Basic VII Flashcards
cumbersome
cumbersome
adjective: difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
Only ten years ago, being an avid reader and a traveler meant carrying a cumbersome backpack stuffed with books–these days we need only an e-reader.
debunk
debunk
verb: expose as false ideas and claims, especially while ridiculing
Richard Dawkins tries to debunk religious belief, but his ridicule tends to push people away from his points rather than convince them.
qualm
qualm
noun: uneasiness about the fitness of an action
While he could articulate no clear reason why Harkner’s plan would fail, he nevertheless felt qualms about committing any resources to it.
colassal
colossal
adjective: so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
Few appreciate the colossal scale of the sun: if hollow, it could contain a million Earths.
dilapidated
dilapidated
adjective: in terrible condition
The main house has been restored but the gazebo is still dilapidated and unusable.
enumerate
enumerate
verb: determine the number or amount of
The survey enumerates the number of happy workers and the number of unhappy workers.
verb: specify individually, one by one
I sat and listened as she enumerated all of the things she did not like about the past three months.
constraint
constraint
noun: something that limits or restricts
We don’t have many resources, so we’ll have to work with some very tight constraints.
hamper
hamper
verb: prevent the progress or free movement of
As the rain water began to collect in pools on the highway, it began to hamper the flow of traffic.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
abysmal
abysmal
adjective: extremely bad
Coach Ramsey took his newest player off the field after watching a few painful minutes of her abysmal performance.
provisional
provisional
adjective: under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
Until the corporate office hands down a definitive decision on use of the extra offices, we will share their use in a provisional arrangement.
vanquish
vanquish
verb: come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
For years, Argentina would dominate in World Cup qualifying matches, only to be vanquished by one of the European countries during the late stages of the tournament.
complementary
complementary
adjective: enhancing each other’s qualities (for two things or more).
The head waiter was careful to tell the amateur diners that red wine was complementary with beef, each bringing out subtle taste notes in the other.
sordid
sordid
adjective: involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; foul and run-down and repulsive
The nightly news simply announced that the senator had had an affair, but the tabloid published all the sordid details of the interaction.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
laborious
laborious
adjective: characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
The most laborious job I’ve had was working 20 hours a day as a fisherman in King Salmon, Alaska.
discreet
discreet
adjective: careful to protect one’s speech or actions in order to avoid offense or draw attention
The professor thought that he was discreet, subtly wiping the stain off of his shirt, but as soon as he stepped off the podium a heckler in the audience burst out, “You missed a spot”.
champion
champion
verb: to fight for a cause
Martin Luther King Jr. championed civil rights fiercely throughout his short life.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
compound
compound
verb: make more intense, stronger, or more marked
Her headache was compounded by the construction crew outside, which had six jackhammers going at the same time.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
dispatch
dispatch
noun: the property of being prompt and efficient
She finished her thesis with dispatch, amazing her advisors who couldn’t believe she had written 60 scholarly pages so quickly.
verb: dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently
As soon as the angry peasants stormed the castle, they caught the king and swiftly dispatched him.
This word has other definitions, but these are the most important ones to study
aphorism
aphorism
noun: a short instructive saying about a general truth
Nietzsche was known for using aphorisms, sometimes encapsulating a complex philosophical thought in a mere sentence.
inarticulate
inarticulate
adjective: without or deprived of the use of speech or words
Although a brilliant economist, Professor Black was completely inarticulate, a terrible lecturer.
stymie
stymie
verb: hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
The engineers found their plans stymied at every turn and were ultimately able to make almost no progress on the project.
obliging
obliging
adjective: showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
Even after all his success, I found him to be accommodating and obliging, sharing with me his “secret tips” on how to gain wealth and make friends.
malodorous
malodorous
adjective: having an unpleasant smell
Some thermally active fountains spew sulfur fumes–the air around them is sometimes so malodorous that many have to plug their noses.
balk
balk
verb: refuse to comply
The students were willing to clean up the broken glass, but when the teacher asked them to mop the entire floor, they balked, citing reasons why they needed to leave.
excruciating
excruciating
adjective: extremely painful
After the boulder rolled a couple of feet, pinning my friend’s arm, he experienced excruciating pain.
morph
morph
verb: To undergo dramatic change in a seamless and barely noticeable fashion.
