1.1 |
ambience |
the surrounding atmosphere |
||||
around, both |
n. |
The pictures on the walls and the paper lanterns created a special ambience. |
||||
1.2 |
ambiguity |
more than one possible meaning |
||||
n. |
The ambiguity in his writings leaves the reader puzzled. |
|||||
1.3 |
ambitious |
having a strong desire to succeed. |
||||
adj. |
She's ambitious and hopes to get a better job. |
|||||
1.4 |
amphibious |
able to live or to travel on land and water |
||||
adj. |
The marines went ashore in amphibious vehicles. |
|||||
Group 2 |
2.1 |
antebellum |
Before a war (i.e. the American Civil War) |
|||
ANTE, ANTI before |
adj. |
The novel, Gone with the Wind, begins in the South in antebellum days. |
||||
2.2 |
antecedent |
something that logically goes before something else |
||||
n. |
Cricket was the antecedent of baseball. |
|||||
2.3 |
antediluvian |
before the Flood described in the Bible; old-fashioned or primitive. |
||||
adj. |
Compared with the cars my friends drive, mine is antediluvian. |
|||||
2.4 |
antiquity |
ancient times |
||||
n. |
The museum specializes in armor from antiquity. |
|||||
Group 3 |
3.1 |
antidote |
a remedy, a medicine that counteracts a poison or disease |
|||
ANTI against, opposite |
n. |
After the snake bit him, he was quickly given an antidote. |
||||
3.2 |
antiseptic |
something capable of destroying microorganisms and works against infection;; a sterilizer |
||||
n. |
The nurse washed the wound with an antiseptic solution. |
|||||
3.3 |
anticlimax |
a sudden drop in importance; a let down |
||||
n. |
Her present uninteresting job is an anticlimax to a brilliant career. |
|||||
3.4 |
antithesis |
the exact opposite |
||||
n. |
Love is the antithesis of hate. |
|||||
Group 4 |
4.1 |
autocratic |
ruling by one person; domineering |
|||
AUTO self |
adj. |
The supervisor was autocratic, accepting suggestions from no one. |
||||
4.2 |
automaton |
an apparatus that functions by itself; a robot |
||||
n. |
Because she had been stapling papers for so many hours, she felt like an automaton. |
|||||
4.3 |
autonomous |
self-governing |
||||
adj. |
Released from state control, the college finally became autonomous. |
|||||
4.4 |
autopsy |
an examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death |
||||
n. |
The autopsy determined that the cause of death was a heart attack. |
|||||
Group 5 |
5.1 |
benediction |
a blessing: a speaking of good wishes |
|||
BENE well, good |
n. |
After the benediction, the congregation filed out of the church. |
||||
5.2 |
beneficial |
producing good results |
||||
adj. |
Keeping a student planner and having a study schedule is beneficial. |
|||||
5.3 |
beneficiary |
a person who receives benefits, as from a will or an insurance policy |
||||
n. |
He was the beneficiary of his father's will. |
|||||
5.4 |
benign |
harmless. (Also, in medicine, mild; not malignant) |
||||
adj. |
The growth on his arm proved to be benign rather than malignant. |
|||||
Group 6 |
6.1 |
autobiography |
an account of a person's life written by that same person |
|||
BIO life |
n. |
The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is considered a classic. |
||||
6.2 |
biosphere |
the part of the earth in which living things exist |
||||
n. |
Many parts of the biosphere remain unexplored and mysterious. |
|||||
6.3 |
symbiosis |
interdependence; living together in close union of two dissimilar organisms |
||||
n. |
The symbiosis of algae and fungi forms lichens. |
|||||
6.4 |
biodegradable |
capable of being broken down by living organisms and absorbed by the environment |
||||
adj. |
She switched to a biodegradable detergent, which would not pollute the streams. |
|||||
Group 7 |
7.1 |
circuitous |
roundabout; not direct |
|||
CIRCUM around |
adj. |
Because she didn't know the way, she took a rather circuitous route to get to the party. |
||||
7.2 |
circumference |
the perimeter of a circle |
||||
n. |
In our math class we learned how to find the circumference of a circle. |
|||||
7.3 |
circumlocution |
indirect or roundabout way of saying something |
||||
n. |
"A number of other commitments will make it impossible..." is a circumlocution for "I can't..." |
|||||
7.4 |
circumspect |
careful to consider possible consequences |
||||
adj. |
She was circumspect in making suggestions for improvement to her temperamental boss. |
|||||
Group 8 |
8.1 |
creed |
a formal statement of belief |
|||
CRED to believe |
n. |
She learned to repeat the Apostle's Creed. |
||||
8.2 |
discredit |
to destroy belief in someone or something |
||||
v. |
