H.H. Chartrand

Updated June 21, 2003

DEFINITIONS

aberration, accretion, aesthetic, afferent, alembic, aleatoric, altricial, antinomian, apodictic, apostrophe, apotropaic, arcane, autochthonous, autopoietic *, beauty, biology, cadre, cartouche, causitry, celerity, chirality, code, codify, colligate, compete, competition, competitive, conservation, conscious, consciousness, consilent **, creativity, culture, demiurge, denouement, design, device, diachronic, diagnosis, dialectic, diastole, didactic, educe, education, elison, emergent, emergent evolution, engram, entelechy, entrepreneur, epiphenomenon, epicure, Epicurean, Epicurus, equity, evolution, exegesis, expectation, exteroceptive, future, genetic, gestalt, hard, hegemony, hermeneutics, hierarchy, historiography, humble, hysteresis, ideology, idiographic, imbricate, immanent, inchoate, instrument, interphase, kin, know, knowledge, language, logical positivism, Manichean, matrix, metabolism, metonymy, mitochondrion, mitosis, nation, nationality, nation-state, nominalism, nomenclature, nomothetic, noumenon, nuclear, nucleus, obscene, ontic, ontology, paradigm, pedagogy, phenomena, phenomenon, phenomenolism, phylogeny, pleonasm, positivism, power, pragmatic, pragmaticism, praxeology, praxis, prescription, prognosis, prognostication, propaedeutic, proprioception, prosody, prosopography, prospectus, Protagoras, quale, quixotic, quality, quantity, realism, reason, recondite, reticulative, revelation, rhetoric, robust, royalty, scatology, schism, science, seigniorage, sensation, sensor, sentiment, shed, soterilogy, sovereign, sovereignty, synecdoche, systematics, systole, tacit, taxon, taxonomy, teleology, theory, thesis, tool, toy, transcend, transcendent, understand, universal, utile, utile dulci, utility, utilitarian, value, vaticination, vexation, wealth, who

Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary

* Web Dictionary of Cybernetics and Systems

na·tion

Pronunciation: 'nA-sh&n

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English nacioun, from Middle French nation, from Latin nation-, natio birth, race, nation, from nasci to be born; akin to Latin gignere to beget -- more at KIN

Date: 14th century

(1) : NATIONALITY 5a

(2) : a politically organized nationality

(3) : a non-Jewish nationality <why do the nations conspire -- Psalms 2:1 (Revised Standard Version)>

b : a community of people composed of one or more nationalities and possessing a more or less defined territory and government

c : a territorial division containing a body of people of one or more nationalities and usually characterized by relatively large size and independent status

2 archaic : GROUP, AGGREGATION

3 : a tribe or federation of tribes (as of American Indians)

na·tion·al·i·ty

Pronunciation: "na-sh&-'na-l&-tE, "nash-'na-

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -ties

Date: 1691

1 : national character

2 : NATIONALISM

a : national status; specifically : a legal relationship involving allegiance on the part of an individual and usually protection on the part of the state

b : membership in a particular nation

4 : political independence or existence as a separate nation

a : a people having a common origin, tradition, and language and capable of forming or actually constituting a nation-state

b : an ethnic group constituting one element of a larger unit (as a nation)

na·tion-state

Pronunciation: 'nA-sh&n-'stAt, -"stAt

Function: noun

Date: 1918

: a form of political organization under which a relatively homogeneous people inhabits a sovereign state; especially : a state containing one as opposed to several nationalities

no·men·cla·ture

Pronunciation: 'nO-m&n-"klA-ch&r also nO-'men-kl&-"chur, -'me[ng]-, -ch&r, -"tyur, -"tur

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin nomenclatura assigning of names, from nomen + calatus, past participle of calare

Date: 1610

1 : NAME, DESIGNATION

2 : the act or process or an instance of naming

a : a system or set of terms or symbols especially in a particular science, discipline, or art

b : an international system of standardized New Latin names used in biology for kinds and groups of kinds of animals and plants

- no·men·cla·tur·al /"nO-m&n-'klAch-r&l, -'klA-ch&-/ adjective

nom·i·nal·ism

Pronunciation: 'nä-m&-n&l-"i-z&m, 'näm-n&-"li-z&m

Function: noun

Date: 1844

1 : a theory that there are no universal essences in reality and that the mind can frame no single concept or image corresponding to any universal or general term

2 : the theory that only individuals and no abstract entities (as essences, classes, or propositions) exist -- compare ESSENTIALISM, REALISM

- nom·i·nal·ist /-ist, -list/ noun

- nominalist or nom·i·nal·is·tic /"nä-m&-n&l-'is-tik, "näm-n&-'lis-/ adjective

no·mo·thet·ic

Pronunciation: -'the-tik

Function: adjective

Etymology: Greek nomothetikos of legislation, from nomothetEs lawgiver, from nomos law + -thetEs one who establishes, from tithenai to put -- more at DO

Date: 1658

1 : relating to, involving, or dealing with abstract, general, or universal statements or laws

nou·me·non

Pronunciation: 'nü-m&-"nän

Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural nou·me·na /-n&, -"nä/

Etymology: German, from Greek nooumenon that which is apprehended by thought, from neuter of present passive particle of noein to think, conceive, from nous mind

Date: 1796

: a posited object or event as it appears in itself independent of perception by the senses

nou·men·al /-m&-n&l/ adjective

nu·cle·ar

Pronunciation: 'nü-klE-&r, 'nyü-, ÷-ky&-l&r

Function: adjective

Date: 1846

1 : of, relating to, or constituting a nucleus

a : of or relating to the atomic nucleus <nuclear reaction> <nuclear physics>

b : used in or produced by a nuclear reaction (as fission) <nuclear fuel> <nuclear waste> <nuclear energy>

(1) : being a weapon whose destructive power derives from an uncontrolled nuclear reaction

(2) : of, produced by, or involving nuclear weapons <the nuclear age> <nuclear war>

