Words Flashcards
(181 cards)
1
Q
ADROIT
A
dexterous, skillful
2
Q
ACRONYM
A
An abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word (e.g. ASCII, NASA). Compare with initialism.
EXAMPLE SENTENCES
3
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AEGIS
A
shield of Zeus, patronage, protection
4
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AGGREGATION
A
forming into a dense cluster, act of collecting into a total
5
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ANATHEMA
A
something highly distasteful, an accursed thing (RC church)
6
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ANODYNE
A
mentally soothing, bland or meaningless, ‘anodyne platitudes’
7
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ANOMALOUS
A
irregular, abnormal
8
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ANTIPATHY
A
antipathy
a deep-seated feeling of aversion.
“his fundamental antipathy to capitalism”
synonyms: hostility, antagonism, animosity, aversion, animus, opposition, enmity, dislike, distaste, ill will, ill feeling, hatred, hate, abhorrence, loathing, repugnance, odium; More
9
Q
ANTITHESIS
A
- a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.
“love is the antithesis of selfishness”
synonyms: (direct) opposite, converse, reverse, reversal, inverse, obverse; More
a contrast or opposition between two things.
“the antithesis between occult and rational mentalities”
synonyms: contrast, opposition
“the antithesis between sin and grace”
a rhetorical or literary device in which an opposition or contrast of ideas is expressed.
10
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APHORISM
A
A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; and adage. A brief statement of principle.
11
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APOCRYPHAL
A
sham, doubtful, not authentic
12
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APOPLEXY
A
old fashioned medical term for ‘bleeding’. state of extreme rage. Derives from Greek word for ‘seizure’ apoplixia
13
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Apotheosis
A
the highest point in the development of something; a culmination or climax.
“his appearance as Hamlet was the apotheosis of his career”
synonyms: culmination, climax, crowning moment, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenith, apex, acme, apogee, high point, highest point, height, high water mark
“his appearance as Hamlet was the apotheosis of his career”
the elevation of someone to divine status.
“death spared Pompey the task of having to account for the apotheosis oCulmination, climax, highest point in the development of something
…after substance abuse by fellow members reached an apotheosis…
14
Q
APPOSITE
A
Appropriate or relevant: chose an apposite name for the dog; felt the comments were not apposite to the discussion.
15
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ARCANE
A
secret
16
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ARGOT
A
list know to a specialist team
17
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ASININE
A
extremely stupid or foolish.
“Lydia ignored his asinine remark”
synonyms: stupid, foolish, pointless, brainless, mindless, senseless, doltish, idiotic, imbecilic, imbecile, insane, lunatic, ridiculous, ludicrous, absurd, preposterous, nonsensical, fatuous, silly, childish, infantile, puerile, immature, juvenile, inane, witless, half-baked, empty-headed, unintelligent, half-witted, slow-witted, weak-minded; More
18
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ASSIDUOUS
A
constant in the application or attention; diligent, an assiduous worker who strove for perfection
19
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ATROPHIED
A
wasting away through lack of nutrients, emaciated
20
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AVARICIOUS
A
greedy
21
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Avuncular
A
Resembling an uncle, friendly
22
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AXIOMATIC
A
self evident
23
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Bien pensant
A
Right-thinking, orthodox, conformist.
24
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BODACIOUS
A
bodacious is probably a blend of the words bold and audacious; remarkable prodigious, audacious, gutsy
25
BOURGEOISIE
middle class, grossly respectable, conventional, humdrum
26
BROUHAHA
An uproar, a hubhub
27
Bucolic
relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.
"the church is lovely for its bucolic setting"
synonyms: rustic, rural, pastoral, country, countryside, agricultural, agrarian, outdoor, idyllic, unspoilt
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BURGEON
to sprout, bud, to put forth branches
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CANDID
unprejudiced, blunt
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CAPACIOUS
large, roomy
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CAPRICIOUS
incalculable, liable to change of mind/conduct
32
Carpe Deim
To "seize the day" and/or a certain moment in time. To put aside all differences, all fears, all worries, and just go for it.
33
Cassoulet
French stew made with meat (typically pork, goose, and duck) and beans.
34
CASTIGATE
criticise severely
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CAVEAT
warning, look out, beware
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CHAGRIN
acute disappointment, mortification
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CHARNEL
containing dead bodies - charnel house
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CHASTISE
punish
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COGENT
having great force, powerful, convincing
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Cognitive Dissonance
The state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioural decisions and attitude change.
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COGNISANT
knowledge, perception, observation
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CONCOMITANT
accompanying
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CONDUIT
a pipe or channel for conveying water, a passage, a route
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CONTENTIOUS
quarrelsome, perverse wrangling, argument, discussion, dispute, difficulty
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CONTRITE
broken with sorrow, & repentance, full of remorse
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CORNUCOPIA
the horn of plenty, abundance
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COROLLARY
consequence of
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Coruscating
flashing; sparkling.
