Word smart for the great

ABATE (uh BAYT) v to lessen in intensity or degree

• We realized with great relief that the storm had
abated before breaking through the sea wall.

• Attempts by the administration to abate the intensity of the controversy were mostly unsuccessful; it continued to consume everyone’s attention.
Abatement is a lessening in amount or degree.

• The city’s new noise abatement plan targeted live music venues, but many people felt the focus should be on decreasing the number of low flying airplanes passing over the city.

ABERRANT (A bur unt) ad] deviating from the norm

• Jim’s aberrant behavior at the dance raised some eyebrows; he was certainly the only one who spent the night walking (and dancing) on his hands.

Someone or something aberrant is an aberration.

• The D Jenny received on the chemistry test was
just an aberration, since she has received only A’s
the rest of the semester.

ABSCISSION (ab SI zhun) n act of cutting off or removing

• Dr. Carter recommended an immediate abscission of the abscess in order to minimize any further infection.

Abscise means to cut off or remove.

• When she called for the resignation of key legislators, the congresswoman claimed that it was the only way to abscise the corruption before it spread.

Abscission can also mean the actual cut itself.

ABSTAIN (ub STAYN) v to refrain from an activity

• Sheryl chose to abstain from eating chocolate, her favorite treat, for the season of Lent.

The act of abstaining is called abstinence.

• The old health textbook recommended abstinence from sexual activity as the primary means of birth control.

Abstemious is a related word meaning marked by moderation, particularly where food and drink are concerned.

• Though some regard the diet as a fad, in fact it recommends some very traditional habits, such as consuming sugar and alcohol abstemiously.

ACCOLADE (AK o layd) n an expression of praise; an award

• The diva received her accolades graciously, blowing kisses to her adoring fans.

• Doris so craved her coach’s accolades that she showed up an hour early to every practice.

The word accolade comes from a French word meaning to embrace, which, logically enough, comes from the same root as collar. You can also associate lade with laud (meaning praise), though they probably don’t have the same etymological backgrounds.

ACCRETION (uh KREE shun) n growth, increase by successive addition, building up

• Limestone is formed by the accretion of tiny particles from objects such as shells and coral over a very, very long time.

• The accretion of dirt has changed the color of the kitchen floor from white to brown, which is pretty disgusting.