Advanced Vocab Words - Set 7 Flashcards

Learn to understand and effectively use 100 advanced vocabulary words. Improve your test scores, or simply be more articulate in your daily life. Each word is used in context in a sample sentence and includes synonyms and a pronunciation guide.

1
Q

Define:

dissociate

(dih-soh-see-ate)

A

v. to consider as separate

v. to break away

When news of the company’s fraud broke out, former affiliates tried to dissociate themselves from the partnership.

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2
Q

Define:

dissonant

(diss-ih-nunt)

A

adj. not in agreement; discordant

adj. unpleasant or harsh sounding

The first song the group performed surprised the audience with its dissonant chords and unusual length.

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3
Q

Define:

distend

(dih-stend)

A

v. to swell or widen

The children watched in fascination as the frog distended its throat and croaked.

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4
Q

Define:

distill

(dih-still)

A

v. to make pure

v. to take out from

The essence of the substance was distilled through a complicated process.

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5
Q

Define:

divest

(dahy-vest)

A

v. to deprive or dispossess

v. to dispose of assets

He was divested of his privileges and title after breaking the club’s most important rule.

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6
Q

Define:

doctrinaire

(dock-truh-nair)

A

adj. following theory without regard for practical reality

The new president’s doctrinaire attitude towards economics led him to go through with some harmful policies.

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7
Q

Define:

elate

(ee-late)

A

v. to fill with optimism or excitement

Activists were elated to hear about the passage of the civil rights legislation.

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8
Q

Define:

elegy

(ell-ih-djee)

A

n. a mournful poem or song

At her father’s funeral, Linda chose to read an elegy by his favorite poet, Keats.

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9
Q

Define:

elucidate

(ih-loo-sih-dehyt)

A

v. to make easier to understand

The company introduced simplified diagrams on its packaging to elucidate its new environmentally-friendly manufacturing process.

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10
Q

Define:

emaciate

(ih-mehy-shee-ehyt)

A

v. to make or become thin

He emerged from the prisoner camp emaciated by months of inadequate rations.

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11
Q

Define:

emollient

(ih-mole-yunt)

A

adj. having the effect of softening

The cream was popular for its moisturizing and emollient properties.

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12
Q

Define:

venal

(veen-l)

A

adj. capable of being bought or bribed; mercenary; corruptible

Naturally, the case was declared a mistrial when its venal judge was shown to have sought bribes from both the prosecution and the defense.

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13
Q

Define:

doggerel

(daw-ger-uhl)

A

n. trivial, poorly constructed verse

adj. comic, burlesque; loose and irregular

The doggerel found in some publications is often a result of lazy editing.

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14
Q

Define:

manse

(manss)

A

n. a clergyman’s house

n. a mansion

The architect just finished the plans for the minister’s new manse.

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15
Q

Define:

nexus

(nek-suhss)

A

n. a connected series; a tie or link

n. the center or focus

The detective pursued several corrupt police officials and so uncovered the nexus of the city’s violent crime.

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16
Q

Define:

promulgate

(prom-uhl-geyt)

A

v. to make openly known; to officially announce

The governor promulgated the new building code by special courier to each of the state’s municipalities.

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17
Q

Define:

dross

(drawss)

A

n. rubbish, waste, or foreign matter; impurity

Fred dismissed the criticisms of his portfolio, pointing out that the gold had far outweighed the dross through his long career.

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18
Q

Define:

demur

(duh-mur)

A

v. to take exception; to object

n. an objection

Though he was essentially in favor of freedom of speech, he demurred at certain types of hate speech.

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19
Q

Define:

felicitous

(fih-liss-ih-tuss)

A

adj. appropriate, suitable (as of a comment); well-chosen

Though Zhang and Eric are nothing alike, their complementary strengths made for a felicitous pairing as lab partners.

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20
Q

Define:

veritable

(ver-ih-tuh-buhl)

A

adj. authentic, real, true

In such a moderate district, winning more than 60 percent of the vote is a veritable landslide.

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21
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to consider as separate

v. to break away

A

dissociate

(dih-soh-see-ate)

synonyms: separate, detach, disjoin, disconnect, disengage

It’s important to dissociate your personal feelings from your professional decisions.

After the argument, she chose to dissociate herself from the group.

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22
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

adj. not in agreement; discordant

adj. unpleasant or harsh sounding

A

dissonant

(diss-ih-nunt)

synonyms: discordant, clashing, jarring, cacophonous, conflicting

The dissonant chords in the song created an unsettling atmosphere.

Their opinions were so dissonant that it was difficult to reach a consensus.

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23
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to swell or widen

A

distend

(dih-stend)

synonyms: bulge, swell, bloat, expand, inflate

The balloon began to distend as more air was pumped into it.

After the big meal, my stomach started to distend, making me uncomfortable.

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24
Q

Which of your vocabulary words means the following?

v. to make pure

v. to take out from

A

distill

(dih-still)

synonyms: boil down, condense, extract, purify, refine

The process to distill the alcohol took several hours to ensure purity.

He tried to distill the essence of the argument into a single sentence.

