A Flashcards
What is an abacus?
A frame with rows of wires or grooves along which beads are slid, used for calculating.
What does it mean to abase?
To lower in position, estimation, or the like; degrade.
What does abate mean?
To lessen, to subside.
What is an abbey?
The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling-place of a society of monks or nuns.
What does it mean to abdicate?
To give up (royal power or the like).
What is abdication?
Giving up control, authority.
What is the abdomen?
Stomach and bowels.
What does abdominal mean?
Of, pertaining to, or situated in the abdomen.
What is abduction?
Carrying away of a person against his will, or illegally.
What does abed mean?
In bed; on a bed.
What is an aberration?
Straying away from what is normal.
What does abet mean?
To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offence).
What is abeyance?
Suspended action; temporarily suspended or not used.
What does abhor mean?
To hate, to detest.
What is abhorrence?
The act of detesting extremely.
What does abhorrent mean?
Very repugnant; hateful.
What is abidance?
An abiding. A noun derivative of the verb abide.
What does abide mean?
Accept or observe (a rule or decision), endure.
What does abject mean?
Extremely unpleasant and degrading.
What does abjure mean?
Promise or swear to give up.
What is ablution?
A washing or cleansing, especially of the body.
What does abnegate mean?
To renounce (a right or privilege).
What does abnormal mean?
Not conformed to the ordinary rule or standard.
What does abominable mean?
Very hateful.
What does abominate mean?
To hate violently.
What is an abomination?
A very detestable act or practice.
What does abrade mean?
To wear away the surface or some part of by friction.
What is abrasion?
Rubbing, scraping, wearing off.
What does abrasive mean?
Harsh or rough.
What does abridge mean?
To make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaving out minor aspects.
What is an abridgment?
A condensed form, as of a book or play.
What does abrogate mean?
Repeal or annul by authority.
What does abrupt mean?
Beginning, ending, or changing suddenly or with a break.
What is an abscess?
A collection of pus in a cavity formed within some tissue of the body.
What does abscond mean?
To go away suddenly (to avoid arrest).
What is absence?
The fact of not being present or available.
What does absent-minded mean?
Lacking in attention to immediate surroundings or business.
What is absolution?
Forgiveness, or passing over of offences.
What does absolve mean?
To free from sin or its penalties.
What is absorption?
The act or process of absorbing.
What does abstain mean?
To keep oneself back (from doing or using something).
What does abstemious mean?
Characterised by self denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink, food etc.
What is abstinence?
Self denial.
What does abstruse mean?
Difficult to comprehend; obscure.
What does absurd mean?
Inconsistent with reason or common sense.
What does abundant mean?
Plentiful.
What does abusive mean?
Employing harsh words or ill treatment.
What does abysmal mean?
Immeasurably low or wretched, bottomless.
What is an abyss?
Bottomless gulf.
What does academic mean?
Of or pertaining to an academy, college, or university.
What is an academician?
A member of an academy of literature, art, or science.
What is an academy?
Any institution where the higher branches of learning are taught.
What does accede mean?
To agree.
What does accentuate mean?
Give more force or attention to.
What is access?
A way of approach or entrance; passage.
What does accessible mean?
Approachable.
What is accession?
Induction or elevation, as to dignity, office, or government.
What is an accessory?
A person or thing that aids the principal.
What does it mean to acclaim?
To utter with a shout.
What does acclaimed mean?
Praise enthusiastically and publicly.
What is an accolade?
Praise, approval.
What does it mean to accommodate?
To furnish something as a kindness or favour.
What is an accompaniment?
A subordinate part or parts, enriching or supporting the leading part.
What does it mean to accompany?
To go with, or be associated with, as a companion.
What is an accomplice?
An associate in wrong-doing.
What does it mean to accomplish?
To bring to pass.
What is an accordion?
A portable free-reed musical instrument.
What does it mean to accost?
Approach and address boldly.
What is an account?
A record or statement of receipts and expenditures, or of business transactions.
What does it mean to accredit?
To give credit or authority to.
What is accretion?
The growing of separate things into one.
What does it mean to accumulate?
To become greater in quantity or number.
What does accurate mean?
Conforming exactly to truth or to a standard.
What does accursed mean?
Doomed to evil, misery, or misfortune.
What is an accusation?
A charge of crime, misdemeanour or error.
What does accusatory mean?
Of, pertaining to, or involving an accusation.
What does it mean to accuse?
To charge with wrong doing, misconduct, or error.
What does it mean to accustom?
To make familiar by use.
What is acerbity?
Sourness, bitterness.
What does acetic mean?
Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of vinegar.
What does achromatic mean?
Colourless.
What is an acid?
A sour substance.
What does it mean to acidify?
To change into acid.
What does it mean to acknowledge?
To recognise; to admit the genuineness or validity of.
What is acknowledgment?
Recognition.
What is an acme?
The highest point or summit.
What does acoustic mean?
Pertaining to the act or sense of hearing.
What does it mean to acquaint?
To make familiar or conversant.
What is an acquaintance?
A person one knows slightly.
What does it mean to acquiesce?
Agree (without protest).
What is acquiescence?
Passive consent.
What does it mean to acquire?
To get as one’s own.
What is an acquisition?
Something acquired.
What does it mean to acquit?
To free or clear, as from accusation.
What is an acquittal?
A discharge from accusation by judicial action.
What is acreage?
Quantity or extent of land, especially of cultivated land.
What does acrid mean?
Harshly pungent or bitter.
What does acrimonious mean?
Full of bitterness.
What is acrimony?
Sharpness or bitterness of speech or temper.
What does actionable mean?
Affording cause for instituting an action, as in the case of trespass, or slanderous words.
What is actuality?
Any reality.
What is an actuary?
An officer, as of an insurance company, who calculates and states the risks and premiums.
What does it mean to actuate?
To move or incite to action.
What is acumen?
Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination.
What does acute mean?
Having fine and penetrating discernment; critical and serious.
What does adamant mean?
Inflexible, unwilling to change one’s mind or be open to persuasion.
What is an addendum?
Something added, or to be added.
What does it mean to addle?
To make inefficient or worthless; muddle and confuse.
What does it mean to adduce?
To bring forward or name for consideration.
What does it mean to adhere?
Remain faithful, stick fast to.
What is adherence?
Attachment.
What is adhesion?
Adhering, support.
What is adieu?
Good-bye; farewell.
What is adjacency?
The state of being adjacent.
What does adjacent mean?
Lying near, next to.
What does adjudge mean?
To award or bestow by formal decision.
What is an adjunct?
Something joined to or connected with another thing, but holding a subordinate place.
What is an adjuration?
A vehement appeal.
What does adjutant mean?
Auxiliary, aide.
What is an administrator?
One who manages affairs of any kind.
What does admissible mean?
Having the right or privilege of entry.
What is admittance?
Entrance, or the right or permission to enter.
What does it mean to admonish?
To warn of a fault.
What is admonition?
Gentle reproof.
What is ado?
Unnecessary activity or ceremony.
What is adoration?
Profound devotion.
What does it mean to adorn?
Add beauty; decorate.
What does adroit mean?
Having skill in the use of the bodily or mental powers.
What is an adulterant?
An adulterating substance.
What does it mean to adulterate?
To make impure by the admixture of other or baser ingredients.
