Oxford English Dictionary

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A- prefix (also an- before a vowel sound) not, without (amoral). [greek] Aa abbr. 1 automobile association. 2 alcoholics anonymous. 3 anti-aircraft. Aardvark n. Mammal with a tubular snout and a long tongue, feeding on termites. [afrikaans] Ab- prefix off, away, from (abduct). [latin] Aback adv.

take aback surprise, disconcert. [old english: related to *a2]

Abacus n. (pl. -cuses) 1 frame with wires along which beads are slid for calcul ating. 2 archit. Flat slab on top of a capital. [latin from greek from hebrew] Abaft naut. —adv. In the stern half of a ship. —prep. Nearer the stern than. [from *a2, -baft: see *aft] Abandon —v. 1 give up. 2 forsake, desert. 3 (often foll. By to; often refl.) Yiel d to a passion, another's control, etc. —n. Freedom from inhibitions. abandonment n. [french: related to *ad-, *ban] Abandoned adj. 1 deserted, forsaken. 2 unrestrained, profligate. Abase v. (-sing) (also refl.) Humiliate, degrade. to *ad-, *base2]

abasement n. [french: related

Abashed predic. Adj. Embarrassed, disconcerted. [french es- *ex-1, baïr astound] Abate v. (-ting) make or become less strong etc.; diminish. h abatre from latin batt(u)o beat]

abatement n. [frenc

Abattoir n. Slaughterhouse. [french abatre fell, as *abate] Abbacy n. (pl. -ies) office or jurisdiction of an abbot or abbess. [latin: rela ted to *abbot] Abbé n. (in france) abbot or priest. [french from latin: related to *abbot] Abbess n. Head of a community of nuns. Abbey n. (pl. -s) 1 building(s) occupied by a community of monks or nuns. 2 the community itself. 3 building that was once an abbey. Abbot n. Head of a community of monks. [old english from latin abbas] Abbreviate v. (-ting) shorten, esp. Represent (a word etc.) By a part of it. breviation n. [latin: related to *brief]

ab

Abc n. 1 the alphabet. 2 rudiments of a subject. 3 alphabetical guide. Abdicate v. (-ting) 1 (usu. Absol.) Give up or renounce (the throne). 2 renounc e (a duty, right, etc.). abdication n. [latin dico declare] Abdomen n. 1 the belly, including the stomach, bowels, etc. 2 the hinder part o f an insect etc. abdominal adj. [latin] Abduct v. Carry off or kidnap illegally. ead]

abduction n. Abductor n. [latin duco l

Abeam adv. At right angles to a ship's or an aircraft's length.

Aberdeen angus n. Animal of a scottish breed of hornless black cattle. [aberdee n in scotland] Aberdonian —adj. Of aberdeen. —n. Native or citizen of aberdeen. [medieval latin] Aberrant adj. Deviating from what is normal or accepted. [latin: related to *er r] Aberration n. 1 aberrant behaviour; moral or mental lapse. 2 biol. Deviation fr om a normal type. 3 distortion of an image because of a defect in a lens or mirr or. 4 astron. Apparent displacement of a celestial body. Abet v. (-tt-) (usu. In aid and abet) encourage or assist (an offender or offen ce). [french: related to *ad-, *bait] Abeyance n. (usu. Prec. By in, into) temporary disuse. [french: related to *ad, beer gape] Abhor v. (-rr-) detest; regard with disgust. [latin: related to *horror Abhorrence n. Disgust; detestation. Abhorrent adj. (often foll. By to) disgusting or hateful. Abide v. (-ding; past abided or rarely abode) 1 (usu. In neg.) Tolerate, endure (can't abide him). 2 (foll. By by) a act in accordance with (abide by the rules ). B keep (a promise). 3 archaic remain, continue. [old english a- intensive pre fix, *bide] Abiding adj. Enduring, permanent. Ability n. (pl. -ies) 1 (often foll. By to + infin.) Capacity or power. 2 cleve rness, talent. [french: related to *able] -ability suffix forming nouns of quality from, or corresponding to, adjectives in -able. Ab initio adv. From the beginning. [latin] Abject adj. Miserable, wretched; degraded; despicable. o -ject- throw]

abjection n. [latin jaci

Abjure v. (-ring) renounce on oath (an opinion, cause, etc.). tin juro swear]

abjuration n. [la

Ablative gram. —n. Case (in latin) of nouns and pronouns ind