15-letter words containing a, c, r, s, i
- universal class — (in the theory of classes) the class that includes all other classes and is composed of all individuals composing these classes.
- unix conspiracy — [ITS] According to a conspiracy theory long popular among ITS and TOPS-20 fans, Unix's growth is the result of a plot, hatched during the 1970s at Bell Labs, whose intent was to hobble AT&T's competitors by making them dependent upon a system whose future evolution was to be under AT&T's control. This would be accomplished by disseminating an operating system that is apparently inexpensive and easily portable, but also relatively unreliable and insecure (so as to require continuing upgrades from AT&T). This theory was lent a substantial impetus in 1984 by the paper referenced in the back door entry. In this view, Unix was designed to be one of the first computer viruses (see virus) - but a virus spread to computers indirectly by people and market forces, rather than directly through disks and networks. Adherents of this "Unix virus" theory like to cite the fact that the well-known quotation "Unix is snake oil" was uttered by DEC president Kenneth Olsen shortly before DEC began actively promoting its own family of Unix workstations. (Olsen now claims to have been misquoted.)
- unmaterialistic — excessively concerned with physical comforts or the acquisition of wealth and material possessions, rather than with spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values.
- unpractisedness — the quality or state of being unpractised
- unrealistically — interested in, concerned with, or based on what is real or practical: a realistic estimate of costs; a realistic planner.
- unsarcastically — of, relating to, or characterized by sarcasm: a sarcastic reply.
- urban sociology — the sociological study of cities and their role in the development of society.
- vacation course — a course of study undertaken during a vacation, usually combined with other activities
- vanishing cream — a cosmetic similar to cold cream but less oily, applied usually to the face and neck as a base, night cream, or moisturizer.
- vascular tissue — plant tissue consisting of ducts or vessels, that, in the higher plants, forms the system (vascular system) by which sap is conveyed through the plant.
- vascularization — (of a tissue or embryo) to develop or extend blood vessels or other fluid-bearing vessels or ducts; become vascular.
- vasoconstrictor — a nerve or drug that causes vasoconstriction.
- vector analysis — the branch of calculus that deals with vectors and processes involving vectors.
- vermouth cassis — a mixed drink made with dry vermouth, crème de cassis, soda or mineral water, and cracked ice.
- vernier compass — a compass on a transit (vernier transit) having a vernier for adjusting magnetic bearings to read as true bearings.
- vertical angles — one of two opposite and equal angles formed by the intersection of two lines.
- vicar apostolic — Roman Catholic Church. a titular bishop serving either in a district where no episcopal see has been established, or in one where the succession of bishops has been interrupted.
- vicar of christ — the pope, with reference to his claim to stand in the place of Jesus Christ and possess His authority in the church.
- victoria island — an island off the coast of N Canada, in the Arctic Ocean. 80,340 sq. mi. (208,081 sq. km).
- virginian stock — a similar and related North American plant, Malcolmia maritima
- visual literacy — the ability to apprehend or interpret pictures or other visual images.
- vitreous silica — silica glass
- voyeuristically — of, relating to, or characteristic of a voyeur or of voyeurism.
- w.h. richardson — Henry Handel (Henrietta Richardson Robertson) 1870–1946, Australian novelist.
- wallpaper music — music that is pleasant but not interesting, so people do not pay much attention to it
- weapons carrier — a light truck for transporting weapons or munitions in the field.
- wernicke's area — a portion of the left posterior temporal lobe of the brain, involved in the ability to understand words.
- wheelchair user — a person who is unable to walk through injury, illness, etc and relies on a wheelchair to move around
- white cast iron — cast iron having most or all of its carbon in the form of cementite and exhibiting a silvery fracture.
- white christmas — A white Christmas is a Christmas when it snows.
- white supremacy — the belief, theory, or doctrine that white people are inherently superior to people from all other racial groups, especially black people, and are therefore rightfully the dominant group in any society.
- worcester china — porcelain articles made in Worcester (England) from 1751 in a factory that became, in 1862, the Royal Worcester Porcelain Company
- wrestling match — sport: contention by grappling opponent
- yorkshire chair — Derbyshire chair.