Advanced Vocab Words Flashcards
Some great sample flashcards from our SAT, GRE, and Vocab Junkie products.
Define:
temerity
(tuh-mer-i-tee)
n. reckless boldness
The temerity of the pirate crew cost them their ship.
Define:
depredate
(dep-rih-deyt)
v. to plunder, pillage, destroy
v. to exploit
The Vikings depredated the whole valley.
Define:
genuflect
(djen-yoo-flekt)
v. to bend knee to ground (as in worship)
v. to grovel
The king’s subjects genuflected when he entered the room.
Define:
wend
(wend)
v. to go, proceed, walk
We wended our way through the market.
Define:
pelagic
(puh-ladj-ik)
adj. relating to open seas rather than waters adjacent to land
The pelagic organism was only found in the deepest part of the ocean.
Define:
froward
(froh-werd)
adj. intractable, stubbornly disobedient, difficult to manage
The froward mule sat down and refused to move all afternoon.
Define:
punctilious
(puhngk-til-ee-uhs)
adj. precise, paying attention to trivialities of etiquette
A secretary who punctiliously records every detail.
Define:
aphorism
(af-uh-riz-uhm)
n. a tersely phrased truth or opinion; adage; epigram
n. a brief statement of principle; or general truth
The children had finally learned the meaning of the aphorism “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”.
Define:
purloin
(per-loin, per-loin)
v. to steal
The manipulative thief purloined the diamonds after gaining the confidence of their location.
Define:
esoteric
(es-uh-ter-ik)
adj. intended for or understood only by a particular group
adj. not publicly disclosed; confidential
The esoteric ideas of the cult failed to enlighten many outsiders.
Define:
succor
(suhk-er)
n. relief during a time of struggle
The Red Cross provides succor to refugees in emergency shelters.
Define:
protean
(proh-tee-uhn)
adj. readily assuming different forms or characters
Fans regarded the protean actress as capable of playing any role.
Define:
callous
(kal-uhs)
adj. insensitive; having no feeling
The callous remark upset the entire family.
Define:
proscribe
(proh-skrahyb)
v. to prohibit or forbid as harmful or unlawful
Citizens pushed to proscribe swimming in the polluted lake.
Define:
denouement
(dey-noo-mahn)
n. an outcome or solution to a complex series of events
Though public interest slackened after the arsonist was caught, the denouement of the case was just as interesting as the manhunt that had preceded it.
Define:
supercilious
(soo-per-sill-ee-uhs)
adj. arrogant, overbearing; displaying condescending superiority over someone else
His supercilious behavior drove away many of his peers.
