authenticate

prove genuine

authoritarian

subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another’s will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father

authoritative

having the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictionary/manner; CF. definitive

autocratic

having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy

automaton

mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself

autonomous

self-governing; N. autonomy

autopsy

examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.

auxiliary

offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant

avalanche

great mass of falling snow and ice

avantgarde

group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard

avarice

greediness for wealth

avenge

take vengence for something or on behalf of someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They avenged themselves on their enemy.

aver

state confidently; declare as true

averse

reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work