con·tri·bu·tion ( k¼n"tr¹-by›"sh…n) n. 1. The act of contributing. 2. Abbr. contrib. Something contributed. 3. A payment exacted for a special purpose; an impost or a levy.

e·con·o·my ( ¹-k¼n"…-m¶) n. pl. e·con·o·mies Abbr. econ. 1. a. Careful, thrifty management of resources, such as money, materials, or labor: learned to practice economy in making out the household budget. b. An example or result of such management; a saving. 2. a. The system or range of economic activity in a country, region, or community: Effects of inflation were felt at every level of the economy. b. A specific type of economic system: an industrial economy; a planned economy. 3. An orderly, functional arrangement of parts; an organized system: " the sense that there is a moral economy in the world, that good is rewarded and evil is punished " George F. Will 4. Efficient, sparing, or conservative use: wrote with an economy of language; a well-organized group that worked with an economy of effort. 5. Economy class. 6. Theology The method of God's government of and activity within the world. adj. 1. Economical or inexpensive to buy or use: an economy car; an economy motel. [Middle English yconomye management of a household from Latin oeconomia from Greek oikonomia from oikonomos one who manages a household oikos house; See weik- 1 in Indo-European Roots. nemein to allot, manage; See nem- in Indo-European Roots.]

Notes: Managing an economy has at least an etymological justification. The word economy can probably be traced back to the Greek word oikonomos, " one who manages a household, " derived from oikos, " house," and nemein, " to manage. " From oikonomos was derived oikonomia, which had not only the sense " management of a houseold or family " but also senses such as " thrift," " direction," " administration," " arrangement," and " public revenue of a state. " The first recorded sense of our word economy, found in a work possibly composed in 1440, is " the management of economic affairs, " in this case, of a monastery. Economy is later recorded in other senses shared by oikonomia in Greek, including " thrift" and " administration." What is probably our most frequently used current sense, " the economic system of a country or an area, " seems not to have developed until the 19th or 20th century.

nem- . Important derivatives are: numb nimble nemesis economy astronomy autonomous metronome nomad number enumerate To assign, allot; also to take. I. 1. a. NIM , NUMB ; ( BENUMB ), from Old English niman , to take, seize; b. NIMBLE , from Old English n Æmel, quick to seize, and numol , quick at learning, seizing; c. NIM 2 , from Old High German nëman , to take. a, b, and c all from Germanic *nem- . 2. NEMESIS ; ECONOMY , from Greek nemein , to allot. 3. O-grade form *nom- . a. NOME , -NOMY ; ANOMIE , ANTINOMIAN , ANTINOMY , ( ASTRONOMER ), ( ASTRONOMY ), AUTONOMOUS , DEUTERONOMY , METRONOME , NOMOGRAPH , NOMOLOGY , NOMOTHETIC , NUMISMATIC , from Greek nomos , portion, usage, custom, law, division, district; b. NOMA , from Greek nom ¶, pasturage, grazing, hence a spreading, a spreading ulcer; c. NOMAD , from Greek nomas , wandering in search of pasture; d. NUMMULAR , NUMMULITE , from Greek nomimos , legal. 4. Perhaps suffixed o-grade form *nom-eso- . NUMBER ; ENUMERATE , SUPERNUMERARY , from Latin numerus , number, division. [ Pokorny 1. nem- 763. ]

weik- 1 . Important derivatives are: village villain vicinity diocese ecology economy parish Clan (social unit above the household). I. 1. Suffixed form *weik-sl ³. VILLA , VILLAGE , VILLAIN , VILLANELLE , ( VILLEIN ); ( BIDONVILLE ), from Latin v ºlla, country house, farm. 2. Suffixed o-grade form *woik-o- . a. ( VICINAGE ), VICINITY ; ( BAILIWICK ), from Latin v ºcus, quarter or district of a town, neighborhood; b. ANDROECIUM , AUTOECIOUS , DIOCESE , DIOECIOUS , DIOICOUS , ECESIS , ECOLOGY , ECONOMY , ECUMENICAL , HETEROECIOUS , MONOECIOUS , PARISH , from Greek oikos , house, and its derivatives oikia , a dwelling, and oik ¶sis, dwelling, administration. 3. Zero-grade form *wik- . VAISYA , from Sanskrit vi ïa¡/, dwelling, house. [ Pokorny ø eiç- 1131. ]

