 | Term | Definition |
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abacus |
an instrument for performing calculations by sliding counters along rods or in grooves |
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abandon |
to give (oneself) over unrestrainedly |
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abase |
To lower in rank, prestige, or esteem |
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abash |
to destroy the self-possession or self-confidence of:disconcert |
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abate |
to reduce in degree or intensity:MODERATE:to reduce in value or amount |
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abbreviate |
to make briefer; especially :to reduce to a shorter form intended to stand for the whole |
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abdicate |
to relinquish (as sovereign power) formally |
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aberrant |
deviating from the usual or natural type:ATYPICAL |
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abet |
to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose |
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abeyance |
temporary inactivity:SUSPENSION |
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abhor |
to regard with extreme repugnance |
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abiding |
to remain stable or fixed in a state |
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abject |
cast down in spirit |
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abjure |
to renounce upon oath |
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abnegate |
SURRENDER, RELINQUISH |
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abolish |
To do away with; annul |
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abolitionism |
principles or measures fostering abolition especially of slavery |
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aboveboard |
be in a straightforward manner |
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abrasion |
a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction |
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abridge |
to shorten by omission of words without sacrifice of sense:CONDENSE |
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abrogate |
to abolish by authoritative action:ANNUL |
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abscond |
to depart secretly and hide oneself |
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absolve |
to set free from an obligation or the consequences of guilt |
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abstain |
to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice |
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abstemious |
marked by restraint especially in the consumption of food or alcohol |
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abstinent |
voluntary forbearance especially from indulgence of an appetite or craving or from eating some foods:ABSTENTION |
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abstract |
having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content |
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abstruse |
difficult to comprehend:RECONDITE |
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abuse |
to attack in words:REVILE |
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abysmal |
immeasurably low or wretched |
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accede |
to express approval or give consent:give in to a request or demand |
| |
accelerate |
to move faster:gain speed |
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accessible |
capable of being understood or appreciated |
| |
accessory |
present in a minor amount and not essential as a constituent |
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accidental |
occurring unexpectedly or by chance |
| |
acclimate |
to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment, or situation |
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accolade |
an expression of praise |
| |
accommodate |
to provide with something desired, needed, or suited (as a helpful service, a loan, or lodgings) |
| |
accomplice |
one associated with another especially in wrongdoing |
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accost |
to approach and speak to often in a challenging or aggressive way |
| |
accrete |
ACCUMULATE |
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accumulate |
to gather or pile up especially little by little:AMASS |
| |
accuse |
to charge with a fault or offense:BLAME |
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acerbity |
Sourness of taste, character, or tone. |
| |
achromatic |
designating color perceived to have zero saturation and therefore no hue, such as neutral grays, white, or black |
| |
acme |
the highest point or stage |
| |
acquiesce |
to accept, comply, or submit tacitly or passively |
| |
acquisition |
the act of acquiring |
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acquit |
to discharge completely |
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acre |
A unit of area in the U.S. Customary System, used in land and sea floor measurement |
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acrid |
sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor:IRRITATING |
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acrimonious |
caustic , biting , or rancorous especially in feeling, language, or manner |
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acumen |
mental keenness |
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ad lib |
without restraint or limit , to speak, sing, or act without a script, saying whatever words come into one's mind |
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adamant |
unshakable or immovable especially in opposition:UNYIELDING |
| |
adapt |
to make fit (as for a specific or new use or situation) often by modification |
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addendum |
textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end |
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addict |
to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively |
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addicted |
be addicted to |
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adherent |
one that adheres:as a follower of a leader, party, or profession |
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adhesive |
Tending to adhere; sticky. |
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adjacent |
having a common endpoint or border also immediately preceding or following |
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adjourn |
to suspend a session indefinitely or to another time or place |
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adjunct |
