AFOQT Vocab - Nouns Flashcards Preview

AFOQT > AFOQT Vocab - Nouns > Flashcards

Flashcards in AFOQT Vocab - Nouns Deck (249)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Aberration

A

A deviation from the standard; not typical

2
Q

Access

A

A means of approach or admittance

3
Q

Accord

A

Agreement

4
Q

Adage

A

Wise proverb or saying

5
Q

Adversary

A

Enemy, opponent

6
Q

Advocate

A

One who speaks in favor of or on behalf of another

7
Q

Affluence

A

Wealth or abundance

8
Q

Alacrity

A

Cheerful willingness or ready response

9
Q

Allusion

A

An indirect reference to something else, especially in literature; a hint

10
Q

Amity

A

Friendship

11
Q

Anarchy

A

Lawlessness, disorder; a lack of government control or effectiveness

12
Q

Anecdote

A

A brief, entertaining story

13
Q

Animosity

A

Bitter hostility or open hatred

14
Q

Anomaly

A

An abnormality or irregularity

15
Q

Anthology

A

Collection of writings, songs, or other creative works

16
Q

Apex

A

Highest point (e.g., of a triangle)

17
Q

Arbiter

A

One who decides; a judge

18
Q

Audacity

A

Boldness

19
Q

Avarice

A

Greed, desire for wealth

20
Q

Bastion

A

Stronghold, fortress, fortified place against opposition

21
Q

Beacon

A

A guiding light to show the way or mark a spot

22
Q

Benediction

A

Blessing, often a benediction is given at the end of an event, ceremony, or religious service

23
Q

Bias

A

Prejudice or tendency in a certain direction; literally, a slant or tilt

24
Q

Bigot

A

A person who is prejudiced against someone else because of their race, skin color, religion, gender, and so forth; also, a person who is intolerant of others with different opinions or beliefs

25
Q

Blasphemy

A

An insult to something held sacred

26
Q

Bondage

A

Slavery

27
Q

Boon

A

Benefit or gift

28
Q

Brevity

A

Shortness, conciseness

29
Q

Bulwark

A

Strong protection or barrier to enemy attacks

30
Q

Cacophony

A

A harsh or unpleasant mixture of sounds, voices, or words

31
Q

Caliber

A

Literally refers to size; the caliber or size of a bullet is referred to in hundredths of an inch; also used figuratively when referring to the quality of something or someone

32
Q

Camouflage

A

Something that conceals people or things from the enemy by making them blend into their surroundings

33
Q

Caste

A

Social class or category

34
Q

Catastrophe

A

Sudden disaster

35
Q

Chagrin

A

Embarrassment or disappointment

36
Q

Chronicle

A

Historical record or listing, usually in sequential, chronological order

37
Q

Chronology

A

An order or listing of events, either written or spoken, in the order in which they happened

38
Q

Clamor

A

Uproar

39
Q

Clemency

A

Mercy (e.g., on a prisoner or criminal)

40
Q

Condolence

A

Expression of sympathy to be who has suffered a loss

41
Q

Consensus

A

General or group agreement

42
Q

Context

A

The words or ideas surrounding one particular word or idea that give clues or contribute depth to the word’s meaning

43
Q

Conundrum

A

A perplexing puzzle or riddle

44
Q

Criterion

A

Standard of judgement or comparison

45
Q

Crux

A

The essential point or central part

46
Q

Cynic

A

One who mocks or disbelieves the good intentions or values of others; one who believes people are motivated only by selfishness

47
Q

Dearth

A

Scarcity or lack of something

48
Q

Debacle

A

Large scale defeat or complete failure

49
Q

Deference

A

Conceding to another’s desire or will; respect or courtesy

50
Q

Deluge

A

Great flood or overwhelming inflow

51
Q

Depot

A

Warehouse, large storage place

52
Q

Depravity

A

Moral corruption

53
Q

Destiny

A

Predetermined fate

54
Q

Detriment

A

Damage, loss, or disadvantage

55
Q

Diction

A

The way in which words are used by a speaker

56
Q

Discernment

A

Insight, ability to see things clearly

57
Q

Disdain

A

arrogant scorn or contempt

58
Q

Din

A

loud, pervasive, continuous noise

59
Q

Directive

A

a general order or instruction

60
Q

Discord

A

disagreement, often noisy

61
Q

Discrepancy

A

inconsistency or error

62
Q

Discretion

A

freedom of choice; also refers to a judicious reserve in one’s speech or behavior

