Set 1

Front 1

Abate

Back 1

(v) to lessen in intensity or degree

We realized with great relief that the storm had abated before breaking through the sea wall.

Attempts by the administration to abate the intensity of the controversy were mostly unsuccessful; it continued to consume everyone's attention.

Front 2

Abatement

Back 2

(n) a lessening in amount or degree

The city's new noise abatement plan targeted live music venues, but many people felt the focus should be on decreasing the number of low flying airplanes passing over the city.

Front 3

Aberrant

Back 3

(adj) deviating from the norm

Jim's abberant behavior at the dance raised some eyebrows; he was certainly the only one who spent the night walking (and dancing) on his hands.

Front 4

Aberration

Back 4

(n) someone or something aberrant

The D Jenny

Front 5

Abjure

Back 5

(v) to renounce or reject solemnly; to recant; to avoid

The reformed socialite abjured her former lifestyle and all those with whom she had previously associated.

Steve had to abjure all indulgence when he entered the training camp.

Front 6

Abrogate

Back 6

(v) to abolish or annul by authority; put down

The court ruling abrogated the defendant's rights to any profit from the sale of the house.

Darren abrogated his responsibility to the paper when he went on vacation without submitting his article before the deadline.

Front 7

Abscission

Back 7

(n) act of cutting off or removing

Dr. Carter recommended an immediate abscission of the abscess in order to minimize any further infection.

Front 8

Abcise

Back 8

(v) to cut off or remove

When she called for the resignation of key legislators, the congresswomen claimed that it was the only way to abscise the corruption before it spread.

Front 9

Abscond

Back 9

(v) to depart clandestinely; to steal off and hide

Doug was left penniless when the two con men absconded with his life savings.

Raccoons are notorious for absconding and hiding shiny objects; no one knows why they need all those spoons and watches, though.

Front 10

Abstain

Back 10

(v) to refrain from an activity

Sheryl chose to abstain from eating chocolate, her favorite treat, for the season of Lent.

Front 11

Abstinence

Back 11

the act of abstaining

The old health textbook recommended abstinence from sexual activity as the primary means of birth control.

Front 12

Abstemious

Back 12

marked by moderation, particularly where food and drink are concerned

Though some regard the diet as a fad, in fact it recommends some very traditional habits, such as consuming sugar and alcohol abstemiously.

Front 13

Accolade

Back 13

(n) an expression of praise; an award

The diva received her accolades graciously, blowing kisses to her adoring fans.

Doris so craved her coach's accolades that she showed up an hour early to every practice.

Front 14

Accretion

Back 14

(n) growth, increase by successive addition, building up

Limestone is formed by the accretion of tiny particles from objects such as shells and coral over a very, very long time.

The accretion of dirt has changed the color of the kitchen floor from white to brown, which is pretty disgusting.

Front 15

Acerbic

Back 15

(abj) having a sour or bitter taste or character

Dorothy Parker was famous for her wit, which could be quite acerbic; Parker could be devastating when she wanted to be.

I like my lemonade with very little sugar in it; the acerbic tang is refreshing when the weather's warm.

Front 16

Acumen

Back 16

(n) quick, keen, or accurate knowledge or insight

The media often comments of the CEO's business acumen, remarking on his company's financial successes, but I think his fashion sense is much more interesting.

Her acumen in anticipating her opponent's strategy is legendary; it's what makes her so hard to beat.