English dictionary: words starting with abs

prefix

Variant spelling of ab- before c, q, and t (as in abscond, abstain ).

abbreviation

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, a hard composite plastic used to make car bodies and cases for computers and other appliances.

noun

An abdominal muscle.

plural noun

The abdominal muscles.

Usage examples:

A fun and easy way to tone your abs and thighs

noun

A swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus.

Usage examples:

Once the abscesses burst, they usually discharge for several days before gradually healing up

noun

A swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus.

Usage examples:

Once the abscesses burst, they usually discharge for several days before gradually healing up

noun

(in a system of coordinates) the distance from a point to the vertical or y -axis, measured parallel to the horizontal or x -axis; the x -coordinate.

noun

(in a system of coordinates) the distance from a point to the vertical or y -axis, measured parallel to the horizontal or x -axis; the x -coordinate.

noun

The natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically dead leaves and ripe fruit.

Usage examples:

Leaf abscission in trees

noun

The separation or falling off of part of a plant

Usage examples:

The flower buds and immature fruit frequently drop off; researchers have tried to determine the rol…

verb

Leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest.

Usage examples:

The barman absconded with a week's takings

collocation

To go away suddenly and secretly because you have stolen someone or something, usually money

Usage examples:

The firm went out of business and the owners absconded with the funds., her ex-husband has absconde…

verb

Leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest.

Usage examples:

The barman absconded with a week's takings

noun

Someone who goes away from a place suddenly, especially in order to escape from it

Usage examples:

A 14-year-old absconder from a children's home was found alive and well this morning., the number o…

noun

Someone who goes away from a place suddenly, especially in order to escape from it

Usage examples:

A 14-year-old absconder from a children's home was found alive and well this morning., the number o…

verb

Leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest.

Usage examples:

The barman absconded with a week's takings

verb

Leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest.

Usage examples:

The barman absconded with a week's takings

verb

Descend a rock face or other near-vertical surface by using a doubled rope coiled round the body and fixed at a higher point.

Usage examples:

Team members had to abseil down sheer cliffs to reach the couple

noun

A descent made by abseiling.

Usage examples:

A 120 ft abseil

verb

Descend a rock face or other near-vertical surface by using a doubled rope coiled round the body and fixed at a higher point.

Usage examples:

Team members had to abseil down sheer cliffs to reach the couple

noun

A descent made by abseiling.

Usage examples:

A 120 ft abseil

noun

The sport or activity of descending a rock face or other near-vertical surface by using a doubled rope coiled round the body and fixed at a higher point.

Usage examples:

There are facilities for abseiling and rock climbing

verb

Descend a rock face or other near-vertical surface by using a doubled rope coiled round the body and fixed at a higher point.

Usage examples:

Team members had to abseil down sheer cliffs to reach the couple

verb

Descend a rock face or other near-vertical surface by using a doubled rope coiled round the body and fixed at a higher point.

Usage examples:

Team members had to abseil down sheer cliffs to reach the couple

noun

A descent made by abseiling.

Usage examples:

A 120 ft abseil

noun

The state of being away from a place or person.

Usage examples:

The letter had arrived during his absence

noun

The state of being away from a place or person.

Usage examples:

The letter had arrived during his absence

adjective

Not present in a place, at an occasion, or as part of something.

Usage examples:

Most pupils were absent from school at least once

verb

Go away or remain away.

Usage examples:

Halfway through the meal, he absented himself from the table

preposition

Without.

Usage examples:

Absent a willingness to negotiate, you can't have collective bargaining

adjective

Likely to forget things, esp. because you do not give your attention to what is happening

adverb

Without paying attention to what you are doing or what is happening near you because you are thinking about other things

Usage examples:

She absent-mindedly left her umbrella on the bus., he went to call his wife, only to absent-mindedl…

noun

A lack of attention to what you are doing or what is happening around you because you are thinking about other things

Usage examples:

In a moment of absent-mindedness, she threw her keys in the bin., missing the meeting was not absen…

adjective

Not at work or at the place where you are expected to be

Usage examples:

Absent from sth anna's been absent from work for four days with flu., absent from sth any mention o…

noun

A person who is expected or required to be present at a place or event but is not.

Usage examples:

An absentee from the match

adverb

To send your vote by post or by using the internet when you cannot be present to vote at an election

Usage examples:

We are working to make it easier for military members to vote absentee when they are deployed overs…