63
Q

Dissent

A

difference of opinion, especially from a widely held opinion

64
Q

Effluvium

A

a disagreeable or bad smelling vapor or gas

65
Q

Egotist

A

self-centered person

66
Q

Enigma

A

mystery

67
Q

Enterprise

A

an important project or self-sufficient organization

68
Q

Epitome

A

a top-level representation of a quality, usually a virtue

69
Q

Epoch

A

a particular period of history, especially one regarded in some way as remarkable or significant

70
Q

Era

A

a period of time, usually of significant length, identified by particular conditions, events, or the influence of a person or group

71
Q

Essence

A

basic nature

72
Q

Etiquette

A

generally accepted rules of social behavior and manners

73
Q

Exposition

A

an explanation or expounding

74
Q

Facet

A

a side or aspect of a problem or situation; also refers to a particular angled cut of a diamond or other precious stone

75
Q

Facsimile

A

Exact copy or representation

76
Q

Fallacy

A

mistaken or erroneous idea, assumption, or conclusion

77
Q

Fervor

A

passion or enthusiasm

78
Q

Forte

A

an area in which a person excels

79
Q

Fortitude

A

steady courage or strength

80
Q

Forum

A

a gathering or place where ideas or situations are discussed

81
Q

Furor

A

an outburst of excitement or disagreement

82
Q

Gamut

A

an entire range or spectrum of possible outcomes or conditions

83
Q

Genesis

A

beginning or origin

84
Q

Glutton

A

one who overeats or indulges in anything to excess

85
Q

Grievance

A

a complaint made against an individual or an organization; also a grudge held over a period of time

86
Q

Guile

A

cunning, deceit, duplicity

87
Q

Havoc

A

great damage, destruction, or confusion

88
Q

Heresy

A

an opinion directly opposed to established beliefs, especially in a religious sense

89
Q

Hindrance

A

obstacle or delaying obstruction

90
Q

Horde

A

multitude, great mass of people

91
Q

Hysteria

A

excessive or uncontrollable fear or other strong emotion

92
Q

Idiom

A

a regional or group jargon, dialect, or manner of speech; can also mean a phrase or expression that has a different meaning than the literal meaning of the words that make it up

93
Q

Illusion

A

an idea or impression that differs from reality

94
Q

Impetus

A

moving force or starting idea

95
Q

Incentive

A

motivation or benefit to doing something

96
Q

Incumbent

A

present holder of an office or position

97
Q

Incursion

A

a hostile invasion

98
Q

Indolence

A

laziness

99
Q

Infirmity

A

physical disease, injury, or defect

100
Q

Influx

A

a flowing in of a substance, as of a wave or a flood

101
Q

Infraction

A

violation of a rule, regulation, or law

102
Q

Initiative

A

desire, idea, or ability to take the first step in carrying out some action

103
Q

Innovation

A

a new or improved way of doing something

104
Q

Integrity

A

moral and intellectual honesty and forthrightness; also refers to the quality of a structure or object to hold together

105
Q

Interim

A

a period of time between one event, process, or period and another

106
Q

Interlude

A

a short feature or period of time coming between two other longer events

107
Q

Intrigue

A

secret plot or scheme

108
Q

Intuition

A

knowledge or conclusion obtained through instinct or feeling rather than conscious thought

109
Q

Invective

A

insulting or abusive speech

110
Q

Iota

A

a very small amount or piece

111
Q

Irony

A

a significant and often unexpected difference between what might be expected and what actually occurs

112
Q

Jeopardy

A

risk of danger or harm

113
Q

Keynote

A

main theme or idea, usually referring to the main speech at a convention or the like

114
Q

Larceny

A

theft, usually small

115
Q

Layman

A

a regular person who is not a member of a particular professional or technical specialty

116
Q

Legacy

A

material or spiritual inheritance or heritage; can also refer to the historical perceptions of someone after they have left their office or position of responsibility

117
Q

Legend

A

unverified stories handed down from earlier times; can also refer to a person of great fame or reputation

118
Q

Legion

A

a large number of people; sometimes historically used as a designation of a military or paramilitary unit

119
Q

Lethargy

A

sluggishness, laziness, drowsiness

120
Q

Levee

A

a raised embankment designed to prevent flooding from a river or other body of water

121
Q

Levity

A

lightness, frivolity

122
Q

Liaison

A

contact or coordination between two or more individuals or groups

123
Q

Litigation

A

legal proceedings

124
Q

Lore

A

body of traditional or historical knowledge

125
Q

Malady

A

disease or illness

126
Q

Mania

A

abnormal concentration on or enthusiasm for something

127
Q

Maverick

A

a person who acts independently instead of in conformance with common organizational or expected behavior

128
Q

Maxim

A

an adage or proverb prescribing a rule or method of conduct, as in, “Measure twice, cut once”

129
Q

Medium

A

means of communication of presentation (e.g., radio, telephone, television. etc.)

