a system of means and activities whereby a social institution functions; "the complex machinery of negotiation"; "the machinery of command labored and brought forth an order"
someone who climbs as a sport; especially someone who climbs mountains; "the lead climber looked strong still but his partner often slumped in his ropes"
a vine or climbing plant that readily grows up a support or over other plants
animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
the act of diluting something; "the cutting of whiskey with water"; "the thinning of paint with turpentine"
a piece cut off from the main part of something
a part (sometimes a root or leaf or bud) removed from a plant to propagate a new plant through rooting or grafting
suitable for cutting or severing; "a cutting tool"; "the cutting edge"
as physically painful as if caused by a sharp instrument; "a cutting wind"; "keen winds"; "knifelike cold"; "piercing knifelike pains"; "piercing cold"; "piercing criticism"; "a stabbing pain"; "lancinating pain"
(of speech) harsh or hurtful in tone or character; "cutting remarks"; "edged satire"; "a stinging comment"