a-, ab-, abs-
(Latin: prefix; from, away, away from)
This prefix is normally used with elements of Latin and French origins (abs- usually joins elements beginning with c, q, or t).
The form ab- is regularly used before all vowels and h; and it becomes a- before the consonants m, p, and v. The prefix apo- has similar meanings.
This list is a very small sample of the multitudes of a-, ab-, abs- prefixes that are available in dictionaries and those in this unit are only meant to present a few examples.
avoid (verb), avoids; avoided; avoiding
1. To keep away from, to shun: "Because of her sensitive skin, Geraldine tries to avoid sitting in the sun."
2. To stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something: "Lauren's former husband now avoids her."
3. To prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening: "If at all possible, people should avoid repeating the same mistakes when investing their money in this project."
4. To refrain from doing something: "Nations should try to avoid starting so many wars with each other."
5. To refrain from certain foods or beverages: "During fasting, one should avoid eating solid food; however, liquids are recommended."
2. To stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something: "Lauren's former husband now avoids her."
3. To prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening: "If at all possible, people should avoid repeating the same mistakes when investing their money in this project."
4. To refrain from doing something: "Nations should try to avoid starting so many wars with each other."
5. To refrain from certain foods or beverages: "During fasting, one should avoid eating solid food; however, liquids are recommended."
A tubular spring damper operated by rod and piston which is considered to be the most common type of shock absorber: "The mechanic installed new telescopic shock absorbers on his pick up truck."
1. The photometric measurement of the wavelengths of visible radiation absorbed by a sample and which correspond to electron transitions from the ground state to an excited state: "He developed a new visible absorption spectrophotometry device that enhanced the scientific studies in his university classes."
2. Study of the spectra produced by the absorption of visible-light energy during the transformation of an electron from the ground state to an excited state as a function of the wavelength causing the transformation: "In the teacher's advanced physics program, his students studied the visible absorption spectrophotometries of light energy."
2. Study of the spectra produced by the absorption of visible-light energy during the transformation of an electron from the ground state to an excited state as a function of the wavelength causing the transformation: "In the teacher's advanced physics program, his students studied the visible absorption spectrophotometries of light energy."
