nandhakumarms/qualc-wiktionary-en huggingface dataset:
Word: phase Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From New Latin phasis, from Ancient Greek φάσις (phásis, “an appearance”), from φαίνω (phaínō, “to cause to appear”); compare phantasm and see face. Pronunciation: /feɪz/ 1. A distinguishable part of a sequence or cycle occurring over time. Example: It would have been a simple enough move to warn the firm, but Max Carrados's interest lay in the phase of crime rather than in forestalling it, and on that score he had little tangible as yet […] 2. That which is exhibited to the eye; the appearance which anything manifests, especially any one among different and varying appearances of the same object. 3. Any appearance or aspect of an object of mental apprehension or view. Example: The problem has many phases. 4. A particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes with respect to quantity of illumination or form, or the absence, of a body's illuminated disk. Illustrated in Wikipedia's article Lunar phase. Example: the phases of the moon 5. Any one point or portion in a recurring series of changes, as in the changes of motion of one of the particles constituting a wave or vibration; one portion of a series of such changes, in distinction from a contrasted portion, as the portion on one side of a position of equilibrium, in contrast with that on the opposite side. 6. A component in a material system that is distinguished by chemical composition and/or physical state (solid, liquid or gas) and/or crystal structure. It is delineated from an adjoining phase by an abrupt change in one or more of those conditions. 7. In certain organisms, one of two or more colour variations characteristic of the species, but independent of the ordinary seasonal and sexual differences, and often also of age. 8. The period of play between consecutive breakdowns. Example: When Romania did manage to string together some phases midway through the first half, England's discipline held firm, although on the whole it was a less focused display from the Six Nations champions in the second half. 9. A haplotype. 10. The counterclockwise angle from the positive half of the real number line to the vector pointing to a complex number on an Argand diagram of the complex plane, which has the positive real line pointing right and the positive imaginary number line pointing up. 11. A distortion caused by a difference in the speed of propagation for different frequencies 12. In a polyphase electrical power system, one of the power-carrying conductors, or the alternating current carried by it.
Word: phase Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From New Latin phasis, from Ancient Greek φάσις (phásis, “an appearance”), from φαίνω (phaínō, “to cause to appear”); compare phantasm and see face. Pronunciation: /feɪz/ 1. To begin—if construed with "in"—or to discontinue—if construed with out—(doing) something over a period of time (i.e. in phases). Example: The use of the obsolete machines was gradually phased out as the new models were phased in. 2. To determine haplotypes in (data) when genotypes are known. Labels: informal, transitive 3. To pass into or through a solid object. Example: Anyone who has lost their way in cyberspace—realizing they have just phased into what they had previously categorized as 'solid' matter—will understand this example. Example: Archer took a deep breath and, steeling himself for the bizarre experience, carefully walked to the bulkhead and phased through. 4. To use a phaser.
Word: phase Part of Speech: verb 1. Alternative spelling of faze Labels: alt-of, alternative, proscribed
Word: phase Part of Speech: name Etymology: From Latin phase (“passover”), Phasa, from Hebrew פָּסַח (pésach). 1. Passover Labels: obsolete
Word: phial Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The noun is derived partly: * from Middle English fiole, phiole, phial (“small bowl or cup for liquids, etc.; flask”) [and other forms], from Middle French fiole, phiole [and other forms], and Old French fiole (modern French fiole), from Late Latin fiola, phiola, from Latin phiala (“broad, flat, shallow bowl or cup”), from Ancient Greek φιάλη (phiálē, “round and shallow bowl, pan, or saucer”), probably from Pre-Greek; and * directly from Latin phiala (see above). The verb is derived from the noun. Doublet of vial. Cognates * Catalan fiola * French fiole * Italian fiala * Old Occitan fiola (Occitan fiòla) Pronunciation: /ˈfaɪəl/, /faɪl/ 1. A bottle or other vessel for containing a liquid; originally any such vessel, especially one for holding a beverage; now (specifically), a small, narrow glass bottle with a cap used to hold liquid chemicals, medicines, etc. Labels: dated Example: VVo to you that are rich in Sion, and haue confidence in the mountaine of Samaria: […] That drinke vvine in phials, and are annoynted vvith the beſt oyntment: and they ſuffred nothing vpon the contrition of Ioſeph. Example: And when he had taken the booke, the foure Beaſts, and foure and twenty Elders fel down before the Lambe, hauing euery one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of Saints.
