The Winky Pedia
Publisher: Winky Saurus (brother of Noncy)
a·cros·tic (ə-krôstĭk, ə-krŏstĭk)
n.
1. A poem or series of lines in which certain letters, usually the first in each line, form a name, motto, or message when read in sequence.
[French acrostiche, from Old French, from Greek akrostikhis : akron, head, end; see acromegaly + stikhos, line; see steigh- in Indo-European roots.]
a·crostic adj.
a·crosti·cal·ly adv.
ad·age (ădĭj)
n.
A saying that sets forth a general truth and that has gained credit through long use.
aes·the·sia or es·the·sia (ĕs-thēzhə)
n.
The ability to feel or perceive sensations.
[Back-formation from anesthesia.]
aes·thet·ic or es·thet·ic (ĕs-thĕtĭk)
adj.
1. Of or concerning the appreciation of beauty or good taste: the aesthetic faculties.
2. Characterized by a heightened sensitivity to beauty.
3. Artistic: The play was an aesthetic success.
4. Informal Conforming to accepted notions of good taste.
[German ästhetisch, from New Latin aesthēticus, from Greek aisthētikos, of sense perception, from aisthēta, perceptible things, from aisthanesthai, to perceive; see au- in Indo-European roots.]
aes·theti·cal·ly adv.
af·fla·tus (ə-flātəs)
n.
A strong creative impulse, especially as a result of divine inspiration.
[Latin afflātus, from past participle of afflāre, to breathe on : ad-, ad- + flāre, to blow; see bhlē- in Indo-European roots.]
ag·nos·tic (ăg-nŏstĭk)
n.
1.
a. One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
b. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
2. One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.
Word History: An agnostic does not deny the existence of God and heaven but holds that one cannot know for certain whether or not they exist. The term agnostic was fittingly coined by the 19th-century British scientist Thomas H. Huxley, who believed that only material phenomena were objects of exact knowledge. He made up the word from the prefix a-, meaning "without, not," as in amoral, and the noun Gnostic. Gnostic is related to the Greek word gnōsis, "knowledge," which was used by early Christian writers to mean "higher, esoteric knowledge of spiritual things"; hence, Gnostic referred to those with such knowledge. In coining the term agnostic, Huxley was considering as "Gnostics" a group of his fellow intellectuals—"ists," as he called them—who had eagerly embraced various doctrines or theories that explained the world to their satisfaction. Because he was a "man without a rag of a label to cover himself with," Huxley coined the term agnostic for himself, its first published use being in 1870.
ag·ra·pha also Ag·ra·pha (ăgrə-fə)
pl.n.
The sayings of Jesus not written in the canonical Gospels but known from other ancient sources.
[Greek, from neuter pl. of agraphos, unwritten : a-, not; see a-1 + graphein, to write; see gerbh- in Indo-European roots.]
a·mor·phous (ə-môrfəs)
adj.
1. Lacking definite form; shapeless.
2. Of no particular type; anomalous.
3. Lacking organization; formless.
4. Lacking distinct crystalline structure.
a·morphous·ly adv.
a·morphous·ness n.
am·ni·on (ămnē-ən, -ŏn′)
n. pl. am·ni·ons or am·ni·a (-nē-ə)
A thin, tough, membranous sac that encloses the embryo or fetus of a mammal, bird, or reptile. It is filled with a serous fluid in which the embryo is suspended.
[Greek amniōn.]
am′ni·otic (-ŏtĭk), am′ni·onic (-ŏnĭk) adj.
am·phi·bi·ot·ic (ăm′fə-bī-ŏtĭk)
adj.
Living in water during an early stage of development and on land during the adult stage.
an·thro·po·mor·phism (ăn′thrə-pə-môrfĭz′əm)
n.
Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena.
an′thro·po·morphic adj.
an′thro·po·morphi·cal·ly adv.
an′thro·po·morphist n.
aph·o·rism (ăfə-rĭz′əm)
n.
1. A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage.
2. A brief statement of a principle.
[French aphorisme, from Old French, from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos, from aphorizein, to delimit, define : apo-, apo- + horizein, to delimit, define; see horizon.]
apho·rist n.
aph′o·ristic (-rĭstĭk) adj.
aph′o·risti·cal·ly adv.
a·poc·a·lypse (ə-pŏkə-lĭps′)
n.
1.
a. Apocalypse Abbr. Apoc. Bible The Book of Revelation.
b. Any of a number of anonymous Jewish or Christian texts from around the second century B.C. to the second century A.D. containing prophetic or symbolic visions, especially of the imminent destruction of the world and the salvation of the righteous.
2. Great or total devastation; doom: the apocalypse of nuclear war.
3. A prophetic disclosure; a revelation.
[Middle English Apocalipse, from Late Latin Apocalypsis, from Greek apokalupsis, revelation, Apocalypse, from apokaluptein, to uncover : apo-, apo- + kaluptein, to cover; see kel-1 in Indo-European roots.]
a·poc·a·lyp·ti·cism (ə-pŏk′ə-lĭptĭ-sĭz′əm)
n.
Belief in apocalyptic prophecies, especially regarding the imminent destruction of the world and the foundation of a new world order as a result of the triumph of good over evil.
a·poc′a·lypti·cist n.
a pri·o·ri (ä′ prē-ôrē, -ōrē, ā′ prī-ôrī, -ōrī′)
adj.
1. Proceeding from a known or assumed cause to a necessarily related effect; deductive.
2.
a. Derived by or designating the process of reasoning without reference to particular facts or experience.
b. Knowable without appeal to particular experience.
3. Made before or without examination; not supported by factual study.
[Medieval Latin ā priōrī : Latin ā, from + Latin priōrī, ablative of prior, former.]
a′ pri·ori adv.
a′ pri·ori·ty (-ôrĭ-tē, -ŏr-) n.
a pos·te·ri·o·ri (ä′ pŏ-stîr′ē-ôrē, -ôrī, -ōrē, -ōrī, ā′)
adj.
