Dictionary [O]

Word	Definition
oakum	old ropes untwisted for caulking the seams of ships
oakus	wallet; pocket billfold
oast	kiln to dry hops or malt
obambulate	to wander about
obdormition	numbness in a limb caused by pressure on a nerve
obduracy	stubbornness; persistence
obedible	docile; capable of obedience
obedientiary	someone subject to obedience
obeism	practice of West African magic
obeliscolychny	lighthouse
obelize	to condemn as spurious, doubtful, or corrupt
obelus	sign used to mark questionable or corrupt text passages
obeophone	mechanical keyboard instrument used to imitate other instruments
obequitate	to ride about
obfuscate	to obscure; to darken; to confuse
obganiate	to irritate someone by constantly repeating oneself
obi	broad sash worn with a kimono
obit	religious office for a dead person
obitual	of, like or pertaining to obituaries
objectivism	doctrine that all reality is objective
objicient	objector
objuration	the act of binding by oath; a solemn charge
objurgate	to chide; to scold; to rebuke
oblate	layman living in a religious community under modified rule
oblate	flattened at opposite sides or poles
oblation	act of offering; a sacrifice; anything offered in worship
oblectation	enjoyment; pleasure
obliquation	obliqueness
oblivescence	forgetfulness; forgetting
oblocutor	one who denies or disputes
obloquy	censure; calumny; slander; disgrace
obluctation	resistance; opposition
obmutescent	speechless; persistently silent
obnixely	earnestly; strenuously
obnubilate	to becloud; to obscure
obolary	extremely poor
obreption	seeking to obtain a gift by false premises
obrogate	to alter the law by passing a new law
obrotund	round but flattened on top and bottom
obscurantism	policy of withholding knowledge from the public
obsecrate	to beseech; to implore
obsequent	flowing in opposite direction to original slope of land
obsequies	funeral
obsequious	servilely ingratiating; fawning
obsidional	of, like or pertaining to a siege
obsign	to seal or confirm
obsolagnium	waning sexual desire due to age
obstetrics	study of midwifery
obstreperous	noisy; unruly
obstriction	obligation
obtend	to put forward or allege
obtenebrate	to cast a shadow over
obtest	to call to witness; to adjure; to protest; to beseech
obtruncate	to cut or lop off the head of
obtund	to blunt or dull; to deaden
obtundent	dulling
obturate	to stop up; to seal up
obumbrate	to overshadow
obvallate	walled in; sealed up
obvention	any incidental occurrence or advantage
obvert	to turn; to alter
obvolute	overlapping; twisted
obvolvent	enwrapping; curved downward or inward
ocarina	egg-shaped flute-like wind instrument
occamy	alloy imitating gold or silver
occipital	of, like or pertaining to the back of the head
occlusion	closing of an opening, passage or cavity
occultation	concealing of one heavenly body by another
ocellated	eyelike and ringed; having an eyelike spot or spots
ocellus	small eye or eye-like coloured spot
ochlesis	sickness resulting from overcrowded living conditions
ochlocracy	government by mobs
ochlophobia	fear of crowds
ochre	yellowish or yellow-brown colour
ochroleucous	yellowish white
ocracy	government
ocreate	wearing boots or leggings
octactinal	having eight rays or points
octad	set of eight things
octamerous	having parts in eights
octan	recurring every eight days
octapla	multi-lingual book in eight texts
octarchy	government by eight people
octarius	pint
octastich	poem of eight lines
octingentenary	eight hundredth anniversary of an event
octonary	of, like or pertaining to or consisting of eight things; grouped in eights
octonocular	having eight eyes
octothorp	the sign "#"
octroi	trading privilege, monopoly or concession granted to a town
oculate	having eyes
oculiform	shaped like an eye
oculus	round window, especially over main door in church
od	mild oath
odalisque	female slave in a harem
odditorium	place for displaying oddities
odeum	a usually small theatre or concert hall
odible	worthy of hatred
odium	hatred; offensiveness; blame
odograph	odometer; instrument for measuring distance travelled
odology	science of the hypothetical mystical force of od
odontalgia	toothache
odonterism	chattering of the teeth
odontist	dentist
