| aardvark |
a large mammal with a long snout, long ears, a long tail, and with long fur mostly around its legs. Aardvarks are active at night, when they use their powerful claws to dig open ant or termite nests. They catch their food with their long, sticky tongue. Aardvarks live in southern and central Africa. Although they are sometimes called anteaters, aardvarks are not closely related to any other kind of mammal. |
| accent |
to give more stress to (a word or part of a word), when speaking. [1/5 definitions] |
| accept |
to take when given; receive willingly. [1/4 definitions] |
| acne |
a skin condition that makes pimples appear on the face, back, or chest. It happens when oil glands in the skin are blocked. |
| adenoid |
(usually plural) a mass of tissue that grows behind the nose in the upper part of the throat. When swollen, the adenoids can make breathing difficult. |
| adolescent |
having to do with the period when a person is changing from a child to an adult. [1/2 definitions] |
| adulthood |
the part of life when a person is grown up; the adult years. |
| air pressure |
the force of air on things. Air pressure has to do with how much force air has when it has been compressed into a space like a tire. It is also the pressure of the earth's atmosphere. |
| alcoholism |
a disease caused by the habit of drinking too much alcohol. Alcoholism is characterized by a strong desire to drink alcohol, difficulties in behaving properly, and troubling effects when alcohol use is stopped. |
| alibi |
a way of defending oneself against criminal charges by showing that one was not at the scene of the crime when it happened. [1/2 definitions] |
| alternate |
a person who acts in place of another when needed; substitute. [1/7 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 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. |
| answering machine |
a device connected to a telephone that records an incoming message from a caller when the telephone is not answered. |
| April Fools' Day |
the first day of April, when friendly tricks and jokes are played on people. |
| area code |
a set of three numbers given to different areas of the United States and Canada for telephone service. An area code must be dialed before the telephone number when calling someone outside a local area. |
| as1 |
at the moment; when. [1/7 definitions] |
| asphalt |
a sticky black substance like tar. Asphalt is found naturally or obtained when oil is refined. It is used for making roads and roofs and for making things waterproof. [1/2 definitions] |
| at ease |
a standing position in the military. When at ease, soldiers may relax but must stay in place and cannot talk. |
| atomic bomb |
a very destructive bomb; atom bomb. Its power comes from the great amount of energy released when atoms are split. |
| babysitter |
a person who takes care of children when their parents are not with them. |