A Flashcards
abbreviate
to make briefer, to shorten
abrasive
irritating, grinding, rough
abridge
to shorten, to reduce
absolve
to free from guilt, to exonerate.
abstain
to refrain, to hold back
accentuate
to emphasize, to stress
acrimonious
biting, harsh, caustic
adaptable
able to be changed to be suitable for a new
purpose
adulation
extreme admiration
adversary
an enemy or opponent
adversity
misfortune, difficult circumstance
aesthethic
relating to art or beauty, beautiful
affected
false, artificial
aggressive
forceful, energetic, and attacking
alacrity
promptness, speed
allege
to state without proof
alleviate
to make lighter or more bearable
ambiguous
having two or more possible meanings
ambivalent
having two or more contradictory feelings
or attitudes; uncertain
amiable
likable, agreeable, friendly
amicable
friendly, peaceable
amplify
to enlarge, expand, or increase
anachronistic
out of the proper time
ex: The reference, in
Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar to “the clock striking twelve” is
anachronistic, since there were no striking timepieces in
ancient Rome.
anarchy
anarchy
ex: For several months after
the Nazi government was destroyed, there was no ef ective
government in parts of Germany, and anarchy ruled
anomaly
something different or irregular
The tiny planet
Pluto, orbiting next to the giants Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune,
has long appeared to be an anomaly
antagonism
hostility, conflict, opposition.
EX: As more and
more reporters investigated the Watergate scandal, antagonism
between Nixon and the press increased
antiseptic
fighting infection; extremely clean.
EX: A wound
should be washed with an antiseptic solution. The all-white
of ices were bare and almost antiseptic in their starkness
apathy
lack of interest, concern, or emotion.
EX: Tom’s apathy
toward his job could be seen in his lateness, his sloppy work,
and his overall poor attitude.
arable
able to be cultivated for growing crops.
EX: Rocky
New England has relatively little arable farmland
arbiter
someone able to settle disputes; a judge or referee.
EX: The public is the ultimate arbiter of commercial value; it
decides what sells and what doesn’t.
arbitrary
based on random or merely personal
preference.
EX: Both computers cost the same and had the same
features, so in the end I made an arbitrary decision about
which one to buy.
arcane
little-known, mysterious, obscure.
EX: Eliot’s Waste
Land is filled with arcane lore, including quotations in Latin,
Greek, French, German, and Sanskrit
ardor
very dry; boring and meaningless.
EX: The arid climate
of Arizona makes farming difficult.
EX: Some find the law a
fascinating topic, but for me it is an arid discipline. a
ascetic
practicing strict self-discipline for moral or
spiritual reasons.
EX: The so-called Desert Fathers were hermits
who lived an ascetic life of fasting, study, and prayer.
assiduous
working with care, attention, and diligence.
EX: Although Karen is not a naturally gifted math student, by
assiduous study she managed to earn an A in trigonometry
astute
observant, intelligent, and shrewd.
EX: Safire’syears of experience in Washington and his personal
acquaintance with many political insiders made him an astute
commentator on politics.
atypical
not typical; unusual.
EX: In The Razor’s Edge, Bill
Murray, best known as a comic actor, gave an atypical
dramatic performance.
audacious
bold, daring, adventurous.
EX: Her plan to cross
the Atlantic single-handed in a 12-foot sailboat was audacious,
if not reckless
audible
able to be heard.
EX: Although she whispered, her
voice was picked up by the microphone, and her words were
audible throughout the theater
auspicious
promising good fortune; propitious.
EX: The
news that a team of British climbers had reached the summit of
Everest seemed an auspicious sign for the reign of newly
crowned Queen Elizabeth II.
authoritarian
favoring or demanding blind obedience
to leaders.
EX: Despite Americans’ belief in democracy, the
American government has supported authoritarian regimes in
other countries.
