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

** "Difficult Words", Tiscali Reference

ab·er·ra·tion

Pronunciation: "a-b&-'rA-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin aberrare
Date: 1594

1 : the fact or an instance of being aberrant especially from a moral standard or normal state
2 : failure of a mirror, refracting surface, or lens to produce exact point-to-point correspondence between an object and its image
3 : unsoundness or disorder of the mind
4 : a small periodic change of apparent position in celestial bodies due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer
5 : an aberrant individual

- ab·er·ra·tion·al /-shn&l, -sh&-n&l/ adjective

ac·cre·tion

Pronunciation: &-'krE-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin accretion-, accretio, from accrescere -- more at ACCRUE
Date: 1615

1 : the process of growth or enlargement by a gradual buildup: as

a : increase by external addition or accumulation (as by adhesion of external parts or particles)

b : the increase of land by the action of natural forces

2 : a product of accretion; especially : an extraneous addition <accretions of grime>

- ac·cre·tion·ary /-sh&-"ner-E/ adjective
- ac·cre·tive /&-'krE-tiv/ adjective

aes·thet·ic ¹

Pronunciation: es-'the-tik, is-, British usually Es-
Variant(s): or aes·thet·i·cal /-ti-k&l/
Function: adjective
Etymology: German ästhetisch, from New Latin aestheticus, from Greek aisthEtikos of sense perception, from aisthanesthai to perceive -- more at AUDIBLE
Date: 1798

a : of, relating to, or dealing with aesthetics or the beautiful <aesthetic theories>

b : ARTISTIC <a work of aesthetic value>

c : pleasing in appearance : ATTRACTIVE <easy-to-use keyboards, clear graphics, and other ergonomic and aesthetic features -- Mark Mehler>

2 : appreciative of, responsive to, or zealous about the beautiful; also : responsive to or appreciative of what is pleasurable to the senses

- aes·thet·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

aesthetic ²

Function: noun
Date: 1822

1. plural but singular or plural in construction : a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste and with the creation and appreciation of beauty
2. a particular theory or conception of beauty or art : a particular taste for or approach to what is pleasing to the senses and especially sight <modernist aesthetics> <staging new ballets which reflected the aesthetic of the new nation -- Mary Clarke & Clement Crisp>
3. plural : a pleasing appearance or effect : BEAUTY <appreciated the aesthetics of the gemstones>

af·fer·ent

Pronunciation: 'a-f&-r&nt, -"fer-&nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin afferent-, afferens, present participle of afferre to bring to, from ad- + ferre to bear -- more at BEAR
Date: circa 1847

: bearing or conducting inward; specifically : conveying impulses toward a nerve center (as the brain or spinal cord) -- compare EFFERENT

- af·fer·ent·ly adverb

ale·a·tor·ic

Pronunciation: "A-lE-&-'tor-ik, -'tär-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin aleatorius
Date: 1961

: characterized by chance or indeterminate elements <aleatoric music>

alem·bic

Pronunciation: &-'lem-bik
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French alambic & Medieval Latin alembicum, from Arabic al-anbIq, from al the + anbIq still, from Late Greek ambik-, ambix alembic, from Greek, cap of a still
Date: 14th century

1 : an apparatus used in distillation
2 : something that refines or transmutes as if by distillation <philosophy ... filtered through the alembic of Plato's mind -- B. T. Shropshire>

al·tri·cial

Pronunciation: al-'tri-sh&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin altric-, altrix, feminine of altor one who nourishes, from alere to nourish -- more at OLD
Date: 1872

: being hatched or born or having young that are hatched or born in a very immature and helpless condition so as to require care for some time <altricial birds> -- compare PRECOCIAL

an·ti·no·mi·an

Pronunciation: "an-ti-'nO-mE-&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin antinomus, from Latin anti- + Greek nomos law
Date: 1645

1 : one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation

2 : one who rejects a socially established morality

- antinomian adjective
- an·ti·no·mi·an·ism /-mE-&-"ni-z&m/ noun

apo·dic·tic

Pronunciation: "a-p&-'dik-tik
Variant(s): also apo·deic·tic /-'dIk-tik/
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin apodicticus, from Greek apodeiktikos, from apodeiknynai to demonstrate, from apo- + deiknynai to show -- more at DICTION
Date: circa 1645

: expressing or of the nature of necessary truth or absolute certainty

- apo·dic·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

apos·tro·phe

Pronunciation: &-'päs-tr&-(")fE
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from Greek apostrophE, literally, act of turning away, from apostrephein to turn away, from apo- + strephein to turn
Date: 1533

: the addressing of a usually absent person or a usually personified thing rhetorically <Carlyle's "O Liberty, what things are done in thy name!" is an example of apostrophe>

- ap·os·troph·ic /"a-p&-'strä-fik/ adjective

apo·tro·pa·ic

Pronunciation: "a-p&-trO-'pA-ik

Function: adjective

Etymology: Greek apotropaios, from apotrepein to avert, from apo- + trepein to turn

Date: 1883

1 : designed to avert evil <an apotropaic ritual>

apo·tro·pa·i·cal·ly /-'pA-&-k(&-)lE/ adverb

ar·cane

Pronunciation: är-'kAn

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin arcanus

Date: 1547

: known or knowable only to the initiate : SECRET <the arcane rites of a mystery cult>; broadly : MYSTERIOUS, OBSCURE <the technical consultant's arcane explanations>

au·toch·tho·nous

Pronunciation: o-'täk-th&-n&s

Function: adjective

Date: 1805

1 : INDIGENOUS, NATIVE <an autochthonous people>

2 : formed or originating in the place where found <autochthonous rock> <an autochthonous infection>