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25
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to deprive or dispossess v. to dispose of assets
divest | (dahy-**vest**) ## Footnote synonyms: release, give up possession, rid, disencumber, unload The company decided to _divest_ its non-core business units to focus on its main operations. She felt it was time to _divest_ herself of unnecessary possessions.
26
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. following theory without regard for practical reality
doctrinaire | (dock-truh-**nair**) ## Footnote synonyms: dogmatic, unrealistic, ideological, rigid, purist His _doctrinaire_ approach to politics often led to conflicts with more pragmatic colleagues. The _doctrinaire_ adherence to the rules stifled creativity in the project.
27
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to fill with optimism or excitement
elate | (ee-**late**) ## Footnote synonyms: uplift, exalt, to make very proud or happy, inspire, thrill, elevate The news of her promotion will surely _elate_ her family.
28
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a mournful poem or song
elegy | (**ell**-ih-djee) ## Footnote synonyms: death song, lament, a mournful composition, requiem, dirge The poet wrote an _elegy_ to honor the fallen soldiers.
29
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to make easier to understand
elucidate | (ih-**loo**-sih-dehyt) ## Footnote synonyms: clarify, simplify, expose, explain, illuminate The professor used diagrams to _elucidate_ complex theories.
30
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to make or become thin
emaciate | (ih-**mehy**-shee-ehyt) ## Footnote synonyms: decrease, starve, weaken, wither, shrink The prolonged illness caused him to _emaciate_ rapidly.
31
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. having the effect of softening
emollient | (ih-**mole**-yunt) ## Footnote synonyms: relaxing, relieving, soothing, calming, pacifying The _emollient_ cream helped soothe her dry skin.
32
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. capable of being bought or bribed; mercenary
venal | (**veen**-l) ## Footnote synonyms: dishonest, corruptible, bribable, unethical, greedy The politician's _venal_ actions raised concerns about his integrity.
33
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. trivial, poorly constructed verse
doggerel | (**daw**-ger-uhl) ## Footnote synonyms: awkward, droll, simplistic, crude, trivial His poem was more _doggerel_ than art, lacking depth and meaning.
34
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a clergyman's house n. a mansion
manse | (**manss**) ## Footnote synonyms: dwelling, house, residence, rectory, abode The _manse_ hosted the church's community events. The _manse_ was adorned with elegant furnishings and vast gardens.
35
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a connected series; a tie or link n. the center or focus
nexus | (**nek**-suhss) ## Footnote synonyms: web, union; core, connection, focal point The _nexus_ between the two research teams led to groundbreaking discoveries. The conference served as the _nexus_ for industry leaders to discuss innovative strategies.
36
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to make openly known; to officially announce
promulgate | (**prom**-uhl-geyt) ## Footnote synonyms: advertise, broadcast, declare, proclaim, announce The organization will _promulgate_ the new policy at the upcoming meeting.
37
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. slag, waste, or foreign matter; impurity
dross | (**drawss**) ## Footnote synonyms: dregs, scum, waste, refuse, residue The factory removed the _dross_ from the metal to ensure its purity.
38
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to take exception; to object n. an objection
demur | (duh-**mur**) ## Footnote synonyms: disagree, challenge, oppose, protest, resist She decided to _demur_ when asked to sign the controversial petition.
39
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. appropriate, suitable (as of a comment); well-chosen
felicitous | (fih-**liss**-ih-tuss) ## Footnote synonyms: apt, fitting, favorable, timely, relevant His _felicitous_ remarks during the ceremony made everyone feel welcomed.
40
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. authentic, real, true
veritable | (**ver**-ih-tuh-buhl) ## Footnote synonyms: bona fide, genuine, legitimate, actual, undisputed The _veritable_ evidence presented in court changed the case's outcome.
41
# Define: impassive | (im-**pass**-iv)
adj. showing no emotion; stoic; unmoved ## Footnote Who could remain _impassive_ after such a heart-wrenching story?
42
# Define: hermetic | (hur-**met**-ik)
adj. airtight, impervious to outside influence; isolated ## Footnote The tomb's _hermetic_ seal had never been opened.
43
# Define: fracas | (**frey**-kuhs)
n. a noisy fight or quarrel ## Footnote In the middle of the day, a _fracas_ between two cab drivers erupted in the street.
44
# Define: eminence | (**em**-ih-nunce)
n. a place of high rank ## Footnote Late in her career, Aida was finally recognized for achieving _eminence_ in filmmaking.
45
# Define: epigram | (**ep**-ih-gram)
n. a witty saying ## Footnote The comedian became famous for his instantly recognizable _epigrams_ and one-liners.
46
# Define: epitome | (uh-**pit**-uh-mee)
n. a particularly worthy example of a class or type ## Footnote The salon's customers praised his work as the _epitome_ of high-class hairstyling.
47
# Define: equanimity | (ek-wuh-**nim**-ih-tee)
n. steadiness of mind ## Footnote A good leader maintains her _equanimity_ even during a crisis.
48
# Define: equivocal | (uh-**kwiv**-uh-kul)
adj. uncertain or open to interpretation ## Footnote The doctor's conclusion was rather _equivocal_, so I asked for a second opinion.
49
# Define: erudite | (**air**-ya-dahyt)
adj. having profound knowledge or wisdom ## Footnote The _erudite_ professor was extremely knowledgeable but difficult to understand in lectures.
50
# Define: espouse | (uh-**spouz**)
v. to give or take in matrimony v. to take up or adopt (e.g., a cause) ## Footnote Although she claims to be nonconformist, Becky merely _espouses_ the same beliefs she has read about in various books and websites.
51
# Define: eradicate | (ih-**rad**-ih-kehyt)
v. to eliminate completely ## Footnote The poison succeeded in _eradicating_ all of the insects that had invaded the house.
52
# Define: estrange | (ih-**strange**)
v. to arouse hostility in v. to remove from a group or relationship ## Footnote A particularly mean-spirited remark from her stepmother finally _estranged_ Maggie from her family, and she has not been home since.
