A Flashcards
(220 cards)
0
Q
Abase
A
(v) to humiliate, to degrade. Abasement (n)
1
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Aback
A
(adj.) taken aback, disconcerted.
2
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Abate
A
(v) to make or become less; (the storm abated): died down. Abatement (n)
3
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aberration
A
(n) 1. A deviation from what is normal. 2. A mental or moral lapse. 3. Distortion eg. Of an image produced through an imperfect lens.
4
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abject
A
(adj): 1. Wretched, without resources, (abject poverty). 2. Lacking all pride (an abject coward); (an abject apology): very humble. Abjectly (adv)
5
Q
abut
A
(v) (abutted, abutting): to have a common boundary, to touch at one side (their land abuts on ours). Abutment (n)
6
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accede
A
(v) 1. To take office, to become monarch. 2. to agree to what is proposed.
7
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accentuate
A
(v) to emphasize. Accentuation (n)
8
Q
accost
A
(v) to approach and speak to.
9
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accrue
A
(v) to come as a natural increase or advantage, to accumulate, (interest accrues on investments). Accrual (n)
10
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acme
A
(n) the highest point, the peak of perfection
11
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acquiesce
A
(v) to agree without protest, to assent. Acquiesce in: to accept as an arrangement.
12
Q
acquit
A
(v) (acquitted, acquitting): to declare (a person) to be not guilty of the crime etc. with which he was charged. Acquit oneself: to conduct oneself, to perform (he acquitted himself well in the test).
13
Q
acrid
A
(adj) 1. having a bitter smell or taste. 2. Bitter in temper or manner. Acridity (n)
14
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acquisition
A
(n) 1. Acquiring: gaining possession of. 2. Something acquired.
15
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acrimony
A
(n) bitterness of manner or words. Acrimonious (adj). Acrimoniously (adv).
16
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activist
A
(n) one who follows a policy of vigorous action, especially in politics.
17
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acumen
A
(n) sharpness of mind, shrewdness.
18
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adamant
A
(adj) unyielding to requests, quite firm.
19
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adept
A
(adj) very skilful. (n) one who is very skilful (an adept in carpentry).
20
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adjoin
A
(v) to be next or nearest to.
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adjourn
A
(v) 1. To postpone 2. To break off temporarily. Adjournment (n)
22
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admonish
A
(v) 1. To advise or urge seriously. 2. To reprove mildly but firmly. Admonishment (n).
23
Q
adroit
A
(adj) skilful, ingenious. Adroitly (adv). Adroitness (n).
24
adulterate
(v) to make impure or poorer in quality by adding another substance, especially an inferior one. Adulteration (n).
25
advocate
(v) to recommend, to be in favour of. (I advocate caution).
26
affable
(adj) polite and friendly. Affably (adv). Affability (n).
27
affectation
(n) behaviour put on for display, and not natural or genuine, pretence.
28
affinity
(n) 1. Relationship (especially by marriage) other than blood relationship. 2. Similarity, close resemblance or connection (affinities between different languages). 3. A strong natural liking or attraction. 4. The tendency of certain substances to combine with other.
29
affliction
(n) 1. Pain, distress, misery. 2. Something that causes this.
30
affluent
(adj) rich; (the affluent society), in which most people are relatively wealthy. Affluently (adv). Affluence (n).
31
affront
(v) to insult deliberately, to offend or embarrass. (n) a deliberate insult or show of disrespect.
32
aft
(adj) in or near or towards the stern of a ship or the tail of an aircraft.
33
afterthought
(n) something thought of or added later.
34
agenda
(n) a programme of items of business to be dealt with at a meeting. (the agenda is rather lengthy today)
35
agent
(n) 1. A person who does something or instigates some activity (he is a mere instrument, not an agent). 2. One who acts on behalf of another, (write to our agents in Rome). 3. Something that produces an effect or change (soda is the active agent). 4. A secret agent.
