| animal |
one of a large group of living things that can move around by themselves to find food. Animals eat plants, funguses, or other animals. Birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, mammals, insects, snails, and worms are some of the major kinds of animals. [1/2 definitions] |
| animated cartoon |
a motion picture made by photographing a series of drawings showing stages of movement. The motion seems real when the drawings are shown quickly one after another. |
| annual |
a plant that grows for only one year or one season. [1/3 definitions] |
| annual ring |
one of the rings of wood on the inside of a tree that can be seen when the tree is cut into logs. Each ring represents a year of growth. |
| another |
being one more just like the others; an additional. [3/4 definitions] |
| antelope |
an animal with horns, a long neck, long legs, and hooves. Antelopes are known for their fast running. Antelopes are mammals that eat plants and chew their cud. The smallest kind of antelope is only one foot tall; the largest antelope is six feet tall at the shoulder. Gazelles, gnus, and impalas are all antelopes. Most antelopes live in Africa; some also live in Asia. [1/2 definitions] |
| antenna |
one of a pair of long, thin body parts on the head of insects, crabs, and other animals. Antennae are used to feel and smell. [1/2 definitions] |
| anthology |
a collection of written works, such as poems or stories. An anthology can be written by one or by several authors. |
| antler |
one of a pair of bony growths on the head of most kinds of deer. Male elk, moose, and white-tailed deer all grow antlers with branches or prongs. Deer grow new antlers every year. Caribou and reindeer are the only deer that have antlers on both the males and the females. |
| any |
one or some, no matter which or how many. [2/5 definitions] |
| apiece |
for or from each one; each. |
| apologize |
to say that one is sorry. |
| apology |
a statement that one is sorry for something. |
| apostle |
(sometimes capitalized) one of the first twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. |
| apostrophe1 |
a punctuation mark ('). It is used to show where one or more letters or numbers have been left out. "Wouldn't" for "would not" and "'87" for "1987" use apostrophes this way. [1/3 definitions] |
| appeal |
a request that a higher court hear a case. An appeal is made after one has lost a case in a lower court. [1/6 definitions] |
| appointment |
a position held by one who is appointed. [1/3 definitions] |
| Aral Sea |
formerly, a very large, single lake in Central Asia. Once one of the world's largest lakes, the Aral Sea has lost a great deal of its water in recent times and it has divided into separate parts. The southeastern part of the Aral Sea has become entirely dry and is called a desert now. |
| -ard |
a suffix that means one who does something too much or too often. |
| argue |
to state or claim in support of what one thinks or believes (often followed by a clause beginning with "that"). [1/3 definitions] |
| arrogant |
having or showing too much pride; behaving as though one is more important than others. |