See REVERSE WORD LOOKUP for the new and improved reverse dictionary.
C
COLOGNE - COMPETITIVE
COLOGNE - see PERFUME
COLONEL - person
• CHICKEN COLONEL a US officer of the rank of full colonel ...1918 US sl.
COLORADO - nouns
• BIG D Denver, Colorado ...1969 US sl.
COLOSSAL - adjectives
• TITANESQUE colossal, gigantic ...1882
• TITANIAN large, huge, colossal, gigantic ...1667
• TITANIC gigantic, colossal ...1709
• TITANICAL †* gigantic, colossal ...1642
COLOUR, COLOURFUL - adjectives
• ACHROMIC † free from colour ....1761
• ACID-HUED of colour: vivid, psychedelic ...1971
• BONT gaudy, lurid; colourful ...1970s S. Afr.
• DAGGED dotted with colour ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DECOLORATE having lost its colour ...1882
• FADE † of colour, etc.: dull, pale, wan, sombre ...c1290 obs. exc. arch.
• FAIR † of colour: clear, not cloudy ...1663 obs.
• ILL-COLOURED discoloured, having a bad or unhealthy colour ...1721
• IMET of a nondescript colour; applied to anything badly washed or dyed ...1908 Sc.
• KAERY of many colours ...Bk1902 Sc.
• MALLACHIE of the colour of milk and water mixed ...1808 Sc.
• MANGLY of mixed colours, variegated ...1957 Amer. dial.
• MINGLEDY of mixed colours, variegated ...1933 Amer. dial.
• MINGLY of mixed colours, variegated ...1941 Amer. dial.
• MOODY-COLORED of a dull or sad colour ...1950 Amer. dial.
• MUCKLE-DUN of a muddy grey or brown colour; of a nondescript colour ...1916 Amer. dial.
• NEAR-COLOURED † of much the same colour ...1606 obs.
• PARACHROOUS †* of a false or altered colour; deprived of colour ...1857
• QUICK * of colour: vivid, bright, dazzling ...1664
• RANED streaked, of two colours ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• RARE †* of colour: thin, faint ...1750
• RIAND streaked, of two colours ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• RORY loud in colour, gaudy, glaring ...1866 Sc.
• RORY-TORY having a mixture of all sorts of flaring colours; gaudy, tawdry, showy, dashing; generally used of colour in dress ...1874 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SAD of colour: dark, deep ...1788 Eng. dial.
• SATURATE of colours: intense, deep ...1669
• SCAUMY misty, hazy; of an imperfect or disagreeable colour ...1824 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SKIRE † of colours, flames, etc.: clear; bright ...a1400-50
• VAIR † varied or variegated in colour ...c1425 Sc.
• VARIANT † of colours: varied, variegated; also of an animal or cloth in respect of colour ...a1400-50
• VARIOTINTED of various tints or colours ...1903
• WALLOW of colour: faint, indistinct ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• WANTON † of colour, music: gay, lively ...1583
colour, colourful - adverbs
• ABLAZE in flashing or brilliant colours; gleaming ...1851
colour, colourful - nouns
• BEAUTY-BLOOM beautiful tint or colour ...1853
• BLEE colour, hue ...c888 arch.
• DECOLORATION deprivation or loss of colour ...1640
• DECOLORIZATION the act of depriving of its colour ...1871
• EER colour, tinge ...1911 Sc.
• HARMOGE † a harmony of colours or sounds ...1601
• MALLACHIE the colour of milk and water mixed together ...Bk1905 Sc.
• SANDY-GREY-RUSSET a dirty, ugly colour ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• TAINT † colour, hue, tint; tinge; dye ...1567
• TINCT colour, hue, tint; colouring matter, dye ...1602 now only poetic
• TINCTUMUTANT * an animal that changes colour ...1895
• TINCTUMUTATION * change of colour ...1895
• TINCTURE * hue, colour; a tinge, tint ...1477
• URE colour, tinge; a stain ...Bk1905 Sc.
• VARIETY †* the fact or quality of being varied in colour; variegation ...1555
• VEHEMENCE * intensity or strength of smell or colour ...1535
colour, colourful - verbs
• ACHROMATIZE to deprive of colour; to render achromatic ...1845
• BEDASH to cover with dashes of colour or adornment ...1564
• DECOLORATE to deprive of colour ...a1846
• DECOLOUR to deprive of colour ...1831
• DECOLOURIZE to deprive of colour ...1836-9
• FAINT * to lose colour or brightness; to fade, to die away ...1430
• FALL to come or go ...1899 Amer. sl., esp. Black & jazz usage
• SCAW to become faded; to lose colour ...Bk1904 Sc.
• TAINT † to colour, to dye. to tinge ...1471
• TINCT † to colour; to dye; to tinge, to tint ...1594
COLOUR BLIND (also see SIGHT) - person
• MONOCHROMAT(E) - a person with monochromatism (complete colour-blindness) ...1893
COLOURED - adjectives
• DAPPERPYE variegated, many-coloured ...1802 Sc.
• FAW † coloured, stained, streaked; particoloured, variegated ...a700
• MANGY dirty-looking; unevenly coloured; spotted ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• TINCT coloured, tinted; dyed, tinged ...1579 poetic.
• TINGIBLE * capable of being tinged or coloured ...1656
• Y-COLOURID † coloured ...1422
COLOURING - adjectives
• SAVAGE † of colouring: crude, harsh, violent ...1706
• TINCTORIAL pert. to or used n dyeing; yielding or using dye or colouring matter ...1655
• TINCTORIOUS * pert. to or used n dyeing; yielding or using dye or colouring matter ...1786
• TINGENT † that tinges or colours; colouring; dyeing ...1650 now rare or obs.
colouring - nouns
• TAINTURE † colouring ...1490
• TINCTION the act of imbuing with colour; colouring, tinging, tinting ...1888
• TINCTURE † 1. a colouring matter, dye, pigment; a dye used as a cosmetic ...c1400
† 2. the act of dyeing, staining, or colouring ...1601
• VEIL * a slight tinge or colouring .,..1646
• VENOM †* a colouring matter; a dye ...c1374
COLOURLESS - adjectives
• ACHROMATISTOUS * colourless; achromatic ...1879
• ACHROMOUS * colourless; without colouring matter ...1879
• ACHROOUS colourless; achromatic ...1879
• PAILIE insipid, dull, colourless ...1825 Sc.
COMA - nouns
• IRISH PASTURE a faint, a coma ...1931 US sl.
COMB - nouns
• BUG RAKE a comb ...1983 UK juvenile usage
• CAKE-CUTTER a long-pronged comb ...1980s sl.
• DASHER a large-toothed comb for the hair ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• FINING COMB a fine-toothed comb ...1936 Amer. dial.
• GARDEN GNOME a comb ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
• IDEAL HOME a comb ...1950s rhyming sl.
• IRISH-RIFLE a small tooth comb ...Bk1896 sl.
• LASH-COMB a wide-toothed comb ...1869 Eng. dial.
• NAB-NANNY-TRAP a fine-toothed comb ...Bk1903 Eng. dial.
• RACK a comb ...M19 Irish sl.
• RACK PICK a comb designed specifically for use on an Afro type of hairstyle ...1960s US Black sl.
• RAKE a comb ...M19 sl.
• RAKER a comb ...M19 sl.
• READY-COMB a comb ...1790 Eng. dial.
• READYING-COMB a comb ...1790 Eng. dial.
• RED-COMB a large-toothed comb ...Bk1904 Sc.
• REDDING-COMB a large-toothed comb ...1812 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• REDDYING COMB a comb for ordering the hair ...1887 Amer. dial.
• REEVING-TOOTH COMB a comb for the hair ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• RID-COMB a comb for the hair ...Bk1904 Sc.
• RIDDING COMB a comb for ordering the hair ...1870 Sc. & Eng. Amer. dial.
• THEAK-LEISHER a comb for the hair ...1879 Eng. dial.
• TOOTH-COMB a small-tooth comb ...1893
comb - verbs
• KEMB † to disentangle and smooth hair by drawing a comb through it; to curry a horse ...c1400 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LASH vb. to comb the hair ...1863 Eng. dial.
• RAKE to comb ...1910s Irish sl.
• READY to comb ...1790 Eng. dial.
• REDD to dress or comb the hair ...1721 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
• REDD OUT to comb one's hair; to groom oneself ...1895 Amer. dial.
• RED UP to comb one's hair; to groom oneself ...1931 Amer. dial.
• REEVE to comb out the hair ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• RID to comb the hair ...1783 Eng. dial.
COMBAT - adjectives
• ASS-IN-THE-GRASS engaged in combat, under fire ...1973 US military sl.
• A.T.C. allergic to combat ...1944 US military sl.
combat - nouns
• BARGAIN † contention or contest for the mastery; struggle, combat, fight, battle; controversy ...1375 obs. exc. Sc.
• CAMP † martial contest, combat, fight, battle, war ...c1000
• ELEPHANT, THE combat ...US Civil War usage
• OPPOSITION † encounter, combat ...1596
• SNATCH PATROL a combat mission in which the object is to capture enemy troops for interrogation ...1977 US sl.
• TILT an encounter, combat, or contest; a debate, a public dispute, a discussion; often applied in the 17th & 18 centuries to a duel ...1567
combat - verbs
• MATCH † to meet in combat, to fight with ...a1400-50
• OPPONE † to endeavour to hinder, thwart, or overthrow; to withstand, to resist, to combat; to stand in the way of, to obstruct ...1610
• TILT to engage in a contest; to combat, to contend with; to strike or thrust at with a weapon ...1588
COMBATANT - adjectives
• BATTAILANT † engaged in battle; prepared for battle; combatant, warlike, fighting ...1591
combatant - person
• BATTAILANT † one who does battle; a combatant ...1620
• CAMPION † one who fights in single combat as a trial of strength or bravery, or to decide a judicial question; a gladiator, pugilist, or professional fighter; a combatant ...c1320
COMBINATION - nouns
• SILLABUB a mixture, combination ...1859
COMBINE - verbs
• UNANIMY † to combine harmoniously ...1602
COMBINING - nouns
• ACCOMBINATION * the act of combining together ...B1900
COMBING - nouns
• KAME a combing of the hair ...1920 Sc.
• REDDING a combing the hair ...1878 Amer. dial.
COMBUSTIBLE - adjectives
• USTORIOUS † characterized by the faculty or power of burning; able to be burnt; combustible ...1724
COME - verbs
• LEND † to arrive, to come ...a1100
• TILL † to come ...1777 Eng. dial.
COMEDIAN (also see COMIC) - person
• BANANA - orig. a stage comedian having a specified position within a team or act; later, any person capable of being ranked in order of importance or preference within a group (usually with preceding word denoting the position or ranking) ...1948 colloq., chiefly Amer.
• GAG-MAN - a deviser or writer of gags; also a comedian ...1928
• GAGSTER - one who makes 'gags' or jokes; a gag-writer or a comedian ...1935 colloq.
• GAG-WRITER - a deviser or writer of gags; also a comedian ...1959
• HARD DOER - an amusing, exciting, eccentric and/or resolute person; a 'character'; typically one who is tough and adventurous; a joker, a wag, a comedian; one who never gives up despite any circumstances; a person who struggles valiantly against difficulties ...1894 Aust. & NZ
• HARP - an Irish comedian ...Bk1962 Amer. Vaudeville usage
• HARRIS FROM PARIS - a radio comedian ...Bk1945 jive usage
• LAFFMEISTER - a comedian ...2002 UK sl.
• LIGHT-COMEDY MERCHANT - a comedian pure and simple ...1887 Brit. theatrical sl.
• MOULIN ROUGE - a stooge (comedian's assistant) ...1980 UK theatrical rhyming sl.
• TOP BANANA - the leading comedian in vaudeville, burlesque, etc. ...sl. chiefly US
• YUCK-HUCKSTER - a comedian ...1995 US sl.
• YUK-HUSTLER - a comedian ...1967 US sl.
COMEDY - nouns
• JASBO a low physical comedy; slapstick; vulgarity ...1917 Amer. Vaudeville sl.
• JAZZBO a low physical comedy; slapstick; vulgarity ...1917 Amer. Vaudeville sl.
• SCHTICK a comedian's routine; an act ...sl.
• SHTICK a comedian's routine; an act ...sl.
• SHTIK a comedian's routine; an act ...sl.
• SOCK comic writing for the theatre; comedy or comic drama
COME IN - verbs
• INCOME to come in, to enter ...1743 Sc.
COMELINESS - nouns
• DECOR † comeliness, beauty, ornament ...1656
• DECORUM † beauty arising from fitness, or from absence of the incongruous; comeliness; grace; gracefulness ...1613
• FAVOUR † that which conciliates affection or goodwill; attractiveness, comeliness, beauty; an attraction, charm ...c1300 obs. exc. arch.
• FEATURE † good form or shape; comeliness ...1594
• MAKEDOM † form, shape; esp. elegant form, shapeliness, comeliness ...c1470 Sc.
COMELY - adjectives
• BEST-LIKE best-looking, most comely ...1889 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BONNY pleasing to the sight; comely; expressing homely beauty ...L15 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• BRAWSOME comely, handsome; rather 'braw' ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CANNY agreeable to the eyes or perception, tidy, seemly, comely; good, worthy; very satisfactory ...1802 Sc.
• DECENT † comely, handsome ...1600
• DECOIR † comely, beautiful ...1500-20 Sc.
• DECORE † comely, beautiful ...1500-20 Sc.
• EYEABLE pleasant to look at, comely ...1889 Amer. dial. arch.
• FARRAND † of a person: well-favoured, comely, handsome ...a1300 Sc. & N. Eng.
• FARRANDLY of persons: comely, handsome, good-looking; decent, respectable; neat, tidy ...1790 Eng. dial.
• FARRANT † of a person: well-favoured, comely, handsome ...a1300 Sc. & N. Eng.
• FARRANTLY of a person: comely, handsome, good-looking ...1674 N. Eng. dial.
• FARRINKLY comely, good-looking; decent, clean, orderly ...1860 Eng. dial.
• FAVOURABLE † winning favour; hence, pleasing, agreeable, beautiful, comely ...1398
• FEATURED † well-formed; comely, beautiful ...1567
• GAINLY proper, becoming, suitable; comely, good-looking ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
• GAINLY-LOOKING comely, good-looking; neatly dressed; said chiefly of females ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• MACKLY seemly, comely, good-looking ...1721 Eng. dial.
• PULCHRITUDINOUS beautiful, graceful, or fine in any way; comely; morally excellent ...1912 US
• SNOUT-FAIR † having a fair countenance; fair-faced, comely, pretty, handsome, good-looking; in frequent use in the 16th and early 17th century, usually with some disparaging suggestion ...1530
• TALL † comely, goodly, fair, handsome; elegant, fine ...c1450
• TIDY in good or tolerably good health; well; plump, in good condition; comely ...1776 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TISTY-TOSTY plump and comely; round like a ball ...1888 Eng. dial.
• VENUST † handsome, beautiful; elegant, graceful; comely in appearance ...1513
• VIEWLY sightly, good to look at, handsome, comely ...1868 Eng. dial.
• VIEWLYSOME sightly, good to look at, handsome, comely ...1868 Eng. dial.
• VIEWSOME comely, handsome, pleasing to the eye ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
comely - person
• BRINKIE a comely person of a lively disposition ...19C Sc.
COMET - adjectives
• BEARDED of a comet, meteor, etc.: having a trail or tail ...c1380
comet - nouns
• BEARD † the train or tail of a comet when it appeared to precede the nucleus ...1647
• BESOM a comet ...1566
• FAXED STAR † a comet, from the resemblance of its tail to hair ...a1259
• FIERY BESOM a comet ...1566
• HAIR the rays or 'tresses' of the sun; the tail of a comet; the 'leafy locks' of a tree, etc. ...1594
• THUNDER-PLANET a comet ...1897 Eng. dial.
COMFORT - adjectives
• BIEN-LIKE having an appearance of comfort and well-being ...1808 Sc.
• IN CLOVER, ON CLOVER in comfort ...L18 Aust. sl.
• SOLACIOUS † affording or giving solace, comfort, or amusement ...1375
comfort - nouns
• BEINNESS comfort, well-to-do condition ...1874 Sc.
• BIENNESS prosperity, comfort, the condition of being well-to-do ...1818 Sc.
• EASEDOM comfort, leisure, relief from anxiety, pain, etc. ...1832 Sc.
• EASEMENT † advantage, convenience, comfort, consolation, relief; furtherance, assistance; formerly also, gratification, enjoyment ...c1400
• EASY HALL a notional place of great comfort and ease ...1980 Barbados sl.
• HALE health, comfort, welfare ...1795 Sc.
• HEART-HEEZING a comfort; that which cheers the heart ...1892 Sc. EDD Wright 1902
• MAKANDE † comfort, ease ...a1400
• MINTIE comfort, solace ...1930s Aust. sl.