36
aggravate
(v) 1. To make worse or more serious. 2. (informal) to annoy. Aggravation (n)
37
aggregate
(adj) combined, total (the aggregate amount). (n) 1. A total, a mass or amount brought together, (in the aggregate), as a whole collectively. 2. Hard substance (sand, gravel, broken stone, etc.) mixed with cement it make concrete.
38
aggressor
(n) a person or country that attacks first or begins hostilities.
39
aggrieved
(adj) made resentful by unfair treatment.
40
aghast
(adj) filled with consternation.
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agoraphobia
(n) abnormal fear of crossing open spaces. Agoraphobic (n): a person who suffers from agoraphobia.
42
agrarian
(adj) of or concerning agricultural land and it's ownership.
43
aide
(n) 1. An aide-de-camp - a naval or military officer acting as assistant to a senior officer. 2. (Amer.) an assistane.
44
in the air
current, exerting an influence, (dissatisfaction is in the air); uncertain (these plans are still in the air).
45
on the air
Broadcast or broadcasting by radio or television.
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akimbo
(adv) with hands on hips and elbows pointed outwards.
47
akin
(adj) related, similar, (a feeling akin to envy).
48
alacrity
(n) prompt and eager readiness.
49
alienate
(v) to cause to become unfriendly or hostile. Alienation (n).
50
allay
(v) (allayed, allaying): to calm, to put at rest (to allay suspicion).
51
allege
(v) to declare (especially to those doubting one's truthfulness) without being able to prove (alleging that he was innocent; he alleged illness as the reason for his absence); (the alleged culprit) the person said to be the culprit.
52
alleviate
(v) to lessen, to make less severe. Alleviation (n).
53
alliance
(n) a union or association formed for mutual benefit, especially of countries by treaty or families by marriage.
54
allied
(adj)1. Of the same general kind, similar. 2. Britain and her allies in the wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45.
55
allot
(v) (allotted, allotting): to distribute officially, to give as a share of things available or tasks to be done.
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alms
(old use) money and gifts given to the poor.
57
aloft
(adv) high up, up in the air.
58
altercation
(n) a noisy dispute or quarrel.
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altruism
(n) unselfishness.
60
amateurish
(adj) inexpert, lacking professional skill. Amateurishly (adv), amateurishness (n).
61
ambience
(n) surroundings.
62
ambiguous
(adj)1. Having two or more possible meanings. 2. Doubtful, uncertain, (the outcome is ambiguous). Ambiguously (adv), ambiguity (n).
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ambit
(n) the bounds, scope, or extent of something.
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ambivalent
(adj) with mixed feelings towards a certain object or situation. Ambivalently (adv), ambivalence (n).
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ameliorate
(v) to make or become better. Amelioration (n).
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amenable
(adj)1. Subject to the legal authority of (we are all amenable to the law). 2.willing to be guided by some control or influence (she is not amenable to discipline).
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amenity
(n) 1. Pleasantness of a place or circumstance, 2. A feature of a place etc. that makes life there easy or pleasant.
68
amiable
(adj) feeling and inspiring friendliness, good-tempered. Amiably (adv), amiability (n).
69
amnesia
(n) loss of memory.
70
amnesty
(n) a general pardon, especially for offences against the State.
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amok
(adv) on the rampage in murderous frenzy (to run amok).
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amoral
(adj) not based on moral standards, neither moral nor immoral.
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amorphous
(adj) having no definite shape or form.
74
amphibious
(adj)1. Living or operating both in land and in water. 2. Involving both land and sea forces (amphibious operations).
75
ample
(adj) 1. Plentiful, quite enough, (ample evidence). 2. Large, of generous proportions. Amply (adv).
76
anachronism
(n)1. A mistake in placing something into a particular historical period. 2. The thing wrongly placed. 3. A person, custom, or idea regarded as out of date.
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anaemic
(adj)1. Suffering from anemia. 2. Pale, weak in colour. 3. Lacking vigour or positive characteristics. Anaemically (adv).
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analogous
(adj) similar in certain respects. Analogously (adv).
