1. abbreviate shorten
Because we were running out of time, the lecturer had to abbreviate her speech.
2. abate subside or moderate
Rather than leaving immediately, they waited for the storm to abate.
3. abortive unsuccessful; fruitless
We had to abandon our abortive attempts.
4. absolute complete; totally unlimited; certain
Although the King of Siam was an absolute monarch, he did not want to behead his unfaithful wife without absolute evidence of her infidelity.
5. abstract theoretical; not concrete; non-representational
To him, hunger was an abstract concept; he had never missed a meal.
6. abusive coarsely insulting; physically harmful
An abusive parent damages a child both mentally and physically.
7. accelerate move faster
In our science class, we learn how falling bodies accelerate.
8. accessible easy to approach; obtainable
We asked our guide whether the ruins were accessible on foot.
9. accessory additional object; useful but not essential thing
She bought an attractive handbag as an accessory for her dress.
10. abscond depart secretly and hide
The teller absconded with the bonds and was not found.
11. aberrant abnormal or deviant
Given the aberrant nature of the data, we came to doubt the validity of the entire experiment.
12. abeyance suspended action
The deal was held in abeyance until her arrival.
13. adamant hard, inflexible
He was adamant in his determination to punish the wrongdoer.
14. adulterate make impure by mixing with baser substances
It is a crime to adulterate foods without informing the buyer.
15. adversity poverty, misfortune
We must learn to meet adversity gracefully.
16. abase lower; degrade; humiliate
Anna expected to have to curtsy to the King of Siam; when told to cast herself down on the ground before him, however she refused to abase herself.
17. abash embarrass
He was not at all abashed by her open admiration.
18. abdicate renounce; give up
When Edward VII abdicated the British throne, he surprised the entire world.
19. abet assist, usually in doing something wrong
She was unwilling to abet him in the swindle he had planned.
20. abject wretched; lacking pride
On the streets of New York the homeless live in abject poverty, huddling in doorways to find shelter from the wind.
21. abjure renounce upon oath
He abjured his allegiance to the king.
22. ablution washing
His daily ablutions were accompanied by loud noises that he humorously labeled "Opera in the Bath."
23. abnegation renunciation; self-sacrifice
Though Rudolph and Duchess Flavia loved one another, their love was doomed, for she had to wed the king; their act of abnegation was necessary to preserve the kingdom.
24. abominate loathe; hate
Moses scolded the idol worshippers in the tribe because he abominated the custom.
25. abrasive rubbing away; tending to grind down
Just as abrasive cleaning powders can wear away a shiny finish, abrasive remarks can wear away a listener's patience.
26. abrogate abolish
He intended to abrogate the decree issued by his predecessor.
27. absolve pardon (an offense)
The father confessor absolved him of his sins.
28. abstain refrain; withhold from participation
After considering the effect of alcohol on his athletic performance, he decided to abstain from drinking while he trained for the race.
29. abut border upon; adjoin
Where our estates abut, we must build a fence.
30. abysmal bottomless
His arrogance is exceeded only by his abysmal ignorance.
31. accede agree
If I accede to this demand for blackmail, I am afraid that I will be the victim of future demands.
32. acclimate adjust to climate or environment
One of the difficulties of our present air age is the need of travellers to acclimate themselves to their new and often strange environments.
33. acclivity sharp upslope of a hill
The car could not go up the acclivity in high gear.
34. accolade award of merit
In Hollywood, an "Oscar" is the highest accolade.
35. accord agreement
She was in complete accord with the verdict.
36. accost approach and speak first to a person
When the two young men accosted me, I was frightened because I thought they were going to attack me.
37. accoutre equip
The fisherman was accoutred with the best that the sporting goods store could supply
38. accretion growth; increase
The accretion of wealth marked the family's rise in power.
39. accrue come about by addition
You must pay the interest that has accrued on your debt as well as the principal sum.
40. acidulous slightly sour; sharp; caustic
James was unpopular because of his sarcastic and acidulous remarks.
41. acme peak; pinnacle; highest point
Welles's success in Citizen Kane marked the acme of his career as an actor; never again did he achieve such popular acclaim.
42. acquiesce assent; agree passively
Although she appeared to acquiesce to her employer's suggestions, I could tell she had reservations about the changes he wanted made.
43. acquittal deliverance from a charge
His acquittal by the jury surprised those who had thought him guilty.
44. acrid sharp; bitterly pungent
The acrid odor of burnt gunpowder filled the room after the pistol had been fired.
45. acrimonious stinging, caustic
His tendency to utter acrimonious remarks alienated his audience.
46. actuarial calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
According to recent actuarial tables, life expectancy is greater today than it was a century ago.
47. actuate motivate
I fail to understand what actuated you to reply to this letter so nastily.
48. acuity sharpness
In time his youthful acuity of vision failed him, and he needed glasses.
49. acumen mental keenness
His business acumen helped him to succeed where others had failed.
50. adage wise saying; proverb
There is much truth in the old adage about fools and their money.
51. addendum addition; appendix to book
Jane's editor approved her new comparative literature text but thought it would be even better with an addendum on recent developments in literary criticism.
52. addle muddle; drive crazy
This idiotic plan is confusing enough to addle anyone.
53. adherent supporter; follower
In the wake of the scandal, the senator's one-time adherent quietly deserted him.
54. adjunct something attached to but holding an inferior position
I will entertain this concept as an adjunct to the main proposal.
55. adjuration solemn urging
Her adjuration to tell the truth did not change the witnesses' testimony.
56. adjutant staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
Though Wellington delegated many tasks to his chief adjutant, Lord Fitzroy Somerset, Somerset was in no doubt as to who made all major decisions.
57. admonish warn; reprove
He admonished his listeners to change their wicked ways.
58. adorn decorate
Wall paintings and carved statues adorned the temple.
59. adroit skillful
His adroit handling of the delicate situation pleased his employers.
60. adulation flattery; admiration
The rock star thrived on the adulation of his groupies and yes-men.
61. advent arrival
Most Americans were unaware of the advent of the Nuclear Age until the news of Hiroshima reached them.
62. adventitious accidental; casual
He found this adventitious meeting with his friend extremely fortunate.
63. adversary opponent; enemy
Batman struggled to save Gotham City from the machinations of his wicked adversary, the Joker.
64. adverse unfavorable; hostile
adverse circumstances compelled him to close his business.
65. advert refer to
Since you advert to this matter so frequently, you must regard it as important.
66. advocate urge; plead for
The abolitionists advocated freedom for the slaves.
67. aegis shield; defense
Under the aegis of the Bill of Rights, we enjoy our most treasured freedoms.
68. affable courteous
Although he held a position of responsibility, he was an affable individual and could be reached by anyone with a complaint.
69. affected artificial; pretended
His affected mannerisms irritated may of us who had known him before his promotion.