- au·toch·tho·nous·ly adverb

autopoietic

the process whereby an organization produces itself. An autopoietic organization is an autonomous and self-maintaining unity which contains component-producing processes. The components, through their interaction, generate recursively the same network of processes which produced them. An autopoietic system is operationally closed and structurally state determined with no apparent inputs and outputs. A cell, an organism, and perhaps a corporation are examples of autopoietic systems. See allopoiesis. (F. Varela)

Literally, self-production. The property of systems whose components (1) participate recursively in the same network of productions that produced them, and (2) realize the network of productions as a unity in the space in which the components exist (after Varela) (see recursion). Autopoiesis is a process whereby a system produces its own organization and maintains and constitutes itself in a space. E.g., a biological cell, a living organism and to some extend a corporation and a society as a whole. (krippendorff)

beau·ty

Pronunciation: 'byü-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural beauties
Etymology: Middle English beaute, from Old French biauté, from bel, biau beautiful, from Latin bellus pretty; akin to Latin bonus good -- more at BOUNTY
Date: 14th century

1 : the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit : LOVELINESS
2 : a beautiful person or thing; especially : a beautiful woman
3 : a particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent quality
4 : a brilliant, extreme, or egregious example or instance <that mistake was a beauty>
5 : a quantum characteristic that accounts for the existence and lifetime of the upsilon particle; also : a particle having this characteristic

bi·ol·o·gy

Pronunciation: bI-'ä-l&-jE

Function: noun

Etymology: German Biologie, from bi- + -logie -logy

Date: 1819

1 : a branch of knowledge that deals with living organisms and vital processes

a : the plant and animal life of a region or environment

b : the life processes especially of an organism or group; broadly : ECOLOGY

- bi·ol·o·gist /-jist/ noun

cad·re

Pronunciation: 'ka-"drA, 'kä-, -drE; esp British 'kä-d&(r), 'kA-, -dr&
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from Italian quadro, from Latin quadrum square -- more at QUARREL
Date: 1830

1 : FRAME, FRAMEWORK

2 : a nucleus or core group especially of trained personnel able to assume control and to train others; broadly : a group of people having some unifying relationship <a cadre of lawyers>

3 : a cell of indoctrinated leaders active in promoting the interests of a revolutionary party

4 : a member of a cadre

car·touche

car·touch /kär-'tüsh/

Function: noun

Etymology: French cartouche, from Italian cartoccio, from carta

Date: 1611

1 : a gun cartridge with a paper case

2 : an ornate or ornamental frame

3 : an oval or oblong figure (as on ancient Egyptian monuments) enclosing a sovereign's name

ca·su·ist·ry

Pronunciation: 'kazh-w&-strE, 'ka-zh&-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ries
Date: 1725

1 : a resolving of specific cases of conscience, duty, or conduct through interpretation of ethical principles or religious doctrine
2 : specious argument : RATIONALIZATION

ce·ler·i·ty

Pronunciation: s&-'ler-&-tE
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English celerite, from Middle French, from Latin celeritat-, celeritas, from celer swift -- more at HOLD
Date: 15th century

: rapidity of motion or action

chi·ral

Pronunciation: 'kI-r&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: chir- + 1-al
Date: 1894

: of or relating to a molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image

- chi·ral·i·ty /kI-'ra-l&-tE, k&-/ noun

code

Pronunciation: 'kOd
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin caudex, codex trunk of a tree, document formed originally from wooden tablets
Date: 14th century

1 : a systematic statement of a body of law; especially : one given statutory force
2 : a system of principles or rules <moral code>
3

a : a system of signals or symbols for communication

b : a system of symbols (as letters or numbers) used to represent assigned and often secret meanings

4 : GENETIC CODE

5 : a set of instructions for a computer

- code·less /-l&s/ adjective

cod·i·fy

Pronunciation: 'kä-d&-"fI, 'kO-
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -fied; -fy·ing
Date: circa 1800

1 : to reduce to a code
2 a : SYSTEMATIZE b : CLASSIFY

- cod·i·fi·abil·i·ty /"kä-d&-"fI-&-'bi-l&-tE, "kO-/ noun
- cod·i·fi·ca·tion /-f&-'kA-sh&n/ noun

col·li·gate

Pronunciation: 'kä-l&-gAt
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -gat·ed; -gat·ing
Etymology: Latin colligatus, past participle of colligare, from com- + ligare to tie -- more at LIGATURE
Date: 1545
transitive senses

1 : to bind, unite, or group together
2 : to subsume (isolated facts) under a general concept

intransitive senses : to be or become a member of a group or unit

- col·li·ga·tion /"kä-l&-'gA-sh&n/ noun

com·pete

Pronunciation: k&m-'pEt

Function: intransitive verb

Inflected Form(s): com·pet·ed; com·pet·ing

Etymology: Late Latin competere to seek together, from Latin, to come together, agree, be suitable, from com- + petere to go to, seek -- more at FEATHER

Date: 1620

: to strive consciously or unconsciously for an objective (as position, profit, or a prize) : be in a state of rivalry

com·pe·ti·tion

Pronunciation: "käm-p&-'ti-sh&n

Function: noun

Etymology: Late Latin competition-, competitio, from Latin competere

Date: 1605

1 : the act or process of competing : RIVALRY: as

a : the effort of two or more parties acting independently to secure the business of a third party by offering the most favorable terms

b : active demand by two or more organisms or kinds of organisms for some environmental resource in short supply

2 : a contest between rivals; also : one's competitors <faced tough competition>

com·pet·i·tive

Pronunciation: k&m-'pe-t&-tiv

Function: adjective

Date: 1829

1 : relating to, characterized by, or based on competition <competitive sports>

2 : inclined, desiring, or suited to compete <a competitive personality> <salary benefits must be competitive -- M. S. Eisenhower>

3 : depending for effectiveness on the relative concentration of two or more substances <competitive inhibition of an enzyme>

- com·pet·i·tive·ly adverb

- com·pet·i·tive·ness noun

con·ser·va·tion

Pronunciation: "kän(t)-s&r-'vA-sh&n

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin conservation-, conservatio, from conservare

