2nd Vocab List Flashcards
Ameliorate
(v) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming
syn. : amend, better
ant. : worsen, aggravate
Aplomb
(n) poise, assurance, great self confidence; perpendicularity
syn : composure, self possession, levelheadedness
ant : confusion, embarrassment, abashment
bombastic
(adj) pompous or overblown in language; full high sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas
syn : inflated, highfalutin, high flown, pretentious
ant : unadorned, simple, plain, austere
callow
(adj) without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers
syn : green, raw, unfledged, inexperienced
ant : mature, grown up, polished, sophisticated
epitome
(n) a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality
drivel
(n) saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense; (v) to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly
syn : hogwash, balderdash, tommyrot; slaver
exhort
(v) to use strongly, advise earnestly
syn : entreat, implore, adjure
ant : discourage, advise against, deprecate
ex oficio
(adj; adv) by virtue of holding a certain office
infringe
(v) to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds
syn : encroach, impinge, intrude, poach
ant : stay in bounds
ingratiate
(v) to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense)
syn : cozy up to, curry favor with
ant : alienate, humiliate oneself, mortify oneself
interloper
(n) one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder
syn : trespasser, meddler, buttinsky
intristic
(adj) belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part
syn : immanent, organic
ant : extrinsic, external, outward
inveigh
(v) to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval
syn : rail, harangue, fulminate, remonstrate
ant : acclaim, glorify, extol
lassitude
(n) weariness in body or mind, lack of energy
syn : fatigue, lethargy, torpor, languor
ant : energy, vitality, animation, liveliness
millennium
(n) a period of a thousand years; a period of great joy
syn : chiliad, golden age, prosperity, peace
ant : doomsday, day of judgement
occult
(adj) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; (v) to hide, conceal; eclipse; (n) matters involving the supernatural
syn : (adj) supernatural, esoteric
ant : (adj) mundane, common, public, exoteric
permeate
(v) to spread through, penetrate, soak through
precipate
(v) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct form to; (adj) characterized by excessive haste; (n) moisture; the product of an action or process
syn : (v) provoke, produce; (adj) reckless, impetuos
ant : wary, cautious, circumspect
stringent
(adj) strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste
syn : stern, rigorous, tough, urgent, imperative
ant : lenient, mild, lax, permissive
surmise
(v) to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess; (n) likely idea that lacks definite proof
syn : (v) infer, gather; (n) inference, presumption
