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Laws of Power Words > Vernacular > Flashcards

Vernacular Flashcards

1
Q

Pyrrhic

A

achieved at excessive cost; costly to the point of negating or outweighing expected benefits

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2
Q

Insatiable

A

always wanting more: not able to be satisfied

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3
Q

foist

A

to force someone to accept (something not good or not wanted)

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4
Q

surreptitious

A

done in a secret way

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5
Q

paragon

A

a person or thing that is perfect or excellent in some way and should be considered a model or example to be copied

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6
Q

intrepid

A

feeling no fear: very bold or brave

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7
Q

regal

A

of, relating to, or suitable for a king or queen

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8
Q

disdain

A

a feeling of strong dislike or disapproval of someone or something you think does not deserve respect

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9
Q

disparage

A

to lower in rank or reputation

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10
Q

sleight

A

deceitful craftiness

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11
Q

impunity

A

freedom from punishment, harm, or loss

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12
Q

overt

A

easily seen: not secret or hidden

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13
Q

congenial

A

suitable or appropriate, friendly: existing or associated together

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14
Q

fawn

A

to try to get the approval of an important or powerful person by giving that person praise, special attention, etc

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15
Q

prudent

A

having or showing careful good judgment

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16
Q

quizzical

A

showing that you do not understand something or that you find something strange or amusing. Mildly teasing or mocking

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17
Q

bungle

A

to make mistakes in doing something

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18
Q

espouse

A

to express support for

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19
Q

consummate

A

of the highest degree. Complete in every detail: perfect

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20
Q

ostensible

A

seeming or said to be true or real but very possibly not true or real: plausible rather than demonstrably true or real

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21
Q

countenance

A

admit as acceptable or possible

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22
Q

parismony

A

the quality of being very unwilling to spend money

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23
Q

preeminent

A

more important, skillful, or successful than others

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24
Q

precarious

A

not safe, strong, or steady. Depending on the will or pleasure of others

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25
Q

vagary

A

an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someones behavior

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26
Q

surly

A

ruse and unfriendly. menacing or threatening in appearance

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27
Q

rancor

A

an angry feeling of hatred or dislike for someone who has treated you unfairly

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28
Q

surly

A

rude and unfriendly. menacing or threatening in appearance

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29
Q

odious

A

causing hatred or strong dislike

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30
Q

auspicious

A

conductive to success; favorable

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31
Q

conducive

A

making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible

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32
Q

profligate

A

recklessly extravagant in the use of resources. a licentious, dissolute person; high rolling

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33
Q

avaricous

A

having or showing an extreme greed or wealth or material gain

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34
Q

emasculate

A

make (a person, idea, or piece of legislation) weaker or less effective. weakness, cripple, etc

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35
Q

vassal

A

a holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance

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36
Q

condenscension

A

an attitude of patronizing superiority; disdain

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37
Q

disdain

A

the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of ones consideration or respect; contempt

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38
Q

awry

A

away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course; amiss; wrong

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39
Q

ineptitude

A

lacking skill or ability

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40
Q

nuance

A

a very small difference in color, tone, meaning, ect

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41
Q

beguile

A

to attract or interest someone. to trick or deceive someone

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42
Q

prudent

A

having or showing careful, good judgment

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43
Q

unabashed

A

not embarrassed or ashamed about openly expressing strong feelings or opinions

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44
Q

infidelity

A

lack of belief in a religion. unfaithfulness to a moral obligation

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45
Q

ruse

A

a trick or act that is used to fool someone

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46
Q

espouse

A

to express support for a cause, belief, ect

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47
Q

aristocracy

A

government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class

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48
Q

contempt

A

a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of any respect or approval

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49
Q

pithy

A

having substance and point. using few words in a clever and effective way

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50
Q

taciturn

A

tending to be quite; not speaking frequently

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51
Q

assail

A

to attack violently with blows or words

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52
Q

virulent

A

full of hate or anger. marked by a rapid, severe, and destructive course

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53
Q

eccentric

A

deviating from an established or usual pattern or style. tending to act in strange or unusual ways

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54
Q

enthrall

A

to hold spellbound. to hold the attention of someone by being very exciting, interesting, or beautiful

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55
Q

ostentatious

A

displaying wealth, knowledge, etc in a way that is meant to attract attention, admiration, or envy

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56
Q

anathema

A

something or someone that one vehemently dislikesy

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57
Q

impugn

A

to assail by words or arguments: oppose or attack as false or lacking integrity

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58
Q

quitessence

A

the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class

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59
Q

posterity

A

all future generations

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60
Q

visceral

A

coming from strong emotions and not from logic or reason

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61
Q

decrepit

A

wasted and weakened by old age

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62
Q

laborious

A

devoted to labor. requiring a lot of time and effort

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63
Q

miserly

A

hating to spend money

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64
Q

folly

A

lack of good sense or judgment. foolish behavior

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65
Q

superfluous

A

exceeding what is sufficient or necessary

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66
Q

haughty

A

having or showing the insulting attitude of people who think they are better than other people

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67
Q

dapper

A

neat and trim in appearance. very spruce and stylish

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68
Q

meek

A

not violent or strong. enduring injury with patience and without resentment (lowly, humble modest)

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69
Q

charlatan

A

a person who falsely pretends to know or be something in order to deceive people

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70
Q

pragmatic

A

practical as opposed to idealistic

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71
Q

aggrandize

A

to make greater

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72
Q

palatial

A

very large and impressive: like a palace

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73
Q

cajole

A

to obtain form someone by gentle persuasion.

