📖 O — The English dictionary · page 8

olden — Everyday, meaning 1: Olden means belonging to the long-ago past; «in the olden days» means a long time ago.↗ Example: In the olden days, people washed clothes by hand.↗ · Grandad says in the olden days there were only three TV channels.↗ · Children in olden times walked miles to school.↗ · We dressed up as children from the olden days.↗ · In olden days candles lit every house.↗ · «Was that in the olden days, Gran?»↗ · The olden times were not like the times we live in.↗

older — Everyday, meaning 1: Older means having lived more years than someone else.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Older means made or used longer ago than something else: «an older house».↗ Example: Anna is 3 years older than Tom.↗ · Sam is 10 and Max is 2 years older.↗ · How much older is Mia than Zoe?↗ · My older sister goes to high school.↗ · Trees get taller as they get older.↗ · This phone is older than mine.↗ · Grandma is 40 years older than me.↗ · The older children help the little ones.↗ · And they grew older and wiser.↗ · '"The invention of Signs to represent numbers is doubtless much older than any form ol writing" (Chambers Encyclopaedia, 1893, Vol. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))↗ · end, leads to the conclusion that the arrancjement of the Arabic alphabet is older than that of the Hebrew, although tlie con- trary is generally believed to be the case.↗ (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))↗ · In my opinion, the sexagesimal position originated from the decimal position, and not the reverse ; for the earliest abacus, which was doubtless based on a decimal position, is older than the (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))↗ · Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were older than he.↗ (Writings JOB.32.4, JPS 1917)↗ · With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men, much older than thy father.↗ (Writings JOB.15.10, JPS 1917)↗

olfaction — Everyday, meaning 1: (science) The sense of smell, or the act of smelling.↗ Example: Dogs rely on olfaction far more than humans.↗ · Olfaction is one of the five senses.↗ · A cold can block olfaction and make food taste bland.↗ · Sharks have strong olfaction for detecting blood in the water.↗ · Scientists study olfaction to understand how memories link to smells.↗ · Moths use olfaction to find flowers at night.↗

olive — Everyday, meaning 1: An olive is a small oval fruit, green or black, with a stone inside, that grows on olive trees and is eaten or pressed for oil.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Olive oil is the oil made from olives.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Olive (or olive green) is a dull yellowish-green colour.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: An olive tree is the tree these fruits grow on.↗ Example: I like olives on my pizza.↗ · Cook the onions in olive oil.↗ · Olive trees can live for hundreds of years.↗ · She wore an olive-green coat.↗ · He held out an olive branch and said sorry.↗ · Green olives and black olives come from the same tree.↗ · They pronounced the olives good, and fresh that year.↗ · and of cassia five hundred, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive oil a hin.↗ (Torah EXO.30.24, JPS 1917)↗ · a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and honey; (Torah DEU.8.8, JPS 1917)↗ · Thou shalt have olive-trees throughout all thy borders, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olives shall drop off.↗ (Torah DEU.28.40, JPS 1917)↗ · And in the Sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive-wood, each ten cubits high.↗ (Prophets 1KI.6.23, JPS 1917)↗ · So also made he for the entrance of the temple door-posts of olive-wood, within a frame four-square; (Prophets 1KI.6.33, JPS 1917)↗ · His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his fragrance as Lebanon.↗ (Prophets HOS.14.7, JPS 1917)↗

olm — Everyday, meaning 1: An olm is a pale, blind salamander (an amphibian) that lives in dark underground cave waters in southern Europe, especially Slovenia and Croatia.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Olms are pinkish-white, with tiny legs and red feathery gills, and can live for many decades without much food.↗ Example: The olm lives in dark caves and has no eyes.↗ · Olms can survive for years without eating.↗ · Its pink colour earned the olm the nickname «human fish».↗ · People once believed olms were baby dragons.↗ · We watched a video of an olm swimming in a cave pool.↗ · The olm breathes using feathery red gills.↗

olympiad — Everyday, meaning 1: An olympiad is a contest where pupils solve hard problems, for example in maths, physics or chess.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: An Olympiad is also the four years between Olympic Games, or the Olympic Games themselves.↗ Example: 24 pupils took part in the olympiad.↗ · The olympiad has 6 problems.↗ · She scored 35 points at the olympiad.↗ · Each problem is worth 7 points.↗ · Our school won two medals at the maths olympiad.↗ · He practised old olympiad problems every evening.↗ · The chess olympiad brings together teams from many countries.↗ · An olympiad in ancient Greece lasted four years.↗

