Words Flashcards
(161 cards)
1
Q
Countenance
A
The look on a person’s face that shows one’s nature or feelings
2
Q
Perturbing
A
To disturb or confuse; make uneasy or anxious: I was perturbed by his off-color remarks.
3
Q
Neolithic
A
The Neolithic, the final division of the Stone Age, began about 12,000 years ago when the first developments of farming appeared in the Epipalaeolithic Near East, and later in other parts of the world.
4
Q
Iconoclasm
A
Iconoclasm is the social belief in the importance of the destruction of icons and other images or monuments, most frequently for religious or political reasons.
5
Q
Dubious
A
unsettled in opinion : DOUBTFUL. giving rise to uncertainty. // I was dubious about the plan.
6
Q
Prejudice
A
Preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
“prejudice against people from different backgrounds”
(vooroordeel)
7
Q
Myopic
A
- Short-sighted.
“most myopic children can be fitted with glasses to correct their vision” - Lacking foresight or intellectual insight.
“the government still has a myopic attitude to public spending”
(kortzichtig)
8
Q
Lamentable
A
(of circumstances or conditions) very bad; deplorable.
“the industry is in a lamentable state”
(of an event, action, or attitude) unfortunate; regrettable.
“her open prejudice showed lamentable immaturity”
9
Q
Cognizance
A
Knowledge or awareness.
“the Renaissance cognizance of Greece was limited”
10
Q
Wane
A
To decrease in size, extent, or degree.
To fall gradually from power, prosperity, or influence
11
Q
Banal
A
So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.
“songs with banal, repeated words”
12
Q
Portentous
A
Of or like a portent; of momentous significance.
“this portentous year in Canadian history”
13
Q
Impoverishment
A
the condition of being or becoming very poor, or the act of making someone very poor:
The drought reduced many farmers to impoverishment.
14
Q
Sophist
A
A sophist was a specific kind of teacher in ancient Greece, in the fifth and fourth centuries BC. Many sophists specialized in using the tools of philosophy and rhetoric, though other sophists taught subjects such as music, athletics and mathematics.
15
Q
(to) Avow
A
assert or confess openly.
“he avowed that he had voted Labour in every election”
16
Q
Remnant
A
a usually small part, member, or trace remaining
a small surviving group —often used in plural
an unsold or unused end of piece goods
17
Q
Allurement
A
To attract with something desirable; entice: Promises of quick profits allure the unwary investor.
To be highly, often subtly attractive: charms that still allure.
The power to attract; enticement.
18
Q
Barrenness
A
without covering or clothing; naked; nude: bare legs. without the usual furnishings, contents, etc.: bare walls. open to view; unconcealed; undisguised.
19
Q
Catechism
A
An elementary book containing a summary of the principles of a Christian religion, in the form of questions and answers.
20
Q
Scarcity
A
The state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage.
21
Q
Patriarchy
A
A system of society or government in which the father or eldest male is head of the family and descent is reckoned through the male line.
Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property.
22
Q
Ascendancy
A
A position of power, strength, or success: They are in danger of losing their political ascendancy (= controlling power)
23
Q
Conjecture
A
A guess about something based on how it seems and not on proof.
There’s been a lot of conjecture in the media recently about the marriage.
24
Q
Ascendant
A
Increasingly successful or powerful.
25
Adequate
Enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose: It's not a big salary but it's adequate for our needs.
26
Sadomasochistic
Getting sexual pleasure from sadism (= hurting people) and from masochism (= being hurt):
- He was a sadomasochistic bully.
- She has sadomasochistic tendencies.
27
Excruciatingly
in a way that is extreme and difficult to bear:
| Progress has been excruciatingly slow.
28
Controversy
a lot of disagreement or argument about something, usually because it affects or is important to many people:
- There was a big controversy surrounding/over the use of drugs in athletics.
29
Hypochondriac
A person who continuously worries about their health without having any reason to do so:
She's a terrible hypochondriac - she's always at the doctor's.
