Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors - Bill Bryson [2]
acrostic. Writing in which the first, and sometimes the last, letter of each line spells a word when read vertically; a type of word game based on the same principle.
Actaeon. In Greek mythology, a hunter who is turned into a stag by Artemis after he spies her bathing.
activity. Often a sign of prolixity, as here: “The warnings followed a week of earthquake activity throughout the region.” Just make it “a week of earthquakes.”
acute, chronic. These two are sometimes confused, which is a little odd, as their meanings are sharply opposed. Chronic pertains to lingering conditions, ones that are not easily overcome. Acute refers to those that come to a sudden crisis and require immediate attention. People in the Third World may suffer from a chronic shortage of food. In a bad year, their plight may become acute.
AD. Anno Domini (Lat.) “The year of the Lord.” AD should be written before the year (AD 25) but after the century (fourth century AD) and is usually set in small caps. See also ANNO DOMINI and BC.
adage. Even the most careful users of English frequently, but unnecessarily, refer to an “old adage.” An adage is by definition old.
adagio. Slowly, slow movement. Pl. adagios.
adapter, adaptor. The first is one who adapts (as in a book for theatrical presentation); the second is the device for making appliances work abroad and so on.
Addams, Charles. (1912–1988) American cartoonist, long associated with The New Yorker.
Addams, Jane. (1860–1935) American social activist and reformer; Nobel Peace Prize 1931.
Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, England.
addendum, pl. addenda.
Addis Ababa. Capital of Ethiopia.
adduceable. Capable of being proved.
Ade, George. (1866–1944) American playwright.
Adenauer, Konrad. (1876-1967) West German chancellor (1949-1963).
adenoid, adenoidal.
ad hoc. (Lat.) Toward this, for a particular purpose.
ad infinitum. (Lat.) Without limit, to infinity.
Adirondack Mountains.
adjudicator.
ad lib. (Lat.) From ad libitum, “at will.”
ad loc. (Lat.) From ad locum, “at the place.” Note period after loc.
administer. Not administrate.
Admiral’s Cup. Series of yachting races held every two years.
admissible, but admittable.
admit to is nearly always wrong. You admit a misdeed; you do not admit to it.
ad nauseam. (Lat.) Not -um. To the point of nausea.
ADR. American depository (not -ary) receipt. A financial instrument.
adrenaline is the preferred spelling, but adrenalin is accepted.
advance planning is common but always redundant. All planning must be done in advance.
adverse, averse. Adverse means hostile and antagonistic (think of adversary). Averse means reluctant or disinclined (think of aversion).
adviser, but advisory.
advocaat. A liqueur.
Aeaea. In Greek mythology, the island inhabited by Circe.
Aegean Sea. Area of the Mediterranean between Greece, Turkey, and Crete.
Aegina. Town and island off the southeastern coast of Greece.
Aeneid. Epic poem by Virgil.
Aeolian Islands. Group of islands off northeastern Sicily; also called Lipari Islands.
Aeolus. Greek god of winds.
aerate.
aerie. Eagle’s nest.
Aer Lingus. Irish airline.
Aerolíneas Argentinas.
AeroMéxico.
Aeroperú. Former Peruvian national airline; ceased business in 1999.
aerosol.
aerospace.
Aérospatiale. French aviation company.
aerosphere. One of the lower levels of the atmosphere.
Aeschylus. (c. 525–c. 450 BC) Greek playwright.
Aesculapius (Lat.). /Asclepius (Grk.). Roman and Greek god of medicine.
aesthetic is normally the preferred spelling, though esthetic is acceptable.
Afars and Issas, French Territory of. Former name of Djibouti.
affaire de coeur. (Fr.) Love affair.
affaire d’honneur. (Fr.) A duel.
affect, effect. As a verb, affect means to influence (“Smoking may affect your health”) or to adopt a pose or manner (“He affected ignorance”). Effect as a verb means to accomplish (“The prisoners effected an escape”). As a noun, the word needed is almost always effect (as in “personal effects” or “the damaging effects of war”). Affect as a noun has a narrow psychological meaning