Because the newspaper articles discredited the mayor, he had to resign. |
|||||
8.3 |
credible |
believable |
||||
n. |
After the riot and looting, the police were trying to find a credible witness. |
|||||
8.4 |
accreditation |
The act of granting credit for meeting specified standards |
||||
v. |
A commission is responsible for the accreditation of medical schools. |
|||||
Group 9 |
9.1 |
demagogue |
a leader who stirs up people by appealing to emotions and prejudice in order to gain power. |
|||
DEM people |
n. |
Interested only in gaining personal power, the senator was a demagogue. |
||||
9.2 |
democracy |
government by representatives elected by the people |
||||
n. |
More countries are now voting for democracy. |
|||||
9.3 |
demographics |
statistical information relating to populations |
||||
n. |
The 2010 census gathered a wealth of demographics . |
|||||
9.4 |
epidemic |
a disease that spreads rapidly |
||||
n. |
The world-wide flu epidemic of 1917 caused millions of people to die. |
|||||
Group 10 |
10.1 |
disburse |
to pay out money from a fund |
|||
DIS not, away, part |
v. |
The president of the scholars society disbursed the scholarship funds. |
||||
10.2 |
discordant |
disagreeable to the ear |
||||
adj. |
One discordant voice can ruin a choir. |
|||||
10.3 |
disparity |
inequality; a difference |
||||
n. |
Despite the disparity in their ages, they get along very well. |
|||||
10.4 |
dissident |
a dissenter: one who disagrees |
||||
n. |
The dissidents made trouble for the ruling party. |
|||||
Group 11 |
11.1 |
equanimity |
composure |
|||
EQU equal |
n. |
No matter what happened, she always maintained her equanimity. |
||||
11.2 |
equilibrium |
a state of balance; a stable situation |
||||
n. |
When the horse swerved, the boy lost his equilibrium and fell off. |
|||||
11.3 |
equivalent |
equal in value, force, or meaning |
||||
adj. |
The prize was equivalent to a month's wages. |
|||||
11.4 |
equivocate |
to be deliberately ambiguous in communication |
||||
v. |
The candidates equivocated so much that it was impossible to tell where they stood on any issue. |
|||||
Group 12 |
12.1 |
euphemism |
the substitution of a mild word in place of a harsh one |
|||
EU good, well |
n. |
She spoke in euphemisms, talking of passing on, rather than dying; underprivileged rather than poor. |
||||
12.2 |
eulogize |
to praise someone who has recently died. |
||||
n. |
He gave a moving eulogy at the funeral of his friend. |
|||||
12.3 |
euphoria |
a feeling of well-being |
||||
n. |
After she received her scholarship, she was in a state of euphoria. |
|||||
12.4 |
euphony |
a good sound |
||||
n. |
He fell asleep to the euphony of wind chimes. |
|||||
Group 13 |
13.1 |
confidant |
a person who one confides in |
|||
FID faith |
n. |
Her dad had been her confidant for years. |
||||
13.2 |
fidelity |
faithfulness |
||||
n. |
His fidelity to the party platform was questionable. |
|||||
13.3 |
affidavit |
a written declaration made under oath |
||||
n. |
Her affidavit wasn't valid since it wasn't properly notarized. |
|||||
13.4 |
confidence |
a feeling of trust in someone or something |
||||
n, |
I have confidence in our team; I know they will play well next season. |
|||||
Group 14 |
14.1 |
calligraphy |
the art of fine handwriting |
|||
GRAPH to write, draw |
n. |
She copied her favorite poem in fine calligraphy and had it framed. |
||||
14.2 |
choreography |
the creating of dance movements |
||||
n. |
The director of the movie also did the choreography. |
|||||
14.3 |
diagram |
a drawing that explains something |
||||
n. |
We were given a diagram showing us how to attach the cable to our new printer. |
|||||
14.4 |
hologram |
a three dimensional image made using lasers |
||||
n. |
The cover for the National Geographic last month was a hologram. |
|||||
Group 15 |
15.1 |
embryology |
the study of the formation and development of embryos |
|||
LOGY study of |
n. |
The science of embryology has determined the exact times that parts of the fetus develop. |
||||
15.2 |
entomology |
the study of insects |
||||
n. |
The entomology class was studying insects. |
|||||
15.3 |
etymology |
the study of the origin and development of words. |
||||
n. |
From his study of etymology, he was able to write a best selling book on word histories. |
|||||
15.4 |
ornithology |
the branch of zoology dealing with the study of birds. |
||||
n. |
Because he was interested in ornithology, he made recordings of bird songs. |
|||||
Group 16 |
16.1 |
malady |
an illness |
|||
MAL bad |
n. |
Science has reduced the number of incurable maladies. |
