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1
Q

Abate

A

v. to become less active, less intense, or less in amount

As I began my speech, my feelings of nervousness quickly abated.

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2
Q

Abstract

A

adj. existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality

Julie had trouble understanding the appeal of the abstract painting.

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3
Q

Abysmal

A

adj. extremely bad

I got an abysmal grade on my research paper!

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4
Q

Accordingly

A

adv. in accordance with

All students must behave accordingly.

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5
Q

Acquisition

A

n. the act of gaining a skill or possession of something

Language acquisition is easier for kids than it is for adults.

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6
Q

Adapt

A

v. to make suit a new purpose
v. to accommodate oneself to a new condition, setting, or situation

The US has adapted many foreign foods to better suit the tastes of Americans.
Dogs are known for their ability to quickly adapt to their environments.

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7
Q

Adept

A

adj. having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area)

Beth loves playing the piano, but she’s especially adept at the violin.

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8
Q

Adequate

A

adj. having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose

Though his resume was adequate, the company doubted whether he’d be a good fit.

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9
Q

Advent

A

n. the arrival or creation of something (usu. historic)

The world has never been the same since the advent of the light bulb.

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10
Q

Adversarial

A

adj. relating to hostile opposition

An adversarial attitude will make you many enemies in life.

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11
Q

Advocate

A

n. someone who promotes or defends something
v. to defend or promote something (usu. a belief, theory, opinion, etc.)

I am an advocate for free higher education.
Environmental protesters often advocate for cleaner energy practices.

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12
Q

Aesthetic

A

adj. relating to beauty or refined taste

The aesthetic decorations at the wedding reception made you feel as if you were a character in a fairy tale.

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13
Q

Afford

A

v. to be able to buy
v. to be able to spare

He’s saving money so he can afford to buy a new car.
I can’t afford to lose any more pencils!

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14
Q

Agitate

A

v. to promote something (usu. a cause)

They’re agitating for better health care.

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15
Q

Allow

A

v. to permit or consent to

US law allows citizens to speak freely.

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16
Q

Allude

A

v. to make a secretive mention of something

She alluded to the problem at hand but didn’t say anything more about it.

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17
Q

Altercation

A

n. a noisy argument or confrontation

Greg got into an altercation with a stranger at the bar.

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18
Q

Ambiguous

A

adj. unclear or vague in meaning

Her ambiguous statement made me question whether she could be trusted.

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19
Q

Ambitious

A

adj. having a powerful desire for success or achievement

Penny is so ambitious, she wants to be president someday.

20
Q

Ambivalence

A

n. the state of being uncertain or stuck between two or more options

His ambivalence prevented him from immediately signing the contract.

21
Q

Analogous

A

adj. similar but not identical

Green onions are considered analogous to spring onions.

22
Q

Annihilate

A

v. to destroy or cause devastating destruction

The dictator sent orders to annihilate the group of rebels.

23
Q

Anomaly

A

n. something different from the norm

This result is an anomaly and very rarely happens.

24
Q

Anticipate

A

v. assume to be likely to happen

The party was just as fun as I had anticipated it would be.

25
Q

Antipathy

A

n. a strong feeling of dislike

Her antipathy toward the professor was obvious: she rolled her eyes whenever he entered the classroom.

26
Q

Apex

A

n. the highest point of something

The spring play was the apex of our school year.

27
Q

Apprehension

A

n. the fearful expectation of something

Her apprehension to leave her house resulted in her missing the train.

28
Q

Articulate

A

v. to clearly express in words

She articulated her opinion on the price of the house.

29
Q

Artificial

A

adj. something made; not occurring naturally

Many candies use artificial flavors to make them taste fruity.

30
Q

Assertion

A

n. a strong declaration

His assertion that sharks are mammals made everyone laugh.

31
Q

Austere

A

adj. extremely plain
adj. stern and forbidding
adj. relating to self-denial

He lived in a small, austere cabin in the middle of the woods.
My boss had an austere expression on her face.
An austere lifestyle, like that of monks, isn’t for everybody.

