| Term | Definition |
|
aberration |
deviation from what is correct or right |
|
abeyance |
suspension of an activity; postponement |
|
abstemious |
sparing in use of food or drink; moderate |
|
abstruse |
concealed; difficult to comprehend; obscure |
|
accolade |
embrace; award; commendation |
|
acerbic |
bitter; harsh; caustic |
|
acrimonious |
sarcastic; caustic; angry; mordant |
|
acuity |
sharpness; acuteness; keenness |
|
acute |
perceptive; excruciating |
|
adept |
proficient, masterful, expert |
|
adherent |
believer; supporter devotee |
|
adjunct |
attachment, appendage; subordinate or auxiliary capacity |
|
admonish |
caution; reprove mildly; reprimand |
|
adroit |
dexterous; proficient; skillful |
|
adulation |
excessive flattery; adoration; idolization |
|
adulterate |
make impure or inferior by adding improper ingredients; contaminate; pollute |
|
advocate |
argue for a cause; defend; support, uphold |
|
aesthete |
person who cultivates beauty or art; connoisseur |
|
aggrandize |
make more powerful; amplify; increase |
|
alacrity |
eagerness; zeal; speed |
|
altruistic |
concerned about the general welfare of others; charitable; generous |
|
ambivalence |
uncertainty; doubt; indecisiveness |
|
ambulatory |
able to walk; not stationary |
|
ameliorate |
make better; improve |
|
amiable |
cordial; of pleasant disposition; friendly |
|
amorphous |
without structure; shapeless; nebulous |
|
animate |
energize; enliven |
|
anomaly |
abnormality; deviation from the general rule; irregularity |
|
antediluvian |
ancient; antiquated; obsolete |
|
antipathy |
feeling of opposition or repugnance; aversion; dislike |
|
apathy |
lack of concern, emotion or interest; indifference |
|
aperture |
gap; opening; orifice |
|
apocryphal |
false; unauthenticated; disputed |
|
apotheosis |
essence; epitome; canonization |
|
appease |
satisfy; make peace; placate |
|
approbatory |
expressing approval |
|
arable |
suitable for cultivation or plowing |
|
arrogant |
feeling superior to other people; egotistical |
|
ascetic |
strict; austere |
|
assuage |
ease; make less burdensome; mitigate |
|
atrophy |
waste away from lack of use; degenerate |
|
audacity |
boldness or adventurousness; gall |
|
authoritarian |
person who acts like a dictator, tyrant; disciplinarian |
|
avarice |
extreme desire for wealth; greed; acquisitiveness |
|
aviary |
large enclosure confining birds |
|
avouch |
guarantee; take responsibility for; affirm |
|
avow |
affirm; assert; declare; acknowledge |