Deck 8 Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
Define:
nonchalant
(non-shuh-lont)
A
adj. casually unconcerned
Lauren was nonchalant about being chosen as valedictorian; she simply didn’t think it was a big deal.
2
Q
Define:
oscillate
(oss-ih-lehyt)
A
v. to move or swing from side to side
v. to waver between conflicting positions
Her feelings towards her cynical commanding officer oscillated between admiration and disgust.
3
Q
Define:
ostentatious
(oss-ten-tay-shuss)
A
adj. intended to impress
adj. characterized by pretension
She loves to show off that ostentatious ring her rich husband got for her.
4
Q
Define:
overwrought
(oh-vur-rawt)
A
adj. deeply agitated or anxious
Everyone in the family was overwrought with the thought that the children might be in danger .
5
Q
Define:
pacific
(puh-sif-ick)
A
adj. of a peaceful nature
adj. promoting peace and conflict resolution
The government decided to pursue a pacific policy and call back its troops on the border.
6
Q
Define:
palatable
(pal-ih-tuh-bull)
A
adj. acceptable to one’s taste or mind
Though clearly necessary to balance the budget, unpopular tax increases are not palatable to any political party.
7
Q
Define:
perennial
(puh-ren-ee-ul)
A
adj. endless
adj. recurring over and over
Not being able to pay rent on time was a perennial problem for him.
8
Q
Define:
perfidy
(per-fih-dee)
A
n. a betrayal of trust
The soldier was known for his loyalty, so his act of perfidy was particularly shocking to his superior officers.
9
Q
Define:
perfunctory
(per-funk-tuh-ree)
A
adj. done as a formality, without attention to detail
Her apology was clearly only a perfunctory gesture and not truly heartfelt.
10
Q
Define:
pernicious
(per-nish-us)
A
adj. harmful; hurtful
The pernicious effects of money in politics are hardly unique to this country.
11
Q
Define:
perspicacity
(per-spih-kass-ih-tee)
A
n. sharp powers of observation
The writer’s perspicacity made it easy for her to understand and write about human nature.
12
Q
Define:
perturb
(purr-turb)
A
v. to disturb or cause disorder, esp. in one’s mental state
Even her sleep was perturbed by her obsession over her credit card debt.
13
Q
Define:
placate
(play-kate)
A
v. to ease another’s anger
Lewis attempted to placate the angry woman whose car had been hit, but she continued screaming and pacing back and forth.
14
Q
Define:
placid
(plass-id)
A
adj. free from disturbance
There currently reigns a placid atmosphere at City Hall, but don’t expect it to last much longer.
15
Q
Define:
pivotal
(piv-uh-tul)
A
adj. of crucial importance
The audience was enraged when the film reel broke during a pivotal scene in the movie.
16
Q
Define:
pragmatic
(prag-mat-ick)
A
adj. guided by practical experience and observation
Her pragmatic attitude often put her at odds with her idealistic peers, whom she called unrealistic and naive.
17
Q
Define:
predilection
(pred-ih-leck-shun)
A
n. preference; a strong liking for
He had a predilection for expensive cars that was hard on his wallet.
18
Q
Define:
preside
(prih-zahyd)
A
v. to be in a position of authority over a group
The newly-elected president presided over the first meeting of the council in September.
19
Q
Define:
prevaricate
(pruh-vair-ih-kate)
A
v. to be deliberately ambiguous in order to hide the truth; to lie
The guest chose to prevaricate by answering the host’s questions with unrelated anecdotes.
20
Q
Define:
probity
(pro-bih-tee)
A
n. honesty and decency
The group chose Eduardo to represent them, not only because he was the eldest, but because he had shown the most probity during their discussions.
21
Q
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. casually unconcerned
A
nonchalant
(non-shuh-lont)
synonyms: easygoing, careless
22
Q
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to move or swing from side to side
v. to waver between conflicting positions
A
oscillate
(oss-ih-lehyt)
synonyms: dangle, sway; change, alternate
23
Q
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. intended to impress
adj. characterized by pretension
A
ostentatious
(oss-ten-tay-shuss)
synonyms: showy, flashy, pretentious
24
Q
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. deeply agitated or anxious
A
overwrought
(oh-vur-rawt)
synonyms: frantic, wound up, nervous
25
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. of a peaceful nature
adj. promoting peace and conflict resolution
**pacific**
| (puh-**sif**-ick)
## Footnote
synonyms: soothing, peaceful, conciliatory
26
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. acceptable to one's taste or mind
**palatable**
| (**pal**-ih-tuh-bull)
## Footnote
synonyms: delicious, agreeable, acceptable
27
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. endless
adj. recurring over and over
**perennial**
| (puh-**ren**-ee-ul)
## Footnote
synonyms: enduring, perpetual, ceaseless
28
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a betrayal of trust
**perfidy**
| (**per**-fih-dee)
## Footnote
synonyms: treachery, betrayal, corruption
29
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. done as a formality, without attention to detail
**perfunctory**
| (per-**funk**-tuh-ree)
## Footnote
synonyms: automatic, habitual, careless
30
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. harmful; hurtful
**pernicious**
| (per-**nish**-us)
## Footnote
synonyms: damaging, devastating
31
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. acute perception
**perspicacity**
| (per-spih-**kass-**ih-tee)
## Footnote
synonyms: insight, astuteness
32
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to disturb or cause disorder, esp. in one's mental state
**perturb**
| (purr-**turb**)
## Footnote
synonyms: unsettle, alarm
33
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to ease another's anger
**placate**
| (**play**-kate)
## Footnote
synonyms: soothe, pacify
34
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. free from disturbance
**placid**
| (**plass**-id)
## Footnote
synonyms: composed, calm
35
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. of crucial importance
**pivotal**
| (**piv**-uh-tul)
## Footnote
synonyms: critical, crucial
36
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. guided by practical experience and observation
**pragmatic**
| (prag-**mat**-ick)
## Footnote
synonyms: businesslike, efficient, practical
37
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. preference; a strong liking for
**predilection**
| (pred-ih-**leck**-shun)
## Footnote
synonyms: inclination, love, fondness
38
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to be in a position of authority over a group
**preside**
| (prih-**zahyd**)
## Footnote
synonyms: administer, conduct, direct
39
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to be deliberately ambiguous in order to hide the truth; to lie
**prevaricate**
| (pruh-**vair**-ih-kate)
## Footnote
synonyms: deceive, garble, misrepresent
40
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. honesty and decency
**probity**
| (**pro**-bih-tee)
## Footnote
synonyms: goodness, honor
41
# Define:
**proclivity**
| (pro-**kliv**-ih-tee)
n. a natural inclination
Her _proclivity_ for laziness is going to be a problem when we begin the new project.
42
# Define:
**prodigal**
| (**prod**-ih-guhl)
adj. lavishly wasteful
adj. being generous or giving abundantly
adj. one who spends recklessly
The woman ended up regretting her _prodigal_ lifestyle when she went bankrupt after a few years.
43
# Define:
**pugnacious**
| (pug-**nehy**-shuss)
adj. combative in nature
The _pugnacious_ young man was eventually suspended for constantly fighting with other students.
44
# Define:
**quandary**
| (**kwon**-duh-ree)
n. a state of uncertainty, a dilemma
After receiving several great offers, I was in a _quandary_ as to which I should accept.
45
# Define:
**quash**
| (**kwash**)
v. to forcibly suppress
v. to extinguish
The prosecution's star witness **_quash_**ed any chance the defense had of winning the trial.
46
# Define:
**quibble**
| (**kwib**-ul)
v. to evade the truth or importance of an issue by raising trivial objections
n. a trivial objection
The argument grew even more aggravating when my opponent began to _quibble_ with me over semantics.
47
# Define:
**quiescent**
| (kwee-**ess**-unt)
adj. being quiet or still
The outlying region, usually a _quiescent_ outpost of the empire, was the unlikely origin of the rebellion that would unseat the emperor.
48
# Define:
**rancor**
| (**rang**-kur)
n. a feeling of deep and bitter anger
## Footnote
Once the game ended there was no _rancor_ between the opponents, despite the intensity of their match.
49
# Define:
**recalcitrant**
| (rih-**kal**-sih-trunt)
adj. stubborn and defiant of authority
Instead of obeying the police's instructions, the protesters became _recalcitrant_ and refused to move.
50
# Define:
**recess**
| (**ree**-sess)
v. to suspend proceedings
n. a break from class or business
n. an indented or hollowed-out space
The legislative body will _recess_ next week.
