Advanced English Vocabulary Set 2 Flashcards

(200 cards)

1
Q

The poem opens by _________ over the death of a young man.
to express sadness and regret about

A

lamenting

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2
Q

describes a liquid that is thick and sticky and does not flow easily

A

viscous

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3
Q

his lean ________ face
looking sad and serious, especially in a threatening way

A

saturnine

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4
Q

All eyes were ________ on her in horror.
to not be able to stop looking at something because it is so interesting or frightening

A

riveted

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5
Q

The bone had been _______ to a point.
sharpen

A

honed

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6
Q

The company was later declared ___________
not having enough money to pay what you owe

A

insolvent

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7
Q

The book contains a ___________ dedication to his wife.
sounds insincere because it contains too much praise, expressions of thanks

A

fulsome

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8
Q

The rope was stretched _____.
tight

A

taut

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9
Q

the quality of the sound made by a particular instrument or voice

A

timbre

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10
Q

Coppola _______ several Oscar awards for ‘The Godfather’.
to collect something, usually after much work or with difficulty

A

garnered

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11
Q

Doubts were cast on the ________ of her alibi after three people claimed to have seen her at the scene of the robbery.
the quality of being true, honest or accurate

A

veracity

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12
Q

The President remains ________ on the question of tax cuts.
extremely determined to act in a particular way and not to change despite argument or persuasion

A

obdurate

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13
Q

If you believe the fashion _________, we’ll all be wearing pink this year.
someone who is often asked to give their opinion publicly of a situation or subject

A

pundits

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14
Q

We had to work from material that was both complex and __________.
not known about by many people and difficult to understand

A

recondite

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15
Q

He ________ the most amazing dish from all sorts of unlikely ingredients.
to make something, usually food, by adding several different parts together, often in a way that is original or not planned

A

concocted

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16
Q

He’s always ________ on what’s wrong with the world.
to give a detailed explanation of something

A

expounding

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17
Q

She had the _______ to call me a liar.
a willingness to do or say something that shocks or upsets other people

A

temerity

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18
Q

He’s a _________ old prig who’s totally incapable of taking a joke.
too serious and full of importance

A

pompous

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19
Q

Press releases must be short and _______.
intelligent and strongly stated, without wasting any words

A

pithy

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20
Q

His new novel is not for the ________.
easily shocked or upset, or easily made to feel sick by seeing unpleasant things

A

squeamish

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21
Q

He denied that the article had been in any way ________.
too interested in the details of another person’s sexual behaviour

A

prurient

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22
Q

She was _______ to her cousin at an early age.
to cause someone to promise formally to marry someone

A

betrothed

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23
Q

The report ________ the crew from all responsibility for the collision.
to show or state that someone or something is not guilty of something

A

exonerated

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24
Q

He agreed to the interview, with the _______ that he could approve the final article.
a warning to consider something before acting further