Date: 14th century

1 : a careful preservation and protection of something; especially : planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect

2 : the preservation of a physical quantity during transformations or reactions

con·scious

Pronunciation: 'kän(t)-sh&s

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin conscius, from com- + scire to know

Date: 1592

1 : perceiving, apprehending, or noticing with a degree of controlled thought or observation

2 archaic : sharing another's knowledge or awareness of an inward state or outward fact

3 : personally felt <conscious guilt>

4 : capable of or marked by thought, will, design, or perception

5 : SELF-CONSCIOUS

6 : having mental faculties undulled by sleep, faintness, or stupor : AWAKE <became conscious after the anesthesia wore off>

7 : done or acting with critical awareness <a conscious effort to do better>

8 a : likely to notice, consider , or appraise <a bargain-conscious shopper> b : being concerned or interested <a budget-conscious businessman> c : marked by strong feelings or notions <a race-conscious society>

synonym see AWARE

- con·scious·ly adverb

² conscious

Function: noun

Date: 1919

: CONSCIOUSNESS ⁵

con·scious·ness

Pronunciation: -n&s

Function: noun

Date: 1632

a : the quality or state of being aware especially of something within oneself

b : the state or fact of being conscious of an external object, state, or fact

c : AWARENESS; especially : concern for some social or political cause

2 : the state of being characterized by sensation, emotion, volition, and thought : MIND

3 : the totality of conscious states of an individual

4 : the normal state of conscious life <regained consciousness>

5 : the upper level of mental life of which the person is aware as contrasted with unconscious processes

consilient

a. agreeing in inferences drawn from different premises. consilience, n.

cre·a·tiv·i·ty

Pronunciation: "krE-(")A-'ti-v&-tE, "krE-&-
Function: noun
Date: 1875

1 : the quality of being creative
2 : the ability to create

cul·ture

Pronunciation: 'k&l-ch&r

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin cultura, from cultus, past participle

Date: 15th century

1 : CULTIVATION, TILLAGE

2 : the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties especially by education

3 : expert care and training <beauty culture>

a : enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training

b : acquaintance with and taste in fine arts, humanities, and broad aspects of science as distinguished from vocational and technical skills

a : the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon man's capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations

b : the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group

c : the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes a company or corporation

6 : cultivation of living material in prepared nutrient media; also : a product of such cultivation

demi·urge

Pronunciation: 'de-mE-"&rj
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin demiurgus, from Greek dEmiourgos, literally, artisan, one with special skill, from dEmios of the people (from dEmos people) + -ourgos worker (from ergon work) -- more at DEMAGOGUE, WORK
Date: 1678

1 capitalized a : a Platonic subordinate deity who fashions the sensible world in the light of eternal ideas b : a Gnostic subordinate deity who is the creator of the material world
2 : one that is an autonomous creative force or decisive power

- demi·ur·gic /-jik/ also demi·ur·gi·cal /-ji-k&l/ adjective

de·noue·ment

Variant(s): also dé·noue·ment /"dA-"nü-'män, dA-'nü-"/

Function: noun

Etymology: French dénouement, literally, untying, from Middle French desnouement, from desnouer to untie, from Old French desnoer, from des- de- + noer to tie, from Latin nodare, from nodus knot -- more at NODE

Date: 1752

1 : the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a literary work

2 : the outcome of a complex sequence of events

de·sign ¹

Pronunciation: di-'zIn
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, to outline, indicate, mean, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French designer to designate, from Medieval Latin designare, from Latin, to mark out, from de- + signare to mark -- more at SIGN
Date: 14th century
transitive senses

1 : to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan : DEVISE, CONTRIVE
2

a : to conceive and plan out in the mind <he designed the perfect crime>

b : to have as a purpose : INTEND <she designed to excel in her studies>

c : to devise for a specific function or end <a book designed primarily as a college textbook>

3 archaic : to indicate with a distinctive mark, sign, or name
4

a : to make a drawing, pattern, or sketch of

b : to draw the plans for

intransitive senses

1 : to conceive or execute a plan
2 : to draw, lay out, or prepare a design
- de·sign·ed·ly /-'zI-n&d-lE/ adverb

design ²

Function: noun
Date: 1588

a : a particular purpose held in view by an individual or group <he has ambitious designs for his son>

b : deliberate purposive planning <more by accident than design>
2 : a mental project or scheme in which means to an end are laid down

a : a deliberate undercover project or scheme : PLOT

b plural : aggressive or evil intent -- used with on or against <he has designs on the money>

4 : a preliminary sketch or outline showing the main features of something to be executed : DELINEATION
5

a : an underlying scheme that governs functioning, developing, or unfolding : PATTERN, MOTIF <the general design of the epic>

b : a plan or protocol for carrying out or accomplishing something (as a scientific experiment); also : the process of preparing this

6 : the arrangement of elements or details in a product or work of art
7 : a decorative pattern
8 : the creative art of executing aesthetic or functional designs

synonym see INTENTION, PLAN

de·vice

Pronunciation: di-'vIs
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English devis, devise, from Middle French, division, intention, from Old French deviser to divide, regulate, tell -- more at DEVISE
Date: 14th century

1 :

a: something devised or contrived: as a (1) : PLAN, PROCEDURE, TECHNIQUE (2) : a scheme to deceive : STRATAGEM, TRICK

b : something fanciful, elaborate, or intricate in design

c : something (as a figure of speech) in a literary work designed to achieve a particular artistic effect

d archaic : MASQUE, SPECTACLE

e : a conventional stage practice or means (as a stage whisper) used to achieve a particular dramatic effect

f : a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function

2 : DESIRE, INCLINATION <left to my own devices>

3 : an emblematic design used especially as a heraldic bearing

dia·chron·ic

Pronunciation: "dI-&-'krä-nik

Function: adjective

Date: 1922

: of, relating to, or dealing with phenomena (as of language or culture) as they occur or change over a period of time

