Advanced Vocab Words - Set 4 Flashcards

Learn to understand and effectively use 100 advanced vocabulary words. Improve your test scores, or simply be more articulate in your daily life. Each word is used in context in a sample sentence and includes synonyms and a pronunciation guide.

1
Q

Define

aseptic

(uh-sep-tik)

A

adj. free of pathogens or germs

adj. with little or no emotion

Doctors are always careful to use aseptic surgical equipment to prevent infection.

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2
Q

Define

prolix

(proh-liks)

A

adj. wordy or prolonged; tedious in length

The prolix manuscript took days to read.

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3
Q

Define

foolhardy

(fool-hahr-dee)

A

adj. reckless, unwisely bold; thoughtlessly rash

It was a foolhardy attempt to climb the Sears Tower that went very wrong.

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4
Q

Define

picaresque

(pik-uh-resk)

A

adj. involving clever rogues in episodes of comedy or adventure

Huck Finn is a picaresque hero.

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5
Q

Define

raucous

(raw-kuhs)

A

adj. rough sounding, harsh

adj. boisterous, rowdy, disorderly

The raucous laughter went on long into the night.

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6
Q

Define

providential

(prov-ih-den-shuhl)

A

adj. to occur as if from divine intervention or great time

His providential recovery, when it seemed that he would surely succumb, brought hope to many.

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7
Q

Define

antipodal

(an-tip-uh-dl)

A

adj. diametrically opposed to, polar opposite

adj. on the opposite side of the earth

The couple had totally antipodal personalities, but they enjoyed each other’s company.

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8
Q

Define

pillory

(pill-uh-ree)

A

v. to punish; to hold up for public scorning

n. a wooden framework with holes for head and hands, in which criminal offenders are held

Dan was _pillori_ed in class for his inability to spell “potato”.

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9
Q

Define

infelicitous

(in-fuh-liss-ih-tuss)

A

adj. unfortunate, awkward, inappropriate

In Thailand, it is considered infelicitous to touch someone’s head.

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10
Q

Define

dilatory

(dil-uh-tawr-ee)

A

adj. tending to delay, put off, or procrastinate

adj. intended to slow progress

Courtney employed dilatory tactics in the debate in order to collect her thoughts, but the judges noticed and she was docked a point.

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11
Q

Define

overweening

(oh-ver-wee-ning)

A

adj. presumptuously arrogant or conceited; overconfident, overbearing

Ian made the overweening assumption that people would rush to help him.

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12
Q

Define

neologism

(nee-awl-uh-djiz-uhm)

A

n. the creation of new words, expressions, or usages for words

“Technophile” is a neologism, just as “UFO” once was.

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13
Q

Define

lassitude

(lass-ih-tood)

A

n. a state of listless exhaustion, weakness, or weariness of the mind or body

The extreme heat led to a general lassitude that settled on the village from May to October.

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14
Q

Define

locution

(loh-kyoo-shuhn)

A

n. a particular word, phrase, or style used by a person or group

n. style of speaking, phraseology

The newcomers were fascinated by the Aussie’s locution.

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15
Q

Define

jocose

(joh-kohss)

A

adj. characterized by a joking or humorous manner

The jocose innkeeper could always be counted on for a bit of levity.

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16
Q

Define

rend

(rend)

A

v. to forcibly take

v. to tear apart

The three-year-old decided she wants to play with the teddy bear, so she _rend_ed it from her infant sister’s hands.

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17
Q

Define

stanch

(stawnch)

A

v. to cease the flow of a liquid (esp. blood)

The doctor’s attempt to stanch the flow of blood eventually succeeded, and the patient’s blood pressure stabilized.

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18
Q

Define

solder

(sod-er)

A

v. to weld, fuse, or join (esp. metals)

Harry _solder_ed the bits of scrap metal together to make a pet door.

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19
Q

Define

demure

(duh-myoor)

A

adj. modest, shy

Lindsay was demure and had a tough time opening up to new people.

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20
Q

Define

insensible

(in-sen-suh-buhl)

A

adj. unconscious, unresponsive

The boxer lay insensible on the floor of the ring.

