Vocabulary lesson 2
Definitions and samples
- abase (v.) to humiliate, degrade
– I could also see that she had abased another recipient.
- abate (v.) to reduce, lessen
– Once the storm abated it took us three days to dig our way back into the fields.
- abdicate (v.) to give up a position, usually one of leadership
– Victor Emmanuel had four living daughters when he abdicated the throne in 1821.
- abduct (v.) to kidnap, take by force
– Somalis also abducted a British woman from a Kenyan coastal resort in September.
- aberration (n.) something that differs from the norm
– It is possible that last week’s jump in gasoline demand could be an aberration.