CD2 Flashcards
sycophant
Someone who hangs around powerful people, using flattery to advance themselves. They’re often rewarded with favours or promotions. You’ll see them around politicians, movie stars, even football heroes. They’re hangers-on.
fatuous
Seeing oneself as absolute perfection, completely oblivious to personal flaws.
infamous
Having a bad reputation
negligible
So small it doesn’t matter. Something that is easy to ignore because it has little impact on the situation.
catholic
Broad in scope and comprehensive.
trinity
Refers to three things or people that are considered inseparable.
aegis
Protection or “shield.” Of food and weapons.
harbinger
A sign of things to come. It’s not always negative - things to come can be good as well as bad.
proselytize
To preach or talk about something, with the goal of converting other people to your way of thinking.
polyglot
Someone who can read, speak, and write in several languages.
laconic
Brief or “to the point”, referring to someone’s speaking style.Just enough words to say what is meant, and no more.
loquacious
A loquacious person is one who talks all the time.
saw
A saying, usually one that’s been around for a long time.
rhetoric
Often used to describe a way of speaking, or a speech. Also refers to a speech full of flowery language and unnecessary or misleading detail.
diffdent
Timid or “bashful”. Used to describe someone who lacks self-confidence or who is excessively modest.
nebulous
Hazy, vague, not clearly defined.
putative
Something that might not really be agreed on, but that no-one wants to bother to dispute.
hypothesis
Something that is assumed to be true, for the sake of argument.
de facto
“In fact” or “in reality” – what actually is done.
ad hoc
Refers to something that has been created for a specific purpose or goal, often existing only until that goal has been achieved.
neologism
New word. From the Greek roots “neo” (new) and “logos” (word).
chronology
A series of events, or timeline.
erudite
To train.
pertinent
Relevant and to the point, something that is logically connected.
requisite
Essential or necessary. Indispensable.
adroit
Skillful adept.
assiduous
With care and persistent effort.
judicious
With good Judgement or using common sense
neophyte
Beginner or “novice”. It’s often used in a derogatory fashion, implying that because the person is new, they’re also lower in social status than the speaker.
implicit
Understood and agreed on, but not stated openly.
