H
H1 n. (also h) (pl. Hs or h's) 1 eighth letter of the alphabet (see +aitch). 2 anything having the form of an h (esp. In comb.: h-girder).
H2 abbr. (also h.) 1 (of a pencil-lead) hard. 2 (water) hydrant. 3 slang heroin. 4 henry(s).
H3 symb. Hydrogen.
H. Abbr. (also h) 1 hecto-. 2 (also h) height. 3 hot. 4 hour(s).
Ha symb. Hahnium.
Ha1 (also hah) —int. Expressing surprise, derision, triumph, etc. (cf. +ha ha). —v. In hum and ha: see +hum. [imitative]
Ha2 abbr. Hectare(s).
Habeas corpus n. Writ requiring a person to be brought before a judge or into court, esp. To investigate the lawfulness of his or her detention. [latin, = you must have the body]
Haberdasher n. Dealer in dress accessories and sewing-goods. ~ haberdashery n. (pl. -ies). [probably anglo-french]
Habiliment n. (usu. In pl.) Archaic clothes. [french from habiller fit out]
Habit n. 1 settled or regular tendency or practice (often foll. By of + verbal noun: has a habit of ignoring me). 2 practice that is hard to give up. 3 mental constitution or attitude. 4 dress, esp. Of a religious order. [latin habeo habit- have]
Habitable adj. Suitable for living in. ~ habitability n. [latin habito inhabit]
Habitat n. Natural home of an animal or plant. [latin, = it dwells]
Habitation n. 1 inhabiting (fit for habitation). 2 house or home.
Habit-forming adj. Causing addiction.
Habitual adj. 1 done constantly or as a habit. 2 regular, usual. 3 given to a (specified) habit (habitual smoker). ~ habitually adv.
Habituate v. (-ting) (often foll. By to) accustom. ~ habituation n. [latin: related to +habit]
Habitué n. Habitual visitor or resident. [french]
Hácek n. Diacritic ( ) placed over a letter to modify its sound in some languages. [czech, diminutive of hák hook]
Hachures n.pl. Parallel lines on a map indicating the degree of steepness of hills. [french: related to +hatch3]
Hacienda n. (in spanish-speaking countries) estate with a dwelling-house. [spanish, from latin facienda things to be done]
Hack1 —v. 1 cut or chop roughly. 2 football etc. Kick the shin of (an opponent). 3 (often foll. By at) deliver cutting blows. 4 cut (one's way) through foliage etc. 5 colloq. Gain unauthorized access to (data in a computer). 6 slang manage, cope with; tolerate. 7 (as hacking adj.) (of a cough) short, dry, and frequent. —n. 1 kick with the toe of a boot. 2 gash or wound, esp. From a kick. 3 a mattock. B miner's pick. [old english]
Hack2 —n. 1 a = +hackney. B horse let out for hire. 2 person hired to do dull routine work, esp. Writing. —attrib. Adj. 1 used as a hack. 2 typical of a hack; commonplace (hack work). —v. Ride on horseback on a road at an ordinary pace. [abbreviation of +hackney]
Hacker n. 1 person or thing that hacks or cuts roughly. 2 colloq. A person whose hobby is computing or computer programming. B person who uses a computer to gain unauthorized access to a computer network.
Hackle n. 1 a (in pl.) Erectile hairs on an animal's neck, rising when it is angry or alarmed. B feather(s) on the neck of a domestic cock etc. 2 steel comb for dressing flax. ~ make one's hackles rise cause one to be angry or indignant. [old english]
Hackney n. (pl. -s) horse for ordinary riding. [hackney in london]
Hackney carriage n. Taxi.
Hackneyed adj. (of a phrase etc.) Made trite by overuse.
Hacksaw n. Saw with a narrow blade set in a frame, for cutting metal.
Had past and past part. Of +have.
Haddock n. (pl. Same) n. Atlantic marine fish used as food. [probably french]
Hades n. (in greek mythology) the underworld. [greek, originally a name of pluto]
Hadj var. Of +hajj.
Hadji var. Of +hajji.
Hadn't contr. Had not.
Haemal adj. (us hem-) of the blood. [greek haima blood]
Haematite n. (us hem-) a ferric oxide ore. [latin: related to +haemal]
Haematology n. (us hem-) the study of the blood. ~ haematologist n.
Haemoglobin n. (us hem-) oxygen-carrying substance in the red blood cells of vertebrates. [from +globulin]
Haemophilia n. (us hem-) hereditary failure of the blood to clot normally with the tendency to bleed severely from even a slight injury. [greek haima blood, philia loving]
Haemophiliac n. (us hem-) person with haemophilia.
Haemorrhage (us hem-) —n. 1 profuse loss of blood from a ruptured blood-vessel. 2 damaging loss, esp. Of people or assets. —v. (-ging) suffer a haemorrhage. [greek haima blood, rhegnumi burst]
Haemorrhoids n.pl. (us hem-) swollen veins in the wall of the anus; piles. [greek haima blood, -rhoos -flowing]
Hafnium n. Silvery lustrous metallic element. [latin hafnia copenhagen]
Haft n. Handle of a dagger, knife, etc. [old english]
Hag n. 1 ugly old woman. 2 witch. [old english]
Haggard adj. Looking exhausted and distraught. [french hagard]
Haggis n. Scottish dish of offal boiled in a sheep's stomach with suet, oatmeal, etc. [origin unknown]
Haggle —v. (-ling) (often foll. By about, over) bargain persistently. —n. Haggling. [old norse]
Hagio- comb. Form of saints. [greek hagios holy]
Hagiography n. Writing about saints' lives. ~ hagiographer n.
Hagiology n. Literature dealing with the lives and legends of saints.
Hagridden adj. Afflicted by nightmares or anxieties.
Hah var. Of +ha1.
Ha ha int. Representing laughter (iron. When spoken). [old english]
Ha-ha n. Ditch with a wall in it, forming a boundary or fence without interrupting the view. [french]
Hahnium n. Artificially produced radioactive element. [hahn, name of a chemist]
Haiku n. (pl. Same) japanese three-part poem of usu. 17 syllables. [japanese]
Hail1 —n. 1 pellets of frozen rain. 2 (foll. By of) barrage or onslaught. —v. 1 a (prec. By it as subject) hail falls. B come down forcefully. 2 pour down (blows, words, etc.). [old english]
Hail2 —v. 1 signal to (a taxi etc.) To stop. 2 greet enthusiastically. 3 acclaim (hailed him king). 4 (foll. By from) originate or come (hails from leeds). —int. Archaic or joc. Expressing greeting. —n. Act of hailing. [old norse heill: related to +wassail]
Hail-fellow-well-met adj. Friendly, esp. Too friendly towards strangers.
Hail mary n. The ave maria (see +ave).
Hailstone n. Pellet of hail.
Hailstorm n. Period of heavy hail.
Hair n. 1 a any of the fine threadlike strands growing from the skin of mammals, esp. From the human head. B these collectively (has long hair). 2 thing resembling a hair. 3 elongated cell growing from a plant. 4 very small quantity or extent (also attrib.: hair crack). ~ get in a person's hair colloq. Annoy a person. Keep one's hair on colloq. Keep calm; not get angry. Let one's hair down colloq. Enjoy oneself by abandoning restraint. Make one's hair stand on end colloq. Horrify one. Not turn a hair remain unmoved or unaffected. ~ hairless adj. [old english]
Hairbrush n. Brush for tidying the hair.
Haircloth n. Stiff cloth woven from hair.
Haircut n. 1 act of cutting the hair (needs a haircut). 2 style in which the hair is cut.
Hairdo n. (pl. -s) style of or act of styling the hair.
Hairdresser n. 1 person who cuts and styles the hair, esp. For a living. 2 hairdresser's shop. ~ hairdressing n.
Hair-drier n. (also hair-dryer) device for drying the hair with warm air.
Hairgrip n. Flat hairpin with the ends close together.
Hairline n. 1 edge of a person's hair, esp. On the forehead. 2 very narrow line, crack (usu. Hairline crack), etc.
Hairnet n. Piece of netting for confining the hair.
Hair of the dog n. Further alcoholic drink taken to cure the effects of drink.
Hairpiece n. Quantity of hair augmenting a person's natural hair.
Hairpin n. U-shaped pin for fastening the hair.
Hairpin bend n. Sharp u-shaped bend in a road.
Hair-raising adj. Terrifying.
Hair's breadth n. A tiny amount or margin.
Hair shirt n. Shirt of haircloth, worn formerly by penitents and ascetics.
Hair-slide n. Clip for keeping the hair in place.
Hair-splitting adj. & n. Quibbling.
Hairspray n. Liquid sprayed on the hair to keep it in place.
Hairspring n. Fine spring regulating the balance-wheel in a watch.
Hairstyle n. Particular way of arranging the hair. ~ hairstylist n.
Hair-trigger n. Trigger of a firearm set for release at the slightest pressure.
Hairy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 covered with hair. 2 slang frightening, dangerous. ~ hairiness n.
Hajj n. (also hadj) islamic pilgrimage to mecca. [arabic]
Hajji n. (also hadji) (pl. -s) muslim who has made the pilgrimage to mecca. [persian from arabic]
Haka n. Nz 1 maori ceremonial war dance with chanting. 2 imitation of this by a sports team before a match. [maori]
Hake n. (pl. Same) marine fish resembling the cod, used as food. [origin uncertain]
Halal n. (also hallal) (often attrib.) Meat from an animal killed according to muslim law. [arabic]
Halberd n. Hist. Combined spear and battleaxe. [french from german]
Halcyon adj. Calm, peaceful, happy (halcyon days). [greek, = kingfisher, because it was reputed to calm the sea at midwinter]
Hale adj. Strong and healthy (esp. In hale and hearty). [var. Of +whole]
Half —n. (pl. Halves) 1 either of two (esp. Equal) parts into which a thing is divided. 2 colloq. Half a pint, esp. Of beer. 3 sport either of two equal periods of play. 4 colloq. Half-price fare or ticket, esp. For a child. 5 colloq. = +half-back. —adj. 1 amounting to half (half the men). 2 forming a half (a half share). —adv. 1 (often in comb.) To the extent of half; partly (half cooked). 2 to some extent (esp. In idiomatic phrases: half dead; am half convinced). 3 (in reckoning time) by the amount of half (an hour etc.) (half past two). ~ at half cock see +cock1. By half (prec. By too + adj.) Excessively (too clever by half). By halves imperfectly or incompletely (does nothing by halves). Half a mind see +mind. Half the time see +time. Not half 1 slang extremely, violently (he didn't half swear). 2 not nearly (not half long enough). 3 colloq. Not at all (not half bad). [old english]
Usage in sense 3 of the adverb, the word ‘past’ is often omitted in colloquial usage, e.g. Came at half two. In some parts of scotland and ireland this means ‘half past one’.
Half-and-half adj. Being half one thing and half another.
Half-back n. Sport player between the forwards and full backs.
Half-baked adj. Colloq. 1 not thoroughly thought out; foolish. 2 (of enthusiasm etc.) Only partly committed.
Half board n. Provision of bed, breakfast, and one main meal at a hotel etc.
Half-breed n. Offens. = +half-caste.
Half-brother n. Brother with whom one has only one parent in common.
Half-caste n. Offens. Person of mixed race.
Half-crown n. (also half a crown) former coin and monetary unit worth 2s. 6d. (121/2p).
Half-cut adj. Slang fairly drunk.
Half-dozen n. (also half a dozen) colloq. Six, or about six.
Half-duplex n. Computing (of a circuit) allowing the two-way transmission of signals but not simultaneously.
Half-hardy adj. (of a plant) able to grow in the open except in severe frost.
Half-hearted adj. Lacking enthusiasm. ~ half-heartedly adv. Half-heartedness n.
Half hitch n. Knot formed by passing the end of a rope round its standing part and then through the loop.
Half holiday n. Half a day as holiday.
Half-hour n. 1 (also half an hour) period of 30 minutes. 2 point of time 30 minutes after any hour o'clock. ~ half-hourly adj. & adv.
Half-life n. Time taken for radioactivity etc. To fall to half its original value.
Half-light n. Dim imperfect light.
Half-mast n. Position of a flag halfway down a mast, as a mark of respect for a deceased person.
Half measures n.pl. Unsatisfactory compromise or inadequate policy.
Half moon n. 1 moon when only half its surface is illuminated. 2 time when this occurs. 3 semicircular object.
Half nelson see +nelson.
Halfpenny n. (pl. -pennies or -pence) former coin worth half a penny.
Usage the halfpenny was withdrawn from circulation in 1984.
Half-sister n. Sister with whom one has only one parent in common.
Half-term n. Short holiday halfway through a school term.
Half-timbered adj. Having walls with a timber frame and a brick or plaster filling.
Half-time n. 1 mid-point of a game or contest. 2 short break occurring at this time.
Half-title n. Title or short title of a book printed on the front of the leaf preceding the title-page.
Halftone n. Photographic illustration in which various tones of grey are produced from small and large black dots.
Half-truth n. Statement that (esp. Deliberately) conveys only part of the truth.
Half-volley n. (in ball games) playing of the ball as soon as it bounces off the ground.
Halfway —adv. 1 at a point midway between two others (halfway to rome). 2 to some extent, more or less (is halfway acceptable). —adj. Situated halfway (reached a halfway point).
Halfway house n. 1 compromise. 2 halfway point in a progression. 3 centre for rehabilitating ex-prisoners etc. 4 inn midway between two towns.
Halfwit n. Foolish or stupid person. ~ halfwitted adj.
Halibut n. (pl. Same) large marine flat-fish used as food. [from +holy (perhaps because eaten on holy days), butt flat-fish]
Halitosis n. = +bad breath. [latin halitus breath]
Hall n. 1 area into which the front entrance of a house etc. Opens. 2 large room or building for meetings, concerts, etc. 3 large country house or estate. 4 (in full hall of residence) residence for students. 5 (in a college etc.) Dining-room. 6 premises of a guild (fishmongers' hall). 7 large public room in a palace etc. [old english]
Hallal var. Of +halal.
Hallelujah var. Of +alleluia.
Halliard var. Of +halyard.
Hallmark —n. 1 mark indicating the standard of gold, silver, and platinum. 2 distinctive feature. —v. Stamp with a hallmark.
Hallo var. Of +hello.
Halloo int. Inciting dogs to the chase or calling attention. [perhaps from hallow pursue with shouts]
Hallow v. 1 make holy, consecrate. 2 honour as holy. [old english: related to +holy]
Hallowe'en n. Eve of all saints' day, 31 oct.
Hallucinate v. (-ting) experience hallucinations. ~ hallucinant adj. & n. [greek alusso be uneasy]
Hallucination n. Illusion of seeing or hearing something not actually present. ~ hallucinatory adj.
Hallucinogen n. Drug causing hallucinations. ~ hallucinogenic adj.
Hallway n. Entrance-hall or corridor.
Halm var. Of +haulm.
Halo —n. (pl. -es) 1 disc or circle of light shown surrounding the head of a sacred person. 2 glory associated with an idealized person etc. 3 circle of white or coloured light round a luminous body, esp. The sun or moon. —v. (-es, -ed) surround with a halo. [greek halos threshing-floor, disc of the sun or moon]
Halogen n. Any of the non-metallic elements (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine) which form a salt (e.g. Sodium chloride) when combined with a metal. [greek hals halos salt, +-gen]
Halon n. Any of various gaseous compounds of carbon, bromine, and other halogens, used to extinguish fires. [related to +halogen]
Halt1 —n. 1 stop (usu. Temporary) (come to a halt). 2 minor stopping-place on a local railway line. —v. Stop; come or bring to a halt. ~ call a halt (to) decide to stop. [german: related to +hold1]
Halt2 —v. (esp. As halting adj.) Proceed hesitantly. —adj. Archaic lame. ~ haltingly adv. [old english]
Halter n. 1 headstall and rope for leading or tying up a horse etc. 2 a strap round the neck holding a dress etc. Up and leaving the shoulders and back bare. B (also halterneck) dress etc. Held by this. [old english]
Halva n. Confection of sesame flour and honey etc. [yiddish from turkish helva from arabic halwa]
Halve v. (-ving) 1 divide into two halves or parts; share equally between two. 2 reduce by half. 3 golf use the same number of strokes as one's opponent in (a hole or match).
Halves pl. Of +half.
Halyard n. (also halliard) rope or tackle for raising or lowering a sail, yard, etc. [archaic hale drag forcibly]
Ham —n. 1 a upper part of a pig's leg salted and dried or smoked for food. B meat from this. 2 back of the thigh; thigh and buttock. 3 colloq. (often attrib.) Inexpert or unsubtle actor or piece of acting. 4 colloq. Operator of an amateur radio station. —v. (-mm-) (usu. In ham it up) colloq. Overact. [old english]
Hamburger n. Cake of minced beef, usu. Eaten in a soft bread roll. [hamburg in germany]
Ham-fisted adj. (also ham-handed) colloq. Clumsy.
Hamitic —n. Group of african languages including ancient egyptian and berber. —adj. Of this group. [from the name ham (gen. 10:6 ff.)]
Hamlet n. Small village, esp. Without a church. [french hamelet diminutive]
Hammer —n. 1 a tool with a heavy metal head at right angles to its handle, used for driving nails etc. B similar device, as for exploding the charge in a gun, striking the strings of a piano, etc. 2 auctioneer's mallet. 3 metal ball attached to a wire for throwing in an athletic contest. —v. 1 a hit or beat with or as with a hammer. B strike loudly. 2 a drive in (nails) with a hammer. B fasten or secure by hammering (hammered the lid down). 3 (usu. Foll. By in) inculcate (ideas, knowledge, etc.) Forcefully or repeatedly. 4 colloq. Defeat utterly; beat up. 5 (foll. By at, away at) work hard or persistently at. ~ come under the hammer be sold at auction. Hammer out 1 make flat or smooth by hammering. 2 work out details of (a plan etc.) Laboriously. 3 play (a tune, esp. On the piano) loudly or clumsily. ~ hammering n. (esp. In sense 4 of v.). [old english]
Hammer and sickle n. Symbols of the industrial worker and peasant used as an emblem of the former ussr and international communism.
Hammer and tongs adv. Colloq. With great vigour and commotion.
Hammerhead n. Shark with a flattened head and with eyes in lateral extensions of it.
Hammerlock n. Wrestling hold in which the arm is twisted and bent behind the back.
Hammer-toe n. Toe bent permanently downwards.
Hammock n. Bed of canvas or rope network suspended by cords at the ends. [spanish from carib]
Hammy adj. (-ier, -iest) colloq. Over-theatrical.
Hamper1 n. Large basket, usu. With a hinged lid and containing food. [french hanap goblet]
Hamper2 v. Prevent the free movement of; hinder. [origin unknown]
Hamster n. Mouselike rodent with a short tail and large cheek-pouches for storing food. [german]
Hamstring —n. 1 each of five tendons at the back of the knee. 2 great tendon at the back of the hock in quadrupeds. —v. (past and past part. -strung or -stringed) 1 cripple by cutting the hamstrings of (a person or animal). 2 impair the activity or efficiency of.
Hand —n. 1 a end part of the human arm beyond the wrist. B (in other primates) end part of a forelimb. 2 a (often in pl.) Control, management, custody, disposal (is in good hands). B agency or influence (suffered at their hands). C share in an action; active support (had a hand in it; give me a hand). 3 thing like a hand, esp. The pointer of a clock. 4 right or left side or direction relative to a person or thing. 5 a skill (has a hand for making pastry). B person skilful in some respect. 6 person who does or makes something, esp. Distinctively (picture by the same hand). 7 person's writing or its style. 8 person etc. As a source (at first hand). 9 pledge of marriage. 10 manual worker, esp. At a factory or farm; member of a ship's crew. 11 a playing-cards dealt to a player. B round of play. 12 colloq. Burst of applause. 13 unit of measure of a horse's height, 4 inches (10.16 cm). 14 forehock of pork. 15 (attrib.) A operated by or held in the hand (hand-drill). B done by hand, not machine (hand-knitted). —v. 1 (foll. By in, to, over, etc.) Deliver; transfer by hand or otherwise. 2 colloq. Give away too readily (handed them the advantage). ~ all hands entire crew or workforce. At hand 1 close by. 2 about to happen. By hand 1 by a person, not a machine. 2 delivered privately, not by post. From hand to mouth satisfying only one's immediate needs. Get (or have or keep) one's hand in become (or be or remain) in practice. Hand down 1 pass ownership or use of to a later generation etc. 2 a transmit (a decision) from a higher court etc. B us express (an opinion or verdict). Hand it to colloq. Award deserved praise to. Hand on pass (a thing) to the next in a series. Hand out 1 serve, distribute.
Handbag n. Small bag carried esp. By a woman.
Handball n. 1 game with a ball thrown by hand among players or against a wall. 2 football intentional touching of the ball, constituting a foul.
Handbell n. Small bell for ringing by hand, esp. One of a set.
Handbill n. Printed notice distributed by hand.
Handbook n. Short manual or guidebook.
Handbrake n. Brake operated by hand.
H. & c. Abbr. Hot and cold (water).
Handcart n. Small cart pushed or drawn by hand.
Handclap n. Clapping of the hands.
Handcraft —n. = +handicraft. —v. Make by handicraft.
Handcuff —n. Each of a pair of linked metal rings for securing a prisoner's wrist(s). —v. Put handcuffs on.
Handful n. (pl. -s) 1 quantity that fills the hand. 2 small number or amount. 3 colloq. Troublesome person or task.
Hand-grenade see +grenade.
Handgun n. Small firearm held in and fired with one hand.
Handhold n. Something for the hand to grip on (in climbing etc.).
Handicap —n. 1 physical or mental disability. 2 thing that makes progress or success difficult. 3 a disadvantage imposed on a superior competitor to make chances more equal. B race etc. In which this is imposed. 4 number of strokes by which a golfer normally exceeds par for a course. —v. (-pp-) 1 impose a handicap on. 2 place at a disadvantage. [hand i' (= in) cap describing a kind of sporting lottery]
Handicapped adj. Suffering from a physical or mental disability.
Handicraft n. Work requiring manual and artistic skill. [from earlier +handcraft]
Hand in glove adj. In collusion or association.
Hand in hand adv. 1 in close association (power and money go hand in hand). 2 (hand-in-hand) holding hands.
Handiwork n. Work done or a thing made by hand, or by a particular person. [old english]
Handkerchief n. (pl. -s or -chieves) square of cloth for wiping one's nose etc.
Handle —n. 1 part by which a thing is held, carried, or controlled. 2 fact that may be taken advantage of (gave a handle to his critics). 3 colloq. Personal title. —v. (-ling) 1 touch, feel, operate, or move with the hands. 2 manage, deal with (can handle people). 3 deal in (goods). 4 treat (a subject). [old english: related to +hand]
Handlebar n. (usu. In pl.) Steering-bar of a bicycle etc.
