COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Collins Cobuild)

tweak /twiː k/ (tweaks , tweaking , tweaked )

1 VERB If you tweak something, especially part of someone's body, you hold it between your finger and thumb and twist it or pull it. □ [V n] He tweaked Guy's ear roughly.

2 VERB If you tweak something such as a system or a design, you improve it by making a slight change. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] He expects the system to get even better as the engineers tweak its performance. ● N‑COUNT Tweak is also a noun. □ The camera has undergone only two minor tweaks since its introduction.

twee /twiː / ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something is twee , it is pretty or sentimental in a way that you think is excessive or silly. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ]

tweed /twiː d/ (tweeds )

1 N‑VAR Tweed is a thick woollen cloth, often woven from different coloured threads.

2 N‑PLURAL Someone who is wearing tweeds is wearing a tweed suit. □ …an academic, dressed in tweeds and smoking a pipe.

tweedy /twiː di/

1 ADJ If you describe someone as tweedy , you mean that they have an upper-class but plain appearance, and look as if they live in the country, for example because they are wearing tweed. □ An older woman, pink-cheeked and tweedy, appeared in the doorway.

2 ADJ Tweedy clothes are made from tweed.

tweet /twiː t/ (tweets , tweeting , tweeted )

1 N‑COUNT A tweet is a short, high-pitched sound made by a small bird.

2 N‑COUNT A tweet is a short message from someone on the Twitter website. □ She regretted posting that tweet. □ At the end of the show he responded to listener calls, emails and tweets.

3 VERB If you tweet or tweet something, you send a short message on the Twitter website. □ Thousands of people tweeted their disapproval. [also V ]

twee|zers /twiː zə ^r z/ N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Tweezers are a small tool that you use for tasks such as picking up small objects or pulling out hairs. Tweezers consist of two strips of metal or plastic joined together at one end.

twelfth ◆◆◇ /twe lfθ/ (twelfths )

1 ORD The twelfth item in a series is the one that you count as number twelve. □ …the twelfth anniversary of the April revolution. □ …a twelfth-century church.

2 FRACTION A twelfth is one of twelve equal parts of something. □ She is entitled to a twelfth of the cash.

twelve ◆◆◆ /twe lv/ (twelves ) NUM Twelve is the number 12. □ Twelve days later Duffy lost his job.

twen|ti|eth ◆◆◇ /twe ntiəθ/ (twentieths )

1 ORD The twentieth item in a series is the one that you count as number twenty. □ …the twentieth century.

2 FRACTION A twentieth is one of twenty equal parts of something. □ A few twentieths of a gram can be critical.

twen|ty ◆◆◆ /twe nti/ (twenties )

1 NUM Twenty is the number 20. □ He spent twenty years in India.

2 N‑PLURAL When you talk about the twenties , you are referring to numbers between 20 and 29. For example, if you are in your twenties , you are aged between 20 and 29. If the temperature is in the twenties , the temperature is between 20 and 29 degrees. □ They're both in their twenties and both married with children of their own.

3 N‑PLURAL The twenties is the decade between 1920 and 1929. □ It was written in the Twenties, but it still really stands out.

24-7 /twe ntifɔː ^r se v ^ə n/ also twenty-four seven ADV [ADV after v] If something happens 24-7 , it happens all the time without ever stopping. 24-7 means twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ I feel like sleeping 24-7. ● ADJ [ADJ n] 24-7 is also an adjective. □ …a 24-7 radio station.

twerp /twɜː ^r p/ (twerps ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a twerp , you are insulting them and saying that they are silly or stupid. [INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ]

twice ◆◆◆ /twa I s/

1 ADV [ADV with v, ADV adv, ADV n] If something happens twice , there are two actions or events of the same kind. □ He visited me twice that fall. □ Brush teeth and gums twice daily.

2 ADV You use twice in expressions such as twice a day and twice a week to indicate that two events or actions of the same kind happen in each day or week. □ I phoned twice a day, leaving messages with his secretary.

3 ADV [ADV as adj/adv] If one thing is, for example, twice as big or old as another, the first thing is two times as big or old as the second. People sometimes say that one thing is twice as good or hard as another when they want to emphasize that the first thing is much better or harder than the second. □ The figure of seventy-million pounds was twice as big as expected. ● PREDET Twice is also a predeterminer. □ The barn was twice the size of her father's.

