Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

am|pheta|mine /æmfe təmiːn/ (amphetamines ) N‑VAR Amphetamine is a drug which increases people's energy, makes them excited, and reduces their desire for food.

am|phib|ian /æmf I biən/ (amphibians )

1 N‑COUNT Amphibians are animals such as frogs and toads that can live both on land and in water.

2 N‑COUNT An amphibian is a vehicle which is able to move on both land and water, or an aeroplane which can land on both land and water.

am|phibi|ous /æmf I biəs/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] In an amphibious military operation, army and navy forces attack a place from the sea. □  A third brigade is at sea, ready for an amphibious assault.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] An amphibious vehicle is able to move on both land and water.

3 ADJ Amphibious animals are animals such as frogs and toads that can live both on land and in water.

am|phi|thea|tre /æ mfiθ I ətə ^r / (amphitheatres ) in AM, use amphitheater N‑COUNT An amphitheatre is a large open area surrounded by rows of seats sloping upwards. Amphitheatres were built mainly in Greek and Roman times for the performance of plays.

am|ple /æ mp ^ə l/ (ampler , amplest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] If there is an ample amount of something, there is enough of it and usually some extra. □  There'll be ample opportunity to relax, swim and soak up some sun. ●  am|ply ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □  They have been amply rewarded with huge salaries.

am|pli|fi|er /æ mpl I fa I ə ^r / (amplifiers ) N‑COUNT An amplifier is an electronic device in a radio or stereo system which causes sounds or signals to get louder.

am|pli|fy /æ mpl I fa I / (amplifies , amplifying , amplified )

1 VERB If you amplify a sound, you make it louder, usually by using electronic equipment. □ [V n] This landscape seemed to trap and amplify sounds. □ [be V -ed + with ] The music was amplified with microphones. □ [V -ed] 'This is the police,' came the amplified voice from the helicopter. ●  am|pli|fi|ca|tion /æ mpl I f I ke I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □  …a voice that needed no amplification.

2 VERB To amplify something means to increase its strength or intensity. □ [V n] The mist had been replaced by a kind of haze that seemed to amplify the heat.

am|pli|tude /æ mpl I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ (amplitudes ) N‑VAR In physics, the amplitude of a sound wave or electrical signal is its strength. [TECHNICAL ]

am|poule /æ mpuːl/ (ampoules ) in AM, use ampule N‑COUNT An ampoule is a small container, usually made of glass, that contains a drug which will be injected into someone. The abbreviation amp is also used.

am|pu|tate /æ mpjʊte I t/ (amputates , amputating , amputated ) VERB To amputate someone's arm or leg means to cut all or part of it off in an operation because it is diseased or badly damaged. □ [V n] To save his life, doctors amputated his legs. □ [have n V -ed] He had to have one leg amputated above the knee. [Also V ] ●  am|pu|ta|tion /æ mpjʊte I ʃ ^ə n/ (amputations ) N‑VAR □  He lived only hours after the amputation.

am|pu|tee /æ mpjʊtiː / (amputees ) N‑COUNT An amputee is someone who has had all or part of an arm or a leg amputated.

amu|let /æ mjʊlət/ (amulets ) N‑COUNT An amulet is a small object that you wear or carry because you think it will bring you good luck and protect you from evil or injury.

amuse /əmjuː z/ (amuses , amusing , amused )

1 VERB If something amuses you, it makes you want to laugh or smile. □ [V n] The thought seemed to amuse him. □ [V ] Their antics never fail to amuse.

2 VERB If you amuse yourself , you do something in order to pass the time and not become bored. □ [V pron-refl] I need distractions. I need to amuse myself so I won't keep thinking about things. □ [V n] Put a selection of baby toys in his cot to amuse him if he wakes early.

3 → see also amused , amusing