nandhakumarms/qualc-wiktionary-en huggingface dataset:
Word: limp Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English limpen, from Old English limpan (“to happen, occur, exist, belong to, suit, befit, concern”). Cognate with Scots limp (“to chance to be, come”), Middle Dutch limpen (“to happen”), Middle Low German gelimpen (“to moderate, treat mildly”), Middle High German limfen (“to suit, become”). Pronunciation: /lɪmp/ 1. To happen; befall; chance. Labels: intransitive, obsolete 2. To come upon; meet. Labels: obsolete, transitive
Word: limp Part of Speech: phrase Pronunciation: /lɪmp/ 1. Acronym of Louis XIV, James II, Queen Mary of Modena and the Prince of Wales (a code-word among Jacobites) Labels: abbreviation, acronym, alt-of, historical Example: To intimidate the people, you drew up Resolves, and an Address to his Majesty, founded on evidence from Governor Barnard, the Commissioners of Revenue, Custom-house Officers, and a few poor, expectant and dependent creatures, whom your Limp corresponds with in Boston; and thereby, having imposed upon, and deceived the legislature, sanctified your despotism, at the expence of their last Liberties; Example: Even if he were set at liberty, what could he do but haunt Jacobite coffeehouses, squeeze oranges, and drink the health of Limp?
Word: lineage Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English linage, from Old French linage, from ligne, from Latin linea (“line”); equivalent to line + -age. Pronunciation: /ˈlɪn.i.ɪd͡ʒ/ 1. Descent in a line from a common progenitor; progeny; descending line of offspring or ascending line of parentage. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Theſe Anius Ueres [Marcus Annius Verus, father of Marcus Aurelius] was a lygnage, that auanced them to be deſcẽded [descended] of Numa Pompilio, and of Quintꝰ [Quintus] Curtius the famous Romayn: […] Example: Edwards great linage by the mothers ſide, / Fiue hundred yeeres hath helde the ſcepter vp, 2. A number of lines of text in a column. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Total newspaper advertising lineage in the North Atlantic region Example: These are mere excerpts of longer pieces by Sullivan on Boy George, and I have left out more pieces because of the limits of space. Let me add, the lineage in Sullivan's column devoted to Boy George in 1984 exceeds the lineage in the rest of the Herald devoted to all news of gays and lesbians in the same period of time. 3. A fee or rate paid per line of text. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: lisp Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English lispen, lipsen, wlispen, from Old English *wlispian (attested in āwlyspian (“to lisp”)), from Old English wlisp, wlips (“stammering, lisping”, adjective), from Proto-Germanic *wlispaz (“lisping”), from Proto-Indo-European *wlis-, *wleys- (“rod”), from *wel- (“to turn, roll”). Cognate with Middle Low German wlispen (“to lisp”), Dutch lispen (“to lisp”), German lispeln (“to lisp”), Danish læspe (“to lisp”), Swedish läspa (“to lisp”). Pronunciation: /lɪsp/, /lɪθp/, /lɪl͡sp/ 1. The act or a habit of lisping. Example: He used to have a terrible lisp before going to a speech therapist. Example: It's common for children to speak with a lisp.
Word: lisp Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English lispen, lipsen, wlispen, from Old English *wlispian (attested in āwlyspian (“to lisp”)), from Old English wlisp, wlips (“stammering, lisping”, adjective), from Proto-Germanic *wlispaz (“lisping”), from Proto-Indo-European *wlis-, *wleys- (“rod”), from *wel- (“to turn, roll”). Cognate with Middle Low German wlispen (“to lisp”), Dutch lispen (“to lisp”), German lispeln (“to lisp”), Danish læspe (“to lisp”), Swedish läspa (“to lisp”). Pronunciation: /lɪsp/, /lɪθp/, /lɪl͡sp/ 1. To pronounce the consonant ‘s’ imperfectly; to give ‘s’ and ‘z’ the sounds of ‘th’ (/θ/, /ð/). This is a speech impediment common among children. Labels: intransitive Example: Until the age of 10, Dominic would lisp, but this was fixed by a speech therapist. 2. To speak with imperfect articulation; to mispronounce, such as a child learning to talk. Labels: intransitive Example: As yet a Child, nor yet a Fool to Fame, / I liſp'd in Numbers, for the Numbers came. 3. To speak hesitatingly and with a low voice, as if afraid. Labels: archaic, intransitive Example: Lest when my lisping, guilty tongue should halt. 4. to express by the use of simple, childlike language. Labels: archaic, intransitive Example: But the fashion spreads deeper and wider; the village is infected and the village green; Amelias and Claras sweep your rooms and cook your dinners, gentle Sophias milk your cows, and if you ask a pretty smiling girl at a cottage door to tell you her name, the rosy lips lisp out Caroline. Example: to speak unto them after their own capacity, and to lisp the words unto them , according as the babes and children of that age might sound them againagain 5. To speak with reserve or concealment; to utter timidly or confidentially. Labels: archaic, intransitive Example: to lisp treason Example: "You have done well, sir," said Delwood, calmly, as he placed double the amount of Mrs. Santon's bribe in the Signor's hand; "you have done well, sir; and mark my words,—gold can never relieve a guilty conscience! Go, sir, and see that you lisp not a syllable of this to any one."
