A Flashcards
(126 cards)
1
Q
abase (v.)
A
to humiliate, degrade
After being overthrown and abased, the deposed leader offered to bow down to his conqueror.
2
Q
abate (v.)
A
to reduce, lessen
The rain poured down for a while, then abated.
3
Q
abdicate (v.)
A
to give up a position, usually one of leadership
When he realized that the revolutionaries would surely win, the king abdicated his throne.
4
Q
aberration (n.)
A
something that differs from the norm
In 1918, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series, but the success turned out to be an aberration, and the Red Sox have not won a World Series since.
5
Q
abet (v.)
A
to aid, help, encourage
The spy succeeded only because he had a friend on the inside to abet him.
6
Q
abhor (v.)
A
to hate, detest
Because he always wound up kicking himself in the head when he tried to play soccer, Oswald began to abhor the sport.
7
Q
abjure (v.)
A
to reject, renounce
To prove his honesty, the President abjured the policies of his wicked predecessor.
8
Q
abort (v.)
A
to give up on a half-finished project or effort
After they ran out of food, the men, attempting to jump rope around the world, had to abort and go home.
9
Q
abscond (v.)
A
to sneak away and hide
In the confusion, the super-spy absconded into the night with the secret plans.
10
Q
absolution (n.)
A
freedom from blame, guilt, sin
Once all the facts were known, the jury gave Angela absolution by giving a verdict of not guilty.
11
Q
abstain (v.)
A
to freely choose not to commit an action
Everyone demanded that Angus abstained from putting on the kilt, but he did not want to do it.
12
Q
accede (v.)
A
to agree
When the class asked the teacher whether they could play baseball instead of learn grammar they expected him to refuse, but instead he acceded to their request.
13
Q
accentuate (v.)
A
to stress, highlight
Psychologists agree that those people who are happiest accentuate the positive in life.
14
Q
accessible (adj.)
A
obtainable, reachable
After studying with SparkNotes and getting a great score on the SAT, Marlena happily realized that her goal of getting into an Ivy-League college was accessible.
15
Q
acclaim (n.)
A
high praise
Greg’s excellent poem won the acclaim of his friends.
16
Q
accolade (n.)
A
high praise, special distinction
Everyone offered accolades to Sam after he won the Noble Prize.
17
Q
accommodating (adj.)
A
helpful, obliging, polite
Though the apartment was not big enough for three people, Arnold, Mark, and Zebulon were all friends and were accommodating to each other.
18
Q
accord (n.)
A
an agreement
After much negotiating, England and Iceland finally came to a mutually beneficial accord about fishing rights off the coast of Greenland.
19
Q
accost (v.)
A
to confront verbally
Though Antoinette was normally quite calm, when the waiter spilled soup on her for the fourth time in 15 minutes she stood up and accosted the man.
20
Q
accretion (n.)
A
slow growth in size or amount
Stalactites are formed by the accretion of minerals from the roofs of caves.
21
Q
acerbic (adj.)
A
biting, bitter in tone or taste
Jill became extremely acerbic and began to cruelly make fun of all her friends.
22
Q
acquiesce (v.)
A
to agree without protesting
Though Mr. Correlli wanted to stay outside and work in his garage, when his wife told him that he had better come in to dinner, he acquiesced to her demands.
23
Q
acrimony (n.)
A
bitterness, discord
Though they vowed that no girl would ever come between them, Biff and Trevor could not keep acrimony from overwhelming their friendship after they both fell in love with the lovely Teresa.
24
Q
acumen (n.)
A
keen insight
Because of his mathematical acumen, Larry was able to figure out in minutes problems that took other students hours.
25
acute (adj.)
sharp, severe
26
adamant (adj.)
impervious, immovable, unyielding
## Footnote
Though public pressure was intense, the President remained adamant about his proposal.
27
adorn (v.)
to decorate
## Footnote
We adorned the tree with ornaments.
28
adroit (adj.)
skillful, dexterous
## Footnote
The adroit thief could pick someone’s pocket without attracting notice.
29
adulation (n.)
extreme praise
## Footnote
Though the book was pretty good, Marcy did not believe it deserved the adulation it received.
30
adverse (adj.)
antagonistic, unfavorable, dangerous
## Footnote
Because of adverse conditions, the hikers decided to give up trying to climb the mountain.
31
aerial (adj.)
somehow related to the air
## Footnote
We watched as the fighter planes conducted aerial maneuvers.