51
# Define:
**redoubtable**
| (rih-**dow**-tuh-bull)
adj. fearsome or awe-inspiring
I knew Mauricio would be a _redoubtable_ opponent after hearing my own coach sing his praises.
52
# Define:
**sagacious**
| (suh-**gehy**-shuss)
adj. very insightful or shrewd
My best friend is quite _sagacious_, so I know I can always turn to her for wise advice.
53
# Define:
**salubrious**
| (suh-**loo**-bree-uss)
adj. healthy or health-promoting
My new exercise routine has had a _salubrious_ impact on my life.
54
# Define:
**salutary**
| (**sal**-yuh-tare-ee)
adj. beneficial, esp. relating to health
Anti-pollution laws have _salutary_ effects for humans and animals.
55
# Define:
**satiate**
| (**sehy**-she-ehyt)
v. to fill to satisfaction
Sasha knew that the small portions served in the cafeteria would not _satiate_ him.
56
# Define:
**scruple**
| (**skrew**-pull)
n. an ethical or moral concern
v. to hesitate on moral grounds
The man **_scruple_**d to tell a blatant lie, but eventually realized that he had no choice.
57
# Define:
**sedentary**
| (**sed**-en-tair-ee)
adj. sitting or seated
adj. tending to stay in the same place
Ming wanted to quit his _sedentary_ job at the library and become a police officer.
58
# Define:
**sediment**
| (**sed**-ih-munt)
n. matter deposited by some natural process
n. settled matter at the bottom of a liquid
Kate refused to drink the water from the well when she noticed the _sediment_ at the bottom of the bucket.
59
# Define:
**sordid**
| (**sore**-did)
adj. dirty or rundown
adj. immoral or unethical
## Footnote
During the divorce trial, the husband was asked to reveal the _sordid_ details of his affair.
60
# Define:
**specious**
| (**spee**-shuss)
adj. plausible but false
adj. deceptively pleasing
After doing some research of my own, I realized that his argument was _specious_ at best.
61
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a natural inclination
**proclivity**
| (pro-**kliv**-ih-tee)
## Footnote
synonyms: tendency, disposition, leaning
62
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. lavishly wasteful
adj. being generous or giving abundantly
adj. one who spends recklessly
**prodigal**
| (**prod**-ih-guhl)
## Footnote
synonyms: excessive, luxurious, copious
63
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. combative in nature
**pugnacious**
| (pug-**nehy**-shuss)
## Footnote
synonyms: hostile, belligerent
64
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a state of uncertainty, a dilemma
**quandary**
| (**kwon**-duh-ree)
## Footnote
synonyms: dilemma, predicament
65
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to forcibly suppress
v. to extinguish
**quash**
| (**kwash**)
## Footnote
synonyms: defeat, destroy, squash
66
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to evade the truth or importance of an issue by raising trivial objections
n. a trivial objection
**quibble**
| (**kwib**-ul)
## Footnote
synonyms: split hairs; trifle, detail
67
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. being quiet or still
**quiescent**
| (kwee-**ess**-unt)
## Footnote
synonyms: inactive, motionless, inert
68
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a feeling of deep and bitter anger
**rancor**
| (**rang**-kur)
## Footnote
synonyms: antagonism, hatred
69
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. stubborn and defiant of authority
**recalcitrant**
| (rih-**kal**-sih-trunt)
## Footnote
synonyms: disobedient, resistant, rebellious
70
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to suspend proceedings
n. a break from class or business
n. an indented or hollowed-out space
**recess**
| (**ree**-sess)
## Footnote
synonyms: halt; breather; nook
71
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. fearsome or awe-inspiring
**redoubtable**
| (rih-**dow**-tuh-bull)
## Footnote
synonyms: dreadful, admirable, worthy
72
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. very insightful or shrewd
**sagacious**
| (suh-**gehy**-shuss)
## Footnote
synonyms: smart, acute, sensible
73
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. healthy or health-promoting
**salubrious**
| (suh-**loo**-bree-uss)
## Footnote
synonyms: beneficial, good, hygienic
74
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. beneficial, esp. relating to health
**salutary**
| (**sal**-yuh-tare-ee)
## Footnote
synonyms: aiding, restorative
75
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to fill to satisfaction
**satiate**
| (**sehy**-she-ehyt)
## Footnote
synonyms: satisfy, stuff, gratify
76
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. an ethical or moral concern
v. to hesitate on moral grounds
**scruple**
| (**skrew**-pull)
## Footnote
synonyms: conscience, qualm; to balk at
77
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. sitting or seated
adj. tending to stay in the same place
**sedentary**
| (**sed**-en-tair-ee)
## Footnote
synonyms: desk-bound, motionless, stationary
78
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. matter deposited by some natural process
n. settled matter at the bottom of a liquid
**sediment**
| (**sed**-ih-munt)
## Footnote
synonyms: debris, deposit
79
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. dirty or rundown
adj. immoral or unethical
**sordid**
| (**sore**-did)
## Footnote
synonyms: nasty, vile; corrupt
80
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. plausible but false
adj. deceptively pleasing
**specious**
| (**spee**-shuss)
## Footnote
synonyms: misleading, deceptive, apparent
81
# Define:
**sporadic**
| (spuh-**rad**-ik)
adj. occurring occasionally and without pattern
Our vacation plans were ruined by _sporadic_ rain that seemed to start every time we headed towards the beach.