Handlebar moustache n. Thick moustache with curved ends.
Handler n. 1 person who handles or deals in something. 2 person who trains and looks after an animal (esp. A police dog).
Handmade adj. Made by hand (as opposed to machine).
Handmaid n. (also handmaiden) archaic female servant.
Hand-me-down n. Article of clothing etc. Passed on from another person.
Hand-out n. 1 thing given free to a needy person. 2 statement given to the press etc.; notes given out in a class etc.
Hand-over n. Handing over.
Hand-over-fist adv. Colloq. With rapid progress.
Hand-pick v. Choose carefully or personally.
Handrail n. Narrow rail for holding as a support.
Handsaw n. Saw worked by one hand.
Handset n. Telephone mouthpiece and earpiece as one unit.
Handshake n. Clasping of a person's hand as a greeting etc.
Hands off —int. Warning not to touch or interfere with something. —adj. & adv. (also hands-off) not requiring the manual use of controls.
Handsome adj. (handsomer, handsomest) 1 (usu. Of a man) good-looking. 2 (of an object) imposing, attractive. 3 a generous, liberal (handsome present). B (of a price, fortune, etc.) Considerable. ~ handsomely adv.
Hands on (also hands-on) —adj. & adv. Of or requiring personal operation at a keyboard. —attrib. Adj. Practical rather than theoretical (lacks hands-on experience).
Handspring n. Gymnastic feat consisting of a handstand, somersaulting, and landing in a standing position.
Handstand n. Supporting oneself on one's hands with one's feet in the air.
Hand-to-hand adj. (of fighting) at close quarters.
Handwork n. Work done with the hands. ~ handworked adj.
Handwriting n. 1 writing done with a pen, pencil, etc. 2 person's particular style of this. ~ handwritten adj.
Handy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 convenient to handle or use; useful. 2 ready to hand. 3 clever with the hands. ~ handily adv. Handiness n.
Handyman n. Person able to do occasional repairs etc.; odd-job man.
Hang —v. (past and past part. Hung except in sense 7) 1 a secure or cause to be supported from above, esp. With the lower part free. B (foll. By up, on, on to, etc.) Attach by suspending from the top. 2 set up (a door etc.) On hinges. 3 place (a picture) on a wall or in an exhibition. 4 attach (wallpaper) to a wall. 5 (foll. By on) colloq. Blame (a thing) on (a person) (can't hang that on me). 6 (foll. By with) decorate by suspending pictures etc. (hall hung with tapestries). 7 (past and past part. Hanged) a suspend or be suspended by the neck with a noosed rope until dead, esp. As a form of capital punishment. B as a mild oath (hang the expense). 8 let droop (hang one's head). 9 suspend (meat or game) from a hook and leave until dry, tender, or high. 10 be or remain hung (in various senses). 11 remain static in the air. 12 (often foll. By over) be present or imminent, esp. Oppressively or threateningly (a hush hung over the room). 13 (foll. By on) a be contingent or dependent on (everything hangs on his reply). B listen closely to (hangs on my every word). —n. Way a thing hangs or falls. ~ get the hang of colloq. Understand the technique or meaning of. Hang about (or around) 1 a stand about or spend time aimlessly; not move away. B linger near (a person or place). 2 (often foll. By with) colloq. Associate with. Hang back show reluctance to act or move. Hang fire be slow in taking action or in progressing. Hang heavily (or heavy) (of time) seem to pass slowly. Hang in us colloq. 1 persist, persevere. 2 linger. Hang on 1 (often foll. By to) continue to hold or grasp. 2 (foll. By to) retain; fail to give back. 3 colloq. A wait for a short time. B (in telephoning) not ring off during a pause in the conversation. 4 colloq. Continue; persevere. Hang out 1 suspend from a window, clothes-line, etc. 2 a protrude downwards (shirt hanging out). B (foll. By of) lean out of (a window etc.). 3 slang frequent or live in a place. Hang together 1 make sense. 2 remain associated. Hang up 1 hang from a hook etc. 2 (often foll. By on) end a telephone conversation by replacing the receiver (he hung up on me). 3 (usu. In passive, foll. By on) slang be a psychological problem or obsession for (is hung up on her father). Not care (or give) a hang colloq. Not care at all. [old english]
Hangar n. Building for housing aircraft etc. [french]
Hangdog adj. Shamefaced.
Hanger n. 1 person or thing that hangs. 2 (in full coat-hanger) shaped piece of wood etc. For hanging clothes on.
Hanger-on n. (pl. Hangers-on) follower or dependant, esp. An unwelcome one.
Hang-glider n. Glider with a fabric wing on a light frame, from which the operator is suspended. ~ hang-glide v. Hang-gliding n.
Hanging n. 1 execution by suspending by the neck. 2 (usu. In pl.) Draperies hung on a wall etc.
Hangman n. 1 executioner who hangs condemned persons. 2 word-game for two players, with failed guesses recorded by drawing a representation of a gallows.
Hangnail n. = +agnail.
Hang-out n. Slang place frequented by a person; haunt.
Hangover n. 1 severe headache etc. From drinking too much alcohol. 2 survival from the past.
Hang-up n. Slang emotional problem or inhibition.
Hank n. Coil or skein of wool or thread etc. [old norse]
Hanker v. (foll. By for, after, or to + infin.) Long for; crave. ~ hankering n. [from obsolete hank]
Hanky n. (also hankie) (pl. -ies) colloq. Handkerchief. [abbreviation]
Hanky-panky n. Slang 1 naughtiness, esp. Sexual. 2 double-dealing; trickery. [origin unknown]
Hanoverian adj. Of british sovereigns from george i to victoria. [hanover in germany]
Hansard n. Official verbatim record of debates in the british parliament. [hansard, name of its first printer]
Hansen's disease n. Leprosy. [hansen, name of a physician]
Hansom n. (in full hansom cab) hist. Two-wheeled horse-drawn cab. [hansom, name of an architect]
Hanukkah n. Jewish festival of lights, commemorating the purification of the temple in 165 bc. [hebrew hanukkah consecration]
Haphazard adj. Done etc. By chance; random. ~ haphazardly adv. [archaic hap chance, luck, from old norse happ]
Hapless adj. Unlucky.
Haploid adj. (of an organism or cell) with a single set of chromosomes. [greek haplous single, eidos form]
Happen v. 1 occur (by chance or otherwise). 2 (foll. By to + infin.) Have the (good or bad) fortune to (i happened to meet her). 3 (foll. By to) be the (esp. Unwelcome) fate or experience of (what happened to you?). 4 (foll. By on) encounter or discover by chance. ~ as it happens in fact; in reality. [related to +haphazard]
Happening n. 1 event. 2 improvised or spontaneous theatrical etc. Performance.
Happy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. 2 a fortunate; characterized by happiness. B (of words, behaviour, etc.) Apt, pleasing. ~ happily adv. Happiness n.
Happy-go-lucky adj. Cheerfully casual.
Happy hour n. Time of the day when goods, esp. Drinks, are sold at reduced prices.
Happy medium n. Compromise; avoidance of extremes.
Hara-kiri n. Ritual suicide by disembowelment with a sword, formerly practised by samurai to avoid dishonour. [japanese hara belly, kiri cutting]
Harangue —n. Lengthy and earnest speech. —v. (-guing) make a harangue to; lecture. [french arenge from medieval latin]
Harass v. 1 trouble and annoy continually. 2 make repeated attacks on. ~ harassment n. [french]
Usage the second pronunciation given, with the stress on the second syllable, is common, but is considered incorrect by some people.
Harbinger n. 1 person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another. 2 forerunner. [germanic: related to +harbour]
Harbor (brit. Harbour) —n. 1 place of shelter for ships. 2 shelter; refuge. —v. 1 give shelter to (esp. A criminal). 2 keep in one's mind (esp. Resentment etc.). [old english, = army shelter]
Harbour (us harbor) —n. 1 place of shelter for ships. 2 shelter; refuge. —v. 1 give shelter to (esp. A criminal). 2 keep in one's mind (esp. Resentment etc.). [old english, = army shelter]
Harbour-master n. Official in charge of a harbour.
Hard —adj. 1 (of a substance etc.) Firm and solid. 2 a difficult to understand, explain, or accomplish. B (foll. By to + infin.) Not easy to (hard to please). 3 difficult to bear (a hard life). 4 unfeeling; severely critical. 5 (of a season or the weather) severe. 6 unpleasant to the senses, harsh (hard colours). 7 a strenuous, enthusiastic, intense (a hard worker). B severe, uncompromising (a hard bargain). C polit. Extreme; most radical (the hard right). 8 a (of liquor) strongly alcoholic. B (of drugs) potent and addictive. C (of pornography) highly obscene. 9 (of water) containing mineral salts that make lathering difficult. 10 established; not disputable (hard facts). 11 (of currency, prices, etc.) High; not likely to fall in value. 12 (of a consonant) guttural (as c in cat, g in go). —adv. Strenuously, intensely, copiously (try hard; raining hard). ~ be hard on 1 be difficult for. 2 be severe in one's treatment or criticism of. 3 be unpleasant to (the senses). Be hard put to it (usu. Foll. By to + infin.) Find it difficult. Hard by close by. Hard on (or upon) close to in pursuit etc. ~ hardish adj. Hardness n. [old english]
Hard and fast adj. (of a rule or distinction) definite, unalterable, strict.
Hardback —adj. Bound in boards covered with cloth etc. —n. Hardback book.
Hardbitten adj. Colloq. Tough and cynical.
Hardboard n. Stiff board made of compressed and treated wood pulp.
Hard-boiled adj. 1 (of an egg) boiled until the white and yolk are solid. 2 colloq. (of a person) tough, shrewd.
Hard cash n. Negotiable coins and banknotes.
Hard copy n. Material printed by a computer on paper.
Hardcore n. Solid material, esp. Rubble, as road-foundation.
Hard core n. 1 irreducible nucleus. 2 colloq. A the most committed members of a society etc. B conservative or reactionary minority (see also +hardcore).
Hard-core adj. 1 forming a nucleus. 2 blatant, uncompromising. 3 (of pornography) explicit, obscene.
Hard disk n. Computing large-capacity rigid usu. Magnetic storage disk.
Hard-done-by adj. Unfairly treated.
Harden v. 1 make or become hard or harder. 2 become, or make (one's attitude etc.), less sympathetic. 3 (of prices etc.) Cease to fall or fluctuate. ~ harden off inure (a plant) to the cold by gradually increasing its exposure.
Hardening of the arteries n. = +arteriosclerosis.
Hard-headed adj. Practical; not sentimental. ~ hard-headedness n.
Hard-hearted adj. Unfeeling. ~ hard-heartedness n.
Hardihood n. Boldness, daring.
Hard labour n. Heavy manual work as a punishment, esp. In a prison.
Hard line n. Unyielding adherence to a policy. ~ hard-liner n.
Hard luck n. Worse fortune than one deserves.
Hardly adv. 1 scarcely; only just (hardly knew me). 2 only with difficulty (can hardly see). 3 surely not (can hardly have realised). ~ hardly any almost no; almost none. Hardly ever very seldom.
Hard-nosed adj. Colloq. Realistic, uncompromising.
Hard of hearing adj. Somewhat deaf.
Hard-on n. Coarse slang erection of the penis.
Hard pad n. Form of distemper in dogs etc.
Hard palate n. Front part of the palate.
Hard-pressed adj. 1 closely pursued. 2 burdened with urgent business.
Hard roe see +roe1.
Hard sell n. Aggressive salesmanship.
Hardship n. 1 severe suffering or privation. 2 circumstance causing this.
Hard shoulder n. Hard surface alongside a motorway for stopping on in an emergency.
Hard tack n. Naut. Ship's biscuit.
Hardtop n. Car with a rigid (usu. Detachable) roof.
Hard up adj. Short of money.
Hardware n. 1 tools and household articles of metal etc. 2 heavy machinery or armaments. 3 mechanical and electronic components of a computer etc.
Hard-wearing adj. Able to stand much wear.
Hardwood n. Wood from a deciduous broad-leaved tree.
Hard-working adj. Diligent.
Hardy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 robust; capable of enduring difficult conditions. 2 (of a plant) able to grow in the open air all year. ~ hardiness n. [french hardi made bold]
Hardy annual n. Annual plant that may be sown in the open.
Hare —n. Mammal like a large rabbit, with long ears, short tail, and long hind legs. —v. (-ring) run rapidly. [old english]
Harebell n. Plant with pale-blue bell-shaped flowers.
Hare-brained adj. Rash, wild.
Harelip n. Often offens. Congenital cleft in the upper lip.
Harem n. 1 women of a muslim household. 2 their quarters. [arabic, = sanctuary]
Haricot n. (in full haricot bean) variety of french bean with small white seeds dried and used as a vegetable. [french]
Hark v. (usu. In imper.) Archaic listen attentively. ~ hark back revert to earlier topic. [old english]
Harlequin —n. (harlequin) name of a mute character in pantomime, usu. Masked and dressed in a diamond-patterned costume. —attrib. Adj. In varied colours. [french]
Harlequinade n. 1 part of a pantomime featuring harlequin. 2 piece of buffoonery.
Harlot n. Archaic prostitute. ~ harlotry n. [french, = knave]
Harm —n. Hurt, damage. —v. Cause harm to. ~ out of harm's way in safety. [old english]
Harmful adj. Causing or likely to cause harm. ~ harmfully adv. Harmfulness n.
Harmless adj. 1 not able or likely to cause harm. 2 inoffensive. ~ harmlessly adv. Harmlessness n.
Harmonic —adj. Of or relating to harmony; harmonious. —n. Mus. Overtone accompanying (and forming a note with) a fundamental at a fixed interval. ~ harmonically adv.
Harmonica n. Small rectangular musical instrument played by blowing and sucking air through it.
Harmonious adj. 1 sweet-sounding; tuneful. 2 forming a pleasing or consistent whole. 3 free from disagreement or dissent. ~ harmoniously adv.
Harmonium n. Keyboard instrument in which the notes are produced by air driven through metal reeds by foot-operated bellows. [latin: related to +harmony]
Harmonize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) 1 add notes to (a melody) to produce harmony. 2 bring into or be in harmony. 3 make or form a pleasing or consistent whole. ~ harmonization n.
Harmony n. (pl. -ies) 1 combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions, esp. As creating a pleasing effect. 2 a apt or aesthetic arrangement of parts. B pleasing effect of this. 3 agreement, concord. ~ in harmony 1 in agreement. 2 (of singing etc.) Producing chords; not discordant. [greek harmonia joining]
Harness —n. 1 equipment of straps etc. By which a horse is fastened to a cart etc. And controlled. 2 similar arrangement for fastening a thing to a person's body. —v. 1 a put a harness on. B (foll. By to) attach by harness to. 2 make use of (natural resources), esp. To produce energy. ~ in harness in the routine of daily work. [french harneis military equipment]
Harp —n. Large upright stringed instrument plucked with the fingers. —v. (foll. By on, on about) talk repeatedly and tediously about. ~ harpist n. [old english]
Harpoon —n. Barbed spearlike missile with a rope attached, for catching whales etc. —v. Spear with a harpoon. [greek harpe sickle]
Harpsichord n. Keyboard instrument with horizontal strings plucked mechanically. ~ harpsichordist n. [latin harpa harp, chorda string]
Harpy n. (pl. -ies) 1 mythological monster with a woman's head and body and a bird's wings and claws. 2 grasping unscrupulous person. [greek harpuiai snatchers]
Harridan n. Bad-tempered old woman. [origin uncertain]
Harrier n. 1 hound used for hunting hares. 2 group of cross-country runners. 3 hawklike bird of prey. [from +hare, +harry]
Harrow —n. Heavy frame with iron teeth dragged over ploughed land to break up clods etc. —v. 1 draw a harrow over (land). 2 (usu. As harrowing adj.) Distress greatly. [old norse hervi]
Harry v. (-ies, -ied) 1 ravage or despoil. 2 harass. [old english]
Harsh adj. 1 unpleasantly rough or sharp, esp. To the senses. 2 severe, cruel. ~ harshen v. Harshly adv. Harshness n. [low german]
Hart n. (pl. Same or -s) male of the (esp. Red) deer, esp. After its 5th year. [old english]
Hartebeest n. Large african antelope with curving horns. [afrikaans]
Harum-scarum colloq. —adj. Wild and reckless. —n. Such a person. [rhyming formation on +hare, +scare]
Harvest —n. 1 a process of gathering in crops etc. B season of this. 2 season's yield. 3 product of any action. —v. Gather as harvest, reap. [old english]
Harvester n. 1 reaper. 2 reaping-machine, esp. With sheaf-binding.
Harvest festival n. Christian thanksgiving service for the harvest.
Harvest moon n. Full moon nearest to the autumn equinox (22 or 23 sept.).
Harvest mouse n. Small mouse nesting in the stalks of growing grain.
Has 3rd sing. Present of +have.
Has-been n. Colloq. Person or thing of declined importance.
Hash1 —n. 1 dish of cooked meat cut into small pieces and reheated. 2 a mixture; jumble. B mess. 3 recycled material. —v. (often foll. By up) recycle (old material). ~ make a hash of colloq. Make a mess of; bungle.
Hash2 n. Colloq. Hashish. [abbreviation]
Hashish n. Resinous product of hemp, smoked or chewed as a narcotic. [arabic]
Haslet n. Pieces of (esp. Pig's) offal cooked together, usu. As a meat loaf. [french hastelet]
Hasn't contr. Has not.
Hasp n. Hinged metal clasp fitting over a staple and secured by a padlock. [old english]
Hassle colloq. —n. Trouble; problem; argument. —v. (-ling) harass, annoy. [originally a dial. Word]
Hassock n. Thick firm cushion for kneeling on. [old english]
Haste —n. Urgency of movement or action; excessive hurry. —v. (-ting) archaic = +hasten 1. ~ in haste quickly, hurriedly. Make haste hurry; be quick. [french from germanic]
Hasten v. 1 make haste; hurry. 2 cause to occur or be ready or be done sooner.
Hasty adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 hurried; acting too quickly. 2 said, made, or done too quickly or too soon; rash. ~ hastily adv. Hastiness n.
Hat n. 1 (esp. Outdoor) covering for the head. 2 colloq. Person's present capacity (wearing his managerial hat). ~ keep it under one's hat colloq. Keep it secret. Pass the hat round collect contributions of money. Take one's hat off to colloq. Acknowledge admiration for. [old english]
Hatband n. Band of ribbon etc. Round a hat above the brim.
Hatbox n. Box to hold a hat, esp. For travelling.
Hatch1 n. 1 opening in a wall between a kitchen and dining-room for serving food. 2 opening or door in an aircraft etc. 3 a = +hatchway. B cover for this. [old english]
Hatch2 —v. 1 a (often foll. By out) (of a young bird or fish etc.) Emerge from the egg. B (of an egg) produce a young animal. 2 incubate (an egg). 3 (also foll. By up) devise (a plot etc.). —n. 1 act of hatching. 2 brood hatched. [earlier hacche, from germanic]
Hatch3 v. Mark with close parallel lines. ~ hatching n. [french hacher: related to +hash1]
Hatchback n. Car with a sloping back hinged at the top to form a door.
Hatchet n. Light short-handled axe. [french hachette]
Hatchet man n. Colloq. Person hired to kill, dismiss, or otherwise harm another.
Hatchway n. Opening in a ship's deck for raising and lowering cargo.
Hate —v. (-ting) 1 dislike intensely. 2 colloq. A dislike. B be reluctant (to do something) (i hate to disturb you; i hate fighting). —n. 1 hatred. 2 colloq. Hated person or thing. [old english]
Hateful adj. Arousing hatred.
Hatpin n. Long pin for securing a hat to the hair.
Hatred n. Extreme dislike or ill will.
Hatstand n. Stand with hooks for hanging hats etc. On.
Hatter n. Maker or seller of hats.
Hat trick n. 1 cricket taking of three wickets by the same bowler with three successive balls. 2 three consecutive successes etc.
Haughty adj. (-ier, -iest) arrogant and disdainful. ~ haughtily adv. Haughtiness n. [haught, haut from french, = high]
Haul —v. 1 pull or drag forcibly. 2 transport by lorry, cart, etc. 3 turn a ship's course. 4 colloq. (usu. Foll. By up) bring for reprimand or trial. —n. 1 hauling. 2 amount gained or acquired. 3 distance to be traversed (a short haul). ~ haul over the coals see +coal. [french haler from old norse hala]
Haulage n. 1 commercial transport of goods. 2 charge for this.
Haulier n. Person or firm engaged in the transport of goods.
Haulm n. (also halm) 1 stalk or stem. 2 stalks or stems of peas, beans, etc., collectively. [old english]
Haunch n. 1 fleshy part of the buttock with the thigh. 2 leg and loin of a deer etc. As food. [french from germanic]
Haunt —v. 1 (of a ghost) visit (a place) regularly. 2 frequent (a place). 3 linger in the mind of. —n. Place frequented by a person or animal. [french from germanic]
Haunting adj. (of a memory, melody, etc.) Tending to linger in the mind; poignant, evocative.
Haute couture n. High fashion; leading fashion houses or their products. [french]
Haute cuisine n. High-class cookery. [french]
Hauteur n. Haughtiness. [french]
Have —v. (-ving; 3rd sing. Present has; past and past part. Had) 1 as an auxiliary verb with past part. Or ellipt., to form the perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect tenses, and the conditional mood (has, had, will have, seen; had i known, i would have gone; yes, i have). 2 own or be able to use; be provided with (has a car; had no time). 3 hold in a certain relationship (has a sister; had no equals). 4 contain as a part or quality (box has a lid; has big eyes). 5 a experience (had a good time, a shock, a pain). B be subjected to a specified state (had my car stolen; book has a page missing). C cause (a person or thing) to be in a particular state or take particular action (had him sacked; had us worried; had my hair cut; had a copy made; had them to stay). 6 a engage in (an activity) (have an argument, sex). B hold (a meeting, party, etc.). 7 eat or drink (had a beer). 8 (usu. In neg.) Accept or tolerate; permit to (i won't have it; won't have you say that). 9 a feel (have no doubt; has nothing against me). B show (mercy, pity, etc.). C (foll. By to + infin.) Show by action that one is influenced by (a feeling, quality, etc.) (have the sense to stop). 10 a give birth to (offspring). B conceive mentally (an idea etc.). 11 receive, obtain (had a letter from him; not a ticket to be had). 12 be burdened with or committed to (has a job to do). 13 a have obtained (a qualification) (has six o levels). B know (a language) (has no latin). 14 slang a get the better of (i had him there). B (usu. In passive) cheat, deceive (you were had). 15 coarse slang have sexual intercourse with. —n. 1 (usu. In pl.) Colloq. Person with wealth or resources. 2 slang swindle. ~ had best see +best. Had better see +better. Have got to colloq. = have to. Have had it colloq. 1 have missed one's chance. 2 have passed one's prime. 3 have been killed, defeated, etc. Have it 1 (foll. By that) maintain that. 2 win a decision in a vote etc. 3 colloq. Have found the answer etc. Have it away (or off) coarse slang have sexual intercourse. Have it in for colloq. Be hostile or ill-disposed towards. Have it out (often foll. By with) colloq. Attempt to settle a dispute by argument. Have on 1 wear (clothes). 2 have (an engagement). 3 colloq. Tease, hoax. Have to be obliged to, must. Have up colloq. Bring (a person) before a judge, interviewer, etc. [old english]
Haven n. 1 refuge. 2 harbour, port. [old english]
Have-not n. (usu. In pl.) Colloq. Person lacking wealth or resources.