A

caveat

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25
a pattern made of a line that curls out in circles that get bigger and bigger
whorl
26
to make the sound that a sheep or goat makes
bleat
27
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ negotiations between Israel and Syria involving two groups or nations
bilateral
28
She complained that the solicitor's work had been \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. showing lack of care, effort and attention
slipshod
29
The shop attracted a loyal following among the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. rich
well-heeled
30
You can't lose your temper with everyone like that and then expect everything to be \_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_. satisfactory and pleasant
hunky-dory
31
Her most recent _________ was one of last year's bestselling paperbacks. an artistic work, usually of low quality, that has been created quickly just to earn money
potboiler
32
I was sick of his intellectual \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. information or ideas that are not true or seem very stupid
flimflam
33
The houses in the village were __________ with bullet holes. describes a surface with a lot of holes or low areas in it
pockmarked
34
He gets his work done quickly, but he's very \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. done or made in a hurried and careless way
slapdash
35
I was just sitting here all by my \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. alone
lonesome
36
I think cigarette advertising should be banned \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. completely or immediately
outright
37
a white liquid that is a mixture of lime or powdered chalk and water, used for making walls or ceilings white
whitewash
38
Ruth was ___________ when he presented her with an engagement ring. very surprised
thunderstruck
39
(of books, plays, etc.) involving serious and complicated or artistic ideas, or (of people) interested in serious and complicated subjects
highbrow
40
(of entertainment) not complicated or demanding much intelligence to be understood
lowbrow
41
describes music, literature, art or film which is of good quality, interesting and often popular, but can be understood quite easily
middlebrow
42
Unless anything _________ happens we should arrive just before midday. unexpected and inconvenient or unpleasant
untoward
43
Seabirds often come _______ to find food. towards or in the middle of a country, away from the sea
inland
44
Don't believe a word of what he says. It's just a load of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. foolish, meaningless talk which should not be believed
claptrap
45
a small road or path which is not used very much
byway
46
a scholar exploring the ________ and _________ of Russian music the important and less important parts
highways and byways
47
She still has an optimistic ________ for the future. your general attitude to life and the world
outlook
48
someone who likes to take a lot of photographs
shutterbug
49
That was a \_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_ meal. very bad, difficult or unpleasant
god-awful
50
a _________ country, state etc is surrounded by other countries, states etc and has no coast
landlocked
51
We spent the day _______ through forests and over mountains. to walk a long distance, usually over land such as hills, mountains or forests
trekking
52
Half a dozen ducks _________ up the bank. to walk with short steps, with your body moving from one side to another
waddled
53
People were ________ off to work. to move quickly with short steps, especially because you are in a hurry
scurrying
54
The river was full but we managed to ______ across. to walk through water with difficulty because of the pressure of the water against your legs
wade
55
I wish you wouldn't always _____ \_\_\_ with your opinion. to enter a discussion, argument etc in a forceful and annoying way, often without thinking about the possible results
wade in
56
The police ________ \_\_\_\_\_ the crowd swinging sticks. to move forward and attack someone
waded into
57
Each day Parkin _______ through lengthy court reports. to read or deal with a lot of boring papers or written work
wades
58
The horse ______ up the hill. to walk along slowly, especially when this is difficult
plodded
59
For years he had ________ \_\_\_\_\_\_ in a series of boring office jobs. to work slowly or make slow progress, especially in a way that is boring
plodded along
60
Yvonne turned and _______ \_\_\_\_ of the room in disgust. to walk in a proud or angry way, with long steps
stalked out
61
He came _________ down the road with his hands in his pockets. to walk in a slow relaxed way, especially so that you look confident or proud
sauntering
62
In military ________ this is known as a fast retreat. expressed in the words that a particular group of people would use
parlance
63
Sir Ralph was becoming ________ after his third glass of claret. talking or behaving in a sad, silly, and emotional way, especially when drunk
maudlin
64
a song that is tender without being \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ tries too hard to make people feel emotions such as love or sadness and seems silly
maudlin
65
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ experts found traces of blood in the car. relating to the scientific methods used for finding out about a crime
Forensic
66
The _______ of his argument is that full employment is impossible. the main idea and meaning of what someone has said or written
gist
67
He told her in _______ \_\_\_ _____ that she couldn't leave the house while he was out. extremely clear
black and white
68
There are various _______ \_\_\_ ________ about driving in the UK. the rules
do's and don'ts
69
In London you can find the ______ \_\_\_ _______ \_\_\_\_ of the population people who are rich and those who are not
haves and have nots
70
I don't know the ______ \_\_\_ _____ of the situation, so I can't really advise you. the details
ins and outs
71
The British tabloids are famous for publishing ______ \_\_\_ ______ stories. when someone sells a story of themselves and a famous person
kiss and tell
72