82
# Define:
**spurious**
| (**spure**-ee-us)
adj. intending to deceive
adj. not valid or genuine
## Footnote
The tabloid writers made up _spurious_ accusations against the young actor.
83
# Define:
**squalor**
| (**skwol**-er)
n. filth; poverty
The town's poorest inhabitants live in _squalor_ due to their inability to access clean water.
84
# Define:
**stark**
| (**stark**)
adj. complete or extreme
adj. very simple
adj. bare or blunt
## Footnote
The expensive car that he parked outside stood in _stark_ contrast to the impoverished neighborhood surrounding it.
85
# Define:
**stoic**
| (**stow**-ick)
adj. indifferent to pleasure or pain
n. one who is indifferent to pleasure or pain
The defendant remained _stoic_ throughout the trial despite the harshness of the prosecution's questions.
86
# Define:
**stratum**
| (**strat**-um)
n. a horizontal layer of material
n. a level of society composed of people with similar social, cultural, or economic status
Friction between two social _strata_ can often lead to political upheaval.
87
# Define:
**stria**
| (**strahy**-uh)
n. a linear mark, ridge, or groove, esp. one of a number of similar parallel features
We examined the _striae_ on the rocks to see if they were really from the same underground cave.
88
# Define:
**strident**
| (**strahyd**-unt)
adj. unpleasantly loud and harsh
Her _strident_ voice made me dread our weekly phone conversations.
89
# Define:
**stringent**
| (**strin**-djunt)
adj. strictly controlled or enforced
Since accidents on roller coasters can often be fatal, amusement parks must undergo _stringent_ testing before being opened to the public.
90
# Define:
**stymie**
| (**stahy**-mee)
n. a situation that defies progress or resolution
v. to prevent or hinder the progress of something
The guard dogs managed to _stymie_ the thief as he tried to break into the house.
91
# Define:
**succinct**
| (suck-**singkt**)
adj. brief
Since there were only a few minutes left in the meeting, the final speaker had to keep his comments _succinct_ and to the point.
92
# Define:
**transient**
| (**tran**-zee-uhnt)
adj. not permanent
adj. moving from place to place
n. one who moves from place to place
The _transient_ relied on the kindness of strangers whenever he arrived in a new town.
93
# Define:
**trepidation**
| (trep-ih-**dehy**-shun)
n. a feeling of fear or agitation
Janice had to face her _trepidation_ about flying in order to make the trip to California.
94
# Define:
**turbid**
| (**tur**-bid)
adj. clouded due to sediment
adj. confused
## Footnote
I dropped my phone in the lake and couldn't find it in the _turbid_ water.
95
# Define:
**ubiquitous**
| (you-**bick**-wih-tuss)
adj. present everywhere
In her neighborhood, Starbucks shops had become _ubiquitous_; she couldn't walk two blocks without passing one.
96
# Define:
**unfeigned**
| (un-**feynd**)
adj. sincerely felt or expressed
Although it seemed a ridiculous concern to us, Joyce's preoccupation with her little sister's sprained ankle was _unfeigned_.
97
# Define:
**unimpeachable**
| (un-im-**pee**-chuh-bull)
adj. beyond doubt or suspicion
To win the case, the defense would need an _unimpeachable_ witness to prove their client's virtuous character.
