| 4WD |
abbreviation of "four-wheel drive," a car that drives by means of all four wheels rather than the rear wheels only, or the drive system of such, in which both front and rear wheel axles are turned by the drive shaft. |
| accelerator |
in nuclear physics, a device that creates high-energy particles by acceleration through electrostatic or electromagnetic means, used for research. [1/3 definitions] |
| acoustic |
producing sound without electronic or electric means, as a musical instrument. [1/3 definitions] |
| adit |
an entrance or means of access, esp. a more or less horizontal passageway that leads into a mine. |
| adjustment |
a means of adjusting, esp. a physical mechanism for regulating or correcting. [1/3 definitions] |
| adventurer |
one who advances by dishonest or ruthless means. [1/3 definitions] |
| adventuress |
a female adventurer, esp. one who advances by dishonest or ruthless means. |
| aerial |
of, associated with, or accomplished by means of aircraft. [1/6 definitions] |
| agency |
a means of exerting power; instrumentality. [1/4 definitions] |
| agent |
a force or means by which something occurs or specific ends are reached; instrumentality; cause. [1/5 definitions] |
| alarm |
any audible or visible warning, esp. by mechanical, electric, or other means. [1/5 definitions] |
| all-out |
using every resource or means available. |
| ammunition |
the projectiles detonated from any weapon, such as bullets or shells, or the means of exploding such material, such as gunpowder and fuses. [2 definitions] |
| analogy |
the process by which linguistic forms change according to existing patterns, esp. by means of comparison. [1/5 definitions] |
| anchorage |
a source or means of stability. [1/4 definitions] |
| anteater |
any of several toothless mammals such as the aardvark and pangolin that feed mainly on ants or termites by means of a long, sticky tongue. |
| apple-polish |
to try to gain favor with someone by means of flattery. |
| approach |
a way or means of entering or coming near. [2/9 definitions] |
| artificial insemination |
the use of means other than sexual intercourse to impregnate a female. |
| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. [1/2 definitions] |
| auction |
to sell by means of an auction (often fol. by "off"). [1/2 definitions] |