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GRE Vocabulary ("A" Words)
made to help me learn GRE-level vocab words
278
General Vocab
Graduate
07/24/2009

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Term
abase
Definition
(Verb) To lower in position, estimation, or the like; degrade.

Synonyms: humiliate, dishonor, defame, belittle, drop, sink, depress, let down

Antonym: respect
Term
abbess
Definition
(Noun) A woman who is the superior of a convent of nuns
Term
abbot
Definition
(noun) The superior of a monastery for men
Term
abdicate
Definition
(verb) To cast off, to relinquish (power)
Term
aberration
Definition
(noun) the fact or an instance of being aberrant especially from a moral standard or normal state
Term
abet
Definition
(verb) to actively second and encourage (as an activity or plan)
Term
abeyance
Definition
(noun) a lapse in succession during which there is no person in whom a title is vested
Term
abeyance
Definition
(noun) a lapse in succession during which there is no person in whom a title is vested
Term
abhorrence
Definition
(noun) someone who you regard with extreme repugnance & hate
Term
abhorrent
Definition
(adjective) not agreeable, enough to make you sick
Term
abject
Definition
(adjective) sunk to or existing in a low state or condition , cast down in spirit, the worst kind (abject poverty)
Term
abjure
Definition
(verb) to renounce upon oath b: to reject solemnly, to abstain from
Term
ablution
Definition
(noun) the washing of one's body or part of it (as in a religious rite); a building housing bathing and toilet facilities on a military base
Term
abnegate
Definition
(verb) To deny oneself (something); to renounce or give up a right or a claim to something;
Term
abominate
Definition
(verb) to hate or loathe intensely.
Term
aboveboard
Definition
(adverb) in a straightforward manner
Term
abrade
Definition
(verb) To wear down or rub away by friction, erode, chafe; To make weary through constant irritation; wear down spiritually.
Term
abrogate
Definition
(verb) to abolish by authoritative action : annul; to treat as nonexistent
Term
abscess
Definition
(noun) a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue
Term
abscission
Definition
(noun) the act or process of cutting off; the natural separation of flowers, fruit, or leaves from plants at a special separation layer
Term
abscond
Definition
(verb) to depart secretly and hide oneself
Term
absolution
Definition
(noun)

: the act of absolving ; specifically : a remission of sins pronounced by a priest (as in the sacrament of reconciliation)
Term
abstemious
Definition
(adjective) marked by restraint especially in the consumption of food or alcohol ; also : reflecting such restraint
Term
abash
Definition
(verb) to embarrass
Term
abate
Definition
(verb) subside or moderate
Term
aberrant
Definition
(adjective) abnormal or deviant
Term
abhor
Definition
(verb) detest; hate
Term
abnegation
Definition
(noun) renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation
Term
abortive
Definition
(adjective) unsuccessful; fruitless
Term
absolve
Definition
(verb) pardon (an offense)
Term
abstruse
Definition
(adjective) obscure; profound; difficult to understand
Term
abut
Definition
(verb) border upon; adjoin
Term
abysmal
Definition
(adjective) Bottomless
Term
abyss
Definition
(noun) enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit
Term
accede
Definition
(verb) to agree
Term
accession
Definition
(noun) increase by something added b: acquisition of additional property (as by growth or increase of existing property); the act of assenting or agreeing; the act of becoming joined; sudden fit or outburst
Term
acclivity
Definition
(noun) sharp upslope of a hill; (antonym: declivity)
Term
accord
Definition
(noun) agreement
Term
accost
Definition
(verb) to approach and speak to often in a challenging or aggressive way
Term
accouter (accoutre)
Definition
(verb) to provide with equipment or furnishings, to furnish
Term
accretion
Definition
(noun) growth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete
Term
accrue
Definition
(verb) to come into existence as a legally enforceable claim; to accumulate or be added periodically
Term
accursed
Definition
(adjective) being under or as if under a curse
Term
acerbity
Definition
(noun) the quality of being acerbic, acid-like
Term
acetate
Definition
(noun) a salt or ester of acetic acid; a phonograph recording disk made of an acetate or coated with cellulose acetate
Term
acetic
Definition
(adjective) vinegary
Term
Achillean
Definition
(adjective) Resembling Achilles, the hero of the Iliad; invincible.
