9/12-9/18 Flashcards
Augment
Make larger
Sent: Did you see Rita’s breast augmentation?!
Austere
Severe in manner or appearance
Sent: Companies are taking austere measures to save themselves in this economy. Jay Leno has an austere chin.
Buffer
Something that shields, protects, absorbs, or shocks.
Ascertain
Find out with certainty
I am trying to ascertain the facts before I make any judgments or send this case to the board.
Balk
To refuse to proceed or do something
I balked at even the idea of walking on hot coals. My mom balks at speaking at public Santamaria functions.
Belie
Contradict or misrepresent
His highly active lifestyle belies his age, he is 98!
Canonical
Authorized, recognized, accepted
Canon: rule
These are the canonical textbooks for our school, you may choose from this assortment.
Clinch
Make final or settle conclusively
Your cliched the argument with you witty comments. Your statement clinched the argument.
Complacent
Self-satisfied, smug; overly content (and therefore lazy)
Dwight is complacent with his life and therefore does not extend any generosity towards others, even if they love their children.
Conciliatory
Reconciling, appeasing, attempting to make peace
I try to conciliate any differences I have with Kevin by telling him how great he is./ The Ritz Carlton is very conciliatory whenever a customer complains of discontent.
Cogent
Very convincing, logical
My dear, that was a cogent argument, you win!
Bygone
That which is in the past, former, past
Burgeon
Grow or flourish rapidly
Censure
Strong disapproval or official reprimand
The senate censured the senator for his lying tendencies.
Aver
Declare or affirm with confidence
I aver that Jeff loves me even though he moved to CA.
Avid
Passionate, enthusiastic, excessively desirous
He is an avid reader and he is avid about making money.
Condone
Overlook, tolerate, regard as harmless
Obviously I do not condone underage drinking.
Contentious
Controversial, prone to causing arguments
Ben Burwell is a contentious topic in the world of Kevin Lonergan.
Catalyst
Causer for change
Jeff’s move was a real catalyst in my life.
Capricious
Erratic, acting on impulse
Conundrum
Riddle, the answer to which involves a play on words; any mystery.
This is quite the conundrum, trying to figure out out how to get to the airport in time and enjoy the meeting.
Conversant
Knowledgeable about or experienced
Countenence
Facial expression or face; approve or tolerate.
Her countenance says it all. I cannot countenance this cheating, I must go to the board.
Craven
Cowardly, lacking courage
I was nearly craven when I was hiking with Ben.
Abate
Reduce or diminish
My stress was abated immediately upon my moms arrival.
Candid
Open, sincere, honest
She was very candid on Oprah, it made me like her more.
Abdicate
Formally give up the throne or some other power
Castigate
Criticize severely; punish in order to correct
Boor
Rude, ill-mannered, or insensitive person; peasant
Caustic
Capable of corroding metal or burning the skin; very critical or sarcastic
Acme
Summit, peak, highest point
Coalesce
Come together; unite, fuse together
The two countries are coalescing to become one.
Abridge
Reduce or lessen, shorten by omitting parts
Commensurate
The same in size, extent; equivalent, proportional.
