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id='sense-2-5' class='sense has-num-only'> the sound of clapping hands
especially applause
noun (2)

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
bang bash bat belt biff bludgeon bob bonk bop box bust clip clobber clock clout crack hammer hit knock nail paste pound punch rap slam slap slog slug smack smite sock strike swat swipe tag thump thwack wallop whack whale zap
Synonyms: Noun (1)
bang blast boom crack crash pop report slam smash snap thunderclap thwack whack whomp whump
Examples
Verb
  • //She clapped in delight when she heard the news.
  • //The audience clapped to the beat of the music.
  • //The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.
  • //He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
  • //He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.
  • //He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.
  • //She clapped a muzzle on the dog.
  • //The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Noun (1)
  • //a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
  • //a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1587, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Verb
Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat
Noun (2)
Middle French clapoir bubo
clap
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clap​board
noun
clap·​board
ˈkla-bərd ˈkla(p)-ˌbȯrd

Definition

  • archaic a size of board for making staves and wainscoting
  • a narrow board usually thicker at one edge than the other used for siding
  • ˈklap-ˌbȯrd a slate with information identifying a piece of film that is topped with a hinged arm which claps down to mark the start of a take (see take entry 2 sense 2a(1)) to facilitate editing

    — called also clapper board

Other Words
  • clapboard transitive verb
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
partial translation of Dutch klaphout stave wood
cleav​age
noun
cleav·​age
ˈklē-vij

Definition

  • the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes
    also the occurrence of such splitting
    a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting
  • the action of cleaving or splitting the state of being cleft
  • the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo
    also one of these cell divisions
  • the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules
  • the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
bifurcation breakup dissolution disunion division fractionalization fractionation partition schism scission separation split sundering
Antonyms
unification union
Examples
  • //The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.
  • //the cleavage between the rich and poor
  • //the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
cli​max
noun
cli·​max
ˈklī-ˌmaks

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
  • the highest point culmination //the climax of a distinguished career
    the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play) //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
    orgasm
    menopause
  • a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment
    especially the final stage in ecological succession //… the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax … — P. W. Richards
verb
cli​maxed; cli​max​ing; cli​max​es

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to bring to a climax //climaxed his boxing career with a knockout //The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to come to a climax //a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Other Words
Noun
  • cli​max​less adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
climacteric corner landmark milepost milestone turning point watershed
Synonyms: Verb
cap (off) crown culminate
Examples
Noun
  • //The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
  • //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
  • //the climax of her career
  • //The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
Verb
  • //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
  • //The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
History and Etymology
Noun and Verb
Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
climax
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clin​ic
noun
clin·​ic
ˈkli-nik

Definition

  • a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
  • a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge //writing clinics //golf clinics
  • a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
    a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
  • a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates //a legal clinic
  • an exemplary display or performance //put on a clinic in the tournament
Examples
  • //The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes.
  • //He checked into a drug rehab clinic.
  • //The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain.
  • //A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean
clinic
noun

Synonyms

confines
plural noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

present tense third-person singular of confine
con​stan​cy
noun
con·​stan·​cy
ˈkän(t)-stən(t)-sē
plural con​stan​cies

Definition

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
changelessness fixedness immutability immutableness invariability stability steadiness unchangeableness
Antonyms
capriciousness changeability changeableness fickleness instability mutability unpredictability unsteadiness variability variableness volatileness volatility
Examples
  • //the constancy of the Earth's rotation
  • //the mistaken notion that there is constancy in language—words do indeed change their meanings over time
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
constancy
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

con​tent​ed
adjective
con·​tent·​ed
kən-ˈten-təd

Definition

  • feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation //a contented smile //They lived a contented life.
Other Words
  • con​tent​ed​ly adverb
  • con​tent​ed​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
content gratified happy pleased satisfied
Antonyms
discontent discontented displeased dissatisfied malcontent malcontented unhappy
Examples
  • //She felt peaceful and contented.
  • //having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Middle English, from past participle of contenten "to content entry 3"
contented
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

con​ti​nent
noun
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt ˈkänt-nənt

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
    Continent the continent of Europe —used with the//a tour of the Continent
  • archaic container, confines
  • archaic epitome
adjective
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

Other Words
Adjective
  • con​ti​nent​ly adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
landmass main mainland
Synonyms: Adjective
abstemious abstentious abstinent self-abnegating self-denying sober temperate
Antonyms: Adjective
self-indulgent
Examples
Noun
  • //The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent.
  • //Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent.
Adjective
  • //Most children are continent by age three.
  • //a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships
First Known Use
Noun
1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Noun
(senses 1-2) borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "land forming part of a continuous mass (as opposed to an island)," borrowed from Latin continent-, continens (short for terra continens), from continent-, continens, adjective, "uninterrupted, continuous, forming part of a continuous mass," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents"; (senses 3 & 4) probably borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia "container, content, tenor (of a document)," noun derivative of Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre — more at contain

NOTE: The regular outcome of Medieval Latin continentia following the rules for adopting such nouns in English would have been continence, but as this word was already in use as an abstract noun, writers may have resorted to continent. Note continent in Middle English used by the translator of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie in the sense "content."

Adjective
Middle English contynent "abstemious, refraining from sexual intercourse," borrowed from Middle French continent, borrowed from Medieval Latin continent-, continens, going back to Latin, "restrained, not indulging in excesses," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain
continent
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun (2)

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
bang bash bat belt biff bludgeon bob bonk bop box bust clip clobber clock clout crack hammer hit knock nail paste pound punch rap slam slap slog slug smack smite sock strike swat swipe tag thump thwack wallop whack whale zap
Synonyms: Noun (1)
bang blast boom crack crash pop report slam smash snap thunderclap thwack whack whomp whump
Examples
Verb
  • //She clapped in delight when she heard the news.
  • //The audience clapped to the beat of the music.
  • //The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.
  • //He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
  • //He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.
  • //He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.
  • //She clapped a muzzle on the dog.
  • //The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Noun (1)
  • //a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
  • //a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1587, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Verb
Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat
Noun (2)
Middle French clapoir bubo
clap
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clap​board
noun
clap·​board
ˈkla-bərd ˈkla(p)-ˌbȯrd

Definition

  • archaic a size of board for making staves and wainscoting
  • a narrow board usually thicker at one edge than the other used for siding
  • ˈklap-ˌbȯrd a slate with information identifying a piece of film that is topped with a hinged arm which claps down to mark the start of a take (see take entry 2 sense 2a(1)) to facilitate editing

    — called also clapper board

Other Words
  • clapboard transitive verb
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
partial translation of Dutch klaphout stave wood
cleav​age
noun
cleav·​age
ˈklē-vij

