os|si|fy /ɒ s I fa I / (ossifies , ossifying , ossified ) VERB If an idea, system, or organization ossifies or if something ossifies it, it becomes fixed and difficult to change. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] It reckons that rationing would ossify the farm industry. □ [V ] British society tended to ossify and close ranks as the 1930s drew to their close. [Also V into n]
os|ten|sible /ɒste ns I b ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Ostensible is used to describe something that seems to be true or is officially stated to be true, but about which you or other people have doubts. [FORMAL ] □ The ostensible purpose of these meetings was to gather information on financial strategies. ● os|ten|sibly /ɒste ns I bli/ ADV [usu ADV with cl/group] □ …ostensibly independent organisations.
os|ten|ta|tion /ɒ stente I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT If you describe someone's behaviour as ostentation , you are criticizing them for doing or buying things in order to impress people. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ On the whole she had lived modestly, with a notable lack of ostentation.
os|ten|ta|tious /ɒ stente I ʃəs/
1 ADJ If you describe something as ostentatious , you disapprove of it because it is expensive and is intended to impress people. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …an ostentatious wedding reception.
2 ADJ If you describe someone as ostentatious , you disapprove of them because they want to impress people with their wealth or importance. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Obviously he had plenty of money and was generous in its use without being ostentatious. ● os|ten|ta|tious|ly ADV □ Her servants were similarly, if less ostentatiously attired.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can describe an action or behaviour as ostentatious when it is done in an exaggerated way to attract people's attention. □ …his ostentatious waves and gestures. ● os|ten|ta|tious|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Harry ostentatiously began inspecting the contents of his bag.
os|teo|path /ɒ stiəpæθ/ (osteopaths ) N‑COUNT An osteopath is a person who treats painful conditions or illnesses by pressing and moving parts of the patient's body.
os|teo|po|ro|sis /ɒ stioʊpəroʊ s I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones lose calcium and become more likely to break. [MEDICAL ]
os|tra|cism /ɒ strəs I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Ostracism is the state of being ostracized or the act of ostracizing someone. [FORMAL ] □ …those who have decided to risk social ostracism and stay on the wrong side of town. □ [+ from ] …denunciation, tougher sanctions and ostracism from the civilised world.
os|tra|cize /ɒ strəsa I z/ (ostracizes , ostracizing , ostracized ) in BRIT, also use ostracise VERB [usu passive] If someone is ostracized , people deliberately behave in an unfriendly way towards them and do not allow them to take part in any of their social activities. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] She claims she's being ostracized by some members of her local community.
os|trich /ɒ str I tʃ, [AM ] ɔː st-/ (ostriches ) N‑COUNT An ostrich is a very large African bird that cannot fly.
OTC /oʊ tiː siː / ADJ [ADJ n] OTC is an abbreviation for over-the-counter . □ …the first OTC heartburn drug. □ …head of OTC trading at PaineWebber Inc.
oth|er ◆◆◆ /ʌ ðə r / (others ) When other follows the determiner an , it is written as one word: see another . 1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use other to refer to an additional thing or person of the same type as one that has been mentioned or is known about. □ They were just like any other young couple. □ The communique gave no other details. ● PRON Other is also a pronoun. □ Four crewmen were killed, one other was injured. □ In 1914 he (like so many others) lied about his age so that he could join the war effort.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use other to indicate that a thing or person is not the one already mentioned, but a different one. □ Calls cost 36p per minute cheap rate and 48p per minute at all other times. □ He would have to accept it; there was no other way. ● PRON Other is also a pronoun. □ This issue, more than any other, has divided her cabinet. □ Some of these methods will work. Others will not.
3 ADJ You use the other to refer to the second of two things or people when the identity of the first is already known or understood, or has already been mentioned. □ The Captain was at the other end of the room. □ Half of PML's scientists have first degrees, the other half have PhDs. ● PRON The other is also a pronoun. □ Henry was holding a duster in one hand and a kitchen pail in the other.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] You use other at the end of a list or a group of examples, to refer generally to people or things like the ones just mentioned. □ The quay will incorporate shops, restaurants and other amenities. □ Place them in a jam jar, porcelain bowl, or other similar container. ● PRON Other is also a pronoun. □ Descartes received his stimulus from the new physics and astronomy of Copernicus, Galileo, and others.
5 ADJ You use the other to refer to the rest of the people or things in a group, when you are talking about one particular person or thing. □ When the other pupils were taken to an exhibition, he was left behind. ● PRON The others is also a pronoun. □ Aubrey's on his way here, with the others.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] Other people are people in general, as opposed to yourself or a person you have already mentioned. □ The suffering of other people appals me. □ She likes to be with other people. ● PRON Others means the same as other people . □ His humour depended on contempt for others.