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2 : an airplane that can land on and take off from either land or water

am·phib·i·ous adjective [ORIGIN: Gk amphibios, lit., living a double life, fr. amphi- on both sides + bios mode of life]

1 : able to live both on land and in water

2 : adapted for both land and water

3 : made by joint action of land, sea, and air forces invading from the sea; also : trained for such action

am·phi·bole noun : any of a group of rock-forming minerals of similar crystal structure

am·phi·the·ater noun 1 : an oval or circular structure with rising tiers of seats around an arena

2 : a very large auditorium

am·pho·ra noun, plural -rae or -ras : an ancient Greek jar or vase with two handles that rise almost to the level of the mouth

am·ple adjective am·pler ; am·plest 1 : generous or more than adequate in size, scope, or capacity : CAPACIOUS

2 : enough to satisfy : ABUNDANT

— am·ply adverb

Synonyms

[1] capacious, commodious, roomy, spacious—more at SPACIOUS

[2] abundant, bountiful, comfortable, generous, liberal, plentiful—more at PLENTIFUL

am·pli·fy verb -fied; -fy·ing 1 : to expand by extended treatment

2 : to increase in magnitude or strength; especially : to make louder

— am·pli·fi·ca·tion noun

— am·pli·fi·er noun

Synonyms

[1] develop, elaborate, enlarge, expand—more at EXPAND

[2] add, aggrandize, augment, boost, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, increase, multiply, raise, swell, up—more at INCREASE

[2] beef, boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen—more at INTENSIFY

am·pli·tude noun 1 : ample extent : FULLNESS

2 : the extent or range of a quality, property, process, or phenomenon: as : the extent of a vibratory movement (as of a pendulum) or of an oscillation (as of an alternating current or a radio wave)

Synonyms

breadth, compass, extent, range, reach, realm, scope, sweep, width—more at RANGE

amplitude modulation noun : modulation of the amplitude of a radio carrier wave in accordance with the strength of the signal; also : a broadcasting system using such modulation

am·poule or am·pule also am·pul noun : a small sealed bulbous glass vessel used to hold a solution for hypodermic injection

am·pu·tate verb -tat·ed; -tat·ing : to cut off <~ a leg>

— am·pu·ta·tion noun

am·pu·tee noun : one who has had a limb amputated

AMSLAN abbreviation American Sign Language

amt abbreviation amount

amuck variant of AMOK

am·u·let noun : an ornament worn as a charm against evil

Synonyms

charm, fetish, mascot, talisman—more at CHARM

amuse verb amused; amus·ing : to entertain in a light or playful manner : DIVERT

Synonyms

disport, divert, entertain, regale; also absorb, busy, distract, engage, engross, immerse, interest, involve, occupy

amuse·ment noun : pleasurable diversion

Synonyms

distraction, diversion, entertainment—more at ENTERTAINMENT

amus·ing adjective : giving amusement

Synonyms

delightful, diverting, enjoyable, entertaining, fun, pleasurable—more at FUN

AM·VETS abbreviation American Veterans (of World War II)

am·y·lase noun : any of several enzymes that accelerate the breakdown of starch and glycogen

an indefinite article : A — used before words beginning with a vowel sound

1-an or -ian also -ean noun suffix 1 : one that belongs to

2 : one skilled in or specializing in

2-an or -ian also -ean adjective suffix 1 : of or belonging to

2 : characteristic of : resembling

AN abbreviation airman (Navy)

an·a·bol·ic steroid noun : any of a group of synthetic steroid hormones sometimes abused by athletes in training to increase temporarily the size of their muscles

anach·ro·nism noun 1 : the error of placing a person or thing in the wrong period

2 : one that is chronologically out of place

— anach·ro·nis·tic adjective

— anach·ro·nous adjective

an·a·con·da noun : a large So. American snake that suffocates and kills its prey by