Vocab - TFA part one Flashcards
(163 cards)
0
Q
harmattan
A
A dry and dusty West African trade wind.
1
Q
wily (adj.)
A
Full of wiles; cunning.
Wiles: 1. A deceitful stratagem or trick.
2. A disarming or seductive manner, device, or procedure.
2
Q
improvident
A
(adj.) Not providing for the future; thriftless.
3
Q
cowry
A
(or cowrie) Any of various tropical marine gastropods having glossy, often brightly marked shells.
4
Q
loafer
A
Noun of ‘to loaf’: to pass time idly.
5
Q
(to) recline
A
To assume or cause to assume a leaning or prone position.
6
Q
impending
A
From ‘to impend’: 1. To be about to take place
2. To threaten to happen; menace
7
Q
plaintive
A
(adj.) expressing sorrow; mournful or melancholy.
8
Q
mirth
A
Gladness and gaiety.
9
Q
snuff
A
A preparation of finely pulverized tobacco for ingesting by sniffing.
10
Q
(to be) cut out (for)
A
To be suited for.
11
Q
prowess
A
- Superior skill or ability.
2. Superior strength and courage, especially in battle.
12
Q
(to) revere
A
To regard with deference and devotion.
Deference: 1. Submission or courteous yielding to the opinion, wishes, or judgment of another.
2. Courteous respect.
13
Q
amiss
A
(adj. ) 1. Out of proper order.
2. Not in perfect shape; faulty.
14
Q
(to) discern
A
- To detect or perceive with the eyes or intellect.
2. To perceive the distinctions of; discriminate.
15
Q
overtone
A
often ‘overtones’: an implication; hint
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Q
sinister
A
(adj. ) 1. Suggesting or threatening evil.
2. Presaging (1. to indicate or warn of in advance; portend; 2. to have a presentiment of) trouble; ominous.
17
Q
uncanny
A
- Peculiarly unsettling; eerie.
2. So keen and perceptive as to seem preternatural (1. beyond the normal course of nature; 2. supernatural)
18
Q
(to) bellow
A
- To roar in the manner of a bull.
2. To utter or cry in a deep, loud voice; shout.
19
Q
orator
A
- One who delivers an oration (a formal speech).
2. An eloquent and skilled public speaker.
20
Q
(to) suppress
A
- To put an end to forcibly; subdue.
- To keep from being revealed, published, or circulated.
- To inhibit the expression of; check.
21
Q
ultimatum
A
A statement of terms that expresses or implies the threat of serious penalties if the terms are not accepted.
22
Q
(to) dispatch
A
- To send to a specific destination; send.
- To perform or transact promptly.
- To kill.
23
Q
compensation
A
Noun of ‘to compensate’: 1. To make up for; offset; counterbalance.
2. To make payment to; reimburse.
24
potent
(adj. ) 1. Possessing strength; powerful.
2. Exerting or capable of exerting strong effects.
3. (of a male) Able to perform sexual intercourse.
25
shrine
1. A container for sacred relics.
2. The tomb of a saint.
3. A site or object revered for its associations.
26
imperious
(adj. ) 1. Arrogantly domineering or overbearing.
| 2. Urgent; pressing.
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emissary
An agent sent on a mission to represent another.
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interim (n.)
(noun) A period between two events.
| (adj. ) serving or taking place during an interim; temporary
29
capricious
(adj.) impulsive and unpredictable; arbitrary.
30
malevolent
(adj.) having or exhibiting ill will; malicious.
31
(to) resent
To feel angry or bitter about.
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incipient
(adj.) beginning to exist or appear.
33
(to) behold
1. To look upon; gaze at.
| 2. Used in the imperative ("Behold!") to direct attention.
34
machete
A large, broad-bladed knife used for cutting and as a weapon.
35
hoe
A tool with a flat blade attached to a long handle, used for weeding, cultivating, and gardening.
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abomination
Noun of 'to abominate': to detest thoroughly; abhor (to regard with loathing; detest).