79
anarchy
(n)1. Absence of government or control, resulting in lawlessness. 2. Disorder, confusion. Anarchic (adj), anarchical (adj).
80
anathema
(n)1. A formal curse of the Church, excommunicating someone or condemning something as evil. 2. A detested person or thing, (blood sports are anathema to him.)
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anecdote
(n) a short amusing or interesting story about a real person or event.
82
animate
(adj) living. (v) 1. To give life or movement to, to make lively, (an animated discussion). 2. To motivate, (he was animated by loyalty). 3. To produce as an animated cartoon. Animator (n). animated cartoon: a film made by photographing a series of drawings, giving an illusion of movement.
83
annals
(pl. n.) a history of events year by year, historical records.
84
annex
(v)1. To add or join to a larger thing. 2. To take possession of, (to annex territory). Annexation (n).
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annihilate
(v) to destroy completely. Annihilation (n), annihilator (n).
86
annul
(v) (annulled, annulling) to make null and void, to destroy the validity of. Annulment (n).
87
anomaly
(n) something that deviates from the general rule or the usual type, an inconsistency, (the many anomalies in our tax system). Anomalous (adj).
88
anorak
(n) a warm waterproof jacket with a hood attached.
89
answerable
(adj) 1. Able to be answered. 2. Having to account for something.
90
antagonistic
(adj)1. Showing or feeling antagonism (active opposition, hostility). 2. (of a muscle) producing a movement opposite to that of another.
91
antecedent
(n)1. A preceding thing or circumstance, (the war and its antecedents). (I know nothing of his antecedents), of his ancestry or past life. 2. A noun or clause or sentence to which a following pronoun refers (in the book which I have, 'book' is the antecedent of 'which'). (adj) previous.
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anthology
(n) a collection of passages from literature, especially poems.
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anthropology
(n) the scientific study of mankind, especially of its origins, development, customs, and beliefs. Anthropological (adj), anthropologically (adv).
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antic
(n)1. Absurd movements intended to cause amusement. 2. Odd or foolish behaviour.
95
anticipate
(v)1. To deal with or use before the proper time, (anticipate one's income), spend it before receiving it. 2. To take action before some else has had time to do so, (others may have anticipated Colombus in the discovery of America). 3. To notice what needs doing and take action in advance; (anticipate someone's needs), provide for them in advance; (boxer anticipated the blow), saw it coming and blocked it. 4. (not so proper) To expect. Anticipation (n).
96
anticlimax
(n) a disappointing ending or outcome of events where a climax was expected.
97
antidote
(n)1. A substance that counteracts the effects of a poison or a disease. 2. Anything that counteracts unpleasant effects.
98
antiquated
(adj) old-fashioned, out of date.
99
antisocial
(adj)1. Opposed to the social institutions and laws of an organised community. 2. Interfering with amenities enjoyed by others. 3. Unsociable, withdrawing oneself from others. Antisocially (adv).
100
antithesis
(pl. antithesis) 1. The direct opposite of something, opposition or contrast, (slavery is the antithesis of freedom). 2. Contrast of ideas emphasised by choice of words or by their arrangement. Antithetic (adj), antithetical (adj), antithetically (adv).
101
anvil
(n) block of iron on which a smith hammers metal into shape.
102
apace
(adv) swiftly, (work proceeded apace).
103
apartheid
(n) a policy in South Africa of racial serration, separating Europeans and non-Europeans.
104
apathy
(n) lack of interest of concern. Apathetic (adj), apathetically (adv).
105
aperture
(n) an opening, especially one that admits light.
106
apex
(n) (pl. apexes) the tip or highest point, the pointed end, (the apex of a triangle).
107
aphorism
(n) a short wise saying, a maxim.
108
apiary
(n) a place with a number of hives where bees a kept.
109
apiece
(adv) to each, for or by each one of a group, (cost a penny apiece).
110
aplomb
(n) dignity and confidence.
111
apocalyptic
(adj) prophesying great and dramatic events like those described in the Apocalypse (the Revelation of St John, containing a prophetic account if the end of the world.).