1. Derived by or designating the process of reasoning from facts or particulars to general principles or from effects to causes; inductive; empirical.
2.
a. Justified by appeal to experience.
b. Knowable from experience.
[Medieval Latin : Latin a, from + Latin posteriorī, ablative of posterior, later.]
au·di·to·ry (ôdĭ-tôr′ē, -tōr′ē)
adj.
Of or relating to hearing, the organs of hearing, or the sense of hearing.
[Late Latin audītōrius, from Latin audīre, to hear; see au- in Indo-European roots.]
au·re·ole (ôrē-ōl′) also au·re·o·la (ô-rēə-lə)
n.
1. A circle of light or radiance surrounding the head or body of a representation of a deity or holy person; a halo.
2. See corona
[Middle English, from Late Latin (corōna) aureola, golden (crown), feminine of Latin aureolus, golden, from aureus, from aurum, gold.]
blas·to·mere (blăstə-mîr′)
n.
Any of the cells resulting from the cleavage of a fertilized ovum during early embryonic development.
blas′to·meric (-mîrĭk, -mĕr-) adj.
bor·der (bôrdər)
n.
1. A decorative strip around the edge of something, such as fabric.
bore 2 (bôr, bōr)
tr.v. bored, bor·ing, bores
To make weary by being dull, repetitive, or tedious: The movie bored us.
n.
One that is wearingly dull, repetitive, or tedious.
[Origin unknown.]
bor·ing (bôrĭng, bōr-)
adj.
Uninteresting and tiresome; dull.
boring·ly adv.
boring·ness n.
born
v.tr.
1. To give birth to: bore six children in five years.
bos·om (bzəm, bzəm)
n.
1.
a. The chest of a human: He held the sleepy child to his bosom.
b. A woman's breast or breasts.
2. The security and closeness likened to being held in a warm familial embrace: We welcomed the stranger into the bosom of our family.
adj.
Beloved; intimate: a bosom friend.
[Middle English, from Old English bōsm.]
bow 2 (bou)
v. bowed, bow·ing, bows
v.intr.
1. To bend or curve downward; stoop.
2. To incline the body or head or bend the knee in greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
v.tr.
1. To bend (the head, knee, or body) to express greeting, consent, courtesy, acknowledgment, submission, or veneration.
2. To convey (greeting, for example) by bending the body.
[Middle English bowen, from Old English būgan; see bheug- in Indo-European roots.]
can·dor (kăndər)
n.
1. Frankness or sincerity of expression; openness.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin, from candēre, to shine; see kand- in Indo-European roots.]
cer·vix (sûrvĭks)
n. pl. cer·vix·es or cer·vi·ces (sûrvĭ-sēz′, sər-vīsēz)
1. A neck-shaped anatomical structure, such as the narrow outer end of the uterus.
[Latin cervīx, neck; see ker-1 in Indo-European roots.]
chal·ice (chălĭs)
n.
1. A cup or goblet.
2. A cup for the consecrated wine of the Eucharist.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin calix, calic-.]
cham·o·mile or cam·o·mile (kămə-mīl′, -mēl′)
n.
1. An aromatic perennial herb (Chamaemelum nobile) in the composite family, native to Europe and the Mediterranean region, having feathery foliage and flower heads with white rays and yellow centers.
2. A similar, related Eurasian annual plant (Matricaria recutita).
3. The dried flower heads of either one of these plants, used to make an herbal tea and yielding an oil used in commercial flavorings and perfumery.
[Middle English camomille, from Old French, from Late Latin chamomilla, alteration of Latin chamaemēlon, from Greek khamaimēlon : khamai, on the ground; see dhghem- in Indo-European roots + mēlon, apple.]
cho·ri·on (kôrē-ŏn′, kōr-)
n.
The outer membrane enclosing the embryo in reptiles, birds, and mammals. In placental mammals it contributes to the development of the placenta.
[Greek khorion; see gherə- in Indo-European roots.]
cog·ni·tion (kŏg-nĭshən)
n.
1. The mental process of knowing, including aspects such as awareness, perception, reasoning, and judgment.
2. That which comes to be known, as through perception, reasoning, or intuition; knowledge.
[Middle English cognicioun, from Latin cognitiō, cognitiōn-, from cognitus, past participle of cognōscere, to learn : co-, intensive pref.; see co- + gnōscere, to know; see gnō- in Indo-European roots.]
Com·tism (kŏmtĭz′əm, kôɴ-)
n.
The philosophy of Auguste Comte; positivism.
Comtist n.
con·cep·tu·al·ism (kən-sĕpch-ə-lĭz′əm)
n.
1. Philosophy The doctrine, intermediate between nominalism and realism, that universals exist only within the mind and have no external or substantial reality.
2. A school of abstract art or an artistic doctrine that is concerned with the intellectual engagement of the viewer through conveyance of an idea and negation of the importance of the art object itself.
con·ceptu·al·ist adj. & n.
con·cep′tu·al·istic adj
con·trast (kən-trăst, kŏntrăst′)
v. con·trast·ed, con·trast·ing, con·trasts
v.tr.
To set in opposition in order to show or emphasize differences: an essay that contrasts city and country life; contrasted this computer with inferior models.
v.intr.
1. To show differences when compared: siblings who contrast sharply in interests and abilities; a color that contrasted clearly with the dark background.
2. Linguistics To evince a difference that can distinguish meaning: Voiced and voiceless stops contrast in English but not in Cree.
n. (kŏntrăst′)
1.
a. The act of contrasting; a setting off of dissimilar entities or objects.
b. The state of being contrasted: red berries standing in vivid contrast against the snow.
2. A difference, especially a strong dissimilarity, between entities or objects compared: the contrast between Northern and Southern speech patterns.
