Basic Words Flashcards
inflammatory
adj. extremely controversial
He left an inflammatory comment on an Internet thread.
demean
v. to insult; to cause someone to lose dignity or respect
As soon as one of the players became demeaning, calling the other’s mother a water buffalo, the ref whipped out a red card.
embroiled
adj. involved in argument
These days we are never short of a politician embroiled in scandal.
zenith
n. the highest point; culmination
At the zenith of his artistic career, Elvis was outselling any other artist.
telltale
adj. revealing
The many telltale signs of chronic smoking include yellow teeth, and a persistent cough.
pinnacle
n. the highest point
At its pinnacle, the Roman Empire extended across most of the landmass of Eurasia.
indignant
adj. feeling anger over a perceived injustice
When the cyclist swerved into traffic, it elicited an indignant shout.
indigenous
adj. originating in a certain area
The plants and animals indigenous to Australia are notably different from those indigenous to the U.S.
indict
v. to formally charge or accuse of wrong-doing
The bankrobber was indicted on several major charges.
demure
adj. to be modest and shy
The portrait of her was sweet and demure.
stipend
n. a regular allowance (of money)
After no such stipend was forthcoming, he realized he would have to seek other means of paying for his college tuition.
erratic
adj. unpredictable; strange and unconventional
Support for his policies was erratic.
voracious
adj. very hungry; approaching an activity with gusto
He was a voracious reader.
acme
n. the highest point of achievement
The new airplanes will be the acme of comfort.
pine
v. to yearn for
Standing forlornly by the window, she pined for her lost love.
summit
n. the peak or highest point
n. a meeting of high-level leaders
The climbers finally reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
This summit should help set the goals for the president’s next term.
retiring
adj. to be shy, and to be inclined to retract from company
Rather than mill about with “fashionable” folk, he was retiring.
dupe
v. to trick or swindle
n. a person who is easily tricked or swindled
Once again a get-rich-fast Internet scheme had duped Harold.
The charlatan mistook the crowd for a bunch of dupes.
profuse
adj. plentiful; pouring out in abundance
He was sweating so profusely that he stopped to take off his shirt.
affluent
adj. wealthy
Multi-million dollar homes spoke of affluence.
screed
n. an abusive rant (often tedious)
He broke ranks and launched into some screed against big business.
underwrite
v. to support financially
The latest broadcast was made possible with underwriting from the Carnegie Endowment.
tirade
n. an angry speech
A tirade oftentimes does little more than make the person speaking red in the face.
amiable
adj. friendly
She was so amiable that she was twice voted class president.
mesmerize
v. to spellbind or enthrall
The characters were so well developed that many viewers were mesmerized.
macabre
adj. suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome
Edgar Allen Poe was considered the master of the macabre.
variance
n. the quality of being different
The cynic quipped, “There is not much variance in politicians; they all seem to lie”.
spendthrift
n. one who spends money extravagantly
Megan was a spendthrift whose excesses eventually caught up to her.
thoroughgoing
adj. very thorough; complete
As a thoroughgoing bibliophile, he shocked his friends when he bought a Kindle.
tender
v. offer up something formally
The government was loath to tender more money.
miser
n. a person who doesn’t like to spend money (because they are greedy)
He was no miser, but was simply frugal.
err
v. to make an error
He erred in thinking that “indigent” and “indignant” were synonyms.
peruse
v. to read very carefully
Instead of perusing important documents, people all too often rush to the bottom of the page.
dog
v. to pursue relentlessly; to hound
He was dogged by insecurities.
affable
adj. likeable; easy to talk to
For all his surface affability, Marco was remarkably glum.
bleak
adj. having a depressing or gloomy outlook
Unremitting overcast skies tend to lead people to create bleak literature and lugubrious music.
censor
v. to examine and remove objectionable material
n. an official who censors material
High school teachers are inundated by requests to censor their curriculum.
The censor insisted that every reference to drugs be removed.
inundate
v. to flood or overwhelm
The newsroom was inundated with false reports.
remiss
adj. to be negligent in one’s duty
Remiss in his duty to keep the school functioning efficiently, he was relieved of his position after only three months.
unnerve
v. to make nervous or upset
At one time unnerved by math problems, she began avidly “Magoosh-ing”.
vindictive
adj. to have a very strong desire for revenge
She was so vindictive that she waited for an entire semester to get the perfect revenge.
diabolical
adj. to be extremely wicked like the devil
The conspirators hatched a diabolical plan.
serendipity
n. the instance in which an accidental, fortunate discovery is made
By pure serendipity, she discovered a matching earring to replace the one she lost.
