abate

(v) to reduce in degree or intensity   
The Band-Aid abated the bleeding from the cut in John's finger.

aberrant

(adj) straying from the right or normal way  
 Jimmy started out as a nice kid until he fell into the wrong crowd and his aberrant path eventually lead him to jail.

abeyance

(n) temporary inactivity : suspension   
The hurricane raged through the night until an abeyance came, which made us wonder if it was the eye of the storm or if it was truly over.

abscond

(v) to depart secretly and hide oneself 
The prince, sensing a coup, absconded in the night for his family's house in the countryside.

abstemious

(adj) marked by restraint especially in the consumption of food or alcohol   
The Calvinist preacher preached that his congregation would have a better chance of getting into Heaven if they were abstemious from alcohol.

accolade

(n) an expression of praise  
The valedictorian got a lot of accolades for her hard work and good grades.

acumen

(n) keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination especially in practical matters   
Donna was so full of political acumen that she became mayor of Townsville at age 24.