 | Term | Definition |
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aspirant |
One who seeks earnestly, as for advancement, honors, place. |
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aspiration |
An earnest wish for that which is above one's present reach. |
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aspire |
To have an earnest desire, wish, or longing, as for something high and good, not yet attained. |
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assailant |
One who attacks. |
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assassin |
One who kills, or tries to kill, treacherously or secretly. |
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assassinate |
To kill, as by surprise or secret assault, especially the killing of some eminent person. |
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assassination |
Murderer, as by secret assault or treachery. |
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assay |
The chemical analysis or testing of an alloy ore. |
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assent |
To express agreement with a statement or matter of opinion. |
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assess |
To determine the amount of (a tax or other sum to be paid). |
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assessor |
An officer whose duty it is to assess taxes. |
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assets |
pl. Property in general, regarded as applicable to the payment of debts. |
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assiduous |
Diligent. |
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assignee |
One who is appointed to act for another in the management of certain property and interests. |
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assimilate |
To adapt. |
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assonance |
Resemblance or correspondence in sound. |
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assonant |
Having resemblance of sound. |
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assonate |
To accord in sound, especially vowel sound. |
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assuage |
To cause to be less harsh, violent, or severe, as excitement, appetite, pain, or disease. |
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astringent |
Harsh in disposition or character. |
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astute |
Keen in discernment. |
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atheism |
The denial of the existence of God. |
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athirst |
Wanting water. |
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athwart |
From side to side. |
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atomizer |
An apparatus for reducing a liquid to a fine spray, as for disinfection, inhalation, etc. |
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atone |
To make amends for. |
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atonement |
Amends, reparation, or expiation made from wrong or injury. |
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atrocious |
Outrageously or wantonly wicked, criminal, vile, or cruel. |
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atrocity |
Great cruelty or reckless wickedness. |
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attache |
A subordinate member of a diplomatic embassy. |
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attest |
To certify as accurate, genuine, or true. |
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attorney-general |
The chief law-officer of a government. |
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auburn |
Reddish-brown, said usually of the hair. |
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audacious |
Fearless. |
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audible |
Loud enough to be heard. |
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audition |
The act or sensation of hearing. |
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auditory |
Of or pertaining to hearing or the organs or sense of hearing. |
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augment |
To make bigger. |
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augur |
To predict. |
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Augustinian |
Pertaining to St. Augustine, his doctrines, or the religious orders called after him. |
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aura |
Pervasive psychic influence supposed to emanate from persons |
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aural |
Of or pertaining to the ear. |
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auricle |
One of the two chambers of the heart which receives the blood from the veins. |
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auricular |
Of or pertaining to the ear, its auricle, or the sense of hearing. |
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auriferous |
Containing gold. |
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aurora |
A luminous phenomenon in the upper regions of the atmosphere. |
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auspice |
favoring, protecting, or propitious influence or guidance. |
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austere |
Severely simple; unadorned. |
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autarchy |
Unrestricted power. |
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authentic |
Of undisputed origin. |
