| asylum |
(old-fashioned) an institution for the care of those who are unable to maintain themselves, such as orphans or the severely mentally ill. [3 definitions] |
| asymmetric |
different, esp. in arrangement of space, on either side of a center line; not symmetrical; unbalanced. |
| asymmetry |
the state or quality of having two unidentical halves; lack of balance. |
| asymptomatic |
not showing any symptoms of a disease (usu. used in reference to an individual who does, in fact, have the disease and may or may not be a carrier). |
| asymptote |
in mathematics, a straight line that approaches but never meets a curve. |
| asynchronous |
not occurring at the same time. [2 definitions] |
| At |
symbol of the chemical element astatine. |
| at1 |
on or in the location of. [5 definitions] |
| at2 |
the smaller monetary unit of Laos. (Cf. kip.) |
| at- |
to. |
| Atacama |
a desert in northern Chile that lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountains. |
| Atacama Desert |
an extremely arid region of northern Chile that lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountains. |
| at all |
to even the slightest degree or extent; in the least (used in negative statements and questions only). |
| at all costs |
regardless of the effort or sacrifice necessary. |
| at an angle |
slanted up or down; crooked. |
| at any rate |
in any case; at all events. [2 definitions] |
| ataractic |
free from anxiety or other emotional strain, esp. as a result of taking a drug; calm; tranquil. |
| at arm's length |
at a distance; emotionally or physically detached. |
| atavism |
the reappearance of a biological characteristic in an organism after it has not appeared for several generations, or an organism displaying such a characteristic. [2 definitions] |
| atavistic |
of a trait, behavior, or the like, existing or playing a role at an earlier stage or time and recurring or reappearing within an organism or within a society after long absence or seeming disappearance. |
| ataxia |
loss or lack of ability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements. |