abate	verb	to put an end to; nullify
abeyance	noun	a lapse in succession during which there is no person in whom a title is vested
abjure	verb	to renounce upon oath; to reject solemnly
abrogate	verb	to abolish by authoritative action; annul
abstruse	adjective	difficult to comprehend; obscure
acarpous	adjective	effete; no longer fertile; worn out
accretion	noun	the process of growth or enlargement by a gradual buildup: as; increase by external addition or accumulation (as by adhesion of external parts or particles); the increase of land by the action of natural forces
agog	adjective	full of intense interest or excitement; eager
alloy	noun	the degree of mixture with base metals; fineness
amortize	verb	to pay off (as a mortgage) gradually usually by periodic payments of principal and interest or by payments to a sinking fund
aplomb	noun	complete and confident composure or self-assurance; poise
apostasy	noun	renunciation of a religious faith
apostate	noun	one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions
apposite	adjective	highly pertinent or appropriate; apt
approbation	noun	approval
arabesque	adjective	of, relating to, or being in the style of arabesque or an arabesque
argot	noun	an often more or less secret vocabulary and idiom peculiar to a particular group
ascetic	adjective	practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline
asperity	noun	rigor, severity
assiduous	adjective	marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application
astringent	adjective	causing contraction of soft organic tissues; styptic, puckery
astringent	adjective	causing contraction of soft organic tissues; styptic, puckery
augury	noun	omen sign
aver	verb	to verify or prove to be true in pleading a cause; to allege or assert in pleading