nandhakumarms/qualc-wiktionary-en huggingface dataset:
Word: alewife Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From ale + wife. Pronunciation: /ˈeɪlwʌɪf/, /ˈeɪlˌwaɪf/ 1. A woman who keeps an alehouse. Labels: archaic
Word: alewife Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Unknown. Possibly from aloof, the Narragansett name of a fish. See Winthrop on the culture of maize in America, “Phil Trans.” No. 142, p. 1065, and Baddam’s “Memoirs,” vol. ii. p. 131. Possibly from allowes (“a type of shad”), from French alose (“shad”), from Old French [Term?], from Late Latin alausa, influenced by Etymology 1 due to large belly of the fish. Pronunciation: /ˈeɪlwʌɪf/, /ˈeɪlˌwaɪf/ 1. A migrating North American fish, Alosa pseudoharengus. Example: In his System of Nature, A. D. 1776, Linnæus declares, “I hereby separate the whales from the fish.” But of my own knowledge, I know that down to the year 1850, sharks and shad, alewives and herring, against Linnæus’s express edict, were still found dividing the possession of the same seas with the Leviathan. Example: I saw in Cohasset, separated from the sea only by a narrow beach, a handsome but shallow lake of some four hundred acres, […] and, after the alewives had passed into it, it had stopped up its outlet, and now the alewives were dying by thousands, and the inhabitants were apprehending a pestilence as the water evaporated. 2. Any of several species similar in appearance.
Word: Alexandrian Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Alexandria + -n. Pronunciation: /æl.ɛɡˈzæn.dɹiː.ən/, /æ.lɛksˈzæn.dɹi.ən/ 1. Of or pertaining to Alexandria in Egypt. Example: the Alexandrian library
Word: Alexandrian Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Alexandria + -n. Pronunciation: /æl.ɛɡˈzæn.dɹiː.ən/, /æ.lɛksˈzæn.dɹi.ən/ 1. A native or inhabitant of Alexandria. 2. A practitioner of Alexandrian Wicca.
Word: Alexandrian Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Alexander + -ian. The noun and sense 1 of the adjective are a variant or alteration of alexandrine, from Middle French alexandrin. Pronunciation: /æl.ɛɡˈzæn.dɹiː.ən/, /æ.lɛksˈzæn.dɹi.ən/ 1. Applied to a kind of heroic verse; synonym of alexandrine. Labels: not-comparable 2. Of or pertaining to Alexander the Great, or his reign, era etc. 3. Of or pertaining to Alexander the Great, or his reign, era etc. Labels: broadly
Word: Alexandrian Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Alexander + -ian. The noun and sense 1 of the adjective are a variant or alteration of alexandrine, from Middle French alexandrin. Pronunciation: /æl.ɛɡˈzæn.dɹiː.ən/, /æ.lɛksˈzæn.dɹi.ən/ 1. Synonym of alexandrine. Example: Theſe Triplets and Alexandrians were brought in by Dryden, and other Poets in the Reign of Charles II. They were the mere Effect of Haſte, Idleneſs, and want of Money; and have been wholly avoided by the beſt Poets, ſince theſe Verſes were written. Example: The Fall of Troy is in blank verse, and may pass muster; but the Dido is in Alexandrians, a most monotonous measure, quite unsuited to a long piece in English.
Word: Alexandrian Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Alexandra + -ian. Pronunciation: /æl.ɛɡˈzæn.dɹiː.ən/, /æ.lɛksˈzæn.dɹi.ən/ 1. Only used in Alexandrian limp. Labels: not-comparable
Word: alias Part of Speech: adv Etymology: From Latin alias (“at another time; at another place, elsewhere, under other circumstances, otherwise”). See else and alien. Pronunciation: /ˈeɪ.li.əs/ 1. Otherwise; at another time; in other circumstances; otherwise called; also known as; formerly known as. Labels: not-comparable Example: Hitherto the commanding influence of Sir Robert Evelyn's character had sunk his own into insignificance—now he had no "rival near the throne," alias the bench of county magistrates. Example: When indeed a Popish monarch may fill our throne, and the successor of St. Peter shall be the spiritual head of our Church; then shall your “esoterics,” alias “Church principles,” be in the ascendant in our Universities, and Who shall say that we may not have a Thorp lecturer in each of our Colleges, Neale and Webb scholarships, Regii professores supplying the places of those who shall now be superannuated, all teaching, and empowered to confer degrees in the, symbolism of mystical divinity:—the professor of music, not dealing as he now must, with crotchets and quavers, but in the far higher branches of the sacramentality of sounds, with their correspondent colours, instruments, bearing, &c. &c., and so of others? 2. Used to connect the different names of a person who has gone by two or more, and whose true name is for any cause doubtful Labels: not-comparable Example: Smith, alias Simpson.
Word: alias Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Latin alias (“at another time; at another place, elsewhere, under other circumstances, otherwise”). See else and alien. Pronunciation: /ˈeɪ.li.əs/ 1. Another name; especially, an assumed name. 2. A second or further writ which is issued after a first writ has expired without effect. 3. An abbreviation that replaces a string of commands and thereby reduces typing when performing routine actions or tasks. 4. An alternate name assigned to something, e.g. a database column to avoid ambiguity in a query. 5. A spurious signal generated as a technological artifact.