Haven't contr. Have not.
Haver v. 1 vacillate, hesitate. 2 dial. Talk foolishly. [origin unknown]
Haversack n. Stout canvas bag carried on the back or over the shoulder. [german habersack, = oats-sack]
Havoc n. Widespread destruction; great disorder. [french havo(t)]
Haw1 n. Hawthorn berry. [old english]
Haw2 see +hum.
Hawfinch n. Large finch with a thick beak for cracking seeds. [from +haw1, +finch]
Hawk1 —n. 1 bird of prey with a curved beak, rounded short wings, and a long tail. 2 polit. Person who advocates aggressive policies. —v. Hunt with a hawk. ~ hawkish adj. [old english]
Hawk2 v. Carry about or offer (goods) for sale. [back-formation from +hawker]
Hawk3 v. 1 clear the throat noisily. 2 (foll. By up) bring (phlegm etc.) Up from the throat. [imitative]
Hawker n. Person who travels about selling goods. [low german or dutch]
Hawk-eyed adj. Keen-sighted.
Hawser n. Thick rope or cable for mooring or towing a ship. [french, haucier hoist, from latin altus high]
Hawthorn n. Thorny shrub with small dark-red berries. [related to +haw1]
Health service n. Public service providing medical care.
Health visitor n. Trained nurse who visits mothers and babies, or the sick or elderly, at home.
Healthy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 having, showing, or promoting good health. 2 indicative of (esp. Moral or financial) health (a healthy sign). 3 substantial (won by a healthy 40 seconds). ~ healthily adv. Healthiness n.
Heap —n. 1 disorderly pile. 2 (esp. In pl.) Colloq. Large number or amount. 3 slang dilapidated vehicle. —v. 1 (foll. By up, together, etc.) Collect or be collected in a heap. 2 (foll. By with) load copiously with. 3 (foll. By on, upon) give or offer copiously (heaped insults on them). [old english]
Hear v. (past and past part. Heard) 1 (also absol.) Perceive with the ear. 2 listen to (heard them on the radio). 3 listen judicially to (a case etc.). 4 be told or informed. 5 (foll. By from) be contacted by, esp. By letter or telephone. 6 be ready to obey (an order). 7 grant (a prayer). ~ have heard of be aware of the existence of. Hear! Hear! Int. Expressing agreement. Hear a person out listen to all a person says. Will not hear of will not allow. ~ hearer n. [old english]
Hearing n. 1 faculty of perceiving sounds. 2 range within which sounds may be heard (within hearing). 3 opportunity to state one's case (a fair hearing). 4 trial of a case before a court.
Hearing-aid n. Small device to amplify sound, worn by a partially deaf person.
Hearken v. Archaic (often foll. By to) listen. [old english: related to +hark]
Hearsay n. Rumour, gossip.
Hearse n. Vehicle for conveying the coffin at a funeral. [french herse harrow, from latin hirpex large rake]
Heart n. 1 hollow muscular organ maintaining the circulation of blood by rhythmic contraction and dilation. 2 region of the heart; the breast. 3 a centre of thought, feeling, and emotion (esp. Love). B capacity for feeling emotion (has no heart). 4 a courage or enthusiasm (take heart). B mood or feeling (change of heart). 5 a central or innermost part of something. B essence (heart of the matter). 6 compact tender inner part of a lettuce etc. 7 a heart-shaped thing. B conventional representation of a heart with two equal curves meeting at a point at the bottom and a cusp at the top. 8 a playing-card of the suit denoted by a red figure of a heart. B (in pl.) This suit. ~ at heart 1 in one's inmost feelings. 2 basically. Break a person's heart overwhelm a person with sorrow. By heart from memory. Give (or lose) one's heart (often foll. By to) fall in love (with). Have the heart (usu. With neg.; foll. By to + infin.) Be insensitive or hard-hearted enough (didn't have the heart to ask him). Take to heart be much affected by. To one's heart's content see +content1. With all one's heart sincerely; with all goodwill. [old english]
Heartache n. Mental anguish.
Heart attack n. Sudden occurrence of coronary thrombosis.
Heartbeat n. Pulsation of the heart.
Heartbreak n. Overwhelming distress. ~ heartbreaking adj. Heartbroken adj.
Heartburn n. Burning sensation in the chest from indigestion.
Hearten v. Make or become more cheerful. ~ heartening adj.
Heart failure n. Failure of the heart to function properly, esp. As a cause of death.
Heartfelt adj. Sincere; deeply felt.
Hearth n. 1 floor of a fireplace. 2 the home. [old english]
Hearthrug n. Rug laid before a fireplace.
Heartily adv. 1 in a hearty manner. 2 very (am heartily sick of it).
Heartland n. Central part of an area.
Heartless adj. Unfeeling, pitiless. ~ heartlessly adv.
Heart-lung machine n. Machine that temporarily takes over the functions of the heart and lungs.
Heart-rending adj. Very distressing.
Heart-searching n. Examination of one's own feelings and motives.
Heartsick adj. Despondent.
Heartstrings n.pl. One's deepest feelings.
Heartthrob n. Colloq. Person for whom one has (esp. Immature) romantic feelings.
Heart-to-heart —attrib. Adj. (of a conversation etc.) Candid, intimate. —n. Candid or personal conversation.
Heart-warming adj. Emotionally rewarding or uplifting.
Heartwood n. Dense inner part of a tree-trunk, yielding the hardest timber.
Hearty adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 strong, vigorous. 2 (of a meal or appetite) large. 3 warm, friendly. ~ heartiness n.
Heat —n. 1 condition of being hot. 2 physics form of energy arising from the motion of bodies' molecules. 3 hot weather. 4 warmth of feeling; anger or excitement. 5 (foll. By of) most intense part or period of activity (heat of battle). 6 (usu. Preliminary or trial) round in a race etc. —v. 1 make or become hot or warm. 2 inflame. ~ on heat (of mammals, esp. Females) sexually receptive. [old english]
Heated adj. Angry; impassioned. ~ heatedly adv.
Heater n. Stove or other heating device.
Heath n. 1 area of flattish uncultivated land with low shrubs. 2 plant growing on a heath, esp. Heather. [old english]
Heathen —n. 1 person not belonging to a predominant religion, esp. Not a christian, jew, or muslim. 2 person regarded as lacking culture or moral principles. —adj. 1 of heathens. 2 having no religion. [old english]
Heather n. Any of various shrubs growing esp. On moors and heaths. [origin unknown]
Heath robinson adj. Absurdly ingenious and impracticable. [name of a cartoonist]
Heating n. 1 imparting or generation of heat. 2 equipment used to heat a building etc.
Heatproof —adj. Able to resist great heat. —v. Make heatproof.
Heat shield n. Device to protect (esp. A spacecraft) from excessive heat.
Heatwave n. Period of unusually hot weather.
Heave —v. (-ving; past and past part. Heaved or esp. Naut. Hove) 1 lift or haul with great effort. 2 utter with effort (heaved a sigh). 3 colloq. Throw. 4 rise and fall rhythmically or spasmodically. 5 naut. Haul by rope. 6 retch. —n. Heaving. ~ heave in sight come into view. Heave to esp. Naut. Bring or be brought to a standstill. [old english]
Heaven n. 1 place regarded in some religions as the abode of god and the angels, and of the blessed after death. 2 place or state of supreme bliss. 3 colloq. Delightful thing. 4 (usu. Heaven) god, providence (often as an exclamation or mild oath: heavens). 5 (the heavens) esp. Poet. The sky as seen from the earth, in which the sun, moon, and stars appear. ~ heavenward adv. (also heavenwards). [old english]
Heavenly adj. 1 of heaven; divine. 2 of the heavens or sky. 3 colloq. Very pleasing; wonderful.
Heavenly bodies n.pl. The sun, stars, planets, etc.
Heaven-sent adj. Providential.
Heavier-than-air attrib. Adj. (of an aircraft) weighing more than the air it displaces.
Heavy —adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 of great or unusually high weight; difficult to lift. 2 of great density (heavy metal). 3 abundant, considerable (heavy crop; heavy traffic). 4 severe, intense, extensive (heavy fighting; a heavy sleep). 5 doing a thing to excess (heavy drinker). 6 striking or falling with force; causing strong impact (heavy blows; heavy rain; heavy sea; a heavy fall). 7 (of machinery, artillery, etc.) Very large of its kind; large in calibre etc. 8 needing much physical effort (heavy work). 9 carrying heavy weapons (the heavy brigade). 10 serious or sombre in tone or attitude; dull, tedious. 11 a hard to digest. B hard to read or understand. 12 (of bread etc.) Too dense from not having risen. 13 (of ground) difficult to traverse or work. 14 oppressive; hard to endure (heavy demands). 15 a coarse, ungraceful (heavy features). B unwieldy. —n. (pl. -ies) 1 colloq. Large violent person; thug (esp. Hired). 2 villainous or tragic role or actor. 3 (usu. In pl.) Colloq. Serious newspaper. 4 anything large or heavy of its kind, e.g. A vehicle. —adv. Heavily (esp. In comb.: heavy-laden).
Heavy-duty adj. Intended to withstand hard use.
Heavy going n. Slow or difficult progress.
Heavy-handed adj. 1 clumsy. 2 overbearing, oppressive. ~ heavy-handedly adv. Heavy-handedness n.
Heavy-hearted adj. Sad, doleful.
Heavy hydrogen n. = +deuterium.
Heavy industry n. Industry producing metal, machinery, etc.
Heavy metal n. 1 heavy guns. 2 metal of high density. 3 colloq. Loud kind of rock music with a pounding rhythm.
Heavy petting n. Erotic fondling that stops short of intercourse.
Heavy water n. Water composed of deuterium and oxygen.
Heavyweight n. 1 a weight in certain sports, in amateur boxing over 81 kg. B sportsman of this weight. 2 person etc. Of above average weight. 3 colloq. Person of influence or importance.
Hebdomadal adj. Formal weekly, esp. Meeting weekly. [greek hepta seven]
Hebe n. Evergreen flowering shrub from new zealand. [greek goddess hebe]
Hebraic adj. Of hebrew or the hebrews.
Hebrew —n. 1 member of a semitic people orig. Centred in ancient palestine. 2 a their language. B modern form of this, used esp. In israel. —adj. 1 of or in hebrew. 2 of the hebrews or the jews. [hebrew, = one from the other side of the river]
Heck int. Colloq. Mild exclamation of surprise or dismay. [a form of +hell]
Heckle —v. (-ling) interrupt and harass (a public speaker). —n. Act of heckling. ~ heckler n. [var. Of +hackle]
Hectare n. Metric unit of square measure, 100 ares (2.471 acres or 10,000 square metres). [french: related to +hecto-, +are2]
Hectic adj. 1 busy and confused; excited. 2 feverish. ~ hectically adv. [greek hektikos habitual]
Hecto- comb. Form hundred. [greek hekaton]
Hectogram n. (also hectogramme) metric unit of mass equal to 100 grams.
Hector —v. Bully, intimidate. —n. Bully. [from the name hector in the iliad]
He'd contr. 1 he had. 2 he would.
Hedge —n. 1 fence or boundary of dense bushes or shrubs. 2 protection against possible loss. —v. (-ging) 1 surround or bound with a hedge. 2 (foll. By in) enclose. 3 a reduce one's risk of loss on (a bet or speculation) by compensating transactions on the other side. B avoid committing oneself. [old english]
Hedgehog n. Small insect-eating mammal with a piglike snout and a coat of spines, rolling itself up into a ball when attacked.
Hedge-hop v. Fly at a very low altitude.
Hedgerow n. Row of bushes etc. Forming a hedge.
Hedge sparrow n. Common grey and brown bird; the dunnock.
Hedonism n. 1 belief in pleasure as mankind's proper aim. 2 behaviour based on this. ~ hedonist n. Hedonistic adj. [greek hedone pleasure]
Heebie-jeebies n.pl. (prec. By the) slang nervous anxiety, tension. [origin unknown]
Heed —v. Attend to; take notice of. —n. Careful attention. ~ heedful adj. Heedless adj. Heedlessly adv. [old english]
Hee-haw —n. Bray of a donkey. —v. Make a braying sound. [imitative]
Heel1 —n. 1 back of the foot below the ankle. 2 a part of a sock etc. Covering this. B part of a shoe etc. Supporting this. 3 thing like a heel in form or position. 4 crust end of a loaf of bread. 5 colloq. Scoundrel. 6 (as int.) Command to a dog to walk close to its owner's heel. —v. 1 fit or renew a heel on (a shoe etc.). 2 touch the ground with the heel as in dancing. 3 (foll. By out) rugby pass the ball with the heel. ~ at heel 1 (of a dog) close behind. 2 (of a person etc.) Under control. At (or on) the heels of following closely after (a person or event). Cool (or kick) one's heels be kept waiting. Down at heel 1 (of a shoe) with the heel worn down. 2 (of a person) shabby. Take to one's heels run away. To heel 1 (of a dog) close behind. 2 (of a person etc.) Under control. Turn on one's heel turn sharply round. [old english]
Heel2 —v. (often foll. By over) 1 (of a ship etc.) Lean over. 2 cause (a ship etc.) To do this. —n. Act or amount of heeling. [obsolete heeld, from germanic]
Heel3 var. Of +hele.
Heelball n. 1 mixture of hard wax and lampblack used by shoemakers for polishing. 2 this or a similar mixture used in brass-rubbing.
Hefty adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 (of a person) big and strong. 2 (of a thing) large, heavy, powerful. ~ heftily adv. Heftiness n. [heft weight: related to +heave]
Hegemony n. Leadership, esp. By one state of a confederacy. [greek hegemon leader]
Hegira n. (also hejira) 1 muhammad's flight from mecca in ad 622. 2 muslim era reckoned from this date. [arabic hijra departure]
Heifer n. Young cow, esp. One that has not had more than one calf. [old english]
Height n. 1 measurement from base to top or head to foot. 2 elevation above the ground or a recognized level. 3 considerable elevation (situated at a height). 4 high place or area. 5 top. 6 a most intense part or period (battle was at its height). B extreme example (the height of fashion). [old english]
Heighten v. Make or become higher or more intense.
Heinous adj. Utterly odious or wicked. [french haïr hate]
Heir n. (fem. Heiress) person entitled to property or rank as the legal successor of its former holder. [latin heres hered-]
Heir apparent n. Heir whose claim cannot be set aside by the birth of another heir.
Heirloom n. 1 piece of personal property that has been in a family for several generations. 2 piece of property as part of an inheritance.
Heir presumptive n. Heir whose claim may be set aside by the birth of another heir.
Hejira var. Of +hegira.
Held past and past part. Of +hold1.
Hele v. (-ling) (also heel) (foll. By in) set (a plant) in the ground temporarily and cover its roots. [old english]
Helical adj. Having the form of a helix.
Helices pl. Of +helix.
Helicopter n. Wingless aircraft obtaining lift and propulsion from horizontally revolving overhead blades. [greek: related to +helix, pteron wing]
Helio- comb. Form sun. [greek helios sun]
Heliocentric adj. 1 regarding the sun as centre. 2 considered as viewed from the sun's centre.
Heliograph —n. 1 signalling apparatus reflecting sunlight in flashes. 2 message sent by means of this. —v. Send (a message) by heliograph.
Heliotrope n. Plant with fragrant purple flowers. [greek: related to +helio-, trepo turn]
Heliport n. Place where helicopters take off and land.
Helium n. Light inert gaseous element used in airships and as a refrigerant. [related to +helio-]
Helix n. (pl. Helices) spiral curve (like a corkscrew) or coiled curve (like a watch spring). [latin from greek]
Hell —n. 1 place regarded in some religions as the abode of the dead, or of devils and condemned sinners. 2 place or state of misery or wickedness. —int. Expressing anger, surprise, etc. ~ the hell (usu. Prec. By what, where, who, etc.) Expressing anger, disbelief, etc. (who the hell is this?; the hell you are!). Beat etc. The hell out of colloq. Beat etc. Without restraint. Come hell or high water no matter what the difficulties. For the hell of it colloq. Just for fun. Get hell colloq. Be severely scolded or punished. Give a person hell colloq. Scold or punish a person. A (or one) hell of a colloq. Outstanding example of (a hell of a mess; one hell of a party). Like hell colloq. 1 not at all. 2 recklessly, exceedingly. [old english]
He'll contr. He will; he shall.
Hell-bent adj. (foll. By on) recklessly determined.
Hellebore n. Evergreen plant with usu. White, purple, or green flowers, e.g. The christmas rose. [greek (h)elleborus]
Hellene n. 1 native of modern greece. 2 ancient greek. ~ hellenic adj. [greek]
Hellenism n. (esp. Ancient) greek character or culture. ~ hellenist n.
Hellenistic adj. Of greek history, language, and culture of the late 4th to the late 1st c. Bc.
Hell-fire n. Fire(s) regarded as existing in hell.
Hell for leather adv. At full speed.
Hell-hole n. Oppressive or unbearable place.
Hellish —adj. 1 of or like hell. 2 colloq. Extremely difficult or unpleasant. —adv. Colloq. Extremely (hellish expensive). ~ hellishly adv.
Hello (also hallo, hullo) —int. Expression of informal greeting, or of surprise, or to call attention. —n. (pl. -s) cry of ‘hello’. [var. Of earlier hollo]
Hell's angel n. Member of a gang of male motor-cycle enthusiasts notorious for outrageous and violent behaviour.
Helm n. Tiller or wheel for controlling a ship's rudder. ~ at the helm in control; at the head of an organization etc. [old english]
Helmet n. Protective head-covering worn by a policeman, motor cyclist, etc. [french from germanic]
Helmsman n. Person who steers a ship.
Helot n. Serf, esp. (helot) of a class in ancient sparta. [latin from greek]
Help —v. 1 provide with the means towards what is needed or sought (helped me with my work; helped me (to) pay my debts; helped him on with his coat). 2 (often absol.) Be of use or service to (does that help?). 3 contribute to alleviating (a pain or difficulty). 4 prevent or remedy (it can't be helped). 5 (usu. With neg.) A refrain from (can't help it; could not help laughing). B refl. Refrain from acting (couldn't help himself). 6 (often foll. By to) serve (a person with food). —n. 1 helping or being helped (need your help; came to our help). 2 person or thing that helps. 3 colloq. Domestic assistant or assistance. 4 remedy or escape (there is no help for it). ~ help oneself (often foll. By to) 1 serve oneself (with food etc.). 2 take without permission. Help a person out give a person help, esp. In difficulty. ~ helper n.
Helpful adj. Giving help; useful. ~ helpfully adv. Helpfulness n.
Helping n. Portion of food at a meal.
Helpless adj. 1 lacking help or protection; defenceless. 2 unable to act without help. ~ helplessly adv. Helplessness n.
Helpline n. Telephone service providing help with problems.
Helpmate n. Helpful companion or partner.
Helter-skelter —adv. & adj. In disorderly haste. —n. (at a fairground) external spiral slide round a tower. [imitative]
Hem1 —n. Border of cloth where the edge is turned under and sewn down. —v. (-mm-) turn down and sew in the edge of (cloth etc.). ~ hem in confine; restrict the movement of. [old english]
Hem2 —int. Calling attention or expressing hesitation by a slight cough. —n. Utterance of this. —v. (-mm-) say hem; hesitate in speech. ~ hem and haw = hum and haw (see +hum). [imitative]
Hemal adj. (brit. Haem-) of the blood. [greek haima blood]
He-man n. Masterful or virile man.
Hematite n. (brit. Haem-) a ferric oxide ore. [latin: related to +haemal]
Hematology n. (brit. Haem-) the study of the blood. ~ haematologist n.
Hemi- comb. Form half. [greek, = latin semi-]
Hemipterous adj. Of the insect order including aphids, bugs, and cicadas, with piercing or sucking mouthparts. [greek pteron wing]
Hemisphere n. 1 half a sphere. 2 half of the earth, esp. As divided by the equator (into northern and southern hemisphere) or by a line passing through the poles (into eastern and western hemisphere). ~ hemispherical adj. [greek: related to +hemi-, +sphere]
Hemline n. Lower edge of a skirt etc.
Hemlock n. 1 poisonous plant with fernlike leaves and small white flowers. 2 poison made from this. [old english]
Hemoglobin n. (brit. Haem-) oxygen-carrying substance in the red blood cells of vertebrates. [from +globulin]
Hemophilia n. (brit. Haem-) hereditary failure of the blood to clot normally with the tendency to bleed severely from even a slight injury. [greek haima blood, philia loving]
Hemophiliac n. (brit. Haem-) person with haemophilia.
Hemorrhage (brit. Haem-) —n. 1 profuse loss of blood from a ruptured blood-vessel. 2 damaging loss, esp. Of people or assets. —v. (-ging) suffer a haemorrhage. [greek haima blood, rhegnumi burst]
Hemorrhoids n.pl. (brit. Haem-) swollen veins in the wall of the anus; piles. [greek haima blood, -rhoos -flowing]
Hemp n. 1 (in full indian hemp) asian herbaceous plant. 2 its fibre used to make rope and stout fabrics. 3 narcotic drug made from the hemp plant. [old english]
Hempen adj. Made of hemp.
Hemstitch —n. Decorative stitch. —v. Hem with this stitch.
Hen n. Female bird, esp. Of a domestic fowl. [old english]
Henbane n. Poisonous hairy plant with an unpleasant smell.
Hence adv. 1 from this time (two years hence). 2 for this reason (hence we seem to be wrong). 3 archaic from here. [old english]
Henceforth adv. (also henceforward) from this time onwards.