37
(to be) afflicted (with)
From 'to afflict': to inflict (to mete out; impose) grievous suffering on.
38
contemptible
Deserving of contempt; despicable.
Contempt: 1. Disparaging or haughty disdain; scorn.
2. The state of being despised; disgrace.
3. Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law.
39
rafters
One of the sloping beams that support a pitched (slanted) roof.
40
dregs
1. The sediment in a liquid; lees.
| 2. The least desirable portion.
41
share-cropping
From 'share-cropper': a tenant (one that pays rent to use or occupy property owned by another) farmer who gives a share of the crops raised to the landlord as rent.
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fending (for)
From 'to fend': 1. To ward off; repel.
| 2. To manage; get by (eg. fend for yourself)
43
sisal
The fibre of a Mexican and Central American plant, used for cordage and rope.
44
luxuriant
(adj. ) 1. Marked by rich or profuse growth; producing or yielding in abundance; profuse.
2. Excessively elaborate; ornate.
45
brusqueness
From 'brusque': (adj) abrupt and curt in manner or speech.
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(to) atone (for)
To make amends for
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restraint
1. The act of restraining or the condition of being restrained.
2. Something that restrains.
3. Control or repression (holding back) of feelings.
To restrain: 1. To hold back.
2. To deprive of freedom.
3. To limit or restrict.
48
(to) ordain
1. To install as a minister, priest, or rabbi.
2. To order by or as if by decree (an authoritative order; edict).
3. To predestine (decide or decree in advance) / dictate.
49
valediction
An act or expression of leave-taking.
50
deft
(adj.) skillful; adroit
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exacting
(adj. ) 1. Making rigorous demands.
| 2. Requiring great care or effort.
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dynamism
From 'dynamic': (adj.) 1. Of or relating to energy or to objects in motion.
2. Marked by continuous change or activity.
3. Marked by intensity and vigor; forceful.
53
poignant
(adj. ) 1. Keenly distressing to the mind or feelings.
| 2. Profoundly moving; touching.
54
deity
1. A god or goddess.
2. Divinity.
3. ('Deity') God.
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calabash
1. An annual vine having large hard-shelled gourds.
2. A tropical American tree bearing hard-shelled, gourdlike fruits.
3. The fruit of a calabash, often dried and hollowed for use as a utensil.
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(to) shrivel
1. To become or make shrunken or wrinkled, often by drying.
| 2. To lose or cause to lose vitality.
57
mortar
1. A vessel in which substances are crushed or ground with a pestle.
2. A muzzleloading cannon used to fire shells in high trajectories.
3. A bonding material used in building, especially a mixture of cement or lime with sand and water.
58
(to) revel (in)
1. To take great pleasure or delight.
| 2. To engage in boisterous festivities.
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(the day) wore (on)
(past tense of 'to wear')...9. To pass gradually or tediously.
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fronds
The leaf especially of a fern or palm.
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intoxicating
Noun of 'to intoxicate': 1. To make drunk.
| 2. To stimulate or excite.
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bout
1. A contest; match.
| 2. A period of time spent in a particular way; spell.
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disembodied
'to disembody': 1. To free (the spirit) from the body.
| 2. To divest of material form or existence.
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(to) prophesy
1. To reveal by divine inspiration.
| 2. To predict / foretell.
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(to) espy
To catch sight of; glimpse.
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entrails
The internal organs, especially the intestines.
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(to) feign
1. To give a false appearance (of).
| 2. To represent falsely; pretend to.
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stunted
From 'to stunt': to check (curb; restrain) the growth or development of.
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(wooden) stay
1. A support or brace.
| 2. A strip of bone, plastic, or metal, used to stiffen a garment or parts.
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(to) distill
1. To subject to or derive from distillation.
2. To separate from.
3. To exude in drops.
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harbinger
One that indicates or foreshadows (presents an indication or hint of beforehand) what is to come; forerunner.
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copiously
adv. of 'copious': (adj.) ample; abundant / plentiful.
