Section 1
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mollify
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Date created
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Cards (774)
Section 1
(50 cards)
mollify
(v.) to soften, make gentle, pacify; to calm, allay (as an emotion), assuage, appease, placate; to reduce in intensity
rasher
A thin slice of bacon
sporadic
(adj.) occurring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order Occasional, happening irregularly or in scattered locations
reconcile
(v.) to restore to friendship; to settle; to resign 1. (v.) to return to harmony (The feuding neighbors finally reconciled when one brought the other a delicious tuna noodle casserole.) 2. (v.) to make consistent with existing ideas
resent
to feel angry or bitter at something She resented the fact that I had children
palled
becoming boring or uninteresting
impediment
(n.) a physical defect; a hindrance, obstacle
favela
a slum community in a Brazilian city
deliberation
long and careful consideration or discussion
cacophony
A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds Tremendous noise, disharmonious sound
surreptitious
(adj.) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud
esoteric
(adj.) intended for or understood by only a select few, private, secret
contemplate
v. to look at or think about carefully; to consider as a possibility
perpetrate
To commit, as a crime or other antisocial act
insouciance
nonchalance or a lack of concern "the cheerful feeling you have when nothing is troubling you"
retrospective
(adj, n) looking to the past or backward; applying to the past, retroactive (adj); an art exhibit of an artist's work over a long period of time (n)
pragmatic
Dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations practical, as opposed to idealistic
enamor
(v.) to fill with love, fascinate, usually used in passive form followed by "of" or "with" (I grew enamored of that boy when he quoted my favorite love poem.) (adj.) inspired by love; captivated; (adj.) marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
extemporaneous
Done without preparation (esp. of a speech), or with some preparation but no notes; improvised, done on the spur of the moment
conciliate
To overcome the distrust or animosity of; appease, placate to reconcile, to pacify, to renew a friendship
loquacious
(adj.) talkative, wordy; fond of talking
lexicographer
n. a person who writes or compiles dictionaries
acclaim
(n.) high praise (Greg's excellent poem won the acclaim of his friends.) accolade (n.) high praise, special distinction (Everyone offered accolades to Sam after he won the Noble Prize.)
oxymoron
A figure of speech that combines opposite or contradictory terms in a brief phrase.
dilapidation
The condition of being run-down or in need of repairs state of ruin
impromptu
(adj., adv.) without preparation, offhand, suddenly or hastily done; (n.) an extemporaneous composition or remark; a minimal piece suggestive of improvisation
pertinacious
(adj.) stubbornly persistent (Harry's parents were frustrated with his pertinacious insistence that a monster lived in his closet. Then they opened the closet door and were eaten.)
persistent
continuing firmly or obstinately in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. refusing to give up or let go; preserving obstinately.
truculent
(adj.) fierce and cruel; aggressive; deadly, destructive; scathingly harsh (adj.) ready to fight, cruel (This club doesn't really attract the dangerous types, so why was that bouncer being so truculent?)
apathetic
(adj.) lacking concern, emotion (Uninterested in politics, Bruno was apathetic about whether he lived under a capitalist or communist regime.) Indifferent
prudence
(n.) cautious, circumspect (After losing a fortune in a stock market crash, my father vowed to practice greater prudence in future investments.)
perversion
corruption; turning from right to wrong (n.) the alteration of something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended. sexual behaviour that is considered abnormal and unacceptable. "his book revolutionized ideas about sexual perversion"
inimical
(adj.) hostile, enemylike (I don't see how I could ever work for a company that was so cold and inimical to me during my interviews.) (adj.) tending to cause harm or obstruct developments; being oppositional or adverse
grandiose
(adj.) on a magnificent or exaggerated scale (Margaret planned a grandiose party, replete with elephants, trapeze artists, and clowns.) grand in an impressive or stately way; absurdly exaggerated; extravagantly or pretentiously imposing in appearance or style. "the court's grandiose facade"
dilatory
(adj.) tending to delay or procrastinate, not prompt; intended to delay or postpone
circumvent
(v.) to get around (The school's dress code forbidding navel-baring jeans was circumvented by the determined students, who were careful to cover up with long coats when administrators were nearby.) To circle AROUND and therefore bypass; to avoid by artful maneuvering
subvert
to overthrow; to cause the downfall, ruin, or destruction of; to undermine the principles of; corrupt.
attune
v. to bring into harmony to cause (a person, company, etc.) to have a better understanding of what is needed or wanted by a particular person or group
denigrate
criticize unfairly; disparage (v.) to belittle, diminish the opinion of (The company decided that its advertisements would no longer denigrate the company's competitors.) to attack the reputation of; to speak ill of
traversty
A false or distorted representation a grotesque or shameful imitation; a mockery; a perversion
eschew
deliberately avoid using (v.) to shun, avoid (George hates the color green so much that he eschews all green food.)
covet
greatly desired (v) to desire something belonging to another
beckon
to signal or summon, as by nodding or waving
enchant
(v.) to please greatly; to charm, put under a magic spell to bewitch, cast a spell on, fascinate
vacillate
To sway physically; to be indecisive (v.) to swing indecisively from one idea or course of action to another; to waver weakly in mind or will
lucubration
(n.) laborious study or thought, especially at night; the result of such work meditation
reprobate
(n) a depraved, vicious, or unprincipled person, scoundrel; (adj.) wicked, corrupt, or unprincipled; (v.) to disapprove of, condemnexpress or feel disapproval of. (v) express or feel disapproval of.
voluptuous
full of, characterized by, or ministering to indulgence in luxury, pleasure, and sensuous enjoyment; directed toward or concerned with sensuous enjoyment or sensual pleasure. pleasant to the senses; luxurious; pleasure-seeking; extra full and shapely (of a woman) curvaceous and sexually attractive.
capricious
Impulsive and unpredictable Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
pulverize
(v.) to ground or pound to a powder or dust; to destroy or overcome (as though by smashing into fragments)
Section 2
(50 cards)
belligerent
(adj.) given to fighting, warlike; combative, aggressive; (n.) one at war, one engaged in war Hostile, Aggressive, Quarrelsome
probity
(n.) virtue, integrity (Because he was never viewed as a man of great probity, no one was surprised by Mr. Samson's immoral behavior.) noun: integrity, strong moral principle
predilection
A preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something
wane
(v.) to lose size, strength, or power (v.) to decrease in size, dwindle (Don't be so afraid of his wrath because his influence with the president is already beginning to wane.) To decrease in strength or intensity
cow
(v.) to crouch or shrink away from in fear or shame
elegy
a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead.
intractable
Stubborn (adj.) difficult to manipulate, unmanageable (There was no end in sight to the intractable conflict between the warring countries.)
lacklustre
Lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; uninspired or uninspiring, dull, uninspiring, likeless
hobble
verb: to hold back the progress of something. "Bad weather has hobbled rescue efforts.
dither
Act indecisively (verb); a state of fear or trembling excitement (v.) to be indecisive (Not wanting to offend either friend, he dithered about which of the two birthday parties he should attend.)
boosterish
supporting or promoting something enthusiastically, and often uncritically.
hamstring
cripple (a person or animal) by cutting their hamstrings.
