Section 1
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gesticulate
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Last updated
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Date created
Mar 1, 2020
Cards (449)
Section 1
(50 cards)
gesticulate
to use lively gestures
bristle
to have one's hair stand up
tinge
a small amount of colour ; a trace; smattering
perceive
to come to have an understanding of
interminable
unending
the sword of Damocles
any imminent danger
to eat humble pie
to admit your error and apologize
pretext
an excuse
vigilant
alert; watchful
indiscriminate
choosing at random without careful selection
rudimentary
basic, elementary
technology
related to science of engineering
furtive
sly; secret; stealthy
to pour oil on troubled waters
to make peace; to calm someone down
Pyrrhic victory
a too costly victory
caustic
stinging
accost
to greet first; to approach and speak to
prognosticate
to be able to tell what will happen in the future
a flash in the pan
promising at the start but then disappointing
realm
someone's special field
hapless
unlucky; unfortunate
automaton
a robot; a mechanical person
laconic
concise, pithy
voracious
desiring huge amount
felon
criminal
replete
completely filled with
throng
great number of people, crowd
nuance
shade of difference
plethora
overabundance; excess
paradox
seemingly self-contradictory situation
eminent
of outstanding reputation
to beard the lion
to visit and oppose a person on his own grounds
avid
enthusiastic; eager
badger
to pester; nag; annoy persistently
enhance
to make greater; intensify; heighten
reticent
uncommunicative; silent
cajole
coax; wheedle
compound
to increase or add to
annals
historical records
adroit
clever; skillful
intrepid
courageous; brave
drudgery
unpleasant,dull, or hard work
a pig in a poke
an item you purchase without having seen; a disappointment
matron
an older married woman
implore
to plead urgently for aid or mercy
irate
angry; incensed
abound
to exist in great numbers
steeped
soaked; saturated; drenched
fabricate
to make up a lie; to construct; to lie
a wet blanket
one who spoils the fun; killjoy; spoilsport
Section 2
(50 cards)
frenzy
frantic outburst
feint
a false attack; pretense; sham
to throw down the gauntlet
to challenge someone
reprimand
to scold severely
alacrity
quick willingness
to carry the day
to win the approval of the majority
infamous
evil
Hobson's choice
to have no choice at all
belligerent
seeking war, hostile
solace
comfort
dupe
an easily fooled person
tangible
able to be touched
feeling no pain
drunk
ominous
menacing
belittle
speak of as unimportant
crocodile tears
insincere tears
inadvertent
due to an oversight, negligent
acrimonious
caustic, bitter
lackluster
lacking brightness
wrest
seize
incipient
just starting
clandestine
hidden, secret
dregs
most worthless part
mundane
earthly
scoff
to mock
brash
insolent
disdain
scorn
euphemisim
saying something in a less direct way
laceration
rough cut
Skid Row
disreputable part of town, inhabited by derelicts and people
promulgate
make public, proclaim
scurrilous
vulgar, using indecent language
concur
agree
octogenarian
person of eighty
tremulous
trembling
to rule the roost
to be in charge, to be master
sordid
filthy, ignoble
intimidate
to make afraid
stipulate
make a specific demand
aspirant
candidate for better job
jostle
to push, to elbow
repudiate
disown, refuse to accept
to go up in smoke
to come to no practical result
castigate
punish, chastise
loathe
despise
incongruous
having inconsistent elements
condolence
expression of sympathy
admonish
to scold, warn
pugnacious
combative
cessation
a pause
Section 3
(50 cards)
voluble
talkative
chagrin
disappointment
impunity
exemption
flagrant
notorious
forthwith
immediately
rampant
flourishing
pass the buck
to evade responsibility
paucity
shortage
fiasco
complete failure
I'm from Missouri
a skeptic, one who is not easily convinced
consternation
dread, dismay
confidant(e)
person you tell your secrets too
duress
force, coercion
inane
silly
quell
crush, stop
sally
sudden rushing forth
eschew
keep away from
masticate
to chew
let sleeping dogs lie
to let well enough alone, to avoid stirring up old hostilities
arbitrary
based on whim
red-letter day
day of happiness, time for rejoicing
elicit
extract
deride
to make fun of
precocious
reaching maturity early
disparage
to discredit
perfunctory
careless
culprit
one who commits a crime
stock in trade