• SUGAR TIT something that gives comfort and security ...1892 Amer. sl.
comfort - person
• LIP-COMFORTER one who comforts or consoles with mere words ...a1815
comfort - verbs
• ALLEVATE †* to ease, comfort, alleviate, assuage ...1613
• TALK SOMEONE DOWN to comfort a person who is having a bad experience, usually after taking drugs, esp. LSD ...1960s drugs sl.
comfort - phrases
• YOU'LL BE A MAN BEFORE YOUR MOTHER a jocular expression of encouragement or comfort to a small boy ...1863
COMFORTABLE - adjectives
• AT EASE IN ONE'S INN thoroughly at home and comfortable ...1885
• BEIN comfortable, comfortably furnished ...1533 Sc.
• BIEN snug, comfortable, cosy ...1725 Sc.
• BINNER more comfortable ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CANNY quiet, easy, snug, comfortable, pleasant, cosy ...a1758 Sc.
• COBBY neat, symmetrical; snug, comfortable ...19C Eng. dial.
• COMFORTABLE AS A BEE ON A RASHER OF WATERMELON very comfortable ...1890 Amer. dial.
• COMFORTABLE AS PIGS IN SHIT, AS extremely comfortable ...L19 colloq.
• COMFY comfortable ...E19 colloq.
• CUSHY comfortable; at ease ...Amer. World War I sl.
• EASEFUL that gives ease, comfort, or relief; comfortable, soothing; quiet, peaceful, restful ...1375
• EATH † comfortable, at ease, free from pain ...c1205
• EATHFUL comfortable ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• EITH † comfortable, at ease, free from pain ...c1205
• OK comfortable, at ease ...1978 US sl.
• OK ABOUT comfortable, at ease ...1978 US sl.
• OKAY comfortable, at ease ...1978 US sl.
• OKAY ABOUT comfortable, at ease with ...1970s sl.
• OKAY WITH comfortable, at ease with ...1970s sl.
• OKEY ABOUT comfortable, at ease with ...1970s sl.
• OKEY WITH comfortable, at ease with ...1970s sl.
• OK WITH comfortable, at ease ...1978 US sl.
• ON EASY STREET living a secure, comfortable life ...L19 sl.
• POVIE snug, comfortable, well-off: applied to living ...1841 Sc.
• SNOD comfortable, snug, cosy ...1695 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• SNUG AS A BUG IN A RUG extremely comfortable ...M18 sl.
• SNUG AS A PIG IN PEASE-STRAW extremely comfortable ...M17 sl.
• SNUG AS OLD PAMP extremely comfortable ...L19 sl.
• WAFFY comfortable ...2003 US sl.
comfortable - nouns
• BED OF DOWN a delightful resting-place; a comfortable or easy position ...1604
• BED OF FLOWERS a delightful resting-place; a comfortable or easy position ...1777
• BED OF ROSES a delightful resting-place; a comfortable or easy position ...1806
• COUNTRY CLUB anything that appears to be relatively comfortable and undemanding ...1973 US sl.
• SNUGGERY a snug, cosy, or comfortable room, house, etc., esp. a room of small size into which a person retires for seclusion or quiet ...1815
comfortable - verbs
• BE LAUGHING to be comfortable, safe, fortunate; hence, to be winning ...World War I Brit. colloq.
• LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG to live a comfortable, secure, and well-off life ...1940s sl., orig. US
• LIVE HIGH ON THE HOG to live a comfortable, secure, and well-off life ...1940s sl., orig. US
• SNUGIFY to make snug or comfortable ...1796
COMFORTABLY - adverbs
• BEENLIE pleasantly, comfortably, cosily ...c1450 Sc.
• BEINLY pleasantly, comfortably, cosily ...c1450 Sc.
• BIENLY comfortably, easily, happily ...1788 Sc.
• BINGLY comfortably ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CANNILY sagaciously, skilfully, prudently; cautiously, slyly; gently, softly; comfortably ...1636 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• EASEFULLY comfortably, idly ...1611
• FAT comfortably ...1900s sl.
COMFORTED - adjectives
• EMMOISED †* comforted, cheered ...c1400
• YCONFORTID † comforted ...a1422
COMFORTER - nouns
• HAP a wadded covering for a bed; a comforter, a heavy quilt ...1907 Amer. dial.
• HEN-SKIN a thin comforter or quilt, often stuffed with feathers ...1902 Amer. dial.
COMFORTING - nouns
• TALK-DOWN the comforting of someone who is having a bad experience, usually through injudicious use of drugs, esp. a hallucinogen ...1960s sl.
COMFORTLESS - adjectives
• GABBERNY comfortless, cheerless ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
COMIC, COMICAL - adjectives
• DROLLERICAL comical, humorous ...1656 nonce word
• ONDALI † strange, odd, mysterious, peculiar, comical ...a1838 Sc.
• OONLY † strange, odd, mysterious, peculiar, comical ...a1838 Sc.
• QUEER AS DICK'S HATBAND ridiculously comical ...1856 Eng. dial.
• QUIZZISH † quizzical, causing amusement, comical ...1792
• QUIZZY causing amusement, comical ...1797
• RORTY boisterous or noisy, rowdy; coarse or earthy; crudely comic ...1882 sl.
comic, comical (also see COMEDIAN) - person
• GUY - a comical or joking fellow - hence, a smart alec ...c1862 Amer. sl.
• HACK - a comic who does obvious jokes on trite themes ...Bk1997 standup comedians' usage
• MERRIMENT - a professional clown - a comical person - one quick at making jokes ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• TEAR - a lively, entertaining person; a jolly sort; a comic ...1935 Sc.
COMING - nouns
• TOCOME † arrival, advent, coming ...c897
• TO-COMING † coming, advent ...a1300
• VENUE † the act of coming; arrival ...a1400
COMMA - verbs
• BECOMMA to sprinkle with commas ...1881
COMMAND - adjectives
• IMPERATORIAL † pert. to absolute command ...1690
• MANDATIVE pert. to command ...1651
command - adverbs
• FAST † of a command or prohibition: strictly ...c1310
command - nouns
• ARDENE † a command; an ordinance ...Bk1852
• BEHESTING †* bidding, command ...1583
• DEMANDS commands, commissions ...B1900 Ireland
• EDICTION † edict, command ...c1470
• I-BOD † command, order ...c888
• IMPERE †* a command, an order ...1548 Sc.
• IMPERIUM command; absolute power; supreme or imperial power ...1651
• IMPERY † imperial or supreme rule or authority; command, dominion, sovereignty ...a1300
• MAGISTRATION †* command, direction ...1490
• MANDAMENT †* injunction, command ...1834
• MANDMENT † a commandment, an order; that which is commanded; also, the act of commanding, command, rule ...1297
• WALD command, control ...1908 Sc.
command - person
• BIDDER one who commands or orders ...1340
command - verbs
• BIBEDE † to bid, to command ...c1000
• I-BEDE † to command, to proclaim, to offer ...a800
• IMPERATE † to command, to rule, to govern ...1599
• IMPOSE † to place in command or office; to appoint or set up authoritatively ...1617 rare or obs.
• MAND † to command ...1483
• MANDATE †* to command ...1623
• MANDY to command ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• ORDAIN † to order, to command, to bid a person to do something, or that a thing be done ...1375 obs. or arch.
COMMANDED - adjectives
• BIDDEN invited; commanded, ordered ...1614
• IMPERATE † commanded, ruled ...c1470
commanded - verbs
• MORIGERATE † to do as commanded; to obey, to comply ...1623
COMMANDER - adjectives
• IMPERATORIAL pert. to or befitting an emperor or commander; imperial ...1660
• IMPERATORIAN † pert. to or befitting an emperor or commander; imperial ...1640
• IMPERATORIOUS † pert. to or befitting an emperor or commander; imperial ...1625
• IMPERATORY † pert. to or befitting an emperor or commander; imperial ...1616
commander - adverbs
• IMPERATORIOUSLY † as a commander or general ...1620
commander - person
• A1 - † a title for the commander of 900 men ...c1866
• DEAN - † a head, chief, or commander of a division of ten ...1388
• DECADARCH - in ancient Greece: a commander of ten ...1794
• DECENER - † one in command of ten soldiers ...1555
• DECURION - a cavalry officer in command of a 'decuria' or company of ten horse - also, a commander or captain of ten men ...1382
• ELECTO - † a leader or commander chosen by mutineers ...1609
• GENERAL - a commander, a leader; a ruler ...1582
• HEAD - a person to whom others are subordinate - a chief - a captain - a commander - a ruler - a leader - a principal person ...c897
• IMPERATOR - absolute ruler - an emperor; commander, or ruler ...1588
• MARSHAL - † a commander - a general - a leader ...a1300
• MASTER - † one having direction or control over the action of others - a director - a leader - a chief - a commander - a ruler - a governor ...c1000
• NAVARCH - * the commander of a fleet - an admiral ...1828-32 Greek Antiq.
• OLD MAN - the commander of a unit ...US Civil War usage
• WARDEN - † the governor of a town, province, or district - the commander of a fortress ...1297
COMMANDING - adjectives
• IMPERANT † commanding, ruling ...1617
• MANTLING of commanding aspect ...1875 Eng. dial.
• QUINQUAGENARIAN †* commanding fifty men ...1600
commanding - nouns
• IMPERANCE † commanding quality, commandingness ...1595
• IMPERATION * the act of commanding ...1786-9
• IMPERATIVENESS commanding quality; authoritativeness ...1840
COMMENCE - verbs
• BECOMSE †* to begin, to commence ...c1350
• BEFONG † to take hold on; to begin or commence upon ...c1200
• BEGIN TO COMMENCE to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• COMSE † to begin, to commence ...a1225
• CUT LOOSE to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DIG IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DIVE IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• FALL ON THE BALL to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• FALL TO to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• FIRE AWAY to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• GET GOING to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• GIVE THE COMMENCE to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• HEAD INTO to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• HIT IT to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• HIT THE BALL to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• HITCH UP to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• IMPRIME † to begin, to commence, to initiate, to enter upon ...1637
• JUMP OFF to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• KICK OFF to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• MAKE A MOVE to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• OFF-START to begin, to commence ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• OPEN THE BALL to be the first to act; to start things going; to begin, to commence ...1812 sl.
• PITCH IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PITCH OUT to start suddenly, to begin, to commence ...1909 Amer. dial.
• PUSH OFF to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• RING to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• RING IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SHAKE THE LEAD OUT to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SHOOT AHEAD to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SHOOT IT to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SQUARE OFF to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• START GOING to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• START THE BALL ROLLING to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• STEVE HART to start, to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. rhyming sl.
• TACKLE to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TAKE AND DO to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TAKE BEGINNING † to begin, to start, to commence ...a1300
• TAKE OFF to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TAKE ON † to begin, to commence ...c1200
• TAKE UP † vb. to begin or commence an action; to begin to utter or raise laughter, lamentation, etc. ...c1400
• TUNE IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TURN ON THE STEAM to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TURN TO to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• UNBELT to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• UNVEIL to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• WADE IN to commence an action ...M19 sl.
• WADE INTO to commence an action ...M19 sl.
• WHIRL IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• WHIRL TO to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
COMMENCEMENT - nouns
• FIRST END the beginning of a thing, the very commencement ...Bk1875 Eng. dial.
• GO-OFF the act of making a start; commencement, beginning ...1830 colloq.
• HEFT-END the beginning, commencement ...1891 Sc.
• IMPRIMING beginning, commencement ...c1633
• INCHOATION beginning, commencement; origination; initial or early stage ...1530
• OFF-GANG a commencement, start, outset ...1881 Eng. dial.
• OFF-GO start, beginning, outset, commencement ...1886 Sc.
• OFF-GOING a commencement, start, outset ...1885 Sc.
• OFF-SET a commencement, start, outset ...1892 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• OFF-START a commencement, start, beginning, outset ...1889 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• ONCOME the approach, advent, beginning, or commencement of a thing, esp. of one that requires great exertion; an onset; development, progress ...1823 Sc.
COMMENCING - adjectives
• INCEPTIVE beginning, commencing, incipient ...1662
• INCIPIENT beginning; commencing; in an initial stage ...1669
COMMEND - person
• BENEDICTOR † a eulogist, one who commends or praises, a well-wisher ...a1633
• VAUNTER - a boastful assertor, extoller, commender, or praiser of something ...1553 arch.
commend - verbs
• BALLYHOO to commend, urge, or the like, in the manner of a 'barker' ...1927
• BEPUFF to praise greatly, to commend ...1843
• BETRUMPET * to trumpet the praises of, to commend or praise loudly ...1828
• BRAG UP to praise or commend lavishly ...1885 Amer. dial.
• ROOSE † to praise, extol, commend, flatter ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• VALUE † to commend or praise to another; to vaunt ...1670
COMMENDABLE - verbs
• ALLAUDABLE † praiseworthy, commendable ...1731
COMMENDATION - adjectives
• PANEGYRIC of the nature of a eulogy; publicly or elaborately expressing praise or commendation; eulogistic, laudatory ...a1631
• PANEGYRICAL of the nature of a eulogy; publicly or elaborately expressing praise or commendation; eulogistic, laudatory ...1592-3
commendation - nouns
• ATTABOY a commendation ...1975 US military & police sl.
• PUFF an exaggerated commendation of a book, an actor's performance, etc.
• RAP congratulations, a commendation, praise; a compliment ...1939 Aust. sl.
• RAP-UP praise; a compliment or commendation ...1939 Aust. sl.
• ROOSE † commendation, praise, flattery ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• WRAP enthusiastic approval; praise; a compliment or commendation ...1939 Aust. sl.
• WRAP-UP enthusiastic approval; praise; a compliment or commendation ...1939 Aust. sl.
commendation - interjections/phrases
• FAR OUT! expresses enthusiastic commendation ...1954 sl.
• NOW YOU'RE LOGGING an expression of commendation ...1930 Amer. dial.
• OH BRAVE! an exclamation of commendation ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
COMMENDING - adjectives
• PLAUDITORY applauding, commending, laudatory, praising, extolling ...a1845
COMMENT - adjectives
• GLOSSEMATICAL † that makes a comment or gloss upon a book or text ...1656
• PASSREMARKABLE worthy of comment ...1980s Irish sl.
comment - nouns
• GLOSSEM †* a gloss, comment ...1608
• OBSERVE an observation, scientific or otherwise, a remark, a comment ...1700 Sc.
• PARAPHRASE † a comment ...1642
• POP-OFF any form of comment ...1930s US sl.
comment - person
• GLOSSARIAN a glossarist ...1887
• GLOSSARIST one who writes a gloss or commentary ...1778
• GLOSSATOR a writer of glosses; a commentator ...c1380
• GLOSSOGRAPHER a writer of glosses or commentaries ...1607
comment - verbs
• ANIMADVERSE †* to notice, to comment upon ...1642
• GLOSE, GLOZE to comment; to interpret ...c1380, 1340
• GLOSSATE to write glosses or a commentary upon ...1884
• PARAPHRASE † to comment on, to enlarge upon a subject ...1644-5
COMMENTATOR - person
• BARKING HEAD - an aggressive or loud broadcast commentator ...1988 Amer. political sl.
• GABBER - a radio commentator ...1948 Amer. broadcasting sl.
• MANDARIN - a senior civil servant, politician, or commentator ...1910s sl.
• WAG - a spokesperson or commentator ...Bk1994 US political news sl.
COMMERCIAL - nouns
• SPOT TV the production or airing of television commercials ...sl.
commercial - person
• BABY WRANGLER - in advertising and television: a person who coaches children to perform in commercials ...Bk1993
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER - person
• AMBASSADOR OF COMMERCE - a commercial traveller ...B1890 UK sl.
• BAGGS - the commercial traveller of former days who travelled on horseback, with his samples, etc., in a pair of saddle bags ...Bk1877 Eng. dial.
• BAGMAN - a commercial traveller whose business it is to show samples and solicit orders on behalf of manufacturers, etc. ...1788 UK sl.
• BAGS - † a commercial traveller, who used to carry his samples with him on horseback, in a pair of saddle-bags ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BAGSTER - a commercial traveller whose business it is to show samples and solicit orders on behalf of manufacturers, etc. ...1793 UK sl.
• BAG WOMAN - * a woman who carries goods for sale in a bag; a female commercial traveller ...1845
• BINKSER, BINXER - a vulgar, loud-talking, blustering person; especially, a commercial traveller of this kind ...1897 sl.
• GENTLEMAN OF THE ROAD - a commercial traveller ...Bk1903 sl.
• GIDEON - a member of a Christian organization of American commercial travellers, founded in 1899 ...1906 US
• KNIGHT OF THE ROAD - a commercial traveller ...Bk1903 sl.
• RIDE - a commercial traveller ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• RIDE-OUT - a commercial traveller ...1784 Eng. dial.
• RIDER - a commercial traveller ...1810 sl.
• RIDER-OUT - a commercial traveller ...1885 Eng. dial.
• ROAD-AGENT - a commercial traveller ...Bk1903 sl.
• SAMPLE-COUNT - a commercial traveller ...L19 colloq.
