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A

A- prefix (also an- before a vowel sound) not, without (amoral). [greek]

Aa abbr. 1 automobile association. 2 alcoholics anonymous. 3 anti-aircraft.

Aardvark n. Mammal with a tubular snout and a long tongue, feeding on termites. [afrikaans]

Ab- prefix off, away, from (abduct). [latin]

Aback adv.  take aback surprise, disconcert. [old english: related to *a2]

Abacus n. (pl. -cuses) 1 frame with wires along which beads are slid for calculating. 2 archit. Flat slab on top of a capital. [latin from greek from hebrew]

Abaft naut. —adv. In the stern half of a ship. —prep. Nearer the stern than. [from *a2, -baft: see *aft]

Abandon —v. 1 give up. 2 forsake, desert. 3 (often foll. By to; often refl.) Yield to a passion, another's control, etc. —n. Freedom from inhibitions.  abandonment n. [french: related to *ad-, *ban]

Abandoned adj. 1 deserted, forsaken. 2 unrestrained, profligate.

Abase v. (-sing) (also refl.) Humiliate, degrade.  abasement n. [french: related to *ad-, *base2]

Abashed predic. Adj. Embarrassed, disconcerted. [french es- *ex-1, baïr astound]

Abate v. (-ting) make or become less strong etc.; diminish.  abatement n. [french abatre from latin batt(u)o beat]

Abattoir n. Slaughterhouse. [french abatre fell, as *abate]

Abbacy n. (pl. -ies) office or jurisdiction of an abbot or abbess. [latin: related to *abbot]

Abbé n. (in france) abbot or priest. [french from latin: related to *abbot]

Abbess n. Head of a community of nuns.

Abbey n. (pl. -s) 1 building(s) occupied by a community of monks or nuns. 2 the community itself. 3 building that was once an abbey.

Abbot n. Head of a community of monks. [old english from latin abbas]

Abbreviate v. (-ting) shorten, esp. Represent (a word etc.) By a part of it.  abbreviation n. [latin: related to *brief]

Abc n. 1 the alphabet. 2 rudiments of a subject. 3 alphabetical guide.

Abdicate v. (-ting) 1 (usu. Absol.) Give up or renounce (the throne). 2 renounce (a duty, right, etc.).  abdication n. [latin dico declare]

Abdomen n. 1 the belly, including the stomach, bowels, etc. 2 the hinder part of an insect etc.  abdominal adj. [latin]

Abduct v. Carry off or kidnap illegally.  abduction n. Abductor n. [latin duco lead]

Abeam adv. At right angles to a ship's or an aircraft's length.

Aberdeen angus n. Animal of a scottish breed of hornless black cattle. [aberdeen in scotland]

Aberdonian —adj. Of aberdeen. —n. Native or citizen of aberdeen. [medieval latin]

Aberrant adj. Deviating from what is normal or accepted. [latin: related to *err]

Aberration n. 1 aberrant behaviour; moral or mental lapse. 2 biol. Deviation from a normal type. 3 distortion of an image because of a defect in a lens or mirror. 4 astron. Apparent displacement of a celestial body.

Abet v. (-tt-) (usu. In aid and abet) encourage or assist (an offender or offence). [french: related to *ad-, *bait]

Abeyance n. (usu. Prec. By in, into) temporary disuse. [french: related to *ad-, beer gape]

Abhor v. (-rr-) detest; regard with disgust. [latin: related to *horror

Abhorrence n. Disgust; detestation.

Abhorrent adj. (often foll. By to) disgusting or hateful.

Abide v. (-ding; past abided or rarely abode) 1 (usu. In neg.) Tolerate, endure (can't abide him). 2 (foll. By by) a act in accordance with (abide by the rules). B keep (a promise). 3 archaic remain, continue. [old english a- intensive prefix, *bide]

Abiding adj. Enduring, permanent.

Ability n. (pl. -ies) 1 (often foll. By to + infin.) Capacity or power. 2 cleverness, talent. [french: related to *able]

-ability suffix forming nouns of quality from, or corresponding to, adjectives in -able.

Ab initio adv. From the beginning. [latin]

Abject adj. Miserable, wretched; degraded; despicable.  abjection n. [latin jacio -ject- throw]

Abjure v. (-ring) renounce on oath (an opinion, cause, etc.).  abjuration n. [latin juro swear]

Ablative gram. —n. Case (in latin) of nouns and pronouns indicating an agent, instrument, or location. —adj. Of or in the ablative. [latin ablatus taken away]

Ablaze predic. Adj. & adv. 1 on fire. 2 glittering, glowing. 3 greatly excited.

Able adj. (abler, ablest) 1 (often foll. By to + infin.; used esp. In is able, will be able, etc., replacing tenses of can) having the capacity or power (not able to come). 2 talented, clever.  ably adv. [latin habilis]

-able suffix forming adjectives meaning: 1 that may or must be (eatable; payable). 2 that can be made the subject of (dutiable; objectionable). 3 relevant to or in accordance with (fashionable; seasonable). [latin -abilis]

Able-bodied adj. Fit, healthy.

Able-bodied seaman n. Ordinary trained seaman.

Ablution n. (usu. In pl.) 1 ceremonial washing of the hands, sacred vessels, etc. 2 colloq. A ordinary bodily washing. B place for this. [latin ablutio from luo lut- wash]

-ably suffix forming adverbs corresponding to adjectives in -able.