A Flashcards
(268 cards)
1
Q
Abandon
A
complete lack of inhibition or restraint.
2
Q
Aberrant (n. Aberration)
A
markedly different from an accepted norm
Hitler’s derived personality profile also suggested that he probably had schizophrenic tendencies, including excessive grandiosity and aberrant thinking.
3
Q
Abet
A
help/encourage somebody (in doing wrong)
4
Q
Abeyance
A
temporary cessation or suspension
*“Usually, at the conclusion of the proceedings, final disposition was held in abeyance, and the alien would remain on bond,” Ms. Galvin wrote.”
5
Q
Abhor
A
to hate; to detest
6
Q
Abide
A
be faithful; to endure
7
Q
Abjure
A
promise or swear to give up
8
Q
Abraded
A
rubbed off; worn away by friction
9
Q
Abraid
A
to awaken or rouse
10
Q
Abrasive
A
showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh.
11
Q
Abreast
A
up to date with the latest news, ideas, or information
12
Q
Abridge
A
shorten (a piece of writing) without losing the sense.
13
Q
Abrogate
A
repeal or annul by authority
14
Q
Abscond
A
run away, often taking something or somebody along
Police have said they are seeking help in locating a prisoner who absconded from a healthcare facility in Belfast.
15
Q
Abstemious
A
marked by temperance in indulgence
Garnishes were simple, abstemious yet effective players on the plate: squash risotto, puréed fennel, bacon-onion jam.
16
Q
Abstraction
A
- a general concept formed by extracting common features from specific examples;
- the act of withdrawing or removing something;
- an abstract painting;
- a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance;
- preoccupation with something to the exclusion of all else
17
Q
Abstruse
A
difficult to understand; obscure.
Other artists produce maddeningly abstruse drawings that relate to their better-known performances.
18
Q
Absurd
A
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
19
Q
Abut
A
border on
20
Q
Abysmal
A
extreme bad
21
Q
Abyss
A
a bottomless gulf or pit
22
Q
Acarpous
A
effete; no longer fertile; worn out
23
Q
Accentuate
A
to make (something) more prominent or noticeable
24
Q
Accessible
A
- capable of being reached;
- easy to get along with or talk to; friendly;
- easily obtained;
- capable of being read with comprehension
25
Acclaim
enthusiastic approval; verb praise vociferously; clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
26
Accolade
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
27
Accord
an official agreement or treaty.
28
Accretion
the growing of separate things into one
29
Accrue
accumulate
30
Acephalous
no longer having a head
31
Acerbic
sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone
32
Acquiesce
agree or express agreement
*American officials initially tried to resist President Karzai’s moves but eventually **acquiesced**.*
33
Acquiescence
the act or condition of giving tacit assent; agreeing by way of silence
34
Acquisitive
excessively interested in acquiring money or material things.
35
**Acridity (*adj*. Acrid)**
1. having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell
2. angry and bitter
36
**Acrimony (*adj*. Acrimonious)**
Bitterness or ill feeling.
37
Activism
the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.
38
Acumen
Keen, quick, accurate insight or judgment
39
Acute
present or experienced to a severe or intense degree.
40
Adamant
inflexible
41
Adept
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
42
**Adherent (*v*. Adhere)**
1. sticking fast;
2. noun: someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another
43
Adhoc
created or done for a particular purpose as necessary.
44
Adipose
used for storage of fat
45
Adjure
urge or request solemnly and earnestly
46
**Admonish (*adj*. Admonished; *n*. Admonitory)**
warn or reprimand; take to task
47
**Adorn (*adj*. Adorned)**
add beauty; decorate
48
Adroit
clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
49
**Adulation (*v*. Adulate)**
obsequious flattery; excessive admiration or praise.
50
**Adulteration (*v*. Adulterate)**
making unpure; poorer in quality
51
Adumbrate
describe roughly or give the main points or summary of
*He vaguely **adumbrated** what it was out of which she came.*
52
**Adverse (*n*. Adversity)**
unfavorable, hostile, harmful
53
Advocate
1. a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea; a lawyer who pleads cases in court;
2. verb: speak, plead, or argue in favor of; push for something
54
**Aesthetic (*n*. Aesthete)**
concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.
55
Affable
friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.
56
**Affect (*adj*. Affective)**
1. the conscious subjective aspect of feeling or emotion;
2. verb: act physically on; have an effect upon; have an effect upon; have an emotional or cognitive impact upon;
3. make believe with the intent to deceive; connect closely and often incriminatingly
57
Affectation
behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial and designed to impress.
58
Affinity
close connection; relationship
59
Afflatus
a divine creative impulse or inspiration
60
Affliction
a cause of great suffering and distress
61
**Affluence (*adj*. Affluent)**
abundant wealth
62
Aggrandize
embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of
*Beyond facial and vocal signs of disapproval, there are sometimes bizarre, exaggerated movements, like abrupt stops or **aggrandized** sidesteps.*
63
Aggravate
make worse; irritate
64
Aghast
filled with horror or shock.