30
Depreciate
To (cause something to) lose value, especially over time:
| Our car depreciated (by) $1,500 in the first year we owned i
31
Poise
calm confidence in a person's way of behaving, or a quality of grace (= moving in an attractive way) and balance in the way a person holds or moves their body:
- He looked embarrassed for a moment, then quickly regained his poise.
- Her confidence and poise show that she is a top model
32
Regress
To return to a previous and less advanced or worse state, condition, or way of behaving:
- She suffered brain damage from the car accident and regressed to the mental age of a five-year-old.
33
Idyllic
An idyllic place or experience is extremely pleasant, beautiful, or peaceful:
- an idyllic childhood/summer
- an idyllic village in the Yorkshire Dales
34
Grandiose
larger and containing more detail than necessary, or intended to seem important or great:
- grandiose schemes/designs/ideas for making money
35
Diatribe
An angry speech or piece of writing that severely criticizes something or someone:
- He launched into a long diatribe against the lack of action in Congress.
36
Hubris
A way of talking or behaving that is too proud (ego trip):
- He was punished for his hubris.
I am tempted to point out that hubris is inevitably followed by nemesis.
37
Nemesis
Someone's nemesis is a person or thing that is very difficult for them to defeat.
(a cause of) punishment or defeat that is deserved and cannot be avoided:
The tax increases proved to be the president's political nemesis.
I am tempted to point out that hubris is inevitably followed by nemesis.
38
Tantrum
A sudden period of uncontrolled anger (outburst) like a young child's:
- Charlie had/threw a tantrum in the shop because I wouldn't buy him any sweets.
a sudden period of extreme anger:
My mom would throw a tantrum if I wouldn’t eat.
39
Deficit
The total amount by which money spent is more than money received:
Synonym: Shortfall
Opposite: Surplus
40
Differentiate
To show or find the difference between things that are compared:
- We do not differentiate between our employees on the basis of their race, religion, or national origin.
41
Deviate
To do something that is different from the usual or common way of behaving:
- The recent pattern of weather deviates from the norm for this time of year.
42
Repertoire
All the music, plays, dances, operas, etc., that a person or a group can perform, or that exist in a particular type of activity related to the arts:
43
Straddle
To sit or stand with your legs on either side of something:
- He pulled on his helmet and straddled the motorbike.
- Grace straddled her chair.
44
Pacify
To cause someone who is angry or upset to be calm and satisfied (let/blow off steam):
- He pacified his crying child with a bottle.
45
Relatively
Quite good, bad, etc. in comparison with other similar things or with what you expect:
- He's a relatively good squash player.
- There was relatively little violence
Said when you are judging one thing in comparison with other things:
Relatively speaking, it's a fairly poor country.
46
Idiosyncratic
Having strange or unusual habits, ways of behaving, or features:
- He follows a very idiosyncratic schedule.
- The new model of the car is just as idiosyncratic as the original.
47
Woefully
Used to emphasize how bad a situation is:
- The safety precautions taken by large resort hotels are often woefully inadequate for the number of people who stay there.
48
Negligent
Not being careful or giving enough attention to people or things that are your responsibility:
- The judge said that the teacher had been negligent in allowing the children to swim in dangerous water.
49
Diligent
Careful and using a lot of effort:
- a diligent student
- Leo is very diligent in/about his work.
50
Culprit
Someone who has done something wrong:
| - Police hope the public will help them to find the culprits.
51
Contentious
Causing , involving, or likely to cause disagreement and argument:
- a contentious decision/policy/issue/subject
- She has some very contentious views on education.
52
Constitute
To be or be considered as:
| - This latest defeat constitutes a major setback for the Democrats.
53
Disdain
The feeling of not liking someone or something and thinking that they do not deserve your interest or respect:
- He regards the political process with disdain.
54
Arson
The crime of intentionally starting a fire in order to damage or destroy something, especially a building:
- A cinema was burned out in north London last night. Police suspect arson.
55
Squint
To partly close your eyes in order to see more clearly:
| - The sun was shining straight in her eyes and made her squint.
56
Adornment
Something decorative, or the act of decorating something or someone, accessorize, beautification
57
Blaze
To burn brightly and strongly:
| - The sun was blazing down that afternoon.
