes
Meaning:
cu.lottes\n   culottes\n  Culottes are knee-length women’s trousers that look like a skirt.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N


Words: culpable
Meaning:
cul.pable\n   culpable\n  If someone or their conduct is culpable, they are responsible for something wrong or bad that has happened. (FORMAL)\nTheir decision to do nothing makes them culpable.\n...manslaughter resulting from culpable negligence.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  cul.pabil.ity\nHe added there was clear culpability on the part of the government.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: culprit
Meaning:
cul.prit\n   culprit  culprits\n1. When you are talking about a crime or something wrong that has been done, you can refer to the person who did it as the culprit.\nAll the men were being deported even though the real culprits in the fight have not been identified.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N\n  = offender\n2. When you are talking about a problem or bad situation, you can refer to its cause as the culprit.\nAbout 10% of Japanese teenagers are overweight. Nutritionists say the main culprit is increasing reliance on Western fast food.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cult
Meaning:
cult  cults\n1. A cult is a fairly small religious group, especially one which is considered strange.\nThe teenager may have been abducted by a religious cult...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n\n\n2. Cult is used to describe things that are very popular or fashionable among a particular group of people.\nSince her death, she has become a cult figure...\nThe film is destined to become a cult classic...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. Someone or something that is a cult has become very popular or fashionable among a particular group of people.\nLudlam was responsible for making Ridiculous Theatre something of a cult...\n  N-SING\n\n4. The cult of something is a situation in which people regard that thing as very important or special.\nMeanwhile the personality cult around this campaigner grew.\n  N-COUNT: usu the N of n  disapproval


Words: cultivate
Meaning:
cul.ti.vate\n   cultivate  cultivates  cultivating  cultivated\n1. If you cultivate land or crops, you prepare land and grow crops on it.\nShe also cultivated a small garden of her own.\n...the few patches of cultivated land.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n=>  cul.ti.va.tion\n...the cultivation of fruits and vegetables...\nFarmers with many acres under cultivation profited.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp, prep N\n\n2. If you cultivate an attitude, image, or skill, you try hard to develop it and make it stronger or better.\nCultivating a positive mental attitude towards yourself can reap tremendous benefits.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  cul.ti.va.tion\n...the cultivation of a positive approach to life and health.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n\n\n3. If you cultivate someone or cultivate a friendship with them, you try hard to develop a friendship with them.\nHowe carefully cultivated Daniel C. Roper, the Assistant Postmaster General...\nEstonia has done much to cultivate the friendship of western European countries.\n  VERB: V n, V n


Words: cultivated
Meaning:
cul.ti.vat.ed\n   cultivated\n1. If you describe someone as cultivated, you mean they are well educated and have good manners. (FORMAL)\nHis mother was an elegant, cultivated woman.\n  ADJ\n  = refined\n2. Cultivated plants have been developed for growing on farms or in gardens.\n...a mixture of wild and cultivated varieties.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=wild


Words: cultivator
Meaning:
cul.ti.va.tor\n   cultivator  cultivators\n  A cultivator is a tool or machine which is used to break up the earth or to remove weeds, for example in a garden or field.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cultural
Meaning:
cul.tur.al\n   cultural\n1. Cultural means relating to a particular society and its ideas, customs, and art.\n...a deep sense of personal honor which was part of his cultural heritage.\n...the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation which promotes cultural and educational exchanges between Britain and India.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  cul.tur.al.ly\n...an informed guide to culturally and historically significant sites...\nCulturally, they have much in common with their neighbours just across the border.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with cl\n\n2. Cultural means involving or concerning the arts.\n...the sponsorship of sports and cultural events by tobacco companies.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  cul.tur.al.ly\n...one of our better-governed, culturally active regional centres.Manchester or Birmingham, say.\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with cl


Words: cultural awareness
Meaning:
cul.tur.al aware.ness\n\n  Someone’s cultural awareness is their understanding of the differences between themselves and people from other countries or other backgrounds, especially differences in attitudes and values.\n...programs to promote diversity and cultural awareness within the industry.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: culture
Meaning:
cul.ture\n   culture  cultures  culturing  cultured\n1. Culture consists of activities such as the arts and philosophy, which are considered to be important for the development of civilization and of people’s minds.\n...aspects of popular culture.\n...France’s Minister of Culture and Education.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A culture is a particular society or civilization, especially considered in relation to its beliefs, way of life, or art.\n...people from different cultures...\nI was brought up in a culture that said you must put back into the society what you have taken out.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. The culture of a particular organization or group consists of the habits of the people in it and the way they generally behave.\nBut social workers say that this has created a culture of dependency, particularly in urban areas...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n4. In science, a culture is a group of bacteria or cells which are grown, usually in a laboratory as part of an experiment. (TECHNICAL)\n...a culture of human cells.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. In science, to culture a group of bacteria or cells means to grow them, usually in a laboratory as part of an experiment. (TECHNICAL)\nTo confirm the diagnosis, the hospital laboratory must culture a colony of bacteria.\n  VERB: V n


Words: culture shock
Meaning:
cul.ture shock\n   culture shock\n  Culture shock is a feeling of anxiety, loneliness, and confusion that people sometimes experience when they first arrive in another country.\nCallum, recently arrived in Glasgow, is jobless, homeless, friendless, and suffering from culture shock.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N


Words: cultured
Meaning:
cul.tured\n   cultured\n  If you describe someone as cultured, you mean that they have good manners, are well educated, and know a lot about the arts.\nHe is a cultured man with a wide circle of friends.\n  ADJ


Words: cultured pearl
Meaning:
cul.tured pearl\n   cultured pearl  cultured pearls\n  A cultured pearl is a pearl that is created by putting sand or grit into an oyster.\n  N-COUNT


Words: culvert
Meaning:
cul.vert\n   culvert  culverts\n  A culvert is a water pipe or sewer that crosses under a road or railway.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cumbersome
Meaning:
cum.ber.some\n   cumbersome\n1. Something that is cumbersome is large and heavy and therefore difficult to carry, wear, or handle.\nAlthough the machine looks cumbersome, it is actually easy to use.\n  ADJ\n  = unwieldy\n2. A cumbersome system or process is very complicated and inefficient.\n...an old and cumbersome computer system...\n  ADJ\n  = clumsy


Words: cummerbund
Meaning:
cum.mer.bund\n   cummerbund  cummerbunds\n  A cummerbund is a wide piece of cloth worn round the waist as part of a man’s evening dress.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cumulative
Meaning:
cu.mu.la.tive\n   cumulative\n  If a series of events have a cumulative effect, each event makes the effect greater.\nIt is simple pleasures, such as a walk on a sunny day, which have a cumulative effect on our mood...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  cu.mu.la.tive.ly\nHis administration was plagued by one petty scandal after another, cumulatively very damaging.\n  ADV


Words: cumulus
Meaning:
cu.mu.lus\n   cumulus  cumuli\n  Cumulus is a type of thick white cloud formed when hot air rises very quickly.\n...huge cumulus clouds.\n  N-VAR


Words: cunnilingus
Meaning:
cun.ni.lin.gus\n   cunnilingus\n  Cunnilingus is oral sex which involves someone using their mouth to stimulate a woman’s genitals.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: cunning
Meaning:
cun.ning\n   cunning\n1. Someone who is cunning has the ability to achieve things in a clever way, often by deceiving other people.\nThese disturbed kids can be cunning.\n...Mr Blair’s cunning plan.\n  ADJ\n  = crafty\n=>  cun.ning.ly\nThey were cunningly disguised in golf clothes.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v\n\n2. Cunning is the ability to achieve things in a clever way, often by deceiving other people.\n...one more example of the cunning of today’s art thieves...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: cunt
Meaning:
cunt  cunts\n1. Cunt is an offensive word that some people use to refer to a woman’s vagina. ( VERY RUDE)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If someone calls another person a cunt, they are expressing contempt for that person. ( VERY RUDE)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: cup
Meaning:
cup  cups  cupping  cupped\n1. A cup is a small round container that you drink from. Cups usually have handles and are made from china or plastic.\n...cups and saucers.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  A cup of something is the amount of something contained in a cup.\nMix about four cups of white flour with a pinch of salt.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n2. Things, or parts of things, that are small, round, and hollow in shape can be referred to as cups.\n...the brass cups of the small chandelier.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n3. A cup is a large metal cup with two handles that is given to the winner of a game or competition.\n  N-COUNT\n  = trophy\n4. Cup is used in the names of some sports competitions in which the prize is a cup.\nSri Lanka’s cricket team will play India in the final of the Asia Cup.\n  N-COUNT: usu the n N\n\n5. If you cup your hands, you make them into a curved shape like a cup.\nHe cupped his hands around his mouth and called out for Diane...\nDavid knelt, cupped his hands and splashed river water on to his face...\nShe held it in her cupped hands for us to see.\n  VERB: V n prep, V n, V-ed\n\n6. If you cup something in your hands, you make your hands into a curved dish-like shape and support it or hold it gently.\nHe cupped her chin in the palm of his hand...\nHe cradled the baby in his arms, his hands cupping her tiny skull.\n  VERB: V n prep, V n\n\n7.\nnot your cup of tea: see tea


Words: cup tie
Meaning:
cup tie  cup ties   also cup-tie\n  In sports, especially football, a cup tie is a match between two teams who are taking part in a competition in which the prize is a cup. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: cupboard
Meaning:
cup.board\n   cupboard  cupboards\n1. A cupboard is a piece of furniture that has one or two doors, usually contains shelves, and is used to store things. In British English, cupboard refers to all kinds of furniture like this. In American English, closet is usually used instead to refer to larger pieces of furniture.\nThe kitchen cupboard was stocked with tins of soup and food.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A cupboard is a very small room that is used to store things, especially one without windows. (BRIT; in AM, use closet)\n  N-COUNT\n\n3.\na skeleton in the cupboard: see skeleton


Words: cupful
Meaning:
cup.ful\n   cupful  cupfuls\n  A cupful of something is the amount of something a cup can contain.\n...a cupful of warm milk.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n


Words: cupid
Meaning:
cu.pid\n   cupid  cupids   also Cupid\n  Cupid is the Roman god of love. He is usually shown as a baby boy with wings and a bow and arrow.\n  N-PROPER\n\n  If you say that someone is playing cupid, you mean that they are trying to bring two people together to start a romantic relationship.\n...the aristocrat who played Cupid to the Duke and Duchess.\n  PHRASE


Words: cupola
Meaning:
cu.po.la\n   cupola  cupolas\n  A cupola is a roof or part of a roof that is shaped like a dome. (FORMAL)\n  N-COUNT\n  = dome


Words: cuppa
Meaning:
cup.pa\n   cuppa  cuppas\n  A cuppa is a cup of tea. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nHave you time for a cuppa?\n  N-COUNT


Words: curable
Meaning:
cur.able\n   curable\n  If a disease or illness is curable, it can be cured.\nMost skin cancers are completely curable if detected in the early stages.\n  ADJ\n  !=incurable


Words: curate
Meaning:
cu.rate\n   curate curates curating  curated\nThe noun is pronounced   The verb is pronounced\n1. A curate is a clergyman in the Anglican Church who helps the priest.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If an exhibition is curated by someone, they organize it.\nThe Hayward exhibition has been curated by the artist Bernard Luthi.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed


Words: curative
Meaning:
cu.ra.tive\n   curative\n  Something that has curative properties can cure people’s illnesses. (FORMAL)\nAncient civilizations believed in the curative powers of fresh air and sunlight.\n  ADJ\n  = healing


Words: curator
Meaning:
cu.ra.tor\n   curator  curators\n  A curator is someone who is in charge of the objects or works of art in a museum or art gallery.\n  N-COUNT


Words: curatorial
Meaning:
cu.ra.to.rial\n   curatorial\n  Curatorial means relating to curators and their work. (FORMAL)\n...the museum’s curatorial team.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: curb
Meaning:
curb  curbs  curbing  curbed\n1. If you curb something, you control it and keep it within limits.\n...advertisements aimed at curbing the spread of Aids...\nInflation needs to be curbed in Russia.\n  VERB: V n, be V-ed\n  = check, restrain\n  Curb is also a noun.\nHe called for much stricter curbs on immigration.\n  N-COUNT: oft N on n\n\n2. If you curb an emotion or your behaviour, you keep it under control.\nHe curbed his temper...\n  VERB: V n\n  = check, restrain\n3.\nsee kerb


Words: curd
Meaning:
curd  curds\n  The thick white substance which is formed when milk turns sour can be referred to as curds.\n  N-VAR: usu pl


Words: curdle
Meaning:
cur.dle\n   curdle  curdles  curdling  curdled\n  If milk or eggs curdle or if you curdle them, they separate into different bits.\nThe sauce should not boil or the egg yolk will curdle...\nThe herb has been used for centuries to curdle milk.\n  VERB: V, V n


Words: cure
Meaning:
cure  cures  curing  cured\n1. If doctors or medical treatments cure an illness or injury, they cause it to end or disappear.\nHer cancer can only be controlled, not cured.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If doctors or medical treatments cure a person, they make the person well again after an illness or injury.\nMDT is an effective treatment and could cure all the leprosy sufferers worldwide...\nAlmost overnight I was cured...\nNow doctors believe they have cured him of the disease.\n  VERB: V n, V n, V n of n\n  = heal\n3. A cure for an illness is a medicine or other treatment that cures the illness.\nAtkinson has been told rest is the only cure for his ankle injury.\n  N-COUNT: oft N for n\n\n4. If someone or something cures a problem, they bring it to an end.\nPrivate firms are willing to make large scale investments to help cure Russia’s economic troubles...\n  VERB: V n\n\n5. A cure for a problem is something that will bring it to an end.\nThe magic cure for inflation does not exist.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N for n\n  = solution\n6. If an action or event cures someone of a habit or an attitude, it makes them stop having it.\nThe experience was a detestable ordeal, and it cured him of any ambitions to direct again...\nHe went to a clinic to cure his drinking and overeating.\n  VERB: V n of n, V n\n\n7. When food, tobacco, or animal skin is cured, it is dried, smoked, or salted so that it will last for a long time.\nLegs of pork were cured and smoked over the fire.\n...sliced cured ham.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed, V-ed


Words: cure-all
Meaning:
cure-all  cure-alls\n  A cure-all is something that is believed, usually wrongly, to be able to solve all the problems someone or something has, or to cure a wide range of illnesses.\nHe said the introduction of market discipline to the economy was not a magic cure-all for its problems...\n  N-COUNT: oft N for n\n  = panacea


Words: curfew
Meaning:
cur.few\n   curfew  curfews\n  A curfew is a law stating that people must stay inside their houses after a particular time at night, for example during a war.\nThe village was placed under curfew...\nIn Lucknow crowds of people defied the curfew to celebrate on the streets.\n  N-VAR


Words: curio
Meaning:
cu.rio\n   curio  curios\n  A curio is an object such as a small ornament which is unusual and fairly rare.\n...Oriental curios.\n...antique and curio shops.\n  N-COUNT


Words: curiosity
Meaning:
cu.ri.os.ity\n   curiosity  curiosities\n1. Curiosity is a desire to know about something.\nRyle accepted more out of curiosity than anything else...\nTo satisfy our own curiosity we traveled to Baltimore.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A curiosity is something that is unusual, interesting, and fairly rare.\nThere is much to see in the way of castles, curiosities, and museums...\n  N-COUNT


Words: curious
Meaning:
cu.ri.ous\n   curious\n1. If you are curious about something, you are interested in it and want to know more about it.\nSteve was intensely curious about the world I came from...\n...a group of curious villagers.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about n\n  = inquisitive\n=>  cu.ri.ous.ly\nThe woman in the shop had looked at them curiously...\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n2. If you describe something as curious, you mean that it is unusual or difficult to understand.\nThe pageant promises to be a curious mixture of the ancient and modern...\nThe naval high command’s response to these developments is rather curious.\n  ADJ\n  = odd, peculiar\n=>  cu.ri.ous.ly\nHarry was curiously silent through all this...\n  ADV: ADV adj, ADV with cl


Words: curl
Meaning:
curl  curls  curling  curled\n1. If you have curls, your hair is in the form of tight curves and spirals.\n...the little girl with blonde curls...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If your hair has curl, it is full of curls.\nDry curly hair naturally for maximum curl and shine.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If your hair curls or if you curl it, it is full of curls.\nShe has hair that refuses to curl...\nMaria had curled her hair for the event...\nAfro hair is short and tightly curled.\n  VERB: V, V n, V-ed\n\n4. A curl of something is a piece or quantity of it that is curved or spiral in shape.\nA thin curl of smoke rose from a rusty stove.\n...curls of lemon peel.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n\n\n5. If your toes, fingers, or other parts of your body curl, or if you curl them, they form a curved or round shape.\nHis fingers curled gently round her wrist...\nRaise one foot, curl the toes and point the foot downwards...\nShe sat with her legs curled under her.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V n, V-ed, also V, V n prep/adv\n  = bend\n6. If something curls somewhere, or if you curl it there, it moves there in a spiral or curve.\nSmoke was curling up the chimney...\nHe curled the ball into the net.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V n prep/adv\n\n7. If a person or animal curls into a ball, they move into a position in which their body makes a rounded shape.\nHe wanted to curl into a tiny ball...\nThe kitten was curled on a cushion on the sofa.\n  VERB: V into n, V-ed\n\n  Curl up means the same as curl.\nIn colder weather, your cat will curl up into a tight, heat-conserving ball...\nShe curled up next to him...\nHe was asleep there, curled up in the fetal position.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P into n, V P, V-ed P\n\n8. When a leaf, a piece of paper, or another flat object curls, its edges bend towards the centre.\nThe rose leaves have curled because of an attack by grubs.\n  VERB: V\n\n  Curl up means the same as curl.\nThe corners of the lino were curling up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P


Words: curler
Meaning:
curl.er\n   curler  curlers\n  Curlers are small plastic or metal tubes that women roll their hair round in order to make it curly.\n...a woman with her hair in curlers.\n  N-COUNT\n  = roller


Words: curlew
Meaning:
cur.lew\n   curlew  curlews\n  A curlew is a large brown bird with long legs and a long curved beak. Curlews live near water and have a very distinctive cry.\n  N-COUNT


Words: curlicue
Meaning:
cur.li.cue\n   curlicue  curlicues\n  Curlicues are decorative twists and curls, usually carved or made with a pen. (LITERARY)\n...the gothic curlicues of cottages and churches.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: curly
Meaning:
curly  curlier  curliest\n1. Curly hair is full of curls.\nI’ve got naturally curly hair...\nHer hair was dark and curly.\n  ADJ\n  !=straight\n2. Curly is sometimes used to describe things that are curved or spiral in shape.\n...cauliflowers with extra long curly leaves.\n...dragons with curly tails.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=straight


Words: curmudgeon
Meaning:
cur.mudg.eon\n   curmudgeon  curmudgeons\n  If you call someone a curmudgeon, you do not like them because they are mean or bad-tempered. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n...such a terrible old curmudgeon.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: curmudgeonly
Meaning:
cur.mudg.eon.ly\n   curmudgeonly\n  If you describe someone as curmudgeonly, you do not like them because they are mean or bad-tempered. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: currant
Meaning:
cur.rant\n   currant  currants\n1. Currants are small dried black grapes, used especially in cakes.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Currants are bushes which produce edible red, black, or white berries. The berries are also called currants.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also blackcurrant, redcurrant


Words: currency
Meaning:
cur.ren.cy\n   currency  currencies\n1. The money used in a particular country is referred to as its currency.\nTourism is the country’s top earner of foreign currency...\nMore people favour a single European currency than oppose it.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If a custom, idea, or word has currency, it is used and accepted by a lot of people at a particular time. (FORMAL)\n`Loop’ is one of those computer words that has gained currency in society.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = acceptance\n3.\n  see also common currency


Words: current
Meaning:
cur.rent\n   current  currents\n1. A current is a steady and continuous flowing movement of some of the water in a river, lake, or sea.\nUnder normal conditions, the ocean currents of the tropical Pacific travel from east to west...\nThe couple were swept away by the strong current.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A current is a steady flowing movement of air.\nI felt a current of cool air blowing in my face.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. An electric current is a flow of electricity through a wire or circuit.\nA powerful electric current is passed through a piece of graphite.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A particular current is a particular feeling, idea, or quality that exists within a group of people.\nEach party represents a distinct current of thought...\n  N-COUNT: with supp, oft N of n\n\n5. Current means happening, being used, or being done at the present time.\nThe current situation is very different to that in 1990...\nHe plans to repeal a number of current policies...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  cur.rent.ly\nTwelve potential vaccines are currently being tested on human volunteers...\n  ADV: ADV before v\n\n6. Ideas and customs that are current are generally accepted and used by most people.\nCurrent thinking suggests that toxins only have a small part to play in the build up of cellulite...\n  ADJ\n\n7.\n  see also alternating current, direct current


Words: current account
Meaning:
cur.rent ac.count\n   current account  current accounts\n1. A current account is a personal bank account which you can take money out of at any time using your cheque book or cash card. (BRIT; in AM, use checking account)\nHis current account was seriously overdrawn.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A country’s current account is the difference in value between its exports and imports over a particular period of time. (BUSINESS)\nPortugal will probably have a small current-account surplus for 1992.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N n


Words: current affairs
Meaning:
cur.rent af.fairs\n   current affairs\n  If you refer to current affairs, you are referring to political events and problems in society which are discussed in newspapers, and on television and radio.\n...the BBC’s current affairs programme `Panorama’.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: current assets
Meaning:
cur.rent as.sets\n   current assets current assets\n  Current assets are assets which a company does not use on a continuous basis, such as stocks and debts, but which can be converted into cash within one year. (BUSINESS)\nThe company lists its current assets at $56.9 million.\n  N-COUNT


Words: curriculum
Meaning:
cur.ricu.lum\n   curriculum  curriculums  or curricula\n1. A curriculum is all the different courses of study that are taught in a school, college, or university.\nRussian is the one compulsory foreign language on the school curriculum.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also National Curriculum\n2. A particular curriculum is one particular course of study that is taught in a school, college, or university.\n...the history curriculum.\n  N-COUNT: usu n N\n  = syllabus


Words: curriculum vitae
Meaning:
cur.ricu.lum vitae\n   curriculum vitae\n  A curriculum vitae is the same as a CV. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use resume)\n  N-SING


Words: curried
Meaning:
cur.ried\n   curried\n  Curried meat or vegetables have been flavoured with hot spices.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: curry
Meaning:
cur.ry\n   curry  curries  currying  curried\n1. Curry is a dish composed of meat and vegetables, or just vegetables, in a sauce containing hot spices. It is usually eaten with rice and is one of the main dishes of India.\n...vegetable curry...\nI went for a curry last night.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. If one person tries to curry favour with another, they do things in order to try to gain their support or co-operation.\nPoliticians are eager to promote their `happy family’ image to curry favour with voters.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR with n


Words: curry powder
Meaning:
cur.ry pow.der\n   curry powder  curry powders\n  Curry powder is a powder made from a mixture of spices. It is used in cooking, especially when making curry.\n  N-MASS


Words: curse
Meaning:
curse  curses  cursing  cursed\n1. If you curse, you use rude or offensive language, usually because you are angry about something. (WRITTEN)\nI cursed and hobbled to my feet.\n  VERB: V\n  = swear\n  Curse is also a noun.\nHe shot her an angry look and a curse.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you curse someone, you say insulting things to them because you are angry with them.\nGrandma protested, but he cursed her and rudely pushed her aside...\nHe cursed himself for having been so careless.\n  VERB: V n, V pron-refl\n\n3. If you curse something, you complain angrily about it, especially using rude language.\nSo we set off again, cursing the delay, towards the west...\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. If you say that there is a curse on someone, you mean that there seems to be a supernatural power causing unpleasant things to happen to them.\nMaybe there is a curse on my family...\n  N-COUNT: oft N on/upon n\n\n5. You can refer to something that causes a great deal of trouble or harm as a curse.\nApathy is the long-standing curse of British local democracy...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n\n  = plague


Words: cursed
Meaning:
curs.ed\n   cursed\n1. If you are cursed with something, you are very unlucky in having it.\nBulman was cursed with a poor memory for names.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ with n\n\n2. Someone or something that is cursed is suffering as the result of a curse.\nThe whole family seemed cursed...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ


