10/16-10/23 Flashcards
ABDICATE
Definition: To give up a position,right,or power
Example: With the angry mob clamoring outside the place, the king ABDICATED his throne and fled with his queen.
Synonyms: quit,resign,renounce,step down
ABDUCT
Definition: to carry, take, or lead away forcefully and wrongfully
Example: The kidnappers planned to ABDUCT the child and hole her for ransom.
Synonyms: kidnap, carry off
ABHOR
Definition: to hate,to view with repugnance, to detest
Example: After repeated failure to learn the Pythagorean theorem, Susan began to ABHOR geometry.
Synonyms: hate, loathe, abominate
ABSURD
Definition: ridiculously unreasonable, lacking logic
Example: Ironing one’s underwear is ABSURD.
Synonyms: ridiculous, ludicrous, preposterous,bizarre
ABYSS
Definition: deep hole, deep immeasurable space, gulf, or cavity
Example: Looking down into the ABYSS was terrifying, for I could not see the bottom.
Synonyms: chasm, pit
ACCELERATE
Definition: to increase speed, cause to move faster
Example: The new disease has spread like wildfire, causing researcher to ACCELERATE their search for a cure.
Synonyms: speed up, hasten, expedite
ACCLAIM
(n) Definition: praise, enthusiastic approval
Example: The artist won an international ACCLAIM; critics and viewers all over the world were intrigued by the works.
Synonyms: praise, approval
————————————–
(v) Definition: to approve, to welcome with applause and praise
Example: The critic was eager to acclaim the actress for her performance.
Synonyms: cheer, applaud,praise,honor
ACUTE
Definition: sharp in some was (as in an acute angle) or sharp in intellect, crucial
Example: There is an ACUTE shortage of food will ultimately result in a famine if something is not done soon to increase the food supply.
Synonyms: perceptive, sharp, keen, shrewd, crucial
ADAGE
Definition: old saying, proverb
Example: “A penny saved is a penny earned” is a popular adage.
Synonyms: proverb, maxim
ADHERE
Definition: to stick fast; to hold to
Example: (1) After we put glue on his pants, John ADHERED to the chair.
(2) He was a strict Catholic who ADHERED to all the teachings of the Church.
Synonyms: stick to (like glue or adhesive tape); follow
ADJOURN
Definition: to postpone; to suspend (a meeting) for a period of time
Example: Since it was late in the day, the prosecutor moved that the court adjourn for the day.
Synonyms: suspend, recess, postpone
ADJUNCT
Definition: something or someone associated with another but in a defendant or secondary position
Example: An adjunct professor is one not given the same full-time status as other faculty members.
Synonyms: additional, supporting, assisting, accessory
ADMONISH
Definition: to scold (sometimes in a good natured way); to urge to duty, remind; to advise against something
Example: My mother began to ADMONISH me about my poor grades.
Synonyms: warm, caution, scold
ADORN
Definition: to decorate or add beauty to, for instance with ornaments; to make pleasing, more attractive
Example: She ADORNED her hair with flowers.
Synonyms: decorate, ornament, embellish
ADVERSARY
Definition: opponent or enemy
Example: Democrats and Republicans are usually adversaries in the political world.
Synonyms: enemy, foe,opponent
AERONAUTIC
Definition: relating to aircraft
Example: The Air Force’s Stealth plane is reported to be a masterpiece or aeronautic design.
Synonyms: —
AFFABLE
Definition: pleasantly easy to get along with; friendly and warm
Example: He was an affable host and made us feel right at home.
Synonyms: agreeable, amiable
AFFECTATION
Definition: attempt to appear to be what one is not for the purpose of impressing others (for instance, pretending to have a pretentiously cultured accent)
Example: Justin once spent three months in France and has now acquired the silly AFFECTATION of using French phrases in casual conversation.
Synonyms: pretension, unnaturalness, artificiality, mannerism, pretense, airs, sham, facade, pose, posture
AGHAST
Definition: overcome by surprise, disgust, or amazement; seized with terror; shocked
Example: Thee investigator was AGHAST at the horrible conditions in the nursing home.
