make some preliminary investigations or test the waters


He appraised the situation carefully before acting


The land surveyor worked by triangulating the plot


determine the measurements of something or somebody, take measurements of


measure the altitude of by using a sextant


measure the diameter of something with calipers


make a survey of; for statistical purposes


explore for useful or valuable things or substances, such as minerals


the students had to research the history of the Second World War for their history project


search the internet (for information) using the Google search engine

He googled the woman he had met at the party


search for a location and directions by means of the MapQuest program


mark fine distinctions and subtleties, as among words


oewn-distinguish-v oewn-separate-v oewn-differentiate-v oewn-secern-v oewn-secernate-v oewn-severalize-v oewn-severalise-v oewn-tell-v oewn-tell_apart-v


distinguish (an element or atom) by using a radioactive isotope or an isotope of unusual mass for tracing through chemical reactions


He bristled at her suggestion that he should teach her how to use the program


distinguish (as a compound or molecule) by introducing a labeled atom


The sounds were individualized by sharpness and tone


be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense

His modesty distinguishes him from his peers


oewn-identify-v oewn-discover-v oewn-key-v oewn-key_out-v oewn-distinguish-v oewn-describe-v oewn-name-v

identify as in botany or biology, for example


make an itemized list or catalog of; classify

He is cataloguing his photographic negatives


examine and note the similarities or differences of

John compared his haircut to his friend's


consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous

We can compare the Han dynasty to the Romans


consider again; give new consideration to; usually with a view to changing


consider again (a bill) that had been voted upon before, with a view to altering it


oewn-classify-v oewn-class-v oewn-sort-v oewn-assort-v oewn-sort_out-v oewn-separate-v

arrange or order by classes or categories

How would you classify these pottery shards--are they prehistoric?


separate (experiences) from the emotions relating to them


think of, regard, or classify under a subsuming principle or with a general group or in relation to another

This plant can be referred to a known species


classify anew, change the previous classification

The zoologists had to reclassify the mollusks after they found new species


divide into two opposing groups or kinds


treat or classify according to a mental stereotype

I was stereotyped as a lazy Southern European


group or chunk together in a certain order or place side by side


determine the grade of or assign a grade to


assign a grade or rank to, according to one's evaluation


oewn-rate-v oewn-rank-v oewn-range-v oewn-order-v oewn-grade-v oewn-place-v


These two notions are superordinated to a third


put someone or something on a short list


distribute (players or teams) so that outstanding teams or players will not meet in the early rounds


change the order of soldiers during a march


rank or order as less important or consider of less value

Art is sometimes subordinated to Science in these schools


take a place in a competition; often followed by an ordinal


take or have a position relative to others

This painting ranks among the best in the Western World


we have too many things to do and must prioritize


How would you rate his chances to become President?


put in opposition to show or emphasize differences

The middle school teacher contrasted her best student's work with that of her weakest student


be distinguished from others of a similar type by virtue of a notable characteristic

it has the distinction of being the cheapest restaurant in town


oewn-check-v oewn-check_up_on-v oewn-look_into-v oewn-check_out-v oewn-suss_out-v oewn-check_over-v oewn-go_over-v oewn-check_into-v

examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition


oewn-check-v oewn-check_off-v oewn-mark-v oewn-mark_off-v oewn-tick_off-v oewn-tick-v


oewn-see-v oewn-check-v oewn-insure-v oewn-see_to_it-v oewn-ensure-v oewn-control-v oewn-ascertain-v oewn-assure-v

be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something


verify by using a duplicate register for comparison


verify by consulting a source or authority


check out conflicting sources; crosscheck facts, for example


ask someone for identification to determine whether he or she is old enough to consume liquor

I was carded when I tried to buy a beer!


pick out random samples for examination in order to ensure high quality


oewn-prove-v oewn-demonstrate-v oewn-establish-v oewn-show-v oewn-shew-v

establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment

The experiment demonstrated the instability of the compound


show (a theory or claim) to be baseless, or refute and make obsolete


prove formally; demonstrate by a mathematical, formal proof


oewn-confirm-v oewn-corroborate-v oewn-sustain-v oewn-substantiate-v oewn-support-v oewn-affirm-v

establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts


prove valid; show or confirm the validity of something


The physicist disproved his colleagues' theories


oewn-digest-v oewn-endure-v oewn-stick_out-v oewn-stomach-v oewn-bear-v oewn-stand-v oewn-tolerate-v oewn-support-v oewn-brook-v oewn-abide-v oewn-suffer-v oewn-put_up-v

put up with something or somebody unpleasant


I shall have to accept these unpleasant working conditions


I won't stand for this kind of behavior!


suffer without protest; suffer or endure passively


have or maintain a position or stand on an issue


he underestimated the work that went into the renovation


underestimate the real value or ability of

Don't sell your students short--they are just shy and don't show off their knowledge


oewn-estimate-v oewn-gauge-v oewn-approximate-v oewn-guess-v oewn-judge-v

judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)

I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds


approximate (a signal varying continuously in amplitude) by one whose amplitude is restricted to a prescribed set of discrete values


gauge something incorrectly or improperly


estimate the duration or outcome of something

He gave the patient three months to live


The construction company wanted the contract badly and lowballed


judge to be right or commendable; think well of


oewn-choose-v oewn-take-v oewn-select-v oewn-pick_out-v

pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives


choose by or as if by divine intervention

She was anointed the head of the Christian fundamentalist group


select (a team or individual player) for a game

The Buckeyes fielded a young new quarterback for the Rose Bowl


select or take in from a given group or region

The participants in the experiment were drawn from a representative population


give support (to) or make a choice (of) one out of a group or number


I elected to have my funds deposited automatically


take out of a literary work in order to cite or copy


select desirable parts from a group or list

cull out the interesting letters from the poet's correspondence


select something or someone for a specific purpose

The teacher assigned him to lead his classmates in the exercise


set apart to sacred uses with solemn rites, of a church


The ambulances were detailed to the fire station


The candidate carefully timed his appearance at the disaster scene


Her agent had booked her for several concerts in Tokyo


She was singled out for her outstanding performance


I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant


choose not to do something, as out of fear of failing

She copped out when she was supposed to get into the hang glider


see fit or proper to act in a certain way; decide to act in a certain way

She chose not to attend classes and now she failed the exam


influence (somebody's) opinion in advance


He biased his presentation so as to please the share holders


This illness predisposes you to gain weight


make receptive or willing towards an action or attitude or belief

Their language inclines us to believe them


judge beforehand, especially without sufficient evidence


oewn-measure-v oewn-evaluate-v oewn-valuate-v oewn-assess-v oewn-appraise-v oewn-value-v

evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of

I will have the family jewels appraised by a professional


estimate the value of (property) for taxation


Homes in our town are reappraised every five years and taxes are increased accordingly


subject to political, religious, or moral censorship

This magazine is censored by the government


Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good


have trust in; trust in the truth or veracity of


follow a credo; have a faith; be a believer

When you hear his sermons, you will be able to believe, too


I can count my colleagues in the opposition


consider (an instance of something) as part of a general rule or principle


oewn-rule_out-v oewn-eliminate-v oewn-winnow_out-v oewn-reject-v

John was ruled out as a possible suspect because he had a strong alibi


refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid

The woman repudiated the divorce settlement


challenge or except to a judge as being incompetent or interested, in canon and civil law


I cannot accept the dogma of this church


I doubt that she will accept his proposal of marriage


The paper discredited the politician with its nasty commentary


regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in


He rethought his decision to take a vacation


modify one's opinion, make it less strong


change one's mind and assume the opposite viewpoint


oewn-think-v oewn-believe-v oewn-consider-v oewn-conceive-v


oewn-think_of-v oewn-repute-v oewn-know_as-v oewn-be_known_as-v oewn-regard_as-v oewn-look_upon-v oewn-look_on-v oewn-esteem-v oewn-take_to_be-v


have a feeling or perception about oneself in reaction to someone's behavior or attitude


oewn-see-v oewn-consider-v oewn-reckon-v oewn-view-v oewn-regard-v

She views this quite differently from me


regard or treat with consideration, respect, and esteem


feel about or towards; consider, evaluate, or regard

How did you like the President's speech last night?


consider (oneself) as similar to somebody else


consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically


construe as a real existence, of a conceptual entity


She idealized her husband after his death


oewn-romanticize-v oewn-romanticise-v oewn-glamorize-v oewn-glamourise-v

Don't romanticize this uninteresting and hard work!


oewn-deem-v oewn-hold-v oewn-view_as-v oewn-take_for-v

keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view


oewn-respect-v oewn-esteem-v oewn-value-v oewn-prize-v oewn-prise-v


have little or no respect for; hold in contempt


fix or determine the value of; assign a value to

value the jewelry and art work in the estate


You are overestimating the value of your old car


Don't underestimate the value of this heirloom-you may sell it at a good price


The government floated the ruble for a few months


look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events); remember

she reviewed her achievements with pride


oewn-audit-v oewn-scrutinize-v oewn-scrutinise-v oewn-inspect-v

examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification


reach, make, or come to a decision about something

We finally decided after lengthy deliberations


It wasn't the problem some people made it


She designed to go far in the world of business


oewn-decide-v oewn-settle-v oewn-resolve-v oewn-adjudicate-v


decide how much is to be paid on an insurance claim


This new development finally decided me!


