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Vocab Junkie - Set 5 Flashcards

Learn this group of tough but common English vocab words - in chunks of 10 at a time. Just rate your confidence on each word, and it will repeat in an interval of time optimized for your brain's maximum retention. (100 cards)

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1
Q

Define:

aseptic

(uh-sep-tik)

A

adj. free of pathogens or germs
adj. with little or no emotion

Doctors are always careful to use aseptic surgical equipment to prevent infection.

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2
Q

Define:

prolix

(proh-liks)

A

adj. wordy or prolonged; tedious in length

The prolix manuscript took days to read.

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3
Q

Define:

foolhardy

(fool-hahr-dee)

A

adj. reckless, unwisely bold; thoughtlessly rash

It was a foolhardy attempt to climb the Sears Tower that went very wrong.

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4
Q

Define:

picaresque

(pik-uh-resk)

A

adj. involving clever rogues in episodes of comedy or adventure

Huck Finn is a picaresque hero.

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5
Q

Define:

raucous

(raw-kuhs)

A

adj. rough sounding, harsh
adj. boisterous, rowdy, disorderly

The raucous laughter went on long into the night.

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6
Q

Define:

providential

(prov-ih-den-shuhl)

A

adj. to occur as if from divine intervention

His providential recovery, when it seemed that he would surely succumb, brought hope to many.

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7
Q

Define:

antipodal

(an-tip-uh-dl)

A

adj. diametrically opposed to, polar opposite
adj. on the opposite side of the earth

The couple had totally antipodal personalities, but they enjoyed each other’s company.

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8
Q

Define:

pillory

(pill-uh-ree)

A

v. to punish; to hold up for public scorning
n. a wooden framework with holes for head and hands, in which criminal offenders are held

Dan was pilloried in class for his inability to spell “potato”.

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9
Q

Define:

infelicitous

(in-fuh-liss-ih-tuss)

A

adj. unfortunate, awkward, inappropriate

In Thailand, it is considered infelicitous to touch someone’s head.

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10
Q

Define:

dilatory

(dil-uh-tawr-ee)

A

adj. tending to delay, put off, or procrastinate
adj. intended to slow progress

Courtney employed dilatory tactics in the debate in order to collect her thoughts, but the judges noticed and she was docked a point.

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11
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. free of pathogens or germs
adj. with little or no emotion

A

aseptic

(uh-sep-tik)

synonyms: barren, clean; withdrawn, introverted

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12
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. wordy or prolonged; tedious in length

A

prolix

(proh-liks)

synonyms: lengthy, rambling

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13
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. reckless, unwisely bold; thoughtlessly rash

A

foolhardy

(fool-hahr-dee)

synonyms: daredevil, venturous, risky

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14
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. involving clever rogues in episodes of comedy or adventure

A

picaresque

(pik-uh-resk)

synonyms: roguish, satirical

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15
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. rough sounding, harsh
adj. boisterous, rowdy, disorderly

A

raucous

(raw-kuhs)

synonyms: noisy, chaotic

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16
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. to occur as if from divine intervention

A

providential

(prov-ih-den-shuhl)

synonyms: accidental, convenient, fortunate

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17
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. diametrically opposed to, polar opposite
adj. on the opposite side of the earth

A

antipodal

(an-tip-uh-dl)

synonyms: opposed, contrary, counter

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18
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to punish; to hold up for public scorning
n. a wooden framework with holes for head and hands, in which criminal offenders are held

A

pillory

(pill-uh-ree)

synonyms: ridicule, abuse

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19
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. unfortunate, awkward, inappropriate

A

infelicitous

(in-fuh-liss-ih-tuss)

synonyms: improper, ill suited

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20
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. tending to delay, put off, or procrastinate
adj. intended to slow progress

A

dilatory

(dil-uh-tawr-ee)

synonyms: dallying, sluggish, tardy

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21
Q

Define:

overweening

(oh-ver-wee-ning)

A

adj. presumptuously arrogant or conceited; overconfident, overbearing

Ian made the overweening assumption that people would rush to help him.

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22
Q

Define:

neologism

(nee-awl-uh-djiz-uhm)

A

n. the creation of new words, expressions, or usages for words

“Technophile” is a neologism, just as “UFO” once was.

