Define:
covert
(koe-vert)
adj. hidden; secret
The government’s covert operations were laid bare by the shocking article.
Define:
craven
(kray-vun)
adj. cowardly
The craven man ran away at the first sign of danger.
Define:
eugenics
(yoo-djen-iks)
n. the study of heredity improvements by genetic control
Nazi Germany is known to have carried out many eugenics experiments that provoked outrage once they came to light.
Define:
credence
(creed-enss)
n. belief that something is true
n. plausibility
She gave credence to the rumors when she failed to deny them.
Define:
execrate
(ek-si-kreyt)
v. to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce
v. to loathe
v. to curse
The rival teams appeared on the news to execrate one another.
Define:
sempiternal
(sem-pih-tur-nl)
adj. eternal, infinite
Nothing in life is sempiternal, alas.
Define:
credulous
(kredj-uh-luss)
adj. easily convinced that something is true
His lies were so ridiculous that only the most credulous child would have believed them.
Define:
plumb
(pluhm)
v. to measure the depth
v. to examine critically
I think she is the only architect working today who has the courage to truly plumb the possibilities of recycled construction materials.
Define:
culpable
(kull-puh-bull)
adj. deserving of blame or punishment
He confessed that he was culpable for the crime and faced the consequences.
Define:
debase
(dih-base)
v. to corrupt or lower the value of
Many argue that modern society has been debased by materialism.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. hidden; secret
n. a covered place for hiding
covert
(koe-vert)
synonyms: cloaked, secret, sly
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. cowardly
craven
(kray-vun)
synonyms: weak, timid, fearful
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the study of heredity improvements by genetic control
eugenics
(yoo-djen-iks)
synonyms: genetic enhancement, genetic manipulation
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. belief that something is true
n. plausibility
credence
(creed-enss)
synonyms: credulity, confidence, possibility
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce
v. to loathe
v. to curse
execrate
(ek-si-kreyt)
synonyms: accurse, condemn; hate, detest
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. eternal, infinite
sempiternal
(sem-pih-tur-nl)
synonyms: ageless, constant
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. easily convinced that something is true
credulous
(kredj-uh-luss)
synonyms: gullible, too trusting
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to measure the depth
v. to examine critically
plumb
(pluhm)
synonyms: probe, gauge; assess, study
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. deserving of blame or punishment
culpable
(kull-puh-bull)
synonyms: guilty, liable
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. to corrupt or lower the value of
debase
(dih-base)
synonyms: degrade, cheapen
Define:
decadent
(deck-ih-dunt)
adj. in a state of decline
adj. self-indulgent
Louis XIV was known for his decadent displays of wealth and power.
Define:
decorous
(dek-core-us)
adj. conforming to what is acceptable to society
adj. marked by propriety and etiquette
One must always behave in a decorous manner at formal events.
Define:
decry
(dih-cry)
v. to strongly disapprove of
The preacher decried society’s indifference towards the poor.
Define:
artless
(art-liss)
adj. simple and natural
adj. unable to mask true feelings
adj. without artistic merit; crudely made
She had an artless grace about her that endeared her to strangers.
Define:
ascetic
(uh-set-ik)
adj. relating to self-denial
n. a person who practices self-denial
The ascetic monks rejected modern comforts such as electricity.
Define:
ascendant
(uh-sen-dent)
adj. rising
adj. most powerful
n. a position of being dominant or in control
In this game, newcomers are ascendant because of their youth.
Define:
ascribe
(uh-scribe)
v. to attribute or assign to a cause
Her success was ascribed to the hours she had spent studying.
Define:
assiduous
(uh-sidj-oo-us)
adj. making careful and persistent effort
John was an assiduous student who always tried his best.
Define:
assuage
(uh-swaydj)
v. to relieve
Her anger was assuaged by her friend’s soothing words.