53
# Define: evanescent | (ev-ih-**ness**-unt)
adj. tending to vanish ## Footnote The _evanescent_ beauty of cherry blossoms may have inspired the respect for short-lived pleasures evident in the Japanese psyche.
54
# Define: extrinsic | (ik-**strin**-zik)
adj. originating from the outside ## Footnote The parents' cheers were useful for _extrinsic_ motivation, but the coach told the team that the drive to win must come from inside themselves.
55
# Define: exult | (ig-**zult**)
v. to express joy or elation ## Footnote The winning candidate's campaign team began to _exult_ the moment they heard the news.
56
# Define: facetious | (fuh-**see**-shuss)
adj. humorous with a sarcastic tone ## Footnote The student's _facetious_ comments were seen as disrespectful by his professor.
57
# Define: facile | (**fass**-ul)
adj. done with ease adj. shallow, uncomplicated ## Footnote Though _facile_ references to cooperation may inspire some workers, others remain unconvinced until their higher-ups go into specifics.
58
# Define: rectitude | (**rek**-tih-tood)
n. moral righteousness n. the quality of being right ## Footnote The priest praised him for his _rectitude_ in the face of temptation.
59
# Define: crucible | (**kroo**-suh-buhl)
n. a metal container made of heat resistant material n. a severe test n. a place or time characterized by powerful forces ## Footnote He was cast into the _crucible_ of depression by his daughter's diagnosis.
60
# Define: ingenue | (**an**-je-noo)
n. a naive, innocent young woman ## Footnote Do you take me for an _ingenue_ who has never been to the city?
61
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. showing no emotion; stoic; unmoved
impassive | (im-**pass**-iv) ## Footnote synonyms: apathetic, unfeeling, expressionless, emotionless, cold Despite the chaos around him, he remained _impassive_.
62
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. airtight, impervious to outside influence; isolated
hermetic | (hur-**met**-ik) ## Footnote synonyms: impervious, shut, sealed, airtight, secure The _hermetic_ seal ensured that no air entered the container.
63
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a noisy fight or quarrel
fracas | (**frey**-kuhs) ## Footnote synonyms: disturbance, fight, brawl, uproar, altercation The _fracas_ in the street drew the attention of nearby residents.
64
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a place of high rank
eminence | (**em**-ih-nunce) ## Footnote synonyms: importance, authority, prestige, prominence, distinction His _eminence_ in the field of science earned him numerous awards.
65
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a witty saying
epigram | (**ep**-ih-gram) ## Footnote synonyms: quirk, joke, adage, wisecrack His witty _epigram_ perfectly captured the absurdity of the situation.
66
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a particularly worthy example of a class or type
epitome | (uh-**pit**-uh-mee) ## Footnote synonyms: ideal, model, paragon, embodiment She is the _epitome_ of professionalism in her field.
67
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. steadiness of mind
equanimity | (ek-wuh-**nim**-ih-tee) ## Footnote synonyms: composure, poise, calmness, serenity He handled the crisis with remarkable _equanimity_.
68
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. uncertain or open to interpretation
equivocal | (uh-**kwiv**-uh-kul) ## Footnote synonyms: doubtful, questionable, ambiguous, unclear The CEO's _equivocal_ response left many questions unanswered.
69
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. having profound knowledge or wisdom
erudite | (**air**-ya-dahyt) ## Footnote synonyms: educated, cultured, savvy, knowledgeable The _erudite_ professor was a favorite among students for his deep insights.
70
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to give or take in matrimony v. to take up or adopt (e.g., a cause)
espouse | (uh-**spouz**) ## Footnote synonyms: marry, engage; support, defend, adopt, promote They decided to _espouse_ their commitment to environmental sustainability by starting a community garden. The organization chose to _espouse_ the cause of social justice and actively work towards equality.
71
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to eliminate completely
eradicate | (ih-**rad**-ih-kehyt) ## Footnote synonyms: destroy, annihilate, eliminate, exterminate The organization aims to _eradicate_ poverty in the community.
72
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to arouse hostility in v. to remove oneself from a group or relationship
estrange | (ih-**strange**) ## Footnote synonyms: antagonize, disaffect; separate, disconnect, alienate, isolate His harsh comments served to _estrange_ him from his closest friends. After the disagreement, she felt it was best to _estrange_ herself from the toxic relationship.
73
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. tending to vanish
evanescent | (ev-ih-**ness**-unt) ## Footnote synonyms: transient, disappearing, vanishing, fleeting, momentary The _evanescent_ beauty of the sunset left everyone in awe.
74
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. originating from the outside
extrinsic | (ik-**strin**-zik) ## Footnote synonyms: foreign, acquired, alien, outward, external, outside, extraneous The _extrinsic_ factors influencing the market include global events and trends.
75
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to express joy or elation
exult | (ig-**zult**) ## Footnote synonyms: delight, jubilate, rejoice, celebrate The team began to _exult_ after their hard-fought victory in the championship game.
76
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. humorous with a sarcastic tone
facetious | (fuh-**see**-shuss) ## Footnote synonyms: ironic, not serious, flippant, glib His _facetious_ remarks during the meeting lightened the mood but also annoyed some colleagues.
77
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. done with ease adj. shallow, uncomplicated
facile | (**fass**-ul) ## Footnote synonyms: effortless, simplistic, easy, superficial The athlete’s _facile_ performance made it look effortless. His _facile_ analysis failed to address the deeper issues at hand.
78
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. moral righteousness n. the quality of being right
rectitude | (**rek**-tih-tood) ## Footnote synonyms: decency, integrity; correctness, righteousness, morality His _rectitude_ was evident in his unwavering commitment to justice. The _rectitude_ of her decision was recognized by everyone in the community.
79