(3) : armed with nuclear weapons <nuclear powers>

d : of, relating to, or powered by nuclear energy <a nuclear submarine> <the nuclear debate> <a nuclear plant>

usage though disapproved of by many, pronunciations ending in \-ky&-l&r\ have been found in widespread use among educated speakers including scientists, lawyers, professors, congressmen, U.S. cabinet members, and at least one U.S. president and one vice president. While most common in the U.S., these pronunciations have also been heard from British and Canadian speakers.

nu·cle·us

Pronunciation: 'nü-klE-&s, 'nyü-

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural nu·clei /-klE-"I/; also nu·cle·us·es

Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, kernel, diminutive of nuc-, nux nut -- more at NUT

Date: 1704

1 : the small brighter and denser portion of a galaxy or of the head of a comet

2 :

a: central point, group, or mass about which gathering, concentration, or accretion takes place: as a : a cellular organelle of eukaryotes that is essential to cell functions (as reproduction and protein synthesis), is composed of nuclear sap and a nucleoprotein-rich network from which chromosomes and nucleoli arise, and is enclosed in a definite membrane -- see CELL illustration

b : a mass of gray matter or group of nerve cells in the central nervous system

c : a characteristic and stable complex of atoms or groups in a molecule; especially : RING <the naphthalene nucleus>

d : the positively charged central portion of an atom that comprises nearly all of the atomic mass and that consists of protons and neutrons except in hydrogen which consists of one proton only

3 : the peak of sonority in the utterance of a syllable

ob·scene

Pronunciation: äb-'sEn, &b-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin obscenus, obscaenus

[Oxford Concise Dictionary: behind the scene, to be verified]
Date: 1593

1 : disgusting to the senses : REPULSIVE

a : abhorrent to morality or virtue; specifically : designed to incite to lust or depravity

b : containing or being language regarded as taboo in polite usage <obscene lyrics>

c : repulsive by reason of crass disregard of moral or ethical principles <an obscene misuse of power> d : so excessive as to be offensive <obscene wealth> <obscene waste>

synonym see COARSE

- ob·scene·ly adverb

on·tic

Pronunciation: 'än-tik
Function: adjective
Date: 1942

: of, relating to, or having real being
- on·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

on·tol·o·gy

Pronunciation: än-'tä-l&-jE

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin ontologia, from ont- + -logia -logy

Date: circa 1721

1 : a branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature and relations of being

2 : a particular theory about the nature of being or the kinds of existents

- on·tol·o·gist /-jist/ noun

par·a·digm

Pronunciation: 'par-&-"dIm also -"dim
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin paradigma, from Greek paradeigma, from paradeiknynai to show side by side, from para- + deiknynai to show -- more at DICTION
Date: 15th century

1 : EXAMPLE, PATTERN; especially : an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype
2 : an example of a conjugation or declension showing a word in all its inflectional forms
3 : a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in support of them are formulated

- par·a·dig·mat·ic /"par-&-dig-'ma-tik/ adjective
- par·a·dig·mat·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

ped·a·go·gy

Pronunciation: 'pe-d&-"gO-jE also -"gä-, esp British -"gä-gE
Function: noun
Date: 1583

: the art, science, or profession of teaching; especially : EDUCATION 2

phe·nom·e·na

Pronunciation: fi-'nä-m&-n&, -"nä

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -nas

Date: 1576

nonstandard : PHENOMENON

usage Phenomena has been in occasional use as a singular for more than 400 years and its plural phenomenas for more than 350. Our evidence shows that it is primarily a speech form used by poets, critics, and professors, among others, but one that sometimes turns up in edited prose <the Borgia were, in modern terms, a media phenomena -- Economist>. It is etymologically no more irregular than stamina, agenda, and candelabra, but it has nowhere near the frequency of use that they have, and while they are standard, phenomena is still rather borderline.

phe·nom·e·nal·ism

Pronunciation: -n&l-"i-z&m

Function: noun

Date: circa 1865

1 : a theory that limits knowledge to phenomena only

2 : a theory that all knowledge is of phenomena and that what is construed to be perception of material objects is simply perception of sense-data

- phe·nom·e·nal·ist /-ist/ noun or adjective

- phe·nom·e·nal·is·tic /-"nä-m&-n&l-'is-tik/ adjective

- phe·nom·e·nal·is·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

phe·nom·e·non

Pronunciation: fi-'nä-m&-"nän, -n&n

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural phe·nom·e·na /-n&, -"nä/; or -nons

Etymology: Late Latin phaenomenon, from Greek phainomenon, from neuter of phainomenos, present participle of phainesthai to appear, middle voice of phainein to show -- more at FANCY

Date: 1605

1 plural phenomena : an observable fact or event

2 plural phenomena

a : an object or aspect known through the senses rather than by thought or intuition

b : a temporal or spatiotemporal object of sensory experience as distinguished from a noumenon

c : a fact or event of scientific interest susceptible of scientific description and explanation

a : a rare or significant fact or event

b plural phenomenons : an exceptional, unusual, or abnormal person, thing, or occurrence

usage see PHENOMENA

phy·log·e·ny

Pronunciation: fI-'lä-j&-nE

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -nies

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary

Date: 1872

1 : the evolutionary history of a kind of organism

2 : the evolution of a genetically related group of organisms as distinguished from the development of the individual organism

3 : the history or course of the development of something (as a word or custom)

pos·i·tiv·ism

Pronunciation: 'pä-z&-ti-"vi-z&m, 'päz-ti-

Function: noun

Etymology: French positivisme, from positif positive + -isme -ism

Date: 1847

a : a theory that theology and metaphysics are earlier imperfect modes of knowledge and that positive knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties and relations as verified by the empirical sciences

b : LOGICAL POSITIVISM

2 : the quality or state of being positive

- pos·i·tiv·ist /-vist/ adjective or noun

- pos·i·tiv·is·tic /"pä-z&-ti-'vis-tik, "päz-ti-/ adjective

- pos·i·tiv·is·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

ple·o·nasm

Pronunciation: 'plE-&-"na-z&m
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin pleonasmus, from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein to be excessive, from pleiOn, pleOn more -- more at PLUS
Date: 1610