Word: phial Part of Speech: verb Etymology: The noun is derived partly: * from Middle English fiole, phiole, phial (“small bowl or cup for liquids, etc.; flask”) [and other forms], from Middle French fiole, phiole [and other forms], and Old French fiole (modern French fiole), from Late Latin fiola, phiola, from Latin phiala (“broad, flat, shallow bowl or cup”), from Ancient Greek φιάλη (phiálē, “round and shallow bowl, pan, or saucer”), probably from Pre-Greek; and * directly from Latin phiala (see above). The verb is derived from the noun. Doublet of vial. Cognates * Catalan fiola * French fiole * Italian fiala * Old Occitan fiola (Occitan fiòla) Pronunciation: /ˈfaɪəl/, /faɪl/ 1. To keep or put (something, especially a liquid) in, or as if in, a phial. Labels: transitive
Word: picayune Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The noun is borrowed from southern French picaillon, pécaillon, picayon (“type of small foreign coin; (informal, especially in the plural) cash, money”), and from its etymon Occitan picalhon, picaioun (“cheaply made Savoyan-Piedmontese coin that was rapidly demonetized; (by extension) cash, money”), probably from Occitan piquar (“to ring (bells); to knock, strike”) (referring to the clinking of coins in a pocket), originally imitative. The adjective is derived from the noun. Pronunciation: /ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/, /ˌpɪkəˈjun/, /-ki-/ 1. A small coin of the value of six-and-a-quarter cents; a Spanish coin with a value of half a real; a fippenny bit. Labels: Louisiana, US, especially, historical 2. A coin worth five cents (a nickel) or some other low value. Labels: US, archaic, broadly 3. A person regarded as unworthy of respect or useless; also, something of very little value; a trifle. Labels: US, figuratively, informal 4. An argument, fact, or other issue raised (often intentionally) that distracts from a larger issue or fails to make any difference. Labels: US, figuratively, informal
Word: picayune Part of Speech: adj Etymology: The noun is borrowed from southern French picaillon, pécaillon, picayon (“type of small foreign coin; (informal, especially in the plural) cash, money”), and from its etymon Occitan picalhon, picaioun (“cheaply made Savoyan-Piedmontese coin that was rapidly demonetized; (by extension) cash, money”), probably from Occitan piquar (“to ring (bells); to knock, strike”) (referring to the clinking of coins in a pocket), originally imitative. The adjective is derived from the noun. Pronunciation: /ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/, /ˌpɪkəˈjun/, /-ki-/ 1. Of little consequence; small and of little importance; petty, trivial. Labels: US, informal Example: It's also representative of a psychological syndrome that I notice has gotten steadily worse as the Cruise wears on, a mental list of dissatisfactions and grievances that started picayune but has quickly become nearly despair-grade. Example: [T]here are four competing groups promoting the language – and they cannot agree even on how it should be spelled (Kernewek, Kernowek, Kernuak and Curnoack, among others). It might seem like a picayune matter, akin to the rivalry in the film "Monty Python's Life of Brian" between the Judean People's Front, the Judean Popular People's Front and the People's Front of Judea. But the issue is deadly serious to speakers of Cornish. 2. Childishly spiteful; tending to go on about unimportant things; small-minded. Labels: US, informal
Word: picayunish Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree English picayune Proto-Indo-European *-iskos Proto-Germanic *-iskaz Proto-West Germanic *-isk Old English -isċ Middle English -ish English -ish English picayunish From picayune + -ish. 1. Petty; paltry; mean. Example: a picayunish business
Word: pimp Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Origin unknown. Perhaps from French pimpant (“smart, sparkish”) or German Pimpf (“a boy, a youth, a young squirt”). The Old English near-synonym was rendered by Old English forspennend (literally “a solicitor”). Pronunciation: /pɪmp/ 1. Someone who solicits customers for prostitution and acts as manager for a group of prostitutes; a pander. Example: "I'm not a whore. You're a pimp and a stupid American, and if you want to pick up a silly bitch on the street you'd better go back to the other side where you belong!" Example: A fella looking dapper / And he's sittin' with a slapper / Then I see it's a pimp / And his crack whore 2. A man who can easily attract women. Labels: slang
Word: pimp Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Origin unknown. Perhaps from French pimpant (“smart, sparkish”) or German Pimpf (“a boy, a youth, a young squirt”). The Old English near-synonym was rendered by Old English forspennend (literally “a solicitor”). Pronunciation: /pɪmp/ 1. To act as a procurer of prostitutes; to pander. Labels: intransitive 2. To prostitute someone. Labels: transitive Example: The smooth-talking, tall man with heavy gold bracelets claimed he could pimp anyone. 3. To excessively customize something, especially a vehicle. Labels: slang, transitive Example: You pimped out that motorcycle f'real, dawg. 4. To ask progressively harder and ultimately unanswerable questions of a resident or medical student (said of a senior member of the medical staff). Labels: slang, transitive Example: Only an attending physician can pimp a chief resident; the chief resident and attending can pimp a junior resident; they all three can pimp an intern. 5. To promote, to tout. Labels: US, slang, transitive Example: I gotta show you this sweet website where you can pimp your blog and get more readers. Example: The trendy rehabs being pimped by the addiction industry's glossy PR. 6. To persuade, smooth talk or trick another into doing something for your benefit. Labels: US, slang Example: I pimped her out of $2,000 and she paid for the entire stay at the Bahamas.
Word: pimp Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Origin unknown. Perhaps from French pimpant (“smart, sparkish”) or German Pimpf (“a boy, a youth, a young squirt”). The Old English near-synonym was rendered by Old English forspennend (literally “a solicitor”). Pronunciation: /pɪmp/ 1. Excellent, fashionable, stylish. Labels: slang
Word: pimp Part of Speech: num Etymology: From Brythonic numerals, from Proto-Brythonic *pɨmp. Cognate with Welsh pump, Cornish pymp, Breton pemp. Doublet of cinque, fin (“five currency units”), finnuf, five, ponzu, punch (“beverage”), and sengi (“currency”); related to Pompeii. Pronunciation: /pɪmp/ 1. Five in Cumbrian and Welsh sheep counting.
Word: pious Part of Speech: adj Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *pewH- Proto-Italic *pīosder. Latin piusbor. English pious Borrowed from Latin pīus (“pious, dutiful, blessed, kind, devout”), from Proto-Indo-European *pewH- (“pure”). Cognate with Old English fǣle (“faithful, trusty, good; dear, beloved”). More at feal. Pronunciation: /ˈpaɪəs/ 1. Of or pertaining to piety, exhibiting piety, devout, god-fearing. Example: Old Deacon Smith was quick to see the impression made by Abby Howard upon the mind of his son, and he was wonderfully pleased thereat, for Abby was the oldest daughter of the good Deacon Howard, and was herself a church member, and pious. He had more hope for his son now, than he had felt for years. Example: Its male residents dress like crows: heavy black suits, black Borsalino hats, the old grandfathers hugely whiskered and the boys in peot, the curled sidelocks of the pious. 2. Relating to religion or religious works. Example: A pious cause. 3. Insisting on or making a show of one's own virtue, especially in comparison to others; sanctimonious, condescending, judgmental.
