words to know
abhorrence Despising something or someone
Now, I remember as a child having a deep abhorrence for routine.
abrasion
An area that is sore, scraped, or rubbed away.
After falling off from his bike, Richard presented multiple abrasions on his knees and elbows; he'll make
sure to wear his protective pads from now on.
abrupt Sudden or unexpected
A strong hand gripped her arm, bringing her to an abrupt stop.
abscess A swollen, inflamed area in bodily tissues, in which pus gathers is called an abscess.
The endodontist performed a root canal to drain the abscess in the patient’s molar.
abstain To choose not to do or have something or to refrain deliberately
I am trying to abstain from sweets for my new diet.
abstemious
Someone who abstains or is moderate, often specifically in their consumption of food and beverage.
My grandfather is a man of abstemious habits: he follows a strictly vegetarian diet, never drinks or
smokes, and walks ten miles every morning.
abundance A situation in which there is more than enough of something.
The dancer had talent in abundance, but she lacked the motivation to practice every day.
access
Permission, liberty, or the ability to enter, approach, or pass to and from a place or to approach
or communicate with a person or thing
Investigators wanted to get access to his home.
accountable Subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something
He was held accountable for his actions at work.
acumen Keenness and depth of perception
He has the acumen to make sound business decisions.
acute Sharpness or severity of sudden onset
He had had a short illness, there had been a brief time of acute suffering, and then all was over.
addictive
A drug or substance that causes or is likely to cause someone to develop a compulsive, harmful
need towards such substance.
The pharmacist explained that the pills were not thought to be addictive.
adequate Sufficient for a specific need or requirement
We agreed the setup was adequate and thanked him for his efforts.
adhere To stick or be attached firmly to a surface.
More people started adhering to our association after we appeared on that fantastic show on Channel 6.
adulation
Excessive admiration or praise.
After a while, it becomes hard to cope with the adulation of the fans: you can’t even go grocery shopping
without somebody stopping you to praise your work.
adverse Having a negative or harmful effect on something.
The adverse weather conditions forced us to cancel our sailing trip.
aegis Protection; support
A child whose welfare is now under the aegis of the courts.
affably Pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to
The affable manager helped to ease the frustrations of the disappointed customer.
affect To cause illness, symptoms
Heart disease affects millions of patients each year
affect (influence)
To have an influence on someone or something, or to cause a change in someone or something.
The burgeoning tourist industry will help the island country’s economy recover, but an excess of visitors
could negatively affect the ecosystem.
aggrieved
Unhappy and angry because of unfair treatment.
One aggrieved parent complained that he still hadn't been able to have a meeting with the teacher de-
spite requesting it multiple times.
aid/aide To give assistance
He gave aid to the victims of the fire.
alcohol A clear liquid that can produce drunkeness, also used as a solvent.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is very harmful to the fetus.
allude To refer casually or indirectly
Mrs. Simons alluded to some health problems, without being specific.
ambiance A feeling or mood associated with a particular place, person, or thing
The restaurant's ambiance is peaceful and unhurried.
ambiguous Someone or something that is unclear or not easily describable.
The editor considered the e-mails too ambiguous to make it into a news story.
ambivalent
Someone who has mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
Patricia was ambivalent about her breakup with Aysha; she hadn't been happy enough to stay, but the
idea of living alone frightened her.
amenable Someone willing to accept or be influenced by a suggestion
Your wife might be more amenable to your suggestion if you detailed how much money it would save.
anabolism
The constructive part of metabolism concerned especially with macromolecular synthesis.
Dietary changes that may be helpful The body repairs and builds new tissues in a process called
anabolism.
analgesic Something used to stop people from feeling pain, or relating to the stopping of pain.
After the surgery, analgesic drugs might be needed to control the pain.
annual Occurring or happening every year or once a year
I missed my annual doctor's appointment.
antacid A substance used to reduce or prevent acid collecting in the body, especially in the stomach.
My father often suffers from heartburn and is constantly taking antacids.
anterior Something that is positioned at or toward the front.
Anterior teeth are easier to brush than molars.
antibiotic A medicine or chemical that can destroy harmful bacteria in the body or limit their growth.
The doctor prescribed a strong antibiotic to treat the patient’s infection.
anticipate
To realize beforehand
She always seemed to know what was going on inside people's heads and to anticipate how a person
would react to a given circumstance.
anticoagulant A drug or other substance that prevents or slows down the process of blood forming a clot.
Did you know leech saliva contains an anticoagulant that prevents blood from clotting?
antihistamines
A type of drug that is used to treat medical conditions caused by an extreme reaction to particu-
lar substances.
Being allergic to animal fur, I always have to pop a few antihistamines before visiting my sister and her
three cats.
antithesis A contrary or opposite opinion, concept, or characteristic.
The four-hour documentary on Turkish bandwagons was the antithesis of entertainment.
antitussive A drug used to prevent or relieve a cough.
I’ve been taking antitussives for two weeks and I still have this obnoxious cough.
anuria The absence or suppression of urine.
During the twenty-four hours following the operation, there was anuria.
apathetic Someone who shows or feels no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
To the salsa band’s dismay, the apathetic audience refused to leave their seats during the whole concert.
applicable Applying or capable of being applied
The law is defective and unfair in its incidence, and it is not applicable to foreigners.
apply To request something, usually officially, especially in writing or by sending in a form.
By the time I heard about the internship, it was already too late to apply.
aptitude
A natural ability or skill.
My husband has no aptitude for finance: give him any amount of money and he will inadvertently spend
it.
assent An act of agreeing to something especially after thoughtful consideration
She gave her assent to the procedure.
assess To determine the rate or amount of (something, such as a tax, charge, or fine)
He took his attention off Jessi for half a second to glance down at Ashley and assess if she was okay.
assessment The act of judging or deciding the amount, value, quality, or importance of something.
The specialist didn’t consider the journalist’s opinion to be a fair assessment of the situation.
assiduous Someone who shows hard work, care, and attention to detail.
She was an assiduous nursing student, taking meticulous notes and studying every night.
assured Guaranteed
A quick check assured no one was in the house.
astute Someone who is able to understand a situation quickly and see how to take advantage of it.
