Dictionary [L]

Word	Definition
labarum	moral standard; ecclesiastical banner bearing Christ's monogram
labefactation	a weakening decay; overthrow
labeorphily	collection and study of beer bottle labels
labidometer	instrument for measuring size of the head of a fetus
labile	adaptable; unstable
lability	plasticity; openness to change or breakdown
labiomancy	lip reading
labret	lip ornament
labrose	thick-lipped
labtebricole	living in holes
lac	dark red transparent resin used to make shellac
laccolith	mass of igneous rock intruded between two sedimentary beds
lacertiform	shaped like a lizard
lacertilian	of, like or pertaining to lizards
laches	negligence or undue delay in fulfilling legal duty
lachrymatory	narrow-necked bottle or vase
lachrymiform	shaped like a tear
lachrymogenic	causing tears or weeping
lachrymose	shedding tears
laciniate	cut into narrow lobes; slashed; fringed
laciniform	shaped like a fringe
lacis	network
lackaday	expression of regret or deprecation
laconicum	sauna
lactarium	dairy farm or milking operation
lacteous	milky
lactescent	secreting milk
lactiferous	milk-bearing
lactifluous	flowing with milk
lactogenic	producing milk
lactometer	instrument for testing relative density of milk
lactoscope	instrument for measuring purity or richness of milk
lacuna	a blank space or missing part
lacunar	sunken panel or coffer in a ceiling
lacuscular	of, like or pertaining to pools
lacustrine	of, like or pertaining to lakes
ladronism	banditry; robbery
laeotropic	turning to the left
laevoduction	movement leftwards
lagan	cargo jettisoned from ship but marked by buoys for recovery
lagan	wreckage or goods at the bottom of the sea
lagena	flask
lageniform	shaped like a flask
lagerphone	percussion instrument with bottlecaps loosely nailed to pole
lagniappe	gratuity
lagostoma	harelip
lagotic	having ears like a hare's
laic	of, like or pertaining to lay people rather than clergy
laicisation	process of returning a clergyman to lay status
laicism	doctrine of opposition to clergy and priests
lairwite	fine given to married women for adultery
laitance	milky deposit on top of fresh concrete
lallation	childish speech; mispronunciation of speech sounds
lambdoid	shaped like the letter lambda (^) or "L"
lambent	moving about as if touching lightly; flickering; glowing
lambert	unit of brightness of light
lambitive	taken by licking up with the tongue
lambrequin	drapery over a window or doorway; veil over a helmet
lamé	fabric in which metallic threads are interwoven
lamella	thin plate or layer
lamelliform	shaped like a plate or layer
lamiaceous	minty; of, like or pertaining to the mint plant
lamina	thin plate or layer
laminary	of, like or pertaining to thin plates or layer
lamister	fugitive
lammergeier	giant vulture-like bird of prey
lampad	lamp, candlestick or torch
lampadedromy	torch-race
lampadephore	torchbearer
lampadomancy	divination by flame
lampion	decorated oil lamp
lamprophony	speaking in loud and clear tones
lampyridine	of, like or pertaining or pertaining to glow-worms or fireflies
lanai	private balcony in a hotel room
lanameter	instrument for measuring quality of wool
lanate	woolly
lanceolate	shaped like a lance-head
lanciform	shaped like a lance
lancinate	to lacerate; to pierce
lancination	sharp; shooting pain
landau	horse-drawn carriage with folding top
landocracy	government by the propertied class; timocracy
langlauf	cross-country skiing or running
langley	unit of solar radiation
languescent	growing languid
languet	tongue-like object or part
languor	listlessness; weariness
laniary	of teeth or claws designed for tearing (canine teeth)
laniferous	wool-bearing
lanigerous	bearing wool
lanuginose	downy; covered with fine soft hair
lanyard	rope or line for fastening something in a ship
lanyard	cord for hanging a knife or whistle around the neck
Laodicean	lukewarm; half-hearted
lapactic	purgative
laparoscope	instrument for viewing interior of peritoneal cavity
lapicide	stonecutter
lapidarian	of, like or pertaining to stones; inscribed on stones
lapidary	gem-cutter
lapidate	to pelt with stones; to kill by stoning
lapideous	stony
