14-letter words starting with a
- allotransplant — allograft.
- allowance race — a race in which each horse is assigned a specified weight according to age, record of past performance, sex, etc.
- alluvial plain — a level or gently sloping surface formed of sediments laid down by streams, generally during flooding.
- allyl caproate — a colorless to pale yellow liquid, C 9 H 16 O 2 , having a pineapple odor: used chiefly as a scent in the manufacture of flavorings and perfume.
- allyl chloride — a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid, C 3 H 5 Cl, having a pungent odor, derived from propylene by chlorination: used chiefly in the synthesis of allyl alcohol, resins, and pharmaceuticals.
- allyl sulphide — a colourless liquid that smells like garlic and is used as a flavouring. Formula: (CH2:CHCH2)2S; relative density: 0.888; boiling pt: 139°C
- allyl thiourea — thiosinamine
- almond essence — a concentrated liquid obtained from almonds, used in cooking and baking
- almond extract — oil, essence
- alpha centauri — a binary star, the brightest star in the constellation Centaurus: magnitude, -0.27: it is the nearest of the stars that are visible to the naked eye, except for the sun
- alpha globulin — a blood plasma protein that is separable from other globulins by electrophoresis.
- alpha particle — a helium-4 nucleus, containing two neutrons and two protons, emitted during some radioactive transformations
- alpha receptor — a receptor, found on the surface of some cells of the sympathetic nervous system, that is stimulated by adrenergic substances resulting in constriction of blood vessels and contraction of most smooth muscle
- alpha virginis — spica
- alpha-carotene — a common form of carotene found in certain vegetables and fruit
- alpha-naphthol — either of two isomeric hydroxyl derivatives, C 1 0 H 7 OH, of naphthalene (alpha-naphthol or 1-naphthol and beta-naphthol or 2-naphthol) white or yellowish crystals, with a phenolic odor, that darken on exposure to light: used chiefly in dyes, drugs, perfumes, and insecticides.
- alpha-receptor — a site on a cell that, upon interaction with epinephrine or norepinephrine, controls vasoconstriction, intestinal relaxation, pupil dilation, and other physiological processes.
- alphabetically — (manner) In an alphabetical manner.
- alphanumerical — alphanumeric; characterized by having letters and numerals
- alpine bistort — Also called snakeweed. a European plant, Polygonum bistorta, of the buckwheat family, having a twisted root, which is sometimes used as an astringent.
- alpine currant — an ornamental shrub, Ribes alpinum, of Europe, having greenish-yellow flowers and scarlet fruit.
- alpine glacier — a glacier that descends from a high valley
- alternate host — a host, other than the usual or primary host, on which a parasitic organism can sustain itself.
- altitudinarian — relating to high ideals
- alto saxophone — the third highest member of the saxophone family
- altruistically — unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others (opposed to egoistic).
- alumina cement — a quick-setting cement with a large bauxite content.
- aluminium foil — thin sheets of foil used to wrap food
- aluminohydride — (inorganic compound) The univalent anion, AlH4-, present in such compounds as lithium aluminium hydride.
- aluminum brass — an alloy of about 75 percent copper, 2 percent aluminum, small amounts of other elements, and the balance zinc.
- aluminum oxide — alumina
- aluminum plant — a glossy green- or silver-leaved herb, Pilea cadierei, often grown as a houseplant.
- alumosilicates — Plural form of alumosilicate.
- alveolar ridge — the ridgelike border of the upper and lower jaws containing the sockets of the teeth.
- alveolopalatal — articulated with the blade or front of the tongue approaching or touching the front of the hard palate near its junction with the alveolar ridge; having a primary palatal articulation and a secondary alveolar articulation.
- amadis of gaul — the title character of a medieval prose romance in Spanish
- amanullah khan — 1892–1960, emir (1919–26) and king (1926–29) of Afghanistan; he obtained Afghan independence from Britain (1919)
- amaranthaceous — of, relating to, or belonging to the Amaranthaceae (or Amarantaceae), a family of tropical and temperate herbaceous or shrubby flowering plants that includes the amaranths and cockscomb
- amateur status — the status of an athlete who has never been paid to perform
- amateurishness — The quality of being amateurish.
- ambassadorship — a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary)
- ambidextrously — In an ambidextrous manner.
- ambisinistrous — clumsy or unskillful with both hands.
- ambitransitive — (of a verb) Able to be used transitively or intransitively without requiring morphological change.
- ambulance crew — the team of people who man an ambulance
- ambulancewoman — a woman who works as part of an ambulance crew
- amebic colitis — a type of dysentery caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica, characterized especially by ulceration of the large intestine.
- american bison — a member of the cattle tribe, Bison bison, formerly widely distributed over the prairies of W North America but now confined to reserves and parks, with a massive head, shaggy forequarters, and a humped back
- american chair — Hitchcock chair.
- american cloth — a glazed or waterproofed cotton cloth