- dia·chron·i·cal·ly /-'krä-ni-k(&-)lE/ adverb

di·ag·no·sis

Pronunciation: "dI-ig-'nO-s&s, -&g-

Function: noun

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

Etymology: New Latin, from Greek diagnOsis, from diagignOskein to distinguish, from dia- + gignOskein to know -- more at KNOW

Date: circa 1681

a : the art or act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms

b : the decision reached by diagnosis

2 : a concise technical description of a taxon

a : investigation or analysis of the cause or nature of a condition, situation, or problem <diagnosis of engine trouble>

b : a statement or conclusion from such an analysis

di·a·lec·tic

Pronunciation: "dI-&-'lek-tik

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English dialetik, from Middle French dialetique, from Latin dialectica, from Greek dialektikE, from feminine of dialektikos of conversation, from dialektos

Date: 14th century

1 : LOGIC 1a(1)

a : discussion and reasoning by dialogue as a method of intellectual investigation; specifically : the Socratic techniques of exposing false beliefs and eliciting truth

b : the Platonic investigation of the eternal ideas

3 : the logic of fallacy

a : the Hegelian process of change in which a concept or its realization passes over into and is preserved and fulfilled by its opposite; also : the critical investigation of this process

(1) usually plural but singular or plural in construction : development through the stages of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis in accordance with the laws of dialectical materialism

(2) : the investigation of this process

(3) : the theoretical application of this process especially in the social sciences

5 usually plural but singular or plural in construction

a : any systematic reasoning, exposition, or argument that juxtaposes opposed or contradictory ideas and usually seeks to resolve their conflict

b : an intellectual exchange of ideas

6 : the dialectical tension or opposition between two interacting forces or elements

di·as·to·le

Pronunciation: dI-'as-t&-(")lE
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek diastolE dilatation, from diastellein to expand, from dia- + stellein to prepare, send
Date: circa 1578

: a rhythmically recurrent expansion; especially : the dilatation of the cavities of the heart during which they fill with blood

- di·a·stol·ic /"dI-&-'stä-lik/ adjective

di·dac·tic

Pronunciation: dI-'dak-tik, d&-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek didaktikos, from didaskein to teach
Date: 1658

1 a : designed or intended to teach

b : intended to convey instruction and information as well as pleasure and entertainment

2 : making moral observations
- di·dac·ti·cal /-ti-k&l/ adjective
- di·dac·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb
- di·dac·ti·cism /-t&-"si-z&m/ noun

educe

Pronunciation: i-'düs also -'dyüs
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): educed; educ·ing
Etymology: Latin educere to draw out, from e- + ducere to lead -- more at TOW
Date: 1603

1 : to bring out (as something latent)
2 : DEDUCE

- educ·ible /-'dü-s&-b&l also -'dyü-/ adjective
- educ·tion /-'d&k-sh&n/ noun

synonyms EDUCE, EVOKE, ELICIT, EXTRACT, EXTORT mean to draw out something hidden, latent, or reserved. EDUCE implies the bringing out of something potential or latent <educed order out of chaos>. EVOKE implies a strong stimulus that arouses an emotion or an interest or recalls an image or memory <a song that evokes warm memories>. ELICIT usually implies some effort or skill in drawing forth a response <careful questioning elicited the truth>. EXTRACT implies the use of force or pressure in obtaining answers or information <extracted a confession from him>. EXTORT suggests a wringing or wresting from one who resists strongly <extorted their cooperation by threatening to inform>.

ed·u·ca·tion

Pronunciation: "e-j&-'kA-sh&n
Function: noun
Date: 1531

1 a : the action or process of educating or of being educated; also : a stage of such a process

b : the knowledge and development resulting from an educational process <a man of little education>

2 : the field of study that deals mainly with methods of teaching and learning in schools

- ed·u·ca·tion·al /-shn&l, -sh&-n&l/ adjective
- ed·u·ca·tion·al·ly /-E/ adverb

eli·sion

Pronunciation: i-'li-zh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Late Latin elision-, elisio, from Latin elidere
Date: 1581

a : the use of a speech form that lacks a final or initial sound which a variant speech form has (as 's instead of is in there's)

b : the omission of an unstressed vowel or syllable in a verse to achieve a uniform metrical pattern

2 : the act or an instance of omitting something : OMISSION

emer·gent ^{1 of 2}

Pronunciation: i-'m&r-j&nt

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin emergent-, emergens, present participle of emergere

Date: 1593

a : arising unexpectedly

b : calling for prompt action : URGENT

2 : rising out of or as if out of a fluid

3 : arising as a natural or logical consequence

4 : newly formed or prominent

emergent ^{2 of 2}

Function: noun

Date: 1620

1 : something emergent

a : a tree that rises above the surrounding forest

b : a plant rooted in shallow water and having most of the vegetative growth above water

emergent evolution

Function: noun

Date: 1923

: evolution that according to some theories involves the appearance of new characters and qualities at complex levels of organization (as the cell or organism) which cannot be predicted solely from the study of less complex levels (as the atom or molecule)

-- compare CREATIVE EVOLUTION

en·gram

Variant(s): also en·gramme /'en-"gram/

Function: noun

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary

Date: 1908

1 : a hypothetical change in neural tissue postulated in order to account for persistence of memory

en·tel·e·chy

Pronunciation: en-'te-l&-kE, in-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -chies
Etymology: Late Latin entelechia, from Greek entelecheia, from entelEs complete (from en- 2en- + telos end) + echein to have -- more at WHEEL, SCHEME
Date: 1603

1 : the actualization of form-giving cause as contrasted with potential existence
2 : a hypothetical agency not demonstrable by scientific methods that in some vitalist doctrines is considered an inherent regulating and directing force in the development and functioning of an organism

en·tre·pre·neur

Pronunciation: "änn-tr&-p(r)&-'n&r, -'n(y)ur

Function: noun

Etymology: French, from Old French, from entreprendre to undertake -- more at ENTERPRISE

