Words 1 Flashcards
(142 cards)
1
Q
Heterodox
A
Not in accordance with established or accepted doctrines or opinions, especially in theology; unorthodox
Holding unorthodox doctrines or opinions
2
Q
Acrimony
A
Bitterness or ill feeling
‘A quagmire of lawsuits, ~, and finger-pointing”
3
Q
Addle
A
Make unable to think clearly; confuse; muddle; muzzy, fuddled
‘Being in love must have ~ your brain”
4
Q
Admonish
A
Warn or reprimand someone firmly; advise or urge earnestly; warn of something to be avoided.
“She ~ me for appearing at breakfast unshaven”
5
Q
Alacrity
A
Brisk and cheerful readiness; eagerness, willingness, readiness
“She accepted the invitation with alacrity”
6
Q
Ambivalent
A
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone; equivocal; uncertain; unsure, doubtful, indecisive.
“Some loved her, some hated her, few were ~ about her”
7
Q
Ameliorate
A
Make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better; improve, make better, enhance
“The reform did much to ameliorate living standards”
8
Q
Anathema
A
Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes
“racial hatred was anathema to her”
9
Q
Aplomb
A
Self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation; poise, self-assurance, self confidence
“Diana passed the test with ~”
10
Q
Putative
A
Commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed
‘The putative boss of the mob’
11
Q
Effrontery
A
Shameless or impudent boldness; barefaced audacity
“She had the effrontery to ask for two free samples.”
12
Q
Ascetic
A
Characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons
“An ascetic life of prayer, fasting, and manual labor”
13
Q
Austere
A
Severe or strict in manner, attitude or appearance; severe, stern, strict, harsh, steely, flinty, dour
“An austere man”
Having no comforts or luxuries; harsh or ascetic
14
Q
Avarice
A
Extreme greed for wealth or material gain
15
Q
Mercurial
A
Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
“His mercurial tempermant”
Caprecious, volatile
16
Q
Empyrean
A
Belonging to or deriving from heaven
Heavenly, celestial, ethereal,
The empyrean regions
17
Q
Voluptuary
A
N; A person devoted to luxury and sensual pleasure
Adj: concerned with luxury and sensual please
“A voluptuary decade when high living was in style”
18
Q
Credulity
A
A tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true
19
Q
Incredulous
A
Of a person or their manner
Unwilling or unable to believe something
Disbelieving, skeptical
20
Q
Occult
A
Supernatural, mystical or magical beliefs, practices or phenomena
Of or relating to supernatural, mystical or magical powers or phenomena
“A secret society to study alchemy and the occult”
21
Q
Obloquy
A
Strong public criticism or verbal abuse
“He endured years of contempt and obloquy”
Vilification, denunciation
22
Q
Vagabond
A
A person who wonders from place to place without a home or job
23
Q
Gentry
A
People of good social position, specifically (in the UK) the class of people next below the nobility in position and birth (Upper classes, elite)
24
Q
Mellifluous
A
(Of a voice or words) sweet or musical; pleasant to hear
Sweet-sounding, dulcet
25
Cupidity
Greed for money or possessions
| Avarice, avariciousness, rapacity
26
Inveigh
Speak or write about (something) with great hostility
| "Nationalists inveighed against those who worked with the British"
27
Encomium
A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly
28
Verity
A true principle or belief, especially one of fundamental importance; truth
"Irrefutable, objective verity"
29
Pyrrhic
(Of a victory) won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victor
30
Altruism
The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others
"Some may choose to work with vulnerable elderly people out of altruism"
31
Supercilious
Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others; arrogant, haughty,
"A supercilious lady's maid"
32
Ardent
Enthusiastic or passionate; passionate
| "An ardent baseball fan"
33
Insouciance
Casual lack of concern; indifference; nonchalance, unconcern, indifference
"An impression of boyish insouciance"
34
Imperious
Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering
"His imperious demands"
Peremptory, commanding, imperial, overbearing,
35
Calumny
The making of false and defamatory statements in order to damage someone's reputation; slander; defamation;
A false and slanderous statement
36
Corpulent
(Of a person) fat
37
Piquant
Having a pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavor;
| Pleasantly stimulating or exciting to the mind; intriguing, stimulating,
38
Chicanery
The use of trickery to achieve a political, financial or legal purpose
"An underhanded person who schemes corruption and political chicanery behind closed doors"
Trickery, deception, deceit, duplicity
39
Gallivant
Go around from one place to another in the pursuit of pleasure or entertainment
"She quit her job to go gallivanting around the globe"
40
Exult
Show or feel elation or jubilation, especially as the result of a success
"Exulting in her escape, Annie closed the door behind her"
41
Propitiate
Win or regain the favor of (a god or person) by doing something that pleases them
"The pagans thought it was important to propitiate the gods with sacrifices"
42
Vitriolic
Filled with bitter criticism or malice
"Vitriolic attacks on the politicians"
Acrimonious, rancorous, bitter
43
Prosaic
Having the style or diction or prose; lacking poetic beauty
"Prosaic language can't convey the experience"
Commonplace; unromantic
"The masses were too preoccupied by prosaic day-to-day concerns"
44
Cabal
A secret political clique or faction
| "A cabal of dissidents"
45
Conviviality
The quality of being friendly and lively; friendliness
| "The conviviality of the evening"
46
Mellifluous
(Of a voice or words) sweet or musical; pleasant to hear. "Sweet sounding"
"The voice was mellifluous and smooth"
47
Cupidity
Greed for money or possessions
| = Avarice, Rapacity, covetousness
48
Sardonic
Grimly mocking or cynical
"Starkey attempted a sardonic smile"
Satirical, ironic, sarcastic
49
Imperious
Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering
Peremptory, high-handed, commanding, imperial
50
Calumny
The making of false and defamatory statements in order to damage someone's reputation; slander
A false and slanderous statement
51
Pecuniary
relating to or consistin gof money "he admitted obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception"
52
Cogent
Clear, logical and convincing (of an argument or case); convincing; compelling; strong
53
Loquacious
tending to talk a great deal; talkative; garrulous; voluble
54
Doff
To raise (one's hat) as a greeting or toke of respect; remove an item of clothing (the manager doffed his hat to her)
55
Sangfroid
composure or coolness, sometimes excessive, as shown in danger or under trying circumstances; composure, equanimity, self-possession, aplomb, poise
56
Askance
with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval; "the reformers looked askance at the mystical tradition; suspiciously, skeptically, cynically
57
Apostasy
The abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief
58
Effervescent
(of a liquid) giving off bubbles; fizzy (2) vivacious and enthusiastic
59
Trenchant
Vigorous or incisive in expression or style. "she heard angry voices, not loud, yet certainly trenchant." ; incisive, penetrating, sharp
60
Retinue
a group of advisers, assistants, or others accompanying an important person. Entourage, escort, company court,
61
Disinter
dig up (something that has been buried, especially a corpse); exhume, "the defense attorney requested that the body be disinterred for further examination; (2) discover (something that is well hidden)
62
Malodorous
smelling very unpleasant
63
Choleric
bad-tempered or irritable
64
Bibulous
Excessively fond of drinking alcohol
65
Bleat
(of a sheep, goat, or calf) make a characteristic wavering cry
66
Calve
To give birth to a calf; or (of an iceberg or glacier) split and shet
67
Choleric
Bad-tempered or irritable
68
Churlish
rude in a mean-spirited and surly way (it seems churlish to complain
69
Compunction
a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad. "spend the money without compunction"
70
Contrite
