Advanced Vocab Words - Set 8 Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Advanced Vocab Words - Set 8 Deck (200)
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1
Q

Define

nonchalant

(non-shuh-lont)

A

adj. casually unconcerned

Lauren was nonchalant about being chosen as valedictorian; she simply didn’t think it was a big deal.

2
Q

Define

oscillate

(oss-ih-lehyt)

A

v. to move or swing from side to side

v. to waver between conflicting positions

Her feelings towards her cynical commanding officer _oscillate_d between admiration and disgust.

3
Q

Define

ostentatious

(oss-ten-tay-shuss)

A

adj. intended to impress

adj. characterized by pretension

She loves to show off that ostentatious ring her rich husband got for her.

4
Q

Define

overwrought

(oh-vur-rawt)

A

adj. deeply agitated or anxious

Everyone in the family was overwrought with the thought that the children might be in danger .

5
Q

Define

pacific

(puh-sif-ick)

A

adj. of a peaceful nature

adj. promoting peace and conflict resolution

The government decided to pursue a pacific policy and call back its troops on the border.

6
Q

Define

palatable

(pal-ih-tuh-bull)

A

adj. acceptable to one’s taste or mind

Though clearly necessary to balance the budget, unpopular tax increases are not palatable to any political party.

7
Q

Define

perennial

(puh-ren-ee-ul)

A

adj. endless

adj. recurring over and over

Not being able to pay rent on time was a perennial problem for him.

8
Q

Define

perfidy

(per-fih-dee)

A

n. a betrayal of trust

The soldier was known for his loyalty, so his act of perfidy was particularly shocking to his superior officers.

9
Q

Define

perfunctory

(per-funk-tuh-ree)

A

adj. done as a formality, without attention to detail

Her apology was clearly only a perfunctory gesture and not truly heartfelt.

10
Q

Define

pernicious

(per-nish-us)

A

adj. harmful; hurtful, especially in a slow or subtle way

The pernicious effects of money in politics are hardly unique to this country.

11
Q

Define

perspicacity

(per-spih-kass-ih-tee)

A

n. sharp powers of observation

The writer’s perspicacity made it easy for her to understand and write about human nature.

12
Q

Define

perturb

(purr-turb)

A

v. to disturb or cause disorder, esp. in one’s mental state

Even her sleep was _perturb_ed by her obsession over her credit card debt.

13
Q

Define

placate

(play-kate)

A

v. to ease another’s anger

Lewis attempted to placate the angry woman whose car had been hit, but she continued screaming and pacing back and forth.

14
Q

Define

placid

(plass-id)

A

adj. free from disturbance

There currently reigns a placid atmosphere at City Hall, but don’t expect it to last much longer.

15
Q

Define

pivotal

(piv-uh-tul)

A

adj. of crucial importance

The audience was enraged when the film reel broke during a pivotal scene in the movie.

16
Q

Define

pragmatic

(prag-mat-ick)

A

adj. guided by practical experience and observation

Her pragmatic attitude often put her at odds with her idealistic peers, whom she called unrealistic and naive.

17
Q

Define

predilection

(pred-ih-leck-shun)

A

n. preference; a strong liking for

He had a predilection for expensive cars that was hard on his wallet.

18
Q

Define

preside

(prih-zahyd)

A

v. to be in a position of authority over a group

The newly-elected president _preside_d over the first meeting of the council in September.

19
Q

Define

prevaricate

(pruh-vair-ih-kate)

A

v. to be deliberately ambiguous in order to hide the truth; to lie

The guest chose to prevaricate by answering the host’s questions with unrelated anecdotes.

20
Q

Define

probity

(pro-bih-tee)

A

n. honesty and decency

The group chose Eduardo to represent them, not only because he was the eldest, but because he had shown the most probity during their discussions.