COMMISERATE - verbs
• COLLACHRYMATE †* to weep or lament with, or in sympathy with others; to commiserate ...1593
COMMISERATED - adjectives
• MISERATED pitied, commiserated ...Bk1903 Eng. dial.
COMMISERATION - interjections
• SAD DAY! used for expressing commiseration with another person's troubles ...1989 US sl.
COMMISSION - nouns
• COMMISH a commission of any sort ...US Civil War usage
• FACTORAGE the action or professional service of a factor; the act of buying or selling goods on commission ...1670
• KICKBACK a commission on a more or less shady deal ...1930 US sl.
• PUSH MONEY commission on items sold ...1939 US sl.
• RAKE a commission, esp. on some form of illegal deal ...L19 sl., orig. US
• RAKE-IN a commission, esp. on some form of illegal deal ...L19 sl., orig. US
• YANK-DOWN a profit, a commission ...L19 sl.
commission - person
• BUNCER a seller on commission ...c1860 sl.
COMMISSIONER - adjectives
• LEDGER † resident in the capacity of ambassador, commissioner, or agent ...1560 obs. exc. arch.
commissioner - person
• LEDGER † a representative; a commissioner; an agent ...1603
COMMIT - verbs
• BETAKE † to hand over to the care of; to entrust, to commit, to give in charge to ...1297
• BETEACH † to hand over as a trust; to entrust, to commit, to give in charge to ...c1000
• TOUCH ONE'S PIN to commit oneself ...1967 Amer. dial.
• WADE IN to commit oneself wholeheartedly, esp. to a fight ...M19 sl.
• WADE INTO to commit oneself wholeheartedly, esp. to a fight ...M19 sl.
COMMITMENT - person
• QUEEN WEEN someone who backs out of a commitment ...1990s US college sl.
commitment - verbs
• JUMP THE BUCK to shift or avoid responsibility or commitment ...1965 Amer. dial.
• PASS THE BUCK to shift or avoid responsibility or commitment ...1912 Amer. dial.
• PASS THE BUCKET to shift or avoid responsibility or commitment ...1965 Amer. dial.
• PITCH THE BUCK to shift or avoid responsibility or commitment ...1965 Amer. dial.
• TAKE IT TO THE HOOP to take something to its limit; to do something with maximum commitment ...1980s US Black sl.
COMMITTED - adjectives
• ABOUT IT totally committed ...2000s US Black sl.
• BEHIND committed, dedicated ...1968 US sl.
• DEAD-SET fully committed; determined ...M19 sl.
• GUNG-HO very zealous; totally committed; dedicated; spirited; enthusiastic; wholeheartedly fervid about doing something...1942 US sl., orig. US Marine Corps usage
• IN FOR IT willing, committed to, eager ...M19 sl.
committed - adverbs
• BIG CASINO in an important, committed manner ...1990s US sl.
committed - verbs
• MEAN BUSINESS to be totally committed, to be utterly earnest ...1857 sl.
COMMODIOUS - adjectives
• NECESSARY †* commodious, convenient ...1540-1
COMMODITY - person
• DEARTHER † one who causes a dearth or scarcity in commodities ...1622
COMMON - adjectives
• COMMON AS GULLY DIRT common, worthless ...1966 Amer. dial.
• COMMON AS HORSESHIT very common ...1925 US sl.
• COMMON AS MUCK exceedingly common ...1782 UK sl.
• COMMON OR GARDEN common, ordinary ...1892
• DEMOTIC pert. to the common people; popular, vulgar ...1872
• ENTERCOMMON common to everybody ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• GREGAL* pert. to a flock or to the common people ...M16
• GREGARIAN † pert. to flocks or crowds, common ...M17 rare or obs.
• I-MENE † common; shared or owned in common ...c1000
• LANDISH † of the commons or common people ...1489
• LEWD † belonging to the lower orders; common, low, vulgar, base ...c1380
• ORDINARY † 1. of common or everyday occurrence; frequent; abundant ...1597
† 2. pert. to or characteristic of the common people; common, vulgar; unrefined, low, coarse ...1659
• PENNY-RIFE † as rife or common as pennies; very common or prevalent ...1606
• TACKEY, TACKY of poor quality, shoddy; run-down; cheap. common; in poor taste ...1886 Amer. sl.
common - adverbs
• ORDINARY † in an ordinary manner; commonly, ordinarily ...1596
common - nouns
• TAG-RAG * the rabble; the riff-raff; the common people; a member of the rabble ...1609
common - person
• HAT - † a gentleman commoner ...1830 UK sl.
• JACK - † a man of the common people - a lad - a fellow - a chap - a low-bred or ill-mannered fellow - a knave ...1548
• PAGE - † (often depreciative) a youth or man of low status; a commoner; a peasant; a labourer ...c1385 obs, exc. Sc.
• RANK AND SMELL - a common person ...L19 sl.
• SAD VULGAR - a common, vulgar person ...1767 UK society usage
• TABLE-PEER - a fellow-commoner ...Bk1881
• TIB - † formerly, a typical name for a woman of the lower classes - a common woman ...1533
COMMONLY - adverbs
• OPENLY † by people generally, commonly, publicly ...1154
• ORDINARY † in an ordinary manner; commonly, ordinarily ...1596
COMMONPLACE - adjectives
• BROMIDIC commonplace or conventional ...1906 sl.
• FADE † that has lost taste; insipid, commonplace, uninteresting ...1715
• HABITED † that has become habitual; commonly practised; accustomed ...1605
• HACK in common or promiscuous use; hackneyed; trite, commonplace ...1781
• HACKNEY † worn out, like a hired horse, by indiscriminate or vulgar use; threadbare, trite, commonplace; hackneyed ...1596
• ORDINAR † ordinary, usual, commonplace ...1508 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• ORDINARY physically plain; commonplace; unattractive ...M19
• ORNERY ordinary, commonplace, plain ...1838 Amer. dial.
• QUOTIDIAN of an everyday character; ordinary, commonplace, trivial ...1461-83
commonplace - nouns
• ORDINARY * something of usual or commonplace character ...1624
commonplace - verbs
• HACKNEY to render too familiar, vulgar, trite, or commonplace ...1596
COMMOTION - adjectives
• RAISE-DEVIL † devil-raising, causing a commotion ...c1661 nonce word
commotion - nouns
• AYROM an unpleasant commotion or disturbance, display of temper, tantrums ...1850 Eng. dial.
• BILLIBUE a hullabaloo; a commotion, fuss, disturbance ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CATARUMPUS a commotion, a rumpus ...1848 US sl.
• CATOUSE an uproar, a commotion, a din, tumult, rumpus, row, disturbance ...1890 Amer. dial.
• CRINKIE-WINKIE a contention; a pother, disturbance, commotion, turmoil ...1818 Sc.
• DANDER a noise, a commotion ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DEVIL-RACKET the noise or commotion made by a crowd ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DEVIL-ROUTER the noise or commotion made by a crowd ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• FALARIE disturbance, excitement, commotion ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• FANTEAGUE, FANTIGUE a state of excitement, a commotion, a fuss; a fit of ill-temper, passion ...1825 Eng. dial.
• FARE † display, pomp; commotion, uproar, fuss ...a1300
• FOFARRAW a loud disturbance or interruption; a commotion ...Bk1974 Amer. dial.
• FOOFOORAW a loud disturbance or interruption; a commotion ...Bk1974 Amer. dial.
• GARBOIL † confusion, disturbance, disorder, tumult, uproar; a brawl, hubbub, commotion ...1548 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• GARRAY † commotion, disturbance, noise, row ...c1460 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• HACK AND SWEEP a tumult, an uproar; a fight; a commotion ...1902 Sc.
• HAY-BAY, HEY-BEY a hubbub, an uproar; a commotion, a disturbance ...1805 Eng. dial.
• HUBBLE-SHUBBLE †* commotion, uproar, tumult, disturbance, confusion ...c1550
• JICKAJOG a commotion; a push ...1614 sl.
• KATOWSE an uproar, a commotion, a tumult, rumpus, row, disturbance ...1859 Amer. dial.
• LANT commotion, confusion ...1825 Sc.
• MEDLEY a commotion, tumult ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MURDER IN THE GUN ROOM a commotion ...1909 Amer. dial.
• PALLALL a to-do, a commotion, a fuss ...1965 Sc.
• PAVIE a fuss, bustle, commotion, a great to-do about nothing; a great state of excitement, either from pleasurable anticipation, or rage ...1806 Sc.
• QUACK-QUACK a commotion ...1982 Trinidad and Tobago
• RAMMY a general fight; a brawl; a scuffle; a violent disturbance or commotion; a noisy argument; a row; a bustling crowd ...1935 Sc. sl.
• RAMSAMMY a commotion, a riotous party ...1900s sl.
• REVEL a stir; a commotion ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCALE-BREAK a sudden scattering or dispersion; the noise or commotion made by a dispersing crowd ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SCHEMOZZLE, SCHIMOZZLE, SHEMOZZLE, SHIMOZZLE a brawl; a commotion ...1916 sl.
• SCHLEMOZZLE, SHLEMOZZLE brawl; a commotion ...1916 sl.
• SCOURING a rushing about; a fuss, commotion ...1958 Sc.
• SHINDY a commotion; a ruckus; a row, a disturbance; a fuss ...1828 Amer. dial.
• SUFFLE †* a commotion, disturbance, disorder ...1650
• TANTHUNDER † a commotion ...1870 Eng. dial.
• TARVE a stir, a commotion ...1893 Eng. dial.
• TAVE a hurry, a stir, a commotion ...Bk1905 Sc.
• TERRILOO a great commotion ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• TERVEE, TIRVY a stir, a commotion ...1893 Eng. dial.
• TIRRIVEE a commotion, disturbance; a state of excitement; a stir, bustle ...1885 Sc.
• TO-DO a bustle, stir, commotion, a fuss, a great disturbance ...1570
• TOUSE, TOUSE a commotion, a disturbance, an ado, a fuss, an outcry; a state of agitation ...1836 Amer. dial.
• TURVE a stir, a commotion ...1893 Eng. dial.
• UP-SHAK a commotion ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• UPSTIR † a disturbance, commotion, uproar, confusion ...1549 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• UPTION a commotion; a disturbance ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
commotion - verbs
• AGITATE UP A STORM to create a commotion (mental or physical) over something ...1954 Amer. dial.
• BE FULL OF JACK to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1872 Amer. dial.
• CUT UP JACK AND KILL JINNY to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1930 Amer. dial.
• KICK UP HIGH JACK to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1908 Amer. dial.
• KICK UP JACK to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1908 Amer. dial.
• PLAY OLD GOOSEBERRY to make a great disturbance or commotion; to turn everything into confusion; to cause havoc ...1828
• RAISE CAIN to cause a commotion
• RAISE JACK to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1867 Amer. dial.
• RAISE MERRY NED to create a commotion, disturbance. or trouble; hence, to have a rousing good time ...1906 Amer. dial.
• RAISE NED to create a commotion, disturbance, or trouble; hence, to have a rousing good time ...1849 Amer. dial.
• RAISE NEDDY-JINGO to create a commotion, disturbance, or trouble ...1958 Amer. dial.
• RAISE OLD NED to create a commotion, disturbance, or trouble; hence, to have a rousing good time ...1942 Amer. dial.
• RAISE PROMISCUOUS NED to create a commotion, disturbance, or trouble; hence, to have a rousing good time ...1848 Amer. dial.
• RAISE SAND to cause a disturbance, stir, or commotion ...L19 US sl.
• TEAR UP JACK to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1845 Amer. dial.
• TERRILOO to make a great commotion ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THROW THE HOUSE OUT OF THE WINDOW to make a great commotion, noise, or disturbance; to cause great disorder and confusion; to turn everything topsy-turvy ...1621
• TOP (TALL) TIMBER to make a commotion, to 'blow one's top'; to make great objections or a big fuss about something ...1965 Amer. dial.
• TOP THE TREES to make a commotion, to 'blow one's top'; to make great objections or a big fuss about something ...1965 Amer. dial.
• TUMULTUATE * to stir up a tumult; to make a disturbance or commotion; to become tumultuous, turbulent, agitated or restless ...1611
commotion - phrases
• DEVIL RIDES UPON A FIDDLESTICK, THE here's a fine commotion ...1778
COMMUNICABLE - adjectives
• IMPARTABLE * communicable ...1653
COMMUNICATE - verbs
• IMPORT † to convey to another, to communicate information etc. ...1565
COMMUNICATION - nouns
• BIT SPIT any electronic communication ...1997 US sl.
• CANAL † a medium of communication, means, agency; now 'channel' ...1711
• COMMO communication ...World War II Amer. sl.
• DEADHEAD a state of non-communication ...2000s sl.
• IMPARTANCE * communication ...1811
• TONGUE-SPEAKING oral, as distinct from written communication ...1902
communication - verbs
• KEEP THE LINES OPEN to maintain communication ...20C sl.
COMMUNICATIVE - adjectives
• DECLARATIVE † of a person: declaring oneself; declaring or uttering one's opinion; communicative ...1647
COMMUNIST - adjectives
• PINKO (derogatory) holding left-of-centre or mildly Communist views ...1936 sl.
• RED communist, socialist, left-wing ...M19 sl.
communist - nouns
• AUNT JULIA communist propaganda ...1953 US sl.
• REDS, THE communists, socialists ...20C sl.
Communist - person
• COMMIE (often derogatory) a Communist ...1939 sl.
• COMMO (often derogatory) a Communist ...1941 sl.
• HACK - a labour organizer belonging to the Communist Party of the United States ...1967 Amer. sl.
• PINKIE, PINKY (derogatory) someone who holds left-of-centre or mildly Communist views ...1973 sl.
• PINKO (derogatory) someone who holds left-of-centre or mildly Communist views ...1936 sl.
• RADISH a bogus communist ...Amer. World War I sl.
• RED (derogatory) an anarchist or republican, a Russian Bolshevik, or a Communist or extreme socialist ...1851 sl.
• RED-NECK a Communist; a revolutionary ...1931 Amer. dial.
• RED-RAGGER (derogatory) a Communist or socialist ...1916 Aust. sl.
• YUKKIE - a young, upwardly mobile communist ...Bk2006 Amer. sl.
communist - verbs
• REDBAIT to harass communists or people with left-wing beliefs
COMMUNITY - nouns
• BLINK-EYE a very small community; a very unimportant place ...1969 Amer. dial.
• SMOKY HOLLOW a nickname for a community or neighbourhood ...1852 Amer. dial.
• SMOKY ROW a nickname for a community or neighbourhood ...c1903 Amer. dial.
community - person
• DADS a community leader ...1990s W. Indies usage
• HOUSE-FATHER the male head of a community or collection of persons living together as a family ...B1900
• ODDLIN(G) any person or thing standing alone, or differing from others; the last remaining survivor of a family or community; the last article of a set; a remainder ...1870 Eng. dial.
community - verbs
• CANTONIZE † to separate oneself into, or form, an independent community ...1605
COMMUTER - person
• GUTTER BUNNY a commuter who bicycles to work ...1996 US mountain bikers' sl.
COMPACT - adjectives
• NACKETY compact, neat, tidy, smart-looking ...1756 Sc.
• NEVIT compact ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
compact - nouns
• TACK an agreement, compact, bargain; hence, a post, situation, a steady job ...1718 Sc.
compact - verbs
• SAD to make dense and compact; to compress, to press down, to solidify by hammering; to cause to sink or settle down ...1736 Sc.
• SADDEN to compress, to consolidate, to make compact and firm ...1775 Sc.
COMPACT DISC - nouns
• ALUMINIUM COOKIE a compact disc (CD) ...2002 UK sl.
COMPANION - person
• ACHATES - a devoted follower; a loyal friend and companion ...1582
• ARMPIECE - a companion, i.e. one who is 'on one's arm' ...1990s sl.
• ARM TROPHY - a stunning and sexually appealing companion, valued for the prestige attached to their presence ...1994 US sl.
• BARNACLE - a companion or follower that sticks close, and will not be dismissed - a constant attendant ...1607
• BEAU-PEER, BEAUPERE † a good companion or friend ...1377
• BED-FELLOW - a close companion or associate; often in an underhanded, clandestine sense ...Bk1988 Aust. sl.
• BEN COVE - a good fellow; a friend, a companion ...1608 sl.
• BEN CULL - a good fellow, a friend; a companion ...1830 sl.
• BEWPERE - † a companion ...Bk1855
• BIFFIN - an intimate friend; a companion ...1857 UK sl.
• BILLIE, BILLY - a fellow; a companion, a comrade, a mate ...c1505 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• BIZZLE - a brother in the sense of male companion ...2002 US sl.
• BROAD - a female confederate - a female companion ...Bk1914 criminals' sl.
• BUDDIE - a friend or intimate companion ...1896 Amer. dial. .
• CAD - a close or intimate friend - a companion ...1835
• CHUM - a companion, bedfellow ...Bk1890 sl.
