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Vocabulary Bee > B > Flashcards

B Flashcards

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
Blight
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
26
Blitz
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
27
Bluff
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
28
Blurb
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)
29
Bobbin
n. - a spool or reel - a cylinder or cone holding thread, yarn, or wire, used esp. in weaving, machine sewing, and lacemaking
30
Bode
v. be an omen of a particular outcome
31
Bog
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
32
Bolster
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
33
Bombast
n. high-sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people
34
Boondocks
n. pl. rough, remote, or isolated country
35
Botanicals
adj. of or relating to plants n. a substance obtained from a plant and used as an additive, esp. in gin or cosmetics
36
Botch
v. carry out (a task) badly or carelessly n. a bungled or badly carried out task or action
37
Bourgeoisie
n. the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes.
38
Bracing
adj. - fresh and invigorating - serving to support a structure
39
Brahmin
n. - a term for a scholar class in the traditional Hindu societies of India and Nepal - the ultimate reality underlying all phenomena
40
Brandish
v. wave or flourish (something, esp. a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement
41
Brash
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
Brazenly
adj. - bold and without shame - made of brass - harsh in sound v. - endure a difficult situation by behaving with confidence and without shame
43
Brood
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
Brunt
n. the worst part or chief impact of a something
45
Buckle
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
Bullion
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
Bulwark
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
Burly
adj. large and strong; heavily built
49
Buttress
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
Byword
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
n. an accumulation of something, esp. uncompleted work or matters that need to be dealt with
Backlog
52
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
Badger
53
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
Bard
54
n. - an instrument measuring atmospheric pressure, used esp. in forecasting the weather and determining altitude - something that reflects changes in circumstances or opinions
Barometer
55
n. a district of a town in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries
Barrio
56
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
Basilica
57
n. - a broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward - an indentation or recess in a range of hills or mountains
Bay
58
n. a person, typically a homeless one, who lives by asking for money or food v. reduce (someone) to poverty
Beggar
59
v. - envy (someone) the possession or enjoyment of (something) - give reluctantly or resentfully
Begrudge
60
v. - charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way - trick (someone) into doing something
Beguile
61
v. - fail to give a true notion or impression of (something); - disguise or contradict; - betray
Belie
62
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
Belligerent
63
v. puzzle, confuse, or bewilder (someone)
Bemuse
64
adj. - well meaning and kindly - serving a charitable rather than a profit-making purpose
Benevolent
65
adj. - in a state of pitiful or contemptible intellectual or moral ignorance, typically owing to a lack of opportunity - overtaken by darkness
Benighted
66
v. ask (someone) urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat
Beseech
67
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
Besiege
68
v. confer or present (an honor, right, or gift)
Bestow
69
v. - express great regret, disappointment, or bitterness over (something) - cry or wail loudly about (something)
Bewail
70
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)
Biennial
71
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)
Big Bang theory
72
n. the exploitation of biological processes for industrial and other purposes, esp. the genetic manipulation of microorganisms for the production of antibiotics, hormones, etc.
Biotechnology
73
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
Bipolar
74
adj. unfocused or filmy from sleep or tiredness
Bleary
75
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
Blight
76
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
Blitz
77
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
Bluff
78
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)
Blurb
79
n. - a spool or reel - a cylinder or cone holding thread, yarn, or wire, used esp. in weaving, machine sewing, and lacemaking
Bobbin
80
v. be an omen of a particular outcome
Bode
81
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
Bog
82
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
Bolster
83
n. high-sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people
Bombast
84
n. pl. rough, remote, or isolated country
Boondocks
85
adj. of or relating to plants n. a substance obtained from a plant and used as an additive, esp. in gin or cosmetics
Botanicals
86
v. carry out (a task) badly or carelessly n. a bungled or badly carried out task or action
Botch
87
n. the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes.
Bourgeoisie
88
adj. - fresh and invigorating - serving to support a structure
Bracing
89
n. - a term for a scholar class in the traditional Hindu societies of India and Nepal - the ultimate reality underlying all phenomena
Brahmin
90
v. wave or flourish (something, esp. a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement
Brandish
91
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
Brash
92
adj. - bold and without shame - made of brass - harsh in sound v. - endure a difficult situation by behaving with confidence and without shame
Brazenly
93
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
Brood
94
n. the worst part or chief impact of a something
Brunt
95
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
Buckle
96
n. - gold or silver in bulk before coining, or valued by weight - ornamental braid or trimming made with twists of gold or silver thread
Bullion
97
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
Bulwark
98
adj. large and strong; heavily built
Burly
99
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
Buttress
100
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
Byword

Vocabulary Bee (22 decks)

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