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a metal container made of heat resistant material n. a severe test n. a place or time characterized by powerful forces
crucible | (**kroo**-suh-buhl) ## Footnote synonyms: vessel; calamity, trial, test, challenge, ordeal The blacksmith used a _crucible_ to melt the metal for his new creation. The team's performance in the championship was a true _crucible_ of their skills and determination. The city became a _crucible_ of cultural change during the artistic renaissance.
80
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a naive, innocent young woman
ingenue | (**an**-zhuh-noo) ## Footnote synonyms: amateur, learner, novice, debutante The film featured an _ingenue_ who captured everyone's hearts with her innocence.
81
# Define: cadge | (**kadj**)
v. to beg or ask for; to impose on another's generosity ## Footnote The drunk was _cadging_ cigarettes from strangers.
82
# Define: flout | (**flahwt**)
v. to demonstrate contempt for; to mock with disdain v. to disregard, to disobey ## Footnote She _flouted_ convention with her bizarre style of dress.
83
# Define: ennui | (ahn-**wee**)
n. dissatisfaction and restlessness due to boredom or apathy ## Footnote Go Fish could not cure our rainy-day _ennui_.
84
# Define: urbanity | (ur-**ban**-ih-tee)
n. refinement and elegance of manner; polished courtesy ## Footnote It was difficult not to be captivated by the palpable _urbanity_ in everything she said.
85
# Define: vicissitude | (vih-**siss**-ih-tood)
n. a sudden, unexpected change, as in one's life ## Footnote John found inner strength and confronted the _vicissitudes_ of a troubled life admirably.
86
# Define: hubris | (**hyoo**-bris)
n. arrogant presumption, excessive pride ## Footnote The president's _hubris_ led to the desertion of many of his erstwhile friends who missed the humble and prudent politician they once knew.
87
# Define: fallow | (**fal**-owe)
adj. undeveloped (often despite the potential to be used) ## Footnote In the United States, some farmers are paid to leave parts of their land _fallow_ in order to limit agricultural output.
88
# Define: fathom | (**fath**-um)
v. to calculate the depth of v. to comprehend ## Footnote I cannot even _fathom_ the idea of giving up my child for adoption.
89
# Define: fatuous | (**fach**-oo-us)
adj. inanely foolish ## Footnote Most of his peers and relations thought his dream of becoming both a doctor and astronaut was _fatuous_ at best.
90
# Define: ferment | (v. fur-**ment**; n. **fur**-ment)
v. to process sugar into alcohol organically v. to work up n. a state of excitement or turbulence ## Footnote The _ferment_ into which Watson and Crick's discovery of DNA thrust the world of evolutionary biology was slow to die down.
91
# Define: fervent | (**fur-**vent)
adj. filled with strong emotion ## Footnote Her _fervent_ desire to help others led her to start her own charity organization with her inheritance.
92
# Define: fetter | (**fet**-er)
n. a restraint v. to restrict or restrain ## Footnote The designer felt his creativity was _fettered_ by his client's demands.
93
# Define: garrulous | (**gair**-uh-luss)
adj. overly talkative (esp. about unimportant topics) ## Footnote The woman's _garrulous_ nature annoyed most of her coworkers.
94
# Define: gauche | (**goash**)
adj. unsophisticated; lacking manners ## Footnote Linda kept to herself at her boss's cocktail party, lest she say something _gauche_ and embarrass herself.
95
# Define: germane | (djer-**mehyn**)
adj. relevant to the matter at hand ## Footnote Kevin had a hard time finding materials that were actually _germane_ to his project and not just tangentially related.
96
# Define: glib | (**glihb**)
adj. spoken in a smooth, unconcerned manner adj. informal to the point of being insincere ## Footnote The politician annoyed many journalists with his _glib_ responses.
97
# Define: glutton | (**glut**-un)
n. a person who eats to excess ## Footnote Johnny got in trouble so often that his professors began asking if he was a "_glutton_ for punishment".
98
# Define: grandiloquent | (gran-**dill**-ih-kwunt)
adj. extravagant and pompous in speech ## Footnote The _grandiloquent_ speech did not have much substance, leaving the audience confused about its purpose.
99
# Define: gratuitous | (gruh-**too**-ih-tuss)
adj. unwarranted or unnecessary ## Footnote The movie disgusted her due to its _gratuitous_ violence, which served no plot function so far as she could tell.
100
# Define: gregarious | (grih-**gair**-ee-us)
adj. outgoing and friendly adj. tending to live in communities ## Footnote This _gregarious_ species of bird may be found in flocks of up to one hundred individuals.
101
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to beg or ask for; to impose on another's generosity
cadge | (**kadj**) ## Footnote synonyms: hawk, mooch, scrounge, solicit The artist would often _cadge_ a meal from friends during tough times.
102
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to demonstrate contempt for; to mock with disdain
flout | (**flahwt**) ## Footnote synonyms: deride, mock, ridicule, scorn, disdain He chose to _flout_ the dress code by wearing jeans to the formal event.
103
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. dissatisfaction and restlessness due to boredom or apathy
ennui | (ahn-**wee**) ## Footnote synonyms: tedium, weariness, disinterest, boredom, listlessness The rainy day brought a sense of _ennui_ that made everyone feel lethargic.
104
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. refinement and elegance of manner; polished courtesy
urbanity | (ur-**ban**-ih-tee) ## Footnote synonyms: elegance, charming, sophistication, refinement Her _urbanity_ was evident in the way she addressed every guest at the party.
105
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a sudden, unexpected change, as in one's life
vicissitude | (vih-**siss**-ih-tood) ## Footnote synonyms: alteration, hardship, adversity, fluctuation, change The _vicissitude_ of the economy left many families struggling to make ends meet.
106
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. arrogant presumption, excessive pride
hubris | (**hyoo**-bris) ## Footnote synonyms: brass, conceitedness, nerve, arrogance, overconfidence His _hubris_ ultimately led to his downfall, as he ignored the advice of seasoned experts.
107
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. undeveloped (often despite the potential to be used)
fallow | (**fal**-owe) ## Footnote synonyms: neglected, inactive, vacant, unused, barren The _fallow_ land was finally cultivated after years of neglect.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to calculate the depth of v. to comprehend