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brittle
(adj,) likely to break, snap, or crack; fragile.
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(to) counsel
1. To give counsel (to) / advise.
2. To recommend.
Counsel (noun): 1. The act of exchanging opinions and ideas; consultation.
2. Advice or guidance.
3. A plan of action.
4. Private thoughts or opinions.
5. A lawyer or group of lawyers.
( do not confuse with 'council': 1. An assembly of persons called together for deliberation or discussion.
2. An administrative, legislative, or advisory body.)
75
pestle
A club-shaped, hand-held tool for grinding or mashing substances in a mortar,
76
undergrowth
Low-growing plants, saplings, and shrubs beneath trees in a forest.
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(to) sheath
To insert into or provide with a sheath (a case for a blade, as of a sword or knife / any of various similar coverings).
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plaintains
Plantain (note spelling): 1. A weedy plant with a dense spike of small greenish or whitish flowers.
2. A bananalike tropical plant or its fruit.
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valor
Courage and boldness, as in battle; bravery.
80
thatch
(noun) Plant stalks or foliage used for roofing.
| (verb) to cover with or as if with thatch.
81
(to) clinch
1. To fasten securely, as with a nail or bolt.
2. To settle conclusively.
(or noun: an act or instance of clinching)
82
leprosy
A chronic, mildly contagious disease marked by ulcers of the skin, bone, and viscera (the internal body organs, esp. those contained within the abdomen and thorax) and leading to paralysis, gangrene, and deformation.
83
audacity
Noun of audacious: (adj.) 1. Fearlessly daring / adventurous.
2. Arrogantly insolent (disrespectfully arrogant; impertinent; rude); impudent (brashly bold; insolent; impertinent).
84
(to) rebuke
To criticize sharply; reprimand.
85
conspiracy
A plot, especially an illegal one.
86
resignation
1. The act of resigning.
2. A formal statement that one is resigning.
3. Acceptance; submission.
To resign: 1. To submit (oneself) passively.
2. To give up (a position); quit.
3. To relinquish (a privilege, right, or claim).
87
devoid
(adj.) completely lacking; destitute (1. Utterly lacking; devoid. 2. Lacking means of subsistence; impoverished.)
88
diviner
From the verb 'to divine': 1. To prophesy through or practice divination (1. the art or act of foretelling future events or revealing occult knowledge by means of augury or alleged supernatural agency; 2. An inspired guess or presentiment) / foretell; 2. To guess, infer, or conjecture.
89
(to) elude
1. To evade or escape from, as by daring or skill.
| 2. To escape the understanding or grasp of.
90
tormentor
From 'torment' (noun):1. Great physical pain or mental anguish.
2. A source of harassment or pain.
(verb) : 1. To cause to undergo torment.
2. To pester; annoy.
91
(to) circumcise
To remove the prepuce (foreskin - the loose fold of skin that covers the glans of the penis) of (a male).
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(to) gnash
To grind (the teeth) together.
93
(to) mutilate
1. To deprive of a limb or an essential part.
| 2. To disfigure by damaging irreparably.
94
malevolence
From 'malevolent' (adj.): having or exhibiting ill will; malicious.
Malevolence (noun): 1. The quality or state of being malevolent.
2. Malicious behaviour.
95
(to be) wont (to)
(adj. ): 1. Accustomed or used.
| 2. Likely.
96
ailing
To ail: 1. To feel ill or have pain.
| 2. To make ill or cause pain.
97
listless
(adj,): lacking energy or enthusiasm; lethargic.
98
specious
(adj. ) 1. Seemingly true but actually fallacious.
| 2. Deceptively attractive.
99
manifest
(adj. ): clearly apparent to the sight or understanding; obvious.
(verb) : to show plainly; reveal.
(noun) : a list of cargo or passengers.
100
sprightly
(adj.): lively and brisk; animated.
101
astride
(adv. n preposition): with a leg on each side (of)
102
fringe
(noun) : 1. A decorative border or edging of hanging threads, cords, or strips.
