a'base v.
abase yourself verb [R] formal
to make yourself seem to be less important or not to deserve respect
abasement noun [U] formal
The pilgrims knelt in self-abasement.
'abbess n. The lady superior of a nunnery.
'abbey n. The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling-place of a society of
monks or nuns.
'abbot n. The superior of a community of monks.
'abdicate v. To give up (royal power or the like).
abdicate (GIVE UP) verb [I or T]
If a king or queen abdicates, they make a formal statement that they no longer want to be king or queen
King Edward VIII abdicated (the British throne) in 1936 so that he could marry Mrs Simpson, a divorced woman.
abdication noun [C or U]
'abdomen n. I
abdomen noun [C] specialized
the lower part of a person's or animal's body, which contains the stomach, bowels and other organs, or the end of an insect's body
abdominal adjective
abdominal pains
abdominals plural noun (informal abs)
muscles in the abdomen
ab'duction n.
abduct verb [T]
to force someone to go somewhere with you, often using threats or violence
The company director was abducted from his car by terrorists.
abduction noun [C or U]
There has been a series of abductions of young children from schools in the area.
He was charged with abduction.
abductor noun [C]
She was tortured by her abductors.
aber'ration n.
aberration noun [C or U] formal
a temporary change from the typical or usual way of behaving
In a moment of aberration, she agreed to go with him.
I'm sorry I'm late - I had a mental aberration and forgot we had a meeting today.
a'bet v.
abet verb [T] (-tt-)
to help or encourage someone to do something wrong or illegal
His accountant had aided and abetted him in the fraud.
abettor noun [C]
a'beyance n.
abeyance noun [U] formal
a state of not happening or being used at present
Hostilities between the two groups have been in abeyance since last June.
The project is being held in abeyance until agreement is reached on funding it.
ab'horrence n.
ab'hor verb [T not continuous] (-rr-) formal
to hate a way of behaving or thinking, often because you think it is immoral
I abhor all forms of racism.
ab'horrent adjective formal
morally very bad
an abhorrent crime
Racism of any kind is abhorrent to me.
abhorrence noun [S or U] formal
She looked at him in/with abhorrence.
She has an abhorrence of change.
'abject adj.
abject (EXTREME) adjective formal
abject misery/poverty/terror, etc. when someone is extremely unhappy, poor, frightened, etc
They live in abject poverty.
This policy has turned out to be an abject failure.
ab'jure v.
abjure verb [T] formal
to state publicly that you no longer agree with a belief or way of behaving
He abjured his religion/his life of dissipation.
able-'bodied adj.
able-bodied adjective
describes someone who is healthy and has no illness, injury or condition that makes it difficult to do the things that other people do
All able-bodied young men were forced to join the army.
the able-bodied plural noun
It is hard for the able-bodied to understand the difficulties that disabled people encounter in their daily lives.
a'blution n.
ablution noun [U] formal
the act of washing yourself
Ablution is part of some religious ceremonies.
ablutions plural noun humorous
I must just perform my ablutions (= wash myself)!
ab'normal adj.
abnormal adjective
different from what is usual or average, especially in a way that is bad
abnormal behaviour/weather/conditions
Tests revealed some abnormal skin cells.
abnormality noun [C or U]
something abnormal, usually in the body
genetic/congenital abnormalities
An increasing number of tests are available for detecting foetal abnormalities.
The X-rays showed some slight abnormality.
abnormally adverb
The success rate was abnormally high.
a'bominable adj.
abominable adjective
very bad or unpleasant
The prisoners are forced to live in abominable conditions.
The weather's been abominable all week.
abominably adverb
He behaved abominably towards her.
abomination noun [C] formal
something that disgusts you
Foxhunting is an abomination.
abominate verb [T not continuous] formal
to hate something very much
He abominates cruelty of all kinds.
abo'riginal adj.
aboriginal adjective
describes a person or living thing that has existed in a country or continent since the earliest time known to people
aboriginal forests
aboriginal inhabitants
abo'rigines n. The original of earliest known inhabitants of a country.
a,bove 'board adv. & adj.
above board adjective [after verb]
describes a plan or business agreement that is honest and not trying to deceive anyone
The deal was completely open and above board.
a'brade v.
abrade verb [T] specialized
to remove part of the surface of something by rubbing
a'brasion n.
abrasion noun specialized
1 [U] the process of rubbing away the surface of something
There seems to have been some abrasion of the surface.