Definition

  • the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes
    also the occurrence of such splitting
    a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting
  • the action of cleaving or splitting the state of being cleft
  • the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo
    also one of these cell divisions
  • the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules
  • the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
bifurcation breakup dissolution disunion division fractionalization fractionation partition schism scission separation split sundering
Antonyms
unification union
Examples
  • //The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.
  • //the cleavage between the rich and poor
  • //the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
cli​max
noun
cli·​max
ˈklī-ˌmaks

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
  • the highest point culmination //the climax of a distinguished career
    the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play) //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
    orgasm
    menopause
  • a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment
    especially the final stage in ecological succession //… the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax … — P. W. Richards
verb
cli​maxed; cli​max​ing; cli​max​es

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to bring to a climax //climaxed his boxing career with a knockout //The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to come to a climax //a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Other Words
Noun
  • cli​max​less adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
climacteric corner landmark milepost milestone turning point watershed
Synonyms: Verb
cap (off) crown culminate
Examples
Noun
  • //The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
  • //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
  • //the climax of her career
  • //The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
Verb
  • //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
  • //The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
History and Etymology
Noun and Verb
Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
climax
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clin​ic
noun
clin·​ic
ˈkli-nik

Definition

  • a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
  • a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge //writing clinics //golf clinics
  • a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
    a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
  • a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates //a legal clinic
  • an exemplary display or performance //put on a clinic in the tournament
Examples
  • //The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes.
  • //He checked into a drug rehab clinic.
  • //The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain.
  • //A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean
clinic
noun

Synonyms

confines
plural noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

present tense third-person singular of confine
con​stan​cy
noun
con·​stan·​cy
ˈkän(t)-stən(t)-sē
plural con​stan​cies

Definition

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
changelessness fixedness immutability immutableness invariability stability steadiness unchangeableness
Antonyms
capriciousness changeability changeableness fickleness instability mutability unpredictability unsteadiness variability variableness volatileness volatility
Examples
  • //the constancy of the Earth's rotation
  • //the mistaken notion that there is constancy in language—words do indeed change their meanings over time
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
constancy
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

con​tent​ed
adjective
con·​tent·​ed
kən-ˈten-təd

Definition

  • feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation //a contented smile //They lived a contented life.
Other Words
  • con​tent​ed​ly adverb
  • con​tent​ed​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
content gratified happy pleased satisfied
Antonyms
discontent discontented displeased dissatisfied malcontent malcontented unhappy
Examples
  • //She felt peaceful and contented.
  • //having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Middle English, from past participle of contenten "to content entry 3"
contented
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

con​ti​nent
noun
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt ˈkänt-nənt

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
    Continent the continent of Europe —used with the//a tour of the Continent
  • archaic container, confines
  • archaic epitome
adjective
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

Other Words
Adjective
  • con​ti​nent​ly adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
landmass main mainland
Synonyms: Adjective
abstemious abstentious abstinent self-abnegating self-denying sober temperate
Antonyms: Adjective
self-indulgent
Examples
Noun
  • //The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent.
  • //Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent.
Adjective
  • //Most children are continent by age three.
  • //a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships
First Known Use
Noun
1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Noun
(senses 1-2) borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "land forming part of a continuous mass (as opposed to an island)," borrowed from Latin continent-, continens (short for terra continens), from continent-, continens, adjective, "uninterrupted, continuous, forming part of a continuous mass," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents"; (senses 3 & 4) probably borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia "container, content, tenor (of a document)," noun derivative of Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre — more at contain

NOTE: The regular outcome of Medieval Latin continentia following the rules for adopting such nouns in English would have been continence, but as this word was already in use as an abstract noun, writers may have resorted to continent. Note continent in Middle English used by the translator of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie in the sense "content."

Adjective
Middle English contynent "abstemious, refraining from sexual intercourse," borrowed from Middle French continent, borrowed from Medieval Latin continent-, continens, going back to Latin, "restrained, not indulging in excesses," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain
continent
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun (2)

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
bang bash bat belt biff bludgeon bob bonk bop box bust clip clobber clock clout crack hammer hit knock nail paste pound punch rap slam slap slog slug smack smite sock strike swat swipe tag thump thwack wallop whack whale zap
Synonyms: Noun (1)
bang blast boom crack crash pop report slam smash snap thunderclap thwack whack whomp whump
Examples
Verb
  • //She clapped in delight when she heard the news.
  • //The audience clapped to the beat of the music.
  • //The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.
  • //He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
  • //He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.
  • //He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.
  • //She clapped a muzzle on the dog.
  • //The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Noun (1)
  • //a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
  • //a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1587, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Verb
Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat
Noun (2)
Middle French clapoir bubo
clap
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clap​board
noun
clap·​board
ˈkla-bərd ˈkla(p)-ˌbȯrd

Definition

  • archaic a size of board for making staves and wainscoting
  • a narrow board usually thicker at one edge than the other used for siding
  • ˈklap-ˌbȯrd a slate with information identifying a piece of film that is topped with a hinged arm which claps down to mark the start of a take (see take entry 2 sense 2a(1)) to facilitate editing

    — called also clapper board

Other Words
  • clapboard transitive verb
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
partial translation of Dutch klaphout stave wood
cleav​age
noun
cleav·​age
ˈklē-vij

Definition

  • the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes
    also the occurrence of such splitting
    a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting
  • the action of cleaving or splitting the state of being cleft
  • the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo
    also one of these cell divisions
  • the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules
  • the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
bifurcation breakup dissolution disunion division fractionalization fractionation partition schism scission separation split sundering
Antonyms
unification union
Examples
  • //The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.
  • //the cleavage between the rich and poor
  • //the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
cli​max
noun
cli·​max
ˈklī-ˌmaks

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
  • the highest point culmination //the climax of a distinguished career
    the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play) //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
    orgasm
    menopause
  • a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment
    especially the final stage in ecological succession //… the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax … — P. W. Richards
verb
cli​maxed; cli​max​ing; cli​max​es

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to bring to a climax //climaxed his boxing career with a knockout //The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to come to a climax //a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Other Words
Noun
  • cli​max​less adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
climacteric corner landmark milepost milestone turning point watershed
Synonyms: Verb
cap (off) crown culminate
Examples
Noun
  • //The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
  • //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
  • //the climax of her career
  • //The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
Verb
  • //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
  • //The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
History and Etymology
Noun and Verb
Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
climax
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clin​ic
noun
clin·​ic
ˈkli-nik

Definition

  • a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
  • a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge //writing clinics //golf clinics
  • a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
    a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
  • a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates //a legal clinic
  • an exemplary display or performance //put on a clinic in the tournament
Examples
  • //The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes.
  • //He checked into a drug rehab clinic.
  • //The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain.
  • //A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean
clinic
noun