Word: pique Part of Speech: verb Etymology: The verb is borrowed from French piquer (“to prick, sting; to anger, annoy; (reflexive) to get angry; to provoke, stimulate; (reflexive) to boast about”), from Middle French piquer, picquer (“to prick, sting; to anger, annoy; (reflexive) to get angry”), from Old French piquer (“to pierce with the tip of a sword”), from proto-Romance or Vulgar Latin *pīccare (“to sting; to strike”) or *pikkāre, and then either: * Onomatopoeic; or * from Frankish *pikkōn, from Proto-Germanic *pikkōną (“to knock; to peck; to pick; to prick”). If so, pique is a doublet of pick, pitch, and peck. The noun is borrowed from Middle French pique (“a quarrel; resentment”) (modern French pique), from piquer, picquer (verb); see above. Pronunciation: /piːk/, /pik/ 1. To wound the pride of (someone); to excite to anger; to irritate, to offend. Labels: transitive Example: The Dev'l was piqu'd, ſuch ſaintſhip to behold, / And long'd to tempt him like good Job of old: / But Satan now is wiſer than of yore, / And tempts by making rich, not making poor. Example: Brisk Confidence still best with woman copes; / Pique her and soothe in turn, soon Passion crowns thy hopes. 2. To excite (someone) to action, especially by causing jealousy, resentment, etc.; also, to stimulate (an emotion or feeling, especially curiosity or interest). Labels: transitive Example: I believe this will pique your interest. Example: I have been hugely involved in the operational side until this point, but now I can speak to operators and other businesses such as American and European companies, because we seem to have piqued interest. 3. To pride (oneself) on something. Labels: reflexive, transitive Example: [G]ood Nature may be ſetled in them [children] into a Habit, and they may take pleaſure and pique themſelves in being kind, liberal, and civil to others. Example: The American hunters pique themselves on their skill in shooting Racoons; which, from the extraordinary vigilance and cunning of the animals, is by no means an easy task. 4. To excite or stimulate (oneself). Labels: obsolete, reflexive, transitive 5. To take pride in. Labels: intransitive 6. To excite to action, especially by causing jealousy, resentment, etc.; also, to stimulate an emotion or feeling, especially curiosity or interest. Labels: intransitive Example: Piqu'd by Protogenes's Fame, / From Co to Rhodes, Apelles came; / To ſee a Rival and a Friend, / Prepar'd to Cenſure, or Commend, […] 7. To express jealousy, resentment, etc. at someone; to become angry or annoyed. Labels: intransitive, obsolete, rare Example: For I obſerve, that all vvomen of your condition are like the vvomen of the Play-houſe, ſtill Piquing at each other, vvho ſhall go the beſt Dreſt, and in the Richeſt Habits: till you vvork up one another by your high flying, as the Heron and Jerfalcon do.
Word: pique Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The verb is borrowed from French piquer (“to prick, sting; to anger, annoy; (reflexive) to get angry; to provoke, stimulate; (reflexive) to boast about”), from Middle French piquer, picquer (“to prick, sting; to anger, annoy; (reflexive) to get angry”), from Old French piquer (“to pierce with the tip of a sword”), from proto-Romance or Vulgar Latin *pīccare (“to sting; to strike”) or *pikkāre, and then either: * Onomatopoeic; or * from Frankish *pikkōn, from Proto-Germanic *pikkōną (“to knock; to peck; to pick; to prick”). If so, pique is a doublet of pick, pitch, and peck. The noun is borrowed from Middle French pique (“a quarrel; resentment”) (modern French pique), from piquer, picquer (verb); see above. Pronunciation: /piːk/, /pik/ 1. Enmity, ill feeling; (countable) a feeling of animosity or a dispute. Labels: uncountable Example: Men take up piques and diſpleaſures at others, and then every opinion of the diſliked perſon muſt partake of his fate, and be engaged in the quarrel: […] Example: [H]e ſhew'd himself, out of ſome little pique, the moſt bitter enemy againſt the K[ing, i.e., Charles I of England] in all the Houſe [of Parliament], as well in action as ſpeech; […] 2. Irritation or resentment awakened by a social injury or slight; offence, especially taken in an emotional sense with little consideration or thought; (countable) especially in fit of pique: a transient feeling of wounded pride. Labels: uncountable Example: Tuſh! tuſh! you take the grave peake uppon you too much: who would think you could ſo eaſily ſhake off your olde friendes? Example: Pray, my Lord, take no picque at it: 'tis not given to all men to be confident: […] 3. In pique of honour: a matter, a point. Labels: countable, obsolete Example: Add long preſcription of eſtabliſh'd laws, / And picque of honour to maintain a cauſe, / And ſhame of change, and fear of future ill, / And Zeal, the blind conductor of the will; […]
Word: pique Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The noun is borrowed from French pic, Middle French pic (“pique in the game of piquet; pike (tool)”), picq (“game of piquet”), from Vulgar Latin *pīccus (“sharp point, peak; pike, spike”), possibly from Frankish *pikk, *pīk, from Proto-Germanic *pikjaz, *pīkaz (“sharp point, peak; pickaxe; pike”); further etymology unknown. Doublet of pike. The verb is either derived from the noun (though the latter is attested in print later), or borrowed from French pic. Pronunciation: /piːk/, /pik/ 1. In piquet, the right of the elder hand to count thirty in hand, or to play before the adversary counts one. Example: Flip[panta]. Hark thee, Braſs, the Game's in our hands, if we can but play the Cards. / Br[ass]. Pique and Repique, you Jade you: If the Wives will fall into a good Intelligence. Example: You see the enormous advantage the hidden player has? When he is the minor hand he knows everything that is to be known before he discards. When he is the elder he knows almost everything. By concentrating on one detail he can practically always balk the pique, the repique and the kapot, if it is necessary to play for safety.