Words: cursor
Meaning:
cur.sor\n   cursor  cursors\n  On a computer screen, the cursor is a small shape that indicates where anything that is typed by the user will appear. (COMPUTING)\n  N-COUNT


Words: cursory
Meaning:
cur.sory\n   cursory\n  A cursory glance or examination is a brief one in which you do not pay much attention to detail.\nBurke cast a cursory glance at the menu, then flapped it shut...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = perfunctory


Words: curt
Meaning:
curt\n  If you describe someone as curt, you mean that they speak or reply in a brief and rather rude way.\nHer tone of voice was curt...\n`The matter is closed,’ was the curt reply.\n  ADJ\n  = abrupt, brusque\n=>  curt.ly\n`I’m leaving,’ she said curtly.\n  ADV: ADV with v


Words: curtail
Meaning:
cur.tail\n   curtail  curtails  curtailing  curtailed\n  If you curtail something, you reduce or limit it. (FORMAL)\nNATO plans to curtail the number of troops being sent to the region...\n  VERB: V n\n  = restrict


Words: curtailment
Meaning:
cur.tail.ment\n   curtailment\n  The curtailment of something is the act of reducing or limiting it. (FORMAL)\n...the curtailment of presidential power.\n  N-SING: usu N of n


Words: curtain
Meaning:
cur.tain\n   curtain  curtains\n1. Curtains are large pieces of material which you hang from the top of a window. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use drapes)\nHer bedroom curtains were drawn.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Curtains are pieces of very thin material which you hang in front of windows in order to prevent people from seeing in. (AM; in BRIT, use net curtains)\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. In a theatre, the curtain is the large piece of material that hangs in front of the stage until a performance begins.\nThe curtain rises toward the end of the Prelude.\n  N-SING: the N\n\n4. You can refer to something as a curtain when it is thick and difficult to see through or get past. (LITERARY)\nHe saw something dark disappear behind the curtain of leaves.\n  N-SING: usu N of n\n\n  see also Iron Curtain\n5. If something brings down the curtain on an event or situation, it causes or marks the end of it.\nManagement changes are under way that will finally bring down the curtain on Lord Forte’s extraordinary working life.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n


Words: curtain call
Meaning:
cur.tain call\n   curtain call  curtain calls   also curtain-call\n  In a theatre, when actors or performers take a curtain call, they come forward to the front of the stage after a performance in order to receive the applause of the audience.\nThey took 23 curtain calls.\n  N-COUNT


Words: curtain-raiser
Meaning:
curtain-raiser  curtain-raisers\n  A curtain-raiser is an event, especially a sporting event or a performance, that takes place before a more important one, or starts off a series of events. (JOURNALISM)\nThe three-race series will be a curtain-raiser to the Monaco Grand Prix in May...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: curtained
Meaning:
cur.tained\n   curtained\n  A curtained window, door, or other opening has a curtain hanging across it.\n...heavily curtained windows.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: curtsy
Meaning:
curt.sy\n   curtsy  curtsies  curtsying  curtsied   also curtsey\n  If a woman or a girl curtsies, she lowers her body briefly, bending her knees and sometimes holding her skirt with both hands, as a way of showing respect for an important person.\nWe were taught how to curtsy to the Queen...\nIngrid shook the Duchess’s hand and curtsied.\n  VERB: V to n, V\n\n  Curtsy is also a noun.\nShe gave a curtsy.\n  N-COUNT


Words: curvaceous
Meaning:
cur.va.ceous\n   curvaceous\n  If someone describes a woman as curvaceous, they think she is attractive because of the curves of her body.\n...a curvaceous blonde.\n  ADJ  approval\n  = curvy


Words: curvature
Meaning:
cur.va.ture\n   curvature\n  The curvature of something is its curved shape, especially when this shape is part of the circumference of a circle. (TECHNICAL)\n...the curvature of the earth...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n


Words: curve
Meaning:
curve  curves  curving  curved\n1. A curve is a smooth, gradually bending line, for example part of the edge of a circle.\n...the curve of his lips.\n...a curve in the road.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n2. If something curves, or if someone or something curves it, it has the shape of a curve.\nHer spine curved...\nThe track curved away below him.\n...a knife with a slightly curving blade...\nA small, unobtrusive smile curved the cook’s thin lips.\n  VERB: V, V adv/prep, V-ing, V n\n\n3. If something curves, it moves in a curve, for example through the air.\nThe ball curved strangely in the air.\n  VERB: V\n\n4. You can refer to a change in something as a particular curve, especially when it is represented on a graph.\nEach firm will face a downward-sloping demand curve...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n  see also learning curve\n5. If someone throws you a curve or if they throw you a curve ball, they surprise you by doing something you do not expect. (mainly AM)\nAt the last minute, I threw them a curve ball by saying, `We’re going to bring spouses’.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: curved
Meaning:
curved\n  A curved object has the shape of a curve or has a smoothly bending surface.\n...a small, curved staircase.\n...the curved lines of the chairs.\n  ADJ


Words: curvy
Meaning:
curvy\n  If someone describes a woman as curvy, they think she is attractive because of the curves of her body. (INFORMAL)\n  ADJ  approval\n  = curvaceous


Words: cushion
Meaning:
cush.ion\n   cushion  cushions  cushioning  cushioned\n1. A cushion is a fabric case filled with soft material, which you put on a seat to make it more comfortable.\n...a velvet cushion.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A cushion is a soft pad or barrier, especially one that protects something.\nThe company provides a styrofoam cushion to protect the tablets during shipping.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Something that cushions an object when it hits something protects it by reducing the force of the impact.\nThere is also a new steering wheel with an energy absorbing rim to cushion the driver’s head in the worst impacts...\nThe suspension is designed to cushion passengers from the effects of riding over rough roads.\n  VERB: V n, V n from n\n\n4. To cushion the effect of something unpleasant means to reduce it.\nThey said Western aid was needed to cushion the blows of vital reform...\nThe subsidies are designed to cushion farmers against unpredictable weather.\n  VERB: V n, V n against n\n\n5. Something that is a cushion against something unpleasant reduces its effect.\nHousing benefit provides a cushion against hardship.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu with supp


Words: cushioning
Meaning:
cush.ion.ing\n   cushioning\n  Cushioning is something soft that protects an object when it hits something.\nRunning shoes have extra cushioning.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: cushy
Meaning:
cushy  cushier  cushiest\n  A cushy job or situation is pleasant because it does not involve much work or effort. (INFORMAL)\n...a cushy job in the civil service...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: cusp
Meaning:
cusp\n  If you say that someone or something is on the cusp, you mean they are between two states, or are about to be in a particular state.\nI am sitting on the cusp of middle age...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR


Words: cuss
Meaning:
cuss  cusses  cussing  cussed\n  If someone cusses, they swear at someone or use bad language. (INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED)\nTosh was known to be a man who would cuss and shout...\nHe rails and cusses at those pop stars.\n  VERB: V, V at n, also V n\n  = curse


Words: custard
Meaning:
cus.tard\n   custard  custards\n  Custard is a sweet yellow sauce made from milk and eggs or from milk and a powder. It is eaten with fruit and puddings.\n...bananas and custard.\n  N-MASS


Words: custard pie
Meaning:
cus.tard pie\n   custard pie  custard pies\n  Custard pies are artificial pies which people sometimes throw at each other as a joke.\n...a custard pie fight.\n  N-COUNT


Words: custodial
Meaning:
cus.to.dial\n   custodial\n1. Custodial means relating to keeping people in prison. (mainly BRIT FORMAL)\nIf he is caught again he will be given a custodial sentence.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. If a child’s parents are divorced or separated, the custodial parent is the parent who has custody of the child. (LEGAL)\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: custodian
Meaning:
cus.to.dian\n   custodian  custodians\n  The custodian of an official building, a companies’ assets, or something else valuable is the person who is officially in charge of it.\n...the custodian of the holy shrines in Mecca and Medina.\n  N-COUNT


Words: custody
Meaning:
cus.to.dy\n   custody\n1. Custody is the legal right to keep and look after a child, especially the right given to a child’s mother or father when they get divorced.\nI’m going to go to court to get custody of the children...\nChild custody is normally granted to the mother.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. Someone who is in custody or has been taken into custody has been arrested and is being kept in prison until they can be tried in a court.\nThree people appeared in court and two of them were remanded in custody...\nShe was taken into custody later that day.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n3. If someone is being held in a particular type of custody, they are being kept in a place that is similar to a prison.\nBarrett was taken into protective custody.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp


Words: custom
Meaning:
cus.tom\n   custom  customs\n1. A custom is an activity, a way of behaving, or an event which is usual or traditional in a particular society or in particular circumstances.\nThe custom of lighting the Olympic flame goes back centuries...\nChung has tried to adapt to local customs.\n  N-VAR: usu with supp, oft N of -ing\n\n2. If it is your custom to do something, you usually do it in particular circumstances.\nIt was his custom to approach every problem cautiously...\n  N-SING: oft with poss\n\n3. If a shop has your custom, you regularly buy things there. (BRIT FORMAL)\nYou have the right to withhold your custom if you so wish...\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu with poss\n\n4.\n  see also customs


Words: custom-built
Meaning:
custom-built\n  If something is custom-built, it is built according to someone’s special requirements.\nThe machine was custom-built by Steve Roberts.\n...a custom-built kitchen.\n  V-PASSIVE: be V-ed, V-ed\n  = custom-made


Words: custom-made
Meaning:
custom-made\n  If something is custom-made, it is made according to someone’s special requirements.\nFurniture can also be custom-made to suit your own requirements.\n...a custom-made suit.\n  V-PASSIVE: be V-ed, V-ed


Words: customary
Meaning:
cus.tom.ary\n   customary\n1. Customary is used to describe things that people usually do in a particular society or in particular circumstances. (FORMAL)\nIt is customary to offer a drink or a snack to guests...\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf\n  = usual\n2. Customary is used to describe something that a particular person usually does or has.\nYvonne took her customary seat behind her desk.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = usual


Words: customer
Meaning:
cus.tom.er\n   customer  customers\n1. A customer is someone who buys goods or services, especially from a shop.\nOur customers have very tight budgets.\n...the quality of customer service...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can use customer in expressions such as a cool customer or a tough customer to indicate what someone’s behaviour or character is like. (INFORMAL)\n...two pretty awkward customers.\n  N-COUNT: adj N


Words: customer base
Meaning:
cus.tom.er base\n   customer base customer bases\n  A business’s customer base is all its regular customers, considered as a group. (BUSINESS)\n...Halifax’s customer base of 21 million people.\n  N-COUNT


Words: customer relations
Meaning:
cus.tom.er re.la.tions\n\n1. Customer relations are the relationships that a business has with its customers and the way in which it treats them. (BUSINESS)\nGood customer relations require courtesy, professionalism and effective response.\n  N-PLURAL\n\n2. Customer relations is the department within a company that deals with complaints from customers. (BUSINESS)\n...Tucson Electric’s customer-relations department.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: customer satisfaction
Meaning:
cus.tom.er sat.is.fac.tion\n\n  When customers are pleased with the goods or services they have bought, you can refer to customer satisfaction.\nI really believe that it is possible to both improve customer satisfaction and reduce costs...\nCustomer satisfaction with their mobile service runs at more than 90 per cent.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: customer service
Meaning:
cus.tom.er ser.vice\n\n  Customer service refers to the way that companies behave towards their customers, for example how well they treat them. (BUSINESS)\n...a mail-order business with a strong reputation for customer service...\nThe firm has an excellent customer service department.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: customize
Meaning:
cus.tom.ize\n   customize  customizes  customizing  customized\nin BRIT, also use customise\n  If you customize something, you change its appearance or features to suit your tastes or needs.\n...a control that allows photographers to customise the camera’s basic settings.\n...customized software.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed


Words: customs
Meaning:
cus.toms\n   customs\n1. Customs is the official organization responsible for collecting taxes on goods coming into a country and preventing illegal goods from being brought in.\n...components similar to those seized by British customs.\n...customs officers.\n  N-PROPER: oft N n\n\n2. Customs is the place where people arriving from a foreign country have to declare goods that they bring with them.\nHe walked through customs.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. Customs duties are taxes that people pay for importing and exporting goods.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4.\n  see also custom


Words: Customs and Excise
Meaning:
Cus.toms and Ex.cise\n   Customs and Excise\n  Customs and Excise is a British government department which is responsible for collecting taxes on imported and exported goods. Compare Customs Service.\n  N-PROPER


Words: Customs Service
Meaning:
Cus.toms Ser.vice\n   Customs Service\n  The Customs Service is a United States federal organization which is responsible for collecting taxes on imported and exported goods. Compare Customs and Excise.\n  N-PROPER


Words: cut
Meaning:
cut  cuts  cutting\nThe form cut is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle.\n1. If you cut something, you use a knife or a similar tool to divide it into pieces, or to mark it or damage it. If you cut a shape or a hole in something, you make the shape or hole by using a knife or similar tool.\nMrs. Haines stood nearby, holding scissors to cut a ribbon...\nThe thieves cut a hole in the fence...\nMr. Long was now cutting himself a piece of the pink cake...\nYou can hear the saw as it cuts through the bones.\n...thinly cut cucumber sandwiches.\n  VERB: V n, V n prep/adv, V n n, V through n, V-ed\n\n  Cut is also a noun.\nThe operation involves making several cuts in the cornea.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you cut yourself or cut a part of your body, you accidentally injure yourself on a sharp object so that you bleed.\nJohnson cut himself shaving...\nI started to cry because I cut my finger...\nBlood from his cut lip trickled over his chin.\n  VERB: V pron-refl, V n, V-ed\n\n  Cut is also a noun.\nHe had sustained a cut on his left eyebrow.\n...cuts and bruises.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. If you cut something such as grass, your hair, or your fingernails, you shorten them using scissors or another tool.\nThe most recent tenants hadn’t even cut the grass...\nYou’ve had your hair cut, it looks great...\nShe had dark red hair, cut short.\n  VERB: V n, have n V-ed, V-ed\n\n  Cut is also a noun.\nPrices vary from salon to salon, starting at .17 for a cut and blow-dry.\n  N-SING\n\n4. The way that clothes are cut is the way they are designed and made.\n...badly cut blue suits.\n  VERB: usu passive, V-ed\n\n5. If you cut across or through a place, you go through it because it is the shortest route to another place.\nHe decided to cut across the Heath, through Greenwich Park.\n  VERB: V across/through n\n\n  see also short cut\n6. If you cut something, you reduce it.\nThe first priority is to cut costs...\nThe UN force is to be cut by 90%.\n...a deal to cut 50 billion dollars from the federal deficit.\n  VERB: V n, V n by amount, V amount from/off n\n  = reduce\n  Cut is also a noun.\nThe economy needs an immediate 2 per cent cut in interest rates.\n...the government’s plans for tax cuts.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, oft N in n\n\n7. If you cut a text, broadcast, or performance, you shorten it. If you cut a part of a text, broadcast, or performance, you do not publish, broadcast, or perform that part.\nThe audience wants more music and less drama, so we’ve cut some scenes.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Cut is also a noun.\nIt has been found necessary to make some cuts in the text.\n  N-COUNT\n\n8. To cut a supply of something means to stop providing it or stop it being provided.\nThey used pressure tactics to force them to return, including cutting food and water supplies.\n  VERB: V n\n\n  Cut is also a noun.\nThe strike had already led to cuts in electricity and water supplies in many areas.\n  N-COUNT: with supp, usu N in n\n\n9. If you cut a pack of playing cards, you divide it into two.\nPlace the cards face down on the table and cut them.\n  VERB: V n\n\n10. When the director of a film says `cut’, they want the actors and the camera crew to stop filming.\n  CONVENTION\n\n11. When a singer or band cuts a CD, they make a recording of their music.\nShe eventually cut her own album.\n  VERB: V n\n\n12. When a child cuts a tooth, a new tooth starts to grow through the gum.\nMany infants do not cut their first tooth until they are a year old.\n  VERB: V n\n\n13. If a child cuts classes or cuts school, they do not go to classes or to school when they are supposed to. (mainly AM)\nCutting school more than once in three months is a sign of trouble.\n  VERB: V n\n  = skip\n14. If you tell someone to cut something, you are telling them in an irritated way to stop it. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\nWhy don’t you just cut the crap and open the door.\n  VERB: V n  feelings\n\n15. A cut of meat is a piece or type of meat which is cut in a particular way from the animal, or from a particular part of it.\n(next)


Words: cut .1
Meaning:
Use a cheap cut such as spare rib chops.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n16. Someone’s cut of the profits or winnings from something, especially ones that have been obtained dishonestly, is their share. (INFORMAL)\nThe lawyers, of course, take their cut of the little guy’s winnings.\n  N-SING: oft poss N\n  = share\n17. A cut is a narrow valley which has been cut through a hill so that a road or railroad track can pass through. (AM; in BRIT, use cutting)\n  N-COUNT\n\n18.\n  see also cutting\n19. If you say that someone or something is a cut above other people or things of the same kind, you mean they are better than them. (INFORMAL)\nJoan Smith’s detective stories are a cut above the rest.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR n\n\n20. If you say that a situation or solution is cut and dried, you mean that it is clear and definite.\nUnfortunately, things cannot be as cut and dried as many people would like...\nWe are aiming for guidelines, not cut-and-dried answers.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR n\n  = clear-cut\n21. If you say that someone can’t cut it, you mean that they do not have the qualities needed to do a task or cope with a situation. (INFORMAL)\nHe doesn’t think English-born players can cut it abroad.\n  PHRASE: usu with broad neg\n\n22. If you talk about the cut and thrust of an activity, you are talking about the aspects of it that make it exciting and challenging.\n...cut-and-thrust debate between two declared adversaries.\n  PHRASE\n\n23. If you say that something cuts both ways, you mean that it can have two opposite effects, or can have both good and bad effects.\nThis publicity cuts both ways. It focuses on us as well as on them.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n24.\nto cut something to the bone: see bone\nto cut corners: see corner\nto cut the mustard: see mustard\nto cut someone to the quick: see quick\nto cut a long story short: see story\nto cut your teeth on something: see tooth


Words: cut across
Meaning:
cut across\n  If an issue or problem cuts across the division between two or more groups of people, it affects or matters to people in all the groups.\nThe problem cuts across all socioeconomic lines and affects all age groups...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: cut back
Meaning:
cut back\n  If you cut back something such as expenditure or cut back on it, you reduce it.\nThey will be concerned to cut back expenditure on unnecessary items...\nThe Government has cut back on defence spending...\nWe have been cutting back a bit: we did have thirteen horses, but now it’s nine.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P on n, V P, also V n P\n\n  see also cutback


Words: cut down
Meaning:
cut down\n1. If you cut down on something or cut down something, you use or do less of it.\nHe cut down on coffee and cigarettes, and ate a balanced diet...\nCar owners were asked to cut down travel...\nIf you spend more than your income, can you try to cut down?\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P on n, V P n (not pron), V P, also V n P\n\n2. If you cut down a tree, you cut through its trunk so that it falls to the ground.\nA vandal with a chainsaw cut down a tree.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), also V n P\n  = chop down


Words: cut glass
Meaning:
cut glass   also cut-glass\n  Cut glass is glass that has patterns cut into its surface.\n...a cut-glass bowl.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: cut in
Meaning:
cut in\n  If you cut in on someone, you interrupt them when they are speaking.\nImmediately, Daniel cut in on Joanne’s attempts at reassurance...\n`Not true,’ the Duchess cut in.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P on n, V P with quote, also V P\n  = break in


Words: cut off
Meaning:
cut off\n1. If you cut something off, you remove it with a knife or a similar tool.\nMrs Kreutz cut off a generous piece of the meat...\nHe cut me off a slice...\nHe threatened to cut my hair off.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P n (not pron), V n P\n\n2. To cut someone or something off means to separate them from things that they are normally connected with.\nOne of the goals of the campaign is to cut off the elite Republican Guard from its supplies...\nThe storm has cut us off.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron) from n, V n P\n  = isolate\n=>  cut off\nWithout a car we still felt very cut off.\n  ADJ\n\n3. To cut off a supply of something means to stop providing it or stop it being provided.\nThe rebels have cut off electricity from the capital...\nWhy cut the money off?\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n4. If you get cut off when you are on the telephone, the line is suddenly disconnected and you can no longer speak to the other person.\nWhen you do get through, you’ve got to say your piece quickly before you get cut off...\nI’m going to cut you off now because we’ve got lots of callers waiting.\n  PHRASAL VERB: get/be V-ed P, V n P\n  = disconnect\n5. If you cut someone off when they are speaking, you interrupt them and stop them from speaking.\n`But, sir, I’m under orders to.’ Clark cut him off. `Don’t argue with me.’\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, also V P n (not pron)\n\n6.\nto cut off your nose to spite your face: see spite\n  see also cut-off


Words: cut out
Meaning:
cut out\n1. If you cut something out, you remove or separate it from what surrounds it using scissors or a knife.\nCut out the coupon and send those cheques off today...\nI cut it out and pinned it to my studio wall.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n2. If you cut out a part of a text, you do not print, publish, or broadcast that part, because to include it would make the text too long or unacceptable.\nI listened to the programme and found they’d cut out all the interesting stuff...\nHer editors wanted her to cut out the poetry from her novel...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V P n (not pron) from/of n\n  = cut, omit\n3. To cut out something unnecessary or unwanted means to remove it completely from a situation. For example, if you cut out a particular type of food, you stop eating it, usually because it is bad for you.\nI’ve simply cut egg yolks out entirely...\nA guilty plea cuts out the need for a long trial.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)\n  = eliminate\n4. If you tell someone to cut something out, you are telling them in an irritated way to stop it. (INFORMAL)\nDo yourself a favour, and cut that behaviour out...\n`Cut it out, Chip,’ I said...\nHe had better cut out the nonsense.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V it P, V P n (not pron)  feelings\n  = stop\n5. If you cut someone out of an activity, you do not allow them to be involved in it. If you cut someone out of a will, you do not allow them to share in it.\nEnvironmentalists say this would cut them out of the debate over what to do with public lands...\n`Cut her out of your will,’ urged his nephew...\nHe felt that he was being cut out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P of n, V n P of n, be V-ed P, also V P n (not pron)\n  = exclude  !=include\n6. If an object cuts out the light, it is between you and the light so that you are in the dark.\nThe curtains were half drawn to cut out the sunlight.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n\n7. If an engine cuts out, it suddenly stops working.\nThe helicopter crash landed when one of its two engines cut out.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P\n\n8.\nto have your work cut out: see work\n  see also cut out, cut-out\n\ncut out\n  If you are not cut out for a particular type of work, you do not have the qualities that are needed to be able to do it well.\nI left medicine anyway. I wasn’t really cut out for it...\n  ADJ: usu with brd-neg, v-link ADJ, ADJ for n, ADJ to-inf


Words: cut up
Meaning:
cut up\n  If you are cut up about something that has happened, you are very unhappy because of it. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nTerry was very cut up about Jim’s death.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n\ncut up\n1. If you cut something up, you cut it into several pieces.\nHe sits in his apartment cutting up magazines...\nHalve the tomatoes, then cut them up coarsely.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n  see also cut up\n2. If one driver cuts another driver up, the first driver goes too close in front of the second one, for example after passing them.\nThey were crossing from lane to lane, cutting everyone up.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V n P


Words: cut-off
Meaning:
cut-off  cut-offs   also cutoff\n1. A cut-off or a cut-off point is the level or limit at which you decide that something should stop happening.\nThe cut-off date for registering is yet to be announced...\nOn young girls it can look really great, but there is a definite age cut-off on this.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N n\n\n2. The cut-off of a supply or service is the complete stopping of the supply or service.\nA total cut-off of supplies would cripple the country’s economy...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: cut-out
Meaning:
cut-out  cut-outs\n1. A cardboard cut-out is a shape that has been cut from thick card.\nYou’d swear he was a cardboard cut-out except that he’d moved his rifle...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A cut-out is a device that turns off a machine automatically in particular circumstances.\nUse a kettle with an automatic cut-out so it doesn’t boil for longer than necessary...\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: cut-price
Meaning:
cut-price\n  Cut-price goods or services are cheaper than usual. (BRIT; in AM, use cut-rate)\n...a shop selling cut-price videos and CDs in Oxford Street.\n...cut-price tickets.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: cut-rate
Meaning:
cut-rate\n  Cut-rate goods or services are cheaper than usual.\n...cut-rate auto insurance.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = cut-price


