bbc articles vocab Flashcards
credentials
qualifications or achievements that indicate someone’s suitability for a particular role or status
haemorrhaged
to bleed heavily
counterintuitive
contrary to what one would intuitively expect
unprecedented
never done or known before
mononymous
known by a single name
joie de vivre
exuberant enjoyment of life
flogging
selling or promoting aggressively
disposable
designed to be used once or only a few times and then throw away
precision-made
made with great accuracy and attention to detailt
ruthlessly
without pity or compassion; mercilessly
sartorial
related to tailoring, clothes or style of dress.
morphing
undergoing a gradual transformation
connoisseur
an expert judge in matters of taste
introspective
characterised by or given to introspection; examining one’s own thoughts and feelings.
sentimental
of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness or nostalgia.
nurture
to care for and encourage the growth development ofe
elusive
difficult to find, catch or achieve
prime
to prepare (someone or something) for a particular purpose or activity
innate
inborn, natural
hampered
hindered or impeded
scenarios
a postulated sequence or development of events
routinely
regularly
conformity
compliance with standards, rules, or laws
primed
prepared or made ready for a particular purpose or activity
implementing
putting (a decision, plan, agreement, etc…) into effect
intervene
come between so as to prevent or alter a result or course of events
thrive
to grow or develop well or vigorously
ideating
forming ideas or concepts
novel
new or unusual in an interesting way
divergent
tending to be different or develop in different directions
mellow
pleasantly smooth or soft; free from harshness
unfettered
unrestrained or uninhibited
rote
mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned
curriculums
the subjects compromising a course of study in a school or college
scrambling
moving hurriedly or clumsily from or to an action
alloted
given or assigend as a share or portion
stringent
strict, precise, and exacting
whittle
to reduce something in size, amount or extend by gradual series of steps
primitive
relating to the earliest age or stage, very basic or unsophisticated
anomaly
something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected
sophisticated
developed to a high degree of complexity
predates
exists or occurs at a date earlier than something
carbohydrates
organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues, including sugars, starch and cellulose
subsistence
the action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself, especially at a minimal level
fertility
the quality of being fertile; productiveness
inflammation
a localised physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection
neutralise
to make something ineffective by applying an opposite force or effect
scoured
cleaned or brightened the surface by rubbing it hard, typically with an abrasive or detergent
concentric
denoting circles, arcs or other shapes that share the same centre, the larger often completely surrounding the smaller
percussion
the striking of one solid object with or against another with some degree of force
microlith
a minute, shaped flint or stone tool
fastidious
very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
rudimentary
involving or limited to basic principles; elementary
indigenous
originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native
extenuating
making an offence or mistake seem less serious or more forgivable
wherewithal
the money or other means needed for a particular purpose
contentious
causing or likely to cause an argument, controversial
ruefully
expressing sorrow or regret, especially in a wry or humorous way
deviation
the action of departing from an established course or accepted standard
derided
mocked or laughed at in a contemptuous manner
ratified
formally approved and accepted
extensively
covering a large area or involving a large number of things
mnemonic
a device or technique used to aid memory
circadian
relating to biologival processes that occur in a 24-hour cycle
relishing
enjoying or savouring something greatly
inaugural
making the beginning of an institution, activity, or period of office
fervour
intense and passionate feeling
innocuous
not harmful or offensive
genial
friendly and cheerful
kitsch
art or objects of a gaudy or lowbrow nature that are considered to be in poor taste
courtly
polite and respectful, often in a formal or elaborate manner
proscenium
the part of a theatre stage in front of a curtain
smorgasbord
a wide range or variety of something
functionary
a person who performs official duties or has a specific role
lugubrious
looking or sounding sad and dismal
unenviable
not desirable; something that others would not want to have
popcorn revolution
a metaphorical term for the dominance of commercially driven blockbuster films, often at the expense of more meaningful or diverse storytelling
sanctimony
the appearance of being morally superior to other people
tedious
too long, slow or dull; tiresome or monotonous
japes
practical jokes or mischievous acts
an anorak
a person with an obsessive interest in something often seen dull by others
mundane
lacking interest or excitement; dull and ordinary
solitary
done or existing alone; without others
sinuous
having many curves and turns; winding or gracefully curving
sustain
to keep something going continuously over time
obscure
not well known or difficult to understand
grandiose
impressive or magnificent in appearance or style, often in an exaggerated way
vestiges
traces or remnants of something that is disappearing or no longer exists
aficionado
a person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about a particular activity, subject or pastime
