abdico, abdicare,
abdicavi, abdicatus - to renounce, reject; to disown,
disavow abdicate - (tr.) to renounce (office or authority); (intr.) to renounce office or authority: Following the humiliating loss of some 300 ships to the Vandals, Majorian, one of the last of the Roman emperors, was forced to abdicate. Also: abdicable, abdicant (abdicating), abdication, abdicative, abdicator. [abdicatio, abdicationis, f. - renunciation; disavowal]
abducent - Moving or drawing away from the axis of the body or one of its parts: Physiologists speak of abducent and adducent nerves and muscles. Also: abduce (to draw away). [duco, ducere, duxi, ductus - to lead]
aberration - The crimes against humanity perpetrated by the September 11 hijackers are horrible moral aberrations, denounced by the vast majority of people of the world regardless of their religion. 1) a deviating from what is normal or right: 2) a temporary mental irregularity. Also: aberrant, aberrance, aberrancy. [aberratio, aberrationis, f. - relief, diversion, escape]
ablution - a washing or cleansing, usually as a religious ritual: Baptism is an ablution which symbolizes and, according to many, effects a cleansing of sin. Also: abluent (a cleaning agent), ablutionary (having to do with an ablution).
aboleo, abolere,
abolevi, abolitus - to destroy abolish - to do away with, put an end to (a law or custom): Those who seek to abolish capital punishment argue that life imprisonment is an equally effective deterrent to murder. Also: abolishable, abolisher, abolishment, abolitionary, abolitionism (the principle of the abolition of slavery), abolitionist (in U.S. history, one who supported the abolition of slavery; one who supports the abolition of any law or custom) abolitionize (to convert to abolitionism). [abolesco, abolescere, abolevi - to perish; abolitio, abolitionis, f. - a removing]
abstemious - moderate in eating and drinking: Abstemious people often live long lives. Also: abstemiousness.
acclivis, acclive
- uphill, upwards, ascending acclivity - an upward slope of ground, an ascent: The cross-country course was laid out in such a way that the acclivities were short and steep while the declivities were long and gradual. Also: acclivitous, acclivous. [acclivitas, acclivitatis, f. - ascent, rising grade, acclivity; ad (prep. w/ acc.) - to. towards; near; clivus, clivi, m. - slope, hill]
acerbic - harsh in temper or words: His
acerbic tongue got him into trouble with a hall monitor yesterday.
Also: acerbity (harshness). [acerbitas, acerbitatis, f. -
bitterness; acerbus, acerba, acerbum - bitter]
acumen - keen insight: The fictional character
Sherlock Holmes is known around the world for his criminological acumen.
Also: acuminate (adj., pointed; v., to make sharp or pointed), acumination,
acuminous (possessing acumen). [acumen, acuminis, n. - sharp
point]
adamant - absolutely firm, unyielding in attitude or opinion despite opposition: Let’s not be so adamant that we miss the truth when it lights on the ends of our respective noses. Also: adamancy, adamantine (adamant).
