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| OPINION | | n. - unproven belief.
- view held as probable.
- what one thinks about something.
- piece of professional advice (a second opinion).
- estimation (low opinion of). [latin: related to *opine]
- poll n. Assessment of public opinion by questioning a representative sample. | |
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| OPOSSUM | | n. - tree-living american marsupial.
- austral. & nz = *possum 2. [virginian indian] | |
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| OPPRESS | | v. - keep in subservience.
- govern or treat cruelly.
- weigh down (with cares or unhappiness). oppression n. Oppressor n. [latin: related to *press1] | |
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| OPTICAL | | adj. - of sight; visual.
- of or according to optics.
- aiding sight. optically adv.
- art n. Art using contrasting colours to create the illusion of movement.
- disc see *disc.
- fibre n. Thin glass fibre through which light can be transmitted to carry signals.
- illusion n. - image which deceives the eye.
- mental misapprehension caused by this. | |
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| OPTIMAL | | adj. Best or most favourable. [latin optimus best] | |
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| OPTIMUM | | —n. (pl. Optima) 1 most favourable conditions (for growth etc.).
- best practical solution. —adj. = *optimal. [latin, neuter of optimus best] | |
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| OPULENT | | adj. - wealthy.
- luxurious.
- abundant. opulence n. [latin opes wealth] | |
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| ORATION | | n. Formal or ceremonial speech. [latin oratio discourse, prayer, from oro speak, pray] | |
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| ORATORY | | n. (pl. -ies) 1 art of or skill in public speaking.
- small private chapel. oratorical adj. [french and latin oro speak, pray] | |
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| ORBITAL | | adj. - of an orbit or orbits.
- (of a road) passing round the outside of a town. | |
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