Word: pique Part of Speech: verb Etymology: The noun is borrowed from French pic, Middle French pic (“pique in the game of piquet; pike (tool)”), picq (“game of piquet”), from Vulgar Latin *pīccus (“sharp point, peak; pike, spike”), possibly from Frankish *pikk, *pīk, from Proto-Germanic *pikjaz, *pīkaz (“sharp point, peak; pickaxe; pike”); further etymology unknown. Doublet of pike. The verb is either derived from the noun (though the latter is attested in print later), or borrowed from French pic. Pronunciation: /piːk/, /pik/ 1. To score a pique against (someone). Labels: ambitransitive, archaic, obsolete Example: My villainous old luck ſtill follovvs me in gaming, I never throvv the Dice out of my hand, but my Gold goes after 'em: if I go to Picquet, though it be but vvith a Novice in't, he vvill picque and repicque, and Capot me tvventy times together: […] Example: He seemed perfectly to understand the beautiful game at which he played, but preferred, as it were on principle, the risking bold and precarious strokes to the ordinary rules of play, and neglecting the minor and better balanced chances of the game; he hazarded every thing for the chance of piqueing, repiqueing, or capotting his adversary.
Word: pique Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed from Spanish pique, from Central Quechua piki. Pronunciation: /ˈpiːkeɪ/, /piːk/, /ˈpikeɪ/, /pik/ 1. A chigger, chigoe, or jigger (Tunga penetrans), a species of tropical flea. Labels: obsolete 2. midgie, sand fly, punkie, punky (US)
Word: pique Part of Speech: noun Etymology: A variant of piqué, borrowed from French piqué (“(noun) ribbed fabric; (ballet) step on to the point of the leading foot without bending the knee; (adjective) backstitched; (cooking) larded”), Middle French piqué (“quilted”), a noun use of the past participle of piquer (“to prick, sting; to decorate with stitches; to quilt; to stitch (fabric) together; to lard (meat)”); see further at etymology 1. Pronunciation: /ˈpiːkeɪ/, /piˈkeɪ/ 1. Alternative form of piqué (“a kind of corded or ribbed fabric made from cotton, rayon, or silk”). Labels: alt-of, alternative, countable, uncountable Example: Pique and linen also accented several coats and oftentimes were both detachable and formed an overcollar covering a collar made from the coat fabric.
Word: pique Part of Speech: noun Etymology: A variant of pica, or from its etymon Late Latin pica (“disorder characterized by appetite and craving for non-edible substances”), from Latin pīca (“jay; magpie”) (from the idea that magpies will eat almost anything), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peyk- (“magpie; woodpecker”). Pronunciation: /paɪk/ 1. Synonym of pica (“a disorder characterized by appetite and craving for non-edible substances”). Labels: obsolete, rare Example: The World is nat'rally averse / To all the truth it sees or hears, / But swallows Non-sense and a Lie / With greediness and gluttony; / And though it have the Pique, and long, / 'Tis still for something in the wrong: […]
Word: taxi pole Part of Speech: noun 1. A pole in the street alongside a place where members of the public can hire taxis.
Word: pirouette Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Borrowed from French pirouette, see there for more; attested since 1706. Pronunciation: /ˌpɪ.ɹʊˈɛt/, /ˌpɪ.ɹuːˈɛt/, /ˌpɪ.ɹəˈwɛt/ 1. A whirling or turning on the toes in dancing, primarily in ballet. Example: […]like what?—like the most beautiful pirouette by [Marie] Taglioni, let us say. Example: But the Emperor’s friend covered himself with glory, for he danced everything, whether he knew it or not, and introduced impromptu pirouettes when the figures bewildered him.. 2. The whirling about of a horse. 3. A wooden mouthpiece assembly or lip rest used in some European double-reed instruments.
Word: pirouette Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Borrowed from French pirouette, see there for more; attested since 1706. Pronunciation: /ˌpɪ.ɹʊˈɛt/, /ˌpɪ.ɹuːˈɛt/, /ˌpɪ.ɹəˈwɛt/ 1. To perform a pirouette; to whirl on the toes, like a dancer. Labels: intransitive Example: The way in which they dance; the height to which they spring; the impossible and inhuman extent to which they pirouette; […]. Example: At last they paused, and a beautiful young woman sprang out of the ranks and began to pirouette in front of us with a grace and vigour which would have put most ballet girls to shame.
