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anything
anti-Se-mite /ˌænti ˈsiːmaɪt||-ˈsem-/ n [C] someone who hates Jewish people —anti-Sem·it·ic /ˌænti sɪˈmɪtɪk/ adj
anti-Sem·i·tis·m /ˌænti ˈsemtɪzəm/ n [U] hatred of Jewish people
an·ti·sep·tic /ˌæntɪˈseptɪk/ n a chemical substance that prevents disease in a wound, especially by killing bacteria —antiseptic adj
an·ti·so·cial /ˌæntiˈsəʊʃəl/ adj 1 causing harm to the way in which people live together peacefully, especially by showing no concern for other people: Playing music so loud that it annoys everyone else in the street is antisocial. | antisocial behaviour 2 not liking to mix with other people; UNSOCIABLE: Jane's very friendly, but her husband's rather antisocial. 3 damaging to social life; UNSOCIAL: antisocial work hours
Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Se'curity Act, the, abbrev. the ATCSA a British law that was made in 2001 after the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, in the US. It gives the army, police, and government strong powers to deal with TERRORISTS, allowing the government to keep someone they believe is a foreign terrorist in prison for a period of time that has no definite end without charging them with a crime. This can happen if there are legal reasons stopping the terrorist from being DEPORTED. It was made mainly to be used against members of al-Qaeda.
an·tith·e·sis /ænˈtɪθəsɪs/ n [(the)S(of, to)] fm] the direct opposite: The antithesis of death is life. | Their political views are the complete antithesis of mine.
an·ti·thet·i·cal /ˌæntɪˈθetɪkəl/ ˈalso an·ti·thet·ic /-ˈθetk/ adj [(to)] being an antithesis; directly and completely opposed: Those two ideas are absolutely antithetical (to each other). —ically /-kli/ adv
an·ti·trust law /ˌæntiˈtrʌst ˌlɔː/ n [C;U] tech any law in the US directed against TRUSTS or business monopolies (MONOPOLY) because of their bad effect on trade ➔ compare MONOPOLIES AND MERGERS COMMISSION
anti-ˈvirus ˌsoftware also ˌanti-ˈvirus ˌprogram n [U] a type of SOFTWARE that looks for and removes VIRUSEs in programs and documents on your computer: You need to update your anti-virus software regularly.
ant·ler /ˈæntlə/ n either of the pair of branched horns of a STAG (=a male deer) ➔ see picture at DEER
Antoinette, Marie ➔ see MARIE ANTOINETTE
An·to·ny, Mark /ˈæntəni/ (783-30 BC) an ancient Roman politician and soldier who supported Julius CAESAR, and after his death became one of the TRIUMVIRATE of three rulers of the ROMAN EMPIRE. He fell in love with CLEOPATRA, and after they were defeated in battle, they both killed themselves. He appears in the play ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA by William SHAKESPEARE, and in the play JULIUS CAESAR he makes a famous speech which starts with the words 'Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears...'
Antony and Cleo'patra a play by William SHAKESPEARE about the relationship between CLEOPATRA, the queen of Egypt, and the Roman leader Mark ANTONY
an·to·nym /ˈæntənɪm/ n a word that is opposite in meaning to another word in the same language: 'Pain' is the antonym of 'pleasure'. ➔ compare SYNONYM
An·trim /ˈæntrɪm/ 1 a former COUNTY in northeastern Northern Ireland ➔ see also ULSTER 2 a town in Northern Ireland
An·twerp /ˈæntwɜːp||-ɜːrp/ a city and port in northern Belgium
a·nus /ˈeɪnəs/ n med the hole through which solid food waste leaves the bowels ➔ compare COLON, RECTUM
an·vil /ˈænvɪl/ n a heavy iron block on which metals are shaped by hammering
anx·i·ety /æŋˈzaɪəti/ n 1 [C;U(for, about)] an uncomfortable feeling in the mind usually caused by the fear or expectation that something bad will happen: There's a lot of anxiety among the staff about possible job losses. | We waited with great anxiety for more news about the accident. | Her statement was an attempt to allay (=lessen) public anxieties about the economic situation. 2 [C(to)] a cause of anxiety: Her sick child is a great anxiety to her. 3 [U] a feeling of worried eagerness: [+to-v] his obvious anxiety to please the boss
anx·ious /ˈæŋkʃəs/ adj 1 [(for, about)] feeling anxiety; worried and frightened: I was terribly anxious about the children when they didn't come home from school. | anxious for their safety | anxious inquiries from relatives of those on board the crashed plane 2 causing anxiety; worrying: an anxious wait for the results of our exams | It was an anxious time for us. 3 [F+to-v/that] having a strong wish mixed with a feeling of anxiety; eager: The government is anxious to reassure everyone that the situation is under control. | We were anxious that everyone should know the truth. | He was anxious for them to go. ➔ see NERVOUS (USAGE) —ly adv: She waited anxiously by the phone.
