astronomy
NOUN the scientific study of stars and planets
astronomer NOUN
at
PREPOSITION 1 where someone or something is • John waited for me at the bus stop.
2 the direction something is going in • I threw the snowball at my brother.
3 when something happens • The party starts at six o’clock.
ate
VERB the past tense of eat (#litres_trial_promo)
atheist atheists
NOUN someone who does not believe in any form of God
athlete athletes
NOUN a person who is very good at sport and who takes part in sporting competitions
athletics
NOUN sporting events such as running, long jump and discus
Atlantic
NOUN the ocean that separates North and South America from Europe and Africa
atlas atlases
NOUN a book of maps
[from the giant Atlas in Greek mythology, who supported the sky on his shoulders]
atmosphere atmospheres
NOUN 1 gases that surround a planet
2 the general mood of a place • There was a friendly atmosphere at the party.
atom atoms
NOUN the smallest part of an element that can take part in a chemical reaction
atrocity atrocities
NOUN an extremely shocking and cruel act
attach attaches, attaching, attached
VERB If you attach something to something else, you join or fasten the two things together.
attachment attachments
NOUN 1 a feeling of love and affection for someone
2 a file attached to an e-mail
attack attacks, attacking, attacked
VERB 1 If someone attacks another person or animal, they use violence in order to hurt or kill them. • The lion attacked the zebra in order to kill it for food.
2 In a game such as football or hockey, players attack to get the ball into a position from which a goal can be scored.
NOUN 3 violent, physical action against someone
attempt attempts, attempting, attempted
VERB 1 If you attempt to do something, you try to do it.
NOUN 2 the act of trying to do something • He made a brave attempt to help.
attend attends, attending, attended
VERB 1 If you attend school, church or hospital, you go there regularly.
2 If you attend an event, you are present at it.
attend to
VERB If you attend to something, you deal with it. • We should attend to our homework before going to the park.
attendant attendants
NOUN someone whose job is to help people in a place such as a museum or shop
attention
NOUN the thought or care that you give to someone or something • I paid a lot of attention to my homework.
attentive
ADJECTIVE When you are attentive, you pay close attention.