21
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. casually unconcerned

A

nonchalant

(non-shuh-lont)

synonyms: easygoing, careless

22
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to move or swing from side to side

v. to waver between conflicting positions

A

oscillate

(oss-ih-lehyt)

synonyms: dangle, sway; change, alternate

23
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. intended to impress

adj. characterized by pretension

A

ostentatious

(oss-ten-tay-shuss)

synonyms: showy, flashy, pretentious

24
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. deeply agitated or anxious

A

overwrought

(oh-vur-rawt)

synonyms: frantic, wound up, nervous

25
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. of a peaceful nature

adj. promoting peace and conflict resolution

A

pacific

(puh-sif-ick)

synonyms: soothing, peaceful, conciliatory

26
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. acceptable to one’s taste or mind

A

palatable

(pal-ih-tuh-bull)

synonyms: delicious, agreeable, acceptable

27
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. endless

adj. recurring over and over

A

perennial

(puh-ren-ee-ul)

synonyms: enduring, perpetual, ceaseless

28
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a betrayal of trust

A

perfidy

(per-fih-dee)

synonyms: treachery, betrayal, corruption

29
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. done as a formality, without attention to detail

A

perfunctory

(per-funk-tuh-ree)

synonyms: automatic, habitual, careless

30
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. harmful; hurtful

A

pernicious

(per-nish-us)

synonyms: damaging, devastating

31
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. acute perception

A

perspicacity

(per-spih-kass-ih-tee)

synonyms: insight, astuteness

32
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to disturb or cause disorder, esp. in one’s mental state

A

perturb

(purr-turb)

synonyms: unsettle, alarm

33
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to ease another’s anger

A

placate

(play-kate)

synonyms: soothe, pacify

34
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. free from disturbance

A

placid

(plass-id)

synonyms: composed, calm

35
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. of crucial importance

A

pivotal

(piv-uh-tul)

synonyms: critical, crucial

36
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. guided by practical experience and observation

A

pragmatic

(prag-mat-ick)

synonyms: businesslike, efficient, practical

37
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. preference; a strong liking for

A

predilection

(pred-ih-leck-shun)

synonyms: inclination, love, fondness

38
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to be in a position of authority over a group

A

preside

(prih-zahyd)

synonyms: administer, conduct, direct

39
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to be deliberately ambiguous in order to hide the truth; to lie

A

prevaricate

(pruh-vair-ih-kate)

synonyms: deceive, garble, misrepresent

40
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. honesty and decency

A

probity

(pro-bih-tee)

synonyms: goodness, honor

41
Q

Define

proclivity

(pro-kliv-ih-tee)

A

n. a natural inclination

Her proclivity for laziness is going to be a problem when we begin the new project.

42
Q

Define

prodigal

(prod-ih-guhl)

A

adj. lavishly wasteful

adj. being generous or giving abundantly

n. one who spends recklessly

The woman ended up regretting her prodigal lifestyle when she went bankrupt after a few years.

43
Q

Define

pugnacious

(pug-nehy-shuss)

A

adj. combative in nature

The pugnacious young man was eventually suspended for constantly fighting with other students.

44
Q

Define

quandary

(kwon-duh-ree)

A

n. a state of uncertainty, a dilemma

After receiving several great offers, I was in a quandary as to which I should accept.

45
Q

Define

quash

(kwash)

A

v. to forcibly suppress

v. to extinguish

The prosecution’s star witness _quash_ed any chance the defense had of winning the trial.

46
Q

Define

quibble

(kwib-ul)

A

v. to evade the truth or importance of an issue by raising trivial objections

n. a trivial objection

The argument grew even more aggravating when my opponent began to quibble with me over semantics.

47
Q

Define

quiescent

(kwee-ess-unt)

A

adj. being quiet or still

The outlying region, usually a quiescent outpost of the empire, was the unlikely origin of the rebellion that would unseat the emperor.

48
Q

Define

rancor

(rang-kur)

A

n. a feeling of deep and bitter anger

Once the game ended there was no rancor between the opponents, despite the intensity of their match.

