se·ri·ous ( sîr"¶-…s) adj. 1. Grave in quality or manner: gave me a serious look. 2. a. Carried out in earnest: engaged in serious drinking; made a serious attempt to learn how to ski backward; serious study of Italian. b. Deeply interested or involved: a serious card player. c. Designed for and addressing grave and earnest tastes: serious art; serious music. d. Not trifling or jesting: I'm serious: we expect you to complete the assignment on time. She has posed a serious question that deserves a thoughtful response. e. Of such character or quality as to appeal to the expert, the connoisseur, or the sophisticate: " They cost us serious money . . . but delivered a unique feature " Frederick C. Mish " Serious power requires presence in a political House " William Safire " Every serious kitchen needs at least one peppermill " Washington Post 3. Concerned with important rather than trivial matters: a serious student of history. 4. a. Being of such import as to cause anxiety: serious injuries; a serious turn of events. b. Too complex to be easily answered or solved: raised some serious objections to the proposal. [Middle English from Old French serieux from Late Latin s¶ri½sus from Latin s¶rius] se "ri·ous·ly adv. se "ri·ous·ness n.

Synonyms: serious sober grave solemn earnest sedate staid These adjectives are compared as they refer to the manner, appearance, disposition, or acts of persons and mean absorbed or marked by absorption in thought, pressing concerns, or significant work. Serious implies a concern with responsibility and work as opposed to play: Serious students of music must familiarize themselves with the literature and idiom of all the important composers. Sober emphasizes circumspection and self-restraint: " a sober thoughtful man " (Anthony Trollope). " My sober mind was no longer intoxicated by the fumes of politics " (Edward Gibbon). Grave suggests the dignity and somberness associated with weighty matters: " The soldier . . . of today is . . . a quiet, grave man, busied in charts, exact in sums, master of the art of tactics " (Walter Bagehot). Solemn often adds to grave the suggestion of impressiveness: The judge's tone was solemn as he pronounced sentence on the convicted murderer. Earnest implies sincerity and intensity of purpose: Both sides in the dispute showed an earnest desire to reach an equitable solution. Sedate implies a composed, dignified manner: " One of those calm, quiet, sedate natures, to whom the temptations of turbulent nerves or vehement passions are things utterly incomprehensible " (Harriet Beecher Stowe). Staid emphasizes dignity and an often strait-laced observance of propriety: " a grave and staid God-fearing man " (Tennyson).

second thought n. 1. A reconsideration of a decision or opinion previously made.

thought ( thôt) v. 1. Past tense and past participle of think . n. 1. The act or process of thinking; cogitation. 2. A product of thinking. See note at idea . 3. The faculty of thinking or reasoning. 4. The intellectual activity or production of a particular time or group: ancient Greek thought; deconstructionist thought. 5. Consideration; attention: didn't give much thought to what she said. 6. a. Intention; purpose. There was no thought of coming home early. b. Expectation or conception: She had no thought that anything was wrong. 7. A trifle; a bit: You could be a thought more considerate. [Middle English from Old English geth½ht, th½ht;See tong- in Indo-European Roots.]

ad·vis·a·ble ( ²d-vº"z…-b…l) adj. 1. Worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent. ad·vis "a·bil"i·ty or ad·vis "a·ble·ness n. ad·vis "a·bly adv.

scheme ( sk¶m) n. 1. A systematic plan of action. 2. A secret or devious plan; a plot. See note at plan . 3. An impractical or unrealistic plan: " Your scheme yields no revenue; it yields nothing but discontent, disorder, disobedience " Edmund Burke 4. An orderly combination of related parts: an irrigation scheme with dams, reservoirs, and channels. 5. A chart, a diagram, or an outline of a system or an object. v. schemed schem·ing schemes v. tr. 1. To plot: scheming their revenge. 2. To contrive a plan or scheme for. v. intr. 1. To make plans, especially secret or devious ones. [Latin sch¶ma figure from Greek skh¶ma;See segh- in Indo-European Roots.] schem "er n.

segh- . Important derivatives are: hectic eunuch epoch scheme scholar scholastic school 1 To hold. I. 1. Suffixed form *segh-es- . SIEGFRIED , from Old High German sigu , sigo , victory, from Germanic *sigiz- , victory ( < " a holding or conquest in battle "). 2. HECTIC ; CACHEXIA , CATHEXIS , ECHARD , ENTELECHY , EUNUCH , OPHIUCHUS , from Greek ekhein , to hold, possess, be in a certain condition, and hexis , habit, condition. 3. O-grade form *sogh- . EPOCH , from Greek epokh ¶, " a holding back, " pause, cessation, position in time ( epi- , on, at; see epi ). 4. Zero-grade form *sgh- . a. SCHEME , from Greek skh ¶ma, " a holding, " form, figure; b. ( SCHOLAR ), SCHOLASTIC , SCHOLIUM , SCHOOL 1 , from Greek skhol ¶, " a holding back, " stop, rest, leisure, employment of leisure in disputation, school. 5. Reduplicated form *si-sgh- . ISCHEMIA , from Greek iskhein , to keep back. [ Pokorny se ªh- 888. ]

al·oe ( ²l"½) n. 1. Any of various chiefly African plants of the genus Aloe, having rosettes of succulent, often spiny-margined leaves and long stalks bearing yellow, orange, or red tubular flowers. 2. See aloe vera . 3. aloes used with a sing. verb A laxative drug obtained from the processed juice of a certain species of aloe. In this sense, also called bitter aloes . [Middle English from Old English aluwe from Latin alo¶ from Greek] al "o·et"ic ( ²l"½-µt"¹k) adj.