The court filiated the child born out of wedlock


determine the arrangement of (data) for storage and display (in computer science)


the tree determines the border of the property


assign an initial value to a computer program


oewn-determine-v oewn-shape-v oewn-mold-v oewn-influence-v oewn-regulate-v oewn-mould-v


The vote in New Hampshire often decides the outcome of the Presidential election


The new foreign minister reshaped the foreign policy of his country


set the speed, duration, or execution of

we time the process to manufacture our cars very precisely


consider carefully and deeply; reflect upon; turn over in one's mind


I contemplated leaving school and taking a full-time job


consider, ponder, or plan (an action) beforehand


think moodily or anxiously about something


think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes


Bush is charting a course to destroy Saddam Hussein


have the will and intention to carry out some action

He plans to be in graduate school next year


oewn-draw_a_bead_on-v oewn-aspire-v oewn-aim-v oewn-shoot_for-v


intend with some possibility of fulfilment

I hope to have finished this work by tomorrow evening


present for consideration, examination, criticism, etc.

He proposed a new plan for dealing with terrorism


oewn-conspire-v oewn-cabal-v oewn-complot-v oewn-conjure-v oewn-machinate-v

engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together

They conspired to overthrow the government


The two men coconspired to cover up the Federal investigation


act in unison or agreement and in secret towards a deceitful or illegal purpose

The two companies conspired to cause the value of the stock to fall


form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner


plan secretly, usually something illegal

They plotted the overthrow of the government


destine or designate for a certain purpose


oewn-aim-v oewn-purpose-v oewn-purport-v oewn-propose-v


oewn-intend-v oewn-destine-v oewn-designate-v oewn-specify-v


plan something for a specific role or purpose or effect


oewn-mastermind-v oewn-engineer-v oewn-direct-v oewn-organize-v oewn-organise-v oewn-orchestrate-v


plan and oversee the development and details of

The meeting between the two Presidents had been carefully choreographed


explore or survey for the purpose of making a map

We haven't even begun to map the many galaxies that we know exist


She laid out her plans for the new house


plan where and when songs should be inserted into a theatrical production, or plan a theatrical production in general


lay out a full-scale working drawing of the lines of a vessel's hull


oewn-entertain-v oewn-think_of-v oewn-toy_with-v oewn-flirt_with-v oewn-think_about-v

He entertained the notion of moving to South America


oewn-calculate-v oewn-estimate-v oewn-reckon-v oewn-count_on-v oewn-figure-v oewn-forecast-v


oewn-count-v oewn-bet-v oewn-depend-v oewn-swear-v oewn-rely-v oewn-bank-v oewn-look-v oewn-calculate-v oewn-reckon-v

you can count on me to help you any time


specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public


oewn-associate-v oewn-tie_in-v oewn-relate-v oewn-link-v oewn-colligate-v oewn-link_up-v oewn-connect-v

I cannot connect these two pieces of evidence in my mind


bring into a mutual, complementary, or reciprocal relation

I cannot correlate these two pieces of information


Sex activity is closely identified with the hypothalamus


Let's associate freely to bring up old memories


come to believe on the basis of emotion, intuitions, or indefinite grounds


oewn-pin_down-v oewn-peg_down-v oewn-nail_down-v oewn-narrow_down-v oewn-narrow-v oewn-specify-v

I cannot narrow down the rules for this game


The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed


oewn-overrule-v oewn-overturn-v oewn-override-v oewn-overthrow-v oewn-reverse-v

The Republicans were overruled when the House voted on the bill


require as a necessary antecedent or precondition


take for granted or as a given; suppose beforehand

I presuppose that you have done your work


take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom


show a response or a reaction to something


react in an excited, delighted, or surprised way

he flipped when he heard that he was accepted into Princeton University


show an exaggerated response to something

Don't overreact to the bad news--take it easy


The steering of my new car answers to the slightest touch


be sexually responsive to, used of a female domesticated mammal


The cancer responded to the aggressive therapy


The boss exploded when he heard of the resignation of the secretary


react favorably to; consider right and proper

People did not accept atonal music at that time


The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow


oewn-expect-v oewn-look-v oewn-await-v oewn-wait-v

look forward to the probable occurrence of

We were expecting a visit from our relatives


turn one's interests or expectations towards


oewn-anticipate-v oewn-previse-v oewn-foreknow-v oewn-foresee-v


I believe that he will come back from the war


He raked up the misdeeds of his predecessor


Have you priced personal computers lately?


search and discover through persistent investigation


oewn-concentrate-v oewn-focus-v oewn-center-v oewn-centre-v oewn-pore-v oewn-rivet-v

Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies


The discovery of the skull riveted the paleontologists


cause one's (or someone else's) thoughts or attention to return from a reverie or digression


focus one's attention on a certain state


It occurred to me that we should hire another secretary


allow or plan for a certain possibility; concede the truth or validity of something


calculate enough money for; provide for in the budget

I have not budgeted for these expensive meals


oewn-allow-v oewn-appropriate-v oewn-earmark-v oewn-set_aside-v oewn-reserve-v

give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

I will earmark this money for your research


be concerned with or about something or somebody


be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to


Your ability to speak six languages amazes me!


amaze or bewilder, as with brilliant wit or intellect or skill


Father exploded a bombshell when he forbade us to go to the prom


discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state


oewn-impute-v oewn-ascribe-v oewn-assign-v oewn-attribute-v

We attributed this quotation to Shakespeare


attribute (responsibility or fault) to a cause or source

The teacher imputed the student's failure to his nervousness


The Greeks personated their gods ridiculous


She was not properly credited in the program


Did this event register in your parents' minds?


produce or try to produce a vivid impression of

Mother tried to ingrain respect for our elders in us


oewn-recognize-v oewn-recognise-v oewn-realize-v oewn-realise-v oewn-agnize-v oewn-agnise-v


follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something

We must follow closely the economic development is Cuba


He wondered who had built this beautiful church


oewn-internalize-v oewn-internalise-v oewn-interiorize-v oewn-interiorise-v

incorporate within oneself; make subjective or personal


I'm thinking of good food when I talk about France


set, mark, or draw the boundaries of something


consider expenditures as capital assets rather than expenses


compute the present value of a business or an income


estimate the capital value of (a company) at an unreasonably or unlawfully high level


trap; especially in an error or in a reprehensible act


oewn-concenter-v oewn-concentre-v oewn-focalize-v oewn-focalise-v oewn-focus-v

bring into focus or alignment; to converge or cause to converge; of ideas or emotions


The pianist kept time with the metronome


any measure tending to fuse invalids into a class with special privileges should be discountenanced


Her heart misgave her that she had acted inexcusably


align oneself with a group or a way of thinking


have a firm conviction as to the goodness of something


oewn-consider-v oewn-take-v oewn-deal-v oewn-look_at-v

take into consideration for exemplifying purposes


have on one's mind, think about actively


consider apart from a particular case or instance

Let's abstract away from this particular example


provide with a dateline; mark with a date

She wrote the letter on Monday but she dated it Saturday so as not to reveal that she procrastinated


oewn-arrange-v oewn-set_up-v oewn-put-v oewn-order-v

arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events


oewn-synchronize-v oewn-synchronise-v oewn-contemporize-v oewn-contemporise-v

arrange or represent events so that they co-occur


break down into components or essential features


to perform a factor analysis of correlational data


form anew in the imagination; recollect and re-form in the mind


be fascinated or spell-bound by; pay close attention to

The mother drinks in every word of her son on the stage


maintain in the forefront of one's awareness

He kept note of the location of the soldiers


bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action


suffer the results or consequences of one's behavior or actions


challenge the sincerity or truthfulness of


How many people are carried on the payroll?


decide by pondering, reasoning, or reflecting


decide as to where something belongs in a scheme

The biologist assigned the mushroom to the proper class


approximate by ignoring all terms beyond a chosen one


to spend to much time considering something and thus reach the wrong conclusion


oewn-mind-n oewn-head-n oewn-brain-n oewn-psyche-n oewn-nous-n

that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason


an informal British expression for head or mind


the body of ideas that determine the knowledge that is intellectually certain at any particular time


knowledge of some recent fact or event that has become so commonly known that it has lost its original pertinence


a young mind not yet affected by experience (according to John Locke)


that part of the mind wherein psychic activity takes place of which the person is unaware


psychic activity just below the level of awareness


(psychoanalysis) that part of the unconscious mind that acts as a conscience


(psychoanalysis) primitive instincts and energies underlying all psychic activity


oewn-astuteness-n oewn-profundity-n oewn-profoundness-n oewn-depth-n oewn-deepness-n

the intellectual ability to penetrate deeply into ideas


oewn-sagacity-n oewn-sagaciousness-n oewn-judgment-n oewn-judgement-n oewn-discernment-n

the mental ability to understand and discriminate between relations


good discernment (either visually or as if visually)


oewn-common_sense-n oewn-good_sense-n oewn-gumption-n oewn-horse_sense-n oewn-sense-n oewn-mother_wit-n


good judgment in avoiding trouble or accidents on the road


oewn-discretion-n oewn-discreetness-n oewn-circumspection-n oewn-prudence-n

knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress

the servants showed great tact and discretion


discretion in keeping secret information


oewn-caution-n oewn-precaution-n oewn-care-n oewn-forethought-n

judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger

he exercised caution in opening the door


possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done

danger heightened his powers of discrimination


the (technical) knowledge and skill required to do something


a supply of ways of accomplishing something

every good mechanic has a large bag of tricks


ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight


he believed that leadership can be taught


the leadership ability of a military general


the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience


oewn-brain-n oewn-brainpower-n oewn-learning_ability-n oewn-mental_capacity-n oewn-mentality-n oewn-wit-n