Words: cut-throat
Meaning:
cut-throat\n  If you describe a situation as cut-throat, you mean that the people or companies involved all want success and do not care if they harm each other in getting it.\n...the cut-throat competition in personal computers.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval\n  = ruthless


Words: cutaway
Meaning:
cut.away\n   cutaway  cutaways   also cut-away\n1. In a film or video, a cutaway or a cutaway shot is a picture that shows something different from the main thing that is being shown.\nI asked the cameraman to give me some cutaways for the interviews.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A cutaway or a cutaway coat or jacket is one which is cut diagonally from the front to the back, so that the back is longer. (AM; in BRIT, use tailcoat)\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A cutaway picture shows what something such as a machine looks like inside.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: cutback
Meaning:
cut.back\n   cutback  cutbacks   also cut-back\n  A cutback is a reduction that is made in something.\nLondon Underground said it may have to axe 500 signalling jobs because of government cutbacks in its investment.\n  N-COUNT: oft N in n\n  = cut


Words: cute
Meaning:
cute  cuter  cutest\n1. Something or someone that is cute is very pretty or attractive, or is intended to appear pretty or attractive. (INFORMAL)\nOh, look at that dog! He’s so cute.\n...a cute little baby.\n  ADJ\n  = sweet\n2. If you describe someone as cute, you think they are sexually attractive. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\nThere was this girl, and I thought she was really cute.\n  ADJ\n\n3. If you describe someone as cute, you mean that they deal with things cleverly. (AM)\nThat’s a cute trick.\n  ADJ\n  = clever


Words: cutesy
Meaning:
cute.sy\n   cutesy\n  If you describe someone or something as cutesy, you dislike them because you think they are unpleasantly pretty and sentimental. (INFORMAL)\n...cutesy paintings of owls.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  disapproval


Words: cuticle
Meaning:
cu.ti.cle\n   cuticle  cuticles\n  Your cuticles are the skin at the base of each of your fingernails.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cutlass
Meaning:
cut.lass\n   cutlass  cutlasses\n  A cutlass is a short sword that used to be used by sailors.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cutlery
Meaning:
cut.lery\n   cutlery\n1. Cutlery consists of the knives, forks, and spoons that you eat your food with. (BRIT; in AM, use silverware, flatware)\nShe arranged plates and cutlery on a small table.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. You can refer to knives and tools used for cutting as cutlery. (AM)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: cutlet
Meaning:
cut.let\n   cutlet  cutlets\n  A cutlet is a small piece of meat which is usually fried or grilled.\n...grilled lamb cutlets.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cutter
Meaning:
cut.ter\n   cutter  cutters\n1. A cutter is a tool that you use for cutting through something.\n...a pastry cutter.\n...wire cutters.\n  N-COUNT: usu n N\n\n2. A cutter is a person who cuts or reduces something.\nHe has been using every opportunity to boost his credibility as a budget cutter.\n  N-COUNT: with supp


Words: cutting
Meaning:
cut.ting\n   cutting  cuttings\n1. A cutting is a piece of writing which has been cut from a newspaper or magazine. (BRIT; in AM, use clipping)\nHere are the press cuttings and reviews.\n  N-COUNT\n  = clipping\n2. A cutting from a plant is a part of the plant that you have cut off so that you can grow a new plant from it.\nTake cuttings from it in July or August.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A cutting is a narrow valley cut through a hill so that a railway line or road can pass through. (BRIT; in AM, use cut)\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A cutting remark is unkind and likely to hurt someone’s feelings.\nPeople make cutting remarks to help themselves feel superior or powerful.\n  ADJ


Words: cutting board
Meaning:
cut.ting board\n   cutting board  cutting boards\n  A cutting board is a wooden or plastic board that you chop meat and vegetables on. (AM; in BRIT, usually use chopping board)\n  N-COUNT


Words: cutting edge
Meaning:
cut.ting edge\n   cutting edge\nThe spelling cutting-edge is used for meaning 3.\n1. If you are at the cutting edge of a particular field of activity, you are involved in its most important or most exciting developments.\nThis shipyard is at the cutting edge of world shipbuilding technology.\n  N-SING: usu at/on the N of n\n  = forefront\n2. If someone or something gives you a cutting edge, they give you an advantage over your competitors.\nIf Pearce had been fit, we would have won. We missed the cutting edge he would have given us.\n  N-SING\n\n3. Cutting-edge techniques or equipment are the most advanced that there are in a particular field.\nWhat we are planning is cutting-edge technology never seen in Australia before...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: cutting room
Meaning:
cut.ting room\n   cutting room\n  The cutting room in a film production company is the place where the film is edited.\nHer scene ended up on the cutting room floor.\n  N-SING: usu the N


Words: cuttlefish
Meaning:
cuttle.fish\n   cuttlefish  cuttlefish\n  A cuttlefish is a sea animal that has a soft body and a hard shell inside.\n  N-COUNT


Words: CV
Meaning:
CV  CVs\n  Your CV is a brief written account of your personal details, your education, and the jobs you have had. You can send a CV when you are applying for a job. CV is an abbreviation for `curriculum vitae’. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use resume)\nSend them a copy of your CV.\n  N-COUNT


Words: CYA
Meaning:
CYA is the written abbreviation for `see you’, mainly used in text messages and e-mails. (COMPUTING)


Words: cybercafe
Meaning:
cy.ber.cafe\n   cybercafe  cybercafes\n  A cybercafe is a cafe where people can pay to use the Internet.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cybernetics
Meaning:
cy.ber.net.ics\n   cybernetics\n  Cybernetics is a branch of science which involves studying the way electronic machines and human brains work, and developing machines that do things or think rather like people.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: cybersex
Meaning:
cy.ber.sex\n\n  Cybersex involves using the Internet for sexual purposes, especially by exchanging sexual messages with another person.\nA man was found guilty yesterday of stabbing his wife after he became jealous of her cybersex relationship.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: cyberspace
Meaning:
cy.ber.space\n   cyberspace\n  In computer technology, cyberspace refers to data banks and networks, considered as a place. (COMPUTING)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: cybersquatting
Meaning:
cy.ber.squatting\n\n  Cybersquatting involves buying an Internet domain name that might be wanted by another person, business, or organization with the intention of selling it to them and making a profit. (COMPUTING)\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  cy.ber.squatter     cybersquatters\nThe old official club website address has been taken over by cybersquatters.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cyborg
Meaning:
cy.borg\n   cyborg  cyborgs\n  In science fiction, a cyborg is a being that is part human and part machine, or a machine that looks like a human being.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cyclamen
Meaning:
cyc.la.men\n   cyclamen  cyclamen\n  A cyclamen is a plant with white, pink, or red flowers.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cycle
Meaning:
cy.cle\n   cycle  cycles  cycling  cycled\n1. If you cycle, you ride a bicycle.\nHe cycled to Ingwold...\nBritain could save .4.6 billion a year in road transport costs if more people cycled...\nOver 1000 riders cycled 100 miles around the Vale of York.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V, V n\n\n=>  cy.cling\nThe quiet country roads are ideal for cycling.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. A cycle is a bicycle.\n...an eight-mile cycle ride.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A cycle is a motorcycle. (AM)\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A cycle is a series of events or processes that is repeated again and again, always in the same order.\n...the life cycle of the plant...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n\n\n5. A cycle is a single complete series of movements in an electrical, electronic, or mechanical process.\n...10 cycles per second.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl


Words: cycle path
Meaning:
cy.cle path\n   cycle path  cycle paths\n  A cycle path is a special path on which people can travel by bicycle separately from motor vehicles.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cycleway
Meaning:
cy.cle.way\n   cycleway  cycleways\n  A cycleway is a special road, route, or path intended for use by cyclists. (BRIT; in AM, use bikeway)\n  N-COUNT


Words: cyclical
Meaning:
cy.cli.cal\n   cyclical\n  A cyclical process is one in which a series of events happens again and again in the same order.\n...the cyclical nature of the airline business.\n  ADJ


Words: cyclist
Meaning:
cy.clist\n   cyclist  cyclists\n  A cyclist is someone who rides a bicycle, or is riding a bicycle.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cyclone
Meaning:
cy.clone\n   cyclone  cyclones\n  A cyclone is a violent tropical storm in which the air goes round and round.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cylinder
Meaning:
cyl.in.der\n   cylinder  cylinders\n1. A cylinder is an object with flat circular ends and long straight sides.\n...a cylinder of foam...\nIt was recorded on a wax cylinder.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A gas cylinder is a cylinder-shaped container in which gas is kept under pressure.\n...oxygen cylinders.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n\n3. In an engine, a cylinder is a cylinder-shaped part in which a piston moves backwards and forwards.\n...a 2.5 litre, four-cylinder engine.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cylindrical
Meaning:
cy.lin.dri.cal\n   cylindrical\n  Something that is cylindrical is in the shape of a cylinder.\n...a cylindrical aluminium container...\nIt is cylindrical in shape.\n  ADJ


Words: cymbal
Meaning:
cym.bal\n   cymbal  cymbals\n  A cymbal is a flat circular brass object that is used as a musical instrument. You hit it with a stick or hit two cymbals together, making a loud noise.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cynic
Meaning:
cyn.ic\n   cynic  cynics\n  A cynic is someone who believes that people always act selfishly.\nI have come to be very much of a cynic in these matters.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cynical
Meaning:
cyni.cal\n   cynical\n1. If you describe someone as cynical, you mean they believe that people always act selfishly.\n...his cynical view of the world.\n  ADJ\n  !=idealistic\n=>  cyni.cal.ly\nAs one former customer said cynically, `He’s probably pocketed the difference!’\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n2. If you are cynical about something, you do not believe that it can be successful or that the people involved are honest.\nIt’s hard not to be cynical about reform...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, usu ADJ about n


Words: cynically
Meaning:
cyni.cal.ly\n   cynically\n  If you say that someone is cynically doing something, you mean they are doing it to benefit themselves and they do not care that they are deceiving, harming, or using people.\nHe accused the mainstream political parties of cynically exploiting this situation.\n  ADV: usu ADV before v  disapproval\n\n  see also cynical


Words: cynicism
Meaning:
cyni.cism\n   cynicism\n1. Cynicism is the belief that people always act selfishly.\nI found Ben’s cynicism wearing at times.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=idealism\n2. Cynicism about something is the belief that it cannot be successful or that the people involved are not honourable.\nThis talk betrays a certain cynicism about free trade.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Cypriot
Meaning:
Cyp.ri.ot\n   Cypriot  Cypriots\n1. Cypriot means belonging or relating to Cyprus, or to its people or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Cypriot is a Cypriot citizen, or a person of Cypriot origin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Cyrillic
Meaning:
Cy.ril.lic\n   Cyrillic   also cyrillic\n  The Cyrillic alphabet is the alphabet that is used to write some Slavonic languages, such as Russian and Bulgarian.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: cyst
Meaning:
cyst  cysts\n  A cyst is a growth containing liquid that appears inside your body or under your skin.\nHe had a minor operation to remove a cyst.\n  N-COUNT


Words: cystic fibrosis
Meaning:
cyst.ic fi.bro.sis\n   cystic fibrosis\n  Cystic fibrosis is a serious disease of the glands which usually affects children and can make breathing difficult.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: cystitis
Meaning:
cys.ti.tis\n   cystitis\n  Cystitis is a bladder infection. (MEDICAL)\n...an attack of cystitis.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Czech
Meaning:
Czech  Czechs\n1. Czech means belonging or relating to the Czech Republic, or to its people, language, or culture.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Czech is a Czech citizen, or a person of Czech origin.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. Czech is the language spoken in the Czech Republic.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Czechoslovak
Meaning:
Czecho.slo.vak\n   Czechoslovak  Czechoslovaks\n1. Czechoslovak means belonging or relating to the former state of Czechoslovakia.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. A Czechoslovak was a Czechoslovak citizen, or a person of Czechoslovak origin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Czechoslovakian
Meaning:
Czecho.slo.va.kian\n   Czechoslovakian  Czechoslovakians\n1. Czechoslovakian means the same as Czechoslovak.\n  ADJ\n\n2. A Czechoslovakian was a Czechoslovak citizen, or a person of Czechoslovak origin.\n  N-COUNT


Words: d’you
Meaning:
d’you\n  D’you is a shortened form of `do you’ or `did you’, used in spoken English.\nWhat d’you say?


Words: D-day
Meaning:
D-day\n  You can use D-day to refer to the day that is chosen for the beginning of an important activity.\nD-day for my departure was set for 29th June.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: d.o.b.
Meaning:
d.o.b. is an old-fashioned written abbreviation for date of birth, used especially on official forms.


Words: DAB
Meaning:
DAB is the transmission of digital stereo over conventional radio channels. DAB is an abbreviation for `digital audio broadcasting’.\nDAB is the radio system of the 21st Century.


Words: dab
Meaning:
dab  dabs  dabbing  dabbed\n1. If you dab something, you touch it several times using quick, light movements. If you dab a substance onto a surface, you put it there using quick, light movements.\nShe arrived weeping, dabbing her eyes with a tissue...\nShe dabbed iodine on the cuts on her forehead...\nHe dabbed at his lips with the napkin.\n  VERB: V n, V n prep/adv, V at n\n\n2. A dab of something is a small amount of it that is put onto a surface. (INFORMAL)\n...a dab of glue.\n  N-COUNT: N of n\n\n3. A dab is a small flat fish with rough scales.\n  N-VAR


Words: dab hand
Meaning:
dab hand  dab hands\n  In British English, if you are a dab hand at something, you are very good at doing it. (INFORMAL)\nShe’s a dab hand at DIY.\n  N-COUNT: usu N at n/-ing


Words: dabble
Meaning:
dab.ble\n   dabble  dabbles  dabbling  dabbled\n  If you dabble in something, you take part in it but not very seriously.\nHe dabbled in business...\nMagicians do not dabble, they work hard.\n  VERB: V in/with/at n, V


Words: dachshund
Meaning:
dachs.hund\n   dachshund  dachshunds\n  A dachshund is a small dog that has very short legs, a long body, and long ears.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dad
Meaning:
dad  dads\n  Your dad is your father. (INFORMAL)\nHow do you feel, Dad?...\nHe’s living with his mum and dad.\n  N-FAMILY


Words: daddy
Meaning:
dad.dy\n   daddy  daddies\n  Children often call their father daddy. (INFORMAL)\nLook at me, Daddy!...\nShe wanted her mummy and daddy.\n  N-FAMILY


Words: daddy longlegs
Meaning:
dad.dy longlegs\n   daddy longlegs  daddy longlegs\n  A daddy longlegs is a flying insect with very long legs.\n  N-COUNT\n  = cranefly


Words: dado
Meaning:
dado  dados\n  A dado is a strip of wood that can be fixed to the lower part of a wall. The wall is then often decorated differently above and below the dado.\n  N-COUNT


Words: daffodil
Meaning:
daf.fo.dil\n   daffodil  daffodils\n  A daffodil is a yellow spring flower with a central part shaped like a tube and a long stem.\n  N-COUNT


Words: daffy
Meaning:
daffy\n  If you describe a person or thing as daffy, you mean that they are strange or foolish, but in a rather attractive way. (INFORMAL)\nDaisy called her daffy, but goodhearted.\n...a daffy storyline.\n  ADJ  approval


Words: daft
Meaning:
daft  dafter  daftest\n  If you describe a person or their behaviour as daft, you think that they are stupid, impractical, or rather strange. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nHe’s not so daft as to listen to rumours...\nDon’t be daft!\n  ADJ\n  = silly


Words: dagger
Meaning:
dag.ger\n   dagger  daggers\n1. A dagger is a weapon like a knife with two sharp edges.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that two people are at daggers drawn, you mean they are having an argument and are still very angry with each other. (BRIT)\nShe and her mother were at daggers drawn.\n  PHRASE


Words: dahlia
Meaning:
dahl.ia\n   dahlia  dahlias\n  A dahlia is a garden flower with a lot of brightly coloured petals.\n  N-COUNT


Words: daily
Meaning:
dai.ly\n   daily  dailies\n1. If something happens daily, it happens every day.\nCathay Pacific flies daily non-stop to Hong Kong from Heathrow...\nThe Visitor Centre is open daily 8.30 a.m..4.30 p.m.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n  Daily is also an adjective.\nThey held daily press briefings.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. Daily quantities or rates relate to a period of one day.\n...a diet containing adequate daily amounts of fresh fruit...\nOur average daily turnover is about .300.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. A daily is a newspaper that is published every day of the week except Sunday.\nCopies of the local daily had been scattered on a table.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  Daily is also an adjective.\nHe studied the daily papers.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n4. Your daily life is the things that you do every day as part of your normal life.\n...the failure of the government to improve most people’s daily lives.\n  PHRASE: N inflects


Words: dainty
Meaning:
dain.ty\n   dainty  daintier  daintiest\n  If you describe a movement, person, or object as dainty, you mean that they are small, delicate, and pretty.\n...dainty pink flowers.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  dain.ti.ly\nShe walked daintily down the steps.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj


Words: daiquiri
Meaning:
dai.qui.ri\n   daiquiri  daiquiris\n  A daiquiri is a drink made with rum, lime or lemon juice, sugar, and ice.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dairy
Meaning:
dairy  dairies\n1. A dairy is a shop or company that sells milk and food made from milk, such as butter, cream, and cheese.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Dairy is used to refer to foods such as butter and cheese that are made from milk.\n...dairy produce.\n...vitamins found in eggs, meat and dairy products.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. Dairy is used to refer to the use of cattle to produce milk rather than meat.\n...a small vegetable and dairy farm.\n...the feeding of dairy cows.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: daisy
Meaning:
dai.sy\n   daisy  daisies\n  A daisy is a small wild flower with a yellow centre and white petals.\n  N-COUNT


Words: daisy chain
Meaning:
dai.sy chain\n   daisy chain  daisy chains   also daisy-chain\n  A daisy chain is a string of daisies that have been joined together by their stems to make a necklace. (mainly BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: dal
Meaning:
dal  dals   also dhal\n  Dal is an Indian dish made from pulses such as chick peas or lentils.\n  N-VAR


Words: dalliance
Meaning:
dal.li.ance\n   dalliance  dalliances\n1. If two people have a brief romantic relationship, you can say that they have a dalliance with each other, especially if they do not take it seriously. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-VAR: oft N with n\n\n2. Someone’s dalliance with something is a brief involvement with it. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n...my brief dalliance with higher education.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N, N with n


Words: dally
Meaning:
dal.ly\n   dally  dallies  dallying  dallied\n1. If you dally, you act or move very slowly, wasting time. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nThe bureaucrats dallied too long...\nHe did not dally over the choice of a partner.\n  VERB: V, V over n/-ing, also V with n\n\n2. If someone dallies with you, they have a romantic, but not serious, relationship with you. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nIn the past he dallied with actresses and lady novelists.\n  VERB: V with n


Words: Dalmatian
Meaning:
Dal.ma.tian\n   Dalmatian  Dalmatians\n  A Dalmatian is a large dog with short, smooth, white hair and black or dark brown spots.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dam
Meaning:
dam  dams  damming  dammed\n1. A dam is a wall that is built across a river in order to stop the water flowing and to make a lake.\n...plans to build a dam on the Danube River.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. To dam a river means to build a dam across it.\n...plans to dam the nearby Delaware River...\n  VERB: V n


Words: damage
Meaning:
dam.age\n   damage  damages  damaging  damaged\n1. To damage an object means to break it, spoil it physically, or stop it from working properly.\nHe maliciously damaged a car with a baseball bat...\nThe sun can damage your skin.\n  VERB: V n, V n\n\n2. To damage something means to cause it to become less good, pleasant, or successful.\nJackson doesn’t want to damage his reputation as a political personality...\n  VERB: V n\n  = harm\n=>  dam.ag.ing\nIs the recycling process in itself damaging to the environment?\n  ADJ\n  = harmful\n3. Damage is physical harm that is caused to an object.\nThe blast caused extensive damage to the house...\nMany professional boxers end their careers with brain damage.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N to n\n\n4. Damage consists of the unpleasant effects that something has on a person, situation, or type of activity.\nIncidents of this type cause irreparable damage to relations with the community...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N to n\n\n5. If a court of law awards damages to someone, it orders money to be paid to them by a person who has damaged their reputation or property, or who has injured them.\nHe was vindicated in court and damages were awarded.\n  N-PLURAL


Words: damage limitation
Meaning:
dam.age limi.ta.tion\n   damage limitation\n  Damage limitation is action that is taken to make the bad results of something as small as possible, when it is impossible to avoid bad results completely. (BRIT; in AM, use damage control)\nThe meeting was merely an exercise in damage limitation...\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: damask
Meaning:
dam.ask\n   damask  damasks\n  Damask is a type of heavy cloth with a pattern woven into it.\n  N-MASS


Words: dame
Meaning:
dame  dames\n1. Dame is a title given to a woman as a special honour because of important service or work that she has done. (BRIT)\n...Dame Judi Dench.\n  N-TITLE\n\n2. A dame is a woman. This use could cause offence. (AM INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED)\nWho does that dame think she is?\n  N-COUNT


Words: damn
Meaning:
damn  damns  damning  damned\n1. Damn, damn it, and dammit are used by some people to express anger or impatience. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\nDon’t be flippant, damn it! This is serious.\n  EXCLAM  feelings\n\n2. Damn is used by some people to emphasize what they are saying. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\nThere’s not a damn thing you can do about it now.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n  Damn is also an adverb.\nAs it turned out, I was damn right...\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv\n\n3. If you say that a person or a news report damns something such as a policy or action, you mean that they are very critical of it.\n...a sensational book in which she damns the ultra-right party.\n  VERB: V n\n  = slam\n4.\n  see also damned, damning\n5. If you say that someone does not give a damn about something, you are emphasizing that they do not care about it at all. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  PHRASE: V inflects  emphasis\n\n6. Some people say as near as damn it or as near as dammit to emphasize that what they have said is almost completely accurate, but not quite. (BRIT INFORMAL, RUDE)\nIt’s as near as damn it the same thing...\n  PHRASE: usu PHR n  emphasis


Words: damn fool
Meaning:
damn fool\n  Damn fool means `very stupid’. (AM INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED, RUDE)\nWhat a damn fool thing to do!\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis


Words: damnable
Meaning:
dam.nable\n   damnable\n  You use damnable to emphasize that you dislike or disapprove of something a great deal. (OLD-FASHIONED, RUDE)\nWhat a damnable climate we have!\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n=>  dam.nably\nIt was damnably unfair that he should suffer so much.\n  ADV: ADV adj


Words: damnation
Meaning:
dam.na.tion\n   damnation\n  According to some religions, if someone suffers damnation, they have to stay in hell for ever after they have died because of their sins.\n...a fear of eternal damnation.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: damned
Meaning:
damned\n1. Damned is used by some people to emphasize what they are saying, especially when they are angry or frustrated. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\nThey’re a damned nuisance.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n  Damned is also an adverb.\nWe are making a damned good profit, I tell you that.\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv\n\n2. If someone says `I’m damned if I’m going to do it’ or `I’ll be damned if I’ll do it’, they are emphasizing that they do not intend to do something and think it is unreasonable for anyone to expect them to do it. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\n  PHRASE: V inflects  emphasis


Words: damnedest
Meaning:
damned.est\n   damnedest\n  If you say that you will do your damnedest to achieve something, you mean that you will try as hard as you can to do it, even though you think that it will take a lot of effort. (INFORMAL, RUDE)\nI did my damnedest to persuade her.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR to-inf


Words: damning
Meaning:
damn.ing\n   damning\n  If you describe evidence or a report as damning, you mean that it suggests very strongly that someone is guilty of a crime or has made a serious mistake.\n...a damning report into his handling of the affair...\n  ADJ


Words: Damocles
Meaning:
Damocles\n  If you say that someone has the Sword of Damocles hanging over their head, you mean that they are in a situation in which something very bad could happen to them at any time. (LITERARY)\n  PHRASE