1 : the use of more words than those necessary to denote mere sense (as in the man he said) : REDUNDANCY
2 : an instance or example of pleonasm

- ple·o·nas·tic /"plE-&-'nas-tik/ adjective
- ple·o·nas·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

pow·er ^{1 of 39}

Pronunciation: 'pau(-&)r

Function: noun

Usage: often attributive

Etymology: Middle English, from Old French poeir, from poeir to be able, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin potEre, alteration of Latin posse -- more at POTENT

Date: 13th century

(1) : ability to act or produce an effect

(2) : ability to get extra-base hits

(3) : capacity for being acted upon or undergoing an effect

b : legal or official authority, capacity, or right

a : possession of control, authority, or influence over others

b : one having such power; specifically : a sovereign state

c : a controlling group

: ESTABLISHMENT

-- often used in the phrase the powers that be

d : archaic : a force of armed men

e : chiefly dialect

: a large number or quantity

a : physical might

b : mental or moral efficacy

c : political control or influence

4 plural : an order of angels

-- see CELESTIAL HIERARCHY

a : the number of times as indicated by an exponent that a number occurs as a factor in a product; also : the product itself

b : CARDINAL NUMBER 2

prag·mat·ic

Pronunciation: prag-'ma-tik

Variant(s): also prag·mat·i·cal /-ti-k&l/

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin pragmaticus skilled in law or business, from Greek pragmatikos, from pragmat-, pragma deed, from prassein to do -- more at PRACTICAL

Date: 1616

1 archaic

a (1) : BUSY (2) : OFFICIOUS

b : OPINIONATED

2 : relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic matters : practical as opposed to idealistic <pragmatic men of power have had no time or inclination to deal with... social morality -- K. B. Clark>

3 : relating to or being in accordance with philosophical pragmatism

- pragmatic noun

- prag·mat·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

prag·mat·i·cism

Pronunciation: prag-'ma-t&-"si-z&m

Function: noun

Date: 1905

: the philosophic doctrine of C. S. Peirce

- prag·mat·i·cist /-sist/ noun

prax·e·ol·o·gy

Pronunciation: "prak-sE-'ä-l&-jE
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of earlier praxiology, from praxis + -o- + -logy
Date: 1904

: the study of human action and conduct
- prax·e·o·log·i·cal /-sE-&-'lä-ji-k&l/ adjective

prax·is

Pronunciation: 'prak-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural prax·es /-"sEz/
Etymology: Medieval Latin, from Greek, doing, action, from prassein to do, practice -- more at PRACTICAL
Date: 1581

: ACTION, PRACTICE: as a : exercise or practice of an art, science, or skill b : customary practice or conduct

prog·no·sis

Pronunciation: präg-'nO-s&s

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural prog·no·ses /-"sEz/

Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek prognOsis, literally, foreknowledge, from progignOskein to know before, from pro- + gignOskein to know -- more at KNOW

Date: 1655

1 : the prospect of recovery as anticipated from the usual course of disease or peculiarities of the case

2 : FORECAST, PROGNOSTICATION

prog·nos·ti·ca·tion

Pronunciation: (")präg-"näs-t&-'kA-sh&n

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

1 : an indication in advance : FORETOKEN

a : an act, the fact, or the power of prognosticating : FORECAST

b : FOREBODING

pro·pae·deu·tic

Pronunciation: "prO-pi-'dü-tik, -'dyü-
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek propaideuein to teach beforehand, from pro- before + paideuein to teach, from paid-, pais child -- more at PRO-, FEW
Date: 1798

: preparatory study or instruction
- propaedeutic adjective

pro·pri·o·cep·tion

Pronunciation: "prO-prE-O-'sep-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: proprioceptive + -ion
Date: 1906

: the reception of stimuli produced within the organism

pre·scrip·tion

Pronunciation: pri-'skrip-sh&n

Function: noun

Etymology: partly from Middle English prescripcion establishment of a claim, from Middle French prescription, from Late Latin praescription-, praescriptio, from Latin, act of writing at the beginning, order, limitation of subject matter, from praescribere; partly from Latin praescription-, praescriptio order

Date: 14th century

a : the establishment of a claim of title to something under common law usually by use and enjoyment for a period fixed by statute

b : the right or title acquired under common law by such possession

2 : the process of making claim to something by long use and enjoyment

3 : the action of laying down authoritative rules or directions

a : a written direction for a therapeutic or corrective agent; specifically : one for the preparation and use of a medicine

b : a prescribed medicine

c : something like a doctor's prescription <prescriptions for economic recovery>

a : ancient or long continued custom

b : a claim founded upon ancient custom or long continued use

6 : something prescribed as a rule

pros·o·dy

Pronunciation: 'prä-s&-dE, -z&-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -dies
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin prosodia accent of a syllable, from Greek prosOidia song sung to instrumental music, accent, from pros in addition to + OidE song -- more at PROS-, ODE
Date: 15th century

1 : the study of versification; especially : the systematic study of metrical structure
2 : a particular system, theory, or style of versification
3 : the rhythmic and intonational aspect of language
- pros·o·dist /-dist/ noun

pros·o·pog·ra·phy

Pronunciation: "prä-s&-'pä-gr&-fE
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin prosopographia, from Greek prosOpon person + -graphia -graphy
Date: 1929

: a study that identifies and relates a group of persons or characters within a particular historical or literary context

- pros·o·po·graph·i·cal /-p&-'gra-fi-k&l/ adjective

pro·spec·tus

Pronunciation: pr&-'spek-t&s, prä-

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -tus·es

Etymology: Latin, prospect

Date: 1765

1 : a preliminary printed statement that describes an enterprise (as a business or publication) and that is distributed to prospective buyers, investors, or participants

2 : something (as a statement or situation) that forecasts the course or nature of something

Pro·tag·o·ras

Pronunciation: prO-'ta-g&-r&s

Function: biographical name

circa 485-410 B.C. Greek philosopher; the first and best known of the Sophists; his philosophy epitomized in saying "Man is the measure of all things"