odontogeny	origin and development of teeth
odontograph	instrument for obtaining curves for gear-teeth
odontoid	tooth-like
odontology	study of teeth
odontoloxia	irregularity of the teeth
odontomancy	divination using teeth
odophone	scale of odours
odoriferous	emitting a usually pleasant smell
odorimetry	measurement of strength and persistence of odours
odorivector	substance producing an odour
oecist	founder of a colony
oecodomic	of, like or pertaining to architecture
oeillade	an ogle; a glance or wink
oenology	study of wines
oenomancy	divination by studying appearance of wine
oenomania	obsession or craze for wine
oenometer	instrument for measuring alcoholic strength of wine
oenophile	one who is fond of or loves wine
oenophobia	fear or hatred of wine
oenopoetic	of, like or pertaining to wine-making
oersted	unit of magnetic field strength
oestrogenic	producing female sex hormones
officialism	excessive devotion to routine or position
officinal	belonging to or used in a shop
officious	volunteering one's services too eagerly
ogdoad	set of eight
ogee	S-shaped
ogive	graph representing cumulative frequency
ohmmeter	instrument for measuring electrical resistance
oikology	science of housekeeping
oikonisus	desire to start a family
oinomancy	divination using wine
olamic	of or belonging to a vast period or eon
oleaginous	oily, fawning or sycophantic
olecranon	funny bone
oleic	of, like or pertaining to or derived from oil
oleiferous	producing oil
olent	having a smell; fragrant
oleograph	print in oil-colours to imitate an oil painting
oleometer	instrument for measuring amount of oil in a substance
oleraceous	of the nature of a pot-herb; for kitchen use; edible
olericulture	growing of herbs and vegetables
olfactible	able to be smelled
olfactology	study of the sense of smell
olfactometer	instrument measuring intensity of odour of a substance
olid	rank-smelling
oligarchy	government by the few
oligochrome	work of art using few colours
oligodynamic	of, like or pertaining to the effect of small quantities
oligogenics	birth control
oligomania	obsession with a few thoughts or ideas
oligophrenia	feeble-mindedness
oligopoly	market situation of few sellers of a service
oligopsony	market situation of few buyers of a service
oligosyllable	word of few syllables
olio	miscellany; potpourri
olitory	of, like or pertaining to kitchen vegetables
olivaceous	olive-coloured
olivary	olive-shaped
olivaster	having an olive complexion
olivet	artificial pearl
olivetta	container used to hold olives
oliviform	shaped like an olive
ollamh	learned man in ancient Ireland
ololygmancy	fortune-telling by the howling of dogs
ombré	shadowy; shaded; dusky
ombrology	study of rain
ombrometer	rain-gauge
ombrophilous	tolerant of large amounts of rainfall
ombrophobia	fear of rain
omegoid	shaped like a horseshoe or omega
ommateum	compound eye
omneity	state of being all; allness
omniana	about all sorts of things
omnicompetent	legally competent in all matters
omnifarious	of all kinds
omniferous	bearing everything
omnify	to make large or universal
omnigatherum	miscellaneous assemblage or collection
omnigenous	of all kinds
omniparity	general equality
omnism	belief in all religions
omophagy	eating of raw flesh as a ritual observance
omoplatoscopy	divination by observing cracks in burning scapulae
omphalism	centralization in government
omphaloid	navel-like
omphalomancy	divination from the knots in the umbilical cord
omphalopsychite	one who meditates by gazing at the navel
omphalos	the navel; a boss; a centre
omphaloskepsis	navel-gazing
onager	military engine for throwing great stones
onanism	masturbation; self-gratification
oncogenesis	producing cancerous tumours
oncology	study of tumours
oncometer	instrument measuring change in size of internal organs
oncosimeter	instrument measuring variations in density of molten metal
oncostman	mine worker paid by the day
ondograph	instrument measuring change in wave formations of electricity
ondoyant	wavy
oneiric	of, like or pertaining to dreams
oneirocriticism	dream interpretation
oneirodynia	nightmare
oneirology	study of dreams
oneiromancy	divination by dreams
one-step	ballroom dance marked by quick walking steps
