Capital Flashcards
Blossom
The state or period of flowering: fruit trees in blossom
Exodus
A mass departure of people: the annual exodus of sun-seeking Canadians to Florida
Timid
Showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened: I was too timid to ask for what I wanted
Hasty
Done with excessive speed or urgency; hurried: a hasty attempt to defuse the situation
hasty decisions
Abolish
Formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution): the tax was abolished in 1977
paucity
The presence of something in only small or insufficient quantities or amounts . a paucity of information
evocative
Bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to m
ind: powerfully evocative lyrics
the building’s cramped interiors are highly evocative of past centuries
verisimilitude
The appearance of being true or real:
the detail gives the novel some verisimilitude
noble
a person of noble rank or birth:
the greater a noble’s military power, the more land he could control
the king imposed a tax on both nobles and peasants
peasant
An ignorant, rude, or unsophisticated person:
‘That is a civilized drink, you peasant’
supplant
Supersede and replace:
domestic production has been supplanted by imports and jobs have been lost
instigate
Bring about or initiate (an action or event):
they instigated a reign of terror
I will be instigating legal proceedings
vivid
Producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind:memories of that evening were still vivid
a vivid description
emanate
(Of a feeling, quality, or sensation) issue or spread out from (a source):
warmth emanated from the fireplace
she felt an undeniable charm emanating from him
upheaval
A violent or sudden change or disruption to something:
major upheavals in the financial markets
succumb
Fail to resist pressure, temptation, or some other negative force:
we cannot merely give up and succumb to despair
lest
With the intention of preventing (something undesirable); to avoid the risk of:
he spent whole days in his room, wearing headphones lest he disturb anyone
exert
Apply or bring to bear (a force, influence, or quality): the moon exerts a force on the Earth
how much control can he exert over his own life? EXERT INFLUENCE
implacable
Unable to be appeased or placated:
he was an implacable enemy of Ted’s
placate
Make (someone) less angry or hostile:
they attempted to placate the students with promises
touch on
Deal briefly with (a subject) in written or spoken discussion:
he touches upon several themes from the last chapter
caustic
Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way:
the players were making caustic comments about the refereeing
hiccup
An involuntary spasm of the diaphragm and respiratory organs, with a sudden closure of the glottis and a characteristic gulping sound:
then she got hiccups
soar
Fly or rise high in the air: the cost of living continued to soar
lagged
Showing a delayed effect:
a lagged measure of unemployment
falter
Move unsteadily or hesitantly:
he faltered and finally stopped in mid-stride. faltering recovery
relentless
Unceasingly intense: the relentless heat of the desert
defy
Openly resist or refuse to obey:
a woman who defies convention
poised to defy
be ready to do something. is ready to defy
delve into
Research or make painstaking enquiries into
something% the society is determined to delve deeper into the matter
erode
Gradually destroy or be gradually destroyed: this humiliation has eroded what confidence Jean has
elude
1 Escape from or avoid (a danger, enemy, or pursuer), typically in a skilful or cunning way:
he tried to elude the security men by sneaking through a back door 2 fail to be attained by (someone):
sleep still eluded her
churn
move or cause to move about vigorously:
[NO OBJECT]: the seas churned
stagger
Walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall:
he staggered to his feet, swaying a little
sway
Move or cause to move slowly or rhythmically backwards and forwards or from side to side:
[NO OBJECT]: he swayed slightly on his feet
daunting
Seeming difficult to deal with in prospect; intimidating:
a daunting task
nibble
Take small bites out of:
he nibbled a biscuit
[NO OBJECT]: she nibbled at her food.
just beginning to nibble at the edges of the problem
discernible
Able to be discerned; perceptible:
the scandal had no discernible effect on his career
the inscription was barely discernible
dispense
Distribute or provide (a service or information) to a number of people:
orderlies went round dispensing drinks
ramifictaions
A complex or unwelcome consequence of an action or event:
any change is bound to have legal ramifications
hurdle
A problem or difficulty that must be overcome:
many would like to emigrate to the United States, but face formidable hurdles
aversion
A strong dislike or disinclination:
they made plain their aversion to the use of force