Basic V Flashcards
pastoral
pastoral
adjective: relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense
Those who imagine America’s countryside as a pastoral region are often disappointed to learn that much of rural U.S. is filled with cornfields extending as far as the eye can see.
taxing
taxing
adjective: use to the limit; exhaust
The hike to the summit of Mt. Whitney was so taxing that I could barely speak or stand up.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
steadfast
steadfast
adjective: marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
A good captain needs to be steadfast, continuing to hold the wheel and stay the course even during the most violent storm.
tout
tout
verb: advertize in strongly positive terms; show off
At the conference, the CEO touted the extraordinary success of his company’s Research & Development division.
squander
squander
verb: spend thoughtlessly; waste time, money, or an opportunity
Fearing his money would be squandered by his family, he gave all of it to charity when he died.
embellish
embellish
verb: make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.; make more beautiful
McCartney would write relatively straightforward lyrics, and Lennon would embellish them with puns and poetic images.
aphoristic
aphoristic
adjective: something that is concise and instructive of a general truth or principle
a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”.a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”.
Sometimes I can’t stand Nathan because he tries to impress everyone by being aphoristic, but he just states the obvious.
peevish
peevish
adjective: easily irritated or annoyed
Our office manager is peevish, so the rest of us tip-toe around him, hoping not to set off another one of his fits.
maxim
maxim
noun: a short saying expressing a general truth
Johnson initially suggests that the secret to business can be summarized in a single maxim but then requires a 300-page book to explain exactly what he means.
exasperate
exasperate
verb: to irritate intensely
As a child, I exasperated my mother with strings of never-ending questions.
obstinate
obstinate
adjective: resistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistent
The coach suggested improvements Sarah might make on the balance beam, but she remained obstinate, unwilling to modify any of the habits that made her successful in the past.
quip
quip
noun: a witty saying or remark
In one of the most famous quips about classical music, Mark Twain said: “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds.”
verb: to make a witty remark, to say in jest
When an old English teacher criticized Churchill for ending a sentence with a preposition, he quipped, “This is the kind of criticism up with which we will not put!”
rash
rash
adjective: marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences; imprudently incurring risk
Although Bruce was able to make the delivery in time with a nighttime motorcycle ride in the rain, Susan criticized his actions as rash.
convoluted
convoluted
adjective: highly complex or intricate
Instead of solving the math problem in three simple steps, Kumar used a convoluted solution requiring fifteen steps.
devolve
devolve
verb: pass on or delegate to another
The company was full of managers known for devolving tasks to lower management, but never doing much work themselves.
verb: grow worse (usually “devolve into”)
The dialogue between the two academics devolved into a downright bitter argument.
connive
connive
verb: taking part in immoral and unethical plots
With the help of the prince, the queen connived to overthrow the king.
elude
elude
verb: escape understanding
While some physics concepts might elude newbies, with a little grit and a good teacher, almost anyone can develop a deep understanding of the subject.
ploy
ploy
noun: a clever plan to turn a situation to one’s advantage
Dennis arranged an elaborate ploy, involving 14 different people lying for him in different situations, so that it could appear that he was meeting Mary completely by chance at the wedding reception.
destitute
destitute
adjective: poor enough to need help from others
Jean Valjean, is at first destitute, but through the grace of a priest, he makes something of his life.
adjective: completely wanting or lacking (usually “destitute of”)
Now that the mine is closed, the town is destitute of any economic activity.
placid
placid
adjective: not easily irritated
Doug is normally placid, so we were all shocked to see him yelling at the television when the Mets lost the game.
brusquely
brusquely
adverb: in a blunt, direct manner
Not one for social pleasantries, the Chief of Staff would brusquely ask his subordinates for anything he wanted, even coffee.
unprecedented
unprecedented
adjective: having never been done or known before; novel
When America first created its national parks, the idea of setting aside the most beautiful land in a country was unprecedented in the history of mankind.
credulity
credulity
noun: tendency to believe readily
Virginia’s wide-eyed credulity as a five-year old was replaced by suspicion after she learned that Santa Claus didn’t really exist.
presumption
presumption
noun: an assumption that is taken for granted
When Mr. Baker found out the family car was gone, he acted under the presumption that his rebellious son had taken the car, calling his son’s phone and yelling at him; only later did Mr. Baker realize that Mrs. Baker had simply gone out to get her nails done.
