Vocabulary: Batch 47

"Gregorian chant" = medieval Christian liturgical music. Sports fans often chant team songs.

• a rhythmic spoken or sung phrase, often repeated

  The protesters started a chant.

• to sing or shout in a rhythmic manner

  The crowd chanted his name.

Gender-neutral alternative to "chairman" or "chairwoman". Now most commonly just "chair" ("The chair recognizes the senator from Vermont").

• the person in charge of a meeting or organization

  She was elected chairperson of the committee.

Related: certificate, certified, certification. "Certified mail" (US) = mail with proof of delivery.

• to attest or confirm in a formal statement

  The doctor certified that he was fit to work.

• an official document attesting a certain fact

  A birth certificate.

• the action of certifying or being certified

  She earned a professional certification in accounting.

From Greek keramikos (potter's). "Ceramic art" is one of the oldest human technologies.

• made of clay that has been baked at high temperature

  She collects ceramic vases.

• a hard, brittle material made of clay

  Modern ceramics are used in spaceflight.

From Latin census (assessment of citizens). Most countries conduct one every 10 years. The US Census is mandated by the Constitution.

• an official count or survey of a population

  The census takes place every ten years.

In dentistry, "a cavity" = a hole in a tooth caused by decay. Also anatomical: chest cavity, nasal cavity.

• an empty space within a solid object

  The dentist filled the cavity.

From Greek katastrophe (overturning). Stronger than "disaster".

• an event causing great and sudden damage or suffering

  The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe.

• causing sudden great damage or suffering

  The earthquake had catastrophic consequences.

In British hospitals, "Casualty" (or A&E) = emergency department. Long-running BBC drama also called "Casualty".

1. a person killed or injured in a war or accident

   There were heavy casualties on both sides.

2. a thing badly affected by an event or situation

   Local business was the main casualty of the recession.

"Casual Friday" (workplace tradition) = relaxed dress code on Fridays. "Casual sex", "casual relationship" = without commitment.

1. relaxed and unconcerned

   He took a casual approach to his studies.

2. (of clothing) suitable for everyday wear

   The party is casual: no need to dress up.

3. happening by chance; not regular

   They had a casual conversation.

• a video game targeted at a mass audience of casual gamers

  Casual games are often played on mobile phones.

• in a relaxed or informal way

  She was dressed casually for the interview.

In British banking, also: a bank teller. The verb "to cashier" (rare) means to dismiss from military service with dishonor.

• a person handling payments at a store

  Take it to the cashier.

• the desk or counter where a cashier works

  Please pay at the cashier's desk.

American: caretaker = person looking after children/elderly. British: caretaker = building custodian/janitor. "Caretaker government" = a temporary government between elections.

• a person employed to look after a property or person

  The caretaker locked up the school each evening.

"Cardboard cut-out" = a flat life-size figure, used for displays or photo ops. "Cut-out" also has other senses: an electrical safety device, a removed magazine article.

• a shape cut out of a sheet of material

  They hung paper snowflake cut-outs.

"Life-size" and "life-sized" are interchangeable: both are correct. Used especially for statues and figures.

• of the same size as the person or thing represented

  There was a life-size statue of the king.

• of the same size as the person or thing represented

  She built a life-sized model of a dinosaur.

Different from "dubbing" (replacing the audio with another language). Subtitles preserve original audio. "Subtitles" can refer to either translated dialogue or same-language captions.

1. text displayed at the bottom of a screen translating dialogue

   The film had English subtitles.

2. a secondary title of a book

   The subtitle explains the book's focus.

• having subtitles

  It's a subtitled foreign film.

On TV/streaming: "closed captions" (CC) provide text for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

• a title or brief explanation accompanying an image

  The photo had a witty caption.

Two unrelated senses. The geographic one is famous in names: Cape of Good Hope, Cape Cod, Cape Horn. The clothing sense includes Superman's iconic red cape.

1. a sleeveless cloak

   The matador swirled his red cape.

2. a piece of land projecting into the sea

   They sailed around the cape.

Pronunciation varies: /ɪˈrɑːki/ or /ɪˈræki/. "Iraq War" usually refers to the 2003 US-led invasion.

