Arete Words Set 10 Flashcards
(204 cards)
1
Q
veer
A
change in direction; swerve
2
Q
warranty
A
guarantee; assurance by seller
3
Q
wean
A
accustom a baby not to nurse; accustom (the young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling; give up a cherished activity; cause to gradually leave (an interest or habit); Ex. wean oneself from cigarettes
4
Q
vacuous
A
empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity
5
Q
wage
A
begin and continue (a war)
6
Q
bred
A
of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined
7
Q
urge
A
drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; N: impulse that prompts action
8
Q
verbalize
A
put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather than written; oral; of a verb
9
Q
waft
A
move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window
10
Q
violate
A
break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves
11
Q
vying
A
contending; CF. vie
12
Q
voluptuous
A
sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person
13
Q
wastrel
A
waster; profligate
14
Q
voluminous
A
having great volume (as of a garment or container); bulky; large
15
Q
venue
A
location; place (of a crime
16
Q
usage
A
act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used
17
Q
wax
A
increase gradually (as the moon); grow
18
Q
veracity
A
truthfulness; adherence to the truth
19
Q
vertex
A
summit; highest point; PL. vertices
20
Q
vulture
A
carrion-eating birds
21
Q
usurp
A
seize another’s power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one’s own use
22
Q
valid
A
logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective; Ex. valid reasoning/passport
23
Q
voyeur
A
Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others
24
Q
unruly
A
disobedient; lawless; difficult to control
25
vitreous
of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify
26
unseemly
unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste
27
vernacular
living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular
28
venturesome
(of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky
29
verdant
green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows
30
vortex
whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged
31
unregenerate
making no attempt to change one's bad practices
32
visionary
produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas
33
wiggle
wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting motions
34
weird
eerie; strange; unnatural
35
whine
complain (in a sad voice); make a high sad sound (as in pain or supplication)
36
vouchsafe
grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment
37
vehement
forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; N. vehemence
38
whelp
young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family
39
vise
vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device
40
warrant
justification; written order that serves as authorization (esp. a judicial writ); Ex. search/death warrant; V: justify; guarantee
41
unwarranted
unjustified; having no justification; groundless; baseless; undeserved
42
vigilant
watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance
43
verbose
wordy; N. verbosity
44
virile
manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength
45
vicissitude
change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China
46
vital
full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize
47
vertebrate
having a backbone or spinal column; N: group of animals having a segmented spinal column
48
weather
pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces
49
volley
simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.
50
vertigo
severe dizziness; giddiness
51
warp
twist out of shape; N.
52
uproar
noisy confusion
53
vile
despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander
54
wake
trail of ship or other object through water; path of something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in the wake of the war
55
venture
risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N.
56
urchin
mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin
57
validate
make valid; confirm; ratify
58
vignette
small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene
59
unwonted
unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality.
60
virtuoso
highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso
61
vantage
position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); CF. vantagepoint
62
veto
vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto
63
viscid
adhesive; gluey
64
vain
full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity
65
vigilante
one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers
66
unsightly
ugly; unpleasant to look at
67
vogue
popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.
68
vulgar
of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar person; boor; lout
69
vapid
lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture
70
vilify
slander; speak evil of; N. vilification
71
urgent
compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands
72
valor
bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave
73
virtue
goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity
74
wrinkle
small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth); V.
75
vicar
parish priest; representative
76
vivisection
act of dissecting living animals
77
vagabond
wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp
78
welter
confusion; turmoil; confused mass; bewildering jumble; Ex. welter of data
79
upbraid
reprimand; severely scold
80
upshot
outcome; final result
81
vindictive
disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak
82
venerate
revere; treat with great respect
83
venerable
deserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: deserve and get
84
vivid
(of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description
85
wangle
achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.
86
vaporize
turn into vapor (steam
87
verisimilitude
appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth
88
vie
contend; compete
89
virus
disease communicator
90
ventral
abdominal
91
virulent
(of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom
92
wary
very cautious; watchful
93
venal
capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal
94
warble
(of a bird) sing; babble; N.
