Print › A | Quizlet

abacus: an instrument for performing calculations by sliding counters along rods or in grooves
abandon: to give (oneself) over unrestrainedly
abase: To lower in rank, prestige, or esteem
abash: to destroy the self-possession or self-confidence of:disconcert
abate: to reduce in degree or intensity:MODERATE:to reduce in value or amount
abbreviate: to make briefer; especially :to reduce to a shorter form intended to stand for the whole
abdicate: to relinquish (as sovereign power) formally
aberrant: deviating from the usual or natural type:ATYPICAL
abet: to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose
abeyance: temporary inactivity:SUSPENSION
abhor: to regard with extreme repugnance
abiding: to remain stable or fixed in a state
abject: cast down in spirit
abjure: to renounce upon oath
abnegate: SURRENDER, RELINQUISH
abolish: To do away with; annul
abolitionism: principles or measures fostering abolition especially of slavery
aboveboard: be in a straightforward manner
abrasion: a wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction
abridge: to shorten by omission of words without sacrifice of sense:CONDENSE
abrogate: to abolish by authoritative action:ANNUL
abscond: to depart secretly and hide oneself
absolve: to set free from an obligation or the consequences of guilt
abstain: to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice
abstemious: marked by restraint especially in the consumption of food or alcohol
abstinent: voluntary forbearance especially from indulgence of an appetite or craving or from eating some foods:ABSTENTION
abstract: having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content
abstruse: difficult to comprehend:RECONDITE
abuse: to attack in words:REVILE
abysmal: immeasurably low or wretched
accede: to express approval or give consent:give in to a request or demand
accelerate: to move faster:gain speed
accessible: capable of being understood or appreciated
accessory: present in a minor amount and not essential as a constituent
accidental: occurring unexpectedly or by chance
acclimate: to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment, or situation
accolade: an expression of praise
accommodate: to provide with something desired, needed, or suited (as a helpful service, a loan, or lodgings)
accomplice: one associated with another especially in wrongdoing
accost: to approach and speak to often in a challenging or aggressive way
accrete: ACCUMULATE
accumulate: to gather or pile up especially little by little:AMASS
accuse: to charge with a fault or offense:BLAME
acerbity: Sourness of taste, character, or tone.
achromatic: designating color perceived to have zero saturation and therefore no hue, such as neutral grays, white, or black
acme: the highest point or stage
acquiesce: to accept, comply, or submit tacitly or passively
acquisition: the act of acquiring
acquit: to discharge completely
acre: A unit of area in the U.S. Customary System, used in land and sea floor measurement
acrid: sharp and harsh or unpleasantly pungent in taste or odor:IRRITATING
acrimonious: caustic , biting , or rancorous especially in feeling, language, or manner
acumen: mental keenness
ad lib: without restraint or limit , to speak, sing, or act without a script, saying whatever words come into one's mind
ad-lib: with little or no preparation or forethought
adamant: unshakable or immovable especially in opposition:UNYIELDING
adapt: to make fit (as for a specific or new use or situation) often by modification
addendum: textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end
addict: to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively
addicted: be addicted to
adherent: one that adheres:as a follower of a leader, party, or profession
adhesive: Tending to adhere; sticky.
adjacent: having a common endpoint or border also immediately preceding or following
adjourn: to suspend a session indefinitely or to another time or place
adjunct: something joined or added to another thing but not essentially a part of it
admission: the act or process of admitting
admonish: to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner
adore: to regard with loving admiration and devotion
adroit: having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations
adulate: to flatter or admire excessively or slavishly
adulterate: to corrupt, debase, or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or element stickler
adumbrate: to suggest or disclose partially
adversary: one that contends with, opposes, or resists:ENEMY
advert: to turn the mind or attention
advertise: to announce publicly especially by a printed notice or a broadcast
advocate: to plead in favor of
aerate: to supply (the blood) with oxygen by respiration
aerial: of, relating to, or occurring in the air or atmosphere
aesthetic: adj. a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste and with the creation and appreciation of beauty
aesthetics: The branch of philosophy that deals with the nature and expression of beauty
affable: characterized by ease and friendliness
affected: assumed artificially or falsely:PRETENDED
affection: tender attachment:FONDNESS
affidavit: a sworn statement in writing made especially under oath or on affirmation before an authorized magistrateor officer
affiliate: to bring or receive into close connection as a member or branch
affiliation: joining; associating with
affinity: likeness based on relationship or causal connection
afflict: a:to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish b:TROUBLE, INJURE
affliction: n.
affluent: having a generously sufficient and typically increasing supply of material possessions
agenda: a list or outline of things to be considered or done
aggrandize: to make appear great or greater:praise highly
aggravate: to make worse, more serious, or more severe:intensify unpleasantly
aggregate: to collect or gather into a mass or whole
aggressive: Inclined to behave in a hostile fashion.