fathom | (**fath**-um) ## Footnote synonyms: measure; understand; gauge, discern The diver used a special device to _fathom_ the depth of the ocean at that location. It took her a moment to _fathom_ the complexity of the scientific theory presented in the lecture.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. inanely foolish
fatuous | (**fach**-oo-us) ## Footnote synonyms: silly, frivolous, absurd, witless
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to process sugar into alcohol organically v. to work up n. a state of excitement or turbulence
ferment | (v. fur-**ment**, n. **fur**-ment) ## Footnote synonyms: disturb, agitate; agitation, uprising, excitement; turmoil, unrest The winemaker used natural fermentation to _ferment_ the grapes into wine. As the project progressed, the team began to _ferment_ new ideas and strategies. The political rally created a _ferment_ of emotions among the attendees.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. filled with strong emotion
fervent | (**fur**-vent) ## Footnote synonyms: ardent, zealous, impassioned; passionate, intense Her _fervent_ desire to help others led her to start her own charity organization.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a restraint v. to restrict or restrain
fetter | (**fet**-er) ## Footnote synonyms: tie up, bind; shackle, constrain The judge imposed a _fetter_ to ensure the defendant did not leave the country. The rules were put in place to _fetter_ any attempts at cheating during the exam.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. overly talkative (esp. about unimportant topics)
garrulous | (**gair**-uh-luss) ## Footnote synonyms: babbling, chatty, verbose; loquacious, talkative The woman's _garrulous_ nature annoyed most of her coworkers.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. unsophisticated; lacking manners
gauche | (**goash**) ## Footnote synonyms: tactless, crude, awkward, unrefined Her _gauche_ remarks at the dinner party made everyone feel uncomfortable.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. relevant to the matter at hand
germane | (djer-**mehyn**) ## Footnote synonyms: appropriate, applicable, befitting, pertinent, related The professor emphasized that only _germane_ questions would be addressed during the discussion.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. spoken in a smooth, unconcerned manner adj. informal to the point of being insincere
glib | (**glihb**) ## Footnote synonyms: nonchalant, fluent, thoughtless, superficial, insincere His _glib_ remarks during the meeting failed to address the real issues at hand. The salesperson's _glib_ assurances about the product's quality raised suspicions among the customers.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a person who eats to excess
glutton | (**glut**-un) ## Footnote synonyms: gorger, hog, overeater, devourer The _glutton_ at the buffet piled his plate high, showing no signs of stopping.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. extravagant and pompous in speech
grandiloquent | (gran-**dill**-ih-kwunt) ## Footnote synonyms: self-important, lofty, verbose, pretentious The politician's _grandiloquent_ speech was filled with flowery language but lacked substance.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. unwarranted or unnecessary
gratuitous | (gruh-**too**-ih-tuss) ## Footnote synonyms: unneeded, wanton, excessive, redundant The film's _gratuitous_ violence overshadowed its otherwise compelling storyline.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. outgoing and friendly adj. tending to live in communities
gregarious | (grih-**gair**-ee-us) ## Footnote synonyms: affable, cordial, sociable, extroverted, social, communal Her _gregarious_ nature made it easy for her to make friends wherever she went. The _gregarious_ species of bird often congregates in large flocks during migration.
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# Define: guile | (**gahyl**)
n. trickery or duplicity ## Footnote His offer was free of _guile_ and meant only to be helpful.
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# Define: hyperbole | (hahy-**pur**-buh-lee)
n. exaggeration ## Footnote The statement that "I'm so hungry, I could eat a cow," is _hyperbole_ and not meant to be taken literally.
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# Define: iconoclast | (eye-**con**-uh-klast)
n. one who challenges generally accepted beliefs and traditions ## Footnote The _iconoclasts_ who upended Britain's post-war consensus took a much harder line against unions than had been the norm.
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# Define: idiosyncrasy | (id-ee-owe-**sing**-kruh-see)
n. a peculiar way of behaving or thinking ## Footnote His obsession with removing his shoes the moment they got wet was one of his many _idiosyncrasies_.
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# Define: idyll | (**ahyd**-ul)
n. a scene of simple and tranquil nature n. a short poem about such a scene ## Footnote Her favorite poems are _idylls_ about the joys of life in the country.
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# Define: immutable | (ih-**mew**-tuh-bull)
adj. not susceptible to change ## Footnote The actors knew that once the director made a decision about a scene, it was _immutable_ and not open to debate.
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# Define: imperious | (im-**peer**-ee-us)
adj. proud and arrogant ## Footnote The actress replied to her manager's concerns with an _imperious_ wave of her hand.
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# Define: impetuous | (im-**pech**-oo-us)
adj. hasty and lacking in thought ## Footnote His _impetuous_ and eager nature led him to take on more projects than he could realistically complete.
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# Define: impetus | (**im**-pih-tuss)
n. a force that encourages or pushes forward a certain activity n. a force that moves an object ## Footnote The sudden publicity around the violence in India gave _impetus_ to the campaign to end the conflict through international mediation.
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# Define: implacable | (im-**plack**-ih-bull)
adj. impossible to calm or satisfy ## Footnote According to my mother, I was an _implacable_ baby who often kept her up through the night.
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# Define: inert | (in-**urt**)
adj. not able to move adj. having no energy or interest adj. chemically inactive ## Footnote After hours at the gym, Luke could only lie about the house, _inert_ and exhausted.
