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369 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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abbreviate
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v. shorten
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abdicate
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v. renounce; give up
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aberration
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n. abnormality; departure from the norm; mental irregularity
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abet
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v assist (usually in doing something wrong)
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abhor
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v. detest; hate
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abject
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adj. wretched; lacking pride
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abjure
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v. renounce upon oath; disavow
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ablution
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n washing
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abnegation (āb'nĭ-gā'shən)
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n renunciation; self sacrifice
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abolish
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v. cancel
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abominable
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adj. detestable; extremely unpleasant; very bad
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abominate
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v. loathe
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aboriginal
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adj. being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native
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abortive
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adj unsuccessful; fruitless
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abrasive
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adj. rubbing away; tending to grind down;
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abridge
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v. condense; shorten
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abrogate
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v. abolish
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abscission
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n. removal by cutting off, as in surgery; separation
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abase
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v. Lower; degrade; humiliate
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Abash
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v. Embarrass
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Absolute
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adj. complete, certain
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Absolve
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v. Pardon (an offense)
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Abstain
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v. Refrain, withhold from participation
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Abstinence
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n. Restraint from eating/ drinking
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Abstract
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adj. Theoretical, not concrete
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Abstruse
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adj obscure, profound
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Abusive
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adj. Coarsely insulting, physically harmful
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Abut
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v. adjoin, border u[on
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Abysmal
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adj. Bottomless
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Abyss
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n. Enormous chasm, vast, bottomless pit
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Academic
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adj. Related to a school, not practical or directly useful
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Accede
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v. Agree
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Accelerate
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v. Move faster
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Accessible
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adj. Eeasy to approach, obtainable
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Accessory
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n. Additional object, Useful but not essential
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Acclaim
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v. Applaud; announce w great approval
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Acclimate
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v. Adjust to climate or environment; adapt
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Acclivity
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n. Sharp upslope of a hill
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Accolade
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n. Award of merit
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Accommodate
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v. Oblige or help someone; adapt; adjust or bring into harmony
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Accomplice
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n. Partner in crime
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Accord
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n. Agreement
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Accost
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v. Approach and speak first to a person
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Accoutre
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v. Equip
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Accretion
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n. Growth; increase
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Accrue
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v. Come about by addition
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Acerbic
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adj. Bitter or sour in nature; sharp and cutting
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Acerbity
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n. Bitterness of speech and temper
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Acetic
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adj. Vinegary
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Acidulous
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adj. Slightly sour; sharp; caustic
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Acknowledge
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v. Recognize, admit
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Acme
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n. Peak; Pinnacle; Highest point
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Acoustics
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n. Science of sound; quality of a room making it easy or hard to hear
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Acquiesce
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v. Assent; agree passively
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Acquittal
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n. Deliverance from a charge
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Acrid
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adj. Sharp; bitterly pungent
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Acrimonious
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adj. Bitter in words or manner
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Acrophobia
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n. Fear of heights
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Actuarial
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adj. Calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
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Actuate
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v. Motivate
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Acuity
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n. Sharpness
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Acumen
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n. Mental keenness
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Acute
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adj. Quickly perceptive; Keen; Brief and severe
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Adage
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n. Wise saying; proverb
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Adamant
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adj. Hard; inflexible
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Adapt
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v. Alter; modify
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Addendum
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n. Addition; appendix to a book
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Addiction
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n. Compulsive, habitual need
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Addie
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v. Muddie; drive crazy; become rotten
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Address
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v. Direct a speech to; deal with or discuss
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Adept
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adj. Expert at
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Adhere
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v. Stick fast
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Adherent
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n. Supporter; follower
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Adjacent
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adj. Adjoining; neighboring; close by
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Adjunct
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n. Something (generally nonessential) added on or attached
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Adjuration
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n. Solomn urging
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Adjutant
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n. Staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
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Adorn
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v. Decorate
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Adroit
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adj. Skillful
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Adulation
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n. Flattery; admiration
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Advent
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n. Arrival
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Adventitious
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adj. accidental; casual
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Adversary
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n. Opponent; enemy
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Adverse
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adj. Unfavorable; hostile
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Adversity
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n. Poverty; misfortune
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Advert
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v. Refer (to)
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Advocacy
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n. Support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something
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Advocate
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v. Urge; plead for
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Aegis
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n. Shield; defense
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Aerie
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n. Nest of a large bird of prey (eagle or hawk)
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Affable
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adj. Easily approachable; warmly friendly
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Affected
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adj. Artificial; pretended; assumed in order to impress
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Affidavit
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n. Written statement made under oath
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Affiliation
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n. Joining; associating with
