Vocab Flashcards
(152 cards)
1
Q
Seminal
A
Influential on later developments
“His book on social policy proved to be seminal.”
2
Q
Alacrity
A
Brisk and cheerful readiness. Willingness, eagerness
3
Q
Nebulous
A
(of a concept or idea) unclear, vague, or ill-defined.
“nebulous concepts like quality of life”
4
Q
Remonstrate
A
To say or plead in protest, reproof, or opposition.
“Rather than yell and remonstrate with an individual, I will simply walk away from an argument.”
5
Q
Acrimony
A
Anger and bitterness; harshness of words, manners, or feelings.
“The council’s first meeting ended in acrimony.”
“The dispute was settled without acrimony.”
6
Q
Scurrilous
A
making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation.
“a scurrilous attack on his integrity”
7
Q
Deference
A
Humble submission or respect
8
Q
Unfeigned
A
Genuine, sincere.
9
Q
Venerate
A
Regard with respect of admiring deference.
“Tolkien is venerated by authors like George R.R. Martin.”
10
Q
Adulterate
A
Corrupt or make impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior element
“To avoid giving toddlers too much sugar, adulterate their juice with water.”
“I will not adulterate my schedule by filling it with unimportant tasks.”
11
Q
Abstruse
A
Difficult to comprehend.
“Most of the medical research on the subject seems abstruse to the average man.”
12
Q
Engender
A
To produce, to cause to exist. (Not abruptly or messily)
“Team building exercises are meant to engender a sense of camaraderie.”
13
Q
Misanthrope
A
Someone who hates people. A Scrooge.
14
Q
Impetuous
A
Impulsive vehemence-(intensity).
Extreme impatience. Reckless
15
Q
Histrionic
A
Overly dramatic or emotional.
Theatrical; deliberately over dramatic
“The widow’s histrionic screaming made the detectives suspicious.”
16
Q
Redress
A
(V): To rectify. To remedy.
(N): compensation
“More and more victims turn to litigation to redress wrongs done to them.” (V)
17
Q
Prolific
A
Marked by abundant inventiveness or productivity. Fruitful.
“Picasso was extremely prolific during his Cubist years.”
18
Q
Contemptible
A
Deserving contempt, scorn, or disdain.
Despicable
19
Q
insouciance
A
Casual lack of concern; indifference.
20
Q
Punctilious
A
showing great attention to detail or correct behavior.
“he was punctilious in providing every amenity for his guests”
21
Q
Trenchant
A
Vigorously effective and articulate.
“Intellectually trenchant and emotionally brutal, the film is also a feast of outstanding acting.”
22
Q
ignominious
A
Humiliating, Degrading, or Dishonorable
“an ignominious defeat.”
Marked with or characterized by disgrace or shame.
23
Q
apocryphal
A
(of a story or statement) of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true.
“Even though people know the apocryphal account of the shipwreck is false, they still tell the tale over and over again.”
24
Q
ingenuous
A
(of a person or action) innocent and unsuspecting.
“he eyed her with wide, ingenuous eyes”
25
Impudence. Impudent
marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others : insolent.
26
Ribald
referring to sexual matters in an amusingly coarse or irreverent way.
"a ribald comment"
27
supercilious
behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.
“The supercilious lady next door doesn't even smile when we pass in the street.”
28
Obdurate
stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.
“The man was an obdurate sinner.”
29
Garrulous
excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters. (Negative connotation)
"Polonius is portrayed as a foolish, garrulous old man"
30
Pragmatic
Practical, logical. Using reasoning.
31
Prevaricate
Avoid telling the truth.
Speak or act in an evasive way.
"he seemed to prevaricate when journalists asked pointed questions"
32
Impugn
To assail buy words or argument.
“You dare impugn me honor boy?”
dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or motive); call into question.
"the father does not impugn her capacity as a good mother"
33
Impunity
Freedom from punishment or harm
34
Counterpoise
(V) Bring into contrast.
