| a drop in the bucket |
a small amount compared to what is needed. |
| adsorb |
to gather (a gas or liquid) to a surface. (Cf. absorb.) |
| adsorbable |
combined form of adsorb. |
| adsorption |
the condensation or adhesion of a gas, vapor, liquid, or dissolved substance on the surface of a solid or liquid. (Cf. absorption.) |
| adulate |
to flatter or admire excessively. |
| adulation |
extreme or excessive praise. |
| adult |
having grown to maturity. [6 definitions] |
| adult education |
a noncredit course of study for adults that offers instruction in a variety of subjects, typically offered by a university or college extension or by a community-based organization. |
| adulterant |
something that, when added to a substance, makes the substance impure or inferior. [2 definitions] |
| adulterate |
to make worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. [3 definitions] |
| adulteration |
the act or process of adulterating, or making worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. [3 definitions] |
| adulterer |
one, esp. a man, who commits adultery. |
| adulteress |
a woman who commits adultery. |
| adulterous |
pertaining to, in the nature of, characterized by, or inclined toward adultery. |
| adultery |
willing sexual intercourse between a married person and another who is not his or her spouse. |
| adulthood |
the part of life when a person is grown up; the adult years. |
| adumbrate |
to give an indistinct or sketchy outline of. [2 definitions] |
| adv. |
abbreviation of "adverb," in grammar, a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb or adverbial phrase. |
| ad valorem |
of various taxes or customs duties, levied in proportion to the value of goods. |
| advance |
to move or send forward. [14 definitions] |
| advanced |
well beyond an early stage of development, or considerably beyond the level of others. [3 definitions] |