n. Newtlike salamander, which in natural conditions retains its larval form of life. [nahuatl, = water-servant]
AZIMUTH
n. Angular distance from a north or south point of the horizon to the intersection with the horizon of a vertical circle passing through a given celestial body. azimuthal adj. [french from arabic]
AARDVARK
n. Mammal with a tubular snout and a long tongue, feeding on termites. [afrikaans]
ABATTOIR
n. Slaughterhouse. [french abatre fell, as *abate]
ABDICATE
v. (-ting) 1 (usu. Absol.) Give up or renounce (the throne).
- renounce (a duty, right, etc.). abdication n. [latin dico declare]
ABERDEEN
angus n. Animal of a scottish breed of hornless black cattle. [aberdeen in scotland]
ABERRANT
adj. Deviating from what is normal or accepted. [latin: related to *err]
ABEYANCE
n. (usu. Prec. By in, into) temporary disuse. [french: related to *ad-, beer gape]
ABLATIVE
gram. —n. Case (in latin) of nouns and pronouns indicating an agent, instrument, or location. —adj. Of or in the ablative. [latin ablatus taken away]
ABLUTION
n. (usu. In pl.) 1 ceremonial washing of the hands, sacred vessels, etc.
- colloq. A ordinary bodily washing. B place for this. [latin ablutio from luo lut- wash]