• of or relating to Iraq

  The Iraqi government issued a statement.

• a person from Iraq

  Many Iraqis fled the war.

From sports (especially tennis and soccer), where catching an opponent off-balance gives advantage.

• to put someone in an awkward or weakened position by an unexpected action

  The opposition was wrong-footed by the announcement.

Homophone with "block". From French. "Eastern Bloc" = the Soviet-aligned countries during the Cold War. "Voting bloc" = a group of voters with shared interests.

• a group of countries or political parties with common interests

  The trade bloc agreed on new tariffs.

"Tumble dryer" (British) = clothes dryer. "Tumble down" = fall/collapse.

• to fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong

  He tumbled down the stairs.

• a sudden fall

  She took a nasty tumble on the ice.

• old and in poor condition; almost falling down

  They bought a tumbledown cottage.

British term. American English usually says dryer or clothes dryer.

• a machine that dries clothes by tumbling them in warm air

  The towels went into the tumble dryer.

"Tumbler": also an acrobat, a part of a lock mechanism, and a YETI-style insulated cup. "Tumble dryer": clothes dryer that tumbles.

• a flat-bottomed glass for drinking

  She poured whiskey into a tumbler.

Multiple senses: tire failure, lavish party, lopsided sports victory, hair-styling. Context determines meaning.

1. a sudden bursting of a tire

   They had a blowout on the highway.

2. an elaborate party or meal

   They threw a blowout for her 50th birthday.

"Hefty" is also a famous American brand of garbage bags ("Hefty bags", sturdy, large).

1. large, heavy, or substantial

   He gave the door a hefty kick.

2. (of a sum of money) large in amount

   They paid a hefty fine.

Archaic/literary, except in fixed phrases. "Lo and behold" = surprisingly. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Past tense: beheld.

• (literary) to see or observe

  Behold the king!

World's most widely used psychoactive drug. Found in coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, energy drinks. Half-life in adults: about 5 hours.

• a stimulant drug found in coffee, tea, and other plants

  She tries to avoid caffeine after lunch.

From French bureau (originally "baize covering" on writing desks). FBI = Federal Bureau of Investigation.

1. a government department or office

   He works at the bureau of statistics.

2. a chest of drawers

   She kept her clothes in the bureau.

Usually negative: implies excessive paperwork and rigid procedures. Coined in 18th-century France (literally "rule of the office").

• a system of government in which most decisions are made by officials rather than elected representatives

  Cutting through the bureaucracy took months.

• an official in a bureaucracy

  The bureaucrats stamped form after form.

• relating to or having the characteristics of a bureaucracy

  The process was bureaucratic and slow.

French-style plural of 'bureau'; 'bureaus' is also accepted.

• plural of bureau

  The agency has bureaux in several cities.

"In bulk" = in large quantities. "Bulk up" (fitness) = gain muscle mass. "The bulk of" = the majority of.

1. the mass or size of something large

   He moved his massive bulk slowly.

2. the majority

   The bulk of the work fell on her.

• large and unwieldy in size

  The package was too bulky to mail.

Often used for fraternal organizations, religious orders, or labor unions. Compare: motherhood, sisterhood. "The brotherhood of man" = the idea of human kinship.

1. the relationship between brothers

   They shared a deep brotherhood.

2. a group of people with a shared interest or purpose

   The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers was a labor union.

From French brocher (to stitch). Distinct from a flyer (single sheet) or booklet (small book).

• a small booklet, usually used to promote a product or service

  The travel agent gave them a brochure.

• a payment made to influence someone

  The official was offered a bribe.

• to persuade by offering an illicit payment

  He bribed the judge to drop the case.

In law, bribery is a crime everywhere, but cultural attitudes toward small "facilitation payments" vary widely.

• the act of giving or receiving bribes

  He was charged with bribery.

From "broad". Compare with: length (long), depth (deep), height (high), width (wide).

1. the distance from side to side; width

   The room is 10 feet in breadth.

2. wide range or scope

   She has a great breadth of knowledge.

Named after Captain Charles Boycott, an Irish land agent ostracized in 1880 for refusing to lower rents. Famous: Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56) led by MLK.