4 PHRASE If you think twice about doing something, you consider it again and decide not to do it, or decide to do it differently. □ She'd better shut her mouth and from now on think twice before saying stupid things.

5 once or twice → see once

6 twice over → see over ➋

twid|dle /tw I d ^ə l/ (twiddles , twiddling , twiddled )

1 VERB If you twiddle something, you twist it or turn it quickly with your fingers. □ [V n] He twiddled a knob on the dashboard. □ [V + with ] She had sat there twiddling nervously with the clasp of her handbag.

2 to twiddle your thumbs → see thumb

twig /tw I g/ (twigs , twigging , twigged )

1 N‑COUNT A twig is a very small thin branch that grows out from a main branch of a tree or bush.

2 VERB If you twig , you suddenly realize or understand something. [INFORMAL ] □ [V that] Then I twigged that they were illegal immigrants. □ [V wh] By the time she'd twigged what it was all about, it was too late. [Also V ]

twi|light /twa I la I t/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Twilight is the time just before night when the daylight has almost gone but when it is not completely dark.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Twilight is the small amount of light that there is outside just after the sun has gone down. □ …the deepening autumn twilight.

3 N‑SING [N n] The twilight of a particular period of time is the final stages of it, when the most important events have already happened. □ [+ of ] Now both men are in the twilight of their careers.

4 ADJ [ADJ n] A twilight state or a twilight zone is a situation of confusion or uncertainty, which seems to exist between two different states or categories. □ [+ between ] They fell into that twilight zone between military personnel and civilian employees.

twill /tw I l/ N‑UNCOUNT Twill is cloth, usually cotton, woven in a way which produces parallel sloping lines across it.

twin ◆◇◇ /tw I n/ (twins , twinning , twinned )

1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] If two people are twins , they have the same mother and were born on the same day. □ Sarah was looking after the twins. □ She had a twin brother and a younger brother.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Twin is used to describe a pair of things that look the same and are close together. □ …the twin spires of the cathedral. □ …the world's largest twin-engined aircraft.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] Twin is used to describe two things or ideas that are similar or connected in some way. □ …the twin concepts of liberty and equality.

4 VERB [usu passive] When a place or organization in one country is twinned with a place or organization in another country, a special relationship is formally established between them. [BRIT ] □ [be V -ed + with ] My son's state primary school is twinned with a school near Johannesburg. □ [V -ed + with ] The busy commercial town is twinned with Truro.

5 ADJ [ADJ n] Twin towns or cities are twinned with each other. [BRIT ] □ The thirty Germans were visiting their UK twin town. in AM, use sister cities 6 → see also identical twin , Siamese twin

twi n be d (twin beds ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Twin beds are two single beds in one bedroom.

twi n-be dded also twin bedded ADJ [ADJ n] A twin-bedded room has two single beds. [mainly BRIT ]

twine /twa I n/ (twines , twining , twined )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Twine is strong string used especially in gardening and farming.

2 VERB If you twine one thing around another, or if one thing twines around another, the first thing is twisted or wound around the second. □ [V n prep] He had twined his chubby arms around Vincent's neck. □ [V prep] These strands of molecules twine around each other to form cable-like structures.

twinge /tw I ndʒ/ (twinges )

1 N‑COUNT A twinge is a sudden sharp feeling or emotion, usually an unpleasant one. □ [+ of ] For a moment, Arnold felt a twinge of sympathy for Mr Wilson.

2 N‑COUNT A twinge is a sudden sharp pain. □ [+ in ] He felt a slight twinge in his damaged hamstring.

twin|kle /tw I ŋk ^ə l/ (twinkles , twinkling , twinkled )

1 VERB If a star or a light twinkles , it shines with an unsteady light which rapidly and constantly changes from bright to faint. □ [V ] At night, lights twinkle in distant villages across the valleys. □ [V -ing] …a band of twinkling diamonds.