olympian — Everyday, meaning 1: Olympian means belonging to the gods who lived on Mount Olympus in Greek stories.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Olympian also means very grand, lofty, or calm and superior, as if above everyday life.↗ Example: The Olympian gods lived on the mountain.↗ · The statue of Zeus was Olympian in size.↗ · She gave an Olympian smile and ignored the fuss.↗

olympic — Everyday, meaning 1: Olympic means about the Olympic Games, the biggest international sports competition, held every four years in summer and winter versions.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Olympic can describe something big or of top standard, like an Olympic-size pool.↗ Example: She wants to be an Olympic swimmer.↗ · The Olympic flag has five coloured rings.↗ · We watched the Olympics on TV.↗ · An Olympic-size pool is fifty metres long.↗ · He became an Olympic champion.↗ · The Olympic torch was carried across the country.↗ · The first Olympic Games were held in ancient Greece.↗ · These races, like the Olympic Games, were celebrated at intervals of four years, and were called Herae.↗

omega — Everyday, meaning 1: Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, written Ω or ω.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: «The alpha and the omega» means the beginning and the end; (Bible) in the Book of Revelation, God says «I am the Alpha and the Omega».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Omega-3 is a kind of healthy fat found in oily fish.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (science) Ω is the symbol for ohms, the unit of electrical resistance.↗ Example: Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet.↗ · Ω is the sign for ohms on a resistor.↗ · Salmon is rich in omega-3.↗ · In the Bible God says, «I am the Alpha and the Omega.»↗ · The capital omega looks like a horseshoe.↗ · Alpha comes first and omega comes last.↗

omelet — Everyday, meaning 1: An omelet is eggs beaten up and cooked flat in a pan, often with cheese or herbs.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (in stories) An omelet is a dish a hungry character cooks, sometimes with magic.↗ Example: Mum made a cheese omelet for lunch.↗ · Pinocchio wanted an omelet for his supper.↗ · Beat two eggs to make an omelet.↗

omelette — Everyday, meaning 1: An omelette is a dish of beaten eggs cooked flat in a frying pan, often folded over a filling such as cheese, ham or vegetables.↗ Example: I had a cheese omelette for lunch.↗ · Beat three eggs to make an omelette.↗ · Fold the omelette in half.↗ · Dad makes a great mushroom omelette.↗ · Cook the omelette until it is set.↗ · You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.↗

omen — Everyday, meaning 1: A sign or event that some people believe shows that something good or bad will happen in the future.↗ Example: The sailors thought the storm was a bad omen.↗ · Seeing a rainbow on the first day felt like a good omen.↗ · In the story, a raven was an omen of trouble.↗ · Some people think a black cat is an omen of bad luck.↗ · Halley's Comet was seen as an omen before the Battle of Hastings in 1066.↗ · Winning the first match was a good omen for the season.↗ · Rudy took the rose as a good omen, and thought of Babette.↗

ominous — Everyday, meaning 1: Ominous means showing that something bad is about to happen; it is a warning sign.↗ Example: The dark clouds looked ominous.↗ · An ominous silence fell over the forest.↗ · He ignored the ominous warning and went on.↗

omission — Everyday, meaning 1: Something that has been left out or not done.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The act of leaving something out (the omission of a word).↗ Example: In "don't", the apostrophe shows the omission of the letter "o".↗ · Leaving her off the list was an omission.↗ · The omission of a zero made the answer wrong.↗ · Check your work for omissions.↗ · The omission of the safety rules was a mistake.↗ · The teacher noticed the omission of one question.↗ · With a peculiar omission of syllables, he said: “Shu... hi pi!”↗

omit — Everyday, meaning 1: To leave something out, on purpose or by mistake.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (formal) To fail to do something: «He omitted to tell us.».↗ Example: You omitted the full stop at the end.↗ · Omit the nuts if you are allergic.↗ · She omitted one number when she added them up.↗ · The recipe omits salt.↗ · Don't omit any steps in your working.↗ · He omitted to mention that the dog bites.↗ · In future I shall omit them.↗ · This Hebrew version omits the allotment of the remaining six.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)↗ · I must not omit to mention two other Hebrew commentaries, one by Judah Halevi, and the other by Ebn Ezra, who lived in the first part of the twelfth century.↗ (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877)↗

omnibus — Everyday, meaning 1: A book or TV programme that puts several stories or episodes together in one.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (old) A bus; «bus» is short for omnibus.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (adjective, formal) Covering many things at once: an omnibus bill.↗ Example: Grandma watches the omnibus of her favourite soap on Sundays.↗ · I got an omnibus of all three dragon books.↗ · The first omnibuses were pulled by horses.↗ · «Bus» is short for omnibus.↗ · The omnibus edition is three hours long.↗ · The library has an omnibus of fairy tales.↗ · Carriages and omnibuses are crowded, stuffed and embroidered with people.↗