32
aesthetic (adj.)
artistic, related to the appreciation of beauty
## Footnote
We hired Susan as our interior decorator because she has such a fine aesthetic sense.
33
affable (adj.)
friendly, amiable
## Footnote
People like to be around George because he is so affable and good-natured.
34
affront (n.)
an insult
## Footnote
Bernardo was very touchy, and took any slight as an affront to his honor.
35
aggrandize (v.)
to increase or make greater
## Footnote
Joseph always dropped the names of the famous people his father knew as a way to aggrandize his personal stature.
36
aggrieved (adj.)
distressed, wronged, injured
## Footnote
The foreman mercilessly overworked his aggrieved employees.
37
agile (adj.)
quick, nimble
## Footnote
The dogs were too slow to catch the agile rabbit.
38
agnostic (adj.)
believing that the existence of God cannot be proven or disproven
## Footnote
Joey’s parents are very religious, but he is agnostic.
39
agriculture (n.)
farming
## Footnote
It was a huge step in the progress of civilization when tribes left hunting and gathering and began to develop more sustainable methods of obtaining food, such as agriculture.
40
aisle (n.)
a passageway between rows of seats
## Footnote
Once we got inside the stadium we walked down the aisle to our seats.
41
alacrity (n.)
eagerness, speed
## Footnote
For some reason, Chuck loved to help his mother whenever he could, so when his mother asked him to set the table he did so with alacrity.
42
alias (n.)
a false name or identity
## Footnote
He snuck past the guards by using an alias and fake ID.
43
allay (v.)
to soothe, ease
## Footnote
The chairman of the Federal Reserve gave a speech to try to allay investors’ fears about an economic downturn.
44
allege (v.)
to assert, usually without proof
## Footnote
The policeman had alleged that Marshall committed the crime, but after the investigation turned up no evidence, Marshall was set free.
45
alleviate (v.)
to relieve, make more bearable
## Footnote
This drug will alleviate the symptoms of the terrible disease, but only for a while.
46
allocate (v.)
to distribute, set aside
## Footnote
The Mayor allocated 30 percent of the funds for improving the town’s schools.
47
aloof (adj.)
reserved, distant
## Footnote
The scientist could sometimes seem aloof, as if he didn’t care about his friends or family, but really he was just thinking about quantum mechanics.
48
altercation (n.)
a dispute, fight
## Footnote
Jason and Lionel blamed one another for the car accident, leading to an altercation.
49
amalgamate (v.)
to bring together, unite
## Footnote
Because of his great charisma, the presidential candidate was able to amalgamate all democrats and republicans under his banner.
50
ambiguous (adj.)
uncertain, variably interpretable
## Footnote
Some people think Caesar married Cleopatra for her power, others believe he was charmed by her beauty. His actual reasons are ambiguous.
51
ambivalent (adj.)
having opposing feelings
## Footnote
My feelings about Calvin are ambivalent because on one hand he is a loyal friend, but on the other, he is a cruel and vicious thief.
52
ameliorate (v.)
to improve
## Footnote
The tense situation was ameliorated when Sam proposed a solution everyone could agree upon.
53
amenable (adj.)
willing, compliant
## Footnote
Our father was amenable when we asked him to drive us to the farm so we could go apple picking.
54
amenity (n.)
an item that increases comfort
## Footnote
Bill Gates’s house is stocked with so many amenities, he never has to do anything for himself.
55
amiable (adj.)
friendly
## Footnote
An amiable fellow, Harry got along with just about everyone.
56
amicable (adj.)
friendly
## Footnote
Claudia and Jimmy got divorced, but amicably and without hard feelings.
57
amorous (adj.)
showing love, particularly sexual
## Footnote
Whenever Albert saw Mariah wear her slinky red dress, he began to feel quite amorous.
58
amorphous (adj.)
without definite shape or type
## Footnote
The effort was doomed from the start, because the reasons behind it were so amorphous and hard to pin down.
59
anachronistic (adj.)
being out of correct chronological order
## Footnote
In this book you’re writing, you say that the Pyramids were built after the Titanic sank, which is anachronistic.
60
analgesic (n.)
something that reduces pain
## Footnote
Put this analgesic on the wound so that the poor man at least feels a little better.
61
analogous (adj.)
similar to, so that an analogy can be drawn
## Footnote
Though they are unrelated genetically, the bone structure of whales and fish is quite analogous.
62
anarchist (n.)
one who wants to eliminate all government
## Footnote
An anarchist, Carmine wanted to dissolve every government everywhere.
