■ noun
1》 a natural oily substance in animal bodies, especially when deposited under the skin or around certain organs.
↘such a substance, or a similar one made from plants, used in cooking.
2》 the presence of excess ~ in a person or animal: he was running to ~.
3》 Chemistry any of a group of natural esters of glycerol and various ~ty acids, which are solid at room temperature and are the main constituents of animal and vegetable ~. Compare with oil .
■ adjective ( ~ter , ~test )
1》 (of a person or animal) having a lot of excess ~.
2》 (of food) containing much ~.
3》 informal substantial: ~ profits.
4》 informal used to express the belief that something is unlikely: ~ chance she had of influencing him.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ting , ~ted ) archaic make or become ~.
Phrases
the ~ is in the fire something has happened that will inevitably cause trouble.
kill the ~ted calf produce one's best food to celebrate, especially at a prodigal's return. [with biblical allusion to Luke 15.]
live off (or on ) the ~ of the land have the best of everything.
Derivatives
~less adjective
~ly adverb
~ness noun
~tish adjective
Origin
OE ftt , of W. Gmc origin.