he's got plenty of brains but no common sense


the capacity to understand a broad range of topics

a teacher must have a breadth of knowledge of the subject


the very capaciousness of the idea meant that agreement on fundamentals was unnecessary


intelligence that is manifested in the performance of tasks requiring little or no use of language


intelligence in the use and comprehension of language


intelligence as revealed by an ability to give correct responses without delay


intelligence as revealed by quickness and alertness of mind


a sudden or striking display of brilliance


(music) brilliance of display (as in the performance of music)


intelligence achieved far ahead of normal developmental schedules


oewn-acuteness-n oewn-acuity-n oewn-sharpness-n oewn-keenness-n


an acute intelligence (an analogy based on the well-known sharpness of steel traps)


intelligence as manifested in being quick and witty


oewn-craft-n oewn-craftiness-n oewn-cunning-n oewn-foxiness-n oewn-guile-n oewn-slyness-n oewn-wiliness-n

shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception


oewn-shrewdness-n oewn-astuteness-n oewn-perspicacity-n oewn-perspicaciousness-n

intelligence manifested by being astute (as in business dealings)


a shrewd ability to survive in a dangerous urban environment


the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception


the ability to speak two languages colloquially


inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli


the power to learn or retain knowledge; in law, the ability to understand the facts and significance of your behavior


he believes in the ultimate perfectibility of man


oewn-compass-n oewn-range-n oewn-reach-n oewn-grasp-n


oewn-endowment-n oewn-gift-n oewn-talent-n oewn-natural_endowment-n


the intellectual productivity of a creative imagination


passing above and beyond ordinary bounds


the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses

popular imagination created a world of demons


a place that exists only in imagination; a place said to exist in fictional or religious writings


(Welsh mythology) the other world; land of fairies


(Norse mythology) the heavenly dwelling of the Norse gods (the Aesir) and slain war heroes


according to legend, an island in the Atlantic Ocean that Plato said was swallowed by an earthquake


a land imagined by Jonathan Swift where everything was enormous


an imaginary place where you say people are when they seem optimistically out of touch with reality


(Middle Ages) an imaginary land of luxury and idleness


an imaginary place of great wealth and opportunity; sought in South America by 16th-century explorers


a place regarded by various beliefs as the abode of their deities; also a place where good people are believed to go after death


the place where the just enjoy the peace of heaven after death


oewn-Celestial_City-n oewn-City_of_God-n oewn-Heavenly_City-n oewn-Holy_City-n

the Celestial City was Christian's goal in Bunyan's `Pilgrim's Progress'


(Greek mythology) the abode of the blessed after death


a beautiful garden where Adam and Eve were placed at the Creation; when they disobeyed and ate the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil they were driven from their paradise (the fall of man)


(Christianity) the abode of righteous souls after death


the goal towards which Christians strive


(Norse mythology) the hall in which the souls of heroes slain in battle were received by Odin


oewn-Hell-n oewn-Hades-n oewn-infernal_region-n oewn-netherworld-n oewn-Scheol-n oewn-underworld-n

No one goes to Hades with all his immense wealth


oewn-Hell-n oewn-perdition-n oewn-Inferno-n oewn-infernal_region-n oewn-nether_region-n oewn-pit-n

(Christianity) the abode of Satan and the forces of evil; where sinners suffer eternal punishment

Hurl'd headlong...To bottomless perdition, there to dwell


a land imagined by Jonathan Swift where intelligent horses ruled the Yahoos


a place where the wicked are punished after death


a place of eternal fire envisaged as punishment for the damned


a land imagined by Jonathan Swift where impractical projects were pursued and practical projects neglected


a land imagined by Jonathan Swift that was inhabited by tiny people


(theology) in Roman Catholicism, the place of unbaptized but innocent or righteous souls (such as infants and virtuous individuals)


an imaginary place for lost or neglected things


(Norse mythology) the abode of humans in Norse mythology


a pleasing country existing only in dreams or imagination


(theology) in Roman Catholic theology the place where those who have died in a state of grace undergo limited torment to expiate their sins


an imaginary kingdom in central Europe; often used as a scene for intrigue and romance


any imaginary place where spiritual beings (demons or fairies or angels or the like) abide

science has emptied the spirit world of its former inhabitants


an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal


an imaginary realm of marvels or wonders


imagination or fantasy; held by Coleridge to be more casual and superficial than true imagination

never had the wildest flights of fancy imagined such magnificence


a fantastic but vain hope (from fantasies induced by the opium pipe)

I have this pipe dream about being emperor of the universe


an imaginary life lived in a fantasy world


something existing solely in the imagination (but often mistaken for reality)


a prolonged fantasy world invented by children; can have a definite geography and language and history


oewn-invention-n oewn-innovation-n oewn-excogitation-n oewn-conception-n oewn-design-n


oewn-inventiveness-n oewn-ingeniousness-n oewn-ingenuity-n oewn-cleverness-n


the ability to deal resourcefully with unusual problems


he dipped into his intellectual armory to find an answer


the invention of a scheme or story to suit some purpose


the faculty of contriving; inventive skill

his skillful contrivance of answers to every problem


the ability to think and act independently


originality by virtue of introducing new ideas


originality by virtue of being unconventional


originality by virtue of being new and surprising


the art of logical disputation (especially if specious)


the art of training falcons to hunt and return


the art or science of strengthening defenses


the art of making puppets and presenting puppet shows


the art of mounting the skins of animals so that they have lifelike appearance


the art of projecting your voice so that it seems to come from another source (as from a ventriloquist's dummy)


ability to produce solutions in some problem domain


technical skill or fluency or style exhibited by a virtuoso


in a final bravura the ballerina appeared to be floating in water


oewn-skill-n oewn-accomplishment-n oewn-acquirement-n oewn-acquisition-n oewn-attainment-n

an ability that has been acquired by training


a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation


skill in selling; skill in persuading people to buy

he read a book on salesmanship but it didn't help


the ability to present something (especially theatrical shows) in an attractive manner


skills that are required for the life of soldier


skillfulness by virtue of possessing special knowledge


he can do any sort of work requiring handiness and dexterity


the expertness characteristic of a professional person


being expert or having knowledge of some technical subject

understanding affine transformations requires considerable mathematical sophistication


being of coordinate importance, rank, or degree


the skillful and effective interaction of movements


great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity


oewn-adeptness-n oewn-adroitness-n oewn-deftness-n oewn-facility-n oewn-quickness-n

skillful performance or ability without difficulty

his quick adeptness was a product of good design


a final touch; a crowning achievement; a culmination


lack of skillfulness in speaking or writing


skillfulness in the command of fundamentals deriving from practice and familiarity


an artist's distinctive technique of applying paint with a brush


the technique of using small arms (especially in battle)


the skills involved in the work of a priest


skill acquired through experience in a trade; often used to discuss skill in espionage

instructional designers are trained in something that might be called tradecraft


skill in carving or fashioning objects from wood


skillfulness in avoiding wasted time and effort


lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something


an inability to remember or think of something you normally can do; often caused by emotional tension

I knew his name perfectly well but I had a temporary block


he had writer's block; the words wouldn't come


a poor ability to understand or to profit from experience


the quality of being mentally slow and limited


oewn-retardation-n oewn-mental_retardation-n oewn-backwardness-n oewn-slowness-n oewn-subnormality-n

lack of normal development of intellectual capacities


retardation sufficient to fall outside the normal range of intelligence


retardation more severe than a moron but not as severe as an idiot


oewn-folly-n oewn-foolishness-n oewn-craziness-n oewn-madness-n

trying to drive through a blizzard is the height of folly


indicative of or marked by mental vacuity and an absence of ideas

the vacuousness of her face belied her feelings


oewn-awkwardness-n oewn-clumsiness-n oewn-ineptness-n oewn-ineptitude-n oewn-maladroitness-n oewn-slowness-n

unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training


ineptitude or awkwardness as a consequence of age or lack of practice

his rustiness showed when he was asked to speed up


unskillfulness resulting from a lack of efficiency


something that demonstrates a lack of professional competency


uncreativeness due to a lack of originality


unoriginality as a result of being dull and hackneyed


something that is considered amusing not because of its originality but because of its unoriginality


unoriginality as a result of being too conventional


one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind


the faculty or power of mental concentration

keeping track of all the details requires your complete attention


the mental faculty or power of vocal communication

language sets homo sapiens apart from all other animals


all of the words in a language; all word forms having meaning or grammatical function


oewn-memory-n oewn-retention-n oewn-retentiveness-n oewn-retentivity-n

the power of retaining and recalling past experience

he had a good memory when he was younger


the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination

we are told that man is endowed with reason and capable of distinguishing good from evil


oewn-sense-n oewn-sensation-n oewn-sentience-n oewn-sentiency-n oewn-sensory_faculty-n

