Academic —adj. 1 scholarly, of learning.

2 of no practical relevance;
theoretical.
—n. Teacher or scholar in a university etc. academically adv.
Academician n. Member of an academy. [french académicien]
Academy n. (pl. -ies) 1 place of specialized training (military academy). 2 (usu.
Academy) society or institution of distinguished scholars, artists, scientists, etc.
(royal academy). 3 scot. Secondary school. [greek akademeia the place in athens
where plato taught]
Acanthus n. (pl. -thuses) 1 herbaceous plant with spiny leaves. 2 archit.
Representation of its leaf. [latin from greek]
A cappella adj. & adv. (of choral music) unaccompanied. [italian, = in church
style]
Acas abbr. Advisory, conciliation, and arbitration service.
Accede v. (-ding) (foll. By to) 1 take office, esp. As monarch. 2 assent or agree.
[latin: related to *cede]
Accelerate v. (-ting) move or cause to move or happen more quickly.
acceleration n. [latin: related to *celerity]
Accelerator n. 1 device for increasing speed, esp. The pedal controlling the
speed of a vehicle’s engine. 2 physics apparatus for imparting high speeds to
speed of a vehicle’s engine. 2 physics apparatus for imparting high speeds to
charged particles.
Accent —n. 1 particular (esp. Local or national) mode of pronunciation. 2
distinctive feature or emphasis (accent on speed). 3 prominence given to a
syllable by stress or pitch. 4 mark on a letter or word to indicate pitch, stress, or
vowel quality. —v. 1 emphasize (a word or syllable etc.). 2 write or print
accents
on (words etc.). 3 accentuate. [latin cantus song]
Accentuate v. (-ting) emphasize, make prominent. accentuation n. [medieval
latin: related to *accent]
Accept v. 1 (also absol.) Willingly receive (a thing offered). 2 (also absol.)
Answer affirmatively (an offer etc.). 3 regard favourably; treat as welcome (felt
accepted). 4 believe, receive (an opinion, explanation, etc.) As adequate or
valid.
5 take as suitable (does accept cheques). 6 undertake (an office or duty). [latin
capio take]
Acceptable adj. 1 worth accepting, welcome. 2 tolerable. acceptability n.
Acceptably adv. [french: related to *accept]
Acceptance n. 1 willingness to accept. 2 affirmative answer to an invitation etc.
3 approval, belief (found wide acceptance).
Access —n. 1 way of approach or entry (shop with rear access). 2 a right or
opportunity to reach or use or visit; admittance (access to secret files, to the
prisoner). B accessibility. 3 archaic outburst (an access of anger). —v. 1
computing gain access to (data etc.). 2 accession. [french: related to *accede]
Accessible adj. (often foll. By to) 1 reachable or obtainable; readily available. 2
Accessible adj. (often foll. By to) 1 reachable or obtainable; readily available. 2
easy to understand. accessibility n.
Accession —n. 1 taking office, esp. As monarch. 2 thing added. —v. Record the
addition of (a new item) to a library etc.
Accessory n. (pl. -ies) 1 additional or extra thing. 2 (usu. In pl.) Small
attachment, fitting, or subsidiary item of dress (e.g. Shoes, gloves). 3 (often foll.
By to) person who abets or is privy to an (esp. Illegal) act. [medieval latin:
related to *accede]
Access road n. Road giving access only to the properties along it.
Access time n. Computing time taken to retrieve data from storage.
Accident n. 1 unfortunate esp. Harmful event, caused unintentionally. 2 event
that is unexpected or without apparent cause. by accident unintentionally. [latin
cado fall]
Accidental —adj. Happening by chance or accident. —n. Mus. Sign indicating a
note’s momentary departure from the key signature. accidentally adv.
Accident-prone adj. Clumsy.
Acclaim —v. 1 welcome or applaud enthusiastically. 2 hail as (acclaimed him
king). —n. Applause, welcome, public praise. [latin acclamo: related to *claim]
king). —n. Applause, welcome, public praise. [latin acclamo: related to *claim]
Acclamation n. 1 loud and eager assent. 2 (usu. In pl.) Shouting in a person’s
honour.
Acclimatize v. (also -ise) (-zing or -sing) adapt to a new climate or conditions.
acclimatization n. [french acclimater: related to *climate]
Accolade n. 1 praise given. 2 touch made with a sword at the conferring of a
knighthood. [latin collum neck]
Accommodate v. (-ting) 1 provide lodging or room for (flat accommodates
two).
2 adapt, harmonize, reconcile (must accommodate himself to new ideas). 3 a do
favour to, oblige (a person). B (foll. By with) supply (a person) with. [latin:
related to *commode]
Accommodating adj. Obliging, compliant.
Accommodation n. 1 lodgings. 2 adjustment, adaptation. 3 convenient
arrangement; settlement, compromise.
Accommodation address n. Postal address used by a person unable or unwilling
to give a permanent address.
Accompaniment n. 1 instrumental or orchestral support for a solo instrument