Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

2 PHRASE If something is done in anticipation of an event, it is done because people believe that event is going to happen. □  Troops in the Philippines have been put on full alert in anticipation of trouble during a planned general strike.

an|tici|pa|tory /ænt I s I pe I təri, [AM ] -pətɔːri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An anticipatory feeling or action is one that you have or do because you are expecting something to happen soon. [FORMAL ] □  …an anticipatory smile.

anti|cli|max /æ ntikla I mæks/ (anticlimaxes ) N‑VAR You can describe something as an anticlimax if it disappoints you because it happens after something that was very exciting, or because it is not as exciting as you expected. □  After such a promising approach, the cave in itself was something of an anticlimax.

anti|clock|wise /æ ntiklɒ kwa I z/ also anti-clockwise ADV [ADV after v] If something is moving anticlockwise , it is moving in the opposite direction to the direction in which the hands of a clock move. [BRIT ] □  The cutters are opened by turning the knob anticlockwise. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Anticlockwise is also an adjective. □  …an anticlockwise route around the coast. [in AM, use counterclockwise ]

an|tics /æ nt I ks/ N‑PLURAL Antics are funny, silly, or unusual ways of behaving. □  Elizabeth tolerated Sarah's antics.

anti|cy|clone /æ ntisa I kloʊn/ (anticyclones ) N‑COUNT An anticyclone is an area of high atmospheric pressure which causes settled weather conditions and, in summer, clear skies and high temperatures.

a nti-depre ssant (anti-depressants ) also antidepressant N‑COUNT An anti-depressant is a drug which is used to treat people who are suffering from depression.

anti|dote /æ ntidoʊt/ (antidotes )

1 N‑COUNT An antidote is a chemical substance that stops or controls the effect of a poison. □  When he returned, he noticed their sickness and prepared an antidote.

2 N‑COUNT Something that is an antidote to a difficult or unpleasant situation helps you to overcome the situation. □ [+ to ] Massage is a wonderful antidote to stress.

anti|freeze /æ ntifriːz/ N‑UNCOUNT Antifreeze is a liquid which is added to water to stop it freezing. It is used in car radiators in cold weather.

anti|gen /æ nt I dʒən/ (antigens ) N‑COUNT An antigen is a substance that helps the production of antibodies.

a nti-hero (anti-heroes ) also antihero N‑COUNT An anti-hero is the main character in a novel, play, or film who is not morally good and does not behave like a typical hero.

anti|his|ta|mine /æ ntih I stəm I n/ (antihistamines ) also anti-histamine N‑COUNT An antihistamine is a drug that is used to treat allergies.

anti|mat|ter /æ ntimætə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT In science, antimatter is a form of matter whose particles have characteristics and properties opposite to those of ordinary matter. [TECHNICAL ]

anti|oxi|dant /æ ntiɒ ks I dənt/ (antioxidants ) also anti-oxidant N‑COUNT An antioxidant is a substance which slows down the damage that can be caused to other substances by the effects of oxygen. Foods which contain antioxidants are thought to be very good for you.

anti|pas|to /æ ntipæstoʊ/ (antipasti ) N‑VAR Antipasto is the sort of food that is often served at the beginning of an Italian meal, for example cold meats and vegetables in olive oil.

an|tipa|thy /ænt I pəθi/ N‑UNCOUNT Antipathy is a strong feeling of dislike or hostility towards someone or something. [FORMAL ] □  She'd often spoken of her antipathy towards London.

An|tipo|dean /ænt I pədiː ən/ also antipodean ADJ [usu ADJ n] Antipodean describes people or things that come from or relate to Australia and New Zealand. [BRIT ] □  This New Zealand winery produces some of the best antipodean wines.

An|tipo|des /ænt I pədiːz/ N‑PROPER People sometimes refer to Australia and New Zealand as the Antipodes . [BRIT ]