telekinesis
telekinesis: n. Psychol. movement of objects at a distance supposedly by paranormal means. øøtelekinetic adj. [mod.L (as TELE-, Gk kinesis motion f. kineo move)]

thermal
thermal: adj. & n. --adj.
1 of, for, or producing heat.
2 promoting the retention of heat (thermal underwear). --n. a rising current of heated air (used by gliders, balloons, and birds to gain height). øBritish thermal unit the amount of heat needed to rais.
1 lb. of water at maximum density through one degree Fahrenheit, equivalent to 1.055 x 10(3) joules. thermal capacity the number of heat units needed to raise the temperature of a body by one degree. thermal neutron a neutron in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings. thermal reactor a nuclear reactor using thermal neutrons. thermal springs springs of naturally hot water. thermal unit a unit for measuring heat. øøthermalize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). thermalization n. thermally adv. [F (as THERM)]

terry
terry: n. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies) a pile fabric with the loops uncut, used esp. for towels. --adj. of this fabric. [18th c.: orig. unkn.]

talcum
talcum: n.
1 = TALC.
2 (in full talcum powder) powdered talc for toilet and cosmetic use, usu. perfumed. [med.L: see TALC]

tabaret
tabaret: n. an upholstery fabric of alternate satin and plain stripes. [prob. f. TABBY]

tactics
tactics: n.pl.
1 (also treated as sing.) the art of disposing armed forces esp. in contact with an enemy (cf. STRATEGY).
2 a the plans and means adopted in carrying out a scheme or achieving some end. b a skilful device or devices. øøtactician n. [mod.L tactica f. Gk taktika neut.pl. f. taktos ordered f. tasso arrange]

tonight
tonight: adv. & n. --adv. on the present or approaching evening or night. --n. the evening or night of the present day. [TO + NIGHT: cf. TODAY]

topical
topical: adj.
1 dealing with the news, current affairs, etc. (a topical song).
2 dealing with a place; local.
3 Med. (of an ailment, medicine, etc.) affecting a part of the body.
4 of or concerning topics. øøtopicality n. topically adv.

testament
testament: n.
1 a will (esp. last will and testament).
2 (usu. foll. by to) evidence, proof (is testament to his loyalty).
3 Bibl. a a covenant or dispensation. b (Testament) a division of the Christian Bible (see Old TestamentNew Testament). c (Testament) a copy of the New Testament. [ME f. L testamentum will (as TESTATE): in early Christian L rendering Gk diatheke covenant]

talisman
talisman: n. (pl. talismans.
1 an object, esp. an inscribed ring or stone, supposed to be endowed with magic powers esp. of averting evil from or bringing good luck to its holder.
2 a charm or amulet; a thing supposed capable of working wonders. øøtalismanic adj. [F & Sp., = It. talismano, f. med.Gk telesmon, Gk telesma completion, religious rite f. teleo complete f. telos end]

tiffany
tiffany: n. (pl. -ies) thin gauze muslin. [orig. dress worn on Twelfth Night, f. OF tifanie f. eccl.L theophania f. Gk theophaneia Epiphany]

transient
transient: adj. & n. --adj.
1 of short duration; momentary; passing; impermanent (life is transient; of transient interest).
2 Mus. serving only to connect; inessential (a transient chord). --n.
1 a temporary visitor, worker, etc.
2 Electr. a brief current etc. øøtransience n. transiency n. transiently adv. [L transire (as TRANS-, ire go)]

turkey
turkey: n. (pl. -eys.
1 a large mainly domesticated game-bird, Meleagris gallopavo, orig. of N. America, having dark plumage with a green or bronze sheen, prized as food esp. on festive occasions including Christmas and, in the US, Thanksgiving.
2 the flesh of the turkey as food.
3 US sl. a a theatrical failure; a flop. b a stupid or inept person. øtalk turkey US colloq. talk frankly and straightforwardly; get down to business. turkey buzzard (or vulture) an American vulture, Cathartes aura. [16th c.: short for turkeycock or turkeyhen, orig. applied to the guinea-fowl which was imported through Turkey, and then erron. to the Amer. bird]

tableau
tableau: n. (pl. tableaux.
1 a picturesque presentation.
2 = TABLEAU VIVANT.
3 a dramatic or effective situation suddenly brought about. øtableau curtains Theatr. a pair of curtains drawn open by a diagonal cord. [F, = picture, dimin. of table: see TABLE]

tether
tether: n. & v. --n.
1 a rope etc. by which an animal is tied to confine it to the spot.
2 the extent of one's knowledge, authority, etc.; scope, limit. --v.tr. tie (an animal) with a tether. øat the end of one's tether having reached the limit of one's patience, resources, abilities, etc. [ME f. ON tj×thr f. Gmc]

tanager
tanager: n. any small American bird of the subfamily Thraupinae, the male usu. having brightly-coloured plumage. [mod.L tanagra f. Tupi tangara]

tabletop
tabletop: n.
1 the top or surface of a table.
2 (attrib.) that can be placed or used on a tabletop.

terms
treaty
treaty: n. (pl. -ies.
1 a formally concluded and ratified agreement between States.
2 an agreement between individuals or parties, esp. for the purchase of property. øtreaty port hist. a port that a country was bound by treaty to keep open to foreign trade. [ME f. AF tret÷ f. L tractatus TRACTATE]

traumatic
traumatic: adj.
1 of or causing trauma.
2 colloq. (in general use) distressing; emotionally disturbing (a traumatic experience).
3 of or for wounds. øøtraumatically adv. [LL traumaticus f. Gk traumatikos (as TRAUMA)]