Álvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca |
a Spanish explorer who, after landing on the cape of Florida in 1528 and being stranded in the Gulf coast region for 8 years, published an account of his survival and interaction with the native peoples under the title "La relación" (1542) (b.1490?--d.1557?). |
alveolar |
of or pertaining to small cavities such as the terminal air sacs of the lungs or the cells of a honeycomb. [4 definitions] |
alveolate |
containing many cavities or pits; honeycombed. |
alveolus |
a small cavity or pit, such as one of the terminal air sacs of the lungs or one cell of a honeycomb. [2 definitions] |
alvine |
of or relating to the abdomen or intestines. |
always |
without stopping; forever. [3 definitions] |
alyssum |
any of a group of weedy low-growing plants of the mustard family, having tiny white or yellow four-petaled flowers borne on branched stalks. [2 definitions] |
Alzheimer's disease |
a severe, progressive disease that causes the brain cells to degenerate, often leading to dementia. |
AM |
a system of varying a radio signal's amplitude so as to impose the signal on a carrier wave; amplitude modulation. [2 definitions] |
Am |
symbol of the chemical element americium. |
am |
first person present sing. of be. |
a.m. |
abbreviation of "ante meridiem" (Latin); the period from midnight until noon. |
AMA |
abbreviation of "American Medical Association." |
amah |
in India and the Far East, a female servant, esp. a child's nurse. |
amalgam |
a metal alloy containing mercury. [2 definitions] |
amalgamate |
to combine or blend into a single unit. [4 definitions] |
amalgamation |
the act, process, or result of combining two or more, often disparate, things. |
Amalthaea |
in Greek and Roman mythology, the goat that nursed Zeus, or Jupiter. [2 definitions] |
amandine |
prepared or served with almonds. |
amanita |
any of various, mostly poisonous mushrooms having blade-shaped gills on the underside. |
amanuensis |
a secretary or manuscript copyist. |