A-M Flashcards
Myriad
A countless or extremely great number
Aerate
Introduce air into a material
Galvanize
Shock or excite (a person); coat with a protective layer (adj.)
Demitasse
A small cup of coffee
Harried
Feeling strained as a result of having demands persistently made on one
Affable
Friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to
Deluge
A severe flood
Inane
Silly or stupid
Aggrandize
Increase the power, status, or wealth of
Demagogic
A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires & prejudices
Limerence
The state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person
Ephemeral
Lasting for a very short time
Abate
Cause to become smaller/less intense; lessen, reduce, or remove
Imbued
Inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality
Ameliorate
Make something bad or unsatisfactory better
Corpus
A collection of written texts
Detritus
Waste or debris of any kind
Ambivalent
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone
Besmirch
Damage the reputation of someone or something
Cathartic
Providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions
Amicable
Having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or bitterness
Foment
Instigate or stir up
Ire
Anger
Impotence
Inability to take effective action; helplessness
Inability in a man to achieve an erection or orgasm
Angst
A feeling of deep dread or anxiety
Dubious
Hesitating or doubting
Incorrigible
Not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed
Auteur
A filmmaker whose personal influence & artistic control over a movie are so great that the filmmaker is regarded as the author of the movie
Influx
An arrival or entry of large numbers of people or things
An inflow of water into a river, lake, or sea
Abdication
Failure to fulfill a responsibility or duty
Admonition
An act or action of admonishing; authoritative counsel or warning
Admonish
Warn or reprimand someone firmly
Indignant
Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment
Hyperbole
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally
Bevy
A large group of people or things of a particular kind
A group of birds
Binary
Relating to, composed of, or involving two things
Hypochondriac
A person who is abnormally anxious about their health
Myopic
Nearsighted; lacking imagination, foresight, or intellectual insight
Cryptic
Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure
Escheat
The reversion of property to the state
Behemoth
A huge or monstrous creature
Exacerbate
Make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse
Amoral
Lacking a moral sense; unconcerned with the rightness & wrongness of something
Grody
Very unpleasant, disgusting
Automaton
A moving mechanical device made in imitation of a human being
Effusive
Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner
Eponymous
(Of a person): giving their name to something; (of a thing): named after a particular person
Aegis
The protection, backing, or support of a particular person or organization
Deduce
Arrive at a fact or conclusion by reasoning
Anodyne
Not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive
Equilibrium
A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced; a state of physical balance
Befuddle
Make someone unable to think clearly
Broach
Raise up a sensitive or difficult subject for discussion
Pierce a cask to draw liquor
Cask
A large barrel-like container used for storing alcoholic drinks
Disaggregate
Separate something into its component parts
Antiquated
Old-fashioned or outdated
Convene
Come or bring together for a meeting or activity
Enthuse
Say something that expresses one’s eager enjoyment, interest, or approval
Audacious
Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks
Showing an impudent lack of respect
Impudent
Not showing due respect for another person
Impropriety
A failure to observe standards or show due honesty or modesty
Archetype
A very typical example of a certain person or thing
Interminable
Endless
Bigotry
Intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself
Calamity
An event causing great & often sudden damage or distress; a disaster
Insipid
Lacking flavor; lacking vigor or interest
Demarcation
The action of fixing the boundary or limits of something; a dividing line
Ambivert
A person whose personality has a balance of extrovert & introvert features
Confluence
The junction of two rivers; an act or process of merging
Assuage
Make an unpleasant feeling less intense; satisfy an appetite or desire
Anachronism
A thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists
An act of attributing a custom, event, or object to a period to which it does not belong
Intransigent
Unwilling or refusing to change one’s views or to agree about something
Boon
A thing that is helpful or beneficial; a favor or request
Enmity
The state of feeling or being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something
Calumny
The making of false & defamatory statements in order to damage someone’s reputation; slander
Inveterate
Having a particular habit, activity, or interest that’s long-established or unlikely to change
Erudition
The quality of having or showing great knowledge or learning
Dictum
A short statement that expresses a general truth or principle
Engender
Cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition
Approbation
Approval or praise
Circumspect
Wary & unwilling to take risks
Constellation
A group or cluster of related things
Chasm
A profound difference between people, viewpoints, feelings
A deep fissure in the earth, rock, or another surface
Arduous
Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult & tiring
Catalytic
Relating to or involving the action of a catalyst
Catalyst
A person or thing that precipitates an event
Modicum
A small quantity of a particular thing
Dissenter
A person who holds opinions that vary from those that are commonly expressed
Impious
Not showing respect or reverence, especially for a god
Casuistry
The use of clever but unsound reasoning, especially in relation to a moral question
Comely
Pleasant to look at, attractive; agreeable, suitable
Exorbitant
Unreasonably high
Acquiesce
Accept something reluctantly but without protests
Docent
A person who acts as a guide, typically on a voluntary basis
Gangrene
Death & decomposition of body tissue resulting from either obstructed circulation or bacterial infection
Beguile