lapidescent	becoming stone; petrifying
lapifidication	petrifaction
lapilliform	shaped like a small stone
lapillus	small stone ejected by volcanic eruption
lappaceous	prickly
lappet	fold or flap on a garment or headdress worn by priest
laquearia	panelled ceiling
lar	local god of a house
larboard	left side of a ship
lardaceous	of, like or pertaining to lard
lares	local Roman gods
largifical	ample; bountiful
largiloquent	talkative; full of words
largition	giving of largess
larine	of, like or pertaining to gulls
larithmics	study of population statistics
laroid	of, like or pertaining to gulls
larrigan	high oil-tanned leather boot or moccasin
larrup	to flog or thrash
larvicide	killing of larvae
larviparous	giving birth to larvae
larvivorous	feeding on larvae
laryngology	study of larynx
laryngoscope	instrument for examining interior of the larynx
lasher	weir
lassitude	state of being tired or weary
lastage	room for stowing goods in a ship
lasting	sturdy cotton or worsted cloth
latebricole	living in holes
lateen	triangular sail rigged on ship's spar
laterigrade	running or moving sideways
lateritious	brick-red
latescent	becoming latent
laticiferous	containing or conveying latex
latidentate	having broad teeth
latifundia	great landed estates
latinitaster	a petty scholar of Latin
latipennate	having broad wings
latitant	lurking; lying in wait; hibernating
latitat	writ based on supposition that person is in hiding
latitudinarian	one having tolerant or free religious views
latitudinarianism	doctrine of broad liberality in religious belief and conduct
latitudinous	broad or wide interpretation
lative	indicating motion up to or as far as
latrant	barking
latration	the act of yelping or barking
latria	highest degree of veneration, assigned to God over saints
latrocinate	to engage in highway robbery
latten	metal in thin plates
latticinio	glass having white veins
laudanum	an opium preparation
lauds	prayer service held at dawn following matins
lauriferous	bearing laurels
lautenclavicymbel	lute harpsichord with gut strings
lautitious	sumptuous
lavabo	ceremony in which priest washes his hands; basin for the ceremony
lavadero	place for washing gold ore
lavaliere	jeweled pendant worn round the neck; pendant microphone
lavatory	wash-basin for washing bodies of newly dead; room where lavabo kept
laveer	to sail against the wind
laver	large vessel for washing, especially for ritual purification
lavic	of, like or pertaining to lava
lavolta	lively bouncy dance for two persons
lavra	group of recluses' cells
lawn	fine sheer plain-woven cotton or linen
laxism	belief that an unlikely opinion may be safely followed
layette	baby's complete set of clothing
laystall	place for depositing dung or rubbish
lazar	leper or person with similar pestilential disease
lazaret	space in ship between decks used for storage
lazaretto	hospital for lepers
lea	arable land left fallow or used for pasture
lecanomancy	divination using water in a basin or pool
lecanoscopy	staring at pool of water as means of self-hypnosis
lecithal	having a yolk
lectern	desk or stand from which church lessons are read
lection	reading; lesson read in church
lectisternium	sacrifice where images of gods placed on couches and offered food
lectrice	female reader in church
lectual	requiring bed rest or confinement to bed
leeboard	wood or metal planes attached to hull to prevent leeway
leech	a vertical edge of a square sail
legalism	belief that salvation depends on strict adherence to the law
legatine	of, like or pertaining to a legate
legerity	lightness; nimbleness
legist	person knowledgeable about the law
leguleian	like a lawyer; underhanded and legalistic
leiotrichous	straight-haired
leister	three-pronged spear or trident used for fishing
leman	a lover, sweetheart or paramour
lemma	preliminary proposition, theme, argument or headword
lemures	spirits of the dead
lemurine	of, like or pertaining to lemurs
lenify	to mitigate or assuage
lenitive	soothing; laxative; mitigating
lenity	mildness; clemency
leno	open-woven fabric
lentic	associated with standing water
lentiform	shaped like a lens
