`_
`_
`Am_er1can _
`He1‘1tage® D1ct10nary
`of the English Language
`
`FOURTH EDITION
`
`
`
`ANCESTRY EX. 1015
`
`1
`
`
`
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`Library of Congress Caraloging-in-Publication Data
`
`The American Heritage dictionary of the English 1anguage.—4th ed.
`p.
`cm.
`ISBN 0-395-8251?-2 [hardcover] — ISBN 0-618-08230-1
`(hardcover with CD ROM]
`1. English languagc—Dicti0nat‘ies
`PEl62B .A623 2000
`423—dc2l
`
`00-025369
`
`Manufactured in the United States of America
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`2
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`318
`
`Corfu
`
`eornerback
`
`
`
`Corinthian order
`Corinthian order capital
`
` is
`
`eormoraot
`double-crested corn-toram
`Phalocrocorox auritus
`
`
`
`lcor-fo‘oF) also Kér-ki-ra {1..er!ke—ra'*)
`-fyo_o,
`Cor-fu (l<c‘>rffo’o.
`Formerly Cor- cy- ra (kor—sIPra} Au island of Greece in the Ionian
`Is. off the NW coast of the mainland; settled c. too n.c.
`Corgi (korfge) n.. pl. -gis A Welsh corgi. [Welsh : cor, dwarf + ci.
`dog; see kwon- in App.]
`I
`cor-i-a-ceous (kfir’e—a|'5l1as, kor’ —} adj. Of or like leather, esp.
`in texture. [< l,l.ut. coriaceus < Lat. cerium, leather. See sker«‘ in
`APP-]
`co-ri-an-der {kor’e—§11’dar, korl-, l<6r’e-in-"d:.Ir, kor’-J :1. 1a.
`An aromatic annual Eurasian herb (Corfandrum sarivum) in the
`parsley Iamily, cultivated for its edible fruits, leafy shoots, and
`roots. b. The leaves of this herb, used as a flavoring and garnish.
`2. The seedlike fruit of this plant, used as a seasoning. {ME cori-
`nitdrc < OFr. < Lat. coriandmm < Gk. ltoritindronn]
`Cor-inth (korlinth, korf-) also Ko- rin -thos lkélrln-thfis’) A city
`of 5 Greece in the NE Pcloponnesus on the Gulf of Corinth near
`the site of the ancient city of Corinth. at rich maritime power in
`the 7th and 6th cent. ac. Pop. 22,658.
`Corinth, Gulf of Formerly Gulf of Le-pan-to (li—pan’to, Japan-
`to) An inlet of the Ionian Sea between the Peloponnesus and cen—
`tral Greece.
`Corinth. Isthmus of A narrow isthmus connecting central Greece
`with the Peloponnesus and crossed by the Corinth Canal {con-
`structed 1381-93).
`Co-rin-thi-an [ka—rlnftl'Ie—an) adj. 1. Of or relating to ancient
`Corinth or its people or culture. 2. Arcltirccrure Of or relating to
`the Corinthian order. 3. Elegantly or elaborately ornate. 4. Given
`to licentious and profligate luxury. ti" rt. 1. A native or inhabitant
`of Corinth. 2. A luxury-loving person: a. bon vivant. 3. A wealthy
`amateur sportsman. esp. an amateur yachlsman. 4. Corinthians
`(used with :1 sin . verb] See table at Bible.
`Corinthian or er rt. Architecture The most ornate of the three
`classical orders, marked by a slender fluted column having an or-
`nate bell-shaped capital decorated with acanthus leaves.
`Co°rl-o°lls force {ko1"e-o-'lis, kor'—]
`rt. A pseudo—force used
`mathematically to describe motion, as of aircraft or cloud forma-
`tions, relative to a uniformly rotating frame of reference such as
`Earth. [After Gaspard G. de Coriolis (1792-1843), French mathe-
`matician.]
`co-ri-um lkorfevam, kor-'-] n., pl. —ri-a L-c-at See dermis. [Lat.,
`skin. See sker-‘ in App.]
`cork (kork) rt. 1. The lightweight elastic outer bark of the cork
`oak, used esp. for bottle closures,
`insulation, and floats. 2a.
`Something made of cork, esp. a bottle stopper. 1'). A bottle stopper
`made of other material, such as plastic. 3. A small float used on
`a fishing line or net for buoyancy. 4. Botany A nonliving water-
`resistant tissue formed on the outside of the cork cambium in
`many seed plants. 6 tr.v. corked, cork-ing, corks 1. To stop or
`seal with a cork. 2. To restrain or check; hold back: tried to cork
`my anger. 3. To blacken with burnt cork. [ME -c Du. kurk or
`LGer. lcorclc. both < Sp. alcorqne, cork-soled shoe. prob. < Ar. dia-
`lectal al—q:'m;
`: nl-, the + qftrq. cork (< Lat. qucrcus, oak; see
`perk"'u— in App.}.]