58
Arsonist
A person who intentionally starts a fire in order to damage or destroy something, especially a building:
- Police are blaming arsonists for the spate of fires in the Greenfields housing estate.
59
Haptic
Relating to the sense of touch :
| - Haptic communication describes how we communicate with each other through the use of touch.
60
Plausible
Seeming likely to be true, or able to be believed:
- a plausible explanation/excuse
A plausible person appears to be honest and telling the truth, even if they are not:
- a plausible salesman
61
Exhibit
To show something publicly:
- He frequently exhibits at the art gallery
- He exhibited great self-control considering her rudeness.
62
Gesture
A movement of the hands, arms, or head, etc. to express an idea or feeling:
- She made a rude gesture at the other driver.
63
Discrepancy
A difference between two things that should be the same:
| - There is some discrepancy between the two accounts.
64
Kinesics
The study of how people use body movements when they are communicating with other people.
65
Oblivious
Not conscious of something, especially what is happening around you:
- Absorbed in her work, she was totally oblivious of her surroundings.
66
Ubiquitous
Seeming to be everywhere:
| - The mobile phone, that most ubiquitous of consumer-electronic appliances, is about to enter a new age.
67
Pronouncement
An official announcement:
68
Tapestry
A piece of cloth with a pattern or picture that is created by sewing or weaving different coloured threads onto a special type of strong cloth
69
Concerted
Planned or done together for a shared purpose:
| - The richer countries of the world should take concerted action to help the poorer countries.
70
Comprehend
To understand something completely:
- I fail to comprehend their attitude.
- He doesn't seem to comprehend the scale of the problem
71
Clause
A particular part of a written legal document, for example a law passed by Parliament or a contract (= an agreement).
72
Inadequacy
The fact that something is not good enough or is too small in amount:
- Economic growth is hindered by the inadequacies of the public transport system.
73
Arbitrary
Based on chance rather than being planned or based on reason:
- Arbitrary decision-making
- Did you have a reason for choosing your destination or was it arbitrary?
Using unlimited personal power without considering other people's rights or wishes:
an arbitrary ruler
74
Conscientious
Putting a lot of effort into your work. Feeling a moral responsibility to do your work carefully and to be fair to others:
- She was a conscientious worker, and I’ll miss her.
75
Dissipate
To (cause to) gradually disappear or waste:
| - The heat gradually dissipates into the atmosphere.
76
Atrophy
(of a part of the body) To be reduced in size and therefore strength, or, more generally, to become weaker:
77
Odor
A particular smell, esp. a bad one:
| the musty odor of a damp cellar
78
Lingering
Lasting a long time:
- She gave him a long, lingering kiss.
- She says she stopped seeing him, but I still have lingering doubts.
79
Burglar
A person who illegally enters buildings and steals things.
80
Though
Despite the fact that:
- She hasn't called, even though she said she would.
But:
- They're coming next week, though I don't know which day.
As if:
- You look as though you've been running a marathon!
81
Thoroughly
Completely, very much:
- I thoroughly enjoyed the performance.
In a detailed and careful way:
- We went through the report thoroughly but couldn't find the information anywhere.
82
Limbic system
A system of nerves and other structures in the brain that controls many of our emotions.
83
Clique
A small close-knit group of people who do not readily allow others to join them.
84
Impermable
Not allowing fluid to pass through. Impenetrable: Impossible to pass through or enter.
85
Hypothesis
A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
86
Notorious
Famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed.
87
Egalitarian
Believing in or based on the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.
"a fairer, more egalitarian society"
88
Inherited
1. (of money, property, or a title) received as an heir at the death of the previous holder.
"inherited wealth"
2. (of a quality, characteristic, or predisposition) derived genetically from one's parents or ancestors.
"inherited diseases"
89
Reluctant
Unwilling and hesitant; disinclined.
| "today, many ordinary people are still reluctant to talk about politics"
90
Deprive
Prevent (a person or place) from having or using something.
| "the city was deprived of its water supplies"
91
Defiance
Open resistance; bold disobedience.
| "an act of defiance"
92
Melancholy
A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.
