Image English

water salute

2008-07-05T00:09:00.005+08:00

A salute which occurs for ceremonial purposes when a vehicle travels under plumes of water expelled by two or more fire fighting vehicles.

Also caled water-spray salute, water-cannon salute.

cocktail shaker

2007-08-10T22:23:00.000+08:00

n.

A device consisting of a container and a lid, with a strainer, used to mix beverages (usually alcoholic) by shaking.

torch

2007-08-09T14:18:00.000+08:00

n.

A portable light produced by the flame of a stick of resinous wood or of a flammable material wound about the end of a stick.

Also called flambeau.

mascot

2007-08-08T09:56:00.000+08:00

n.

A person, animal or object that is believed to bring good luck and adopted by a team or other group as a symbolic figure.

loudspeaker

2007-08-07T11:53:00.000+08:00

n.

An electromechanical transducer which converts an electrical signal into sound.

Also called "speaker" for short.

belly dance

2007-08-06T08:56:00.001+08:00

n.

A solo dance performed by a woman and characterized by sinuous hip and abdominal movements.

Belly dance is a Western name for an Arabic style of dance developed in the Middle East.

cross-stitch

2007-08-03T15:35:00.000+08:00

n.

A popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches are used to form a picture.

cleavage

2007-08-02T21:39:00.000+08:00

n. informal.

The hollow between a woman's breasts, especially as revealed by a low neckline.

Ferris wheel

2007-04-01T10:57:00.000+08:00

n.

An amusement ride consisting of a large upright rotating wheel having suspended seats that remain in a horizontal position as the wheel revolves.

After George Washington Gale Ferris (1859-1896), American engineer.

Recent large Ferris wheels have been marketed as observation wheels.

dart

2007-04-01T10:55:00.000+08:00

n.

A slender, pointed missile, often having tail fins, thrown by hand, shot from a blowgun, or expelled by an exploding bomb.

boomerang

2007-04-01T10:49:00.000+08:00

n.

A flat, curved, usually wooden missile configured so that when hurled it returns to the thrower.

Synonyms:

throw stick, throwing stick.

ninja

2007-03-30T22:18:00.000+08:00

n.

A member of a class of 14th-century Japanese mercenary agents who were trained in the martial arts and hired for covert operations such as assassination and sabotage.

From Japanese 忍者.

dandelion

2007-03-30T22:12:00.000+08:00

n.

Any of several herbs of the genus Taraxacum having long tap roots and deeply notched leaves and bright yellow flowers followed by fluffy seed balls.

Synonym:

blowball

sunflower

2007-03-30T13:00:00.000+08:00

n.

Any plant of the genus Helianthus having large flower heads with dark disk florets and showy yellow rays.

Synonym:

helianthus

submarine

2007-03-29T00:34:00.000+08:00

n.

A vessel that is capable of operating submerged.

Also called sub, pigboat, U-boat.

windsock

2007-03-28T12:27:00.000+08:00

n.

A truncated cloth cone mounted on a mast, used to show the direction of the wind.

Synonyms:

wind cone, air sock, wind sleeve, drogue, sock

origami

2007-03-28T01:57:00.000+08:00

n.

The Japanese art of folding paper into shapes representing objects like flowers or birds.

From Japanese 折り紙 (folding paper).

Synonym:

paper folding

pinky swear

2007-03-28T01:00:00.000+08:00

n.

An eternally binding act of hooking pinky fingers together in an attempt to seal the deal of a promise that has been made.

The pinky swear originally indicated that the person who breaks the promise must cut off their pinky finger.

In modern times, pinky swearing is a more informal way of sealing a promise. It is most common among school-age children and close friends.

Also known as pinky promise.

nail house

2007-03-26T18:37:00.000+08:00

n.

A household who refuses to move and bargains for unreasonably high compensation when the land is requisitioned for a construction project.

From Chinese "Ding zi hu" (钉子户).

courtroom

2007-03-26T18:25:00.000+08:00

n.

A room in which the proceedings of a court are held.

Synonym:

court

gavel

2007-03-26T06:25:00.000+08:00

n.

