Complex Vocabulary

Abacus

An abacus is a counting tool used for performing arithmetic calculations. It consists of a rectangular frame with rods or wires, on which beads or counters can be moved back and forth. Each rod represents a place value, and the beads are used to represent numbers. By manipulating the beads on the rods, mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division can be carried out. The abacus is often used as a visual aid to teach and reinforce mathematical concepts, especially in early education.

abate

To abate means to become less intense, to decrease in amount or intensity, or to subside. It can also refer to the reduction or elimination of something, such as a nuisance or a legal claim.

abdication

giving up power

aberration

straying away from normal

abet

to encourage wrong doing

abeyance

suspended action

abhor

to hate

abide

to be faithful

abjure

to promise to give up

abraded

worn away by friction

abrogate

to take back by authority

abscond

to run from law

abstruse

difficult to understand

abut

to border

abysmal

bottomless

acarpous

no longer fertile

acclaimed

praised

accolade

praise

accretion

many things to one

adamant

stubborn

admonitory

containing warning

adorn

to add beauty

adulteration

making unpure

affable

friendly

affinity

close connection

aggravate

to make worse

agile

quick-moving

agog

eager

ail

to be sick

alacrity

eager readiness

alcove

a partially enclosed place

allegiance

loyalty

alleviate

to make less

alloy

to mix with something inferior

aloof

indifferent

amalgamate

to combine

ambidextrous

able to use both hands equally

ambiguous

unclear

ambivalent

having different meanings

ameliorate

to make better

amortize

to end by setting aside money

anguish

severe suffering

animosity

hate

antidote

medicine to cure disease

antithetical

direct opposite

apartheid

brutal racial discrimination

aplomb

self confidence

apostate

one who abandons beliefs

apotheosis

glorification to godliness

appease

to calm

apprehensive

feeling fear of the future

apprise

to inform

approbation

approval

apropos

appropriate to the situation

apt

well-suited

arabesque

a complex ornate design

arboreal

related to trees

ardor

enthusiasm

arduous

laborious

argot

jargon

arrant

in the highest degree

arrogance

having superior attitude

articulate

to speak distinctly

ascend

to move up

ascertain

to get to know

ascetic

practicing self-denial

ascribe

to consider to be the origin

aseptic

surgically clean

asperity

harshness

aspersion

slander

assail

to attack violently

assiduous

hard-working

assuage

to make less

asterisk

substitution mark

astringent

substance that shrinks

astute

clever

atonement

repayment

attenuate

to make thin

attune

to bring into harmony

audacious

bold

augury

omen

august

majestic

auspicious

favorable

austere

severely moral

auxiliary

supporting

aver

to prove

aversion

strong dislike

avid

eager

avow

declare openly

baleful

harmful

balk

to get in the way of

baneful

causing harm

barrage

obstacle built across a river

barren

unable to have children

bask

to enjoy warmth and light

beatify

to bless

bedizen

to adorn in cheap showy manner

belabor

to beat hard

bellicose

warlike

belligerent

waging war