The
`AMERICAN
`HERITAGE.
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`~ OVER 70,000 ENTRIES
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`THOROUGHLY REVISED AND UPDATED
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`RODCLUS ODM Ub iss)
`OVER 400 PHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATIONS _
`Sala GUIDANCE ON CORRECT USAGE
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`ofthe English Language, Fourth Edition
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`FOURTH EDITION
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`Based onthe Best-selling American Heritage® Dictionary
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`The
`
`AMERICAN
`HERITAGE’
`dic-tion-ar-y
`
`FOURTH EDITION
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`ade Paperbacks
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`A Delta Book
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`Published by
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`Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company
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`41
`
`1. A druggist; pharmacist. 2. See pharmacy
`2. [< Gk. apotheké, storehouse.]
`apeorthegm (ip’o-thém’) »m. A proverb:
`maxim.
`[Gk. apophthegma < apophthenges-
`thai, speak plainly.| —ap’o*thegemat’ic
`(-thég-mat'ik) adj.
`apeoethem (ap’a-thém’) »n. The perpendicu-
`lar distance from the center of a regular poly-
`gon to any ofits sides. [apo-, off + Gk. thema,
`something set down.]
`a*pothseroesis (a-pith’é-ssis, Ap’s-thé’a-sis)
`»7., pl. -ses (-séz’) 1. Exaltation to divine rank
`or stature; deification. 2. An exalted or glori-
`fied example. [< Gk. apotheoun, deify.] —ae
`poth’eroesize’ v.
`app (ap) » 2. Informal A computer application.
`Ap*paelaschiea (ap’s-la’ché-s, -cha, -lich’é-a,
`-lich’s) A region of the E US including the Ap-
`palachian Mts.
`Apepaelasechisan Mountains (ip’s-la’che-
`an,
`-chen,
`-lach’é-an, -lach’an) A mountain
`system of E North America extending SW from
`E Canadato central AL.
`apepall (2-pél’) » v. To fill with horroror dis-
`may. [< OFr. apalir, grow pallid, faint.] —ape
`pall’ingely ady.
`ap*paslooesa(ap’s-l60’sa) Bn. A horse hav-
`ing a spotted rump.[?]
`ap*paerateus (ap’s-rat’as, -ra’tas) > n., pl. -us
`or -us*es 1a. The means by which a function
`or task is performed. b. A political organiza-
`tion or movement. 2a. A machine or machin-
`ery. b. A group of materials or devices used for
`a particular purpose: dental apparatus. See
`Syns at equipment. 3. A system. [< Lat. ap-
`parare, prepare.]
`apepareel (9-par’al) »n. Clothing, esp. outer
`garments. »v. -eled, -eleing or -elled, -ele
`ling. To clothe or dress. [< OFr. apareillier,
`prepare.]
`apepareent(9-par’ont, -par’-) » adj. 1. Readily
`seen; visible. 2, Readily understood; obvious.
`3. Appearing as such but not necessarily so. [<
`Lat. apparére,
`appear.| —apepar/entely
`adv,
`Syns: apparent, clear, clear-cut, distinct, ev-
`ident, manifest, obvious, patent, plain adj.
`apepaerietion (4p’s-rish’on) > n. 1. A ghost. 2.
`_ A-sudden or unusual sight. [< Lat. appdrére.
`appear.] —ap’paeri/tioneal adj.
`apepeal (2-pél’) >. 1. An earnest request. 2.
`An application to a higher authority: an appeal
`to reason. 3. Law a. The transferof a case from
`a lower to a higher court for a new hearing.b.
`A request for a new hearing. 4, The power of
`attracting interest: a city with appeal for tour-
`ists. » v. 1. To make an earnest request, as for
`help. 2. To have recourse. 3. Law To make or
`apply for an appeal. 4. To beattractive. [< Lat.
`appellare, entreat.| —apepealfaeble adj.
`—apepeal’er n. —apepeal’lingely adv.
`appear (2-pir’) > v. 1. To become visible. 2.