A small hammer used by a judge, chair of a meeting, or auctioneer to draw people's attention or to mark the conclusion of a transaction.

discotheque

2007-03-25T21:56:00.000+08:00

n.

A nightclub that features dancing to recorded or sometimes live music and often has showy decor and elaborate lighting.

The word derives from the French word discothèque.

Synonym:

disco

hang glider

2007-03-24T18:03:00.000+08:00

n.

A device resembling a kite from which a harnessed rider hangs while gliding from a height.

set-top box

2007-03-23T22:12:00.000+08:00

n.

A device that enables a television set to receive and decode digital television (DTV) broadcasts or enables a television set to become a user interface to the Internet.

DTV set-top boxes are sometimes called receivers.

Acronym: STB

high five

2007-03-23T21:29:00.000+08:00

n.

A celebratory or mutually congratulatory gesture between two persons performed by each slapping the other's raised right hand.

Also used as a verb.

Give me five!

Idiom (mainly American, informal)

Something that you say when you want someone to hit your open hand with theirs, in order to greet them or to show how pleased you are.

greenhouse

2007-03-23T18:18:00.000+08:00

n.

A building with glass walls and roof for the cultivation and exhibition of plants under controlled conditions.

Synonyms:

glasshouse, hothouse, nursery

flattop

2007-03-22T20:51:00.000+08:00

n.

A short haircut in which the hair is brushed straight up and cropped flat across the top.

Synonym:

crew cut

aircraft carrier

2007-03-22T20:39:00.000+08:00

n.

A large naval vessel designed as a mobile air base, having a long flat deck on which aircraft can take off and land at sea.

Synonyms:

attack aircraft carrier, flattop, carrier

con man

2007-03-20T18:39:00.000+08:00

n. slang

A swindler who exploits the confidence of his victim.

Synonyms:

confidence man, con artist

undelete

2007-03-20T18:20:00.000+08:00

v.

To restore the last delete operation that has taken place.

Files in Windows and Mac can generally be undeleted because they are only moved to the recycle bin or trash can when they are deleted in an application or file manager.

apron

2007-03-19T20:03:00.000+08:00

n.

A garment worn over the front part of the body to keep the wearer's clothes clean while working.

thrust stage

2007-03-19T19:59:00.000+08:00

n.

A stage that extends into the audience's portion of a theater beyond the usual location of the proscenium and often has seats facing it on three sides.

Also known as a platform stage or open stage.

creek

2007-03-19T19:41:00.000+08:00

n. American English

A small stream, often a shallow or intermittent tributary to a river.

Synonym:

stream

Also called regionally branch, brook, kill, or run.

pile-on

2007-03-18T02:46:00.000+08:00

n.

An activity involving several individuals jumping (or piling) on top of an unfortunate victim, forming a pile of people. This person then becomes the target of the pile-on.

Pile-ons are often deliberately instigated as pranks.

This is normally triggered by someone mentioning the words "pile on", or a word phonetically similar, e.g. "pylon".

Synonyms:

stacks-on (Australia), bundle, monkey pile, pig pile, or dog pile.

lightstick

2007-03-18T02:25:00.000+08:00

n.

A transparent plastic tube which contains chemical fluids, used for entertainment at parties, concerts, and dance clubs or used in the military for night time performances.

Also called glowstick.

adobo

2007-03-18T01:50:00.000+08:00

n.

A Philippine dish of marinated meat (pork or chicken) or fish seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and spices.

notepad

2007-03-17T16:33:00.000+08:00

n.

A pad or tablet of usually lined paper for keeping notes.

Post-it

2007-03-17T16:17:00.000+08:00

n.

Also Post-it note.

A piece of stationery with a readherable strip of adhesive on the back, designed for temporarily attaching notes to documents, computer displays and so forth.

The names "Post-it" and "Post-it note" are trademarks of 3M, the company which invented and manufactures them. Accepted generic terms for competitors include "sticky notes" or "repositionable / repositional notes."

tattoo

2007-03-16T15:27:00.000+08:00

n.

A permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment or by raising scars.

toaster

2007-03-14T21:02:00.000+08:00

n.

