| abandon ship |
to leave a ship that is in danger of sinking. [2 definitions] |
| abase |
to diminish (something of value) or to place (esp. oneself) in a lower position than another or others; lower; demean. |
| abatement |
the ending or suppression of a lawsuit, a nuisance, or the like. [1/2 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. |
| 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. |
| abbreviate |
to represent in writing by using a shorter form or a few letters. [1/2 definitions] |
| abbreviation |
a shortened form of a word or phrase used in writing. [1/2 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] |
| abduction |
of a muscle, the act or process of drawing away from the main axis of the body. [1/2 definitions] |
| abeam |
at right angles to a line passing from the front to the back of a ship. |
| Aberdeen Angus |
any of various hornless beef cattle originating in Scotland and having a smooth black coat. |
| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. [2/3 definitions] |
| abeyance |
in law, a condition of temporarily undetermined ownership, as of property or an estate. [1/2 definitions] |
| abhorrence |
a feeling of complete loathing, repulsion, or horror. |
| -ability |
capacity or fitness for (such) a state, use, or action. |
| a bit |
somewhat; rather; to a small extent. |