paean
a song or hymn of praise and thanksgiving
fete
A party or festival, especially one held out of doors. to honor or entertain (someone) lavishly (n.) a party or celebration
fiasco
a complete, ridiculous failure, debacle, a major disaster
semblence
the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different
turgid
(adj.) swollen, bloated, filled to excess; overdecorated or excessive in language
reticent
(adj) not talking much; private (of a person), restrained, reserved Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily
timorous
(adj.) timid, fearful (When dealing with the unknown, timorous Tallulah almost always broke into tears.) timid by nature or revealing fear and nervousnes
eulogy
(n) speech of praise or written work of praise, esp. a speech given at a funeral
ubiquitous
(adj) existing everywhere at the same time
poised
(adj., part.) balanced, suspended; calm, controlled; ready for action having a composed and self-assured manner
affable
(adj.) courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to Friendly
disconcerting
upsetting, frustrating, distracting confusing; disturbing; causing emotional disturbance
deleterious
(adj.) harmful (She experienced the deleterious effects of running a marathon without stretching her muscles enough beforehand.) destructive, detrimental
prevarication
a false or deliberate misstatement; lie. the act of not telling the truth by not directly answering a question
extradite
deport from one country back to the home country
tirade
(n.) a long, angry speech, usually very critical
ignoble
having low moral standards; not noble in character; mean
benevolence
kindness, generosity, charity Inclination to perform charitable acts
odium
(n.) hatred, contempt; disgrace or infamy resulting from hateful conduct
censure
Strong disapproval or official reprimand (n); to issue such disapproval or reprimand (v) To criticize harshly
appropriate
(v.) to take, make use of (The government appropriated the farmer's land without justification.)
timid
hesitant; lacking in courage or boldness lacking self-confidence
perceptive
(adj.) having sympathetic insight or understanding, capable of keen appreciation insightful, discerning
churlish
(adj.) lacking politeness or good manners; lacking sensitivity; difficult to work with or deal with; rude
panache
(n.) a confident and stylish manner, dash; a strikingly elaborate or colorful display (n) Flair, style, swagger; a flamboyant or grand way of acting
aberrant
deviating from what is normal or expected
commandeer
take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes
insipid
lacking interest or flavor dull; bland; boring
decorous
Behaving with propriety and good taste; polite (adj.) socially proper, appropriate (The appreciative guest displayed decorous behavior toward his host.)
precocity
manifesting or characterized by unusually early development or maturity, especially in mental aptitude demonstrating an exceptional talent at an early age
crescendo
steadily increasing in volume or force (n.) a steady increase in intensity or volume (The crescendo of the brass instruments gave the piece a patriotic feel.)
besiege
surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually Attack, overwhelm, crowd in on or surround
interdict
to forbid or stop the activities or entry of prohibition; an order forbidding something to be done
jingoism
belligerent support of one's country
panacea
(n.) a remedy for all ills; cure-all; an answer to all problems
astute
(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.
harried
adj: troubled persistently especially with petty annoyance feeling strained as a result of having demands persistently made on one; harassed
parsimony
(n.) frugality, stinginess (Many relatives believed that my aunt's wealth resulted from her parsimony.)
Section 3
(50 cards)
moot
(adj.) open to discussion and debate, unresolved; (v.) to bring up for discussion; (n.) a hypothetical law case argued by students of no matter or consequence, not important
metaphysical
Concerned with abstract thought, related to metaphysics (branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the nature of being and of the world); very subtle or abstruse highly abstract or theoretical; lacking physical form
discursive
(adj.) rambling, lacking order (The professor's discursive lectures seemed to be about every subject except the one initially described.) (of e.g. speech and writing) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects
disseminate
(v.) to scatter or spread widely The politician disseminated his ideas across the town before the election.
pronounced
very noticeable or strongly expressed marked, significant, noticeable, distinct
complacent
(adj) self-satisfied, smug; overly content (and therefore lazy, neglectful, or some other bad quality)
impeccable
(adj.) faultless, beyond criticism or blame
vie
to compete
stupify
to shock or surprise; very much, and cause someone to be confused to stun; shock, astonish, or make stupid
conspicuous
attracting attention, as by being unusual or remarkable; noticeable
hedonistic
pleasure-seeking, Epicurean engaged in the pursuit of pleasure; sensually self-indulgent
ostentatious
(adj.) marked by conspicuous or pretentious display, showy, Flamboyant, Showy
sully
(v.) to soil, stain, tarnish, defile, besmirch (v.) to smear and dishonor; (v.) to pollute or contaminate, damage thr integrity and purity of
vapid
(adj.) dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force
refute
(v.) to prove wrong (Maria refuted the president's argument as she yelled and gesticulated at the TV.) To disprove; to successfully argue against, deny
bemoan
lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of
taciturn
(adj.) habitually silent or quiet, inclined to talk very little
wither
(verb) to shrivel up or lose liveliness or freshness To become dry; shriveled, shrunken, dried-up
peccadillo
(n.) a minor sin or offense; a trifling fault or shortcoming I'm going to propose to Melinda tomorrow —sure, she has her peccadilloes, like anyone, but she's the perfect woman for me. "The sexual peccadilloes of celebrities aren't necessarily news"
squalor
filth; wretched, degraded, or repulsive living conditions
veracity
(n.) truthfulness, accuracy (With several agencies regulating the reports, it was difficult for her to argue against its veracity.)
sally
suddenly rush forth a clever, witty, or fanciful remark; an outburst or flight of passion, fancy, etc.; an excursion or trip, usually off the main course; a sudden rushing forth or activity; a sortie of troops from a besieged place upon an enemy.
bent
determined; natural talent or inclination
ursine
bearlike; pertaining to a bear
obviate
(v) prevent, eliminate, or make unnecessary
antiquated
(adj.) old, out of date (That antiquated car has none of the features, like power windows and steering, that make modern cars so great.)
perfidy
A state or act of violating faith or allegiance; violation of a promise or vow, or of trust reposed; faithlessness; treachery.
abrade
wear off or wear down by rubbing or scraping. scrape off. The sharp rocks abraded the skin on her legs, so she put iodine on her abrasions.
loathe
v. to dislike something greatly feel intense dislike or disgust for
unctuous
(adj.) Excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable (The unctuous receptionist seemed untrustworthy, as if she was only being helpful because she thought we might give her a big tip.)
prudent
(adj) wise in practical matters, carefully providing for the future
fetid
(adj.) having a foul odor (I can tell from the fetid smell in your refrigerator that your milk has spoiled.)
imperturbable
(adj.) not easily excited; emotionally steady marked by extreme calm, impassivity, and steadiness
rescind
to invalidate; to repeal; to retract (v.) to take back (The company rescinded its offer of employment after discovering that Jane's resume was full of lies.)
pompous
(adj.) overly self-important in speech and manner; excessively stately or ceremonious Pretentious, characterized by a display of importance
phlegmatic
calm; imperturbable (adj.) uninterested, unresponsive (Monique feared her dog was ill after the animal's phlegmatic response to his favorite chew toy.)
brazen
(adj.) shameless, impudent; made of brass Bold and without shame
acquiescent
(adj.) willing to carry out someone else's orders or wishes without any protest or dissent; (adj.) submissive ready to accept something without protest, or to do what someone else wants.
acrimony
(n.) bitterness, discord (Though they vowed that no girl would ever come between them, Biff and Trevor could not keep acrimony from overwhelming their friendship after they both fell in love with the lovely Teresa.), angry
echelon
A level, rank or grade; the people at that level (n.) One of a series of grades in an organization or field of activity; an organized military unit; a step-like formation or arrangement
inure
(v.) to toughen, harden; to render used to something by long subjection or exposure (v.) to cause someone or something to become accustomed to a situation (Twenty years in the salt mines inured the man to the discomforts of dirt and grime.)
squalid
(adj.) filthy, wretched, debased adj. having a dirty or lowly appearance
punctilious
(adj.) very careful and exact, attentive to fine points of etiquette or propriety Paying strict attention to detail; extremely careful
comprehensive
Thorough (adj.) including everything (She sent me a comprehensive list of the ingredients needed to cook rabbit soufflé.)
benignant
kindly and benevolent, favorable, beneficial
levity
(n.) a lack of seriousness or earnestness, especially about things that should be treated with respect; buoyancy, lightness in weight, frivolity.