A mechanical device used to toast bread, especially by exposure to electrically heated wire coils.

chest expander

2007-03-14T10:44:00.000+08:00

n.

A fitness equipment that increases muscle definition in shoulders, arm and chest for building upper body strength.

mandarin duck

2007-03-09T19:15:00.000+08:00

n.

An Asian duck (Aix galericulata) having brightly colored plumage and a crested head.

hummingbird

2007-03-09T19:07:00.000+08:00

n.

A tiny American bird having brilliant iridescent plumage and long slender bills, and wings specialized for vibrating flight.

lectern

2007-03-08T16:42:00.000+08:00

n.

A desk or stand with a slanted top used to hold a text at the proper height for a lecturer.

Synonym:

reading desk

hair mousse

2007-03-07T15:41:00.000+08:00

n.

A toiletry consisting of an aerosol foam used in hair styling.

Synonyms:

hair gel, mousse.

hair wax

2007-03-07T15:38:00.000+08:00

n.

A thick hairstyling toiletry containing wax, used to assist with holding the hair.

hair spray

2007-03-07T15:24:00.000+08:00

n.

Toiletry consisting of a commercial preparation that is sprayed on the hair to hold it in place.

It is weaker than hair gel, hair wax, or glue and is sprayed using a pump or aerosol spray nozzle.

lantern

2007-03-06T20:54:00.000+08:00

n.

An often portable case with transparent or translucent sides for holding and protecting a light.

mooncake

2007-03-06T20:47:00.000+08:00

n.

A Chinese cake-like confection that is traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, although mooncakes can be eaten at other times throughout the year as well.

crouton

2007-03-06T20:19:00.000+08:00

n.

A small crisp piece of toasted or fried bread served in soup or salads.

tsunami

2007-03-04T06:08:00.000+08:00

n.

A very large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption.

The term tsunami comes from the Japanese language meaning harbour ("tsu", 津) and wave ("nami", 波).

Synonym:

tidal wave

typhoon

2007-03-04T06:02:00.000+08:00

n.

A tropical cyclone occurring in the western Pacific or Indian oceans.

hurricane

2007-03-04T05:51:00.000+08:00

n.

A severe tropical cyclone originating in the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea or eastern regions of the Pacific Ocean, traveling north, northwest, or northeast from its point of origin, and usually involving heavy rains.

disco ball

2007-03-03T01:45:00.000+08:00

n.

A large rotating mirrored ball which projects hundreds of razor thin beams of light around a room when a spotlight is aimed at its surface.

Also called mirror ball.

scuba

2007-03-03T01:06:00.000+08:00

n.

A portable apparatus containing compressed air and used for breathing under water.

Scuba is an acronym for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

Also called aqualung.

syringe

2007-03-02T20:08:00.000+08:00

n.

A hypodermic syringe.

A medical instrument used to inject fluids into the body or draw them from it.

stethoscope

2007-03-02T19:52:00.000+08:00

n.

A medical instrument for listening to the sounds generated inside the body.

locker

2007-03-02T19:06:00.000+08:00

n.

A small, usually metal compartment that can be locked, especially one at a gymnasium or public place for the safekeeping of clothing and valuables.

When a room is dedicated to containing many lockers it is often called either a locker room or changing room.

op art

2007-03-01T23:19:00.000+08:00

n.

A form of modern abstract art using geometrical patterns that produce optical illusions.

Also known as optical art.

carousel

2007-03-01T22:36:00.000+08:00

n. American English

Also carrousel.

A revolving circular platform with seats often formed like animals on which people ride, as at an amusement park.

British English: merry-go-round.

Synonym:

roundabout, whirligig, galloper

tank top

2007-03-01T05:14:00.000+08:00

n. American English

A tight-fitting sleeveless shirt with wide shoulder straps and low neck and no front opening.

British English: vest
Australian English: singlet

slang: wife beater

shoplifter

2007-03-01T04:51:00.000+08:00

n.

A thief who steals goods from a store that is open for business.

Professional shoplifters or organized shoplifting groups are often referred to as "boosters."

pickpocket

2007-03-01T04:43:00.000+08:00

n.