Word: alias Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Latin alias (“at another time; at another place, elsewhere, under other circumstances, otherwise”). See else and alien. Pronunciation: /ˈeɪ.li.əs/ 1. To assign an additional name to an entity, often a more user-friendly one. 2. To make or become indistinguishable. Labels: ambitransitive Example: When the signal frequency reaches half the sampling frequency, there are only two samples per cycle, which is the absolute minimum needed to record a waveform. A higher frequency would cause the digitization system to alias. Example: Finally, as it is a frequency detection technique, color Doppler US has the potential to alias
Word: alibi Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From the 18th century, from Latin alibī (“elsewhere, at another place”, adverb). Probably after French alibi, which has this use since the late 14th century. Pronunciation: /ˈæl.ə.baɪ/ 1. The plea or mode of defense under which a person on trial for a crime proves or attempts to prove being in another place when the alleged act was committed. Example: to set up an alibi Example: to prove an alibi 2. An excuse, especially one used to avoid responsibility or blame. Labels: proscribed, sometimes Example: That day in September, I'm sure you can remember / That's when all the stuff hit the fan (the stuff hit the fan) / You told me a lie, and you didn't have an alibi / But baby, yet I still cared
Word: alibi Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From the 18th century, from Latin alibī (“elsewhere, at another place”, adverb). Probably after French alibi, which has this use since the late 14th century. Pronunciation: /ˈæl.ə.baɪ/ 1. To provide an alibi for. Labels: transitive Example: Bond laughed. 'What an organization!' he said. 'I'm sure it's all beautifully covered up and alibied. What a man! He certainly seems to have the run of this country.' 2. To provide an excuse for. Labels: transitive
Word: alight Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English alighten (“to descend from a place: to dismount, get off; to descend to a place: to arrive or stop (at a place); to land; to drop; to attack; of lightning: to strike; to leap on to, mount; to descend in rank; to cause (someone) to lose rank; to come forth, spring from; to alleviate, relieve; (Christianity) of Jesus: to come down to earth from heaven, become incarnate; to descend (to hell); of the Holy Spirit, angels, miracles, etc.: to descend (from heaven); to descend (upon someone); to appear in a place”) [and other forms], from a merger of: * Old English ālīhtan (“to alight, dismount”), from ā- (prefix meaning ‘away, from, off, out’) + līhtan, līehtan (“to descend, alight, light; to make easy or light, alleviate, lighten, relieve”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₁lengʷʰ- (“not heavy, light”); and * Old English ġelīhtan (“to descend; to come down, dismount; to make easy or light, alleviate, lighten, relieve”), from ġe- (intensifying prefix, attached to verbs to indicate completeness or perfection) + līhtan, līehtan (see above). The English word is analyzable as a- (prefix meaning ‘away, from, off, out’) + light (“to ease, lighten; to take off; to unload; to dismount; (archaic) to come down, land; to dismount”). Cognates * Middle Low German erlichten (“to lighten”) * Old High German gilīhten (“to make less heavy, lighten”) (Middle High German gelīhten); Old High German irlīhten (“to alleviate”) (Middle High German erlīhten, modern German erleichten) Pronunciation: /əˈlaɪt/ 1. To make less heavy; to lighten; to alleviate, to relieve. Labels: also, figuratively, obsolete, transitive 2. Often followed by from or off: to get off an animal which one has been riding; to dismount; to descend or exit from a vehicle; hence, to complete one's journey; to stop. Labels: intransitive Example: He alighted from his horse. Example: Passengers are alighting from the carriage. 3. Often followed by at, on, or upon: of something aloft: to descend and settle; to land, to lodge, to rest. Labels: also, figuratively, intransitive Example: A flying bird alights upon a tree. Example: Snow alights on a roof. 4. To come down or go down; to descend. Labels: archaic, intransitive 5. Often followed by on or upon: of a blow, something thrown, etc.: to land heavily. Labels: archaic, intransitive Example: But ſtorms of Stones, from the proud Temple's height, / Pour down, and on our batter'd Helms alight. 6. Often followed by on or upon: to find by accident; to chance upon, to come upon. Labels: figuratively, intransitive 7. To arrive. Labels: intransitive, obsolete Example: Madam, heres a pretty hanſome ſtripling, nevv alight, / Enquires for Don Antonio.
Word: alight Part of Speech: verb Etymology: The verb is probably derived partly: * from Middle English alighten (“to kindle, light, set on fire; to begin burning; to become bright, shine; to arouse, rouse, stir; (figuratively) to enlighten spiritually, illuminate”) [and other forms], from Old English ālīhtan, ālȳhtan (“to light up; enlighten”) (perhaps modelled after Latin illūmināre, the present active infinitive of illūminō (“to brighten, illuminate, light up”)), from ā- (prefix meaning ‘away, from, off, out’) + līhtan, līehtan (“to glow, to shine; to illuminate, to light”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (“to see; to shine; bright”)); and * from Middle English onlighten (“to cause (something) to shine; to clarify; (figuratively) to enlighten spiritually”) [and other forms], from Old English onlīhtan, a variant of inlīhtan (“to give light to, brighten, illuminate; to cause to shine; to shine; (figuratively) to give clear sight; to clear a mental fog, enlighten”), from Proto-Germanic *inliuhtijaną (“to enlighten, illumine”), from *in (“in; into”) + *liuhtijaną (“to give light, shine”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lewk-; see above); and * from later uses of alight (adjective). The English word is analysable as a- (prefix meaning ‘away, from, off, out’) + light (“to start (a fire); to burn, set fire to; to become ignited, take fire; to provide light, illuminate; to show the way by means of a light”). The adjective and adverb are derived from Late Middle English alight (adjective) [and other forms], from Old English ālīht, ālȳht, a past participle form of Old English ālīhtan, ālȳhtan (verb) (see above); but have also been subsequently interpreted as a- (prefix meaning ‘at; in; on’, used to show a condition, manner, or state) + light (“not dark or obscure, bright, clear; highly luminous”). Cognates * German erleuchten (“to light up, illuminate”) Pronunciation: /əˈlaɪt/ 1. To cast light on (something); to illuminate, to light up. Labels: also, archaic, figuratively, transitive 2. To set light to (something); to set (something) on fire; to ignite, to light. Labels: also, archaic, figuratively, transitive Example: The officer hauing by this time alighted his lampe, entred into the roome to ſee him, vvhom he accounted to be dead, […]
Word: alight Part of Speech: adj Etymology: The verb is probably derived partly: * from Middle English alighten (“to kindle, light, set on fire; to begin burning; to become bright, shine; to arouse, rouse, stir; (figuratively) to enlighten spiritually, illuminate”) [and other forms], from Old English ālīhtan, ālȳhtan (“to light up; enlighten”) (perhaps modelled after Latin illūmināre, the present active infinitive of illūminō (“to brighten, illuminate, light up”)), from ā- (prefix meaning ‘away, from, off, out’) + līhtan, līehtan (“to glow, to shine; to illuminate, to light”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (“to see; to shine; bright”)); and * from Middle English onlighten (“to cause (something) to shine; to clarify; (figuratively) to enlighten spiritually”) [and other forms], from Old English onlīhtan, a variant of inlīhtan (“to give light to, brighten, illuminate; to cause to shine; to shine; (figuratively) to give clear sight; to clear a mental fog, enlighten”), from Proto-Germanic *inliuhtijaną (“to enlighten, illumine”), from *in (“in; into”) + *liuhtijaną (“to give light, shine”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lewk-; see above); and * from later uses of alight (adjective). The English word is analysable as a- (prefix meaning ‘away, from, off, out’) + light (“to start (a fire); to burn, set fire to; to become ignited, take fire; to provide light, illuminate; to show the way by means of a light”). The adjective and adverb are derived from Late Middle English alight (adjective) [and other forms], from Old English ālīht, ālȳht, a past participle form of Old English ālīhtan, ālȳhtan (verb) (see above); but have also been subsequently interpreted as a- (prefix meaning ‘at; in; on’, used to show a condition, manner, or state) + light (“not dark or obscure, bright, clear; highly luminous”). Cognates * German erleuchten (“to light up, illuminate”) Pronunciation: /əˈlaɪt/ 1. Burning, lit, on fire. Labels: also, archaic, figuratively, not-comparable, transitive Example: The burning embers and the dry wind quickly set the whole neighbourhood alight. Example: The sticks were damp and wouldn’t catch alight. 2. Often followed by with: shining with light; luminous, radiant; also, brightly coloured; vivid. Labels: also, archaic, figuratively, not-comparable, transitive 3. Often followed by with: shining with light; luminous, radiant; also, brightly coloured; vivid. Labels: also, archaic, figuratively, not-comparable, transitive 4. Aglow with activity or emotion. Labels: also, archaic, figuratively, not-comparable, transitive Example: Her face was alight with happiness. Example: But such a fierce, little, rapid, sparkling, energetic, she-devil I never beheld. She was alight and flaming, all the time.
Word: alight Part of Speech: adv Etymology: The verb is probably derived partly: * from Middle English alighten (“to kindle, light, set on fire; to begin burning; to become bright, shine; to arouse, rouse, stir; (figuratively) to enlighten spiritually, illuminate”) [and other forms], from Old English ālīhtan, ālȳhtan (“to light up; enlighten”) (perhaps modelled after Latin illūmināre, the present active infinitive of illūminō (“to brighten, illuminate, light up”)), from ā- (prefix meaning ‘away, from, off, out’) + līhtan, līehtan (“to glow, to shine; to illuminate, to light”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (“to see; to shine; bright”)); and * from Middle English onlighten (“to cause (something) to shine; to clarify; (figuratively) to enlighten spiritually”) [and other forms], from Old English onlīhtan, a variant of inlīhtan (“to give light to, brighten, illuminate; to cause to shine; to shine; (figuratively) to give clear sight; to clear a mental fog, enlighten”), from Proto-Germanic *inliuhtijaną (“to enlighten, illumine”), from *in (“in; into”) + *liuhtijaną (“to give light, shine”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lewk-; see above); and * from later uses of alight (adjective). The English word is analysable as a- (prefix meaning ‘away, from, off, out’) + light (“to start (a fire); to burn, set fire to; to become ignited, take fire; to provide light, illuminate; to show the way by means of a light”). The adjective and adverb are derived from Late Middle English alight (adjective) [and other forms], from Old English ālīht, ālȳht, a past participle form of Old English ālīhtan, ālȳhtan (verb) (see above); but have also been subsequently interpreted as a- (prefix meaning ‘at; in; on’, used to show a condition, manner, or state) + light (“not dark or obscure, bright, clear; highly luminous”). Cognates * German erleuchten (“to light up, illuminate”) Pronunciation: /əˈlaɪt/ 1. Chiefly in set alight: in flames, on fire; aflame. Labels: also, archaic, figuratively, not-comparable, transitive Example: Each chapel had its saintly shrine, hung around with offerings; its picture above the altar, although closely veiled, if by any painter of renown; and its hallowed tapers, burning continually, to set alight the devotion of the worshippers.
