# dict

Words: oneness
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the state of being completely united with sb/sth, or of being in complete agreement with sb:\na sense of oneness with the natural world


Words: onerous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) needing great effort; causing trouble or worry:\nan onerous duty / task / responsibility


Words: oneself
Meaning:
pronoun (formal)\n  1  (the reflexive form of one) used as the object of a verb or preposition when ’one’ is the subject of the verb or is understood as the subject:\nOne has to ask oneself what the purpose of the exercise is. * One cannot choose freedom for oneself without choosing it for others. * It is difficult to make oneself concentrate for long periods.\n  2  used to emphasize one:\nOne likes to do it oneself.\n HELP NOTE  One and oneself are very formal words and now sound old-fashioned. It is much more usual to use you and yourself for referring to people in general and I and myself when the speaker is referring to himself or herself.\n IDIOMS \n  be oneself to be in a normal state of body and mind, not influenced by other people:\nOne needs space to be oneself.\n  (all) by oneself\n1 alone; without anyone else\n2 without help\n  (all) to oneself not shared with anyone


Words: ongoing
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] continuing to exist or develop:\nan ongoing debate / discussion / process * The police investigation is ongoing. * Training is part of our ongoing career development program.


Words: onion
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a round vegetable with many layers inside each other and a brown, red or white skin. Onions have a strong smell and flavour:\nChop the onions finely. * French onion soup


Words: online
Meaning:
adjective\ncontrolled by or connected to a computer or to the Internet:\nan online ticket booking system * The data entry terminal is connected to an online database while editing is taking place.\n    online adverb


Words: onlooker
Meaning:
noun\na person who watches sth that is happening but is not involved in it:\nA crowd of onlookers gathered at the scene of the crash.


Words: only
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, conjunction \n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  used to say that no other or others of the same group exist or are there:\nShe’s their only daughter. * We were the only people there. * His only answer was a grunt. * Only five people turned up.\n  2  used to say that sb/sth is the best and you would not choose any other:\nShe’s the only person for the job.\n IDIOMS \n  the only thing is ... (spoken) used before mentioning a worry or problem you have with sth:\nI’d love to come-the only thing is I might be late.\nmore at NAME n., ONE det.\n    adverb\n  1  nobody or nothing except:\nThere are only a limited number of tickets available. * The bar is for members only. * You only have to look at her to see she doesn’t eat enough. * Only five people turned up.\n  2  in no other situation, place, etc:\nI agreed, but only because I was frightened. * Children are admitted only if accompanied by an adult.\n HELP NOTE  In formal written English only, or only if and its clause, can be placed first in the sentence. In the second part of the sentence, be, do, have, etc. come before the subject and the main part of the verb: Only in Paris do you find bars like this. * Only if these conditions are fulfilled can the application proceed to the next stage.\n  3  no more important, interesting, serious, etc. than:\nIt was only a suggestion. * Don’t blame me, I’m only the messenger! * He was only teasing you.\n  4  no more than; no longer than:\nShe’s only 21 and she runs her own business. * It only took a few seconds. * It took only a few seconds.\n  5  not until:\nWe only got here yesterday. * (written) Only then did she realize the stress he was under.\n HELP NOTE  When only begins a sentence be, do, have, etc. come before the subject and the main part of the verb.\n  6  used to say that sb can do no more than what is mentioned, although this is probably not enough:\nWe can only guess what happened. * He could only watch helplessly as the car plunged into the ravine. * I only hope that she never finds out.\n  7  used to say that sth will have a bad effect:\nIf you do that, it will only make matters worse. * Trying to reason with him only enrages him even more.\n  8  ~ to do sth (written) used to mention sth that happens immediately afterwards, especially sth that causes surprise, disappointment, etc:\nShe turned up the driveway, only to find her way blocked.\n IDIOMS \n  not only ...but (also) ... both ...and ...:\nHe not only read the book, but also remembered what he had read.\n  only just\n1 not long ago/before:\nWe’ve only just arrived.\n2 almost not:\nHe only just caught the train. * I can afford it, but only just.\n  only too ... very:\nI was only too pleased to help. * Children can be difficult as we know only too well.\n  you’re only young once (saying) young people should enjoy themselves as much as possible, because they will have to work and worry later in their lives\nmore at EYE n., IF conj.\n    conjunction (informal) except that; but:\nI’d love to come, only I have to work. * It tastes like chicken, only stronger.


Words: only child
Meaning:
noun\na child who has no brothers or sisters:\nI’m an only child. * Only children often relate well to adults.


Words: onomatopoeia
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (technical) the fact of words containing sounds similar to the noises they describe, for example hiss or thud; the use of words like this in a piece of writing\n    onomatopoeic  adjective:\nBang and pop are onomatopoeic words.


Words: onrush
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (written) a strong movement forward; the sudden development of sth:\nShe was seized by an onrush of nerves.


Words: onset
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] the beginning of sth, especially sth unpleasant:\nthe onset of disease / old age / winter


Words: onshore
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  on the land rather than at sea:\nthe largest onshore oil field in Europe\n  2  (of wind) blowing from the sea towards the land:\nThe height of tides is increased by onshore winds.\n    onshore adverb:\nThe wind will drive the boat onshore.\ncompare OFFSHORE


Words: onside
Meaning:
adjective\n(in sports such as football) in a position on the field where you are allowed to play the ball\n    onside adverb \ncompare OFFSIDE


Words: onslaught
Meaning:
noun\n~ (against / on sb/sth) | ~ (of sth) (written) a strong or violent attack:\nthe enemy onslaught on our military forces * The town survives the onslaught of tourists every summer. * an onslaught of abuse


Words: onstage
Meaning:
adjective\non the stage in a theatre; in front of an audience:\nonstage fights\n    onstage adverb:\nHe ran onstage and bowed to the audience.\ncompare OFFSTAGE


Words: onto
Meaning:
(also on to)  preposition\nused with verbs to express movement on or to a particular place or position:\nMove the books onto the second shelf. * She stepped down from the train onto the platform.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  be onto sb\n1 (informal) to know about what sb has done wrong:\nShe knew the police would be onto them.\n2 to be talking to sb, usually in order to ask or tell them sth:\nThey’ve been onto me for ages to get a job.\n  be onto sth to know about sth or be in a situation that could lead to a good result for you:\nScientists believe they are onto something big. * She’s onto a good thing with that new job.


Words: ontology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of existence\n    ontological  adjective


Words: onus
Meaning:
noun\n(usually the onus) [sing.] (formal) the responsibility for sth:\nThe onus is on employers to follow health and safety laws. * The onus of proof lies with the prosecution. * The report puts the onus of children’s early education firmly on the parents.


Words: onward
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (formal) continuing or moving forward:\nTicket prices include your flight and onward rail journey. * the onward march of time / progress


Words: onwards
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  from ...onwards continuing from a particular time:\nThey lived there from the 1980s onwards. * The pool is open from 7 a.m. onwards.\n  2  (formal) forward:\nWe drove onwards towards the coast.


Words: onyx
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of stone that has layers of different colours in it, usually used for ornaments:\nan onyx paperweight


Words: oodles
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] ~ (of sth) (old-fashioned, informal) a large amount of sth:\nBob makes oodles of money, you know.


Words: ooze
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ from / out of / through sth | ~ out | ~ (with) sth if a thick liquid oozes from a place, or if sth oozes a thick liquid, the liquid flows from the place slowly:\n[V] Blood oozed out of the wound. * an ugly swelling oozing with pus * [VN] The wound was oozing blood. * a plate of toast oozing butter\n  2  ~ (with) sth if sb/sth oozes a particular characteristic, quality, etc., they show it strongly:\n[VN] She walked into the party oozing confidence. * [V] His voice oozed with sex appeal.\n    noun\n  1  [U] very soft mud, especially at the bottom of a lake or river\n  2  [sing.] the very slow flow of a thick liquid\n    oozy adjective


Words: op art
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a style of modern art that uses patterns and colours in a way that makes the images seem to move as you look at them


Words: op. cit.
Meaning:
abbreviation\nused in formal writing to refer to a book or an article that has already been mentioned


Words: opacity
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (technical) the fact of being difficult to see through; the fact of being OPAQUE:\nsheets of frosted glass with varying degrees of opacity\n  2  (formal) the fact of being difficult to understand; the fact of being OPAQUE:\nthe opacity of the poet’s language


Words: opal
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a white or almost clear precious stone in which changes of colour are seen, used in jewellery:\nan opal ring


Words: opaque
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of glass, liquid, etc.) not clear enough to see through or allow light through:\nopaque glass * opaque tights\n  2  (of speech or writing) difficult to understand; not clear:\nThe jargon in his talk was opaque to me.\nOPP TRANSPARENT


Words: OPEC
Meaning:
abbreviation\nOrganization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (an organization of countries that produce and sell oil)


Words: open
Meaning:
adjective, verb, noun \n    adjective\n  not closed\n  1  allowing things or people to go through:\nA wasp flew in the open window. * She had left the door wide open. * The door flew open and the children rushed in.\nOPP CLOSED\n  2  (of sb’s eyes, mouth, etc.) with EYELIDS or lips apart:\nShe had difficulty keeping her eyes open (= because she was very tired). * He was breathing through his open mouth.\nOPP CLOSED\n  3  spread out; with the edges apart:\nThe flowers are all open now. * The book lay open on the table.\nOPP CLOSED\n  4  not blocked by anything:\nThe pass is kept open all the year.\nOPP CLOSED\n  not fastened\n  5  not fastened or covered, so that things can easily come out or be put in:\nLeave the envelope open. * The bag burst open and everything fell out.\n  6  (of clothes) not fastened:\nHer coat was open. * a tie knotted below the open collar of a shirt\n  not enclosed\n  7  not surrounded by anything; not enclosed:\nopen country (= without forests, buildings, etc.) * a city with a lot of parks and open spaces * driving along the open road (= part of a road in the country, where you can drive fast)\n  not covered\n  8  with no cover or roof on:\nan open drain * people working in the open air (= not in a building) * The hall of the old house was open to the sky. * an open wound (= with no skin covering it)\n  for customers / visitors\n  9  [not usually before noun] if a shop/store, bank, business, etc. is open, it is ready for business and will admit customers or visitors:\nIs the museum open on Sundays? * The new store will be open in the spring. * The house had been thrown open to the public. * I declare this festival open.\nOPP CLOSED\n  of competition / building\n  10  if a competition, etc. is open, anyone can enter it\nSYN PUBLIC:\nan open debate / championship / scholarship * She was tried in open court (= the public could go and listen to the trial). * The debate was thrown open to the audience.\n  11  [not before noun] ~ to sb if a competition, building, etc. is open to particular people, those people can enter it:\nThe competition is open to young people under the age of 18. * The house is not open to the public.\nOPP CLOSED\n  available\n  12  [not before noun] ~ (to sb) to be available and ready to use:\nWhat options are open to us? * Is the offer still open? * I want to keep my Swiss bank account open.\nOPP CLOSED\n  not protected\n  13  ~ (to sth) likely to suffer sth such as criticism, injury, etc.\nSYN VULNERABLE:\nThe system is open to abuse. * He has laid himself wide open to political attack. * Kasparov had left his bishop open (= not protected, in a game of chess).\n  not hidden\n  14  known to everyone; not kept hidden:\nan open quarrel * open government * their open display of affection * His eyes showed open admiration as he looked at her.\nOPP SECRET\n  person’s character\n  15  honest; not keeping thoughts and feelings hidden:\nShe was always open with her parents. * He was quite open about his reasons for leaving.\n  16  ~ to sth (of a person) willing to listen to and think about new ideas:\nI’m open to suggestions for what you would like to do in our classes.\n  not yet decided\n  17  ~ (to sth) not yet finally decided or settled:\nThe race is still wide open (= anyone could win). * The price is not open to negotiation. * Some phrases in the contract are open to interpretation. * Which route is better remains an open question (= it is not decided). * In an interview try to ask open questions (= to which the answer is not just ’yes’ or ’no’).\n  fabric\n  18  with wide spaces between the threads:\nan open weave\n IDIOMS \n  be an open secret if sth is an open secret, many people know about it, although it is supposed to be a secret\n  have / keep an open mind (about / on sth) to be willing to listen to or accept new ideas or suggestions\n  keep your ears / eyes open (for sth) to be quick to notice or hear things\n  an open book if you describe sb or their life as an open book, you mean that you can easily understand them and know everything about them\n  an open invitation (to sb)\n1 an invitation to sb to visit you at any time\n2 if sth is an open invitation to criminals, etc., it encourages them to commit a crime by making it easier:\nLeaving your camera on the seat in the car is an open invitation to thieves.\n  with open arms if you welcome sb with open arms, you are extremely happy and pleased to see them\nmore at BURST v., DOOR, EYE n., MARKET n., OPTION\n    verb\n  door / window / lid\n \n  1  [VN] to move a door, window, lid, etc. so that it is no longer closed:\nMr Chen opened the car door for his wife.\nOPP CLOSE\n \n  2  [V] to move or be moved so that it is no longer closed:\nThe door opened and Alan walked in. * The doors of the bus open automatically.\nOPP CLOSE\n \n  container / package\n  3  [VN] to remove the lid, undo the FASTENING, etc. of a container, etc. in order to see or get what is inside:\nShall I open another bottle? * He opened the letter and read it. * She opened her bag and took out her passport.\n  eyes\n  4  [VN, V] if you open your eyes or your eyes open, you move your EYELIDS upwards so that you can see\nOPP CLOSE\n  mouth\n  5  if you open your mouth or your mouth opens, you move your lips, for example in order to speak:\n[VN] He hardly ever opens his mouth (= speaks). [also V]\n  book\n  6  [VN] to turn the cover or the pages of a book so that it is no longer closed:\nOpen your books at page 25.\nOPP CLOSE\n  spread out\n  7  to spread out or UNFOLD; to spread sth out or UNFOLD it:\n[V] What if the parachute doesn’t open? * The flowers are starting to open. * [VN] Open the map on the table. * He opened his arms wide to embrace her.\n  border / road\n  8  [VN] to make it possible for people, cars, goods, etc. to pass through a place:\nWhen did the country open its borders to Western business? * The road will be opened again in a few hours after police have cleared it.\nOPP CLOSE\n  for customers / visitors\n  9  (of a shop / store, business, etc.) to start business for the day; to start business for the first time:\n[V] What time does the bank open? * [VN] The company opened its doors for business a month ago.\nOPP CLOSE\n  10  [V] to be ready for people to go to:\nThe new hospital opens on July 1st. * When does the play open?\nOPP CLOSE\n  start sth\n  11  [VN] ~ sth (with sth) to start an activity or event:\nYou need just one pound to open a bank account with us. * Who is going to open the conference? * The police have opened an investigation into the death. * They will open the new season with a performance of ’Carmen’. * Troops opened fire on (= started shooting) the crowds.\n  12  [V] ~ (with sth) (of a story, film / movie, etc.) to start in a particular way:\nThe story opens with a murder. * How does the play open?\n  with ceremony\n  13  [VN] to perform a ceremony showing that a building can start being used:\nThe bridge was opened by the Queen.\n  computing\n  14  [VN, V] to start a computer program or file so that you can use it on the screen\n IDIOMS \n  open doors for sb to provide opportunities for sb to do sth and be successful\n  open your / sb’s eyes (to sth) to realize or make sb realize the truth about sth:\nTravelling really opens your eyes to other cultures.\n  open your / sb’s mind to sth to become or make sb aware of new ideas or experiences:\nHe’s eager to open the minds of his audience to different kinds of music.\n  open the way for sb/sth (to do sth) to make it possible for sb to do sth or for sth to happen:\nThe agreement could open the way for the country to pay off its debts.\nmore at HEART, HEAVEN\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  open into / onto sth to lead to another room, area or place:\nThis door opens onto the yard. * The two rooms open into each other.\n  open out to become bigger or wider:\nThe street opened out into a small square.\n  open out (to sb) to become less shy and more willing to communicate\n  open up\n1 to talk about what you feel and think:\nIt helps to discuss your problems but I find it hard to open up.\n2 to begin shooting:\nAnti-aircraft guns opened up.\n3 (often used in orders) to open a door, container, etc:\nOpen up or we’ll break the door down!\n  open sth<->up | open up\n1 to become or make sth possible, available or able to be reached:\nThe new catalogue will open up the market for our products. * The railway opened up the east of the country. * Exciting possibilities were opening up for her in the new job.\n2 to begin business for the day; to start a new business:\nI open up the store for the day at around 8.30.\nOPP CLOSE UP\n3 to start a new business:\nThere’s a new Thai restaurant opening up in town.\nOPP CLOSE DOWN\n4 to develop or start to happen or exist; to develop or start sth:\nA division has opened up between the two ministers over the single European currency. * Scott opened up a 3-point lead in the first game.\n5 to appear and become wider; to make sth wider when it is narrow or closed:\nThe wound opened up and started bleeding. * The operation will open up the blocked passages around his heart.\nOPP CLOSE UP\n  open sth<->up to make sth open that is shut, locked, etc:\nShe laid the book flat and opened it up.\n    noun (the open) [sing.]\n  outdoors\n  1  outdoors; in the countryside:\nChildren need to play out in the open.\n  not hidden\n  2  not hidden or secret:\nGovernment officials do not want these comments in the open. * They intend to bring their complaints out into the open.


Words: open day
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) (AmE open house) a day when people can visit a school, an organization, etc. and see the work that is done there


Words: open house
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] a place or a time at which visitors are welcome:\nIt’s always open house at their place.\n  2  [C] (AmE) = OPEN DAY\n  3  [C] (AmE) a time when people who are interested in buying a particular house or apartment can look around it


Words: open letter
Meaning:
noun\na letter of complaint or protest to an important person or group that is printed in a newspaper so that the public can read it


Words: open market
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] a situation in which companies can trade without restrictions, and prices depend on the amount of goods and the number of people buying them:\nto buy / sell / trade on the open market


Words: open prison
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE minimum security prison) noun\na prison with fewer restrictions on prisoners’ freedom than ordinary prisons


Words: open season
Meaning:
noun [sing.]\n  1  ~ (for sth) the time in the year when it is legal to hunt and kill particular animals or birds, or to catch fish, for sport\nOPP CLOSE SEASON\n  2  ~ for / on sb/sth a time when there are no restrictions on criticizing particular groups of people or treating them unfairly:\nIt seems to be open season on teachers now.


Words: open sesame
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] an easy way to gain or achieve sth that is usually very difficult to get:\nAcademic success is not always an open sesame to a well-paid job.\n ORIGIN  From the fairy-tale Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, in which the magic words open sesame had to be said to open the cave where the thieves kept their treasure.


Words: open verdict
Meaning:
noun\nan official decision in a British court stating that the exact cause of a person’s death is not known:\nAfter the inquest, the coroner recorded an open verdict.


Words: open-air
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] happening or existing outside rather than inside a building:\nan open-air swimming pool


Words: open-and-shut case
Meaning:
noun\na legal case or other matter that is easy to decide or solve:\nThe murder was an open-and-shut case.


Words: open-door
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (of a policy, system, principle, etc.) allowing people or goods freedom to come into a country; allowing people to go to a place or get information without restrictions:\nthe country’s open-door policy for refugees * You are welcome to visit the school at any time; we have an open-door policy.


Words: open-ended
Meaning:
adjective\nwithout any limits, aims or dates fixed in advance:\nan open-ended discussion * The contract is open-ended.


Words: open-handed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  generous and giving willingly:\nan open-handed host\n  2  using the flat part of the hand:\nan open-handed blow


Words: open-heart surgery
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a medical operation on the heart, during which the patient’s blood is kept flowing by a machine


Words: open-minded
Meaning:
adjective\nwilling to listen to, think about or accept different ideas:\nan open-minded attitude\nOPP NARROW-MINDED\n    open-mindedness noun [U]


Words: open-mouthed
Meaning:
adjective\nwith your mouth open because you are surprised or shocked:\nThe kids stared open-mouthed at the screen.


Words: open-necked
Meaning:
(also open-neck) adjective\n[only before noun] (of a shirt) worn without a tie and with the top button undone


Words: open-plan
Meaning:
adjective\nan open-plan building or area does not have inside walls dividing it up into rooms:\nan open-plan office


Words: opencast
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] in opencast mines coal is taken out of the ground near the surface:\nopencast mines / mining\nsee also STRIP MINING


Words: opener
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (usually in compounds) a tool that is used to open things:\na can-opener * a bottle-opener\nsee also EYE-OPENER\n  2  the first in a series of things such as sports games; the first action in an event, a game, etc:\nThey won the opener 42. * Jones scored the opener. * a good conversation opener\n  3  (in cricket) either of the two BATSMEN who start play\n IDIOMS \n  for openers (informal, especially AmE) as a beginning or first part of a process:\nFor openers, the band played a track from their new album.


Words: opening
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [C] a space or hole that sb/sth can pass through:\nWe could see the stars through an opening in the roof.\n  2  [C, usually sing.] the beginning or first part of sth:\nThe movie has an exciting opening.\nOPP ENDING\n  3  [C, usually sing.] a ceremony to celebrate the start of a public event or the first time a new building, road, etc. is used:\nthe opening of the Olympic Games * the official opening of the new hospital\n  4  [C, U] the act or process of making sth open or of becoming open:\nthe opening of a flower * the opening of the new play * Late opening of supermarkets is common in Britain now.\nOPP CLOSING\n  5  [C] a job that is available:\nThere are several openings in the sales department.\n  6  [C] a good opportunity for sb:\nWinning the competition was the opening she needed for her career.\n  7  [C] part of a piece of clothing that is made to open and close so that it can be put on easily:\nThe skirt has a side opening.\n    adjective [only before noun] first; beginning:\nhis opening remarks * the opening chapter of the book\nOPP CLOSING


Words: opening hours
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] the time during which a shop/store, bank, etc. is open for business:\nThe museum has extended its opening hours.


Words: opening night
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] the first night that, for example, a play is performed or a film/movie is shown to the public:\ntickets for the opera’s opening night * The president gave a speech at the opening night of the convention.


Words: opening up
Meaning:
noun [sing.]\n  1  the process of removing restrictions and making sth such as land or jobs available to more people:\nthe opening up of new opportunities for women in business\n  2  the process of making sth ready for use:\nthe opening up of a new stretch of highway


Words: openly
Meaning:
adverb\nwithout hiding any feelings, opinions or information:\nCan you talk openly about sex with your parents? * The men in prison would never cry openly (= so that other people could see).


Words: openness
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the quality of being honest and not hiding information or feelings\n  2  the quality of being able to think about, accept or listen to different ideas or people:\na child’s openness to life\n  3  the quality of not being enclosed or covered:\nthe openness of the landscape


Words: opera
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] a dramatic work in which all or most of the words are sung to music; works of this type as an art form or entertainment:\nPuccini’s operas * to go to the opera * an opera singer * light / grand opera\nsee also SOAP OPERA\n  2  [C] a company that performs opera; a building in which operas are performed:\nthe Vienna State Opera\n    operatic  adjective:\noperatic arias / composers


Words: operable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  that functions; that can be used:\nWhen will the single currency be operable?\n  2  (of a medical condition) that can be treated by an operation\nOPP INOPERABLE


Words: operate
Meaning:
verb\n  machine\n  1  [V] to work in a particular way\nSYN FUNCTION:\nMost domestic freezers operate at below -18 ｰC. * Solar panels can only operate in sunlight. * (figurative) Some people can only operate well under pressure.\n  2  [VN] to use or control a machine or make it work:\nWhat skills are needed to operate this machinery?\n  system / process / service\n  3  to be used or working; to use sth or make it work:\n[V] A new late-night service is now operating. * The regulation operates in favour of married couples. * [VN] The airline operates flights to 25 countries. * France operates a system of subsidized loans to dairy farmers.\n  of business / organization\n  4  [V] to work in a particular way or from a particular place:\nThey plan to operate from a new office in Edinburgh. * Illegal drinking clubs continue to operate in the city.\n  medical\n  5  [V] ~ (on sb) (for sth) to cut open sb’s body in order to remove a part that has a disease or to repair a part that is damaged:\nThe doctors operated last night. * We will have to operate on his eyes. * to operate for suspected acute appendicitis\n  of soldiers\n  6  [V] to be involved in military activities in a place:\nTroops are operating from bases in the north.


Words: operating table
Meaning:
noun\na special table that you lie on to have a medical operation in a hospital:\nThe patient died on the operating table (= during an operation).


Words: operating theatre
Meaning:
(also theatre) (both BrE) (AmE operating room) noun\na room in a hospital used for medical operations


Words: operation
Meaning:
noun\n  medical\n  1  (also BrE informal op) [C] ~ (on sb) (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) the process of cutting open a part of a person’s body in order to remove or repair a damaged part:\nan operation on her lung to remove a tumour * Will I need to have an operation? * He underwent a three-hour heart operation. * Doctors performed an emergency operation for appendicitis last night.\n  organized activity\n  2  [C] an organized activity that involves several people doing different things:\na rescue / security operation * The police have launched a major operation against drug suppliers. * the UN peacekeeping operations\n  business\n  3  [C] a business or company involving many parts:\na huge multinational operation\n  4  [C] the activity or work done in an area of business or industry:\nthe firm’s banking operations overseas\n  computer\n  5  [C, U] an act performed by a machine, especially a computer:\nThe whole operation is performed in less than three seconds.\n  machine / system\n  6  [U] the way that parts of a machine or a system work; the process of making sth work:\nRegular servicing guarantees the smooth operation of the engine. * Operation of the device is extremely simple.\n  military activity\n  7  [C, usually pl.] military activity:\nHe was the officer in charge of operations.\n IDIOMS \n  in operation working, being used or having an effect:\nThe system needs to be in operation for six months before it can be assessed. * Temporary traffic controls are in operation on New Road.\n  come into operation to start working; to start having an effect:\nThe new rules come into operation from next week.\n  put sth into operation to make sth start working; to start using sth:\nIt’s time to put our plan into operation.


Words: operational
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] connected with the way in which a business, machine, system, etc. works:\noperational activities / costs / difficulties\n  2  [not usually before noun] ready to be used:\nThe new airport should be fully operational by the end of the year.\n  3  [only before noun] connected with a military operation:\noperational headquarters\n    operationally adverb


Words: operational research
Meaning:
(also operations research) noun\n[U] (technical) the study of how businesses are organized, in order to make them more efficient


Words: operative
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  (technical) a worker, especially one who works with their hands:\na factory operative * skilled / unskilled operatives\n  2  (especially AmE) a person who does secret work, especially for a government organization:\nan intelligence operative\n    adjective\n  1  [not usually before noun] ready to be used; in use:\nThis law becomes operative immediately. * The station will be fully operative again in January.\n  2  [only before noun] (medical) connected with a medical operation:\noperative mortality / treatment\nsee also POST-OPERATIVE\n IDIOMS \n  the operative word used to emphasize that a particular word or phrase is the most important one in a sentence:\nI was in love with her-’was’ being the operative word.


Words: operator
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (often in compounds) a person who operates equipment or a machine:\na computer / machine operator\n  2  (BrE also telephonist) a person who works on the telephone SWITCHBOARD of a large company or organization, especially at a TELEPHONE EXCHANGE:\nDial 100 and ask for the operator.\n  3  (often in compounds) a person or company that runs a particular business:\na tour operator * a bus / ferry operator\n  4  (informal, especially disapproving) a person who is skilful at getting what they want, especially when this involves behaving in a dishonest way:\na smooth / slick / shrewd operator


Words: opinion
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] ~ (about / of / on sb/sth) | ~ (that ...) your feelings or thoughts about sb/sth, rather than a fact:\nWe were invited to give our opinions about how the work should be done. * I’ve recently changed my opinion of her. * Everyone had a different opinion on the subject. * The chairman expressed the opinion that job losses were inevitable. * He has very strong political opinions. * In my opinion, it’s a very sound investment. * (formal) It is our opinion that he should resign. * (spoken) If you want my opinion, I think you’d be crazy not to accept.\n  2  [U] the beliefs or views of a group of people:\nPublic opinion is shifting in favour of change. * legal / medical / political opinion (= the beliefs of people working in the legal, etc. profession) * There is a difference of opinion (= people disagree) as to the merits of the plan. * Opinion is divided on the issue. * There is a wide body of opinion that supports this proposal. * Which is the better is a matter of opinion (= people have different opinions about it).\n  3  [C] advice from a professional person:\nThey called in a psychologist to give an independent opinion. * I’d like a second opinion (= advice from another person) before I make a final decision.\n IDIOMS \n  be of the opinion that ... (formal) to believe or think that ...:\nWe are strongly of the opinion that great caution should be exercised in dealing with this matter.\n  have a good, bad, high, low, etc. opinion of sb/sth to think that sb/sth is good, bad, etc:\nThe boss has a very high opinion of her.\nmore at CONSIDER


Words: opinionated
Meaning:
(also self-opinionated) adjective\n(disapproving) having very strong opinions that you are not willing to change:\nI’ve never met anyone so arrogant and opinionated.


Words: opium
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a powerful drug made from the juice of a type of POPPY (= a kind of flower), used in the past in medicines to reduce pain and help people sleep. Some people take opium illegally for pleasure and can become ADDICTED to it:\nopium poppies * the opium trade


Words: opossum
Meaning:
(also possum) noun\na small American or Australian animal that lives in trees and carries its young in a POUCH (= a pocket of skin on the front of the mother’s body)


Words: opponent
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person that you are playing or fighting against in a game, competition, argument, etc:\na political opponent * a dangerous / worthy / formidable opponent * The team’s opponents are unbeaten so far this season.\n  2  ~ (of sth) a person who is against sth and tries to change or stop it:\nopponents of abortion * opponents of the regime


Words: opportune
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  (of a time) suitable for doing a particular thing, so that it is likely to be successful:\nThe offer could not have come at a more opportune moment. * Chapman decided the time was opportune for talking business.\n  2  (of an action or event) done or happening at the right time to be successful:\nan opportune remark\nOPP INOPPORTUNE\n    opportunely adverb


Words: opportunism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) the practice of using situations unfairly to gain advantage for yourself without thinking about how your actions will affect other people:\npolitical opportunism


Words: opportunist
Meaning:
(also opportunistic) adjective\n[usually before noun] (often disapproving) making use of an opportunity, especially to get an advantage for yourself; not done in a planned way:\nan opportunist crime * Smith marked his debut match with an opportunist goal.\n    opportunist noun:\n80% of burglaries are committed by casual opportunists.


Words: opportunistic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (disapproving) = OPPORTUNIST\n  2  [only before noun] (medical) harmful to people whose IMMUNE SYSTEM has been made weak by disease or drugs:\nan opportunistic infection


Words: opportunity
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural opportunities) ~ (to do sth) | ~ (for sth / for doing sth) | ~ (of doing sth) a time when a particular situation makes it possible to do or achieve sth:\nYou’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions at the end. * There was no opportunity for further discussion. * At least give him the opportunity of explaining what happened. * There’ll be plenty of opportunity for relaxing once the work is done. * Our company promotes equal opportunities for women (= women are given the same jobs, pay, etc. as men). * an equal opportunities employer * career / employment / job opportunities * This is the perfect opportunity to make a new start. * The offer was too good an opportunity to miss. * I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for their support. * He is rude to me at every opportunity (= whenever possible). * They intend to close the school at the earliest opportunity (= as soon as possible). * a window of opportunity (= a period of time when the circumstances are right for doing sth)\nsee also PHOTO OPPORTUNITY -> POSSIBILITY


Words: oppose
Meaning:
verb\nto disagree strongly with sb’s plan, policy, etc. and try to change it or prevent it from succeeding:\n[VN] This party would bitterly oppose the re-introduction of the death penalty. * He found himself opposed by his own deputy. * [V -ing] I would oppose changing the law. [also VN -ing] \ncompare PROPOSE


Words: opposed
Meaning:
adjective [not usually before noun] ~ (to sth)\n  1  (of a person) disagreeing strongly with sth and trying to stop it:\nShe remained bitterly opposed to the idea of moving abroad. * They are totally opposed to abortion.\n  2  (of ideas, opinions, etc.) very different from sth:\nOur views are diametrically opposed on this issue.\n IDIOMS \n  as opposed to (written) used to make a contrast between two things:\n200 attended, as opposed to 300 the previous year. * This exercise develops suppleness as opposed to (= rather than) strength.


Words: opposing
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (of teams, armies, forces, etc.) playing, fighting, working, etc. against each other:\na player from the opposing side * It is time for opposing factions to unite and work towards a common goal. * This behaviour is based on a conflict between two opposing forces within the individual.\n  2  (of attitudes, views etc.) very different from each other


Words: opposite
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, noun, preposition \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] on the other side of a particular area from sb/sth and usually facing them:\nAnswers are given on the opposite page. * We live further down on the opposite side of the road. * It’s not easy having a relationship when you live at opposite ends of the country.\n  2  (used after the noun) facing the speaker or sb/sth that has been mentioned:\nI could see smoke coming from the windows of the house directly opposite. * He sat down in the chair opposite.\n  3  [usually before noun] as different as possible from sth:\nI watched them leave and then drove off in the opposite direction. * She tried calming him down but it seemed to be having the opposite effect. * students at opposite ends of the ability range\n    opposite adverb:\nThere’s a newly married couple living opposite (= on the other side of the road). * See opposite (= on the opposite page) for further details.\n IDIOMS \n  your opposite number a person who does the same job as you in another organization:\nThe Foreign Secretary is currently having talks with his opposite number in the White House.\n  the opposite sex the other sex:\nHe found it difficult to talk to members of the opposite sex.\n    noun [often sing.] a person or thing that is as different as possible from sb/sth else:\nHot and cold are opposites. * What is the opposite of heavy? * I thought she would be small and blonde but she’s the complete opposite. * Exactly the opposite is true. * ’Is it better now?’ ’Quite the opposite, I’m afraid.’\n IDIOMS \n  opposites attract used to say that people who are very different are often attracted to each other\n    preposition\n  1  on the other side of a particular area from sb/sth, and usually facing them:\nI sat opposite him during the meal (= on the other side of the table). * The bank is opposite the supermarket (= on the other side of the road). * Write your address opposite (= next to) your name.\n  2  acting in a film/movie or play as the partner of sb:\nShe starred opposite Tom Hanks.


Words: opposition
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (to sb/sth) the act of strongly disagreeing with sb/sth, especially with the aim of preventing sth from happening:\nDelegates expressed strong opposition to the plans. * The army met with fierce opposition in every town. * We cannot back down at the first sign of opposition. * He spent five years in prison for his opposition to the regime. * opposition forces (= people who are arguing, fighting, etc. with another group)\n  2  (the opposition) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] the people you are competing against in business, a competition, a game, etc:\nHe’s gone to work for the opposition. * The opposition is / are mounting a strong challenge to our business. * Liverpool couldn’t match the opposition in the final and lost 20.\n  3  (the Opposition) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] the main political party that is opposed to the government; the political parties that are in a parliament but are not part of the government:\nthe leader of the Opposition * Opposition MPs / parties * the Opposition spokesman on education\n  4  [U, C] (formal) the state of being as different as possible; two things that are as different as possible:\nthe opposition between good and evil * His poetry is full of oppositions and contrasts.\n    oppositional  adjective [usually before noun] (formal):\noppositional groups / tactics\n IDIOMS \n  in opposition (of a political party) forming part of a parliament but not part of the government:\nThey returned to power after six years in opposition.\n  in opposition to sb/sth\n1 disagreeing strongly with sb/sth, especially with the aim of preventing sth from happening:\nWe found ourselves in opposition to several colleagues on this issue. * Protest marches were held in opposition to the proposed law.\n2 contrasting two people or things that are very different:\nLeisure is often defined in opposition to work.


Words: oppress
Meaning:
verb [VN] (written)\n  1  to treat sb in a cruel and unfair way, especially by not giving them the same freedom, rights, etc. as other people:\nThe regime is accused of oppressing religious minorities.\n  2  to make sb only able to think about sad or worrying things:\nThe gloomy atmosphere in the office oppressed her.\n    oppression  noun [U]:\nvictims of oppression


Words: oppressed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  treated in a cruel and unfair way and not given the same freedom, rights, etc. as other people:\noppressed groups / minorities\n  2  (the oppressed) noun [pl.] people who are oppressed:\nHis sympathies were always with the poor and the oppressed.


Words: oppressive
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  treating people in a cruel and unfair way and not giving them the same freedom, rights, etc. as other people:\noppressive laws * an oppressive regime * The political situation has grown increasingly oppressive.\n  2  (of the weather) extremely hot and unpleasant and lacking fresh air:\noppressive heat\n  3  making you feel unhappy and anxious:\nan oppressive relationship * The silence between them started to grow oppressive.\n    oppressively adverb:\nto behave oppressively * oppressively hot * He suffered from an oppressively dominant mother.


Words: oppressor
Meaning:
noun\na person or group of people that treats sb in a cruel and unfair way, especially by not giving them the same freedom, rights, etc. as other people:\nThey cannot forget the humiliation they suffered at the hands of their oppressors.


Words: opprobrium
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) severe criticism of a person, country, etc. by a large group of people:\nThe bombing has attracted international opprobrium. * The government did not deserve the opprobrium heaped on it by the national press.\n    opprobrious  adjective (rare):\nan opprobrious remark


Words: opt
Meaning:
verb\n~ (for / against sth) to choose to take or not to take a particular course of action:\n[V] After graduating she opted for a career in music. * After a lot of thought, I opted against buying a motorbike. * [V to inf] Many workers opted to leave their jobs rather than take a pay cut.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  opt in (to sth) to choose to be part of a system or an agreement\n  opt out (of sth)\n1 to choose not to take part in sth:\nEmployees may opt out of the company’s pension plan.\n2 (of a school or hospital in Britain) to choose not to be under the control of the local authority\nrelated noun OPT-OUT


Words: opt-out
Meaning:
noun (often used as an adjective)\n  1  (in Britain) the action of a school or hospital that decides to manage its own money and is therefore no longer controlled by a LOCAL AUTHORITY or similar organization:\nNurses and health workers voted against the opt-out. * an opt-out school / hospital\n  2  the act of choosing not to be involved in an agreement:\nan opt-out clause * MPs hoped to reverse Britain’s opt-out from the treaty.


Words: optic
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (technical) connected with the eye or the sense of sight:\nthe optic nerve (= from the eye to the brain)


Words: optical
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  connected with the sense of sight or the relationship between light and sight:\noptical effects\n  2  used to help you see sth more clearly:\noptical aids * optical instruments such as microscopes and telescopes\n  3  (computing) using light for reading or storing information:\noptical storage * an optical disk\n    optically  adverb


Words: optical character recognition
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (abbreviation OCR) (computing) the process of using light to record printed information onto disks for use in a computer system


Words: optical fibre
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE optical fiber) noun\n[C, U] a thin glass thread through which light can be TRANSMITTED (= sent)


Words: optician
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (also ophthalmic optician) (both BrE) (also optometrist AmE, BrE) a person whose job is to examine people’s eyes and to recommend and sell glasses\n \n  2  (optician’s) (plural opticians) the shop/store where an optician works:\nto go to the optician’s\n \n  3  a person who makes LENSES, glasses, etc.


Words: optimism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (about / for sth) a feeling that good things will happen and that sth will be successful; the tendency to have this feeling:\noptimism about / for the future * We may now look forward with optimism. * a mood of cautious optimism * There are very real grounds for optimism. * Both sides have expressed optimism about the chances of an early agreement.\nOPP PESSIMISM


Words: optimist
Meaning:
noun\na person who always expects good things to happen or things to be successful:\nHe’s an incurable optimist.\nOPP PESSIMIST


Words: optimistic
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (about sth) | ~ (that ...) expecting good things to happen or sth to be successful; showing this feeling:\nShe’s not very optimistic about the outcome of the talks. * They are cautiously optimistic that the reforms will take place. * We are now taking a more optimistic view. * in an optimistic mood * I think you’re being a little over-optimistic.\nOPP PESSIMISTIC\n    optimistically  adverb:\nHe spoke optimistically about better relations between the two countries.


Words: optimize
Meaning:
(BrE also optimise)  verb\n[VN] to make sth as good as it can be; to use sth in the best possible way:\nto optimize the use of resources


Words: optimum
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (also optimal) the best possible; producing the best possible results:\noptimum efficiency / growth / health * the optimum use of resources * the optimum conditions for effective learning\n  2  (the optimum) noun [sing.] the best possible result, set of conditions, etc:\nFor efficient fuel consumption a speed of 60 mph is about the optimum.


Words: option
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] ~ (of doing sth) | ~ (to do sth) something that you can choose to have or do; the freedom to choose what you do:\nAs I see it, we have two options ... * There are various options open to you. * We are currently studying all the options available. * Going to college was not an option for me. * I had no option but to (= I had to) ask him to leave. * Students have the option of studying abroad in their second year. * A savings plan that gives you the option to vary your monthly payments. * He was given one month’s imprisonment without the option of a fine. * This particular model comes with a wide range of options (= things you can choose to have when buying sth but which you will have to pay extra for)\n  2  [C] a subject that a student can choose to study, but that they do not have to do:\nThe course offers options in design and computing.\n  3  [C] ~ (on sth) | ~ (to do sth) the right to buy or sell sth at some time in the future:\nWe have an option on the house. * The property is for rent with an option to buy at any time. * He has promised me first option on his car (= the opportunity to buy it before anyone else). * share options (= the right to buy shares in a company)\n  4  [C] (computing) one of the choices you can make when using a computer program:\nChoose the ’Cut’ option from the Edit menu.\n IDIOMS \n  keep / leave your options open to avoid making a decision now so that you still have a choice in the future:\nAt the moment I’m keeping my options open and applying for as many different jobs as possible.\n  the soft / easy option (often disapproving) a choice which is thought to be easier because it involves less effort, difficulty, etc:\nThey are anxious that the new course should not be seen as a soft option. * He decided to take the easy option and give them what they wanted.


Words: optional
Meaning:
adjective\nthat you can choose to do or have if you want to:\nCertain courses are compulsory, others are optional. * This model comes with a number of optional extras (= things you can choose to have but which you will have to pay extra for).


Words: opulent
Meaning:
adjective (formal)\n  1  made or decorated using expensive materials:\nopulent fabrics / surroundings\n  2  (of people) extremely rich:\nthe opulent elite of Europe\n    opulence  noun [U]\n    opulently adverb


Words: opus
Meaning:
[usually sing.]\n  1  (abbreviation op.) a piece of music written by a famous COMPOSER and usually followed by a number that shows when it was written:\nBeethoven’s Opus 18\n  2  (formal) an important piece of literature, music, etc., especially one that is on a large scale\nsee also MAGNUM OPUS


Words: or
Meaning:
conjunction\n  1  used to introduce another possibility:\nIs your sister older or younger than you? * Are you coming or not? * Is it a boy or a girl? * It can be black, white or grey.\ncompare EITHER ...OR ...\n  2  used in negative sentences when mentioning two or more things:\nHe can’t read or write. * There are people without homes, jobs or family.\ncompare NEITHER ...NOR ...\n  3  (also or else) used to warn or advise sb that sth bad could happen; otherwise:\nTurn the heat down or it’ll burn.\n  4  used between two numbers to show approximately how many:\nThere were six or seven of us there.\n  5  used to introduce a word or phrase that explains or means the same as another:\ngeology, or the science of the earth’s crust * It weighs a kilo, or just over two pounds.\n  6  used to say why sth must be true:\nHe must like her, or he wouldn’t keep calling her.\n  7  used to introduce a contrasting idea:\nHe was lying-or was he?\n IDIOMS \n  or so about:\nIt’ll cost ｣100 or so.\n  or somebody / something / somewhere | somebody / something / somewhere or other (informal) used when you are not exactly sure about a person, thing or place:\nHe’s a factory supervisor or something. * ’Who said so?’ ’Oh, somebody or other. I can’t remember who it was.’


