The doctor explained to Jenkins that he had a serious ailment for which an operation was absolutely imperative.
The patient turned pale and asked, "Isn’t it very dangerous?"
"Yes," the doctor replied. "Five out of six who undergo this operation die, but as for you, you have nothing to worry about."
"Why not?" eagerly inquired the patient.
"Well, you’re sure to recover because my last five patients died," the doctor reassured him.
n. (usu. Prec. By the) sacred writings of zoroastrianism (cf. *zend). [persian]
AVIARY
n. (pl. -ies) large cage or building for keeping birds. [latin avis bird]
AVOCET
n. Long-legged wading bird with an upward-curved bill. [french from italian]
- n. Long-legged wading bird with an upward-curved bill. [french from italian]
AWAKEN
v. = *awake v.
AWEIGH
predic. Adj. (of an anchor) clear of the bottom.
AWHILE
adv. For a short time. [a while]
AWNING
n. Sheet of canvas etc. Stretched on a frame as a shelter against the sun or rain. [origin uncertain]
AWOKEN
past part. Of *awake.
AZALEA
n. A kind of rhododendron. [greek azaleos dry]
ABANDON
—v. - give up.
- forsake, desert.
- (often foll. By to; often refl.) Yield to a passion, another's control, etc. —n. Freedom from inhibitions. abandonment n. [french: related to *ad-, *ban]