2 [C] a place where the surface of something, such as skin, has been rubbed away
She had a small abrasion on her knee.
a'bridge v.
abridge verb [T]
to make a book, play or piece of writing shorter by removing details and unimportant information
The book was abridged for children.
abridged adjective
I've only read the abridged edition/version of her novel.
abridgment, abridgement noun [C or U]
'abrogate v.
abrogate verb [T] formal
to end a law, agreement or custom formally
The treaty was abrogated in 1929.
abrogation noun [S or U] formal
a'brupt adj.
abrupt (SUDDEN) adjective
describes something that is sudden and unexpected, and often unpleasant
an abrupt change/movement
Our conversation came to an abrupt end when George burst into the room.
The road ended in an abrupt (= sudden and very steep) slope down to the sea.
abruptly adverb
The talks ended abruptly when one of the delegations walked out in protest.
abruptness noun [U]
'abscess n.
abscess noun [C]
a painful swollen area on or in the body, which contains pus (= thick, yellow liquid)
She had an abscess on her gum.
ab'scond v.
abscond (ESCAPE) verb [I]
to go away suddenly and secretly in order to escape from somewhere
Two prisoners absconded last night.
She absconded from boarding school with her boyfriend.
absconder noun [C]
A 14 year-old absconder from a children's home in Bristol was found alive and well in London this morning.
'absence n.
absence (NOT PRESENT) noun [C or U]
when someone is not where they are usually expected to be
A new manager was appointed during/in her absence.
She has had repeated absences from work this year.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. saying
This means that we feel more affection for people we love when they are not with us.
absent adjective
not in the place where you are expected to be, especially at school or work
John has been absent from school/work for three days now.
We drank a toast to absent friends.
absent yourself verb [R] formal
to not go to a place where you are expected to be, especially a school or place of work
You cannot choose to absent yourself (from work/school) on a whim.
absentee noun [C]
someone who is not at school or work when they should be
There are several absentees in the school this week, because a lot of people have got flu.
absenteeism noun [U]
The high rate of absenteeism is costing the company a lot of money.
,absent-'minded adj.
absent-minded adjective
describes someone who tends to forget things or does not pay attention to what is happening near them because they are thinking about other things
absent-mindedly adverb
She absent-mindedly left her umbrella on the bus.
absent-mindedness noun [U]
abso'lution n.
absolve verb [T] formal
(especially in religion or law) to free someone from guilt, blame or responsibility for something
The report absolved her from/of all blame for the accident.
The priest absolved him (of all his sins).
absolution noun [U] formal
official forgiveness, especially in the Christian religion, for something bad that someone has done or thought
She was granted/given absolution.
ab'solve v.
absolve verb [T] formal
(especially in religion or law) to free someone from guilt, blame or responsibility for something
The report absolved her from/of all blame for the accident.
The priest absolved him (of all his sins).
absolution noun [U] formal
official forgiveness, especially in the Christian religion, for something bad that someone has done or thought
She was granted/given absolution.
ab'sorb v.
absorb verb [T]
1 to take something in, especially gradually
Plants absorb carbon dioxide.
In cold climates, houses need to have walls that will absorb heat.
Towels absorb moisture.
The drug is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
Our countryside is increasingly being absorbed by/into the large cities.
See also self-absorbed
2 to understand facts or ideas completely and remember them
It's hard to absorb so much information.
3 to reduce the effect of a physical force, shock or change
The barrier absorbed the main impact of the crash.
4 If someone's work, or a book, film, etc. absorbs them, or they are absorbed in it, their attention is given completely to it
Simon was so absorbed in his book, he didn't even notice me come in.
absorbent adjective
able to take liquid in through the surface and to hold it
absorbent paper
absorbency noun [U]
the ability to absorb liquid
absorption noun [U]
Some poisonous gases can enter the body by absorption through the skin.