"a coruscating kaleidoscope of colours"
synonyms: sparkling, shining, bright, brilliant, gleaming, glittering, twinkling, scintillating, flashing, shimmering, shimmery; rarescintillant
"a coruscating kaleidoscope of colours"
antonyms: dull, matte
brilliant or striking in content or style.
"the play's coruscating wit"
synonyms: brilliant, dazzling, scintillating, exhilarating, stimulating, invigorating; More
49
COTERIE
a clique, circle of people with a common interest
50
Coterminous
having the same boundaries or extent in space, time, or meaning.
"the coterminous Borough and Parliamentary Constituency of Blyth Valle
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DEBACLE
a rout, collapse, reverse, disaster
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DEPRECATE
disparage, underrate, lower in value
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DESULTORY
off and on
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DETRITUS
waste or debris of any kind.
"the streets were foul with detritus"
synonyms: debris, waste, waste matter, discarded matter, refuse, rubbish, litter, scrap, flotsam and jetsam, lumber, rubble, wreckage; More
55
DICHOTOMY
division of ideas into two classes
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DIDACTIC
opinionative, rather dictatorial
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DIFFIDENT
modest, timid, shy, wanting confidence
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DILETTANTE
amateur, dabbler
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Dystopia
an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one.
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EBULLIENT
exuberant, enthusiastic, boiling over, over flowing
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ECSTATIC
enthusiastic frenzy
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Egregious
Outstandingly bad; shocking:
| egregious abuses of copyright
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ENIGMATIC
puzzling, riddle
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Ennui
a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement.
"he succumbed to ennui and despair"
synonyms: boredom, tedium, listlessness, lethargy, lassitude, languor, restlessness, weariness, sluggishness, enervation
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EPHEMERAL
fleeting, transitory, momentary
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Epiphany
1. the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12).
2. a moment of sudden and great revelation or realization.
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EPISTLE
letter written for effect or instruction
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EPITHET
phrase or word used adjectively
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EQUIVOCAL
double/doubtful meaning, questionable, ambiguous, dubious, uncertain
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ERUDITE
learned
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ESCHEW
shun, avoid
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ESCUTCHEON
heraldry, family shield - a blot on the escutcheon, a stain on the good family name
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ESOTERIC
intended of an inner circle, secret, mysterious, private, select few
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EVANESCENT
to vanish
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EXCORIATING
to strip, wear or rub the skin off
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FACTOTUM
servant managing his masters affairs
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FARRAGO
miscellaneous collection, medley
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Febrile
1. having or showing the symptoms of a fever.
"a febrile illness"
synonyms: feverish, fevered, hot, burning, burning up, fiery, flushed, sweating, in a cold sweat; More
2. characterized by a great deal of nervous excitement or energy.
"the febrile atmosphere of the city"
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FUROR (e)
excitement
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GERMANE
appropriate, relevant
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GRAVITAS
importance, solemnity, soberness
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HALCYON
peaceful, tranquil
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HEDONISTIC
the doctrine that pleasure is the chief good, doctrine of pleasure
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HEGEMONY
leadership or dominance, especially by one state or social group over others.
"Germany was united under Prussian hegemony after 1871"
synonyms: leadership, dominance, dominion, supremacy, ascendancy, predominance, primacy, authority, mastery, control, power, sway, rule, sovereignty
85
HIATUS
gap in a series
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HIGH DUDGEON
anger or resentment
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HUBRIS
Extreme pride or confidence
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Hubristic
An ancient Greek word meaning pride or arrogance.
The definition of hubristic is extremely arrogant behavior resulting from pride or passion.
Someone who worked very hard to achieve a skill and thinks he is better than everyone else is an example of a person who is hubristic.
89
HYPERBOLE
figure of speech, exaggeration
90
ICONOCLASTIC
breaking of images, questioning accepted ideas/theories
91
INCIPIENT
beginning, originating, inception
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INCONGRUOUS
odd, out of character
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INCULCATE
urge forcibly & repeatedly, to implant, to impress be admonition, foster
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INEXORABLE
not to be persuaded
95
INFRADIG
beneath ones dignity
96
IRASCIBLE
easily provoked, hot tempered, irritable
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INSIPID
flavourless, lifeless
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INSOUCIANT
careless, indifferent, heedless
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Internecine
destructive to both sides in a conflict.
"the region's history of savage internecine warfare"
synonyms: deadly, bloody, violent, fierce, destructive, ruinous; More
relating to conflict within a group.
