Abbreviations and Acronyms :: Reference

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

fire-sale
Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:15:01 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 19, 2008 is: fire-sale • \FYRE-SAIL\  • adjective : heavily discounted Example sentence: "As holders of mortgage-backed securities and the like revalue their assets at fire-sale prices, they are running short of capital -- which can lead to further sales and more write-downs." (The Economist, March 2008) Did you know? The term "fire sale" flared up in the late-19th century as the name for a sale of items damaged by fire. As you can imagine, much of the merchandise at a fire sale was sold at very low prices, which fanned the flames of the use of "fire sale" for any sale with discounted or low price tags. The extended meaning of the term sparked an adjective use that had burst into a full-blown blaze by the mid-20th century. Since then, people have embraced "fire-sale prices" in the marketplace, well aware that they won't get burned.
bogart
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:15:01 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 18, 2008 is: bogart • \BOH-gart\  • verb 1 : bully, intimidate *2 : to use or consume without sharing Example sentence: Three of the older girls bogarted the ice cream, ignoring the other campers' pleas for them to share. Did you know? The legendary film actor Humphrey Bogart was known for playing a range of tough characters in a series of films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, and The African Queen. The men he portrayed often possessed a cool, hardened exterior that occasionally let forth a suggestion of romantic or idealistic sentimentality. Bogart also had a unique method of smoking cigarettes in these pictures -- letting the butt dangle from his mouth without removing it until it was almost entirely consumed. It is believed that this habit inspired the current meaning of "bogart," which was once limited to the phrase "Don't bogart that joint [marijuana cigarette]," as popularized by a song on the soundtrack to the film Easy Rider, among other things. Today "bogart" can be applied to hogging almost anything. *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
superannuated
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:15:01 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 17, 2008 is: superannuated • \soo-per-AN-yuh-way-tud\  • adjective 1 : outmoded, old-fashioned 2 a : incapacitated or disqualified for active duty by advanced age*b : older than the typical member of a specified group Example sentence: The article focused on senior citizens who retired from the workplace and returned to school to become superannuated graduate students. Did you know? "Superannuated" was first put to use in English in the 1600s, having been borrowed from Medieval Latin "superannuatus," the past participle of "superannuari" ("to be too old") -- from Latin "super-" ("over" or "above") and "annus" ("year"). Shortly thereafter, we made our own verb, "superannuate," from the adjective. "Superannuate" meant "to retire and pension because of age or infirmity" as well as "to declare obsolete," meanings that are still in active service. "Superannuated" can mean "outmoded or old-fashioned," as in "superannuated slang" or "superannuated neckties," or it can simply mean "older than usual," as in our example sentence. *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.
belvedere
Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:15:01 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 16, 2008 is: belvedere • \BEL-vuh-deer\  • noun : a structure (as a cupola or a summerhouse) designed to command a view Example sentence: On summer evenings, guests at the estate often joined their hosts in the belvedere to watch the sunset. Did you know? It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder -- and someone with a belvedere will likely have a great deal of beauty to behold. Given the origins of the word, "belvedere" is the ideal term for a building (or part of a building) with a view; it derives from two Italian words, "bel," which means "beautiful," and "vedere," which means "view." The term has been used in English since at least 1593.
Occam's razor
Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:15:01 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 15, 2008 is: Occam's razor • \AH-kumz-RAY-zer\  • noun : a scientific and philosophic rule that entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily which is interpreted as requiring that the simplest of competing theories be preferred to the more complex or that explanations of unknown phenomena be sought first in terms of known quantities Example sentence: Invoking Occam's razor, Eli concluded that the sill was wet because someone had left the window open during the storm. Did you know? William of Occam (also spelled "Ockham") didn't invent the rule associated with his name. Others had espoused the "keep it simple" concept before that 14th-century philosopher and theologian embraced it, but no one wielded the principle (also known as the "law of parsimony") as relentlessly as he did. He used it to counter what he considered the fuzzy logic of his theological contemporaries, and his applications of it inspired 19th-century Scottish philosopher Sir William Hamilton to link "Occam" with the idea of cutting away extraneous material, giving us the modern name for the principle.
indurate
Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:15:01 -0500
Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 14, 2008 is: indurate • \IN-duh-rut\  • adjective : physically or morally hardened Example sentence: The sculpture was so realistic that it seemed that at any moment the indurate marble form would shift position to stare back at the viewer. Did you know? "Indurate" is a hard word -- in more than one way. Not only is it fairly uncommon in modern usage, but it also can be traced back to Latin "durare," meaning "to harden." ("Durare" can mean "to endure" as well, and appropriately "indurate" is a word that has lasted many years -- it has been a part of the English language since the 14th century.) "Durare" is also the root of other durable English words, including "during," "endure," "duration," "durance" (an archaic word meaning "endurance"), and even "durable" itself. In addition, "indurate" can be a verb meaning "to make or grow hard," "to make unfeeling, stubborn, or obdurate," and "to establish firmly."

