📖 A — The English dictionary · page 17

aegis — Everyday, meaning 1: (old use, in myths) A shield or cloak carried by a god, especially Zeus, that could bring storms or protection.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Protection or support given by someone powerful; «under the aegis of» means under the protection of.↗ Example: Zeus could shake his aegis to make storms.↗ · The club ran under the aegis of the town council.↗ · The shield was called the aegis, meaning goat-skin.↗

aerial — Everyday, meaning 1: (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ) An aerial is a wire or rod that sends or picks up radio or TV signals; in the US it is called an antenna.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Aerial means from the air or in the air, like an aerial photograph taken from a plane or drone.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: An aerial in sport (skiing, snowboarding) is a jump with a flip in the air.↗ Example: The TV aerial blew off the roof in the storm.↗ · This aerial photo shows our school from above.↗ · Drones take aerial pictures.↗ · An aerial view helps you draw a map.↗ · The snowboarder did an aerial with two flips.↗ · Bats are aerial hunters.↗ · They sat in an aerial dwelling, and it flew with them through the air.↗

aerodrome — Everyday, meaning 1: (UK, Australia, old use) A small airfield where planes take off and land, without a big airport building.↗ Example: The little plane landed at the country aerodrome.↗ · In the war, pilots flew from an aerodrome in Kent.↗ · Grandad worked at the local aerodrome.↗ · We watched gliders at the aerodrome.↗ · The aerodrome had just one grass runway.↗ · Old maps show an aerodrome where the park is now.↗

aeronaut — Everyday, meaning 1: (old use) A person who flies in a balloon, or who steers an airship; a balloonist.↗ Example: The aeronaut took up his station on the steeple.↗ · The balloon descended over the city.↗ · An aeronaut must watch the wind.↗

aeroplane — Everyday, meaning 1: (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ) A flying vehicle with wings and one or more engines that carries people or goods through the air; a plane.↗ Example: We flew to Spain in an aeroplane.↗ · Let's make paper aeroplanes!↗ · The aeroplane took off from the runway.↗ · An aeroplane flies at about 900 kilometres an hour.↗ · The aeroplane has 180 seats in 30 rows of 6.↗ · I watched the aeroplanes landing at the airport.↗

aestivation — Everyday, meaning 1: (science) A long sleep-like rest that some animals go into during very hot, dry weather, to save water and energy — like hibernation, but in summer.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (botany) The way the parts of a flower bud are folded before it opens.↗ Example: Some frogs in Australia survive drought by aestivation underground.↗ · The African lungfish wraps itself in mucus during aestivation.↗ · Snails seal their shells with a dry layer during aestivation.↗ · Hibernation is for winter, and aestivation is for hot, dry summers.↗ · After weeks of aestivation, the frogs woke when the rain fell.↗ · The desert tortoise uses aestivation to escape the heat.↗

aether — Everyday, meaning 1: The bright, very thin air high up in the sky, above the clouds, which in old myths only the gods could breathe.↗ Example: The gods breathed aether high above the clouds.↗ · Long ago people thought the sky was filled with aether.↗ · The bright aether shone above the mountains.↗ · From a Pythagorean point of view the fifth element "aether" like infinity is only another name for vacuum.↗ * Therefore, aether also is logically identical with zero (Com. above p. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))↗

afar — Everyday, meaning 1: (old-fashioned or literary) Far away, at a great distance.↗ Used mostly in "from afar".↗ Early Modern English, meaning 1: At a great distance.↗ Example: Visitors came from afar to see the festival.↗ · We watched the fireworks from afar.↗ · He admired the famous singer from afar.↗ · From afar, the mountain looked blue.↗ · Wise men travelled from afar in the old story.↗ · The castle could be seen from afar.↗ · “Drown!” answered Pinocchio from afar, happy at his escape.↗ · And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.↗ (Torah EXO.2.4, JPS 1917)↗ · On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.↗ (Torah GEN.22.4, JPS 1917)↗ · And the people stood afar off; but Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.↗ (Torah EXO.20.21, JPS 1917)↗ · Why standest Thou afar off, O LORD?↗ (Writings PSA.10.1, JPS 1917)↗ · All men have looked thereon; man beholdeth it afar off.↗ (Writings JOB.36.25, JPS 1917)↗ · She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.↗ (Writings PRO.31.14, JPS 1917)↗ · And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.↗ (Torah EXO.2.4, JPS 1917) · “Drown!” answered Pinocchio from afar, happy at his escape.↗ (The Adventures of Pinocchio) · On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.↗ (Torah GEN.22.4, JPS 1917)

