Arid

Arid-adj
1-used to describe a region in which annual rainfall is less than 10 inches
2-completely lacking in interest or excitement

Synonyms
dry
infertile
parched
barren
bone'dry
baked
scorched
humid (antonym)

Argot

Argot-n
jargon used by a particular group

Synonyms
jargon
slang
idiom
speech
dialect
patois
vernacular
idiolect

Argyle/Argyll

Argyle/Argyll-adj
knitted with a pattern of colored diamonds

n
a sock or sweater made in an argyle design

Argil

Argil-n
clay, especially potter's clay

Argent

Argent-n

1-the metal or the color sliver (archaic or literary)
2-the color white or silver on a coat of arms

Argentine

Argentine-adj
silvery in color (archaic or literary)

n
the metal silver, or any material that looks like silver

Arduous

Arduous-adj
1-requiring hard work or continuous strenuous effort
2-very difficult to traverse, endure, or overcome

Synonyms
difficult
hard
tough
laborious
grueling
demanding
strenuous

Ardor

Ardor-n
fierce intensity of feelings
Synonyms
passion
love
enthusiasm
zeal
fervor
eagerness
devotion
dedication
commitment
indifference (antonym)

Ardent

Ardent-adj
1-feeling passion, or felt passionately
2-feeling or showing great enthusiasm or eagerness
3-shining or glowing brightly, with a fiery quality (literary)

Synonyms
passionate
enthusiasm
keen
fervent
zealous
eager
devoted
dedicated
committed
halfhearted (antonym)

Archetype

Archetype-n
1-a typical, ideal, or classic example of something
2-something that served as the model or pattern for other things of teh same type
3-in Jungian psychology, an inherited memory represented in the mind by a universal symbol and observed in dreams and myths
4-an image or symbol that is used repeatedly in art or literature

Synonyms
model
prime example
epitome
original
prototype
classic
standard

Archenemy

Archenemy-n
1-somebody's main or worst enemy
2-archenemy/Archenemy the Devil

Synonyms
opponent
enemy
rival
challenger
nemesis
foe
ally (antonym)

Archipelago

Archipelago-n
1-a group or chain of islands (often used in place names)
2-an area of sea with many islands

Archaism

Archaism-n
1-a word, expression, practice, or method from an earlier time that is no longer used
2-the use of expressions,techniques, and fashions from an earlier period

Archaic

Archaic-adj
1-belonging or relating to a much earlier period
2-used to describe a word or phrase that is no longer in general use but is still encountered in older literature and still sometimes used for special effect
3-no longer useful or efficient

Synonyms
old
ancient
dated
outdated
out-of-date
antiquated
old-fashioned
outmoded
prehistoric
behind the times
antediluvian
modern (antonym)

Arcane

Arcane-adj
1-requiring secret knowledge to be understood
2-difficult or impossible to understand

Synonyms
mysterious
secret
esoteric
deep
hidden
unfathomable
unknowable

Arborescent

Arborescent-adj
resembling a tree, especially in developing branches or similar parts

Arborvitae/arbor vitae

Arborvitae/arbor vitae-n
a coniferous tree of the cypress family with flat closely fitted leaves resembling scales Genus: Thuja
Also called thuja

Arbitrator

Arbitrator-n
somebody designated to hear both sides of a dispute and make a judgment

Synonyms
judge
authority
arbiter
mediator
go-between
intermediary
conciliator
negotiator
peace maker
referee

Arbitration

Arbitration-n
the process of resolving disputes between people or groups by referring them to a third party, either agreed on by them or provided by law, who makes a judgment

Synonyms
adjudication
negotiation
mediation
settlement
intercession

Arbitrate

Arbitrate-v
1-(vti) to act as a judge in a dispute between others
2-(vt) to submit a dispute to be decided by a third party

Synonyms
adjudicate
judge
pass judgment
decide
settle
sort out
mediate
referee
intercede

Arbitrary

Arbitrary-adj
1-based solely on personal wishes, feelings, or perceptions, rather than on objective facts, reasons, or principles
2-chosen or determined at random
3-based on the decision of a particular judge or court rather than accordance with any rule or law
4-with unlimited power
5-used to describe a constant that is not assigned a specific value