reprobate
n. a person who is disapproved of
Those old reprobates drink all day down by the river.
slapdash
adj. carelessly and hastily put together
The office building had been constructed in a slapdash manner.
insolvent
adj. unable to pay one’s bills; bankrupt
A shockingly large number of Americans are truly insolvent.
candid
adj. a straightforward and honest look at something
He was always candid and would rarely hold anything back.
thrifty
adj. spending money wisely
He was economical, spending his money thriftily.
telling
adj. significant and revealing of another factor
Her dress was very telling when it came to her sense of fashion.
hound
v. to pursue relentlessly
An implacable foe of corruption, Eliot Ness hounded out graft in all forms.
replete
adj. completely stocked or furnished with something
The local supermarket shelves were replete with goods.
checkered
adj. one that is marked by disreputable happenings
Their respective checkered pasts sabotaged their campaigns.
flush
adj. to be in abundance
The exam’s passage is flush with difficult words.
cadaverous
adj. emaciated; gaunt
They have to lose so much weight that they appear cadaverous.
extenuating
adj. making less guilty or more forgivable
The jury was hardly moved by the man’s plea that his loneliness was an extenuating factor in his crime.
raft
n. a large number of something
A raft of city ordinances passed by an overzealous council.
misanthrope
n. a hater of mankind
Kevin is such a misanthrope that he refused to attend the party.
beatific
adj. blissfully happy
We imagine all monks to wear the beatific smile of the Buddha.
immaterial
adj. not relevant
The judge found the defendant’s comments immaterial to the trial.
sanguine
adj. cheerful; optimistic
He was anything but sanguine.
chauvinist
n. a person who believes in the superiority of their group
The chauvinist lives on both sides of the political spectrum.
disparate
adj. two things are fundamentally different
Religion and biology are as disparate as anything.
unconscionable
adj. unreasonable; unscrupulous; excessive
The lawyer’s demands were so unconscionable that the defendant decided to find a new lawyer.
start
v. to suddenly move in a particular direction
She started when she heard a sound.
cogent
adj. clear and persuasive
A cogent argument will change the minds of even the most skeptical audience.
badger
v. to pester
Badgered by his parents to find a job, he joined a gang of itinerant musicians.
sanctimonious
adj. making a show of being pious; holier-than-thou
A sanctimonious sneer formed on her face.
fleece
v. to deceive
Many people have been fleeced by Internet scams.
cardinal
adj. of primary importance; fundamental
Most cultures consider gambling a cardinal sin and thus have outlawed its practice.
aboveboard
adj. open and honest
The mayor was hardly aboveboard.
vicarious
adj. felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another
The advent of twitter is a celebrity stalker’s dream, as he or she can vicariously live the life of a famous person.
catalyst
n. something that speeds up an event
Rosa Park’s refusal to give up her bus seat acted as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement.
stem
v. to hold back or limit the flow or growth of something
To stem the tide of applications, they require that each applicant score at least 330.
scintillating
adj. describes someone who is brilliant and lively
He was renowned for his scintillating lectures.
preemptive
adj. done before someone else can do it
Just as she was about to take the only cookie left on the table, he preemptively swiped it.
junta
n. an aggressive takeover by a group (usually military)
Some analysts believe that were a junta suddenly to gain power, it could be even more unpredictable than the current leadership
paucity
n. a lack of something
There is a paucity of jobs hiring that require menial skills.
melee
n. a wild, confusing fight or struggle
I became enraged and pummeled the schoolyard bully in a brutal melee.
errant
adj. to be wandering; not sticking to a circumscribed path
Unlike his peers, he preferred errant walks through the campus.
bellicose
adj. warlike; inclined to quarrel
Known for their bellicose ways, the Spartans were once feared people.
exhort
v. to strongly urge on; encourage
His parents exhorted him to study medicine.
avarice
n. greed (one of the seven deadly sins)
The conquistadors were known for their avarice.
moment
n. significant and important value
Despite the initial hullabaloo, the play was of no great moment in his writing career.
imponderable
adj. impossible to estimate or figure out
The huge variety of factors affecting society make devising an efficient healthcare system an imponderable task.
corroborate
v. to confirm or lend support to (usually an idea or claim)
Her claim that frog populations were falling precipitously was corroborated by locals.
becoming
adj. appropriate, and matches nicely
Her dress was becoming and made her look even more beautiful.
virago
n. an ill-tempered or violent woman
Poor Billy was the victim of the virago’s invective.
apex
n. the highest point
The Ivy League is considered the apex of the secondary education system.
ferret
v. to search for something persistently
He was able to ferret out the word origin of highly obscure words.