Word: alike Part of Speech: adj Etymology: The adjective comes from a conflation of several different terms: * Middle English alich, alych, alyke, a Late Middle English development from earlier Middle English anlich, anlyke, from Old English onlīċ, anlīċ. Compare German ähnlich. * The borrowed Old Norse cognate of the same word, álíkr, ultimately yielding similar Late Middle English forms. * Middle English ylich, ylych, ilich, ylik, ylike, ȝelic, from Old English ġelīċ (“like; alike; similar; equal”), from Proto-West Germanic *galīk, from Proto-Germanic *galīkaz (“alike, similar”). Cognate with Scots elyke, alyke (“like, alike”), Saterland Frisian gliek (“like, alike”), West Frisian lyk, gelyk (“like, alike”), Dutch gelijk (“like, alike”), German Low German liek, gliek (“like, alike”), German gleich (“equal, like”), Danish lig (“alike”), Swedish lik (“like, similar”), Norwegian lik (“like, alike”), Icelandic líkur (“alike, like, similar”). Equivalent to a- (Etymology 3) + like. Compare also West Frisian allyk (“all the same, alike”). Similarly, the adverb also comes from a conflation of several different terms: * Middle English aliche, alyche, alyke, a Late Middle English development from earlier Middle English anliche, anlyke, from Old English onlīċe, anlīċe. * Additionally Middle English oliche, olike, ultimately from the Old Norse cognate of the same word, álíka. * Middle English yliche, ylyche, iliche, ylike, ȝelice, from Old English ġelīċe (“alike, similarly”). Pronunciation: /əˈlaɪk/ 1. Having resemblance or similitude; similar; without difference. Example: Twins are physically alike, that is, similar-looking people on the outside. Example: The wide prospect up stream was grey and lowering, the long still-distant waterfront of Dundee, and the Fife shore were alike colourless, and there was ample evidence of rough weather not far ahead.
Word: alike Part of Speech: adv Etymology: The adjective comes from a conflation of several different terms: * Middle English alich, alych, alyke, a Late Middle English development from earlier Middle English anlich, anlyke, from Old English onlīċ, anlīċ. Compare German ähnlich. * The borrowed Old Norse cognate of the same word, álíkr, ultimately yielding similar Late Middle English forms. * Middle English ylich, ylych, ilich, ylik, ylike, ȝelic, from Old English ġelīċ (“like; alike; similar; equal”), from Proto-West Germanic *galīk, from Proto-Germanic *galīkaz (“alike, similar”). Cognate with Scots elyke, alyke (“like, alike”), Saterland Frisian gliek (“like, alike”), West Frisian lyk, gelyk (“like, alike”), Dutch gelijk (“like, alike”), German Low German liek, gliek (“like, alike”), German gleich (“equal, like”), Danish lig (“alike”), Swedish lik (“like, similar”), Norwegian lik (“like, alike”), Icelandic líkur (“alike, like, similar”). Equivalent to a- (Etymology 3) + like. Compare also West Frisian allyk (“all the same, alike”). Similarly, the adverb also comes from a conflation of several different terms: * Middle English aliche, alyche, alyke, a Late Middle English development from earlier Middle English anliche, anlyke, from Old English onlīċe, anlīċe. * Additionally Middle English oliche, olike, ultimately from the Old Norse cognate of the same word, álíka. * Middle English yliche, ylyche, iliche, ylike, ȝelice, from Old English ġelīċe (“alike, similarly”). Pronunciation: /əˈlaɪk/ 1. In the same manner, form, or degree; in common; equally. Example: We are all alike concerned in religion. Example: As the Knight himself seemed tacitly to disclaim alike interest and controul over the immediate favourite of his lady, young Roland was, by circumstances, exempted from the strict discipline to which, as the retainer of a Scottish man of rank, he would otherwise have been subjected, according to all the rigour of the age. 2. In the same manner, form, or degree; in common; equally. Example: The new policy will benefit employees and customers alike. Example: In the words of an official report (that might well apply to all the railways): "Public interest in the region of Cuenca is not favourable towards completion of the railway, probably because it has shifted towards the road construction programme now being favoured by the Government and public alike."
Word: alive Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Middle English alyve, alive, alife, olive, olife, on live, on life, from Old English on līfe (“alive”, literally “in life" or "in (the) body”), from on (“on, in”) + līfe, dative singular of līf (“life”). In this sense, replaced Old English cwic (whence English quick). Equivalent to a- + life. Compare Dutch in leven (“alive”, literally “in life”), German am Leben (“alive”, literally “at life" or "at living”). Pronunciation: /əˈlaɪv/ 1. Having life; living; not dead. Labels: predicative Example: As long as the plant is alive, he will continue to water it. Example: I am hee that liueth, and was dead : and behold, I am aliue foꝛ euermoꝛe,Amen,and haue the keyes of hell and of death. 2. In a state of action; in force or operation; existent. Labels: predicative Example: to keep the fire alive Example: to keep the affections alive 3. Busy with activity of many living beings; swarming; thronged; busy. Labels: predicative Example: Although quite dull during the day, the main street comes alive at night, with many bars and clubs opening. Example: First a solitary blackbird started up, and soon the whole forest was alive with birdsong. 4. Carrying electrical current; energized. Labels: predicative Example: DANGER: OVERHEAD CATENARY—WIRE IS ALIVE 5. Aware of; sensitive to. Labels: predicative Example: We are alive to the ongoing potential for terrorist attacks. Example: We may be sure that the Church would be alive to the dangers of allowing the plays to be performed outside the sacred edifice. 6. Sprightly; lively; brisk. Labels: predicative Example: Smouch, requesting Mr. Pickwick in a surly manner ‘to be as alive as he could, for it was a busy time,’ drew up a chair by the door and sat there, until he had finished dressing. Example: Liverpool’s equaliser came within four minutes. James Milner swung the ball over from a corner on the right and Sadio Mané, Liverpool’s most dangerous player, was alive in the six-yard area. 7. Susceptible, sensitive; easy to impress; having keen feelings, as opposed to apathy. Labels: predicative Example: Though tremblingly alive to Nature's laws, Yet ever firm to Honour's sacred cause Example: This was a reproach to John, and a slur upon the dog; and both were alive to their misfortune. 8. Out of all living creatures. Labels: emphatic, intensifier, predicative Example: The Whitest Boy Alive Example: The Earl of Northumberland 'was the proudest man alive' and 'was in all his deportment a very great man. 9. Synonym of live. Labels: predicative
