Wordsmart Super-Genius Flashcards
(200 cards)
1
Q
Patronymic (patro nimik)
“The patronymic naming of children”
A
Denoting or relating to a name derived from the name of a father or male ancestor
2
Q
Palsy
“She feels as if the muscles on her face are palsied”
A
Affect with paralysis and involuntary tremors
3
Q
Hyperborean (Hyper boreean)
A
Relating to the extreme north
4
Q
Toper
A
A heavy drinker
5
Q
Expostulation/Exhortation (egzor tation)
“In spite of her earnest expostulations, he decided to go to the party alone.”
“No amount of exhortation had any effect.”
A
Earnestly reasoning with someone to persuade them against something
6
Q
Skylark
“He was skylarking with a friend when he fell into a pile of boxes.”
A
Pass time by playing tricks or practical jokes; indulge in horseplay
7
Q
Scoria
A
The refuse from melting of metals or reduction of ores; slag
8
Q
Brevet (bre Vett)
“A brevet lieutenant”
A
A former type of military commission by which an officer was promoted to a higher rank without the corresponding pay
9
Q
Stave
“He ate a sandwich to stave off hunger.”
A
To prevent something bad from happening or affecting you for a period of time, to delay something
10
Q
Verdure (ver jer)
A
Lush green vegetation
11
Q
Verger
A
An official in a church who acts as a caretaker and attendant
12
Q
Impregnable
“The case against him would have been almost impregnable.”
A
Unable to be defeated or destroyed; unassailable
13
Q
Cenotaph (sen a taf)
A
A monument to someone buried elsewhere, especially one commemorating people who died in a war
14
Q
Prow
“The commanding prow of the Jaguar”
A
The pointed or projecting front part of something such as a car or building
15
Q
Canticle
A
A hymn or chant, typically with a biblical text, forming a regular part of a church service
16
Q
Valise (Val eese)
A
A small traveling bag or suitcase
17
Q
Parricide
A
The deliberate killing of a near relative
18
Q
Cupidity
“New wealth, however tainted by cupidity and egoism, tends to be favorable for the arts”
A
Inordinate greed for money or possessions
19
Q
Presentiment (pri sentiment)
“A presentiment of disaster”
A
An intuitive feeling about the future, especially one of foreboding
20
Q
Obliquity (o blik wit te)
“Obliquity is a characteristic of being deliberately indirect or vague, especially to fool or deceive someone. The Obliquity of many politicians makes it hard to get a straight answer from them.”
A
A deviation from moral rectitude or sound thinking
21
Q
Eddy
“She watched the small group of protesters eddy across the courtyard.”
A
To move in a circular way
22
Q
Multitudinous (soft I)
“The multitudinous array of chemical substances that exist in the natural world”
A
Consisting of or containing many individuals or elements
23
Q
Phrenology
A
The historical study of the shape and size of the cranium as a supposed indication of character and mental abilities
24
Q
Unbidden
“Unbidden guests”
“Unbidden tears came to his eyes”
A
Without having been invited; a thought or feeling arising without conscious effort
25
Vitiate
“Development programs have been vitiated by the rise in population.”
Spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of something
26
Actuate
“The defendants were actuated by malice”
To cause someone to act in a particular way; motivate
27
Calabash
An evergreen tropical American tree which bears fruit in the form of large woody gourds
28
Terraqueous (ter ay qweous)
“The preservation of this terraqueous globe”
Consisting or formed of land and water
29
Imputable
“The oversight was not imputable to him”
Capable of being assigned or credited to; ascribable
30
Negative
“Should criminal law be allowed to negative what would otherwise be a crime?”
Render ineffective; neutralize
31
Perturbance/Perturbation
“She sensed her friend’s perturbance”
Anxiety, mental uneasiness
32
Prelusive
“A “prelusive” dimming of house lights in a theatre is intended to quiet the audience before the curtain rises.”
Introductory or preparatory
33
Pestiferous
“The pestiferous area around the prison”
Harboring infection and disease
34
Puissant (Pwee ssant)
“He would become a puissant man”
Having great power or influence
35
Plaudits
“The network has received plaudits for its sports coverage.”
An expression of praise or approval
36
Carrion (Cary ine)
“A crow wheeled over the hills in search of carrion.”
The decaying flesh of dead animals
37
Palaver
“There’s a lot of palaver involved”
Unnecessarily elaborate or complex procedure
38
Impudent (IM pudent)
“He could have strangled this impudent upstart”
Not showing due respect for another person; impertinent
39
Sepulchral
“A speech delivered in sepulchral tones”
Gloomy; dismal; relating to a tomb or interment
40
Illimitable
“The illimitable human capacity for evil”
Without limits or end
41
Globular (glab yular)
“Plants with distinctive globular blooms”
Globe-shaped; spherical
42
Sagacious
“The sagacious mayor’s decision to invest in public education paid off in the long run.”