My aunt, an astute observer of human behavior, knew exactly what to say to get all of us on her side.
ATEB Award Term Evaluation Board
The ATEB finalized its review of the situation and was ready to report.
audible Capable of being heard; loud enough to be heard; actually heard
He leaned close to his aunt and spoke in an audible whisper.
augment To make something greater by adding to it.
The use of disposable plastics is augmenting at an alarming rate.
auscultate To examine by auscultation
The doctor had to auscultate the patient's heart for a murmur.
auspiciously In a way that suggests a positive and successful future.
The evening hadn’t begun auspiciously; the guests had arrived one hour late and the dinner had burnt.
barren Land that is too poor to produce much or any vegetation.
The barren and rocky landscape reminded Rochelle of her trip through the Gobi desert.
benevolent Characterized by or given to doing good.
The benevolent gentleman left a further sum of $5000 to be divided among the poor.
benign
Pleasant and kind; not harmful or severe.
Albert had been worried about a tumor his mother has in one of her breasts, but it turned out to be
benign.
bifurcate To divide or fork into two branches
The stream bifurcated into two narrow winding channels.
bilateral
Relating to, or affecting the right and left sides of the body or the right and left members of
paired organs
She was also diagnosed with bilateral PFFD, which causes deformities in the hip, leaving one leg shorter
than the other.
bland
Someone or something that lacks strong features or characteristics and is therefore
uninteresting
I agree the potatoes were bland, but the mushrooms were delicious and perfectly seasoned.
blister
A painful swelling on the skin that contains liquid, caused usually by continuous rubbing,
especially on your foot, or by burning.
I can't wear these sandals: they always give me blisters.
boisterous Rough and noisy
The boisterous student disrupted his class every day.
boorish
Someone who is rude and not considerate of other people's feelings.
The boorish student kept interrupting the teacher, even though she had asked him to be quiet multiple times.
brazen Shameless or impudent
He exhibited a brazen disregard for other people's feelings.
breathe v. breath
To move air into and out of the lungs.
To breathe means to move air into and out of the lungs.
Take a moment to breathe deeply and relax.
She could see her breath in the cold air.
burgeoning
Something that is growing or developing quickly.
The burgeoning tourist industry will help the island country’s economy recover, but an excess of visitors could negatively affect the ecosystem.
candid
Someone or something that is honest and telling the truth, especially about something difficult
or painful.
The former actor had a candid talk with the experienced journalist, in which she spoke about her
relationship with her parents, her drug addiction, and the abrupt end of her career.
cantankerous
Difficult or irritating to deal with
In his last years, Harriman was the kind of cantankerous old man who once berated a financial planner
by threatening to make him sit in the corner and wear a dunce cap.
capricious Indicative of a sudden, odd notion or unpredictable change; erratic
I try to use a careful choice of words with people who have shown capricious behavior.
carbuncle
A painful local purulent inflammation of the skin and deeper tissues with multiple openings for
the discharge of pus and usually necrosis and sloughing of dead tissue
`Nasty carbuncle, there, Charles," said the doctor, and as he spoke he touched the tip of the scalpel to the
white center of the boil.
cardiac Of, near, or affecting the heart.
There is a reduction in cardiac output and an increase in hemoglobin oxygen affinity.
cavity A hollowed-out space
Some birds nest in tree cavities.
cease To stop, discontinue, or come to an end
He begged them to cease their fighting.
cholesterol
A substance found in the body tissue and blood of all animals, which contains a high amount
of fat and is thought to be a contributing factor to heart disease when present in excessive
amounts
The fact that this sauce is low in cholesterol doesn’t mean you can eat an entire loaf of bread dipped in it.
chronology The arrangement of events, dates, etc. in the order of occurrence
The book provides a chronology of events leading up to the American Civil War.
cicatrix
New tissue that forms over a wound and later contracts into a scar.
Habitual spasms of the muscles and a cicatrix from a severe burn have permanently modified the facial
bones.
circuitous
Having a circular or winding course
They moved on, taking circuitous routes back to the underground entrance in case they were being
watched.
circumduction
movement of a limb or extremity so that the distal end describes a circle while the proximal end
remains fixed
The limb is moved forward by abduction and circumduction.
cognition
Cognition is the process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought,
experience, and the senses.
This particular professor, who is an expert on memory and cognition, is devoted to the study of the inner
workings of the mind.
collateral
A branch of a bodily part (such as a vein)
Some knee braces are designed to protect uninjured knees from valgus stresses that could damage the
medial collateral ligaments.
compensatory
Serving to compensate, such as for loss, lack, or injury.
Binge-eaters do not purge in the same ways as bulimics, nor do they usually engage in excessive exercise
or other compensatory behaviors.
compiled Gathered together especially from various sources
Books stored in countless precious libraries are the compiled wisdom of all the world
complication
A difficult factor or issue often appearing unexpectedly and changing existing plans, methods, or
attitudes
Pneumonia is a common complication of AIDS.
concave
Curved like a segment of the interior of a circle or hollow sphere
Using a retinoid in your skincare routine will stimulate collagen production to fill concave scars and soften
the edges.
concise Expressing or covering much in few words
She gave a clear and concise account of the accident.
concomitant Existing or occurring with something else
The drug's risks increase with the concomitant use of alcohol.
confines Something (such as borders or walls) that encloses
He didn't remove his mask and hood, even within the confines of his home.
congestive Something related to or affected by an abnormal collection of blood or other fluids.
It was all over the news; the president had died of congestive heart failure.
consistent Holding together; firm; solid.
Most importantly, be consistent when training and remember to be encouraging.
constrict To make narrow or draw together
Smoking constricts blood vessels.
construct A construct is a subjective idea or theory.
History is substantially an ideological construct and thus, it might be subject to change.
contemplate
To contemplate is to spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one
particular thing for a long time in a serious and quiet way.
When I was your age, I also contemplated living abroad for a year.
contingent Dependent on or conditioned by something else
Payment is contingent on fulfillment of certain conditions.
contour An outline especially of a curving or irregular figure
The map shows the contour of the coastline.
contract A binding agreement between two or more persons or parties
The contract requires him to finish work by the end of the year.
contraindications
Something (such as a symptom or condition) that makes a particular treatment or procedure
inadvisable
Making the pills over the counter won’t increase the risk of someone with contraindications taking them.
convalescence
A gradual healing process or a time of rest and relaxation, usually after an illness.