Word: alkali Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From French alcali, from Medieval Latin alcali, ultimately from Arabic اَلْقِلْي (al-qily, “alkali, ashes of the saltwort”), related to قَلَى (qalā, “to roast in a pan, fry”). Pronunciation: /ˈæl.kəˌlaɪ/ 1. One of a class of caustic bases, such as soda, soda ash, caustic soda, potash, ammonia, and lithia, whose distinguishing characteristics are dissolving in alcohol and water, uniting with oils and fats to form soap, neutralizing and forming salts with acids, turning to brown several vegetable yellows, and changing reddened litmus to blue. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Alkalies may be defined as bodies which combine with acids so as to impair or neutralize their activity, and produce what are called salts. They are distinguished by properties the reverse of acids, and the two classes are generally looked upon as antagonist substances. 2. Soluble mineral matter, other than common salt, contained in soils of natural waters. Labels: US, Western, countable, uncountable
Word: alkaloid Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From alkali + -oid. Compare French alcaloïde. Pronunciation: /ˈæl.kə.lɔɪd/ 1. Any of many organic (often heterocyclic) bases that occur in nature and often have medicinal properties. Example: The Aspidosperma alkaloids are the largest group of indole alkaloids. Example: Xanthosine, the initial substrate of purine alkaloid synthesis, is supplied by at least four different pathways […]
Word: alkaloid Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From alkali + -oid. Compare French alcaloïde. Pronunciation: /ˈæl.kə.lɔɪd/ 1. Relating to, resembling, or containing alkali.
Word: allay Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English alayen, aleyen, aleggen, from Old English āleċġan (“to put, place, lay down, lay aside, throw down, give up, cease from, abandon; put down, allay, suppress, abolish, conquer, destroy, overcome, refute; lay upon, inflict, impose upon; diminish, take away, refuse, lessen, withhold”), from Proto-Germanic *uzlagjaną (“to lay down”), equivalent to a- + lay. Cognate with German erlegen (“to impose, cause to succumb, kill”), Gothic 𐌿𐍃𐌻𐌰𐌲𐌾𐌰𐌽 (uslagjan, “to lay down”). In Middle English the word was identical to forms of allege and alloy, leading to much overlapping of senses. Pronunciation: /əˈleɪ/ 1. To make quiet or put at rest; to pacify or appease; to quell; to calm. Labels: transitive Example: to allay popular excitement Example: to allay the tumult of the passions 2. To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate. Labels: transitive Example: to allay the severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity Example: […] and is the onlie laſt remedie for all debilities which haue long vexed the body through a hote diſtemper of the Lever, ſuch as a hote Gutte; it allayeth all Inflamations inward & outward. 3. To subside, abate, become peaceful. Labels: intransitive, obsolete Example: And the wynde alayed, and there folowed a greate calme: and he sayde unto them: why are ye fearfull? Example: For raging wind blows up incessant showers, And when the rage allays the rain begins. 4. To mix (metals); to mix with a baser metal; to alloy; to deteriorate. Labels: archaic 5. To make worse by the introduction of inferior elements. Labels: archaic, broadly Example: Yet far be it from us to condemn all their works to be dross, because debased and allayed with superstitious intents […]
Word: allay Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English alayen, aleyen, aleggen, from Old English āleċġan (“to put, place, lay down, lay aside, throw down, give up, cease from, abandon; put down, allay, suppress, abolish, conquer, destroy, overcome, refute; lay upon, inflict, impose upon; diminish, take away, refuse, lessen, withhold”), from Proto-Germanic *uzlagjaną (“to lay down”), equivalent to a- + lay. Cognate with German erlegen (“to impose, cause to succumb, kill”), Gothic 𐌿𐍃𐌻𐌰𐌲𐌾𐌰𐌽 (uslagjan, “to lay down”). In Middle English the word was identical to forms of allege and alloy, leading to much overlapping of senses. Pronunciation: /əˈleɪ/ 1. Alleviation; abatement; check. 2. An alloy. Labels: obsolete
Word: alliance Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English alliaunce, from Old French aliance (French alliance). Equivalent to ally + -ance. Compare with Doric Greek ἁλία (halía, “assembly”). See also al-. Pronunciation: /əˈlaɪ.əns/ 1. The state of being allied. Labels: uncountable 2. The act of allying or uniting. Labels: countable 3. A union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league. Labels: countable Example: matrimonial alliances Example: an alliance between church and state, or welded by two countries 4. A union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league. Labels: India, countable, dated, uncountable 5. Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity. Labels: countable Example: And as for kindred , there is no Alliance neerer vnto any one, than their Countrey , that is to be vnto vs another God, and our prime and deareſt Parent. Example: the alliance of the principles of the world with those of the gospel 6. The persons or parties allied. Labels: countable, uncountable 7. Synonym of cohort (“group of orders of organisms”). Labels: countable, dated, uncountable
Word: alliance Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English alliaunce, from Old French aliance (French alliance). Equivalent to ally + -ance. Compare with Doric Greek ἁλία (halía, “assembly”). See also al-. Pronunciation: /əˈlaɪ.əns/ 1. To connect or unite by alliance; to ally. Labels: obsolete