the goods, tools, and other requisites of a trade
ethics
moral philosophy
cognizant
aware
feasible
uncertain
discern
recognize
construe
to interpret
affluent
wealthy
inexorable
cannot be moved by persuasion, inflexible
to lionize a person
to make a big fuss over someone
perverse
contrary
egregious
outstanding for undesirable quality
thumbs down
signal of rejection
distraught
harassed
flout
to show contempt
tolerate
to permit, to put up with
to take down a peg
to take the conceit out of a braggart
laudable
commendable
effigy
a likeness
duplicity
double-dealing
pernicious
damaging, harmful
exacerbate
to irritate
obsolescence
process of wearing out
dubious
uncertain
Section 4
(50 cards)
stymie
to hinder
emaciated
wasted away
fretful
worrisome
harbinger
forerunner
afflict
to trouble greatly
to cool one's heels
to be kept waiting
jurisdiction
range of authority
bitter pill to swallow
a humiliating defeat
surge
to rush suddenly
revert
go back
one swallow doesn't make a summer
don't jump to conclusions based on incomplete evidence
a red herring
something that diverts attention from the main issue
remote
distant
oust
eject
cause celebre
a famous law case or controversy
blatant
disagreeably loud
bigot
prejudiced person
terminate
to end
besiege
to surround
turbulent
unruly, agitated, riotous
asset
something of value
sour grapes
to disparage something that you cannot have
swap horses in midstream
to vote against a candidate running for reelection, to change one's mind
privation
lack of necessities
excruciating
agonizing
malignant
becoming progressively worse
sinister
evil
advocate
to support
ascend
to rise
astute
keen, shrews
paroxysm
violent outburst
an ax to grind
having a selfish motive in the backround
fray
a conflict, fight
ubiquitous
being everywhere at once
implacable
relentless, unappeasable
thwart
to hinder
succumb
yield
skirmish
small battle
sanctuary
place of protection
harass
to torment
indigent
poverty-stricken
monolithic
having a massive structure
malnutrition
inadequate diet
respite
postponement
entourage
followers
adverse
unfavorable
reverberating
reechoing
reprehensible
blameworthy
amicable
friendly
tranquil
peaceful
Section 5
(50 cards)
conjecture
guess
impresario
organizer
inundate
to flood, to swamp
recoil
draw back
squeamish
easily shocked
desist
cease
engrossed
absorbed
mastiff
large dog
elapse
to passs by
scrutinize
examine closely
pertinent
appropriate
cold feet
to hesitate because of fear or uncertainty
imminent
about to happen
corroborate
confirm
coerce
to force
ineffectual
not effective
vexatious
annoying
look a gift horse in the mouth
to be critical of a present
salient
outstanding
domicile
home
solicit
seek earnestly
lax
careless
wan
pale
malady
disease
inert
powerless to move
histrionics
display of emotions
peruse
read carefully
elusive
hard to grasp
comprehensive
thorough
garbled
confused, mixed up
to tilt at windmills
to fight imaginary enemies
spew
vomit
venom
poison
loath
unwilling
to show one's hand
to reveal one's intentions
to pay the piper
to bear the consequences
doleful
sad
virulent
harmful
stiff upper lip
to be courageous in the face of trouble
extortion
getting money by threats
inclement
stormy, harsh
premonition
forewarning
obsess
preoccupy
interject
interrupt
fruitless
useless
to spill the beans
to give away a secret
on the carpet
being scolded
frustrate
foil
nefarious
villianous
symptomatic
indicative
Section 6
(50 cards)
truncated
cut short
incoherent
disjointed
ilk
kind, sort
curtail
cut short
expunge
erase
phlegmatic
calm, sluggish
timorous
fearful
sporadic
occasional
poignant
painful to the feelings, moving
quip
to joke
fair-weather friends
unreliable, they fail one in time of distress
prestigious
well-known
to sow wild oats
to lead a wild, carefree life
nominal
in name only, slight
flamboyant
colorful
wear one's heart on one's sleeve
to make one's feelings evident
cryptic
puzzling
incredulous
skeptical
jaunty
sprightly
inchoate
in an early stage
importune
ask urgently
meticulous
careful
sanguine
hopeful
rash
reckless
premise
a proposition for argument
eventuate
to result finally
obviate
do away with
Indian summer
warm autumn weather
fortuitous
accidental
windfall
unexpected financial gain
diatribe
bitter criticism
haven
place of safety
to feather one's nest
grow rich by taking advantage of circumstances
anathema
a curse
placard
poster
incontrovertible
undeniable
permeate
to spread through
lurid
