Chapter A Flashcards
abate
(v) grow less in intensity or degree
ex: Rather than leave immediately and be drenched, they waited for the storm to abate
Synonyms: subside, decrease
abridge
(v) reduce (a text) in length
ex: Because Webster’s dictionary had grown so large and unwieldy, the publishers decided to abridge it and bring out a condensed version.
Synonyms: condense, shorten
abstract
(adj) not concrete
ex: To John, who had never missed a meal, hunger was an abstract concept, one he understood only in theory.
Synonyms: theoretical, conceptual
abstruse
(adj) difficult to understand
ex: Baffled by the abstruse philosophical texts assigned in class, Dave asked Lexy to explain Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason.
Synonyms: obscure, profound
accessible
(adj) able to be reached
ex: We asked our guide whether the ruins were accessible on foot.
Synonyms: approachable, obtainable
aclaim
(v) announce with great approval
Announcing the Olympic Games, the sport casters acclaimed every American victory and grumbled every American defeat.
Synonyms: applaud, praise
accommodation
(n) 1. provision of housing, 2. settlement or compromise , 3. process of adjusting to someone or something.
acquiesce
(v) agree without protesting
acrid
(adj) sharply bitter in taste or odor
acrimonious
(adj) bitter in words or manner
acute
(adj) quickly perceptive; keen; brief and severe
adherent
(n) someone who follows a leader or supports a cause
adroit
(adj) having skill or
resourcefulness in coping with situations
adversary
(n) one who resists or opposes
adverse
(adj) unfavorable; preventing success