Sophie felt very relieved when she found out that the long-term prognosis looked good and that her sister
was coming to stay with her during her convalescence.
convulsion An abnormal violent and involuntary contraction or series of contractions of the muscles
The vaccine can cause mild side effects in some children, including fever and brief convulsions.
covert Concealed or disguised
He has taken part in a number of covert military operations.
cursory Rapidly and often superficially performed or produced
Only a cursory inspection of the building's electrical wiring was done.
defecate To excrete waste matter from the bowels
This is where your cat will urinate and defecate when she needs to go.
deficit Inadequacy or insufficiency
She has a slight hearing deficit in her left ear.
dejected Low in spirits
The despairing, dejected expression on Natasha's face caught his eye.
delusion
A persistent false psychotic belief regarding the self or persons or objects outside the self that is
maintained despite indisputable evidence to the contrary
The man kept describing the delusion that someone was out to hurt him.
democracy
A form of government in which the common people hold political power.
The dictator's death brought social equality and political freedom back, making it possible to restore
democracy.
democratic
Someone who believes in, encourages, or supports freedom and equality between people and
groups.
The country’s first democratic election, in which all adults could vote, was in 1977.
density The quality of being close together and difficult to go or see-through.
I noticed a change in my hair's density during that stressful period.
depress To lessen the activity or strength of
That drug may depress your appetite.
depth A profound or intense state or an extremely low condition
I hadn't realized that her cancer had fallen to such depths.
deteriorating Becoming worse or inferior in condition, character, quality, or value
The doctor said a sign she was deteriorating would be hallucinations.
deterrent Something that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something.
Security cameras act as a deterrent to any potential offenders.
diagnosis The act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms
She is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.
diameter
A straight line passing from side to side of any figure or body, through its center.
Coughing or sneezing generates a substantial quantity of particles, a large number of which are extremely
small in diameter.
diffuse To cause to spread out freely.
The heat from the radiator diffuses throughout the room.
digress To deviate or wander away from the main topic or purpose in speaking or writing
He let the conversation digress into endless discussions about "character."
dilate
To become enlarged or widened
Warming up your body before any workout braces your muscles to receive oxygen by dilating your blood
vessels.
diligent Someone who is careful and uses a lot of effort.
The diligent student was rewarded with a full scholarship.
diluted Something made weaker or less pure by the addition of another substance.
The bone broth can be diluted with some water if it's too salty for your taste.
discrete
Apart or detached from others
Molecular biologists must pinpoint which genes out of many thousands interact as a discrete network to
produce a given trait.
disdain A feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior
Criminals have massive disdain for the law.
disinfectant A substance that contains chemicals that kill bacteria.
After cutting the chicken into pieces, she cleaned the kitchen counter using a disinfectant.
disregard The fact of showing no care or respect for something.
I’m astounded and hurt by his complete disregard for my feelings.
distal
Situated away from the point of origin or attachment, such as a limb or bone
Bleeding from a vein is of a darker color; the flow is steady, and the bleeding is from the distal end of the
vessel.
distended Enlarged, expanded, or stretched out (as from internal pressure)
The patient's abdomen was mildly distended with moderate tenderness.
diuretic
Something that causes an increase in the production of urine.
People suffering from eating disorders sometimes use diuretic substances to lose weight, but they will only
make them lose liquid.
docile Easy to teach, manage, or handle
His students were docile and eager to learn.
documentation
Pieces of paper containing official information.
The applicant was the ideal candidate, but she didn't have the documentation needed to formalize her
application.
dynamic Someone who has a lot of ideas and enthusiasm.
The team needs somebody young and dynamic who can help us expand through social media
dysfunctional Not performing normally, as an organ or structure of the body; malfunctioning
Plain abdominal X-rays are useful to detect gaseous distention of the dysfunctional organs.
ebola
A very serious infectious disease with fever and bleeding inside the body.
The latest Ebola outbreak in West Africa has already killed hundreds, and it is threatening the lives of
thousands.
echelon A level or rank in an organization, a profession, or society
We heard stories of corruption in the upper echelons of the firm.
eczema A skin condition in which areas of the skin become red, rough, and itchy.
Food allergies may play a role in causing eczema.
efficacy The ability to produce intended results.
The efficacy of the new drug is astonishing; 97% of patients recover in less than one week.
efficiently In a way that achieves maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
Her over twenty years of experience helped her complete the tasks efficiently.
egregious Extremely bad in a way that is very noticeable.
The soldiers were accused of committing egregious human rights abuses.
elevate To move or raise to a higher place or position; lift up.
Exercise made her heartbeat elevate and her body sweat.
embolism
An obstruction of an artery, typically by a clot of blood or an air bubble.
The difference between thrombosis and embolism is that a thrombus is a blood clot that forms in a vein,
whereas an embolus is anything that moves through the blood vessels until it reaches a vessel that is too
small to let it pass.
emetic Something that causes vomit.
Remember that it is an emetic plant: don’t even taste it if you don’t want to spend the night vomiting.
emigrate To leave a country permanently and go to live in another one.
Thousands of Spaniards emigrated to Latin American countries during the first half of the 20th century.
empathy
The action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the
feelings, thoughts, or experiences of another
It is important to be a good listener and show empathy with the individual's situation.
endogenous Found or coming from within something, such as a system or a person's body or mind.
People with type 2 diabetes eventually suffer a decrease in endogenous insulin levels.
enigmatic Someone or something mysterious and impossible to completely understand
Alyssa had spent the whole morning trying to make sense out of her father’s enigmatic message.
entreat To plead with, especially in order to persuade
She began her letter by entreating me to forgive the lateness of her reply.
ephemeral
Something lasting for only a short time.
The effects of the new treatment were ephemeral, and the patient started suffering seizures again after a
couple of days.
epidemiologist
Someone who studies diseases and how they are found, spread, and controlled in groups of
people.
Butters, an epidemiologist, is studying the causes of Alzheimer’s disease.
equilibrium A state of balance and stability especially necessary in biology for optimal functioning.
