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Vocabulary Words Unit 1 (all defitinions from www.merriam-webster.com, except where noted).
ab - ject
adjective \'ab-?jekt\
Definition of ABJECT
1
: sunk to or existing in a low state or condition <to lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fallen — John Milton>
2
a : cast down in spirit : servile, spiritless <a man madeabject by suffering>
b : showing hopelessness or resignation <abject surrender>
3
: expressing or offered in a humble and often ingratiatingspirit <abject flattery> <an abject apology>
— ab - ject - ly adverb
— ab - ject - ness noun
See abject defined for
English-language learners »Examples of ABJECT
1. They live in abject misery.
2. He offered an abject apology.
3. She thought he was an abject coward.
4. … the time would come that no human being should be humiliated or be made abject. —Katherine Anne Porter, The Never-Ending Wrong, 1977
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Origin of ABJECT
Middle English, from Latin abjectus, from past participle ofabicere to cast off, from ab- + jacere to throw — more atjet
First Known Use: 15th century
1ar - tic - u - late
adjective \är-'ti-ky?-l?t\
Definition of ARTICULATE
1
a : divided into syllables or words meaningfully arranged :intelligible
b : able to speak
c : expressing oneself readily, clearly, or effectively <anarticulate teacher>; also : expressed readily, clearly, or effectively <an articulate argument>
2
a : consisting of segments united by joints : jointed<articulate animals>
b : distinctly marked off
— ar - tic - u - late - ly adverb
— ar - tic - u - late - ness noun
See articulate defined for
English-language learners »See articulate defined for kids »
Examples of ARTICULATE
1. She's an intelligent and articulate speaker.
2. He was very articulate about his feelings on the subject.
3. The baby is beginning to form articulate words and phrases.
4. But he clearly adored his quick-witted and mercilesslyarticulate elder daughter. Contrary to feminist accounts of her patriarchal imprisonment, Emily Dickinson's objections to her father's strictures had an affectionate tone … —Christopher Benfey, New York Review of Books, 17 Jan. 2002
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Origin of ARTICULATE
Latin articulatus jointed, past participle of articulare, fromarticulus (see 1article)
First Known Use: 1586
be - nign
adjective \bi-'nin\
Definition of BENIGN
1
: of a gentle disposition : gracious <a benign teacher>
2
a : showing kindness and gentleness <benign faces>
b : favorable, wholesome <a benign climate>
3
a : of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life; especially : not becoming cancerous <a benign lung tumor>
b : having no significant effect : harmless <environmentallybenign>
— be - nig - ni - ty noun
— be - nign - ly adverb
See benign defined for
English-language learners »Examples of BENIGN
1. We were happy to hear that the tumor was benign.
2. <around campus he's known as a real character, but one whose eccentricities are entirely benign>
3. … substituting such benign power sources as the hybrid, the fuel cell, and the electric motor in place of … the internal-combustion engine. —Brock Yates, Car and Driver, May 2000