Words: damp
Meaning:
damp  damper  dampest  damps  damping  damped\n1. Something that is damp is slightly wet.\nHer hair was still damp...\nShe wiped the table with a damp cloth.\n  ADJ\n  = moist\n2. Damp is moisture that is found on the inside walls of a house or in the air.\nThere was damp everywhere and the entire building was in need of rewiring.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  see also rising damp\n3. If you damp something, you make it slightly wet.\nHillsden damped a hand towel and laid it across her forehead.\n  VERB: V n\n  = dampen


Words: damp course
Meaning:
damp course  damp courses\n  A damp course is a layer of waterproof material which is put into the bottom of the outside wall of a building to prevent moisture from rising. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: damp down
Meaning:
damp down\n  To damp down something such as a strong emotion, an argument, or a crisis means to make it calmer or less intense.\nHis hand moved to his mouth as he tried to damp down the panic...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)


Words: damp-proof course
Meaning:
damp-proof course  damp-proof courses\n  A damp-proof course is the same as a damp course.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dampen
Meaning:
damp.en\n   dampen  dampens  dampening  dampened\n1. To dampen something such as someone’s enthusiasm or excitement means to make it less lively or intense.\nNothing seems to dampen his perpetual enthusiasm...\n  VERB: V n\n\n  To dampen something down means the same as to dampen it.\nAlthough unemployment rose last month, this is unlikely to dampen down wage demands...\nThe economy overheated and the Government used to interest rates to dampen it down.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P\n\n2. If you dampen something, you make it slightly wet.\nShe took the time to dampen a washcloth and do her face.\n  VERB: V n


Words: dampener
Meaning:
damp.en.er\n   dampener\n  To put a dampener on something means the same as to put a damper on it.\nBoy, did this woman know how to put a dampener on your day.\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n


Words: damper
Meaning:
damp.er\n   damper  dampers\n  To put a damper on something means to have an effect on it which stops it being as enjoyable or as successful as it should be. (INFORMAL)\nThe cold weather put a damper on our plans...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n


Words: dampness
Meaning:
damp.ness\n   dampness\n  Dampness is moisture in the air, or on the surface of something.\nThe tins had to be kept away from dampness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = moisture


Words: damsel
Meaning:
dam.sel\n   damsel  damsels\n  A damsel is a young, unmarried woman. (LITERARY, OLD-FASHIONED)\nHe keeps coming to the aid of this damsel in distress.\n  N-COUNT\n  = maiden


Words: dance
Meaning:
dance  dances  dancing  danced\n1. When you dance, you move your body and feet in a way which follows a rhythm, usually in time to music.\nPolly had never learned to dance...\nI like to dance to the music on the radio.\n  VERB: V, V to n\n\n2. A dance is a particular series of graceful movements of your body and feet, which you usually do in time to music.\nSometimes the people doing this dance hold brightly colored scarves...\nShe describes the tango as a very sexy dance.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. When you dance with someone, the two of you take part in a dance together, as partners. You can also say that two people dance.\nIt’s a terrible thing when nobody wants to dance with you...\nShall we dance?...\nHe asked her to dance.\n  V-RECIP: V with n, pl-n V, V (non-recip)\n\n  Dance is also a noun.\nCome and have a dance with me.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. A dance is a social event where people dance with each other.\n...the school dance.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. Dance is the activity of performing dances, as a public entertainment or an art form.\nShe loves dance, drama and music...\n...dance classes.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n6. If you dance a particular kind of dance, you do it or perform it.\nThen we put the music on, and we all danced the Charleston...\n  VERB: V n\n\n7. If you dance somewhere, you move there lightly and quickly, usually because you are happy or excited. (LITERARY)\nHe danced off down the road...\n  VERB: V adv/prep\n\n8. If you say that something dances, you mean that it moves about, or seems to move about, lightly and quickly. (LITERARY)\nLight danced on the surface of the water...\n  VERB: V adv/prep\n\n9.\nto dance to someone’s tune: see tune\nto make a song and dance about: see song and dance


Words: dance floor
Meaning:
dance floor  dance floors   also dancefloor\n  In a restaurant or night club, the dance floor is the area where people can dance.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dance hall
Meaning:
dance hall  dance halls\n  Dance halls were large rooms or buildings where people used to pay to go and dance, usually in the evening. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: dance studio
Meaning:
dance stu.dio\n   dance studio  dance studios\n  A dance studio is a place where people pay to learn how to dance.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dancer
Meaning:
danc.er\n   dancer  dancers\n1. A dancer is a person who earns money by dancing, or a person who is dancing.\nHis previous girlfriend was a dancer with the Royal Ballet...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that someone is a good dancer or a bad dancer, you are saying how well or badly they can dance.\nHe was the best dancer in LA.\n  N-COUNT: adj N


Words: dancing
Meaning:
danc.ing\n   dancing\n  When people dance for enjoyment or to entertain others, you can refer to this activity as dancing.\nAll the schools have music and dancing as part of the curriculum...\nLet’s go dancing tonight.\n...dancing shoes.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: dandelion
Meaning:
dan.de.lion\n   dandelion  dandelions\n  A dandelion is a wild plant which has yellow flowers with lots of thin petals. When the petals of each flower drop off, a fluffy white ball of seeds grows.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dandruff
Meaning:
dan.druff\n   dandruff\n  Dandruff is small white pieces of dead skin in someone’s hair, or fallen from someone’s hair.\nHe has very bad dandruff.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: dandy
Meaning:
dan.dy\n   dandy  dandies\n1. A dandy is a man who thinks a great deal about his appearance and always dresses in smart clothes.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that something is dandy, you mean it is good or just right. (AM INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED)\n  ADJ\n  = great


Words: danger
Meaning:
dan.ger\n   danger  dangers\n1. Danger is the possibility that someone may be harmed or killed.\nMy friends endured tremendous danger in order to help me...\nHis life could be in danger.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=safety\n2. A danger is something or someone that can hurt or harm you.\n...the dangers of smoking...\nBritain’s roads are a danger to cyclists...\n  N-COUNT: usu N of -ing, N to n\n  = threat\n3. If there is a danger that something unpleasant will happen, it is possible that it will happen.\nThere is a real danger that some people will no longer be able to afford insurance...\nIf there is a danger of famine, we should help.\n  N-SING: also no det, N that, N of n/-ing\n\n4. If someone who has been seriously ill is out of danger, they are still ill, but they are not expected to die.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR


Words: dangerous
Meaning:
dan.ger.ous\n   dangerous\n  If something is dangerous, it is able or likely to hurt or harm you.\nIt’s a dangerous stretch of road.\n...dangerous drugs...\nIt’s dangerous to jump to early conclusions.\n  ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf\n  = unsafe\n=>  dan.ger.ous.ly\nHe is dangerously ill...\nThe coach rocked dangerously.\n  ADV: usu ADV adj/adv/-ed, also ADV after v


Words: dangle
Meaning:
dan.gle\n   dangle  dangles  dangling  dangled\n1. If something dangles from somewhere or if you dangle it somewhere, it hangs or swings loosely.\nA gold bracelet dangled from his left wrist...\nHe and I were sitting out on his jetty dangling our legs in the water.\n  VERB: V prep/adv, V n prep/adv\n\n2. If you say that someone is dangling something attractive before you, you mean they are offering it to you in order to try to influence you in some way.\nThey’ve dangled rich rewards before me.\n  VERB: V n before/in front of n


Words: Danish
Meaning:
Dan.ish\n   Danish\n1. Danish means belonging or relating to Denmark, its people, its language, or culture.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. Danish is the language spoken in Denmark.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: Danish pastry
Meaning:
Dan.ish pas.try\n   Danish pastry  Danish pastries\n  Danish pastries are cakes made from sweet pastry. They are often filled with things such as apple or almond paste.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dank
Meaning:
dank\n  A dank place, especially an underground place such as a cave, is unpleasantly damp and cold.\nThe kitchen was dank and cheerless.\n  ADJ


Words: dapper
Meaning:
dap.per\n   dapper\n  A man who is dapper has a very neat and clean appearance, and is often also small and thin.\n...a dapper little man.\n  ADJ


Words: dappled
Meaning:
dap.pled\n   dappled\n  You use dappled to describe something that has dark or light patches on it, or that is made up of patches of light and shade.\n...a dappled horse...\nThe path was dappled with sunlight.\n  ADJ: ADJ n, v-link ADJ with/by/in n


Words: dare
Meaning:
dare  dares  daring  dared\nDare sometimes behaves like an ordinary verb, for example `He dared to speak’ and `He doesn’t dare to speak’ and sometimes like a modal, for example `He daren’t speak’.\n1. If you do not dare to do something, you do not have enough courage to do it, or you do not want to do it because you fear the consequences. If you dare to do something, you do something which requires a lot of courage.\nMost people hate Harry but they don’t dare to say so...\nWe have had problems in our family that I didn’t dare tell Uncle.\n  VERB: oft with brd-neg, V to-inf, V inf\n\n  Dare is also a modal.\nDare she risk staying where she was?...\nThe government dare not raise interest rates again...\n`Are you coming with me?’.`I can’t, Alice. I daren’t.’\n  MODAL\n\n2. If you dare someone to do something, you challenge them to prove that they are not frightened of doing it.\nOver coffee, she lit a cigarette, her eyes daring him to comment...\n  VERB: V n to-inf\n\n3. A dare is a challenge which one person gives to another to do something dangerous or frightening.\nWhen found, the children said they’d run away for a dare.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu as/for/on a N\n\n4. If you say to someone `don’t you dare’ do something, you are telling them not to do it and letting them know that you are angry. (SPOKEN)\nAllen, don’t you dare go anywhere else, you hear?\n  PHRASE: oft PHR inf  feelings\n\n5. You say `how dare you’’ when you are very shocked and angry about something that someone has done. (SPOKEN)\nHow dare you pick up the phone and listen in on my conversations!...\n  PHRASE: usu PHR inf  feelings\n\n6. You use `dare I say it’ when you know that what you are going to say will disappoint or annoy someone.\nPoliticians usually attract younger women, dare I say it, because of the status they have in society.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl  politeness\n\n7. You can use `I dare say’ or `I daresay’ before or after a statement to indicate that you believe it is probably true.\n  PHRASE: PHR that, cl PHR\n  = I suppose


Words: daredevil
Meaning:
dare.devil\n   daredevil  daredevils\n1. Daredevil people enjoy doing physically dangerous things.\nA daredevil parachutist jumped from the top of Tower Bridge today.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n  Daredevil is also a noun.\nHe was a daredevil when young.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You use daredevil to describe actions that are physically dangerous and require courage.\nThe show’s full of daredevil feats.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: daring
Meaning:
dar.ing\n   daring\n1. People who are daring are willing to do or say things which are new or which might shock or anger other people.\nBergit was probably more daring than I was...\nHe realized this to be a very daring thing to ask.\n  ADJ\n  = bold\n=>  dar.ing.ly\n...a daringly low-cut dress.\n  ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj\n\n2. A daring person is willing to do things that might be dangerous.\nHis daring rescue saved the lives of the youngsters.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = bold\n3. Daring is the courage to do things which might be dangerous or which might shock or anger other people.\nHis daring may have cost him his life.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = bravery, boldness  !=cowardice


Words: dark
Meaning:
dark  darker  darkest\n1. When it is dark, there is not enough light to see properly, for example because it is night.\nIt was too dark inside to see much...\nPeople usually draw the curtains once it gets dark...\nShe snapped off the light and made her way back through the dark kitchen.\n  ADJ\n  !=light\n=>  dark.ness\nThe light went out, and the room was plunged into darkness.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  dark.ly\n...a darkly lit, seedy dance hall.\n  ADV: ADV -ed\n\n2. The dark is the lack of light in a place.\nI’ve always been afraid of the dark.\n  N-SING: the N\n  = darkness  !=light\n3. If you describe something as dark, you mean that it is black in colour, or a shade that is close to black.\nHe wore a dark suit and carried a black attache case...\n  ADJ\n  !=light\n=>  dark.ly\nJoanne’s freckles stood out darkly against her pale skin...\n  ADV: ADV after v, ADV adj/-ed\n\n4. When you use dark to describe a colour, you are referring to a shade of that colour which is close to black, or seems to have some black in it.\nShe was wearing a dark blue dress.\n  COMB in COLOUR\n  !=light\n5. If someone has dark hair, eyes, or skin, they have brown or black hair, eyes, or skin.\nHe had dark, curly hair...\n  ADJ\n\n6. If you describe a white person as dark, you mean that they have brown or black hair, and often a brownish skin.\nCarol is a tall, dark, Latin type of woman...\n  ADJ\n  !=fair\n7. A dark period of time is unpleasant or frightening.\nThis was the darkest period of the war.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = black\n8. A dark place or area is mysterious and not fully known about.\n...the dark recesses of the mind.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n9. Dark thoughts are sad, and show that you are expecting something unpleasant to happen. (LITERARY)\nTroy’s chatter kept me from thinking dark thoughts.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = gloomy\n10. Dark looks or remarks make you think that the person giving them wants to harm you or that something horrible is going to happen. (LITERARY)\n...dark threats.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = sinister\n=>  dark.ly\n`Something’s wrong here,’ she said darkly...\n  ADV: ADV with v\n\n11. If you describe something as dark, you mean that it is related to things that are serious or unpleasant, rather than light-hearted.\nTheir dark humor never failed to astound him...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n=>  dark.ly\nThe atmosphere after Wednesday’s debut was as darkly comic as the film itself...\n  ADV: ADV adj\n\n12.\n  see also pitch-dark\n13. If you do something after dark, you do it when the sun has set and night has begun.\nThey avoid going out alone after dark.\n  PHRASE\n\n14. If you do something before dark, you do it before the sun sets and night begins.\nThey’ll be back well before dark.\n  PHRASE\n\n15. If you are in the dark about something, you do not know anything about it.\nThe investigators admit that they are completely in the dark about the killing...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v, oft PHR about n\n\n16. If you describe something someone says or does as a shot in the dark or a stab in the dark, you mean they are guessing that what they say is correct or that what they do will be successful.\nEvery single one of those inspired guesses had been shots in the dark.\n  PHRASE: shot inflects


Words: dark age
Meaning:
dark age  dark ages   also Dark Age\n1. If you refer to a period in the history of a society as a dark age, you think that it is characterized by a lack of knowledge and progress. (WRITTEN)\nThe Education Secretary accuses teachers of wanting to return to a dark age.\n  N-COUNT  disapproval\n\n2. The Dark Ages are the period of European history between about 500 A.D. and about 1000 A.D.\n  N-PROPER: the N


Words: dark glasses
Meaning:
dark glasses\n  Dark glasses are glasses which have dark-coloured lenses to protect your eyes in the sunshine.\n  N-PLURAL: also a pair of N\n  = sunglasses


Words: dark horse
Meaning:
dark horse  dark horses\n  If you describe someone as a dark horse, you mean that people know very little about them, although they may have recently had success or may be about to have success.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dark matter
Meaning:
dark mat.ter\n   dark matter\n  Dark matter is material that is believed to form a large part of the universe, but which has never been seen.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: darken
Meaning:
dark.en\n   darken  darkens  darkening  darkened\n1. If something darkens or if a person or thing darkens it, it becomes darker.\nThe sky darkened abruptly...\nShe had put on her make-up and darkened her eyelashes.\n  VERB: V, V n\n  !=lighten\n2. If someone’s mood darkens or if something darkens their mood, they suddenly become rather unhappy. (LITERARY)\nMy sunny mood suddenly darkened...\nNothing was going to darken his mood today.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n3. If someone’s face darkens, they suddenly look angry. (LITERARY)\nRawley’s face darkened again.\n  VERB: V


Words: darkened
Meaning:
dark.ened\n   darkened\n  A darkened building or room has no lights on inside it.\nHe drove past darkened houses.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: darkroom
Meaning:
dark.room\n   darkroom  darkrooms\n  A darkroom is a room which can be sealed off from natural light and is lit only by red light. It is used for developing photographs.\n  N-COUNT


Words: darling
Meaning:
dar.ling\n   darling  darlings\n1. You call someone darling if you love them or like them very much.\nThank you, darling...\n  N-VOC  feelings\n\n2. Some people use darling to describe someone or something that they love or like very much. (INFORMAL)\nTo have a darling baby boy was the greatest gift I could imagine...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. If you describe someone as a darling, you are fond of them and think that they are nice. (INFORMAL)\nHe’s such a darling.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. The darling of a group of people is someone who is especially liked by that group.\nRajneesh was the darling of a prosperous family.\n  N-COUNT: with poss


Words: darn
Meaning:
darn  darns  darning  darned\n1. If you darn something knitted or made of cloth, you mend a hole in it by sewing stitches across the hole and then weaving stitches in and out of them.\nAunt Emilie darned old socks...\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  darn.ing\n...chores such as sewing and darning.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. People sometimes use darn or darned to emphasize what they are saying, often when they are annoyed. (INFORMAL)\nThere’s not a darn thing he can do about it...\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n  = damn, damned\n  Darn is also an adverb.\n...the desire to be free to do just as we darn well please...\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv\n\n3. You can say I’ll be darned to show that you are very surprised about something. (AM INFORMAL)\n`A talking pig!’ he exclaimed. `Well, I’ll be darned.’\n  PHRASE  feelings


Words: dart
Meaning:
dart  darts  darting  darted\n1. If a person or animal darts somewhere, they move there suddenly and quickly. (WRITTEN)\nIngrid darted across the deserted street...\n  VERB: V prep/adv\n\n2. If you dart a look at someone or something, or if your eyes dart to them, you look at them very quickly. (LITERARY)\nShe darted a sly sideways glance at Bramwell...\nThe conductor’s eyes darted to Wilfred, then fixed on Michael again.\n  VERB: V n at n, V prep/adv\n\n3. A dart is a small, narrow object with a sharp point which can be thrown or shot.\nMarkov died after being struck by a poison dart.\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. Darts is a game in which you throw darts at a round board which has numbers on it.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: dartboard
Meaning:
dart.board\n   dartboard  dartboards\n  A dartboard is a circular board with numbers on it which is used as the target in a game of darts.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dash
Meaning:
dash  dashes  dashing  dashed\n1. If you dash somewhere, you run or go there quickly and suddenly.\nSuddenly she dashed down to the cellar...\n  VERB: V adv/prep\n\n  Dash is also a noun.\n...a 160-mile dash to hospital.\n  N-SING\n\n2. If you say that you have to dash, you mean that you are in a hurry and have to leave immediately. (INFORMAL)\nOh, Tim! I’m sorry but I have to dash...\n  VERB: no cont, V\n  = rush\n3. A dash of something is a small quantity of it which you add when you are preparing food or mixing a drink.\nAdd a dash of balsamic vinegar.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n4. A dash of a quality is a small amount of it that is found in something and often makes it more interesting or distinctive.\n...a story with a dash of mystery thrown in.\n  N-COUNT: usu N of n\n\n5. If you dash something against a wall or other surface, you throw or push it violently, often so hard that it breaks. (LITERARY)\nShe seized the doll and dashed it against the stone wall with tremendous force.\n  VERB: V n against n, also V n prep\n\n6. If an event or person dashes someone’s hopes or expectations, it destroys them by making it impossible that the thing that is hoped for or expected will ever happen. (JOURNALISM LITERARY)\nThe announcement dashed hopes of an early end to the crisis...\nThey had their championship hopes dashed by a 3-1 defeat.\n  VERB: V n, have n V-ed\n\n7. A dash is a straight, horizontal line used in writing, for example to separate two main clauses whose meanings are closely connected.\n  N-COUNT\n\n8. The dash of a car is its dashboard.\n  N-COUNT\n\n9. If you make a dash for a place, you run there very quickly, for example to escape from someone or something.\nI made a dash for the front door but he got there before me...\n  PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n


Words: dash off
Meaning:
dash off\n1. If you dash off to a place, you go there very quickly.\nHe dashed off to lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P to n\n\n2. If you dash off a piece of writing, you write or compose it very quickly, without thinking about it very much.\nHe dashed off a couple of novels.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)


Words: dashboard
Meaning:
dash.board\n   dashboard  dashboards\n  The dashboard in a car is the panel facing the driver’s seat where most of the instruments and switches are.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dashing
Meaning:
dash.ing\n   dashing\n  A dashing person or thing is very stylish and attractive. (OLD-FASHIONED)\nHe was the very model of the dashing RAF pilot...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: dastardly
Meaning:
das.tard.ly\n   dastardly\n1. If you describe an action as dastardly, you mean it is wicked and intended to hurt someone. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. If you describe a person as dastardly, you mean they are wicked. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: DAT
Meaning:
DAT\n  DAT is a type of magnetic tape used to make very high quality recordings of sound by recording it in digital form. DAT is an abbreviation for `digital audio tape’.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: data
Meaning:
da.ta\n   data\n1. You can refer to information as data, especially when it is in the form of facts or statistics that you can analyse. In American English, data is usually a plural noun. In technical or formal British English, data is sometimes a plural noun, but at other times, it is an uncount noun.\nThe study was based on data from 2,100 women...\nTo cope with these data, hospitals bought large mainframe computers.\n  N-UNCOUNT; also N-PLURAL\n\n2. Data is information that can be stored and used by a computer program. (COMPUTING)\nYou can compress huge amounts of data on to a CD-ROM.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: data bank
Meaning:
da.ta bank\n   data bank  data banks   also databank\n  A data bank is the same as a database.\n  N-COUNT


Words: data mining
Meaning:
da.ta min.ing\n\n  Data mining involves collecting information from data stored in a database, for example in order to find out about people’s shopping habits. (COMPUTING)\nData mining is used to analyse individuals’ buying habits.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: data processing
Meaning:
da.ta pro.cess.ing\n   data processing\n  Data processing is the series of operations that are carried out on data, especially by computers, in order to present, interpret, or obtain information.\nTaylor’s company makes data-processing systems.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: database
Meaning:
data.base\n   database  databases   also data base\n  A database is a collection of data that is stored in a computer and that can easily be used and added to.\nThey maintain a database of hotels that cater for businesswomen.\n  N-COUNT


Words: date
Meaning:
date  dates  dating  dated\n1. A date is a specific time that can be named, for example a particular day or a particular year.\nWhat’s the date today?...\nYou will need to give the dates you wish to stay and the number of rooms you require.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you date something, you give or discover the date when it was made or when it began.\nI think we can date the decline of Western Civilization quite precisely...\nArchaeologists have dated the fort to the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius.\n  VERB: V n, V n to n\n\n3. When you date something such as a letter or a cheque, you write that day’s date on it.\nOnce the decision is reached, he can date and sign the sheet...\nThe letter is dated 2 July 1993.\n  VERB: V n, V-ed\n\n4. If you want to refer to an event without saying exactly when it will happen or when it happened, you can say that it will happen or happened at some date in the future or past.\nRetain copies of all correspondence, since you may need them at a later date...\n  N-SING: with supp, at N\n\n5. To date means up until the present time.\n`Dottie’ is by far his best novel to date...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n6. If something dates, it goes out of fashion and becomes unacceptable to modern tastes.\nA black coat always looks smart and will never date...\n  VERB: V\n\n7. If your ideas, what you say, or the things that you like or can remember date you, they show that you are quite old or older than the people you are with.\nIt’s going to date me now. I attended that school from 1969 to 1972.\n  VERB: V n\n\n8. A date is an appointment to meet someone or go out with them, especially someone with whom you are having, or may soon have, a romantic relationship.\nI have a date with Bob...\n  N-COUNT\n\n9. If you have a date with someone with whom you are having, or may soon have, a romantic relationship, you can refer to that person as your date.\nHe lied to Essie, saying his date was one of the girls in the show.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N\n\n10. If you are dating someone, you go out with them regularly because you are having, or may soon have, a romantic relationship with them. You can also say that two people are dating.\nFor a year I dated a woman who was a research assistant...\nThey’ve been dating for three months...\n  V-RECIP: V n, pl-n V\n\n11. A date is a small, dark-brown, sticky fruit with a stone inside. Dates grow on palm trees in hot countries.\n  N-COUNT\n\n12.\n  see also blind date, carbon dating, dated, out of date, up to date


Words: date back
Meaning:
date back\n  If something dates back to a particular time, it started or was made at that time.\n...a palace dating back to the 16th century...\nThis tradition dates back over 200 years.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P to n, V P amount