check
v. to limit (usually modifying the growth of something)
n. the condition of being held back or limited
Weeds grew unchecked in the front yard
When government abuses are not kept in check, it is likely to become autocratic.
animosity
n. intense hostility
The governor’s animosity toward his rival was only inflamed when the latter spread false lies.
pittance
n. a small amount (of money)
Even twice the amount would have been a mere pittance.
desecrate
v. to willfully violate or destroy a sacred place
After desecrating the pharaoh’s tomb, the archaeologist soon fell victim to a horrible illness.
contrite
adj. to be remorseful
He soon became contrite when his sister wouldn’t stop crying.
powwow
n. an informal meeting or discussion
Before the team takes the field, the coach always calls for a powwow.
wax
v. to gradually increase in size or intensity
Her enthusiasm for the diva’s new album only waxed with each song.
hodgepodge
n. a confusing mixture or jumble
Those in attendance represented a hodgepodge of the city’s denizens.
pugnacious
adj. eager to fight or argue; verbally combative
He pugnaciously spat back at them, “Really?”
heyday
n. the pinnacle or top of a time period or career
During the heyday of Prohibition, bootlegging had become a lucrative business.
amok
adv. in a frenzied or uncontrolled state
His legions of screaming fans ran through the streets amok.
archaic
adj. so old as to appear to belong to a different period
She spoke in archaic English that was right out of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
entice
v. get someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises
He enticed his wife to go on a vacation to Hawaii.
renege
v. fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
We will no longer work with that vendor since it has reneged on nearly every agreement.
patronize
v. treat condescendingly
She patronized me, constantly pointing out how I was inferior to her.
jocular
adj. characterized by jokes and good humor
My uncle was always in a jocular mood at family gatherings.
disheartened
adj. made less hopeful or enthusiastic
After the visiting team scored nine times, the home team’s fans were disheartened.
apprehension
n. fearful expectation
Test day can be one of pure apprehension, as many students worry about their test scores.
snide
adj. expressive of contempt; derogatory or mocking in an indirect way
The chairman interpreted her question about promotions as a snide remark.
appreciable
adj. large enough to be noticed (usu. refers to an amount)
There is an appreciable difference between construction workers and engineers.
malleable
adj. capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
adj. easily influenced
The clay became malleable and easy to work.
My little brother is so malleable that I can convince him to sneak cookies for me.
autonomously
adv. Acting independently; self-governing (of a country)
The computers will work completely autonomously.
resolve
v. reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation
He resolved not to travel abroad this summer.
discriminate
v. recognize or perceive the difference
Sarah couldn’t discriminate between a good wine and a bad wine, so she avoided wine tastings.
fete
v. to celebrate a person
War heroes were feted at first but quickly forgotten.
quandary
n. state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
He certainly is in a quandary: if he doesn’t call Elaine, she will blame him for everything, but if he does call her, the evidence of where he currently is could cost him his job.
pithy
adj. concise and full of meaning
I enjoy reading the Daodejing for its pithy and insightful prose.
morose
adj. ill-tempered and not inclined to talk; gloomy
He sat in his room morosely.
disenfranchise
v. deprive of voting rights
The constitution disenfranchised women until 1920.
ascendancy
n. the state that exists when one person or group has power over another
The ascendancy of the water polo team is clear.
boon
n. a desirable state
adj. very close and convivial
Modern technology has been a boon to the travel industry.
He was a boon companion to many, and will be sadly missed.
dearth
n. a lack or shortage
I am surprised by the dearth of fast food chains.
stolid
adj. having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
Elephants appear stolid to casual observers.
ornate
adj. marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details
The ornate Victorian homes are my favorite part of the city.
robust
adj. sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
He preferred a beer with more robust flavor.
avid
adj. marked by active interest and enthusiasm
He is an avid birdwatcher.
respite
n. a pause from doing something (as work)
Every afternoon, the small company has a respite.
flounder
v. behave awkwardly; have difficulties
When she has to deal with taxes, she flounders.
thwart
v. hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
The high costs of travel and lodging thwarted my plans.
inclement
adj. (of weather) unpleasant, stormy
adj. used of persons or behavior; showing no mercy
After a week of inclement weather, we finally are able to go outside and enjoy the sun.
He was inclement to Christians during his reign.
meander
v. to wander aimlessly
A casual observer thought that Peter was meandering through the city.
guffaw
v. laugh boisterously
The king guffawed, exposing his yellow, fang-like teeth.
malady
n. a disease or sickness
The town was struck by a malady throughout the winter.
incessant
adj. uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
I think the incessant exposure would quickly wear me down.
elusive
adj. difficult to capture or difficult to remember
Describing the act of falling from the sky is elusive.
proponent
n. a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
Ironically, the leading proponent of Flat-Earth Theory flies all over the world.
endemic
adj. native; originating where it is found
The potato is not endemic to Ireland.
deter
v. turn away from by persuasion
v. try to prevent; show opposition to
His mother tried to deter him from joining the army.
