Week 17

1) Asymmetrical adjective

Not having both sides exactly alike; not symmetrical

She preferred asymmetrical flower arrangement.

2) Atheist noun

One who is without a God; one who denies the existence of God

As an atheist, she objected to the nativity scene in the town square at Christmas.

3) Atypical adjective

Not typical

A classical concert performed by a rock group would certainly be atypical.

4) Ambience noun

The surrounding atmosphere

The long pictures on the walls and the paper lanterns gave the restaurants an Asian ambience.

5) Ambiguous adjective

Uncertain; having two possible meanings

From her ambiguous answer, I couldn’t tell whether she was complimenting or insulting me.

6) Amphitheater noun

An oval or round structure with tiers of seats around an open space

The Drama Department presented Antigone in the university’s amphitheater.

7) Ambidextrous adjective

Able to use both hands with equal ease

Because she is ambidextrous, she plays a great game of tennis.

8) Ambiguity noun

The quality of having two possible meanings

The ambiguity in his writing leaves the reader puzzled.

9) Ambivalence noun

Conflicting (both kinds of) feelings toward a person or thing

The boy was experiencing ambivalence about giving his speech, wanting to give it and yet dreading it.

10) Ambivalent adjective

Having conflicting (both kinds of) feelings toward someone or something

A child often feels ambivalent about a new baby in the family, both liking it and resenting it.

11)  Amphibian noun

An animal that lives both in water and on land

Frogs, toads, and salamanders are amphibians.

12)  Amphibious adjective

Able to live or to travel both on land and in water

The Marines went ashore in amphibious vehicles.

13)  Annals noun

A written account of events year by year; historical records

We searched the annals of the medical society to find when the vaccine had first been tested.

14)  Anniversary noun

The yearly return of the date of some memorable event

We’re making plans for our parents’ wedding anniversary.

15)  Annual adjective

Yearly

We have an annual family reunion.

16)  Annuity noun

An investment that provides fixed payments yearly or at other regular intervals

After paying into his annuity for years, he now receives a check every month.

17)  Biannual adjective

Occurring two times a year

The treasurer makes biannual reports in January and July.

18)  Biennial adjective

Occurring every two years

The society holds a biennial convention in the odd-numbered years.

19)  Centennial noun

A hundredth anniversary

The exposition in Montreal in 1967 celebrated the centennial of Canadian Confederation.

20)  Millennium noun

A period of a thousand years; specifically, the thousand years when, according to the New Testament, Christ is to reign on Earth; thus a period of happiness and prosperity

Some reformers today are hoping for nothing short of a millennium.

21)  Per annum noun

By the year; annually

The chairperson received a fixed salary per annum.

22)  Perennial noun

Having a life cycle lasting through more than two years, as a perennial plant

In his garden, he planted only perennials so that he wouldn’t have replant every year.

23)  Semiannual adjective

Half yearly; occurring two times a year

He made semiannual reports in January and July.

24)  Superannuated verb

Retired because of age

Although he was superannuated, he still felt useful and volunteered his talents.

25)  Lace verb

To tie your shoes or fasten something with a lace

Has he learned to lace his shoes?