- Pro·tag·o·re·an /-"ta-g&-'rE-&n/ adjective

qua·le

Pronunciation: 'kwä-lE, -"lA

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural qua·lia /'kwä-lE-&/

Etymology: Latin, neuter of qualis of what kind

Date: 1675

1 : a property (as redness) considered apart from things having the property : UNIVERSAL

2 : a property as it is experienced as distinct from any source it might have in a physical object

qual·i·ty

Pronunciation: 'kwä-l&-tE

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -ties

Etymology: Middle English qualite, from Old French qualité, from Latin qualitat-, qualitas, from qualis of what kind; akin to Latin qui who -- more at WHO

Date: 14th century

a : peculiar and essential character : NATURE <her ethereal quality -- Gay Talese>

b : an inherent feature : PROPERTY <had a quality of stridence, dissonance -- Roald Dahl>

c : CAPACITY, ROLE <in the quality of reader and companion -- Joseph Conrad>

a : degree of excellence : GRADE <the quality of competing air service -- Current Biography>

b : superiority in kind <merchandise of quality>

a : social status : RANK

b : ARISTOCRACY

a : a distinguishing attribute : CHARACTERISTIC <possesses many fine qualities>

b archaic : an acquired skill : ACCOMPLISHMENT

5 : the character in a logical proposition of being affirmative or negative

6 : vividness of hue

a : TIMBRE

b : the identifying character of a vowel sound determined chiefly by the resonance of the vocal chambers in uttering it

8 : the attribute of an elementary sensation that makes it fundamentally unlike any other sensation

synonyms QUALITY, PROPERTY, CHARACTER, ATTRIBUTE mean an intelligible feature by which a thing may be identified. QUALITY is a general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic <material with a silky quality>. PROPERTY implies a characteristic that belongs to a thing's essential nature and may be used to describe a type or species <the property of not conducting heat>. CHARACTER applies to a peculiar and distinctive quality of a thing or a class <remarks of an unseemly character>. ATTRIBUTE implies a quality ascribed to a thing or a being <the traditional attributes of a military hero>.

quan·ti·ty

Pronunciation: 'kwän-t&-tE

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -ties

Etymology: Middle English quantite, from Middle French quantité, from Latin quantitat, quantitas, from quantus how much, how large; akin to Latin quam how, as, quando when, qui who -- more at WHO

Date: 14th century

a : an indefinite amount or number

b : a determinate or estimated amount

c : total amount or number

d : a considerable amount or number -- often used in plural <generous quantities of luck -- H. E. Putsch>

a : the aspect in which a thing is measurable in terms of greater, less, or equal or of increasing or decreasing magnitude

b : the subject of a mathematical operation

c : an individual considered with respect to a given situation <an unknown quantity... as attorney general -- Tom Wicker>

a : duration and intensity of speech sounds as distinct from their individual quality or phonemic character; specifically : the relative length or brevity of a prosodic syllable in some languages (as Greek and Latin)

b : the relative duration or time length of a speech sound or sound sequence

4 : the character of a logical proposition as being universal, particular, or singular

quix·ot·ic

Pronunciation: kwik-'sä-tik

Function: adjective

Etymology: Don Quixote

Date: 1815

1 : foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals; especially : marked by rash lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action

2 : CAPRICIOUS, UNPREDICTABLE

synonym see IMAGINARY

- quix·ot·i·cal /-ti-k&l/ adjective

- quix·ot·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

re·al·ism

Pronunciation: 'rE-&-"li-z&m, 'ri-&-

Function: noun

Date: 1817

1 : concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary

a : a doctrine that universals exist outside the mind; specifically : the conception that an abstract term names an independent and unitary reality

b : the conception that objects of sense perception or cognition exist independently of the mind -- compare NOMINALISM

3 : fidelity in art and literature to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization

- re·al·ist /-list/ adjective or noun

- re·al·is·tic /"rE-&-'lis-tik, "ri-&-/ adjective

- re·al·is·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

rea·son

Pronunciation: 'rE-z&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English resoun, from Old French raison, from Latin ration-, ratio reason, computation, from reri to calculate, think; probably akin to Gothic rathjo account, explanation
Date: 13th century

a : a statement offered in explanation or justification <gave reasons that were quite satisfactory>

b : a rational ground or motive <a good reason to act soon>

c : a sufficient ground of explanation or of logical defense; especially : something (as a principle or law) that supports a conclusion or explains a fact <the reasons behind her client's action>

d : the thing that makes some fact intelligible : CAUSE <the reason for earthquakes> <the real reason why he wanted me to stay -- Graham Greene>

2 a

(1) : the power of comprehending, inferring, or thinking especially in orderly rational ways : INTELLIGENCE

(2) : proper exercise of the mind

(3) : SANITY

b : the sum of the intellectual powers

3 archaic : treatment that affords satisfaction

- in reason : RIGHTLY, JUSTIFIABLY
- within reason : within reasonable limits
- with reason : with good cause

re·con·dite

Pronunciation: 're-k&n-"dIt, ri-'kän-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin reconditus, past participle of recondere to conceal, from re- + condere to store up, from com- + -dere to put -- more at COM-, DO
Date: 1649

1 : hidden from sight : CONCEALED
2 : difficult or impossible for one of ordinary understanding or knowledge to comprehend : DEEP <a recondite subject>
3 : of, relating to, or dealing with something little known or obscure <recondite fact about the origin of the holiday -- Floyd Dell>

- re·con·dite·ly adverb
- re·con·dite·ness noun

rhet·o·ric

Pronunciation: 're-t&-rik
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English rethorik, from Middle French rethorique, from Latin rhetorica, from Greek rhEtorikE, literally, art of oratory, from feminine of rhEtorikos of an orator, from rhEtOr orator, rhetorician, from eirein to say, speak -- more at WORD
Date: 14th century

a: the art of speaking or writing effectively: as a : the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times

b : the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion

a : skill in the effective use of speech

b : a type or mode of language or speech; also : insincere or grandiloquent language

3 : verbal communication : DISCOURSE

re·tic·u·late

Pronunciation: -l&t, -"lAt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin reticulatus, from reticulum
Date: 1658

