SAT Study Guides
Cardset A - Sat Vocabulary Flashcards
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Abase
v. to humiliate, degrade, or depress stature, standing, or esteem
Abbess
n. the superior of a convent
Abbey
n. the group of buildings which collectively form a monastery or convent, which is ruled by an abbess
Abbot
n. the superior of an abbey of monks
Abdicate
v. to surrender or relinquish power, from supreme power to formal office
Abdomen
n. the posterior section of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis
Abdominal
n. of, pertaining to, the muscles of the abdomen
Abduction
n. a criminal act of removing by force a person
Abed
adv. in bed or on a bed
Aberration
n. the markedly strong deviation from customs or norms
Abet
v. to aid, encourage or promote a wrongdoing
Abeyance
n. a state of temporary cessation or suspension
Abhorrence
n. the act of hate coupled with disgust
Abhorrent
adj. very repugnant; offensive, and hateful
Abidance
n. the act of abiding, or conforming
Abject
adj. a person in a low and despicable condition; castaway
Abjure
v. to renounce under oath, or formally reject a former belief
Able-bodied
adj. having a sound strong body; physically competent
Ablution
n. a washing or cleansing, as a religious rite
Abnegate
v. to surrender power, position, right or privilege)
Abnormal
adj. unusual; not conforming to the norm
Abominable
adj. exceptionally bad; unequivocally detestable
Abominate
v. to feel contempt, disgust; to loathe or detest immensely
Abomination
n. an act or a person that arouses disgust or abhorrence
Aboriginal
adj. primitive; indigenous; unsophisticated
Aborigines
n. an indigenous or native person
Aboveboard
adv. & adj. open and honest; transparent and legal
Abrade
v. to rub, erode, or wear away the surface or some part of by friction
Abrasion
n. that which has been eroded
Abridge
v. to reduce in scope the words in a body; to shorten by omission
Abridgment
n. a condensed version of a written work
Abrogate
v. to abolish, repeal; to formally revoke
Abrupt
adj. a sharp transition; marked by exceedingly sudden change
Abscess
n. a localized cavity of pus surrounded by a wall of tissue
Abscission
n. the act of cutting and removing, during surgery
Abscond
v. to leave suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose of avoiding arrest
Absence
n. the state of being away; not present or available
Absent-minded
adj. deep in though lacking attention to immediate surroundings and activities
Absolution
n. the formal state of having forgiveness
Absolve
v. the act of clearing one of sin; granting relief or pardoning of obligation
Absorb
v. to take something in, as in a sponge retaining water
Absorption
n. the act of retaining, such as retaining knowledge
Abstain
v. the act of refraining or restraining from something by choice
Abstemious
adj. characterized by moderation or abstinence
Abstinence
n. the practice of restraining oneself from indulgence
Abstruse
adj. difficult to comprehend or understand
Absurd
adj. incredibly unreasonable; ridiculous
Abundant
adj. large in number; plentiful
Abusive
adj. characterized by improper or wrongful use; insulting; causing injury
Abut
v. to lie adjacent; to touch end to end
Abyss
n. of unknown depth; an immeasurable void
Academic
adj. the relation to or character of a school or university
Academician
n. a member of a school, university, or college
Academy
n. an educational institution; a secondary or college-preparatory school; a private school
Accede
v. the act of giving consent or agreement, often at the insistence of another
Accelerate
v. to increase in speed; to cause something to occur sooner than expected
Accept
v. to agree to receive, or take such as a duty or responsibility
Access
n. a means to approach, enter, exit, or communicate
Accessible
adj. easily approachable or obtainable
Accession
n. the attainment of rank; induction or elevation to dignity, office, or government
Accessory
n. a subordinate; adjunct; one that aids a criminal post commission of the crime
Acclaim
v. to praise enthusiastically; applaud
Accommodate
v. to oblige another person; provide for and supply with
Accompaniment
n. a subordinate part or parts, added for embellishment, completeness, or symmetry
Accompanist
n. one that accompanies
Accompany
v. the act of supplementing; to go as a companion
Accomplice
n. an associate in a criminal act, either as a principal or an accessory
Accomplish
v. to succeed or complete
Accordion
n. a portable wind instrument with a small keyboard and metal reeds
Accost
v. to speak to with a demanding nature
Account
