a-word
To be concise
A-word is a placeholder for a taboo or sensitive word beginning with A, following the pattern of "the N-word" or "the F-word." It most commonly stands in for *abortion* in contexts where speakers avoid naming it directly, or for *ass* and *asshole* when euphemizing around children.
The construction lets people reference a word without saying it: The politician refused to use the a-word in his speech.
Not precisely determined
- articleWritten piece or grammatical word
- grammarLanguage's structural rules
- vowelUnobstructed speech sound
- consonantIn agreement with
determiner · singular · noun · pronunciation · usage · phonetics · syntax · linguistics
Of superior quality
- topUppermost part or surface
- firstPosition number one
- superiorHigher in rank
- ratingAssigned evaluative score
score · grade · marks · academic · report · achievement · assessment · performance
Short written record
- pitchFrequency of sound
- tuningAdjusting pitch accuracy
- scaleMeasure of relative size
- keyLock-opening device
concert · orchestra · frequency · tone · sharp · flat · standard · reference
Limited in size
- petiteSmall and delicate
- extra-smallSmallest standard apparel size
- clothingBody coverings worn daily
- fitProper or healthy
measurement · garment · shirt · dress · apparel · label · sizing · standard
Topical anti-aging compound
- beta-caroteneOrange plant pigment
- nutrientLife-sustaining substance
- supplementSomething added to complete
- deficiencyLack of something needed
vision · carrots · liver · eyesight · antioxidant · dietary · health · nutrition
Major road for travel
- motorwayHigh-speed divided highway
- interstateBetween political regions
- autobahnGerman expressway system
- expresswayLimited-access highway
freeway · route · designation · numbered · trunk · primary · junction · exit
indefinite
Not precisely determined
- articleWritten piece or grammatical word
- grammarLanguage's structural rules
- vowelUnobstructed speech sound
consonant · determiner · singular · noun · pronunciation · usage · phonetics · syntax · linguistics · English
excellent
Of superior quality
rating · score · grade · marks · academic · report · achievement · assessment · performance · honor
note
Short written record
key · concert · orchestra · frequency · tone · sharp · flat · standard · reference · diapason
small
Limited in size
- petiteSmall and delicate
- extra-smallSmallest standard apparel size
- clothingBody coverings worn daily
fit · measurement · garment · shirt · dress · apparel · label · sizing · standard · women
retinol
Topical anti-aging compound
- beta-caroteneOrange plant pigment
- nutrientLife-sustaining substance
- supplementSomething added to complete
deficiency · vision · carrots · liver · eyesight · antioxidant · dietary · health · nutrition · daily
highway
Major road for travel
- motorwayHigh-speed divided highway
- interstateBetween political regions
- autobahnGerman expressway system
expressway · freeway · route · designation · numbered · trunk · primary · junction · exit · driving
a-wordasshole
Crude insult or anatomy
ass · explicit language · direct speech · blunt talk · profanity