Barron's 17th Ed. High Frequency Words Flashcards
chicanery
the use of tricks to deceive someone
gainsay
Deny or contradict, speak against or oppose
aberrant
markedly different from an accepted norm
abeyance
temporary cessation or suspension
goad
stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
abscond
To depart in a sudden or secret manner
distend
cause to expand as it by internal pressure
abstemious
marked by temperance in indulgence
commensurate
corresponding in size or degree or extent
levity
a manner lacking seriousness
compendium
A short but detailed collection of information; a condensed account
loquacious
full of trivial conversation; talking a lot
harangue
(To make) a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion (noun or verb)
malingerer
someone shirking duty by feigning illness or incapacity
ebullient
joyously unrestrained, bubbling with excitement
iconoclastic
characterized by attack on established/cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc
maverick
someone who exhibits independence in thought and action
mendacious
given to lying
anachronism
something located at a time when it could not have existed
elegy
a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
craven
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful; cowardly; a coward (if used as noun)
endemic
native to or confined to a certain region; natural or characteristic of a specific people or place
enervate
weaken mentally or morally; exhaust
Origin: to cut the sinews of (nerve)
apprise
inform somebody of something; advise
engender
Produce, cause, or give rise to; beget; “hatred engenders violence”
neophyte
any new participant in some activity
denigrate
charge falsely or with malicious intent
ephemeral
anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day
incoate
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
obsequious
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
equanimity
steadiness of mind under stress
obviate
do away with
equivocate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear
occlude
block passage through
dessicate
lacking vitality or spirit; lifeless
erudite
having or showing profound knowledge
officious
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
assiduous
marked by care and persistent effort
desultory
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose
onerous
not easily borne; wearing
indigence
a state of extreme poverty or destitution