\b0\i0\fs24Three types of status labels are used in this dictionary \'d0 temporal, regional, and stylistic \'d0 to signal that a word or a sense of a word is not part of the standard vocabulary of English. \
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\b0\i0\fs24The temporal label \b0\i obs\b0\i0 for ``obsolete'' means that there is no evidence of use since 1755: \
\b0\i0\fs24The label \b0\i obs\b0\i0 is a comment on the word being defined. When a thing, as distinguished from the word used to designate it, is obsolete, appropriate orientation is usually given in the definition: \
\b bal\'b7lis\'b7ta\b0\i0 ... \b0\i n\b0\i0 ...\i0\b :\b0\i0 an ancient military engine often in the form of a crossbow for hurling large missiles\
\i0\b {\fs20 \up8 2} ruff \b0\i n\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 1 :\b0\i0 a wheel-shaped stiff collar worn by men and women of the late 16th and early 17th centuries \
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\b0\i0\fs24The temporal label \b0\i archaic\b0\i0 means that a word or sense once in common use is found today only sporadically or in special contexts: \
\b0\i0\fs24A word or sense limited in use to a specific region of the U.S. has a regional label. Some regional labels correspond loosely to areas defined in Hans Kurath's \b0\i Word Geography of the Eastern United States.\b0\i0 The adverb \b0\i chiefly\b0\i0 precedes a label when the word has some currency outside the specified region, and a double label is used to indicate considerable currency in each of two specific regions: \
\b0\i0\fs24The label \b0\i dial\b0\i0 for ``dialect'' indicates that the pattern of use of a word or sense is too complex for summary labeling: it usually includes several regional varieties of American English or of American and British English: \
\b0\i0\fs24The label \b0\i dial Brit\b0\i0 indicates currency in several dialects of the British Commonwealth; \b0\i dial Eng\b0\i0 indicates currency in one or more provincial dialects of England: \
\i0\b few\'b7trils\b0\i0 ... \b0\i n pl\b0\i0 ... \b0\i dial Eng \
\b0\i0\fs24The stylistic label \b0\i slang\b0\i0 is used with words or senses that are especially appropriate in contexts of extreme informality, that usually have a currency not limited to a particular region or area of interest, and that are composed typically of shortened forms or extravagant or facetious figures of speech: \
\b clip joint \b0\i n\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 1 \b0\i slang \i0\b :\b0\i0 a place of public entertainment (as a nightclub) that makes a practice of defrauding patrons (as by overcharging)\
\b0\i0\fs24There is no satisfactory objective test for slang, especially with reference to a word out of context. No word, in fact, is invariably slang, and many standard words can be given slang applications. \
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\b0\i0\fs24The stylistic label \b0\i nonstand\b0\i0 for ``nonstandard'' is used for a few words or senses that are disapproved by many but that have some currency in reputable contexts: \
\b0\i0\fs24The stylistic label \b0\i substand\b0\i0 for ``substandard'' is used for those words or senses that conform to a widespread pattern of usage that differs in choice of word or form from that of the prestige group of the community: \
\i0\b hemi\'b7he\'b7dral\b0\i0 ... \b0\i adj\b0\i0 ... \b0\i of a crystal\
\i0\b {\fs20 \up8 1} scram\'b7ble\b0\i0 ... \b0\i vi\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 5 \b0\i of a football quarterback \
\b0\i0\fs24In general, however, subject orientation is given in the definition: \
\b Gun\'b7ther\b0\i0 ... \b0\i n\b0\i0 ... \i0\b :\b0\i0 a Burgundian king and husband of Brunhild in Germanic legend\
\i0\b plie\'c2\b0\i0 ... \b0\i n\b0\i0 ... \i0\b :\b0\i0 a bending of the knees by a ballet dancer with the back held straight \b0\i0\fs24\
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{\fs28\b \i ILLUSTRATIONS OF USAGE }\
\b0\i0\fs24Definitions are sometimes followed by verbal illustrations that show a typical use of the word in context. These illustrations are enclosed in angle brackets, and the word being illustrated is usually replaced by a lightface swung dash. The swung dash stands for the boldface entry word, and it may be followed by an italicized suffix: \
\i0\b proud\b0\i0 ... \b0\i adj\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 2\b0\i0 ... \i0\b b\b0\i0 ... {< }the ~ \b0\i est\b0\i0 moment in her life{ >} \
\b0\i0\fs24The swung dash is not used when the form of the boldface entry word is changed in suffixation, and it is not used for open compounds: \
\b {\fs20 \up8 1} dare\b0\i0 ... \b0\i vt \i0\b 1 a\b0\i0 ... {< }\b0\i dared\b0\i0 him to jump{ >}\
\i0\b set down \b0\i vt\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 7 a\b0\i0 ... {< }\b0\i set\b0\i0 him \b0\i down\b0\i0 as a liar{ >} \
\b0\i0\fs24Illustrative quotations are also used to show words in typical contexts: \
\b {\fs20 \up8 1} eye\b0\i0 ... \b0\i n\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 3\b0\i0 ... {< }the ~ of the problem \'d0 Norman Mailer{ >} \
\b0\i0\fs24Omissions in quotations are indicated by suspension points: \
\b {\fs20 \up8 1} jog\b0\i0 ... \b0\i vi \i0\b 1 :\b0\i0 ... {< }his ... holster \b0\i jogging\b0\i0 against his hip \'d0 Thomas Williams{ >} \b0\i0\fs24\
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{\fs28\b \i USAGE NOTES }\
\b0\i0\fs24Definitions are sometimes followed by usage notes that give supplementary information about such matters as idiom, syntax, semantic relationship, and status. A usage note is introduced by a lightface dash: \