Having water in my ears destroys my equilibrium and makes it difficult for me to walk steadily.
eradicated To get rid of something completely or to destroy something bad.
Several diseases that used to kill thousands of people were eradicated during the 20th century.
etiology
The cause of a disease or abnormal condition
What we do know is that there are multiple possible etiologies of a sudden loss of consciousness in athletes.
euphemism
The substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest
something unpleasant
Invigorating is the euphemism we use most often to describe the chilly waters off the coast.
euthanasia
Act or practice of causing death painlessly, so as to end suffering: advocated by some as a way
to deal with persons dying of incurable, painful diseases.
If her condition worsens beyond repair, euthanasia may become your only option.
evict To force someone to leave a place.
Even though this was the first time I had fallen behind in my rent, the landlord threatened to evict me.
evisceration
The process of removing one or all of the organs from the inside of a body.
The student felt uneasy as the professor explained the different evisceration techniques pathologists
employ.
exacerbate To increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of
Excessive or hard exercise can exacerbate the extent of the injury.
excess The state of exceeding what is normal or sufficient.
The tests found an excess of sodium in his blood.
exogenous
Caused by factors or an agent from outside the organism or system
Taking exogenous testosterone while practicing intermittent fasting can further enhance the potential
benefits.
expanding To increase in extent, number, volume, or scope
She ran a hand across her expanding stomach.
expectorate
To eject or expel matter, as phlegm, from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and
spitting
Coughing helps to break up secretions in the lungs so that the mucus can be expectorated or suctioned
out if necessary.
expedite
To accelerate or speed up the process or progress of something
The plan also includes measures to expedite vaccines for school workers and strict metrics on when
schools or classrooms would close.
expiate
To atone for guilt or sin
Years ago, people came to the temple to pray and expiate their sins, but nowadays tourists have flooded
the place and completely changed it.
exposure The act of exposing, laying open, or uncovering
Some of the students have parents or siblings with health issues who can’t risk exposure to the virus.
extension
An act or instance of extending, lengthening, stretching out, or enlarging the scope of some-
thing.
You should make sure that the muscles get the proper amount of extension to improve your injury.
external To be applied to the outside of a body
The doctor was able to observe the external signs of the disease.
fatal Resulting in death.
The illness, when left untreated, can be fatal.
fatigue Weariness from bodily or mental exertion
Fatigue from physical exertion is a predisposing cause of heat stroke.
feasible Capable of being done or carried out
It is not feasible to monitor such a range of organisms.
febrile Pertaining to or marked by fever
Last December, my son had to be taken to the hospital after suffering a febrile seizure.
flaccid Soft or weak rather than firm.
The patient says his legs felt more flaccid before he started the exercise routine you recommended.
flexion The act of flexing or bending
This exercise involves the flexion and extension of the lower back.
fluctuate To change, especially continuously and between one level or thing and another.
Gas prices fluctuate according to demand.
flushed Having rosy or reddish skin as a result of exertion, cold, embarrassment, or fever
His face was flushed and his eyes were bright after running a mile.
fortuitous Happening or produced by chance
That is just the first of several fortuitous twists of fate.
frugal Economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing
In business transactions Alex was frugal with his money, but when it came to his family, he was generous.
fundamental
Someone or something that forms the base, from which everything else develops.
My family and I decided to make fundamental changes to our consumption patterns, starting by ditching
single-use plastics.
gamut
The entire range or extent of something.
It is said that Elizabeth was such an excellent actress she could express a gamut of emotions just by
moving her left eyebrow.
gaping Wide open; extremely wide
Carmen regained control of her gaping jaw after she heard the news.
gastrointestinal
Relating to, affecting, or including both the stomach and intestine
Iron supplements should be taken with food to enhance absorption and minimize gastrointestinal side
effects.
gender
Socially constructed roles and behaviors that society typically associates with males and females
Gender expression is how a person publicly presents their gender through, for example, their appearance,
body language, and voice.
geriatric
Relating to the elderly, especially with regard to their healthcare.
The seniors in our community were elated about the news of a new geriatric hospital opening in the
vicinity.
gradual
Slowly; by degrees.
The company is gradually increasing its presence in the Northeast by collaborating with local small
businesses.
gregariousness Fond of the company of others; sociable.
A gregarious child who ran up to every person on the playground and wanted to be their friend.
gullible Someone who is easily deceived.
Only the most gullible would believe everything tabloids say
hematologic The study of the nature, function, and diseases of the blood and of blood-forming organs.
Leukemia is a hematologic cancer that is also known as blood cancer.
hematologist A doctor that specializes in the science of blood and blood-forming organs
You should go see a hematologist if you have a blood clotting disorder.
hematology A medical science that deals with the blood and blood-forming organs
My speciality is hematology, and we operate a major blood bank.
hemorrhage
A large flow of blood from a damaged blood vessel.
Hemorrhages can be caused by a traumatic injury, an underlying medical condition, or a combination of
both.
hone To make more acute, intense, or effective
To produce quality photographs, you need to hone your color skills.
hydration The process of providing an adequate amount of water to body tissues.
The woman needed lots of fluids to help hydrate her body.
hygiene Conditions or practices (as of cleanliness) conducive to health
Poor sanitation and hygiene caused many of the soldiers to get sick.
hyperbole Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Christine, who isn't given to hyperbole, said the hamburgers were the size of her head.
hypothetical Hypothetical means imagined or suggested but not necessarily real or true.
The speaker used a few hypothetical examples to clarify his point.
illicit Something illegal or disapproved of by society.
The congressman’s illicit remarks about minorities cost him his reputation.
illiteracy A lack of the ability to read and write.
One of the main goals of the government has been eradicating illiteracy in rural areas.
illiterate
Someone who is unable to read and write.
Despite the opening of schools all over the country, an astonishing percentage of the population is
illiterate.
illogical
Someone or something that lacks sense or clear, sound reasoning.
The solutions the committee proposed were illogical; how can you improve people’s health by closing
hospitals?
immigrate
To come to live permanently in a foreign country.
Both of our fathers, who had grown up in the same Irish town, immigrated to Canada around the same
time.
impaired Diminished, damaged, or weakened.