• to refuse to buy or take part in as a protest

  They boycotted the company over its policies.

• a refusal to buy or participate

  The boycott lasted six months.

Now somewhat literary or old-fashioned. "Bosom friend" / "bosom buddy" = a very close friend.

1. a woman's chest, especially her breasts

   She clutched the baby to her bosom.

2. the chest considered as the seat of emotions

   He felt grief in his bosom.

The "-let" diminutive suffix (like "piglet", "droplet"). Distinct from "pamphlet" (usually a single folded sheet) and "brochure" (often promotional, glossy).

• a small book of few pages

  They handed out informational booklets.

"Bodily harm": legal term for physical injury (e.g., "grievous bodily harm" = GBH in UK law).

• relating to the body

  The injury caused severe bodily harm.

Often a euphemism for excretion, but technically includes all biological processes (breathing, digestion, etc.).

• a normal process of the body

  Children are often fascinated by bodily functions.

British spelling: metabolise. People vary widely in how fast they metabolize medications, alcohol, and caffeine.

• to process (food) chemically to use as energy

  The body metabolizes carbohydrates into glucose.

"Metabolic syndrome": a cluster of conditions (obesity, high blood pressure, etc.) raising disease risk.

• relating to metabolism

  He has a fast metabolic rate.

"Slow/fast metabolism": popular but oversimplified explanation for weight differences.

• the chemical processes by which a body maintains life

  As you age, your metabolism slows down.

Medical/clinical term. Informal alternatives: poop, take a dump (vulgar). Related noun: defecation.

• to discharge feces from the body

  Many people defecate first thing in the morning.

• the discharging of feces from the body

  The medication can affect the frequency of defecation.

Stronger than "throw": implies force and violence. Informal: "hurl" can also mean vomit.

1. to throw with great force

   He hurled the rock into the lake.

2. to shout (insults or abuse) violently

   They hurled insults at the speaker.

"Blot on one's record" / "blot on the landscape" = something that spoils. "Inkblot test" (Rorschach): psychological projective test.

• a dark mark or stain

  There was an ink blot on the paper.

"Blot out" = to erase from view or memory.

• to dry or remove with an absorbent material

  Blot the spill with paper towels.

Main ingredient: sodium hypochlorite. Highly dangerous if mixed with ammonia (forms toxic chloramine gas). "Bleach" is also a popular Japanese manga/anime.

• a chemical used to whiten or sanitize

  She added bleach to the laundry.

• to make whiter or paler by chemical or sunlight

  The sun bleached his hair blond.

More formal than "drink". Common in commercial/menu contexts: "alcoholic beverages", "beverage industry".

• a drink, usually one other than water

  They serve a wide range of beverages.

More natural than "in advance" in many spoken contexts.

• in advance; before something happens

  Let me know beforehand if you can't come.

Onomatopoeic. Often modified: "beep beep" for a car horn, "beep" for an alert.

• to make a short high-pitched sound

  The microwave beeped when it was done.

• a short high-pitched sound

  Leave a message after the beep.

Can be countable ("a great beauty" = a beautiful person) or uncountable (the general quality). "Beauty sleep", "beauty queen" - common collocations.

• a combination of qualities that pleases the aesthetic senses

  They admired the beauty of the mountains.

• pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically

  She has a beautiful voice.

The "-ify" suffix forms verbs from adjectives/nouns (clarify, simplify, terrify, glorify).

• to make beautiful or more attractive

  They beautified the city for the Olympics.

Two completely different words spelled the same. The musical "bass" rhymes with "face"; the fish "bass" rhymes with "pass".

• (music) of the lowest range of voice or instrument

  He sang in a deep bass voice.

• a low-pitched musical instrument; the bass guitar

  She plays bass in a rock band.

Pronunciation /bæs/ for the fish: homophone with "pass". Common in American fishing and on restaurant menus ("sea bass").

• a freshwater or saltwater fish, popular with anglers

  He caught a 5-pound bass.

Common confusion: "awhile" (adverb, one word) vs. "a while" (noun phrase, two words). "Stay awhile" = "stay for a while".