Date: 1852

1 : one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise

- en·tre·pre·neur·ial /-'n(y)ur-E-&l, -'n&r-/ adjective

- en·tre·pre·neur·ial·ism /-E-&-li-z&m/ noun

- en·tre·pre·neur·ial·ly /-E-&-lE/ adverb

- en·tre·pre·neur·ship /-'n&r-"ship, -'n(y)ur-/ noun

ep·i·cure

Pronunciation: 'e-pi-"kyur

Function: noun

Etymology: Epicurus

Date: 1565

1 archaic : one devoted to sensual pleasure : SYBARITE

2 : one with sensitive and discriminating tastes especially in food or wine

synonyms EPICURE, GOURMET, GOURMAND, GASTRONOME mean one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking. EPICURE implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste. GOURMET implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them. GOURMAND implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's. GASTRONOME implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.

ep·i·cu·re·an

Pronunciation: "e-pi-kyu-'rE-&n, -'kyur-E-

Function: adjective

Date: 1586

1 capitalized : of or relating to Epicurus or Epicureanism

2 : of, relating to, or suited to an epicure

Ep·i·cu·rus

Pronunciation: "e-pi-'kyur-&s

Function: biographical name

341-270 B.C. Greek philosopher; taught that pleasure is the only good and the end of all morality, through a life of simplicity, prudence, honor, justice

- Ep·i·cu·re·an /"e-pi-kyu-'rE-&n, -'kyur-E-/ adjective or noun

epi·phe·nom·e·non

Pronunciation: -'nä-m&-"nän, -n&n

Function: noun

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

Date: circa 1706

: a secondary phenomenon accompanying another and caused by it

eq·ui·ty

Pronunciation: 'e-kw&-tE

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -ties

Etymology: Middle English equite, from Middle French equité, from Latin aequitat-, aequitas, from aequus equal, fair

Date: 14th century

a : justice according to natural law or right; specifically : freedom from bias or favoritism

b : something that is equitable

a : a system of law originating in the English chancery and comprising a settled and formal body of legal and procedural rules and doctrines that supplement, aid, or override common and statute law and are designed to protect rights and enforce duties fixed by substantive law

b : trial or remedial justice under or by the rules and doctrines of equity

c : a body of legal doctrines and rules developed to enlarge, supplement, or override a narrow rigid system of law

a : a right, claim, or interest existing or valid in equity

b : the money value of a property or of an interest in a property in excess of claims or liens against it

c : a risk interest or ownership right in property

d : the common stock of a corporation

evo·lu·tion

Pronunciation: "e-v&-'lü-sh&n, "E-v&-

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin evolution-, evolutio unrolling, from evolvere

Date: 1622

1 : one of a set of prescribed movements

a : a process of change in a certain direction : UNFOLDING

b : the action or an instance of forming and giving something off : EMISSION

(1) : a process of continuous change from a lower, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state : GROWTH

(2) : a process of gradual and relatively peaceful social, political, and economic advance d : something evolved

3 : the process of working out or developing

a : the historical development of a biological group (as a race or species) : PHYLOGENY

b : a theory that the various types of animals and plants have their origin in other preexisting types and that the distinguishable differences are due to modifications in successive generations

5 : the extraction of a mathematical root

6 : a process in which the whole universe is a progression of interrelated phenomena

- evo·lu·tion·ari·ly /-sh&-"ner-&-lE/ adverb

- evo·lu·tion·ary /-sh&-"ner-E/ adjective

- evo·lu·tion·ism /-sh&-"ni-z&m/ noun

- evo·lu·tion·ist /-sh(&-)nist/ noun or adjective

ex·e·ge·sis

Pronunciation: "ek-s&-'jE-s&s, 'ek-s&-"
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ex·e·ge·ses /-'jE-(")sEz/
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek exEgEsis, from exEgeisthai to explain, interpret, from ex- + hEgeisthai to lead -- more at SEEK
Date: 1619

: EXPOSITION, EXPLANATION; especially : an explanation or critical interpretation of a text

ex·tero·cep·tive

Pronunciation: "ek-st&-rO-'sep-tiv
Function: adjective
Etymology: exterior + -o- + -ceptive (as in receptive)
Date: circa 1921

: activated by, relating to, or being stimuli received by an organism from outside

ex·pec·ta·tion

Pronunciation: "ek-"spek-'tA-sh&n, ik-

Function: noun

Date: 1540

1 : the act or state of expecting : ANTICIPATION

a : something expected <not up to expectations>

b : basis for expecting : ASSURANCE <they have every expectation of success>

c : prospects of inheritance -- usually used in plural

3 : the state of being expected

a : EXPECTANCY 2b

b : EXPECTED VALUE

- ex·pec·ta·tion·al /-'tA-sh&-n&l, -shn&l/ adjective

fore·cast ¹

Pronunciation: -"kast; fOr-'kast, for-'

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): forecast also fore·cast·ed; fore·cast·ing

Date: 15th century

transitive senses

a : to calculate or predict (some future event or condition) usually as a result of study and analysis of available pertinent data; especially : to predict (weather conditions) on the basis of correlated meteorological observations

b : to indicate as likely to occur

2 : to serve as a forecast of : PRESAGE <such events may forecast peace>

intransitive senses : to calculate the future

synonym see FORETELL

- fore·cast·able /-"kas-t&-b&l/ adjective

- fore·cast·er noun

fore·cast ²

Pronunciation: 'fOr-"kast, 'for-

Function: noun

Date: circa 1541

1 archaic : foresight of consequences and provision against them : FORETHOUGHT

2 : a prophecy, estimate, or prediction of a future happening or condition

fu·ture

Pronunciation: 'fyü-ch&r

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French futur, from Latin futurus about to be -- more at BE

