German–English dictionary

a priori

(logic) In a way based on theoretical deduction rather than empirical observation.

a-

Not, without, opposite of.

a.

(of adjectives from numbers, especially of times and ages) About, approximately.

AA

Initialism of Alcoholics Anonymous: a self-supporting organization of alcoholic people.

Aa-Lava

(volcanology) A form of lava flow associated with Hawaiian-type volcanoes, consisting of basaltic rock, usually dark-colored with a jagged and loose, clinkery surface. Compare pahoehoe. [From 19th c.]

Aal

Any freshwater fish of the order Anguilliformes, which are elongated and resemble snakes.

Aalartige

Any freshwater fish of the order Anguilliformes, which are elongated and resemble snakes.

Aalen

The act of finding and killing a wild animal, either for sport or with the intention of using its parts to make food, clothes, etc.

aalglatt

Resembling an eel: long, thin and slippery.

aalglatter Bursche

A smooth-talking person.

Aalwurm

A worm that lives in the ground.

Aar

Any of several large carnivorous and carrion-eating birds in the family Accipitridae, having a powerful hooked bill and keen vision.

Aas

The body of a dead animal, especially a vertebrate or other animal having flesh.

Aas-

(chiefly, derogatory) Pertaining to, or made up of, rotting flesh.

Aasfresser

An animal that eats dead and decaying flesh.

Aasgeier

(figurative, colloquial) A person who profits from the suffering of others.

aasig

Rotting, rotten, being in a state of putrefaction. [from Template:SAFESUBST: c.]

ab

(idiomatic) At or by a specified time, with the implication that the said condition will be true from that time onward.

ab diesem Tag

Into the future.

ab jetzt

Into the future.

ab und zu

Occasionally; intermittently; irregularly; now and then; once in a while.

Abachi

The wood of this tree; whitish yellow in colour and easy to process.

Abaka

The fibre of the abaca.

Abakist

One who uses an abacus in casting accounts; a calculator. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470).]

Abakus

A device used for performing arithmetical calculations; (rare) a table on which loose counters are placed, or (more commonly) an instrument with beads sliding on rods, or counters in grooves, with one row of beads or counters representing units, the next tens, etc. [from late 17th c.]

Abalone

(North America, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore) An edible univalve mollusc of the genus Haliotis, having a shell lined with mother-of-pearl. [mid 19th c.]

abändern

(ambitransitive) To change the form or structure of.

Abänderung

That which is added; that which is used to increase or supplement something.

abartig

Obstinately in the wrong; stubborn; intractable.

Abartigkeit

(astronomy) A small periodical change of the apparent positions of the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer. [Mid 18th century.]

abaschen

(ambitransitive) To hit the end off (a burning cigar or cigarette).

Abb.

Abbreviation of figure.

abbaken

(transitive) To mark with a buoy.

Abbas

A en given name.

Abbau

A biological process through which organic material is reduced to e.g. compost.

abbauen

(transitive, often, figurative) To break something down into its component parts.

Abbaustelle

An excavation from which ore or solid minerals are taken, especially one consisting of underground tunnels.

abbeizen

A process by which the oxide scale on steel (especially stainless steels) or other metallic objects is chemically removed by strong acids.

Abberufung

Deprivation of office; the fact or process of being fired from employment or stripped of rank.

abbestellen

(transitive) To invalidate or annul something.

abbestellt

No longer planned or scheduled.

abbetteln

To beg or wheedle.

abbiegen

(idiomatic, intransitive, of a path or route) To diverge into two or more separate paths.

Abbiegung

A change of direction or orientation.

Abbild

(countable, uncountable, figuratively) A rough or symbolic representation; a vague indication of what is to come, a foreshadowing.

abbilden

To render a representation of something, using words, sounds, images, or other means. [from early 15th c.]

Abbildung

(countable) A lifelike image of something, either verbal or visual.

abbinden

(ergative) To fasten (something) with laces.

Abbinder

(computing) A standard piece of program code used routinely and added with a text editor or word processor.

abblenden

(transitive) To lower (a flag), particularly a national ensign, to a partially hoisted position in order to render or to return a salute. While lowered, the flag is said to be “at the dip.” A flag being carried on a staff may be dipped by leaning it forward at an approximate angle of 45 degrees.

abblocken

(ambitransitive, informal) To refuse to answer or cooperate, especially in supplying information.

abbrechen

(transitive, computing) To terminate a process prior to completion.

abbremsen

(intransitive, of a voice) To alter in type due to emotion or strain: in men, generally to go up, in women, sometimes to go down; to crack.

abbrennen

(idiomatic, transitive) To begin; to cause; to initiate.

