Term
|
Definition
abbreviate, to make briefer, to shorten. Because time was running
out, the speaker had to abbreviate his remarks. abbreviation (noun). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
abide, to withstand. It’s extremely difficult to abide criticism
when you feel that it is undeserved. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
abstain, to refrain, to hold back. After his heart attack, he was
warned by the doctor to abstain from smoking, drinking, and over-eating |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
abstract, intangible; apart from concrete existence. The most
difficult concepts for most students to learn are those which are most
abstract. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
absurdly, in a meaningless or ridiculous manner. Absurdly,
the doctor asked the man with the broken arm if he was feeling well. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
accouterments, accessories or equipment. Other than his weapons,
the equipment a soldier carries is considered accouterments. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
acrimonious, biting, harsh, caustic. The election campaign
became acrimonious, as the candidates traded insults and accusations. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
adaptable, able to be changed to be suitable for a new purpose.
Some scientists say that the mammals outlived the dinosaurs because
they were more adaptable to a changing climate. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
adept, highly skilled or proficient. Although with today’s
electronic calculators it’s not absolutely essential, most accountants are
nevertheless adept at arithmetic. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
admirable, deserving the highest esteem. Honesty has always
been considered a particularly admirable trait. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
adulation, extreme admiration. Few young actors have received
greater adulation than did Marlon Brando after his performance in A
Streetcar Named Desire. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
adversary, an enemy or opponent. When the former Soviet Union
became an American ally, the United States lost its last major adversary. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
adversity, misfortune. It’s easy to be patient and generous when
things are going well; a person’s true character is revealed under adversity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
aeons, immeasurably long periods of time. Although it hadn’t
actually been that long, it seemed to the two friends that it had been
aeons since they’d seen each other. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
allege, to state without proof. Some have alleged that Foster was
murdered, but all the evidence points to suicide. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
alleviate, to make lighter or more bearable. Although no cure
for AIDS has been found, doctors are able to alleviate the sufferings of
those with the disease. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
ambiguous, having two or more possible meanings. The
phrase, “Let’s table that discussion” is ambiguous; some think it means,
“Let’s discuss it now,” while others think it means, “Let’s save it for
later.” |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
ambivalent, having two or more contradictory feelings or
attitudes; uncertain. She was ambivalent toward her impending marriage;
at times she was eager to go ahead, while at other times she wanted to
call it off. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
anachronistic, out of the proper time. The reference, in
Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, to “the clock striking twelve” is anachronistic,
since there were no striking timepieces in ancient Rome. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
anomaly, something different or irregular. The tiny planet Pluto,
orbiting next to the giants Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune, has long appeared
to be an anomaly. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
anonymity, the state or quality of being unidentified. Fatigued
by years in the public eye, the president had begun to long for anonymity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
anxiety, apprehension, worry. For many people, a visit to the
dentist is the cause of anxiety. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
apprenticeship, a period of time during which one learns an art
or trade. Before the advent of law schools, a young person interested in
becoming an attorney generally enters into an apprenticeship with an
already established lawyer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
aptitude, natural ability or talent. It was clear, even when he was
a very young child, that Picasso had an extraordinary aptitude for art. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
arable, able to be cultivated for growing crops. Rocky New
England has relatively little arable farmland |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
arbiter, someone able to settle a dispute; a judge or referee.
The public is the ultimate arbiter of commercial value; they decide what
sells and what doesn’t. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
arbitrary, based on random or merely personal preference.
Both computers cost the same and had the same features, so in the end I
made an arbitrary decision about which one to buy. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
aristocratic, of the nobility. Having been born a prince,
and raised to succeed his father on the throne, the young man always
had an aristocratic air about him. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
artisans, skilled workers or craftsmen. During the Middle Ages,
hundreds of artisans were employed to build the great cathedrals. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
assiduous, working with care, attention, and diligence. Although
Karen is not a naturally gifted math student, by assiduous study she
managed to earn an A in trigonometry. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
associate, to join or become connected. After many years of
working on her own, the attorney decided to associate herself with a
large law firm. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
astute, observant, intelligent, and shrewd. Safire’s years of
experience in Washington and his personal acquaintance with many
political insiders make him an astute commentator on politics. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
asymmetrical, not balanced. If one of the two equal-sized
windows is enlarged, the room’s design will become asymmetrical. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
audible, able to be heard. Although she whispered, her voice
was picked up by the microphone, and her words were audible throughout
the theater. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
auditory,of, relating to, or experienced through hearing.
Attending a symphony concert is primarily an auditory rather than a
visual experience. |
|
|