98
# Define:
**untenable**
| (un-**ten**-ih-bull)
adj. impossible to maintain or defend, as of an opinion
Kate is argumentative enough to support even the most _untenable_ positions.
99
# Define:
**vacillate**
| (**vass**-ih-lehyt)
v. to waver between conflicting positions
Both sides made such convincing arguments that the judge **_vacillate_**d between them for days before coming to a decision.
100
# Define:
**vacuous**
| (**vak**-yoo-us)
adj. devoid of significance or matter; empty
adj. lacking serious purpose or occupation
## Footnote
I told him pointedly to stop wasting my time with his _vacuous_ comments.
101
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. occurring occasionally and without pattern
**sporadic**
| (spuh-**rad**-ik)
## Footnote
synonyms: random, scattered, seldom
102
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. intending to deceive
adj. not valid or genuine
**spurious**
| (**spure**-ee-us)
## Footnote
synonyms: deceitful, false, inaccurate
103
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. filth; poverty
**squalor**
| (**skwol**-er)
## Footnote
synonyms: dirtiness, destitution
104
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. complete or extreme
adj. very simple
adj. bare or blunt
**stark**
| (**stark**)
## Footnote
synonyms: absolute, utter; austere; barren
105
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. indifferent to pleasure or pain
n. one who is indifferent to pleasure or pain
**stoic**
| (**stow**-ick)
## Footnote
synonyms: apathetic, detached
106
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a horizontal layer of material
n. a level of society composed of people with similar social, cultural, or economic status
**stratum**
| (**strat**-um)
## Footnote
synonyms: layer, gradation
107
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a linear mark, ridge, or groove, esp. one of a number of similar parallel features
**stria**
| (**strahy**-uh)
## Footnote
synonyms: banding, groove, stripe
108
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. unpleasantly loud and harsh
**strident**
| (**strahyd**-unt)
## Footnote
synonyms: grating, shrill
109
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. strictly controlled or enforced
**stringent**
| (**strin**-djunt)
## Footnote
synonyms: binding, strict
110
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a situation that defies progress or resolution
v. to prevent or hinder the progress of something
**stymie**
| (**stahy**-mee)
## Footnote
synonyms: confound, impede
111
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. brief
**succinct**
| (suck-**singkt**)
## Footnote
synonyms: blunt, compact, brief
112
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. not permanent
adj. moving from place to place
n. one who moves from place to place
**transient**
| (**tran**-zee-uhnt)
## Footnote
synonyms: passing, fleeting, ephemeral
113
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a feeling of fear or agitation
**trepidation**
| (trep-ih-**dehy-**shun)
## Footnote
synonyms: anxiety, worry
114
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. clouded due to sediment
adj. confused
**turbid**
| (**tur**-bid)
## Footnote
synonyms: cloudy, muddled, sedimentary
115
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. present everywhere
**ubiquitous**
| (you-**bick**-wih-tuss)
## Footnote
synonyms: everywhere, omnipresent
116
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. sincerely felt or expressed
**unfeigned**
| (un-**feynd**)
## Footnote
synonyms: genuine, heartfelt
117
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. beyond doubt or suspicion
**unimpeachable**
| (un-im-**pee**-chuh-bull)
## Footnote
synonyms: blameless, spotless, immaculate
118
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. impossible to maintain or defend, as of an opinion
**untenable**
| (un-**ten**-ih-bull)
## Footnote
synonyms: inexcusable, faulty
119
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to waver between conflicting positions
**vacillate**
| (**vass**-ih-lehyt)
## Footnote
synonyms: fluctuate, hesitate, to be unsure
120
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. devoid of significance or matter; empty
adj. lacking serious purpose or occupation
**vacuous**
| (**vak**-yoo-us)
## Footnote
synonyms: lacking, vacant
121
# Define:
**vociferous**
| (voe-**siff**-er-uss)
adj. loud and insistent, esp. to compel attention
The _vociferous_ mob gathered outside the store and awakened its owner.
122
# Define:
**wanderlust**
| (**wawn**-der-lust)
n. the desire to travel
## Footnote
A sudden feeling of _wanderlust_ encouraged me to pack my bags and head to Mexico.