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74
Q

innocuous

A

not likely to bother, offend, or injure anyone

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75
Q

vehement

A

marked by forceful energy; intensely emotional

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76
Q

inredulous

A

unwilling to admit or accept what is offered as true

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77
Q

fief

A

something over which one has rights or exercises control

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78
Q

vie

A

to compete with others in an attempt to get or win something

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79
Q

sangfroid

A

the ability to stay calm in difficult or dangerous situations

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80
Q

capricious

A

changing often and quickly. not logical or reasonable: based on an idea, desire, etc that is not possible to predict

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81
Q

melancholy

A

a sad mood or feeling

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82
Q

daunt

A

to make someone afraid or less confident

83
Q

sagacious

A

having or showing an ability to understand difficult ideas and situations and to make good decisions. insightful, perceptive, prudent, wise, sage, sapient

84
Q

fractious

A

tending to be troublesome. full of anger and disagreement

85
Q

juxtapose

A

to place different things together in order to create an interesting effect or to show how they are the same or different

86
Q

temerity

A

excessive confidence or boldness; audacity

87
Q

avarice

A

extreme greed for wealth or material gain

88
Q

consortium

A

an association, typically of several business companies. an alliance, coalition

89
Q

unctuous

A

excessively or ingratiatingly flattering

90
Q

de facto

A

in fact, or in effect

91
Q

incur

A

become subject to (something unwelcome or unpleasant) as a result of ones own behavior or actions

92
Q

bsesiege

A

to surround a city, bulding with soldiers and try to take control of it. to gather around someone in an aggressive or annoying way. overwhelm someone with too many questions or requests fo rthings

93
Q

perfidious

A

not able to be trusted: showing that someone cant be trusted: disloyal

94
Q

fickle

A

changing often

95
Q

carte blanche

A

permission to do something in any way you chose to do it

96
Q

dissuade

A

to convince someone not to do something

97
Q

pilfer

A

to steal things that are not very valuable or to steal a small amount of something

98
Q

autonomy

A

the state of existing or acting separately from others

99
Q

allay

A

to make something less severe or strong

100
Q

scrupulous

A

having moral integrity: acting in strict regard for what is considered the right or proper

101
Q

zeal

A

a strong feeling of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something

102
Q

eminent

A

successful, well known and respected. standing out so as to be readily perceived or noted: conspicuous

103
Q

sentiment

A

an attitude or opinion. feelings of love, sympathy, kindness. an attitude, thought, or judgment prompted by feeling.

104
Q

tumultous

A

loud, excited, and emotional

105
Q

elusive

A

hard to find or capture

106
Q

prudence

A

careful good judgment that allows someone to avoid danger or risks

107
Q

prattle

A

to take for very long about something that is not important or interesting

108
Q

brazen

A

acting or done in a very open and shocking way without shame or embarrassment. marked by contemptuous boldness

109
Q

circuitious

A

not said or done simply or clearly

110
Q

obsequious

A

too eager to help or obey someone important. marked by a fawning attentiveness

111
Q

apt

A

having a tendency. appropriate or suitable. quick to learn

112
Q

malevolent

A

having, showing, or arising from intense often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred

113
Q

benevolence

A

disposition to do good. an act of kindness

114
Q

sublime

A

to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor

115
Q

bludner

A

to make a stupid or careless mistake. to move unsteadily or confusedly

116
Q

prerogative

A

a right or privilege

117
Q

placate

A

to smoothly mollify especially by concessions. to cause someone to feel less angry about something

118
Q

integral

A

essential to completeness: important or necessary

119
Q

consummate

A

very good or skillful. complete in every detail

120
Q

portentuous

A

giving a sign or warning that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen

121
Q

indelibly

A

impossible to remove or forget

122
Q

prosaic

A

dull or ordinary

123
Q

raucous

A

disagreeably harsh or unpleasant

124
Q

strident

A

marked by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound

125
Q

protean

A

having a varied nature or ability to assume different forms

126
Q

disseminate

A

to disperse throughout

127
Q

dupe

A

one that is easily deceived or cheated

128
Q

subterfuge

A

a deceptive device or stratagem

129
Q

artifice

A

dishonest or insincere behavior or speech that is meant to deceive someone

130
Q

corollary

A

something that incidentally or naturally accompanies or parallels: result

131
Q

panacea

A

a remedy for all ills or difficulties

132
Q

secular

A

not overtly or specifically religious

133
Q

beau monde

A

the world of high society and fashion

134
Q

pagan

A

one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods

135
Q

prodigious

A

amazing or wonderful. resembling or befitting a prodigy

136
Q

imprudent

A

lacking discretion, wisdom, or good judgment

137
Q

impetuous

A

marked by impulsive vehemence or passion. acting or done quickly and without thought

