Articles and Books: Set 1 Flashcards
1
Q
caper
A
to leap and prance about in a playful manner; an illegal act; a capricious escapade
Dogs caper about outside as children play with them.
2
Q
ad nauseam
A
to a disgusting and ridiculous degree; to the point of nausea
Every pause is dissected ad nauseam by pundits (social critics).
3
Q
gaffe
A
a social bumbling that gives embarrassment
She experienced deep regret for her gaffe.
4
Q
gauche
A
socially awkward and lacks grace
Nerds are stereotyped as gauche individuals, who socially interact better online rather than in person.
5
Q
gaucherie
A
describes the awkward ways of a gauche person
My gaucherie amuses me even more when I see people baffled by it.
6
Q
adroit
A
skillful
7
Q
maladroit
A
clumsy; usually relates to physically clumsy
Bruises blotched all over her body; no one is as maladroit as she is.
8
Q
solecism
A
any breach in social etiquette; an ungrammatical combination of words in a sentence; also : a minor blunder in speech
The solecism of asking one’s hosts how much something in their house cost them…
9
Q
infelicitous
A
ill-chosen words; describes inappropriate behavior
An infelicitous phrase, on the other hand, makes people in the room cringe, and the person guilty of the verbal gaffe blush.
10
Q
marooned
A
: to put ashore on a desolate island or coast and leave to one’s fate; to place or leave in isolation or without hope of ready escape
The uninhabited island was named for a marooned eighteenth-century adventurer who likely inspired the first English novel.
11
Q
ingenious
A
marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in invention or execution; shows an unusual aptitude for creating, inventing or contriving; clever
Though eccentric, he is quite an ingenious detective.
A chair that won’t tip over is an ingenious invention.
12
Q
inveterate
A
firmly established by long persistence; habitual
He was an inveterate do it yourselfer.
13
Q
boreal
A
located, related to or in the northern regions
The boreal waters.
14
Q
obsolescent
A
becoming obsolete
I had Tom’s obsolescent red Gerry backpack.
15
Q
gorge
A
to consume in great amounts
I am gorging books so quickly that I fear these books are not enough.
16
Q
turbid
A
muddy; foggy; opaque; characterized by or producing obscurity (as of mind or emotions)
She gave an emotionally turbid response.
17
Q
surfeit
A
overabundant supply; excess; an intemperate or immoderate abundance of something
Having surfeited ourselves on raw oysters, we had to decline the rest of the restaurant’s offerings.
18
Q
penumbra
A
something that covers, surrounds, or obscures : shroud
a penumbra of secrecy
A penumbra of somber dignity has descended over his reputation — James Atlas
19
Q
somber
A
dark and gloomy; of a serious mien
The movie is a somber portrait of life in the streets.
20
Q
pertly
A
flippantly cocky and assured; lively and vivacious; piquantly stimulating
Her pert reply irritated the teacher.
21
Q
piquant
A
engagingly stimulating; spicy
A piquant piece of gossip
22
Q
inexorable
A
Not to be moved, persuaded or stopped
The inexorable progression of AB deposits engulf most of the cerebral cortex.
23
Q
Proclivity
A
: an inclination or predisposition toward something; especially : a strong inherent inclination toward something objectionable
AB proteins’ proclivity to alter the forms of neighboring like molecules.
24
Q
impinge
A
encroach; to make an impression; to strike or dash as in a collision
I heard the rain impinge upon the earth — James Joyce
Waiting for the germ of a new idea to impinge upon my mind — Phyllis Bentley>
25
maraud
to roam about and raid in search of plunder; despoil
Just for kicks, bored teenagers marauded neighborhood houses while their owners were away.
26
picaresque
of or relating to rogues or rascals; also : of, relating to, suggesting, or being a type of fiction dealing with the episodic adventures of a usually roguish protagonist
I prefer picaresque novels.
27
paragon
model of excellence or perfection
David considered her to be the "paragon of womanhood."