49
Q

Define

recalcitrant

(rih-kal-sih-trunt)

A

adj. stubborn and defiant of authority

Instead of obeying the police’s instructions, the protesters became recalcitrant and refused to move.

50
Q

Define

recess

(ree-sess)

A

v. to suspend proceedings

n. a break from class or business

n. an indented or hollowed-out space

The legislative body will recess next week.

51
Q

Define

redoubtable

(rih-dow-tuh-bull)

A

adj. fearsome or awe-inspiring

I knew Mauricio would be a redoubtable opponent after hearing my own coach sing his praises.

52
Q

Define

sagacious

(suh-gehy-shuss)

A

adj. very insightful or shrewd

My best friend is quite sagacious, so I know I can always turn to her for wise advice.

53
Q

Define

salubrious

(suh-loo-bree-uss)

A

adj. healthy or health-promoting

My new exercise routine has had a salubrious impact on my life.

54
Q

Define

salutary

(sal-yuh-tare-ee)

A

adj. beneficial, esp. relating to health

Anti-pollution laws have salutary effects for humans and animals.

55
Q

Define

satiate

(sehy-she-ehyt)

A

v. to fill to satisfaction

Sasha knew that the small portions served in the cafeteria would not satiate him.

56
Q

Define

scruple

(skrew-pull)

A

n. an ethical or moral concern

v. to hesitate on moral grounds

The man _scruple_d to tell a blatant lie, but eventually realized that he had no choice.

57
Q

Define

sedentary

(sed-en-tair-ee)

A

adj. sitting or seated

adj. tending to stay in the same place

Ming wanted to quit his sedentary job at the library and become a police officer.

58
Q

Define

sediment

(sed-ih-munt)

A

n. matter deposited by some natural process

n. settled matter at the bottom of a liquid

Kate refused to drink the water from the well when she noticed the sediment at the bottom of the bucket.

59
Q

Define

sordid

(sore-did)

A

adj. dirty or rundown

adj. immoral or unethical

During the divorce trial, the husband was asked to reveal the sordid details of his affair.

60
Q

Define

specious

(spee-shuss)

A

adj. plausible but false

adj. deceptively pleasing

After doing some research of my own, I realized that his argument was specious at best.

61
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a natural inclination

A

proclivity

(pro-kliv-ih-tee)

synonyms: tendency, disposition, leaning

62
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. lavishly wasteful

adj. being generous or giving abundantly

adj. one who spends recklessly

A

prodigal

(prod-ih-guhl)

synonyms: excessive, luxurious, copious

63
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. combative in nature

A

pugnacious

(pug-nehy-shuss)

synonyms: hostile, belligerent

64
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a state of uncertainty, a dilemma

A

quandary

(kwon-duh-ree)

synonyms: dilemma, predicament

65
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to forcibly suppress

v. to extinguish

A

quash

(kwash)

synonyms: defeat, destroy, squash

66
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to evade the truth or importance of an issue by raising trivial objections

n. a trivial objection

A

quibble

(kwib-ul)

synonyms: split hairs; trifle, detail

67
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. being quiet or still

A

quiescent

(kwee-ess-unt)

synonyms: inactive, motionless, inert

68
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a feeling of deep and bitter anger

A

rancor

(rang-kur)

synonyms: antagonism, hatred

69
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. stubborn and defiant of authority

A

recalcitrant

(rih-kal-sih-trunt)

synonyms: disobedient, resistant, rebellious

70
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to suspend proceedings

n. a break from class or business

n. an indented or hollowed-out space

A

recess

(ree-sess)

synonyms: halt; breather; nook

71
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. fearsome or awe-inspiring

A

redoubtable

(rih-dow-tuh-bull)

synonyms: dreadful, admirable, worthy

72
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. very insightful or shrewd

A

sagacious

(suh-gehy-shuss)

synonyms: smart, acute, sensible

73
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. healthy or health-promoting

