xeri·scape noun, often cap : a landscaping method utilizing water-conserving techniques
xe·rog·ra·phy noun : a process for copying printed matter by the action of light on an electrically charged surface in which the latent image is developed with a powder
— xe·ro·graph·ic adjective
xe·ro·phyte noun : a plant adapted for growth with a limited water supply
— xe·ro·phyt·ic adjective
xi noun : the 14th letter of the Greek alphabet — Ξ or ξ
XL abbreviation 1 extra large
2 extra long
Xmas noun [ORIGIN: X (symbol for Christ, fr. the Gk letter chi (X), initial of Christos Christ) + -mas (in Christmas)]
: CHRISTMAS
XML noun : a markup language that indicates the structural type of data
XO abbreviation executive officer
x–ra·di·a·tion noun, often cap 1 : exposure to X-rays
2 : radiation consisting of X-rays
x–ray verb, often cap : to examine, treat, or photograph with X-rays
X–ray noun 1 : a radiation with an extremely short wavelength of less than 100 angstroms that is able to penetrate through various thicknesses of solids and to act on photographic film
2 : a photograph taken with X-rays
— X–ray adjective
XS abbreviation extra small
xy·lem noun : a woody tissue of vascular plants that transports water and dissolved materials upward, functions in support and storage, and lies central to the phloem
xy·lo·phone noun [ORIGIN: Gk xylon wood + phōnē voice, sound]
: a musical instrument consisting of a series of wooden bars graduated in length to produce the musical scale, supported on belts of straw or felt, and sounded by striking with two small wooden hammers
— xy·lo·phon·ist noun
Y
1y noun, plural y's or ys often cap : the 25th letter of the English alphabet
2y abbreviation 1 yard
2 year
1Y noun : YMCA, YWCA
2Y symbol yttrium
1-y also -ey adjective suffix 1 : characterized by : full of 2 : having the character of : composed of 3 : like : like that of 4 : tending or inclined to 5 : giving occasion for (specified) action 6 : performing (specified) action 2-y noun suffix, plural -ies 1 : state : condition : quality 2 : activity, place of business, or goods dealt with 3 : whole body or group 3-y noun suffix, plural -ies : instance of a (specified) action YA abbreviation young adult
1yacht noun [ORIGIN: obs. D jaght, fr. Middle Low German jacht, short for jachtschip, lit., hunting ship]
: a usu. large recreational watercraft; also : sailboat
2yacht verb : to race or cruise in a yacht
yacht·ing noun : the sport of racing or cruising in a yacht
yachts·man noun : a person who owns or sails a yacht
ya·hoo noun, plural yahoos [ORIGIN: fr. Yahoo, one of a race of brutes having the form of men in Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels]
: a boorish, crass, or stupid person
Yah·weh also Yah·veh noun : GOD 1 — used esp. by the Hebrews
1yak noun, plural yaks also yak : a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox of Tibet and adjacent Asian uplands
2yak also yack noun : persistent or voluble talk
— yak also yack verb
yam noun 1 : the edible starchy root of various twining plants used as a staple food in tropical areas; also : a plant that produces yams
2 : a usu. deep orange sweet potato
yam·mer verb [ORIGIN: ME yameren, alter. of yomeren to murmur, be sad, fr. OE gēomrian]
1 : to utter repeated cries of distress or sorrow : WHIMPER
2 : CHATTER
— yammer noun
1yank noun : a strong sudden pull : JERK
2yank verb : to pull with a quick vigorous movement
Yank noun : YANKEE
Yan·kee noun 1 : a native or inhabitant