"the party shrank from the trauma of more internecine strife"
100
JUDICIOUS
wise, prudent, showing discrimination
101
KUDOS
glory
102
LACONIC
brief concise, maximum meaning in minimum words
103
LAGGARDS
slowcoach, listless person
104
Leitmotif
a recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or situation.
"there are two leitmotifs in his score marking the heroine and her Fairy Godmother"
1. Classical Music; music a recurring short melodic phrase or theme used, esp in Wagnerian music dramas, to suggest a character, thing, etc
2. Literary; an often repeated word, phrase, image, or theme in a literary work.
105
LEVIATHAN
monstrous beast, sea monster (bible), any huge or powerful thing
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LITANY
earnest prayer, recital
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LURID
ghastly, startling
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MALADROIT
clumsy, awkward
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MELLIFLUOUS
soft, rich, flowing
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MENDACITY
The condition of being mendacious, untruthfulness, a lie, falsehood.
111
MIASMA
a noxious atmosphere or infuence. a poisonius atmosphere. "The novel spun a miasma of death and decay". Formerly thought to rise from swamps and putrid matter and cause disease.
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Militate
to have a substantial effect; weigh heavily:
| His prison record militated against him.
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MISANTHROPIC
marked by hatred or contempt for humankind
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MISOGAMY
hatred of marriage
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MISOGYNIST
hatred of women
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MORDENT (wit)
biting
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Narcissist
Narcissism is a less extreme version of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Narcissism involves cockiness, manipulativeness, selfishness, power motives, and vanity-a love of mirrors. Related personality traits include: Psychopathy, Machiavellianism. Narcissists tend to have high self-esteem.
118
NASCENT
birth
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Neologisms
a newly coined word or expression.
synonyms: new word, new expression, new term, new phrase, coinage, newly coined word, made-up word, invented word, invention, nonce word; portmanteau word
the coining or use of new words.
120
NEOPHYTES
beginners
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NON SEQUITORS
"it does not follow" The term usually means that a conclusion does not logically follow from the facts or law. "That's a non sequitor".
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OBFUSCATE
To make so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand
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Obdurate
stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action.
"I argued this point with him, but he was obdurate"
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OBSEQUIOUS
servile, cringing, subservient
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Oleaginous
1. rich in, covered with, or producing oil; oily.
"fabrics would quickly become filthy in this oleaginous kingdom"
2. exaggeratedly and distastefully complimentary; obsequious.
"candidates made oleaginous speeches praising government policies"
126
Omphaloskepsis
navel-gazing, contemplation of one's navel as an aid to meditation. The word comes from Greek omphalos (navel) + skepsis (act of looking, examination).
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OMNIPRESENT
present in all places at the same time
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OPPROBRIUM
Harsh criticism or censure
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OSSARIUM
charnel house, memorial place holding bones of the deceased
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Otiose
1.serving no practical purpose or result.
"there were occasions when I felt my efforts were rather otiose"
2.archaic, indolent or idle.
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OTIOSENESS
serving no useful purpose, otiose language, indolent, lazy
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Panglossian
characterized by or given to extreme optimism, especially in the face of unrelieved hardship or adversity.
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PARADIGM
A typical example or pattern of something; a pattern or model.
"society's paradigm of the ‘ideal woman’"
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PARANDIAL
pertaining to dinner
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PARIAH
social outcast
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PAROCHIAL
provincial, narrow minded, petty
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PEJORATIVE
deprecating, detracting
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Patrician
1. a person of noble or high rank; aristocrat.
| 2. a person of very good background, education, and refinement.
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PER SE
by itself, of itself
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PERIPATETIC
traveling, circuitous, wanderer
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PERSIFLAGE
light frivolous conversation, friendly teasing
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PLETHORA
over supply, super abundant
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POIGNANT
acutely painful, stinging, sharp
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POLEMIC
controversial, an argument, controversy
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PORTENT
an omen (of evil), a warning
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PRAGMATIC
Dealing with or concerned with facts or actual occurrences, practical
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PREDICATE
to affirm, assert, declare
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Prescient
having or showing knowledge of events before they take place.
"a prescient warning"
synonyms: prophetic, predictive, visionary; More
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PRESPICACITY
quick mental insight, keen understanding, acute discernment, insight
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Priapic
relating to or resembling a phallus.
| "priapic carvings"
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PROGNOSTICATION
predicting the future by reading present signs
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PROSAIC
commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative: a prosaic mind.
of or having the character or form of prose, the ordinary form of spoken or written language, rather than of poetry.
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PROPRIETY
properness, correct conduct
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Proselytising
1. To attempt to convert someone to one's own religious faith.
2. To attempt to persuade someone to join one's own political party or to espouse one's doctrine.
To convert (a person) from one belief, doctrine, cause, or faith to another.
