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list¹

(lĭst)

1. A series of names, words, or other items written, printed, or imagined one after the other: a shopping list; a guest list; a list of things to do.

2. A considerable number; a long series: recited a list of dates memorized.

v. list·ed, list·ing, lists

v.tr.

1. To make a list of; itemize: listed his previous jobs.

2. To enter in a list; register: listed each item received.

3. To put (oneself) in a specific category: lists herself as an artist.

4. Archaic To recruit.

v.intr.

1. To have a stated list price: a radio that lists for ten dollars over the sale price.

2. Archaic To enlist in the armed forces.

[French liste, from Old French, from Old Italian lista, of Germanic origin.]

lister n.

list²

(lĭst)

a. A narrow strip, especially of wood.

b. Architecture See listel.

c. A border or selvage of cloth.

2. A stripe or band of color.

a. often lists An arena for jousting tournaments or other contests.

b. A place of combat.

c. An area of controversy.

4. A ridge thrown up between two furrows by a lister in plowing.

5. Obsolete A boundary; a border.

tr.v. list·ed, list·ing, lists

1. To cover, line, or edge with list.

2. To cut a thin strip from the edge of.

3. To furrow or plant (land) with a lister.

[Middle English, from Old English līste.]

list³

(lĭst)

An inclination to one side, as of a ship; a tilt.

intr. & tr.v. list·ed, list·ing, lists

To lean or cause to lean to the side: The damaged ship listed badly to starboard. Erosion first listed, then toppled the spruce tree.

[Origin unknown.]

list⁴

(lĭst)

intr. & tr.v. list·ed, list·ing, lists
Archaic

To listen or listen to.

[Middle English listen, from Old English hlystan; see kleu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

list⁵

(lĭst) Archaic

v. list·ed, list·ing, lists

v.tr.

To be pleasing to; suit.

v.intr.

To be disposed; choose.

A desire or inclination.

[Middle English listen, to desire, please, from Old English lystan; see las- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices