Webster's New World Essential Vocabulary
Chapter One
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 different
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 sho ... read full excerpt from Webster's New World Essential Vocabulary ebook