Synonyms

confines
plural noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

present tense third-person singular of confine
con​stan​cy
noun
con·​stan·​cy
ˈkän(t)-stən(t)-sē
plural con​stan​cies

Definition

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
changelessness fixedness immutability immutableness invariability stability steadiness unchangeableness
Antonyms
capriciousness changeability changeableness fickleness instability mutability unpredictability unsteadiness variability variableness volatileness volatility
Examples
  • //the constancy of the Earth's rotation
  • //the mistaken notion that there is constancy in language—words do indeed change their meanings over time
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
constancy
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

con​tent​ed
adjective
con·​tent·​ed
kən-ˈten-təd

Definition

  • feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation //a contented smile //They lived a contented life.
Other Words
  • con​tent​ed​ly adverb
  • con​tent​ed​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
content gratified happy pleased satisfied
Antonyms
discontent discontented displeased dissatisfied malcontent malcontented unhappy
Examples
  • //She felt peaceful and contented.
  • //having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Middle English, from past participle of contenten "to content entry 3"
contented
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

con​ti​nent
noun
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt ˈkänt-nənt

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
    Continent the continent of Europe —used with the//a tour of the Continent
  • archaic container, confines
  • archaic epitome
adjective
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

Other Words
Adjective
  • con​ti​nent​ly adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
landmass main mainland
Synonyms: Adjective
abstemious abstentious abstinent self-abnegating self-denying sober temperate
Antonyms: Adjective
self-indulgent
Examples
Noun
  • //The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent.
  • //Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent.
Adjective
  • //Most children are continent by age three.
  • //a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships
First Known Use
Noun
1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Noun
(senses 1-2) borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "land forming part of a continuous mass (as opposed to an island)," borrowed from Latin continent-, continens (short for terra continens), from continent-, continens, adjective, "uninterrupted, continuous, forming part of a continuous mass," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents"; (senses 3 & 4) probably borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia "container, content, tenor (of a document)," noun derivative of Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre — more at contain

NOTE: The regular outcome of Medieval Latin continentia following the rules for adopting such nouns in English would have been continence, but as this word was already in use as an abstract noun, writers may have resorted to continent. Note continent in Middle English used by the translator of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie in the sense "content."

Adjective
Middle English contynent "abstemious, refraining from sexual intercourse," borrowed from Middle French continent, borrowed from Medieval Latin continent-, continens, going back to Latin, "restrained, not indulging in excesses," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain
continent
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun (2)

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
bang bash bat belt biff bludgeon bob bonk bop box bust clip clobber clock clout crack hammer hit knock nail paste pound punch rap slam slap slog slug smack smite sock strike swat swipe tag thump thwack wallop whack whale zap
Synonyms: Noun (1)
bang blast boom crack crash pop report slam smash snap thunderclap thwack whack whomp whump
Examples
Verb
  • //She clapped in delight when she heard the news.
  • //The audience clapped to the beat of the music.
  • //The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.
  • //He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
  • //He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.
  • //He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.
  • //She clapped a muzzle on the dog.
  • //The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Noun (1)
  • //a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
  • //a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1587, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Verb
Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat
Noun (2)
Middle French clapoir bubo
clap
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clap​board
noun
clap·​board
ˈkla-bərd ˈkla(p)-ˌbȯrd

Definition

  • archaic a size of board for making staves and wainscoting
  • a narrow board usually thicker at one edge than the other used for siding
  • ˈklap-ˌbȯrd a slate with information identifying a piece of film that is topped with a hinged arm which claps down to mark the start of a take (see take entry 2 sense 2a(1)) to facilitate editing

    — called also clapper board

Other Words
  • clapboard transitive verb
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
partial translation of Dutch klaphout stave wood
cleav​age
noun
cleav·​age
ˈklē-vij

Definition

  • the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes
    also the occurrence of such splitting
    a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting
  • the action of cleaving or splitting the state of being cleft
  • the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo
    also one of these cell divisions
  • the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules
  • the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
bifurcation breakup dissolution disunion division fractionalization fractionation partition schism scission separation split sundering
Antonyms
unification union
Examples
  • //The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.
  • //the cleavage between the rich and poor
  • //the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
cli​max
noun
cli·​max
ˈklī-ˌmaks

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
  • the highest point culmination //the climax of a distinguished career
    the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play) //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
    orgasm
    menopause
  • a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment
    especially the final stage in ecological succession //… the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax … — P. W. Richards
verb
cli​maxed; cli​max​ing; cli​max​es

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to bring to a climax //climaxed his boxing career with a knockout //The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to come to a climax //a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Other Words
Noun
  • cli​max​less adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
climacteric corner landmark milepost milestone turning point watershed
Synonyms: Verb
cap (off) crown culminate
Examples
Noun
  • //The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
  • //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
  • //the climax of her career
  • //The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
Verb
  • //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
  • //The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
History and Etymology
Noun and Verb
Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
climax
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clin​ic
noun
clin·​ic
ˈkli-nik

Definition

  • a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
  • a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge //writing clinics //golf clinics
  • a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
    a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
  • a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates //a legal clinic
  • an exemplary display or performance //put on a clinic in the tournament
Examples
  • //The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes.
  • //He checked into a drug rehab clinic.
  • //The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain.
  • //A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean
clinic
noun

Synonyms

confines
plural noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

present tense third-person singular of confine
con​stan​cy
noun
con·​stan·​cy
ˈkän(t)-stən(t)-sē
plural con​stan​cies

Definition

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
changelessness fixedness immutability immutableness invariability stability steadiness unchangeableness
Antonyms
capriciousness changeability changeableness fickleness instability mutability unpredictability unsteadiness variability variableness volatileness volatility
Examples
  • //the constancy of the Earth's rotation
  • //the mistaken notion that there is constancy in language—words do indeed change their meanings over time
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
constancy
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

con​tent​ed
adjective
con·​tent·​ed
kən-ˈten-təd

Definition

  • feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation //a contented smile //They lived a contented life.
Other Words
  • con​tent​ed​ly adverb
  • con​tent​ed​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
content gratified happy pleased satisfied
Antonyms
discontent discontented displeased dissatisfied malcontent malcontented unhappy
Examples
  • //She felt peaceful and contented.
  • //having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Middle English, from past participle of contenten "to content entry 3"
contented
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

con​ti​nent
noun
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt ˈkänt-nənt

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
    Continent the continent of Europe —used with the//a tour of the Continent
  • archaic container, confines
  • archaic epitome
adjective
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

Other Words
Adjective
  • con​ti​nent​ly adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
landmass main mainland
Synonyms: Adjective
abstemious abstentious abstinent self-abnegating self-denying sober temperate
Antonyms: Adjective
self-indulgent
Examples
Noun
  • //The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent.
  • //Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent.
Adjective
  • //Most children are continent by age three.
  • //a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships
First Known Use
Noun
1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Noun
(senses 1-2) borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "land forming part of a continuous mass (as opposed to an island)," borrowed from Latin continent-, continens (short for terra continens), from continent-, continens, adjective, "uninterrupted, continuous, forming part of a continuous mass," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents"; (senses 3 & 4) probably borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia "container, content, tenor (of a document)," noun derivative of Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre — more at contain

NOTE: The regular outcome of Medieval Latin continentia following the rules for adopting such nouns in English would have been continence, but as this word was already in use as an abstract noun, writers may have resorted to continent. Note continent in Middle English used by the translator of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie in the sense "content."

