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aberration (aburayshuhn) noun
1. A state or condition markedly different from the norm.
2. A disorder in one's mental state.
3. An optical phenomenon resulting from the failure of a lens or mirror to produce a good image.
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abhor (abhawr) verb
Find repugnant. "She abhors cats"
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abolish (uhbolihsh) verb
Do away with. "Slavery was abolished in the mid-19th century in America and in Russia"
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abominable (uhbomuhnuhbuhl) adjective
1. Unequivocally detestable. "abominable treatment of prisoners"
2. Exceptionally bad or displeasing. "abominable workmanship"
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abort (uhbawrt) verb
1. Terminate before completion, as of a computer process, a mission, etc.
2. Terminate a pregnancy by undergoing an abortion.
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abound (uhbound) verb
1. Be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities.
2. Be in a state of movement or action. "The room abounded with screaming children"
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abridge (uhbrihj) verb
Reduce in scope while retaining essential elements.
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absolve (uhbzolv) verb
1. Grant remission of a sin to. "The priest absolved him and told him to say ten Hail Mary's"
2. Let off the hook. "I absolve you from this responsibility"
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abstain (uhbstayn) verb
1. Refrain from voting.
2. Choose to refrain. "I abstain from alcohol"
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absurd (uhbsurd) adjective
1. Inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense.
2. Completely devoid of wisdom or good sense. "the absurd excuse that the dog ate his homework"
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abuse (uhbyoos) noun,verb
1. Cruel or inhumane treatment.
2. Treat badly. "This boss abuses his workers"
3. A rude expression intended to offend or hurt. "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"
4. Change the inherent purpose or function of something. "Don't abuse the system"
5. Improper or excessive use.
6. Use foul or abusive language towards. "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"
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abysmal (uhbihzmuhl) adjective
1. Very great; limitless. "abysmal misery" "abysmal stupidity"
2. So deep as to be unmeasurable; unfathomable.
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accelerate (aksEHlurayt) verb
1. Move faster. "The car accelerated"
2. Cause to move faster. "He accelerated the car"
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accentuate (aksEHnchooayt) verb
1. To stress, single out as important.
2. Put stress on; utter with an accent.
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access (aksEHs) noun,verb
1. The right to enter.
2. Obtain or retrieve from a storage device; as of information on a computer.
3. The right to obtain or make use of or take advantage of something (as services or membership).
4. Reach or gain access to. "How does one access the attic in this house?"
5. A way of entering or leaving. "he took a wrong turn on the access to the bridge"
6. (computer science) the operation of reading or writing stored information.
7. The act of approaching or entering. "he gained access to the building"
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accolade (akuhlayd) noun
A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction.
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accord (uhkawrd) noun,verb
1. Harmony of people's opinions or actions or characters.
2. Go together.
3. Concurrence of opinion. "we are in accord with your proposal"
4. Allow to have.
5. A written agreement between two states or sovereigns.
6. Sympathetic compatibility.
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accost (uhkawst) verb
Speak to someone.
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acknowledge (aknolihj) verb
1. Declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of. "She acknowledged that she might have forgotten"
2. Report the receipt of. "The program committee acknowledged the submission of the authors of the paper"
3. Express recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with. "He never acknowledges his colleagues when they run into him in the hallway" "She acknowledged his complement with a smile" "it is important to acknowledge thw work of others in one's own writing"
4. Express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for. "We must acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us"
5. Accept as legally binding and valid. "acknowledge the deed"
6. Accept (smeone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority. "The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne"
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acme (akmee) noun
1. The highest level or degree attainable. "his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty" "the artist's gifts are at their acme"
2. The highest point (of something).
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acquiesce (akweeEHs) verb
To agree or express agreement.
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acquit (uhkwiht) verb
1. Pronounce not guilty of criminal charges.
2. Behave in a certain manner.
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acrimonious (akruhmohneeuhs) adjective
Marked by strong resentment or cynicism. "an acrimonious dispute"
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acuity (uhkyoouhtee) noun
1. Sharpness of vision; the visual ability to resolve fine detail (usually measured by a Snellen chart).
2. A quick and penetrating intelligence.
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acumen (uhkyoomuhn) noun
1. A tapering point.
2. Shrewdness shown by keen insight.
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