crochet
a form of knitting or needlework
loath
(adj.) unwilling, reluctant, disinclined
puerile
childish, immature, or silly (adj.) juvenile, immature (The judge demanded order after the lawyer's puerile attempt to object by stomping his feet on the courtroom floor
militate
(v.) to have effect or force on or against someone or something, fight against
Section 4
(50 cards)
chastise
(v.) to inflict physical punishment as a means of correction; to scold severely
accede to
To give consent, approval, or adherence; agree
vain
full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity
artless
Free of deceit or craftiness, guileless; natural
frivolous
(adj.) of little importance, not worthy of serious attention; not meant seriously, trivial; silly
negligee
a woman's loose dressing gown, often of soft sheer fabric
sanguine
ruddy; cheerfully optimistic, hopeful
commensurate
(adj.) corresponding in size or amount (Ahab selected a very long roll and proceeded to prepare a tuna salad sandwich commensurate with his enormous appetite.), equal; proportionate
altruist
(adj.) unselfish, concerned with the welfare of others
syncopate
The shortening of a word by omission of a sound, letter, or syllable from the middle of the word; for example, bos'n for boatswain. A brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary deficiency of oxygen in the brain; blackout.
abreast
Side-by-side. The more common "abreast of" means keeping up with, staying aware of, or remaining equal in progress with.
feckless
(adj.) lacking in spirit and strength; ineffective, weak; irresponsible, unreliable
wont
accustomed; habituated; to become or cause to become accustomed.
succumb
(v.) to give way to superior force, yield to yield or submit; to die
invigorate
give strength/energy to."the shower had invigorated her"
ingratiate
to gain favor with another by deliberate effort; to seek to please somebody so as to gain an advantage
tiff
minor quarrel; fit of annoyance
nonviable
A product, idea, concept, or opportunity that cannot meet its intended strategic goals or expectations. Not capable of growth
impregnable
not able to be conquered; impenetrable (adj.) resistant to capture or penetration (Though the invaders used battering rams, catapults, and rain dances, the fortress proved impregnable and resisted all attacks.)
camaraderie
(n.) brotherhood, jovial unity (Camaraderie among employees usually leads to success in business.) mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.
ingenuous
(adj.) innocent, simple; frank, sincere showing innocence or childlike simplicity
exculpate
to clear from blame; prove innocent
mercurial
(adj) quickly unpredictably changing moods; fickle, flighty (adj.) characterized by rapid change or temperament (Though he was widely respected for his mathematical proofs, the mercurial genius was impossible to live with.)
contempt
Disrespect; a feeling that a person or thing is inferior and undesirable, disdain; disgrace
vindicate
(v.) to clear from hint or charge of wrongdoing; to defend successfully against opposition; to justify (v.) to avenge; to free from allegation; to set free (The attorney had no chance of vindicating the defendant with all of the strong evidence presented by the state.)
precedent
an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances prior in time, order etc.
ephemeral
Lasting a very short time, fleeting, deciduous "There remain some truths too ephemeral to be captured in the cold pages of a court transcript"
fractious
(adj.) tending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable
dilettante
Person who takes up an art or activity for amusement only or in a superficial way
deadpan
wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face
prattle
To speak in a foolish manner; to babble incessantly meaningless, foolish talk
lampoons
to publicly criticize to criticize someone or something in a humorous way that makes them seem stupid:
adjudicate
make a formal judgement on a disputed matter "the Committee adjudicates on all betting disputes" pronounce or declare judicially.
blithe
(adj.) cheerful, lighthearted; casual, unconcerned
promulgation
announcement, public declaration to make known by open declaration, publish, proclaim formally
shore up
To reinforce or strengthen
epithet
An adjective or adjective phrase applied to a person or thing that is frequently used to describe a characteristic or quality. an epithet used as a term of abuse. "the woman begins to hurl racial epithets at them"
incessant
Continuing without interruption
arbitrate
to settle a disagreement between two parties by having a third party make a decision after hearing both sides
derogatory
Insulting or intended to insult Showing a critical or disrespectful attitude
avenge
(v.) to seek revenge (The victims will take justice into their own hands and strive to avenge themselves against the men who robbed them.)
atrophy
(n.) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure; (v.) to waste away
terse
(adj.) brief and to the point
inane
(adj.) silly and meaningless (Some films are so inane that the psychology of the characters makes absolutely no sense.) senseless, stupid
predicament
a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation
critique
A detailed analysis and assessment. An analysis or assessment of a thing or situation for the purpose of determining its nature, limitations, and conformity to a set of standards.
congregate
to assemble into a group
deride
make fun of; mock (v.) to ridicule, laugh at with contempt
jaded
(adj.) wearied, worn-out, dulled (in the sense of being satiated by excessive indulgence) bored or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something.
eke
Manage to support oneself or make a living with difficulty to survive or subsist by means of hard labor or strenuous effort
Section 5
(50 cards)
rapport
A close and harmonious relationship (n.) mutual understanding and harmony (When Margaret met her paramour, they felt an instant rapport
ascertain
(v.) to perceive, learn, To find out(With a bit of research, the student ascertained that some plants can live for weeks without water.)
paramour
A lover, often secret, not allowed by law or custom
inquisitive
Curious; asking many questions
abstemious
(adj.) moderate, sparing (as in eating and drinking); characterized by abstinence and self-discipline
proscribe
(v.) to condemn, outlaw (The town council voted to proscribe the sale of alcohol on weekends.) Prohibit, outlaw; denounce; exile or banish
intransigent
uncompromising; refusing to be reconciled, refusing to compromise, often on an extreme opinion (The intransigent child said he would have 12 scoops of ice cream, or he would bang his head against the wall until his mother fainted from fear.)
spurious
(adj.) not genuine, not true, not valid
idiosyncrasy
a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.
evict
To force out of property by taking legal action.
demeanor
(n.) the way a person behaves, overall impression made by comportment, manner, etc.; facial appearance, mien
epitome
(n.) a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality (n.) a perfect example, embodiment (My mother, the epitome of good taste, always dresses more elegantly than I do.)
dichotomy
a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different
detrimental
harmful; damaging; N. detriment
trifling
Trivial, not very important; so small as to be unimportant; frivolous, shallow
exacerbate
To make worse or more severe
apprehensive
(adj.) fearful or anxious, especially about the future, or that something bad or unpleasant will happen
apprehend
1. (v.) to seize, arrest (The criminal was apprehended at the scene.) 2. (v.) to perceive, understand, grasp (The student has trouble apprehending concepts in math and science.)
venerate
(v.) to regard with reverence, look up to with great respect
intimidate
To frighten, especially by threatening someone
tumultuous
(adj) Riotous, violently agitated, marked by disturbance, violence or uproar; noisy, chaotic loud, excited, and emotional
ameliorate
To make better; to improve
temperance
(n) moderation, self-control, esp. regarding alcohol or other desires or pleasures; total abstinence from alcohol (n.) moderation in action or thought (Maintaining temperance will ensure that you are able to think rationally and objectively.)
incumbent
1. (n.) one who holds an office (The incumbent senator is already serving his fifth term.) 2. (adj.) obligatory (It is incumbent upon this organization to offer aid to all who seek it.)
lax
(adj.) not strict, careless; lacking discipline; not tense, relaxed, negligent
cognizant
(adj.) aware, mindful (Jake avoided speaking to women in bars because he was cognizant of the fact that drinking impairs his judgment.)