123
# Define:
**wheedle**
| (**weed**-ul)
v. to coax or persuade
Eventually the ice-cream truck driver was **_wheedle_**d into giving the sullen child a free scoop.
124
# Define:
**volatile**
| (**voll**-ih-tull)
adj. likely to change suddenly
adj. liable to lead to violence
adj. evaporating easily
The situation in the war-torn country soon became too _volatile_ for most reporters and travelers to stay there safely.
125
# Define:
**zenith**
| (**zee**-nith)
n. the highest point or peak
n. the point directly above one's head
Climbing to the _zenith_ of the mountain will be difficult, but it has been a dream of mine since childhood.
126
# Define:
**abjure**
| (ab-**djoor**)
v. to renounce or reject solemnly; to recant or avoid
The monks had to _abjure_ all indulgences.
127
# Define:
**condign**
| (kon-**dahyn**)
adj. deserved, adequate
Though I believe I am compassionate, I will not hesitate to mete out a _condign_ punishment to wrongdoers.
128
# Define:
**debonair**
| (deb-uh-**nair**)
adj. suave, urbane, affable, genial, charming
The ladies were all drawn to the _debonair_ newcomer.
129
# Define:
**inveigle**
| (in-**vey**-guhl)
v. to obtain by deception or flattery
## Footnote
He **_inveigle_**d the information from the president's wife.
130
# Define:
**philistine**
| (**fil**-uh-steen)
adj. barbaric; lacking culture
n. an individual guided by commonplace, rather than artistic or intellectual, values
Why, the _philistine_ even declared that he hated the theater!
131
# Define:
**suffuse**
| (suh-**fyooz**)
v. to spread through or over something, as with liquid, color, or light
The sky was **_suffuse_**d with deep colors.
132
# Define:
**mettlesome**
| (**met**-uhl-sum)
adj. courageous, high-spirited
The _mettlesome_ police officer saved the hostage.
133
# Define:
**compunction**
| (kuhm-**punk**-shun)
n. hesitation or unease at committing (or having committed) an act
A hardened criminal usually has no _compunction_ about hurting bystanders in order to evade the police.
134
# Define:
**contravene**
| (kon-truh-**veen**)
v. to violate, or to conflict with a rule or principle
Until recently, Americans could not visit that country without **_contraven_**ing federal law.
135
# Define:
**limn**
| (**lim**)
v. to draw; to describe; to depict
Here, the philosopher **_limn_**s a basic theory of just governance.
136
# Define:
**obloquy**
| (**ob**-luh-kwee)
n. abusive language; damage to one's reputation
The president earned _obloquy_ for his tax hikes.
137
# Define:
**abate**
| (uh-**behyt**)
v. to decrease in intensity
The ferocity of the fighting has started to _abate_, though the civilian population is still in great danger.
138
# Define:
**abdicate**
| (**ab**-dih-kate)
v. to willingly let go of; to relinquish
The king **_abdicate_**d the throne rather than expose his nation to a potentially crippling civil war.
139
# Define:
**aberrant**
| (**ab**-buh-runt)
adj. abnormal, deviating from the norm
The _aberrant_ accounting numbers led officials to conclude that a crime had been committed.
140
# Define:
**abrade**
| (uh-**brehyd**)
v. to erode or rub away
The statue's hand was **_abrade_**d from all of the tourists rubbing it for luck.
