martial —n. (pl. Courts martial) judicial court trying members of the armed services. —v. (court-martial) (-ll-; us -l-) try by this.

- order n. Direction issued by a court or judge.

- shoe n. Woman's light, usu. High-heeled, shoe with a low-cut upper.

- —n. - (in full court of law) a judicial body hearing legal cases. B = *courtroom.

- quadrangular area for games (tennis-court; squash-court).

- a yard surrounded by houses with entry from the street. B = *courtyard.

- a the residence, retinue, and courtiers of a sovereign. B sovereign and councillors, constituting the ruling power. C assembly held by a sovereign; state reception.

- attention paid to a person whose favour etc. Is sought (paid court to her). —v. - a try to win affection or favour of. B pay amorous attention to.

- seek to win (applause, fame, etc.).

- invite (misfortune) by one's actions. go to court take legal action. Out of court 1 without reaching trial.

- not worthy of consideration. [latin: related to *cohort]

n. Assembly of witches. [related to *convent]

charge n. Service charge per head in a restaurant, nightclub, etc.

- girl n. Female model appearing on magazine covers etc.

- note n. Temporary certificate of insurance.

- story n. News story in a magazine that is advertised etc. On the front cover.

- —v. - (often foll. By with) protect or conceal with a cloth, lid, etc.

- a extend over; occupy the whole surface of. B (often foll. By with) strew thickly or thoroughly. C lie over.

- a protect; clothe. B (as covered adj.) Wearing a hat; having a roof.

- include; comprise; deal with.

- travel (a specified distance).

- describe as a reporter.

- be enough to defray (£20 should cover it).

- a refl. Take measures to protect oneself. B (absol.; foll. By for) stand in for.

- a aim a gun etc. At. B (of a fortress, guns, etc.) Command (territory). C protect (an exposed person etc.) By being able to return fire. 10 a esp. Cricket stand behind (another player) to stop any missed balls. B mark (an opposing player). 11 (of a stallion etc.) Copulate with. —n. - thing that covers, esp.: a lid. B book's binding. C either board of this. D envelope or wrapping (under separate cover).

- shelter.

- a pretence; screen. B pretended identity. C mil. Supporting force protecting an advance party from attack.

- a funds, esp. Obtainable from insurance to meet a liability or secure against loss. B insurance protection (third-party cover).

- person acting as a substitute.

- place-setting at table.

- cricket = *cover-point. cover up completely cover or conceal. Take cover find shelter. [latin cooperio]

v. (-t-) desire greatly (esp. A thing belonging to another person). [french: related to *cupid]

n. (pl. -s) 1 brood of partridges.

- small group of people. [latin cubo lie]

v. Crouch or shrink back in fear or distress. [low german]

n. (pl. -s) aquatic beaver-like rodent native to s. America. [araucan]

v. Literary 1 cheat, defraud.

- beguile.

- act deceitfully. cozenage n. [cant]

—n. - a sharp explosive noise. B sudden harshness or change in vocal pitch.

- sharp blow.

- a narrow opening; break or split. B chink.

- colloq. Joke or malicious remark.

- colloq. Attempt.

- slang crystalline form of cocaine broken into small pieces. —v. - break without separating the parts.

- make or cause to make a sharp explosive sound.

- break with a sharp sound.

- give way or cause to give way (under torture etc.).

- (of the voice) change pitch sharply; break.

- colloq. Find the solution to.

- tell (a joke etc.).

- colloq. Hit sharply.

- (as cracked adj.) Crazy. 10 break (wheat) into coarse pieces. —attrib. Adj. Colloq. Excellent; first-rate (crack shot). crack a bottle open a bottle, esp. Of wine, and drink it. Crack down on colloq. Take severe measures against. Crack of dawn daybreak. Crack up colloq. - collapse under strain.

- praise. Get cracking colloq. Begin promptly and vigorously. [old english]

comb. Form denoting a particular form of government etc. (bureaucracy). [latin -cratia]