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# Define: infallible | (in-**fal**-ih-bull)
adj. incapable of error ## Footnote Many of the actor's fans considered him _infallible_, so it was shocking when his latest film was widely panned.
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# Define: ingenuous | (in-**djehn**-you-us)
adj. unable to mask feelings adj. lacking worldliness; innocent and unsuspecting ## Footnote Kate was too _ingenuous_ to realize that accepting a ride from a stranger might be a bad idea.
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# Define: iniquitous | (ih-**nick**-wih-tuss)
adj. wicked or unjust ## Footnote The villain's _iniquitous_ plan was fortunately foiled again by the hero.
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# Define: innocuous | (ih-**nock**-you-us)
adj. not likely to injure or harm adj. not controversial adj. uninspiring or uninteresting ## Footnote This insect looks dangerous and frightening but is actually _innocuous_.
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# Define: inoculate | (ih-**nock**-yuh-late)
v. to vaccinate; to introduce an idea/attitude into the mind of ## Footnote In most states, children must be _inoculated_ against common diseases before they enter public school.
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# Define: insolence | (**in**-suh-lunce)
n. rudeness; a lack of respect ## Footnote When she could no longer stand the child's _insolence_, the babysitter called his parents to complain.
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# Define: insular | (**in**-suh-lurr)
adj. limited in outlook adj. physically or emotionally removed from others ## Footnote Having grown up in a small, _insular_ town her whole life, Linda longed to move to a big city.
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# Define: intractable | (in-**track**-tuh-bull)
adj. not easily managed or governed adj. not easily manipulated or molded adj. not easily treated ## Footnote The horse was too _intractable_ to be used in the race.
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# Define: laconic | (luh-**con**-ik)
adj. brief and direct, often to the point of seeming rude ## Footnote Kevin's _laconic_ response was unfortunately perceived as a rebuff and he was not invited to any more gatherings.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. trickery or duplicity
guile | (**gahyl**) ## Footnote synonyms: slyness, deceit, cunning, trickery, deception The con artist used _guile_ to swindle unsuspecting victims out of their savings.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. exaggeration
hyperbole | (hahy-**pur**-buh-lee) ## Footnote synonyms: exaggeration, embellishment, overstatement, magnification Her claim that she could run a mile in under four minutes was pure _hyperbole_.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. one who challenges generally accepted beliefs and traditions
iconoclast | (eye-**con**-uh-klast) ## Footnote synonyms: detractor, cynic, dissenter, rebel, nonconformist As an _iconoclast_, he often questioned the status quo and pushed for innovative ideas.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a peculiar way of behaving or thinking
idiosyncrasy | (id-ee-owe-**sing**-kruh-see) ## Footnote synonyms: oddity, quirk, peculiarity, eccentricity, trait His habit of wearing mismatched socks was just one of his many _idiosyncrasies_.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a scene of simple and tranquil nature n. a short poem about such a scene
idyll | (**ahyd**-ul) ## Footnote synonyms: ballad, lyric, pastoral, tranquil scene, haven The garden was an _idyll_, with blooming flowers and gentle breezes that brought a sense of peace. The poet composed an _idyll_ celebrating the beauty of a quiet countryside at dawn.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. not susceptible to change
immutable | (ih-**mew**-tuh-bull) ## Footnote synonyms: unchangeable, constant, eternal, steadfast The laws of physics are considered immutable, remaining constant regardless of circumstances.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. proud and arrogant
imperious | (im-**peer**-ee-us) ## Footnote synonyms: haughty, domineering, overbearing, arrogant. Her _imperious_ demeanor made it clear that she expected everyone to obey her commands without question.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. hasty and lacking in thought
impetuous | (im-**pech**-oo-us) ## Footnote synonyms: hasty, rash, unplanned, impulsive, reckless His _impetuous_ decision to quit his job without a backup plan left him in a difficult situation.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a force that encourages or pushes forward a certain activity n. a force that moves an object
impetus | (**im**-pih-tuss) ## Footnote synonyms: driving force, push, incentive, momentum, stimulus The grant provided the _impetus_ for the researchers to expand their study. The wind acted as an _impetus_, propelling the sailboat swiftly across the water.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. impossible to calm or satisfy
implacable | (im-**plack**-ih-bull) ## Footnote synonyms: ruthless, unappeasable, unbending, relentless, merciless Her _implacable_ anger left no room for negotiation after the betrayal.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. not able to move adj. having no energy or interest adj. chemically inactive
inert | (in-**urt**) ## Footnote synonyms: lifeless, still, inactive, dormant, motionless, sluggish, torpid The heavy boulder remained _inert_ on the hillside, refusing to budge. After a long day at work, I felt completely _inert_ and unable to do anything productive.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. incapable of error
infallible | (in-**fal**-ih-bull) ## Footnote synonyms: absolute, certain, definite, foolproof, flawless The scientist believed his method was _infallible_, but unforeseen variables led to unexpected results.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. unable to mask feelings adj. lacking worldliness; innocent or unsuspecting
ingenuous | (in-**djehn**-you-us) ## Footnote synonyms: direct, genuine, naive, straightforward, innocent, candid His _ingenuous_ expression revealed his true emotions, making it clear how he felt. The _ingenuous_ child believed every word in the fairy tale, unaware of the harsh realities of life.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. wicked or unjust