Date: 14th century

1 : that is to be; specifically : existing after death

2 : of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense expressive of time yet to come

3 : existing or occurring at a later time <met his future wife>

ge·net·ic

Pronunciation: j&-'ne-tik

Variant(s): also ge·net·i·cal /-ti-k&l/

Function: adjective

Etymology: genesis

Date: 1831

1 : relating to or determined by the origin, development, or causal antecedents of something

a : of, relating to, or involving genetics

b : GENIC

- ge·net·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

ge·stalt

Pronunciation: g&-'stält, -'shtält, -'stolt, -'shtolt
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ge·stalt·en /-'stäl-t&n, -'shtäl-, -'stol-, -'shtol-/; or gestalts
Etymology: German, literally, shape, form
Date: 1922

: a structure, configuration, or pattern of physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so integrated as to constitute a functional unit with properties not derivable by summation of its parts

hard

Pronunciation: 'härd

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English heard; akin to Old High German hart hard, Greek kratos strength

Date: before 12th century

a : not easily penetrated : not easily yielding to pressure

b of cheese : not capable of being spread : very firm

a : of liquor (1) : having a harsh or acid taste (2) : strongly alcoholic

b : characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent lathering with soap <hard water>

a : of or relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating power <hard X rays>

b : having or producing relatively great photographic contrast <a hard negative>

a : metallic as distinct from paper <hard money>

b of currency : convertible into gold : stable in value

c : usable as currency <paid in hard cash>

d of currency : readily acceptable in international trade

e : being high and firm <hard prices>

a : firmly and closely twisted <hard yarns>

b : having a smooth close napless finish <a hard worsted>

a : physically fit <in good hard condition>

b : resistant to stress (as disease)

c : free of weakness or defects

(1) : FIRM, DEFINITE <reached a hard agreement>

(2) : not speculative or conjectural : FACTUAL <hard evidence>

(3) : important or informative rather than sensational or entertaining <hard news>

b : CLOSE, SEARCHING <gave a hard look>

c : free from sentimentality or illusion : REALISTIC <good hard sense>

d : lacking in responsiveness : OBDURATE, UNFEELING <a hard heart>

(1) : difficult to bear or endure <hard luck> <hard times>

(2) : OPPRESSIVE, INEQUITABLE <sales taxes are hard on the poor> <a hard restriction>

(1) : lacking consideration, compassion, or gentleness : CALLOUS <a hard greedy landlord>

(2) : INCORRIGIBLE, TOUGH <a hard gang>

(1) : harsh, severe, or offensive in tendency or effect <said some hard things>

(2) : RESENTFUL <hard feelings>

(3) : STRICT, UNRELENTING <drives a hard bargain>

d : INCLEMENT <hard winter>

(1) : intense in force, manner, or degree <hard blows>

(2) : demanding the exertion of energy : calling for stamina and endurance <hard work>

(3) : performing or carrying on with great energy, intensity, or persistence <a hard worker>

f : EXTREME 4a <the hard political right>

a : characterized by sharp or harsh outline, rigid execution, and stiff drawing

b : sharply defined : STARK <hard shadows>

c : lacking in shading, delicacy, or resonance <hard singing tones>

d : sounding as in arcing and geese respectively -- used of c and g e : suggestive of toughness or insensitivity <hard eyes>

(1) : difficult to accomplish or resolve : TROUBLESOME <hard problems> <the true story was hard to come by>

(2) : difficult to comprehend or explain <a hard concept>

b : having difficulty in doing something <hard of hearing>

c : difficult to magnetize or demagnetize

11 : being at once addictive and gravely detrimental to health <such hard drugs as heroin>

12 : resistant to biodegradation <hard detergents> <hard pesticides like DDT>

13 : being, schooled in, or using the methods of the natural sciences and especially of the physical sciences <a hard scientist>

synonyms HARD, DIFFICULT, ARDUOUS mean demanding great exertion or effort. HARD implies the opposite of all that is easy <farming is hard work>. DIFFICULT implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill, patience, or courage <the difficult ascent of the main face of the mountain>. ARDUOUS stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion <the arduous task of rebuilding>.

he·ge·mo·ny

Pronunciation: hi-'je-m&-nE, -'ge-; 'he-j&-"mO-nE

Function: noun

Etymology: Greek hEgemonia, from hEgemOn leader, from hEgeisthai to lead -- more at SEEK

Date: 1567

: preponderant influence or authority over others : DOMINATION

- heg·e·mon·ic /"he-j&-'mä-nik, "he-g&-/ adjective

her·me·neu·tics

Pronunciation: -tiks
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
Date: 1737

: the study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible)

hi·er·ar·chy

Pronunciation: 'hI-(&-)"rär-kE also 'hi(-&)r-"är-

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -chies

Date: 14th century

1 : a division of angels

a : a ruling body of clergy organized into orders or ranks each subordinate to the one above it; especially : the bishops of a province or nation

b : church government by a hierarchy

3 : a body of persons in authority

4 : the classification of a group of people according to ability or to economic, social, or professional standing; also : the group so classified

5 : a graded or ranked series <Christian hierarchy of values> <a machine's hierarchy of responses>

his·to·ri·og·ra·phy

Pronunciation: -fE
Function: noun
Date: 1569

a : the writing of history; especially : the writing of history based on the critical examination of sources, the selection of particulars from the authentic materials, and the synthesis of particulars into a narrative that will stand the test of critical methods

b : the principles, theory, and history of historical writing <a course in historiography>

2 : the product of historical writing : a body of historical literature

- his·to·rio·graph·i·cal /-E-&-'gra-fi-k&l/ also his·to·rio·graph·ic /-fik/ adjective
- his·to·rio·graph·i·cal·ly /-E-&-'gra-fi-k(&-)lE/ adverb

hum·ble

Pronunciation: 'h&m-b&l also chiefly Southern '&m-
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): hum·bler /-b(&-)l&r/; hum·blest /-b(&-)l&st/
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin humilis low, humble, from humus earth; akin to Greek chthOn earth, chamai on the ground
Date: 13th century