Words: oracle
Meaning:
noun [C]\n  1  (in ancient Greece) a place where people could go to ask the gods for advice or information about the future; the priest or PRIESTESS through whom the gods were thought to give their message:\nThey consulted the oracle at Delphi.\n  2  (in ancient Greece) the advice or information that the gods gave, which often had a hidden meaning\n  3  [usually sing.] a person or book that gives valuable advice or information:\nMy sister’s the oracle on investment matters.


Words: oral
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] spoken rather than written:\na test of both oral and written French * oral evidence * stories passed on by oral tradition\ncompare VERBAL\n  2  [only before noun] connected with the mouth:\noral hygiene * oral sex (= using the mouth to STIMULATE sb’s sex organs) * an oral contraceptive (= that is swallowed like medicine)\n    orally  adverb:\nAnswers can be written or presented orally on tape. * not to be taken orally (= a warning on some medicines to show that they must not be swallowed)\n    noun\n  1  (especially BrE) a spoken exam, especially in a foreign language:\na French oral * He failed the oral.\n  2  (AmE) a spoken exam in a university


Words: orang-utan
Meaning:
noun\na large APE (= an animal like a large monkey with no tail) with long arms and reddish hair, that lives in Borneo and Sumatra\n \n ORIGIN  From Malay orang huan, meaning ’forest person’.


Words: orange
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C, U] a round CITRUS fruit with thick reddish-yellow skin and a lot of sweet juice:\norange peel * an orange tree * freshly squeezed orange juice * orange groves (= groups of orange trees) * orange blossom\nsee also BLOOD ORANGE\n \n  2  [U, C] (BrE) orange juice, or a drink made from or tasting of oranges:\nWould you like some orange? * A vodka and orange, please.\n \n  3  [U, C] a bright reddish-yellow colour:\na pale shade of orange * purples and reds and deep shining oranges\n    adjective bright reddish-yellow in colour:\nyellow and orange flames * There was a warm orange glow in the sky.


Words: orange squash
Meaning:
noun (BrE)\n  1  [U] a thick sweet liquid made with orange juice and sugar; a drink made from this with water added:\na bottle of orange squash\n  2  [C] a glass of orange squash:\nTwo orange squashes, please.


Words: orangeade
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a sweet drink with an orange flavour. In Britain it always has bubbles in it; in the US it can be with or without bubbles.\n  2  [C] a glass of orangeade\ncompare LEMONADE


Words: oration
Meaning:
noun\n(formal) a formal speech made on a public occasion, especially as part of a ceremony:\na funeral oration


Words: orator
Meaning:
noun\n(formal) a person who makes formal speeches in public or is good at public speaking:\na fine political orator


Words: oratorical
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal, sometimes disapproving) connected with the art of public speaking:\noratorical skills / technique


Words: oratorio
Meaning:
noun\n(plural oratorios) a long piece of music for singers and an orchestra, usually based on a story from the Bible\ncompare CANTATA


Words: oratory
Meaning:
noun (plural oratories)\n  1  [U] the skill of making powerful and effective speeches in public:\nThe crowd was held spellbound by her oratory.\n  2  [C] a room or small building that is used for private prayer or worship


Words: orb
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (literary) an object shaped like a ball, especially the sun or moon:\nThe red orb of the sun sank beneath the horizon.\n  2  a gold ball with a cross on top, carried by a king or queen at formal ceremonies as a symbol of power\ncompare SCEPTRE


Words: orbit
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C, U] a curved path followed by a planet or an object as it moves around another planet, star, moon, etc:\nthe earth’s orbit around the sun * a space station in orbit round the moon * A new satellite has been put into orbit around the earth.\n  2  [sing.] an area that a particular person, organization, etc. deals with or is able to influence:\nto come / fall / be within sb’s orbit\n    verb ~ (around sth) to move in an orbit (= a curved path) around a much larger object, especially a planet, star, etc: [VN] The earth takes a year to orbit the sun. [also V]


Words: orbital
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  connected with the orbit of a planet or object in space\n  2  (BrE) (of a road) built around the edge of a town or city to reduce the amount of traffic travelling through the centre\n    noun (BrE) a very large RING ROAD, especially if it is a motorway:\nthe M25 London orbital


Words: orchestra
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C+sing./pl. v.] a large group of people who play various musical instruments together, led by a CONDUCTOR:\nShe plays the flute in the school orchestra. * the Scottish Symphony Orchestra * The competition gave the young composer her first opportunity to write for a full orchestra.\nsee also CHAMBER ORCHESTRA\n  2  (the orchestra) [sing.] (AmE) = THE STALLS


Words: orchestra pit
Meaning:
(also pit) noun\nthe place in a theatre just in front of the stage where the orchestra sits and plays for an opera, a ballet, etc.


Words: orchestrate
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to arrange a piece of music in parts so that it can be played by an orchestra\n  2  (written) to organize a complicated plan or event very carefully or secretly\nSYN STAGE-MANAGE:\na carefully orchestrated publicity campaign * The group is accused of orchestrating violence at demonstrations.\n    orchestration  noun [C, U]


Words: orchid
Meaning:
noun\na plant with brightly coloured flowers of unusual shapes. There are many different types of orchid and some of them are very rare.


Words: ordain
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ sb (as) (sth) to make sb a priest or minister of a Church:\n[VN-N] He was ordained (as) a priest last year. [also VN] \nsee also ORDINATION\n  2  (formal) (of God, the law or fate) to order or command sth; to decide sth in advance:\n[V that] Fate had ordained that they would never meet again. [also VN]


Words: ordeal
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] ~ (of sth / of doing sth) a difficult or unpleasant experience:\nThey are to be spared the ordeal of giving evidence in court. * The hostages spoke openly about the terrible ordeal they had been through. * The interview was less of an ordeal than she’d expected.


Words: order
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  arrangement\n  1  [U, C] the way in which people or things are placed or arranged in relation to each other:\nThe names are listed in alphabetical order. * in chronological / numerical order * arranged in order of priority / importance / size * The results, ranked in descending / ascending order are as follows: * All the procedures must be done in the correct order. * Let’s take the problems in a different order.\n  2  [U] the state of being carefully and neatly arranged:\nIt was time she put her life in order. * The house had been kept in good order. * Get your ideas into some sort of order before beginning to write. * It is one of the functions of art to bring order out of chaos.\nOPP DISORDER\n  controlled state\n  3  [U] the state that exists when people obey laws, rules or authority:\nThe army has been sent in to maintain order in the capital. * Some teachers find it difficult to keep their classes in order. * The police are trying to restore public order. * The argument continued until the chairman called them both to order (= ordered them to obey the formal rules of the meeting).\ncompare DISORDER (2)\nsee also POINT OF ORDER\n  instructions\n  4  [C] ~ (for sb to do sth) | ~ (to do sth) something that sb is told to do by sb in authority:\nHe gave orders for the work to be started. * The general gave the order to advance. * Dogs can be trained to obey orders. * She takes orders only from the president. * I’m under orders not to let anyone in. * (informal) No sugar for me-doctor’s orders. * Interest rates can be controlled by order of the central bank.\n  goods\n  5  [C, U] ~ (for sth) a request to make or supply goods:\nI would like to place an order for ten copies of this book. * an order form * The machine parts are still on order (= they have been ordered but have not yet been received) * These items can be made to order (= produced especially for a particular customer)\nsee also MAIL ORDER\n  6  [C] goods supplied in response to a particular order that sb has placed:\nThe stationery order has arrived.\n  food / drinks\n  7  [C] a request for food or drinks in a restaurant, bar etc.; the food or drinks that you ask for:\nMay I take your order? * Last orders at the bar now please! (= because the bar is going to close) * an order for steak and fries * a side order (= for example, vegetables or salad that you eat with your main dish)\n  money\n  8  [C] a formal written instruction for sb to be paid money or to do sth:\nYou can cash the order at any post office.\nsee also BANKER’S ORDER, COURT ORDER, MONEY ORDER, POSTAL ORDER, STANDING ORDER\n  system\n  9  [C, usually sing.] (formal) the way that a society, the world, etc. is arranged, with its system of rules and customs:\na change in the political and social order * the natural order of things * He was seen as a threat to the established order. * A new order seems to be emerging. * The old order in Europe saw rapid change in the late 1980s.\n  social class\n  10  [C, usually sing.] (disapproving or humorous) a social class:\nthe lower orders\n  biology\n  11  [C] a group into which animals, plants, etc. that have similar characteristics are divided, smaller than a CLASS and larger than a FAMILY:\nthe order of primates\ncompare GENUS\n  religious community\n  12  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of people living in a religious community, especially MONKS or NUNS:\nreligious orders * the Benedictine order\n  special honour\n  13  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of people who have been given a special honour by a queen, king, president, etc:\nThe Order of the Garter is an ancient order of chivalry.\n  14  [C] a BADGE or RIBBON worn by members of an order who have been given a special honour\n  secret society\n  15  [C+sing./pl. v.] a secret society whose members meet for special ceremonies:\nthe Ancient Order of Druids\n IDIOMS \n  be in / take (holy) orders to be/become a priest\n  in order\n1 (of an official document) that can be used because it is all correct and legal\nSYN VALID:\nIs your work permit in order?\n2 (formal) as it should be:\nIs everything in order, sir?\n3 if sth is in order, it is a suitable thing to do or say on a particular occasion:\nI think a drink would be in order.\n  in order (to do sth) (formal) allowed according to the rules of a meeting, etc:\nIs it in order to speak now?\n  in order that (formal) so that sth can happen:\nAll those concerned must work together in order that agreement can be reached on this issue.\n  in order to do sth with the purpose or intention of doing or achieving sth:\nShe arrived early in order to get a good seat. * In order to get a complete picture, further information is needed.\n  in running / working order (especially of machines) working well:\nThe engine is now in perfect working order.\n  of a high order | of the highest / first order of a high quality or degree; of the highest quality or greatest degree:\nThe job requires diplomatic skills of a high order. * She was a snob of the first order.\n  of / in the order of sth (BrE) (AmE on the order of) (formal) about sth; approximately sth:\nShe earns something in the order of ｣80 000 a year.\n  the order of the day common, popular or suitable at a particular time or for a particular occasion:\nPessimism seems to be the order of the day.\n  Order! Order! used to remind people to obey the rules of a formal meeting or debate\n  out of order\n1 (of a machine, etc.) not working correctly:\nThe phone is out of order.\n2 not arranged correctly or neatly:\nI checked the files and some of the papers were out of order.\n3 (BrE) (AmE out of line) (informal) behaving in a way that is not acceptable or right:\nYou were well out of order taking it without asking.\n4 (formal) not allowed by the rules of a formal meeting or debate:\nHis objection was ruled out of order.\nmore at CALL v., HOUSE n., LAW, MARCH v., PECK v., SHORT n., STARTER, TALL\n    verb\n  give instructions\n  1  to use your position of authority to tell sb to do sth or say that sth must happen:\n[VN to inf] The company was ordered to pay compensation to its former employees. * The officer ordered them to fire. * [VN] They were ordered out of the class for fighting. * The government has ordered an investigation into the accident. * The judge ordered a retrial. * [V that] They ordered that for every tree cut down two more be planted. * (BrE also) They ordered that for every tree cut down two more should be planted. * [V speech] ’Sit down and be quiet,’ she ordered. [also VN speech]\n  goods / service\n  2  ~ (sb) sth | ~ sth (for sb) to ask for goods to be made or supplied; to ask for a service to be provided:\n[VN] These boots can be ordered direct from the manufacturer. * [VNN, VN] Shall I order you a taxi? * Shall I order a taxi for you?\n  food / drink\n  3  ~ (sb sth) | ~ (sth) (for sb) to ask for sth to eat or drink in a restaurant, bar, etc:\n[VN] I ordered a beer and a sandwich. * [VNN] He ordered himself a double whisky. * [V] Have you ordered yet? * Will you order for me while I make a phone call?\n  organize / arrange\n  4  [VN] (formal) to organize or arrange sth:\nI need time to order my thoughts\nsee also ORDERED, DISORDERED\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  order sb about / around (disapproving) to keep telling sb what to do in a way that is annoying or unpleasant:\nIt was obvious he was used to ordering people around.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \norder / tell / instruct / command\nWhen you are talking about wanting somebody to do something, the usual word to use is tell: He told me to phone back today. * I was told to get my hair cut. * How many times have I told you to hang up your clothes? * We told the builder to finish the job as quickly as possible. Ask sounds a little more polite: He asked me to phone back. *  We asked the builders to finish the job as quickly as possible.\nInstruct is more formal and is often used in official situations: Patients were instructed to follow the diet exactly.\nOrder is a stronger word and used when people in a position of authority or power expect you to obey them: A police officer ordered me to get out of the car.\nCommand is used mainly in military situations.\n______________________________


Words: order book
Meaning:
noun\na record kept by a business of the products it has agreed to supply to its customers, often used to show how well the business is doing:\nWe have a full order book for the coming year. * an increased / growing order book in the Far East


Words: order of magnitude
Meaning:
noun\n(mathematics) a level in a system of ordering things by size or amount, where each level is higher by a FACTOR of ten:\nThe actual measurement is two orders of magnitude (= a hundred times) greater than we expected. * (figurative) The problem is of the same order of magnitude for all concerned.


Words: ordered
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] carefully arranged or organized:\nan ordered existence * a well-ordered society\nOPP DISORDERED


Words: ordering
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] the way in which sth is ordered or arranged; the act of putting sth into an order:\nMany possible orderings may exist. * the successful ordering of complex data


Words: orderly
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  arranged or organized in a neat, careful and logical way:\na calm and orderly life * vegetables planted in orderly rows * a woman with an orderly mind\n  2  behaving well; peaceful:\nan orderly demonstration * The elections were conducted in a peaceful and orderly fashion.\nOPP DISORDERLY\n    orderliness  noun [U] \n    noun (plural orderlies)\n  1  a person who works in a hospital, usually doing jobs that do not need any special training\n  2  a soldier who does jobs that do not need any special training


Words: ordinal
Meaning:
(also ordinal number) noun\na number that refers to the position of sth in a series, for example ’first’, ’second’, etc.\ncompare CARDINAL\n    ordinal adjective


Words: ordinance
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (formal) an order or a rule made by a government or sb in a position of authority:\nto issue / pass an ordinance * royal / religious / presidential ordinances


Words: ordinarily
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  in a normal way:\nTo the untrained eye, the children were behaving ordinarily.\n  2  used to say what normally happens in a particular situation, especially because sth different is happening this time:\nOrdinarily, she wouldn’t have bothered arguing with him. * We do not ordinarily carry out this type of work. * (technical) For tax purposes they were treated as ordinarily resident in the UK.


Words: ordinary
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] not unusual or different in any way:\nan ordinary sort of day * in the ordinary course of events * ordinary people like you and me * This was no ordinary meeting. -> NORMAL\n  2  (disapproving) having no unusual or interesting features:\nThe meal was very ordinary.\ncompare EXTRAORDINARY\n IDIOMS \n  in the ordinary way (BrE) used to say what normally happens in a particular situation:\nIn the ordinary way, she’s not a nervous person.\n  out of the ordinary unusual or different:\nI’m looking for something a little more out of the ordinary. * His behaviour was nothing out of the ordinary (= not unusual).


Words: ordinary share
Meaning:
noun\na fixed unit of a company’s CAPITAL. People who own ordinary shares have voting rights in the company.


Words: ordnance
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  large guns on wheels \nSYN ARTILLERY\n  2  military supplies and materials:\nan ordnance depot


Words: Ordnance Survey map
Meaning:
noun\na very detailed map of an area of Britain or Ireland, prepared by an organization called the Ordnance Survey, which is supported by the government


Words: organ
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a part of the body that has a particular purpose, such as the heart or the brain; part of a plant with a particular purpose:\nthe internal organs * the sense organs (= the eyes, ears, nose, etc.) * the sexual / reproductive organs * an organ transplant / donor\n  2  (especially humorous) a PENIS:\nthe male organ\n  3  (also pipe organ) a large musical instrument with keys like a piano. Sounds are produced by air forced through pipes:\nShe plays the organ in church. * organ music\ncompare HARMONIUM\n  4  a musical instrument similar to a pipe organ, but without pipes:\nan electric organ\nsee also BARREL ORGAN, MOUTH ORGAN\n  5  (formal) an official organization that is part of a larger organization and has a special purpose:\nthe organs of government\n  6  (formal) a newspaper or magazine that gives information about a particular group or organization; a means of communicating the views of a particular group:\nThe People’s Daily is the official organ of the Chinese Communist Party. * the organs of public opinion (= for example, newspapers, television, radio)


Words: organ loft
Meaning:
noun\na place where there is an ORGAN (= a type of musical instrument) high above the ground in a church or concert hall


Words: organ-grinder
Meaning:
noun\na person who plays a BARREL ORGAN (= a large musical instrument played by turning a handle): (humorous) He’s only the organ-grinder’s monkey (= an unimportant person who does what he is told to do).


Words: organdie
Meaning:
(AmE also organdy)  noun\n[U] a thin cotton fabric that is slightly stiff, used especially for making dresses


Words: organic
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  (of food, farming methods, etc.) produced or practised without using artificial chemicals:\norganic cheese / vegetables / wine * an organic farmer / gardener * organic farming / horticulture\n  2  produced by or from living things:\nImprove the soil by adding organic matter. * organic compounds\nOPP INORGANIC\n  3  (technical) connected with the organs of the body:\norganic disease\n  4  (formal) consisting of different parts that are all connected to each other:\nthe view of society as an organic whole\n  5  (formal) happening in a slow and natural way, rather than suddenly:\nthe organic growth of foreign markets\n    organically  adverb:\norganically grown fruit * The cardboard disintegrates organically. * Doctors could find nothing organically wrong with her. * The organization should be allowed to develop organically.


Words: organic chemistry
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the branch of chemistry that deals with substances that contain CARBON\ncompare INORGANIC CHEMISTRY


Words: organism
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a living thing, especially one that is extremely small:\na living / marine organism\nsee also MICRO-ORGANISM\n  2  a system consisting of parts that are dependent on each other:\nthe social organism (= society)


Words: organization
Meaning:
(BrE also organisation)  noun\n  1  [C] a group of people who form a business, club, etc. together in order to achieve a particular aim:\nto work for a business / political / voluntary organization * the World Health Organization * He’s the president of a large international organization.\n  2  [U] the act of making arrangements or preparations for sth:\nI leave most of the organization of these conferences to my assistant. * A wedding on that scale takes a lot of organization.\n  3  [U] the way in which the different parts of sth are arranged:\nThe report studies the organization of labour within the company.\n  4  [U] the quality of being arranged in a neat, careful and logical way:\nShe is highly intelligent but her work lacks organization.\n    organizational, organisational  adjective [only before noun]:\norganizational skills / ability * organizational change / problems / structure


Words: organize
Meaning:
(BrE also organise)  verb\n  1  [VN] to arrange for sth to happen or to be provided:\nto organize a meeting / party / trip * I’ll invite people if you can organize food and drinks.\n  2  [VN] to arrange sth or the parts of sth into a particular order or structure:\nModern computers can organize large amounts of data very quickly. * You should try and organize your time better. * We do not fully understand how the brain is organized.\n  3  [VN] ~ yourself / sb to plan your/sb’s work and activities in an efficient way:\nI’m sure you don’t need me to organize you.\n  4  ~ sb (into sth) to form a group of people with a shared aim especially a union or political party:\n[VN] the right of workers to organize themselves into unions [also V]\nsee also DISORGANIZED\n    organizer, organiser noun:\nthe organizers of the festival\nsee also PERSONAL ORGANIZER


Words: organized
Meaning:
(BrE also organised)  adjective\n  1  [only before noun] involving large numbers of people who work together to do sth in a way that has been carefully planned:\nan organized body of workers * an organized system of childcare * organized religion (= traditional religion with large numbers of followers who obey a fixed set of rules) * organized crime (= committed by professional criminals working in large groups)\ncompare UNORGANIZED\n  2  arranged or planned in the way mentioned:\na carefully organized campaign * a well-organized office * a badly organized event\ncompare DISORGANIZED\n  3  (of a person) able to plan your work, life, etc. well and in an efficient way:\na very organized person * Isn’t it time you started to get organized?\ncompare DISORGANIZED


Words: orgasm
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] the moment during sexual activity when feelings of sexual pleasure are at their strongest:\nto achieve / reach orgasm * to have an orgasm


Words: orgiastic
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (formal) typical of an orgy:\nthe orgiastic worship of the fertility god * orgiastic delight


Words: orgy
Meaning:
noun (plural orgies)\n  1  a party at which there is a lot of eating, drinking and sexual activity:\na drunken orgy\n  2  ~ (of sth) (disapproving) an extreme amount of a particular activity:\nThe rebels went on an orgy of killing and destruction. * an orgy of spending


Words: oriel
Meaning:
noun\n(architecture) a part of a building, like a small room with windows, that sticks out from a wall above the ground:\nan oriel window


Words: Orient
Meaning:
(the Orient) noun [sing.] (literary) the eastern part of the world, especially China and Japan\ncompare OCCIDENT


Words: orient
Meaning:
(BrE also orientate) verb [VN] \n  1  [usually passive] ~ sb/sth (to / towards sb/sth) to direct sb/sth towards sth; to make or adapt sb/sth for a particular purpose:\nOur students are oriented towards science subjects. * We run a commercially oriented operation. * profit-orientated organizations * Neither of them is politically oriented (= interested in politics). * policies oriented to the needs of working mothers\n  2  ~ yourself to find your position in relation to your surroundings:\nThe mountaineers found it hard to orient themselves in the fog.\n  3  ~ yourself to make yourself familiar with a new situation:\nIt took him some time to orient himself in his new school.\ncompare DISORIENTATE


Words: oriental
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with or typical of the eastern part of the world, especially China and Japan, and the people who live there:\noriental languages


Words: orientation
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, C] ~ (of sb/sth) (to / towards sth) the type of aims or interests that a person or an organization has; the act of directing your aims towards a particular thing:\nThe course is essentially theoretical in orientation. * Companies have been forced into a greater orientation to the market.\n  2  [U, C] a person’s basic beliefs or feelings about a particular subject:\nreligious / political orientation * a person’s sexual orientation (= whether they are attracted to men, women or both)\n  3  [U] training or information that you are given before starting a new job, course, etc:\nan orientation course\n  4  [C] (technical) the direction in which an object faces:\nThe orientation of the planet’s orbit is changing continuously.


Words: orienteering
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the sport of following a route across country on foot, as quickly as possible, using a map and COMPASS


Words: origin
Meaning:
noun [C, U] (also origins [pl.])\n  1  the point from which sth starts; the cause of sth:\nthe origins of life on earth * Most coughs are viral in origin (= caused by a virus). * The origin of the word remains obscure. * This particular custom has its origins in Wales.\n  2  a person’s social and family background:\nShe has risen from humble origins to immense wealth. * children of various ethnic origins * people of German origin * a person’s country of origin (= where they were born)


Words: original
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] existing at the beginning of a particular period, process or activity:\nThe room still has many of its original features. * I think you should go back to your original plan. * At the end of the lease, the land will be returned to the original owner. * The original intention was to record about 80 speakers, divided equally between males and females.\n  2  new and interesting in a way that is different from anything that has existed before; able to produce new and interesting ideas:\nan original design / idea * That’s not a very original suggestion. * an original thinker / writer / painter * the product of a highly original mind\n  3  [usually before noun] painted, written, etc. by the artist rather than copied:\nan original painting by local artist Graham Tovey * The original manuscript has been lost. * Only original documents (= not photocopies) will be accepted as proof of status.\n    noun\n  1  a document, work of art, etc. produced for the first time, from which copies are later made:\nThis painting is a copy; the original is in Madrid. * Send out the photocopies and keep the original. * At that price, you could have bought an original!\n  2  (formal) a person who thinks, behaves, dresses, etc. in an unusual way\n IDIOMS \n  in the original in the language in which a book, etc. was first written, before being translated:\nI studied Italian so that I would be able to read Dante in the original.


Words: original sin
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (in Christianity) the tendency to be evil that is believed to be present in everyone from birth


Words: originality
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the quality of being new and interesting in a way that is different from anything that has existed before:\nThis latest collection lacks style and originality. * Students are encouraged to show initiative and originality in their work.


Words: originally
Meaning:
adverb\nused to describe the situation that existed at the beginning of a particular period or activity, especially before sth was changed:\nThe school was originally very small. * She comes originally from York. * Originally, we had intended to go to Italy, but then we won the trip to Greece.


Words: originate
Meaning:
verb (formal)\n  1  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to happen or appear for the first time in a particular place or situation:\nThe disease is thought to have originated in the tropics. * The word originated as a marketing term.\n  2  [VN] to create sth new:\nLocke originated this theory in the 17th century.\n    originator noun:\nSir William James is thought to be the originator of fingerprinting as a means of identification.


Words: oriole
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a N American bird: the male is black and orange and the female is yellow-green\n  2  a European bird, the male of which is bright yellow with black wings


Words: ormolu
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a gold metal made of a mixture of other metals, used to decorate furniture, make ornaments, etc.


Words: ornament
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  (formal)\n \n  1  [C] an object that is used as decoration in a room, garden/yard, etc. rather than for a particular purpose:\na china / glass ornament\n \n  2  [C] (formal) an object that is worn as jewellery:\nArchaeologists have uncovered necklaces, pendants and other personal ornaments from the third century.\n \n  3  [U] (formal) the use of objects, designs, etc. as decoration:\nThe clock is simply for ornament; it doesn’t work any more.\n    verb  [VN] [usually passive] (formal) to add decoration to sth\nSYN DECORATE:\na room richly ornamented with carving


Words: ornamental
Meaning:
adjective\nused as decoration rather than for a practical purpose:\nan ornamental fountain / lake / plant * The chimney pots are purely ornamental.


Words: ornamentation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the use of objects, designs, etc. to decorate sth:\nThe architect was instructed to keep ornamentation to a minimum.


Words: ornate
Meaning:
adjective\ncovered with a lot of decoration, especially when this involves very small or complicated designs:\na mirror in an ornate gold frame * This style is a little too ornate for my taste.\n    ornately adverb:\nornately carved chairs


Words: orphan
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a child whose parents are dead:\nHe was an orphan and lived with his uncle. * orphan boys / girls\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] to make a child an orphan:\nShe was orphaned in the war.


Words: orthodontics
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the treatment of problems concerning the position of the teeth and jaws\n    orthodontic adjective:\northodontic treatment


Words: orthodox
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (especially of beliefs or behaviour) generally accepted or approved of; following generally accepted beliefs:\northodox medicine * He is very orthodox in his views.\nOPP UNORTHODOX\ncompare HETERODOX\n  2  following closely the traditional beliefs and practices of a religion:\nan orthodox Jew\n  3  (Orthodox) belonging to or connected with the Orthodox Church


Words: orthodoxy
Meaning:
noun (plural orthodoxies)\n  1  [C, U] (formal) an idea or view that is generally accepted:\nan economist arguing against the current financial orthodoxy\n  2  [U, C, usually pl.] the traditional beliefs or practices of a religion, etc.\n  3  (Orthodoxy) [U] the Orthodox Church, its beliefs and practices


Words: orthography
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the system of spelling in a language:\nthe rules of English orthography\n    orthographic  adjective


Words: orthopaedics
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE orthopedics)  noun\n[U] the branch of medicine concerned with injuries and diseases of the bones or muscles\n    orthopaedic (BrE) (AmE orthopedic) adjective:\nan orthopaedic surgeon / hospital * orthopaedic surgery


Words: oscillate
Meaning:
verb [V] \n  1  ~ (between A and B) (formal) to keep changing from one extreme of feeling or behaviour to another, and back again:\nHer moods oscillated between depression and elation.\n  2  (physics) to keep moving from one position to another and back again:\nWatch how the needle on the dial oscillates.\n  3  (physics) (of an electric current, radio waves, etc.) to change in strength or direction at regular intervals


Words: oscillation
Meaning:
noun (formal) ~ (between A and B)\n  1  [U, sing.] a regular movement between one position and another or between one amount and another:\nthe oscillation of the compass needle / of radio waves * the economy’s continual oscillation between growth and recession\n  2  [C] a single movement from one position to another of sth that is oscillating:\nthe oscillations of the pound against foreign currency\n  3  [U, C] a repeated change between different feelings, types of behaviour or ideas:\nhis oscillation, as a teenager, between science and art * Her oscillations of mood frustrated him.


Words: oscilloscope
Meaning:
noun\n(physics) a piece of equipment that shows changes in electrical current as waves in a line on the screen of a CATHODE RAY TUBE


Words: osmosis
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (biology or chemistry) the gradual passing of a liquid through a MEMBRANE (= a thin layer of material):\nWater passes into the roots of a plant by osmosis.\n  2  the gradual process of learning or being influenced by sth, as a result of being in close contact with it:\nAs if by osmosis, the facts became clear over a period of time.\n    osmotic  adjective:\nosmotic pressure


Words: ossify
Meaning:
verb [usually passive] (ossifies, ossifying, ossified, ossified) (formal, disapproving)\n  1  to become or make sth fixed and unable to change:\n[VN] an ossified political system [also V]\n  2  [VN] (technical) to become or make sth hard like bone\n    ossification noun [U] (formal)


Words: ostensible
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] seeming or stated to be real or true, when this is perhaps not the case:\nThe ostensible reason for his absence was illness.\n    ostensibly  adverb:\nTroops were sent in, ostensibly to protect the civilian population.


Words: ostentation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) an exaggerated display of wealth, knowledge or skill that is made in order to impress people:\nThe house was spacious but without any trace of ostentation.


Words: ostentatious
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (disapproving) expensive or noticeable in a way that is intended to impress people:\nostentatious gold jewellery\n  2  (disapproving) behaving in a way that is meant to impress people by showing how rich, important, etc. you are\n  3  (of an action) done in a very obvious way so that people will notice it:\nHe gave an ostentatious yawn.\n    ostentatiously adverb:\nostentatiously dressed


Words: osteoarthritis
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (medical) a disease that causes painful swelling and permanent damage in the joints of the body, especially the hips, knees and thumbs


Words: osteopath
Meaning:
noun\na person whose job involves treating some diseases and physical problems by pressing and moving the bones and muscles\ncompare CHIROPRACTOR


Words: osteopathy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the treatment of some diseases and physical problems by pressing and moving the bones and muscles\n    osteopathic  adjective


Words: ostracism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the act of deliberately not including sb in a group or activity; the state of not being included:\nsocial ostracism


Words: ostracize
Meaning:
(BrE also ostracise)  verb\n[VN] (formal) to refuse to let sb be a member of a social group; to refuse to meet or talk to sb:\nHe was ostracized by his colleagues for refusing to support the strike.


Words: ostrich
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a very large African bird with a long neck and long legs, that cannot fly but can run very fast\n \n  2  (informal) a person who prefers to ignore problems rather than try and deal with them


Words: other
Meaning:
adjective, pronoun\n  1  used to refer to people or things that are additional or different to people or things that have been mentioned or are known about:\nMr Harris and Mrs Bate and three other teachers were there. * Are there any other questions? * I can’t see you now-some other time, maybe. * Two buildings were destroyed and many others damaged in the blast. * This option is preferable to any other. * Some designs are better than others.\ncompare ANOTHER\n  2  the, my, your, etc. ~ used to refer to the second of two people or things:\nMy other sister is a doctor. * One son went to live in Australia and the other one was killed in a car crash. * He raised one arm and then the other. * You must ask one or other of your parents. * (humorous) You’ll have to ask my other half (= husband, wife or partner).\n  3  the, my, your, etc. ~ used to refer to the remaining people or things in a group:\nI’ll wear my other shoes-these are dirty. * ’I like this one.’ ’What about the other ones?’ * I went swimming while the others played tennis.\n  4  the ~ used to refer to a place, direction, etc. that is the opposite to where you are, are going, etc:\nI work on the other side of town. * He crashed into a car coming the other way. * He found me, not the other way round / around.\n IDIOMS \n  Most idioms containing other are at the entries for the nouns and verbs in the idioms, for example in other words is at word.\n  the other day / morning / evening / week recently:\nI saw Jack the other day.\n  other than (usually used in negative sentences)\n1 except:\nI don’t know any French people other than you. * We’re going away in June but other than that I’ll be here all summer.\n2 (written) different or differently from; not:\nI have never known him to behave other than selfishly.


Words: other woman
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] a woman with whom a man is having a sexual relationship, although he already has a wife or partner


Words: other-worldly
Meaning:
adjective\nconcerned with spiritual thoughts and ideas rather than with ordinary life:\nThere was an other-worldly quality to her performance that night.\n    other-worldliness noun [U]


Words: otherwise
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  used to state what the result would be if sth did not happen or if the situation were different:\nMy parents lent me the money. Otherwise, I couldn’t have afforded the trip. * Shut the window, otherwise it’ll get too cold in here. * We’re committed to the project. We wouldn’t be here otherwise.\n  2  apart from that:\nThere was some music playing upstairs. Otherwise the house was silent. * He was slightly bruised but otherwise unhurt.\n  3  in a different way to the way mentioned; differently:\nBismarck, otherwise known as ’the Iron Chancellor’ * It is not permitted to sell or otherwise distribute copies of past examination papers. * You know what this is about. Why pretend otherwise (= that you don’t)? * I wanted to see him but he was otherwise engaged (= doing sth else).\n IDIOMS \n  or otherwise used to refer to sth that is different from or the opposite of what has just been mentioned:\nIt was necessary to discover the truth or otherwise of these statements. * We insure against all damage, accidental or otherwise.\nmore at KNOW v.


Words: otter
Meaning:
noun\na small animal that has four WEBBED feet (= feet with skin between the toes), a flat tail and thick brown fur. Otters live in rivers and eat fish.


Words: ought to
Meaning:
modal verb (negative ought not to, short form especially BrE oughtn’t to)\n  1  used to say what is the right thing to do:\nThey ought to apologize. * ’Ought I to write to say thank you?’ ’Yes, I think you ought (to).’ * They ought to have apologized (= but they didn’t). * Such things ought not to be allowed. * He oughtn’t to have been driving so fast. -> SHOULD\n  2  used to say what you expect or would like to happen:\nChildren ought to be able to read by the age of 7. * Nurses ought to earn more.\n  3  used to say what you advise or recommend:\nWe ought to be leaving now. * This is delicious. You ought to try some. * You ought to have come to the meeting. It was interesting.\n  4  used to say what has probably happened or is probably true:\nIf he started out at nine, he ought to be here by now. * That ought to be enough food for the four of us. * Oughtn’t the water to have boiled by now? -> MODAL


Words: Ouija board
Meaning:
noun\na board marked with letters of the alphabet and other signs, used in SEANCES to receive messages said to come from people who are dead


Words: ounce
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] (abbreviation oz) a unit for measuring weight, /16 of a pound, equal to 28.35 grams\nsee also FLUID OUNCE\n  2  [sing.] ~ of sth (informal) (used especially with negatives) a very small quantity of sth:\nThere’s not an ounce of truth in her story.\n IDIOMS  see PREVENTION


Words: our
Meaning:
determiner (the possessive form of we)\n  1  belonging to us; connected with us:\nour daughter / dog / house * We showed them some of our photos. * Our main export is rice. * And now, over to our Rome correspondent ...\n  2  (Our) used to refer to or address God or a holy person:\nOur Father (= God) * Our Lady (= the Virgin Mary)


Words: ours
Meaning:
pronoun\nthe one or ones that belong to us:\nTheir house is very similar to ours, but ours is bigger. * No, those are Ellie’s kids. Ours are upstairs. * He’s a friend of ours.


Words: ourselves
Meaning:
pronoun\n  1  the reflexive form of we; used when you and another person or other people together cause and are affected by an action:\nWe shouldn’t blame ourselves for what happened. * Let’s just relax and enjoy ourselves. * We’d like to see it for ourselves.\n  2  used to emphasize we or us; sometimes used instead of these words:\nWe’ve often thought of going there ourselves. * The only people there were ourselves.\n IDIOMS \n  (all) by ourselves\n1 alone; without anyone else\n2 without help\n  (all) to ourselves for us alone; not shared with anyone:\nWe had the pool all to ourselves.


Words: oust
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ sb (from sth / as sth) (written) to force sb out of a job or position of power, especially in order to take their place:\nHe was ousted as chairman. * The rebels finally managed to oust the government from power.


Words: ouster
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE) the act of removing sb from a position of authority in order to put sb else in their place; the fact of being removed in this way:\na resolution condemning the president’s ouster by the military


Words: out
Meaning:
adverb, preposition, noun, verb \n    adverb, preposition\n HELP NOTE  For the special uses of out in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example burst out is in the phrasal verb section at burst.\n  1  ~ (of sth) away from the inside of a place or thing:\nShe ran out into the corridor. * She shook the bag and some coins fell out. * I got out of bed. * He opened the box and out jumped a frog. * Out you go! (= used to order sb to leave a room) * (spoken, non-standard) He ran out the door.\n  2  ~ (of sth) (of people) away from or not at home or their place of work:\nI called Liz but she was out. * Let’s go out this evening (= for example to a restaurant or club). * We haven’t had a night out for weeks. * Mr Green is out of town this week.\n  3  ~ (of sth) away from the edge of a place:\nThe boy dashed out into the road. * Don’t lean out of the window.\n  4  ~ (of sth) a long or a particular distance away from a place or from land:\nShe’s working out in Australia. * He lives right out in the country. * The boats are all out at sea. * The ship sank ten miles out of Stockholm.\n  5  ~ (of sth) used to show that sth/sb is removed from a place, job, etc:\nThis detergent is good for getting stains out. * We want this government out. * He got thrown out of the restaurant.\n  6  ~ of sth used to show that sth comes from or is obtained from sth/sb:\nHe drank his beer out of the bottle. * a statue made out of bronze * a romance straight out of a fairy tale * I paid for the damage out of my savings. * We’ll get the truth out of her.\n  7  ~ of sth used to show that sb/sth does not have any of sth:\nWe’re out of milk. * He’s been out of work for six months. * You’re out of luck-she left ten minutes ago.\n  8  ~ of sth used to show that sb/sth is not or no longer in a particular state or condition:\nTry and stay out of trouble. * I watched the car until it was out of sight.\n  9  ~ (of sth) used to show that sb is no longer involved in sth:\nIt was an awful job and I’m glad to be out of it. * He gets out of the army in a few weeks. * They’ll be out (= of prison) on bail in no time. * Brown goes on to the semi-finals but Lee is out.\n  10  ~ of sth used to show the reason why sth is done:\nI asked out of curiosity. * She did it out of spite.\n  11  ~ of sth from a particular number or set:\nYou scored six out of ten. * Two out of three people think the President should resign.\n  12  (of a book, etc.) not in the library; borrowed by sb else:\nThe book you wanted is out on loan.\n  13  (of the TIDE) at or towards its lowest point on land:\nI like walking on the wet sand when the tide is out.\n  14  if the sun, moon or stars are or come out, they can be seen from the earth and are not hidden by clouds\n  15  (of flowers) fully open:\nThere should be some snowdrops out by now.\n  16  available to everyone; known to everyone:\nWhen does her new book come out? * Word always gets out (= people find out about things) no matter how careful you are. * Out with it! (= say what you know)\n  17  clearly and loudly so that people can hear:\nto call / cry / shout out * Read it out loud. * Nobody spoke out in his defence.\n  18  (informal) having told other people that you are HOMOSEXUAL:\nI had been out since I was 17.\n  19  (in cricket, baseball, etc.) if a team or team member is out, it is no longer their turn with the bat:\nThe West Indies were all out for 364 (= after scoring 364 RUNS in cricket).\n  20  (in tennis, etc.) if the ball is out, it landed outside the line:\nThe umpire said the ball was out.\n  21  ~ (in sth) not correct or exact; wrong:\nI was slightly out in my calculations. * Your guess was a long way out (= completely wrong). * The estimate was out by more than $100.\n  22  not possible or not allowed:\nSwimming is out until the weather gets warmer.\n  23  not fashionable:\nIs rap out yet?\n  24  (of fire, lights or burning materials) not or no longer burning or lit:\nSuddenly all the lights went out. * The fire had burnt itself out. * He stubbed his cigarette out.\n  25  at an end:\nIt was summer and school was out. * She was to regret her words before the day was out.\n  26  unconscious:\nHe was out for more than an hour and came round in the hospital. * She was knocked out cold.\n  27  (BrE, informal) on strike:\nThe dockers stayed out for several months.\n  28  to the end; completely:\nHear me out before you say anything. * We left them to fight it out (= settle a dispute by fighting or arguing).\nsee also ALL-OUT\n IDIOMS \n  be out for sth / to do sth to be trying to get or do sth:\nI’m not out for revenge. * She’s out for what she can get (= trying to get something for herself). * The company is out to capture the Canadian market.\n  out and about (BrE)\n1 able to go outside again after an illness\n2 travelling around a place:\nWe’ve been out and about talking to people all over the country.\n  out of it (informal)\n1 sad because you are not included in sth:\nWe’ve only just moved here so we feel a little out of it.\n2 not aware of what is happening, usually because of drinking too much alcohol, or taking drugs:\nHe looks completely out of it.\n    noun\n IDIOMS  see IN n.\n    verb [VN] to say publicly that sb is HOMOSEXUAL, especially when they would prefer to keep the fact a secret:\nHe is the latest politician to be outed by gay activists.


Words: out of date
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  old-fashioned or without the most recent information and therefore no longer useful:\nThese figures are very out of date. * Suddenly she felt old and out of date. * an out-of-date map * out-of-date technology\ncompare OUTDATED\n  2  no longer valid:\nan out-of-date driving licence\nsee also UP TO DATE


Words: out tray
Meaning:
noun\n(in an office) a container on your desk for letters or documents that are waiting to be sent out or passed to sb else\ncompare IN TRAY


Words: out-
Meaning:
prefix\n  1  (in verbs) greater, better, further, longer, etc:\noutnumber * outwit * outgrow * outlive\n  2  (in nouns and adjectives) outside; OUTWARD; away from:\noutbuildings * outpatient * outlying * outgoing


Words: out-of-state
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (AmE) coming from or happening in a different state:\nout-of-state license plates


Words: out-of-town
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  situated away from the centre of a town or city:\nout-of-town superstores / sites\n  2  coming from or happening in a different place:\nan out-of-town guest * an out-of-town performance


Words: out-take
Meaning:
noun\na piece of a film that is removed before the film/movie is shown, for example because it contains a mistake


Words: outback
Meaning:
noun\n(the outback) [sing.] the area of Australia that is a long way from the coast and the towns, where few people live


Words: outbid
Meaning:
verb\n(outbidding, outbid, outbid) [VN] ~ sb (for sth) to offer more money than sb else in order to buy sth, for example at an AUCTION


Words: outboard
Meaning:
adjective\n(technical) on, towards or near the outside of a ship or an aircraft:\noutboard wing panels


Words: outbound
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) travelling from a place rather than arriving in it:\noutbound flights / passengers\nOPP INBOUND


Words: outbreak
Meaning:
noun\nthe sudden start of sth unpleasant, especially violence or a disease:\nthe outbreak of war * an outbreak of hostilities / typhoid * Outbreaks of rain are expected in the afternoon.