Her absorption in her work (= giving all of her attention to it) is so great that she thinks about nothing else.
self-absorption
self-absorbed adjective usually disapproving
only interested in yourself and your own activities
self-absorption noun [U]
Her self-absorption is total - she talks you to death about her health problems.
ab'stain v.
abstain (NOT DO) verb [I]
to not do something, especially something enjoyable that you think might be bad
He took a vow to abstain from alcohol/smoking/sex.
abstainer noun [C]
abstention noun [U] formal
Abstention from alcohol is essential while you are taking this medication.
abstinence noun [U] formal
The best way to avoid pregnancy is total abstinence from sex.
ab'stemious adj.
abstemious adjective formal
not doing things which give you pleasure, especially not eating good food or drinking alcohol
ab'struse adj.
abstruse adjective formal
difficult to understand
an abstruse philosophical essay
ab'surd adj.
absurd adjective
ridiculous or unreasonable; foolish in an amusing way
What an absurd thing to say!
Don't be so absurd! Of course I want you to come.
It's an absurd situation - neither of them will talk to the other.
Do I look absurd in this hat?
the absurd
things that happen that are ridiculous or unreasonable
The whole situation borders on the absurd.
She has a keen sense of the absurd.
absurdly adverb
You're behaving absurdly.
It was absurdly (= unreasonably) expensive.
absurdity noun [C or U]
Standing there naked, I was suddenly struck by the absurdity of the situation.
There are all sorts of absurdities (= things that are ridiculous) in the proposal.
a'bundant adj.
abundant adjective formal
more than enough
an abundant supply of food
There is abundant evidence that cars have a harmful effect on the environment.
Cheap consumer goods are abundant (= exist in large amounts) in this part of the world.
abundance noun [S or U] formal
There was an abundance of wine at the wedding.
We had wine in abundance.
abundantly adverb formal
The plant grows abundantly in woodland.
You've made your feelings abundantly clear (= very clear).
a'busive adj.
abuse (SPEECH) verb [T]
to speak to someone rudely or cruelly
The crowd started abusing him after he failed to save a goal.
abuse noun [U]
rude and offensive words said to another person
He had apparently experienced a lot of verbal abuse from his co-workers.
He hurled (a stream/torrent of) abuse at her (= He said a lot of rude and offensive things to her).
'Idiot!' is a mild term of abuse (= an insulting expression).
abusive adjective
using rude and offensive words
an abusive letter/telephone call
He was apparently abusive to the flight attendants.
.
a'but v.
abut verb [T never passive ; I + preposition] (-tt-) formal
If a building or area of land abuts on something, it is next to it or touches it on one side
Mexico abuts (on) some of the richest parts of the United States.
Their house abutted (onto) the police station.
a'byss n.
abyss noun [C usually singular]
1 literary a very deep hole which seems to have no bottom
2 a difficult situation that brings trouble or destruction
The country is sinking/plunging into an abyss of violence and lawlessness.
She found herself on the edge of an abyss.
,aca'demic adj.
academic (STUDYING) adjective
1 relating to schools, colleges and universities, or connected with studying and thinking, not with practical skills
academic subjects/qualifications/books
an academic institution
the academic year (= the time, usually from September to June, during which students go to school or college)
academic standards
2 describes someone who is clever and enjoys studying
I was never a particularly academic child.
academically adverb
She's always done well academically.
It may be that a child is bright, but not academically inclined.
'academe noun [U] formal
the part of society, especially universities, that is connected with study and thinking
,aca'demia noun [U]
the part of society, especially universities, that is connected with studying and thinking, or the activity or job of studying
A graduate of law and economics from Moscow State University, he had spent his life in academia.
academic noun [C] (US also academician)
someone who teaches at a college, or who studies as part of their job
a'cademy n.
academy noun [C]
an organization intended to protect and develop an art, science, language, etc., or a school which teaches a particular subject or trains people for a particular job
a military/police academy
the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
a,cade'mician noun [C]
a member of an academy
In 1823 he became professor and academician at Munich.
ac'cede v.
accede to sth (AGREE) phrasal verb formal
to agree to do what people have asked you to do
He graciously acceded to our request.