\b {\fs20 \up8 1} stead\b0\i0 ... \b0\i n\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 2 :\b0\i0 ... \'d0 used chiefly in the phrase \b0\i to stand one in good stead\
\i0\b {\fs20 \up8 3} zero \b0\i vt\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 2 a :\b0\i0 ... \'d0 usu. used with \b0\i in\
\i0\b {\fs20 \up8 1} as\b0\i0 ... \b0\i adv\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 3 :\b0\i0 ... \'d0 usu. used before a preposition or a participle\
\i0\b {\fs20 \up8 1} guide\b0\i0 ... \b0\i n\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 3 :\b0\i0 ... \'d0 used esp. in commands\
\i0\b {\fs20 \up8 1} lar\'b7go\b0\i0 ... \b0\i adv or adj\b0\i0 ... \i0\b :\b0\i0 ... \'d0 used as a direction in music\
\b0\i0\fs24Two or more usage notes are separated by a semicolon: \
\b thank\b0\i0 ... \b0\i vt\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 1 :\b0\i0 ... \'d0 used in the phrase \b0\i thank you\b0\i0 usu. without a subject to politely express gratitude {< }~ you for the loan{ >}; used in such phrases as \b0\i thank God, thank heaven\b0\i0 usu. without a subject to express gratitude or more often only the speaker's or writer's pleasure or satisfaction in something \
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\b0\i0\fs24Sometimes a usage note calls attention to one or more terms with the same denotation as the main entry: \
\b wood louse \b0\i n\b0\i0 ... \i0\b :\b0\i0 a terrestrial isopod crustacean (suborder Oniscoidea) with a flattened eliptical body often capable of being rolled into a ball \'d0 called also \b0\i pill bug, sow bug \
\b0\i0\fs24The called-also terms are shown in italic type. If such a term falls alphabetically more than a column away from the main entry, it is entered at its own place with the sole definition being a synonymous cross-reference to the entry where it appears in the usage note: \
\b0\i0\fs24Sometimes a usage note is used in place of a definition. Some function words (as conjunctions and prepositions) have little or no semantic content; most interjections express feelings but are otherwise untranslatable into meaning; and some other words (as oaths and honorific titles) are more amenable to comment than to definition: \
\b {\fs20 \up8 1} if\b0\i0 ... \b0\i conj\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 3\b0\i0 \'d0 used as a function word to introduce an exclamation expressing a wish\
\i0\b with\b0\i0 ... \b0\i prep\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 7 a\b0\i0 \'d0 used as a function word to indicate manner of action\
\i0\b hey\b0\i0 ... \b0\i interj\b0\i0 ... \'d0 used esp. to call attention or to express interrogation, surprise, or exultation\
\i0\b {\fs20 \up8 3} gad \b0\i interj\b0\i0 ... \'d0 used as a mild oath\
\i0\b {\fs20 \up8 1} lord\b0\i0 ... \b0\i n\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 4\b0\i0 \'d0 used as a British title \b0\i0\fs24\
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{\fs28\b \i USAGE PARAGRAPHS }\
\b0\i0\fs24Brief usage paragraphs have been placed at a number of entries for terms that are considered to present problems of confused or disputed usage. A usage paragraph typically summarizes the historical background of the item and its associated body of opinion, compares these with available evidence of current usage, and often adds a few words of suitable advice for the dictionary user. \
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\b0\i0\fs24Each paragraph is signaled by an indented boldface italic \b\i usage.\b0\i0 Where appropriate, discussion is keyed by sense number to the definition of the meaning in question. Most paragraphs incorporate appropriate verbal illustrations and illustrative quotations to clarify and exemplify the points being made: \
\b ag\'b7gra\'b7vate\b0\i0 ... \b0\i vt\b0\i0 ... \i0\b 1 \b0\i obs \i0\b a :\b0\i0 to make heavy \i0\b :\b0\i0 {\fs20 BURDEN} \i0\b b :\b0\i0 {\fs20 INCREASE} \i0\b 2 :\b0\i0 to make worse, more serious, or more severe \i0\b :\b0\i0 intensify unpleasantly {< }problems have been \b0\i aggravated\b0\i0 by neglec{\f2 >} \i0\b 3 a :\b0\i0 to rouse to displeasure or anger by usu. persistent and often petty goading \i0\b b :\b0\i0 to produce inflammation in ...\
\i\b usage\b0\i0 Although \b0\i aggravate\b0\i0 has been used in sense 3a since the 17th century, it has been the object of disapproval only since about 1870. It is used in expository prose{< }declining to participate directly in the motorcade ... greatly \b0\i aggravating\b0\i0 the President \'d0 W.F. Buckley \b0\i b\b0\i0 1925{ >} but seems to be more common in speech and casual writing {< }our two countries \b0\i aggravate\b0\i0 each other from time to time \'d0 O.W. Holmes (letter to Sir Frederick Pollock, 1895){ >} {< }times when we get \b0\i aggravated\b0\i0 and displeased, for instance, with the French \'d0 Jimmy Carter (press conference, 1980){ >} Sense 2 is far more common than sense 3a in published prose. Such is not the case, however, with \b0\i aggravation\b0\i0 and \b0\i aggravating. Aggravation\b0\i0 is used in sense 3 somewhat more than in its earlier senses; \b0\i aggravating\b0\i0 has practically no use other than to express annoyance. \
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\b0\i0\fs24When a second word is also discussed in a paragraph, the main entry for that word is followed by a run-on \b\i usage\b0\i0 see \'d0 which refers to the entry where the paragraph may be found: \