n. a reason given for an action, event, or ones conduct; an accurate list of financial transactions
Accouter
v. to dress, equip, or outfit for an occasion
Accredit
v. to ascribe or attribute to; supply with credentials or authority
Accumulate
v. to amass in greater in quantity or number
Accuracy
n. precision or exactness
Accurate
adj. to be exact or errorless
Accursed
adj. abominable or hateful; doomed under a curse
Accusation
n. a charge of wrongdoing against another party or person
Accusatory
adj. of, pertaining to, or implying an accusation
Accuse
v. to charge with misconduct, a shortcoming or error
Accustom
v. to familiarize, use, or habit
Acerbity
n. sourness, or the state of being astringent in taste or character
Acetate
n. a salt or ester of acetic acid
Acetic
adj. of, relating to, or of the nature of vinegar
Ache
v. to suffer from pain or distress
Achillean
adj. invincible
Achromatic
adj. colorless, neutral, or zero saturation
Acid
n. a substance characterized by a sour taste; a substance with the ability to react with a base
Acidify
v. to make or become acid
Acknowledge
v. to recognize; to admit the existence or validity of
Acknowledgment
n. recognition; an answer or response
Acme
n. the highest point, or the summit of achievement or development
Acoustic
adj. of or relating to the act or sense of sound or hearing
Acquaint
v. to make familiar or cause to know personally
Acquiesce
v. to comply or consent passively
Acquiescence
n. passive consent without protest
Acquire
v. to gain possession of
Acquisition
n. something acquired or gained
Acquittal
n. a discharge by judge or jury; to found not guilty
Acquittance
n. release or discharge from an obligation; receipt indicating payment in full
Acreage
n. an area of land measured in acres
Acrid
adj. harsh, pungent or bitter
Acrimonious
adj. full of bitterness, in language or tone
Acrimony
n. harshness or bitterness in tone and temper
Actionable
adj. providing cause for legal action
Actuality
n. the state of reality
Actuary
n. a statistician who calculates and states the risks and premiums for an insurance company
Actuate
v. to motivate or trigger into action
Acumen
n. keenness of judgment or insight
Acute
adj. having sharp and penetrating discernment
Adamant
n. impervious to pleas and appeals; stubborn
Addendum
n. something added, or to be added; supplement to a book
Addle
v. to cause to be inefficient or worthless; muddle
Adduce
v. to bring forward for formal consideration
Adhere
v. to stick or hold fast or together
Adherence
n. attachment; the process of adhering
Adherent
adj. joined, but not united; holding fast
Adhesion
n. the state of being united by adherence
Adieu
inter. good-by; farewell
Adjacency
n. the state of being adjacent; contiguity
Adjacent
n. lying near; side-by-side
Adjudge
v. to award or order by judicial decision
Adjunct
n. something attached to or connected with another thing; appendage
Adjuration
n. a vehement appeal; a swearing
Adjutant
adj. an assistant
Administrator
n. one that manages affairs; manager
Admissible
adj. having acceptance to enter or access
Admittance
n. permission to enter
Admonish
v. to find fault; to caution; to counsel
Admonition
n. mild yet earnest reproof
Ado
n. unnecessary activity or ceremony
Adoration
n. profound regard; the act of worship
Adroit
adj. having ability and talent in the use of the powers of mind and body
Adulterant
n. an additive causing impurity
Adulterate
v. to cause impurity by the addition of other or baser ingredients
Adumbrate
v. to foreshadow; disclose partially or guardedly
Advent
n. the coming or arrival, as of any important change or event
Adverse
adj. opposing or opposed
Adversity
n. a state of misfortune; hardship
Advert
v. to refer or direct attention; an advertisement
Advertiser
n. one that promotes, publicizes, and markets, in newspapers, television, or the internet
Advisory
adj. a committee empowered to advise
Advocacy
n. the act of pleading or supporting a cause
Advocate
n. one that supports or pleads the cause of another
Aerial
adj. of or pertaining to, the air; existing or living in the air
Aeronaut
n. one that navigates through the air; a balloonist
Aeronautics
n. the theory, art, or practice of flying aircraft; the design and construction of aircraft
Aerostat
n. an aircraft, especially a balloon, that receives its lift from its buoyancy rather than aerodynamics
Aerostatics
n. the science of the equilibrium of gasses
Affable
adj. approachable, pleasant to speak with
Affect
v. to act upon emotions; to have an influence on
Affectation
n. to show pretense or attempt
Affiliate v,
n. to associate; an associate
Affirmative
