Vocab Part 1

Abstract

adjective

/abˈstrakt,ˈabˌstrakt/

​

1. existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.

   "abstract concepts such as love or beauty"

​We trace the origins of abstract to the combination of the Latin roots ab-, a prefix meaning “from” or “away,” with the verb trahere, meaning “to pull” or “to draw.” Synonyms: Theoretical, Conceptual, Hypothetical

Divert

​/dəˈvərt,dīˈvərt/​

verb​

1. cause (someone or something) to change course or turn from one direction to another.

   "a scheme to divert water from the river to irrigate agricultural land"

Diverting stems from the verb divert, or "distract," from its Latin root, divertere, "to turn in different directions."

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Synonyms: reroute, redirect, change the course of, draw away, turn aside, head off

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Divert

/dəˈvərt,dīˈvərt/​

verb

1. cause (someone or something) to change course or turn from one direction to another.

   "a scheme to divert water from the river to irrigate agricultural land"

Diverting stems from the verb divert, or "distract," from its Latin root, divertere, "to turn in different directions." Synonyms: Reroute, redirect, avert.

Oppose

/əˈpōz/​

verb

1. disapprove of and attempt to prevent, especially by argument.

   "those of you who oppose capital punishment"

The prefix contra- and its variant counter- mean “opposite” or “against.” For instance, the prefix contra- gave rise to the words contradict and contrast, whereas the variant spelling counter- gave rise to counteract and counterfeit. Synonyms: combat, resist, and withstand.

Panacea

/ˌpanəˈsēə/​

noun

1. a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.

   "the panacea for all corporate ills"

The Latin comes from panacea, which was an herb reputed to heal all illnesses. And the Greek is from panakeia meaning “cure-all,” which in turn comes from pan- meaning “all” and from amos, meaning “cure.” Synonyms: Elixir, heal-all, cure-all

Admonish

ad·mon·ish

/ədˈmäniSH/​

verb

1. warn or reprimand someone firmly.

   "she admonished me for appearing at breakfast unshaven"

Admonish was borrowed in the 14th century (via Anglo-French amonester) from Vulgar Latin admonestāre, which itself is probably a derivative of admonestus, the past participle of the Latin verb admonēre, meaning "to warn." Synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, scold

Panacea

/ˌpanəˈsēə/​

noun

1. a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.

   "the panacea for all corporate ills"

The Latin comes from panacea, which was an herb reputed to heal all illnesses. And the Greek is from panakeia meaning “cure-all,” which in turn comes from pan- meaning “all” and from amos, meaning “cure.” Synonyms: Elixir, heal-all, cure-all

Dormant

/ˈdôrmənt/​

adjective

1. (of an animal) having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period of time; in or as if in a deep sleep.

   "dormant butterflies"​

late 14c., "fixed in place," from Old French dormant (12c.), present participle of dormir "to sleep," from Latin dormire "to sleep," from PIE root *drem- "to sleep". Synonyms: sleeping, slumbering, resting