Advanced Vocab Words - Set 1 Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
factitious
fak-tish-uhs
A
adj. produced artificially; not natural
adj. fake
The factitious laughter of insincere talk show hosts makes my skin crawl.
2
Q
cozen
kuhz-uhn
A
v. to cheat, beguile, or deceive
The corrupt televangelist cozened money from viewers by lying about charitable intentions.
3
Q
supercilious
soo-per-sill-ee-uhs
A
adj. arrogant, overbearing; displaying condescending superiority over someone else
His supercilious behavior drove away many of his peers.
4
Q
callous
kal-uhs
A
adj. insensitive; having no feeling
The callous remark upset the entire family.
5
Q
pied
pahyd
A
adj. containing patches of two or more colors, usually in blotches
The jester’s pied coat was stitched together from scraps of blue and red fabric.
6
Q
limpid
lim-pid
A
adj. calm, untroubled, serene
adj. transparent, clear (as of water, air, or crystal)
The family flew a kite down by the limpid blue pond.
7
Q
militate
mill-ih-teyt
A
v. to have substantial weight or bearing on; to argue for or against
The volatility of the situation militated against any rash action.
8
Q
Stygian
stidj-ee-uhn
A
adj. dark, gloomy, dismal
adj. infernal, hellish
The Stygian murk of the cave made it difficult to navigate.
9
Q
gainsay
geyn-sey
A
v. to declare false
v. to deny
v. to contradict or claim exception to
Evidence and witness testimony all gainsaid the defendant’s claims.
10
Q
palliate
pal-ee-eyt
A
v. to make something appear less serious; to mitigate; to alleviate
The student tried to palliate the significance of his plagiarism.
11
Q
phlegmatic
fleg-mat-ik
A
adj. hard to excite, calm, sluggish
adj. unemotional, stoic
Pete’s phlegmatic response was difficult for his friends to read.
12
Q
purloin
per-loin
A
v. to steal
The manipulative thief purloined the diamonds after gaining the confidence of their location.
13
Q
nostrum
nos-truhm
A
n. cure-all, questionable remedy, or a placebo
An ad on television depicted a nostrum that claims to cure hangovers.
14
Q
obstreperous
uhb-strep-er-uhs
A
adj. unruly, noisy, loudly stubborn
The obstreperous two-year-old cried the entire train ride.
15
Q
precocious
prih-koh-shuhs
A
adj. unusually quick development or maturation, especially in intelligence
The child’s precocious understanding of calculus stunned his teachers.
16
Q
regale
rih-geyl
A
v. to entertain; to feast
Steve regaled his guests with exciting tales.
17
Q
adj. hermaphroditic
adj. not distinguishable between male and female
A
androgynous
(an-drodj-uh-nuhs)
synonyms: cross-sexual, unisexual, trans-sexual
18
Q
n. a family of partridges
n. a small group
A
covey
(kuhv-ee)
synonyms: a small group, a small flock of birds
19
Q
protean
proh-tee-uhn
A
adj. readily assuming different forms or characters
Fans regarded the protean actress as capable of playing any role.
20
Q
adj. inactive, lying on one’s back apathetically
adj. morally slack
A
supine
(adj. soo-pahyn)
synonyms: lying down, flat; apathetic, lazy
21
Q
proscribe
proh-skrahyb
A
v. to prohibit or forbid as harmful or unlawful
Citizens pushed to proscribe swimming in the polluted lake.
22
Q
v. to cheat, beguile, or deceive
A
cozen
(kuhz-uhn)
synonyms: hoodwink, swindle, dupe
23
Q
adj. calm, untroubled, serene
adj. transparent, clear (as of water, air, or crystal)
A
limpid
(lim-pid)
synonyms: tranquil, peaceful; glassy, translucent
24
Q
adj. shining radiantly; brilliant
A
refulgent
(rih-fuhl-juhnt)
synonyms: glowing, luminous, gleaming
25
denouement
| dey-noo-mahn
n. an outcome or solution to a complex series of events
Though public interest slackened after the arsonist was caught, the denouement of the case was just as interesting as the manhunt that had preceded it.