aggrieve: to give pain or trouble to:DISTRESS
agonized: suffered extreme pain or great anguish.
agony: intense pain of mind or body:ANGUISH, TORTURE
airtight: impermeable to air or nearly so
alacrity: promptness in response:cheerful readiness
albino: an organism exhibiting deficient pigmentation
alchemy: a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life
alibi: an excuse usually intended to avert blame or punishment
align: to bring into line or alignment
allay: to subdue or reduce in intensity or severity:ALLEVIATE
allegiance: devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause
allegory: the expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations abouthuman existence
alleviate: RELIEVE, LESSEN
alliterate: the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables
allowance: a share or portion allotted or granted
allude: to make indirect reference; broadly:REFER
aloft: at or toward the upper rigging.
aloof: removed or distant either physically or emotionally
alphabetical: arranged in the order of the letters of the alphabet
altitude: Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base-level, as the sea.
altruism: unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
amalgamate: to merge into a single body
amass: to collect for oneself:ACCUMULATE
ambiguous: doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctness
ambivalent: continual fluctuation (as between one thing and its opposite)
amble: to walk slowly or leisurely; stroll
ambrosial: suggestive of ambrosia; fragrant or delicious
ameliorate: to make better or more tolerable
amenable: readily managed; willing to be led
amenity: something that conduces to comfort, convenience, or enjoyment
amiable: being friendly, sociable, and congenial
amicable: characterized by friendly goodwill:PEACEABLE
amiss: in a faulty way:IMPERFECTLY
amorphous: having no definite form:SHAPELESS
amphibian: any of a class (Amphibia) of cold-blooded vertebrates (as frogs, toads, or salamanders) intermediate in many characters between fishes and reptiles and having gilled aquatic larvae and air-breathing adults
amplify: to make larger or greater (as in amount, importance, or intensity):INCREASE
amplitude: the quality or state of being ample:FULLNESS
amulet: a charm (as an ornament) often inscribed with a magic incantation or symbol to protect the wearer against evil (as disease or witchcraft) or to aid him
anaerobic: living, active, occurring, or existing in the absence of free oxygen
analgesic: insensibility to pain without loss of consciousness
analogy: a:resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike:SIMILARITY b:comparison based on such resemblance
analysis: separation of a whole into its component parts
anarchist: one who rebels against any authority, established order, or ruling power
anathema: the denunciation of something as accursed
ancestor: one from whom a person is descended and who is usually more remote in the line of descent than a grandparent
ancillary: serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary
anecdote: a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident
anemic: lacking force, vitality, or spirit
anesthetic: lacking awareness or sensitivity
anhydrous: free from water and especially water of crystallization
animation: possessing or characterized by life:ALIVE
animus: a usually prejudiced and often spiteful or malevolent ill will
annals: a record of events arranged in yearly sequence
annotate: comment; make explanatory notes
annoy: to disturb or irritate especially by repeated acts
annul: to declare or make legally invalid or void
anodyne: something that soothes, calms, or comforts
anomalous: inconsistent with or deviating from what is usual, normal, or expected:IRREGULAR, UNUSUAL
anonymous: not named or identified
antagonize: to incur or provoke the hostility of
antediluvian: made, evolved, or developed a long time ago
anterior: coming before in time or development
anthology: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music
antic: characterized by clownish extravagance or absurdity
anticipatory: to give advance thought, discussion, or treatment to
antidote: a remedy to counteract the effects of poison
antipathy: settled aversion or dislike:DISTASTE
antiquate: To make old or out of date.
antiquated: existing since or belonging to earlier times:ANCIENT
antiseptic: opposing sepsis, putrefaction, or decay;
anvil: a heavy usually steel-faced iron block on which metal is shaped
apathy: lack of feeling or emotion:IMPASSIVENESS
apex: the highest or culminating point
aphorism: a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment:ADAGE
apiary: a place where bees are kept; especially :a collection of hives or colonies of bees kept for their honey
aplomb: poise
apocalyptic: forecasting the ultimate destiny of the world:PROPHETIC
apocrypha: writings or statements of dubious authenticity
apologist: one who speaks or writes in defense of someone or something
apophasis: Allusion to something by denying that it will be mentioned, as in I will not bring up my opponent's questionable financial dealings
apoplectic: greatly agitated
apostasy: renunciation of a religious faith
apostrophe: a mark ' used to indicate the omission of letters or figures, the possessive case, or the plural of letters or figures
apothecary: one who prepares and sells drugs or compounds for medicinal purposes
appall: to overcome with consternation, shock, or dismay
apparel: to put clothes on:DRESS
appeal: to make an earnest request
appealing: having appeal:PLEASING
appease: to bring to a state of peace or quiet:CALM
appellation: A name, title, or designation.
