A rookie police officer was out for his first ride with an experienced partner. A call came in telling them to disperse some people who were loitering.
The officers drove to the street and observed a small crowd standing on a corner. The rookie rolled down his window and said, "Let"s get off the corner people."
A few glances, but no one moved, so he barked again, "Let"s get off that corner... NOW!"
Intimidated, the group of people began to leave, casting puzzled stares in his direction.
Proud of his first official act, the young policeman turned to his partner and asked, "Well, how did I do?"
"Pretty good," chuckled the vet, "especially since this is a bus stop."
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]
COVEN
n. Assembly of witches. [related to *convent]
COVER
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]
COVET
v. (-t-) desire greatly (esp. A thing belonging to another person). [french: related to *cupid]
COVEY
n. (pl. -s) 1 brood of partridges.
- small group of people. [latin cubo lie]
COWER
v. Crouch or shrink back in fear or distress. [low german]
COYPU
n. (pl. -s) aquatic beaver-like rodent native to s. America. [araucan]
COZEN
v. Literary 1 cheat, defraud.
- beguile.
- act deceitfully. cozenage n. [cant]
CRACK
—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]
CRACY
comb. Form denoting a particular form of government etc. (bureaucracy). [latin -cratia]