63
anathema (n.)
a cursed, detested person
## Footnote
I never want to see that murderer. He is an anathema to me.
64
anecdote (n.)
a short, humorous account
## Footnote
After dinner, Marlon told an anecdote about the time he got his nose stuck in a toaster.
65
anesthesia (n.)
loss of sensation
## Footnote
When the nerves in his spine were damaged, Mr. Hollins suffered anesthesia in his legs.
66
anguish (n.)
extreme sadness, torment
## Footnote
Angelos suffered terrible anguish when he learned that Buffy had died while combating a strange mystical force of evil.
67
animated (adj.)
lively
## Footnote
When he begins to talk about drama, which is his true passion, he becomes very animated.
68
annul (v.)
to make void or invalid
## Footnote
After seeing its unforeseen and catastrophic effects, Congress sought to annul the law.
69
anomaly (n.)
something that does not fit into the normal order
## Footnote
“That rip in the space-time continuum is certainly a spatial anomaly,” said Spock to Captain Kirk.
70
anonymous (adj.)
being unknown, unrecognized
## Footnote
Mary received a love poem from an anonymous admirer.
71
antagonism (n.)
hostility
## Footnote
Superman and Bizarro Superman shared a mutual antagonism, and often fought.
72
antecedent (n.)
something that came before
## Footnote
The great tradition of Western culture had its antecedent in the culture of Ancient Greece.
73
antediluvian (adj.)
ancient
## Footnote
The antediluvian man still believed that Eisenhower was president of the United States and that hot dogs cost a nickel.
74
anthology (n.)
a selected collection of writings, songs, etc.
## Footnote
The new anthology of Bob Dylan songs contains all his greatest hits and a few songs that you might never have heard before.
75
antipathy (n.)
a strong dislike, repugnance
## Footnote
I know you love me, but because you are a liar and a thief, I feel nothing but antipathy for you.
76
antiquated (adj.)
old, out of date
## Footnote
That antiquated car has none of the features, like power windows and steering, that make modern cars so great.
77
antiseptic (adj.)
clean, sterile
## Footnote
The antiseptic hospital was very bare, but its cleanliness helped to keep patients healthy.
78
antithesis (n.)
the absolute opposite
## Footnote
Your values, which hold war and violence in the highest esteem, are the antithesis of my pacifist beliefs.
79
anxiety (n.)
intense uneasiness
## Footnote
When he heard about the car crash, he felt anxiety because he knew that his girlfriend had been driving on the road where the accident occurred.
80
apathetic (adj.)
lacking concern, emotion
## Footnote
Uninterested in politics, Bruno was apathetic about whether he lived under a capitalist or communist regime.
81
apocryphal (adj.)
fictitious, false, wrong
## Footnote
Because I am standing before you, it seems obvious that the stories circulating about my demise were apocryphal.
82
appalling (adj.)
inspiring shock, horror, disgust
## Footnote
The judge found the murderer’s crimes and lack of remorse appalling.
83
appease (v.)
to calm, satisfy
## Footnote
When the child cries, the mother gives him candy to appease him.
84
appraise (v.)
to assess the worth or value of
## Footnote
A realtor will come over tonight to appraise our house.
85
approbation (n.)
praise
## Footnote
The crowd welcomed the heroes with approbation.
86
appropriate (v.)
to take, make use of
## Footnote
The government appropriated the farmer’s land without justification.
87
aquatic (adj.)
relating to water
## Footnote
The marine biologist studies starfish and other aquatic creatures.
88
arable (adj.)
suitable for growing crops
## Footnote
The farmer purchased a plot of arable land on which he will grow corn and sprouts.
89
arbiter (n.)
one who can resolve a dispute, make a decision
## Footnote
The divorce court judge will serve as the arbiter between the estranged husband and wife.
90
arbitrary (adj.)
based on factors that appear random
## Footnote
The boy’s decision to choose one college over another seems arbitrary.
91
arbitration (n.)
the process or act of resolving a dispute
## Footnote
The employee sought official arbitration when he could not resolve a disagreement with his supervisor.
92
arboreal (adj.)
of or relating to trees
## Footnote
Leaves, roots, and bark are a few arboreal traits.
93
arcane (adj.)
obscure, secret, known only by a few
## Footnote
The professor is an expert in arcane Lithuanian literature.
