5/27 Flashcards
(22 cards)
portent
a feeling that something big, momentous will happen, especially something bad
eg. eel in some cultures has been portent of natural disasters
portetous
1) resembling a portent
2) describing someone or something that is overly serious, trying too hard to sounds important
eg. he spoke in a portentous tone about his future plans
omen
event regarded as a portent of good or evil
eg. rise in imports may be omen of recovery
solemn
very serious or formal
eg. a solemn gathering
grave
meriting serious consideration, significantly serious
eg. a grave mistake, grave danger
subdued
quiet, rather reflective or depressed
eg. felt strangely subdued as I walked home to work today
subdue (2)
1) to overcome, quieten and bring under control
eg. managed to subdue my inclination to clap
2) bring someone under control by force
eg. the kind went to subdue the colony
mirthless
lacking amusement, laughter, joy
eg. don’t look to mirthless at work
gaiety
joyous, festive, state of being lighthearted and cheerful
eg. gaiety of children’s laughter
dignify
make something seem worthy and impressive
eg. Americans dignified their departure with a ceremony
dignity (2)
1) sense of pride in oneself, self-respect
eg. beneath my dignity to shout in public
2) state of being serious, composed or honor and respect
eg for the sake of my dignity, I restrained my laugh
somber
serious, sad and without humor, entertainment
eg. a somber atmosphere
forbearance
refraining the enforcement of something
eg. policy provides means of forbearance for borrowers meeting a certain criteria
calamity
event causing great and sudden damage or distress
eg. fire was the latest calamity to the area
antithetical
directly opposed to, mutually incompatible
eg. values and principles that are antithetical to me
banal
so lacking in originality as to be very obvious and boring
eg. songs with banal, repeated words
profound (2)
1) very great or intense
eg. profound feelings of anxiety before presenting
2) having or showing great knowledge
eg. profound philosopher
disquiet
feeling or anxiety and worry
eg. public disquiet about nuclear power
elusive (2)
1) difficult to catch/achieve
eg. success will become more and more elusive
2) difficult to remember
eg. elusive thoughts
ambient
relating to the immediate surroundings of something
eg. wine stored below the ambient temperature
apprehension (3)
1) anxiety, fear that something bad will happen
eg. feeling of apprehension about next week
2) understanding/grasp of something
eg. showing remarkable apprehension of complex theory
3) action of arresting someone
eg. apprehend the suspect
misapprehension
mistaken belief/interpretation of something
eg. I was under the misapprehension that he was nice