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apocryphal
(adj) Untrue, invented, (an apocryphal account of his travels). Apocryphally (adv).
113
apogee
(n)1. The point in the orbit of the moon or any planet when it is at its furthest point from earth. 2. The highest or most distant point, a climax.
114
apoplectic
(adj)1. Of apoplexy (sudden inability to feel and Move, caused by blockage or rupture of an artery in the brain. 2. Suffering from apoplexy. 3. (informal) liable to fits of rage in which the face becomes red. Apoplectically (aev).
115
apparition
(n)1. An appearance, someone that appears, especially something remarkable or unexpected. 2. A ghost.
116
appease
(v) to make calm or quiet by making concessions and by satisfying demand. Appeasement (n).
117
append
(v) 1. To attach. 2. To add at the end, (append one's signature).
118
apply oneself
To give one's attention and energy to a task.
119
apportion
(v) to divide into shares, to allot. Apportionment (n).
120
apposite
(adj) (of a remark) appropriate for a purpose or occasion.. Appositely (adv), appositeness (n).
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appraise
(v) to estimate the value or quality of. Appraisal (n)
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apprehend
(v) 1. To seize, to arrest. 2. To grasp the meaning of, to understand. 3. To expect with fear or anxiety.
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apprehensive
(adj) feeling apprehension, anxious. Apprehensively (adv).
124
approbation
(n) approval.
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apropos
(adv) appropriately, to the point. (adj) suitable or relevant tibwhatvis being said or done. Apropos of: concerning, with reference to, (apropos of elections, who is to be our new candidate?)
126
apt
(adj) 1. Suitable, appropriate, (an apt quotation). 2. Having a certain tendency, likely, (he is apt to be careless). 3. Quick at learning. Aptly (adv). Aptness (n).
127
aquiline
(adj) hooked like an eagle's beak, (an aquiline nose).
128
arbiter
(n)1. A person who has the powers to decide what shall be done or accepted, in with entire control, (French designers are no longer the arbiters of fashion). 2. An arbitrator.
129
arbitrary
(adj)1. Based in random choice or impulse, not on reason, (an arbitrary selection).2. Despotic, unrestrained, (arbitrary powers). Arbitrarily (adv), arbitrariness (n).
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arbitrate
(v) to act as an arbitrator (an impartial person chosen to settle a dispute between two parties).
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arboreal
(adj)1. Of trees. 2. Living in trees.
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arcane
(adj) mysterious, secret.
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archaic
(adj) belonging to former or ancient times.
134
arch-enemy
(n) the chief enemy.
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archetype
(n) an original model from which others are copied. Archetypal (adj).
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archipelago
(n) (pl. archipelagos) a group of many islands, a sea containing such a group.
137
archives
(pl. n.) the historical documents of an institution or community.
138
ardent
(adj.) full or ardour (a great warmth of feeling), enthusiastic. Ardently (adv).
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arduous
(adj) needing much effort, laborious. Arduously (adv).
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arguable
(adj)1. Able to be asserted. 2. Open to doubt or dispute, not certain. Arguably (adv).
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argumentative
(adj) fond of arguing. Argumentatively (adv).
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arid
(adj)1. Dry, parched (arid regions), deserts etc. 2. Uninteresting, (an arid discussion). Aridness (n).
143
aristocracy
(n)1. The hereditary upper classes of people in a country, the nobility. 2. A country ruled by these.
144
armada
(n) a fleet of warships; (the Spanish Armada), that sent by Spain against England in 1588.
145
armament
(n)1. The weapons with which an army or a ship, aircraft, or fighting vehicle is equipped. 2. The process of equipping for war.
146
armistice
(n) an agreement during a war or battle to stop fighting for a time.
147
armoury
(n) a place where weapons and ammunition are stored.
148
array
(v) 1. To arrange in order, (arrayed his forces along the river). 2. To dress, (arrayed in her coronation dress). (n)1. An imposing series, a display, (a fine array of tools). 2. An arrangement of data in a computer, so constructed that a programme can extract the items by means of a key.