94
archaic (adj.)
of or relating to an earlier period in time, outdated
## Footnote
In a few select regions of Western Mongolian, an archaic Chinese dialect is still spoken.
95
archetypal (adj.)
the most representative or typical example of something
## Footnote
Some believe George Washington, with his flowing white hair and commanding stature, was the archetypal politician.
96
ardor (n.)
extreme vigor, energy, enthusiasm
## Footnote
The soldiers conveyed their ardor with impassioned battle cries.
97
arid (adj.)
excessively dry
## Footnote
Little other than palm trees and cacti grow successfully in arid environments.
98
arrogate (v.)
to take without justification
## Footnote
The king arrogated the right to order executions to himself exclusively.
99
artifact (n.)
a remaining piece from an extinct culture or place
## Footnote
The scientists spent all day searching the cave for artifacts from the ancient Mayan civilization.
100
artisan (n.)
a craftsman
101
What is the definition of 'arid'?
Excessively dry.
## Footnote
Little other than palm trees and cacti grow successfully in arid environments.
102
What does 'arrogate' mean?
To take without justification.
## Footnote
The king arrogated the right to order executions to himself exclusively.
103
What is an 'artifact'?
A remaining piece from an extinct culture or place.
## Footnote
The scientists spent all day searching the cave for artifacts from the ancient Mayan civilization.
104
What does 'artisan' refer to?
A craftsman.
## Footnote
The artisan uses wood to make walking sticks.
105
What does 'ascertain' mean?
To perceive, learn.
## Footnote
With a bit of research, the student ascertained that some plants can live for weeks without water.
106
What is the meaning of 'ascetic'?
Practicing restraint as a means of self-discipline, usually religious.
## Footnote
The priest lives an ascetic life devoid of television, savory foods, and other pleasures.
107
What does 'ascribe' mean?
To assign, credit, attribute to.
## Footnote
Some ascribe the invention of fireworks and dynamite to the Chinese.
108
What is an 'aspersion'?
A curse, expression of ill-will.
## Footnote
The rival politicians repeatedly cast aspersions on each others’ integrity.
109
What does 'aspire' mean?
To long for, aim toward.
## Footnote
The young poet aspires to publish a book of verse someday.
110
What does 'assail' mean?
To attack.
## Footnote
At dawn, the war planes assailed the boats in the harbor.
111
What does 'assess' mean?
To evaluate.
## Footnote
A crew arrived to assess the damage after the crash.
112
What does 'assiduous' mean?
Hard-working, diligent.
## Footnote
The construction workers erected the skyscraper during two years of assiduous labor.
113
What does 'assuage' mean?
To ease, pacify.
## Footnote
The mother held the baby to assuage its fears.
114
What does 'astute' mean?
Very clever, crafty.
## Footnote
Much of Roger’s success in politics results from his ability to provide astute answers to reporters’ questions.
115
What does 'atone' mean?
To repent, make amends.
## Footnote
The man atoned for forgetting his wife’s birthday by buying her five dozen roses.
116
What does 'atrophy' mean?
To wither away, decay.
## Footnote
If muscles do not receive enough blood, they will soon atrophy and die.
117
What does 'attain' mean?
To achieve, arrive at.
## Footnote
The athletes strived to attain their best times in competition.
118
What does 'atypical' mean?
Not typical, unusual.
## Footnote
Screaming and crying is atypical adult behavior.
119
What does 'audacious' mean?
Excessively bold.
## Footnote
The security guard was shocked by the fan’s audacious attempt to offer him a bribe.
120
What does 'audible' mean?
Able to be heard.
## Footnote
The missing person’s shouts were unfortunately not audible.
121
What does 'augment' mean?
To add to, expand.
## Footnote
The eager student seeks to augment his knowledge of French vocabulary by reading French literature.
122
What does 'auspicious' mean?
Favorable, indicative of good things.
## Footnote
The tennis player considered the sunny forecast an auspicious sign that she would win her match.
123
What does 'austere' mean?
Very bare, bleak.
## Footnote
The austere furniture inside the abandoned house made the place feel haunted.
124
What does 'avarice' mean?
Excessive greed.
## Footnote
The banker’s avarice led him to amass a tremendous personal fortune.
125
What does 'avenge' mean?
To seek revenge.
## Footnote
The victims will take justice into their own hands and strive to avenge themselves against the men who robbed them.
126
What does 'aversion' mean?
A particular dislike for something.
## Footnote
Because he’s from Hawaii, Ben has an aversion to autumn, winter, and cold climates in general.
