n. expenditure of money or effort for future benefits; authorization

n. exchange; transfer; slender flexible rod; hairpiece; whipping; device which opens or breaks an electric current; device that opens or closes circuits or selects paths (Computers); device which diverts trains from one track to another (Railroads)

n. person who presides over court trials; person who chooses the winner in a contest; arbiter; expert; critic

n. partnership; association

n. suggestion; proposal of a price; tender; bid; proposal of marriage; expression of (goodwill, intent, etc.)

n. act of casting back a mirror image; act of sending back energy from a surface; state of being reflected; image that is reflected; idea, concept; thought, notion; act of placing blame, accusation

n. unexperienced person; person who is not a member of the clergy; member of the laity; person who does not belong to a particular profession

n. elected official acting as executive head of a town or city

n. ring-shaped geometric figure; round figure; group; society

n. purpose; goal; intent; objective; ambition; aspiration