Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

al|bu|min /æ lbjʊm I n, [AM ] ælbjuː m I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Albumin is a protein that is found in blood plasma, egg white, and some other substances.

al|chemi|cal /ælke m I k ^ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Alchemical means relating to the science of alchemy. □  …alchemical experiments.

al|che|mist /æ lkəm I st/ (alchemists ) N‑COUNT An alchemist was a scientist in the Middle Ages who tried to discover how to change ordinary metals into gold.

al|che|my /æ lkəmi/ N‑UNCOUNT Alchemy was a form of chemistry studied in the Middle Ages, which was concerned with trying to discover ways to change ordinary metals into gold.

al|co|hol ◆◇◇ /æ lkəhɒl, [AM ] -hɔːl/ (alcohols )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Drinks that can make people drunk, such as beer, wine, and whisky, can be referred to as alcohol . □  Do either of you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol?

2 N‑VAR Alcohol is a colourless liquid that is found in drinks such as beer, wine, and whisky. It is also used in products such as perfumes and cleaning fluids. □  …low-alcohol beer.

al|co|hol|ic /æ lkəhɒ l I k, [AM ] -hɔː l-/ (alcoholics )

1 N‑COUNT An alcoholic is someone who cannot stop drinking large amounts of alcohol, even when this is making them ill. □  He showed great courage by admitting that he is an alcoholic.

2 ADJ Alcoholic drinks are drinks that contain alcohol. □  …the serving of alcoholic drinks.

al|co|hol|ism /æ lkəhɒl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT People who suffer from alcoholism cannot stop drinking large quantities of alcohol. □  …the problems of alcoholism.

al|cove /æ lkoʊv/ (alcoves ) N‑COUNT An alcove is a small area of a room which is formed by one part of a wall being built further back than the rest of the wall. □  In the alcoves on either side of the fire were bookshelves.

al den|te /æl de nte I / ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you cook pasta or a vegetable until it is al dente , you cook it just long enough so that it is neither hard nor soft but is firm and slightly chewy.

al|der /ɔː ldə ^r / (alders ) N‑VAR An alder is a species of tree or shrub that grows especially in cool, damp places and loses its leaves in winter. ● N‑UNCOUNT Alder is the wood from this tree.

al|der|man /ɔː ldə ^r mən/ (aldermen )

1 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE In some parts of the United States and Canada, an alderman is a member of the governing body of a city.

2 N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE Until 1974 in England and Wales, an alderman was a senior member of a local council who was elected by other councillors.

ale /e I l/ (ales )

1 N‑VAR Ale is a kind of strong beer. □  …our selection of ales and spirits.

2 → see also ginger ale , real ale

alec /æ l I k/ (alecs ) → see smart alec

aleck /æ l I k/ (alecks ) → see smart alec

alert ◆◇◇ /əlɜː ^r t/ (alerts , alerting , alerted )

1 ADJ If you are alert , you are paying full attention to things around you and are able to deal with anything that might happen. □  We all have to stay alert. □  He had been spotted by an alert neighbour. ●  alert|ness N‑UNCOUNT □  The drug improved mental alertness.

2 ADJ If you are alert to something, you are fully aware of it. □ [+ to ] The bank is alert to the danger.

3 N‑COUNT An alert is a situation in which people prepare themselves for something dangerous that might happen soon. □  Due to a security alert, this train will not be stopping at Oxford Circus.

4 VERB If you alert someone to a situation, especially a dangerous or unpleasant situation, you tell them about it. □ [V n + to ] He wanted to alert people to the activities of the group. □ [V n] I was hoping he'd alert the police.

5 → see also red alert

6 PHRASE If soldiers or police are on alert , they are ready to deal with anything that may happen. □  Soldiers and police have been put on alert.

7 PHRASE If you are on the alert for something, you are ready to deal with it if it happens. □  They want to be on the alert for similar buying opportunities.