| A.A. |
abbreviation of "Associate in Arts," an undergraduate degree conferred on a person who has completed a curriculum in the liberal arts. |
| AAA |
abbreviation of "American Automobile Association," an association that provides travel-related discounts and services to its members. |
| A and M |
abbreviation of "Agricultural and Mechanical." |
| aardvark |
a nocturnal mammal of southern Africa that has a long snout, long ears, and powerful claws for digging, and that feeds on ants using its extensile tongue. |
| aardwolf |
a striped, nocturnal African mammal of the hyena family that feeds primarily on insects. |
| Aaron |
according to the Old Testament, the older brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Hebrew nation. |
| AB1 |
one of the four human blood groups. (See ABO system.) |
| AB2 |
abbreviation of "Assembly Bill," in the U.S., a proposed law in consideration by a state assembly. |
| A.B. |
abbreviation of "artium baccalaureus" (Latin); Bachelor of Arts. |
| ab- |
from; away; off. |
| ABA |
abbreviation of "American Bar Association." |
| aba |
a coarse felted fabric of goat or camel hair. [2 definitions] |
| abaca |
a Philippine plant of the banana family that yields a fiber used in making rope. |
| aback |
so that the wind catches the front side of an open sail. [2 definitions] |
| abacus |
a device used to make arithmetic calculations, consisting of a frame with parallel rods or grooves that hold movable counters such as beads. |
| Abaddon |
in the Old Testament, a place of destruction; abode of the wicked dead; hell. [2 definitions] |
| abaft |
in nautical terminology, toward the stern from; behind. [2 definitions] |
| abalone |
a large edible marine snail, the shell of which is lined with mother-of-pearl. |
| abandon |
to leave (someone or something) with no intention of returning or taking up possession again. [6 definitions] |
| abandoned |
left forever; deserted. [2 definitions] |
| abandon ship |
to leave a ship that is in danger of sinking. [2 definitions] |