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21
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. free of pathogens or germs

adj. with little or no emotion

A

aseptic

(uh-sep-tik)

synonyms: barren, clean; withdrawn, introverted

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22
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. wordy or prolonged; tedious in length

A

prolix

(proh-liks)

synonyms: lengthy, rambling

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23
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. reckless, unwisely bold; thoughtlessly rash

A

foolhardy

(fool-hahr-dee)

synonyms: daredevil, venturous, risky

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24
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. involving clever rogues in episodes of comedy or adventure

A

picaresque

(pik-uh-resk)

synonyms: roguish, satirical

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25
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. rough sounding, harsh

adj. boisterous, rowdy, disorderly

A

raucous

(raw-kuhs)

synonyms: noisy, chaotic

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26
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. to occur as if from divine intervention

A

providential

(prov-ih-den-shuhl)

synonyms: accidental, convenient, fortunate

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27
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. diametrically opposed to, polar opposite

adj. on the opposite side of the earth

A

antipodal

(an-tip-uh-dl)

synonyms: opposed, contrary, counter

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28
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to punish; to hold up for public scorning

n. a wooden framework with holes for head and hands, in which criminal offenders are held

A

pillory

(pill-uh-ree)

synonyms: ridicule, abuse

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29
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. unfortunate, awkward, inappropriate

A

infelicitous

(in-fuh-liss-ih-tuss)

synonyms: improper, ill suited

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30
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. tending to delay, put off, or procrastinate

adj. intended to slow progress

A

dilatory

(dil-uh-tawr-ee)

synonyms: dallying, sluggish, tardy

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31
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. presumptuously arrogant or conceited, overconfident, overbearing

A

overweening

(oh-ver-wee-ning)

synonyms: brash, conceited, pompous

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32
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the creation of new words, expressions, or usages for words

A

neologism

(nee-awl-uh-djiz-uhm)

synonyms: synthetic word, new phrase

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33
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a state of listless exhaustion, weakness, or weariness of the mind or body

A

lassitude

(lass-ih-tood)

synonyms: lethargy, weariness, inaction

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34
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a particular word, phrase, or style used by a person or group

n. style of speaking, phraseology

A

locution

(loh-kyoo-shuhn)

synonyms: phrasing, expression, lingo

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35
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. characterized by a joking or humorous manner

A

jocose

(joh-kohss)

synonyms: facetious, humorous, funny

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36
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to forcibly take

v. to tear apart

A

rend

(rend)

synonyms: break, divide, rip

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37
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to cease the flow of a liquid (esp. blood)

A

stanch

(stawnch)

synonyms: to cease the flow of a liquid

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38
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to weld, fuse, or join (esp. metals)

A

solder

(sod-er)

synonyms: fasten, braze

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39
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. modest, shy

A

demure

(duh-myoor)

synonyms: reserved, bashful, coy

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40
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. unconscious, unresponsive

A

insensible

(in-sen-suh-buhl)

synonyms: cold, numb, inanimate

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41
Q

Define

rail

(reyl)

A

v. to complain bitterly

The citizens _rail_ed against the injustice of the federal land grab in tersely-worded editorials and letters to the editor.

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42
Q

Define

noisome

(noy-suhm)

A

adj. offensive or harmful

The noisome odor of the garbage nauseated Audrey.

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43
Q

Define

mellifluous

(muh-lif-loo-uhs)

A

adj. sweetly flowing (esp. of words or sounds)

Lucy’s mellifluous voice was noted by her interviewer.

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44
Q

Define

inveterate

(in-vet-er-it)

A

adj. established, habitual, deep-rooted

It was Tony’s inveterate preference to drink orange juice every morning.

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45
Q

Define

coterie

(koh-tuh-ree)

A

n. a small or exclusive group of people with common interests

The coterie of musicians began to meet on Tuesday nights and eventually established a weekly concert series.

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46
Q

Define

impugn

(im-pyoon)

A

v. to challenge or attack one’s beliefs or motives as false

The candidate went too far when he began to impugn the character of his opponent’s husband.

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47
Q

Define

voluble

(vol-yuh-buhl)

A

adj. able to speak easily and in quantity, glib, talkative

The voluble speaker talked late into the night.

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48
Q

Define

misogynist

(mih-sodj-uh-nist)

A

n. one who hates women

The song contained several lyrics that were so offensive to women that the singer was immediately labeled a misogynist.