the faculty through which the external world is apprehended

in the dark he had to depend on touch and on his senses of smell and hearing


the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention

the exercise of their volition we construe as revolt


(physiology) responsiveness to external stimuli; the faculty of sensation


a sensitivity that is keen and highly developed

dogs have a remarkable acuteness of smell


excessive sensitivity of an organ or body part


sensitivity to stimuli originating outside of the body


sensitivity to stimuli originating inside of the body


sensitivity to the action of radiant energy


oewn-sight-n oewn-vision-n oewn-visual_sense-n oewn-visual_modality-n


any of the sensory systems that mediate sensations of pressure and tickle and warmth and cold and vibration and limb position and limb movement and pain


oewn-touch-n oewn-sense_of_touch-n oewn-skin_senses-n oewn-touch_modality-n oewn-cutaneous_senses-n

the faculty by which external objects or forces are perceived through contact with the body (especially the hands)

only sight and touch enable us to locate objects in the space around us


sharpness of vision; the visual ability to resolve fine detail (usually measured by a Snellen chart)


normal visual acuity, as measured by the ability to read charts at a distance of 20 feet


vision using the fovea and parafovea; the middle part of the visual field


vision for objects that a 20 feet or more from the viewer


vision for objects 2 feet or closer to the viewer


oewn-night_vision-n oewn-night-sight-n oewn-scotopic_vision-n oewn-twilight_vision-n

the ability to see in reduced illumination (as in moonlight)


normal vision in daylight; vision with sufficient illumination that the cones are active and hue is perceived


vision at the edges of the visual field using only the periphery of the retina


three-dimensional vision produced by the fusion of two slightly different views of a scene on each retina


oewn-hearing-n oewn-audition-n oewn-auditory_sense-n oewn-sense_of_hearing-n oewn-auditory_modality-n

the ability to hear; the auditory faculty


the ability to identify the pitch of a tone


oewn-taste-n oewn-gustation-n oewn-sense_of_taste-n oewn-gustatory_modality-n

the faculty of distinguishing sweet, sour, bitter, and salty properties in the mouth

his cold deprived him of his sense of taste


oewn-smell-n oewn-sense_of_smell-n oewn-olfaction-n oewn-olfactory_modality-n

the faculty that enables us to distinguish scents


the sense of smell (especially in animals)


oewn-kinesthesis-n oewn-kinaesthesis-n oewn-kinesthesia-n oewn-kinaesthesia-n oewn-kinesthetics-n oewn-muscle_sense-n oewn-sense_of_movement-n

the ability to feel movements of the limbs and body


oewn-equilibrium-n oewn-labyrinthine_sense-n oewn-vestibular_sense-n oewn-sense_of_balance-n oewn-sense_of_equilibrium-n

a sensory system located in structures of the inner ear that registers the orientation of the head


the ability to sense the position and location and orientation and movement of the body and its parts


oewn-somesthesia-n oewn-somesthesis-n oewn-somaesthesia-n oewn-somaesthesis-n oewn-somatesthesia-n oewn-somataesthesis-n oewn-somatosensory_system-n oewn-somatic_sensory_system-n oewn-somatic_sense-n

the faculty of bodily perception; sensory systems associated with the body; includes skin senses and proprioception and the internal organs


a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)


a method of investigation involving observation and theory to test scientific hypotheses


the use of controlled observations and measurements to test hypotheses


the principles and methods of instruction


a method of teaching by question and answer; used by Socrates to elicit truths from his students


the best method to achieve a desired result


the system of methods followed in a particular discipline


a method or system for improving the memory


the easy solution is to look it up in the handbook


a simple guaranteed solution for a difficult problem

no silver bullet can make the world safe from terrorism


a complex of methods or rules governing behavior

they have to operate under a system they oppose


a system that provides quantitative information about finances


a system of rules of conduct or method of practice

he quickly learned the discipline of prison routine


a system of assumptions and standards that sanction behavior and give it meaning


the system of techniques or symbols serving as a means of expression (as in arts or crafts)

he introduced a wide vocabulary of techniques


a system of rules for placing bets that is believed to lead to winning

he has a perfect gambling system at roulette


(government) the system or form by which a community or other political unit is governed


a system of conduct in which participants are trusted not to take unfair advantage of others


the syllogistic logic of Aristotle as developed by Boethius in the Middle Ages


the system of employing and promoting civil servants on the basis of ability


a system of evaluation based on awarding points according to rules


the system of employing and promoting civil servants who are friends and supporters of the group in power


a system of principles for philosophic or scientific investigations; an instrument for acquiring knowledge


a practical method or art applied to some particular task


(computer graphics) a technique that is used to smooth jagged distortions in curves and diagonal lines so they appear smoother


a photoengraving technique for adding shading or texture or tone to a printed image


(dentistry) a technique for repairing a tooth; resinous material is applied to the surface of the tooth where it adheres to the tooth's enamel


(computer science) technique of one machine obtaining the same results as another


(computer science) having a computer act exactly like a terminal


(immunology) a technique that uses antibodies linked to a fluorescent dye in order to study antigens in a sample of tissue


the technique of using photomechanical methods to make photographs into plates for printing


(computer science) the technique of representing the real world by a computer program

a simulation should imitate the internal processes and not merely the results of the thing being simulated


a trademarked method of making color motion pictures


knowledge of how something is usually done

it is not the local practice to wear shorts to dinner


oewn-convention-n oewn-normal-n oewn-pattern-n oewn-rule-n oewn-formula-n

something regarded as a normative example

the convention of not naming the main character


(sociology) the conventions that embody the fundamental values of a group


a set of conventional principles and expectations that are considered binding on any person who is a member of a particular group


a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings

some form of religion seems to be a human universal


(Middle Ages) a highly conventionalized code of conduct for lovers


(Middle Ages) the code of conduct observed by a knight errant who is wandering in search of deeds of chivalry


it was their habit to dine at 7 every evening


(Islam) a tradition based on reports of the sayings and activities of Muhammad and his companions


a custom that for a long time has been an important feature of some group or society


the biblical institution whereby a man must marry the widow of his childless brother in order to maintain the brother's line


practices that are handed down from the past by tradition


the state of a person's cognitive processes


an excessive enthusiasm for all things English


something that interests you because it is important or affects you

the safety of the ship is the captain's concern


oewn-worldly_concern-n oewn-earthly_concern-n oewn-world-n oewn-earth-n

the concerns of this life as distinguished from heaven and the afterlife

they consider the church to be independent of the world


personal matters that could be embarrassing if made public


that which concerns a person with regard to a particular role or situation


a concern that seriously reflects on your honor


he has a total blackout for events of the evening


(psychiatry) a disorder of memory in which dreams or fantasies are confused with reality


loss of memory for events immediately following a trauma; sometimes in effect for events during and for a long time following the trauma


loss of memory for events immediately preceding a trauma


a momentary lapse of memory (especially in older people)


amnesia about particular events that is very convenient for the person who cannot remember

why do politicians always develop selective amnesia when questioned about their transgressions?


selective amnesia after being in a hypnotic state of events occurring during hypnosis or of information designated by the hypnotist


unawareness caused by neglectful or heedless failure to remember

his forgetfulness increased as he grew older


memory disorder seen in middle aged and elderly persons; characterized by an episode of amnesia and bewilderment that lasts for several hours; person is otherwise alert and intellectually active


(psychology) being temporarily ready to respond in a particular way

the subjects' set led them to solve problems the familiar way and to overlook the simpler solution


a state of mind that is discussed as if it were a place

he lived in the ivory tower of speculation


an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation


the continuous flow of ideas and feelings that constitute an individual's conscious experience


(Jungian psychology) the inner self (not the external persona) that is in touch with the unconscious


oewn-awareness-n oewn-consciousness-n oewn-cognizance-n oewn-cognisance-n oewn-knowingness-n


a person's awareness of self with regard to position and time and place and personal relationships


self-awareness plus the additional realization that others are similarly aware of you


the quality of being not self-conscious; unawareness of yourself or of others' views of yourself

he had the unselfconsciousness of a child


an awareness of your orientation in space


state of elementary or undifferentiated consciousness


a periodic state during which you are conscious and aware of the world

consciousness during wakefulness in a sane person is pretty well ordered and familiar


a state lacking normal awareness of the self or environment


a cognitive state in which you act without self-awareness

she went about her chores on automatic pilot


unconsciousness resulting from lack of knowledge or attention


oewn-grogginess-n oewn-stupor-n oewn-stupefaction-n oewn-semiconsciousness-n

his grogginess was caused as much by exhaustion as by the blows


a state of deep and often prolonged unconsciousness; usually the result of disease or injury


coma that can develop in inadequately treated cases of diabetes mellitus


coma that can occur in severe cases of liver disease


unconsciousness brought about by the passage of a low voltage electric current through the brain


a mild comatose state; a coma from which the person can be roused by appropriate stimuli


a state of mind in which consciousness is fragile and voluntary action is poor or missing; a state resembling deep sleep


a trancelike state in which the person can follow instructions but voluntary action is weak or absent


a trance induced by the use of hypnosis; the person accepts the suggestions of the hypnotist


a trance induced by intense religious devotion; does not show reduced bodily functions that are typical of other trances


unconsciousness induced by narcotics or anesthesia


confused or stuporous state caused by high levels of dissolved nitrogen in the blood

deep-sea divers can suffer nitrogen narcosis from breathing air under high pressure


a state of mind not immediately available to consciousness


a state in which you want to learn more about something


curiosity that motivates investigation and study


a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something


oewn-confusion-n oewn-mental_confusion-n oewn-confusedness-n oewn-muddiness-n oewn-disarray-n

a mental state characterized by a lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior


confusion (usually transient) about where you are and how to proceed; uncertainty as to direction

his disorientation was the result of inattention


a condition of disorientation affecting someone who is suddenly exposed to an unfamiliar culture or way of life or set of attitudes


confusion characterized by lack of clarity


confusion resulting from lack of preparation


the experience of being unfamiliar with a person or situation that is actually very familiar; associated with certain types of epilepsy


oewn-bewilderment-n oewn-obfuscation-n oewn-puzzlement-n oewn-befuddlement-n oewn-mystification-n oewn-bafflement-n oewn-bemusement-n

confusion resulting from failure to understand


trouble or confusion resulting from complexity


oewn-mystery-n oewn-enigma-n oewn-secret-n oewn-closed_book-n

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained


state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options


(psychology) an unresolvable dilemma; situation in which a person receives contradictory messages from a person who is very powerful


something immaterial (as a circumstance or influence) that contributes to producing a result


