5/2/14 Flashcards
alkali (n)
any of various bases, the hydroxides of the alkali metals and of ammonium, that neutralize acids to form salts and turn red litmus paper blue.
paragon (n)
a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence: a paragon of virtue
expedite (v)
to speed up the progress of; hasten: to expedite shipments.
petulant (adj)
moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, especially over some trifling annoyance: a petulant toss of the head.
subterfuge
an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule, escape a consequence, hide something, etc.
nullify (v)
to deprive (something) of value or effectiveness; make futile or of no consequence.
subsidy (n)
a sum paid, often in accordance with a treaty, by one government to another to secure some service in return.
whimsical (adj)
spontaneously fanciful or playful
conjugate (v)
to inflect (a verb)
controvert (v)
to argue against; dispute; deny; oppose.
coronet (n)
a small crown.
architect (n)
a person professionally engaged in the design of certain large constructions other than buildings and the like: landscape architect; naval architect.
harlequin (n)
( often initial capital letter ) a comic character in commedia dell’arte and the harlequinade, usually masked, dressed in multicolored, diamond-patterned tights, and carrying a wooden sword or magic wand.
carbonate (v)
to charge or impregnate with carbon dioxide: carbonated drinks.
ordinate (n)
Mathematics . (in plane Cartesian coordinates) the y-coordinate of a point: its distance from the x-axis measured parallel to the y-axis.
