16-letter words containing c, e, a, s
- lesser celandine — a Eurasian plant, Ranunculus ficaria, of the buttercup family, having heart-shaped leaves and glossy yellow flowers, naturalized in North America.
- lever escapement — an escapement in which a pivoted lever, made to oscillate by the escape wheel, engages a balance staff and causes it to oscillate.
- lexical analyser — (language) (Or "scanner") The initial input stage of a language processor (e.g. a compiler), the part that performs lexical analysis.
- lexical analysis — (programming) (Or "linear analysis", "scanning") The first stage of processing a language. The stream of characters making up the source program or other input is read one at a time and grouped into lexemes (or "tokens") - word-like pieces such as keywords, identifiers, literals and punctuation. The lexemes are then passed to the parser.
- lexicostatistics — the statistical study of the vocabulary of a language or languages for historical purposes.
- library pictures — a caption used to alert viewers that footage being broadcast is from an earlier time and is not happening now
- lick observatory — the astronomical observatory of the University of California, situated on Mount Hamilton, near San Jose, California, and having a 120-inch (3-meter) reflecting telescope and a 36-inch (91-cm) refracting telescope.
- lipstick lesbian — a lesbian who is feminine in manner or appearance; a femme.
- literalistically — adherence to the exact letter or the literal sense, as in translation or interpretation: to interpret the law with uncompromising literalism.
- lost-wax process — a process of investment casting in which a refractory mold is built up around a pattern of wax and then baked so as to melt and drain off the wax.
- louisiana french — French as spoken in Louisiana; Cajun. Abbreviation: LaF.
- lourenco marques — former name of Maputo.
- low-carbon steel — steel containing between 0.04 and 0.25 per cent carbon
- lucas van leyden — (Lucas Hugensz) 1494–1533, Dutch painter and engraver.
- lumberjack shirt — a thick checked shirt, as worn by lumberjacks
- lymphangiectasia — (medicine) dilation of the lymphatic vessels.
- lymphangiectasis — Alt form lymphangiectasia.
- lymphatic system — an extensive network of capillary vessels that transports the interstitial fluid of the body as lymph to the venous blood circulation
- lymphatic tissue — tissue, such as the lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, and thymus, that produces lymphocytes
- mach's principle — the proposition that there is no absolute space and that the inertia and acceleration of a body are determined by all of the matter of the universe.
- machado de assiz — Joaquim Maria [zhaw-ah-kim mah-ree-ah] /ˈʒɔ ɑ kɪm mɑˈri ɑ/ (Show IPA), 1839–1908, Brazilian writer.
- machiavellianism — of, like, or befitting Machiavelli.
- machine washable — suitable for washing in a washing machine
- machinist's mate — a petty officer trained to operate, repair, etc. ships' engines
- maclaurin series — a Taylor series in which the reference point is zero.
- macpherson strut — an automobile suspension-system component that consists of a strut combined with a spring and shock absorber and connects the wheel to the frame of the vehicle.
- macrorestriction — In physical gene mapping, the digestion of DNA of high molecular weight with a restriction enzyme having a low number of restriction sites.
- magazine section — a magazinelike section in the Sunday editions of many newspapers, containing articles rather than news items and often letters, reviews, stories, puzzles, etc.
- magnesiochromite — (mineral) A chromite species with the formula MgCr2O4.
- magnetic compass — a compass having a magnetized needle generally in line with the magnetic poles of the earth.
- magnetic pyrites — Mineralogy. pyrrhotite.
- magnetoacoustics — (used with a singular verb) the branch of physics studying the effects of magnetism on acoustics or their interaction.
- magnetochemistry — the study of magnetic and chemical phenomena in their relation to one another.
- magnetoreceptors — Plural form of magnetoreceptor.
- magnetostriction — a change in dimensions exhibited by ferromagnetic materials when subjected to a magnetic field.
- magnetostrictive — Of or pertaining to magnetostriction.
- malcontentedness — not satisfied or content with currently prevailing conditions or circumstances.
- malicious damage — Malicious damage is damage caused on purpose to the property of another person.
- malpractice suit — a lawsuit brought against a professional accused of illegal or unethical practices or neglect of duty
- man on horseback — a military leader who presents himself as the savior of the country during a period of crisis and either assumes or threatens to assume dictatorial powers.
- mandarin chinese — the official language of China since 1917; the form of Chinese spoken by about two thirds of the population and taught in schools throughout China
- manic depression — bipolar disorder.
- manic-depressive — suffering from bipolar disorder.
- manufactured gas — a gaseous fuel created from coal, oil, etc., as differentiated from natural gas.
- marie de medicis — 1573–1642, queen of Henry IV of France: regent 1610–17.
- marine insurance — ocean marine insurance.
- marine scientist — a scientist concerned with the sea
- marriage customs — the acts that are traditionally done in connection with a marriage
- marriage license — permit to marry
- marsh cinquefoil — a variety of cinquefoil, Potentilla palustris, that grows in marshy areas