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23
Q

Define:

lassitude

(lass-ih-tood)

A

n. a state of listless exhaustion, weakness, or weariness of the mind or body

The extreme heat led to a general lassitude that settled on the village from May to October.

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24
Q

Define:

locution

(loh-kyoo-shuhn)

A

n. a particular word, phrase, or style used by a person or group
n. style of speaking, phraseology

The newcomers were fascinated by the Aussie’s locution.

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25
# Define: **jocose** | (joh-**kohss**)
adj. characterized by a joking or humorous manner The _jocose_ innkeeper could always be counted on for a bit of levity.
26
# Define: **rend** | (**rend**)
v. to forcibly take v. to tear apart The three-year-old decided she wanted to play with the teddy bear, so she _rent_ it from her infant sister's hands.
27
# Define: **stanch** | (**stawnch**)
v. to cease the flow of a liquid (esp. blood) The doctor's attempt to _stanch_ the flow of blood eventually succeeded, and the patient's blood pressure stabilized.
28
# Define: **solder** | (**sod**-er)
v. to weld, fuse, or join (esp. metals) Harry **_solder_**ed the bits of scrap metal together to make a pet door.
29
# Define: **demure** | (duh-**myoor**)
adj. modest, shy Lindsay was _demure_ and had a tough time opening up to new people.
30
# Define: **insensible** | (in-**sen**-suh-buhl)
adj. unconscious, unresponsive The boxer lay _insensible_ on the floor of the ring.
31
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. presumptuously arrogant or conceited, overconfident, overbearing
**overweening** | (oh-ver-**wee**-ning) ## Footnote synonyms: brash, conceited, pompous
32
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. the creation of new words, expressions, or usages for words
**neologism** | (nee-**awl**-uh-djiz-uhm) ## Footnote synonyms: synthetic word, new phrase
33
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a state of listless exhaustion, weakness, or weariness of the mind or body
**lassitude** | (**lass**-ih-tood) ## Footnote synonyms: lethargy, weariness, inaction
34
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a particular word, phrase, or style used by a person or group n. style of speaking, phraseology
**locution** | (loh-**kyoo**-shuhn) ## Footnote synonyms: phrasing, expression, lingo
35
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. characterized by a joking or humorous manner
**jocose** | (joh-**kohss**) ## Footnote synonyms: facetious, humorous, funny
36
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to forcibly take v. to tear apart
**rend** | (**rend**) ## Footnote synonyms: break, divide, rip
37
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to cease the flow of a liquid (esp. blood)
**stanch** | (**stawnch**) ## Footnote synonyms: to cease the flow of a liquid
38
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to weld, fuse, or join (esp. metals)
**solder** | (**sod**-er) ## Footnote synonyms: fasten, braze
39
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. modest, shy
**demure** | (duh-**myoor**) ## Footnote synonyms: reserved, bashful, coy
40
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. unconscious, unresponsive
**insensible** | (in-**sen**-suh-buhl) ## Footnote synonyms: cold, numb, inanimate
41
# Define: **rail** | (**reyl**)
v. to complain bitterly The citizens **_rail_**ed against the injustice of the federal land grab in tersely-worded editorials and letters to the editor.
42
# Define: **noisome** | (**noy**-suhm)
adj. offensive or harmful The _noisome_ odor of the garbage nauseated Audrey.
43
# Define: **mellifluous** | (muh-**lif**-loo-uhs)
adj. sweetly flowing (esp. of words or sounds) Lucy's _mellifluous_ voice was noted by her interviewer.
44
# Define: **inveterate** | (in-**vet**-er-it)
adj. established, habitual, deep-rooted ## Footnote It was Tony's _inveterate_ preference to drink orange juice every morning.
45
# Define: **coterie** | (**koh**-tuh-ree)
n. a small or exclusive group of people with common interests The _coterie_ of musicians began to meet on Tuesday nights and eventually established a weekly concert series.
46
# Define: **impugn** | (im-**pyoon**)
v. to challenge or attack one's beliefs or motives as false The candidate went too far when he began to _impugn_ the character of his opponent's husband.
47
# Define: **voluble** | (**vol**-yuh-buhl)
adj. able to speak easily and in quantity, glib, talkative ## Footnote The _voluble_ speaker talked late into the night.
48
