2
assert: The defendants, who continue to assert their innocence, are expected to appeal.
state: 'Our relationship is totally platonic,' she stated.
claim: He claimed that it was all a conspiracy against him.
contend: The government contends that he is fundamentalist.
profess: Why do organisations profess that they care?
main|te|nance /me I nt I nəns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The maintenance of a building, vehicle, road, or machine is the process of keeping it in good condition by regularly checking it and repairing it when necessary. □ …maintenance work on government buildings. □ The window had been replaced last week during routine maintenance.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Maintenance is money that someone gives regularly to another person to pay for the things that the person needs. □ …the government's plan to make absent fathers pay maintenance for their children.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you ensure the maintenance of a state or process, you make sure that it continues. □ [+ of ] …the maintenance of peace and stability in Asia.
mai|son|ette /me I zəne t/ (maisonettes ) N‑COUNT A maisonette is a flat that usually has a separate door to the outside from other flats in the same building. Many maisonettes are on two floors. [BRIT ]
maize /me I z/ N‑UNCOUNT Maize is a tall plant which produces long objects covered with yellow seeds called sweetcorn. It is often grown as a food crop. [mainly BRIT ] □ …vast fields of maize. in AM, usually use corn
Maj N‑TITLE Maj is a written abbreviation for major when it is used as a title. □ …Maj D B Lee.
ma|jes|tic /mədʒe st I k/ ADJ If you describe something or someone as majestic , you think they are very beautiful, dignified, and impressive. □ …a majestic country home that once belonged to the Astor family. ● ma|jes|ti|cal|ly /mədʒe st I kli/ ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ Fuji is a majestically beautiful mountain.
maj|es|ty /mæ dʒ I sti/ (majesties )
1 N‑COUNT You use majesty in expressions such as Your Majesty or Her Majesty when you are addressing or referring to a King or Queen. [POLITENESS ] □ His Majesty requests your presence in the royal chambers.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Majesty is the quality of being beautiful, dignified, and impressive. □ …the majesty of the mainland mountains.
ma|jor ◆◆◆ /me I dʒə r / (majors , majoring , majored )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use major when you want to describe something that is more important, serious, or significant than other things in a group or situation. □ The major factor in the decision to stay or to leave was usually professional. □ Studies show that stress can also be a major problem. □ Exercise has a major part to play in preventing and combating disease.
2 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A major is an officer of middle rank in the British army or the United States army, air force, or marines. □ …Major Alan Bulman.
3 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] At a university or college in the United States, a student's major is the main subject that they are studying. □ English majors would be asked to explore the roots of language.
4 N‑COUNT [n N ] At a university or college in the United States, if a student is, for example, a geology major , geology is the main subject they are studying. □ She was named the outstanding undergraduate history major at the University of Oklahoma.
5 VERB If a student at a university or college in the United States majors in a particular subject, that subject is the main one they study. □ [V + in ] He majored in finance at Claremont Men's College in California.
6 ADJ [n ADJ , ADJ n] In music, a major scale is one in which the third note is two tones higher than the first. □ …Mozart's Symphony No 35 in D Major.
7 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A major is a large or important company. [BUSINESS ] □ Oil majors need not fear being unable to sell their crude.
8 N‑PLURAL The majors are groups of professional sports teams that compete against each other, especially in American baseball. [mainly AM ] □ I knew what I could do in the minor leagues, I just wanted a chance to prove myself in the majors.
9 N‑COUNT A major is an important sporting competition, especially in golf or tennis. □ Sarazen became the first golfer to win all four majors. SYNONYMS major ADJ 1
vitaclass="underline" The port is vital to supply relief to millions of drought victims.
criticaclass="underline" He says setting priorities is of critical importance.
important: The planned general strike represents an important economic challenge to the government.
significant: It is the first drug that seems to have a very significant effect on this disease.
ma|jor|ette /me I dʒəre t/ (majorettes ) N‑COUNT A majorette is one of a group of girls or young women who march at the front of a musical band in a procession.
ma |jor ge n|er|al (major generals ) also major-general N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In Britain, a major general is a senior officer in the army. In the United States, a major general is a senior officer in the army, air force, or marines.
ma|jor|ity ◆◆◇ /mədʒɒ r I ti, [AM ] -dʒɔː r-/ (majorities )
1 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb, usu sing] The majority of people or things in a group is more than half of them. □ [+ of ] The vast majority of our cheeses are made with pasteurised milk. □ Still, a majority continue to support the treaty. ● PHRASE If a group is in a majority or in the majority , they form more than half of a larger group. □ Surveys indicate that supporters of the treaty are still in the majority.