affable - pleasant, friendly, cordial, easy to talk to: "There's a difference between 'affable' and 'laughable,' she screamed after him, "and you're the latter." Also: affability, affableness. [adfabilitas, adfabilitatis, f. - friendliness, affability]
adfirmatio,
adfirmationis, f. - affirmation, positive assertion affirmation - 1) the assertion or declaration that something is true or exists; 2) confirmation of a law, a prior judgment, or a decision: The mayor interprets the lopsided vote as an affirmation of his bipartisan, minority-inclusive approach to government. Also: affirm, affirmable, affirmance, affirmant (person who affirms), affirmative (expressing agreement, positive), affirmer. [ad (prep. w/ acc.) - to, toward, near; adfirmo, adfirmare, adfirmavi, adfirmatus - to strengthen; firmator, firmatoris, m. - one who establishes or confirms; firmitas, firmitatis, f. - firmness; firmitudo, firmitudinis, f. - firmness; firmo, firmare, firmavi, firmatus - to strengthen, make firm; firmus, firma, firmum - firm, strong]
adjacent - lying near; adjoining, bordering: Although she had lived there for almost a year, she still didn’t know the woman in the adjacent apartment. Also: adjacency. [ad (prep. w/ acc.) - to, toward, near; iaceo, iacere, iacui - to lie, be flat]
admonitory - serving to warn, warning: Mr. Baxter always adopts an admonitory tone of voice on the day before a test. Also: admonish, admonisher, admonishment, admonition, admonitor (admonisher), admonitorial. [ad (prep. w/ acc.) - to, toward, near; admonitio, admonitionis, f. - suggestion; admonitor, admonitoris, m. - an admonisher, one who reminds; admonitrix, admonitricis, f. - she who reminds; moneo monere, monui, monitus - warn, advise]
asseveration - emphatic assertion, a solemn declaration: What does it say about the American electorate when facts and issue-based asseverations are not as effective as demagoguery and slander? Also: asseverate (to assert emphatically, declare solemnly), asseverative, asseveratory. [adserveranter - emphatically; adseveratio, adseverationis, f. - an emphatic assertion; severus, severa, severum - serious, strict, stern]
adulation - excessive praise or admiration, servile flattery: In a democracy, even a capable president receives a large measure not only of adulation but, thanks to a free press and to opposition parties, of criticism as well. Also: adulate (to praise excessively, flatter), adulator, adulatory. [adulator, adulatoris, m. - sycophant; adulatorius, adulatoria, adulatorium - flattering; adulo, adulare - to fawn (upon), flatter; adulor, adulari, adulatus sum - to fawn (upon), flatter]
adulate - to praise excessively: “Praise others if you must,” she replied, “but adulate only me.” Also: adulation, adulator, adulatory. [adulatio, adulationis, f. - a fawning, flattery; adulator, adulatoris, m. - flatterer, sycophant; adulatorius, adulatoria, adulatorium - flattering]
adulterate - (v.) to destroy purity or
genuineness by adding a harmful or less valuable substance: Seeking
to produce gold from lead, alchemists succeeded only in adulterating the
lead. Also: adulterant (n., a substance used to adulterate;
adj., adulterating), adulteration, adulterator, unadulterated.
adverto, advertere,
adverti, adversus - to turn towards adversity - unfavorable fortune or fate; an unfortunate or calamitous condition or circumstance: Adversity often brings out the best in people. Also: adversative (adj., expressing antithesis or opposition; n., an adversative word or expression), adverseness, advert (to remark; to turn the attention). [adversus, adversa, adversum - hostile, opposed to; adversus or adversum - (adv.) opposite; (pres. w/ acc.) towards, opposite]
aegis, aegidis, f.
- the shield of Jupiter; defense, protection aegis - 1) protection, support; 2) sponsorship: To be eligible for a tuition waver at our high school, a foreign student must be under the aegis of a properly accredited agency.
emulate - to strive to equal or excel; to imitate with the intention of equaling or surpassing: She emulates her older sister, who has an open mind and a big heart. Also: emulation, emulatative, emulator, emulous (desirous of equaling or exceeding). [aemulatio, aemulationis, f. - rivalry; aemulus, aemula, aemulum - vying with, rivaling]
enigmatic - perplexing, inexplicable: In times of
drought and deluge, many a pious farmer has pondered the enigmatic
contingencies of weather. Also: enigma (a perplexing or
inexplicable statement, matter, or person), enigmatical
(enigmatic).