Driving while impaired is against the law.
impediment Something that makes progress, movement, or achieving something difficult or impossible.
The family faced shortages of food and many other impediments before being able to emigrate to Europe.
impending Occurring or likely to occur soon
The family couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom.
imperious Marked by arrogant assurance
An imperious movie star who thinks she's some sort of goddess.
impervious Not allowing entrance or passage
The material for this coat is supposed to be impervious to rain.
implement Carry out, accomplish
We plan to implement a policy allowing students to choose a humane alternative.
implied Suggested or understood without being directly expressed.
His evasive comment implied that he wouldn’t be available for a date anytime soon.
imply To indicate the truth or existence of something by suggestion.
His evasive comment implied that he wouldn’t be available for a date anytime soon.
incidence The rate or range of occurrence or influence of something, especially of something unwanted
The researcher noticed an increased incidence of diabetes in the sample population.
indifference
The lack of interest in someone or something.
Many locals show indifference towards the neighborhood, which they never need to visit and regard as a
"tourist trap."
indigent
Having no money or anything else of value.
Many indigent families try to cross the border daily, in a quest to find a better life for themselves and their
loved ones.
inefficacy The failure to produce the desired effect.
Researchers aimed at finding the cause of the inefficacy of the treatment.
inexorable Not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped
Throughout its nearly two-hour running time, the film moves toward something inexorable.
infection
The state produced by the establishment of one or more pathogenic agents (such as a bacteria,
protozoans, or viruses) in or on the body of a suitable host
The x-rays were conclusive and indicated a bad infection in the lower lobe of one lung.
infer To deduce or conclude something from evidence and reasoning.
After reading the report, we can infer that the company's choices are driving us to bankruptcy
inferior
(position on body)
Situated below some other organ
The knees are inferior to the waist.
inflamed To kindle or excite
Deep heat is not recommended for patients with acutely inflamed joints.
influx Act of flowing in
The city is preparing for a large influx of tourists this summer.
ingest To take, as food, into the body
The drug is more easily ingested in pill form.
initiated To cause or facilitate the beginning of : set going
Doctors have initiated a series of tests to determine the cause of the problem.
inoculation
The action of giving someone a weak form of disease as a protection against it.
Vaccination involved many risks in the past; if the conditions weren't sterile, the inoculation didn't work,
or worse, introduced a new disease.
insidious Having a gradual and cumulative effect
There was an insidious onset of the disease.
intact Not altered, broken, or impaired; remaining uninjured, sound, or whole; untouched
Cerebral death can leave its victim with an intact brain stem, yet mindless and devoid of self-awareness
internal Existing or situated within the limits or surface of something
After the car accident, Sara had internal bleeding.
intubate
To insert a tube into an orifice or hollow organ, as the larynx, for the administration of gases or
to admit air.
If aspiration occurs at induction then intubate the patient and clear the airways with suction
invalid
(sick person)
A person who is ill or injured for a long time and usually has to be cared for by others.
My father, who became an invalid after having a stroke, lives in a nursing home.
invasive
The ability to infiltrate surrounding healthy tissue or to spread from a localized area throughout
the body
This is a minimally invasive type of surgery done through one or more small one-inch incisions.
irreproachable Without fault and therefore impossible to criticize.
This candidate's irreproachable behavior contrasts with that of his opponent, who is rude and aggressive.
isolation The condition of being alone, especially when this makes someone feel unhappy.
The feelings of isolation have reportedly escalated during the pandemic.
kinetic Of or caused by motion.
Blades attached to wind turbines collect the kinetic energy of wind, causing the blades to turn.
labile Readily or continually undergoing chemical, physical, or biological change or breakdown
People with a history of trauma and mental illness tend to be emotionally labile.
laceration
A torn and ragged wound
Large cuts may require sutures and should be done by a maxillofacial surgeon when the laceration is on
the edge of the lip line.
laden Someone or something that is carrying or holding a lot of something.
Every Christmas, Uncle Darius comes laden with presents for his nephews and nieces.
languid Someone or something that is lacking energy, or causing a lack of energy or enthusiasm.
His languid manner showed he hadn’t fully recovered from the disease and was still weak.
latent In a phase of being hidden or unrecognized; not yet exhibiting symptoms.
Being at high risk is a latent stage of coronary heart disease.
lateral Of or relating to the side; situated at, proceeding from, or directed to a side
The arms are lateral to the chest.
latter Something occurring or situated nearer to the end of something than to its beginning.
The nation’s economy expanded during the latter half of the 16th century.
laxative A substance that helps a person excrete the contents of the bowels.
The medical team uses a wide array of laxatives before performing rectal and bowel examinations.
lethargic Lacking in energy and vigor; feeling of tiredness and inertia
They may feel lethargic and sleep for a long time after the surgery.
magnanimous Someone who is very kind and generous towards an enemy or someone who has been defeated.
The gymnast was magnanimous in defeat, and praised her rival’s fine performance.
manifestation The act, process, or an instance of demonstrating
A portrait of a mother and child that is regarded as the very manifestation of maternal love.
mercurial Someone or something that changes suddenly and often.
His mercurial mood swings made him both interesting and unpredictable.
metabolism
The chemical and physical processes continuously going on in living organisms and cells,
consisting of anabolism and catabolism.
Eating breakfast gets your metabolism going for the whole day.
migrate To move from one country or region to another, often temporarily.
Every September, European cranes migrate from Scandinavia to Spain.
milieu
The physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops
My father grew up in a military milieu, so he knew he wanted to join the armed forces when he graduated
from high school.
motif A decorative image or design, especially a repeated one forming a pattern.
The cotton shirt was adorned with colorful hand-weaved motifs.
musculoskeletal
Concerning, involving, or made up of both the muscles and the bones
Muscle relaxers, or muscle relaxants, are prescription medications that affect one's muscle function and
are used to treat musculoskeletal pain and muscle spasms.
narcotic A drug that relieves pain and induces drowsiness, stupor, or insensibility.
