The Gay Man's Illistrated Dictionary

stretcher

pronunciation: stre chər

part of speech: noun

definition 1: a litter, usu. consisting of canvas over a wooden frame, for the purpose of transporting injured, sick, or dying persons.

similar words: litter

definition 2: one that stretches.

definition 3: a device for shaping, distending, or widening something, esp. a wooden frame over which canvas may be stretched for oil painting.

secluded

pronunciation: sih klu dihd

part of speech: adjective

definition 1: isolated or hidden away from view.

The resort is secluded and can only be reached by boat.

synonyms: hidden, isolated, out-of-the-way, remote

similar words: cloistered, covert, lone, private, recluse, secret

definition 2: set apart or remote from other people; solitary.

The secluded patients were not allowed visitors in their rooms.

He led a secluded life and some people even called him a hermit.

synonyms: alone, isolated, out-of-the-way, remote, solitary

antonyms: busy

similar words: abandoned, deserted, desolate, forsaken, lone, lonely, unfrequented

related words: monastic, separate

derivations: secludedly (adv.), secludedness (n.)

kane

ka•ne [ k nay, knee ] (plural ka•na•ka [ knəkə ])

noun

Definition: Hawaii man: a man

[< Hawaiian]

keel

keel [ keel ]

noun (plural keels)

Definition:

1. nautical ship’s structural element: the main structural element of a ship, stretching along the center line of its bottom from the bow to the stern. It sometimes extends farther downward into the water to provide extra stability.

2. aviation aircraft’s structural element: a structure that looks or acts like a ship’s keel, e.g. the main structural element of an aircraft’s fuselage

3. birds part of bird’s breastbone: a ridge-shaped part in the breastbone of a bird to which the flight muscles are anchored.

Technical name carina

4. biology part like ridge: any ridge-shaped part of an organism

5. ( literary )

Same as ship

transitive and intransitive verb (past and past participle keeled, present participle keel•ing, 3rd person present singular keels)

qualify

pronunciation: kwa lih faI

parts of speech: transitive verb, intransitive verb

part of speech: transitive verb

inflections: qualified, qualifies, qualifying

definition 1: to make eligible or competent, as for a job; certify as competent.

The course will qualify you to be an accountant.

I don’t think that spending a week in Paris qualifies you as an expert on French culture.

synonyms: certify, license, prepare, train

antonyms: disqualify

similar words: condition, educate, fit, instruct, permit, ready, sanction, teach

definition 2: to modify, esp. to limit by restating in more restricted terms.

He qualified his remark by mentioning one exception.

They qualified their acceptance of the offer by stating one condition.

synonyms: limit, modify, restrict

similar words: adjust, circumscribe, condition, confine, moderate, regulate, temper, weaken

definition 3: to describe by giving the characteristics of.

How would you qualify your experience abroad; was it exciting?

synonyms: characterize, describe, modify

similar words: designate, distinguish

definition 4: to make less harsh or extreme; moderate.

She qualified her criticism of his playing by reminding him of how much he had improved.

synonyms: moderate, modify, temper

similar words: accommodate, adapt, adjust, mitigate, regulate, soften, weaken

definition 5: to modify the meaning of.

Adjectives qualify nouns.

She qualified the word “competent” with the word “fairly.”

related words: accredit, alter, enable, entitle, mince, modify, restrain, restrict, specify

part of speech: intransitive verb

definition 1: to have the necessary skills or qualities, as for carrying out a job.

Do you think any of the applicants qualify?

similar words: make the grade

definition 2: to gain authorization.

She had qualified as a doctor before coming to the U.S.

similar words: graduate, pass

definition 3: in sports, to win a preliminary trial and thus be able to compete in the final competition.

Sadly, her injury impaired her performance and she did not qualify for the final.

related words: deserve

derivation: qualifiable (adj.)

junction

junc•tion [ júngkshən ] (plural junc•tions)

noun

Definition:

1. place where things join: a place where two or more structures such as roads or railroad routes meet or cross

2. electrical connection: a connection between electrical wires or cables

3. physics layer between metals: a layer of metal separating two metals with different properties and serving as a contact between them, especially in a thermocouple

4. electronics semiconductor contact: a point in a semiconductor device at which regions with different electrical properties come into contact with each other

5. state or act of joining: the joining of things, or their joined state

[Early 18th century. < Latin junction- < jungere “join”]

junc•tion•al adjective

kama

ka·ma [ kmə ]

noun

Definition:

sexual pleasure: sexual pleasure as the third of the four Hindu goals of life

[< Sanskrit kāma “love, desire”]

alone

pronunciation: ə lon

parts of speech: adjective, adverb

phrases: leave alone

part of speech: adjective

definition 1: separate from everyone or everything else; solitary.

It was nice to be alone on the beach.

The couple wanted to be alone together.

synonyms: apart, individual, isolated, lone, lonely, separate, single, sole, solitary

similar words: aloof, desolate, discrete, lonesome, one, secluded, solo

definition 2: exclusive of anyone or anything else.

Money alone won’t satisfy you.

synonyms: exclusive, individual, lone, only, sole, solitary

similar words: discrete, independent

definition 3: unique.

He is alone among gymnasts.

synonyms: individual, inimitable, lone, nonpareil, one, sole, solitary, unequaled, unique, unparalleled

similar words: distinct, incomparable, matchless, peerless

related words: individual, separate, sole

phrase: leave alone

part of speech: adverb

definition: without anything or anyone else.

He traveled alone through the country.

synonyms: separately, singly, solely, solitarily, solo

similar words: exclusively, independently, single-handed

derivation: aloneness (n.)

juncture

junc·ture [ júngkchər ] (plural junc·tures)

noun

Definition:

1. point in time: a point in time, especially an important or critical one

2. joining place: a place where two or more things join ( formal )

3. joining of things: the joining of one thing with another, or their joined state ( formal )

4. linguistics break between words: the break between one spoken word and another, or the pronunciation features that help a listener to recognize the break, distinguishing between groups of words such as “gray day” and “grade A”

[14th century. < Latin junctura “joint” < jungere “join”]