end n. & v. --n. 1 a
the extreme limit; the
point beyond which a
thing does not continue. b an
extremity of a line, or of the greatest
dimension of an
object. c the
furthest point (to the ends of the earth). 2 the
surface bounding a thing at
either extremity; an extreme
part (a strip of
wood with a
nail in
one end). 3 a
conclusion,
finish (no end to
his misery). b the
latter or
final part. c
death,
destruction,
downfall (met an
untimely end). d
result,
outcome. e an
ultimate state or
condition. 4 a a thing one seeks to
attain; a
purpose (will do
anything to
achieve his ends; to
what end?). b the object
for which a thing exists. 5 a
remnant; a
piece left
over (cigarette-end). 6 (prec. by the) colloq. the limit of endurability. 7 the
half of a sports pitch or
court occupied by one
team or
player. 8 the part or share with which a
person is
concerned (no
problem at my end). 9 Bowls a
unit of
play in which play is
from one
side of the
green towards the
other. 10 US
Football a player at the extremity of a line or team. --v. 1 tr. & intr.
bring or
come to an end. 2 tr. put an end
to;
destroy. 3 intr. (foll. by in)
have as
its result (will end in tears). 4 intr. (foll. by by) do or achieve eventually (ended by
marrying an heiress). øall ends up completely. at an end exhausted or completed. at the end of one's
tether see TETHER. come to a
bad (or sticky) end meet with
ruin or
disgrace. come to an end 1 be completed or finished. 2
become exhausted. end-around n. US Football an
offensive play in which an end carries the ball
round the
opposite end. --adj. Computing involving the
transfer of a
digit from one end of a
register to the other. end-game the final
stage of a game (esp. chess),
when few pieces
remain. end it
all (or end it) colloq.
commit suicide. end of the road the point at which a
hope or
endeavour has to be
abandoned. end of the
world the
cessation of
mortal life. end on with the end
facing one, or with the end adjoining the end of the
next object. end-play Bridge a
method of play in the last few tricks to force an
opponent to
make a
disadvantageous lead. end-point the final stage of a process,
esp. the point at which an
effect is observed in titration, dilution, etc. end-product the final
product of
manufacture,
radioactive decay, etc. end result final outcome. end
run US 1 Football an
attempt by the ball-carrier to run round his or
her own end. 2 an
evasive tactic esp. in
war or
politics. end
standard a standard of
length in the
form of a
metal bar or
block with the end faces the standard
distance apart. end-stopped (of verse) having a
pause at the end of
each line. end to end with the end of each of a
series adjoining the end of the next. end up
reach a specified state,
action, or
place eventually (ended up a
drunkard; ended up
making a fortune). end-user the person,
customer,
etc.,
who is the ultimate
user of a product. in the end finally;
after all.
keep one's end up do one's part
despite difficulties. make an end of put a
stop to. make ends (or
both ends) meet live
within one's
income. no end colloq. to a
great extent,
very much. no end of colloq. much or
many of. on end 1
upright (hair
stood on end). 2 continuously (for
three weeks on end). put an end to 1 stop (an
activity etc.). 2
abolish, destroy. øøender n. [OE ende, endian, f. Gmc]