Abet

v.

Incite or support, encourage (usually an offender or the commission of an offense)

The judge ruled him guilty of aiding and abetting the man accused in the bank robbery case.

s: Uphold

a: Frustrate

v.

Condense or shorten

This abridged version of Crime and Punishment is actually more engrossing than the complete version, and also quite well-written.

v.

Abolish, Do away with

By abrogating the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA), the government has conceded to a long standing demand of the Association of Exporters.

syn. Revoke, Rescind, Repeal

ant. Enact, Institute

n. and v.

(Make) descend by using a rope fixed at a higher point

The only way to escape from the fortress was to abseil down from the steep cliff on the western side of the mountain, a task which was almost impossible

adj.

Sparing in eating and drinking

He's known for his abstemious habits; you cannot persuade him to eat more than what he wishes.

syn. Abstinent, Temperate, Moderate

ant. Indulgent

adj.

Difficult to comprehend

After 2 years of grueling research, the professor came up with a rather abstruse theory on the nature of nuclear reactions, which could not be understood by any of the doctoral students of Physics in the university.

syn. Recondite, Intricate, Obscure, Perplexing

ant. Obvious

v.

To touch or join at the border or site

Have a common boundary

The main reason for the bitterness between the two farmers was that their fields did not have a clearly defined boundary and abutted on each other.

syn. Fringe

adj.

Tailless, Having no visible stem

A species of acaudal monkeys has been sighted on a remote island in the Pacific, and the absence of a tail has surprised many a zoologist.

ant. Caudal 

Accede

v.

Agree to a plan or suggestion

To take a high post of position after someone has left it

After much persuasion, the teacher finally acceded to our request for letting off the class a little early.

syn.  Acquiesce 

n.

Sharp upward slope

The acclivity of this hill provides an ideal testing ground for budding mountaineers.

syn.  Ascent

ant.  Declivity

v.

Approach and speak first to a person

A sinister looking man accosted me in the dark street and asked for money.

syn.  Solicit, Confront

n.

A soldier's equipment, other than clothing or weaponry

At these high altitudes, an oxygen cylinder is an essential part of every Soldier's accoutrements.

adj.

Headless

Without a leader

With the sudden demise of its leader Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress Party was rendered acephalous and directionless.

Acerbity

n.

Harshness or bitterness of speech, manner, temper, etc.

The acerbity in her speech can put off almost anyone; she urgently needs to tone down the harsh words she uses.

syn.  Tartness, Astringency

ant.  Sweetness

Acidulous

adj.

Slightly sour; sharp, caustic

The apples grown in this area a particularly acidulous, perhaps because of the presence of a small amount of hydrochloric acid in the soil of this region.

syn.  Rancid

Acme

n.

The top or highest point

Just when everyone thought that he had reached the acme of perfection in the game of chess, he was outplayed by an unknown Armenian, playing his first major tournament.

syn.  Pinnacle, Zenith

Acolyte

n.

An attendant or follower. Specifically, a person in the church who helps a priest to perform religious ceremonies

The acolytes of the religious leader were gathered in large numbers at the airport to welcome him.

v.

Assent, agree passively

In deciding the marriage of their daughter, parents in rural India take the acquiescence of the daughter for granted.

syn.  Concur, Assent

ant.  Rebel, Oppose, Carp

Acrimonious

adj.

Stinging, caustic

He let out a string of acrimonious remarks about the old man, when he was told that his name did not figure in the old man's will.

syn.  Mordant, Sarcastic, Scornful, Scathing

ant.  Harmonious

Actuarial

adj.

Calculating, Pertaining to insurance statistics

He has a degree in Actuarial studies and is hence seeking an employment in insurance and finance companies.

v.

To activate, Put into action, Motivate

His efforts at making the business run are actuated by an ambition which borders on greed.

syn.  Propel, Impel

ant.  Discourage, Prevent

adv. and adj.

According to the value, in proportion to the estimated value of goods

The finance ministry has decided to charge a 2 percent ad valorem duty on the goods produced in the newly developed industrial township.

n.

Wise saying, proverb

The adage Pride goes before a Fall best describes the state of the Indian cricketers who have been charged of match-fixing.

n.

Addition, Appendix to book

The script of the documentary mentioned that chapter 2 of the report is given as an addendum to this report.

v. and adj.

Muddle, drive crazy, become rotten

Empty, muddled, unsound

Working continuously for fifteen hours a day for months on end can addle the brains of the sharpest individual.

syn.  Perturb, Fluster

v.

To give an example, proof, or explanation

He had worked so hard; I cannot adduce any reason for his failure.

syn.  Cite

Adjunct

n.

Thing that is subordinate or incidental to another

My idea was considered by the company director as an adjunct to the main proposal.

syn.  Affiliate

Adjuration

n.

An earnest appeal, entreaty

His most sincere adjurations to the teacher to let him retake the examination fell on deaf ears.

v.

To depart clandestinely; to steal off and hide

n.

Eager and enthusiastic willingness 

Not wanting to waste any time on formalities, he accepted our offer with alacrity.

syn.  Celerity

ant.  Slowness

n.

Deviation from the normal order, form, or rule; abnormality

The unexpected results of the research are either because of some statistical anomaly, or we have been making the wrong assumptions all along.

syn.  Aberrant, Peculiar

ant.  Regular, Normal

n.

An expression of approval or praise

The approbatory comments of the general about the actions taken by the commanding officer boosted the morale of the entire regiment.

syn.  Sanction, Authorization

adj.

Strenuous, taxing; requiring significant effort

Because he was assigned the rather arduous task of shoveling the snow in the college ground, he was absolutely exhausted at the end of the day.

syn.  Strenuous, Laborious, Exhausting

v.

To ease or lesson; to appease or pacify

He said in the interview that the only job that could assuage his thirst for knowledge was that of a librarian, so that he could be amongst books every day.

syn.  Pacify, Mitifate, Palliate

ant.  Rankly

adj.

Daring and fearless; recklessly bold; (audacity)

The robber made an audacious attempt to free himself from the grip of the huge dog by trying to fight with it, but his effort was in vain.

syn.  Courageous, Dauntless, Intrepid