| a1 |
a grade given for excellent schoolwork. [1/3 definitions] |
| a2 |
any one of a group or kind. [3 definitions] |
| a-1 |
a prefix that means "on," "at," "into," or "to." |
| a-2 |
a prefix that means "away," "from," or "off." [2 definitions] |
| 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. |
| abacus |
a device used for counting or calculating. An abacus has beads or other counters that slide along rods or in grooves. |
| abalone |
a large sea snail that has several shiny colors on the inside of its shell. Abalone are mollusks. People eat abalone meat and make decorations from the shells. |
| abbey |
a religious place or building where monks or nuns live. |
| abbreviation |
a shortened form of a word or phrase used in writing. |
| abdicate |
to officially give up a position of power or a right. |
| -able |
a suffix that means capable or worthy of being the object of a certain action. [3 definitions] |
| able |
having the skill or power needed to do a thing. [1/2 definitions] |
| aboard |
on or into a ship, plane, bus, or plane; on board. [1/2 definitions] |
| abolitionism |
a movement in the United States in the 1800s whose goal was to free the people who were slaves and make slavery against the law. |
| abolitionist |
a person who supported Abolition, or the ending of slavery, before the Civil War. |
| above |
at or to a higher place. [2/5 definitions] |
| abrasive |
something rough used to wear away or polish a surface. [1/2 definitions] |
| abroad |
in or to a country that is not one's own. |
| abscess |
a sore that forms within the tissues of the body and is filled with pus. Abscesses can be caused by an infection. |
| absentee |
a person who is absent from work, school, or other duty. |
| absent-minded |
tending to not pay attention to a task or event because one is thinking about other things. |