2. Something like a fringe.
3. A marginal or secondary part.
4. Those members of a group or political party holding extreme views.
5. A fringe benefit.
103
defiance
From 'defiant' (adj.): 1. Marked by bold resistance to authority or an opposing force.
2. Deliberately provocative.
104
guttural
(adj. ) 1. Of or produced in the throat.
| 2. Harsh; throaty.
105
awesome
(adj. ): 1. Inspiring awe.
2. (slang) superb; outstanding.
Awe (noun): 1. a mixed emotion of reverence, dread, and wonder.
2. Respect tinged with fear.
106
stampede
(noun) a sudden frenzied rush of panic-stricken animals or people.
107
momentary
(adj. ): 1. lasting for only a moment.
| 2. Occurring or present at every moment.
108
pandemonium
(noun): wild uproar or noise
109
quavering
1. To quiver, as from weakness; tremble.
| 2. To speak in a shaky or tremulous voice.
110
esoteric
(adj. ): 1. Intended for or understood by only a few.
| 2. Not publicly disclosed; confidential.
111
cult
(noun) : 1. A system of religious worship and ritual.
2. A religion or sect considered extremist or false.
3. Obsessive devotion to a person or principle / the object of such devotion.
112
clan
(noun) : 1. A traditional social unit in the Scottish Highlands, consisting of a number of families claiming a common ancestor.
2. A division of a tribe tracing descent from a common ancestor.
3. A large group of relatives or associates.
113
abroad
(adj, n adv,): 1. In or to a foreign country, esp. overseas.
2. Away from home.
3. In wide circulation; at large. (at large (idiom): 1. not in captivity; at liberty. 2. As a whole; in general. 3.not representing a particular country, state or district.)
114
shrill
(adj.): high-pitched and piercing.
115
chaos
(noun) 1. Great disorder or confusion.
| 2. The disordered state held to have existed before the ordered universe.
116
spectacle
(noun) : 1. A remarkable or impressive sight / a lavish public performance or display.
(2. Spectacles: a pair of eyeglasses.)
117
(to) restrain
1. To hold back.
2. To deprive of freedom.
3. To limit or restrict.
118
raffia
(noun) 1. An African palm tree having large fibrous leaves.
| 2. The leaf fibers of this plant, used esp. for mats and baskets.
119
(to) thrust
1. To push or drive forcibly.
2. To force into a specific state or condition.
3. To interject; interpose.
120
charred
From 'to char': 1. To scorch or become scorched.
| 2. To reduce robe reduced to carbon or charcoal by incomplete combustion.
121
(to) subside
1. To sink to a lower level.
2. To sink to the bottom, as a sediment.
3. To become less; abate.
122
submission
From 'to submit': 1. To yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another.
2. To commit (something) to the consideration or judgment of another.
3. To offer as a proposition or contention.
4. To allow oneself to be subjected to something.
123
approbation
(noun): approval; praise.
124
grandee
A man of elevated rank or station, esp. A Spanish or Portuguese nobleman of the first rank.
125
dispute
(noun) : 1. An argument; debate.
2. A quarrel.
To dispute: 1. To argue (about); debate.
2. To question the truth or validity of; doubt.
3. To strive against; oppose.
126
(fire-that-burns-without-)faggots
(also fagot) (noun): a bundle of twigs or sticks.
127
trifle
(noun) : 1. Something of little importance or value.
2. A small amount.
To trifle: 1. To deal with something as if it were if little significance or value.
1. To play or toy with something / flirt.
128
(to) recline
To assume or cause to assume a leaning or prone position.
129
voluble
(adj.) marked by a ready flow of speech; fluent.
130
plumage
(noun): the feathers of a bird.
131
eloquent
(adj. ): 1. Marked by fluent, persuasive discourse.
| 2. Vividly or movingly expressive.
132
delectable
(adj. ): 1. Delightful.
| 2. Pleasing to the taste / delicious.
