| alcoholism |
a disease caused by the habit of drinking too much alcohol. Alcoholism is characterized by a strong desire to drink alcohol, difficulties in behaving properly, and troubling effects when alcohol use is stopped. |
| anemia |
a medical condition caused by having too few red blood cells or red blood cells that are not working properly. People with anemia may be pale, feel weak, and have difficulty breathing. |
| backfire |
to give off a loud explosive noise that means the engine of a car or other vehicle is not working properly. [2/3 definitions] |
| bug |
(informal) a mistake or fault that keeps something from working properly. [1/6 definitions] |
| celiac disease |
a disease caused by an inability to properly digest gluten, characterized by malnutrition and diarrhea. |
| chaperone |
an adult who goes along with young people in a social situation to make sure they behave properly and are safe. |
| checkout |
an inspection or examination, esp. of machinery in order to determine whether it is functioning properly. [1/4 definitions] |
| checkup |
an examination of a person or thing to discover if there are any problems. Having a doctor look closely at one's body to make sure one is healthy is one kind of checkup. Having a mechanic look at a car to make sure it is running properly is another kind of checkup. |
| comme il faut |
(French) according to convention; as it should be; properly. |
| diabetes |
a disease in which there is too much blood sugar. People with diabetes are treated with insulin, which the body needs to use sugar properly. |
| family planning |
a program designed to limit the size of a household by properly spacing or preventing the birth of children. |
| functional illiterate |
a person who does not read well enough to function properly in a given situation or job. |
| go1 |
to be moving or working properly. [1/16 definitions] |
| guarantee |
a promise, especially in writing, that something one has bought will work properly. If it does not, the seller or maker must either repair or replace it. [1/4 definitions] |
| hike |
to become raised and usu. not properly aligned, as a piece of clothing (usu. fol. by "up"). [2/6 definitions] |
| ill |
not properly; badly. [1/6 definitions] |
| incoherent |
unable to reason properly; irrational; rambling. [1/2 definitions] |
| jam1 |
to be blocked or not work properly. [1/8 definitions] |
| mature |
ripe or properly aged, as fruit, wine, or cheese. [1/9 definitions] |
| miscue |
in billiards, a mistake caused by failing to stroke the ball properly with the cue. [1/6 definitions] |
| misfire |
to fail to ignite or fire properly, as an engine. [1/3 definitions] |