| aardvark |
a large mammal with a long snout, long ears, a long tail, and with long fur mostly around its legs. Aardvarks are active at night, when they use their powerful claws to dig open ant or termite nests. They catch their food with their long, sticky tongue. Aardvarks live in southern and central Africa. Although they are sometimes called anteaters, aardvarks are not closely related to any other kind of mammal. |
| abacus |
a device used to make arithmetic calculations, consisting of a frame with parallel rods or grooves that hold movable counters such as beads. |
| abalone |
a large edible marine snail, the shell of which is lined with mother-of-pearl. |
| abandon |
to leave behind with no plan to return or take possession of again; desert. [1/3 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. |
| abhor |
to regard with intense loathing or horror; detest. |
| abide |
to put up with; stand. [1/3 definitions] |
| abide by |
to comply with; agree to. |
| abnormal psychology |
the branch of psychology that is concerned with patterns of behavior, thought, and feeling that deviate greatly from average patterns. |
| abolish |
to get rid of or do away with; end. |
| abolition |
the act of doing away with or putting an end to; the act of abolishing. [1/2 definitions] |
| Abominable Snowman |
a large manlike animal covered with hair, said to live in the Himalayas; yeti. |
| abound |
to be full; teem (usu. fol. by "with" or "in"). [1/2 definitions] |
| about |
connected or associated with. [1/12 definitions] |
| abrogate |
to do away with; set aside. [1/2 definitions] |
| abscess |
a sore that forms within the tissues of the body and is filled with pus. Abscesses can be caused by an infection. |
| absent-minded |
not paying attention to the immediate task or event because one's mind is preoccupied with other matters. |
| absent without leave |
absent without permission from assigned military duty, but not necessarily with the intention of deserting; AWOL. |
| absinthe |
a bitter green liqueur with high alcohol content, made from wormwood and herbs. [1/2 definitions] |
| abstract |
formed in the mind or in thought, with little connection to what actually exists or is proven. [1/3 definitions] |
| absurd |
of, showing, or having to do with the belief that there is no meaning or order in life or in the universe. [1/2 definitions] |