(theology) a special influence of a divinity on the minds of human beings

they believe that the books of Scripture were written under divine guidance


one trouble after another delayed the job


where problems or difficulties are likely to occur

a key pressure point in the controversy was the building permit


a source of unpredictable trouble and complexity


problems that arise in enlarging an enterprise (especially in the early stages)


trouble that cannot be overcome by a single effort because of its many aspects or its persistent and pervasive quality

we may be facing a hydra that defies any easy solution


(a dated Briticism) a serious difficulty with which one is suddenly faced


a difficulty or flaw in a plan or operation


an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty


oewn-hindrance-n oewn-hinderance-n oewn-deterrent-n oewn-impediment-n oewn-balk-n oewn-baulk-n oewn-check-n oewn-handicap-n

something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress


(figurative) something that hinders or handicaps


(canon law) an impediment that invalidates a marriage (such as the existence of a prior marriage)


something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted

lack of imagination is an obstacle to one's advancement


anything immaterial that severely hinders or confines

they defected because Russian dance was in a straitjacket


any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective

intolerance is a barrier to understanding


the barrier preventing Blacks from participating in various activities with whites


oewn-hang-up-n oewn-hitch-n oewn-rub-n oewn-snag-n


an obstacle that you are expected to overcome


a barrier to cooperation or interaction resulting from conflicting ideologies


an impenetrable barrier to communication or information especially as imposed by rigid censorship and secrecy; used by Winston Churchill in 1946 to describe the demarcation between democratic and communist countries


barrier to communication resulting from speaking different languages


an ideological barrier around communist China especially in the 1950s and 1960s


oewn-color_bar-n oewn-colour_bar-n oewn-color_line-n oewn-colour_line-n oewn-Jim_Crow-n

barrier preventing blacks from participating in various activities with whites


oewn-determinant-n oewn-determiner-n oewn-determinative-n oewn-determining_factor-n oewn-causal_factor-n

a determining or causal element or factor

education is an important determinant of one's outlook on life


a point or fact or remark that settles something conclusively


a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do

her wishes had a great influence on his thinking


a factor whose effects cannot be accurately assessed

human behavior depends on many imponderables


English stills bears the imprint of the Norman invasion


something or someone who influences by building or strengthening morale


a pernicious and malign influence that is hard to get rid of

racism is a pestilence at the heart of the nation


something providing immaterial assistance to a person or cause or interest


oewn-anchor-n oewn-mainstay-n oewn-keystone-n oewn-backbone-n oewn-linchpin-n oewn-lynchpin-n

a central cohesive source of support and stability


support that enables people to survive or to continue doing something (often by providing an essential connection)

the airlift provided a lifeline for Berlin


something that seduces or has the quality to seduce


originally an apple from the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden; it is now used to refer to anything that is tempting but dangerous (as sexuality)


oewn-bait-n oewn-come-on-n oewn-hook-n oewn-lure-n oewn-sweetener-n


a person or thing equal to another in value or measure or force or effect or significance etc

send two dollars or the equivalent in stamps


a person or thing having the same function or characteristics as another


something that resembles or harmonizes with

that tie makes a good match with your jacket


either of two parts that mutually complete each other


a person or thing that takes or can take the place of another


an artificial or inferior substitute or imitation


a thing or person that immediately replaces something or someone


(medicine) something that can be used as a substitute (especially any medicine that may be taken in place of another)


oewn-assurance-n oewn-self-assurance-n oewn-confidence-n oewn-self-confidence-n oewn-authority-n oewn-sureness-n

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

his assurance in his superiority did not make him popular


total certainty or greater certainty than circumstances warrant


he wrote the paper with considerable reliance on the work of other scientists


oewn-doubt-n oewn-uncertainty-n oewn-incertitude-n oewn-dubiety-n oewn-doubtfulness-n oewn-dubiousness-n


an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly


oewn-misgiving-n oewn-mistrust-n oewn-distrust-n oewn-suspicion-n


oewn-incredulity-n oewn-disbelief-n oewn-skepticism-n oewn-mental_rejection-n oewn-scepticism-n


doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action

his indecision was only momentary but the opportunity was lost


doubt or uncertainty as to whether something is the case

this proves beyond peradventure that he is innocent


the matter remained in suspense for several years


an abnormally gloomy or unhealthy state of mind

his fear of being alone verges on morbidity


oewn-preoccupation-n oewn-preoccupancy-n oewn-absorption-n oewn-engrossment-n

the mental state of being preoccupied by something


an unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone


preoccupation with something to the exclusion of all else


a state of mind characterized by abstraction and release from reality


a state of deep absorption or thoughtfulness


preoccupation so great that the ordinary demands on attention are ignored


oewn-process-n oewn-cognitive_process-n oewn-mental_process-n oewn-operation-n oewn-cognitive_operation-n

(psychology) the performance of some composite cognitive activity; an operation that affects mental contents


a mental process that you are not directly aware of


cognitive processes involved in obtaining and storing knowledge


the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others


the length of time you can concentrate on some idea or activity


oewn-attentiveness-n oewn-heed-n oewn-regard-n oewn-paying_attention-n

paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)


paying excessive attention to the clock (in anticipation of stopping work)


his hard work soon attracted the teacher's notice


oewn-concentration-n oewn-engrossment-n oewn-absorption-n oewn-immersion-n

complete attention; intense mental effort


special attention with intent to remember

he made a mental note to send her flowers


oewn-focus-n oewn-focusing-n oewn-focussing-n oewn-focal_point-n oewn-direction-n oewn-centering-n oewn-centring-n

the concentration of attention or energy on something

the focus of activity shifted to molecular biology


the concentration of your efforts on a particular field of study or occupation


oewn-watchfulness-n oewn-wakefulness-n oewn-vigilance-n oewn-alertness-n

the process of paying close and continuous attention

wakefulness, watchfulness, and bellicosity make a good hunter


cherish their official political freedom with fierce jealousy


a lack of attentiveness (as to children or helpless people)


an unintentional omission resulting from failure to notice something


neglecting to do something; leaving out or passing over something


with the exception of the children, everyone was told the news


instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)


an intuitive feeling for the natural idiom of a language


intuitive knowledge of spiritual truths; said to have been possessed by ancient Gnostics


grasping the inner nature of things intuitively


the process whereby perceived qualities of an object are related to past experience


(psychology) the tendency for perceived objects to give rise to very similar perceptual experiences in spite of wide variations in the conditions of observation


the tendency for a visual object to be perceived as having the same brightness under widely different conditions of illumination


the tendency for a color to look the same under widely different viewing conditions


the tendency to perceive the shape of a rigid object as constant despite differences in the viewing angle (and consequent differences in the shape of the pattern projected on the retina of the eye)


the tendency to perceive the veridical size of a familiar object despite differences in their distance (and consequent differences in the size of the pattern projected on the retina of the eye)


a man admired for the depth of his perception


the perception that something has occurred or some state exists

early detection can often lead to a cure


the perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors


the visual perception of familiar objects


the perception of sound as a meaningful phenomenon


the auditory perception (and comprehension) of speech


the auditory perception of musical sounds


the perception of pleasant arrangements of musical notes


oewn-sensation-n oewn-esthesis-n oewn-aesthesis-n oewn-sense_experience-n oewn-sense_impression-n oewn-sense_datum-n

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation


the lowest level of stimulation that a person can detect


the lowest intensity of stimulation at which pain is experienced

some people have much higher pain thresholds than do other people


oewn-difference_threshold-n oewn-differential_threshold-n oewn-difference_limen-n oewn-differential_limen-n

the smallest change in stimulation that a person can detect


(psychophysics) the difference between two stimuli that (under properly controlled experimental conditions) is detected as often as it is undetected


the blocking of one sensation resulting from the presence of another sensation

he studied auditory masking by pure tones


the runners emerged from the trees into his clear vision


oewn-smell-n oewn-odor-n oewn-odour-n oewn-olfactory_sensation-n oewn-olfactory_perception-n

the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form


an odor left in passing by which a person or animal can be traced


the scent of a greasy glandular secretion from the male musk deer


oewn-aroma-n oewn-fragrance-n oewn-perfume-n oewn-scent-n


the pleasing scent produced when incense is burned


oewn-malodor-n oewn-malodour-n oewn-stench-n oewn-stink-n oewn-reek-n oewn-fetor-n oewn-foetor-n oewn-mephitis-n

a distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant


oewn-taste-n oewn-taste_sensation-n oewn-gustatory_sensation-n oewn-taste_perception-n oewn-gustatory_perception-n

the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus


oewn-relish-n oewn-flavor-n oewn-flavour-n oewn-sapidity-n oewn-savor-n oewn-savour-n oewn-smack-n oewn-nip-n oewn-tang-n

the taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth


a distinctive tart flavor characteristic of lemons


a distinctive fragrant flavor characteristic of vanilla beans


the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth


the taste experience when vinegar or lemon juice is taken into the mouth


the taste experience when something acidic is taken into the mouth


the taste experience when quinine or coffee is taken into the mouth


the taste experience when common salt is taken into the mouth


a sharp astringent taste; the taste experience when a substance causes the mouth to pucker