26
n. recklessness
temerity
(tuh-mer-i-tee)
synonyms: arrogance, brashness
27
adj. hard to excite, calm, sluggish
| adj. unemotional, stoic
phlegmatic
(fleg-mat-ik)
synonyms: apathetic, dispassionate, lethargic
28
apoplectic
| ap-uh-plek-tik
adj. furious; enraged; overcome with anger
adj. relating to a stroke
When Jim found out he was fired, he apoplectically stormed out of the office.
29
v. to weaken or reduce in force or value
| v. to make small or fine
attenuate
(uh-ten-yoo-eyt)
synonyms: deflate, cripple, lessen
30
adj. lacking in sincerity or candor
disingenuous
(diss-in-djen-yoo-uhs)
synonyms: dishonest, crooked
31
n. a written message, usually a formal letter
epistle
(uh-piss-uhl)
synonyms: card, letter, memo
32
depredate
| dep-rih-deyt
v. to plunder, pillage, destroy
v. to exploit
The Vikings depredated the whole valley.
33
adj. produced artificially; not natural
| adj. fake
factitious
(fak-tish-uhs)
synonyms: artificial, false, sham
34
adj. containing patches of two or more colors, usually in blotches
pied
(pahyd)
synonyms: patches of color, uneven coloring
35
v. to have substantial weight or bearing on; to argue for or against
militate
(mill-ih-teyt)
synonyms: weigh, important, influential
36
adj. dark, gloomy, dismal
| adj. infernal, hellish
Stygian
(stidj-ee-uhn)
synonyms: inky, sombre
37
v. to declare false
v. to deny
v. to contradict or claim exception to
gainsay
(geyn-sey)
synonyms: deny, disaffirm, disprove
38
v. to make something appear less serious; to mitigate; to alleviate
palliate
(pal-ee-eyt)
synonyms: gloss over, condone, lessen
39
n. cure-all, questionable remedy, or a placebo
nostrum
(nos-truhm)
synonyms: elixir, quick fix, aid
40
adj. unruly, noisy, loudly stubborn
obstreperous
(uhb-strep-er-uhs)
synonyms: boisterous, loud, riotous
41
adj. unusually quick development or maturation, especially in intellignece
precocious
(prih-koh-shuhs)
synonyms: advanced, developed, quick, intelligent
42
v. to entertain; to feast
regale
(rih-geyl)
synonyms: delight, amuse; treat
43
ambit
| am-bit
n. the extent, boundary or scope of something
Though I find her actions reprehensible, she was acting within the ambit of the law and so my hands are tied.
44
apostate
| uh-poss-teyt
n. one who abandons a belief, cause, party or religion
The apostate is dealt with very harshly in many religious traditions.
45
sophistry
| sof-uh-stree
n. fallacious reasoning; fault, although plausible, logic
The students were quickly convinced by the professor's sophistry and did not inquire further.
46
perspicuity
| purr-spih-kyoo-ih-tee
n. clarity or perceptiveness in speech, thought, or writing
The perspicuity of the writing made a complicated topic easy for all to understand.
47
enjoin
| en-join
v. to command or direct an action with authority
v. to prohibit or forbid an action
The captain enjoined his men to respect the local laws while on shore leave.
48
punctilious
| puhngk-til-ee-uhs
adj. precise, paying attention to trivialities of etiquette
A secretary who punctiliously records every detail.
49
fulsome
| fool-suhm
adj. offensively flattering or insincere
adj. offensive to the taste
adj. generous or abundant
I prefer Sara's sincere criticism to all the fulsome praise I receive from Deb.
50
imprecation
| im-prih-key-shuhn
n. a curse
The witch cast an imprecation on the villagers.
51
temerity
| tuh-mer-i-tee
n. reckless boldness
The temerity of the pirate crew cost them their ship.
52
extenuate
| ik-sten-yoo-eyt
v. to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of; to mitigate
The prisoner's illness may extenuate the conditions of his captivity, but it shall not lead me to order his early release.
53
ineluctable
| in-ih-luhk-tuh-buhl
adj. certain, inevitable, unavoidable
a hectic lifestyle seems to be the ineluctable product of modernity.
