Oxford Basic American Dictionary

as • sess AWL / a 'ses / verb ( as . sess . es , as . sess . ing , as . sessed )

to judge how good, bad, or important something is It's difficult to assess the effects of the price increases.

as • sess • ment AWL| / a ' sesmant / noun [ count, noncount ]

I made a careful assessment of the risks involved.

as • set / ' reset / noun [ count ]

a person or thing that is useful to someone or something She's a great asset to the organization.

as • sign AWL| / a 'sain / verb ( as . signs , as . sign ing , as signed )

to give someone a particular job to do

The teacher assigned us four pages of math homework.

as • sign • mentaw / a ' sainmant / [ count, noncount ]

a job or piece of work that someone is given to do

You have to complete three writing assignments each

semester.

a reporter on assignment in Mexico (= working there )

as • sist AWL / a ' sist / verb ( as . sists , as . sist . ing , as . sist . ed ) ( formal )

to help someone

The driver assisted her with her suitcases.

as • sis • tance awl / a' sistans / noun

[ noncount ] ( formal ) help

I cannot move this piano without your assistance.

as • sis • tantAWL / a ' sistant / noun [ count ]

a person who helps someone in a more important position Ms. Dixon is not here today. Would you like to speak to her assistant?

as • so • ci • ate 1 / a ' sou/i^t / verb

( as . so . ci ates, as . so . ci . at ing, as . so . ci at ed )

to make a connection between things or people in your mind

Most people associate Colorado with snow and skiing. These illnesses are associated with smoking.

to spend time with someone

as • so • ci • ate 2 / a ' soujiat / noun [ count ]

( business ) a person that you know through your work a business associate

as • so • ci • ate's de • gree

/ э 'soujbts di,gri / ( also as . so . ci . ate de . gree ) noun [count]

a degree that you get after studying for two years at a college or university in the U.S.

— Look at bachelor's degree .

as • so • ci • a • tion / .^sousi' eijn / noun

[ count ]

a group of people who join or work together for a special reason

the American Medical Association

as • sort • ed / э ' sэrtэd / adjective

of different types; mixed a box of assorted chocolates

as • sume AWL / э 'sum / verb ( as . sumes , as sum . ing , as . sumed )

to think that something is true although you are not really sure

Kate isn't here today, so I assume that she's sick.

as • sump • tion awl / э' sAmpjn / noun

[ count ]

something that you think is true, although you are not really sure

It's unfair to make assumptions about a person before you get to know them.

as • sure awl / э 'jur / verb

(as.sures,as . sur. ing ,as.sured)

to tell someone what is true or certain so that they feel less worried

I assure you that the dog isn't dangerous.

as • ter • isk / ' жstэrIsk / noun [ count ]

( english language arts ) the symbol (*) that you use to

make people notice something in a piece of writing

as • ter • oid / ' жstэrэId / noun [ count ]

any of the many small planets that go around the sun asth • ma / ' жzmэ / noun [noncount]

( health ) an illness that makes breathing difficult He had an asthma attack. ► asth • mat • ic / ®z' mretik / adjective

My daughter is asthmatic.