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      arable

      ADJECTIVE Arable land is used for growing crops.

      arc arcs

      NOUN 1 a smoothly curving line

      2 In geometry, an arc is a section of the circumference of a circle.

      arcade arcades

      NOUN a covered passageway where there are shops or market stalls

      arch arches, arching, arched

      NOUN 1 a structure that has a curved top, supported on either side by a pillar or wall

      VERB 2 If something arches, or if you arch it, it forms a curved line or shape. • The cat arched its back.

      archaeology; also spelt archeology

      NOUN the study of the past by digging up and examining the remains of things such as buildings, tools, and pots

      [from Greek arkhaios meaning ancient]

      archbishop archbishops

      NOUN a bishop of the highest rank in a Christian Church • the Archbishop of Canterbury

      archery

      NOUN a sport in which people shoot at a target with a bow and arrow

      architect architects

      NOUN a person who designs buildings

      architecture

      NOUN the art or practice of designing buildings

      arctic

      NOUN 1 The Arctic is the region north of the Arctic Circle.

      ADJECTIVE 2 very cold indeed • You need specially warm clothes for arctic conditions.

      are

      VERB a present tense of be

      area areas

      NOUN 1 a particular part of a place, country, or the world • a built-up area of the city

      SYNONYMS: district, region, zone

      2 the measurement of a flat surface • The area of the playground is 1500 square metres (1500 m2).

      arena arenas

      NOUN a place where sports and other public events take place

      [from Latin harena meaning sand, because of the sandy centre of an amphitheatre where gladiators fought]

      aren’t

      VERB a contraction of are not

      argue argues, arguing, argued

      VERB 1 If you argue with someone about something, you disagree with them about it, sometimes in an angry way.

      2 If you argue that something is true, you give reasons why you think that it is.

      argument arguments

      NOUN a talk between people who do not agree

      arid

      ADJECTIVE Arid land is very dry because there has been very little rain.

      ANTONYM: fertile

      arise arises, arising, arose, arisen

      VERB When something such as an opportunity or a problem arises, it begins to exist.

      aristocrat aristocrats

      NOUN someone whose family has a high social rank, and who has a title such as Lord or Lady

      aristocratic ADJECTIVE aristocracy NOUN

      arithmetic

      NOUN the part of mathematics that is to do with the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of numbers

      [from Greek arithmos meaning number]

      arithmetical ADJECTIVE

      arithmetically ADVERB

      arm arms, arming, armed

      NOUN 1 the part of your body between your shoulder and your wrist

      PLURAL NOUN 2 Arms are weapons used in a war.

      VERB 3 If a country arms itself, it prepares for war.

      armada armadas

      NOUN a large fleet of warships • The Spanish Armada was the fleet sent to destroy the English in 1588.

      armchair armchairs

      NOUN a large chair with a support on each side for your arms

      armistice armistices

      NOUN In war, an armistice is an agreement to stop fighting.

      armour

      NOUN 1 In the past, armour was metal clothing worn for protection in battle.

      2 In modern warfare, tanks are often referred to as armour.

      army armies

      NOUN a large group of soldiers who are trained to fight on land

      aroma aromas

      NOUN a strong, pleasant smell

      [a Greek word meaning spice]

      aromatic ADJECTIVE

      around

      PREPOSITION 1 situated at various points in a place or area • There are several post boxes around the town.

      2 from place to place inside an area • We walked around the stalls at the summer fair.

      3 surrounding or encircling a place or object • We were sitting around the table.

      4 at approximately the time or place mentioned • The jumble sale began around noon.

      arrange arranges, arranging, arranged

      VERB 1 If you arrange to do something, or arrange something for someone, you make plans for it or make it possible. • I arranged to meet him later. • Dad arranged a trip to the circus for us.

      2 If you arrange objects, you set them out in a particular way. • We arranged the books in alphabetical order.

      array arrays

      NOUN 1 a large number of different things displayed together

      2 a mathematical way of grouping. For example, 3 × 2 is shown as ::: and 2 × 3 is shown as ⋮⋮.

      arrest arrests, arresting, arrested

      VERB 1 If the police arrest someone, they take them to a police station because they believe they may have committed a crime.

      NOUN 2 An arrest is the act of arresting someone.

      arrive arrives, arriving, arrived

      VERB 1 When you arrive at a place, you reach it at the end of your journey.

      2 When you arrive at a decision you make up your mind.

      arrival NOUN

      arrogant

      ADJECTIVE Arrogant people behave as if they are better than other people.

      arrow arrows

      NOUN a long, thin weapon with a sharp point at one end, shot from a bow

      arsenal arsenals

      NOUN a place where weapons and ammunition are stored or produced

      arsenic

      NOUN a strong, dangerous poison that can kill

      arson