The government’s primary job should involve deterring paths to war.
impermeable
adj. does not allow fluids to pass through
The sand bags formed an impermeable barrier.
impede
v. be a hindrance or obstacle to
Progress in his own case was impeded.
obdurate
adj. stubbornly persistent in changing an opinion or action
Nothing would get him to change his obdurate attitude.
advocate
v. speak, plead, or argue in favor of
n. a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
He was unwilling to advocate for the cause.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a tireless advocate for the rights of African-Americans.
moot
adj. open to argument or debate; undecidable in a meaningless or irrelevant way
What the finance committe might have thought of his marketing plan is now a moot point.
raffish
adj. marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
The men found him raffish.
muted
adj. softened, subdued
Helen preferred muted earth colors.
consummate
adj. having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
v. to make perfect and complete in every respect
Tyler was the consummate musician.
The restoration of the church was only consummated after a twenty years of labor.
fledgling
adj. young and inexperienced; describing any new participant in some activity
He is just a fledgling in surgery.
ingenuity
n. the power of creative imagination
He was famous for his ingenuity.
plodding
adj. (of movement) slow and laborious
Charlie seems to run at a plodding pace.
transitory
adj. lasting a very short time
What if we lived forever and life was not transitory?
degrade
v. reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
He publicly degraded the poor girl.
uncompromising
adj. not making concessions
They were both so uncompromising, never wanting to change their opinions.
credence
n. belief in something
He placed no credence in psychics.
genial
adj. agreeable, conducive to comfort
Betty is a genial young woman.
derisive
adj. abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
I was surprised by her derisive tone.
vacuous
adj. devoid of intelligence, matter, or significance
The senator gave a vacuous response.
jargon
n. a characteristic language of a particular group
The jargon of doctors can be very difficult to understand.
detrimental
adj. (sometimes followed by “to”) causing harm or injury
Many know that smoking is detrimental to your health.
illicit
adj. contrary to or forbidden by law
He was engaged in many illicit activities.
conductive
adj. making a situation or outcome more likely to happen
Studying in a quiet room is conducive to learning.
contemptuous
adj. scornful, looking down at others with a sneering attitude
She looked contemptuously at anyone wearing dated clothing.
perennial
adj. lasting an indefinitely long time; eternal; everlasting
He was a perennial favorite of the fans there.
grovel
v. show submission or fear
He grovels as if she were about to fire him.
hamstrung
v. made ineffective or powerless
There are so many restrictions that they are absolutely hamstrung.
elaborate
adj. marked by complexity and richness of detail
v. explain in more detail
He replaced his dirty gray carpet with an elaborate one.
Most teachers find themselves elaborating the same point over and over again.
urbane
adj. showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience
W. Somerset Maugham became the inspiration for the urbane and sophistcate spy James Bond.
tumult
n. a state of chaos, noise and confusion
The tumult continued late into the night.
perpetuate
v. cause to continue
You are merely perpetuating bad habits.
pertinent
adj. having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand
Such monetary figures are not pertinent to the question.
impeccable
adj. without fault or error
He was impeccably dressed in the latest fashion.
surly
adj. inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
Every morning, she was a surly unhappy person.
pristine
adj. unspoiled, untouched (usu. of nature)
adj. immaculately clean and unused
The glacial lake was pristine.
Drill sergeants are known for demanding pristine cabinets, uniforms, and beds.
fickle
adj. liable to sudden unpredictable change, esp. in affections or attachments
She was so fickle in her politics, it was hard to pinpoint her beliefs.
altruism
n. the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
He did not seek a reward but was apparently motivated only by altruism.
spurn
v. reject with contempt
She spurned all his flattery and proposals.
augment
v. enlarge or increase; improve
Ideally, the restaurant’s augmented menu will expand its clientele.
facetious
adj. cleverly amusing in tone
Facetious behavior will not be tolerated during sex eduation class.
cornucopia
n. an abundant supply of something good
The International Food Expo was a cornucopia of culinary delights.
martial
adj. suggesting war or military life
Americans tend to remember Abraham Lincoln as kindly and wise, not at all martial.
lucid
adj. (of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
His writing is always lucid.
rankle
v. gnaw into; make resentful or angry
His constant whistling would rankle her.
banish
v. expel from a community, residence, or location; drive away
The most difficult part of the fast was banishing thoughts of food.