Words: outbuilding
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] a building such as a SHED or STABLE that is built near to, but separate from, a main building:\na large farmhouse with several outbuildings


Words: outburst
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a sudden strong expression of an emotion:\nan outburst of anger / laughter * She was alarmed by his violent outburst.\n  2  a sudden increase in a particular activity or attitude:\nan outburst of racism


Words: outcast
Meaning:
noun\na person who is not accepted by other people and who sometimes has to leave their home and friends:\nPeople with the disease were often treated as social outcasts.\n    outcast adjective


Words: outclass
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [often passive] to be much better than a competitor:\nKennedy was outclassed 06 06 in the final. * In design and quality of manufacture the cars were totally outclassed by their Italian competitors.


Words: outcome
Meaning:
noun\nthe result or effect of an action or event:\nWe are waiting to hear the final outcome of the negotiations. * These costs are payable whatever the outcome of the case. * We are confident of a successful outcome. * Four possible outcomes have been identified.


Words: outcry
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural outcries) ~ (at / over / against sth) a reaction of anger or strong protest shown by people in public:\nan outcry over the proposed change * The new tax provoked a public outcry. * There was outcry at the judge’s statement.


Words: outdated
Meaning:
adjective\nno longer useful because of being old-fashioned:\noutdated equipment / laws / methods * These figures are now outdated. * It is an outdated and inefficient system.\ncompare OUT-OF-DATE


Words: outdistance
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (written) to leave sb/sth behind by going faster, further, etc.; to be better than sb/sth\nSYN OUTSTRIP:\nShe easily outdistanced the other runners.


Words: outdo
Meaning:
verb\n(outdoes ) [VN] (written) to do more or better than sb else:\nSometimes small firms can outdo big business when it comes to customer care. * Not to be outdone (= not wanting to let sb else do better), she tried again.


Words: outdoor
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] used, happening or situated outside rather than in a building:\noutdoor clothing / activities * an outdoor swimming pool * I’m not really the outdoor type (= I prefer indoor activities).\nOPP INDOOR


Words: outdoors
Meaning:
adverb, noun \n    adverb outside, rather than in a building:\nThe rain prevented them from eating outdoors. * The seeds may be sown outdoors in the spring.\nOPP INDOORS\n    noun (the outdoors) [sing.] the open air and the countryside, away from busy places:\nThey both have a love of the outdoors. * Come to Canada and enjoy the great outdoors.


Words: outer
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  on the outside of sth:\nthe outer layers of the skin\n  2  furthest from the inside or centre of sth:\nI walked along the outer edge of the track. * the outer suburbs of the city * Outer London / Mongolia * (figurative) to explore the outer (= most extreme) limits of human experience\nOPP INNER


Words: outermost
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] furthest from the inside or centre:\nthe outermost planet * He fired and hit the outermost ring of the target.\nOPP INNERMOST


Words: outfield
Meaning:
noun\n(the outfield) [sing.] (in cricket and baseball) the part of the field that is furthest from the person who is hitting the ball


Words: outfit
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a set of clothes that you wear together, especially for a particular occasion or purpose:\nShe was wearing an expensive new outfit. * a wedding outfit * a cowboy / Superman outfit (= one that you wear for fun in order to look like the type of person mentioned)\n  2  [C+sing./pl. v.] (informal) a group of people working together as an organization, business, team, etc:\na market research outfit * The team were beaten by Dave Bassett’s outfit last season. * This was the fourth album by the top rock outfit.\n  3  [C] a set of equipment that you need for a particular purpose:\na bicycle repair outfit\n    verb (-tt-) [VN] [often passive] ~ sth/sb (with sth) (especially AmE) to provide sb/sth with equipment or clothes for a special purpose:\nThe ship was outfitted with a 12-bed hospital.


Words: outfitter
Meaning:
(also outfitters)  noun\n  1  (old-fashioned, BrE) a shop/store that sells men’s clothes or school uniforms\n  2  (AmE) a shop/store that sells equipment for camping and other outdoor activities


Words: outflank
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to move around the side of an enemy or opponent, especially in order to attack them from behind:\nInstead of confronting the enemy directly, Napoleon simply outflanked them.\n  2  to gain an advantage over sb, especially by doing sth unexpected:\nThey found themselves outflanked by the rival takeover bid.


Words: outflow
Meaning:
noun\n~ (of sth/sb) (from sth) the movement of a large amount of money, liquid, people, etc. out of a place:\nThere was a capital outflow of $22 billion in 1998. * a steady outflow of oil from the tank * the outflow of refugees\nOPP INFLOW


Words: outgoing
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  liking to meet other people, enjoying their company and being friendly towards them:\nan outgoing personality * She was always cheerful and outgoing.\n  2  [only before noun] leaving the position of responsibility mentioned:\nthe outgoing president / government\nOPP INCOMING\n  3  [only before noun] going away from a particular place rather than arriving in it:\nThis telephone should be used for outgoing calls. * outgoing flights / passengers * the outgoing tide\nOPP INCOMING


Words: outgoings
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (BrE) the amount of money that a person or a business has to spend regularly, for example every month:\nto have low / high outgoings * Write down your incomings and outgoings.


Words: outgrow
Meaning:
[VN] \n  1  to grow too big to be able to wear or fit into sth\nSYN GROW OUT OF:\nShe’s already outgrown her school uniform. * The company has outgrown its offices.\n  2  to grow taller, larger or more quickly than another person:\nHe’s already outgrown his older brother.\n  3  to stop doing sth or lose interest in sth as you become older\nSYN GROW OUT OF:\nHe’s outgrown his passion for rock music.


Words: outgrowth
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (technical) a thing that grows out of sth else:\nThe eye first appears as a cup-shaped outgrowth from the brain.\n  2  (formal) a natural development or result of sth:\nThe law was an outgrowth of the 1996 presidential election.


Words: outgun
Meaning:
verb\n(-nn-) [V] [often passive] to have greater military strength than sb: (figurative) The England team was completely outgunned.


Words: outhouse
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (BrE) a small building, such as a SHED, outside a main building\n  2  (AmE) a toilet in a small building of its own


Words: outing
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] ~ (to ...) a trip that you go on for pleasure or education, usually with a group of people and lasting no more than one day:\nWe went on an outing to London. * a family outing\n  2  [C] (sport) (informal) an occasion when a competitor takes part in a competition\n  3  [U, C] the practice of naming people as HOMOSEXUALS in public, when they do not want anyone to know, done especially by other HOMOSEXUALS


Words: outlandish
Meaning:
adjective\n(usually disapproving) strange or extremely unusual:\noutlandish costumes / ideas * As the show progressed, it got ever more outlandish.\n    outlandishly adverb:\noutlandishly dressed


Words: outlast
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to continue to exist or take part in an activity for a longer time than sb/sth:\nHe can outlast anyone on the dance floor.


Words: outlaw
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb [VN] \n  1  to make sth no longer legal:\nplans to outlaw the carrying of knives * the outlawed nationalist party\n  2  (in the past) to make sb an outlaw\n    noun (used especially about people in the past) a person who has done sth illegal and is hiding to avoid being caught; a person who is not protected by the law:\nRobin Hood, the world’s most famous outlaw


Words: outlay
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] ~ (on sth) the money that you have to spend in order to start a new project or to save yourself money or time later:\nThe business quickly repaid the initial outlay on advertising. * a massive financial / capital outlay


Words: outlet
Meaning:
noun ~ (for sth)\n \n  1  a way of expressing or making good use of strong feelings, ideas or energy:\nShe needed to find an outlet for her many talents and interests. * Sport became the perfect outlet for his aggression.\n \n  2  (business) a shop/store or an organization that sells goods made by a particular company or of a particular type:\nThe business has 34 retail outlets in this state alone.\n \n  3  (especially AmE) a shop/store that sells goods of a particular make at reduced prices:\nthe Nike outlet in the outlet mall\n \n  4  a pipe or hole through which liquid or gas can flow out:\na sewage outlet * an outlet hose / pipe\nOPP INLET\n  5  (AmE) = SOCKET (1)


Words: outline
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ sth (to sb) to give a description of the main facts or points involved in sth:\n[VN] We outlined our proposals to the committee. [also V wh-]\n  2  [VN] [usually passive] to show or mark the outer edge of sth:\nThey saw the huge building outlined against the sky.\n    noun\n  1  a description of the main facts or points involved in sth:\nThis is a brief outline of the events. * You should draw up a plan or outline for the essay. * The book describes in outline the main findings of the research. * an outline agreement / proposal\n  2  the line that goes around the edge of sth, showing its main shape but not the details:\nAt last we could see the dim outline of an island. * an outline map / sketch * She drew the figures in outline.


Words: outlive
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to live longer than sb:\nHe outlived his wife by three years.\n  2  to continue to exist after sth else has ended or disappeared:\nThe machine had outlived its usefulness (= was no longer useful).


Words: outlook
Meaning:
noun\n  1  ~ (on sth) the attitude to life and the world of a particular person, group or culture:\nHe had a practical outlook on life. * Most western societies are liberal in outlook.\n  2  [usually sing.] ~ (for sth) the probable future for sb/sth; what is likely to happen:\nThe outlook for jobs is bleak. * the country’s economic outlook * The outlook (= the probable weather) for the weekend is dry and sunny.\n  3  a view from a particular place:\nThe house has a pleasant outlook over the valley.


Words: outlying
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] far away from the cities of a country or from the main part of a place:\noutlying areas / islands / farms


Words: outmanoeuvre
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE outmaneuver)  verb\n[VN] (written) to do better than an opponent by acting in a way that is cleverer or more skilful:\nThe president has so far managed to outmanoeuvre his critics. * The team was outmanoeuvred physically and mentally.


Words: outmoded
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) no longer fashionable or useful:\nan outmoded attitude * This organizational structure was now outmoded.


Words: outnumber
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to be greater in number than sb/sth:\nThe demonstrators were heavily outnumbered by the police. * In this profession, women outnumber men by two to one (= there are twice as many women as men).


Words: outpace
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (written) to go, rise, improve, etc. faster than sb/sth\nSYN OUTSTRIP:\nHe easily outpaced the other runners. * Demand is outpacing production.


Words: outpatient
Meaning:
noun\na person who goes to a hospital for treatment but does not stay there:\nan out-patient clinic / department\ncompare INPATIENT


Words: outperform
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to achieve better results than sb/sth:\nThe company has consistently outperformed its larger rivals.\n    outperformance noun [U]


Words: outplacement
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (business) the process of helping people to find new jobs after they have been made unemployed


Words: outpoint
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (especially in boxing) to defeat sb by scoring more points:\nHe was easily outpointed by the champion.


Words: outpost
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small military camp away from the main army, used for watching an enemy’s movements, etc.\n  2  a small town or group of buildings in a lonely part of a country:\na lonely / remote outpost * the last outpost of civilization


Words: outpouring
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [usually pl.] a strong and sudden expression of feeling:\nspontaneous outpourings of praise\n  2  a large amount of sth produced in a short time:\na remarkable outpouring of new ideas


Words: output
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U, sing.]\n  1  the amount of sth that a person, a machine or an organization produces:\nManufacturing output has increased by 8%.\n  2  (computing) the information, results, etc. produced by a computer:\ndata output * an output device\ncompare INPUT\n  3  the power, energy, etc. produced by a piece of equipment:\nan output of 100 watts\n  4  a place where energy, power, information, etc. leaves a system:\nConnect a cable to the output.\n    verb (outputting, output, output) [VN] (computing) to supply or produce information, results, etc:\nComputers can now output data much more quickly.\ncompare INPUT


Words: outrage
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U]\n  1  a strong feeling of shock and anger:\nThe judge’s remarks caused public outrage. * She was filled with an overwhelming sense of outrage. * Environmentalists have expressed outrage at the ruling.\n  2  [C] an act or event that is violent, cruel or very wrong and that shocks people or makes them very angry:\nNo one has yet claimed responsibility for this latest bomb outrage.\n    verb [VN] [often passive] to make sb very shocked and angry:\nHe was outraged at the way he had been treated.


Words: outrageous
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  very shocking and unacceptable:\noutrageous behaviour * ’That’s outrageous!’ he protested.\n  2  very unusual and slightly shocking:\nShe says the most outrageous things sometimes. * outrageous clothes\n    outrageously adverb:\nan outrageously expensive meal * They behaved outrageously.


Words: outreach
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the activity of an organization that provides a service or advice to people in the community, especially those who cannot or are unlikely to come to an office, a hospital, etc. for help:\nan outreach and education programme * outreach workers * efforts to expand the outreach to black voters


Words: outrider
Meaning:
noun\na person who rides a motorcycle or a horse in front of or beside the vehicle of an important person in order to give protection:\nThe President’s car was escorted by motorcycle outriders.


Words: outrigger
Meaning:
noun\na wooden structure that is fixed to the side of a boat or ship in order to keep it steady in the water; a boat fitted with such a structure


Words: outright
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  complete and total:\nan outright ban / rejection / victory * She was the outright winner. * No one party is expected to gain an outright majority.\n  2  open and direct:\nThere was outright opposition to the plan.\n    adverb\n  1  in a direct way and without trying to hide anything:\nWhy don’t you ask him outright if it’s true? * She couldn’t help herself and she laughed outright.\n  2  clearly and completely:\nNeither candidate won outright. * The group rejects outright any negotiations with the government.\n  3  not gradually; immediately:\nMost of the crash victims were killed outright. * We had saved enough money to buy the house outright.


Words: outrun
Meaning:
outrun) [VN] (written)\n  1  to run faster or further than sb/sth:\nHe couldn’t outrun his pursuers.\n  2  to develop faster than sth:\nDemand for the new model is outrunning supply.


Words: outsell
Meaning:
verb\n(outsold, outsold sth:\nWe are now outselling all our competitors. * This year the newspaper has outsold its main rival.


Words: outset
Meaning:
noun\n IDIOMS \n  at / from the outset (of sth) at/from the beginning of sth:\nI made it clear right from the outset that I disapproved.


Words: outside
Meaning:
noun, adjective, preposition, adverb \n    noun \n  1  (usually the outside) [C, usually sing.] the outer side or surface of sth:\nThe outside of the house needs painting. * You can’t open the door from the outside.\n  2  [sing.] the area that is near or around a building, etc:\nI walked around the outside of the building. * I didn’t go into the church-I only saw it from the outside.\n  3  [sing.] the part of a road nearest to the middle:\nAlways overtake on the outside.\n  4  [sing.] the part of a curving road or track furthest from the inner or shorter side of the curve\nOPP THE INSIDE\n IDIOMS \n  at the outside at the most; as a MAXIMUM:\nThere was room for 20 people at the outside.\n  on the outside\n1 used to describe how sb appears or seems:\nOn the outside she seems calm, but I know she’s worried.\n2 not in prison:\nLife on the outside took some getting used to again.\n    adjective  [only before noun]\n  1  of, on or facing the outer side\nSYN EXTERNAL:\nThe outside walls are damp.\n  2  not situated in the main building; going out of the main building\nSYN EXTERNAL:\nan outside toilet * You have to pay to make outside calls. * I can’t get an outside line.\n  3  not included in or connected with your group, organization, country, etc:\nWe plan to use an outside firm of consultants. * She has a lot of outside interests (= not connected with her work). * They felt cut off from the outside world (= from other people and from other things that were happening).\n  4  used to say that sth is very unlikely:\nThey have only an outside chance of winning. * 150 is an outside estimate (= it is very likely to be less).\n    preposition  (also outside of especially in AmE)\n  1  on or to a place on the outside of sth:\nYou can park your car outside our house.\nOPP INSIDE\n  2  away from or not in a particular place:\nIt’s the biggest theme park outside the United States. * We live in a small village just outside Leeds.\n  3  not part of sth:\nThe matter is outside my area of responsibility. * You may do as you wish outside working hours.\nOPP WITHIN\n  4  (outside of) apart from:\nThere was nothing they could do, outside of hoping things would get better.\n    adverb \n  1  not in a room, building or container but on or to the outside of it:\nI’m seeing a patient-please wait outside. * The house is painted green outside.\n  2  not inside a building:\nIt’s warm enough to eat outside. * Go outside and see if it’s raining.\nOPP INSIDE


Words: outsider
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who is not accepted as a member of a society, group, etc:\nHere she felt she would always be an outsider.\n  2  a person who is not part of a particular organization or profession:\nThey have decided to hire outsiders for some of the key positions. * To an outsider it may appear to be a glamorous job.\n  3  a person or an animal taking part in a race or competition that is not expected to win:\nThe race was won by a 201 outsider. * To everyone’s surprise, the post went to a rank outsider (= a complete outsider).


Words: outsize
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  larger than the usual size:\nan outsize desk\n  2  designed for large people:\noutsize clothes


Words: outskirts
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] the parts of a town or city that are furthest from the centre:\nThey live on the outskirts of Milan.


Words: outsmart
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to gain an advantage over sb by acting in a clever way\nSYN OUTWIT:\nShe always managed to outsmart her political rivals.


Words: outsource
Meaning:
verb\n(business) to arrange for sb outside a company to do work or provide goods for that company:\n[VN] We outsource all our computing work. [also V]\n    outsourcing noun [U]


Words: outspoken
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (in sth) saying exactly what you think, even if this shocks or offends people:\nan outspoken opponent of the leadership * outspoken comments / views * She was outspoken in her criticism of the plan.\n    outspokenly adverb:\noutspokenly critical\n    outspokenness noun [U]:\nI admire his outspokenness.


Words: outspread
Meaning:
adjective\n(written) spread out completely:\nThe bird soared high, with outspread wings. * She sat poring over an outspread map.


Words: outstanding
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  extremely good; excellent:\nan outstanding player / achievement / success * an area of outstanding natural beauty\n  2  [usually before noun] very obvious or important:\nthe outstanding features of the landscape\n  3  (of payment, work, problems, etc.) not yet paid, done, solved, etc:\nShe has outstanding debts of over ｣500. * A lot of work is still outstanding. * The negotiations failed to solve outstanding issues.


Words: outstandingly
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  used to emphasize the good quality of sth:\noutstandingly successful\n  2  extremely well:\nHe performed well but not outstandingly.


Words: outstretched
Meaning:
adjective\n(of parts of the body) stretched or spread out as far as possible:\nHe ran towards her with arms outstretched / with outstretched arms. * She took her father’s outstretched hand.


Words: outstrip
Meaning:
verb (-pp-) [VN] \n  1  to become larger, more important, etc. than sb/sth:\nDemand is outstripping supply.\n  2  to be faster, better or more successful than a competitor\nSYN SURPASS:\nTheir latest computer outstrips all its rivals.\n  3  to run faster than sb in a race so that you pass them:\nShe soon outstripped the slower runners.


Words: outvote
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] to defeat sb/sth by winning a larger number of votes\nSYN VOTE SB/STH DOWN:\nBritain was heavily outvoted on the issue. * His proposal was outvoted by 10 votes to 8.


Words: outward
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  connected with the way people or things seem to be rather than with what is actually true:\nMark showed no outward signs of distress. * She simply observes the outward forms of religion. * To all outward appearances (= as far as it was possible to judge from the outside) they were perfectly happy. * There were no outward signs that the house was inhabited.\nOPP INWARD\n  2  going away from a particular place, especially one that you are going to return to:\nthe outward voyage / journey\n  3  away from the centre or a particular point:\noutward pressure / movement * outward investment (= in other countries) * Managers need to become more outward-looking (= more open to new ideas).\nOPP INWARD


Words: outward bound
Meaning:
adjective\ngoing away from home or a particular place:\nSoon they were outward bound for the Great Barrier Reef.


Words: outwardly
Meaning:
adverb\non the surface; in appearance:\nThough badly frightened, she remained outwardly composed. * Outwardly, the couple seemed perfectly happy.\nOPP INWARDLY


Words: outwards
Meaning:
(BrE) (also outward AmE, BrE) adverb\n~ (from sth) towards the outside; away from the centre or from a particular point:\nThe door opens outwards. * Factories were spreading outwards from the old heart of the town. * Lie on your stomach with your elbows pointing outwards. * The country is looking outwards and is opening its economy to trade and investment.\nOPP INWARD


Words: outweigh
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to be greater or more important than sth:\nThe advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. * The risks are vastly outweighed by the potential benefits.


Words: outwit
Meaning:
verb\n(-tt-) [VN] to defeat sb/sth or gain an advantage over them by doing sth clever\nSYN OUTSMART:\nthe amusing story of a bird outwitting a cat * Somehow he always manages to outwit his opponents.


Words: outwith
Meaning:
preposition\n(ScotE) outside of sth; not within sth:\nHe had lived outwith Scotland for five years. * outwith normal office hours


Words: outworn
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (rare, written) old-fashioned and no longer useful:\noutworn institutions\ncompare WORN OUT


Words: ovary
Meaning:
noun (plural ovaries)\n \n  1  either of the two organs in a woman’s body that produce eggs; a similar organ in female animals, birds and fish\n \n  2  (technical) the part of a plant that produces seeds\n \n    ovarian  adjective [only before noun]:\novarian cancer


Words: ovation
Meaning:
noun\nenthusiastic CLAPPING by an audience as a sign of their approval:\nto give sb a huge / rapturous / rousing ovation * The soloist got a ten-minute standing ovation (= in which people stand up from their seats).


Words: oven
Meaning:
noun\nthe part of a cooker/stove shaped like a box with a door on the front, in which food is cooked or heated:\nTake the cake out of the oven. * a gas / an electric oven * a cool / hot / moderate oven * (spoken) Open a window, it’s like an oven in here!\ncompare MICROWAVE\n \n IDIOMS  see BUN


Words: oven-ready
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (of food) bought already prepared and ready for cooking:\nan oven-ready turkey


Words: over
Meaning:
adverb, preposition, noun \n    adverb\n HELP NOTE  For the special uses of over in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example take sth over is in the phrasal verb section at take.\n  1  downwards and outwards from an upright position:\nTry not to knock that vase over. * The wind must have blown it over.\n  2  from one side to another side:\nShe turned over onto her front. * The car skidded off the road and rolled over and over.\n  3  across a street, an open space, etc:\nI stopped and crossed over. * He rowed us over to the other side of the lake. * They have gone over to France. * This is my aunt who’s over from Canada. * I went over (= across the room) and asked her name. * Let’s ask some friends over (= to our home). * Put it down over there.\n  4  so as to cover sb/sth completely:\nThe lake was frozen over. * Cover her over with a blanket.\n  5  above; more:\nchildren of 14 and over * You get an A grade for scores of 75 and over.\n  6  remaining; not used or needed:\nIf there’s any food left over, put it in the fridge.\n  7  again:\nHe repeated it several times over until he could remember it. * (AmE) It’s all wrong-you’ll have to do it over.\n  8  ended:\nBy the time we arrived the meeting was over. * Thank goodness that’s over! * I was glad when it was over and done with.\n  9  used to talk about sb/sth changing position:\nHe’s gone over to the enemy (= joined them). * Please change the wheels over (= for example, put the front wheels at the back). * Hand over the money!\n  10  used when communicating by radio:\nMessage received. Over (= it is your turn to speak). * Message understood. Over and out.\n IDIOMS \n  (all) over again a second time from the beginning:\nHe did the work so badly that I had to do it all over again myself.\n  over against sth in contrast with sth\n  over and over (again) many times; repeatedly:\nI’ve told you over and over again not to do that.\n  over to you used to say that it is sb’s turn to do sth\n    preposition\n HELP NOTE  For the special uses of over in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example get over sth is in the phrasal verb section at get.\n  1  resting on the surface of sb/sth and partly or completely covering them/it:\nShe put a blanket over the sleeping child. * He wore an overcoat over his suit. * She put her hand over her mouth to stop herself from screaming.\n  2  in or to a position higher than but not touching sb/sth; above sb/sth:\nThey held a large umbrella over her. * The balcony juts out over the street. * There was a lamp hanging over the table.\n  3  from one side of sth to the other; across sth:\na bridge over the river * They ran over the grass. * They had a wonderful view over the park.\n  4  on the far or opposite side of sth:\nHe lives over the road.\n  5  so as to cross sth and be on the other side:\nShe climbed over the wall.\n  6  falling from or down from a place:\nThe car had toppled over the cliff. * He didn’t dare look over the edge.\n  7  (all) ~ in or on all or most parts of sth:\nSnow is falling all over the country. * They’ve travelled all over the world. * There were papers lying around all over the place.\n  8  more than a particular time, amount, cost, etc:\nover 3 million copies sold * She stayed in Lagos for over a month. * He’s over sixty.\n  9  used to show that sb has control or authority:\nShe has only the director over her. * He ruled over a great empire. * She has editorial control over what is included.\n  10  during sth:\nWe’ll discuss it over lunch. * Over the next few days they got to know the town well. * We’re away over (= until after) the New Year.\n  11  past a particular difficult stage or situation:\nWe’re over the worst of the recession. * It took her ages to get over her illness.\n  12  because of or concerning sth; about sth:\nan argument over money * a disagreement over the best way to proceed\n  13  using sth; by means of sth:\nWe heard it over the radio. * She wouldn’t tell me over the phone.\n  14  louder than sth:\nI couldn’t hear what he said over the noise of the traffic. -> ABOVE\n IDIOMS \n  over and above in addition to sth:\nThere are other factors over and above those we have discussed.\n    noun (in cricket) a series of six balls BOWLED by the same person:\nChadwick dismissed two batsmen in the same over.


Words: over easy
Meaning:
adjective\n(AmE) (of fried eggs) turned over when almost cooked and fried for a short time on the other side


Words: over-
Meaning:
prefix (in nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs)\n  1  more than usual; too much:\noverproduction * overload * over-optimistic * overconfident * overanxious\n  2  completely:\noverjoyed\n  3  upper; outer; extra:\novercoat * overtime\n  4  over; above:\novercast * overhang


Words: over-egg
Meaning:
verb\n IDIOMS \n  over-egg the pudding used to say that you think sb has done more than is necessary, or has added unnecessary details to make sth seem better or worse than it really is:\nIf you’re telling lies, keep it simple-never over-egg the pudding.


Words: over-the-counter
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (of drugs and medicines) that can be obtained without a PRESCRIPTION (= a written order from a doctor)\n  2  (AmE, business) (of stocks and shares) not appearing in an official STOCK EXCHANGE list


Words: overact
Meaning:
verb\n[V, VN] (disapproving) to behave in a way that is exaggerated and not natural, especially when you are acting a part in a play


Words: overall
Meaning:
adjective, adverb, noun \n    adjective  [only before noun] including all the things or people that are involved in a particular situation; general:\nthe person with overall responsibility for the project * There will be winners in each of three age groups, and one overall winner. * an overall improvement in standards of living (= affecting everyone) * When she finished painting, she stepped back to admire the overall effect.\n    adverb \n  1  including everything or everyone; in total:\nThe company will invest $1.6m overall in new equipment.\n  2  generally; when you consider everything:\nOverall, this is a very useful book.\n    noun\n \n \n  1  (BrE) [C] a loose coat worn over other clothes to protect them from dirt, etc:\nThe lab assistant was wearing a white overall.\n \n  2  (overalls) (BrE) (AmE coveralls) [pl.] a loose piece of clothing like a shirt and trousers/pants in one piece, made of heavy fabric and usually worn over other clothing by workers doing dirty work:\nThe mechanic was wearing a pair of blue overalls.\ncompare BOILER SUIT\n \n  3  (overalls) [pl.] (AmE) = DUNGAREES


Words: overall majority
Meaning:
noun [usually sing.]\n  1  more votes in an election or vote than all the other people or parties together\n  2  the difference between the number of members that the government has in a parliament and the number that all the other political parties have together:\nThe Conservatives had a huge 101-seat overall majority.


Words: overarching
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (formal) very important, because it includes or influences many things:\nan overarching aim / concept / issue * the overarching themes of race, violence and disorder


Words: overarm
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (also overhand especially in AmE) adverb if you throw a ball overarm, you throw it with your arm swung backwards and then lifted high above your shoulder\n    overarm (especially BrE) (also overhand especially in AmE) adjective:\nan overarm throw\ncompare UNDERARM


Words: overawe
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] to impress sb so much that they feel nervous or frightened:\nThe younger players were overawed by the occasion and played badly.


Words: overbalance
Meaning:
verb\n(especially BrE) to lose your balance and fall; to make sb/sth lose their balance and fall:\n[V] He overbalanced and fell into the water. * The ladder overbalanced on top of her. [also VN]


Words: overbearing
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) trying to control other people in an unpleasant way\nSYN DOMINEERING:\nan overbearing parent / officer * an overbearing manner * She found him rude and overbearing.


Words: overbite
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a condition in which a person or animal’s upper jaw is too far forward in relation to their lower jaw:\nShe was a fifth-grader when she got braces to correct an overbite and a gap between her two front teeth.


Words: overblown
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  that is made to seem larger, more impressive or more important than it really is \nSYN EXAGGERATED:\noverblown ambitions / egos\n  2  (of flowers) past the best, most beautiful stage:\noverblown roses


Words: overboard
Meaning:
adverb\nover the side of a boat or a ship into the water:\nto fall / jump overboard * Huge waves washed him overboard.\n IDIOMS \n  go overboard (informal) to be too excited or enthusiastic about sth or about doing sth:\nDon’t go overboard on fitness.\n  throw sb/sth overboard to get rid of sb/sth that you think is useless:\nHe threw all his old friends overboard once he was promoted.


Words: overbook
Meaning:
verb\nto sell more tickets on a plane or RESERVE more rooms in a hotel than there are places available:\n[VN] The flight was heavily overbooked. [also V] \ncompare DOUBLE-BOOK


Words: overburden
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] ~ sb/sth (with sth) to give sb/sth more work, worry, etc. than they can deal with:\nHe did not appear to be overburdened with guilt.


Words: overcapacity
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] (business) the situation in which an industry or a factory cannot sell as much as it is designed to produce:\nthe problems of overcapacity in the car industry


Words: overcharge
Meaning:
verb\n~ (sb) (for sth) to make sb pay too much for sth:\n[VN] Make sure they don’t overcharge you for the drinks. * We were overcharged by ｣5. [also V] \nOPP UNDERCHARGE


Words: overcome
Meaning:
overcome) [VN] \n  1  to succeed in dealing with or controlling a problem that has been preventing you from achieving sth:\nShe overcame injury to win the Olympic gold medal. * The two parties managed to overcome their differences on the issue. * He finally managed to overcome his fear of flying * He overcame a strong temptation to run away.\n  2  (written) to defeat sb:\nIn the final game Sweden easily overcame France.\n  3  [usually passive] to be extremely strongly affected by sth:\nHer parents were overcome with grief at the funeral. * Overcome by curiosity, the boy looked through the window. * The dead woman had been overcome by smoke.


Words: overcompensate
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (for sth) (by doing sth) (written) to do too much when trying to correct a problem and so cause a different problem:\nShe overcompensated for her shyness by talking too much and laughing too loud.


Words: overcrowded
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a place) with too many people or things in it:\novercrowded cities / prisons * Too many poor people are living in overcrowded conditions.


Words: overcrowding
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the situation when there are too many people or things in one place:\novercrowding in prisons / prison overcrowding


Words: overdeveloped
Meaning:
adjective\nthat has grown too large:\noverdeveloped muscles * an overdeveloped sense of humour\n    overdevelop verb [VN]


Words: overdo
Meaning:
[VN] \n  1  to do sth too much; to exaggerate sth:\nShe really overdid the sympathy (= and so did not seem sincere).\n  2  to use too much of sth:\nDon’t overdo the salt in the food. * Use illustrations where appropriate but don’t overdo it.\n  3  [usually passive] to cook sth for too long:\nThe fish was overdone and very dry.\n IDIOMS \n  overdo it / things to work, study, etc. too hard or for too long:\nHe’s been overdoing things recently. * I overdid it in the gym and hurt my back.


Words: overdose
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun too much of a drug taken at one time:\na drug / drugs overdose * She took a massive overdose of sleeping pills.\n    verb (also informal OD) [V] ~ (on sth) to take too much of a drug at one time, so that it is dangerous:\nHe had overdosed on heroin.


Words: overdraft
Meaning:
noun\nthe amount of money that you owe to a bank when you have spent more money than is in your bank account; an arrangement that allows you to do this:\nto run up / pay off an overdraft * I had to arrange an overdraft to pay for the car. * The savings account has no overdraft facility.


Words: overdraw
Meaning:
verb\n(overdrew ) (especially BrE) to take out more money from a bank account than it contains:\n[VN] Customers who overdraw their accounts will be charged a fee. [also V]


Words: overdrawn
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not usually before noun] (of a person) having taken more money out of your bank account than you have in it:\nI’m overdrawn by ｣100. * Do you have to pay charges if you go overdrawn?\n  2  (of a bank account) with more money taken out than was paid in or left in:\nan overdrawn account * Your account is ｣200 overdrawn.


Words: overdressed
Meaning:
adjective\n(usually disapproving) wearing clothes that are too formal or too elegant for a particular occasion


Words: overdrive
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] an extra high GEAR in a vehicle, that you use when you are driving at high speeds:\nto be in overdrive\n IDIOMS \n  go into overdrive to start being very active and working very hard:\nAs the wedding approached, the whole family went into overdrive.


Words: overdue
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not paid, done, returned, etc. by the required or expected time:\nan overdue payment / library book * The rent is now overdue. * Her baby is two weeks overdue. * This car is overdue for a service.\n  2  that should have happened or been done before now:\noverdue reforms * A book like this is long overdue.


Words: overeat
Meaning:
verb\n(overate ) [V] to eat more than you need or more than is healthy\n    overeating noun [U]:\nShe went through periods of compulsive overeating.


Words: overemphasis
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] ~ (on sth) too much emphasis or importance:\nan overemphasis on curing illness rather than preventing it\n    overemphasize, overemphasise  verb:\n[VN] The importance of preparation cannot be overemphasized.


Words: overestimate
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  [VN] to estimate sth to be larger, better, more important, etc. than it really is:\nThey overestimated his ability when they promoted him. * The importance of these findings cannot be overestimated (= is very great).\nOPP UNDERESTIMATE\n    overestimation noun [U, C] \n    noun  [usually sing.] an estimate about the size, cost, etc. of sth that is too high:\nI thought it would cost about ｣300, but luckily that turned out to be an overestimate.\nOPP UNDERESTIMATE


Words: overexcited
Meaning:
adjective\ntoo excited and not behaving in a calm or sensible way:\nDon’t get the children overexcited just before bedtime.


Words: overexpose
Meaning:
verb [VN] [usually passive]\n  1  to affect the quality of a photograph or film by allowing too much light to enter the camera\nOPP UNDEREXPOSE\n  2  to allow sb/sth to be seen too much on television, in the newspapers, etc:\nThe club is careful not to let the younger players be overexposed, and rarely allows them to be interviewed.\n    overexposure  noun [U]:\nskin cancer caused by overexposure to the sun


Words: overextended
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] involved in more work or activities, or spending more money, than you can manage without problems:\nMany company managers are severely overextended. * They found themselves overextended when they borrowed the money for the new house.\n    overextend verb [VN] ~ yourself:\nThey should not overextend themselves on the mortgage.


Words: overfishing
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process of taking so many fish from the sea, a river, etc. that the number of fish in it becomes very low:\na shortage of tuna, caused by overfishing


Words: overflow
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb \n  1  ~ (with sth) | ~ sth to be so full that the contents go over the sides:\n[V] Plates overflowed with party food. * The bath is overflowing * (figurative) Her heart overflowed with love. * [VN] The river overflowed its banks.\n  2  [V] ~ (with sth) (of a place) to have too many people in it:\nThe streets were overflowing with the crowds. * The hospitals are filled to overflowing (= with patients).\n  3  ~ (into sth) to spread beyond the limits of a place or container that is too full:\n[V] The meeting overflowed into the street. [also VN]\n    noun\n \n \n  1  [U, sing.] a number of people or things that do not fit into the space available:\nA new office block was built to accommodate the overflow of staff. * an overflow car park\n \n  2  [U, sing.] the action of liquid flowing out of a container that is already full; the liquid that flows out:\nStop the overflow from the cistern. * an overflow of water from the lake * (figurative) an overflow of powerful emotions\n \n  3  (also overflow pipe) [C] a pipe that allows extra liquid to escape\n \n  4  [C, usually sing.] (computing) a fault that happens because a number or data item (for example, the result of a calculation) is too large for the computer to represent it exactly


Words: overfly
Meaning:
verb\n(overflies, overflying, overflew ) to fly over a place:\n[VN] We overflew the war zone, taking photographs. * [V] the noise from overflying planes\n    overflight noun


Words: overground
Meaning:
adverb\n(BrE) on or above the surface of the ground, rather than under it:\nThe new railway line will run overground.\n    overground adjective:\noverground trains / routes\ncompare UNDERGROUND


Words: overgrown
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ~ (with sth) (of gardens, etc.) covered with plants that have been allowed to grow wild and have not been controlled:\nan overgrown path * The garden’s completely overgrown with weeds.\n  2  (often disapproving) that has grown too large:\nan overgrown village * They act like a pair of overgrown children (= they are adults but they behave like children).


Words: overgrowth
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] (technical) too much growth of sth, especially sth that grows on or over sth else:\nan overgrowth of moss in the lawn * to remove the overgrowth of a dog’s claws


Words: overhang
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb ) to stick out over and above sth else:\n[VN] His big fat belly overhung his belt. * [V] The path was cool and dark with overhanging trees.\n    noun \n  1  the part of sth that sticks out over and above sth else:\nThe roof has an overhang to protect the walls from the rain.\n  2  the amount by which sth hangs over and above sth else\n  3  [usually sing.] (especially AmE, business) the state of being extra to what is required; the things that are extra:\nattempts to reduce the overhang of unsold goods


Words: overhaul
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun  an examination of a machine or system, including doing repairs on it or making changes to it:\na complete / major overhaul * A radical overhaul of the tax system is necessary.\n    verb  [VN] \n  1  to examine every part of a machine, system, etc. and make any necessary changes or repairs:\nThe engine has been completely overhauled.\n  2  to come from behind a competitor and go past them\nSYN OVERTAKE:\nHe managed to overhaul the leader on the final lap.


Words: overhead
Meaning:
adverb, adjective, noun \n    adverb  above your head; in the sky:\nPlanes flew overhead constantly. * Thunder boomed in the sky overhead.\n    adjective \n  1  above your head; raised above the ground:\noverhead power lines\n  2  [only before noun] connected with the general costs of running a business or an organization, for example paying for rent or electricity:\noverhead costs\n    noun [U] (especially AmE) = OVERHEADS


Words: overhead projector
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation OHP) a piece of equipment that PROJECTS an image onto a wall or screen so that many people can see it:\nShe used an overhead projector to illustrate her talk.


Words: overheads
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (especially BrE) (also overhead [U] especially in AmE) regular costs that you have when you are running a business or an organization, such as rent, electricity, wages, etc.


Words: overhear
Meaning:
verb\n(overheard, overheard ) to hear, especially by accident, a conversation in which you are not involved:\n[VN] We talked quietly so as not to be overheard. * I overheard a conversation between two boys on the bus. * [VN -ing] We overheard them arguing. * [VN inf] I overheard him say he was going to France.\ncompare EAVESDROP


Words: overheat
Meaning:
verb\n  1  to become or to make sth become too hot:\n[V] The engine is overheating. * [VN] It’s vital not to overheat the liquid.\n  2  [V] (of a country’s economy) to be too active, with rising prices\n    overheating noun [U]


Words: overheated
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  too hot:\nDon’t sleep in an overheated room.\n  2  too interested or excited:\nthe figment of an overheated imagination\n  3  (of a country’s economy) too active in a way that may cause problems


Words: overjoyed
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] ~ (at sth / to do sth) | ~ (that ...) extremely happy or pleased:\nHe was overjoyed at my success. * We were overjoyed to hear their good news. * She was overjoyed that her article had been published.


Words: overkill
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (disapproving) too much of sth that reduces the effect it has:\nThere is a danger of overkill if you plan everything too carefully.


Words: overland
Meaning:
adjective\nacross the land; by land, not by sea or by air:\nan overland route\n    overland adverb:\nto travel overland


Words: overlap
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  (-pp-)\n  1  if one thing overlaps another, or the two things overlap, part of one thing covers part of the other:\n[VN] A fish’s scales overlap each other * [V] The floor was protected with overlapping sheets of newspaper.\n  2  [VN] to make two or more things overlap:\nYou will need to overlap the pieces of wood slightly.\n  3  [V, VN] if two events overlap or overlap each other, the second one starts before the first one has finished\n  4  ~ (with sth) to cover part of the same area of interest, knowledge, responsibility, etc:\n[V] Our jobs overlap slightly, which sometimes causes difficulties. * The language of science overlaps with that of everyday life. [also VN]\n    noun\n \n \n  1  [C, U] ~ (between sth and sth) a shared area of interest, knowledge, responsibility, etc:\nThere is (a) considerable overlap between the two subjects.\n \n  2  [C, U] the amount by which one thing covers another thing:\nan overlap of 5 cm on each roof tile\n \n  3  [sing.] a period of time in which two events or activities happen together:\nThere will be an overlap of a week while John teaches Ann the job.


Words: overlay
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb ) [VN] [usually passive] ~ (with sth)\n  1  (technical) to put sth on top of a surface so as to cover it completely; to lie on top of a surface:\nwood overlaid with gold\n  2  (literary) to add sth, especially a feeling or quality, to sth else so that it seems to cover it:\nThe place was overlaid with memories of his childhood.\n    noun \n  1  a transparent sheet with drawings, figures, etc. on it that can be placed on top of another sheet in order to change it:\nAn overlay showing population can be placed on top of the map.\n  2  a thing that is laid on top of or covers sth else:\nan overlay of fibreglass insulation


Words: overleaf
Meaning:
adverb\n(written) on the other side of the page of a book, etc:\nComplete the form overleaf. * The changes are explained in detail overleaf.


Words: overload
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb  [VN] [often passive]\n  1  to put too great a load on sth:\nan overloaded truck\n  2  ~ sb (with sth) to give sb too much of sth:\nHe’s overloaded with responsibilities. * Don’t overload the students with information.\n  3  to put too great a demand on a computer, an electrical system, etc. causing it to fail:\nThe lights went out because the system was overloaded.\n    noun  [U, sing.] too much of sth:\nIn these days of technological change we all suffer from information overload. * An electrical overload caused the fuse to blow.


Words: overlong
Meaning:
adjective\n(BrE) (AmE overly long) too long:\nan overlong agenda * By the interval the show already felt overlong.


Words: overlook
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to fail to see or notice sth\nSYN MISS:\nHe seems to have overlooked one important fact. * In my hurry to finish the exam I had overlooked part of one of the questions.\n  2  to see sth wrong or bad but decide to ignore it:\nWe could not afford to overlook such a serious offence. * He’s so friendly people are prepared to overlook his faults.\n  3  if a building, etc. overlooks a place, you can see that place from the building:\na restaurant overlooking the lake * Our back yard is overlooked by several houses.\n  4  ~ sb (for sth) to not consider sb for a job or position, even though they might be suitable:\nShe’s been overlooked for promotion several times.


