`
`Merriam-
`
`Webster’s
`C0116giatef
`‘ Dictionary
`
`TENTH EDITION
`
`Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
`Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.
`
`NICHIA EX2020
`
`NICHIA EX2020
`
`
`
`c.
`
`A GENUINE MERRIAM-WEBSTER
`
`The name Webster alone is no guarantee of excellence. It is used by a
`number of publishers and may serve mainly to mislead an unwary buyer.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Merriam~WebsterTM is the name you should look for when you consider
`the purchase of dictionaries or other fine reference books. It carries the
`
`reputation of a company that has been publishing since 1831 and is your
`assurance of quality and authority.
`
`Copyright © 1993 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
`
`Philippines Copyright 1993 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
`
`Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
`Main entry under title:
`
`Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. — 10th ed,
`p.
`cm.
`Includes index.
`ISBN 0-87779-708—0 (unindexed). — ISBN 0-87779-709-9 (indexed).
`~ ISBN 0-87779-710-2 (deluxe)
`1. English language~Dictionaries
`PE1628.M36
`1993
`423~d020
`
`I. Merriam-Webster, Inc.
`
`93—20206
`CIP
`
`COLLEGIATE is a registered trademark of Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
`
`All rights reserved. No part of this book covered by the copyrights hereon may be
`reproduced or copied in any form or by any meanSvgraphic, electronic, or
`mechanical,
`including photocopying,
`taping, or information storage and retrieval
`systems—~without written permission of the publisher.
`
`Made in the United States of America
`
`3456RMCN93
`
`NICHIA EX2020
`
`NICHIA EX2020
`
`
`
`opportunist o optimum
`816
`tice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances often with
`little regard for principles or consequences —- op-por-tun-ist \-‘tii-
`nist, -'tyii-\ n or adj
`oppor-tu-nis-tic \-ti.i-'nis-tik, -tyii-\ adj (1892) :
`taking advantage of
`opportunities as they arise: as
`a : exploiting opportunities with little
`regard to principle or consequences (a politician considered ~)
`b
`: feeding on whatever food is available (~ feeders)
`c : being or
`caused by a usu. harmless microorganism that can become pathogenic
`when the host‘s resistance is impaired (~ infections) — op-por-tuunis-
`ti-cal-ly \-ti-k(o-)le\ adv
`op-por-tu-ni-ty \.'a-pcr-'tii«no-té, -'tyii-\ n, pl -ties (14c)
`l : a favor-
`able juncture of circumstances (the halt provided an ~ for rest and
`refreshment) 2 : a good chance for advancement or progress
`opportunity cost n (1911) :
`the cost of making an investment that is
`the difference between the return on one investment and the return on
`an alternative
`l : capable of being opposed or
`op»pos-able \o-‘po-za»bal\ adj (1667)
`resisted
`2 : capable of being placed against one or more of the re-
`maining digits of a hand or foot (the ~ human thumb) — op-pos-abil-
`i-ty \~.po-zo-'bi-lo—te\ n
`perf. indic. opposui), fr. 017— against + ponere to place —— more at 03-.
`0(9‘1’05? \o-‘poz\ vt op-posed; op-pos-ing [F opposer, fr. L opponere
`POSITION] (1579)
`1 : to place opposite or against something
`2 :
`to
`place over against something so as to provide resistance, counterbal-
`ance, or contrast 3 : to offer resistance to — op-pos-er n
`syn oppose, COMBAT, RESIST, WITHSTAND mean to set oneself against
`someone or something. OPPOSE can apply to any conflict, from mere
`objection to bitter hostility or warfare (opposed the plan). COMBAT
`stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something (combat dis-
`ease). RESIST implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening
`force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it (resisting tempta—
`tion). WITHSTAND suggests a more passive resistance (trying to with-
`stand peer pressure).