149
arrears
(pl. n.)1. Money that is owing and ought to have been paid earlier, (arrears of rent). 2. Work that should have been finished but is still waiting to be dealt with, (arrears of correspondence). In arrears: behindhand with payment or work, not paid or done when it was due, (he is in arrears with his rent; the rent is in arrears).
150
arsenal
(n) a place where weapons and ammunition are stored or manufactured.
151
arson
(n) the act of setting fire to a house or other property intentionally and unlawfully, either from malice or in order to claim insurance money.
152
artefact
(n) a man-made object, a simple prehistoric tool or weapon.
153
articulate
(adj)1. Spoken clearly, in words. 2. Able to express ideas clearly. Articulately (adv). (v)1. To say or speak distinctly, (articulating each word with care). 2. To form a joint, to connect by joints (this bone articulates or is articulated with another). Articulation (n).
154
artillery
(n)1. Large guns used in fighting on land. 2. A branch of an army that uses these. Artilleryman (n).
155
artisan
(n) a skilled workman in industry or trade, a mechanic.
156
artiste
(n) a professional entertainer.
157
ascertain
(v) to find out by making enquiries.
158
ascetic
(adj) self-denying, not allowing oneself pleasures and luxuries. (n) a person who leads a severely simple life without ordinary pleasures, often for religious reasons. Ascetically (adv), asceticism (n).
159
askance
(adv) with distrust or disapproval, (looked askance at the new plan).
160
asperity
(n) harshness or severity, especially of manner.
161
aspersions
(pl.n.) an attack on someone's reputation, (casting aspersions at his rivals).
162
assail
(v) to attack violently and persistently, (was assailed with questions).
163
assailant
(n) an attacker.
164
assassinate
(v) to kill (an important person) by violent means, usually from political or religious motives. Assassination (n), assassinator (n).
165
assault
(n)1. A violent attack. 2. An unlawful personal attack on another person, even if only with menacing words; (assault and battery), an assault involving a blow or touch. (v) to make an assault upon.
166
assent
(v) to consent, to express agreement. (n) consent or sanction.
167
assert
(v)1. To declare as true, to state, (asserted his innocence). 2. To use effectively, (asserted his authority. Assert itself: to become active, to make its effect felt. Assert oneself: to take effective action, to use one's authority, to insist on one's rights.
168
assess
(v)1. To decide or fix the amount or value of. 2. To estimate the worth or quality or likelihood of. Assessment (n), assessor (n).
169
asset
(n)1. Any property that has money value, especially that which can be used or sold to pay debts. 2. A useful quality or skill, a person regarded as useful.
170
assiduous
(adj) diligent and persevering. Assiduously (adv), assiduity (n).
171
assimilate
(v)1. To absorb into e body or into a group or system, to become absorbed into something. 2. To absorb into the mind as knowledge. 3. To change (a sound in a word) so that it resembles another sound near to it (as in cupboard, where p is assimilated to b). Assimilation (n).
172
assonance
(n) similarity of vowel sounds in syllables that do not form a complete rhyme, as in vermin/furnish.
173
assuage
(v) to soothe, to make less severe.
174
assume
(v)1. To take as true or sure to happen before there is proof, (we assume that we shall win). 2. To take on, to undertake, (he assumed the extra responsibility). 3. To put on, (assumed a serious expression).
175
astern
(adv)1. In or at or towards the stern of a ship or the tail of an aircraft, behind. 2. Backwards, (full speed astern!)
176
astir
(adv & adj) in motion, moving.
177
astray
(adv & adj) away from the right path. Go astray: to be led into error or wrongdoing; (of things) to be mislaid.
178
astride
(adv)1. With legs wide apart. 2. With one leg on either side of something. (prep.) astride of, extending across.
179
astute
(adj) shrewd, quick at seeing how to gain an advantage. Astutely (adv), astuteness (n).
180
asunder
(adv) apart, into pieces.