Word: lithe Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Middle English lithe, from Old English līþe (“gentle, mild”), from Proto-West Germanic *linþ(ī), from Proto-Germanic *linþaz, from Proto-Indo-European *lentos. Akin to Saterland Frisian lied (“thin, skinny, gaunt”), Danish, Dutch, and archaic German lind (“mild”). Some sources also list Latin lenis (“soft”) and/or Latin lentus (“supple”) as possible cognates. Pronunciation: /laɪð/ 1. Mild; calm. Labels: obsolete Example: lithe weather 2. Slim but not skinny. Example: lithe body Example: The noise of their battle with Numa had drawn an excited horde of savages from the nearby village, and a moment after the lion’s death the two men were surrounded by lithe, ebon warriors, gesticulating and jabbering—a thousand questions that drowned each ventured reply. 3. Capable of being easily bent; flexible. Example: the elephant’s lithe trunk. Example: … she danced with a kind of passionate fierceness, her lithe body undulating with flexuous grace … 4. Adaptable. Example: Yet the 2016 Éxilé rosé from Lise et Bertrand Jousset in the Loire Valley, made mostly of gamay, was yeasty let^([sic – meaning yet]) light and lithe, while the 2016 Indigeno from Ancarani in Emilia-Romagna, made of trebbiano, was taut and earthy.
Word: lithe Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English lithen, from Old English līþian, līþigian, līþegian (“to soften, calm, mitigate, assuage, appease, be mild”), from Proto-West Germanic *linþijan, from Proto-Germanic *linþijaną (“to soften”), from Proto-Indo-European *lento- (“bendsome, resilient”). Cognate with German lindern (“to alleviate, ease, relieve”). Pronunciation: /laɪð/ 1. To become calm. Labels: intransitive, obsolete 2. To make soft or mild; soften; alleviate; mitigate; lessen; smooth; palliate. Labels: obsolete, transitive Example: England.. hath now suppled, lithed and stretched their throats. Example: Give me also faith, Lord,.. to lithe, to form, and to accommodate my spirit and members.
Word: lithe Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English lithen, from Old Norse hlýða (“to listen”), from Proto-Germanic *hliuþijaną (“to listen”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱlew- (“to hear”). Cognate with Danish lytte (“to listen”). Related to Old English hlēoþor (“noise, sound, voice, song, hearing”), Old English hlūd (“loud, noisy, sounding, sonorous”). More at loud. Pronunciation: /laɪð/ 1. To attend; listen, hearken. Labels: intransitive, obsolete 2. To listen to, hearken to. Labels: transitive
Word: lithe Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Uncertain; perhaps an alteration of lewth. Pronunciation: /laɪð/ 1. Shelter. Labels: Scotland Example: So Cospatric got him the Pict folk to build a strong castle there in the lithe of the hills, with the Grampians dark and bleak behind it, and he had the Den drained and he married a Pict lady and got on her bairns and he lived there till he died.
Word: lithe Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English lithen (“to make gentle or mild; to relax, soothe”), from Old English līþan (“to assuage, mitigate, soften”), from līþe (“lithe, gentle”). Pronunciation: /laɪð/ 1. to thicken (gravy, etc.) Labels: Yorkshire, archaic, dialectal Example: lithe widely used as a verb in nEng Sc and Ir, as a noun only in Cu Example: to render lithe or thick, to thicken (broth, etc.)
Word: longhand Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From long + hand, by analogy with shorthand. Pronunciation: /ˈlɒŋˌhænd/, /lɔŋˌhænd/, /lɑŋˌhænd/ 1. The written characters used in the common method of writing; opposed to shorthand, or typing or printing; handwriting. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: When, however, in any particular case, he has no assured means of determining the true spelling of the name, he should always quietly interrupt the dictater with the request, " Spell it , please," and then write the name in longhand from the dictater's spelling.
Word: longhand Part of Speech: adv Etymology: From long + hand, by analogy with shorthand. Pronunciation: /ˈlɒŋˌhænd/, /lɔŋˌhænd/, /lɑŋˌhænd/ 1. Written by hand in normal characters, as opposed to shorthand. Labels: not-comparable 2. Written by hand (with pen or pencil), rather than printed out; handwritten. Labels: not-comparable Example: I had to write the essay out twice longhand – they wouldn’t let me print it out. It took forever!
Word: loom Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English lome, from Old English *lōma, ġelōma (“tool, utensil, implement, article of furniture, household effect”) (also as andlōma, andġelōma, andlama (“utensil, instrument, implement, tool, vessel”), from Proto-West Germanic *lōmō, *lamō (“tool, utensil”), of uncertain origin. Cognate with Dutch alaam, allaam (“tool, household ware or good, appliance”), from Middle Dutch andlame. Perhaps originally meaning "a thing of frequent use, thing repeatedly needed", in which case, akin to Old English ġelōme (“often, frequently, continually, repeatedly”), from Proto-Germanic *ga- + *lōmiz, *lōmijaz (“lame, halt”), from Proto-Indo-European *lem- (“to break, soften”). Compare Old High German giluomo, kilōmo (“often, frequently”), Old High German luomen (“to wear out, fatigue”), Old High German *luomī (as in gastluomī (“hospitality”), Old English lama (“lame”). See lame. Outside Proto-Germanic cognate with Russian ломи́ть (lomítʹ, “to break”), лома́ть (lomátʹ, “to break, to fracture”), ле́мех (lémex, “ploughshare”). Compare typologically Serbo-Croatian ра́збо̄ј (“loom (weaving frame)”) akin to ра̀збити (“to break, to smash, to crack”). Pronunciation: /luːm/, /lʉwm/, /lum/, /lʉːm/, /lʉm/ 1. A utensil; tool; a weapon; (usually in compound) an article in general. Example: heirloom, workloom 2. A frame or machine of wood or other material, in which a weaver forms cloth out of thread; a machine for interweaving yarn or threads into a fabric, as in knitting or lace making. Example: January 8, 1751, Samuel Johnson, "The Mischiefs of Total Idleness" in The Rambler Hector, when he sees Andromache overwhelmed with terror, sends her for consolation to the loom and the distaff. 3. The part of an oar which is between the grip or handle and the blade; the shaft.