# Define: **misogynist** | (mih-**sodj**-uh-nist)
n. one who hates women The song contained several lyrics that were so offensive to women that the singer was immediately labeled a _misogynist_.
49
# Define: **pedagogy** | (**ped**-uh-goh-djee)
n. the art or profession of training, teaching, or instructing Training in _pedagogy_ can't prepare you for manic third graders.
50
# Define: **ambient** | (**am**-bee-uhnt)
adj. relating to the immediate surroundings; surrounding environment The low _ambient_ lighting made for a romantic dinner setting.
51
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to complain bitterly
**rail** | (**reyl**) ## Footnote synonyms: berate, abuse, complain
52
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. offensive or harmful
**noisome** | (**noy**-suhm) ## Footnote synonyms: repulsive, dangerous
53
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. sweetly flowing (esp. of words or sounds)
**mellifluous** | (muh-**lif**-loo-uhs) ## Footnote synonyms: euphonic, harmonic, mellow, pleasing
54
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. established, habitual, deep-rooted
**inveterate** | (in-**vet**-er-it) ## Footnote synonyms: chronic, habitual, ingrained
55
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a small or exclusive group of people with common interests
**coterie** | (**koh**-tuh-ree) ## Footnote synonyms: clique, crowd, collective
56
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to challenge or attack ones beliefs or motives as false
**impugn** | (im-**pyoon**) ## Footnote synonyms: criticize, challenge
57
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. able to speak easily and in quantity, glib, talkative
**voluble** | (**vol**-yuh-buhl) ## Footnote synonyms: articulate, chatty, conversational
58
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. one who hates women
**misogynist** | (mih-**sodj**-uh-nist) ## Footnote synonyms: sexist, chauvinist
59
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. the art or profession of training, teaching, or instructing
**pedagogy** | (**ped**-uh-goh-djee) ## Footnote synonyms: education, apprenticeship, discipline
60
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. relating to the immediate surroundings; surrounding environment
**ambient** | (**am**-bee-uhnt) ## Footnote synonyms: environment, atmosphere
61
# Define: **inquest** | (**in**-kwest)
n. a judicial inquiry of some matter held before a jury n. an investigation, inquiry The police opened an _inquest_ into the cause of death.
62
# Define: **preen** | (**preen**)
v. to primp, to dress up v. to clean fur or feathers of an animal The bird **_preen_**ed its feathers with its beak for a few moments before taking flight.
63
# Define: **parry** | (**pear**-ee)
v. to block, evade, or ward off The politician **_parri_**ed the reporter's questions with a few of her own.
64
# Define: **guy** | (**gahy**)
n. rope or cord attached to something as a brace I was nervous that the _guy_ for the pully would snap.
65
# Define: **sallow** | (**sal**-oh)
adj. of a sickly yellowish hue or complexion ## Footnote There was a large number of _sallow_-looking patients in the doctor's office.
66
# Define: **plangent** | (**plan**-djuhnt)
adj. pounding, thundering, resounding The _plangent_ honking of geese flying overhead jolted me awake.
67
# Define: **peripatetic** | (per-uh-puh-**tet**-ik)
adj. itinerant, nomadic A _peripatetic_ existence can take its toll on your relationships with the ones you love.
68
# Define: **rue** | (**roo**)
v. to regret; to feel or experience remorse I **_rue_**d the day I ever let her go.
69
# Define: **macerate** | (**mass**-uh-reyt)
v. to soften by steeping in a liquid, or decompose v. to emaciate; to starve Now, we will _macerate_ the rest of the melon in hot water so we can use it to flavor the cream.
70
# Define: **callow** | (**kal**-oh)
adj. lacking maturity or experience ## Footnote A _callow_ young man was tormenting the elderly in the park.
71
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a judicial inquiry of some matter held before a jury. n. an investigation, inquiry
**inquest** | (**in**-kwest) ## Footnote synonyms: a judicial inquiry, an official review before a panel
72
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to primp, to dress up v. to clean fur or feathers of an animal
**preen** | (**preen**) ## Footnote synonyms: beautify, groom, brush, doll up
73
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to block, evade, or ward off
**parry** | (**pear**-ee) ## Footnote synonyms: block, dodge, circumvent
74
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. rope or cord attached to something as a brace
**guy** | (**gahy**) ## Footnote synonyms: cable, wire, rope
75
