adjective suited to a festive celebration.a gala reception noun a festive celebration, esp. a large, elaborate one.A gala was planned in honor of the visiting dignitaries. See the full entry

intransitive verb 1. to meddle so as to damage, alter, or render something ineffective or harmful (usu. fol. by “with”).Someone tampered with his motorcycle and it nearly caused him to have an…

noun an extreme and widespread shortage of food.Widespread famine was the result of repeated crop failures. See the full entry

transitive verb to appraise at too low a quantity, rate, strength, value, or the like.The press underestimated the boxer’s endurance and wrongly predicted the outcome of the fight.The building collapsed because the…

transitive verb 1. to avoid or evade by speed, skill, or trickery.The perpetrator of this crime has eluded the police for months now. 2. to escape from or remain outside of the…