sensational
zealous
enthusiastic
schism
split
wash dirty linen in public
to openly discuss private affairs
fractious
quarrelsome
emit
to give off
inhibition
restraint
jeopardize
endanger
utopia
place of perfection
ostentatious
showy
renumeration
reward
integral
essential
save face
to avoid disgrace
Section 7
(50 cards)
precipitate
hasten
keep the pot boiling
to see that interest doesn't die down
alleged
supposed, reported
mammoth
huge
sinecure
soft job
controversial
debatable
inveigh
attack verbally
ultimate
final
repulse
drive back
invalidate
to deprive of legal force, cancel
take the bull by the horns
to face a problem directly
stentorian
loud
aspire
to strive for
landmark (adj)
historic
asperity
bitterness of temper
declaim
speak loudly
steal one's thunder
to weaken one's position by stating the argument before that person does
access
admittance
gild the lily
to praise extravagantly
surreptitious
accomplished by secret
extrinsic
coming from outside, foreign
bury the hatchet
to make peace
complicity
partnership in wrongdoing
nettle
irritate
bias
prejudice
out of the frying pan into the fire
to go from a difficult situation to a worse one
valor
courage
relegate
banish, assign to inferior position
fetter (v)
to hamper, to chain
raze
destroy
supine
lying on the back
singular
remarkable, uncommon
overt
evident, open
incisive
keen, acute
repress
to put down
lethal
deadly
subterranean
underground
viable
workable
scurry
run quickly
Philadelphia lawyer
a lawyer of outstanding ability
the lion's share
the major portion
stereotype
conventional custom
subjugate
conquer
culpable
deserving blame
surmise
guess
accomplice
an associate in crime
havoc
ruin
abrogate
repeal by law
epithet
descriptive name
propitious
favorable
Section 8
(50 cards)
gullible
easily fooled
altruistic
unselfish
have the upper hand
to gain control
exult
rejoice greatly
component
element, part
labyrinth
winding passages
preclude
prevent
bulwark
protection
cupidity
greed
temerity
foolish boldness
make bricks without straw
to attempt to do something without having the necessary materials
woolgathering
absentmindedness or daydreaming
break the ice
to make a start by overcoming initial difficulties
the grapevine
a secret means of spreading information
progeny
descendants
nomadic
wandering
gregarious
enjoying the company of others
indigenous
native
enigma
a riddle, puzzle
embellish
adorn
virtuosity
great technical skill
attest
confirm as accurate, vouch for
assiduous
busy, attentive
manifold
many
liquidation
destruction, disposal of
recant
renounce previous statements
hoax
a trick
coterie
small exclusive group
concoct
devise
deploy
spread out in battle formation
in a bee line
take the straightest, shortest route
consummate
perfect, complete
fallacious
misleading, false
the world, the flesh, and the devil
temptations that cause man to sin
amorous
full of love
evaluate
find the value of, review
impeccable
faultless
frugal
thrifty
cursory
not thorough, hasty
interloper
an unauthorized person
antithesis
exact opposite
fraught
filled
to whitewash
to cancel defects, to give a falsely virtuous appearance to something
persevere
persist
saturate
fill up completely
paragon
model of excellence
sedentary
largely inactive
cache
secret hiding place
prolific
fertile
habitat
natural environment
Section 9
(50 cards)
buff (n)
a fan, follower, enthusiast
dismantle
take apart, disassemble
to be at large
not confined or in jail
myriad
countless number
turn the tables
to turn a situation to one's own advantage
irrelevant
not related to the subject
fiat
an official order, a decree
modify
to change
abortive
fruitless, failing
innate
natural, inborn
chip off the old block
a son who is like his father
murky
dark, obscure
strife
unrest, discord
urbane
polished, civilized
profligate
wasteful
latent
lying hidden
megalomania
abnormal desire for power
romp
move in a lively manner
tortuous
winding
inherent
inborn, natural
blunt
plain spoken
legion
large number
wink at
to pretend not to see
veneer
thin covering
barometer
instrument for measuring change
pecuniary
financial
parsimonious
miserly
conjugal
relating to marriage, connubial
deem
believe, to judge
expatriate
an exile
exonerate
to free from guilt
perpetrate
commit
resourceful
able to meet any situation
amnesty
a general pardon
peregrination
travel (n)
crave
to desire
subterfuge
a trick, deception
mendacious
false, lying
nostalgia
yearning for the past
rife
