| aspect |
in grammar, a category of verb inflections, such as past perfect and past progressive, that indicate whether an action or state is ended or continues, is singular or repeated, and the like. [1/5 definitions] |
| astronautics |
(used with a sing. verb) the science and technology of space travel. |
| astrophysics |
(used with a sing. verb) the branch of physics that deals with the physical and chemical properties of heavenly bodies and interstellar space. |
| athletics |
(usu. used with a sing. verb) the study and practice of athletic development. [2 definitions] |
| atmospherics |
(used with a sing. verb) static in radio reception caused by atmospheric electrical activity. [1/2 definitions] |
| autonetics |
(used with a sing. verb) the science of the use and development of automated devices used for control and guidance. |
| auxiliary |
see "auxiliary verb." [1/7 definitions] |
| auxiliary verb |
a verb used in conjunction with a main verb in a clause that assists the main verb in reflecting aspects, voices, moods, and tenses. In the sentence "They have escaped," the main verb is "escaped," and the auxiliary verb is "have." |
| avionics |
(used with a sing. verb) the study or science of the application of electricity to flying; aviation electronics. |
| backwoods |
(often used with a sing. verb) an area that is mostly covered with trees and that has few inhabitants. [2/4 definitions] |
| Bahamas |
(used with a pl. verb) a chain of islands southeast of Florida and roughly parallel to Cuba; Bahama Islands. [1/2 definitions] |
| Balkan |
(pl.; sometimes used with a sing. verb) the Balkan States or the Balkan Peninsula (usu. prec. by "the"). [1/3 definitions] |
| ballistics |
(used with a sing. verb) the scientific study of the motion and properties of missiles such as bullets and rockets. [1/3 definitions] |
| bariatrics |
(used with a sing. verb) the study of obesity and its medical or surgical treatment. |
| be |
used with the present participle of another verb to indicate continuing action. [3/10 definitions] |
| beestings |
(used with a sing. or pl. verb) the first milk of a mammal, esp. a cow, after giving birth; colostrum. |
| be going to |
used as an auxiliary verb to express a plan or intention to carry out some action, or to express a prediction of what seems likely to occur based on certain evidence. |
| belles-lettres |
(used with a sing. verb) elegant or polished writing; literature regarded as having an aesthetic function, as distinguished from informative or persuasive writing. |
| bellows |
(used with a sing. or pl. verb) a device with a flexible, valved air chamber that can be expanded to draw in air and compressed to expel it through a nozzle, used to blow air on a fire or to sound a musical instrument. [1/3 definitions] |
| billiards |
(used with a sing. verb) a game played on a cloth-covered rectangular table that has a cushioned rim, in which players use a long cue stick to drive hard balls against one another or into pockets at the edges and corners of the table. (Cf. pool2.) |
| bioastronautics |
(used with a sing. verb) the science of the effects of outer space and space travel on living organisms. |