aequitas,
aequitatis, f. - evenness; fairness equity - fairness: Should we as a nation not strive for equity in the distribution of necessary commodities and services among the rich and the poor? Also: equitable, equitableness. [aequus, aequa, aequum - level; fair, just; like, equal]
egalitarian - one who believes that all people
should have equal rights: Some people complain that America has lost
its egalitarian focus; the poor, they say, do not have the same rights
as the wealthy. Also: egalitarianism (the belief in equal
rights for all). [aequo, aequare, aequavi, aequatus - to make
even, make level; aequalis, aequale - equal, even; aequalitas,
aequalitatis, f. - equality, evenness]
(a)estival - of or pertaining to summer: He
liked the ocean, the palm trees, and the cool, clear summer days; still,
he missed the estival verdancy of the Midwest. [aestivus, aestiva,
aestivum - of summer; summer]
aestuarium,
aestuari, n. - ground covered by the sea at high
tide; a part of a river up which the tide flows estuary - 1) a place where a river’s current meets the sea’s tides; 2) an arm of the sea at the lower end of the river: The Nile has an elaborate system of estuaries. Also: estuarine (formed or found in an estuary), estuarial. [aestuo, aestuare, aestuavi, aestuatus - to rage, burn, seethe; to surge; aestuosus, aestuosa, aestuosum - very hot; agitated; aestus, aestus, m. - agitation; boiling; seething; surging (of the sea)]
agrarian - having to do with agriculture or
farmers: As a noun, "agrarian" means someone who promotes
agrarian reforms. Also: agrarianism (a movement for the equal
division of land and for the interests of farmers). [agrarius,
agraria, agrarium - pertaining to the land] aggrego, aggregare,
aggregavi, aggregatus - add to a flock; attach,
associate, bring together aggregate - (adj.) total, combined; (n.) a sum of most of the particulars; total amount: While individual students may have floundered, the state test scores, in the aggregate, reflect improved effort on the part of the vast majority of students. (v.) to combine into a collection or mass. Also: aggregable, aggregateness, aggregatory, aggregation (a group or mass of separate persons or things; a collecting of separate persons or things), aggregational, aggregative (pertaining to or forming an aggregate; tending to aggregate). [grex, gregis, m. - herd, flock]
actuate - 1) to put into action; 2) to move to
act: Always a risk taker, she was, in the final months of her life,
actuated more and more by the desire to do what had never been done
before. proactive - anticipatory; preparing for or
intervening in an expected occurrence: Recycling is a proactive
measure against the depletion of natural resources. [pro (prep.
w/ abl.) - before, in front of; for] redact - 1) to prepare for publication; to edit: A careful comparison of her original manuscript with the redacted, published version convinced her to seek out a different publisher for her next novel. 2) to draw up (a statement, announcement, proclamation, etc.) Also: redaction, redactional, redactor. [redigo, redigere, redegi, redactus - to drive back; to lead back, bring back]
alacrity - 1) cheerful readiness or promptness: She treated all people with respect, welcomed friends at any hour of the day or night, encouraged and admonished her children, and performed household chores with alacrity. 2) liveliness. Also: alacritous. [alacritas, alacritatis, f. - quickness; eagerness]
albus, alba, album
- white albumen - 1) the white of an egg: You can separate the two parts of the contents of an egg by passing the yolk back and forth from half shell to half shell and allowing the albumen to fall into a container. 2) the nutritive matter around the embryo in a seed. Also: albumenize (to treat with albumen), albumenization, albumin (any of a class of proteins occurring in the white of eggs, in milk, and in other animal and plant tissues and juices), albuminate (a compound derived from albumin), albuminous (of, resembling, or containing albumen or albumin). [albulus, albula, albulum - whitish]
alien - (adj.) 1) foreign; 2) strange (not
natural): Self-incrimination and despair being alien to him, he
attributed the accident to bad luck and went on with his everyday
business. (n.) 1) a foreigner; 2) an outsider.
alo, alere, alui,
alitus - to nourish alimony - an allowance paid by one spouse to the other after legal separation or divorce: Does alimony stop after the recipient of the alimony remarries? Also: aliment (food), alimentary, alimentation (nourishment), alimentative, alimentativeness. [alimentarius, alimentaria, alimentarium - pertaining to food; alimentum, alimenti, n. - food]
altercation - heated argument; quarrel: The
unfortunate altercation left both friends with bruised egos. Also: altercate
(to quarrel). [altercatio, altercationis, f. - debate, dispute; altercor,
altercari, altercatus sum - to debate, quarrel]
subaltern - (adj.) of lower rank, subordinate; (n.) a subordinate: Old men make wars; their subalterns, usually young men, fight them. [sub (prep. w/ acc. and abl.) - under]
altimeter - instrument for measuring height: A
glance at the altimeter let the pilot know that he was flying
dangerously low. Also: altigraph (an altimeter that records
altitude automatically), altimetry (the science of measuring
altitudes).
