Flashcards in 17 Deck (50)
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1
distaff
adj. suitable for female
2
aborning
adverb/ adj. while being born or produced [the idea died __]
3
scintilla
n. a minute particle, trace // not a __ of remorse
4
coiffure
n. a person's hairstyle typically an elaborate one
5
dearth
n. a scarcity or lack of something [there is a ___ of evidence]
6
squaw
n. an american indian woman or wife (offensive)
7
aplomb
n. assurance, confidence, nonchalance // Vickie spoke with __ to the large audience
8
milieu
n. atmosphere, person's social environment [he grew up in a military ____]
9
hullabaloo
n. bedlam, brouhaha, chaos
10
invective
n. berating, insulting, abusive highly critical language// The newspaper’s invective of the novel really made the author angry.
11
placid
n. calmness; peace [the __ waters of a small lake]
12
coterie
n. clique
13
harangue
n. diatribe, tirade, rant, admonition [a ten minute __]
14
efficacy
n. effective, ability to do what is desired
15
menarche
n. first period
16
falderal
n. foolishness, absurdity// all the falderal of the athletic contests and the cheerleaders makes me exhausted
17
tutelage
n. guardianship
18
brier
n. hillbilly, us. Appalachian
19
dudgeon
n. intense indignation, anger, bitterness //In a fit of dudgeon, the boy destroyed everything his former best friend had given him.
20
urchin
n. mischievous youngster, brat esp. one who is poorly or raggedly dressed.
21
temerity
n. nerve, audacity
22
effrontery
n. nerve, boldness [she had the ___ to ask for 2 free samples]
23
teetotaler
n. non drinker
24
claptrap
n. pretentious but insincere or empty language, an artifice for winning applause
25
sinecure
n. sitting duck, easy target
26
shirker
n. slacker
27
anathema
n. something hated; strong curse [mutter ___]
28
brio
n. vigor, vivacity of style
29
tether
n./adj. a rope or chain, restrict movement
30
reviled
v. admonish, criticize in abusive angry manner
31
corrugate
v. contract into wrinkles or folds
32
interdict
n/v. forbid, prohibit // an interdict against marriage of those of close kin; society will never interdict sex
33
inculcate
v. instill by persistent instruction
34
extol
v. praise enthusiastically
35
remunerate
v. pay (someone) for services rendered or work done./ If you want Frank to build your deck, you will have to pay for lumber and give him remuneration for his time.
36
vaticinate
v. to prophesy, to foretell
37
octogenarian
adj. between 80-90 years old
38
wistful
adj. daydreaming, longing, contemplative, forlorn
39
inveterate
adj. established, habitual, lifelong // she is an ___ supporter
40
protract
adj. long, prolong, drawn out// The committee voted to protract the discussions of an amendment to their mission statement.
41
baleful
adj. menacing //Bill shot a baleful glance in her direction
42
obsteperous
adj. noisy, clamorous, boisterous, unruly
43
esotericism
adj. opinions or beliefs, ideas preserved or understood by a small group of those specially initiated, or of rare or unusual interest.
44
filial
adj. relating to son/daughter; daughterly
45
unctuous
adj. sycophantic, grovelling// he seemed anxious to please but not in an __ way
46
facetious
adj. tongue in cheek, kidding
47
protean
adj. versatile, multifaceted// the mark of a __ talent
48
precipitate
adj./v. hasty; bring about // we don't want to be __ and say something we ought not; the incident __d a crisis
49
zero sum
adj. (of a game or situation) in which whatever is gained by one side is lost by the other. [altruism is not a __ game]
50
