1984 Vocabulary Flashcards
Specious
(adj): misleading in appearance
Sanguine
(adj): optimistic/positive, especially in a difficult situation.
Urbane
(adj): sophisticated, courteous, well-mannered
Drudge
(n): A person made to do hard menial or dull work
Armaments
(n): military weapons and equipment; the process of equipping military forces for war
Myriad
(n): a countless or extremely great number
Fathom
(n): Unit of 6 feet deep, chiefly used to measure depth of water
(v): understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought.
Furtive
(adj): Attempting to avoid notice or attention
Repudiate
(v): Refuse to accept or be associated
Palimpsest
(n): a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been erased to make room for later writing but of which traces remain
Abject
(adj): Experienced or present to the maximum worst degree
Pedantic
(adj): Excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning
Fulminate
(adj) - hurling denunciations or menaces
Venerate
(v) - to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference
Proliferate
(v) - to grow by rapid production of new parts, cells, buds, or offspring
Tacitly
(adv): in a way that is understood or implied without being directly stated
Debauchery
(n): excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures
Aquiline
(adj): hooked or curved like an eagle’s beak
Sinecure
(n): a position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit
Rehash
(v): put (old ideas or material) into a new form without significant change or improvement.
Balminess
(n): the quality of weather that is deliciously mild and soothing
Bourgeoisie
(n) - the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes.
Lassitude
(n) - a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy.
Camaraderie
(n) - mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.
Rectification
(n): the act of putting something right.
- Rectify (v).
Pretext
(n): a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason.
Necessitate
(v): make something necessary as a result or consequence
OR force or compel someone to do something.
Obeisance
(n): a gesture expressing deferential respect, such as a bow or curtsy.
Torrent
(n): a sudden, violent, and copious outpouring of something (typically words or feelings).
Iniquity
(n): immoral or grossly unfair behavior.
Intermittent
(adj): stopping or ceasing for a time; alternately ceasing and beginning again.
Proletariat
(n): the class of wage earners, especially those who earn their living by manual labor or who are dependent for support on daily or casual employment; the working class
Furtively
(adv): in a surreptitious, secret, or stealthy way
Gratuitous
(adj): being without apparent reason, cause, or justification
Belfry
(n): a bell tower, either attached to a church or other building or standing apart.
Emanate
(v): to flow out, issue, or proceed, as from a source or origin; come forth; originate.
Labyrinthine
(adj): intricate or confusing system
Indignation
(n): anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment
Effigy
(n): sculpture or model or a person made to be destroyed as a protest or out of anger
Prelude
(n): an action or event serving as an introduction to something more important
Contrived
(adj): deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously
Foretaste
(n): a sample or suggestion of something that lies ahead
Superfluous
(adj): unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
Snivel
(v): cry and sniff in a feeble or fretful way.
Remonstrance
(n): a forcefully reproachful protest.
Demur
(v): to show reluctance or doubt
Decanter
(n): a glass container commonly used to pour liquids (ex. wine) into other glasses
Assent
(n): expression of approval
Oligarchy
(n) - a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes
Prodigious
(adj) - Causing amazement or wonder
Fecundity
(n) - The ability to produce an abundance of offspring
Or: The ability to produce many new ideas
Indefatigable
(adj): persisting tirelessly
Vitality
(n): the state of being strong and active
Bazaar
(n): a market in a Middle Eastern or Asian country
Wheedle
(v): to coax or persuade (someone) to say or give something
Desultory
(adj): lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
Timorous
(adj): showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence
Prevaricate
(v): Speak or act in an evasive way
Vehemently
(adv): In a forceful, passionate manner with great feeling
Penitence
(n): feeling/showing sorrow for having done wrong, repentance
Solipsism
(n): the quality of being self-centred or selfish; philosophy: the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist
Hedonistic
(adj): engaged in the pursuit of pleasure; sensually self-indulgent
Disseminate
(v): spread (something, especially information) widely
Capitulate
(v): to cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; to surrender
Furrow
(n): a long narrow trench made in the ground by a plow, especially for planting seeds or for irrigation
Torpid
(adj): physically or mentally inactive; lethargic
Premonitory
(adj): Giving you the feeling that something is going to happen, especially something unpleasant
Schoolmasterish
(adj): Resembling the characteristic of a schoolmaster
Didactically
(adv): In a way that is intended to teach, especially in a way that is fixed and unwilling to change
Sallow
(adj): (of a person’s face or complexion) of an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color.
Unbidden
(adj): without having been commanded or invited
Cauterize
(v) burn the skin or flesh of (a wound) with a heated instrument or caustic substance, typically to stop bleeding or prevent the wound from becoming infected