1 : resembling a net; especially : having veins, fibers, or lines crossing <a reticulate leaf>
2 : being or involving evolutionary change dependent on genetic recombination involving diverse interbreeding populations

- re·tic·u·late·ly adverb

rev·e·la·tion

Pronunciation: "re-v&-'lA-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin revelation-, revelatio, from Latin revelare to reveal
Date: 14th century

a : an act of revealing or communicating divine truth

b : something that is revealed by God to humans

a : an act of revealing to view or making known

b : something that is revealed; especially : an enlightening or astonishing disclosure <shocking revelations>

c : a pleasant often enlightening surprise <her talent was a revelation>

3 capitalized : an apocalyptic writing addressed to early Christians of Asia Minor and included as a book in the New Testament -- called also Apocalypse; see BIBLE table

ro·bust

Pronunciation: rO-'b&st, 'rO-(")b&st

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin robustus oaken, strong, from robor-, robur oak, strength

Date: 1549

a : having or exhibiting strength or vigorous health

b : having or showing vigor, strength, or firmness <a robust debate> <a robust faith>

c : strongly formed or constructed : STURDY <a robust plastic>

2 : ROUGH, RUDE <stories... laden with robust, down-home imagery -- Playboy>

3 : requiring strength or vigor <robust work>

4 : FULL-BODIED <robust coffee>; also : HEARTY <a robust dinner>

5 : relating to, resembling, or being any of the primitive, relatively large, heavyset hominids (genus Australopithecus and especially A. robustus and A. boisei) characterized especially by heavy molars and small incisors adapted to a vegetarian diet -- compare GRACILE 3

synonym see HEALTHY

- ro·bust·ly adverb

- ro·bust·ness /-'b&s(t)-n&s, -(")b&s(t)-/ noun

roy·al·ty

Pronunciation: 'roi(-&)l-tE

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -ties

Etymology: Middle English roialte, from Middle French roialté, from Old French, from roial

Date: 14th century

a : royal status or power : SOVEREIGNTY

b : a right or perquisite of a sovereign (as a percentage paid to the crown of gold or silver taken from mines)

2 : regal character or bearing : NOBILITY

a : persons of royal lineage

b : a person of royal rank <how to address royalties -- George Santayana>

c : a privileged class

4 : a right of jurisdiction granted to an individual or corporation by a sovereign

a : a share of the product or profit reserved by the grantor especially of an oil or mining lease

b : a payment to an author or composer for each copy of a work sold or to an inventor for each item sold under a patent

sca·tol·o·gy

Pronunciation: ska-'tä-l&-jE, sk&-
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek skat-, skOr excrement; akin to Old English scearn dung, Latin muscerdae mouse droppings
Date: 1876

1 : interest in or treatment of obscene matters especially in literature

2 : the biologically oriented study of excrement (as for taxonomic purposes or for the determination of diet)

- scat·o·log·i·cal /"ska-t&l-'ä-ji-k&l/ adjective

schism

Pronunciation: 'si-z&m, 'ski- also 'shi-; among clergy usually 'si-

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English scisme, from Middle French cisme, from Late Latin schismat-, schisma, from Greek, cleft, division, from schizein to split -- more at SHED

Date: 14th century

1 : DIVISION, SEPARATION; also : DISCORD, DISHARMONY

a : formal division in or separation from a church or religious body

b : the offense of promoting schism

sci·ence

Pronunciation: 'sI-&n(t)s

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin scientia, from scient-, sciens having knowledge, from present participle of scire to know; probably akin to Sanskrit chyati he cuts off, Latin scindere to split -- more at SHED

Date: 14th century

1 : the state of knowing : knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding

a : a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study <the science of theology>

b : something (as a sport or technique) that may be studied or learned like systematized knowledge <have it down to a science>

a : knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method

b : such knowledge or such a system of knowledge concerned with the physical world and its phenomena : NATURAL SCIENCE

4 : a system or method reconciling practical ends with scientific laws <culinary science>

5 capitalized : CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

sei·gnior·age

Variant(s): or sei·gnor·age /'sAn-y&-rij/

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English seigneurage, from Middle French, right of the lord (especially to coin money), from seigneur

Date: 15th century

: a government revenue from the manufacture of coins calculated as the difference between the face value and the metal value of the coins

sen·sa·tion

Pronunciation: sen-'sA-sh&n, s&n-
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin sensation-, sensatio, from Late Latin, understanding, idea, from Latin sensus
Date: 1615

a : a mental process (as seeing, hearing, or smelling) due to immediate bodily stimulation often as distinguished from awareness of the process -- compare PERCEPTION

b : awareness (as of heat or pain) due to stimulation of a sense organ

c : a state of consciousness of a kind usually due to physical objects or internal bodily changes <a burning sensation in his chest>

d : an indefinite bodily feeling <a sensation of buoyancy>

2 : something (as a physical object, sense-datum, pain, or afterimage) that causes or is the object of sensation

a : a state of excited interest or feeling <their elopement caused a sensation>

b : a cause of such excitement <the show was the musical sensation of the season>; especially : one (as a person) in some respect exceptional or outstanding <the rookie hitting sensation of the American League>

sen·sor

Pronunciation: 'sen-"sor, 'sen(t)-s&r
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin sentire to perceive + English 1-or -- more at SENSE
Date: circa 1928

: a device that responds to a physical stimulus (as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism, or a particular motion) and transmits a resulting impulse (as for measurement or operating a control); also : SENSE ORGAN

sen·ti·ment

Pronunciation: 'sen-t&-m&nt
Function: noun
Etymology: French or Medieval Latin; French, from Medieval Latin sentimentum, from Latin sentire
Date: 1639

a : an attitude, thought, or judgment prompted by feeling : PREDILECTION

b : a specific view or notion : OPINION

a : EMOTION

b : refined feeling : delicate sensibility especially as expressed in a work of art

c : emotional idealism

d : a romantic or nostalgic feeling verging on sentimentality

a : an idea colored by emotion

b : the emotional significance of a passage or expression as distinguished from its verbal context

synonym see FEELING, OPINION

shed

Pronunciation: 'shed

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): shed; shed·ding

Etymology: Middle English, to divide, separate, from Old English scEadan; akin to Old High German skeidan to separate, Latin scindere to split, cleave, Greek schizein to split