133
(own) accord
(noun) : 1. Agreement; harmony.
2. A settlement or understanding, esp. between nations.
3. Free or spontaneous choice. (eg. own accord)
134
lest
(conjunction): for fear that
135
eaves
(noun): the projecting overhang at the lower edge of a roof.
136
outcrop
(noun): a portion of bedrock protruding through the soil level.
137
omen
(noun): something believed to be a sign of future good or evil.
138
(to) trudge
To walk in a laborious, heavy-footed way; plod.
139
benumbed
1. To numb, esp. by cold.
| 2. To stupefy / daze.
140
(to) revive
1. To return or bring back to life or consciousness.
2. To impart new health, vigour, or spirit to.
3. To restore to use, currency, or notice.
4. To present (eg. an old play) again.
141
oath
(noun) : 1. A formal promise to fulfil a pledge, often calling on God or a god as witness.
2. A blasphemous use of a sacred name.
142
astir
(adj.) moving about
143
(to) beckon
1. To summon by nodding or waving.
| 2. To be inviting or enticing (to); to attract.
144
deliberate (adj.)
(adj. ): 1. Done with full consciousness if the effects; intentional.
2. Marked by careful consideration.
3. Unhurried in action or manner.
145
closefisted
(adj.): stingy
146
(to) rend
1. To tear or split apart or into pieces violently.
2. To tear away forcibly; wrest.
3. To pierce or disturb with sound.
4. To cause pain or distress to.
147
sediment
(noun): material that settles to the bottom of a liquid; lees.
148
lamentation
(noun) : 1. The act of lamenting.
2. A lament.
To lament: 1. To express grief for or about; mourn / to grieve.
2. To regret; deplore.
Lament (noun): 1. An expression of grief; lamentation.
2. A dirge or elegy.
149
(to) heave
1. To raise or lift, esp. with great effort or force.
2. To throw, esp. with great effort.
3. To utter with effort or pain,
4. To vomit.
5. To raise or haul by means of a rope, line, or cable / to position or be positioned in a certain way.
6. To rise up or swell.
150
tremulous
(adj. ): 1. Vibrating or quivering; trembling.
| 2. Timid, fearful.
151
(to be) transfixed
To transfix: 1. To pierce with or as with a pointed weapon; impaled.
2. To render motionless, as with terror.
152
infirm
(adj. ) 1. Weak in body, esp. from old age or disease; feeble.
2. Not strong or stable; shaky.
153
rite
(noun) : 1. the prescribed form for conducting a religious or other solemn ceremony.
2. A ceremonial act.
154
tumult
(noun) : 1. The din and commotion of a great crowd.
| 2. Agitation of the mind or emotions.
155
(to) befit
To be suitable to or appropriate for.
156
(to) brandish
1. To wave or flourish (eg. a weapon) menacingly.
| 2. To display ostentatiously.
157
(glowing) brand
(noun) : 1. A trademark or distinguishing name identifying a product or manufacturer / a product line so identified / a distinctive kind.
2. A mark indicating ownership, burned on the hide of an animal.
3. A mark formerly burned into the flesh of criminals.
4. A mark of disgrace / stain.
5. A branding iron.
6. A piece of burning wood. (*)
158
delirious
From 'delirium' (noun): 1. A temporary state of mental confusion resulting from high fever, intoxication, or shock, marked by anxiety, disorientation, hallucination, delusions, trembling, and incoherence.
1. Uncontrolled excitement or emotion.
159
inadvertent
(adj. ): 1. Not duly attentive.
| 2. Unintentional.
160
garb
(noun) : 1. A distinctive style of clothing; dress.
| 2. An outward appearance; guise.
161
calamity
(noun) : 1. A disaster.
| 2. Dire distress.
162
(to) decree
To ordain, establish, or decide by decree / dictate.
Decree (noun): 1. An authoritative order; edict.
2. (Law) the judgment of a court of equity, admiralty, probate, or divorce.
