2. Aberration n. – A deviating from the right path or usual course of action; a mental disorder, especially of a minor or temporary nature. Sample – We were convinced that Ed’s poor test marks were an aberration, and that he would do better the next time.

3. Abstinence n. – The giving up of certain pleasures such as food or drink. Sample – After years of indulgence, it was difficult for Eric to follow his doctor’s directive of complete abstinence from liquor.

4. Abstract adj. – Theoretical, not applied or practical; not concrete; hard to understand. (As a noun, abstract means “a summary”.) Sample – I prefer realistic art to abstract paintings, which are totally confusing to me.

5. Acclaim n. – Loud applause; approval. (When used as a verb, acclaim means “to applaud; to praise.”) Sample – Jonas Salk won great acclaim for his medical discoveries.

6. Acquiesce v. – To accede; to give consent by keeping silent. Sample – The president said that we will never acquiesce to the demands of terrorists.

7. Admonish v – To advise against something; to warn; to scold gently; to urge strongly. Sample – This is the last time I plan to admonish you about coming late to work.

8. Advocate v. – To support; to be in favor of. (When used as a noun, advocate refers to someone who supports a particular cause.) Sample - He advocates high salaries for teachers, hoping that competitive pay scales will make the teaching profession more attractive to college students.

9. Aesthetic adj. – Showing an appreciation of beauty in nature or art; artistic. Sample – Kyra’s aesthetic qualities were apparent in her early art work.

10. Affinity n. – Natural attraction to a person or liking for a thing; relation; connection. Sample – Harvey’s affinity for math led him to excel in our computer course.

11. Aggrandizement n. – An increase in rank or wealth; growth in power. Sample – I attributed Paul’s aggressiveness to his need for aggrandizement.