Charm or enchant, sometimes in a deceptive way; trick someone into doing something
Anthropomorphism
The attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object
Enmity
The state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something
Internecine
Destructive to both sides in a conflict; relating to conflict within a group or organization
Equivocal
Open to more than one interpretation, ambiguous; uncertain or questionable in nature
Despot
A ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way
Cordon
A line or circle of police, soldiers, or guards preventing to or from an area or building
An ornamental cord or braid
Catharsis
The process of releasing & providing relief from strong or repressive emotions
Inanition
Exhaustion caused by lack of nourishment
Imposition
The action or process of imposing something on or of being imposed
Impose
Force something unwelcome or unfamiliar to be accepted & put in place
Adulation
Obsequious flattery; excessive admiration or praise
Compunction
A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad
Lambast
Criticize
Deign
Do something that one considers to be beneath one’s dignity
Illiberality
Opposed to liberal principles; rare, uncultured, or unrefined
Amorous
Showing, feeling, or relating to sexual desire
Annal
A record of events of one year
Banal
So lacking in originality as to be obvious & boring
Diminutive
Extremely or unusually small
Licentious
Promiscuous & unprincipled in sexual matters
Archaic
Very old or old-fashioned; no longer in everyday use but sometimes used (relating to words)
Concupiscent
Filled with sexual desire; lustful
Exordium
The beginning or introductory part
Arcane
Understood by few; mysterious or secret
Avaricious
Having or showing extreme greed for wealth or material gain
Emetic
Causing vomiting; nauseating or revolting
Indolence
Avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness
Insolence
Rude & disrespectful behavior
Laxity
Lack of strictness or care
Looseness of a limb or muscle
Ken
One’s range of knowledge or sight
Corrugated
Shaped into alternate ridges & grooves
Encomium
A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly
Effluence
A substance that flows out from something
Eminent
Famous & respected within a particular sphere or profession
Used to emphasize the presence of a positive quality
Cogency
The quality of being clear, logical, & convincing
Apprise
Inform or tell someone
Mercurial
Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind
Monolithic
Formed of a single large block of stone
Very large & characterless (of a building)
Corollary
A proposition that follows from one already proved
A direct or natural consequence of result
Evocative
Bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind
Boisterous
Noisy, energetic, & cheerful (person)
Wild or stormy (weather)
Besiege
Surround with armed forces in order to capture it or force its surrender
Crowd around oppressively; surround & harass
Idiosyncrasy
A mode of behavior/way of thought peculiar to an individual
Chattel
A personal possession
Conduit
A channel for conveying water or other fluid
A person or organization that acts as a channel for the transmission of something
Absolution
Formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment
Missive
A letter, especially a long or official one
Acrimonious
Angry & bitter
Invective
Insulting, abusive, or highly critical
Diminution
A reduction in size, extent, or importance of something
Arbitrary
Based on random choice or personal whim rather than any reason or system
Misanthropy
A dislike of humankind
Knavish
Dishonest or unscrupulous
Fixity
The state of being unchanging or permanent
Congenial
Pleasant because of a personality, qualities, or interests that are similar to one’s own
Asseverate
The solemn or emphatic declaration or statement of something
Anhedonia
Inability to feel pleasure
Equipoise
Balance of forces or interests
A counterbalance or balancing force
Equable
Not easily disturbed or angered; not fluctuating or varying greatly
Coagulate
Change to a solid/semisolid state
Amenable
Open & responsive to suggestion, easily persuaded or controlled
Avarice
Extreme greed for wealth or material gain
Meed
A deserved share or reward
Mendicant
Given to begging
Expiation
The act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing; atonement
Indomitable
Impossible to subdue or defeat
Beauteous
Beautiful
Effeminate
Having or showing characteristics regarded as typical of a woman
Equanimity
Mental calmness, composure, & evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation
Miscreant
A person who behaves badly or in a way that breaks the law
Depose
Remove from office suddenly & forcefully; test or give evidence on oath
Avaricious
Having or showing extreme greed for wealth or material gain
Foment
Instigating or stirring up an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action
Hubristic
Excessively proud or self-confident
Dimorphism
2 distinct forms of the same species that differ in one or more characteristics
Goad
Provoke or annoy someone to stimulate some action or reaction
Hegemony
Leadership or dominance especially by one group over others
Banal
So lacking in originality as to be obvious & boring
Apocryphal
(Of a story or statement): doubting the authenticity though it’s widespread as true
Dichotomy
Division or contrast between 2 things that are represented as being opposed or entirely different
Diffident
Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence
Arcane
Understood by few; mysterious or secret
Libidinous
Showing excessive sexual drive; lustful
Fortuitous
Happening by accident or chance rather than design
Disinter
Dig up something that has been buried (especially a body)
Jaded
Tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm (usually after having had too much of something)
Denizen
An inhabitant or occupant of a particular place
Gubernatorial
Relating to a state governor or the office of state governor
Dysphoria
State of unease or generalized dissatisfaction with life
Eventuate
Occur as a result
Incontinence
Inability to control excretory functions
Hovel
A small, unpleasant, or simplistically constructed dwelling
Axiom
A statement or proposition which is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true
Fecundity
Inability to produce an abundance of offspring
Conifer
Bearing cones, like pine & cypress
Laudable
Deserving praise & commendation
Commendation
Praise
Modicum!
