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VOCABULARY>>
Vocabulary Development
WorkAbs
Those
KNOW (10) MORE WORDS
By Jennifer Dignan
The Latin prefix ab means “apart, away from, or out.” Ab also appears as abs and, just to make
things interesting, a (Not to be confused with the Greek prefix a meaning “on” [abroad] or “of”
[anew], or the Middle English prefix a, meaning “not” [amoral]. Aren’t prefixes fun?). Build up your
“abs” by studying the 10 words below, all of which are constructed from ab + Latin root.
abdicate (AB-di-kate) verb to relinquish power or
responsibility formally, especially a high office, dignity,
or station (such as the throne or the papacy)
Latin Origin: ab- + dicare, “to proclaim”
Sentence: The king announced his plans to abdicate,
explaining, “If I hear ‘your Majesty’ one more time, I’m
going to scream.”
aberration (ab-uh-RAY-shun) noun 1. a derivation or
departure from the proper, expected or normal 2. a psychological disorder or abnormal alteration of one’s mental state 3. a defect of focus, such as blurring an image
Latin Origin: ab- + errare, “to stray”
Sentence: Please don’t judge the Tigers by their performance last weekend. That game was an aberration;
they are usually very good.
abhor (ab-HOR) verb to
regard with horror or
disgust; detest
Latin Origin: ab- +
horrere, “to shudder”
Sentence: Tara claims
to abhor all pop music,
but I caught her humming
“Baby, I Love That You
Love to Love Me.”
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abject (ab-JEKT) adjective
1. brought low in condition or status 2. contemptible
3. miserable, wretched, utterly hopeless
26 MARCH 2005 Literary Cavalcade
Latin Origin: ab- + jacere, “to throw”
Sentence: Carl’s attempt to make up with Sam was
an abject failure. Now she’s even madder than she
was before.
ablution (ab-BLOO-shun) noun 1. the act of bathing
one’s body or part of it, especially as part of a religious rite 2. the liquid used in cleansing
Latin Origin: ab- + luere, “to wash”
Sentence: A Muslim is required to perform ablution
before performing Salat.
abomination (uh-bom-i-NAYshun) noun something or
someone causing loathing
and disgust
Latin Origin: ab- + omen,
“foreboding”
Sentence: Margaret’s
“special dessert” was an
abomination. Ketchup
simply does not belong
in cake.
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abrogate (ab-ruh-GAYT) verb to abolish, do away with,
or put an end to, especially by authoritative action
Latin Origin: ab- + rogare, “to ask”
Sentence: The Senate is threatening to abrogate
the treaty.
abscond (ab-SKOND) verb to leave quickly and secretly
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and hide oneself, often to avoid arrest or punishment
after doing something wrong
Latin Origin: abs- + condere,
“to put or place”
Sentence: Deborah
attempted to abscond
with the profits from the
bake sale, as well as a
few cupcakes.
abstemious (ab-STEH-meeuhss) adjective 1. eating and
drinking (especially alcohol) in moderation 2. sparingly
used or consumed
Latin Origin: abs- + temetum, “liquor”
Sentence: George always eats abstemious meals, which
explains why he’s so thin.
abstruse (ab-STROOSS) adjective difficult to
understand
Latin Origin: abs- + trudere, “to push”
Sentence: Mr. White’s abstruse lectures often put his
students to sleep.
SKILL DRILL
FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH ONE OF YOUR NEWLY ACQUIRED
VOCABULARY WORDS.
abdicate
aberration abhor
abrogate abscond
abject ablutions abomination
abstemious abstruse
1. This may seem like an __________ philosophical essay, but trust me, it’s really very
interesting if you can get through the introduction.
2. Rumor has it that the school board may __________ the junk food ban. I hope this is
true. I miss the doughnuts!
3. “I __________ asparagus,” announced Lucille. “Even the sight of it makes me nauseous.”
4. Aaron was in __________ misery, and nothing we said could cheer him up.
5. I agree that the movie wasn’t great, but I think calling it an __________ is a bit harsh.
6. I’m waiting for my sister to finish her daily __________ so I use the bathroom.
7. I’m sure it was one of my brothers who broke the stereo, but whoever it was
managed to __________ before being discovered.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY TERRY COLON
8. I admire Karen’s __________ habits, but I’m more the all-you-can-eat type.
9. It was obvious from the defeated look in her eyes that Valerie was ready to
__________ her responsibilities and let someone else worry about saving the whales.
10. The fifth book in the series is a bit of an __________. It’s much more serious than the
first four books and features a new protagonist.
Literary Cavalcade MARCH 2005
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