Date: before 12th century

transitive senses

1 chiefly dialect : to set apart : SEGREGATE

2 : to cause to be dispersed without penetrating <duck's plumage sheds water>

a : to cause (blood) to flow by cutting or wounding

b : to pour forth in drops <shed tears>

c : to give off in a stream <fish shedding their eggs in spawning>

d : to give off or out <sheds some light on the subject>

a (1) : to cast off (as a body covering) : MOLT (2) : to let fall (as leaves) (3) : to eject (as seed or spores) from a natural receptacle

b : to rid oneself of temporarily or permanently as superfluous or unwanted <shed her inhibitions> <the company shed 100 jobs>

intransitive senses

1 : to pour out : SPILL

2 : to become dispersed : SCATTER

3 : to cast off some natural covering (as fur or skin) <the cat is shedding>

synonym see DISCARD

- shed blood : to cause death by violence

so·te·ri·ol·o·gy

Pronunciation: sO-"tir-E-'ä-l&-jE
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek sOtErion salvation (from sOtEr savior, preserver) + English -logy -- more at CREOSOTE
Date: circa 1774

: theology dealing with salvation especially as effected by Jesus Christ
- so·te·ri·o·log·i·cal /-E-&-'lä-ji-k&l/ adjective

sov·er·eign ^{1of 2}

Variant(s): also sov·ran /'sä-v(&-)r&n, -v&rn also 's&-/

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English soverain, from Old French, from soverain, adjective

Date: 13th century

a : one possessing or held to possess sovereignty

b : one that exercises supreme authority within a limited sphere

c : an acknowledged leader : ARBITER

2 : any of various gold coins of the United Kingdom

sovereign ^{2 of 2}

Variant(s): also sovran

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English soverain, from Middle French, from Old French, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin superanus, from Latin super over, above -- more at OVER

Date: 14th century

a : superlative in quality : EXCELLENT

b : of the most exalted kind : SUPREME <sovereign virtue>

c : having generalized curative powers <a sovereign remedy>

d : of an unqualified nature : UNMITIGATED <sovereign contempt>

e : having undisputed ascendancy : PARAMOUNT

a : possessed of supreme power <sovereign ruler>

b : unlimited in extent : ABSOLUTE

c : enjoying autonomy : INDEPENDENT <sovereign state>

3 : relating to, characteristic of, or befitting a sovereign

synonym see FREE

- sov·er·eign·ly adverb

sov·er·eign·ty

Variant(s): also sov·ran·ty /-tE/

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -ties

Etymology: Middle English soverainte, from Middle French soveraineté, from Old French, from soverain

Date: 14th century

1 obsolete : supreme excellence or an example of it

a : supreme power especially over a body politic

b : freedom from external control : AUTONOMY

c : controlling influence

3 : one that is sovereign; especially : an autonomous state

syn·ec·do·che

Pronunciation: s&-'nek-d&-(")kE
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from Greek synekdochE, from syn- + ekdochE sense, interpretation, from ekdechesthai to receive, understand, from ex from + dechesthai to receive; akin to Greek dokein to seem good -- more at EX-, DECENT
Date: 15th century

: a figure of speech by which a part is put for the whole (as fifty sail for fifty ships), the whole for a part (as society for high society), the species for the genus (as cutthroat for assassin), the genus for the species (as a creature for a man), or the name of the material for the thing made (as boards for stage)

- syn·ec·doch·ic /"si-"nek-'dä-kik/ adjective
- syn·ec·doch·i·cal /-'dä-ki-k&l/ adjective
- syn·ec·doch·i·cal·ly /-ki-k(&-)lE/ adverb

sys·tem·at·ics

Pronunciation: "sis-t&-'ma-tiks

Function: noun plural but singular in construction

Date: 1888

1 : the science of classification

a : a system of classification

b : the classification and study of organisms with regard to their natural relationships : TAXONOMY

sys·to·le

Pronunciation: 'sis-t&-(")lE
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek systolE, from systellein to contract, from syn- + stellein to send
Date: 1578

: a rhythmically recurrent contraction; especially : the contraction of the heart by which the blood is forced onward and the circulation kept up

- sys·tol·ic /sis-'tä-lik/ adjective

tac·it

Pronunciation: 'ta-s&t
Function: adjective
Etymology: French or Latin; French tacite, from Latin tacitus silent, from past participle of tacEre to be silent; akin to Old High German dagEn to be silent
Date: circa 1604

1 : expressed or carried on without words or speech
2

a : implied or indicated but not actually expressed <tacit consent>

(1) : arising without express contract or agreement

(2) : arising by operation of law <tacit mortgage>

- tac·it·ly adverb
- tac·it·ness noun

tax·on

Pronunciation: 'tak-"sän

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural taxa /-s&/; also tax·ons

Etymology: New Latin, from International Scientific Vocabulary taxonomy

Date: 1929

1 : a taxonomic group or entity

2 : the name applied to a taxonomic group in a formal system of nomenclature

tax·on·o·my

Pronunciation: tak-'sä-n&-mE

Function: noun

Etymology: French taxonomie, from tax- + -nomie -nomy

Date: circa 1828

1 : the study of the general principles of scientific classification : SYSTEMATICS

2 : CLASSIFICATION; especially : orderly classification of plants and animals according to their presumed natural relationships

- tax·o·nom·ic /"tak-s&-'nä-mik/ adjective

- tax·o·nom·i·cal·ly /-mi-k(&-)lE/ adverb

- tax·on·o·mist /tak-'sä-n&-mist/ noun

tel·e·ol·o·gy

Pronunciation: "te-lE-'ä-l&-jE, "tE-

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin teleologia, from Greek tele-, telos end, purpose + -logia -logy -- more at WHEEL

Date: 1740

a : the study of evidences of design in nature

b : a doctrine (as in vitalism) that ends are immanent in nature

c : a doctrine explaining phenomena by final causes

2 : the fact or character attributed to nature or natural processes of being directed toward an end or shaped by a purpose