181
asylum
(n)1. Refuge and safety, a place of refuge. 2. (old use) a mental institution.
182
atheist
(n) a person who does not believe in the existence of a God or gods. Atheism (n), atheistic (adj).
183
atoll
(n) a ring-shaped coral reef enclosing a lagoon.
184
atone
(v) to make amends, to make up for some error or deficiency. Atonement (n).
185
atrocious
(adj)1. Extremely wicked, brutal. 2. (informal) very bad or unpleasant. Atrociously (adv).
186
atrophy
(n) wasting away through under-nourishment or lack of use. (v) (atrophied, atrophying) 1. To cause atrophy in. 2. Suffer atrophy.
187
attenuate
(v)1. To make slender or thin. 2. To make weaker, to reduce the force or value of. Attenuation (n), attenuated (adj).
188
attest
(v) 1. To provide clear proof of. 2. To declare to be true or genuine. Attestation (n).
189
attribute
(v)1. To regard as belonging to or caused by or originate by: (this play is attributed to Shakespeare), people say that he wrote it. Attribution (n). (n)1. A quality that is characteristic of a person or thing, (kindness is one of his attributes. 2. An object regularly associated with a person or thing, (keys are an attribute of St. Peter; a pair of scales is an attribute of Justice).
190
attrition
(n) 1. wearing something away by rubbing. 2. A gradual wearing down of strength and morale by continuous harassment, (a war of attrition).
191
auburn
(adj) (of hair) reddish-brown
192
audacious
(adj) bold, daring. Audaciously (adv), audacity (n)
193
augment
(v) to add to, to increase. Augmentation (n).
194
augur
(v) to foretell, to be a sign of; (this augurs well for your future), is a favorable sign.
195
aura
(n) the atmosphere surrounding a person or thing and thought to come from him or it, (an aura of happiness).
196
auspices
(pl. n.) omens. Under auspices of, under the protection or sponsorship of.
197
austere
(adj) severely simple and plain, without ornament or comfort. Austerely (adv).
198
auspicious
(adj) showing signs that promise success. Auspiciously (adv).
199
authenticate
(v) to prove the truth or authenticity of. Authentication (n).
200
authoritarian
(adj) favouring complete obedience to authority as opposed to individual freedom. (n): a supporter of such principles.
201
authoritative
(adj) having or using authority. Authoritatively (adv).
202
authority
(n)1. The power or right to give orders and make others obey, or to take specific action. 2. A person or group with such power. 3. A person with specialised knowledge, a book etc. that can supply reliable information, (he is an authority on spiders).
203
authorise
(v)1. To give authority to. 2. To give authority for, sanction, (I authorise this payment). Authorisation (n).
204
autocrat
(n) a person with unlimited power, a dictatorial person. Autocratic (adj), autocratically (adv).
205
automate
(v) to control or operate by automation (the use of automatic equipment to save mental and manual labour).
206
autonomy
(n) self-government, independence.
207
avail
(v) to be of help or advantage, (nothing availed against the storm). (n) effectiveness, advantage, (it was of no avail). Avail oneself of: to make use of.
208
avarice
(n) greed for gain. Avaricious (adj), avariciously (adv).
209
avenge
(v) to take vengeance for. Avenger (n).
210
averse
(adj) unwilling, disinclined, (he is averse to hard work).
211
avert
(v)1. To turn away, (people averted their eyes). 2. To prevent, to ward off, (managed to avert disaster).
212
avid
(adj) eager, greedy. Avidly (adv), avidity (n).
213
avow
(v) (formal) to admit, to declare openly. Avowal (n).
214
awash
(adj) washed over by water or waves.
215
awestruck
(or awestricken) (adj) suddenly filled with awe (respect combined with fear or wonder).
216
awry
(adv)1. Twisted towards one side. 2. Amiss, (plans went awry). (adj): crooked, wrong.
217
axiom
(n) an accepted general truth or principle.
218
axle
(n) the bar or rod on which a wheel or wheels turn.
219
azure
(adj & n) sky-blue