She made a stew with the _______ \_\_\_ _____ she found in the fridge. small pieces of various items
odds and ends
73
There are a few _____ \_\_\_ ______ that we should consider before buying a new house. advantages and disadvantages
pros and cons
74
Using salt is a ________ \_\_ ______ way of getting red wine out of a carpet. something which has been well tested
tried and tested
75
The marathon runners finished in _______ \_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. not a steady amount of something
dribs and drabs
76
When it's all _______ \_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_, the new reception area is going to be a credit to the company. to have the final word on something
said and done
77
There are too many young ______ \_\_ _____ in London. someone who has no money at all who has to live on the street
down and outs
78
I have to help him if I can - he's my ______ \_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_. family
flesh and blood
79
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ __ \_\_\_\_\_, our customers prefer good service to low prices. generally
By and large
80
The new company is now ______ \_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. in operation
up and running
81
I'm making a cake for the school's ______ \_\_\_ ______ next week. a fair where people try to raise money for a cause by bringing something that other people might want to buy
bring and buy
82
I'm exhausted - I've been going _______ \_\_\_ _____ all week! back and forth
to and fro
83
The last thing they heard from the pilot was '\_\_\_\_\_\_ __ \_\_\_\_\_' something you say to show you have come to the end of your message
over and out
84
Well, that's this project ______ \_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. We need a holiday now. properly finished
done and dusted
85
That idea is now ______ \_\_\_ _____ - the Executive Committee decided some time ago to go with another proposal. something that will not happen
dead and buried
86
He's well-known for _______ \_\_\_ _____ his business partners. to entertain someone lavishly
wining and dining
87
Health and education are the _______ \_\_\_ ______ issues facing the UK government your main source of income, or the most important issue
bread and butter
88
Her house is _______ \_\_\_ ______ at all times. very tidy and clean
spick and span
89
They have a very \_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_ relationship. not constant
on-off
90
I have a bit of a \_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_ relationship with my car. having feelings for someone / something which swing from love to hate
love-hate
91
I want to leave the place \_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_ when we go on holiday. everything in its right place
ship-shape
92
He lost control of the car and it \_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_ across the road to move forward in sharp angles, first to the left and then to the right etc
zig-zagged
93
They've had a bit of a \_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_ and they're not talking to each other at the moment. an argument
ding-dong
94
That bookshelf is all \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_! in a mess
higgledy-piggledy
95
The English pound has \_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_ against the American dollar for the last two weeks something that goes up and down
see-sawed
96
I lived in my \_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_ when I was staying on the beach. rubber sandals with a thong that goes between your big and second toe
flip-flops
97
Feel free to ______ \_\_\_ ____ as you please! use somewhere as your base
come and go
98
He felt so ill that he _____ \_\_\_ his bed.
took to
99
Her business empire brought her wealth beyond the dreams of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ an extremely strong desire to obtain or keep wealth
avarice
100
the system of rules and acceptable behaviour used at official ceremonies and occasions
protocol
101
She became _______ Professor of Linguistics when she retired. no longer having a position, especially in a college or university, but keeping the title of the position
Emeritus
102
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ drinkers, meanwhile, are helping organize Alcoholics anonymous groups on campus. very sorry for something bad you have done in the past and wish that you had not done it
Repentant
103
She is referring to the _________ King of England who lived so well off the labor of his peasantry. fat
corpulent
104
It's a good story but I dare say it's \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. probably not true although often told and believed by some people to have happened
apocryphal
105
The treaty was ________ in 1929. to end a law, agreement or custom formally
abrogated
106
The Booker Prize is the most ________ British literary award. to desire something strongly, especially something which belongs to someone else
coveted
107
She is well-known for her ________ spending habits. wasteful with money
profligate
108
Her hand tightened like a _______ around his arm. a tool with two parts which can be moved together by tightening a screw so that an object can be held firmly between them while it is being worked on
vice
109
Personally I've always considered mime to be a lot of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. something that is intended to be strange and amusing but in fact has little real meaning or value
whimsy
110
Some ______ Texas court wants to make the company pay more than $10 billion in reparations insignificant
pissant
111
He's always boasting about his sexual \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. great ability or skill
prowess
112
Why is it that it rains all the time in England? Don't worry - you'll soon \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. to (cause to) change to suit different conditions of life, weather, etc
acclimatize
113
His _______ manner can be mistaken for rudeness. (too) honest or direct in behaviour
forthright
114
And is he really ill or just \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_? to pretend to be ill in order to avoid having to work
