aero|dy|nam|ic /eə roʊda I næ m I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something such as a car has an aerodynamic shape or design, it goes faster and uses less fuel than other cars because the air passes over it more easily. □ The secret of the machine lies in the aerodynamic shape of the frame. ● aero|dy|nami|cal|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ Cars are becoming so aerodynamically efficient.
aero|dy|nam|ics /eə roʊda I næ m I ks/ The form aerodynamic is used as a modifier. In British English, aerodynamics is sometimes used as a plural noun, with a plural verb. N‑UNCOUNT Aerodynamics is the study of the way in which objects move through the air.
aero|nau|ti|cal /eə rənɔː t I k ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Aeronautical means involving or relating to the design and construction of aeroplanes. □ …the biggest aeronautical research laboratory in Europe.
aero|naut|ics /eə rənɔː t I ks/ N‑UNCOUNT Aeronautics is the science of designing and building aeroplanes.
aero|plane /eə rəple I n/ (aeroplanes ) N‑COUNT An aeroplane is a vehicle with wings and one or more engines that enable it to fly through the air. [BRIT ] in AM, use airplane
aero|sol /eə rəsɒl, [AM ] -sɔːl/ (aerosols ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] An aerosol is a small container in which a liquid such as paint or deodorant is kept under pressure. When you press a button, the liquid is forced out as a fine spray or foam.
aero|space /eə roʊspe I s/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Aerospace companies are involved in developing and making rockets, missiles, space vehicles, and related equipment. □ …the U.S. aerospace industry.
aes|thete /iː sθiːt, [AM ] e s-/ (aesthetes ) in AM, also use esthete N‑COUNT An aesthete is someone who loves and appreciates works of art and beautiful things.
aes|thet|ic /iːsθe t I k, [AM ] es-/ in AM, also use esthetic ADJ Aesthetic is used to talk about beauty or art, and people's appreciation of beautiful things. □ …products chosen for their aesthetic appeal as well as their durability and quality. ● N‑SING The aesthetic of a work of art is its aesthetic quality. □ [+ of ] He responded very strongly to the aesthetic of this particular work. ● aes|theti|cal|ly /iːsθe t I kli, [AM ] es-/ ADV □ There is nothing aesthetically pleasing about this bridge.
aes|thet|ics /iːsθe t I ks, [AM ] es-/ in AM, also use esthetics N‑UNCOUNT Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy concerned with the study of the idea of beauty.
aeti|ol|ogy /iː tiɒ lədʒi/ → see etiology
afar /əfɑː r / ADV [usu from ADV , oft ADV after v] Afar means a long way away. [LITERARY ] □ Seen from afar, its towering buildings beckon the visitor in.
af|fable /æ fəb ə l/ ADJ Someone who is affable is pleasant and friendly. □ Mr Brooke is an extremely affable and approachable man.
af|fair ◆◆◇ /əfeə r / (affairs )
1 N‑SING If an event or a series of events has been mentioned and you want to talk about it again, you can refer to it as the affair . □ The government has mishandled the whole affair. □ The affair began when customs officials inspected a convoy of 60 tankers.
2 N‑SING You can refer to an important or interesting event or situation as ' the … affair '. [mainly JOURNALISM ] □ …a reduction of defence expenditures in the wake of the Suez affair.
3 N‑SING You can describe the main quality of an event by saying that it is a particular kind of affair . □ Michael said that his planned 10-day visit would be a purely private affair.
4 N‑SING You can describe an object as a particular kind of affair when you want to draw attention to a particular feature, or indicate that it is unusual. □ All their beds were distinctive; Mac's was an iron affair with brass knobs.
5 N‑COUNT If two people who are not married to each other have an affair , they have a sexual relationship. □ She was having an affair with someone at work.
6 → see also love affair
7 N‑PLURAL You can use affairs to refer to all the important facts or activities that are connected with a particular subject. □ He does not want to interfere in the internal affairs of another country.
8 → see also current affairs , state of affairs
9 N‑PLURAL [usu poss N ] Your affairs are all the matters connected with your life which you consider to be private and normally deal with yourself. □ The unexpectedness of my father's death meant that his affairs were not entirely in order.
10 N‑SING [poss N ] If you say that a decision or situation is someone's affair , you mean that it is their responsibility, and other people should not interfere. □ If you wish to make a fool of yourself, that is your affair.
af|fect ◆◆◇ /əfe kt/ (affects , affecting , affected )
1 VERB If something affects a person or thing, it influences them or causes them to change in some way. □ [V n] Nicotine adversely affects the functioning of the heart and arteries. □ [V -ed] …the worst-affected areas of Somalia.
2 VERB If a disease affects someone, it causes them to become ill. □ [V n] Arthritis is a crippling disease which affects people all over the world.
3 VERB If something or someone affects you, they make you feel a strong emotion, especially sadness or pity. □ [V n] Her experience of the last few hours has deeply affected her. SYNONYMS affect VERB 1
influence: They still influence what's played on the radio.
impact on: Such schemes mean little unless they impact on people.
alter: They have never altered their programmes by a single day.