ambiguous - 1) having more than one meaning: The English conjunction "or" is ambiguous: it can be inclusive, as in "Each participant must bring a pen or a pencil," (it's OK to bring either, even both) or exclusive, as in "Did you buy that dress last year or this year?" (only one answer is correct). 2) doubtful, uncertain. Also: ambiguity, ambiguousness. [ambigo, ambigere - to hesitate, doubt; ambiguitas, ambiguitatis, f. - ambiguity; ambo, ambae, ambo - both]
ambio, ambire,
ambivi, ambitus - to go round, to go about ambiance - mood or atmosphere of a locale or a surrounding area: For their 25th wedding anniversary, they chose a restaurant with an ambiance of elegance and intimacy. Also: ambient, ambience (ambiance). [ambitio, ambitionis, f. - a striving for favor or honors; ambitiosus, ambitiosa, ambitiosum - seeking popularity, honors, favor, etc.; ambitus, ambitus, m. - a going round, revolution]
ambrosia,
ambrosiae, f. - food of the gods ambrosial - especially delicious or fragrant: The ambrosial smell of fresh bread, pastries, and coffee invited passers-by to come in and enjoy a morning snack. Also: ambrosia (the food of the gods; something especially delicious or fragrant).
amble - (v.) to walk in a relaxed, leisurely
manner: On summer evenings the townspeople ambled along the downtown
sidewalks though not a store or business was open. (n.) a relaxed,
leisurely walk. Also: ambler.
amiable - having a friendly disposition,
peaceable: Friends and amiable neighbors helped him through the
months of unemployment. Also: amiability, amiableness.
amatory - causing or showing love, especially
sexual love: His amatory verses surprised and pleased her. Also:
amatorial (amatory).
angustus, angusta,
angustum - narrow anguish - Also: (n.) acute distress or suffering: Who can imagine the anguish of parents who lose a child? (v.) 1) to inflict with distress or suffering; 2) to suffer or feel distress. [angustiae, angustiarum, f. pl. - narrowness; angusto, angustare - to make narrow; angustum, angusti, n.- a narrow place]
animadversion - unfavorable criticism; censure: Let's
cooperate when we can and relegate animadversion to the editorial pages.
[adverto, advertere, adverti, adversus - to turn to or towards]
annals - 1) written account of events year by
year; 2) historical records: Nowhere in the annals of mankind can one
find a quantitative growth in knowledge equal to that of the twentieth
century.
antediluvian - existing or occurring before the Great Flood: Cane and Abel are antediluvian biblical figures. Also: postdiluvian (existing or occurring after the Great Flood) [diluvium, diluvi, n. - flood, deluge]
antiquity - 1) great age: Recognizing the urn
as an object of unusual antiquity, she cautiously asked about its price.
2) period of history before 476 A.D.; 3) (pl.) things from long ago. [antiquitas,
antiquitatis, f. - ancient times, antiquity; antiquitus,
antiquita, antiquitum - former, ancient]
aperio, aperire,
aperui, apertus - to uncover, open aperture - an opening, hole: When operating a camera manually, one must know that a higher f-stop means that the aperture of the camera is smaller; in fact, the square of an f-stop is inversely proportional to the amount of light admitted. Also: apertural, apertured.
apex - the highest point; vertex: Does one divide a triangle into equal areas by drawing a straight line from the apex to the midpoint of the opposite side?
apiary - a shed or house for beehives; group of beehives: Having misunderstood the word apiary, Johnny went out into his uncle’s field and lifted the top off what he thought was a giant birdhouse. Also: apian (of or pertaining to bees), apiarian (having to do with beekeeping), apiarist (one who keeps bees).
