English dictionary — definitions & meanings

corsage

noun

A small bouquet of flowers worn pinned to clothing, especially at a formal event.

corsair

noun

A French privateer, especially from the port of Saint-Malo.

corsby

name

A surname, variant of Crosby.

corse

noun

A (living) body.

corset

noun

A tight, structured undergarment worn to shape the waist and torso.

Corsica

name

A French island in the Mediterranean Sea, birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Corsican

adj

From or relating to Corsica, the French island in the Mediterranean, or its language.

Corso

name

An Italian surname, also a given name, derived from a word meaning "course" or "run."

Cort

name

A masculine given name and surname, a short form of Cortland or a Dutch surname meaning "short."

corte

name

A French commune in the Haute-Corse department, Corsica.

cortege

noun

A ceremonial procession, especially for a wedding or funeral or following a monarch.

Cortes

name

A Spanish and Portuguese surname, meaning "courts," notably borne by conquistador Hernán Cortés.

cortex

noun

The outer layer of an organ or body part, especially the brain or a kidney.

Cortez

name

A Spanish surname, an alternate spelling of Cortes.

cortical

adj

Relating to the outer layer (cortex) of an organ, especially the brain.

cortina

noun

A cobweb-like ring of fine threads found around the stem of certain mushrooms.

cortisone

noun

A steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands, also produced synthetically as an anti-inflammatory drug.

corundum

noun

An extremely hard mineral, a form of aluminum oxide with the chemical formula Al₂O₃, that occurs in the form of the gemstones sapphire and ruby; it is used as an abrasive.

coruscate

verb

To give off light; to reflect in flashes; to sparkle.

coruscating

adj

Characterised by intellectual and rhetorical brilliance; blazing or glittering with rhetorical force.

coruscation

noun

A sudden display of brilliance; a flashing of light; a sparkle.

corvette

noun

A small, fast warship, historically ranked just below a frigate.

Corwin

name

A masculine given name and English surname, possibly derived from Old French meaning "heart-friend."

Cory

noun

A small South American freshwater catfish popular in home aquariums.

corydoras

noun

Any of the genus Corydoras of small freshwater tropical catfish often kept in aquariums.

coryza

noun

Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the nasal cavity, usually causing a running nose, nasal congestion and loss of smell.

cos

noun

A long-leaved variety of lettuce, also called romaine.

Cosby

name

An English surname, derived from a place name of Old Norse origin.

cosexual

adj

Producing both pollen and ovules.

Cosgrove

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of a Gaelic name meaning "champion" or "valiant."

cosh

noun

A short, heavy stick or weighted tube used as a weapon to strike someone, especially over the head.

Cosima

name

A feminine given name of Italian and Greek origin, related to Cosimo, meaning "order" or "harmony."

cosine

noun

In a right triangle, the ratio of the length of the side adjacent to an acute angle to the length of the hypotenuse. Symbol: cos

cosiness

noun

The state or quality of being cosy.

cosmas

name

A male given name from Ancient Greek of mostly historical use.

cosmetic

adj

Relating to improving or enhancing appearance, especially of the skin or face.

cosmetician

noun

A person skilled at applying cosmetics.

cosmetics

noun

Makeup and other products applied to the skin, hair, or nails to enhance appearance.

cosmic

adj

Relating to the universe as a whole, especially outer space.

cosmo

noun

Short for cosmopolitan, a cocktail made with vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and cranberry juice.

cosmocrat

noun

One who rules the world.

cosmogenic

adj

produced by cosmic rays

cosmogonic

adj

Of or pertaining to cosmogony.

cosmogonical

adj

Of or pertaining to cosmogony.

cosmogony

noun

The study of the origin, and sometimes the development, of the universe or the solar system, in astrophysics, religion, and other fields.

cosmography

noun

The creation of maps of the universe.

cosmological

adj

Relating to cosmology, the study of the universe's structure and origins.

cosmologist

noun

A person who studies cosmology.

cosmology

noun

The scientific study of the origin, structure, and future of the universe.

cosmonaut

noun

An astronaut, especially one from Russia or the former Soviet Union.

cosmopolitan

adj

Familiar and comfortable with many different countries and cultures.

cosmopolitanism

noun

The quality of being cosmopolitan.

cosmopolite

noun

One who is at home in every place; a citizen of the world; a cosmopolitan person.

cosmos

noun

The universe seen as an ordered, unified whole.

cosmovision

noun

The cosmic worldview of a society or civilization.

cosplay

noun

The hobby of dressing up as a character from a game, anime, comic, or other fiction.

