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Vocab Junkie - Set 7 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:

obfuscate

(ob-fuh-skeyt)

A

v. to deliberately obscure, to make confusing, to bewilder

The governor obfuscated the issue with big words and numbers.

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2
Q

Define:

encomium

(en-koh-mee-uhm)

A

n. enthusiastic praise

That country’s national anthem is an encomium to the heroes of a war long past.

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3
Q

Define:

din

(din)

A

n. loud sustained noise, confusing or tumultuous sound

During the concert, Jill couldn’t hear Rick over the din of the loudspeakers.

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4
Q

Define:

alloy

(n. al-oi; v. al-oi)

A

n. a mixture of superior and inferior ingredients
v. to debase by mixing with something inferior

The heroism one sees nowadays is often alloyed with some degree of self-interest.

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5
Q

Define:

pugilism

(pyoo-djuh-liz-uhm)

A

n. the skill or practice of fighting with fists; boxing

Mike Tyson is known throughout the world for his pugilism.

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6
Q

Define:

sanctimony

(sangk-tuh-moh-nee)

A

n. self-righteousness, pretended piety

His sanctimony was laughable, since we all knew he was one of the worst offenders.

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7
Q

Define:

baleful

(beyl-fuhl)

A

adj. full of sinister influence, pernicious, ominous

The basilisk’s baleful glare is lethal.

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8
Q

Define:

hallow

(hal-oh)

A

v. to set apart as holy, to sanctify

The site for the church was hallowed in a special ceremony.

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9
Q

Define:

ostensible

(uh-sten-suh-buhl)

A

adj. apparent
adj. pretended

The oil spill was the ostensible result of lax safety regulations.

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10
Q

Define:

sinecure

(sahy-nih-kyoor)

A

n. a comfortable job requiring little work

Carolyn’s position in the office is a sinecure; she does nothing all day yet she draws the same salary as everyone else.

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11
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to deliberately obscure, to make confusing, to bewilder

A

obfuscate

(ob-fuh-skeyt)

synonyms: baffle, muddle, confound

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12
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. enthusiastic praise

A

encomium

(en-koh-mee-uhm)

synonyms: tribute, laudation, praise

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13
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. loud, sustained noise, confusing or tumultuous sound

A

din

(din)

synonyms: buzz, clamor, commotion, racket

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14
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a mixture of superior and inferior ingredients
v. to debase by mixing with something inferior

A

alloy

(n. al-oi; v. al-oi)

synonyms: blend, combination; debase, devalue

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15
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. the skill or practice of fighting with fists; boxing

A

pugilism

(pyoo-djuh-liz-uhm)

synonyms: battle, sparring, duel

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16
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. self-righteousness, pretended piety

A

sanctimony

(sangk-tuh-moh-nee)

synonyms: smug, hypocritical, preachy

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17
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. full of sinister influence, pernicious, ominous

A

baleful

(beyl-fuhl)

synonyms: menacing, evil

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18
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to set apart as holy, to sanctify

A

hallow

(hal-oh)

synonyms: bless, consecrate

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19
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. apparent

A

ostensible

(uh-sten-suh-buhl)

synonyms: exhibited, likely, manifest

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20
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

n. a comfortable job requiring little work

A

sinecure

(sahy-nih-kyoor)

synonyms: easy work

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21
Q

Define:

lackey

(lak-ee)

A

n. a male servant, servile follower, toady

Lori’s boyfriend becomes a lackey during her shopping trips.

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22
Q

Define:

redress

(ree-dress)

A

v. to set right, to remedy
n. compensation or restitution for a wrong

The peaceful petitioning for redress of wrongs is a right enshrined in our country’s founding document.

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23
Q

Define:

unctuous

(uhngk-choo-uhs)

A

adj. oily, greasy
adj. characterized by insincere earnestness

The king had the unctuous toady removed from his palace.

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24
Q

Define:

arrant

(ar-uhnt)

A

adj. impudent
adj. thorough, utter, notorious

Though the professor is considered one of the greats of his discipline, lately his lectures have verged on arrant nonsense.

