List #1 September Vocab

aberration (n)

- a deviation, an abnormality

abstinence (n)

- the giving up of pleasures, sobriety

abstract (adj)

- conceptual, theoretical, not concrete

acquiesce (v)

- to accept, to give in

admonish (v)

- to warn, to scold, to reprimand

advocate (v)

- to encourage, to endorse, to support

aesthetic (adj)

- artistic, appreciative of art and beauty

affinity (n)

- a natural connection, an attraction

alienate (v)

- to estrange, to turn someone off

aloof (adj)

- detached, withdrawn, uninvolved

altruistic (adj)

- charitable, concerned for others

ambiguous (adj)

- unclear, confusing, having several interpretations

ambivalent (adj)

- unsure, undecided, uncertain

ameliorate (v)

- to improve, to make better

analogous (adj)

- similar to, comparable to

animosity (n)

- hostility, ill will, dislike

anonymity (n)

-being nameless, being unknown

antithesis (n)

-the complete opposite

arduous (adj)

- physically taxing, strenuous

articulate (adj)

- able to speak well, eloquent

assuage (v)

- to relieve, to calm, to soothe

atrophy (v)

- to degenerate, to waste away

austere (adj)

- bleak, stern, strict, grim

authoritarian (adj)

- domineering, dictatorial

autonomy (n)

- independence