widespread
put the cart before the horse
to reverse the proper order, do things backwards
spontaneous
on the spur of the moment
restrictive
harsh, confining
coup
revolution, overthrow
balk
to refuse to move
under the wire
just in time
go against the grain
to irritate
draw in one's horns
to check one's anger, to restrain oneself
itinerant
going from place to place
accommodate
to make fit, adjust to
Section 10
(50 cards)
trenchant
keen, sharp, biting
puissant
powerful
nurture
nourish
abstemious
moderate in eating or drinking
a lick and a promise
to do something in a hasty and superficial manner
fulsome
excessive
lush
luxurious
disparate
different
it's an ill wind that blows nobody good
someone usually benefits from another person's misfortune
know the ropes
to be fully acquainted with the procedures
vicissitudes
difficulties
to play possum
to try to fool someone; to make believe one is asleep or dead
derogatory
expressing a low opinion
take the wind out of one's sails
to remove someone's advantage
nebulous
vague, not clear
scion
descendant
sultry
torrid
indict
accuse
metamorphosis
change
underwrite
agree to finance
extant
still existing
destitution
extreme poverty
obsequious
seeking favor
indoctrinate
to teach certain principles
decadence
decay
opulence
wealth
edifice
building
bona fide
genuine
penance
atonement for sin
tongue in cheek
insincerely
repose
state of rest
levity
humor, lightness of disposition
ponder
consider carefully
materialism
concern with possessions
reviled
scolded
omnivorous
eatting any kind of food
behind the eight ball
in trouble
nirvana
heavenly place
lugubrious
very sad
unabated
without subsiding
pesky
annoying
left holding the bag
to be left to suffer the blame
maudlin
sentimental
sumptuous
lavish
disciple
follower
desultory
disconnected, random
redolent
fragrant
salvation
deliverance from ruin
supplication
earnest prayer
ascetic
one who practices self-denial
Section 11
(50 cards)
enunciate
to utter, proclaim
inordinate
excessive
potential
possible
irascible
irritable
maladjusted
disturbed
catastrophic
disastrous
mortality
death
mandate
authoritative command
demur
to object
chimerical
imaginary, fantastic
neurotic
having a nervous disorder
delude
to fool
neutralize
counteract
covert
secret
the distaff side
women
palliate
relieve without curing
appellation
a name
Draconian Code
a very severe set of rules
escalation
intensification
juxtapose
to place side by side
connubial
related to marriage
plight
predicament
decade
ten years
phenomenon
unusual occurrence
heterogeneous
dissimilar
plea bargain
to agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge so as to avoid trial for a more serious offense
cumulative
accumulated
susceptible
easily affected
analogous
comparable, similar
apple polishing
trying to gain favor by gifts or flattery
fabricate
to lie
incompatibility
lack of harmony
in apple pie order
in neat order, good condition
incapacitated
disabled
cope
to be a match for
introspective
looking into one's own feelings
prelude
introduction
acknowledge
admit
pedagogue
teacher
like Caesar's wife
above suspicion
on the qui vive
on the alert
compensatory
serving to pay back
perspicacious
shrewd
on tenter hooks
in a state of anxiety
recondite
obscure, hidden
gamut
range
fat is in the fire
the mischief is done
indifference
lack of concern
perpetuate
to cause to continue
two strings to one's bow
two means of achieving one's aim
Section 12
(50 cards)
puny
weak, unimportant
virile
manly, masterful
bigot
one who is not tolerant of others' ideas
abhor
to utterly hate
congenial
agreeable, sympathetic
inanimate
without life
longevity
long duration of life
in the doldrums
in a bored or depressed state
burn the midnight oil
study or work late into the night
artifact
a hand-made object
aegis
protection, sponsorship, shield
fetish
a magical object
hoard
accumulate, save, store up
taint
contaminate
as broad as it is long
"it makes very little difference"
debris
ruins, fragments
originate
begin, arise
initiate
set going, start
imbibe
drink
vulnerable
able to hurt
prohibition
forbidding of certain actions
inviolable
completely protected
blue chip
a highly valuable asset, stock, or property
senile
infirm, weak as a result of old age
universal
widespread
sage
wise man, philosopher
of the first water
of the best quality, of the greatest
to get one's back up
to become angry
awesome
inspiring terror, weird
tradition
long-standing practice
