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16-letter words containing o, d, f, e

  • feedback control — (electronics)   A control system which monitors its effect on the system it is controlling and modifies its output accordingly. For example, a thermostat has two inputs: the desired temperature and the current temperature (the latter is the feedback). The output of the thermostat changes so as to try to equalise the two inputs. Computer disk drives use feedback control to position the read/write heads accurately on a recording track. Complex systems such as the human body contain many feedback systems that interact with each other; the homeostasis mechanisms that control body temperature and acidity are good examples.
  • feel constrained — If you feel constrained to do something, you feel that you must do it, even though you would prefer not to.
  • feel-good factor — When journalists refer to the feel-good factor, they mean that people are feeling hopeful and optimistic about the future.
  • feme-sole trader — a married woman who is entitled to carry on business on her own account and responsibility, independently of her husband.
  • fend for oneself — to manage by oneself; get along without help
  • ferdinand marcos — Ferdinand E(dralin) [ed-ruh-lin] /ˈɛd rə lɪn/ (Show IPA), 1917–1989, Philippine political leader: president 1965–86.
  • ferrocyanic acid — a white, crystalline, unstable, water-soluble solid, H 4 Fe(CN) 6 , obtained by the interaction of a ferrocyanide and an acid.
  • ferruginous duck — a common European duck, Aythyra nyroca, having reddish-brown plumage with white wing bars
  • fielder's choice — a fielder's attempt to put out a base runner rather than the batter when a play at first base would put out the batter.
  • finance director — financial manager
  • find one's level — to find one's most suitable place socially, professionally, etc
  • find one's voice — If someone finds their voice, they start to speak in spite of fear or surprise or difficult circumstances.
  • finished product — the product that emerges at the end of a manufacturing process
  • firework display — a public event at which fireworks are set alight
  • first-aid worker — someone who is trained to give immediate medical help in an emergency
  • flamborough head — a chalk promontory in NE England, on the coast of the East Riding of Yorkshire
  • flat-bed plotter — a mechanized drafting device, usually computer driven, incorporating a moving pen whose horizontal and vertical range in two dimensions is limited only by the size of the bed of the device.
  • flatheaded borer — the larva of a metallic wood-boring beetle, having an expanded and flattened anterior end.
  • floridean starch — the storage polysaccharide of red algae.
  • focused strategy — a business strategy in which an organization divests itself of all but its core activities, using the funds raised to enhance the distinctive abilities that give it an advantage over its rivals
  • follow the crowd — copy what others are doing
  • follow-my-leader — a game in which the players must repeat the actions of the leader
  • food intolerance — an intolerance of a specific type of food, causing an adverse reaction
  • foot fault judge — on official on the baseline who is responsible for calling foot faults
  • foot in the door — If you say that something helps someone to get their foot in the door or their toe in the door, you mean that it gives them an opportunity to start doing something new, usually in an area that is difficult to succeed in.
  • footsteps editor — the technician who adds sound effects, such as doors closing, rain falling, etc, during the postproduction sound-dubbing process
  • for a good cause — If you say that something is for a good cause, you mean that it is worth doing or giving to because it will help other people, for example by raising money for charity.
  • for good measure — a unit or standard of measurement: weights and measures.
  • for the duration — If you say that something will happen for the duration, you mean that it will happen for as long as a particular situation continues.
  • forbid the banns — to raise an objection to a marriage announced in this way
  • forbush decrease — the sudden decrease in the intensity of cosmic rays after an increase in solar activity.
  • force one's hand — the terminal, prehensile part of the upper limb in humans and other primates, consisting of the wrist, metacarpal area, fingers, and thumb.
  • forced vibration — Forced vibration is a type of vibration in which a force is repeatedly applied to a mechanical system.
  • fore and aft rig — a sail set in a line from one end the other of a vessel rather than in a square
  • fore-and-aft rig — a rig in which the principal sails are fore-and-aft.
  • forefathers' day — the anniversary of the day (December 21, 1620, in Old Style December 11) on which the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Mass. Owing to an error in changing the date from the Old Style to the New, it is generally observed on December 22.
  • forked lightning — Forked lightning is lightning that divides into two or more parts near the ground.
  • forward delivery — delivery at a future date.
  • forward exchange — a foreign bill purchased at a stipulated price and payable at a future date.
  • forwarding agent — freight forwarder.
  • foundation stone — any of the stones composing the foundation of a building.
  • founders' shares — shares awarded to the founders of a company and often granting special privileges
  • four-deal bridge — a version of bridge in which four hands only are played, the players then cutting for new partners
  • four-dimensional — of a space having points, or a set having elements, which require four coordinates for their unique determination.
  • four-letter word — any of a number of short words, usually of four letters, considered offensive or vulgar because of their reference to excrement or sex.
  • four-masted brig — jackass bark (def 2).
  • four-wheel drive — a drive system in which engine power is transmitted to all four wheels for improved traction.
  • fourth amendment — an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, prohibiting unlawful search and seizure of personal property.
  • fourth dimension — Physics, Mathematics. a dimension in addition to length, width, and depth, used so as to be able to employ geometrical language in discussing phenomena that depend on four variables: Time is considered a fourth dimension for locating points in space-time.
  • fraises des bois — wild strawberries
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