3. One thing that is strikingly dissimilar to another: My new school was a welcome contrast to the one before.
4. The use of opposing elements, such as colors, forms, or lines, in proximity to produce an intensified effect in a work of art.
5. The difference in brightness between the light and dark areas of a picture, such as a photograph or video image.
6. Linguistics A difference between units, especially one that distinguishes meaning.
[French contraster, from Italian contrastare, from Medieval Latin contrāstāre : Latin contrā-, contra- + Latin stāre, to stand; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
con·verse 2 (kən-vûrs, kŏnvûrs′)
adj.
Reversed, as in position, order, or action; contrary.
n. (kŏnvûrs′)
1. Something that has been reversed; an opposite.
2. Logic A proposition obtained by conversion.
[Latin conversus, past participle of convertere, to turn around; see convert.]
con·versely adv.
cor·nu·co·pi·a (kôr′nə-kōpē-ə, -nyə-)
n.
1. A goat's horn overflowing with fruit, flowers, and grain, signifying prosperity. Also called horn of plenty.
2. Greek Mythology The horn of the goat that suckled Zeus, which broke off and became filled with fruit. In folklore, it became full of whatever its owner desired.
3. A cone-shaped ornament or receptacle.
4. An overflowing store; an abundance: a cornucopia of employment opportunities.
[Late Latin cornūcōpia, from Latin cornū cōpiae : cornū, horn; see cornu + cōpiae, genitive of cōpia, plenty; see op- in Indo-European roots.]
cor′nu·copi·an adj.
coy (koi)
adj. coy·er, coy·est
1. Tending to avoid people and social situations; reserved.
2. Affectedly and usually flirtatiously shy or modest.
[middle English, from Old French quei, coi, quiet, still, from Vulgar Latin *quētus, from Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere, to rest; see kweiə- in Indo-European roots.]
coyly adv.
coyness n.
curt·sy or curt·sey (kûrtsē)
n. pl. curt·sies or curt·seys
A gesture of respect or reverence made chiefly by women by bending the knees with one foot forward and lowering the body.
intr.v. curt·sied or curt·seyed, curt·sy·ing or curt·sey·ing, curt·sies or curt·seys
[Variant of courtesy.]
de·i·ty (dēĭ-tē, dā-)
n. pl. de·i·ties
1. A god or goddess.
2.
a. The essential nature or condition of being a god; divinity.
[Middle English deite, from Old French, from Late Latin deitās, divine nature, from Latin deus, god; see dyeu- in Indo-European roots.]
di·o·ram·a (dī′ə-rămə, -rämə)
n.
1. A three-dimensional miniature or life-size scene in which figures, stuffed wildlife, or other objects are arranged in a naturalistic setting against a painted background.
[French, blend of dia-, through (from Greek; see dia-) and panorama, panorama (from English; see panorama).]
di′o·ramic (-rămĭk) adj.
dip·loid (dĭploid′)
adj.
1. Double or twofold.
2. Genetics Having a pair of each type of chromosome, so that the basic chromosome number is doubled: diploid somatic cells.
n.
Genetics
An organism or cell having diploid cells.
[Greek diplous, double; see dwo- in Indo-European roots + -oid.]
dis·am·big·u·ate (dĭs′ăm-bĭgy-āt′)
tr.v. dis·am·big·u·at·ed, dis·am·big·u·at·ing, dis·am·big·u·ates
To establish a single grammatical or semantic interpretation for.
dis′am·big′u·ation n.
di·zy·got·ic (dī′zī-gŏtĭk) or di·zy·gous (dī-zīgəs)
adj.
Derived from two separately fertilized eggs. Used especially of fraternal twins.
ef·ful·gent (ĭ-fljənt, ĭ-fŭl-)
adj.
Shining brilliantly; resplendent.
[Latin effulgēns, effulgent-, present participle of effulgēre, to shine out : ex-, ex- + fulgēre, to shine; see bhel-1 in Indo-European roots.]
em·u·late (ĕmyə-lāt′)
tr.v. em·u·lat·ed, em·u·lat·ing, em·u·lates
1. To strive to equal or excel, especially through imitation: an older pupil whose accomplishments and style I emulated.
2. To compete with successfully; approach or attain equality with.
[Latin aemulārī, aemulāt-, from aemulus, emulous; see emulous.]
emu·la′tive adj.
emu·la′tive·ly adv.
emu·la′tor n.
en·co·mi·um (ĕn-kōmē-əm)
n. pl. en·co·mi·ums or en·co·mi·a (-mē-ə)
1. Warm, glowing praise.
2. A formal expression of praise; a tribute.
[Latin encōmium, from Greek enkōmion (epos), (speech) praising a victor, neuter of enkōmios, of the victory procession : en-, in; see en-2 + kōmos, celebration.]
en·tre·pre·neur (ŏn′trə-prə-nûr, -nr)
n.
A person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for a business venture.
[French, from Old French, from entreprendre, to undertake; see enterprise.]
en′tre·pre·neuri·al adj.
en′tre·pre·neuri·al·ism, en′tre·pre·neurism n.
en′tre·pre·neurship′ n.
e·pis·te·mol·o·gy (ĭ-pĭs′tə-mŏlə-jē)
n.
The branch of philosophy that studies the nature of knowledge, its presuppositions and foundations, and its extent and validity.
[Greek epistēmē, knowledge (from epistasthai, epistē-, to understand : epi-, epi- + histasthai, middle voice of histanai, to place, determine; see stā- in Indo-European roots) + -logy.]
e·pis′te·mo·logi·cal (-mə-lŏjĭ-kəl) adj.
e·pis′te·mo·logi·cal·ly adv.
e·pis′te·molo·gist n.
e·pit·o·mize (ĭ-pĭtə-mīz′)
tr.v. e·pit·o·mized, e·pit·o·miz·ing, e·pit·o·miz·es
1. To make an epitome of; sum up.
2. To be a typical example of: behavior that epitomizes selfishness.
e·the·re·al (ĭ-thîrē-əl)
adj.
1. Characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; intangible.
2. Highly refined; delicate. See Synonyms at airy.
3.
a. Of the celestial spheres; heavenly.
b. Not of this world; spiritual.
4. Chemistry Of or relating to ether.
[From Latin aetherius, from Greek aitherios, from aithēr, upper air.]
e·the′re·ali·ty (-ălĭ-tē), e·there·al·ness n.
e·there·al·ly adv
eu·phe·mism (yfə-mĭz′əm)
n.
The act or an example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive: "Euphemisms such as 'slumber room' . . . abound in the funeral business" (Jessica Mitford).
[Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmizein, to use auspicious words, from euphēmiā, use of auspicious words : eu-, eu- + phēmē, speech; see bhā-2 in Indo-European roots.]
euphe·mist n.
eu′phe·mistic (-mĭstĭk) adj.
eu′phe·misti·cal·ly adv.
ex·as·per·ate
tr.v. ex·as·per·at·ed, ex·as·per·at·ing, ex·as·per·ates
1. To make very angry or impatient; annoy greatly.
ex·cite (ĭk-sīt)
tr.v. ex·cit·ed, ex·cit·ing, ex·cites
1. To stir to activity.
2. To call forth (a reaction or emotion, for example); elicit: odd noises that excited our curiosity.
3. To arouse strong feeling in: speakers who know how to excite a crowd. See Synonyms at provoke.
4. Physiology To produce increased activity or response in (an organ, tissue, or part); stimulate.
[Middle English exciten, from Latin excitāre, frequentative of exciēre : ex-, ex- + ciēre, to set in motion; see kei-2 in Indo-European roots.]
ex·cit·ing (ĭk-sītĭng)
adj.
Creating or producing excitement: an exciting adventure story.
ex·citing·ly adv.
ex·plic·it (ĭk-splĭsĭt)
adj.
1.
a. Fully and clearly expressed; leaving nothing implied.
b. Fully and clearly defined or formulated: "generalizations that are powerful, precise, and explicit" (Frederick Turner).
2. Forthright and unreserved in expression: They were explicit in their criticism.
[Latin explicitus, past participle of explicāre, to unfold; see explicate.]
ex·plicit·ly adv.
ex·plicit·ness n.
Synonyms: explicit, categorical, definite, express, specific
Antonym: ambiguous
ex·pli·ca·tive (ĕksplĭ-kā′tĭv, ĭk-splĭkə-tĭv)
adj.
Serving to explain; explanatory.
expli·ca′tive n.
expli·ca′tive·ly adv.
fal·lo·pi·an tube also Fal·lo·pi·an tube (fə-lōpē-ən)
n.
Either of a pair of slender ducts through which ova pass from the ovaries to the uterus in the female reproductive system of humans and higher mammals.
[After Gabriele Fallopio (1523-1562), Italian anatomist.]
feel·ing (fēlĭng)
n.
1.
a. The sensation involving perception by touch.
b. A sensation experienced through touch.
c. A physical sensation: a feeling of warmth.
2. An affective state of consciousness, such as that resulting from emotions, sentiments, or desires: experienced a feeling of excitement.
3. An awareness or impression: He had the feeling that he was being followed.
4.
a. An emotional state or disposition; an emotion: expressed deep feeling.
b. A tender emotion; a fondness.
5.
a. Capacity to experience the higher emotions; sensitivity; sensibility: a man of feeling.
b. feelings Susceptibility to emotional response; sensibilities: The child's feelings are easily hurt.
6. Opinion based more on emotion than on reason; sentiment.
7. A general impression conveyed by a person, place, or thing: The stuffy air gave one the feeling of being in a tomb.
adj.
1. Having the ability to react or feel emotionally; sentient; sensitive.
2. Easily moved emotionally; sympathetic: a feeling heart.
3. Expressive of sensibility or emotion: a feeling glance.
flam 2 (flăm)
n.
Music
A drumbeat consisting of two almost simultaneous strokes of which the first is a very rapid grace note.
[Probably of imitative origin.]
fon·ta·nel also fon·ta·nelle (fŏn′tə-nĕl)
n.
Any of the soft membranous gaps between the incompletely formed cranial bones of a fetus or an infant. Also called soft spot.
Middle English fontinel, from Old French fontanele, diminutive of fontaine, fountain; see fountain.]
fresh (frĕsh)
adj. fresh·er, fresh·est
1. New to one's experience; not encountered before.
2. Novel; different: a fresh slant on the problem. See Synonyms at new.
3. Free from impurity or pollution; pure: fresh air.
9. Bright and clear; not dull or faded: a fresh memory.
[Middle English, from Old English fersc, pure, not salty, and from Old French freis (feminine fresche), new, recent, of Germanic origin.]
freshly adv.
freshness n.
frus·trate (frŭstrāt′)
tr.v. frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing, frus·trates
a. To cause feelings of discouragement or bafflement in.
fu·tur·ism (fychə-rĭz′əm)
1. An artistic movement originating in Italy around 1910 whose aim was to express the energetic, dynamic, and violent quality of contemporary life, especially as embodied in the motion and force of modern machinery.
futur·ist n.
gno·sis (nōsĭs)
n.
Intuitive apprehension of spiritual truths, an esoteric form of knowledge sought by the Gnostics.
[Greek gnōsis, knowledge, from gignōskein, gnō-, to know; see gnō- in Indo-European roots.]
Gnos·ti·cism (nŏstĭ-sĭz′əm)
n.
The doctrines of certain pre-Christian pagan, Jewish, and early Christian sects that valued the revealed knowledge of God and of the origin and end of the human race as a means to attain redemption for the spiritual element in humans and that distinguished the Demiurge from the unknowable Divine Being.
graph·eme (grăfēm′)
n.