Define:
astute
(uh-stewt)
adj. having practical intelligence and good judgment
An astute teacher always checks for plagiarism.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. in a state of decline
adj. self-indulgent
decadent
(deck-ih-dunt)
synonyms: decaying; hedonistic, spoiled
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. conforming to what is acceptable to society
adj. marked by propriety and etiquette
decorous
(dek-core-us)
synonyms: acceptable, befitting; civil, courtly
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to strongly disapprove of
decry
(dih-cry)
synonyms: denounce, deplore
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. simple and natural
adj. unable to mask true feelings
adj. without artistic merit; crudely made
artless
(art-liss)
synonyms: genuine, pure; naive, straightforward; awkward, amateurish
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. relating to self-denial; and
n. a person who practices self-denial
ascetic
(uh-set-ik)
synonyms: abstinent, restrained
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. rising
adj. most powerful
n. a position of being dominant or in control
ascendant
(uh-sen-dent)
synonyms: ruling, superior, dominant
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to attribute or assign to a cause
ascribe
(uh-scribe)
synonyms: assign, appoint, accredit
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. making careful and persistent effort
assiduous
(uh-sidj-oo-us)
synonyms: hardworking, attentive
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to relieve
assuage
(uh-swaydj)
synonyms: soothe, alleviate
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. having practical intelligence and good judgment
astute
(uh-stewt)
synonyms: adroit, perspicacious, sagacious
Define:
suppliant
(suhp-lee-uhnt)
adj. asking humbly, beseeching
n. a person who requests or begs
The boy was peering into the pet store window with the look of a suppliant on his face.
Define:
atrophy
(at-ruh-fee)
n. deterioration (esp. due to inactivity)
v. to deteriorate, to waste away (esp. due to inactivity)
The paralyzed patient began to show signs of atrophy in his leg muscles.
Define:
anosmia
(an-oz-mee-uh)
n. loss of the sense of smell
Melissa has been afflicted with anosmia since birth; she likes to say that sometimes it is a curse, and sometimes a blessing.
Define:
austere
(aw-steer)
adj. severe, strict, or very plain
The austere room was anything but inviting.
Define:
autonomous
(aw-tawn-ih-muss)
adj. independent
The revolutionaries are fighting to make their country autonomous.
Define:
rapacious
(ruh-pey-shuhs)
adj. voracious, greedy, plundering
The Vikings were rapacious warriors.
Define:
avarice
(av-uh-riss)
adj. insatiable greed
The rich man’s avarice led him to buy up most of the neighborhood.
Define:
unflappable
(uhn-flap-uh-buhl)
adj. not easily upset or excited (e.g., in a crisis)
The unflappable hero maintained his level-headed mentality during the disaster.
Define:
aver
(uh-vurr)
v. to declare as true
When interviewed, Susan’s friends all averred that she was a trustworthy person.
Define:
emasculate
(uh-mass-kyuh-leyt)
v. to castrate or make effeminate
v. to weaken
Wearing the frilly pink shirt made him feel emasculated.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. asking humbly, beseeching
n. a person who requests or begs
suppliant
(suhp-lee-uhnt)
synonyms: begging; beggar, seeker
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. deterioration (esp. due to inactivity)
v. to deteriorate, to waste away (esp. due to inactivity)
atrophy
(at-ruh-fee)
synonyms: disintegration; to disintegrate
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. loss of the sense of smell
anosmia
(an-oz-mee-uh)
synonyms: without smell
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. severe, strict, or very plain
austere
(aw-steer)
synonyms: bare, stark, simple
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. independent
autonomous
(aw-tawn-ih-muss)
synonyms: self-determining, independent
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. voracious, greedy, plundering
rapacious
(ruh-pey-shuhs)
synonyms: marauding, ravenous, avaricious
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. insatiable greed
avarice
(av-uh-riss)
synonyms: selfishness, ambition
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. not easily upset or excited (e.g., in a crisis)
unflappable
(uhn-flap-uh-buhl)
synonyms: calm, collected
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to declare as true
aver
(uh-vurr)
synonyms: affirm, assert
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to castrate or make effeminate
v. to weaken
emasculate
(uh-mass-kyuh-leyt)
synonyms: desexualize, neuter; devitalize
Define:
dormant
(door-munt)
adj. inactive for a period of time
The dormant volcano erupted unexpectedly, injuring many.
Define:
recumbent
(rih-kuhm-buhnt)
adj. leaning, lying down
He sat recumbent on the picnic blanket.
Define:
dote
(dote)
v. to show excessive affection
Her parents were strict but her grandparents always doted on her and showered her with gifts.
Define:
frangible
(fran-djuh-buhl)
adj. fragile; easily broken
The frangible statue was accidently pushed over and shattered.
Define:
dupe
(dewp)
n. a person who is easily tricked
v. to deceive
The lying politician made those who had voted for him seem like dupes.
Define:
magnanimous
(mag-nan-uh-muhss)
adj. noble in spirit, generous in forgiving others
Susan’s magnanimous personality made her many life-long friends.