28
capitulation
a set of terms or articles constituting an agreement
a : the act of surrendering or yielding
b : the terms of surrender
Her sudden capitulation surprised everyone; she usually debated for hours.
29
trope
a word or expression used in a figurative sense : figure of speech
a common or overused theme or device
:cliché
30
interstice
a : a space between things; especially : one between closely spaced things
b : a gap or break in something generally continuous
: a short space of time between events
31
bamboozle
dupe, hoodwink; to confuse, frustrate, or throw off thoroughly or completely
32
teleology
the study of the design or purpose of nature or natural processes
33
vertiginous
inclined to frequent and often pointless change; inconstant; causing or tending to cause dizziness
34
nondescript
lacks interesting qualities; dull; does not belong to a certain class or kind
I work in one of the nondescript office buildings downtown.
35
Conflate
1 a : to bring together : fuse
b : confuse
2 : to combine (as two readings of a text) into a composite whole
The movie conflates documentary footage and dramatized reenactments so seamlessly and ingeniously that viewers may not know what is real and what is not.
36
Threadbare
1 a : having the nap worn off so that the thread shows : shabby
b : wearing threadbare clothing : very poor
c : barely adequate because of cheapness or shabbiness
2 : exhausted of interest or freshness
37
Impetuous
1 : marked by impulsive vehemence or passion
| 2 : marked by force and violence of movement or action
38
hidebound
inflexible and ultra conservative in character
Oncology has become a hidebound field.
39
prophylactic
preventative
Taking a prophylactic approach
40
foisted
to insert, introduce surreptitiously or without warrant;t to force another to accept especially by stealth or deceit
: to pass off as genuine or worthy
He foisted the unproven drugs on the cancer patients.
41
indubitable
too evident to be doubted
The empire of cancer is indubitably vast.
42
languid
drooping or flagging from or as if from exhaustion : weak
: sluggish in character or disposition : listless
: lacking force or quickness of movement : slow
43
slavish
of or characteristic of a slave; especially : basely or abjectly servile
b archaic : despicable, low
2
archaic : oppressive, tyrannical
3
: copying obsequiously or without originality : imitative
44
cri de coeur
a passionate appeal, complaint or protest
in French means: cry from the heart
45
squeamish
easily made to feel sick, faint or disgusted esp by unpleasant images : He was a bit squeamish at the sight of giant needles.
having strong moral views; scrupulous: She was not squeamish about using her social influence in support of her son.
46
sotto voce
under the breath : in an undertone; also : in a private manner; very softly —used as a direction in music
47
phalanx
a body of troops or polic officers, standing or moving in close formation; a group of people of a similar type grouped together in a compact body
48
sonorous
a deep and full voice or sound; using imposing language: We expected the lawyers to use sonorous lamentations.
49
lynch
to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal sanction
The accused killer was lynched by an angry mob.
50
proselytize
to induce someone to convert to one's faith
: to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause
He uses his position to proselytize for the causes that he supports.
52
dais
a raised platform (as in a hall or large room)
The speaker took his place on the dais.
53
wearing glasses
bespectacled
54
gravitas
high seriousness (as in a person's bearing or in the treatment of a subject)
The new leader has an air of gravitas that commands respect.
A comic actress who lacks the gravitas for dramatic roles.
The new leader has a certain gravitas.
55
ether
the upper regions of space: heavens
The balloon disappeared into the ether.
56
trounce
to thrash or punish severely; especially : to defeat decisively
Our candidate trounced her opponent in the election, winning with 76% of the vote.
57
ensconce
shelter; conceal; settle or establish
The artwork is safely ensconced inside the glass.
He ensconced himself in front of the television.
58
kowtow
to show obsequious deference : fawn
: to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect
59
communique
a brief news item intended for immediate publication or broadcast
What communiques they are sending out on their phones
60
specter
a visible disembodied spirit : ghost
: something that haunts or perturbs the mind : phantasm
61
fraught
well supplied or provided
: full of or accompanied by something specified —used with with
: causing or characterized by emotional distress or tension : uneasy
62
privations
an act or instance of depriving : deprivation
: the state of being deprived; especially : lack of what is needed for existence
The constant privation of sleep was starting to affect my work.