Narcotics such as morphine were used to relieve the patient’s pain.
neurologic
A branch of medicine concerned especially with the structure, function, and diseases of the
nervous system
Children who had seizures due to the vaccine normally made a full recovery with no neurologic problems
afterward.
neurological
A branch of medicine concerned especially with the structure, function, and diseases of the
nervous system
Sometimes you might withdraw a ventilator in cases of very severe and permanent neurological damage.
neurovascular
Relating to, or involving both nerves and blood vessels
To test the predictions of the vascular depression hypothesis in a group at highest risk for neurovascular
injury, we limited the sample to those with clinically significant vascular disease.
node Any bulge or swelling of an anatomical structure or part is called a node.
Various diseases, from pharyngitis to cancer, manifest themselves as inflammations of the lymph nodes.
notorious
Something or somebody famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed
The neighborhood is notorious as a resort for unfriendly dogs, so be careful when walking yours in that
area.
novice A person new to a particular occupation, activity, etc.; apprentice; beginner
If you're a novice, you will take advantage of the well-developed tutorial mode.
obscure Not known to many people.
This record shop specializes in obscure jazz albums, but they also sell popular music.
obsolescent
In the process of passing out of use or usefulness.
Technology is so obsolescent nowadays that you are almost obligated to buy a new phone every couple of
years.
obstruct Block (an opening, path, road, etc.); be or get in the way of.
The construction of that new building will obstruct our view of the park.
occluded To close, shut, or stop up
A blood clot had occluded a major artery in his body.
ominous Portending evil or harm; foreboding; threatening; inauspicious
He wrote that he deserved to die and alluded to an ominous plan that he had backed out of twice already.
omniscient A person who knows or sees everything.
Growing up, my mother was omniscient; she always knew where I had been and what I had done.
opiate A drug that contains opium, especially one that causes sleep.
In the United States, millions of people use opiates recreationally.
oral/verbal Uttered by the mouth; spoken and consisting of words
They had a verbal exchange before she left.
ostracize
To exclude from a society or group.
Many cultures, thinking that menstruating women are impure, ostracize them during that time of the month.
otic
Of or relating to the ear
The inner ear, which processes sound, is protected by one of the densest bones in the body, the otic capsule.
overt Not hidden; open; observable; apparent; manifest.
Your dog must not display any overt signs of aggression.
palatable
Something that is satisfactory or acceptable; pleasant to taste.
He didn’t find the hard liquor to be palatable at all: it burned down his throat and had a strong alcoholic
taste.
palliative Something that reduces pain without curing the cause of the pain.
Facing a terminal illness, my grandfather chose palliative care only.
parameter Any constant, with variable values, used as a referent for determining other variables.
These tests measure various parameters related to iron status such as hemoglobin levels.
parasite
An animal or plant that lives on or in another animal or plant of a different type and feeds from it.
Parasites that can cause disease in humans are divided into three main classes: protozoa, helminths, and
ectoparasites.
paroxysm A sudden and powerful expression of a strong feeling, especially one that you cannot control.
In a manic paroxysm of laughter she knocked the teacup off the table.
parsimonious
Someone who is not willing to spend money or to give or use a lot of something.
My lovely but parsimonious coworker has never, in the seven years we’ve been working together, bought
me a cup of coffee, whereas I treat her to a muffin or pastry weekly.
patency
The condition of being open or unobstructed.
The first thing we need to do is a tubal patency ultrasound to check whether your Fallopian tubes are
open or blocked.
patent
A grant made by a government that confers upon the creator of an invention the sole right to
make, use, and sell that invention for a set period of time.
Tech companies file patent infringement lawsuits all the time.
pathogenic causing or capable of causing disease
The H5N1 strain of avian influenza is not only pathogenic to birds, but has also infected humans.
pathology
The study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional
changes produced by them
Pathology is closely linked to other medical disciplines, such as radiology, oncology, and surgery.
pensive Someone engaged or reflecting in deep or serious thought.
Shirley was pensive, fiddling with a pen and thinking of possible outcomes.
periodontitis
A condition in which the tissue around the teeth becomes swollen and the gums move away
from the teeth.
I received treatment for my periodontitis a few months ago and now I smile more confidently than ever.
perpetual Someone or something that lasts forever or is never-ending.
While hiding in the mountains, the prisoners lived in a perpetual fear of being discovered.
persecute To harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict
The country's leaders relentlessly persecuted those who fought against them.
placate
To stop from being angry; appease; pacify; mollify.
He attacked the governor for what he said was placating teachers' unions at the expense of kids and
families.
plethora
A very large amount of something.
There's a plethora of books about the royal family, but this is the first one that explores the relationship
between the King and his cousin.
posterior Something that is positioned at or toward the back.
The doctor detected an ulcer on the posterior wall of the patient's stomach.
potent
Chemically or medicinally effective
If he could get potent drugs to cure disease he was content, and he worked very hard in an empirical way to make them.
potential Existing in possibility; capable of development into actuality
Doctors are excited about the new drug's potential benefits.
pragmatic
Relating to matters of fact or practical affairs often to the exclusion of intellectual or artistic
matters
John is a pragmatic individual who always looks for practical solutions to problems.
precautionary
Care taken in advance
The linkage between breast cancer and chemical toxicants is unclear, but several studies indicate the need
for precautionary action.
precipitous Happening in a very quick and sudden way, without any thought or planning
Because Richard never thinks about the consequences of his precipitous actions, he often ends up in jail.
precocious Unusually advanced or mature in development, especially mental development
He was a precocious boy, learning Latin at three, reading Greek at four, and writing sermons at seven.
predispose To give an inclination or tendency to beforehand; make susceptible
Your family history may predispose you to hypertension.
preexisting Existing before or prior to a specified or implied time; existing beforehand.
The heat can be especially dangerous for the elderly and those with preexisting conditions.
primary Something that is first in order, rank, or importance
The primary function of our schools is to educate our young people.
priority The state or quality of being earlier in time, occurrence
Somehow, her health was simply not top priority in her life right now.
progeny A descendant or offspring, as a child, plant, or animal
Many Americans are the progeny of immigrants.
prognosis
A forecasting of the probable course and outcome of a disease, especially of the chances of
recovery.