something joined or added to another thing but not essentially a part of it |
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ad-lib |
with little or no preparation or forethought |
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admission |
the act or process of admitting |
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admonish |
to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner |
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adore |
to regard with loving admiration and devotion |
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adroit |
having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations |
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adulate |
to flatter or admire excessively or slavishly |
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adulterate |
to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or element stickler |
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adumbrate |
to suggest or disclose partially |
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adversary |
one that contends with, opposes, or resists:ENEMY |
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advert |
to turn the mind or attention |
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advertise |
to announce publicly especially by a printed notice or a broadcast |
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advocate |
to plead in favor of |
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aerate |
to supply (the blood) with oxygen by respiration |
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aerial |
of, relating to, or occurring in the air or atmosphere |
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aesthetic |
adj. a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste and with the creation and appreciation of beauty |
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aesthetics |
The branch of philosophy that deals with the nature and expression of beauty |
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affable |
characterized by ease and friendliness |
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affected |
assumed artificially or falsely:PRETENDED |
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affection |
tender attachment:FONDNESS |
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affidavit |
a sworn statement in writing made especially under oath or on affirmation before an authorized magistrateor officer |
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affiliate |
to bring or receive into close connection as a member or branch |
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affiliation |
joining; associating with |
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affinity |
likeness based on relationship or causal connection |
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afflict |
a:to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish b:TROUBLE, INJURE |
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affliction |
n. |
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affluent |
having a generously sufficient and typically increasing supply of material possessions |
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agenda |
a list or outline of things to be considered or done |
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aggrandize |
to make appear great or greater:praise highly |
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aggravate |
to make worse, more serious, or more severe:intensify unpleasantly |
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aggregate |
to collect or gather into a mass or whole |
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aggressive |
Inclined to behave in a hostile fashion. |
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aggrieve |
to give pain or trouble to:DISTRESS |
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agonized |
suffered extreme pain or great anguish. |
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agony |
intense pain of mind or body:ANGUISH, TORTURE |
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airtight |
impermeable to air or nearly so |
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alacrity |
promptness in response:cheerful readiness |
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albino |
an organism exhibiting deficient pigmentation |
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alchemy |
a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life |
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alibi |
an excuse usually intended to avert blame or punishment |
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align |
to bring into line or alignment |
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allay |
to subdue or reduce in intensity or severity:ALLEVIATE |
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allegiance |
devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause |
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allegory |
the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations abouthuman existence |
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alleviate |
RELIEVE, LESSEN |
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alliterate |
the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables |
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allowance |
a share or portion allotted or granted |
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allude |
to make indirect reference; broadly:REFER |
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aloft |
at or toward the upper rigging. |
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aloof |
removed or distant either physically or emotionally |
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alphabetical |
arranged in the order of the letters of the alphabet |
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altitude |
Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base-level, as the sea. |
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altruism |
unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others |
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amalgamate |
to merge into a single body |
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amass |
to collect for oneself:ACCUMULATE |
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ambiguous |
doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctness |
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ambivalent |
continual fluctuation (as between one thing and its opposite) |
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amble |
to walk slowly or leisurely; stroll |
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ambrosial |
suggestive of ambrosia; fragrant or delicious |
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ameliorate |
to make better or more tolerable |