apparition - 1) a ghost; 2) something strange or unexpected that becomes visible: One wonders how many supernatural and extraterrestrial apparitions are actually hallucinations. 3) the act of appearing: Also: apparitional. [apparitio, apparitionis, f. - attendance; a waiting on, service]
appellate - of or pertaining to appeals; capable
of being appealed to: The lawyer is optimistic about her client's
chances in the appellate court.
apprehendo,
apprehendere, apprehendi, apprehensus - to seize apprehensive - 1) fearful that something might happen: Many parents are apprehensive for the safety of their children in a world of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. 2) quick to understand, perceptive. Also: apprehend (to seize; to perceive, understand intuitively), apprehender, apprehensible (able to be understood), apprehensibility, apprehension, apprehensiveness. [prehendo, prehendere, prehendi, prehensus - to seize; prendo, prendere, prendi, prensus - to seize]
adaptability - the power to change easily and fit
in different situations; the ability to adjust to different conditions: Adaptability
is important to the success of individuals and to the survival of entire
species. Also: adapt, adaptable, adaptableness, adapter,
adaptation, adaptional, adaptive, adaptivity, adaptor. [adapto,
adaptare, adaptavi, adaptatus - to adapt, fit to]
aquamarine - a transparent, pale bluish-green
precious stone: Unlike aquamarine, emerald is bright green. [mare,
maris, n. - sea; marinus, marina, marinum - of the sea]
aquila, aquilae,
f. - eagle aquiline - hooked like an eagle’s beak: Human noses come in all shapes, from flat to bulbous to aquiline. 2) of or pertaining to an eagle or eagles. Also: aquilinity. [aquilifer, aquiliferi, m. - an eagle-bearer, standard-bearer; aquilinus, aquilina, aquilinum - of or pertaining to an eagle or eagles]
arbiter - 1) a person chosen to judge a dispute; 2) someone with full authorization to judge or decide: In a theocracy, the arbiter of morality and the arbiter of legality is one and the same. Also: arbitrable (capable of being decided by an arbiter), arbitral, arbitrament (the act of deciding or the decision of an arbiter) , arbitrary (not decided by rule or law; capricious, unreasonable), arbitrariness, arbitrate (to act as an arbiter; to submit to arbitration), arbitration (the settlement of a dispute by an arbiter), arbitrational, arbitrationist, arbitrative, arbitrator (arbiter), arbitress (a female arbiter). [arbitra, arbitrae, f. - a female witness; arbitrium, arbitri, n. - judgment, decision; arbitror, arbitrari, arbitratus sum - to think, consider; to witness; to testify]
arbitrary - 1) based solely on one's own wishes,
not restricted by reason or rules: Some people hold that, if there is
a deity, he (or she) must be criticized for the arbitrary allotment of
good and evil in the world. 2) tyrannical; 3) unreasonable,
unsupported. Also: arbitrariness. arbitrator - person authorized to decide a dispute: When talks stalled, an arbitrator was appointed to weigh the arguments of both sides and expedite an agreement. Also: arbiter (person with full power to decide or judge), arbitrable, arbitral, arbitrament (arbitration; decision made by an arbiter), arbitration, arbitrational, arbitrative, arbitratorship. [arbiter, arbitri, m. - witness; arbitra, arbitrae, f. - female witness; arbitratus, arbitratus, m. - choice, decision; arbitrium, arbitri, n. - judgment, decision; authority]
arboreal - 1) living in trees: Prehensile
tails serve arboreal animals well. 2) of or like a tree. Also: arborescent
(like a tree in growth and shape), arboreous (full of trees;
arboreal; arborescent). [arboreus, arborea, arboreum - of a tree;
branching]
arcanus, arcana,
arcanum - secret; hidden arcane - understood by very few; obscure: When someone says, "It doesn’t take a brain surgeon . . ." or "It doesn’t take a rocket scientist . . . ," he is expressing a popular belief that brain surgery and rocket science are arcane disciplines, beyond the comprehension of most mortals. Also: arcanist (one who claims to have secret knowledge regarding the making of porcelain), arcana (profound secrets). [arca, arcae, f. - place for safe-keeping; arcano (adv.) - secretly; arceo, arcere, arcui - enclose, shut in; protect, keep safe]