• FIDUS ACHATES - a devoted follower - a loyal friend and companion ...L16 literary
• GADLING, GEDLING † orig., a companion or fellow, in good sense, esp. a companion in arms ...c1000
• GECO - † a good friend; a trustworthy companion or associate ...1925 US criminals' sl.
• GENTLEMAN-USHER - a woman's male companion ...1606 UK sl.
• HAIL-FELLOW - † an intimate companion; a pleasant or genial companion ...1650
• HARBORLIGHT - a companion; one who takes care of a friend who has been drinking ...World War II Amer. sl.
• HEARTH-FELLOW - * a person who associates with others beside a hearth; a fireside companion ...1871
• HELP-MAKE - a helpmate; a companion who is a help, or who renders help; an assistant, coadjutor, partner, consort; chiefly applied to a wife or husband ...1854 Eng. dial.
• HELPMATE - a companion who is a help, or who renders help; an assistant, coadjutor, partner, consort; chiefly applied to a wife or husband ...1715
• HELPMEET - a fitting or suitable helper: usually applied to a wife or husband; a consort, a companion, an assistant ...1382
• HETAERA, HETAIRA - a female companion or paramour, a mistress, a concubine; a courtesan, a harlot ...1820
• HINDERMATE - a spouse or companion who is a hindrance ...a1843 nonce word
• INKLE-WEAVER - a close companion ...1725 sl.
• JOLLY TIT - a pleasant companion ...E18 sl.
• KEBAR - a companion - a neighbour ...1835 Sc.
• LACKES - † lackeys - companions ...Bk1852
• LAKE-LADS - companions - playmates ...1896 Eng. dial.
• LAKE-LASSES - female companions or playmates ...1849 Eng. dial.
• MACE - a friend or companion ...Bk1851 Eng. dial.
• MAKE - † an equal - a fellow - a friend - a companion - a consort - a 'mate' ...a1175 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• MARROW - † a companion - a fellow-worker - a partner - a mate ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• MATCH - † one's equal in age, rank, station, etc.- one's fellow companion ...c975
• MAUGH - a companion - a partner - a colleague ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MOB - a companion ...Bk1865 sl.
• MONE - † a companion, an assistant ...c1300
• MORROW - a companion; a husband or wife ...Bk1866 Sc. & Ireland
• MUFFIN 1. a female companion who accompanies a bachelor on his round of social amusements ...M19 Can. & US sl.
2. a man that chaperons or acts as companion to women ...B1923 Brit. sl.
• NEIGHBOUR - a companion - a comrade - a good friend ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• ONE OF THE BEST - a good fellow - a good companion ...c1920 society usage
• PANION - † a companion - a mate - a fellow - an associate ...1553
• PARAGON - † a match - a mate - a companion - a consort in marriage - a rival - a competitor ...1566
• PARD - a partner - a mate - a very close friend - a companion - an associate ...1850 sl., chiefly US
• QUEEN - a girlfriend - a female companion ...1900s sl.
• RAG - a girlfriend - a female companion ...L19 US sl.
• SAMENFERE - † a fellow-traveller; an associate; a companion ...a1300
• SAUDALL - a companion ...1590 Sc.
• SCOUT - a fellow or companion ...colloq.
• SIB - a relative - a companion ...1930 Amer. dial.
• SIDEKICK - a friend, esp. a subordinate companion ...1903 sl., orig. US
• SIDE-KICKER - a friend - a subordinate companion ...1903 US sl.
• SIZZLE - a sister, in the sense as a female companion ...2003 US Black sl.
• SPAR - a close male friend; a companion ...1965 sl., orig. W. Indies
• SPARRING PARTNER - a friend; a companion; a husband or wife ...1995 sl.
• SQUAREY, SQUARIE - a female companion - a girlfriend ...1917 Aust. sl.
• TACK-TO - a frequent companion, esp. of a woman who keeps company with a man in a somewhat imprecise relationship ...1827 Sc.
• TOAD-EATER - * a humble friend or dependant - a female companion or attendant - used contemptuously ...1744
• UERE - † a companion ...Bk1888
• VERE - † a 'fere', a companion, an associate ...c975
• WALKER - a man, often rich, invariably personable and socially acceptable, who accompanies the wives of prominent men to parties, on shopping expeditions, to the theatre, etc. ...1980s sl.
• WALLY-DE-SHAM a crony, a close companion ...1822 Sc.
• YARD DOG - a loyal but mediocre companion ...1959 US Black sl.
• YFERE - † a companion - a mate - a fellow - an associate ...c870
• YMONE - † a companion ...a1300
• YUK - a companion; a partner; a friend; a buddy; one who can be depended upon or used ....1934 sl.
• ZANY - * an attendant, follower, companion, or assistant; almost always contemptuous; sometimes, a hanger-on, a parasite. a servile flatterer ...1601 rare or arch.
companion - verbs
• BUDDY to be a friend or companion ...1930 Amer. dial.
• MARROW to be a companion to; to marry ...1721 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
companion - phrases
• LIKE HEFT AND BLADE close companions ...1884 Eng. dial.
COMPANIONABLE - adjectives
• FELLOWLY sociable, companionable ...1928 Amer. dial.
COMPANIONLESS - adjectives
• LEDELESS †* without a companion ...a1300
• MARROWLESS companionless, unmarried; unequalled, unmatched ...1637 Eng. dial.
• PAIRLESS companionless ...1853 Sc.
COMPANIONSHIP - nouns
• HAUNT † companionship, society, company ...1500-20
• MARROWSHIP † association, companionship ...a1500 Sc.
• NEIPERTY companionship ...Bk1905 Sc.
COMPANY - nouns
• BEND a flock, a company ...1882 Amer. dial.
• MELL a company ...1888 Sc.
• SUIT a company of followers; a train, retinue ...1297 arch. or Eng. dial.
company (names for groups of people, animals, etc.) - nouns
• BERRY † a rabbit's burrow; a company of rabbits ...1486
• DERBY a group or pack of fox hounds ...1983 Amer. dial.
• GAGGLE a company of women; used derisively ...c1470
• HASTINESS † a fanciful name for a 'company' of cooks ...c1491
• KERF † a humorous term for a company of pantrymen ...1486
• LAUGHTER n. an alleged name for a company of ostlers (men employed to look after the horses of people staying at an inn) ...1486
• NONPATIENCE † an alleged term for a 'company' of wives ...1486
• PACE † a 'company' or herd of asses ...1486
• RAG †* an alleged name for a 'company' of colts ...c1470
• RAGE † an alleged name for a 'company' of maidens ...1486
• SATELLITIUM † a company of planets ...1669-96
• SCHOOL † a company of any kind of animals ...1895 Eng. dial.
• SKULK † a number, company, or gathering of person or animals given to skulking, as a 'skulk of foxes', a 'skulk of heretics' ...c1450
• SUIT † 1. a leash of hounds ...c1470
† 2. a flight of mallards ...1486
• TABERNACLE † an alleged term for a company of bakers ...1486
• TORMENTRY † a company or body of tormentors or executioners ...a1350
• UNBREWING † a fanciful name for a 'company' of carvers ...1486
• WALK a company of snipes ...1859
• WARD * a company of watchmen or guards ...c1000
• YEOMANRY † a company of yeomen ...1375
company - verbs
• HANK to associate with; to act or agree with; to keep company with ...1842 Eng. dial.
COMPARABLE - adjectives
• MATCHABLE † comparable; equal; similar, analogous ...1572
COMPARE - verbs
• EVEN to compare, to put on a level by comparison; to liken to ...1824 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• LAY † to compare with ...1577
• MATCH †* to compare in respect of similarity; to examine the likeness or difference of ...a1649
• MATCH DOPE to exchange views, to compare ideas ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• MEACH to measure; to compare ...1884 Eng. dial.
• MEITCH to measure; to compare ...1884 Eng. dial.
• NICK to compare with ...1887 sl.
• PARAGON 1. to place side by side; to parallel, to compare ...a1586 arch. or poetic
† 2. to compare, to compete, to vie with ...1620
• PARAGONIZE † to compare, to put in competition or rivalry ...1589
• RESEMBLE to compare ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SIDE UP WITH to compare; to compete with ...L19 colloq.
• SIGNIFY † to compare, to liken to something ...1456
• SIMILARIZE * to compare, to liken ...1806
• SIMILITUDINIZE to make comparisons ...1837
• SIMILIZE † to compare, to liken ...1620
• TALLY † to bring into comparison, to compare ...1773
• TEARN † to compare, to liken ...B1900 Eng. dial. obs.
• TENT to compare; to count, to tally; to take account ...1876 Eng. dial.
COMPARISON - adjectives
• INVIDIOUS of a comparison or distinction: unjust; unfairly discriminating ...E18
comparison - prepositions
• ABIES in comparison with ...1825 Sc.
comparison - nouns
• FOMBLITUDE † a weak comparison ...1583 nonce word
• PARAGON † comparison; competition, emulation, rivalry ...1590
• PARALLELISM a statement of correspondence or analogy; a comparison, a simile ...1656
comparison - verbs
• SIMILIZE * to symbolize; to express or describe in similes; to use a simile or comparison ...a1668
COMPASS - nouns
• AIRT a point of the compass; a direction; more generally: a quarter, a locality ...a1400 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• ART the quarter of the heavens, point of the compass; esp. of the direction of the wind ...1725 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• FLOWER OF THE WINDS the mariner's compass on maps and charts ...1867
• PASSERS a pair of compasses ...1866 Sc.
• SHANK † either of the legs of a pair of compasses ...L16
COMPASSION - nouns
• EARNING † longing desire; poignant grief or compassion ...1631
• INNERLINESS compassion, sympathy, kindliness ...1873 Sc.
• YEARNING the state of being moved with compassion ...1603
compassion - verbs
• MAKE A POOR MOUTH to pretend poverty; to endeavour to excite compassion ...1839 Sc.
• YEARN to feel pity or compassion; to cause to feel pity ...1785 Eng. dial.
COMPASSIONATE - adjectives
• EFFEMINATE † gentle, tender, compassionate ...1594.
• ELEEMOSYNOUS †* compassionate, merciful ...c1590
• INNERLY pleasant, cheerful, sociable, of a neighbourly disposition, intimate; kindly, sympathetic, affectionate, friendly, compassionate ...1825 Sc.
• MERCIABLE † merciful, compassionate ...a1225
• OREFUL † honourable, venerable; merciful, compassionate ...743-5
• YEARNFUL † full of compassion ...1633
COMPATIBLE - verbs
• JELL to be compatible, to get along ...1965 Amer. dial.
COMPEL - verbs
• AFFORCE † - to apply force; to force, compel ...a1400
• EFFORCE to force open, to gain by force, to compel ...1596
• GAR to make, to cause; to force, to compel, to make a person do something ...a1300 chiefly Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• NECESS †* to compel, to necessitate ...c1374
• OCCASIONATE † to give occasion to; to urge or compel by circumstances; also, to do this habitually; hence, to habituate, to accustom ...1545
• TIE to constrain, to oblige, to compel; to bind by moral compulsion ...1856 Sc. & Eng. dial.
COMPELLED - adjectives
• BOUNDEN under obligation, legal or moral; obliged, compelled, enforced ...a1400 arch.
• LAID compelled, obliged ...1790 Sc.
• NECESSITAT † necessitated, compelled ...1631 Sc.
COMPENDIUM - nouns
• SUMMULARY †* a summary, a compendium ...1643
compendium - person
• ABBREVIARIST - †* one who makes an epitome or compendium ...1679
COMPENSATION - nouns
• BOTE help; advantage; compensation ...Bk1911 Sc.
• COMPO compensation, esp. as paid for an injury received while working ...1941 Aust. & NZ sl.
• PANBINDING payment or compensation for an injury ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
compensation - verbs
• SATISFY † to make compensation or reparation for a wrong, injury; to atone for an offense ...c1460
COMPETE - verbs
• BACK-MARK to put a competitor back at the start of a race; hence, to leave far behind in a contest ...1890 sporting sl.
• OPPOSITION to compete with, to set up in opposition to ...1845 Eng. dial.
• PARAGON † to compare, to compete, to vie with ...1620
• PARAGONIZE † to compare, to put in competition or rivalry ...1589
• SIDE UP WITH to compare; to compete with ...L19 colloq.
• STAND SOMEONE A FAG to put up a good fight against someone; to compete on equal terms ...1801 Amer. sl.
COMPETENCE, COMPETENCY - nouns
• OMNICOMPETENCE competence in all causes ...1900
• OPPORTUNITY † fitness, aptitude, competency ...c1374
• SMARTNESS competence, diligence ...1859 Amer. dial.
• SUFFICIENCE † capacity; ability; competence ...1382
• SUFFICIENCY † adequate qualification; ability, competency ...1567
• SUFFICIENTY † competence, ability ...1461
• SUFFISANCE † ability, competence ...c1392
competence, competency - phrases
• BEYOND ONE'S DEPTH beyond the range of one's competence or understanding
• OUT OF ONE'S DEPTH beyond the range of one's competence or understanding
• SORT OUT THE MEN FROM THE BOYS distinguish which people in a group are truly mature, manly or competent ...colloq.
COMPETENT - adjectives
• ABLE TO KICK THE EYE OUT OF A MOSQUITO of a person: supremely competent ...L19 sl., orig. US
• DARB highly competent; unusually skilled or able; excellent, great ...1930 US sl.
• HABILE † fitted, suited; fit, suitable; competent to do something ...c1425 chiefly Sc.
• LIKELY able-bodied, competent, capable ...1899 Amer. dial.
• OMNICOMPETENT competent or having jurisdiction in all causes ...1827
• READY excellent, first-rate, mature, fully competent; esp. used of musicians ...1938 US sl.
• SMART of a person: energetic and effective in working; competent, industrious, diligent ...1866 Amer. dial.
• SUFFICIENT † qualified by talent or ability; competent, capable, able ...c1385
• SUFFICIENTIZE †* to make competent, to enable ...1693
• SUFFISANT † competent, able. capable ...c1385
• TIGHT † of a person: competent, capable, able, skilful; alert, smart; lively, vigorous, stout ...1598 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• UP TO THE SCRATCH thoroughly competent, capable ...1885 Eng. dial.
competent - person
• BARNBURNER - an expert, a highly competent person ...1971 US sl.
• COOL CAT - a sophisticated, competent, unruffled, able person ...1940s sl., chiefly US Black
• COOL HAND - a cool, calm, controlled and competent individual ...M19 US sl.
• CRACK HAND - an able, competent person ...19C sl.
• GENERALIST - a person capable of tackling a wide variety of tasks or subjects, esp. one trained or competent in a number of different fields; a jack-of-all-trades; also, later, a non-specialist medical practitioner ...1606
• HACKER - an especially competent person ...1951 US military sl.
• SUFFICIENCE - † a capable or competent person ...1607
competent - verbs
• EAT UP to do well; to act competently; to deal with efficiently ...1900s sl.
• FILL THE BILL to be very effective, or competent ...c1885 sl.
• HABILLE † to make or pronounce competent; to enable, to qualify ...1530
• KNOW A THING OR TWO to be competent, or have a thorough knowledge of one's subject ...1792 sl.
• KNOW ONE'S ONIONS to be competent or have a thorough knowledge of one's subject ...1922 sl.
• KNOW THE TIME OF DAY to be competent or worldly ...1897 sl.
• KNOW WHAT'S WHAT to be knowledgeable, competent, worldly ...a1553
• SUFFICE † to be competent or able to do something ...a1325
COMPETENTLY - adverbs
• HABILY † competently, properly ...1737 Sc.
• SUFFISANTLY † sufficiently, adequately, competently ...a1340
COMPETITION - adjectives
• DING-DONG of a fight, competition, etc: hard fought ...1924 Aust. sl.
competition - nouns
• COMPY a competition ...1998 Aust. sl.
• PARAGON † comparison; competition, emulation, rivalry ...1590
• SINGLETON a single entry in a competition ...1898
• WOODEN SPOON a notional trophy awarded to an individual or a team placed last in a competition ...1858 UK sl.
COMPETITIVE - adjectives
• DOG-EAT-DOG ruthlessly competitive and often cruel ...1850s Amer. sl.
• USEFUL competitive ...1991 Irish sl.
competitive - verbs
• CRACK to lose one's combative or competitive spirit ...1891 Amer. sl.
COMPETITOR - person
• BACK-MARKER one who starts from 'scratch' in a game, match, or race ...1895 sl.
• DARK 'UN a candidate or competitor of whom little is known ...c1860 sl.
• MORNING GLORY - in sports: an initially promising but ultimately disappointing competitor ...1909 US sl.
• MR. BAD FACE one's competition or enemy ...1960s Amer. sl.
• PARAGON † a match; a mate, a companion; a consort in marriage; a rival, a competitor ...1566
• RINGER a horse, player, etc. fraudulently substituted in a competition to boost the chances of winning ...1890 sl., orig. US
• WOODEN-SPOONER in a sporting competition, an individual or team that comes last ...1954 UK sl.
• WOODEN-SPOONIST in a sporting competition, an individual or team that comes last...1927 UK sl.
