Lesson 1

abase

(v) to lower in position, estimation

abdicate

(v) to give up (position, responsibility, power, etc)

aberrant

(adj) deviating from the usual, customary, or normal course

aberration

(n) the fact of or an instance of deviation from the usual, customary, or normal course

abeyance

(n) a state of suspension or temporary inaction

abhor

(v) to regard with disgust, fear, or hatred

abhorrence

(n) the act or state of extreme disgust, loathing, or hatred

abject

(adj) sunk to a low condition; wretched; degraded

abridge

(v) to make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaving out minor parts

abstemious

(adj) characterized by self-denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink or food

abstruse

(adj) hard to understand; deep; complex

accede

(v) to agree

accolade

(n) anything done or given as a sign or great respect, approval, appreciation

accursed

(adj) doomed to evil, misery, or misfortune

acerbic

(adj) sharp, harsh or bitter in words, tone, or temperment

acquiesce

(v) to comply; submit

acquiescence

(n) passive consent

acrimonious

(adj) full of bitterness

adamant

(adj) not giving in or relenting; unyielding

adroit

(adj) having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations

aesthetics

(n) the study or theory of beauty and of the psychological responses to it; specifically, the branch of philosophy dealing with art, its creative sources, its forms, and its effects

affable

(adj) pleasant and easy to approach; friendly

aloof

(adj) removed or distant either physically or emotionally; not in sympathy with or desiring to associate with others

altruism

(n) unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness

amass

(v) to pile up; to accumulate

ambidextrous

(adj) able to use both hands with equal skill or ease

ambiguous

(adj) having two or more possible meaning; not clear; uncertain

ambivalence

(n) simultaneous conflicting feelings toward a person or thing

ambivalent

(adj) feeling simultaneous conflicting feelings; contradictory, mixed feelings

ambulatory

(adj) of or for walking; able to walk