Flashcards in vocabulary a-c Deck (491):
1
abandon
total lack of inhibition
2
abase
to humble, disgrace
3
abatement
decrease, reduction
4
abdicate
to give up a positon, right, or power
5
aberration
something different from the usual or normal
6
abet
to aid, act as accomplice
7
abeyance
temporary suppression or suspension
8
abhor
to loathe, detest
9
abject
miserable, pitiful
10
abjure
to reject, abandon formally
11
ablution
act of cleansing
12
abnegate
to deny, renounce
13
abolitionist
one who opposes the practice of slavery
14
abortive
interrupted while incomplete
15
abridge
to condense, shorten
16
abrogate
to abolish or invalidate by authority
17
abscond
to depart secretly
18
absolve
to forgive, free from blame
19
abstemious
moderate in appetite
20
abstract
theoretical; complex, difficult
21
abstruse
difficult to comprehend
22
accede
to express approval; agree to
23
accessible
attainable, available; approachable
24
accessory
attachment, ornament; accomplice, partner
25
accolade
praise, distinction
26
accost
to approach and speak to someone
27
accretion
growth in size or increase in amount
28
accrue
to accumulate, grow by additions
29
acerbic
bitter, sharp in taste or temper
30
acme
highest point; summit
31
acquiesce
to agree, comply quietly
32
acquittal
release from blame
33
acrid
harsh, bitter
34
acrimony
bitterness, animosity
35
acuity
sharpness
36
acumen
sharpness of insight
37
acute
sharp, pointed
38
adage
old saying or proverb
39
adament
uncompromising, unyielding
40
adapt
to accommodate, adjust
41
adhere
to cling or follow without deviation
42
adjacent
next to
43
adjunct
something added, attached, or joined
44
admonish
to caution or reprimand
45
adroit
skillful, accomplished, highly competent
46
adulation
high praise
47
adulterate
to corrupt or make impure
48
adumbrate
to sketch, outline in a shadowy way
49
advantageous
favorable, useful
50
adversarial
antagonistic, competitive
51
adverse
unfavorable, unlucky, harmful
52
aerial
having to do with the air
53
aerie
nook or nest built high in the air
54
aerodynamic
relating to objects moving through the air
55
aesthetic
pertaining to beauty or art
56
affable
friendly, easy to approach
57
affected (adj)
pretentious, phony
58
affinity
fondness, liking; similarity
59
affluent
rich, abundant
60
affront (n)
personal offense, insult
61
agenda
plan, schedule
62
aggrandize
to make larger or greater in power
63
aggregate (n)
collective mass or sum; total
64
aggrieve
to afflict, distress
65
agile
well- coordinated, nimble
66
agitation
commotion, excitement; uneasiness
67
agnostic
one doubting that people can know God
68
agrarian
relating to farming or rural matters
69
alacrity
cheerful willingness, eagerness; speed
70
alchemy
medieval chemical philosophy based on changing metal into gold
71
algorithm
mechanical problem solving procedure
72
alias
assumed name
73
alienated
distanced, estranged
74
aligned
precisely adjusted; commited to one side or party
75
allay
to lessen, ease, or soothe
76
allegory
symbolic representation
77
alleviate
to relieve, improve partially
78
alliteration
repetition of the beginning sounds of words
79
allocation
allowance, portion, share
80
allure (v)
to entice by charm; attract
81
allusion
indirect reference
82
allusiveness
quality of making many indirect references
83
aloof
detached, indifferent
84
altercation
noisy dispute
85
altruism
unselfish concern for other's welfare
86
amalgam
mixture, combination, alloy
87
ambidextrous
able to use both hands equally well
88
ambiguous
uncertain; subject to multiple interpretations
89
ambivalence
attitude of uncertainty; conflicting emotions
90
ameliorate
to make better, improve
91
amenable
agreeable, cooperative
92
amend
to improve or correct flaws in
93
amenity
pleasantness; something increasing comfort
94
amiable
friendly, agreeable
95
amity
friendship
96
amoral
unprincipled, unethical
97
amorous
strongly attrached to love; showing love
98
amorphous
having no definite form