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Affinity
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n. Kinship
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Affirmation
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n. Positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath
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Affix
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v. Attach or add on; fasten
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Affliction
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n. State of distress; cause of suffering
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Affluence
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n. Abundance; wealth
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Affront
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n. Insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect
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Agape
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adj. Openmouthed
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Agenda
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n. Items of business at a meeting
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Agglomeration
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n. Collection; heap
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Aggrandize
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v. Increase or intensify; raise in power, wealth, rank or honor
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Aggressor
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n. Attacker
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Aghast
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adj. Horrified; dumbfounded
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Agility
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n. Nimbleness
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Agitate
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v. Stir up; disturb
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Agnostic
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n. One who is skeptical of the existence of a god or any ultimate reality
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Agog
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adj. Highly excited; intensely curious
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Agrarian
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adj. Pertaining to land or its cultivation
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Alchemy
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n. Medieval form of speculative thought that aimed to transform base metals (lead/copper) into silver/ gold and to discover a means for prolonging life
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Alcove
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n. Nook; recess
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Alias
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n. An assumed name
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Alienate
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v. Make hostile; seperate
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Alimentary
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adj. Supplying nourishment
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Alimony
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n. Payments made to an ex-spouse after divorce
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Allay
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v. Calm; pacify
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Allege
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v. State without proof
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Allegiance
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v. Loyalty
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Allegory
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n. Story in which characters are used as symbols; fable
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Alliteration
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n. Repetition of beginning sound in poetry
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Allocate
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v. Assign
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Alloy
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n. A mixture as of metals
v. Mix; make less pure; lessen or moderate |
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Allude
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v. Refer indirectly
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Allure
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v. Entice; attract
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Allusion
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n. Indirect reference
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Alluvial
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adj. Pertaining to soil deposits left by running water
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Aloof
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adj. Apart; reserved
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Aloft
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adj. Upward
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Altercation
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n. Noisy quarrel; heated dispute
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Altruistic
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adj. Unselfishly generous; concerned for others
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Amass
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v. Collect
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Amazon
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n. Female warrior
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Ambidextrous
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adj. Capable of using either hand with equal ease
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Ambience
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n. Environment; atmosphere
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Amble
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n. Moving at an easy pace
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Ambrosia
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n. Food of the gods
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Ambulatory
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adj. Able to walk; not bedridden
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Amenable
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adj. Readily managed or willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally
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Amend
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v. Correct; change (generally for the better)
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Amenities
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n. Convenient features; courtesies
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Amiable
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adj. Agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly
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Amicable
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adj. Politely friendly; not quarrelsome
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Amiss
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adj. Wrong; faulty
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Amity
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n. Friendship
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Amnesia
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n. Loss of memory
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Amnesty
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n. Pardon
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Amoral
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adj. non-moral (Lacking a code of ethics)
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Amorous
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adj. Moved by sexual love; loving
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Amorphous
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adj. Formless; lacking shape or definition
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Amphibian
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adj. Able to live both on land and in water
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Amphitheater
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n. Oval building with tiers of seats
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Ample
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adj. abundant
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Amplify
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v. Broaden or clarify by expanding
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Amputate
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v. Cut off part of a body; prune
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Amnesia
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n. Loss of memory
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Amnesty
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n. Pardon
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Amoral
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adj. non-moral (Lacking a code of ethics)
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Amorous
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adj. Moved by sexual love; loving
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Amorphous
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adj. Formless; lacking shape or definition
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Amphibian
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adj. Able to live both on land and in water
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Amphitheater
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n. Oval building with tiers of seats
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Ample
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adj. abundant
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Amplify
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v. Broaden or clarify by expanding
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Amputate
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v. Cut off part of a body; prune
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Amok (Amuck)
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adj. In a state of rage
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Amulet
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n. Charm; talisman
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Analgesic
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adj. Causing insensitivity to pain
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Analogy
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n. Similarity; parallelism
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Anarchist
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n. Person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate for abolishing authority
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Anathema
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n. Solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse
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Ancestry
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n. Family descent
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Anchor
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v. Secure or fasten firmly; be in a fixed place
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Ancillary
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adj. Serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary
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Anecdote
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n. Shorten account of an amusing or interesting event
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Anemia
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n. Condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles
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Anesthetic
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n. Substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness
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Anguish
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n. Acute pain; extreme suffering
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Angular
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adj. Sharp-cornered; stiff in manner
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Animadversion
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n. Critical remark
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Animated
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adj. Lively; spirited
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Animosity
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n. Active enmity (dislike)
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Animus
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n. Hostile feeling or intent
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Annals
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n. Records; history
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Aneal
