Lesson 2 Flashcards
(10 cards)
ABSTINENT
adj - state of voluntarily not doing something pleasant that is not good for you
ex. Lip used to be an alcoholic, but now he’s abstinent
related words: abstain (verb); abstainer (noun, relative to person); abstinence (abstract noun)
ABSTRACT
adj - theoretical, ideal, impersonal
ex. I liked liking boys in the abstract, but when I had the chance to be in a relationship with one, I backed up
specific meaning: to like something in the abstract is to like the idea of it
ABSTRUSE
adj - hard to understand
ex. This article was to abstruse for me to read it without paying full attention.
ABYSMAL
adj - extremely hopeless
ex. The student’s despair in finals week was abysmal
related words: abyss (bottomless pitt) or something so deep that has no bottom
ACCOLADE
noun - an award, an honor, an acknowlodgement of merit, praise and approval
ex. Her approval was the highest accolade he could receive.
ex. 2 Jão’s earned multiple accolades over his career, such as having the chance to play in one of the biggest soccer stadiums in the country.
footnote: most often used in the plural form
ACCOST
verb - to approach and speak to someone aggressively
ex. A random man accosted me today while I was heading home. It was really scary.
ACERBIC
adj - acid, sour, severe in temper, mood or tone
ex. The teacher made a bunch of acerbic comments on my essay that got me sad
related words: acerb (synonym), acerbity
AQUIESCE
verb - to accept, agree, comply passively, to do something without objection and quietly
ex. Amanda asked me to help her cheat on her test and I acquiesced
related words: to aquiesce is to exhibit acquiescence
ACRID
adj - bitter, harsh (normally associated with a smell or taste, but it can also be used to describe a personality for example)
ex. The cheese that I tried yesterday was extremely acrid
ACRIMONIOUS
adj - something bitter, full of spite (desire to offend, annoy someone), angry, usually used to describe a speech or debate
ex. Relations between the competing candidates were so acrimonious that each refused to speak to each other