141
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. loud and insistent, esp. to compel attention
**vociferous**
| (voe-**siff**-er-uss)
## Footnote
synonyms: clamorous, noisy, distracting
142
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the desire to travel
**wanderlust**
| (**wawn**-der-lust)
## Footnote
synonyms: journey, wayfaring, excursion
143
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to coax or persuade
**wheedle**
| (**weed**-ul)
## Footnote
synonyms: to influence through flattery, to entice
144
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. likely to change suddenly
adj. liable to lead to violence
adj. evaporating easily
**volatile**
| (**voll**-ih-tull)
## Footnote
synonyms: explosive, changeable, inconsistent; vaporizable
145
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the highest point or peak
n. the point directly above one's head
**zenith**
| (**zee**-nith)
## Footnote
synonyms: acme, summit, pinnacle
146
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to renounce or reject solemnly; to recant or avoid
**abjure**
| (ab-**joor**)
## Footnote
synonyms: forswear, abandon
147
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. deserved, adequate
**condign**
| (kon-**dahyn**)
## Footnote
synonyms: appropriate, proper, fair
148
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. suave, urbane, affable, genial, charming
**debonair**
| (deb-uh-**nair**)
## Footnote
synonyms: refined, well-bred, sophisticated
149
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to obtain by deception or flattery
**inveigle**
| (in-**vey**-guhl)
## Footnote
synonyms: manipulate, cajole, ensnare
150
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. barbaric; lacking culture
n. an individual guided by commonplace, rather than artistic or intellectual, values
**philistine**
| (**fil**-uh-steen)
## Footnote
synonyms: coarse, crass; barbarian, boor
151
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to spread through or over something, as with liquid, color, or light
**suffuse**
| (suh-**fyooz**)
## Footnote
synonyms: bathe, cover, saturate
152
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. courageous, high-spirited
**mettlesome**
| (**met**-uhl-sum)
## Footnote
synonyms: plucky, spirited, valiant
153
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. hesitation or unease at committing (or having committed) an act
**compunction**
| (kuhm-**punk**-shun)
## Footnote
synonyms: regret, sorrow, qualm
154
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to violate, or to conflict with a rule or principle
**contravene**
| (kon-truh-**veen**)
## Footnote
synonyms: breach, break, defy
155
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to draw; to describe; to depict
**limn**
| (**lim**)
## Footnote
synonyms: characterize, chart
156
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. abusive language; damage to one's reputation
**obloquy**
| (**ob**-luh-kwee)
## Footnote
synonyms: defamation, slander, disgrace
157
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to decrease in intensity
**abate**
| (uh-**behyt**)
## Footnote
synonyms: lessen, moderate
158
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to willingly let go of; to relinquish
**abdicate**
| (**ab**-dih-kate)
## Footnote
synonyms: abandon, leave
159
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. abnormal, deviating from the norm
**aberrant**
| (**ab**-buh-runt)
## Footnote
synonyms: atypical, bizarre
160
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to erode or rub away
**abrade**
| (uh-**brehyd**)
## Footnote
synonyms: rub, chafe, wear down
161
# Define:
**abridge**
| (uh-**bridge**)
v. to condense; to shorten
The author threw a fit when his editor suggested that he _abridge_ his novel in order to make it more accessible.
162
# Define:
**abscond**
| (ab-**skond**)
v. to run away secretly and hide
## Footnote
The guilty man **_abscond_**ed during the night and was never heard from again.
163
# Define:
**abstruse**
| (ab-**strewss**)
adj. difficult to comprehend
That film has been praised as a visionary masterpiece, but I found it more _abstruse_ than enlightening.
164
# Define:
**accolade**
| (**ack**-uh-lehyd)
n. recognition for an accomplishment
Cindy received **_accolade_**s in the media for her breathtaking performance.
165
# Define:
**acerbic**
| (uh-**sir-**bick)
adj. sour or bitter tasting, or of a bitter temperament
My friends' _acerbic_ reaction to bringing my boyfriend to the game led me to believe that they didn't care much for him.
166
# Define:
**acumen**
| (**ack**-cue-men)
n. insightfulness
Kofi was known for his _acumen_ in literary analysis.
167
# Define:
**adhesion**
| (ad-**hee**-zhun)
n. the state of being physically attached
n. the state of belonging to an organization
_Adhesion_ to the regional economic union became a popular cause among the elites of the recession-weary nation.
168
# Define:
**admonish**
| (ad-**mon**-ish)
v. to warn, to gently reprimand
## Footnote
The pilot **_admonish_**ed the passengers to remain seated during take off.
169
# Define:
**adroit**
| (ad-**royt**)
adj. skillful, competent
The boy scout was an _adroit_ survivalist and so managed to cling to life until a rescue team arrived.
170
# Define:
**adulate**
| (**adge**-uh-lehyt)
v. to give excessive praise
Rather than _adulate_ his superiors, Moncef preferred to show his regard by emulating them.
171
# Define:
**affable**
| (**aff**-uh-buhl)
adj. gentle, friendly, or of a kind nature
Stacy was an _affable_ acquaintance to many but a real friend to few.
172
# Define:
**affluent**
| (**aff**-loo-uhnt)
adj. wealthy
Membership in the private club was only open to _affluent_ members of society.