bine ( bºn) n. 1. The flexible twining or climbing stem of certain plants, such as the hop, woodbine, or bindweed. [Alteration of bind vine ]

dine ( dºn) v. dined din·ing dines v. intr. 1. To have dinner. v. tr. 1. To give dinner to; entertain at dinner: wined and dined the visiting senators. [Middle English dinen from Old French diner, disner from Vulgar Latin *disi ¿n³re from *disi ¶i¿n³re Latin dis- dis-Latin i¶i¿nium fast]

din·er ( dº"n…r) n. 1. One that dines: midnight diners enjoying the meal after the theater. 2. See dining car . 3. A small, usually inexpensive restaurant with a long counter and booths and housed in a building designed to resemble a dining car.

fine 1 ( fºn) adj. fin·er fin·est 1. Of superior quality, skill, or appearance: a fine day; a fine writer. 2. Very small in size, weight, or thickness: fine type; fine paper. 3. a. Free from impurities. b. Abbr. f. F. Metallurgy Containing pure metal in a specified proportion or amount: gold 21 carats fine. 4. Very sharp; keen: a blade with a fine edge. 5. Thin; slender: fine hairs. 6. Exhibiting careful and delicate artistry: fine china. See note at delicate . 7. Consisting of very small particles; not coarse: fine dust. 8. a. Subtle or precise: a fine difference. b. Able to make or detect effects of great subtlety or precision; sensitive: has a fine eye for color. 9. Trained to the highest degree of physical efficiency: a fine racehorse. 10. Characterized by refinement or elegance. 11. Being in a state of satisfactory health; quite well: I'm fine. And you? 12. Used as an intensive: a fine mess. adv. 1. Finely. 2. Informal Very well: doing fine. v. tr. intr. fined fin·ing fines 1. To make or become finer, purer, or cleaner. [Middle English fin from Old French from Latin fºnis end] fine "ness n.

fine 2 ( fºn) n. 1. A sum of money required to be paid as a penalty for an offense. 2. Law a. A forfeiture or penalty to be paid to the offended party in a civil action. b. An amicable settlement of a suit over land ownership. 3. Obsolete An end; a termination. v. tr. fined fin·ing fines 1. To require the payment of a fine from; impose a fine on.

Idioms: in fine 1. In conclusion; finally. 2. In summation; in brief. [Middle English fin from Old French settlement, compensation from Medieval Latin fºnis from Latin fºnis end] fin "a·ble or fine "a·ble adj.

