| 11th Amendment |
an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that guarantees a level of sovereign immunity to states by forbidding federal courts from ruling on cases brought against a state by a citizen of another state. |
| 22nd Amendment |
an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that ensures that no person can be elected to more than two four-year terms as President of the United States. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, was passed in reaction to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's four terms in office. |
| A2 |
abbreviation of "ampere" or "amperes," a unit of electrical current that refers to the quantity of current that passes through a resistor of one ohm when a potential of one volt is applied, equal to one coulomb per second. |
| A3 |
abbreviation of "angstrom" or "angstroms," a unit of length equal to one hundred-millionth of a centimeter, used in measuring light waves. |
| a2 |
used to introduce one particular thing or person of a group or kind, but one which is not considered known to the listener. [1/3 definitions] |
| a.1 |
abbreviation of "acre" or "acres," a unit of area equal to 43,560 square feet or 4,047 square meters, used in measuring land. |
| a-1 |
on; at; into; to. |
| AAA |
abbreviation of "American Automobile Association," an association that provides travel-related discounts and services to its members. |
| Aaron |
according to the Old Testament, the older brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Hebrew nation. |
| abacus |
a device used to make arithmetic calculations, consisting of a frame with parallel rods or grooves that hold movable counters such as beads. |
| abandon |
to leave (someone or something) with no intention of returning or taking up possession again. [4/6 definitions] |
| abandon ship |
to leave a ship that is in danger of sinking. [2 definitions] |
| abase |
to diminish (something of value) or to place (esp. oneself) in a lower position than another or others; lower; demean. |
| abash |
to cause to feel embarrassed, uneasy, or ashamed. |
| abate |
to become less in amount, degree, or intensity; subside. [3 definitions] |
| abbreviate |
to reduce in length or duration. [2 definitions] |
| abdicate |
to formally relinquish a position of power, a claim, or a right. [3 definitions] |
| abduct |
to carry off or lead away, esp. by force; kidnap. [2 definitions] |
| Abdur Rahman Khan |
Emir of Afghanistan from 1880 to 1901 (b.1844?--d.1901). |
| abeam |
at right angles to a line passing from the front to the back of a ship. |
| abed |
in bed; confined to bed. |