Synonyms
random
chance
subjective
uninformed
illogical
capricious
logical (antonym)

Arbiter

Arbiter-n
1-somebody who has the power and authority to settle a dispute or decide an issue
2-somebody or something with great influence over what people say, think, or do

Synonyms
judge
authority
trendsetter
style guru

Aramaic

Aramaic-n
a major language of the ancient Near East, dating from about 300 BC and still spoken in parts of Syria, Iraq, Iran, and other countries

Arable

Arable-adj
capable of being cultivated for growing crops

n
U.K. land that is fit for planting crops

Arabesque

Arabesque-n
1-a ballet position in which the dancer stands on one leg with the other extended back and both arms stretched out, usually one forward and the other backward
2-an intricate and often symmetrical design, or style of design, incorporating curves, geometric patterns, leaves, flowers, and animal shapes
3-a piece of classical music characterized by decorative melody

Aquiline

Aquiline-adj
1-thin, curved, and painted like an eagle's beak
2-resembling or connected with eagles

Synonyms
hooked
curved

Aqueduct

Aqueduct-n
1-a pipe or channel for moving water to a lower level, often across a great distance
2-a structure in the form of a bridge that carries a canal across a valley or river
3-a channel in an organ or body part through which fluid passes

Synonyms
channel
conduit
canal
bridge

Aquatint

Aquatint-n
1-a method of etching a copper plate in which the prints produced from it show areas similar to watercolros
2-an etching produced by the aquatint process

Apsis

Apsis-n
1-either of the 2 points in an orbit that are nearest to and farthest from the center of gravitational attraction
2-see apse

Aptitude

Aptitude-n
1-a natural talent or ability for something, especially one that is not yet fully developed
2-quickness and ease in learning

Synonyms
ability
skill
talent
gift
capacity
fitness
propensity
inability (antonym)

Apse

Apse-n
1-a semicircular prjecting part of a building, especially the east end of a church that contains the altar
Also called apsis
2-see apsis

Apropos

apropos-adj
appropriate in a particular situation (formal)

prep
on the subject of (formal)

adv
by the way (formal)

Synonyms
regarding
concerning about
on the subject of
in relation to
in connection with

Appurtenance

Appurtenance-n
1-an accompanying part or feature of something (formal) (often used in the plural)
2-a legal right or privilege attached to a property and inherited with it

npl-appurtenances
the equipment needed for a particular activity (formal)

Approbation

Approbation-n
1-approval, consent, or appreciation
2-the official approving, authorizing, or sanctioning of something

Synonyms
approval
consent
praise
admiration
esteem
good opinion
disapproval (antonym)

Apprise

Apprise-vt
to inform or give notice to something about something (formal)

Synonyms
explain
tell
describe
impart
pass on
acquaint

Apposition

Apposition-n
1-the relative position of two things that are next to each other
2-the relationship between two usually consecutive nouns or noun phrases that refer to the same person or thing and have the same relationship to other sentence elements
3-cell growth in which layers of material are deposited on already existing ones

Apposite

Apposite-adj
especially well suited to the circumstances

Suynonyms
appropriate
apt
pertinent
relevant
suitable
to the point
inappropriate (antonym)

Appertain

appertain-vi
to belong or relate to something (formal)

Apportion

Apportion-vt
to divide and allocate something among different people or groups

Synonyms
share out
dole out
allocate
allot
assign
dish out
divide up
distribute

Appendant

Appendant-n
1-something that is attached or added to something larger or more important
2-a secondary document that is attached to the main body of a legal document, for example, a codicil altering the terms of a will

adj
attached or added to something larger or more important

Append

Append-vt
1-to add extra information to something, especially to attach extra information to a document
2-to add an authorized signature to a bill or an official agreement as one of the final parts of the ratification or agreement process (formal)
3-to attach something or fasten it to something else

Synonyms
add
affix
add on
join
tag on
attach
detach (antonym)