iniquitous | (ih-**nick**-wih-tuss) ## Footnote synonyms: immoral, evil, corrupt, sinful, nefarious The _iniquitous_ practices of the corrupt regime shocked the international community.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. not likely to injure or harm adj. not controversial adj. uninspiring or uninteresting
innocuous | (ih-**nock**-you-us) ## Footnote synonyms: harmless, drab, safe, benign, insipid The new policy was designed to be _innocuous_, ensuring that it would not adversely affect any employees. Her comments were _innocuous_, sparking no debates or disagreements among the group.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to vaccinate; to introduce an idea/attitude into the mind of
inoculate | (ih-**nock**-yuh-late) ## Footnote synonyms: inject, immunize, vaccinate, protect, safeguard The doctor will _inoculate_ you against the flu this season.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. rudeness; a lack of respect
insolence | (**in**-suh-lunce) ## Footnote synonyms: nerve, impudence, rudeness, disrespect, audacity His _insolence_ towards the teacher resulted in a detention.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. limited in outlook adj. physically or emotionally removed from others
insular | (**in**-suh-lurr) ## Footnote synonyms: narrow-minded, limited; exclusive, unfriendly, secluded, detached His _insular_ perspective made it difficult for him to understand viewpoints different from his own. The community was _insular_, rarely interacting with the outside world or welcoming new ideas.
159
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. not easily managed or governed adj. not easily manipulated or molded adj. not easily treated
intractable | (in-**track**-tuh-bull) ## Footnote synonyms: unresponsive, refractory, stubborn, difficult, obstinate The _intractable_ patient refused to follow the treatment plan, making it challenging for the doctors to help him. The _intractable_ problem continued to baffle the researchers, who struggled to find a solution.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. brief and direct, often to the point of seeming rude
laconic | (luh-**con**-ik) ## Footnote synonyms: concise, cogent, terse, succinct His _laconic_ replies made it hard to tell what he was really thinking.
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# Define: lampoon | (lam-**poon**)
n. a sharp satire mocking a person or group through an artistic medium v. to satirize or attack in such a style ## Footnote Many modern comedies focus solely on _lampooning_ typical films from a variety of genres.
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# Define: latent | (**lehy**-tent)
adj. present or existing but not currently visible ## Footnote The doctor explained that she had died of a _latent_ heart condition that was not detected until it was too late to treat.
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# Define: lattice | (**lat**-is)
n. a pattern consisting of, or resembling, an interwoven frame made by crisscrossing strips ## Footnote The back of the antique mirror was made of a _lattice_ of rich, dark wood.
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# Define: laud | (**lawd**)
v. to praise or glorify ## Footnote When he returned home, his relatives and friends _lauded_ him for his bravery on the battlefield.
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# Define: leaven | (**lev**-un)
v. to have an enlivening or lightening influence ## Footnote The few jokes he threw in did nothing to _leaven_ his grim sermon.
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# Define: lethargic | (luh-**thar**-djick)
adj. physically or mentally slow ## Footnote Although I have gotten over the worst of my illness, I am still too _lethargic_ to do anything but stay in bed.
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# Define: levy | (**lev**-ee)
v. to impose and collect n. a charge imposed ## Footnote The government decided that the best way to deal with the problem was to _levy_ a new tax on the ownership of pets.
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# Define: mean | (**meen**)
adj. low in status or quality n. a point between two extremes ## Footnote Ali is a moderate, preferring to choose the _mean_ when faced with extreme leftist and rightist arguments.
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# Define: meander | (mee-**an**-dur)
v. to wander in a leisurely manner ## Footnote I have a tendency to _meander_ about my large garden when I'm bored.
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# Define: medley | (**med**-lee)
n. a mixture of dissimilar things n. a musical composition of melodies from different songs ## Footnote The local singing group is renowned for their _medley_ of popular Beatles songs.
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# Define: melancholy | (**mel**-un-kol-ee)
n. a feeling of deep sadness adj. sad, dejected ## Footnote After her husband's departure, she spent months wallowing in _melancholy_.
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# Define: mercurial | (mur-**cure**-ee-ul)
adj. subject to sudden changes in mood adj. lively and quick ## Footnote My mother's _mercurial_ temperament makes it impossible to predict how she will react to bad news.
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# Define: monotonous | (muh-**not**-ih-nuss)
adj. tedious, repetitive adj. characterized by a tone of unvarying pitch ## Footnote My new job consists of putting letters into envelopes, organizing files in alphabetical order, and other _monotonous_ tasks.
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# Define: moratorium | (more-uh-**tore**-ee-um)
n. suspension of activity ## Footnote Failing to secure the necessary signatures for a referendum, the group tried to secure a _moratorium_ on gay marriages while their challenge was heard by the courts.
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# Define: mores | (**more**-ehyz)
n. the accepted customs of a particular group ## Footnote She went against the _mores_ of her community when she decided to keep her maiden name.
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# Define: morphology | (more-**fol**-uh-djee)
n. the study of form or structure ## Footnote Her interest in drawing bushes and flowers logically led her to read up on plant _morphology_.
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# Define: muse | (**mewz**)
v. to reflect deeply on a subject ## Footnote The students _mused_ over the message of the teacher's final lecture well after the class had ended.
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# Define: nadir | (**nehy**-dur)
n. the lowest point ## Footnote Stevenson has said that the weather is generally the "very _nadir_" of interesting conversational topics.