adj. asserting assent or approval; providing something is true and correct
Affix
v. to secure or attach to something
Affluence
n. an abundance of material goods; wealth
Affront
n. an insult to one's dignity; an intentional display of disrespect
Afire
adv. & adj. on fire
Afoot
adv. on foot; currently in motion
Aforesaid
adj. said previously
Afresh
adv. again but in a different way; anew
Afterthought
n. a second thought or reconsideration; an addition to an original plan
Agglomerate
v. to gather or form into a cluster
Aggrandize
v. to make greater in wealth, power or rank; to embroider
Aggravate
v. to worsen; to incite, exasperate or irritate
Aggravation
n. a feeling or source of intense annoyance
Aggregate
n. the sum of particulars; the total amount
Aggress
v. to attack first or initiate a quarrel
Aggression
n. a display of hostile or unfriendly behavior; a deliberately offensive action
Aggrieve
v. to cause to feel pain, sorrow or anxiety
Aghast
adj. struck with shock, fear or amazement
Agile
adj. physically or mentally quick; nimble
Agitate
v. to excite or arouse; to disturb emotionally
Agrarian
adj. relating to agriculture
Aide-de-camp
n. a confidential assistant to a senior military officer
Ailment
n. a physical illness or bodily disorder
Airy
adj. open to fresh air; light and graceful; speculative or impractical
Akin
adj. similar in nature
Alabaster
n. a white and often translucent variety of gypsum used for ornamental carving
Alacrity
n. a state of cheerful willingness, eagerness or promptness
Albeit
conj. although
Albino
n. an individual who has white hair, pale skin and pinkish eyes due to an inability to produce melanin
Album
n. a blank-paged book used for collecting photographs, stamps, autographs, etc.; a set of musical records
Alchemy
n. the process of transforming cheap metals into gold
Alcohol
n. an intoxicating liquor
Alcoholism
n. a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol characterized by an excessive intake of alcoholic beverages
Alcove
n. a small room adjacent to a larger room
Alder
n. a northern temperate shrub or tree of the birch family that has toothed leaves and cone-like fruit
Alderman
n. a municipal legislative body member
Aldermanship
n. the state of belonging to a municipal legislative body
Alias
n. an assumed name intended to mask one's true identity
Alien
n. a stranger or foreigner; someone who has been estranged or excluded
Alienable
adj. transferable; capable of being sold
Alienate
v. to arouse hostility in; to push away emotionally
Alienation
n. an emotional or social separation resulting from hostility or indifference
Aliment
n. sustenance; nourishment
Alkali
n. any chemical base capable of reacting with acid to form salt
Allay
v. to calm or quiet; to mitigate
Allege
v. to affirm or assert; to declare before a court
Allegory
n. a symbolic narrative; a representation of an abstract concept through material forms
Alleviate
v. to relieve, lessen or mitigate
Alley
n. a narrow passage surrounded by walls
Alliance
n. an agreement between two or more individuals or nations establishing cooperation in the pursuit of a common aim
Allot
v. to assign or distribute in portions
Allotment
n. a portion granted
Allude
v. to refer to something indirectly
Allusion
n. a passing or indirect reference
Alluvion
n. a flood; the formation of new land via a river or ocean's gradual deposit of sediment
Ally
n. an entity that is associated with another like entity in order to achieve a common goal
Almanac
n. an annual publication containing meteorological information and other useful facts pertaining to the calendar year
Aloof
adv. emotionally distant
Altar
n. an elevated structure upon which gifts or sacrifices are offered to gods
Alter
v. to modify; to change
Alteration
n. an adjustment or revision
Altercate
v. to quarrel heatedly
Alternate
n. to go back and forth between two conditions
Alternative
n. a remaining option
Altitude
n. something's elevation or height
Alto
n. the lowest adult female voice and the highest adult male voice
Altruism
n. the quality of having unselfish concern for the wellbeing of others
Altruist
n. a person who is unselfishly devoted to the wellbeing of others
Amalgam
n. a combination or blend
Amalgamate
v. to mix or blend together
Amateur
adj. an inexperienced or unskilled athlete or artist
Amatory
adj. pertaining to or expressive of love
Ambidextrous
adj. adept in the use of both the right and the left hand
Ambiguous
adj. open to interpretation; uncertain
Ambitious
adj. eager to obtain success or achievement
Ambrosial
adj. exceptionally delicious or fragrant; worthy of the Gods
Ambulance
