Cambridge Contextual Curiosities

abil·i·ty  noun \ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\
plural abil·i·ties
Definition of ABILITY
a : the quality or state of being able <ability of the soil to hold water>; especially : physical, mental, or legal power to perform
b : competence in doing
c : natural aptitude or acquired proficiency <children whose abilities warrant higher education>
Examples of ABILITY
1. a young woman with manyremarkable musical abilities
2. a young woman of great musical ability
3. She has shown some ability with foreign languages.
Origin of ABILITY
Middle English abilite, from Anglo-French, from Latinhabilitat-, habilitas, from habilis apt, skillful
First Known Use: 14th century


able adj \ˈā-bəl\
abler / ablest
Definition of ABLE
a : having sufficient power, skill, or resources toaccomplish an object
b : susceptible to action or treatment
c : marked by intelligence, knowledge, skill, or competence
Examples of ABLE
1. He will buy a new car as soon as he is able.
2. He turned out to be an able editor.
3. She is one of the ablest lawyers in the firm.
Origin of ABLE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin habilisapt, from habēre to have
First Known Use:14th century

ac·cu·rate adj \ˈa-kyə-rət, ˈa-k(ə-)rət\
Definition of ACCURATE
a : free from error especially as the result of care <an accurate diagnosis>
b : conforming exactly to truth or to a standard <providing accurate color>
c : able to give an accurate result <an accurate gauge>
Examples of ACCURATE
1. The model is accurate down to the tiniest details.
2.Her novel is historically accurate.
3. The machines were not yet accurate enough to give useful results.
Origin of ACCURATE
Latin accuratus, from past participle of accurare to take care of, from ad- + cura care
First Known Use: 1596

achieve·ment  noun \ə-ˈchēv-mənt\

Definition of ACHIEVEMENT

a: the act of achieving

b : a result gained by effort

c : a great or heroic deed

d: the quality and quantity of a student's work
Examples of ACHIEVEMENT
1. The discovery of DNA was a major scientific achievement.
2. It was a great achievement.
3. Getting the project done on time was a real achievement.
First Known Use of ACHIEVEMENT
15th century

ac·quire  verb \ə-ˈkwī(-ə)r\
ac·quired / ac·quir·ing
Definition of ACQUIRE
transitive verb
a : to get as one'sown:
b : to come into possession or control of often by unspecified means
c : to come to have as a new or added characteristic, trait, or ability (as by sustained effort or natural selection) <acquire fluency in French> <bacteria that acquire tolerance to antibiotics>
d : to locate and hold (a desired object) in a detector<acquire a target by radar>
Examples of ACQUIRE
1.The two ships were acquired by the navy after the war.
2. The team acquired three new players this year.
3. The old word has acquired a new meaning.
4. This apparently minor event has acquired increasing significance in recent weeks.
5. He is studying the way that language is acquired by children.
Origin of ACQUIRE
Middle English aqueren, from Anglo-French acquerre,fromLatin acquirere, from ad- + quaerere to seek, obtain
First Known Use: 15th century

agree verb \ə-ˈgrē\
agreed / agree·ing
Definition of AGREE
transitive verb
a : to concur in (as an opinion) : <agrees that he is right>
b : to consent to as a course of action <agreed to sell him the house>

intransitive verb
a : to accept or concede something (as the views or wishes ofanother) <agree to a plan>
b : to achieve or be in harmony (as of opinion, feeling, or purpose) <we agree in our taste in music>
c : to get along together
d : to come to terms <agree on a fair division of profits>

a : to be similar :  <both copies agree>
b : to be consistent <the story agrees with the facts>
c : to be fitting, pleasing, or healthful : <this climate...