Appellant

Appellant-n
the person or group of people in a legal action who appeal a judicial decision in a higher court or a different jurisdiction

Synonyms
plaintiff
complaintant
accuser
petitioner
litigant

Appease

Appease-vt
1-to pacify somebody, especially by acceding to demands
2-to satisfy or relieve something, especially a physical appetite

Synonyms
mollify
conciliate
pacify
placate
soothe
settle
quiet down
calm down
accede to somebody's demands
provoke (antonym)

Apparition

Apparition-n
1-an appearance of a supposed ghost or something ghostly
2-an appearance of something or somebody unexpected or strange (humorous)

Synonyms
ghost
spirit
specter
phantom
ghoul
vision

Apotheosis

Apotheosis-n
1-the highest point of glory, power, or importance
2-the best or most glorious example of something
3-the transformation of a human being into a deity

Apothecary

Apothecary-n (archaic)
1-a pharmacist
2-a pharmacy

Apothegm/Apophthegm

Apothegm/apophthegm-n
a terse saying that embodies an important truth, for example, "Haste makes waste"

Apostolate

Apostolate-n
1-the duties or mission of an apostle
2-a group involved in converting new followers to a religion or doctrine

Apostatize

Apostatize-vi
to renounce a religious faith, a political party, a set of principles, or moral allegiance (formal)

Apostate

Apostate-n
somebody who has renounced a religious or political belief or allegiance

Synonyms
absconder
fugitive
traitor
renegade
runaway

Apostasy

Apostasy-n
the renunciation of a religious or political belief or allegiance

Apoplexy

Apoplexy-n
1-a fit of anger
2-a cerebral stroke, usually caused by a hemorrhage in the brain (archaic)

Apoplectic

Apoplectic-adj
1-overcome with anger
2-having the symptoms of a stroke (archaic)

Synonyms
enraged
furious
irate
beside yourself
spitting mad
seething
angry
annoyed
calm (antonym)

Apolitical

Apolitical-adj
having no interest in politics, or not concerned with politics

Apologist

Aplogist-n
somebody who argues to defend or justify a particular doctrine or ideology

Synonyms
defender
supporter
ally
protector
champion

Apogee

Apogee-n
1-the best or greatest point
2-the point when the Moon, or a satellite or other object or biting around the Earth, is farthest from the center of the earth

Synonyms
highest point
apex
summit
pinnacle
acme
zenith
peak
top
base (antonym)

Apocryphal

Apocryphal-adj
1-probably not true, but widely believed to be true
2-relating to the Apochrypha

Synonyms
mythical
fictional
untrue
legendary
invented
made up
dubious
true (antonym)

Apochrypha

Apochrypha-n
1-books of the Bible that are included in the vulgate and septuagint versions of the Christian Bible, but not in the Protestant Bible or the Hebrew canon (may be singular or plural)

Aplomb

Aplomb-n
confidence, skill, and poise, especially in difficult or challenging circumstances

Synonyms
assurance
self-confidence
composure
self-possession
cool
style
ease
awkwardness (antonym)

Apiary

Apiary-n
a place where beehives are kept and bees are raised for their honey

Aphrodisiac

Aphrodisiac-n
something that arouses or intensifies sexual desire

adj
able to arouse or intensify physical desire

Apian

Apian-adj
relating to or resembling bees

Aphorism

Aphorism-n
a succint statement expressing an opinion or a general truth

Synonyms
saying
maxim
adage
cliche
dictum

Aphasia

Aphasia-n
the partial or total inability to produce and understand speech as a result of brain damage caused by injury or disease

Apgar Score

Apgar Score-n
a score that is given after assessing the condition of a newborn baby in the 5 areas of heart rate, breathing, skin color, muscle tone, and reflex response

Apex/APEX (2)

Apex/APEX-n
a system whereby air tickets are available at a reduced price when bought a certain period of time in advance

Apex

Apex-n (1)
1-the highest point of something
2-the most successful part of something, especially somebody's career or life
3-the tip or top of something, especially something that is pointed, for example, a triangle

Synonyms
top
peak
summit
climax
tip
zenith
head
point
base (antonym)