American Lit Vocab Flashcards
(100 cards)
1
Q
Aberration
A
Something that differs from the norm
2
Q
Avarice
A
Excessive greed
3
Q
Brusque
A
Short, abrupt, dismissive
4
Q
Brazen
A
Excessively bold, brash, clear and obvious
5
Q
Amiable
A
Friendly
6
Q
Acquiesce
A
To agree without protesting
7
Q
Arcane
A
Obscure, secret, known only by a few
8
Q
Alacrity
A
Eagerness, speed
9
Q
Abhor
A
To hate, detest
10
Q
Appease
A
To calm, satisfy
11
Q
Coherent
A
Logically consisten, intelligible
12
Q
Confidant
A
A person entrusted with secrets
13
Q
Candor
A
Honesty, frankness
14
Q
Complacency
A
Self-satisfied ignorance of danger
15
Q
Circumspect
A
Cautious
16
Q
Chide
A
To voice disapproval
17
Q
Coerce
A
To make somebody do something by force or threat
18
Q
Clandestine
A
Secret
19
Q
Callous
A
Harsh, cold, unfeeling
20
Q
Cajole
A
To urge, coax
21
Q
Diligent
A
Showing care in doing one’s work
22
Q
Cumulative
A
Increasing, building upon itself
23
Q
Debase
A
To lower the quality or esteem of something
24
Q
Elated
A
Ecstatically happy
25
Despot
One who has total power and rules brutally
26
Deferential
Showing respect for another’s authority
27
Deride
To laugh at mockingly, scorn
28
Decry
To criticize openly
29
Demure
Quiet, modest, reserved
30
Connive
To plot, scheme
31
Forsake
To give up, renounce
32
Fabricate
To make up, invent
33
Flabbergasted
Astounded
34
Enmity
Ill will, hatred, hostility
35
Feral
Wild, savage
36
Extol
To praise, revere
37
Empathy
Sensitivity to another’s feelings as if they were one’s own
38
Erudite
Learned, highly educated
39
Embezzle
To steal money by falsifying records
40
Eloquent
Expressive, articulate, moving
41
Implacable
Incapable of being appeased or mitigated
42
Impudent
Cassually rude, insolent, impertinent
43
Impertinent
Rude, insolent
44
Impeccable
Exemplary, flawless
45
Haughty
Disdainfully proud
46
Gluttony
Overindulgence in food or drink
47
Hypocrisy
Pretending to believe what one does not
48
Gratuitous
Uncalled for, unwarranted
49
Furtive
Secretive, sly
50
Fractious
Troublesome or irritable
51
Insular
Separated and narrow-minded; tight knit, clossed off
52
Indolent
Lazy
53
Inveterate
Stubbornly established by habit
54
Infamy
Notoriety extreme ill repute
55
Incisive
Clear, sharp, direct
56
Innate
Inborn, native, inherent
57
Intrepid
Brave in the face of danger
58
Inhibit
To prevent, restrain, stop
59
Insatiable
Incapable of being satisfied
60
Inept
Not suitable or capable, unqualified
61
Myriad
Consisting of a very great number
62
Modicum
A small amount of something
63
Meticulous
Extremely careful with details
64
Morose
Gloomy or sullen
65
Maverick
An independent, nonconformist person
66
Lithe
Graceful, flexible, supple
67
Jubilant
Extremely joyful, happy
68
Lurid
Ghastly, sensational
69
Knell
The solemn sound of a bell, often indicating a death
70
Maxim
A common saying expressing a principle of conduct
71
Nadir
The lowest point of something
72
Perusal
A careful examination, review
73
Nuance
A slight variation in meaning, tone, expression
74
Penchant
A tendency, partiality, preference
75
Parody
A satirical imitation
76
Obtuse
Lacking quickness of sensibility or intellect
77
Panacea
A remedy for all ills or difficulties
78
Oblivious
Lacking consciousness or awareness of something
79
Obsequious
Excessively compliant or submissive
80
Nominal
Trifling, insignificant
81
Staid
Seddate, serious, self-restrained
82
Rife
Abundant
83
Serendipity
Luck, finding good things without looking for them
84
Refurbish
To restore, clean up
85
Brash
Hasty, incautious
86
Predilection
A preference or inclination for something
87
Repudiate
To reject, refue to accept
88
Salient
Significant, conspicous
89
Plethora
An abundance, excess
90
Quaint
Charmingly old-fashioned
91
Vociferous
Loud, boisterous
92
Umbrage
Resentment, offence
93
Zenith
The highest point, culminating point
94
Sycophant
One who flatters for self-gain
95
Venerable
Deserving of respect because of age or achievement
96
Truculent
Ready to fight, cruel
97
Vex
To confuse or annoy
98
Taciturn
Not inclinded to talk
99
Wanton
Undisciplined, lewd, lustful
100
Superfluous
Exceeding what is necessary