eruption
bursting out
taboo
forbidden
doddering
trembling, shaking with old age
detriment
hurt, damage, injury
entreaty
plea, appeal
dyed-in-the-wool
set in one's ways
conflagration
great fire
imprudent
unwise
imperative
necessary
dispersed
broken up, scattered, spread
contemptuous
looking down on someone or something
anthropologist
person who studies mankind's customs
bizarre
weird
deplorable
sad, pitiable
obliterate
wipe out, erase
bring home the bacon
to earn a living, to succeed
to get off one's high horse
to act like an ordinary person
rue
regret
blow hot and cold
swing for and against something"
absurd
ridiculous
Section 13
(50 cards)
retrospect
looking backward
rebuke
reprimand, reproach, criticize
constrict
bind, limit, squeeze
vogue
fashion
besmirch
stain, soil, dim the reputation
lethargic
lazy, indifferent
hostile
angry, antagonistic
sleep on it
postpone a decision while giving it some thought
to strike while the iron is hot
to take action at the right moment
to split hairs
to make fine distinctions
paramount
foremost, supreme
tussle
a rough struggle
to bring down the house
to cause great enthusiasm
aversion
opposition, strong dislike
evince
show plainly, exhibit
bereft
deprived of
to break the ice
to make a beginning
transient
fleeting, passing, short-lived
adamant
inflexible, unyieding
falter
hesitate, waver, stumble
superficial
on the surface, slight
invective
insulting, abusive speech
pungent
sharply stimulating
to pull one's own weight
to do a fair share of the work
intrinsic
inborn, natural, essential
array
system, arrangement
once in a blue moon
on a very rare occasion
humility
modesty, meekness, humbleness
acute
severe, keen, sharp
inveterate
firmly established, habitual
inevitable
unavoidable, certain, sure
exultation
triumphant joy
gist
main point, essence
egotist
a conceited, vain person
jettison
throw overboard, discard
loaded for bear
to be well prepared
remiss
negligent, careless
culminate
reach the highest point
ardent
eager, passionate
prodigy
phenomenon, marvel
voluminous
bulky, large
cogent
forceful, convincing, persuasive
terse
compact, brief, concise
obscure
unclear, unknown, lowly
prevalent
general, common, prevailing
lucrative
profitable
avarice
passion for riches, greed
vitriolic
biting, burning
pinnacle
peak, crown, summit
bedlam
uproar, confusion
Section 14
(50 cards)
propinquity
nearness in time and place
banal
meaningless from overuse, trivial
a white elephant
a costly and useless possession
a fly in the ointment
something that spoils or lessens the enjoyment
revere
admire, respect, honor
eradicate
wipe out
garrulous
wordy, talkative
wane
decline, decrease
nadir
lowest point
adherent
supporter, backer
out on a limb
in a dangerous or exposed position
a feather in one's cap
something to be proud of
cacophony
harsh sound, discord, dissonance
decorum
correct behavior, politeness
vulnerable
susceptible, open to attack
obese
very fat
exhort
urge strongly, advise
pique
fit of resentment
panacea
cure-all
sedate
sober, still, quiet, undisturbed
condescend
lower oneself, stoop
serenity
peaceful repose
lock, stock, and barrel
entirely, completely
in the arms of Morpheus
asleep
candor
honesty, frankness
nondescript
difficult to describe, undistinguished
atypical
nonconforming
bliss
pleasure, happiness
pathetic
pitiful, sad, distressing
apathy
unconcern, lack of interest
adversary
enemy, foe, opponent
equanimity
composure, eveness of mind
charlatan
fraud, pretender
lithe
graceful
indolent
lazy
irrational
absurd, unreasonable
insatiable
cannot be satisfied
exploit
utilize, profit by
impede
hinder, interfere, block
on the spur of the moment
without thinking, on impulse
infallible
exempt from error, right
moribund
at the point of death, dying
compatible
well-matched, harmonious
platitude
trite saying
gusto
zest, enjoyment, enthusiasm
fracas
brawl, noisy fight
dilettante
one with little knowledge and great interest
disgruntled
displeased, unhappy
to take French leave
to go away without permission
inebriated
intoxicated, drunk
Section 15
(50 cards)
dissent
protest, differ, disagree
deleterious
harmful, bad
condone
pardon, excuse
incumbent
morally required
concomitant
attending, accompanying
encumbrance
load, handicap, burden
spurious
counterfeit, false, specious
heresy
lack of faith, dissent, unbelief
strident
rough, harsh, shrill
Achilles heel
weak spot
prudent
cautious, wise
in the lap of the gods
out of one's own hands