130
Q

Memento

A

object that commemorates or reminds someone of a past event

131
Q

Metropolis

A

a very large city

132
Q

Milieu

A

surroundings, environment

133
Q

Morale

A

the state of mind or attitude of an individual or group, usually in reference to how that attitude will either positively or negatively affect the future actions or success of that person or group

134
Q

Morés

A

established customs or values of a group or segment of society

135
Q

Multitude

A

large number of something

136
Q

Myriad

A

a vast number or great multitude of something, usually implying wide variations within that group

137
Q

Neophyte

A

a beginner

138
Q

Niche

A

literally, a recess in a wall for holding a statue or other ornament; figuratively, an appropriate activity or situation that is especially well suited to a person’s abilities or character

139
Q

Oblivion

A

a condition of complete ignorance, forgetfulness, or unawareness

140
Q

Obscure

A

unclear, clouded, partially hidden

141
Q

Odyssey

A

a long journey, usually involving significant challenges or obstacles

142
Q

Omen

A

a sign or event believed to foretell the future

143
Q

Optimum

A

the best possible condition or combination of factors

144
Q

Ovation

A

applause of an audience, or any enthusiastically positive reception accompanied by applause

145
Q

Oversight

A

an omission through error or carelessness; also can refer to a situation where one person or group supervises the activities of another, usually loosely

146
Q

Overture

A

first step, usually one that is intended to lead to others in action or discussion

147
Q

Panacea

A

a cure for all problems or diseases

148
Q

Panorama

A

an unobstructed view of a wide area

149
Q

Paradox

A

a statement that contradicts or appears to contradict itself

150
Q

Parsimony

A

stinginess or overzealous drive to be thrifty

151
Q

Partisan

A

one who supports a particular cause, person, or idea

152
Q

Pastime

A

a way of spending leisure time

153
Q

Pathology

A

the science of diseases; any deviation from a normal, healthy condition

154
Q

Paucity

A

scarcity of a resource or condition

155
Q

Pauper

A

a very poor person

156
Q

Pedagogue

A

a strict, overly academic teacher or speaker

157
Q

Phenomenon

A

an unusual, noticeable, or outstanding occurrence that is directly perceived by the senses or by results

158
Q

Pilgrimage

A

long journey to some place or condition worthy of respect or devotion

159
Q

Pinnacle

A

highest point

160
Q

Pitfall

A

trap or obstacle for the unwary

161
Q

Pittance

A

very small amount, usually referring to money

162
Q

Plateau

A

an elevated, relatively level expanse of land

163
Q

Plight

A

an unfavorable condition or situation

164
Q

Poise

A

calm and controlled behavior

165
Q

Populace

A

the people living in a certain area; can also refer to the common people or middle or lower class citizens

166
Q

Posterity

A

future descendants or generations

167
Q

Precedent

A

event or law that serves as an example for later action

168
Q

Predecessor

A

someone or something that came before another

169
Q

Predicament

A

unpleasant problem or situation, usually one that is difficult to escape

170
Q

Preface

A

introductory statement or passage to a book, speech, or other communication

171
Q

Prelude

A

something that is preliminary to some act or event that is more important

172
Q

Premise

A

a statement or assumption from which a conclusion is drawn

173
Q

Premium

A

best quality; can also refer to an amount added to the usual price or payment

174
Q

Prestige

A

respect or status achieved through achievement or rank

175
Q

Pretext

A

a reason given as a cover up for the real purpose for an action

176
Q

Probity

A

integrity, uprightness, honesty

177
Q

Prodigy

A

an extremely talented or gifted child

178
Q

Propinquity

A

nearness

179
Q

Propriety

A

good manners, appropriately respectful and reserved behavior

180
Q

Prospect

A

possibility for the future

181
Q

Proviso

A

a requirement that something specific is done, usually in writing

182
Q

Prowess

A

strength or superior ability

183
Q

Proximity

A

nearness

184
Q

Pseudonym

A

an assumed name, usually a pen name taken by an author

185
Q

Pun

A

a play on words that depends on two or more different meanings or sounds of the same word or phrase