MedTerms Word of the Day

Ileal pouch
Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Ileal pouch: A surgically created chamber made up of a portion of the lower part of the ileum, the last (lowest) part of the small intestine. The ileal pouch generally connects to the rectum with the muscles of this area left intact to allow continuation of bowel control. The ileal pouch acts as a reservoir with the goal being a return to regular bowel habits despite removal of the large intestine. Surgery to create an ileal pouch is usually done for patients who need a total colectomy (removal of the entire colon or large intestine, that part of the intestinal tract normally positioned between the ileum and the rectum). Patients with ulcerative colitis are the most common candidates for an ileal pouch. MedTerms (TM) is the Medical Dictionary of MedicineNet.com.We Bring Doctors' Knowledge To You

 

Subscribe to Dictionaries RSS feed

Definitions - Terms used by service providers and software developers.
Meta Description: [ Birds-Eye.Net is focused on providing broadband acronyms to broadband service providers (specifically those provided by cable, electric utility, satellite, telephone, and wireless companies) as well as those companies providing software and integration services to broadband service providers. ]

Safety Acronyms - Short list used in the field of UK Occupational Health and Safety.
Meta Description: [ health, safety and environmental consultants edp uk offering health, safety and environment training and risk assessment ]

Abbreviations and Acronyms of the U.S. Government - Lists federal government abbreviations and acronyms. Includes links to official government web sites.
Meta Description: [ Lists over 500 federal government abbreviations and acronyms. Includes links to official web sites. ]

AbbreviationZ - Browse acronyms and abbreviations by category.
Meta Description: [ AbbreviationZ: The A to Z of Acronyms, Abbreviations and Initialisms on the Net! -- contain more than 350,000 entries spread over large number of categories -- Including: Business, Computing, Internet, Chat, Slang, Govermental, International, Medical, Science, Military and more. �2005 STANDS4 ]

ACRO.IT Acronym Directory - Collection for information technology and related subjects.
Meta Description: [ ACRO.IT acronym directory helps you to understand the meanings and to find the right references. ]

Acronym Finder - Searchable database covering computers, government, telecommunications, and military situations.
Meta Description: [ Acronym Finder: the web's largest searchable dictionary of abbreviations, acronyms and initialisms -- over 3,004,000 definitions in the database! Covers: common acronyms, computers, science, technology, government, telecommunications, & military acronyms. ©1988-2006, Mountain Data Systems ]

Acronym Guide - A directory of common acronyms by topic.
Meta Description: [ An acronym directory for military, medical, and computer acronyms ]

Acronym Master List for LANL - Large list of acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, and short forms that are used by or useful to Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Acronym Search - Lookup engine which accepts new entries.
Meta Description: [ Find acronyms and abbreviations quickly and easily at Acronym Search. Categories include military, computer, finance, chat, accounting, and more. ]

Acronym Server Simplified - A list of acronyms hosted by University College Cork, gathered from many sources and submitted by users.

Acronyma - Definitions in multiple languages.
Meta Description: [ Acronyma, the largest search engine of acronyms and abbreviations on the internet. ]

Acronyms and Abbreviations - Online translation lookup of English and German.

Acronyms and Abbreviations Dictionary - Contains terms with origins in the military, medical, technological, and business and training fields.
Meta Description: [ Acronyms finder and dictionary and abbreviations - no adult content - funny acronyms: training, medical, military, army, navy, computer, business, lists definitions, meanings and funny acronyms plus free online business training for management, sales, marketing, project management, communications... ]

AECMA Glossary of Common Abbreviations - Terms used by the European Association of Aerospace Industries.

AfkWin Acronyms - Features downloadable browser and filter software. In Dutch and English.
Meta Description: [ Abbreviation-list AfkWin for Alkmaar, West-Friesland, Nederland and Vlaanderen ]

Altronix Technical Acronyms - A comprehensive list in common usage in the computer, electronics and engineering fields.
Meta Description: [ Altronix sell the £39 AL-1700 Development PIC programmer. The Programmer supports over 100 flash microcontrollers ranging from 8 to 40 pins. The AL-1700 comes with a free RS232 cable and PSU making it ideal for engineers and hobbiests. ]

Apronyms - Lists educational and mnemonic acronyms.