It is doubtful whether the government will ever accede to the nationalists' demands for independence.
accede to sth (BECOME) phrasal verb formal
accede to the throne/accede to power to become king or queen, or to take a position of power
The diaries were written in 1837 when Queen Victoria acceded to the throne.
accession noun [U] formal
1926 was the year of Emperor Hirohito's accession to the throne.
ac'celerate v.
accelerate (MOVE FASTER) verb [I]
1 When a vehicle or its driver accelerates, the speed of the vehicle increases
I accelerated to overtake the bus.
Compare decelerate
2 If a person or object accelerates, it goes faster.
acceleration noun [U]
when something goes faster, or its ability to do this
An older car will have poor acceleration.
High winds significantly hampered the plane's acceleration.
accelerator noun [C]
1 the pedal (= part that you push with your foot) in a vehicle that makes it go faster
2 specialized in physics, a machine which makes particles (= small pieces of matter) move very fast
ac'cept v.
accept (TAKE) verb
1 [T] to agree to take something
Do you accept credit cards?
She was in London to accept an award for her latest novel.
I offered her an apology, but she wouldn't accept it.
I accept full responsibility for the failure of the plan.
The new telephones will accept coins of any denomination.
2 [I or T] to say 'yes' to an offer or invitation
We've offered her the job, but I don't know whether she'll accept it.
I've just accepted an invitation to the opening-night party.
I've been invited to their wedding but I haven't decided whether to accept.
acceptable adjective
"Will a £50 donation be enough?" "Yes, that would be quite acceptable (= enough)."
acceptability noun [U]
acceptance noun [C or U]
accept (APPROVE) verb [T]
to consider something or someone as satisfactory
The manuscript was accepted for publication last week.
She was accepted as a full member of the society.
His fellow workers refused to accept him (= to include him as one of their group).
acceptable adjective
satisfactory and able to be agreed to or approved of
Clearly we need to come to an arrangement that is acceptable to both parties.
So what is an acceptable level of radiation?
This kind of attitude is simply not acceptable.
acceptance noun [C or U]
I've had acceptances from three universities (= Three universities have agreed to take me as a student).
The idea rapidly gained acceptance (= became approved of) in political circles.
accepted adjective
'Speed bump' now seems to be the generally accepted term (= the word that most people use) for those ridges in the road that slow traffic down.
accept (BELIEVE) verb [T]
to believe that something is true
The police refused to accept her version of the story.
He still hasn't accepted the situation (= realized that he cannot change it).
[+ that]I can't accept that there's nothing we can do.
ac'cess n.
access noun [U]
the method or possibility of approaching a place or person, or the right to use or look at something
The only access to the village is by boat.
The main access to (= entrance to) the building is at the side.
The tax inspector had/gained complete access to the company files.
The system has been designed to give the user quick and easy access to the required information.
The children's father was refused access to them at any time (= refused official permission to see them).
access verb [T]
to open a computer file (= a collection of information stored on a computer) in order to look at or change information in it
accessible adjective
1 able to be reached or easily obtained
The resort is easily accessible by road, rail and air.
The problem with some of these drugs is that they are so very accessible.
2 easy to understand
Lea Anderson is a choreographer who believes in making dance accessible.
Covent Garden has made some attempt to make opera accessible to a wider public.
accessibility noun [U]
Two new roads are being built to increase accessibility to the town centre.
The accessibility of her plays (= the fact that they can be understood) means that she is able to reach a wide audience.
ac'cessory n.
accessory (EXTRA) noun [C usually plural]
something added to a machine or to clothing, which has a useful or decorative purpose
She wore a green wool suit with matching accessories (= shoes, hat, bag, etc.).
Sunglasses are much more than a fashion accessory.