omnipotent — In Jewish tradition, meaning 1: Having power over everything, able to do all things.↗

omnivore — Everyday, meaning 1: An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and other animals.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Informally, a person who eats all kinds of food, including meat and vegetables.↗ Example: A bear is an omnivore because it eats berries and fish.↗ · Humans are omnivores.↗ · Is a pig a herbivore, a carnivore or an omnivore?↗ · Raccoons are omnivores and eat almost anything.↗ · Omnivores have both sharp and flat teeth.↗ · Sort the animals into herbivores, carnivores and omnivores.↗ · My brother is a real omnivore and will eat any food you give him.↗

on — Everyday, meaning 1: On means touching the top or side of something: on the table, on the wall.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: On shows a day or date: on Monday.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: On means working or switched on: the light is on.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: On shows what something is about: a book on sharks.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: On means going ahead, carrying on: read on.↗ Everyday, meaning 6: On means happening as planned: the party is still on.↗ Everyday, meaning 7: (casual) «You're on!» accepts a dare or a bet; «what are you on about?» means what do you mean; «not on» (UK, Australia) means not acceptable; «on me» means I'll pay.↗ Everyday, meaning 8: (rough) «Get on with it!» means hurry up; «come on!» can be an angry push or a cheer; «having me on» means fooling me.↗ Everyday, meaning 9: (formal) The exam voice says «upon», «situated upon», «concerning», «on the occasion of», «in the event of», «on each occasion».↗ Everyday, meaning 10: On can also mean against someone or aimed at someone, as in "a vengeance on her.".↗ Example: I put three spoons on the table.↗ · Ben bought 6 cards on Monday …↗ · There are 4 birds on each branch.↗ · The cat is sleeping on my bed.↗ · Turn the light on, please.↗ · Put your coat on; it's cold.↗ · We went to school on foot.↗ · Read on to find out what happens.↗ · race ya to the gate?↗ «you're on»↗ · Ice creams are on me, how many we need?↗ · Oh, get on with it, just count them!↗ · There are 3 shelves; upon each shelf are situated 6 volumes.↗ Determine the total.↗ · "A vengeance on her!" said they.↗ · So the people rested on the seventh day.↗ (Torah EXO.16.30, JPS 1917)↗ · And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South.↗ (Torah GEN.12.9, JPS 1917)↗ · So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.↗ (Torah GEN.33.16, JPS 1917)↗ · Is there injustice on my tongue?↗ (Writings JOB.6.30, JPS 1917)↗ · For the Leader; on the Sheminith.↗ (Writings PSA.12.1, JPS 1917)↗ · Lord, how long wilt Thou look on?↗ (Writings PSA.35.17, JPS 1917)↗

once — Everyday, meaning 1: Once means one time.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Once means at some time in the past: «Once there was a king».↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Once can also mean «as soon as»: «Once you finish, you can play».↗ Everyday, meaning 4: «At once» means now, right away, or at the same time.↗ Everyday, meaning 5: (casual) «For once» means this time, unlike usual, often with a complaint: «Be on time for once!».↗ Everyday, meaning 6: (casual, UK, Ireland) «The once» means one time only: «I only did it the once.».↗ Everyday, meaning 7: (formal) «Upon» and «subsequent to» replace «once» in stiff writing: «Upon completion of the task…».↗ Everyday, meaning 8: «Once-over» (informal) is a quick look: «give it the once-over».↗ Example: She visits her grandma once a week.↗ · He ran around the track once.↗ · Once he had 10 stamps, he stopped.↗ · Once upon a time there lived a little fox.↗ · Come here at once!↗ · Once the ice melts, the water level rises.↗ · I have been to London once.↗ · Just this once, you can stay up late.↗ · tidy your room for once, it's a tip (casual, annoyed)↗ · I only went the once, honest (casual, UK)↗ · Shut up and listen for once in your life.↗ (rough)↗ · A pupil visits the library on a single occasion per week; determine the number of visits over a period of 9 weeks.↗ (formal exam)↗ · Go and behead him at once.↗ · And he said: 'Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once.↗ (Torah GEN.18.32, JPS 1917)↗ · And Caleb stilled the people toward Moses, and said: 'We should go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.'↗ (Torah NUM.13.30, JPS 1917)↗ · Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that He may take away from me this death only.'↗ (Torah EXO.10.17, JPS 1917)↗ · Is a nation brought forth at once?↗ (Prophets ISA.66.8, JPS 1917)↗ · God hath spoken once, twice have I heard this: that strength belongeth unto God; (Writings PSA.62.12, JPS 1917)↗ · Once have I sworn by My holiness: Surely I will not be false unto David; (Writings PSA.89.36, JPS 1917)↗