The prognosis of sulphuric acid poisoning is bad, 60 to 70% of the cases proving fatal.
proliferation
To grow by rapid production of new parts, cells, buds, or offspring
It may also take place where rapid proliferation of the cell is going on, as in the budding of the Yeast
plant.
prolific Someone producing a great number or amount of something
Having written over 3,000 poems, she was one of the most prolific poets of the 20th century.
prophylactic Something that is intended to prevent disease.
Condoms are highly effective prophylactics.
prudent Wise or judicious in practical affairs
An endless war is not always the most moral or the most prudent course of action.
QID
Four times a day
I always have had very bad allergies, and am currently taking an antihistamine QID, which works quite
well.
rampant Spreading unchecked; widespread
The city is facing a rampant outbreak of the flu this winter.
rancid
Having a rank, unpleasant, stale smell or taste, as through decomposition, especially of fats or
oils
Fish supplements that contain omega-3s are prone to going rancid.
rational
Someone or something based on clear thought and reason.
I don’t believe a ghost has been stealing all the cookies, there must be a rational explanation for what
happened.
rationale
A statement, exposition, or explanation of reasons or principles.
The rationale for starting the school day an hour later is that kids will supposedly get an extra hour of
sleep
ravenous Very eager or greedy for food, satisfaction, or gratification
After several days without food the tortoise will become ravenous.
recur To return, as in thought, talk, or memory.
The headache lasts from 15 minutes to four hours and may recur several times in a day.
referral
The act of sending someone or something to a person or place where what is wanted or needed
can be obtained.
After hearing about the patient's symptoms, the doctor didn't hesitate to give him a referral to a specialist.
regimen
A regulated course, as of diet, exercise, or manner of living, intended to preserve or restore
health or to attain some result.
Always consult your health care provider before beginning a new regimen.
regulation
An official rule or the act of controlling something.
According to the new safety regulations, customers must wear a mask and use hand sanitizer before
entering the store.
remission Subsiding of the symptoms of a disease
The patient's cancer is in remission.
renal Relating to the kidneys or the surrounding regions
Her death, where she had been treated for Alzheimer’s disease, was caused by renal failure.
replicate To make or do something again in exactly the same way.
We've replicated the original experiment twice and we obtained different results both times.
reprehensible Someone or something deserving of blame or scolding.
His daughter’s reprehensible behavior changed the way his neighbors viewed his family.
residual
Pertaining to or constituting a residue or remainder
Old perfume bottles are pretty, but if there's any residual scent in the bottle you'll want to make sure the
scent of the salts matches.
respiration The movement of air or dissolved gases into and out of the lungs
The doctor checked his heartbeat and respiration.
restricted Confined; limited
He is on a severely restricted diet.
retain To keep in possession or use
Her only hope was to retain his friendship after the fight.
rigidity Stiff or unyielding
At times, even much of the faculty deemed the headmaster's discipline excessive in its rigidity.
rigorous Someone or something that is extremely thorough and careful.
We make sure our products go through rigorous testing before hitting supermarket shelves.
ritual
A set of fixed actions and sometimes words performed regularly, especially as part of a
ceremony.
Having a cup of tea and checking my email is part of my morning ritual
rueful Causing sorrow or pity
He gazed down into the river water, with what looked like a fond, rueful smile.
ruminate To think carefully and for a long period about something.
For months, Grace ruminated about whether to confess or not.
sanction To impose a sanction or penalty upon
His actions were not sanctioned by his superiors.
scarcity A situation in which something is not easy to find or get.
The scarcity of young children has led to the closing of the local school.
scope The range of a subject covered by a book, program, discussion, class, etc.
I’m afraid your question is outside the scope of my lecture, but I will do my best to answer it.
scrutiny The careful and detailed examination of something in order to get information about it.
The shady contracts the mayor had just signed were not open for public scrutiny.
secession
Breaking away from an organization, country, etc.
The secession of the eastern part of the country, well-known for its ore deposits, resulted in a violent
shock to the nation's economy.
sensible Having, containing, or indicative of good sense or reason
She was sensible enough to stop driving when she got too tired.
serene Calm, peaceful, or tranquil
Ensure your yard is a quiet, serene place by moving any busy or noisy hobbies elsewhere.
sinuous Having many curves, bends, or turns; winding
The river flowed in a sinuous path through the lush valley.
site The place, scene, or point of an occurrence or event
The site of the wound is just below the elbow.
somber
Very dark, gloomy, or solemn.
The photographer wanted to know if there were any somber places around so he could take some
pictures for the magazine’s Halloween special.
spider vein
A very thin vein that can be seen on the legs or face.
Yesterday, my son did the most mortifying thing: he approached an old lady, whose legs were full of
spider veins, and told her she had “very cool tattoos.”
sputum
Matter, as saliva mixed with mucus or pus, expectorated from the lungs and respiratory passages.
A person suffering from pneumococcal pneumonia may have chest pain, cough, purulent sputum, and
fever.
squalid Marked by filthiness and degradation from neglect or poverty
The family lived in squalid conditions.
status Position or rank in relation to others
They want to maintain the city's status as a major tourist attraction.
staunch (a wound)
To stop something happening, or to stop liquid, especially blood, from flowing out.
Not being able to find anything better, Teodora handed him a diaper to press on the wound and staunch
the flow of blood.
stimulating
Someone or something that causes enthusiasm and interest.
They were so immersed in their stimulating conversation that they didn't realize more than three hours
had passed.
stimulus Something that causes growth, activity, or reaction.
An online petition calling for monthly stimulus checks has now surpassed 3 million signatures.
strict Stringent in requirement or control
He insists on strict adherence to the doctor's orders.
stringent Extremely limiting or difficult; severe.
The country's stringent laws don't allow women to drive, vote, or have a bank account.
stroke
A sudden change in the blood supply to a part of the brain, sometimes causing a loss of the
ability to move particular parts of the body.
My mother suffered a stroke ten years ago and hasn’t been able to speak since then.
subcutaneous
Being, living, occurring, or administered under the skin
The implants may stay in place but the skin around it will wrinkle and sag as the loss of subcutaneous fat
takes place.
subdue To reduce the force of something, or to prevent something from existing or developing.
Uniforms are a way of subduing individual expression.
sublingual Situated or administered under the tongue
You can purchase a sublingual form of the vitamin for better absorption.
substantiate To give substance or true existence to
There is not one shred of evidence to substantiate the allegations made.
sum
A sum is the whole number or amount when two or more numbers or amounts have been
added together.