line 1 ( lºn) n. Abbr. l. 1. The path traced by a moving point. 2. a. A thin continuous mark, as that made by a pen, pencil, or brush applied to a surface. b. A similar mark cut or scratched into a surface. c. A crease in the skin, especially on the face; a wrinkle. 3. a. A real or imaginary mark positioned in relation to fixed points of reference. b. A degree or circle of longitude or latitude drawn on a map or globe. c. The equator. Used with the. 4. a. A border or boundary: the county line. b. A demarcation: a line of darker water beyond the reef. c. A contour or an outline: the line of the hills against the evening sky. 5. a. A mark used to define a shape or represent a contour. b. Any of the marks that make up the formal design of a picture. 6. a. A cable, rope, string, cord or wire. b. Nautical A rope used aboard a ship. c. A fishing line. d. A clothesline. e. A cord or tape used, as by builders or surveyors, for measuring, leveling, or straightening. 7. A pipe or system of pipes for conveying a fluid: gas lines. 8. An electric-power transmission cable. 9. a. A wire or system of wires connecting telephone or telegraph systems. b. An open or functioning telephone connection: tried to get a free line. 10. a. A passenger or cargo system of public or private transportation, as by ship, aircraft, or bus, usually over a definite route. b. A company owning or managing such a system. 11. a. A railway track or system of tracks. b. A particular section of a railway network: the Philadelphia-Trenton line. 12. A course of progress or movement; a route: a line of flight. 13. a. A general method, manner, or course of procedure: different lines of thought; took a hard line on defense. b. A manner or course of procedure determined by a specified factor: development along socialist lines. c. An official or prescribed policy: the party line. 14. Often lines A general concept or model: a trilogy along the lines of the Oresteia. 15. A condition of agreement; alignment: brought the front wheels into line; a wage agreement in line with current inflation. 16. a. One's trade, occupation, or field of interest: What line of work are you in? b. Range of competence: not in my line. 17. Merchandise or services of a similar or related nature: carries a complete line of small tools. 18. A group of persons or things arranged in a row or series: long lines at the box office; a line of stones. 19. a. Ancestry or lineage. b. A series of persons, especially from one family, who succeed each other: a line of monarchs; comes from a long line of bankers. c. A strain, as of livestock or plants, developed and maintained by selective breeding. 20. a. A sequence of related things that leads to a certain ending: a line of argument. b. An ordered system of operations that allows a sequential manufacture or assembly of goods at all or various stages of production. c. The personnel of an organization or a business who actually make a product or perform a service. 21. a. A horizontal row of printed or written words or symbols. b. One of the horizontal scans forming a television image. 22. A brief letter; a note: I'll drop you a line. 23. a. A unit of verse ending in a visual or typographic break and generally characterized by its length and meter: a line of iambic pentameter. b. Often lines The dialogue of a theatrical presentation, such as a play: spent the weekend learning her lines. 24. Informal Glib or insincere talk, usually intended to deceive or impress: He kept on handing me a line about how busy he is. 25. lines Chiefly British a. A marriage certificate. b. A usually specified number of lines of prose or verse to be written out by a pupil as punishment. 26. Games A horizontal demarcation on a scorecard in bridge dividing the honor score from the trick score. 27. a. A source of information. b. The information itself: got a line on the computer project. 28. a. Music One of the five parallel marks constituting a staff. b. A sustained melodic or harmonic part in a piece: a rock song with a driving bass line. 29. a. A formation in which elements, such as troops, tanks, or ships, are arranged abreast of one another. b. The battle area closest to the enemy; the front. c. The combat troops or warships at the front, arrayed for defense or offense. d. The regular forces of an army or a navy, in contrast to staff and support personnel. e. The class of officers in direct command of warships or of army combat units. f. A bulwark or trench. g. An extended system of such fortifications or defenses: the Siegfried line. 30. Sports a. A foul line. b. A real or imaginary mark demarcating a specified section of a playing area or field. c. A real or imaginary mark or point at which a race begins or ends. d. The center and two wings making up a hockey team's offensive unit. 31. Football a. A line of scrimmage. b. The linemen considered as a group. 32. Informal The odds a bookmaker gives, especially for sports events. 33. a. A kind of coverage available in insurance. b. The proportion of an insurance risk assumed by a particular underwriter or company. 34. Slang A small amount of cocaine arranged in a thin, usually tightly rolled strip for sniffing. 35. Archaic One's lot or position in life. v. lined lin·ing lines v. tr. 1. To mark, incise, or cover with a line or lines. 2. To represent with lines. 3. To place in a series or row. 4. To form a bordering line along: Small stalls lined the alley. 5. Baseball To hit (a ball) sharply, usually in a straight line. v. intr. Baseball 1. To hit a line drive: lined out to shortstop.

Phrasal Verbs: line up 1. To arrange in or form a line. 2. To organize and make ready: lined up considerable support for the bill.