Adjective
Middle English contynent "abstemious, refraining from sexual intercourse," borrowed from Middle French continent, borrowed from Medieval Latin continent-, continens, going back to Latin, "restrained, not indulging in excesses," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain
continent
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun (2)

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
bang bash bat belt biff bludgeon bob bonk bop box bust clip clobber clock clout crack hammer hit knock nail paste pound punch rap slam slap slog slug smack smite sock strike swat swipe tag thump thwack wallop whack whale zap
Synonyms: Noun (1)
bang blast boom crack crash pop report slam smash snap thunderclap thwack whack whomp whump
Examples
Verb
  • //She clapped in delight when she heard the news.
  • //The audience clapped to the beat of the music.
  • //The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.
  • //He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
  • //He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.
  • //He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.
  • //She clapped a muzzle on the dog.
  • //The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Noun (1)
  • //a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
  • //a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1587, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Verb
Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat
Noun (2)
Middle French clapoir bubo
clap
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clap​board
noun
clap·​board
ˈkla-bərd ˈkla(p)-ˌbȯrd

Definition

  • archaic a size of board for making staves and wainscoting
  • a narrow board usually thicker at one edge than the other used for siding
  • ˈklap-ˌbȯrd a slate with information identifying a piece of film that is topped with a hinged arm which claps down to mark the start of a take (see take entry 2 sense 2a(1)) to facilitate editing

    — called also clapper board

Other Words
  • clapboard transitive verb
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
partial translation of Dutch klaphout stave wood
cleav​age
noun
cleav·​age
ˈklē-vij

Definition

  • the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes
    also the occurrence of such splitting
    a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting
  • the action of cleaving or splitting the state of being cleft
  • the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo
    also one of these cell divisions
  • the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules
  • the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
bifurcation breakup dissolution disunion division fractionalization fractionation partition schism scission separation split sundering
Antonyms
unification union
Examples
  • //The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.
  • //the cleavage between the rich and poor
  • //the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
cli​max
noun
cli·​max
ˈklī-ˌmaks

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
  • the highest point culmination //the climax of a distinguished career
    the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play) //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
    orgasm
    menopause
  • a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment
    especially the final stage in ecological succession //… the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax … — P. W. Richards
verb
cli​maxed; cli​max​ing; cli​max​es

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to bring to a climax //climaxed his boxing career with a knockout //The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to come to a climax //a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Other Words
Noun
  • cli​max​less adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
climacteric corner landmark milepost milestone turning point watershed
Synonyms: Verb
cap (off) crown culminate
Examples
Noun
  • //The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
  • //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
  • //the climax of her career
  • //The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
Verb
  • //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
  • //The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
History and Etymology
Noun and Verb
Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
climax
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clin​ic
noun
clin·​ic
ˈkli-nik

Definition

  • a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
  • a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge //writing clinics //golf clinics
  • a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
    a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
  • a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates //a legal clinic
  • an exemplary display or performance //put on a clinic in the tournament
Examples
  • //The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes.
  • //He checked into a drug rehab clinic.
  • //The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain.
  • //A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean
clinic
noun

Synonyms

confines
plural noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

present tense third-person singular of confine
con​stan​cy
noun
con·​stan·​cy
ˈkän(t)-stən(t)-sē
plural con​stan​cies

Definition

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
changelessness fixedness immutability immutableness invariability stability steadiness unchangeableness
Antonyms
capriciousness changeability changeableness fickleness instability mutability unpredictability unsteadiness variability variableness volatileness volatility
Examples
  • //the constancy of the Earth's rotation
  • //the mistaken notion that there is constancy in language—words do indeed change their meanings over time
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
constancy
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

con​tent​ed
adjective
con·​tent·​ed
kən-ˈten-təd

Definition

  • feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation //a contented smile //They lived a contented life.
Other Words
  • con​tent​ed​ly adverb
  • con​tent​ed​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
content gratified happy pleased satisfied
Antonyms
discontent discontented displeased dissatisfied malcontent malcontented unhappy
Examples
  • //She felt peaceful and contented.
  • //having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Middle English, from past participle of contenten "to content entry 3"
contented
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

con​ti​nent
noun
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt ˈkänt-nənt

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
    Continent the continent of Europe —used with the//a tour of the Continent
  • archaic container, confines
  • archaic epitome
adjective
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

Other Words
Adjective
  • con​ti​nent​ly adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
landmass main mainland
Synonyms: Adjective
abstemious abstentious abstinent self-abnegating self-denying sober temperate
Antonyms: Adjective
self-indulgent
Examples
Noun
  • //The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent.
  • //Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent.
Adjective
  • //Most children are continent by age three.
  • //a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships
First Known Use
Noun
1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Noun
(senses 1-2) borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "land forming part of a continuous mass (as opposed to an island)," borrowed from Latin continent-, continens (short for terra continens), from continent-, continens, adjective, "uninterrupted, continuous, forming part of a continuous mass," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents"; (senses 3 & 4) probably borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia "container, content, tenor (of a document)," noun derivative of Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre — more at contain

NOTE: The regular outcome of Medieval Latin continentia following the rules for adopting such nouns in English would have been continence, but as this word was already in use as an abstract noun, writers may have resorted to continent. Note continent in Middle English used by the translator of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie in the sense "content."