1. All of the letters and letter combinations that represent a phoneme, as f, ph, and gh for the phoneme /f/.
[graph2 + -eme.]
gra·phemic (gră-fēmĭk) adj.
gra·phemi·cal·ly adv.
ha·lo (hālō)
n. pl. ha·los or ha·loes
1. a. A circular band of colored light around a light source, as around the sun or moon, caused by the refraction and reflection of light by ice particles suspended in the intervening atmosphere.
2. A luminous ring or disk of light surrounding the heads or bodies of sacred figures, such as saints, in religious paintings; a nimbus.
3. The aura of majesty or glory surrounding a person or thing that is regarded with reverence, awe, or sentiment.
tr.v. ha·loed, ha·lo·ing, ha·loes
To encircle with or as if with a halo.
[Medieval Latin halō, from accusative of Latin halōs, from Greek, threshing floor, disk of or around the sun or moon.]
hal·low (hălō)
tr.v. hal·lowed, hal·low·ing, hal·lows
1. To make or set apart as holy.
2. To respect or honor greatly; revere.
[Middle English halwen, from Old English hālgian; see kailo- in Indo-European roots
hal·lowed (hălōd)
adj.1. Sanctified; consecrated: a hallowed cemetery.
2. Highly venerated; sacrosanct: our hallowed war heroes.
hap·loid (hăploid′)
adj.
1. Having the same number of sets of chromosomes as a germ cell or half as many as a somatic cell.
2. Having a single set of chromosomes.
n.
An organism having haploid cells.
[From Greek haplous, single; see sem-1 in Indo-European roots + -oid.]
he·don·ism (hēdn-ĭz′əm)
n.
1. Pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses.
2. Philosophy The ethical doctrine holding that only what is pleasant or has pleasant consequences is intrinsically good.
3. Psychology The doctrine holding that behavior is motivated by the desire for pleasure and the avoidance of pain.
[Greek hēdonē, pleasure; see swād- in Indo-European roots + -ism.]
hedon·ist n.
he′don·istic adj.
he′don·isti·cal·ly adv.
hen·o·the·ism (hĕnə-thē-ĭz′əm)
n.
Belief in one god without denying the existence of others.
[Greek heno- (from heis, hen-, one; see sem-1 in Indo-European roots) + Greek theos, god; see dhēs- in Indo-European roots + -ism.]
heno·the′ist n.
hen′o·the·istic adj.
hum·drum (hŭmdrŭm′)
adj.
Lacking variety or excitement; dull. See Synonyms at boring, dull.
n.
Monotonous talk or routine.
[Probably from hum.]
hy·per·re·al·ism (hī′pər-rēə-lĭz′əm)
n.
An artistic style characterized by highly realistic graphic representation.
hy′per·real·ist adj. & n.
hy′per·re′al·istic adj.
im·i·tate (ĭmĭ-tāt′)
tr.v. im·i·tat·ed, im·i·tat·ing, im·i·tates
1. To use or follow as a model.
2.
a. To copy the actions, appearance, mannerisms, or speech of; mimic: amused friends by imitating the teachers.
b. To copy or use the style of: brushwork that imitates Rembrandt.
3. To copy exactly; reproduce.
4. To appear like; resemble.
[Latin imitārī, imitāt-; see aim- in Indo-European roots.]
imi·ta′tor n.
Synonyms: imitate, copy, mimic, ape, parody, simulate
These verbs mean to follow something or someone taken as a model. To imitate is to act like or follow a pattern or style set by another: "Art imitates Nature" (Richard Franck).
To copy is to duplicate an original as precisely as possible: "His grandfather had spent a laborious life-time in Rome, copying the Old Masters for a generation which lacked the facile resource of the camera" (Edith Wharton).
To mimic is to make a close imitation, often with an intent to ridicule: "fresh carved cedar, mimicking a glade/Of palm and plaintain" (John Keats).
To ape is to follow another's lead slavishly but often with an absurd result: "Those [superior] states of mind do not come from aping an alien culture" (John Russell).
To parody is either to imitate with comic effect or to attempt a serious imitation and fail: "All these peculiarities [of Samuel Johnson's literary style] have been imitated by his admirers and parodied by his assailants" (Thomas Macaulay).
To simulate is to feign or falsely assume the appearance or character of something: "I ... lay there simulating death" (W.H. Hudson).
in·car·na·tion (ĭn′kär-nāshən)
n.
2. Incarnation Christianity The doctrine that the Son of God was conceived in the womb of Mary and that Jesus is true God and true man.
3. A bodily manifestation of a supernatural being.
4. One who is believed to personify a given abstract quality or idea.
5. A period of time passed in a given bodily form or condition: hopes for a better life in another incarnation.
in·fant (ĭnfənt)
n.
1. A child in the earliest period of life, especially before he or she can walk.
[Middle English, from Old French enfant, from Latin īnfāns, īnfant-, from īnfāns, not able to speak, young : in-, not; see in-1 + fāns, present participle of fārī, to speak; see bhā-2 in Indo-European roots.]
in·no·va·tion (ĭn′ə-vāshən)
n.
1. The act of introducing something new.
2. Something newly introduced.
in′no·vation·al adj.
in·no·va·tive (ĭnə-vā′tĭv)
adj.
Marked by or given to innovations.
inno·va′tive·ness n.
in·spire (ĭn-spīr)
v. in·spired, in·spir·ing, in·spires
v.tr.
1. To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence.
2. To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion: hymns that inspire the congregation; an artist who was inspired by Impressionism.
3.
a. To stimulate to action; motivate: a sales force that was inspired by the prospect of a bonus.
b. To affect or touch: The falling leaves inspired her with sadness.
4. To draw forth; elicit or arouse: a teacher who inspired admiration and respect.
5. To be the cause or source of; bring about: an invention that inspired many imitations.
v.intr.