`To come into existence. 3. To seem. See Syns
`at seem. 4. To seem likely. 5. To comebefore
`the public. 6. Law To present oneself before a
`court. [< Lat. appdrére.]
`ap*peareance(3-pir’ans) > n. 1..The act of ap-
`pearing. 2. Outward aspect: an untidy appear-
`ance. 3, A pretense.
`ap*pease(c-péz’) > v. -peased, -peassing 1.
`To satisfy or relieve: appease one’s thirst. 2.
`To pacify (an enemy) by granting concessions
`
`apothegm / applicator
`
`[< OFr. apesier.| —apepeas/asble adj.
`—ape*peas’mentn. —apepeas’ern.
`apepelelant (9-pél’ant) » adj. Appellate. »n.
`One who appeals a court decision.
`apepelelate (a-pél/it) » adj. Empowered to
`hear judicial appeals and review court deci-
`sions. [< Lat. appelldre, entreat.]
`apepelelastion (4p’s-la’shon) »n. A name or
`title. [< Lat. appellare, entreat.]
`apepend (2-pénd’) » y. 1. To add as a supple-
`ment. 2. To attach.
`[Lat. appendere, hang
`upon.]
`ap*pendeage (9-pén’dij) > n. 1. Something at-
`tached to a larger entity. 2. Biol. A subordinate
`external body part or organ, as an arm ortail.
`ap*pensdecstoemy (ap’an-dék’to-mé) »n.,
`pi. -mies. Surgical removal of the vermiform
`appendix.
`ap*penediecietis (2-pén'di-si’tis) ». Inflam-
`mation of the vermiform appendix.
`apepenedix (a-pén’diks) »., pl. -dixees or
`-dieces(-di-séz’) 1. Supplementary material at
`the end of a book. 2. Anat. The vermiform ap-
`pendix. [Lat. < appendere, hang upon.]
`ap*perstain (ap’sr-tan’) » v. To belong as a
`part. [< LLat. appertinére,pertain.]
`apepestite (ap-tit’) >”. 1. A desire for food
`or drink. 2. A strong wish or urge. [< Lat. ap-
`petere, strive after.] —ap’peeti'tive adj.
`ap*pestizeer (4p'i-ti’zar) » nm. A food or drink
`served before a meal.
`ap*pestizeing (p/i-ti’zing) > adj. Stimulating
`the appetite. —ap’peetiz’ingsly adv.
`apeplaud (2-pléd’) » y. To express approval
`(of), esp. by clapping hands. —apeplaud/ae
`ble adj. —ap+plaud’ern.
`Syns: applaud, cheer, root v.
`apeplause (2-pléz’) »n. Approval expressed
`esp. by the clapping of hands. [< Lat. applau-
`dere, applaus-, applaud.]
`apeple (ap’al) »n. 1. A deciduous tree having
`alternate white or pink flowers. 2. Its firm, edi-
`ble, usu. rounded fruit. —idiom: apple of
`(one’s) eye Onethatis treasured: Her son is
`the apple ofher eye. [< OE eppel.]
`apepleejack (ap’al-jak’) »n. Brandy- distilled
`from hard cider.
`1. Apples
`apeplessauce (ap’al-sés’) »n.
`stewed to a pulp. 2. Slang Nonsense.
`apeplet (ap/lit) »». A computer application
`with limited features and memory require-
`ments. [APPL(ICATION) + —ET.]
`.
`apeplieance (9-pli’ons) >. A device, esp. one
`operated by gas or electricity, designed for
`household use. [< APPLY.]
`apepliecasble (ap’li-ks-bal, 2-plik’s-) »adj.
`That can be applied; appropriate. —ap’plie«
`caebil/iety n. —ap’pliecaebly adv.
`apepliecant (ap’li-kont) » n, One who applies.
`apepliecaetion (ap’li-ka/shon) >. 1. The act
`of applying. 2. Something applied. 3. The act
`of putting something to a special use. 4. The
`capacity of being usable; relevance. 5. Close
`attention; diligence: shows application to her
`work. 6a. A request, as for employment. b. The
`form on which such a request is made. 7.