Adjective
Middle English contynent "abstemious, refraining from sexual intercourse," borrowed from Middle French continent, borrowed from Medieval Latin continent-, continens, going back to Latin, "restrained, not indulging in excesses," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain
continent
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun (2)

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
bang bash bat belt biff bludgeon bob bonk bop box bust clip clobber clock clout crack hammer hit knock nail paste pound punch rap slam slap slog slug smack smite sock strike swat swipe tag thump thwack wallop whack whale zap
Synonyms: Noun (1)
bang blast boom crack crash pop report slam smash snap thunderclap thwack whack whomp whump
Examples
Verb
  • //She clapped in delight when she heard the news.
  • //The audience clapped to the beat of the music.
  • //The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.
  • //He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
  • //He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.
  • //He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.
  • //She clapped a muzzle on the dog.
  • //The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Noun (1)
  • //a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
  • //a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1587, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Verb
Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat
Noun (2)
Middle French clapoir bubo
clap
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clap​board
noun
clap·​board
ˈkla-bərd ˈkla(p)-ˌbȯrd

Definition

  • archaic a size of board for making staves and wainscoting
  • a narrow board usually thicker at one edge than the other used for siding
  • ˈklap-ˌbȯrd a slate with information identifying a piece of film that is topped with a hinged arm which claps down to mark the start of a take (see take entry 2 sense 2a(1)) to facilitate editing

    — called also clapper board

Other Words
  • clapboard transitive verb
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
partial translation of Dutch klaphout stave wood
cleav​age
noun
cleav·​age
ˈklē-vij

Definition

  • the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes
    also the occurrence of such splitting
    a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting
  • the action of cleaving or splitting the state of being cleft
  • the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo
    also one of these cell divisions
  • the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules
  • the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
bifurcation breakup dissolution disunion division fractionalization fractionation partition schism scission separation split sundering
Antonyms
unification union
Examples
  • //The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.
  • //the cleavage between the rich and poor
  • //the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
cli​max
noun
cli·​max
ˈklī-ˌmaks

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
  • the highest point culmination //the climax of a distinguished career
    the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play) //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
    orgasm
    menopause
  • a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment
    especially the final stage in ecological succession //… the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax … — P. W. Richards
verb
cli​maxed; cli​max​ing; cli​max​es

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to bring to a climax //climaxed his boxing career with a knockout //The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to come to a climax //a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Other Words
Noun
  • cli​max​less adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
climacteric corner landmark milepost milestone turning point watershed
Synonyms: Verb
cap (off) crown culminate
Examples
Noun
  • //The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
  • //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
  • //the climax of her career
  • //The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
Verb
  • //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
  • //The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
History and Etymology
Noun and Verb
Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
climax
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clin​ic
noun
clin·​ic
ˈkli-nik

Definition

  • a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
  • a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge //writing clinics //golf clinics
  • a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
    a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
  • a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates //a legal clinic
  • an exemplary display or performance //put on a clinic in the tournament
Examples
  • //The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes.
  • //He checked into a drug rehab clinic.
  • //The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain.
  • //A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean
clinic
noun

Synonyms

confines
plural noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

present tense third-person singular of confine
con​stan​cy
noun
con·​stan·​cy
ˈkän(t)-stən(t)-sē
plural con​stan​cies

Definition

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
changelessness fixedness immutability immutableness invariability stability steadiness unchangeableness
Antonyms
capriciousness changeability changeableness fickleness instability mutability unpredictability unsteadiness variability variableness volatileness volatility
Examples
  • //the constancy of the Earth's rotation
  • //the mistaken notion that there is constancy in language—words do indeed change their meanings over time
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
constancy
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

con​tent​ed
adjective
con·​tent·​ed
kən-ˈten-təd

Definition

  • feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation //a contented smile //They lived a contented life.
Other Words
  • con​tent​ed​ly adverb
  • con​tent​ed​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
content gratified happy pleased satisfied
Antonyms
discontent discontented displeased dissatisfied malcontent malcontented unhappy
Examples
  • //She felt peaceful and contented.
  • //having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Middle English, from past participle of contenten "to content entry 3"
contented
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

con​ti​nent
noun
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt ˈkänt-nənt

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
    Continent the continent of Europe —used with the//a tour of the Continent
  • archaic container, confines
  • archaic epitome
adjective
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

Other Words
Adjective
  • con​ti​nent​ly adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
landmass main mainland
Synonyms: Adjective
abstemious abstentious abstinent self-abnegating self-denying sober temperate
Antonyms: Adjective
self-indulgent
Examples
Noun
  • //The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent.
  • //Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent.
Adjective
  • //Most children are continent by age three.
  • //a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships
First Known Use
Noun
1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Noun
(senses 1-2) borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "land forming part of a continuous mass (as opposed to an island)," borrowed from Latin continent-, continens (short for terra continens), from continent-, continens, adjective, "uninterrupted, continuous, forming part of a continuous mass," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents"; (senses 3 & 4) probably borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia "container, content, tenor (of a document)," noun derivative of Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre — more at contain

NOTE: The regular outcome of Medieval Latin continentia following the rules for adopting such nouns in English would have been continence, but as this word was already in use as an abstract noun, writers may have resorted to continent. Note continent in Middle English used by the translator of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie in the sense "content."

Adjective
Middle English contynent "abstemious, refraining from sexual intercourse," borrowed from Middle French continent, borrowed from Medieval Latin continent-, continens, going back to Latin, "restrained, not indulging in excesses," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain
continent
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun (2)

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
bang bash bat belt biff bludgeon bob bonk bop box bust clip clobber clock clout crack hammer hit knock nail paste pound punch rap slam slap slog slug smack smite sock strike swat swipe tag thump thwack wallop whack whale zap
Synonyms: Noun (1)
bang blast boom crack crash pop report slam smash snap thunderclap thwack whack whomp whump
Examples
Verb
  • //She clapped in delight when she heard the news.
  • //The audience clapped to the beat of the music.
  • //The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.
  • //He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
  • //He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.
  • //He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.
  • //She clapped a muzzle on the dog.
  • //The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Noun (1)
  • //a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
  • //a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1587, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Verb
Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat
Noun (2)
Middle French clapoir bubo
clap
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clap​board
noun
clap·​board
ˈkla-bərd ˈkla(p)-ˌbȯrd

Definition

  • archaic a size of board for making staves and wainscoting
  • a narrow board usually thicker at one edge than the other used for siding
  • ˈklap-ˌbȯrd a slate with information identifying a piece of film that is topped with a hinged arm which claps down to mark the start of a take (see take entry 2 sense 2a(1)) to facilitate editing

    — called also clapper board

Other Words
  • clapboard transitive verb
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
partial translation of Dutch klaphout stave wood
cleav​age
noun
cleav·​age
ˈklē-vij

Definition

  • the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes
    also the occurrence of such splitting
    a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting
  • the action of cleaving or splitting the state of being cleft
  • the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo
    also one of these cell divisions
  • the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules
  • the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
bifurcation breakup dissolution disunion division fractionalization fractionation partition schism scission separation split sundering
Antonyms
unification union
Examples
  • //The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.
  • //the cleavage between the rich and poor
  • //the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
cli​max
noun
cli·​max
ˈklī-ˌmaks

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
  • the highest point culmination //the climax of a distinguished career
    the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play) //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
    orgasm
    menopause
  • a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment
    especially the final stage in ecological succession //… the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax … — P. W. Richards
verb
cli​maxed; cli​max​ing; cli​max​es

