alms

money or goods given to the poor

aloft

upward; high up in the air

aloof

apart; not open in one’s relationship with other people; reserved; ADV.

altercation

noisy quarrel

altruistic

unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism

amalgam

combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth

amalgamate

(of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body

amass

collect (gradually, in a very large amount)

amazon

female warrior

ambidextrous

capable of using either hand with equal ease

ambience

environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature

ambiguous

unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation

ambivalence

the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions

amble

walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly

ambrosia

food of the gods

ambulatory

able to walk

ambush

act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sudden attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in ambush; V.

ameliorate

improve

amenable

obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests

amend

correct; change ; generally for the better

amenities

convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies

amiable

agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly

amicable

peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement

amiss

wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV.

amity

friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations

amnesia

loss of memory

amnesty

pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)

amok(amuck)

in a state of rage; Ex. run amok

amoral

nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong

amorous

moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances

amorphous

formless; lacking shape or definition

amphibian

able to live both on land and in water; N.

amphitheater

oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena

ample

enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space

amplify

increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one’s remarks with a graph