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25 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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alleviate
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to relieve, improve partially
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The medicine will help to alleviate the pain.
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alliteration
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repetition of the beginning sounds of words
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The poet was fond of using alliteration in her work, as in her poem "Preening Pigeons Perch Prettily."
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allocation
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allowance, portion or share
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The treasurer will be in charge of the allocation of funds during the campaign.
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allure
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to entice by charm; attract
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The video arcade owner allured teenage customers by installing the coolest, most desirable new games.
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allusion
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indirect reference
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He was sometimes referred to as "the Slugger" an allusion to his ability to hit the baseball very hard.
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allusiveness
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quality of making many indirect references
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Joyce found Michael's allusiveness increasingly irritating-sometimes she wished he'd just get to the point.
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aloof
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detached, indifferent
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The newcomer remained aloof from all our activities and therefore made no new friends.
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altercation
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noisy dispute
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When the drunken cowboy knocked someone's beer bottle off the table, a serious altercation ensued.
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altruism
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unselfish concern for others
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The woman's altruism revealed itself in the way she gave out money to all who seemed needy.
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amalgamate
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to mix, combine
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Giant Industries amalgamated with Mega Products to form Giant-Mega Products Incorporated.
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ambidextrous
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able to use both hands equally well
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The ambidextrous man was able to chop vegetables with both hands simultaneously, making him one of the fastest short-order cooks in the business.
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ambiguous
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uncertain; subject to multiple interpretations
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The directions he gave were so ambiguous that we disagreed on which way to turn.
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ambivalence
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attitude of uncertainty; conflicting emotions
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Jane was filled with ambivalence-on the one hand, switching jobs would get her away from her tyrannical boss, but on the other hand, she'd lose her high salary and corner office.
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ameliorate
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to make better, improve
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Conditions in the hospital were ameliorated by the hiring of dozens of expertly trained nurses.
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amenable
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agreeable, cooperative
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Although the new director seemed rigid at first, the cast soon found her to be amenable to change.
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amend
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to improve or correct flaws in
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Congress must amend the bill before the president will agree to sign it.
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amenity
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pleasantness; something increasing comfort
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The star was overjoyed to have access to all the amenities of civilized society after her stint in the jungle.
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amiable
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friendly, pleasant, likable
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The new boss was an amiable young man with a smile for everyone.
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amicable
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friendly, agreeable
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Despite their former arguments, the team was able to form an amicable working relationship.
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amity
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friendship
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Correspondence over the years contributed to a lasting amity between the women.
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amoral
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unprincipled, unethical
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The preacher ranted about the amoral nature of modern values.
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amorous
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strongly attracted to love; showing love
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The love-sick young poet wrote many amorous poems about his girlfriend.
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amorphous
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having no definite form
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The movie The Blob featured an amorphous creature that was constantly changing shape.
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amortize
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to diminish by installment payments
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She was able to amortize her debts by paying a small amount each month.
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amphibian
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creature equally at home on land or in the water
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The frog's ability to live both on land and in the water classifies it as an amphibian.
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