Unit 2 Flashcards
(52 cards)
Magnanimous
Adj. Noble in spirit; generous
*the boxer was magnanimous in defeat, telling the sports reporters that his opponent had simply been too talented for him to beat
Machination
N. Scheming activity for an evil purpose
*the machinations of the conspirators were aimed at nothing less than the overthrow of the government
Magnate
N. A rich or very successful business- person
*john D. Rockefeller was a magnate who was never too cheap to give a shoeshine boy a dime for his troubles
Malaise
N. A feeling of depression
*malaise descended on the calculus class when the teacher announced a quiz
Malfeasance
N. An illegal act, especially by a public official
*president ford officially pardoned former president Nixon before the latter could be convicted of any malfeasance
Malignant
Adj. Causing harm
*lina has had recurring tumors since the operation; were just glad that none of them have proved malignant
Malinger
V. To pretend to be sick to avoid doing work
*indolent Leon always malingerer when it was his turn to clean up the house
Malleable
Adj. Easy to shape or bend
*modeling clay is very malleable. So is Stuart. We can make him do whatever we want him to do
Mandate
N. A command or authorization to do something
*our mandate from the executive committee was to find the answer to the problem as quickly as possible
Manifest
Adj. Visible; evident
*daryl’s anger at us was manifest: you could see it in his expression and hear it in his voice
Manifesto
N. A public declaration of beliefs
*jim’s article about the election was less a piece of reporting than a manifesto of his political views
Marshal
V. To gather together for the purpose of doing something
*the general marshaled his troops in anticipation of making an attack on the enemy fortress
Martial
Adj. Warlike; having to do with combat
*the parade of soldiers was martial in tone; the soldiers carried rifles and were followed by a formation of tanks
martyr
N. Someone who gives up his or her life in pursuit of a cause; one who suffers for a cause
*eloise played the martyr during hay fever season, trudging wearily from room to room with a jumbo box of Kleenex in each hand
Matriculate
V. To enroll, especially at a college
*benny told everyone he was going to Harvard, but he actually matriculated to the local junior college
Maudlin
Adj. Overly sentimental
*the high school reunion grew more and more maudlin as the participants shared more and more memories
Maverick
N. Nonconformist; a rebel
*the political scientist was an intellectual maverick; most of his theories had no followers except himself
Maxim
N. An old saying
*we always tried to live our lives according to the maxim that it is better to give than to receive
Mediate
V. To help settle differences
*joe carried messages back and forth between the divorcing wife and husband in hope of mediating their differences
Mellifluous
Adj. Sweetly flowing; pleasant sounding
*melanie’s clarinet playing was mellifluous; the notes flowed smoothly and beautifully
Mendacious
Adj. Lying; dishonest
*the jury saw through the mendacious witness and convicted the defendant
Mendicant
N. A beggar
*the presence of thousands of mendicants in every urban area is a sad commentary on our nations priorities
Mentor
N. A teacher, tutor, counselor, or coach; an experienced person who shows an inexperienced person the ropes
*chris’s mentor in the pole vault was a former track star who used to hang out by the gym and give the students pointers
Mercenary
N. Someone who will do anything for money
*our business contains a few dedicated workers and many, many mercenaries, who want to make a quick buck and then get out