blob ( bl¼b) n. 1. A soft, amorphous mass. 2. A daub, as of color. v. tr. blobbed blob·bing blobs 1. To splash or daub with blobs; splotch. [From Middle English blober bubble]

bloc ( bl¼k) n. 1. A group of nations, parties, or persons united for common action: nations in the Communist bloc. 2. An often bipartisan coalition of legislators acting together for a common purpose or interest: the farm bloc in the U.S. Senate. [French from Old French block; See block ]

blot 1 ( bl¼t) n. 1. A spot or a stain caused by a discoloring substance: a blot of paint. 2. A stain on one's character or reputation; a disgrace. See note at stain . v. blot·ted blot·ting blots v. tr. 1. To spot or stain, as with a discoloring substance. 2. To bring moral disgrace to. 3. To obliterate (writing, for example). 4. To make obscure; hide: clouds blotting out the moon. 5. To destroy utterly; annihilate: War blotted out their traditional way of life. 6. To soak up or dry with absorbent material. v. intr. 1. To spill or spread in a spot or stain. 2. To become blotted, soaked up, or absorbed. [Middle English]

blot 2 ( bl¼t) n. 1. Games An exposed piece in backgammon. 2. Archaic A weak point. [Possibly from Low German blat naked, unprotected]

blow 1 ( bl½) v. blew ( bl›) blown ( bl½n) blow·ing blows v. intr. 1. To be in a state of motion. Used of the air or of wind. 2. To move along or be carried by or as if by the wind: Her hat blew away. 3. To expel a current of air, as from the mouth or from a bellows. 4. To produce a sound by expelling a current of air, as in sounding a wind instrument or a whistle. 5. To breathe hard; pant. 6. To storm: It blew all night. 7. To melt or otherwise become disabled. Used of a fuse. 8. To burst suddenly: The tire blew. 9. To spout moist air from the blowhole. Used of a whale. 10. Informal To boast. 11. Slang To go away; depart. v. tr. 1. To cause to move by means of a current of air. 2. To expel (air) from the mouth. 3. To cause air to be expelled suddenly from: blew a tire. 4. To drive a current of air on, in, or through: blew my hair dry after I shampooed it. 5. To clear out or make free of obstruction by forcing air through: constantly blowing his nose in allergy season. 6. To shape or form (glass, for example) by forcing air or gas through at the end of a pipe. 7. Music a. To cause (a wind instrument) to sound. b. To sound: a bugle blowing taps. 8. a. To cause to be out of breath. b. To allow (a winded horse) to regain its breath. 9. To demolish by the force of an explosion: An artillery shell blew our headquarters apart. 10. To lay or deposit eggs in. Used of certain insects. 11. To melt or otherwise disable (a fuse). 12. Slang a. To spend (money) freely and rashly. See note at waste . b. To spend money freely on; treat: blew me to a sumptuous dinner. 13. Vulgar Slang To perform fellatio on. 14. a. Slang To spoil or lose through ineptitude. See note at botch . b. To cause (a covert intelligence operation or operative) to be revealed and thereby jeopardized: a story in the press that blew their cover; an agent who was blown by the opposition. 15. Slang To depart (a place) in a great hurry: Let's blow this city no later than noon. n. 1. The act or an instance of blowing. 2. a. A blast of air or wind. b. A storm. 3. Informal An act of bragging. 4. Slang Cocaine.

Phrasal Verbs: blow away Slang 1. To kill by shooting, especially with a firearm. 2. To affect intensely; overwhelm: That concert blew me away. blow in Slang 1. To arrive, especially when unexpected. blow off 1. To relieve or release (pressure); let off. blow out 1. To extinguish or be extinguished by a gust of air: blow out a candle. 2. To fail, as an electrical apparatus. 3. To erupt in an uncontrolled manner. Used of a gas or oil well. blow over 1. To subside, wane, or pass over with little lasting effect: The storm blew over quickly. The scandal will soon blow over. blow up 1. To come into being: A storm blew up. 2. To fill with air; inflate: blow up a tire. 3. To enlarge (a photographic image or print). 4. To explode: bombs blowing up. 5. To lose one's temper.

Idioms: blow a gasket Slang 1. To explode with anger. blow hot and cold 1. To change one's opinion often on a matter; vacillate. blow off steam 1. To give vent to pent-up emotion. blow (one's) cool Slang 1. To lose one's composure. blow (one's) mind Slang 1. To affect with intense emotion, such as amazement, excitement, or shock. blow (one's) top or blow (one's) stack Informal 1. Informal To lose one's temper. [Middle English blowen from Old English bl³wan;See bhl ¶- in Indo-European Roots.]

blow 2 ( bl½) n. 1. A sudden hard stroke or hit, as with the fist or an object. 2. An unexpected shock or calamity. 3. An unexpected attack; an assault. [Middle English blaw]

blow 3 ( bl½) n. 1. A mass of blossoms: peach blow. 2. The state of blossoming. v. intr. tr. blew ( bl›) blown ( bl½n) blow·ing blows 1. To bloom or cause to bloom. [From Middle English blowen to bloom from Old English bl½wan;See bhel- 3 in Indo-European Roots.]

