Lesson 07 Flashcards
(15 cards)
factious
(adj.) causing disagreement
We tried not to be factious, but we just couldn’t agree with the speaker.
fastidious
(adj.) hard to please; fussy
My neighbor is a fastidious housekeeper.
syn: meticulous, exacting
ant: casual, lax
fatuous
(adj.) foolish, inane
Her fatuous simperings began to grate on our nerves.
syn: silly
ant: sensible, wise
fecund
(adj.) fertile, productive
The rabbits were very fecund, and we now have two dozen of them.
syn: prolific
ant: sterile
ferret
(noun) a small animal of the weasel family
(verb) to search or drive out
Although John knew the answer was in the text, he just couldn’t ferret it out.
fervent
(adj.) eager, earnest
We made a fervent attempt to capture the stallion, but he was too quick for us.
syn: burning, passionate, ardent
ant: apathetic
fetish
(noun) an object that receives respect or devotion
The primitive tribes made a fetish of their totem poles.
syn: charm, talisman
finesse
(noun) diplomacy; tact; artful management
The diplomat was given the task because his superiors felt he had the necessary finesse.
syn: skill, cunning
ant: tactlessness
fiscal
(adj.) pertaining to finances
This was the accountant’s busiest time because it was the end of the company’s fiscal year.
fissure
(noun) an opening; a groove; a split
The small fissure in the tank was cause for great alarm.
flaccid
(adj.) flabby
The retired athlete now had flaccid muscles because he refused to work out.
syn: weak, feeble
ant: solid, taut
flagellate
(verb) to whip; to lash
The boy’s father never beat him, but would flagellate him verbally.
syn: flog
flaunt
(verb) to show off
Some people flaunt their wealth.
syn: to boast, exhibit
ant: conceal
flout
(verb) to ridicule; to show contempt for
He broke the rules and flouted all authority, and now he has to pay.
syn: mock, scoff
ant: esteem, revere
foment
(verb) to stir up; to incite
At the convention, people were hired to foment disruptions during the senator’s speech.
syn: instigate; arouse
ant: quell, curb