63
dingy
dirty, unclean; shabby, squalid
He's been living in a dingy motel.
64
unprepossessing
not attractive
65
parlance
in the parlance of psychologists
67
clout
pull, influence ; piece of cloth; to hit forcefully
He'll clout me around the head if he finds out what I've done.
68
caroused
to drink liquor freely or excessively
| to take part in a carouse : engage in dissolute behavior
69
beset
to set or stud with or as if with ornaments
trouble, harass
a : to set upon : assail
b : to hem in : surround
70
savoir faire
capacity for appropriate action; especially : a polished sureness in social behavior
I admire her sophistication and savoir faire.
71
dispossessed
deprived of homes, possessions, and security
The org helps dispossessed people rebuild their lives.
72
sally
an action of rushing or bursting forth; especially : a sortie of troops from a defensive position to attack the enemy
a brief outbreak : outburst
a witty or imaginative saying : quip
: a venture or excursion usually off the beaten track : jaunt
The final sally made her laugh, and that ended the argument.
73
acclimated
become accustomed to a new climate or new conditions
It may take a few days to get acclimated to the altitude.
74
aping
imitating
75
deference
humble submission and respect
He addressed her with the deference due to age.
"in deference to" - out of respect for; in consideration of
76
cowed
cause to submit to one's wishes by intimidation: The intellectuals have been cowed into silence.
77
vaudevillian
of or relating to stage entertainment consisting of various acts (as performing animals, comedians, or singers)
The vaudevillian speaker..
78
enfant terrible
a person whose unconventional or controversial behavior or ideas shock, embarrass or annoy others
He's the kind of enfant terrible whose antics are a favorable topic of conversation.
79
largesse
generosity in bestowing gifts or money; money or gifts given in generously
Dispensing his money with such largesse...
80
ebullient
cheerful and full of energy; boiling or agitated as if boiling: ebullient seas
81
iatrogenic
of or relating to illness caused by medical procedures or examination
This is a perfect example of an 'iatrogenic' problem.
82
bridle
to bring under control; curb; show one's resentment or anger esp. by throwing one's head and drawing in the chin
I want to bridle and say, "Too bad."
83
chimera
grotesque product of the imagination
84
spurned
rejected with contempt
85
malfeasance
misconduct or wrongdoing esp by a public official
The investigation has uncovered evidence of corporate malfeasance.
86
institute
put into motion
87
promulgate
announce and make known
88
dispensation
a general state or ordering of things; specifically : a system of revealed commands and promises regulating human affairs; an exemption from a law or from an impediment, vow, or oath; a formal authorization
The state gave the town a special dispensation, allowing it to ignore the law in this case.
89
august
marked by majestic dignity or grandeur
We visited their august mansion and expansive grounds.
90
solipsism
a theory holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing; extreme egocentrism
At first, it’s a solipsistic fantasy—the secret sharer you can tell your troubles to, or that only you understand.
91
interiority
interior quality or character; inner life or substance : psychological existence
Later, it’s rooted in a more philosophical curiosity, the longing to experience the ineffable interiority of some very different being.
92
glum
morose; looking or feeling dejected
They looked glum but later cheered up.
93
omnibus
a volume containing several novels or other times previously published separately: an omnibus of her first trilogy
comprising several items: The older actors provide an omnibus of the varieties of adult awfulness.
94
passel
a large group of people or things of indeterminate number; a pack
A passel of mean girls...
95
buoy
keep someone or something afloat: I let the water buoy up my weight.
cause to become cheerful or confident: The party was buoyed by an election victory.
marked with a buoy: a buoyed channel
96
peppery
irritable and sharp-tongued: Retired generals are expected to be peppery.