lurid
adj. causing shock or horror; tastelessly vivid; glowing like fire through a haze
stature
the importance and respect that a person has because of their ability and achievement
deference
(n.) courteous yielding to the wishes and ideas of another person; great respect marked by submission, as to a superior
invalidate
(v.) to make valueless, take away all force or effect weaken; destroy
desultory
aimless; haphazard; digressing at random Lacking consistency or order, disconnected, sporadic; going off topic
circumspect
Cautious, prudent; careful to consider the circumstances and consequences
confide
tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about
indigence
poverty
allegory
A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. A work that functions on a symbolic level
diffident
Lacking self-confidence
ebullient
(adj.) overflowing with enthusiasm and excitement; boiling, bubbling
rumination
think deeply about something in the context of aggression, rumination involves repeatedly thinking about and reliving an anger-inducing event, focusing on angry thoughts and feelings, and perhaps even planning or imagining revenge.
intricacies
Details, especially of an involved or perplexing subject
precarious
risky; lacking in security or stability Unstable, insecure, dangerous
recondite
(adj.) exceeding ordinary knowledge and understanding hard to understand, abstruse, over one's head
providential
(adj.) happening as though through divine intervention; characterized by good fortune
prowess
(n.) distinguished bravery; superior skill or ability (The musician had never taken a guitar lesson in his life, making his prowess with the instrument even more incredible.)
obscure
difficult to understand; partially hidden, vague
relentless
implacable, persistent, unyielding, harsh, without pity
profound
(adj) very insightful, penetrating deeply into a subject; pervasive intense, "down to the very bottom;" at the very bottom
copious
(adj.) abundant; plentiful; wordy, verbose
orthodox
Adhering to a traditional, established faith, or to anything customary or commonly accepted
transgression
act of trespassing or violating a law or rule wrongdoing; sin
exuberant
(adj.) high-spirited, enthusiastic, unrestrained; excessive, abundant
Section 6
(50 cards)
curtail
(v.) to cut short, bring to a halt or end sooner than expected; to reduce
heed
to pay attention to
meticulous
Extremely careful about details
indemnify
make secure against loss; compensate for loss (Eg: The city will indemnify all home owners whose property is spoiled by this project. )
relinquish
(v.) to let go, give up
profligate
Completely and shamelessly immoral, or extremely wasteful
dissemble
to disguise one's real intentions or character (v.) to disguise or conceal, deliberately give a false impression
corroborate
to support with evidence
concocted
(v) put together, made, or prepared by combining various materials, elements, or ingredients; fabricated
paradigm
A model; an example
discretion
prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary
rebut
(v.) to offer arguments or evidence that contradicts an assertion; to refute
incongruous
not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something; Out of place, inappropriate, not harmonious
demur
Show reluctance or object, especially for moral reasons; to express doubts or objections
incorrigible
(adj) not able to be corrected; beyond control
schism
(n.) a formal split within a religious organization; any division or separation of a group or organization into hostile factions
reprimand
(v.) to scold; find fault with; (n.) a rebuke a formal expression of disapproval.
embellishment
the act of adding extraneous decorations to something
egregious
(adj.) conspicuous, standing out from the mass (used particularly in an unfavorable sense) (adj.) extremely bad (The student who threw sloppy jokes across the cafeteria was punished for his egregious behavior.)
accord
(n.) agreement, harmony; (v.) to agree, be in harmony or bring into harmony; to grant, bestow on
implacable
unable to be calmed down or made peaceful (adj.) not to be satisfied or pacified; unyielding
fastidious
Excessively particular, difficult to please; painstaking, meticulous, requiring excessive attention to detail (adj.) meticulous, demanding, having high and often unattainable standards (Mark is so fastidious that he is never able to finish a project because it always seems imperfect to him.)
content
in a state of peaceful happiness.
abeyance
Temporary suspension, inactivity
tendentious
having or showing a definite tendency, bias, or purpose.
virulence
(noun) extreme hostility; extreme harmfulness The strength or ability of a pathogen to produce disease.
vice
A bad habit, such as laziness, that inclines us to choose the evil rather than the good.
unconscionable
Not guided by conscience; morally wrong, unjust, unreasonable
acerbity
bitterness of speech and temper
delineate
Mark the outline of; sketch; describe in detail
misnomer
An unsuitable or misleading name
scrupulous
(adj.) exact, careful, attending thoroughly to details; having high moral standards, principled
immure
(v.) to enclose or confine within walls; to imprison; to seclude or isolate
imprudent
Not showing care for the consequences of an action, unwise, not careful
vicious
(adj.) evil, bad; spiteful; having bad habits or an ugly disposition; painfully severe or extreme
cognition
All the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.
admonish
To warn, to reprove
discern
(v.) to see clearly, recognize, to distinguish one thing from another, (v.) to perceive, detect (Though he hid his emotions, she discerned from his body language that he was angry.)
sartorial
(adj.) of or pertaining to a tailor or his work; having to do with clothes or dress (especially men's)
consummate
(adj.) complete or perfect in the highest degree; (v.) to bring to a state of completion or perfection
pithy
brief and full of meaning and substance; concise
inveterate
(adj.) firmly established, long-standing; habitual
glib
(adj) fluent and easy in a way that suggests superficiality or insincerity
liquidate
(v.) to pay a debt, settle an account; to eliminate v. To settle the affairs of a business; to convert into cash.
robust
Strong and healthy
unscrupulous
(adj.) dishonest; not guided or controlled by moral principles
didactic
Intended to teach
presumptuous
assuming too much; arrogant (adj.) disrespectfully bold (The princess grew angry after the presumptuous noble tried to kiss her, even though he was far below her in social status.)
contend
(v) to fight, struggle; to compete; to argue earnestly
fortuitous
(adj.) accidental, occurring by a happy chance
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tenacious
persistent, stubborn; resolute; holding firm to a purpose
wary
(adj) watchful, motivated by caution, on guard against danger
petulant
moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, especially over some trifling annoyance; Easily irritated or annoyed
entail
(v.) to put a burden on, impose, require, involve; to restrict ownership of property by limiting inheritance; (n.) such a restriction
estrange
(v.) to drift apart or become unfriendly; to cause such a separation; to remove or keep at a distance
rebuff
to refuse someone; to reject an offer in a rude way
irascible
easily angered; prone to temperamental outbursts
laggard
(n.) a person who moves slowly or falls behind; (adj.) falling behind; slow to move, act, or respond
factitious
artificial; produced artificially; sham; false; Ex. factitious tears
nonchalance
an appearance of indifference; calm and composed
disentangle
to free from tangles or complications
latitude
freedom to choose how to act or what to do.
solicitous
(adj.) concerned, attentive (Jim, laid up in bed with a nasty virus, enjoyed the solicitous attentions of his mother, who brought him soup and extra blankets.)
fervor
Intense and passionate feeling.
disingenuous
crafty, dishonest, giving false impression of being honest; not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does. "this journalist was being somewhat disingenuous as well as cynical"
secular
Concerned with worldly rather than spiritual matters
diligent
Hard working, (adj.) showing care in doing one's work (The diligent researcher made sure to check her measurements multiple times.)
vaunt
boast about or praise (something), especially excessively.
meld
to blend; to cause to merge
solicitous
(adj.) showing concern or care; fearful or anxious about someone or something
grandeur
splendor; majesty; greatness
decry
(v.) to criticize openly (The kind video rental clerk decried the policy of charging customers late fees.)
resilient
(adj.) able to return to an original shape or form; able to recover quickly; able to withstand adversity (The resilient ballplayer quickly recovered from his wrist injury.)
fussy
meticulous, fastidious; finicky; easily upset
renegade
(n.) one who leaves a group; a deserter, outlaw; (adj.) traitorous; unconventional, unorthodox
arduous
(adj.) hard to do, requiring much effort, very difficult, strenuous; severe, hard to endure
cloying
(adj.) sickeningly sweet (Though Ronald was physically attractive, Maud found his constant compliments and solicitous remarks cloying.)