Henchman n. Usu. Derog. Trusted supporter. [old english hengst horse, +man]
Henge n. Prehistoric monument consisting of a circle of stone or wood uprights. [stonehenge in s. England]
Henna —n. 1 tropical shrub. 2 reddish dye made from it and used to colour hair. —v. (hennaed, hennaing) dye with henna. [arabic]
Hen-party n. Colloq. Social gathering of women only.
Henpeck v. (usu. In passive) (of a wife) constantly nag her husband.
Henry n. (pl. -s or -ies) electr. Si unit of inductance. [henry, name of a physicist]
Hep var. Of +hip4.
Hepatic adj. Of the liver. [greek hepar -atos liver]
Hepatitis n. Inflammation of the liver. [related to +hepatic]
Hepta- comb. Form seven. [greek]
Heptagon n. Plane figure with seven sides and angles. ~ heptagonal adj. [greek: related to +hepta-, -gonos angled]
Her —pron. 1 objective case of +she (i like her). 2 colloq. She (it's her all right; am older than her). —poss. Pron. (attrib.) Of or belonging to her or herself (her house; her own business). [old english dative and genitive of +she]
Herald —n. 1 official messenger bringing news. 2 forerunner, harbinger. 3 a hist. Officer responsible for state ceremonial and etiquette. B official concerned with pedigrees and coats of arms. —v. Proclaim the approach of; usher in. ~ heraldic adj. [french from germanic]
Heraldry n. 1 art or knowledge of a herald. 2 coats of arms.
Herb n. 1 any non-woody seed-bearing plant. 2 plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavouring, food, medicine, scent, etc. ~ herby adj. (-ier, -iest). [latin herba]
Herbaceous adj. Of or like herbs.
Herbaceous border n. Garden border containing esp. Perennial flowering plants.
Herbage n. Vegetation collectively, esp. As pasture.
Herbal —adj. Of herbs in medicinal and culinary use. —n. Book describing the medicinal and culinary uses of herbs.
Herbalist n. 1 dealer in medicinal herbs. 2 writer on herbs.
Herbarium n. (pl. -ria) 1 systematically arranged collection of dried plants. 2 book, room, etc. For these.
Herbicide n. Poison used to destroy unwanted vegetation.
Herbivore n. Animal that feeds on plants. ~ herbivorous adj. [latin voro devour]
Herculean adj. Having or requiring great strength or effort. [from the name hercules, latin alteration of greek herakles]
Herd —n. 1 a number of animals, esp. Cattle, feeding or travelling or kept together. 2 (prec. By the) derog. Large number of people; mob (tends to follow the herd). —v. 1 (cause to) go in a herd (herded together for warmth; herded the cattle into the field). 2 look after (sheep, cattle, etc.). [old english]
Herd instinct n. (prec. By the) tendency to think and act as a crowd.
Herdsman n. Man who owns or tends a herd.
Here —adv. 1 in or at or to this place or position (come here; sit here). 2 indicating a person's presence or a thing offered (my son here will show you; here is your coat). 3 at this point in the argument, situation, etc. (here i have a question). —n. This place (get out of here; lives near here; fill it up to here). —int. 1 calling attention: short for come here, look here, etc. (here, where are you going with that?). 2 indicating one's presence in a roll-call: short for i am here. ~ here goes! Colloq. Expression indicating the start of a bold act. Here's to i drink to the health of. Here we are colloq. Said on arrival at one's destination. Here we go again colloq. The same, usu. Undesirable, events are recurring. Here you are said on handing something to somebody. Neither here nor there of no importance. [old english]
Hereabouts adv. (also hereabout) near this place.
Hereafter —adv. From now on; in the future. —n. 1 the future. 2 life after death.
Here and now adv. At this very moment; immediately.
Here and there adv. In various places.
Hereby adv. By this means; as a result of this.
Hereditable adj. That can be inherited. [latin: related to +heir]
Hereditary adj. 1 (of a disease, instinct, etc.) Able to be passed down genetically from one generation to another. 2 a descending by inheritance. B holding a position by inheritance. [latin: related to +heir]
Heredity n. 1 a passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically. B these characteristics. 2 genetic constitution.
Hereford n. Animal of a breed of red and white beef cattle. [hereford in england]
Herein adv. Formal in this matter, book, etc.
Hereinafter adv. Esp. Law formal 1 from this point on. 2 in a later part of this document etc.
Hereof adv. Formal of this.
Heresy n. (pl. -ies) 1 esp. Rc ch. Religious belief or practice contrary to orthodox doctrine. 2 opinion contrary to what is normally accepted or maintained. [greek hairesis choice]
Heretic n. 1 person believing in or practising religious heresy. 2 holder of an unorthodox opinion. ~ heretical adj.
Hereto adv. Formal to this matter.
Heretofore adv. Formal before this time.
Hereupon adv. After this; in consequence of this.
Herewith adv. With this (esp. Of an enclosure in a letter etc.).
Heritable adj. 1 law capable of being inherited or of inheriting. 2 biol. Genetically transmissible from parent to offspring. [french: related to +heir]
Heritage n. 1 what is or may be inherited. 2 inherited circumstances, benefits, etc. 3 a nation's historic buildings, monuments, countryside, etc., esp. When regarded as worthy of preservation.
Hermaphrodite —n. Person, animal, or plant having both male and female reproductive organs. —adj. Combining both sexes. ~ hermaphroditic adj. [from hermaphroditus, son of hermes and aphrodite who became joined in one body to a nymph]
Hermetic adj. With an airtight closure. ~ hermetically adv. [from the greek god hermes, regarded as the founder of alchemy]
Hermit n. Person (esp. An early christian) living in solitude and austerity. ~ hermitic adj. [greek eremos solitary]
Hermitage n. 1 hermit's dwelling. 2 secluded dwelling.
Hermit-crab n. Crab that lives in a mollusc's cast-off shell.
Hernia n. Protrusion of part of an organ through the wall of the body cavity containing it. [latin]
Hero n. (pl. -es) 1 person noted or admired for nobility, courage, outstanding achievements, etc. 2 chief male character in a play, story, etc. [greek heros]
Heroic —adj. Of, fit for, or like a hero; very brave. —n. (in pl.) 1 high-flown language or sentiments. 2 unduly bold behaviour. ~ heroically adv.
Heroin n. Addictive analgesic drug derived from morphine, often used as a narcotic. [german: related to +hero, from the effect on the user's self-esteem]
Heroine n. 1 woman noted or admired for nobility, courage, outstanding achievements, etc. 2 chief female character in a play, story, etc. [greek: related to +hero]
Heroism n. Heroic conduct or qualities. [french héroïsme: related to +hero]
Heron n. Long-legged wading bird with a long s-shaped neck. [french from germanic]
Hero-worship —n. Idealization of an admired person. —v. Idolize.
Herpes n. Virus disease causing skin blisters. [greek herpo creep]
Herr n. (pl. Herren) 1 title of a german man; mr. 2 german man. [german]
Herring n. (pl. Same or -s) n. Atlantic fish used as food. [old english]
Herring-bone n. Stitch or weave consisting of a series of small ‘v’ shapes making a zigzag pattern.
Herring-gull n. Large gull with dark wing-tips.
Hers poss. Pron. The one or ones belonging to or associated with her (it is hers; hers are over there). ~ of hers of or belonging to her (friend of hers).
Herself pron. 1 a emphat. Form of +she or +her (she herself will do it). B refl. Form of +her (she has hurt herself). 2 in her normal state of body or mind (does not feel quite herself today). ~ be herself see +oneself. By herself see by oneself. [old english: related to +her, +self]
Hertz n. (pl. Same) si unit of frequency, equal to one cycle per second. [hertz, name of a physicist]
He's contr. 1 he is. 2 he has.
Hesitant adj. Hesitating; irresolute. ~ hesitance n. Hesitancy n. Hesitantly adv.
Hesitate v. (-ting) 1 show or feel indecision or uncertainty; pause in doubt (hesitated over her choice). 2 be reluctant (i hesitate to say so). ~ hesitation n. [latin haereo haes- stick fast]
Hessian n. Strong coarse sacking made of hemp or jute. [hesse in germany]
Hetero- comb. Form other, different. [greek heteros other]
Heterodox adj. Not orthodox. ~ heterodoxy n. [from +hetero-, greek doxa opinion]
Heterodyne adj. Radio relating to the production of a lower frequency from the combination of two almost equal high frequencies. [from +hetero-, greek dunamis force]
Heterogeneous adj. 1 diverse in character. 2 varied in content. ~ heterogeneity n. [latin from greek genos kind]
Heteromorphic adj. (also heteromorphous) biol. Of dissimilar forms. ~ heteromorphism n.
Heterosexual —adj. Feeling or involving sexual attraction to the opposite sex. —n. Heterosexual person. ~ heterosexuality n.
Het up predic. Adj. Colloq. Excited, overwrought. [het, a dial. Word = heated]
Heuristic adj. 1 allowing or assisting to discover. 2 proceeding to a solution by trial and error. [greek heurisko find]
Hew v. (past part. Hewn or hewed) 1 chop or cut with an axe, sword, etc. 2 cut into shape. [old english]
Hex —v. 1 practise witchcraft. 2 bewitch. —n. Magic spell. [german]
Hexa- comb. Form six. [greek]
Hexadecimal adj. Esp. Computing of a system of numerical notation that has 16 (the figures 0 to 9 and the letters a to f) rather than 10 as a base.
Hexagon n. Plane figure with six sides and angles. ~ hexagonal adj. [greek: related to +hexa-, -gonos angled]
Hexagram n. Figure formed by two intersecting equilateral triangles.
Hexameter n. Line of verse with six metrical feet.
Hey int. Calling attention or expressing joy, surprise, inquiry, etc. [imitative]
Heyday n. Time of greatest success or prosperity. [low german]
Hey presto! Int. Conjuror's phrase on completing a trick.
Hezbollah n. (also hiz-) extreme shiite muslim group, active esp. In lebanon. [arabic hisbullah party of god]
Hf abbr. High frequency.
Hf symb. Hafnium.
Hg symb. Mercury.
Hg abbr. Hectogram(s).
Hgv abbr. Heavy goods vehicle.
Hh abbr. 1 her or his highness. 2 his holiness. 3 (of pencil-lead) double-hard.
Hi int. Calling attention or as a greeting.
Hiatus n. (pl. -tuses) 1 break or gap in a series or sequence. 2 break between two vowels coming together but not in the same syllable, as in though oft the ear. [latin hio gape]
Hibernate v. (-ting) (of an animal) spend the winter in a dormant state. ~ hibernation n. [latin hibernus wintry]
Hibernian archaic poet. —adj. Of ireland. —n. Native of ireland. [latin hibernia ireland]
Hibiscus n. (pl. -cuses) cultivated shrub with large bright-coloured flowers. [greek hibiskos marsh mallow]
Hiccup (also hiccough) —n. 1 involuntary spasm of the diaphragm causing a characteristic sound ‘hic’. 2 temporary or minor stoppage or difficulty. —v. (-p-) make a hiccup. [imitative]
Hick n. (often attrib.) Esp. Us colloq. Country bumpkin, provincial. [familiar form of richard]
Hickory n. (pl. -ies) 1 n. American tree yielding wood and nutlike edible fruits. 2 the tough heavy wood of this. [virginian pohickery]
Hid past of +hide1.
Hidden past part. Of +hide1.
Hidden agenda n. Secret motivation behind a policy, statement, etc.; ulterior motive.
Hide1 —v. (-ding; past hid; past part. Hidden) 1 put or keep out of sight. 2 conceal oneself. 3 (usu. Foll. By from) keep (a fact) secret. 4 conceal. —n. Camouflaged shelter used for observing wildlife. ~ hider n. [old english]
Hide2 n. 1 animal's skin, esp. When tanned or dressed. 2 colloq. The human skin, esp. The backside. [old english]
Hide-and-seek n. Game in which players hide and another searches for them.
Hideaway n. Hiding-place or place of retreat.
Hidebound adj. 1 narrow-minded. 2 constricted by tradition.
Hideous adj. 1 very ugly, revolting. 2 colloq. Unpleasant. ~ hideosity n. (pl. -ies). Hideously adv. [anglo-french hidous]
Hide-out n. Colloq. Hiding-place.
Hiding1 n. Colloq. A thrashing. ~ on a hiding to nothing with no chance of succeeding. [from +hide2]
Hiding2 n. 1 act of hiding. 2 state of remaining hidden (go into hiding). [from +hide1]
Hiding-place n. Place of concealment.
Hierarchy n. (pl. -ies) system of grades of status or authority ranked one above the other. ~ hierarchical adj. [greek hieros sacred, arkho rule]
Hieratic adj. 1 of priests. 2 of the ancient egyptian hieroglyphic writing as used by priests. [greek hiereus priest]
Hieroglyph n. Picture representing a word, syllable, or sound, as used in ancient egyptian etc. [greek hieros sacred, glupho carve]
Hieroglyphic —adj. Of or written in hieroglyphs. —n. (in pl.) Hieroglyphs; hieroglyphic writing.
Hi-fi colloq. —adj. Of high fidelity. —n. (pl. -s) set of high-fidelity equipment. [abbreviation]
Higgledy-piggledy adv. & adj. In confusion or disorder. [origin uncertain]
High —adj. 1 a of great vertical extent (high building). B (predic.; often in comb.) Of a specified height (one inch high; waist-high). 2 a far above ground or sea level etc. (high altitude). B inland, esp. When raised (high asia). 3 extending above the normal level (jersey with a high neck). 4 a of exalted quality (high minds). B lavish; superior (high living; high fashion). 5 of exalted rank (high society; is high in the government). 6 a great; intense; extreme; powerful (high praise; high temperature). B greater than normal (high prices). C extreme or very traditional in religious or political opinion (high tory). 7 performed at, to, or from a considerable height (high diving; high flying). 8 (often foll. By on) colloq. Intoxicated by alcohol or esp. Drugs. 9 (of a sound etc.) Of high frequency; shrill. 10 (of a period, age, time, etc.) At its peak (high noon; high summer; high renaissance). 11 a (of meat etc.) Beginning to go bad; off. B (of game) well-hung and slightly decomposed. —n. 1 high, or the highest, level or figure. 2 area of high pressure; anticyclone. 3 slang euphoric state, esp. Drug-induced (am on a high). —adv. 1 far up; aloft (flew the flag high). 2 in or to a high degree. 3 at a high price. 4 (of a sound) at or to a high pitch. ~ high opinion of favourable opinion of. On high in or to heaven or a high place. On one's high horse colloq. Acting arrogantly. [old english]
High altar n. Chief altar in a church.
High and dry adj. Stranded; aground.
High and low adv. Everywhere (searched high and low).
High and mighty adj. Colloq. Arrogant.
Highball n. Us drink of spirits and soda etc., served with ice in a tall glass.
Highbrow colloq. —adj. Intellectual; cultural. —n. Intellectual or cultured person.
High chair n. Infant's chair with long legs and a tray for meals.
High church n. Section of the church of england emphasizing ritual, priestly authority, and sacraments.
High-class adj. Of high quality.
High colour n. Flushed complexion.
High command n. Army commander-in-chief and associated staff.
High commission n. Embassy from one commonwealth country to another. ~ high commissioner n.
High court n. (also in england high court of justice) supreme court of justice for civil cases.
High day n. Festal day.
Higher animal n. (also higher plant) animal or plant evolved to a high degree.
Higher education n. Education at university etc.
High explosive n. Extremely explosive substance used in shells, bombs, etc.
Highfalutin adj. (also highfaluting) colloq. Pompous, pretentious. [origin unknown]
High fidelity n. High-quality sound reproduction with little distortion.
High-flown adj. (of language etc.) Extravagant, bombastic.
High-flyer n. (also high-flier) 1 ambitious person. 2 person or thing of great potential. ~ high-flying adj.
High frequency n. Frequency, esp. In radio, of 3 to 30 megahertz.
High gear n. Gear such that the driven end of a transmission revolves faster than the driving end.
High-handed adj. Disregarding others' feelings; overbearing. ~ high-handedly adv. High-handedness n.
High heels n.pl. Women's shoes with high heels.
High jinks n.pl. Boisterous fun.
High jump n. 1 athletic event consisting of jumping over a high bar. 2 colloq. Drastic punishment (he's for the high jump).
Highland —n. (usu. In pl.) 1 area of high land. 2 (the highlands) mountainous part of scotland. —adj. Of or in a highland or the highlands. ~ highlander n. (also highlander). [old english, = promontory: related to +high]
Highland cattle n. Cattle of a shaggy-haired breed with long curved horns.
Highland fling see +fling n. 3.
High-level adj. 1 (of negotiations etc.) Conducted by high-ranking people. 2 computing (of a programming language) not machine-dependent and usu. At a level of abstraction close to natural language.
Highlight —n. 1 moment or detail of vivid interest; outstanding feature. 2 (in a painting etc.) Bright area. 3 (usu. In pl.) Light streak in the hair produced by bleaching. —v. 1 bring into prominence; draw attention to. 2 mark with a highlighter.
Highlighter n. Marker pen for emphasizing a printed word etc. By overlaying it with colour.
Highly adv. 1 in a high degree (highly amusing; commend it highly). 2 favourably (think highly of him).
Highly-strung adj. Very sensitive or nervous.
High-minded adj. Having high moral principles. ~ high-mindedly adv. High-mindedness n.
Highness n. 1 state of being high (highness of taxation). 2 (highness) title used when addressing or referring to a prince or princess (her highness; your royal highness).
High-octane adj. (of fuel used in internal-combustion engines) not detonating readily during the power stroke.
High-pitched adj. 1 (of a sound) high. 2 (of a roof) steep.
High point n. The maximum or best state reached.
High-powered adj. 1 having great power or energy. 2 important or influential.
High pressure n. 1 high degree of activity or exertion. 2 atmospheric condition with the pressure above average.
High priest n. (fem. High priestess) 1 chief priest, esp. Jewish. 2 head of a cult.
High-ranking adj. Of high rank, senior.
High-rise —attrib. Adj. (of a building) having many storeys. —n. Such a building.
High-risk attrib. Adj. Involving or exposed to danger (high-risk sports).
High road n. Main road.
High school n. 1 grammar school. 2 us & scot. Secondary school.
High sea n. (also high seas) open seas not under any country's jurisdiction.
High season n. Busiest period at a resort etc.
High-speed attrib. Adj. Operating at great speed.
High-spirited adj. Vivacious; cheerful; lively.
High spot n. Important place or feature.
High street n. Principal shopping street of a town.
High table n. Dining-table for the most important guests or members.
High tea n. Evening meal usu. Consisting of a cooked dish, bread and butter, tea, etc.
High-tech adj. 1 employing, requiring, or involved in high technology. 2 imitating styles more usual in industry etc.
High technology n. Advanced technological development, esp. In electronics.
High tension n. = +high voltage.
High tide n. Time or level of the tide at its peak.
High time n. Time that is overdue (it is high time they arrived).
High treason n. = +treason.
High-up n. Colloq. Person of high rank.
High voltage n. Electrical potential large enough to injure or damage.
High water n. = +high tide.
High-water mark n. Level reached at high water.
Highway n. 1 a public road. B main route. 2 direct course of action (on the highway to success).
Highway code n. Official booklet of guidance for road-users.
Highwayman n. Hist. Robber of travellers etc., usu. Mounted.
High wire n. High tightrope.
Hijack —v. 1 seize control of (a vehicle etc.), esp. To force it to a different destination. 2 seize (goods) in transit. 3 take control of (talks etc.) By force or subterfuge. —n. A hijacking. ~ hijacker n. [origin unknown]
Hike —n. 1 long walk, esp. In the country for pleasure. 2 rise in prices etc. —v. (-king) 1 go for a hike. 2 walk laboriously. 3 (usu. Foll. By up) hitch up (clothing etc.); become hitched up. 4 (usu. Foll. By up) raise (prices etc.). ~ hiker n. [origin unknown]
Hilarious adj. 1 exceedingly funny. 2 boisterously merry. ~ hilariously adv. Hilarity n. [greek hilaros cheerful]
Hill n. 1 naturally raised area of land, lower than a mountain. 2 (often in comb.) Heap, mound (anthill). 3 sloping piece of road. ~ over the hill colloq. Past the prime of life. [old english]
Hill-billy n. Us colloq., often derog. Person from a remote rural area in a southern state.
Hillock n. Small hill, mound.
Hillside n. Sloping side of a hill.
Hilltop n. Top of a hill.
Hillwalking n. Hiking in hilly country. ~ hillwalker n.
Hilly adj. (-ier, -iest) having many hills. ~ hilliness n.
Hilt n. Handle of a sword, dagger, etc. ~ up to the hilt completely. [old english]
Him pron. 1 objective case of +he (i saw him). 2 colloq. He (it's him again; taller than him). [old english, dative of +he]
Himself pron. 1 a emphat. Form of +he or +him (he himself will do it). B refl. Form of +him (he has hurt himself). 2 in his normal state of body or mind (does not feel quite himself today). ~ be himself see +oneself. By himself see by oneself. [old english: related to +him, +self]
Hind1 adj. At the back (hind leg). [old english hindan from behind]
Hind2 n. Female (esp. Red) deer, esp. In and after the third year. [old english]
Hinder1 v. Impede; delay. [old english]
Hinder2 adj. Rear, hind (the hinder part). [old english]
Hindi n. 1 group of spoken dialects of n. India. 2 literary form of hindustani, an official language of india. [urdu hind india]
Hindmost adj. Furthest behind.
Hindquarters n.pl. Hind legs and rump of a quadruped.
Hindrance n. 1 hindering; being hindered. 2 thing that hinders.
Hindsight n. Wisdom after the event.
Hindu —n. (pl. -s) follower of hinduism. —adj. Of hindus or hinduism. [urdu hind india]
Hinduism n. Main religious and social system of india, including the belief in reincarnation, several gods, and a caste system.
Hindustani n. Language based on hindi, used as a lingua franca in much of india. [from +hindu, stan country]
Hinge —n. 1 movable joint on which a door, lid, etc., turns or swings. 2 principle on which all depends. —v. (-ging) 1 (foll. By on) depend (on a principle, an event, etc.). 2 attach or be attached by a hinge. [related to +hang]
Hinny n. (pl. -ies) offspring of a female donkey and a male horse. [greek hinnos]
Hint —n. 1 slight or indirect indication or suggestion. 2 small piece of practical information. 3 very small trace; suggestion (a hint of perfume). —v. Suggest slightly or indirectly. ~ hint at give a hint of; refer indirectly to. Take a hint heed a hint. [obsolete hent grasp]
Hinterland n. 1 district beyond a coast or river's banks. 2 area served by a port or other centre. [german]
Hip1 n. Projection of the pelvis and the upper part of the thigh-bone. [old english]
Hip2 n. Fruit of a rose, esp. Wild. [old english]
Hip3 int. Introducing a united cheer (hip, hip, hooray). [origin unknown]
Hip4 adj. (also hep) (-pper, -ppest) slang trendy, stylish. [origin unknown]
Hip-bath n. Portable bath in which one sits immersed to the hips.