afeard — Everyday, meaning 1: Afraid; frightened.↗ Afeard is an old word for afraid, used in folk tales.↗ Example: She pretended to be afeard.↗ · Be not afeard, little one.↗ · The boy was afeard of the dark wood.↗

affair — Everyday, meaning 1: An event or happening: the party was a noisy affair.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: affairs: things you deal with, business or matters, like money affairs or world affairs.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A matter that concerns someone: «That's my affair» means it is my business, not yours.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: A secret romantic relationship between two people when one or both are married to someone else.↗ Example: The wedding was a small family affair.↗ · We watch current affairs on Friday mornings.↗ · The Minister of Foreign Affairs met other leaders.↗ · What I do at lunch is my own affair.↗ · The whole affair was over in ten minutes.↗ · That's a sorry state of affairs!↗ · Grandpa sorted out his money affairs.↗ · In the story, a royal affair caused a scandal.↗ · The whole affair is indeed mysterious.↗

affairs — Everyday, meaning 1: Matters or business, especially public or official ones: world affairs, foreign affairs, current affairs.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Personal business and money matters.↗ e.g. "She put her affairs in order."↗ Everyday, meaning 3: An event or situation, described in a certain way.↗ e.g. "The party was a quiet affair."↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (adult life) A secret romantic relationship between two people when at least one of them is married to someone else.↗ Example: We discuss current affairs every Friday in class.↗ · The Minister for Foreign Affairs met the ambassador.↗ · "This is a sorry state of affairs," sighed the teacher, looking at the messy room.↗ · Before his operation, Grandad put his affairs in order.↗ · My birthday was a small family affair.↗ · Mind your own affairs!↗ · In the story, the queen discovered the king was having an affair.↗ · He took an active part in public affairs.↗ · All the day they trouble mine affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil.↗ (Writings PSA.56.6, JPS 1917)↗ · Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth, that ordereth his affairs rightfully.↗ (Writings PSA.112.5, JPS 1917)↗ · And Daniel requested of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel was in the gate of the king.↗ (Writings DAN.2.49, JPS 1917)↗

affect — Everyday, meaning 1: To affect something means to have an effect on it, to change or influence it («Rain affects the match»).↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To affect someone means to make them feel strong emotions («The sad story affected her deeply»).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To affect can mean to attack or harm a part of the body («The illness affects the lungs»).↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Formally, to affect means to pretend («affect an accent»).↗ Example: How does temperature affect how fast ice melts?↗ · Too much screen time can affect your sleep.↗ · The flood affected hundreds of homes.↗ · The sad film affected me a lot.↗ · Pollution affects animals living in the river.↗ · Does the weather affect your mood?↗ · The illness mostly affects the skin.↗ · Many families were affected by the storm.↗ · The bitter weather had for some time affected his limbs.↗ · Mine eye affected my soul, because of all the daughters of my city.↗ (Writings LAM.3.51, JPS 1917)↗ · Thou wast wearied with the length of thy way; yet saidst thou not: 'There is no hope'; thou didst find a renewal of thy strength, therefore thou wast not affected.↗ (Prophets ISA.57.10, JPS 1917)↗ · Thou hast stricken them, but they were not affected; Thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction; they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.↗ (Prophets JER.5.3, JPS 1917)↗

affectation — Everyday, meaning 1: A pretended way of speaking, acting or showing a feeling, put on to seem clever or grand, not genuine.↗ Example: He spoke with an affectation of interest.↗ · The old man showed a great affectation of alarm.↗ · Her grand voice was pure affectation.↗

affection — Everyday, meaning 1: Affection is a gentle feeling of liking and caring for someone or something.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Affection is also the way you show that care, by hugs, kind words or friendly actions.↗ Example: The puppy shows affection by licking our faces.↗ · Grandpa looked at the old photo with great affection.↗ · A hug is one way to show affection.↗ · She has a deep affection for her little brother.↗ · Always ask before you hug someone; not everyone likes to show affection that way.↗ · Cats show affection by rubbing against your legs.↗ · His very silence now proves his affection."↗ · 'From afar the LORD appeared unto me.' '↗ Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with affection have I drawn thee.↗ (Prophets JER.31.3, JPS 1917)↗