`Cork A city of S Ireland near the head of Cork Harbor. an inlet of
`the Atlantic Ocean. Pop. 121,253.
`cork- age [korlkfji n. A charge at a restaurant for serving a bottle
`of liquor that was not bought on the premises.
`corktboard lkfirkfbord’, -bord’) rt. A construction and insulat-
`ing material made of compressed and baked granules of cork.
`cork eambinm n. A lateral ring of rneristematic tissue found in
`woody seed plants, producing cork on the outside of the ring and
`parenchyma on the inside of the ring.
`corked (korkt) adj. 1. Sealed with or as if with a cork. 2. Tainted
`in flavor by on unsound cork. 3. Blackened by burnt cork.
`corlv er (kor-'kar) rt. 1. One that corks bottles, for example. 2.
`Slang A remarkable or astounding person or thing.
`cork-ring (korlking) Slang adj. Splendid; fine: a corlcicg party. '9
`adv. Used as an intensive. 1< c.oitro=.rt.]
`cork oak rt. A Mediterranean evergreen oak tree (Quercus saber)
`having thick bark that yields commercial cork.
`cork-screw (korklskrtfifl :1. A device for drawing Corks from
`bottles, consisting of a pointed metal spiral attached to a handle.
`-2- adj. Spiral
`in shape. 4-
`iutr. BI tr.v. ~screwed, -screw-ing,
`-screws To move or cause to tnmre in a spiral or winding course.
`cork‘ wood (korkl'wo“od') rt. 1. A deciduous shrub or small tree
`(Leittteria flericlano) native to the southeast United States and
`having lightweight wood. 2. See balsa.
`cork-y {korl‘ke) adj. -Iver. -i-est 1. Of or resembling cork. 2. hr-
`formrrl Lively; buoyant. —cork-'i-ness ll.
`corm (korm) H‘. A food—storing underground stern. sometimes
`bearing papery scale leaves, as in the Crocus. [NLat. commas C Gk.
`laormos, a trimmed tree trunk. See sker-1 in App.]
`cor-rnel lltorfmol, kor—mi':l-‘) rt. A small young corro produced by
`at mature corm. [CDRM + —el, dim. suff. (< Lat. —ellus).]
`cor-movrant (korfmar-ant, —ma—rant" ) n. 1. Any of several large
`mnritte diving birds of the germs Pllalracrocomx, having webbed
`feet, a hooked bill, and tr distensiblc pouch. 2. A greedy, rapacious
`person. 49 adj. Greedy; rapacious. {ME corms-ratmt< OFr. comm-
`rrmt: corp, raven; see CORBBI. + ruarenc, of the sea {< Lat. marrnus;
`see MARIN|3).]
`CUFF‘ (loc‘>rn) rt. 1a. Any of numerous cultivated forms of a usu.
`
`tall annual cereal grass (Zea maysj bearing grains or kernels on
`large ears. b. The grains or kernels of this plant, used as food or
`fodder and yielding art edible oil or starch. 2. An car of this plant,
`3. Chicfly British Any of various cereal plants or grains, esp
`wheat or oats. 4a. A single grain of a cereal plant. b. A seed or
`fruit of various other plants. such as a peppercorn. 5. Corn snow_
`6. Inforntal Corn whiskey. 7. Slang Something considered trite,
`dated, melodramatic, or unduly sentimental. or»
`tr. v. corned,
`corn-lng, Corns 1. To cause to form hard particles; granulatc.
`23. To season and preserve with granulated salt. b. To preserve
`(beef, for example) in brine. 3. To feed (animals) with corn or
`grain. [MB, grain < OE. See gra-no» in App_]
`corn’ (korn) n. A horny thickening of the skin, usu. on or near a
`toe. resulting from pressure or friction. [MB came -: 0Fr., horn‘
`-C Lat. coma. See lter-‘ in App.l
`corn ° ball (korn-'bol’) Slang n. One who behaves in at mztwkish or
`unsophisticated manner.
`-1* adj. Mawlcish or unsophisticated.-'
`corny: corrtball humor. R can: ball, a ball of popcorn and molas-
`ses.]
`Corn Belt An agricultural region of the central US primarily in
`IA and II. but also including parts of IN. MN. SD. NE, KS, MO.
`and OH.
`corn borer n. 1. The larva of a European moth (Pyrausta
`ntrbilalis), now common in eastern North America, that feeds on
`and destroys corn and other plants. 2. Any of various insect lar-
`vae similar to the corn borer that infest corn.
`corn-braid (kornl'brad’} rev. -braid-ed, -braid-ing, -braids To
`style (hair) in rows of braids; cornrow. —-corn-"brald’ it.