Word: plaid Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Scots plaid, of uncertain origin; perhaps from a past participle form of ply. Scottish Gaelic plaide (“blanket”) is probably a borrowing from Scots. Also compare Scottish Gaelic peall (“covering, veil, blanket”) << Latin pellis (“hide, covering”), but the OED finds the sound changes problematic. Pronunciation: /pled/, /plad/, /plæd/ 1. A type of twilled woollen cloth, often with a tartan or chequered pattern. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street. He wore shepherd's plaid trousers and the swallow-tail coat of the day, with a figured muslin cravat wound about his wide-spread collar. 2. A length of such material used as a piece of clothing, formerly worn in the Scottish Highlands and other parts of northern Britain and remaining as an item of ceremonial dress worn by members of Scottish pipe bands. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: In battle, the plaid was customarily shrugged off before the charge bit home, and the warrior came into contact with only his long, saffron shirt (‘leine chrochach’) to preserve modesty. 3. The typical chequered pattern of a plaid; tartan. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: plaid Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Scots plaid, of uncertain origin; perhaps from a past participle form of ply. Scottish Gaelic plaide (“blanket”) is probably a borrowing from Scots. Also compare Scottish Gaelic peall (“covering, veil, blanket”) << Latin pellis (“hide, covering”), but the OED finds the sound changes problematic. Pronunciation: /pled/, /plad/, /plæd/ 1. Having a pattern or colors which resemble a Scottish tartan; checkered or marked with bars or stripes at right angles to one another.
Word: plaid Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Alternative forms. 1. simple past and past participle of play Labels: archaic, form-of, participle, past Example: 1774, Dr Samuel Johnson, Preface to the Works of the English Poets, J. Nichols, Volume II, Page 134, "...then plaid on the organ, and sung..."
Word: phlegm Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English flewme, fleume, fleme, from Old French fleume, Middle French flemme (French flegme), and their source, Latin phlegma, from Ancient Greek φλέγμα (phlégma, “flame; inflammation; clammy humor in the body”), from φλέγειν (phlégein, “to burn”). Possible burning sensation when coughing up phlegm. Compare phlox, flagrant, flame, bleak (adjective), fulminate. Spelling later altered to resemble the word's Latin and Greek roots. The regularly developed form /fliːm/ has been displaced by a pronunciation /flɛm/ of uncertain provenance. It may be inherited, though some kind of learned or spelling pronunciation or influence from phlegmatic is also conceivable. Pronunciation: /flɛm/, /fliːm/, /flɛːm/ 1. One of the four humors making up the body in ancient and mediaeval medicine; said to be cold and moist, and often identified with mucus. Labels: historical, uncountable, usually Example: Each person's unique mixture of these substances determines his temperament: a predominance of blood gives a sanguine temperament; a predominance of phlegm makes one phlegmatic; yellow bile, bilious (or choleric); and black bile, melancholic. 2. Viscid mucus produced by the body, later especially mucus expelled from the bronchial passages by coughing. Labels: uncountable, usually Example: Even some members of the new bourgeoisie indulge in conspicuously boorish behavior, like hawking phlegm onto the pavement or picking their noses at business meetings. 3. A watery distillation, especially one obtained from plant matter; an aqueous solution. Labels: historical, uncountable, usually Example: The attempts made to analyse vegetable substances previous to 1720, merely produced their resolution into the supposed elements of the chemists of those days, namely, salts, Earths, phlegm, and sulphur. 4. Calmness of temperament, composure; also seen negatively, sluggishness, indifference. Labels: uncountable, usually Example: Orloff's phlegm broke completely, and he snatched at the monocle as it dropped[.] Example: But Swedish Nazis also talked of the necessity of saving Sweden from Bolshevism, and with the menacing Berlin radio gnawing in their ears many Swedes lost their Scandinavian phlegm.
Word: physique Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From French physique. 1. The natural constitution, or physical structure, of a person. Example: Her large frame and muscular physique stands out among most other students. 2. The trained muscular structure of a person's body. Example: Over the next week, men and women from diverse backgrounds participated in eighteen sports ranging from boxing and billiards to physique, the marathon and volleyball.
Word: taxi Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Shortened from taximeter cab, taximeter (“automatic meter that records distance and fare”) from French taximètre, from German Taxameter (whence also English taxameter), coined from Medieval Latin taxa (“tax, charge”). More at tax, task. The aviation sense originally derived from a slang term for training aircraft used for practicing ground operations, which were said to drive around the airfield like a taxicab, and subsequently applied to all aircraft ground movements. Pronunciation: /ˈtæksi/, /ˈtaksɪj/, /ˈtakse/, /ˈtaksɪ/, /ˈtaksi/ 1. A vehicle that may be hired for single journeys by members of the public, particularly one with an automated meter to calculate the fare. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: I cabbed a package downtown in my father's taxi. Example: "Taxi," he called. And when one pulled up to the curb with screeching brakes he ordered, "The nearest restaurant." 2. An aircraft used for practicing ground manoeuvres. Labels: countable, obsolete, slang, uncountable Example: Capt. Dawes and Bellairs were out with the Deperdussin taxi, and also with the brevet machine, rolling. Example: ... some similar untidy pile of what had been a school biplane is recorded to have acted the part of red rag to the bull of a "taxi" monoplane , which despite its driver's efforts insisted on charging and trampling on the battered fragments. 3. The movement of an aircraft across an airport's surface under its own power; a phase of aircraft operation involving this movement. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: During taxi, the flaps and slats are extended and the second engine (if not already running) is started. Example: Seat belts must be kept fastened during taxi, takeoff, turbulence, and landing. 4. Synonym of shared taxi. Labels: Iran, South-Africa, countable, uncountable
Word: taxi Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Shortened from taximeter cab, taximeter (“automatic meter that records distance and fare”) from French taximètre, from German Taxameter (whence also English taxameter), coined from Medieval Latin taxa (“tax, charge”). More at tax, task. The aviation sense originally derived from a slang term for training aircraft used for practicing ground operations, which were said to drive around the airfield like a taxicab, and subsequently applied to all aircraft ground movements. Pronunciation: /ˈtæksi/, /ˈtaksɪj/, /ˈtakse/, /ˈtaksɪ/, /ˈtaksi/ 1. To move an aircraft on the ground under its own power. Example: taxi down the runway 2. To travel by taxicab. Example: [H]e had taxied to the waterfront bent upon a business in which nostalgia had no part[.]