Abbreviation

(linguistics) A shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase used to represent the whole, using omission of letters, and sometimes substitution of letters, or duplication of initial letters to signify plurality, including signs such as +, =, @. [Late 16th century.]

Abbreviatur

(linguistics) A shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase used to represent the whole, using omission of letters, and sometimes substitution of letters, or duplication of initial letters to signify plurality, including signs such as +, =, @. [Late 16th century.]

abbringen

(transitive) To persuade someone not to do something; to discourage.

abbringen von

(transitive) To persuade somebody not to do (something).

Abbruch

(computing) The abnormal termination of a program.

abbürsten

(transitive) To clean, polish, or wash (something) by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously, frequently with an abrasive or cleaning agent.

ABC

(uncountable) The Roman script.

Abc-Buch

(obsolete) A primer for teaching the Latin alphabet and first elements of reading. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the mid-17th century.]

Abcdarium

(obsolete) A primer for teaching the Latin alphabet and first elements of reading. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the mid-17th century.]

abchecken

(transitive, US, often used with "off") To mark items on a list (with a checkmark or by crossing them out) that have been chosen for keeping or removal or that have been dealt with (for example, completed or verified as correct or satisfactory).

abdämmen

(transitive) To block the flow of water.

abdämpfen

(figurative) To absorb or deaden the impact of.

Abdampfstutzen

A short outlet or inlet pipe projecting from the end or side of a hollow vessel, as a steam-engine cylinder or a steam boiler.

abdanken

(transitive) To surrender, renounce or relinquish, as sovereign power; to withdraw definitely from filling or exercising, as a high office, station, dignity; to fail to fulfill responsibility for. [from mid 17th c.]

Abdankung

The act of abdicating; the renunciation of a high office, dignity, or trust, by its holder. [First attested in the early 17th century.]

Abdeckblech

(roofing) Components used to weatherproof or seal roof system edges at perimeters, penetrations, walls, expansion joints, valleys, drains and other places where the roof covering is interrupted or terminated.

abdecken

(transitive) To cover with, or as if with, a blanket.

Abdecker

One who dismantles old ships, houses, etc. and sells their components.

Abdeckplane

(countable) A tarp, a heavy, waterproof sheet of material, often cloth, used as a cover or blanket.

Abdeckung

A lid.

Abdichtband

(construction) A heavy bead of waterproofing compound or sealant material generally installed at the point where vertical and horizontal surfaces meet.

abdichten

(transitive) To set apart or cut off from others.

Abdichtung

(construction) A heavy bead of waterproofing compound or sealant material generally installed at the point where vertical and horizontal surfaces meet.

Abdikation

The act of abdicating; the renunciation of a high office, dignity, or trust, by its holder. [First attested in the early 17th century.]

abdizieren

(intransitive) To relinquish or renounce a throne, or other high office or dignity; to renounce sovereignty. [First attested in the early 18th c.]

abdocken

(intransitive, colloquial) To relax; to chill out; to rest and become relieved of stress

Abdomen

(obsolete) The fat surrounding the belly. [mid 16th c. – late 17th c.]

abdominal

Of or pertaining to the abdomen; ventral. [Mid 18th century.]

abdominell

Of or pertaining to the abdomen; ventral. [Mid 18th century.]

Abdrängung

The weight of a ship or other floating vessel, traditionally measured or calculated by finding the volume of the vessel below the waterline when afloat, the weight of the displaced liquid being equal to that of the whole displacing body.

abdrehen

(transitive) To make thinner or narrower at one end.

Abdrift

The drift of a ship or aeroplane in a leeward direction.

abdriften nach

(intransitive) To deviate gently from the intended direction of travel.

Abdruck

The mark left by a blow; an indentation or impression made by violence; a dent.

abdrucken

To leave a print, impression, image, etc.

Abduktor

(anatomy) A muscle which serves to draw a part out, or from the median line of the body [early 17th century]

Abdul

A en given name used by Muslims.

Abdulla

A en given name.

abebben

(intransitive) to fall away or decline

Abecebuch

(obsolete) A primer for teaching the Latin alphabet and first elements of reading. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the mid-17th century.]

Abecedar

An introductory text on any subject, particularly basic concepts.

Abecedarier

(historical) A member of a 16th-century Anabaptist sect, follower of the Zwickau prophets (and specially of Thomas Storch), who believed that any kind of knowledge (even basic reading and writing) would keep one from obtaining salvation. [from 19th c.]

Abecedarium

(obsolete) A primer for teaching the Latin alphabet and first elements of reading. [Attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the mid-17th century.]

abel

Able to be done; fit to be done.

Abend

The time of the day between the approximate time of midwinter dusk and midnight (compare afternoon); the period after the end of regular office working hours.

Abendbrot

Any meal eaten in the evening; dinner eaten in the evening, rather than at noon.