Idioms: all along the line 1. In every place. 2. At every stage or moment. down the line 1. All the way; throughout: Errors are to be found down the line. 2. At a point or an end in the future. in line for 1. Next in order for: in line for the presidency. on the line 1. Ready or available for immediate payment. 2. So as to be risked; in jeopardy: " Careers were on the line once again " Seymour M. Hersh out of line 1. Uncalled-for; improper. 2. Unruly and out of control. [Middle English from Old English lºne and from Old French ligne both from Latin lºnea,feminine sing. of lºneusof linen from lºnum thread, linen; See l íno- in Indo-European Roots.]

line 2 ( lºn) v. tr. lined lin·ing lines 1. To fit a covering to the inside surface of: a coat lined with fur. 2. To cover the inner surface of: Moisture lined the walls of the cave. 3. To fill plentifully, as with money or food. [Middle English linen from line flax, linen cloth from Old English lºn from Latin lºnum;See l íno- in Indo-European Roots.]

lin·en ( l¹n"…n) n. 1. a. Thread made from fibers of the flax plant. b. Cloth woven from this thread. 2. Also linens Articles or garments made from linen or a similar cloth, such as cotton; bed sheets and tablecloths. 3. Paper made from flax fibers or having a linenlike luster. adj. 1. Made of flax or linen. 2. Resembling linen. [Middle English from Old English lºnen made of flax from Germanic *l ºnin- from *l ºnam flax probably from Latin lºnum;See l íno- in Indo-European Roots.]

l íno-. Important derivatives are: line 1 linen lingerie lint linseed Flax. I. 1. Form *lino- . LINOLEIC ACID , from Greek linon , flax. 2. Form *l ºno-. LINE 1 , LINE 2 , LINEN , LINGERIE , LININ , LINNET , LINT ; CRINOLINE , LINSEED , from Latin l ºnum, flax, linen, thread. [ Pokorny l º-no- 691. ]

lin·er 1 ( lº"n…r) n. 1. One that draws or makes lines. 2. A large commercial ship or airplane, especially one carrying passengers on a regular route. 3. Baseball A line drive.

lin·er 2 ( lº"n…r) n. 1. One that makes or puts in linings. 2. a. A lining. b. Material used as a lining. 3. A jacket for a phonograph record.

mine 1 ( mºn) n. 1. a. An excavation in the earth from which ore or minerals can be extracted. b. The site of such an excavation, with its surface buildings, elevator shafts, and equipment. 2. A deposit of ore or minerals in the earth or on its surface. 3. An abundant supply or source of something valuable: This guidebook is a mine of information. 4. a. A tunnel dug under an enemy emplacement to gain an avenue of attack or to lay explosives. b. An explosive device used to destroy enemy personnel, shipping, fortifications, or equipment, often placed in a concealed position and designed to be detonated by contact, proximity, or a time fuse. 5. A burrow or tunnel made by an insect, especially a corridor on a leaf made by a leaf miner. v. mined min·ing mines v. tr. 1. a. To extract (ore or minerals) from the earth. b. To dig a mine in (the earth) to obtain ore or minerals. 2. a. To tunnel under (the earth or a surface feature). b. To make (a tunnel) by digging. 3. To lay explosive mines in or under. 4. To attack, damage, or destroy by underhand means; subvert. 5. To delve into and make use of; exploit: mine the archives for detailed information. v. intr. 1. a. To excavate the earth for the purpose of extracting ore or minerals. b. To work in a mine. 2. To dig a tunnel under the earth, especially under an enemy emplacement or fortification. 3. To lay explosive mines. [Middle English from Old French from Vulgar Latin *m ºna probably of Celtic origin]

min·er ( mº"n…r) n. 1. One whose work or business it is to extract ore or minerals from the earth. 2. A machine for the automatic extraction of minerals, especially of coal. 3. A member of a military unit engaged in laying explosive mines. 4. Zoology A leaf miner.

nine ( nºn) n. 1. The cardinal number equal to 8 + 1. 2. The ninth in a set or sequence. 3. Something having nine parts, units, or members. 4. Games A playing card marked with nine pips. 5. A set of nine persons or things, especially: a. Baseball The nine players on a side, or the whole team. b. Nine Greek Mythology The nine Muses. 6. A size, as in clothing or shoes, designated as nine. 7. Sports The first or second 9 holes of an 18-hole golf course.