(wine tasting) the taste of a wine on the back of the tongue (as it is swallowed)

the wine has a nutty flavor and a pleasant finish


it needed lemon juice to sharpen the flatness of the dried lentils


a taste (especially of fruit) that is ripe and of full flavor


the subjective sensation of hearing something


any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds

he fell asleep to the music of the wind chimes


(music) the sounds produced by singers or musical instruments (or reproductions of such sounds)


he thought he heard piano music next door


an inaudible music that Pythagoras thought was produced by the celestial


they tested his hearing with pure tones of different frequencies


a tone that is a component of a complex sound


a harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency


the auditory experience of sound that lacks musical quality; sound that is a disagreeable auditory experience


a sensation that normally occurs in one sense modality occurs when another modality is stimulated


a form of synesthesia in which nonvisual stimulation results in the experience of color sensations


a form of chromesthesia in which experiences of color accompany auditory stimuli


oewn-somesthesia-n oewn-somaesthesia-n oewn-somatesthesia-n oewn-somatic_sensation-n

the perception of tactual or proprioceptive or gut sensations

he relied on somesthesia to warn him of pressure changes


a physical sensation that you experience


a tight feeling in some part of the body


oewn-tactual_sensation-n oewn-tactility-n oewn-touch_perception-n oewn-skin_perceptiveness-n

the faculty of perceiving (via the skin) pressure or heat or pain


the perception of body position and movement and muscular tensions etc


oewn-touch-n oewn-touch_sensation-n oewn-tactual_sensation-n oewn-tactile_sensation-n oewn-feeling-n

the sensation produced by pressure receptors in the skin


a sharp tingling sensation from lack of circulation


a somatic sensation as from many tiny stings


an uneasy sensation as of insects creeping on your skin


a cutaneous sensation often resulting from light stroking


an irritating cutaneous sensation that produces a desire to scratch


an intense itching sensation that can have various causes (as by allergies or infection or lymphoma or jaundice etc.)


chronic itching of the skin around the anus


persistent itching of the external female genitalia


recognition of the location of a stimulus on the skin


a sensation of having been stung by nettles


the somatic sensation that results from applying force to an area of skin

the sensitivity of his skin to pressure and temperature was normal


as the intensity increased the sensation changed from tickle to pain


pain in the area of the ovary that is felt at the time of ovulation (usually midway through the menstrual cycle)


pain felt by an amputee that seems to be located in the missing limb


the sensation produced by low temperatures


the temperature range (between 28 and 30 degrees Centigrade) at which the naked human body is able to maintain a heat balance without shivering or sweating


the cognitive process that leads to convictions


believing two contradictory ideas at the same time


the complex composition of knowledge as elements and their combinations


oewn-arrangement-n oewn-organization-n oewn-organisation-n oewn-system-n

an organized structure for arranging or classifying

he changed the arrangement of the topics


a system used by libraries to classify nonfictional publications into subject categories; the subject is indicated by a three-digit numeral and further specification is given by numerals following a decimal point; publications are shelved by number


an artificial or unnatural or obviously contrived arrangement of details or parts etc.

the plot contained too many improbable contrivances to be believable


oewn-coordinate_system-n oewn-frame_of_reference-n oewn-reference_system-n oewn-reference_frame-n

a system that uses coordinates to establish position


a coordinate system for which the coordinates of a point are its distances from a set perpendicular lines that intersect at the origin of the system


(computer science) the organization of data (and its storage allocations in a computer)


the awkward design of the keyboard made operation difficult


(statistics) an arrangement of values of a variable showing their observed or theoretical frequency of occurrence


a flat distribution having equal frequencies of occurrence


graphical representation of the arrangement of genes on a chromosome


(anthropology) the system of social relationships that constitute kinship in a particular culture, including the terminology that is used and the reciprocal obligations that are entailed


an arrangement of points or particles or objects in a regular periodic pattern in 2 or 3 dimensions


an arrangement to allow people (or ideas) to coexist


(electronics) a system design that duplicates components to provide alternatives in case one component fails


the configuration of a communication network


the topology of a network whose components are connected by a busbar


the topology of a network whose components are serially connected in such a way that the last component is connected to the first component


the topology of a network whose components are connected to a hub


the topology of a network whose components are all connected directly to every other component


the physical topologies of local area networks include the bus, the ring and the star


a network that looks like a star can have the logical topology of a bus


(psychology) the configuration of smaller units of information into large coordinated units


the outcome depends on the configuration of influences at the time


a 3-dimensional geometric arrangement of the atoms or molecules or ions composing a crystal


a structure of data having several levels arranged in a treelike structure


a classification system where entries are arranged based on some hierarchical structure


a system of classifying into files (usually arranged alphabetically)


oewn-classification-n oewn-categorization-n oewn-categorisation-n oewn-sorting-n

the basic cognitive process of arranging into classes or categories


a system for classifying things into groups


a system of classifying according to quality or merit or amount


a classification system for the antigens of human blood; used in blood transfusion therapy; four groups are A and B and AB and O


the classification of someone or something with respect to its worth


an appraisal based on careful analytical evaluation


a serious examination and judgment of something

constructive criticism is always appreciated


a critical study (as of a writer's work)


the attribution of lighting to an expression of God's wrath


assigning some quality or character to a person or thing


the attribution of animal forms or qualities to a god


the attribution of consciousness and personality to natural phenomena such as thunderstorms and earthquakes and to objects such as plants and stones


the imputation that my success was due to nepotism meant that I was not taken seriously


classification according to more than one attribute at the same time

the cross-classification of cases was done by age and sex


incorporating something under a more general category


too high a value or price assigned to something


too low a value or price assigned to something


the evaluation of something in terms of its price


pricing above the market price when no alternative retailer is available


the evaluation of something a second time (or more)


a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)


a numerical value assigned to a letter grade received in a course taken at a college or university multiplied by the number of credit hours awarded for the course


(statistics) any of the 99 numbered points that divide an ordered set of scores into 100 parts each of which contains one-hundredth of the total


(statistics) any of nine points that divided a distribution of ranked scores into equal intervals where each interval contains one-tenth of the scores


(statistics) any of three points that divide an ordered distribution into four parts each containing one quarter of the scores


an evaluation by a rating company of the probability that a particular bond issue will default

the bonds of highest quality are said to have bond ratings of AAA


something that checks the correctness of a previous check


an assay conducted for diagnostic purposes


an assessment of the physical condition of a newborn infant; involves heart rate and muscle tone and respiratory effort and color and reflex responsiveness


a blood test used to identify unknown antigens; blood with the unknown antigen is mixed with a known antibody and whether or not agglutination occurs helps to identify the antigen; used in tissue matching and blood grouping and diagnosis of infections


a blood test to detect heterophil antibodies that agglutinate sheep red blood cells; positive result indicates infectious mononucleosis


a test for detecting typhoid fever and other salmonella infections


appraisal of the biological activity of a substance by testing its effect on an organism and comparing the result with some agreed standard


identification of a substance (especially a protein) by its action as an antigen

PSA in the blood can be measured with an immunochemical assay


immunoassay of a substance that has been radioactively labeled


examination of tissues or liquids from the living body to determine the existence or cause of a disease


a test for diagnosing reading ability; words are deleted from a prose passage and the reader is required to fill in the blanks


a test performed at home in which you collect specimens of your stool that are tested for traces of blood; used to detect colorectal cancers


diagnostic tests of the alimentary canal; usually involves inserting a contrast medium (such as barium sulfate) and taking an X-ray


test of the body's ability to metabolize carbohydrates; used in the diagnosis of hypoglycemia and diabetes mellitus


a blood test in which a sample of serum is exposed to a particular antigen and complement in order to determine whether or not antibodies to that particular antigen are present; used as a diagnostic test


a blood test to detect syphilis; a complement fixation test is used to detect antibodies to the syphilis organism treponema; a positive reaction indicates the presence of antibodies and therefore syphilis infection


a serologic analysis of a sample of blood


a blood test that measures levels of a protein called prostate specific antigen that is manufactured exclusively by the prostate gland; men with prostate problems usually have elevated levels of PSA


a prenatal test to detect birth defects at an early stage of pregnancy; tissue from the chorionic villi is assayed


biopsy of deep tissue that is obtained through a hollow needle


a method of examining stained cells in a cervical smear for early diagnosis of uterine cancer


a test based on blood groups to determine whether a particular man could be the biological father of a particular child; negative results prove he was not the father but positive results show only that he could be


a test of newborn infants for phenylketonuria


a physiological test to determine whether a woman is pregnant


pregnancy test that involves injecting some of the woman's urine into an unmated female rabbit and later examining the ovaries of the rabbit; presence of corpora lutea indicates that the woman is pregnant


a test to determine whether there is a blockage of the spinal canal


test of thyroid function in which the patient is given an oral dose of radioactive iodine-131


