achiever
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a·chiev·er /ə'tʃiːvər/ n someone who is successful, especially through skill and hard work: He is a real achiever – he's won three medals. → see also HIGH ACHIEVER
A·chil·les /ə'kɪlɪːz/ in ancient Greek stories, a HERO who was protected by magic so that the only place where he could be hurt was his heel. He was the greatest Greek WARRIOR in the TROJAN WAR, and he killed the greatest of the Trojan warriors, HECTOR. But Hector's brother, PARIS, then killed Achilles by wounding him in his heel. → see also ILIAD
A,chilles' 'heel n a single important weakness that can prevent you from being successful. The phrase comes from the ancient Greek story about ACHILLES whose mother held him by his heel when she put him in the water of the river STYX so that his heel was the only part of his body that was not magically protected against harm: The company has great products and a good sales force, but its Achilles' heel is poor marketing.
A,chilles 'tendon n the part of your body that connects the muscles in the back of your foot with the muscles of your lower leg
ac·id¹ /'æsɪd/ n 1 [C,U] a substance that forms a chemical salt when combined with an ALKALI. It may destroy things it touches: The acid burnt a hole in the carpet. → compare ALKALI 2 [U] slang the HALLUCINOGENIC drug LSD 3 drop acid slang to take the drug LSD
acid² adj 1 having an unpleasantly sour or bitter taste like that of VINEGAR or unripe fruit 2 saying bitter or unkind things; bad-tempered: his acid remarks
a·cid·ic /ə'sɪdɪk/ adj 1 very sour: It tastes a bit acidic. 2 containing acid
a·cid·i·fy /ə'sɪdɪʃfaɪ/ v [I;T] to make into or become an acid
a·cid·i·ty /ə'sɪdɪti/ n [U] the quality of being acid; sourness
acid 'rain n [U] rain containing harmful quantities of acid (especially SULPHURIC ACID and NITRIC ACID) as a result of industrial POLLUTION. Many people consider acid rain to be a serious threat to the environment.
acid 'test n [C usually sing.] a test which will prove whether something is as valuable as it is supposed to be
ac·knowl·edge /ək'nɒlɪdʒ || -'nɑː-/ v [T] 1 [(as):] to accept or admit (as); recognize the fact or existence (of): When the results of the vote were announced the Prime Minister acknowledged defeat. | The terrorists refused to acknowledge the court. | She is acknowledged as an expert on the subject. | an acknowledged expert | [ + v-ing/that] He grudgingly acknowledged having made a mistake/that he had made a mistake. | [ + obj+to-v] He is generally acknowledged to have the finest collection of Dutch paintings in private hands. | [ + obj+adj] She acknowledged herself puzzled. 2 to show that one is grateful for: The producer wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department in the making of this film. 3 to state that one has received (something): We must acknowledge his letter/acknowledge receipt of his letter. 4 to show that one recognizes (someone) by smiling, waving etc: She walked right past me without even acknowledging me.
ac·knowl·edg·ment, -edgement /ək'nɒlɪdʒmənt || -'nɑː-/ n 1 [U] the act of acknowledging: He was given a gold watch in acknowledgment of his work for the company. 2 [C] something given, done, or said as a way of thanking, showing that something official has been received etc: I wrote to the company three weeks ago, and I haven't received an acknowledgment yet.
ACLU, the /, eɪ siː.el 'juː/ abbrev. for American Civil Liberties Union; a US organization which gives advice about the BILL OF RIGHTS and often represents people in a court of law to make sure their CIVIL RIGHTS are not taken away
ac·me /'ækmɪ/ n [(the)S[of)] fml the highest point of development, success etc: the acme of perfection
acne /'æknɪ/ n [U] a skin disorder common among young people, especially ADOLESCENTS, in which many small raised spots appear on the face and neck
ac·o·lyte /'ækəlaɪt/ n 1 a person who helps a priest to perform religious ceremonies 2 especially lit an attendant or follower
a·corn /'eɪkɔːn || -ɔːrn, -ærn/ n 1 the nut of the OAK tree, which grows in a cuplike holder 2 Great oaks from little acorns grow saying small things grow into big things over time
a·cous·tic /ə'kuːstɪk/ adj 1 of sound or the sense of hearing: the acoustic nerve 2 (especially of a musical instrument) making its natural sound, not helped by electrical apparatus: an acoustic guitar → -ally /klɪ/ adv
a·cous·tics /ə'kuːstɪks/ n 1 [U] the scientific study of sound 2 [P] the qualities of a place, especially a hall, which influence the way sounds can be heard in it: The acoustics of the theatre are very good.