oniomania	mania for making purchases
oniscoid	like a woodlouse
onocrotal	old term for the pelican
onolatry	worship of asses or donkeys
onomamania	mania for names
onomancy	divination using a donkey or ass
onomancy	divination using proper names
onomasiology	study of nomenclature
onomastic	of, like or pertaining to a name or signature
onomasticon	dictionary of proper names
onomastics	study of proper names
onomatomania	irresistible desire to repeat certain words
onomatophobia	fear of hearing a certain word
onomatous	bearing the author's name
ontal	of, like or pertaining to reality or existence
ontocyclic	returning to an infantile state or character in old age
ontogenesis	origin and development of a single individual organism
ontography	description of reality, essence or being
ontological	based upon being or existence
ontology	science of pure being; the nature of things
ontosophy	knowledge of being or existence
onychocryptosis	ingrowing toenail
onychoid	like a fingernail
onychomancy	divination by the fingernails
onychophagist	nail-biter
onychophorous	bearing nails or claws
onychotillomania	compulsive picking at the fingernails
onymancy	divination by the fingernails
onymatic	of, like or pertaining to names
onymous	bearing the author's name
onymy	scientific nomenclature
onyxis	ingrown nail
oogenesis	production of eggs or ova
ooidal	egg-shaped
oology	study of eggs
oomancy	divination using eggs
oometer	instrument for measuring eggs
oophoron	ovary
oose	furry dust that gathers under beds
ootocous	producing eggs; oviparous
opacimeter	instrument for measuring opacity
opacular	somewhat opaque
opalescence	milky iridescence
opalotype	photograph taken on a milky opal glass plate
opeidoscope	instrument for illustrating sound by means of light
operculum	cover or lid; lid-like organ or covering
operose	laborious; tedious
ophelimity	ability to please sexually; ability to satisfy
ophiasis	baldness in wavy bands
ophic	of, like or pertaining to serpents
ophicleide	keyed bass brass musical instrument
ophidian	of or like a snake
ophidiarium	snake-house
ophidiomancy	divination using snakes
ophidiophobia	fear of snakes
ophiolatry	worship of snakes
ophiology	study of snakes
ophiomancy	divination by watching snakes
ophiomormous	snakelike
ophiomorphic	shaped like a snake
ophiophagous	eating snakes
ophiophilist	snake-lover
ophism	snake-worship
ophiuran	brittle star
ophthalmometer	instrument for measuring the eye
ophthalmophobia	fear of being stared at
ophthalmoscope	instrument for viewing the interior of the eye
opificer	artificer
opinable	capable of being thought
opiniaster	one who obstinately holds to an opinion
opinicus	mythic heraldic winged beast with lion's body, eagle's head, camel's tail
opinionator	one who holds or gives an opinion
opiomania	craving for opium
opisometer	instrument for measuring curved lines
opisthenar	the back of the hand
opisthograph	manuscript or slab inscribed on both back and front
opisthosomal	of, like or pertaining to posteriors
opodeldoc	soapy liniment
oppidan	urban
oppignorate	to pawn
oppilate	to block up; to stop up
oppositive	indicating opposition or location opposite to
opprobrium	disgrace; bad reputation
oppugn	to attack by argument; to oppose; to call in question
opsigamy	one who marries late in life
opsimath	one who learns late in life
opsiometer	instrument for testing vision
opsomania	abnormal love for one kind of food
opsonium	anything eaten with bread as a relish
optative	mood expressing a desire or wish
optics	study of light
optimate	of the nobility or aristocracy
optogram	image fixed on the retina
optology	study of sight
optometer	instrument for testing vision
optophobia	fear of opening one's eyes
optophone	device transforming light into sound
opuscule	little work or composition
or	before
or	heraldic colour gold or yellow
orad	toward the mouth
oragious	stormy
oralism	instruction of the deaf through speech rather than sign language
orangery	building for growing orange trees in a cool climate
orant	representation of praying figure in early art
orarian	coastal; a coast-dweller
orarion	deacon's stole in Orthodox church
orarium	book of private devotions
