Core Vocab I Flashcards
ambivalent
contradictory, having mixed feelings
anomaly
deviation from the norm, sth that’s atypical
sarcastic, sardonic, snide
mocking, derisive, taunting, stinging
dearth, paucity
a scarcity/shortage of sth
prattle
to speak in a foolish manner, to babble incessantly
wry, droll
dry, humorous with a clever twist and a touch of irony
unconventional, unorthodox
not ordinary/typical, characterized by avoiding customary conventions and behaviour
painstaking, meticulous
extremely careful, very exacting
audacious
fearlessly, often recklessly daring, very bold
indifferent, apathetic
marked by a lack of interest/concern
diffident
lacking self-confidence, self-effacing, not assertive
pragmatic
practical, sensible, not idealistic/romantic
evocation
the act of bringing/recalling, the account/work of art that bring a feelings/memory/image to the conscious mind
presumptuous
overbearing, impertinently bold, characterized by brashly overstepping one’s place
recalcitrant
stubborn resistance to and defiance of authority/guidance, obstinate, obdurate
boon
a timely benefit
bane
a source of harm and ruin
clandestine, surreptitious
secret, covert, not open/aboveboard
affable, amiable, genial, gregarious
agreeable, marked by a pleasing personality, warm and friendly
austere
having no adornment/ornamentation, bare, not ornate
austerity
- simple/plain in appearance
- strict/serious in appearance
- no pleasures, make life uncomfortable
- difficult economic conditions created by government policies aimed at cutting public funding
altruistic
unselfish concern for the welfare of others
laissez-faire
policy/attitude of letting things take its own course, without interfering
