 | Term | Definition |
| |
allegory |
The setting forth of a subject under the guise of another subject of aptly suggestive likeness. |
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alleviate |
To make less burdensome or less hard to bear. |
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alley |
A narrow street, garden path, walk, or the like. |
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alliance |
Any combination or union for some common purpose. |
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allot |
To assign a definite thing or part to a certain person. |
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allotment |
Portion. |
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allude |
To refer incidentally, or by suggestion. |
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allusion |
An indirect and incidental reference to something without definite mention of it. |
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alluvion |
Flood. |
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ally |
A person or thing connected with another, usually in some relation of helpfulness. |
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almanac |
A series of tables giving the days of the week together with certain astronomical information. |
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aloof |
Not in sympathy with or desiring to associate with others. |
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altar |
Any raised place or structure on which sacrifices may be offered or incense burned. |
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alter |
To make change in. |
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alteration |
Change or modification. |
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altercate |
To contend angrily or zealously in words. |
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alternate |
One chosen to act in place of another, in case of the absence or incapacity of that other. |
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alternative |
Something that may or must exist, be taken or chosen, or done instead of something else. |
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altitude |
Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base-level, as the sea. |
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alto |
The lowest or deepest female voice or part. |
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altruism |
Benevolence to others on subordination to self-interest. |
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altruist |
One who advocates or practices altruism. |
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amalgam |
An alloy or union of mercury with another metal. |
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amalgamate |
To mix or blend together in a homogeneous body. |
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amateur |
Practicing an art or occupation for the love of it, but not as a profession. |
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amatory |
Designed to excite love. |
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ambidextrous |
Having the ability of using both hands with equal skill or ease. |
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ambiguous |
Having a double meaning. |
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ambitious |
Eagerly desirous and aspiring. |
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ambrosial |
Divinely sweet, fragrant, or delicious. |
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ambulance |
A vehicle fitted for conveying the sick and wounded. |
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ambulate |
To walk about |
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ambush |
The act or state of lying concealed for the purpose of surprising or attacking the enemy. |
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ameliorate |
To relieve, as from pain or hardship |
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amenable |
Willing and ready to submit. |
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Americanism |
A peculiar sense in which an English word or phrase is used in the United States. |
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amicable |
Done in a friendly spirit. |
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amity |
Friendship. |
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amorous |
Having a propensity for falling in love. |
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amorphous |
Without determinate shape. |
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amour |
A love-affair, especially one of an illicit nature. |
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ampere |
The practical unit of electric-current strength. |
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ampersand |
The character &; and. |
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amphibious |
Living both on land and in water. |
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amphitheater |
An edifice of elliptical shape, constructed about a central open space or arena. |
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amplitude |
Largeness. |
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amply |
Sufficiently. |
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amputate |
To remove by cutting, as a limb or some portion of the body. |
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amusement |
Diversion. |
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anachronism |
Anything occurring or existing out of its proper time. |