Word: loom Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Shetland dialect, denoting a diver or guillemot, from Old Norse lómr, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *leh₂- (“to howl”) (expressive root). Pronunciation: /luːm/, /lʉwm/, /lum/, /lʉːm/, /lʉm/ 1. loon (bird of order Gaviiformes) Labels: dated
Word: loom Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps from Old Norse ljóma (“to shine, radiate”). Alternatively, perhaps related to Saterland Frisian loomje (“to limp, hobble”), German Low German lahmen (“to limp, hobble”), Swedish loma (“to go slowly”), Middle Dutch loemen (“to wreck, spoil”), Middle High German lüemen (“to become weak, limp, tire”); see English lame. Pronunciation: /luːm/, /lʉwm/, /lum/, /lʉːm/, /lʉm/ 1. To appear indistinctly, e.g. when seen on the horizon or through the murk. Labels: intransitive Example: The clouds loomed over the mountains. Example: […] yonder cloud That rises upward always higher, ⁠And onward drags a labouring breast, ⁠And topples round the dreary west, A looming bastion fringed with fire. 2. To appear in an exaggerated or threatening form; (of a person or thing) to tower; (of an idea) to impressively or intimidatingly occupy the mind; (of an event) to be imminent. Labels: figuratively, intransitive Example: With no extra-time to be played and penalties looming, the Portuguese winger pounced on some hesitant City defending to run on to a Wayne Rooney clearance, round Joe Hart and slot home. Example: In the meantime, SWR staff have warned privately that an acute shortage of rolling stock is looming, because the new trains are not ready. 3. To rise and to be eminent; to be elevated or ennobled, in a moral sense. Labels: figuratively, intransitive Example: On no occasion does he [Paul] loom so high, and shine so gloriously, as in the context.
Word: loom Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps from Old Norse ljóma (“to shine, radiate”). Alternatively, perhaps related to Saterland Frisian loomje (“to limp, hobble”), German Low German lahmen (“to limp, hobble”), Swedish loma (“to go slowly”), Middle Dutch loemen (“to wreck, spoil”), Middle High German lüemen (“to become weak, limp, tire”); see English lame. Pronunciation: /luːm/, /lʉwm/, /lum/, /lʉːm/, /lʉm/ 1. A distorted appearance of something as seen indistinctly or from afar. Labels: intransitive
Word: lorgnette Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed from French lorgnette, from lorgner (“to take a sidelong look at”) (from Middle French lorgne (“crosseyed”)). Pronunciation: /ˈlɔː.njɛt/, /ˈlɔɹ.njɛt/ 1. An opera glass with a handle. Example: In the valley, near the Acropolis, […] Athens itself could be vaguely made out with an ordinary lorgnette. 2. Elaborate double eyeglasses.
Word: lot Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English lot, from Old English hlot (“portion, choice, decision”), from Proto-West Germanic *hlut, from Proto-Germanic *hlutą. Cognate with North Frisian lod, Saterland Frisian Lot, West Frisian lot, Dutch lot, French lot, German Low German Lott, Middle High German luz. Doublet of lotto. Related also to German Los. Pronunciation: /lɒt/, /lɔt/, /lɑt/, [lɔ̟t] 1. A large quantity or number; a great deal. Example: win the whole lot (of money); i.e. jackpot Example: lots of people think so 2. A separate, appropriated portion; a quantized, subdivided set consisting a whole. Example: a lot of stationery Example: The Lord divided the land to the tribes, each according to his lot. 3. One or more items auctioned or sold as a unit, separate from other items. Example: This is an important lot. Very sorry, but we can't go on with the selling until we know more where we are. 4. A number of people taken collectively. Labels: informal Example: a sorry lot Example: a bad lot 5. A distinct portion or plot of land, usually smaller than a field. Example: a building lot in a city Example: The defendants leased a house and lot, in the City of New-York 6. That which happens without human design or forethought. Example: But save my life, which lot before your foot doth lay. 7. Anything (as a die, pebble, ball, or slip of paper) used in determining a question by chance, or without human choice or will. Example: to cast lots Example: to draw lots 8. The part, or fate, that falls to one, as it were, by chance, or without one's planning. Example: O visions ill foreseen! Each day's lot's / Enough to bear. Example: He was but born to try / The lot of man — to suffer and to die. 9. A prize in a lottery. Example: In the lottery[…] Sir R. Haddock one of the Commissrs of the Navy had the greatest lot, £3000 ; my coachman £ 40 10. Allotment; lottery. Example: Archons served only for one year and, since 487/6, they were chosen by lot. Generals, on the other hand, were chosen by direct election and could be reelected without limit. 11. All members of a set; everything. Labels: definite Example: The table was loaded with food, but by evening there was nothing but crumbs; we had eaten the lot. Example: If I were in charge, I'd fire the lot of them. 12. An old unit of weight used in many European countries from the Middle Ages, often defined as 1/30 or 1/32 of a (local) pound. Labels: historical
