• assonant adj. Having resemblance of sound.
• balsam n. A medical preparation, aromatic and oily, used for healing.
• assonate v. To accord in sound, especially vowel sound.
• banal adj. Commonplace.
• assuage v. To cause to be less harsh, violent, or severe, as excitement, appetite, pain, or
• barcarole n. A boat-song of Venetian gondoliers.
• barograph n. An instrument that registers graphically and continuously the atmospheric
• disease.
• astringent adj. Harsh in disposition or character.
• pressure.
• astute adj. Keen in discernment.
• barometer n. An instrument for indicating the atmospheric pressure per unit of surface.
• atheism n. The denial of the existence of God.
• barring prep. Apart from.
• athirst adj. Wanting water.
• baritone adj. Having a register higher than bass and lower than tenor.
• athwart adv. From side to side.
• bask v. To make warm by genial heat.
• atomizer n. An apparatus for reducing a liquid to a fine spray, as for disinfection, inhalation, etc.
• bass adj. Low in tone or compass.
• atone v. To make amends for.
• baste v. To cover with melted fat, gravy, while cooking.
• atonement n. Amends, reparation, or expiation made from wrong or injury.
• baton n. An official staff borne either as a weapon or as an emblem of authority or
• atrocious adj. Outrageously or wantonly wicked, criminal, vile, or cruel.
• privilege.
• atrocity n. Great cruelty or reckless wickedness.
• battalion n. A body of infantry composed of two or more companies, forming a part of a
• attaché n. A subordinate member of a diplomatic embassy.
• regiment.
• attest v. To certify as accurate, genuine, or true.
• batten n. A narrow strip of wood.
• attorney-general n. The chief law-officer of a government.
• batter n. A thick liquid mixture of two or more materials beaten together, to be used in cookery.
• auburn adj. Reddish-brown, said usually of the hair.
• bauble n. A trinket.
• audacious adj. Fearless.
• bawl v. To proclaim by outcry.
• audible adj. Loud enough to be heard.
• beatify v. To make supremely happy.
• audition n. The act or sensation of hearing.
• beatitude n. Any state of great happiness.
• auditory adj. Of or pertaining to hearing or the organs or sense of hearing.
• beau n. An escort or lover.
• augment v. To make bigger.
• becalm v. To make quiet.
• augur v. To predict.
• beck v. To give a signal to, by nod or gesture.
• Augustinian adj. Pertaining to St. Augustine, his doctrines, or the religious orders called
• bedaub v. To smear over, as with something oily or sticky.
• bedeck v. To cover with ornament.
• after him.
• aura n. Pervasive psychic influence supposed to emanate from persons
• bedlam n. Madhouse.
• aural adj. Of or pertaining to the ear.
• befog v. To confuse.
• auricle n. One of the two chambers of the heart which receives the blood from the veins.
• befriend v. To be a friend to, especially when in need.
• auricular adj. Of or pertaining to the ear, its auricle, or the sense of hearing.
• beget v. To produce by sexual generation.
• auriferous adj. Containing gold.
• begrudge v. To envy one of the possession of.
• aurora n. A luminous phenomenon in the upper regions of the atmosphere.
• belate v. To delay past the proper hour.
• auspice n. favoring, protecting, or propitious influence or guidance.
• belay v. To make fast, as a rope, by winding round a cleat.
• austere adj. Severely simple; unadorned.
• belie v. To misrepresent.
• autarchy n. Unrestricted power.
• believe v. To accept as true on the testimony or authority of others.
• authentic adj. Of undisputed origin.
• belittle v. To disparage.
• authenticity n. The state or quality of being genuine, or of the origin and authorship
• belle n. A woman who is a center of attraction because of her beauty, accomplishments,
• claimed.
• etc.
• autobiography n. The story of one's life written by himself.
• bellicose adj. Warlike.
• autocracy n. Absolute government.
• belligerent adj. Manifesting a warlike spirit.
• autocrat n. Any one who claims or wields unrestricted or undisputed authority or influence.
• bemoan v. To lament
• automaton n. Any living being whose actions are or appear to be involuntary or
• benediction n. a solemn invocation of the divine blessing.
• benefactor n. A doer of kindly and charitable acts.
• mechanical.
• autonomous adj. Self-governing.
• benefice n. A church office endowed with funds or property for the maintenance of divine
• autonomy n. Self-government.
• service.
• autopsy n. The examination of a dead body by dissection to ascertain the cause of death.