97
diorama
a model representing a scene with three-dimensional figures either in miniature or as a large-scale museum exhibit
The shot continues, in a sinuous crane, to a boy (Mason Elston Cook) who gazes into a life-size diorama featuring a statue-like rendering of “The Noble Savage."
98
render
provide or give service; submit or present for inspection; cause to be or become; depict or represent artistically; translate; covertly send for interrogation abroad; melt down fat, process; cover with a coat or plaster
The rendered down remains of sheep
The rain rendered his escape impossible.
The eyes and the cheeks are exceptionally well-rendered.
99
triumphalist
excessive exultation over one's success or achievements used esp in a political context
This story replaces the triumphalist legend of the westward expansion with a troubled and guilt-ridden tale that reflects its guilt forward, into the present day.
100
tether
a rope or chain used to restrict movement; to tie as to restrict movement; the limit of one's strength or resources: at the end of my tether
to fasten or restrain by or as if by a tether: felt tethered to her desk until the work was done
101
genteel
elegant or graceful in manner, appearance, or shape (relates to the upper class); marked by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation : conventionally or insipidly pretty (timid and genteel artistic style)
102
triumphalist
excessive exultation over one's success or achievements used esp in a political context
This story replaces the triumphalist legend of the westward expansion with a troubled and guilt-ridden tale that reflects its guilt forward, into the present day.
103
avert
prevent or ward off; turn away from
Talks failed to avert rail strikes.
104
genteel
elegant or graceful in manner, appearance, or shape (relates to the upper class); marked by false delicacy, prudery, or affectation : conventionally or insipidly pretty (timid and genteel artistic style)
105
vestige
a trace, mark, or visible sign left by something (as an ancient city or a condition or practice) vanished or lost : the smallest quantity or trace
A few strange words carved on a tree were the only vestige of the lost colony of Roanoke.
106
avert
prevent or ward off; turn away from
Talks failed to avert rail strikes.
107
wasp
a member of the dominant and the most privileged class of people in the United States
Armie Hammer, who specializes in the soul of the Wasp.
108
insoluble
: having or admitting of no solution or explanation
The seemingly insoluble mystery concerning the identity of the people who built these ancient structures.
109
culminate
to rise to or form a summit; to reach the highest or a climactic or decisive point; to bring to a head or to the highest point
culminated the school year with a trip to New York
111
congeries
collection, aggregation
112
consilience
linking of principles across disciplines esp in creating a comparative theory
113
couch
to phrase or express in a specified manner
114
homeopathic
115
contrive
devise, plan
to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner
to bring about by stratagem or with difficulty : manage
116
protracted
drawn out, lengthened
117
protract
to lengthen in time or space; continue; to extend forward; dragged out or lengthened
The highway project was protracted by years of litigation.
118
deign
to condescend to give or grant reluctantly in rel to one's superiority; stoop
The king deigned to speak to the peasant.
119
incumbent
one who holds a position or place
Voters will have the chance to see the incumbent and her opponent in a series of three debates.
120
isolated, infrequent
sporadic
121
confluence
coming together
122
iteration
incarnation; repetition; iterative approach
123
debunk
to expose the sham or falseness of
The results of the study debunk his theory.
124
repugnate
to oppose or fight against
125
enigma
mysterious, inscrutable person; a mystery
126
vassal
loyal to a feudal lord
127
bromide
a boring, dull person
128
jejune
may also mean dull, uninteresting
129
rogue
an unprincipled or dishonest person
130
accord
an agreement; treaty; to be in harmony; voluntary or spontaneous impulse to act;o grant or give especially as appropriate, due, or earned
He was accorded certain favors because of his age.
The two sides were able to reach an accord.
131
flagitious
villainous and vile
132
otiose
lazy
133
quietus
```
: final settlement (as of a debt)
2
: removal from activity; especially : death
3
: something that quiets or represses
See quietus defined for kids »
Examples of QUIETUS
```
134
gauge
a measure
135
diachronic
occurring across time
136
saturnalian
unrestrained in revelry, orgiastic; excess, extravagance
137
plutonian
of pertaining to the lower world; infernal
The rows of abandoned, boarded-up tenement houses made for a rather plutonian landscape.
