ESSENTIALS A-B Flashcards
abate
to decrease or reduce; (of something unpleasant or severe) become less intense or widespread:
subside, lessen, ease, diminish, moderate, decline, fade, dwindle, slacken, recede, cool off, tail off, peter out, taper off, wane, ebb, relent, desist, weaken
abdicate
to give up a position, right or power
aberrant
deviating from what is normal
abeyance
temporary suppression or suspension
abject
miserable; pitiful
abjure
to reject; abandon formally
abscission
the act of cutting; the natural separation of a leaf or other part of a plant
abscond
to depart secretly
abstemious
moderate in appetite
abstinence
the giving up of certain pleasures
abysmal
very bad
accretion
growth in size or increase in amount
accrue
to accumulate; grow by additions
adamant
unyielding; uncompromising
adjunct
something added, attached, or joined
admonish
to caution or reprimand
adulterate
to corrupt or make impure
aesthetic
relating to beauty or art
affected
pretentious, phony
affinity
fondness; liking; similarity
aggrandize
to increase the power, status, or wealth of.
aggregate
adj. amounting to a whole; total v. collect into a mass
alacrity
cheerful willingness; eagerness; speed
allay
to lessen; ease; soothe
alleviate
to relieve; improve partially; make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.
allure
the power to entice by charm
amalgamate
to combine into a unified whole
ambiguous
unclear or doubtful in meaning
ambivalence
the state of having conflicting emotional attitudes
ambrosia
something delicious; the food of gods
ameliorate
to improve
amenable
agreeable; cooperative; suited
amenity
something that increases comfort
amulet
ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
anachronism
something out of the proper time
analgesic
medication that reduces or eliminates pain
analogous
comparable
anarchy
absence of goverment
anodyne
something that calms or soothes pain
anomalous
irregular; deviating from the norm
antecedent
something that comes before
antediluvian
prehistoric
antipathy
dislike; hostility
apathy
indifference
apex
the highest point; peak, summit, pinnacle
apogee
the highest point in the development of something; a climax or culmination
apothegm
a terse, witty saying
appease
to calm; pacify; placate
appellation
name or title
apposite
strikingly appropriate and relevant
apprise
to inform
approbation
praise or approval
appropriate
to take possession for one’s own use; confiscate
apropos
prep. (of) with reference to, with regard to, with respect to
adj. very appropriate to a particular situation
ardor
great enthusiasm or passion
arduous
extremely difficult; laborious; involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring
argot
a specialized vocabulary used by a group
arrest
to stop; to seize
artifact
item made by human craft
ascetic
one who practices self-denial
asperity
severity; harshness; irritability; harshness of tone or manner
aspersion
slander; false rumor
assuage
- make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense 2. satisfy (an appetite or desire).
astringent
sharp or severe in manner or style; harsh
attenuate
to weaken (mitigate, abate, mollify, relieve, mollify, assuage)
audacious
bold; daring
austere
stern; unadorned
autonomous
self-governing; independent
avarice
greed
aver
to affirm; declare to be true
avocation
a hobby or minor occupation
avuncular
like an uncle, benevolent and tolerant
axiomatic
taken for granted; self-evident or unquestionable
abolish
formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution). (exterminate, eliminate, terminate, eradicate)
abhor
regard with disgust and hatred
abnegate
renounce or reject (something desired or valuable)
abduct
take (someone) away illegally by force or deception; kidnap
abominable
very bad; terrible
abominate
detest; loathe
abortive
- failing to produce the intended result (failed, unsuccessful)
- (of a virus infection) failing to produce symptoms
abrasive
- (of a substance or material) capable of polishing or cleaning a hard surface by rubbing or grinding
- showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh
abridge
shorten (a book, film, speech, etc.) without losing the sense
absolve
declare (someone) free from guilt, obligation, or punishment (exonerate, discharge, acquit, exculpate, vindicate)
acquit
free (someone) from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty
acquiesce
accept something reluctantly but without protest
aggravate
make (a problem, injury, or offense) worse or more serious
allegiance
loyalty or commitment to a superior or to a group or cause
aloof
not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant
annul
declare invalid (an official agreement, decision, or result)
abase
lower; degrade; humiliate
abash
embarrass
abolish
cancel; put an end to
abrogate
abolish
abstruse
obscure; profound; difficult to understand
abyss
enormous chasm; vast, bottomless
acclaim
applaud; announce with great approval
acclimate
adjust to climate or environment; adapt
acclivity
sharp upslope of a hill
accomplice
partner in crime
accost
approach and speak first to a person
acidulous
slightly sour; sharp; caustic
acme
peak; pinnacle; highest point
acquittal
deliverance from a discharge
acrimonious
bitter in words and manner
acuity
sharpness
acumen
mental keenness
addendum
addition; appendix to a book
adept
expert at
adhere
stick fast
adherent
supporter, follower
adulation
flattery; admiration
banal
commonplace; trite
bawdy
obscene
beatify
to sanctify; to bless
bedizen
to dress in a vulgar, showy manner
behemoth
huge creature, anything very large and powerful
belie
contradict; misrepresent; give a false impression
beneficent
kindly, doing good
bifurcate
to divide into two parts
blandishment
flattery
bolster
to support, give a boost to
bombastic
pompous; using inflated language
boorish
rude; insensitive
brazen
bold; shameless
broach
to mention for the first time
bucolic
characteristics of the countryside; rustic, pastoral
burgeon
flourish
burnish
polish
buttress
to reinforce; support