1 : not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive
2 : reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission <a humble apology>
3

a : ranking low in a hierarchy or scale : INSIGNIFICANT, UNPRETENTIOUS

b : not costly or luxurious <a humble contraption>

- hum·ble·ness /-b&l-n&s/ noun
- hum·bly /-blE/ adverb

hys·ter·e·sis

Pronunciation: "his-t&-'rE-s&s

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural hys·ter·e·ses /-"sEz/

Etymology: New Latin, from Greek hysterEsis shortcoming, from hysterein to be late, fall short, from hysteros later -- more at OUT

Date: 1881

: a retardation of an effect when the forces acting upon a body are changed (as if from viscosity or internal friction); especially : a lagging in the values of resulting magnetization in a magnetic material (as iron) due to a changing magnetizing force

- hys·ter·et·ic /-'re-tik/ adjective

ide·ol·o·gy

Pronunciation: "I-dE-'ä-l&-jE, "i-

Variant(s): also ide·al·o·gy /-'ä-l&-jE, -'a-/

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -gies

Etymology: French idéologie, from idéo- ideo- + -logie -logy

Date: 1813

1 : visionary theorizing

a : a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture

b : a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture

c : the integrated assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program

- ide·ol·o·gist /-jist/ noun

id·i·o·graph·ic

Pronunciation: "i-dE-&-'gra-fik
Function: adjective
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary
Date: circa 1890:

1 : relating to or dealing with something concrete, individual, or unique

im·bri·cate ^{1of 2}

Pronunciation: 'im-bri-k&t

Function: adjective

Etymology: Late Latin imbricatus, past participle of imbricare to cover with pantiles, from Latin imbric-, imbrex pantile, from imbr-, imber rain; akin to Greek ombros rain

Date: circa 1610

: lying lapped over each other in regular order <imbricate scales>

im·bri·cate ^{2 of 2}

Pronunciation: 'im-br&-"kAt

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): -cat·ed; -cat·ing

Date: 1784

: OVERLAP; especially : to overlap like roof tiles

im·ma·nent

Pronunciation: -n&nt

Function: adjective

Etymology: Late Latin immanent-, immanens, present participle of immanEre to remain in place, from Latin in- + manEre to remain -- more at MANSION

Date: 1535

: remaining or operating within a domain of reality or realm of discourse

: INHERENT; specifically

: having existence or effect only within the mind or consciousness

-- compare TRANSCENDENT

- im·ma·nent·ly adverb

in·cho·ate

Pronunciation: in-'kO-&t, 'in-k&-"wAt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin inchoatus, past participle of inchoare to start work on, perhaps from in- + cohum part of a yoke to which the beam of a plow is fitted
Date: 1534

: being only partly in existence or operation; especially : imperfectly formed or formulated : FORMLESS <misty, inchoate suspicions that all is not well with the nation -- J. M. Perry>

- in·cho·ate·ly adverb
- in·cho·ate·ness noun

in·stru·ment

Pronunciation: 'in(t)-str&-m&nt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin instrumentum, from instruere to arrange, instruct
Date: 14th century

1 : a device used to produce music

a : a means whereby something is achieved, performed, or furthered

b : one used by another as a means or aid : DUPE, TOOL

3 : IMPLEMENT; especially : one designed for precision work

4 : a formal legal document (as a deed, bond, or agreement)

a : a measuring device for determining the present value of a quantity under observation

b : an electrical or mechanical device used in navigating an airplane; especially : such a device used as the sole means of navigating

synonym see IMPLEMENT

in·ter·phase

Pronunciation: 'in-t&r-"fAz
Function: noun
Date: 1913

: the interval between the end of one mitotic or meiotic division and the beginning of another

kin

Pronunciation: 'kin

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cynn; akin to Old High German chunni race, Latin genus birth, race, kind, Greek genos, Latin gignere to beget, Greek gignesthai to be born

Date: before 12th century

1 : a group of persons of common ancestry : CLAN

a : one's relatives : KINDRED

b : KINSMAN <he wasn't any kin to you -- Jean Stafford>

3 archaic : KINSHIP

know

Pronunciation: 'nO
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): knew /'nü also 'nyü/; known /'nOn/; know·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cnAwan; akin to Old High German bichnAan to recognize, Latin gnoscere, noscere to come to know, Greek gignOskein
Date: before 12th century
transitive senses

1 a

(1) : to perceive directly : have direct cognition of

(2) : to have understanding of <importance of knowing oneself>

(3) : to recognize the nature of : DISCERN

b (1) : to recognize as being the same as something

previously known

(2) : to be acquainted or familiar with

(3) : to have experience of

2 a :

to be aware of the truth or factuality of : be convinced or certain of

b : to have a practical understanding of <knows how

to write>

3 archaic : to have sexual intercourse with

intransitive senses

1 : to have knowledge

2 : to be or become cognizant -- sometimes used interjectionally with you especially as a filler in informal speech

- know·able /'nO-&-b&l/ adjective
- know·er /'nO(-&)r/ noun
- know from : to have knowledge of <didn't know from sibling rivalry -- Penny Marshall>

knowl·edge

Pronunciation: 'nä-lij
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English knowlege, from knowlechen to acknowledge, irregular from knowen
Date: 14th century

1 obsolete : COGNIZANCE

2 a

(1) : the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association

(2) : acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique

(1) : the fact or condition of being aware of something

(2) : the range of one's information or understanding <answered to the best of my knowledge>

c : the circumstance or condition of apprehending truth or fact through reasoning : COGNITION

d : the fact or condition of having information or of being learned <a man of unusual knowledge>

