-al; -ial, -eal
(Latin: suffix; pertaining to, like, of the kind of, relating to, characterized by, belonging to; action of, process of)
acaricidal (adjective), more acaricidal, most acaricidal
A reference to a substance, or preparation for, killing acarids or mites: Jim, the rug cleaner, recommended that Mrs. Timmons apply the most acaricidal solution she could find to the rug on a regular basis to get rid of any mites that might appear again.
acarologically (adverb), more acarologically, most acarologically
Relating to how mites and ticks live, thrive, and where they exist: When studying the topics of mites and ticks, Tom's research was acarologically confirmed by viewing these creatures under a microscope and by examining his dog!
acaudal (adjective) (not comparable)
Pertaining to a life form laking a tail or not having a tail-like appendage: There are acaudal lizards living in some desert areas.
acausal (adjective) (not comparable)
A reference to the lack of a basis for any actions nor responses: The doctor's acausal medical report relieved Sidney's anxiety about his medical condition.
accentual (adjective), more accentual, most accentual
1. A reference to something to make it more noticeable: Harriet likes to wear accentual clothes that attract attention.
2. Descriptive of a metric system based on the number of stresses in a poetic line: The poem that Mike read had an accentual structure instead of the number of syllables in a line.
3. Regarding the involvement, or associated with stress of pronunciation: Lynn spoke certain words and phrases in an accentual manner in her speech in order to make specific and important points clear to the audience.
2. Descriptive of a metric system based on the number of stresses in a poetic line: The poem that Mike read had an accentual structure instead of the number of syllables in a line.
3. Regarding the involvement, or associated with stress of pronunciation: Lynn spoke certain words and phrases in an accentual manner in her speech in order to make specific and important points clear to the audience.
accidental (ak" suh DEN t'l) (adjective), more accidental, most accidental
1. Pertaining to an unexpected usually sudden event that occurs without intent or volition although sometimes through carelessness, unawareness, ignorance, or a combination of causes and which produces an unfortunate result (as an injury) for which the affected party may be entitled to relief under the law or to compensation under an insurance policy: The accidental collision between the two cars was being investigated by the police.
2. Regarding something that happens by chance; unplanned, unintentional, unpremeditated, uncalculated; unexpected, fortuitous; random: The meeting of Dale and Mike on the street was purely accidental.
2. Regarding something that happens by chance; unplanned, unintentional, unpremeditated, uncalculated; unexpected, fortuitous; random: The meeting of Dale and Mike on the street was purely accidental.
accipitral (adjective), more accipitral, most accipitral
Concerning the order of Accipitres, or birds of prey; hawk-like: Examples of accipitral birds are eagles, vultures, and owls.
acerebral (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Pertaining to the lack of a brain: Some organisms are acerebral, like the jellyfish, coral, fungi, and bacteria.
2. Concerning a process without involving the brain: Tim's cell phone rang and he acted on an acerebral reflex by picking it up and answering it without thinking of excusing himself first from the meal with his boss.
2. Concerning a process without involving the brain: Tim's cell phone rang and he acted on an acerebral reflex by picking it up and answering it without thinking of excusing himself first from the meal with his boss.
1. A colorless, flammable, volatile liquid used as a solvent: Acetal is also used in perfumes.
2. Any of the compounds formed from aldehydes combined with alcohol: Products using acetal are found in aerospace, bearings and bushings and in preparing and processing food and beverages.
3. Etymology: originated in the middle of the 19th century from acetic acid + al from alcohol.
2. Any of the compounds formed from aldehydes combined with alcohol: Products using acetal are found in aerospace, bearings and bushings and in preparing and processing food and beverages.
3. Etymology: originated in the middle of the 19th century from acetic acid + al from alcohol.
acheiral, achiral (adjective) (not comparable)
A description of a molecule that has neither a left-handed nor a right-handed configuration: An achiral molecule is superimposable on its mirror image, but not chiral.
acousticofacial (adjective), more acousticofacial, most acousticofacial
Relating to both the eighth (auditory) and seventh (facial) cranial nerves: As a result of an automobile accident, Herbert suffered severe acousticofacial damage on the lower right side of his head, which affected both his hearing and facial functions.
1. A judgement or decision, as by a judge or by a jury, that a defendant is not guilty of a crime as charged and is free to go: The trial resulted in an acquittal of Bryan because he was not even in the neighborhood when and where the woman was robbed.
2. Etymology: from Latin ad, "to" + quitare, "to set free, to clear".
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2. Etymology: from Latin ad, "to" + quitare, "to set free, to clear".
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
acritical (adjective), more acritical, most acritical
In medicine, not marked by trouble or danger.
acromiohumeral
A reference to the acromion (lateral triangular projection of the spine of the scapula that forms the point of the shoulder and the joints where separations occur naturally with the clavicle) and the humerus (upper arm).
The outermost part of the spine or the shoulder blade: The collarbone is attached to the outer end of the scapula which is termed the acromion.
The acromion can also be described as the lateral extension of the spine of the scapula, projecting over the shoulder joint and forming the highest point of the shoulder.