Words: date from
Meaning:
date from\n  If something dates from a particular time, it started or was made at that time.\nThe present controversy dates from 1986.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: date of birth
Meaning:
date of birth  dates of birth\n  Your date of birth is the exact date on which you were born, including the year.\nThe registration form showed his date of birth as August 2, 1979.\n  N-COUNT: oft poss N


Words: date rape
Meaning:
date rape\n  Date rape is when a man rapes a woman after having spent the evening socially with her.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: dated
Meaning:
dat.ed\n   dated\n  Dated things seem old-fashioned, although they may once have been fashionable or modern.\n...people in dated dinner-jackets.\n  ADJ


Words: dating
Meaning:
da.ting\n   dating\n  Dating agencies or services are for people who are trying to find a girlfriend or boyfriend.\nI joined a dating agency.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: dative
Meaning:
da.tive\n   dative\n  In the grammar of some languages, for example Latin, the dative, or the dative case, is the case used for a noun when it is the indirect object of a verb, or when it comes after some prepositions.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: daub
Meaning:
daub  daubs  daubing  daubed\n  When you daub a substance such as mud or paint on something, you spread it on that thing in a rough or careless way.\nThe make-up woman daubed mock blood on Jeremy...\nThey sent death threats and daubed his home with slogans...\n  VERB: V n prep/adv, V n with n


Words: daughter
Meaning:
daugh.ter\n   daughter  daughters\n  Someone’s daughter is their female child.\n...Flora and her daughter Catherine.\n...the daughter of a university professor...\nI have two daughters.\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss


Words: daughter-in-law
Meaning:
daughter-in-law  daughters-in-law\n  Someone’s daughter-in-law is the wife of their son.\n  N-COUNT: usu poss N


Words: daunt
Meaning:
daunt  daunts  daunting  daunted\n  If something daunts you, it makes you feel slightly afraid or worried about dealing with it.\n...a gruelling journey that would have daunted a woman half her age...\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  daunt.ed\nIt is hard to pick up such a book and not to feel a little daunted.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ


Words: daunting
Meaning:
daunt.ing\n   daunting\n  Something that is daunting makes you feel slightly afraid or worried about dealing with it.\nThey were faced with the daunting task of restoring the house...\n  ADJ\n  = intimidating\n=>  daunt.ing.ly\nShe is dauntingly articulate.\n  ADV


Words: dauntless
Meaning:
daunt.less\n   dauntless\n  A dauntless person is brave and confident and not easily frightened. (LITERARY)\n...their dauntless courage.\n  ADJ\n  = resolute


Words: dauphin
Meaning:
dau.phin\n   dauphin     also Dauphin\n  In former times, the king and queen of France’s oldest son was called the dauphin.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: dawdle
Meaning:
daw.dle\n   dawdle  dawdles  dawdling  dawdled\n  If you dawdle, you spend more time than is necessary going somewhere.\nEleanor will be back any moment, if she doesn’t dawdle...\n  VERB: V


Words: dawn
Meaning:
dawn  dawns  dawning  dawned\n1. Dawn is the time of day when light first appears in the sky, just before the sun rises.\nNancy woke at dawn.\n  N-VAR\n\n2. The dawn of a period of time or a situation is the beginning of it. (LITERARY)\n...the dawn of the radio age.\n  N-SING: usu the N of n\n\n3. If something is dawning, it is beginning to develop or come into existence. (WRITTEN)\nThroughout Europe a new railway age, that of the high-speed train, has dawned...\n  VERB: V\n\n=>  dawn.ing\n...the dawning of the space age...\n  N-SING: oft the\n\n4. When you say that a particular day dawned, you mean it arrived or began, usually when it became light. (WRITTEN)\nWhen the great day dawned, the first concern was the weather...\n  VERB: V\n\n5.\nat the crack of dawn: see crack


Words: dawn on
Meaning:
dawn on   or dawn upon\n  If a fact or idea dawns on you, you realize it.\nIt gradually dawned on me that I still had talent and ought to run again...\nThen the chilling truth dawned on Captain Gary Snavely.\n  PHRASAL VERB: it V P n that, V P n\n  = strike


Words: dawn raid
Meaning:
dawn raid  dawn raids\n1. If police officers carry out a dawn raid, they go to someone’s house very early in the morning to search it or arrest them.\nThousands of pounds worth of drugs were seized in dawn raids yesterday.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If a person or company carries out a dawn raid, they try to buy a large number of a company’s shares at the start of a day’s trading, especially because they want to buy the whole company. (BUSINESS)\nSouthern acquired 11.2 per cent of Sweb in a dawn raid on Monday.\n  N-COUNT


Words: day
Meaning:
day  days\n1. A day is one of the seven twenty-four hour periods of time in a week.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. Day is the time when it is light, or the time when you are up and doing things.\n27 million working days are lost each year due to work accidents and sickness...\nHe arranged for me to go down to London one day a week...\nThe snack bar is open during the day.\n  N-VAR\n  !=night\n3. You can refer to a particular period in history as a particular day or as particular days.\nHe began to talk about the Ukraine of his uncle’s day...\nShe is doing just fine these days.\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n4. If something happens day after day, it happens every day without stopping.\nThe newspaper job had me doing the same thing day after day.\n  PHRASE\n\n5. In this day and age means in modern times.\nEven in this day and age the old attitudes persist.\n  PHRASE\n\n6. If you say that something has seen better days, you mean that it is old and in poor condition.\nThe tweed jacket she wore had seen better days.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7. If you call it a day, you decide to stop what you are doing because you are tired of it or because it is not successful.\nFaced with mounting debts, the decision to call it a day was inevitable...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n8. If someone carries the day, they are the winner in a contest such as a battle, debate, or sporting competition. (JOURNALISM)\nFor the time being, the liberals seem to have carried the day.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9. If you say that something has had its day, you mean that the period during which it was most successful or popular has now passed.\nBeat music may finally have had its day...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n10. If something makes your day, it makes you feel very happy. (INFORMAL)\nCome on, Bill. Send Tom a card and make his day...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n11. One day or some day or one of these days means at some time in the future.\nI too dreamed of living in London one day...\nI hope some day you will find the woman who will make you happy...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n12. If you say that something happened the other day, you mean that it happened a few days ago.\nI phoned your office the other day...\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n13. If someone or something saves the day in a situation which seems likely to fail, they manage to make it successful.\n...this story about how he saved the day at his daughter’s birthday party...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n14. If something happens from day to day or day by day, it happens each day.\nYour needs can differ from day to day...\nI live for the moment, day by day, not for the past.\n  PHRASE\n\n15. If it is a month or a year to the day since a particular thing happened, it is exactly a month or a year since it happened.\nIt was January 19, a year to the day since he had arrived in Singapore...\n  PHRASE: amount PHR\n\n16. To this day means up until and including the present time.\nTo this day young Zulu boys practise fighting.\n  PHRASE: PHR with cl\n\n17. If a particular person, group, or thing wins the day, they win a battle, struggle, or competition. If they lose the day, they are defeated. (mainly JOURNALISM)\nHis determination and refusal to back down had won the day...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n18. If you say that a task is all in a day’s work for someone, you mean that they do not mind doing it although it may be difficult, because it is part of their job or because they often do it.\nFor war reporters, dodging snipers’ bullets is all in a day’s work...\n  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, oft PHR for n\n\n19.\nyour day in court: see court\nit’s early days: see early\nat the end of the day: see end\nlate in the day: see late\nsomeone’s days are numbered: see number\nthe good old days: see old


Words: day care
Meaning:
day care\n  Day care is care that is provided during the day for people who cannot look after themselves, such as small children, old people, or people who are ill. Day care is provided by paid workers.\n...a day-care centre for elderly people.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: day job
Meaning:
day job\n  If someone tells you not to give up the day job, they are saying that they think you should continue doing what you are good at, rather than trying something new which they think you will fail at. (HUMOROUS)\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: day nursery
Meaning:
day nurse.ry\n   day nursery  day nurseries\n  A day nursery is a place where children who are too young to go to school can be left all day while their parents are at work.\n  N-COUNT\n  = creche


Words: day of reckoning
Meaning:
day of reck.on.ing\n   day of reckoning\n  If someone talks about the day of reckoning, they mean a day or time in the future when people will be forced to deal with an unpleasant situation which they have avoided until now.\nThe day of reckoning is coming for the water company directors.\n  N-SING: usu the N


Words: day off
Meaning:
day off  days off\n  A day off is a day when you do not go to work, even though it is usually a working day.\nIt was Mrs Dearden’s day off, and Paul was on duty in her place.\n  N-COUNT


Words: day one
Meaning:
day one\n  If something happens from day one of a process, it happens right from the beginning. If it happens on day one, it happens right at the beginning.\nThis has been a bad inquiry from day one...\n  N-SING


Words: day release
Meaning:
day re.lease\n   day release   also day-release\n  Day release is a system in which workers spend one day each week at a college in order to study a subject connected with their work. (BRIT)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: day return
Meaning:
day re.turn\n   day return  day returns\n  A day return is a train or bus ticket which allows you to go somewhere and come back on the same day for a lower price than an ordinary return ticket. (BRIT; in AM, use round trip ticket)\n  N-COUNT


Words: day room
Meaning:
day room  day rooms\n  A day room is a room in a hospital where patients can sit and relax during the day.\n  N-COUNT


Words: day school
Meaning:
day school  day schools\n  A day school is a school where the students go home every evening and do not live at the school. Compare boarding school.\n  N-COUNT


Words: day trader
Meaning:
day trad.er\n   day trader  day traders\n  On the stock market, day traders are traders who buy and sell particular securities on the same day. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT


Words: day trip
Meaning:
day trip  day trips   also day-trip\n  A day trip is a journey to a place and back again on the same day, usually for pleasure.\n  N-COUNT


Words: Day-Glo
Meaning:
Day-Glo   also Dayglo\n  Day-Glo colours are shades of orange, pink, green, and yellow which are so bright that they seem to glow. (TRADEMARK)\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: day-to-day
Meaning:
day-to-day\n  Day-to-day things or activities exist or happen every day as part of ordinary life.\nI am a vegetarian and use a lot of lentils in my day-to-day cooking.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: day-tripper
Meaning:
day-tripper  day-trippers   also day tripper\n  A day-tripper is someone who goes on a day trip. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT


Words: daybreak
Meaning:
day.break\n   daybreak\n  Daybreak is the time in the morning when light first appears.\nPedro got up every morning before daybreak.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = dawn


Words: daydream
Meaning:
day.dream\n   daydream  daydreams  daydreaming  daydreamed   also day-dream\n1. If you daydream, you think about pleasant things for a period of time, usually about things that you would like to happen.\nDo you work hard for success rather than daydream about it?...\nHe daydreams of being a famous journalist...\nI am inclined to daydream.\n  VERB: V about n, V of n/-ing, V\n\n2. A daydream is a series of pleasant thoughts, usually about things that you would like to happen.\nHe escaped into daydreams of beautiful women...\n  N-COUNT


Words: daylight
Meaning:
day.light\n   daylight\n1. Daylight is the natural light that there is during the day, before it gets dark.\nLack of daylight can make people feel depressed.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Daylight is the time of day when it begins to get light.\nQuinn returned shortly after daylight yesterday morning.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If you say that a crime is committed in broad daylight, you are expressing your surprise that it is done during the day when people can see it, rather than at night.\nA girl was attacked on a train in broad daylight...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v  emphasis


Words: daylight robbery
Meaning:
day.light rob.bery\n   daylight robbery\n  If someone charges you a great deal of money for something and you think this is unfair or unreasonable, you can refer to this as daylight robbery. (BRIT INFORMAL)\nThey’re just ripping the fans off; it’s daylight robbery.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: Daylight Saving Time
Meaning:
Day.light Sav.ing Time\n  also daylight saving time\n  Daylight Saving Time is a period of time in the summer when the clocks are set one hour forward, so that people can have extra light in the evening. (AM; in BRIT, use British Summer Time)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: daylights
Meaning:
day.lights\n   daylights\n1. If you knock the living daylights out of someone, or beat the living daylights out of them, you hit them very hard many times. (INFORMAL)\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n2. If someone or something scares the living daylights out of you, they make you feel extremely scared. (INFORMAL)\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: daylong
Meaning:
day.long\n   daylong\n  Daylong is used to describe an event or activity that lasts for the whole of one day. (mainly AM)\n...a daylong meeting.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: daytime
Meaning:
day.time\n   daytime\n1. The daytime is the part of a day between the time when it gets light and the time when it gets dark.\nIn the daytime he stayed up in his room, sleeping, or listening to music...\nPlease give a daytime telephone number...\n  N-SING: the N, also no det\n\n2. Daytime television and radio is broadcast during the morning and afternoon on weekdays.\n...ITV’s new package of daytime programmes.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: daze
Meaning:
daze\n  If someone is in a daze, they are feeling confused and unable to think clearly, often because they have had a shock or surprise.\nFor 35 minutes I was walking around in a daze.\n  N-SING: oft in a N


Words: dazed
Meaning:
dazed\n  If someone is dazed, they are confused and unable to think clearly, often because of shock or a blow to the head.\nAt the end of the interview I was dazed and exhausted.\n  ADJ\n  = confused


Words: dazzle
Meaning:
daz.zle\n   dazzle  dazzles  dazzling  dazzled\n1. If someone or something dazzles you, you are extremely impressed by their skill, qualities, or beauty.\nGeorge dazzled her with his knowledge of the world...\nThe movie’s special effects fail to dazzle.\n  VERB: V n with n, V\n\n2. The dazzle of something is a quality it has, such as beauty or skill, which is impressive and attractive.\nThe dazzle of stardom and status attracts them.\n  N-SING: with poss\n\n3. If a bright light dazzles you, it makes you unable to see properly for a short time.\nThe sun, glinting from the pool, dazzled me...\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. The dazzle of a light is its brightness, which makes it impossible for you to see properly for a short time.\nThe sun’s dazzle on the water hurts my eyes.\n  N-UNCOUNT: also a N\n\n5.\n  see also razzle-dazzle


Words: dazzling
Meaning:
dazz.ling\n   dazzling\n1. Something that is dazzling is very impressive or beautiful.\nHe gave Alberg a dazzling smile.\n  ADJ\n  = stunning\n=>  dazz.ling.ly\nThe view was dazzlingly beautiful.\n  ADV\n\n2. A dazzling light is very bright and makes you unable to see properly for a short time.\nHe shielded his eyes against the dazzling declining sun.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  dazz.ling.ly\nThe loading bay seemed dazzlingly bright.\n  ADV: ADV adj


Words: DC
Meaning:
DC\n  DC is used to refer to an electric current that always flows in the same direction. DC is an abbreviation for `direct current’.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: de facto
Meaning:
de fac.to\n   de facto\n  De facto is used to indicate that something is a particular thing, even though it was not planned or intended to be that thing. (FORMAL)\nThis might be interpreted as a de facto recognition of the republic’s independence.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=de jure\n  De facto is also an adverb.\nThey will be de facto in a state of war.\n  ADV: ADV with cl


Words: de jure
Meaning:
de jure\n  De jure is used to indicate that something legally exists or is a particular thing. (LEGAL)\n...politicians and kings, de jure leaders of men.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=de facto\n  De jure is also an adverb.\nThe Synod’s declarations prevailed de jure but not de facto in the Roman Catholic Church down to the Reformation era.\n  ADV: ADV with cl\n  !=de facto


Words: de rigueur
Meaning:
de ri.gueur\n   de rigueur\n  If you say that a possession or habit is de rigueur, you mean that it is fashionable and therefore necessary for anyone who wants to avoid being considered unfashionable.\nT-shirts now seem almost de rigueur in the West End.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ


Words: de-
Meaning:
de-\n1. De- is added to a verb in order to change the meaning of the verb to its opposite.\n...becoming desensitized to the harmful consequences of violence.\n...how to decontaminate industrial waste sites.\n  PREFIX\n\n2. De- is added to a noun in order to make it a verb referring to the removal of the thing described by the noun.\nI’ve defrosted the freezer...\nThe fires are likely to permanently deforest the land.\n  PREFIX


Words: deacon
Meaning:
dea.con\n   deacon  deacons\n  A deacon is a member of the clergy, for example in the Church of England, who is lower in rank than a priest.\n  N-COUNT


Words: deactivate
Meaning:
de.ac.tiv.ate\n   deactivate  deactivates  deactivating  deactivated\n  If someone deactivates an explosive device or an alarm, they make it harmless or impossible to operate.\nRussia is deactivating some of its deadliest missiles.\n  VERB: V n\n  = disable


Words: dead
Meaning:
dead\n1. A person, animal, or plant that is dead is no longer living.\nHer husband’s been dead a year now...\nThe group had shot dead another hostage.\n...old newspapers and dead flowers.\n  ADJ\n  !=alive\n  The dead are people who are dead.\nThe dead included six people attending a religious ceremony.\n  N-PLURAL: the N\n\n2. If you describe a place or a period of time as dead, you do not like it because there is very little activity taking place in it.\n...some dead little town where the liveliest thing is the flies...\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n3. Something that is dead is no longer being used or is finished.\nThe dead cigarette was still between his fingers...\n  ADJ\n\n4. If you say that an idea, plan, or subject is dead, you mean that people are no longer interested in it or willing to develop it any further.\nIt’s a dead issue, Baxter...\n  ADJ\n\n5. A dead language is no longer spoken or written as a means of communication, although it may still be studied.\nWe used to grumble that we were wasting time learning a dead language.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n6. A telephone or piece of electrical equipment that is dead is no longer functioning, for example because it no longer has any electrical power.\nOn another occasion I answered the phone and the line went dead.\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ\n\n7. In sport, when a ball is dead, it has gone outside the playing area, or a situation has occurred in which the game has to be temporarily stopped, and none of the players can score points or gain an advantage. (JOURNALISM)\n  ADJ\n\n8. Dead is used to mean `complete’ or `absolute’, especially before the words `centre’, `silence’, and `stop’.\nThey hurried about in dead silence, with anxious faces...\nLila’s boat came to a dead stop.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis\n\n9. Dead means `precisely’ or `exactly’.\nMars was visible, dead in the centre of the telescope...\nTheir arrows are dead on target...\n  ADV: ADV prep/adv/adj  emphasis\n\n10. Dead is sometimes used to mean `very’. (BRIT INFORMAL, SPOKEN)\nI am dead against the legalisation of drugs.\n  ADV: ADV adj/adv/prep  emphasis\n\n11. If you reply `Over my dead body’ when a plan or action has been suggested, you are emphasizing that you dislike it, and will do everything you can to prevent it. (INFORMAL)\n`Let’s invite her to dinner.’.`Over my dead body!’\n  CONVENTION  emphasis\n\n12. If you say that something such as an idea or situation is dead and buried, you are emphasizing that you think that it is completely finished or past, and cannot happen or exist again in the future.\nI thought the whole business was dead and buried...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR  emphasis\n\n13. If you say that a person or animal dropped dead or dropped down dead, you mean that they died very suddenly and unexpectedly.\nHe dropped dead on the quayside.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n14. If you say that you feel dead or are half dead, you mean that you feel very tired or ill and very weak. (INFORMAL)\nYou looked half dead after that journey...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR  emphasis\n\n15. If something happens in the dead of night, at dead of night, or in the dead of winter, it happens in the middle part of the night or the winter, when it is darkest or coldest. (LITERARY)\nWe buried it in the garden at dead of night...\n  PHRASE\n\n16. If you say that you wouldn’t be seen dead or be caught dead in particular clothes, places, or situations, you are expressing strong dislike or disapproval of them. (INFORMAL)\nI wouldn’t be seen dead in a straw hat.\n  PHRASE: PHR prep, PHR -ing  emphasis\n\n17. To stop dead means to suddenly stop happening or moving. To stop someone or something dead means to cause them to suddenly stop happening or moving.\nWe all stopped dead and looked at it...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n18. If you say that someone or something is dead in the water, you are emphasizing that they have failed, and that there is little hope of them being successful in the future.\nA `no’ vote would have left the treaty dead in the water.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR  emphasis\n\n19.\n(next)


Words: dead .1
Meaning:
to flog a dead horse: see flog\na dead loss: see loss\na dead ringer: see ringer\nto stop dead in your tracks: see track


Words: dead duck
Meaning:
dead duck  dead ducks\n  If you describe someone or something as a dead duck, you are emphasizing that you think they have absolutely no chance of succeeding. (INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT  emphasis


Words: dead end
Meaning:
dead end  dead ends\n1. If a street is a dead end, there is no way out at one end of it.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A dead end job or course of action is one that you think is bad because it does not lead to further developments or progress.\nWaitressing was a dead-end job.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: dead hand
Meaning:
dead hand\n  You can refer to the dead hand of a particular thing when that thing has a bad or depressing influence on a particular situation. (mainly BRIT)\n...the dead hand of bureaucracy.\n  N-SING: usu the N of n


Words: dead heat
Meaning:
dead heat  dead heats\n  If a race or contest is a dead heat, two or more competitors are joint winners, or are both winning at a particular moment in the race or contest. In American English, you can say that a race or contest is in a dead heat.\nThe race ended in a dead heat between two horses...\n  N-COUNT


Words: dead letter
Meaning:
dead let.ter\n   dead letter  dead letters\n  If you say that a law or agreement is a dead letter, you mean that it still exists but people ignore it.\nNo one does anything about it and the law becomes a dead letter.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dead meat
Meaning:
dead meat\n  If you say that someone is dead meat, you mean that they are in very serious trouble that may result in them being hurt or injured in some way. (INFORMAL, SPOKEN)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: dead weight
Meaning:
dead weight  dead weights\n1. A dead weight is a load which is surprisingly heavy and difficult to lift.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. You can refer to something that makes change or progress difficult as a dead weight.\n...the dead weight of traditional policies.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: dead wood
Meaning:
dead wood\n  People or things that have been used for a very long time and that are no longer considered to be useful can be referred to as dead wood.\n...the idea that historical linguistics is so much dead wood.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: dead-beat
Meaning:
dead-beat   also dead beat\n  If you are dead-beat, you are very tired and have no energy left. (INFORMAL)\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ\n  = shattered


Words: dead-head
Meaning:
dead-head  dead-heads  dead-heading  dead-headed   also deadhead\n1. To dead-head a plant which is flowering means to remove all the dead flowers from it. (BRIT)\nDead-head roses as the blooms fade.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If you say that someone is a deadhead, you mean that they are stupid or slow. (AM INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT


Words: deadbeat
Meaning:
dead.beat\n   deadbeat  deadbeats\n  If you refer to someone as a deadbeat, you are criticizing them because you think they are lazy and do not want to be part of ordinary society. (AM INFORMAL)\n  N-COUNT  disapproval


Words: deaden
Meaning:
dead.en\n   deaden  deadens  deadening  deadened\n  If something deadens a feeling or a sound, it makes it less strong or loud.\nHe needs morphine to deaden the pain in his chest...\n  VERB: V n


Words: deadening
Meaning:
dead.en.ing\n   deadening\n  A deadening situation destroys people’s enthusiasm and imagination.\nShe was bored with the deadening routine of her life.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: deadline
Meaning:
dead.line\n   deadline  deadlines\n  A deadline is a time or date before which a particular task must be finished or a particular thing must be done.\nWe were not able to meet the deadline because of manufacturing delays...\nThe deadline for submissions to the competition will be Easter 1994...\n  N-COUNT: oft N for n/-ing


Words: deadlock
Meaning:
dead.lock\n   deadlock  deadlocks\n  If a dispute or series of negotiations reaches deadlock, neither side is willing to give in at all and no agreement can be made.\nThey called for a compromise on all sides to break the deadlock in the world trade talks...\n  N-VAR


Words: deadlocked
Meaning:
dead.locked\n   deadlocked\n  If a dispute or series of negotiations is deadlocked, no agreement can be reached because neither side will give in at all. You can also say that the people involved are deadlocked.\nThe peace talks have been deadlocked over the issue of human rights since August...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ over n


