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

aversion

firm dislike

avert

prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight.

aviary

enclosure for birds; large cage

avid

greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity

avocation

secondary or minor occupation

avow

declare openly; N. avowal

avuncular

of or like an uncle

awe

solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome

awful

terrible; very bad

awl

pointed tool used for piercing

awry

distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry.

axiom

self-evident truth requiring no proof

azure

sky blue