2 VERB If you say that someone's eyes twinkle , you mean that their face expresses good humour or amusement. □ [+ with , V ] She saw her mother's eyes twinkle with amusement. ● N‑SING Twinkle is also a noun. □ A kindly twinkle came into her eyes.

twin|set /tw I nset/ (twinsets ) also twin set , twin-set N‑COUNT A twinset is a set of women's clothing, consisting of a cardigan and sweater of the same colour. [BRIT ]

twirl /twɜː ^r l/ (twirls , twirling , twirled )

1 VERB If you twirl something or if it twirls , it turns around and around with a smooth, fairly fast movement. □ [V n] Bonnie twirled her empty glass in her fingers. □ [V prep/adv] All around me leaves twirl to the ground. [Also V ]

2 VERB If you twirl , you turn around and around quickly, for example when you are dancing. □ [V prep/adv] Several hundred people twirl around the ballroom dance floor.

3 VERB If you twirl something such as your hair, you twist it around your finger. □ [V n] Sarah lifted her hand and started twirling a strand of hair.

twist ◆◇◇ /tw I st/ (twists , twisting , twisted )

1 VERB If you twist something, you turn it to make a spiral shape, for example by turning the two ends of it in opposite directions. □ [V n] Her hands began to twist the handles of the bag she carried. □ [V n adv/prep] Twist the string carefully around the second stem with the other hand.

2 VERB If you twist something, especially a part of your body, or if it twists , it moves into an unusual, uncomfortable, or bent position, for example because of being hit or pushed, or because you are upset. □ [V n prep] He twisted her arms behind her back and clipped a pair of handcuffs on her wrists. □ [V ] Sophia's face twisted in pain. □ [V -ed] The body was twisted, its legs at an awkward angle.

3 VERB If you twist part of your body such as your head or your shoulders, you turn that part while keeping the rest of your body still. □ [V n adv] She twisted her head sideways and looked towards the door. □ [V adv/prep] Susan twisted round in her seat until she could see Graham and Sabrina behind her.

4 VERB If you twist a part of your body such as your ankle or wrist, you injure it by turning it too sharply, or in an unusual direction. □ [V n] He fell and twisted his ankle. □ [V -ed] Rupert is out of today's session with a twisted knee.

5 VERB If you twist something, you turn it so that it moves around in a circular direction. □ [V n] She was staring down at her hands, twisting the ring on her finger. □ [V n with adv] Reaching up to a cupboard he takes out a jar and twists the lid off. ● N‑COUNT Twist is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The bag is resealed with a simple twist of the valve.

6 VERB If a road or river twists , it has a lot of sudden changes of direction in it. □ [V prep] The roads twist round hairpin bends. □ [V ] The lane twists and turns between pleasant but unspectacular cottages. ● N‑COUNT [usu pl] Twist is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The train maintains a constant speed through the twists and turns of track.

7 VERB If you say that someone has twisted something that you have said, you disapprove of them because they have repeated it in a way that changes its meaning, in order to harm you or benefit themselves. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] It's a shame the way that the media can twist your words and misrepresent you.

8 N‑COUNT A twist in something is an unexpected and significant development. □ The battle of the sexes also took a new twist.

9 N‑COUNT A twist is the shape that something has when it has been twisted. □ [+ of ] …bunches of violets in twists of paper.

10 PHRASE If something happens by a twist of fate , it happens by chance, and it is strange, interesting, or unfortunate in some way. □ By a curious twist of fate, cricket was also my favourite sport.

11 → see also twisted

12 to twist someone's arm → see arm ➊

13 to get your knickers in a twist → see knickers

14 to twist the knife → see knife

twist|ed /tw I st I d/ ADJ If you describe a person as twisted , you dislike them because you think they are strange in an unpleasant way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a twisted man who shot at the president.

twist|er /tw I stə ^r / (twisters ) N‑COUNT A twister is the same as a tornado . [AM ]

twisty /tw I sti/ ADJ A twisty road, track, or river has a lot of sharp bends and corners.

twit /tw I t/ (twits ) N‑COUNT If you call someone as a twit , you are insulting them and saying that they are silly or stupid. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

twitch /tw I tʃ/ (twitches , twitching , twitched ) VERB If something, especially a part of your body, twitches or if you twitch it, it makes a little jumping movement. □ [V ] When I stood up to her, her right cheek would begin to twitch. □ [V n] Stern twitched his shoulders. ● N‑COUNT Twitch is also a noun. □ He developed a nervous twitch and began to blink constantly.

