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Vocab Builder > Vocab Junkie - Set 6 > Flashcards

Vocab Junkie - Set 6 Flashcards

Learn this group of tough but common English vocab words - in chunks of 10 at a time. Just rate your confidence on each word, and it will repeat in an interval of time optimized for your brain's maximum retention.

1
Q

Define:

covert

(koe-vert)

A

adj. hidden; secret

The government’s covert operations were laid bare by the shocking article.

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2
Q

Define:

craven

(kray-vun)

A

adj. cowardly

The craven man ran away at the first sign of danger.

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3
Q

Define:

eugenics

(yoo-djen-iks)

A

n. the study of heredity improvements by genetic control

Nazi Germany is known to have carried out many eugenics experiments that provoked outrage once they came to light.

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4
Q

Define:

credence

(creed-enss)

A

n. belief that something is true

n. plausibility

She gave credence to the rumors when she failed to deny them.

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5
Q

Define:

execrate

(ek-si-kreyt)

A

v. to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce

v. to loathe

v. to curse

The rival teams appeared on the news to execrate one another.

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6
Q

Define:

sempiternal

(sem-pih-tur-nl)

A

adj. eternal, infinite

Nothing in life is sempiternal, alas.

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7
Q

Define:

credulous

(kredj-uh-luss)

A

adj. easily convinced that something is true

His lies were so ridiculous that only the most credulous child would have believed them.

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8
Q

Define:

plumb

(pluhm)

A

v. to measure the depth

v. to examine critically

I think she is the only architect working today who has the courage to truly plumb the possibilities of recycled construction materials.

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9
Q

Define:

culpable

(kull-puh-bull)

A

adj. deserving of blame or punishment

He confessed that he was culpable for the crime and faced the consequences.

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10
Q

Define:

debase

(dih-base)

A

v. to corrupt or lower the value of

Many argue that modern society has been debased by materialism.

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11
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. hidden; secret

n. a covered place for hiding

A

covert

(koe-vert)

synonyms: cloaked, secret, sly

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12
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. cowardly

A

craven

(kray-vun)

synonyms: weak, timid, fearful

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13
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the study of heredity improvements by genetic control

A

eugenics

(yoo-djen-iks)

synonyms: genetic enhancement, genetic manipulation

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14
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. belief that something is true

n. plausibility

A

credence

(creed-enss)

synonyms: credulity, confidence, possibility

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15
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce

v. to loathe

v. to curse

A

execrate

(ek-si-kreyt)

synonyms: accurse, condemn; hate, detest

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16
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. eternal, infinite

A

sempiternal

(sem-pih-tur-nl)

synonyms: ageless, constant

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17
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. easily convinced that something is true

A

credulous

(kredj-uh-luss)

synonyms: gullible, too trusting

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18
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to measure the depth

v. to examine critically

A

plumb

(pluhm)

synonyms: probe, gauge; assess, study

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19
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. deserving of blame or punishment

A

culpable

(kull-puh-bull)

synonyms: guilty, liable

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20
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. to corrupt or lower the value of

A

debase

(dih-base)

synonyms: degrade, cheapen

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21
Q

Define:

decadent

(deck-ih-dunt)

A

adj. in a state of decline

adj. self-indulgent

Louis XIV was known for his decadent displays of wealth and power.

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22
Q

Define:

decorous

(dek-core-us)

A

adj. conforming to what is acceptable to society

adj. marked by propriety and etiquette

One must always behave in a decorous manner at formal events.

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23
Q

Define:

decry

(dih-cry)

A

v. to strongly disapprove of

The preacher decried society’s indifference towards the poor.

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24
Q

Define:

artless

(art-liss)

A

adj. simple and natural

adj. unable to mask true feelings

adj. without artistic merit; crudely made

She had an artless grace about her that endeared her to strangers.

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25
Q

Define:

ascetic

(uh-set-ik)

A

adj. relating to self-denial

n. a person who practices self-denial

The ascetic monks rejected modern comforts such as electricity.

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26
Q

Define:

ascendant

(uh-sen-dent)

A

adj. rising

adj. most powerful

n. a position of being dominant or in control

In this game, newcomers are ascendant because of their youth.

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27
Q

Define:

ascribe

(uh-scribe)

A

v. to attribute or assign to a cause

Her success was ascribed to the hours she had spent studying.

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28
Q

Define:

assiduous

(uh-sidj-oo-us)

A

adj. making careful and persistent effort

John was an assiduous student who always tried his best.

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29
Q

Define:

assuage

(uh-swaydj)

A

v. to relieve

Her anger was assuaged by her friend’s soothing words.

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30
Q

Define:

astute

(uh-stewt)

A

adj. having practical intelligence and good judgment

An astute teacher always checks for plagiarism.