Word: lot Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English lot, from Old English hlot (“portion, choice, decision”), from Proto-West Germanic *hlut, from Proto-Germanic *hlutą. Cognate with North Frisian lod, Saterland Frisian Lot, West Frisian lot, Dutch lot, French lot, German Low German Lott, Middle High German luz. Doublet of lotto. Related also to German Los. Pronunciation: /lɒt/, /lɔt/, /lɑt/, [lɔ̟t] 1. To allot; to sort; to apportion. Labels: dated, transitive Example: Sometimes the contractor would lot the work out to some sub-contractor, and he, after the men had worked for a month, would run away, and we should never see the colour of his money. 2. To count or reckon (on or upon). Labels: US, dated, informal
Word: lout Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Of dialectal origin, likely derived from Middle English louten (“to bow, bend low, stoop over”), from Old English lūtan (“to bow, bend forward, stoop”), from Proto-West Germanic *lūtan, from Proto-Germanic *lūtaną (“to bow down, lout”). Alternatively, derived from Middle English louten (“to hide, lurk”), from Old English lūtian (“to lurk, skulk”), from Proto-West Germanic *lūtēn (“to be hidden, be concealed”). Compare Old Norse lútr (“stooping”), Gothic 𐌻𐌿𐍄𐍉𐌽 (lutōn, “to deceive”). Non-Germanic cognates are probably Old Church Slavonic лоудити (luditi, “to deceive”), Serbo-Croatian lud and Albanian lut (“to beg, pray”). Pronunciation: /laʊt/, /lʌʊt/ 1. A troublemaker, often violent; a rude violent person; a yob. Example: But the lout looked only to his market, and was not easily repulsed. “He’s there, I tell you,” he persisted. “And for threepence I’ll get you to see him. Come on, your honour! It’s many a Westminster election I’ve seen, and beer running, from Mr. Fox,[…]when maybe it’s your honour’s going to stand! Anyway, it’s, Down with the mongers!” Example: You see louts fresh from school kicking grey-haired servants. 2. A clownish, awkward fellow; a bumpkin. Example: The faire Pamela, whose noble hart I finde doth greatly disdaine, that the trust of her vertue is reposed in such a louts hands, as Dametas, had yet to shew an obedience, taken on a shepeardish apparell[…] Example: Sebaſtian, I haue entertained thee, / Partly that I haue neede of ſuch a youth, / That can with ſome diſcretion doe my buſineſſe: / For ’tis no truſting to yond fooliſh Lowt;
Word: lout Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Of dialectal origin, likely derived from Middle English louten (“to bow, bend low, stoop over”), from Old English lūtan (“to bow, bend forward, stoop”), from Proto-West Germanic *lūtan, from Proto-Germanic *lūtaną (“to bow down, lout”). Alternatively, derived from Middle English louten (“to hide, lurk”), from Old English lūtian (“to lurk, skulk”), from Proto-West Germanic *lūtēn (“to be hidden, be concealed”). Compare Old Norse lútr (“stooping”), Gothic 𐌻𐌿𐍄𐍉𐌽 (lutōn, “to deceive”). Non-Germanic cognates are probably Old Church Slavonic лоудити (luditi, “to deceive”), Serbo-Croatian lud and Albanian lut (“to beg, pray”). Pronunciation: /laʊt/, /lʌʊt/ 1. To treat as a lout or fool; to neglect; to disappoint. Labels: obsolete, transitive Example: Renowned Talbot doth expect my ayde, / And I am lowted by a Traitor Villaine, / And cannot helpe the noble Cheualier:[…]
Word: lout Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English louten, from Old English lūtan, from Proto-West Germanic *lūtan, from Proto-Germanic *lūtaną. Cognate with Old Norse lúta, Danish lude (“to bend”), Norwegian lute (“stoop”), Swedish luta. Pronunciation: /laʊt/, /lʌʊt/ 1. To bend, bow, stoop. Labels: archaic, intransitive Example: He faire the knight ſaluted, louting low, / Who faire him quited, as that courteous was[…]. Example: And the priest devoutly crossed himself, and turned and louted to the alter.
Word: lowly Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From low + -ly; compare Middle English lowly. Pronunciation: /ˈləʊli/, /ˈloʊli/ 1. Not high; not elevated in place; low. Example: And those whom Tiber's holy forests hide, Or Circe's hills from the main land divide; Where Ufens glides along the lowly lands, Or the black water of Pomptina stands. Example: And I watched you waltz from tree to tree As I slunk in my lowly lair 2. Low in rank or social importance. Example: One common right the great and lowly claims. 3. Not lofty or sublime; humble. Example: Where our apt used to be they built a fancy condominium high-rise. Which at a lowly income none of us could ever really quite afford. Example: For all who read, and reading, not disdain / These rural poems, and their lowly strain 4. Having a low esteem of one's own worth; humble; meek; free from pride. Example: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.
Word: lowly Part of Speech: adv Etymology: From low + -ly; compare Middle English lowly. Pronunciation: /ˈləʊli/, /ˈloʊli/ 1. In a low manner; humbly; meekly; modestly. Example: Walking through the park, it wasn't quite dark / There was a man sitting on a bench / Out of the crowd as his head lowly bowed 2. In a low condition; meanly. 3. At low pitch or volume. Example: These words were lowly and sweetly murmured in the same way with the word mother, being changefully varied in their modulations, […]
Word: luckily Part of Speech: adv Etymology: Etymology tree English lucky Middle English -ly English -ly English luckily From lucky + -ly. Pronunciation: /ˈlʌk.ɪ.li/, /ˈlʌk.ə.li/ 1. In a lucky manner; by good fortune; fortunately. Example: They luckily escaped injury.