Synonyms: astounded, dismayed, appalled, astonished, shocked
AGILITY
Definition: condition of being able to move quickly and easily or being mentally alert
Example: Strength and AGILITY are important for an athlete.
Synonyms: skillfulness, dexterity, nimbleness
AGITATE
Definition: to shake or grow excited; to move around a lot, to disturb or excite emotionally
Example: The bat’s flight into the classroom manage to AGITATE the teacher so much that he went home early.
Synonyms: disturb, upset, stir up (like washing machine)
AIMLESS
Definition: lacking purpose or goals
Example: After is engine died, the boat drifted AIMLESSLY for days.
Synonyms: purposeless, haphazard, accidental
ALLEVIATE
Definition: to make easier to bear, lessen
Example: This medicine will help to ALLEVIATE the pain.
Synonyms: relieve, allay, assuage, ease, decrease, lessen, mitigate
ALLURE
Definition: fascination, appeal
Example: Video games have an allure that some people find impossible to resist.
Synonyms: temptation, attraction, fascination
ALOOF
Definition: distant relations with other people
Example: The newcomers remained ALOOF from all our activities and therefore made no new friends.
Synonyms: detached, cool, blase, remote
ALTRUISTIC
Definition: condemned for the wealth of others
Example: The ALTRUISTIC woman gave out money to all who seemed needy.
Synonyms: benevolent, charitable, compassionate, humane
AMATEUR
(n)Definition: someone not paid to engage in a hobby, sport, art, etc.
Example: Since professionals couldn’t play, only AMATEUR athletes were allowed to participate in the Olympics.
Synonyms: devotee, dabbler, enthusiast, buff, nonprofessional (adj) like an amateur
Example: The brilliant author James Joyce was an amateur singer.
AMEND
Definition: to improve; to alter; to add to, or subtract from by formal procedure
Example: Congress will AMEND the bill so that the president will sign it.
Synonyms: alter, improve, repair, mend, make better, ameliorate
AMOROUS
Definition: having to do with love
Example: The love-sick young poet wrote many AMOROUS poems about his girlfriend.
Synonyms: romantic, erotic
AMORPHOUS
Definition: lacking a specific shape
Example: In the movie The Blob, the creature was an AMORPHOUS one that was constantly changing shape.
Synonyms: shapeless, vague
AMPHIBIAN
Definition: animal at home both on land and in the water.
Example: A frog, which lives both on land and in the water, is an AMPHIBIAN.
ANGULAR
Definition: having clear angles or then and bony facial features.
Example: The figures on the left side of the painting are very ANGULAR, whereas the figures on the right are rounded.
Synonyms: lanky, gaunt, bony
ANIMOSITY
Definition:feeling of ill will, intense dislike for someone or something
Example: The deep-rooted ANIMOSITY between them made it difficult for the brothers to work together.
Synonyms: ill-will, ill feeling, bitterness, rancor acrimony
ANNIHILATE
Definition: to destroy completely
Example: The first troops to land on the beach during the invasion were ANNIHILATED by the powerful artillery of the enemy.
Synonyms: destroy, devastate, demolish
ANTIDOTE
Definition: remedy to relieve the effects of poison
Example: The first aid kit included an ANTIDOTE for snake bite.
Synonyms: remedy, counteragent, neutralizer
APERTURE
Definition: opening
Example: The APERTURE of a camera lens is a circular opening of variable diameter that regulates the amount of light entering the lens.
Synonyms: hole, gap, space, opening, crack
AQUEOUS
Definition: similar to, or composed of water
Example: The inside of an eyeball is filled with an AQUEOUS substance.
Synonyms: watery, aquatic, hydrous, liquid
ARDENT
Definition: characterized by passion or desire
Example: After a 25-game losing streak, even the Mets’ most ARDENT fans realized the team wouldn’t finish first.
Synonyms: passionate, enthusiastic, fervent
ARID
Definition: very dry, lacking moisture; unproductive, imaginative
Example: The ARID farmland produced no crops.
Synonyms: dry, parched, barren, dull, uninteresting, insipid
AROMA
Definition: pleasing fragrance; any odor or smell
Example: The AROMA in the bakery made her mouth water
Synonyms: smell, fragrance, odor