Hip-bone n. Bone forming the hip.
Hip-flask n. Small flask for spirits etc.
Hip hop n. (also hip-hop) subculture combining rap music, graffiti art, and break-dancing. [from +hip4]
Hippie n. (also hippy) (pl. -ies) colloq. (esp. In the 1960s) person rejecting convention, typically with long hair, jeans, beads, etc., and taking hallucinogenic drugs. [from +hip4]
Hippo n. (pl. -s) colloq. Hippopotamus. [abbreviation]
Hip-pocket n. Trouser-pocket just behind the hip.
Hippocratic oath n. Statement of ethics of the medical profession. [hippocrates, name of a greek physician]
Hippodrome n. 1 music-hall or dancehall. 2 (in classical antiquity) course for chariot races etc. [greek hippos horse, dromos race]
Hippopotamus n. (pl. -muses or -mi) large african mammal with short legs and thick skin, living by rivers, lakes, etc. [greek hippos horse, potamos river]
Hippy1 var. Of +hippie.
Hippy2 adj. Having large hips.
Hipster1 —attrib. Adj. (of a garment) hanging from the hips rather than the waist. —n. (in pl.) Such trousers.
Hipster2 n. Slang hip person.
Hire —v. (-ring) 1 purchase the temporary use of (a thing) (hired a van). 2 esp. Us employ (a person). —n. 1 hiring or being hired. 2 payment for this. ~ for (or on) hire ready to be hired. Hire out grant the temporary use of (a thing) for payment. ~ hireable adj. Hirer n. [old english]
Hireling n. Usu. Derog. Person who works (only) for money.
Hire purchase n. System of purchase by paying in instalments.
Hirsute adj. Hairy. [latin]
His poss. Pron. 1 (attrib.) Of or belonging to him or himself (his house; his own business). 2 the one or ones belonging to or associated with him (it is his; his are over there). ~ of his of or belonging to him (friend of his). [old english, genitive of +he]
Hispanic —adj. 1 of spain or spain and portugal. 2 of spain and other spanish-speaking countries. —n. Spanish-speaking person living in the us. [latin hispania spain]
Hiss —v. 1 make a sharp sibilant sound, as of the letter s. 2 express disapproval of by hisses. 3 whisper urgently or angrily. —n. 1 sharp sibilant sound as of the letter s. 2 electronics interference at audio frequencies. [imitative]
Histamine n. Chemical compound in body tissues etc., associated with allergic reactions. [from +histology, +amine]
Histogram n. Statistical diagram of rectangles with areas proportional to the value of a number of variables. [greek histos mast]
Histology n. The study of tissue structure. [greek histos web]
Historian n. 1 writer of history. 2 person learned in history.
Historic adj. 1 famous or important in history or potentially so (historic moment). 2 gram. (of a tense) used to narrate past events.
Historical adj. 1 of or concerning history (historical evidence). 2 (of the study of a subject) showing its development over a period. 3 factual, not fictional or legendary. 4 belonging to the past, not the present. 5 (of a novel etc.) Dealing with historical events. ~ historically adv.
Historicism n. 1 theory that social and cultural phenomena are determined by history. 2 belief that historical events are governed by laws.
Historicity n. Historical truth or authenticity.
Historiography n. 1 the writing of history. 2 the study of this. ~ historiographer n.
History n. (pl. -ies) 1 continuous record of (esp. Public) events. 2 a the study of past events, esp. Human affairs. B total accumulation of past events, esp. Relating to human affairs or a particular nation, person, thing, etc. 3 eventful past (this house has a history). 4 (foll. By of) past record (had a history of illness). 5 a systematic or critical account of or research into past events etc. B similar record or account of natural phenomena. 6 historical play. ~ make history do something memorable. [greek historia inquiry]
Histrionic —adj. (of behaviour) theatrical, dramatic. —n. (in pl.) Insincere and dramatic behaviour designed to impress. [latin histrio actor]
Hit —v. (-tt-; past and past part. Hit) 1 a strike with a blow or missile. B (of a moving body) strike with force (the plane hit the ground). C reach (a target etc.) With a directed missile (hit the wicket). 2 cause to suffer; affect adversely. 3 (often foll. By at, against) direct a blow. 4 (often foll. By against, on) knock (a part of the body) (hit his head). 5 achieve, reach (hit the right tone; can't hit the high notes). 6 colloq. A encounter (hit a snag). B arrive at (hit town). C indulge heavily in, esp. Liquor etc. (hit the bottle). 7 esp. Us slang rob or kill. 8 occur forcefully to (it only hit him later). 9 a propel (a ball etc.) With a bat etc. To score runs or points. B score in this way (hit a six). —n. 1 a blow, stroke. B collision. 2 shot etc. That hits its target. 3 colloq. Popular success. ~ hit back retaliate. Hit below the belt 1 esp. Boxing give a foul blow. 2 treat or behave unfairly. Hit the hay (or sack) colloq. Go to bed. Hit it off (often foll. By with, together) colloq. Get on well (with a person). Hit the nail on the head state the truth exactly. Hit on (or upon) find by chance. Hit out deal vigorous physical or verbal blows. Hit the road slang depart. Hit the roof see +roof. [old english from old norse]
Hit-and-run attrib. Adj. 1 (of a driver, raider, etc.) Causing damage or injury and leaving the scene immediately. 2 (of an accident, attack, etc.) Perpetrated by such a person or people.
Hitch —v. 1 fasten or be fastened with a loop, hook, etc.; tether. 2 move (a thing) slightly or with a jerk. 3 colloq. A = +hitchhike. B obtain (a lift) by hitchhiking. —n. 1 temporary obstacle or snag. 2 abrupt pull or push. 3 noose or knot of various kinds. 4 colloq. Free ride in a vehicle. ~ get hitched colloq. Marry. Hitch up lift (esp. Clothing) with a jerk. [origin uncertain]
Hitchhike v. (-king) travel by seeking free lifts in passing vehicles. ~ hitchhiker n.
Hi-tech adj. = +high-tech. [abbreviation]
Hither adv. Formal to or towards this place. [old english]
Hither and thither adv. To and fro.
Hitherto adv. Until this time, up to now.
Hit list n. Slang list of prospective victims.
Hit man n. Slang hired assassin.
Hit-or-miss adj. Liable to error, random.
Hit parade n. Colloq. List of the current best-selling pop records.
Hittite —n. Member or language of an ancient people of asia minor and syria. —adj. Of the hittites. [hebrew]
Hiv abbr. Human immunodeficiency virus, either of two viruses causing aids.
Hive n. Beehive. ~ hive off (-ving) separate from a larger group. [old english]
Hives n.pl. Skin-eruption, esp. Nettle-rash. [origin unknown]
Hizbollah var. Of +hezbollah.
Hm abbr. Her (or his) majesty('s).
Hmg abbr. Her (or his) majesty's government.
Hmi abbr. Her (or his) majesty's inspector (of schools).
Hms abbr. Her (or his) majesty's ship.
Hmso abbr. Her (or his) majesty's stationery office.
Hnc abbr. Higher national certificate.
Hnd abbr. Higher national diploma.
Ho symb. Holmium.
Ho int. Expressing triumph, derision, etc., or calling attention. [natural exclamation]
He abbr. 1 his or her excellency. 2 his eminence. 3 high explosive.
He symb. Helium.
He —pron. (obj. Him; poss. His; pl. They) 1 the man, boy, or male animal previously named or in question. 2 person etc. Of unspecified sex (if anyone comes he will have to wait; he who hesitates). —n. 1 male; man. 2 (in comb.) Male (he-goat). [old english]
Head —n. 1 upper part of the human body, or foremost or upper part of an animal's body, containing the brain, mouth, and sense-organs. 2 a seat of intellect (use your head). B mental aptitude or tolerance (a good head for business; no head for heights). 3 thing like a head in form or position, esp.: a the operative part of a tool. B the top of a nail. C the leaves or flowers at the top of a stem. D foam on the top of a glass of beer etc. 4 a person in charge, esp. The principal teacher of a school. B position of command. 5 front part of a queue etc. 6 upper end of a table or bed etc. 7 top or highest part of a page, stairs, etc. 8 a individual person as a unit (£10 per head). B (pl. Same) individual animal as a unit (20 head). 9 a side of a coin bearing the image of a head. B (usu. In pl.) This as a choice when tossing a coin. 10 a source of a river etc. B end of a lake at which a river enters it. 11 height or length of a head as a measure. 12 part of a machine in contact with or very close to what is being worked on, esp.: a the part of a tape recorder that touches the moving tape and converts signals. B the part of a record-player that holds the playing cartridge and stylus. 13 (usu. In phr. Come to a head) climax, crisis. 14 a confined body of water or steam in an engine etc. B pressure exerted by this. 15 promontory (esp. In place-names) (beachy head). 16 heading or headline. 17 fully developed top of a boil etc. 18 colloq. Headache. 19 (attrib.) Chief, principal. —v. 1 be at the head or front of. 2 be in charge of. 3 provide with a head or heading. 4 (often foll. By for) face, move, or direct in a specified direction (is heading for trouble). 5 hit (a ball etc.) With the head. ~ above (or over) one's head beyond one's understanding. Come to a head reach a crisis. Get it into one's head (foll. By that) 1 adopt a mistaken idea. 2 form a definite plan. Give a person his (or her) head allow a person to act freely. Go to one's head 1 make one slightly drunk. 2 make one conceited. Head off 1 get ahead of so as to intercept and turn aside. 2 forestall. Keep (or lose) one's head remain (or fail to remain) calm. Off one's head slang crazy. Off the top of one's head colloq. Impromptu. On one's (or one's own) head as one's own responsibility. Out of one's head slang crazy. Over one's head 1 beyond one's understanding. 2 without one's rightful knowledge or involvement, esp. Of action taken by a subordinate consulting one's own superior. 3 with disregard for one's own (stronger) claim (was promoted over my head). Put heads together consult together. Take it into one's head (foll. By that + clause or to + infin.) Decide, esp. Impetuously. Turn a person's head make a person conceited. [old english]
Headache n. 1 continuous pain in the head. 2 colloq. Worrying problem. ~ headachy adj.
Headband n. Band worn round the head as decoration or to confine the hair.
Headbanger n. Slang 1 person who shakes his or her head violently to the rhythm of music; fan of loud music. 2 crazy or eccentric person.
Headboard n. Upright panel at the head of a bed.
Head-butt —n. Thrust with the head into the chin or body of another person. —v. Attack with a head-butt.
Headcount n. 1 counting of individual people. 2 total number of people, esp. Employees.
Headdress n. Covering for the head.
Header n. 1 football shot or pass made with the head. 2 colloq. Headlong fall or dive. 3 brick etc. Laid at right angles to the face of a wall. 4 (in full header-tank) tank of water etc. Maintaining pressure in a plumbing system.
Head first adv. 1 with the head foremost. 2 precipitately.
Headgear n. Hat or headdress.
Head-hunting n. 1 collecting of the heads of dead enemies as trophies. 2 seeking of (esp. Senior) staff by approaching people employed elsewhere. ~ head-hunt v. Head-hunter n.
Heading n. 1 a title at the head of a page or section of a book etc. B section of a subject of discourse etc. 2 horizontal passage made in preparation for building a tunnel, or in a mine.
Head in the sand n. Refusal to acknowledge danger or difficulty.
Headlamp n. = +headlight.
Headland n. Promontory.
Headlight n. 1 strong light at the front of a vehicle. 2 beam from this.
Headline n. 1 heading at the top of an article or page, esp. In a newspaper. 2 (in pl.) Summary of the most important items in a news bulletin.
Headlock n. Wrestling hold with an arm round the opponent's head.
Headlong adv. & adj. 1 with the head foremost. 2 in a rush.
Headman n. Chief man of a tribe etc.
Headmaster n. (fem. Headmistress) = +head teacher.
Head-on adj. & adv. 1 with the front foremost (head-on crash). 2 in direct confrontation.
Head over heels —n. Turning over completely in forward motion as in a somersault etc. —adv. Utterly (head over heels in love).
Headphones n.pl. Set of earphones fitting over the head, for listening to audio equipment etc.
Headquarters n. (as sing. Or pl.) Administrative centre of an organization.
Headrest n. Support for the head, esp. On a seat.
Headroom n. Space or clearance above a vehicle, person's head, etc.
Headscarf n. Scarf worn round the head and tied under the chin.
Headset n. Headphones, often with a microphone attached.
Headship n. Position of head or chief, esp. In a school.
Headshrinker n. Slang psychiatrist.
Headstall n. Part of a halter or bridle fitting round a horse's head.
Head start n. Advantage granted or gained at an early stage.
Headstone n. Stone set up at the head of a grave.
Headstrong adj. Self-willed.
Head teacher n. Teacher in charge of a school.
Headwaters n.pl. Streams flowing from the sources of a river.
Headway n. 1 progress. 2 ship's rate of progress. 3 headroom.
Head wind n. Wind blowing from directly in front.
Headword n. Word forming a heading.
Heady adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 (of liquor) potent. 2 intoxicating, exciting. 3 impulsive, rash. 4 headachy. ~ headily adv. Headiness n.
Heal v. 1 (often foll. By up) become sound or healthy again. 2 cause to heal. 3 put right (differences etc.). 4 alleviate (sorrow etc.). ~ healer n. [old english: related to +whole]
Health n. 1 state of being well in body or mind. 2 person's mental or physical condition. 3 soundness, esp. Financial or moral. [old english: related to +whole]
Health centre n. Building containing various local medical services and doctors' practices.
Health farm n. Establishment offering improved health by a regime of dieting, exercise, etc.
Health food n. Natural food, thought to promote good health.
Healthful adj. Conducive to good health; beneficial.
Hear v. (past and past part. Heard) 1 (also absol.) Perceive with the ear. 2 listen to (heard them on the radio). 3 listen judicially to (a case etc.). 4 be told or informed. 5 (foll.
Heat —n. 1 condition of being hot. 2 physics form of energy arising from the motion of bodies' molecules. 3 hot weather. 4 warmth of feeling; anger or excitement. 5 (foll. By of) most intense part or period of activity (heat of battle). 6 (usu. Preliminary or trial) round in a race etc. —v. 1 make or become hot or warm. 2 inflame. ~ on heat (of mammals, esp.
Heavy —adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 of great or unusually high weight; difficult to lift. 2 of great density (heavy metal). 3 abundant, considerable (heavy crop; heavy traffic). 4 severe, intense, extensive (heavy fighting; a heavy sleep). 5 doing a thing to excess (heavy drinker). 6 striking or falling with force; causing strong impact (heavy blows; heavy rain; heavy sea; a heavy fall). 7 (of machinery, artillery, etc.) Very large of its kind; large in calibre etc. 8 needing much physical effort (heavy work). 9 carrying heavy weapons (the heavy brigade). 10 serious or sombre in tone or attitude; dull, tedious. 11 a hard to digest. B hard to read or understand. 12 (of bread etc.) Too dense from not having risen. 13 (of ground) difficult to traverse or work. 14 oppressive; hard to endure (heavy demands). 15 a coarse, ungraceful (heavy features). B unwieldy. —n. (pl. -ies) 1 colloq. Large violent person; thug (esp. Hired). 2 villainous or tragic role or actor. 3 (usu. In pl.) Colloq. Serious newspaper. 4 anything large or heavy of its kind, e.g. A vehicle. —adv. Heavily (esp. In comb.: heavy-laden). ~ heavy on using a lot of (heavy on petrol). Make heavy weather of see +weather. ~ heavily adv. Heaviness n. Heavyish adj. [old english]
Help —v. 1 provide with the means towards what is needed or sought (helped me with my work; helped me (to) pay my debts; helped him on with his coat). 2 (often absol.) Be of use or service to (does that help?). 3 contribute to alleviating (a pain or difficulty). 4 prevent or remedy (it can't be helped). 5 (usu. With neg.) A refrain from (can't help it; could not help laughing). B refl. Refrain from acting (couldn't help himself). 6 (often foll. By to) serve (a person with food). —n. 1 helping or being helped (need your help; came to our help). 2 person or thing that helps. 3 colloq. Domestic assistant or assistance. 4 remedy or escape (there is no help for it). ~ help oneself (often foll. By to) 1 serve oneself (with food etc.). 2 take without permission. Help a person out give a person help, esp. In difficulty. ~ helper n. [old english]
Here —adv. 1 in or at or to this place or position (come here; sit here). 2 indicating a person's presence or a thing offered (my son here will show you; here is your coat). 3 at this point in the argument, situation, etc. (here i have a question). —n.
Hay n. Grass mown and dried for fodder. ~ make hay (while the sun shines) seize opportunities. [old english]
Haycock n. Conical heap of hay.
Hay fever n. Allergy with asthmatic symptoms etc., caused by pollen or dust.
Haymaking n. Mowing grass and spreading it to dry. ~ haymaker n.
Haystack n. (also hayrick) packed pile of hay with a pointed or ridged top.
Haywire adj. Colloq. Badly disorganized, out of control.
Hazard —n. 1 danger or risk. 2 source of this. 3 golf obstacle, e.g. A bunker. —v. 1 venture (hazard a guess). 2 risk. [arabic az-zahr chance, luck]
Hazardous adj. Risky.
Haze n. 1 thin atmospheric vapour. 2 mental obscurity or confusion. [back-formation from +hazy]
Hazel n. 1 hedgerow shrub bearing round brown edible nuts. 2 greenish-brown. [old english]
Hazelnut n. Nut of the hazel.
Hazy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 misty. 2 vague, indistinct. 3 confused, uncertain. ~ hazily adv. Haziness n. [origin unknown]
Hb abbr. (of pencil-lead) hard black.
H-bomb n. = +hydrogen bomb. [from +h3]
Hcf abbr. Highest common factor.
Head —n. 1 upper part of the human body, or foremost or upper part of an animal's body, containing the brain, mouth, and sense-organs. 2 a seat of intellect (use your head). B mental aptitude or tolerance (a good head for business; no head for heights). 3 thing like a head in form or position, esp.: a the operative part of a tool. B the top of a nail. C the leaves or flowers at the top of a stem. D foam on the top of a glass of beer etc. 4 a person in charge, esp. The principal teacher of a school. B position of command. 5 front part of a queue etc. 6 upper end of a table or bed etc. 7 top or highest part of a page, stairs, etc. 8 a individual person as a unit (£10 per head). B (pl. Same) individual animal as a unit (20 head). 9 a side of a coin bearing the image of a head. B (usu. In pl.) This as a choice when tossing a coin. 10 a source of a river etc. B end of a lake at which a river enters it. 11 height or length of a head as a measure. 12 part of a machine in contact with or very close to what is being worked on, esp.: a the part of a tape recorder that touches the moving tape and converts signals. B the part of a record-player that holds the playing cartridge and stylus. 13 (usu. In phr. Come to a head) climax, crisis. 14 a confined body of water or steam in an engine etc. B pressure exerted by this. 15 promontory (esp. In place-names) (beachy head). 16 heading or headline. 17 fully developed top of a boil etc. 18 colloq. Headache. 19 (attrib.) Chief, principal. —v. 1 be at the head or front of. 2 be in charge of. 3 provide with a head or heading. 4 (often foll. By for) face, move, or direct in a specified direction (is heading for trouble). 5 hit (a ball etc.) With the head. ~ above (or over) one's head beyond one's understanding. Come to a head reach a crisis. Get it into one's head (foll. By that) 1 adopt a mistaken idea. 2 form a definite plan. Give a person his (or her) head allow a person to act freely. Go to one's head 1 make one slightly drunk. 2 make one conceited. Head off 1 get ahead of so as to intercept and turn aside. 2 forestall. Keep (or lose) one's head remain (or fail to remain) calm. Off one's head slang crazy. Off the top of one's head colloq. Impromptu. On one's (or one's own) head as one's own responsibility. Out of one's head slang crazy. Over one's head 1 beyond one's understanding.
Hell —n. 1 place regarded in some religions as the abode of the dead, or of devils and condemned sinners. 2 place or state of misery or wickedness. —int. Expressing anger, surprise, etc. ~ the hell (usu. Prec. By what, where, who, etc.) Expressing anger, disbelief, etc. (who the hell is this?; the hell you are!). Beat etc. The hell out of colloq. Beat etc. Without restraint.
High —adj. 1 a of great vertical extent (high building). B (predic.; often in comb.) Of a specified height (one inch high; waist-high). 2 a far above ground or sea level etc. (high altitude). B inland, esp. When raised (high asia).
Hit —v. (-tt-; past and past part. Hit) 1 a strike with a blow or missile. B (of a moving body) strike with force (the plane hit the ground). C reach (a target etc.) With a directed missile (hit the wicket). 2 cause to suffer; affect adversely. 3 (often foll. By at, against) direct a blow. 4 (often foll. By against, on) knock (a part of the body) (hit his head). 5 achieve, reach (hit the right tone; can't hit the high notes). 6 colloq. A encounter (hit a snag). B arrive at (hit town). C indulge heavily in, esp. Liquor etc. (hit the bottle). 7 esp. Us slang rob or kill. 8 occur forcefully to (it only hit him later). 9 a propel (a ball etc.) With a bat etc. To score runs or points. B score in this way (hit a six). —n. 1 a blow, stroke. B collision. 2 shot etc. That hits its target. 3 colloq. Popular success. ~ hit back retaliate. Hit below the belt 1 esp.
Hoard —n. Stock or store (esp. Of money or food). —v. Amass and store. ~ hoarder n. [old english]
Hoarding n. 1 large, usu. Wooden, structure used to carry advertisements etc. 2 temporary fence round a building site etc. [obsolete hoard from french: hourd]
Hoar-frost n. Frozen water vapour on vegetation etc. [old english]
Hoarse adj. 1 (of the voice) rough and deep; husky, croaking. 2 having such a voice. ~ hoarsely adv. Hoarseness n. [old norse]
Hoary adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 a (of hair) grey or white with age. B having such hair; aged. 2 old and trite (hoary joke). [old english]
Hoax —n. Humorous or malicious deception. —v. Deceive (a person) with a hoax. [probably a shortening of hocus in +hocus-pocus]
Hob n. 1 flat heating surface with hotplates or burners, on a cooker or as a separate unit. 2 flat metal shelf at the side of a fireplace for heating a pan etc. [perhaps var. Of +hub]
Hobble —v. (-ling) 1 walk lamely; limp. 2 tie together the legs of (a horse etc.) To prevent it from straying. —n. 1 uneven or infirm gait. 2 rope etc. For hobbling a horse etc. [probably low german]
Hobby n. (pl. -ies) leisure-time activity pursued for pleasure. [from the name robin]
Hobby-horse n. 1 child's toy consisting of a stick with a horse's head. 2 favourite subject or idea.