`corn bread or cormbread [korn-'brét.1’} n. Bread made from
`cornmeal.
`corn cake or corn-cake (kornfkalfl) rt. Cfllefb’ Southern Sr Mid-
`lrmd US See johnnycake. See Regional Note at johnnycake.
`corn chip :1. A thin crisp piece of food made from cornmeal.
`corn-cob lkornlkob’) n. 1. The hard cylindrical core on which
`the kernels of an ear of corn grow. 2. A corncob pipe.
`corncob pipe rt. A pipe with a bow] made of a dried corncob.
`corn cocltle n. A weedy annual Mediterranean plant
`(Agrar-
`rcmma gitlmgo) having reddish flowers and opposite leaves.
`corn-crake lkornfkrakfi n. A common Eurasian bird (Crex mix)
`with brownish—yellow plumage, found in grain fields and mead-
`ows.
`
`0 corn.
`cofrm crib (korn*krfb’) it. A structure for storing and drying ears
`corn-dodg-er [kornfdéj-'ar] rt. 1. Cltiefly Soutlrem US A small
`round cornmeal cake that is baked or fried. 2. Chiefly Somhem _
`Atlantic US A rlumpling of cornmeal that is boiled or steamed.
`-corn dog rt. A frankfurter encased in corn bread batter before
`being baked or fried, usu. served on a stick.
`cor- ne-a (kor’ne—a] rt. The transparent convex anterior portion
`of the outer fibrous coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and
`the pupil. [Med.l'..at. cornea (Isle), horny (tissue) < Lat. corneas
`c corna. horn. See ker-‘ in App.I —cor-"ne-at (-31) adj.
`corn earworm tr. The large, destructive larva of amoth {Heliorhls
`ass) that feeds on corn and many other plants.
`Corneille (koonal), Pierre IE-06—8-t. French playwright whose
`works include Le Cid (c. 163?‘) and Horace (1640).
`cor-I'Ie'l-tis (lu‘.1r"ne—'tl't'is) rt. Inflammation of the cornea.
`cor- nel lkorlnol, —nel’) rt. Any of various plants of the genus Cor-
`nm‘. which includes the bunchberry and dogwoods. [Short for
`Get. Komcllmum, cornel tree [( Ml-IGer. lcumclboum < OHGBL
`kumilboum), or < Fr. cornouille, both < Med.Lat. comfola < dim.
`of Lat. cormJs.]
`cor-no-I-ian (kor-neliyan} rt. Variant of carnelian.
`cornelian cherry rt. 1. A deciduous Eurasian shrub or small tree
`(Cornus mas) having small yellow flowers and cherrylike fruits-
`2.The fruit of this plant. [< CoRNEL.]
`Cor-nell (kfir—nel-'), Ezra 1802-74. Amer. businessman and phil-
`anthropist who cofounderl Cornell University (1868).
`cor-netous (korfneas) adj. Made of horn or a hornlike sub-
`stance; horny. [< Lat. corneas < coma. horn. See ker-‘ in Appl
`cor-ner (kor?nor} rt. 1a. The position at which two lines, sur-
`faces, or edges meet and form an angle. b. The area enclosed of
`bounded by an angle formed in this manner: the corner of one’:
`eye. 2. The place where two roads or streets join or intersect. 33-
`Sporrs Any of the four angles of a boxing or wrestling ring where
`the ropes are joined. b. Baseball Either side of home plate, toward
`or away from the batter. 4. A threatening or embarrassing posi-
`tion from which escape is difficult. 5. A remote, secluded, or se-
`cret place: a beautiful corner of Paris. 6. A part or piece made to fit
`on a corner, as in mounting or for protection. 7a. A speculative
`monopoly of a stock or commodity created by purchasing all 01‘
`most of the available supply in order to raise its price. b. Exclu-
`sive possession; monopoly. 9 v. -nered. -ner-ing, -ners —rr. 1-
`To furnish with corners. 2. To place or drive into a corner. 3. T0
`form a corner: in [at stock or commodity}. —r'ntr. 1. To come to-
`gether or be situated on or at a corner. 2. To turn, as at a corneli
`‘} adj. 1. Located at a street corner. 2. Designed for use in a cor-
`ner. —l'd'iom.' around the corner About to happen; imminent.
`[ME < AN < OFr. come, corner, horn < Vial. ‘coma < Lat. cor-
`nua, pl. of carrot, horn, point. See ker-‘ in App.]
`cor-oer-back also corner back (k6rl'nar—bak' ) 1-r.Fo0:bnllEit3EI'
`
`3
`
`
`
`ship. 6 adv. faster. fastest 1. In a secure manner; tightly: hold fast.
`2. To a sound degree; deeply: fast asleep. 3. in a rapid manner; quickly.