Term
achromatic
Definition
(adjective) refracting light without dispersing it into its constituent colors : giving images practically free from extraneous colors; not readily colored by the usual staining agents; possessing no hue
Term
acidulous
Definition
(adjective) slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic
Term
acme
Definition
(noun) peak; pinnacle; highest point; also one that represents perfection of the thing expressed
Term
acme
Definition
(noun) peak; pinnacle; highest point
Term
acoustics
Definition
(noun) science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in
Term
acquiesce
Definition
(noun) assent; agree passively; comply without protest
Term
acquit
Definition
(verb) to discharge completely (as from an obligation or accusation); to conduct oneself unusually satisfactory under stress
Term
acreage
Definition
(noun) area in acres
Term
acrid
Definition
(adjective) bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent
Term
acrimonious
Definition
(adjective) stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior
Term
acrophobia
Definition
(noun) Fear of heights
Term
actuarial
Definition
(adjective) relating to statistical calculation especially of life expectancy
Term
actuate
Definition
(verb) motivate; activate; cause to act
Term
acuity
Definition
(noun) sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)
Term
acumen
Definition
(noun) mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen
Term
acute
Definition
(adjective) of the senses - sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain
Term
addle
Definition
(verb) make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)
Term
adduce
Definition
(verb) to offer as example, reason, or proof in discussion or analysis
Term
adherent
Definition
(noun) supporter; follower; able or tending to adhere; connected or associated with especially by contract
Term
adjourn
Definition
(verb) suspend until a later time; move from one place to another
Term
adjudge
Definition
(verb) to decide or rule upon as a judge, adjudicate; to pronounce judicially; to hold or pronounce to be : deem ; to award or grant judicially in a case of controversy
Term
adjuration
Definition
(noun) solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly
Term
adjutant
Definition
(noun) staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
Term
admonish
Definition
(verb) warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove
Term
ado
Definition
(noun) heightened fuss or concern
Term
adroit
Definition
(adjective) skillful (in using mind or hand)
Term
adulation
Definition
(noun) flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved
Term
adulterant
Definition
(adjective) an adulterating substance or agent (adulterate: to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or element ; especially : to prepare for sale by replacing more valuable with less valuable or inert ingredients)
Term
adulterate
Definition
(verb) to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or element ; especially : to prepare for sale by replacing more valuable with less valuable or inert ingredients
Term
advent
Definition
(noun) arrival; the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting; the coming of Christ at the Incarnation
Term
adventitious
Definition
(adjective) accidental; casual; happening by chance
Term
adversary
Definition
(noun) opponent, enemy
Term
advert
Definition
(verb) refer
Term
aegis
Definition
(noun) shield; protection; defense; control or guidance especially by an individual, group, or system
Term
aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry)
Definition
(noun) nest of a large bird of prey
Term
affidavit
Definition
(noun) written statement made under oath (for use as proof in a court of law)
Term
affliction
Definition
(noun) state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on
Term
affront
Definition
(noun) insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally
Term
afire
Definition
(adjective or adverb) being in a state of great excitement or energy, being on fire
Term
aforesaid
Definition
(adjective) said or named before or above
Term
agglomerate
Definition
(verb) to gather into a ball, mass, or cluster
Term
aggrandize
Definition
(verb) make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement
Term
aggrieve
Definition
(verb) to give pain or trouble to
Term
agog
Definition
(adjective) highly excited; intensely curious
Term
agrarian
Definition
(adjective) pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform
Term
aide-de-camp
Definition
(noun) a military aide ; also : a civilian aide usually to an executive
Term
airy
Definition
(adjective) of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal
Term
alacrity
Definition
cheerful promptness without reluctance
Term
alchemy
Definition
(noun) medieval chemistry
Term
alderman
Definition
(noun) a person governing a kingdom, district, or shire as viceroy for an Anglo-Saxon king; a magistrate formerly ranking next below the mayor in an English or Irish city or borough b: a high-ranking member of a borough or county council in Ireland or formerly in England chosen by elected members; a member of a city legislative body
Term
alimentary
Definition
(adjective) supplying nourishment
Term
alkali
Definition
(noun) a soluble salt obtained from the ashes of plants and consisting largely of potassium or sodium carbonate ; broadly : a substance (as a hydroxide or carbonate of an alkali metal) having marked basic properties — compare base; alkali metal; a soluble salt or a mixture of soluble salts present in some soils of arid regions in quantity detrimental to agriculture
Term
allay
Definition
(verb) calm; pacify
Term
alley
Definition
(noun) a garden or park walk bordered by trees or bushes; a grassed enclosure for bowling or skittles; a hardwood lane for bowling ; also : a room or building housing a group of such lanes b: the space on each side of a tennis doubles court between the sideline and the service sideline; an area in a baseball outfield between two outfielders when they are in normal positions; a narrow street ; especially : a thoroughfare through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots or buildings
Term
alloy
Definition
(noun) mixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness
Term
alluvial
Definition
(adjective) pertaining to soil deposits left by running water
Term
alms
Definition
(noun) money or goods given to the poor
Term
aloof
Definition
(adjective) apart; not open in one's relationship with other people; reserved; ADV.