65
Agile
active; quick-moving
66
Agitate
1. Upset
2. Campaign
3. Stir
67
Agog
eager/excited
68
Agreeable
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature; prepared to agree or consent;
69
Ahistorical
unconcerned with or unrelated to history or to historical development or to tradition
70
Ail
to cause pain, uneasiness, or trouble to
71
Alacrity
brisk and cheerful readiness.
*Thus far, although perhaps somewhat lacking in **alacrity** of persecution, no serious charges could be laid against him.*
72
Alcove
recess/partially enclosed place
73
Ale
fermented alcoholic beverage similar to but heavier than beer
74
Aleck
one who considers himself smarter than others
75
Alienate
cause (someone) to feel isolated or estranged.
76
All-encompassing
broad in scope or content
77
Allay
to lessen; ease; smooth
78
**Allegation (*v*. Allege)**
a formal accusation against somebody
79
Allegiance
duty, support, loyalty; the act of binding yourself to a course of action
80
Allegorical
used in or characteristic of or containing allegory
81
Alleviate
make (pain) easier to bear
82
Alloy
to debase by mixing with something inferior
83
Ally
(to become) a friendly nation or associate
84
Aloof
conspicuously uninvolved and uninterested, typically through distaste.
85
**Amalgamate (*n*. Amalgam)**
mix; combine; unite societies
86
Ambidextrous
able to use the left hand or the right equally well
87
**Ambiguity (*adj*. Ambiguous)**
the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
88
**Ambivalent (*n*. Ambivalence)**
having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
89
Ambrosial
1. extremely pleasing to taste
2. worthy of the gods
90
Ameliorate
make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better, improve
*the reform did much to **ameliorate** living standards*
91
Amenable
disposed or willing to comply
92
**Amiable (*n*. Amity)**
having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.
93
Amortize
end (a debt) by setting aside money
94
Amuse
cause (someone) to find something funny; entertain.
95
**Anachronism (*adj*. Anachronistic)**
belonging to a period other than that being portrayed.
96
**Analgesic (*n*. Analgesia)**
capable of relieving pain
97
Analogous
corresponding in function but not in evolutionary origin; similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar
98
Anathema
a person or thing detested, loathed, consigned to damnation or destruction
99
Anecdote
short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)
100
Anguish
severe suffering
101
Animosity
strong dislike
102
Annex
1. Add as an extra or subordinate part, especially to a document
2. Add to one's territory by appropriation
*Opponents say Ma’s moves will make it easier for Beijing leaders to eventually **annex** Taiwan, which they view as province of China.*
103
**Annotate (*n*. Annotation)**
add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
104
Annul
Declare invalid
105
Anodyne
soothing; something that assuages or allays pain or comforts
106
Anoint
administer an oil or ointment to ; often in a religious ceremony of blessing; choose by or as if by divine intervention
107
**Anomaly (*adj*. Anomalous)**
1. (astronomy) position of a planet as defined by its angular distance from its perihelion (as observed from the sun);
2. a person who is unusual; deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
108
Anomie
a social condition marked by a breakdown of social norms
109
**Antagonistic (*v*. Antagonize)**
showing or feeling active opposition or hostility toward someone or something.
110
**Antedate (*adj*. Antedated)**
precede in time; come before (something) in date.
111
Antediluvian
of or relating to the period before the biblical flood
112
Antidote
medicine used against a poison or a disease
113
Antipathy
a feeling of intense dislike
114
Antiquity
the ancient past, especially the period before the middle ages.
115
Antiseptic
1. disinfectant; sterile
2. characterless
116
Antithesis
a contrast or opposition between two things.
117
Antithetical
direct opposing
118
Apartheid
brutal racial discrimination
119
**Apathy (*adj*. Apathetic)**
lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
120
Aphorism
a short pithy instructive saying
*His best writing has always had an **aphoristic** quality, and that’s true here.*
121
Aplomb
complete and confident composure or self-assurance
122
Apocryphal
being of questionable authenticity
123
Apogee
the highest point
124
Apologist
a person who offers an argument in defense of something controversial.
125
Apostate
one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions
126
Apothegm
a terse, witty saying
127
Apotheosis
1. the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax
2. deification; glorification to godliness
128
Apparition
Ghost or appearance
129
Appease
make quiet or calm
130
Appellation
A name or title
131
Apposite
apt in the circumstances or in relation to something.
132
Appraise
consider in a comprehensive way
133
Apprehension
fearful expectation or anticipation
134
Apprehensive
grasping understanding fear unhappy feeling about future
135
Apprise
give notice to inform
136
Apprise
inform somebody of something
137
**Approbation (*adj*. Approbatory)**
approval
*“Perhaps,” he said, “painting him was one way of trying to elicit more love and **approbation**.”*
138
Appropriate
take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission.
