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area

area


ar·e·a    Audio Help   (âr'ē-ə)   

n.  

  1. A roughly bounded part of the space on a surface; a region: a farming area; the New York area.

  2. A surface, especially an open, unoccupied piece of ground: a landing area; a playing area.

  3. A distinct part or section, as of a building, set aside for a specific function: a storage area in the basement.

  4. A division of experience, activity, or knowledge; a field: studies in the area of finance; a job in the health-care area.

  5. An open, sunken space next to a building; an areaway.

  6. Abbr. A The extent of a planar region or of the surface of a solid measured in square units.

  7. Computer Science A section of storage set aside for a particular purpose.


[Latin ārea, open space; possibly akin to ārēre, to be dry; see arid.]
ar'e·al adj., ar'e·al·ly adv.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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