bhel- 3 . Important derivatives are: foliage folio bloom 1 blossom flora flour flourish flower bleed blood bless blade To thrive, bloom. Possibly from bhel- 2 . I. Suffixed o-grade form *bhol-yo- , leaf. 1. FOIL 2 , ( FOLIAGE ), FOLIO , FOLIUM ; ( CINQUEFOIL ), DEFOLIATE , EXFOLIATE , FEUILLETON , FOLIICOLOUS , MILFOIL , PERFOLIATE , PORTFOLIO , TREFOIL , from Latin folium , leaf. 2. ( -PHYLL ), PHYLLO- , -PHYLLOUS ; CHERVIL , GILLYFLOWER , PODOPHYLLIN , from Greek phullon , leaf. II. Extended form *bhl ¶- ( < *bhle …-). 1. O-grade form *bhl ½-. a. suffixed form *bhl ½-w-. BLOW 3 , from Old English bl ½wan, to flower, from Germanic *bl ½-w-; b. (i) BLOOM 1 , from Old Norse bl ½m, bl ½mi, flower, blossom; (ii) BLOOM 2 , from Old English bl ½ma, a hammered ingot of iron (semantic development obscure). Both (i) and (ii) from Germanic suffixed form *bl ½-m½n-; c. BLOSSOM , from Old English bl ½stm, bl ½stma, flower, blossom, from Germanic suffixed form *bl ½-s-; d. FERRET 2 , ( FLORA ), FLORA , ( FLORAL ), FLORIATED , FLORID , FLORIN , FLORIST , -FLOROUS , ( FLOUR ), FLOURISH , FLOWER ; ( CAULIFLOWER ), DEFLOWER , EFFLORESCE , ENFLEURAGE , FLORIGEN , from Latin fl ½s (stem fl ½r-), flower, from Italic suffixed form *fl ½-s-; e. suffixed form bhl ½-to-; (i) BLEED , BLOOD , from Old English bl ½d, blood; (ii) BLESS , from Old English bloedsian , bl ¶tsian, to consecrate, from Germanic *bl ½dis½n, to treat or hallow with blood. Both (i) and (ii) from Germanic *bl ½-dam, possibly from bhel- 3 in the meaning " swell, gush, spurt. " 2. EMBLEMENTS , from Medieval Latin bl ³dum, bladium , produce of the land, grain, from Germanic suffixed form *bl ¶-da-. 3. Suffixed zero-grade form *bhl …-to-. BLADE , from Old English blæd , leaf, blade, from Germanic *bladaz .[ Pokorny 4. bhel- 122. ]

bhl ¶-. Important derivatives are: blow 1 bladder blast flavor inflate Also bhl ³- To blow. Possibly identical to bhel- 3 II *bhl ¶- above. I. 1. BLOW 1 , from Old English bl ³wan, to blow, from Germanic suffixed form *bl ¶-w-. 2. a. BLADDER , from Old English bl Ædre, blister, bladder; b. BLATHER , from Old Norse bladhra (noun), bladder, and bladhra (verb), to prattle. Both a and b from Germanic suffixed form *bl ¶dram, " something blown up. " 3. a. BLAST , from Old English bl Æst, a blowing, blast; b. ISINGLASS , from Middle Dutch blas(e) , a bladder; c. BLASé , BLAZE 3 , from Middle Dutch bl ³sen, to blow up, swell. a, b and c all from Germanic extended form *bl ¶s-. 4. Variant form *bhl ³-. FLABELLUM , FLATUS , FLAVOR ; AFFLATUS , CONFLATE , ( DEFLATE ), INFLATE , SOUFFLé , from Latin fl ³re, to blow. [ In Pokorny 3. bhel- 120. ]

clod ( kl¼d) n. 1. A lump or chunk, especially of earth or clay. 2. Earth or soil. 3. A dull, stupid person; a dolt. [Middle English variant of clot lump; See clot ] clod "dish adj. clod "dish·ly adv. clod "dish·ness n.

clog ( klôg, kl ¼g) n. 1. An obstruction or hindrance. 2. A weight, such as a block, attached to the leg of an animal to hinder movement. 3. A heavy, usually wooden-soled shoe. v. clogged clog·ging clogs v. tr. 1. To obstruct movement on or in; block up: Heavy traffic clogged the freeways. 2. To hamper the function or activity of; impede: " attorneys clogging our courts with actions designed to harass state and local governments " Roslyn L. Anderson and Patricia L. Irvin v. intr. 1. To become obstructed or choked up: The pipes had clogged with rust. 2. To thicken or stick together; clot. 3. To do a clog dance. [Middle English block attached to an animal's leg]

clop ( kl¼p) n. 1. A sharp, hollow sound, as of a horse's hoof striking pavement. v. intr. clopped clop·ping clops 1. To make or move with this sound. [Imitative]

clot ( kl¼t) n. 1. A thick, viscous, or coagulated mass or lump, as of blood. 2. A clump, mass, or lump, as of clay. 3. A compact group: a clot of automobiles blocking the tunnel's entrance. v. clot·ted clot·ting clots v. intr. 1. To form into a clot or clots; coagulate. v. tr. 1. To cause to form into a clot or clots. See note at coagulate . 2. To fill or cover with or as if with clots. [Middle English from Old English clott lump]

cloy ( kloi) v. cloyed cloy·ing cloys v. tr. 1. To cause distaste or disgust by supplying with too much of something originally pleasant, especially something rich or sweet; surfeit. v. intr. 1. To cause to feel surfeited. See note at satiate . [Short for obsolete accloy to clog from Middle English acloien from Old French encloer to drive a nail into from Medieval Latin incl³v³re Latin in- in; See in- 2 Latin cl³v³re to nail( from cl³vus nail) ] cloy "ing·ly adv. cloy "ing·ness n.