n. a vehicle designed to transport people to and from hospitals
Ambulate
v. to walk from place to place
Ambush
n. attacking unexpectedly from a concealed position
Ameliorate
v. to make better or heal
Amenable
adj. willing to comply
Americanism
n. a trait or expression characteristic of the American people
Amicable
adj. friendly; showing goodwill
Amity
n. cordiality; friendship
Amorous
adj. expressing love or sexual interest
Amorphous
adj. formless; lacking any distinct shape
Amour
n. a sexual or romantic affair
Ampere
n. a unit of electric current
Ampersand
n. a character used to represent the word "and"; &
Amphibious
adj. capable of living in both land and water
Amphitheater
n. an open-air arena in which contests, performances and spectacles are held
Amplitude
n. a maximum range, scope or capacity
Amply
adv. abundantly
Amputate
v. to surgically remove; to prune
Amusement
n. an enjoyable pastime; a state of delight
Anachronism
n. something that belongs to another historical time; a chronologically misplaced artifact
Anagram
n. a word created by rearranging the letters of another word
Analogous
adj. corresponding in some respects to something while fundamentally dissimilar
Analogy
n. a comparison drawn between two things intended to highlight similar features
Analyst
n. one that is skilled at analyzing data
Analyze
v. to examine closely in order to draw a broad conclusion
Anarchy
n. societal lawlessness and disorder
Anathema
n. a loathed or damned individual
Anatomy
n. the physical structure of a living thing
Ancestry
n. someone's lineage or descendants
Anecdote
n. a brief account of a biographical incident
Anemia
n. a deficiency of red blood cells that causes weakness and breathlessness
Anemic
adj. listless; lacking vigor; suffering from anemia
Anemometer
n. an instrument that measures wind speed
Anesthetic
adj. a substance that produces a loss of bodily sensations
Anew
adv. afresh; again but in a different way
Angelic
adj. befitting an angel; sweet in nature
Anglophobia
n. fear of Britain
Anglo-Saxon
n. someone of British descent
Angular
adj. consisting of or characterized by angles
Anhydrous
adj. lacking water
Animadversion
n. harsh criticism
Animadvert
v. to criticize harshly
Animalcule
n. a microscopic organism
Animate
v. to enliven; to give spirit or vigor to; to intensify
Animosity
n. hostility; antagonism; ill will
Annalist
n. a historical chronicler
Annals
n. historical records
Annex
v. to appropriate; to take without permission
Annihilate
v. to destroy completely; to exterminate
Annotate
v. to provide explanatory or critical notes
Annual
adj. occurring once a year
Annuity
n. one of several fixed payments to be paid over a specified number of years
Annunciation
n. a formal public announcement
Anode
n. an electrode through which electric current flows
Anonymous
adj. lacking marked individuality or distinction
Antagonism
n. actively expressed hostility or opposition
Antarctic
adj. pertaining to the south pole
Ante
v. in poker, to put one's initial stake into the pot; to pay one's share
Antecede
v. to precede
Antecedent
n. a preceding event; an ancestor
Antechamber
n. a large waiting or reception room; an anteroom
Antedate
v. to predate in time
Antediluvian
adj. antiquated; old-fashioned
Antemeridian
adj. occurring in the morning
Antemundane
adj. occurring before the creation of the world
Antenatal
adj. prenatal; occurring before birth
Anterior
adj. preceding in time or sequence
Anteroom
n. a large waiting or reception room; an antechamber
Anthology
n. a collection of literary pieces
Anthracite
n. a slow burning hard coal
Anthropology
n. the study of human origins and culture
Anthropomorphous
adj. resembling a human form; having ascribed human attributes
Antic
n. a ludicrous gesture performed for the sake of general amusement
Antichrist
n. one that exists to oppose and undo the teachings of Christ; the principal adversary of Christ
Anticlimax
n. an event that has far less impact than originally intended or expected
Anticyclone
n. a system of winds that spiral outwards around a high pressure center, circling clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere
Antidote
n. a medicine that counteracts the effects of a poison or disease
Antilogy
n. a logical contradiction
Antipathize
v. to show repugnance or aversion
Antiphon
n. a verse or song to be chanted in response during a service
Antiphony
n. a responsive verse or song
Antipodes
n. two regions that are diametrically opposed to each other upon the Earth
Antiquary
n. an antiquity expert
Antiquate
v. to replace with something new or better and thus make obsolete
Antique