Hobgoblin n. Mischievous imp; bogy. [from +hobby, +goblin]
Hobnail n. Heavy-headed nail for boot-soles. [from +hob]
Hobnob v. (-bb-) (usu. Foll. By with) mix socially or informally. [hab nab have or not have]
Hobo n. (pl. -es or -s) us wandering worker; tramp. [origin unknown]
Hobson's choice n. Choice of taking the thing offered or nothing. [hobson, name of a carrier who let out horses thus]
Hock1 n. Joint of a quadruped's hind leg between the knee and the fetlock. [old english]
Hock2 n. German white wine from the rhineland. [hochheim in germany]
Hock3 v. Esp. Us colloq. Pawn; pledge. ~ in hock 1 in pawn. 2 in debt. 3 in prison. [dutch]
Hockey n. Team game with hooked sticks and a small hard ball. [origin unknown]
Hocus-pocus n. Deception; trickery. [sham latin]
Hod n. 1 v-shaped trough on a pole used for carrying bricks etc. 2 portable receptacle for coal. [french hotte pannier]
Hodgepodge var. Of +hotchpotch.
Hodgkin's disease n. Malignant disease of lymphatic tissues, usu. Characterized by enlargement of the lymph nodes. [hodgkin, name of a physician]
Hoe —n. Long-handled tool with a blade, used for weeding etc. —v. (hoes, hoed, hoeing) weed (crops); loosen (earth); dig up with a hoe. [french from germanic]
Hog —n. 1 castrated male pig. 2 colloq. Greedy person. —v. (-gg-) colloq. Take greedily; hoard selfishly; monopolize. ~ go the whole hog colloq. Do something completely or thoroughly. ~ hoggish adj. [old english]
Hogmanay n. Scot. New year's eve. [probably french]
Hogshead n. 1 large cask. 2 liquid or dry measure (about 50 gallons). [from +hog: the reason for the name is unknown]
Hogwash n. Colloq. Nonsense, rubbish.
Ho-ho int. 1 representing a deep jolly laugh. 2 expressing surprise, triumph, or derision. [reduplication of +ho]
Hoick v. Colloq. (often foll. By out) lift or pull, esp. With a jerk. [perhaps var. Of +hike]
Hoi polloi n. The masses; the common people. [greek, = the many]
Usage this phrase is often preceded by the, which is, strictly speaking, unnecessary, since hoi means ‘the’.
Hoist —v. 1 raise or haul up. 2 raise by means of ropes and pulleys etc. —n. 1 act of hoisting, lift. 2 apparatus for hoisting. ~ hoist with one's own petard caught by one's own trick etc. [earlier hoise, probably from low german]
Hoity-toity adj. Haughty. [obsolete hoit romp]
Hokum n. Esp. Us slang 1 sentimental, sensational, or unreal material in a film or play etc. 2 bunkum; rubbish. [origin unknown]
Hold1 —v. (past and past part. Held) 1 a keep fast; grasp (esp. In the hands or arms). B (also refl.) Keep or sustain (a thing, oneself, one's head, etc.) In a particular position. C grip so as to control (hold the reins). 2 have the capacity for, contain (holds two pints). 3 possess, gain, or have, esp.: a be the owner or tenant of (land, property, stocks, etc.). B gain or have gained (a qualification, record, etc.). C have the position of (a job or office). D keep possession of (a place etc.), esp. Against attack. 4 remain unbroken; not give way (roof held under the storm). 5 celebrate or conduct (a meeting, festival, conversation, etc.). 6 a keep (a person etc.) In a place or condition (held him in suspense). B detain, esp. In custody. 7 a engross (book held him for hours). B dominate (held the stage). 8 (foll. By to) keep (a person etc.) To (a promise etc.). 9 (of weather) continue fine. 10 think, believe; assert (held it to be plain; held that the earth was flat). 11 regard with a specified feeling (held him in contempt). 12 cease; restrain (hold your fire). 13 keep or reserve (please hold our seats). 14 be able to drink (alcohol) without effect (can't hold his drink). 15 (of a court etc.) Lay down; decide. 16 mus. Sustain (a note). 17 = hold the line. —n. 1 (foll. By on, over) influence or power over (has a strange hold over me). 2 manner of holding in wrestling etc. 3 grasp (take hold of him). 4 (often in comb.) Thing to hold by (seized the handhold). ~ hold (a thing) against (a person) resent or regard it as discreditable to (a person). Hold back 1 impede the progress of; restrain. 2 keep for oneself. 3 (often foll. By from) hesitate; refrain. Hold one's breath see +breath. Hold down 1 repress. 2 colloq. Be competent enough to keep (one's job etc.). Hold the fort 1 act as a temporary substitute. 2 cope in an emergency. Hold forth speak at length or tediously. Hold one's ground see +ground1. Hold hands grasp one another by the hand as a sign of affection or for support or guidance. Hold it cease action or movement. Hold the line not ring off (in a telephone connection).
Hold2 n. Cavity in the lower part of a ship or aircraft for cargo. [old english: related to +hollow]
Holdall n. Large soft travelling bag.
Holding n. 1 tenure of land. 2 stocks, property, etc. Held.
Holding company n. Company created to hold the shares of other companies, which it then controls.
Hold-up n. 1 stoppage or delay. 2 robbery by force.
Hole n. 1 a empty space in a solid body. B opening in or through something. 2 animal's burrow. 3 (in games) cavity or receptacle for a ball. 4 colloq. Small or dingy place. 5 colloq. Awkward situation. 6 golf a point scored by a player who gets the ball from tee to hole with the fewest strokes. B terrain or distance from tee to hole. ~ hole up us colloq. Hide oneself. Make a hole in use a large amount of. ~ holey adj. [old english]
Hole-and-corner adj. Secret; underhand.
Hole in the heart n. Colloq. Congenital defect in the heart membrane.
Holiday —n. 1 (often in pl.) Extended period of recreation, esp. Spent away from home or travelling; break from work. 2 day of festivity or recreation when no work is done, esp. A religious festival etc. —v. Spend a holiday. [old english: related to +holy, +day]
Holiday camp n. Place for holiday-makers with facilities on site.
Holiday-maker n. Person on holiday.
Holier-than-thou adj. Colloq. Self-righteous.
Holiness n. 1 being holy or sacred. 2 (holiness) title used when addressing or referring to the pope. [old english: related to +holy]
Holism n. (also wholism) 1 philos. Theory that certain wholes are greater than the sum of their parts. 2 med. Treating of the whole person rather than the symptoms of a disease. ~ holistic adj. [greek holos whole]
Hollandaise sauce n. Creamy sauce of melted butter, egg-yolks, vinegar, etc. [french]
Holler v. & n. Us colloq. Shout. [french holà hello!]
Hollow —adj. 1 a having a cavity; not solid. B sunken (hollow cheeks). 2 (of a sound) echoing. 3 empty; hungry. 4 meaningless (hollow victory). 5 insincere (hollow laugh). —n. 1 hollow place; hole. 2 valley; basin. —v. (often foll. By out) make hollow; excavate. —adv. Colloq. Completely (beaten hollow). ~ hollowly adv. Hollowness n. [old english]
Holly n. (pl. -ies) evergreen shrub with prickly leaves and red berries. [old english]
Hollyhock n. Tall plant with showy flowers. [from +holy, obsolete hock mallow]
Holm n. (in full holm-oak) evergreen oak with holly-like young leaves. [dial. Holm holly]
Holmium n. Metallic element of the lanthanide series. [latin holmia stockholm]
Holocaust n. 1 large-scale destruction, esp. By fire or nuclear war. 2 (the holocaust) mass murder of the jews by the nazis 1939–45. [greek holos whole, kaustos burnt]
Hologram n. Photographic pattern that gives a three-dimensional image when illuminated by coherent light. [greek holos whole, +-gram]
Holograph —adj. Wholly written by hand by the person named as the author. —n. Holograph document. [greek holos whole, +-graph]
Holography n. The study or production of holograms.
Hols n.pl. Colloq. Holidays. [abbreviation]
Holster n. Leather case for a pistol or revolver, worn on a belt etc. [dutch]
Holy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 morally and spiritually excellent or perfect, and to be revered. 2 belonging to or devoted to god. 3 consecrated, sacred. [old english: related to +whole]
Holy communion see +communion.
Holy ghost n. = +holy spirit.
Holy grail see +grail.
Holy land n. Area between the river jordan and the mediterranean sea.
Holy of holies n. 1 sacred inner chamber of the jewish temple. 2 thing regarded as most sacred.
Holy orders n.pl. The status of a bishop, priest, or deacon.
Holy roman empire n. Western part of the roman empire as revived by charlemagne in 800 ad.
Holy see n. Papacy or papal court.
Holy spirit n. Third person of the trinity, god as spiritually acting.
Holy week n. Week before easter.
Holy writ n. Holy writings, esp. The bible.
Homage n. Tribute, expression of reverence (pay homage to). [latin homo man]
Homburg n. Man's felt hat with a narrow curled brim and a lengthwise dent in the crown. [homburg in germany]
Home —n. 1 a place where one lives; fixed residence. B dwelling-house. 2 family circumstances (comes from a good home). 3 native land. 4 institution caring for people or animals. 5 place where a thing originates, is kept, or is native or most common. 6 a finishing-point in a race. B (in games) place where one is safe; goal. 7 sport home match or win. —attrib. Adj. 1 a of or connected with one's home. B carried on, done, or made, at home. 2 in one's own country (home industries; the home market). 3 sport played on one's own ground etc. (home match). —adv. 1 to, at, or in one's home or country (go home; is he home yet?).
Home and dry predic. Adj. Having achieved one's aim.
Home-brew n. Beer or other alcoholic drink brewed at home.
Home-coming n. Arrival at home.
Home counties n.pl. The counties closest to london.
Home economics n.pl. The study of household management.
Home farm n. Principal farm on an estate, providing produce for the owner.
Home-grown adj. Grown or produced at home.
Home guard n. Hist. British citizen army organized for defence in 1940.
Home help n. Person helping with housework etc., esp. One provided by a local authority.
Homeland n. 1 one's native land. 2 any of several partially self-governing areas in s. Africa reserved for black south africans (the official name for a bantustan).
Homeless adj. Lacking a home. ~ homelessness n.
Homely adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 simple, plain, unpretentious. 2 us (of facial appearance) plain, unattractive. 3 comfortable, cosy. ~ homeliness n.
Home-made adj. Made at home.
Home office n. British government department dealing with law and order, immigration, etc., in england and wales.
Homeopathy n. (brit. Homoeopathy) treatment of disease by minute doses of drugs that in a healthy person would produce symptoms of the disease. ~ homoeopath n. Homoeopathic adj. [greek homoios like: related to +pathos]
Homeric adj. 1 of, or in the style of, homer. 2 of bronze age greece as described in homer's poems.
Home rule n. Government of a country or region by its own citizens.
Home secretary n. Secretary of state in charge of the home office.
Homesick adj. Depressed by absence from home. ~ homesickness n.
Homespun —adj. 1 made of yarn spun at home. 2 plain, simple. —n. Homespun cloth.
Homestead n. House, esp. A farmhouse, and outbuildings.
Home truth n. Basic but unwelcome information about oneself.
Homeward —adv. (also homewards) towards home. —adj. Going towards home.
Homework n. 1 work to be done at home, esp. By a school pupil. 2 preparatory work or study.
Homey adj. (also homy) (-mier, -miest) suggesting home; cosy.
Homicide n. 1 killing of a human being by another. 2 person who kills a human being. ~ homicidal adj. [latin homo man]
Homily n. (pl. -ies) 1 sermon. 2 tedious moralizing discourse. ~ homiletic adj. [greek homilia]
Homing attrib. Adj. 1 (of a pigeon) trained to fly home. 2 (of a device) for guiding to a target etc.
Hominid —adj. Of the primate family including humans and their fossil ancestors. —n. Member of this family. [latin homo homin- man]
Hominoid —adj. Like a human. —n. Animal resembling a human.
Homo n. (pl. -s) colloq. Offens. Homosexual. [abbreviation]
Homo- comb. Form same. [greek homos same]
Homoeopathy n. (us homeopathy) treatment of disease by minute doses of drugs that in a healthy person would produce symptoms of the disease. ~ homoeopath n. Homoeopathic adj. [greek homoios like: related to +pathos]
Homogeneous adj. 1 of the same kind. 2 consisting of parts all of the same kind; uniform. ~ homogeneity n. Homogeneously adv. [from +homo-, greek genos kind]
Usage homogeneous is often confused with homogenous which is a term in biology meaning ‘similar owing to common descent’.
Homogenize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) 1 make homogeneous. 2 treat (milk) so that the fat droplets are emulsified and the cream does not separate.
Homograph n. Word spelt like another but of different meaning or origin (e.g. +pole1, +pole2).
Homologous adj. 1 a having the same relation, relative position, etc. B corresponding. 2 biol. (of organs etc.) Similar in position and structure but not necessarily in function. [from +homo-, greek logos ratio]
Homology n. Homologous state or relation; correspondence.
Homonym n. 1 word spelt or pronounced like another but of different meaning; homograph or homophone. 2 namesake. [from +homo-, onoma name]
Homophobia n. Hatred or fear of homosexuals. ~ homophobe n. Homophobic adj.
Homophone n. Word pronounced like another but of different meaning or origin (e.g. Pair, pear). [from +homo-, greek phone sound]
Homo sapiens n. Modern humans regarded as a species. [latin, = wise man]
Homosexual —adj. Feeling or involving sexual attraction only to people of the same sex. —n. Homosexual person. ~ homosexuality n. [from +homo-, +sexual]
Homy var. Of +homey.
Hon. Abbr. 1 honorary. 2 honourable.
Hone —n. Whetstone, esp. For razors. —v. (-ning) sharpen on or as on a hone. [old english]
Honest —adj. 1 fair and just; not cheating or stealing. 2 free of deceit and untruthfulness; sincere. 3 fairly earned (an honest living). 4 blameless but undistinguished. —adv. Colloq. Genuinely, really. [latin honestus]
Honestly adv. 1 in an honest way. 2 really (i don't honestly know).
Honesty n. 1 being honest. 2 truthfulness. 3 plant with purple or white flowers and flat round semi-transparent seed-pods.
Honey n. (pl. -s) 1 sweet sticky yellowish fluid made by bees from nectar. 2 colour of this. 3 a sweetness. B sweet thing. 4 esp. Us (usu. As a form of address) darling. [old english]
Honey-bee n. Common hive-bee.
Honeycomb —n. 1 bees' wax structure of hexagonal cells for honey and eggs. 2 pattern arranged hexagonally. —v. 1 fill with cavities or tunnels, undermine. 2 mark with a honeycomb pattern. [old english]
Honeydew n. 1 sweet sticky substance excreted by aphids on leaves and stems. 2 variety of melon.
Honeyed adj. (of words, flattery, etc.) Sweet, sweet-sounding.
Honeymoon —n. 1 holiday taken by a newly married couple. 2 initial period of enthusiasm or goodwill. —v. Spend a honeymoon. ~ honeymooner n.
Honeysuckle n. Climbing shrub with fragrant yellow or pink flowers.
Honk —n. 1 sound of a car horn. 2 cry of a wild goose. —v. (cause to) make a honk. [imitative]
Honky-tonk n. Colloq. 1 ragtime piano music. 2 cheap or disreputable nightclub etc. [origin unknown]
Honor (brit. Honour) —n. 1 high respect, public regard. 2 adherence to what is right or an accepted standard of conduct. 3 nobleness of mind, magnanimity (honour among thieves). 4 thing conferred as a distinction, esp. An official award for bravery or achievement. 5 privilege, special right (had the honour of being invited). 6 a exalted position. B (honour) (prec. By your, his, etc.) Title of a circuit judge etc. 7 (foll. By to) person or thing that brings honour (an honour to her profession). 8 a chastity (of a woman). B reputation for this. 9 (in pl.) Specialized degree course or special distinction in an examination. 10 (in card-games) the four or five highest-ranking cards. 11 golf the right of driving off first. —v. 1 respect highly.
Honorable adj. (brit. Honourable) 1 deserving, bringing, or showing honour. 2 (honourable) title indicating distinction, given to certain high officials, the children of certain ranks of the nobility, and (in the house of commons) to mps. ~ honourably adv.
Honorarium n. (pl. -s or -ria) fee, esp. A voluntary payment for professional services rendered without the normal fee. [latin: related to +honour]
Honorary adj. 1 conferred as an honour (honorary degree). 2 (of an office or its holder) unpaid.
Honorific adj. 1 conferring honour. 2 implying respect.
Honour (us honor) —n. 1 high respect, public regard. 2 adherence to what is right or an accepted standard of conduct. 3 nobleness of mind, magnanimity (honour among thieves). 4 thing conferred as a distinction, esp. An official award for bravery or achievement. 5 privilege, special right (had the honour of being invited). 6 a exalted position. B (honour) (prec. By your, his, etc.) Title of a circuit judge etc. 7 (foll. By to) person or thing that brings honour (an honour to her profession). 8 a chastity (of a woman). B reputation for this. 9 (in pl.) Specialized degree course or special distinction in an examination. 10 (in card-games) the four or five highest-ranking cards. 11 golf the right of driving off first. —v. 1 respect highly. 2 confer honour on. 3 accept or pay (a bill or cheque) when due. ~ do the honours perform the duties of a host to guests etc. In honour of as a celebration of. On one's honour (usu. Foll. By to + infin.) Under a moral obligation. [latin honor repute]
Honourable adj. (us honorable) 1 deserving, bringing, or showing honour. 2 (honourable) title indicating distinction, given to certain high officials, the children of certain ranks of the nobility, and (in the house of commons) to mps. ~ honourably adv.
Hooch n. Us colloq. Alcoholic liquor, esp. Inferior or illicit whisky. [alaskan]
Hood1 —n. 1 a covering for the head and neck, esp. As part of a garment. B separate hoodlike garment. 2 folding top of a car etc. 3 us bonnet of a car etc. 4 protective cover. —v. Cover with or as with a hood. [old english]
Hood2 n. Us slang gangster, gunman. [abbreviation of +hoodlum]
-hood suffix forming nouns: 1 of condition or state (childhood; falsehood). 2 designating a group (sisterhood; neighbourhood). [old english]
Hooded adj. 1 having a hood. 2 (of an animal) having a hoodlike part (hooded crow).
Hoodlum n. 1 street hooligan, young thug. 2 gangster. [origin unknown]
Hoodoo n. Esp. Us 1 a bad luck. B thing or person that brings this. 2 voodoo. [alteration of +voodoo]
Hoodwink v. Deceive, delude. [from +hood1: originally = ‘blindfold’]
Hoof n. (pl. -s or hooves) horny part of the foot of a horse etc. ~ hoof it slang go on foot. [old english]
Hoo-ha n. Slang commotion. [origin unknown]
Hook —n. 1 a bent or curved piece of metal etc. For catching hold or for hanging things on. B (in full fish-hook) bent piece of wire for catching fish. 2 curved cutting instrument (reaping-hook). 3 bend in a river, curved strip of land, etc. 4 a hooking stroke. B boxing short swinging blow. —v. 1 grasp or secure with hook(s). 2 catch with or as with a hook. 3 slang steal. 4 (in sports) send (the ball) in a curve or deviating path. 5 rugby secure (the ball) and pass it backward with the foot in the scrum. ~ by hook or by crook by one means or another. Off the hook 1 colloq. Out of difficulty or trouble. 2 (of a telephone receiver) not on its rest. [old english]
Hookah n. Oriental tobacco-pipe with a long tube passing through water for cooling the smoke as it is drawn through. [urdu from arabic, = casket]
Hook and eye n. Small metal hook and loop as a fastener on a garment.
Hooked adj. 1 hook-shaped. 2 (often foll. By on) slang addicted or captivated.
Hooker n. 1 rugby player in the front row of the scrum who tries to hook the ball. 2 slang prostitute.
Hookey n. Us ~ play hookey slang play truant. [origin unknown]
Hook, line, and sinker adv. Entirely.
Hook-up n. Connection, esp. Of broadcasting equipment.
Hookworm n. Worm with hooklike mouthparts, infesting humans and animals.
Hooligan n. Young ruffian. ~ hooliganism n. [origin unknown]
Hoop —n. 1 circular band of metal, wood, etc., esp. As part of a framework. 2 ring bowled along by a child, or for circus performers to jump through. 3 arch through which balls are hit in croquet. —v. Bind or encircle with hoop(s). ~ be put (or go) through the hoop (or hoops) undergo rigorous testing. [old english]
Hoop-la n. Fairground game with rings thrown to encircle a prize.
Hoopoe n. Salmon-pink bird with black and white wings and a large erectile crest. [latin upupa (imitative of its cry)]
Hooray int. = +hurrah.
Hooray henry n. Slang loud upper-class young man.
Hoot —n. 1 owl's cry. 2 sound made by a car's horn etc. 3 shout expressing scorn or disapproval. 4 colloq. A laughter. B cause of this. 5 (also two hoots) slang anything at all, in the slightest degree (don't care a hoot; doesn't matter two hoots). —v. 1 utter or make hoot(s). 2 greet or drive away with scornful hoots. 3 sound (a car horn etc.). [imitative]
Hooter n. 1 thing that hoots, esp. A car's horn or a siren. 2 slang nose.
Hoover —n. Propr. Vacuum cleaner. —v. (hoover) 1 (also absol.) Clean with a vacuum cleaner. 2 (foll. By up) a suck up with a vacuum cleaner. B clean a room etc. With a vacuum cleaner. [name of the manufacturer]
Hooves pl. Of +hoof.
Hop1 —v. (-pp-) 1 (of a bird, frog, etc.) Spring with two or all feet at once. 2 (of a person) jump on one foot. 3 move or go quickly (hopped over the fence). 4 cross (a ditch etc.) By hopping. —n. 1 hopping movement. 2 colloq. Informal dance. 3 short journey, esp. A flight. ~ hop in (or out) colloq. Get into (or out of) a car etc. Hop it slang go away. On the hop colloq. Unprepared (caught on the hop). [old english]
Hop2 n. 1 climbing plant bearing cones. 2 (in pl.) Its ripe cones, used to flavour beer. [low german or dutch]
Hope —n. 1 expectation and desire for a thing. 2 person or thing giving cause for hope. 3 what is hoped for. —v. (-ping) 1 feel hope. 2 expect and desire. 3 feel fairly confident. ~ hope against hope cling to a mere possibility. [old english]
Hopeful —adj. 1 feeling hope. 2 causing or inspiring hope. 3 likely to succeed, promising. —n. Person likely to succeed.