54
vitiate
| vish-ee-eyt
v. to reduce the quality of
v. to corrupt
The tear in the painting vitiated its overall appeal and halved its appraisal cost.
55
v. to plunder, pillage, destroy
| v. to exploit
depredate
(dep-rih-deyt)
synonyms: despoil, ravish, defile
56
turpitude
| tur-pih-tood
n. depravity, baseness
n. a vile act
Because of stealing, he was dismissed on grounds of moral turpitude.
57
plaintive
| pleyn-tiv
adj. mournful, sorrowful, melancholy
The procession was led by the plaintive strains of the bagpipe.
58
pertinacious
| purt-n-ey-shuhs
adj. holding tenaciously to a belief
adj. stubbornly unyielding
Her pertinacious devotion to the debunked theory led her to be marginalized in the scientific community.
59
parley
| pahr-lee
n. discussion between enemies, often to prepare terms of surrender
The longtime enemies held a parley to work on peace negotiations.
60
recreant
| rek-ree-uhnt
adj. unfaithful, disloyal to belief or principle
adj. cowardly or craven
n. one who is a coward, unfaithful, or disloyal
The recreant knight ran from the battle.
61
adduce
| uh-doos
v. to offer as proof in an argument
Seth adduced several recent studies in support of his hypothesis.
62
traduce
| truh-doos
v. to slander or speak maliciously of
As a "green energy" campaigner, I distrust politicians who habitually traduce the motivations of environmentalists.
63
v. to bend knee to ground (as in worship)
| v. to grovel
genuflect
(djen-yoo-flekt)
synonyms: kneel, beg
64
apposite
| app-uh-zit
adj. relevant, suitable, or fitting
Though clever, Dmitry's pun was not apposite to the solemn occasion.
65
discursive
| diss-kurr-siv
adj. rambling aimlessly through a wide range of subjects.
adj. drawing conclusions based on reason (as opposed to intuition)
The poor speaker gave a rambling, discursive speech.
66
avocation
| av-uh-key-shuhn
n. an extracurricular activity; a hobby
My favorite avocation is playing baseball in the summertime.
67
adumbrate
| uh-duhm-breyt
v. to foreshadow vaguely
v. to produce a faint outline or resemblance of something
The first volume merely adumbrates the basics of the story to be developed in the next two books.
68
adj. the extent, boundary or scope of something
ambit
(am-bit)
synonyms: compass, extension, range
69
n. one who abandons a belief, cause, party or religion
apostate
(uh-poss-teyt)
synonyms: traitor, defector, unfaithful
70
n. fallacious reasoning; faulty, although plausible, logic
sophistry
(sof-uh-stree)
synonyms: fallacy, inconsistency
71
n. clarity or perceptiveness in speech, thought, or writing
perspicuity
(purr-spih-kyoo-ih-tee)
synonyms: comprehensibility, articulateness
72
v. to command or direct an action with authority
| v. to prohibit or forbid an action
enjoin
(en-join)
synonyms: order, command; disallow, outlaw
73
adj. offensively flattering or insincere
| adj. offensive to the taste
fulsome
(fool-suhm)
synonyms: overdone, copious, distasteful
74
n. a curse
imprecation
(im-prih-key-shuhn)
synonyms: spell, hex
75
v. to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of; to mitigate
extenuate
(ik-sten-yoo-eyt)
synonyms: mitigate, lessen, lighten
76
adj. certain, inevitable, unavoidable
ineluctable
(in-ih-luhk-tuh-buhl)
synonyms: inescapable, destined
77
v. to reduce the quality of
| v. to corrupt
vitiate
(vish-ee-eyt)
synonyms: cheapen, deteriorate; blemish, debase
78
n. depravity, baseness
| n. a vile act
turpitude
(tur-pih-tood)
synonyms: debasement, immorality
79
genuflect
| djen-yoo-flekt
v. to bend knee to ground (as in worship)
v. to grovel
The king's subjects genuflected when he entered the room.