COLONEL - person
• CHICKEN COLONEL a US officer of the rank of full colonel ...1918 US sl.
COLORADO - nouns
• BIG D Denver, Colorado ...1969 US sl.
COLOSSAL - adjectives
• TITANESQUE colossal, gigantic ...1882
• TITANIAN large, huge, colossal, gigantic ...1667
• TITANIC gigantic, colossal ...1709
• TITANICAL †* gigantic, colossal ...1642
COLOUR, COLOURFUL - adjectives
• ACHROMIC † free from colour ....1761
• ACID-HUED of colour: vivid, psychedelic ...1971
• BONT gaudy, lurid; colourful ...1970s S. Afr.
• DAGGED dotted with colour ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DECOLORATE having lost its colour ...1882
• FADE † of colour, etc.: dull, pale, wan, sombre ...c1290 obs. exc. arch.
• FAIR † of colour: clear, not cloudy ...1663 obs.
• ILL-COLOURED discoloured, having a bad or unhealthy colour ...1721
• IMET of a nondescript colour; applied to anything badly washed or dyed ...1908 Sc.
• KAERY of many colours ...Bk1902 Sc.
• MALLACHIE of the colour of milk and water mixed ...1808 Sc.
• MANGLY of mixed colours, variegated ...1957 Amer. dial.
• MINGLEDY of mixed colours, variegated ...1933 Amer. dial.
• MINGLY of mixed colours, variegated ...1941 Amer. dial.
• MOODY-COLORED of a dull or sad colour ...1950 Amer. dial.
• MUCKLE-DUN of a muddy grey or brown colour; of a nondescript colour ...1916 Amer. dial.
• NEAR-COLOURED † of much the same colour ...1606 obs.
• PARACHROOUS †* of a false or altered colour; deprived of colour ...1857
• QUICK * of colour: vivid, bright, dazzling ...1664
• RANED streaked, of two colours ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• RARE †* of colour: thin, faint ...1750
• RIAND streaked, of two colours ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• RORY loud in colour, gaudy, glaring ...1866 Sc.
• RORY-TORY having a mixture of all sorts of flaring colours; gaudy, tawdry, showy, dashing; generally used of colour in dress ...1874 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SAD of colour: dark, deep ...1788 Eng. dial.
• SATURATE of colours: intense, deep ...1669
• SCAUMY misty, hazy; of an imperfect or disagreeable colour ...1824 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SKIRE † of colours, flames, etc.: clear; bright ...a1400-50
• VAIR † varied or variegated in colour ...c1425 Sc.
• VARIANT † of colours: varied, variegated; also of an animal or cloth in respect of colour ...a1400-50
• VARIOTINTED of various tints or colours ...1903
• WALLOW of colour: faint, indistinct ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• WANTON † of colour, music: gay, lively ...1583
colour, colourful - adverbs
• ABLAZE in flashing or brilliant colours; gleaming ...1851
colour, colourful - nouns
• BEAUTY-BLOOM beautiful tint or colour ...1853
• BLEE colour, hue ...c888 arch.
• DECOLORATION deprivation or loss of colour ...1640
• DECOLORIZATION the act of depriving of its colour ...1871
• EER colour, tinge ...1911 Sc.
• HARMOGE † a harmony of colours or sounds ...1601
• MALLACHIE the colour of milk and water mixed together ...Bk1905 Sc.
• SANDY-GREY-RUSSET a dirty, ugly colour ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• TAINT † colour, hue, tint; tinge; dye ...1567
• TINCT colour, hue, tint; colouring matter, dye ...1602 now only poetic
• TINCTUMUTANT * an animal that changes colour ...1895
• TINCTUMUTATION * change of colour ...1895
• TINCTURE * hue, colour; a tinge, tint ...1477
• URE colour, tinge; a stain ...Bk1905 Sc.
• VARIETY †* the fact or quality of being varied in colour; variegation ...1555
• VEHEMENCE * intensity or strength of smell or colour ...1535
colour, colourful - verbs
• ACHROMATIZE to deprive of colour; to render achromatic ...1845
• BEDASH to cover with dashes of colour or adornment ...1564
• DECOLORATE to deprive of colour ...a1846
• DECOLOUR to deprive of colour ...1831
• DECOLOURIZE to deprive of colour ...1836-9
• FAINT * to lose colour or brightness; to fade, to die away ...1430
• FALL to come or go ...1899 Amer. sl., esp. Black & jazz usage
• SCAW to become faded; to lose colour ...Bk1904 Sc.
• TAINT † to colour, to dye. to tinge ...1471
• TINCT † to colour; to dye; to tinge, to tint ...1594
COLOUR BLIND (also see SIGHT) - person
• MONOCHROMAT(E) - a person with monochromatism (complete colour-blindness) ...1893
COLOURED - adjectives
• DAPPERPYE variegated, many-coloured ...1802 Sc.
• FAW † coloured, stained, streaked; particoloured, variegated ...a700
• MANGY dirty-looking; unevenly coloured; spotted ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• TINCT coloured, tinted; dyed, tinged ...1579 poetic.
• TINGIBLE * capable of being tinged or coloured ...1656
• Y-COLOURID † coloured ...1422
COLOURING - adjectives
• SAVAGE † of colouring: crude, harsh, violent ...1706
• TINCTORIAL pert. to or used n dyeing; yielding or using dye or colouring matter ...1655
• TINCTORIOUS * pert. to or used n dyeing; yielding or using dye or colouring matter ...1786
• TINGENT † that tinges or colours; colouring; dyeing ...1650 now rare or obs.
colouring - nouns
• TAINTURE † colouring ...1490
• TINCTION the act of imbuing with colour; colouring, tinging, tinting ...1888
• TINCTURE † 1. a colouring matter, dye, pigment; a dye used as a cosmetic ...c1400
† 2. the act of dyeing, staining, or colouring ...1601
• VEIL * a slight tinge or colouring .,..1646
• VENOM †* a colouring matter; a dye ...c1374
COLOURLESS - adjectives
• ACHROMATISTOUS * colourless; achromatic ...1879
• ACHROMOUS * colourless; without colouring matter ...1879
• ACHROOUS colourless; achromatic ...1879
• PAILIE insipid, dull, colourless ...1825 Sc.
COMA - nouns
• IRISH PASTURE a faint, a coma ...1931 US sl.
COMB - nouns
• BUG RAKE a comb ...1983 UK juvenile usage
• CAKE-CUTTER a long-pronged comb ...1980s sl.
• DASHER a large-toothed comb for the hair ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• FINING COMB a fine-toothed comb ...1936 Amer. dial.
• GARDEN GNOME a comb ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
• IDEAL HOME a comb ...1950s rhyming sl.
• IRISH-RIFLE a small tooth comb ...Bk1896 sl.
• LASH-COMB a wide-toothed comb ...1869 Eng. dial.
• NAB-NANNY-TRAP a fine-toothed comb ...Bk1903 Eng. dial.
• RACK a comb ...M19 Irish sl.
• RACK PICK a comb designed specifically for use on an Afro type of hairstyle ...1960s US Black sl.
• RAKE a comb ...M19 sl.
• RAKER a comb ...M19 sl.
• READY-COMB a comb ...1790 Eng. dial.
• READYING-COMB a comb ...1790 Eng. dial.
• RED-COMB a large-toothed comb ...Bk1904 Sc.
• REDDING-COMB a large-toothed comb ...1812 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• REDDYING COMB a comb for ordering the hair ...1887 Amer. dial.
• REEVING-TOOTH COMB a comb for the hair ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• RID-COMB a comb for the hair ...Bk1904 Sc.
• RIDDING COMB a comb for ordering the hair ...1870 Sc. & Eng. Amer. dial.
• THEAK-LEISHER a comb for the hair ...1879 Eng. dial.
• TOOTH-COMB a small-tooth comb ...1893
comb - verbs
• KEMB † to disentangle and smooth hair by drawing a comb through it; to curry a horse ...c1400 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LASH vb. to comb the hair ...1863 Eng. dial.
• RAKE to comb ...1910s Irish sl.
• READY to comb ...1790 Eng. dial.
• REDD to dress or comb the hair ...1721 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
• REDD OUT to comb one's hair; to groom oneself ...1895 Amer. dial.
• RED UP to comb one's hair; to groom oneself ...1931 Amer. dial.
• REEVE to comb out the hair ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• RID to comb the hair ...1783 Eng. dial.
COMBAT - adjectives
• ASS-IN-THE-GRASS engaged in combat, under fire ...1973 US military sl.
• A.T.C. allergic to combat ...1944 US military sl.
combat - nouns
• BARGAIN † contention or contest for the mastery; struggle, combat, fight, battle; controversy ...1375 obs. exc. Sc.
• CAMP † martial contest, combat, fight, battle, war ...c1000
• ELEPHANT, THE combat ...US Civil War usage
• OPPOSITION † encounter, combat ...1596
• SNATCH PATROL a combat mission in which the object is to capture enemy troops for interrogation ...1977 US sl.
• TILT an encounter, combat, or contest; a debate, a public dispute, a discussion; often applied in the 17th & 18 centuries to a duel ...1567
combat - verbs
• MATCH † to meet in combat, to fight with ...a1400-50
• OPPONE † to endeavour to hinder, thwart, or overthrow; to withstand, to resist, to combat; to stand in the way of, to obstruct ...1610
• TILT to engage in a contest; to combat, to contend with; to strike or thrust at with a weapon ...1588
COMBATANT - adjectives
• BATTAILANT † engaged in battle; prepared for battle; combatant, warlike, fighting ...1591
combatant - person
• BATTAILANT † one who does battle; a combatant ...1620
• CAMPION † one who fights in single combat as a trial of strength or bravery, or to decide a judicial question; a gladiator, pugilist, or professional fighter; a combatant ...c1320
COMBINATION - nouns
• SILLABUB a mixture, combination ...1859
COMBINE - verbs
• UNANIMY † to combine harmoniously ...1602
COMBINING - nouns
• ACCOMBINATION * the act of combining together ...B1900
COMBING - nouns
• KAME a combing of the hair ...1920 Sc.
• REDDING a combing the hair ...1878 Amer. dial.
COMBUSTIBLE - adjectives
• USTORIOUS † characterized by the faculty or power of burning; able to be burnt; combustible ...1724
COME - verbs
• LEND † to arrive, to come ...a1100
• TILL † to come ...1777 Eng. dial.
COMEDIAN (also see COMIC) - person
• BANANA - orig. a stage comedian having a specified position within a team or act; later, any person capable of being ranked in order of importance or preference within a group (usually with preceding word denoting the position or ranking) ...1948 colloq., chiefly Amer.
• GAG-MAN - a deviser or writer of gags; also a comedian ...1928
• GAGSTER - one who makes 'gags' or jokes; a gag-writer or a comedian ...1935 colloq.
• GAG-WRITER - a deviser or writer of gags; also a comedian ...1959
• HARD DOER - an amusing, exciting, eccentric and/or resolute person; a 'character'; typically one who is tough and adventurous; a joker, a wag, a comedian; one who never gives up despite any circumstances; a person who struggles valiantly against difficulties ...1894 Aust. & NZ
• HARP - an Irish comedian ...Bk1962 Amer. Vaudeville usage
• HARRIS FROM PARIS - a radio comedian ...Bk1945 jive usage
• LAFFMEISTER - a comedian ...2002 UK sl.
• LIGHT-COMEDY MERCHANT - a comedian pure and simple ...1887 Brit. theatrical sl.
• MOULIN ROUGE - a stooge (comedian's assistant) ...1980 UK theatrical rhyming sl.
• TOP BANANA - the leading comedian in vaudeville, burlesque, etc. ...sl. chiefly US
• YUCK-HUCKSTER - a comedian ...1995 US sl.
• YUK-HUSTLER - a comedian ...1967 US sl.
COMEDY - nouns
• JASBO a low physical comedy; slapstick; vulgarity ...1917 Amer. Vaudeville sl.
• JAZZBO a low physical comedy; slapstick; vulgarity ...1917 Amer. Vaudeville sl.
• SCHTICK a comedian's routine; an act ...sl.
• SHTICK a comedian's routine; an act ...sl.
• SHTIK a comedian's routine; an act ...sl.
• SOCK comic writing for the theatre; comedy or comic drama
COME IN - verbs
• INCOME to come in, to enter ...1743 Sc.
COMELINESS - nouns
• DECOR † comeliness, beauty, ornament ...1656
• DECORUM † beauty arising from fitness, or from absence of the incongruous; comeliness; grace; gracefulness ...1613
• FAVOUR † that which conciliates affection or goodwill; attractiveness, comeliness, beauty; an attraction, charm ...c1300 obs. exc. arch.
• FEATURE † good form or shape; comeliness ...1594
• MAKEDOM † form, shape; esp. elegant form, shapeliness, comeliness ...c1470 Sc.
COMELY - adjectives
• BEST-LIKE best-looking, most comely ...1889 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BONNY pleasing to the sight; comely; expressing homely beauty ...L15 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• BRAWSOME comely, handsome; rather 'braw' ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CANNY agreeable to the eyes or perception, tidy, seemly, comely; good, worthy; very satisfactory ...1802 Sc.
• DECENT † comely, handsome ...1600
• DECOIR † comely, beautiful ...1500-20 Sc.
• DECORE † comely, beautiful ...1500-20 Sc.
• EYEABLE pleasant to look at, comely ...1889 Amer. dial. arch.
• FARRAND † of a person: well-favoured, comely, handsome ...a1300 Sc. & N. Eng.
• FARRANDLY of persons: comely, handsome, good-looking; decent, respectable; neat, tidy ...1790 Eng. dial.
• FARRANT † of a person: well-favoured, comely, handsome ...a1300 Sc. & N. Eng.
• FARRANTLY of a person: comely, handsome, good-looking ...1674 N. Eng. dial.
• FARRINKLY comely, good-looking; decent, clean, orderly ...1860 Eng. dial.
• FAVOURABLE † winning favour; hence, pleasing, agreeable, beautiful, comely ...1398
• FEATURED † well-formed; comely, beautiful ...1567
• GAINLY proper, becoming, suitable; comely, good-looking ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
• GAINLY-LOOKING comely, good-looking; neatly dressed; said chiefly of females ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• MACKLY seemly, comely, good-looking ...1721 Eng. dial.
• PULCHRITUDINOUS beautiful, graceful, or fine in any way; comely; morally excellent ...1912 US
• SNOUT-FAIR † having a fair countenance; fair-faced, comely, pretty, handsome, good-looking; in frequent use in the 16th and early 17th century, usually with some disparaging suggestion ...1530
• TALL † comely, goodly, fair, handsome; elegant, fine ...c1450
• TIDY in good or tolerably good health; well; plump, in good condition; comely ...1776 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TISTY-TOSTY plump and comely; round like a ball ...1888 Eng. dial.
• VENUST † handsome, beautiful; elegant, graceful; comely in appearance ...1513
• VIEWLY sightly, good to look at, handsome, comely ...1868 Eng. dial.
• VIEWLYSOME sightly, good to look at, handsome, comely ...1868 Eng. dial.
• VIEWSOME comely, handsome, pleasing to the eye ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
comely - person
• BRINKIE a comely person of a lively disposition ...19C Sc.
COMET - adjectives
• BEARDED of a comet, meteor, etc.: having a trail or tail ...c1380
comet - nouns
• BEARD † the train or tail of a comet when it appeared to precede the nucleus ...1647
• BESOM a comet ...1566
• FAXED STAR † a comet, from the resemblance of its tail to hair ...a1259
• FIERY BESOM a comet ...1566
• HAIR the rays or 'tresses' of the sun; the tail of a comet; the 'leafy locks' of a tree, etc. ...1594
• THUNDER-PLANET a comet ...1897 Eng. dial.
COMFORT - adjectives
• BIEN-LIKE having an appearance of comfort and well-being ...1808 Sc.
• IN CLOVER, ON CLOVER in comfort ...L18 Aust. sl.
• SOLACIOUS † affording or giving solace, comfort, or amusement ...1375
comfort - nouns
• BEINNESS comfort, well-to-do condition ...1874 Sc.
• BIENNESS prosperity, comfort, the condition of being well-to-do ...1818 Sc.
• EASEDOM comfort, leisure, relief from anxiety, pain, etc. ...1832 Sc.
• EASEMENT † advantage, convenience, comfort, consolation, relief; furtherance, assistance; formerly also, gratification, enjoyment ...c1400
• EASY HALL a notional place of great comfort and ease ...1980 Barbados sl.
• HALE health, comfort, welfare ...1795 Sc.
• HEART-HEEZING a comfort; that which cheers the heart ...1892 Sc. EDD Wright 1902
• MAKANDE † comfort, ease ...a1400
• MINTIE comfort, solace ...1930s Aust. sl.