mortify
humiliate, embarrass
anomaly
abnormality, irregularity
malign
slander, abuse
archaic
out of date
extinct
no longer existing
swan song
final or last
jocose
merry, humorous
forty winks
a short nap
omnipotent
unlimited in power or authority, almighty
rustic
unpolished, countrified
wheedle
persuade, coax, cajole
precedent
custom, model
galvanize
arouse or excite to activity
peremptory
binding, compulsory, absolute
ambiguous
undefined, vague, not specific
alleviate
lighten, make easier
milieu
setting, environment
celerity
rapidity, speed
jubilant
in high spirits, joyful
arbiter
judge
lassitude
fatigue, weariness
to get the sack
to be discharged or fired
ferment
agitation, turmoil, uproar
attenuated
decreased, weakened, thinned
propagate
multiply, spread, produce
bizarre
fantastic, odd
efficacy
power to produce an effect
innocuous
mild, innocent, harmless
fervid
enthusiastic, passionate, intense
from pillar to post
from one place to another
idyllic
peaceful, simple
gaudy
showy, flashy
ostensible
seeming, pretend, outward
fledgling
little known, newly developed
cold shoulder
to disregard or ignore
zenith
top, prime, summit
surfeit
superabundance, excess
without rhyme or reason
making no sense
Section 16
(50 cards)
prodigious
enormous, extraordinary
profound
intense, deep
tantamount
identical, equivalent
deter
discourage, hinder
penitent
regretful, confessing guilt
divulge
reveal, disclose
paltry
of little importance
allay
soothe, calm
rabid
furious, mad, fanatical
propensity
bent, inclination, disposition
to feather one's nest
to enrich oneself at every opportunity
emulate
strive to equal, rival
commodious
spacious, large
out of one's depth
in a situation that is too dificult to handle
complacent
self-satisfied
glean
collect, gather
ivory tower
out of touch with life
to take under one's wing
to become responsible for
facetious
humorous, comical, witty
wary
watchful, shrewd
discreet
prudent, careful, cautious
abjure
abstain from, renounce
the writing on the wall
an event that predicts the future
succinct
concise, brief
expedite
carry out promptly
on the dot
exactly on time
impetuous
impulsive
au courant
up-to-date
disheveled
disorderly clothing or hair
foment
stir up, instigate
debilitate
weaken
somber
sad, gloomy
calumny
slander, false accusation
quarry
something hunted or pursued
to hit the nail on the head
to state or guess something correctly
evanescent
momentary, passing, fleeting
connoisseur
expert
menial
degrading, humble
antiquated
out-of-date, obsolete
salubrious
wholesome, healthful
cumbersome
burdensome, unwieldy
slovenly
disorderly, carelessly
extraneous
not belonging, foreign
reproach
rebuke, reprimand
on the bandwagon
joining with the majority
trivial
petty, worthless
usurp
annex, grab, seize
occult
supernatural, mysterious, secret
asinine
stupid, silly
venerable
respected, worshipped
Section 17
(50 cards)
nonentity
one of no importance
brass tacks
the real problem or situation
fluctuate
alternate, shift
unmitigated
as bad as can be, unrelieved
noisome
unwholesome, foul
refute
prove wrong, disprove
depict
portray, picture, describe clearly
flabbergasted
astounded
parable
a moralistic story
to take a leaf out of someone's book
to imitate or follow the example
countenance
approve, tolerate
whet
stir up, stimulate
effrontery
boldness
vigil
wakeful watching
wince
flinch, draw back
hook, line, and sinker
completely, all the way
gaunt
haggard, thin
equanimity
self-control
lily-livered
cowardly
site
location
tounge in one's cheek
not to be sincere
unkempt
neglected, untidy
pensive
reflective, thoughtful
stupor
insensible condition, daze
covet
wish, envy, want
genre
a certain form or style in painting or literature
mien
bearing, appearance
epitome
person or thing that represents the best
copious
plentiful, abundant, ample
pittance
small amount
degrade
lower, make contemptible
to raise Cain
make a fuss, cause trouble
to leave no stone unturned
to make every effort, to try one's best
vivacious
gay, lively
to pull up stakes
to quit a place
interrogate
question
dexterity
physical or mental skill
compassion
kindness, sympathetic feeling
lampoon
ridicule
grimace
facial expression of disgust
facade
superficial appearance, front
candid
open, honest, frank
hirsute
hairy
cliche
a commonplace phrase
sanctimonious
hypocritically religious
whimsical
witty, humorous
tenacious
stubborn, tough
acme
zenith, pinnacle, peak
fastidious