coercion - act of compelling someone by force or intimidation: She tried logical argumentation, emotional appeal, cajolery, and when all else failed, coercion, all to no avail; when her little sister had made up her mind to refuse her a favor, that favor no longer existed in the realm of the possible. Also: coerce, coercible, coercionary, coercionist. [coerceo, coercere, coercui - to shut in, enclose; coercitio, coercitionis, f. - a confining, a restraining]
ardent - 1. characterized by intense feeling or great enthusiasm; passionate: As ardent theatergoers, they contribute generously to the annual Fund for the Arts. 2. burning; glowing. Also: ardency, ardentness, ardor (passion; enthusiasm). [ardens, ardentis - burning; glowing, ardent; ardesco, ardescere, arsi - to take fire, blaze up; ardor, ardoris, m. - a burning; eagerness, ardor]
arduus, ardua,
arduum - steep; difficult arduous - difficult, laborious; requiring much energy: If you find pulling weeds arduous, gardening is probably not for you. Also: arduousness. [arduum, ardui, n. - steep place]
(h)arena,
(h)arenae, f. - sand; sandy ground; arena arenaceous - 1) sandy; 2) having a sandy habitat: Remembering how his father used to add sand to the soil of his garden where the spinach was to be planted, he asked his botany teacher if spinach is considered an arenaceous plant. Also: arena, arenation (application of hot sand to the body), arenic (having to do with an arena), arenicolous (living in sandy places), arenose (full of sand; sandy). [(h)arenaria, (h)arenariae, f. - sand pit; (h)arenarius, (h)arenaria, (h)arenarium - pertaining to sand; sandy; (h)arenosus, (h)arenosa, (h)arenosum - full of sand; sandy]
argentine - pertaining to, made of, containing, or resembling silver: Despite its argentine luster, mica contains no silver. Also: argent (like silver), argental (of or pertaining to silver; containing or resembling silver), argenteous (silvery), argentiferous (yielding silver; silver-bearing), argentite (a silver sulfide), argentous (containing univalent silver). [argentarius, argentaria, argentarium - of or pertaining to silver or to money; argentatus, argentata, argentatum - plated with silver; argenteus, argentea, argenteum - of silver]
arid - 1. receiving very little rainfall; extremely dry: Because they impede the movement of rain clouds, mountain ranges are often verdant on one side and arid on the other. 2. dry figuratively. Also: aridity, aridness, aridification.
armada - a large fleet of warships: The famous
Spanish Armada, believed by many to be invincible, was defeated by the
British in 1588. [armo, armare, armavi, armatus - to arm,
equip with arms]
aro, arare, aravi,
aratus - to plow; to cultivate arable - able to be plowed and cultivated; suitable for farming: In the mountains of Switzerland, almost every square foot of arable land is used either to grow crops or to graze animals. Also: arability.
artisan - someone skilled in applied arts; craftsman: In preparation for weekend arts and crafts shows, many artisans arrive on Friday evening and set up their displays. Also: artisanal, artisanship. [artifex, artificis, m. - (adj.) skilled; (n.) craftsman; master of an art; artificiosus, artificiosa, artificiosum - skillful; artificium, artifici, n. - craft; art]
articulate - (adj.) 1) spoken distinctly; 2) able to express oneself clearly and fluently: It is not enough for a speaker to be highly articulate; he or she must also speak logically and interestingly. 3) jointed; (v.) 1) to speak distinctly; 2) to fit together in a joint. Also: articular (pertaining to the joints), articulable, articulateness, articulative, articulation, articulator, articulatory. [articulus, articuli, m. - a small joint] inarticulate - 1) lacking the ability to express oneself clearly and effectively; 2) not like regular speech, unintelligible: The child was so excited that she uttered only inarticulate sounds. 3) not jointed. Also: articulable, articular (pertaining to the joints), articulate, articulateness, articulative, articulation, articulator, articulatory. [articulatim - distinctly; articulus, articuli, m. - a small joint]
ascendancy, also spelled ascendency - controlling influence; supremacy; domination: St. Augustine helped to secure the ascendancy of the Roman papacy with the statement: "Roma locuta est, causa finita est." Also: ascendable, also spelled ascendible; ascendance, also spelled ascendence (ascendancy); ascendant, also spelled ascendent (ruling; rising).