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49
Q

Define

pedagogy

(ped-uh-goh-djee)

A

n. the art or profession of training, teaching, or instructing

Training in pedagogy can’t prepare you for manic third graders.

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50
Q

Define

ambient

(am-bee-uhnt)

A

adj. relating to the immediate surroundings; surrounding environment

The low ambient lighting made for a romantic dinner setting.

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51
Q

Define

inquest

(in-kwest)

A

n. a judicial inquiry of some matter held before a jury

n. an investigation, inquiry

The police opened an inquest into the cause of death.

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52
Q

Define

preen

(preen)

A

v. to primp, to dress up

v. to clean fur or feathers of an animal

The bird _preen_ed its feathers with its beak for a few moments before taking flight.

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53
Q

Define

parry

(pear-ee)

A

v. to block, evade, or ward off

The politician _parri_ed the reporter’s questions with a few of her own.

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54
Q

Define

guy

(gahy)

A

n. rope or cord attached to something as a brace

I was nervous that the guy for the pulley would snap.

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55
Q

Define

sallow

(sal-oh)

A

adj. of a sickly yellowish hue or complexion

There was a large number of sallow-looking patients in the doctor’s office.

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56
Q

Define

plangent

(plan-djuhnt)

A

adj. pounding, thundering, resounding

The plangent honking of geese flying overhead jolted me awake.

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57
Q

Define

peripatetic

(per-uh-puh-tet-ik)

A

adj. itinerant, nomadic

A peripatetic existence can take its toll on your relationships with the ones you love.

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58
Q

Define

rue

(roo)

A

v. to regret; to feel or experience remorse

I _rue_d the day I ever let her go.

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59
Q

Define

macerate

(mass-uh-reyt)

A

v. to soften by steeping in a liquid, or decompose

v. to emaciate; to starve

Now, we will macerate the rest of the melon in hot water so we can use it to flavor the cream.

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60
Q

Define

callow

(kal-oh)

A

adj. lacking maturity or experience

A callow young man was tormenting the elderly in the park.

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61
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to complain bitterly

A

rail

(reyl)

synonyms: berate, abuse, complain

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62
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. offensive or harmful

A

noisome

(noy-suhm)

synonyms: repulsive, dangerous

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63
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. sweetly flowing (esp. of words or sounds)

A

mellifluous

(muh-lif-loo-uhs)

synonyms: euphonic, harmonic, mellow, pleasing

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64
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. established, habitual, deep-rooted

A

inveterate

(in-vet-er-it)

synonyms: chronic, habitual, ingrained

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65
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a small or exclusive group of people with common interests

A

coterie

(koh-tuh-ree)

synonyms: clique, crowd, collective

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66
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to challenge or attack ones beliefs or motives as false

A

impugn

(im-pyoon)

synonyms: criticize, challenge

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67
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. able to speak easily and in quantity, glib, talkative

A

voluble

(vol-yuh-buhl)

synonyms: articulate, chatty, conversational

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68
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. one who hates women

A

misogynist

(mih-sodj-uh-nist)

synonyms: sexist, chauvinist

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69
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the art or profession of training, teaching, or instructing

A

pedagogy

(ped-uh-goh-djee)

synonyms: education, apprenticeship, discipline

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70
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. relating to the immediate surroundings; surrounding environment

A

ambient

(am-bee-uhnt)

synonyms: environment, atmosphere

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71
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a judicial inquiry of some matter held before a jury.

n. an investigation, inquiry

A

inquest

(in-kwest)

synonyms: a judicial inquiry, an official review before a panel

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72
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to primp, to dress up

v. to clean fur or feathers of an animal

A

preen

(preen)

synonyms: beautify, groom, brush, doll up

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73
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to block, evade, or ward off

A

parry

(pear-ee)

synonyms: block, dodge, circumvent

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74
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. rope or cord attached to something as a brace

A

guy

(gahy)

synonyms: cable, wire, rope

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75
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. of a sickly yellowish hue or complexion

A

sallow

(sal-oh)

synonyms: pale, unhealthy-looking, jaundiced

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76
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. pounding, thundering, resounding

A

plangent

(plan-djuhnt)

synonyms: booming, loud, roaring

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77
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. itinerant, nomadic

A

peripatetic

(per-uh-puh-tet-ik)

synonyms: migrant, vagrant, wandering

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78
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to regret; to feel or experience remorse

A

rue

(roo)

synonyms: feel remorse, grieve for

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79
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to soften by steeping in a liquid, or decompose

v. to emaciate; to starve

A

macerate

(mass-uh-reyt)

synonyms: soak, dissolve

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80
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. lacking maturity or experience

A

callow

(kal-oh)

synonyms: immature, foolish

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81
Q

Define

wistful

(wist-fuhl)

A

adj. yearning, longing, or melancholy

The child stared _wistful_ly out the window for days, waiting for her dog to return.

