Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 N‑COUNT Something that is an adjunct to something larger or more important is connected with it or helps to perform the same task. □ [+ to ] Physical therapy is an important adjunct to drug treatments. [Also + of ]

2 N‑COUNT In grammar, an adjunct is a word or group of words which indicates the circumstances of an action, event, or situation. An adjunct is usually a prepositional phrase or an adverb group.

ad|just ◆◇◇ /ədʒʌ st/ (adjusts , adjusting , adjusted )

1 VERB When you adjust to a new situation, you get used to it by changing your behaviour or your ideas. □ [V n + to ] We have been preparing our fighters to adjust themselves to civil society. □ [V + to ] I felt I had adjusted to the idea of being a mother very well. □ [V ] It has been hard to adjust but now I'm getting satisfaction from my work. [Also V adv]

2 → see also well-adjusted

3 VERB If you adjust something, you change it so that it is more effective or appropriate. □ [V n] To attract investors, the government has adjusted its tax and labour laws.

4 VERB If you adjust something such as your clothing or a machine, you correct or alter its position or setting. □ [V n] Liz adjusted her mirror and then edged the car out of its parking bay.

5 VERB If you adjust your vision or if your vision adjusts , the muscles of your eye or the pupils alter to cope with changes in light or distance. □ [V n] He stopped to try to adjust his vision to the faint starlight. □ [V ] We stood in the doorway until our eyes adjusted. SYNONYMS adjust VERB

1

adapt:They have had to adapt themselves to a war economy.

accommodate:Some animal and plant species cannot accommodate to the rapidly changing conditions.

get used:This is how we do things here. You'll soon get used to it.

accustom:The team has accustomed itself to the pace of first division rugby.

3

alter:They have never altered their programmes by a single day.

adapt:Shelves were built to adapt the library for use as an office.

revise:The staff should work together to revise the school curriculum.

modify:The club members did agree to modify their recruitment policy.

amend:The president agreed to amend the constitution and allow multi-party elections.

ad|just|able /ədʒʌ stəb ^ə l/ ADJ If something is adjustable , it can be changed to different positions or sizes. □  The bags have adjustable shoulder straps. □  The seats are fully adjustable.

ad|just|er /ədʒʌ stə ^r / (adjusters ) also adjustor

1 N‑COUNT An adjuster is a device which allows you to alter a piece of equipment's position or setting. □  …a seat belt adjuster.

2 → see also loss adjuster

ad|just|ment /ədʒʌ stmənt/ (adjustments )

1 N‑COUNT An adjustment is a small change that is made to something such as a machine or a way of doing something. □ [+ to ] Compensation could be made by adjustments to taxation. □ [+ for ] Investment is up by 5.7% after adjustment for inflation. [Also + in ]

2 N‑COUNT An adjustment is a change in a person's behaviour or thinking. □ [+ to ] He will have to make major adjustments to his thinking if he is to survive in office.

ad|ju|tant /æ dʒʊtənt/ (adjutants ) N‑COUNT An adjutant is an officer in the army who deals with administrative work.

a d-li b (ad-libs , ad-libbing , ad-libbed ) also ad lib