1. To stimulate energies, ideals, or reverence: a leader who inspires by example.
[Middle English enspiren, from Old French enspirer, from Latin īnspīrāre : in-, into; see in-2 + spīrāre, to breathe.]
in·spirer n.
in·spired (ĭn-spīrd)
adj.
Of such surpassing brilliance or excellence as to suggest divine inspiration: an inspired musician; an inspired performance.
in·spired·ly (-spīrĭd-lē, -spīrdlē) adv
in·tel·li·gence (ĭn-tĕlə-jəns)
n.
1.
a. The capacity to acquire and apply knowledge.
b. The faculty of thought and reason.
c. Superior powers of mind.
2. An intelligent, incorporeal being, especially an angel.
ki·ruv (kērv)
n.
The practice of turning secularized Jews toward Orthodox Judaism.
[Mishnaic Hebrew qîrûb, bringing near, rapprochement, from Hebrew qērēb, to bring near, derived stem of qārab, he came near; see qrb in Semitic roots.]
lav·en·der (lăvən-dər)
n.
1.
a. Any of various aromatic Old World plants of the genus Lavandula, especially L. angustifolia, having clusters of small purplish flowers that yield an oil used in perfumery.
b. The fragrant dried leaves, stems, and flowers of this plant.
2. A pale to light purple to very light or very pale violet.
[Middle English lavendre, from Anglo-Norman, from Medieval Latin livendula, lavendula, perhaps from Latin līvidus, bluish; see livid.]
laven·der adj.
lo·co·mo·tive (lō′kə-mōtĭv)
n.
1. A self-propelled vehicle, usually electric or diesel-powered, for pulling or pushing freight or passenger cars on railroad tracks.
2. A driving or pulling force; an impetus: "The US could no longer serve as the locomotive for the world economy" (George Soros).
adj.
1.
a. Serving to put into motion or propel forward: "It may be that the founding fathers overestimated the locomotive force of the collective and mutual self-interest" (Ian Davidson).
2. Able to move independently from place to place.
3. Of or relating to a self-propelled locomotive.
4. Of or relating to travel.
lo·go (lōgō′)
n. pl. lo·gos
A name, symbol, or trademark designed for easy and definite recognition, especially one borne on a single printing plate or piece of type.
LO·GO (lōgō)
n.
A programming language developed for teaching young children. Elementary exercises involve drawing geometric shapes.
Mai·mon·i·des (mī-mŏnĭ-dēz′),
Moses Originally Moses Ben Maimon. Sometimes called "Rambam." 1135-1204.
Spanish-born Jewish philosopher and physician. The greatest medieval Jewish scholar, he codified the Talmud and in Guide for the Perplexed (1190) attempted to reconcile Aristotelian philosophy with Jewish theology.
mercy seat
n.
1. The golden covering of the Ark of the Covenant, regarded as the resting place of God.
2. The throne of God.
mid·wife (mĭdwīf′)
n. pl. mid·wives (-wīvz′)
1. A person, usually a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth. Also called regionally granny, granny woman.
2. One who assists in or takes a part in bringing about a result: "In the Renaissance, artists and writers start to serve as midwives of fame" (Carlin Romano).
tr.v. mid·wifed or mid·wived (-wīvd′), mid·wif·ing or mid·wiv·ing (-wī′vĭng), mid·wifes or mid·wives (-wīvz′)
1. To assist in the birth of (a baby).
2. To assist in bringing forth or about: "Washington's efforts to midwife a Mideast settlement" (Newsweek).
[Middle English midwif : probably mid, with (from Old English; see me-2 in Indo-European roots) + wif, woman (from Old English wīf).]
Word History: The word midwife is the sort of word whose etymology seems perfectly clear until one tries to figure it out. Wife would seem to refer to the woman giving birth, who is usually a wife, but mid ? A knowledge of older senses of words helps us with this puzzle. Wife in its earlier history meant "woman," as it still did when the compound midwife was formed in Middle English (first recorded around 1300). Mid is probably a preposition, meaning "together with." Thus a midwife was literally a "with woman" or "a woman who assists other women in childbirth." Even though obstetrics has been rather resistant to midwifery until fairly recently, the etymology of obstetric is rather similar, going back to the Latin word obstetrīx, "a midwife," from the verb obstāre, "to stand in front of," and the feminine suffix -trīx; the obstetrīx would thus literally stand in front of the baby.
mil·len·ni·um (mə-lĕnē-əm)
n. pl. mil·len·ni·a (-lĕnē-ə) or mil·len·ni·ums
1. A span of one thousand years.
2. A thousand-year period of holiness mentioned in Revelation 20, during which Jesus and his faithful followers are to rule on earth.
3. A hoped-for period of joy, serenity, prosperity, and justice.
4. A thousandth anniversary.
[New Latin mīllennium : Latin mīlle, thousand; see gheslo- in Indo-European roots + Latin annus, year; see at- in Indo-European roots.]
mil·lenni·al (-əl) adj.
mil·lenni·al·ism n.
mil·lenni·al·ist n.
mil·lenni·al·ly adv.
mo·tif (mō-tēf)
n.
1.
a. A recurrent thematic element in an artistic or literary work.
b. A dominant theme or central idea.
3. A repeated figure or design in architecture or decoration.
nim·bus (nĭmbəs)
n. pl. nim·bi (-bī′) or nim·bus·es
1. A cloudy radiance said to surround a classical deity when on earth.
2. A radiant light that appears usually in the form of a circle or halo about or over the head in the representation of a god, demigod, saint, or sacred person such as a king or an emperor.
3. A splendid atmosphere or aura, as of glamour, that surrounds a person or thing.
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ol·fac·tion (ŏl-făkshən, ōl-)
n.
1. The sense of smell.
2. The act or process of smelling.
[Latin olfactus : past participle of olfacere, to smell; see olfactory + -ion.]
pal·pate 1 (pălpāt′)
tr.v. pal·pat·ed, pal·pat·ing, pal·pates
To examine or explore by touching (an organ or area of the body), usually as a diagnostic aid. See Synonyms at touch.