||||
16.2 |
malaise |
a feeling of illness or depression |
||||
n. |
As he was preparing for the interview, a slight malaise came over him |
|||||
16.3 |
malignant |
harmful; likely to cause death |
||||
adj. |
She was relieved when the biopsy revealed that the growth was not malignant. |
|||||
16.4 |
malinger |
to pretend to be in bad health to get out of a responsibility |
||||
v. |
Since his headaches always occurred at school time, we thought he was malingering. |
|||||
Group 17 |
17.1 |
emissary |
a representative sent out on a specific mission |
|||
MIT, MIS, MISS to send |
n. |
The government sent an emissary to investigate the recent plane crash. |
||||
17.2 |
missive |
a letter or message that is sent |
||||
n. |
The missive from the president directed their next move. |
|||||
17.3 |
omit |
to leave out |
||||
v. |
You can omit that unnecessary paragraph. |
|||||
17.4 |
premise |
an initial assumption upon which an argument is based. |
||||
n. |
His argument failed because it was based on a false premise. |
|||||
Group 18 |
18.1 |
monarchy |
a government with one hereditary ruler |
|||
MONO one |
n. |
At the end of the war the monarchy became a democracy. |
||||
18.2 |
monolithic |
large, powerful, and uniform |
||||
adj. |
The corporation had become monolithic, with one strong central organization. |
|||||
18.3 |
monotone |
having one tone; lack of variety |
||||
n. |
Because the teacher always spoke in a monotone, his students always fell asleep. |
|||||
18.4 |
monotheism |
The belief that there is only one God. |
||||
n. |
Unlike their neighbors, the early Hebrews held to monotheism. |
|||||
Group 19 |
19.1 |
amorphous |
Formless; without definite form or shape |
|||
MORPH form, shape |
adj. |
Her class notes were still in an amorphous state, without any plan or organization. |
||||
19.2 |
anthropomorphic |
a form that suggests human characteristics |
||||
adj. |
The Greeks had a very anthropomorphic conception
of their gods who acted just like people. |
|||||
19.3 |
Morpheus* |
The Greek god of sleep who formed dreams. |
||||
n. |
Morpheus was so named because of the forms he controlled in people's dreams. |
|||||
19.4 |
morphine |
a drug used to bring on sleep and ease pain (named after Morpheus) |
||||
n. |
The doctor prescribed morphine for the agonizing pain. |
|||||
Group 20 |
20.1 |
apathy |
Indifference; a lack of feeling |
|||
PATH feeling, suffering |
n. |
Voter apathy was to blame for the lack of voter turnout on election day. |
||||
20.2 |
empathy |
a deep understanding of another's feeling |
||||
n. |
Because he had been unemployed for the year before, he had empathy for his unemployed friend. |
|||||
20.3 |
psychopath |
a person with a lack of social feelings |
||||
n. |
A psychopath has a lack of regard for social norms and an inability to understand the feelings of others. |
|||||
20.4 |
pathology |
the scientific study of diseases |
||||
n. |
Some doctors prefer the laboratory research of pathology rather than treating patients directly. |
|||||
Group 21 |
21.1 |
philosophy |
the love and pursuit of wisdom |
|||
PHIL to love |
n. |
Socrates valued philosophy more than anything else. |
||||
21.2 |
Philadelphia* |
"The city of brotherely love"; the largest city in Pennsylvania |
||||
n. |
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed in Philadelphia. |
|||||
21.3 |
philanthropy |
showing a love of humanity by giving to charitable causes |
||||
n. |
The philanthropy of Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, is well-known. |
|||||
21.4 |
bibliophile |
one who loves books |
||||
n. |
We discovered a small bookstore owned and managed by a true bibliophile. |
|||||
Group 22 |
22.1 |
cacophony |
disagreeable or discordant sounds |
|||
PHON sound |
n. |
Only a mother can enjoy the cacophony of her child's violin playing. |
||||
22.2 |
phonetics |
the branch of language study dealing with spoken sounds and their symbols |
||||
n. |
A knowledge of phonetics is an aid in learning to speak a new language. |
|||||
22.3 |
saxophone |
a wind instrument |
||||
n. |
Adolphe Sax, born in 1814 in Belgium, is credited with inventing the first saxophone. |
|||||
22.4 |
symphony |
sounds playing together; an orchestra; music written for an orchestra |
||||
n. |
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony may be the most famous of all time. |
|||||
Group 23 |
23.1 |
preamble |
an introduction to a document that comes first |
|||
PRE before |
n. |
Have you read the Preamble to the Constitution? |
||||
23.2 |
precocious |