A small quantity of a particular thing, especially something considered desirable or valuable
Interminable
Endless
Convivial
Friendly, lively, & enjoyable atmosphere
Beguile!
Charm or enchant someone, sometimes in a deceptive way
Coterie
A small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that’s exclusive of other people
Dalliance
A casual romantic or sexual relationship
Gorge
Narrow valley between hills or mountains (usually with steep rocky walls & a stream running through it)
Apogee
Highest point in the development of something; a climax
Bipedal
Animals using only 2 legs for walking
Agog
Very eager or curious to hear or see something
Dapple
Mark with spots or rounded patches
Incongruous
Not in harmony with the surroundings or other aspects of something
Combustible
Able to catch fire & burn easily
Absolution
Formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment
Atrium
Open-roofed entrance hall or central court
Innocuous
Not harmful or offensive
Diastolic
When the heart is in a period of relaxation & dilation
Bereaved
Deprived of a close relation or friend through their death
Amnesic
A person experiencing partial or total loss of memory
Commendation
Praise
Jovial
Cheerful & friendly
Agoraphobic
Extreme/irrational fear of entering open or crowded spaces, leaving one’s home, or being in places where escape is difficult
Bungling
Action or fact of carrying out a task clumsily or incompetently
Mercenary
Primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics; professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army
Industrious
Diligent & hard-working
Animus
Hostility or ill-feeling; motivation to do something
Cadaver
Dead human body used by medical professionals to study anatomy
Carotid Pulse
Pulse taken on the right side of the neck over the carotid artery
Boudoir
Woman’s bedroom or private room; sensual photography
Cresting
Ornamental decoration at the ridge of a roof or top of a wall or screen
Disgruntled
Angry or dissatisfied
Despondent
In low spirits from loss of hope or courage
Flogging
Punishment in which the victim is hit repeatedly with a whip or stick
Intrepid
Fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect)
Alabaster
Fine-grained, translucent form of gypsum
Gypsum
Soft white sulfate mineral
Ersatz
Made or used as an inferior substitute for something else
Chagrin
Feel distressed or humiliated
Exude
Discharge slowly & steadily (of a moisture or smell); display an emotional quality strongly & openly (of a person); have a strong atmosphere (of a place)
Chortle
Laugh in a breathy, gleeful way; chuckle
Bemuse
Puzzle, confuse, or bewilder someone
Besotted
Strongly infatuated
Klepto
Persistent neurotic impulse to steal, especially with economic motive
Dour
Relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance
Huff
A mood of sulking anger; a fit of resentment
Garish
Obtrusively bright & showy
Lurid
Very vivid in color, especially so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect
Formidable
Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable
Cavort
Jump or dance around excitedly
Demarcation
Action of fixing the boundary or limits of something
Ethologist
Someone who studies the science of animal behavior
Greylag
Type of goose in the Anatidae waterfowl family
Galoshes
Rubber boots slipped over shoes to protect them
Mimicry
Action or art of imitating someone or something, usually to entertain or ridicule
Dichotomy!
