Chapter 7 Flashcards
Decorum
Definition: behavior that is controlled, calm, and polite
Part of speech: noun
Sentence: As young ladies we were expected to act/behave with proper decorum.
Outcrop
Definition: a large rock or group of rocks that sticks out of the ground
Part of speech: noun
Sentence: I love finding these little treasures hidden amidst the crumbling outcrops here.
Obtuseness
Definition: the quality of being stupid and slow to understand, or unwilling to try to understand
Part of speech: noun
Sentence: He shook his head at his own obtuseness.
Loiter
Definition: to move slowly around or stand in a public place without an obvious reason
Part of speech: verb
Sentence: A gang of teenagers were loitering outside the movie theater.
Covert
Definition: hidden or secret
Part of speech: adjective
Sentence: The government was accused of covert military operations against the regime.
Floundering
Definition: to experience great difficulties or be completely unable to decide what to do or say next
Part of speech: verb
Sentence: He lost the next page of his speech and floundered around for a few seconds.
Brandished
Definition: to wave something in the air in a threatening or excited way
Part of speech: verb
Sentence: She brandished a saucepan at me so I ran out of the kitchen.
Scuttling
Definition: to move quickly, with small, short steps, especially in order to escape
Part of speech: verb
Sentence: A crab scuttled away under a rock as we passed.
Spluttering
Definition: to speak in a quick and confused way, producing short, unclear noises because of surprise, anger, etc
Part of speech: verb
Sentence: He sputtered an apology about being 14 minutes late.
Bravado
Definition: a show of courage, especially when unnecessary and dangerous, to make people admire you
Part of speech: noun
Sentence: It was an act of bravado that made him ask his boss to resign.
