ISEE Vocab Prep (A,B)

abate

to reduce, lessen

abrogate

to abolish, usually by authority

abstruse

hard to comprehend

accost

to confront verbally

acerbic

biting, bitter in tone or taste

acumen

keen insight

adumbrate

to sketch out in a vague way

affinity

a spontaneous feeling of closeness

aggrieved

distressed, wronged, injured

alacrity

eagerness, speed

allay

to soothe, ease

allege

to assert, usually without proof

aloof

reserved, distant

amalgamate

to bring together, unite

analgesic

something that reduces pain

anathema

a cursed, detested person

antediluvian

ancient

apocryphal

fictitious, false, wrong

approbation

praise

ardor

extreme vigor, energy, enthusiasm

arrogate

to take without justification

ascertain

to perceive, learn

ascetic

practicing restraint as a means of self-discipline, usually religious

ascribe

to assign, credit, attribute to

aspersion

a curse, expression of ill-will

assiduous

hard-working, diligent

assuage

to ease, pacify

astute

very clever, crafty

atone

to repent, make amends

atrophy

to wither away, decay

austere

very bare, bleak

avarice

excessive greed

banal

dull, commonplace

bane

a burden

bard

a poet, often a singer as well

bashful

shy, excessively timid

beguile

to trick, deceive

berate

to scold vehemently

bereft

devoid of, without

beseech

to beg, plead, implore

bilk

cheat, defraud

blight

a plague, disease or something that destroys hope

brusque

short, abrupt, dismissive

buffet

to strike with force

burnish

to polish, shine