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B Flashcards

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1
Q

Backlog

A

n. an accumulation of something, esp. uncompleted work or matters that need to be dealt with

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2
Q

Badger

A

n. a heavily built omnivorous nocturnal mammal of the weasel family, typically having a gray and black coat v. ask (someone) repeatedly and annoyingly for something; pester

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3
Q

Bard

A

n. - a poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with a particular oral tradition; - a slice of bacon placed on meat or game before roasting

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4
Q

Barometer

A

n. - an instrument measuring atmospheric pressure, used esp. in forecasting the weather and determining altitude - something that reflects changes in circumstances or opinions

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5
Q

Barrio

A

n. a district of a town in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries

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6
Q

Basilica

A

n. a large oblong hall or building with double colonnades and a semicircular apse, used in ancient Rome as a court of law or for public assemblies

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7
Q

Bay

A

n. - a broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward - an indentation or recess in a range of hills or mountains

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8
Q

Beggar

A

n. a person, typically a homeless one, who lives by asking for money or food v. reduce (someone) to poverty

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9
Q

Begrudge

A

v. - envy (someone) the possession or enjoyment of (something) - give reluctantly or resentfully

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10
Q

Beguile

A

v. - charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way - trick (someone) into doing something

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11
Q

Belie

A

v. - fail to give a true notion or impression of (something); - disguise or contradict; - betray

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12
Q

Belligerent

A

adj. - hostile and aggressive; - engaged in a war or conflict, as recognized by international law n. a nation or person engaged in war or conflict, as recognized by international law

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13
Q

Bemuse

A

v. puzzle, confuse, or bewilder (someone)

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14
Q

Benevolent

A

adj. - well meaning and kindly - serving a charitable rather than a profit-making purpose

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15
Q

Benighted

A

adj. - in a state of pitiful or contemptible intellectual or moral ignorance, typically owing to a lack of opportunity - overtaken by darkness

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16
Q

Beseech

A

v. ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat

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17
Q

Besiege

A

v. - surround (a place) with armed forces in order to capture it or force its surrender - crowd around oppressively - become overwhelmed by large numbers of requests or complaints

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18
Q

Bestow

A

v. confer or present (an honor, right, or gift)

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19
Q

Bewail

A

v. - express great regret, disappointment, or bitterness over (something) - cry or wail loudly about (something)

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20
Q

Biennial

A

adj. - taking place every other year - living or lasting for two years n. - a plant that takes two years to grow from seed to fruition and die - an event celebrated or taking place every two years (not to be confused with biannual - which is twice a year)

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21
Q

Big Bang theory

A

n. that which pertains to the origin of the universe. (According to the theory, the Big Bang occurred approximately 13.7 billion years ago, which is thus considered the age of the universe)

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22
Q

Biotechnology

A

n. the exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, esp. the genetic manipulation of microorganisms for the production of antibiotics, hormones, etc.

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23
Q

Bipolar

A

adj. - having or relating to two poles or extremities - relating to or occurring in both North and South polar regions - characterized by both manic and depressive episodes, or manic ones only

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24
Q

Bleary

A

adj. unfocused or filmy from sleep or tiredness

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25
Q

Blight

A

n. - a plant disease, esp. one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts - a thing that spoils or damages something - an ugly, neglected, or rundown condition of an urban area v. - infect (plants or a planted area) with blight - spoil, harm, or destroy - subject (an urban area) to neglect

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26
Q

Blitz

A

n. - an intensive or sudden military attack - a sudden, energetic, and concerted effort, typically on a specific task - a form of chess in which moves must be made at very short intervals v. - attack or damage

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27
Q

Bluff

A

n. - an attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or will do something - a steep cliff, bank, or promontory adj. - having a vertical or steep broad front - direct in speech or behavior but in a good-natured way v. - try to deceive someone as to one’s abilities or intentions

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28
Q

Blurb

A

n. a short description of a book, movie, or other product written for promotional purposes and appearing on the cover of a book or in an advertisement v. write or contribute such a passage for (a book, movie, or other product)

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29
Q

Bobbin

A

n. - a spool or reel - a cylinder or cone holding thread, yarn, or wire, used esp. in weaving, machine sewing, and lacemaking

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30
Q

Bode

A

v. be an omen of a particular outcome

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31
Q

Bog

A

n. - wet muddy ground too soft to support a heavy body; wetland v. - cause (a vehicle, person, or animal) to become stuck in mud or wet ground - be unable to make progress

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32
Q

Bolster

A

v. - support or strengthen; prop up - provide (a seat) with padded support n. - a long, thick pillow that is placed under other pillows for support - a part of a vehicle or tool providing structural support

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33
Q

Bombast

A

n. high-sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people

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34
Q

Boondocks

A

n. pl. rough, remote, or isolated country

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35
Q

Botanicals

A

adj. of or relating to plants n. a substance obtained from a plant and used as an additive, esp. in gin or cosmetics

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36
Q

Botch

A

v. carry out (a task) badly or carelessly n. a bungled or badly carried out task or action

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37
Q

Bourgeoisie

A

n. the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes.