138
Q

feign

A

to give a false appearance of: induce as a false impression

139
Q

usurp

A

to seize and hold in possession by force or without right

140
Q

bravado

A

a pretense of bravery. confident or brave talk or behavior that is intended to impress othe rpeople

141
Q

reprieve

A

to delay the punishment of (as a condemned prisoner). to prevent something from being closed, destroyed, etc for a period of time

142
Q

aplomb

A

complete and confident composure or self-assurance

143
Q

elicit

A

to draw forth or bring out

144
Q

clairvoyant

A

able to see beyond the range of ordinary perception

145
Q

despot

A

a ruler with absolute power and authority

146
Q

vestige

A

the smallest possible amount of something

147
Q

bevy

A

a large group or collection

148
Q

harem

A

a group of women associated with one man

149
Q

sumptuous

A

extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent

150
Q

opulent

A

very wealthy

151
Q

demagogue

A

a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power

152
Q

coupe de grace

A

a deathblow or death shot administered of end the suffering of one mortally wounded. a decisive finishing blow, act, or event

153
Q

craven

A

lacking the least bit of courage

154
Q

fascimile

A

an exact copy

155
Q

lascivious

A

filled with or showing sexual desire

156
Q

bourgeois

A

relating to the social middle class

157
Q

vanguard

A

the forefront of an action or movement

158
Q

impecunious

A

having very little or no money usually habitually

159
Q

deign

A

to do something that you think you should not have to do because you are too important

160
Q

ascetic

A

relating to or having a strict and simple way of living that avoids pleasure

161
Q

austere

A

morally strict

162
Q

aegis

A

the power to protect, control, or support something or someone. control or guidance especially by an individual, group, or system

163
Q

petulant

A

insolent or rude in speech or behavior

164
Q

nolens volens

A

willy nilly

165
Q

miser

A

a mean grasping person especially one who is extremely stingy with money

166
Q

volition

A

the power of choosing or determining. a choice or decision made

167
Q

soiree

A

a party or reception held at night

168
Q

ignoramus

A

an utterly ignorant person

169
Q

bombast

A

pretentious inflated speech or writing.

170
Q

couch

A

to say or express something in a particular way. to lay oneself down for rest or sleep

171
Q

pugnacious

A

having quarrelsome or combative nature

172
Q

truculent

A

feeling or displaying ferocity. easily annoyed or angered and likely to argue

173
Q

ambivalence

A

simultaneous and contradictory attitudes or feelings toward and object, person, or action

174
Q

precedent

A

prior in time, arrangement, or significance

175
Q

pillory

A

a means for exposing one to public scorn or ridicule

176
Q

caricature

A

exaggeration by means of ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics. someone or thing that is very exaggerated in a funny or foolish way

177
Q

arduous

A

hard to accomplish or achieve

178
Q

pariah

A

one that is despised or rejected

179
Q

magnanimous

A

showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind

180
Q

sovereign

A

one that exercises supreme authority within a limited sphere. an acknowledged leader

181
Q

arbiter

A

a person with the power to decide a dispute

182
Q

egregious

A

conspicuously bad

183
Q

harangue

A

a ranting speech or writing

184
Q

ferverent

A

glowing; exhibiting or marked by great intensity or feeling: zealous

185
Q

austerity

A

marked by simple or unadorned. morally strict

186
Q

somber

A

so shaded as to be dark and gloomy

187
Q

voracious

A

having a huge appetite: ravenous. excessively eager

188
Q

opaque

A

hard to understand or explain

189
Q

boisterous

A

very noisy and active in a lively way. noisily turbulent: rowdy

190
Q

stolid

A

having or expressing little or no sensibility

191
Q

succor

A

something that furnishes relief

192
Q

ecclesiastical

A

of or relating to the christian church or clergy

193
Q

carom

A

a rebounding especially at an angle

194
Q

zeitgeist

A

the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of anera

195
Q

tenuous

A

not certain, definite, or strong: flimsy, weak, or uncertain

196
Q

wretched

A

deeply afflicted, dejected, or distressed in body or mind

197
Q

ornate

A

elaborately or excessively decorated

198
Q

phalanx

A

an organized body of persons

199
Q

ephermal

A

lasting a very shorty time

200
Q

poignant

A

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret

201
Q

amicable

A

characterized by friendly goodwill: peaceable

202
Q

cantankerous

A

bad tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative

203
Q

licentious

A

promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters. degenerate, immoral, naughty, wanton, decadent

204
Q

concupiscent

A

filled with sexual desire; lustful

Laws of Power Words (1 decks)

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