3 : the use of design or purpose as an explanation of natural phenomena

- tel·e·ol·o·gist /-jist/ noun

the·o·ry

Pronunciation: 'thE-&-rE, 'thi(-&)r-E
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ries
Etymology: Late Latin theoria, from Greek theOria, from theOrein
Date: 1592

1 : the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
2 : abstract thought : SPECULATION
3 : the general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art <music theory>
4

a : a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action <her method is based on the theory that all children want to learn>

b : an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances -- often used in the phrase in theory <in theory, we have always advocated freedom for all>

5 : a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena <wave theory of light>
6

a : a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation

b : an unproved assumption : CONJECTURE

c : a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view of a subject <theory of equations>

synonym see HYPOTHESIS

the·sis

Pronunciation: 'thE-s&s, British especially for 1 'the-sis
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural the·ses /'thE-"sEz/
Etymology: in sense 1, Middle English, from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, lowering of the voice, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other senses, Latin, from Greek, literally, act of laying down, from tithenai to put, lay down -- more at DO
Date: 14th century

(1) : the unstressed part of a poetic foot especially in accentual verse

(2) : the longer part of a poetic foot especially in quantitative verse

b : the accented part of a musical measure : DOWNBEAT -- compare ARSIS

a : a position or proposition that a person (as a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and offers to maintain by argument

b : a proposition to be proved or one advanced without proof : HYPOTHESIS

3 : the first and least adequate stage of dialectic -- compare SYNTHESIS

4 : a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view; especially : one written by a candidate for an academic degree

tool ¹

Pronunciation: 'tül
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tOl; akin to Old English tawian to prepare for use -- more at TAW
Date: before 12th century

a : a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task

(1) : the cutting or shaping part in a machine or machine tool (2) : a machine for shaping metal : MACHINE TOOL

a : something (as an instrument or apparatus) used in performing an operation or necessary in the practice of a vocation or profession <a scholar's books are his tools>

b : a means to an end <a book's cover can be a marketing tool> c often vulgar : PENIS

3 : one that is used or manipulated by another
4 plural : natural ability <has all the tools>

synonym see IMPLEMENT

tool ²

Date: 1812
transitive senses

a : to cause (a vehicle) to go : DRIVE

b : to convey in a vehicle

2 : to shape, form, or finish with a tool; especially : to letter or ornament (as leather or gold) by means of hand tools

3 : to equip (as a plant or industry) with tools, machines, and instruments for production

intransitive senses

1 : DRIVE, RIDE
2 : to equip a plant or industry with the means of production -- often used with up

tool ³

Function: noun
Date: 1881

: a design (as on the binding of a book) made by tooling

toy ¹

Pronunciation: 'toi
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English toye
Date: 15th century

1 obsolete

a : flirtatious or seductive behavior

b : PASTIME; also : a sportive or amusing act : ANTIC

a : something (as a preoccupation) that is paltry or trifling

b : a literary or musical trifle or diversion

c : TRINKET, BAUBLE

3 : something for a child to play with
4 : something diminutive; especially : a diminutive animal (as of a small breed or variety)
5 : something that can be toyed with
6 Scottish : a headdress of linen or woolen hanging down over the shoulders and formerly worn by old women of the lower classes

- toy·like /-"lIk/ adjective

toy ²

Function: intransitive verb
Date: circa 1529

1 : to act or deal with something lightly or without vigor or purpose
2 : to engage in flirtation
3 : to amuse oneself as if with a toy : PLAY
synonym see TRIFLE

- toy·er /'toi-&r/ noun

tran·scend

Pronunciation: tran(t)-'send

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin transcendere to climb across, transcend, from trans- + scandere to climb -- more at SCAN

Date: 14th century

transitive senses

a : to rise above or go beyond the limits of

b : to triumph over the negative or restrictive aspects of : OVERCOME

c : to be prior to, beyond, and above (the universe or material existence)

2 : to outstrip or outdo in some attribute, quality, or power

intransitive senses : to rise above or extend notably beyond ordinary limits

synonym see EXCEED

tran·scen·dent

Pronunciation: -d&nt

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin transcendent-, transcendens, present participle of transcendere

Date: 1598

a : exceeding usual limits : SURPASSING

b : extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience

c in Kantian philosophy : being beyond the limits of all possible experience and knowledge

2 : being beyond comprehension

3 : transcending the universe or material existence

- tran·scen·dent·ly adverb

un·der·stand

Pronunciation: "&n-d&r-'stand
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): un·der·stood /-'stud/; -stand·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English understandan, from under + standan to stand
Date: before 12th century

transitive senses

a : to grasp the meaning of <understand Russian>

b : to grasp the reasonableness of <his behavior is hard to understand>

c : to have thorough or technical acquaintance with or expertness in the practice of <understand finance>

d : to be thoroughly familiar with the character and propensities of <understands children>
2 : to accept as a fact or truth or regard as plausible without utter certainty <we understand that he is returning from abroad>
3 : to interpret in one of a number of possible ways
4 : to supply in thought as though expressed <"to be married" is commonly understood after the word engaged>

intransitive senses

1 : to have understanding : have the power of comprehension
2 : to achieve a grasp of the nature, significance, or explanation of something
3 : to believe or infer something to be the case
4 : to show a sympathetic or tolerant attitude toward something

- un·der·stand·abil·i·ty /-"stan-d&-'bi-l&-tE/ noun
- un·der·stand·able /-'stan-d&-b&l/ adjective

synonyms UNDERSTAND, COMPREHEND, APPRECIATE mean to have a clear or complete idea of. UNDERSTAND and COMPREHEND are very often interchangeable. UNDERSTAND may, however, stress the fact of having attained a firm mental grasp of something <orders that were fully understood and promptly obeyed>. COMPREHEND may stress the process of coming to grips with something intellectually <I have trouble comprehending your reasons for doing this>. APPRECIATE implies a just evaluation or judgment of a thing's value or nature <failed to appreciate the risks involved>.