ethereal
(adj.) heavenly, exceptionally delicate or refined (In her flowing silk gown and lace veil, the bride looked ethereal.)
felicitous
Admirably appropriate, very well-suited for the occasion; pleasant, fortunate, marked by happiness
sham
(adj.) fake, not genuine; (n.) something false pretending to be genuine; a pretender; a decorated pillow covering; (v.) to pretend
rapacious
Seizing everything, excessively greedy; taking by force
squabble
a noisy argument, esp. over an unimportant matter
avid
Enthusiastic, dedicated, passionate; excessively desirous
fugacious
pertaining to the passing of time; tending to disappear; fleeting
sublime
awesome; extremely exalted; lofty; majestic of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.
recoup
to make up for, regain
assiduous
Showing great care and perseverance
toady
(n.) one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors (The other kids referred to the teacher's pet as the Tenth Grade Toady.)
plod
to walk heavily or slowly; to work slowly
humdrum
lacking variety or excitement; dull
clerical
member of the clergy
bicker
to argue about petty and trivial matters
entrench
Fortify; reinforce; secure.
assent
To express agreement
venal
capable of being bribed; willing to do anything for money; corrupt
enthrall
(v.) to captivate, charm, hold spellbound; to enslave; to imprison
avarice
(n.) a greedy desire, particularly for wealth
specious
(adj.) deceptive, apparently good or valid but lacking real merit
superfluous
Exceeding what is sufficient or required, excess
languor
the state or feeling, often pleasant, of tiredness or inertia lassitude;
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omnibus
covering many things at once
recidivist
one who returns to criminal habits
persiflage
light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter
wince
give a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body out of or in anticipation of pain or distress.
evanescent
(adj.) fleeting, momentary (My joy at getting promoted was evanescent because I discovered that I would have to work much longer hours in a less friendly office.)
plebiscite
A direct vote in which a country's people have the opportunity to approve or reject a proposal
phonetics
the study of the sounds of a language
carnage
bloody and extensive slaughter
assimilate
(v.) to absorb fully or make one's own; to adopt as one's own; to adapt fully
platitude
(n.) a commonplace, stale, or trite remark
indigent
(adj.) very poor, impoverished (I would rather donate money to help the indigent population than to the park sculpture fund.)
euphoria
A feeling of great happiness or well-being
penurious
(adj.) miserly, stingy (Stella complained that her husband's penurious ways made it impossible to live the lifestyle she felt she deserved.)
vicarious
(adj.) performed, suffered, or otherwise experienced by one person in place of another
tepid
lukewarm; unenthusiastic, marked by an absence of interest
voracious
(adj.) having a huge appetite, greedy, ravenous; engaging in an activity with great eagerness or enthusiasm. "she's a voracious reader"
evanesce
(adj.) vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy
vulpine
like a fox; crafty
bovine
(adj.) resembling a cow or ox; sluggish, unresponsive
renown
(n.) fame, glory
moron
fool; person of low intelligence; imbecile; simpleton
lupine
pertaining to or resembling the wolf; savage; ravenous; predatory;
epitaph
A brief statement written on a tomb or gravestone
affluence
abundance; wealth
euphony
pleasant, harmonious sound
connive
to cooperate secretly in wrongdoing (v.) to plot, scheme (She connived to get me to give up my vacation plans.)
opulence
extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance
denounce
(v.) to criticize publicly (The senator denounced her opponent as a greedy politician.)
impotent
powerless; lacking strength
clandestine
(adj.) secret, concealed; underhanded
phonics
the science of sounds, used as a method of teaching reading
aside
A device in which a character in a drama makes a short speech which is heard by the audience but not by other characters in the play
euphemism
An indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant
carnelian
A reddish color
cliche
A worn-out idea or overused expression
destitute
(adj.) deprived of the necessities of life; lacking in
bromide
a trite or obvious remark commonplace remark intended to calm; platitude
absolve
(v.) to clear from blame, responsibility, or guilt to forgive or free from blame; to free from sin; to free from an obligation
facetious
(adj) joking, humorous, esp. inappropriately; not serious, concerned with frivolous things
deplore
(v.) to feel or express regret or disapproval
incarnate
1. (adj.) existing in the flesh, embodied (In the church pageant, I play the role of greed incarnate.) 2. (v.) to give human form to (The alien evaded detection by incarnating himself in a human form.)
morose
(adj) having a gloomy or sullen manner; not friendly or sociable, ill-humored
denouncement
Last part of something (usually resolved). the falling action of a plot or the resolution; means untying so that the tangles of the plot are untied and mysteries are solved.
anodyne
something that calms or soothes pain
renounce
to give up voluntarily or by formal declaration; to repudiate; disown
parsimonious
(adj.) stingy, miserly; meager, poor, small (adj.) stingy, miserly; meager, poor, small
founder
TO SINK; FAIL; COLLAPSE
intriguing
Interesting; stirring curiosity
prolix
Excessively long and wordy (of a person, piece of writing, etc.)
carnal
fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body
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partisan
Devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause, One-sided
decadent
(adj) decaying or decayed, especially in terms of morals having low morals and a great love of pleasure, money, fame, etc.
cavalry
soldiers on horseback
abscond
to leave secretly
intimate
to hint or imply
innocuous
Harmless, inoffensive
bibulous
fond of or addicted to drink; absorbent; spongy.
rebuke
(v.) to scold, criticize (When the cops showed up at Sarah's party, they rebuked her for disturbing the peace.)
contrite
deeply sorrowful or repentant for a wrong
neophyte
novice; beginner
irresolute
UNSURE OF HOW TO ACT; WEAK (adj.) unable to make up one's mind, hesitating
imbibe
(v.) to drink; to take in, absorb
deterrent
something that discourages or hinders
hyperbole
A figure of speech that uses exaggeration to express strong emotion, make a point, or evoke humor
haggard
Having an exhausted appearance
gaunt
(adj.) thin and bony, starved looking; bare, barren
cadaverous
pale, gaunt, resembling a corpse
cavalier
adjective: given to haughty disregard of other
noxious
harmful; poisonous; lethal
chivalrous
marked by honor, courtesy, and courage; knightly
vegetate
lead a dull, inactive, useless life
dissimulate
to hide or disguise one's true thoughts, feelings, or intentions "a country gentleman who dissimulates his wealth beneath ragged pullovers"
abnegate
to deny oneself things; to reject; to renounce
impecunious
Having little or no money
disabuse
(v.) to free from deception or error, set right in ideas or thinking
gainsay
TO DENY; DISPUTE; OPPOSE
condolence
(n.) an expression of sympathy in sorrow (Brian lamely offered his condolences on the loss of his sister's roommate's cat.)
synergy
the combined force of two distinct elements that is more powerful then each alone.
castigate
(v.) to punish severely; to criticize severely
commiserate
(v.) to sympathize with, have pity or sorrow for, share a feeling of distress
cavalcade
procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry
querulous
inclined to complain; irritable
inundate
to overwhelm; to cover with water
rarefied
made less dense (of a gas) of high moral or intellectual value
veracious
truthful
obsequious
(adj.) Marked by slavish attentiveness; excessively submissive, often for purely self-interested reasons
empirical
based on observation or experiment
dolorous
full of, expressing, or causing pain or sorrow; grievous; mournful.
tenuous
(adj.) thin, slender, not dense; lacking clarity or sharpness; of slight importance or significance; lacking a sound basis, poorly supported
recapitulate
(v.) to review a series of facts; (v.) to sum up, repeat (Before the final exam, the teacher recapitulated the semester's material.)
