3/18 Flashcards
(39 cards)
Jingoist
N.
Extremely agressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist.
Always bellowing “ America first!,” the congressman was such a jingoist you could almost hear the sabers rattling as he marched down the halls.
Jettison
V.
Throw overboard.
In order to enable the ship to ride safely through the storm, the captain had to jettison much of his cargo.
Jocose
Adj.
Given to joking.
The salesman was so jocose that many of his customers suggested that he become a “stand-up” comic.
Jocular
Adj.
Said or done in jest.
Although Bill knew the boss hated jokes, he couldn’t resist making one jocular remark.
Jollity
N.
Gaiety, cheerfulness.
The festive Christmas dinner was a merry one, and old and young alike joined in the general jollity.
Jovial
Adj.
Good-natured; merry.
A frown seemed out of place on his invariably jovial face.
Jubilation
N.
Rejoicing.
There was great jubilation when the armistice was announced.
Judicious
Adj.
Sound in judgment; wise.
At a key moment in his life, he made a judicious investment that was the foundation of his later wealth.
Junta
N.
Group of men joined in political intrigue; cabal.
As soon as he learned of its existence, the dictator ordered the execution of all the members of the junta.
Jurisprudence
N.
Science of law.
He was more a student of jurisprudence than a practitioner of the law.
Kernel
N.
Central or vital part; whole seed (as of corn).
“Watson, buried within this tissue of lies there is a kernal of truth; when i find it, the mystery will be solved. “
Kindle
V.
Start a fire; inspire.
One of the first things Ben learned in the Boy Scouts was how to kindle a fire by rubbing two dry sticks together.
Kindred
Adj.
Related; belonging to the same family.
Tom sawyer and Huck Finn were kindred spirits, born mischief makers who were always up to some new tomfoolery.
Kinetic
Adj.
Producing motion.
Designers of the electric automobile find that their greatest obstacles lies in the development of light and efficient storage batteries, the source of the kinetic energy needed to propel the vehicle.
Kleptomaniac
N.
Person who has a compulsive desire to steal.
They discovered that the wealthy customer was a kleptomaniac when they caught her stealing some cheap trinkets.
Knave
N.
Untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel.
Any politician nicknamed Tricky Dick clearly has the reputation of a knave.
Knotty
Adj.
Intricate; difficult; tangled.
What to Watson had been a knotty problem, to Sherlock Holmes was simplicity itself.
Laborious
Adj.
Demanding much work or care; tedious.
In putting together his dictonary of the English language, Doctor Johnson undertook a laborious task.
Labyrinth
N.
Maze.
Hiding from indian joe, Tom and becky soon lost themselves in the labyrinth of secret underground caves.
Laceration
N.
Torn, ragged wound.
The stock car driver needed stitches to close up the lacerations he recieved in the car crash.
Lachrymose
Adj.
Producing tears.
His voice has a lachrymose quality more appropriate to a funeral than a class reunion.
Lackadaisical
Adj.
Lacking purpose or zest; halfhearted languid.
Because Gatsby had his mind more on his love life than on his finances, he did a very lackadaisical job of managing his money.
Lackluster
Adj.
Dull.
We were disappointed by the lackluster performance.
Laconic
Adj.
Brief and to the point.
Many of the characters portrayed by Clint Eastwood are laconic types: strong men of few words.