99
amortize
to diminish by installment payments
100
amphibian (n)
creature equally at home on land or in water
101
amphitheater
arena theater with rising tiers around a central open space
102
ample
abundant, plentiful
103
amplify
to increase, intensify
104
amulet
ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
105
anachronism
something chronologically inappropriate
106
anachronistic
outdated
107
analogous
comparable, parallel
108
anarchy
absence of government or law; chaos
109
anathema
ban, curse; something shunned or disliked
110
ancillary
accessory, subordinate, helping
111
anecdote
short, usually funny account of an event
112
angular
characterized by sharp angles; lean and gaunt
113
animation
enthusiasm, excitement
114
animosity
hatred, hostility
115
annul
to cancel, nullify, declare void, or make legally invalid
116
anodyne
something that calms or soothes pain
117
anoint
to apply oil to, esp. as a sacred rite
118
anomaly
irregularity or deviation from the norm
119
anonymity
condition of having no name or an unknown name
120
antagonist
foe, opponent, adversary
121
antecedent (adj)
coming before in place or time
122
antediluvian
prehistoric, ancient beyond measure
123
antepenultimate
third from last
124
anterior
preceding, previous, before, prior (to)
125
anthology
collection of literary works
126
anthropomorphic
attributing human qualities to non-humans
127
antipathy
dislike, hostility; extreme opposition or adversion
128
antiquity
ancient times; the qualit of being old or ancient
129
antithesis
exact opposite or direct contrast
130
apathetic
indifferent, unconcerned
131
apathy
lack of feeling or emotion
132
aphasia
inability to speak or use words
133
aphelion
point in a planet's orbit that is farthest from the sun
134
aphorism
old saying or short pithy statement
135
apocryphal
not genuine; fictional
136
apostate (n)
one who renounces a religious faith
137
apostrophe
speech to the reader or someone not present
138
apotheosis
glorification; glorified ideal
139
appease
to satisfy, placate, calm, pacify
140
approbation
praise; official approval
141
appropriate (v)
to take possession of
142
aquatic
belonging or living in water
143
arable
suitable for cultivation
144
arbitrary
depending soley on individual will; inconsistent
145
arbitrator
mediator, negotiator
146
arboreal
relating to trees; living in trees
147
arboretum
place where trees are displayed and studied
148
arcane
secret, obscure, known only to a few
149
archaic
antiquated, from an earlier time; outdated
150
archipelago
large group of islands
151
ardent
passionate, enthusiastic, fervent
152
ardor
great emotion or passion
153
arduous
extremely difficult, laborious
154
arid
extremely dry or deathly boring
155
arraign
to call to court to answer a charge
156
arrogate
to demand, claim arrogantly
157
arsenal
ammunition storehouse
158
articulate (adj)
well-spoken, expressing oneself clearly
159
artifact
historical relic, item made by human craft
160
artisan
craftsperson; expert
161
ascend
to rise or climb
162
ascendancy
state of rising, ascending; power or control
163
ascertain
to determine, discover, make certain of
164
ascetic (adj)
self-denying, abstinent, austere
165
ascribe
to attribute to, assign
166
ashen
resembling ashes; deathly pale
167
askew
crooked, tilted
168
aspersion
false rumor, damaging report, slander
169
aspire
to have great hopes; to aim at a goal
170
assail
to attack, assault
171
assent (v)
to express argument
172
assert
to affirm, attest
173
assiduous
diligent, persistent, hard-working
174
assignation
appointment for lovers' meeting; assignment
175
assimilation
act of blending in, becoming similar
176
assonance
resemblance in sound, especially in vowel sounds; partially rhyme
177
assuage
to make less severe, ease, relieve
178
astringent
harsh, severe, stern
179
astute
having good judgment
180
asunder (adv)
into different parts
181
asymmetrical
not corresponding in size, shape, position, etc.