Word: allied Part of Speech: verb Pronunciation: /əˈlaɪd/ 1. simple past and past participle of ally Labels: form-of, participle, past
Word: allied Part of Speech: adj Pronunciation: /ˈæl.aɪd/ 1. Joined as allies. Example: The two countries became allied during the war. Example: Their companies are allied in a joint venture. 2. Related. Example: bacteriology and allied subjects
Word: ally Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English allien, alien (“to form an alliance, associate, join; to become an ally; to introduce (someone) as an ally; to marry; to become related (to someone); to attack, engage in combat; to combine; (cooking) to combine ingredients, especially to bind them together”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman alier, allier, Middle French alier, allier [and other forms], and Old French alier (“to join together, unite; to alloy (metals); (cooking) to combine ingredients”) (modern French allier), from Latin alligāre, the present active infinitive of alligō, adligō (“to bind around, to, or up (something), bandage, fasten, fetter, tie; to hold fast; to detain, hinder”), from al-, ad- (intensifying prefix) + ligō (“to bind, tie; to bandage, wrap around; to unite”) (from Proto-Indo-European *leyǵ- (“to bind, tie”)). Doublet of allay, alligate, alloy, and ligament. Pronunciation: /ˈæl.aɪ/, /əˈlaɪ/ 1. To unite or form a connection between (people or things), as between families by marriage, or between states by confederacy, league, or treaty. Labels: transitive Example: Theſe three did loue each other dearely well, / And with ſo firme affection were allyde, / As if but one ſoule in them all did dvvell, / VVhich did her povvre into three parts diuyde; […] Example: [W]hen hee's remou'd, your Highneſſe / VVill take againe your Queene, as yours at firſt, / Euen for your Sonnes ſake, and thereby for ſealing / The Iniurie of Tongues, in Courts and Kingdomes / Knovvne, and ally'd to yours. 2. Chiefly followed by to or with: to connect or form a relation to (someone or something) by similarity in features or nature. Labels: transitive Example: Yes in good ſooth, the vice is of a great kindred; it is vvell allied, but it is impoſſible to extirpe it quite, Frier, till eating and drinking be put dovvne. Example: Great VVits are ſure to Madneſs near ally'd; / And thin Partitions do their Bounds divide: […] 3. To join or unite (oneself or itself) against, with, etc., someone or something else. Labels: reflexive, transitive Example: To be ſhort, hauing thus ingrafted them into the body of his [God's] Sonne, he ioyneth and allieth him ſelfe to them, he maketh him ſelfe one with them, maketh them his children and heyres, partakers of his immortalitie and glorie, and all this he worketh by the inward vertue of his holy Ghost, […] Example: [W]e have ſo many of our firſt Titled Families vvho have ally'd themſelves to Trade, (vvhoſe Inducements vvere Money only) that it ceaſes to be either a VVonder as to the Fact, or a Diſgrace to the Honour. 4. Chiefly followed by with: to enter into an alliance or unite for a common aim. Labels: intransitive Example: [A]ftervvards he [Constantine the Great] allied vvith Licinius, and gave him his Siſter in marriage, and acknovvledged him his Colleague in the Empire. Example: Whatever injuries […] the Athenians have done me I forgive. […] If they will ally with me, rebuild the temples I have burnt.
Word: ally Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English allie, alie [and other forms], probably partly: * from allien (verb): see etymology 1; and * from Anglo-Norman allié, alié, alyé, allyé, Middle French allié, alié, allyé (“associate, supporter; friend; relative; person, state, etc., associated or united with another by alliance or treaty”), and Old French alliiet (“military or political ally”) (modern French allié), a noun use of the past participle of Anglo-Norman alier, allier, Middle French alier, allier, and Old French alier (verb): see etymology 1. 1. A person who co-operates with or helps another; an associate; a friend. Example: [N]o attempt is made to call in God to their reſcue, as if he vvere an idle unconcern'd ſpectator of humane affairs, or ſo inconſiderable an ally, as not to be vvorth the care of engaging him on their ſide. Example: The rights of the ſeven Electors were ſupported by all the deſcendants and allies of their powerful families, who ſhared in the ſplendor and influence, which they enjoyed by this diſtinguiſhing privilege. 2. A person who co-operates with or helps another; an associate; a friend. Example: I’m glad you want to be a better ally to the disabled. 3. A person, group, state, etc., which is associated or united by treaty with another for a common (especially military or political) purpose; a confederate. Example: The two countries were allies in World War I. Example: To be ſo ſcornefull to your alye⸝ / Your counſeyle was not worth a flye. 4. Something regarded as connected with or related to another thing by similarity in features or nature. Example: the pretty Pansy then Ile tye / Like Stones some Chaine inchasing, / And next to them their neere Alye, / The purple Violet placing. Example: The Aleptick art, and, its neereſt ally, Medicine, are deſign'd for the cure of bodies, reducing the faculties to the beſt harmony; […] 5. Something regarded as connected with or related to another thing by similarity in features or nature. Example: The order of Gruiformes includes cranes and their allies. Example: Procyonids (raccoons and their allies), a group of North American origin, are first recorded in South America in a level immediately below a unit dated at 6.0 million years. 6. A person, group, concept, etc., which is associated with another as a helper; an auxiliary; a supporter. Labels: figuratively Example: [S]cience, instead of being the enemy of religion, becomes its ally. 7. A kinsman or kinswoman; a relative. Labels: historical, obsolete Example: This Gentleman the Princes neere Alie. / My very frend hath tane this mortall vvound / In my behalfe, […] Example: Finally there was a quiet wedding at the Towers, […] The Sellerses were to go to England with their new allies for a brief visit, but when it was time to take the train from Washington, the colonel was missing.