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25
# Define: **vaunt** | (**vawnt**)
v. to boast or brag about Chris, though usually very modest, will readily _vaunt_ his achievements in a job interview.
26
# Define: **affectation** | (af-ek-**tey**-shuhn)
n. a show or pretense n. artificial behavior to impress others That American doctor's _affectation_ of a British accent has drawn much criticism.
27
# Define: **philately** | (fih-**lat**-uhl-ee)
n. the study of postage stamps His grandfather is obsessed with _philately_ and has even made several overseas pen pals in order to study their countries' postage.
28
# Define: **canonical** | (kuh-**non**-ih-kuhl)
adj. in agreement with accepted principles adj. authorized, accepted The _canonical_ Mozart sonatas were consulted in order to compare them to the newly-discovered manuscript attributed to him.
29
# Define: **whit** | (**wit**)
n. the smallest possible part or fraction The bank robber did not have a _whit_ of self-respect.
30
# Define: **epaulet** | (**ep**-uh-let)
n. a shoulder ornament, esp. a strap on military uniforms ## Footnote The veteran's uniform was adorned by a pair of impressive **_epaulet_**s.
31
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a male servant, servile follower, toady
**lackey** | (**lak**-ee) ## Footnote synonyms: servant, butler, subordinate
32
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to set right, to remedy n. compensation or restitution for a wrong
**redress** | (**ree**-dress) ## Footnote synonyms: help, compensate; justice
33
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. oily, greasy adj. characterized by insincere earnestness
**unctuous** | (**uhngk**-choo-uhs) ## Footnote synonyms: fatty, slick; lying, untruthful
34
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. impudent adj. thorough, utter, notorious
**arrant** | (**ar**-uhnt) ## Footnote synonyms: shameless; brazen
35
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to boast, to brag
**vaunt** | (**vawnt**) ## Footnote synonyms: flaunt, gloat
36
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a show or pretense n. artificial behavior to impress others
**affectation** | (af-ek-**tey**-shuhn) ## Footnote synonyms: pretend, artificiality
37
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. the study of postage stamps
**philately** | (fih-**lat**-uhl-ee) ## Footnote synonyms: study of stamps
38
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. in agreement with accepted principles adj. authorized, accepted
**canonical** | (kuh-**non**-ih-kuhl) ## Footnote synonyms: orthodox, standard
39
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. the smallest possible part or fraction
**whit** | (**wit**) ## Footnote synonyms: atom, crumb, grain, iota
40
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a shoulder ornament, esp. a strap on military uniforms
**epaulet** | (**ep**-uh-let) ## Footnote synonyms: military decoration, service stripe
41
# Define: **panoply** | (**pan**-uh-plee)
n. a splendid, striking array n. the complete armory of a warrior n. a shining protective array A porcupine's _panoply_ of quills is quite a protective arsenal.
42
# Define: **pantheon** | (**pan**-thee-on)
n. a temple dedicated to the gods n. all the gods of a people n. a group of famous persons The Greek _pantheon_ includes Zeus and his consort, Hera.
43
# Define: **blandish** | (**blan**-dish)
v. to coax or influence with flattery ## Footnote Steve **_blandish_**ed her into going out with him.
44
# Define: **peremptory** | (puh-**remp**-tuh-ree)
adj. admitting of no contradiction; putting an end to further debate; haughty; imperious He ended the discussion with a _peremptory_ wave of his hand.
45
# Define: **tyro** | (**tahy**-roh)
n. a beginner or novice in any kind of skill The hapless _tyro_ tripped over the ropes on his way into the boxing ring.
46
# Define: **fetid** | (**fet**-id)
adj. malodorous, stinky The _fetid_ green substance had taken over the entire fridge.
47
# Define: **fecundity** | (fih-**kuhn**-dih-tee)
n. fertility, fruitfulness An artist's period of _fecundity_ can come at any time of her life.
48
# Define: **rarefied** | (**rair**-uh-fahyd)
adj. thin, pure, refined ## Footnote The _rarefied_ air of higher altitudes makes it very difficult to climb Mt. Everest.
49
# Define: **delectation** | (dee-lek-**tey**-shuhn)
n. enjoyment ## Footnote They played wiffleball for the _delectation_ of it, not for the competition.
