| acquired characteristic |
a change in the structure or function of a living organism that is caused by environmental factors and may not be transmitted genetically. |
| acronym |
a type of abbreviation used as a word and pronounced as a word. An acronym is formed by combining the initial letters (or initial parts) of a string of words. The pronunciation of an acronym is based on the typical rules of pronouncing words in a language and is not made up of the sounds of the names of individual letters. The abbreviations "AIDS," "FICA," and "PIN" are acronyms, but the abbreviations "FBI," ATM," and "DVD" are not. |
| actively |
in a way that involves making an effort, taking action, or participating; not passively. |
| act of God |
in law, a sudden unforeseen event, esp. a natural disaster such as an earthquake, flood, or tornado, that is caused entirely by forces of nature and could not have been prevented. |
| actual |
truly existing or happening, not just potentially or in the imagination. [1/3 definitions] |
| actually |
although one would not expect it; surprisingly. [1/2 definitions] |
| adjunct |
something joined to another thing but not an integral part of it; supplement; accessory. [2/4 definitions] |
| adopt |
to become by law a parent of (a child who is not one's own offspring), or to accept responsibility for an animal as a pet. [1/3 definitions] |
| adrift |
not anchored, as a boat; drifting. [1/4 definitions] |
| adultery |
willing sexual intercourse between a married person and another who is not his or her spouse. |
| adventive |
not native to or fully established in a locale or environment, as a plant or animal. [2 definitions] |
| afforestation |
the process of planting a forest in an area that has not been forest before. |
| afterthought |
something not in an original plan or design. [1/2 definitions] |
| ageless |
not aging or showing the effects of aging. [1/2 definitions] |
| agency shop |
an agreement, between an owner or manager and a union that requires employees who do not want to join the union to pay a fee. [1/2 definitions] |
| ain't |
(informal) contracted form of "am not," "is not," "are not," "have not," or "has not." |
| air-dry |
sufficiently dry that exposure to the air will not cause evaporation. [1/2 definitions] |
| airproof |
not allowing air to pass or penetrate. [1/2 definitions] |
| air taxi |
a small aircraft that carries passengers or cargo over short distances, esp. to places not served by regular airlines. |
| ajar2 |
not in accordance or harmonious with. |
| alien |
a resident of a country who is not a citizen of that country. [1/6 definitions] |