twitch|er /tw I tʃə ^r / (twitchers ) N‑COUNT A twitcher is an enthusiastic bird-watcher. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

twitchy /tw I tʃi/ ADJ If you are twitchy , you are behaving in a rather nervous way that shows you feel anxious and cannot relax. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ about ] Afraid of bad publicity, the department had suddenly become very twitchy about journalists.

twit|ter /tw I tə ^r / (twitters , twittering , twittered )

1 VERB When birds twitter , they make a lot of short high-pitched sounds. □ [V ] There were birds twittering in the eucalyptus trees. □ [V -ing] …a tree filled with twittering birds. ● N‑UNCOUNT Twitter is also a noun. □ [+ of ] Naomi would waken to the twitter of birds.

2 VERB If you say that someone is twittering about something, you mean that they are speaking about silly or unimportant things, usually rather fast or in a high-pitched voice. □ [V + about ] …debutantes twittering excitedly about Christian Dior dresses. □ [V with quote] She laughs, blushes and twitters: 'Oh, doesn't Giles have just the most charming sense of humour?' [Also V ]

two ◆◆◆ /tuː / (twos )

1 NUM Two is the number 2. □ He is now married with two children.

2 PHRASE If you say it takes two or it takes two to tango , you mean that a situation or argument involves two people and they are both therefore responsible for it. □ Divorce is never the fault of one partner; it takes two. □ It takes two to tango and so far our relationship has been one-sided.

3 PHRASE If you put two and two together , you work out the truth about something for yourself, by using the information that is available to you. □ Putting two and two together, I assume that this was the car he used.

4 to kill two birds with one stone → see bird

5 two a penny → see penny

two -bit ADJ [ADJ n] You use two-bit to describe someone or something that you have no respect for or that you think is inferior. [AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …some two-bit little dictator. □ That may be two-bit psychology, but it's the only explanation I have.

two -dime nsional also two dimensional

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A two-dimensional object or figure is flat rather than solid so that only its length and width can be measured. □ …new software, which generates both two-dimensional drawings and three-dimensional images.

2 ADJ If you describe fictional characters as two-dimensional , you are critical of them because they are very simple and not realistic enough to be taken seriously. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I found the characters very two-dimensional, not to say dull.

two -fa ced ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you describe someone as two-faced , you are critical of them because they say they do or believe one thing when their behaviour or words show that they do not do it or do not believe it. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He had been devious and two-faced.

two|fold /tuː foʊld/ also two-fold ADJ You can use twofold to introduce a topic that has two equally important parts. [FORMAL ] □ The case against is twofold: too risky and too expensive.

two -ha nded ADJ [usu ADJ n, oft ADJ after v] A two-handed blow or catch is done using both hands.

two -ho rse ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe a contest as a two-horse race, you mean that only two of the people or things taking part have any chance of winning. □ The election may not be the traditional two-horse race between the preferred Democrat and Republican party candidates.

two -perce nt milk N‑UNCOUNT Two-percent milk is milk from which some of the cream has been removed. [AM ] in BRIT, use semi-skimmed milk

two -piece (two-pieces ) also two piece

1 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use two-piece to describe something, especially a set of clothing, that is in two parts. □ …a two-piece bathing suit.

2 N‑COUNT A two-piece is a woman's suit which consists of a jacket and a skirt or pair of trousers.

two|some /tuː səm/ (twosomes ) N‑COUNT A twosome is a group of two people.

two -thi rds also two thirds QUANT Two-thirds of something is an amount that is two out of three equal parts of it. □ [+ of ] Two-thirds of householders in this country live in a mortgaged home. ● PRON Two-thirds is also a pronoun. □ The United States and Russia hope to conclude a treaty to cut their nuclear arsenals by two-thirds. ● ADV [ADV adj/-ed] Two-thirds is also an adverb. □ Do not fill the container more than two-thirds full. □ A second book has already been commissioned and is two-thirds finished. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Two-thirds is also an adjective. □ …the two thirds majority in parliament needed to make constitutional changes.

two -wa y

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Two-way means moving or working in two opposite directions or allowing something to move or work in two opposite directions. □ The bridge is now open to two-way traffic.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] A two-way radio can send and receive signals.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] If there is two-way help or learning, two people or groups are both helping each other or both learning from each other. □ Trust is a two way thing.

ty|coon /ta I kuː n/ (tycoons ) N‑COUNT A tycoon is a person who is successful in business and so has become rich and powerful.

tyke /ta I k/ (tykes ) N‑COUNT You can refer to a child, especially a naughty or playful one, as a tyke when you want to show affection for them. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ]

type

➊ SORT OR KIND

➋ WRITING AND PRINTING

➊ type ◆◆◇ /ta I p/ (types )

1 N‑COUNT A type of something is a group of those things that have particular features in common. □ [+ of ] There are various types of the disease. □ In 1990, 25% of households were of this type.

