Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of an anodyne?
What does it mean to anoint someone?
Which term best describes an anomaly?
Which of the following best defines antagonism?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'asylum' refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the closest meaning of the term apocalypse?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes 'asymmetric'?
Signup and view all the answers
What does it mean to 'attest'?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for anodyne?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'austere' imply about a person's lifestyle?
Signup and view all the answers
Why might someone undergo an anointing?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term describes a gradual decrease in numbers or strength?
Signup and view all the answers
Identifying an anomaly often requires understanding what?
Signup and view all the answers
What is indicated by the term 'audacious'?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term describes a mechanism that imitates human actions?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'aversion' denote?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'atrophy' refer to in a biological context?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term means to prevent or avoid something?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'astute' mean?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the meaning of 'atemporal'?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'august' typically refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
What does it mean if a situation is 'auspicious'?
Signup and view all the answers
Which word describes someone who is eager or greedy for something?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the meaning of 'authenticate'?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
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.”
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your understanding of essential vocabulary terms including annul, anoint, and anomaly. This quiz will challenge your knowledge of definitions and examples, helping you expand your word skills effectively.