lentiginose	minutely dotted; freckled
lentigo	freckle
lentitude	lethargy; slowness
lentor	sluggishness; viscidity
leonine	of, like or pertaining to lions
leonine	of or like a lion; rhyming last two or three syllables in a line
leontiasis	form of leprosy in which the face becomes wrinkly and somewhat lion-like
leopon	crossbreed between a leopard and a lion
lepadoid	resembling a barnacle
lepid	pleasant; charming; amusing
lepidine	composed of scales
lepidopterology	study of butterflies and moths
lepidopterous	having four wings, such as a moth or butterfly
leporiform	resembling or shaped like a hare
leporine	of, like or pertaining to the hare
leprology	study of leprosy
leprosarium	hospital for lepers
leprose	scaly; scurfy
leptochrous	abnormally thick-skinned
leptometer	instrument for measuring oil viscosity
leptosome	person with a slight or slender build
lethe	oblivion; forgetfulness
lethiferous	causing death; carrying or bearing death
lethologica	inability to remember the right word
lethonomia	tendency to forget names
leucochroic	white or pale-coloured
leucomelanous	having dark hair and eyes but fair skin
leucous	albino; having fair or pale hair or complexion
levant	to run away from a debt
leveret	a hare in its first year; a mistress
levigate	to smooth; to grind to a fine powder; to polish; to lighten
levin	lightning
levirate	custom of compulsory marriage with brother's widow
lexer	law student
lexicology	study of words and their meanings
lexigram	sign which represents a word
lexigraphy	art of definition of words
lexigraphy	system of writing in which each sign represents a word
lexiphanic	bombastic; sesquipedalian; using many long words
lexis	way in which a piece of writing is expressed in words
ley	mystical straight line between features of landscape
liard	grey; dapple-grey
lias	fossil-bearing limestone
libaniferous	yielding or bearing incense
libanomancy	divination by watching incense smoke
libanotophorous	producing incense
libeccio	southwest wind
libellant	one who brings a charge of libel
liber	phloem or fibre from tree
liberticide	destruction of liberty
libertinage	debauchery
libidinist	lewd person
libken	place to sleep in
librate	to oscillate; to be poised
libration	apparent oscillation of moon's visible surface
libriform	shaped like a book
lichenology	study of lichens
lickerish	lecherous; lusty; greedy
lictor	ancient Roman magistrate's attendant
lido	bathing beach; open-air swimming pool
lief	soon; gladly
lienal	of, like or pertaining to the spleen
lientery	discharge of partially digested food
ligation	the act of binding; the state of being bound
ligger	horizontal timber of a scaffolding
lighter	large open boat used in loading and unloading ships
lighterage	cargo carried by or fee for carrying cargo by lighter
ligneous	woody; wooden
ligniform	of the form or shape of wood
lignify	to make woody; to turn into wood
ligniperdous	destructive of wood
lignite	woody coal
lignivorous	feeding on wood
ligulate	resembling or shaped like a strap
ligyrophobia	fear of loud noises
limaciform	slug-like
limacine	of, like or pertaining to slugs
limacology	study of slugs
limation	polishing or smoothing; correction of astronomical errors
limax	slug
limbate	possessing a border
limbus	border
limes	border
limicoline	living on a shore; of, like or pertaining to wading birds
limicolous	living in mud
limitrophe	near the frontier or border
limivorous	eating mud
limn	to portray, paint or delineate
limner	painter of portraits
limnetic	living in fresh water; pertaining to fresh water
limnobiology	study of freshwater ecosystems
limnology	study of bodies of fresh water
limnophilous	living in ponds or marshes
limoniad	meadow nymph
limophoitos	insanity due to lack of food
limosis	abnormally ravenous appetite
limous	muddy; slimy
limpid	clear; transparent
linaceous	of, like or pertaining to flax
linchpin	person or thing vital to an organization
lincrusta	thick embossed wallpaper
lindy hop	lively dance closely resembling the jitterbug and famous for its aerials
lineament	distinctive feature or characteristic
lineolate	marked with fine lines
