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OED "L"

Terms

undefined, object
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labial
of or relating to the lips

2 adjacent to the lips

3 resembling, or serving as a lip; liplike part, or labium (fused mouthpart of an insect)

3 of a consonant- requiring complete or partial closure of the lips
labile
liable to err or sin

liable to change, easily altered

of or characterized by emotions that are easily aroused or freely expressed, and that tend to alter quickly and spontaneously; emotionally unstable

3 (chemistry) easily broken down or displaced
labyrinth
complex structure in the inner ear that contains the organs of hearing and balance; it consists of bony cavities filled with fluid and lined with sensitive membranes.
lacerate
tear or deeply cut

2 (of feelings/emotions) wound or injure
Lachesis
in Greek mythology, one of the three Fates who measure the length of the thread of life.
lachrymal
connected w/ weeping or tears

concerned with the secretion of tears

a small bone forming part of the eye socket
lactovegetarian
a person who abstains from eating meat and eggs, but who eats dairy products. An ovolactovegetarian also eats eggs.
lacuna
an unfilled space or interval; a gap.

a missing portion in a book or manuscript.

(in anatomy) a cavity or depression, esp. in bone.
lacustrine
of, relating to, or associated w/ lakes.
lade
load (a ship or other vessel); as in laden.

ship goods as cargo; take on cargo.
lagniappe
something given as a bonus or extra gift ("lanyaap")
lagoon
a stretch of salt water sparated from the sea by a low sandbank or coral reef.

enclosed water of an atoll.

a small freshwater lake near a larger lake or river.

an artificial pool for the treatment of effluent or to accommodate an overspill from surface drains during heavy rain.
laic
of or pertaining to a layperson or the laity; nonclerical; lay.
laird
(in Scotland) a person who owns a large estate.
laissez-aller
"lesa ala" absence of restraint; unconstrained freedom.
lamasery
a monastery of lamas
lambent
(of light or fire) glowing, gleaming, or flickering with a soft radiance

(of wit, humor, etc.) lightly brilliant: "a touch of the lambent bitterness that sometimes surfaced in him"
lame
"lam-ay" fabric w/ interwoven gold or silver threads.
lamina
a thin layer, plate, or scale of sedimentary rock, organic tissue, or other material.
laminate
manufacture by placing layer on layer

split into layers or leaves

beat or roll (metal) into thin plates
lancet
small, broad, two-edged surgical knife or blade w/ a sharp point

lancet arch or window (high and narrow, w/ an acutely pointed head)

shaped like a lancet arch.
languish
assume or display a sentimentally tender or melancholy expression or tone

be forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation
languor
state or feeling, often pleasant, of tiredness and inertia

an oppressive stillness of the air
lank
long, limp, and straight
lanyard
a rope threaded through a pair of wooden blocks, used to adjust the tension in the rigging of a sailing vessel.

a cord passed around the neck, shoulder, or wrist for holding a knife, whistle, or similar object

a cord attached to a brech mechanism for firing a gun.
Laodicean
lukewarm or halfhearted, esp. w/ respect to religion or politics.

a person w/ such an attitude.
laparoscopy
a surgical procedure in which a fiberoptic instrument is insterted through the abdominal wall to view the organs in the abdomen or to perfrom minor surgery.
lapidary
(of language) engraved on or suitable for engraving on stone and therefore elegant and concise.

of or relating to stone and gems and the work invovled in engraving, cutting, or polishing.

a person who cuts, polishes, or engraves gems.

the art of cutting, polishing, or engraving gems.
larceny
theft of personal property.
lares
gods of the household worshiped in ancient Rome.
largesse
generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others.

money or gifts given generously.
largo
(as a musical direction) in a slow tempo and dignified in style.
lascivious
(of a person, manner, or gesture) feeling or revealing an overt and often offensive sexual desire.
lassitude
a state of physical or mental weariness, lack of energy.
lateral
situated on one side or other of the body or of an organ. The opposite of Medial.

(of a consonant) formed by or involving partial closure of the air passage by the tongue, which is so placed as to allow the breath to flow on one or both sides of the point of contact "l"
latitude
(in photography) the range of exposures for which an emulsion or printing paper will give acceptable contrast
latitudinarian
allowing latitude in religion; showing no preference among varying creeds and forms of worship.
laudanum
an alcoholic solution containing morphine, prepared from opium and formerly used as a narcotic painkiller.
laureate
a person who is honored w/ an award for outstanding creative or intellectual achievement.

(of a crown or wreath) consisting of laurel.
laurel
the foliage of the bay tree woven into a wreath or crown and worn on the head as an emblem of victory or mark of honor in clasical times.

Honor

"look to one's laurels" - be careful not to lose one's superior position to a rival.