Word: lucky Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Middle English lukky, equivalent to luck + -y. Cognate with Scots lucky (“lucky”), West Frisian lokkich (“lucky, fortunate”), Dutch gelukkig (“lucky, fortunate, happy”). Compare also Danish lykkelig (“happy”), Swedish lycklig (“happy, lucky”), German glücklich (“happy”), Saterland Frisian glukkelk (“happy”). Pronunciation: /ˈlʌki/, /ˈlʊki/, /ˈlʌke/ 1. Favoured by luck; fortunate; having good success or good fortune. Example: a lucky adventurer Example: The downed pilot is very lucky to be alive. 2. Producing, or resulting in, good fortune Example: a lucky mistake Example: a lucky cast
Word: lucky Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English lukky, equivalent to luck + -y. Cognate with Scots lucky (“lucky”), West Frisian lokkich (“lucky, fortunate”), Dutch gelukkig (“lucky, fortunate, happy”). Compare also Danish lykkelig (“happy”), Swedish lycklig (“happy, lucky”), German glücklich (“happy”), Saterland Frisian glukkelk (“happy”). Pronunciation: /ˈlʌki/, /ˈlʊki/, /ˈlʌke/ 1. seven
Word: mall Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Probably from The Mall, a major street in London, England, which was originally a pall mall alley. Pronunciation: /mɔːl/, /mæl/, /mɑl/ 1. A pedestrianised street, especially a shopping precinct. Labels: Australia, Canada, New-Zealand, US, countable, uncountable Example: The preliminary plans provide for one million square feet of selling space in three main buildings and a double row of shops along a central shopping mall. Example: America′s first pedestrianized shopping mall opened in 1959 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Like most later pedestrian malls, it was intended to revive what everybody thought was a decaying downtown. 2. An enclosed shopping centre. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Every day, at about the time the rest of us go to work, groups of retirees gather at many of America′s enclosed shopping malls. Example: Cancel plans just in case you'd call / And say, "Meet me behind the mall" 3. An alley where the game of pall mall was played. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable 4. A public walk; a level shaded walk, a promenade. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Part of the area was laid out in gravel walks, and planted with elms; and these convenient and frequented walks obtained the name of the City Mall. 5. A heavy wooden mallet or hammer used in the game of pall mall. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: I also fell slightly; but his fall proving a severe one, he arose in wrath, and struck me with the mall which he held in his hand, until my blood flowed copiously […] 6. The game of polo. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable 7. An old game played with malls or mallets and balls; pall mall. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable Example: But playing with the Boy ar Mall, (I rue the Time, and ever shall) I struck the Ball, I know not how
Word: mall Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Probably from The Mall, a major street in London, England, which was originally a pall mall alley. Pronunciation: /mɔːl/, /mæl/, /mɑl/ 1. to beat with a mall, or mallet; to beat with something heavy; to bruise 2. to build up with the development of shopping malls 3. to shop at the mall Labels: informal
Word: keep up with Part of Speech: verb 1. To manage to remain beside or just behind someone or something that is moving away from one. Labels: informal Example: Blake needed to run to keep up with the indignant Doctor. 2. To manage to remain up to date with trends, fashions, etc. Labels: figuratively, informal Example: Keeping up with the latest hair trends as ever, Wella has just introduced Hair Sets in three variants. 3. To manage to follow an argument, a discussion, etc. Labels: informal
Word: mameluke Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Sense 1 (“fool”) is probably derived from Mameluke (“member of various military regimes in the Middle East established and run by freed white slave soldiers; one who supports someone or something blindly or slavishly”). Pronunciation: /ˈmamɪl(j)uːk/, /ˈmæməˌluk/ 1. A fool. Labels: derogatory, slang Example: Kabikov: “Hey, I’m setting a mood.” Mad Sal: “I’ll mood you, you mameluke. Example: My goddamn son-in-law, my right-hand man, acting like a fucking mameluke in front of all those people.” “Maybe he acted that way on purpose,” Tozzi said, “To make you think he was a mameluke.” “He was a mameluke!” 2. Alternative letter-case form of Mameluke. Labels: alt-of, rare
Word: mammy Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree English mam Proto-Germanic *-j-, *-ij- Proto-West Germanic *-i, *-ī Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English mamma ▲ English -y English mammy From mam + -y, or from mamma + -y. 1. mamma; mother Labels: childish 2. In the southern United States, a black nanny employed to look after white children; or in the antebellum South, a female slave who was close to the household and looked after the children. Labels: US, derogatory, historical, often Example: That's what you for—to help white folks keep niggers down. That's why he sent you to me. They be calling you mammy in a few years. You be running the whole house when the old man dies.
Word: mangonel Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Old French mangonel, from Latin manganellus, manganum, from Ancient Greek μάγγανον (mánganon). 1. A military engine formerly used for throwing stones and burning objects. Labels: historical Example: The cavalry were on the wings and the siege-engines, mangonels and catapults, planted on sand-dunes. 2. A military engine formerly used for throwing stones and burning objects. Labels: historical, often, proscribed
Word: manner Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English manere, maner, from Anglo-Norman manere, from Old French maniere, from Vulgar Latin *manāria, from feminine of Latin manuarius (“belonging to the hand”), from manus (“hand”). Compare French manière, Italian mannaia (“ax, axe”), Portuguese maneira and maneiro (“handy, portable”), Romanian mâner (“handle”), and Spanish manera. Pronunciation: /ˈmænə/, /ˈmænɚ/ 1. Mode of action; way of performing or doing anything. Example: The treacherous manner of his mournful death. Example: Edward Churchill still attended to his work in a hopeless mechanical manner like a sleep-walker who walks safely on a well-known round. But his Roman collar galled him, his cossack stifled him, his biretta was as uncomfortable as a merry-andrew's cap and bells. 2. Characteristic mode of acting or behaving; bearing. Example: His natural manner makes him seem like the boss. Example: [S]he [Edwina, mother of Tennessee Williams] was indeed Amanda [Wingfield, character in Williams' play The Glass Menagerie] in the flesh: a doughty chatterbox from Ohio who adopted the manner of a Southern belle and eschewed both drink and sex to the greatest extent possible. 3. One's customary method of acting; habit. Example: These people have strange manners. 4. Good, polite behaviour. Example: Harriet was not insensible of manner; she had voluntarily noticed her father’s gentleness with admiration as well as wonder. Mr. Martin looked as if he did not know what manner was. Example: But Sophia's mother was not the woman to brook defiance. After a few moments' vain remonstrance her husband complied. His manner and appearance were suggestive of a satiated sea-lion. 5. The style of writing or thought of an author; the characteristic peculiarity of an artist. 6. A certain degree or measure. Example: It is in a manner done already. Example: The fact that we have hundreds of positive, lesbian-affirming novels available today in no manner takes away from the basic high romance of The Price of Salt. The new edition is virtually the same in text as the original. 7. Sort; kind; style. Example: All manner of persons participate. 8. Standards of conduct cultured and product of mind.
