| abatement |
the act of lessening or reducing, or the condition of being lessened or reduced. [2 definitions] |
| abatis |
an obstacle constructed by bending and sharpening the branches of trees or implanting sharpened limbs in a soil barricade, sometimes interlaced with barbed wire. |
| abattoir |
a place where animals are killed and cut up for food; slaughterhouse. |
| abbacy |
the authority, term of office, or rights of an abbot. |
| abbé |
a title of respect for any clergyman, esp. in France. |
| abbess |
the female superior of a convent of nuns. |
| abbey |
a monastery or convent, or the buildings that compose it. |
| abbot |
the male superior of a monastery. |
| abbr. |
abbreviation of "abbreviation" or "abbreviated." |
| abbreviate |
to reduce in length or duration. [2 definitions] |
| abbreviation |
a shortened form of a word or phrase used in writing. [2 definitions] |
| ABC |
abbreviation of "American Broadcasting Company." |
| ABC's |
the alphabet. [2 definitions] |
| ABC soil |
a soil made up of three distinct layers, the A or top layer being humus and organic matter, the B layer being clay and oxidized material, and the C layer being loose rock and mineral materials. |
| abdicate |
to formally relinquish a position of power, a claim, or a right. [3 definitions] |
| abdomen |
in vertebrates, the part of the body between the chest and the pelvis, where most of the digestive organs are located. [2 definitions] |
| abduct |
to carry off or lead away, esp. by force; kidnap. [2 definitions] |
| abduction |
the act of kidnapping. [2 definitions] |
| Abdur Rahman Khan |
Emir of Afghanistan from 1880 to 1901 (b.1844?--d.1901). |
| abeam |
at right angles to a line passing from the front to the back of a ship. |
| abed |
in bed; confined to bed. |