"the stories counterpoise a young recruit with an old-timer"
(N) a factor, force, or influence that balances or neutralizes another.
"they see the power of Brussels as a counterpoise to that of London"
35
Inimical
tending to obstruct or harm.
"actions inimical to our interests"
36
Disabuse
persuade (someone) that an idea or belief is mistaken.
"he quickly disabused me of my fanciful notions"
37
Perfunctory
(of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection.
"he gave a perfunctory nod"
38
Aspersion
an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something.
"I don't think anyone is casting aspersions on you"
39
Abash
make (someone) feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.
"if anything was officially done or said to him, it did not abash him"
40
Unstintingly
Generously or lavishly
41
Capitulate
make (someone) feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.
"if anything was officially done or said to him, it did not abash him"
42
Acquiesce
accept something reluctantly but without protest.
"Sara acquiesced in his decision"
43
Interminable
Endless (hyperbole)
44
Salubrious
health-giving; healthy.
"salubrious weather"
Think “Salud”
45
Staid
sedate, respectable, and unadventurous.
"staid law firms"
46
Repudiate
to refuse to accept especially : to reject as unauthorized or as having no binding force.
“repudiate a contract repudiate a will.”
47
Panegyrical
a eulogistic oration or writing
“...composed a panegyric about Tchaikovsky for the concert program”
also : formal or elaborate praise
a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something.
48
Reticent
not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily.
"she was extremely reticent about her personal affairs"
49
Discomfit/Discomfiture
make (someone) feel uneasy or embarrassed.
"he was not noticeably discomfited by her tone"
a feeling of unease or embarrassment; awkwardness.
"many MPs are secretly enjoying his discomfiture"
50
Apotheosis
Climax
51
Taciturn
(of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.
"after such gatherings she would be taciturn and morose"
52
Exegesis
Interpretation of a text, specifically scripture
53
Pugnacious
Having a quarrelsome or combative behavior
eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
"his public statements became increasingly pugnacious"
54
Bumptious
self-assertive or proud to an irritating degree.
"these bumptious young boys today"
55
Edify/Edifying
instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually.
"Rachel had edified their childhood with frequent readings from Belloc"
56
Derisive
expressing contempt or ridicule.
"a harsh, derisive laugh"
57
Shrewd
having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute.
"she was shrewd enough to guess the motive behind his gesture"
58
Laudable
(of an action, idea, or goal) deserving praise and commendation.
"laudable though the aim might be, the results have been criticized"
59
Deride
express contempt for; ridicule.
"critics derided the proposals as clumsy attempts to find a solution"
60
Phlegmatic
(of a person) having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition.
"the phlegmatic British character"
61
Deprecate
express disapproval of.
"what I deprecate is persistent indulgence"
62
Audacious
showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.
"a series of audacious takeovers"
showing an impudent lack of respect.
"an audacious remark"
63
Auspicious
conducive to success; favorable.
"it was not the most auspicious moment to hold an election"
giving or being a sign of future success.
"they said it was an auspicious moon—it was rising"
64
Prodigal
spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.
"prodigal habits die hard"
65
Gregarious
(of a person) fond of company; sociable.
"he was a popular and gregarious man"
Social, Sociable
66
Strident
(of a person) fond of company; sociable.
"he was a popular and gregarious man"
presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in an excessively and unpleasantly forceful way.
"public pronouncements on the crisis became less strident"
67
Timorous
showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence.
"a timorous voice"
68
Reproof
an expression of blame or disapproval.
"she welcomed him with a mild reproof for leaving her alone"
69
Mien
a person's look or manner, especially one of a particular kind indicating their character or mood.
"he has a cautious, academic mien"
70
Precipitate
cause (an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.
"the incident precipitated a political crisis"
71
Erudite
having or showing great knowledge or learning.
"Ken could turn any conversation into an erudite discussion"
72
Circumspection
the quality of being wary and unwilling to take risks; prudence.
"circumspection is required in the day-to-day exercise of administrative powers"
73
Antipathy
a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion.
