| A | B |
|---|
| aberration | a deviating from the right path or usual course of actions; a mental disorder, especially of a minor or temporary nature |
| abstinence | the giving up of certain pleasures such as food or drink |
| abstract | theoretical, not applied or practical, non concrete, hard to understand |
| acclaim | loud applause, approval |
| acquiesce | to accept the conclusions or arrangements of others, to accede, to give consent by keeping silent |
| admonish | to advise against something, to warn, to scold gently, to urge slowly |
| advocate | to support, to be in favor of. |
| aesthetic | showing an appreciation of beauty in nature or art; artistic |
| affinity | natural attraction to a person or liking for a thing, relation, connection |
| aggrandizement | an increase in rank or wealth, growth in power, |
| alienate | to turn away normal feelings of fondness toward anyone; to estrange |
| alleviate | to make it easier to endure, to relieve, to diminish |
| aloof | indifferent, unsympathetic, not interested, apart |
| altruistic | thoughtful of the welfare of others |
| ambiguous | permitting more than one interpretation, no clearly defined |
| ambivalence | condition of having conflicting attitudes |
| ameliorate | to make better or more tolerable, to improve |
| analogous | similar in certain qualities, comparable |
| animosity | active dislike, ill will |
| anonymity | condition of being nameless or unknown |
| antagonism | hostility, active opposition |
| anthithesis | direct opposity |
| apochryphal | doubtful of authenticity, counterfeit |
| arduous | hard to do, strenuous |
| articulate | able to put one's thoughts into words easily and clearly |
| assuage | to calm or soothe, to satisfy |
| atrophy | to waste away |
| augment | to increase or enlarge, to become greater in size |
| austere | stern in a manner or appearance, strict in morals |
| authoritarian | a person who supports the principle of subjections to authority instead of individual freedom |
| autonomy | independence, self-government |
| aversion | strong or fixed dislike, antipathy |
| belittle | to make something seem less important |
| bequeath | to leave money or property by a will, to pass along |
| bizarre | strikingly off in appearance or style, grotesque |
| blithe | happy and cheerful; gay |
| bombastic | high-sounding, marked by use of language with much real meaning |
| buffoon | a clown, someone who amuses with tricks & jokes |
| cache | hiding place, something hidden in a hiding place |
| cacophony | discord, harsh sound |
| cajole | to persuade by pleasant words or false promises |
| callous | unfeeling, insensitive |
| capitulate | to surrender, to cease resistings |
| capricious | changeable, fickle |
| carping | complaining |
| catalyst | someone or something that brings about a change |
| cartharsis | an emotional purification or relief |
| caustic | stinging, biting |
| celestial | having to do with heavens |
| censure | to blame, to criticize adversely |
