1. Abbreviation - A shortened form of an expression, Usually followed by a period.
Example: Mon., Oct., Xmas
2. Abridge - to cut down
Example: The book I got from the library was abridged from its original copy.
3. Abduct - to kidnap
Example: The boy was abducted 20 years ago in the park.
4. Adjacent - next to
Example: My class is adjacent to the locker.
5. Abundant - in great numbers
Example: After the rain, the mosquitoes were abundant in the backyard.
6. Accentuate - (verb) to emphasize or to highlight
Example: The counselor accentuated the importance of having good attendance.
7. Accommodating - (verb) obliging, helpful
Example: Costumers respond in a positive manner if the employees are accommodating when they go into a store.
8. Acute - sharp, severe
Example: The boy was absent because he contracted an acute case of swine flu.
9. Alliance - (noun) An agreement between countries or groups to work together or fight together.
Example: Great Britain and the United States have formed an alliance in many wars.
10. Agoraphobia - (noun) An abnormal fear of open or public places.
Example: The students who wonder the halls during classes do not suffer from agoraphobia.
11. Aghast - (adjective) struck by amazement or terror
Example: Jose's parents were aghast after seeing his report card with all A's on it!
12. Authentic - (adjective) being really what it seems to be, genuine, real
Example: The restaurant is owned by Mexicans and serves authentic Mexican food.
13. authoritarian - (adjective) forcing people to obey strict rules.
Example: The authoritarian government did not allow anyone to criticize the president.
14. alleviate - (verb) to relieve
Example: To alleviate the students stress during testing, the examiner allowed them a break between sessions.
15. altercation - (noun) an argument, dispute
Example: There was an altercation between the students from the two schools during the State Finals.
16. ambivalent - (adj.) having contrary feelings
Example: The student was ambivalent about whether to take rigorous courses during her senior year.
17. amend - (verb) to change for the better, improve
Example: The school board wanted to amend the Code of Student Conduct so that it could be more easily understood.
18. amiable -(adj) friendly, affab;e
Example: Tje new cat seemed amiable because he allowed everyone to pet him.
19. antechamber-(n) waiting room
Example: The president had the reporter wait in the antechamber before the press conference.
20. anxiety - (n) uneasiness
Example: The student had just finished drivers education, but he was still experiencing anxiety about the driving test.
21. aphorism - (n) - a short saying
Example: Everyday on the morning announcements a staff member give an aphorism about character development.
22. apocalypse (n) - total devastation, the end of the world
Example: After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, some thought that it was surely a sign of the apocalypse.
23. arbitrator-(n) - one who settles controversy between two sides
Example: The labor union and the automaker had to consult an arbitrator to help solve the problems caused by the manager.
24. audacious (adj) - excessively bold
Example: That was quite audacious of you to have made that remark to your boss!
25. augment (v) - to increase or make larger
Example: The model had her lips augmented so that she would look sexier in pictures.
26. bard - (n)- a poet, often a singer as well
Example: the epic poem of "Beowulf was sunb by a bard.
27. battery (n) - an assault or an array of similar things intended to use together (such as a battery of tests.)
Example: The school resource officer charged the student with assault and battery after the fight.
28. belligerent (adj) contentious ready to fight or argue
Example: do not be so belligerent because there is always peer mediation.
29. berate (v) - to rebuke or scold angrily and at length.
Example: The teacher berated her students because the did not turn in a major assignment.
30. bide - (v) - to wait for
Example: Students bided their time by listening to music until the bus arrived.
31. bilk -(v) - to cheat or swindle
Example: He bilked his creditors by giving a false address on his credit card application.
32. bloated (adj.) - swollen, bigger than desired
Example: After eating Thanksgiving dinner, everyone felt bloated and decided to get some exercise before watching TV.
33. boisterous (adj.) - loud; energetic
Example: The only area in the school which should be boisterous is the gym.
34. brash (adj) - hasty or lacking in sensitivity
Example: Although the remarks may seem brash by some, the teacher accomplished the required results.
35. buffet (n) - a spread of food involving choices
Example: The high school students visiting the college campus were amazed by the buffet that the cafeteria provided since they were used to few choices.
36. cacophony (n) - noise, discordant sound
Example: At the beginning of the year the band room was full of cacophony, but in a short time the teacher had it soundinf like a symphony.
37. callous (adj.) - harsh, cold, unfeeling
Example: His callous remarks were not necessary because every student was trying as hard as he could.
38. canvas - (n) - a piece of cloth on which an artist paints
Example: In the advance art class, the students learned to paint on canvas rather than paper.
39. captivate- (v)- to hold the interest of, to gain the attention of.
Example: The work in the summer program must have captivated the students attention because they came back day after day.
40. carouse (v.) to revel or to party
Example: The students caroused after their graduation because all their hard work was finally done.
41. cavity (n) hole
Example: In the biology class the students dissected a frog to see the orgas in its abdominal cavity.