Words: deadly
Meaning:
dead.ly\n   deadly  deadlier  deadliest\n1. If something is deadly, it is likely or able to cause someone’s death, or has already caused someone’s death.\nHe was acquitted on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.\n...a deadly disease currently affecting dolphins...\nPassive smoking can be deadly too...\n  ADJ\n  = lethal, fatal\n2. If you describe a person or their behaviour as deadly, you mean that they will do or say anything to get what they want, without caring about other people.\nThe Duchess levelled a deadly look at Nikko.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n3. You can use deadly to emphasize that something has a particular quality, especially an unpleasant or undesirable quality.\nBroadcast news was accurate and reliable but deadly dull...\n  ADV: ADV adj  emphasis\n  = deathly\n4. A deadly situation has unpleasant or dangerous consequences.\n...the deadly combination of low expectations and low achievement...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n5. Deadly enemies or rivals fight or compete with each other in a very aggressive way.\nThe two became deadly enemies...\n  ADJ


Words: deadpan
Meaning:
dead.pan\n   deadpan\n  Deadpan humour is when you appear to be serious and are hiding the fact that you are joking or teasing someone.\n...her natural capacity for irony and deadpan humour...\n  ADJ


Words: deaf
Meaning:
deaf  deafer  deafest\n1. Someone who is deaf is unable to hear anything or is unable to hear very well.\nShe is now profoundly deaf.\n  ADJ\n\n  The deaf are people who are deaf.\nMany regular TV programs are captioned for the deaf.\n  N-PLURAL: the N\n\n=>  deaf.ness\nBecause of her deafness she was hard to make conversation with.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you say that someone is deaf to people’s requests, arguments, or criticisms, you are criticizing them because they refuse to pay attention to them.\nThe provincial assembly were deaf to all pleas for financial help.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n  disapproval\n  = impervious\n3.\nto fall on deaf ears: see ear\nto turn a deaf ear: see ear


Words: deaf-mute
Meaning:
deaf-mute  deaf-mutes\n  A deaf-mute is someone who cannot hear or speak. This word could cause offence.\n  N-COUNT


Words: deafen
Meaning:
deaf.en\n   deafen  deafens  deafening  deafened\n1. If a noise deafens you, it is so loud that you cannot hear anything else at the same time.\nThe noise of the typewriters deafened her.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. If you are deafened by something, you are made deaf by it, or are unable to hear for some time.\nHe was deafened by the noise from the gun.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n\n3.\n  see also deafening


Words: deafening
Meaning:
deaf.en.ing\n   deafening\n1. A deafening noise is a very loud noise.\n...the deafening roar of fighter jets taking off.\n  ADJ\n\n2. If you say there was a deafening silence, you are emphasizing that there was no reaction or response to something that was said or done.\nWhen we ask people for suggestions we get a deafening silence.\n  ADJ  emphasis


Words: deal
Meaning:
VERB AND NOUN USES\n   deal  deals  dealing  dealt\n\nPlease look at category 7 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.\n1. If you make a deal, do a deal, or cut a deal, you complete an agreement or an arrangement with someone, especially in business. (BUSINESS)\nJapan will have to do a deal with America on rice imports...\nThe two sides tried and failed to come to a deal...\nHe was involved in shady business deals...\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If a person, company, or shop deals in a particular type of goods, their business involves buying or selling those goods. (BUSINESS)\nThey deal in antiques...\n...the rights of our citizens to hold and to deal in foreign currency.\n  VERB: V in n, V in n\n\n3. If someone deals illegal drugs, they sell them.\nI certainly don’t deal drugs.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  deal.ing\n...his involvement in drug dealing and illegal money laundering.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft n N\n\n4. If someone has had a bad deal, they have been unfortunate or have been treated unfairly.\nThe people of Liverpool have had a bad deal for many, many years.\n  N-COUNT: adj N\n\n5. If you deal playing cards, you give them out to the players in a game of cards.\nThe croupier dealt each player a card, face down...\nHe once dealt cards in an illegal gambling joint.\n  VERB: V n n, V n\n\n  Deal out means the same as deal.\nDalton dealt out five cards to each player.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)\n\n6. If an event deals a blow to something or someone, it causes them great difficulties or makes failure more likely. (JOURNALISM)\nThe summer drought has dealt a heavy blow to the government’s economic record...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n7.\na raw deal: see raw\n  see also dealings, wheel and deal\n\nQUANTIFIER USES\n   deal\n  If you say that you need or have a great deal of or a good deal of a particular thing, you are emphasizing that you need or have a lot of it.\n...a great deal of money...\nI am in a position to save you a good deal of time.\n  QUANT: QUANT of n-uncount/def-n  emphasis\n\n  Deal is also an adverb.\nTheir lives became a good deal more comfortable...\nHe depended a great deal on his wife for support.\n  ADV: ADV compar, ADV after v\n\n  Deal is also a pronoun.\nAlthough he had never met Geoffrey Hardcastle, he knew a good deal about him.\n  PRON


Words: deal out
Meaning:
deal out\n  If someone deals out a punishment or harmful action, they punish or harm someone. (WRITTEN)\n...a failure to deal out effective punishment to aggressors.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron) to n\n  = mete out


Words: deal with
Meaning:
deal with\n1. When you deal with something or someone that needs attention, you give your attention to them, and often solve a problem or make a decision concerning them.\n...the way that building societies deal with complaints...\nThe President said the agreement would allow other vital problems to be dealt with.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n, V P n\n  = handle\n2. If you deal with an unpleasant emotion or an emotionally difficult situation, you recognize it, and remain calm and in control of yourself in spite of it.\nShe saw a psychiatrist who used hypnotism to help her deal with her fear...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n\n3. If a book, speech, or film deals with a particular thing, it has that thing as its subject or is concerned with it.\n...the parts of his book which deal with contemporary Paris.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n\n\n4. If you deal with a particular person or organization, you have business relations with them.\nWhen I worked in Florida I dealt with British people all the time...\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: deal-maker
Meaning:
deal-maker  deal-makers   also dealmaker\n  A deal-maker is someone in business or politics who makes deals.\n  N-COUNT\n\n=>  deal-making\n...a chairman with a reputation for deal-making.\n...Britain’s deal-making culture.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n


Words: dealer
Meaning:
deal.er\n   dealer  dealers\n1. A dealer is a person whose business involves buying and selling things. (BUSINESS)\n...an antique dealer.\n...dealers in commodities and financial securities.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also wheeler-dealer\n2. A dealer is someone who buys and sells illegal drugs.\nThey aim to clear every dealer from the street.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dealership
Meaning:
deal.er.ship\n   dealership  dealerships\n  A dealership is a company that sells cars, usually for one car company. (BUSINESS)\n...a car dealership.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dealing room
Meaning:
deal.ing room\n   dealing room  dealing rooms\n  A dealing room is a place where shares, currencies, or commodities are bought and sold. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT


Words: dealings
Meaning:
deal.ings\n   dealings\n  Someone’s dealings with a person or organization are the relations that they have with them or the business that they do with them.\nHe has learnt little in his dealings with the international community.\n  N-PLURAL: usu with supp, oft N with n


Words: dean
Meaning:
dean  deans\n1. A dean is an important official at a university or college.\nShe was Dean of the Science faculty at Sophia University.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A dean is a priest who is the main administrator of a large church.\n...Alan Webster, former Dean of St Paul’s.\n  N-COUNT


Words: dear
Meaning:
dear  dearer  dearest  dears\n1. You use dear to describe someone or something that you feel affection for.\nMrs Cavendish is a dear friend of mine...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. If something is dear to you or dear to your heart, you care deeply about it.\nThis is a subject very dear to the hearts of academics up and down the country.\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ to n\n\n3. You use dear in expressions such as `my dear fellow’, `dear girl’, or `my dear Richard’ when you are addressing someone whom you know and are fond of. You can also use expressions like this in a rude way to indicate that you think you are superior to the person you are addressing. (BRIT)\nOf course, Toby, my dear fellow, of course...\n  ADJ: ADJ n  feelings\n\n4. Dear is written at the beginning of a letter, followed by the name or title of the person you are writing to.\nDear Peter, I have been thinking about you so much during the past few days...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n5. In British English, you begin formal letters with `Dear Sir’ or `Dear Madam’. In American English, you begin them with `Sir’ or `Madam’. (WRITTEN)\n`Dear sir,’ she began.\n  CONVENTION\n\n6. You can call someone dear as a sign of affection.\nYou’re a lot like me, dear...\n  N-VOC  feelings\n\n7. You can use dear in expressions such as `oh dear’, `dear me’, and `dear, dear’ when you are sad, disappointed, or surprised about something.\n`Oh dear, oh dear.’ McKinnon sighed. `You, too.’\n  EXCLAM  feelings\n\n8. If you say that something is dear, you mean that it costs a lot of money, usually more than you can afford or more than you think it should cost. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL)\nCDs here are much dearer than in the States...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ  disapproval\n  = expensive  !=cheap\n9. If something that someone does costs them dear, they suffer a lot as a result of it.\nSuch complacency is costing the company dear.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: dearest
Meaning:
dear.est\n   dearest\n1. When you are writing to someone you are very fond of, you can use dearest at the beginning of the letter before the person’s name or the word you are using to address them.\nDearest Maria, Aren’t I terrible, not coming back like I promised?\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2.\nnearest and dearest: see near


Words: dearie
Meaning:
dearie\n  Some people use dearie as a friendly way of addressing someone, or as a way of showing that they think they are superior. (BRIT INFORMAL)\n  N-VOC  feelings\n  = dear


Words: dearly
Meaning:
dear.ly\n   dearly\n1. If you love someone dearly, you love them very much. (FORMAL)\nShe loved her father dearly.\n  ADV: ADV with v  emphasis\n\n2. If you would dearly like to do or have something, you would very much like to do it or have it. (FORMAL)\nI would dearly love to marry.\n  ADV: ADV before v  emphasis\n\n3. If you pay dearly for doing something or if it costs you dearly, you suffer a lot as a result. (FORMAL)\nHe drank too much and is paying dearly for it...\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: dearth
Meaning:
dearth\n  If there is a dearth of something, there is not enough of it.\n...the dearth of good fiction by English authors.\n  N-SING: usu N of n\n  = lack


Words: death
Meaning:
death  deaths\n1. Death is the permanent end of the life of a person or animal.\n1.5 million people are in immediate danger of death from starvation.\n...the thirtieth anniversary of her death...\nThere had been a death in the family...\nHe almost bled to death after a bullet severed an artery.\n  N-VAR\n  !=birth, life\n2. A particular kind of death is a particular way of dying.\nThey made sure that he died a horrible death...\n  N-COUNT: with supp\n\n3. The death of something is the permanent end of it.\nIt meant the death of everything he had ever been or ever hoped to be.\n  N-SING: usu the N of n\n  = end\n4. If you say that someone is at death’s door, you mean they are very ill indeed and likely to die. (INFORMAL)\nHe told his boss a tale about his mother being at death’s door...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n5. If you say that you will fight to the death for something, you are emphasizing that you will do anything to achieve or protect it, even if you suffer as a consequence.\nShe’d have fought to the death for that child.\n  PHRASE: V inflects  emphasis\n\n6. If you refer to a fight or contest as a fight to the death, you are emphasizing that it will not stop until the death or total victory of one of the opponents.\nHe now faces a fight to the death to reach the quarter-finals.\n  PHRASE  emphasis\n\n7. If you say that something is a matter of life and death, you are emphasizing that it is extremely important, often because someone may die or suffer great harm if people do not act immediately.\nWell, never mind, John, it’s not a matter of life and death...\n  PHRASE: n of PHR, PHR n  emphasis\n\n8. If someone is put to death, they are executed. (FORMAL)\nThose put to death by firing squad included three generals.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n9. You use to death after a verb to indicate that a particular action or process results in someone’s death.\nHe was stabbed to death.\n...relief missions to try to keep the country’s population from starving to death...\nHe almost bled to death after the bullet severed an artery.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v\n\n10. You use to death after an adjective or a verb to emphasize the action, state, or feeling mentioned. For example, if you are frightened to death or bored to death, you are extremely frightened or bored.\nHe scares teams to death with his pace and power...\n  PHRASE: adj PHR, PHR after v  emphasis


Words: death blow
Meaning:
death blow   also death-blow\n  If you say that an event or action deals a death blow to something such as a plan or hope, or is a death blow to something, you mean that it puts an end to it. (JOURNALISM)\nThe deportations would be a death blow to the peace process...\n  N-SING: oft N to n


Words: death camp
Meaning:
death camp  death camps\n  A death camp is a place where prisoners are kept, especially during a war, and where many of them die or are killed.\n  N-COUNT


Words: death certificate
Meaning:
death cer.tifi.cate\n   death certificate  death certificates\n  A death certificate is an official certificate signed by a doctor which states the cause of a person’s death.\n  N-COUNT


Words: death duties
Meaning:
death duties\n  Death duties were a tax which had to be paid on the money and property of someone who had died. This tax is now called inheritance tax. (BRIT)\n  N-PLURAL


Words: death knell
Meaning:
death knell   also death-knell\n  If you say that something sounds the death knell for a particular person or thing, you mean it will cause that person or thing to fail, end, or cease to exist.\nThe tax increase sounded the death knell for the business...\n  N-SING: usu the N for/of n


Words: death mask
Meaning:
death mask  death masks   also death-mask\n  A death mask is a model of someone’s face, which is made from a mould that was taken of their face soon after they died.\n  N-COUNT


Words: death penalty
Meaning:
death pen.al.ty\n   death penalty\n  The death penalty is the punishment of death used in some countries for people who have committed very serious crimes.\nIf convicted for murder, both youngsters could face the death penalty.\n  N-SING: usu the N


Words: death rate
Meaning:
death rate  death rates\n  The death rate is the number of people per thousand who die in a particular area during a particular period of time.\nBy the turn of the century, Pittsburgh had the highest death rate in the United States.\n  N-COUNT


Words: death rattle
Meaning:
death rat.tle\n   death rattle   also death-rattle\n  If you say that one thing is the death rattle of another, you mean that the first thing is a sign that very soon the second thing will come to an end. (JOURNALISM)\nHis rhetoric sounds like the death rattle of a fading leadership.\n  N-SING


Words: death row
Meaning:
death row\n  If someone is on death row, they are in the part of a prison which contains the cells for criminals who have been sentenced to death. (AM)\nHe has been on Death Row for 11 years...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft on N


Words: death sentence
Meaning:
death sen.tence\n   death sentence  death sentences\n  A death sentence is a punishment of death given by a judge to someone who has been found guilty of a serious crime such as murder.\nHis original death sentence was commuted to life in prison.\n  N-COUNT


Words: death squad
Meaning:
death squad  death squads\n  Death squads are groups of people who operate illegally and carry out the killing of people such as their political opponents or criminals.\n  N-COUNT


Words: death taxes
Meaning:
death taxes\n  Death taxes were a tax which had to be paid on the money and property of someone who had died. This tax is now called inheritance tax. (AM)\n  N-PLURAL


Words: death throes
Meaning:
death throes   also death-throes\n1. The death throes of something are its final stages, just before it fails completely or ends. (LITERARY)\n  N-PLURAL: usu with poss\n\n2. If a person or animal is in their death throes, they are dying and making violent, uncontrolled movements, usually because they are suffering great pain.\n  N-PLURAL: oft in poss N


Words: death toll
Meaning:
death toll  death tolls   also death-toll\n  The death toll of an accident, disaster, or war is the number of people who die in it.\n  N-COUNT


Words: death trap
Meaning:
death trap  death traps   also death-trap\n  If you say that a place or vehicle is a death trap, you mean it is in such bad condition that it might cause someone’s death. (INFORMAL)\nBadly-built kit cars can be death traps.\n  N-COUNT


Words: death warrant
Meaning:
death war.rant\n   death warrant  death warrants   also death-warrant\n1. A death warrant is an official document which orders that someone is to be executed as a punishment for a crime.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. If you say that someone is signing their own death warrant, you mean that they are behaving in a way which will cause their ruin or death.\nBy accusing the King of murder, he signed his own death warrant.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: death wish
Meaning:
death wish   also death-wish\n  A death wish is a conscious or unconscious desire to die or be killed.\n  N-SING


Words: deathbed
Meaning:
death.bed\n   deathbed  deathbeds\n  If someone is on their deathbed, they are in a bed and about to die.\nHe promised his mother on her deathbed that he would never marry.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, usu with poss, oft on N


Words: deathly
Meaning:
death.ly\n   deathly\n1. If you say that someone is deathly pale or deathly still, you are emphasizing that they are very pale or still, like a dead person. (LITERARY)\nBernadette turned deathly pale...\n  ADV: ADV adj  emphasis\n\n2. If you say that there is a deathly silence or a deathly hush, you are emphasizing that it is very quiet. (LITERARY)\nA deathly silence hung over the square.\n  ADJ: ADJ n  emphasis


Words: debacle
Meaning:
de.ba.cle\n   debacle  debacles\nin BRIT, also use debacle\n  A debacle is an event or attempt that is a complete failure.\nAfter the debacle of the war the world was never the same again...\n  N-COUNT\n  = fiasco


Words: debar
Meaning:
de.bar\n   debar  debars  debarring  debarred\n  If you are debarred from doing something, you are prevented from doing it by a law or regulation. (FORMAL)\nIf found guilty, she could be debarred from politics for seven years...\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed from n/-ing\n  = ban


Words: debase
Meaning:
de.base\n   debase  debases  debasing  debased\n  To debase something means to reduce its value or quality. (FORMAL)\nPoliticians have debased the meaning of the word `freedom’...\n  VERB: V n\n  = degrade\n=>  de.based\n...the debased standards of today’s media.\n  ADJ


Words: debasement
Meaning:
de.base.ment\n   debasement\n  Debasement is the action of reducing the value or quality of something. (FORMAL)\n...the debasement of popular culture.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n


Words: debatable
Meaning:
de.bat.able\n   debatable\n  If you say that something is debatable, you mean that it is not certain.\nWhether we can stay in this situation is debatable...\nIt is debatable whether or not antibiotics would make any difference...\n  ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft it v-link ADJ wh


Words: debate
Meaning:
de.bate\n   debate  debates  debating  debated\n1. A debate is a discussion about a subject on which people have different views.\nAn intense debate is going on within the Israeli government...\nThere has been a lot of debate among scholars about this.\n  N-VAR: oft N on/over/about n\n  = discussion\n2. A debate is a formal discussion, for example in a parliament or institution, in which people express different opinions about a particular subject and then vote on it.\nThere are expected to be some heated debates in parliament over the next few days.\n  N-COUNT: oft N on/about n\n\n=>  de.bat.ing\n...debating skills.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n\n3. If people debate a topic, they discuss it fairly formally, putting forward different views. You can also say that one person debates a topic with another person.\nThe United Nations Security Council will debate the issue today...\nScholars have debated whether or not Yagenta became a convert...\nHe likes to debate issues with his friends.\n  V-RECIP: pl-n V n, pl-n V wh, V n with n\n\n4. If you debate whether to do something or what to do, you think or talk about possible courses of action before deciding exactly what you are going to do.\nTaggart debated whether to have yet another double vodka...\nI debated going back inside, but decided against it.\n  VERB: V wh, V -ing\n\n5. If you say that a matter is open to debate, you mean that people have different opinions about it, or it has not yet been firmly decided.\nWhich of them has more musical talent is open to debate.\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR


Words: debater
Meaning:
de.bat.er\n   debater  debaters\n  A debater is someone who takes part in debates.\nThey are skilled debaters.\n  N-COUNT: oft adj N


Words: debauched
Meaning:
de.bauched\n   debauched\n  If you describe someone as debauched, you mean they behave in a way that you think is socially unacceptable, for example because they drink a lot of alcohol or have sex with a lot of people. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n...a debt-ridden and debauched lifestyle.\n  ADJ  disapproval


Words: debauchery
Meaning:
de.bauch.ery\n   debauchery\n  You use debauchery to refer to the drinking of alcohol or to sexual activity if you disapprove of it or regard it as excessive.\n...scenes of drunkenness and debauchery.\n  N-UNCOUNT  disapproval


Words: debenture
Meaning:
de.ben.ture\n   debenture  debentures\n  A debenture is a type of savings bond which offers a fixed rate of interest over a long period. Debentures are usually issued by a company or a government agency. (BUSINESS)\n  N-COUNT


Words: debilitate
Meaning:
de.bili.tate\n   debilitate  debilitates  debilitating  debilitated\n1. If you are debilitated by something such as an illness, it causes your body or mind to become gradually weaker. (FORMAL)\nStewart took over yesterday when Russell was debilitated by a stomach virus.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed by n\n\n=>  de.bili.tat.ing\n...a debilitating illness.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  de.bili.tat.ed\nOccasionally a patient is so debilitated that he must be fed intravenously.\n  ADJ\n\n2. To debilitate an organization, society, or government means to gradually make it weaker. (FORMAL)\n...their efforts to debilitate the political will of the Western alliance.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  de.bili.tat.ing\n...years of debilitating economic crisis.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  de.bili.tat.ed\n...the debilitated ruling party.\n  ADJ


Words: debility
Meaning:
de.bil.ity\n   debility  debilities\n  Debility is a weakness of a person’s body or mind, especially one caused by an illness. (FORMAL)\n...exhaustion or post-viral debility.\n  N-VAR\n  = infirmity


Words: debit
Meaning:
deb.it\n   debit  debits  debiting  debited\n1. When your bank debits your account, money is taken from it and paid to someone else.\nWe will always confirm the revised amount to you in writing before debiting your account.\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. A debit is a record of the money taken from your bank account, for example when you write a cheque.\nThe total of debits must balance the total of credits.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3.\n  see also direct debit


Words: debit card
Meaning:
deb.it card\n   debit card  debit cards\n  A debit card is a bank card that you can use to pay for things. When you use it the money is taken out of your bank account immediately.\n  N-COUNT


Words: debonair
Meaning:
debo.nair\n   debonair\n  A man who is debonair is confident, charming, and well-dressed.\nHe was a handsome, debonair, death-defying racing-driver.\n  ADJ\n  = suave


Words: debrief
Meaning:
de.brief\n   debrief  debriefs  debriefing  debriefed\n  When someone such as a soldier, diplomat, or astronaut is debriefed, they are asked to give a report on an operation or task that they have just completed.\nThe men have been debriefed by British and Saudi officials...\nHe went to Rio after the CIA had debriefed him.\n  VERB: be V-ed, V n


Words: debriefing
Meaning:
de.brief.ing\n   debriefing  debriefings\n  A debriefing is a meeting where someone such as a soldier, diplomat, or astronaut is asked to give a report on an operation or task that they have just completed.\nA debriefing would follow this operation, to determine where it went wrong...\n  N-VAR


Words: debris
Meaning:
de.bris\n   debris\n  Debris is pieces from something that has been destroyed or pieces of rubbish or unwanted material that are spread around.\nA number of people were killed by flying debris.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: debt
Meaning:
debt  debts\n1. A debt is a sum of money that you owe someone.\nThree years later, he is still paying off his debts...\n...reducing the country’s $18 billion foreign debt.\n  N-VAR\n\n  see also bad debt\n2. Debt is the state of owing money.\nStress is a main reason for debt.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n  If you are in debt or get into debt, you owe money. If you are out of debt or get out of debt, you succeed in paying all the money that you owe.\nHe was already deeply in debt through gambling losses...\nHow can I accumulate enough cash to get out of debt?\n  PHRASE\n\n3. You use debt in expressions such as I owe you a debt or I am in your debt when you are expressing gratitude for something that someone has done for you. (FORMAL)\nHe was so good to me that I can never repay the debt I owe him...\n  N-COUNT: usu sing, oft in poss N  feelings


Words: debt burden
Meaning:
debt bur.den\n   debt burden debt burdens\n  A debt burden is a large amount of money that one country or organization owes to another and which they find very difficult to repay.\n...the massive debt burden of the Third World.\n  N-COUNT


Words: debt-ridden
Meaning:
debt-ridden\n  Debt-ridden countries, companies, or people owe extremely large amounts of money.\n...the debt-ridden economies of Latin America.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: debtor
Meaning:
debt.or\n   debtor  debtors\n  A debtor is a country, organization, or person who owes money.\n...the situation of debtor countries.\n  N-COUNT: oft N n


Words: debug
Meaning:
de.bug\n   debug  debugs  debugging  debugged\n  When someone debugs a computer program, they look for the faults in it and correct them so that it will run properly. (COMPUTING)\nThe production lines ground to a halt for hours while technicians tried to debug software.\n  VERB: V n