32
Q

Authenticity

A

n. the quality of being real and true instead of fake and contrived

The police officer doubted the authenticity of the suspect’s story.

33
Q

Avenue

A

n. an intangible path or approach to something

The company has decided to pursue other avenues.

34
Q

Avid

A

adj. actively interested in or enthusiastic about something

Gerald is an avid soccer fan.

35
Q

Adduce

A

transitive verb

: to offer as example, reason, or proof in discussion or analysis
adduce evidence in support of a theory

36
Q

Anaphora

A

noun

1: repetition of a word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, sentences, or verses especially for rhetorical or poetic effect
Lincoln’s “we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground” is an example of anaphora

2: use of a grammatical substitute (such as a pronoun or a pro-verb) to refer to the denotation of a preceding word or group of words
also : the relation between a grammatical substitute and its antecedent

37
Q

Accrue

A

to increase in number or amount over a period of time:
Interest will accrue on the account at a rate of seven percent.
Little benefit will accrue to the city (= it will receive little benefit) from the new transport links.

38
Q

Ameliorate

A

ameliorate

verb
3rd person present: ameliorates
make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better.
“the reform did much to ameliorate living standards”

39
Q

Accentuate

A

verb
accentuated; accentuating
Definition of accentuate

: to make (something) more prominent or noticeable : ACCENT, EMPHASIZE
With her hair in tight curls that accentuate her pale beauty, she seems lit from within.
— Peter Travers
trying to accentuate the positive aspects of the program
also : INTENSIFY
accentuates the feeling of despair

40
Q

Antagonist

A

antagonist

noun: antagonist; plural noun: antagonists
1.a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.
“he turned to confront his antagonist”

2.BIOCHEMISTRY
a substance which interferes with or inhibits the physiological action of another.
“LSD is a serotonin antagonist”

3.ANATOMY
a muscle whose action counteracts that of another specified muscle.

41
Q

Apposition

A

noun
noun: apposition; plural noun: appositions
1.TECHNICAL
the positioning of things side by side or close together.

2.GRAMMAR
a relationship between two or more words or phrases in which the two units are grammatically parallel and have the same referent (e.g. my friend Sue ; the first US president, George Washington ).

42
Q

Analogue

A

adjective: analogue; adjective: analog
relating to or using signals or information represented by a continuously variable physical quantity such as spatial position, voltage, etc.
“analogue signals”

(of a clock or watch) showing the time by means of hands or a pointer rather than displayed digits.

not involving or relating to the use of computer technology, as a contrast to a digital counterpart.
“old-school analogue paper map skills”

noun: analogue; plural noun: analogues; noun: analog; plural noun: analogs
a person or thing seen as comparable to another.
“an interior analogue of the exterior world”

CHEMISTRY
a compound with a molecular structure closely similar to that of another.
“thioacids are sulphur analogues of oxyacids

43
Q

Ascertain

A

verb: ascertain; 3rd person present: ascertains; past tense: ascertained; past participle: ascertained; gerund or present participle: ascertaining

find (something) out for certain; make sure of.
“an attempt to ascertain the cause of the accident”

44
Q

Aggrieved

A

adjective
feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated.
“they were aggrieved at the outcome”

45
Q

Adequateness

A

noun. The quality or state of being satisfactory, acceptable, or suitable in quality or quantity; adequacy.

46
Q

Antecede

A

verb
verb: antecede; 3rd person present: antecedes; past tense: anteceded; past participle: anteceded; gerund or present participle: anteceding

come before (something) in time, order, or position; precede.
"investigative reporting long antecedes the invention of miniature cameras"
47
Q

Allegiance

A

noun: allegiance; plural noun: allegiances
loyalty or commitment to a superior or to a group or cause.
“those wishing to receive citizenship must swear allegiance to the republic”

Vocabulary (22 decks)

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