a characteristic developed very early or ahead of schedule |
||||
adj. |
The child was precocious, having learned to read at four. |
|||||
23.3 |
predilection |
a preference for something |
||||
n. |
Her predilection for classical music kept her from being an impartial judge in the music contest. |
|||||
23.4 |
prejudice |
a judgment formed beforehand without examination of the facts |
||||
n. |
She finally realized that her intolerance of newcomers was simply unfounded prejudice. |
|||||
Group 24 |
24.1 |
recant |
to renounce a belief |
|||
RE back, again |
v. |
The judge chose to recant publicly his former stand on capital punishment. |
||||
24.2 |
recession |
a period of reduced economic activity |
||||
n. |
The United States is recovering from a severe and prolonged recession. |
|||||
24.3 |
recluse |
A person who is shut away from the world |
||||
|
The poet Emily Dickenson lived as a recluse in her home in Amherst. |
|||||
24.4 |
Renaissance* |
the period of the rebirth of classical art, literature, and music in Europe |
||||
|
Michelangelo was an artist of the Renaissance. |
|||||
Group 25 |
25.1 |
preside |
to conduct a meeting |
|||
SED, SID, SESS to sit |
v. |
The vice president had to preside in the president's absence. |
||||
25.2 |
president |
one who sits before a group as its head |
||||
n. |
We waited for the president to state his views. |
|||||
25.3 |
sediment |
material that sits at the bottom of a liquid |
||||
n. |
Did you notice the sediment in the bottom of the glass? |
|||||
25.4 |
session |
the sitting together of a group |
||||
n. |
School is in session now. |
|||||
Group 26 |
26.1 |
subjugate |
to put down by force or intimidation |
|||
SUB under |
v. |
The invaders subjugated the primitive tribe. |
||||
26.2 |
subpoena |
a legal order requiring a person to appear in court to give legal testimony |
||||
n. |
She received a subpoena to appear in court next week. |
|||||
26.3 |
subsistence |
minimal resources for supporting life |
||||
n. |
They had barely enough food for subsistence. |
|||||
26.4 |
subterfuge |
something intended to misrepresent the truth |
||||
n. |
By using the subterfuge of having to work overtime, he avoided having to go to the meeting. |
|||||
Group 27 |
27.1 |
symbol |
something that represents something else |
|||
SYN, SYM, SYL together, with |
n. |
Gold and diamonds are symbols of wealth. |
||||
27.2 |
synagogue |
a place where Jewish people come together for worship |
||||
n. |
We visited a synagogue that was famous for its architecture. |
|||||
27.3 |
syllogism |
a form of reasoning consisting of two statements and a conclusion |
||||
n. |
An example of a syllogism: All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore Socrates is mortal. |
|||||
27.4 |
synthesis |
combining of separate elements into a whole |
||||
n. |
The writer's combination of ideas into a complex whole was a feat of creative synthesis. |
|||||
Group 28 |
28.1 |
distort |
twist out of shape; to give a misleading account of something |
|||
TORT to twist |
v. |
Her description of the accident distorted the facts. |
||||
28.2 |
contortionist |
an acrobat who can twist their body into extraordinary positions |
||||
n. |
We watched an expert contortionist when we were at the circus. |
|||||
28.3 |
tortoise |
a turtle - so called perhaps because of its twisted feet |
||||
n. |
The waiter worked at the speed of a tortoise. |
|||||
28.4 |
torture |
any act that leads to severe mental and/or physical pain |
||||
n. |
Waiting for the judges' decision after the contest was pure torture. |
|||||
Group 29 |
29.1 |
veracious |
accurate, truthful |
|||
VER true |
adj. |
The local newspaper gave a veracious account of the incident. |
||||
29.2 |
verdict |
the decision of a jury |
||||
n. |
The jury gave their verdict of not guilty |
|||||
29.3 |
verification |
establishment of the truth |
||||
n. |
Before cashing the check, the clerk asked for verification of the customer's identity. |
|||||
29.4 |
very |
truly, absolutely |
||||
adv. |
He expected the very opposite |
|||||
Group 30 |
30.1 |
deviate |
to turn away from an established way |
|||
VIA way |
v. |
Anyone who deviates from the rules is likely to encounter problems. |
||||
30.2 |
viaduct |
a bridge that carries road or rail traffic over a valley |
||||
adj. |
The Romans were expert at building beautiful viaducts. |
|||||
30.3 |
previous |
beforehand |
||||
adj. |
I learned that in a previous assignment. |
|||||
30.4 |
devious |
not done in a straight forward way; deceptive |
||||
adj. |
His fortune was made by devious means. |
|||||