Word: plaudit Part of Speech: noun Etymology: For earlier plaudite, borrowed from Latin plaudite, second-person plural imperative of plaudere (“to applaud”). Pronunciation: /ˈplɔːdɪt/ 1. A mark or expression of applause; praise bestowed. Labels: in-plural, often Example: The plaudits reverberated thunderously in the auditorium. Example: The roof now rung with bravos, handkerchiefs were waved on every side, “three cheers,” again and again, and plaudit upon plaudit following in such quick succession, begun, ended, and begun again, that it was some time before the toast with which Mr. Irving concluded, could be heard. 2. An award or commendation; a formal recognition of approval or achievement. Labels: in-plural, often, specifically Example: Sofie has been showered in plaudits for her paradigm-shifting discoveries. Example: Today, beyond its magnificent courtyard entrance, there is a spa and a plaudit-winning restaurant, Pearl, but Carla remembers: “There were hiccups and we were late opening, but we finally got there on December 16. […]
Word: plaudit Part of Speech: verb Etymology: For earlier plaudite, borrowed from Latin plaudite, second-person plural imperative of plaudere (“to applaud”). Pronunciation: /ˈplɔːdɪt/ 1. To issue or confer a plaudit upon. Labels: in-plural, often, rare, transitive, usually Example: Floris grumpily yammered on about how the actors hardly deserved to be plaudited. Example: Dunces may take degrees, and we have ſeene / Authors and Poets, come forth at foureteene. / The like lucke haunts the Court, he that has wit / To flaſh a line, and friends to plaudite it.
Word: pleat Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English, from a variant of plait, from Old French pleit. Doublet of plait. Pronunciation: /pliːt/ 1. A fold in the fabric of a garment, usually a skirt, as a part of the design of the garment, with the purpose of adding controlled fullness and freedom of movement, or taking up excess fabric. There are many types of pleats, differing in their construction and appearance. 2. A similar fold in a filter, lampshade, or various other products. 3. A fold in an organ, usually a longitudinal fold in a long leaf such as that of palmetto, lending it stiffness. 4. A plait.
Word: pleat Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English, from a variant of plait, from Old French pleit. Doublet of plait. Pronunciation: /pliːt/ 1. To form one or more pleats in a piece of fabric or a garment. Labels: transitive 2. To plait. Example: pleat my hair
Word: plait Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English pleit, from Anglo-Norman pleit (compare Old French ploit), from Latin plectō, which is akin to Old Norse flétta (Danish flette), Russian плести́ (plestí) and also to Old English fleohtan, which it displaced. Doublet of plight (“plait, fold”) and pleat. Pronunciation: /pleɪt/, /plæt/ 1. A flat fold; a doubling, as of cloth; a pleat. Example: a box plait Example: the plaits and foldings of the drapery 2. A braid, as of hair or straw; a plat. Example: Only the hair as it arched so beautifully from her temples was mixed with silver, and the two simple plaits that lay on her shoulders were filigree of silver and brown.
Word: plait Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English pleit, from Anglo-Norman pleit (compare Old French ploit), from Latin plectō, which is akin to Old Norse flétta (Danish flette), Russian плести́ (plestí) and also to Old English fleohtan, which it displaced. Doublet of plight (“plait, fold”) and pleat. Pronunciation: /pleɪt/, /plæt/ 1. To fold; to double in narrow folds; to pleat Labels: transitive Example: to plait a ruffle 2. To interweave the strands or locks of; to braid Labels: transitive Example: to plait hair Example: plaiting rope
Word: pleach Part of Speech: verb Etymology: The verb is from Late Middle English pleshe, Middle English plechen, pleche (“to layer; to propagate (a plant) by layering, to pleach”), possibly from Anglo-Norman and Middle French plesser, plessier, Middle French plescer, variants of Middle French, Old French plaissier, plessier (“to plash”), from Late Latin *plaxus, from Latin plexus (“braided, plaited, woven; bent, twisted”), perfect passive participle of plectō (“to braid, plait, weave; to bend, turn, twist”). The noun is derived from the verb. Pronunciation: /pliːtʃ/, /plit͡ʃ/ 1. To unite by interweaving, as (horticulture) branches of shrubs, trees, etc., to create a hedge; to interlock, to plash. Labels: transitive Example: Her Vine, the merry chearer of the heart, / Vnpruned, dyes: her Hedges euen pleach'd, / Like Priſoners wildly ouer-growne with hayre, / Put forth diſorder'd Twigs: [...] Example: Nectar ran / In courteous fountains to all cups outreach'd; / And plunder'd vines, teeming exhaustless, pleach'd / New growth about each shell and pendent lyre; [...]