Idioms: to the nines Informal 1. To the highest degree: dressed to the nines. [Middle English from Old English nigon; See new ö in Indo-European Roots.] nine adj. pron.

pine 2 ( pºn) v. pined pin·ing pines v. intr. 1. To feel a lingering, often nostalgic desire. See note at yearn . 2. To wither or waste away from longing or grief: pined away and died. v. tr. Archaic 1. To grieve or mourn for. n. Archaic 1. Intense longing or grief. [Middle English pinen from Old English pºnian to cause to suffer from *p ºne pain from Vulgar Latin *p ¶na penalty variant of Latin poena from Greek poin¶;See k w ei- 1 in Indo-European Roots.]

Pines ( pºnz), Isle of 1. An island in the Caribbean Sea off southwest Cuba. Discovered by Columbus in 1494, it was later a penal colony and a rendezvous for pirates. It was claimed by both the United States and Cuba until a 1925 treaty confirmed Cuba's sovereignty.

pine 1 ( pºn) n. 1. Any of various evergreen trees of the genus Pinus, having fascicles of needle-shaped leaves and producing woody, seed-bearing cones. These trees are widely cultivated for ornament and shade and for their timber and resinous sap, which yields turpentine and pine tar. 2. Any of various other coniferous trees, such as the Norfolk Island pine. 3. The wood of any of these trees. n. attributive. 1. Often used to modify another noun: pine floors; pine walls. [Middle English from Old English pºn- (as in pºntreow pine tree) from Latin pºnus;See pei …- in Indo-European Roots.]

pine 2 ( pºn) v. pined pin·ing pines v. intr. 1. To feel a lingering, often nostalgic desire. See note at yearn . 2. To wither or waste away from longing or grief: pined away and died. v. tr. Archaic 1. To grieve or mourn for. n. Archaic 1. Intense longing or grief. [Middle English pinen from Old English pºnian to cause to suffer from *p ºne pain from Vulgar Latin *p ¶na penalty variant of Latin poena from Greek poin¶;See k w ei- 1 in Indo-European Roots.]

pine·y ( pº"n¶) adj. 1. Variant of piny .

pin·y also pine·y ( pº"n¶) adj. pin·i·er pin·i·est 1. Relating to, suggestive of, or abounding in pines.

sin·ew ( s¹n"y›) n. 1. A tendon. 2. Vigorous strength; muscular power. 3. The source or mainstay of vitality and strength. Often used in the plural: " Good company and good discourse are the very sinews of virtue " Izaak Walton v. tr. sin·ewed sin·ew·ing sin·ews 1. To strengthen with or as if with sinews. [Middle English sinewe from Old English, oblique form of seonu, sinu]

tin·e·a ( t¹n"¶-…) n. 1. Any of several infections of the skin, such as ringworm, caused by fungi. [Middle English from Medieval Latin from Latin a gnawing worm] tin "e·al adj.

tine ( tºn) n. 1. A branch of a deer's antlers. 2. A prong on an implement such as a fork or pitchfork. [Middle English from Old English tind] tined ( tºnd) adj.

vine ( vºn) n. 1. a. A weak-stemmed plant that derives its support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface. b. The stem of such a plant. 2. a. A grapevine. b. Grapevines considered as a group: products of the vine. v. intr. vined vin·ing vines 1. To form or develop like a vine. [Middle English from Old French vigne from Latin vºnea,from feminine of vºneusof wine from vºnum wine]

wine ( wºn) n. 1. a. A beverage made of the fermented juice of any of various kinds of grapes, usually containing from 10 to 15 percent alcohol by volume. b. A beverage made of the fermented juice of any of various other fruits or plants. 2. Something that intoxicates or exhilarates. 3. Color The color of red wine. v. wined win·ing wines v. tr. 1. To provide or entertain with wine. v. intr. 1. To drink wine. [Middle English from Old English wºn from Latin vºnum]

wine·y ( wº"n¶) adj. 1. Variant of winy .

win·y or wine·y ( wº"n¶) adj. win·i·er win·i·est 1. Having the qualities or taste of wine; heady or intoxicating.