radioactive iodine test that measures the amount of radioactive iodine excreted in the urine


radioactive iodine test that measures the amount of radioactive iodine taken up by the thyroid gland


test to determine the patency or occlusion of the Fallopian tubes


any test to determine immunity or sensitivity to a disease by introducing small amounts on or into the skin


a skin test to determine your susceptibility to scarlet fever


a test to determine allergic sensitivity by applying small pads soaked with allergen to the unbroken skin


a test to determine allergic sensitivity to various substances by applying them to scratches in the skin


a skin test to determine past or present infection with the tuberculosis bacterium; based on hypersensitivity of the skin to tuberculin


tuberculin (a derivative of tubercle bacillus) is injected intradermally; a red area appearing 1-3 days later signifies an exposure (past or present) to tubercle bacilli and the need for further testing


a tuberculin test in which a disk with several tines bearing tuberculin antigen is used to puncture the skin; development of a hard red area indicates past or present exposure to tubercle bacilli and the need for further testing


a form of skin test in which the suspected allergen is injected into the skin


a series of diagnostic tests before an organ transplant to determine whether the tissues of a donor and recipient are compatible


a test of visual acuity using a Snellen chart


a test measuring how a system functions when subjected to controlled amounts of stress


a stress test in which the patient walks on a moving treadmill while the heart and breathing rates are monitored


oewn-reappraisal-n oewn-revaluation-n oewn-review-n oewn-reassessment-n


reappraisal of a situation or position or outlook


an appraisal that underestimates the value of something


the cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished


a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

it is necessary to make a distinction between love and infatuation


a distinction drawn on the basis of contrast

sculpture in contradistinction to painting


oewn-line-n oewn-dividing_line-n oewn-demarcation-n oewn-contrast-n

there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity


a line that when crossed permits of no return and typically results in irrevocable commitment


making too fine distinctions of little importance

they didn't take his hairsplitting seriously


discriminating the individual from the generic group or species


oewn-taste-n oewn-appreciation-n oewn-discernment-n oewn-perceptiveness-n

delicate discrimination (especially of esthetic values)

arrogance and lack of taste contributed to his rapid success


love of or taste for fine objects of art


a style of women's clothing created by Christian Dior in 1947; involved a tight bodice and narrow waist and a flowing pleated skirt


the latest and most admired style in clothes and cosmetics and behavior


oewn-fad-n oewn-craze-n oewn-furor-n oewn-furore-n oewn-cult-n oewn-rage-n

an interest followed with exaggerated zeal


a popular trend that attracts growing support

when they saw how things were going everybody jumped on the bandwagon


the tastes in art and manners that are favored by a social group


a culture with lifestyles and values opposed to those of the established culture


the culture that is widely disseminated via the mass media


a counterculture of young people in the US during the 1960s and 70s


this book shows American letters at its best


the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge


a learning process in which an organism's behavior becomes dependent on the occurrence of a stimulus in its environment


learning that takes place as a normal part of cognitive development


learning and coming to understand ideas and information

his appetite for facts was better than his digestion


the gradual process of acquiring knowledge


learning (of values or attitudes etc.) that is incorporated within yourself


(psychology) unconscious internalization of aspects of the world (especially aspects of persons) within the self in such a way that the internalized representation takes over the psychological functions of the external objects


(psychoanalysis) the internalization of the parent figures and their values; leads to the formation of the superego


a learning process in early life whereby species specific patterns of behavior are established


system of language acquisition focusing intensively on listening and speaking


learning so as to be able to remember verbatim


in the theories of Jean Piaget: the modification of internal representations in order to accommodate a changing knowledge of reality


in the theories of Jean Piaget: the application of a general schema to a particular instance


applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading)

mastering a second language requires a lot of work


application of a skill learned in one situation to a different but similar situation


oewn-generalization-n oewn-generalisation-n oewn-stimulus_generalization-n oewn-stimulus_generalisation-n

(psychology) transfer of a response learned to one stimulus to a similar stimulus


(Pavolvian conditioning) the elicitation of a conditioned response by stimulation similar but not identical to the original stimulus


training in the development of and care for the human body; stresses athletics; includes hygiene


the process of assimilating new ideas into an existing cognitive structure


becoming proficient in the use of something; having mastery of

his mastering the art of cooking took a long time


the process of being formally educated at a school

what will you do when you finish school?


education of physically or mentally handicapped children whose needs cannot be met in an ordinary classroom


training for a specific vocation in industry or agriculture or trade


the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities


the experience of becoming familiar with something


skill and experience in matters relating to the woods (as hunting or fishing or camping)


a conditioning process in which the reinforcer is removed and a conditioned response becomes independent of the conditioned stimulus


conditioning to avoid an aversive stimulus


an emotional response that has been acquired by conditioning


conditioning that pairs a neutral stimulus with a stimulus that evokes a reflex; the stimulus that evokes the reflex is given whether or not the conditioned response occurs until eventually the neutral stimulus comes to evoke the reflex


operant conditioning that pairs a response with a reinforcement in discrete trials; reinforcement occurs only after the response is given


conditioning in which an operant response is brought under stimulus control by virtue of presenting reinforcement contingent upon the occurrence of the operant response


conditioning in which a second incompatible response is conditioned to an already conditioned stimulus

counter conditioning lies behind many of the procedures used in behavior therapy


the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered


what you can repeat immediately after perceiving it


memory for intermediate results that must be held during thinking


your general store of remembered information


your memory for meanings and general (impersonal) facts


the cognitive operation of accessing information in memory

my retrieval of people's names is very poor


the process of remembering (especially the process of recovering information by mental effort)


recall that is hypothesized to work by storing abstract features which are then used to construct the memory during recall


recall that is hypothesized to work by storing the original stimulus input and reproducing it during recall


he complained that school was just memorization and regurgitation


a mental impression retained and recalled from the past


the process of recognizing something or someone by remembering

a politician whose recall of names was as remarkable as his recognition of faces


the individual characteristics by which a thing or person is recognized or known

geneticists only recently discovered the identity of the gene that causes it


identification of a person from the sound of their voice


the process of bringing ideas or events together in memory or imagination

conditioning is a form of learning by association


the connection of isolated facts by a general hypothesis


a representation of common ground between theories or phenomena

there was no overlap between their proposals


Freud's work stands at the crossroads between psychology and neurology


the overlap where two theories or phenomena affect each other or have links with each other

the interface between chemistry and biology


some psychologists tried to contrast retrospection and introspection


any basic cognitive process in which some entity comes to stand for or represent something else


oewn-symbol-n oewn-symbolization-n oewn-symbolisation-n oewn-symbolic_representation-n

something visible that by association or convention represents something else that is invisible

the eagle is a symbol of the United States


a representational or typifying form or model


a typical example of some state or quality


oewn-interpretation-n oewn-interpreting-n oewn-rendition-n oewn-rendering-n

an explanation of something that is not immediately obvious

the edict was subject to many interpretations


an interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court)


oewn-depicting-n oewn-depiction-n oewn-portraying-n oewn-portrayal-n

a representation by picture or portraiture


the representation of objects (especially a god) as having human form or traits


(theology) the doctrine that Jesus was a union of the human and the divine


oewn-imagination-n oewn-imaging-n oewn-imagery-n oewn-mental_imagery-n

the ability to form mental images of things or events

he could still hear her in his imagination


the imaging of remembered or invented scenes

I could see her clearly in my mind's eye


a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep


imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake

he lives in a dream that has nothing to do with reality


an erotic dream (usually at night) accompanied by the (nocturnal) emission of semen


oewn-reverie-n oewn-revery-n oewn-daydream-n oewn-daydreaming-n oewn-oneirism-n oewn-air_castle-n oewn-castle_in_the_air-n oewn-castle_in_Spain-n


the examination of alternative hypotheses

his search for a move that would avoid checkmate was unsuccessful


a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria


cognitive processes that presuppose the availability of knowledge and put it to use


oewn-thinking-n oewn-thought-n oewn-thought_process-n oewn-cerebration-n oewn-intellection-n oewn-mentation-n

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully


a thought process in which ideas (words or images) suggest other ideas in a sequence


the sequential mental process in which one thought leads to another by association


the creation of a construct; the process of combining ideas into a congruous object of thought


a mental synthesis that becomes fixed or concrete by a process resembling crystal formation


the conception and development of an idea or plan


the abstract separation of a whole into its constituent parts in order to study the parts and their relations


oewn-argumentation-n oewn-logical_argument-n oewn-argument-n oewn-line_of_reasoning-n oewn-line-n

a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning


a particular way of thinking that is characteristic of some individual or group


the connections that link the various parts of an event or argument together


an ordering of questions so as to develop a particular argument


reasoning that involves the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence


reasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect)


oewn-generalization-n oewn-generalisation-n oewn-induction-n oewn-inductive_reasoning-n

reasoning from detailed facts to general principles


the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation


the act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future)


a prediction made by extrapolating from past observations


knowledge of the future (usually said to be obtained from a divine source)


staring into a crystal ball to arouse visions of future or distant events


the act of providing vague advance indications; representing beforehand


oewn-divination-n oewn-foretelling-n oewn-soothsaying-n oewn-fortune_telling-n

the art or gift of prophecy (or the pretense of prophecy) by supernatural means


searching for underground water or minerals by using a dowsing rod


divination by means of signs connected with the earth (as points taken at random or the arrangement of particles thrown down at random or from the configuration of a region and its relation to another)


divination by water (as by patterns seen in the ebb and flow of the tides)


divination by means of stones or stone talismans


conjuring up the dead, especially for prophesying


divination through the interpretation of dreams


oewn-palmistry-n oewn-palm_reading-n oewn-chiromancy-n oewn-chirology-n

telling fortunes by lines on the palm of the hand


a pseudoscience claiming divination by the positions of the planets and sun and moon


the drawing up and interpretation of horoscopes


a pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times


an activity resembling science but based on fallacious assumptions


deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises


the act of presupposing; a supposition made prior to having knowledge (as for the purpose of argument)


the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances


an inference that if things agree in some respects they probably agree in others


(logic) an inference that follows directly from the proof of another proposition


a line of reasoning that shows how a conclusion follows logically from accepted propositions


something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied)

his resignation had political implications


an inference about the future (or about some hypothetical situation) based on known facts and observations