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31
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. in a state of decline

adj. self-indulgent

A

decadent

(deck-ih-dunt)

synonyms: decaying; hedonistic, spoiled

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32
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. conforming to what is acceptable to society

adj. marked by propriety and etiquette

A

decorous

(dek-core-us)

synonyms: acceptable, befitting; civil, courtly

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33
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to strongly disapprove of

A

decry

(dih-cry)

synonyms: denounce, deplore

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34
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. simple and natural

adj. unable to mask true feelings

adj. without artistic merit; crudely made

A

artless

(art-liss)

synonyms: genuine, pure; naive, straightforward; awkward, amateurish

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35
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. relating to self-denial; and

n. a person who practices self-denial

A

ascetic

(uh-set-ik)

synonyms: abstinent, restrained

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36
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. rising

adj. most powerful

n. a position of being dominant or in control

A

ascendant

(uh-sen-dent)

synonyms: ruling, superior, dominant

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37
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to attribute or assign to a cause

A

ascribe

(uh-scribe)

synonyms: assign, appoint, accredit

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38
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. making careful and persistent effort

A

assiduous

(uh-sidj-oo-us)

synonyms: hardworking, attentive

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39
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to relieve

A

assuage

(uh-swaydj)

synonyms: soothe, alleviate

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40
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. having practical intelligence and good judgment

A

astute

(uh-stewt)

synonyms: adroit, perspicacious, sagacious

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41
Q

Define:

suppliant

(suhp-lee-uhnt)

A

adj. asking humbly, beseeching

n. a person who requests or begs

The boy was peering into the pet store window with the look of a suppliant on his face.

42
Q

Define:

atrophy

(at-ruh-fee)

A

n. deterioration (esp. due to inactivity)

v. to deteriorate, to waste away (esp. due to inactivity)

The paralyzed patient began to show signs of atrophy in his leg muscles.

43
Q

Define:

anosmia

(an-oz-mee-uh)

A

n. loss of the sense of smell

Melissa has been afflicted with anosmia since birth; she likes to say that sometimes it is a curse, and sometimes a blessing.

44
Q

Define:

austere

(aw-steer)

A

adj. severe, strict, or very plain

The austere room was anything but inviting.

45
Q

Define:

autonomous

(aw-tawn-ih-muss)

A

adj. independent

The revolutionaries are fighting to make their country autonomous.

46
Q

Define:

rapacious

(ruh-pey-shuhs)

A

adj. voracious, greedy, plundering

The Vikings were rapacious warriors.

47
Q

Define:

avarice

(av-uh-riss)

A

adj. insatiable greed

The rich man’s avarice led him to buy up most of the neighborhood.

48
Q

Define:

unflappable

(uhn-flap-uh-buhl)

A

adj. not easily upset or excited (e.g., in a crisis)

The unflappable hero maintained his level-headed mentality during the disaster.

49
Q

Define:

aver

(uh-vurr)

A

v. to declare as true

When interviewed, Susan’s friends all averred that she was a trustworthy person.

50
Q

Define:

emasculate

(uh-mass-kyuh-leyt)

A

v. to castrate or make effeminate

v. to weaken

Wearing the frilly pink shirt made him feel emasculated.

51
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. asking humbly, beseeching

n. a person who requests or begs

A

suppliant

(suhp-lee-uhnt)

synonyms: begging; beggar, seeker

52
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. deterioration (esp. due to inactivity)

v. to deteriorate, to waste away (esp. due to inactivity)

A

atrophy

(at-ruh-fee)

synonyms: disintegration; to disintegrate

53
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. loss of the sense of smell

A

anosmia

(an-oz-mee-uh)

synonyms: without smell

54
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. severe, strict, or very plain

A

austere

(aw-steer)

synonyms: bare, stark, simple

55
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. independent

A

autonomous

(aw-tawn-ih-muss)

synonyms: self-determining, independent

56
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. voracious, greedy, plundering

A

rapacious

(ruh-pey-shuhs)

synonyms: marauding, ravenous, avaricious

57
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. insatiable greed

A

avarice

(av-uh-riss)

synonyms: selfishness, ambition

58
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. not easily upset or excited (e.g., in a crisis)

A

unflappable

(uhn-flap-uh-buhl)

synonyms: calm, collected

59
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to declare as true

A

aver

(uh-vurr)

synonyms: affirm, assert

60
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to castrate or make effeminate

v. to weaken

A

emasculate

(uh-mass-kyuh-leyt)

synonyms: desexualize, neuter; devitalize

61
Q

Define:

dormant

(door-munt)

A

adj. inactive for a period of time

The dormant volcano erupted unexpectedly, injuring many.

62
Q

Define:

recumbent

(rih-kuhm-buhnt)

A

adj. leaning, lying down

He sat recumbent on the picnic blanket.

63
Q

Define:

dote

(dote)

A

v. to show excessive affection

Her parents were strict but her grandparents always doted on her and showered her with gifts.

64
Q

Define:

frangible

(fran-djuh-buhl)

A

adj. fragile; easily broken

The frangible statue was accidently pushed over and shattered.

65
Q

Define:

dupe

(dewp)

A

n. a person who is easily tricked

v. to deceive

The lying politician made those who had voted for him seem like dupes.