adj. belonging to earlier times ; made in a former period and valued for its age
Antiseptic
n. a substance that destroys germs or other undesirable microorganisms
Antislavery
adj. opposed to the institution of slavery
Antispasmodic
adj. relieving or preventing spasms or convulsions
Antistrophe
n. in classical Greek drama, a movement sung by the chorus that responds to a previously sung part (the strophe)
Antitoxin
n. an antibody capable of neutralizing specific toxins
Antonym
n. a word expressing the opposite meaning of another word
Anxious
adj. extremely uneasy about or fearful of an anticipated contingency; suffering from painful suspense
Apathy
n. an absence of emotion, interest or concern; lack of enthusiasm
Aperture
n. an opening that admits light
Apex
n. the peak; the highest point
Aphorism
n. a pithy statement reflecting sentiment or truth
Apiary
n. a shed housing colonies of bees
Apogee
n. the farthest point; culmination or finale
Apology
n. an acknowledgement of error followed by a corresponding expression of regret
Apostasy
n. an abandonment of a previous political loyalty or religious faith
Apostate
adj. a person who betrays or abandons his religion, political party or cause
Apostle
n. a passionate early supporter of a belief or cause
Apothecary
n. pharmacist; one that prepares and dispenses medical drugs
Apotheosis
n. the ideal representation of a kind; deification
Appall
v. to overwhelm with shock or dismay
Apparent
adj. visible to the mind or the senses
Apparition
n. a ghostly figure or spectre
Appease
v. to calm or mollify; to allay
Appellate
adj. relating to appeals, or requests of formal change to official decisions
Appellation
n. an identifying name, title or designation
Append
v. to attach or add to
Appertain
v. to pertain to; to be a part of
Apposite
adj. strikingly pertinent
Apposition
n. juxtaposition; the side-by-side placement of two complementary things
Appraise
v. to estimate the value of something
Appreciable
adj. perceivable or measurable
Apprehend
v. to arrest or seize; to anxiously anticipate; to comprehend
Apprehensible
adj. capable of being understood, anticipated or seized
Approbation
n. formal praise or commendation
Appropriate
adj. fitting or suitable
Aqueduct
n. a structure that carries a large quantity of flowing water
Aqueous
adj. relating to water
Arbiter
n. someone with the authority to judge and settle a dispute
Arbitrary
adj. based on individual whim or impulse rather than law or reason
Arbitrate
v. to mediate or reconcile differences between disputing parties
Arbor
n. latticework structure supporting climbing plants such as vines
Arboreal
adj. relating to trees
Arborescent
adj. resembling trees
Arboretum
n. a collection of trees and shrubs
Arboriculture
n. the cultivation and management of trees and shrubs
Arcade
n. a covered avenue or gallery composed of a series of arches and supported by columns
Archaeology
n. the branch of anthropology concerned with the scientific study of material remains
Archaic
adj. of or characteristic of an earlier time period; antiquated
Archaism
n. an expression, fashion or custom that is outmoded
Archangel
n. in the celestial hierarchy, an angel of the highest rank
Archbishop
n. a bishop of the highest rank
Archdeacon
n. a clergyman ranking just below a diocesan bishop
Archetype
n. a prototype; something serving as a model from which copies are made
Archipelago
n. a group of scattered islands in a large body of water
Ardent
adj. extremely zealous; impassioned
Ardor
n. passion; sexual excitement; intensity of feeling
Arid
adj. extremely dry; lifeless
Aristocracy
n. the upper or superior class; the nobility
Aristocrat
n. a nobleman; a member of the upper class
Armada
n. a substantial force or group of moving entities; a fleet of warships
Armful
n. the maximum amount that the arms can hold
Armory
n. a place where military weapons and equipment are manufactured or stored
Aroma
n. a distinct and often pleasant odor
Arraign
v. to accuse of wrongdoing; to order a defendant before a court
Arrange
v. to put into a suitable sequence
Arrangement
n. a presentation of deliberately ordered entities
Arrant
adj. notoriously extreme
Arrear
n. an overdue debt or unfinished duty
Arrival
n. the act of reaching a destination
Arrogant
adj. rudely exaggerating one's own worth
Arrogate
v. to claim unjustifiably
Artesian well
n. a deep well in which water is under pressure
Artful
adj. characterized by skill; wily; artificial
Arthurian
adj. relating to King Arthur
Artifice
n. a clever trick; insincere behavior
Artless
adj. sincere, without guile; created without skill; lacking knowledge or culture
Ascendant
adj. rising; superior