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# Define: nascent | (**neyss**-unt)
adj. just coming into existence ## Footnote The _nascent_ after-school program was already attracting the interest of a lot of parents and students.
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# Define: nebulous | (**neb**-yuh-luss)
adj. unclear or vague ## Footnote Their plans for the new student center were as yet too _nebulous_ to take to the board of directors for approval.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a sharp satire mocking a person or group through an artistic medium v. to satirize or attack in such a style
lampoon | (lam-**poon**) ## Footnote synonyms: parody, satire, spoof, ridicule The political cartoon was a biting _lampoon_ of the mayor's controversial policies. The comedian loved to _lampoon_ celebrities, turning their quirks into hilarious sketches.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. present or existing but not currently visible
latent | (**lehy**-tent) ## Footnote synonyms: hidden, invisible, dormant, concealed The _latent_ talent of the artist only emerged after years of practice.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. a pattern consisting of, or resembling, an interwoven frame made by crisscrossing strips
lattice | (**lat**-is) ## Footnote synonyms: mesh, filigree, net, grid, framework, trellis The garden was adorned with a beautiful _lattice_ covered in climbing roses.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to praise or glorify
laud | (**lawd**) ## Footnote synonyms: acclaim, celebrate, flatter, commend, praise, extol The community gathered to _laud_ the firefighters for their bravery during the rescue.
185
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to have an enlivening or lightening influence
leaven | (**lev**-un) ## Footnote synonyms: raise, lighten, stimulate, inspire Her enthusiasm helped to _leaven_ the atmosphere during the otherwise dull meeting.
186
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. physically or mentally slow
lethargic | (luh-**thar**-djick) ## Footnote synonyms: lazy, sluggish, inactive, weary After staying up late, I felt _lethargic_ and struggled to concentrate on my work.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to impose and collect n. a charge imposed
levy | (**lev**-ee) ## Footnote synonyms: demand, exact, impose; tax, fee, charge, assessment The city council decided to _levy_ a fine on homeowners who did not comply with the new regulations. The _levy_ on sugary drinks was implemented to encourage healthier choices among consumers.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. low in status or quality n. a point between two extremes
mean | (**meen**) ## Footnote synonyms: base, common, inferior; average, halfway, median, moderate His _mean_ attitude towards his coworkers made the office environment quite uncomfortable. The _mean_ of the test scores indicated that the students had a solid understanding of the material.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to wander in a leisurely manner
meander | (mee-**an**-dur) ## Footnote synonyms: drift, ramble, traipse, stroll, roam She liked to _meander_ through the park on sunny afternoons.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a mixture of dissimilar things n. a musical composition of melodies from different songs
medley | (**med**-lee) ## Footnote synonyms: assortment, patchwork, variety, mixture, montage The buffet featured a _medley_ of international dishes, showcasing flavors from around the world. The choir performed a _medley_ of classic hits that had the audience singing along.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. a feeling of deep sadness adj. sad, dejected
melancholy | (**mel**-un-kol-ee) ## Footnote synonyms: dejected, downcast, sad, sorrowful, gloomy After the breakup, she was overwhelmed by a profound sense of _melancholy_ that lingered for weeks. He wore a _melancholy_ expression as he reminisced about his childhood.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. subject to sudden changes in mood adj. lively and quick
mercurial | (mur-**cure**-ee-ul) ## Footnote synonyms: flighty, fluctuating; buoyant, volatile, lively Her _mercurial_ personality made it difficult for her friends to know how she would react to any situation. The _mercurial_ nature of the conversation kept everyone engaged and entertained.
193
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. tedious, repetitive adj. characterized by a tone of unvarying pitch
monotonous | (muh-**not**-ih-nuss) ## Footnote synonyms: droning, unchanging, repetitive, tedious The _monotonous_ task of sorting through endless paperwork drained her energy. His _monotonous_ voice made it hard for the audience to stay focused during the lecture.
194
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. suspension of activity
moratorium | (more-uh-**tore**-ee-um) ## Footnote synonyms: adjournment, break, delay, pause, interruption The government placed a _moratorium_ on new housing developments.
195
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. the accepted customs of a particular group
mores | (**more**-aze) ## Footnote synonyms: codes, ways, etiquette, ritual, customs, practices, norms Breaking the _mores_ of her community led to widespread disapproval.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. the study of form or structure
morphology | (more-**fol**-uh-djee) ## Footnote synonyms: study of form, study of structure, anatomy, configuration Her research focused on the _morphology_ of plant cells.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? v. to reflect deeply on a subject
muse | (**mewz**) ## Footnote synonyms: contemplate, ponder, reflect, ruminate She would often _muse_ over the meaning of life during quiet walks.
198
# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? n. the lowest point
nadir | (**nehy**-dur) ## Footnote synonyms: bottom, floor, lowest point, depths, rock bottom, base, abyss The company's financial struggles reached their _nadir_ when it declared bankruptcy.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. just coming into existence
nascent | (**neyss**-unt) ## Footnote synonyms: developing, beginning, emerging, fledgling The _nascent_ technology showed great promise for the future.
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# Which of your vocabulary words means the following? adj. unclear or vague
nebulous | (**neb**-yuh-luss) ## Footnote synonyms: obscure, indistinct, hazy, ambiguous His plans for the future remained _nebulous_ and undefined.