A

salubrious

(suh-loo-bree-uss)

synonyms: beneficial, good, hygienic

74
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. beneficial, esp. relating to health

A

salutary

(sal-yuh-tare-ee)

synonyms: aiding, restorative

75
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to fill to satisfaction

A

satiate

(sehy-she-ehyt)

synonyms: satisfy, stuff, gratify

76
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. an ethical or moral concern

v. to hesitate on moral grounds

A

scruple

(skrew-pull)

synonyms: conscience, qualm; to balk at

77
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. sitting or seated

adj. tending to stay in the same place

A

sedentary

(sed-en-tair-ee)

synonyms: desk-bound, motionless, stationary

78
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. matter deposited by some natural process

n. settled matter at the bottom of a liquid

A

sediment

(sed-ih-munt)

synonyms: debris, deposit

79
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. dirty or rundown

adj. immoral or unethical

A

sordid

(sore-did)

synonyms: nasty, vile; corrupt

80
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. plausible but false

adj. deceptively pleasing

A

specious

(spee-shuss)

synonyms: misleading, deceptive, apparent

81
Q

Define

sporadic

(spuh-rad-ik)

A

adj. occurring occasionally and without pattern

Our vacation plans were ruined by sporadic rain that seemed to start every time we headed towards the beach.

82
Q

Define

spurious

(spure-ee-us)

A

adj. intending to deceive

adj. not valid or genuine

The tabloid writers made up spurious accusations against the young actor.

83
Q

Define

squalor

(skwol-er)

A

n. filth; poverty

The town’s poorest inhabitants live in squalor due to their inability to access clean water.

84
Q

Define

stark

(stark)

A

adj. complete or extreme

adj. very simple

adj. bare or blunt

The expensive car that he parked outside stood in stark contrast to the impoverished neighborhood surrounding it.

85
Q

Define

stoic

(stow-ick)

A

adj. indifferent to pleasure or pain

n. one who is indifferent to pleasure or pain

The defendant remained stoic throughout the trial despite the harshness of the prosecution’s questions.

86
Q

Define

stratum

(strat-um)

A

n. a horizontal layer of material

n. a level of society composed of people with similar social, cultural, or economic status

Friction between two social strata can often lead to political upheaval.

87
Q

Define

stria

(strahy-uh)

A

n. a linear mark, ridge, or groove, esp. one of a number of similar parallel features

We examined the striae on the rocks to see if they were really from the same underground cave.

88
Q

Define

strident

(strahyd-unt)

A

adj. unpleasantly loud and harsh

Her strident voice made me dread our weekly phone conversations.

89
Q

Define

stringent

(strin-djunt)

A

adj. strictly controlled or enforced

Since accidents on roller coasters can often be fatal, amusement parks must undergo stringent testing before being opened to the public.

90
Q

Define

stymie

(stahy-mee)

A

n. a situation that defies progress or resolution

v. to prevent or hinder the progress of something

The guard dogs managed to stymie the thief as he tried to break into the house.

91
Q

Define

succinct

(suck-singkt)

A

adj. brief

Since there were only a few minutes left in the meeting, the final speaker had to keep his comments succinct and to the point.

92
Q

Define

transient

(tran-zee-uhnt)

A

adj. not permanent

adj. moving from place to place

n. one who moves from place to place

The transient relied on the kindness of strangers whenever he arrived in a new town.

93
Q

Define

trepidation

(trep-ih-dehy-shun)

A

n. a feeling of fear or agitation

Janice had to face her trepidation about flying in order to make the trip to California.

94
Q

Define

turbid

(tur-bid)

A

adj. clouded due to sediment

adj. confused

I dropped my phone in the lake and couldn’t find it in the turbid water.

95
Q

Define

ubiquitous

(you-bick-wih-tuss)

A

adj. present everywhere

In her neighborhood, Starbucks shops had become ubiquitous; she couldn’t walk two blocks without passing one.

