mater n. Delicate innermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord. [latin, = tender mother]

chart n. Circle divided into sectors to represent relative quantities.

- in the sky n. (used without an article) unrealistic prospect of future happiness.

- n. - baked dish of meat, fish, fruit, etc., usu. With a top and base of pastry.

- thing resembling a pie (mud pie). easy as pie very easy. [origin uncertain]

- n. Archaic magpie. [latin pica]

—n. - omnivorous hoofed bristly broad-snouted mammal, esp. A domesticated kind.

- its flesh as food.

- colloq. Greedy, dirty, or unpleasant person.

- oblong mass of metal (esp. Iron or lead) from a smelting-furnace.

- slang derog. Police officer. —v. (-gg-) colloq. Eat (food) greedily. buy a pig in a poke acquire something without previous sight or knowledge of it. Pig it colloq. Live in a disorderly or filthy fashion. Pig out (often foll. By on) esp. Us slang eat gluttonously. [old english]

abbr. Personal identification number (for use with a cashcard etc.).

- —n. - small thin pointed piece of metal with a round or flattened head used (esp. In sewing) for holding things in place, attaching one thing to another, etc.

- peg of wood or metal for various purposes.

- (in idioms) something of small value (not worth a pin).

- (in pl.) Colloq. Legs. —v. (-nn-) 1 a (often foll. By to, up, together) fasten with a pin or pins. B transfix with a pin, lance, etc.

- (usu. Foll. By on) put (blame, responsibility, etc.) On (a person etc.).

- (often foll. By against, on, etc.) Seize and hold fast. pin down 1 (often foll. By to) bind (a person etc.) To a promise, arrangement, etc.

- force (a person) to declare his or her intentions.

- restrict the actions of (an enemy etc.).

- specify (a thing) precisely. Pin one's faith (or hopes etc.) On rely implicitly on. [latin pinna point etc.]

—n. Seed of an apple, pear, orange, grape, etc. —v. (-pp-) remove the pips from (fruit etc.). pipless adj. [abbreviation of *pippin]

- n. Short high-pitched sound, usu. Electronically produced, esp. As a time signal. [imitative]

- v. (-pp-) colloq. - hit with a shot.

- (also pip at the post) defeat narrowly or at the last moment. [origin unknown]

- n. - any of the spots on a playing-card, dice, or domino.

- star (1–3 according to rank) on the shoulder of an army officer's uniform. [origin unknown]

- n. - disease of poultry etc.

- colloq. Fit of disgust or bad temper (esp. Give one the pip). [low german or dutch]

bull terrier n. Small american dog noted for ferocity.

- of the stomach n. Depression below the breastbone.

- —n. - a deep hole in the ground, usu. Large. B coalmine. C covered hole as a trap for animals.

- hollow on a surface, esp. An indentation of the skin.

- a = orchestra pit (see *orchestra 2). B usu. Hist. Seating at the back of the stalls.

- (the pits) slang worst imaginable place, situation, person, etc.

- a area at the side of a track where racing cars are serviced and refuelled. B sunken area in a workshop floor for access to a car's underside. —v. (-tt-) 1 (usu. Foll. By against) set (one's wits, strength, etc.) In competition.

- (usu. As pitted adj.) Make pits, scars, craters, etc. In.

- put into a pit. [old english from latin puteus well]

- v. (-tt-) (usu. As pitted adj.) Remove stones from (fruit). [origin uncertain]

abbr. (also plc) public limited company.

abbr. Palestine liberation organization.

abbr. Public lending right.

n. (pl. -ies) 1 thickness or layer of cloth or wood etc.

- strand of yarn or rope etc. [french pli: related to *plait]

- v. (-ies, -ied) 1 use or wield (a tool, weapon, etc.).

- work steadily at (ply one's trade).

- (foll. By with) a supply continuously (with food, drink, etc.). B approach repeatedly (with questions, etc.).

- a (often foll. By between) (of a vehicle etc.) Travel regularly to and fro. B work (a route) thus.

- (of a taxi-driver etc.) Attend regularly for custom (ply for hire). [from *apply]