A Small Dictionaryof Thirty-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
F

False

/fɔːls/
adjective
1Not in accordance with fact or reality.The report proved false.
2Not genuine; made or intended to appear true.He travelled under a false name.
3Based on a mistaken belief or impression.They acted on a false assumption.
opposite True

finally

/ˈfaɪnəli/
adverb
1At the end of a sequence or period of waiting.The door finally opened.
2As the last point or consideration.Finally, one question remained.

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.

from

/frɒm; frəm/
preposition
1Indicating the point at which movement, action, or a range begins.She walked from the station.
2Indicating origin, source, or cause.The message came from abroad.
3Indicating separation or distinction.It was difficult to tell one from another.
N

None

/nʌn/
pronoun
1Not one of a group of people or things.None of the letters had arrived.
2No amount or part of something.None remained.
3Not any; no one.None could answer.

nonlocal

/ˌnɒnˈləʊkəl/
adjective · noun
1Not confined to, originating in, or applying only to a particular place or immediate area.The effect was nonlocal.
2Something whose influence or relation extends beyond a local region.The theory permits a nonlocal.

not

/nɒt/
adverb
1Used to make a word, phrase, or statement negative.It is not finished.
2Used to deny or exclude a possibility.Not everyone agreed.
3Used to indicate a contrast with what might be expected.It was not unlike the original.
T

True

/truː/
adjective
1In accordance with fact or reality.The story is true.
2Accurate, exact, or correctly positioned.The wheel no longer ran true.
3Faithful, loyal, or consistent.She remained true to her word.
opposite False

try

/traɪ/
verb · noun
1To make an attempt or effort to do something.Try again.
2To test something in order to discover its quality, suitability, or effect.She tried the key in the lock.
3An attempt.It may work on the next try.
see also except
A

and

/ænd; ənd/
conjunction
1Used to connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal status.Bread and water were provided.
2Used to introduce an additional fact or consequence.He opened the door and entered.
3Used between repeated words to indicate continuation or increase.The sound grew louder and louder.
compare or

as

/æz; əz/
conjunction · preposition · adverb
1While or when something is happening.She watched as the light faded.
2In the role, function, or manner of.He worked as a translator.
3To the same degree or extent.It was as quiet as before.

assert

/əˈsɜːt/
verb
1To state something firmly or confidently as true.She asserted her right to remain.
2To cause one's authority, presence, or position to be recognized.The group began to assert itself.

async

/eɪˈsɪŋk/
adjective · abbrev.
1A shortened form of asynchronous: not occurring at the same time or not governed by a single shared timing.The exchange was deliberately async.

await

/əˈweɪt/
verb
1To wait for a person, event, or result.They awaited an answer.
2To be in store for; to lie ahead of.A difficult choice awaited them.
see also async
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.They took a short break.
see also continue
C

class

/klɑːs/
noun
1A group of people or things regarded as sharing important qualities.The specimen belongs to a familiar class.
2A rank, division, or category within a larger order.Tickets were arranged by class.
3A group receiving instruction together.The class met twice a week.

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

def

/def/
verb · abbrev.
1A shortened form of define: to state or describe the exact nature, meaning, or limits of something.The term was def'd narrowly for the discussion.

del

/del/
verb · abbrev.
1A shortened form of delete: to remove, erase, or strike out.The editor marked the line for del.
E

elif

/ˈelɪf/
conjunction · contraction
1A contracted form of else if: otherwise, on the condition that a further possibility applies.If the first account is wrong, elif the second is right, the conclusion changes.

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 arrived.
see also if

except

/ɪkˈsept/
preposition · conjunction · verb
1Not including; other than.Everyone came except one person.
2Used to introduce a qualification or exception.I would go, except that it is too late.
3To exclude from a general statement or rule.The law excepts certain cases.
see also try
G

global

/ˈɡləʊbəl/
adjective · noun
1Relating to or encompassing the whole world.The event had global consequences.
2Relating to the whole of a system rather than one part.A global view revealed the pattern.
3Something applying throughout a whole system or context.The setting was treated as a global.
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 from

in

/ɪn/
preposition · adverb
1Within the limits, area, substance, condition, or duration of something.A light was on in the room.
2Into an enclosed or interior position.Come in.
3Included, involved, or taking part.Are you in?

is

/ɪz/
verb
1Third-person singular present of be: exists, occurs, or has a specified identity or quality.The answer is simple.
2Indicates identity, condition, or relation.This is the place.
L

lambda

/ˈlæmdə/
noun
1The eleventh letter of the Greek alphabet: Λ, λ.Lambda appears in many scientific notations.
2A symbol or quantity represented by the Greek letter λ.The value of lambda was measured.
O

or

/ɔː/
conjunction
1Used to connect alternatives.Tea or coffee may be served.
2Used to introduce another name or description for the same thing.The iris, or coloured part of the eye, contracts.
3Otherwise; if not.Hurry, or we will be late.
compare and
P

pass

/pɑːs/
verb · noun
1To move past, across, through, or beyond something.They passed through the gate.
2To transfer or give something to another.Please pass the salt.
3To spend or cause time to elapse.The hours passed slowly.
R

raise

/reɪz/
verb
1To lift or move something to a higher position.She raised her hand.
2To cause something to increase, appear, or come into consideration.The decision raised new questions.
3To bring up and care for a person, animal, or plant.They raised three children.

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.
W

while

/waɪl/
conjunction · noun · verb
1During the time that something else is happening.Wait here while I look.
2Although; despite the fact that.While the plan was difficult, it was possible.
3A period of time.Stay for a while.

with

/wɪð; wɪθ/
preposition
1Accompanied by or in the company of.She arrived with a friend.
2Using, carrying, containing, or marked by.Write with a pencil.
3In relation to, agreement with, or opposition to.I agree with you.
Y

yield

/jiːld/
verb · noun
1To produce, provide, or give as a result.The field yields grain each summer.
2To give way under pressure, force, argument, or claim.The material began to yield.
3To surrender possession, control, or precedence.They refused to yield the ground.
4The amount produced or returned.The harvest gave a lower yield.

A Small Dictionary of Thirty-Five Words

First edition.

Printed and bound in Japan.

3.14.7