Word: pleach Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The verb is from Late Middle English pleshe, Middle English plechen, pleche (“to layer; to propagate (a plant) by layering, to pleach”), possibly from Anglo-Norman and Middle French plesser, plessier, Middle French plescer, variants of Middle French, Old French plaissier, plessier (“to plash”), from Late Latin *plaxus, from Latin plexus (“braided, plaited, woven; bent, twisted”), perfect passive participle of plectō (“to braid, plait, weave; to bend, turn, twist”). The noun is derived from the verb. Pronunciation: /pliːtʃ/, /plit͡ʃ/ 1. An act or result of interweaving; specifically, (horticulture) a hedge or lattice created by interweaving the branches of shrubs, trees, etc. Example: Not a dryad of the beeches, / Through the filmy forest-reaches, / That a tress of summer pleaches, / But had owned her queen; [...] 2. A branch of a shrub, tree, etc., used for pleaching; a pleacher. Example: These stems should be stripped (or nearly so) of their branches, and notched at the bottom (in the way which every hedger knows) to form a pleach: these pleaches should be laid in the intervals along the line of the stubs, and again notched, [...] Example: The pleaches are laid over all in the same direction and stakes are driven in so as to come alternately behind and in front of the stems laid over, but the ends of the pleaches are made to finish all on one side, that is to say, on the opposite side of the hedge to the notches. [...] The hedger treads down his pleaches so as to make a firm and solid hedge and winds round the tops of the stakes long, clean rods of hazel, [...] 3. A notch cut into a branch so that it can be bent when pleaching is carried out. Example: Traditional hedge laying involves, first, clearing away undergrowth and weeds, particularly from a hedge that has been neglected and allowed to grow tall. Untidy side branches are removed. A cut, known as a pleach, is made in the back of the trunk, leaving a 'hinge'; old-time hedgers recommend that this should be as thick as a lamb's tongue. Example: When laying hedges, notches (pleaches) are cut in branches that are to be bent (the bent bits must go upwards, otherwise the sap will not run).
Word: sebaceousness Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree English sebaceous Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English sebaceousness From sebaceous + -ness. 1. The state or quality of being sebaceous. Labels: uncountable
Word: quagga Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Dutch quagga (whence also Afrikaans kwagga), from a Khoisan term, probably Haiǁom, Khoekhoe ǁkoaah, apparently of imitative origin. Pronunciation: /ˈkwaxə/, /ˈkwɒɡə/, /kwæɡə/, /kwɑɡə/ 1. A southern-African subspecies of plains zebra, Equus quagga quagga, which went extinct in 1883. The upper parts of the animal were reddish brown, becoming paler behind and beneath, while the face, neck, and fore part of the body were marked by dark stripes. Example: I saw a rhinoceros, buffalo (a large herd), eland, quagga, and sable antelope, the most beautiful of all the bucks, not to mention many smaller varieties of game, and three ostriches which scudded away at our approach like white drift before a gale. 2. Ellipsis of quagga mussel. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis
Word: quartette Part of Speech: noun 1. Alternative spelling of quartet. Labels: alt-of, alternative Example: Another musical memory of the stationmaster was his Joint Railway Male Voice Quartette, comprising three local stationmasters and a booking clerk, whose items were very acceptable at social events. One thing that amused me was that the quartette included a Mr. Dove and a Mr. Crowe; and it was Mr. Dove, and not the latter, who took the bass parts.
Word: quartermaster Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English quartermayster, quartermaistre, equivalent to quarter + master. Perhaps reinforced by and merged with Dutch kwartiermeester, kwartier-meester. Compare German Quartiermeister, French quartier-maître. Pronunciation: /ˈk(w)ɔɹtɚˌmæstɚ/, /ˈkwɔːtɚˌmɑːstə/ 1. An officer whose duty is to provide quarters, provisions, storage, clothing, fuel, stationery, and transportation for a regiment or other body of troops, and superintend the supplies. Master of quartering. 2. A petty officer who attends to the helm, binnacle, signals, and the like, under the direction of the master. Once master of the quarterdeck. 3. A leadership position within a troop whose responsibility it is to track and maintain the troop's equipment, for example stoves, Dutch ovens, utensils, and tents.
Word: quartermaster Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English quartermayster, quartermaistre, equivalent to quarter + master. Perhaps reinforced by and merged with Dutch kwartiermeester, kwartier-meester. Compare German Quartiermeister, French quartier-maître. Pronunciation: /ˈk(w)ɔɹtɚˌmæstɚ/, /ˈkwɔːtɚˌmɑːstə/ 1. To act as a quartermaster. Labels: ambitransitive
Word: quay Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The current spelling replaced the spelling key in the 1690s to emulate the spelling but (at least originally) not the pronunciation of the equivalent modern French quai. From Middle English kay, key, kaye, keye, from Old French kay, cail, from Gaulish *kagyum, cagiíun (“enclosure”), from Proto-Celtic *kagyom (“pen, enclosure”) (compare Welsh cae (“field”)), from Proto-Indo-European *kagʰyóm (“enclosure”). Doublet of hedge and hey (“choreographic figure”). Pronunciation: /kiː/, /keɪ/, /kweɪ/ 1. A stone or concrete structure on navigable water used for loading and unloading vessels; a wharf. Example: moor up in the quay Example: […] its harbour was filled with stately ships; and its quays, swarming with foreign traders and loaded with bales of costly merchandise[…]
Word: quay Part of Speech: verb Etymology: The current spelling replaced the spelling key in the 1690s to emulate the spelling but (at least originally) not the pronunciation of the equivalent modern French quai. From Middle English kay, key, kaye, keye, from Old French kay, cail, from Gaulish *kagyum, cagiíun (“enclosure”), from Proto-Celtic *kagyom (“pen, enclosure”) (compare Welsh cae (“field”)), from Proto-Indo-European *kagʰyóm (“enclosure”). Doublet of hedge and hey (“choreographic figure”). Pronunciation: /kiː/, /keɪ/, /kweɪ/ 1. To land or tie up at a quay or similar structure, especially used in the phrase "quay up".