`op-posed \«'pozd\ adj (1596) : set or placed in opposition : CONTRARY
`(with politicians, as ~ to soap, you cannot return what you have
`bought —Felix G. Rohatyn)
`op-posesless \s-‘poz—las\ adj (1605) archaic: IRRESISTIBLE
`1op-po-site \‘a—po-zot, "ap-sat\ adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L oppositus, pp. of
`opponere] (14c)
`1
`a : set over against something that is at the other
`end or side of an intervening line or space (~ interior angles) (~ ends
`of a diameter)
`1) : situated in pairs on an axis with each member being
`separated from the other by half the circumference of the axis (N
`leaves) ~ compare ALTERNATE 2
`a : occupying an opposing and
`often antagonistic position (~ sides of the question) b : diametrically
`different (as in nature or character) (~ meanings) 3 : contrary to one
`another or to a thing specified : REVERSE (gave them ~ directions) 4
`: being the other of a pair that are corresponding or complementary in
`position, function, or nature (members of the ~ sex)
`5 : of, relating
`to, or being the side of a baseball field that is near the first base line for
`a right-handed batter and near the third base line for a left-handed
`batter » op-po-site-ly adv — op-po-site-ness n
`syn OPPOSITE. CONTRADICTORY. CONTRARY. ANTITHETlCAL mean being
`so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable. OPPOSITE applies to things
`in sharp contrast or in conflict (opposite views on foreign aid). CONTRA-
`DICTORY applies to two things that completely negate each other so
`that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid (made
`contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall).
`CONTRARY implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition (con—
`trary assessments of the war situation). ANTITHETICAL stresses clear
`and unequivocal diametrical opposition (a law that is antithetical to
`the very idea of democracy).
`2opposite n (15c)
`1 : something that is opposed to some other often
`specified thing 2 : ANTONYM 3 : ADDITIVE INVERSE; esp: the additive
`inverse of a real number
`3opposite adv (1667) : on or to an opposite side
`4opposite prep (1758)
`1 : across from and usu. facing or on the same
`level with (sat ~ each other)
`2 z in a role complementary to (played
`~ the leading man in the comedy)
`opposite number n (1906) : a member of a system or class who holds
`relatively the same position as a particular member in a corresponding
`system or class : COUNTERPART
`op-po-si-tion \.a-p9-’zi-shon\ n (14c)
`l : a configuration in which one
`celestial body is opposite another in the sky or in which the elongation
`is near or equal to 180 degrees
`2 :
`the relation between two proposi-
`tions having the same subject and predicatebut differing in quantity or
`quality or both
`3 : an act of setting opposite or over against :
`the
`condition of being so set 4 : hostile or contrary action or condition 5
`a : something that opposes; specif : a body of persons opposing some-
`thing b often cap 2 a political party opposing and prepared to replace
`the party in power — op-po-si-tion-al \-'zish-nsl, -'zi-sha»n‘l\ adj
`
`op-po-si-tion-ist \-'zi-sh(9-)nist\ n (1773) : a member of an opposition
`oppositionist adj
`op-press \a-‘pres\ vt [ME, fr. MF oppresser. fr. L oppressus. pp. of op-
`primere, fr. ob- against + premere to press — more at on, PRESS] (14c)
`1
`a archaic : SUPPRESS b :
`to crush or burden by abuse of power or
`authority 2 :
`to burden spiritually or mentally : weigh heavily upon
`syn see WRONG — op-pres-sor \-'pre—sar\ n
`op-preS-sion \s~'pre-shan\ n (140)
`1
`a : unjust or cruel exercise of
`authority or power
`h 2 something that oppresses esp.