A thief who steals from the pockets or purses of others in public places.

Also called cutpurse.

facial tissue

2007-02-28T16:26:00.000+08:00

n.

A piece of soft absorbent paper that can be used as a handkerchief for use on the face.

Synonym:

tissue, kleenex, paper handkerchief

diaper

2007-02-28T15:56:00.000+08:00

n. American English

A folded piece of absorbent material, such as paper or cloth, that is placed between a baby's legs and fastened at the waist to contain excretions.

British English: nappy, or napkin.

sanitary napkin

2007-02-28T15:54:00.000+08:00

n.

A disposable pad of absorbent material worn to absorb menstrual flow.

Synonym:

sanitary towel, sanitary pad (UK), Maxi pad (US), menstrual pad or pad.

sphygmomanometer

2007-02-27T18:16:00.000+08:00

n.

An instrument for measuring blood pressure in the arteries, especially one consisting of a pressure gauge and a rubber cuff that wraps around the upper arm and inflates to constrict the arteries.

Also called blood pressure meter.

thermometer

2007-02-27T17:39:00.000+08:00

n.

An instrument for measuring temperature, especially one having a graduated glass tube with a bulb containing a liquid, typically mercury or colored alcohol, that expands and rises in the tube as the temperature increases.

anemometer

2007-02-27T17:29:00.000+08:00

n.

An instrument for measuring wind force and velocity.

Synonym:

wind gage, wind gauge

pacifier

2007-02-27T04:16:00.000+08:00

n. American English

A rubber or plastic nipple or teething ring for a baby to suck or chew on.

British English: dummy
Canadian English: soother

Synonym:

baby's dummy, teething ring, comforter

drinking straw

2007-02-27T03:47:00.000+08:00

n.

A thin paper or plastic tube used to suck liquids into the mouth.

Synonym:

straw

plumber

2007-02-26T22:43:00.000+08:00

n.

A craftsman who installs and repairs pipes and fixtures and appliances.

Also called pipe fitter.

carpenter

2007-02-26T22:34:00.000+08:00

n.

A skilled worker who makes, finishes, and repairs wooden objects and structures.

handcuffs

2007-02-26T22:30:00.000+08:00

pl. n.

A restraining device consisting of a pair of strong, connected hoops that can be tightened and locked about the wrists and used on one or both arms of a prisoner in custody.

Synonym:

cuffs, handlock, manacle.

stretcher

2007-02-26T22:26:00.000+08:00

n.

A litter, usually consists of a sheet of canvas stretched between two poles, for transporting people who are ill or wounded or dead.

Also called litter.

patio

2007-02-26T21:50:00.000+08:00

n.

An outdoor space for dining or recreation that adjoins a residence and is often paved.

tug of war

2007-02-25T19:45:00.000+08:00

n.

A contest of strength in which two teams tug on opposite ends of a rope, each trying to pull the other across a dividing line.

Also called tug o' war, tug war, or rope pulling.

firecracker

2007-02-25T19:16:00.000+08:00

n.

A small explosive charge and a fuse in a heavy paper casing, exploded to make noise, as at celebrations.

Also known as a cracker, noisemaker, or banger.

maze

2007-02-24T17:18:00.000+08:00

n.

A graphic puzzle, the solution of which is an uninterrupted path through an intricate pattern of line segments from a starting point to a goal.

sudoku

2007-02-24T17:09:00.000+08:00

n.

A logic-based placement puzzle in which numbers must be fit into a 9x9 grid such that each numeral appears exactly once in each row, column and each of nine 3x3 blocks.

The name "Sudoku" is from Japanese 数独, meaning "the digits must occur only once".

Sudoku was invented by an American but popularized by the Japanese.

Also known as Number Place.

whipped cream

2007-02-24T16:47:00.000+08:00

n.

Cream that has been beaten until light and fluffy.

milkshake

2007-02-24T16:30:00.000+08:00

n.

A beverage made of milk, flavoring, and ice cream, shaken or whipped until foamy.

Also called shake.

tangram

2007-02-23T16:17:00.000+08:00

n.