82
Q

Define

corroborate

(kuh-rob-uh-rehyt)

A

v. to confirm or validate

The mailman _corroborate_d the alleged thief’s story, confirming that he had merely been passing by when the robbery occurred.

83
Q

Define

couch

(couch)

A

v. to express in indirect terms; to frame in a certain way

Her criticism was _couch_ed in flattering terms so that her coworker wouldn’t take offense.

84
Q

Define

innervate

(ih-nur-veyt)

A

v. to give nervous energy to; to supply with nerves

The team was _innervate_d by the coach’s pep talk and approached the second half with renewed energy.

85
Q

Define

impecunious

(im-puh-kyoo-nee-us)

A

adj. poor; without any money

A graduate student generally leads an impecunious existence.

86
Q

Define

grovel

(gruhv-uhl)

A

v. to behave in a servile manner to receive forgiveness or a favor

v. to kneel with one’s head down

The servants _grovel_ed at the king’s throne.

87
Q

Define

epicurean

(ep-ih-kyoo-ree-uhn)

A

adj. characterized by luxury (esp. in terms of food and drink) or by a propensity for indulging in luxury

The cruise was marketed as an epicurean adventure through the cuisines of four Caribbean nations.

88
Q

Define

hirsute

(hur-soot)

A

adj. hairy, shaggy

A hirsute sheepdog won the Dog Showing Contest.

89
Q

Define

countenance

(koun-tuh-nunce)

A

n. appearance of a person’s face

v. to permit, to allow

Many people thought she was friendly because of her kindly countenance.

90
Q

Define

scurvy

(skur-vee)

A

adj. not admirable, despicable

The scurvy pirate secured his escape by throwing gun powder into the eyes of his pursuers.

91
Q

Define

covert

(koe-vert)

A

adj. hidden; secret

The government’s covert operations were laid bare by the shocking article.

92
Q

Define

craven

(kray-vun)

A

adj. cowardly

The craven man ran away at the first sign of danger.

93
Q

Define

eugenics

(yoo-djen-iks)

A

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.

94
Q

Define

credence

(creed-enss)

A

n. belief that something is true

n. plausibility

She gave credence to the rumors when she failed to deny them.

95
Q

Define

execrate

(ek-si-kreyt)

A

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.

96
Q

Define

sempiternal

(sem-pih-tur-nl)

A

adj. eternal, infinite

Nothing in life is sempiternal, alas.

97
Q

Define

credulous

(kredj-uh-luss)

A

adj. easily convinced that something is true

His lies were so ridiculous that only the most credulous child would have believed them.

98
Q

Define

plumb

(pluhm)

A

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.

99
Q

Define

culpable

(kull-puh-bull)

A

adj. deserving of blame or punishment

He confessed that he was culpable for the crime and faced the consequences.

100
Q

Define

debase

(dih-base)

A

v. to corrupt or lower the value of

Many argue that modern society has been _debase_d by materialism.

101
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. yearning, longing, or melancholy

A

wistful

(wist-fuhl)

synonyms: forlorn, reflective

102
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to confirm or validate

A

corroborate

(kuh-rob-uh-rehyt)

synonyms: affirm, validate, give further supporting evidence

103
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to express in indirect terms; to frame in a certain way

A

couch

(couch)

synonyms: formulate, phrase, surround

104
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to give nervous energy to; to supply with nerves

A

innervate

(ih-nur-veyt)

synonyms: invigorate, evoke, stimulate

105
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. poor; without any money

A

impecunious

(im-puh-kyoo-nee-us)

synonyms: destitute, impoverished

106
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to behave in a servile manner

v. to indulge in unworthy pursuits

A

grovel

(gruhv-uhl)

synonyms: beg, serve

107
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. characterized by luxury (esp. in terms of food and drink) or by a propensity for indulging in luxury

