122 VOCABULARY FOR TOEFL iBT
antecedent (an·ti·'see·de ̆nt) n. that which precedes; the thing, circumstance,
event that came before. The police are trying to determine the antecedent of the
deadly car crash.
anthropomorphic (an·thro ̆·po ̆·'mor·fik) adj. attributing human characteristics,
motivations, or behavior to animals or inanimate objects. Many mythologies are
about anthropomorphic deities, who express human characteristics such as love, envy,
and sadness.
antipathy (an·'tip·a ̆·thee) n. 1. a strong aversion or dislike. 2. an object of aver-
sion. After Inti stole Peter’s wallet, Peter had antipathy for his classmate.
antithesis (an·'tith·e ̆·sis) n. the direct or exact opposite, opposition or contrast.
Martin’s parenting style is the antithesis of mine; he is strict, I am not.
apathetic (ap·a ̆·'thet·ik) adj. feeling or showing a lack of interest, concern, or
emotion; indifferent, unresponsive. Many students were apathetic when the princi-
pal resigned after thirty years working at the school.
aperture ('ap·e ̆r·chu ̆r) n. an opening or gap, especially one that lets in light. The
aperture setting on a camera has to be set perfectly to ensure that pictures will have
enough light.
apex ('ay·peks) n. 1. the highest point. 2. tip, pointed end. Upon reaching the apex
of the mountain, the climbers placed their flag in the snow.
apocalypse (a ̆·'pok·a ̆·lips) n. a cataclysmic event bringing about total devastation
or the end of the world. Many people feared an apocalypse would immediately follow
the development of nuclear weapons.
apostate (a ̆·'pos·tayt) n. one who abandons long-held religious or political con-
victions. Disillusioned with religious life, Reverend Gift lost his faith and left the
ministry, not caring if he’d be seen as an apostate by colleagues who chose to remain.
apotheosis (a ̆·poth·ee·'oh·sis) n. deification, an exalted or glorified ideal. Hanson
was so in love with Marge; in his daydreams, she was an apotheosis.
appease (a ̆·'peez) v. to make calm or quiet, soothe; to still or pacify. The only way
to appease Lawrence is to concede that he is right.
appraise (a ̆·'prayz) v. 1. to evaluate. 2. to establish value or estimate the worth
of. The art dealer appraised the value of the painting.
apprise (a ̆·'pr ̄z) v. to give notice or information to; to make aware of, inform.
The teacher apprised the class about when the midterm and final exams would occur.