W3 Flashcards
(36 cards)
Caprice
Sudden change of mood
Employees had become inured(toughen) to the caprice of top management.
Inure
Hardened, toughen
Children have been inured to violence.
Figurative
Not literal, metaphorical
A figurative expression
Ruminate
Think about
We sat ruminating on the nature of existence.
Incipient
Beginning to happen
He could feel incipient anger building up.
Retrospect
Survey or review of a past course of events
A full retrospect of the battle
Scuffle
Fight, struggle
There were minor scuffle with police
Zealot
Person with strong opinion about something religion politics
The religious zealot was willing to break the law to follow his prophets order.
Esoteric
Difficult to understand
Esoteric philosophical debates
Pretentious
Attempt to impress, showy
He is pretentious millionaire.
Modicum
Little bit
His statement had a modicum of truth.
Dissent
different opinion than common
Disagreement
There is an upsurge of political dissent.
Schism
Division between opposed parties
The widening schism between church leaders and politicians.
The movement created a schism between right and left wings of the party.
Sartorial
Relating to cloths or style
Sartorial elegance
Scant
Barely sufficient
Trite
Lacking originality, banal
This point may now seem obvious and trite
Elated
Thrilled
Wildlife elated me, it unnerved me as well
Synoptic
Summary
A synoptic outline of the contents.
Abridge
Shorten, cut
An abridged text of the speech.
Lurid
Present in shocking or sensational terms
The more lurid details of the massacre were too frightening for the children.
Illiberal
Opposed to liberal principles, restricting freedom of thought
Narrow minded
Disapprobation
Strong disapproval
Probity
Strong moral principles
The criminal knew he could not buy the judge who was known for his probity.
Whereby
By which
A system whereby people could vote by telephone.