affectionate — Everyday, meaning 1: Affectionate means showing love and fondness in a gentle way, for example with hugs, kind words or cuddles.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: An affectionate pet likes to be stroked and stay close to people.↗ Example: Our dog is very affectionate and always wants a cuddle.↗ · Grandma gave me an affectionate hug.↗ · He has an affectionate nickname for his little sister.↗ · The kitten is playful and affectionate.↗ · She smiled affectionately at the baby.↗ · The old teacher was affectionately known as «Mr B».↗ · Jack was a giddy, thoughtless boy, but very kind-hearted and affectionate.↗

affectionately — Everyday, meaning 1: In a loving, caring and gentle way.↗ Example: The dog licked her face affectionately.↗ · Mum patted my head affectionately.↗ · The old teacher was affectionately known as "Mr B".↗ · He spoke affectionately about his grandmother.↗ · The cat rubbed affectionately against my legs.↗ · The children waved affectionately to their nan.↗ · The Tunny stuck his nose out of the water and Pinocchio knelt on the sand and kissed him most affectionately on his cheek.↗

affiance — Everyday, meaning 1: To promise a person in marriage, or to become engaged to marry them.↗ Affiance is an old word for betroth.↗ Example: The prince was affianced to the princess.↗ · Art affianced Delvcaem to himself.↗ · They were affianced together at last.↗

affiliate — Everyday, meaning 1: verb.↗ e.g. To join or connect officially with a larger group or organisation.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: noun.↗ e.g. A smaller group, company or person that is officially connected to a bigger one.↗ Example: Our football club is affiliated to the county league.↗ · The local TV station is an affiliate of a big network.↗ · The school is affiliated with the university.↗ · The two charities decided to affiliate.↗ · He is not affiliated with any party.↗ · Each affiliate sends a member to the meeting.↗

affiliated — Everyday, meaning 1: Officially connected to or part of a bigger group or organisation.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (verb) To join or link up with a larger group.↗ Example: Our football club is affiliated with the national league.↗ · The hospital is affiliated with the university.↗ · The library is affiliated to a group of local libraries.↗ · Local scout groups are affiliated to the national association.↗ · She works for a charity affiliated with the Red Cross.↗ · The two schools are not affiliated.↗

affiliation — Everyday, meaning 1: An official connection with a group, club, party or organisation.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The feeling of belonging to a group or the group you belong to.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Affiliation can also mean the tracing of where something came from and how it is linked to its source.↗ Example: The club has an affiliation with the national body.↗ · Her political affiliation was not mentioned.↗ · The census asks about religious affiliation.↗ · The school's affiliation with the museum gives us free trips.↗ · He listed his university affiliation in the paper.↗ · Team shirts show your affiliation.↗ · They might almost have been present at the birth of the legend, which, if my affiliation of it is correct, is not yet quite 100 years old.↗ · This particular phraseology is one of several hints that the SY may share a particular literary affiliation with the Sifre Emet, the poems of Psalms, Proverbs, and Job.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation)↗

affinity — Everyday, meaning 1: A natural liking for or feeling of understanding with someone or something.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A close likeness or connection between things.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (science) A tendency of substances to join or react with each other.↗ Example: She has a real affinity for horses.↗ · I felt an affinity with the lonely boy in the book.↗ · There is an affinity between the two languages.↗ · Water has an affinity for salt, which dissolves in it.↗ · He had an affinity with numbers from a young age.↗ · The two artists share an affinity of style.↗

affirm — Everyday, meaning 1: To affirm something is to say firmly and clearly that it is true.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To affirm a person is to support and encourage them, telling them they are valued.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (law, formal) To affirm is to make a solemn promise to tell the truth in court without swearing on a holy book.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (law) A higher court affirms a decision when it agrees that the decision was right.↗ Example: The witness affirmed that she had seen the car.↗ · Our teacher affirmed that the answer was correct.↗ · Saying «You worked so hard» affirms your friend's effort.↗ · In court, he chose to affirm rather than swear on the Bible.↗ · The church members affirmed their faith by saying the creed together.↗ · The higher court affirmed the judge's decision.↗ · Write three sentences that affirm what you are good at.↗ · “And I am that man,” his companion affirmed.↗