Words: debunk
Meaning:
de.bunk\n   debunk  debunks  debunking  debunked\n  If you debunk a widely held belief, you show that it is false. If you debunk something that is widely admired, you show that it is not as good as people think it is.\nHistorian Michael Beschloss debunks a few myths.\n  VERB: V n


Words: debut
Meaning:
de.but\n   debut  debuts\n  The debut of a performer or sports player is their first public performance, appearance, or recording.\nDundee United’s Dave Bowman makes his international debut.\n...her debut album `Sugar Time’.\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss


Words: debutante
Meaning:
debu.tante\n   debutante  debutantes\n  A debutante is a young woman from the upper classes who has started going to social events with other young people. (OLD-FASHIONED)\n  N-COUNT


Words: decade
Meaning:
dec.ade\n   decade  decades\n  A decade is a period of ten years, especially one that begins with a year ending in 0, for example 1980 to 1989.\n...the last decade of the nineteenth century.\n  N-COUNT


Words: decadent
Meaning:
deca.dent\n   decadent\n  If you say that a person or society is decadent, you think that they have low moral standards and are interested mainly in pleasure.\n...the excesses and stresses of their decadent rock ’n’ roll lifestyles.\n  ADJ  disapproval\n\n=>  deca.dence\nThe empire had for years been falling into decadence.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: decaffeinated
Meaning:
de.caf.fein.at.ed\n   decaffeinated\n  Decaffeinated coffee has had most of the caffeine removed from it.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: decal
Meaning:
de.cal\n   decal  decals\n  Decals are pieces of paper with a design on one side. The design can be transferred onto a surface by heating it, soaking it in water, or pressing it hard. (AM; in BRIT, use transfer)\n  N-COUNT


Words: decamp
Meaning:
de.camp\n   decamp  decamps  decamping  decamped\n  If you decamp, you go away from somewhere secretly or suddenly.\nWe all decamped to the pub.\n  VERB: V


Words: decant
Meaning:
de.cant\n   decant  decants  decanting  decanted\n  If you decant a liquid into another container, you put it into another container. (FORMAL)\nShe always used to decant the milk into a jug...\n  VERB: V n into n


Words: decanter
Meaning:
de.cant.er\n   decanter  decanters\n  A decanter is a glass container that you use for serving wine, sherry, or port.\n  N-COUNT


Words: decapitate
Meaning:
de.capi.tate\n   decapitate  decapitates  decapitating  decapitated\n  If someone is decapitated, their head is cut off. (FORMAL)\nA worker was decapitated when a lift plummeted down the shaft on top of him...\n  VERB: be V-ed\n\n=>  de.capi.ta.tion      decapitations\n...executions by decapitation.\n  N-VAR


Words: decathlon
Meaning:
de.cath.lon\n   decathlon  decathlons\n  The decathlon is a competition in which athletes compete in 10 different sporting events.\n  N-COUNT: oft the N


Words: decay
Meaning:
de.cay\n   decay  decays  decaying  decayed\n1. When something such as a dead body, a dead plant, or a tooth decays, it is gradually destroyed by a natural process.\nThe bodies buried in the fine ash slowly decayed...\nThe ground was scattered with decaying leaves.\n  VERB: V, V-ing\n  = rot\n  Decay is also a noun.\nWhen not removed, plaque causes tooth decay and gum disease.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  de.cayed\n...decayed teeth.\n  ADJ\n  = rotten\n2. If something such as a society, system, or institution decays, it gradually becomes weaker or its condition gets worse.\nPopular cinema seems to have decayed...\n  VERB: V\n\n  Decay is also a noun.\nThere are problems of urban decay and gang violence.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: deceased
Meaning:
de.ceased\n   deceased  deceased\n1. The deceased is used to refer to a particular person or to particular people who have recently died. (LEGAL)\nThe identities of the deceased have now been determined.\n  N-COUNT: the N\n\n2. A deceased person is one who has recently died. (FORMAL)\n...his recently deceased mother.\n  ADJ


Words: deceit
Meaning:
de.ceit\n   deceit  deceits\n  Deceit is behaviour that is deliberately intended to make people believe something which is not true.\nThey have been involved in a campaign of deceit.\n  N-VAR\n  = deception


Words: deceitful
Meaning:
de.ceit.ful\n   deceitful\n  If you say that someone is deceitful, you mean that they behave in a dishonest way by making other people believe something that is not true.\nThe ambassador called the report deceitful and misleading.\n  ADJ


Words: deceive
Meaning:
de.ceive\n   deceive  deceives  deceiving  deceived\n1. If you deceive someone, you make them believe something that is not true, usually in order to get some advantage for yourself.\nHe has deceived and disillusioned us all...\nIf you can make the last 10 seconds exciting, you can deceive your audience into thinking it’s been like that all along.\n  VERB: V n, V n into -ing\n\n2. If you deceive yourself, you do not admit to yourself something that you know is true.\nAlcoholics are notorious for their ability to deceive themselves about the extent of their problem.\n  VERB: V pron-refl\n\n3. If something deceives you, it gives you a wrong impression and makes you believe something that is not true.\nHis gentle, kindly appearance did not deceive me...\n  VERB: V n\n  = mislead


Words: decelerate
Meaning:
de.cel.er.ate\n   decelerate  decelerates  decelerating  decelerated\n1. When a vehicle or machine decelerates or when someone in a vehicle decelerates, the speed of the vehicle or machine is reduced.\n...the sensation of the train decelerating.\n  VERB: V\n  !=accelerate\n=>  de.cel.era.tion\nThe harder the brake pedal is pressed, the greater the car’s deceleration.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=acceleration\n2. When the rate of something such as inflation or economic growth decelerates, it slows down.\nInflation has decelerated remarkably over the past two years.\n  VERB: V\n  !=accelerate\n=>  de.cel.era.tion\n...a significant deceleration in the annual rate of growth.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=acceleration


Words: December
Meaning:
De.cem.ber\n   December  Decembers\n  December is the twelfth and last month of the year in the Western calendar.\n...a bright morning in mid-December...\nHer baby was born on 4th December...\n  N-VAR


Words: decency
Meaning:
de.cen.cy\n   decency\n1. Decency is the quality of following accepted moral standards.\nHis sense of decency forced him to resign.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. If you say that someone did not have the decency to do something, you are criticizing them because there was a particular action which they did not do but which you believe they ought to have done.\nNobody had the decency to inform me of what was planned.\n  PHRASE: oft with brd-neg, V inflects, PHR to-inf  disapproval


Words: decent
Meaning:
de.cent\n   decent\n1. Decent is used to describe something which is considered to be of an acceptable standard or quality.\nNearby is a village with a decent pub...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = reasonable\n=>  de.cent.ly\nThe allies say they will treat their prisoners decently...\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n  = reasonably\n2. Decent is used to describe something which is morally correct or acceptable.\nBut, after a decent interval, trade relations began to return to normal...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  = respectable\n=>  de.cent.ly\nAnd can’t you dress more decently.people will think you’re a tramp.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v, also ADV adj\n\n3. Decent people are honest and behave in a way that most people approve of.\nThe majority of people around here are decent people...\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: decentralize
Meaning:
de.cen.tral.ize\n   decentralize  decentralizes  decentralizing  decentralized\nin BRIT, also use decentralise\n  To decentralize government or a large organization means to move some departments away from the main administrative area, or to give more power to local departments.\nThey have decentralised the company and made it less bureaucratic.\n...the need to decentralize and devolve power to regional governments...\n  VERB: V n, V\n\n=>  de.cen.trali.za.tion\n...increased decentralisation and greater powers for regional authorities.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: deception
Meaning:
de.cep.tion\n   deception  deceptions\n  Deception is the act of deceiving someone or the state of being deceived by someone.\nHe admitted conspiring to obtain property by deception...\n  N-VAR


Words: deceptive
Meaning:
de.cep.tive\n   deceptive\n  If something is deceptive, it encourages you to believe something which is not true.\nAppearances can be deceptive.\n  ADJ\n  = misleading\n=>  de.cep.tive.ly\nThe storyline is deceptively simple.\n  ADV


Words: decibel
Meaning:
deci.bel\n   decibel  decibels\n  A decibel is a unit of measurement which is used to indicate how loud a sound is.\nContinuous exposure to sound above 80 decibels could be harmful.\n  N-COUNT: oft num N


Words: decide
Meaning:
de.cide\n   decide  decides  deciding  decided\n1. If you decide to do something, you choose to do it, usually after you have thought carefully about the other possibilities.\nShe decided to do a secretarial course...\nHe has decided that he doesn’t want to embarrass the movement and will therefore step down...\nThe house needed totally rebuilding, so we decided against buying it...\nI had a cold and couldn’t decide whether to go to work or not...\nThink about it very carefully before you decide.\n  VERB: V to-inf, V that, V against/in favour of n/-ing, V wh, V\n\n2. If a person or group of people decides something, they choose what something should be like or how a particular problem should be solved.\nShe was still young, he said, and that would be taken into account when deciding her sentence...\n  VERB: V n\n\n3. If an event or fact decides something, it makes it certain that a particular choice will be made or that there will be a particular result.\nThe goal that decided the match came just before the interval...\nThe results will decide if he will win a place at a good university...\nLuck is certainly one deciding factor.\n  VERB: V n, V wh, V-ing\n\n4. If you decide that something is true, you form that opinion about it after considering the facts.\nHe decided Franklin must be suffering from a bad cold...\nI couldn’t decide whether he was incredibly brave or just insane.\n  VERB: V that, V wh\n\n5. If something decides you to do something, it is the reason that causes you to choose to do it.\nThe banning of his play decided him to write about censorship...\nI don’t know what finally decided her, but she agreed.\n  VERB: V n to-inf, V n, also V n that, V n against/in favour of n/-ing


Words: decide on
Meaning:
decide on\n  If you decide on something or decide upon something, you choose it from two or more possibilities.\nAfter leaving university, Therese decided on a career in publishing.\n  PHRASAL VERB: V P n


Words: decided
Meaning:
de.cid.ed\n   decided\n  Decided means clear and definite.\nHer ignorance of the area put her at a decided disadvantage...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  = definite


Words: decidedly
Meaning:
de.cid.ed.ly\n   decidedly\n  Decidedly means to a great extent and in a way that is very obvious.\nSometimes he is decidedly uncomfortable at what he sees on the screen...\n  ADV: ADV group


Words: decider
Meaning:
de.cid.er\n   decider  deciders\n1. In sport, a decider is one of the games in a series, which establishes which player or team wins the series. (BRIT JOURNALISM)\nHe won the decider which completed England’s 3-2 victory over Austria.\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. In games such as football and hockey, the decider is the last goal to be scored in a match that is won by a difference of only one goal. (BRIT JOURNALISM)\nMcGrath scored the decider in Villa’s 2-1 home win over Forest.\n  N-COUNT


Words: deciduous
Meaning:
de.cidu.ous\n   deciduous\n  A deciduous tree or bush is one that loses its leaves in the autumn every year.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=evergreen


Words: decimal
Meaning:
deci.mal\n   decimal  decimals\n1. A decimal system involves counting in units of ten.\n...the decimal system of metric weights and measures...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n2. A decimal is a fraction that is written in the form of a dot followed by one or more numbers which represent tenths, hundredths, and so on: for example .5, .51, .517.\n...simple math concepts, such as decimals and fractions.\n  N-COUNT


Words: decimal point
Meaning:
deci.mal point\n   decimal point  decimal points\n  A decimal point is the dot in front of a decimal fraction.\n  N-COUNT


Words: decimate
Meaning:
deci.mate\n   decimate  decimates  decimating  decimated\n1. To decimate something such as a group of people or animals means to destroy a very large number of them.\nThe pollution could decimate the river’s thriving population of kingfishers...\n  VERB: V n\n\n2. To decimate a system or organization means to reduce its size and effectiveness greatly.\n...a recession which decimated the nation’s manufacturing industry.\n  VERB: V n


Words: decipher
Meaning:
de.ci.pher\n   decipher  deciphers  deciphering  deciphered\n  If you decipher a piece of writing or a message, you work out what it says, even though it is very difficult to read or understand.\nI’m still no closer to deciphering the code.\n  VERB: V n


Words: decision
Meaning:
de.ci.sion\n   decision  decisions\n1. When you make a decision, you choose what should be done or which is the best of various possible actions.\nA decision was taken to discipline Marshall...\nI don’t want to make the wrong decision and regret it later...\n  N-COUNT: oft N to-inf, N on n/wh\n\n2. Decision is the act of deciding something or the need to decide something.\nThe moment of decision cannot be delayed...\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. Decision is the ability to decide quickly and definitely what to do.\nHe is very much a man of decision and action.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = decisiveness


Words: decision-making
Meaning:
decision-making\n  Decision-making is the process of reaching decisions, especially in a large organization or in government.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: decisive
Meaning:
de.ci.sive\n   decisive\n1. If a fact, action, or event is decisive, it makes it certain that there will be a particular result.\n...his decisive victory in the presidential elections...\n  ADJ\n\n=>  de.ci.sive.ly\nThe plan was decisively rejected by Congress three weeks ago.\n  ADV: usu ADV with v\n\n2. If someone is decisive, they have or show an ability to make quick decisions in a difficult or complicated situation.\nHe should give way to a younger, more decisive leader.\n  ADJ\n\n=>  de.ci.sive.ly\n`I’ll call for you at half ten,’ she said decisively.\n  ADV\n\n=>  de.ci.sive.ness\nHis supporters admire his decisiveness.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: deck
Meaning:
deck  decks  decking  decked\n1. A deck on a vehicle such as a bus or ship is a lower or upper area of it.\n...a luxury liner with five passenger decks.\n  N-COUNT: oft supp N\n\n  see also flight deck\n2. The deck of a ship is the top part of it that forms a floor in the open air which you can walk on.\nShe stood on the deck and waved.\n  N-COUNT: also on N\n\n3. A tape deck or record deck is a piece of equipment on which you play tapes or records.\nI stuck a tape in the deck.\n  N-COUNT: oft n N\n\n4. A deck of cards is a complete set of playing cards. (AM; in BRIT, usually use pack)\nMatt picked up the cards and shuffled the deck.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5. A deck is a flat wooden area next to a house, where people can sit and relax or eat.\nA natural timber deck leads into the main room of the home.\n  N-COUNT\n\n6. If something is decked with pretty things, it is decorated with them. (WRITTEN)\nVillagers decked the streets with bunting...\nThe house was decked with flowers.\n  VERB: V n with n, V-ed\n\n7. If you clear the decks, you get ready to start something new by finishing any work that has to be done or getting rid of any problems that are in the way.\nClear the decks before you think of taking on any more responsibilities.\n  PHRASE: V inflects


Words: deck out
Meaning:
deck out\n  If a person or thing is decked out with or in something, they are decorated with it or wearing it, usually for a special occasion.\nThe cab was decked out with multi-coloured lights...\nShe had decked him out from head to foot in expensive clothes.\n  PHRASAL VERB: be V-ed P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)


Words: deckchair
Meaning:
deck.chair\n   deckchair  deckchairs   also deck chair\n  A deckchair is a simple chair with a folding frame, and a piece of canvas as the seat and back. Deckchairs are usually used on the beach, on a ship, or in the garden.\n  N-COUNT


Words: deckhand
Meaning:
deck.hand\n   deckhand  deckhands\n  A deckhand is a person who does the cleaning and other work on the deck of a ship.\n  N-COUNT


Words: declaim
Meaning:
de.claim\n   declaim  declaims  declaiming  declaimed\n  If you declaim, you speak dramatically, as if you were acting in a theatre. (WRITTEN)\nHe raised his right fist and declaimed: `Liar and cheat!’...\nHe used to declaim French verse to us.\n  VERB: V with quote, V n, also V, V that


Words: declamatory
Meaning:
de.clama.tory\n   declamatory\n  A declamatory phrase, statement, or way of speaking is dramatic and confident. (FORMAL)\n  ADJ


Words: declaration
Meaning:
dec.la.ra.tion\n   declaration  declarations\n1. A declaration is an official announcement or statement.\nThey will sign the declaration tomorrow...\nThe opening speeches sounded more like declarations of war than offerings of peace.\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n\n\n2. A declaration is a firm, emphatic statement which shows that you have no doubts about what you are saying.\n...declarations of undying love.\n  N-COUNT\n\n3. A declaration is a written statement about something which you have signed and which can be used as evidence in a court of law.\nOn the customs declaration, the sender labeled the freight as agricultural machinery...\n  N-COUNT


Words: declare
Meaning:
de.clare\n   declare  declares  declaring  declared\n1. If you declare that something is true, you say that it is true in a firm, deliberate way. You can also declare an attitude or intention. (WRITTEN)\nSpeaking outside Ten Downing Street, she declared that she would fight on...\n`I’m absolutely thrilled to have done what I’ve done,’ he declared...\nHe declared his intention to become the best golfer in the world...\n  VERB: V that, V with quote, V n\n  = announce\n2. If you declare something, you state officially and formally that it exists or is the case.\nThe government is ready to declare a permanent ceasefire...\nHis lawyers are confident that the judges will declare Mr Stevens innocent...\nThe U.N. has declared it to be a safe zone...\nYou may have to declare that you have had an HIV test.\n  VERB: V n, V n adj, V n to-inf, V that\n\n3. If you declare goods that you have bought in another country or money that you have earned, you say how much you have bought or earned so that you can pay tax on it.\nYour income must be declared on this form...\n  VERB: V n


Words: declassify
Meaning:
de.clas.si.fy\n   declassify  declassifies  declassifying  declassified\n  If secret documents or records are declassified, it is officially stated that they are no longer secret.\nThese reports were only declassified last year.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed


Words: decline
Meaning:
de.cline\n   decline  declines  declining  declined\n1. If something declines, it becomes less in quantity, importance, or strength.\nThe number of staff has declined from 217,000 to 114,000...\nHourly output by workers declined 1.3% in the first quarter...\nUnion membership and union power are declining fast.\n...a declining birth rate.\n  VERB: V from/to/by amount, V amount, V, V-ing\n\n2. If you decline something or decline to do something, you politely refuse to accept it or do it. (FORMAL)\nHe declined their invitation...\nThe band declined to comment on the story...\nHe offered the boys some coffee. They declined politely.\n  VERB: V n, V to-inf, V\n\n3. If there is a decline in something, it becomes less in quantity, importance, or quality.\nThere wasn’t such a big decline in enrollments after all...\nThe first signs of economic decline became visible.\n  N-VAR: oft N with poss, N in n\n\n4. If something is in decline or on the decline, it is gradually decreasing in importance, quality, or power.\nThankfully the smoking of cigarettes is on the decline...\n  PHRASE: v-link PHR\n\n5. If something goes or falls into decline, it begins to gradually decrease in importance, quality, or power.\nLibraries are an investment for the future and they should not be allowed to fall into decline.\n  PHRASE


Words: decode
Meaning:
de.code\n   decode  decodes  decoding  decoded\n1. If you decode a message that has been written or spoken in a code, you change it into ordinary language.\nAll he had to do was decode it and pass it over...\n  VERB: V n\n  = decipher  !=encode\n2. A device that decodes a broadcast signal changes it into a form that can be displayed on a television screen.\nAbout 60,000 subscribers have special adapters to receive and decode the signals.\n  VERB: V n


Words: decoder
Meaning:
de.cod.er\n   decoder  decoders\n  A decoder is a device used to decode messages or signals sent in code, for example the television signals from a satellite.\n  N-COUNT


Words: decolonization
Meaning:
de.colo.niza.tion\n   decolonization\nin BRIT, also use decolonisation\n  Decolonization means giving political independence to a country that was previously a colony.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  !=colonization


Words: decommission
Meaning:
de.com.mis.sion\n   decommission  decommissions  decommissioning  decommissioned\n  When something such as a nuclear reactor or a large machine is decommissioned, it is taken to pieces because it is no longer going to be used.\nHMS Warspite was decommissioned as part of defence cuts.\n  VERB: be V-ed


Words: decompose
Meaning:
de.com.pose\n   decompose  decomposes  decomposing  decomposed\n  When things such as dead plants or animals decompose, or when something decomposes them, they change chemically and begin to decay.\n...a dead body found decomposing in a wood...\nThe debris slowly decomposes into compost...\nThe fertiliser releases nutrients gradually as bacteria decompose it.\n  VERB: V, V into n, V n\n  = rot, decay\n=>  de.com.posed\nThe body was too badly decomposed to be identified at once.\n  ADJ


Words: decomposition
Meaning:
de.com.po.si.tion\n   decomposition\n  Decomposition is the process of decay that takes place when a living thing changes chemically after dying. (FORMAL)\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: decompression
Meaning:
de.com.pres.sion\n   decompression\n1. Decompression is the reduction of the force on something that is caused by the weight of the air.\nDecompression blew out a window in the plane.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Decompression is the process of bringing someone back to the normal pressure of the air after they have been deep underwater.\n...a decompression chamber.\n  N-UNCOUNT: usu N n


Words: decongestant
Meaning:
de.con.gest.ant\n   decongestant  decongestants\n  A decongestant is a medicine which helps someone who has a cold to breathe more easily.\n  N-MASS


Words: deconstruct
Meaning:
de.con.struct\n   deconstruct  deconstructs  deconstructing  deconstructed\n  In philosophy and literary criticism, to deconstruct an idea or text means to show the contradictions in its meaning, and to show how it does not fully explain what it claims to explain. (TECHNICAL)\nShe sets up a rigorous intellectual framework to deconstruct various categories of film.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  de.con.struc.tion\n...the deconstruction of the macho psyche.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: decontaminate
Meaning:
de.con.tami.nate\n   decontaminate  decontaminates  decontaminating  decontaminated\n  To decontaminate something means to remove all germs or dangerous substances from it.\n...procedures for decontaminating pilots hit by chemical weapons.\n  VERB: V n\n\n=>  de.con.tami.na.tion\nThe land will require public money for decontamination.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: decontrol
Meaning:
de.con.trol\n   decontrol  decontrols  decontrolling  decontrolled\n  When governments decontrol an activity, they remove controls from it so that companies or organizations have more freedom. (mainly AM)\nThe Russian government chose not to decontrol oil and gas prices last January.\n  VERB: V n\n  = deregulate\n  Decontrol is also a noun.\n...continuing decontrol of banking institutions.\n  N-VAR: oft n N, N of n


Words: decor
Meaning:
de.cor\n   decor\n  The decor of a house or room is its style of furnishing and decoration.\nThe decor is simple.black lacquer panels on white walls.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: decorate
Meaning:
deco.rate\n   decorate  decorates  decorating  decorated\n1. If you decorate something, you make it more attractive by adding things to it.\nHe decorated his room with pictures of all his favorite sports figures...\nUse shells to decorate boxes, trays, mirrors or even pots.\n  VERB: V n with n, V n\n\n2. If you decorate a room or the inside of a building, you put new paint or wallpaper on the walls and ceiling, and paint the woodwork.\nWhen they came to decorate the rear bedroom, it was Jemma who had the final say...\nThe boys are planning to decorate when they get the time...\nI had the flat decorated quickly so that Philippa could move in.\n  VERB: V n, V, have n V-ed\n\n=>  deco.rat.ing\nI did a lot of the decorating myself.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n=>  deco.ra.tion\nThe renovation process and decoration took four months.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. If someone is decorated, they are given a medal or other honour as an official reward for something that they have done.\nHe was decorated for bravery in battle.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed


Words: decoration
Meaning:
deco.ra.tion\n   decoration  decorations\n1. The decoration of a room is its furniture, wallpaper, and ornaments.\nThe decoration and furnishings had to be practical enough for a family home...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft with poss\n  = decor\n2. Decorations are features that are added to something in order to make it look more attractive.\nThe only wall decorations are candles and a single mirror...\n  N-VAR\n\n3. Decorations are brightly coloured objects such as pieces of paper and balloons, which you put up in a room on special occasions to make it look more attractive.\nFestive paper decorations had been hung from the ceiling.\n  N-COUNT: usu pl\n\n4. A decoration is an official title or honour which is given to someone, usually in the form of a medal, as a reward for military bravery or public service.\nHe was awarded several military decorations.\n  N-COUNT\n\n5.\n  see also decorate


Words: decorative
Meaning:
deco.ra.tive\n   decorative\n  Something that is decorative is intended to look pretty or attractive.\nThe curtains are for purely decorative purposes and do not open or close.\n  ADJ