Feeling or expression remorse or penitence; affected by guilt; "a broken and a contrite heart" ; remorseful, repentant, penitent
71
Demiurge
a being responsible for the creation of the universe, in particular
72
Derision
Contemptuous ridicule or mockery "my stories were greeted with derision and disbelief" mockery, ridicule, jeers,
73
Didactic
Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive "a didactic novel that set out to expose social injustice"
74
Diffident
Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence "a diffident youth" ; shy, bashful, modest, self-effacing, unassuming, meek
75
Disparate
essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison. "They inhabit disparate worlds of thought" ; contrasting, different, differing, dissimilar, unalike
76
Ebullient
Cheerful and full of energy "she sounded ebullient and happy"; exuberant, buoyant, cheerful, joyful, cheery, merry
77
Errant
Erring or straying from the proper course or standards. "he could never forgive his daughter's errant ways" ;
Guilty, culpable, misbehaving, delinquent
78
Excoriate
Censure or criticize severely; damage or remove part of the surface of (the skin)
79
Exculpate
show or declare that (someone is not guilty of wrongdoing; "the article exculpated the mayor
80
Fatuous
Silly and pointless; "A fatuous comment" ; silly, foolish, stupid, inane, idiotic
81
Fugacious
tending to disappear; fleeting; "She was acutely conscious of her fugacious youth"
82
Fulminant
(of a disease or symptom) severe and sudden in onset
83
Genuflect
Lower one's body briefly by bending one knee to the ground, typically in worship or as a sign of respect. "She genuflected" ; Show deference or servility "politicians had to genuflect to the far left to advance their careers"
84
Geriatric
Relating to old people, especially with regard to their health care. "a geriatric hospital" ; an old person, especially one receiving special care "a rest home for geriatrics"
85
Gourmand
A person who enjoys eating and often eats too much; glutton; gobbler; gorger
86
Grouse
complain pettily; grumble; "she heard him grousing about his assistant" ; grumble, complain, protest
87
Gumption
Shrewd or spirited initiative and resourcefulness. "she had the gumption to put her food down and head Dan off from those crazy schemes"; initiative, resourcefulness, enterprise, ingenuity, imagination
88
Imbibe
drink (alcohol); absorb or assimilate (ideas or knowledge) -- assimilate, absorb, soak up, take in
89
Inchoate
Just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary
"A still inchoate democracy"
Rudimentary, undeveloped
90
Incongruous
not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something
"The duffel coat looked incongruous with the black dress she wore underneath."
Out of place, out of keeping, inappropriate
91
Ineffable
too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words
"The ineffable natural beauty of the Everglades"
Indescribable, inexpressible
Not to be uttered
92
Insipid
Lacking flavor
"mugs of insipid coffee"
Lacking vigor or interest
"many artists continued to churn out insipid, shallow works"
93
Invective
n. Insulting, abusive, or highly critical language
"he let out a stream of invective"
Abuse, insults, swearing, curses, foul language,
94
Inveterate
Having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change.
"he was an inveterate gambler"
Ingrained, deep-seated, deep-rooted
(of a feeling or habit) long-established and unlikely to change. confirmed, hardened, incorrigible, addicted, habitual
95
Irascible
having or showing a tendency to be easily angered;
"an irascible man"
Irritable, quick-tempered, short-tempered
96
Laconic
(of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words. "his Laconic reply suggested a lack of interest in the topic."
Brief, conscise, terse
97
Lechery
excessive or offensive sexual desire; lustfulness
98
Levity
humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect
"as an attempt to introduce a note of levity, the words were a disastrous flop"
99
Maladroit
Ineffective or bungling; clumsy.
| Bungling, awkward, inept, clumsy, bumbling
100
Malaise
A general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify.
