Collins COBUILD English Dictionary.txt Collins COBUILD English DictionaryA, a A, a A, a A, a A's, a's 1 [N-VAR] A is the first letter of the English alphabet. 2 [N-VAR] In music, A is the sixth note in the scale of C major. 3 [N-VAR] If you get an A as a mark for a piece of work or in an exam, your work is extremely good. 4 A or a is used as an abbreviation for words beginning with a, such as `acceleration', `ampčre', or `answer'. 5 [PHRASE] PHR after v People talk about getting from A to B when they are referring generally to journeys they need to make, without saying where the journeys will take them. Cars are for getting people from A to B in maximum safety. a *** a a a WEAK STRONG 1 [DET] DET sing-n You use a or an when you are referring to someone or something for the first time or when people may not know which particular person or thing you are talking about. A waiter entered with a tray . He started eating an apple . Today you've got a new teacher taking you . I manage a hotel. 2 [DET] DET sing-n You use a or an when you are referring to any person or thing of a particular type and do not want to be specific. I suggest you leave it to an expert . Bring a sleeping bag . I was waiting for a bus. 3 [DET] DET n-uncount with supp You use a or an in front of an uncount noun when that noun follows an adjective, or when the noun is followed by words that describe it more fully. There was a terrible sadness in her eyes . 4 [DET] DET n-mass You use a or an in front of a mass noun when you want to refer to a single type or make of something. Bollinger `RD' is a rare, highly prized wine. 5 [DET] DET in quant You use a in quantifiers such as a lot, a little, and a bit. I spend a lot on expensive jewelry and clothing . I've come looking for a bit of advice. 6 [DET] Strana 1 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary.txt DET sing-n You use a or an to refer to someone or something as a typical member of a group, class, or type. Some parents believe a boy must learn to stand up and fight like a man. 7 [DET] DET sing-n You use a or an in front of the names of days, months, or festivals when you are referring to one particular instance of that day, month, or festival. The interview took place on a Friday afternoon . 8 [DET] DET sing-n You use a or an when you are saying what someone is or what job they have. I explained that I was an artist . He was now a teacher and a respectable member of the community. 9 [DET] DET n-proper You use a or an in front of the names of artists to refer to one individual painting or sculpture created by them. Most people have very little difficulty in seeing why a Van Gogh is a work of genius. 10 [DET] DET sing-n You use a or an instead of the number `one', especially with words of measurement such as `hundred', `hour', and `metre', and with fractions such as `half', `quarter', and `third'. .more than a thousand acres of land. .a quarter of an hour . 11 [DET] num DET sing-n You use a or an in expressions such as eight hours a day to express a rate or ratio. Prices start at Ł13.95 a metre for printed cotton . The helicopter can zip along at about 150 kilometres an hour. a- a- a- a- [PREFIX] A- is added to the beginning of some adjectives in order to form adjectives that describe someone or something that does not have the feature or quality indicated by the original word. I'm a completely apolitical man . .asymmetrical shapes. aah aah aah aah see ah A & E A & E A & E A & E [N-UNCOUNT] In Britain, A & E is the part of a hospital that deals with accidents and emergencies. A & E is an abbreviation for `accident and emergency'. (BRIT; in AM, use ER) Strana 2 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary.txt AB AB AB AB ABs [N-COUNT] In some American universities, an AB is the same as a BA. aback aback aback aback [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR, oft PHR by n If you are taken aback by something, you are surprised or shocked by it and you cannot respond at once. Roland was taken aback by our strength of feeling . abacus abacus abacus aba·cus abacuses [N-COUNT] An abacus is a frame used for counting. It has rods with sliding beads on them. abalone abalone abalone aba·lo·ne abalones [N-VAR] Abalone is a shellfish that you can eat and that has a shiny substance called mother-of-pearl inside its shell. abandon * abandon abandon aban·don abandons abandoning abandoned 1 [VERB] V n, V-ed If you abandon a place, thing, or person, you leave the place, thing, or person permanently or for a long time, especially when you should not do so. He claimed that his parents had abandoned him . The road is strewn with abandoned vehicles. 