Abenddämmerung

(now, _, rare) Twilight.

Abendessen

An evening meal.

Abendkleid

A type of formal attire for women, typically a jacket over a dress, or a jacket and blouse with trousers or a skirt.

Abendland

The western world; i.e. Western Europe, the US and Canada (sometimes includes Latin America), and Australia and New Zealand.

Abendländer

A native or inhabitant of the West, of the Western world—Europe and the Americas. (Also written capitalized as Westerner.)

abendländisch

Of, pertaining to, or situated in, the occident, or west; western. [from 16th c.]

Abendläuten

(historical) A regulation in feudal Europe by which fires had to be covered up or put out at a certain fixed time in the evening, marked by the ringing of an evening bell.

Abendrot

The changes in color of the sky before and after sunset.

Abenteuer

A daring feat; a bold undertaking, in which dangers are likely to be encountered, and the issue is staked upon unforeseen events; the encountering of risks.

abenteuerdurstig

(of a, person) Inclined to adventure; willing to take risks; prone to embark on hazardous enterprises; daring.

abenteuerhungrig

(of a, person) Inclined to adventure; willing to take risks; prone to embark on hazardous enterprises; daring.

Abenteuerin

A female adventurer; a woman who seeks adventure.

abenteuerlich

(of an, act or product) Full of risks; risky; liable to be in danger; requiring courage; rash.

Abenteuerlichkeit

The quality of being adventurous.

abenteuerlustig

(of a, person) Inclined to adventure; willing to take risks; prone to embark on hazardous enterprises; daring.

abenteuersüchtig

(of a, person) Inclined to adventure; willing to take risks; prone to embark on hazardous enterprises; daring.

Abenteuertum

(politics) The taking of excessive risks by a government in their political, economic or foreign affairs. [from 20th c.]

Abenteurer

One who enjoys adventures.

Abenteurerin

One who enjoys adventures.

Abenteurertum

(politics) The taking of excessive risks by a government in their political, economic or foreign affairs. [from 20th c.]

aber

However, although, nevertheless, on the other hand (introducing a clause contrary to prior belief or in contrast with the preceding clause or sentence).

aber hallo

Yes, certainly; expression indicating strong agreement.

Aberglaube

A belief or beliefs, not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, that events may be influenced by one's behavior in some magical or mystical way.

abergläubig

Susceptible to superstitions.

abergläubisch

Susceptible to superstitions.

Aberkennen

(countable) The act of depriving, dispossessing, or bereaving; the act of deposing or divesting of some dignity.

Aberkennung

(countable) The act of depriving, dispossessing, or bereaving; the act of deposing or divesting of some dignity.

abermals

(literary, poetic, _, or, _, formal, especially) Again, once more; afresh, in a new way, newly.

aberrante

(sometimes, figuratively) Straying from the right way; deviating from morality or truth. [First attested in the mid 18th century.]

Aberration

(astronomy) A small periodical change of the apparent positions of the stars and other heavenly bodies, due to the combined effect of the motion of light and the motion of the observer. [Mid 18th century.]

Aberwitz

Foolishness that results from a lack of foresight or lack of practicality.

aberwitzig

Resembling a farce; ludicrous; absurd.

Abessinien

(historical) Former name of Ethiopia: a country and former empire in East Africa; used as an exonym until the mid 20th century.

abfackeln

(intransitive) To shine out with a sudden and unsteady light; to emit a dazzling or painfully bright light.

abfahren

(colloquial) To love, to enjoy, to be interested in.

Abfahrt

(uncountable) The fastest of the disciplines of alpine skiing.

Abfall

The distance through which something drops, or falls below a certain level.

Abfallbehälter

(US, specifically, _, New England) A waste receptacle.

Abfallcontainer

(Canada, US) A large, usually metal trash receptacle designed to be hoisted up by a garbage truck in order to be emptied.

Abfalldurchstöberer

Someone who scavenges, especially one who searches through rubbish for food or useful things.

Abfalleimer

(US, specifically, _, New England) A waste receptacle.

abfallen

To become detached.

Abfallgrube

An underground pit where sewage is held.

abfällig

Lessening the worth of (a person, etc); expressing derogation; insulting.

abfällige Bemerkung

An attack on somebody's reputation or good name, often in the phrase to cast aspersions upon…. [from late 16th c.]

Abfalltonne

(US, specifically, _, New England) A waste receptacle.

Abfallwirtschaft

The hygienic disposal or recycling of waste.

abfälschen

(transitive, ball games) To touch the ball, often unwittingly, after a shot or a sharp pass, thereby making it unpredictable for the other players.

Abfangen

(aviation) The transition from downward flight to level flight just before landing.

Abfangjäger

A combat aircraft designed to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft before they can attack.