absorb (ab ZAWRB) 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 absorbedthe entire spill.
- Learning fractions absorbedHailee’s full attention.
- If we fail to absorbthe lessons of history, we are doomed to repeat them.
- I’ll absorbthe charge for the window replacement.
[-ed, -ing, absorbant adj.]
abstain(ab STAYN) vi.to hold back (from); refrain from - I shall abstainfrom smoking or drinking.
- Three voted for the bill, two against it, and one abstained.
[-ed, -ing, abstention n.]
abstract (ab STRAKT for adj.,AB strakt for n., v.) adj.1. not concrete; thought of
apart from any material object; 2. not easily understood —n. a brief statement of
the content of a book, court case, article, etc.; a summary —vt.to remove or take
away; to summarize - I had an abstractidea of what he meant, but nothing solid.
- Frankie’s ideas were too abstractto fully comprehend.
- We knew about the case from having read the abstract.
- Abstractthe story, stating only the relevant facts.
[-ed, -ing, abstraction n., abstractly adv.]
absurd(ab SOERD orab ZOEHRD) adj.1. so obviously untrue as to be laugh-
able; 2. laughably different from what is reasonable - The story that his arms were tired because he had just flown in from Los
Angeles was absurd. - The outfit that Gino wore with the red and white striped shirt and the
green and yellow checked pants was absurd.
[absurdly adv., absurdity n.]
accentuate(ak SEN choo ayt) vt.1. to pronounce or mark with a stress or
accent; 2. emphasize - When you tell people about your vacation, accentuatethe high points and
play down the low points. - Wear clothing that accentuatesyour youthful looks.
[-d, accentuating, accentuation n.]
acceptable(ak SEPT ibl) adj.adequate; tolerable; bearable; okay - Eating peas at a restaurant using only your knife is not considered accept-
ablemanners. - Dressing in a toga is considered acceptableat certain fraternity parties.
8 Essential Vocabulary