281-320 Flashcards
induce
v. persuade; bring about
n. inducement
After the quarrel, Tina said nothing could induce her to talk to Tony again.
ineffable
adj, unutterable; cannot be expressed in speech.
Looking down at her newborn daughter, Ruth felt such ineffable joy that, for the first time in her adult life, she had no words to convey what was in her heart.
inert
adj. inactive; lacking power to move.
n. inertia
I lay in my bed inert.
inexorable
adj. relentless; unyielding.
After listening to the pleas for clemency, the judge was inexorable and gave the convicted man the maximum punishment allowed by law.
ingenious
adj. clever; resourceful
n. ingenuity
Kit admired the ingenious way that her computer keyboard opened up to reveal the built-in CD-ROM below.
inherent
adj. firmly established by nature or habit.
Katya’s inherent love of justice caused her to champion anyone she considered treated unfairly by society.
innate
adj. inborn; natural
Mozart’s parents soon recognized young Wolfgang’s innate talent for music.
innocuous
adj. harmless.
An occasional glass of wine with dinner is relatively innocuous and should have no ill effect on you.
innovation
n. change; introduction of something new.
v. innovate
Although Richard liked to keep up with all the latest technological innovations, he didn’t always abandon tried and true techniques in favor of something new.
insipid
adj. lacking in flavor; dull.
Flat prose and flat ginger ale are equally insipid.
insolvent
adj. bankrupt; unable to repay one’s debts.
n. insolvency
Although Will was insolvent, he had no fear of being thrown into debtor’s prison.
instigate
v. urge; provoke
Rumors of police corruption led the mayor to instigate an investigation into the department’s activities.
insularity
n. narrow-mindedness; isolation.
adj. insular
The insularity of the islanders manifested itself in their suspicion of anything foreign.
insuperable
adj. unbeatable
Though the odds against their survival seemed insuperable, the Apollo 13 astronauts reached earth safely.
integrity
n. uprightness; wholeness.
Lincoln fought a civil war to maintain the integrity of the Republic.
intervene
v. come between
When two close friends get into a fight, be careful if you try to intervene.
intimidate
v. frighten.
I’ll learn karate and then those big bullies won’t be able to intimidate me any more.
intractable
adj. unruly; stubborn.
Charlie was intractable: he absolutely refused to take a bath.
intrepid
adj. fearless.
For her intrepid conduct, Flo was honored by the Queen.
inundate
v. overwhelm; flood; submerge.
This summer I am inundated with work.
invert
v. turn upside down or inside out.
When he inverted his body in a handstand, he felt the blood rush to his head.
ironic
adj. resulting in an unexpected and contrary outcome.
It is ironic that his success came when he least wanted it.
irreproachable
adj. blameless; impeccable
Homer’s conduct at the office party was irreproachable: even Marge didn’t have anything bad to say about how he behaved.
jocular
adj. said or done in jest.
Although Bill knew the boss hated jokes, he couldn’t resist making one jocular remark.
laconic
adj. brief and to the point.
Many of the characters portrayed by Clint Eastwood are laconic types: strong men of few words
laggard
adj. slow; sluggish
n. lag
The sailor had been taught not to be laggard in carrying out orders.
lament
v. grieve; express sorrow.
n. lamentation
Even advocates of the war lamented the loss of so many lives in combat.
lampoon
v. ridicule.
This article lampoons the pretensions of some movie moguls.
lassitude
n.languor; weariness.
After a massage and a long soak in the hot tub, I gave in to my growing lassitude and lay down for a nap.
laud
v. praise
I lauded Bill’s efforts to raise money.
lavish
adj. generous;extravagant
v.
Her wealthy suitors wooed her with lavish gifts.
lethargic
adj. drowsy; dull.
The stuffy room made her lethargic: she felt as if she was about to nod off.
levity
n. lack of seriousness.
Stop giggling and wriggling around in the pew: such levity is improper in church.
linger
v. loiter; continue or persist.
Romeo lingered outside the Capulet house for hours.
listless
adj. lacking in spirit or energy.
We had expected him to be full of enthusiasm and were surprised by his listless attitude.
lithe
adj. flexible; supple.
Her figure was lithe and willowy.
lofty
adj. bery high.
Though Jonas’ fellow students used to tease him about his lofty ambitions, he rose to hold one of the highest positions in the land.
lurid
adj. wild; sensational
Do the lurid cover stories actually attract people to buy that trashy tabloid?
luxuriant
adj. abundant; rich and splendid.
Lady was completely covered by her luxuriant hair.
