blue book #01 Flashcards
(86 cards)
a priori
1.
from a general law to a particular instance; valid independently of observation.
2.
existing in the mind prior to and independent of experience, as a faculty or character trait.
3.
not based on prior study or examination; nonanalytic:
an a priori judgment.
apropos
1.
fitting; at the right time; to the purpose; opportunely.
2.
opportune; pertinent:
apropos remarks.
3.
with reference to; in respect or regard to:
apropos of the preceding statement.
abandon
a complete surrender to natural impulses without restraint or moderation; freedom from inhibition or conventionality:
to dance with reckless abandon.
abase
1.
to reduce or lower, as in rank, office, reputation, or estimation; humble; degrade.
2.
to lower; put or bring down:
He abased his head.
abash
to destroy the self-confidence, poise, or self-possession of; disconcert; make ashamed or embarrassed:
to abash someone by sneering.
abate
1.
to reduce in amount, degree, intensity, etc.; lessen; diminish:
to abate a tax; to abate one’s enthusiasm.
2.
to diminish in intensity, violence, amount, etc.:
The storm has abated. The pain in his shoulder finally abated.
abdicate
- to renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, claim, responsibility, or the like, especially in a formal manner:
The aging founder of the firm decided to abdicate.
2.
to give up or renounce (authority, duties, an office, etc.), especially in a voluntary, public, or formal manner:
King Edward VIII of England abdicated the throne in 1936.
aberration
1.
the act of departing from the right, normal, or usual course.
2.
the act of deviating from the ordinary, usual, or normal type.
3.
deviation from truth or moral rectitude.
4.
mental irregularity or disorder, especially of a minor or temporary nature; lapse from a sound mental state.
abet
to encourage, support, or countenance by aid or approval, usually in wrongdoing:
to abet a swindler; to abet a crime.
abeyance
temporary inactivity, cessation, or suspension:
Let’s hold that problem in abeyance for a while.
abhor
to regard with extreme repugnance or aversion; detest utterly; loathe; abominate.
abject
1.
utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched:
abject poverty.
2.
contemptible; despicable; base-spirited:
an abject coward.
3.
shamelessly servile; slavish.
abjure
1.
to renounce, repudiate, or retract, especially with formal solemnity; recant:
to abjure one’s errors.
2.
to renounce or give up under oath; forswear:
to abjure allegiance.
3.
to avoid or shun.
ablution
1.
a cleansing with water or other liquid, especially as a religious ritual.
2.
the liquid thus used.
abnegate
1.
to refuse or deny oneself (some rights, conveniences, etc.); reject; renounce.
2.
to relinquish; give up.
abolish
to do away with; put an end to; annul; make void:
to abolish slavery.
abominable
1.
repugnantly hateful; detestable; loathsome:
an abominable crime.
2.
very unpleasant; disagreeable:
The weather was abominable last week.
3.
very bad, poor, or inferior:
They have abominable taste in clothes.
abortive
1.
failing to succeed; unsuccessful:
an abortive rebellion; an abortive scheme.
2.
born prematurely.
3.
imperfectly developed; rudimentary.
abrasive
1.
any material or substance used for grinding, polishing, etc., as emery, pumice, or sandpaper.
2.
harsh, rough; tending to abrade; causing abrasion; abrading.
3.
tending to annoy or cause ill will; overly aggressive:
an abrasive personality.
abridge
1.
to shorten by omissions while retaining the basic contents:
to abridge a reference book.
2.
to reduce or lessen in duration, scope, authority, etc.; diminish; curtail:
to abridge a visit; to abridge one’s freedom.
3.
to deprive; cut off.
abrogate
1.
to abolish by formal or official means; annul by an authoritative act; repeal:
to abrogate a law.
2.
to put aside; put an end to.
abrupt
1.
sudden or unexpected:
an abrupt departure.
2.
curt or brusque in speech, manner, etc.:
an abrupt reply.
3.
terminating or changing suddenly:
an abrupt turn in a road.
4.
having many sudden changes from one subject to another; lacking in continuity or smoothness:
an abrupt writing style.
5.
steep; precipitous:
an abrupt descent.
abscond
to depart in a sudden and secret manner, especially to avoid capture and legal prosecution:
The cashier absconded with the money.
absolve
1.
to free from guilt or blame or their consequences:
The court absolved her of guilt in his death.
2.
to set free or release, as from some duty, obligation, or responsibility:
to be absolved from one’s oath.