(law) an inference of the truth of a fact from other facts proved or admitted or judicially noticed


(logic) a conclusion that does not follow from the premises


an analysis into mutually exclusive categories


an analysis of the cost effectiveness of different alternatives in order to see whether the benefits outweigh the costs


analysis of a problem into alternative possibilities followed by the systematic rejection of unacceptable alternatives


the analysis of complex things into simpler constituents


a theory that all complex systems can be completely understood in terms of their components


analysis of all aspects of a project along with ways to collect information about the operation of its parts


(mathematics) the resolution of an expression into factors such that when multiplied together they give the original expression


changing a square matrix to diagonal form (with all non-zero elements on the principal diagonal)

the diagonalization of a normal matrix by a unitary transformation


the reasoning involved when you assume the conclusion is true and reason backward to the evidence


the combination of ideas into a complex whole


after much cogitation he rejected the offer


the process of forming and relating ideas


the process of giving careful thought to something


a little deliberation would have deterred them


he called for a careful exploration of the consequences


oewn-contemplation-n oewn-reflection-n oewn-reflexion-n oewn-rumination-n oewn-musing-n oewn-thoughtfulness-n


continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

the habit of meditation is the basis for all real knowledge


(religion) contemplation of spiritual matters (usually on religious or philosophical subjects)


the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct


a penetrating examination of your own beliefs and motives


a detailed inspection of your conscience (as done daily by Jesuits)


preoccupation especially with one's attitudes and ethical or ideological values

the sensitiveness of James's characters, their seeming inwardness


concern with outward things or material objects as opposed to the mind and spirit

what is the origin of the outwardness of our sensations of sound, smell, or taste


literally, the contemplation of one's navel, which is an idiom usually meaning complacent self-absorption


the cognitive process of reaching a decision

a good executive must be good at decision making


deciding or controlling something's outcome or nature

the determination of grammatical inflections


making decisions on the basis of what seems best instead of following some single doctrine or style


decision making by a group (especially in a manner that discourages creativity or individual responsibility)


something settled or resolved; the outcome of decision making

they finally reached a settlement with the union


the cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions


a judgment reached before the evidence is available


oewn-reversal-n oewn-change_of_mind-n oewn-flip-flop-n oewn-turnabout-n oewn-turnaround-n

a decision to reverse an earlier decision


oewn-reconsideration-n oewn-second_thought-n oewn-afterthought-n oewn-rethink-n

thinking again about a choice previously made

he had second thoughts about his purchase


he serves at the pleasure of the President


the person or thing that is rejected or set aside as inferior in quality


something regarded with special favor or liking


one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen


the more conspicuous of two alternatives or cases or sides


an option that is selected automatically unless an alternative is specified


the choice of taking what is offered or nothing at all


the instructor took the soft option and gave the boy a passing grade


thinking something out with care in order to achieve complete understanding of it


thought that makes something comprehensible


(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)


oewn-basis-n oewn-base-n oewn-foundation-n oewn-fundament-n oewn-groundwork-n oewn-cornerstone-n

the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained

the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture


successful negotiation is the meat and potatoes of arbitration


the key to development is economic integration


the scientific study of plants or animals (more observational than experimental) usually published in popular magazines rather than in academic journals


the cognitive process of making something seem consistent with or based on reason


the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening

his planning for retirement was hindered by several uncertainties


they made arrangements to meet in Chicago


something reserved in advance (as a hotel accommodation or a seat on a plane etc.)


I got an upgrade to first class when coach class was full


the planning that is disrupted when someone `upsets the applecart'


(law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal); often at issue in murder trials


(law) thought and intention to commit a crime well in advance of the crime; goes to show criminal intent


planning something carefully and intentionally

it was the deliberation of his act that was insulting


planning or plotting in advance of acting


the thought processes involved in solving a problem


thinking that brings together information focussed on solving a problem (especially solving problems that have a single correct solution)


thinking that moves away in diverging directions so as to involve a variety of aspects and which sometimes lead to novel ideas and solutions; associated with creativity


a sudden intuition as part of solving a problem


their pottery deserves more research than it has received


the study of animals and plants in the natural world (usually at an elementary level)


an experiment designed to control for variables affecting the results of another experiment


a standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment

the control condition was inappropriate for the conclusions he wished to draw


the procedure that is varied in order to estimate a variable's effect by comparison with a control condition


a preliminary experiment whose outcome can lead to a more extensive experiment


oewn-trial-n oewn-trial_run-n oewn-test-n oewn-tryout-n


a test of the performance of some new product under the conditions in which it will be used


(computer science) a first test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by the developer


(computer science) a second test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by an outside organization


a test to insure that a vehicle is roadworthy


test of the roadworthiness of a vehicle one is considering buying


an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities

there was a congressional probe into the scandal


an investigation undertaken in the hope (but not the stated purpose) of discovering information


oewn-poll-n-1 oewn-opinion_poll-n oewn-public_opinion_poll-n oewn-canvass-n

an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people


a poll of voters as they leave the voting place; usually taken by news media in order to predict the outcome of an election


an unofficial vote taken to determine opinion on some issue


the study and classification of armorial bearings and the tracing of genealogies


oewn-calculation-n oewn-computation-n oewn-figuring-n oewn-reckoning-n

problem solving that involves numbers or quantities


(mathematics) calculation of the value of a function outside the range of known values


(mathematics) calculation of the value of a function between the values already known


a change in the units or form of an expression:


conversion from one way of encoding data to another way


conversion of analog information into digital information


oewn-estimate-n oewn-estimation-n oewn-approximation-n oewn-idea-n

an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth


an estimate, based on previous dealings, of a person's or an organization's ability to fulfill their financial commitments


oewn-guess-n oewn-guesswork-n oewn-guessing-n oewn-shot-n oewn-dead_reckoning-n

an estimate based on little or no information


an estimate that combines reasoning with guessing


oewn-overestimate-n oewn-overestimation-n oewn-overrating-n oewn-overreckoning-n

a calculation that results in an estimate that is too high


oewn-underestimate-n oewn-underestimation-n oewn-underrating-n oewn-underreckoning-n

an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value


the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people


range of what one can know or understand


oewn-prevision-n oewn-foresight-n oewn-farsightedness-n oewn-prospicience-n

seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing


oewn-understanding-n oewn-apprehension-n oewn-discernment-n oewn-savvy-n

the cognitive condition of someone who understands

he has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect


an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)

how you can do that is beyond my comprehension


an understanding of yourself and your goals and abilities


a slight or superficial understanding of a subject


understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something

he has a good grasp of accounting practices


the lecture was beyond his most strenuous graspings


understanding the nature of an event after it has happened

hindsight is always better than foresight


the clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation


coming to understand something clearly and distinctly

a growing realization of the risk involved


mental understanding as an enlightening experience


an enlightening or astonishing disclosure


the cognitive processes involved in producing and understanding linguistic communication

he didn't have the language to express his feelings


the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message


reading at speeds significantly faster than normal


the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned


an inherited pattern of thought or action


all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you


an abstract spiritual world beyond earthly reality


the practical world as opposed to the academic world

a good consultant must have a lot of experience in the real world


the experience of thinking that a new situation had occurred before


the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

he could no longer cope with the complexities of life


the reliving of a strong emotion can be therapeutic


anything that provides mental stimulus for thinking


the object of a feeling of intense aversion; something to be avoided


the object of cursing or detestation; that which is execrated


oewn-center-n oewn-centre-n oewn-center_of_attention-n oewn-centre_of_attention-n

the object upon which interest and attention focuses

his stories made him the center of the party


something interesting that stimulates conversation


the war on terrorism has put Saddam Hussein in the crosshairs


something that strongly attracts attention and admiration

if he was the cynosure of all eyes he didn't notice


a striking person or thing that attracts attention


an object perceived during a hallucinatory episode

he refused to believe that the angel was a hallucination


an object of extravagant short-lived passion


any object of warm affection or devotion


the intellectual conception of a thing as it is in itself, not as it is known through perception


an experience that causes you to remember something


a reminder (as a death's head) of your mortality


(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something


everything stated or assumed in a given discussion


oewn-topic-n oewn-subject-n oewn-issue-n oewn-matter-n

some situation or event that is thought about


an important question that is in dispute and must be settled

the issue could be settled by requiring public education for everyone


an issue that elicits strong emotional reactions


an issue whose settlement is more important than anything else; and issue that must be settled before anything else can be settled