`11. In quick succession: New ideas followed fast. 5. Ahead of the correct
`or expected time: a watch that runs fast. 6. In a dissipated. imrnc-derate
`way: living fast. 3'. Archaic Close by; near. [Middle English. from Old
`Englisli fresr, firm, fixed. See past- in Appendix I.]
`
`rapid. swift. fleet. speedy; quick. hast); etpedftfous
`Synonyms fast’.
`Tllese adjectives refer to sornething marked by great speed. Fast and rapid
`are often used interchangeably. though fast is more often applied to the
`person or thing in motion, and rapid, to the activity or movement in-
`volved; a fast runner; rapid strides. Swift suggests smoothness and sure-
`ness of movement (a svvif: current). and jleet, lightness of movement
`{The cheetah is the fleerest of animals). Speedy refers to velocity (a speedy
`train) or to promptness or hurry (a speedy resolution to the problem).
`Quick most often applies to what takes little time or to what is prompt:
`a quick snack; your qulcl: reaction, Hasty implies hurried action (a hosly
`visit} and often :1 lack of care or thought (regretted rlie hasty decision).
`Expeditions suggests rapid efficiency: sent the package by the mast expedi-
`tions means See also synonyms at faithful.
`
`fast’ (fist) im‘r.v. fast-ad. fast-ing. lasts 1. To abstain from food.
`2. To eat very little or abstain from certain foods, especially as a religious
`discipline. 6 n. 1. The act or practice of abstaining from or eating very
`little food. 2. A period of such abstention or self-clcrtial. [Middle English
`fasten. from Old English frzsmn. See past- in Appendix I.]
`fast-hack (f§stl'b§k’)
`:1. An automobile designed with a curving
`downward slope from roof to rear.
`fast-ball (f§sr"bol') H. Baseball A pitch thrown at the pitcher's max-
`imum speed.
`fast break 11. Sports A rush by the offense, as in basketball, toward
`the goal in an attempt to soon: before the opposing defense is in place.
`-last-breed-er reactor (fzlstrbrefdar) n. A breeder re-actor that re-
`quires high-speed neutrons to produce fissionable material.
`fas-ten (fésranj
`v. -toned. -ten-ing, -tens —tr. 1. To attach
`firmly to something else, as by pinning or mailing. 2a. To make fast or
`secure. b. To close, as by fixing firmly in place. 3. ‘lb fix or direct steadi-
`ly: fastened her graze on the stronger. 4. To place; attribute: fastened the
`Home on the weather. 5. To impose (oneself) without welcome. ——im‘r.
`1. To become attached. fixed. or joined. 2. To take firm hold; cling fast:
`fasten on a nation. 3. To focus steadily; concentrate: All eyes fastened on
`the speaker.
`[Middle English frlslneri. from Old English farslniah. See
`past: in Appendix 1.] —fas-"ten-er rt.
`
`Synonyms fasten, anchor, fir. moor. secure These verbs mean to cause
`to remain firmly in position or place:fasrened curse-at belts.‘ anchored the
`television antenna to the roof; fixed the flagpole in concrete: will moor the
`rowboat at lhe dock; secured the bolt after closing the door.
`
`:1. Something. such as a hook. used to
`las-touting lfés-'a—n'|'ng)
`attach one thing to another firmly.
`fast f0Ol'.l. rr. Inexpensive food, such as hamburgers and fried chicken,
`prepared and served quiddy. -—fast’-food’ tféstffoiad-") adj.
`fast-for-ward {fist—fbr-"w".>rd)
`rt. 01' fast forward 1a. A function
`on an electronic recording device. such as a videocassette or tape player.
`that permits rapid advancement of The tape. I). The medlanism. such as
`a button. used to activate this function. 2. informal A rapidly changing
`situation or series of events: “The trial was on fast forward" (Nelson
`DcMi.|le). o v. -ward-ed, -ward-ing, -wards —intr. To advance a
`tape rapidly on an electronic recording device. -—1r. To advance [a tape)
`rapidly on such a device.
`adj. 1. Possessing or displaying
`Ia—)
`fas'tid'i°cIu5 (fi—stld'e—as.
`careful. meticulous attention to detail. 2. Difficult to please; exacting.
`3. Excessively scrupulous or sensitive, especially in matters of taste or
`propriety. See synonyms at meticulous. 4. Microbiology Having com-
`plicated nutritional requirements. [Middle English, squeamish, particu-
`lar. haughty. from Old French fasridieux, from Latin fasrfdiosus, from
`faslidium. squeamishness. haughtiness, probably from fasrus, disdain]
`—fa5-tld-"i-ous-ly adv. -—fas-tidfi-ous-ness n.
`adj.