Words: overlord
Meaning:
noun\n(especially in the past) a person who has power over many other people:\nfeudal / imperial overlords


Words: overly
Meaning:
adverb\n(before an adjective) too; very:\nI’m not overly fond of pasta. * We think you are being overly optimistic.


Words: overmanned
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a company, office, etc.) having more workers than are needed\nSYN OVERSTAFFED\nOPP UNDERMANNED\n    overmanning  noun [U]:\nthe problems of overmanning in industry


Words: overmuch
Meaning:
adverb\n(BrE) (AmE overly much) (especially with a negative verb) too much; very much:\nShe didn’t worry overmuch about it. * Details did not concern him overmuch.\n    overmuch adjective:\nThey adapted to the new arrangements without overmuch fuss.


Words: overnight
Meaning:
adverb, adjective \n    adverb \n  1  during or for the night:\nWe stayed overnight in London after the theatre.\n  2  suddenly or quickly:\nDon’t expect it to improve overnight. * She became famous overnight.\n    adjective  [only before noun]\n  1  happening during the night; for a night:\nan overnight flight * overnight accommodation * She took only an overnight bag (= containing the things needed for a night spent away from home).\n  2  happening suddenly or quickly:\nThe play was an overnight success.


Words: overpay
Meaning:
verb\n(overpaid, overpaid ) [VN] [usually passive] to pay sb too much; to pay sb more than their work is worth:\nI think he’s grossly overpaid for what he does.\nOPP UNDERPAY\n    overpayment  noun [C, U]


Words: overplay
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to give too much importance to sth:\nHis role in the negotiations has been overplayed.\nOPP UNDERPLAY\n IDIOMS \n  overplay your hand to spoil your chance of success by judging your position to be stronger than it really is


Words: overpopulated
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a country or city) with too many people living in it\n    overpopulation  noun [U]:\nthe problems of overpopulation


Words: overpower
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to defeat or gain control over sb completely by using greater strength:\nPolice finally managed to overpower and arrest the gunman. * Manchester United completely overpowered their rivals to win 40.\n  2  to be so strong or great that it affects or disturbs sb/sth seriously:\nHer beauty overpowered him. * The flavour of the garlic overpowered the meat.


Words: overpowering
Meaning:
adjective\nvery strong or powerful:\nan overpowering smell of fish * an overpowering personality * The heat was overpowering.\n    overpoweringly adverb


Words: overprotective
Meaning:
adjective\ntoo anxious to protect sb from being hurt, in a way that restricts their freedom:\noverprotective parents


Words: overqualified
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving more experience or training than is necessary for a particular job, so that people do not want to employ you


Words: overrate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [usually passive] to have too high an opinion of sb/sth; to put too high a value on sb/sth:\nIn my opinion, Hirst’s work has been vastly overrated.\nOPP UNDERRATE


Words: overreach
Meaning:
verb\n~ (yourself) to fail by trying to achieve more than is possible:\n[VN] In making these promises, the company had clearly overreached itself. [also V]


Words: overreact
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (to sth) to react too strongly, especially to sth unpleasant:\nThe financial markets overreacted to the news.\n    overreaction  noun [sing., U] ~ (to sth):\nan overreaction by the stock market * The school is accused of overreaction to the complaints of a few parents.


Words: override
Meaning:
[VN] \n  1  to use your authority to reject sb’s decision, order, etc.\nSYN OVERRULE:\nThe chairman overrode the committee’s objections and signed the agreement.\n  2  to be more important than sth:\nConsiderations of safety override all other concerns.\n  3  to stop a process that happens automatically and control it yourself:\nA special code is needed to override the time lock.


Words: overriding
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] more important than anything else in a particular situation:\nthe overriding factor / consideration / concern * Their overriding aim was to keep costs low. * Time was of overriding importance.


Words: overrule
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [often passive] to change a decision or reject an idea from a position of greater power:\nto overrule a decision / an objection * The verdict was overruled by the Supreme Court.


Words: overrun
Meaning:
overrun)\n  1  [VN] [often passive] (especially of sth bad or not wanted) to fill or spread over an area quickly, especially in large numbers:\nThe house was completely overrun with mice. * Enemy soldiers had overrun the island. * The tiny village was overrun by tourists.\n  2  to take more time or money than was intended:\n[V] Her lectures never overrun. * [VN] You’ve overrun your time by 10 minutes.\n    overrun  noun:\na cost overrun


Words: overseas
Meaning:
adjective, adverb \n    adjective connected with foreign countries, especially those separated from your country by the sea or ocean:\noverseas development / markets / trade * overseas students / visitors\ncompare HOME\n    adverb to or in a foreign country, especially those separated from your country by the sea or ocean\nSYN ABROAD:\nto live / work / go overseas * The product is sold both at home and overseas.


Words: oversee
Meaning:
verb\n(oversaw sth and make sure that a job or an activity is done correctly\nSYN SUPERVISE:\nUnited Nations observers oversaw the elections.


Words: overseer
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (old-fashioned) a person whose job is to make sure that other workers do their work\n  2  a person or an organization that is responsible for making sure that a system is working as it should


Words: oversell
Meaning:
[VN] [often passive]\n  1  to say that sb/sth is better than they really are:\nHe has a tendency to oversell himself.\n  2  (business) to sell too much or more of sth than is available:\nThe seats on the plane were oversold.


Words: overshadow
Meaning:
verb [VN] [often passive]\n  1  to make sb/sth seem less important, or successful:\nHe had always been overshadowed by his elder sister. * Domestic policy was soon overshadowed by political unrest abroad.\n  2  to make an event less enjoyable than it should be:\nNews of the accident overshadowed the day’s events.\n  3  to throw a shadow over sth:\nThe garden is overshadowed by tall trees.


Words: overshoot
Meaning:
1  to go further than the place you intended to stop or turn:\n[VN] The aircraft overshot the runway. * [V] She had overshot by 20 metres.\n  2  [VN] to do more or to spend more money than you originally planned:\nThe department may overshoot its cash limit this year.


Words: oversight
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] the fact of making a mistake because you forget to do sth or you do not notice sth:\nI didn’t mean to leave her name off the list; it was an oversight. * You can never entirely eliminate human error and oversight.\n  2  [U] (formal) the state of being in charge of sb/sth:\nThe committee has oversight of finance and general policy.


Words: oversimplify
Meaning:
verb\n(oversimplifies, oversimplifying, oversimplified, oversimplified) to describe a situation, a problem, etc. in a way that is too simple and ignores some of the facts:\n[VN] It’s easy to oversimplify the issues involved. * an oversimplified view of human nature [also V]\n    oversimplification  noun [C, usually sing, U]:\nThis is a gross oversimplification of the facts.\ncompare SIMPLIFICATION


Words: oversized
Meaning:
adjective\nbigger than the normal size; too big:\nShe wore a pair of baggy jeans and an oversized T-shirt. * Many children are being taught in oversized classes.


Words: oversleep
Meaning:
verb\n(overslept, overslept ) [V] to sleep longer than you intended:\nI overslept and missed the bus.


Words: overspend
Meaning:
verb\n(overspent, overspent ) ~ (on sth) to spend too much money or more than you planned:\n[V] The company has overspent on marketing. * [VN] Many departments have overspent their budgets this year.\n    overspend  noun [sing.] (BrE):\na ｣1 million overspend\n    overspent  adjective:\nThe organization is heavily overspent.


Words: overspill
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] (BrE) people who move out of a city because it is too crowded to an area where there is more space:\nNew towns were designed to house London’s overspill.


Words: overstaffed
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a company, office, etc.) having more workers than are needed\nSYN OVERMANNED\nOPP UNDERSTAFFED


Words: overstate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to say sth in a way that makes it seem more important than it really is\nSYN EXAGGERATE:\nHe tends to overstate his case when talking politics. * The seriousness of the crime cannot be overstated. * Her musical talent has been a little overstated.\nOPP UNDERSTATE\n    overstatement  noun [C, U]:\nIt is not an overstatement to say a crisis is imminent.


Words: overstay
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to stay longer than the length of time you are expected or allowed to stay:\nThey overstayed their visa.\n IDIOMS  see WELCOME n.


Words: overstep
Meaning:
verb\n(-pp-) [VN] to go beyond what is normal or allowed:\nto overstep your authority * He tends to overstep the boundaries of good taste.\n IDIOMS \n  overstep the mark / line to behave in a way that people think is not acceptable:\nShe realized she had overstepped the mark and quickly apologized.


Words: overstock
Meaning:
verb [VN, V] \n  1  to buy or make more of sth than you need or can sell\n  2  to put too many animals in a place where there is not enough room or food for them


Words: overstretch
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] ~ sb/sth / yourself (especially BrE) to do more than you are capable of; to make sb/sth do more than they are capable of:\nThe prison service is badly overstretched. * Credit cards can tempt you to overstretch yourself (= spend more money than you can afford).\n    overstretched adjective:\noverstretched muscles * overstretched services


Words: oversubscribed
Meaning:
adjective\nif an activity, service, etc. is oversubscribed, there are fewer places, tickets, etc. than the number of people who are asking for them:\nThe popular secondary schools in the town are usually oversubscribed.


Words: overt
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (formal) done in an open way and not secretly:\nThere was little overt support for the project.\ncompare COVERT\n    overtly adverb:\novertly political activities


Words: overtake
Meaning:
1  (especially BrE) to go past a moving vehicle or person ahead of you because you are going faster than they are:\n[VN] He pulled out to overtake a truck. * [V] It’s dangerous to overtake on a bend.\n  2  [VN] to become greater in number, amount or importance than sth else:\nIn the next century, nuclear energy could overtake oil as the main fuel. * We mustn’t let ourselves be overtaken by our competitors. * Quinine has been overtaken by newer drugs.\n  3  [VN] [often passive] if sth unpleasant overtakes a person, it unexpectedly starts to happen and to affect them:\nThe climbers were overtaken by bad weather. * Sudden panic overtook her. * Our original plan was overtaken by events (= the situation changed very rapidly) and we had to make a new one.


Words: overtax
Meaning:
yourself\n  1  to do more than you are able or want to do; to make sb/sth do more than they are able or want to do:\nto overtax your strength / heart / voice * Take it easy. Don’t overtax yourself.\n  2  to make a person or an organization pay too much tax


Words: overthrow
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb ) [VN] to remove a leader or a government from a position of power by force:\nThe president was overthrown in a military coup.\n    noun  [usually sing.] the act of taking power by force from a leader or government


Words: overtime
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  time that you spend working at your job after you have worked the normal hours:\nto do / work overtime * overtime pay / earnings / hours * The union announced a ban on overtime.\n  2  the money sb earns for doing overtime:\nThey pay ｣58 a day plus overtime.\n  3  (AmE, sport) = EXTRA TIME\n IDIOMS \n  be working overtime (informal) to be very active or too active:\nThere was nothing to worry about. It was just her imagination working overtime.


Words: overtone
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] an attitude or an emotion that is suggested and is not expressed in a direct way:\nThere were political overtones to the point he was making.\ncompare UNDERTONE


Words: overture
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a piece of music written as an introduction to an opera or a ballet:\nProkofiev’s overture to ’Romeo and Juliet’\n  2  [usually pl.] ~ (to sb) a suggestion or an action by which sb tries to make friends, start a business relationship, have discussions, etc. with sb else:\nHe began making overtures to a number of merchant banks. * Maggie was never one to reject a friendly overture.


Words: overturn
Meaning:
verb\n  1  if sth overturns, or if sb overturns it, it turns upside down or on its side:\n[V] The car skidded and overturned. * [VN] He stood up quickly, overturning his chair.\n  2  [VN] to officially decide that a legal decision etc. is not correct, and to make it no longer valid:\nto overturn a decision / conviction / verdict * His sentence was overturned by the appeal court.


Words: overuse
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] to use sth too much or too often:\n’Nice’ is a very overused word.\n    overuse  noun [U, sing.]


Words: overvalue
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [often passive] to put too high a value on sth:\nIntelligence can be overvalued. * (business) overvalued currencies / stocks


Words: overweight
Meaning:
adjective\n(of people) too heavy and fat:\nShe was only a few pounds overweight. * A number of medical conditions are due to being overweight.\nOPP UNDERWEIGHT


Words: overwhelm
Meaning:
verb [VN] [often passive]\n  1  to have such a strong emotional effect on sb that it is difficult for them to resist or know how to react:\nShe was overwhelmed by feelings of guilt. * He felt completely overwhelmed by their kindness. * The beauty of the landscape overwhelmed me.\n  2  to defeat sb completely:\nThe army was overwhelmed by the rebels.\n  3  to be so bad or so great that a person cannot deal with it; to give too much of a thing to a person:\nWe were overwhelmed by requests for information.\n  4  (literary) (of water) to cover sb/sth completely\nSYN FLOOD:\nThe wave broke through the wall and overwhelmed the town.


Words: overwhelming
Meaning:
adjective\nvery great or very strong; so powerful that you cannot resist it or decide how to react:\nThe evidence against him was overwhelming. * The overwhelming majority of those present were in favour of the plan. * an overwhelming sense of loss / relief * She had the almost overwhelming desire to tell him the truth. * You may find it somewhat overwhelming at first. * There was overwhelming support for our policies.\n    overwhelmingly adverb:\nThey voted overwhelmingly against the proposal.


Words: overwinter
Meaning:
verb\n[V, VN] (of animals, birds and plants) to spend the winter months in a place; to stay alive or to keep sth alive during the winter\ncompare WINTER


Words: overwork
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb to work too hard; to make a person or an animal work too hard:\n[V] You look tired. Have you been overworking? * [VN] The staff are grossly overworked.\n    noun [U] the fact of working too hard:\nHis illness was brought on by money worries and overwork.


Words: overworked
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  made to work too hard or too much:\noverworked nurses\n  2  (of words or phrases) used too often so that the meaning or effect has become weaker


Words: overwrite
Meaning:
verb\n(overwrote ) [VN] (computing) to replace information on the screen or in a file by putting new information over it


Words: ovulate
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (of a woman or a female animal) to produce an egg (= called an OVUM), from the OVARY\n    ovulation  noun [U]:\nmethods of predicting ovulation


Words: ovum
Meaning:
noun\n(plural ova ) (biology) a female cell of an animal or a plant that can develop into a young animal or plant when FERTILIZED


Words: owe
Meaning:
verb (not used in the progressive tenses)\n  1  ~ sth (to sb) (for sth) | ~ (sb) sth (for sth) to have to pay sb for sth that you have already received or return money that you have borrowed: [VNN, VN] She still owes her father ｣3 000. * She still owes ｣3 000 to her father * [VN] The country owes billions of dollars to foreign creditors. * [VNN] How much do I owe you for the groceries? * (figurative) I’m still owed three days’ leave.\n  2  ~ sth to sb | ~ sb sth to feel that you ought to do sth for sb or give them sth, especially because they have done sth for you:\n[VN] I owe a debt of gratitude to all my family. * You owe it to your staff to be honest with them. * [VNN] You owe me a favour! * Thanks for sticking up for me-I owe you one (= I owe you a favour). * I think you owe us an explanation. * I think we’re owed an apology.\n HELP NOTE  The passive is not used in this meaning except with a person as the subject: _A_n_ _a_p_o_l_o_g_y_ _i_s_ _o_w_e_d_ _t_o_ _u_s_.\n  3  ~ sth to sb/sth | ~ sb sth to exist or be successful because of the help or influence of sb/sth:\n[VN] He owes his success to hard work. * The play owes much to French tragedy. * [VN, VNN] I owe everything to him. * I owe him everything. * [VNN] I knew that I owed the surgeon my life.\n  4  [VN] ~ allegiance / loyalty / obedience (to sb) (formal) to have to obey or be loyal to sb who is in a position of authority or power:\nAll serfs owed allegiance to a lord.


Words: owing
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] (BrE) money that is owing has not been paid yet:\n｣100 is still owing on the loan.


Words: owing to
Meaning:
preposition\nbecause of:\nThe game was cancelled owing to torrential rain. * Owing to his illness, he could not continue with his studies.


Words: owl
Meaning:
noun\na BIRD OF PREY (= a bird that kills other creatures for food) with large round eyes, that hunts at night. Owls are traditionally thought to be wise:\na little / short-eared / snowy owl * An owl hooted nearby.\nsee also BARN OWL, NIGHT OWL, TAWNY OWL


Words: owlish
Meaning:
adjective\nlooking like an owl, especially because you are wearing round glasses, and therefore seeming serious and intelligent\n    owlishly adverb:\nShe blinked at them owlishly.


Words: own
Meaning:
adjective, pronoun, verb \n    adjective, pronoun\n  1  used to emphasize that sth belongs to or is connected with sb:\nIt was her own idea. * I saw it with my own eyes (= I didn’t hear about it from somebody else). * Is the car your own? * Your day off is your own (= you can spend it as you wish). * Our children are grown up and have children of their own. * For reasons of his own (= particular reasons that perhaps only he knew about), he refused to join the club. * The accident happened through no fault of her own. * He wants to come into the business on his own terms. * I need a room of my own. * I have my very own room at last.\n HELP NOTE  Own cannot be used after an article: I need my own room. * _I_ _n_e_e_d_ _a_n_ _o_w_n_ _r_o_o_m_. * It’s good to have your own room. * _I_t_’_s_ _g_o_o_d_ _t_o_ _h_a_v_e_ _t_h_e_ _o_w_n_ _r_o_o_m_.\n  2  done or produced by and for yourself:\nShe makes all her own clothes. * He has to cook his own meals.\n IDIOMS \n  come into your / its own to have the opportunity to show how good or useful you are or sth is:\nWhen the traffic’s this bad, a bicycle really comes into its own.\n  get your own back (on sb) (informal) to do sth to sb in return for harm they have done to you; to get REVENGE:\nI’ll get my own back on him one day, I swear!\n  hold your own (against sb/sth) (in sth) to remain in a strong position when sb is attacking you, competing with you, etc:\nBusiness isn’t good but we’re managing to hold our own. * She can hold her own against anybody in an argument. * The patient is holding her own although she is still very sick.\n  (all) on your own\n1 alone; without anyone else:\nI’m all on my own today. * She lives on her own.\n2 without help:\nHe did it on his own.\nmore at MIND n., SAKE, SOUND n.\n    verb (not used in the progressive tenses)\n  1  [VN] to have sth that belongs to you, especially because you have bought it:\nDo you own your house or do you rent it? * I don’t own anything of any value. * Most of the apartments are privately owned. * an American owned company * Does anyone own this coat? It was left in a classroom. * Don’t tell me what to do-you don’t own me!\n  2  ~ to sth / to doing sth (old-fashioned) to admit that sth is true:\n[V] He owned to a feeling of guilt. * [V (that)] She owned (that) she had been present.\n IDIOMS \n  behave / act as if you own the place | think you own the place (disapproving) to behave in a very confident way that annoys other people, for example by telling them what to do\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  own up (to sth / to doing sth) to admit that you are responsible for sth bad or wrong\nSYN CONFESS:\nI’m still waiting for someone to own up to the breakages. * Why don’t you just own up and hope she forgives you?


Words: own goal
Meaning:
noun [usually sing.] (BrE)\n  1  (in football and some other sports) a goal that is scored by mistake by a player against his or her own team\n  2  something that you do that achieves the opposite of what you wanted and that brings you a disadvantage


Words: own-brand
Meaning:
(also own-label) (both BrE) (AmE store-brand) adjective\nused to describe goods that are marked with the name of the shop/store in which they are sold rather than with the name of the company that produced them:\nown-brand coffee


Words: owner
Meaning:
noun\na person who owns sth:\na boat / dog / factory owner * The painting has now been returned to its rightful owner. * He’s now the proud owner of a cottage in Wales. * Would the owner of the black Mercedes parked in front of the gates please report to reception.\nsee also HOMEOWNER, LANDOWNER


Words: owner-occupied
Meaning:
adjective\n(of a house, etc.) lived in by the owner rather than rented to sb else:\nowner-occupied housing * Most of the houses in this street are owner-occupied.


Words: ownership
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the fact of owning sth:\na growth in home ownership * Ownership of the land is currently being disputed. * to be in joint / private / public ownership * The restaurant is under new ownership.


Words: ox
Meaning:
1  a BULL (= a male cow) that has been CASTRATED (= had part of its sex organs removed), used, especially in the past, for pulling farm equipment, etc.\ncompare BULLOCK, STEER\n \n  2  (old-fashioned) any cow or BULL on a farm\nsee also CATTLE


Words: Oxbridge
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, when they are thought of together:\nan Oxbridge education / graduate\ncompare IVY LEAGUE, RED-BRICK


Words: oxford
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (oxfords) [pl.] (especially AmE) leather shoes that fasten with LACES\n \n  2  [U] (AmE) a thick cotton fabric:\nan oxford shirt


Words: oxide
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (chemistry) a compound of OXYGEN and another chemical element:\niron oxide * an oxide of tin


Words: oxidize
Meaning:
(BrE also oxidise)  verb\n[VN] (technical) to combine or to make sth combine with OXYGEN, especially when this causes metal to become covered with RUST\n    oxidization, oxidisation ) noun [U]


Words: oxyacetylene
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with a mixture of oxygen and ACETYLENE gas which produces a very hot flame, used especially for cutting or joining metal:\nan oxyacetylene torch


Words: oxygen
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (Symbol O) a chemical element. Oxygen is a colourless gas that is present in air and water and is necessary for people, animals and plants to live.


Words: oxygen mask
Meaning:
noun\na device placed over the nose and mouth through which a person can breathe OXYGEN, for example in an aircraft or a hospital


Words: oxygenate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (technical) to supply sth with oxygen:\noxygenated blood / water * oxygenating plants (= that supply oxygen to water in a pond, etc.)\n    oxygenation noun [U]


Words: oxymoron
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a phrase that combines two words that seem to be the opposite of each other, for example a deafening silence


Words: oyster
Meaning:
noun\na large flat shellfish. Some types of oyster can be eaten and others produce shiny white jewels called PEARLS:\nOyster beds, on the mudflats, are a form of fish farming.\n \n IDIOMS  see WORLD


Words: ozone
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (chemistry) a poisonous gas with a strong smell that is a form of OXYGEN\n  2  (BrE, informal) air near the sea that smells fresh and pure


Words: ozone hole
Meaning:
noun\nan area in the ozone layer where the amount of OZONE has been very much reduced so that harmful rays from the sun can pass through it


Words: ozone layer
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] a layer of OZONE high above the earth’s surface that helps to protect the earth from the sun’s harmful rays


Words: P
Meaning:
(also p)  noun\n[C, U] (plural P’s, p’s ) the 16th letter of the English alphabet:\n’Pizza’ begins with (a) P / ’P’.


Words: p
Meaning:
(also p.) abbreviation\n  1  (plural pp.) page:\nSee p.34 and pp.63-72.\n  2  PENNY, PENCE:\na 30p stamp\n  3  (music) quietly (from Italian ’piano’)\nsee also P. AND P., P. AND H.


Words: p. and p.
Meaning:
(also p. & p.)  abbreviation\n(BrE) postage and packing (the cost of packing sth and sending it by post):\nAdd ｣2 for p. and p.\ncompare P. AND H., S AND H


Words: p.m.
Meaning:
(AmE also P.M.)  abbreviation\nafter 12 o’clock NOON (from Latin ’post meridiem’):\nThe appointment is at 3 p.m.\ncompare A.M.


Words: PA
Meaning:
abbreviation\n  1  PUBLIC ADDRESS (SYSTEM):\nAnnouncements were made over the PA.\n  2  (especially BrE) PERSONAL ASSISTANT:\nShe’s the Managing Director’s PA.\n  3  Press Association


Words: pace
Meaning:
noun, verb-see also PACE\n    noun\n  1  [sing., U] the speed at which sb/sth walks, runs or moves:\nto set off at a steady / gentle / leisurely pace * Congestion frequently reduces traffic to walking pace. * The ball gathered pace as it rolled down the hill. * The runners have noticeably quickened their pace.\n  2  [sing., U] ~ (of sth) the speed at which sth happens:\nIt is difficult to keep up with the rapid pace of change. * We encourage all students to work at their own pace (= as fast or as slow as they can). * I prefer the relaxed pace of life in the country. * Rumours of corruption and scandal gathered pace (= increased in number).\n  3  [C] an act of stepping once when walking or running; the distance travelled when doing this:\nShe took two paces forward. * To be a really good runner he needs to lengthen his pace a little. * Competitors must stand at a distance of 20 paces from each other.\n  4  [U] the fact of sth happening, changing, etc. quickly:\nHe gave up his job in advertising because he couldn’t stand the pace. * The novel lacks pace (= it develops too slowly). * a pace bowler (= in cricket, a person who bowls the ball fast)\nsee also PACY\n IDIOMS \n  go through your paces | show your paces to perform a particular activity in order to show other people what you are capable of doing:\nWe watched the horses going through their paces. * The British team showed its paces during a training session in the hotel pool.\n  keep pace (with sb/sth) to move, increase, change, etc. at the same speed as sb/sth:\nShe found it hard to keep pace with him as he strode off. * Until now, wage increases have always kept pace with inflation. * The company is struggling to keep pace with changes in the market.\n  put sb/sth through their / its paces to give sb/sth a number of tasks to perform in order to see what they are capable of doing:\nYoungsters will be put through their paces by qualified instructors. * We sent our reporter to put Ford’s newest model through its paces.\n  set the pace\n1 to do sth at a particular speed or to a particular standard so that other people are then forced to copy it if they want to be successful:\nThe company is no longer setting the pace in the home computer market.\n2 (in a race) to run faster than the other competitors, at a speed that they then try to copy:\nWillis set the pace for the first mile.\nmore at FORCE v., SNAIL\n    verb\n  1  to walk up and down in a small area many times, especially because you are feeling nervous or angry: [V, +adv./prep.] She paced up and down outside the room. * [VN] Ted paced the floor restlessly.\n  2  [VN] to set the speed at which sth happens or develops:\nHe paced his game skilfully. * One runner was selected to pace the race.\n  3  [VN] ~ yourself to find the right speed or rhythm for your work or an activity so that you have enough energy to do what you have to do:\nHe’ll have to learn to pace himself in this job.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pace sth<->off / out to measure the size of sth by walking across it with regular steps\n\npreposition\n(from Latin, formal) used before a person’s name to express polite disagreement with what they have said:\nThe evidence suggests, pace Professor Jones, that ... (= Professor Jones has a different opinion).\nsee also PACE


Words: pacemaker
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an electronic device that is put inside a person’s body to help their heart beat regularly:\nAfter his last heart attack, he was fitted with a pacemaker.\n  2  (also pacesetter especially in AmE) a person or an animal that begins a race quickly so that the other competitors will try to copy the speed and run a fast race: (figurative) The big banks have been the pacesetters in developing the system. * Early pacemakers often drop out of a race before the finish.\n  3  (also pacesetter especially in AmE) a person or team that is winning in a sports competition:\nThe local club are now only one point off the pacemakers.


Words: pacifist
Meaning:
noun\na person who believes in pacifism and who refuses to fight in a war\ncompare CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR\n    pacifist adjective [usually before noun]:\npacifist beliefs / groups / views


Words: pacify
Meaning:
verb (pacifies, pacifying, pacified, pacified) [VN] \n  1  to make sb who is angry or upset become calm and quiet:\nThe baby could not be pacified. * The announcement was designed to pacify the irate crowd.\n  2  to bring peace to an area where there is fighting or a war:\na turbulent period before the country was pacified\n    pacification  noun [U]


Words: pack
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  put into container\n  1  to put clothes, etc. into a bag in preparation for a trip away from home:\n[V] I haven’t packed yet. * [VN] I haven’t packed my suitcase yet. * He packed a bag with a few things and was off. * He packed a few things into a bag. * Did you pack the camera? * [VNN] I’ve packed you some food for the journey.\nOPP UNPACK\n  2  [VN] ~ sth (up) (in / into sth) to put sth into a container so that it can be stored, transported or sold:\nThe pottery was packed in boxes and shipped to the US. * I carefully packed up the gifts. * He found a part-time job packing eggs.\nOPP UNPACK\n  protect\n  3  [VN] ~ sth (in / with sth) to protect sth that breaks easily by surrounding it with soft material:\nThe paintings were carefully packed in newspaper.\n  preserve food\n  4  [VN] ~ sth (in sth) to preserve food in a particular substance:\nfish packed in ice\n  fill\n  5  to fill sth with a lot of people or things: [V, +adv./prep.] We all packed together into one car. * [VN] Fans packed the hall to see the band. * Pack wet shoes with newspaper to help them dry.\nsee also PACKED OUT, PACKED\n  snow / soil\n  6  [VN] ~ sth (down) to press sth such as snow or soil to form a thick hard mass:\nPack the earth down around the plant. * a patch of packed snow\n  carry gun\n  7  [VN] (AmE, informal) to carry sth dangerous, especially a gun:\nto pack a gun * A storm packing 75 mph winds swept across the area last night.\n IDIOMS \n  pack a (powerful, real, etc.) punch (informal)\n1 (of a boxer) to be capable of hitting sb very hard\n2 to have a powerful effect on sb:\nThe advertising campaign packs quite a punch.\n  pack your bags (informal) to leave a person or place permanently, especially after a disagreement\nmore at SEND\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pack away to be capable of being folded up small when it is not being used:\nThe tent packs away in a small bag.\n  pack sth<->away to put sth in a box, etc. when you have finished using it:\nWe packed away the summer clothes.\n  pack sb<->in [no passive] (of plays, performers, etc.) to attract a lot of people to see it/them:\nThe show is still packing them in. * The band can always pack in the crowds.\n  pack sth<->in (informal) to stop doing sth:\nShe decided to pack in her job. * (especially BrE) Pack it in (= stop behaving badly or annoying me), you two!\n  pack sb/sth in / into sth\n1 to do a lot of things in a limited period of time:\nYou seem to have packed a lot into your life!\n2 to put a lot of things or people into a limited space:\nThey’ve managed to pack a lot of information into a very small book.\n  pack into sth to go somewhere in large numbers so that all available space is filled:\nOver 80 000 fans packed into the stadium to watch the final.\nsee also PACK (5)\n  pack sb<->off (to ...) (informal) to send sb somewhere, especially because you do not want them with you:\nMy parents always packed me off to bed early. * In the summer the kids were packed off to stay with their grandparents.\n  pack sth<->out (of shows, performers, etc.) to attract enough people to completely fill a theatre, etc:\nThe band can still pack out concert halls.\nsee also PACKED OUT\n  pack up (informal, especially BrE) (of a machine) to stop working:\nThe fax machine’s packed up again.\n  pack up | pack (sth)<->up\n1 to put your possessions into a bag, etc. before leaving a place:\nAre you packing up already? It’s only 4 o’clock. * We arrived just as the musicians were packing up their instruments.\n2 (BrE, informal) to stop doing sth, especially a job:\nWhat made you pack up a good job like that?\nsee also PACK (2)\n    noun\n  container\n \n  1  [C] (especially AmE) a container, usually made of paper, that holds a number of the same thing or an amount of sth, ready to be sold:\na pack of cigarettes / gum * You can buy the disks in packs of ten.\ncompare PACKAGE, PACKET\nsee also FLAT-PACK, SIX-PACK\n \n  set\n \n  2  [C] a set of different things that are supplied together for a particular purpose:\nSend for your free information pack today.\n  things tied for carrying\n  3  [C] a number of things that are wrapped or tied together, especially for carrying:\ndonkeys carrying packs of wool * (figurative) Everything she told us is a pack of lies (= a story that is completely false).\n  large bag\n  4  [C] a large bag that you carry on your back, with straps that fit over your shoulders:\nWe passed a group of walkers, carrying huge packs.\nsee also BACKPACK, FANNY PACK\n  of animals\n  5  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of animals that hunt together or are kept for hunting:\npacks of savage dogs * wolves hunting in packs * a pack of hounds\n  of people\n  6  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of similar people or things, especially one that you do not like or approve of:\nWe avoided a pack of journalists waiting outside. * He’s the leader of the pack. * Of all the newspapers, this one is the worst of the pack.\n  7  [C+sing./pl. v.] all the people who are behind the leaders in a race, competition, etc:\nmeasures aimed at keeping the company ahead of the pack\n  of cards\n  8  (BrE) (also deck AmE, BrE) [C] a complete set of 52 playing cards:\na pack of cards * During the earthquake, buildings collapsed like a pack of cards.\n  of cubs / brownies\n  9  [C+sing./pl. v.] an organized group of CUBS or BROWNIES:\nto join a Brownie pack\n  for wound\n  10  [C] a hot or cold piece of soft material that absorbs liquid, used for treating a wound\nsee also ICE PACK, FACE PACK\n IDIOMS  see JOKER


Words: pack ice
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a large mass of ice floating in the sea, formed from smaller pieces that have frozen together


Words: package
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (especially AmE) = PARCEL:\nA large package has arrived for you.\ncompare PACK\n \n  2  (AmE) a box, bag, etc. in which things are wrapped or packed; the contents of a box etc:\nCheck the list of ingredients on the side of the package. * a package of hamburger buns\ncompare PACKET\n \n  3  (also package deal) a set of items or ideas that must be bought or accepted together:\na benefits package * an aid package * a package of measures to help small businesses\n  4  (also software package) (computing) a set of related programs for a particular type of task such as WORD PROCESSING, sold and used as a single unit:\nThe system came with a database software package.\n    verb [VN] [often passive]\n  1  ~ sth (up) to put sth into a box, bag, etc. to be sold or transported:\npackaged food / goods * We package our products in recyclable materials. * The orders were already packaged up, ready to be sent.\n  2  ~ sb/sth (as sth) to present sb/sth in a particular way:\npoliticians who are packaged and presented to the public * an attempt to package news as entertainment


Words: package tour
Meaning:
(BrE also package holiday) noun\na holiday/vacation that is organized by a company at a fixed price and that includes the cost of travel, hotels, etc.


Words: packaging
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  materials used to wrap or protect goods that are sold in shops/stores:\nAttractive packaging can help to sell products.\n  2  the process of wrapping goods:\nHis company offers a flexible packaging service for the food industry.


Words: packed
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  extremely full of people:\nThe restaurant was packed. * The show played to packed houses (= large audiences).\n  2  ~ with sth containing a lot of a particular thing:\nThe book is packed with information.\n  3  tightly ~ pressed closely together:\nThe birds’ nests are lined with tightly packed leaves.\n  4  [not before noun] (informal) having put everything you need into cases, boxes, etc. before you go somewhere:\nI’m all packed and ready to go.


Words: packed lunch
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE bag lunch) noun\na meal of sandwiches, fruit, etc. that is prepared at home and eaten at school, work, etc.


Words: packed out
Meaning:
adjective\n[not before noun] (informal, especially BrE) completely full of people or things:\nOpera houses are packed out wherever she sings.


Words: packer
Meaning:
noun\na person, machine or company that puts food, goods, etc. into containers to be sold or sent to sb


Words: packet
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (BrE) a small paper or cardboard container in which goods are packed for selling:\na packet of biscuits / cigarettes / crisps\ncompare PACKAGE, PACK n. (1)\n \n  2  a small object wrapped in paper or put into a thick envelope so that it can be sent by mail, carried easily or given as a present:\nA packet of photographs arrived with the mail.\n \n  3  (AmE) = SACHET:\na packet of instant cocoa mix\n  4  [sing.] (informal) a large amount of money:\nThat car must have cost a packet.\n  5  (computing) a piece of information that forms part of a message sent through a computer NETWORK:\nThe data transmission is split into a number of packets of equal size.\nsee also PAY PACKET


Words: packing
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the act of putting your possessions, clothes, etc. into bags or boxes in order to take or send them somewhere:\nHave you finished your packing?\n  2  material used for wrapping around delicate objects in order to protect them, especially before sending them somewhere: (BrE) The price includes postage and packing.


Words: pact
Meaning:
noun\n~ (between A and B) | ~ (with sb) (to do sth) a formal agreement between two or more people, groups or countries, especially one in which they agree to help each other:\na non-aggression pact * They have made a pact with each other not to speak about their differences in public. * a suicide pact (= an agreement by two or more people to kill themselves at the same time) * The two parties agreed an electoral pact.


Words: pacy
Meaning:
adjective (informal)\n  1  (of a book, film / movie, etc.) having a story that develops quickly:\na pacy thriller\n  2  able to run quickly:\na pacy winger who can also score goals


Words: pad
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  of soft material\n \n  1  a thick piece of soft material that is used, for example, for absorbing liquid, cleaning or protecting sth:\nmedicated cleansing pads for sensitive skin * sanitary pads (= that a woman uses during her PERIODS)\nsee also SHOULDER PAD\n \n  of paper\n \n  2  a number of pieces of paper for writing or drawing on, that are fastened together at one edge:\na sketch / writing pad * She always kept a pad and pencil by the phone.\nsee also NOTEPAD, SCRATCH PAD\n  of animal’s foot\n  3  the soft part under the foot of a cat, dog, etc:\nA cat detects vibrations through the pads of its feet.\n  for cleaning\n  4  [C] a small piece of rough material used for cleaning pans, surfaces, etc:\na scouring pad\n  for spacecraft / helicopter\n  5  a flat surface where a spacecraft or a HELICOPTER takes off and lands:\nhelicopter landing pads * Two booster rockets will power the shuttle off the pad.\nsee also HELIPAD, LAUNCH PAD\n  for protection\n  6  [usually pl.] a piece of thick material that you wear in some sports, for example football and cricket, to protect your legs, elbows, etc.\n  of water plants\n  7  the large flat leaf of some water plants, especially the WATER LILY:\nfloating lily pads\n  flat / apartment\n  8  [usually sing.] (old-fashioned, informal) the place where sb lives, especially a flat/apartment:\nHe moved back into his old bachelor pad.\nsee also INK-PAD, KEYPAD\n    verb (-dd-)\n  add soft material\n  1  [VN] [often passive] ~ sth (with sth) to put a layer of soft material in or on sth in order to protect it, make it thicker or change its shape:\nAll the sharp corners were padded with foam. * a padded jacket * a padded envelope (= for sending delicate objects)\n  walk quietly\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] to walk with quiet steps:\nShe padded across the room to the window.\n  bills\n  3  [VN] (AmE) to dishonestly add items to bills to obtain more money:\nto pad bills / expense accounts\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pad sth<->out\n1 to put soft material into a piece of clothing in order to change its shape\n2 to make sth such as an article, seem longer or more impressive by adding things that are unnecessary:\nThe report was padded out with extracts from previous documents.


Words: padded cell
Meaning:
noun\na room in a hospital for mentally ill people, with soft walls to prevent violent patients from injuring themselves


Words: padding
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  soft material that is placed inside sth to make it more comfortable or to change its shape:\nThe shoes have thick padding at the ankle to offer greater support. * The actor’s were made rounder for the part using cotton wool padding.\n  2  words that are used to make a speech, piece of writing, etc. longer, but that do not contain any interesting information:\nSome of the quotations are useful, others are little more than padding.


Words: paddle
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a short pole with a flat wide part at one or both ends, that you hold in both hands and use for moving a small boat, especially a CANOE, through water\ncompare OAR\n \n  2  [C] a tool or part of a machine shaped like a paddle, especially one used for mixing food\n \n  3  (a paddle) [sing.] (BrE) an act or period of walking in shallow water with bare feet:\nLet’s go for a paddle.\nsee also DOG-PADDLE\n \n  4  (AmE) a bat used for playing TABLE TENNIS\n  5  (AmE) a piece of wood with a handle, used for hitting children as a punishment\n IDIOMS  see CREEK\n    verb\n  1  [usually +adv./prep.] to move a small boat through water using a paddle:\n[V] We paddled downstream for about a mile. * [VN] We paddled the canoe along the coast.\n  2  (BrE) (AmE wade) [V] to walk or stand with bare feet in shallow water in the sea, a lake, etc:\nThe children have gone paddling.\n  3  [V] to swim with short movements of your hands or feet up and down\n  4  [VN] (AmE) to hit a child with a flat piece of wood as a punishment


Words: paddle steamer
Meaning:
(BrE) (also paddleboat AmE, BrE) noun\nan old-fashioned type of boat driven by steam and moved forward by a large wheel or wheels at the side


Words: paddling pool
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE wading pool) noun\na shallow swimming pool for children to play in, especially a small plastic one that you fill with water


Words: paddock
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small field in which horses are kept\n  2  (in horse racing or motor racing) an enclosed area where horses or cars are taken before a race and shown to the public


Words: paddy
Meaning:
noun (plural paddies)\n  1  (also paddy field) a field in which rice is grown:\na rice paddy\n  2  [usually sing.] (BrE, informal) a state of being angry or in a bad mood:\nThe news put him in a bit of a paddy.


Words: padlock
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun a type of lock that is used to fasten two things together or to fasten one thing to another. Padlocks are used with chains on gates, bicycles, etc.\n    verb [VN] ~ sth (to sth) to lock sth with a padlock:\nShe always padlocked her bike to the railings. * The doors were padlocked.


Words: padre
Meaning:
noun\n(often used as a form of address) a priest, or other Christian MINISTER, especially in the armed forces\ncompare CHAPLAIN


Words: paediatrics
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE pediatrics)  noun\n[U] the branch of medicine concerned with children and their diseases\n    paediatric (BrE) (AmE pediatric) adjective:\npaediatric surgery


Words: paedophilia
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE pedophilia)  noun\n[U] the condition of being sexually attracted to children; sexual activity with children


Words: paella
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] a Spanish dish of rice, chicken, fish and vegetables, cooked and served in a large shallow pan


Words: pagan
Meaning:
noun (often disapproving)\n  1  a person who holds religious beliefs that are not part of any of the world’s main religions\n  2  used in the past by Christians to describe a person who did not believe in Christianity\n    pagan adjective:\na pagan festival / religion\n    paganism  noun [U]


Words: page
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (abbreviation p) one side or both sides of a sheet of paper in a book, magazine, etc:\nTurn to page 64. * Someone has torn a page out of this book. * a blank / new page * the sports / financial pages of the newspaper * on the opposite / facing page * over the page (= on the next page)\nsee also FRONT-PAGE, FULL-PAGE, YELLOW PAGES\n  2  a section of data or information that can be shown on a computer screen at any one time\nsee also HOME PAGE\n  3  (literary) an important event or period of history:\na glorious page of Arab history\n  4  (BrE) = PAGEBOY\n  5  (in the Middle Ages) a boy or young man who worked for a KNIGHT while training to be a knight himself\n  6  (AmE) a student who works as an assistant to a member of the US Congress\n IDIOMS  see PRINT v.\n    verb [VN] \n  1  to call sb’s name over a PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM in order to find them and give them a message:\nWhy don’t you have him paged at the airport?\n  2  to contact sb by sending a message to their PAGER:\nPage Dr Green immediately.


