A Small Dictionaryof Twenty-Five Words

Editorial Note

Definitions are arranged according to common contemporary usage. Where a word has more than one established sense, senses are numbered separately. Examples have been written to illustrate ordinary use. Pronunciations are given in broad transcription.

How to read an entry

  • head the word being defined
  • pron. broad pronunciation
  • pos part of speech
  • 1, 2… numbered senses
  • ital. example of use
  • see relation to another entry
B

break

/breɪk/
verb · noun
1To separate into parts by force, pressure, or strain.The branch broke under its own weight.
2To interrupt the course or continuity of something.A question broke the silence.
3A pause or interruption in an activity.They took a short break.
see also continue
C

case

/keɪs/
noun
1A particular instance of a situation; an example considered on its own.In this case, no answer was required.
2A set of circumstances requiring consideration or decision.The facts made a difficult case.
3A container made to hold or protect something.The instrument remained in its case.

chan

/tʃæn/
noun · abbrev.
1A shortened form of channel: a medium, route, or passage through which something moves or is conveyed.The message arrived through a private chan.

const

/kɒnst/
noun · abbrev.
1A shortened form of constant: something regarded as fixed or not subject to change.One value remained a const throughout the calculation.

continue

/kənˈtɪnjuː/
verb
1To remain in progress or existence without stopping.The rain continued through the night.
2To begin again after an interruption.After a pause, she continued.
3To proceed farther in the same direction or course.Continue until the road narrows.
see also break
D

default

/dɪˈfɔːlt/
noun · verb
1A condition, choice, or action that applies when no alternative is specified.Silence became the default.
2Failure to fulfil an obligation, especially one formally agreed.The loan fell into default.
3To fail to act, appear, or perform as required.The player defaulted before the final round.
see also switch

defer

/dɪˈfɜː/
verb
1To put off an action, decision, or event until a later time.They deferred the decision until morning.
2To yield respectfully to the judgement or wishes of another.I defer to her experience.
E

else

/els/
adverb · adjective
1In addition to, or instead of, what has already been mentioned.What else could be said?
2Different; other.Someone else had already arrived.
see also if
F

fallthrough

/ˈfɔːlθruː/
noun · adjective
1The act or condition of passing onward without being stopped at an expected boundary or stage.The opening allowed an unintended fallthrough.
2Continuing into what follows without an intervening stop.The procedure had a fallthrough path.

for

/fɔː; fə/
preposition · conjunction
1Intended to belong to, benefit, or be received by someone or something.This letter is for you.
2During a specified period.They waited for three hours.
3Because of; on account of.The city was known for its gardens.

func

/fʌŋk/
noun · abbrev.
1A shortened form of function: a purpose, role, or characteristic activity.Its func was simple but essential.
G

go

/ɡəʊ/
verb · noun
1To move or travel from one place to another.They went home before dark.
2To proceed, continue, or develop in a particular way.The work went well.
3An attempt, turn, or opportunity to act.It is your go.

goto

/ˈɡəʊtuː/
adjective · noun
1Relied upon or regularly chosen as the preferred person, thing, or solution.This became her goto reference.
2A preferred or dependable choice.It was the team's goto.
I

if

/ɪf/
conjunction · noun
1On the condition or supposition that.If it rains, we will remain inside.
2Introducing a possibility whose truth is uncertain.I asked if anyone had seen it.
3A condition or qualification.There were too many ifs.
see also else

import

verb /ɪmˈpɔːt/ · noun /ˈɪmpɔːt/
verb · noun
1To bring goods, materials, ideas, or data in from elsewhere.The country imports most of its fuel.
2Something brought in from elsewhere.The fruit is a seasonal import.
3Meaning, significance, or consequence.They understood the import of the decision.
see also package

interface

/ˈɪntəfeɪs/
noun · verb
1A point or boundary at which two different things meet and affect one another.The shoreline forms an interface between land and sea.
2A means by which two parties, systems, or fields communicate.Language became the interface between them.
3To interact or communicate at such a boundary.The groups rarely interface directly.
M

map

/mæp/
noun · verb
1A representation of an area showing the relative positions of its features.They unfolded the map on the table.
2A representation of relations, structure, or correspondence.The diagram was a map of dependencies.
3To establish a correspondence between one set of things and another.The survey maps each name to a location.
P

package

/ˈpækɪdʒ/
noun · verb
1An object or group of objects wrapped, boxed, or otherwise contained together.A small package arrived by post.
2A set of related things presented or offered as a single unit.The measures formed a complete package.
3To enclose or combine for distribution or presentation.The goods were carefully packaged.
R

range

/reɪndʒ/
noun · verb
1The extent between upper and lower limits, or over which something varies.The instrument has a wide range.
2A set or series extending between limits.The values covered the entire range.
3To extend, vary, or move over an area or interval.Temperatures range from mild to severe.

return

/rɪˈtɜːn/
verb · noun
1To come or go back to a place, person, condition, or activity.She returned before dark.
2To give, send, or put something back.Please return the book.
3The act of coming or going back.His return changed the atmosphere.
S

select

/sɪˈlekt/
verb · adjective
1To choose from a number of possibilities.Select one of the available options.
2Carefully chosen as the best or most suitable.A select group was invited.
compare switch

struct

/strʌkt/
noun · abbrev.
1A shortened form of structure: an arrangement of parts considered as a whole.The record was stored as a compact struct.
compare interface

switch

/swɪtʃ/
verb · noun
1To change from one thing, position, course, or condition to another.They switched seats.
2A device for making or breaking a connection or changing a circuit.He reached for the light switch.
3A sudden or deliberate change.The switch in tone was immediate.
T

type

/taɪp/
noun · verb
1A category of people or things sharing common characteristics.This is a different type of problem.
2A person or thing regarded as representative of a category.The specimen is a rare type.
3To write using a keyboard or typewriter.She typed the address carefully.
V

var

/vɑː/
noun · abbrev.
1A shortened form of variable: a quantity, element, or condition capable of taking different values or forms.Time remained the only uncontrolled var.

A Small Dictionary of Twenty-Five Words

First edition.

Printed and bound in Japan.

1.27