floc ( fl¼k) n. 1. A flocculent mass formed in a fluid through precipitation or aggregation of suspended particles. [Short for flocculus ]

floe ( fl½) n. 1. An ice floe. 2. A segment that has separated from such an ice mass. [Probably from Norwegian flo layer from Old Norse fl½;See pl ³k- 1 in Indo-European Roots.]

pl ³k- 1 . Important derivatives are: fluke 1 flake 1 flaw 1 placebo placid plea plead pleasant please complacent placate plank placenta archipelago Also plak- To be flat. Extension of pel …- 2 . I. 1. FLOE , from Old Norse fl ½, layer, coating, from Germanic *fl ½h½. 2. Variant form *pl ³g-. a. FLUKE 1 , from Old English fl ½c, flatfish, from Germanic *fl ½k-; b. FLAKE 1 , from Middle English flake , flake, from a Scandinavian source probably akin to Norwegian flak , flat piece, flake, from Germanic *flakaz ; c. FLAKE 2 , from Old Norse flaki , fleki , hurdle, from Germanic *flak- . 3. Extended form *plak ³. FLAG 4 , FLAW 1 , from Old Norse flaga , layer of stone, from Germanic *flag ½. 4. Possibly suffixed (stative) form *plak- ¶-, to be calm (as of the flat sea). PLACEBO , PLACID , PLEA , ( PLEAD ), PLEASANT , PLEASE ; COMPLACENT , from Latin plac ¶re, to please, be agreeable. 5. Root noun *plak- . ( SUPPLICATE ), SUPPLE , from Latin supplex , suppliant (whence denominative supplic ³re, to beg humbly, first attested in Archaic Latin as sub vos plac ½, I entreat you; sub , under; see upo .) 6. Lengthened suffixed form *pl ³k-³-. PLACABLE , PLACATE , from Latin pl ³c³re, to calm (causative of plac ¶re). 7. Nasalized form *pla-n-k- . PLANCHET , PLANK , from Latin plancus , flat, flat-footed. 8. Variant form *plag- . a. PLAGIARY , from Latin plaga , net (? < " something extended "), perhaps from pl ³k- 1 ; b. PLAGAL , PLAGIO- , PLAYA , from Greek plagos , side. 9. Root form *plak- . PLACENTA , PLACOID ; LEUKOPLAKIA , from Greek plax , flat, flat land, surface. 10. Possible variant form *pelag- . PELAGIC ; ARCHIPELAGO , from Greek pelagos , sea. [ Pokorny 1. pl ³-k- 831. ]

flog ( fl¼g, flôg ) v. tr. flogged flog·ging flogs 1. To beat severely with a whip or rod. 2. Informal To publicize aggressively: flogging a new book. [Perhaps from alteration of Latin flagell³re;See flagellate ] flog "ger n.

flop ( fl¼p) v. flopped flop·ping flops v. intr. 1. To fall or lie down heavily and noisily. 2. To move about loosely or limply: The dog's ears flopped when it ran. 3. Informal To fail utterly: The play flopped. 4. Slang a. To rest idly; lounge. b. To go to bed. v. tr. 1. To drop or lay (something) down heavily and noisily: flopped the steak onto a platter. n. 1. The act of flopping. 2. The sound made when flopping. 3. Informal An utter failure. [Alteration of flap ] flop "per n.

flow ( fl½) v. flowed flow·ing flows v. intr. 1. a. To move or run smoothly with unbroken continuity, as in the manner characteristic of a fluid. b. To issue in a stream; pour forth: Sap flowed from the gash in the tree. 2. To circulate, as the blood in the body. 3. To move with a continual shifting of the component particles: wheat flowing into the bin; traffic flowing through the tunnel. 4. To proceed steadily and easily: The preparations flowed smoothly. 5. To exhibit a smooth or graceful continuity: The cadence of the poem flowed gracefully. 6. To hang loosely and gracefully: The cape flowed from his shoulders. 7. To rise. Used of the tide. 8. To arise; derive: Several conclusions flow from this hypothesis. 9. a. To abound or teem: coffers flowing with treasure. b. To stream copiously; flood: Contributions flowed in from all parts of the country. 10. To menstruate. 11. To undergo plastic deformation without cracking or breaking. Used of rocks, metals, or minerals. v. tr. 1. To release as a flow: trees flowing thin sap. 2. To cause to flow: " One of the real keys to success is developing a system where you can flow traffic to yourselves " Marc Klee n. 1. a. The act of flowing. b. The smooth motion characteristic of fluids. 2. a. A stream or current. b. A flood or an overflow. c. A residual mass that has stopped flowing: a hardened lava flow. 3. a. A continuous output or outpouring: a flow of ideas; produced a steady flow of articles and stories. b. A continuous movement or circulation: the flow of traffic; a flow of paperwork across his desk. 4. The amount that flows in a given period of time. 5. The rising of the tide. 6. Continuity and smoothness of appearance. 7. A general movement or tendency: As the lone dissenter in the group, she was going against the flow of opinion. 8. The sequence in which operations are performed. 9. An apparent ease or effortlessness of performance: " An athlete must learn to forget the details of his or her training to achieve the instinctive sense of flow that characterizes a champion " Frederick Turner 10. Menstrual discharge. [Middle English flouen from Old English fl½wan;See pleu- in Indo-European Roots.] flow "ing·ly adv.

Synonyms: flow current flood flux rush stream tide The central meaning shared by these nouns is " something suggestive of running water ": a flow of thought; the current of history; a flood of ideas; a flux of words; a rush of sympathy; a stream of complaints; a tide of immigration. stem 1

pleu- . Important derivatives are: plover pulmonary pneumonia Pluto flow flood fly 1 fly 2 flee fledge flight 1 fowl fleet 1 fleet 2 float flutter flit fluster To flow. I. Basic form *pleu- . 1. ( PLOVER ), ( PLUVIAL ), PLUVIOUS , from Latin pluere , to rain. 2. PLEUSTON , from Greek pleusis , sailing. 3. Suffixed zero-grade form *plu-elos . PYELITIS , from Greek dissimilated puelos , trough, basin. 4. Suffixed form *pl(e)u-mon- , " floater," lung(s). a. PULMONARY , from Latin pulm ½ ( < *plumon ¶s), lung(s); b. PNEUMO- , PNEUMONIA , PNEUMONIC , from Greek pleum ½n, pneum ½n (influenced by pneuma , breath; see pneu- ), lung. 5. Suffixed o-grade form *plou-to . PLUTO ; PLUTOCRACY , PLUTOGRAPHY , from Greek ploutos , wealth, riches ( < " overflowing"). 6. Lengthened o-grade form *pl ½(u)-. a. (i) FLOW , from Old English fl ½wan, to flow; (ii) FLUE 2 , from Middle Dutch vluwe , fishnet, perhaps from pleu- . Both (i) and (ii) from Germanic *fl ½wan, to flow; b. suffixed form *pl ½-tu-. FLOOD , from Old English fl ½d, flood, from Germanic *fl ½duz, flowing water, deluge. II. Extended form *pleuk- . 1. FLY 1 , from Old English fl ¶ogan, to fly, from Germanic *fleugan , to fly. 2. FLY 2 , from Old English fl ¶oge, a fly, from Germanic *fleug ½n-, flying insect, fly. 3. FLEE , from Old English fl ¶on, to flee, from Germanic *fleuhan , to run away, probably from pleu- . 4. FLEY , from Old English fl þgan, fl ¶gan, to put to flight, from Germanic causative *flaugjan . 5. FLèCHE , FLETCHER , from Old French fleche , arrow, from Germanic suffixed form *fleug-ika . 6. Zero-grade form *pluk- . a. FLEDGE , from Old English *flycge , with feathers (only in unfligge , featherless), from Germanic *flugja- , feather; b. FLIGHT 1 , FLIGHT 2 , from Old English flyht , act of flying, and *flyht , act of fleeing, escape, from Germanic suffixed form *flug-ti- ; c. FOWL , from Old English fugol , bird, from Germanic *fuglaz , bird, dissimilated from possible (but unlikely) suffixed form *flug-laz ; d. FLüGELHORN , FUGLEMAN , from Middle High German vlügel , wing, from Germanic suffixed form *flug-ila . III. Extended form *pleud- . 1. FLEET 1 , FLEET 2 , from Old English fl ¶otan, to float, swim (from Germanic *fleutan ), and Old Norse fli ½tr, fleet, swift (from Germanic *fleutaz ). 2. Zero-grade form *plud- . a. (i) FLOAT , from Old English flotian , to float; (ii) FLOTSAM , from Old French floter , to float. Both (i) and (ii) from Germanic derivative *flot ½n, to float; b. FLOTILLA , from Old Norse floti , raft, fleet; c. FLUTTER , from Old English floterian , flotorian , to float back and forth ( -erian , iterative and frequentative suffix); d. FLIT , from Old Norse flytja , to further, convey, from Germanic *flutjan , to float. a, b, c, and d all from Germanic *flut- , *flot- . 3. FLUSTER , probably from a Scandinavian source akin to Icelandic flaustr , hurry, and flaustra , to bustle, from Germanic *flausta- , contracted from suffixed form *flaut-st ³-, probably from *pleud- , o-grade *ploud- .[ Pokorny pleu- 835, pl(e)u-mon- 837. ]

glob ( gl¼b) n. 1. A small drop; a globule. 2. A soft, thick lump or mass: a glob of mashed potatoes; globs of red mud. [Middle English globbe large mass from Latin globus globular mass]

glom ( gl¼m) Slang v. glommed glom·ming gloms v. tr. 1. To steal. 2. To seize; grab. 3. To look or stare at. v. intr. 1. To seize upon or latch onto something: " The country has glommed onto the spectacle of a wizard showman turning the tables on his inquisitors " Mary McGrory n. 1. A glimpse; a look. [Probably from Scots glam to snatch at from Scottish Gaelic]

glop ( gl¼p) n. Slang 1. A soft, soggy mixture, as of food: cafeterias serving nondescript glop. 2. Something, such as a piece of writing, that is judged to be worthless. [Probably imitative of the sound of food being mixed] glop v. glop "py adj.