Words: pageant
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a public entertainment in which people dress in historical COSTUMES and give performances of scenes from history\n  2  (AmE) a competition for young women in which their beauty, personal qualities and skills are judged:\na beauty pageant\ncompare BEAUTY CONTEST\n  3  ~ (of sth) (literary) something that is considered as a series of interesting and different events:\nlife’s rich pageant


Words: pageantry
Meaning:
noun\n[U] impressive and colourful events and ceremonies involving a lot of people wearing special clothes:\nthe pageantry of royal occasions


Words: pageboy
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also page) (both BrE) (also bellboy AmE, BrE) (AmE also bellhop) a boy or young man, usually in uniform, employed in a hotel to carry cases, open doors for people, etc.\n  2  (also page) (both BrE) a small boy who helps or follows a BRIDE during a marriage ceremony\ncompare BRIDESMAID\n  3  a woman’s hairstyle in which the hair is shoulder-length and turned under at the ends


Words: pager
Meaning:
noun\na small electronic device that you carry around with you and that shows a message or lets you know when sb is trying to contact you, for example by making a sound:\nTry to contact him on his pager. * Suddenly a pager went off.\nsee also BEEPER, BLEEPER


Words: paginate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (technical) to give a number to each page of a book, piece of writing, etc:\nThe essay was wrongly paginated.


Words: pagination
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (technical) the process of giving a page number to each page of a book; the page numbers given


Words: pagoda
Meaning:
noun\na TEMPLE (= religious building) in India or E Asia in the form of a tall tower with several levels, each of which has its own roof which stretches over the floor below


Words: pah
Meaning:
exclamation\nused to represent the sound that people make when they disagree with sth or disapprove of sth strongly


Words: paid
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  (of work, etc.) for which people receive money:\nNeither of them is currently in paid employment. * a well-paid job\n  2  (of a person) receiving money for doing work:\nMen still outnumber women in the paid workforce. * I’m just a poorly paid teacher.\nOPP UNPAID\nsee also PAY v.


Words: paid-up
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  having paid all the money necessary to be a member of a club or an organization:\na fully paid-up member\n  2  (informal) strongly supporting sb/sth:\na fully paid-up environmental campaigner


Words: pain
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun-see also PAINS\n  1  [U, C] the feelings that you have in your body when you have been hurt or when you are ill:\na cry of pain * She was clearly in a lot of pain. * He felt a sharp pain in his knee. * patients suffering from acute back pain * stomach / chest pains * You get more aches and pains as you get older. * The booklet contains information on pain relief during labour. * This cream should help to relieve the pain.\nsee also GROWING PAINS\n  2  [U, C] mental or emotional suffering:\nthe pain of separation / loss * I never meant to cause her pain. * the pleasures and pains of growing old * a life full of pain and suffering\n  3  [C] (informal) a person or thing that is very annoying:\nShe can be a real pain when she’s in a bad mood. * It’s a pain having to go all that way for just one meeting.\n IDIOMS \n  on / under pain of sth (formal) with the threat of having sth done to you as a punishment if you do not obey:\nThey were required to cut pollution levels, on pain of a ｣10 000 fine if they disobeyed.\n  a pain in the neck (BrE also a pain in the arse / backside) (AmE also a pain in the ass / butt) (informal) a person or thing that is very annoying\n    verb (not used in the progressive tenses) (formal) to cause sb pain or make them unhappy\nSYN HURT:\n[VN] She was deeply pained by the accusation. * (old use) The wound still pained him occasionally. * [VN to inf] It pains me to see you like this. [also VN that]


Words: pained
Meaning:
adjective\nshowing that sb is feeling annoyed or upset:\na pained expression / voice * She looked pained.


Words: painful
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  causing you pain:\nIs your back still painful? * a painful death * My ankle is still too painful to walk on. * He took a painful blow on the shoulder.\n  2  ~ (for sb) (to do sth) | ~ (doing sth) causing you to feel upset or embarrassed:\na painful experience / memory * Their efforts were painful to watch.\n  3  unpleasant or difficult to do:\nApplying for jobs can be a long and painful process.


Words: painfully
Meaning:
adverb\n  1  extremely, and in a way that makes you feel annoyed, upset, etc:\npainfully shy / thin * He was painfully aware of his lack of experience. * Progress has been painfully slow.\n  2  in a way that causes you physical or emotional pain:\nHe banged his knee painfully against the desk.\n  3  with a lot of effort and difficulty:\npainfully acquired experience


Words: painkiller
Meaning:
noun\na drug that reduces pain:\nShe’s on (= taking) painkillers.\n    painkilling adjective:\npainkilling drugs / injections


Words: painless
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  causing you no pain:\na painless death * The treatment is painless.\n  2  not unpleasant or difficult to do:\nThe interview was relatively painless.\n    painlessly adverb


Words: pains
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.]\n IDIOMS \n  be at pains to do sth to put a lot of effort into doing sth correctly:\nShe was at great pains to stress the advantages of the new system.\n  for your pains (especially BrE, often ironic) as payment, reward or thanks for sth you have done:\nI told her what I thought and got a mouthful of abuse for my pains!\n  take (great) pains (to do sth) | go to great pains (to do sth) to put a lot of effort into doing sth:\nThe couple went to great pains to keep their plans secret.\n  take (great) pains with / over sth to do sth very carefully:\nHe always takes great pains with his lectures.


Words: painstaking
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] needing a lot of care, effort and attention to detail:\npainstaking research * The event had been planned with painstaking attention to detail.\n    painstakingly adverb:\nThe building has been painstakingly restored to all its former elegance.


Words: paint
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] a liquid that is put on surfaces to give them a particular colour; a layer of this liquid when it has dried on a surface:\nwhite / yellow paint * gloss / matt / acrylic paint * The woodwork has recently been given a fresh coat of paint. * Wet paint! (= used as a sign) * The paint is starting to peel off.\nsee also GREASEPAINT, OIL PAINT, WARPAINT\n \n  2  (paints) [pl.] tubes or blocks of paint used for painting pictures:\noil paints\n    verb\n  1  ~ sth (with sth) to cover a surface or object with paint:\n[VN] We’ve decided to have the house painted. * Paint the shed with weather-resistant paint. * a brightly painted barge * [VN-ADJ] The walls were painted yellow. [also VN-N, V]\n  2  ~ (in sth) | ~ sth (on sth) to make a picture or design using paints:\n[VN] to paint landscapes / portraits * A friend painted the children for me (= painted a picture of the children). * Slogans had been painted on the walls. * [V] She paints in oils. * My mother paints well.\n  3  [VN] ~ sb/sth (as sth) to give a particular impression of sb/sth\nSYN PORTRAY:\nThe article paints them as a bunch of petty criminals. * The documentary painted her in a bad light.\n  4  [VN] to put coloured MAKE-UP on your nails, lips, etc.\n IDIOMS \n  paint a (grim, gloomy, rosy, etc.) picture of sb/sth to describe sth in a particular way; to give a particular impression of sb/sth:\nThe report paints a vivid picture of life in the city. * Journalists paint a grim picture of conditions in the camps.\n  paint the town red (informal) to go to a lot of different bars, clubs, etc. and enjoy yourself\n  paint sth with a broad brush to describe sth in a general way, ignoring the details\nmore at BLACK adj.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  paint sth<->out to cover part of a picture, sign, etc. with another layer of paint:\nThe premises have been sold and the company name painted out.\n  paint over sth to cover sth with a layer of paint:\nWe painted over the dirty marks on the wall.


Words: painter
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a person whose job is painting buildings, walls, etc:\nHe works as a painter and decorator.\n \n  2  an artist who paints pictures:\na famous painter * a portrait / landscape painter\n \n  3  a rope fastened to the front of a boat, used for tying it to a post, ship, etc.


Words: painting
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a picture that has been painted:\na collection of paintings by American artists * cave paintings\nsee also OIL PAINTING\n \n  2  [U] the act or art of using paint to produce pictures:\nHer hobbies include music and painting.\n \n  3  [U] the act of putting paint onto the surface of objects, walls, etc:\npainting and decorating


Words: paintwork
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the layer of paint on the surface of a door, wall, car, etc:\nThe paintwork is beginning to peel. * I’ve only had the car a week and the paintwork is scratched already.


Words: pair
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  two things the same\n  1  [C] two things of the same type, especially when they are used or worn together:\na pair of gloves / shoes / earrings * a huge pair of eyes * The vase is one of a matching pair. * a pair of aces / kings (= two playing cards that have the same value)\n  two parts joined\n  2  [C] an object consisting of two parts that are joined together:\na pair of trousers / pants / jeans * a pair of glasses / binoculars / scissors\n HELP NOTE  A plural verb is sometimes used with pair in the singular in senses 1 and 2. In informal AmE some people use pair as a plural form: three pair of shoes. This is not considered correct in written English.\n  two people\n  3  [C+sing./pl. v.] two people who are doing sth together or who have a particular relationship:\nGet pairs of students to act out the dialogue in front of the class. * (informal) I’ve had enough of the pair of you!\n HELP NOTE  In BrE a plural verb is usually used: A pair of children were kicking a ball about. * The pair are planning a trip to India together.\n  two animals / birds\n  4  [C+sing./pl. v.] two animals or birds of the same type that are breeding together:\na breeding pair * a pair of swans * pair bonding (= the process of animals forming a pair for breeding)\n  two horses\n  5  [C] two horses working together to pull a carriage:\na carriage and pair\nsee also AU PAIR\n IDIOMS \n  a pair of hands (informal) a person who can do, or is doing, a job:\nWe need an extra pair of hands if we’re going to finish on time. * Colleagues regard him as a safe pair of hands (= sb who can be relied on to do a job well).\n  in pairs in groups of two objects or people:\nStudents worked in pairs on the project.\n  I’ve only got one pair of hands (spoken) used to say that you are too busy to do anything else\n    verb\n  make groups of two\n  1  [VN] [usually passive] ~ A with B | ~ A and B (together) to put people or things into groups of two:\nEach blind student was paired with a sighted student. * All the shoes on the floor were neatly paired.\n  of animals / birds\n  2  [V] (technical) to come together in order to breed:\nMany of the species pair for life.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pair off (with sb) | pair sb<->off (with sb) to come together, especially in order to have a romantic relationship; to bring two people together for this purpose:\nIt seemed that all her friends were pairing off. * He’s always trying to pair me off with his cousin.\n  pair up (with sb) | pair sb<->up (with sb) to come together or to bring two people together to work, play a game, etc.


Words: pairing
Meaning:
noun\ntwo people or things that work together or are placed together; the act of placing them together:\nTonight they take on a Chinese pairing in their bid to reach the final tomorrow.


Words: Paki
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal) an offensive word for a person from Pakistan, especially one living in Britain


Words: pal
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  (informal, becoming old-fashioned) a friend:\nWe’ve been pals for years.\nsee also PEN PAL\n  2  (spoken) used to address a man in an unfriendly way:\nIf I were you, pal, I’d stay away from her!\n    pally adjective:\nI got very pally (= friendly) with him.\n    verb (-ll-)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pal around (with sb) (informal, especially AmE) to do things with sb as a friend:\nI palled around with him and his sister at school.\n  pal up (with sb) (BrE) (AmE buddy up (to / with sb)) (informal) to become sb’s friend:\nThey palled up while they were at college.


Words: palace
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] the official home of a king, queen, president, etc:\nBuckingham Palace * the royal / presidential palace\n  2  (often the Palace) [sing.] the people who live in a palace, especially the British royal family:\nThe Palace last night refused to comment on the reports. * a Palace spokesman\n  3  [C] any large impressive house:\nThe Old Town has a whole collection of churches, palaces and mosques.\n  4  [C] (old-fashioned) (sometimes used in the names of buildings) a large public building, such as a hotel or cinema/movie theater:\nthe Strand Palace Hotel * old movie palaces


Words: palace coup
Meaning:
(also palace revolution) noun\na situation in which a ruler or leader has their power taken away from them by sb within the same party, etc:\nHe deposed his father in a palace coup in 1970.


Words: palaeo-
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually paleo-)  combining form\n(in nouns, adjectives and adverbs) connected with ancient times:\npalaeography (= the study of ancient writing)


Words: palaeolithic
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually paleolithic)  adjective\nfrom or connected with the early part of the Stone Age


Words: palaeontology
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually paleontology)  noun\n[U] the study of FOSSILS (= the remains of animals or plants in rocks) as a guide to the history of life on earth


Words: palatable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of food or drink) having a pleasant or acceptable taste:\na very palatable local wine\n  2  ~ (to sb) pleasant or acceptable to sb:\nSome of the dialogue has been changed to make it more palatable to an American audience.\nOPP UNPALATABLE


Words: palatal
Meaning:
noun\n(phonetics) a speech sound made by placing the tongue against or near the hard palate of the mouth, for example / d{zh} /  \n    palatal adjective


Words: palate
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the top part of the inside of the mouth:\nthe hard / soft palate (= the hard / soft part at the front / back of the palate)\nsee also CLEFT PALATE\n  2  [usually sing.] the ability to recognize and/or enjoy good food and drink:\na menu to tempt even the most jaded palate


Words: palatial
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (of a room or building) extremely large and impressive, like a PALACE


Words: palatinate
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the area ruled by a Count Palatine (= a ruler with the power of a king or queen)\n  2  (the Palatinate) the land of the German Empire that was ruled over by the Count Palatine of the Rhine


Words: palatine
Meaning:
adjective [only before noun]\n  1  (of an official, etc. in the past) having the power in a particular area that a king or queen usually has:\na Count Palatine\n  2  (of an area of land) ruled over by sb who has the power of a king or queen:\na county palatine


Words: palaver
Meaning:
noun (informal)\n  1  [U, sing.] (BrE) a lot of unnecessary activity, excitement or trouble, especially caused by sth that is unimportant:\nWhat’s all the palaver about? * What a palaver it is, trying to get a new visa!\n  2  [U] (AmE) talk that does not have any meaning; nonsense:\nHe’s talking palaver.


Words: pale
Meaning:
adjective, verb, noun \n    adjective (paler, palest)\n  1  (of a person, their face, etc.) having skin that is almost white; having skin that is whiter than usual because of illness, a strong emotion, etc:\na pale complexion * pale with anger / fear / shock * to go / turn pale * You look pale. Are you OK? * The ordeal left her looking pale and drawn.\nsee also PALLOR\n  2  light in colour; containing a lot of white:\npale blue eyes * a paler shade of green * a pale sky\nOPP DARK, DEEP\n  3  (of light) not strong or bright:\nthe cold pale light of dawn\nsee also PALLID\n    palely  adverb:\nMark stared palely (= with a pale face) at his plate.\n    paleness noun [U] \n    verb [V] ~ (at sth) (written) to become paler than usual:\nShe (= her face) paled visibly at the sight of the police car. * The blue of the sky paled to a light grey.\n IDIOMS \n  pale beside / next to sth | pale in / by comparison (with / to sth) | pale into insignificance to seem less important when compared with sth else:\nLast year’s riots pale in comparison with this latest outburst of violence. * Our problems pale into insignificance when compared to theirs.\n    noun\n IDIOMS \n  beyond the pale considered by most people to be unacceptable or unreasonable:\nHis remarks were clearly beyond the pale. * She has put herself beyond the pale (= behaved in a way that is unacceptable).


Words: palette
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a thin board with a hole in it for the thumb to go through, used by an artist for mixing colours on when painting\n \n  2  [usually sing.] (technical) the colours used by a particular artist:\nGreens and browns are typical of Ribera’s palette.


Words: palimony
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (informal, especially AmE) money that a court of law orders sb to pay regularly to a former partner when they have lived together without being married\ncompare ALIMONY


Words: palimpsest
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an ancient document from which some or all of the original text has been removed and replaced by a new text\n  2  (formal) something that has many different layers of meaning or detail:\na study of the novel as a palimpsest with one textual layer over another


Words: paling
Meaning:
noun\n[C, usually pl., U] a metal or wooden post that is pointed at the top; a fence made of these posts:\nHe leaned against the paling.


Words: palisade
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a fence made of strong wooden or metal posts that are pointed at the top, especially used to protect a building in the past:\na wooden palisade\n  2  (palisades) [pl.] (AmE) a line of high steep cliffs, especially along a river or by the sea or ocean


Words: pall
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [usually sing.] ~ of sth a thick dark cloud of sth:\na pall of smoke / dust * (figurative) News of her death cast a pall over the event.\n  2  a cloth spread over a COFFIN (= a box used for burying a dead person in)\n    verb [V] (not used in the progressive tenses) ~ (on sb) to become less interesting to sb over a period of time because they have done or seen it too much:\nEven the impressive scenery began to pall on me after a few hundred miles.


Words: pallet
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a heavy wooden or metal base that can be used for moving or storing goods\n  2  a fabric bag filled with STRAW, used for sleeping on:\nServants slept on straw pallets thrown on the floor.


Words: palliate
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (formal) to make a disease or an illness less painful or unpleasant but without curing it


Words: palliative
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (medical) a medicine or medical treatment that reduces pain without curing its cause:\nAromatherapy can be used as a palliative.\n  2  (formal, usually disapproving) an action, a decision, etc. that is designed to make a difficult situation seem better without actually solving the cause of the problems:\nGrants by themselves provide little more than a temporary palliative to ailing industries.\n    palliative adjective [usually before noun]:\npalliative treatment * short-term palliative measures


Words: pallid
Meaning:
adjective (written)\n  1  (of a person, their face, etc.) pale, especially because of illness:\na pallid complexion / face\n  2  (of colours or light) not strong or bright, and therefore not attractive:\na pallid sun / sky


Words: pallor
Meaning:
noun\n[U] pale colouring of the face, especially because of illness or fear:\nHer cheeks had an unhealthy pallor.


Words: palm
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  the inner surface of the hand between the wrist and the fingers:\nHe held the bird gently in the palm of his hand. * sweaty palms * to read sb’s palm (= to say what will happen to sb by looking at the lines on their palm)\n \n  2  (also palm tree) a straight tree with a mass of long leaves at the top, growing in tropical countries. There are several types of palm tree, some of which produce fruit:\na date palm * a coconut palm * palm leaves / fronds / groves\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  have sb in the palm of your hand to have complete control or influence over sb:\nEven before he plays a note, he has the audience in the palm of his hand.\nmore at CROSS v., GREASE v.\n    verb [VN] to hide a coin, card, etc. in your hand, especially when performing a trick\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  palm sb<->off (with sth) (informal) to persuade sb to believe an excuse or an explanation that is not true, in order to stop them asking questions or complaining\n  palm sth<->off (on / onto sb) | palm sb<->off (with sth) (informal) to persuade sb to accept sth that has no value or that you do not want, especially by deceiving them:\nShe’s always palming the worst jobs off on her assistant. * Make sure he doesn’t try to palm you off with faulty goods.\n  palm sth off as sth (informal) to tell sb that sth is better than it is, especially in order to sell it:\nThey were trying to palm the table off as a genuine antique.


Words: palm oil
Meaning:
noun\n[U] oil obtained from the fruit of some types of PALM tree, used in cooking and in making soap, candles, etc.


Words: palmist
Meaning:
noun\na person who claims to be able to tell what a person is like and what will happen to them in the future, by looking at the lines on the PALM of their hand


Words: palmistry
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the art of telling what a person is like and what will happen to them by looking at the lines on the PALM of their hand


Words: palmy
Meaning:
adjective\nused to describe a time in the past when life was good:\nThat’s a picture of me in my palmier days.


Words: palpable
Meaning:
adjective\nthat is easily noticed by the mind or the senses:\na palpable sense of loss / relief * The tension in the room was almost palpable. * His statement is palpable nonsense.\n    palpably  adverb:\nIt was palpably clear what she really meant.


Words: palpitate
Meaning:
verb\n[V] (of the heart) to beat rapidly and/or in an irregular way especially because of fear or excitement


Words: palpitations
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] a physical condition in which your heart beats very quickly and in an irregular way:\nJust the thought of flying gives me palpitations (= makes me very nervous).


Words: palsy
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (old-fashioned) PARALYSIS (= loss of control or feeling in part or most of the body), especially when the limbs shake without control\nsee also CEREBRAL PALSY\n    palsied  adjective


Words: paltry
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  (of an amount) too small to be considered as important or useful:\nThis account offers a paltry 1% return on your investment. * a paltry sum\n  2  having no value or useful qualities:\na paltry excuse / gesture


Words: pampas
Meaning:
noun\n(usually the pampas) [sing.+sing./pl. v.] the large area of land in S America that has few trees and is covered in grass


Words: pampas grass
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a type of tall grass from South America that is often grown in gardens/yards for its long silver-white flowers that look like feathers


Words: pamper
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (sometimes disapproving) to take care of sb very well and make them feel as comfortable as possible:\nPamper yourself with our new range of beauty treatments. * a spoilt and pampered child


Words: pan
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a container, usually made of metal, with a handle or handles, used for cooking food in:\npots and pans * a large stainless steel pan\nsee also FRYING PAN, SAUCEPAN\n \n  2  the amount contained in a pan:\na pan of boiling water\n \n  3  (AmE) = TIN (5):\na cake pan\n  4  either of the dishes on a pair of SCALES that you put things into in order to weigh them\n  5  (BrE) the bowl of a toilet\nsee also BEDPAN, DUSTPAN, SKIDPAN, WARMING PAN\n IDIOMS \n  go down the pan (BrE, slang) to be wasted or spoiled:\nThat’s another brilliant idea down the pan.\nmore at FLASH n.\n    verb (-nn-)\n  1  [VN] [usually passive] (informal) to severely criticize sth such as a play or a film/movie:\nThe television series was panned by critics and viewers alike.\n  2  if a television or video camera pans somewhere, or a person pans or pans a camera, the camera moves in a particular direction, to follow an object or to film a wide area: [V, +adv./prep.] The camera panned back to the audience. * [VN] He panned the camera along the row of faces.\n  3  ~ (for sth) to wash soil or small stones in a pan to find gold or other valuable minerals:\n[V] panning for gold [also VN]\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pan out (informal) (of events or a situation) to develop in a particular way:\nI’m happy with the way things have panned out.


Words: pan pipes
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] (BrE) (AmE panpipe [C]) a musical instrument made of a row of pipes of different lengths that you play by blowing across the open ends


Words: pan-
Meaning:
combining form\n(in adjectives and nouns) including all of sth; connected with the whole of sth:\npan-African * pandemic


Words: pan-fry
Meaning:
verb\n(pan-fries, pan-frying, pan-fried, pan-fried) [VN] to fry food in a pan in shallow fat:\npan-fried chicken


Words: panacea
Meaning:
noun\n~ (for sth) something that will solve all the problems of a particular situation:\nThere is no single panacea for the problem of unemployment.


Words: panache
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the quality of being able to do things in a confident and elegant way that other people find attractive:\nShe carried off the performance with panache.


Words: pancake
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] a thin flat round cake made from a mixture of flour, eggs and milk that is fried on both sides, usually eaten hot for breakfast in the US, and in Britain either as a DESSERT with sugar, jam, etc. or as a main course with meat, cheese, etc:\npancakes with maple syrup * a selection of savoury pancakes\n \n  2  [U] thick make-up for the face, used especially in the theatre\n \n IDIOMS  see FLAT adj.


Words: Pancake Day
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (informal) the day before the beginning of Lent, when people in Britain traditionally eat PANCAKES\ncompare SHROVE TUESDAY


Words: pancreas
Meaning:
noun\nan organ near the stomach that produces INSULIN and a liquid that helps the body to DIGEST food\n    pancreatic  adjective [only before noun]:\npancreatic juices / cancer


Words: panda
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also giant panda) a large black and white animal like a bear, that lives in China and is very rare\n  2  (also red panda) an Indian animal like a RACCOON, with reddish-brown fur and a long thick tail


Words: pandemic
Meaning:
noun\na disease that spreads over a whole country or the whole world:\nthe Aids pandemic in Asia\n    pandemic adjective:\na pandemic disease\ncompare ENDEMIC, EPIDEMIC


Words: pandemonium
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a situation in which there is a lot of noise, activity and confusion, especially because people are feeling angry or frightened:\nPandemonium broke out when the news was announced. * There was pandemonium in the classroom till the head appeared.


Words: pander
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pander to sth/sb (disapproving) to do what sb wants, or try to please them, especially when this is not acceptable or reasonable:\nto pander to sb’s whims / wishes * The speech was just pandering to racial prejudice. * He refuses to pander to the latest fashions.


Words: Pandora’s box
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] a process that, if started, will cause many problems that cannot be solved:\nThis court case could open a Pandora’s box of similar claims.\n ORIGIN  From the Greek myth in which Pandora was created by the god Zeus and sent to the earth with a box containing many evils. When she opened the box, the evils came out and infected the earth.


Words: panel
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a square or RECTANGULAR piece of wood, glass or metal that forms part of a larger surface such as a door or wall:\nOne of the glass panels in the front door was cracked.\nsee also SOLAR PANEL\n \n  2  [C] a piece of metal that forms part of the outer frame of a vehicle\n \n  3  [C] a piece of fabric that forms part of a piece of clothing:\nThe trousers have double thickness knee panels for extra protection.\n \n  4  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of specialists who give their advice or opinion about sth; a group of people who discuss topics of interest on television or radio:\nan advisory / interview panel * a panel of experts * We have two politicians on tonight’s panel. * a panel discussion\n  5  [C] (also jury panel) (both especially AmE) = JURY\n  6  [C] a flat board in a vehicle or on a piece of machinery where the controls and instruments are fixed:\nan instrument panel * a control / display panel\n    verb (-ll-, AmE -l-) [VN] [usually passive] to cover or decorate a surface with flat strips of wood, glass, etc:\nThe walls were panelled in oak. * a glass- / wood-panelled door


Words: panel beater
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a person whose job is to remove the DENTS from the outer frame of a vehicle that has been in an accident


Words: panelling
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE paneling)  noun\n[U] square or RECTANGULAR pieces of wood used to cover and decorate walls, ceilings, etc:\nThe room still has all its original oak panelling.


Words: panellist
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE panelist)  noun\na person who is a member of a PANEL answering questions during a discussion, for example on radio or television


Words: pang
Meaning:
noun\na sudden strong feeling of physical or emotional pain:\nhunger pangs / pangs of hunger * a sudden pang of jealousy * She looked at Susan and saw with a pang how tired and frail she seemed.


Words: panhandler
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE, informal) a person who asks other people for money in the street\n    panhandle verb [V]


Words: panic
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun [U, C, usually sing.]\n  1  a sudden feeling of great fear that cannot be controlled and prevents you from thinking clearly:\na moment of panic * They were in a state of panic. * Office workers fled in panic as the fire took hold. * There’s no point getting into a panic about the exams. * a panic attack (= a condition in which you suddenly feel very anxious, causing your heart to beat faster, etc.) * a panic decision (= one that is made when you are in a state of panic) * A look of panic crossed his face. * The mere thought of flying fills me with panic.\n  2  a situation in which people are made to feel very anxious, causing them to act quickly and without thinking carefully:\nNews of the losses caused (a) panic among investors. * Careful planning at this stage will help to avoid a last-minute panic. * There’s no panic (= we do not need to rush), we’ve got plenty of time. * panic buying / selling (= the act of buying / selling things quickly and without thinking carefully because you are afraid that a particular situation will become worse and cause you to lose money)\n IDIOMS \n  panic stations (BrE, informal) a situation in which people feel anxious and there is a lot of confused activity, especially because there is a lot to do in a short period of time:\nIt was panic stations when the deadline was brought forward by a week.\n    verb (-ck-) to suddenly feel frightened so that you cannot think clearly and you say or do sth stupid, dangerous, etc.; to make sb do this: [V] I panicked when I saw smoke coming out of the engine. * [VN] The gunfire panicked the horses.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  panic sb into doing sth [usually passive] to make sb act too quickly because they are afraid of sth:\nWe will not be panicked into making a decision before we have considered all the evidence.


Words: panic button
Meaning:
noun\na button that sb working in a shop, bank, etc. can press to call for help if they are in danger\n IDIOMS \n  press / push the panic button (BrE) to react in a sudden or extreme way to sth unexpected that has frightened you:\nThe prime minister pressed the panic button yesterday as Britain’s economy plunged deeper into crisis.


Words: panic-stricken
Meaning:
adjective\nextremely anxious about sth, in a way that prevents you from thinking clearly:\nHe sounded panic-stricken on the phone. * Jack caught a glimpse of her panic-stricken face.


Words: panicky
Meaning:
adjective\n(informal) anxious about sth; feeling or showing panic:\nHe was feeling panicky. * a panicky voice


Words: pannier
Meaning:
noun\neach of a pair of bags or boxes carried on either side of the back wheel of a bicycle or motorcycle; each of a pair of baskets carried on either side of its back by a horse or DONKEY


Words: panoply
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] (formal) a large and impressive number or collection of sth:\nThe government has promised a whole panoply of social and economic improvements.


Words: panorama
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a view of a wide area of land:\nThere is a superb panorama of the mountains from the hotel. * The tower offers a breathtaking panorama of Prague.\n  2  a description, study or set of pictures that presents all the different aspects or stages of a particular subject, event, etc:\na panorama of rural life since the Middle Ages\n    panoramic  adjective [usually before noun]:\na panoramic view over the valley * a panoramic restaurant / window (= one from which you can see a wide area of land)


Words: pansy
Meaning:
noun (plural pansies)\n \n  1  a small garden plant with brightly coloured flowers\n \n  2  (!!!) an offensive word for a HOMOSEXUAL man


Words: pant
Meaning:
verb\nto breathe quickly with short breaths, usually with your mouth open, because you have been doing some physical exercise, or because it is very hot:\n[V] She finished the race panting heavily. * She could hear him panting up the stairs (= running up and breathing quickly). * He found her panting for breath at the top of the hill. [also V speech]\n    pant noun [usually pl.]:\nHis breath came in short pants.\nsee also PANTS\n IDIOMS  see PUFF v.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pant for / after sb/sth to want sth/sb very much:\nThe end of the novel leaves you panting for more.


Words: pantaloons
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n  1  women’s loose trousers/pants with wide legs that fit tightly at the ankles\n  2  (in the past) men’s tight trousers/pants fastened at the foot


Words: pantheism
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the belief that God is present in all natural things\n  2  belief in many or all gods\n    pantheist  noun\n    pantheistic  adjective


Words: pantheon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (technical) all the gods of a nation or people:\nthe ancient Egyptian pantheon\n  2  (formal) a group of people who are famous within a particular area of activity:\nShe has won her place in the pantheon of popular culture.\n  3  a TEMPLE (= religious building) built in honour of all the gods of a nation; a building in which famous dead people of a nation are buried or HONOURED


Words: pantomime
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (also BrE informal panto) [C, U] (in Britain) a type of play with music, dancing and jokes, that is based on a FAIRY TALE and is usually performed at Christmas:\nWe took the children to a pantomime. * He has also appeared in pantomime. * the pantomime season\n  2  [U, C, usually sing.] the use of movement and the expression of your face to communicate sth or to tell a story \nSYN MIME:\na magical tale told through pantomime and song * When I finally arrived, he made a pantomime of checking his watch and shaking it in disbelief.\n  3  [C, usually sing.] (BrE) a ridiculous situation, usually with a lot of confusion:\nThe company’s board meetings had become a pantomime and no decisions were ever made.


Words: pantry
Meaning:
noun\n(plural pantries) a cupboard/closet or small room in a house, used for storing food\nSYN LARDER


Words: pants
Meaning:
noun [pl.]\n \n  1  (BrE) UNDERPANTS or KNICKERS:\na pair of pants\n \n  2  (especially AmE) trousers:\nski pants\n \n  3  (BrE, slang) (also used as an adjective) something you think is of poor quality:\nTheir new CD is absolute pants! * Do we have to watch this pants programme?\n \n IDIOMS \n  bore, scare, etc. the pants off sb (informal) to make sb extremely bored, frightened, etc.\nmore at ANT, CATCH v., SEAT n., WEAR v., WET v.


Words: pap
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (disapproving) books, magazines, television programmes, etc. that have no real value\n  2  soft or almost liquid food eaten by babies or people who are ill


Words: papacy
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (the papacy) [sing.] the position or the authority of the POPE\n  2  [C, usually sing.] the period of time when a particular POPE is in power:\nduring the papacy of Pope John Paul II


Words: paparazzo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural paparazzi ) [usually pl.] a photographer who follows famous people around in order to get interesting photographs of them to sell to a newspaper


Words: papaya
Meaning:
(BrE also pawpaw) noun\na tropical fruit with yellow and green skin, sweet orange or red flesh and round black seeds


Words: paper
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  for writing / wrapping\n \n  1  [U] (often in compounds) the thin material that you write and draw on and that is also used for wrapping and packing things:\na piece / sheet of paper * a package wrapped in brown paper * recycled paper * She wrote her name and address on a slip (= a small piece) of paper. * Experience is more important for this job than paper qualifications (= that exist on paper, but may not have any real value). * paper losses / profits (= that are shown in accounts but which may not exist in reality)\nsee also NOTEPAPER, WRAPPING PAPER, WRITING PAPER\n \n  newspaper\n \n  2  [C] a newspaper:\na local / national paper * a daily / evening / Sunday paper * I read about it in the paper. * Have you seen today’s paper? * The papers (= newspapers in general) soon got hold of the story.\n \n  documents\n  3  (papers) [pl.] pieces of paper with writing on them, such as letters, pieces of work or private documents:\nHis desk was covered with books and papers. * I found these documents among my father’s papers after his death.\n  4  (papers) [pl.] official documents that prove your identity, give you permission to do sth, etc:\ndivorce / identification papers * Immigration officials will ask to see your papers.\nsee also WALKING PAPERS, WORKING PAPER\n  exam\n  5  [C] (BrE) a set of exam questions on a particular subject; the answers that people write to the questions:\nThe Geography paper was hard. * She spent the evening marking exam papers.\n  article\n  6  [C] an academic article about a particular subject that is written by and for specialists:\na recent paper in the Journal of Medicine * She was invited to give a paper (= a talk) on the results of her research.\nsee also GREEN PAPER, ORDER PAPER, POSITION PAPER, WHITE PAPER, WORKING PAPER (1)\n  7  [C] (AmE) a piece of written work done by a student:\nYour grade will be based on four papers and a final exam.\nsee also TERM PAPER\n  on walls\n  8  [C, U] paper that you use to cover and decorate the walls of a room\nSYN WALLPAPER:\nThe room was damp and the paper was peeling off.\n HELP NOTE  There are many other compounds ending in paper. You will find them at their place in the alphabet.\n IDIOMS \n  on paper\n1 when you put sth on paper, you write it down\n2 judged from written information only, but not proved in practice:\nThe idea looks good on paper.\nmore at PEN n., WORTH adj.\n    verb [VN] to decorate the walls of a room by covering them with WALLPAPER\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  paper over sth\n1 to cover a wall with WALLPAPER in order to hide sth:\nThe previous owners had obviously papered over any damp patches. = WALLPAPER\n2 to try to hide a problem or disagreement in a way that is temporary and not likely to be successful:\nThe government is trying to paper over the cracks in the cabinet. * We can’t just paper over the problem.


Words: paper round
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) (AmE paper route) noun the job of delivering newspapers to houses; the route taken when doing this:\nI used to do a Sunday morning paper round.


Words: paper tiger
Meaning:
noun\na person, a country or a situation that seems or claims to be powerful or dangerous but is not really


Words: paper towel
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a thick sheet of paper that you use to dry your hands or to absorb water\n  2  [U] (AmE) = KITCHEN PAPER


Words: paper trail
Meaning:
noun\n(informal, especially AmE) a series of documents that provide evidence of what you have done or what has happened:\nHe was a shrewd lawyer with a talent for uncovering paper trails of fraud.


Words: paperback
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] a book that has a thick paper cover:\na cheap paperback * When is it coming out in paperback? * a paperback book / edition\ncompare HARDBACK


Words: paperless
Meaning:
adjective\nusing computers, telephones, etc. rather than paper to exchange information:\nthe paperless office * a system of paperless business transactions


Words: paperwork
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the written work that is part of a job, such as filling in forms or writing letters and reports:\nWe’re trying to cut down on the amount of paperwork involved. * I spent the afternoon doing routine paperwork. * a mound / mountain of paperwork\n  2  all the documents that you need for sth, such as a court case or buying a house:\nHow quickly can you prepare the paperwork? * legal / court paperwork


Words: papier mache
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (from French) paper mixed with glue or flour and water, that is used to make ornaments, etc.


Words: papyrus
Meaning:
1  [U] a tall plant with thick stems that grows in water\n  2  [U] paper made from the stems of the papyrus plant, used in ancient Egypt for writing and drawing on\n  3  [C] a document or piece of paper made of papyrus


Words: par
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (in golf) the number of strokes a good player should need to complete a course or to hit the ball into a particular hole:\na par five hole * Par for the course is 72. * She went round the course in three under (= three strokes less than) par.\n  2  (also par value) (business) the value that a share in a company had originally:\nto be redeemed at par\n IDIOMS \n  below / under par less well, good, etc. than is usual or expected:\nI may take tomorrow off if I’m still feeling under par. * Teaching in some subjects has been well below par.\n  be par for the course (disapproving) to be just what you would expect to happen or expect sb to do in a particular situation:\nStarting early and working long hours is par for the course in this job.\n  on a par with sb/sth as good, bad, important, etc. as sb/sth else\n  up to par as good as usual or as good as it should be:\nI didn’t think her performance was up to par.


Words: par excellence
Meaning:
adjective\n(from French) (only used after the noun it describes) better than all the others of the same kind; a very good example of sth:\nShe turned out to be an organizer par excellence.\n    par excellence adverb:\nChemistry was par excellence the laboratory science of the early nineteenth century.


Words: para-
Meaning:
prefix (in nouns and adjectives)\n  1  beyond:\nparanormal\n  2  similar to but not official or not fully qualified:\nparamilitary * a paramedic


Words: parable
Meaning:
noun\na short story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson, especially one of those told by Jesus as recorded in the Bible


Words: parabola
Meaning:
noun\n(geometry) a curve like the path of an object thrown into the air and falling back to earth\n \n    parabolic  adjective:\nparabolic curves


Words: paracetamol
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (plural paracetamol or paracetamols) a drug used to reduce pain and fever:\nDo you have any paracetamol? * Take two paracetamol(s) and try to sleep.


Words: parachute
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n (also informal chute) a device that is attached to people or objects to make them fall slowly and safely when they are dropped from an aircraft. It consists of a large piece of thin cloth that opens out in the air to form an umbrella shape:\nPlanes dropped supplies by parachute. * a parachute drop / jump * a parachute regiment\n    verb\n  1  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to jump from an aircraft using a parachute:\nThe pilot was able to parachute to safety. * She regularly goes parachuting.\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] to drop sb/sth from an aircraft by parachute:\nSupplies were parachuted into the region.


Words: parade
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  public celebration\n \n  1  [C] a public celebration of a special day or event, usually with bands in the streets and decorated vehicles:\nthe Lord Mayor’s parade * St Patrick’s Day parade in New York\n \n  of soldiers\n \n  2  [C, U] a formal occasion when soldiers march or stand in lines so that they can be examined by their officers or other important people:\na military parade * They stood as straight as soldiers on parade. * (figurative) The latest software will be on parade at the exhibition.\nsee also IDENTIFICATION PARADE\n \n  series\n  3  [C] a series of things or people:\nEach generation passes through a similar parade of events.\n  wealth / knowledge\n  4  [C, usually sing.] ~ of wealth, knowledge, etc. (often disapproving) an obvious display of sth, particularly in order to impress other people\n  row of shops\n  5  [C] (especially BrE) (often in names) a street with a row of small shops:\na shopping parade\n IDIOMS  see RAIN v.\n    verb\n  walk to celebrate / protest\n  1  [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to walk somewhere in a formal group of people, in order to celebrate or protest about sth:\nThe victorious team will parade through the city tomorrow morning.\n  show in public\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] to walk around in a way that makes other people notice you:\nPeople were parading up and down showing off their finest clothes.\n  3  [VN +adv./prep.] to show sb/sth in public so that people can see them/it:\nThe trophy was paraded around the stadium. * The prisoners were paraded in front of the crowd. * (figurative) He is not one to parade his achievements.\n  of soldiers\n  4  [+adv./prep.] to come together, or to bring soldiers together, in order to march in front of other people:\n[V] The crowds applauded as the guards paraded past. * [VN] The colonel paraded his men before the Queen.\n  pretend\n  5  ~ (sb/sth) as sth to pretend to be, or to make sb/sth seem to be, good or important when they are not:\n[V] myth parading as fact * [VN] He paraded himself as a loyal supporter of the party.


Words: parade ground
Meaning:
noun\na place where soldiers gather to march or to be INSPECTED by an officer or an important visitor


Words: paradigm
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (formal or technical) a typical example or pattern of sth:\na paradigm for students to copy * The war was a paradigm of the evil and destructive side of human nature.\n  2  (grammar) a set of all the different forms of a word:\nverb paradigms\n    paradigmatic  adjective


Words: paradise
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (often Paradise) [U] (in some religions) a perfect place where people go when they die \nSYN HEAVEN:\nThe Ancient Egyptians saw paradise as an idealized version of their own lives.\n  2  [C] a place that is extremely beautiful and that seems perfect, like heaven:\na tropical paradise\n  3  [C] a perfect place for a particular activity or kind of person:\nThe area is a birdwatcher’s paradise.\n  4  [U] a state of perfect happiness:\nBeing alone is his idea of paradise.\n  5  (Paradise) [U] (in the Bible) the garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve lived


Words: paradox
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a person, thing or situation that has two opposite features and therefore seems strange:\nHe was a paradox-a loner who loved to chat to strangers. * It is a curious paradox that professional comedians often have unhappy personal lives.\n  2  [C, U] a statement containing two opposite ideas that make it seem impossible or unlikely, although it is probably true; the use of this in writing:\n’More haste, less speed’ is a well-known paradox. * It’s a work full of paradox and ambiguity.\n    paradoxical  adjective:\nIt is paradoxical that some of the poorest people live in some of the richest areas of the country.\n    paradoxically  adverb:\nParadoxically, the less she ate, the fatter she got.


Words: paraffin
Meaning:
(also paraffin oil) (both especially BrE) (also kerosene especially in AmE) noun\n[U] a type of oil obtained from PETROLEUM, coal, etc. and used as a fuel for heat and light:\na paraffin heater / lamp / stove


Words: paraffin wax
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a soft white substance that is made from PETROLEUM or coal, and is used especially for making candles


Words: paragliding
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a sport in which you wear a special structure like a PARACHUTE, jump from a plane or a high place and are carried along by the wind before coming down to earth:\nto go paragliding


Words: paragon
Meaning:
noun\na person who is perfect or who is a perfect example of a particular good quality:\nI make no claim to be a paragon. * He wasn’t the paragon of virtue she had expected.


Words: paragraph
Meaning:
noun\n(abbreviation par., para.) a section of a piece of writing, usually consisting of several sentences dealing with a single subject. The first sentence of a paragraph starts on a new line:\nan opening / introductory paragraph * Write a paragraph on each of the topics given below. * See paragraph 15 of the handbook.