A

epicurean

(ep-ih-kyoo-ree-uhn)

synonyms: gluttonous, libertine

108
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. hairy, shaggy

A

hirsute

(hur-soot)

synonyms: furry, wooly

109
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. appearance of a person’s face

v. to permit, to allow

A

countenance

(koun-tuh-nunce)

synonyms: aspect, demeanor, expression, face

110
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. not admirable, despicable

A

scurvy

(skur-vee)

synonyms: abominable, low-down

111
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. hidden; secret

n. a covered place for hiding

A

covert

(koe-vert)

synonyms: cloaked, secret, sly

112
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. cowardly

A

craven

(kray-vun)

synonyms: weak, timid, fearful

113
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the study of heredity improvements by genetic control

A

eugenics

(yoo-djen-iks)

synonyms: genetic enhancement, genetic manipulation

114
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. belief that something is true

n. plausibility

A

credence

(creed-enss)

synonyms: credulity, confidence, possibility

115
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce

v. to loathe

v. to curse

A

execrate

(ek-si-kreyt)

synonyms: accurse, condemn; hate, detest

116
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. eternal, infinite

A

sempiternal

(sem-pih-tur-nl)

synonyms: ageless, constant

117
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. easily convinced that something is true

A

credulous

(kredj-uh-luss)

synonyms: gullible, too trusting

118
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to measure the depth

v. to examine critically

A

plumb

(pluhm)

synonyms: probe, gauge; assess, study

119
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. deserving of blame or punishment

A

culpable

(kull-puh-bull)

synonyms: guilty, liable

120
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. to corrupt or lower the value of

A

debase

(dih-base)

synonyms: degrade, cheapen

121
Q

Define

decadent

(deck-ih-dunt)

A

adj. in a state of decline

adj. self-indulgent

Louis XIV was known for his decadent displays of wealth and power.

122
Q

Define

decorous

(dek-core-us)

A

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.

123
Q

Define

decry

(dih-cry)

A

v. to strongly disapprove of

The preacher _decri_ed society’s indifference towards the poor.

124
Q

Define

artless

(art-liss)

A

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.

125
Q

Define

ascetic

(uh-set-ik)

A

adj. relating to self-denial

n. a person who practices self-denial

The ascetic monks rejected modern comforts such as electricity.

126
Q

Define

ascendant

(uh-sen-dent)

A

adj. rising

adj. most powerful

n. a position of being dominant or in control

In this game, newcomers are ascendant because of their youth.

127
Q

Define

ascribe

(uh-scribe)

A

v. to attribute or assign to a cause

Her success was _ascribe_d to the hours she had spent studying.

128
Q

Define

assiduous

(uh-sidj-oo-us)

A

adj. making careful and persistent effort

John was an assiduous student who always tried his best.

129
Q

Define

assuage

(uh-swaydj)

A

v. to relieve

Her anger was _assuage_d by her friend’s soothing words.

130
Q

Define

astute

(uh-stewt)

A

adj. having practical intelligence and good judgment

An astute teacher always checks for plagiarism.

131
Q

Define

suppliant

(suhp-lee-uhnt)

A

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.

132
Q

Define

atrophy

(at-ruh-fee)

A

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.

133
Q

Define

anosmia

(an-oz-mee-uh)

A

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.

134
Q

Define

austere

(aw-steer)

A

adj. severe, strict, or very plain

The austere room was anything but inviting.

135
Q

Define

autonomous

(aw-tawn-ih-muss)

A

adj. independent

The revolutionaries are fighting to make their country autonomous.

136
Q

Define

rapacious

(ruh-pey-shuhs)

A

adj. voracious, greedy, plundering

The Vikings were rapacious warriors.

137
Q

Define

avarice

(av-uh-riss)

A

n. insatiable greed

The rich man’s avarice led him to buy up most of the neighborhood.

138
Q

Define

unflappable

(uhn-flap-uh-buhl)

A

adj. not easily upset or excited (e.g., in a crisis)

The unflappable hero maintained his level-headed mentality during the disaster.

139
Q

Define

aver

(uh-vurr)

A

v. to declare as true

When interviewed, Susan’s friends all _aver_red that she was a trustworthy person.