[Latin palpāre, palpāt-, to touch gently; see pāl- in Indo-European roots.]
pal·pation n.
palpa′tor n.
palpa·tor′y (-pə-tôr′ē, -tōr′ē) adj.
pal·pate 2 (pălpāt′)
adj.
Having a palp or palps.
pan-
pref.
1. All: panorama.
3. General; whole: panleukopenia.
[Greek, from pan, neuter of pās, pant-, all; see pant- in Indo-European roots.]
per·cep·tion (pər-sĕpshən)
n.
1. The process, act, or faculty of perceiving.
2. The effect or product of perceiving.
3. Psychology
a. Recognition and interpretation of sensory stimuli based chiefly on memory.
b. The neurological processes by which such recognition and interpretation are effected.
4.
a. Insight, intuition, or knowledge gained by perceiving.
b. The capacity for such insight.
[Middle English percepcioun, from Old French percepcion, from Latin perceptiō, perceptiōn-, from perceptus, past participle of percipere, to perceive; see perceive.]
per·ception·al adj.
post·mil·len·ni·al (pōst′mə-lĕnē-əl) also post·mil·len·ni·an (-ən)
adj.
Happening or existing after the millennium.
pre·mil·len·ni·al (prē′mĭ-lĕnē-əl)
adj.
Of or happening in the time before the millennium.
pre′mil·lenni·al·ly adv.
(Preborn.) fe·tus (fētəs)
n. pl. fe·tus·es
1. The unborn young of a viviparous vertebrate having a basic structural resemblance to the adult animal.
2. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after conception to the moment of birth, as distinguished from the earlier embryo.
[Middle English, from Latin fētus, offspring; see dhē(i)- in Indo-European roots.]
pu·er·pe·ri·um (py′ər-pîrē-əm)
n. pl. pu·er·pe·ri·a (-pîrē-ə)
1. The state of a woman during childbirth or immediately thereafter.
2. The approximate six-week period lasting from childbirth to the return of normal uterine size.
[Latin, childbirth, from puerpera, a woman in childbed; see puerperal.]
ra·di·ant (rādē-ənt)
adj.
1. Emitting heat or light.
2. Consisting of or emitted as radiation: radiant heat.
3.
a. Filled with light; bright.
b. Glowing; beaming.
n.
1. An object or a point from which light or heat rays are emitted.
[Middle English, from Latin radiāns, radiant-, present participle of radiāre, to radiate; see radiate.]
radi·ant·ly adv.
Ray·on·ism (rāə-nĭz′əm)
n.
A style of abstract painting allied to futurism, developed about 1911, in which forms are depicted as emitting rays of light.
[French rayonisme, from rayon, ray (translation of Russian luchizm, from luch, ray); see rayon.]
Rayon·ist adj. & n.
Ray′on·istic adj.
re·hearse (rĭ-hûrs)
v. re·hearsed, re·hears·ing, re·hears·es
v.tr.
1.
a. To practice (a part in a play, for example) in preparation for a public performance.
b. To direct in rehearsal: rehearsed the orchestra.
2. To perfect or cause to perfect (an action) by repetition. See Synonyms at practice.
3.
a. To retell or recite.
[Middle English rehercen, to repeat, from Old French rehercier : re-, re- + hercier, to harrow (from herce, harrow; see hearse).]
re·hearser n.
re·splen·dent (rĭ-splĕndənt)
adj.
Splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin resplendēns, resplendent-, present participle of resplendēre, to shine brightly : re-, re- + splendēre, to shine.]
re·splendence, re·splenden·cy n.
re·splendent·ly adv.
rhi·nen·ceph·a·lon (rī′nĕn-sĕfə-lŏn′, -lən)
n. pl. rhi·nen·ceph·a·la (-lə)
The olfactory region of the brain, located in the cerebrum.
rhi′nen·ce·phalic (-sə-fălĭk) adj.
sen·tience (sĕnshəns, -shē-əns)
n.
1. The quality or state of being sentient; consciousness.
2. Feeling as distinguished from perception or thought.
sight (sīt)
n.
1. The ability to see.
2. The act or fact of seeing: hoping for a sight of land; caught sight of a rare bird.
3. Field of vision.
4. Something seen; a view.
5. Something worth seeing; a spectacle: the sights of London.
6. An opportunity to observe or inspect.
v. sight·ed, sight·ing, sights
v.intr.
1. To direct one's gaze; look carefully.
2. To take aim: sighted along the barrel of the gun.
[Middle English, from Old English sihth, gesiht, something seen; see sekw-2 in Indo-European roots.]
smell (smĕl)
v. smelled or smelt (smĕlt), smell·ing, smells
v.tr.
1. To perceive the scent of (something) by means of the olfactory nerves.
2. To sense the presence of by or as if by the olfactory nerves; detect or discover: We smelled trouble ahead. The committee tried to smell out corruption in law enforcement.
v.intr.
1. To use the sense of smell; perceive the scent of something.
2. To be suggestive; have a touch of something: a cave that smells of terror.
3. The sense by which odors are perceived; the olfactory sense.
4. That quality of something that may be perceived by the olfactory sense.
5. The act or an instance of smelling.
[Middle English smellen.]
Synonyms: smell, aroma, odor, scent
These nouns denote a quality that can be perceived by the olfactory sense: the smell of gas; the aroma of frying onions; hospital odors; the scent of pine needles.
soar (sôr, sōr)
intr.v. soared, soar·ing, soars
1. To rise, fly, or glide high and with little apparent effort.
[Middle English soren, from Old French essorer, from Vulgar Latin *exaurāre : Latin ex-, ex- + Latin aura, air (from Greek, breeze; see aura).]
soarer n.
soaring·ly adv.
so·mat·o·sen·so·ry (sə-măt′ə-sĕnsə-rē, sō′mə-tə-)
adj.