`fas-tig-i-ate (fé-stij’e—it) also fas-tig-i-at-ed (—E—i’t‘1'cl)
`Botany Having erect and almost parallel branches tapering toward the
`top, as in the Lombardy poplar. [Medieval Latin fasrfgidtus, high. from
`Latin faslrgium, apex, height] ——fas-tlgli-ateily adv.
`fas-tig-i-um {£5-stij-'6-am} n. The period of maximum severity or
`intensity of a disease or fever. [Latin fasfigium. apex, height}
`fast lane rs. Informal A reckless, self—indulgent, and frce—sper|d.ing
`sphere of activity. often involving dissipation; "the culinary fast lane .
`.
`.
`tvheresetr urchins and arugula salads flourish” (Boston Globe). —'fast»'-
`lane? (fistflirll) adj.
`‘ffl5t"l1E55 (fist-'nis) rr. 1. The condition or quality of being fast. es-
`pecially: a. Firmness; security. b. Rapidity; swiflness. 2. The quality or
`condition of color retention; colorfastness. 3a. A secure or fortified
`place; a stronghold. I). A remote, secret place.
`fast one ll‘. Informal A shrewd trick or swindle; a deceitful or treach-
`erous act.
`
`fast-talk (fist-ftd-la‘) nw. -talked. -talk-ing, -talks Informal To per-
`suade, mislead. or obtain with a smooth line of talk: fasmalhed him out
`of his money; fast-talked her way into the show. —-fast’-talkfer :1.
`fast track n. Informal The quickest and most direct route to achieve-
`ment of a goal, as in competing for professional advancement: “Making
`complaints against the public is ha ally the fast track to elective ofllce" [New
`Yorker). —fastf-track! (fast-"lr5kr) adj. & v. —fast track-'er rt.
`
`fat {fit} 11. 1a. The ester of glycerol and one. two. or three fatty acids.
`Is. Any of various soft. solid. or semisolid organic compounds constitut-
`ing the esters of glycerol and fatty acids and their associated organic
`groups. c. A rniltrure of such compounds occurring widely in organic
`tissue, especially in the adipose tissue of animals and in the seeds. nuts,
`and fruits of plants. cl. Animal tissue containing such substances. 2. A
`solidified animal or vegetable oil. 2. Obesity; corpulence. 3. The best or
`richest pan: living ojji the jar of the land. 4. Unnecessary excess: "would
`drain the appmpriation'sfnr without cutting into education’: muscle” (New
`York Times). ‘b adj. fat'tBr, fat-test 1. Having much or too much fat
`or flesh; plump or obese. 2. Full of fat or oil; greasy. 3. Abounding in
`desirable elements. 4. Fertile or productive; rich: "It was afihe, green, fa:
`landscape” (Robert Louis Stevenson). 5. Having an abundance or ampli-
`tude; weIl—stocked: afar larder. 6a. ‘fielding profit or plenty; lucrative or
`rewarding; a for promotion. b. Prosperous; wealthy: grew for an ill al
`profits. 73. Thick; large: a far baolr. h. Puffed up; swollen: a fat ip.
`-3- tr. Er 1'nrr.v. ‘lat-ted. fatoting. fats To make or become fat; fatten.
`—r'diorns: a fat lot Slang Very little or none at all: a for lot of good it
`will do him. fat chance Slang Very little or no chance. [Middle English.
`from Old English flirt, fatted. See peia- in Appendix 1.} -fatfly adv.
`—-fatrness n.
`
`Synonyms for, obese. corpulenr, flesh}; portly, stout, pudgyg romnd.
`plump. chubby These adjectives mean having an abundance and often an
`excess of flesh. For implies excessive weight and generally has negative
`connotations: was gcrringfar and decided to exercise. Obese and corpulent
`imply gross oven-veight: "a woman of robust frame .
`.
`. though stout‘. not
`obese” (Charlotte Bronte). The dancer was corpulenr but Surprisingly
`graceful. Flashy implies a not necessarily excessive abundance of flesh:
`firm, fleshy arms. Partly refers to bull»; combined with a stately or impos-
`ing bearing: "a portly. mbfcurrd man of middle age" [\'\I"ms1on Churchill).
`Stats! denotes a thiclsset. bulky figure: oi pairrlirlg of stourpeasunls Pudgy
`means short and fat: puclgy fingers. Roland suggcsts roundness of figure,
`often in a squat person: “this pinlc—jaoed rolunrl specimen of prosperity”
`{George Eliot). Plump and chubby apply to a pleasing fullness of figure:
`a plump little toddler; chubby cheeks.
`FAT nhbr. file allocation table
`fa-tal (fit-'l) adj. 1. Causing or capable of causing death. 2. Causing
`ruin or destruction; disastrous: “Such doctrines, if true. wotll'rl'bE absolute"-
`Iy fatal to my theory” (Charles Darwin). 3. Of decisive importance; fate-
`ful: came through at the fatal moment. 4. Concerning or determining
`one’s fate: rl-referral rhreari of life. 5. Obsolete Having been destined; fated.