80
v. to go, proceed, walk
wend
(wend)
synonyms: go, journey, travel
81
adj. relating to open seas rather than waters adjacent to land
pelagic
(puh-ladj-ik)
synonyms: aquatic, oceanic
82
adj. mournful, sorrowful, melancholy
plaintive
(pleyn-tiv)
synonyms: afflicted, distressing
83
adj. holding tenaciously to a belief
| adj. stubbornly unyielding
pertinacious
(purt-n-ey-shuhs)
synonyms: determined, tenacious, stubborn
84
adj. unfaithful, disloyal to belief or principle
adj. cowardly or craven
n. one who is a coward, unfaithful, or disloyal
recreant
(rek-ree-uhnt)
synonyms: cowardly, unfaithful, deserter
85
pelagic
| puh-ladj-ik
adj. relating to open seas rather than waters adjacent to land
The pelagic organism was only found in the deepest part of the ocean.
86
v. to offer as proof in an argument
adduce
(uh-doos)
synonyms: introduce, exhibit
87
adj. intractable, stubbornly disobedient, difficult to manage
froward
(froh-werd)
synonyms: antagonistic, confliciting
88
v. to slander or speak maliciously of
traduce
(truh-doos)
synonyms: defame, slander
89
adj. relevant, suitable, or fitting
apposite
(app-uh-zit)
synonyms: pertinent, timely, appropriate
90
adj. rambling aimlessly through a wide range of subjects
| adj. drawing conclusions based on reason (as opposed to intuition)
discursive
(diss-kurr-siv)
synonyms: digressive, erratic; inclusive, absolute
91
v. to steal
purloin
(per-loin)
synonyms: burglarize, cheat, swindle
92
n. an extracurricular activity; a hobby
avocation
(av-uh-key-shuhn)
synonyms: hobby, recreation
93
v. to foreshadow vaguely
| v. to produce a faint outline or resemblance of something
adumbrate
(uh-duhm-breyt)
synonyms: bode, suggest, indicate, outline
94
simper
| sim-per
v. to say with a coy smile; to smirk
Dave simpered a feeble attempt at an apology.
95
alchemy
| al-kuh-me
n. the medieval study of transforming lead into gold
Although it was never proven possible, alchemy is in many ways related to the chemistry we study today.
96
n. a tersely phrased truth or opinion; adage; epigram
| n. a brief statement of principle; or general truth
aphorism
(af-uh-riz-uhm)
synonyms: axiom, precept; principle, truth
97
allege
| uh-ledge
v. to state that something is true without providing proof
The neighbors alleged that it was the store owner who started the fire, but it turned out that he had been out of town after speaking with him.
98
allude
| uh-lewd
v. to refer to another concept indirectly
She would occasionally allude to a summer house, though nobody knew exactly where it was.
99
altruism
| al-true-iz-um
n. selfless concern for others
Many charities were formed thanks to Rajiv's altruism and generosity.
100
ambivalence
| am-biv-uh-lunce
n. indifference or confused feelings
The bride's ambivalence towards the color of the roses meant the groom had to decide.
101
amble
| am-bul
v. to walk slowly
The old man ambled over to our table and started up a conversation.
102
ameliorate
| uh-meal-yuh-rate
v. to make better
The new medicine ameliorated her condition rather quickly.
103
amenable
| uh-men-ih-bull
adj. open to suggestion or criticism
adj. accountable
A good manager is amenable to his employee's new ideas.
104
analgesic
| ann-ul-djee-zick
n. pain reliever
After the surgery, the doctor prescribed an analgesic for her patient's leg.
105
anecdote
| ann-ik-dote
n. a story of a specific incident, used as an example or for entertainment
The actor's acceptance speech included an anecdote about his first audition.
106
adj. insensitive; having no feeling
callous
(kal-uhs)
synonyms: soulless, cruel
107
annul
| uh-null
v. to declare invalid
The couple had their marriage annulled when it was revealed that the groom was still married to another woman.
108
didactic
| die-dak-tick
adj. overly instructive or preachy
He may mean well, but Pat's efforts to help come across as fussy and didactic.
109
diffident
| diff-ih-dunt
adj. lacking confidence; restrained or reserved
Since it was her first day, Lucy ventured only diffident answers to her superiors's requests for input.