• for a short time

  Please wait awhile.

From Latin avis (bird). "Civil aviation" vs. "military aviation". The Wright brothers' first flight: 1903.

• the flying or operating of aircraft

  She works in the aviation industry.

Slightly old-fashioned for "pilot". "Aviator sunglasses": the iconic teardrop-shaped style.

• a pilot

  Amelia Earhart was a pioneering aviator.

From Latin audire (to hear): originally because audits were done by listening to accounts read aloud. "IRS audit": when the US tax agency examines your return.

• an official inspection of financial accounts

  The company faced an unexpected audit.

• a person who conducts an audit

  The auditors found several discrepancies.

• to conduct an official inspection of financial accounts

  An outside firm audits the company's books every year.

More formal than "achieve" or "reach". Common in formal writing about goals or status.

• to succeed in achieving (something) by effort

  She attained her goal of becoming a doctor.

• the action or fact of achieving something

  His attainment of the title was hard-won.

Common in goal-setting: "set attainable goals". Antonym: unattainable.

• able to be achieved

  The targets must be realistic and attainable.

Distinct from "astrology" (the pseudo-science of horoscopes). Astronomy is one of the oldest natural sciences.

• the scientific study of celestial objects and the universe

  He has loved astronomy since childhood.

Famous astronomers: Galileo, Kepler, Hubble, Sagan. Don't confuse with "astrologer" (horoscope writer).

• a person who studies astronomy

  The astronomer discovered a new comet.

1. relating to astronomy

   Astronomical observations.

2. (of an amount) extremely large

   He wanted an astronomical sum for the house.

Almost always used with verbs: "go astray", "lead astray", "stray".

• away from the correct path or direction

  The package went astray in the mail.

Note: the "th" is silent. From Greek asthma (panting). Common chronic condition; treated with inhalers (rescue and controller types).

• a respiratory condition causing difficulty in breathing

  She has had asthma since childhood.

• suffering from or relating to asthma

  He carries an inhaler because he's asthmatic.

From Arabic hashshashin (hashish-users), referring to a medieval Islamic sect. Modern famous assassins: John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald. Video game franchise: Assassin's Creed.

• a person who murders an important person for political or religious reasons

  The president's assassin was caught.

• to murder (an important person) for political or religious reasons

  President Lincoln was assassinated in 1865.

• the murder of an important person for political or religious reasons

  the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

As a noun, stress on second syllable. As adjective ("arithmetic mean"), stress on third (/ˌærɪθˈmetɪk/). Basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.

• the branch of mathematics dealing with the basic properties of numbers

  He has trouble with mental arithmetic.

• relating to arithmetic

  He made an arithmetical error.

From Greek arkheion (public records office). Digital archives (Internet Archive, archive.org) preserve old web content.

• a collection of historical documents or records

  The newspaper's archives go back to 1850.

• to store or preserve in an archive

  All emails are automatically archived.

"Archival quality" = made to last (e.g., archival paper, archival ink).

• relating to or contained in an archive

  He found archival footage of the historic event.

Adjective ends in -mət; verb ends in -meɪt (different pronunciation). Common abbreviation: approx.

• close to but not exactly correct

  What is the approximate cost?

• to come close to in quality or value

  The model approximates real-world conditions.

Far more common in everyday speech than the adjective "approximate" itself.

• used to show that something is almost, but not completely, accurate

  The trip takes approximately two hours.

"The Apprentice": long-running TV reality show hosted by Donald Trump (US) and Alan Sugar (UK). Medieval apprenticeships often lasted 7 years.

• a person learning a trade by working under a skilled employer

  He started as an apprentice electrician.

• the position of an apprentice

  He served an apprenticeship as a printer.

From Latin anticipare (to take beforehand). Slightly more formal than "expect". Also: to act in advance of ("anticipate someone's needs").

• to expect or predict something

  They didn't anticipate such heavy traffic.

"Highly anticipated": common marketing phrase for upcoming films, books, releases.

• expected or predicted in advance

  It was a long-anticipated event.

"In anticipation of" = expecting. "With anticipation" = excitedly waiting for.

