268. assuage : ease; lessen Your messages of cheer should assuage her suffering. 269. assumption : something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of The young princess made the foolish assumption that the regent would not object to her Assumption of power. 270. assurance : promise or pledge; certainty; self-confidence When Gutherie gave Guiness his assurance that rehearsals were going well,he spoke with such assurance that Guiness was convinced. 274. astringent : binding; causing contraction; harsh or severe The astringent quality of unsweetened lemon juice made swallowing difficult. 278. asylum : place of refuge or shelter; protectionwww.examda.com The refugees sought asylum from religious persecution in a new land. 279. asymmetric : not identical on both sides of a dividing central line Because one eyebrow was set markedly higher than the other, Williams face had a particularly asymmetric appearance. 281. atheistic : denying the existence of God His atheistic remarks shocked the religious worshippers. 285. attenuate : make thin; weaken By withdrawing their forces, the generals hoped to attenuate the enemy lines. 286. attest : testify; bear witness |