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to bring to a climax //climaxed his boxing career with a knockout //The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to come to a climax //a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Other Words
Noun
  • cli​max​less adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
climacteric corner landmark milepost milestone turning point watershed
Synonyms: Verb
cap (off) crown culminate
Examples
Noun
  • //The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
  • //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
  • //the climax of her career
  • //The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
Verb
  • //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
  • //The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
History and Etymology
Noun and Verb
Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
climax
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clin​ic
noun
clin·​ic
ˈkli-nik

Definition

  • a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
  • a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge //writing clinics //golf clinics
  • a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
    a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
  • a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates //a legal clinic
  • an exemplary display or performance //put on a clinic in the tournament
Examples
  • //The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes.
  • //He checked into a drug rehab clinic.
  • //The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain.
  • //A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean
clinic
noun

Synonyms

confines
plural noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

present tense third-person singular of confine
con​stan​cy
noun
con·​stan·​cy
ˈkän(t)-stən(t)-sē
plural con​stan​cies

Definition

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
changelessness fixedness immutability immutableness invariability stability steadiness unchangeableness
Antonyms
capriciousness changeability changeableness fickleness instability mutability unpredictability unsteadiness variability variableness volatileness volatility
Examples
  • //the constancy of the Earth's rotation
  • //the mistaken notion that there is constancy in language—words do indeed change their meanings over time
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
constancy
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

con​tent​ed
adjective
con·​tent·​ed
kən-ˈten-təd

Definition

  • feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation //a contented smile //They lived a contented life.
Other Words
  • con​tent​ed​ly adverb
  • con​tent​ed​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
content gratified happy pleased satisfied
Antonyms
discontent discontented displeased dissatisfied malcontent malcontented unhappy
Examples
  • //She felt peaceful and contented.
  • //having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Middle English, from past participle of contenten "to content entry 3"
contented
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

con​ti​nent
noun
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt ˈkänt-nənt

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
    Continent the continent of Europe —used with the//a tour of the Continent
  • archaic container, confines
  • archaic epitome
adjective
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

Other Words
Adjective
  • con​ti​nent​ly adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
landmass main mainland
Synonyms: Adjective
abstemious abstentious abstinent self-abnegating self-denying sober temperate
Antonyms: Adjective
self-indulgent
Examples
Noun
  • //The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent.
  • //Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent.
Adjective
  • //Most children are continent by age three.
  • //a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships
First Known Use
Noun
1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Noun
(senses 1-2) borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "land forming part of a continuous mass (as opposed to an island)," borrowed from Latin continent-, continens (short for terra continens), from continent-, continens, adjective, "uninterrupted, continuous, forming part of a continuous mass," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents"; (senses 3 & 4) probably borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia "container, content, tenor (of a document)," noun derivative of Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre — more at contain

NOTE: The regular outcome of Medieval Latin continentia following the rules for adopting such nouns in English would have been continence, but as this word was already in use as an abstract noun, writers may have resorted to continent. Note continent in Middle English used by the translator of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie in the sense "content."

Adjective
Middle English contynent "abstemious, refraining from sexual intercourse," borrowed from Middle French continent, borrowed from Medieval Latin continent-, continens, going back to Latin, "restrained, not indulging in excesses," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain
continent
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun (2)

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
bang bash bat belt biff bludgeon bob bonk bop box bust clip clobber clock clout crack hammer hit knock nail paste pound punch rap slam slap slog slug smack smite sock strike swat swipe tag thump thwack wallop whack whale zap
Synonyms: Noun (1)
bang blast boom crack crash pop report slam smash snap thunderclap thwack whack whomp whump
Examples
Verb
  • //She clapped in delight when she heard the news.
  • //The audience clapped to the beat of the music.
  • //The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.
  • //He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
  • //He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.
  • //He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.
  • //She clapped a muzzle on the dog.
  • //The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Noun (1)
  • //a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
  • //a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1587, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Verb
Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat
Noun (2)
Middle French clapoir bubo
clap
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clap​board
noun
clap·​board
ˈkla-bərd ˈkla(p)-ˌbȯrd

Definition

  • archaic a size of board for making staves and wainscoting
  • a narrow board usually thicker at one edge than the other used for siding
  • ˈklap-ˌbȯrd a slate with information identifying a piece of film that is topped with a hinged arm which claps down to mark the start of a take (see take entry 2 sense 2a(1)) to facilitate editing

    — called also clapper board

Other Words
  • clapboard transitive verb
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
partial translation of Dutch klaphout stave wood
cleav​age
noun
cleav·​age
ˈklē-vij

Definition

  • the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes
    also the occurrence of such splitting
    a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting
  • the action of cleaving or splitting the state of being cleft
  • the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo
    also one of these cell divisions
  • the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules
  • the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
bifurcation breakup dissolution disunion division fractionalization fractionation partition schism scission separation split sundering
Antonyms
unification union
Examples
  • //The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.
  • //the cleavage between the rich and poor
  • //the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
cli​max
noun
cli·​max
ˈklī-ˌmaks

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
  • the highest point culmination //the climax of a distinguished career
    the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play) //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
    orgasm
    menopause
  • a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment
    especially the final stage in ecological succession //… the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax … — P. W. Richards
verb
cli​maxed; cli​max​ing; cli​max​es

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to bring to a climax //climaxed his boxing career with a knockout //The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to come to a climax //a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Other Words
Noun
  • cli​max​less adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
climacteric corner landmark milepost milestone turning point watershed
Synonyms: Verb
cap (off) crown culminate
Examples
Noun
  • //The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
  • //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
  • //the climax of her career
  • //The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
Verb
  • //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
  • //The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
History and Etymology
Noun and Verb
Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
climax
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clin​ic
noun
clin·​ic
ˈkli-nik

Definition

  • a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
  • a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge //writing clinics //golf clinics
  • a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
    a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
  • a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates //a legal clinic
  • an exemplary display or performance //put on a clinic in the tournament
Examples
  • //The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes.
  • //He checked into a drug rehab clinic.
  • //The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain.
  • //A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean
clinic
noun

Synonyms

confines
plural noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

present tense third-person singular of confine
con​stan​cy
noun
con·​stan·​cy
ˈkän(t)-stən(t)-sē
plural con​stan​cies

Definition

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
changelessness fixedness immutability immutableness invariability stability steadiness unchangeableness
Antonyms
capriciousness changeability changeableness fickleness instability mutability unpredictability unsteadiness variability variableness volatileness volatility
Examples
  • //the constancy of the Earth's rotation
  • //the mistaken notion that there is constancy in language—words do indeed change their meanings over time
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
constancy
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

con​tent​ed
adjective
con·​tent·​ed
kən-ˈten-təd

Definition

  • feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation //a contented smile //They lived a contented life.
Other Words
  • con​tent​ed​ly adverb
  • con​tent​ed​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
content gratified happy pleased satisfied
Antonyms
discontent discontented displeased dissatisfied malcontent malcontented unhappy
Examples
  • //She felt peaceful and contented.
  • //having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Middle English, from past participle of contenten "to content entry 3"
contented
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

con​ti​nent
noun
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt ˈkänt-nənt