Term
amalgam
Definition
(noun) combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth
Term
amalgamate
Definition
(verb) of societies or groups - combine; unite in one body
Term
amatory
Definition
(adjective) of, relating to, or expressing sexual love
Term
amazon
Definition
(noun) female warrior
Term
ambiguous
Definition
(adjective) unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation
Term
ambivalence
Definition
(noun) the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions
Term
ambrosia
Definition
(noun) food of the gods
Term
ambulate
Definition
(verb) to move from place to place : walk
Term
ameliorate
Definition
(verb) to make better or more tolerable
Term
akimbo
Definition
(adjective) with hands on hips and elbows extending outward
Term
ameliorate
Definition
(verb) to improve
Term
amenable
Definition
(adj) obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests
Term
amenities
Definition
(noun) convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies
Term
amity
Definition
(noun) friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations
Term
amnesty
Definition
(noun) pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)
Term
amok(amuck)
Definition
(noun) in a state of rage; Ex. run amok
Term
amorous
Definition
(adjective) moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances
Term
ampere
Definition
(noun) the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of electric current that is equivalent to a flow of one coulomb per second or to the steady current produced by one volt applied across a resistance of one ohm
Term
amphibian
Definition
(noun) able to live both on land and in water
Term
amplitude
Definition
(noun) extent of dignity, excellence, or splendor; quality or state of being ample; the extent or range of a quality, property, process, or phenomenon: as a: the extent of a vibratory movement (as of a pendulum) measured from the mean position to an extreme
Term
amulet
Definition
(noun) charm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck
Term
anachronism
Definition
(noun) an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic
Term
analgesia
Definition
(noun) condition of being unable to feel pain
Term
analgesic
Definition
(adj) causing insensitivity to pain
Term
anarchist
Definition
(noun) person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority
Term
anathema
Definition
(noun) one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority b: someone or something intensely disliked or loathed —usually used as a predicate nominative
Term
ancillary
Definition
(noun) serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.
Term
anemometer
Definition
(noun) an instrument for measuring and indicating the force or speed of the wind
Term
anew
Definition
(adverb) for an additional time : again
Term
angular
Definition
(adj) sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner
Term
anhydrous
Definition
(adj) free from water and especially water of crystallization
Term
animadversion
Definition
(noun) critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval
Term
animadvert
Definition
(verb) to make an animadversion - a adverse criticism or a critical and usually censorious remark —often used with on
Term
animalcule
Definition
(noun) a minute usually microscopic organism
Term
animus
Definition
(noun) hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition
Term
annals
Definition
(noun) a record of events arranged in yearly sequence
Term
anneal
Definition
(verb) reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)
Term
annuity
Definition
(noun) Yearly allowance
Term
annul
Definition
(verb) make void
Term
anode
Definition
(noun) the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which oxidation occurs: as a: the positive terminal of an electrolytic cell
Term
anodyne
Definition
(noun) drug that relieves pain or trouble;opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement
Term
anomaly
Definition
(noun) irregularity
Term
antecedents
Definition
(noun) preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background
Term
antechamber
Definition
(noun) an outer room that leads to another room and that is often used as a waiting room
Term
antedate
Definition
(noun) a date assigned to an event or document earlier than the actual date of the event or document
Term
antediluvian
Definition
(adjective) antiquated; extremely ancient
Term
antemeridian
Definition
(adjective) Of, relating to, or taking place in the morning
Term
antemundane
Definition
(adjective) Being or occurring before the creation of the world.
Term
antenatal
Definition
(adj) prenatal
Term
anterior
Definition
(adj) situated near the front; coming before in time or development
Term
anthracite
Definition
(noun) a hard natural coal of high luster differing from bituminous coal in containing little volatile matter and in burning very cleanly —called also hard coal
— an·thra·cit·ic
Term
anthropoid
Definition
(noun) manlike; resembling a human being; N.
