A Flashcards
abbreviate
(verb) to make briefer, to shorten.
Because time was running out, the speaker had to abbreviate his remarks.
abbreviation (noun)
abrasive
(adjective) irritating, grinding, rough.
The manager’s rude, abrasive way of criticizing the workers was bad for morale.
abrasion (noun)
abridge
(verb) to shorten, to reduce.
The Bill of Rights is designed to prevent Congress from abridging the rights of Americans.
abridgment (noun)
absolve
(verb) to free from guilt, to exonerate.
The criminal jury absolved Mr. Callahan of the murder of his neighbor.
absolution (noun)
abstain
(verb) to refrain, to hold back.
After his heart attack, William was warned by his doctor to abstain from smoking, drinking, and overeating.
abstinence ( noun)
abstemious (adjective)
accentuate
(verb) to emphasize, to stress.
The overcast skies and chill winds only accentuate our gloomy mood.
accentuation (noun)
acrimonious
(adjective) biting, harsh, caustic.
The election campaign became acrimonious, as the candidates traded insults and accusations.
acrimony (noun)
adaptable
(adjective) able to be changed to be suitable for a new purpose.
Some scientists say that the mammals outlived the dinosaurs because they were more adaptable to a changing climate.
adapt (verb)
adaptation (noun)
adulation
(noun) extreme admiration.
Few young actors have received greater adulation than did Marlon Brando after his performance in A Streetcar Named Desire.
adulate (verb)
adulatory (adjective)
adversary
(noun) an enemy or opponent.
When the former Soviet Union became an American ally, the United States lost a major adversary.
adversarial (adjective)
adversity
(noun) misfortune.
It’s easy to be patient and generous when things are going well; a person’s true character is revealed under adversity.
adverse (adjective)
aesthetic
(adjective) relating to art or beauty.
Mapplethorpe’s photos may be attacked on moral grounds, but no one questions their aesthetic value-they are beautiful.
aestheticism (noun)
affected
(adjective) false, artificial.
At one time, Japanese women were taught to speak in an affected high-pitched voice, which was thought girlishly attractive.
affect (verb)
affectation (noun)
aggressive
(adjective) forceful, energetic, and attacking.
Some believe that a football player needs a more aggressive style of play than a soccer player.
aggression (noun)
alacrity
(noun) promptness, speed.
Thrilled with the job offer, he accepted with alacrity-“Before they can change their minds!” he thought.
alacritous (adjective)
allege
(verb) to state without proof.
Some have alleged that Foster was murdered, but all the evidence points to suicide.
allegation (noun)
alleviate
(verb) to make lighter or more bearable.
Although no cure for AIDS has been found, doctors are able to alleviate the suffering of those with the disease.
alleviation (noun)
ambiguous
(adjective) having two or more possible meanings.
The phrase, “Let’s table that discussion” is ambiguous; some think it means, “Let’s discuss it now,” while others think it means, “Let’s save it for later.”
ambiguity (noun)
ambivalent
(adjective) having two or more contradictory feelings or attitudes; uncertain.
She was ambivalent toward her impending marriage; at times she was eager to go ahead, while at other times she wanted to call it off.
ambivalence (noun)
amiable
(adjective) likable, agreeable, friendly.
He was an amiable lab partner, always smiling, on time, and ready to work.
amiability (noun)
amicable
(adjective) friendly, peaceable.
Although they agreed to divorce, their settlement was amicable and they remained friends afterward.
amplify
(verb) to enlarge, expand, or increase.
Uncertain as to whether they understood, the students asked the teacher to amplify his explanation.
amplification (noun)
anachronistic
(adjective) out of the proper time.
The reference, in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar to “the clock striking twelve” is anachronistic, since there were no striking timepieces in ancient Rome.
anachronism (noun)
anarchy
(noun) absence of law or order.
For several months after the Nazi government was destroyed, there was no effective government in parts of Germany, and anarchy ruled.
anarchic (adjective)
anomaly
(noun) something different or irregular.
The tiny planet Pluto, orbiting next to the giants Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune, has long appeared to be an anomaly.
anomalous (adjective)
antagonism
(noun) hostility, conflict, opposition.
As more and more reporters investigated the Watergate scandal, antagonism between Nixon and the press increased.
antagonistic (adjective)
antagonize (verb)
antiseptic
(adjective) fighting infection; extremely clean.
A wound should be washed with an antiseptic solution. The all-white offices were bare and almost antiseptic in their starkness.
apathy
(noun) lack of interest, concern, or emotion.
Tom’s apathy toward his job could be seen in his lateness, his sloppy work, and his overall poor attitude.
apathetic (adjective)
arable
(adjective) able to be cultivated for growing crops.
Rocky New England has relatively little arable farmland.
arbiter
(noun) someone able to settle disputes; a judge or referee.
The public is the ultimate arbiter of commercial value; it decides what sells and what doesn’t.
arbitrary
(adjective) based on random or merely personal preference.
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
(adjective) little-known, mysterious, obscure.
Eliot’s Waste Land is filled with arcane lore, including quotations in Latin, Greek, French, German, and Sanskrit.
arcana (noun, plural)
ardor
(noun) a strong feeling of passion, energy, or zeal.
The young revolutionary proclaimed his convictions with an ardor that excited the crowd.
ardent (adjective)
arid
(adjective) very dry; boring and meaningless.
The arid climate of Arizona makes farming difficult. Some find the law a fascinating topic, but for me it is an arid discipline.
aridity (noun)
ascetic
(adjective) practicing strict self-discipline for moral or spiritual reasons.
The so-called Desert Fathers were hermits who lived an ascetic life of fasting, study, and prayer.
asceticism (verb)
assiduous
(adjective) working with care, attention, and diligence.
Although Karen is not a naturally gifted math student, by assiduous study she managed to earn an A in trigonometry.
assiduity (noun)
astute
(adjective) observant, intelligent, and shrewd.
Safire’s years of experience in Washington and his personal acquaintance with many political insiders made him an astute commentator on politics.
atypical
(adjective) not typical; unusual.
In The Razor’s Edge, Bill Murray, best known as a comic actor, gave an atypical dramatic performance.
audacious
(adjective) bold, daring, adventurous.
Her plan to cross the Atlantic single-handed in a 12-foot sailboat was audacious, if not reckless.
audacity (noun)
audible
(adjective) able to be heard.
Although she whispered, her voice was picked up by the microphone, and her words were audible throughout the theater.
audibility (noun)
auspicious
(adjective) promising good fortune; propitious.
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
(adjective) favoring or demanding blind obedience to leaders.
Despite Americans’ belief in democracy, the American government has supported authoritarian regimes in other countries.
authoritarianism (noun)