"an air of melancholy surrounded him"
93
Phlegmatic
(of a person) having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition.
"the phlegmatic British character"
94
Subsistence
The action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself, especially at a minimal level.
"the minimum income needed for subsistence"
95
Accentuate
Make more noticeable or prominent.
| "his jacket unfortunately accentuated his paunch"
96
Empirical
Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.
"they provided considerable empirical evidence to support their argument"
97
Resentful
Feeling or expressing bitterness or indignation at having been treated unfairly.
"he was angry and resentful of their intrusion"
98
Modality
a particular way of doing or experiencing something:
| - A variety of modalities of communication can be used to transmit health warnings to the public.
99
Sedentary
involving little exercise or physical activity:
- a sedentary job/occupation
- My doctor says I should start playing sport because my lifestyle is too sedentary.
100
Adjunct
something added or connected to a larger or more important thing:
- I hoped I would find the computer course a useful adjunct to my other studies.
101
Codify
To arrange something, such as laws or rules, into a system
102
Discernment
The ability to judge people and things well:
| - It's clear that you are a person of discernment.
103
Tremendous
very great in amount or level, or extremely good:
- They were making a tremendous amount of noise last night.
- She's been a tremendous (= very great) help to me over the last few months.
104
Attest
to show something or to say or prove that something is true:
| - Thousands of people came out onto the streets to attest their support for the democratic opposition party.
105
Acclimate
to change to suit different conditions of life, or to cause someone to change to suit conditions:
[ I ] Apparently the zoo animals had become acclimated to the crowd noise and were no longer startled by it.
106
Vocation
a type of work that you feel you are suited to doing and to which you should give all your time and energy, or the feeling that a type of work suits you in this way:
I feel I've found/missed my true vocation.
107
Tandem
two people or pieces of equipment that work together to achieve a result, or a team of two people or animals:
- Several races were held, including one for father-and-son tandems.
- A tandem is also a bicycle built for two people.
108
Pejorative
A word expressing contempt or disapproval.
| "most of what he said was inflammatory and filled with pejoratives"
109
Connotation
A connotation is the feeling a word invokes. But take note! A denotation is what the word literally says. If these words were on a trip, connotation would be the baggage, and denotation would be the traveler.
110
Inferior
The word inferior can also be used as a noun to mean "a person who is lower in rank or status," in which case you might say to your younger brother, "You are my inferior, therefore you should take out the trash."
111
Prudent
Acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
| "no prudent money manager would authorize a loan without first knowing its purpose"
112
Imprudent
Not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.
| "it would be imprudent to leave her winter coat behind"
113
Venture
Undertake a risky or daring journey or course of action.
| "she ventured out into the blizzard"
114
Sordid
Involving immoral or dishonourable actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt.
"the story paints a sordid picture of bribes and scams"
115
Deliverance
The action of being rescued or set free.
| "prayers for deliverance" (Liberation)
116
Chthonic
Relating to or inhabiting the underworld.
| "a chthonic deity"
117
Timorous
Showing or suffering from nervousness or a lack of confidence.
"a timorous voice"
118
Odour
A distinctive smell, especially an unpleasant one.
| "the odour of cigarette smoke"
119
Carnal
Pertaining to or characterized by the flesh or the body, its passions and appetites; sensual:
carnal pleasures.
not spiritual; merely human; temporal; worldly:
a man of secular, rather carnal, leanings.
120
Symphatic
Used to describe someone who shows, especially by what they say, that they understand and care about someone else's suffering:
- He suffers from back trouble too, so he was very sympathetic about my problem.
121
Govern
To control and direct the public business of a country, city, group of people, etc.:
- The country has been governed by military regimes.
122
Protagonist
One of the main characters in a story or a play.
123
Subjectivity
The influence of personal beliefs or feelings, rather than facts:
- There's always an element of subjectivity in decision-making.
124
Ferocious
Frightening and violent:
125
Rational
Based on clear thought and reason:
| - There must be some rational explanation for what happened.
126
Rationale
The reasons or intentions that cause a particular set of beliefs or actions:
- I don't understand the rationale for these restrictions.