Having or showing insight, wisdom and practical intelligence
43
Soliloquize
“They are prone to soliloquize at length.”
Speak one’s thoughts aloud regardless if there is anyone around to hear
44
Descry (dis CRY)/espy
“She descried two figures.”
Catch sight of
45
Similitude
“The two siblings, raised on opposite ends of the country, show some curious similitudes.”
Likeness, resemblance or a point of comparison between two or more things, often in a figurative or abstract sense.
46
Sultanism
A form of authoritarian government where the ruler exercises power without restraint or adherence to any rules or ideology, even their own
47
Legatee (lega TEE)
“His sister Alice was his principal legatee.”
A person who receives a legacy
48
Abstemious (ab steem ious)
“You only had one glass- very abstemious of you.”
Not self-indulgent, especially when eating and drinking
49
Expatiate
“She expatiated on working-class novelists”
Speak or write at length or in detail
50
Malediction
“He muttered maledictions to himself as he trod the stone passages.”
A magical word or phrase uttered with the intention of bringing about evil or destruction; a curse
51
Efface
“With time, the words are effaced by the frost and rain.”
Erase a mark from a surface
52
Bruit (brute)
“I didn’t want to have our relationship bruited about the office.”
Spread a report or rumor widely
53
Envisage (envizij)
“He could not envisage what life would be like without her.”
Imagine beforehand
54
Bonhomie (bonomie)
“He exuded good humor and bonhomie.”
Cheerful friendliness, geniality
55
Copse
A small group of trees
56
Gossamer
“In the light from the table lamp, his hair was blond gossamer.”
Used to refer to something very light, thin and insubstantial or delicate
57
Provenance
“She wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear any news that had Bridget as its provenance.”
The beginning of something’s existence; something’s origin
58
Missive
“He hastily banged out electronic missives.”
A letter, especially a long or official one (often used humorously)
59
Ardor (ardur)
“They felt the stirrings of revolutionary ardor.”
Great warmth of feeling; fervor; passion
60
Massif (mass eef)
“The rock massif of Scotland”
A compact group of mountains, especially one that is separate from other groups
61
Effigy
“Coins bearing the effigy of Maria Theresa of Austria”
A sculpture or model of a person
62
Permutation
A mathematical arrangement of objects where the order of the objects matters, differing from a combination in this regard
63
Concomitant (cun cahm a dint)
“She loved travel, with all its concomitant worries.”
“The novel is about the decade that brought about the organization of crime as a concomitant of Prohibition.”
Naturally accompanying or associated
64
Baleful
“Bill shot a baleful glance in her direction”
Threatening harm; menacing
65
Preprandial (pre prandeul)
“A preprandial glass of sherry”
Done or taken before dinner or lunch (humorous)
66
Decant
To draw off a liquid without disturbing the sediment or the lower liquid layers
67
Essay (e SAY)
“Essay a smile”
An attempt or effort
68
Clarion call
“He issued a clarion call to young people to join the party”
A strongly expressed demand or request for action
69
Contagion
“The contagion of disgrace”
“The rooms held no risk of contagion”
The communication of a disease or the spreading of a harmful idea or practice
70
Foible
“They have to tolerate each other’s little foibles.”
A minor weakness or eccentricity in someone’s character
71
Croupier
A person who oversees and manages a gambling table in a casino
72
Decamp
“Now he has decamped to Hollywood”
Depart suddenly or secretly, especially to relocate one’s business or household in another area
73
Sentinel
“The dog was standing sentinel over her prize.”
A person or thing that guards or watches over something, often a solder stationed as a guard
74
Solicitous
“She was always solicitous about the welfare of her students.”
Characterized by or showing interest or concern
75
In loco parentis
“He was used to acting in loco parentis”
In the place of a parent
76
Coterie
“A coterie of friends and advisors”
A small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that is exclusive of other people
77
Publican
A person who owns or manages a pub (British) or a tax collector
78
Occlusion
“An overturned truck on the highway would be an occlusion”
Something blocking something else; something that is in the way
79
Specious
“A specious argument”
Appearing to be true or right but actually being false or deceptive
80
Lineament (Lineyamint)
“The memory and lineaments of monarchs and great personages were preserved by means of wax masks.”