Word: quay Part of Speech: adj 1. Alternative spelling of qway (“far”). Labels: Multicultural-London-English, alt-of, alternative
Word: quay Part of Speech: adv 1. Alternative spelling of qway (“far”). Labels: Multicultural-London-English, alt-of, alternative
Word: quell Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English quellen, from Old English cwellan (“to kill”), from Proto-West Germanic *kwalljan, from Proto-Germanic *kwaljaną (“to make die; kill”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷelH-. Cognate with German quälen (“to torment; agonise; smite”), Swedish kvälja (“to torment”), Icelandic kvelja (“to torture; torment”). Compare also Old Armenian կեղ (keł, “sore, ulcer”), Old Church Slavonic жаль (žalĭ, “pain”). See also kill, which may be its doublet. Pronunciation: /kwɛl/ 1. To subdue, put down, or silence (someone or something); to force (someone) to submit. Labels: transitive Example: The nation obeyed the call, rallied round the sovereign, and enabled him to quell the disaffected minority. Example: Northward marching to quell the sudden revolt. 2. To suppress, to put an end to (something); to extinguish. Labels: transitive Example: to quell grief Example: to quell the tumult of the soul 3. To kill. Labels: obsolete, transitive Example: Like barbarous miſcreants, they quelled Virgins vnto death, […] Example: Well prov'd in that same day, when Jove those gyants quelled. 4. To be subdued or abated; to diminish. Labels: intransitive, obsolete Example: Winter's wrath begins to quell. 5. To die. Example: Yet he did quake and quaver, like to quell.
Word: quell Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English quellen, from Old English cwellan (“to kill”), from Proto-West Germanic *kwalljan, from Proto-Germanic *kwaljaną (“to make die; kill”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷelH-. Cognate with German quälen (“to torment; agonise; smite”), Swedish kvälja (“to torment”), Icelandic kvelja (“to torture; torment”). Compare also Old Armenian կեղ (keł, “sore, ulcer”), Old Church Slavonic жаль (žalĭ, “pain”). See also kill, which may be its doublet. Pronunciation: /kwɛl/ 1. A subduing. Example: The quell of the rebellion raised Justinian to the acme of power. Example: Hu had been supportive of Chiang's role throughout the northern expedition and the quell of southern rebellion.
Word: quell Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English *quelle (suggested by the verb quellen (“to well up; gush forth”)), from Old English cwylla, cwiella (“spring; source”), from Proto-West Germanic *kwalljā (“spring, well”). Compare German Quelle. Pronunciation: /kwɛl/ 1. A source, especially a spring. Example: And when they had eaten, and sat resting in a grotto, he was still singing, and she was the goddess of his Muse, — the quell of living waters out of which he drew fresh strength for new lays. Example: Other excruciations replaced her namesake's loquacious quells so completely that when, during a lucid interval, she happened to open with her weak little hand a lavabo cock for a drink of water, the tepid lymph replied in its own lingo […] 2. An emotion or sensation which rises suddenly. Example: A quell of strength over took Robin with each of his words. She was about to fall apart, but Jacob was as brave as a warrior going into battle. Example: For a moment their eyes locked, and she felt a quell of anger rise above her apprehension. Reality struck with appalling clarity, yet she could only lie down, partially drugged and untidy as she was from such rough traveling.
Word: queller Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English queller, quellere, quellare, from Old English cwellere; equivalent to quell + -er. 1. One who quells; one who overpowers or subdues. 2. A killer. Example: Jack the Giant-Queller
Word: quintette Part of Speech: noun 1. Alternative spelling of quintet A composition for five voices or instruments; also, the set of five persons who sing or play five-part music. Labels: alt-of, alternative
Word: quire Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English quayer, from Anglo-Norman quaier and Old French quaer, from Latin quaternus (“fourfold”), from quater (“four times”). Doublet of cahier. Pronunciation: /ˈkwaɪ.ə(ɹ)/ 1. One-twentieth of a ream of paper; a collection of twenty-four or twenty-five sheets of paper of the same size and quality, unfolded or having a single fold. Example: Under the year 1533 we are told that the ream contained twenty quires. Example: […] and we must accept the fact that all those good novels, Villette, Emma, Wuthering Heights, Middlemarch, were written by women without more experience of life than could enter the house of a clergyman; written too in the common sitting-room of that respectable house and by women so poor that they could not afford to buy more than a few quires of paper at a time upon which to write Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. 2. A set of leaves which are stitched together, originally a set of four pieces of paper (eight leaves, sixteen pages). This is most often a single signature (i.e. group of four), but may be several nested signatures. 3. A book, poem, or pamphlet.
Word: quire Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English quayer, from Anglo-Norman quaier and Old French quaer, from Latin quaternus (“fourfold”), from quater (“four times”). Doublet of cahier. Pronunciation: /ˈkwaɪ.ə(ɹ)/ 1. To prepare quires by stitching together leaves of paper. Example: Now, in the first folio volume of 1616, the paging, signatures, and quiring are continuous and regular throughout. Example: This is a natural point at which to ask why quiring went out of fashion.
Word: quire Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English quer, quere, from Old French quer, from Latin chorus, from Ancient Greek χορός (khorós, “company of dancers or singers”). Doublet of choir, chorus, and hora. Pronunciation: /ˈkwaɪ.ə(ɹ)/ 1. Uncommon form of choir (“one quarter of a cruciform church, or the architectural area of a church used by the choir, often near the apse”). Labels: form-of, uncommon 2. Archaic spelling of choir (“group of people who sing together”). Labels: alt-of, archaic Example: Madam, myself have lim'd a bush for her, And plac'd a quire of such enticing birds, That she will light to listen to the lays, And never mount to trouble you again. Example: 1597–1598, Joseph Hall, Virgidemiarum Yea, and the prophet of the heav'nly lyre, / Great Solomon sings in the English quire […]