Vocab 61-80 Flashcards
(40 cards)
Cogitate
Verb
To think over; to consider with care; to ponder
-since the matter is of the utmost importance, I must have time to cogitate before I make my decision
Purge
Verb
To cleanse or purify; to get rid of something that is undesired
-the candidate vowed to purge the county administration of inefficiency and corruption
Sinuous
Adjective
Bending in and out; winding; serpent-like
-signs that warn motorists of a sinuous stretch of road often indicate safe speeds for negotiating the curves
Paramount
Adjective
Above all others; supreme; chief
-the paramount concern of parents is the safety and well-being of their children
Deduce
Verb
To figure out by reasoning; to infer
-the persons weight was able to be deduced by the depth of the footprints in the sand
Ostentatious
Adjective
Done to impress others; showy
-parked next to our family’s conservation sedan was an ostentatious red convertible
Malign
Verb
To talk badly about; to speak evil of
-Christopher defended his friend when other students in class were maligning him
Kudos
Noun
Fame or praise due to achievement
-the actor received kudos for his performance in the film
Bias
Noun
An opinion formed before there are grounds for it; a prejudice; a partiality
-any perspective juror with a bias for or against the defendant will not be selected for the jury
Lethargic
Adjective
Unnaturally drowsy; lazy; sluggish; dull
-for several hours after the operation, the patient was lethargic because of the anesthetic
Lament
Verb
To express sorrow; grief; or remorse; to openly mourn
-“we lament the loss of life and sympathize with the families of the victims”
Flippant
Adjective
Taking serious matters lightly; inappropriately humorous
-on should not be flippant about the need for studying, it is a serious matter that could greatly affect your graduation
Jocose
Adjective
Playfully humorous; jesting
-some columnist wrote in a jocose manner, while others are inclined to be more serious
Alacrity
Noun
Cheerful willingness; readiness; liveliness
-ms.sampsons class is one which students attend with alacrity
Eminent
Adjective
Standing out; notable; famous
-many schools names honor eminent writers such as mark twain
Zenith
Noun
The highest point; the culmination; the peak
-her election to the senate marked the zenith of her political career
Nepotism
Noun
Favoritism to family or friends by those in power
-whenever a president appoints a relative to a government position, a cry of nepotism is raised by the opposing political party
Pungent
Adjective
Strong or sharp in smell or taste
-when you slice onions, the pungent fumes may cause your eyes to tear
Decrepit
Weakened by old age
-the decrepit wood, shaken under the weight of heavy snow
Incomprehensible
Adjective
Difficult or impossible to understand or accept
-Paula’s inability to ride a bicycle was incomprehensible to Greg
To be living in an “ivory tower”
Isolated from “real” life; not in touch with life’s problems
To “ pay the piper”
To suffer the consequences
To “rule the roost”
To be in charge
To say something “tongue in cheek”
To be insincere
- speaking with tongue in cheek, the manager said he would triple a workers wages is they finished the project on time