138
inviolate
not violated or profaned; pure
These rights must remain inviolate.
139
madcap
marked by capriciousness, recklessness, or foolishness
She had one inviolate rule when hosting her famous madcap revelries.
140
dastardly
cowardly; characterized by treachery and underhandedness
A dastardly attack on innocent civilians.
His dastardly conduct in a critical moment haunted him for the rest of his life.
141
effete
no longer fertile; having lost character, vitality, or strength
marked by weakness or decadence
soft or delicate from or as if from a pampered existence ; also : characteristic of an effete person
effeminate
The Western ranch takes effete youths from comfortable suburbs and turns them into rugged wranglers.
The governor is too effete to take on the powerful special interests that really run this state.
142
slapdash
done in a careless manner
His resume was done in a slapdash manner, failing to account gaps in his job record.
143
immure
to confine against one's will
144
abrogate
overturn, repeal
145
parious
dangerous, precarious
146
upstart
person who gains wealth suddenly and acts arrogantly
147
ilk
type; kind
The club attracts punk rockers and others of that ilk.
148
marked by vacillation, indecision, or uncertainty
pendulous
149
elegiac
of, relating to, or comprising elegy or an elegy; especially : expressing sorrow often for something now past
The sight of an old ruined church or castle can be a pleasantly elegiac experience.
150
gauntlet
a line, series, or assemblage; especially : one that poses some sort of ordeal
: a severe trial : ordeal
151
portentous
eliciting amazement or wonder : prodigious
being a grave or serious matter
self-consciously solemn or important : pompous
ponderously excessive
relating to a portent
152
portent
omen, sign; marvel, prodigy
A red sky in the morning can be a portent of a coming storm.
A scout was sent to have a look at this teenage pitcher who was supposed to be the latest portent of the baseball world.
153
cadre
group; nucleus core group; a cell of a revolutionary party
Claims that the problem will never be solved within the existing cadre of the state bureaucracy.
154
scrupulous
thorough, diligent, attentive to detail : they did the research with scrupulous attention
keen to avoid doing wrong : She's too scrupulous to have an affair with a married man.
155
deplore
express strong disapproval of
Violence should be deplored.
156
scourge
a person or thing that causes great suffering or trouble: Sepsis - infection - was the other great scourge of surgery.
to whip, punish; cause suffering : ... political methods used to scourge and oppress workers
157
suppurate
undergo the formation of pus; fester
158
bleat
v. make a characteristic wavering cry: The silence was broken by the plaintinve bleating of sheep.
speak or complain in a weak, querulous, foolish way: He bleated incoherently about the report.
n. wavering cry by sheep, goat; the plaintive cry of a person: His despairing bleat touched her heart
complaint: They're hoping that I'll bow to their idiotic arrangements without a bleat.
159
voluminous
contains a great volume; (of clothing) loose and drapery;
| (of writing) very lengthy and full; (of a writer) producing many books
160
veneer
something that covers a person's true nature or feelings
She hid behind a veneer of composure.
161
visage
person's face; facial expression; surface of something presented to view
The moonlit visage of the whitewashed building
162
vivify
enliven or animate
Outings vivify children's learning.
163
torrid
extremely hot; ardent or passionate
dry, torrid summer heat
164
inclement
stormy; physically harsh, severe; lacking mildness
The game was postponed due to inclement weather.
165
clime
climate; climate of a city
A nonconformist moved from the jerkwater climes of his hometown to the warmer clime of the big city,
166
stonewall
hinder; be obstructive, uncooperative; not comply
They're stonewalling.
167
germane
relevant and appropriate; apposite
168
contrapuntal
pertain to a counterpoint
169
spurious
falsified or forged; bastard; deceptive
170
derelict
negligent of one's duty; rundown; abandoned
