accrue

come to one as a gain; accumulate over time; come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank account; N. accrual

acerbity

bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)

acetic

vinegary

acidulous

slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic

acknowledge

recognize; admit

acme

peak; pinnacle; highest point

acne

skin disease (on the face)

acoustics

science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in

acquiesce

assent; agree passively; comply without protest

acquittal

deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner

acrid

bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent

acrimonious

stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior

acrophobia

fear of heights

actuarial

calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics

actuary

someone who advises insurance companies

actuate

motivate; activate; cause to act

acuity

sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)

acumen

mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen

acute

(of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain

adage

wise saying; proverb

adamant

hard; inflexible

adapt

make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel.