Vocab List #2

abhor

regard with disgust and hatred

breach

an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct

abstinence

the fact or practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something, typically alcohol

accomplice

a person who helps another commit a crime

accrue

(of sums of money or benefits) be received by someone in regular or increasing amounts over time

acknowledge

accept or admit the existence or truth of

acme

the point at which someone or something is best, perfect, or most successful

acoustics

the properties or qualities of a room or building that determine how sound is transmitted in it

acquittal

a judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which the person has been charged

actuate

cause (a machine or device) to operate.

adage

a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth

adapt

make (something) suitable for a new use or purpose; modify

adhere

to hold fast or stick by or as if by gluing, suction, grasping, or fusing

agitate

make (someone) troubled or nervous

alias

a false or assumed identity

allegory

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political

one

alleviate

make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe

allusion

an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference

aloof

not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant

bogus

not genuine or true; fake

boisterous

(of a person, event, or behavior) noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy

buttress

a source of defense or support

callous

showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others

caricature

a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect

cascade

a process whereby something, typically information or knowledge, is successively passed on

caustic

capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue

celibate

abstaining from marriage and sexual relations, typically for religious reasons

censor

an official who examines material that is about to be released, such as books, movies, news, and art, and suppresses any parts that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security

cerebral

of or relating to the brain or the intellect

chalice

a large cup or goblet, typically used for drinking wine