12-letter words containing r, e, l, a, t, o
- major-planet — Astronomy. Also called major planet. any of the eight large heavenly bodies revolving about the sun and shining by reflected light: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, or Neptune, in the order of their proximity to the sun. Until 2006, Pluto was classified as a planet ninth in order from the sun; it has been reclassified as a dwarf planet. a similar body revolving about a star other than the sun. (formerly) a celestial body moving in the sky, as distinguished from a fixed star, applied also to the sun and moon.
- maltodextrin — a compound of dextrin and maltose, used as a food additive and in some health and beauty products.
- malversation — improper or corrupt behavior in office, especially in public office.
- man-tailored — (of women's clothing) tailored in the general style and with the details of men's clothing. Compare dressmaker (def 2).
- mantelboards — Plural form of mantelboard.
- mapplethorpe — Robert, 1946–89, U.S. photographer.
- master alloy — an alloy rich in certain elements, used in small quantities as an additive to melts of alloyed metal.
- melanogaster — Any of several fungi of the genus Melanogaster.
- melanotropin — MSH.
- melodramatic — of, like, or befitting melodrama.
- memorability — worth remembering; notable: a memorable speech.
- memorialists — Plural form of memorialist.
- meroplankton — a floating mass of eggs and larvae of organisms that are nektonic or benthic in their adult stage; temporary plankton.
- mesocortical — Of or pertaining to the mesocortex.
- metallograph — a microscope for observing the microstructure of metals.
- metalorganic — (chemistry) organometallic.
- metalworkers — Plural form of metalworker.
- metalworking — the act or technique of making metal objects.
- metaphorical — a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.”. Compare mixed metaphor, simile (def 1).
- metarteriole — An arterial capillary; a short vessel linking arterioles and venules.
- meteorically — of, relating to, or consisting of meteors.
- metro-sexual — a heterosexual, usually urban male who pays much attention to his personal appearance and cultivates an upscale lifestyle.
- metrological — the science of weights and measures.
- metronomical — a mechanical or electrical instrument that makes repeated clicking sounds at an adjustable pace, used for marking rhythm, especially in practicing music.
- metropolitan — of, noting, or characteristic of a metropolis or its inhabitants, especially in culture, sophistication, or in accepting and combining a wide variety of people, ideas, etc.
- metrosexuals — Plural form of metrosexual.
- microclimate — the climate of a small area, as of confined spaces such as caves or houses (cryptoclimate) of plant communities, wooded areas, etc. (phytoclimate) or of urban communities, which may be different from that in the general region.
- mineralogist — the science or study of minerals.
- minor planet — asteroid (def 1).
- mitteleuropa — Central Europe.
- modern latin — the Latin that has come into use since about 1500, chiefly in scientific literature
- mole-catcher — someone or something who catches, traps, or kills moles
- molecularity — the number of molecules or atoms that participate in an elementary process.
- monkey trial — John Thomas, 1901–70, U.S. high-school teacher whose teaching of the Darwinian theory of evolution became a cause célèbre (Scopes Trial or Monkey Trial) in 1925.
- morro castle — a historic fort at the entrance to the harbor of Havana, Cuba.
- motoneuronal — of or pertaining to a motoneuron
- motor sailer — a yacht having sails and an engine as an alternative or auxiliary means of propulsion.
- mount carmel — a mountain ridge in NW Israel, extending from the Samarian Hills to the Mediterranean. Highest point: about 540 m (1800 ft)
- mouse trails — (operating system) A feature (usually of Graphical User Interfaces) which causes the mouse pointer to leave a trail across the screen. This is done by keeping track of the last eight or so (maybe configurable) pointer positions, and only erasing the oldest. This means that at any time, there may be up to eight pointers on the screen, but if the mouse is still, they will all be in the same position, and so only one will be visible. When the mouse moves, it appears to leave a trail of pointers behind it, and this can dramatically increase the visibility of the pointer when using LCD screens. The older ones had such long persistence that a single mouse pointer, when moving, tended to be completely invisible, and on a cluttered screen, was very difficult to find.
- nailer joist — a steel joist having a permanently attached nailing strip, as for securing wooden flooring.
- nanomaterial — A material having particles or constituents of nanoscale dimensions, or one that is produced by nanotechnology.
- nanoparticle — a microscopic particle of matter that is measured on the nanoscale, usually one that measures less than 100 nanometers.
- nasotracheal — (anatomy) Of or relating to the nose and trachea.
- natal orange — a spiny shrub, Strychnos spinosa, of the logania family, of central and southern Africa, having yellowish-white flowers and edible, berrylike, yellow fruit.
- nationalizer — One who, or that which, nationalizes.
- nature lover — someone who likes plants, birds and other natural phenomena
- naval stores — supplies for warships.
- neorealistic — Of or pertaining to neorealism.
- neotribalism — Ideology that humans have evolved to live in a tribal, as opposed to a modern society.
- neuroplastic — Of or pertaining to neuroplasticity.