A distinctive feature or characteristic, especially of the face
81
Aerie (airie)
The nest of a bird on a cliff or a mountaintop
82
Jollity
“A night of riotous jollity”
Lively and cheerful activity or celebration
83
Pulchritude
“The irresistible pulchritude of her friend”
Physical beauty or attractiveness
84
Furlough
“Half of employers say they will put the majority of their staff on furlough”
Suspension or discharge of a worker on account of economic conditions or shortage of work, especially when temporary
85
Stalwart (stall wert)
“He remained a stalwart supporter of the cause”
Loyal, reliable, and hardworking
86
Sotto voce (sotto vochee)
“A sotto voce remark”
In a quiet voice, as if not to be overheard
87
Impish
“He had an impish look about him.”
Inclined to do slightly naughty things for fun; mischievous
88
Acumen
“Business acumen”
The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain
89
Provender
“There’s no one to carry your provender”
A supply of food
90
Timpani (timp uh nee)
Kettledrums
91
Beleaguered
“The board is supporting the beleaguered director amid calls for his resignation”
In a very difficult situation
92
Cuirass (queer ASS)
“She held the files to her chest like a cuirass.”
A piece of armor, typically covering the torso from the neck to the waist, designed to protect the chest and back
93
Beribboned
Adorned or decorated with ribbons
94
Reticent
“She was extremely reticent about her personal affairs.”
Not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily
95
Coda
“His new novel is a kind of coda to his previous books”
A concluding event, remark or section
96
Prepossessing
“He was not a prepossessing sight.”
Attractive or appealing in appearance
97
Triptych
A work of art, commonly a painting, composed of three panels
98
Bona fides
“Why would you cast aspersions on my bona fides?”
A person’s honesty and sincerity of intention
99
Fissure (fishure)
A long, narrow opening or line of breakage made by cracking or splitting, especially in rock or earth
100
Countenance
“His impenetrable eyes and inscrutable countenance give little away”
A person’s face or facial expression
101
Teutonic
Teutons tribe
Primarily refers to things relating to an ancient Germanic tribe, or more broadly, to Germanic peoples, languages or cultures
102
Concretize
“Is it alright for incumbents to be concretized in their jobs ad infinitum?”
To make concrete, specific or definite
103
Ad infinitum (ad infi night um)
“Registration is for seven years and may be renewed ad infinitum.”
Again & again in the same way; forever
104
Gerontocracy
A state, society or group governed by old people
105
Sublimation
I.e. a person with intense anger might sublimate it by becoming a successful athlete
A defense mechanism where socially unacceptable impulses or desires are redirected into socially acceptable behaviors
106
Confrere (con frair)
“Executives from the TV networks, along with their cable confreres.”
A fellow member of a profession; a colleague
107
Variegated (vary a gated)
“Variegated yellow bricks”
Exhibiting different colors, especially as irregular patches or streaks
108
Infundibuliform (Infund ibyuliform)
“Infundibuliform jowls”
Shaped like a funnel
109
Derogate
“This does not derogate from his duty to act honestly and faithfully”
Detract from
110
Spatulate (spatu litt)
“His thick, spatulate fingers”
Having a broad, rounded end
111
Putrescent
“The odor of putrescent flesh”
Undergoing the process of decay
112
Shanghai
“Brady shanghaied her into his Jaguar and roared off”
Coerce or trick someone into a place or position or into doing something
113
Glutinous
“Glutinous mud”
Like glue in texture; sticky
114
Expurgation
”I hardly recognized the tame prose left after my teacher’s expurgation of my story”
Removing parts of a written work that are offensive or objectionable
115
Swiftian (Johnathan Swift)
Something characteristic of the sardonic, caustic, pessimistic tone of the author of Gulliver’s Travels
116
The Gulag
A system of forced labor camps in the Soviet Union from the 1930s to the early 1950s under Stalin’s rule
117
Catalyze
“The tragic event helped to catalyze the already growing popular anger.”
Cause an action or process to begin
118
Dissipate
“The concern she’d felt for him had wholly dissipated.”
To cause a feeling or other intangible thing to disappear or cause to disappear
119
Gestation
“Various ideas are in the process of gestation.”
The development of something over a period of time
120
Edict
“She issued an edict protecting the property.”
An official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority
121
Historicity
“An effort to assert the historicity of poetry and the political power of poets”
The quality of being real and authentic in history, meaning something that actually occurred or developed historically as opposed to being fictional
122
Levity
“As an attempt to introduce a note of levity, the words were a disastrous flop”
A lack of seriousness, often involving a lighthearted and frivolous demeanor or speech
123
Epigram
A pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way
124
Divan (dye van)
A piece of furniture that can be a low sofa-like seat, often used as a long backless sofa or bench for seating
125
Deft
“A deft piece of footwork”
Neatly skillful and quick in one’s movement
126
Imperative
“Immediate action was imperative.”