140
Q

Define

emasculate

(uh-mass-kyuh-leyt)

A

v. to castrate or make effeminate

v. to weaken

Wearing the frilly pink shirt made him feel _emasculate_d.

141
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. in a state of decline

adj. self-indulgent

A

decadent

(deck-ih-dunt)

synonyms: decaying; hedonistic, spoiled

142
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. conforming to what is acceptable to society

adj. marked by propriety and etiquette

A

decorous

(dek-core-us)

synonyms: acceptable, befitting; civil, courtly

143
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. to strongly disapprove of

A

decry

(dih-cry)

synonyms: denounce, deplore

144
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. simple and natural

adj. unable to mask true feelings

adj. without artistic merit; crudely made

A

artless

(art-liss)

synonyms: genuine, pure; naive, straightforward; awkward, amateurish

145
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. relating to self-denial; and

n. a person who practices self-denial

A

ascetic

(uh-set-ik)

synonyms: abstinent, restrained

146
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. rising

adj. most powerful

n. a position of being dominant or in control

A

ascendant

(uh-sen-dent)

synonyms: ruling, superior, dominant

147
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to attribute or assign to a cause

A

ascribe

(uh-scribe)

synonyms: assign, appoint, accredit

148
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. making careful and persistent effort

A

assiduous

(uh-sidj-oo-us)

synonyms: hardworking, attentive

149
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to relieve

A

assuage

(uh-swaydj)

synonyms: soothe, alleviate

150
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. having practical intelligence and good judgment

A

astute

(uh-stewt)

synonyms: adroit, perspicacious, sagacious

151
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. asking humbly, beseeching

n. a person who requests or begs

A

suppliant

(suhp-lee-uhnt)

synonyms: begging; beggar, seeker

152
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. deterioration (esp. due to inactivity)

v. to deteriorate, to waste away (esp. due to inactivity)

A

atrophy

(at-ruh-fee)

synonyms: disintegration; to disintegrate

153
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. loss of the sense of smell

A

anosmia

(an-oz-mee-uh)

synonyms: without smell

154
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. severe, strict, or very plain

A

austere

(aw-steer)

synonyms: bare, stark, simple

155
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. independent

A

autonomous

(aw-tawn-ih-muss)

synonyms: self-determining, independent

156
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. voracious, greedy, plundering

A

rapacious

(ruh-pey-shuhs)

synonyms: marauding, ravenous, avaricious

157
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. insatiable greed

A

avarice

(av-uh-riss)

synonyms: selfishness, ambition

158
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. not easily upset or excited (e.g., in a crisis)

A

unflappable

(uhn-flap-uh-buhl)

synonyms: calm, collected

159
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to declare as true

A

aver

(uh-vurr)

synonyms: affirm, assert

160
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to castrate or make effeminate

v. to weaken

A

emasculate

(uh-mass-kyuh-leyt)

synonyms: desexualize, neuter; devitalize

161
Q

Define

dormant

(door-munt)

A

adj. inactive for a period of time

The dormant volcano erupted unexpectedly, injuring many.

162
Q

Define

recumbent

(rih-kuhm-buhnt)

A

adj. leaning, lying down

He sat recumbent on the picnic blanket.

163
Q

Define

dote

(dote)

A

v. to show excessive affection

Her parents were strict but her grandparents always _dote_d on her and showered her with gifts.

164
Q

Define

frangible

(fran-djuh-buhl)

A

adj. fragile; easily broken

The frangible statue was accidently pushed over and shattered.

165
Q

Define

dupe

(dewp)

A

n. a person who is easily tricked

v. to deceive

The lying politician made those who had voted for him seem like _dupe_s.

166
Q

Define

magnanimous

(mag-nan-uh-muhss)

A

adj. noble in spirit, generous in forgiving others

Susan’s magnanimous personality made her many life-long friends.

167
Q

Define

ebb

(eb)

A

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.

168
Q

Define

wizen

(wiz-uhn)

A

adj. shriveled, wrinkled, or withered, as of with old age

A _wizen_ed old man was walking through the park.

169
Q

Define

countermand

(koun-ter-mand)

A

v. to annul, cancel, make a contrary order

The general _countermand_ed his previous order to retreat, telling the men to march straight into battle.

