Set 2 Flashcards
Pretentious
adjective
attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
Diction
the choice and use of words and phrases in speech or writing.
Sordid
adjective
1.
involving immoral or dishonourable actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt.
“the story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams”
2.
dirty or squalid.
“the overcrowded housing conditions were sordid and degrading”
Aped
verb
past tense: aped; past participle: aped
imitate (someone or something), especially in an absurd or unthinking way.
“new architecture can respect the old without aping its style”
Exuberance
noun
the quality of being full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness; ebullience.
“a sense of youthful exuberance”
The quality of growing profusely; luxuriance.
“plants growing with wild exuberance”
Discerning
adjective
having or showing good judgement.
“the brasserie attracts discerning customers”
Insouciant
adjective
showing a casual lack of concern.
“an insouciant shrug”
Ruinous
adjective 1. disastrous or destructive. "a ruinous effect on the environment" 2. in ruins; dilapidated. "the castle is ruinous"
Persecution
noun
hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs; oppression.
“her family fled religious persecution”
Archaic
adjective
very old or old-fashioned.
“prisons are run on archaic methods”
Swindles
Noun
A fraudulent scheme or action.
He is mixed up in a £10 million insurance swindle”
Tabulate
verb arrange (data) in tabular form.
Euphonious
adjective
(of sound, especially speech) pleasing to the ear.
Akin
Adjective
of similar character.
“something akin to gratitude overwhelmed her”
Scrupulous
adjective
(of a person or process) careful, thorough, and extremely attentive to details.
Fanciful
adjective
1.
over-imaginative and unrealistic.
“ever more fanciful proposals were raised”
2.
highly ornamental or imaginative in design.
“a fanciful Art Nouveau bar”
Deplore
verb
feel or express strong disapproval of (something).
Curtailment
noun
the action or fact of reducing or restricting something.
“the curtailment of human rights”
Idioms
a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g. over the moon, see the light ).
Ubiquity
noun
the fact of appearing everywhere or of being very common.
“the ubiquity of mobile phones means you don’t really need a watch”
Harangued
Verb
lecture (someone) at length in an aggressive and critical manner.
“he harangued the public on their ignorance”
Inept
adjective
having or showing no skill; clumsy.
“the referee’s inept handling of the match”
Irrepressible
adjective
not able to be controlled or restrained.
“an irrepressible rogue”
Laudable
adjective
(of an action, idea, or aim) deserving praise and commendation.
“laudable though the aim might be, the results have been criticized”