"rest on one's laurels" be so satisfied w/ what one has already achieved that one makes no futher effort.
lavage
washing out of a body cavity, such as the colon or stomach, w/ water or a medicated solution (noun)
lecher
a man of lewd and promiscuous sexual desires or behavior
lection
a reading of a text found in a particular copy or edition

an extract from a sacred book, appointed to be read at religious services; a lesson
lectionary
a list or book of portions of the Bible appointed to be read at a church service.
lee
shelter from the wind or weather given by a neighboring object, esp. nearby land.

the sheltered side, the side away from the win.
lees
the sediment of wine in the barrel
legalism
excessive adherence to law or formula
legate
a member of the Roman Catholic clergy, esp. a cardinal, representing the pope.

an ambassador or messenger

a general or governor of an ancient Roman province, or his deputy.
legation
a diplomatic minister, esp. one below the rank of ambassador, and his or her staff.

the official residence of a diplomatic minister

the position or office of legate. a legateship
legato
a smooth, flowing manner, w/o breaks between notes.
legerdemain
skillful use of one's hands when perfomring conjuring tricks

deception, trickery
legitimism
support for a ruler whose claim to a throne is based on direct descent
leitmotif
a recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated w/ a particular person, idea, or situation.
lemma
a subsidiary or intermediate theorem in an argument or proof

a heading indicating the subject or argument of a litereray composition, an annotation, or a dictionary entry.
lenitive
(of a medicine) loosening the bowels; gently laxative
lenity
kindness; gentleness
leonine
of or resembling a lion or lions
lepidopterist
a person who studies or collects butterflies and moths (members of the order of Lepidoptera)
lese majesty
the insulting of a monarch or other ruler; treason
lesion
a region in an organ or tissue that has suffered damage through injury or disease such as a wound, ulcer, abscess, tumor, etc.
lessee
a person who holds the lease of a property; a tenant or leaseholder
lessor
a person who leases or lets a property to another; a landlord.
letter of marque
a license to fit out an armed vessel and use it in the capture of enemy merchant shipping and to commit acts that would otherwise have constituted piracy.
levee
a reception or assembly of ppl.

embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river

a ridge of sediment deposited naturally alongside a river by overflowing water

a ridge of earth surrounding a field to be irrigated.
levity
humor or frivolity, esp. the treatment of a serious matter w/ humor or in a manner lacking due respect.
levy
an item or set of itesm of property seized to satisfy a legal judgment
lexical
of or relating to the words or vocabulary of a language

relating to or of the nature of a lexicon or dictionary
lexicography
the practice of compiling dictionaries.
lexicon
(pl. lexica) the vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge.

a dictionary, esp. of Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, or Arabic.
lexis
the total stock of words in a language

the lvl of language consisting of vocabulary, as opposed to grammar or syntax.
lex loci
the law of the country in which a transaction is performed, an act is committed, or a property is situated.
liase
establish a working relationship, typically in order to cooperate on a matter of mutual concern.
liason
communication or cooperation that facilitates a close working relationship between people or organizations.

sexual relationship, esp. one that is secret.

the binding or thickening agent of a sauce, often based on egg yolks.
libation
a drink
libertarian
(in philosophy) a person who holds to the doctrine of freedome of the will, as opposed to that of necessity.

a person who advocates civil liberty, esp. in opposition to the state action.
libretto
the text of an opera or other long vocal work.
licentious
promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters

disregarding accepted rules or conventions, esp. in grammar and literary style.
licit
not forbidden, lawful.
liege
a vassal or subject: the king's lieges.
lien
(in law) a right to keep posession of property belonging to another person utnil a debt owed by that person is discharged.
ligature
a thing used for tying or binding something tightly

a cord or thread used in surgery, esp. to tie up a bleeding artery

(in printing) a character consisting of two or more joined letters. "ae"
Lilliputian
trivial or very small.
limn
depict or describe in painting or words.

suffuse or highlight (something) w/ a bright color or light.
limner
a painter, esp. of portraits or miniatures, and usu. regarded as not of the highest aesthetic standards.
lingua franca
a language that is adopted as a common language among speakers whose native languages are diff't.

a mixture of Italian w/ French, Greek, Arabic, and Spanish, formerly used in the E. Mediterranean.
lingual
of or relating to the tongue.

(of a sound) formed by the tongue.

of or relating to speech or language.
liniment
a liquid or lotion, esp. one made w/ oil, for rubbing on the body to relieve pain.
Linnaean
of or relationg to the Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus (1707-78) or his classification system for plants and animals, which employs binomial nomenclature.
lintel
a horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel across the top of a door or window.
lionize
treat as a celebrity
lipid
any of a class of organic compounds that are fatty acids or their derivatives and are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Natural oils, waxes, and steroids.
lissome
(of a person or the body) thin, supple, and graceful.
litany
a series of supplications for use in church services or processions, usually recited by the clergy and responded to in a recurring formula by the ppl.

