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ardent, avid, eager, enthusiastic, gung ho, keen, raring—more at EAGER

ath·lete noun [ORIGIN: ME, fr. L athleta, fr. Gk athlētēs, fr. athlein to contend for a prize, fr. athlon prize, contest]

: a person who is trained to compete in athletics

athlete's foot noun : ringworm of the feet

ath·let·ic adjective 1 : of or relating to athletes or athletics

2 : VIGOROUS, ACTIVE

3 : STURDY, MUSCULAR

ath·let·ics noun singular or plural : exercises and games requiring physical skill, strength, and endurance

athletic supporter noun : an elastic pouch used to support the male genitals and worn esp. during athletic activity

1athwart preposition 1 : to or on the opposite side of : ACROSS

2 : in opposition to

Synonyms

across, over, through—more at ACROSS

2athwart adverb : obliquely across

Synonyms

crosswise, obliquely, transversely—more at CROSSWISE

atilt adverb or adjective 1 : in a tilted position

2 : with lance in hand

-ation noun suffix : action or process : something connected with an action or process

Atl abbreviation Atlantic

at·las noun : a book of maps

atm abbreviation atmosphere; atmospheric

ATM noun : a computerized electronic machine that performs basic banking functions

at·mo·sphere noun 1 : the gaseous envelope of a celestial body; especially : the mass of air surrounding the earth

2 : a surrounding influence or environment

3 : a unit of pressure equal to the pressure of air at sea level or about 14.7 pounds per square inch (10 newtons per square centimeter)

4 : a dominant effect

— at·mo·spher·ic adjective

— at·mo·spher·i·cal·ly adverb

Synonyms

air, aura, climate, flavor, mood, note, temper—more at AURA

climate, environment, environs, medium, milieu, setting, surroundings—more at ENVIRONMENT

at·mo·sphe·rics noun plural : radio noise from atmospheric electrical phenomena

atoll noun : a coral island consisting of a reef surrounding a lagoon

at·om noun [ORIGIN: ME, fr. L atomus, fr. Gk atomos, fr. atomos indivisible, fr. a- not + temnein to cut]

1 : a tiny particle : BIT

2 : the smallest particle of a chemical element that can exist alone or in combination

Synonyms

bit, grain, granule, molecule, particle

atom·ic adjective 1 : of or relating to atoms; also : NUCLEAR 2 <~ energy>

2 : extremely small

Synonyms

infinitesimal, microscopic, miniature, minute, tiny—more at TINY

atomic bomb noun : a very destructive bomb utilizing the energy released by splitting the atom

atomic clock noun : a very precise clock regulated by the natural vibration of atoms or molecules (as of cesium)

atomic number noun : the number of protons in the nucleus of an element

atomic weight noun : the mass of one atom of an element

at·om·ize verb -ized; -iz·ing : to reduce to minute particles

Synonyms

crush, grind, powder, pulverize—more at POWDER

at·om·iz·er noun : a device for dispensing a liquid (as perfume) as a mist

atom smasher noun : ACCELERATOR 3

aton·al adjective : marked by avoidance of traditional musical tonality

— ato·nal·i·ty noun

— aton·al·ly adverb

atone verb atoned; aton·ing 1 : to make amends

2 : EXPIATE

atone·ment noun 1 : the reconciliation of God and man through the death of Jesus Christ

2 : reparation for an offense : SATISFACTION

1atop preposition : on top of

2atop adverb or adjective : on, to, or at the top

ATP noun [ORIGIN: adenosinetriphosphate]

: a compound that occurs widely in living tissue and supplies energy for many cellular processes by undergoing enzymatic hydrolysis

atri·um noun, plural atria also atri·ums 1 : the central room of a Roman house; also : an open patio or court in the center of a building (as a hotel)

2 : an anatomical cavity or passage; especially : one of the chambers of the heart that receives blood from the veins

— atri·al adjective

atro·cious adjective 1 : savagely brutal, cruel, or wicked

2 : inspiring horror, dismay, or disgust : APPALLING

3 : utterly revolting

4 : of