139
Apropos
by the way
140
Apt
well-suited; quick-witted
141
Aptitude
inherent ability
142
Aqueous
similar to or containing or dissolved in water
*The fact that an **aqueous** solution of these ashes affects the coloured parts of many plants was also noticed in early times.*
143
Arabesque
a complex ornate design
144
Arable
capable of being farmed productively
145
Arbitrary
based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
146
Arbitrate
act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
147
Arboreal
of connected with trees
148
Arcane
understood by few; mysterious or secret.
149
Archaic
little evolved from or characteristic of an earlier ancestral type; so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
150
Ardor
enthusiasm
151
Arduous
involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
152
Argot
jargon; slang
153
Arrant
fully; in the highest degree
154
Arrogance
proud; superior manner of behaviour
155
Artful
marked by skill in achieving a desired end especially with cunning or craft; not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
156
Articulate
(of a person or a person's words) having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently.
157
Ascend
go or come up
158
Ascertain
get to know
159
Ascetic
1. practicing great self denial; pertaining to or characteristic of an ascetic or the practice of rigorous self discipline;
2. noun: someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
160
Ascribe
consider to be the origin of or belonging to
161
Aseptic
surgically clean
162
Asinine
extremely stupid or foolish
163
Asperity
harshness; ill temper; irritability; roughness;
*"Standin' an' looking at the blessed thing won't clear away this raffle," said the Old Man with asperity**.*
164
Aspersion
slander
165
Aspiration
a cherished desire
166
Assertive
having or showing a confident and forceful personality.
167
Assess
estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
168
Asseverate
to aver, allege, or assert
169
Assiduous
showing great care and perseverance.
170
Assuage
1. provide physical relief, as from pain; satisfy (thirst);
2. cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
171
Atrophy
a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
172
Astonish
surprise or impress (someone) greatly.
173
Astound
shock or greatly surprise.
174
Astringent
substance that shrinks; tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
175
Astute
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
176
Atavistic
relating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral
177
**Atonement (*v*. Atone)**
repayment; death of Jesus
*Regulators can begin to **atone** for their past laxity by helping the working group now.*
178
Attainment
a thing achieved, especially a skill or educational achievement.
179
Attentive
taking heed
180
Attenuate
make thin; weaken; enervate
181
Attribute
regard something as being caused by (someone or something).
182
Attune
bring into harmony
183
Atypical
deviating from normal expectations; somewhat odd, strange, or abnormal; not representative of a group, class, or type
184
Audacious
bold; disposed to venture or take risks
185
Audacity
aggressive boldness or unmitigated effrontery; fearless daring
186
Augment
make (something) greater by adding to it; increase.
187
Augury
omen; sign
188
August
majestic; venerable
189
Auspicious
auguring favorable circumstances and good luck
*Five years later, the corporate law world is again abuzz over the firm, Dewey & LeBoeuf, but for less **auspicious reasons**.*
190
Austere
severely moral and strict; simple and plain
191
Austerity
extreme plainness and simplicity of style or appearance.
192
Autonomous
(of persons) free from external control and constraint in e.g. action and judgment; existing as an independent entity; (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces
193
Auxiliary
helping; supporting
194
Avarice
reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins); extreme greed for material wealth
195
Aver
affirm; assert; prove; justify; declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
196
**Aversion (*v*. Averse)**
a strong dislike or disinclination.
197
Avert
prevent or ward off (an undesirable occurrence).
198
Avid
1. marked by active interest and enthusiasm;
2. (often followed by `for') ardently or excessively desirous
199
Avow
admit; declare openly
200
Avow
admit; declare openly
201
Axiomatic
evident without proof or argument; of or relating to or derived from axioms; containing aphorisms or maxims
202
Abase
behave in a way that belittles or degrades (someone).
203
Abash
make (someone) feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.
204
Abate
(of something perceived as hostile, threatening, or negative) become less intense or widespread.
205
Abdicate
fail to fulfill or undertake (a responsibility or duty).
206
Abject
1. (of something bad) experienced or present to the maximum degree.
2. (of a person or their behavior) completely without pride or dignity; self-abasing.
207
Abject
1. (of something bad) experienced or present to the maximum degree.
2. (of a person or their behavior) completely without pride or dignity; self-abasing.
208
Abnegate
renounce or reject (something desired or valuable).
209
Abomination
a thing that causes disgust or hatred.
210
Aboriginal
inhabiting or existing in a land from the earliest times or from before the arrival of colonists; indigenous.
211
Abort
bring to a premature end because of a problem or fault.
212
Abound
exist in large numbers or amounts.
213
Aboveboard
legitimate, honest, and open.