182
atone
to make amends for a wrong
183
atrocious
monstrous, shockingly bad, wicked
184
atrophy (v)
to waste away, wither from disuse
185
attain
to accomplish, gain
186
attenuate
to make thin or slender; weaken
187
attest
to testify, stand as proof of, bear witness
188
audacious
bold, daring, fearless
189
audible
capable of being heard
190
audit (n)
formal examination of financial records
191
auditory
having to do with hearing
192
augment
to expand, extend
193
augury (adj)
prophecy, prediction of events
194
august
dignified, awe-inspiring, venerable
195
auspicious
having favorable prospects, promising
196
austere
stern, strict, unadorned
197
authoritarian
extremely strict, bossy
198
autocrat
dictator
199
autonomous
separate, independent
200
auxiliary
supplementary, reserve
201
avarice
greed
202
avenge
to retaliate, take revenge for an injury or crime
203
aver
to declare to be true, affirm
204
aversion
intense dislike
205
avert
to turn (something) away; prevent
206
aviary
large enclosure housing birds
207
avow
to state openly or declare
208
awry
crooked, askew, amiss
209
axiom
premise, postulate, self- evident truth
210
baleful
harmful, with evil intentions
211
balk (v)
to refuse, shirk; prevent
212
ballad
folk song, narrative poem
213
balm
soothing, healing influence
214
ban (v)
to forbid, outlaw
215
banal
trite and overly common
216
bane
something causing ruin, death, or destruction
217
banter
playful conversation
218
bastion
fortification, stronghold
219
bay (v)
to bark, especially in a deep, prolonged way
220
becalm
to make calm or still; keep motionless by lack of wind
221
becloud
to confuse; darken with clouds
222
beguile
to decieve, mislead; charm
223
behemoth
huge creature
224
belabor
to insist repeatedly or harp on
225
belated
late
226
beleaguer
to harass, plague
227
belfry
bell tower room in which a bell is hung
228
belie
to misrepresent; expose as false
229
belittle
to represent as unimportant, make light of
230
bellicose
warlike, aggressive
231
belligerent
hostile, tending to fight
232
bellow
to roar, shout
233
bemuse
to confuse, stupefy; plunge deep into thought
234
benchmark
standard of measure
235
benefactor
someone giving aid or money
236
beneficent
kindly, charitable; doing good deeds; producing good effects
237
benighted
unenlightened
238
benign
kindly, gentle or harmless
239
bequeath
to give or leave through a will; to hand down
240
berate
to scold harshly
241
beseech
to beg, plead, implore
242
bestial
beastly, animal-like
243
bestow
to give as a gift
244
betoken
to indicate, signify, give evidence of
245
bevy
group
246
bias
prejudice, slant
247
bibliography
list of books
248
bibliophile
book lover
249
bilateral
two-sided
250
bilk
to cheat, defraud
251
billet
board and lodging for troops
252
biped
two- footed animals
253
bisect
to cut into two (unequally equal) parts
254
blanch
to pale; take the color out of
255
blandish
to coax with flattery
256
blasphemous
cursing, profane, irreverent
257
blatant
glaring, obvious, showy
258
blight (v)
to afflict, destroy
259
blithe
joyful, cheerful, or without appropriate thought
260
bludgeon
to hit as with a short heavy club
261
boisterous
rowdy, loud, unrestrained
262
bombastic
using high-sounding but meaningless language
263
bonanza
extremely large amount; something profitable
264
bonhomie
good-natured geniality; atmosphere of good cheer
265
boon
blessing, something to be thankful for
266
boor
crude person, one lacking manners or taste
267
botanist
scientist who studies plants
268
bountiful
plentiful
269
bourgeois
middle-class
270
bovine
cow-like; related to cows
271
brazen
bold, shameless, impudent; of or like brass
272
breach
act of breaking, violation
273
brigand
bandit, outlaw
274
broach
to mention or suggest for the first time
275
brusque
rough and abrupt in manner
276
buffet (v)
to strike, hit
277
buffoon
clown or fool
278
bulwark
defense wall; anything serving as defense
279
burgeon
to sprout or flourish
280
burly
brawny, husky
281
burnish
to polish, make smooth and bright
282
bursar
treasurer
283
bustle
commotion, energetic activity
284
butt
person or thing that is object of ridicule
285
buttress (v)
to reinforce or support
286
byway
back road
287
cacophonous
jarring, unpleastanly noisy
288
cadence
rhythmic flow of poetry; marching beat
289
cajole
to flatter, coax, persuade
290
calamitous
disastrous, catastrophic
291
callous
thick-skinned, insensitive
