abruptly-pinnate
- s (of a leaf shape) pinnate with a pair of leaflets at the apex
aboral
- a opposite to or away from the mouth
the aboral surface of a starfish
aboriginal
- n a dark-skinned member of a race of people living in Australia when Europeans arrived
- n an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
the Canadian government scrapped plans to tax the grants to aboriginal college students - a of or pertaining to members of the indigenous people of Australia
- a characteristic of or relating to people inhabiting a region from the beginning
the aboriginal peoples of Australia - s having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
aboriginal forests
abortifacient
- n a drug (or other chemical agent) that causes abortion
- s causing abortion
abortive
- s failing to accomplish an intended result
an abortive revolt
aboulic
- s suffering from abulia; showing abnormal inability to act or make decisions
abounding
- v be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities
- v be in a state of movement or action
- s existing in abundance
abounding confidence
about
- s on the move
up and about - r (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
in just about a minute
he's about 30 years old
I've had about all I can stand
we meet about once a month - r all around or on all sides
dirty clothes lying around (or about)
let's look about for help - r in the area or vicinity
a few spectators standing about - r used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction
wandering about with no place to go
people were rushing about
news gets around (or about) - r in or to a reversed position or direction
about face - r in rotation or succession
turn about is fair play - r (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
the job is (just) about done
above
- n an earlier section of a written text
for instructions refer to the above - s appearing earlier in the same text
flaws in the above interpretation - r at an earlier place
see above - r in or to a place that is higher
aboveboard
- s without concealment or deception; honest
their business was open and aboveboard - r in an honest manner
was known for dealing aboveboard in everything
aboveground
- s on or above the surface of the ground
aboveground nuclear testing
abrasive
- n a substance that abrades or wears down
- s causing abrasion
- s sharply disagreeable; rigorous
an abrasive character
abreast
- s being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge
kept abreast of the latest developments - r alongside each other, facing in the same direction
abridged
- v reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
- v lessen, diminish, or curtail
- a (used of texts) shortened by condensing or rewriting
an abridged version