aberration : wandering or staying away; in optics, failure of rays to focus
abettor : encourager
abeyance : suspended action
ablution : washing
abnegation : repudiation; self-sacrifice
abstinence : restraint from eating or drinking
accessory : additional object: useful but not essential thing
acclivity : sharp upslope of a hill
accolade : award of merit
accomplice : partner in crime
accord : agreement
accretion : growth: increase
acerbity : bitterness of speech and temper
acme : top: pinnacle
acoustics : science of sound: quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in
acquiescence : submission; compliance
acquittal : deliverance from a charge
acumen : mental keenness
adage : wise saying: proverb
addiction : compulsive, habitual need
adjunct : something attached to but holding an inferior position
adjuration : solemn urging
admonition : warning
adulation : flattery: admiration
adumbration : foreshadowing: outlining
advent : arrival
adversity : poverty: misfortune
aegis : shield; defense
aeon : long period of time; an age
affidavit : written statement made under oath
affiliation : joining: associating with
affinity : kinship
affirmation : solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath
afflatus : inspiration
affluence : abundance: wealth
affray : public brawl
agenda : items of business at a meeting
agglomeration : collection: heap
agility : nimbleness
agitation : strong feeling; excitement
agnostic : one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god
agronomist : scientist engaged in the management of land
alacrity : cheerful pro
abettor : encourager
abeyance : suspended action
ablution : washing
abnegation : repudiation; self-sacrifice
abstinence : restraint from eating or drinking
accessory : additional object: useful but not essential thing
acclivity : sharp upslope of a hill
accolade : award of merit
accomplice : partner in crime
accord : agreement
accretion : growth: increase
acerbity : bitterness of speech and temper
acme : top: pinnacle
acoustics : science of sound: quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in
acquiescence : submission; compliance
acquittal : deliverance from a charge
acumen : mental keenness
adage : wise saying: proverb
addiction : compulsive, habitual need
adjunct : something attached to but holding an inferior position
adjuration : solemn urging
admonition : warning
adulation : flattery: admiration
adumbration : foreshadowing: outlining
advent : arrival
adversity : poverty: misfortune
aegis : shield; defense
aeon : long period of time; an age
affidavit : written statement made under oath
affiliation : joining: associating with
affinity : kinship
affirmation : solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath
afflatus : inspiration
affluence : abundance: wealth
affray : public brawl
agenda : items of business at a meeting
agglomeration : collection: heap
agility : nimbleness
agitation : strong feeling; excitement
agnostic : one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god
agronomist : scientist engaged in the management of land
alacrity : cheerful pro