Word: manner Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English manere, maner, from Anglo-Norman manere, from Old French maniere, from Vulgar Latin *manāria, from feminine of Latin manuarius (“belonging to the hand”), from manus (“hand”). Compare French manière, Italian mannaia (“ax, axe”), Portuguese maneira and maneiro (“handy, portable”), Romanian mâner (“handle”), and Spanish manera. Pronunciation: /ˈmænə/, /ˈmænɚ/ 1. To instill manners into. Labels: transitive Example: They are there to manner a child's natural abilities. They are culture club authorities and representatives. They teach children appropriate public (and private) behavior; […]
Word: manner Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *mon- Proto-Germanic *mann- Proto-West Germanic *mann Old English mann Middle English man English man English -er English manner From man + -er. Pronunciation: /ˈmænə/, /ˈmænɚ/ 1. Something involving or requiring the specified number of men or people. Labels: in-compounds, rare Example: It was rather ironic that my first fire in every one of my three smokejunping ^([sic]) years was a high-mountain two-manner . . . and they all were on the Flathead National Forest […]
Word: marge Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From French marge, from Latin margo. Doublet of margin and margo. Pronunciation: /mɑɹd͡ʒ/, /mɑːd͡ʒ/ 1. Margin; edge; brink or verge. Labels: archaic Example: […] And thy sea-marge, sterile and rocky-hard, / Where thou thyself dost air [...] Example: [F]lowers that in perennial blow / Round the moist marge of Persian fountains cling; […]
Word: marge Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Clipping of margarine. Pronunciation: /mɑɹd͡ʒ/, /mɑːd͡ʒ/ 1. Clipping of margarine. Labels: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New-Zealand, UK, abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, informal, uncountable, usually Example: Or probably all meals coalesced with him in an orgy of thick bread-and-marge and an array of sauce-bottles.
Word: marge Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Clipping of margarine. Pronunciation: /mɑɹd͡ʒ/, /mɑːd͡ʒ/ 1. To add margarine to. Labels: informal
Word: marge Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /mɑɹd͡ʒ/, /mɑːd͡ʒ/ 1. Mother. Labels: Multicultural-London-English Example: Had four bills and I bought me a car / Little red whip that I bought for my marge Example: I think about my family too. My dad and his failing heart. My marge and her church. I think about what they'll do once I'm gone. Think about the way out, the blue space above.
Word: martinet Part of Speech: noun Etymology: After the example of 17th-century French army officer Jean Martinet. Pronunciation: /ˈmæɹtɪnɛt/, /mæɹtˈnɛt/, /mɑɹtɪˈnɛt/ 1. A strict disciplinarian. Example: Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile ; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. Example: The same Aubrey deLint I'd dismissed for years as a 2-D martinet knelt gurneyside to squeeze my restrained hand and say ‘Just hang in there, Buckaroo,’ […] 2. Anyone who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of discipline, or to forms and fixed methods or rules. Labels: figuratively Example: Before I met Mr. Bowen Cooke I had been given to understand that he was of a reserved nature, and on occasion could be a "bit of a martinet"; [...]. 3. A short whip with multiple lashes once used in France. Labels: historical
Word: martinet Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree French Martin Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Italic *-tosder.? Late Latin -ittus Old French -et Middle French -et French -et French martinetbor. English martinet Borrowed from French martinet. Pronunciation: /ˈmæɹtɪnɛt/, /mæɹtˈnɛt/, /mɑɹtɪˈnɛt/ 1. A martin; a swift.
Word: marvel Part of Speech: noun Etymology: First attested from 1300, from Middle English merveile, from Old French merveille (“a wonder”), from Vulgar Latin *miribilia, from Latin mīrābilia (“wonderful things”), from neuter plural of mīrābilis (“strange, wonderful”), from mīror (“to wonder at”), from mīrus (“wonderful”). Doublet of mirabilia. Pronunciation: /ˈmɑːvəl/, [ˈmɑːvəl] ~ [ˈmɑːvl̩], /ˈmɑɹvəl/, [ˈmɑɹvəl] ~ [ˈmɑɹvl̩] 1. That which causes wonder; a prodigy; a portent. Example: The mysteries of this wonderful universe rise more palpable upon the departing spirit, so soon to mingle with their marvels. Example: He found ways to film fiery, elaborate car-wrecks, keeping everything visually clear and beautiful without killing or even seriously injuring anyone. On a sheer technical level, the movie is a marvel. 2. Wonder, astonishment. Labels: archaic Example: No maruel though you bite so sharp at reasons, Example: You read not any where that Eſau had faith, no not ſo much as a little: Therefore no marvel, if where, the fleſh only bears ſway […]
Word: marvel Part of Speech: verb Etymology: First attested from 1300, from Middle English merveile, from Old French merveille (“a wonder”), from Vulgar Latin *miribilia, from Latin mīrābilia (“wonderful things”), from neuter plural of mīrābilis (“strange, wonderful”), from mīror (“to wonder at”), from mīrus (“wonderful”). Doublet of mirabilia. Pronunciation: /ˈmɑːvəl/, [ˈmɑːvəl] ~ [ˈmɑːvl̩], /ˈmɑɹvəl/, [ˈmɑɹvəl] ~ [ˈmɑɹvl̩] 1. To become filled with wonderment or admiration; to be amazed at something. Labels: intransitive Example: Marueile not, my brethren, if the world hate you. Example: Men marvel at the works of man / And with unstinted praises sing / The greatness of some worldly thing / Encompassed during one life's span; 2. To wonder at. Labels: obsolete, transitive Example: I maruell that her Grace did leaue it out. Example: I maruell why I answer'd not againe, 3. To cause to wonder or be surprised. Labels: obsolete, transitive Example: 15th century, Anonymous, Richard the Redeless But much now me marvelleth.
