Set 6 Flashcards
ALLUSION (uh LOO zhun) n
an indirect reference (often to a literary
work); a hint
To allude to something is to refer to it indirectly.
An allusion is an allusion only if the source isn’t identifed directly.
Anything else is a reference or a quotation.
ALOOF (uh LOOF) adj
uninvolved; standing off; keeping one’s
distance
To stand aloof from a touch-football game is to stand on the
sidelines and not take part.
ALTRUISM (AL troo iz um) n
selflessness; generosity; devotion to
the interests of others
The private foundation depended on the altruism of the
extremely rich old man. When he decided to start spending his
money on his new twenty-year-old girlfriend, the foundation
went out of business.
AMBIENCE (AM bee uns) n
atmosphere; mood; feeling
By decorating their house with plastic beach balls and Popsicle
sticks, the Cramers created a playful ambience that delighted
young children.
AMBIGUOUS (am BIG yoo us) adj
unclear in meaning; confusing;
capable of being interpreted in different ways
We listened to the weather report, but the forecast was ambiguous; we couldn’t tell whether the day was going to be rainy or sunny.
AMBIVALENT (am BIV uh lunt) adj
undecided; having opposed
feelings simultaneously
Susan felt ambivalent about Alec as a boyfriend. Her frequent
desire to break up with him reflected this ambivalence.