`[Middle English, fateful. from Old French, from Latin jaralis. from
`fsirum. prophecy. doom. See FA'l'F..I
`
`Synonyms fatal, deadly. mortal, lethal These adjectives apply to what
`causes or is lilvely to cause death. Fatal describes conditions, circumstanc-
`es. or events that have caused or are destined to cause death or dire con-
`sequences: a fatal illness. Deadly means capable of killing: rt deadly poison.
`Mortal describes a condition or action that produces death: a mortal
`wound. Lethal refers to a sure agent of death that may have been created
`solely for the purpose of killing: execution by lethal injection.
`
`fa'1:alI ism (fatll-iz'am) tr. 1. The doctrine that all events are prede-
`tennined by fate and are therefore unalterable. 2. Acceptance of the
`belief that all events are predetermined and inevitable. -—fartal-ist n.
`-—-fa'ta|-is»"tiI: adj. --fa’tal-is-“ti-cal-ly adv.
`faltal-i-ty (f:'t—tillrr—tE. fa—} n.. pl. -ties 1a. A death resulting from
`an accident or a disaster: higllnuyfatoliries. 1'). One that is killed as a result
`of such an occurrence: The driver was one of lhefatuliries. 2. The ability
`to cause death or disaster. 3. The quality of being determined by fate. 4.
`A decree made by fate: destiny. 5. The quality of being doomed to disas-
`zer.
`
`fatality rate n. See death rate.
`fa-tal-ly lfétfl-E) adv. 1. So as to cause death; mortally: fatally in-
`jured. 2. So as to result in disaster or ruin. 3. According to the decree of
`fate: inevitably.
`fa-ta rnor-ga-na (fe'i’t:; mc'Ir—g§"n3) tr. See mirage (sense 1). [Ital-
`ian, mirage, Morgan le Fay (from the belief that the mirage was caused
`by her witchcraft) : fora, fairy {from Vulgar Latin jam, goddess of fate:
`see FAIRY) + Morgana, Morgan (probably from Old Irish Morn'gctin].]
`fat-back (fé'rt’bilk')
`rr. The strip of fat from the upper part of a side
`of pork, usually dried and salt-curved.
`fat body rt. 1. A food reserve of fatty tissue in the larval stages of
`certain insects. 2. A mass of fatty tissue located near the genital glands
`in some amphibians, including the frogs and toads.
`fat cat :1. Slang 1. A wealthy and highly privileged person. 2. A
`wealthy person who is a heavy contributor to a political campaign.
`fat cell H. Any of various cells found in adipose tissue that are spe-
`cialized for the storage of fat. Also called adipocyre.
`Fat City or fat city n. Slang A condition or set of circumstances
`characterized by great prosperity.
`fate (fit) rt. 1a. The supposed force, principle. or power that prede-
`termines events. In. The inevitable events predestined by this force. 2. A
`final result or consequence: an outcome. 3. Unfavorable destiny: doom.
`4. Fates Greek & Roman Mythology The three goddesses. Clotho.
`lachesis. and Atropos. who oontrol human destiny. Used with the. [Mid-
`dle English, from Old French for, from Latin ftirum. prophecy, doom.
`from neuter past participle of fari. In speak. See bhé-1 in Appendix 1.]
`fat-ed lféffid) adj. 1. Governed by fate; predetermined. 2. Con-
`demned to death or destruction; doomed: lhejared city of Troy
`fate-ful (f.-illfal) adj. 1. Vitally affecting subsequent events; being of
`
`fast: I fateful
`
`M fastiglate I
`row of poplars in winter
`
`at par
`:1 pay
`far care
`5 father
`1! pet
`E be
`3 pit
`ipie
`fr pier
`:3 pet
`a me
`6 paw
`
`oi boy
`ou out
`rfitoolt
`on boot
`it cut
`fir urge
`rh thin
`If: this
`hw wlud:
`zh vision
`a about. item
`O regionalism
`
`
`
`Stress n1a.rlrs:"[p:'im.ary);
`’ (secondary), as in
`dictionary {dIl:-'slIa-nEI’t':)
`
`643
`
`4
`
`
`
`ineffable | in extenso
`
`in-ef-fa-ble (in—éf’a-bal) adj. 1. Incapable of being expressed; in-
`describable or unutterable. See synonyms at unspeakable. 2. Not to
`be uttered; taboo: the ineffable name of God. [Middle English, from Old
`French, from Latin ineffdbilis :
`in—, not; see IN—‘ + ejffabilis, utterable
`(from effari, to utter : ex-, ex- + fari, to speak; see bhé-1 in Appendix
`1).] —in-ef’fa-billi-ty, in-efffa-ble-ness n. —in-ef'fa-bly adv.