malingering
115
He was ________ by her silence. to make someone feel slightly uncomfortable, annoyed, or embarrassed
discomfited
116
A filmmaker, usually a director, who exercises creative control over his or her works and has a strong personal style.
auteur
117
She doesn't seem ______ concerned about her exams. more than is normal or reasonable
unduly
118
She _______ the chessboard halfway through the game because she was losing. to push or move something so that the part which usually touches the ground does so no longer
upended
119
Her ex-husband ________ his claim to the family house. to say formally or publicly that you no longer own, support, believe in or have a connection with something
renounced
120
You're treading ______ into the carpet with your dirty shoes! dirt or animal excrement
muck
121
In the past, people thought it was their religious duty to give _____ to the poor. clothing, food or money that is given to poor people
alms
122
The national theatre will be the main beneficiary of the millionaire's \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. willingness to give money, or money given to poor people by rich people
largesse
123
the _______ pace of village life having a calm appearance or characteristics
placid
124
My stomach was ________ on the day of the exam. you feel sick because you are nervous or frightened
churning
125
We watched the ocean \_\_\_\_\_\_. move about violently
churn
126
She's been _______ \_\_\_\_ novels for twenty years. to produce large quantities of something, especially without caring about quality
churning out
127
The lawn had been _____ \_\_ by the tractor. damage the surface of the ground, especially by walking on it or driving a vehicle over it
churned up
128
But it's a bit ______ \_\_\_ _____ at the moment - nobody really knows how to use it. to do something new by making experiments and occasionally failing
trial and error
129
They have a lot of ______ \_\_\_ ______ in their relationship. very good times and very bad times
ups and downs
130
Regardless of the _____ \_\_\_ ______ of company policy, you need to give a month's notice. all the good points and bad points of a situation
rights and wrongs
131
Mind your _____ \_\_\_ _____ when you visit them! manners
P's and Q's
132
Someone's been playing _______ \_\_\_ _______ with the TV remote control again! a children's game where one child hides and the others try to find him
hide and seek
133
If you need a new car, try speaking to John. He's a bit of a ________ \_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_! makes deals when buying and selling things
wheeler and dealer
134
How was the meeting? \_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_ - it was nice to see everyone, but we didn't get anything decided. OK
So-so
135
The new policy is a bit of a \_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_ of the last two policies we've had. when things are combined together and so appear untidy
mish-mash
136
``` Lets send out invitations for the party. We don't want the town's \_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_ turning up and eating all the food. quite a 'snobby' expression to describe people you think are lower in class than you ```
riff-raff
137
He asked us to stop our \_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_ and get on with our work. small talk or unimportant conversation
chit-chat
138
She's got a lot of \_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_ - I'm always afraid I'm going to break one an ornament
knick-knacks
139
His argument is a bit \_\_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_ - I don't get the impression that he really knows what he wants to think. weak opinion, argument or person
wishy-washy
140
This program is \_\_\_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_\_\_ - I understood it in half an hour! something that children often say to emphasise how easy something is
easy-peasey
141
Where have you been - I've been worried! Oh, _______ \_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_, you know. a vague phrase to avoid saying where you have been exactly
around and about
142
The guerillas played a _____ \_\_ _____ game with the much better-equipped army. to pretend to allow someone to do or have what they want, and then to stop them from doing or having it
cat and mouse
143
the _______ of the 1994 elections an event or situation that is a complete failure
debacle
144
She ________ him for his bad manners. to speak to someone severely because they have behaved badly
chided
145
She has some rather ___________ views on education. causing or likely to cause disagreement
contentious
146
a Marxist _______ of neo-liberal economic policy a report of something such as a political situation or system or a person's work or ideas, which examines it and provides an often negative judgment
critique
147
The company expects to resume production of the vehicle again after a two-month \_\_\_\_\_. a short pause in which nothing happens or is said, or a space where something is missing
hiatus
148
It says on the back cover of the book 'highly \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_'. to formally praise someone or something
commended
149
He was shy and __________ and not at all how you expect an actor to be. quiet and shows no desire for attention or admiration
unassuming
150
The dancer __________ her critics with a remarkable follow-up album. to confuse and greatly surprise someone
confounded
151
Some of these statements are misleading and some downright \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. not truthful
mendacious
152
Politicians are often accused of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. the act of not telling the truth
mendacity
153
Couldn't you ___________ a meeting between them? I think they'd be ideally suited. to arrange a situation or event, or arrange for something to happen, using clever planning
contrive
154
His excuse sounded a bit \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. clever rather than honest
contrived
155
The government was accused of _______ military operations against the regime. hidden or secret