96
Q

Define

unfeigned

(un-feynd)

A

adj. sincerely felt or expressed

Although it seemed a ridiculous concern to us, Joyce’s preoccupation with her little sister’s sprained ankle was unfeigned.

97
Q

Define

unimpeachable

(un-im-pee-chuh-bull)

A

adj. beyond doubt or suspicion

To win the case, the defense would need an unimpeachable witness to prove their client’s virtuous character.

98
Q

Define

untenable

(un-ten-ih-bull)

A

adj. impossible to maintain or defend, as of an opinion

Kate is argumentative enough to support even the most untenable positions.

99
Q

Define

vacillate

(vass-ih-lehyt)

A

v. to waver between conflicting positions

Both sides made such convincing arguments that the judge _vacillate_d between them for days before coming to a decision.

100
Q

Define

vacuous

(vak-yoo-us)

A

adj. devoid of significance or matter; empty

adj. lacking serious purpose or occupation

I told him pointedly to stop wasting my time with his vacuous comments.

101
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. occurring occasionally and without pattern

A

sporadic

(spuh-rad-ik)

synonyms: random, scattered, seldom

102
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. intending to deceive

adj. not valid or genuine

A

spurious

(spure-ee-us)

synonyms: deceitful, false, inaccurate

103
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. filth; poverty

A

squalor

(skwol-er)

synonyms: dirtiness, destitution

104
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. complete or extreme

adj. very simple

adj. bare or blunt

A

stark

(stark)

synonyms: absolute, utter; austere; barren

105
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. indifferent to pleasure or pain

n. one who is indifferent to pleasure or pain

A

stoic

(stow-ick)

synonyms: apathetic, detached

106
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a horizontal layer of material

n. a level of society composed of people with similar social, cultural, or economic status

A

stratum

(strat-um)

synonyms: layer, gradation

107
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a linear mark, ridge, or groove, esp. one of a number of similar parallel features

A

stria

(strahy-uh)

synonyms: banding, groove, stripe

108
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. unpleasantly loud and harsh

A

strident

(strahyd-unt)

synonyms: grating, shrill

109
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. strictly controlled or enforced

A

stringent

(strin-djunt)

synonyms: binding, strict

110
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a situation that defies progress or resolution

v. to prevent or hinder the progress of something

A

stymie

(stahy-mee)

synonyms: confound, impede

111
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. brief

A

succinct

(suck-singkt)

synonyms: blunt, compact, brief

112
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. not permanent

adj. moving from place to place

n. one who moves from place to place

A

transient

(tran-zee-uhnt)

synonyms: passing, fleeting, ephemeral

113
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a feeling of fear or agitation

A

trepidation

(trep-ih-dehy-shun)

synonyms: anxiety, worry

114
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. clouded due to sediment

adj. confused

A

turbid

(tur-bid)

synonyms: cloudy, muddled, sedimentary

115
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. present everywhere

A

ubiquitous

(you-bick-wih-tuss)

synonyms: everywhere, omnipresent

116
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. sincerely felt or expressed

A

unfeigned

(un-feynd)

synonyms: genuine, heartfelt

117
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. beyond doubt or suspicion

A

unimpeachable

(un-im-pee-chuh-bull)

synonyms: blameless, spotless, immaculate

118
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. impossible to maintain or defend, as of an opinion

A

untenable

(un-ten-ih-bull)

synonyms: inexcusable, faulty

119
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to waver between conflicting positions

A

vacillate

(vass-ih-lehyt)

synonyms: fluctuate, hesitate, to be unsure

120
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. devoid of significance or matter; empty

adj. lacking serious purpose or occupation

A

vacuous

(vak-yoo-us)

synonyms: lacking, vacant

121
Q

Define

vociferous

(voe-siff-er-uss)

A

adj. loud and insistent, esp. to compel attention

The vociferous mob gathered outside the store and awakened its owner.

122
Q

Define

wanderlust

(wawn-der-lust)

A

n. the desire to travel

A sudden feeling of wanderlust encouraged me to pack my bags and head to Mexico.