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. of a sickly yellowish hue or complexion
**sallow** | (**sal**-oh) ## Footnote synonyms: pale, unhealthy-looking, jaundiced
76
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. pounding, thundering, resounding
**plangent** | (**plan**-djuhnt) ## Footnote synonyms: booming, loud, roaring
77
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. itinerant, nomadic
**peripatetic** | (per-uh-puh-**tet**-ik) ## Footnote synonyms: migrant, vagrant, wandering
78
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to regret; to feel or experience remorse
**rue** | (**roo**) ## Footnote synonyms: feel remorse, grieve for
79
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to soften by steeping in a liquid, or decompose v. to emaciate; to starve
**macerate** | (**mass**-uh-reyt) ## Footnote synonyms: soak, dissolve
80
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. lacking maturity or experience
**callow** | (**kal**-oh) ## Footnote synonyms: immature, foolish
81
# Define: **wistful** | (**wist**-fuhl)
adj. yearning, longing, or melancholy The child stared **_wistful_**ly out the window for days, waiting for her dog to return.
82
# Define: **corroborate** | (kuh-**rob**-uh-rehyt)
v. to confirm or validate The mailman **_corroborate_**d the alleged thief's story, confirming that he had merely been passing by when the robbery occurred.
83
# Define: **couch** | (**couch**)
v. to express in indirect terms; to frame in a certain way Her criticism was **_couch_**ed in flattering terms so that her coworker wouldn't take offense.
84
# Define: **innervate** | (ih-**nur**-veyt)
v. to give nervous energy to; to supply with nerves The team was **_innervate_**d by the coach's pep talk and approached the second half with renewed energy.
85
# Define: **impecunious** | (im-puh-**kyoo**-nee-us)
adj. poor; without any money A graduate student generally leads an _impecunious_ existence.
86
# Define: **grovel** | (**gruhv**-uhl)
v. to behave in a servile manner v. to indulge in unworthy pursuits The servants **_grovel_**ed at the king's throne.
87
# Define: **epicurean** | (ep-ih-kyoo-**ree**-uhn)
adj. characterized by luxury (esp. in terms of food and drink) or by a propensity for indulging in luxury The cruise was marketed as an _epicurean_ adventure through the cuisines of four Caribbean nations.
88
# Define: **hirsute** | (**hur**-soot)
adj. hairy, shaggy ## Footnote A _hirsute_ sheepdog won the Dog Showing Contest.
89
# Define: **countenance** | (**koun**-tuh-nunce)
n. appearance of a person's face v. to permit, to allow Many people thought she was friendly because of her kindly _countenance_.
90
# Define: **scurvy** | (**skur**-vee)
adj. not admirable, despicable The _scurvy_ pirate secured his escape by throwing gun powder into the eyes of his pursuers.
91
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. yearning, longing, or melancholy
**wistful** | (**wist**-fuhl) ## Footnote synonyms: forlorn, reflective
92
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to confirm or validate
**corroborate** | (kuh-**rob**-uh-rehyt) ## Footnote synonyms: affirm, validate, give further supporting evidence
93
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to express in indirect terms; to frame in a certain way
**couch** | (**couch**) ## Footnote synonyms: formulate, phrase, surround
94
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to give nervous energy to; to supply with nerves
**innervate** | (ih-**nur**-veyt) ## Footnote synonyms: invigorate, evoke, stimulate
95
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. poor; without any money
**impecunious** | (im-puh-**kyoo**-nee-us) ## Footnote synonyms: destitute, impoverished
96
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to behave in a servile manner v. to indulge in unworthy pursuits
**grovel** | (**gruhv**-uhl) ## Footnote synonyms: beg, serve
97
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. characterized by luxury (esp. in terms of food and drink) or by a propensity for indulging in luxury
**epicurean** | (ep-ih-kyoo-**ree**-uhn) ## Footnote synonyms: gluttonous, libertine
98
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. hairy, shaggy
**hirsute** | (**hur**-soot) ## Footnote synonyms: furry, wooly
99
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. appearance of a person's face v. to permit, to allow
**countenance** | (**koun**-tuh-nunce) ## Footnote synonyms: aspect, demeanor, expression, face
100
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. not admirable, despicable
**scurvy** | (**skur**-vee) ## Footnote synonyms: abominable, low-down

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