Words: parallax
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (technical) the effect by which the position or direction of an object appears to change when the object is seen from different positions


Words: parallel
Meaning:
adjective, noun, verb \n    adjective\n\n \n  1  ~ (to / with sth) two or more lines that are parallel to each other are the same distance apart at every point:\nparallel lines * The road and the canal are parallel to each other.\n \n  2  very similar or taking place at the same time:\na parallel career / case / development * parallel trends\n \n  3  (computing) involving several computer operations at the same time:\nparallel processing\n \n    parallel adverb:\nThe road and the canal run parallel to each other. * The plane flew parallel to the coast.\n    noun\n  1  [C, U] a person, a situation, an event, etc. that is very similar to another, especially one in a different place or time\nSYN EQUIVALENT:\nThese ideas have parallels in Freud’s thought too. * This is an achievement without parallel in modern times. * This tradition has no parallel in our culture.\n  2  [C, usually pl.] similar features:\nThere are interesting parallels between the 1960s and the late 1990s. * It is possible to draw a parallel between (= find similar features in) their experience and ours.\n  3  (also parallel of latitude) [C] an imaginary line around the earth that is always the same distance from the EQUATOR; this line on a map:\nthe 49th parallel\n IDIOMS \n  in parallel (with sth/sb) with and at the same time as sth/sb else:\nThe new degree and the existing certificate courses would run in parallel. * Ann wanted to pursue her own career in parallel with her husband’s.\n    verb [VN] (written)\n  1  to be similar to sth; to happen at the same time as sth:\nTheir legal system parallels our own. * The rise in unemployment is paralleled by an increase in petty crime.\n  2  to be as good as sth:\na level of achievement that has never been paralleled\ncompare UNPARALLELED


Words: parallelism
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (formal) the state of being similar; a similar feature:\nI think he exaggerates the parallelism between the two cases.


Words: parallelogram
Meaning:
noun\n(geometry) a flat shape with four straight sides, the opposite sides being parallel and equal to each other


Words: paralyse
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE paralyze)  verb [VN] [often passive]\n  1  to make sb unable to feel or move all or part of their body:\nThe accident left him paralysed from the waist down. * (figurative) paralysing pain / heat * (figurative) She stood there, paralysed with fear.\n  2  to prevent sth from functioning normally:\nThe airport is still paralysed by the strike.


Words: paralysis
Meaning:
1  a loss of control of, and sometimes feeling in, part or most of the body, caused by disease or an injury to the nerves:\nparalysis of both legs\n  2  [U] a total inability to move, act, function, etc:\nThe strike caused total paralysis in the city.


Words: paralytic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [not before noun] (BrE, informal) very drunk:\nHe was / got completely paralytic last night.\n  2  [usually before noun] (formal) suffering from PARALYSIS; making sb unable to move:\na paralytic illness * paralytic fear


Words: paramedic
Meaning:
noun\na person whose job is to help people who are sick or injured, but who is not a doctor or a nurse:\nParamedics treated the injured at the roadside before taking them to the hospital.\ncompare AMBULANCE MAN\n    paramedical  adjective:\nparamedical skills / staff


Words: parameter
Meaning:
noun\n[usually pl.] something that decides or limits the way in which sth can be done:\nto set / define the parameters * We had to work within the parameters that had already been established.


Words: paramilitary
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  a paramilitary organization is an illegal group that is organized like an army:\na right-wing paramilitary group\n  2  helping the official army of a country:\nparamilitary police, such as the CRS in France\n    noun [usually pl.] (plural paramilitaries)\n  1  a member of an illegal paramilitary group or organization\n  2  a member of an organization that helps the official army of a country


Words: paramount
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  more important than anything else:\nThis matter is of paramount importance. * Safety is paramount. * The welfare of the child must always be the court’s paramount consideration.\n  2  (formal) having the highest position or the greatest power:\nChina’s paramount leader\n    paramountcy  noun [U]


Words: paramour
Meaning:
noun\n(old-fashioned or literary) a person that sb is having a romantic or sexual relationship with\nSYN LOVER


Words: paranoia
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (medical) a mental illness in which a person may wrongly believe that other people are trying to harm them, that they are sb very important, etc.\n  2  (informal) fear or suspicion of other people when there is no evidence or reason for this


Words: paranoid
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (also less frequent paranoiac )\n  1  afraid or suspicious of other people and believing that they are trying to harm you, in a way that is not reasonable:\nShe’s getting really paranoid about what other people say about her.\n  2  suffering from a mental illness in which you wrongly believe that other people are trying to harm you or that you are very important:\nparanoid delusions * paranoid schizophrenia * a paranoid killer\n    noun (also paranoiac ) a person who suffers from paranoia


Words: paranormal
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  that cannot be explained by science or reason and that seems to involve mysterious forces\nSYN SUPERNATURAL:\nparanormal phenomena / events\n  2  (the paranormal) noun [sing.] events or subjects that are paranormal\nSYN THE SUPERNATURAL:\nan interest in the paranormal


Words: parapet
Meaning:
noun\na low protective wall along the edge of a bridge, a roof, etc: (figurative) He was not prepared to put his head above the parapet and say what he really thought (= he did not want to risk doing it).


Words: paraphernalia
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a large number of objects or personal possessions, especially the equipment that you need for a particular activity:\nskiing paraphernalia * an electric kettle and all the paraphernalia for making tea and coffee * (figurative, disapproving) the legal paraphernalia of court hearings and appeals


Words: paraphrase
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb to express what sb has said or written using different words, especially in order to make it easier to understand:\n[VN] Try to paraphrase the question before you answer it. [also V] \n    noun a statement that expresses sth that sb has written or said using different words, especially in order to make it easier to understand


Words: parapsychology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the study of mental powers that seem to exist but that cannot be explained by scientific knowledge


Words: paraquat
Meaning:
noun\n[U] an extremely poisonous liquid used to kill plants that are growing where they are not wanted


Words: parascending
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a sport in which you wear a PARACHUTE and are pulled along behind a boat so that you rise up into the air:\nto go parascending


Words: parasite
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small animal or plant that lives on or inside another animal or plant and gets its food from it:\nfleas, lice and other parasites * an intestinal parasite of cattle\n  2  (disapproving) a person who always relies on or benefits from other people and gives nothing back:\nHe regards students as parasites on society.


Words: parasitic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  caused by a parasite:\na parasitic disease / infection\n  2  living on another animal or plant and getting its food from it:\na parasitic mite / worm\n  3  (disapproving) (of a person) always relying on or benefiting from other people and giving nothing back:\nShe lives a parasitic existence, constantly borrowing money from her friends.\n    parasitically  adverb


Words: parasol
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a type of light umbrella that women in the past carried to protect themselves from the sun\n  2  a large umbrella that is used for example on beaches or outside cafes to protect people from hot sun\ncompare SUNSHADE


Words: paratroops
Meaning:
noun\n[pl.] soldiers who are trained to jump from planes using a PARACHUTE\n    paratroop adjective [only before noun]:\na paratroop regiment


Words: parcel
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (especially BrE) (AmE usually package) something that is wrapped in paper or put into a thick envelope so that it can be sent by mail, carried easily, or given as a present:\nThere’s a parcel and some letters for you. * She was carrying a parcel of books under her arm. * The prisoners were allowed food parcels.\n \n  2  a piece of land:\n50 five-acre parcels have already been sold.\n \n IDIOMS  see PART n.\n    verb (especially BrE) (-ll-, AmE -l-) [VN] ~ sth (up) to wrap sth up and make it into a parcel:\nShe parcelled up the books to send.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  parcel sth<->out to divide sth into parts or between several people:\nThe land was parcelled out into small lots. * More than $2 million was parceled out to beneficiaries.


Words: parch
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] (especially of hot weather) to make an area of land very dry:\nA drought is parching much of the country.


Words: parched
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  very dry, especially because the weather is hot:\nlarge areas of dry parched land * soil parched by drought * She licked her parched lips.\n  2  (informal) very thirsty:\nLet’s get a drink-I’m parched.


Words: parchment
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] material made from the skin of a sheep or goat, used in the past for writing on:\nparchment scrolls * Her skin felt like parchment (= very dry).\n  2  [U] a thick yellowish type of paper:\na sheet of non-stick baking parchment\n  3  [C] a document written on a piece of parchment


Words: pardon
Meaning:
exclamation, noun, verb \n    exclamation\n  1  (also pardon me especially in AmE) used to ask sb to repeat sth because you did not hear it or did not understand it:\n’You’re very quiet today.’ ’Pardon?’ ’I said you’re very quiet today.’\n  2  (also pardon me) used by some people to say ’sorry’ when they have accidentally made a rude noise, or said or done sth wrong\n    noun\n  1  (also BrE, law free pardon) [C] an official decision not to punish sb for a crime, or to say that sb is not guilty of a crime:\nto ask / grant / receive a pardon * a royal / presidential pardon * (AmE) The Pardon Board has no power to stop execution.\n  2  [U] (formal) ~ (for sth) the action of forgiving sb for sth:\nHe asked her pardon for having deceived her.\n IDIOMS  see BEG\n    verb (not usually used in the progressive tenses)\n  1  [VN] to officially allow sb who has been found guilty of a crime to leave prison and/or avoid punishment:\nShe was pardoned after serving ten years of a life sentence.\n  2  ~ sb (for sth / for doing sth) to forgive sb for sth they have said or done (used in many expressions when you want to be polite)\nSYN EXCUSE:\n[VN] Pardon my ignorance, but what is a ’duplex’? * The place was, if you’ll pardon the expression, a dump. * (BrE) You could be pardoned for thinking (= it is easy to understand why people think) that education is not the government’s priority. * Pardon me for interrupting you. * [VN -ing] Pardon my asking, but is that your husband? [also VNN]\n IDIOMS \n  pardon me (spoken)\n1 (especially AmE) used to ask sb to repeat sth because you did not hear it or do not understand it\n2 used by some people to say ’sorry’ when they have accidentally made a rude noise or done sth wrong\nsee also I BEG YOUR PARDON\n  pardon me for doing sth used to show that you are upset or offended by the way that sb has spoken to you:\n’Oh, just shut up!’ ’Well, pardon me for breathing!’


Words: pare
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sth (off / away) to remove the thin outer layer of sth:\nFirst, pare the rind from the lemon. * She pared the apple. * He pared away the excess glue with a razor blade.\n  2  ~ sth (back / down) to gradually reduce the size or amount:\nThe training budget has been pared back to a minimum. * The workforce has been pared to the bone (= reduced to the lowest possible level).\n  3  (especially BrE) to cut away the edges of sth, especially your nails, in order to make them smooth and neat\nsee also PARINGS


Words: parent
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [usually pl.] a person’s father or mother:\nHe’s still living with his parents. * her adoptive parents * Sue and Ben have recently become parents. * It can be difficult to be a good parent.\nsee also ONE-PARENT FAMILY, SINGLE PARENT, STEP-PARENT\n \n  2  an animal or a plant which produces other animals or plants:\nthe parent bird / tree\n \n  3  (often used as an adjective) an organization that produces and owns or controls smaller organizations of the same type:\na parent bank and its subsidiaries * the parent company


Words: parentage
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the origin of a person’s parents and who they are:\na young American of German parentage * Nothing is known about her parentage and background.


Words: parental
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] connected with a parent or parents:\nparental responsibility / rights * parental choice in education * the parental home


Words: parenthesis
Meaning:
1  a word, sentence, etc. that is added to a speech or piece of writing, especially in order to give extra information. In writing, it is separated from the rest of the text using BRACKETS, COMMAS or DASHES.\n  2  [usually pl.] (AmE or formal) = BRACKET


Words: parenthetic
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] (formal) given as extra information in a speech or piece of writing:\nparenthetic remarks\n    parenthetically  adverb


Words: parenthood
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the state of being a parent:\nthe responsibilities / joys of parenthood * the strains of lone / single parenthood


Words: parenting
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the process of caring for your child or children:\ngood / poor parenting * parenting skills


Words: pariah
Meaning:
noun\na person who is not acceptable to society and is avoided by everyone\nSYN OUTCAST:\nFor many years the country was treated as a pariah by Western governments.


Words: parish
Meaning:
noun\n  1  an area that has its own church and that a priest is responsible for:\na parish church / priest * He is vicar of a large rural parish.\n  2  (in England) a small country area that has its own elected local government:\nthe parish council\n  3  [sing.+sing./pl. v.] the people living in a particular area, especially those who go to church


Words: parish register
Meaning:
noun\na book that has a list of all the BAPTISMS, marriages and funerals that have taken place at a particular PARISH church


Words: parish-pump
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (BrE, disapproving) connected with local affairs only (and therefore not thought of as being very important):\nparish-pump politics


Words: parity
Meaning:
noun (plural parities)\n  1  [U] ~ (with sb/sth) | ~ (between A and B) (formal) the state of being equal, especially the state of having equal pay or status:\nPrison officers are demanding pay parity with the police force. * In many professions women have yet to achieve anything like parity at the higher levels.\n  2  [U, C] (finance) the fact of the units of money of two different countries being equal:\nto achieve parity with the dollar


Words: park
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] an area of public land in a town or a city where people go to walk, play and relax:\nHyde Park * We went for a walk in the park. * a park bench\n \n  2  [C] (in compounds) an area of land used for a particular purpose:\na business / science park * a wildlife park\nsee also AMUSEMENT PARK, CAR PARK, NATIONAL PARK, SAFARI PARK, THEME PARK\n \n  3  [C] (in Britain) an enclosed area of land, usually with fields and trees, attached to a large country house\n \n  4  [C] (AmE) a piece of land for playing sports, especially baseball \nsee also BALLPARK\n  5  (the park) [sing.] (BrE) a football or rugby field:\nthe fastest man on the park\n    verb\n  1  to leave a vehicle that you are driving in a particular place for a period of time: [V, VN] You can’t park here. * You can’t park the car here. * [V] He’s parked very badly. * [VN] a badly parked truck * A red van was parked in front of the house. * a parked car * (informal, figurative) Just park your bags in the hall until your room is ready.\nsee also DOUBLE-PARK\n  2  [VN +adv./prep.] ~ yourself (informal) to sit or stand in a particular place for a period of time:\nShe parked herself on the edge of the bed.


Words: park and ride
Meaning:
noun\na system designed to reduce traffic in towns in which people park their cars on the edge of a town and then take a special bus to the town centre; the area where people park their cars before taking the bus:\nUse the park and ride. * I’ve left my car in the park and ride. * a park-and-ride service


Words: parking
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the act of stopping a vehicle at a place and leaving it there for a period of time:\nThere is no parking here between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. * I managed to find a parking space. * a parking fine (= for parking illegally)\n  2  a space or an area for leaving vehicles:\nThe hotel is centrally situated with ample free parking.


Words: parking meter
Meaning:
(also meter) noun\na machine beside the road that you put money into when you park your car next to it


Words: parking ticket
Meaning:
(also ticket) noun\nan official notice that is put on your car when you have parked illegally, ordering you to pay money


Words: Parkinson’s disease
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a disease of the nervous system that gets worse over a period of time and causes the muscles to become weak and the limbs to shake


Words: parkland
Meaning:
noun\n[U] open land with grass and trees, for example around a large house in the country:\nThe house stands in 500 acres of rolling parkland.


Words: parlance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) a particular way of using words or expressing yourself, for example one used by a particular group:\nin common / legal / modern parlance * A Munro, in climbing parlance, is a Scottish mountain exceeding 3 000 feet.


Words: parlay
Meaning:
verb\n\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  parlay sth into sth (AmE) to use or develop sth such as money or a skill to make it more successful or worth more:\nShe hopes to parlay her success as a model into an acting career.


Words: parley
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (old-fashioned) a discussion between enemies or people who disagree, in order to try and find a way of solving a problem\n    verb [V] ~ (with sb) (old-fashioned) to discuss sth with sb in order to solve a disagreement


Words: parliament
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, sing.+sing./pl. v.] the group of people who are elected to make and change the laws of a country:\nThe German parliament is called the ’Bundestag’.\n  2  (Parliament) [U+sing./pl. v.] the parliament of the United Kingdom, consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords:\na Member of Parliament * the issue was debated in Parliament * an Act of Parliament * to have / win a seat in Parliament * to be elected to Parliament\n  3  (also Parliament) [C, U] a particular period during which a parliament is working; Parliament as it exists between one GENERAL ELECTION and the next:\nWe are now into the second half of the parliament. * to dissolve Parliament (= formally end its activities) and call an election\nsee also HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, HUNG


Words: parliamentarian
Meaning:
noun\na member of a parliament, especially one with a lot of skill and experience:\nan active / a distinguished / a skilled parliamentarian


Words: parliamentary
Meaning:
adjective\n[usually before noun] connected with a parliament; having a parliament:\nparliamentary elections * a parliamentary democracy\ncompare UNPARLIAMENTARY


Words: parlour
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE parlor)  noun\n  1  (old-fashioned) a room in a private house for sitting in, entertaining visitors, etc.\n  2  (in compounds) (especially AmE) a shop/store that provides particular goods or services:\na beauty / an ice-cream parlour\nsee also FUNERAL PARLOUR, MASSAGE PARLOUR


Words: parlous
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) (of a situation) very bad and very uncertain; dangerous:\nthe parlous state of the economy


Words: Parmesan
Meaning:
(also Parmesan cheese) noun\n[U] a type of very hard Italian cheese that is usually GRATED and eaten on Italian food


Words: parochial
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  [usually before noun] (formal) connected with a church PARISH:\nparochial schools * a member of the parochial church council\n  2  (disapproving) only concerned with small issues that happen in your local area and not interested in more important things:\nThey need to be better informed and less parochial in their thinking.\n    parochialism  noun [U]:\nthe parochialism of a small community


Words: parody
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (plural parodies) ~ (of sth)\n  1  [C, U] a piece of writing, music, acting, etc. that deliberately copies the style of sb/sth in order to be amusing:\na parody of a horror film * His personality made him an easy subject for parody.\n  2  [C] (disapproving) something that is such a bad or unfair example of sth that it seems ridiculous:\nThe trial was a parody of justice. * This article is a grotesque parody of the truth.\n    verb (parodies, parodying, parodied, parodied) [VN] to copy the style of sb/sth in an exaggerated way, especially in order to make people laugh:\nto parody an author / a style / an accent


Words: parole
Meaning:
noun\n[U] permission that is given to a prisoner to leave prison before the end of their SENTENCE on condition that they behave well:\nto be eligible for parole * She was released on parole.\n    parole verb [VN] [usually passive]:\nShe was paroled after two years.


Words: paroxysm
Meaning:
noun ~ (of sth) (written)\n  1  a sudden strong feeling or expression of an emotion that cannot be controlled:\nparoxysms of hate * a paroxysm of laughter\n  2  (medical) a sudden short attack of pain, causing physical shaking that cannot be controlled


Words: parquet
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a floor covering made of flat pieces of wood fixed together in a pattern:\na parquet floor * parquet flooring\ncompare WOODBLOCK


Words: parricide
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (formal) the crime of killing your father, mother or a close relative; a person who is guilty of this crime\ncompare FRATRICIDE, MATRICIDE, PATRICIDE


Words: parrot
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n a tropical bird with a curved beak. There are several types of parrot, most of which have bright feathers. Some are kept as pets and can be trained to copy human speech.\n \n IDIOMS  see SICK adj.\n    verb [VN] (disapproving) to repeat what sb else has said without thinking about what it means


Words: parrot-fashion
Meaning:
adverb\n(BrE, disapproving) if sb learns or repeats sth parrot-fashion, they do it without thinking about it or understanding what it means


Words: parry
Meaning:
verb (parries, parrying, parried, parried)\n  1  to defend yourself against sb who is attacking you by pushing their hand, arm, weapon, etc. to one side\nSYN DEFLECT:\n[VN] He parried a blow to his head. * The shot was parried by the goalie. [also V]\n  2  to avoid having to answer a difficult question, criticism, etc., especially by replying in the same way:\n[VN] She parried all questions about their relationship. [also V speech] \n    parry noun (plural parries)


Words: Parsee
Meaning:
(also Parsi)  noun\na member of a religious group in India whose ancestors originally came from Persia and whose religion is Zoroastrianism


Words: parsley
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a plant with curly green leaves that are used in cooking as a herb and to decorate food:\nfish with parsley sauce\nsee also COW PARSLEY


Words: parson
Meaning:
noun (old-fashioned)\n  1  an Anglican VICAR or PARISH priest\n  2  (informal) a Protestant CLERGYMAN


Words: part
Meaning:
noun, verb, adverb \n    noun\n  some\n  1  [U] ~ of sth some but not all of a thing:\nWe spent part of the time in the museum. * Part of the building was destroyed in the fire. * Voters are given only part of the story (= only some of the information). * Part of me feels sorry for him (= I feel partly, but not entirely, sorry for him).\n  piece\n  2  [C] a section, piece or feature of sth:\nThe early part of her life was spent in Paris. * The novel is good in parts. * We’ve done the difficult part of the job. * The procedure can be divided into two parts. * The worst part was having to wait three hours in the rain.\n  member\n  3  [U] a member of sth; a person or thing that, together with others, makes up a single unit:\nYou need to be able to work as part of a team.\n  of machine\n  4  [C] a piece of a machine or structure:\naircraft parts * the working parts of the machinery * spare parts\n  of body / plant\n  5  [C] a separate piece or area of a human or animal body or of a plant:\nthe parts of the body\nsee also PRIVATE PARTS\n  region / area\n  6  [C] an area or a region of the world, a country, a town, etc:\nthe northern part of the country * a plant that grows in many parts of the world * Which part of London do you come from? * Come and visit us if you’re ever in our part of the world.\n  7  (parts) [pl.] (old-fashioned, informal) a region or an area:\nShe’s not from these parts. * He’s just arrived back from foreign parts.\n  of book / series\n  8  [C] (abbreviation pt) a section of a book, television series, etc., especially one that is published or broadcast separately:\nan encyclopedia published in 25 weekly parts * Henry IV, Part II * The final part will be shown next Sunday evening.\n  for actor\n  9  [C] a role played by an actor in a play, film/movie, etc.; the words spoken by an actor in a particular role:\nShe was very good in the part. * Have you learned your part yet? * (figurative) He’s always playing a part (= pretending to be sth that he is not).\n  in music\n  10  [C] music for a particular voice or instrument in a group singing or playing together:\nthe clarinet part * four-part harmony\n  equal portion\n  11  [C] a unit of measurement that allows you to compare the different amounts of substances in sth:\nAdd three parts wine to one part water. * fluoride levels of 0.2 parts per million\n  in hair\n  12  [C] (AmE) = PARTING\n IDIOMS \n  the best / better part of sth most of sth, especially a period of time; more than half of sth:\nHe drank the best part of a bottle of Scotch waiting for her to get home. * The journey took her the better part of an hour.\n  for the most part mostly; usually:\nThe contributors are, for the most part, professional scientists.\n  for my, his, their, etc. part speaking for myself, etc.\nSYN PERSONALLY\n  have a part to play (in sth) to be able to help sth:\nWe all have a part to play in the fight against crime.\n  have / play a part (in sth) to be involved in sth:\nShe plays an active part in local politics. * Alcohol plays a part in 70 per cent of divorces.\n  have / play / take / want no part in / of sth to not be involved or refuse to be involved in sth, especially because you disapprove of it:\nHe had no part in the decision. * I want no part of this sordid business.\n  in part partly; to some extent:\nHer success was due in part to luck.\n  look / dress the part to have an appearance or wear clothes suitable for a particular job, role or position\n  a man / woman of (many) parts a person with many skills\n  on the part of sb / on sb’s part made or done by sb:\nIt was an error on my part.\n  part and parcel of sth an essential part of sth:\nKeeping the accounts is part and parcel of my job.\n  part of the furniture a person or thing that you are so used to seeing that you no longer notice them:\nI worked there so long that I became part of the furniture.\n  take sth in good part (BrE) to accept sth slightly unpleasant without complaining or being offended:\nHe took the teasing in good part.\n  take part (in sth) to be involved in sth\nSYN PARTICIPATE:\nto take part in a discussion / demonstration / fight / celebration * How many countries took part in the last Olympic Games?\n  take sb’s part (BrE) to support sb, for example in an argument:\nHis mother always takes his part.\nmore at DISCRETION, LARGE, SUM n.\n    verb\n  leave sb\n  1  [V] ~ (from sb) (formal) if a person parts from another person, or two people part, they leave each other:\nWe parted at the airport. * I hate to part on such bad terms. * He has recently parted from his wife (= they have started to live apart). * I never forgot his parting words (= what he said as he left).\nsee also PARTING adj.\n  keep apart\n  2  [VN] [often passive] ~ sb (from sb) (formal) to prevent sb from being with sb else:\nI hate being parted from the children. * The puppies were parted from their mother at birth.\n  move away\n  3  if two things or parts of things part or you part them, they move away from each other:\n[V] The crowd parted in front of them. * The elevator doors parted and out stepped the President. * [VN] Her lips were slightly parted. * She parted the curtains a little and looked out.\n  hair\n  4  [VN] to divide your hair into two sections with a comb, creating a line that goes from the back of your head to the front:\nHe parts his hair in the middle.\nsee also PARTING n.\n IDIOMS \n  part company (with / from sb)\n1 to leave sb; to end a relationship with sb:\nThis is where we part company (= go in different directions). * The band have parted company with their manager. * The band and their manager have parted company.\n2 to disagree with sb about sth:\nWeber parted company with Marx on a number of important issues.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  part with sth to give sth to sb else, especially sth that you would prefer to keep:\nMake sure you read the contract before parting with any money.\n    adverb (often in compounds) consisting of two things; to some extent but not completely:\nShe’s part French, part English. * His feelings were part anger, part relief. * The course is part funded by the European Commission. * He is part owner of a farm in France.


Words: part exchange
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) a way of buying sth, such as a car, in which you give the old one as part of the payment for a more expensive one:\nWe’ll take your car in part-exchange.\n    part-exchange verb [VN]


Words: part of speech
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) one of the classes into which words are divided according to their grammar, such as noun, verb, adjective, etc.


Words: part-time
Meaning:
adjective\n(abbreviation PT) for part of the day or week in which people work:\nShe’s looking for a part-time job. * to study on a part-time basis * part-time workers * I’m only part-time at the moment.\n    part-time adverb:\nLiz works part-time from 10 till 2.\ncompare FULL-TIME


Words: partake
Meaning:
[V] (formal)\n  1  ~ (of sth) (old-fashioned or humorous) to eat or drink sth especially sth that is offered to you:\nWould you care to partake of some refreshment?\n  2  ~ (in sth) (old-fashioned) to take part in an activity:\nThey preferred not to partake in the social life of the town.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  partake of sth (formal) to have some of a particular quality:\nHis work partakes of the aesthetic fashions of his time.


Words: partial
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not complete or whole:\nIt was only a partial solution to the problem. * a partial eclipse of the sun * Our success was only partial.\n  2  [not before noun] ~ to sb/sth (old-fashioned) liking sb/sth very much:\nI’m not partial to mushrooms.\n  3  [not usually before noun] ~ (towards sb/sth) (disapproving) showing or feeling too much support for one person, team, idea, etc., in a way that is unfair\nOPP IMPARTIAL


Words: partiality
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  [V] (disapproving) the unfair support of one person, team, idea, etc:\nallegations of dishonesty and partiality\nOPP IMPARTIALITY\n  2  [sing.] ~ for sb/sth a feeling of liking sth/sb very much:\nShe has a partiality for exotic flowers.


Words: partially
Meaning:
adverb\npartly; not completely:\nThe road was partially blocked by a fallen tree. * a society for the blind and partially sighted (= people who can see very little). * It’s only partially true. -> PARTLY


Words: participant
Meaning:
noun\n~ (in sth) a person who is taking part in an activity or event:\nHe has been an active participant in the discussion.


Words: participate
Meaning:
verb\n[V] ~ (in sth) to take part in or become involved in an activity:\nShe didn’t participate in the discussion. * We want to encourage students to participate fully in the running of the college. * Details of the competition are available at all participating stores. -> HELP


Words: participation
Meaning:
noun\n[U] ~ (in sth) the act of taking part in an activity or event:\na show with lots of audience participation * A back injury prevented active participation in any sports for a while.


Words: participle
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) (in English) a word formed from a verb, ending in -ing (= the PRESENT PARTICIPLE) or -ed, -en, etc. (= the PAST PARTICIPLE)\n    participial  adjective


Words: particle
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a very small piece of sth:\nparticles of dust * dust particles * There was not a particle of evidence (= no evidence at all) to support the case.\n  2  (physics) a very small piece of matter, such as an ELECTRON or PROTON, that is part of an atom\nsee also ALPHA PARTICLE, ELEMENTARY PARTICLE\n  3  (grammar) an adverb or a preposition that can combine with a verb to make a PHRASAL VERB:\nIn ’She tore up the letter’, the word ’up’ is a particle.\nsee also ADVERBIAL PARTICLE


Words: particular
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] used to emphasize that you are referring to one individual person, thing or type of thing and not others:\nThere is one particular patient I’d like you to see. * Is there a particular type of book he enjoys?\n  2  [only before noun] greater than usual; special:\nWe must pay particular attention to this point. * These documents are of particular interest.\n  3  ~ (about / over sth) very definite about what you like and careful about what you choose \nSYN FUSSY:\nShe’s very particular about her clothes.\n IDIOMS \n  in particular\n1 especially or particularly:\nHe loves science fiction in particular.\n2 special or SPECIFIC:\nPeter was lying on the sofa doing nothing in particular. * Is there anything in particular you’d like for dinner? * She directed the question at no one in particular.\n    noun (formal)\n  1  [usually pl.] a fact or detail especially one that is officially written down:\nThe police officer took down all the particulars of the burglary. * The nurse asked me for my particulars (= personal details such as your name, address, etc.). * The new contract will be the same in every particular as the old one.\n  2  (particulars) [pl.] written information and details about a property, business, job, etc:\nApplication forms and further particulars are available from the Personnel Office. * the particulars of a house in Bury


Words: particularity
Meaning:
noun (plural particularities) (formal)\n  1  [U] the quality of being individual or UNIQUE:\nthe particularity of each human being\n  2  [U] attention to detail; being exact\n  3  (particularities) [pl.] the special features or details of sth:\nthe particularities of each research project


Words: particularize
Meaning:
(BrE also particularise)  verb\n[V, VN] (formal) to give details of sth, especially one by one; to give particular examples of sth


Words: particularly
Meaning:
adverb\nespecially; more than usual or more than others:\nparticularly good / important / useful * Traffic is bad, particularly in the city centre. * I enjoyed the play, particularly the second half. * The lecture was not particularly (= not very) interesting. * (spoken) ’Did you enjoy it?’ ’No, not particularly (= not very much).’


Words: parting
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U, C] the act or occasion of leaving a person or place:\nthe pain / misery / moment of parting * We had a tearful parting at the airport.\n \n  2  (BrE) (AmE part) [C] a line on a person’s head where the hair is divided with a comb:\na side / centre parting\n \n  3  [U, C] the act or result of dividing sth into parts:\nthe parting of the clouds * The boat made a parting through the duckweed.\n \n IDIOMS \n  a / the parting of the ways a point at which two people or groups of people decide to separate:\nThese events led to a final parting of the ways.\n    adjective [only before noun] said or done by sb as they leave:\na parting kiss * His parting words were ’I love you.’\n IDIOMS \n  parting shot a final remark, especially an unkind one, that sb makes as they leave:\nAs her parting shot she warned Pete never to come near her again.


Words: partisan
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (often disapproving) showing too much support for one person, group or idea, especially without considering it carefully:\nMost newspapers are politically partisan.\n    noun\n  1  a person who strongly supports a particular leader, group or idea\n  2  a member of an armed group that is fighting secretly against enemy soldiers who have taken control of its country\n    partisanship  noun [U]:\nWe are seeing a trend towards greater press partisanship.


Words: partition
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [C] a wall or screen that separates one part of a room from another:\na glass partition * partition walls\n  2  [U] the division of one country into two or more countries:\nthe partition of Germany after the war\n    verb [VN] [often passive] to divide sth into two parts:\nto partition a country * The room is partitioned into three sections.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  partition sth<->off to separate one area, one part of a room, etc. from another with a wall or screen


Words: partitive
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) a word or phrase that shows a part or quantity of sth:\nIn ’a spoonful of sugar’, the word ’spoonful’ is a partitive.\n    partitive adjective


Words: partly
Meaning:
adverb\nto some extent; not completely:\nSome people are unwilling to attend the classes partly because of the cost involved. * He was only partly responsible for the accident.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \npartly / partially\nPartly and partially both mean ’not completely’: The road is partly/partially finished. Partly is especially used to talk about the reason for something, often followed by because or due to: I didn’t enjoy the trip very much, partly because of the weather. Partially should be used when you are talking about physical conditions: His mother is partially blind.\n______________________________


Words: partner
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  the person that you are married to or having a sexual relationship with:\nCome to the New Year disco and bring your partner! * a marriage partner\n  2  one of the people who owns a business and shares the profits, etc:\na partner in a law firm * a junior / senior partner\n  3  a person that you are doing an activity with, such as dancing or playing a game:\na dancing / tennis partner\n  4  a country or an organization that has an agreement with another country:\na trading partner\nsee also SLEEPING PARTNER, SPARRING PARTNER\n    verb [VN] to be sb’s partner in a dance, game, etc:\nGerry offered to partner me at tennis.


Words: partnership
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] ~ (with sb) the state of being a partner in business:\nto be in / to go into partnership * He developed his own program in partnership with an American expert.\n  2  [C, U] ~ (with sb) a relationship between two people, organizations, etc.; the state of having this relationship:\nMarriage should be an equal partnership. * the school’s partnership with parents * a partnership between the United States and Europe\n  3  [C] a business owned by two or more people who share the profits:\na junior member of the partnership


Words: partridge
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural partridges or partridge) a brown bird with a round body and a short tail, that people hunt for sport or food; the meat of this bird


Words: party
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun (plural parties)\n  1  (also Party) [C+sing./pl. v.] a political organization that you can vote for in elections and whose members have the same aims and ideas:\nthe Democratic and Republican Parties in the United States * She belongs to the Labour Party. * the ruling / opposition party * the party leader / manifesto / policy\n  2  [C] (especially in compounds) a social occasion, often in a person’s home, at which people eat, drink, talk, dance and enjoy themselves:\na birthday / dinner / garden party * to give / have / throw a party * Did you go to their party? * party games\nsee also HEN PARTY, HOUSE PARTY, STAG PARTY\n  3  [C+sing./pl. v.] a group of people who are doing sth together such as travelling or visiting somewhere:\nThe school is taking a party of 40 children to France. * The theatre gives a 10% discount to parties of more than ten.\nsee also SEARCH PARTY, WORKING PARTY\n  4  [C] (formal) one of the people or groups of people involved in a legal agreement or dispute:\nthe guilty / innocent party * The contract can be terminated by either party with three months’ notice. * The judge’s decision satisfied most of the parties concerned.\nsee also INJURED PARTY, THIRD PARTY\n IDIOMS \n  be (a) party to sth (formal) to be involved in an agreement or action:\nto be party to a decision * He refused to be a party to any violence.\n    verb (parties, partying, partied, partied) [V] (informal) to enjoy yourself, especially by eating, drinking alcohol and dancing:\nThey were out partying every night.


Words: party line
Meaning:
noun\nthe official opinions and policies of a political party, which members are expected to support\n IDIOMS  see TOE v.


Words: party piece
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE, informal) a thing that sb does to entertain people, especially at parties, for example singing a song


Words: party political
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (especially BrE) made by or related to a political party:\na party political broadcast


Words: party politics
Meaning:
noun\n[U+sing./pl. v.] political activity that involves political parties:\nThe President should stand above party politics. * Many people think that party politics should not enter into local government.


Words: party spirit
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the sort of mood in which you can enjoy a party and have fun:\nWhy don’t you relax and get into the party spirit?


Words: party-goer
Meaning:
noun\na person who enjoys going to parties or who is a guest at a particular party:\nCarly has always been an enthusiastic party-goer. * He seemed shy among the other party-goers.


Words: party-pooper
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a person who does not want to take part in an enjoyable activity and spoils the fun for other people


Words: parvenu
Meaning:
noun\n(plural parvenus) (formal, disapproving) a person from a low social or economic position who has suddenly become rich or powerful


Words: pass
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  move\n  1  to move past or to the other side of sb/sth:\n[V] Several people were passing but nobody offered to help. * I hailed a passing taxi. * The road was so narrow that cars were unable to pass. * [VN] to pass a barrier / sentry / checkpoint * She passed me in the street without even saying hello.\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] to go or move in the direction mentioned:\nThe procession passed slowly along the street. * A plane passed low overhead.\n  3  [VN +adv./prep.] to make sth move in the direction or into the position mentioned:\nHe passed the rope around the post three times to secure it. * She passed her hand across her forehead.\n  give\n  4  ~ sth (to sb) | ~ sb sth to give sth to sb by putting it into their hands or in a place where they can easily reach it:\n[VN] Pass the salt, please. * They passed the photograph around (= from one person to the next). * [VN, VNN] Pass that book over. * Pass me over that book.\n  ball\n  5  ~ (sth) (to sb) (in football, hockey, etc.) to kick, hit or throw the ball to a player of your own side:\n[VN] He passed the ball to Owen. * [V] Why do they keep passing back to the goalie?\n  after death\n  6  [V] ~ to sb to be given to another person after first belonging to sb else, especially after the first person has died:\nOn his death, the title passed to his eldest son.\n  become greater\n  7  [VN] (of an amount) to become greater than a particular total\nSYN EXCEED:\nUnemployment has now passed the three million mark.\n  change\n  8  [V] ~ from sth to / into sth to change from one state or condition to another:\nShe had passed from childhood to early womanhood.\n  time\n  9  [V] when time passes, it goes by:\nSix months passed and we still had no news of them. * We grew more anxious with every passing day.\n  10  [VN] to spend time, especially when you are bored or waiting for sth:\nWe sang songs to pass the time. * How did you pass the evening?\n  end\n  11  [V] to come to an end; to be over:\nThey waited for the storm to pass.\n  test / exam\n  12  to achieve the required standard in an exam, a test, etc:\n[V] I’m not really expecting to pass first time. * [VN] She hasn’t passed her driving test yet.\nOPP FAIL\n  13  [VN] to test sb and decide that they are good enough, according to an agreed standard:\nThe examiners passed all the candidates.\nOPP FAIL\n  law / proposal\n  14  [VN] to accept a proposal, law, etc. by voting:\nThe bill was passed by 360 votes to 280.\n  happen\n  15  [V] to be allowed:\nI don’t like it, but I’ll let it pass (= will not object). * Her remarks passed without comment (= people ignored them).\n  16  ~ (between A and B) to happen; to be said or done:\n[V] They’ll never be friends again after all that has passed between them. * [V-ADJ] His departure passed unnoticed.\n  not know\n  17  [V] ~ (on sth) to say that you do not know the answer to a question, especially during a QUIZ:\n’What’s the capital of Peru?’ ’I’ll have to pass on that one.’ * ’Who wrote ’Catch-22’?’ ’Pass (= I don’t know).’\n  not want\n  18  [V] ~ (on sth) to say that you do not want sth that is offered to you:\nThanks. I’m going to pass on dessert, if you don’t mind.\n  say / state sth\n  19  [VN] ~ sth (on sb/sth) to say or state sth, especially officially:\nThe court waited in silence for the judge to pass sentence. * It’s not for me to pass judgement on your behaviour. * The man smiled at the girl and passed a friendly remark.\n  belief / understanding\n  20  [VN] ~ belief, understanding, etc. (formal) to go beyond the limits of what you can believe, understand, etc:\nIt passes belief (= is impossible to believe) that she could do such a thing.\n  in card games\n  21  [V] to refuse to play a card or make a BID when it is your turn\n  from the body\n  22  [VN] to send sth out from the body as or with waste matter:\nIf you’re passing blood you ought to see a doctor.\n IDIOMS \n  come to pass (old use) to happen\n  not pass your lips\n1 if words do not pass your lips, you say nothing\n2 if food or drink does not pass your lips, you eat or drink nothing\n  pass the hat round / around (informal) to collect money from a number of people, for example to buy a present for sb\n  pass muster to be accepted as satisfactory\n  pass the time of day (with sb) to greet sb and have a short conversation with them\n  pass water (formal) to URINATE\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pass as sb/sth = PASS FOR SB/STH\n  pass away\n1 (also pass on) to die. People say ’pass away’ to avoid saying ’die’:\nHis mother passed away last year.\n2 to stop existing:\ncivilizations that have passed away\n  pass by (sb/sth) to go past:\nThe procession passed right by my front door.\n  pass sb/sth by to happen without affecting sb/sth:\nShe feels that life is passing her by (= that she is not enjoying the opportunities and pleasures of life). * The whole business passed him by (= he was hardly aware that it was happening).\n  pass sth<->down [often passive] to give or teach sth to your children or people younger than you, who will then give or teach it to those who live after them, and so on\n  pass for / as sb/sth to be accepted as sb/sth:\nHe speaks the language so well he could easily pass for a German. * We had some wine-or what passes for wine in that area.\n  pass into sth to become a part of sth:\nMany foreign words have passed into the English language. * His deeds have passed into legend (= because they were so brave, important, etc.).\n  pass off (BrE) (of an event) to take place and be completed in a particular way:\nThe demonstration passed off peacefully.\n  pass sb / yourself / sth off as sb/sth to pretend that sb/sth is sth they are not:\nHe escaped by passing himself off as a guard.\n  pass on = PASS AWAY\n  pass sth<->on (to sb) to give sth to sb else, especially after receiving it or using it yourself:\nPass the book on to me when you’ve finished with it. * I passed your message on to my mother. * Much of the discount is pocketed by retailers instead of being passed on to customers.\n  pass out to lose consciousness\nSYN FAINT\n  pass out (of sth) (BrE) to leave a military college after finishing a course of training:\na passing-out ceremony\n  pass sb<->over to not consider sb for promotion in a job, especially when they deserve it or think that they deserve it:\nHe was passed over in favour of a younger man.\n  pass over sth to ignore or avoid sth:\nThey chose to pass over her rude remarks.\n  pass through ... to go through a town, etc., stopping there for a short time but not staying:\nWe were passing through, so we thought we’d come and say hello.\n  pass sth<->up (informal) to choose not to make use of a chance, an opportunity, etc:\nImagine passing up an offer like that!\n    noun\n  in exam\n \n  1  (especially BrE) a successful result in an exam:\nShe got a pass in French. * 12 passes and 3 fails * Two A-level passes are needed for this course. * The pass mark is 50%. * The school has a 90% pass rate (= 90% of students pass their exams).\n \n  official document\n \n  2  an official document or ticket that shows that you have the right to enter or leave a place, to travel on a bus or train, etc:\na bus pass * a boarding pass (= for a plane) * There is no admittance without a security pass.\n \n  of ball\n \n  3  (in some sports) an act of hitting or throwing the ball to another player in your team:\na short / long pass to Anelka * a back pass to the goalkeeper\n  through mountains\n  4  a road or way over or through mountains:\na mountain pass * They came over the top of the pass and started down towards the coast.\n  moving past / over\n  5  an act of going or moving past or over sth:\nThe helicopter made several passes over the village before landing.\n  stage in process\n  6  a stage in a process, especially one that involves separating things from a larger group:\nIn the first pass all the addresses are loaded into the database.\n IDIOMS \n  come to such a pass | come to a pretty pass (old-fashioned or humorous) to reach a sad or difficult state:\nI never thought things would come to such a pass as this. * Things have come to a pretty pass when we can’t afford to pay the heating bills!\n  make a pass at sb (informal) to try to start a sexual relationship with sb


Words: pass-fail
Meaning:
adjective\n(AmE) connected with a grading system for school classes, etc. in which a student passes or fails rather than receiving a grade as a letter (for example, A or B)\n    pass-fail adverb:\nto take a class pass-fail


Words: passable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  fairly good but not excellent \nSYN SATISFACTORY:\nShe put on a passable imitation of a Scottish accent. * He served a bottle of very passable claret with the meal.\n  2  [not usually before noun] if a road or a river is passable, it is not blocked and you can travel along or across it:\nThe mountain roads are not passable until late spring.\nOPP IMPASSABLE


Words: passage
Meaning:
noun\n  long narrow way\n  1  (also passageway ) [C] a long narrow area with walls on either side that connects one room or place with another\nSYN CORRIDOR:\na secret underground passage * A dark narrow passage led to the main hall.\n  in the body\n  2  [C] a tube in the body through which air, liquid, etc. passes:\nblocked nasal passages * the back passage (= between the bowels and the ANUS)\n  section from book\n  3  [C] a short section from a book, piece of music, etc.\nSYN EXCERPT, EXTRACT:\nRead the following passage and answer the questions below.\n  of time\n  4  [sing.] the ~ of time (literary) the process of time passing:\nHer confidence grew with the passage of time.\n  of bill in parliament\n  5  [sing.] the process of discussing a BILL in a parliament so that it can become law:\nThe bill is now guaranteed an easy passage through the House of Representatives.\n  journey by ship\n  6  [sing.] a journey from one place to another by ship:\nHer grandfather had worked his passage (= worked on a ship to pay for the journey) to America.\n  going through\n  7  [sing.] a ~ (through sth) a way through sth:\nThe officers forced a passage through the crowd.\n  8  [U] (formal) the action of going across, through or past sth:\nLarge trees may obstruct the passage of light.\n  9  [U, C, usually sing.] the permission to travel across a particular area of land:\nWe were promised (a) safe passage through the occupied territory. * If the law were passed, EU nationals would no longer enjoy free passage through member states.\nsee also BIRD OF PASSAGE, RITE OF PASSAGE


Words: passbook
Meaning:
noun\na small book containing a record of the money you put into and take out of an account at a BUILDING SOCIETY or a bank


Words: passe
Meaning:
adjective\n[not usually before noun] (from French, disapproving) no longer fashionable:\nHer ideas on food are distinctly passe.