Word: meander Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Latin Maeander, from Ancient Greek Μαίανδρος (Maíandros) – a river in Asia Minor (present day Turkey) known for its winding course (modern Turkish Menderes). Pronunciation: /miˈæn.də(ɹ)/, /miˈæn.dɚ/ 1. One of the turns of a winding, crooked, or involved course. Labels: often, plural Example: the meanders of an old river, or of the veins and arteries in the body 2. One of a series of regular sinuous curves, bends, loops, turns, or windings in the channel of a river, stream, or other watercourse Example: See, how the streams advancing to the main, / Through crooked channels draw their crystal train! / While lingering thus they in meanders glide, / They scatter verdant life on either side. 3. A tortuous or winding journey. Example: That journey in the spring of 1891 tracked historical underpinnings of the edifice that Einstein built. Our story will be an extremely interesting mental meander to trace the evolution some of the aspects of relativity theory from the beginning. 4. Synonym of Greek key, a decorative border; fretwork. Example: The scales are conceived of as meander fretwork; but I do not know whether, for this reason, this fish is associated with thunder. Example: A chair rail adorned with Chinese fretwork molding was a specific meander that repeated throughout the home. Moldings shaped as cartouches lined each wall,[…] 5. A self-avoiding closed curve which intersects a line a number of times. 6. A path on which the directions, distances, and elevations are noted, as a part of a land survey. Labels: obsolete, possibly Example: Markings on Meander Corners. On all meander corners, the letters “M. C.” ( for meander corner) will be cut into the side facing the stream or lake to be meandered. On post or tree meander corners, within township exteriors[…] Example: And as to the lands that were within the national meander boundaries, that description was based upon a state survey? 7. A decorative border consisting of a repeated linear motif, particularly of intersecting perpendicular lines.
Word: meander Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Latin Maeander, from Ancient Greek Μαίανδρος (Maíandros) – a river in Asia Minor (present day Turkey) known for its winding course (modern Turkish Menderes). Pronunciation: /miˈæn.də(ɹ)/, /miˈæn.dɚ/ 1. To wind or turn in a course or passage Labels: intransitive Example: The stream meandered through the valley. Example: Instead of a rivulet meandering downwards, there was a foaming brown torrent racing over the ledge, carrying down great loose stones with it and falling with a loud roar far down into the unseen chasm below. 2. To be intricate. Labels: intransitive Example: His speech meandered through various topics. 3. To wind, turn, or twist; to make flexuous. Labels: transitive Example: Her labyrinth-like ţurns, and mad meander'd trace[…]
Word: maze Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English mase, from Middle English masen (“to perplex, bewilder”); or perhaps from Old English *mæs (“delusion, bewilderment”); akin to Old English āmasian (“to perplex, confound”), Icelandic masa (“to chatter”). More at amaze. Pronunciation: /ˈmeɪz/ 1. A labyrinth; a puzzle consisting of a complicated network of paths or passages, the aim of which is to find one's way through. Example: There's plenty for toddlers too: experience the Wild West in Bear City, play with sand diggers, splash in the paddling pool and discover meerkats, reptiles and alpacas in the Zoo-Farm. Rain doesn't stop play, just head for the indoor fun factory with a rocking and rolling tugboat, mirror maze, ferris wheel and soft play. 2. Something made up of many confused or conflicting elements; a tangle. Example: A beech wood with silver firs in it rolled down the face of the hill, and the maze of leafless twigs and dusky spires cut sharp against the soft blueness of the evening sky. Example: The project developer, Poseidon Resources Corp., has been winding its way through a maze of state and local agencies for six years 3. A confusion of thought; a state of bewilderment. Labels: archaic Example: But first they came to Canterbury, an olde Citie, somewhat decayed, yet beautiful to behold, most famous for a Cathedrall Church, the very Maiestie whereoff, stroke them into a maze, where they saw many monuments, and heard tell of greater, then either they euer saw, or easely would beleeue.
Word: maze Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English mase, from Middle English masen (“to perplex, bewilder”); or perhaps from Old English *mæs (“delusion, bewilderment”); akin to Old English āmasian (“to perplex, confound”), Icelandic masa (“to chatter”). More at amaze. Pronunciation: /ˈmeɪz/ 1. To amaze, astonish, bewilder. Labels: archaic, transitive Example: they so mazed and even stupified his Conscience 2. To daze or stupefy. Labels: archaic, transitive Example: mazed […] by the eyes of the crowd Example: She rowed back alone, the simple soul that was in her forwandered and mazed with excess of joy.