Cossack

noun

A member of a historically semi-independent warrior community from Eastern Europe, especially southern Russia and Ukraine.

cosset

verb

To treat like a pet; to overly indulge.

cossie

noun

A Ford automobile powered by a Cosworth engine, especially the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth or the Ford Escort RS Cosworth.

cost

verb

To require the payment of a certain amount of money.

cost effective

adjective

Producing good results for the money spent, so that the benefit gained justifies the cost.

costa

noun

A rib, or a riblike structure such as the thickened leading edge of a leaf or insect wing.

costed

adj

Having a specified (type of) cost

Costello

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of a Gaelic name, also notably a musician's stage surname.

costful

adj

Expensive; sumptuous.

costing

noun

The process of working out how much a project, product, or process will cost.

costly

adj

Expensive, or requiring a heavy price to be paid.

Costner

name

An English surname, most notably associated with actor Kevin Costner.

costumal

adj

Pertaining to costume or dress.

costume

noun

An outfit worn to represent a particular character, period, or culture.

costumed

adj

Wearing a costume.

cosy

adj

Warm, snug, and comfortable.

cot

noun

A small bed for an infant, usually with high slatted sides.

cote

noun

A cottage or hut.

cotemporal

adj

Existing or occurring at the same time.

cotemporaneous

adj

Living or existing at the same time; contemporaneous.

coterie

noun

A small, close-knit group of people who share an interest or purpose and who keep others at a distance.

cotillion

noun

A formal social dance, historically French, often performed by young debutantes.

cotta

noun

A short, loose white garment worn by clergy over a cassock, similar to but shorter than a surplice.

cottage

noun

A small house, typically simple and often found in the countryside.

cotter

noun

A pin or wedge inserted through a slot to hold machine parts together.

cotton

noun

A soft white fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant, used to make thread and fabric.

cotton gin

noun

A machine that separates cotton fibres from their seeds, using rotating teeth or saws to pull the lint through a grid too narrow for the seeds to pass.

cottontail

noun

A rabbit of any of various species in genus Sylvilagus.

cottonwick

noun

A grunt (fish) of the species Haemulon melanurum

coty

noun

Alternative letter-case form of COTY.

couch

noun

An upholstered piece of furniture for sitting, usually seating more than one person; a sofa.

couch potato

noun

A person who spends a great deal of time sitting watching television or screens and takes very little exercise.

cougar

noun

A large wild cat native to the Americas, also called a puma or mountain lion.

cough

verb

To force air out of the lungs suddenly and noisily, often to clear the throat or airway.

coughing

noun

The act of forcing air from the lungs repeatedly, usually due to irritation or illness.

Coughlin

name

An Irish surname, an Anglicized form of a Gaelic name meaning "little wolf."

could

verb

Used to express ability, possibility, or permission in the past, or politely in the present.

coulee

noun

A stream, especially one in the western US or Canada, generally smaller than a bayou; it may (or may not) run dry in summer, may be sluggish, shallow, and wide (forming in effect a pond or slough), or may have formerly cut a deep gulch or ravine, but at present run dry.

Coulson

name

An English surname, meaning "son of Coll" or "son of Nicholas."

coulter

noun

A blade fixed in front of a plough that slices through the soil ahead of the main share.

coulton

name

A village and civil parish (served by Gilling East with Cawton, Coulton and Grimston Parish Council) in North Yorkshire, England, previously in Ryedale district (OS grid ref SE634567).