commendable
adj. worthy of high praise
The efforts of the firefighters were commendable.
genteel
adj. marked by refinement in taste and manners
A live string quartet would provide a more genteel air to the wedding.
assail
v. attack in speech or writing
The editor assailed the governor for wasting money.
sentimental
adj. effusively or insincerely emotional, especially in art, music, and literature
I don’t like romanticism—overly sentimental.
irresolute
adj. uncertain how to act or proceed
He stood irresolute at the split in the trail.
precedent
n. an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
The outfits that student wore in no way established a precedent for what could be worn at school.
unruly
adj. (of persons) noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline; unwilling to submit to authority
I am sure that you will find an unruly and chaotic scene.
smattering
n. a slight or superficial understanding of a subject; a small amount of something
I know only a smattering of German.
debase
v. reduce the quality or value of something
The third-rate script debased the film.
egotist
n. a conceited and self-centered person
The egotist had few friends.
buck
v. resist
The profits at our firm bucked the general economic downturn.
assuage
v. make something intense less severe
Her fear was assuaged when she recognized her friend.
whimsical
adj. determined by impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
Adults look to kids and envy their whimsical nature.
tawdry
adj. tastelessly showy; cheap and shoddy
She was surprised how often tawdry displays took place.
benign
adj. kind
adj. (medicine) not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive
I remember my grandfather’s face was wrinkled, benign, and calm.
The tumor located in your ear lobe seems to be benign.
empathetic
adj. showing understanding and ready comprehension of other peoples’ states and emotions
Most discrimination and hatred is based on a lack of empathetic awareness.
glib
adj. (of a person) speaking with ease but without sincerity
The more glib the salesman, the worse the product.
euphoria
n. a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
The euphoria of winning her first gold medal in the 100 meter dash overwhelmed her.
inadvertent
adj. happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
The inadvertent and costly consequences led its the repeal.
complacent
adj. contented to a fault with oneself or one’s actions
They became complacent and didn’t even make it to the playoffs.
enmity
n. a state of deep-seated ill-will
His remark was not due to any real enmity toward her.
smug
adj. marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
He had a smug attitude that annoyed his buddies.
unprecedented
adj. having never been done or known before; novel
The idea was unprecedented.
maxim
n. a short saying expressing a general truth
The secret to business can be summarized in a single maxim.
reservation
n. an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly
Now that I have read about the high crime statistics there, I have some reservations.
presumption
n. an assumption that is taken for granted
n. audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
He acted under the presumption that his rebellious son had taken the car.
The new neighbor quickly gained a reputation for her presumption.
travail
n. use of physical or mental energy; hard work; agony or anguish
They experienced nothing but travails in refinishing the kitchen.
impregnable
adj. immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
She would pretend it was an impregnable fotresses.
destitute
adj. poor enough to need help from others
adj. completely wanting or lacking (usually ‘destitute of’)
He was at first destitute.
The town is destitute of any economic activity.
brusquely
adv. in a blunt, direct manner
He would brusquely ask his subordinates anything he wanted.
obstinate
adj. resistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistent
She remained obstinate, unwilling to modify any of her habits.
serene
adj. calm and peaceful
I’d never seen him so serene.
steadfast
adj. marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
A good captain needs to be steadfast.
unseemly
adj. not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
He acted in an unseemly manner.
credulity
n. tendency to believe readily
Her wide-eyed credulity as a five-year old was replaced by suspicion.
exasperate
v. to irritate intensely
I exasperated my mother with never-ending questions.
tarnish
v. make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
His involvement with gambling on baseball games has tarnished his image.
convoluted
adj. highly complex or intricate
He used a convoluted solution requiring fifteen steps.
pastoral
adj. relating to the countryside in a pleasant sense
Those who imagine America’s countryside as a pastoral region are often disappointed to see the rural cities.
retract
v. pull inward or towards a center; formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
There is no way to retract it.
tact
n. consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
In a tremendous display of tact, she was able to maintain the strong friendship with him.
derogative
adj. expressed as worthless or in negative terms
The debate was derogative and filthy.
foible
n. a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
Jeff assured her it was a harmless foible.
leery
adj. openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
I am leery of hiring the candidate.
squander
v. spend thoughtlessly; waste time, money, or an opportunity
He feared his money would be squandered by his family.
collusion
n. agreement on a secret plot
Many have argued that JFK’s assassin was in collusion with other criminals.
placid
adj. not easily irritated
He is normally placid.
malevolent
adj. wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
Villains are known for their malevolent nature.