Hopefully adv. 1 in a hopeful manner. 2 it is to be hoped (hopefully, we will succeed).
Usage the use of hopefully in sense 2 is common, but is considered incorrect by some people.
Hopeless adj. 1 feeling no hope. 2 admitting no hope (hopeless case). 3 incompetent. ~ hopelessly adv. Hopelessness n.
Hopper1 n. 1 container tapering downward to an opening for discharging its contents. 2 hopping insect.
Hopper2 n. Hop-picker.
Hopping mad predic. Adj. Colloq. Very angry.
Hopscotch n. Children's game of hopping over squares marked on the ground to retrieve a stone etc. [from +hop1, +scotch]
Horde n. Usu. Derog. Large group, gang. [turkish ordu camp]
Horehound n. Herbaceous plant yielding a bitter aromatic juice used against coughs etc. [old english, = hoary herb]
Horizon n. 1 line at which the earth and sky appear to meet. 2 limit of mental perception, experience, interest, etc. ~ on the horizon (of an event) just imminent or becoming apparent. [greek horizo bound]
Horizontal —adj. 1 parallel to the plane of the horizon, at right angles to the vertical. 2 of or concerned with the same work, status, etc. (it was a horizontal move rather than promotion). —n. Horizontal line, plane, etc. ~ horizontality n. Horizontally adv.
Hormone n. 1 regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids to stimulate cells or tissues into action. 2 similar synthetic substance. ~ hormonal adj. [greek hormao impel]
Hormone replacement therapy n. Treatment to relieve menopausal symptoms by boosting a woman's oestrogen levels.
Horn n. 1 a hard outgrowth, often curved and pointed, on the head of esp. Hoofed animals. B each of two branched appendages on the head of (esp. Male) deer. C hornlike projection on animals, e.g. A snail's tentacle. 2 substance of which horns are made. 3 mus. A = +french horn. B wind instrument played by lip vibration, orig. Made of horn, now usu. Of brass. 4 instrument sounding a warning. 5 receptacle or instrument made of horn. 6 horn-shaped projection. 7 extremity of the moon or other crescent. 8 arm of a river etc. ~ horn in slang intrude, interfere. ~ horned adj. Hornist n. (in sense 3 of n.). [old english]
Hornbeam n. Tree with a hard tough wood.
Hornbill n. Bird with a hornlike excrescence on its large curved bill.
Hornblende n. Dark-brown, black, or green mineral occurring in many rocks. [german]
Hornet n. Large wasp capable of inflicting a serious sting. [low german or dutch]
Horn of plenty n. A cornucopia.
Hornpipe n. 1 lively dance (esp. Associated with sailors). 2 music for this.
Horn-rimmed adj. (esp. Of spectacles) having rims made of horn or a similar substance.
Horny adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 of or like horn. 2 hard like horn. 3 slang sexually excited. ~ horniness n.
Horology n. Art of measuring time or making clocks, watches, etc. ~ horological adj. [greek hora time]
Horoscope n. 1 forecast of a person's future from a diagram showing the relative positions of the stars and planets at his or her birth. 2 such a diagram. [greek hora time, skopos observer]
Horrendous adj. Horrifying. ~ horrendously adv. [latin: related to +horrible]
Horrible adj. 1 causing or likely to cause horror. 2 colloq. Unpleasant. ~ horribly adv. [latin horreo bristle, shudder at]
Horrid adj. 1 horrible, revolting. 2 colloq. Unpleasant (horrid weather).
Horrific adj. Horrifying. ~ horrifically adv.
Horrify v. (-ies, -ied) arouse horror in; shock. ~ horrifying adj.
Horror —n. 1 painful feeling of loathing and fear. 2 a (often foll. By of) intense dislike. B (often foll. By at) colloq. Intense dismay. 3 a person or thing causing horror. B colloq. Bad or mischievous person etc. 4 (in pl.; prec. By the) fit of depression, nervousness, etc. —attrib. Adj. (of films etc.) Designed to interest by arousing feelings of horror.
Hors d'œuvre n. Food served as an appetizer at the start of a meal. [french, = outside the work]
Horse —n. 1 a large four-legged mammal with flowing mane and tail, used for riding and to carry and pull loads. B adult male horse; stallion or gelding. C (collect.; as sing.) Cavalry. 2 vaulting-block. 3 supporting frame (clothes-horse). —v. (-sing) (foll. By around) fool about. ~ from the horse's mouth colloq. (of information etc.) From the original or an authoritative source. [old english]
Horseback n. ~ on horseback mounted on a horse.
Horsebox n. Closed vehicle for transporting horse(s).
Horse-brass n. Brass ornament orig. For a horse's harness.
Horse chestnut n. 1 large tree with upright conical clusters of flowers. 2 dark brown fruit of this.
Horse-drawn adj. (of a vehicle) pulled by a horse or horses.
Horseflesh n. 1 flesh of a horse, esp. As food. 2 horses collectively.
Horsefly n. Any of various biting insects troublesome esp. To horses.
Horse guards n.pl. Cavalry brigade of the household troops.
Horsehair n. Hair from the mane or tail of a horse, used for padding etc.
Horseman n. 1 rider on horseback. 2 skilled rider. ~ horsemanship n.
Horseplay n. Boisterous play.
Horsepower n. (pl. Same) imperial unit of power (about 750 watts), esp. For measuring the power of an engine.
Horse-race n. Race between horses with riders. ~ horse-racing n.
Horseradish n. Plant with a pungent root used to make a sauce.
Horse sense n. Colloq. Plain common sense.
Horseshoe n. 1 u-shaped iron shoe for a horse. 2 thing of this shape.
Horsetail n. 1 horse's tail. 2 plant resembling it.
Horsewhip —n. Whip for driving horses. —v. (-pp-) beat with a horsewhip.
Horsewoman n. 1 woman who rides on horseback. 2 skilled woman rider.
Horsy adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 of or like a horse. 2 concerned with or devoted to horses.
Horticulture n. Art of garden cultivation. ~ horticultural adj. Horticulturist n. [latin hortus garden, +culture]
Hosanna n. & int. Shout of adoration (matt. 21:9, 15, etc.). [hebrew]
Hose —n. 1 (also hose-pipe) flexible tube for conveying water. 2 a (collect.; as pl.) Stockings and socks. B hist. Breeches (doublet and hose). —v. (-sing) (often foll. By down) water, spray, or drench with a hose. [old english]
Hosier n. Dealer in hosiery.
Hosiery n. Stockings and socks.
Hospice n. 1 home for people who are ill (esp. Terminally) or destitute. 2 lodging for travellers, esp. One kept by a religious order. [latin: related to +host2]
Hospitable adj. Giving hospitality. ~ hospitably adv. [latin hospito entertain: related to +host2]
Hospital n. 1 institution providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for ill and injured people. 2 hist. Hospice. [latin: related to +host2]
Hospitality n. Friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests or strangers.
Hospitalize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) send or admit (a patient) to hospital. ~ hospitalization n.
Host1 n. (usu. Foll. By of) large number of people or things. [latin hostis enemy, army]
Host2 —n. 1 person who receives or entertains another as a guest. 2 compère. 3 biol. Animal or plant having a parasite. 4 recipient of a transplanted organ etc. 5 landlord of an inn. —v. Be host to (a person) or of (an event). [latin hospes hospitis host, guest]
Host3 n. (usu. Prec. By the; often host) bread consecrated in the eucharist. [latin hostia victim]
Hostage n. Person seized or held as security for the fulfilment of a condition. [latin obses obsidis hostage]
Hostel n. 1 house of residence or lodging for students, nurses, etc. 2 = +youth hostel. [medieval latin: related to +hospital]
Hosteling n. (brit. Hostelling) practice of staying in youth hostels. ~ hosteller n.
Hostelling n. (us hosteling) practice of staying in youth hostels. ~ hosteller n.
Hostelry n. (pl. -ies) archaic inn.
Hostess n. 1 woman who receives or entertains a guest. 2 woman employed to entertain customers at a nightclub etc. 3 stewardess on an aircraft etc. [related to +host2]
Hostile adj. 1 of an enemy. 2 (often foll. By to) unfriendly, opposed. ~ hostilely adv. [latin: related to +host1]
Hostility n. (pl. -ies) 1 being hostile, enmity. 2 state of warfare. 3 (in pl.) Acts of warfare.
Hot —adj. (hotter, hottest) 1 having a high temperature. 2 causing a sensation of heat (hot flush). 3 (of pepper, spices, etc.) Pungent. 4 (of a person) feeling heat. 5 a ardent, passionate, excited. B (often foll. By for, on) eager, keen (in hot pursuit). C angry or upset. 6 (of news etc.) Fresh, recent. 7 hunting (of the scent) fresh, recent. 8 a (of a player, competitor, or feat) very skilful, formidable. B (foll. By on) knowledgeable about. 9 (esp. Of jazz) strongly rhythmical. 10 slang (of stolen goods) difficult to dispose of because identifiable. 11 slang radioactive. —v. (-tt-) (usu. Foll. By up) colloq. 1 make or become hot. 2 make or become more active, exciting, or dangerous. ~ have the hots for slang be sexually attracted to. Hot under the collar angry, resentful, embarrassed. Like hot cakes see +cake. Make it (or things) hot for a person persecute a person. ~ hotly adv. Hotness n. Hottish adj. [old english]
Hot air n. Slang empty or boastful talk.
Hot-air balloon n. Balloon containing air heated by burners below it, causing it to rise.
Hotbed n. 1 (foll. By of) environment conducive to (vice, intrigue, etc.). 2 bed of earth heated by fermenting manure.
Hot-blooded adj. Ardent, passionate.
Hotchpotch n. (also hodgepodge) confused mixture or jumble, esp. Of ideas. [french hochepot shake pot]
Hot cross bun n. Bun marked with a cross and traditionally eaten on good friday.
Hot dog n. Colloq. Hot sausage in a soft roll.
Hotel n. (usu. Licensed) establishment providing accommodation and meals for payment. [french: related to +hostel]
Hotelier n. Hotel-keeper.
Hot flush see +flush1.
Hotfoot —adv. In eager haste. —v. Hurry eagerly (esp. Hotfoot it).
Hot gospeller n. Colloq. Eager preacher of the gospel.
Hothead n. Impetuous person. ~ hotheaded adj. Hotheadedness n.
Hothouse n. 1 heated (mainly glass) building for rearing tender plants. 2 environment conducive to the rapid growth or development of something.
Hot line n. Direct exclusive telephone etc. Line, esp. For emergencies.
Hot money n. Capital frequently transferred.
Hotplate n. Heated metal plate etc. (or a set of these) for cooking food or keeping it hot.
Hotpot n. Casserole of meat and vegetables topped with potato.
Hot potato n. Colloq. Contentious matter.
Hot rod n. Vehicle modified to have extra power and speed.
Hot seat n. Slang 1 position of difficult responsibility. 2 electric chair.
Hot spot n. 1 small region that is relatively hot. 2 lively or dangerous place.
Hot stuff n. Colloq. 1 formidably capable or important person or thing. 2 sexually attractive person. 3 erotic book, film, etc.
Hot-tempered adj. Impulsively angry.
Hottentot n. 1 member of a sw african negroid people. 2 their language. [afrikaans]
Hot water n. Colloq. Difficulty or trouble.
Hot-water bottle n. (usu. Rubber) container filled with hot water to warm a bed.
Houmous var. Of +hummus.
Hound —n. 1 dog used in hunting. 2 colloq. Despicable man. —v. Harass or pursue. [old english]
Hour n. 1 twenty-fourth part of a day and night, 60 minutes. 2 time of day, point in time (a late hour; what is the hour?). 3 (in pl. With preceding numerals in form 18.00, 20.30, etc.) This number of hours and minutes past midnight on the 24-hour clock (will assemble at 20.00 hours). 4 a period for a specific purpose (lunch hour; keep regular hours). B (in pl.) Fixed working or open period (office hours; opening hours). 5 short period of time (an idle hour).
Hourglass n. Two vertically connected glass bulbs containing sand taking an hour to pass from upper to lower bulb.
Houri n. (pl. -s) beautiful young woman of the muslim paradise. [persian from arabic, = dark-eyed]
Hourly —adj. 1 done or occurring every hour. 2 frequent. 3 reckoned hour by hour (hourly wage). —adv. 1 every hour. 2 frequently.
House —n. (pl.) 1 building for human habitation. 2 building for a special purpose or for animals or goods (opera-house; summer-house; hen-house). 3 a religious community. B its buildings. 4 a body of pupils living in the same building at a boarding-school. B such a building. C division of a day-school for games, competitions, etc. 5 royal family or dynasty (house of york). 6 a firm or institution. B its premises. 7 a legislative or deliberative assembly. B building for this. 8 audience or performance in a theatre etc. 9 astrol. Twelfth part of the heavens. —v. (-sing) 1 provide with a house or other accommodation. 2 store (goods etc.). 3 enclose or encase (a part or fitting). 4 fix in a socket, mortise, etc. ~ keep house provide for or manage a household. Like a house on fire 1 vigorously, fast. 2 successfully, excellently. On the house free. Put (or set) one's house in order make necessary reforms. [old english]
House-agent n. Agent for the sale and letting of houses.
House arrest n. Detention in one's own house, not in prison.
Houseboat n. Boat equipped for living in.
Housebound adj. Confined to one's house through illness etc.
Housebreaking n. Act of breaking into a building, esp. In daytime, to commit a crime. ~ housebreaker n.
Usage in 1968 housebreaking was replaced as a statutory crime in english law by burglary.
Housecoat n. Woman's informal indoor coat or gown.
Housefly n. Common fly often entering houses.
Household n. 1 occupants of a house as a unit. 2 house and its affairs.
Householder n. 1 person who owns or rents a house. 2 head of a household.
Household troops n.pl. Troops nominally guarding the sovereign.
Household word n. (also household name) 1 familiar name or saying. 2 familiar person or thing.
House-hunting n. Seeking a house to buy or rent.
House-husband n. Man who does a wife's traditional household duties.
Housekeeper n. Person, esp. A woman, employed to manage a household.
Housekeeping n. 1 management of household affairs. 2 money allowed for this. 3 operations of maintenance, record-keeping, etc., in an organization.
House lights n.pl. Lights in a theatre auditorium.
Housemaid n. Female servant in a house.
Housemaid's knee n. Inflammation of the kneecap.
Houseman n. Resident junior doctor at a hospital etc.
House-martin n. Black and white bird nesting on house walls etc.
Housemaster n. (fem. Housemistress) teacher in charge of a house, esp. At a boarding-school.
House music n. Style of pop music, typically using drum machines and synthesized bass lines with sparse repetitive vocals and a fast beat.
House of cards n. Insecure scheme etc.
House of commons n. Elected chamber of parliament.
House of keys n. (in the isle of man) elected chamber of the tynwald.
House of lords n. Chamber of parliament that is mainly hereditary.
House party n. Group of guests staying at a country house etc.
House-plant n. Plant grown indoors.
House-proud adj. Attentive to the care and appearance of the home.
Houseroom n. Space or accommodation in one's house. ~ not give houseroom to not have in any circumstances.
Housetop n. Roof of a house. ~ shout etc. From the housetops announce publicly.
House-trained adj. 1 (of animals) trained to be clean in the house. 2 colloq. Well-mannered.
House-warming n. Party celebrating a move to a new home.
Housewife n. 1 woman who manages a household and usu. Does not have a full-time paid job. 2 case for needles, thread, etc. ~ housewifely adj. [from +house, +wife = woman]
Housework n. Regular housekeeping work, e.g. Cleaning and cooking.
Housey-housey n. (also housie-housie) slang gambling form of lotto.
Housing n. 1 a dwelling-houses collectively. B provision of these. 2 shelter, lodging. 3 rigid casing for machinery etc. 4 hole or niche cut in one piece of wood for another to fit into.
Housing estate n. Residential area planned as a unit.
Hove past of +heave.
Hovel n. Small miserable dwelling. [origin unknown]
Hover —v. 1 (of a bird etc.) Remain in one place in the air. 2 (often foll. By about, round) wait close at hand, linger. —n. 1 hovering. 2 state of suspense. [obsolete hove hover]
Hovercraft n. (pl. Same) vehicle travelling on a cushion of air provided by a downward blast.
Hoverport n. Terminal for hovercraft.
How —interrog. Adv. 1 by what means, in what way (how do you do it?; tell me how you do it; how could you?). 2 in what condition, esp. Of health (how are you?; how do things stand?). 3 a to what extent (how far is it?; how would you like to take my place?; how we laughed!). B to what extent good or well, what … like (how was the film?; how did they play?). —rel. Adv. In whatever way, as (do it how you can). —conj. Colloq. That (told us how he'd been in india). ~ how about colloq. Would you like (how about a quick swim?). How do you do? A formal greeting. How many what number. How much 1 what amount. 2 what price. How's that? 1 what is your opinion or explanation of that? 2 cricket (said to an umpire) is the batsman out or not? [old english]
Howbeit adv. Archaic nevertheless.
Howdah n. (usu. Canopied) seat for riding on an elephant or camel. [urdu hawda]
However adv. 1 a in whatever way (do it however you want). B to whatever extent (must go however inconvenient). 2 nevertheless.
Howitzer n. Short gun for the high-angle firing of shells. [czech houfnice catapult]
Howl —n. 1 long loud doleful cry of a dog etc. 2 prolonged wailing noise. 3 loud cry of pain, rage, derision, or laughter. —v. 1 make a howl. 2 weep loudly. 3 utter with a howl. ~ howl down prevent (a speaker) from being heard by howls of derision. [imitative]
Howler n. Colloq. Glaring mistake.
Howsoever adv. Formal 1 in whatsoever way. 2 to whatsoever extent.
Hoy int. Used to call attention. [natural cry]
Hoyden n. Boisterous girl. [dutch heiden: related to +heathen]
H.p. Abbr. (also hp) 1 horsepower. 2 hire purchase.
Hq abbr. Headquarters.
Hr. Abbr. Hour.
Hrh abbr. Her or his royal highness.
Hrs. Abbr. Hours.
Hrt abbr. Hormone replacement therapy.
Ht abbr. High tension.
Hub n. 1 central part of a wheel, rotating on or with the axle. 2 centre of interest, activity, etc. [origin uncertain]
Hubble-bubble n. 1 simple hookah. 2 bubbling sound. 3 confused talk. [imitative]
Hubbub n. 1 confused noise of talking. 2 disturbance. [perhaps of irish origin]
Hubby n. (pl. -ies) colloq. Husband. [abbreviation]
Hubris n. Arrogant pride or presumption. ~ hubristic adj. [greek]
Huckleberry n. 1 low-growing n. American shrub. 2 blue or black fruit of this. [probably an alteration of hurtleberry, +whortleberry]
Huckster —n. Aggressive salesman; hawker. —v. 1 haggle. 2 hawk (goods). [low german]
Huddle —v. (-ling) 1 (often foll. By up) crowd together; nestle closely. 2 (often foll. By up) curl one's body into a small space. 3 heap together in a muddle. —n. 1 confused or crowded mass. 2 colloq. Close or secret conference (esp. In go into a huddle). [perhaps from low german]
Hue n. 1 colour, tint. 2 variety or shade of colour. [old english]
Hue and cry n. Loud outcry. [french huer shout]
Huff —n. Colloq. Fit of petty annoyance. —v. 1 blow air, steam, etc. 2 (esp. Huff and puff) bluster self-importantly but ineffectually. 3 draughts remove (an opponent's piece) as a forfeit. ~ in a huff colloq. Annoyed and offended. [imitative of blowing]
Huffy adj. (-ier, -iest) colloq. 1 apt to take offence. 2 offended. ~ huffily adv. Huffiness n.
Hug —v. (-gg-) 1 squeeze tightly in one's arms, esp. With affection. 2 (of a bear) squeeze (a person) between its forelegs. 3 keep close to; fit tightly around. —n. 1 strong clasp with the arms. 2 squeezing grip in wrestling. [probably scandinavian]
Huge adj. 1 extremely large; enormous. 2 (of an abstract thing) very great. ~ hugeness n. [french ahuge]
Hugely adv. 1 extremely (hugely successful). 2 very much (enjoyed it hugely).
Hugger-mugger —adj. & adv. 1 in secret. 2 confused; in confusion. —n. 1 secrecy. 2 confusion. [origin uncertain]
Huguenot n. Hist. French protestant. [french]
Huh int. Expressing disgust, surprise, etc. [imitative]
Hula n. (also hula-hula) polynesian dance performed by women, with flowing arm movements. [hawaiian]
Hula hoop n. Large hoop spun round the body.
Hulk n. 1 body of a dismantled ship. 2 colloq. Large clumsy-looking person or thing. [old english]
Hulking adj. Colloq. Bulky; clumsy.
Hull1 n. Body of a ship, airship, etc. [perhaps related to +hold2]
Hull2 —n. Outer covering of a fruit, esp. The pod of peas and beans, the husk of grain, or the green calyx of a strawberry. —v. Remove the hulls from (fruit etc.). [old english]
Hullabaloo n. Uproar. [reduplication of hallo, hullo, etc.]
Hullo var. Of +hello.
Hum —v. (-mm-) 1 make a low steady continuous sound like a bee. 2 sing with closed lips. 3 utter a slight inarticulate sound. 4 colloq. Be active (really made things hum). 5 colloq. Smell unpleasantly. —n. 1 humming sound. 2 colloq. Bad smell. ~ hum and haw (or ha) hesitate; be indecisive. [imitative]
Human —adj. 1 of or belonging to the species homo sapiens. 2 consisting of human beings (the human race). 3 of or characteristic of humankind, esp. As being weak, fallible, etc. (is only human). 4 showing warmth, sympathy, etc. (is very human). —n. Human being. [latin humanus]
Human being n. Man, woman, or child.
Human chain n. Line of people formed for passing things along, as a protest, etc.
Humane adj. 1 benevolent, compassionate. 2 inflicting the minimum of pain. 3 (of learning) tending to civilize. ~ humanely adv. Humaneness n.
Humane killer n. Instrument for the painless slaughter of animals.
Humanism n. 1 non-religious philosophy based on liberal human values. 2 (often humanism) literary culture, esp. That of the renaissance. ~ humanist n. Humanistic adj.
Humanitarian —n. Person who seeks to promote human welfare. —adj. Of humanitarians. ~ humanitarianism n.