Ascension
n. the act of moving upward
Ascent
n. the act of rising or moving upward; progress
Ascetic
adj. severely simple
Ascribe
v. to credit a supposed source
Asexual
adj. lacking sexuality
Ashen
adj. alarmingly pale
Askance
adv. obliquely; conveying disapproval
Asperity
n. harshness of manner; surface roughness
Aspirant
n. one that desires to achieve something
Aspiration
n. a strong desire to accomplish something
Aspire
v. to attempt or hope to accomplish a goal
Assailant
n. an attacker
Assassin
n. someone who commits murder (often for political or otherwise fanatical reasons)
Assassinate
v. to murder (often a prominent person or political leader)
Assassination
n. the murder of a prominent individual
Assay
n. an attempt
Assent
v. to concur after careful consideration
Assess
v. to consider and determine the value of
Assessor
n. one that determines property value
Assets
n. valuable property
Assiduous
adj. persistent; hard-working
Assignee
n. one that is given an assignment
Assimilate
v. to absorb into a larger body or population
Assonance
n. the repetition of similar sounds, especially vowels
Assonant
adj. resembling (in sound) surrounding words
Assonate
v. to correspond in vowel sounds
Assuage
v. to ease; to pacify, quiet
Astringent
adj. having a severe effect upon tissue; causing contraction of organic tissues
Astute
adj. characterized by shrewdness and perceptiveness; crafty
Atheism
n. the belief that there is no God or gods
Athirst
adj. thirsty; eager for something
Athwart
adv. contrary to the desired or expected course
Atomizer
n. an instrument that turns a liquid into a mist
Atone
v. to repent or make amends for
Atonement
n. the act of providing compensation for an injury or offense
Atrocious
adj. utterly horrifying; abominable; frightfully cruel or wicked
Atrocity
n. a horrifically inhumane act
Attaché
n. an expert or specialist assigned to a nation's diplomatic staff during a foreign mission
Attest
v. to affirm the truth or authenticity of
Attorney-general
n. a nation or state's principal legal advisor who represents the government in litigation
Auburn
adj. reddish-brown in color
Audacious
adj. recklessly bold or daring; contemptuous of societal conventions and regulations
Audible
adj. capable of being heard
Audition
n. a performance designed to test the suitability of the performer for a role
Auditory
adj. relating to hearing
Augment
v. to increase
Augur
v. to predict future events from omens
Augustinian
adj. relating to St. Augustine
Aura
n. the subtle, distinctive atmosphere or energy field thought to emanate from a living thing
Aural
adj. relating to the ear or hearing
Auricle
n. an ear-shaped appendage
Auricular
adj. relating to the ear or hearing
Auriferous
adj. containing gold
Aurora
n. a natural atmospheric phenomenon consisting of arches of light caused by charged particles accelerating along the earth's magnetic field lines
Auspice
n. a favorable prophetic sign
Austere
adj. severely simple; coldly grave in appearance or manner
Autarchy
n. autocracy; a political system governed by a single sovereign individual
Authentic
adj. genuine in sentiment and expression; corresponding to and upheld by fact; original; not false or counterfeit
Authenticity
n. the degree to which someone or something is genuine
Autobiography
n. a biography narrated by its subject
Autocracy
n. a government ruled by a single sovereign individual
Autocrat
n. a political ruler who possesses absolute power
Automaton
n. a self-operating mechanism that follows encoded instructions; robot
Autonomous
adj. fundamentally self-directing and self-governing
Autonomy
n. the quality of being self-governing
Autopsy
n. a post-mortem examination of a body designed to determine the cause and manner of death
Autumnal
adj. characteristic of maturational decline
Auxiliary
n. a person or force serving a nation at war
Avalanche
n. an abrupt rush of a mass of ice, snow and rock over a precipice or down a mountainside
Avarice
n. insatiable greediness
Aver
v. to assert or verify the truth of
Averse
adj. having a feeling of repugnance towards; disinclined
Aversion
n. a desire to turn away from or avoid something distasteful; antipathy
Avert
v. to turn away in avoidance
Aviary
n. a structure designed to contain birds
Avidity
n. the state of being eager
Avocation
n. a hobby or occupation in addition to one's vocation
Avow
v. to assert; to declare confidently
Awaken
v. to wake
Awry
adv. & adj. in a twisted direction; off the expected course
Aye
adv. forever; yes
Azalea
n. an ornamental shrub grown for its magnificent flowers of various colors
Azure
n. a light blue color
The End