noun: audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
The new neighbor quickly gained a reputation for her presumption; she had invited herself to several neighbors’ homes, often stopping over at inopportune times and asking for a drink.
eke
eke
verb: To live off meager resources, to scrape by
Stranded in a cabin over the winter, Terry was able to eke out an existence on canned food.
irk
irk
verb: irritate or vex
My little sister has a way of irking and annoying me like no other person.
enmity
enmity
noun: a state of deep-seated ill-will
The rude remark Charles made toward Sarah yesterday was due to his illness, not due to any real enmity toward Sarah.
perturb
perturb
verb: disturb in mind or cause to be worried or alarmed
Now that Henry is recovering from a major illness, he no longer lets the little trivialities, such as late mail, perturb him.
tarnish
tarnish
verb: make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
Pete Rose was one of the best baseball players of his generation, but his involvement with gambling on baseball games has tarnished his image in the eyes of many.
unseemly
unseemly
adjective: not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
He acted in an unseemly manner, insulting the hostess and then speaking ill of her deceased husband.
derogative
derogative
adjective: expressed as worthless or in negative terms
Never before have we seen a debate between two political candidates that was so derogative and filthy.
foible
foible
noun: a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
When their new roommate sat staring at an oak tree for an hour, Marcia thought it indicated a mental problem, but Jeff assured her it was a harmless foible.
retract
retract
verb: pull inward or towards a center; formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
Email is wonderfully efficient, but once something awkward or damaging has been sent, there is no way to retract it.
smug
smug
adjective: marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
When Phil was dating the model, he had a smug attitude that annoyed his buddies.
deligent
diligent
adjective: characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks
Michael was a diligent gardener, never leaving a leaf on the ground and regularly watering each plant.
impregnable
impregnable
adjective: immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
As a child, Amy would build pillow castles and pretend they were impregnable fortresses.
collusion
collusion
noun: agreement on a secret plot
Many have argued that Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK’s assassin, was in collusion with other criminals; others maintain that Oswald was a lone gunman.
travail
travail
noun: use of physical or mental energy; hard work; agony or anguish
While they experienced nothing but travails in refinishing the kitchen, they completed the master bedroom in less than a weekend.
savvy
savvy
noun: a perceptive understanding
Although a great CEO, he did not have the political savvy to win the election.
verb: get the meaning of something
The student savvies the meaning of astrophysics with little effort.
adjective: well-informed or perceptive
With his savvy business partner, the company was able to turn a profit within a year.
impending
impending
adjective: close in time; about to occur
The impending doom of our world has been discussed and debated for 2000 years—maybe even longer.
discord
discord
noun: lack of agreement or harmony
Despite all their talented players, the team was filled with discord–some players refused to talk to others–and lost most of their games.
tact
tact
noun: consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
In a tremendous display of tact, Shelly was able to maintain a strong friendship with Marcia, even though Marcia’s husband, Frank, confessed to finding Shelley more attractive than Marcia.
goad
goad
verb: urge on with unpleasant comments
Doug did not want to enter the race, but Jim, through a steady stream of taunts, goaded him into signing up for it.
serene
serene
adjective: calm and peaceful
I’d never seen him so serene; usually, he was a knot of stress and anxiety from hours of trading on the stock exchange.
candidness
candidness
noun: the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
Although I was unhappy that the relationship ended, I appreciated her candidness about why she was ready to move on from the relationship.
reservation
reservation
noun: an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly
I was initially excited by the idea of a trip to Washington, D.C. but now that I have read about the high crime statistics there, I have some reservations.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
complacent
complacent
adjective: contented to a fault with oneself or one’s actions
After the water polo team won their sixth championship, they became complacent and didn’t even make it to the playoffs the next year.
leery
leery
adjective: openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
Without checking his references and talking to previous employers, I am leery of hiring the candidate.
exemplify
exemplify
verb: be characteristic of
Lincoln exemplified the best of not only America, but also the potential greatness that exists within each person.
verb: clarify by giving an example of
Please present some case studies that exemplify the results that you claim in your paper.
malevolent
malevolent
adjective: wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
Villains are known for their malevolent nature, oftentimes inflicting cruelty on others just for enjoyment.