2 N‑COUNT If you refer to a particular thing or person as a type of something more general, you are considering that thing or person as an example of that more general group. □ [+ of ] Have you done this type of work before? □ [+ of ] Rates of interest for this type of borrowing can be high. □ [+ of ] I am a very determined type of person.

3 N‑COUNT If you refer to a person as a particular type , you mean that they have that particular appearance, character, or way of behaving. □ It's the first time I, a fair-skinned, freckly type, have sailed in the sun without burning.

4 PHRASE If you say that someone is not your type , you mean that they are not the sort of person who you usually find attractive. [INFORMAL ] □ At first I thought he was rather ordinary looking, a little chubby, not my type.

5 → see also blood type

➋ type ◆◆◇ /ta I p/ (types , typing , typed )

1 VERB If you type something, you use a computer keyboard, typewriter or word processor to write it. □ [V n] I can type your essays for you. □ [V ] I had never really learnt to type properly. □ [V -ed] The letter consists of six closely typed pages.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Type is printed text as it appears in a book or newspaper, or the small pieces of metal that are used to create this. □ The correction had already been set in type.

3 → see also typing

▸ type in or type into PHRASAL VERB If you type information into a computer or type it in , you press keys on the keyboard so that the computer stores or processes the information. □ [V n P n] Officials type each passport number into a computer. □ [V P n] You have to type in commands, such as 'help' and 'print'. □ [V n P ] You type things in, and it responds.

▸ type out PHRASAL VERB If you type something out , you write it in full using a typewriter or word processor. □ [V P n] The two of us stood by while two typists typed out the whole document again. □ [V n P ] I read it down the phone to a man called Dave, who typed it out.

▸ type up PHRASAL VERB If you type up a text that has been written by hand, you produce a typed copy of it. □ [V P n] They didn't get around to typing up the letter. □ [V n P ] When the first draft was completed, Nichols typed it up. SYNONYMS type NOUN ➊1

kind: I'm not the kind of person to get married.

sort: What sort of school did you go to?

variety: I'm always pleased to try out a new variety.

type|cast /ta I pkɑːst, -kæst/ (typecasts , typecasting ) The form typecast is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle. VERB [usu passive] If an actor is typecast , they play the same type of character in every play or film that they are in. □ [be V -ed] I didn't want to be typecast and I've maintained a large variety in the roles I've played. □ [be V -ed + as ] He was quickly typecast as a Latin lover.

type|face /ta I pfe I s/ (typefaces ) N‑COUNT In printing, a typeface is a set of alphabetical characters, numbers, and other characters that all have the same design. There are many different typefaces.

type|script /ta I pskr I pt/ (typescripts ) N‑VAR A typescript is a typed copy of an article or literary work.

type|writ|er /ta I pra I tə ^r / (typewriters ) N‑COUNT A typewriter is a machine that was commonly used in the past and which has keys that are pressed in order to print letters, numbers, or other characters onto paper.

type|writ|ten /ta I pr I t ^ə n/ ADJ A typewritten document has been typed on a typewriter or word processor.

ty|phoid /ta I fɔ I d/ N‑UNCOUNT Typhoid or typhoid fever is a serious infectious disease that produces fever and diarrhoea and can cause death. It is spread by dirty water or food.

ty|phoon /ta I fuː n/ (typhoons ) N‑COUNT A typhoon is a very violent tropical storm.

ty|phus /ta I fəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Typhus is a serious infectious disease that produces spots on the skin, a high fever, and a severe headache.

typi|cal ◆◇◇ /t I p I k ^ə l/

1 ADJ You use typical to describe someone or something that shows the most usual characteristics of a particular type of person or thing, and is therefore a good example of that type. □ Cheney is everyone's image of a typical cop: a big white guy, six foot, 220 pounds.