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amenable |
readily managed; willing to be led |
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amenity |
something that conduces to comfort, convenience, or enjoyment |
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amiable |
being friendly, sociable, and congenial |
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amicable |
characterized by friendly goodwill:PEACEABLE |
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amiss |
in a faulty way:IMPERFECTLY |
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amorphous |
having no definite form:SHAPELESS |
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amphibian |
any of a class (Amphibia) of cold-blooded vertebrates (as frogs, toads, or salamanders) intermediate in many characters between fishes and reptiles and having gilled aquatic larvae and air-breathing adults |
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amplify |
to make larger or greater (as in amount, importance, or intensity):INCREASE |
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amplitude |
the quality or state of being ample:FULLNESS |
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amulet |
a charm (as an ornament) often inscribed with a magic incantation or symbol to protect the wearer against evil (as disease or witchcraft) or to aid him |
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anaerobic |
living, active, occurring, or existing in the absence of free oxygen |
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analgesic |
insensibility to pain without loss of consciousness |
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analogy |
a:resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike:SIMILARITY b:comparison based on such resemblance |
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analysis |
separation of a whole into its component parts |
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anarchist |
one who rebels against any authority, established order, or ruling power |
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anathema |
the denunciation of something as accursed |
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ancestor |
one from whom a person is descended and who is usually more remote in the line of descent than a grandparent |
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ancillary |
serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary |
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anecdote |
a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident |
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anemic |
lacking force, vitality, or spirit |
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anesthetic |
lacking awareness or sensitivity |
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anhydrous |
free from water and especially water of crystallization |
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animation |
possessing or characterized by life:ALIVE |
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animus |
a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill will |
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annals |
a record of events arranged in yearly sequence |
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annotate |
comment; make explanatory notes |
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annoy |
to disturb or irritate especially by repeated acts |
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annul |
to declare or make legally invalid or void |
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anodyne |
something that soothes, calms, or comforts |
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anomalous |
inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected:IRREGULAR, UNUSUAL |
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anonymous |
not named or identified |
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antagonize |
to incur or provoke the hostility of |
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antediluvian |
made, evolved, or developed a long time ago |
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anterior |
coming before in time or development |
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anthology |
a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music |
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antic |
characterized by clownish extravagance or absurdity |
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anticipatory |
to give advance thought, discussion, or treatment to |
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antidote |
a remedy to counteract the effects of poison |
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antipathy |
settled aversion or dislike:DISTASTE |
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antiquate |
To make old or out of date. |
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antiquated |
existing since or belonging to earlier times:ANCIENT |
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antiseptic |
opposing sepsis, putrefaction, or decay; |
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anvil |
a heavy usually steel-faced iron block on which metal is shaped |
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apathy |
lack of feeling or emotion:IMPASSIVENESS |
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apex |
the highest or culminating point |
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aphorism |
a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment:ADAGE |
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apiary |
a place where bees are kept; especially :a collection of hives or colonies of bees kept for their honey |
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aplomb |
poise |
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apocalyptic |
forecasting the ultimate destiny of the world:PROPHETIC |
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apocrypha |
writings or statements of dubious authenticity |
| |
apologist |
one who speaks or writes in defense of someone or something |
| |
apophasis |
Allusion to something by denying that it will be mentioned, as in I will not bring up my opponent's questionable financial dealings |
| |
apoplectic |
greatly agitated |
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apostasy |
renunciation of a religious faith |
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apostrophe |
a mark ' used to indicate the omission of letters or figures, the possessive case, or the plural of letters or figures |
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apothecary |
one who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes |
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appall |
to overcome with consternation, shock, or dismay |
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apparel |
