-ic
(Greek: a suffix; pertaining to; of the nature of, like; in chemistry, it denotes a higher valence of the element than is expressed by -ous)
1. A person who is liberated from the habit of smoking: "As a condition of marriage, the woman's husband-to-be stipulated that the bride would have to become an acapnotic."
2. Those who are nonsmokers: "Whenever these acapnotics came together in a restaurant, they openly expressed their dislike of anyone who was smoking near them."
2. Those who are nonsmokers: "Whenever these acapnotics came together in a restaurant, they openly expressed their dislike of anyone who was smoking near them."
acarotoxic (adjective), more acarotoxic, most acarotoxic
A reference to a poison that kills mites: Because of an infestation of mites in her home, Jane got an acarotoxic solution to exterminate the invasion of those very tiny creatures.
acataleptic (adjective), more acataleptic, most acataleptic
1. Conveying a condition of being deficient in understanding: Tracy's acataleptic mind simply could not understand the new concepts introduced in the advanced physics class.
2. Characterized by being unknowable or necessarily uncertain: As for the ancient explorers, when sailing across the ocean, they were experiencing acataleptic adventures.
2. Characterized by being unknowable or necessarily uncertain: As for the ancient explorers, when sailing across the ocean, they were experiencing acataleptic adventures.
acatastatic (adjective), more acatastatic, most acatastatic
Irregular and incapable of being fully determined: The doctor made a guess that Joe's chest pains were the result of an acatastatic heartbeat.
acathectic (adjective) (not comparable)
A seldom used term for an abnormal release of secretions which is a reference to a failure of or to the inability to retain bodily secretions and excretions: Acathectic substances include saliva, mucus, tears, bile, or a hormone; sometimes, they cannot be secreted or discharged.
acentric (adjective) (not comparable)
Pertaining to something that is not in the middle of a space or area; not located in a middle position; without a center: Verna's drawing appeared to have an acentric quality about it because there was nothing specifically in the center of her artistic composition.
acentric, eccentric
acentric (ay SEN trik) (adjective)
Not near the center, not central: The sculptor used an acentric wheel to grind off the rough places on the edges of his metal sculpture.
eccentric (ik SEN trik, ek SEN trik) (adjective)
1. Departing from a recognized, conventional, or established norm or pattern: The bookstore owner was a kind but eccentric woman.
2. Strange or unusual: Jared, the scientist, had eccentric behaviors and ideas that were weird as indicated by his eccentric clothes.
3. Not following a perfectly circular path: The asteroid was moving in an eccentric orbit around the star.
2. Strange or unusual: Jared, the scientist, had eccentric behaviors and ideas that were weird as indicated by his eccentric clothes.
3. Not following a perfectly circular path: The asteroid was moving in an eccentric orbit around the star.
The pictures which the eccentric artist painted appeared to have an acentric balance that puzzled the patrons of the gallery.
acetic (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Having the nature of vinegar: The result of acetic fermentation is a sour-tasting liquid and only requires oxygen, bacteria, and alcohol.
2. Pertaining to, derived from, or producing vinegar: The typical everyday wines are low in acetic acid except the red wines which may be immoderately acetic and taste quite sour!
2. Pertaining to, derived from, or producing vinegar: The typical everyday wines are low in acetic acid except the red wines which may be immoderately acetic and taste quite sour!
1. Sour, tart, tangy, acerbic: The pickles that Mary had were much too ascetic and much too sour!
2. A reference to vinegar or other acid characteristics: The acetic flavor of vinegar is used in salad dressings to give them a little punch.
2. A reference to vinegar or other acid characteristics: The acetic flavor of vinegar is used in salad dressings to give them a little punch.
acetic; ascetic; aesthetic, esthetic
acetic (uh SEE tik) (adjective)
1. Sour, acerbic: These pickles are too acetic; that is, too sour!
2. A reference to vinegar or other acid characteristics: The acetic flavor of vinegar is used in salad dressings to give them a little punch.
2. A reference to vinegar or other acid characteristics: The acetic flavor of vinegar is used in salad dressings to give them a little punch.
ascetic (uh SET ik) (adjective)
A life of rigorous self-discipline and self-denial; an abstainer: Some people believe that most of the early saints chose to live an ascetic lifestyle.
aesthetic, esthetic (es THET ik) (adjective)
Characterized by a heightened sensitivity to beauty: There are practical as well as aesthetic reasons for planting trees.
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Sometimes a very ascetic person can develop an acetic personality which spoils the natural aesthetic potential of the individual.
acetylic (adjective) (not comparable)
A reference to, or characteristic of the acetyl group: In organic chemistry the acetylic classification includes a two-carbon organic radical incorporating a methyl and a carbonyl group.
acidic (adjective), more acidic, most acidic
1. Sour or bitter in taste: When Chuck was sick, he vomited which produced an awful acidic taste in his mouth and he wanted to wash it out immediately!
2. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, an acid: Igneous rocks are acidic in that they contain more than 65% silica.
2. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, an acid: Igneous rocks are acidic in that they contain more than 65% silica.
acidogenic (adjective), more acidogenic, most acidogenic
Concerning something that produces acid or acidity: Bacteria is acidogenic and can cause acidity, especially in urine.
acidophilic (adjective), more acidophilic, most acidophilic
1. A reference to organisms that thrive in a bitter or pungent environment: An acidophilic microorganism grows well in a highly acrid medium.
A minute organism can be acidophilic in that it can or must live in a caustic situation (pH below 6).
2. Referring to anything that is easily stained with acid dye: Acidophilic tissue parts can be stained red by using the combination of crocein scarlet and acidic fuchsine dyes.
acidophobic (adjective), more acidophobic, most acidophobic
A reference to plants which cannot grow in acidic situations: Examples of acidophobic vegetation include alfalfa and clover, which are grown for fodder.