• the action of anticipating; expectation or prediction

  She waited in anticipation of the news.

From Greek anti (against) + bios (life). Penicillin (discovered by Alexander Fleming, 1928) was the first widely used antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance is a major modern public-health threat.

• a medicine that destroys or inhibits bacteria

  The doctor prescribed antibiotics for the infection.

In modern usage, "anthem" often refers to any rousing song that captures a movement or moment ("queer anthem", "summer anthem").

• a song associated with a particular group or movement

  The song became an anthem for the protesters.

Famous: "The Star-Spangled Banner" (US), "God Save the King/Queen" (UK), "La Marseillaise" (France). Sung at sporting events and official ceremonies.

• the official song of a nation

  Everyone stood for the national anthem.

Weaker than "anger" or "infuriate". "Annoyingly": adverb form.

• to irritate someone

  His constant tapping annoyed her.

• the state of being annoyed; a minor irritation

  To her annoyance, the train was late again.

• slightly angry; irritated

  He was annoyed at the interruption.

• causing irritation

  His constant interruptions are annoying.

"Anchor" is also used metaphorically: a person who provides stability. "News anchor": the main presenter of a TV news broadcast.

• a heavy object dropped from a ship to keep it in place

  They dropped anchor in the harbor.

• to moor with an anchor; to secure firmly

  They anchored the boat near the shore.

Anchorage is also the largest city in Alaska.

• a place where ships can anchor

  They found safe anchorage in the bay.

"Anchorman": 2004 comedy film starring Will Ferrell. The gender-neutral modern term is just "anchor".

• a male presenter of a TV news show

  The famous anchorman retired after 40 years.

• a female presenter of a TV news show

  She became the network's lead anchorwoman.

American spelling. British: analyse. From Greek analyein (to unloose, dissolve).

• to examine in detail

  They analyzed the data carefully.

British spelling of analyze. Same pronunciation, same meaning.

• (British) to examine in detail

  The team analysed the results.

Plural: analyses /əˈnæləsiːz/. "In the final analysis" = ultimately, when everything is considered.

• a detailed examination of something

  The analysis revealed several flaws.

Common job titles: financial analyst, data analyst, systems analyst, intelligence analyst. "Analyst" can also mean psychoanalyst.

• a person who analyzes

  She works as a financial analyst.

• relating to or using analysis

  He has a very analytical mind.

"Analytic" and "analytical" are largely interchangeable; "analytic" is more common in philosophy ("analytic philosophy").

• relating to analysis

  Analytic geometry combines algebra and geometry.

From Greek an- (without) + algos (pain). Common analgesics: aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol/acetaminophen.

• a drug that relieves pain

  She took an analgesic for her headache.

More common in modern American English. Often used in journalism: "amid growing concerns".

• in the middle of; surrounded by

  She remained calm amid the chaos.

More common in British English; slightly more literary. Same meaning as "amid". Compare among / amongst.

• in the middle of; surrounded by

  Amidst the noise, she heard her name.

From Latin ambi- (both ways) + agere (to drive). Don't confuse with "ambivalent" (= having mixed feelings).

• open to more than one interpretation

  His comments were deliberately ambiguous.

• the quality of being open to more than one interpretation

  The contract's ambiguity led to a lawsuit.

Famous: Mahatma Gandhi, IRA Bobby Sands, suffragettes. Often used by political prisoners or activists.

• a refusal to eat as a form of protest

  He went on a hunger strike to demand his release.

More formal than "announce" or "declare". The "Emancipation Proclamation" (1863) freed enslaved people in Confederate states.

• to announce officially or publicly

  The crowd proclaimed her queen.

• a public or official announcement

  The king issued a proclamation.

In US legal/immigration contexts, "alien" = a non-citizen ("resident alien", "illegal alien"). The science-fiction sense (extraterrestrial) is much more common in everyday speech.

1. a foreigner, especially one who is not a citizen

   The form must be completed by all resident aliens.

2. a being from another planet

   The film is about aliens visiting Earth.

• unfamiliar; foreign

  Her culture was completely alien to him.

"Parental alienation": a controversial psychological concept in divorce contexts.