• SUGAR TIT something that gives comfort and security ...1892 Amer. sl.
comfort - person
• LIP-COMFORTER one who comforts or consoles with mere words ...a1815
comfort - verbs
• ALLEVATE †* to ease, comfort, alleviate, assuage ...1613
• TALK SOMEONE DOWN to comfort a person who is having a bad experience, usually after taking drugs, esp. LSD ...1960s drugs sl.
comfort - phrases
• YOU'LL BE A MAN BEFORE YOUR MOTHER a jocular expression of encouragement or comfort to a small boy ...1863
COMFORTABLE - adjectives
• AT EASE IN ONE'S INN thoroughly at home and comfortable ...1885
• BEIN comfortable, comfortably furnished ...1533 Sc.
• BIEN snug, comfortable, cosy ...1725 Sc.
• BINNER more comfortable ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CANNY quiet, easy, snug, comfortable, pleasant, cosy ...a1758 Sc.
• COBBY neat, symmetrical; snug, comfortable ...19C Eng. dial.
• COMFORTABLE AS A BEE ON A RASHER OF WATERMELON very comfortable ...1890 Amer. dial.
• COMFORTABLE AS PIGS IN SHIT, AS extremely comfortable ...L19 colloq.
• COMFY comfortable ...E19 colloq.
• CUSHY comfortable; at ease ...Amer. World War I sl.
• EASEFUL that gives ease, comfort, or relief; comfortable, soothing; quiet, peaceful, restful ...1375
• EATH † comfortable, at ease, free from pain ...c1205
• EATHFUL comfortable ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• EITH † comfortable, at ease, free from pain ...c1205
• OK comfortable, at ease ...1978 US sl.
• OK ABOUT comfortable, at ease ...1978 US sl.
• OKAY comfortable, at ease ...1978 US sl.
• OKAY ABOUT comfortable, at ease with ...1970s sl.
• OKAY WITH comfortable, at ease with ...1970s sl.
• OKEY ABOUT comfortable, at ease with ...1970s sl.
• OKEY WITH comfortable, at ease with ...1970s sl.
• OK WITH comfortable, at ease ...1978 US sl.
• ON EASY STREET living a secure, comfortable life ...L19 sl.
• POVIE snug, comfortable, well-off: applied to living ...1841 Sc.
• SNOD comfortable, snug, cosy ...1695 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• SNUG AS A BUG IN A RUG extremely comfortable ...M18 sl.
• SNUG AS A PIG IN PEASE-STRAW extremely comfortable ...M17 sl.
• SNUG AS OLD PAMP extremely comfortable ...L19 sl.
• WAFFY comfortable ...2003 US sl.
comfortable - nouns
• BED OF DOWN a delightful resting-place; a comfortable or easy position ...1604
• BED OF FLOWERS a delightful resting-place; a comfortable or easy position ...1777
• BED OF ROSES a delightful resting-place; a comfortable or easy position ...1806
• COUNTRY CLUB anything that appears to be relatively comfortable and undemanding ...1973 US sl.
• SNUGGERY a snug, cosy, or comfortable room, house, etc., esp. a room of small size into which a person retires for seclusion or quiet ...1815
comfortable - verbs
• BE LAUGHING to be comfortable, safe, fortunate; hence, to be winning ...World War I Brit. colloq.
• LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG to live a comfortable, secure, and well-off life ...1940s sl., orig. US
• LIVE HIGH ON THE HOG to live a comfortable, secure, and well-off life ...1940s sl., orig. US
• SNUGIFY to make snug or comfortable ...1796
COMFORTABLY - adverbs
• BEENLIE pleasantly, comfortably, cosily ...c1450 Sc.
• BEINLY pleasantly, comfortably, cosily ...c1450 Sc.
• BIENLY comfortably, easily, happily ...1788 Sc.
• BINGLY comfortably ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CANNILY sagaciously, skilfully, prudently; cautiously, slyly; gently, softly; comfortably ...1636 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• EASEFULLY comfortably, idly ...1611
• FAT comfortably ...1900s sl.
COMFORTED - adjectives
• EMMOISED †* comforted, cheered ...c1400
• YCONFORTID † comforted ...a1422
COMFORTER - nouns
• HAP a wadded covering for a bed; a comforter, a heavy quilt ...1907 Amer. dial.
• HEN-SKIN a thin comforter or quilt, often stuffed with feathers ...1902 Amer. dial.
COMFORTING - nouns
• TALK-DOWN the comforting of someone who is having a bad experience, usually through injudicious use of drugs, esp. a hallucinogen ...1960s sl.
COMFORTLESS - adjectives
• GABBERNY comfortless, cheerless ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
COMIC, COMICAL - adjectives
• DROLLERICAL comical, humorous ...1656 nonce word
• ONDALI † strange, odd, mysterious, peculiar, comical ...a1838 Sc.
• OONLY † strange, odd, mysterious, peculiar, comical ...a1838 Sc.
• QUEER AS DICK'S HATBAND ridiculously comical ...1856 Eng. dial.
• QUIZZISH † quizzical, causing amusement, comical ...1792
• QUIZZY causing amusement, comical ...1797
• RORTY boisterous or noisy, rowdy; coarse or earthy; crudely comic ...1882 sl.
comic, comical (also see COMEDIAN) - person
• GUY - a comical or joking fellow - hence, a smart alec ...c1862 Amer. sl.
• HACK - a comic who does obvious jokes on trite themes ...Bk1997 standup comedians' usage
• MERRIMENT - a professional clown - a comical person - one quick at making jokes ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• TEAR - a lively, entertaining person; a jolly sort; a comic ...1935 Sc.
COMING - nouns
• TOCOME † arrival, advent, coming ...c897
• TO-COMING † coming, advent ...a1300
• VENUE † the act of coming; arrival ...a1400
COMMA - verbs
• BECOMMA to sprinkle with commas ...1881
COMMAND - adjectives
• IMPERATORIAL † pert. to absolute command ...1690
• MANDATIVE pert. to command ...1651
command - adverbs
• FAST † of a command or prohibition: strictly ...c1310
command - nouns
• ARDENE † a command; an ordinance ...Bk1852
• BEHESTING †* bidding, command ...1583
• DEMANDS commands, commissions ...B1900 Ireland
• EDICTION † edict, command ...c1470
• I-BOD † command, order ...c888
• IMPERE †* a command, an order ...1548 Sc.
• IMPERIUM command; absolute power; supreme or imperial power ...1651
• IMPERY † imperial or supreme rule or authority; command, dominion, sovereignty ...a1300
• MAGISTRATION †* command, direction ...1490
• MANDAMENT †* injunction, command ...1834
• MANDMENT † a commandment, an order; that which is commanded; also, the act of commanding, command, rule ...1297
• WALD command, control ...1908 Sc.
command - person
• BIDDER one who commands or orders ...1340
command - verbs
• BIBEDE † to bid, to command ...c1000
• I-BEDE † to command, to proclaim, to offer ...a800
• IMPERATE † to command, to rule, to govern ...1599
• IMPOSE † to place in command or office; to appoint or set up authoritatively ...1617 rare or obs.
• MAND † to command ...1483
• MANDATE †* to command ...1623
• MANDY to command ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• ORDAIN † to order, to command, to bid a person to do something, or that a thing be done ...1375 obs. or arch.
COMMANDED - adjectives
• BIDDEN invited; commanded, ordered ...1614
• IMPERATE † commanded, ruled ...c1470
commanded - verbs
• MORIGERATE † to do as commanded; to obey, to comply ...1623
COMMANDER - adjectives
• IMPERATORIAL pert. to or befitting an emperor or commander; imperial ...1660
• IMPERATORIAN † pert. to or befitting an emperor or commander; imperial ...1640
• IMPERATORIOUS † pert. to or befitting an emperor or commander; imperial ...1625
• IMPERATORY † pert. to or befitting an emperor or commander; imperial ...1616
commander - adverbs
• IMPERATORIOUSLY † as a commander or general ...1620
commander - person
• A1 - † a title for the commander of 900 men ...c1866
• DEAN - † a head, chief, or commander of a division of ten ...1388
• DECADARCH - in ancient Greece: a commander of ten ...1794
• DECENER - † one in command of ten soldiers ...1555
• DECURION - a cavalry officer in command of a 'decuria' or company of ten horse - also, a commander or captain of ten men ...1382
• ELECTO - † a leader or commander chosen by mutineers ...1609
• GENERAL - a commander, a leader; a ruler ...1582
• HEAD - a person to whom others are subordinate - a chief - a captain - a commander - a ruler - a leader - a principal person ...c897
• IMPERATOR - absolute ruler - an emperor; commander, or ruler ...1588
• MARSHAL - † a commander - a general - a leader ...a1300
• MASTER - † one having direction or control over the action of others - a director - a leader - a chief - a commander - a ruler - a governor ...c1000
• NAVARCH - * the commander of a fleet - an admiral ...1828-32 Greek Antiq.
• OLD MAN - the commander of a unit ...US Civil War usage
• WARDEN - † the governor of a town, province, or district - the commander of a fortress ...1297
COMMANDING - adjectives
• IMPERANT † commanding, ruling ...1617
• MANTLING of commanding aspect ...1875 Eng. dial.
• QUINQUAGENARIAN †* commanding fifty men ...1600
commanding - nouns
• IMPERANCE † commanding quality, commandingness ...1595
• IMPERATION * the act of commanding ...1786-9
• IMPERATIVENESS commanding quality; authoritativeness ...1840
COMMENCE - verbs
• BECOMSE †* to begin, to commence ...c1350
• BEFONG † to take hold on; to begin or commence upon ...c1200
• BEGIN TO COMMENCE to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• COMSE † to begin, to commence ...a1225
• CUT LOOSE to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DIG IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DIVE IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• FALL ON THE BALL to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• FALL TO to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• FIRE AWAY to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• GET GOING to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• GIVE THE COMMENCE to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• HEAD INTO to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• HIT IT to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• HIT THE BALL to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• HITCH UP to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• IMPRIME † to begin, to commence, to initiate, to enter upon ...1637
• JUMP OFF to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• KICK OFF to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• MAKE A MOVE to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• OFF-START to begin, to commence ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• OPEN THE BALL to be the first to act; to start things going; to begin, to commence ...1812 sl.
• PITCH IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PITCH OUT to start suddenly, to begin, to commence ...1909 Amer. dial.
• PUSH OFF to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• RING to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• RING IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SHAKE THE LEAD OUT to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SHOOT AHEAD to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SHOOT IT to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SQUARE OFF to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• START GOING to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• START THE BALL ROLLING to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• STEVE HART to start, to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. rhyming sl.
• TACKLE to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TAKE AND DO to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TAKE BEGINNING † to begin, to start, to commence ...a1300
• TAKE OFF to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TAKE ON † to begin, to commence ...c1200
• TAKE UP † vb. to begin or commence an action; to begin to utter or raise laughter, lamentation, etc. ...c1400
• TUNE IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TURN ON THE STEAM to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TURN TO to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• UNBELT to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• UNVEIL to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• WADE IN to commence an action ...M19 sl.
• WADE INTO to commence an action ...M19 sl.
• WHIRL IN to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• WHIRL TO to begin, to commence ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
COMMENCEMENT - nouns
• FIRST END the beginning of a thing, the very commencement ...Bk1875 Eng. dial.
• GO-OFF the act of making a start; commencement, beginning ...1830 colloq.
• HEFT-END the beginning, commencement ...1891 Sc.
• IMPRIMING beginning, commencement ...c1633
• INCHOATION beginning, commencement; origination; initial or early stage ...1530
• OFF-GANG a commencement, start, outset ...1881 Eng. dial.
• OFF-GO start, beginning, outset, commencement ...1886 Sc.
• OFF-GOING a commencement, start, outset ...1885 Sc.
• OFF-SET a commencement, start, outset ...1892 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• OFF-START a commencement, start, beginning, outset ...1889 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• ONCOME the approach, advent, beginning, or commencement of a thing, esp. of one that requires great exertion; an onset; development, progress ...1823 Sc.
COMMENCING - adjectives
• INCEPTIVE beginning, commencing, incipient ...1662
• INCIPIENT beginning; commencing; in an initial stage ...1669
COMMEND - person
• BENEDICTOR † a eulogist, one who commends or praises, a well-wisher ...a1633
• VAUNTER - a boastful assertor, extoller, commender, or praiser of something ...1553 arch.
commend - verbs
• BALLYHOO to commend, urge, or the like, in the manner of a 'barker' ...1927
• BEPUFF to praise greatly, to commend ...1843
• BETRUMPET * to trumpet the praises of, to commend or praise loudly ...1828
• BRAG UP to praise or commend lavishly ...1885 Amer. dial.
• ROOSE † to praise, extol, commend, flatter ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• VALUE † to commend or praise to another; to vaunt ...1670
COMMENDABLE - verbs
• ALLAUDABLE † praiseworthy, commendable ...1731
COMMENDATION - adjectives
• PANEGYRIC of the nature of a eulogy; publicly or elaborately expressing praise or commendation; eulogistic, laudatory ...a1631
• PANEGYRICAL of the nature of a eulogy; publicly or elaborately expressing praise or commendation; eulogistic, laudatory ...1592-3
commendation - nouns
• ATTABOY a commendation ...1975 US military & police sl.
• PUFF an exaggerated commendation of a book, an actor's performance, etc.
• RAP congratulations, a commendation, praise; a compliment ...1939 Aust. sl.
• RAP-UP praise; a compliment or commendation ...1939 Aust. sl.
• ROOSE † commendation, praise, flattery ...a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• WRAP enthusiastic approval; praise; a compliment or commendation ...1939 Aust. sl.
• WRAP-UP enthusiastic approval; praise; a compliment or commendation ...1939 Aust. sl.
commendation - interjections/phrases
• FAR OUT! expresses enthusiastic commendation ...1954 sl.
• NOW YOU'RE LOGGING an expression of commendation ...1930 Amer. dial.
• OH BRAVE! an exclamation of commendation ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
COMMENDING - adjectives
• PLAUDITORY applauding, commending, laudatory, praising, extolling ...a1845
COMMENT - adjectives
• GLOSSEMATICAL † that makes a comment or gloss upon a book or text ...1656
• PASSREMARKABLE worthy of comment ...1980s Irish sl.
comment - nouns
• GLOSSEM †* a gloss, comment ...1608
• OBSERVE an observation, scientific or otherwise, a remark, a comment ...1700 Sc.
• PARAPHRASE † a comment ...1642
• POP-OFF any form of comment ...1930s US sl.
comment - person
• GLOSSARIAN a glossarist ...1887
• GLOSSARIST one who writes a gloss or commentary ...1778
• GLOSSATOR a writer of glosses; a commentator ...c1380
• GLOSSOGRAPHER a writer of glosses or commentaries ...1607
comment - verbs
• ANIMADVERSE †* to notice, to comment upon ...1642
• GLOSE, GLOZE to comment; to interpret ...c1380, 1340
• GLOSSATE to write glosses or a commentary upon ...1884
• PARAPHRASE † to comment on, to enlarge upon a subject ...1644-5
COMMENTATOR - person
• BARKING HEAD - an aggressive or loud broadcast commentator ...1988 Amer. political sl.
• GABBER - a radio commentator ...1948 Amer. broadcasting sl.
• MANDARIN - a senior civil servant, politician, or commentator ...1910s sl.
• WAG - a spokesperson or commentator ...Bk1994 US political news sl.
COMMERCIAL - nouns
• SPOT TV the production or airing of television commercials ...sl.
commercial - person
• BABY WRANGLER - in advertising and television: a person who coaches children to perform in commercials ...Bk1993
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER - person
• AMBASSADOR OF COMMERCE - a commercial traveller ...B1890 UK sl.
• BAGGS - the commercial traveller of former days who travelled on horseback, with his samples, etc., in a pair of saddle bags ...Bk1877 Eng. dial.
• BAGMAN - a commercial traveller whose business it is to show samples and solicit orders on behalf of manufacturers, etc. ...1788 UK sl.
• BAGS - † a commercial traveller, who used to carry his samples with him on horseback, in a pair of saddle-bags ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BAGSTER - a commercial traveller whose business it is to show samples and solicit orders on behalf of manufacturers, etc. ...1793 UK sl.
• BAG WOMAN - * a woman who carries goods for sale in a bag; a female commercial traveller ...1845
• BINKSER, BINXER - a vulgar, loud-talking, blustering person; especially, a commercial traveller of this kind ...1897 sl.
• GENTLEMAN OF THE ROAD - a commercial traveller ...Bk1903 sl.
• GIDEON - a member of a Christian organization of American commercial travellers, founded in 1899 ...1906 US
• KNIGHT OF THE ROAD - a commercial traveller ...Bk1903 sl.
• RIDE - a commercial traveller ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• RIDE-OUT - a commercial traveller ...1784 Eng. dial.
• RIDER - a commercial traveller ...1810 sl.
• RIDER-OUT - a commercial traveller ...1885 Eng. dial.
• ROAD-AGENT - a commercial traveller ...Bk1903 sl.
• SAMPLE-COUNT - a commercial traveller ...L19 colloq.
