Flashcards in Word List 32 Deck (41):
1
beholden
adj. obligated; indebted
2
benignity
n. state of being kind, benign, gracious
3
benison
n. blessing
4
bereavement
n. state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved
5
bifurcated
adj. divided into two branches; forked
6
billingsgate
n. abusive language
7
blase
adj. bored with pleasure or dissipation
8
bowdlerize
v. expurgate; censor
9
brackish
adj somewhat saline
10
breviary
n. book containing daily prayers
11
brindled
adj. tawny or grayish with streaks or spots
12
bugaboo
n. bugbear; object f baseless terror
13
buskin
n. thick soled half boot worn by actors of Greek tragedy
14
callow
adj. unfledged; youthful
15
capillary
adj. having a very fine bore
16
carafe
n. glass water bottle; decanter
17
carillon
n. a set of bells capable of being played
18
cartographer
n. maker of maps or charts
19
caryatid
n. sculptured column of a female figure
20
casuistry
n. subtle or sophisticated reasoning resulting in minute distinctions
21
catalyst
n. agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged
22
catharsis
n. purging or cleansing of any passage of the body
23
caucus
n. private meeting of members of a party to select officers or determine policy
24
celerity
n. speed; rapidity
25
centripetal
adj. tending toward the center
26
chiromancy
n. plmistry
27
codicil
n. supplement to the body of a will
28
compendium
n. brief comprehensive summary
29
complicity
n. participation; involcement
30
compromise
v. adjust; endanger the interests or reputation of
31
concordat
n. agreement, usually between the papal authority and the secular
32
conduit
n. aqueduct; passageway for fluids
33
conjecture
n. surmise; guess
34
convoluted
adj. coiled around; involved; intricate
35
cordon
n. extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress
36
cormorant
n. greedy, rapacious bird
37
coruscate
v. glitter; scintillate
38
cozen
v. cheat; hoodwink; swindle
39
credo
n. creed
40
crepuscular
adj. pertaining to twilight
41