6/15 Flashcards
(22 cards)
crude
raw, rough, done in a basic, unpolished way
eg. a crude sketch that looked nothing like the horse
vulgar
unrefined, lacking sophistication or good taste, rude and offensive
eg. jokes that were too vulgar at the company dinner
tethered (2)
1) literally, to be tied to something, fastened to, connected to
2) figuratively, to be connected, restricted, limited
eg. she felt tethered to her job and unable to travel
canvass (2)
1) to try to obtain, solicit votes from
eg. they are trying to canvass support from shareholders
2) discuss thoroughly
eg. issues that were canvassed are still unresolved
malaise
general feeling of discomfort, uneasiness, where exact cause is difficult to identify
eg. a general air of malaise
exorbitant
unreasonably high
eg. exorbitant prices of tickets to the world cup
shore up
to strengthen, support, reinforce something that is weak
eg. the government injected funds to shore up the failing banking system
fervent
strong and sincere emotion or enthusiasm, zealous, passionate
eg. she’s a fervent supporter of environmental protection
incidental
secondary, minor, happening as a byproduct rather than being the main thing
eg. incidental expenses on the business trip might include small snacks and beveridges
sycophantic
excessively flattering or obedient toward someone important, usually to gain advantage
eg. RS can sometimes be sycophantic with Pat, who hates things like that
appease
calm someone down by giving into their demands, giving them what they want, to pacify, placate
eg. the government try to appease the protesters by promising reforms
placid
calm, peaceful, not easily upset, excited or disturbed, antei shiteru
eg. he was placid in nature, nothing rattles him
eg. the lake was placid with barely a ripple
restive
restless, uneasy, difficult to control because they are impatient
eg. the audience was restive during the long delay
skittish
nervous, easily frightened, very quick to react or change mood
eg. investors are skittish ahead of the election results
vociferous
loud, noisy, and forceful in expressing opinions or demands
eg. she’s a vociferous critic of the policy
besiege
to surround and attack (literally) and also to (figuratively) overwhelm someone with requests, questions, demands
eg. the reporters besieged the celebrity with questions
circumscribe
to limit, restrict, or confine something within the boundaries, set clear boundaries on what someone or something can do
eg. the new rules circumscribe what teachers can say in class
fortuitous
happening by chance, usually in a lucky or beneficial way (something that occurs unexpectedly, but turns out well)
eg. the meeting was entirely fortuitous, they ran into each other by chance at the airport
decorous
respectful, appropriate, and behaving with good manners or dignity, can often say “acting with decorum”
eg. she was decorous at the dinner party, speaking politely and respectfully
indecorous
not proper, rude, lacking good manners
eg. his loud and interrupting behavior was indecorous during the formal ceremony
seemly
proper, appropriate and social acceptable in behavior
eg. his comments were seemly and appropriate during the debate
unseemly
improper, inappropriate, not fitting to social norms, similar to indecorous
eg. his laughter during the solemn ceremony was unseemly
