15-letter words containing o, a, r, f
- formal argument — (programming) (Or "parameter") A name in a function or subroutine definition that is replaced by, or bound to, the corresponding actual argument when the function or subroutine is called. In many languages formal arguments behave like local variables which get initialised on entry. See: argument.
- formal calculus — an uninterpreted symbolic system whose syntax is precisely defined, and on which a relation of deducibility is defined in purely syntactic terms; a logistic system
- formal language — correct or polite words and phrases
- formation dance — any dance in which a number of couples form a certain arrangement, such as two facing lines or a circle, and perform a series of figures within or based on that arrangement
- formation fluid — Formation fluid is fluid in the pores (=tiny holes) of a rock.
- formation rules — the set of rules that specify the syntax of a formal system; the algorithm that generates the well-formed formulae
- formularization — The act of formularizing; a formularized or formulated statement or exhibition.
- fort lauderdale — a city in SE Florida: seashore resort.
- forward echelon — (in a military operation) the troops and officers in a combat zone or in a position to engage the enemy.
- forward-looking — planning for or anticipating possible future events, conditions, etc.; progressive.
- foster daughter — a girl raised like one's own daughter, though not such by birth or adoption.
- founding father — The founding father of an institution, organization, or idea is the person who sets it up or who first develops it.
- four-ball match — a match, scored by holes, between two pairs of players, in which the four players tee off and the partners alternate in hitting the pair's ball having the better lie off the tee.
- fourth official — In football, the fourth official is an official who assists the referee and assistant referees from the side of the pitch.
- fovea centralis — a small pit or depression at the back of the retina forming the point of sharpest vision.
- fractional note — a banknote in a denomination smaller than the standard unit of currency
- fractionalizing — Present participle of fractionalize.
- franco-american — an American of French or French-Canadian descent.
- franz joseph ii — 1906–1989, prince of Liechtenstein 1938–89.
- fraternal order — men's organization
- freak of nature — a person or animal that is born or grows with abnormal physical features.
- free atmosphere — the part of the atmosphere that lies above the frictional influence of the earth's surface.
- free soil party — a former U.S. political party (1848–56) that opposed the extension of slavery in the Territories not yet admitted to statehood.
- free throw lane — the rectangular area, 19 feet (5.7 meters) long and usually 12 or 16 feet (3.6 m or 4.8 meters) wide, extending from the end line behind each backboard to the foul line and along the sides of which players line up during a foul shot.
- free-trade zone — foreign-trade zone. free port (def 1). Abbreviation: FTZ.
- freestone state — Connecticut (used as a nickname).
- french marigold — a composite plant, Tagetes patula, of Mexico, having yellow flowers with red markings.
- french togoland — a former United Nations Trust Territory in W Africa, administered by France (1946–60), now the independent republic of Togo
- friedmann model — any model of the universe deduced from a homogeneous, isotropic solution of Einstein's field equations without a cosmological constant. Such models form the mathematical basis for many modern cosmologies and provide for expansion or contraction of the universe.
- friend at court — a friend in a position of influence or power who may advance one's interests, especially a helpful person who is close to someone in authority.
- from day to day — between one day and the next
- front-page news — a story printed on the first page of a newspaper
- frontal cyclone — any extratropical cyclone associated with a front: the most common cyclonic storm.
- frozen daiquiri — a cocktail consisting of rum, lemon or lime juice, and sugar, vigorously beaten together with finely crushed ice and served with a straw.
- fructifications — Plural form of fructification.
- fumitory family — the plant family Fumariaceae, characterized by herbaceous plants having deeply cut basal or alternate leaves, flowers with four petals of which one or two are spurred or lobed, and fruit in the form of a capsule, and including the bleeding heart, Dutchman's-breeches, fumitory, and squirrel corn.
- funeral oration — a formal speech delivered at a funeral
- funeral parlour — A funeral parlour is a place where a funeral director works and where dead people are prepared for burial or cremation.
- fusospirochetal — Relating to fusospirochetes.
- gale-force wind — a wind of force seven to ten on the Beaufort scale or from 45 to 90 kilometres per hour
- gaming platform — a computer system specially made for playing video games; a console: The new gaming platforms have much better graphics resolution than previous generation consoles.
- garrison finish — the finish of a race, especially a horse race, in which the winner comes from behind to win at the last moment.
- general officer — an officer ranking above colonel.
- giant sunflower — a composite plant, Helianthus giganteus, of eastern North America, growing nearly 12 feet (4 meters) high and having very large yellow flower heads.
- go for a burton — to be broken, useless, or lost
- goal difference — the number of goals scored by a team minus the number of goals it has conceded
- godfather offer — a takeover bid pitched so high that the management of the target company is unable to dissuade shareholders from accepting it
- golden starfish — an award given to a bathing beach that meets EU standards of cleanliness
- grace-and-favor — noting a residence owned by a noble or sovereign and bestowed by him or her upon some person for that person's lifetime.
- grade inflation — the awarding of higher grades than students deserve either to maintain a school's academic reputation or as a result of diminished teacher expectations.