Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

an|aes|thet|ic /æ n I sθe t I k/ (anaesthetics ) also anesthetic N‑VAR [oft under N ] Anaesthetic is a substance that doctors use to stop you feeling pain during an operation, either in the whole of your body when you are unconscious, or in a part of your body when you are awake. □  The operation is carried out under a general anaesthetic.

anaes|the|tist /əniː sθət I st/ (anaesthetists ) N‑COUNT An anaesthetist is a doctor who specializes in giving anaesthetics to patients. [BRIT ] in AM, use anesthesiologist

anaes|the|tize /əniː sθəta I z/ (anaesthetizes , anaesthetizing , anaesthetized ) The spellings anesthetize in American English, and anaesthetise in British English are also used. 1 VERB When a doctor or other trained person anaesthetizes a patient, they make the patient unconscious or unable to feel pain by giving them an anaesthetic.

2 VERB If something such as a drug anaesthetizes part or all of your body, it makes you unable to feel anything in that part of your body.

ana|gram /æ nəgræm/ (anagrams ) N‑COUNT An anagram is a word or phrase formed by changing the order of the letters in another word or phrase. For example, 'triangle' is an anagram of 'integral'.

anal /e I n ^ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Anal means relating to the anus of a person or animal.

an|alge|sic /æ n ^ə ldʒiː z I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An analgesic drug reduces the effect of pain. [FORMAL ]

analo|gous /ənæ ləgəs/ ADJ If one thing is analogous to another, the two things are similar in some way. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] Marine construction technology is very complex, somewhat analogous to trying to build a bridge under water.

ana|logue /æ nəlɒg, [AM ] -lɔːg/ (analogues ) The spelling analog is used in American English, and also in British English for meaning 2 . 1 N‑COUNT If one thing is an analogue of another, it is similar in some way. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] No model can ever be a perfect analogue of nature itself.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Analogue technology involves measuring, storing, or recording an infinitely variable amount of information by using physical quantities such as voltage.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] An analogue watch or clock shows what it is measuring with a pointer on a dial rather than with a number display. Compare digital .

anal|ogy /ənæ lədʒi/ (analogies ) N‑COUNT If you make or draw an analogy between two things, you show that they are similar in some way. □ [+ between/with ] Once again, Hockett draws an analogy with American football

ana|lyse /æ nəla I z/ (analyses , analysing , analysed ) in AM, use analyze 1 VERB If you analyse something, you consider it carefully or use statistical methods in order to fully understand it. □ [V n] McCarthy was asked to analyse the data from the first phase of trials of the vaccine. □ [V wh] This book teaches you how to analyse what is causing the stress in your life.

2 VERB If you analyse something, you examine it using scientific methods in order to find out what it consists of. □ [V n] We haven't had time to analyse those samples yet. □ [have n V -ed] They had their tablets analysed to find out whether they were getting the real drug or not. [Also V wh]

ana|lys|er /æ nəla I zə ^r / (analysers ) in AM, use analyzer 1 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] An analyser is a piece of equipment which is used to analyse the substances that are present in something such as a gas. □  …an oxygen analyser.

2 N‑COUNT An analyser is someone who analyses information.

analy|sis ◆◇◇ /ənæ l I s I s/ (analyses /ənæ l I siːz/)

1 N‑VAR Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it. □ [+ of ] We did an analysis of the way that government money has been spent in the past.