3 archaic : SEXUAL INTERCOURSE

4 a : the sum of what is known : the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by mankind

b archaic : a branch of learning

synonyms KNOWLEDGE, LEARNING, ERUDITION, SCHOLARSHIP mean what is or can be known by an individual or by mankind. KNOWLEDGE applies to facts or ideas acquired by study, investigation, observation, or experience <rich in the knowledge of human nature>. LEARNING applies to knowledge acquired especially through formal, often advanced, schooling <a book that demonstrates vast learning>. ERUDITION strongly implies the acquiring of profound, recondite, or bookish learning <an erudition unusual even in a scholar>. SCHOLARSHIP implies the possession of learning characteristic of the advanced scholar in a specialized field of study or investigation <a work of first-rate literary scholarship>.

lan·guage

Pronunciation: 'la[ng]-gwij, -wij
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from langue tongue, language, from Latin lingua -- more at TONGUE
Date: 14th century

a : the words, their pronunciation, and the methods of combining them used and understood by a community

(1) : audible, articulate, meaningful sound as produced by the action of the vocal organs

(2) : a systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks having understood meanings

(3) : the suggestion by objects, actions, or conditions of associated ideas or feelings <language in their very gesture -- Shakespeare>

(4) : the means by which animals communicate

(5) : a formal system of signs and symbols (as FORTRAN or a calculus in logic) including rules for the formation and transformation of admissible expressions

(6) : MACHINE LANGUAGE 1

a : form or manner of verbal expression; specifically : STYLE

b : the vocabulary and phraseology belonging to an art or a department of knowledge

c : PROFANITY

3 : the study of language especially as a school subject
[language table]

logical positivism

Function: noun

Date: 1931

: a 20th century philosophical movement that holds characteristically that all meaningful statements are either analytic or conclusively verifiable or at least confirmable by observation and experiment and that metaphysical theories are therefore strictly meaningless -- called also logical empiricism

- logical positivist noun

Man·i·chae·an

Variant(s): or Man·i·che·an /"ma-n&-'kE-&n/; or Man·i·chee /'man-&-"kE/

Function: noun

Etymology: Late Latin manichaeus, from Late Greek manichaios, from Manichaios Manes died ab 276 A.D. Persian founder of the sect

Date: 1556

1 : a believer in a syncretistic religious dualism originating in Persia in the 3d century A.D. and teaching the release of the spirit from matter through asceticism

2 : a believer in religious or philosophical dualism

- Manichaean adjective

- Man·i·chae·an·ism /"ma-n&-'kE-&-"ni-z&m/ noun

- Man·i·chae·ism /'ma-n&-(")kE-"i-z&m/ noun

ma·trix

Pronunciation: 'mA-triks
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ma·tri·ces /'mA-tr&-"sEz, 'ma-/; or ma·trix·es /'mA-trik-s&z/
Etymology: Latin, female animal used for breeding, parent plant, from matr-, mater
Date: 1555

1 : something within or from which something else originates, develops, or takes form

a : a mold from which a relief surface (as a piece of type) is made

b : DIE 3a(1)

c : an engraved or inscribed die or stamp

d : an electroformed impression of a phonograph record used for mass-producing duplicates of the original

a : the natural material (as soil or rock) in which something (as a fossil or crystal) is embedded

b : material in which something is enclosed or embedded (as for protection or study)

a : the intercellular substance in which tissue cells (as of connective tissue) are embedded

b : the thickened epithelium at the base of a fingernail or toenail from which new nail substance develops

a : a rectangular array of mathematical elements (as the coefficients of simultaneous linear equations) that can be combined to form sums and products with similar arrays having an appropriate number of rows and columns

b : something resembling a mathematical matrix especially in rectangular arrangement of elements into rows and columns

c : an array of circuit elements (as diodes and transistors) for performing a specific function

6 : a main clause that contains a subordinate clause

me·tab·o·lism

Pronunciation: m&-'ta-b&-"li-z&m
Function: noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek metabolE change, from metaballein to change, from meta- + ballein to throw -- more at DEVIL
Date: 1872

a : the sum of the processes in the buildup and destruction of protoplasm; specifically : the chemical changes in living cells by which energy is provided for vital processes and activities and new material is assimilated

b : the sum of the processes by which a particular substance is handled in the living body

c : the sum of the metabolic activities taking place in a particular environment <the metabolism of a lake>

2 : METAMORPHOSIS 2 -- usually used in combination

me·ton·y·my

Pronunciation: m&-'tä-n&-mE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -mies
Etymology: Latin metonymia, from Greek metOnymia, from meta- + -Onymon -onym
Date: 1547

: a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated (as "crown" in "lands belonging to the crown")

- met·o·nym·ic /"me-t&-'ni-mik/ or met·o·nym·i·cal /-mi-k&l/ adjective

mi·to·chon·dri·on

Pronunciation: "mI-t&-'kän-drE-&n

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural mi·to·chon·dria /-drE-&/

Etymology: New Latin, from Greek mitos thread + chondrion, diminutive of chondros grain

Date: 1901

: any of various round or long cellular organelles of most eukaryotes that are found outside the nucleus, produce energy for the cell through cellular respiration, and are rich in fats, proteins, and enzymes -- see CELL illustration

- mi·to·chon·dri·al /-drE-&l/ adjective

mi·to·sis

Pronunciation: mI-'tO-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural mi·to·ses /-"sEz/
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek mitos thread
Date: 1887

1 : a process that takes place in the nucleus of a dividing cell, involves typically a series of steps consisting of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, and results in the formation of two new nuclei each having the same number of chromosomes as the parent nucleus -- compare MEIOSIS
2 : cell division in which mitosis occurs

- mi·tot·ic /-'tä-tik/ adjective
- mi·tot·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb

The Competitiveness of Nations

in a Global Knowledge-Based Economy

H.H. Chartrand

November 12, 2002