noun

1. activity involved in maintaining something in good working order

e.g. he wrote the manual on car care

Synonym: maintenanceupkeep

2. the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

e.g. no medical care was required
the old car needs constant attention

Synonym: attentionaidtending

3. attention and management implying responsibility for safety

e.g. he is in the care of a bodyguard

Synonym: chargetutelageguardianship

4. judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger

e.g. he exercised caution in opening the door
he handled the vase with care

Synonym: cautionprecautionforethought

5. a cause for feeling concern

e.g. his major care was the illness of his wife

6. an anxious feeling

e.g. care had aged him
they hushed it up out of fear of public reaction

Synonym: concernfear

noun

1. something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

e.g. how it got out is a mystery
it remains one of nature's secrets

Synonym: mysteryenigmaclosed book

2. information known only to a special group

e.g. the secret of Cajun cooking

Synonym: arcanum

3. something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

e.g. the combination to the safe was a secret
he tried to keep his drinking a secret

noun

1. an animal that has strayed (especially a domestic animal)

adj

1. recognizable
marked

e.g. noticed a distinct improvement
at a distinct (or decided) disadvantage

Synonym: distinct