Words: decorator
Meaning:
deco.ra.tor\n   decorator  decorators\n1. A decorator is a person whose job is to paint houses or put wallpaper up. (BRIT)\n  N-COUNT\n\n2. A decorator is a person who is employed to design and decorate the inside of people’s houses. (AM; in BRIT, use interior decorator)\n  N-COUNT


Words: decorous
Meaning:
deco.rous\n   decorous\n  Decorous behaviour is very respectable, calm, and polite. (FORMAL)\n  ADJ\n  = seemly, proper\n=>  deco.rous.ly\nHe sipped his drink decorously.\n  ADV


Words: decorum
Meaning:
de.co.rum\n   decorum\n  Decorum is behaviour that people consider to be correct, polite, and respectable. (FORMAL)\nI was treated with decorum and respect throughout the investigation.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n  = politeness


Words: decouple
Meaning:
de.cou.ple\n   decouple  decouples  decoupling  decoupled\n  If two countries, organizations, or ideas that were connected in some way are decoupled, the connection between them is ended. (FORMAL)\n...a conception which decouples culture and politics...\nThe issue threatened to decouple Europe from the United States...\n  VERB: V pl-n, V n from n


Words: decoy
Meaning:
de.coy\n   decoy  decoys\n  If you refer to something or someone as a decoy, you mean that they are intended to attract people’s attention and deceive them, for example by leading them into a trap or away from a particular place.\nHe was booked on a flight leaving that day, but that was just a decoy.\n  N-COUNT


Words: decrease
Meaning:
de.crease\n   decrease decreases decreasing  decreased\nThe verb is pronounced   The noun is pronounced\n1. When something decreases or when you decrease it, it becomes less in quantity, size, or intensity.\nPopulation growth is decreasing by 1.4% each year...\nThe number of independent firms decreased from 198 to 96...\nRaw-steel production by the nation’s mills decreased 2.1% last week...\nSince 1945 air forces have decreased in size...\nGradually decrease the amount of vitamin C you are taking...\nWe’ve got stable labor, decreasing interest rates, low oil prices.\n  VERB: V by amount, V from/to amount, V amount, V in n, V n, V-ing\n\n2. A decrease in the quantity, size, or intensity of something is a reduction in it.\n...a decrease in the number of young people out of work...\nBank base rates have fallen from 10 per cent to 6 per cent.a decrease of 40 per cent.\n  N-COUNT: oft N in/of n


Words: decree
Meaning:
de.cree\n   decree  decrees  decreeing  decreed\n1. A decree is an official order or decision, especially one made by the ruler of a country.\nIn July he issued a decree ordering all unofficial armed groups in the country to disband...\n  N-COUNT: also by N\n  = order\n2. If someone in authority decrees that something must happen, they decide or state this officially.\nThe UN Security Council has decreed that the election must be held by May...\nThe king decreed a general amnesty.\n  VERB: V that, V n\n  = order\n3. A decree is a judgment made by a law court. (mainly AM)\n...court decrees.\n  N-COUNT


Words: decree absolute
Meaning:
de.cree ab.so.lute\n   decree absolute  decrees absolute\n  A decree absolute is the final order made by a court in a divorce case which ends a marriage completely.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: decree nisi
Meaning:
de.cree nisi\n   decree nisi  decrees nisi\n  A decree nisi is an order made by a court which states that a divorce must take place at a certain time in the future unless a good reason is produced to prevent this.\n  N-COUNT: usu sing


Words: decrepit
Meaning:
de.crep.it\n   decrepit\n  Something that is decrepit is old and in bad condition. Someone who is decrepit is old and weak.\nThe film had been shot in a decrepit old police station.\n  ADJ


Words: decrepitude
Meaning:
de.crepi.tude\n   decrepitude\n  Decrepitude is the state of being very old and in poor condition. (FORMAL)\nThe building had a general air of decrepitude and neglect.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: decriminalize
Meaning:
de.crimi.nal.ize\n   decriminalize  decriminalizes  decriminalizing  decriminalized\nin BRIT, also use decriminalise\n  When a criminal offence is decriminalized, the law changes so that it is no longer a criminal offence.\n...the question of whether prostitution should be decriminalized.\n  VERB: be V-ed, also V n\n\n=>  de.crimi.nali.za.tion\n...the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the Isle of Man.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N of n


Words: decry
Meaning:
de.cry\n   decry  decries  decrying  decried\n  If someone decries an idea or action, they criticize it strongly. (FORMAL)\nHe is impatient with those who decry the scheme...\nPeople decried the campaign as a waste of money.\n  VERB: V n, V n as n\n  = denounce


Words: dedicate
Meaning:
dedi.cate\n   dedicate  dedicates  dedicating  dedicated\n1. If you say that someone has dedicated themselves to something, you approve of the fact that they have decided to give a lot of time and effort to it because they think that it is important.\nBack on the island, he dedicated himself to politics...\nBessie has dedicated her life to caring for others.\n  VERB: V pron-refl to n/-ing, V n to n/-ing  approval\n  = devote\n=>  dedi.cat.ed\nHe’s quite dedicated to his students.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n\n=>  dedi.ca.tion\nWe admire her dedication to the cause of humanity...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N to n\n\n2. If someone dedicates something such as a book, play, or piece of music to you, they mention your name, for example in the front of a book or when a piece of music is performed, as a way of showing affection or respect for you.\nShe dedicated her first album to Woody Allen...\n  VERB: V n to n


Words: dedicated
Meaning:
dedi.cat.ed\n   dedicated\n1. You use dedicated to describe someone who enjoys a particular activity very much and spends a lot of time doing it.\nHer great-grandfather had clearly been a dedicated and stoical traveller.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n\n2. You use dedicated to describe something that is made, built, or designed for one particular purpose or thing.\nSuch areas should also be served by dedicated cycle routes.\n...the world’s first museum dedicated to ecology.\n  ADJ: oft ADJ to n\n\n3.\n  see also dedicate


Words: dedication
Meaning:
dedi.ca.tion\n   dedication  dedications\n  A dedication is a message which is written at the beginning of a book, or a short announcement which is sometimes made before a play or piece of music is performed, as a sign of affection or respect for someone.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  see also dedicate


Words: deduce
Meaning:
de.duce\n   deduce  deduces  deducing  deduced\n  If you deduce something or deduce that something is true, you reach that conclusion because of other things that you know to be true.\nAlison had cleverly deduced that I was the author of the letter...\nThe date of the document can be deduced from references to the Civil War...\nShe hoped he hadn’t deduced the reason for her visit.\n  VERB: V that, be V-ed from n, V n


Words: deduct
Meaning:
de.duct\n   deduct  deducts  deducting  deducted\n  When you deduct an amount from a total, you subtract it from the total.\nThe company deducted this payment from his compensation...\n  VERB: V n from n, also V n


Words: deduction
Meaning:
de.duc.tion\n   deduction  deductions\n1. A deduction is a conclusion that you have reached about something because of other things that you know to be true.\nIt was a pretty astute deduction...\n  N-COUNT: oft N about n\n\n2. Deduction is the process of reaching a conclusion about something because of other things that you know to be true.\n...a case that tested his powers of deduction.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n3. A deduction is an amount that has been subtracted from a total.\n...your gross income (before tax and National Insurance deductions)...\n  N-COUNT\n\n4. Deduction is the act or process of subtracting an amount of money from a total amount.\nAfter the deduction of tax at 20 per cent, the interest rate will be 6.2 per cent.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: deductive
Meaning:
de.duc.tive\n   deductive\n  Deductive reasoning involves drawing conclusions logically from other things that are already known. (FORMAL)\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: deed
Meaning:
deed  deeds\n1. A deed is something that is done, especially something that is very good or very bad. (LITERARY)\n...the warm feeling one gets from doing a good deed...\n  N-COUNT\n  = act\n2. A deed is a document containing the terms of an agreement, especially an agreement concerning the ownership of land or a building. (LEGAL)\nHe asked if I had the deeds to his father’s property.\n  N-COUNT


Words: deed poll
Meaning:
deed poll\n  In Britain, if you change your name by deed poll, you change it officially and legally.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: deem
Meaning:
deem  deems  deeming  deemed\n  If something is deemed to have a particular quality or to do a particular thing, it is considered to have that quality or do that thing. (FORMAL)\nFrench and German were deemed essential...\nHe says he would support the use of force if the UN deemed it necessary...\nI was deemed to be a competent shorthand typist.\n  VERB: be V-ed adj, V n adj, be V-ed to-inf\n  = judge


Words: deep
Meaning:
deep  deeper  deepest\n1. If something is deep, it extends a long way down from the ground or from the top surface of something.\nThe water is very deep and mysterious-looking...\nDen had dug a deep hole in the centre of the garden...\nKelly swore quietly, looking at the deep cut on his left hand.\n...a deep ravine.\n  ADJ\n  !=shallow\n  Deep is also an adverb.\nDeep in the earth’s crust the rock may be subjected to temperatures high enough to melt it...\nGingerly, she put her hand in deeper, to the bottom.\n  ADV: ADV prep/adv, ADV after v\n\n=>  deep.ly\nThere isn’t time to dig deeply and put in manure or compost...\n  ADV: ADV after v, ADV adj/-ed\n\n2. A deep container, such as a cupboard, extends or measures a long distance from front to back.\nThe wardrobe was very deep.\n  ADJ\n\n3. You use deep to talk or ask about how much something measures from the surface to the bottom, or from front to back.\nI found myself in water only three feet deep...\nThe mud is ankle deep around Shush Square...\nHow deep did the snow get?\n  ADJ: amount ADJ, n ADJ, how ADJ, as ADJ as, ADJ-compar than\n\n  Deep is also a combining form.\n...an inch-deep stab wound.\n  COMB in ADJ\n\n4. Deep in an area means a long way inside it.\nThey were now deep inside rebel territory.\n  ADV: ADV prep/adv, ADV after v\n\n5. If you say that things or people are two, three, or four deep, you mean that there are two, three, or four rows or layers of them there.\nA crowd three deep seemed paralysed by the images on these monitors...\n  ADV: num ADV\n\n6. You use deep to emphasize the seriousness, strength, importance, or degree of something.\nI had a deep admiration for Sartre...\nHe wants to express his deep sympathy to the family.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n  emphasis\n  = profound\n=>  deep.ly\nOur meetings and conversations left me deeply depressed...\n  ADV\n  = profoundly\n7. If you experience or feel something deep inside you or deep down, you feel it very strongly even though you do not necessarily show it.\nDeep down, she supported her husband’s involvement in the organization.\n  ADV: ADV prep/adv, ADV with cl\n\n8. If you are in a deep sleep, you are sleeping peacefully and it is difficult to wake you.\nUna soon fell into a deep sleep.\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n  !=light\n=>  deep.ly\nShe slept deeply but woke early.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n9. If you are deep in thought or deep in conversation, you are concentrating very hard on what you are thinking or saying and are not aware of the things that are happening around you.\nAbby had been so deep in thought that she had walked past her aunt’s car without even seeing it...\n  ADJ: v-link ADJ in n\n\n10. A deep breath or sigh uses or fills the whole of your lungs.\nCal took a long, deep breath, struggling to control his own emotions...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n=>  deep.ly\nShe sighed deeply and covered her face with her hands.\n  ADV: ADV after v\n\n11. You use deep to describe colours that are strong and fairly dark.\nThe sky was deep blue and starry...\n  COMB in COLOUR\n  !=pale\n  Deep is also an adjective.\n...deep colours.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n\n  !=pale\n12. A deep sound is low in pitch.\nHis voice was deep and mellow...\nThey heard a deep, distant roar.\n  ADJ\n  !=high\n13. If you describe someone as deep, you mean that they are quiet and reserved in a way that makes you think that they have good qualities such as intelligence or determination.\nJames is a very deep individual...\n  ADJ\n  !=shallow\n14. If you describe something such as a problem or a piece of writing as deep, you mean that it is important, serious, or complicated.\nThey’re written as adventure stories. They’re not intended to be deep.\n  ADJ\n\n15. If you are deep in debt, you have a lot of debts.\nHe is so deep in debt and desperate for money that he’s apparently willing to say anything...\n  ADV: ADV in/into n\n\n=>  deep.ly\nBecause of her medical and her legal bills, she is now penniless and deeply in debt.\n  ADV: ADV in/into n\n\n(next)


Words: deep .1
Meaning:
16. If you know something deep down or deep down inside, you know that it is true, but you are not always conscious of it or willing to admit it to yourself.\nWe knew deep down that we could do it...\nDeep down, we had always detested each other.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl\n\n17. If you say that you took a deep breath before doing something dangerous or frightening, you mean that you tried to make yourself feel strong and confident.\nI took a deep breath and went in.\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n18. If you say that something goes deep or runs deep, you mean that it is very serious or strong and is hard to change.\nHis anger and anguish clearly went deep...\n  PHRASE: V inflects\n\n19.\nin at the deep end: see end\nin deep water: see water


Words: Deep South
Meaning:
Deep South\n  The Deep South consists of the states that are furthest south in the United States.\n  N-SING: the N


Words: deep vein thrombosis
Meaning:
deep vein throm.bo.sis\n   deep vein thrombosis deep vein thromboses\n  Deep vein thrombosis is a serious medical condition caused by blood clots in the legs moving up to the lungs. The abbreviation DVT is also used. (MEDICAL)\nHe could have died after developing deep vein thrombosis during a flight to Sydney.\n  N-VAR


Words: deep-fry
Meaning:
deep-fry  deep-fries  deep-frying  deep-fried\n  If you deep-fry food, you fry it in a large amount of fat or oil.\nHeat the oil and deep-fry the fish fillets.\n  VERB: V n


Words: deep-rooted
Meaning:
deep-rooted\n  Deep-rooted means the same as deep-seated.\n...long-term solutions to a deep-rooted problem.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: deep-sea
Meaning:
deep-sea\n  Deep-sea activities take place in the areas of the sea that are a long way from the coast.\n...deep-sea diving.\n...a deep-sea fisherman.\n  ADJ: ADJ n


Words: deep-seated
Meaning:
deep-seated\n  A deep-seated problem, feeling, or belief is difficult to change because its causes have been there for a long time.\nThe country is still suffering from deep-seated economic problems.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: deep-set
Meaning:
deep-set\n  Deep-set eyes seem to be further back in the face than most people’s eyes. (WRITTEN)\nHe had deep-set brown eyes.\n  ADJ: usu ADJ n


Words: deep-six
Meaning:
deep-six deep-sixes deep-sixing deep-sixed\n  To deep-six something means to get rid of it or destroy it. (mainly AM INFORMAL)\nI’d simply like to deep-six this whole project.\n  VERB: V n


Words: deepen
Meaning:
deep.en\n   deepen  deepens  deepening  deepened\n1. If a situation or emotion deepens or if something deepens it, it becomes stronger and more intense.\nIf this is not stopped, the financial crisis will deepen...\nSurviving tough times can really deepen your relationship.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n2. If you deepen your knowledge or understanding of a subject, you learn more about it and become more interested in it.\nHe did not get a chance to deepen his knowledge of Poland.\n  VERB: V n\n  = broaden\n3. When a sound deepens or is deepened, it becomes lower in tone.\nHer voice has deepened and coarsened with the years...\nThe music room had been made to reflect and deepen sounds.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n4. When your breathing deepens, or you deepen it, you take more air into your lungs when you breathe.\nHe heard her breathing deepen...\nWhen you are ready to finish the exercise, gradually deepen your breathing.\n  VERB: V, V n\n\n5. If people deepen something, they increase its depth by digging out its lower surface.\n...a major project to deepen the channel...\n  VERB: V n\n\n6. Something such as a river or a sea deepens where the bottom begins to slope downwards.\nAs we drew nearer to it the water gradually deepened.\n  VERB: V


Words: deer
Meaning:
deer  deer\n  A deer is a large wild animal that eats grass and leaves. A male deer usually has large, branching horns.\n  N-COUNT


Words: deerstalker
Meaning:
deer.stalker\n   deerstalker  deerstalkers\n  A deerstalker is an old-fashioned hat with parts at the sides which can be folded down to cover the ears. Deerstalkers are usually worn by men.\n  N-COUNT


Words: deface
Meaning:
de.face\n   deface  defaces  defacing  defaced\n  If someone defaces something such as a wall or a notice, they spoil it by writing or drawing things on it.\nIt’s illegal to deface banknotes.\n  VERB: V n


Words: defamation
Meaning:
defa.ma.tion\n   defamation\n  Defamation is the damaging of someone’s good reputation by saying something bad and untrue about them. (FORMAL)\nHe sued for defamation.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: defamatory
Meaning:
de.fama.tory\n   defamatory\n  Speech or writing that is defamatory is likely to damage someone’s good reputation by saying something bad and untrue about them. (FORMAL)\nThe article was highly defamatory.\n  ADJ


Words: defame
Meaning:
de.fame\n   defame  defames  defaming  defamed\n  If someone defames another person or thing, they say bad and untrue things about them. (FORMAL)\nSgt Norwood complained that the article defamed him.\n  VERB: V n


Words: default
Meaning:
de.fault\n   default defaults defaulting  defaulted\nUsually pronounced   but pronounced   for meaning 2.\n1. If a person, company, or country defaults on something that they have legally agreed to do, such as paying some money or doing a piece of work before a particular time, they fail to do it. (LEGAL)\nThe credit card business is down, and more borrowers are defaulting on loans...\n  VERB: V on n\n\n  Default is also a noun.\nThe corporation may be charged with default on its contract with the government...\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N prep, in N\n\n2. A default situation is what exists or happens unless someone or something changes it.\n...default passwords installed on commercial machines...\n  ADJ: ADJ n\n\n3. In computing, the default is a particular set of instructions which the computer always uses unless the person using the computer gives other instructions. (COMPUTING)\nThe default is usually the setting that most users would probably choose.\n...default settings.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n4. If something happens by default, it happens only because something else which might have prevented it or changed it has not happened. (FORMAL)\nI would rather pay the individuals than let the money go to the State by default.\n  PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR with cl


Words: defaulter
Meaning:
de.fault.er\n   defaulter  defaulters\n  A defaulter is someone who does not do something that they are legally supposed to do, such as make a payment at a particular time, or appear in a court of law.\n  N-COUNT


Words: defeat
Meaning:
de.feat\n   defeat  defeats  defeating  defeated\n1. If you defeat someone, you win a victory over them in a battle, game, or contest.\nHis guerrillas defeated the colonial army in 1954...\n  VERB: V n\n  = beat\n2. If a proposal or motion in a debate is defeated, more people vote against it than for it.\nThe proposal was defeated by just one vote.\n  VERB: usu passive, be V-ed\n\n3. If a task or a problem defeats you, it is so difficult that you cannot do it or solve it.\nThere were times when the challenges of writing such a huge novel almost defeated her.\n  VERB: V n\n\n4. To defeat an action or plan means to cause it to fail.\nThe navy played a limited but significant role in defeating the rebellion...\n  VERB: V n\n  = thwart\n5. Defeat is the experience of being beaten in a battle, game, or contest, or of failing to achieve what you wanted to.\nThe most important thing is not to admit defeat until you really have to...\nThe vote is seen as a defeat for the anti-abortion lobby...\n  N-VAR


Words: defeatism
Meaning:
de.feat.ism\n   defeatism\n  Defeatism is a way of thinking or talking which suggests that you expect to be unsuccessful.\n...the mood of economic defeatism.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: defeatist
Meaning:
de.feat.ist\n   defeatist  defeatists\n  A defeatist is someone who thinks or talks in a way that suggests that they expect to be unsuccessful.\n  N-COUNT\n\n  Defeatist is also an adjective.\nThere is no point going out there with a defeatist attitude.\n  ADJ


Words: defecate
Meaning:
def.ecate\n   defecate  defecates  defecating  defecated\n  When people and animals defecate, they get rid of waste matter from their body through their anus. (FORMAL)\n  VERB\n\n=>  def.eca.tion\nThe drug’s side-effects can include involuntary defecation.\n  N-UNCOUNT


Words: defect
Meaning:
de.fect\n   defect defects defecting  defected\nThe noun is pronounced   The verb is pronounced\n1. A defect is a fault or imperfection in a person or thing.\nHe was born with a hearing defect.\n...a defect in the aircraft caused the crash...\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp\n  = imperfection\n2. If you defect, you leave your country, political party, or other group, and join an opposing country, party, or group.\nHe tried to defect to the West last year...\n...a KGB officer who defected in 1963.\n  VERB: V to/from n, V\n\n=>  de.fec.tion      defections\n...the defection of at least sixteen Parliamentary deputies.\n  N-VAR


Words: defective
Meaning:
de.fec.tive\n   defective\n  If something is defective, there is something wrong with it and it does not work properly.\nRetailers can return defective merchandise.\n  ADJ


Words: defector
Meaning:
de.fec.tor\n   defector  defectors\n  A defector is someone who leaves their country, political party, or other group, and joins an opposing country, party, or group.\n  N-COUNT: usu with supp


Words: defence
Meaning:
de.fence\n   defence  defences\n\n  The spelling defense is used in American English, and in meaning 8 is pronounced\n\n1. Defence is action that is taken to protect someone or something against attack.\nThe land was flat, giving no scope for defence...\nBy wielding a knife in defence you run the risk of having it used against you.\n  N-UNCOUNT\n\n2. Defence is the organization of a country’s armies and weapons, and their use to protect the country or its interests.\nTwenty eight percent of the federal budget is spent on defense.\n...the French defence minister.\n  N-UNCOUNT: oft N n\n\n3. The defences of a country or region are all its armed forces and weapons.\n...the need to maintain Britain’s defences at a sufficiently high level.\n  N-PLURAL\n\n4. A defence is something that people or animals can use or do to protect themselves.\nThe immune system is our main defence against disease...\n  N-COUNT: oft N against n\n  = protection\n5. A defence is something that you say or write which supports ideas or actions that have been criticized or questioned.\nChomsky’s defence of his approach goes further...\n  N-COUNT: oft N of n, also in N\n  = justification\n6. In a court of law, an accused person’s defence is the process of presenting evidence in their favour.\nHe has insisted on conducting his own defence.\n  N-COUNT: oft with poss\n\n7. The defence is the case that is presented by a lawyer in a trial for the person who has been accused of a crime. You can also refer to this person’s lawyers as the defence.\nThe defence was that the records of the interviews were fabricated by the police...\n  N-SING: usu the N\n\n8. In games such as football or hockey, the defence is the group of players in a team who try to stop the opposing players scoring a goal or a point.\nTheir defence, so strong last season, has now conceded 12 goals in six games...\nI still prefer to play in defence.\n  N-SING-COLL: oft poss N, also in N\n  !=attack\n9. If you come to someone’s defence, you help them by doing or saying something to protect them.\nHe realized none of his schoolmates would come to his defense...\n  PHRASE: PHR after v


Words: defence mechanism
Meaning:
de.fence mecha.nism\n   defence mechanism  defence mechanisms\n  A defence mechanism is a way of behaving or thinking which is not conscious or deliberate and is an automatic reaction to unpleasant experiences or feelings such as anxiety and fear.\n  N-COUNT


Words: defenceless
Meaning:
de.fence.less\n   defenceless\nin AM, use defenseless\n  If someone or something is defenceless, they are weak and unable to defend themselves properly.\n...a savage attack on a defenceless young girl.\n  ADJ\n  = helpless


Words: defend
Meaning:
de.fend\n   defend  defends  defending  defended\n1. If you defend someone or something, you take action in order to protect them.\nHis courage in defending religious and civil rights inspired many outside the church...\n  VERB: V n\n  !=attack\n2. If you defend someone or something when they have been criticized, you argue in support of them.\nMatt defended all of Clarence’s decisions, right or wrong...\n  VERB: V n\n  !=attack\n3. When a lawyer defends a person who has been accused of something, the lawyer argues on their behalf in a court of law that the charges are not true.\n...a lawyer who defended political prisoners during the military regime...\nHe has hired a lawyer to defend him against the allegations...\nGuy Powell, defending, told magistrates: `It’s a sad and disturbing case.’\n  VERB: V n, V n against n, V\n\n4. When a sports player plays in the tournament which they won the previous time it was held, you can say that they are defending their title. (JOURNALISM)\nTorrence expects to defend her title successfully in the next Olympics...\n  VERB: V n