110
diffuse
| v. dih-fewz; adj. dih-fewss
v. to spread out
adj. widely spread, scattered
adj. wordy and rambling
Such a diffuse network of law enforcement will not be able to eliminate all instances of crime.
111
dilapidated
| dih-lap-ih-date-id
adj. ruined, worn down
The abandoned house was dilapidated from years of neglect.
112
n. an outcome or solution to a complex series of events
denouement
(dey-noo-mahn)
synonyms: finale, final achievement
113
dilate
| die-late
v. to widen or enlarge
v. to give a long speech on a subject
The eye drops dilated his pupils so the eye doctor could better examine them.
114
dilettante
| dill-ih-tont
n. an amateur
n. a patron of the arts
The dance school accepted dilettantes as well as trained professionals.
115
dirge
| durge
n. a mournful song
We heard a chorus singing a dirge as the funeral procession began.
116
disabuse
| diss-uh-bewz
v. to free from a misconception or error in thought
Luke made it his goal to disabuse his students of the notion that they didn't need to work hard to do well.
117
disaffect
| diss-uh-fect
v. to make someone lose loyalty or affection
Her attention-seeking behavior disaffected many of her classmates.
118
n. the medieval study of transforming lead into gold
alchemy
(al-kuh-me)
synonyms: sorcery, wizardry, medieval science
119
v. to state that something is true without providing proof
allege
(uh-ledge)
synonyms: assert, claim
120
v. to refer to another concept indirectly
allude
(uh-lewd)
synonyms: bring up, imply, mention
121
n. selfless concern for others
altruism
(al-true-iz-um)
synonyms: charity, kindness
122
adj. indifference or confused feelings
ambivalence
(am-biv-uh-lunce)
synonyms: confusion, dilemma, hesitation
123
v. to walk slowly
amble
(am-bul)
synonyms: saunter, drag
124
v. to make better
ameliorate
(uh-meal-yuh-rate)
synonyms: amend, help
125
adj. open to suggestion or criticism
| adj. accountable
amenable
(uh-men-ih-bull)
synonyms: willing, cooperative; chargeable, liable
126
n. pain reliever
analgesic
(ann-ul-djee-zick)
synonyms: painkiller, soother
127
adj. arrogant, overbearing; displaying condescending superiority over someone else
supercilious
(soo-per-sill-ee-uhs)
synonyms: bossy, condescending
128
n. a story of a specific incident, used as an example or for entertainment
anecdote
(ann-ik-dote)
synonyms: episode, account, chronicle
129
adj. readily assuming different forms or characters
protean
(proh-tee-uhn)
synonyms: versatile, adaptable, dexterous
130
wend
| wend
v. to go, proceed, walk
We wended our way through the market.
131
v. to declare invalid
annul
(uh-null)
synonyms: void, abolish, cancel
132
adj. overly instructive or preachy
didactic
(die-dak-tick)
synonyms: advisory, sermonic, bookish
133
adj. lacking confidence, restrained or reserved
diffident
(diff-ih-dunt)
synonyms: hesitant, unconfident
134
v. to spread out
adj. widely spread, scattered
adj. wordy and rambling
diffuse
(v. dih-fewz; adj. dih-fewss)
synonyms: delocalized, verbose, prolix
135
adj. ruined, worn down
dilapidated
(dih-lap-ih-date-id)
synonyms: ramshackle, wasted, decayed
136
v. to widen or enlarge
| v. to give a long speech on a subject
dilate
(die-late)
synonyms: stretch, amplify; hold forth
137
n. an amateur
| n. a patron of the arts
dilettante
(dill-ih-tont)
synonyms: green, unskilled; artist, connoisseur
138
n. a mournful song
dirge
(durge)
synonyms: death song, lament, funeral hymn
139
v. to free from a misconception or error in thought
disabuse
(diss-uh-bewz)
synonyms: correct, debunk
140
v. to make someone lose loyalty or affection
disaffect
(diss-uh-fect)
synonyms: alienate, antagonize
141
discern
| dih-surn
v. to see clearly
From a distance, it was difficult for Josh to discern who was waving at him.