Babel: Computer-related Acronyms - A glossary of computer science and internet acronyms.

Biomedical Acronym Resolver - Tool for conversion.

Cartography Acronyms - Dictionary of terms used in geographic information systems, cartography and remote sensing.

CDIA Center Acronyms and Abbreviations - Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center indexed list.

404 Computer Related Terms and Acronyms - Index of computer acronyms and terms.

CRM Acronyms - Frequently used cultural resource management acronyms.

Dictionary of Initials Acronyms and Abbreviations Used by Counselors - Subdivided by first letter.
Meta Description: [ Definitions of Counseling Acronyms Initials and Abbreviations--linked to related web sites, when available. ]

Dictionary of Quaternary Acronyms and Abbreviations - Acronyms and abbreviations that are common in Quaternary studies
Meta Description: [ The Dictionary of Quaternary Acronyms and Abbreviations ]

500 Downloadable Computer Acronyms - Collect of computer and computer-related acronyms in downloadable format.
Meta Description: [ The largest software archive for Windows share ware, screen savers, trialware, freeware, and demoware on the planet. Your source for games, screensavers, drivers, utilities, casino, cards, games, Windows 98, Windows NT and other tech programs ]

eBay Acronyms - Abbreviations one might find in eBay item listings and on community discussion boards. Many of the terms are used at other auction websites as well.

Explain Acronym Search - Provides a tool for conversion.

Freeware Hall of Fame - Acronyms and emoticons used in the computer community.

Frequently Seen Space/Astronomy Acronyms - Terms commonly appearing in space-related newsgroups.

404 GenDocs - Genealogical abbreviations are explained.

Glossary and Acronyms for PC and Server Technologies - Glossary of hardware and driver development terms for Windows products.
Meta Description: [ Glossary of hardware and driver development acronyms for the Windows Hardware Developer Central Web site ]

404 Google Glossary - Find definitions for words, phrases and acronyms.

Hawkman's Automotive Abbreviations - Indexed collection.
Meta Description: [ A well-organized, easy-to-navigate auto and truck link reference library for professional technicians and enthusiasts. ]

High Energy Astrophysics: Common Acronyms - A small, very specialized reference.

Home of the Network Acronyms - Computer network acronyms in a first-letter-per page format.
Meta Description: [ An extensive overview with descriptions and explanations of internet and network related acronyms. ]

Learning, Performance, and Training Acronyms - Small collection of human resource oriented terms.

List of US Government Acronyms - A glossary of terms found in US government databases and in print publications.
Meta Description: [ Government Publications Library consists of over five million items from federal, state, foreign and international organizations. ]

MediLexicon - Searchable database of pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical abbreviations and acronyms.
Meta Description: [ Medical Dictionary, Worldwide Pharmaceutical Company Search, Hospitals Directory and Other Medical Searches ]

Oceanic and Atmospheric Acronyms - Specialized collection from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Svetlozar Online's Abbreviation Glossary - Computer and telecommunications acronyms and their meanings. Searchable and browsable.
Meta Description: [ A comprehensive glossary of IT and telecommunications acronyms. ]

The Great Abbreviations Hunt - A general guide to three letter terms.

The Ultimate Computer Acronyms Archive (TUCAA) - Offers a searchable or browsable interface.
Meta Description: [ The Ultimate Computer Acronyms Archive is a collection of many thousands computer-oriented acronyms with a user-friendly interface ]

USPS Acronyms and Abbreviations Glossary - United States Postal Service terms and operational numbers.
Meta Description: [ United States Postal Service (USPS) acronym glossary and definition list. Links are provided to other Postal and Philatelic Web Sites by Douglas Boynton Quine. ]

USPS Official Abbreviations - Official abbreviations of the United States Postal Service.

V.E.R.A. - Virtual Entity of Relevant Acronyms - List of computer acronyms, with cross references.
Meta Description: [ V.E.R.A. - Virtual Entity of Relevant (computational) Acronyms ]

Veterinary Abbreviations and Acronyms Glossary - Terms commonly used in veterinary practice.

Wiley InterScience Acronym Finder - Scientific and technical terms, and symbols, with browsing and searching tools.

WWW Acronym and Abbreviation Server - Allows a search for terms containing a particular word.