choosy, particular
debacle
collapse, ruin
Section 18
(50 cards)
terra firma
solid, firm land
grotesque
fantastic, strange, bizarre
a square peg in a round hole
an able man in the wrong job
off the beaten track
not usual, out of the ordinary
superfluous
surplus, excessive
nascent
beginning to develop or exist
in seventh heaven
the highest happiness or delight
legerdemain
deceptive adroitness, sleight of hand
facet
one side or view of person or situation
erudite
very scholarly
felicitous
happy
audacity
daring, boldness
perfidious
false, treacherous
therapy
curing or healing process
tenable
supportable; defendable
servile
submissive, slavish
ignominious
disgraceful, humiliating
phobia
strong dislike, persistent fear
penury
poverty
fatal
disastrous, deadly
rationalize
use or give a reason other than the real one
keep a stiff upper lip
keep up courage, stand up to trouble
to tighten one's belt
to get set for bad times or poverty
sojourn
temporary stay
halcyon
calm, peaceful
germane
in close relationship to, appropriate
unsavory
morally bad, disagreeable, offensive
docile
easy to manage
volition
willpower; choice
capitulate
make terms, surrender
chicanery
underhandedness, trickery
confront
come face to face with
ingratiate
charm, win confidence
naive
unsophisticated, unworldly
antipathy
hate, distaste, dislike
vehemently
passionately, violently, eagerly
to upset the apple cart
to overturn or disturb a plan or intention
vertigo
dizziness
venial
forgivable, pardonable
foist
pass as genuine, pass off slyly
malleable
capable of being formed or shaped
to throw the book at someone
to give maximum punishment
conductive
leading, helpful
austere
unadorned, simple, hard
passe
old-fashioned, outmoded
motivate
provoke, stimulate, inspire
homogenous
uniform, same
iconoclast
attacker of beliefs, image-breaker
repugnant
repulsive, distasteful
glib
smooth of speech
Section 19
(50 cards)
mentor
tutor, counselor, coach
imperceptible
extremely slight or gradual
cant
insincere or almost meaningless talk
tantalize
tease or torment by offering something good, but fail to deliver
contort
twist violently
stagnant
inactive, dull, motionless
proximity
nearness
magnanimous
noble, generous
to get up on the wrong side of the bed
to be in a bad mood
belated
delayed, late
extol
praise highly
lassitude
weakness, weariness
turpitude
evil, wickedness, vileness
augment
increase, enlarge
trend
general direction
vituperation
abuse, blame
a sacred cow
a person who cannot be criticized
to maintain the status quo
to keep things as they are
pandemonium
uproar, disorder
by hook or by crook
at any cost, any way at all
through thick and thin
in spite of all sorts of difficulties
redress
to right a wrong
callous
unfeeling
Machiavellian
not principled, governed by opportunity
decrepit
worn out, broken down
to take by storm
to make a fast impression
reticent
reserved, silent
staunch
firm, trusty, strong
flay
scold harshly, strip off the skin
unconcionable
unreasonable, without conscience
infraction
violation
elucidate
to make clear
vacillate
fluctuate, hesitate
to be in fine fettle
to be in fine spirits, feeling well
tacit
not stated, understood, implied
delineation
description in words, sketch
imperturbable
serene, steady, calm
facile
easily accomplished or attained
demeanor
bearing, conduct
opprobrium
insult, scorn
procrastinate
put off, delay
saga
heroic story
castles in the air
to dream about a wonderful future
repertoire
works that an artist is ready to perform
fatuous
inane, foolish, silly
heinous
hatefully evil
stigmatize
to mark with a disgrace
retort
reply, answer
vindicate
justify, absolve
clique
small, exclusive group of people
Section 20
(50 cards)
a blind alley
a direction that leads nowhere
a pretty kettle of fish
a mess, trouble
manifest
obvious, evident
the sum and substance
the heart or substantial part
artifice
strategy, trickery
pall
become dull, cease to please
propriety
correctness, suitability
diversity
change, variety
on pins and needles
to be on edge, jumpy
to have at one's fingertips
to have ready, to have a thorough knowledge
substantiate
ratify, confirm
intrinsic
inherent, within itself
allude
suggest, hint
blase
indifferent, not responsive to excitement
raucous
shrill, harsh
comely
handsome, beautiful
proffer
offer for acceptance
sanction
certify, endorse
satiety
surfeit, excess, fullness
artless
naive, innocent
umbrage
offense, resentment
frenetic
frenzied, frantic