lingual	of, like or pertaining to language, speech or the tongue
linguiform	shaped like a tongue
linonophobia	fear of string
linsey	coarse linen and wool blend
linsey-woolsey	thin coarse fabric of wool and linen
lintel	horizontal beam supporting the load above a door
lioncelle	small lion used as a bearing
lionism	lion-like appearance symptomatic of leprosy
lipogram	piece of writing in which a certain letter is excluded
lipography	accidental omission of letter or syllable in wrting
lipomatosis	obesity
lipothymy	swoon
lippitude	soreness of the eyes
lipsanographer	one who writes about relics
lipsanotheca	container for relics
liquate	to melt; to subject to liquation
liquescent	becoming liquid
liquifacient	liquifying agent
liquifaction	the act of liquefying something
liripipe	long tail of a graduate's hood; a part or lesson committed to memory
lissome	lithe; nimble; flexible
lissotrichous	smooth-haired
litany	prayer of supplication in responsive style
literatim	letter for letter
literation	representation of sounds by letters
literator	dabbler in learning
literose	spuriously or affectedly literary
lithochromy	painting upon stone
lithoclast	stone breaker; tool for breaking rocks
lithodomous	living in burrows in rocks
lithogenous	rock-building
lithoglyph	engraving on stone
litholatry	stone-worship
lithology	study of rocks
lithomancy	divination by stones or meteorites
lithophagous	stone-swallowing; rock-boring; eating rock
lithophilous	living among stones
lithophyte	plant that grows on rock
litotes	understatement by affirming using negation of the contrary
littoral	of, like or pertaining to the shore of a body of water
liturate	spotted
liturgician	one who studies or recites church rituals
liturgiology	study of liturgical forms and church rituals
liturgist	leader in public worship
livedo	pathological blueness of skin
lixiviation	leaching
loan-word	word borrowed from another language
lobar	of, like or pertaining to a lobe
lobate	having a lobe or lobes
lobcock	bumpkin, boor or lout
lobular	shaped like a lobe
locanda	lodging-house; inn
locative	indicating location or place where
locellate	divided into small compartments
locellus	small compartment of a cell
lochetic	waiting in ambush
lochlet	little loch
lockram	coarse linen
lockstep	method of marching in tight formation
locomobile	self-propelling machine; early automobile
loculate	having loculi
loculus	small compartment or recess for holding an urn
locum	clergyman temporarily replacing regular priest
locuplete	well-stored
locutory	room for conversation
loden	heavy waterproof woollen fabric
lodesman	pilot
loess	deposit of rich and fertile soil
logan	rocking-stone
loganamnosis	mania for trying to recall forgotten words
logarithmancy	divination by means of algorithms
loggia	covered open arcade
logia	collection of sayings
logicaster	a petty logician
logocracy	government of words
logodaedalus	artificer in words
logodaedaly	verbal legerdemain
logogogue	one who issues laws or rules regarding words
logogram	single sign standing for word or phrase
logogriph	riddle in which word is found from other words' letters
logomachy	contention about words or in words
logomancy	divination using words
logomania	pathological loquacity
logopedics	speech therapy
logophile	a lover of words
logorrhea	excessive flow of words; uncontrollable garrulity
logos	divine rational principle
logotype	body of text with frequently occurring word or syllable
loimic	of, like or pertaining to plagues
loimology	study of plagues and epidemics
lollop	to bound about wildly
longanimity	forbearance; patience
longe	rope used in training horses
longeron	longitudinal membrane of an airplane
longiloquence	long-winded language
longiniquity	remoteness
longueur	period of dullness or tedium
loranthaceous	of, like or pertaining to the mistletoe
lordolatry	worship of nobility
lordosis	convex curvature of the spine
loreal	located in the area between the eyes and the nose or snout
lorette	courtesan
lorgnette	eyeglasses with a handle
lorgnon	an eyeglass
loricate	armoured with plates or scales; to coat or armour protectively