• to cause to feel isolated or estranged

  His harsh criticism alienated his colleagues.

• unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor

  Inalienable rights.

• the state of feeling isolated or estranged

  He described a deep sense of alienation from his family.

From Arabic al-jabr (restoration), title of a 9th-century Persian math text by al-Khwarizmi (whose name also gave us "algorithm").

• the branch of mathematics in which letters represent quantities

  She struggled with algebra in high school.

• relating to algebra

  He wrote an algebraic equation on the board.

Two distinct senses. In medicine: "clear the airway" = a key first-aid step. "Airways" (plural) is also a common company-name component (British Airways, Qatar Airways).

1. the passage through which air reaches the lungs

   The doctor cleared his airway.

2. a route used by aircraft

   The airway was closed due to bad weather.

In courtrooms, witnesses can "affirm" (a non-religious alternative to swearing on a Bible).

• to state as a fact; to assert strongly

  She affirmed her commitment to the project.

"Affirmative action": US policy of considering race/gender in hiring/admissions to address historic discrimination. "Affirmative" = a military/aviation "yes".

• expressing or indicating agreement

  She gave an affirmative response.

• to state again as a fact strongly and publicly

  The prime minister reaffirmed his commitment to the policy.

"Daily affirmations" - common self-help practice.

• emotional support or encouragement; a statement asserted to be true

  She repeated positive affirmations every morning.

Often used of family relationships and pets. "Affectionately yours": sometimes used as a letter closing.

• readily feeling or showing fondness

  She gave him an affectionate hug.

• a gentle feeling of fondness or liking

  He showed great affection for his nephew.

From Greek a- (without) + theos (god). Distinct from "agnostic" (uncertain about god's existence) and "antitheist" (actively opposed to religion).

• a person who does not believe in any gods

  He has been an atheist since college.

"New Atheism": early 2000s movement associated with Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens.

• disbelief in the existence of gods

  His atheism developed in his twenties.

• characterized by atheism

  He gave an atheistic argument.

1. to manage or direct (an organization)

   He administered the hospital for ten years.

2. to give (a drug or treatment)

   The nurse administered the medication.

"Administrative assistant": modern term for what used to be called "secretary".

• relating to the running of an organization

  He handles all the administrative tasks.

"The Biden administration": refers to the executive branch under a particular US president. Universities have "administration" buildings.

1. the process of running a business or organization

   She works in hospital administration.

2. the government of a country

   The new administration takes office in January.

"Sysadmin" / "system administrator": IT professional managing servers and networks. "Admin" is a common shortened form.

• a person responsible for running a business or organization

  She's the system administrator.

Often used informally for non-drug enthusiasms: "sugar addict", "shopping addict". Modern usage is moving away from "addict" toward "person with a substance-use disorder".

• a person who is addicted to something, especially drugs

  He was a heroin addict for ten years.

"Behavioral addictions" (gambling, gaming, sex) are recognized alongside substance addictions.

• the condition of being addicted to a substance or activity

  He struggled with alcohol addiction.

"Addicted to" + thing. Originally only about substances, now often used informally for hobbies ("addicted to chocolate").

• physically and mentally dependent on a substance or activity

  He is addicted to nicotine.

"Highly addictive": common warning label. "Addictive personality": disputed psychological concept.

• causing or likely to cause addiction

  Nicotine is highly addictive.

"Adapt or die": popular evolutionary/business phrase. Also: to convert a novel into a film/play ("the book was adapted for the screen").

• to adjust to new conditions

  It took her months to adapt to the new city.

• able to adjust to new conditions

  Cats are very adaptable animals.

In tech: "adaptive" interfaces adjust to user behavior. In biology: "adaptive traits" help survival.

• characterized by or showing adaptation

  Birds developed wings as an adaptive feature.

Two common senses: biological adaptation (evolution) and film/book adaptation.

• the process of adjusting to new conditions; a version of a work adapted for another medium

  The movie is an adaptation of the novel.

1 acre ≈ 4047 square meters ≈ 0.4 hectares. Historically: the area a yoke of oxen could plow in a day.

