Vocabulary Quiz on Key Terms

Annul

• Make void, or to cancel.

Elope

• To run away secretly with the intention of getting married.

Anodyne

• A drug that relieves pain or trouble.
• Can also be used as an adjective to describe a statement that is bland or inoffensive, for example, "His speech was anodyne and avoided all controversial issues."

Anoint

• To consecrate, especially in a religious ceremony, by putting oil on someone.
• An example is to anoint a king or a priest.

Anomalous

• Abnormal, irregular, or deviating from what is standard.
• For example, "The scientist found an anomalous result in the data that required further investigation."

Anomaly

• An irregularity or deviation from the norm.
• Can also be used to describe something unusual, for example, "The discovery of a dinosaur fossil in Antarctica is an anomaly."

Anonymity

• The state of being nameless or anonymous.
• Adjective: Anonymous

Antagonism

• Hostility or active opposition.
• Verb: Antagonize - To cause someone to become an enemy.
• There are many examples of antagonism in politics and in social movements.

Antecede

• To precede or come before something else.

Antecedents

• Preceding events that influence what comes later.
• Can also refer to one's ancestors or early background.

Antediluvian

• Antiquated or extremely ancient, dating back to a time before the biblical flood.
• An example is "The old man's views on technology were antediluvian."

Anthem

• A song of praise or patriotism, for example: "The national anthem."

Anthology

• A collection of literary selections by various authors.
• An example is "This anthology features poems by a number of American poets from the 20th century."

Anthropoid

• Manlike, resembling a human being.

Anthropologist

• A student of the history and science of humankind.

Anthropomorphic

• Having human form or characteristics.
• An example is "The ancient Greeks often portrayed their gods in anthropomorphic forms."

Anticlimax

• A letdown in thought or emotion, something unexciting that happens after something important or exciting.
• For example, “The party started off with a bang, but ended in an anticlimax when the DJ quit early.”

Antidote

• A remedy for a poison or disease.
• Can also be used metaphorically to describe something that counteracts a negative effect, for example: "After a day of stress, a hot bath is an antidote to my worries."

Antipathy

• A strong aversion or dislike.

Antiquated

• Obsolete or old-fashioned, no longer relevant.
• For example, an antiquated computer system.

Antiseptic

• A substance that prevents infection in a wound.
• It can also be used as an adjective, for example: “Use an antiseptic wipe to clean the surface.”

Antithesis

• A contrast or direct opposite of or to something else.
• For example: "Love is the antithesis of hate."
• Adjectives: Antithetic or antithetical

Anvil

• An iron block used in hammering out metals.

Apathy

• Lack of caring, indifference, or lack of concern or interest in important matters.
• For example: "The apathy of the students towards the election was disappointing."
• Adjective: Apathetic

Ape

• To imitate or mimic someone's behavior or manner.
• For example, “The child was aping his father's mannerisms."

Aperture

• An opening, hole or an adjustable opening in a camera to limit the amount of light that enters.

Apex

• The tip, summit, climax or the highest point of something.
• For example: “The company reached the apex of its success in the 1990s.”

Aphasia

• Loss of speech due to injury or illness.

Aphorism

• A pithy maxim or saying.
• For example: "The early bird gets the worm."

Assurance

• A firm statement that something is certainly true.
• It can be a promise or a pledge.
• It also means certainty; confidence in one's own ability.
• An example is “I gave you my assurance that I would be there.”
• Verb: Assure, to tell firmly with confidence, to ensure something will happen, or to make someone feel confident.
• Adjective: Assured, meaning self-assured or confident in one's ability.

Asteroid

• A small planet, or a rocky body orbiting the sun.

Astigmatism

• An eye defect that prevents proper focus.

Astral

• Relating to the stars.
• An example is "The astronaut was fascinated by the astral bodies she observed from space."

Astringent

• Binding, causing contraction.
• An example is “an astringent solution to stop bleeding.”
• Can also be used to describe something harsh or severe, for example: "The reviewer's astringent criticism of the film was brutal."

Astronomical

• Enormously large or extensive, for example: “The company’s profits were astronomical.”

Astute

• Wise, shrewd, or keen.
• This means to quickly see something that is to one's advantage.
• An example is “The astute investor made millions from the stock market crash.”

Asunder

• Into parts or apart.
• Verb: Sunder, to separate or divide.
• For example: “The family was torn asunder by the scandal.”

Asylum

• A place of refuge or shelter, or protection (religious or political).

Asymmetric

• Not identical on both sides of a central line.

Atavism

• A resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents. It can also be a reversion to an earlier type, also known as a throwback.
• Adjective: Atavistic.

Atheistic

• Denying the existence of God.
• Noun: Atheism

Atone

• To make amends for something bad that has been done.