Term
anthropomorphic
Definition
(adjective) having human form or characteristics
Term
antic
Definition
(noun) an attention-drawing often wildly playful or funny act or action : caper
Term
antilogy, antilogies
Definition
(noun) A contradiction in related terms or ideas. Usually an inconsistency in syllogisms, of a person or group supposedly of one set of ideals.
Term
antipathize, antipathy
Definition
(verb) To feel or show antipathy - aversion; dislike or opposition
Term
antiphon
Definition
(noun) a psalm, anthem, or verse sung responsively, a verse usually from Scripture said or sung before and after a canticle, psalm, or psalm verse as part of the liturgy
Term
antipode
Definition
(noun) the parts of the earth diametrically opposite —usually used in plural —often used of Australia and New Zealand as contrasted to the western hemisphere
Term
antiquate
Definition
(verb) to make old or obsolete
Term
antispasmodic
Definition
(adj) capable of preventing or relieving spasms or convulsions
Term
apathy
Definition
(noun) lack of care or concern
Term
ape
Definition
(verb) imitate or mimic
Term
aperture
Definition
(noun) opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light
Term
aphasia
Definition
(noun) loss of speech due to injury or illness
Term
aphorism
Definition
(noun) pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic
Term
apiarist
Definition
(noun) person who keeps bees
Term
apiary
Definition
(noun) place where bees are kept
Term
apiculture
Definition
(noun) Bee-keeping
Term
aplomb
Definition
(noun) poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence
Term
apocryphal
Definition
(adj) doubtful authenticity, of a story, widely believed but untrue
Term
apogee
Definition
(noun) highest point, furthest from the earth
Term
apologist
Definition
(noun) one who writes in defense of an institution
Term
apoplexy
Definition
(noun) stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain
Term
apostasy
Definition
(noun) renunciation of a religious faith; abandonment of a previous loyalty
Term
apostate
Definition
(noun) one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy
Term
apothecary
Definition
(noun) druggist, pharmacist
Term
apothegm (apophthegm)
Definition
(noun) pithy, compact saying
Term
apotheosis
Definition
(noun) elevation to divine status : deification; the perfect example
Term
apparition
Definition
(noun) ghost, phantom
Term
appellation
Definition
(noun) name, title
Term
application
Definition
(noun) diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself
Term
apposite
Definition
(adjective) appropriate, fitting
Term
apprehend
Definition
(verb) arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension
Term
apprise
Definition
verb (to inform)
Term
approbation
Definition
(noun) approval
Term
appropriate
Definition
(verb) to acquire, take possession of for one's own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate
Term
appurtenances
Definition
(noun) subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing
Term
aquiline
Definition
(adjective) curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose
Term
arable
Definition
(adjective) fit for growing crops
Term
arbiter
Definition
(noun) person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware
Term
arbitrary
Definition
(adj) unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler
Term
arbitrate
Definition
(verb) to act as judge (at the request of both sides)
Term
arboriculture
Definition
(noun) the cultivation of trees and shrubs especially for ornamental purposes
Term
arboreal
Definition
(adj) of, relating to, or resembling a tree
Term
arborescent
Definition
(adj) resembling a tree in properties, growth, structure, or appearance
Term
arcade
Definition
(noun) covered passageway, usually lined with shops
Term
arcane
Definition
(adjective) esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener
Term
archaic
Definition
(adjective) antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N.