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38
Q

Bracing

A

adj. - fresh and invigorating - serving to support a structure

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39
Q

Brahmin

A

n. - a term for a scholar class in the traditional Hindu societies of India and Nepal - the ultimate reality underlying all phenomena

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40
Q

Brandish

A

v. wave or flourish (something, esp. a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement

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41
Q

Brash

A

adj. - self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way - strong, energetic, or irreverent - having an ostentatious or tasteless appearance n. - a mass of fragments, in particular, loose broken rock or ice

42
Q

Brazenly

A

adj. - bold and without shame - made of brass - harsh in sound v. - endure a difficult situation by behaving with confidence and without shame

43
Q

Brood

A

n. - a family of young animals, esp. of a bird, produced at one hatching or birth - all of the children in a family - bee or wasp larvae v. - think deeply about something that makes one unhappy - (of a bird) sit on or hold (eggs) to hatch them - hang or hover closely

44
Q

Brunt

A

n. the worst part or chief impact of a something

45
Q

Buckle

A

n. a flat, typically rectangular frame with a hinged pin, used for joining the ends of a belt or strap v. - fasten or decorate with a buckle - bend and give way under pressure or strain

46
Q

Bullion

A

n. - gold or silver in bulk before coining, or valued by weight - ornamental braid or trimming made with twists of gold or silver thread

47
Q

Bulwark

A

n. - a defensive wall - a person, institution, or principle that acts as a defense - an extension of a ship’s sides above the level of the deck

48
Q

Burly

A

adj. large and strong; heavily built

49
Q

Buttress

A

n. - a projecting support of stone or brick built against a wall - a source of defense or support v. - provide (a building or structure) with projecting supports built against its walls - increase the strength of or justification for; reinforce

50
Q

Byword

A

n. - a person or thing that is known as a symbol of something - a word or expression summarizing a thing’s characteristics or a person’s principles

51
Q

n. an accumulation of something, esp. uncompleted work or matters that need to be dealt with

A

Backlog

52
Q

n. a heavily built omnivorous nocturnal mammal of the weasel family, typically having a gray and black coat v. ask (someone) repeatedly and annoyingly for something; pester

A

Badger

53
Q

n. - a poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with a particular oral tradition; - a slice of bacon placed on meat or game before roasting

A

Bard

54
Q

n. - an instrument measuring atmospheric pressure, used esp. in forecasting the weather and determining altitude - something that reflects changes in circumstances or opinions

A

Barometer

55
Q

n. a district of a town in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries

A

Barrio

56
Q

n. a large oblong hall or building with double colonnades and a semicircular apse, used in ancient Rome as a court of law or for public assemblies

A

Basilica

57
Q

n. - a broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward - an indentation or recess in a range of hills or mountains

A

Bay

58
Q

n. a person, typically a homeless one, who lives by asking for money or food v. reduce (someone) to poverty

A

Beggar

59
Q

v. - envy (someone) the possession or enjoyment of (something) - give reluctantly or resentfully

A

Begrudge

60
Q

v. - charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way - trick (someone) into doing something

A

Beguile

61
Q

v. - fail to give a true notion or impression of (something); - disguise or contradict; - betray

A

Belie

62
Q

adj. - hostile and aggressive; - engaged in a war or conflict, as recognized by international law n. a nation or person engaged in war or conflict, as recognized by international law

A

Belligerent

63
Q

v. puzzle, confuse, or bewilder (someone)

A

Bemuse

64
Q

adj. - well meaning and kindly - serving a charitable rather than a profit-making purpose

A

Benevolent

65
Q

adj. - in a state of pitiful or contemptible intellectual or moral ignorance, typically owing to a lack of opportunity - overtaken by darkness

A

Benighted

66
Q

v. ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat

A

Beseech

67
Q

v. - surround (a place) with armed forces in order to capture it or force its surrender - crowd around oppressively - become overwhelmed by large numbers of requests or complaints

A

Besiege

68
Q

v. confer or present (an honor, right, or gift)

A

Bestow

69
Q

v. - express great regret, disappointment, or bitterness over (something) - cry or wail loudly about (something)

A

Bewail

70
Q

adj. - taking place every other year - living or lasting for two years n. - a plant that takes two years to grow from seed to fruition and die - an event celebrated or taking place every two years (not to be confused with biannual - which is twice a year)

A

Biennial

71
Q

n. that which pertains to the origin of the universe. (According to the theory, the Big Bang occurred approximately 13.7 billion years ago, which is thus considered the age of the universe)

A

Big Bang theory

72
Q

n. the exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, esp. the genetic manipulation of microorganisms for the production of antibiotics, hormones, etc.