to put clothes on:DRESS |
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appeal |
to make an earnest request |
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appealing |
having appeal:PLEASING |
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appease |
to bring to a state of peace or quiet:CALM |
| |
appellation |
A name, title, or designation. |
| |
appetite |
an inherent craving |
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applause |
approval publicly expressed |
| |
applicant |
one who applies |
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appoint |
to name officially |
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apposite |
highly pertinent or appropriate:APT |
| |
appreciable |
capable of being perceived or measured |
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apprehension |
suspicion or fear especially of future evil:FOREBODING |
| |
apprentice |
an inexperienced person:NOVICE |
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approbation |
COMMENDATION, PRAISE |
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appropriate |
1. to take or make use of without authority or right 2. especially suitable or compatible:FITTING |
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approval |
The act of approving |
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approve |
to have or express a favorable opinion of |
| |
approximate |
nearly correct or exact |
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apropos |
being both relevant and opportune |
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apt |
unusually fitted or qualified:READY |
| |
aquatic |
growing or living in or frequenting water |
| |
aqueduct |
a conduit for water |
| |
aquifer |
a water-bearing stratum of permeable rock, sand, or gravel |
| |
arachnid |
any of a class (Arachnida) of arthropods comprising chiefly terrestrial invertebrates, including the spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks, and having a segmented body divided into two regions of which the anterior bears four pairs of legs but no antennae |
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arbor |
a shelter of vines or branches or of latticework covered with climbing shrubs or vines |
| |
arboreal |
of, relating to, or resembling a tree |
| |
archaic |
of, relating to, or characteristic of an earlier or more primitive time:ANTIQUATED |
| |
archetype |
the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies:PROTOTYPE; also :a perfect example |
| |
archipelago |
an expanse of water with many scattered islands |
| |
architect |
a person who designs buildings and advises in their construction |
| |
archive |
a place in which public records or historical documents are preserved |
| |
arctic |
bitter cold:FRIGID |
| |
ardor |
extreme vigor or energy:INTENSITY |
| |
arduous |
hard to accomplish or achieve:DIFFICULT |
| |
argot |
an often more or less secret vocabulary and idiom peculiar to a particular group |
| |
arid |
excessively dry |
| |
armory |
a place where arms and military equipment are stored |
| |
arrest |
to make inactive |
| |
arresting |
catching the attention:STRIKING, IMPRESSIVE |
| |
arrhythmic |
lacking rhythm or regularity |
| |
arrogance |
a feeling or an impression of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or presumptuous claims |
| |
arroyo |
a brook; a creek ;a water-carved gully or channel |
| |
arsenal |
a:an establishment for the manufacture or storage of arms and military equipmentb:a collection of weapons |
| |
articulate |
to give clear and effective utterance to:put into wordsratiocination:thinking:articulation:talking |
| |
artifacts |
something created by humans usually for a practical purpose; especially :an object remaining from a particular period |
| |
artifice |
false or insincere behavior |
| |
artless |
free from guile or craft:sincerely simple |
| |
ascendant |
governing or controlling influence:DOMINATION |
| |
ascent |
an upward slope or rising grade:ACCLIVITY |
| |
ascetic |
austere in appearance, manner, or attitude |
| |
aseptic |
preventing infection |
| |
askew |
out of line:AWRY |
| |
aspect |
a position facing a particular direction:EXPOSURE |
| |
asperity |
roughness of manner or of temper:HARSHNESS |
| |
aspersion |
slanderous remark |
| |
aspirant |
One who aspires, as to advancement, honors, or a high position. |
| |
aspiration |
a strong desire to achieve something high or great |
| |
assert |
to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively |
| |
assess |
to determine the importance, size, or value of |
| |
asset |
the entire property of a person, association, corporation, or estate applicable or subject to the payment of debts |
| |
assiduous |
marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application |
| |
assuage |
to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses):EASE |
| |
assume |
to take to or upon oneself:UNDERTAKE |
| |
astounding |
causing astonishment or amazement |
| |
astute |
having or showing shrewdness and perspicacity |
| |
asylum |
an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors:SANCTUARY |
| |
asymmetrical |
not of equal size or similar shape: |
| |
atone |
to supply satisfaction for:EXPIATE |
| |
atrocious |
extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel:BARBARIC |
| |
attenuate |
to lessen the amount, force, magnitude, or value of:WEAKEN |
| |
attorney |
A person legally appointed by another to act as his or her agent in the transaction of business, specifically one qualified and licensed to act for plaintiffs and defendants in legal proceedings |
| |
audacious |
intrepidly daring:ADVENTUROUS |
| |
audible |
heard or capable of being heard |
| |
augur |
to foretell especially from omens |
| |
auspicious |
affording a favorable auspice:PROPITIOUS |
| |
austere |
markedly simple or unadorned |
| |
authenticity |
not false or imitation:REAL, ACTUAL |
| |
authoritative |
having the weight of authority; dictatorial |
| |
authority |
power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior |
| |
autocracy |
government in which one person possesses unlimited power |
| |
avarice |
excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain:GREEDINESS, CUPIDITY |
| |
aversion |
a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn from |
| |
avid |
characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit |
| |
avulse |
to separate, cut, or tear off by avulsion |
| |
awash |
covered with water:FLOODED |
| |
awe |
an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime |
| |
awkward |
lacking dexterity or skill |
| |
awl |
a pointed tool for marking surfaces or piercing small holes (as in leather or wood) |
| |
awning |
a rooflike cover extending over or in front of a place (as over the deck or in front of a door or window) as a shelter |
| |
awry |
in a turned or twisted position or direction:ASKEW |