Council

noun

A group of people formally chosen to manage, advise on, or make decisions about local or organizational affairs.

councillor

noun

A member of a council, especially someone elected to serve on a local government body.

councilman

noun

A man who is an elected member of a city or town council.

councilmember

noun

A councilman or councilwoman; a member of a council, often a city council or town council.

councilwoman

noun

A woman who is an elected member of a city or town council.

counsel

noun

Advice or guidance, especially on an important or serious matter.

counseling

noun

Professional guidance or therapy given to help someone work through personal problems.

counselor

noun

A trained professional who helps people work through personal, emotional, or career problems.

count

verb

To say numbers in order, or to work out the total number of something.

countable

adj

Capable of being counted; having a quantity.

countdown

noun

A count backward toward a set moment, especially a launch or the start of an event.

countenance

noun

A person's face or facial expression, especially as it reveals their mood.

counter

noun

A flat surface for serving customers, preparing food, or conducting business.

counteract

verb

To reduce or cancel out the effect of something by acting in an opposing way.

counterbalance

noun

A weight that is put in opposition to an equal weight so it keeps that in balance.

counterchange

verb

To give and receive; C; to exchange.

counterclaim

noun

A suit filed by a defendant against a plaintiff secondary to the original complaint.

counterclockwise

adj

Moving in the direction opposite to the way clock hands turn.

countercurrent

noun

A current that flows against the prevailing one.

counterfactual

adj

Contrary to known or agreed facts; untrue.

counterfeit

adj

Made to imitate something genuine in order to deceive; fake.

counterfeiter

noun

A person who makes fake money or fake copies of goods.

counterfeiting

noun

The act of making fake copies of money or goods to pass off as genuine.

counterfoil

noun

the part of a cheque that is retained in the chequebook as a record; a stub

counterintelligence

noun

Activities aimed at detecting and stopping enemy spying or intelligence operations.

countermand

verb

To revoke (a former command); to cancel or rescind by giving an order contrary to one previously given.

countermeasure

noun

An action or device designed to counteract a threat or problem.

countermine

noun

A mine used by defenders to intercept an enemy mine or tunnel.

counterpane

noun

The topmost covering of a bed, often functioning as a blanket.

counterpart

noun

A person or thing that corresponds to or matches another, often in a different place or organization.

counterpoint

noun

In music, a melody combined with another to create harmony while each remains distinct.

counterpoison

noun

A poison used against another poison, serving as an antidote.

counterpotent

noun

A fur differing from potent in the arrangement of the patches: the T shapes are alternatingly upright and inverted, such that the broad side of each T touches the broad sides of the adjacent row's like-colored T.

counterproductive

adj

Having the opposite effect of what was intended; causing more harm than good.

countersign

noun

A second signature added to a document to affirm the validity of the signature of the first person.

counterspell

noun

A magic spell that deflects or reverses the effects of some other spell.

countertenor

noun

An adult male singer who uses head tone or falsetto to sing far higher than the typical male vocal range.

countervail

verb

To have the same value or number as.

counterweight

noun

A heavy mass of often iron or concrete, mechanically linked in opposition to a load which is to be raised and lowered, with the intent of reducing the amount of work which must be done to effect the raising and lowering. Counterweights are used, for example, in cable-hauled elevators and some kinds of movable bridges (e.g. a bascule bridge).

counterwork

verb

To work in opposition to; to counteract.

countess

noun

The wife of a count or earl, or a woman who holds that rank in her own right.

counting

noun

The act of determining the number of something by counting.

countless

adj

Too many to count; a very large, unspecified number.

countrify

verb

To make rural or rustic.

country

noun

A nation with its own government and defined territory.

countryfolk

noun

People who live in the country; rural dwellers.

countryish

adj

Having characteristics of country music.

countrylike

adj

Resembling or characteristic of the country; rural.

countryman

noun

A person from the same country as the speaker; a fellow national.

countryside

noun

Rural land and scenery away from towns and cities.

countrywoman

noun

A feminine compatriot.

counts

verb

To be recorded or measured as a whole unit rather than as a share of something bigger.

county

noun

An administrative or geographic division within a country or state.