`in being an
`unjust or excessive exercise of power
`2 : a sense of being weighed
`down in body or mind : DEPRESSION
`op-pres-sive \a-‘pre—siv\ adj (ca. 1677)
`l : unreasonably burdensome
`or severe (~ legislation)
`2 :
`'I'YRANNlCAL 3 : overwhelming or de-
`pressing to the spirit or senses (an ~ climate)
`syn see ONEROUS —
`op-pres-sive-ly adv — op-pres-sive-ness n
`op-pro~bri-ous \o-‘pro—bre-ss\ adj (14c)
`1 : expressive of opprobrium
`: SCURRILOUS <~ language)
`2 : deserving of opprobrium :
`lNFAMOUS
`— op-pro-bri-ous-ly adv —- op-pro-bri-ous-ness n
`opopro.bri-um \-bre-om\ n [L, fr. opprobrare to reproach, fr. ob in the
`way of + probrum reproach; akin to L pro forward and to L ferre to
`carry, bring ~— more at 03—. FOR. BEAR] (1656)
`1 : something that
`brings disgrace
`2
`a : public disgrace or ill fame that follows from
`conduct considered grossly wrong or vicious b : CONTEMPT, REPROACH
`
`op-pugn \a-‘pyiin, a-\ vt [ME, fr. L op ugnare, fr. ob~ against + pug-
`nare to fight — more at 013—. PUNGENT (15c)
`l : to fight against
`2
`:
`to call in question — op-pugn-er n
`atum
`the Roman goddess of abundance and the wife 01
`(gps \‘5ps\ n [L] :
`op-sin \"ap—san\ n [prob fr. rhodopsin] (1951) : any of various colorless
`proteins that in combination with retinal or a related prosthetic group
`rg t
`lf'orrrl'n a visual pigment (as rhodopsin) in a reaction which is reversed by
`-opsis n cambform, p! -opses or -opsides [NL, fr. Gk, fr. opsis appear
`ance, vision] : structure resembling a(spec1fied) thing (caryopsis)
`op-son-ic \asz'a-nm adj (1903) : of, relating to, or involving opsonin
`op-SOvnin \"ap«so-nan\ n [L opsonare to buy provisions, cater (fr. Gk
`opsonein) + E l~I'n — more at OLIGOPSONY] (1903) : an antibody of
`blood serum that makes foreign cells more susceptible to the action of
`the phagocytes
`~0psy n comb form [Gk -opsia. fr. opsis : examination (necropsy)
`to
`opt \‘apt\ vi [F apter, fr. L optare (1 77) :
`to make a choice; esp :
`decide in favor of something (~e for a tax increase —Tom Wicker)
`op-taotive \"ap-to—tiv\ adj (15c)
`1
`a : of, relating to, or constitutinga
`verbal mood that is expressive of wish or desire b : of, relating to, or
`constituting a sentence that is expressive of wish or hope
`2 : express-
`ing desire or wish ~ optative n — op-ta-tive-ly adv
`lop-tic \"ap-tik\ adj [ME, fr. MF optique, fr. ML opticus, fr. Gk optikos,
`fr. opsesthai to be going to see; akin to Gk opsis appearance, ops eye —
`more at EYE] (14c) : of or relating to vision or the eye
`Zoptic n (1600)
`l : EYE 2 a : any of the elements (as lenses, mirrors,
`or light guides) of an optical instrument or system — usu. used in pl.