appetite: an inherent craving
applause: approval publicly expressed
applicant: one who applies
appoint: to name officially
apposite: highly pertinent or appropriate:APT
appreciable: capable of being perceived or measured
apprehension: suspicion or fear especially of future evil:FOREBODING
apprentice: an inexperienced person:NOVICE
approbation: COMMENDATION, PRAISE
appropriate: 1. to take or make use of without authority or right 2. especially suitable or compatible:FITTING
approval: The act of approving
approve: to have or express a favorable opinion of
approximate: nearly correct or exact
apropos: being both relevant and opportune
apt: unusually fitted or qualified:READY
aquatic: growing or living in or frequenting water
aqueduct: a conduit for water
aquifer: a water-bearing stratum of permeable rock, sand, or gravel
arachnid: any of a class (Arachnida) of arthropods comprising chiefly terrestrial invertebrates, including the spiders, scorpions, mites, and ticks, and having a segmented body divided into two regions of which the anterior bears four pairs of legs but no antennae
arbor: a shelter of vines or branches or of latticework covered with climbing shrubs or vines
arboreal: of, relating to, or resembling a tree
archaic: of, relating to, or characteristic of an earlier or more primitive time:ANTIQUATED
archetype: the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies:PROTOTYPE; also :a perfect example
archipelago: an expanse of water with many scattered islands
architect: a person who designs buildings and advises in their construction
archive: a place in which public records or historical documents are preserved
arctic: bitter cold:FRIGID
ardor: extreme vigor or energy:INTENSITY
arduous: hard to accomplish or achieve:DIFFICULT
argot: an often more or less secret vocabulary and idiom peculiar to a particular group
arid: excessively dry
armory: a place where arms and military equipment are stored
arrest: to make inactive
arresting: catching the attention:STRIKING, IMPRESSIVE
arrhythmic: lacking rhythm or regularity
arrogance: a feeling or an impression of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or presumptuous claims
arroyo: a brook; a creek ;a water-carved gully or channel
arsenal: a:an establishment for the manufacture or storage of arms and military equipmentb:a collection of weapons
articulate: to give clear and effective utterance to:put into wordsratiocination:thinking:articulation:talking
artifacts: something created by humans usually for a practical purpose; especially :an object remaining from a particular period
artifice: false or insincere behavior
artless: free from guile or craft:sincerely simple
ascendant: governing or controlling influence:DOMINATION
ascent: an upward slope or rising grade:ACCLIVITY
ascetic: austere in appearance, manner, or attitude
aseptic: preventing infection
askew: out of line:AWRY
aspect: a position facing a particular direction:EXPOSURE
asperity: roughness of manner or of temper:HARSHNESS
aspersion: slanderous remark
aspirant: One who aspires, as to advancement, honors, or a high position.
aspiration: a strong desire to achieve something high or great
assert: to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively
assess: to determine the importance, size, or value of
asset: the entire property of a person, association, corporation, or estate applicable or subject to the payment of debts
assiduous: marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application
assuage: to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses):EASE
assume: to take to or upon oneself:UNDERTAKE
astounding: causing astonishment or amazement
astute: having or showing shrewdness and perspicacity
asylum: an inviolable place of refuge and protection giving shelter to criminals and debtors:SANCTUARY
asymmetrical: not of equal size or similar shape:
atone: to supply satisfaction for:EXPIATE
atrocious: extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel:BARBARIC
attenuate: to lessen the amount, force, magnitude, or value of:WEAKEN
attorney: A person legally appointed by another to act as his or her agent in the transaction of business, specifically one qualified and licensed to act for plaintiffs and defendants in legal proceedings
audacious: intrepidly daring:ADVENTUROUS
audible: heard or capable of being heard
augur: to foretell especially from omens
auspicious: affording a favorable auspice:PROPITIOUS
austere: markedly simple or unadorned
authenticity: not false or imitation:REAL, ACTUAL
authoritative: having the weight of authority; dictatorial
authority: power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior
autocracy: government in which one person possesses unlimited power
avarice: excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain:GREEDINESS, CUPIDITY
aversion: a feeling of repugnance toward something with a desire to avoid or turn from
avid: characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit
avulse: to separate, cut, or tear off by avulsion
awash: covered with water:FLOODED
awe: an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime
awkward: lacking dexterity or skill
awl: a pointed tool for marking surfaces or piercing small holes (as in leather or wood)
awning: a rooflike cover extending over or in front of a place (as over the deck or in front of a door or window) as a shelter
awry: in a turned or twisted position or direction:ASKEW