A

Biotechnology

73
Q

adj. - having or relating to two poles or extremities - relating to or occurring in both North and South polar regions - characterized by both manic and depressive episodes, or manic ones only

A

Bipolar

74
Q

adj. unfocused or filmy from sleep or tiredness

A

Bleary

75
Q

n. - a plant disease, esp. one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts - a thing that spoils or damages something - an ugly, neglected, or rundown condition of an urban area v. - infect (plants or a planted area) with blight - spoil, harm, or destroy - subject (an urban area) to neglect

A

Blight

76
Q

n. - an intensive or sudden military attack - a sudden, energetic, and concerted effort, typically on a specific task - a form of chess in which moves must be made at very short intervals v. - attack or damage

A

Blitz

77
Q

n. - an attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or will do something - a steep cliff, bank, or promontory adj. - having a vertical or steep broad front - direct in speech or behavior but in a good-natured way v. - try to deceive someone as to one’s abilities or intentions

A

Bluff

78
Q

n. a short description of a book, movie, or other product written for promotional purposes and appearing on the cover of a book or in an advertisement v. write or contribute such a passage for (a book, movie, or other product)

A

Blurb

79
Q

n. - a spool or reel - a cylinder or cone holding thread, yarn, or wire, used esp. in weaving, machine sewing, and lacemaking

A

Bobbin

80
Q

v. be an omen of a particular outcome

A

Bode

81
Q

n. - wet muddy ground too soft to support a heavy body; wetland v. - cause (a vehicle, person, or animal) to become stuck in mud or wet ground - be unable to make progress

A

Bog

82
Q

v. - support or strengthen; prop up - provide (a seat) with padded support n. - a long, thick pillow that is placed under other pillows for support - a part of a vehicle or tool providing structural support

A

Bolster

83
Q

n. high-sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people

A

Bombast

84
Q

n. pl. rough, remote, or isolated country

A

Boondocks

85
Q

adj. of or relating to plants n. a substance obtained from a plant and used as an additive, esp. in gin or cosmetics

A

Botanicals

86
Q

v. carry out (a task) badly or carelessly n. a bungled or badly carried out task or action

A

Botch

87
Q

n. the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes.

A

Bourgeoisie

88
Q

adj. - fresh and invigorating - serving to support a structure

A

Bracing

89
Q

n. - a term for a scholar class in the traditional Hindu societies of India and Nepal - the ultimate reality underlying all phenomena

A

Brahmin

90
Q

v. wave or flourish (something, esp. a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement

A

Brandish

91
Q

adj. - self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way - strong, energetic, or irreverent - having an ostentatious or tasteless appearance n. - a mass of fragments, in particular, loose broken rock or ice

A

Brash

92
Q

adj. - bold and without shame - made of brass - harsh in sound v. - endure a difficult situation by behaving with confidence and without shame

A

Brazenly

93
Q

n. - a family of young animals, esp. of a bird, produced at one hatching or birth - all of the children in a family - bee or wasp larvae v. - think deeply about something that makes one unhappy - (of a bird) sit on or hold (eggs) to hatch them - hang or hover closely

A

Brood

94
Q

n. the worst part or chief impact of a something

A

Brunt

95
Q

n. a flat, typically rectangular frame with a hinged pin, used for joining the ends of a belt or strap v. - fasten or decorate with a buckle - bend and give way under pressure or strain

A

Buckle

96
Q

n. - gold or silver in bulk before coining, or valued by weight - ornamental braid or trimming made with twists of gold or silver thread

A

Bullion

97
Q

n. - a defensive wall - a person, institution, or principle that acts as a defense - an extension of a ship’s sides above the level of the deck

A

Bulwark

98
Q

adj. large and strong; heavily built

A

Burly

99
Q

n. - a projecting support of stone or brick built against a wall - a source of defense or support v. - provide (a building or structure) with projecting supports built against its walls - increase the strength of or justification for; reinforce

A

Buttress

100
Q

n. - a person or thing that is known as a symbol of something - a word or expression summarizing a thing’s characteristics or a person’s principles

A

Byword

Vocabulary Bee (22 decks)

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