Chapter 21 Flashcards
mutinous
adj.
- Of, engaged in, disposed to, or constituting mutiny.
- Unruly; disaffected; rebellious: a mutinous child.
- Turbulent and uncontrollable: mutinous passions
personable
adj.
- Pleasantly sociable.
- Pleasing in appearance; attractive.
ratify
v.
To approve and give formal sanction to; confirm: The Senate ratified the treaty.
subpoena
n.
An order issued under the authority of a court, commanding a person to appear in court on a particular date, usually to give testimony in a legal case; summons to court.
voracious
adj.
- Consuming or eager to consume great amounts of food; ravenous.
- Having or marked by a strong desire for an activity or pursuit: a voracious reader.
effigy
n.
- A crude figure or dummy representing a hated person or group.
- A likeness or image, especially of a person.
perspicacious
adj.
Having or showing penetrating mental discernment; clear-sighted; insightful; wise.
raucous
adj.
- Rough-sounding and harsh: raucous laughter.
- Boisterous and disorderly
effusive
adj.
- Unrestrained or excessive in emotional expression; gushy: an effusive manner.
- Profuse; overflowing: effusive praise.
perspicacity
n.
Acuteness of perception, discernment, or understanding.
raze
v.
To level to the ground; demolish.
subterfuge
n.
- Deception used to achieve an end: tried to get her to sign the contract by subterfuge.
- A deceptive stratagem or device: The meeting was a subterfuge to get him out of his office while it was searched.
congenital
adj.
1. Of or relating to a condition that is present at birth, as a result of either heredity or environmental influences: a congenital heart defect; congenital syphilis.
irreproachable
adj.
Perfect or blameless in every respect; faultless: irreproachable conduct.
nebulous
adj.
- Cloudy, misty, or hazy.
- Lacking definite form or limits; vague: nebulous assurances of future cooperation.
- Of, relating to, or characteristic of a nebula.
belabour
v.
- To talk or write about at length or excessively; harp on: Don’t belabour the point.
- To assail verbally: belaboured the new president.
- To attack with blows; hit, beat, or whip.
connoisseur
n.
- A person with expert knowledge or training, especially in the fine arts.
- A person of informed and discriminating taste: a connoisseur of fine wines.
egregious
adj.
Conspicuously bad or offensive.
nefarious
adj.
Infamous by way of being extremely wicked.
peruse
v.
To read or examine, typically with great care.
recant
v.
To make a formal retraction or disavowal of (a statement or belief to which one has previously committed oneself).
subversive
adj.
Intending or intended to subvert an established order, especially to undermine or overthrow an established government; rebellious; revolutionary: subversive groups; subversive publications.
wax
v.
1. To increase gradually in size, number, strength, or intensity: waxed and waned
2. To show a progressively larger illuminated area, as the moon does in passing from new to full.
3.
a. To grow or become as specified: “His very body had waxed old in lowly service of the Lord”
b. To speak or write as specified: “[He] warmed to his most favourite of subjects, waxed eloquent, gained in his face a glow of passion” (Paul J. Willis).
beleaguer
v.
- To harass; beset: beleaguered by problems.
- To surround with troops; besiege: The enemy beleaguered the enclave.
egress
v.
To go out; emerge.