gratuity
tip
vitiate
destroy the use or value
advent
coming of an important event
curry
to seek favor by flattery
spate
rush, flood
rhetoric
use (sometimes exaggerated) of language
nutritive
having nourishing properties
vapid
dull, uninteresting
denote
mean, show, indicate
potpourri
mixture, melody
to live in a fool's paradise
to be happy without a real basis
the acid test
a severe test
unwieldy
difficult to handle, bulky
insidious
treacherous, sly, seductive
begrudge
to be resentful or reluctant
expurgate
to remove objectionable parts or passages
vilify
slander, malign
capricious
fanciful, whimsical
delve
to do research, dig
succulent
juicy
ennui
boredom
impious
irreverent, lacking respect
bogus
fake, counterfeit
callous
unfeeling, hardened
expedient
fit, adviseable
shibboleth
slogan, pet phrase
to twist around one's finger
tto control completely
negligible
inconsiderable, trifling
Section 21
(50 cards)
largess
liberality, gift, gratuity
pragmatic
based on experience, practical
subservient
obsequious, servile
to lay one's cards on the table
to talk frankly
to tell tales out of school
to reveal harmful secrets
profuse
abundant, overflowing
aloof
reserved, apart. distant
repent
desire to make ammends, regret
devout
sincere, religious
iniquity
wickedness, injustice
dulcet
sweet or melodious to the ear
quandary
dilemma, doubt
frail
weak, delicate
deprecate
express disapproval
to make the best of a bad bargain
to change or go along with a poor situation
qualm
twinge of conscience
cynic
skeptic, pessimist
mollify
appease, pacify
canard
a made-up sensational story
diminutive
small, tiny
benevolent
charitable, kindly
to burn the midnight oil
to study or work until very late
guise
mien, appearance, manner
worth one's weight in gold
extremely valuable, very useful
plaintiff
the complaining party, in law
atrophy
waste away
replenish
to restock, fill again
unctuous
affectedly emotional
potent
intense, strong, powerful
nullify
cancel, abolish
malevolant
ill-disposed, ill-intentioned
roster
a list of names
impromptu
offhand, spur of the moment
maim
cripple, disable
pariah
social outcast
excoriate
criticize severely
deluge
flood
stunted
held back or checked in natural growth
carnage
slaughter
ameliorate
relieve, improve
a bolt from the blue
a great surpise
futility
uselessness
requisite
requirement
defamatory
damaging character by false reports
criterion
test, model, standard
to make ends meet
to manage on a given income
to do one's heart good
to make one feel happy or better
libel
degradation by writing or publishing
mercenary
greedy, motivated by desire for gain
vestige
evidence, trace
Section 22
(50 cards)
dearth
lack, scarcity
appalled
shocked, dismayed
sophistry
false reasoning or argument
prevarication
lying, deviation from the truth
reputed
believed, thought, supposed
to be under a cloud
to be in temporary disgrace or trouble
a cat's paw
a person used as a tool or dupe
termagant
a shrew, a scolding woman
factitious
artificial, sham
coup de grace
the finishing stroke
martinet
strict disciplinarian
emissary
an agent
to flog a dead horse
to continue to make an issue of something that is over
decapitate
behead
to build upon sand
to have a poor base, or not sufficient preparation
munificent
generous
disseminate
scatter, spread
internecine
mutually destructive, involving conflict in a group
encomium
high praise
corpulent
excessively fat, fleshy, obese
yen
strong desire, strong longing
tyro
novice, beginner
raconteur
a skilled storyteller
rift
an opening, a split
bagatelle
a trifle
technology
applied science
genocide
planned destruction of an entire people
sullen
grim, ill-humored
obloquy
dishonor, disgrace, shame
callow
inexperienced, youthful
brigand
bandit, robber
to toe the mark
to obey or stick to a rule or policy
livid
pale
potentate
ruler
hyperbole
exaggerated figure of speech
taut
on edge, keyed up, tense
prerogative
an exclusive power or right
ruminate
reflect upon, ponder
a pretty kettle of fish
a messy situation, a problem
burgeoned
grew, flourished
derived
received from a source, descended from
nepotism
favoritism towards relatives
rail
use abusive language, scold
charisma
quality of leadership inspiring enthusiasm
dormant
asleep, resting
ascertain
find out about, discover
the die is cast
an unchangeable decision has been made
penchant
a strong leaning in favor
raiment
clothing, dress
wistful
wishful, pensive, longing
Section 23
(4 cards)