Selective entry Vocabulary

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abhor

to utterly hate

Abjure

abstain from, renounce

Abortive

fruitless, failing

fruitless

not producing the desired results, unsuccessful

Abound

to exist in great numbers

Abrogate

repeal by law

Abstemious

(adj.) moderate, sparing (as in eating and drinking); characterized by abstinence and self-discipline

Absurd

ridiculous

Access

admittance

accommodate

to make fit, adjust to

accomplice

an associate in crime

accost

to greet first; to approach and speak too

Achille's heal

a weak spot/vulnerable point

acknowledge

recognize; admit

acme

zenith, pinnacle, peak

accrimonious

caustic, bitter

caustic

(adj.) able to burn or eat away by chemical action; biting, sarcastic

acute

severe, keen, sharp

Adamant

inflexible, unyielding

adherent

supporter, backer

admonish

to scold, warn

adroit

clever, skilful

advent

upcoming of an important event

adversary

enemy, foe, opponent

Adverse

unfavourable

advocate

to support; to be in favor of

aegis

protection, sponsorship, shield

patronage

(politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

afflict

to trouble greatly, to distress

affluent

wealthy

alacrity

quick willingness

allay

soothe, calm

alleged

supposed, reported

alleviate

to lighten, lessen, or relieve, especially physical or mental suffering

allude

suggest, hint

aloof

reserved, apart, distant

altruistic

unselfish

ambiguous

undefined, vague, not specific

ameliroate

relieve, improve

amicable

friendly

amnesty

a general pardon

amorous

full of love

analogous

comparable, similar

anathema

a curse

annals

historical records

anomaly

abnormality, irregularity

anthropologist

person who studies mankind's customs

antipathy

hate, distaste, dislike

antiquated

out-of-date, obsolete

antithesis

exact opposite

apathy

unconcern, lack of interest

appellation

name

appalled

shock, dismayed

Apple polishing

trying to gain favor by gifts or flattery

arbiter

judge

arbitrary

based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system

a blind alley

a direction that leads nowhere

a bolt from the blue

a great surprise

a cat's paw

a person used as a tool or dupe

a feather in one's cap

something to be proud of

a flash in the pan

promising at the start but then disappointing

a fly in the ointment

something that spoils or lessens the enjoyment

a lick and promise

to do something in a hasty and superficial manner

a pig and a poke

an item you purchase without having seen; a disappointment

a pretty kettle of fish

a messy situation, a problem

a red herring

something that draws attention away from the main issue

a sacred cow

a person who cannot be criticized

a square peg in a round hole

an able man in the wrong job

a wet blanket

one who spoils the fun; killjoy; spoilsport

a white elephant

a costly and useless possession

archaic

out of date

ardent

eager, passionate

array

system, arrangement

artifact

a hand made object

artifice

strategy, trickery

artless

naive, innocent

as broad as it is long

makes very little difference

ascend

to rise

ascertain

find out about, discover

ascetic

one who practices self-denial

asinine

silly, stupid

asperity

bitterness of temper

aspirant

candidate for better job

aspire

to strive for ; seek

asset

something of value

assiduous

busy, attentive

astute

keen , shrewd

atrophy

waste away

attenuated

decreased, weakened, thinned

attest

confirm as accurate, vouch for

atypical

nonconforming

au courant

up to date

audactiy

daring, boldness

augment

increase, enlarge

austere

severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance

automation

a robot; a mechanical "person"

avarice

passion for riches, greed

aversion

opposition, strong dislike

avid

enthusiastic; extremely interested

awesome

amazing. sublime, astounding, breathtaking