glow ( gl½) v. intr. glowed glow·ing glows 1. To shine brightly and steadily, especially without a flame: Embers glowed in the furnace. 2. a. To have a bright, warm, usually reddish color: The children's cheeks glowed from the cold. b. To flush; blush. 3. To be exuberant or radiant: parents glowing with pride. n. 1. A light produced by a body heated to luminosity; incandescence. See note at blaze 1 . 2. Brilliance or warmth of color, especially redness: " the evening glow of the city streets when the sun has gone behind the tallest houses " Seán O'Faoláin 3. A sensation of physical warmth. 4. A warm feeling, as of pleasure or well-being. [Middle English glouen from Old English gl½wan;See ghel- 2 in Indo-European Roots.]

ghel- 2 . Important derivatives are: yellow gold arsenic gall 1 melancholy gleam glimpse glimmer glitter glass glare 1 glad glee glow glide To shine; with derivatives referring to colors, bright materials (probably " yellow metal "), and bile or gall. I. Words denoting colors. 1. Suffixed form *ghel-wo- . YELLOW , from Old English geolu , yellow, from Germanic *gelwaz . 2. Suffixed variant form *ghl ½-ro-. CHLORO- ; CHLORITE 1 , from Greek khl ½ros, green, greenish yellow. 3. Suffixed variant form *ghlo-wo- . CHLOASMA , from Greek khloos ( < *khlo-wo-s ), greenish color. 4. O-grade form *ghol- . PODZOL , from Russian zola , ashes (from their color). 5. Suffixed form *ghel-i- . HARE KRISHNA , from Sanskrit hari- , tawny yellow. 6. Possibly suffixed zero-grade form *gh §-wo-. GRISEOFULVIN , from Latin fulvus , tawny, perhaps from ghel- 2 (with dialectal f- as in fel , gall). II. Words denoting gold. 1. Suffixed zero-grade form *gh §-to-. a. GOLD , from Old English gold , gold; b. GILD 1 , from Old English gyldan , to gild, from Germanic denominative verb *gulthjan ; c. GUILDER , GULDEN , from Middle Dutch gulden , golden; d. GOWAN , from Middle English gollan , yellow flower, possibly from a source akin to Old Norse gullinn , golden. a, b, c, and d all from Germanic *gultham , gold. 2. Suffixed o-grade form *ghol-to- . ZLOTY , from Polish z }oto, gold. 3. Suffixed full-grade form *ghel-no- . ARSENIC , from Syriac zarn ºk³, orpiment, from Middle Iranian *zarnik- , from Old Iranian *zarna- , golden. III. Words denoting bile. 1. Suffixed o-grade form *ghol-no- . GALL 1 , from Old English gealla , gall, from Germanic *gall ½n-, bile. 2. Suffixed o-grade form *ghol- ³. CHOLE- , CHOLER , ( CHOLERA ); ACHOLIA , MELANCHOLY , from Greek khol ¶, bile. 3. Suffixed full-grade form *ghel-n- . FELON 2 , from Latin fel , bile. IV. A range of Germanic words (where no preforms are given, the words are late creations). 1. GLEAM , from Old English gl Æm, bright light, gleam, from Germanic *glaimiz . 2. GLIMPSE , from Middle English glimsen , to glimpse, from a source akin to Middle High German glimsen , to gleam. 3. GLANCE 1 , GLINT , from Middle English glent , a glint, and glenten , to shine, from a source akin to Swedish dialectal glinta , to shine. 4. GLIMMER , from Middle English glimeren , to glimmer, from a source akin to Swedish glimra , glimmer. 5. GLITTER , from Old Norse glitra , to shine. 6. GLITZ , from Old High German gl ºzan, to sparkle. 7. GLISTEN , from Old English glisnian , to shine. 8. GLISTER , from Middle Dutch glinsteren or Middle Low German glisteren , to shine. 9. GLASS , GLAZE , ( GLAZIER ), from Old English glæs , glass, from Germanic *glasam , glass. 10. GLARE 1 , from Middle English glaren , to glitter, stare, from a source akin to Middle Low German glaren , to glisten, from Germanic *glaz- . 11. GLOSS 1 , from a source perhaps akin to Icelandic glossi , a spark. 12. GLANCE 2 , from Old High German glanz , bright. 13. GLEG , from Old Norse glöggr , clear-sighted. 14. GLAD , from Old English glæd , shining, joyful, from Germanic *gladaz . 15. GLEE , from Old English gl ¶o, sport, merriment, from Germanic *gleujam . 16. a. GLEED , from Old English gl ¶d, ember; b. GLOGG , from Swedish glöd , ember. Both a and b from Germanic *gl ½-di-. 17. a. GLOW , from Old English gl ½wan, to glow; b. GLOWER , from Middle English gloren , to gleam, stare, probably from a source akin to Norwegian dialectal glora , to gleam, stare; c. GLOAT , from a source perhaps akin to Old Norse glotta , to smile (scornfully). a, b, and c all from Germanic *gl ½-. 18. GLOAMING , from Old English gl ½m, twilight, from Germanic *gl ½-m-. 19. a. GLIDE , from Old English gl ºdan, to slip, glide; b. GLISSADE , from Old French glier , to glide; c. GLITCH , from Old High German gl ºtan, to glide; d. GLEDE , from Old English glida , kite ( < " gliding, hovering bird "), from derivative Germanic *glid ½n-. a, b, c, and d all from Germanic *gl ºdan, to glide, possibly distantly related to ghel- 2 . 20. GLIB , from a source possibly akin to Middle Low German glibberich , slippery. [ Pokorny 1. ª hel- 429. ]

