《The SAT-Vocabulary》.doc

A abandon vt. 1. to give up something forever; 2. to leave in a time of danger ? Abandon all hope of seeing your family again. ? We must abandon the boathouse until the storm is over. [-ed, -ing, abandonment n.] [Syn. quit, desert, forsake (Each of these has a slightly different emotion attached to it.)] abbreviate vt. to shorten something by leaving a part, or parts, out ? We might abbreviate this word abbrev. ? The student abbreviated most of the words in his or her class notes to keep up with the teacher’s lecture. [-d, abbreviating, abbreviation n.] ability n. 1. being able; having power to do something; 2. skill, expertise, power ? You have the ability to succeed at what you attempt. ? Einstein had exceptional mathematical ability. ? An automobile lacks the ablility to pull a freight train. abridge vt. 1. to reduce in scope; 2. to shorten while maintaining the essence ? Condensed books abridge the original to appeal to a less than scholarly audience. ? The 9-hour Lord of the Rings trilogy was abridged to 1 1/2 hours for its television broadcast. [-d, abridging] abscond vi. to run away and hide; especially to avoid capture by law enforcers ? Jesse James absconded just ahead of the sheriff. ? To abscond often results in a false sense of security. [-ed, -ing, absconder n.] absolve vt. 1. to declare free from guilt; 2. to free from duty or a promise ? The Lord absolved the sinner and forgave him. ? The jury absolved the accused of any wrongdoing. ? Dad absolved Junior of his promise to wash the car. [-d, absolving, absolver n.] [Syn. pardon, forgive, acquit] absorb vt. 1. to suck up; 2. to take up the full energy or attention of; engross; 3. to take in and incorporate; 4. to assume the full cost ? The sponge absorbed the entire spill. ? Learning fractions absorbed Hailee’s full attention. ? If we fail to absorb the lessons of history, we are doomed to repeat them. ? I’ll absorb the charge for the window replacement. [-ed, -ing, absorbant adj.] abstain vi. to hold b