The sum of 40 and 21 is 61.
superfluous Exceeding what is sufficient or necessary
He cleared off all the superfluous stuff on his desk to make room for the new computer.
supplements Something added to complete a thing, supply a deficiency, or reinforce or extend a whole
She began taking supplements to improve her diet
supposition
The act of supposing
To which some will say Amazon aims to operate without workers, which is a supposition that is
astounding for its foolishness.
suppository A small, solid pill containing a drug that is put inside the anus, where it dissolves easily.
I use suppositories and enemas when I suffer from severe constipation.
suppress To do away with by or as by authority; abolish; stop
He struggled to suppress his feelings of jealousy.
suppurate
To form or discharge pus.
The nurse instructed the patient on how to take care of the wound and told him to come back to the
hospital if it started to suppurate.
symmetrical Having, involving, or exhibiting symmetry
A flower is said to be symmetrical when each of its whorls consists of an equal number of parts.
symptom Subjective evidence of disease or physical disturbance
She ran to her desk and jotted down her latest symptom to send to the nurse.
syndrome
A group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality or
condition
The client was afflicted with Leigh syndrome, a severe neurological disorder that did not affect her mental
faculties but left her bedridden and barely able to speak more than a few words.
tedious Too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous
The 2300-page Ph.D. candidate's thesis on Thomas Aquinas was tedious in the extreme to read.
tenacious Holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold
Pitbulls are energetic and tenacious dogs.
terminal
Said of a disease or illness, means leading gradually to death.
I reconciled with my father after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer: it made me realize our years-
long feud wasn't that important.
terse Using few words
She gave me a few terse instructions and promptly left the room.
tertiary Of third rank, importance, or value
Secondary and tertiary characters have enormous impact on the narrative.
theoretical Existing only as an idea, rather than being real or actually happening
In a few years, flying cards won't be merely theoretical.
therapeutic
Relating to the treatment or curing of disease
They confirmed the therapeutic effect of supplemental light in treating winter depression with
phototherapy.
toxic
Containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious
debilitation
Many chemicals used in fuels and industrial processes are toxic to animals and plants
tractable
Someone or something that is easily dealt with, controlled, or persuaded.
The problem with the database turned out to be more tractable than we had imagined: we just needed to
make a new copy of our data sets.
transdermal Being, or supplying a medication in a form for absorption through the skin into the bloodstream
Contact sensitisation was reported in a few patients using transdermal nicotine in clinical trials.
transient Not lasting, enduring, or permanent
There is a transient population of thousands of visitors during the year.
transmission
The act or process of transmitting
The department cited recent research linking climbing transmission of the fungus to increasing cycles of
drought across the Southwest.
trauma
A condition characterized by body wounds or shock resulting from sudden physical injury, such as
violence or an accident
The soccer player reported repeated trauma to his knee during the season.
triage
The sorting of and allocation of treatment to patients, especially battle and disaster victims,
according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors
The Red Cross didn't stop with immediate triage of disaster victims.
trite Not evoking interest because of overuse or repetition
It might seem trite to say that in times of despair, we can look to the written word for solace.
tyrannical Exercising power in a cruel or arbitrary way.
Tyrannical regimes brutally oppress their people.
ubiquitous
Something that seems to be present at the same time, everywhere.
One couldn't escape the ubiquitous Christmas carol, which was playing even on the local country radio
station.
untoward
Unfavorable or unfortunate
These stories are often stitched together to hint at something untoward lurking beneath the surface of the
Atlantic Ocean.
urinating To pass or discharge urine
While sleeping with her 3-year-old son, she was woken up by the sound of him urinating in a closet.
vacuous
Someone or something that doesn’t express or show intelligent thought or purpose.
In contrast to his intelligent and brave male characters, the author’s female characters come across as
vacuous and purposeless.
valid Well-grounded or justifiable
There is no valid reason to proceed with the change.
vascular
Pertaining to, composed of, or provided with vessels or ducts that convey fluids, such as blood,
lymph, or sap.
Among Black people who died of Alzheimer’s, their dementia was more likely to result from multiple
causes, such as vascular disease.
vasodilators Medications that open or dilate blood vessels.
The doctor administered a vasodilator to ease blood flow.
venerable Calling forth respect through age, character, and attainments
The venerable old man was a cherished source of advice and wisdom for the villagers.
veracity Conformity to facts; accuracy.
Claudia wasn't sure of the veracity of the source and decided to keep on researching.
verbal Spoken rather than written
We gave only verbal instructions.
vertigo
A sensation of whirling and loss of balance.
My mother, who suffers from vertigo, sometimes has to spend the day lying on her bed to reduce the
spinning feeling.
vicarious Performed, exercised, received, or suffered in place of another
A lot of people have said there's a kind of vicarious pleasure in reading our book or whatever.
virtuoso A person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.
The soloist, a celebrated violin virtuoso, filled the theater with emotion.
virulent Marked by a rapid, severe, and destructive course
The virulent look on her face warned me that she was about to say something unkind.
virus
Any of the various infectious agents, usually ultramicroscopic, that consist of nucleic acid, either
RNA or DNA, within a case of protein
The virus is transmitted to humans by mosquito bites.
viscosity
The property of resistance to flow in any material with fluid properties with a sticky or glutinous
consistency
The chemistry class conducted an experiment to determine the viscosity of motor oil.
vital Necessary or essential to life; being a source or support of life.
The sciences are a vital part of the school curriculum.
void Containing nothing
It was cold, sandy – and completely void of any other signs of life for miles.
voluble
Someone who speaks easily and says a lot of words.
Don’t worry about being a little bit late, someone as voluble as your assistant definitely can manage to
entertain our clients for a few minutes.
volume
The amount of space, measured in cubic units, that an object or substance occupies or the
degree of loudness or the intensity of a sound
In science we had to find the volume of the cube.
wary Watchful; being on one's guard against danger
The smile instantly faded and a wary expression took its place.
wound A damaged area of the body, such as a cut or hole in the skin or flesh.
The medical team thought he would die from the multiple stab wounds in his neck and torso.