Division or contrast between
Extrapolate
Estimate or conclude; extend the application of something to other things/people
Abhor
Regard with distrust and hatred
Catalyze
Cause or accelerate (a reaction) by acting as a catalyst
Emblematic
Serving as a symbol of a particular quality or concept
Consternation
Feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically because of something unexpected
Intractable
Hard to control or deal with
Disrepute
State of being held in low esteem by the public
Infirm
Not physically or mentally strong, especially through old age
Louse
Small wingless parasitic insects that live on the skin of mammals and birds; contemptible or unpleasant person
Bonnet
Woman’s or child’s hat tied under the chin with a brim facing the face
Automatism
Performance of actions without conscious thought or intention
Glean
Extract (information) from various sources; collect gradually and bit by bit
Dialysis
Process of removing excess water, solutes, & toxins from blood in people whose kidneys cannot perform these functions naturally
Injunctive
An authoritative warning or order
Domicile
Country that a person treats as their permanent home (or lives in/has a substantial connection with)
Situs
Place to which, for purposes of legal jurisdiction, a property belongs
Anhedonia
Inability to feel pleasure
Mar
Impair the appearance of; disfigure
Iridescent
Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles
Footwell
Space for feet in front of a seat in a vehicle or aircraft
Enamor
Be filled with a feeling of love for
Careen
Move swiftly & in an uncontrolled way in a specified direction
Acquiesce
Accept something reluctantly but without protest
Addled
Unable to think clearly; rotten (of an egg)
Bungle!
Carry out a task clumsily or incompetently
Disparage
Regard or represent as being of little worth
Awry
Away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course; amiss
Angst!
A feeling of deep anxiety or dread, typically an unfocused one about the human condition or the state of the world in general
Deftly
In a way that is neatly skillful & quick in movement
Incredulity
The state of being unwilling or unable to believe something
Incubated
Develop slowly without outward or perceptible signs
Cosplay
Practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game
Balk
Hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking
Maladroit
Ineffective or bungling; clumsy
Dichotomous
Characterized by a division or contrast between two things that are entirely different
Evince
Reveal the presence of (a quality or feeling)
Elucidate
Make something clear; explain
Endemic
(Of a disease or condition) regularly found among particular people or in a certain area
Extant
(Especially of a document) still in existence; surviving
Impel
Drive, force, or urge someone to do something
Canter
A 3-beat gait of a horse or other quadrupled animal between a trot & a gallop; move at a canter in a particular direction
Intransigence
Refusal to change one’s views or to agree about something
Deontology
The study of the nature of duty & obligation
Impinge
Have an effect or impact, especially a negative one
Interlocutor
Person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation
Imagism
Movement in early 20th century English & American poetry which sought clarity of expression through the use of precise images
Metier
A trade, profession, or occupation; an occupation or activity one is good at; an outstanding or advantageous characteristic
Autotelic
(Of an activity or creative work); having an end or purpose in itself
Liminal
Relating to a transition or initial stage of process; occupying a position at, or on both sides, of a boundary or threshold
Ingratiate
Bring oneself into favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them
Approbation
Approval or praise
Fodder
Food, especially dried hay or feed for cattle & other livestock
Eclectic
Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources
Apposite
Apt in the circumstances or in relation to something
Balk!
Hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking; illegal motion made by a pitcher that may deceive a baserunner
Knotty
Full of knots; complex
Eminent!
(Of a person): famous & respected within a particular sphere or profession
Infirmity
Physical or mental weakness
Compere
Person who introduces performers or contestants in a variety show; host
Mirth
Amusement, especially as expressed in laughter
Appetitive
Characterized by a natural desire to satisfy bodily needs
Distal
Situated away from the center of the body or the point of attachment
Manifold
Many & various; a collection of points forming a certain kind of set
Epistemic
Relating to knowledge or to the degree of its validation
Anorak
A waterproof jacket, typically with a hood, originally used in polar regions; a studious or obsessive person with unfashionable & largely solitary interests
Languid
Displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow & relaxed; weak or faint from fatigue or illness
Landseer
Edwin Henry Landseer; English painter & sculptor known for his paintings of animals
Forecourt
Open area in front of a large building
Bedlam
Scene of uproar & confusion; an institution for the care of mentally ill people
Maitre d
Person who oversees waitpersons & busboys & typically handles reservations
Flurazepam
Prescription drug used to help people fall asleep & stay asleep
Mandarin
A powerful official or senior bureaucrat, especially one perceived as reactionary & secretive
Gaudy
Extravagantly bright or showy, typically so as to be tasteless
Courier
Company or employee of a company that transports commercial packages & documents
Courtesan
A prostitute, especially one with wealthy or upper-class clients
Arid
Having little or no rain: too dry or barren to support vegetation; lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning
Fag
A tiring or unwelcome task; work hard, especially at a tedious job or task
Dross
Something regarded as worthless: rubbish
Insouciant
Showing a casual lack of concern; indifferent
Bohemia
Socially unconventional, artistic people & the areas they frequent