| Term | Definition |
|---|
| aboveboard | (adj.) legitimate, honest, and open : certain transactions were not totally ___. |
| abrade | (v.) scrape or wear away by friction or erosion : a landscape slowly ____d by a fine, stinging dust. |
| abrasion | (n.) the process of scraping or wearing away : the metal is resistant to ___ |
| abridge | (v.) shorten (a book, movie, speech, or other text) without losing the sense : the cassettes have been ___d from the original stories |
| abridgment | (n.) a shortened version of a written work : a shortened version of a larger work : an ___ of Shakespeare's Henry VI. |
| abrogate | (v.) repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement) : a proposal to ___ temporarily the right to strike. |
| abrupt | (adj.) sudden and unexpected : I was surprised by the ___ change of subject | our round of golf came to an ____ end on the 13th hole. |
| abscess | (n.) a swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus. |
| abscission | (n.) the act of cutting something off, or when leaves fall off of a plant |
| abscond | (v.) leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest for an unlawful action such as theft : she _____ed with the remaining thousand dollars. |
| absolution | (n.) formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment. • an ecclesiastical declaration of forgiveness of sins : the priest administered ____. |
| absolve | (v.) set or declare (someone) free from blame, guilt, or responsibility : the pardon ______d them of any crimes. |
| abstain | (v.) restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something : ____ing from chocolate. |
| abstemious | (adj.) not self-indulgent, esp. when eating and drinking : "We only had a bottle." "Very ____ of you." |
| abstinence | the fact or practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something, typically alcohol : I started drinking again after six years of ___. |
| abstruse | (adj.) difficult to understand; obscure : an ___ philosophical inquiry |
| abut | (v.) (of an area of land or a building) be next to or have a common boundary with : gardens ____ing Great Prescott Street |
| abyss | (n.) a bottomless gulf or pit : the bottomless ___ was black and cold |
| academician | (n.) an educator who works at a college or university |
| accession | (v.) the act of attaining or gaining access to a new office or right or position (especially the throne) : the queen's ___ to the throne |
| accost | (v.) approach and address (someone) boldly or aggressively : reporters ____ed him in the street. |
| accouter | (v.) clothe or equip, typically in something noticeable or impressive : the general's coat was ____ed in medals. |
| accredit | (v.) give credit (to someone) for : he was ___ed with being one of the world's fastest sprinters. |
| accustom | (v.) make (someone or something) more normal or customary : I ____ed my eyes to the lenses |
| acerbic | (adj.) (esp. of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright : his ____ wit. |
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