COMMISERATE - verbs
• COLLACHRYMATE †* to weep or lament with, or in sympathy with others; to commiserate ...1593
COMMISERATED - adjectives
• MISERATED pitied, commiserated ...Bk1903 Eng. dial.
COMMISERATION - interjections
• SAD DAY! used for expressing commiseration with another person's troubles ...1989 US sl.
COMMISSION - nouns
• COMMISH a commission of any sort ...US Civil War usage
• FACTORAGE the action or professional service of a factor; the act of buying or selling goods on commission ...1670
• KICKBACK a commission on a more or less shady deal ...1930 US sl.
• PUSH MONEY commission on items sold ...1939 US sl.
• RAKE a commission, esp. on some form of illegal deal ...L19 sl., orig. US
• RAKE-IN a commission, esp. on some form of illegal deal ...L19 sl., orig. US
• YANK-DOWN a profit, a commission ...L19 sl.
commission - person
• BUNCER a seller on commission ...c1860 sl.
COMMISSIONER - adjectives
• LEDGER † resident in the capacity of ambassador, commissioner, or agent ...1560 obs. exc. arch.
commissioner - person
• LEDGER † a representative; a commissioner; an agent ...1603
COMMIT - verbs
• BETAKE † to hand over to the care of; to entrust, to commit, to give in charge to ...1297
• BETEACH † to hand over as a trust; to entrust, to commit, to give in charge to ...c1000
• TOUCH ONE'S PIN to commit oneself ...1967 Amer. dial.
• WADE IN to commit oneself wholeheartedly, esp. to a fight ...M19 sl.
• WADE INTO to commit oneself wholeheartedly, esp. to a fight ...M19 sl.
COMMITMENT - person
• QUEEN WEEN someone who backs out of a commitment ...1990s US college sl.
commitment - verbs
• JUMP THE BUCK to shift or avoid responsibility or commitment ...1965 Amer. dial.
• PASS THE BUCK to shift or avoid responsibility or commitment ...1912 Amer. dial.
• PASS THE BUCKET to shift or avoid responsibility or commitment ...1965 Amer. dial.
• PITCH THE BUCK to shift or avoid responsibility or commitment ...1965 Amer. dial.
• TAKE IT TO THE HOOP to take something to its limit; to do something with maximum commitment ...1980s US Black sl.
COMMITTED - adjectives
• ABOUT IT totally committed ...2000s US Black sl.
• BEHIND committed, dedicated ...1968 US sl.
• DEAD-SET fully committed; determined ...M19 sl.
• GUNG-HO very zealous; totally committed; dedicated; spirited; enthusiastic; wholeheartedly fervid about doing something...1942 US sl., orig. US Marine Corps usage
• IN FOR IT willing, committed to, eager ...M19 sl.
committed - adverbs
• BIG CASINO in an important, committed manner ...1990s US sl.
committed - verbs
• MEAN BUSINESS to be totally committed, to be utterly earnest ...1857 sl.
COMMODIOUS - adjectives
• NECESSARY †* commodious, convenient ...1540-1
COMMODITY - person
• DEARTHER † one who causes a dearth or scarcity in commodities ...1622
COMMON - adjectives
• COMMON AS GULLY DIRT common, worthless ...1966 Amer. dial.
• COMMON AS HORSESHIT very common ...1925 US sl.
• COMMON AS MUCK exceedingly common ...1782 UK sl.
• COMMON OR GARDEN common, ordinary ...1892
• DEMOTIC pert. to the common people; popular, vulgar ...1872
• ENTERCOMMON common to everybody ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• GREGAL* pert. to a flock or to the common people ...M16
• GREGARIAN † pert. to flocks or crowds, common ...M17 rare or obs.
• I-MENE † common; shared or owned in common ...c1000
• LANDISH † of the commons or common people ...1489
• LEWD † belonging to the lower orders; common, low, vulgar, base ...c1380
• ORDINARY † 1. of common or everyday occurrence; frequent; abundant ...1597
† 2. pert. to or characteristic of the common people; common, vulgar; unrefined, low, coarse ...1659
• PENNY-RIFE † as rife or common as pennies; very common or prevalent ...1606
• TACKEY, TACKY of poor quality, shoddy; run-down; cheap. common; in poor taste ...1886 Amer. sl.
common - adverbs
• ORDINARY † in an ordinary manner; commonly, ordinarily ...1596
common - nouns
• TAG-RAG * the rabble; the riff-raff; the common people; a member of the rabble ...1609
common - person
• HAT - † a gentleman commoner ...1830 UK sl.
• JACK - † a man of the common people - a lad - a fellow - a chap - a low-bred or ill-mannered fellow - a knave ...1548
• PAGE - † (often depreciative) a youth or man of low status; a commoner; a peasant; a labourer ...c1385 obs, exc. Sc.
• RANK AND SMELL - a common person ...L19 sl.
• SAD VULGAR - a common, vulgar person ...1767 UK society usage
• TABLE-PEER - a fellow-commoner ...Bk1881
• TIB - † formerly, a typical name for a woman of the lower classes - a common woman ...1533
COMMONLY - adverbs
• OPENLY † by people generally, commonly, publicly ...1154
• ORDINARY † in an ordinary manner; commonly, ordinarily ...1596
COMMONPLACE - adjectives
• BROMIDIC commonplace or conventional ...1906 sl.
• FADE † that has lost taste; insipid, commonplace, uninteresting ...1715
• HABITED † that has become habitual; commonly practised; accustomed ...1605
• HACK in common or promiscuous use; hackneyed; trite, commonplace ...1781
• HACKNEY † worn out, like a hired horse, by indiscriminate or vulgar use; threadbare, trite, commonplace; hackneyed ...1596
• ORDINAR † ordinary, usual, commonplace ...1508 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• ORDINARY physically plain; commonplace; unattractive ...M19
• ORNERY ordinary, commonplace, plain ...1838 Amer. dial.
• QUOTIDIAN of an everyday character; ordinary, commonplace, trivial ...1461-83
commonplace - nouns
• ORDINARY * something of usual or commonplace character ...1624
commonplace - verbs
• HACKNEY to render too familiar, vulgar, trite, or commonplace ...1596
COMMOTION - adjectives
• RAISE-DEVIL † devil-raising, causing a commotion ...c1661 nonce word
commotion - nouns
• AYROM an unpleasant commotion or disturbance, display of temper, tantrums ...1850 Eng. dial.
• BILLIBUE a hullabaloo; a commotion, fuss, disturbance ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CATARUMPUS a commotion, a rumpus ...1848 US sl.
• CATOUSE an uproar, a commotion, a din, tumult, rumpus, row, disturbance ...1890 Amer. dial.
• CRINKIE-WINKIE a contention; a pother, disturbance, commotion, turmoil ...1818 Sc.
• DANDER a noise, a commotion ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DEVIL-RACKET the noise or commotion made by a crowd ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DEVIL-ROUTER the noise or commotion made by a crowd ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• FALARIE disturbance, excitement, commotion ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• FANTEAGUE, FANTIGUE a state of excitement, a commotion, a fuss; a fit of ill-temper, passion ...1825 Eng. dial.
• FARE † display, pomp; commotion, uproar, fuss ...a1300
• FOFARRAW a loud disturbance or interruption; a commotion ...Bk1974 Amer. dial.
• FOOFOORAW a loud disturbance or interruption; a commotion ...Bk1974 Amer. dial.
• GARBOIL † confusion, disturbance, disorder, tumult, uproar; a brawl, hubbub, commotion ...1548 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• GARRAY † commotion, disturbance, noise, row ...c1460 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• HACK AND SWEEP a tumult, an uproar; a fight; a commotion ...1902 Sc.
• HAY-BAY, HEY-BEY a hubbub, an uproar; a commotion, a disturbance ...1805 Eng. dial.
• HUBBLE-SHUBBLE †* commotion, uproar, tumult, disturbance, confusion ...c1550
• JICKAJOG a commotion; a push ...1614 sl.
• KATOWSE an uproar, a commotion, a tumult, rumpus, row, disturbance ...1859 Amer. dial.
• LANT commotion, confusion ...1825 Sc.
• MEDLEY a commotion, tumult ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MURDER IN THE GUN ROOM a commotion ...1909 Amer. dial.
• PALLALL a to-do, a commotion, a fuss ...1965 Sc.
• PAVIE a fuss, bustle, commotion, a great to-do about nothing; a great state of excitement, either from pleasurable anticipation, or rage ...1806 Sc.
• QUACK-QUACK a commotion ...1982 Trinidad and Tobago
• RAMMY a general fight; a brawl; a scuffle; a violent disturbance or commotion; a noisy argument; a row; a bustling crowd ...1935 Sc. sl.
• RAMSAMMY a commotion, a riotous party ...1900s sl.
• REVEL a stir; a commotion ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCALE-BREAK a sudden scattering or dispersion; the noise or commotion made by a dispersing crowd ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SCHEMOZZLE, SCHIMOZZLE, SHEMOZZLE, SHIMOZZLE a brawl; a commotion ...1916 sl.
• SCHLEMOZZLE, SHLEMOZZLE brawl; a commotion ...1916 sl.
• SCOURING a rushing about; a fuss, commotion ...1958 Sc.
• SHINDY a commotion; a ruckus; a row, a disturbance; a fuss ...1828 Amer. dial.
• SUFFLE †* a commotion, disturbance, disorder ...1650
• TANTHUNDER † a commotion ...1870 Eng. dial.
• TARVE a stir, a commotion ...1893 Eng. dial.
• TAVE a hurry, a stir, a commotion ...Bk1905 Sc.
• TERRILOO a great commotion ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• TERVEE, TIRVY a stir, a commotion ...1893 Eng. dial.
• TIRRIVEE a commotion, disturbance; a state of excitement; a stir, bustle ...1885 Sc.
• TO-DO a bustle, stir, commotion, a fuss, a great disturbance ...1570
• TOUSE, TOUSE a commotion, a disturbance, an ado, a fuss, an outcry; a state of agitation ...1836 Amer. dial.
• TURVE a stir, a commotion ...1893 Eng. dial.
• UP-SHAK a commotion ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• UPSTIR † a disturbance, commotion, uproar, confusion ...1549 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• UPTION a commotion; a disturbance ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
commotion - verbs
• AGITATE UP A STORM to create a commotion (mental or physical) over something ...1954 Amer. dial.
• BE FULL OF JACK to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1872 Amer. dial.
• CUT UP JACK AND KILL JINNY to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1930 Amer. dial.
• KICK UP HIGH JACK to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1908 Amer. dial.
• KICK UP JACK to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1908 Amer. dial.
• PLAY OLD GOOSEBERRY to make a great disturbance or commotion; to turn everything into confusion; to cause havoc ...1828
• RAISE CAIN to cause a commotion
• RAISE JACK to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1867 Amer. dial.
• RAISE MERRY NED to create a commotion, disturbance. or trouble; hence, to have a rousing good time ...1906 Amer. dial.
• RAISE NED to create a commotion, disturbance, or trouble; hence, to have a rousing good time ...1849 Amer. dial.
• RAISE NEDDY-JINGO to create a commotion, disturbance, or trouble ...1958 Amer. dial.
• RAISE OLD NED to create a commotion, disturbance, or trouble; hence, to have a rousing good time ...1942 Amer. dial.
• RAISE PROMISCUOUS NED to create a commotion, disturbance, or trouble; hence, to have a rousing good time ...1848 Amer. dial.
• RAISE SAND to cause a disturbance, stir, or commotion ...L19 US sl.
• TEAR UP JACK to be noisy or rowdy; to cause a disturbance or commotion ...1845 Amer. dial.
• TERRILOO to make a great commotion ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THROW THE HOUSE OUT OF THE WINDOW to make a great commotion, noise, or disturbance; to cause great disorder and confusion; to turn everything topsy-turvy ...1621
• TOP (TALL) TIMBER to make a commotion, to 'blow one's top'; to make great objections or a big fuss about something ...1965 Amer. dial.
• TOP THE TREES to make a commotion, to 'blow one's top'; to make great objections or a big fuss about something ...1965 Amer. dial.
• TUMULTUATE * to stir up a tumult; to make a disturbance or commotion; to become tumultuous, turbulent, agitated or restless ...1611
commotion - phrases
• DEVIL RIDES UPON A FIDDLESTICK, THE here's a fine commotion ...1778
COMMUNICABLE - adjectives
• IMPARTABLE * communicable ...1653
COMMUNICATE - verbs
• IMPORT † to convey to another, to communicate information etc. ...1565
COMMUNICATION - nouns
• BIT SPIT any electronic communication ...1997 US sl.
• CANAL † a medium of communication, means, agency; now 'channel' ...1711
• COMMO communication ...World War II Amer. sl.
• DEADHEAD a state of non-communication ...2000s sl.
• IMPARTANCE * communication ...1811
• TONGUE-SPEAKING oral, as distinct from written communication ...1902
communication - verbs
• KEEP THE LINES OPEN to maintain communication ...20C sl.
COMMUNICATIVE - adjectives
• DECLARATIVE † of a person: declaring oneself; declaring or uttering one's opinion; communicative ...1647
COMMUNIST - adjectives
• PINKO (derogatory) holding left-of-centre or mildly Communist views ...1936 sl.
• RED communist, socialist, left-wing ...M19 sl.
communist - nouns
• AUNT JULIA communist propaganda ...1953 US sl.
• REDS, THE communists, socialists ...20C sl.
Communist - person
• COMMIE (often derogatory) a Communist ...1939 sl.
• COMMO (often derogatory) a Communist ...1941 sl.
• HACK - a labour organizer belonging to the Communist Party of the United States ...1967 Amer. sl.
• PINKIE, PINKY (derogatory) someone who holds left-of-centre or mildly Communist views ...1973 sl.
• PINKO (derogatory) someone who holds left-of-centre or mildly Communist views ...1936 sl.
• RADISH a bogus communist ...Amer. World War I sl.
• RED (derogatory) an anarchist or republican, a Russian Bolshevik, or a Communist or extreme socialist ...1851 sl.
• RED-NECK a Communist; a revolutionary ...1931 Amer. dial.
• RED-RAGGER (derogatory) a Communist or socialist ...1916 Aust. sl.
• YUKKIE - a young, upwardly mobile communist ...Bk2006 Amer. sl.
communist - verbs
• REDBAIT to harass communists or people with left-wing beliefs
COMMUNITY - nouns
• BLINK-EYE a very small community; a very unimportant place ...1969 Amer. dial.
• SMOKY HOLLOW a nickname for a community or neighbourhood ...1852 Amer. dial.
• SMOKY ROW a nickname for a community or neighbourhood ...c1903 Amer. dial.
community - person
• DADS a community leader ...1990s W. Indies usage
• HOUSE-FATHER the male head of a community or collection of persons living together as a family ...B1900
• ODDLIN(G) any person or thing standing alone, or differing from others; the last remaining survivor of a family or community; the last article of a set; a remainder ...1870 Eng. dial.
community - verbs
• CANTONIZE † to separate oneself into, or form, an independent community ...1605
COMMUTER - person
• GUTTER BUNNY a commuter who bicycles to work ...1996 US mountain bikers' sl.
COMPACT - adjectives
• NACKETY compact, neat, tidy, smart-looking ...1756 Sc.
• NEVIT compact ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
compact - nouns
• TACK an agreement, compact, bargain; hence, a post, situation, a steady job ...1718 Sc.
compact - verbs
• SAD to make dense and compact; to compress, to press down, to solidify by hammering; to cause to sink or settle down ...1736 Sc.
• SADDEN to compress, to consolidate, to make compact and firm ...1775 Sc.
COMPACT DISC - nouns
• ALUMINIUM COOKIE a compact disc (CD) ...2002 UK sl.
COMPANION - person
• ACHATES - a devoted follower; a loyal friend and companion ...1582
• ARMPIECE - a companion, i.e. one who is 'on one's arm' ...1990s sl.
• ARM TROPHY - a stunning and sexually appealing companion, valued for the prestige attached to their presence ...1994 US sl.
• BARNACLE - a companion or follower that sticks close, and will not be dismissed - a constant attendant ...1607
• BEAU-PEER, BEAUPERE † a good companion or friend ...1377
• BED-FELLOW - a close companion or associate; often in an underhanded, clandestine sense ...Bk1988 Aust. sl.
• BEN COVE - a good fellow; a friend, a companion ...1608 sl.
• BEN CULL - a good fellow, a friend; a companion ...1830 sl.
• BEWPERE - † a companion ...Bk1855
• BIFFIN - an intimate friend; a companion ...1857 UK sl.
• BILLIE, BILLY - a fellow; a companion, a comrade, a mate ...c1505 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• BIZZLE - a brother in the sense of male companion ...2002 US sl.
• BROAD - a female confederate - a female companion ...Bk1914 criminals' sl.
• BUDDIE - a friend or intimate companion ...1896 Amer. dial. .
• CAD - a close or intimate friend - a companion ...1835
• CHUM - a companion, bedfellow ...Bk1890 sl.