Term
archangel
Definition
(noun) a chief angel; an order of angels
Term
archdeacon
Definition
(noun) a clergyman having the duty of assisting a diocesan bishop in ceremonial functions or administrative work
Term
archetype
Definition
(noun) prototype, primitive pattern
Term
archipelago
Definition
(noun) group of closely located islands
Term
ardent
Definition
(adj) characterized by warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager zealous support or activity , firey hot
Term
ardor
Definition
(noun) heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent
Term
arduous
Definition
(adj) hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work
Term
argot
Definition
(noun) slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people
Term
arid
Definition
(adj) of land, dry; barren; unproductive
Term
auriferous
Definition
(adj) containing gold
Term
arraign
Definition
(verb) charge in court, to indict
Term
arrant
Definition
(adj) being notoriously without moderation;
Term
array
Definition
(verb)

marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array

to dress or decorate especially in splendid or impressive attire : adorn
Term
arrears
Definition
(noun) being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done
Term
arrogate
Definition
(verb) to claim or seize without justification; to make undue claims to having
Term
arroyo
Definition
(noun) gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater
Term
Artesian well
Definition
(noun) a well in which water is under pressure ; especially : one in which the water flows to the surface naturally; a deep well
Term
artful
Definition
(adj) exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice
Term
artifice
Definition
(noun) deception, trickery
Term
artless
Definition
(adjective) without guile, open and honest
Term
ascendancy
Definition
(noun) position of controlling influence;
Term
ascertain
Definition
(verb) to find out for certain, to make certain
Term
ascetic
Definition
(adj) practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline; austere in appearance, manner, or attitude Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism
Term
ascribe
Definition
(verb) refer; attribute; assign
Term
aseptic
Definition
(adjective) preventing infection; having a cleansing effect; lacking vitality, emotion, or warmth
Term
asinine
Definition
(adjective) stupid
Term
askance
Definition
(adverb) with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at
Term
asperity
Definition
(noun) sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter
Term
aspersion
Definition
(noun) slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on
Term
aspirant
Definition
(noun) seeker of position or status
Term
assail
Definition
(verb) to assault
Term
assay
Definition
(verb) analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)
Term
assent
Definition
(verb) agree; accept; N. assessment
Term
assiduous
Definition
(adj) diligent
Term
assimilate
Definition
(verb) absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking)
Term
assonance
Definition
(noun) resemblance of sound in words or syllables
Term
assuage
Definition
(verb) make less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)
Term
asteroid
Definition
(noun) small planet
Term
astral
Definition
(noun) relating to the stars
Term
astringent
Definition
(noun) binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism
Term
asunder
Definition
(adverb) apart from each other,
Term
atavism
Definition
(noun) resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic
Term
athirst
Definition
(adj) having a strong eager desire
Term
atomizer
Definition
(noun) an instrument for atomizing usually a perfume, disinfectant, or medicament (atomizing means to treat as made up of many discrete units)
Term
atrocity
Definition
(noun) brutal deed
Term
atrophy
Definition
(noun) wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)
Term
attache
Definition
(noun) a technical expert on a country's diplomatic staff at a foreign capital
Term
attenuate
Definition
(verb) to make thin, weaken
Term
attribute
Definition
(noun) essential quality; V: ascribe; explain
Term
attrition
Definition
(noun) rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition
Term
audacious
Definition
(adj) daring, bold
Term
augur
Definition
(noun) an official diviner of ancient Rome; one held to foretell events by omens
Term
augury
Definition
(noun) omen, prophecy, sign of coming events
Term
august
Definition
(adj) marked by majestic dignity or grandeur
Term
aureole
Definition
(noun) sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light
Term
auricle
Definition
(noun) an atrium of a heart; pinna 1 c: an anterior ear-shaped pouch in each atrium of the human heart; an angular or ear-shaped lobe, process, or appendage
Term
auroral
Definition
(noun) dawn; a luminous phenomenon that consists of streamers or arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet's magnetic polar regions and is caused by the emission of light from atoms excited by electrons accelerated along the planet's magnetic field lines
Term
auspicious
Definition
(adj) favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices
Term
austere
Definition
(adj) forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity
Term
autarchy (autarky)
Definition
(noun) self-sufficiency, independence ; specifically : national economic self-sufficiency and independence; a policy of establishing a self-sufficient and independent national economy
Term
authoritarian
Definition
(noun) subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father
Term
autocratic
Definition
(adj) having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy
Term
automaton
Definition
(noun) mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself
Term
auxiliary
Definition
(adj) offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant
Term
avarice
Definition
(noun) greediness for wealth
Term
aver
Definition
(verb) state confidently; declare as true
Term
aviary
Definition
(noun) enclosure for birds, large cage
Term
avid
Definition
(adj) greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity
Term
avidity
Definition
(noun) the quality or state of being avid: a: keen eagerness b: consuming greed
Term
avuncular
Definition
(adj) of or like an uncle
Term
awl
Definition
(noun) pointed tool used for piercing
Term
axiom
Definition
(noun) self-evident truth
Term
azalea
Definition
(noun) any of a subgenus (Azalea) of rhododendrons with funnel-shaped corollas and usually deciduous leaves including many species and hybrid forms cultivated as ornamentals
Term
azure
Definition
(adj) sky blue
Term
antidisestablishmentarianism
Definition
(noun) opposition to the withdrawal of state support or recognition from an established church, esp. the Anglican Church in 19th-century England.
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