ac·quaint /ə'kweɪnt/ v
acquaint sbdy. with sthg. phr v [T] fml 1 to provide with (information); make known to: She acquainted them with the facts. 2 be acquainted (with) to have met socially: We're already acquainted (with each other).
ac·quaint·ance /ə'kweɪntəns/ n 1 [C] a person whom one knows, especially through work or business, but who is not a close friend → see also NODDING ACQUAINTANCE 2 [S;U(with)] knowledge obtained through personal experience rather than careful study: I have a passing/some acquaintance with the language. 3 make someone's acquaintance to meet someone for the first time
ac·quaint·ance·ship /ə'kweɪntənʃɪp/ n [S(with)] the state of being socially acquainted
ac·qui·esce /,ækwi'es/ v [I(in)] fml to agree, often unwillingly, but without complaining or arguing; accept quietly: He acquiesced in the plans his parents had made for him.
ac·qui·es·cent /,ækwi'esənt / adj tending to acquiesce; ready to agree without argument → -ly adv → -cence n [U]
ac·quire /ə'kwaɪər/ v [T] to gain or come to possess, especially by one's own work, skill, or action, often over a long period of time: I managed to acquire two tickets for the concert. | The company has recently acquired new offices in central London. | to acquire manners
ac,quired 'taste n [C usually sing.] something that one may learn to like after a while: Most people don't like whisky at first – it's (something of) an acquired taste.
ac·qui·si·tion /,ækwɪ'zɪʃən/ n 1 [U(of)] the act of acquiring 2 [C] something or someone acquired: This painting is my latest acquisition. | She is a valuable acquisition to the firm.
ac·qui·si·tive /ə'kwɪzɪtɪv/ adj often derog keen on getting and possessing things: Squirrels are very acquisitive creatures. → -ly adv → -ness n [U]
ac·quit /ə'kwɪt/ v -tt- [T] 1 [(of)] to give a decision that (someone) is not guilty of a crime: The jury acquitted him (of murder). | He was acquitted on the charge of murder but convicted of manslaughter. → opposite CONVICT 2 acquit oneself fml to carry out an activity with the stated degree of success: She was interviewed on the radio but acquitted herself rather badly.
ac·quit·tal /ə'kwɪtəl/ n [C;U] the act of acquitting someone in a court of law, or the fact of being acquitted → opposite CONVICTION
a·cre /'eɪkər/ n a unit for measuring area: They own 200 acres of farmland. | a 200-acre farm → see TABLE 2
a·cre·age /'eɪkərɪdʒ/ n [S;U] the area of a piece of land measured in acres
ac·rid /'ækrɪd/ adj (of taste or smell) very bitter; causing a stinging sensation: the acrid smell of burning wood | (fig.) an acrid remark
ac·ri·mo·ny /'ækrɪməni || -moʊni/ n [U] bitterness, as of manner or language: They parted without acrimony. → -nious /,ækrɪ'moʊniəs / adj: an acrimonious dispute → -niously adv
ac·ro·bat /'ækrəbæt/ n a person skilled in walking on ropes or wires, balancing, walking on their hands etc, especially at a CIRCUS
ac·ro·bat·ic /,ækrə'bætɪk / adj of or like an acrobat; moving or changing position quickly and easily, especially in the air → -ally /klɪ/ adv
ac·ro·bat·ics /,ækrə'bætɪks/ n 1 [U] the art and tricks of an acrobat 2 [P] a group of acrobatic tricks considered as a performance