"his fundamental antipathy to capitalism"
74
Pedant
a person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.
"the royal palace (some pedants would say the ex-royal palace)"
75
Idyllic
(especially of a time or place) like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque.
"an attractive hotel in an idyllic setting"
76
Itinerant
traveling from place to place.
"itinerant traders"
77
Indefatigable
(of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly.
"an indefatigable defender of human rights"
78
Equivocal
open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.
"the equivocal nature of her remarks"
uncertain or questionable in nature.
"the results of the investigation were equivocal"
79
Assuage
make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense.
"the letter assuaged the fears of most members"
satisfy (an appetite or desire).
"an opportunity occurred to assuage her desire for knowledge"
80
Genteel
polite, refined, or respectable, often in an affected or ostentatious way.
"her genteel upbringing"
81
Dissipation
the squandering of money, energy, or resources.
"the dissipation of the country's mineral wealth"
squandering
dissipated living.
"a descent into drunkenness and sexual dissipation"
82
Panacea
a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.
"the panacea for all corporate ills"
83
Dearth
a scarcity or lack of something.
"there is a dearth of evidence"
84
Fallacious
based on a mistaken belief.
"fallacious arguments"
85
Compulsory
equired by law or a rule; obligatory.
"compulsory military service"
86
pre·tense
1. an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true.
"his anger is masked by a pretense that all is well"
2. a claim, especially a false or ambitious one.
"he was quick to disclaim any pretense to superiority"
87
Myopia
nearsightedness.
"he wore spectacles to correct a mild degree of myopia"
lack of imagination, foresight, or intellectual insight.
"historians have been censured for their myopia in treating modern science as a western phenomenon"
88
Magnanimous
generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person.
"she should be magnanimous in victory"
89
Sacrosanct
(especially of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with.
"the individual's right to work has been upheld as sacrosanct"
90
Entreaty
an earnest or humble request.
"the king turned a deaf ear to his entreaties"
91
Presage
(of an event) be a sign or warning that (something, typically something bad) will happen.
"the outcome of the game presaged the coming year"
92
Kleptocracy
Klepto government.
Think corrupt officials
93
Slate
Criticize Severely
"his work was slated by the critics"
Can also to mean to plan
“Slated for June
94
Stringent
(of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict, precise, and exacting.
"California's air pollution guidelines are stringent"
95
Clemency
Leniency
96
Crucible
a situation of severe trial, or in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new.
"their relationship was forged in the crucible of war"
97
Crib
copy (another person's work) illicitly or without acknowledgment.
"he was taking an exam and didn't want anybody to crib the answers from him"
98
Dialectics
the art of investigating or discussing the truth of opinions.
Reasoning or argumentation
99
Enmity
the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
"decades of enmity between the two countries"
100
Chide
Scold or Rebuke
"she chided him for not replying to her letters"
101
Pyrrhic
(of a victory) won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victor.
102
Disparate
essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.
"they inhabit disparate worlds of thought"
103
Lodestar
a person or thing that serves as an inspiration or guide.
"she was his intellectual lodestar"
104
Provincial
of or concerning the regions outside the capital city of a country, especially when regarded as unsophisticated or narrow-minded.
"the whole exhibition struck one as being very provincial"
105
Invective
insulting, abusive, or highly critical language.
"he let out a stream of invective"
106
Acumen
the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain.
"business acumen"
107
Buttress
N and V
a source of defense or support.
"there was a demand for a new stable order as a buttress against social collapse"
108
Intractable
hard to control or deal with.
"intractable economic problems"
(of a person) difficult or stubborn.
109
Megalomania
obsession with the exercise of power, especially in the domination of others.
delusion about one's own power or importance (typically as a symptom of manic or paranoid disorder).
110
Demur
raise doubts or objections or show reluctance.
"normally she would have accepted the challenge, but she demurred"
111
Chagrin
N or V
distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated.
"Jeff, much to his chagrin, wasn't invited"
112
Sanguine
optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.