Words: passenger
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  a person who is travelling in a car, bus, train, plane or ship and who is not driving it or working on it:\na passenger train (= carrying passengers, not goods)\n \n  2  (informal disapproving, especially BrE) a member of a group or team who does not do as much work as the others:\nThe firm cannot afford to carry passengers.


Words: passer-by
Meaning:
noun\n(plural passers-by) a person who is going past sb/sth by chance, especially when sth unexpected happens:\nPolice asked passers-by if they had seen the accident.


Words: passim
Meaning:
adverb\n(from Latin) used in the notes to a book or an article to show that a particular name or subject appears in several places in it


Words: passing
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun [U]\n  1  the ~ of time / the years the process of time going by\n  2  (formal) the fact of sth ending or of sb dying:\nWhen the government is finally brought down, no one will mourn its passing. * the passing of the old year (= on New Year’s Eve) * Many will mourn her passing (= her death, when you do not want to say this directly).\n  3  the ~ of sth the act of making sth law:\nthe passing of a resolution / statute / law\n IDIOMS \n  in passing done or said while you are giving your attention to sth else \nSYN CASUALLY:\nHe only mentioned it in passing and didn’t give any details.\n    adjective [only before noun]\n  1  lasting only for a short period of time and then disappearing \nSYN BRIEF:\na passing phase / thought / interest * He makes only a passing reference to the theory in his book. * She bears more than a passing resemblance to (= looks very like) your sister.\n  2  going past:\nI love him more with each passing day. * the noise of passing cars * I was forced to ask passing strangers for money.


Words: passion
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, U] a very strong feeling of love, hatred, anger, enthusiasm, etc:\nHe’s a man of violent passions. * a crime of passion * She argued her case with considerable passion. * Passions were running high (= people were angry and emotional) at the meeting.\n  2  [sing.] (formal) a state of being very angry:\nShe flies into a passion if anyone even mentions his name.\n  3  [U] ~ (for sb) a very strong feeling of sexual love:\nHis passion for her made him blind to everything else.\n  4  [sing.] ~ (for sth) a very strong feeling of liking sth; a hobby, an activity, etc. that you like very much:\nThe English have a passion for gardens. * Music is a passion with him.\n  5  (the Passion) [sing.] (in Christianity) the suffering and death of Jesus Christ


Words: passion fruit
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (plural passion fruit) a small tropical fruit with a thick purple skin and many seeds inside, produced by some types of passion flower


Words: passionate
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  having or showing strong feelings of sexual love or of anger, etc:\nto have a passionate nature\n  2  having or showing strong feelings of enthusiasm for sth or belief in sth:\na passionate interest in music * a passionate defender of civil liberties\n    passionately adverb:\nHe took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. * They are all passionately interested in environmental issues. * She believes passionately in education and hard work.


Words: passive
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective\n  1  accepting what happens or what people do without trying to change anything or oppose them:\nHe played a passive role in the relationship. * a passive observer of events * She wore a passive expression on her face as if she didn’t care what happened.\n  2  (grammar) connected with the form of a verb used when the subject is affected by the action of the verb as in He was bitten by a dog.:\na passive sentence\ncompare ACTIVE\n    passively adverb \n    noun (also passive voice) [sing.] (grammar) the form of a verb used when the subject is affected by the action of the verb\ncompare ACTIVE


Words: passive resistance
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a way of opposing a government or an enemy by peaceful means, often by refusing to obey laws or orders


Words: Passover
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] the Jewish religious festival and holiday in memory of the escape of the Jews from Egypt


Words: passport
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  an official document that identifies you as a citizen of a particular country, and that you may have to show when you enter or leave a country:\na valid passport * a South African passport * I was stopped as I went through passport control (= where passports are checked). * a passport photo\n \n  2  ~ to sth a thing that makes sth possible or enables you to achieve sth:\nThe only passport to success is hard work.


Words: password
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a secret word or phrase that you need to know in order to be allowed into a place\n  2  (computing) a series of letters or numbers that you must type into a computer or computer system in order to be able to use it:\nEnter a user name and password to get into the system.


Words: past
Meaning:
adjective, noun, preposition, adverb \n    adjective\n  1  gone by in time:\nin past years / centuries / ages * in times past * The time for discussion is past.\n  2  [only before noun] gone by recently; just ended:\nI haven’t seen much of her in the past few weeks. * The past month has been really busy at work.\n  3  [only before noun] belonging to an earlier time:\npast events * From past experience I’d say he’d probably forgotten the time. * past and present students of the college * Let’s forget about who was more to blame-it’s all past history.\n  4  [only before noun] (grammar) connected with the form of a verb used to express actions in the past\n    noun\n  1  (the past) [sing.] the time that has gone by; things that happened in an earlier time:\nI used to go there often in the past. * the recent / distant past * She looked back on the past without regret. * Writing letters seems to be a thing of the past.\n  2  [C] a person’s past life or career:\nWe don’t know anything about his past. * They say she has a ’past’ (= bad things in her past life that she wishes to keep secret).\n  3  (the past) [sing.] (grammar) = PAST TENSE\n IDIOMS  see DISTANT, LIVE\n    preposition\n  1  (AmE also after) later than sth:\nhalf past two * ten (minutes) past six * There’s a bus at twenty minutes past the hour (= at 1.20, 2.20, etc.). * We arrived at two o’clock and left at ten past (= ten minutes past two). * It was past midnight when we got home.\n  2  on or to the other side of sb/sth:\nWe live in the house just past the church. * He hurried past them without stopping. * He just walked straight past us!\n  3  above or further than a particular point or stage:\nUnemployment is now past the 3 million mark. * The flowers are past their best. * He’s past his prime. * She’s long past retirement age. * Honestly, I’m past caring what happens (= I can no longer be bothered to care).\n IDIOMS \n  past it (BrE, informal) too old to do what you used to be able to do; too old to be used for its normal function:\nIn some sports you’re past it by the age of 25. * That coat is looking decidedly past it.\n    adverb\n  1  from one side of sth to the other:\nI called out to him as he ran past.\n  2  used to describe time passing:\nA week went past and nothing had changed.


Words: past master
Meaning:
noun\n~ (at sth / at doing sth) a person who is very good at sth because they have a lot of experience in it \nSYN EXPERT:\nShe’s a past master at getting what she wants.


Words: past participle
Meaning:
noun\n(grammar) the form of a verb that in English ends in -ed, -en, etc. and is used with the verb have to form PERFECT tenses such as I have eaten, with the verb be to form PASSIVE sentences such as It was destroyed, or sometimes as an adjective as in an upset stomach\ncompare PRESENT PARTICIPLE


Words: pasta
Meaning:
noun\n[U] an Italian food made from flour, eggs and water, formed into different shapes and usually served with a sauce. It is often sold in packets and is hard when dry and soft when cooked.


Words: paste
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [sing.] a soft wet mixture, usually made of a powder and a liquid:\nShe mixed the flour and water to a smooth paste.\n  2  [C] (especially in compounds) a smooth mixture of crushed meat, fish, etc. that is spread on bread or used in cooking\n  3  [U] a type of glue that is used for sticking paper to things:\nwallpaper paste\n  4  [U] a substance like glass, that is used for making artificial jewels, for example DIAMONDS\n    verb\n  1  [VN +adv./prep.] to stick sth to sth else using glue or paste:\nHe pasted the pictures into his scrapbook. * Paste the two pieces together. * Paste down the edges.\n  2  [VN] to make sth by sticking pieces of paper together:\nThe children were busy cutting and pasting paper hats.\n  3  (computing) to copy or move text into a document from another place or another document:\n[VN] This function allows you to cut and paste text. * [V] It’s quicker to cut and paste than to retype.


Words: pastel
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] soft coloured chalk, used for drawing pictures:\nlandscapes in pastel and oil\n  2  (pastels) [pl.] small sticks of chalk:\na box of pastels\n  3  [C] a picture drawn with pastels:\nan exquisite pastel of a riverside scene\n  4  [C] a pale delicate colour:\nThe whole house was painted in soft pastels.


Words: pasteurize
Meaning:
(BrE also pasteurise)  verb\n[VN] to heat a liquid, especially milk, to a particular temperature and then cool it, in order to kill harmful bacteria:\npasteurized milk\n    pasteurization, pasteurisation  noun [U]


Words: pastiche
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a work of art, piece of writing, etc. that is created by deliberately copying the style of sb/sth else:\na pastiche of the classic detective story\n  2  [C] a work of art, etc. that consists of a variety of different styles\n  3  [U] the art of creating a pastiche:\nShe’s an expert in the art of pastiche and parody.


Words: pastille
Meaning:
noun\n(especially BrE) a small sweet/candy that you suck, especially one that is flavoured with fruit or that contains medicine for a sore throat:\nfruit pastilles * throat pastilles


Words: pastime
Meaning:
noun\nsomething that you enjoy doing when you are not working \nSYN HOBBY:\nWatching television now seems to be the most popular national pastime.


Words: pasting
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing.] (especially BrE) a heavy defeat in a game or competition:\nThe team took a real pasting in Saturday’s game.\n  2  [sing.] (especially BrE) an instance of being hit very hard as a punishment for sth


Words: pastor
Meaning:
noun\na MINISTER in charge of a Christian church or group, especially in some NONCONFORMIST churches


Words: pastoral
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  relating to the work of a priest or teacher in giving help and advice on personal matters, not just those connected with religion or education:\npastoral care / counselling / duties / work * the church’s pastoral ministry in the inner cities.\n  2  showing country life or the countryside, especially in a romantic way:\na pastoral scene / poem / symphony\n  3  relating to the farming of animals:\nagricultural and pastoral practices


Words: pastry
Meaning:
noun (plural pastries)\n \n  1  [U] a mixture of flour, fat and water or milk that is rolled out flat and baked as a base or covering for pies, etc:\na pastry case\nsee also CHOUX PASTRY, FILO PASTRY, PUFF PASTRY, SHORTCRUST PASTRY\n \n  2  [C] a small cake made using pastry\nsee also DANISH PASTRY


Words: pasture
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [U, C] land covered with grass that is suitable for feeding animals on:\nan area of permanent / rough / rich pasture * high mountain pastures * The cattle were put out to pasture. * We drove through mile after mile of land cleared for pasture.\n  2  (pastures) [pl.] the circumstances of your life, work, etc:\nI felt we were off to greener pastures (= a better way of life). * (BrE) She decided it was time to move on to pastures new (= a new job, place to live, etc.).\n    verb [VN] to put animals in a field to feed on grass:\nThe cattle were pastured on rich meadow grass.


Words: pasty
Meaning:
noun\n(plural pasties) (BrE) a small pie containing meat and vegetables\nsee also CORNISH PASTY\n\n adjective\npale and not looking healthy:\na pasty face / complexion


Words: pat
Meaning:
verb, noun, adjective, adverb \n    verb (-tt-) to touch sb/sth gently several times with your hand flat, especially as a sign of affection:\n[VN] She patted the dog on the head. * He patted his sister’s hand consolingly. * [VN-ADJ] Pat your face dry with a soft towel.\n IDIOMS \n  pat sb / yourself on the back to praise sb or yourself for doing sth well\n    noun\n  1  a gentle friendly touch with your open hand or with a flat object:\na pat on the head * He gave her knee an affectionate pat.\n  2  ~ of butter a small, soft, flat lump of butter:\nbaked potatoes with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of paprika\nsee also COWPAT\n IDIOMS \n  a pat on the back (for sth / for doing sth) praise or approval for sth that you have done well:\nHe deserves a pat on the back for all his hard work. * Give yourself a pat on the back!\n    adjective (usually disapproving) (of an answer, a comment, etc.) too quick, easy or simple; not seeming natural or realistic \nSYN GLIB:\nThe ending of the novel is a little too pat to be convincing. * There are no pat answers to these questions.\n    adverb\n IDIOMS \n  have / know sth off pat (BrE) (AmE have / know sth down pat) to know sth perfectly so that you can repeat it at any time without having to think about it:\nHe had all the answers off pat.\n  stand pat (especially AmE) to refuse to change your mind about a decision you have made or an opinion you have


Words: patch
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  small area\n \n  1  a small area of sth, especially one which is different from the area around it:\na black dog with a white patch on its back * a bald patch on the top of his head * damp patches on the wall * patches of dense fog * We sat in a patch of shade under a tree.\n \n  piece of material\n \n  2  a small piece of material that is used to cover a hole in sth or to strengthen a weak area:\nI sewed patches on the knees of my jeans.\n \n  3  a piece of material that you wear over an eye, usually because the eye is damaged:\nHe had a black patch over one eye.\nsee also EYEPATCH\n  4  (especially AmE) (BrE usually badge) a piece of material that you sew onto clothes, etc. as a decoration or as part of a uniform\n  5  a piece of material that people can wear on their skin to help them to stop smoking:\nnicotine patches\n  piece / area of land\n  6  a small piece of land, especially one used for growing vegetables or fruit:\na vegetable patch\n  7  (BrE, informal) an area that sb works in, knows well or comes from:\nHe knows every house in his patch. * She has had a lot of success in her home patch.\n  difficult time\n  8  (informal, especially BrE) a period of time of the type mentioned, usually a difficult or unhappy one:\nto go through a bad / difficult / sticky patch\nsee also PURPLE PATCH\n IDIOMS \n  be not a patch on sb/sth (informal, especially BrE) to be much less good, attractive, etc. than sb/sth else:\nThis book isn’t a patch on her others. * She was no great beauty. Not a patch on Martha.\n    verb [VN] ~ sth (with sth) to cover a hole or a worn place, especially in clothes, with a piece of cloth or other material:\npatched jeans * to patch a hole in the roof\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  patch sb/sth through (to sb/sth) to connect telephone or electronic equipment temporarily:\nShe was patched through to London on the satellite link.\n  patch sth<->together to make sth from several different parts, especially in a quick careless way:\nThey hope to be able to patch together a temporary settlement.\n  patch sth/sb<->up\n1 to repair sth especially in a temporary way by adding a new piece of material or patch:\nJust to patch the boat up will cost ｣10 000.\n2 to treat sb’s injuries, especially quickly or temporarily:\nThe doctor will soon patch you up.\n3 to try to stop quarrelling with sb and be friends again:\nThey’ve managed to patch up their differences. * Have you tried patching things up with her?\n4 to agree on sth, especially after long discussions and even though the agreement is not completely satisfactory:\nThey managed to patch up a deal.


Words: patchwork
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [U] a type of NEEDLEWORK in which small pieces of fabric of different colours or designs are sewn together:\na patchwork quilt\n \n  2  [sing.] a thing that is made up of many different pieces or parts:\na patchwork of different styles and cultures * From the plane, the landscape was just a patchwork of fields.


Words: patchy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  existing or happening in some places and not others:\npatchy fog * The grass was dry and patchy.\n  2  (AmE also spotty) not complete; good in some parts, but not in others:\na patchy knowledge of Spanish * It was a patchy performance.\n    patchily adverb:\na species of flower that occurs patchily on this island\n    patchiness noun [U]


Words: pate
Meaning:
noun\n(old use or humorous) the top part of the head, especially when there is no hair on it:\nThe sun beat down on his bald pate.\n\n noun\n[U] a soft mixture of very finely chopped meat or fish, served cold and used for spreading on bread, etc.


Words: patent
Meaning:
noun, adjective, verb \n    noun  [C, U] an official right to be the only person to make, use or sell a product or an invention; a document that proves this:\nto apply for / obtain a patent on an invention * The device was protected by patent.\n    adjective  [only before noun]\n  1  connected with a patent:\npatent applications / laws * the US Patent Office\n  2  (of a product) made or sold by a particular company:\npatent medicines\n  3  (formal) used to emphasize that sth bad is very clear and obvious:\nIt was a patent lie.\n    verb  [VN] to obtain a patent for an invention or a process


Words: patently
Meaning:
adverb\n(formal) without doubt; clearly:\nHer explanation was patently ridiculous. * It was patently obvious that she was lying.


Words: paternal
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  connected with being a father; typical of a kind father:\npaternal instincts / love * He gave me a piece of paternal advice.\n  2  related through the father’s side of the family:\nmy paternal grandmother (= my father’s mother)\n    paternally adverb:\nHe smiled paternally at them.\ncompare MATERNAL


Words: paternalism
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (sometimes disapproving) the system in which a government or an employer protects the people who are governed or employed by providing them with what they need, but does not give them any responsibility or freedom of choice\n    paternalistic  (also paternalist) adjective:\na paternalistic employer / state


Words: paternity
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (written) the fact of being the father of a child:\nHe refused to admit paternity of the child.\ncompare MATERNITY


Words: paternity suit
Meaning:
(also paternity case) noun\na court case that is intended to prove who a child’s father is, especially so that he can be ordered to give the child financial support


Words: path
Meaning:
noun (also pathway)\n \n  1  a way or track that is built or is made by the action of people walking:\na concrete path * the garden path * Follow the path through the woods. * to walk along a path * The path led up a steep hill. * a coastal path\nsee also FOOTPATH\n \n  2  a line along which sb/sth moves; the space in front of sb/sth as they move:\nHe threw himself into the path of an oncoming vehicle. * The avalanche forced its way down the mountain, crushing everything in its path. * Three men blocked her path.\nsee also FLIGHT PATH\n \n  3  a plan of action or a way of achieving sth:\na career path * the path to freedom / success / victory\n IDIOMS  see BEAT v., CROSS v., LEAD v., PRIMROSE, SMOOTH v.


Words: pathetic
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  making you feel pity or sadness:\na pathetic and lonely old man * The starving children were a pathetic sight.\n  2  (informal, disapproving) weak, useless and not successful:\na pathetic excuse / joke * She made a pathetic attempt to smile. * I know it sounds pathetic, but I can’t ride a bike. * You’re pathetic!\n    pathetically  adverb:\nHe cried pathetically. * a pathetically shy woman


Words: pathetic fallacy
Meaning:
noun\n[U, sing.] (in art and literature) the act of describing animals and things as having human feelings:\nthe poet’s use of pathetic fallacy in showing nature mourning the death of the shepherd


Words: pathfinder
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person, group or thing that goes before others and shows the way over unknown land:\nan army pathfinder force\n  2  a person, group or thing that finds a new way of doing sth:\nThe company is a pathfinder in computer technology.


Words: patho-
Meaning:
combining form\n(in nouns, adjectives and adverbs) connected with disease:\npathogenesis (= the development of a disease) * pathophysiology


Words: pathogen
Meaning:
noun\n(technical) a thing that causes disease:\nthe spread of pathogens by insects\n    pathogenic  adjective:\npathogenic bacteria / organisms / viruses


Words: pathological
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not reasonable or sensible; impossible to control:\npathological fear / hatred / violence * a pathological liar (= a person who cannot stop telling lies)\n  2  caused by, or connected with, disease or illness:\npathological depression\n  3  (technical) connected with PATHOLOGY\n    pathologically  adverb:\npathologically jealous


Words: pathologist
Meaning:
noun\na doctor who studies pathology and examines dead bodies to find out the cause of death\ncompare MEDICAL EXAMINER


Words: pathology
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] the scientific study of diseases\n  2  [C] an aspect of sb’s behaviour that is extreme and unreasonable and that they cannot control


Words: pathos
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (in writing, speech and plays) the power of a performance, description, etc. to produce feelings of sadness and sympathy:\nThe scene was full of pathos.


Words: patience
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  ~ (with sb/sth) the ability to stay calm and accept a delay or sth annoying without complaining:\nShe has little patience with (= will not accept or consider) such views. * People have lost patience with (= have become annoyed about) the slow pace of reform. * My patience is wearing thin. * I have run out of patience with her. * Teaching children with special needs requires patience and understanding. * You’d try the patience of a saint!\n  2  the ability to spend a lot of time doing sth difficult that needs a lot of attention and effort:\nIt takes time and patience to photograph wildlife. * I don’t have the patience to do jigsaw puzzles.\n  3  (BrE) (AmE solitaire) a card game for only one player\n IDIOMS  see TRY v.


Words: patient
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a person who is receiving medical treatment, especially in a hospital:\ncancer patients\n \n  2  a person who receives treatment from a particular doctor, dentist, etc:\nHe’s one of Dr Shaw’s patients.\n    adjective ~ (with sb/sth) able to wait for a long time or accept annoying behaviour or difficulties without becoming angry:\nShe’s very patient with young children. * You’ll just have to be patient and wait till I’m finished.\n    patiently adverb:\nto listen / sit / wait patiently * She sat patiently waiting for her turn.


Words: patina
Meaning:
noun [usually sing.]\n  1  a green, black or brown layer that forms on the surface of some metals:\nThe bronze statue had acquired a hard green patina with age.\n  2  a thin layer that forms on other materials; the shiny surface that develops on wood or leather when it is polished:\nThe furniture was old, with the shiny patina of frequent polishing. * (figurative) He looked relaxed and elegant and had the patina of success.


Words: patination
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (technical) a shiny layer on the surface of metal, wood, etc.; the process of covering sth with a shiny layer:\nJapanese metalworkers have made the skill of patination into an art form.


Words: patio
Meaning:
noun\n(plural patios ) a flat hard area outside, and usually behind, a house where people can sit:\nLet’s have lunch out on the patio.


Words: patisserie
Meaning:
noun (from French)\n  1  [C] a shop/store that sells cakes, etc.\n  2  [U] (also patisseries [pl.]) (formal) cakes


Words: patois
Meaning:
noun\n(plural patois ) a form of a language, spoken by people in a particular area, that is different from the standard language of the country


Words: patriarch
Meaning:
noun\n  1  the male head of a family or tribe\ncompare MATRIARCH\n  2  an old man that people have a lot of respect for\n  3  (Patriarch) the title of a most senior BISHOP (= a senior priest) in the Orthodox or Roman Catholic Church:\nthe Patriarch of Constantinople * the Orthodox Patriarch


Words: patriarchal
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  ruled or controlled by men; giving power and importance only to men:\na patriarchal society\n  2  connected with a patriarch\ncompare MATRIARCHAL


Words: patriarchate
Meaning:
noun (formal)\n  1  the title, position or period of office of a patriarch (3)\n  2  the area governed by a patriarch (3)


Words: patrician
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) typical of the highest social class\nSYN ARISTOCRATIC:\nShe comes from an old patrician family.\n    patrician noun-compare PLEBEIAN


Words: patricide
Meaning:
noun\n[U, C] (formal) the crime of killing your father; a person who is guilty of this crime\ncompare FRATRICIDE, MATRICIDE, PARRICIDE


Words: patrimony
Meaning:
noun [sing.] (formal)\n  1  property that is given to sb when their father dies \nSYN INHERITANCE\n  2  the works of art and TREASURES of a nation, church, etc.\nSYN HERITAGE


Words: patriotic
Meaning:
adjective\nhaving or expressing a great love of your country:\na patriotic man who served his country well * patriotic music / songs


Words: patrol
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-ll-)\n  1  to go around an area or a building at regular times to check that it is safe and that there is no trouble:\n[VN] Troops patrolled the border day and night. * [V] Guards can be seen patrolling everywhere.\n  2  [VN] to drive or walk around a particular area, especially in a threatening way:\nGangs of youths patrol the streets at night.\n    noun\n  1  [C, U] the act of going to different parts of a building, an area, etc. to make sure that there is no trouble or crime:\nSecurity guards make regular patrols at night. * a police car on patrol\n  2  [C] a group of soldiers, vehicles, etc. that patrol an area:\na naval / police patrol * a patrol car / boat\n  3  a group of about six BOY SCOUTS or GIRL GUIDES/SCOUTS that forms part of a larger group


Words: patrolman
Meaning:
1  (in the US) a police officer who walks or drives around an area to make sure that there is no trouble or crime:\nPatrolman Don Lilly\n  2  (in Britain) an official of an association for car owners who goes to give help to drivers who have trouble with their cars


Words: patron
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a person who gives money and support to artists and writers:\nFrederick the Great was the patron of many artists.\n  2  a famous person who supports an organization such as a charity and whose name is used in the advertisements, etc. for the organization:\nDiana, Princess of Wales was patron of the charity Birthright.\n  3  (formal) a person who uses a particular shop/store, restaurant, theatre, etc:\nPatrons are requested not to smoke.


Words: patron saint
Meaning:
noun\na Christian saint who is believed to protect a particular place or group of people:\nSt Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint * St Christopher, patron saint of travellers


Words: patronage
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the support, especially financial, that is given to a person or an organization by a patron:\nPatronage of the arts comes mostly from businesses and private individuals.\n  2  the system by which an important person gives help or a job to sb in return for their support\n  3  (especially AmE) the support that a person gives a shop/store, restaurant, etc. by spending money there


Words: patronize
Meaning:
(BrE also patronise)  verb\n  1  (disapproving) to treat sb in a way that seems friendly, but which shows that you think that they are not very intelligent, experienced, etc:\n[VN] Some television programmes tend to patronize children. [also V]\n  2  [VN] (formal) to be a regular customer of a shop/store, restaurant, etc:\nThe club is patronized by students and locals alike.\n  3  [VN] to help a particular person, organization or activity by giving them money:\nShe patronizes many contemporary British artists.


Words: patronizing
Meaning:
(BrE also patronising)  adjective\n(disapproving) showing that you feel better, or more intelligent than sb else:\na patronizing manner / smile * I was only trying to explain; I didn’t want to sound patronizing.\n    patronizingly, patronisingly adverb:\nHe patted her hand patronizingly.


Words: patsy
Meaning:
noun\n(plural patsies) (informal disapproving, especially AmE) a weak person who is easily cheated or deceived, or who is forced to take the blame for sth that sb else has done wrong


Words: patter
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [sing.] the sound that is made by sth repeatedly hitting a surface quickly and lightly:\nthe patter of feet / footsteps * the patter of rain on the roof\n  2  [U, sing.] fast continuous talk by sb who is trying to sell you sth or entertain you:\nsales patter\n IDIOMS \n  the patter of tiny feet (informal or humorous) a way of referring to children when sb wants, or is going to have, a baby:\nWe can’t wait to hear the patter of tiny feet.\n    verb [V +adv./prep.] \n  1  to make quick, light sounds as a surface is being hit several times:\nRain pattered against the window.\n  2  to walk with light steps in a particular direction:\nI heard her feet pattering along the corridor.


Words: pattern
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  the regular way in which sth happens or is done:\nchanging patterns of behaviour / work / weather * an irregular sleeping pattern * The murders all seem to follow a (similar) pattern (= happen in the same way).\n  2  [usually sing.] an excellent example to copy:\nThis system sets the pattern for others to follow.\n  3  a regular arrangement of lines, shapes, colours, etc. as a design on material, carpets, etc:\na pattern of diamonds and squares * a shirt with a floral pattern\n  4  a design, set of instructions or shape to cut around that you use in order to make sth:\na knitting pattern * She bought a dress pattern and some material.\n  5  a small piece of material, paper, etc. that helps you choose the design of sth \nSYN SAMPLE:\nwallpaper patterns\n    verb [VN] \n  1  (written) to form a regular arrangement of lines or shapes on sth:\nFrost patterned the window. * a landscape patterned by vineyards\n  2  (technical) to cause a particular type of behaviour to develop:\nAdult behaviour is often patterned by childhood experiences.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pattern sth on sth (BrE) (AmE pattern sth after sth) [usually passive] to use sth as a model for sth; to copy sth:\na new approach patterned on Japanese ideas


Words: patterned
Meaning:
adjective\n~ (with sth) decorated with a pattern:\npatterned wallpaper * cups patterned with yellow flowers


Words: patterning
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  (technical) the forming of fixed ways of behaving by copying or repeating sth:\ncultural patterning * the patterning of husband-wife roles\n  2  the arrangement of shapes or colours to make patterns:\na red fish with black patterning


Words: patty
Meaning:
noun\n(plural patties) (especially AmE) finely chopped meat, fish, etc. formed into a small round flat shape:\na hamburger patty


Words: paucity
Meaning:
noun\n[sing.] (formal) ~ (of sth) a small amount of sth; less than enough of sth:\na paucity of knowledge / information / research


Words: paunch
Meaning:
noun\na fat stomach on a man:\nThe driver had a paunch hanging over his belt.\n    paunchy adjective:\nMr Steed was middle-aged and paunchy, with deep shadows under his eyes.


Words: pause
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] to stop talking or doing sth for a short time before continuing:\nAnita paused for a moment, then said: ’All right’. * The woman spoke almost without pausing for breath (= very quickly). * I paused at the door and looked back. * Pausing only to pull on a sweater, he ran out of the house.\n  2  [VN] to stop a tape, CD, etc. for a short time using the pause button:\nShe paused the video and went to answer the phone.\n    noun\n  1  ~ (in sth) a period of time during which sb stops talking or stops what they are doing:\nThere was a long pause before she answered. * David waited for a pause in the conversation so he could ask Joe his question. * After a brief pause, they continued climbing. * The rain fell without pause. -> BREAK\n  2  (especially BrE) (also fermata especially in AmE) (music) a sign ({pause}) over a note or a REST to show that it should be longer than usual\n  3  [U] (also pause button) a control that allows you to stop a TAPE RECORDER, CD player, etc. for a short time:\nPress pause to stop the tape.\n IDIOMS \n  give (sb) pause (BrE also give (sb) pause for thought) (formal) to make sb think seriously about sth or hesitate before doing sth:\nPopular resistance to the measures should give the government pause.\nmore at PREGNANT


Words: pave
Meaning:
verb\n[VN] [often passive] ~ sth (with sth) to cover a surface with flat stones or bricks:\na paved area near the back door\n IDIOMS \n  pave the way (for sb/sth) to create a situation in which sb will be able to do sth or sth can happen:\nThis decision paved the way for changes in employment rights for women.\nmore at STREET


Words: pavement
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  [C] (BrE) (AmE sidewalk) a flat part at the side of a road for people to walk on:\na pavement cafe * Don’t ride your bike on the pavement!\n \n  2  [C, U] (BrE) any area of flat stones on the ground:\na mosaic pavement\n \n  3  [U] (AmE) the surface of a road:\nTwo cars skidded on the icy pavement.


Words: pavilion
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a temporary building used at public events and EXHIBITIONS:\nthe US pavilion at the Trade Fair\n  2  (BrE) a building next to a sports ground, used by players and people watching the game:\na cricket pavilion\n  3  (AmE) a large building used for sports or entertainment:\nthe Pauley Pavilion, home of the university’s basketball team\n  4  a building that is meant to be more beautiful than useful, built as a shelter in a park or used for concerts and dances:\nhis first show at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, Blackpool


Words: paving
Meaning:
noun [U]\n \n  1  a surface of flat stones or material like stone on the ground:\nWeeds grew through the cracks in the paving.\nsee also CRAZY PAVING\n \n  2  the stones or material that are used to make a flat surface on the ground:\nWe’ll use concrete paving.


Words: paw
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  the foot of an animal that has CLAWS or nails\n \n  2  (informal) a person’s hand:\nTake your filthy paws off me!\n    verb ~ (at) sth\n  1  (of an animal) to scratch or touch sth repeatedly with a paw:\n[V] The dog pawed at my sleeve. * [VN] The stallion pawed the ground impatiently.\n  2  [VN] (sometimes humorous) to touch sb in a rough sexual way that they find offensive


Words: pawn
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a CHESS piece of the smallest size and least value. Each player has eight pawns at the start of a game:\nHe had to sacrifice another pawn.\n \n  2  a person or group whose actions are controlled by more powerful people:\nThe hostages are being used as political pawns.\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  in pawn if sth is in pawn, it has been pawned:\nAll her jewellery was in pawn.\n    verb [VN] to leave an object with a pawnbroker in exchange for money. The object is returned to the owner if he or she pays back the money within an agreed period of time. If not, it can be sold.


Words: pawnbroker
Meaning:
noun\na person who lends money in exchange for articles left with them. If the money is not paid back by a particular time, the pawnbroker can sell the article.


Words: pay
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (paid, paid )\n  1  ~ (sb) (for sth) to give sb money for work, goods, services, etc:\n[V] I’ll pay for the tickets. * Are you paying in cash or by credit card? * Her parents paid for her to go to Canada. * My company pays well (= pays high salaries). * [VN] to pay cash * Would you mind paying the taxi driver? * She pays ｣200 a week for this apartment. * [VNN] He still hasn’t paid me the money he owes me. * I’m paid $100 a day. * [VN to inf] I don’t pay you to sit around all day doing nothing!\nsee also LOW-PAID\n  2  ~ sth (to sb) | ~ (sb) sth to give sb money that you owe them:\n[VN] Membership fees should be paid to the secretary. * to pay a bill / debt / fine / ransom * [VNN] Have you paid him the rent yet?\n  3  [V] (of a business, etc.) to produce a profit:\nIt’s hard to make farming pay.\n  4  to result in some advantage or profit for sb:\n[V] Crime doesn’t pay. * [V to inf] It pays to keep up to date with your work. * [VN to inf] It would probably pay you to hire an accountant.\n  5  [V] ~ (for sth) to suffer or be punished for your beliefs or actions:\nYou’ll pay for that remark! * Many people paid with their lives (= they died).\n  6  used with some nouns to show that you are giving or doing the thing mentioned [VN, VNN] I’ll pay a call on (= visit) my friends. * I’ll pay you a call when I’m in town. * [VN] I didn’t pay attention to what she was saying. * The director paid tribute to all she had done for the charity. * [VNN] He’s always paying me compliments.\n IDIOMS \n  the devil / hell to pay (informal) a lot of trouble:\nThere’ll be hell to pay when he finds out.\n  he who pays the piper calls the tune (saying) the person who provides the money for sth can also control how it is spent\n  pay court to sb (old-fashioned) to treat sb with great respect in order to gain favour with them\n  pay dividends to produce great advantages or profits:\nExercising regularly will pay dividends in the end.\n  pay for itself (of a new system, sth you have bought, etc.) to save as much money as it cost:\nThe rail pass will pay for itself after only about two trips.\n  pay its way (of a business, etc.) to make enough money to pay what it costs to keep it going:\nThe bridge is still not paying its way.\n  pay the penalty (for sth / for doing sth) | pay a / the price (for sth / for doing sth) to suffer because of bad luck, a mistake or sth you have done:\nHe looked terrible this morning. I think he’s paying the penalty for all those late nights. * They’re now paying the price for past mistakes. * She thinks that any inconvenience is a price worth paying for living in such a beautiful place.\n  pay your respects (to sb) (formal) to visit sb or to send greetings as a sign of respect for them:\nMany came to pay their last respects (= by attending sb’s funeral).\n  pay through the nose (for sth) (informal) to pay much too much money for sth\n  pay your way to pay for everything yourself without having to rely on anyone else’s money\n  put paid to sth (informal) to stop or destroy sth, especially what sb plans or wants to do\nmore at ARM n., HEED n., ROB\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pay sb back (sth) | pay sth<->back (to sb) to return money that you borrowed from sb:\nI’ll pay you back next week. * You can pay back the loan over a period of three years. * Did he ever pay you back that $100 he owes you?\n  pay sb back (for sth) to punish sb for making you or sb else suffer:\nI’ll pay him back for making me look like a fool in front of everyone.\nrelated noun PAYBACK\n  pay sth<->in | pay sth into sth to put money into a bank account:\nI paid in a cheque this morning. * I’d like to pay some money into my account.\n  pay off (informal) (of a plan or an action, especially one that involves risk) to be successful and bring good results:\nThe gamble paid off.\n  pay sb<->off\n1 to pay sb what they have earned and tell them to leave their job:\nThe crew were paid off as soon as the ship docked.\n2 (informal) to give sb money to prevent them from doing sth or talking about sth illegal or dishonest that you have done:\nAll the witnesses had been paid off.\nrelated noun PAY-OFF\n  pay sth<->off to finish paying money owed for sth:\nWe paid off our mortgage after fifteen years.\n  pay sth<->out\n1 to pay a large sum of money for sth:\nI had to pay out ｣500 to get my car repaired.\nrelated noun PAYOUT\n2 to pass a length of rope through your hands\n  pay up to pay all the money that you owe to sb, especially when you do not want to or when the payment is late:\nI had a hard time getting him to pay up.\n    noun [U] the money that sb gets for doing regular work:\nHer job is hard work, but the pay is good. * a pay increase * (BrE) a pay rise * (AmE) a pay raise * a 3% pay offer * holiday pay * to make a pay claim (= to officially ask for an increase in pay)\nsee also SICK PAY\n IDIOMS \n  in the pay of sb/sth (usually disapproving) working for sb or for an organization, often secretly:\nHe was in the pay of the drugs barons.


Words: pay cheque
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE paycheck ) noun\n  1  the cheque that you are given when your wages are paid to you\n  2  (especially AmE) a way of referring to the amount of money that you earn:\na huge paycheck


Words: pay dirt
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (especially AmE) earth that contains valuable minerals or metal such as gold\n IDIOMS \n  hit / strike pay dirt (informal) to suddenly be in a successful situation, especially one that makes you rich:\nThe band really hit pay dirt with their last album.


Words: pay packet
Meaning:
(also wage packet) (both BrE) noun\nan envelope containing your wages; the amount sb earns:\nHow much did you get in your pay packet this week?


Words: pay-off
Meaning:
noun (informal)\n  1  a payment of money to sb so that they will not cause you any trouble or to make them keep a secret\nSYN BRIBE:\nThe police are accused of receiving secret pay-offs from the drug barons.\n  2  a payment of money to sb to persuade them to leave their job:\nThe company is offering large pay-offs to anyone accepting voluntary redundancy.\n  3  an advantage or a reward from sth you have done


Words: payable
Meaning:
adjective [not before noun]\n  1  that must be paid or can be paid:\nA 10% deposit is payable in advance. * The price is payable in monthly instalments.\n  2  when a cheque, etc. is made payable to sb, their name is written on it and they can then pay it into their bank account:\nPlease make the cheque payable to Rose Roger.


Words: payback
Meaning:
noun [C, U]\n  1  the money that you receive back on money that you have invested (especially when this is equal to the amount that you invested to start with); the time that it takes to get your money back:\na 10-year payback\n  2  the advantage or REWARD that sb receives for sth they have done; the act of paying sth back:\nHis victory was seen as payback for all the hard work he’d put in during training. * (informal) It’s payback time! (= a person will have to suffer for what they have done)


Words: PAYE
Meaning:
abbreviation\npay as you earn (a British system of paying income tax in which money is taken from your wages by your employer and paid to the government)


Words: payer
Meaning:
noun\na person who pays or who has to pay for sth:\nmortgage payers * The company are not very good payers (= they are slow to pay their bills, or they do not pay their employees well).


Words: paying guest
Meaning:
noun\na person who pays to live in sb’s house with them, usually for a short time:\nShe takes in foreign students as paying guests during the summer.


Words: payload
Meaning:
noun (technical)\n  1  the passengers and goods on a ship or an aircraft for which payment is received\n  2  the goods that a vehicle, for example a lorry/truck, is carrying; the amount it is carrying\n  3  the explosive power of a bomb or a MISSILE\n  4  the equipment carried by a spacecraft or satellite


Words: paymaster
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (usually disapproving) a person or group of people that pays another person or organization and therefore can control their actions\n  2  an official who pays the wages in the army, a factory, etc.


Words: payment
Meaning:
noun ~ (for sth)\n  1  [U] the act of paying sb/sth or of being paid:\npayment in instalments / in advance / by cheque * There will be a penalty for late payment of bills. * What method of payment do you prefer?\n  2  [C] a sum of money paid or expected to be paid:\na cash payment * They are finding it difficult to meet the payments on their car. * He agreed to make ten monthly payments of ｣50.\nsee also BALANCE OF PAYMENTS\n  3  [U, sing.] a reward or an act of thanks for sth you have done:\nWe’d like you to accept this gift in payment for your kindness. * Is this all the payment I get for my efforts?


Words: payola
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (AmE, informal) the practice of giving or taking payments for doing sth illegal, especially for illegally influencing the sales of a particular product\nSYN BRIBERY


Words: payroll
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a list of people employed by a company showing the amount of money to be paid to each of them:\nWe have 500 people on the payroll.\n  2  [usually sing.] the total amount paid in wages by a company:\nThe firm is growing fast with a monthly payroll of $1 million.


Words: payslip
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a piece of paper given to an employee that shows how much money they have been paid and how much has been taken away for tax, etc.