292
callow
immature, lacking sophistication
293
calumny
false and malicious accusation, misrepresentation, slander
294
candor
honesty of expression
295
canny
smart; founded on common sense
296
canonize
to declare a person a saint; raise to highest honors
297
canvass
to examine thoroughly; conduct a poll
298
capacious
large, roomy; extensive
299
capitulate
to submit completely, surrender
300
capricious
impulsive, whimsical, without much thought
301
cardiologist
physician specializing in diseases of the heart
302
caricature
exaggerated portrait, cartoon
303
carnal
of the flesh
304
carnivorous
meat-eating
305
carp (v)
to find fault, complain constantly
306
cartography
science or art of making maps
307
cast (n)
copy, replica
308
cast (v)
to fling, to throw
309
castigate
to punish, chastise, criticize severely
310
catalyst
something causing change without being changed
311
categorical
absolute, without exception
312
catharsis
purification, cleansing
313
catholic
universal; broad and comprehensive
314
caucus
smaller group within an organization; a meeting of such a group
315
caulk
to make watertight
316
causality
cause and effect relationship
317
caustic
biting, sarcastic; able to burn
318
cavalier (adj)
carefree, happy; with lordly disdain
319
cavort
to frolic, frisk
320
cede
to surrender possession of something
321
celebrity
fame, widespread acclaim
322
censorious
severely critical
323
centripetal
directed or moving toward the ceneter
324
certitude
assurance, certainty
325
cessation
temporary or complete halt
326
cession
act of surrendering something
327
chagrin
shame, embarrassment, humiliation
328
chalice
goblet, cup
329
champion (v)
to defend or support
330
chaotic
extremely disorderly
331
charlatan
quack, fake
332
chary
watchful, cautious, extremely shy
333
chastise
to punish, discipline, scold
334
cherubic
sweet, innocent, resembling a cherub angel
335
chicanery
trickery, fraud, deception
336
chide
to scold, express disapproval
337
chimerical
fanciful, imaginary, visionary, impossible
338
choleric
easily angered, short- tempered
339
choice (adj)
specially selected, preferred
340
chortle
to chuckle
341
chromatic
relating to color
342
chronicler
one who keeps records of historical events
343
circuitous
roundabout
344
circumference
boundary or distance around a circle or sphere
345
circumlocution
roundabout, lengthy way of saying something
346
circumnavigate
to sail completely around
347
circumscribe
to encircle; set limits on, confine
348
circumspect
cautious, wary
349
circumvent
to go around; avoid
350
cistern
tank for rainwater
351
citadel
fortress or stronghold
352
civil
polite; relating to citizens
353
civility
courtesy, politeness
354
clairvoyant (adj)
having ESP, psychic
355
clamor (v)
to make a noisy outcry
356
clamor (n)
noisy outcry
357
clandestine
secretive, concealed for a darker purpose
358
clarity
clearness; clear understanding
359
claustrophobia
fear of small, confined places
360
cleave
to split or separate OR to stick, cling, adhere
361
clemency
merciful leniency
362
cloister (v)
to confine, seclude
363
coagulate
to clot or change from a liquid to a solid
364
coalesce
to grow together or cause to unite as one
365
coddle
to baby, treat indulgently
366
coerce
to compel by force or intimidation
367
coffer
strongbox, large chest for money
368
cogent
logically forceful, compelling, convincing
369
cognate
related, similar, akin
370
cognition
mental process by which knowledge is acquired
371
cognomen
family name; any name, especially a nickname
372
cohabit
to live together
373
coherent
intelligible, lucid, understandable
374
collateral
accompanying
375
colloquial
characteristic of informal speech
376
colloquy
dialogue or conversation, conference
377
collusion
collaboration, complicity, conspiracy
378
comeliness
physical grace and beauty
379
commend
to compliment, praise
380
commensurate
proportional
381
commission
fee payable to an agent; authorization
382
commodious
roomy, spacious
383
commonplace
ordinary, found every day
384
communicable
transmittable
385
commute
to change a penalty to a less severe one
386
compatriot
fellow countryman
387
compelling (adj)
having a powerful and irresistible effect
388
compensate
to repay or reimburse
389
complacent
self-satisfied, smug, affable
390
complement
to complete, perfect
391
compliant
submissive and yielding
392
complicity
knowing partnership in wrongdoing
393
compound (adj)
complex; composed of several parts
394
compound (v)
to combine, add to
395
compress (v)
to reduce, squeeze
396
compulsive
obsessive, fanatic
397
compunction
feeling of uneasiness caused by guilt or regret
398
concave
curving inward
399
concede
to yield, admit
400
conceptualize
to envision, imagine
401
concerto
musical composition for orchestra and soloist(s)
402
conciliatory
overcoming distrust or hostility
403
concord
agreement
404
concur
to agree
405
condone
to pardon or forgive; overlook, justify, or excuse a fault
406
conduit
tube, pipe, or small passage
407
confection
something sweet to eat
408
confiscate
to appropriate, seize
409
conflagration
big, destructive fire
410
confluence
meeting place; meeting of two streams
411
confound
to baffle, perplex
412
congeal
to become thick or solid, as a liquid freezing
413
congenial
similar in tastes and habits
414
congenital
existing since birth
415
conglomerate
collected group of varied things
416
congress
formal meeting or assembly
417
congruity
correspondence, harmony, agreement
418
conjecture
speculation, prediction
419
conjugal
pertaining to marriage
420
conjure
to evoke a spirit, cast a spell
421
connive
to conspire, scheme
422
consanguineous
of the same origin; related by blood
423
conscientious
governed by conscience; careful and thorough
424
consecrate
to declare sacred; dedicate to a goal
425
consensus
unanimity, agreement of opinion or attitude
426
consign
to commit, entrust
427
consolation
something providing comfort or solace for a loss or hardship
428
consolidate
to combine, incorporate
429
consonant (adj)
consistent with, in agreement with
430
constituent
component, part; citizen, voter
431
constrained
forced, compelled; confined, restrained
432
constraint
something that forces or compels; something which restrains or confines
433
construe
to explain or interpret
434
consummate (adj)
accomplished, complete, perfect
435
consummate (v)
to complete, fulfill
436
contend
to battle, clash; compete
437
contentious
quarrelsome, disagreeable, belligerent
438
continence
self control, self restraint
439
contravene
to contradict, deny, act contrary to
440
contrite
deeply sorrowful and repentant for a wrong
441
contusion
bruise
442
conundrum
riddle, puzzle or problem with no solution
443
convalescence
gradual recovery after an illness
444
convene
to meet, come together, assemble
445
conventional
typical, customary, commonplace
446
convex
curved outward
447
convivial
sociable; fond of eating, drinking, and people
448
convoke
to call together, summon
449
convoluted
twisted, complicated, involved
450
copious
abundant, plentiful
451
coquette
woman who flirts
452
corporeal
having to do with the body; tangible, material
453
corpulence
obesity. fatness, bulkiness
454
correlation
association, mutual relation of two or more things
455
corroborate
to confirm, verify
456
corrugate
to mold in a shape with parallel grooves and ridges
457
cosmetic (adj)
relating to beauty; affecting the surface of something
458
cosmography
science that deals with the nature of the universe
459
cosmopolitan
sophisticated, free from local prejudices
460
cosset
to pamper, treat with great care
461
coterie
small group of persons with a similar purpose
462
countenance (n)
facial expression; look of approval or support
463
countenance (v)
to favor, support
464
countermand
to annul, cancel, make a contrary order
465
countervail
to counteract, to exert force against
466
coven
group of witches
467
covert
hidden; secret
468
covet
to desire strongly something possessed by another
469
crass
crude, unrefined
470
craven
cowardly
471
credence
acceptance of something as true or real
472
credible
plausible, believable
473
credulous
gullible, trusting
474
creed
statement of belief or principle
475
crescendo
gradual increase in volume of sound
476
criterion
standard for judging, rule for testing
477
cryptic
puzzling
478
cuisine
characteristic style of cooking
479
culmination
climax, final stage
480
culpable
guilty, responsible for wrong
481
culprit
guilty person
482
cumulative
resulting from gradual increase
483
cupidity
greed
484
curator
caretaker and overseer of an exhibition, esp. in a museum
485
curmudgeon
cranky person
486
cursory
hastily done, superficial
487
curt
abrupt, blunt
488
curtail
to shorten
489
cutlery
cutting instruments; tableware
490
cygnet
young swan
491