Vocabulary Set 2 - A

Sunday, June 04, 2006

1. ablution
   n. washing
   His daily ablutions were accompanied by loud noises that he humorously labeled "Opera in the Bath."
   


2. abnegation
   n. renunciation; self-sacrifice
   Though Rudolph and Duchess Flavia loved one another, their love was doomed, for she had to wed the king; their act of abnegation was necessary to preserve the kingdom.
   


3. abominate
   v. [abominated; abominated; abominating] loathe; hate
   Moses scolded the idol worshipers in the tribe because he abominated the custom.
   


4. abortive
   adj. unsuccessful; fruitless
   We had to abandon our abortive attempts.
   


5. abrasive
   adj. rubbing away; tending to grind down
   Just as abrasive cleaning powders can wear away a shiny finish, abrasive remarks can wear away a listener's patience.
   


6. abrogate
   v. [abrogated; abrogated; abrogating] abolish
   He intended to abrogate the decree issued by his predecessor.
   


7. abscond
   v. [absconded; absconded; absconding] depart secretly and hide
   The teller absconded with the bonds and was not found.
   


8. absolute
   adj. complete; totally unlimited
   Although the King of Siam was an absolute monarch, he did not want to behead his unfaithful wife without absolute evidence of her infidelity.
   


9. absolve
   v. [absolved; absolved; absolving] pardon (an offense)
   The father confessor absolved him of his sins.
   


10. abstain
    v. [abstained; abstained; abstaining] refrain; withhold from participation
    After considering the effect of alcohol on his athletic performance, he decided to abstain from drinking while he trained for the race.

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