Word: ally Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English allie, alie [and other forms], probably partly: * from allien (verb): see etymology 1; and * from Anglo-Norman allié, alié, alyé, allyé, Middle French allié, alié, allyé (“associate, supporter; friend; relative; person, state, etc., associated or united with another by alliance or treaty”), and Old French alliiet (“military or political ally”) (modern French allié), a noun use of the past participle of Anglo-Norman alier, allier, Middle French alier, allier, and Old French alier (verb): see etymology 1. 1. One's relatives; kin, kindred, relations; also, relationship through descent or marriage; kinship. Labels: obsolete, plural, plural-only Example: The ſpider: as of vſe in talke new entrid, / (Frendes axe of frends: the ſtate of their frends frendly,) / Axte how his coſins (thants father and mother) did. / His brothers ſiſters with all kyn and aly, / Thant ſaid thei did well. 2. People, groups, states, etc., which are associated or united with each other for a common purpose; confederates; also, the state of being allied; alliance, confederation. Labels: obsolete, plural, plural-only
Word: ally Part of Speech: noun Etymology: See alley. Pronunciation: /ˈæli/ 1. Alternative spelling of alley (“a glass marble or taw”). Labels: alt-of, alternative, obsolete
Word: allotment Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Old French alotement (modern French allotement). By surface analysis, allot + -ment. Pronunciation: /əˈlɔt.mɛnt/ 1. The act of allotting. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: You will achieve more in designated sessions of quiet uninterrupted periods than in a longer allotment of time broken up by various activities. Example: The allotment of particular names to special ideas which gradually disengage themselves from a general idea is apparently determined by accident. 2. Something allotted; a share, part, or portion granted or distributed Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The history attached to it could not but recur to Emily as she passed, and her heart sank within her—not with fear, but at the thought, how much of misery there was in the world; and why should she be spared amid such general allotment? Example: Similar customs prevailed in a part of Friesland, the most notable of which was the ‘Jus Theelacticum,’ or custom of the Theel lands, doles, or allottable lands in East Friesland, not far from the mouth of the Ems. There an inherited allotment was indivisible; on the death of the father it passed intact to the youngest son, and on his death without issue it fell into the possession of the whole community 3. The allowance of a specific amount of money or other credit of a particular thing to a particular person. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Maynard used to help before he got sick, but there was no income except what I brought in my allotment. 4. A plot of land rented from the council for growing fruit and vegetables. Labels: UK, countable, uncountable Example: The fallout of this unexpected turn of events was that it was Saturday morning, the first day of the Easter holidays, before the thought of my allotment even entered my head. Goodness only knew how big my carrots were going to be by the time I got round there!
Word: allot Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English allotten, from Old French aloter (Modern French allotir). à + lot. By surface analysis, al- + lot. Pronunciation: /əˈlɒt/, /əˈlɑt/ 1. To distribute or apportion by (or as if by) lot. Labels: transitive 2. To assign or designate as a task or for a purpose. Labels: transitive Example: Each candidate was allotted five minutes to make a presentation in front of the judges.
Word: allot Part of Speech: adv Pronunciation: /əˈlɒt/, /əˈlɑt/ 1. Misspelling of a lot. Labels: alt-of, misspelling
Word: allot Part of Speech: noun Pronunciation: /əˈlɒt/, /əˈlɑt/ 1. Misspelling of a lot. Labels: alt-of, misspelling
Word: allowance Part of Speech: verb Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Latin laus Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h₂tiinflu. Proto-Italic *-ājō Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin laudō Latin allaudō Old French aloer ▲ Latin ad- Proto-Indo-European *stel-der. Proto-Italic *stlokos? Old Latin stlocus Latin locus ▲ Latin -ō Latin locō Latin allocō Old French aloer Old French alouer Proto-Indo-European *-(i)yós Proto-Italic *-ijos Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -iader. Old French -ance Old French alouancebor. Middle English allouance English allowance From Middle English allouance, from Old French alouance. Morphologically allow + -ance. Pronunciation: /əˈlaʊəns/, /əˈlaʊɪns/ 1. To put upon a fixed allowance (especially of provisions and drink). Labels: transitive Example: The captain was obliged to allowance his crew. 2. To supply in a fixed and limited quantity. Labels: transitive Example: Our provisions were allowanced.
Word: allude Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle French alluder, from Latin alludere (“to play with or allude”), from ad + ludere (“to play”). See also al-. Pronunciation: /əˈljuːd/, /əˈluːd/, /əˈlud/, /əˈlʉːd/ 1. To refer to something indirectly or by suggestion; to invoke it by implication rather than mention. Labels: intransitive Example: First, she alluded to her husband as "the man at home looking after the children". Then she referred to him as "my George". Example: These speeches . . . do seem to allude unto such ministerial garments as were then in use.
Word: alluring Part of Speech: adj Etymology: By surface analysis, allure + -ing. Pronunciation: /əˈlʊɹɪŋ/, /əˈlɝɪŋ/, /əˈlʊəɹɪŋ/, /əˈlɔːɹɪŋ/ 1. Having the power to allure. 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.
