17 Flashcards
Abase
verb: To lower in rank, prestige, or esteem; to cause to feel shame, to humiliate, or mortify.
Ad hoc
adv: Formed or contrived for a specific purpose, case, or situation at hand, and for no other.
Bequeath
verb: To leave or give by will.
Berate
verb: To rebuke or scold angrily and at length. (castigate, reproach, vituperate).
Bombastic
adjective: Grandiloquent, pompous speech or writing.
Bonhomie
noun: A pleasant, friendly, and affable disposition. (alacrity, congeniality).
Broach
verb: To mention or suggest something, such as a topic or idea, for the first time.
Callow
adjective: Lacking adult perspective, maturity, or experience.
Causality
noun: The principle of, or relationship between, cause and effect.
Charlatan
noun: A person who makes elaborate claims to skill or knowledge.
Copacetic
adjective: Completely satisfactory.
Cryptic
adjective: Mysterious in meaning; puzzling. (ambiguous, enigmatic).
Dearth
noun: A scarce supply.
Debunk
verb: To expose or excoriate as being pretentious, false, or exaggerated.
Deft
adjective: Quick and skillful. (adroit, dexterous).
Draconian
adjective: Exceedingly harsh; very severe.
Edict
noun: A decree or proclamation issued by an authority and having the force of law. (fiat, injunction).
Enjoin
verb: To direct or impose with authority and emphasis. (exhort)
Epigraph
noun: A motto or quotation, as at the beginning of a literary composition, setting forth a theme.
Fervid
adjective: Marked by great passion or zeal. (vehement).
Ford
noun: A shallow place in a body of water, such as a river, where one can cross.
Gamely
adjective: Having, showing, or characterized by a resolute, highly determined, and unyielding spirit. (redoubtable, formidable).
Germinate
verb: To being to develop or grow; to come into existence.
Hermetic
adjective: Completely sealed, especially against the escape or entry of air.
Iconoclast
noun: One who attacks and seeks to subvert or overthrow traditional or popular ideas or institutions.
Illustrious
adjective: Well known and very distinguished. (eminent, august, venerable).
Immaculate
adjective: Impeccably clean; pristine; spotless.
Inane
adjective: Characterized by a lack sense of substance. (insipid).
Laggard
noun: One who wastes time.
Libertarian
noun: One who advocates maximizing individual rights and minimizing the role of the state, including government.
Malevolent
adjective: Wishing, or appearing to wish, evil unto others. (inimical).
Regale
verb: To provide with great enjoyment; to entertain with food and drink.
Staid
adjective: Of reliable, fixed, or consistent character; very consistent.
Tyro
noun: A beginner in learning or undertaking something; a novice.
Vanguard
noun: The forefront in any movement, field, or activity; to leaders of any intellectual or political movement.