123
Q

Define

wheedle

(weed-ul)

A

v. to coax or persuade

Eventually the ice-cream truck driver was _wheedle_d into giving the sullen child a free scoop.

124
Q

Define

volatile

(voll-ih-tull)

A

adj. likely to change suddenly

adj. liable to lead to violence

adj. evaporating easily

The situation in the war-torn country soon became too volatile for most reporters and travelers to stay there safely.

125
Q

Define

zenith

(zee-nith)

A

n. the highest point or peak

n. the point directly above one’s head

Climbing to the zenith of the mountain will be difficult, but it has been a dream of mine since childhood.

126
Q

Define

abjure

(ab-djoor)

A

v. to renounce or reject solemnly; to recant or avoid

The monks had to abjure all indulgences.

127
Q

Define

condign

(kon-dahyn)

A

adj. deserved, adequate

Though I believe I am compassionate, I will not hesitate to mete out a condign punishment to wrongdoers.

128
Q

Define

debonair

(deb-uh-nair)

A

adj. suave, urbane, affable, genial, charming,stylish

The ladies were all drawn to the debonair newcomer.

129
Q

Define

inveigle

(in-vey-guhl)

A

v. to obtain by deception or flattery

He _inveigle_d the information from the president’s wife.

130
Q

Define

philistine

(fil-uh-steen)

A

adj. barbaric; lacking culture

n. an individual guided by commonplace, rather than artistic or intellectual, values

Why, the philistine even declared that he hated the theater!

131
Q

Define

suffuse

(suh-fyooz)

A

v. to spread through or over something, as with liquid, color, or light

The sky was _suffuse_d with deep colors.

132
Q

Define

mettlesome

(met-uhl-sum)

A

adj. courageous, high-spirited

The mettlesome police officer saved the hostage.

133
Q

Define

compunction

(kuhm-punk-shun)

A

n. hesitation or unease at committing (or having committed) an act

A hardened criminal usually has no compunction about hurting bystanders in order to evade the police.

134
Q

Define

contravene

(kon-truh-veen)

A

v. to violate, or to conflict with a rule or principle

Until recently, Americans could not visit that country without _contraven_ing federal law.

135
Q

Define

limn

(lim)

A

v. to draw; to describe; to depict

Here, the philosopher _limn_s a basic theory of just governance.

136
Q

Define

obloquy

(ob-luh-kwee)

A

n. abusive language; damage to one’s reputation; disgrace

The president earned obloquy for his tax hikes.

137
Q

Define

abate

(uh-behyt)

A

v. to decrease in intensity

The ferocity of the fighting has started to abate, though the civilian population is still in great danger.

138
Q

Define

abdicate

(ab-dih-kate)

A

v. to willingly let go of; to relinquish

The king _abdicate_d the throne rather than expose his nation to a potentially crippling civil war.

139
Q

Define

aberrant

(ab-buh-runt)

A

adj. abnormal, deviating from the norm

The aberrant accounting numbers led officials to conclude that a crime had been committed.

140
Q

Define

abrade

(uh-brehyd)

A

v. to erode or rub away

The statue’s hand was _abrade_d from all of the tourists rubbing it for luck.

141
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. loud and insistent, esp. to compel attention

A

vociferous

(voe-siff-er-uss)

synonyms: clamorous, noisy, distracting

142
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the desire to travel

A

wanderlust

(wawn-der-lust)

synonyms: journey, wayfaring, excursion

143
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to coax or persuade

A

wheedle

(weed-ul)

synonyms: to influence through flattery, to entice

144
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. likely to change suddenly

adj. liable to lead to violence

adj. evaporating easily

A

volatile

(voll-ih-tull)

synonyms: explosive, changeable, inconsistent; vaporizable

145
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the highest point or peak

n. the point directly above one’s head

A

zenith

(zee-nith)

synonyms: acme, summit, pinnacle

146
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to renounce or reject solemnly; to recant or avoid