Of vital importance, crucial
127
Extemporize
“I lost my notes and had to extemporize.”
To speak or perform without prior preparation
128
Banns
A public announcement, typically in a church, of an intended marriage- serve as a public notice, giving individuals the opportunity to object to the marriage based on legal, moral, or religious reasons
129
Rotogravure (roto gravure)
“You could go to the races in it and get your picture in the rotogravure.”
A sheet or magazine printed by rotary press, especially the color magazine of a Sunday newspaper
130
Amortize
“They want to amortize the tooling costs quickly.”
Gradually write off the initial cost of an asset over a period
131
Swale
A shallow, elongated depression in the land, often with gently sloping sides, can be a natural feature but are also intentionally created to manage water runoff, direct rainwater, and improve soil conservation
132
Arrears
“He was suing the lessee for the arrears of rent.”
Unpaid and overdue debts or obligations, especially with respect to payments
133
Predicate
“The theory of structure on which later chemistry is predicated.”
Found or base something on
134
Personality Disorders
1) Unhealthy patterns of behavior and thinking that differ from cultural norms
2)Long-term and cause problems with relationships, work and social activities
3)Have problems understanding emotions, tolerating distress & relating to others
4) Tend to act impulsively and blame others for their problems
135
Renege
“They have reneged on their promises to us.”
Go back on a promise, undertaking or contract
136
Performative
“Performative actions are primarily about creating an image or conveying a specific message to others. The goal is often to gain approval, admiration, or social validation.”
Acting in a way that is not sincere but is designed to impress or create a specific impression on others
137
Feckless
“A feckless mama’s boy”
Someone who is irresponsible, incompetent, inept or without purpose in life
138
Draconian- scribe- Draco
“He criticized the draconian measures taken by the police in controlling the demonstrators.”
Of excessive severity, derives from an Athenian law scribe under whom small offenses had heavy punishments
139
Contiguous
“The 48 contiguous states”
Sharing a common border; touching
140
Interpose
“He interposed himself between her and the top of the stairs.”
Place or insert between one thing and another
141
Apathetic
“Apathetic slackers who don’t vote”
Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm or concern
142
Proprietary
“The company has a proprietary right to the property.”
Relating to an owner or ownership
143
Languid
“They turned with languid movements so as to tan evenly.”
Slow and relaxed, lacking energy or vitality and often implying a casual, almost lazy manner
144
Hauteur (ho TER)
“She swept into the room with formidable hauteur.”
Haughtiness of manner; disdainful pride
145
Prodigal
“Prodigal habits die hard”
Spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant
146
Elemental
“Elemental features from which all other structures are compounded.”
Primary or basic
147
Rivulet
“Sweat ran in rivulets down his back.”
A very small stream
148
Vinous (vy nis)
“A vinous smell”
Resembling, associated with, or fond of wine
149
Enjoin
“The code enjoined members to trade fairly.”
Instruct or urge someone to do something
150
Tortuous
“The route is remote and tortuous”
“A tortuous argument”
Full of twists and turns; excessively lengthy and complex
151
Caterwaul (katter wall)
“He seems to think that singing soulfully is to whine and caterwaul tunelessly.”
Make a shrill howling or wailing noise like that of a cat
152
Affectation
“An affectation of calm”
A studied display of real or pretended feeling
153
Benediction
“He said the benediction.”
The utterance or bestowing of a blessing, especially at the end of a religious service
154
Debauchee
“The debauchee underwent a late-life religious conversion.”
A person who indulges excessively in sensual pleasures or vices, often to an immoral or excessive degree, and is considered to be dissolute and unrestrained
155
Fallacious
“Fallacious arguments”
Based on a mistaken belief
156
Chrysalis
“The transformation from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis and, finally, adult”
A quiescent insect pupa, especially of a butterfly or moth
157
Emissary
“He flew to China as the personal emissary of the President.”
