Advanced Vocab Workout Set 3 Flashcards
Define:
elate
(ee-late)
v. to fill with optimism or excitement
Activists were elated to hear about the passage of the civil rights legislation.
Define:
emollient
(ih-mole-yunt)
adj. having the effect of softening
The cream was popular for its moisturizing and emollient properties.
Define:
venal
(veen-l)
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.
Define:
espouse
(uh-spouz)
v. to give or take in matrimony
v. to take up or adopt (e.g., a cause)
Although she claims to be nonconformist, Becky merely espouses the same beliefs she has read about in various books and websites.
Define:
estrange
(ih-strange)
v. to arouse hostility in
v. to remove from a group or relationship
A particularly mean-spirited remark from her stepmother finally estranged Maggie from her family, and she has not been home since.
Define:
facetious
(fuh-see-shuss)
adj. humorous with a sarcastic tone
The student’s facetious comments were seen as disrespectful by his professor.
Define:
perfidy
(per-fih-dee)
n. a betrayal of trust
The soldier was known for his loyalty, so his act of perfidy was particularly shocking to his superior officers.
Define:
placid
(plass-id)
adj. free from disturbance
There currently reigns a placid atmosphere at City Hall, but don’t expect it to last much longer.
Define:
perspicacity
(per-spih-kass-ih-tee)
n. sharp powers of observation
The writer’s perspicacity made it easy for her to understand and write about human nature.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to fill with optimism or excitement
elate
(ee-late)
synonyms: uplift, exalt, to make very proud or happy
Define:
quiescent
(kwee-ess-unt)
adj. being quiet or still
The outlying region, usually a quiescent outpost of the empire, was the unlikely origin of the rebellion that would unseat the emperor.
Define:
rancor
(rang-kur)
n. a feeling of deep and bitter anger
Once the game ended there was no rancor between the opponents, despite the intensity of their match.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. capable of being bought or bribed; mercenary
venal
(veen-l)
synonyms: dishonest, corruptible
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)
synonyms: marry, engage; support, defend
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. having the effect of softening
emollient
(ih-mole-yunt)
synonyms: relaxing, relieving