50
# Define: **fickle** | (**fick**-ul)
adj. prone to changing often ## Footnote Suzanne was a _fickle_ friend who could not be relied upon.
51
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a splendid, striking array n. the complete armory of a warrior n. a shining protective array
**panoply** | (**pan**-uh-plee) ## Footnote synonyms: display, arrangement; armaments
52
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a temple dedicated to the gods n. all the gods of a people n. a group of famous persons
**pantheon** | (**pan**-thee-on) ## Footnote synonyms: house of worship, sanctuary
53
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to coax or influence with flattery
**blandish** | (**blan**-dish) ## Footnote synonyms: charm, flatter
54
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. admitting of no contradiction; putting an end to further debate; haughty; imperious
**peremptory** | (puh-**remp**-tuh-ree) ## Footnote synonyms: opinionated, absolute, assertive
55
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a beginner or novice in any kind of skill
**tyro** | (**tahy**-roh) ## Footnote synonyms: beginner, rookie
56
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. malodorous, stinky
**fetid** | (**fet**-id) ## Footnote synonyms: corrupt, gross
57
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. fertility, fruitfulness
**fecundity** | (fih-**kuhn**-dih-tee) ## Footnote synonyms: abundance, productivity
58
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. thin, pure, refined
**rarefied** | (**rair**-uh-fahyd) ## Footnote synonyms: thin, refined
59
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. enjoyment
**delectation** | (dee-lek-**tey**-shuhn) ## Footnote synonyms: delight, elation
60
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. prone to changing often
**fickle** | (**fick**-ul) ## Footnote synonyms: inconstant, unpredictable
61
# Define: **fidelity** | (fih-**dell**-ih-tee)
n. devotion to obligations or loyalties n. the accuracy of a reproduced sound or image Kevin's parents were proud of him for his _fidelity_ to the family business.
62
# Define: **fission** | (**fish**-un)
n. the act of separating into parts The controversial legislation led to the _fission_ of the administration.
63
# Define: **flag** | (**flag**)
v. to become tired or weak v. to droop or limp ## Footnote The runner's enthusiasm **_flag_**ged when she realized she still had many miles ahead of her.
64
# Define: **florid** | (**floor**-id)
adj. healthy-looking adj. ornate or flowery ## Footnote The author's _florid_ prose did not impress the critics, who found her work pretentious.
65
# Define: **forbear** | (for-**bear**)
v. to refrain from doing something Although I know Adam likes to crack jokes, I would have liked him to _forbear_ silliness in such a serious situation.
66
# Define: **forestall** | (for-**stall**)
v. to deal with ahead of time; to prevent The mayor called the police before the protest even began in order to _forestall_ rioting.
67
# Define: **quail** | (**kweyl**)
v. to shrink with fear The puppy **_quail_**ed at my angry tone.
68
# Define: **forthright** | (**forth**-rahyt)
adj. straightforward One should be _forthright_ and honest with the authorities so as not to seem suspicious.
69
# Define: **fortuity** | (for-**too**-ih-tee)
n. an event that happens by chance without a known cause n. luck By sheer _fortuity_, Linda was assigned to the same homeroom as her twin brother.
70
# Define: **mince** | (**minss**)
v. to speak carefully; to euphemize Don't _mince_ words with me; just say what you need to say!
71
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. devotion to obligations or loyalties n. the accuracy of a reproduced sound or image
**fidelity** | (fih-**dell**-ih-tee) ## Footnote synonyms: allegiance, faith
72
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. the act of separating into parts
**fission** | (**fish**-un) ## Footnote synonyms: division, severance, parting
73
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to become tired or weak v. to droop or limp
**flag** | (**flag**) ## Footnote synonyms: droop, fade, wane, weaken
74
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. healthy-looking adj. ornate or flowery
**florid** | (**floor**-id) ## Footnote synonyms: pretty, fancy; extravagant, ornamental
75
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to refrain from doing something