orarium	handkerchief; scarf attached to bishop's staff
oratiuncle	short oration
oratory	small chapel for private prayer; lectern for prayer
orbific	creating the world
orchesis	act of dancing or rhythmical moving of the body
orchesography	notation of dance movements by means of diagrams
orchidaceous	exceptionally beautiful; gaudy; ostentatious
orchidology	study of orchids
orchidomania	abnormal obsession with orchids
orchidometer	instrument for measuring the size of the testicles
ord	point of a weapon; a beginning
ordalian	of, like or pertaining to an ordeal
ordinal	book containing religious rites, especially for ordination
ordinant	one who ordains
ordinate	in rows or columns
ordo	calendar with list of services for each day of the year
ordonnance	proper coordination of figures in a picture
ordure	loathsome dirt or refuse; something morally degrading
oread	mountain nymph
orectic	of, like or pertaining to appetite or desires
oremus	Roman Catholic liturgical prayer
orey-eyed	expressing anger through the eyes
orf	viral infection of sheep
orfèvrerie	goldsmith's work
organdie	fine translucent cotton
organicism	conception of life or society as an organism
organistrum	early musical instrument resembling the hurdy-gurdy
organity	an organized whole
organogenesis	origin or development of living organs
organoleptic	dealing with testing effects of a substance on senses
organon	method of investigation; logical technique or system
organonomy	laws of organic life
organza	transparent thin silk or nylon
orgulous	proud; haughty
orichalc	gold-coloured alloy; brass
oriel	small room or recess with a polygonal bay window
oriflamme	banner of red silk split into several points
oriform	shaped like a mouth
orillion	semicircular projection on a bastion to protect flanks
orismology	technical definition or terminology
orison	prayer
orleans	interwoven cotton and worsted
orlop	lowest deck in a ship having four or more decks
ormolu	something expensive looking; gold-plated metal
ornithic	of, like or pertaining to birds
ornithoid	bird-like
ornithology	study of birds
ornithomancy	divination by observing flight of birds
ornithon	aviary
ornithophilous	pollinated by birds
ornithophobia	fear of birds
ornithopter	bird-like archaic flying machine
ornithoscopy	bird watching
orobathymetric	of, like or pertaining to map showing submerged heights and sea depths
orogen	mountain pass
orogenesis	mountain-building
orography	description of mountains
oroide	alloy used to imitate gold
orology	study of mountains
orotund	marked by fullness and clarity of sound; pompous
orphanotrophism	care and support of orphans
orphrey	gold or other rich embroidery on clerical robes
orpiment	yellow arsenic compound used as pigment
orrery	clockwork model of the solar system
ort	scrap of food; morsel
orthian	high-pitched
orthobiosis	correct or moral living
orthodromics	great-circle sailing; sailing by most direct route
orthoepy	study of correct pronunciation
orthogenesis	directional evolution of organisms
orthognathism	state of having straight jaws
orthographer	correct speller
orthography	study of spelling
orthography	correct spelling
orthology	correct use of words
orthopraxis	correct practice in religion
orthopter	ornithopter; flying machine with moving wings
orthopterology	study of cockroaches
orthostichous	arranged in vertical rows
orthotomic	cutting at right angles
orthotonic	taking an accent in some but not all positions
orthotropism	vertical growth
oryctognosy	mineralogy
oryctology	mineralogy or paleontology
oryctomancy	divination using excavated objects
oryzivorous	rice-eating
oscheal	of, like or pertaining to the scrotum
oscillograph	instrument for recording alternating current wave forms
oscillometer	instrument for measuring ship's rollings
oscilloscope	instrument for detecting electrical fluctuations
oscinine	of, like or pertaining to song-birds
oscitancy	yawning; sleepiness; stupidity
oscitate	to yawn
oscular	of, like or pertaining to the mouth or to kissing
osculate	to kiss
osculatory	carved tablet kissed by priest during celebration of mass
osmatic	having olfactory organs
osmesis	act of smelling
osmics	scientific study of smells
osmidrosis	emission of ill-smelling sweat