pecuniary
relating to money
capitulate
(v.) to end resistance, give up, surrender
enervate
to reduce in strength
obstreperous
noisy and boisterous
obsequies
funeral rites or ceremonies
supercilious
(adj.) proud and contemptuous; showing scorn because of a feeling of superiority
alleviate
To make more bearable
boorish
(adj.) rude, unrefined; clumsy
berate
(v.) to scold sharply
pedantic
Excessively concerned with book learning and formal rules boringly scholarly or academic
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lassitude
(n.) weariness of body or mind, lack of energy
expiation
The act of "making right" or fully atoning for sin. In the NT the death of Jesus is the atoning sacrifice that establishes peace between sinful humans and God.
penchant
A strong liking
penury
Extreme poverty
mundane
WORLDLY AS OPPOSED TO SPIRITUAL; CONCERNED WITH THE ORDINARY
plummet
fall suddenly and steeply
exigency
crisis; urgent requirements
dissolution
disintegration; looseness in moral
Recalcitrant
Stubbornly disobedient, resisting authority
facilitate
To make easier
Rambling
aimlessly wandering, discursive
precipitate
Act Quickly
ratify
(v.) to approve, give formal approval to, confirm
contention
assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition
Labyrinthine
complicated; highly convoluted, puzzling (adj.) - intricate, maze-like
distend
to swell, inflate, or bloat
ominous
(adj.) unfavorable, threatening, of bad omen Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen
abate
to reduce in amount, degree, or severity
impervious
IMPOSSIBLE TO PENETRATE; INCAPABLE OF BEING AFFECTED
mendicant
(n.) beggar; (adj.) depending on begging for a living
balm
soothing, healing influence something that heals or soothes
heterodox
Not in agreement with accepted beliefs; holding unorthodox opinions
dupe
Person who is easily fooled or used (noun); to fool or exploit (verb)
confound
confuse; puzzle
Amorphous
(adj.) shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion
disinterested
Unbiased, impartial; not interested
stolid
(adj.) expressing little sensibility, unemotional (Charles's stolid reaction to his wife's funeral differed from the passion he showed at the time of her death.); lacking sensitivity
dogmatic
Expressing a rigid opinion based on unproved or improvable principles, Opinionated
discomposure
loss of mental or physical composure, agitation; loss of poise
contentious
Quarrelsome, inclined to argue
coalesce
to grow together to form a single whole
appease
TO CALM; PACIFY; PLACATE
salubrious
(adj) healthful, promoting health
lugubrious
sorrowful; mournful; dismal
prompting
Providing an additional stimulus to elicit a desired response; using silence and brief statements of encouragement to draw others out
caustic
Burning
untoward
not favorable, troublesome, unruly
daunt
TO DISCOURAGE; INTIMIDATE; DISHEARTEN
reproach
(v.) to scold, disapprove (Brian reproached the customer for failing to rewind the video he had rented.); Blame, disgrace (noun); criticize, express disappointment in (verb)
supposition
something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence
aphorism
A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle. (If the authorship is unknown, the statement is generally considered to be a folk proverb.) An aphorism can be a memorable summation of the author's point A short, astute statement of a general truth.
pithy
brief and full of meaning and substance; concise (adj.) concisely meaningful (My father's long-winded explanation was a stark contrast to his usually pithy statements.)
atonement
Amends, reparation, or expiation made from wrong or injury.
apathy
Indifference Lack of interest or emotion
shunned
Ignored; deliberately avoided
anarchy
(n) a lack of government and law; confusion
tortuous
(adj.) winding, twisted, crooked; highly involved, complex; devious
welter
turmoil Confused mass or pile, jumble; confusion or turmoil (noun); roll around, wallow, toss about, writhe (verb)
whimsical
Acting in a fanciful or capricious manner; unpredictable
Quotidian
(adj.) daily (Ambika's quotidian routines include drinking two cups of coffee in the morning.)
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Anathema
(n.) an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation; If something is anathema (n.), he, she, or it is the source of somebody's hate. (v) anathematize : to curse
Usurp
(v.) to seize by force, take possession of without right (The rogue army general tried to usurp control of the government, but he failed because most of the army backed the legally elected president.)
overwrought
Overly nervous, agitated, or excited; too ornate, elaborate, or fussy; overdone
cajole
(v.) to coax, persuade through flattery or artifice; to deceive with soothing thoughts or false promises
tardiness
The quality or fact of being late
abet
(v.) to encourage, assist, aid, support (especially in something wrong or unworthy) (The spy succeeded only because he had a friend on the inside to abet him.)
detractor
someone who belittles something else
accost
to approach and speak first to a person (v.) to confront verbally (Though Antoinette was normally quite calm, when the waiter spilled soup on her for the fourth time in 15 minutes she stood up and accosted the man.)
Parochial
Narrow-minded; Limited in range or scope, provincial
tardy
slow; late; overdue; delayed
advert
refer to in speaking or writing. "he had failed to advert to the consequences that his conduct was having"
propriety
the quality of behaving in a proper manner; obeying rules and customs
prescience
the power to foresee the future
Ecclesiastical
pertaining to the church
abjure
Give up, renounce; repudiate, recant, or shun (especially formally or under oath) TO REJECT; ABANDON FORMALLY
abstinent
abstaining; voluntarily not doing something, especially something pleasant that is bad for you or has a bad reputation
ascetic
Practicing self-denial; Abstinent or austere in lifestyle (adj); a person who leads an austere and simple life without material pleasures, esp. someone who does this for religious reasons
aver
(v) declare or affirm with confidence
Syncretic
the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties; one that combines elements of different religions
adjure
to command solemnly, as under oath, to appeal to
amnesty
(n.) a general pardon for an offense against a government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution
axiom
Self-evident truth requiring no proof; universally or generally accepted principle
unwarranted
unjustified
Stultifying
(adj) rendering useless or ineffectual; causing to appear stupid or ridiculous having a dulling effect; causing to be ineffective
artful
slyly crafty or cunning; deceitful; tricky; exhibiting artistic skill
Sanctimonious
(adj.) making a show of virtue or righteousness; hypocritically moralistic or pious, self-righteous, canting. Colloquially, we hear the term holier-than-thou. That is a very apt way to describe the attitude of a sanctimonious person.
adage
A proverb, wise saying
archetype
A prototype or original model The original pattern or model; a perfect example
anachronism
Something that is not in its correct historical time; a mistake in chronology, such as by assigning a person or event to the wrong time period
pejorative
(adj.) derogatory, uncomplimentary (The evening's headline news covered an international scandal caused by a pejorative statement the famous senator had made in reference to a foreign leader.)
propensity
(n.) a natural inclination or predilection toward
addle
make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)
concoct
(v.) to prepare by combining ingredients; to devise (v.) to fabricate, make up (She concocted the most ridiculous story to explain her absence.)
prevaricate
to lie or deviate from the truth
effete
having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted
reprisal
an injury done in return for injury
perspicuous
easy to understand, brilliantly clear
affirm
state as a fact; assert strongly and publicly. "he affirmed the country's commitment to peace"
Polemic
Controversial argument, esp. one attacking a specific idea (n.) an aggressive argument against a specific opinion (My brother launched into a polemic against my arguments that capitalism was an unjust economic system.)
Apostasy
abandonment or rejection of faith or loyalty
Catholic
Universal, broad-minded, comprehensive
decorum
appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety
excommunicate
To declare that a person or group no longer belongs to a church
inhibition
a mental restraint or hindrance
allegiance
(n.) the loyalty or obligation owed to a government, nation, or cause
Desecrate
(v.) to violate the sacredness of a thing or place (They feared that the construction of a golf course would desecrate the preserved wilderness.); Tombs, graves, churches, shrines and the like can all be victims of desecration. One, however, cannot desecrate a person, regardless of how holy that person may be.