a tedious recital or repetitive series.
literati
well-educated ppl who are interested in literature
lithium
lithium carbonate or another lithium salt, sued as a mood-stabilizing drug.
litigant
a person involved in a lawsuit
litigate
be a party to a lawsuit

take a claim or a dispute to a court of law.
litigious
("litijus") concerned w/ lawsuits or litigation

unreasonably prone to go to court to settle disputes

suitable to become the subject of a lawsuit
litotes
ironical understatement in whicn an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary, eg "you won't be sorry" meaning "you'll be glad".
littoral
of, relating to, or situated on the shore of the sea or a lake.

of, relating to, or denoting the zone of the seashore between high and low-water marks
liturgy
a form or formulary according to which public religious worshi, esp. Christian worship, is conducted

relgious service conducted according to such a form

(in ancient Athens)a public office or duty performed voluntarily by a rich Athenian.
livery
provision of food or clothing for servants

special design and color scheme used on the vehicles, aircraft, racehorses, or products of a particular company or owner.
livid
of a bluish leaden color
liano
(in S America) a treeless grassy plain.
locative
relating to or denoting a case in some languages of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives, expressing location
loch
an arm of the sea, esp. wehn narrow or partially landlocked
locution
a word or phrase, esp. w/ regard to style or idiom

a person's style of speech

an utterance regarded in terms of its intrinsic meaning or reference, as distinct from its function or purpose in context

language regarded in terms of locutionary rather than illocutionary or perlocutiionary acts.
lode
a vein of metal ore in the earth

a rich source of something
lodestar
a star that is used to guide a course of a ship, esp. Polaris.

a person or thing that serves as a guide.
lodestone
a piece of magnetite or other naturally magnetized mineral. magnet.

a thing that is the focus of attention or attraction.
loge
a prive box or enclosure in a theater.

a front section of the first balcony in a theater

a similar section in an arena or stadium.
logy
dull and heavy in motion or thought; sluggish
lollapalooza
a person or thing that is particularly impressive or attractive.
longshore
existing on, frequenting, or moving along the seashore
longeur
a tedious passage in a book or other work. "its brilliant comedy passages do not cancel out the longueurs"

tedious periods of time
loquacious
given to much talking; talkative
Lorelei
a rock on the bank of the Rhine, held by legend to be the home of a siren whose song lures boatmen to destruction.

the siren said to live on this rock

a dangerously fascinating woman; a temptress or siren.
lorgnette
a pair of glasses or opera glasses held in front of a person's eyes by a long handle at one side.
Lothario
a man who behaves selfishly and irresponsibly in his sexual relationships w/ women.
lotus-eater
a person hwo spends time indulging in pleasure and luxury rather than dealing w/ practical concerns.
louche
disreputable or sordid in a rakish or appealing way.
louver
each of a set of angled slats or flat strips fixed or hung at regular intervals in a door, shutter, or screen to allow air or light to pass through

a domed structure on a roof, w side openings for ventilation.
luau
a Hawaiian party or feast, esp one accompanied by entertainment
lubricious
offensively displaying or intended to arouse sexual desire

smooth and slippery w/ oil or a similar substance
lucent
glowing
lucid
showing ability to think clearly

bright; luminous
lucre
money, esp when regarded as sordid or distasteful or gained in a dishonorable way.
lucubrate
discourse learnedly in writing
lucubration
study; meditation

a piece of writing, typically a pedantic or over-elaborate one
lugubrious
looking or sounding sad and dismal
lumbar
relating to the lower part of the back
luminary
a person who inspires or influences others, esp one prominent in a particular sphere

an artificial light

natural light-giving body, esp the sun or moon.
luminescence
the emission of light by a substance that has not been heated, as in fluorescence and phosphorescence.
luminosity
luminous quality

intrinsic brightness of a celestial object
luminous
full of or shedding light; bright or shining, esp in the dark

(of a color) very bright, harsh to the eye
lumpen
(in Marxist contexts) uninterested in revolutionary advancement

boorish and stupid
lumpen proletariat
(Marxist) the unorganized and unpolitical lower orders of society who are not interested in revolutionary advancement
lunar
of, determined by, or resembling the moon: not warmly bright; pale, pallid.
lunate
crescent-shaped
lunula
a crescent-shaped object or mark, in particular a white area at the base of a fingernail

(in printing) one of a pair of parenthesis
lupine
wolf-like
lurdan
an idle or incompetent person;
adj: lazy, good-for-nothing
lurid
very vivid in color, esp so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect.

(or a description) presented in vividly shocking or sensational terms, esp. giving explicit details of crimes or sexual matters.
lustral
relating to or used in ceremonial purification
lustrate
purify by expiatory sacrifice, ceremonial washing, or some other ritual action
lustrum
a period of five years
luxate
dislocate, put out of joint
luxe
luxury
lycanthropy
the supernatural transformation of a person into a wolf (werewolf)
Lyceum
the garden at Athens in which Aristotle taught philosophy

Aristotoelian philosophy and its followers

a literary institutions, lecture hall, or teaching place.
lymph
fluid exuding from a sore or inflamed tissue

pure water

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