`Comp. Sci. A computer program with a user in-
`terface. » adj. also applications Comp. Sci.
`Of or being a program designed for a specific
`task.
`apepliecator (ap'li-ka’tar) > n. An instrument
`far annlaine n-—--+b
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`671
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`productive / progress
`prosducetive (pro-diik/tiv, pro-) » adj. 1. Pro-
`[< Lat. préfligare, to ruin.] —proflliegascy
`ducing or capable of producing. 2. Producing
`(-ga-sé) n.
`abundantly. See Syns at fertile. —pro+duc’-
`pro forema(pro for’ms) »adj. Doneas a for-
`tivesly adv. —pro‘dueetiv/iety (pro'dtik-
`mality; perfunctory. [NLat. praforma]
`tiv'-té, préd’ak-), proeduc’tiveeness n.
`profound(pra-found’,pro-) » adj. -er, -est 1.
`prosem (pro’Em’) »n. An introduction; pref-
`Extending to or coming from a great depth;
`ace. [< Gk. prooimion.]
`deep. 2. Comingas if from the depths of one’s
`Prosfane (pro-fan’, pra-) » adj. 1. Marked by
`being: profound contempt. 3. Thoroughgoing:
`contempt or irreverence for what is sacred. 2.
`far-reaching. 4, Penetrating beyond whatis su.
`Nonreligious; secular. 3. Vulgar; coarse. ® y.
`perficial or obvious. 5. Unqualified: a pro-
`-faned,-fansing1. Totreat with irreverence.
`found silence.
`[< Lat. profundus.] —proe
`2. To put to an improper, unworthy, or degrad-
`found’ly adv. —proefun/diety (ftin’di-té) 72.
`ing use; abuse. [< Lat. profanus.] —prof'ae
`prosfuse(pra-fyoos’, pro-)
`adj. 1. Plentiful:
`na‘tion (préf’a-na’shon) n. —proefan’as
`copious. 2. Giving or given freely and abun-
`to’ry (-fan’s-t6r’é, -tor’é) adj. —pro*fane’-
`dantly; extravagant. [< Lat. profisus, p-part. of
`ness 72.
`profundere, pour forth.] —proefuse’ly adv.
`prosfansiety (prd-fin’i-t@, pro-) »n., pl. -ties
`—Proefuse’ness 7m. —proefu’sion (-fyco'-
`1. The condition or quality of being profane. 2.
`zhan) n.
`Obsceneorirreverent language.
`Syns:profuse, exuberant, lavish, lush, luxu-
`prosfess (pra-fés’, prd-) »v. 1. To affirm
`riant, prodigal, riotous Ant: spare adj.
`openly; declare. 2. To make a pretense of. 3.
`Pro*geneistor (pré-jéni-tor) en. 1. A direct
`To claim skill in or knowledgeof. 4. To affirm
`ancestor. See Syns at ancestor. 2. An origina-
`belief in. [< Lat. profitert.] —proefess’edely
`tor of a line of descent. 3. An originator;
`ady.
`founder. [< Lat. pragenitor.]
`proefesesion (pro-fésh’an) > n. 1. An occupa-
`Progseeny (préj’o-né) »n. Offspring or de-
`tion requiring training and specialized study. 2.
`scendants. [< Lat. prdgeniés.]
`The body ofqualified personsin an occupation
`pro*ges*tereone (pro-jés’ta-rdn’) > n. A ster-
`or field: the teaching profession. 3. An act of
`oid hormonesecreted by the ovary before im-
`professing: declaration. 4. An avowal of faith
`plantation of the fertilized ovum.
`[pRoO—! +
`or belief.
`GES(TATION) + STER(OL) + -one, suff.]
`proefesesionsal (pro-fésh’s-nal) adj. 1. Of
`progenasthous
`(prég’no-thes,
`prég-na’-)
`or engaged in a profession. 2. Engaging in a
`> adj. Having jaws that project forward to a
`given activity as a sourceoflivelihood. »n. A
`marked degree. [< pro-* + Gk. gnathos, jaw.]
