Eco 2015-12-20

a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements: the figures are better, but there are no grounds for ....

a thing that causes disgust or hatred: this bill is an … to all mankind | informal : concrete ... masquerading as hotels. • a feeling of hatred: their ... of indulgence.

not harmful or offensive: it was an ... question.

impose an unwelcome or unnecessary person or thing on: don't let anyone ... inferior goods on you. • (... someone/something into) introduce someone or something surreptitiously or unwarrantably into: he attempted to ... a new delegate into the conference.

try to sell (something, especially small goods) by going from house to house or place to place: he ... art and printing materials around the country. • sell (an illegal drug or stolen item): (as noun ...) : certain youths who were involved in theft and drug .... • derogatory promote (an idea or view) persistently or widely: he criticized his fellow candidate for ... risky ideas.

2 [ no obj. ] lose one's balance and stagger or lurch violently: he punched Connolly in the ear, sending him ... | she ... back against the van. • feel very giddy, disoriented, or bewildered, typically as a result of an unexpected setback: the unaccustomed intake of alcohol made my head ... | figurative : the nationalist government is already ... from 225 percent monthly inflation. • [ with adverbial of direction ] walk in a staggering or lurching manner, especially while drunk: the two ... out of the bar arm in arm.

incongruously varied in appearance or character: disparate: a … crew of discontents and zealots.

N. Amer. or dated extremely foolish: eccentric: this is a ... decision. • mad: crazy: I think he's gone ... again.

1 showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks: a series of ... takeovers. 2 showing an impudent lack of respect: an ... remark.

do something that one considers to be beneath one's dignity: she did not ... to answer the maid's question. • [ with obj. ] archaic condescend to give (something): he had ... an apology.

secret or dishonest activity or maneuvering: widespread financial ... had ruined the fortunes of many. • silly or high-spirited behavior: mischief.

1 an unfounded rumor or story: the old ... that LA is a cultural wasteland. 2 a small winglike projection attached to an aircraft forward of the main wing to provide extra stability or control, sometimes replacing the tail.

adjective archaic or humorous full of danger or uncertainty: precarious: the ... state of the economy. adverb archaic greatly or excessively: she is ... handsome.

wrinkle and contract or cause to wrinkle and contract, especially due to loss of moisture: [ no obj. ] : the flowers simply ... up | [ with obj. ] : a heat wave so intense that it ... the grapes in every vineyard. • [ no obj. ] lose momentum, will, or desire: become insignificant or ineffectual: his spirit ... and his talent atrophied. • [ with obj. ] cause to feel worthless or insignificant: she ... him with one glance.

1 a rule made by a company or society to control the actions of its members. 2 a regulation made by a local authority: an ordinance.

persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery: he hoped to ... her into selling the house | [ no obj. ] : she pleaded and ... as she tried to win his support.

1 ridiculously small or inadequate: they were given a ... pay rise.

contemptibly small or few: three ... votes.

1 easily bent: flexible: quality leather is ... and will not crack. 2 easily influenced: ... teenage minds.

dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist: the sky was ... and a thin drizzle was falling. • (of liquid) dark and dirty: not clear: the ... silt of a muddy pond. • not fully explained or understood, especially with concealed dishonesty or immorality: the ... world of espionage.

neat in dress and appearance: he looked as ... as if he were getting married. verb [ with obj. ] (... someone/something up) make a person or place smarter or tidier: the fund will be used to ... up historic buildings 3 engage in pretence or deception, especially by feigning illness: he's no fool: he'd have known if she was ....

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally. he vowed revenge with oaths and .... [ mass noun ] : you can't accuse us of ....

pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impress: a ... celebration of Spanish glory.

(typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal: the ... activities of the organized-crime syndicates.

nothing: apart from that, .... put an end to: cancel: he ... the deal just before it was to be signed.

proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects: sexually transmitted diseases can be ... and sometimes without symptoms. • treacherous: crafty: tangible proof of an ... alliance.

1 take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission: his images have been ... by advertisers. 2 devote (money or assets) to a special purpose: there can be problems in ... funds for legal expenses.

interpret (a word or action) in a particular way: his words could hardly be ... as an apology. • dated analyze the syntax of (a text, sentence, or word): both verbs can be ... with either infinitive. • dated translate (a passage or author) word for word, typically aloud.

near: [ as adj. ] : departure time was drawing ... | [ as adv. ] : they drew ... unto the city. • almost: [ as adv. ] : a car weighing ... on two tons | recovery will be well ... impossible.

1 cheerful and full of energy: she sounded ... and happy. 2 archaic or literary (of liquid or matter) boiling or agitated as if boiling: misted and ... seas.

aggressively greedy or grasping: ... landlords.

wave or flourish (something, especially a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.

(especially of a person) unfortunate: if you're one of the many ... car buyers who've been shafted.

a religious discourse that is intended primarily for spiritual edification rather than doctrinal instruction: a sermon. • a tedious moralizing discourse: she delivered her ... about the need for patience.

they were always wary of the ... of rival gangs: scheming, schemes, plotting, plots, intrigues, conspiracies, ruses, tricks, wiles, stratagems, tactics, maneuvering.

of or relating to the ...: the ... nervous system. • relating to deep inward feelings rather than to the intellect: the voters' ... fear of change.

present, appearing, or found everywhere: his ... influence was felt by all the family | cowboy hats are ... among the male singers.

reject with disdain or contempt: he spoke gruffly, as if afraid that his invitation would be .... • archaic strike, tread, or push away with the foot: with one touch of my feet, I ... the solid Earth.

1 historical an estate of land, especially one held on condition of feudal service. 2 a person's sphere of operation or control.