Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

augur /ɔː gə ^r / (augurs , auguring , augured ) VERB If something augurs well or badly for a person or a future situation, it is a sign that things will go well or badly. [FORMAL ] □ [V adv + for ] The renewed violence this week hardly augurs well for smooth or peaceful change. [Also V n]

augu|ry /ɔː gjʊri/ (auguries ) N‑COUNT An augury is a sign of what will happen in the future. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] The auguries of death are fast gathering round his head.

august /ɔːgʌ st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Someone or something that is august is dignified and impressive. [FORMAL ] □  …the august surroundings of the Liberal Club.

August /ɔː gəst/ (Augusts ) N‑VAR August is the eighth month of the year in the Western calendar. □  The world premiere took place in August 1956. □  The trial will resume on 22 August. □  This August has been the wettest for four years.

auk /ɔː k/ (auks ) N‑COUNT An auk is a seabird with a heavy body and short tail.

Auld Lang Syne /oʊ ld læŋ za I n/ N‑PROPER Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song about friendship that is traditionally sung as clocks strike midnight on New Year's Eve.

aunt ◆◆◇ /ɑː nt, æ nt/ (aunts )

1 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE Someone's aunt is the sister of their mother or father, or the wife of their uncle. □  She wrote to her aunt in America. □  It was a present from Aunt Vera.

2 → see also agony aunt

auntie /ɑː nti, æ nti/ (aunties ) also aunty N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE Someone's auntie is their aunt. [INFORMAL ] □  His uncle is dead, but his auntie still lives here. □  …my Auntie Elsie.

au pair /oʊ peə ^r , [AM ] ɔː -/ (au pairs ) N‑COUNT An au pair is a young person from a foreign country who lives with a family in order to learn the language and who helps to look after the children.

aura /ɔː rə/ (auras ) N‑COUNT An aura is a quality or feeling that seems to surround a person or place or to come from them. □ [+ of ] She had an aura of authority.

aural /ɔː rəl, aʊ rəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Aural means related to the sense of hearing. Compare acoustic . □  He became famous as an inventor of astonishing visual and aural effects.

aus|pices /ɔː sp I s I z/ PHRASE If something is done under the auspices of a particular person or organization, or under someone's auspices , it is done with their support and approval. [FORMAL ]

aus|pi|cious /ɔːsp I ʃəs/ ADJ Something that is auspicious indicates that success is likely. [FORMAL ] □  His career as a playwright had an auspicious start.

Aussie /ɒ zi, [AM ] ɔː -/ (Aussies ) ADJ [ADJ n] Aussie means Australian. [INFORMAL ] □  He is one of Aussie Rugby League's greats. ● N‑COUNT An Aussie is a person from Australia. [INFORMAL ]

aus|tere /ɔːst I ə ^r /

1 ADJ If you describe something as austere , you approve of its plain and simple appearance. [APPROVAL ] □  The church was austere and simple.

2 ADJ If you describe someone as austere , you disapprove of them because they are strict and serious. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  I found her a rather austere, distant, somewhat cold person.

3 ADJ An austere way of life is one that is simple and without luxuries. □  The life of the troops was still comparatively austere.

4 ADJ An austere economic policy is one which reduces people's living standards sharply. □  …a set of very austere economic measures to control inflation.

aus|ter|ity /ɔːste r I ti/ (austerities )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Austerity is a situation in which people's living standards are reduced because of economic difficulties. □  …the years of austerity which followed the war.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to something as showing austerity , you like its plain and simple appearance. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □  …many abandoned buildings, some of which have a compact classical austerity and dignity.