Week 27 Flashcards
Things
pinnacle
Music reached its pinnacle in the nineteenth century.
The pinnacle of fame and success is often a transient stage.
summit; peak; top; crown
array
There was a bewildering array of national schools and musical styles.
The president faced an imposing array of reporters.
arrangement; system; group; collection
obscure
The once obscure musician came into his own.
Space telescopes are making our obscure planets ever clearer.
unclear; unknown; lowly
ardent
The ardent music lover turned to Vienna as the music centre at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
The ardent baseball fan went to every home game.
eager; passionate; enthusiastic
culminate
The growth of German music can be said to have culminated with Ludwig van Beethoven.
The party will culminate with the award for the most original costume.
to reach the highest point
constrict
Beethoven was able to free music from the traditions that had tended to constrict it.
It is imprudent for a youngster to constrict her circle of friends so that there is no opportunity to meet new people.
limit; blind; squeeze
prodigy
Beethoven was a child prodigy who held an important musical post at the age of 14.
There is universal wonder when some prodigy appears on the stage to perform at the age of 4 or 5.
marvel; phenomenon; an unusually intelligent young person
bereft
Even though bereft of hearing at the age of 49, Beethoven did not waver in his work.
The catastrophe left him bereft of all his possessions.
deprived of; having lost sth
falter
Beethoven did not falter in his work even though bereft of hearing at the age of 49.
Though he knew well the danger involved, the knight did not falter as he entered the dragon’s cave.
stumble; hesitate; waver
exultation
Some of his later compositions evince an exultation about man and life.
She was filled with exultation when she learned her SAT score was near the maximum.
triumphant joy
[IDM] loaded for bear
When the enemy finally attacked the positions, the defenders were loaded for bear.
to be well prepared
[IDM] to break the ice
All after-dinner speakers break the ice by telling a story or joke at the start of their speeches.
to make a beginning;
to overcome stiffness between strangers
vitriolic
Johannes Brahms was the object of vitriolic attacks by other composers.
The vitriolic language used by critics of the new play tended to obliterate its good qualities.
biting; burning; bitter
invective
They heaped invective upon him for the intensely emotional quality.
It is difficult to keep invective out of our discussion about the enemy.
insulting; abusive speech; rude language
besmirch
It was impossible to besmirch his talents for long.
The candidate tried to besmirch his opponent’s record.
dim the reputation
