Chapter 1 (1-50) Flashcards
AMBIVALENT
mixed feelings
ANOMALY
a deviation from the norm
SARCASTIC, SARDONIC, SNIDE
mocking, derisive comment
DEARTH, PAUCITY
a scarcity or shortage
PRATTLE
to babble incessantly
WRY
dry humor
UNCONVENTIONAL, UNORTHODOX
not ordinary or typical
PAINSTAKING, METICULOUS, EXACTING
highly detailed
AUDACIOUS
very bold; daring
INDIFFERENT, APATHETIC
lack of interest or concern
DIFFIDENT
lacking self-confidence
PRAGMATIC
practical, sensible
EVOCATION
an imaginative re-creation
PRESUMPTUOUS
overbearing; impertinently bold
RECALCITRANT
very stubborn, defiant
BOON
a timely benefit
BANE
a source of harm
CLANDESTINE, SURREPTITIOUS
secretive; covert; not ABOVEBOARD
AFFABLE, AMIABLE, GENIAL, GREGARIOUS
agreeable; friendly
AUSTERE
bare; not ORNATE
AUSTERITY
enforced economy
ALTRUISTIC
unselfish concern for others
AMBIGUOUS
unclear; not definitive
UPBRAID, REPROACH, CASTIGATE
to scold; rebuke
NOSTALGIA
a sentimental longing for the past
CONJECTURE
an inference
OBSOLETE, ARCHAIC, ANTIQUATED
no longer in use
AUSPICIOUS, PROPITIOUS
very favorable
MOROSE
very depressed
IMPASSE
failure to reach an agreement
ANACHRONISM
not in the proper time period
BELIE
to give a false impression
MITIGATE, MOLLIFY, ASSUAGE, ALLEVIATE
to relieve; to lessen; to ease
COVET
to strongly desire; to crave
ANTITHESIS, ANTITHETICAL, ANTIPODAL
direct opposite
PROTOTYPE
an original model
ALOOF
detached; reserved
TRITE, HACKNEYED, BANAL, PLATITUDINOUS, INSIPID, PEDESTRIAN
commonplace
ANTEDECENT, FORERUNNER, PRECURSOR
a preceding event
PLAUSIBLE
believable
IMPLAUSIBLE
unbelievable
PRUDENT
careful; cautious
AESTHETIC
an appreciation of what is beautiful or attractive
PARADOX
a seeming contradiction that expresses a truth
ENIGMATIC, INSCRUTABLE
mysterious; baffling
ACQUIESCE
to comply
NAIVE, GULLIBLE, CREDULOUS
unsophisticated
AUTONOMOUS
independent
FUTILE
doomed to failure
INDIGENOUS, ENDEMIC
native to an area
UBIQUITOUS, PREVALENT
everywhere; widespread
PANDEMIC
widespread epidemic
FORTITUDE
strength of mind