A

abjure

(ab-joor)

synonyms: forswear, abandon

147
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. deserved, adequate

A

condign

(kon-dahyn)

synonyms: appropriate, proper, fair

148
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. suave, urbane, affable, genial, charming

A

debonair

(deb-uh-nair)

synonyms: refined, well-bred, sophisticated

149
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to obtain by deception or flattery

A

inveigle

(in-vey-guhl)

synonyms: manipulate, cajole, ensnare

150
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. barbaric; lacking culture

n. an individual guided by commonplace, rather than artistic or intellectual, values

A

philistine

(fil-uh-steen)

synonyms: coarse, crass; barbarian, boor

151
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to spread through or over something, as with liquid, color, or light

A

suffuse

(suh-fyooz)

synonyms: bathe, cover, saturate

152
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. courageous, high-spirited

A

mettlesome

(met-uhl-sum)

synonyms: plucky, spirited, valiant

153
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. hesitation or unease at committing (or having committed) an act

A

compunction

(kuhm-punk-shun)

synonyms: regret, sorrow, qualm

154
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to violate, or to conflict with a rule or principle

A

contravene

(kon-truh-veen)

synonyms: breach, break, defy

155
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to draw; to describe; to depict

A

limn

(lim)

synonyms: characterize, chart

156
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. abusive language; damage to one’s reputation; disgrace

A

obloquy

(ob-luh-kwee)

synonyms: defamation, slander, disgrace

157
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to decrease in intensity

A

abate

(uh-behyt)

synonyms: lessen, moderate

158
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to willingly let go of; to relinquish

A

abdicate

(ab-dih-kate)

synonyms: abandon, leave

159
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. abnormal, deviating from the norm

A

aberrant

(ab-buh-runt)

synonyms: atypical, bizarre

160
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to erode or rub away

A

abrade

(uh-brehyd)

synonyms: rub, chafe, wear down

161
Q

Define

abridge

(uh-bridge)

A

v. to condense; to shorten

The author threw a fit when his editor suggested that he abridge his novel in order to make it more accessible.

162
Q

Define

abscond

(ab-skond)

A

v. to run away secretly and hide

The guilty man _abscond_ed during the night and was never heard from again.

163
Q

Define

abstruse

(ab-strewss)

A

adj. difficult to comprehend

That film has been praised as a visionary masterpiece, but I found it more abstruse than enlightening.

164
Q

Define

accolade

(ack-uh-lehyd)

A

n. recognition for an accomplishment

Cindy received _accolade_s in the media for her breathtaking performance.

165
Q

Define

acerbic

(uh-sir-bick)

A

adj. sour or bitter tasting, or of a bitter temperament

My friends’ acerbic reaction to bringing my boyfriend to the game led me to believe that they didn’t care much for him.

166
Q

Define

acumen

(ack-cue-men)

A

n. insightfulness

Kofi was known for his acumen in literary analysis.

167
Q

Define

adhesion

(ad-hee-zhun)

A

n. the state of being physically attached

n. the state of belonging to an organization

Adhesion to the regional economic union became a popular cause among the elites of the recession-weary nation.

168
Q

Define

admonish

(ad-mon-ish)

A

v. to warn, to gently reprimand

The pilot _admonish_ed the passengers to remain seated during take off.

169
Q

Define

adroit

(ad-royt)

A

adj. skillful, competent

The boy scout was an adroit survivalist and so managed to cling to life until a rescue team arrived.

170
Q

Define

adulate

(adge-uh-lehyt)

A

v. to give excessive praise

Rather than adulate his superiors, Moncef preferred to show his regard by emulating them.

171
Q

Define

affable

(aff-uh-buhl)

A

adj. gentle, friendly, or of a kind nature

Stacy was an affable acquaintance to many but a real friend to few.