`in-ef-face-a-ble (in’i-fa’s9-bal) adj. Impossible to efface; indeli-
`ble. —-in’ef-face’a-bil/i-ty n. —in’ef-facetaobly adv.
`in-ef-fec-tive (in’i-fékltiv) adj. 1. Not producing an intended ef-
`fect; ineffectual: an inefiective plea. 2. Inadequate; incompetent: an in-
`effective teacher. -—in’ef-fecitive-ly adv. —in’ef-fedtive-ness n.
`in-ef-fec-tu-al (in’i-fek’cho‘o-91) adj. 1a. Insufficient to produce
`a desired effect: an ineffectual efiort to block the legislation. b. Useless;
`worthless: an ineffectual treatment for cancer. 2. Lacking forcefulness or
`effectiveness; weak: an ineffectual ruler. —in’ef'fec’tu°al’i-ty (—al’i-
`té), in’ef-fedtu-al-ness n. —in’ef-fedtu-al-Iy adv.
`in-ef-fi-ca-cious (in-ef’i-kaishas) adj. Not capable of producing
`a desired effect or result; ineffective. —in-ef’fi-ca’cious-Iy adv. —in-
`ef’fi-ca'cious-ness n.
`in-ef-fiocaocy (in-éf'i'—k9-sé) n. The state or quality of being inca-
`pable of producing a desired effect or result.
`in-ef-fi-cien-cy (in’i—fish’an-sé) n., pl. -cies 1. The quality, con-
`dition, or fact of being inefficient. 2. An inefficient act, design, or pro-
`cedure: pointed out certain inefficiencies in the shipping operation.
`in-ef-fi-cient (in’i—fish’ant) adj. 1. Not efficient, as: a. Lacking the
`ability or skill to perform effectively; incompetent: an inefficient worker.
`b. Not producing the intended result; ineffective: an inefficient campaign
`against illegal drugs. 2. Wasteful of time, energy, or materials: an ineffi-
`cient design; outdated and inefficient methods. —in’ef-fifcient-ly adv.
`in-e-gal-i-tar-i-an (in’i-gal’i-tarlé—an) adj. Marked by or accept-
`ing of social, economic, or political inequality.
`in-e-las-tic (in’i-las’ti’l<) adj. Lacking elasticity; unyielding or un-
`adaptable. See synonyms at stiff. —in’e-las-tic’i-ty (-i-la—stis’i-té) n.
`inelastic collision n. A collision between two particles in which
`part of their kinetic energy is transformed to another form of energy. The
`total amount of energy remains the same.
`inelastic scattering n. The scattering of particles resulting from
`inelastic collision.
`in-el-e-gance (in-él’i-gens) n. Lack of refinement or polish.
`in-el-e-gant (in-él’i—gant) adj. Lacking refinement or polish; not
`elegant
`n-elte-gant-Iyadv.
`in-e|- -gi-ble (in—él’i-ja-bal) adj. 1. Disqualified by law, rule, or
`provision: ineligible to run for oflice; ineligible for health benefits. 2. Un-
`worthy of being chosen; unfit: considered her ineligible for the job.
`'1' n.
`One that is not eligible. —in¢el’i°gi'bil’l°ty n. —in-e|’i-gi-bly adv.
`inoel-o-quent (in-élla-kwant) adj. Lacking or displaying a lack of
`eloquence. —in-ello-quence n. -in-elfo-quent-ly adv.
`in-e-Iuc-ta-ble (in’i-l1'1k’ta-bal) adj. Not to be avoided or escaped;
`inevitable: "Those war plans rested on a belief in the ineluctable superiority
`of the offense over the defense” (lack Beatty). [Latin ineluctabilis : in-, not;
`see IN—‘ + éluctdbilis, penetrable (from éluctari, to struggle out of : ex-,
`ex- + luctari, to struggle).] —in’e-|uc’ta-bi|'i-ty n. ——in’e-Iucltao
`bly adv.
`in-ept (in-épt’) adj. 1. Not apt or fitting; inappropriate. 2a. Display-
`ing a lack of judgment, sense, or reason; foolish: an inept remark. b. Bun-
`gling or clumsy; incompetent: inept handling of the account. [Latin inep-
`tus: in-, not; see IN—‘ + aptus, suitable; see APT.] —-in-ept’ly adv. —in-
`ept/ness n.
`in-ep-ti-tude (in-ép'ti-to'od’, -tyo‘od’) n. 1. The quality of being
`inept; ineptness. 2. An inept act or remark.
