<1> noun
1 a : the 1st letter of the English alphabet b : a graphic representation of this letter c : a speech counterpart of orthographic a
2 : the 6th tone of a C-major scale
3 : a graphic device for reproducing the letter a
4 : one designated a especially as the 1st in order or class
5 a : a grade rating a student’s work as superior in quality b : one graded or rated with an A
6 : something shaped like the letter

<2> indefinite article
1 used as a function word before singular nouns when the referent is unspecified and before number collectives and some numbers
2 : the same
3 a used as a function word before a singular noun followed by a restrictive modifier b : ANY c used as a function word before a mass noun to denote a particular type or instance d used as a function word before a proper noun representing an example or type
4 used as a function word with nouns to form adverbial phrases of quantity, amount, or degree

<3> preposition
1 chiefly dialect : ON, IN, AT
2 : in, to, or for each

<4> verb
archaic : HAVE

<5> preposition
: OF often attached to the preceding word

<6> abbreviation
absent, acceleration, acre, adult, alto, anode, answer, ante, anterior, are, area, atto-, author

² aardvark

noun
: a large burrowing nocturnal ungulate mammal (Orycteropus afer) of sub-Saharan Africa that has a long snout, extensile tongue, powerful claws, large ears, and heavy tail and feeds especially on termites and ants

³ aback

adverb
1 archaic : BACKWARD, BACK
2 : in a position to catch the wind upon the forward surface of a square sail
3 : by surprise : UNAWARES

⁴ abacus

noun
1 : an instrument for performing calculations by sliding counters along rods or in grooves
2 : a slab that forms the uppermost member or division of the capital of a column

⁵ abaft

preposition
: to the rear of; specifically : toward the stern from

⁶ abalone

noun
: any of a genus (Haliotis) of edible rock-clinging gastropod mollusks that have a flattened shell slightly spiral in form, lined with mother-of-pearl, and with a row of apertures along its outer edge

⁷ abandon

<1> transitive verb
1 a : to give up to the control or influence of another person or agent b : to give up with the intent of never again claiming a right or interest in
2 : to withdraw from often in the face of danger or encroachment
3 : to withdraw protection, support, or help from
4 : to give (oneself) over unrestrainedly
5 a : to cease from maintaining, practicing, or using b : to cease intending or attempting to perform

<2> noun
: a thorough yielding to natural impulses; especially : ENTHUSIASM, EXUBERANCE

⁸ abandoned

adjective
1 : wholly free from restraint
2 : given up : FORSAKEN

⁹ abase

transitive verb
1 archaic : to lower physically
2 : to lower in rank, office, prestige, or esteem

¹⁰ abash

transitive verb
: to destroy the self-possession or self-confidence of : DISCONCERT

¹¹ abate

verb
transitive senses
1 a : to put an end to b : NULLIFY
2 a : to reduce in degree or intensity : MODERATE b : to reduce in value or amount : make less especially by way of relief
3 : DEDUCT, OMIT
4 a : to beat down or cut away so as to leave a figure in relief b obsolete : BLUNT
5 : DEPRIVE
intransitive senses
1 : to decrease in force or intensity
2 a : to become defeated or become null or void b : to decrease in amount or value

¹² abatement

noun
1 : the act or process of abating : the state of being abated
2 : an amount abated; especially : a deduction from the full amount of a tax

¹³ abatis

noun
: a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy

¹⁴ abattoir

noun
: SLAUGHTERHOUSE

¹⁵ abbacy

noun
: the office, dignity, jurisdiction, or tenure of an abbot

¹⁶ abbess

noun
: a woman who is the superior of a convent of nuns

¹⁷ abbey

noun
1 a : a monastery ruled by an abbot b : a convent ruled by an abbess
2 : an abbey church

¹⁸ abbot

noun
: the superior of a monastery for men

¹⁹ abbreviate

transitive verb
: to make briefer; especially : to reduce to a shorter form intended to stand for the whole

²⁰ abbreviation

noun
1 : the act or result of abbreviating : ABRIDGMENT
2 : a shortened form of a written word or phrase used in place of the whole

²¹ abdicate

verb
transitive senses
1 : to cast off : DISCARD
2 : to relinquish (as sovereign power) formally
intransitive senses : to renounce a throne, high office, dignity, or function

²² abdomen

noun
1 : the part of the body between the thorax and the pelvis; also : the cavity of this part of the trunk containing the chief viscera
2 : the posterior section of the body behind the thorax in an arthropod see INSECT illustration

²³ abduct

transitive verb
1 : to carry off (as a person) by force
2 : to draw or spread away (as a limb or the fingers) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body or from the axis of a limb

²⁴ abeam

adverb or adjective
: off to the side of a ship or plane especially at a right angle to the middle of the ship or plane’s length

²⁵ abecedarian

<1> noun
: one learning the rudiments of something (as the alphabet)

<2> adjective
1 a : of or relating to the alphabet b : alphabetically arranged
2 : RUDIMENTARY