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
    Continent the continent of Europe —used with the//a tour of the Continent
  • archaic container, confines
  • archaic epitome
adjective
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

Other Words
Adjective
  • con​ti​nent​ly adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
landmass main mainland
Synonyms: Adjective
abstemious abstentious abstinent self-abnegating self-denying sober temperate
Antonyms: Adjective
self-indulgent
Examples
Noun
  • //The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent.
  • //Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent.
Adjective
  • //Most children are continent by age three.
  • //a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships
First Known Use
Noun
1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Noun
(senses 1-2) borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "land forming part of a continuous mass (as opposed to an island)," borrowed from Latin continent-, continens (short for terra continens), from continent-, continens, adjective, "uninterrupted, continuous, forming part of a continuous mass," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents"; (senses 3 & 4) probably borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia "container, content, tenor (of a document)," noun derivative of Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre — more at contain

NOTE: The regular outcome of Medieval Latin continentia following the rules for adopting such nouns in English would have been continence, but as this word was already in use as an abstract noun, writers may have resorted to continent. Note continent in Middle English used by the translator of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie in the sense "content."

Adjective
Middle English contynent "abstemious, refraining from sexual intercourse," borrowed from Middle French continent, borrowed from Medieval Latin continent-, continens, going back to Latin, "restrained, not indulging in excesses," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain
continent
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun (2)

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
bang bash bat belt biff bludgeon bob bonk bop box bust clip clobber clock clout crack hammer hit knock nail paste pound punch rap slam slap slog slug smack smite sock strike swat swipe tag thump thwack wallop whack whale zap
Synonyms: Noun (1)
bang blast boom crack crash pop report slam smash snap thunderclap thwack whack whomp whump
Examples
Verb
  • //She clapped in delight when she heard the news.
  • //The audience clapped to the beat of the music.
  • //The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.
  • //He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
  • //He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.
  • //He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.
  • //She clapped a muzzle on the dog.
  • //The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Noun (1)
  • //a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
  • //a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1587, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Verb
Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat
Noun (2)
Middle French clapoir bubo
clap
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clap​board
noun
clap·​board
ˈkla-bərd ˈkla(p)-ˌbȯrd

Definition

  • archaic a size of board for making staves and wainscoting
  • a narrow board usually thicker at one edge than the other used for siding
  • ˈklap-ˌbȯrd a slate with information identifying a piece of film that is topped with a hinged arm which claps down to mark the start of a take (see take entry 2 sense 2a(1)) to facilitate editing

    — called also clapper board

Other Words
  • clapboard transitive verb
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
partial translation of Dutch klaphout stave wood
cleav​age
noun
cleav·​age
ˈklē-vij

Definition

  • the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes
    also the occurrence of such splitting
    a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting
  • the action of cleaving or splitting the state of being cleft
  • the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo
    also one of these cell divisions
  • the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules
  • the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
bifurcation breakup dissolution disunion division fractionalization fractionation partition schism scission separation split sundering
Antonyms
unification union
Examples
  • //The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.
  • //the cleavage between the rich and poor
  • //the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
cli​max
noun
cli·​max
ˈklī-ˌmaks

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
  • the highest point culmination //the climax of a distinguished career
    the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play) //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
    orgasm
    menopause
  • a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment
    especially the final stage in ecological succession //… the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax … — P. W. Richards
verb
cli​maxed; cli​max​ing; cli​max​es

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to bring to a climax //climaxed his boxing career with a knockout //The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to come to a climax //a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Other Words
Noun
  • cli​max​less adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
climacteric corner landmark milepost milestone turning point watershed
Synonyms: Verb
cap (off) crown culminate
Examples
Noun
  • //The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
  • //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
  • //the climax of her career
  • //The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
Verb
  • //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
  • //The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
History and Etymology
Noun and Verb
Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
climax
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clin​ic
noun
clin·​ic
ˈkli-nik

Definition

  • a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
  • a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge //writing clinics //golf clinics
  • a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
    a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
  • a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates //a legal clinic
  • an exemplary display or performance //put on a clinic in the tournament
Examples
  • //The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes.
  • //He checked into a drug rehab clinic.
  • //The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain.
  • //A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean
clinic
noun

Synonyms

confines
plural noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

present tense third-person singular of confine
con​stan​cy
noun
con·​stan·​cy
ˈkän(t)-stən(t)-sē
plural con​stan​cies

Definition

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
changelessness fixedness immutability immutableness invariability stability steadiness unchangeableness
Antonyms
capriciousness changeability changeableness fickleness instability mutability unpredictability unsteadiness variability variableness volatileness volatility
Examples
  • //the constancy of the Earth's rotation
  • //the mistaken notion that there is constancy in language—words do indeed change their meanings over time
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
constancy
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

con​tent​ed
adjective
con·​tent·​ed
kən-ˈten-təd

Definition

  • feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation //a contented smile //They lived a contented life.
Other Words
  • con​tent​ed​ly adverb
  • con​tent​ed​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
content gratified happy pleased satisfied
Antonyms
discontent discontented displeased dissatisfied malcontent malcontented unhappy
Examples
  • //She felt peaceful and contented.
  • //having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Middle English, from past participle of contenten "to content entry 3"
contented
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

con​ti​nent
noun
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt ˈkänt-nənt

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
    Continent the continent of Europe —used with the//a tour of the Continent
  • archaic container, confines
  • archaic epitome
adjective
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

Other Words
Adjective
  • con​ti​nent​ly adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
landmass main mainland
Synonyms: Adjective
abstemious abstentious abstinent self-abnegating self-denying sober temperate
Antonyms: Adjective
self-indulgent
Examples
Noun
  • //The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent.
  • //Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent.
Adjective
  • //Most children are continent by age three.
  • //a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships
First Known Use
Noun
1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Noun
(senses 1-2) borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "land forming part of a continuous mass (as opposed to an island)," borrowed from Latin continent-, continens (short for terra continens), from continent-, continens, adjective, "uninterrupted, continuous, forming part of a continuous mass," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents"; (senses 3 & 4) probably borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia "container, content, tenor (of a document)," noun derivative of Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre — more at contain

NOTE: The regular outcome of Medieval Latin continentia following the rules for adopting such nouns in English would have been continence, but as this word was already in use as an abstract noun, writers may have resorted to continent. Note continent in Middle English used by the translator of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie in the sense "content."