Of or relating to the perception of sensory stimuli from the skin and internal organs: the somatosensory area of the cerebral cortex.
splen·dent (splĕndənt)
adj.
1. Shining or lustrous; brilliant.
2. Admired by many; illustrious.
[Middle English, from Old French esplendent, from Latin splendēns, splendent-, present participle of splendēre, to shine.]
splen·did (splĕndĭd)
adj.
1. Brilliant with light or color; radiant: a splendid field of poppies.
2. Imposing by reason of showiness or grandeur; magnificent: splendid costumes.
3. Admired by many; illustrious: splendid achievements.
4. Admirable for boldness or purity; surpassing: splendid character.
5. Very good or satisfying; praiseworthy: a splendid performance in the examinations.
[Latin splendidus, from splendēre, to shine.]
splendid·ly adv.
splendid·ness n.
ster·co·ra·ceous (stûr′kə-rāshəs) also ster·co·rous (stûrkər-əs)
adj.
Consisting of or relating to excrement.
[Latin stercus, stercor-, dung; see sker-3 in Indo-European roots + -aceous.]
sur·ro·gate (sûrə-gĭt, -gāt′, sŭr-)
n.
1. One that takes the place of another; a substitute.
2.
a. A person or animal that functions as a substitute for another, as in a social or family role.
b. A surrogate mother.
3. Psychology A figure of authority who takes the place of the father or mother in a person's unconscious or emotional life.
adj.
Substitute.
tr.v. (-gāt′) sur·ro·gat·ed, sur·ro·gat·ing, sur·ro·gates
1. To put in the place of another, especially as a successor; replace.
2. To appoint (another) as a replacement for oneself.
[Middle English, from Latin surrogātus, past participle of surrogāre, to substitute, variant of subrogāre; see subrogate.]
syn·es·the·sia also syn·aes·the·sia (sĭn′ĭs-thēzhə)
n.
1. A condition in which one type of stimulation evokes the sensation of another, as when the hearing of a sound produces the visualization of a color.
syn′es·thetic (-thĕtĭk) adj.
taste (tāst)
v. tast·ed, tast·ing, tastes
v.tr.
1. To distinguish the flavor of by taking into the mouth.
2. To eat or drink a small quantity of.
4. To perceive as if by the sense of taste.
v.intr.
1. To distinguish flavors in the mouth.
2. To have a distinct flavor: The stew tastes salty.
3. To eat or drink a small amount.
n.
1.
a. The sense that distinguishes the sweet, sour, salty, and bitter qualities of dissolved substances in contact with the taste buds on the tongue.
b. This sense in combination with the senses of smell and touch, which together receive a sensation of a substance in the mouth.
2.
a. The sensation of sweet, sour, salty, or bitter qualities produced by or as if by a substance placed in the mouth.
b. The unified sensation produced by any of these qualities plus a distinct smell and texture; flavor.
c. A distinctive perception as if by the sense of taste: an experience that left a bad taste in my mouth.
3. The act of tasting.
4. A small quantity eaten or tasted.
[Middle English tasten, to touch, taste, from Old French taster, from Vulgar Latin *tastāre, probably alteration of Latin *taxāre, probably frequentative of tangere, to touch; see tag- in Indo-European roots.]
tasta·ble adj.
Synonyms: taste, flavor, relish, savor, tang1
These nouns denote a quality that can be perceived by the taste buds on the tongue: the salty taste of anchovies; the pungent flavor of garlic; the zesty relish of the salsa; the savor of rich chocolate; the fresh tang of lemonade.
the·ism (thēĭz′əm)
n.
Belief in the existence of a god or gods, especially belief in a personal God as creator and ruler of the world.
theist n.
the·istic, the·isti·cal adj.
the·isti·cal·ly adv.
the·o·mor·phism (thē′ō-môrfĭz′əm)
n.
Depiction or conception of humans as having the form of a god.
the′o·morphic adj.
the·sau·rus (thĭ-sôrəs)
n. pl. the·sau·ri (-sôrī′) or the·sau·rus·es
1. A book of synonyms, often including related and contrasting words and antonyms.
2. A book of selected words or concepts, such as a specialized vocabulary of a particular field, as of medicine or music.
Latin thēsaurus, treasury, from Greek thēsauros.]
touch (tŭch)
v. touched, touch·ing, touch·es
v.tr.
1. To cause or permit a part of the body, especially the hand or fingers, to come in contact with so as to feel: reached out and touched the smooth stone.
2.
a. To bring something into light contact with: touched the sore spot with a probe.
v.intr.
1. To touch someone or something.
2. To be or come into contact: Don't let the live wires touch.
n.
1. The act or an instance of touching.
2. The physiological sense by which external objects or forces are perceived through contact with the body.
3. A sensation experienced in touching something with a characteristic texture: felt the touch of snowflakes on her face.
4. A light push; a tap: an electric switch that requires just a touch.
5. A discernible mark or effect left by contact with something.
touch up
To improve by making minor corrections, changes, or additions.
[Middle English touchen, from Old French touchier, ultimately from Vulgar Latin *toccāre.]
toucha·ble adj.
toucha·ble·ness n.
toucher n.
Synonyms: touch, feel, finger, handle, palpate1, paw
These verbs mean to bring the hands or fingers into contact with so as to give or receive a physical sensation: gently touched my hand; felt the runner's pulse; fingered the worry beads; handle a bolt of fabric; palpates the patient's abdomen; fans who pawed the celebrity's arm. See Also Synonyms at affect1.
zy·gote (zgōt′)
n.
1. The cell formed by the union of two gametes, especially a fertilized ovum before cleavage.
2. The organism that develops from a zygote.
[From Greek zugōtos, yoked, from zugoun, to yoke; see yeug- in Indo-European roots.]
zy·gotic (-gŏtĭk) adj
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