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v. Reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling
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Annex
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v. attach; take possession of
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Annihilate
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v. Destroy
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Annotate
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v. Comment; make explanatory notes
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Annuity
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n. Yearly allowance
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Annul
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v. Make void
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Anodyne
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n. Drug that relieves pain; opiate
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Anoint
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v. Consecrate
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Anomaly
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n. irregularity
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Anonymity
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n. State of being nameless
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Antagonism
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n. Hostility; active resistance
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Antecede
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v. Precede
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Antecedents
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n. Preceding events or circumstances that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background
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Antediluvian
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adj. Antiquated; extremely ancient
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Anthem
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n. Song of praise or patriotism
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Anthology
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n. Book of literary selections by various authors
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Anthropoid
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adj. Manlike
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Anthropologist
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n. Student of the history and science of humankind
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Anthropomorphic
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adj. Having human form or characteristics
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Antic
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adj. Extravagantly odd
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Anticlimax
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n. Letdown in thought or emotion
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Antidote
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n. Remedy to counteract a poison or disease
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Antiquated
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adj. Obsolete; outdated
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Antiseptic
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n. Substance that prevents infection
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Antithesis
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n. Contrast; direct opposite of or to
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Anvil
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n. Iron block used in hammering out metals
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Ape
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v. Imitate or Mimic
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Aperture
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n. Opening; hole
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Apex
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n. Tip; summit; climax
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Aphasia
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n. Loss of speech due to injury or illness
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Aphorism
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n. Pithy maxim or saying
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Apiary
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n. A place where bees are kept
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Aplomb
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n. Poise; assurance
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Apocalyptic
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adj. Prophetic; pertaining to revelations
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Apocryphal
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adj. Spurious; not authentic; invented rather than true
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Apogee
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n. Highest point
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Apolitical
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adj. Having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs
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Apologist
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n. One who writes in defense of a cause or institution
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Apostate
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n. One who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs
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Apothecary
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n. Druggist
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Apothegm
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n. Pithy, compact saying
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Apotheosis
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n. Elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something
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Appall
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v. Dismay; shock
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Apparition
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n. Ghost; phantom
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Appellation
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n. Name or title
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Append
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v. Attach
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Application
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n. Diligent attention
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Apposite
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adj. Appropriate; fitting
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Appraise
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v. Estimate value of
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Appreciate
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v. Be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of
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Apprehend
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v. Arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive
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Apprehensive
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adj. Fearful; discerning
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Appurtenances
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n. subordinate possessions
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Apropos
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adj. to the point and timely
Prep. With reference to; regarding |
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Aptitude
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n. Fitness; talent
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Aquiline
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adj. Curved; hooked
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Arabesque
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n. Style of decoration involving intertwined plants and abstract curves; ballet position (1 leg supports weight other leg is extended in back)
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Arable
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adj. Fit for growing crops
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Arbiter
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n. Person with power to decide a matter in dispute
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Arbitrary
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adj. Unreasonable or capricious; tyrannical
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Arbitrate
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v. Acts as judge
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Arboretum
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n. Place where different varieties of trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited
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Arcade
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n. A covered passageway, usually lined with shops
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Arcane
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adj. Secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated
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Archaeology
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n. Study of artifacts and relics of early mankind
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Archaic
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adj. Antiquated
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Archetype
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n. Prototype; primitive pattern
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Archipelago
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n. Group of closely located islands
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Archives
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n. Public records; place where public records are kept
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Ardor
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n. Heat; passion; zeal
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Argot
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n. Slang
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Aria
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n. Operatic solo
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Arid
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adj. Dry; barren
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Aristocracy
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n. Hereditary nobility; privileged class
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Armad
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n. Fleet of warships
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Aromatic
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adj. Fragrant
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Archetype
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n. Prototype; primitive pattern
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Archipelago
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n. Group of closely located islands
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Archives
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n. Public records; place where public records are kept
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Ardor
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n. Heat; passion; zeal
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Argot
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n. Slang
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Aria
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n. Operatic solo
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Arid
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adj. Dry; barren
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Aristocracy
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n. Hereditary nobility; privileged class
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Armada
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n. Fleet of warships
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Aromatic
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adj. Fragrant
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Arraign
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v. Charge in court; indict
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Array
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v. Marshal; draw up in order
v. clothe; adorn |
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Arrears
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n. being in debt
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Arrest
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v. Stop or check; seize or capture (the attention)
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Arrhythmic
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adj. Lacking rhythm or regularity
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Arrogance
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n. Pride; haughtiness
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Arroyo