• FIDUS ACHATES - a devoted follower - a loyal friend and companion ...L16 literary
• GADLING, GEDLING † orig., a companion or fellow, in good sense, esp. a companion in arms ...c1000
• GECO - † a good friend; a trustworthy companion or associate ...1925 US criminals' sl.
• GENTLEMAN-USHER - a woman's male companion ...1606 UK sl.
• HAIL-FELLOW - † an intimate companion; a pleasant or genial companion ...1650
• HARBORLIGHT - a companion; one who takes care of a friend who has been drinking ...World War II Amer. sl.
• HEARTH-FELLOW - * a person who associates with others beside a hearth; a fireside companion ...1871
• HELP-MAKE - a helpmate; a companion who is a help, or who renders help; an assistant, coadjutor, partner, consort; chiefly applied to a wife or husband ...1854 Eng. dial.
• HELPMATE - a companion who is a help, or who renders help; an assistant, coadjutor, partner, consort; chiefly applied to a wife or husband ...1715
• HELPMEET - a fitting or suitable helper: usually applied to a wife or husband; a consort, a companion, an assistant ...1382
• HETAERA, HETAIRA - a female companion or paramour, a mistress, a concubine; a courtesan, a harlot ...1820
• HINDERMATE - a spouse or companion who is a hindrance ...a1843 nonce word
• INKLE-WEAVER - a close companion ...1725 sl.
• JOLLY TIT - a pleasant companion ...E18 sl.
• KEBAR - a companion - a neighbour ...1835 Sc.
• LACKES - † lackeys - companions ...Bk1852
• LAKE-LADS - companions - playmates ...1896 Eng. dial.
• LAKE-LASSES - female companions or playmates ...1849 Eng. dial.
• MACE - a friend or companion ...Bk1851 Eng. dial.
• MAKE - † an equal - a fellow - a friend - a companion - a consort - a 'mate' ...a1175 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• MARROW - † a companion - a fellow-worker - a partner - a mate ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• MATCH - † one's equal in age, rank, station, etc.- one's fellow companion ...c975
• MAUGH - a companion - a partner - a colleague ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MOB - a companion ...Bk1865 sl.
• MONE - † a companion, an assistant ...c1300
• MORROW - a companion; a husband or wife ...Bk1866 Sc. & Ireland
• MUFFIN 1. a female companion who accompanies a bachelor on his round of social amusements ...M19 Can. & US sl.
2. a man that chaperons or acts as companion to women ...B1923 Brit. sl.
• NEIGHBOUR - a companion - a comrade - a good friend ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• ONE OF THE BEST - a good fellow - a good companion ...c1920 society usage
• PANION - † a companion - a mate - a fellow - an associate ...1553
• PARAGON - † a match - a mate - a companion - a consort in marriage - a rival - a competitor ...1566
• PARD - a partner - a mate - a very close friend - a companion - an associate ...1850 sl., chiefly US
• QUEEN - a girlfriend - a female companion ...1900s sl.
• RAG - a girlfriend - a female companion ...L19 US sl.
• SAMENFERE - † a fellow-traveller; an associate; a companion ...a1300
• SAUDALL - a companion ...1590 Sc.
• SCOUT - a fellow or companion ...colloq.
• SIB - a relative - a companion ...1930 Amer. dial.
• SIDEKICK - a friend, esp. a subordinate companion ...1903 sl., orig. US
• SIDE-KICKER - a friend - a subordinate companion ...1903 US sl.
• SIZZLE - a sister, in the sense as a female companion ...2003 US Black sl.
• SPAR - a close male friend; a companion ...1965 sl., orig. W. Indies
• SPARRING PARTNER - a friend; a companion; a husband or wife ...1995 sl.
• SQUAREY, SQUARIE - a female companion - a girlfriend ...1917 Aust. sl.
• TACK-TO - a frequent companion, esp. of a woman who keeps company with a man in a somewhat imprecise relationship ...1827 Sc.
• TOAD-EATER - * a humble friend or dependant - a female companion or attendant - used contemptuously ...1744
• UERE - † a companion ...Bk1888
• VERE - † a 'fere', a companion, an associate ...c975
• WALKER - a man, often rich, invariably personable and socially acceptable, who accompanies the wives of prominent men to parties, on shopping expeditions, to the theatre, etc. ...1980s sl.
• WALLY-DE-SHAM a crony, a close companion ...1822 Sc.
• YARD DOG - a loyal but mediocre companion ...1959 US Black sl.
• YFERE - † a companion - a mate - a fellow - an associate ...c870
• YMONE - † a companion ...a1300
• YUK - a companion; a partner; a friend; a buddy; one who can be depended upon or used ....1934 sl.
• ZANY - * an attendant, follower, companion, or assistant; almost always contemptuous; sometimes, a hanger-on, a parasite. a servile flatterer ...1601 rare or arch.
companion - verbs
• BUDDY to be a friend or companion ...1930 Amer. dial.
• MARROW to be a companion to; to marry ...1721 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
companion - phrases
• LIKE HEFT AND BLADE close companions ...1884 Eng. dial.
COMPANIONABLE - adjectives
• FELLOWLY sociable, companionable ...1928 Amer. dial.
COMPANIONLESS - adjectives
• LEDELESS †* without a companion ...a1300
• MARROWLESS companionless, unmarried; unequalled, unmatched ...1637 Eng. dial.
• PAIRLESS companionless ...1853 Sc.
COMPANIONSHIP - nouns
• HAUNT † companionship, society, company ...1500-20
• MARROWSHIP † association, companionship ...a1500 Sc.
• NEIPERTY companionship ...Bk1905 Sc.
COMPANY - nouns
• BEND a flock, a company ...1882 Amer. dial.
• MELL a company ...1888 Sc.
• SUIT a company of followers; a train, retinue ...1297 arch. or Eng. dial.
company (names for groups of people, animals, etc.) - nouns
• BERRY † a rabbit's burrow; a company of rabbits ...1486
• DERBY a group or pack of fox hounds ...1983 Amer. dial.
• GAGGLE a company of women; used derisively ...c1470
• HASTINESS † a fanciful name for a 'company' of cooks ...c1491
• KERF † a humorous term for a company of pantrymen ...1486
• LAUGHTER n. an alleged name for a company of ostlers (men employed to look after the horses of people staying at an inn) ...1486
• NONPATIENCE † an alleged term for a 'company' of wives ...1486
• PACE † a 'company' or herd of asses ...1486
• RAG †* an alleged name for a 'company' of colts ...c1470
• RAGE † an alleged name for a 'company' of maidens ...1486
• SATELLITIUM † a company of planets ...1669-96
• SCHOOL † a company of any kind of animals ...1895 Eng. dial.
• SKULK † a number, company, or gathering of person or animals given to skulking, as a 'skulk of foxes', a 'skulk of heretics' ...c1450
• SUIT † 1. a leash of hounds ...c1470
† 2. a flight of mallards ...1486
• TABERNACLE † an alleged term for a company of bakers ...1486
• TORMENTRY † a company or body of tormentors or executioners ...a1350
• UNBREWING † a fanciful name for a 'company' of carvers ...1486
• WALK a company of snipes ...1859
• WARD * a company of watchmen or guards ...c1000
• YEOMANRY † a company of yeomen ...1375
company - verbs
• HANK to associate with; to act or agree with; to keep company with ...1842 Eng. dial.
COMPARABLE - adjectives
• MATCHABLE † comparable; equal; similar, analogous ...1572
COMPARE - verbs
• EVEN to compare, to put on a level by comparison; to liken to ...1824 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• LAY † to compare with ...1577
• MATCH †* to compare in respect of similarity; to examine the likeness or difference of ...a1649
• MATCH DOPE to exchange views, to compare ideas ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• MEACH to measure; to compare ...1884 Eng. dial.
• MEITCH to measure; to compare ...1884 Eng. dial.
• NICK to compare with ...1887 sl.
• PARAGON 1. to place side by side; to parallel, to compare ...a1586 arch. or poetic
† 2. to compare, to compete, to vie with ...1620
• PARAGONIZE † to compare, to put in competition or rivalry ...1589
• RESEMBLE to compare ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SIDE UP WITH to compare; to compete with ...L19 colloq.
• SIGNIFY † to compare, to liken to something ...1456
• SIMILARIZE * to compare, to liken ...1806
• SIMILITUDINIZE to make comparisons ...1837
• SIMILIZE † to compare, to liken ...1620
• TALLY † to bring into comparison, to compare ...1773
• TEARN † to compare, to liken ...B1900 Eng. dial. obs.
• TENT to compare; to count, to tally; to take account ...1876 Eng. dial.
COMPARISON - adjectives
• INVIDIOUS of a comparison or distinction: unjust; unfairly discriminating ...E18
comparison - prepositions
• ABIES in comparison with ...1825 Sc.
comparison - nouns
• FOMBLITUDE † a weak comparison ...1583 nonce word
• PARAGON † comparison; competition, emulation, rivalry ...1590
• PARALLELISM a statement of correspondence or analogy; a comparison, a simile ...1656
comparison - verbs
• SIMILIZE * to symbolize; to express or describe in similes; to use a simile or comparison ...a1668
COMPASS - nouns
• AIRT a point of the compass; a direction; more generally: a quarter, a locality ...a1400 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• ART the quarter of the heavens, point of the compass; esp. of the direction of the wind ...1725 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• FLOWER OF THE WINDS the mariner's compass on maps and charts ...1867
• PASSERS a pair of compasses ...1866 Sc.
• SHANK † either of the legs of a pair of compasses ...L16
COMPASSION - nouns
• EARNING † longing desire; poignant grief or compassion ...1631
• INNERLINESS compassion, sympathy, kindliness ...1873 Sc.
• YEARNING the state of being moved with compassion ...1603
compassion - verbs
• MAKE A POOR MOUTH to pretend poverty; to endeavour to excite compassion ...1839 Sc.
• YEARN to feel pity or compassion; to cause to feel pity ...1785 Eng. dial.
COMPASSIONATE - adjectives
• EFFEMINATE † gentle, tender, compassionate ...1594.
• ELEEMOSYNOUS †* compassionate, merciful ...c1590
• INNERLY pleasant, cheerful, sociable, of a neighbourly disposition, intimate; kindly, sympathetic, affectionate, friendly, compassionate ...1825 Sc.
• MERCIABLE † merciful, compassionate ...a1225
• OREFUL † honourable, venerable; merciful, compassionate ...743-5
• YEARNFUL † full of compassion ...1633
COMPATIBLE - verbs
• JELL to be compatible, to get along ...1965 Amer. dial.
COMPEL - verbs
• AFFORCE † - to apply force; to force, compel ...a1400
• EFFORCE to force open, to gain by force, to compel ...1596
• GAR to make, to cause; to force, to compel, to make a person do something ...a1300 chiefly Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• NECESS †* to compel, to necessitate ...c1374
• OCCASIONATE † to give occasion to; to urge or compel by circumstances; also, to do this habitually; hence, to habituate, to accustom ...1545
• TIE to constrain, to oblige, to compel; to bind by moral compulsion ...1856 Sc. & Eng. dial.
COMPELLED - adjectives
• BOUNDEN under obligation, legal or moral; obliged, compelled, enforced ...a1400 arch.
• LAID compelled, obliged ...1790 Sc.
• NECESSITAT † necessitated, compelled ...1631 Sc.
COMPENDIUM - nouns
• SUMMULARY †* a summary, a compendium ...1643
compendium - person
• ABBREVIARIST - †* one who makes an epitome or compendium ...1679
COMPENSATION - nouns
• BOTE help; advantage; compensation ...Bk1911 Sc.
• COMPO compensation, esp. as paid for an injury received while working ...1941 Aust. & NZ sl.
• PANBINDING payment or compensation for an injury ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
compensation - verbs
• SATISFY † to make compensation or reparation for a wrong, injury; to atone for an offense ...c1460
COMPETE - verbs
• BACK-MARK to put a competitor back at the start of a race; hence, to leave far behind in a contest ...1890 sporting sl.
• OPPOSITION to compete with, to set up in opposition to ...1845 Eng. dial.
• PARAGON † to compare, to compete, to vie with ...1620
• PARAGONIZE † to compare, to put in competition or rivalry ...1589
• SIDE UP WITH to compare; to compete with ...L19 colloq.
• STAND SOMEONE A FAG to put up a good fight against someone; to compete on equal terms ...1801 Amer. sl.
COMPETENCE, COMPETENCY - nouns
• OMNICOMPETENCE competence in all causes ...1900
• OPPORTUNITY † fitness, aptitude, competency ...c1374
• SMARTNESS competence, diligence ...1859 Amer. dial.
• SUFFICIENCE † capacity; ability; competence ...1382
• SUFFICIENCY † adequate qualification; ability, competency ...1567
• SUFFICIENTY † competence, ability ...1461
• SUFFISANCE † ability, competence ...c1392
competence, competency - phrases
• BEYOND ONE'S DEPTH beyond the range of one's competence or understanding
• OUT OF ONE'S DEPTH beyond the range of one's competence or understanding
• SORT OUT THE MEN FROM THE BOYS distinguish which people in a group are truly mature, manly or competent ...colloq.
COMPETENT - adjectives
• ABLE TO KICK THE EYE OUT OF A MOSQUITO of a person: supremely competent ...L19 sl., orig. US
• DARB highly competent; unusually skilled or able; excellent, great ...1930 US sl.
• HABILE † fitted, suited; fit, suitable; competent to do something ...c1425 chiefly Sc.
• LIKELY able-bodied, competent, capable ...1899 Amer. dial.
• OMNICOMPETENT competent or having jurisdiction in all causes ...1827
• READY excellent, first-rate, mature, fully competent; esp. used of musicians ...1938 US sl.
• SMART of a person: energetic and effective in working; competent, industrious, diligent ...1866 Amer. dial.
• SUFFICIENT † qualified by talent or ability; competent, capable, able ...c1385
• SUFFICIENTIZE †* to make competent, to enable ...1693
• SUFFISANT † competent, able. capable ...c1385
• TIGHT † of a person: competent, capable, able, skilful; alert, smart; lively, vigorous, stout ...1598 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• UP TO THE SCRATCH thoroughly competent, capable ...1885 Eng. dial.
competent - person
• BARNBURNER - an expert, a highly competent person ...1971 US sl.
• COOL CAT - a sophisticated, competent, unruffled, able person ...1940s sl., chiefly US Black
• COOL HAND - a cool, calm, controlled and competent individual ...M19 US sl.
• CRACK HAND - an able, competent person ...19C sl.
• GENERALIST - a person capable of tackling a wide variety of tasks or subjects, esp. one trained or competent in a number of different fields; a jack-of-all-trades; also, later, a non-specialist medical practitioner ...1606
• HACKER - an especially competent person ...1951 US military sl.
• SUFFICIENCE - † a capable or competent person ...1607
competent - verbs
• EAT UP to do well; to act competently; to deal with efficiently ...1900s sl.
• FILL THE BILL to be very effective, or competent ...c1885 sl.
• HABILLE † to make or pronounce competent; to enable, to qualify ...1530
• KNOW A THING OR TWO to be competent, or have a thorough knowledge of one's subject ...1792 sl.
• KNOW ONE'S ONIONS to be competent or have a thorough knowledge of one's subject ...1922 sl.
• KNOW THE TIME OF DAY to be competent or worldly ...1897 sl.
• KNOW WHAT'S WHAT to be knowledgeable, competent, worldly ...a1553
• SUFFICE † to be competent or able to do something ...a1325
COMPETENTLY - adverbs
• HABILY † competently, properly ...1737 Sc.
• SUFFISANTLY † sufficiently, adequately, competently ...a1340
COMPETITION - adjectives
• DING-DONG of a fight, competition, etc: hard fought ...1924 Aust. sl.
competition - nouns
• COMPY a competition ...1998 Aust. sl.
• PARAGON † comparison; competition, emulation, rivalry ...1590
• SINGLETON a single entry in a competition ...1898
• WOODEN SPOON a notional trophy awarded to an individual or a team placed last in a competition ...1858 UK sl.
COMPETITIVE - adjectives
• DOG-EAT-DOG ruthlessly competitive and often cruel ...1850s Amer. sl.
• USEFUL competitive ...1991 Irish sl.
competitive - verbs
• CRACK to lose one's combative or competitive spirit ...1891 Amer. sl.
COMPETITOR - person
• BACK-MARKER one who starts from 'scratch' in a game, match, or race ...1895 sl.
• DARK 'UN a candidate or competitor of whom little is known ...c1860 sl.
• MORNING GLORY - in sports: an initially promising but ultimately disappointing competitor ...1909 US sl.
• MR. BAD FACE one's competition or enemy ...1960s Amer. sl.
• PARAGON † a match; a mate, a companion; a consort in marriage; a rival, a competitor ...1566
• RINGER a horse, player, etc. fraudulently substituted in a competition to boost the chances of winning ...1890 sl., orig. US
• WOODEN-SPOONER in a sporting competition, an individual or team that comes last ...1954 UK sl.
• WOODEN-SPOONIST in a sporting competition, an individual or team that comes last...1927 UK sl.