2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If a particular action or feature is typical of someone or something, it shows their usual qualities or characteristics. □ [+ of ] This reluctance to move towards a democratic state is typical of totalitarian regimes. □ With typical energy he found new journalistic outlets.

3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something is typical of a person, situation, or thing, you are criticizing them or complaining about them and saying that they are just as bad or disappointing as you expected them to be. [FEELINGS ] □ [+ of ] She threw her hands into the air. 'That is just typical of you, isn't it?'

typi|cal|ly /t I p I kəli/

1 ADV You use typically to say that something usually happens in the way that you are describing. □ It typically takes a day or two, depending on size.

2 ADV [ADV adj] You use typically to say that something shows all the most usual characteristics of a particular type of person or thing. □ Philip paced the floor, a typically nervous expectant father.

3 ADV [ADV adj] You use typically to indicate that someone has behaved in the way that they normally do. □ Typically, the Norwegians were on the mountain two hours before anyone else.

typi|fy /t I p I fa I / (typifies , typifying , typified ) VERB If something or someone typifies a situation or type of thing or person, they have all the usual characteristics of it and are a typical example of it. □ [V n] These two buildings typify the rich extremes of Irish architecture.

typ|ing /ta I p I ŋ/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Typing is the work or activity of typing something by means of a typewriter or word processor. □ She didn't do any typing till the evening.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] Typing is the skill of using a typewriter or keyboard quickly and accurately. □ My typing is quite dreadful.

typ|ist /ta I p I st/ (typists ) N‑COUNT A typist is someone who works in an office typing letters and other documents.

ty|po|graphi|cal /ta I pəgræ f I k ^ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Typographical relates to the way in which printed material is presented. □ Owing to a typographical error, the town of Longridge was spelt as Longbridge.

ty|pog|ra|phy /ta I pɒ grəfi/ N‑UNCOUNT Typography is the way in which written material is arranged and prepared for printing.

ty|pol|ogy /ta I pɒ lədʒi/ (typologies ) N‑COUNT A typology is a system for dividing things into different types, especially in science and the social sciences. [FORMAL ]

ty|ran|ni|cal /t I ræ n I k ^ə l/

1 ADJ If you describe someone as tyrannical , you mean that they are severe or unfair towards the people that they have authority over. □ He killed his tyrannical father with a blow to the head.

2 ADJ If you describe a government or organization as tyrannical , you mean that it acts without considering the wishes of its people and treats them cruelly or unfairly. □ …one of the world's most oppressive and tyrannical regimes.

tyr|an|nize /t I rəna I z/ (tyrannizes , tyrannizing , tyrannized ) in BRIT, also use tyrannise VERB If you say that one person tyrannizes another, you mean that the first person uses their power over the second person in order to treat them very cruelly and unfairly. □ [V n] …fathers who tyrannize their families. □ [V + over ] Armed groups use their power to tyrannise over civilians. [Also V ]

tyr|an|ny /t I rəni/ (tyrannies )

1 N‑VAR A tyranny is a cruel, harsh, and unfair government in which a person or small group of people have power over everyone else. □ Self-expression and individuality are the greatest weapons against tyranny.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If you describe someone's behaviour and treatment of others that they have authority over as tyranny , you mean that they are severe with them or unfair to them. □ I'm the sole victim of Mother's tyranny.

3 N‑COUNT You can describe something that you have to use or have as a tyranny if you think it is undesirable or unpleasant. □ [+ of ] The telephone is one of the great tyrannies of modern life.

ty|rant /ta I ə rənt/ (tyrants ) N‑COUNT You can use tyrant to refer to someone who treats the people they have authority over in a cruel and unfair way. □ …households where the father was a tyrant.

tyre /ta I ə ^r / (tyres ) in AM, use tire 1 N‑COUNT A tyre is a thick piece of rubber which is fitted onto the wheels of vehicles such as cars, buses, and bicycles.

2 → see also spare tyre

tyro /ta I roʊ/ (tyros ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A tyro is a person who is just beginning to learn something or who has very little experience of something. [JOURNALISM ] □ …a tyro journalist.