| asperity |
harshness or roughness, esp. of tone or manner. |
| asperse |
to spread false accusations or malicious insinuations against; slander. |
| aspersion |
an insulting or malicious remark about someone; derogation; slander. [2 definitions] |
| asphalt |
a sticky brown to black bituminous substance, occurring naturally or obtained as a by-product of refining petroleum and coal tar, and used for paving, roofing, and waterproofing. [4 definitions] |
| asphalt jungle |
any large city, esp. when considered as the noisy, crowded arena of a struggle for survival. |
| asphaltum |
see "asphalt." |
| asphodel |
any of several flowering plants related to lilies, with tall spikes bearing clusters of usu. yellow or white flowers. |
| asphyxia |
a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the lungs that results in suffocation. |
| asphyxiate |
to cause unconsciousness or death by cutting off oxygen to; suffocate. [2 definitions] |
| aspic1 |
a gelatin, usu. of meat or fish stock, used as a garnish for fish or meat or to make a mold of various foods. |
| aspic2 |
a lavender plant of which the oil is used in making perfumes. |
| aspidistra |
a plant with broad, smooth evergreen leaves growing from the base of the stem, often cultivated as a houseplant. |
| aspirant |
a person who aspires, esp. to a certain position, rank, or the like. [2 definitions] |
| aspirate |
in phonetics, to pronounce (a speech sound) with an audible release or rush of air, as the "h" in "helium" or the "p" in "pickle". [5 definitions] |
| aspiration |
ambition, goal, or aim. [2 definitions] |
| aspirator |
a device that removes gas or fluids by suction, esp. one used to evacuate a body cavity. |
| aspire |
to want strongly; have as an aim (usu. fol. by "to" "after," or an infinitive). |
| aspirin |
a drug used to relieve pain and reduce symptoms of fever or inflammation. [2 definitions] |
| asquint |
with an oblique or sidelong glance; out of the corner of the eye; askance. |
| as regards |
in reference to; in relation to. |
| ass |
a long-eared, usu. domesticated animal related to the horse; donkey. [3 definitions] |