Accessories for the top-of-the-range car include leather upholstery, a CD player, electric windows and a sunroof.
ac'cessorize mainly US, UK usually accessorise verb [T]
to add an accessory or accessories to something
She was wearing a little black dress, accessorized simply with a silver necklace.
ac'claim v.
acclaim noun [U]
public approval and praise
Despite the critical acclaim, the novel did not sell well.
Hamlet was played by Romania's leading actor, Ion Caramitrou, to rapturous acclaim.
acclaim verb [T often passive]
to give public approval and praise
She was universally/widely/publicly acclaimed for her contribution to the discovery.
She is being acclaimed (= publicly recognized) as the greatest dancer of her generation.
acclaimed adjective
an acclaimed artist/writer/poet
a highly acclaimed novel/film
'Dinner Party', based on the critically acclaimed novel by Bill Davies, was made into a film last year.
acclamation noun [U] formal
His speech was greeted with (shouts of) acclamation (= loud expressions of approval).
ac'commodate v.
accommodate (FIND A PLACE FOR) verb [T]
to provide with a place to live or to be stored in
New students may be accommodated in halls of residence.
formal There wasn't enough space to accommodate the files.
accommodation noun [U] mainly UK
a place to live, work, stay, etc. in
There's a shortage of cheap accommodation (= places to live).
We have first and second class accommodation (= seats) on this flight.
accommodations plural noun US
a place to stay when you are travelling, especially a hotel room
Sweepstakes winners will enjoy a week-long stay in luxury accommodations in Las Vegas.
ac'companiment n.
accompaniment noun [C]
something that you eat or drink with something else
A dry champagne makes the ideal accompaniment for/to this dish.
ac'companist n.
accompany (MUSIC) verb [T]
to sing or play an instrument with another musician or singer
Miss Jessop accompanied Mr Bentley on the piano.
accompaniment noun [C or U]
a song with piano accompaniment
humorous We worked to the accompaniment of (= while hearing the sound of) Mr French's drill.
accompanist noun [C]
The singer's accompanist on the piano was Charles Harman.
ac'company v.
accompany (GO WITH) verb [T]
1 to go with someone or to be provided or exist at the same time as something
The course books are accompanied by four cassettes.
Depression is almost always accompanied by insomnia.
The salmon was accompanied by (= served with) a fresh green salad.
2 slightly formal to show someone how to get to somewhere
Would you like me to accompany you to your room?
3 formal to go with someone to a social event or to an entertainment
"May I accompany you to the ball?" he asked her.
I have two tickets for the theatre on Saturday evening - would you care to accompany me?
accompanying adjective
appearing or going with someone or something else
Front-page stories broke the news of the princess leaving, and accompanying photographs showed her getting on the plane.
Children under 17 require an accompanying parent or guardian to see this film.
ac'complice n.
accomplice noun [C]
a person who helps someone else to commit a crime or to do something morally wrong
ac'complish v.
accomplish verb [T]
to finish something successfully or to achieve something
The students accomplished the task in less than ten minutes.
She accomplished such a lot during her visit.
I feel as if I've accomplished nothing since I left my job.
accomplishment noun
1 [C] something that is successful, or that is achieved after a lot of work or effort
Getting the two leaders to sign a peace treaty was his greatest accomplishment.
See also accomplishment
2 [U] the completion of something
We celebrated the successful accomplishment of our task.
ac'cordion n.
accordion noun [C]
a box-shaped musical instrument, held in the hands, consisting of a folded central part with a keyboard at each end, which is played by pushing the two ends towards each other
ac'cost v.
accost verb [T often passive] formal
to approach or stop and speak to someone in a threatening way
I'm usually accosted by beggars and drunks as I walk to the station.
ac'count n.
account (BANK) (also bank account)
an arrangement with a bank to keep your money there and to allow you to take it out when you need to
I've opened an account with a building society.
I paid the money into my account this morning.
UK She paid the cheque into/ US She deposited the check in her account.
I need to draw some money out of my account.
turn/use sth to good account UK formal
to use your skills and abilities to produce good results
I think we'd all agree that you turned your negotiating skills to very good account in this afternoon's meeting.
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