Lesson 05 Flashcards
deride
(verb) to ridicule, to mock
The professor was unpopular because he derided his students if they made a mistake.
syn: to scorn
ant: to praise
desiccated
(adj.) dried up
When she opened the old Bible, one yellow, desiccated rose fell to the floor.
despicable
(adj.) contemptible, hateful
Only a despicable cad would behave so horribly.
syn: vile, base
ant: laudable, worthy
desultory
(adj.) wandering from subject to subject
He gave his talk in such a desultory fashion it was hard to understand.
syn: disconnected; rambling
deviate
(verb) to turn aside
Sometimes it’s better to deviate from the truth rather than hurt someone’s feelings.
syn: digress, stray
diadem
(noun) a crown
Peter referred to his wife’s blonde hair as her golden diadem.
diaphanous
(adj.) very sheer and light
The diaphanous gown was beautiful, but Gloria wasn’t sure she had the nerve to wear it.
syn: transparent, gossamer
ant: opaque
dichotomy
(noun) a division into two parts
While most of us see a dichotomy between the real and the unreal, some people contend that there is an overlapping.
ebullient
(adj.) enthusiastic
The ebullient crowd cheered as the royal family appeared.
syn: exuberant, lively
ant: dejected, dispirited
eclectic
(adj.) choosing from various sources
The room was furnished in an eclectic manner, but it all came together very well.
syn: discriminating, selective, catholic
ant: narrow
edify
(verb) improve someone morally
The sermon was meant to edify the congregation.
effete
(adj.) worn out; barren
Although worn down by age and a life of hard work, the man was far from effete.
syn: exhausted; spent and sterile
ant: vital, vigorous
egregious
(adj.) remarkably bad; outrageous
His remark was so egregious that it shocked everyone at the party.
syn: flagrant, gross
ant: moderate
elegy
(noun) a sad or mournful poem
Although she liked all poetry, she particularly liked those elegies that made her cry.
elicit
(verb) to draw forth; to call forth
The attorney tried to elicit a response from his client, but the man remained mute.