66
Q

Define:

magnanimous

(mag-nan-uh-muhss)

A

adj. noble in spirit, generous in forgiving others

Susan’s magnanimous personality made her many life-long friends.

67
Q

Define:

ebb

(eb)

A

v. to decrease or recede

n. a decline

n. the outward flow of the tide

Her affection for him began to ebb a few days after the hasty wedding.

68
Q

Define:

wizen

(wiz-uhn)

A

v. to shrivel, wrinkle, or wither, as of with old age

A wizened old man was walking through the park.

69
Q

Define:

countermand

(koun-ter-mand)

A

v. to annul, cancel, make a contrary order

The general countermanded his previous order to retreat, telling the men to march straight into battle.

70
Q

Define:

ebullient

(ih-buhl-yunt)

A

adj. very excited; joyously enthusiastic

Linda was ebullient when she made it into the semifinals.

71
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. inactive for a period of time

A

dormant

(door-munt)

synonyms: inactive, sleeping, inoperative

72
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. leaning, lying down

A

recumbent

(rih-kuhm-buhnt)

synonyms: sprawling, reclining

73
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to show excessive affection

A

dote

(dote)

synonyms: favor, cherish

74
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. fragile; easily broken

A

frangible

(fran-djuh-buhl)

synonyms: brittle, flimsy

75
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a person who is easily tricked

v. to deceive

A

dupe

(dewp)

synonyms: chump, sucker, victim

76
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. noble in spirit, generous in forgiving others

A

magnanimous

(mag-nan-uh-muhss)

synonyms: big-hearted, forgiving

77
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to decrease or recede

n. a decline

n. the outward flow of the tide

A

ebb

(eb)

synonyms: subside; regression, decline

78
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to shrivel, wrinkle, or wither, as of old age

A

wizen

(wiz-uhn)

synonyms: sag, crinkle, dry up

79
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to annul or cancel; to give a contrary order

A

countermand

(koun-ter-mand)

synonyms: override, recall, revoke

80
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. very excited; joyously enthusiastic

A

ebullient

(ih-buhl-yunt)

synonyms: bouncy, chipper, effervescent

81
Q

Define:

apogee

(ap-uh-djee)

A

n. the highest point, zenith

The apogee of the roller coaster terrified even the most seasoned riders.

82
Q

Define:

ecclesiastical

(ih-klee-zee-ass-tih-kuhl)

A

adj. relating to the church

Mary decided to take up her ecclesiastical concerns with the local priest.

83
Q

Define:

eclectic

(ih-klek-tik)

A

adj. composed of parts from many different sources

The girl’s fashion sense was an eclectic mix of conservative Victorian and colorful modern styles.

84
Q

Define:

edify

(ed-ih-fahy)

A

v. to educate

John attempted to edify the impolite young man.

85
Q

Define:

efficacious

(eff-ih-kay-shuss)

A

adj. producing or able to produce a desired result

The woman insisted that her herbal medicines would be the most efficacious remedy for the young patient.

86
Q

Define:

puerile

(pyoo-er-ill)

A

adj. childish, immature

The comedian had a puerile sense of humor, invoking the bathroom in practically every joke.

87
Q

Define:

effrontery

(ih-frun-tuh-ree)

A

adj. unjustified arrogance or boldness

Although my sister had not invited me to her party, she had the effrontery to ask me for help setting up.

88
Q

Define:

effusive

(ih-few-siv)

A

adj. related to excessive or unchecked emotion

Susan’s effusive praise of Ramon’s new car made him think that perhaps she didn’t really like it.

89
Q

Define:

tortuous

(tawr-choo-uhs)

A

adj. winding, excessively complicated

The philosopher made a tortuous argument that not many of his students followed.

90
Q

Define:

debauchery

(dih-baw-chuh-ree)

A

n. extreme sensual indulgence

The debauchery in the movie was enough to make me blush.

91
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the highest point, zenith

A

apogee

(ap-uh-djee)

synonyms: pinnacle, apex

92
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. relating to the church

A

ecclesiastical

(ih-klee-zee-ass-tih-kuhl)

synonyms: clerical, parochial

93
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. composed of parts from many different sources

A

eclectic

(ih-klek-tik)

synonyms: heterogeneous, multifarious

94
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to educate

A

edify

(ed-ih-fahy)

synonyms: enlighten, teach

95
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. producing or able to produce a desired result

A

efficacious

(eff-ih-kay-shuss)

synonyms: efficient, capable

96
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. childish, immature

A

puerile

(pyoo-er-ill)

synonyms: babyish, callow, infantile

97
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. unjustified arrogance or boldness

A

effrontery

(ih-frun-tuh-ree)

synonyms: audacity, impudence

98
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. related to excessive or unchecked emotion

A

effusive

(ih-few-siv)

synonyms: overdone, extravagant

99
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. winding, excessively complicated

A

tortuous

(tawr-choo-uhs)

synonyms: ambiguous, convoluted, indirect

100
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. extreme sensual indulgence

A

debauchery

(dih-baw-chuh-ree)

synonyms: depravity, lechery, lewdness

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