0801-0900 Flashcards
maw
the receptacle into which food is taken by swallowing; throat, gullet or jaws
somber
so shaded as to be dark and gloomy
perfidy
the state of being faithless or disloyal; treason
windlass
any of various machines for hoisting or hauling
ministration
the act or process of ministering
bellow
to make the loud deep hollow sound characteristic of a bull
sluice
an artificial passage for water fitted with a valve or gate for stopping or regulating flow
insoluble
incapable of being dissolved; having no solution or explanation
leguleian
like a lawyer; underhanded and legalistic
tipcart
a cart whose body can be tipped on the frame to empty its contents
counterpoise
an equivalent power or force acting in opposition
zhuzh
a small improvement or addition that completes the overall look or taste of something
vex
to bring trouble, distress, or agitation to; to shake or toss about
exchequer
treasury, espescially a national or royal treasury
obtrude
to thrust out; to force or impose (oneself, one’s ideas, etc.) without warrant or request
reverie
daydream; the condition of being lost in thought
fey
marked by an otherworldly air or attitude
trope
a word or expression used in a figurative sense; a common or overused theme or device
undulate
having a wavy surface, edge, or markings; to cause to move in a wavy, sinuous, or flowing manner
benediction
the invocation of a blessing
affix
letters attached to the beginning or end of a word to produce a derivative word (e.g., a prefix or suffix)
bolster
a long pillow or cushion; a structural part designed to eliminate friction or provide support
sphere
the apparent surface of the heavens of which half forms the dome of the visible sky
trite
hackneyed or boring from much use; not fresh or original
vitrify
to convert into glass by heat and fusion
fain
obliged or compelled; gladly or willingly
interpose
to place in an intervening position; to come between
hackle
the neck plumage of the domestic fowl; erectile hairs along the neck and back especially of a dog
doleful
full of grief
nasturtium
edible herbs with showy spurred flowers
assuage
to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses); pacify
palliative
to ease (symptoms) without curing the underlying disease; to cover by excuses and apologies
compatriot
a person born, residing, or holding citizenship in the same country as another
osseous
bony; full of bones
covetous
marked by inordinate desire for wealth or for another’s possessions
athwart
in opposition to the right or expected course
sortie
a sudden issuing of troops from a defensive position; one mission by a single plane
sapper
a military specialist in field fortification and demolitions disposal (sapping)
purvey
to supply (something, such as provisions) usually as a matter of business
sunder
to break apart or in two
equinox
either of the two points on the celestial sphere where the equator intersects the ecliptic
cachalot
sperm whale
panache
an ornamental tuft (as of feathers) especially on a helmet; dash or flamboyance in style and action
sextant
an instrument for measuring angular distances to observe altitudes of celestial bodies
eponym
a person for whom something, such as a city, building, or street, has been named
prudent
marked by wisdom or judiciousness; showing care and thought for the future
foredeck
the forepart of a ship’s main deck
imbue
to provide with something freely or naturally; to permeate or influence as if by dyeing
narcissus
a youth in Greek mythology who pines for his own reflection and is then turned into the narcissus flower
becloud
to obscure with or as if with a cloud; to prevent clear perception or realization of
laity
church members who are not clergy
llano
an open grassy plain in Spanish America or the southwestern U.S.
torrid
parched with heat especially of the sun; giving off intense heat; passionate
superfluity
excessive and superfluous; immoderate and especially luxurious living, habits, or desires
intimation
a subtle suggestion, indication, or hint
effulgence
a brilliant radiance; a shining forth
bib
to drink; a shield tied under the chin to protect the clothes
promenade
a place for strolling; a grand march of guests at a formal ball
antenatal
prenatal
despot
a ruler with absolute power and authority
shilling
a former monetary unit of the United Kingdom equal to 12 pence
louche
not reputable or decent
polyhedron
a solid formed by plane faces
chortle
to sing or chant exultantly; to laugh or chuckle especially when amused or pleased
photogravure
a process for printing from an intaglio plate prepared by photographic methods
sonorous
imposing or impressive in effect or style; producing sound (as when struck)
idiom
an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself
tipple
a coal-screening plant; to drink liquor especially by habit or to excess
garish
clothed in vivid colors; excessively or disturbingly vivid; tastelessly showy
balk
to refuse abruptly; to stop short and refuse to proceed
endue
to provide or endow
pennon
a long triangular or swallow-tailed streamer typically attached to the head of a lance as an ensign
accession
the act or process by which someone rises to a position of honor or power; increase by something added
spectroscope
an instrument for forming and examining spectra especially in the visible region
inimitable
not capable of being imitated
proviso
an article or clause that introduces a condition; a conditional stipulation
scrupulous
having moral integrity; acting in strict regard for what is considered right or proper
amorous
strongly moved by love and especially sexual love
suborn
to induce secretly to do an unlawful thing; to induce to commit perjury
disport
to amuse oneself in light or lively fashion
quartermaster
a petty officer who attends to a ship’s helm; an army officer who provides for a body of troops
adjutant
a staff officer who assists the commanding officer and is responsible for correspondence
aborning
while being born or produced
sloe
the small dark fruit of the blackthorn
moor
an expanse of open rolling infertile land; to make fast with cables or anchors
quiescent
marked by inactivity or repose; tranquilly at rest
despatch
alternative spelling for dispatch
portmanteau
a word made by combining two or more other words or word parts; a large suitcase
metallurgy
the science and technology of metals
equipage
material or articles used in equipment; a horse-drawn carriage
perigee
the point in the orbit of an object orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the earth
postillion
one who rides as a guide on the near horse of one of the pairs attached to a coach or post chaise
quagga
an extinct zebra that had brown and white stripes on the head and neck, and reddish-brown upper parts
angle
a member of a Germanic people that merged with the Saxons to form the Anglo-Saxon peoples
fatuous
stupid or foolish in a self-satisfied way
harridan
an ill-tempered scolding woman
limpid
marked by transparency; clear and simple in style; absolutely serene and untroubled
sallow
of a grayish, yellow-green color; a willow tree
ebullience
having or showing liveliness and enthusiasm
raiment
clothing; garments