A person sent on a mission, particularly to represent someone else or a group
158
Vestibule
A small entrance hall, antechamber, or passage between the exterior and interior of a building
159
Elocution
“Lessons in singing and elocution”
The skill of clear and expressive speech, especially of distinct pronunciation and articulation
160
Bulbous
“A bulbous nose”
Round and swollen, like a bulb
161
Addendum
“The group has issued an addendum to the letter”
An item of additional material added at the end of a book or document, typically in order to correct, clarify, or supplement something
162
Pasquinade (pas kwin aide)
“He delivered a long pasquinade at the expense of my friend”
A satire or lampoon, originally one displayed or delivered publicly in a public place
163
Adventitious
“My adventures were always adventitious, always thrust on me”
Happening or carried on according to chance rather than design or inherent nature
164
Pneumatic
“The machines with pneumatic loading are more efficient”
Containing or operated by air or gas under pressure
165
Divot
A piece of turf cut out of the ground by a golf club in making a stroke
166
Fallacious
“Fallacious arguments”
Based on a mistaken belief
167
Deluge
“The store was deluged with complaints.”
To overwhelm, inundate, swamp
168
Conclave
“A conclave of political leaders”
A private or secret meeting, especially one that has special authority, power or influence
169
August (au GUST)
“She was in august company.”
Respected and impressive
170
Veritable
“A veritable feast”
“A veritable disaster”
An adjective that emphasizes the true or real nature of something, often used to highlight its size, amount or nature
171
Behemoth
“Shoppers are now more loyal to their local stores than to faceless behemoths”
Something enormous, especially a big and powerful organization
172
Leonine (lea 9)
“A handsome, leonine profile”
Of or resembling a lion or lions
173
Xanadu
“Three architects and a planner combine to create a Xanadu”
Originates from the name of Kublai Khan’s summer capital, Shangdu, in Inner Mongolia
An idealized place of great or idyllic magnificence and beauty
174
Devoid
“Lisa kept her voice devoid of emotion”
Entirely lacking or free from
175
Equatorial
“Equatorial regions”
Something related to, or situated near the equator, the imaginary line circling the Earth halfway between the North and South Poles- includes the Amazon rainforest in South America and the Congo Basin in Africa
176
Livery (liv ery)
“Yeoman of the guard wearing a royal red and gold livery”
Special uniform worn by a servant or official
177
Soigne (swan yay)
“She was dark, petite and soignee”
Dressed very elegantly; well groomed
178
Dynastic
“Theirs was a dynastic business”
A connection to a family lineage of rulers
179
Substantive
“There is no substantive evidence for the efficacy of these drugs”
Having a firm basis in reality and therefore important, meaningful or considerable
180
Colonnade (kah lon aide)
“A colonnade surrounds the courtyard”
A series of columns set at regular intervals usually supporting the base of a roof structure
181
Chatelaine (shat a lane)
In the primary suite, the chatelaine’s dressing room is a fashionista’s dream”
A woman in charge of a large house or a large establishments
182
Savior faire (sav wahr fare)
“This is a gracious occasion, so try to behave with a bit of savoir faire”
The ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations
183
Manosphere
Encompasses a range of misogynistic communities that vary from anti-feminism to more explicit, violent rhetoric towards women
184
Libel
“Libelous statements about a celebrity for which the tabloid was sued”
Defamation; false information that harms the reputation of a person, business or organization; calumny
185
Boiserie (bwa zeree)
Wooden paneling
186
Bucolic
“The church is lovely for its bucolic setting”
Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life
187
Scion (sy en)
“He was the scion of a wealthy family”
Descendant of a notable family
188
Vitrine (vitrene)
“The boxes are displayed in four glass vitrines”
A glass display case
189
Porte Cochere (Port Coshare)
A covered entrance large enough for vehicles to pass through, typically opening into a courtyard
190
Proffer
“He proffered his resignation.”
Hold out something to someone for acceptance; offer
191
Retinue
“The rock star’s retinue of security guards and personal cooks”
A group of advisors, assistants, or others accompanying an important person; entourage
192
Naif (ny EEF)
“Don’t play the naif”
A naive or ingenuous person
193
Mellifluous
“The voice was mellifluous and smooth”
Sweet or musical voice or words; pleasant to hear
194
Sybaritic
“Their opulent and sybaritic lifestyle”
Fond of sensuous luxury or pleasure; self-indulgent
195
Emporium
“The world-famous food emporium”
A business establishment that specializes in products or services on a large scale (often used for humorously formal effect)
196
Cosseted
“The cosseted daughter of an upper-class New England family”
Cared for and protected in an overindulgent way; pampered
197
Peignoir (pay noar)
A woman’s loose negligee or dressing gown- worn over clothes to prevent hair products or makeup from staining the clothes
198
Undulating
“The undulating country lanes of Norther Ireland”
Having a smoothly rising and falling form or outline
199
Alchemy
“Finding the person who’s right for you requires a very subtle alchemy.”
A seemingly magical process of transformation, creation or combination
200
Allele (al LAY)
An alley in a formal garden or park, bordered by trees or bushes
