aberration n: deviation from usual action
abhorrent a :hateful, repugnant
abjure v.t.:recant, retract
abnegate v.t. :renounce, deny
abrogate v.t. :to repeal/void/annul by authority
abstemious a : temperate in use of food/drink
abysmal n :abyss; too great to be measured
accolade n :tap on shoulder with sword for knighthood; honor/praise
accretion n :growth in size/extent; addition of new matter/parts
acerbity n :sourness/bitterness; harshness; severity of temper
acme n: highest point
acolyte n : an attendant, a follower
a coeur vaillant rien d'impossibleFr: nothing is impossible for a willing heart
acquiesce v.i. :to assent or agree quietly/passively
acquisitive a :desirous of acquiring/possessing
acronym n :a word formed from the initial syllables or letters of other words
acuity n :sharp; intellectually perceptive; crucial; keen
acumen n :quickness of perception, insight
addlepated a :confused; eccentric
ad hoc a : particular purpose or limited time
adieu : good-by
adjure v.t. : command solemnly as with an oath
adroit a : nimble
aegis n : protecting power or influence
affect ** v.t. :To act upon, to produce an effect, influence
aggrandize v.t. :greater in power/wealth/honor;enlarge/inflate
agnostic n :person disclaiming knowledge of God or Universe origin
agog a : anticipation, curiosity, eagerness
agora n : a gathering place, esp marketplace
ala prep : according to mode, manner, style
alacrity n :lliveliness, briskness, readiness, willingness
alchemy n :medieval chemistry; magical power
al fresco a :in the open air; outdoors
algorithm n :number of rules to solve problems
allegory n :figurative discourse;symbolic representation; abstract ideas are personified
allegro con brio :referring to classical music
alliterative a : to have the same initial letter or sound
amalgam n :alloy of mercury & other metal(s)
ambiguity n :obscure; doubtfulness; uncertainty esp. of meaning
ambivalent a :contradictory feelings, object
ameliorate v.t. :to make better/improve
amok/amuck n/a :furious; reckless frenzy; to go beserk
amorous a :loving, fondness; sexual enjoyment
anal a :referring/locating near anus
analogy n :an agreement/likeness between things in some circumstances but not others
anathema n :person/object that is hated
ancillary a :give help/assistance; subordinate
androgyny a :having traditional male/female roles; hermaphrodite
angst n :anguish; dread
animadversion n :to make criticisms esp. adverse; censure
animus n :intention, purpose; hostile spirit; ill will
anomalies n :departure, abnormal, irregular
anthropomorphic a :ascribing human attributes to things/beings not human;esp deity
antithesis n :opposition; contrast; contrary
antithetical a :opposed
appellation n :identifying name; designation; calling by name
aphorism n :brief sentence w/some important truth; maxim
aplomb n :self-confidence, assurance, poise
apocryphal a :writings of doubtful origin.authenticity
apoplectic a :apoplexy; brain clot/break; stroke
apostasy n : a desertion of one's faith/principles/party
apparatchik n :communist member, official devoted to superiors
apropos n :opportune, suitable, pertinent
arbitrage n :render judgment; near simultaneous purchase/sale of securities for profit or takeover
arcane a :hidden, secret
argot n : jargon of thieves; specialized vocublary; slang
arrogate a :claim/demand w/out right/presumptuously
askance adv :sideways, with suspicion
aspersionsn :spread of false/damaging reports; defamation
assiduous a :devoted, diligent, unremitting
atavistic a : resemblance of offspring to remote ancestor; reversion to original
atelier n :workshop; artist's studio
au contraire :on the contrary
au couranta :up-to-date; current
audacious a :daring, bold, insolent, shameless
aural a :pertaining to the ear or hearing
auspices n :support, protection, favorable influence
auspicious a :omens of success, propitious, favorable
auteur n :film director considered primary creative force in pic.
autonomy n :self government; independence
avant-garde n :artists/writers with newest ideas
aver v.t. : to affirm w/confidence; assert; verify/justify
avuncular a :pertaining to or like an uncle
awry a :turned/twisted to one side; crooked
axiom(axiomatic)n :self-evident truth, principle
ayubar Spanish :call for help
**Note difference between affect & effect