Cardinal
chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: that shows quantity rather than order; of primary importance; fundamental
acuity
sharpness (mental or visual)
antediluvian
Extremely old and antiquated
abstain
(v.) to freely choose not to commit an action (Everyone demanded that Angus put on the kilt, but he did not want to do it and abstained.)
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botch
mismanage; blow
feral
existing in a wild or untamed state
badinage
playful, teasing conversation; banter; joking talk
despot
(n.) one who has total power and rules brutally (The despot issued a death sentence for anyone who disobeyed his laws.)
Exegesis
scholarly explanation or interpretation especially of biblical (of the bible) passages
befuddle
to confuse; to perplex
braggart
someone who boasts
execrable
(adj.) loathsome, detestable, awful (Her pudding is so execrable that it makes me sick.)
burgeon
to grow and flourish
buxom
full-bosomed; plump; jolly (of a woman) plump, with a full figure and large breasts. "a buxom blonde"
Exhort
(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly
tarnish
disgrace (v) To lessen or destroy the luster of in any way.
gangrene
death of tissue associated with loss of blood supply
Machinator
one who plots, esp. with an evil purpose
brooch
ornamental clasp; pin
coda
concluding part of a literary or musical composition; something that summarizes or concludes
torpor
dormancy; sluggishness; inactivity
magnanimity
generosity
coterminous
having the same boundaries or extent in space, time, or meaning.
bigot
narrow-minded, prejudiced person one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)
blase
unimpressed with or indifferent to something because one has experienced or seen it so often before. "she was becoming quite blase about the dangers"
Excoriate
scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off
bait
harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals
badger
pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema;
mercenary
primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics. "she's nothing but a mercenary little gold-digger"
bout
match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking
brevity
Briefness; short duration 1. Concise and exact use of words. 2. Shortness of time.
Execrate
curse; express abhorrence for; detest
brook
tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference;
blue
(of a person or mood) melancholy, sad, or depressed.
ravenous
extremely hungry
Extenuating
adj: making less guilty or more forgivable "The jury acquitted the thief because of the extenuating factor of his wife's disease."
Ascension
The act of rising.
bacchanal
noisy party with a lot of drinking wild and drunken
blowhard
talkative boaster; braggart
brisk
quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor
impede
To obstruct or interfere with; to delay
bereaved
deprived or left desolate, especially through death
brusque
(adj.) abrupt, blunt, with no formalities
forestall
to prevent by acting first
sadistic
(adj.) delighting in cruelty, excessively cruel
baffle
to frustrate, as by confusing; perplex
Impetuous
Quick to act without thinking Impulsive
tribulation
great trouble or suffering
barefaced
shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie
cartographer
mapmaker
Calamitous
Causing great misfortune
palatable
(adj.) agreeable to the taste or sensibilities (Despite the unpleasant smell, the exotic cheese was quite palatable.)
burlesque
give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly
smirk
to smile in an irritatingly smug, conceited, or silly way
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soporific
(adj.) tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness or lethargy; (n.) something that induces sleep
immutable
(adj.) not subject to change, constant Unchangeable
malign
(v.) to slander, to smear, to libel, to defame, to speak evil of
equable
steady; unvarying; serene, tranquil; of even calm temper;
gaucherie
a socially awkward or tactless act
gregarious
(adj.) living together in a herd or group; sociable, seeking the company of others
flout
(v.) to mock, treat with contempt; (v.) to disregard or disobey openly (I flouted the school's dress code by wearing a tie-dyed tank top and a pair of cut-off jeans.)
psychosomatic
Having an effect on the body, but mental or emotional in origin
insensible
Incapable of feeling; unconscious, unaware
braggadocio
empty boasting; bragging; a boasting person; braggart.
malleable
capable of being shaped
iniquity
(n.) wickedness, sin; a grossly immoral act
propitiate
to conciliate; to appease
lethargy
lack of energy; sluggishness
clemency
(n.) mercy, humaneness; mildness, moderateness
intangible
not able to be perceived by touch; vague
congenital
adj. present since birth; being an essential characteristic
fatuous
(adj.) stupid or foolish in a self-satisfied way
malignant
(adj.) deadly, extremely harmful, evil; spiteful, malicious
condone
to overlook, pardon, or disregard
gauche
(adj.) awkward, lacking in social graces, tactless, clumsy
laud
To praise
vociferous
(adj.) loud and noisy; compelling attention
refractory
Stubbornly disobedient, hard to manage
neurosis
a psychological condition in which anxiety is prominent
connoisseur
(n.) an expert; one who is well qualified to pass critical judgments, especially in one of the fine arts
inoculate
(v.) to introduce a microorganism, serum, or vaccine into an organism in order to increase immunity to illness; to vaccinate
inadvertently
carelessly; unintentionally; by oversight
embezzling
steal or misappropriate (money placed in one's trust or belonging to the organization for which one works).
osteopathy
treatment of disease by manipulation of the bones
titillate
to excite; to stimulate; to tease
vituperative
using or containing harsh, abusive censure
stigma
Mark of disgrace, a figurative stain or mark on someone's reputation
flag
become tired or less enthusiastic or dynamic. "if you begin to flag, there is an excellent cafe to revive you"
nocturne
a romantic melody or composition dealing with evening or night; a reverie / painting of a night scene
fulsome
of large size or quantity; generous or abundant. "the fulsome details of the later legend" complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree. "the press are embarrassingly fulsome in their appreciation"
inequity
unfairness, injustice
fidelity
Faithfulness; loyalty
compliant
(adj.) ready to adapt oneself to another person's wishes (Sue had very strong opinions about what to do on a first date, and Ted was absolutely compliant.)
equanimity
(n.) calmness, composure, refusal to panic
orthopedist
medical doctor who specializes in bone, joint, and muscle conditions
embellish
(v.) to decorate, adorn, touch up; to improve by adding details
adulate
to praise or flatter too greatly; fawn over
erudite
Learned, scholarly, bookish
impalpable
that which cannot be felt by touching; not easily understood
subpoena
A court order requiring a person to appear in court and give testimony
disparage
To belittle, to undervalue Regard or represent as being of little worth
placate
To appease, soothe, pacify
demagogue
(n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
adroitness
cleverness or skill; the ability to handle a situation or problem skillfully
Section 14
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premise
a previous statement or proposition from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion.
retrenchment
curtailment; reduction; retreat to reassess
infidelity
sexual activity outside of one's marriage unfaithfulness
perpetrator
a person who commits a crime
virago
a loud-voiced, ill-tempered, scolding woman; shrew.
malaise
a feeling of depression, uneasiness, of being unwell
maverick
an unorthodox or independent-minded person. (n.) an independent, nonconformist person (Andreas is a real maverick and always does things his own way.)
proliferation
An increase in number, multiplication
maleficent
doing harm or evil, or causing hurt
imperative
(adj.) necessary, urgent; (n.) a form of a verb expressing a command; that which is necessary or required
cogent
Convincing and well reasoned
laconic
Brief and to the point
amble
To casually walk; stroll
chauvinist
someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs
eloquent
persuasive and moving, especially in speech Marked by forceful, fluid, apt speech; expressive
enterprise
a project or undertaking, especially a bold or complex one.
insinuate
Hint, suggest slyly; introduce (an idea) into someone's mind in a subtle, artful way
malice
Desire to harm others
voluble
(adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent
pervasive
Spread throughout
articulate
able to speak clearly and expressively
iconoclast
one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions
exiguous
[Adj] Scanty; meager; small; slender
impudence
Bold disrespect or rudeness impertinence; insolence
lecher
unrestrained or excessive indulgence of sexual desire. gross lewdness; lustfulness
endorse
to give approval or support to
somnolent
(adj.) sleepy, drowsy; inducing sleep
circumlocution
(n.) indirect and wordy language (The professor's habit of speaking in circumlocutions made it difficult to follow his lectures.)