taxing
adj. use to the limit; exhaust
The hike to the summit was so taxing that I could barely speak.
discord
n. lack of agreement or harmony
Despite all their talented players, the team was filled with discord.
elude
v. escape understanding
Even a basic understanding of physics can elude most high schools students.
eke
v. To live off meager resources, to scrape by
He was able to eke out an existence on canned food.
peevish
adj. easily irritated or annoyed
Our office manager is peevish.
tout
v. advertise in strongly positive terms; show off
The CEO touted the extraordinary success of his company.
conniving
v. taking part in immoral and unethical plots
The queen was so conniving that she tried to overthrow the king.
perturb
v. disturb in mind or cause to be worried or alarmed
He no longer lets the little trivialities, such as late mail, perturb him.
devolve
v. pass on or delegate to another
v. grow worse (usually ‘devolve into’)
The company was full of managers known for devolving tasks to lower management.
The dialogue between the two academics devolved into a downright bitter argument.
impending
adj. close in time; about to occur
The impending doom of our world has long been a discussed and debated.
goad
v. 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.
quip
n. a witty saying or remark
v. to make a witty remark, to say in jest
In one of the most famous quips about classical music, Mark Twain said: “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds.”
When a 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!”
ploy
n. 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.
rash
adj. marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences; imprudently incurring risk
Although Bruce was able to make the delivery in time with a nightime motorcycle ride in the rain, Susan criticized his actions as rash.
savvy
n. a perceptive understanding
v. get the meaning of something
adj. well-informed or perceptive
Although a great CEO, he did not have the political savvy to win the election.
The student savvies the meaning of astrophysics with little effort.
With his savvy business partner, the company was able to turn a profit within a year.
aphoristic
adj. something that is concise and instructive of a general truth or principle
Sometimes I can’t stand Nathan because he tries to impress everyone by being aphoristic, but he just states the obvious.
irk
v. irritate or vex
My little sister has a way of irking and annoying me like no other person.
exemplify
v. be characteristic of
v. clarify by giving an example of
Lincoln exemplified the best of not only America, but also the potential greatness that exists within each person.
Please present some case studies that exemplify the results that you claim in your paper.
diligent
adj. 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.
embellish
v. make more attractive by adding ornament, color, etc.; make more beautiful
McCartney would write relatively straightforward lyrics, and Lennon would embellish them with puns and poetic images.
candidness
n. 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.
forthright
adj. characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
I did not expect the insurance agent to give us any straight answers, but I was pleasantly surprised by how forthright he was.
cavalier
adj. given to haughty disregard of others
Percy dismissed the issue with a cavalier wave of his hand.
presumptuous
adj. excessively forward
Many felt that Barney was presumptuous in moving into the large office before the management even made any official announcement of his promotion.
glean
v. collect information bit by bit
Herb has given us no formal statement about his background, but from various hints, I have gleaned that he grew up in difficult circumstances.
tribulation
n. something, especially an event, that causes difficulty and suffering
As of 2013, nearly 1.5 million Syrians have fled their country hoping to escape the tribulations of a civil war tearing their country to pieces.
belittle
v. lessen the importance, dignity, or reputation of
A good teacher will never belittle his students, but will instead empower them.
deride
v. treat or speak of with contempt
The nun derided the students for trying to sneak insects and worms into the classroom.
melancholy
n. a deep, long-lasting sadness
Hamlet is a figure of tremendous melancholy: he doesn’t have a truly cheerful scene throughout the entire play.
fawn
v. try to gain favor by extreme flattery
The media fawned over the handsome new CEO, praising his impeccable sense of style instead of asking more pointed questions.
antedate
v. precede in time
Harry was so unknowledgable that he was unaware the Egyptian pharaohs antedated the American Revolution.
uncanny
adj. suggesting the operation of supernatural influences; surpassing the ordinary or normal
Reggie has an uncanny ability to connect with animals: feral cats will readily approach him, and sometimes even wild birds will land on his finger.
delegate
v. give an assignment to (a person)
Since the senior manager had to go on many international business trips, she was forced to delegate many of her responsibilities to two lower-level managers.
wanton
adj. without check or limitation; showing no moral restraints to one’s anger, desire, or appetites
Due to wanton behavior and crude language, the drunk man was thrown out of the bar and asked to never return.
conundrum
n. a difficult problem
Computers have helped solve some of the mathematical conundrums which have puzzled man for many centuries.
redress
n. an act of making something right
Barry forgot his wife’s birthday two years in a row, and was only able to redress his oversight by surprising his wife with a trip to Tahiti.
besmirch
v. damage the good name and reputation of someone
The prince’s distasteful choice of words besmirched not only his own name, but the reputation of the entire royal family.
consecrate
v. to make holy or set apart for a high purpose
At the church of Notre Dame in France, the new High Altar was consecrated in 1182.
implicate
v. convey a meaning; imply
v. to indicate in wrongdoing, usually a crime
By saying that some of the guests were uncomfortable, the manager implicated to the hotel staff that it needed to be more dilligent.