quirky characterised by peculiar or unexpected traits
surreally
in a way that is bizarre or dreamlike, often evoking a sense of unreality
androgynous
having both male and female characteristics; appearing neither distinctly male nor female
suffused
gradually spread through or over; permeated
semi-autobiographed
partly based on the author’s own life, containing elements of personal experience and fiction
transcended
went beyond the limits of something, often rising above in a superior or significant way
notorious
famous or well-known, typically for some bad quality or deed
existential crisis
a moment in which an individual questions the meaning, purpose or value of their life
rendition
a particular interpretation or version of something, often an artistic work
avant-garde
new and experimental ideas and methods in art, culture, or society, often unconventional and forward-thinking
ubiquity
the state of being everywhere or very common
fraternising
associating or forming a friendship with someone, often in a friendly way or familiar way
melancholy
a deep, long-lasting sadness; a pensive or gloomy state of mind
anguish
severe mental or physical pain or suffering
existential
relating to human existence, often dealing with themes of purpose, choice, and freedom
notoriety
the state of being famous or well-known for some bad quality or deed
hallmarks
distinctive features or characteristics of something
pelagic
relating to the open sea, especially away from the coast
harboured
to hold or contain, often secretly or with I’ll intent
endemic
native or restricted to a particular region or environment
incongruous
not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings; out of place
furore
a sudden outburst of anger or excitement; a commotion
placate
to calm or pacify, especially by making concessions
solace
comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness
sustainability
the ability to maintain or preserve resources or conditions over the long term
macabre
relating to death or the grim, horrifying aspects of it
conceived
to imagine or from an idea in the mind
menagerie
a diverse collection of animals, often kept for display
esteemed
held in high regard; respected and admired
draw
an attraction or appeal
quintessential
representing the most perfect or typical example of something
galvanism
the use of electricity to stimulate biological tissues, often associated with early experiments in reanimation
guise
an external appearance, often used to conceal the true nature of something
ingrained
firmly fixed or established; difficult to change
revulsion
a strong feeling of disgust or repulsion
versatile
able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities
neurosis
a mild mental disorder characterised by excessive anxiety, obsession or distress
grotesque
comically or repulsively ugly or disorted
celluloid
pertaining to cinema or motion pictures
sombre
gloomy or serious in mood or tone
pathos
an element in experience or in artistic representation that evokes pity or compassion
dormancy
a state of inactivity or rest
extravaganza
a spectacular and elaborate show or event
unnerving
causing one to feel uneasy or disturbed
transgressing
violating or exceeding limits, typically those of moral or social boundaries
gullibiltiy
the tendency to be easily persuaded to believe something that is not true
necrotising fasciitis
a severe bacterial infection that destroys skin, fat, and tissue covering the muscles
quelling
putting an end to something, typically by force or authority
decrying
publicly denouncing or condemning
pervasive
spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people, often negatively
absentmindedness
a lack of attention to present circumstances due to preoccupation or distraction
intuition
the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning
frivolous
lacking in seriousness or importance
propensity
a natural tendency to behave in a particular way
credibility
the quality of being trusted and being believed in
infectious
likely to spread or influence others rapidly
cognitive fluency
the ease with which information is processed, often influencing belief and decision-making
conviction
a firmly held belief or opinion
frailties
weaknesses or vulnerabilities, especially in character or behaviour
debunked
exposed as false or exaggerated
erroneous
wrong or incorrect
miserliness
a tendency to be overly cautious or sparing in cognitive effort, often leading to superficial thinking
deceptive
giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading
prescient
having or showing knowledge of events before they take place; foresightful
arraignment
the act of formally accusing or condemning someone, typically in a court or moral context
fetishistic
obsessively fixated on or devoted to something, often irrationally
inquisition
an intense investigation or interrogation, often with a connotation of unfairness or excessive scrutiny
blithely
casually and indifferently, often in a way that shows a lack of concern or seriousness
sentient
capable of perceiving and feeling; having consciousness or ability to experience sensations
regimentation
the strict organisation and control of individuals or activities, often in a rigid or militaristic manner
conscription
mandatory enlistment in the armed forces; compulsory military services
entrepreneurial
related to the ability to innovate, take risks, and manage business ventures
intervention
the act of becoming involved in a situation to change its outcome, particularly in a medical or social context
metaphysical
concerned with abstract concepts such as existence, reality, and the nature of the universe
empowered
given authority or control, particularly in the context of rights, consent or self-determination
frown on (phrasal verb)
to disapprove of something, often morally or socially
