A-B Flashcards
: a feeling of closeness and understanding that someone has for another person because of their similar qualities, ideas, or interests
: a liking for or an attraction to something
: a quality that makes things suited to each other
affinity
: to cause (someone) to feel hostile or angry : to irritate or upset (someone)
antagonize
: a little island
ait
: to make (something) weaker or less in amount, effect, or force
attenuate
: to do or say something that shows a lack of respect for (someone or someone’s feelings)
affront
: to say (something) in a very strong and definite way
aver
: the palace of the Moorish kings at Granada, Spain
alhambra
: a quick and cheerful readiness to do something
alacrity
: the perfect form or example of something
: the highest or best part of something
apotheosis
: very confident and daring : very bold and surprising or shocking
audacious
: divination from auspices or omens; also : an instance of this
: omen, portent
augury
: very clever or skillful
adroit
: very eager
: wanting something very much
avid
: a coming into being or use
advent
: confidence and skill shown especially in a difficult situation
aplomb
: simple or plain : not fancy
of a person : having a serious and unfriendly quality
: having few pleasures : simple and harsh
austere
: excessive or slavish admiration or flattery
adulation
: the study of human races, origins, societies, and cultures
anthropology
: friendly and easy to talk to
affable
: to agree to a request or a demand
: to enter a high office or position
accede
: an island that is made of coral and shaped like a ring
atoll
: a group of islands
archipelago
: not having or showing much emotion or interest
apathetic
: dishonest or insincere behavior or speech that is meant to deceive someone
artifice
: something (such as a word, an object, or an event) that is mistakenly placed in a time where it does not belong in a story, movie, etc.
: a person or a thing that seems to belong to the past and not to fit in the present
anachronism
: extremely bad or severe
: very humble : feeling or showing shame
: very weak : lacking courage or strength
abject
: foolish or unnecessary talk, trouble, or activity
ado
: based on or consisting of reports or observations of usually unscientific observers
anecdotal
: extremely poor or bad
abysmal
: formed or used for a special purpose
: made or done without planning because of an immediate need
ad hoc
: something that does not have a single clear meaning
ambiguity
: showing or suggesting that future success is likely
auspicious
medical : gradual loss of muscle or flesh usually because of disease or lack of use
atrophy
: something (such as a problem or a type of behavior) that is unusual or unexpected
aberration
: a rule or principle that many people accept as true
axiom
: a compact instrument used to observe and calculate the position of celestial bodies before the invention of the sextant
astrolabe
: to yell at (someone) : to criticize (someone) in a loud and angry way
berate
: showing complete happiness
beatific
: to suddenly show that you do not want to do something : to refuse to do what someone else wants you to do
balk
: talk in which people make jokes about each other in a friendly way
banter
: having or showing a lack of excitement or interest in something especially because it is very familiar
blasé
: a large spar projecting forward from the stem of a ship
bowsprit
: having or showing a tendency to argue or fight
bellicose
: the use of few words to say something
: the quality or fact of lasting only for a short period of time
brevity
: to make the quiet sound of water moving over rocks
: to talk foolishly or too much
of a baby : to make quiet and happy sounds
burble
: serenely mild and kindly
benignant
: a temporary camp or shelter
bivouac
: of or relating to a dramatic style of art and music that was common in the 17th and early 18th centuries and that featured many decorative parts and details
: having many details or too many details
baroque
: acting or done in a very open and shocking way without shame or embarrassment
brazen
: an outdoor fire often used as a signal fire
balefire