Humanity n. (pl. -ies) 1 a the human race. B human beings collectively. C being human. 2 humaneness, benevolence. 3 (in pl.) Subjects concerned with human culture, e.g. Language, literature, and history.
Humanize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) make human or humane. ~ humanization n. [french: related to +human]
Humankind n. Human beings collectively.
Humanly adv. 1 by human means (if it is humanly possible). 2 in a human manner.
Human nature n. General characteristics and feelings of mankind.
Human rights n.pl. Rights held to be common to all.
Human shield n. Person(s) placed in the line of fire in order to discourage attack.
Humble —adj. 1 having or showing low self-esteem. 2 of low social or political rank. 3 modest in size, pretensions, etc. —v. (-ling) 1 make humble; abase. 2 lower the rank or status of. ~ eat humble pie apologize humbly; accept humiliation. ~ humbleness n. Humbly adv. [latin humilis: related to +humus]
Humbug —n. 1 lying or deception; hypocrisy. 2 impostor. 3 hard boiled striped peppermint sweet. —v. (-gg-) 1 be or behave like an impostor. 2 deceive, hoax. [origin unknown]
Humdinger n. Slang excellent or remarkable person or thing. [origin unknown]
Humdrum adj. Commonplace, dull, monotonous. [a reduplication of +hum]
Humerus n. (pl. -ri) bone of the upper arm. ~ humeral adj. [latin, = shoulder]
Humid adj. (of the air or climate) warm and damp. [latin humidus]
Humidifier n. Device for keeping the atmosphere moist in a room etc.
Humidify v. (-ies, -ied) make (air etc.) Humid.
Humidity n. (pl. -ies) 1 dampness. 2 degree of moisture, esp. In the atmosphere.
Humiliate v. (-ting) injure the dignity or self-respect of. ~ humiliating adj. Humiliation n. [latin: related to +humble]
Humility n. 1 humbleness, meekness. 2 humble condition. [french: related to +humiliate]
Hummingbird n. Small tropical bird that makes a humming sound with its wings when it hovers.
Hummock n. Hillock or hump. [origin unknown]
Hummus n. (also houmous) dip or appetizer made from ground chick-peas, sesame oil, lemon, and garlic. [turkish]
Humor (brit. Humour) —n. 1 a quality of being amusing or comic. B the expression of humour in literature, speech, etc. 2 (in full sense of humour) ability to perceive or express humour. 3 state of mind; inclination (bad humour). 4 (in full cardinal humour) hist. Each of the four fluids (blood, phlegm, choler, melancholy), thought to determine a person's physical and mental qualities. —v. Gratify or indulge (a person or taste etc.). ~ out of humour displeased. ~ humourless adj. [latin humor moisture]
Humoresque n. Short lively piece of music. [german humoreske]
Humorist n. Humorous writer, talker, or actor.
Humorous adj. Showing humour or a sense of humour. ~ humorously adv.
Humour (us humor) —n. 1 a quality of being amusing or comic. B the expression of humour in literature, speech, etc. 2 (in full sense of humour) ability to perceive or express humour. 3 state of mind; inclination (bad humour). 4 (in full cardinal humour) hist. Each of the four fluids (blood, phlegm, choler, melancholy), thought to determine a person's physical and mental qualities. —v. Gratify or indulge (a person or taste etc.). ~ out of humour displeased. ~ humourless adj. [latin humor moisture]
Hump —n. 1 rounded protuberance on a camel's back, or as an abnormality on a person's back. 2 rounded raised mass of earth etc. 3 critical point in an undertaking. 4 (prec. By the) slang fit of depression or vexation (gave me the hump). —v. 1 (often foll. By about) colloq. Lift or carry (heavy objects etc.) With difficulty. 2 make hump-shaped. [probably low german or dutch]
Humpback n. 1 a deformed back with a hump. B person with this. 2 whale with a dorsal fin forming a hump. ~ humpbacked adj.
Humpback bridge n. Small bridge with a steep ascent and descent.
Humph int. & n. Inarticulate sound of doubt or dissatisfaction. [imitative]
Humus n. Organic constituent of soil formed by the decomposition of vegetation. [latin, = soil]
Hun n. 1 offens. German (esp. In military contexts). 2 member of a warlike asiatic nomadic people who ravaged europe in the 4th–5th c. 3 vandal. ~ hunnish adj. [old english]
Hunch —v. Bend or arch into a hump. —n. 1 intuitive feeling or idea. 2 hump. [origin unknown]
Hunchback n. = +humpback 1. ~ hunchbacked adj.
Hundred adj. & n. (pl. Hundreds or (in sense 1) hundred) (in sing., prec. By a or one) 1 ten times ten. 2 symbol for this (100, c, c). 3 (in sing. Or pl.) Colloq. A large number. 4 (in pl.) The years of a specified century (the seventeen hundreds). 5 hist. Subdivision of a county or shire, having its own court. ~ hundredfold adj. & adv. Hundredth adj. & n. [old english]
Hundreds and thousands n.pl. Tiny coloured sweets for decorating cakes etc.
Hundredweight n. (pl. Same or -s) 1 unit of weight equal to 112 lb, or us equal to 100 lb. 2 unit of weight equal to 50 kg.
Hung past and past part. Of +hang.
Hungarian —n. 1 a native or national of hungary. B person of hungarian descent. 2 language of hungary. —adj. Of hungary or its people or language. [medieval latin]
Hunger —n. 1 a lack of food. B feeling of discomfort or exhaustion caused by this. 2 (often foll. By for, after) strong desire. —v. 1 (often foll. By for, after) crave or desire. 2 feel hunger. [old english]
Hunger strike n. Refusal of food as a protest.
Hung-over adj. Colloq. Suffering from a hangover.
Hung parliament n. Parliament in which no party has a clear majority.
Hungry adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 feeling or showing hunger; needing food. 2 inducing hunger (hungry work). 3 craving (hungry for news). ~ hungrily adv. [old english]
Hunk n. 1 large piece cut off (hunk of bread). 2 colloq. Sexually attractive man. ~ hunky adj. (-ier, -iest). [probably dutch]
Hunky-dory adj. Esp. Us colloq. Excellent. [origin unknown]
Hunt —v. 1 (also absol.) A pursue and kill (wild animals, esp. Foxes, or game) for sport or food. B use (a horse or hounds) for hunting. C (of an animal) chase (its prey). 2 (foll. By after, for) seek, search. 3 (of an engine etc.) Run alternately too fast and too slow. 4 scour (a district) for game. 5 (as hunted adj.) (of a look etc.) Terrified as if being hunted. —n. 1 practice or instance of hunting. 2 a association of people hunting with hounds. B area for hunting. ~ hunt down pursue and capture. ~ hunting n. [old english]
Hunter n. 1 a (fem. Huntress) person or animal that hunts. B horse used in hunting. 2 person who seeks something. 3 pocket-watch with a hinged cover protecting the glass.
Hunter's moon n. Next full moon after the harvest moon.
Huntsman n. 1 hunter. 2 hunt official in charge of hounds.
Hurdle —n. 1 a each of a series of light frames to be cleared by athletes in a race. B (in pl.) Hurdle-race. 2 obstacle or difficulty. 3 portable rectangular frame used as a temporary fence etc. —v. (-ling) 1 run in a hurdle-race. 2 fence off etc. With hurdles. [old english]
Hurdler n. 1 athlete who runs in hurdle-races. 2 maker of hurdles.
Hurdy-gurdy n. (pl. -ies) 1 droning musical instrument played by turning a handle. 2 colloq. Barrel-organ. [imitative]
Hurl —v. 1 throw with great force. 2 utter (abuse etc.) Vehemently. —n. Forceful throw. [imitative]
Hurley n. 1 (also hurling) irish game resembling hockey. 2 stick used in this.
Hurly-burly n. Boisterous activity; commotion. [a reduplication of +hurl]
Hurrah int. & n. (also hurray) exclamation of joy or approval. [earlier huzza, origin uncertain]
Hurricane n. 1 storm with a violent wind, esp. A w. Indian cyclone. 2 meteorol. Wind of 65 knots (75 m.p.h.) Or more, force 12 on the beaufort scale. [spanish and portuguese from carib]
Hurricane-lamp n. Oil-lamp designed to resist a high wind.
Hurry —n. 1 great or eager haste. 2 (with neg. Or interrog.) Need for haste (there is no hurry; what's the hurry?). —v. (-ies, -ied) 1 move or act hastily. 2 cause to hurry.
Hurt —v. (past and past part. Hurt) 1 (also absol.) Cause pain or injury to. 2 cause mental pain or distress to. 3 suffer pain (my arm hurts). —n. 1 injury. 2 harm, wrong. [french hurter knock]
Hurtful adj. Causing (esp. Mental) hurt. ~ hurtfully adv.
Hurtle v. (-ling) 1 move or hurl rapidly or noisily. 2 come with a crash. [from +hurt in the obsolete sense ‘strike hard’]
Husband —n. Married man, esp. In relation to his wife. —v. Use (resources) economically; eke out. [old english, = house-dweller]
Husbandry n. 1 farming. 2 management of resources.
Hush —v. Make or become silent or quiet. —int. Calling for silence. —n. Expectant stillness or silence. ~ hush up suppress public mention of (an affair). [husht, an obsolete exclamation, taken as a past part.]
Hush-hush adj. Colloq. Highly secret, confidential.
Hush money n. Slang money paid to ensure discretion.
Husk —n. 1 dry outer covering of some fruits or seeds. 2 worthless outside part of a thing. —v. Remove husk(s) from. [probably low german]
Husky1 adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 (of a person or voice) dry in the throat; hoarse. 2 of or full of husks. 3 dry as a husk. 4 tough, strong, hefty. ~ huskily adv. Huskiness n.
Husky2 n. (pl. -ies) dog of a powerful breed used in the arctic for pulling sledges. [perhaps from corruption of +eskimo]
Huss n. Dogfish as food. [origin unknown]
Hussar n. Soldier of a light cavalry regiment. [magyar huszár]
Hussy n. (pl. -ies) derog. Impudent or promiscuous girl or woman. [contraction of +housewife]
Hustings n. Election campaign or proceedings. [old english, = house of assembly, from old norse]
Hustle —v. (-ling) 1 jostle, bustle. 2 (foll. By into, out of, etc.) Force, coerce, or hurry (hustled them out of the room; was hustled into agreeing). 3 slang a solicit business. B engage in prostitution. 4 slang obtain by energetic activity. —n. Act or instance of hustling. ~ hustler n. [dutch]
Hut n. Small simple or crude house or shelter. [french hutte from germanic]
Hutch n. Box or cage for rabbits etc. [french huche]
Hyacinth n. 1 bulbous plant with racemes of bell-shaped (esp. Purplish-blue) fragrant flowers. 2 purplish-blue. [greek huakinthos]
Hyaena var. Of +hyena.
Hybrid —n. 1 offspring of two plants or animals of different species or varieties. 2 thing composed of diverse elements, e.g. A word with parts taken from different languages. —adj. 1 bred as a hybrid. 2 heterogeneous. ~ hybridism n. [latin]
Hybridize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) 1 subject (a species etc.) To crossbreeding. 2 a produce hybrids. B (of an animal or plant) interbreed. ~ hybridization n.
Hydra n. 1 freshwater polyp with a tubular body and tentacles. 2 something hard to destroy. [greek, a mythical snake with many heads that grew again when cut off]
Hydrangea n. Shrub with globular clusters of white, pink, or blue flowers. [greek hudor water, aggos vessel]
Hydrant n. Outlet (esp. In a street) with a nozzle for a hose, for drawing water from the main. [as +hydro-]
Hydrate —n. Compound in which water is chemically combined with another compound or an element. —v. (-ting) 1 combine chemically with water. 2 cause to absorb water. ~ hydration n. [french: related to +hydro-]
Hydraulic adj. 1 (of water, oil, etc.) Conveyed through pipes or channels. 2 (of a mechanism etc.) Operated by liquid moving in this way (hydraulic brakes). ~ hydraulically adv. [greek hudor water, aulos pipe]
Hydraulics n.pl. (usu. Treated as sing.) Science of the conveyance of liquids through pipes etc., esp. As motive power.
Hydride n. Compound of hydrogen with an element.
Hydro n. (pl. -s) colloq. 1 hotel or clinic etc., orig. Providing hydropathic treatment. 2 hydroelectric power plant. [abbreviation]
Hydro- comb. Form 1 having to do with water (hydroelectric). 2 combined with hydrogen (hydrochloric). [greek hudro- from hudor water]
Hydrocarbon n. Compound of hydrogen and carbon.
Hydrocephalus n. Accumulated fluid in the brain, esp. In young children. ~ hydrocephalic adj. [greek kephale head]
Hydrochloric acid n. Solution of the colourless gas hydrogen chloride in water.
Hydrocyanic acid n. Highly poisonous liquid smelling of bitter almonds; prussic acid.
Hydrodynamics n.pl. (usu. Treated as sing.) Science of forces acting on or exerted by fluids (esp. Liquids). ~ hydrodynamic adj.
Hydroelectric adj. 1 generating electricity by water-power. 2 (of electricity) so generated. ~ hydroelectricity n.
Hydrofoil n. 1 boat equipped with planes for lifting its hull out of the water to increase its speed. 2 such a plane.
Hydrogen n. Tasteless odourless gas, the lightest element, occurring in water and all organic compounds. ~ hydrogenous adj. [french: related to +hydro-, +-gen]
Hydrogenate v. (-ting) charge with or cause to combine with hydrogen. ~ hydrogenation n.
Hydrogen bomb n. Immensely powerful bomb utilizing the explosive fusion of hydrogen nuclei.
Hydrogen peroxide n. Viscous unstable liquid with strong oxidizing properties.
Hydrogen sulphide n. Poisonous unpleasant-smelling gas formed by rotting animal matter.
Hydrography n. Science of surveying and charting seas, lakes, rivers, etc. ~ hydrographer n. Hydrographic adj.
Hydrology n. Science of the properties of water, esp. Of its movement in relation to land. ~ hydrologist n.
Hydrolyse v. (us -lyze) (-sing or -zing) decompose by hydrolysis.
Hydrolysis n. Chemical reaction of a substance with water, usu. Resulting in decomposition. [greek lusis dissolving]
Hydrolyze v. (brit. -lyse) decompose by hydrolysis.
Hydrometer n. Instrument for measuring the density of liquids.
Hydropathy n. (medically unorthodox) treatment of disease by water. ~ hydropathic adj. [related to +pathos]
Hydrophilic adj. 1 having an affinity for water. 2 wettable by water. [greek philos loving]
Hydrophobia n. 1 aversion to water, esp. As a symptom of rabies in humans. 2 rabies, esp. In humans. ~ hydrophobic adj.
Hydroplane n. 1 light fast motor boat that skims over water. 2 finlike attachment enabling a submarine to rise and descend.
Hydroponics n. Growing plants without soil, in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients. [greek ponos labour]
Hydrosphere n. Waters of the earth's surface.
Hydrostatic adj. Of the equilibrium of liquids and the pressure exerted by liquid at rest. [related to +static]
Hydrostatics n.pl. (usu. Treated as sing.) Mechanics of the hydrostatic properties of liquids.
Hydrotherapy n. Use of water, esp. Swimming, in the treatment of arthritis, paralysis, etc.
Hydrous adj. Containing water. [related to +hydro-]
Hydroxide n. Compound containing oxygen and hydrogen as either a hydroxide ion or a hydroxyl group.
Hydroxyl n. (attrib.) Univalent group containing hydrogen and oxygen.
Hyena n. (also hyaena) doglike flesh-eating mammal. [latin from greek]
Hygiene n. 1 conditions or practices, esp. Cleanliness, conducive to maintaining health. 2 science of maintaining health. ~ hygienic adj. Hygienically adv. Hygienist n. [greek hugies healthy]
Hygrometer n. Instrument for measuring the humidity of the air or a gas. [greek hugros wet]
Hygroscope n. Instrument indicating but not measuring the humidity of the air.
Hygroscopic adj. 1 of the hygroscope. 2 (of a substance) tending to absorb moisture from the air.
Hymen n. Membrane at the opening of the vagina, usu. Broken at the first occurrence of sexual intercourse. [greek humen membrane]
Hymenopterous adj. Of an order of insects having four transparent wings, including bees, wasps, and ants. [greek, = membrane-winged]
Hymn —n. 1 song of esp. Christian praise. 2 crusading theme (hymn of freedom). —v. Praise or celebrate in hymns. [greek humnos]
Hymnal n. Book of hymns. [medieval latin: related to +hymn]
Hymnology n. (pl. -ies) 1 the composition or study of hymns. 2 hymns collectively. ~ hymnologist n.
Hyoscine n. Poisonous alkaloid found in plants of the nightshade family, used to prevent motion sickness etc. [greek huoskuamos henbane from hus huos pig, kuamos bean]
Hype slang —n. Extravagant or intensive promotion of a product etc. —v. (-ping) promote with hype. [origin unknown]
Hyped up adj. Slang nervously excited or stimulated. [shortening of +hypodermic]
Hyper adj. Slang hyperactive, highly-strung. [abbreviation of +hyperactive]
Hyper- prefix meaning: 1 over, beyond, above (hypersonic). 2 too (hypersensitive). [greek huper over]
Hyperactive adj. (of a person) abnormally active.
Hyperbola n. (pl. -s or -lae) plane curve produced when a cone is cut by a plane that makes a larger angle with the base than the side of the cone makes. ~ hyperbolic adj. [greek hyperbole, = excess: related to +hyper-, ballo throw]
Hyperbole n. Exaggeration, esp. For effect. ~ hyperbolical adj.
Hyperbolic function n. Function related to a rectangular hyperbola, e.g. A hyperbolic cosine or sine.
Hypercritical adj. Excessively critical. ~ hypercritically adv.
Hyperglycaemia n. (us hyperglycemia) excess of glucose in the bloodstream. [from +hyper-, greek glukus sweet, haima blood]
Hyperglycemia n. (brit. Hyperglycaemia) excess of glucose in the bloodstream. [from +hyper-, greek glukus sweet, haima blood]
Hypermarket n. Very large supermarket.
Hypermedia n. Provision of several media (e.g. Audio, video, and graphics) on one computer system, with cross-references from one to another (often attrib.: hypermedia database).
Hypersensitive adj. Excessively sensitive. ~ hypersensitivity n.
Hypersonic adj. 1 of speeds of more than five times that of sound. 2 of sound-frequencies above about a thousand million hertz.
Hypertension n. 1 abnormally high blood pressure. 2 great emotional tension.
Hypertext n. Provision of several texts on one computer system, with cross-references from one to another.
Hyperthermia n. Abnormally high body-temperature. [from +hyper-, greek therme heat]
Hyperthyroidism n. Overactivity of the thyroid gland, resulting in an increased rate of metabolism.
Hyperventilation n. Abnormally rapid breathing. ~ hyperventilate v. (-ting).
Hyphen —n. Sign (-) used to join words semantically or syntactically (e.g. Fruit-tree, pick-me-up, rock-forming), to indicate the division of a word at the end of a line, or to indicate a missing or implied element (as in man- and womankind). —v. = +hyphenate. [greek huphen together]
Hyphenate v. (-ting) 1 write (a compound word) with a hyphen. 2 join (words) with a hyphen. ~ hyphenation n.
Hypnosis n. 1 state like sleep in which the subject acts only on external suggestion. 2 artificially produced sleep. [greek hupnos sleep]
Hypnotherapy n. Treatment of mental disorders by hypnosis.
Hypnotic —adj. 1 of or producing hypnosis. 2 inducing sleep. —n. Hypnotic drug or influence. ~ hypnotically adv. [greek: related to +hypnosis]
Hypnotism n. The study or practice of hypnosis. ~ hypnotist n.
Hypnotize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) 1 produce hypnosis in. 2 fascinate; capture the mind of.
Hypo1 n. Sodium thiosulphate (incorrectly called hyposulphite) used as a photographic fixer. [abbreviation]
Hypo2 n. (pl. -s) slang = +hypodermic n. [abbreviation]
Hypo- prefix 1 under (hypodermic). 2 below normal (hypotension). 3 slightly. [greek hupo under]
Hypocaust n. Space for underfloor hot-air heating in ancient roman houses. [from +hypo-, kaustos burnt]
Hypochondria n. Abnormal and ill-founded anxiety about one's health. [latin from greek, = soft parts of the body below the ribs, where melancholy was thought to arise]
Hypochondriac —n. Person given to hypochondria. —adj. Of or affected by hypochondria.
Hypocrisy n. (pl. -ies) 1 false claim to virtue; insincerity, pretence. 2 instance of this. [greek, = acting, feigning]
Hypocrite n. Person given to hypocrisy. ~ hypocritical adj. Hypocritically adv.
Hypodermic —adj. 1 of the area beneath the skin. 2 a injected beneath the skin. B (of a syringe, etc.) Used to do this. —n. Hypodermic injection or syringe. [from +hypo-, greek derma skin]
Hypotension n. Abnormally low blood pressure.
Hypotenuse n. Side opposite the right angle of a right-angled triangle. [greek, = subtending line]
Hypothalamus n. (pl. -mi) region of the brain controlling body-temperature, thirst, hunger, etc. ~ hypothalamic adj. [latin: related to +hypo-, greek thalamos inner room]
Hypothermia n. Abnormally low body-temperature. [from +hypo-, greek therme heat]
Hypothesis n. (pl. -theses) proposition or supposition made as the basis for reasoning or investigation. [greek, = foundation]
Hypothesize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) form or assume a hypothesis.
Hypothetical adj. 1 of, based on, or serving as a hypothesis. 2 supposed; not necessarily true. ~ hypothetically adv.
Hypothyroidism n. Subnormal activity of the thyroid gland, resulting in cretinism. ~ hypothyroid n. & adj.
Hypoventilation n. Abnormally slow breathing.
Hyssop n. 1 small bushy aromatic herb, formerly used medicinally. 2 bibl. Plant whose twigs were used for sprinkling in jewish rites. [ultimately from greek hyssopos, of semitic origin]
Hysterectomy n. (pl. -ies) surgical removal of the womb. [greek hustera womb, +-ectomy]
Hysteresis n. Phenomenon whereby changes in an effect lag behind changes in its cause. [greek husteros coming after]
Hysteria n. 1 wild uncontrollable emotion or excitement. 2 functional disturbance of the nervous system, of psychoneurotic origin. [greek hustera womb]
Hysteric n. 1 (in pl.) A fit of hysteria. B colloq. Overwhelming laughter (we were in hysterics). 2 hysterical person.
Hysterical adj. 1 of or affected with hysteria. 2 uncontrollably emotional. 3 colloq. Extremely funny. ~ hysterically adv.
Hz abbr. Hertz.
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| Online English Dictionary Free Words Starting with Letter H |
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