Define:
ebb
(eb)
v. to decrease or recede
n. a decline
n. the outward flow of the tide
Her affection for him began to ebb a few days after the hasty wedding.
Define:
wizen
(wiz-uhn)
v. to shrivel, wrinkle, or wither, as of with old age
A wizened old man was walking through the park.
Define:
countermand
(koun-ter-mand)
v. to annul, cancel, make a contrary order
The general countermanded his previous order to retreat, telling the men to march straight into battle.
Define:
ebullient
(ih-buhl-yunt)
adj. very excited; joyously enthusiastic
Linda was ebullient when she made it into the semifinals.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. inactive for a period of time
dormant
(door-munt)
synonyms: inactive, sleeping, inoperative
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. leaning, lying down
recumbent
(rih-kuhm-buhnt)
synonyms: sprawling, reclining
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to show excessive affection
dote
(dote)
synonyms: favor, cherish
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. fragile; easily broken
frangible
(fran-djuh-buhl)
synonyms: brittle, flimsy
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a person who is easily tricked
v. to deceive
dupe
(dewp)
synonyms: chump, sucker, victim
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. noble in spirit, generous in forgiving others
magnanimous
(mag-nan-uh-muhss)
synonyms: big-hearted, forgiving
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to decrease or recede
n. a decline
n. the outward flow of the tide
ebb
(eb)
synonyms: subside; regression, decline
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to shrivel, wrinkle, or wither, as of old age
wizen
(wiz-uhn)
synonyms: sag, crinkle, dry up
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to annul or cancel; to give a contrary order
countermand
(koun-ter-mand)
synonyms: override, recall, revoke
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. very excited; joyously enthusiastic
ebullient
(ih-buhl-yunt)
synonyms: bouncy, chipper, effervescent
Define:
apogee
(ap-uh-djee)
n. the highest point, zenith
The apogee of the roller coaster terrified even the most seasoned riders.
Define:
ecclesiastical
(ih-klee-zee-ass-tih-kuhl)
adj. relating to the church
Mary decided to take up her ecclesiastical concerns with the local priest.
Define:
eclectic
(ih-klek-tik)
adj. composed of parts from many different sources
The girl’s fashion sense was an eclectic mix of conservative Victorian and colorful modern styles.
Define:
edify
(ed-ih-fahy)
v. to educate
John attempted to edify the impolite young man.
Define:
efficacious
(eff-ih-kay-shuss)
adj. producing or able to produce a desired result
The woman insisted that her herbal medicines would be the most efficacious remedy for the young patient.
Define:
puerile
(pyoo-er-ill)
adj. childish, immature
The comedian had a puerile sense of humor, invoking the bathroom in practically every joke.
Define:
effrontery
(ih-frun-tuh-ree)
adj. unjustified arrogance or boldness
Although my sister had not invited me to her party, she had the effrontery to ask me for help setting up.
Define:
effusive
(ih-few-siv)
adj. related to excessive or unchecked emotion
Susan’s effusive praise of Ramon’s new car made him think that perhaps she didn’t really like it.
Define:
tortuous
(tawr-choo-uhs)
adj. winding, excessively complicated
The philosopher made a tortuous argument that not many of his students followed.
Define:
debauchery
(dih-baw-chuh-ree)
n. extreme sensual indulgence
The debauchery in the movie was enough to make me blush.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the highest point, zenith
apogee
(ap-uh-djee)
synonyms: pinnacle, apex
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. relating to the church
ecclesiastical
(ih-klee-zee-ass-tih-kuhl)
synonyms: clerical, parochial
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. composed of parts from many different sources
eclectic
(ih-klek-tik)
synonyms: heterogeneous, multifarious
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to educate
edify
(ed-ih-fahy)
synonyms: enlighten, teach
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. producing or able to produce a desired result
efficacious
(eff-ih-kay-shuss)
synonyms: efficient, capable
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. childish, immature
puerile
(pyoo-er-ill)
synonyms: babyish, callow, infantile
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. unjustified arrogance or boldness
effrontery
(ih-frun-tuh-ree)
synonyms: audacity, impudence
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. related to excessive or unchecked emotion
effusive
(ih-few-siv)
synonyms: overdone, extravagant
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. winding, excessively complicated
tortuous
(tawr-choo-uhs)
synonyms: ambiguous, convoluted, indirect
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. extreme sensual indulgence
debauchery
(dih-baw-chuh-ree)
synonyms: depravity, lechery, lewdness