words to know

abhorrence

Despising something or someone.

abrasion

An area that is sore, scraped, or rubbed away.

abrupt

Sudden or unexpected.

abscess

A swollen, inflamed area in bodily tissues, in which pus gathers.

abstain

To choose not to do or have something or to refrain deliberately.

abstemious

Someone who abstains or is moderate, often specifically in their consumption of food and beverage.

abundance

A situation in which there is more than enough of something.

access

Permission, liberty, or the ability to enter, approach, or pass to and from a place.

accountable

Subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something.

acumen

Keenness and depth of perception.

acute

Sharpness or severity of sudden onset.

addictive

A drug or substance that causes or is likely to cause someone to develop a compulsive, harmful need towards such substance.

adequate

Sufficient for a specific need or requirement.

adhere

To stick or be attached firmly to a surface.

adulation

Excessive admiration or praise.

adverse

Having a negative or harmful effect on something.

aegis

Protection; support.

affably

Pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to.

affect (cause illness)

To cause illness, symptoms.

affect (influence)

To have an influence on someone or something.

aggrieved

Unhappy and angry because of unfair treatment.

aid/aide

To give assistance.

alcohol

A clear liquid that can produce drunkenness.

allude

To refer casually or indirectly.

ambiance

A feeling or mood associated with a particular place.

ambiguous

Someone or something that is unclear or not easily describable.

ambivalent

Someone who has mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something.

amenable

Someone willing to accept or be influenced by a suggestion.

anabolism

The constructive part of metabolism concerned especially with macromolecular synthesis.

analgesic

Something used to stop people from feeling pain.

annual

Occurring or happening every year.

antacid

A substance used to reduce or prevent acid collecting in the body.

anterior

Something that is positioned at or toward the front.

antibiotic

A medicine or chemical that can destroy harmful bacteria.

anticipate

To realize beforehand.

anticoagulant

A drug or substance that prevents or slows down blood clotting.

antihistamines

A type of drug that treats allergies.

antithesis

A contrary or opposite opinion, concept, or characteristic.

antitussive

A drug used to prevent or relieve a cough.

anuria

The absence or suppression of urine.

apathetic

Someone who shows or feels no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

applicable

Applying or capable of being applied.

apply

To request something, usually officially.

aptitude

A natural ability or skill.

assent

An act of agreeing to something.

assess

To determine the rate or amount of something.

assessment

The act of judging or deciding the amount, value, or quality of something.

assiduous

Someone who shows hard work, care, and attention to detail.

assured

Guaranteed.

astute

Someone who understands a situation quickly.

ATEB

Award Term Evaluation Board.

audible

Capable of being heard.

augment

To make something greater by adding to it.

auscultate

To examine by auscultation.

auspiciously

In a way that suggests a positive and successful future.

barren

Land that is too poor to produce vegetation.

benevolent

Characterized by or given to doing good.

benign

Pleasant and kind; not harmful.

bifurcate

To divide or fork into two branches.

bilateral

Relating to both sides.

bland

Lacking strong features or characteristics.

blister

A painful swelling on the skin that contains liquid.

boisterous

Rough and noisy.

boorish

Someone who is rude and not considerate.

brazen

Shameless or impudent.

breathe

To move air into and out of the lungs.

burgeoning

Something that is growing or developing quickly.

candid

Someone or something that is honest and telling the truth.

cantankerous

Difficult or irritating to deal with.

capricious

Indicative of a sudden, unpredictable change.

carbuncle

A painful local purulent inflammation of the skin.

cardiac

Of, near, or affecting the heart.

cavity

A hollowed-out space.

cease

To stop, discontinue, or come to an end.

cholesterol

A substance found in body tissue and blood thought to contribute to heart disease.

chronology

The arrangement of events in the order of occurrence.

cicatrix

New tissue that forms over a wound.

circuitous

Having a circular or winding course.

circumduction

Movement of a limb so that the distal end describes a circle.

cognition

The process of acquiring knowledge through thought.

collateral

A branch of a bodily part.

compensatory

Serving to compensate for loss or injury.

compiled

Gathered together especially from various sources.

complication

A difficult factor or issue that changes existing plans.

concave

Curved like a hollow sphere.

concise

Expressing much in few words.

concomitant

Existing or occurring with something else.

confines

Something that encloses.

congestive

Related to an abnormal collection of fluids.

consistent

Holding together; firm; solid.

constrict

To make narrow or draw together.

construct

A subjective idea or theory.

contemplate

To spend time considering a future action.

contingent

Dependent on or conditioned by something else.

contour

An outline especially of a curving figure.

contract

A binding agreement between two or more persons.

contraindications

A symptom or condition that makes a treatment inadvisable.

convalescence

A gradual healing process after an illness.

convulsion

An abnormal violent contraction of the muscles.

covert

Concealed or disguised.