142
discomfit
v. to unsettle
v. to upset or prevent from succeeding
The presence of the victim's family at the trial discomfited the accused.
143
froward
| froh-werd
adj. intractable, stubbornly disobedient, difficult to manage
The froward mule sat down and refused to move all afternoon.
144
hackneyed
| hack-need
adj. overdone or cliche
The student's poem contained the hackneyed expressions that typically fill teenage diaries.
145
hallmark
| hall-mark
n. a unique, identifying trait
n. a mark used to indicate the purity of certain metals
Complete obedience is the hallmark of a good soldier.
146
harangue
| huh-rang
v. to speak with intense emotions
n. a rant
The lobbyists arrived at the senator's office expecting to make a deal, but instead they received a 45-minute harangue from the angry politician.
147
hedonism
| heed-in-iz-um
n. dedication to pursuing pleasure
Jake's hedonism became apparent when he quit his job rather than cancel his trip to the Bahamas.
148
tan
| tan
v. to whip
v. to make leather out of animal hide
He spent days tanning the leather properly.
149
heretical
| huh-ret-ih-kull
adj. differing from official beliefs
Galileo's discoveries of the nature of Earth's place in the universe were considered heretical at the time.
150
hieroglyphic
| high-ruh-glif-ik
adj. difficult to understand, mysterious
The students could not read the teacher's hieroglyphic writing on the board.
151
homogenous
| hoe-modj-ih-nus
adj. composed of similar or identical parts
The audience was mostly a homogenous group of fashion design students, though one or two engineering students also attended.
152
hone
| hone
v. to perfect
v. to sharpen
The swimmers spent all day in the water trying to hone their skills before the meet.
153
husband
| huz-bund
v. to conserve
The campers knew they would have to husband their supplies on their trip.
154
nonplussed
| non-plust
adj. confused
She was nonplussed when her mother scolded her for no apparent reason.
155
noxious
| knock-shuss
adj. harmful in a physical or moral way
Unfortunately, the group did not notice the noxious gas until it had claimed several victims.
156
nuance
| new-awnss
n. a small difference
A trained scientist is sensitive to the nuances between these two seemingly identical procedures.
157
obdurate
| ob-duh-ritt
adj. stubborn; inflexible and unyielding
adj. emotionally cold; not compassionate
Even when the witness began to cry, the accused remained obdurate and detached.
158
obsequious
| ob-see-kwee-us
adj. very submissive and flattering
In industries where obsequious service is expected, one generally leaves a tip.
159
obstinate
| ob-stuh-nitt
adj. stubborn
The obstinate woman refused to move out of the other customers's way.
160
obviate
| ob-vee-ehyt
v. to anticipate and prevent
v. to make obsolete
The Internet has all but obviated the need for radio stations.
161
occlude
| uh-clued
v. to close or block off
v. to combine opposite surfaces
The only way out of the cabin was occluded by a mound of fresh snow.
162
v. to see clearly
discern
(dih-surn)
synonyms: note, notice, focus
163
v. to prohibit or forbid as harmful or unlawful
proscribe
(proh-skrahyb)
synonyms: condemn, banish
164
v. to unsettle
| v. to upset or prevent from succeeding
discomfit
(diss-kum-fit)
synonyms: frustrate, annoy
165
adj. overdone or cliche
hackneyed
(hack-need)
synonyms: tired, common
166
n. a unique, identifying trait
| n. a mark used to indicate the purity of certain metals
hallmark
(hall-mark)
synonyms: authentication, emblem, brand
167
adj. furious; enraged; overcome with anger
| adj. relating to a stroke
apoplectic
(ap-uh-plek-tik)
synonyms: angry; wrathful
168
v. to speak with intense emotions
| n. a rant
harangue
(huh-rang)
synonyms: diatribe, tirade, speech
169
n. dedication to pursuing pleasure
hedonism
(heed-in-iz-um)
synonyms: seeking pleasure and happiness
170
v. to whip