155
Protaganist
1.the leading character or one of the major characters in a play, film, novel, etc.
"the novel's main protagonist is an American intelligence officer"
2. an advocate or champion of a particular cause or idea.
"he's a strenuous protagonist of the new agricultural policy"
synonyms: supporter, upholder, adherent, backer, proponent, advocate, promoter, champion, exponent, standard-bearer, torch-bearer, prime mover, moving spirit, mainstay, spokesman/spokeswoman/spokesperson
"the EC is a great protagonist of deregulation"
156
PUERILE
boyish, childish, juvenile
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PURDAH
Indian curtain to screen women, "having gone onto purdah"
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PUSILLANIMOUS
lacking in courage, faint hearted
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PYROTECHNICS
fireworks, figurative, brilliant, dazzling, scintillating
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PYRRHIC
hollow victory, as bad as defeat
161
PYRRHOISM
doubting results
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Quid pro quo
a favour or advantage granted in return for something.
"the pardon was a quid pro quo for their help in releasing hostages"
synonyms: exchange, trade, trade-off, swap, switch, barter, substitute, substitution, reciprocity, reciprocation, return, payment, remuneration, amends, compensation, indemnity, recompense, restitution, reparation, satisfaction; rarerequital
"a congressman's support for the president on a particular issue may not represent a straightforward quid pro quo"
163
QUIESCENT
dormant, inert
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REPREHENSIBLE
deserving censure, disapproval, blameworthy, despicable
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RHETORIC
persuasive or effective speech
166
Risible
provoking laughter through being ludicrous.
"a risible scene of lovemaking in a tent"
synonyms: laughable, ridiculous, absurd, comical, comic, amusing, funny, chucklesome, hilarious, humorous, droll, entertaining, diverting, farcical, slapstick, silly, facetious, ludicrous, hysterical, uproarious, riotous, side-splitting, zany, grotesque; More
167
SCLEROTIC
Definition of sclerotic in English:
ADJECTIVE
1. Medicine of or having sclerosis.
2. Becoming rigid and unresponsive; losing the ability to adapt:
sclerotic management
3. Anatomy Relating to the sclera.
168
SCOTOMA
blind spot
169
SOBRIQUET
a person's nickname.
| "she was a vast and haughty person who answered to the sobriquet ‘Duchesse’"
170
SOLIPSISM
is the philosophical idea that "I am the only mind that exists" The theory that the self is the only thing that can be known and verified.
171
SOLIPSISTIC
The view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist, or can be proved to exist.
172
"Spursy"
Consistently and inevitably to fail to live up to expectations
173
Stoicism
the endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complaint.
synonyms: patience, forbearance, resignation, lack of protest, lack of complaint, fortitude, endurance, acceptance, acceptance of the inevitable, fatalism
174
STYGIAN
When you describe something as Stygian, you're comparing it to the murky and terrible river Styx, which flows through the underworld in ancient Greek mythology. The word itself comes from the Greek word Stygios, from Styx, which literally means "the hateful."
175
TABARD
short coat, sleeveless
| Related; bib, vest
176
Terpsichorean
relating to dancing.
"‘the twist’ was a revolutionary terpsichorean innovation"
a dancer.
177
Traduce
speak badly of or tell lies about (someone) so as to damage their reputation.
"it was regarded as respectable political tactics to traduce him"
synonyms: defame, slander, speak ill of, speak evil of, gossip about, misrepresent, malign, vilify, calumniate, denigrate, disparage, slur, decry, sully, impugn, smear, besmirch, dishonour, back-bite, revile, run down, blacken the name of, cast aspersions on; More
178
TITULAR
1. holding or constituting a purely formal position or title without any real authority.
"the queen is titular head of the Church of England"
synonyms: nominal, in title/name only, formal, official, ceremonial; More
(of a cleric) nominally appointed to serve a diocese, abbey, or other foundation no longer in existence, and typically in fact having authority in another capacity.
2. relating to or denoted by a title. "the work's titular song"
synonyms: eponymous, identifying
179
UNGULATE
A hoofed mammal, such as a horse, pig, deer, buffalo, or antelope, belonging to the former order Ungulata, now divided into several orders including ...
180
ULTRACREPIDARIANISM
the habit of giving opinions and advice on matters outside one's knowledge or competence.
181
Perfidious Albion
“Perfidious Albion" is a pejorative phrase used within the context of international relations diplomacy to refer to alleged acts of diplomatic sleights, duplicity, treachery and hence infidelity (with respect to perceived promises made to or alliances formed with other nation states) by monarchs or governments of the UK (or England prior to 1707) in their pursuit of self-interest.