The crime boss was implicated for a long list of crimes, ranging from murder to disturbing the peace.
foolhardy
adj. marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
The police regularly face dangerous situations, so for a police officer not to wear his bullet-proof vest is foolhardy.
humdrum
adj. dull and lacking excitement
Having grown up in a humdrum suburb, Jacob relished life in New York City after moving.
incense
v. make furious
When Herb bought football tickets for a game on the day of their wedding anniversary, Jill was incensed.
insipid
adj. dull and uninteresting
The movie director was known for hiring beautiful actors in order to deflect attention away from the insipid scripts he would typically use.
behooves
v. to be one’s duty or obligation
The teacher looked down at the student and said, “It would behoove you to be in class on time and complete your homework, so that you don’t repeat freshman English for a third straight year.”
begrudge
v. to envy someone for possessing or enjoying something
v. to give reluctantly
Sitting all alone in his room, Harvey begrudged the happiness of the other children playing outside his window.
We never begrudge money spent on ourselves.
prevail
v. be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; be current:
v. prove superior
During the labor negotiations, an air of hostility prevailed in the office.
Before the cricket match, Australia was heavily favored, but India prevailed.
analogous
adj. similar in some respects but otherwise different
In many ways, the Internet’s transformative effect on society has been analogous to that of the printing press.
eccentric
adj. highly unconventional or unusual (usually describes a person)
Mozart was well-known for his eccentricities, often speaking words backward to confuse those around him.
emulate
v. strive to equal or match, especially by imitating; compete with successfully
To really become fluent in a new language, emulate the speech patterns of people who speak the language.
intermittent
adj. stopping and starting at irregular intervals
The intermittent thunder continued and the night was punctuated by cracks of lightning—a surreal sleepless night.
veneer
n. covering consisting of a thin superficial layer that hides the underlying substance
Mark Twain referred to the Victorian Period in America as the “Gilded Age”, implying the ample moral corruption that lay beneath a mere veneer of respectability.
cohesive
adj. well integrated, forming a united whole
A well-written, cohesive essay will keep on topic at all times, never losing sight of the main argument.
coalesce
v. fuse or cause to grow together
Over time, the various tribes coalesced into a single common culture with one universal language.
preempt
v. take the place of or have precedence over
A governmental warning about an imminent terrorist attack would preempt ordinary network programming on television.
clemency
n. leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
In the final moments of the trial, during his closing speech, Phillips was nearly begging the judge for clemency.
avert
v. turn away
v. ward off or prevent
Afraid to see the aftermath of the car crash, I averted my eyes as we drove by.
The struggling videogame company put all of its finances into one final, desperate project to avert bankruptcy.
evenhanded
adj. without partiality
Teachers often have trouble being evenhanded to all of their varied students.
lethargic
adj. lacking energy
Nothing can make a person more lethargic than a big turkey dinner.
piquant
adj. having an agreeably pungent taste
The chef, with a mere flick of the salt shaker, turned the bland tomato soup into a piquant meal.
cerebral
adj. involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
A cerebral analysis of most pop music finds it to be simple and childish, but that ignores the point–the music’s effect on the listener.
incumbent
adj. necessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility
Middle managers at times make important decisions, but real responsibility for the financial well-being of the corporation is ultimately incumbent on the CEO.
profusion
n. the property of being extremely abundant
When Maria reported that she had been visited by Jesus Christ and had proof, a profusion of reporters and journalists descended on the town.
rakish
adj. marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
As soon as he arrived in the city, the rakish young man bought some drugs and headed straight for the seedy parts of town.
ascribe
v. attribute or credit to
History ascribes The Odyssey and The Iliad to Homer, but scholars now debate whether he was a historical figure or a fictitious name.
irascible
adj. quickly aroused to anger
If Arthur’s dog is not fed adequately, he becames highly irascible, even growling at his own shadow.
precarious
adj. fraught with danger
People smoke to relax and forget their cares, but ironically, in terms of health risks, smoking is far more precarious than either mountain-climbing or skydiving.
rile
v. cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
Dan is usually calm and balanced, but it takes only one intense glare from Sabrina to rile him.
buttress
v. make stronger or defensible
China’s economy has been buttressed by a global demand for the electronic parts the country manufactures.