an·y¹ /ˈeni/ determiner, pron 1 every; (of more than two), no matter which: They're all free - take any (of them) you like. | Any child would know that. | You can use this printer with any computer/with any of our computers. | They haven't arrived yet but we're expecting them at any moment. (=soon) | The manufacturers will pay the cost of any repairs in the first 12 months. 2 [usually in questions or negatives] a) some; even the smallest number or amount: Have you got any money? | I need some nails - have you got any? | He hasn't got any imagination. | The soldiers fired at the crowd without any reason. | I admire her for her determination, but not for any other reason. | Are there any letters for me? I never seem to get any. (Compare There are some (letters) for you.) | Come and see me if you have any time. | It isn't any use looking for her; she's already gone home. | Very few people if any still support this idea. (=there may be no one who supports it) b) (especially with just) of an ordinary kind: You can't just wear any (old) clothes if you're going there - you have to dress very smartly. 3 as much as possible; all: They will need any help they can get. 4 in any case a) also at any rate —no matter what may happen: We may miss the next bus, but in any case we'll be there before midday. b) besides; also: I don't want to go out tonight, and in any case we can't afford it. ➔ see also any amount of (AMOUNT¹); see MORE (USAGE), SOME (USAGE)
any² adv [usually in questions or negatives] in the least; at all: I can't stay any longer. | Do you feel any better? | I asked her to polish the floor but it doesn't look any different to me. | (AmE infml) We tried turning off the tap, but that didn't help any.
an·y·bod·y /ˈeniˌbɒdi; ˈenibɒdi||-ˌbɑːdi/ pron any person or all people; anyone ➔ see EVERYONE (USAGE), SOMETHING (USAGE)
an·y·how /ˈenihau/ adv infml 1 carelessly; without regular order: Her clothes were thrown down just anyhow. 2 in spite of that; anyway: He told me not to buy it, but I bought it anyhow. 3 (used when going on with a story, changing a subject in conversation etc) anyway: 'Well, anyhow, I rang the bell ...' ➔ see ANYWAY (USAGE)
an·y·more /ˌeniˈmɔːr/ adv not ... anymore not any longer: Nick doesn't live here anymore. | They used to laugh at Sheila. Not anymore.
an·y·one /ˈeniwʌn/ also anybody pron 1 any person, no matter who; all people: Anyone can cook - it's easy. | He's cleverer than anyone I know. | Anyone else would have been too embarrassed, but he just walked up and asked her for her autograph. 2 [usually in questions or negatives] any person; some person: Is anyone listening? | There wasn't anyone on the information desk. | I can't find my pen - has anyone seen it? | If anyone finds my pen I hope they/he will tell me. | John can do it, if anyone can. ➔ see EVERYONE (USAGE), SOME (USAGE)
an·y·place /ˈenipleɪs/ adv AmE for ANYWHERE
ˌAny'Questions a British radio programme in which people ask politicians and other famous people questions about important problems or subjects that are in the news
an·y·thing /ˈeniθɪŋ/ pron 1 any object, act, event etc no matter what: He will do anything for a quiet life. | It's a great pity, but I can't do anything about it. (=I can't change the situation) | Anything will do to keep the door open. | If you believe that, you'll believe anything! 2 [usually in questions or negatives] any one thing; something: Is there anything in that box? | You can't believe anything she says. | Has anything interesting happened? | Don't do anything stupid. | Did you notice anything unusual? | She doesn't know anything about current affairs. | Do you want anything else? (=any other thing) | Is there anything to eat? | We're not doing anything much at the weekend. (=we have no particular plans) 3 anything but not at all; far from: That old bridge is anything