A Chinese puzzle consisting of a square cut into five triangles, a square, and a rhomboid, to be reassembled into different figures.

pinwheel

2007-02-23T15:42:00.000+08:00

n.

A child's toy consisting of a stick with a set of plastic or paper blades fitted to it, which spin around when the wind blows them.

popcorn

2007-02-22T21:19:00.000+08:00

n.

The kernels of a variety of corn, heated until they become puffy, then usually flavored with butter and salt and eaten as a snack.

cotton candy

2007-02-22T21:05:00.000+08:00

n. American English

A light, very sweet candy of threaded sugar, often tinted with food coloring and twirled onto a stick.

British English: candy floss
Australian English: fairy floss

Also called spun sugar.

lollipop

2007-02-22T20:48:00.000+08:00

n.

A confection consisting of a piece of hard candy attached to the end of a small stick.

Also called lolly.

popsicle

2007-02-22T20:38:00.000+08:00

n. American English

A frozen water dessert on a stick that is colored and flavored. A frozen stick confection.

It is called a popsicle in the United States and Canada due to the early popularity of the Popsicle brand, and the word has entered the vernacular there to mean any ice pop, irrespective of brand.

Synonym:

UK: ice lolly
Australia: ice block, or icy pole
New Zealand: ice block
Ireland: ice pop

fire extinguisher

2007-02-21T20:17:00.000+08:00

n.

A portable apparatus containing chemicals that can be discharged in a rapid stream to extinguish a small fire.

wheelbarrow

2007-02-21T19:42:00.000+08:00

n.

A small one- or two-wheeled cart designed to be pushed by a single person using two handles to the rear, used to convey small loads.

hand truck

2007-02-21T19:39:00.000+08:00

n.

A two-wheeled cart for moving heavy objects by hand, consisting of a vertical framework with handles at the top and a metal blade at the bottom that is inserted beneath a load, the entire assembly being tilted backward until balanced for easy pushing or pulling.

forklift

2007-02-21T19:29:00.000+08:00

n.

A small industrial vehicle with a power-operated pronged platform that can be raised and lowered for insertion under a load to be lifted and moved.

Also called forklift truck, or lift truck.

student loan

2007-02-12T18:10:00.000+08:00

n.

Loan offered to students to assist in payment of the costs of professional education.

Student loans usually carry lower interests than other loans, and are usually issued by the government. Often they are supplemented by student grants which do not have to be repaid.

ATM

2007-02-12T13:42:00.000+08:00

n. (abbr.)

Short for automated (or automatic) teller machine.

An unattended electronic machine in a public place, connected to a data system and related equipment and activated by a bank customer to obtain cash withdrawals and other banking services.

Synonym:

automated teller, automatic teller, automated teller machine, automatic teller machine, cash dispenser, cash machine.

cash register

2007-02-12T13:16:00.000+08:00

n.

A machine that tabulates the amount of sales transactions, makes a permanent and cumulative record of them, and has a drawer in which cash can be kept.

Also called a till.

neon lamp

2007-02-11T21:08:00.000+08:00

n.

A lamp consisting of a small gas-discharge tube containing neon at low pressure; luminescence is produced by the action of currents at high frequencies that are wrapped a few turns around the tube.

Synonym:

neon induction lamp, neon tube.

fluorescent lamp

2007-02-11T21:06:00.000+08:00

n.

A lamp that produces visible light by fluorescence, especially a glass tube whose inner wall is coated with a material that fluoresces when an electrical current causes a vapor within the tube to discharge electrons.

light bulb

2007-02-11T21:04:00.000+08:00

n.

An electric lamp consisting of a glass bulb containing a wire filament (usually tungsten) that emits light when heated.

Synonym:

electric light, electric-light bulb, incandescent lamp, lightbulb, bulb.

V-chip

2007-02-11T21:00:00.000+08:00

n.

A computer chip installed in a television to allow the user to control the display of certain programs, especially of sexual or violent content.

USB flash drive

2007-02-11T14:52:00.000+08:00

n.

A flash memory data storage device integrated with a USB interface.