170
Q

Define

ebullient

(ih-buhl-yunt)

A

adj. very excited; joyously enthusiastic

Linda was ebullient when she made it into the semifinals.

171
Q

Define

apogee

(ap-uh-djee)

A

n. the highest point, zenith

The apogee of the roller coaster terrified even the most seasoned riders.

172
Q

Define

ecclesiastical

(ih-klee-zee-ass-tih-kuhl)

A

adj. relating to the church

Mary decided to take up her ecclesiastical concerns with the local priest.

173
Q

Define

eclectic

(ih-klek-tik)

A

adj. composed of parts from many different sources

The girl’s fashion sense was an eclectic mix of conservative Victorian and colorful modern styles.

174
Q

Define

edify

(ed-ih-fahy)

A

v. to educate, instruct, or benefit, especially morally or spiritually; uplift

John attempted to edify the impolite young man.

175
Q

Define

efficacious

(eff-ih-kay-shuss)

A

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.

176
Q

Define

puerile

(pyoo-er-ill)

A

adj. childish, immature

The comedian had a puerile sense of humor, invoking the bathroom in practically every joke.

177
Q

Define

effrontery

(ih-frun-tuh-ree)

A

n. 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.

178
Q

Define

effusive

(ih-few-siv)

A

adj. related to excessive or unchecked emotion; expressing feelings of gratitude

Susan’s effusive praise of Ramon’s new car made him think that perhaps she didn’t really like it.

179
Q

Define

tortuous

(tawr-choo-uhs)

A

adj. winding, excessively complicated

The philosopher made a tortuous argument that not many of his students followed.

180
Q

Define

debauchery

(dih-baw-chuh-ree)

A

n. extreme sensual indulgence

The debauchery in the movie was enough to make me blush.

181
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. inactive for a period of time

A

dormant

(door-munt)

synonyms: inactive, sleeping, inoperative

182
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. leaning, lying down

A

recumbent

(rih-kuhm-buhnt)

synonyms: sprawling, reclining

183
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to show excessive affection

A

dote

(dote)

synonyms: favor, cherish

184
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. fragile; easily broken

A

frangible

(fran-djuh-buhl)

synonyms: brittle, flimsy

185
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a person who is easily tricked

v. to deceive

A

dupe

(dewp)

synonyms: chump, sucker, victim

186
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. noble in spirit, generous in forgiving others

A

magnanimous

(mag-nan-uh-muhss)

synonyms: big-hearted, forgiving

187
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to decrease or recede

n. a decline

n. the outward flow of the tide

A

ebb

(eb)

synonyms: subside; regression, decline

188
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to shrivel, wrinkle, or wither, as of old age

A

wizen

(wiz-uhn)

synonyms: sag, crinkle, dry up

189
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to annul or cancel; to give a contrary order

A

countermand

(koun-ter-mand)

synonyms: override, recall, revoke

190
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. very excited; joyously enthusiastic

A

ebullient

(ih-buhl-yunt)

synonyms: bouncy, chipper, effervescent

191
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the highest point, zenith

A

apogee

(ap-uh-djee)

synonyms: pinnacle, apex

192
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. relating to the church

A

ecclesiastical

(ih-klee-zee-ass-tih-kuhl)

synonyms: clerical, parochial

193
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. composed of parts from many different sources

A

eclectic

(ih-klek-tik)

synonyms: heterogeneous, multifarious

194
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to educate, instruct, or benefit, especially morally or spiritually; uplift

A

edify

(ed-ih-fahy)

synonyms: enlighten, teach

195
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. producing or able to produce a desired result

A

efficacious

(eff-ih-kay-shuss)

synonyms: efficient, capable

196
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. childish, immature

A

puerile

(pyoo-er-ill)

synonyms: babyish, callow, infantile

197
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. unjustified arrogance or boldness

A

effrontery

(ih-frun-tuh-ree)

synonyms: audacity, impudence

198
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. related to excessive or unchecked emotion; expressing feelings of gratitude

A

effusive

(ih-few-siv)

synonyms: overdone, extravagant

199
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. winding, excessively complicated

A

tortuous

(tawr-choo-uhs)

synonyms: ambiguous, convoluted, indirect

200
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. extreme sensual indulgence

A

debauchery

(dih-baw-chuh-ree)

synonyms: depravity, lechery, lewdness