17-letter words containing o, a
- achromatic colour — colour, such as white, black, and grey, that is devoid of hue
- acidity regulator — a substance, such as citric acid, added to food to change or maintain its pH value
- acoustic feedback — a type of feedback that is created when there is a sound loop linking an audio input and an audio output, such that a high-pitched squealing sound is produced
- acoustoelectronic — denoting a device in which electronic signals are converted into acoustic waves, esp in delay lines, etc
- acquisition costs — Acquisition costs are the total costs of writing or issuing an insurance policy.
- acromioclavicular — (anatomy) Pertaining to both the acromion and the clavicle.
- acrosome reaction — the release of enzymes from the acrosome when a spermatozoon encounters the ovum, allowing fusion with the ovum in the sexual reproductive process
- act of contrition — a short prayer of penitence
- act of parliament — a law that has been passed by both of the UK Houses of Parliament and has received royal assent
- act of toleration — the statute (1689) granting religious freedom to dissenting Protestants upon meeting certain conditions.
- act of uniformity — any of the three statutes (1549, 1559, 1662) regulating public worship services in the Anglican Church, especially the act of 1662 requiring the use of the Book of Common Prayer.
- actinic keratosis — a precancerous skin condition, characterized by rough red, scaly patches; it is caused by cumulative exposure to the sun and is most common in fair-skinned people
- activation energy — the least amount of energy required to activate atoms or molecules to a state in which they can undergo a chemical reaction.
- activation record — (compiler) (Or "data frame", "stack frame") A data structure containing the variables belonging to one particular scope (e.g. a procedure body), as well as links to other activation records. Activation records are usually created (on the stack) on entry to a block and destroyed on exit. If a procedure or function may be returned as a result, stored in a variable and used in an outer scope then its activation record must be stored in a heap so that its variables still exist when it is used. Variables in the current scope are accessed via the frame pointer which points to the current activation record. Variables in an outer scope are accessed by following chains of links between activation records. There are two kinds of link - the static link and the dynamic link.
- active suspension — a type of suspension in a car that is controlled by an onboard computer and improves the vehicle's roadholding so that it takes corners, accelerates, and brakes more smoothly
- active vocabulary — the total number of words a person uses in his own speech and writing
- actual total loss — the complete destruction or loss of a piece of property that has been insured, or damage that is so extensive that the item can no longer be salvaged or used
- acupressure point — any of the specific points on the body where pressure is applied in acupressure
- addison's disease — a disease characterized by deep bronzing of the skin, anaemia, and extreme weakness, caused by underactivity of the adrenal glands
- addition compound — adduct (def 2).
- addition reaction — a reaction in which part of a compound is added to one end of a double or triple bond, while the rest adds to the other end, converting it, respectively, to a single or double bond.
- adjective pronoun — a pronoun used as an adjective, as his in His dinner is ready.
- adjunct professor — a professor employed by a college or university for a specific purpose or length of time and often part-time.
- administratorship — a person who manages or has a talent for managing.
- adoptive immunity — passive immunity resulting from the administration of sensitized lymphocytes from an immune donor.
- adventure holiday — a holiday that involves some physically challenging activity such as canoeing, rock climbing, etc
- adventure tourism — tourism involving activities that are physically challenging
- adventuresomeness — The state or quality of being adventuresome.
- adverse selection — Adverse selection is a term used to describe the tendency of those in dangerous jobs or with high-risk lifestyles to want to take out life insurance.
- advocatus diaboli — devil's advocate
- aerial photograph — a photograph taken from the air
- aerobic digestion — Aerobic digestion is a process which uses bacteria and oxygen to break down organic and biological waste.
- aerobic-exercises — Also called aerobic exercises. (used with a plural verb) any of various sustained exercises, as jogging, rowing, swimming, or cycling, that stimulate and strengthen the heart and lungs, thereby improving the body's utilization of oxygen.
- aerothermodynamic — Of or pertaining to aerothermodynamics.
- affaire d'honneur — a duel
- affiliation order — (formerly) an order made by a magistrates' court that a man adjudged to be the father of an illegitimate child shall contribute a specified periodic sum towards the child's maintenance
- african army worm — the caterpillar of a widely distributed noctuid moth, Spodoptera exempta, which travels in vast hordes and is a serious pest of cereal crops and grasses in Africa and parts of Australia
- afternoon session — a part of an event taking place in the afternoon
- aftershave lotion — a lotion, usually styptic and perfumed, for application to the face after shaving
- against the clock — If you are doing something against the clock, you are doing it in a great hurry, because there is very little time.
- agathokakological — (nonce word) composed of both good and evil.
- age before beauty — (often said humorously when yielding precedence) older people take precedence over younger people
- age of discretion — the age at which a person is considered to be able to manage his or her own affairs
- agenbite of inwit — remorse of conscience
- agent provocateur — An agent provocateur is a person who is employed by the government or the police to encourage certain groups of people to break the law, so they can arrest them or make them lose public support.
- agree to disagree — If two people who are arguing about something agree to disagree or agree to differ, they decide to stop arguing because neither of them is going to change their opinion.
- agreement to sell — a contract between two parties in which one party agrees to sell something to the other
- agricultural show — a display of agricultural equipment and livestock, often including competitions, entertainment, and a trade fair
- ahead of the game — in the position of winning, esp. in gambling
- air-transportable — that can be transported by aircraft: air-transportable equipment.