es|ti|mable /e st I məb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone or something as estimable , you mean that they deserve admiration. [FORMAL ] □ …the estimable Miss Cartwright.
es|ti|mate ◆◆◇ (estimates , estimating , estimated ) The verb is pronounced /e st I me I t/. The noun is pronounced /e st I mət/. 1 VERB If you estimate a quantity or value, you make an approximate judgment or calculation of it. □ [V wh] Try to estimate how many steps it will take to get to a close object. □ [V that] I estimate that the total cost for treatment will be $12,500. □ [V n] He estimated the speed of the winds from the degree of damage. □ [V n + at ] Some analysts estimate its current popularity at around ten per cent. [Also V with quote] ● es|ti|mat|ed ADJ □ There are an estimated 90,000 gangsters in the country.
2 N‑COUNT An estimate is an approximate calculation of a quantity or value. □ [+ of/for ] …the official estimate of the election result. □ This figure is five times the original estimate.
3 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] An estimate is a judgment about a person or situation which you make based on the available evidence. □ [+ of ] I hadn't been far wrong in my estimate of his grandson's capabilities.
4 N‑COUNT An estimate from someone who you employ to do a job for you, such as a builder or a plumber, is a written statement of how much the job is likely to cost. SYNONYMS estimate VERB 1
guess: Paula reached for her camera, guessing distance and exposure.
calculate: From this you can calculate the total mass in the Galaxy.
evaluate: The market situation is difficult to evaluate.
gauge: He gauged the wind at over thirty knots. NOUN 2
guess: He'd taken her pulse and made a guess at her blood pressure.
calculation: Leonard made a rapid calculation: he'd never make it in time.
reckoning: By my reckoning we were seven or eight kilometres from Borj Mechaab.
ballpark estimate/figure: Ballpark estimates indicate a price tag of $90 million a month.
es|ti|ma|tion /e st I me I ʃ ə n/ (estimations )
1 N‑SING [usu with poss] Your estimation of a person or situation is the opinion or impression that you have formed about them. [FORMAL ] □ He has gone down considerably in my estimation.
2 N‑COUNT An estimation is an approximate calculation of a quantity or value. □ [+of ] …estimations of pre-tax profits of £12.25 million.
es|tranged / I stre I ndʒd/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An estranged wife or husband is no longer living with their husband or wife. [FORMAL ] □ …his estranged wife.
2 ADJ If you are estranged from your family or friends, you have quarrelled with them and are not communicating with them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ from ] Joanna, 30, spent most of her twenties virtually estranged from her father.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you describe someone as estranged from something such as society or their profession, you mean that they no longer seem involved in it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ from ] Allegations, made by a self-confessed cheat who had become estranged from his sport, were easy to dismiss.
es|trange|ment / I stre I ndʒmənt/ (estrangements ) N‑VAR Estrangement is the state of being estranged from someone or the length of time for which you are estranged. [FORMAL ] □ [+between ] The trip will bring to an end years of estrangement between the two countries.
es|tro|gen /iː strədʒ ə n, [AM ] e st-/ → see oestrogen
es|tu|ary /e stʃʊri, [AM ] e stʃueri/ (estuaries ) N‑COUNT An estuary is the wide part of a river where it joins the sea. □ …naval manoeuvres in the Clyde estuary.
e|tailer /i ːte I lə r / (etailers ) also e-tailer N‑COUNT An etailer is a person or company that sells products on the internet. [COMPUTING ] □ This company is the biggest wine e-tailer in the U.K.
e|tailing /i ːte I l I ŋ/ also e-tailing N‑UNCOUNT Etailing is the business of selling products on the internet. [COMPUTING ] □ Electronic retailing has predictably become known as etailing.
et al. /e t æ l/ et al. is used after a name or a list of names to indicate that other people are also involved. It is used especially when referring to books or articles which were written by more than two people. □ …Blough et al.
etc ◆◇◇ /et se trə/ also etc. etc is used at the end of a list to indicate that you have mentioned only some of the items involved and have not given a full list. etc is a written abbreviation for 'et cetera'. □ She knew all about my schoolwork, my hospital work etc. □ …a packed programme of events–shows, dances, coach tours, sports, etc.
et|cet|era /etse trə/ also et cetera → see etc
etch /e tʃ/ (etches , etching , etched ) VERB If a line or pattern is etched into a surface, it is cut into the surface by means of acid or a sharp tool. You can also say that a surface is etched with a line or pattern. □ [be V -ed + into/in/on ] Crosses were etched into the walls. □ [V n + into/in/on ] The acid etched holes in the crystal surface. □ [be V -ed + with ] Windows are etched with the vehicle identification number. □ [be V -ed] The stained-glass panels are etched and then handpainted using traditional methods.
etch|ing /e tʃ I ŋ/ (etchings ) N‑COUNT An etching is a picture printed from a metal plate that has had a design cut into it with acid.