`in-e-qual-i-ty (in’i-kw6l’i—te) n., pl. -ties 1a. The condition of
`being unequal. b. An instance of being unequal. 2a. Lack of equality, as
`of opportunity, treatment, or status. b. Social or economic disparity: the
`growing inequality between rich and poor. 3. Lack of smoothness or reg-
`ularity; unevenness. 4. Variability; changeability. 5. Mathematics An al-
`gebraic relation showing that a quantity is greater than or less than an-
`other quantity. 6. AstronomyA deviation from uniformity in the motion
`of a celestial body.
`in-eq-ui-ta-ble (in-éklwi-ta-bal) adj. Not equitable; unfair. —in-
`eq'ui-ta-bly adv.
`in-eq-ui-ty (in-ék’wi—te) n., pl. -ties 1. Injustice; unfairness. 2. An
`instance of injustice or unfairness: discerned certain inequities in the
`criminal justice system.
`in-e-rad-i-ca-ble (in’i-rad’i-ka-bal) adj. Incapable of being erad-
`icated. —in’e-rad’i0ca-bi|'i-ty n. —in’e-radiiocaobly adv.
`in-er-ran-cy (in-er’an-sé) n. Freedom from error or untruths; in-
`fallibility: belief in the inerrancy of the Scriptures.
`in-er-rant (in-ér’ant) adj. 1. Incapable of erring; infallible. 2. Con-
`taining no errors.
`in-er-ran-tism (in-ér’an—tiz’am) n. Belief in the inerrancy or lit-
`eral truth of a particular writing or document. ——in-er'ran-tist’ adj.
`8r n.
`in-ert (in-fut’) adj. 1. Unable to move or act. 2. Sluggish in action
`or motion; lethargic. See synonyms at inactive. 3. Chemistry Not readi-
`ly reactive with other elements; forming few or no chemical compounds.
`4. Having no pharmacologic or therapeutic action. [Latin iners, inert- :
`in-, not; see IN—‘ + ars, skill; see ar- in Appendix I.] —in-ertlly adv.
`—in-ert'ness n.
`inert gas n. See noble gas.
`in-er-tia (I-n1‘1r’sha) n. 1. Physics The tendency of a body to resist
`acceleration; the tendency of a body at rest to remain at rest or of a body
`
`in straight line motion to stay in motion in a straight line unless acted on
`by an outside force. 2. Resistance or disinclination to motion, action, or
`change: the inertia of an entrenched bureaucracy. [Latin, idleness, from
`iners, inert-, inert. See lNERT.] --in-er/tial adj. —in0er’tia|-ly ad“
`inertial frame n. A reference system in which the Newtonian law
`of motion is valid, specifically one in which a mass m subjected to a force
`F moves in accordance with the equation F = ma, where a is the acceler-
`ation.
`
`inertial guidance n. Guidance of an aircraft or spacecraft in which
`gyroscopic and accelerometer data are used by a computer to maintain a
`predetermined course. Also called inertial navigation.
`inertial platform n. The sensing devices used in inertial guidance
`and the platform on which they are mounted.
`Impossible to escape or
`in-es-cap-a-ble (in’i-skalpa-bal)
`adj.
`avoid; inevitable: inescapable consequences. See synonyms at certain.
`—in’es-capla-bly adv.
`in-es-sen-tial (in'i-sénlshal) adj. 1. Not essential; unessential. 2,
`Without essence.
`'3' n. Something that is not essential. —in’es°sen’ti.
`al/i-ty (—she-al’i—té) n.
`in-es-sive (in’es/iv) adj. Of, relating to, or being the grammatical
`case "indicating placement within a location in some languages, as in
`Finnish Helsinkissa “in Helsinki.” ~2~ n. 1. The inessive case. 2. A word
`or form in the inessive case.
`in-es-ti-ma-ble (in-éslta-ma-bal) adj. 1. Impossible to estimate
`or compute: inestimable damage. See synonyms at incalculable. 2. Of
`immeasurable value or worth; invaluable: “shared all the inestimable ad-
`vantages of being wealthy, good-looking, confident and intelligent” (Doris
`Kearns Goodwin). —in-esfti-ma-bly adv.
`in-ev-i-ta-ble (in—év'i—ta—bal) adj. 1. Impossible to avoid or pre-
`vent. See synonyms at certain. 2. Invariably occurring or appearing;
`predictable: the inevitable changes of the seasons. —in°eV’i°ta'bil’i-ty
`n. ——-in-evii-ta-bly adv.
`inoex-act (in'ig-zakt’) adj. 1. Not strictly accurate or precise; not
`exact: an inexact quotation; an inexact description of what had taken place,
`2. Not rigorous or meticulous: an inexact mind; an inexact method. —in’-
`ex-act/ly adv. —in’ex-act/ness n.
`in-ex-act-i-tude (in’ig-zak/ti-to‘od’, -tyo'od’) n. Lack o