astute - 1) showing a good mind, sagacious: His astute generalizations astonished most listeners, who had not expected sagacity from the mouth of a wrestling announcer. 2) clever, shrewd. Also: astuteness. [astutia, astutiae, f. - adroitness; cunning]
atavus, atava,
atavum - a grandfather of a grandfather; an ancestor atavistic - reverting to a primitive type, resembling a remote ancestor: In his opinion, his friends’ propensity for camping was atavistic, a throwback to the time of the cavemen. Also: atavic (atavistic), atavism (reversion to an earlier type or characteristic; resemblance to a remote ancestor), atavist, atavistically. [ avus, avi, m. - grandfather]
atrox, atrocis
- terrible, horrible atrocity - 1) the quality or state of being extremely wicked or cruel; 2) an extremely wicked or cruel act: Human sacrifice, performed daily by the Aztecs to appease the sun god, was considered an atrocity by the invading Cortes, who in turn mercilessly massacred the Aztecs, no less an atrocity for its dedication to the Christian deity. Also: atrocious, atrociousness. [atrocitas, atrocitatis, f. - frightfulness; barbarity]
attenuate - (v) 1) to weaken: Depression attenuates passion and desire, including the desire to remain alive. 2) to make thin; 3) to become thin; (adj.) weakened. Also: attenuant (a medicine that thins the blood), attenuation, attenuator. [attenuatio, attenuationis, f. - a lessening; tenuis, tenue - slender, thin; tenuitas, tenuitatis, f. - thinness, slenderness]
authorize -1) to give official approval to; grant permission for: The strike was authorized by the union members, who voted overwhelmingly to walk off the job at midnight. 2) to sanction; make legal. Also: authorizable, authorization, authorizer, unauthorized.
authoritarian - favoring, characterized by, or enforcing unquestioning obedience to authority, like that of a dictator: The economic productivity of authoritarian countries has been unimpressive; on the other hand, their athletes have been among the best in the world. Also: authoritarianism (the principle of unquestioning obedience to authority).
audacious - recklessly bold; daring: Enterprising and audacious, the youngster made his way in the world despite his physical handicaps. Also: audaciousness, audacity (reckless boldness; rude boldness). [audax, audacis - bold, daring]
audit - 1) to examine business accounts officially; 2) to attend a class as a listener, not for credit. Fearing that his GPA would suffer if he took the course for credit, he decided to audit. Also: auditable, auditor (person who examines accounts; one who audits a class). [auditio, auditionis, f. - listening; rumor] auditory - of or
pertaining to hearing: Extremely sensitive to auditory distractions,
the poor fellow had to wear ear plugs when taking tests. Also: audit,
auditable, auditor, auditorial, auditorium, auditorship. [audientia,
audientiae, f. - hearing, listening; auditio, auditionis, f. -
hearing, listening; auditor, auditoris, m. - a listener; auditorium,
auditori, n. - a lecture room; auditus, auditus, m. - sense
of hearing]
aufero, auferre,
abstuli, ablatus - to carry away, remove ablation - 1) removal of an organ or of an abnormal growth by surgery; 2) reduction in the volume of glacial ice: Accelerated glacial ablation is one indicator of global warming. 3) erosion of the protective surface of a spacecraft. Also: ablate, ablator. [ab (prep. w/ abl.) - from, away from; by; fero, ferre, tuli, latus - to bear, carry]
augment - to increase; to make greater; to
enlarge: By building the largest castle on the Rhine, the prince
hoped to augment his prestige, which had been dealt a severe blow when
the Emperor declined his invitation to visit. Also: augmentable,
augmentation, augmentative.
augur - (n.) soothsayer, fortuneteller; (trans.)
