English vocabularies (A)

• abacus: a simple device for calculating, consisting of a frame with rows of wires or grooves along which beads are slid (n.)
• abattoir: a slaughterhouse (n.)
• abbey: the building or buildings occupied by a community of monks or nuns (n.)
• abbot: a man who is the head of an abbey of monks (n.)
• abode: a place of residence; a house or home (n.)
• abominable: causing moral revulsion (adj.)
• abreast: side by side and moving in the same direction (adv.)
• abscess: a swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus (n.)
• abscond: leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest (v.)
• abseil: descend a rock face or other near-vertical surface by using a doubled rope coiled round the body and fixed at a higher point (v.)
• absent-minded: forgetful, not attentive (adj.)
• abstract: a summary of the research, including the purpose, method, and results (n.) / take away (v.)
• absurd: wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate (adj.)
• abysmal: extremely bad, appalling (adj.)
• abyss: a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm (n.)
• acacia: (a.k.a wattle) a tree or shrub of warm climates which bears spikes or clusters of yellow or white flowers and is typically thorny. (n.)
• accessory: a person who assists in commiting a crime (n.)
• acclaim: praise enthusiastically and publicly (v.)
• accompaniment: a musical part that is played underneath the melody; food or drinks that come after another one (n.)
• accord: a formal agreement, especially one made between two countries, that is intended to settle a dispute or resolve a problem (n.)
• accordion: a musical instrument played by stretching and squeezing with the hands to work a central bellows that blows air over metal reeds, the melody and chords being sounded by buttons or keys. (n.)
• on account of: because of (phr.)
• accostumed: usual or customary (adj.)
• ace: a very skilful person or thing (n.)
• acknowledge: express thanks for something (v.)
• acorn: the fruit of the oak tree, a smooth oval nut in a rough cup-shaped base. (n.)
• acoustics: the study of sound and hearing (n.)
• acquaint: know and be familiar with someone slightly (v.)
• acquit: to declare someone is not guilty of a crime or offence (v.)
• acupuncture: a Chinese medical procedure in which parts of the body are pricked with needles to relieve pain or cure disease. (n.)
• adamant: refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind (adj.)
• Adam's Apple: a lump at the front of a man's neck. (n.)
• add up: make sense (v.)
• adder: a small venomous Eurasian snake which has a dark zigzag pattern on its back and bears live young. (n.)
• additive: a substance added to something in small quantities to improve or preserve it (n.)
• adenoids: a mass of enlarged lymphatic tissue between the back of the nose and the throat, often hindering speaking and breathing in young children. (n.)
• adhesive: able to stick fast to a surface or object; sticky (adj.) / a glue (n.)
• adjourn: break off (a meeting, legal case, or game) with the intention of resuming it later (v.)
• adjudicator: a person or group that makes an official decision about who is right in a disagreement (n.)
• admiral: the most senior commander of a fleet or navy (n.)