17/18 Flashcards
N. Praise or flattery that is excessive
Adulation
Adj. Vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy
Evanescent
Adj. Not on time, not prompt; tending to delay
Dilatory
V. To make less in amount, degree, etc; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit
Abates
Adj. Unable to make up one’s mind, hesitating
Irresolute
Adj. Shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom
Astute
N. A greedy desire, particularly for wealth
Avarice
Adj. Conspicuous, standing out from the mass (used particularly in an unfavorable sense)
Egregious
Adj. Deserving blame, worthy of condemnation
Culpable
N. An object of intense dislike: a curse or strong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article)
Anathema
V. To speak or act in a way that allows of more than one interpretation; to be deliberately vague or ambiguous
Equivocate
Adj. Untidy, dirty, careless
Slovenly
N. Something that is assumed or taken for granted without conclusive evidence
Supposition
Adj. Expressed briefly and clearly; (clothing) lacking in fullness of cut
Succinct
V. To review a series of facts; to sum up
Recapitulate
Adj. Cloudlike, resembling a cloud; cloudy in color, not transparent; vague, confuse, indistinct
Nebulous
V. To revive, bring back to consciousness or existence
Resuscitate
Adj. Inactive, sluggish, dull
Torpid
N. One who is just a beginner at some activity requiring skill and experience (also used adjectivally)
Novice
N. Extreme poverty; barrenness, insufficiency
Penury
N. A small or moderate amount
Modicum
Adj. Done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on one’s skill or abilities, ambitious
Pretentious