plod ( pl¼d) v. plod·ded plod·ding plods v. intr. 1. To move or walk heavily or laboriously; trudge: " donkeys that plodded wearily in a circle round a gin " D.H. Lawrence 2. To work or act perseveringly or monotonously; drudge: plodding through a mountain of paperwork. v. tr. 1. To trudge along or over. n. 1. The act of moving or walking heavily and slowly. 2. The sound made by a heavy step. [Perhaps imitative] plod "der n. plod "ding·ly adv.

plop ( pl¼p) v. plopped plop·ping plops v. intr. 1. To fall with a sound like that of an object falling into water without splashing. 2. To let the body drop heavily: Exhausted, I plopped into the armchair. v. tr. 1. To drop or set heavily, with or as if with a plopping sound. n. 1. A plopping sound or movement. [Imitative] plop adv.

plot ( pl¼t) n. 1. a. A small piece of ground, generally used for a specific purpose: a garden plot; a cemetery plot. b. A measured area of land; a lot. 2. A ground plan, as for a building; a diagram. 3. See graph 1 . 4. The plan of events or main story in a narrative or drama. 5. A secret plan to accomplish a hostile or illegal purpose; a scheme. See note at conspiracy . v. plot·ted plot·ting plots v. tr. 1. To represent graphically, as on a chart: plot a ship's course. 2. Mathematics a. To locate (points or other figures) on a graph by means of coordinates. b. To draw (a curve) connecting points on a graph. 3. To conceive and arrange the action and incidents of: " I began plotting novels at about the time I learned to read " James Baldwin 4. To form a plot for; prearrange secretly or deviously: plot an assassination. v. intr. 1. To be located by means of coordinates, as on a chart or with data. 2. To form or take part in a plot; scheme. [Middle English from Old English] plot "less·ness n.

plow also plough ( plou) n. 1. A farm implement consisting of a heavy blade at the end of a beam, usually hitched to a draft team or motor vehicle and used for breaking up soil and cutting furrows in preparation for sowing. 2. An implement of similar function, such as a snowplow. v. plowed also ploughed plow·ing plough·ing plows ploughs v. tr. 1. a. To break and turn over (earth) with a plow. b. To form (a furrow, for example) with a plow. c. To form furrows in with or as if with a plow: plow a field. 2. To make or form with driving force: I plowed my way through the crowd. 3. To cut through (water): plow the high seas. v. intr. 1. To break and turn up earth with a plow. 2. To admit of plowing: Rocky earth plows poorly. 3. To move or progress with driving force: The attackers formed a wedge and plowed through the enemy line. 4. To proceed laboriously; plod: plowed through the backlog of work.

Phrasal Verbs: plow back 1. To reinvest (earnings or profits) in one's business. plow into Informal 1. To strike with force. 2. To undertake (a task, for example) with eagerness and vigor. plow under 1. To cause to vanish under something piled up. 2. To overwhelm, as with burdens. [Middle English plough, plouw from Old English pl½h, pl½g plow, plowland] plow "a·ble adj. plow "er n.

Plow ( plou) n. 1. See Big Dipper .

ploy ( ploi) n. 1. An action calculated to frustrate an opponent or gain an advantage indirectly or deviously; a maneuver: " A typical ploy is to feign illness, procure medicine, then sell it on the black market " Jill Smolowe [Perhaps from employ employment (obsolete) ]

slob ( sl¼b) n. Informal 1. A person regarded as slovenly, crude, or obnoxious. [Irish Gaelic slab mud from Old Irish probably of Scandinavian origin Swedish dialectal slabb mud] slob "bish adj.

sloe ( sl½) n. 1. See blackthorn . 2. Either of two eastern North American plum trees or shrubs, Prunus alleghaniensis, having dark purple fruit, or P. americana, having yellow or red fruit. 3. The tart, plumlike fruit of either of these plants. [Middle English slo from Old English sl³;See sl º- in Indo-European Roots.]

sl º-. Derivatives are: sloe livid Bluish. I. Contracted from *sli …-. 1. O-grade form *sloi- . SLOE , from Old English sl ³h, sl ³, sloe ( < " bluish fruit "), from Germanic *slaihw ½n. 2. Suffixed form *sl º-wo-. LIVID , from Latin l ºv¶re, to be bluish. 3. Suffixed form *sl º-w³-. SLIVOVITZ , from Serbo-Croatian š ljìva, plum [ Pokorny (s)l º- 965. ]

slog ( sl¼g) v. slogged slog·ging slogs v. intr. 1. To walk or progress with a slow, heavy pace; plod: slog across the swamp; slogged through both volumes. 2. To work diligently for long hours: slogged away at Latin. v. tr. 1. To make (one's way) with a slow, heavy pace against resistance. 2. To strike with heavy blows. n. 1. A long, exhausting progress, march, or hike: a student's weary slog through Cicero; a slog through miles of jungle. 2. Long, hard work: an 18-hour slog in the hay fields. [Perhaps alteration of slug 3 ] slog "ger n.

