Vocab #3 Flashcards
(100 cards)
burro
BUR-oh
N. – A small donkey, especially one used as a pack animal in the southwestern U.S. or Latin America.
The burro carried supplies up the narrow mountain trail.
scramble
SKRAM-buhl
V. – To move quickly or awkwardly using hands and feet; to mix up or rush to do something.
N. – A hurried or disorganized movement or struggle.
They scrambled up the rocky hillside before sunset.
There was a mad scramble for the last available seats.
twich
twich
V. – To make a small, sudden movement, often one that is uncontrolled or nervous.
N. – A sudden, small, jerky movement.
His eye twitched when he was stressed.
She felt a twitch in her arm after lifting the heavy box.
conviction
kuhn-VIK-shuhn
N. – A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a crime; also, a strong belief or opinion.
Her conviction that honesty is essential has guided her entire life.
He has a conviction for theft on his record.
veracity
vuh-RASS-ih-tee
N. – Truthfulness; accuracy or conformity to facts.
The journalist checked the veracity of the facts before publishing the story.
insolence
IN-suh-luhns
N. – Rude or disrespectful behavior or speech.
The student’s insolence toward the teacher earned him a detention.
picaresque
pik-uh-RESK
Adj. – Relating to a type of fiction that follows the adventures of a roguish but appealing hero, often of low social class, who lives by their wits.
The novel’s picaresque plot follows a clever orphan through a series of misadventures across the country.
adhere
ad-HEER
V. – To stick firmly to something; or to follow rules, beliefs, or a plan closely.
You must adhere to the safety guidelines while working in the lab.
haphazard
hap-HAZ-urd
Adj. – Lacking any obvious order or organization; done randomly or carelessly.
The books were piled in a haphazard way all over the floor.
thus
thuhs
Adv. –
As a result or consequence of something.
In this way or manner.
To this extent or degree.
He forgot to set his alarm; thus, he was late for school.
She folded the paper thus, making a neat triangle.
tributary
TRIB-yuh-ter-ee
N. – A river or stream that flows into a larger river or body of water.
Adj. – Paying tribute or giving support to a more powerful entity.
The Mississippi River has many tributaries feeding into it.
The tributary states sent gold and soldiers to the empire.
rugged
RUG-id
Adj. – Having a rough, uneven surface; strong and tough in character or appearance.
The hikers climbed over the rugged terrain with great effort.
conceal
kuhn-SEEL
V. – To hide something or keep it secret.
He tried to conceal his nervousness during the interview.
deed
deed
N. – An action that is performed intentionally, often of moral or legal significance; also a legal document that shows ownership of property.
Helping the elderly woman cross the street was a kind deed.
He signed the deed to transfer ownership of the house.
illuminating
ih-LOO-muh-nay-ting
Adj. – Providing insight, clarity, or understanding; enlightening.
The professor gave an illuminating lecture on the history of human rights.
perpetually
per-PEH-choo-uh-lee
Adv. – Continuing forever or for a very long time without stopping; constantly or repeatedly.
He was perpetually late to class, no matter how early he left home.
clobber
KLAW-ber
V. – To hit someone very hard; to defeat someone decisively.
The boxer clobbered his opponent in the first round.
perplex
per-PLEKS
V. – To confuse or puzzle someone, often by being complex or difficult to understand.
The strange question perplexed the students during the exam.
congenial
kun-JEE-nee-uhl
Adj. – Pleasant or agreeable in personality, or well-suited to one’s taste or situation.
She found the quiet village a congenial place to live and write.
persist
per-SIST
V. – To continue firmly or obstinately in a course of action despite difficulty or opposition.
He persisted in his efforts to finish the project, even when everyone else gave up.
distressingly
dih-STRESS-ing-lee
Adv. – In a way that causes anxiety, sorrow, or pain; upsettingly.
The news was distressingly vague about the extent of the damage.
dispirit
dih-SPEER-it
V. – To cause someone to lose enthusiasm, hope, or confidence; to discourage or dishearten.
The repeated failures began to dispirit the team.
demeanor
dih-MEE-ner
N. – A person’s outward behavior, manner, or appearance.
Despite the stress, she maintained a calm and professional demeanor.
devoid
dih-VOYD
Adj. – Completely lacking or without something.
His voice was devoid of any emotion.