"he is sanguine about prospects for the global economy"
113
Forbearing
(of a person) patient and restrained.
"he proved to be remarkably forbearing whenever I was impatient or angry"
114
Forbearing
(of a person) patient and restrained.
"he proved to be remarkably forbearing whenever I was impatient or angry"
115
Rapacious
aggressively greedy or grasping.
"rapacious landlords"
116
Posthumously
after the death of the originator.
"a number of songs were posthumously published in 1924"
117
Licentious
promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters.
"the ruler's tyrannical and licentious behavior"
118
Ignominy
Public shame or disgrace
"the ignominy of being imprisoned"
119
Animus
Animosity
120
Stymie
prevent or hinder the progress of.
"the changes must not be allowed to stymie new medical treatments"
121
Disparage
regard or represent as being of little worth.
"he never missed an opportunity to disparage his competitors"
122
Uncouth
(of a person or their appearance or behavior) lacking good manners, refinement, or grace.
"he is unwashed, uncouth, and drunk most of the time"
123
Extortion
the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.
"he used bribery and extortion to build himself a huge, art-stuffed mansion"
124
Esconse
Esconder
125
Exhortation
an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something.
"no amount of exhortation had any effect"
126
Hegemony
leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.
"Germany was united under Prussian hegemony after 1871"
127
Conflagration
an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property.
"tinder-dry conditions sparked fears of a conflagration in many drought-devastated communities"
128
Belie
.
(of an appearance) fail to give a true notion or impression of (something); disguise or contradict.
"his lively, alert manner belied his years"
129
Aplomb
self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation.
"Diana passed the test with aplomb"
130
Rancor
bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long-standing.
"he spoke without rancor"
131
Vociferous
(especially of a person or speech) vehement or clamorous.
"he was a vociferous opponent of the takeover"
Vocal or outspoken
132
Timorous
Timid
133
Preponderant
predominant in influence, number, or importance.
"the preponderant influence of the US within the alliance"
134
Aberration
a departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome.
"they described the outbreak of violence in the area as an aberration"
135
Veracity
conformity to facts; accuracy.
"officials expressed doubts concerning the veracity of the story"
Verdad
136
Endemic
of a plant or animal) native and restricted to a certain place.
"a marsupial endemic to northeastern Australia"
137
Sententious
given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner.
"he tried to encourage his men with sententious rhetoric"
138
Mien
a person's look or manner, especially one of a particular kind indicating their character or mood.
"he has a cautious, academic mien"
139
Sepulchral
relating to a tomb or interment.
"sepulchral monuments"
gloomy; dismal.
"a speech delivered in sepulchral tones"
140
Disposition
Temperament
141
Behoove
it is appropriate or suitable; it befits.
"it ill behooves the opposition constantly to decry the sale of arms to friendly countries"
142
Ministrations
the services of a minister of religion or of a religious institution.
"the ministrations of Father Martin"
143
Convivial
Con vida
144
Consummation
the action of making a marriage or relationship complete by having sexual intercourse.
"the eager consummation that follows a long and passionate seduction"
the point at which something is complete or finalized.
"the consummation of a sale"
145
Eclectic
deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.
"universities offering an eclectic mix of courses"
146
Assignation
an appointment to meet someone in secret, typically one made by lovers.
"his assignation with an older woman"
147
Underwrite
an appointment to meet someone in secret, typically one made by lovers.
"his assignation with an older woman"
148
Wan
(of light) pale; weak.
"the wan dawn light"
(of a smile) weak; strained.
"he gave a wan smile"
149
Votive
offered or consecrated in fulfillment of a vow.
"votive offerings"
150
Aplomb
Self assurance or Poise
151
Sultry
(of the air or weather) hot and humid.
"the sultry late summer weather had brought
(of a person, especially a woman) attractive in a way that suggests a passionate nature.
"a sultry French au pair"
152
Legation
a diplomatic minister, especially one below the rank of ambassador, and their staff.
"they placed a bomb on the train carrying the British Legation to Istanbul"