slop 1 ( sl¼p) n. 1. Spilled or splashed liquid. 2. Soft mud or slush. 3. Unappetizing watery food or soup. 4. Often slops Waste food used to feed pigs or other animals; swill. 5. Often slops Mash remaining after alcohol distillation. 6. Often slops Human excrement. 7. Repulsively effusive writing or speech; drivel. v. slopped slop·ping slops v. intr. 1. To be spilled or splashed: Suds slopped over the rim of the washtub. 2. To spill over; overflow. 3. To walk heavily or messily in or as if in mud; plod: " He slopped along in broken slippers, hands in pockets, whistling " Alan Sillitoe 4. To express oneself effusively; gush. v. tr. 1. To spill (liquid). 2. To spill liquid on. 3. To serve unappetizingly or clumsily; dish out. 4. To feed slops to (animals). [Middle English sloppe a muddy place perhaps from Old English *sloppe dung, slime; See sleubh- in Indo-European Roots.]

slop 2 ( sl¼p) n. 1. slops Articles of clothing and bedding issued or sold to sailors. 2. slops Short, full trousers worn in the 16th century. 3. A loose outer garment, such as a smock or overalls. 4. slops Chiefly British Cheap, ready-made garments. [Middle English sloppe a kind of garment from Old English -slop ( in oferslop surplice) ;See sleubh- in Indo-European Roots.]

sleubh- . Important derivatives are: sleeve lubricate cowslip slop 1 sloop To slide, slip. I. Basic form *sleubh- . 1. SLEEVE , from Old English sl ¶f, sl ºf, sl ºef, sleeve (into which the arm slips), from Germanic *sleub- . 2. SLOVEN , from Middle Low German slôven , to put on clothes carelessly, from Germanic *slaubjan . 3. Suffixed form *sleubh-ro- . LUBRICATE , LUBRICITY , LUBRICIOUS , from Latin l ¿bricus, slippery. II. 1. a. SLIP 3 ; COWSLIP , OXLIP , from Old English slypa , slyppe , slipa , slime, slimy substance; b. SLOP 1 , from Old English *sloppe , dung; c. SLOP 2 , from Old English (ofer)slop , surplice. a, b, and c all from Germanic *slup- . 2. SLOOP , from Middle Dutch sl ¿pen, to glide. Both 1 and 2 from variant Germanic root form *sleup- .[ Pokorny sleub(h)- 963. ]

slot 1 ( sl¼t) n. 1. A narrow opening; a groove or slit: a slot for coins in a vending machine; a mail slot. 2. A gap between a main and an auxiliary airfoil to provide space for airflow and facilitate the smooth passage of air over the wing. 3. a. An assigned place in a sequence or schedule: a new time slot for a TV program. b. A position of employment in an organization or a hierarchy. 4. Computer Science A socket in a microcomputer that will accept a plug-in circuit board: expansion slots. v. tr. slot·ted slot·ting slots 1. To cut or make a slot or slots in. 2. To put into or assign to a slot. [Middle English hollow of the breastbone from Old French esclot]

slot 2 ( sl¼t) n. 1. The track or trail of an animal, especially a deer. [Obsolete French esclot horse's hoofprint from Old French perhaps from Old Norse sl½dh track]

slow ( sl½) adj. slow·er slow·est Abbr. sl. 1. a. Not moving or able to move quickly; proceeding at a low speed: a slow train; slow walkers. b. Marked by a retarded tempo: a slow waltz. 2. a. Taking or requiring a long time: the slow job of making bread. b. Taking more time than is usual: a slow worker; slow progress in the peace negotiations. 3. Registering a time or rate behind or below the correct one: a slow clock. 4. Lacking in promptness or willingness; not precipitate: They were slow to accept our invitation. 5. Characterized by a low volume of sales or transactions: Business was slow today. 6. Lacking liveliness or interest; boring: a slow party. 7. Not having or exhibiting intellectual or mental quickness: a slow learner. 8. Only moderately warm; low: a slow oven. adv. slower slowest 1. So as to fall behind the correct time or rate: The watch runs slow. 2. At a low speed: Go slow! v. slowed slow·ing slows v. tr. 1. To make slow or slower. 2. To delay; retard. v. intr. 1. To become slow or slower. [Middle English from Old English sl³w] slow "ly adv. slow "ness n.

Synonyms: slow dilatory leisurely laggard deliberate These adjectives mean taking more time than is usual or necessary. Slow is the least specific: slow speech; slow growth; a slow bus; a slow heartbeat; a slow but meticulous worker; slow to anger. Dilatory implies lack of promptness caused by delay, procrastination, or indifference: His credit suffered because he was dilatory in paying his bills. Leisurely suggests a relaxed lack of haste: We took a leisurely trip around Europe. Laggard implies hanging back or falling behind: " the horses' laggard pace " (Rudyard Kipling). Deliberate suggests a lack of hurry traceable especially to caution, need, self-restraint, or careful consideration, as of consequences: She went about her work in a systematic and deliberate manner. delay stupid

Usage Note: Slow may sometimes be used instead of slowly when it comes after the verb: We drove the car slow. In formal writing slowly is generally preferred. Slow is often used in speech and informal writing, especially when brevity and forcefulness are sought: Drive slow! Slow is also the established idiomatic form with certain senses of common verbs: The watch runs slow. Take it slow.