Vocabulary ABCDE - abstract, benevolent, collaborate, deteriorate, erroneous– English 31 List

Abstract
  • In art, abstract means free expression not limited to clear or conventional symbolism -
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  • In literature, a very short summary of the whole article
/ The scientist read the abstract to find out what the article was about. That saved her a lot of time.
  • Abstract ideas are often difficult to understand – they cannot be pictured or visualized easily. They are not the simple, concrete, everyday ideas. Understanding abstract ideas may require imagination and familiarity and maturity.
/ “I tried talking with the professor about theoretical physics, but the ideas were too abstract. I am more of a hands-on person.”
“What is love? And beauty? What is your essence, my dear one?”
“I’m hearing abstract ideas but what I want is a cup of tea.”
Benevolent - beneficial, meaning well, acting lovingly or in the other person’s best interests
  • Literally, “good intentions”
/ King Xerxes may have been a dictator, but he was the good kind: a benevolent dictator.
Collaborate - work together, cooperate
The artists collaborated on the huge painting. When it was done, they all signed it!
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Deteriorate - break down, rot, become worse
/ The relationship between the two friends deteriorated after one caught the other stealing.
The food was fresh a few days ago, but it has deteriorated now.
When the canvas was left in the sun and the rain, it deteriorated until it became unusable.
Erroneous - wrong, contains errors
/ The theory that the Sun revolves around the Earth was accepted until it was found to be erroneous. The Earth actually revolves around the Sun!

Vocabulary ABCDE - abstract, benevolent, collaborate, deteriorate, erroneous – English 31 List

Deepen your understanding of these vocabulary words with two or three of the following activities.

i)write a sentence which provides context for the new vocabulary words,

ii)describe an example or two which fit the definition,

iii)draw or find a picture which fits or complements the definition

iv)write a sentence showing how the image from iii) fits the definition.

Print and share what you have produced.

abstract
benevolent
collaborate
deteriorate
erroneous