2 [VERB] V n If you abandon an activity or piece of work, you stop doing it before it is finished. The authorities have abandoned any attempt to distribute food . = give up Ě continue give up continue 3 [VERB] V n If you abandon an idea or way of thinking, you stop having that idea or thinking in that way. Logic had prevailed and he had abandoned the idea. = give up give up 4 [N-UNCOUNT] disapproval usu with N If you say that someone does something with abandon, you mean that they behave in a wild, uncontrolled way and do not think or care about how they should behave. He has spent money with gay abandon . see also abandoned Strana 3 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary.txt 6 [PHRASE] v inflects If people abandon ship, they get off a ship because it is sinking. abandoned * abandoned abandoned aban·doned [ADJ] usu ADJ n An abandoned place or building is no longer used or occupied. All that digging had left a network of abandoned mines and tunnels. abandonment abandonment abandonment aban·don·ment 1 [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n The abandonment of a place, thing, or person is the act of leaving it permanently or for a long time, especially when you should not do so. .memories of her father's complete abandonment of her. 2 [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n The abandonment of a piece of work or activity is the act of stopping doing it before it is finished. Constant rain forced the abandonment of the next day's competitions. 3 [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of n The abandonment of an idea or way of thinking is the act of stopping having the idea or of stopping thinking in that way. abashed abashed abashed abashed [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ If you are abashed, you feel embarrassed and ashamed. (WRITTEN) He looked abashed, uncomfortable. abate abate abate abate abates abating abated [VERB] V If something bad or undesirable abates, it becomes much less strong or severe. (FORMAL) The storms had abated by the time they rounded Cape Horn. abatement abatement abatement abate·ment [N-UNCOUNT] also a N Abatement means a reduction in the strength or power of something or the reduction of it. (FORMAL) .the abatement of carbon dioxide emissions. .noise abatement. abattoir abattoir abattoir ab·at·toir abattoirs [N-COUNT] An abattoir is a place where animals are killed in order to provide meat. Strana 4 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary.txt (BRIT; in AM, use slaughterhouse) = slaughterhouse slaughterhouse abbess abbess abbess ab·bess abbesses [N-COUNT] An abbess is the nun who is in charge of the other nuns in a convent. abbey abbey abbey ab·bey abbeys [N-COUNT] An abbey is a church with buildings attached to it in which monks or nuns live or used to live. abbot abbot abbot ab·bot abbots [N-COUNT] An abbot is the monk who is in charge of the other monks in a monastery or abbey. abbreviate abbreviate abbreviate ab·bre·vi·ate abbreviates abbreviating abbreviated [VERB] V n to n, also V n If you abbreviate something, especially a word or a piece of writing, you make it shorter. He abbreviated his first name to Alec. = shorten shorten abbreviation abbreviation abbreviation ab·bre·via·tion abbreviations [N-COUNT] An abbreviation is a short form of a word or phrase, made by leaving out some of the letters or by using only the first letter of each word. The postal abbreviation for Kansas is KS. ABC ABC ABC ABC ABCs 1 [N-SING] N of n The ABC of a subject or activity is the parts of it that you have to learn first because they are the most important and basic. .the ABC of Marxism. 2 [N-COUNT] poss N Children who have learned their ABC or their ABCs have learned to recognize, write, or say the alphabet. (INFORMAL) abdicate abdicate abdicate ab·di·cate abdicates abdicating abdicated 1 [VERB] V, also V n If a king or queen abdicates, he or she gives up being king or queen. The last French king was Louis Philippe, who abdicated in 1848. &xSym1; abdication ab·di·ca·tion [N-UNCOUNT] Strana 5 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary.txt usu with poss .the most serious royal crisis since the abdication of Edward VIII. 2 [VERB] disapproval V n If you say that someone has abdicated responsibility for something, you disapprove of them because they have refused to accept responsibility for it any longer. (FORMAL) Many parents simply abdicate all responsibility for their children. &xSym1; abdication ab·di·ca·tion [N-UNCOUNT] N of n There had been a complete abdication of responsibility. abdomen abdomen abdomen ab·do·men abdomens [N-COUNT] oft poss N Your abdomen is the part of your body below your chest where your stomach and intestines are. (FORMAL) He was suffering from pains in his abdomen. abdominal abdominal abdominal ab·domi·nal [ADJ] ADJ n Abdominal is used to describe something that is situated in the abdomen or forms part of it. (FORMAL) .vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. abdominals abdominals abdominals ab·domi·nals [N-PLURAL] You can refer to your abdominal muscles as your abdominals when you are talking about exercise. abduct abduct abduct ab·duct abducts abducting abducted [VERB] be V-ed, V n If someone is abducted by another person, he or she is taken away illegally, usually using force. His car was held up and he was abducted by four gunmen . She was charged with abducting a six-month-old child. = kidnap kidnap &xSym1; abduction abductions ab·duc·tion [N-VAR] .the abduction of four youths. &xSym1; abductor abductors ab·duc·tor [N-COUNT] She co-operated with her abductor. aberrant aberrant aberrant ab·er·rant [ADJ] usu ADJ n Aberrant means unusual and not socially acceptable. (FORMAL) Ian's rages and aberrant behavior worsened. Strana 6 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary.txt aberration aberration aberration ab·er·ra·tion aberrations [N-VAR] An aberration is an incident or way of behaving that is not typical. (FORMAL) It became very clear that the incident was not just an aberration, it was not just