covert
156
He was held ________ for all that had happened. deserving to be blamed or considered responsible for something bad
culpable
157
We _________ this use of company funds for political purposes. to not approve of something or say that you do not approve of something
deprecate
158
her _________ appetite for fame having or showing a strong desire to take things for yourself, usually using unfair methods or force
rapacious
159
The Vietnam war was an extremely _______ issue in the US. describes something that causes great and sometimes unfriendly disagreement within a group of people
divisive
160
The two women claimed they were the ________ victims of a drugs dealer who planted a large quantity of heroin in their luggage. without knowing or planning
unwitting
161
Do-it-yourself is the nation's most popular \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. an activity which is done for enjoyment; a hobby
pastime
162
a ________ vehicle is old and in bad condition
rattletrap
163
a ________ coat describes material or clothes that have become thin or damaged because they have been used a lot
threadbare
164
an ________ of funds from abroad the movement of people, money, goods etc into a place
inflow
165
a lawyer in Britain who can argue cases in the higher law courts
barrister
166
Everyone _______ \_\_\_ Sally, the only girl in the family. to love someone very much, and show this by your actions
doted on
167
His voice had an almost ________ effect. making you feel ready to sleep
soporific
168
I added just a _______ of chilli sauce. a very small amount of something
smidgin
169
Luckily no one was hurt in the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. a situation in which a lot of people rush around in a confused way
melée
170
You're turning into a real old \_\_\_\_\_\_\_! someone who has old-fashioned ideas and does not like change
fogey
171
You don't think she'll take __________ if she isn't invited to the wedding, do you? to feel upset or annoyed, usually because you feel that someone has been rude or shown a lack of respect to you
umbrage
172
With her beauty and charm, she ___________ film audiences everywhere. to hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting
captivated
173
On every street corner there were traders _________ their wares. to sell goods informally in public places
hawking
174
I ________ around Chicago as if I were really somebody. to walk proudly with your head high and your chest pushed forwards, showing that you think you are important
strutted
175
Investigators have been _________ by uncooperative witnesses. to prevent someone from doing what they have planned or want to do
stymied
176
the _______ points of the report the most important or most noticeable parts
salient
177
The play is a ________ on Shakespeare's tragedy 'Julius Caesar'. a funny book, play, or film that copies something serious or important and makes it seem silly
spoof
178
These changes did little to ________ the unions. to make someone stop feeling angry
placate
179
The term can be ________ in two different ways. to understand a remark or action in a particular way
construed
180
As he thought it over, his anger gradually \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. to gradually become less or weaker before disappearing completely, or to make something do this
dissipated
181
an ______ little man extremely unpleasant; causing and deserving hate
odious
182
He was punished for his \_\_\_\_\_\_. very great pride and belief in your own importance
hubris
183
People are put off by his ___________ voice. loud, unpleasant and rough
strident
184
My doctor takes a ________ approach to disease. dealing with or treating the whole of something or someone and not just a part
holistic
185
As a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, she said she would buy them all a box of chocolates. an act which shows that you regret something that you have done, sometimes for religious reasons
penance
186
He's been released on \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. their period in prison is finished, with the agreement that they will behave well
parole
187
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ hair or plants have not been cut and kept neat
unkempt
188
She went _________ just because there were peas in her pasta. to suddenly become very angry
ballistic
189
The hotel is in the city centre, close to shops and local \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. something that makes a place comfortable or easy to live in
amenities
190
to spoil or damage something holy or respected
desecrate
191
The children were _______ by the story she was telling to make someone very interested and excited, so that they listen or watch something very carefully
enthralled
192
If I eat it, my stomach _______ up. to swell up
bloats
193
He ________ the blow with his forearm. turn in a different direction
deflected
194
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ aluminium rods to form something by forcing or pushing it out, especially through a small opening
extruded
195
Tons of internationally donated food was distributed to the starving \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. a poor farmer
peasants
196
Everything in the house seemed old and untouched, like ________ of an ancient time. an old object or custom that reminds people of the past or that has lived on from a past time
relics
197
an attempt to _________ the democratic process to try to destroy the power and influence of a government or the established system
subvert
198
His leadership kept the team's _______ \_\_\_ _______ intact during difficult periods. the feelings, such as pride and loyalty, shared by members of a group of people
esprit de corps
199
the studies are the ___ \_\_\_ _____ of romantic rhetoric and grandiloquence. The highest point, as of excellence or achievement; the ultimate
ne plus ultra
200
The other children started calling her 'princess' because of her ______ \_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. false ways of behaving that are intended to make other people feel that you are important and belong to a high social class
airs and graces