214
Abscission
the natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically dead leaves and ripe fruit.
215
Absolute
not qualified or diminished in any way; total.
216
Absolve
set or declare (someone) free from blame, guilt, or responsibility.
217
Abstain
restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something.
218
Accede
1. agree to a demand, request, or treaty.
2. assume an office or position.
219
Accession
1. the attainment or acquisition of a position of rank or power, typically that of monarch or president.
2. a new item added to an existing collection of books, paintings, or artifacts.
220
Acidulous
(of a person's remarks or tone) bitter; cutting.
221
Acme
the point at which someone or something is best, perfect, or most successful.
222
Acolyte
a person assisting the celebrant in a religious service or procession.
223
Adequate
satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity.
224
Adjudicate
make a formal judgment or decision about a problem or disputed matter.
225
Advent
the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.
226
Adversary
one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute.
227
Aegis
the protection, backing, or support of a particular person or organization.
228
Aerie
a large nest of a bird of prey, especially an eagle, typically built high in a tree or on a cliff.
229
Affiliated
(of a subsidiary group or a person) officially attached or connected to an organization.
230
Afford
provide or supply (an opportunity or facility).
231
Affront
an action or remark that causes outrage or offense.
232
Agape
(of the mouth) wide open, especially with surprise or wonder.
233
Agglutination
the act or process of uniting by glue or other tenacious substance
234
Aggregate
a whole formed by combining several (typically disparate) elements.
235
Albeit
Although
236
Alchemy
a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination.
237
Algorithm
a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.
238
**Allusion (*adj*. Allusive)**
an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
239
**Altruism (*adj*. Altruistic)**
the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
240
Ambience
the character and atmosphere of a place.
*the relaxed **ambience** of the cocktail lounge is popular with guests*
241
Amend
make minor changes in (a text) in order to make it fairer, more accurate, or more up-to-date.
*the rule was **amended** to apply only to nonmembers*
242
Amicable
(of relations between people) having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor.
*there will be an **amicable** settlement of the dispute*
243
Amorous
showing, feeling, or relating to sexual desire.
*she rejected his **amorous** advances*
244
Amorphous
without a clearly defined shape or form
*an **amorphous**, characterless conurbation*
245
**Ample (*adv*. Amply)**
enough or more than enough; plentiful.
*there is **ample** time for discussion*
246
Amuck
to rush about wildly; lose self-control
*When the nightclub caught fire the patrons ran **amuck**, blocking the exits.*
247
Amulet
an ornament or small piece of jewelry thought to give protection against evil, danger, or disease.
*in other communities people carry **amulets** with them to protect themselves from the evil eye*
248
Analogue
1. adj. relating to or using signals or information represented by a continuously variable physical quantity such as spatial position, voltage, etc.
***analog** signals*
2. noun. person or thing seen as comparable to another.
*an interior **analogue** of the exterior world*
249
Anarchy
a state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority or other controlling systems
250
Ancillary
providing necessary support to the primary activities or operation of an organization, institution, industry, or system.
*the development of **ancillary** services to support its products*
251
Androgynous
partly male and partly female in appearance; of indeterminate sex
*a stunningly **androgynous** dancer*
252
Anemic
lacking in color, spirit, or vitality.
*an **anemic** aspidistra stood in the grate*
253
Anesthetic
inducing or relating to insensitivity to pain.
***anesthetic** drugs and gases*
254
Anile
of or like a feeble old woman
255
Animus
1. hostility or ill feeling
*the author's **animus** toward her*
2. motivation to do something.
*the reformist **animus** came from within the Party*
256
Antecedent
a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another.
*some **antecedents** to the African novel might exist in Africa's oral traditions*
257
Anthology
a published collection of poems or other pieces of writing.
*an **anthology** of European poetry*
258
Anthropocentrism
A worldview that sees humans as the source of all value
259
Antic
grotesque or bizarre
260
Antipode
the direct opposite of something else.
*the pole and its **antipode***
261
Antiquated
old-fashioned or outdated.
*this **antiquated** central heating system*
262
Apace
at the same speed or rate as.
*firms are trying to keep **apace** with all of the economic upheaval*
263
Apex
the top or highest part of something, especially one forming a point.
*the living room extends right up into the **apex** of the roof*
264
Apoplectic
overcome with anger; extremely indignant.
*Mark was **apoplectic** with rage at the decision*
265
Apostle
a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.
*after fifty years as an **apostate** he returned to the faith*
266
Appreciable
large or important enough to be noticed.
*tea and coffee both contain **appreciable** amounts of caffeine*
267
Appurtenant
constituting a legal accompaniment, supportive, auxiliary
268
Arabesque
1. a posture in which the body is supported on one leg, with the other leg extended horizontally backward.
2. an ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines, originally found in Arabic or Moorish decoration.