Adjective
Middle English contynent "abstemious, refraining from sexual intercourse," borrowed from Middle French continent, borrowed from Medieval Latin continent-, continens, going back to Latin, "restrained, not indulging in excesses," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain
continent
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun (2)

Definition (Entry 3 of 3)

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Verb
bang bash bat belt biff bludgeon bob bonk bop box bust clip clobber clock clout crack hammer hit knock nail paste pound punch rap slam slap slog slug smack smite sock strike swat swipe tag thump thwack wallop whack whale zap
Synonyms: Noun (1)
bang blast boom crack crash pop report slam smash snap thunderclap thwack whack whomp whump
Examples
Verb
  • //She clapped in delight when she heard the news.
  • //The audience clapped to the beat of the music.
  • //The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.
  • //He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
  • //He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.
  • //He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.
  • //She clapped a muzzle on the dog.
  • //The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Noun (1)
  • //a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
  • //a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun (1)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1587, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Verb
Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat
Noun (2)
Middle French clapoir bubo
clap
verb

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

noun

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clap​board
noun
clap·​board
ˈkla-bərd ˈkla(p)-ˌbȯrd

Definition

  • archaic a size of board for making staves and wainscoting
  • a narrow board usually thicker at one edge than the other used for siding
  • ˈklap-ˌbȯrd a slate with information identifying a piece of film that is topped with a hinged arm which claps down to mark the start of a take (see take entry 2 sense 2a(1)) to facilitate editing

    — called also clapper board

Other Words
  • clapboard transitive verb
First Known Use
circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
partial translation of Dutch klaphout stave wood
cleav​age
noun
cleav·​age
ˈklē-vij

Definition

  • the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes
    also the occurrence of such splitting
    a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting
  • the action of cleaving or splitting the state of being cleft
  • the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo
    also one of these cell divisions
  • the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules
  • the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
bifurcation breakup dissolution disunion division fractionalization fractionation partition schism scission separation split sundering
Antonyms
unification union
Examples
  • //The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.
  • //the cleavage between the rich and poor
  • //the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops
First Known Use
1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
cli​max
noun
cli·​max
ˈklī-ˌmaks

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
  • the highest point culmination //the climax of a distinguished career
    the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play) //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
    orgasm
    menopause
  • a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment
    especially the final stage in ecological succession //… the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax … — P. W. Richards
verb
cli​maxed; cli​max​ing; cli​max​es

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

  • transitive ​verb
  • to bring to a climax //climaxed his boxing career with a knockout //The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
  • intransitive ​verb
  • to come to a climax //a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Other Words
Noun
  • cli​max​less adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
climacteric corner landmark milepost milestone turning point watershed
Synonyms: Verb
cap (off) crown culminate
Examples
Noun
  • //The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
  • //At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
  • //the climax of her career
  • //The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
Verb
  • //The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
  • //The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
History and Etymology
Noun and Verb
Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
climax
noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

clin​ic
noun
clin·​ic
ˈkli-nik

Definition

  • a class of medical instruction in which patients are examined and discussed
  • a group meeting devoted to the analysis and solution of concrete problems or to the acquiring of specific skills or knowledge //writing clinics //golf clinics
  • a facility (as of a hospital) for diagnosis and treatment of outpatients
    a group practice in which several physicians work cooperatively
  • a facility that offers professional services or consultation usually at discounted rates //a legal clinic
  • an exemplary display or performance //put on a clinic in the tournament
Examples
  • //The clinic is offering free screening for diabetes.
  • //He checked into a drug rehab clinic.
  • //The hospital is holding a pain clinic on Tuesday night for anyone interested in learning how to deal with chronic pain.
  • //A local club is giving a fishing clinic on Saturday.
First Known Use
1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
French clinique, from Greek klinikē medical practice at the sickbed, from feminine of klinikos of a bed, from klinē bed, from klinein to lean, recline — more at lean
clinic
noun

Synonyms

confines
plural noun

Synonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

present tense third-person singular of confine
con​stan​cy
noun
con·​stan·​cy
ˈkän(t)-stən(t)-sē
plural con​stan​cies

Definition

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
changelessness fixedness immutability immutableness invariability stability steadiness unchangeableness
Antonyms
capriciousness changeability changeableness fickleness instability mutability unpredictability unsteadiness variability variableness volatileness volatility
Examples
  • //the constancy of the Earth's rotation
  • //the mistaken notion that there is constancy in language—words do indeed change their meanings over time
First Known Use
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
constancy
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

con​tent​ed
adjective
con·​tent·​ed
kən-ˈten-təd

Definition

  • feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation //a contented smile //They lived a contented life.
Other Words
  • con​tent​ed​ly adverb
  • con​tent​ed​ness noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
content gratified happy pleased satisfied
Antonyms
discontent discontented displeased dissatisfied malcontent malcontented unhappy
Examples
  • //She felt peaceful and contented.
  • //having had her fill of candy, the contented girl sank back into the easy chair and dozed off
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
History and Etymology
Middle English, from past participle of contenten "to content entry 3"
contented
adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

con​ti​nent
noun
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt ˈkänt-nənt

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

  • one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe
    Continent the continent of Europe —used with the//a tour of the Continent
  • archaic container, confines
  • archaic epitome
adjective
con·​ti·​nent
ˈkän-tə-nənt

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

Other Words
Adjective
  • con​ti​nent​ly adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms: Noun
landmass main mainland
Synonyms: Adjective
abstemious abstentious abstinent self-abnegating self-denying sober temperate
Antonyms: Adjective
self-indulgent
Examples
Noun
  • //The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent.
  • //Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent.
Adjective
  • //Most children are continent by age three.
  • //a religious sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships
First Known Use
Noun
1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Noun
(senses 1-2) borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "land forming part of a continuous mass (as opposed to an island)," borrowed from Latin continent-, continens (short for terra continens), from continent-, continens, adjective, "uninterrupted, continuous, forming part of a continuous mass," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents"; (senses 3 & 4) probably borrowed from Medieval Latin continentia "container, content, tenor (of a document)," noun derivative of Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre — more at contain

NOTE: The regular outcome of Medieval Latin continentia following the rules for adopting such nouns in English would have been continence, but as this word was already in use as an abstract noun, writers may have resorted to continent. Note continent in Middle English used by the translator of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie in the sense "content."

Adjective
Middle English contynent "abstemious, refraining from sexual intercourse," borrowed from Middle French continent, borrowed from Medieval Latin continent-, continens, going back to Latin, "restrained, not indulging in excesses," from present participle of continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents" — more at contain
continent
noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

  • one of the great divisions of land on the globe or the main part of such a division //Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent
    Synonyms
    landmass main mainland
    Related Words
    subcontinent s
bad — MW · Shobdo