186
Q

Pundit

A

a knowledgeable person in a particular field

187
Q

Quagmire

A

literally, a bog or swamp that impedes movement or in which people or vehicles could be stuck or mired; figuratively, a difficult or dangerous situation from which there is limited hope of escape

188
Q

Qualm

A

doubt or unease about some action or situation

189
Q

Quandary

A

deep uncertainty or indecision about a choice between two or more courses of action; a dilemma

190
Q

Query

A

a question or request for information

191
Q

Rampart

A

a fortification; bulwark or defense against attack

192
Q

Rapport

A

a harmonious or mutually trusting relationship

193
Q

Rarity

A

something that is infrequent or not commonly encountered

194
Q

Refuge

A

a place to which one can go for protection or separation from difficulty

195
Q

Remnant

A

remaining or left-over part of something

196
Q

Remorse

A

regret or guilt

197
Q

Renaissance

A

a rebirth or revival

198
Q

Rendezvous

A

a meeting or location for a meeting

199
Q

Renown

A

fame or wide acclaim, especially for accomplishments or skill

200
Q

Replica

A

an exact copy or facsimile of something

201
Q

Reprimand

A

severe scolding or rebuke, usually from a superior to a subordinate

202
Q

Reprisal

A

retaliation for real or perceived injuries; often implies giving back more than was originally received

203
Q

Reprobate

A

a wicked, sinful, depraved person

204
Q

Reserves

A

a fighting force kept uncommitted until the need arises

205
Q

Residue

A

the remainder of something after removal of a part

206
Q

Respite

A

a temporary break, usually one that brings relief

207
Q

Reverence

A

a feeling of great respect, usually religious in nature

208
Q

Sabotage

A

deliberate damage to facilities or equipment belonging to an enemy

209
Q

Saga

A

a long store or tale, usually involving heroic deeds

210
Q

Sanction

A

approval, usually by a higher authority; can also mean a penalty for breaking a law or rule

211
Q

Sarcasm

A

cutting or insulting ironic remarks

212
Q

Satire

A

criticism of someone or something by seeming approval cast in a light or taken to an extreme that makes the subject appear ridiculous

213
Q

Scapegoat

A

someone who is blamed, usually unjustly, for the mistakes or misdeeds of others

214
Q

Scope

A

the complete area or extent of action or thought

215
Q

Scroll

A

a roll of paper or parchment with writing

216
Q

Sect

A

a group of people having the same beliefs, usually religious; often has a slight to severe negative connotation

217
Q

Semblance

A

outward appearance

218
Q

Sham

A

a false imitation

219
Q

Sheaf

A

a bundle, usually either of papers or grain

220
Q

Sheen

A

shine or luster

221
Q

Solace

A

comfort after loss or disappointment

222
Q

Stagnation

A

motionlessness or inactivity

223
Q

Stanza

A

a section of a poem or song; a verse

224
Q

Stigma

A

mark or perception of disgrace or bad reputation

225
Q

Stimulus

A

an encouragement to act or react

226
Q

Strife

A

conflict, disagreement, contention

227
Q

Sycophant

A

one who flatters a superior in hope of getting preferential treatment

228
Q

Synthesis

A

the combining of parts to form a whole

229
Q

Tacit

A

silent or unspoken

230
Q

Tact

A

the ability to communicate a message without causing offense, especially an unpleasant message

231
Q

Tactics

A

specific actions used to achieve a purpose or accomplish objectives

232
Q

Temerity

A

recklessness, audacity, boldness verging on foolhardiness

233
Q

Tempo

A

the pace or speed of an activity or series of activities

234
Q

Timbre

A

the quality of a sound, independent of pitch and volume

235
Q

Trepidation

A

fear, apprehension

236
Q

Tribunal

A

a place of judgement, usually legal in nature

237
Q

Turpitude

A

shameful wickedness or depravity

238
Q

Upheaval

A

conflict or disturbance, usually characterized by changes in group membership, leadership, or goals

239
Q

Valor

A

courage, heroism

240
Q

Venture

A

a project or enterprise

241
Q

Vicinity

A

local area

242
Q

Vigor

A

vitality or energy

243
Q

Volition

A

will or conscious choice

244
Q

Welter

A

confused mass; commotion or turmoil

245
Q

Whim

A

impulsive idea or desire, usually not thought out

246
Q

Woe

A

great trouble or sorrow

247
Q

Zeal

A

eager desire or enthusiasm

248
Q

Zenith

A

highest point

249
Q

Zest

A

enthusiasm