Set 12 Flashcards
ASSIMILATE (uh SIM uh layt) v
to take in; to absorb; to learn
thoroughly
Margaret didn’t have any friends when she first went to the new
school, but she was gradually assimilated—she became part of
the new community. When she was chosen for the cheerleading
squad, her assimilation
was complete.
ASSUAGE (uh SWAYJ) v
to soothe; to pacify; to ease the pain of; to
relieve
Beth was extremely angry, but I assuaged her by promising to
leave the house and never return
ASTUTE (uh STOOT) adj
shrewd; keen in judgment
Morris was an astute judge of character; he was very good at
seeing what people were really like despite what they
pretended to be.
ATHEIST (AY thee ist) n
one who does not believe in the existence
of any god or divine being
ATTRITION (uh TRISH un) n
gradual wearing away, weakening, or
loss; a natural or expected decrease in numbers or size
Mr. Gregory did not have the heart to fire his workers even though his company was losing millions each year. He altruistically preferred to lose workers through attrition when they moved away, retired, or decided to change jobs
AUDACITY (aw DAS uh tee) n
boldness; reckless daring;
impertinence
Edgar’s soaring leap o the top of the building was an act of
great audacity.
AUGMENT (awg MENT) v
to make bigger; to add to; to increase
The army augmented its attack by sending in a few thousand more soldiers.
AUSPICIOUS (aw SPISH us) adj
favorable; promising; pointing to a
good result
A clear sky in the morning is an auspicious sign on the day of a picnic
AUSTERE (aw STEER) adj
unadorned; stern; forbidding; without
excess
The Smiths’ house was austere; there was no furniture in it, and there was nothing hanging on the walls.
AUTOCRATIC (aw tuh KRAT ik) adj
ruling with absolute authority;
extremely bossy
The ruthless dictator’s autocratic reign ended when the rebels blew up his palace with plastic explosive.