The earnestness of the daytime talk shows of the 1970’s has morphed into something far more sensational and vulgar: today guests actually stand up and threaten to take swings at one another.
besiege
besiege
verb: harass, as with questions or requests; cause to feel distressed or worried
After discovering a priceless artifact in her backyard, Jane was besieged by phone calls, emails, and reporters all trying to buy, hold or see the rare piece of history.
paradoxical
paradoxical
adjective: seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
That light could be both a particle and a wave seems paradoxical, but nonetheless, it is true.
futile
futile
adjective: producing no result or effect; unproductive of success
I thought I could repair the car myself, but after two days of work with no success, I have to admit that my efforts were futile.
antiquated
antiquated
adjective: old-fashioned; belonging to an earlier period in time
Aunt Betty had antiquated notions about marriage, believing that a man should court a woman for at least a year before receiving a kiss.
convivial
convivial
adjective: describing a lively atmosphere
The wedding reception was convivial; friends who hadn’t seen each other for ages drank and ate together before heading to the dance floor.
boorish
boorish
adjective: ill-mannered and coarse or contemptible in behavior or appearance
Bukowski was known for being a boorish drunk and alienating close friends and family.
staid
staid
adjective: characterized by dignity and propriety
Frank came from a staid environment, so he was shocked that his college roommate sold narcotics.
chivalrous
chivalrous
adjective: being attentive to women like an ideal knight
Medieval tales are full of stories of chivalry, in which a young knight must commit deeds of heroism to win the hand of a fair maiden.
evasive
evasive
adjective: avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger or commitment
His responses were clearly evasive; he obviously did not want to take on any responsibility or any new work.
adjective: deliberately vague or ambiguous
Every time I call the bank, I receive the same evasive answers about our mortgage and never get a clear response.
credible
creditable
adjective: deserving of praise but not that amazing
Critics agreed the movie was creditable, but few gave it more than three out of five stars.
differentiate
differentiate
verb: be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait (sometimes in positive sense)
Mozart’s long melodic lines differentiate his compositions from other works of late 18th century music.
verb: evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
Animals on Madagascar differentiated from other similar animal species due to many years of isolation on the island.
misogynist
misogynist
noun: a person who dislikes women in particular
Many have accused Hemingway of being a quiet misogynist, but recently unearthed letters argue against this belief.
miscreant
miscreant
noun: a person who breaks the law
“Come back you miscreant!” yelled the woman who just had her purse stolen.
carping
carping
noun: persistently petty and unjustified criticism
What seemed like incessant nagging and carping about my behavior from my mother turned out to be wise and useful advice that has served me well.
evasive
evasive
adjective: avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger or commitment
His responses were clearly evasive; he obviously did not want to take on any responsibility or any new work.
adjective: deliberately vague or ambiguous
Every time I call the bank, I receive the same evasive answers about our mortgage and never get a clear response.
inkling
inkling
noun: a slight suggestion or vague understanding
Lynne speaks four Romance languages, but she doesn’t have an inkling about how East Asian languages are structured.
cosmopolitan
cosmopolitan
adjective: comprising many cultures; global in reach and outlook
There are few cities in the world as diverse and cosmopolitan as New York.
snub
snub
verb: refuse to acknowledge; reject outright and bluntly
Wheeler was completely qualified for the committee, but the board snubbed him, choosing an obviously lesser qualified candidate instead.
resignation
resignation
noun: the acceptance of something unpleasant that can’t be avoided
Synonyms : surrender
Since Jack could not think of a convincing reason why he had to miss the seminar, he attended it with a sense of resignation.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
amply
amply
adverb: more than is adequate
The boat was amply supplied for its year at sea—no man would go hungry or thirsty.
vie
vie
verb: compete for something
While the other teams in the division actively vie for the championship, this team seems content simply to go through the motions of playing.
relegate
relegate
verb: assign to a lower position
When Dexter was unable to fulfill his basic duties, instead of firing him, the boss relegated him to kitchen cleanup.
deliberate
deliberate
verb: think about carefully; weigh the pros and cons of an issue
Emergency situations such as this call for immediate action and leave no room to deliberate over options.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
perquisite
perquisite
noun: a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
Even as the dishwasher at the French restaurant, Josh quickly learned that he had the perquisite of being able to eat terrific food for half the price diners would pay.
One more?
One more?
