- My father had two horses that looked so much alike that he measured them so he could tell them apart.
- Did that help?
- It sure did. He found that the white one was 6 inches shorter than the black one.
int. Expressing surprise, triumph, mockery, etc. [from *ah, *ha1]
AID
abbr. Artificial insemination by donor.
- —n. - help.
- person or thing that helps. —v. - help.
- promote (sleep will aid recovery). in aid of 1 in support of.
- colloq. For the purpose of (what's it all in aid of?). [latin: related to *ad-, juvo help]
AIL
v. - archaic (only in 3rd person interrog. Or indefinite constructions) trouble or afflict (what ails him?).
- (usu. Be ailing) be ill. [old english]
AIM
—v. - intend or try; attempt (aim at winning; aim to win).
- (usu. Foll. By at) direct or point (a weapon, remark, etc.).
- take aim. —n. - purpose or object.
- the directing of a weapon etc. At an object. take aim direct a weapon etc. At a target. [latin aestimare reckon]
AIR
chief marshal n. Raf officer of high rank, above air marshal.
- commodore n. Raf officer next above group captain.
- force n. Branch of the armed forces fighting in the air.
- hostess n. Stewardess in a passenger aircraft.
- letter n. Sheet of light paper forming a letter for sending by airmail.
- marshal n. Raf officer of high rank, above air vice-marshal.
- pocket n. Apparent vacuum causing an aircraft to drop suddenly.
- raid n. Attack by aircraft on ground targets.
- rifle n. Rifle using compressed air to fire pellets.
- speed n. Aircraft's speed relative to the air.
- terminal n. Building with transport to and from an airport.
- traffic controller n. Official who controls air traffic by radio.
- vice-marshal n. Raf officer of high rank, just below air marshal.
- —n. - mixture mainly of oxygen and nitrogen surrounding the earth.
- earth's atmosphere; open space in it; this as a place for flying aircraft.
- a distinctive impression or manner (air of mystery). B (esp. In pl.) Pretentiousness (gave himself airs).
- tune.
- light wind. —v. - expose (clothes, a room, etc.) To fresh air or warmth to remove damp.
- express and discuss publicly (an opinion, question, grievance, etc.). by air by or in an aircraft. In the air 1 (of opinions etc.) Prevalent.
- (of plans etc.) Uncertain. On (or off) the air being (or not being) broadcast. [greek aer]
ALB
n. Long white vestment worn by christian priests. [latin albus white]
ALE
n. Beer. [old english]
ALL
comers n.pl. Anyone who applies, takes up a challenge, etc.
- saints' day n. - nov., christian festival in honour of saints.
- saints' day n. - nov., christian festival in honour of saints.
- souls' day n.
- nov., roman catholic festival with prayers for the souls of the dead.
- souls' day n.
- nov., roman catholic festival with prayers for the souls of the dead.
- —adj. - whole amount, quantity, or extent of (all day; all his life; take it all).
- any whatever (beyond all doubt).
- greatest possible (with all speed). —n. - all concerned; everything (all were present; all is lost).
- (foll. By of) a the whole of (take all of it). B every one of (all of us). C colloq. As much as (all of six feet). D colloq. In a state of (all of a dither).
- one's whole strength or resources (prec. By my, your, etc.).
- (in games) each (two goals all). —adv. - a entirely, quite (dressed all in black). B as an intensifier (stop all this grumbling).
- colloq. Very (went all shy).
- (foll. By the + compar.) To that, or the utmost, extent (if they go, all the better; that makes it all the worse). all along from the beginning. All and sundry everyone. All but very nearly. All for colloq. Strongly in favour of. All found with board and lodging provided free. All in colloq. Exhausted. All in all everything considered. All manner of every kind of. All of a sudden suddenly. All one (or the same) (usu. Foll. By to) a matter of indifference. All out using all one's strength (also (with hyphen) attrib.: all-out effort). All over 1 completely finished.
- in or on all parts of (mud all over the carpet).
- colloq. Typically (you all over).
- slang effusively attentive to (a person). All right (predic.) 1 satisfactory; safe and sound; in good condition.
- satisfactorily (it worked out all right).
- a expressing consent. B as an intensifier (that's the one all right). All round 1 in all respects.
- for each person. All the same nevertheless. All there colloq. Mentally alert or normal. All the time throughout (despite some contrary expectation etc.). All together all at once; all in one place or in a group (came all together) (cf. *altogether). All up with hopeless for (a person). At all (with neg. Or interrog.) In any way; to any extent (did not swim at all; did you like it at all?). In all in total; altogether. [old english]
ALP
n. - a high mountain. B (the alps) high range of mountains in switzerland and adjoining countries.
- pasture land on a swiss mountainside. [originally alps, from greek alpeis]