lorimer	saddlemaker
losel	worthless fellow; scamp
lotic	associated with or living in running water
lotophagous	feeding on lotuses; indolent; lazy; dreamy
louche	squinting; ambiguous; shady
louchettes	spectacles used to reduce glare and prevent squinting
loupe	jeweller's magnifying glass worn on the eye-socket
lour	to look sullen or threatening
louvre	sloping slat placed across an opening
lovat	grey-green; blue-green
loxodograph	device used to record ship's travels
loxodrome	line on the globe equally oblique to all meridians
loxodromy	study of sailing along rhumb-lines
loxophthalmus	squint
loxotic	distorted; oblique
lubricious	slippery; lewd
lubricity	greasiness; wiliness
lubritorium	service station
lucarne	dormer window
lucent	shining; bright
lucernal	of, like or pertaining to lamps
luciferous	light-bringing; light-giving
luciform	like light
lucifugous	shunning or avoiding light
lucigen	lamp burning oil mixed with air in a spray
lucimeter	instrument for measuring light intensity
luciphyllous	light-absorbing or consuming
lucre	sordid gain; riches
lucriferous	lucrative; yielding profit
lucripetous	eager for gain
luctation	struggle
lucubration	study protracted late into the night
luculent	bright; clear; convincing
ludibry	contempt; derision
ludibund	playful
ludic	spontaneously and aimlessly playful
ludicrism	burlesque
luff	windward side of a ship; forward edge of fore-and-aft sail
lugsail	four-sided sail bent to an obliquely hanging yard
lugubrious	mournful; dismal
lumbriciform	shaped like a worm; worm-like
lumbricine	of, like or pertaining to earthworms
lumen	unit of luminous flux
luminiferous	bearing or bringing light
luminist	artist who uses the effects of light; impressionist
lunarist	one who believes that the moon affects the weather
lunate	crescent-shaped
lunation	lunar month; interval between successive new moons
lunette	crescent-shaped space where a vault meets a wall
lunisolar	pertaining jointly to the moon and sun
lunistice	time when moon is farthest north or south each month
lunula	Bronze Age crescent necklace; white part of fingernail base
lunulate	shaped like a small crescent
lupanarian	of, like or pertaining to a brothel
lupicide	killing of a wolf
lupiform	shaped like a wolf
lupine	of, like or pertaining to wolves
lupulic	of, like or pertaining to hops
lurdan	lazy and dull individual
lurid	red-yellow; yellow-brown
lusory	playful
lustrate	to purify by sacrifice
lustration	ritual washing; ablution
lustring	glossy silk
lustrum	period of five years; periodic purification of Roman empire
lutaceous	of, like or pertaining to or comprised of mud
lutarious	inhabiting mud
lutchet	fitting on ship's deck to allow mast to pivot to pass under bridges
luteolous	yellowish
luteous	golden-yellow
lutescent	yellowish
lutestring	plain glossy silk
luthier	maker of stringed instruments
lutose	covered with mud or clay; muddy
lutrine	of, like or pertaining to otters
lutulent	thick; muddy
lux	unit of illumination equal to one lumen per square meter
luxate	to displace or dislocate
luxation	dislocation of an anatomical part
luxmeter	instrument for measuring illumination
luxuriant	overabundant in growth
lycanthropy	mythical ability of humans to turn into wolves; werewolfism
lyceum	school of philosophical instruction
lychgate	roofed gate of a churchyard
lychnobite	one who works at night and sleeps in the day
lychnoscope	low side window
Lydian	effeminate; luxurious
lygophilia	love of darkness
lygophobia	fear of darkness
lyncean	lynx-like; sharp-sighted
lyophile	easily dispersed in a suitable medium
lyophilization	freeze-drying
lypemania	extreme pathological mournfulness
lyrate	lyre-shaped
lyrichord	kind of obsolete harpsichord
lyricon	electronic wind instrument like a large obverse flute
lysarden	old wind instrument like a cornett or serpent
lysigenic	caused by the breaking down of cells
lysimeter	instrument for measuring percolation of water through soil
lysis	disintegration; destruction
lyssophobia	abnormal fear of hydrophobia
lyterian	indicating the end of a disease
lythcoop	auction of household goods

Posted in: English Dictionary