uni·ver·sal

Pronunciation: "yü-n&-'v&r-s&l

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin universalis, from universum universe

Date: 14th century

1 : including or covering all or a whole collectively or distributively without limit or exception

a : present or occurring everywhere

b : existent or operative everywhere or under all conditions <universal cultural patterns>

a : embracing a major part or the greatest portion (as of mankind) <a universal state> <universal practices>

b : comprehensively broad and versatile <a universal genius>

a : affirming or denying something of all members of a class or of all values of a variable

b : denoting every member of a class <a universal term>

5 : adapted or adjustable to meet varied requirements (as of use, shape, or size) <a universal gear cutter>

- uni·ver·sal·ly /-s(&-)lE/ adverb

- uni·ver·sal·ness /-s&l-n&s/ noun

utile

Pronunciation: 'yü-t&l, 'yü-"tIl

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle French, from Latin utilis

Date: 15th century

: USEFUL

uti·le dul·ci

Pronunciation: "ü-ti-le-'dul-"kE

Usage: foreign term

Etymology: Latin

: the useful with the agreeable

util·i·tar·i·an ^{1 of 2}

Pronunciation: (")yü-"ti-l&-'ter-E-&n

Function: noun

Date: circa 1780

: an advocate or adherent of utilitarianism

utilitarian ^{2 of 2}

Function: adjective

Date: 1802

1 : of or relating to or advocating utilitarianism

2 : marked by utilitarian views or practices

a : of, relating to, or aiming at utility

b : exhibiting or preferring mere utility <spare utilitarian furnishings>

util·i·tar·i·an·ism

Pronunciation: -E-&-"ni-z&m

Function: noun

Date: 1827

1 : a doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining consideration of right conduct should be the usefulness of its consequences; specifically : a theory that the aim of action should be the largest possible balance of pleasure over pain or the greatest happiness of the greatest number

2 : utilitarian character, spirit, or quality

util·i·ty ^{1 of 2}

Pronunciation: yü-'ti-l&-tE

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -ties

Etymology: Middle English utilite, from Middle French utilité, from Latin utilitat, utilitas, from utilis useful, from uti to use

Date: 14th century

1 : fitness for some purpose or worth to some end

2 : something useful or designed for use

a : PUBLIC UTILITY

(1) : a service (as light, power, or water) provided by a public utility

(2) : equipment or a piece of equipment to provide such service or a comparable service

4 : a program or routine designed to perform or facilitate especially routine operations (as copying files or editing text) on a computer

utility ^{2 of 2}

Function: adjective

Date: 1851

1 : capable of serving as a substitute in various roles or positions <a utility infielder>

a : kept to provide a useful product or service rather than for show or as a pet <utility livestock> <a utility dog>

b : being of a usable but inferior grade <utility beef>

3 : serving primarily for utility rather than beauty : UTILITARIAN

4 : designed or adapted for general use <a utility knife>

5 : of or relating to a utility <a utility company>

val·ue ^{1 of 25}

Pronunciation: 'val-(")yü

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin valuta, from feminine of valutus, past participle of Latin valEre to be worth, be strong -- more at WIELD

Date: 14th century

1 : a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged

2 : the monetary worth of something : marketable price

3 : relative worth, utility, or importance <a good value at the price> <the value of base stealing in baseball> <had nothing of value to say>

a : a numerical quantity that is assigned or is determined by calculation or measurement <let x take on positive values> <a value for the age of the earth>

b : precise signification <value of a word>

5 : the relative duration of a musical note

a : relative lightness or darkness of a color : LUMINOSITY

b : the relation of one part in a picture to another with respect to lightness and darkness

7 : something (as a principle or quality) intrinsically valuable or desirable <sought material values instead of human values -- W. H. Jones>

8 : DENOMINATION 2

- val·ue·less /-(")yü-l&s, -y&-/ adjective

- val·ue·less·ness noun

va·tic·i·na·tion

Pronunciation: -"ti-s&n-'A-sh&n
Function: noun
Date: 1603

1 : PREDICTION
2 : the act of prophesying

vex·a·tion

Pronunciation: vek-'sA-sh&n
Function: noun
Date: 15th century

1 : the act of harassing or vexing : TROUBLING
2 : the quality or state of being vexed : IRRITATION
3 : a cause of trouble : AFFLICTION

wealth

Pronunciation: 'welth also 'weltth

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English welthe, from wele weal

Date: 13th century

1 obsolete : WEAL, WELFARE

2 : abundance of valuable material possessions or resources

3 : abundant supply : PROFUSION

a : all property that has a money value or an exchangeable value

b : all material objects that have economic utility; especially : the stock of useful goods having economic value in existence at any one time <national wealth>

who

Pronunciation: 'hü, ü

Function: pronoun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hwA; akin to Old High German hwer, interrogative pronoun, who, Latin quis, Greek tis, Latin qui, relative pronoun, who

Date: before 12th century

1 : what or which person or persons -- used as an interrogative <who was elected?> <find out who they are> -- used by speakers on all educational levels and by many reputable writers, though disapproved by some grammarians, as the object of a verb or a following preposition <who did I see but a Spanish lady -- Padraic Colum> <do not know who the message is from -- G. K. Chesterton>

2 : the person or persons that : WHOEVER

3 : used as a function word to introduce a relative clause; used especially in reference to persons <my father, who was a lawyer> but also in reference to groups <a generation who had known nothing but war -- R. B. West> or to animals <dogs who... fawn all over tramps -- Nigel Balchin> or to inanimate objects especially with the implication that the reference is really to a person <earlier sources who maintain a Davidic ancestry -- F. M. Cross> -- used by speakers on all educational levels and by many reputable writers, though disapproved by some grammarians, as the object of a verb or a following preposition <a character who we are meant to pity -- Times Literary Supplement>

usage see WHOM, THAT

- as who archaic : as one that : as if someone

- as who should say archaic : so to speak

- who is who or who's who or who was who : the identity of or the noteworthy facts about each of a number of persons

The Competitiveness of Nations

in a Global Knowledge-Based Economy

H.H. Chartrand

November 12, 2002