Word: meiosis Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Ancient Greek μείωσις (meíōsis, “a lessening”), from μειόω (meióō, “I lessen”), from μείων (meíōn, “less”). The biological sense was coined by British biologists John Bretland Farmer and John Edmund Sharrock Moore in 1905 as maiosis in a paper in the Quarterly Journal of Microscopic Science, with the spelling corrected on etymological grounds later that year. Doublet of miosis. Pronunciation: /maɪˈəʊ.sɪs/, /maɪˈoʊ.sɪs/ 1. A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is. Labels: countable, rhetoric, uncountable Example: I knew, with one of those secret knowledges that can exist between two people, that her suicide was a direct result of my having told her of my own attempt – I had told it with a curt meiosis that was meant to conceal depths; and she had called my bluff one final time. 2. Cell division of a diploid cell into four haploid cells, which develop to produce gametes. Labels: uncountable, usually
Word: mellow Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The adjective is derived from Late Middle English melowe, melwe (“ripe, mellow; juicy; sweet”) [and other forms]; further etymology uncertain, possibly: * from an attributive use of melow, melowe, melewe, mele (“meal from ground grain or legumes; flour; kernel of barley or lentils”) [and other forms], from Old English melo, melu (“meal (edible part of a grain or pulse); flour”), from Proto-Germanic *melwą (“ground corn; meal; flour”), from Proto-Indo-European *melh₂- (“to crush; to grind”); or * a variant of Middle English merow, merowe, meruw (“soft, tender; of a person: frail; of love: unstable, variable”) [and other forms], from Old English meru, mearu (“soft, tender; delicate, frail; callow”) [and other forms], from Proto-Germanic *marwaz (“soft, mellow; brittle, delicate”), from Proto-Indo-European *mer(w)- (“to rub; to pack”). The noun and verb are both derived from the adjective. The etymology of noun sense 3 (“close friend; lover”) is unknown, but may also be derived from the adjective. Cognates * Dutch murw (“tender”) * German mürbe (“soft, tender”) * German Low German möör (“tender”) * Old Norse mör (“tender; aching”) (Icelandic meyr (“tender”)) * Saterland Frisian muur (“tender”) * West Frisian murf (“tender”) Pronunciation: /ˈmɛləʊ/, /ˈmɛloʊ/ 1. The property of being mellow; mellowness. Labels: US, informal 2. A comfortable or relaxed mood. Labels: US, informal, specifically Example: Yet, conversely, some people searched for the mellow […] Hope for flower power had faded, though the journey into the mellow did not represent idealism; rather, it spelled escape— […] Example: Nothing like a suicide to harsh a mellow. On their third date, Lizzie had actually said to him, "You're sort of harshing my mellow." It made him wonder if she might be stupid, and not just young. 3. Also main mellow: a close friend or lover. Labels: US, informal Example: I've got attractions like I'm Elvis Costello / Adam Yauch grab the mic 'cause you know you're my mellow
Word: melodrama Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From French mélodrame, the second element refashioned by analogy with drama; ultimately from Ancient Greek μέλος (mélos, “limb”, “member”, “song”, “tune”, “melody”) + δρᾶμα (drâma, “deed”, “theatrical act”). Compare melodrame. Cognate to German Melodram and Spanish melodrama. Pronunciation: /ˈmɛləˌdɹɑːmə/ 1. A kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes. Labels: archaic, uncountable 2. A drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic. Labels: countable 3. A passage in which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks. Labels: countable Example: The grave-digging scene in Beethoven's “Fidelio” has much melodrama. Example: Rudolf was the bold, bad Baron of traditional melodrama. Irene was young, as pretty as a picture, fresh from a music academy in England. He was the scion of an ancient noble family; she an orphan without money or friends. 4. Any situation or action which is blown out of proportion. Labels: colloquial, figuratively, uncountable
Word: melodramatic Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From melodrama + -tic. Modelled after dramatic. Pronunciation: /ˌmɛl.ə.dɹəˈmæt.ɪk/, /ˌmɛl.əʊ.dɹəˈmæt.ɪk/ 1. Of or pertaining to melodrama; like or suitable to a melodrama; unnatural in situation or action. 2. Exaggeratedly emotional or sentimental. Example: She wrote him a melodramatic letter, threatening to kill herself. Example: Dearest Eloise,— There is one little and perhaps insignificant French cake, which I feel certain would soon become a favourite in the cottage, more particularly amongst its juvenile inhabitants. It is the famed galette, the melodramatic food of the gamins, galopins, mechanics, and semi-artists of France.
Word: mend Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Partly: * (chiefly etymology 2 sense 2 (“recompense; restoration or reparation”)) from Middle English mend, mende (“cure, remedy; damages, recompense; atonement; penance; relief”), the aphetic form of amende, amendes (“retribution, amends; a fine; atonement; penance”) (though attested slightly earlier); or directly from its etymon Anglo-Norman amende, Middle French amende, and Old French amende (“a fine”) (modern French amende), from amender (verb) (see etymology 1); and * from mend (verb). Pronunciation: /mɛnd/, /mɪnd/ 1. Senses relating to improvement or repairing. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: My trousers have a big rip in them and need a mend. 2. Senses relating to improvement or repairing. Labels: countable, uncountable 3. Senses relating to improvement or repairing. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Though he was fearfully weak, he found himself actually feeling better. The disease had spent itself, and the mend had begun. Example: "[…] Then, as luck of one sort or another would have it, I got laid out with a broken ankle on a Bombay quay." Carrados voiced commiseration. "But you made a very good mend of it," he said. 4. Recompense; restoration or reparation, especially (Christianity) from sin. Labels: obsolete, uncountable
Word: mention Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Inherited from Middle English mencioun, mention, from Old French mention, from Latin mentiōnem, accusative of mentiō (“a mention, calling to mind”). Pronunciation: /ˈmɛnʃən/, /ˈmɛnʃn̩/ 1. A speaking or noticing of anything, usually in a brief or cursory manner. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: I will make mention of thy righteousness. Example: And sleep in dull, cold marble, where no mention / Of me more must be heard of. 2. A social media feed, a list of replies or posts mentioning a person. Labels: Internet, countable, plural, plural-only, uncountable Example: "I would like Twitter to put some kind of filters in place," suggests Prakash. "At present I can't see troll tweets if I block the user, but others who go into my 'mentions' can do so, and read the graphic abuse, which is disturbing." Example: In response to the flood of replies, Chance returned to Twitter several hours later — presumably, after his mentions calmed down — to request that users format their resumes as "creative decks, pitches or proposals" […].