preclude, spawn, admonish, ascertain, acquiesce: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from Advanced Plus set 43. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. preclude · verb/prɪˈklud/

   to prevent something from happening or make it impossible

   The heavy rain will preclude us from having the picnic today.

   Synonyms: prevent, rule out

   Origin: from Latin 'praecludere', meaning 'to shut off, shut out'

2. spawn · verb/spɔn/

   produce offspring or cause something new to develop

   The fish will spawn in the river during spring.

   Synonyms: produce, generate, create

   Origin: Middle English 'spawn', from Old French 'espaundre', from Latin 'exponere', meaning 'to lay out, place out'.

3. admonish · verb/ədˈmɑː.nɪʃ/

   to warn or reprimand someone firmly

   The teacher had to admonish the student for not doing his homework.

   Synonyms: warn, reprimand, reprove

   Origin: from Old French 'admonester', which comes from Latin 'admonestare', meaning to remind or advise

4. ascertain · verb/æsərˈteɪn/

   to find out or determine with certainty

   I need to ascertain the time of the meeting before I leave.

   Synonyms: determine, discover, find out

   Origin: from Latin 'ascertare', meaning 'to make sure' or 'to certify'

5. acquiesce · verb/ˌækwɪˈɛs/

   to accept something reluctantly but without protest

   Even though she did not want to go to the party, Sarah decided to acquiesce to her friend's requests.

   Synonyms: agree, consent, comply

   Origin: from Latin 'acquiescere', meaning 'to rest or be quiet'