osmol	unit of osmotic pressure
osmology	study of smells and olfactory processes
osmometer	instrument for measuring osmotic pressure
osnaburg	coarse linen or cotton
osophy	belief or doctrine
osphresiology	study of the sense of smell
osphresis	sense of smell
ossein	the organic basis of bone
ossia	alternatively; rather (in music)
ossicle	little bone or bone-like plate
ossiferous	bearing bones
ossifrage	osprey
ossify	to change into bone; to become callous or conventional
ossivorous	feeding on bones
ossomancy	divination using bones
ossuary	a depository for the bones of the dead
osteal	of, like or pertaining to, or comprised of bone
ostensory	container for holding consecrated Communion wafers
ostent	appearance; manifestation
osteoclasis	surgical breaking of a bone
osteogenesis	production or formation of bone
osteography	description of bones
osteoid	bony; bone-like
osteology	study of bones
osteomancy	divination using bones
osteometry	measurement of bones or skeleton
osteophone	device used to allow deaf to hear sounds through the cranium
osteophyte	abnormal bony outgrowth
ostiary	doorkeeper
ostiolate	having an opening
ostiole	a small opening
ostium	mouth-like opening
ostler	person who takes care of horses at an inn and/or sells oats
ostracean	of, like or pertaining to oysters
ostraceous	of, like or pertaining to oysters
ostreiform	shaped like an oyster
ostreoid	oyster-like
ostreophagous	oyster-eating
ostrichism	habit or policy of refusing to face unpleasant facts
otacoustic	aiding hearing
otalgia	earache
otarine	of, like or pertaining to seals
otic	of, like or pertaining to the ear
otiose	superfluous; redundant; futile; useless; functionless; idle
otolith	calcium concretion in inside of vertebrate's ear to aid in equilibrium
otology	study of the ear
otorhinolaryngology	study of ear, nose and throat
otoscope	instrument for examining the ear
otosis	mishearing of speech
ottoman	heavy clothing fabric with crosswise ribs
ounce	medium to large-sized great cat
oundy	wavy
ouranomancy	divination using the heavens
ouroboros	snake eating own tail symbolizing totality or completion
oustiti	lock-opening tool
outage	amount of commodity lost in transport and storage
outcross	to breed individuals of different strains of a species
outfling	sharp retort or gibe
outhaul	rope used to haul a sail taut along a spar
outjet	projection
outmantle	to exceed in dress or ornament
outmaster	to overcome in a contest for mastery
outrance	the utmost extremity; the bitter end
outré	beyond what is proper; extravagant
outremer	area beyond the sea; overseas
outrigger	spar extended from side of ship to help secure mast
outroop	auction
ouzel	blackbird; a dark-haired person
ovarious	consisting of eggs
overcrow	to crow or triumph over
overflush	superfluity
overhaile	to overtake; to overpower
overlock	to oversew a hem or fabric edge to prevent fraying
overmantel	ornamental structure set on a mantel-shelf
overpoise	weight sufficient to weigh another down
overrack	to overstrain
overset	to upset; to disorder
overslaugh	exemption from duty in turn when otherwise employed
ovibovine	of, like or pertaining to musk-oxen
ovicide	killing insect eggs
ovicide	sheep-killing
oviferous	egg-carrying
oviform	like a sheep
oviform	shaped like an oval or egg
ovigerous	bearing eggs
ovil	sheep-fold
ovine	of, like or pertaining to sheep
oviparous	producing offspring through laying eggs
ovivorous	eating eggs
ovivorous	eating sheep
ovopyriform	having a shape between a pear and an egg
ovoviviparous	producing eggs which are hatched in parent's body
ovuliferous	bearing ovules
owlery	place frequented by owls
owling	smuggling wool or sheep
oxford	soft durable plain-woven cotton
oxter	to take under the arm; to support by taking the arm
oxyacaesthesia	extreme sharpness of senses
oxyacanthous	having sharp thorns
oxyblepsia	extremely keen sight
oxygeusia	extremely keen sense of taste
oxymoron	figure of speech combining contradictory terms
oxyphonia	sharpness or shrillness of voice
oxytocic	drug that hastens the process of childbirth
oxytone	word bearing acute accent on last syllable
ozoniferous	bearing ozone
ozostomia	bad breath

Posted in: English Dictionary