Wordlist 1 Flashcards
abase (v)
(n): abasement
abase yourself: make yourself seem to be less important or to not deserve respect
act in a way that shows that you accept sb’s power over you
abash (v)
(adj): abashed
Her elder cousins abashed her by commenting on her shyness.
embarrass sb or make them feel uncomfortable
abate (v)
(n): abatement
They waited for the crowd’s fury to abate.
become less strong
abdicate (v)
abdication
She was forced to abdicate the throne of Spain.
give up the position of being king, queen, or emperor; renounce
abduct (v)
(n): abduction; abductee (person who is abducted); abductor
He had attempted to abduct the two children.
kidnap
aberrant (adj)
The aim is to find the cause of the child’s aberrant behaviour.
(n): aberration: a fact, an action or a way of behaving that is not usual, may be unacceptable
not usual or not socially acceptable; abnormal, deviant
abet
She was unwilling to abet him in the swindle he had planned.
help or encourage sb to do sth wrong
aid and abet
She stands accused of aiding and abetting the crime.
help sb to do sth illegal or wrong
abeyance
Any proposed abeyance of the bylaws must be approved by the entire commi
Any proposed abeyance of the bylaws must be approved by the entire committee.
a state of not happening or being used at present
abject (adj)
On the streets of New York the homeless live in abject poverty, huddling in doorways to find shelfter from the wind.
terrible and without hope, wretched; lacking pride
abjure (v)
syn: renounce, forswear
promise publicly that you will give up or reject a belief or a way of behaving
ablution (n)
His daily ablutions were accompanied by loud noises that he humourously labeled “Opera in the Bath”.
the act of washing yourself
abnegation (n)
syn: self-sacrifice, repudiation
They believe it is the duty of women to life for others in complete abnegation of themselves
the act of not allowing yourself to have sth that you want
abolish (v)
abolition (n)
cancel; put an end to
abominable (adj)
/əˈbɒmɪnəbl/ syn: appalling, disgusting, detestable
I think you are utterly selfish and your behaviour has been abominable
extremely unpleasant and causing horror
(n): abomination: a thing that is hated and considered offensive.
(v): abominate
aboriginal (adj/n)
syn: indigenous
aborigine (person)
relating to the original animals, etc.
abortive (adj)
He made two abortive attempts on the French throne.
syn: stillborn
unsuccessful, fruitless
abrade (v)
abrasive (n, adj)
The sharp rocks abraded the skin on her legs, so she put iodine on her abrasions.
rub the surface of sth and damge it or make it rough
abrogate (v)
syn: abolish, repeal; (n): abrogation
He intended to abrogate the decree issued by his predecessor.
officially end a law, an agreement; fail to carry out a responsibility or duty
abscond (v)
He absconded with the company funds.
She absconded from every children’s home they placed her in.
depart secretly and hide
absolve (v)
The court absolved him of all responsibility for the accident.
(n): absolution (for) sth
state formally that sb is not guilty or responsible for sth
abstain (v)
(n): abstention (from sth) / abstinence; abstinent
refrain; hold oneself back voluntarily from an action or practice
abstemious (adj)
He was a hard-working man with abstemious habits.
not allowing yourself to have much food or alcohol, or to do things that are fun
abstract (adj)
The research shows that pre-school children are capable of thinking in abstract terms.
theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational
abstruse (adj)
She carries around abstruse works of philosophy, not because she understands them but because she wants her friends to think she does.
difficult to understand; obscure; profound
abut (v)
His land abuts onto a road.
(n): abutment: a structure built to support the ends of a bridge or an arch
(of land or a building) be next to sth or to have one side touching the side of sth
abysmal (adj)
His arrogance is exceeded only by his abysmal ignorance.
extremely bad or of a very slow standard; bottomless
abyss (n)
Dart Vader seized the evil emperor and hurled him down into the abyss.
(adj): abyssal
a very deep wide space or hole that seems to have no bottom; enormous charm
accede (v)
If I accede to this demand for blackmail, I am afraid that I will be the victim of future demands.
agree
accentuate (v)
(n): accentuation
If you accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative, you may wind up with an overoptimistic view of the world.
emphasise; stress
acclivity (n)
The car would not go up the acclivity in high gear.
sharp upslope of a hill
accolade (n)
In Hollywood, an “Oscar” is the highest accolade.
praise or an award for an achievement that people admire
accommodate (v)
I have accommodated the press a great deal, giving numerous interviews.
oblige or help sb; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt
accord (n)
She was in complete accord with the verdict.
agreement
accost (v)
She was accosted in the street by a complete stranger.
go up to sb and speak to them, especially in a way that is rude or frightening
accoutre (v)
(adj): accoutred (in/with sth)|accountrements (n)
The fisherman was accoutred with the best that the sporting goods store could supply.
equip
accretion (n)
The accretion of wealth marked the family’s rise in power.
growth, increase
accrue (v)
Interest will accure if you keep your money in a savings acccount.
The firm had accrued debts of over 6 millions.
increase over a period of time; allow a sum of money or debts to grow over a period of time.
(n): accrual
acerbity (n)
(adj): acerbic: critical in a direct and rather cruel way.
bitterness of speech and temper
acetic (adj)
The salad had an exceedingly acetic flavor.
vinegary
acidulous (adj)
James was unpopular because of his sarcastic and acidulous remarks.
slightly sour; sharp; caustic
acme (n)
His success in the role marked the acme of his career as an actor.
top; pinnacle
acquiesce (v)
She explained her plan and reluctantly he acquiesced.
(adj): acquiescent; (n): acquiescence
agree without protesting; assent
acrid (adj)
The acrid odor of burnt gunpowder filled the room after the pistol had been fired.
having a strong,bitter smell or taste that is unpleasant; pungent
acrimonious (adj)
(n): acrimony: angry bitter feelings or words
The candidate attacked his opponent in highly acrimonious terms.
bitter in words or manner
acrophobia (n)
fear of heights
actuarial (adj)
(n): actuary
calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics.
actuate (v)
The timer must have been actuated by radio control.
He was actuateed entirely by malice.
make a machine or device start to work (activate); make sb behave in a particular way (motivate)
acuity (n)
In time his youthful acuity of vision failed him, and he needed glasses.
sharpness; the ability to think, see or hear clearly
acumen (n)
His business acumen helped him to succeed where others had failed.
mental keeness; the ability to understand and decide things quickly and well
acute (adj)
The acute yound doctor realisied immediately that the gradual deterioration of her patient’s once acute hearing was due to a chronic illness, not an acute one.
quickly perceptive; keen; brief and severe
adage (n)
There is much truth in the old adage about fools and their money.
wise saying; proverb
adamant (adj)
(n): adamancy
The government remained adamant that there was no more money available.
hard; inflexible; determined not to change your mind or to be persuaded baout sth
addendum (n)
an addition or supplement
addle (v)
This idiotic plan is confusing enough to addle anyone.
(adj): addled
muddle; drive crazy; become rotten; make sb unable to think clearly
adept (adj)
She was adept at the fine art of irritating people
(n): adept
expert at
adjunct (n)
Although I don’t absolutely need a second computer, I plan to buy a laptop to serve as an adjunct to my desktop model.
sth added on or attached (generally nonessential or inferior)
admonish (v)
(n): admonition
He admonished his listeners to change their wicked ways.
warn; reprove
adorn (v)
(n): adornment
Wall paintings and carved statues adorned the temple.
decorate
adroit (adj)
His adroit handling of the delicate situation pleased his employers.
(n): adroitness
skillful
