ante|na|tal /æ ntine I t ə l/ also ante-natal ADJ [ADJ n] Antenatal means relating to the medical care of women when they are expecting a baby. □ …antenatal classes. □ …antenatal care.
an|ten|na /ænte nə/ (antennae /ænte niː/ or antennas ) antennas is the usual plural form for meaning 2 . 1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The antennae of something such as an insect or crustacean are the two long, thin parts attached to its head that it uses to feel things with.
2 N‑COUNT An antenna is a device that sends and receives television or radio signals.
a nte-po st ADJ [usu ADJ n] In gambling, ante-post bets are placed before the day of a particular race or competition. [BRIT ] □ …the ante-post favourite for the Epsom Classic, Celtic Swing.
ante|ri|or /ænt I ə riə r / ADJ [usu ADJ n] Anterior describes a part of the body that is situated at or towards the front of another part. [MEDICAL ] □ …the left anterior descending artery.
ante|room /æ ntiruːm/ (anterooms ) also ante-room N‑COUNT An anteroom is a small room leading into a larger room. □ He had been patiently waiting in the anteroom for an hour.
an|them /æ nθəm/ (anthems )
1 N‑COUNT An anthem is a song which is used to represent a particular nation, society, or group and which is sung on special occasions. □ The band played the Czech anthem.
2 → see also national anthem
ant|hill /æ nth I l/ (anthills ) also ant-hill N‑COUNT An anthill is a pile of earth formed by ants when they are making a nest.
an|thol|ogy /ænθɒ lədʒi/ (anthologies ) N‑COUNT An anthology is a collection of writings by different writers published together in one book. □ …an anthology of poetry.
an|thra|cite /æ nθrəsa I t/ N‑UNCOUNT Anthracite is a type of very hard coal which burns slowly, producing a lot of heat and very little smoke.
an|thrax /æ nθræks/ N‑UNCOUNT Anthrax is a disease of cattle and sheep, in which they get painful sores and a fever. Anthrax can be used in biological weapons.
an|thro|pol|ogy /æ nθrəpɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Anthropology is the scientific study of people, society, and culture. ● an|thro|polo|gist /æ nθrəpɒ lədʒ I st/ (anthropologists ) N‑COUNT □ …an anthropologist who had been in China for three years.
an|thro|po|mor|phic /æ nθrəpəmɔː r f I k/ ADJ Anthropomorphic means relating to the idea that an animal, a god, or an object has feelings or characteristics like those of a human being. □ …the anthropomorphic attitude to animals.
an|thro|po|mor|phism /æ nθrəpəmɔː r f I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Anthropomorphism is the idea that an animal, a god, or an object has feelings or characteristics like those of a human being.
anti /æ nti/ (antis )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can refer to people who are opposed to a particular activity or idea as antis . [INFORMAL ] □ Despite what the antis would tell you, hunting is for people from all walks of life.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is opposed to something you can say that they are anti it. [INFORMAL , SPOKEN ] □ That's why you're so anti other people smoking.
PREFIX anti-
forms nouns and adjectives that refer to some sort of opposition. For example, anti-virus software protects a computer from attack by viruses.
a nti-abo rtionist (anti-abortionists ) N‑COUNT An anti-abortionist is someone who wants to limit or prevent the legal availability of abortions.
anti|bi|ot|ic /æ ntiba I ɒ t I k/ (antibiotics ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Antibiotics are medical drugs used to kill bacteria and treat infections. □ Your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics.
anti|body /æ ntibɒdi/ (antibodies ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Antibodies are substances which a person's or an animal's body produces in their blood in order to destroy substances which carry disease.
an|tici|pate /ænt I s I pe I t/ (anticipates , anticipating , anticipated )
1 VERB If you anticipate an event, you realize in advance that it may happen and you are prepared for it. □ [V n] At the time we couldn't have anticipated the result of our campaigning. □ [be V -ed that] It is anticipated that the equivalent of 192 full-time jobs will be lost. □ [V that] I hadn't anticipated that Rob's team would advance that far. [Also V ]
2 VERB If you anticipate a question, request, or need, you do what is necessary or required before the question, request, or need occurs. □ [V n] What Jeff did was to anticipate my next question.
3 VERB If you anticipate something, you do it, think it, or say it before someone else does. □ [V n] In the 50s, Rauschenberg anticipated the conceptual art movement of the 80s.
an|tici|pat|ed /ænt I s I pe I t I d/ ADJ If an event, especially a cultural event, is eagerly anticipated , people expect that it will be very good, exciting, or interesting. □ …the most eagerly anticipated rock event of the year. □ …one of the conference's most keenly anticipated debates.
an|tici|pa|tion /ænt I s I pe I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Anticipation is a feeling of excitement about something pleasant or exciting that you know is going to happen. □ There's been an atmosphere of anticipation around here for a few days now.
2 PHRASE If something is done in anticipation of an event, it is done because people believe that event is going to happen. □ Troops in the Philippines have been put on full alert in anticipation of trouble during a planned general strike.