martinet
a strict disciplinarian
verbatim
word for word; exactly as written or spoken
indelible
Not able to be erased or removed; memorable
sycophant
(n) servile flatterer, parasitic person, one who fawns in order to get ahead
hypochondriac
a person obsessed with health; having imaginary illnesses
somniferous
bearing or inducing sleep
niche
(n.) a decorative recess in a wall; a suitable place or position for a person or thing
dogma
Expressing a rigid opinion based on unproved or improvable principles
somber
(adj.) dark, gloomy; depressed or melancholy in spirit
maladroit
clumsy; unskillful
infidel
one who does not accept a particular faith; unbeliever
volition
An act of choosing, using one's own will in a conscious choice; free will
verbiage
overabundance of words
effrontery
(n.) shameless boldness, impudence
ingenuity
Cleverness, inventiveness, resourcefulness
atavistic
relating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral.
impertinence
lack of respect; rudeness
archaism
The use of deliberately old-fashioned language.
enumerate
Count or list; specify one-by-one
tenet
(n.) an opinion, belief, or principle held to be true
colloquial
Characteristic of ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing
perambulate
to walk about; to stroll
Section 15
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scintillate
to give off sparks; to be animated or brilliant
dabbling
wetting by dipping, splashing, or paddling in the water
animosity
(n.) strong dislike; bitter hostility
felon
Serious crime
glutton
someone who eats too much
credulous
(adj.) too ready to believe, easily deceived too trusting; gullible
trepidation
FEAR AND ANXIETY
pusillanimous
cowardly; without courage
stoic
indifferent to or unaffected by pleasure or pain; steadfast
rusticate
to spend time in the country
prurience
having, inclined to have, or characterized by lascivious or lustful thoughts, desires, etc. sexual longing or curiosity
strut
A structural support or brace
lascivious
lecherous; sexually perverted driven by lust
termagant
a violent, turbulent, or brawling woman;.
harridan
termagant, virago, ill tempered and loud mouthed woman
prognosticate
to predict or foretell a future event
naive
(adj.) innocent, unsophisticated, showing lack of worldly knowledge and experience
patronize
to treat as an inferior; to condescend to treat with an apparent kindness which betrays a feeling of superiority.
uxorial
pertaining to, characteristic of, or befitting, a wife
gourmand
(n.) someone fond of eating and drinking (My parents, who used to eat little more than crackers and salad, have become real gourmands in their old age.)
patron
a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause
henpecked
being nagged and dominated by ones wife
animus
a feeling of animosity; ill will; bitterness
vital
(adj.) having life, living; necessary to life, essential; key, crucial
rustic
(adj.) country-like; simple, plain; awkward; (n.) one who lives in the country
credible
capable of being believed
fraternize
to associate in a friendly manner
diaphanous
(adj.) light, airy, transparent (Sunlight poured in through the diaphanous curtains, brightening the room.)
pantheism
Belief that the divine reality exists in everything the idea that nature is god
perspicacious
Having penetrating insight or good discernment keen mindedness
regalia
The fancy clothing of a king
vivacious
(adj.) lively, sprightly, full of energy
libidinous
full of sexual lust; lewd; lascivious.
paternalism
A policy of treating subject people as if they were children providing for their needs but not giving them rights
dirge
a funeral hymn or mournful speech "The bagpipers played a dirge as the casket was carried to the cemetery."
prospective
Potential, in the future
arson
The crime of deliberately setting fire to something
uxorious
excessively devoted to one's wife overly fond of one's wife
urbane
sophisticated; refined; elegant
divest
to strip or remove a title or position of authority deprive; rid; "He was divested off his post."
convivial
(adj.) characterized by feasting, drinking, merriment (The restaurant's convivial atmosphere put me immediately at ease.); SOCIABLE
intrepid
Fearless
versatile
able to do many things well; capable of many uses
incendiary
1. (n.) a person who agitates (If we catch the incendiary who screamed "bomb" in the middle of the soccer match, we're going to put him in jail.) 2. (adj.) inflammatory, causing combustion (Gas and lighter fluid are incendiary materials that should be kept out of hot storage areas.)
patriarch
the male head of a family or tribe a man who rules a family clan; a very respected old man
vivisection
dissection, surgery, or painful experiments performed on a living animal for the purpose of scientific research
gourmet
connoisseur of food and drink
viviparous
Bearing live young
acumen
Keen, quick, accurate insight or judgment
credence
acceptance of something as true
Section 16
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persecute
to treat harshly because of political, religious, or other differences; oppress; harass; annoy
vivarium
A place, such as a laboratory, where live animals or plants are kept under conditions simulating their natural environment, as for research.
oriental
a term used to describe people with descent from Asia and the Middle East
tart
having a sharp or sour taste; sharp in manner or tone
exurb
area beyond the suburbs
indecorous
lacking good taste; improper
glykys
Sweet
modus vivendi
manner of living, way of life; lifestyle
conviction
A fixed or strong belief
fortify
(v.) to strengthen, build up
linguist
pertaining to language
ardent
(adj.) very enthusiastic, impassioned "an ardent supporter of the game"
putrefy
to rot; to decay and give off a foul odor
occidental
western; opposite of oriental
skittish
(adj.) extremely nervous and easily frightened; shy or timid; extremely cautious; unstable, undependable
conceit
(n.) feelings of excessive pride an elaborate extended metaphor
solarium
room or glassed-in area exposed to the sun
pander
(v.) to cater to or provide satisfaction for the low tastes or vices of others
altercation
A heated argument
pedagogue
a teacher, especially one who is dull and narrow-minded
pandemonium
A wild uproar, din, or commotion
prosaic
(adj.) dull, lacking in distinction and originality; matter-of-fact, straightforward; characteristic of prose, not poetic
androgynous
having both male and female characteristics
debauch
(v.) to corrupt by means of sensual pleasures (An endless amount of good wine and cheese debauched the traveler.)
deciduous
falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth
maudlin
Excessively sentimental
cynical
believing that people act only out of selfish motives
incense
to make very angry
cadence
(n.) a rhythm, progression of sound (The pianist used the foot pedal to emphasize the cadence of the sonata.)
prophesy
predict, foretell, forecast (n) prophecy
prostitute
harlot, strumpet
purist
conservative; one who insists on correct forms of language etc.; perfectionist a person who follows a certain idea strictly
imperious
(adj.) overbearing, arrogant; seeking to dominate; pressing, compelling
aurist
a physician specializing in the treatment of ear diseases otologist
pellucid
transparently clear (adj.) easily intelligible, clear (Wishing his book to be pellucid to the common man, Albert Camus avoided using complicated grammar when composing The Stranger.)
aloof
(adj.) withdrawn, standing apart from others (usually as a matter of choice); At a distance
sinister
(adj.) appearing evil or dangerous; threatening evil or harm
obnoxious
highly offensive, arousing strong dislike
sophomore
half sophisticated, half foolish; a student in the second year of high school or college.
florid
excessively decorated or embellished
non sequitur
A statement that does not follow logically from evidence
attainment
an accomplishment, the act of achieving
rationalize
to come up with self-satisfying but incorrect excuses justify; give reason for
hackneyed
(adj) so commonplace as to be stale; not fresh or original
wanton
undisciplined; unrestrained; reckless (adj.) reckless; heartless, unjustifiable; loose in morals; (n.) a spoiled, pampered person; one with low morals
billow
large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows
somniloquent
someone who talks in his or her sleep
restive
impatient, uneasy, or restless
recede
To move back or away from
sublimate
(v.) to redirect the energy of a biological or instinctual impulse into a higher or more acceptable channel
Section 17
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