Atrocity

• A brutal deed, especially in war or acts of inhumanity.
• Adjective: Atrocious

Atrophy

• Wasting away.

Attentive

• Alert and watchful, listening carefully, paying attention.
• It can also be considerate or thoughtful.
• An example is "The nurse was very attentive to the patient's needs."
• Noun: Attentions, acts of courtesy and consideration, examples include: "He paid her many attentions." "He showered her with attentions"

Attenuate

• To make thin or weaken something.

Attest

• To testify or bear witness to something.

Attribute

• An essential quality or characteristic of someone or something.
• Verb: To ascribe; to explain.

Attrition

• Rubbing away by friction.
• It can also mean a gradual decrease in numbers or strength, for example: "The company is experiencing attrition due to high turnover."

Atypical

• Not normal, not typical.

Audacious

• Daring, bold, or recklessly brave.
• For example: "The artist’s work was audacious and challenged traditional norms."
• Noun: Audacity

Audit

• An examination of accounts of a business or an official examination.
• Verb: Audit.

Augment

• To increase or add to something, for example: “The teacher augmented his salary by working extra hours.”

Augury

• An omen or prophecy, a sign of coming events.
• Verb: Augur, to predict or foretell, to be a sign of (something in the future).
• For example: “Many people interpret the sighting of a shooting star as an augury of good fortune.”

August

• Impressive, majestic, or dignified, meaning inspiring respect, for example: “The king's procession was attended by an august assembly of dignitaries."

Aureole

• The sun's corona, halo, or a bright circle of light that surrounds the head of a holy figure.

Auroral

• Pertaining to the aurora borealis.
• It can also be used to describe the aurora australis, a similar phenomenon in the Southern Hemisphere.

Auspicious

• Favoring success, giving signs of future success.
• It is often used to describe the beginning of something, for example: "The couple had an auspicious start to their marriage."
• Cf: Auspices (meaning, under the protection or sponsorship of).

Austere

• Forbiddingly stern.
• It means without comfort or enjoyment, or severely simple and unornamented.
• It can also be used to describe a person's personality: "He was an austere figure, with a stern expression and a gruff manner."
• Noun: Austerity - a period of harsh economic conditions, characterized by a lack of material comforts and resources.

Authenticate

• To prove genuine; to verify the authenticity of something.

Authoritarian

• Subordinating the individual to the state.
• It means completely dominating another's will, or having a style of government that enforces strict obedience to authority.
• For example: "The country was ruled by an authoritarian regime."

Authoritative

• Having the weight of authority, regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted.
• The word also means reliable, peremptory and dictatorial.
• For example: "The professor’s lecture was authoritative and informative."
• Cf: Definitive

Autocratic

• Having absolute unchecked power, dictatorial.
• Noun: Autocrat, a person who rules with absolute power.
• Noun: Autocracy, a government ruled by a single person with absolute power.

Automaton

• A mechanism that imitates actions of humans, a machine that works by itself.

Autonomous

• Self-governing, independent.
• Noun: Autonomy

Autopsy

• Examination of a dead body, a postmortem.
• Verb: Autopsy

Auxiliary

• Offering or providing help, additional or subsidiary.
• Noun: Helper or assistant.

Avalanche

• A great mass of falling snow and ice.

Avarice

• Greediness for wealth.

Avenge

• To take vengeance for something or on behalf of someone.
• For example: “The family sought to avenge the death of their loved one.”

Aver

• To state confidently, an example is, "I aver that I have never seen the man before."

Adverse

• Reluctant, disinclined, or not liking or opposed.
• It can also refer to something unfavorable or harmful.
• For example: “He was averse to taking risks," or "The adverse effects of the drug were severe."

Aversion

• A firm dislike, or strong feeling of repugnance.

Avert

• To prevent, to avoid, to turn away (eyes or thought).
• An example is, “The driver managed to avert the accident by swerving quickly.”

Aviary

• An enclosure for birds or a large cage.

Avid

• Greedy, extremely eager for something.
• For example: “He was an avid reader, devouring books at an astonishing rate.”
• Noun: Avidity - enthusiasm, eagerness.

Avocation

• A secondary or minor occupation or hobby.

Avow

• To declare openly, confess, or admit to.
• Noun: Avowal: a declaration of one’s feelings, intentions, or beliefs.

Avuncular

• Of or like an uncle; characterized by kindness and concern.

Awe

• Solemn wonder, a feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear.
• Verb: Awe - to fill with awe.
• Adjective: Awesome, awe-inspiring.

Awful

• Terrible or very bad.

Awl

• A pointed tool used for piercing.

Awry

• Distorted, crooked, bent or wrong.
• An example is: “His plans went awry.”