anti|sep|tic /æ ntise pt I k/ (antiseptics )
1 N‑VAR Antiseptic is a substance that kills germs and harmful bacteria. □ She bathed the cut with antiseptic.
2 ADJ Something that is antiseptic kills germs and harmful bacteria. □ These vegetables and herbs have strong antiseptic qualities.
a nti-so cial also antisocial
1 ADJ Someone who is anti-social is unwilling to meet and be friendly with other people. □ …teenagers who will become aggressive and anti-social.
2 ADJ Anti-social behaviour is annoying or upsetting to other people.
an|tith|esis /ænt I θəs I s/ (antitheses /ænt I θəsiːz/) N‑COUNT The antithesis of something is its exact opposite. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] The little black dress is the antithesis of fussy dressing.
anti|theti|cal /æ nt I θe t I k ə l/ ADJ Something that is antithetical to something else is the opposite of it and is unable to exist with it. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ to ] Their priorities are antithetical to those of environmentalists.
anti|trust /æ ntitrʌ st/ ADJ [ADJ n] In the United States, antitrust laws are intended to stop large firms taking over their competitors, fixing prices with their competitors, or interfering with free competition in any way.
a nti-vi rus also antivirus ADJ [ADJ n] Anti-virus software is software that protects a computer against viruses.
ant|ler /æ ntlə r / (antlers ) N‑COUNT A male deer's antlers are the branched horns on its head.
an|to|nym /æ ntən I m/ (antonyms ) N‑COUNT The antonym of a word is a word which means the opposite. [FORMAL ]
antsy /æ ntsi/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is antsy , they are nervous or impatient. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ This is the end of a tour so I'm a little antsy, I guess.
anus /e I nəs/ (anuses ) N‑COUNT A person's anus is the hole from which faeces leaves their body.
an|vil /æ nv I l/ (anvils ) N‑COUNT An anvil is a heavy iron block on which hot metals are beaten into shape.
anxi|ety ◆◇◇ /æŋza I I ti/ (anxieties ) N‑VAR Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness or worry. □ Her voice was full of anxiety. □ [+ about ] Many editorials express their anxieties about the economic chaos in the country. SYNONYMS anxiety NOUN
unease: Garland tried to appear casual, but he couldn't conquer his unease.
worry: His wife Cheryl said she had no worries about his health.
tension: Smiling and laughing has actually been shown to relieve tension and stress.
apprehension: It reflects real anger and apprehension about the future.
nervousness: I smiled warmly so he wouldn't see my nervousness.
anx|ious ◆◇◇ /æ ŋkʃəs/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf, ADJ that] If you are anxious to do something or anxious that something should happen, you very much want to do it or very much want it to happen. □ The miners were anxious to avoid a strike. □ He is anxious that there should be no delay. □ Those anxious for reform say that the present system is too narrow.
2 ADJ If you are anxious , you are nervous or worried about something. □ The foreign minister admitted he was still anxious about the situation in the country. □ A friend of mine is a very anxious person. ● anx|ious|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ They are waiting anxiously to see who will succeed him.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] An anxious time or situation is one during which you feel nervous and worried. □ He told last night of the anxious hours waiting to discover whether his girlfriend was safe from the earthquake. SYNONYMS anxious ADJ
1
eager: Robert was eager to talk about life in the Army.
keen: She's still keen to keep in touch.
impatient: He was impatient to get home.
2
uneasy: I had an uneasy feeling that he was going to spoil it.
concerned: I've been concerned about you lately.
worried: He seemed very worried.
nervous: She described Mr Hutchinson as nervous and jumpy after his wife's disappearance.
tense: There was a tense silence.
any ◆◆◆ /e ni/
1 DET You use any in statements with negative meaning to indicate that no thing or person of a particular type exists, is present, or is involved in a situation. □ I never make any big decisions. □ We are doing this all without any support from the hospital. □ Earlier reports were unable to confirm that there were any survivors. ● QUANT Any is also a quantifier. □ You don't know any of my friends. ● PRON Any is also a pronoun. □ The children needed new school clothes and Kim couldn't afford any.
2 DET You use any in questions and conditional clauses to ask whether there is some of a particular thing or some of a particular group of people, or to suggest that there might be. □ Do you speak any foreign languages? □ Have you got any cheese I can have with this bread? ● QUANT Any is also a quantifier. □ Have you ever used a homeopathic remedy for any of the following reasons? ● PRON Any is also a pronoun. □ The plants are inspected for insects and if I find any, they are squashed.
3 DET You use any in positive statements when you are referring to someone or something of a particular kind that might exist, occur, or be involved in a situation, when their exact identity or nature is not important. □ Any actor will tell you that it is easier to perform than to be themselves. □ I'm prepared to take any advice. ● QUANT Any is also a quantifier. □ It had been the biggest mistake any of them could remember. ● PRON Any is also a pronoun. □ Clean the mussels and discard any that do not close.