Words: PC
Meaning:
abbreviation\n  1  the abbreviation for ’personal computer’ (a small computer that is designed for one person to use at work or at home):\nsoftware for PCs\n  2  (BrE) the abbreviation for ’Police Constable’ (a police officer of the lowest rank):\nPC Tom March\nsee also WPC\n  3  the abbreviation for POLITICALLY CORRECT


Words: PE
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE P.E.)  noun\n[U] the abbreviation for ’physical education’ (sport and exercise that is taught in schools):\na PE lesson / class


Words: pea
Meaning:
noun\na small round green seed, eaten as a vegetable. Several peas grow together inside a long thin POD on a climbing plant also called a pea:\nfrozen peas * pea soup\nsee also CHICKPEA, MUSHY PEAS, SPLIT PEA, SWEET PEA


Words: peace
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U, sing.] a situation or a period of time in which there is no war or violence in a country or an area:\nwar and peace * peace talks / negotiations * The negotiators are trying to make peace between the warring factions. * A UN force has been sent to keep the peace (= to prevent people from fighting). * After years of war, the people long for a lasting peace. * the Peace of Utrecht, 1713 (= the agreement ending the war) * The two communities live together in peace. * The countries have been at peace for more than a century. * the peace movement (= that tries to prevent war by protesting, persuading politicians, etc.)\n  2  [U] the state of being calm or quiet:\nShe lay back and enjoyed the peace of the summer evening. * I would work better if I had some peace and quiet. * He just wants to be left in peace (= not to be disturbed). * I need to check that she is all right, just for my own peace of mind (= so that I do not have to worry). * He never felt really at peace with himself. * (law) They were charged with disturbing the peace (= behaving in a noisy and violent way).\n  3  [U] the state of living in friendship with sb without arguing:\nThey simply can’t seem to live in peace with each other. * She felt at peace with the world.\nsee also BREACH, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE\n IDIOMS \n  hold your peace / tongue (old-fashioned) to remain silent although you would like to give your opinion\n  make (your) peace with sb to end an argument with sb, usually by saying you are sorry:\nHe made peace with his brother when their father was dying.\nmore at WICKED n.\n______________________________\n WHICH WORD? \npeace / peacefulness\nThe noun peace can be used to talk about a peaceful state or situation: world peace * I just need some peace and quiet. Peacefulness is not a common word. It means ’the quality of being peaceful’.\n______________________________


Words: peace dividend
Meaning:
noun\n[usually sing.] money previously spent on weapons and the defence of a country and now available to be used for other things because of a reduction in a country’s military forces


Words: peace offering
Meaning:
noun\na present given to sb to show that you are sorry for sth or want to make peace after an argument:\nCan I cook you dinner as a peace offering?


Words: peaceable
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not involving or causing argument or violence\nSYN PEACEFUL:\nA peaceable settlement has been reached. * A peaceable crowd gathered outside the White House.\n  2  not liking to argue; wishing to live in peace with others\nSYN PEACEFUL, CALM:\na peaceable nature / character * I like to think of myself as a peaceable man. * They sat in peaceable silence. (= they were not arguing).\n    peaceably  adverb


Words: peaceful
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  not involving a war, violence or argument:\na peaceful protest / demonstration / solution * They hope for a peaceful settlement of the dispute. * people of different religions living in peaceful coexistence\n  2  quiet and calm; not worried or disturbed in any way:\na peaceful atmosphere / evening * peaceful sleep * It’s so peaceful out here in the country. * He had a peaceful life.\n  3  trying to create peace or to live in peace; not liking violence or disagreement\nSYN PEACEABLE:\na peaceful society * The aims of the organization are wholly peaceful.\n    peacefully  adverb:\nThe siege has ended peacefully. * The baby slept peacefully. * He died peacefully in her arms.\n    peacefulness noun [U] -> PEACE:\na sense of calm and inner peacefulness


Words: peacekeeping
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] intended to help keep the peace and prevent war or violence in a place where this is likely:\npeacekeeping operations * a United Nations peacekeeping force


Words: peacemaker
Meaning:
noun\na person who tries to persuade people or countries to stop arguing or fighting and to make peace


Words: peacetime
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a period of time when a country is not at war:\nEven in peacetime, much of the budget was devoted to military expenditure.\ncompare WARTIME


Words: peach
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [C] a round fruit with soft red and yellow skin, yellow flesh and a rough stone/pit inside:\na peach tree\ncompare NECTARINE\n \n  2  [sing.] ~ (of a ...) (old-fashioned, informal) a particularly good or attractive person or thing:\nHe’s a real peach. * That was a peach of a shot!\n \n  3  [U] a pinkish-orange colour\n    adjective pinkish-orange in colour:\npeach silk pyjamas


Words: peachy
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  like a peach in colour or appearance:\npale peachy skin\n  2  (AmE, informal) fine; very nice:\nEverything is just peachy.


Words: peacock
Meaning:
noun\na large male bird with long blue and green tail feathers that it can spread out like a FAN:\nas proud as a peacock\nsee also PEAHEN


Words: peak
Meaning:
noun, verb, adjective \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [usually sing.] the point when sb/sth is best, most successful, strongest, etc:\nTraffic reaches its peak between 8 and 9 in the morning. * She’s at the peak of her career. * the peaks and troughs of married life * Membership of the club has fallen from a peak of 600 people in 1990.\ncompare OFF-PEAK\n \n  2  the pointed top of a mountain; a mountain with a pointed top:\na mountain peak * snow-capped / jagged peaks * The climbers made camp halfway up the peak.\n \n  3  any narrow and pointed shape, edge, etc:\nWhisk the egg whites into stiff peaks. * He combed his hair into a peak.\n  4  (BrE) (AmE bill, visor) the stiff front part of a cap that sticks out above your eyes\n    verb [V] to reach the highest point or value:\nOil production peaked in the early 1980s. * Unemployment peaked at 17%. * an athlete who peaks (= produces his or her best performance) at just the right time\n    adjective [only before noun] used to describe the highest level of sth, or a time when the greatest number of people are doing sth or using sth:\nIt was a time of peak demand for the product. * March is one of the peak periods for our business. * The athletes are all in peak condition. * We need extra help during the peak summer season. * (BrE) peak viewing time (= when the greatest number of people are watching television) * (BrE) peak rate telephone calls (= made during the busiest period and charged at the highest rate)\ncompare OFF-PEAK


Words: peal
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  ~ (of sth) a loud sound or series of sounds:\nShe burst into peals of laughter.\n  2  the loud ringing sound of a bell:\na peal of bells rang out\n  3  a set of bells that all have different notes; a musical pattern that can be rung on a set of bells\n    verb [V] \n  1  ~ (out) (of bells) to ring loudly:\nThe bells of the city began to peal out.\n  2  to suddenly laugh loudly:\nEllen pealed with laughter. * His laughter pealed across the room.


Words: peanut
Meaning:
noun\n \n  1  (BrE also groundnut) [C] a nut that grows underground in a thin shell:\na packet of salted peanuts * peanut oil\n \n  2  (peanuts) [pl.] (informal) a very small amount of money:\nI won’t work for peanuts. * He gets paid peanuts for doing that job.


Words: peanut butter
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a thick soft substance made from very finely chopped PEANUTS, usually eaten spread on bread: (AmE) a peanut butter and jelly sandwich


Words: pear
Meaning:
noun\na yellow or green fruit that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom:\na pear tree\nsee also PRICKLY PEAR


Words: pear-shaped
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  shaped like a pear\n  2  a pear-shaped person is wider around their waist and hips than around the top part of their body\n IDIOMS \n  go pear-shaped (BrE, informal) if things go pear-shaped, they go wrong


Words: pearl
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] a small hard shiny white ball that forms inside the shell of an OYSTER and is of great value as a jewel:\na string of pearls * a pearl necklace * She was wearing her pearls (= a necklace of pearls).\nsee also SEED PEARL\n  2  [C] a copy of a pearl that is made artificially\n  3  [U] = MOTHER-OF-PEARL:\npearl buttons\n  4  [C, usually sing.] a thing that looks like a pearl in shape or colour:\npearls of dew on the grass\n  5  [C] a thing that is very precious or highly valued:\nShe is a pearl among women. * The ski resort is known as the Pearl of the Alps.\n IDIOMS \n  cast, throw, etc. pearls before swine to give or offer valuable things to people who do not understand their value\n  a pearl of wisdom (usually ironic) a wise remark:\nThank you for those pearls of wisdom.


Words: peasant
Meaning:
noun\n  1  (especially in the past, or in poorer countries) a farmer who owns or rents a small piece of land:\npeasant farmers / communities / agriculture * a peasant family / woman * peasant unrest / revolts\n  2  (informal, disapproving) a person who is rude, behaves badly, or has little education


Words: pease pudding
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (BrE) a hot dish made from dried peas that are soaked in water and then boiled until they form a soft mass, usually served with HAM or PORK


Words: peashooter
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a small tube that children use to blow small objects such as dried peas at sb/sth, in order to hit them or it


Words: peat
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a soft black or brown substance formed from decaying plants just under the surface of the ground, especially in cool wet areas. It can be burned as a fuel or used to improve garden soil:\npeat bogs * peat extraction * a peat fire (= one in which cut pieces of peat are burned)\n    peaty adjective:\npeaty soils


Words: peccadillo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural peccadilloes or peccadillos) (written) a small unimportant thing that sb does wrong:\nShe forgave her husband’s sexual peccadilloes.


Words: peck
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  ~ (at sth) (of birds) to move the beak forward quickly and hit or bite sth:\n[V] A robin was pecking at crumbs on the ground. * Hens pecked around in the yard. * [VN] A bird had pecked a hole in the sack. * Vultures had pecked out the dead goat’s eyes.\n  2  [VN] ~ sb (on sth) (informal) to kiss sb lightly and quickly:\nHe pecked her on the cheek as he went out. * She pecked his cheek.\n IDIOMS \n  a / the pecking order (informal, often humorous) the order of importance in relation to one another among the members of a group:\nNew Zealand is at the top of the pecking order of rugby nations. * to be first in the pecking order\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  peck at sth to eat only a very small amount of a meal because you are not hungry:\nShe sat nervously pecking at her food.\n    noun\n  1  (informal) a quick kiss:\nHe gave her a friendly peck on the cheek.\n  2  an act of pecking sb/sth:\nThe budgerigar gave a quick peck at the seed.


Words: pecker
Meaning:
noun\n(slang, especially AmE) a PENIS\n IDIOMS \n  keep your pecker up (BrE, informal) to remain cheerful in spite of difficulties:\nKeep your pecker up! Things are bound to get better.


Words: pectin
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (chemistry) a substance similar to sugar that forms in ripe fruit and is used to make jam/jelly firm as it is cooked


Words: pectoral
Meaning:
adjective\n(anatomy) relating to or connected with the chest or breast:\npectoral muscles * pectoral fins / spines


Words: peculiar
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  strange or unusual, especially in a way that is unpleasant or worrying:\na peculiar smell / taste * There was something peculiar in the way he smiled. * I had a peculiar feeling we’d met before. * Her behaviour was a peculiar mixture of the sophisticated and the childlike. * He died in very peculiar substances. * For some peculiar reason, she refused to come inside. * The peculiar thing was that no one mentioned her disappearance. * They behaved in a very peculiar way.\ncompare ODD\n  2  ~ (to sb/sth) belonging or relating to one particular place, situation, person, etc., and not to others:\na humour that is peculiar to American sitcoms * a species of bird peculiar to Asia * He has his own peculiar style which you’ll soon get used to. * the family’s peculiar importance in the affair * the peculiar properties of mercury\n  3  (BrE, informal) slightly ill:\nI don’t think I’ll eat anything-I’m feeling a bit peculiar.


Words: peculiarity
Meaning:
noun (plural peculiarities)\n  1  [C] a strange or unusual feature or habit:\na physical peculiarity * He was strongly attracted by her peculiarities of dress and behaviour.\n  2  [C] a feature that only belongs to one particular person, thing, place, etc:\nthe cultural peculiarities of the English * A sharp ringing in the ears is a peculiarity of the disease. * The fish are dependent for survival on the peculiarities of the environment that they live in.\n  3  [U] the quality of being strange or unusual


Words: peculiarly
Meaning:
adverb (especially written)\n  1  very; more than usually\nSYN PARTICULARLY, ESPECIALLY:\nThese plants are peculiarly prone to disease. * a peculiarly nasty accident\n  2  in a way that relates to or is especially typical of one particular person, thing, place, etc:\nHe seemed to believe that it was a peculiarly British problem.\n  3  in a strange or unusual way


Words: pedagogic
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) concerning teaching methods:\npedagogic practice / principles\n    pedagogically  adverb


Words: pedagogue
Meaning:
noun\n(old use or formal) a teacher; a person who likes to teach people things, especially because they think they know more than other people


Words: pedal
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a flat bar on a machine such as a bicycle, car, etc. that you push down with your foot in order to make parts of the machine move or work:\nI couldn’t reach the pedals on her bike. * She pressed her foot down sharply on the brake pedal. * a pedal boat (= one driven by pedals)\n \n  2  a bar on a musical instrument such as a piano or an organ that you push with your foot in order to produce or control the sound\n    verb (-ll-, AmE also -l-)\n  1  [+adv./prep.] to ride a bicycle somewhere:\n[V] I saw her pedalling along the towpath. * He jumped on his bike and pedalled off. * She pedalled away down the hill. * [VN] She pedalled her bicycle up the track.\n  2  to turn or press the pedals on a bicycle or other machine:\n[V] You’ll have to pedal hard up this hill. * You can stop pedalling and freewheel for a while. * [VN] She had been pedalling her exercise bike all morning.\nsee also BACK-PEDAL, SOFT-PEDAL


Words: pedal bin
Meaning:
noun\n(BrE) a container for rubbish, usually in a kitchen, with a lid that opens when a pedal is pressed


Words: pedalo
Meaning:
noun\n(plural pedaloes or pedalos) (BrE) a small pleasure boat that you move through the water by pushing PEDALS with your feet


Words: pedant
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a person who is too concerned with small details or rules especially when learning or teaching:\nA pedant will always insist that you ask for ’fewer’ items rather than ’less’.


Words: pedantic
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) too worried about small details or rules:\na pedantic insistence on the correct way of doing things\n    pedantically  adverb


Words: peddle
Meaning:
verb [VN] \n  1  to try to sell goods by going from house to house or from place to place:\nHe worked as a door-to-door salesman peddling cloths and brushes. * to peddle illegal drugs\n  2  to spread an idea or story in order to get people to accept it:\nto peddle malicious gossip * This line (= publicly stated opinion) is being peddled by all the government spokesmen.


Words: pedestal
Meaning:
noun\nthe base that a column, statue, etc. rests on:\na pedestal basin (= a washbasin supported by a column) * I replaced the vase carefully on its pedestal\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  to put / place sb on a pedestal to admire sb so much that you do not see their faults\nmore at KNOCK v.


Words: pedestrian
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n a person walking in the street and not travelling in a vehicle:\nTwo pedestrians were injured when the car skidded.\ncompare MOTORIST\n    adjective\n  1  [only before noun] used by or for the use of pedestrians; connected with pedestrians:\npedestrian areas * Pedestrian accidents are down by 5%.\n  2  without any imagination or excitement; dull:\nHer latest play is more pedestrian and less ambitious than her earlier work.


Words: pedestrian crossing
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE crosswalk) noun\na part of a road where vehicles must stop to allow people to cross\nsee also ZEBRA CROSSING


Words: pedestrianize
Meaning:
(BrE also pedestrianise)  verb\n[VN] to make a street or part of a town into an area that is only for people who are walking, not for vehicles:\nMost of the city streets have been pedestrianized. * pedestrianized areas\n    pedestrianization, pedestrianisation noun [U]


Words: pedigree
Meaning:
noun, adjective \n    noun\n  1  [C] knowledge of or an official record of the animals from which an animal has been bred:\ndogs with good pedigrees (= their ancestors are known and of the same breed)\n  2  [C, U] a person’s family history or the background of sth, especially when this is impressive:\nShe was proud of her long pedigree. * The product has a pedigree going back to the last century.\n    adjective (BrE) (AmE pedigreed) [only before noun] (of an animal) descended from a family of the same breed that has been officially recorded for a long time and is thought to be of a good quality:\npedigree sheep


Words: pediment
Meaning:
noun\n(architecture) the part in the shape of a triangle above the entrance of a building in the ancient Greek style


Words: pedlar
Meaning:
(BrE) (AmE peddler)  noun\na person who in the past travelled from place to place trying to sell small objects


Words: pee
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (peed, peed) [V] (informal) to pass waste liquid from your body\nSYN URINATE:\nI need to pee.\n    noun (informal)\n  1  [sing.] an act of passing liquid waste from your body: (BrE) to go for a pee * to have a pee * (AmE) to take a pee\n  2  [U] liquid waste passed from your body; URINE


Words: peek
Meaning:
verb [V] \n  1  ~ (at sth) to look at sth quickly and secretly because you should not be looking at it:\nNo peeking! * I couldn’t resist peeking in the drawer. * She peeked at the audience from behind the curtain.\n  2  ~ out / over / through, etc. to be just visible:\nHer feet peeked out from the end of the blanket. * A toe peeked through the hole in his sock.\n    peek noun [sing.]:\nI took a quick peek inside.


Words: peekaboo
Meaning:
(BrE also peep-bo) noun\n[U] a simple game played to amuse young children, in which you keep hiding your face and then showing it again, saying ’Peekaboo!’ or ’Peep-bo!’


Words: peel
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] to take the skin off fruit, vegetables, etc:\nto peel an orange / a banana * Have you peeled the potatoes?\n  2  ~ (sth) away / off / back to remove a layer, covering, etc. from the surface of sth; to come off the surface of sth:\n[VN] Carefully peel away the lining paper. * [V] The label will peel off if you soak it in water.\n  3  [V] ~ (off) (of a covering) to come off in strips or small pieces:\nThe wallpaper was beginning to peel. * If I stay in the sun too long my skin peels.\n  4  [V] (of a surface) to lose strips or small pieces of its covering:\nPut on some cream to stop your nose from peeling. * The walls have begun to peel.\n IDIOMS  see EYE n.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  peel off to leave a group of vehicles, aircraft, etc. and turn to one side:\nThe leading car in the motorcade peeled off to the right.\n  peel off | peel (sth)<->off (informal) to remove some or all of your clothes:\nYou look hot-why don’t you peel off? * He peeled off his shirt.\n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U, C] the skin of some fruits and vegetables:\norange / lemon peel * (AmE also) an orange / a lemon peel\ncompare RIND, SKIN, ZEST\n \n  2  (peels) [pl.] (AmE) = PEELINGS


Words: peeler
Meaning:
noun\n(usually in compounds) a special type of knife for taking the skin off fruit and vegetables:\na potato peeler


Words: peep
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [V] ~ (at sth) to look quickly and secretly at sth, especially through a small opening:\nWe caught her peeping through the keyhole. * He was peeping at her through his fingers. * Could I just peep inside?\n  2  [V +adv./prep.] (written) to be just visible:\nThe tower peeped above the trees. * The sun peeped out from behind the clouds.\n  3  [V, VN] to make a short high sound; to make sth make this sound.\n    noun\n  1  [C, usually sing.] a quick or secret look at sth:\nDave took a quick peep at the last page.\n  2  [sing.] (informal) something that sb says or a sound that sb makes:\nWe did not hear a peep out of the baby all night.\n  3  [C] a short high sound like the one made by a young bird or by a whistle\n  4  (also peep peep) [C] a word for the sound of a car’s horn, used especially by children


Words: peep show
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a series of moving pictures in a box that you look at through a small opening\n  2  a type of show in which a man pays to watch a woman take off her clothes


Words: Peeping Tom
Meaning:
noun\n(disapproving) a person who likes to watch people secretly when they are taking off their clothes\nSYN VOYEUR


Words: peer
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n  1  [usually pl.] a person who is the same age or who has the same social status as you:\nShe enjoys the respect of her peers. * A peer review system is being introduced to help teachers who are experiencing difficulty. * Children are worried about failing in front of their peers. * Peer pressure is strong among young people (= they want to be like other people of the same age).\n  2  (in Britain) a member of the NOBILITY\nsee also LIFE PEER, PEERESS\n    verb\n [V]   [usually +adv./prep.] to look closely or carefully at sth, especially when you cannot see it clearly:\nWe peered into the shadows. * He went to the window and peered out. * She kept peering over her shoulder. * He peered closely at the photograph.


Words: peer group
Meaning:
noun\na group of people of the same age or social status:\nShe gets on well with her peer group. * peer-group pressure


Words: peerage
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [sing.] all the peers (2) as a group:\na member of the peerage\n  2  [C] the rank of a peer (2) or peeress


Words: peevish
Meaning:
adjective\neasily annoyed by unimportant things; bad-tempered:\nSebastian was a sickly, peevish child.\n    peevishly adverb:\n’It’s your own fault,’ she said peevishly.


Words: peg
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  a short piece of wood, metal or plastic used for holding things together, hanging things on, marking a position, etc:\nThere’s a peg near the door to hang your coat on. * Mark the boundary with pegs.\n \n  2  (also tent peg) a small pointed piece of wood or metal that you attach to the ropes of a tent and push into the ground in order to hold the tent in place\n \n  3  (also clothes peg) (both BrE) (AmE clothespin) a piece of wood or plastic used for attaching wet clothes to a clothes line\n \n  4  (also tuning peg) a wooden screw for making the strings of a musical instrument tighter or looser\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  off the peg (BrE) (AmE off the rack) (of clothes) made to a standard average size and not made especially to fit you:\nHe buys his clothes off the peg. * off-the-peg fashions\n  bring / take sb down a peg (or two) to make sb realize that they are not as good, important, etc. as they think they are:\nHe needed to be taken down a peg or two.\n  a peg to hang sth on something that gives you an excuse or opportunity to discuss or explain sth:\nThe character provides a peg to hang the writer’s political ideas on.\nmore at SQUARE adj.\n    verb (-gg-)\n  1  [VN] ~ sth (out) to fasten sth with pegs:\nAll their wet clothes were pegged out on the line. * She was busy pegging her tent to the ground.\n  2  [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (at / to sth) to fix or keep prices, wages, etc. at a particular level:\nPay increases will be pegged at 5%. * Loan repayments are pegged to your income. * to peg the exchange rate to the dollar * Admission prices have been pegged.\n  3  [VN] ~ sb as sth (AmE, informal) to think of sb in a particular way:\nShe pegged him as a big spender.\n IDIOMS  see LEVEL adj.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  peg away (at sth) (informal, especially BrE) to continue working hard at sth or trying to achieve sth difficult\n  peg sb/sth<->back (especially in sport) to stop sb/sth from winning or increasing the amount by which they are ahead:\nEach time we scored we were pegged back minutes later.\n  peg out (BrE, informal) to die


Words: pejorative
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) a word or remark that is pejorative expresses disapproval or criticism:\nI’m using the word ’academic’ here in a pejorative sense.\n    pejoratively adverb:\n’Housewife’ is often used pejoratively.


Words: Pekinese
Meaning:
(also Pekingese)  noun\n(plural Pekinese or Pekineses) a very small dog with long soft hair, short legs and a flat nose


Words: pelagic
Meaning:
adjective\n(technical) connected with, or living in, the parts of the sea that are far from the shore:\npelagic fish


Words: pelican crossing
Meaning:
noun\n(in Britain) a place on a road where you can stop the traffic and cross by operating a set of TRAFFIC LIGHTS


Words: pell-mell
Meaning:
adverb\n(old-fashioned) very quickly and in a way that is not controlled:\nThe children rushed pell-mell down the stairs.


Words: pellagra
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a disease caused by a lack of good food, that causes the skin to crack and may lead to mental illness


Words: pellet
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a small hard ball of any substance, often of soft material that has become hard:\nfood pellets for chickens * owl pellets (= the dried waste material from owls) * slug pellets (= to kill slugs)\n  2  a very small metal ball that is fired from a gun


Words: pellucid
Meaning:
adjective\n(literary) extremely clear\nSYN TRANSPARENT:\nThe light was so pellucid, so dazzling that she reached for her sunglasses.


Words: pelmet
Meaning:
(also valance especially in AmE) noun\na strip of wood or fabric above a window that hides the curtain rail


Words: pelt
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb\n  1  [VN] ~ sb (with sth) to attack sb by throwing things at them:\nThe children pelted him with snowballs. * We were pelted with rotten tomatoes.\n  2  [V] ~ (down) (of rain) to fall very heavily:\nBy now the rain was pelting down.\n  3  [V +adv./prep.] (informal) to run somewhere very fast:\nWe pelted down the hill after the car.\n    noun the skin of an animal, especially with the fur or hair still on it\n IDIOMS \n  (at) full pelt / tilt as fast as possible:\nHe ran full pelt to the bus stop.


Words: pelvis
Meaning:
noun\nthe wide curved set of bones at the bottom of the body that the legs and SPINE are connected to\n \n    pelvic  adjective [only before noun]:\nthe pelvic bones


Words: pen
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  (often in compounds) an instrument made of plastic or metal used for writing with ink:\npen and ink * (written) a new book from the pen of Martin Amis\nsee also BALLPOINT PEN, FELT-TIP PEN, FOUNTAIN PEN\n \n  2  a small piece of land surrounded by a fence in which farm animals are kept:\na sheep pen\n \n  3  (AmE, slang) = PENITENTIARY\n \n IDIOMS \n  put pen to paper to write or start to write sth\nmore at SLIP n.\n    verb (-nn-) [VN] \n  1  (formal) to write sth:\nHe penned a letter to the local paper.\n  2  ~ sb/sth (in / up) to shut an animal or a person in a small space:\nAt clipping time sheep need to be penned. * The whole family were penned up in one room for a month.


Words: pen-pusher
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually pencil-pusher) noun\n(informal, disapproving) a person with a boring job, especially in an office, that involves a lot of writing


Words: penal
Meaning:
adjective [usually before noun]\n  1  connected with or used for punishment, especially by law:\npenal laws / reforms * the penal system * Criminals could at one time be sentenced to penal servitude (= prison with hard physical work). * a penal colony (= a place where criminals were sent as a punishment in the past)\n  2  that can be punished by law:\na penal offence\n  3  very severe:\npenal rates of interest


Words: penalize
Meaning:
(BrE also penalise)  verb [VN] \n  1  ~ sb (for sth) to punish sb for breaking a rule or law by making them suffer a disadvantage:\nYou will be penalized for poor spelling.\n  2  ~ sb (for sth) to punish sb for breaking a rule in a sport or game by giving an advantage to their opponent:\nHe was penalized for time-wasting. * Foul play will be severely penalized.\n  3  to put sb at a disadvantage by treating them unfairly:\nThe new law appears to penalize the poorest members of society. * He felt penalized because of his age.


Words: penalty
Meaning:
noun (plural penalties)\n \n  1  ~ (for sth) a punishment for breaking a law, rule or contract:\nto impose a penalty * Assault carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment. * The penalty for travelling without a ticket is ｣200. * Contractors who fall behind schedule incur heavy financial penalties. * a penalty clause in a contract * You can withdraw money from the account at any time without penalty. * Harsher penalties are being imposed for crimes involving firearms.\nsee also DEATH PENALTY\n \n  2  ~ (of sth) a disadvantage suffered as a result of sth:\nOne of the penalties of fame is loss of privacy.\n \n  3  (in sports and games) an advantage given to a player or a team when the other side breaks a rule:\nThe referee awarded a penalty to the home team.\n  4  (in football) a chance to kick the ball into the goal without any defending players, except the GOALKEEPER, trying to stop it; the goal that is given if the kick is successful:\nTwo minutes later Ford equalized with a penalty.\n IDIOMS  see PAY v.


Words: penalty area
Meaning:
(BrE also penalty box) noun\n(in football) the area in front of the goal. If the defending team breaks the rules within this area, the other team is given a penalty.


Words: penalty shoot-out
Meaning:
noun\n(in football) a way of deciding the winner when both teams have the same score at the end of a game. Each team is given a number of chances to kick the ball into the goal and the team that scores the most goals wins.


Words: penance
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C, usually sing, U] ~ (for sth) (especially in particular religions) an act that you give yourself to do, or that a priest gives you to do in order to show that you are sorry for sth you have done wrong:\nan act of penance * to do penance for your sins\n  2  [sing.] something that you have to do even though you do not like doing it:\nShe regards living in New York as a penance; she hates big cities.


Words: pencil
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n [C, U] a narrow piece of wood, or a metal or plastic case, containing a black or coloured substance, used for drawing or writing:\na pencil drawing * I’ll get a pencil and paper. * She scribbled a note in pencil. * coloured pencils\n    verb (-ll-, AmE -l-) [VN] to write, draw or mark sth with a pencil:\na pencilled portrait * A previous owner has pencilled ’First Edition’ inside the book’s cover.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pencil sth/sb<->in to write down sb’s name or details of an arrangement with them that you know might have to be changed later:\nWe’ve pencilled in a meeting for Tuesday afternoon. * Shall I pencil you in for Friday? (= for a meeting) * He was pencilled in to play the detective.


Words: pending
Meaning:
preposition, adjective \n    preposition (formal) while waiting for sth to happen; until sth happens:\nHe was released on bail pending further inquiries.\n    adjective (formal)\n  1  [not before noun] waiting to be decided or settled:\nNine cases are still pending. * a pending file / tray (= where you put letters, etc. you are going to deal with soon)\n  2  going to happen soon:\nAn election is pending in Italy. * his pending departure


Words: pendulum
Meaning:
noun\na rod with a weight at the end that moves regularly from side to side to control the mechanism of a clock: (figurative) In education, the pendulum has swung back to traditional teaching methods. * the pendulum of public opinion


Words: penetrable
Meaning:
adjective\n(rare, formal) that allows sth to be pushed into or through it; that can have a way made through it:\nsoil that is easily penetrable with a fork\nOPP IMPENETRABLE


Words: penetrate
Meaning:
verb\n  1  ~ (into / through / to) sth to go into or through sth:\n[VN] The knife had penetrated his chest. * The sun’s radiation penetrates the skin. * The cold seemed to penetrate his bones. * (figurative) The war penetrates every area of the nation’s life. * [V] These fine particles penetrate deep into the lungs.\n  2  to succeed in entering or joining an organization, a group, etc. especially when this is difficult to do:\n[VN] They had penetrated airport security. * The party has been penetrated by extremists. * This year the company has been trying to penetrate new markets (= to start selling their products there). * [V] The troops had penetrated deep into enemy lines.\n  3  [VN] to see or show a way into or through sth:\nOur eyes could not penetrate the darkness. * The flashlights barely penetrated the gloom. * narrow alleys where the sun never penetrates\n  4  [VN] to understand or discover sth that is difficult to understand or is hidden:\nScience can penetrate many of nature’s mysteries. * a style that is difficult to penetrate * No one could penetrate the meaning of the inscription.\n  5  to be understood or realized by sb:\n[V] I was at the door before his words penetrated. * [VN] None of my advice seems to have penetrated his thick skull (= he has not listened to any of it).\n  6  [VN] (of a man) to put the PENIS into the VAGINA or ANUS of a sexual partner


Words: penetrating
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of sb’s eyes or the way they look at you) making you feel uncomfortable because the person seems to know what you are thinking:\npenetrating blue eyes * a penetrating gaze / look / stare\n  2  (of a sound or voice) loud and hard:\nHer voice was shrill and penetrating.\n  3  showing that you have understood sth quickly and completely:\na penetrating comment / criticism / question\n  4  spreading deeply or widely:\na penetrating smell * the penetrating cold / damp


Words: penetration
Meaning:
noun [U]\n  1  the act or process of making a way into or through sth:\nThe floor is sealed to prevent water penetration. * the company’s successful penetration of overseas markets\n  2  the act of a man putting his PENIS into his partner’s VAGINA or ANUS


Words: penetrative
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of sexual activity) involving putting the PENIS into sb’s VAGINA or ANUS:\npenetrative sex\n  2  able to make a way into or through sth:\npenetrative weapons\n  3  deep and thorough:\na penetrative survey


Words: penfriend
Meaning:
(BrE) (also pen pal AmE, BrE) noun\na person that you make friends with by writing letters, often sb you have never met


Words: penguin
Meaning:
noun\na black and white seabird that lives in the Antarctic. Penguins cannot fly but use their wings for swimming. There are several types of penguin, some of them very large but some of them quite small.


Words: penicillin
Meaning:
noun\n[U] a substance obtained from MOULD, used as a drug to treat or prevent infections caused by bacteria; a type of ANTIBIOTIC


Words: peninsula
Meaning:
noun\nan area of land that is almost surrounded by water but is joined to a larger piece of land:\nthe Iberian peninsula (= Spain and Portugal)


Words: peninsular
Meaning:
adjective\non or connected with a peninsula:\npeninsular Spanish (= that is spoken in Spain, not in Latin America)


Words: penitence
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (written) a feeling of being sorry because you have done sth wrong:\nHe expressed suitable penitence for what he had done.


Words: penitent
Meaning:
adjective, noun \n    adjective (written) feeling or showing that you are sorry for having done sth wrong\n    noun a person who shows that they are sorry for doing sth wrong, especially a religious person who wants God to forgive them


Words: penitential
Meaning:
adjective\n(formal) showing that you are sorry for having done sth wrong:\nto be in a penitential mood


Words: penknife
Meaning:
noun\n(plural penknives ) (also pocket knife especially in AmE) a small knife with one or more blades that fold down into the handle


Words: pennant
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a long narrow pointed flag, for example one used on a ship to give signals\n  2  (in the US) a flag given to the winning team in a sports LEAGUE, especially in baseball:\nThe Dodgers defeated the Mets 60 to win the pennant.


Words: penny
Meaning:
noun (plural pennies or pence)\n \n HELP NOTE  In senses 1 and 2, pennies is used to refer to the coins, and pence to refer to an amount of money. In sense 3, the plural is pennies.\n \n  1  (abbreviation p) a small British coin and unit of money. There are 100 pence in one pound (｣1):\nHe had a few pennies in his pocket. * That will be 45 pence, please. * They cost 20p each.\n \n  2  (abbreviation d) a British coin in use until 1971. There were twelve pennies in one SHILLING.\n \n  3  (AmE) a cent\n \n IDIOMS \n \n  every penny all of the money:\nWe collected ｣700 and every penny went to charity. * She’s on a high salary but I’m sure she deserves every penny.\n  in for a penny, in for a pound (BrE, saying) used to say that since you have started to do sth, it is worth spending as much time or money as you need to in order to complete it\n  not a penny no money at all:\nIt didn’t cost a penny. * He has never paid me a penny. * She hasn’t got a penny to her name.\n  the penny drops (informal, especially BrE) used to say that sb has finally understood or realized sth that they had not understood or realized before:\nI had to explain the joke to her a couple of times before the penny dropped.\n  a penny for your thoughts | a penny for them (saying) used to ask sb what they are thinking about\n  turn up like a bad penny (informal) (of a person) to appear when they are not welcome or not wanted, especially when this happens regularly\n  two / ten a penny (BrE) (AmE a dime a dozen) very common and therefore not valuable:\nTeachers of history are ten a penny.\nmore at PINCH v., PRETTY adj., SPEND v.


Words: penny-pinching
Meaning:
adjective\n(disapproving) unwilling to spend money on things:\nthis penny-pinching government * a penny-pinching approach\n    penny-pinching noun [U]


Words: penology
Meaning:
noun\n[U] the scientific study of the punishment of criminals and the operation of prisons\n    penologist  noun


Words: pension
Meaning:
noun, verb-see also PENSION\n    noun an amount of money paid regularly by a government or company to sb who is considered to be too old or too ill to work:\nto receive an old-age / a retirement pension * a disability / widow’s pension * a state pension * to live on a pension * to take out a personal / private pension * a pension fund\n    verb\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pension sb off (especially BrE) [usually passive] to allow or force sb to RETIRE (= leave their job and stop regular work) and to pay them a pension:\nHe was pensioned off and his job given to a younger man. * (informal, figurative) That car of yours should have been pensioned off years ago.\n\n noun\n(from French) a small, usually cheap, hotel in some European countries, especially France\nsee also PENSION


Words: pension scheme
Meaning:
(BrE) (also pension plan AmE, BrE) noun\na system in which you, and usually your employer, pay money regularly into a PENSION FUND while you are employed. You are then paid a PENSION when you RETIRE.


Words: pensionable
Meaning:
adjective\ngiving sb the right to receive a pension:\npeople of pensionable age * pensionable pay / earnings


Words: pensioner
Meaning:
noun\n(especially BrE) a person who is receiving a PENSION, especially from the government:\nan old-age pensioner\nsee also OAP, SENIOR CITIZEN


Words: pensive
Meaning:
adjective\nthinking deeply about sth, especially because you are sad or worried:\na pensive expression / mood * to look pensive\n    pensively adverb:\nHe gazed pensively out of the window.


Words: pent up
Meaning:
adjective\n  1  (of feelings, energy, etc.) that cannot be expressed or released:\npent-up frustration / energy\n  2  having feelings that you cannot express:\nShe was too pent up to speak.


Words: pentagon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [C] (geometry) a flat shape with five straight sides and five angles\n  2  (the Pentagon) [sing.] the building near Washington DC that is the HEADQUARTERS of the US Department of Defence and the military leaders:\na spokesman for the Pentagon


Words: pentagram
Meaning:
noun\na flat shape of a star with five points, formed by five straight lines. Pentagrams are often used as magic symbols.


Words: pentameter
Meaning:
noun\n[C, U] (technical) a line of poetry with five stressed syllables; the rhythm of poetry with five stressed syllables to a line


Words: pentathlon
Meaning:
noun\n[sing., U] a sporting event in which people compete in five different sports (running, riding, swimming, shooting and FENCING)\ncompare BIATHLON, DECATHLON, HEPTATHLON, TRIATHLON


Words: Pentecost
Meaning:
noun [U, C]\n  1  (BrE also Whit Sunday) (in the Christian Church) the 7th Sunday after Easter when Christians celebrate the Holy Spirit coming to the APOSTLES\n  2  a Jewish festival that takes place 50 days after the second day of Passover


Words: Pentecostal
Meaning:
adjective\nconnected with a group of Christian Churches that emphasize the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as the power to heal the sick\n    Pentecostalist noun


Words: penthouse
Meaning:
noun\nan expensive and comfortable flat/apartment or set of rooms at the top of a tall building:\na luxury penthouse suite


Words: penultimate
Meaning:
adjective\n[only before noun] (written) just before the last one; last but one:\nthe penultimate chapter / day / stage


Words: penury
Meaning:
noun\n[U] (formal) the state of being very poor\nSYN POVERTY:\nHe died in penury. * They were reduced to penury.


Words: peon
Meaning:
noun\n  1  a worker on a farm in Latin America\n  2  (AmE, humorous) a person with a hard or boring job that is not well paid and not considered important


Words: people
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [pl.] persons; men, women and children:\nAt least ten people were killed in the crash. * There were a lot of people at the party. * Many young people are out of work.\n \n  2  [pl.] persons in general or everyone:\nHe doesn’t care what people think of him. * She tends to annoy people.\n \n HELP NOTE  Use everyone or everybody instead of ’all people’.\n \n  3  [C] all the persons who live in a particular place or belong to a particular country, race, etc:\nthe French people * the native peoples of Siberia\nsee also TOWNSPEOPLE\n  4  (the people) [pl.] the ordinary men and women of a country rather than those who govern or have a special position in society:\nthe life of the common people * It was felt that the government was no longer in touch with the people.\nsee also LITTLE PEOPLE\n  5  [pl.] men and women who work in a particular type of job or are involved in a particular area of activity:\na meeting with business people and bankers * These garments are intended for professional sports people.\n  6  [pl.] (literary) the men, women and children that a person leads:\nThe king urged his people to prepare for war. * the story of the Zulu leader who died while attempting to free his people\n  7  [pl.] the men and women who work for you or support you:\nI’ve had my people watching the house for a few days. * Our people are all highly trained and motivated.\n  8  [pl.] (BrE, informal) guests or friends:\nI’m having people to dinner this evening.\n  9  [pl.] (old-fashioned) the men, women and children that you are closely related to, especially your parents, grandparents, etc:\nShe’s spending the holidays with her people.\nsee also BOAT PEOPLE, STREET PEOPLE, TRADESPEOPLE\n IDIOMS \n  of all people when you say of all people, you are emphasizing that sb is the person you would most or least expect to do sth:\nShe of all people should know the answer to that.\n  people (who live) in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones (saying) you should not criticize other people, because they will easily find ways of criticizing you\nmore at MAN n., THING\n    verb [VN] [usually passive] ~ sth (with sth) (written) to live in a place or fill it with people:\nThe town was peopled largely by workers from the car factory and their families. * The ballroom was peopled with guests.


Words: people carrier
Meaning:
(also people mover) (both BrE) (AmE minivan) noun\na large car, like a van, designed to carry up to eight people


Words: pep
Meaning:
verb, noun \n    verb (-pp-)\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pep sb/sth<->up (informal) to make sb/sth more interesting or full of energy:\nPep up meals by adding more unusual spices. * A walk in the fresh air will pep you up.\n    noun [U] energy and enthusiasm


Words: pep pill
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a PILL containing a drug that gives you more energy or makes you happy for a short time


Words: pep rally
Meaning:
noun\n(AmE, informal) a meeting of school students before a sports event to encourage support for the team: (figurative) The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday.


Words: pep talk
Meaning:
noun\n(informal) a short speech intended to encourage sb to work harder, try to win, have more confidence, etc:\nShe gave us all a pep talk before the game.


Words: pepper
Meaning:
noun, verb \n    noun\n\n \n  1  [U] a grey or pale yellow powder made from dried berries (called PEPPERCORNS), used to give a hot flavour to food:\nSeason with salt and pepper * freshly ground pepper * black / white pepper\nsee also CAYENNE\n \n  2  [C, U] (BrE) (AmE bell pepper) a hollow fruit, usually red, green or yellow, eaten as a vegetable either raw or cooked\n    verb [VN] to put pepper on food:\npeppered steak * Salt and pepper the potatoes.\n PHRASAL VERBS \n  pepper sb/sth with sth [usually passive] to hit sb/sth with a series of small objects, especially bullets\n  pepper sth with sth [often passive] to include large numbers of sth in sth:\nHe peppered his speech with jokes.


Words: pepper pot
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually pepper shaker) noun\na small container with holes in the top, used for putting pepper on food


Words: pepper-and-salt
Meaning:
(also salt-and-pepper) adjective\n(especially of hair) having two colours that are mixed together, especially a dark colour and a light one


Words: peppermint
Meaning:
noun\n  1  [U] a type of MINT (= a plant used to give flavour to food that produces an oil with a strong flavour)\ncompare SPEARMINT\n  2  [C] a sweet/candy flavoured with peppermint oil


Words: per
Meaning:
preposition\nused to express the cost or amount of sth for each person, number used, distance travelled, etc:\nRooms cost ｣50 per person, per night. * 60 miles per hour * This country has a higher crime rate per 100 000 of the population than most other European countries.\n IDIOMS \n  as per sth following sth that has been decided:\nThe work was carried out as per instructions.\n  as per normal / usual (spoken) in the way that is normal or usual; as often happens:\nEveryone blamed me as per usual.


Words: per capita
Meaning:
adjective\n(from Latin) for each person:\nPer capita income rose sharply last year.\n    per capita adverb:\naverage earnings per capita


Words: per cent
Meaning:
(especially BrE) (AmE usually percent)  noun, adjective, adverb \n    noun (plural per cent, percent) one part in every hundred:\nPoor families spend about 80 to 90 per cent of their income on food. * It is often stated that we use only 10 per cent of our brain. * What per cent of the population is / are overweight?\n    adjective, adverb by in or for every hundred:\na 15 per cent rise in price * House prices rose five per cent last year.\n______________________________\n GRAMMAR POINT \nexpressing percentages\nPercentages (= numbers of per cent) are written in words as twenty-five per cent and in figures as 25%.\nIf a percentage is used with an uncountable or a singular noun the verb is generally singular: 90% of the land is cultivated.\nIf the noun is singular but represents a group of people, the verb is singular in AmE but in BrE it may be singular or plural: Eighty per cent of the work force is/are against the strike.\nIf the noun is plural, the verb is plural: 65% of children play computer games.\n______________________________