• a unit of land area equal to 4,840 square yards

  The farm covers 200 acres.

"Critical acclaim" = praise from professional critics, often distinguished from popular success.

• enthusiastic public praise

  Her debut novel received widespread acclaim.

• to praise enthusiastically

  The film was acclaimed by critics.

Distinct from theft: implies a position of trust. Common in white-collar crime contexts.

• to steal (money) entrusted to one's care

  The accountant embezzled millions from the company.

• the crime of stealing money entrusted to one's care

  He was sentenced to ten years for embezzlement.

In law: "accessory to a crime" = someone who helps but doesn't commit it directly. Note spelling: double c, double s.

1. an additional item that is useful but not essential

   The store sells phone accessories.

2. a person who helps with a crime without taking part in it

   She was charged as an accessory to murder.

From Latin abundare (to overflow). Related noun: abundance.

• existing or available in large quantities

  There was an abundant supply of food.

"Abundantly clear": a very common collocation meaning "completely clear".

• in great amounts; very

  It was abundantly clear that he was lying.

• a large amount of something

  The garden produced tomatoes in abundance.

Often "abound with" or "abound in". Related: abundant, abundance.

• to exist in large numbers or quantities

  Rumors abound about the new product.

"Abstract art": non-representational art (Kandinsky, Pollock, Rothko). Antonym: concrete.

• existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical existence

  Justice is an abstract concept.

• a summary of a longer text, especially academic

  Read the abstract before downloading the paper.

Common in computing: "levels of abstraction". Also psychology: "abstract thought".

• the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events

  Mathematics requires a high level of abstraction.

Increasingly preferred over "aboriginal" or "native" in modern usage (e.g., "Indigenous Peoples"). Capitalized when referring to specific groups.

• originating naturally in a particular place

  Maple trees are indigenous to North America.

"Can't abide" = can't tolerate (the most common modern use). "The Big Lebowski": "The Dude abides" became iconic. "Abide by" = obey, follow.

1. to tolerate; to put up with

   I can't abide rudeness.

2. (literary) to live or stay

   He abided in the wilderness for years.

From Latin abbreviare (to shorten). Same root as "brief".

• to shorten (a word or phrase)

  "Doctor" is often abbreviated to "Dr."

Distinct from "acronym" (pronounced as a word, e.g., NASA) and "initialism" (spelled out, e.g., FBI).

• a shortened form of a word or phrase

  "USA" is an abbreviation for United States of America.

"Worth one's salt" = competent. "Worth one's weight in gold" = very valuable. As a noun: "net worth" = total assets minus debts.

1. having a value equal to

   The house is worth a million dollars.

2. deserving of (the effort)

   The trip was worth it.

• worth the time, money, or effort spent

  It's a worthwhile cause to support.

Often "worthy of" + noun. "Worthy opponent": a deserving rival.

• deserving effort, attention, or respect

  It's a worthy cause.

Antonym of "valuable". Often applied figuratively to feelings of low self-worth.

• having no real value or use

  The old stocks are now worthless.

Past tense: worshipped (BrE, also American) or worshiped (American simplified). "Hero worship" = excessive admiration.

1. to show reverence for (a deity)

   They worship at the temple every week.

2. to feel great admiration for

   He worships his grandfather.

"Place of worship" - common phrase covering churches, mosques, synagogues, temples.

• reverence and adoration paid to a deity

  They gathered for an hour of worship.

"Wild West": the 19th-century American frontier. "Wildcard" = an unpredictable element.

1. (of animals or plants) living or growing in natural conditions

   They saw wild horses on the plains.

2. uncontrolled; excited

   The crowd went wild when she scored.

"Political wilderness": figurative phrase for being out of power. Famous: the Israelites' 40 years in the wilderness (Bible).

• an uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region

  They trekked through the Alaskan wilderness.

• a commercially unsuccessful or highly speculative oil well; a quick-tempered person

  A wildcat strike.

• wild animals collectively; the native fauna (and sometimes flora) of a region

  Wildlife conservation.

"Wildly popular", "wildly successful" - common intensifier collocations.

• in an uncontrolled or extreme way

  The show was wildly popular.