173
# Define:
**aggrandize**
| (uh-**gran**-dahyz)
v. to exaggerate; to increase the scope of or to make greater
Luke had **_aggrandize_**d his credentials so much that he was fired on the spot when it was discovered that he was just a novice.
174
# Define:
**affront**
| (uh-**front**)
n. an offensive act or statement
v. to insult openly
Lucia's ingratitude was an _affront_ to all of us who had supported her.
175
# Define:
**agrarian**
| (uh-**grair**-ee-uhn)
adj. pertaining to farming or land matters
The farmer switched from his habitual _agrarian_ routine to that of a high-powered business CEO in just a few years.
176
# Define:
**alacrity**
| (uh-**lack**-ruh-tee)
n. enthusiasm; speed
Children approach their homework with more _alacrity_ if they know that a reward awaits them when they finish.
177
# Define:
**vug**
| (**vuhg**)
n. a small cavity in a rock
She hid her trinkets in the _vug_ for safekeeping.
178
# Define:
**petrous**
| (**pet**-ruhss)
adj. rock-hard; stony
The skull of the fetus has not yet become _petrous_; in fact, it is still translucent to x-rays at this stage.
179
# Define:
**tautology**
| (tawt-**aw**-luh-djee)
n. a statement that is trivially true; unnecessary repetition
It is no help to anybody when you spout **_tautologi_**es like "Whatever will be will be".
180
# Define:
**gambol**
| (**gam**-buhl)
v. to skip playfully, to frolic
The youngsters went **_gambol_**ing through the fields.
181
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to condense; to shorten
**abridge**
| (uh-**bridge**)
## Footnote
synonyms: reduce, refine, abbreviate
182
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to run away secretly and hide
**abscond**
| (ab-**skond**)
## Footnote
synonyms: depart, escape, flee
183
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. difficult to comprehend
**abstruse**
| (ab-**strewss**)
## Footnote
synonyms: abstract, enigmatic, incomprehensible
184
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. recognition for an accomplishment
**accolade**
| (**ack**-uh-leyhd)
## Footnote
synonyms: acclaim, kudos
185
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. sour or bitter tasting or with bitter temperament
**acerbic**
| (uh-**sir-**bick)
## Footnote
synonyms: acrid, caustic
186
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. insightfulness
**acumen**
| (**ack**-cue-men)
## Footnote
synonyms: acuteness, intelligence
187
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the state of being physically attached
n. the state of belonging to an organization
**adhesion**
| (ad-**hee**-zhun)
## Footnote
synonyms: adherence, membership
188
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to warn, to gently reprimand
**admonish**
| (ad-**mon**-ish)
## Footnote
synonyms: check, counsel, scold, notice
189
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. skillful, competent
**adroit**
| (ad-**royt**)
## Footnote
synonyms: adept, apt, expert
190
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to give excessive praise
**adulate**
| (**adge**-uh-lehyt)
## Footnote
synonyms: fawn, acclaim, laud
191
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. gentle, friendly, or of a kind nature
**affable**
| (**aff**-uh-buhl)
## Footnote
synonyms: cordial, pleasant, friendly
192
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. wealthy
**affluent**
| (**aff**-loo-uhnt)
## Footnote
synonyms: rich, prosperous
193
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to exaggerate; to increase the scope of
**aggrandize**
| (uh-**gran**-dahyz)
## Footnote
synonyms: enlarge, glorify, augment
194
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. an offensive act or statement
v. to insult openly
**affront**
| (uh-**front**)
## Footnote
synonyms: criticize, antagonize
195
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. pertaining to farming or land matters
**agrarian**
| (uh-**grair**-ee-un)
## Footnote
synonyms: agricultural, country
196
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. enthusiasm; speed
**alacrity**
| (uh-**lack**-rih-tee)
## Footnote
synonyms: liveliness, fervor
197
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a small cavity in a rock
**vug**
| (**vuhg**)
## Footnote
synonyms: cavity, depression
198
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. rock-hard; stony
**petrous**
| (**pet**-ruhss)
## Footnote
synonyms: rugged, rocky, petrified
199
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a statement that is trivially true; unnecessary repetition
**tautology**
| (tawt-**aw**-luh-djee)
## Footnote
synonyms: equivalence, redundancy
200
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to skip playfully, to frolic
**gambol**
| (**gam**-buhl)
## Footnote
synonyms: cavort, skip, rollick