Word: alluring Part of Speech: noun Etymology: By surface analysis, allure + -ing. Pronunciation: /əˈlʊɹɪŋ/, /əˈlɝɪŋ/, /əˈlʊəɹɪŋ/, /əˈlɔːɹɪŋ/ 1. The act or habit of enticing or attracting in order to seek a benefit or advantage. Example: Was this poor breast, from Love's allurings free, / Cruel to all, and gentle unto thee ? Example: For, as when the red-cheeked, dancing girls, April and May, trip home to the wintry, misanthropic woods; even the barest, ruggedest, most thunder-cloven old oak will at least send forth some few green sprouts, to welcome such glad-hearted visitants; so Ahab did, in the end, a little respond to the playful allurings of that girlish air.
Word: alluring Part of Speech: verb Etymology: By surface analysis, allure + -ing. Pronunciation: /əˈlʊɹɪŋ/, /əˈlɝɪŋ/, /əˈlʊəɹɪŋ/, /əˈlɔːɹɪŋ/ 1. present participle and gerund of allure Labels: form-of, gerund, participle, present
Word: allure Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English aluren, from Old French aleurer, alurer, from a (“to, towards”) (Latin ad) + leurre (“lure”). By surface analysis, al- + lure. Pronunciation: /əˈlʊɚ/, /əˈlɚ/, /əˈlʊə/, /əˈljʊə/, /əˈlɔː/ 1. The power to attract, entice; the quality causing attraction. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: allure Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English aluren, from Old French aleurer, alurer, from a (“to, towards”) (Latin ad) + leurre (“lure”). By surface analysis, al- + lure. Pronunciation: /əˈlʊɚ/, /əˈlɚ/, /əˈlʊə/, /əˈljʊə/, /əˈlɔː/ 1. To entice; to attract. Labels: transitive Example: [They retained] their ſweet skill in wonted melody; / Which euer after they abuſd to ill, / T’allure weake trueillers, whom gotten they did kill. Example: Injustice doth allure them; as the honour of their vertuous actions enticeth the good.
Word: allure Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English alure, alour, from Old French alure, aleure (“walk, gait”), from aler (“to go”) + -ure. 1. Gait; bearing. Labels: countable, dated, uncountable Example: Harper's Magazine The swing, the gait, the pose, the allure of these men. 2. The walkway along the top of a castle wall, sometimes entirely covered and normally behind a parapet; the wall walk. Labels: countable, uncountable
Word: allusion Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Latin lūdō Latin allūdō Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin allūsiōlbor. English allusion From Latin allūsiōnem, accusative singular of allūsiō (“the act of playing with”), from allūdō (“play with; allude”), from al-, combining form of ad (“to”), + lūdō (“play”): compare French allusion. Pronunciation: /əˈlu.ʒən/ 1. An indirect reference; a hint; a reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: I remember, before the Dwarf left the Queen, he followed us one day into thoſe gardens, and my Nurſe having ſet me down, he and I being cloſe together, near ſome Dwarf Apple trees, I muſt need ſhew my Wit, by a ſilly Alluſion between him and the Trees, which happens to hold in their Language as it doth in ours. Example: We draw the conclusion then, that the very reason why the multitude, or the world, as they were designated by the Savior, did not receive an explanation upon his parables, was, because of unbelief. To you, he says, (speaking to his disciples) it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: and why? because of the faith and confidence which they had in him. This parable was spoken to demonstrate the effects that are produced by the preaching of the word; and we believe that it has an allusion directly, to the commencement, or the setting up of the kingdom in that age[…]
Word: almighty Part of Speech: adj Etymology: From Middle English almyghty, almighty, from Old English ælmihtiġ (“all-powerful”), from Proto-Germanic *alamahtīgaz, equivalent to al- + might + -y. Pronunciation: /ɔːlˈmaɪti/ 1. Unlimited in might; omnipotent; all-powerful Labels: postpositional, sometimes Example: God almighty Example: The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], 1611, →OCLC, Genesis 17:1: “I am the Almightie God.” 2. Great; extreme; terrible. Labels: slang Example: I heard an almighty crash and ran into the kitchen to see what had happened. Example: When Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen both went cheaply inside the first hour on the fifth day, a further 134 were needed and there was a genuine sense that an almighty upset might just come off. 3. Having very great power, influence, etc. Labels: broadly Example: The almighty press condemned him without trial.
Word: almighty Part of Speech: adv Etymology: From Middle English almyghty, almighty, from Old English ælmihtiġ (“all-powerful”), from Proto-Germanic *alamahtīgaz, equivalent to al- + might + -y. Pronunciation: /ɔːlˈmaɪti/ 1. Extremely; thoroughly. Labels: colloquial, not-comparable, slang Example: Now that must have been almighty careless of someone, Wynn. Example: I stepped into the clear, rushing water. It was almighty cold!
Word: almoner Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English aumener, aulmener, from Old French almosnier, from almosne (“alms”), from Latin eleemosyna. See alms, Almosen. Pronunciation: /ˈal.mə.nə/, /ˈæl-/, /ˈɑː.mə-/, /ˈæl.mə.nəɹ/, /ˈɑ.mə-/ 1. A person who distributes alms, especially the doles and alms of religious houses, almshouses. 2. A person who dispenses alms on behalf of another person. Example: the almoner of a prince or bishop Example: Francesca, from where she stood, could hear the Queen giving a laughing account of the Due de Domville's attachment to Mademoiselle Menneville, the prettiest of her maids of honour, all of whom were pretty. "It is a passion of the good old time, and has already lasted some four years; but Madame la Duchesse de Vantadour, his mother, will not hear of it. Never before was a lover of fifty so put out, to think that he cannot yet have his own way. Not content with his own cares, when obliged to be absent he leaves his almoner to take charge of her. It is gallantry equally antediluvian and interminable; I suppose they will be married one day, and buried the next." 3. A purse or pouch 4. A hospital official responsible for patient welfare and aftercare. Labels: UK