Page 16 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

05_571656 ch01.qxd 11/10/04 12:33 PM Page 7
A

abandon (uh BAN dn) 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 differ-
ent emotion attached to it.)]
abbreviate (uh BREE vee ayt) 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 (uh BIL etee) 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 (uh BRIJ) 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 tele-
vision broadcast.
[-d, abridging]
abscond (ab SKAHND) 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 (ab ZAHLV) 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]

7