a single incident. abet abet abet abet abets abetting abetted [VERB] V n If one person abets another, they help or encourage them to do something criminal or wrong. Abet is often used in the legal expression `aid and abet'. (LEGAL FORMAL) His wife was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for aiding and abetting him . abeyance abeyance abeyance abey·ance [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR after v If something is in abeyance, it is not operating or being used at the present time. (FORMAL) The Russian threat is, at the least, in abeyance . abhor abhor abhor ab·hor abhors abhorring abhorred [VERB] V n If you abhor something, you hate it very much, especially for moral reasons. (FORMAL) He was a man who abhorred violence and was deeply committed to reconciliation . = detest detest abhorrence abhorrence abhorrence ab·hor·rence [N-UNCOUNT] usu with supp, oft poss N, N of n Someone's abhorrence of something is their strong hatred of it. (FORMAL) They are anxious to show their abhorrence of racism. = hatred hatred abhorrent abhorrent abhorrent ab·hor·rent [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to n If something is abhorrent to you, you hate it very much or consider it completely unacceptable. (FORMAL) Racial discrimination is abhorrent to my council and our staff . abide abide abide abide abides abiding abided [PHRASE] Strana 7 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary.txt with brd-neg If you can't abide someone or something, you dislike them very much. I can't abide people who can't make up their minds . see also abiding, law-abiding = can't stand can't stand abide by abide by abide by abide by [PHRASAL VERB] V P n If you abide by a law, agreement, or decision, you do what it says you should do. They have got to abide by the rules. = observe observe abiding abiding abiding abid·ing [ADJ] ADJ n An abiding feeling, memory, or interest is one that you have for a very long time. He has a genuine and abiding love of the craft . = lasting Ě short-lived lasting short-lived ability ** ability ability abil·ity abilities 1 [N-SING] N to-inf, oft with poss Your ability to do something is the fact that you can do it. The public never had faith in his ability to handle the job . He has the ability to bring out the best in others. = capability capability 2 [N-VAR] oft with poss Your ability is the quality or skill that you have which makes it possible for you to do something. Her drama teacher spotted her ability . They repeatedly questioned his leadership abilities . Does the school cater for all abilities? 3 [PHRASE] If you do something to the best of your abilities or to the best of your ability, you do it as well as you can. I take care of them to the best of my abilities . -ability -ability -ability -ability -abilities [SUFFIX] -ability replaces `-able' at the end of adjectives to form nouns. Nouns formed in this way refer to the state or quality described by the adjectives. .the desirability of global co-operation . Strana 8 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary.txt No one ever questioned her capability. abject abject abject ab·ject [ADJ] emphasis usu ADJ n You use abject to emphasize that a situation or quality is extremely bad. Both of them died in abject poverty . This scheme was an abject failure. = total total &xSym1; abjectly ab·ject·ly [ADV] Both have failed abjectly. abjure abjure abjure ab·jure abjures abjuring abjured [VERB] V n If you abjure something such as a belief or way of life, you state publicly that you will give it up or that you reject it. (FORMAL) .a formal statement abjuring military action. ablaze ablaze ablaze ablaze 1 [ADJ] v n ADJ, v-link ADJ Something that is ablaze is burning very fiercely. Shops, houses, and vehicles were set ablaze. 2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ, usu ADJ with n If a place is ablaze with lights or colours, it is very bright because of them. The chamber was ablaze with light . able *** able able able abler ablest 1 [PHRASE] If you are able to do something, you have skills or qualities which make it possible for you to do it. The older child should be able to prepare a simple meal . The company say they're able to keep pricing competitive . They seemed able to work together very efficiently. = can can 2 [PHRASE] If you are able to do something, you have enough freedom, power, time, or money to do it. You'll be able to read in peace . It would be nice to be able to afford to retire earlier. = can can 3 [ADJ] Someone who is able is very clever or very good at doing something. .one of the brightest and ablest members of the government . Strana 9 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary.txt = capable capable -able -able -able -able [SUFFIX] -able combines with verbs to form adjectives. Adjectives formed in this way describe someone or something that can have a particular thing done to them. For example, if something is avoidable, it can be avoided. These injuries were avoidable . He was an admirable chairman. able-bodied able-bodied able-bodied able-bodied [ADJ] An able-bodied person is physically strong and healthy, rather than weak or disabled. The gym can be used by both able-bodied and disabled people. Ě disabled disabled [N-PLURAL] the N The able-bodied are people who are able-bodied. ablutions ablutions ablutions ab·lu·tions [N-PLURAL] oft poss N Someone's ablutions are all the activities that are involved in washing himself or herself. (FORMAL or HUMOROUS) ably ably ably ably [ADV] ADV with v Ably means skilfully and successfully. He was ably assisted by a number of other members. abnormal abnormal abnormal ab·nor·mal [ADJ] Someone or something that is abnormal is unusual, especially in a way that is worrying. (FORMAL) .abnormal heart rhythms and high anxiety levels. .a child with an abnormal fear of strangers. &xSym1; abnormally ab·nor·mal·ly [ADV] usu ADV adj/adv, also ADV with v .abnormally high levels of glucose . abnormality abnormality abnormality ab·nor·mal·ity abnormalities [N-VAR] An abnormality in something, especially in a person's body or behaviour, is an unusual part or feature of it that may be worrying or dangerous. (FORMAL) Further scans are required to confirm the diagnosis of an abnormality . aboard aboard aboard Strana 10 [...]...Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. txt aboard [PREP] If you are aboard a ship or plane, you are on it or in it She invited 750 people aboard the luxury yacht, the Savarona They said goodbye to him as he got aboard the train... as most people are happy to have the monarchy, the abolitionist position is an arrogant fantasy A-bomb A-bomb A-bomb A-bomb A-bombs [N-COUNT] An A-bomb is an atomic bomb Strana 11 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. txt abominable abominable abominable abomi·nable [ADJ] Something that is abominable is very unpleasant or bad The President described the killings as an abominable crime &xSym1; abominably... pregnancy is ended deliberately and the baby is not born alive (FORMAL) Her lover walked out on her after she had aborted their child .tissue from aborted fetuses 2 [VERB] Vn Strana 12 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. txt If someone aborts a process, plan, or activity, they stop it before it has been completed The decision was made to abort the mission abortion * abortion abortion abor·tion abortions... so guilty and angry about the whole issue 4 [PREP] If you do something about a problem, you take action in order to solve it Rachel was going to do something about Jacob Strana 13 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. txt 5 [PREP] When you say that there is a particular quality about someone or something, you mean that they have this quality I think there's something a little peculiar about the results... going out and doing things, especially after they have been unable to for a while Despite considerable pain she has been getting out and about almost as normal 13 [PHRASE] Strana 14 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. txt usu PHR after v, also v-link PHR If someone is out and about, they are going to a lot of different places, often as part of their job They often saw me out and about about-face about-face... also an adjective For a copy of their brochure, write to the above address 3 [PREP] If an amount or measurement is above a particular level, it is greater than that level Strana 15 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. txt The temperature crept up to just above 40 degrees Victoria Falls has had above average levels of rainfall this year Government spending is planned to rise 3 per cent above inflation... above-the-line promotions [N-VAR] Above-the-line promotion is the use of promotional methods that cannot be directly controlled by the company selling the goods or service, such as Strana 16 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. txt television or press advertising Compare below-the-line promotion (BUSINESS) For all maternity clothing retailers, most above-the-line promotion is conducted through focused sources such... it He will be keeping abreast of the news abridged abridged abridged abridged [ADJ] usu ADJ n An abridged book or play has been made shorter by removing some parts of it Strana 17 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. txt This is an abridged version of her new novel `The Queen and I' = shortened shortened abroad * abroad abroad abroad [ADV] ADV after v, n ADV, be ADV, from ADV If you go abroad, you go... abs abs [N-PLURAL] Abs are the same as abdominals (INFORMAL) Throughout the exercise, focus on keeping your abs tight abscess abscess abscess ab·scess abscesses [N-COUNT] Strana 18 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. txt An abscess is a painful swelling containing pus abscond abscond abscond ab·scond absconds absconding absconded 1 [VERB] V, V from n If someone absconds from somewhere such as a prison,... lack Ě presence lack presence 3 conspicuous by one's absence: see conspicuous see also leave of absence absent absent absent ab·sent 1 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ from n Strana 19 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. txt If someone or something is absent from a place or situation where they should be or where they usually are, they are not there He has been absent from his desk for two weeks Any soldier . COBUILD English Dictionary. txt Collins COBUILD English DictionaryA, a A, a A, a A, a A's, a's 1 [N-VAR] A is the first letter of the English. I've come looking for a bit of advice. 6 [DET] Strana 1 Collins COBUILD English Dictionary. txt DET sing-n You use a or an to refer to someone or something