atctual - abbr.
Brit.
1 air traffic control.
2 Air Training Corps.

atctual - {prep. phr.} Always arguing and quarreling. * /Joan and Harry have been at each other's throats so long that they have forgotten how much they used to love one another./

atctual - {adv. phr.} 1. {literary} In one attack or accident; in one bad blow. * /The millionaire lost his money and his friends at one fell swoop./ 2. At one time; at the same time. * /Three cars drove into the driveway, and Mrs. Crane's dinner guests all arrived at one fell swoop./

atctual - {adv. phr.} Immediately; suddenly; with one quick or forceful action. * /The pirates captured the ship and captured a ton of gold at a blow./ * /A thousand men lost their jobs at a stroke when the factory closed./ * /All the prisoners escaped at one stroke./ Compare: AT ONCE, AT ONE TIME.

atctual - Comfortable in one's mind; relaxed, not troubled. - Often used in the phrase "put at ease" or "put at one's ease." * /We put Mary at her ease during the thunderstorm by reading her stories./ Compare: AT HOME(2). Contrast: ILL AT EASE, ON EDGE. 3. Standing with your right foot in place and without talking in military ranks. * /The sergeant gave his men the command "At ease!"/ Compare: PARADE REST.

atctual - {adv. phr.} 1. Under the best conditions; as the best possibility. * /A coal miner's job is dirty and dangerous at best./ * /We can't get to New York before ten o'clock at best./ Compare: AT MOST. Contrast: AT WORST. 2. In the most favorable way of looking at something; even saying the best about the thing. * The /treasurer had at best been careless with the club's money, but most people thought he had been dishonest./