**forbear** | (for-**bear**) ## Footnote synonyms: avoid, constrain, forgo
76
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to deal with ahead of time; to prevent
**forestall** | (for-**stall**) ## Footnote synonyms: intercept, anticipate, prevent
77
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to shrink with fear
**quail** | (**kweyl**) ## Footnote synonyms: recoil, cower
78
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. straightforward
**forthright** | (**forth**-rahyt) ## Footnote synonyms: honest, frank
79
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. an event that happens by chance without a known cause n. luck
**fortuity** | (for-**too**-ih-tee) ## Footnote synonyms: accident; good fortune
80
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to speak carefully; to euphemize
**mince** | (**minss**) ## Footnote synonyms: soften, tone down
81
# Define: **visceral** | (**viss**-er-uhl)
adj. felt in one's stomach adj. emotional, rather than intellectual Jeb's _visceral_ response to his mother's racist ramblings was visible to all of us.
82
# Define: **refectory** | (rih-**fek**-tuh-ree)
n. a room or dining area where meals are served The students milled about the entrance to the _refectory_, counting down the seconds until supper would be served.
83
# Define: **frenetic** | (fruh-**net**-ik)
adj. frenzied or frantic _Frenetic_ screams filled the room as people tried to get out before the fire spread.
84
# Define: **infinitesimal** | (in-fin-ih-**tess**-uh-muhl)
adj. immeasurably small The proportion of truly selfless people in this world is surely _infinitesimal_ .
85
# Define: **sanguine** | (**sang**-gwin)
adj. cheerfully optimistic ## Footnote Samantha had a _sanguine_ attitude towards life that enriched those around her.
86
# Define: **furtive** | (**fur**-tiv)
adj. secretive, sly ## Footnote At the party, Julia cast _furtive_ glances around the room to make sure her older sister was not around to send her back home.
87
# Define: **calumny** | (**kal**-uhm-nee)
n. a false statement; slander, aspersion The desperate candidate abandoned reasoned arguments and resorted to **_calumni_**es against the front-runner.
88
# Define: **quotidian** | (kwoh-**tid**-ee-uhn)
adj. everyday, commonplace, habitual ## Footnote Joe's small, _quotidian_ pleasures seemed more substantial than Mattias's high-profile jet-setting.
89
# Define: **salacious** | (suh-**ley**-shuhs)
adj. causing sexual desire, bawdy ## Footnote Many parents were unhappy with the magazine's _salacious_ material.
90
# Define: **importune** | (im-**pour**-chewn)
v. to beg persistently Kate **_importune_**d her father every day to teach her how to sail.
91
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. felt in one's stomach adj. emotional, rather than intellectual
**visceral** | (**viss**-er-uhl) ## Footnote synonyms: habitual, instinctive, inherent; affective
92
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a room or dining area where meals are served
**refectory** | (rih-**fek**-tuh-ree) ## Footnote synonyms: chamber, dining hall
93
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. frenzied or frantic
**frenetic** | (fruh-**net**-ik) ## Footnote synonyms: anxious, hysterical, rattled
94
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. immeasurably small
**infinitesimal** | (in-fin-ih-**tess**-uh-muhl) ## Footnote synonyms: little, microscopic
95
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. cheerfully optimistic
**sanguine** | (**sang**-gwin) ## Footnote synonyms: happy, cheerful
96
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. secretive, sly
**furtive** | (**fur**-tiv) ## Footnote synonyms: sneaky, stealthy
97
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a false statement; slander, aspersion
**calumny** | (**kal**-uhm-nee) ## Footnote synonyms: misrepresentations, slanderous
98
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. everyday, commonplace, habitual
**quotidian** | (kwoh-**tid**-ee-uhn) ## Footnote synonyms: ordinary, trivial
99
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. causing sexual desire, bawdy
**salacious** | (suh-**ley**-shuhs) ## Footnote synonyms: erotic, lecherous, raunchy
100
Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to beg persistently
**importune** | (im-**pour**-chewn) ## Footnote synonyms: demand, appeal

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