Lesson 1 Flashcards
(20 cards)
Staid
Reserved and upright in manner or behavior, sedate
Syn: earnest, grave, sober, solemn
The staid and uninteresting old maid behaved with utmost decorum in all situations.
Spurn
To reject or refuse with hostility
The woman had always viewed the man with disdain and would spurn his attempts at friendship forever.
Stately
Dignified, majestic
Syn: grand, grandiose, imposing, magnificent
Summon
To call together, to send for or to request to appear
Syn: convene, convoke, muster
Superfluous
Beyond what is needed or required, an overflow
The meeting lasted so long because of many superfluous comments by some of the speakers
Tempestuous
Turbulent, stormy
The mayoral candidates had a tempestuous debate in which they exchanged many personal accusations.
Traducer
One who slanders or speaks falsely about someone
After hearing the gossip, the woman confronted the traducer face to face to stop the vicious slander.
Trivia
Insignificant matters
The English teacher is looking for substance, not trivia, in themes.
Turbulence
Wild or disturbing activity
There is a lot of turbulence during a hurricane.
Upshot
Outcome, final result
The upshot of the riot is that some are dead, and many are wounded.
Usurp
To take possession or authority over something without right
The younger son tried to usurp the throne from the rightful father.
Valid
Well-grounded, justifiable
I found his reasons valid, and I accepted his statement.
Vanquished
Conquered, overpowered
Hitler’s armies vanquished Poland with raid from Russia.
Vouchsafe
To grant in a condescending manner
I can vouchsafe you a large return on your investment.
Vulgarity
Something offensive to good taste and refinement
Syn: coarseness, grossness, obscenity, ribaldness
Vulnerable
Susceptible to injury or attack
A fighter is vulnerable if he doesn’t keep up his guard
Wane
To decrease in size, degree, or power
Syn: abate, subside, ebb
Wanton
Immoral, lewd
He had to drop out of the presidential race when his wanton behavior was exposed.
Warranted
Justified
The jury felt that the death penalty was warranted because of the heinous nature of the crime.
Woe
Great sorrow, grief, or misfortune
The woe suffered at his death continued through months of depression.