| v. to make leather out of animal hide
tan
(tan)
synonyms: flog, beat
171
adj. differing from official beliefs
heretical
(huh-ret-ih-kull)
synonyms: unorthodox, disagreeing, dissenting
172
adj. difficult to understand, mysterious
hieroglyphic
(high-ruh-glif-ik)
synonyms: unclear, unreadable, cryptic
173
adj. composed of similar or identical parts
homogenous
(hoe-modj-ih-nuss)
synonyms: same, of like parts, uniform
174
v. to perfect
| v. to sharpen
hone
(hone)
synonyms: train, discipline; whet, grind
175
v. to say with a coy smile; to smirk
simper
(sim-per)
synonyms: grin, leer, sneer
176
v. to conserve
husband
(huz-bund)
synonyms: retain, preserve
177
adj. confused
nonplussed
(non-plust)
synonyms: perplexed, baffled, puzzled
178
adj. harmful in a physical or moral way
noxious
(knock-shuss)
synonyms: dangerous, corrupt
179
n. a small difference
nuance
(new-awnss)
synonyms: degree, subtlety
180
adj. emotionally cold; not compassionate
obdurate
(ob-duh-ritt)
synonyms: insensitive, apathetic
181
adj. very submissive and flattering
obsequious
(ob-see-kwee-us)
synonyms: flattering, sycophantic
182
adj. stubborn
obstinate
(ob-stuh-nitt)
synonyms: stubborn, determined
183
v. to anticipate and prevent
| v. to make obsolete
obviate
(ob-vee-ehyt)
synonyms: anticipate, counteract; inhibit, stymie
184
v. to close or block off
| v. to combine opposite surfaces
occlude
(uh-clued)
synonyms: clog, prevent, choke, congest, smother
185
attenuate
| uh-ten-yoo-eyt
v. to weaken or reduce in force or value
v. to make small or fine
The medicine attenuated the fever's effect.
186
n. the interbreeding of different races
| n. any mixture or hybrid
miscegenation
(mih-sedj-uh-ney-shuhn)
synonyms: interbreeding, mixing races
187
supine
| adj. soo-pahyn
adj. inactive, lying on one's back apathetically
adj. morally slack
The officials exhibited a supine acceptance of corruption.
188
refulgent
| rih-fuhl-juhnt
adj. shining radiantly; brilliant
The refulgent palace seemed out of place amid the poverty of the villages surrounding it.
189
miscegenation
| mih-sedj-uh-ney-shuhn
n. the interbreeding of different races
n. any mixture or hybrid
the school cafeteria served an obscure miscegenation of ingredients as meatloaf.
190
aphorism
| af-uh-riz-uhm
n. a tersely phrased truth or opinion; adage; epigram
n. a brief statement of principle; or general truth
The children had finally learned the meaning of the aphorism "You can't have your cake and eat it too."
191
adj. precise, paying attention to trivialities of etiquette
punctilious
(puhngk-til-ee-uhs)
synonyms: meticulous, careful, finicky
192
succor
| suhk-er
n. relief during a time of struggle
The Red Cross provides succor to refugees in emergency shelters.
193
covey
| kuhv-ee
n. a family of partridges
n. a small group
Outside the classroom was a covey of giggling schoolgirls.
194
esoteric
| es-uh-ter-ik
adj. intended for or understood only by a particular group
adj. not publicly disclosed; confidential
The esoteric ideas of the cult failed to enlighten many outsiders.
195
adj. intended for or understood only by a particular group
| adj. not publicly disclosed; confidential
esoteric
(es-uh-ter-ik)
synonyms: obscure, secret, cryptic
196
n. relief during a time of struggle
succor
(suhk-er)
synonyms: aid, comfort, refuge
197
n. discussion between enemies, often to prepare terms of surrender
parley
(pahr-lee)
synonyms: conference, mediation
198
androgynous
| an-drodj-uh-nuhs
adj. hermaphroditic
adj. not distinguishable between male and female
The androgynous baby was only identifiable as a boy by its blue clothing.
199
disingenuous
| diss-in-djen-yoo-uhs
adj. lacking in sincerity or candor
When the oil prospector's promises were discovered to be disingenuous, he was run out of town.
200
epistle
| uh-piss-uhl
n. a written message, usually a formal letter
The epistle was hand-delivered by a confidant in order to avoid interception.