95
vulnerable
susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability
96
vendetta
blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams
97
ventilate
admit fresh air into to replace stale air
98
verdigris
green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather
99
unsavory
distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive; Ex. unsavory activity/reputation
100
waylay
ambush; lie in wait for and attack
101
vacillate
waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation
102
warranted
justified; authorized
103
waver
move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between accepting and refusing
104
verve
enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor
105
vintner
wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine
106
verbiage
pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness
107
zest
outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life
108
wanderlust
strong longing to travel
109
wade
walk through a substance
110
vociferous
clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining)
111
unsullied
untarnished; CF. sully
112
verity
quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities
113
vagary
capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander
114
vent
small opening; outlet (as of fumes or a gas); Ex. He gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair.
115
unscathed
unharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed
116
ward
administrative division of a city; division in a hospital or prison; incompetent person placed under the protection of a guardian; V: guard; ward off: avert
117
volatile
changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street
118
visceral
felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate
119
wag
shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit
120
usury
lending money at illegal high rates of interest
121
waive
give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim
122
virtual
in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space
123
veritable
being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not false or imaginary
124
vibrant
full of vigor or energy; vibrating
125
versatile
having many talents; capable of working in many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility
126
wallow
roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury
127
wheedle
deceive
128
vindicate
clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate; justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one's client; Ex. vindicate one's claim; CF. vindicator
129
vulpine
like a fox; crafty
130
wring
twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands)
131
vanguard
forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard
132
vestige
trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion
133
warren
tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live
134
verisimilar
having the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible
135
vicarious
experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ
136
wretch
miserable person; bad or despicable person; ADJ. wretched: miserable; bad; contemptible; vile
137
urbane
suave; refined in manner; elegant
138
wrongheaded
stubbornly wrong
139
verge
border; edge
140
victuals
food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food
141
vex
annoy; distress
142
vituperative
abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively
143
voracious
ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader
144
vision
eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural
145
valedictory
pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)
146
veracious
(of a person) truthful
147
willowy
flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow
148
visage
face; appearance
149
vaunted
boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag
150
vassal
in feudalism
151
waffle
speak equivocally about an issue; N.
152
weary
tired after long work; V.
153
untoward
unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter
154
waif
homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays
155
unrequited
not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love
156
unravel
disentangle; solve
157
uproarious
marked by commotion or uproar; very noisy (esp. with laughter); hilarious; causing loud laughter; extremely funny
158
wan
having a pale or sickly color; pallid
159
volition
act of using one's will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition.
160
unwitting
not knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex. She was their unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting insult; CF. wit: know
161
voodoo
religion practiced chiefly in Haiti
162
vouch
give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher
163
vagrant
homeless wanderer
164
venison
meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork
165
waggish
humorous; mischievous; tricky
166
upright
(sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral
167
wholesome
conducive to mental or physical health; healthful
168
venom
poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous
169
velocity
speed
170
variegated
(esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored
171
uxorious
excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife
172
vent
release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family.
173
vixen
female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew
174
veneer
thin surface layer (of good quality wood
175
vendor
seller
176
viper
poisonous snake
177
vigor
active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous
178
voluble
fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility
179
vagrant
wandering from place to place; roving; stray; moving in a random fashion; Ex. vagrant thoughts; N. vagrancy
180
ursine
bearlike; pertaining to a bear
181
utopia
ideal place
182
varnish
paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.
183
vitiate
spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
184
wane
decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month; N.
185
vivacious
lively or animated; sprightly
186
viable
capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme
187
viand
food; CF. live
188
wanton
unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause
189
viscous
(of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency
190
vegetate
live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan
191
variegate
change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)
192
vigil
keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil
193
untenable
(of a position
194
unwieldy
awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable
195
venial
(of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial
196
vainglorious
boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity
197
verbatim
word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly
198
ventriloquist
someone who can make his or her voice seem to come from another person or thing (without moving lips or jaws); N. ventriloquism
199
vernal
pertaining to spring
200
welter
wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.
201
vampire
ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living
202
vitriolic
causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid (which burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression; caustic expression; CF. glass
203
valediction
saying farewell; expression of leave-taking
204
welt
raised mark from a beating or whipping