127
Logic
A particular way of thinking, especially one that is reasonable and based on good judgment:
- If prices go up, wages will go up too - that's just logic.
128
Intellect
The ability to understand or deal with ideas and information.
129
Excitation
1. TECHNICAL
the application of energy to something.
2.
The action of exciting or the state of being excited; excitement. "a state of sexual excitation"
130
Impending
Be about to happen.
| "my impending departure"
131
Ego
Your idea or opinion of yourself, especially your feeling of your own importance and ability:
132
Egocentrict
Thinking only about yourself and what is good for you:
133
Unorthodox
Contrary to what is usual, traditional, or accepted; not orthodox.
"he frequently upset other scholars with his unorthodox views"
134
Curriculum
The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.
"course components of the school curriculum"
135
Vignette
1.
a brief evocative description, account, or episode.
"a classic vignette of embassy life"
2.
a small illustration or portrait photograph which fades into its background without a definite border.
136
Elusive
Difficult to find, catch, or achieve.
| "success will become ever more elusive"
137
Simultaneously
At the same time.
138
Tertiary
Third in order or level.
139
Bountiful
Large in quantity; abundant.
| "the ocean provided a bountiful supply of fresh food"
140
Morsel
A small piece or amount of food; a mouthful.
| "Juliet pushed a morsel of toast into her mouth"
141
Winnow
blow a current of air through (grain) in order to remove the chaff.
"a combine cuts, threshes, and winnows the grain in one operation"
find or identify (a valuable or useful part of something).
"amidst this welter of confusing signals, it's difficult to winnow out the truth"
142
Arboretum
A botanical garden devoted to trees.
143
Vista
A pleasing view.
| "sweeping lawns and landscaped vistas"
144
Multifaceted
1.
having many sides.
"the diamond's multifaceted surface"
2.
having many different aspects or features.
"his extraordinary and multifaceted career"
145
Ego-syntonic
of or relating to aspects of one's behavior or attitudes viewed as acceptable and consistent with one's fundamental personality and beliefs (contrasted with ego-dystonic).
146
Ego-dystonic
of or relating to aspects of one's behavior or attitudes viewed as inconsistent with one's fundamental beliefs and personality (contrasted with ego-syntonic).
147
Discern
to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; see, recognize, or apprehend:
They discerned a sail on the horizon.
to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct or different; discriminate:
He is incapable of discerning right from wrong.
148
Didactic
- intended for instruction; instructive:
didactic poetry.
- inclined to teach or lecture others too much:
a boring, didactic speaker.
- teaching or intending to teach a moral lesson.
didactics, (used with a singular verb) the art or science of teaching.
149
Paradigm
a set of forms all of which contain a particular element, especially the set of all inflected forms based on a single stem or theme.
a framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community.
150
Individuation
state of being individuated; individual existence; individuality.
151
Auxiliary
additional; supplementary; reserve:
an auxiliary police force.
used as a substitute or reserve in case of need:
The hospital has an auxiliary power system in case of a blackout.
a person or thing that gives aid of any kind; helper.
152
Solely
As the only one or ones:
| solely responsible.
153
Entrench
To place in a position of strength; establish firmly or solidly:
safely entrenched behind undeniable facts.
154
Nuance
- a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response, etc.
- a very slight difference or variation in color or tone.
155
Innate
existing in one from birth; inborn; native:
innate musical talent.
inherent in the essential character of something:
an innate defect in the hypothesis.
originating in or arising from the intellect or the constitution of the mind, rather than learned through experience: an innate knowledge of good and evil.
156
Convivial
(of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable.
| "a convivial cocktail party"
157
Concurrent
Existing, happening, or done at the same time.
| "there are three concurrent art fairs around the city"
158
Vacate
Leave (a place that one previously occupied).
| "rooms must be vacated by noon on the last day of your holiday"
159
Vacuous
Having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless.
"a vacuous smile"
160
Vociferous
Expressing or characterized by vehement opinions; loud and forceful.
"he was a vociferous opponent of the takeover"
161
Vehement
Showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense.
| "her voice was low but vehement"