"A society afflicted by a deep cultural malaise"
Unhappiness, uneasiness, discomfort
101
Mendacious
Not telling the truth; lying
| "mendacious propaganda"
102
Missive
A letter, especially a long or official one
| "He hastily banged out electronic ~s"
103
Moxie
Force of character, determination, or nerve
| "When you've got ~, you need the clothes to match"
104
Occident
The countries of the West, especially Europe and the Americas (contrasted with orient)
105
Parable
A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels
"The parable of the prodigal son"
106
Prodigal
1. Spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant;
2. Having or giving something on a lavish scale
"The dessert was crunchy with brown sugar and prodigal with whipped cream"
107
Peccadillo
A small, relatively unimportant offense or sin
| "I'm sure we can overlook a few peccadilloes"
108
Pellucid
Translucently clear
"Mountains reflected in the pellucid waters"
Translucent, transparent, clear
Lucid in style or meaning; easily understood
109
Perfidy
Deceitfulness; untrustworthy,
| "the perfidy of her husband"
110
Perfunctory
(Of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection
111
Peripatetic
Traveling from place to place, especially working or based in various places for relatively short periods
112
Perspicacious
Having a ready insight into and understanding things
"It offered quite a few facts to the perspicacious reporter"
Discerning, shrewd, perceptive
113
Petulant
(of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered
"He was moody and petulant"
114
Polemic
- A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something
"His polemic against the cultural relativism of the sixties"
Diatribe, invective, rant,
- The art or practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute
115
Portent
A sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen
"they believed that wild birds in the house were portents of death"
Omen, sign, signal, token
116
Preponderant
Predominant in influence, number, or importance
| "The Preponderant influence of the US within the alliance"
117
Priapic
Relating to or resembling a phallus
"priapic carvings"
Relating to male sexuality and sexual activity (~ cartoons)
118
probative
having the quality or function of proving or demonstrating something; affording proof or evidence
"it places the probative burden on the defendant"
119
Propitious
Giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable
"The timing for such a meeting seemed propitious"
Favorable, auspicious
120
Puissant
Having great power or influence
121
Pulchritude
Beauty
122
Quiescent
In a state or period of inactivity or dormancy
"Strikes where headed by groups of works who had previously been quiescent"
Inactive, inert, idle, dormant
123
Rapine
The violent seizure of someone's property
124
Recuse
Challenge (a judge, prosecutor, or juror) as unqualified to perform legal duties because of a possible conflict of interest or lack of impartiality
"A motion to recuse the prosecutor"
"The Justice Department demanded that he recuse himself from the case"
125
Remonstrate
Make a forcefully reproachful protest
"He turned angrily to remonstrate with Tommy"
Protest, complain,
126
Renunciation
The formal rejection of something, typically a belief, claim, or course of action
"entry into the priesthood requires renunciation of marriage"
abstention from, refraining from, going without
127
Replete
Filled or well-supplied with something.
Very full of or sated by food
"Sensational popular fiction, replete with adultery and sudden death"
"I went out into the sun-drenched streets again, replete and relaxed"
Filled, well-stocked,
128
Resplendent
Attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous
"She was resplendent in a sea-green dress"
Splendid, magnificent, brilliant, dazzling
129
Riposte
A quick clever reply to an insult or criticism
"an indignant riposte"
Retort, counter, rejoinder
A quick return thrust following a parry
130
Rotund
(of a person) plump
(of speech or literary style) indulging in grandiloquent (i.e. pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impression) expression
131
Sacrosanct
(especially of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with
"the individual's right to work has been upheld as sacrosanct."
132
Salubrious
health-giving; healthy
Salubrious weather
(of a place) pleasant; not run-down
133
Sartorial
Relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress
| "sartorial elegance"
134
Sclerotic
of or having sclerosis
| Becoming rigit and unresponsive; losing the ability to adapt
135
Senescence
The condition or process of deterioration with age; loss of a cell's power of division and growth
136
Sepulcher
A small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in which a dead person is laid or buried
"an old family sepulcher on the grounds of the estate"
137
Shambolic
chaotic, disorganized, or mismanaged.
| "The department's shambolic accounting"
138
Shibboleth
```
A custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people, especially a long-standing one regarded as outmoded or no longer important
"The party began to break with the shibboleths of the left"
```
139
Snifter
a footed glass that is wide at the bottom and tapers to the top, used for brandy and other drinks
140
Somnolent
Sleepy, drowsy
Causing or suggestive of drowsiness
"a somnolent summer day"
141
Succor
(n) assistance and support in times of hardship and distress
(v) give assistance or aid to
"prisoners of war were liberated and succored"
142
Synecdoche
A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa, as in "Cleveland won by six runs" (meaning 'Cleveland's baseball team')
