3 PHRASE If something goes astray , it gets lost while it is being taken or sent somewhere. □ Many items of mail being sent to her have gone astray.
astride /əstra I d/ ADV [ADV after v, be ADV ] If you sit or stand astride something, you sit or stand with one leg on each side of it. □ …three youths who stood astride their bicycles and stared.
as|trin|gent /əstr I ndʒ ə nt/ (astringents ) N‑COUNT An astringent is a liquid that you put on your skin to make it less oily or to make cuts stop bleeding. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Astringent is also an adjective. □ …an astringent lotion.
PREFIX astro-
is used to form words which refer to things relating to the stars or to outer space. For example, astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, the planets and other objects in space.
as|trolo|ger /əstrɒ lədʒə r / (astrologers ) N‑COUNT An astrologer is a person who uses astrology to try to tell you things about your character and your future.
as|trol|ogy /əstrɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Astrology is the study of the movements of the planets, sun, moon, and stars in the belief that these movements can have an influence on people's lives. ● as|tro|logi|cal /æ strəlɒ dʒ I k ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] □ He has had a keen and lifelong interest in astrological research.
as|tro|naut /æ strənɔːt/ (astronauts ) N‑COUNT An astronaut is a person who is trained for travelling in a spacecraft.
as|trono|mer /əstrɒ nəmə r / (astronomers ) N‑COUNT An astronomer is a scientist who studies the stars, planets, and other natural objects in space.
as|tro|nomi|cal /æ strənɒ m I k ə l/
1 ADJ If you describe an amount, especially the cost of something as astronomical , you are emphasizing that it is very large indeed. [EMPHASIS ] □ Houses in the village are selling for astronomical prices. ● as|tro|nomi|cal|ly /æ strənɒ m I kli/ ADV [ADV adj, ADV after v] □ He was astronomically wealthy. □ House prices had risen astronomically.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Astronomical means relating to astronomy. □ …the British Astronomical Association.
as|trono|my /əstrɒ nəmi/ N‑UNCOUNT Astronomy is the scientific study of the stars, planets, and other natural objects in space.
as|tro|physi|cist /æ stroʊf I z I s I st/ (astrophysicists ) N‑COUNT An astrophysicist is someone who studies astrophysics.
as|tro|phys|ics /æ stroʊf I z I ks/ N‑UNCOUNT Astrophysics is the study of the physical and chemical structure of the stars, planets, and other natural objects in space.
as|tute /əstjuː t, [AM ] əstuː t/ ADJ If you describe someone as astute , you think they show an understanding of behaviour and situations, and are skilful at using this knowledge to their own advantage. □ She was politically astute. □ He made a series of astute business decisions. ● as|tute|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ It soon became clear that they had chosen astutely.
asun|der /əsʌ ndə r / ADV [ADV after v] If something tears or is torn asunder , it is violently separated into two or more parts or pieces. [LITERARY ]
asy|lum /əsa I ləm/ (asylums )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If a government gives a person from another country asylum , they allow them to stay, usually because they are unable to return home safely for political reasons. □ He applied for asylum in 1987 after fleeing the police back home.
2 N‑COUNT An asylum is a psychiatric hospital. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
asy |lum seek|er (asylum seekers ) N‑COUNT An asylum seeker is a person who is trying to get asylum in a foreign country. □ Fewer than 7% of asylum seekers are accepted as political refugees.
asym|met|ric /e I s I me tr I k/ ADJ Asymmetric means the same as asymmetrical .
asym|met|ri|cal /e I s I me tr I k ə l/ ADJ Something that is asymmetrical has two sides or halves that are different in shape, size, or style. □ …asymmetrical shapes.
asym|me|try /e I s I mətri/ (asymmetries ) N‑VAR Asymmetry is the appearance that something has when its two sides or halves are different in shape, size, or style. □ [+ of ] …the asymmetry of Van de Velde's designs of this period.
asymp|to|mat|ic /e I s I mptəmæ t I k/ ADJ If someone with a disease is asymptomatic , it means that they do not show any symptoms of the disease. [MEDICAL ] □ I have patients who are HIV-positive and asymptomatic.
at ◆◆◆ /ət, STRONG æt/ In addition to the uses shown below, at is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives to introduce extra information. At is also used in phrasal verbs such as 'keep on at' and 'play at'. 1 PREP You use at to indicate the place or event where something happens or is situated. □ We had dinner at a restaurant in Attleborough. □ I didn't like being alone at home. □ Hamstrings are supporting muscles at the back of the thigh. □ The announcement was made at a news conference in Peking.
2 PREP If someone is at school or college, or at a particular school or college, they go there regularly to study. □ He was shy and nervous as a boy, and unhappy at school. □ I majored in psychology at Hunter College.
3 PREP If you are at something such as a table, a door, or someone's side, you are next to it or them. □ Graham was already at the door. □ At his side was a beautiful young woman. □ He gave the girl at the desk the message.
4 PREP When you are describing where someone or something is, you can say that they are at a certain distance. You can also say that one thing is at an angle in relation to another thing. □ The two journalists followed at a discreet distance. □ The tree was leaning at a low angle from the ground.