`person following a profession. —proefes’-
`—prog’naethism n.
`sionealely ady.
`Progenoesis (prég-nd’sis) » n., pi. -ses (-séz).
`Prosfesssionealeism—(pro-fésh’a-no-liz’am)
`A prediction, esp. of the probable course and
`»n. Professional status, methods, character, or
`outcome of a disease. [< Gk.]
`standards.
`Progenosetic (prog-nés’tik) »adj. Of or useful
`Prosfesesionsaleize (pra-fésh’s-no-liz’) my.
`in prognosis. »n. 1. A forecast or prediction,2.
`-ized,-iz*ing. To make professional. —proe
`A portent;
`omen.
`[< Gk. Prognostikos,
`fes’sionealejeza’tion n.
`foreknowing.]
`proefesesor (pro-fés/ar) &n, 1. A college or
`Progenosetiecate (prig-nés’ti-kat’) > y, -cat>
`university teacher of the highest rank. 2. A
`ed, -cateing. To predict according to present
`teacher or
`instructor. —pro‘feseso’rjeal
`indications or signs; foretell. —Pprogenos'ti»
`(pro’fi-s6r’é-al, -sdr’-, prof’i-) adj. —pro’fes»
`ca/tion n. —progenos’tieca’tor n.
`so’riealely adv. —proefes/soreship’ n.
`Proegram (pro’gram’, -grom) > n. Ta. A listing
`profefer (préf’ar) » v. To offer for acceptance.
`of the order of events and otherinformation for
`{< OFr. profrir.] —prof'fern.
`a public presentation. b. The presentation it-
`proefiecient (pra-fish’ant) » adj. Expert in an
`self. 2. A scheduled radio ortelevision show.
`art, vocation, or area oflearning. [< Lat, prafi-
`3. An orderedlist of events or procedures to be
`cere, progress.] —prosfi/cienecyn.
`followed; schedule. 4. Comp. Sci. A set of
`proefile (pro’fil’) »n. 1. A side view of an ob-
`coded instructions that enables a machine, es-
`ject or a structure, esp. of the human head. 2.
`pecially a computer, to perform a desired se-
`An outline; silhouette. See Syns at outline. 3,
`quence
`of operations.
`»y.
`-grammed,
`Degree of exposure to public notice; visibility:
`-grameming or -gramed, -grameing 1. To
`kept a lowprofile. 4. A brief biographical
`include or schedule in a program. 2. To design
`essay.
`[< Ital. profilare, draw in outline.}
`a program for. 3. To provide (a computer) with
`—pro‘file v.
`a set of instructions. [< Gk. programma, public
`Profeit (profit) »n. 1. An advantageous gain or
`notice : PRO-*? + graphein, write.] —pro’-
`return; benefit. 2. often profits The return re-
`gram’masble
`adj. —pro’gramematic
`ceived on an investmentor a business undertak-
`(-gra-mat/tk) adj.
`ing after all charges or expenses have been
`-gram) mn. & y.
`Ppro*gramme (prd’gram’,
`paid. » v. 1. To make a gain or profit. 2. To de-
`Chiefly Brit. Var. of Program.
`rive advantage; benefit. See Syns at benefit.
`(pro/-
`proegramemer
`or proegrameer
`[< Lat. profectus.| —prof'iteaebil’iety n.
`gram‘ar) > n. One who programs, esp. one who
`—pro’iteaeble adj. —proffitsaebly adv.
`writes computer programs.
`profeiteeer (préf'i-tir’) »n. One who makes ex-
`Proegrameming language (prd/gram‘ing,
`cessive profits on goods
`in short supply.
`-gra-ming) »n, An artificial language that can
`—prof'iteeer’ y.
`be translated into machine language and exe-
`profelisgate (prof’li-git, -2at’) > adj. 1. Given
`cuted by a computer.
`over to immorality: dissolute. 2. Recklessly
`-ras, prd’grés’) mv. 1.
`progress (prog/rés’,
`wasteful; extravagant. >». A profligate person.
`Movement, as toward a goal. 2. Development
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