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mak·ing (mākĭng)
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n.
1.
a. The act of one that makes: the making of a cake; the making of excuses.
b. The process of coming into being: trouble in the making.
2. The means of gaining success or realizing potential: That job will be the making of you.
3. Something that is made, especially a quantity made at one time.
4. often makings The abilities or qualities needed for development: You have the makings of a fine teacher.
5. makings
a. The material or ingredients needed for making something: all the makings for an apple pie.
b. Informal The paper and tobacco for rolling a cigarette.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

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.