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n. Gully
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Arsenal
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n. Storage place for military equipment
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Artful
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adj. Cunning; crafty; sly
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Articulate
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adj. Effective; distinct
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Artifact
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n. object made by human beings, either handmade or mass-produced
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Artifice
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n. Deception; trickery
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Artisan
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n. Manually skilled worker; craftsman, as opposed to artist
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Ascendancy
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n. Controlling influence
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Ascertain
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v. Find out for certain
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Ascribe
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v. Refer; attribute; assign
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Aseptic
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adj. Preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
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Ashen
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adj. Ash-colored; deadly pale
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Asinine
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adj. Stupid
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Askance
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adj. With a sideways or indirect look
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Askew
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adv. Crookedly; slanted; at an angle
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Asperity
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n. Sharpness (of temper)
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Aspersion
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n. Slanderous remark
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Aspirant
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n. Seeker after position or status
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Aspire
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v. Seek to attain; long for
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Assail
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v. Assault
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Assay
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v. analyze; evaluate
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Assent
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v. Agree; accept
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Assert
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v. State strongly or positively; insist or demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc)
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Assessment
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n. Estimation; appraisal
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Assimilate
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v. Absorb; cause to become homogenous
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Assumption
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n. Something taken for granted; taking over or possession of
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Assurance
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n. Promise or pledge; certainty; self-confidence
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Asteroid
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n. Small planet
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Astigmatism
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n. Eye defect preventing proper focus
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Astral
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adj. Relating to the stars
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Astringent
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adj. Binding; causing contraction; harsh or severe
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Astronomical
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adj. Enormously large or extensive
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Astute
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adj. Wise; shrewd; keen
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Asunder
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adv. Into parts; apart
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Asylum
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n. Place of refuge or shelter; protection
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Asymmetric
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adv. Not identical on both sides of a dividing central line
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Atavism
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n. Resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback
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Atheist
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n. One who denies the existence of God
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Atone
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v. Make amends for; pay for
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Atrocity
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n. Brutal deed
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Atrophy
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n. Wasting away
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Attentive
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adj. Alert and watchful; considerate; thoughtful
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Attest
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v. Testify; bear witness
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Attribute
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n. Essential quality
v. Ascribe; explain |
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Attrition
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n. Gradual decrease in numbers; reduction in the work force without firing; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment
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Atypical
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adj. Not normal
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Audit
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n. Examination of accounts
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Augment
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v. Increase; add to
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Augury
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n. Omen; prophecy
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August
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adj. Impressive; majestic
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Aureole
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n. Sun's corona; halo
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Auroral
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adj. Pertaining to aurora borealis
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Auspicious
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adj. Favoring success
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Authenticate
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v. Prove genuine
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Authoritarian
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adj. Subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will
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Authoritative
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adj. Having the weight of authority; peremptory and dictatorial
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Autocratic
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adj. Having absolute, unchecked power; dictatorial
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Automaton
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n. Mechanism that imitates actions of humans
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Autopsy
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n. Examination of a dead body; postmortem
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Auxiliary
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adj. Offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary
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Avalanche
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n. Great mass of falling snow and ice
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Avarice
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n. Greediness for wealth
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Avenge
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v. Take vengeance for something ( or on behalf of someone)
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Averse
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adj. Reluctant; disinclined
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Aversion
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n. Firm dislike
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Avert
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v. Prevent; tern away
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Aviary
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n. Enclosure for birds
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Avid
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adj. Greedy; eager for
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Avocation
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n. Secondary or minor occupation
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Avow
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v. Declare openly
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Avuncular
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adj. Like an uncle
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Awe
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n. Solemn wonder
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Awl
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n. Pointed tool used for piercing
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Awry
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adv. Distorted; crooked
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Axiom
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n. Self-evident truth requiring no proof
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Azure
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adj. Sky blue
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Babble
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v. Chatter idly
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Bacchanalian
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adj. Drunken
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Badger
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v. Pester; annoy
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Badinage
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n. Teasing conversation
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Baffle
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v. Frustrate; perplex
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Bait
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v. Harass; tease
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Baleful
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adj. Threatening; menacing; sinister; foreshadowing evil
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Balk
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v. Stop short, as if faced with an obstacle and refuse to continue
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Ballast
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n. Heavy substance used to add stability or weight
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Balm
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n. Something that relieves pain
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Balmy
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adj. mild; fragrant
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Bandy
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v. Discuss lightly or glibly; exchange (words) heatedly
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Bane
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n. Curse; cause of ruin
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Baneful
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adj. Destructive; causing ruin or death
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Bantering
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adj. Good-naturedly ridiculing
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Barb
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n. Sharp projection from fishhook or other object; openly cutting remark
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