predict, foretell; (intrans.) be a sign: They believed that the
appearance from one day to the next of beautiful meadow flowers augured
well for the success of their expedition. Also: augury
(practice of predicting from various omens; sign, omen). [augur,
auguris, m. and f. - soothsayer, seer; auguro, augurare,
auguravi, auguratus - to act as an augur, take auguries for)
aureole - 1) a ring of light encircling the head or body, as in pictures of saints: Renaissance painters eliminated the aureole from their paintings of religious scenes because they believed that man's attention should be directed to the earth. 2) the glow around the sun, especially during an eclipse or in a mist; corona. [aureolus, aureola, aureolum - golden; aurum, auri, n. - gold] auriferous - containing or yielding gold: In 1848 gold-hungry men rushed from far and wide to the auriferous banks of the Sacramento River. Also: aureate (golden, gilded). [aurarius, auraria, aurarium - golden; auraria, aurariae, f. - gold mine; auratus, aurata, auratum - covered with gold; aureolus, aureola, aureolum - golden; auricomus, auricoma, auricomum - golden-haired; aurifer, aurifera, auriferum - gold-bearing; aurifex, aurificis, m. - goldsmith; aurifodina, aurifodinae, f. - gold mine; auriger, aurigera, aurigerum - gold-bearing; aurum, auri, n. - gold]
auris, auris, f.
- ear auricular - of, pertaining to, or near the ear; of or pertaining to the sense of hearing: Because the Eustachian tubes of babies slope less than those of adults, babies experience more auricular blockage than do their elders. Also: auricle (outer part of the ear), auriculate (having ears). [airicula, auriculae, f. - lobe of the ear; auritus, aurita, auritum - having large ears]
auroral - of or like the dawn: The distant crow of a rooster broke the auroral silence. Also: aurora borealis (northern lights)
auspices - 1) patronage, sponsorship: Many a high-school student has spent an extended period of time in a foreign country under the auspices of an organization like Youth for Understanding. 2) favorable sign; prognostication. Also: auspex (a priest in ancient Rome who made predictions based on signs), auspicate (to begin with a ceremony for bringing good luck), auspice(s) (support, sponsorship; an omen, a sign), auspicial (having to do with auspices), auspicious (promising success), auspiciousness. [auspicato (adv.) - in a fortunate hour; auspicor, auspicari, auspicatus sum - to take the auspices; auspicium, auspici, n. - divination (attempting to foretell the future) from the flight of birds]
auspicious - promising success, favorable: She awoke to sunshine and mild temperatures--an auspicious beginning of the most important day of her life. Also: auspex (a priest in ancient Rome who made predictions based on signs), auspicate (to begin with a ceremony for bringing good luck), auspice(s) (support, sponsorship; an omen, a sign), auspicial (having to do with auspices), auspiciousness, inauspicious, inauspiciousness. [auspex, auspicis, m. - a diviner; auspicato (adv.) - in a fortunate hour; auspicor, auspicari, auspicatus sum - to take the auspices]
austere - 1) uncompromisingly strict (in morals); 2) severe (in manner or appearance); 3) without excess, simple: At the age of eighteen he forsook the austere lifestyle of his Amish parents and moved to the big city, where he hoped to acquire such luxuries as car, TV, and telephone. Also: austereness, austerity.
auxiliary - assisting, supporting (often in a subordinate capacity): Auxiliary forces were available, but the general chose to keep them in reserve. [auxiliaris, auxiliare - helping, assisting]
avarice - an inordinate desire for money or property; greed: It is one thing to discern avarice in those wealthier than us, and quite another to look for it in ourselves. Most of us in the United States are far wealthier than the average person in most other countries. Also: avaricious, avariciousness. [avarus, avara, avarum - greedy, covetous]
aviary - a cage or building for keeping large numbers of birds: The most interesting aviaries are those that interpose no barriers between the birds and their human visitors. Also: avian (of or pertaining to birds).
avuncular - of or pertaining to an uncle; characteristic of an uncle: Who gives avuncular advice to whom if the uncle is younger than the nephew? Also: avuncularity. Moutoux, Latin Derivatives |
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