docile
adj. easily handled or managed; willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed
Barnyard animals are considerably more docile than the wild animals.
industrious
adj. characterized by hard work and perseverance
Pete was an industrious student, completing every assignment thoroughly and on time.
finagle
v. achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
Steven was able to finagle one of the last seats on the train by convincing the conductor that his torn stub was actually a valid ticket.
chivalrous
adj. being attentive to women like an ideal knight
Marco’s chivalrous ways, like opening doors and pulling out chairs, was much appreciated by his date.
stymie
v. 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.
vie
v. 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.
vanquish
v. 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.
deliberate
v. 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.
resignation
n. the acceptance of something unpleasant that can’t be avoided
Since Jack could not think of a convincing reason why he had to miss the seminar, he attended it with a sense of resignation.
inkling
n. 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.
compound
v. 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.
dispatch
n. the property of being prompt and efficient
v. dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently
She finished her thesis with dispatch, amazing her advisors who couldn’t believe she hadn’t written 60 scholarly pages so quickly.
As soon as the angry peasants stormed the castle, they caught the king and swiftly dispatched him.
obliging
adj. 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.
differentiate
v. be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait (sometimes in positive sense)
v. evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment
Mozart’s long melodic lines differentiate his compositions from other works of late 18th century music.
Animals on Madagascar differentiated from other similar animal species due to many years of isolation on the island.
balk
v. 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.
carping
adj. 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.
staid
adj. characterized by dignity and propriety
Frank came from a staid environment, so he was shocked that his college roommate sold narcotics.
evasive
adj. avoiding or escaping from difficulty or danger or commitment
adj. deliberately vague or ambiguous
His responses were clearly evasive; he obviously did not want to take on any responsibility or any new work.
Every time I call the bank, I receive the same evasive answers about our mortgage and never get a clear response.
laborious
adj. 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.
aphorism
n. a short instructive saying about a general truth
Nietzsche was known for using aphorisms, sometimes encapsulating a complex philosophical thought in a mere sentence.
snub
v. 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.
cosmopolitan
adj. comprising many cultures; global in reach and outlook
There are few cities in the world as diverse and cosmopolitan as New York.
malodorous
adj. 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.
colossal
adj. 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.
decimation
n. destroying or killing a large part of the population
The decimation after atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is incomprehensible.
hamper
v. 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.
debunk
v. 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.
cumbersome
adj. 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.
provisional
adj. 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.
champion
v. to fight for a cause
Martin Luther King Jr. championed civil rights fiercely throughout his short life.
paradoxical
adj. seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
That light could be both a particle and a wave seems paradoxical, but nonetheless, it is true.
morph
v. 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 standup and threaten to take swings at one another.
dilapidated
adj. in terrible condition
The main house has been restored but the gazebo is still dilapidated and unuseable.
qualm
n. uneasiness about the fitness of an action
While he could articulate no clear reason why Harkner’s plan would fail, he neverless felt qualms about committing any resources to it.
misogynist
n. a person who dislikes women in particular
Many have accused Hemingway of being a quiet misogynist, but recently unearthed letters argue against this belief.
excruciating
adj. extremely painful
After the boulder rolled a couple of feet, pinning my friend’s arm, he experienced excruciating pain.
complementary
adj. 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
adj. 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.
antiquated
adj. 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.
discreet
adj. careful to protect one’s speech or actions in order to avoid offense or gain an advantage
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 member of the audience pointed out the large ketchup stain.
relegate
v. 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.
convivial
adj. 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.
constraint
n. something that limits or restricts
We don’t have many resources, so we’ll have to work with some very tight constraints.
amply
adv. more than is adequate
The boat was amply supplied for its year at sea—no man would go hungry or thirst.
boorish
adj. ill-mannered and coarse or contemptible in behavior or appearance
Bukowski was known for being a boorish drunk and alienating close friends and family.
besiege
v. 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.
abysmal
adj. extremely bad
Coach Ramsey took his newest player off the field after watching a few painful minutes of her abysmal performance.
creditable
adj. deserving of praise but not that amazing
Critics agreed the movie was creditable, but few gave it more than three out of five stars.
enumerate
v. determine the number or amount of
v. specify individually, one by one
The survey enumerates the number of happy workers and the number of unhappy workers.
I sat and listened as she enumerated all of the things she did not like about the past three months.
inarticulate
adj. without or deprived of the use of speech or words
Although a brilliant economist, Professor Black was completely inarticulate, a terrible lecturer.
futile
adj. 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.
miscreant
n. a person who breaks the law
“Come back you miscreant!” yelled the woman who just had her purse stolen.
perquisite
n. 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.