172
Q

Define

affluent

(aff-loo-uhnt)

A

adj. wealthy

Membership in the private club was only open to affluent members of society.

173
Q

Define

aggrandize

(uh-gran-dahyz)

A

v. to exaggerate; to increase the scope of or to make greater

Luke had _aggrandize_d his credentials so much that he was fired on the spot when it was discovered that he was just a novice.

174
Q

Define

affront

(uh-front)

A

n. an offensive act or statement

v. to insult openly

Lucia’s ingratitude was an affront to all of us who had supported her.

175
Q

Define

agrarian

(uh-grair-ee-uhn)

A

adj. pertaining to farming or land matters

The farmer switched from his habitual agrarian routine to that of a high-powered business CEO in just a few years.

176
Q

Define

alacrity

(uh-lack-ruh-tee)

A

n. enthusiasm; speed

Children approach their homework with more alacrity if they know that a reward awaits them when they finish.

177
Q

Define

vug

(vuhg)

A

n. a small cavity in a rock

She hid her trinkets in the vug for safekeeping.

178
Q

Define

petrous

(pet-ruhss)

A

adj. rock-hard; stony

The skull of the fetus has not yet become petrous; in fact, it is still translucent to x-rays at this stage.

179
Q

Define

tautology

(tawt-aw-luh-djee)

A

n. a statement that is trivially true; unnecessary repetition

It is no help to anybody when you spout _tautologi_es like “Whatever will be will be”.

180
Q

Define

gambol

(gam-buhl)

A

v. to skip playfully, to frolic

The youngsters went _gambol_ing through the fields.

181
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to condense; to shorten

A

abridge

(uh-bridge)

synonyms: reduce, refine, abbreviate

182
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to run away secretly and hide

A

abscond

(ab-skond)

synonyms: depart, escape, flee

183
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. difficult to comprehend

A

abstruse

(ab-strewss)

synonyms: abstract, enigmatic, incomprehensible

184
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. recognition for an accomplishment

A

accolade

(ack-uh-leyhd)

synonyms: acclaim, kudos

185
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. sour or bitter tasting or with bitter temperament

A

acerbic

(uh-sir-bick)

synonyms: acrid, caustic

186
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. insightfulness

A

acumen

(ack-cue-men)

synonyms: acuteness, intelligence

187
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the state of being physically attached

n. the state of belonging to an organization

A

adhesion

(ad-hee-zhun)

synonyms: adherence, membership

188
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to warn, to gently reprimand

A

admonish

(ad-mon-ish)

synonyms: check, counsel, scold, notice

189
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. skillful, competent

A

adroit

(ad-royt)

synonyms: adept, apt, expert

190
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to give excessive praise

A

adulate

(adge-uh-lehyt)

synonyms: fawn, acclaim, laud

191
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. gentle, friendly, or of a kind nature

A

affable

(aff-uh-buhl)

synonyms: cordial, pleasant, friendly

192
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. wealthy

A

affluent

(aff-loo-uhnt)

synonyms: rich, prosperous

193
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to exaggerate; to increase the scope of

A

aggrandize

(uh-gran-dahyz)

synonyms: enlarge, glorify, augment

194
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. an offensive act or statement

v. to insult openly

A

affront

(uh-front)

synonyms: criticize, antagonize

195
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. pertaining to farming or land matters

A

agrarian

(uh-grair-ee-un)

synonyms: agricultural, country

196
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. enthusiasm; speed

A

alacrity

(uh-lack-rih-tee)

synonyms: liveliness, fervor

197
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a small cavity in a rock

A

vug

(vuhg)

synonyms: cavity, depression

198
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. rock-hard; stony

A

petrous

(pet-ruhss)

synonyms: rugged, rocky, petrified

199
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a statement that is trivially true; unnecessary repetition

A

tautology

(tawt-aw-luh-djee)

synonyms: equivalence, redundancy

200
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to skip playfully, to frolic

A

gambol

(gam-buhl)

synonyms: cavort, skip, rollick