`b: an optical instrument
`_ op-ti-cal \"ap-ti-kol\ adj (1570)
`1 : of or relating to the science 01
`optics
`2
`a : of or relating to vision : VISUAL b : VISIBLE 1 (~ wave-
`length)
`c : of, relating to, or being objects that emit light in the visi-
`ble range of frequencies (an N galaxy)
`d : using the properties of
`light to aid vision (an ~ instrument) 3 a : of, relating to, or utilizing
`light esp. instead of other forms of energy (N microscopy)
`1: :
`involv-
`ing the use of light-sensitive devices to acquire information for a com-
`puter (~ character recognition) 4: of or relating to optical art — op-
`ti~cal-ly \—k(o-)lé\ adv
`optical activity n (1877) : ability of a chemical substance to rotate the
`plane of vibration of polarized light to the right or left
`optical art n (1964) : nonobjective art characterized by the use of
`straight or curved lines or geometric patterns often for an illusory effect
`(as of motion)
`optical bench n (1883) : an apparatus that is fitted for the convenient
`location and adjustment of light sources and optical devices and that is
`used for the observation and measurement of optical phenomena
`optical disk 71 (1980) : a disk with a plastic coating on which informa-
`tion (as music or visual images) is recorded digitally (as in the form of
`tiny pits) and which is read by using a laser
`optical fiber 11 (1962) : a single fiber-optic strand
`optical glass n (1840) : flint or crown glass of well—defined characteris-
`tics used esp. for makin lenses
`optical illusion n (1794 :
`ILLUSION 221(1)
`optically active adj (1885) : capable of rotating the plane of polarim-
`tion of light to the right or left —~ used of compounds, molecules, or
`atoms
`optical rotation n (1895) : the angle through which the plane of vibra-
`tion of polarized light that traverses an optically active substance is
`rotated
`optic axis n (1664) : a line in a doubly refracting medium that is paral-
`lel to the direction in which all components of plane-polarized light
`travel with the same speed
`optic chiasma n (1872) : the X-shaped partial decussation on the
`undersurface of the hypothalamus through which the optic nerves are
`continuous with the brain — called also optic chiasm
`optic cup )1 (ca. 1885) :
`the optic vesicle after invaginating to form a
`2-layered cup from which the retina and pigmented layer of the eye will
`develo — called also eyecup
`optic 15k 11 (ca. 1890) : BLlND SPOT la
`op-tl-cian \éip—‘ti—sham n (1687)
`1 : a maker of or dealer in optical
`items and instruments
`2 : a person who reads prescriptions for visual
`correction, orders lenses, and dispenses spectacles and contact lenses
`— compare OPHTHALMOLOGIST, OPFOMETRIST
`optic lobe n (1854) : either of two prominences of the midbrain con-
`cerned with vision
`optic nerve n (1615) : either of the pair of nerves that comprise the 2d
`pair of cranial nerves, arise from the ventral part of the diencephalon,
`supply the retina, and conduct visual stimuli to the brain ~ see EYE
`illustration
`op-tics \'ap-tiks\ n pl but sing in constr (1579) : a science that deals
`with the genesis and propagation of light, the changes that it undergoes
`and produces, and other phenomena closely associated with it
`optic vesicle n (ca. 1885) : an evagination of each lateral wall of the
`embryonic vertebrate forebrain from which the nervous structures of
`the eye develop
`op-ti-mal \"a'p—ta-mah adj (1890) : most desirable or satisfactory : or-
`a v
`TthUM — op-ti-mal-i-ty \.ap-to-'ma-io-té\ n —- op-ti-mal-ly \~ma-lé\
`op-ti-mhsa-tion, op~tiomise Brit var of OPTIMlZATlON, OPTIMIZE
`op-tirmism \"ap-ta-.mi-zom\ n [F optimisme, fr. L optimum, n., best, fr.
`neut. of optimus best; akin to L ops power — more at OPULENT] (1759)
`l : a doctrine that this world is the best possible world 2 : an inclina-
`tion to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or
`to antici ate the best possible outcome — op-ti-mist \—mist\ n — op-
`ti-mis-tic \.'ap~ts-'mis«tik\ adj — op-ti~mis-ti-cal-l
`\-ti-k(a.)lé\ adv
`major international service 0 ub
`Op-ti‘mist \‘a'p-ta-mist\ n [10ptimist (Club)] (1911
`: a member of a
`op-ti-miuza-tion \.’ap-to—ma-'za—shan\ n (1857) : an act, process, or
`methodology of making something (as a design, system, or decision) as
`fully perfect, functional, or effective as possible; specif :
`the mathemati-
`cal procedures (as finding the maximum of a function) involved in this
`op-ti-mize \"ap-te».miz\ vt -mized; -miz-ing (1857) : to make as per~
`fect, effective, or functional as possible — opoti-miz-er \-.mi-zar\ n
`op-ti-mum \'ap-to—mam\ n, pl —ma \-ma\ also -mums [L] (1879)
`1
`
`NICHIA EX2020
`
`NICHIA EX2020
`
`