Day 28 Flashcards
surly
Bad-tempered, hostile, unfriendly, or rude
the surly receptionist told us we’d have to wait outside in the rain
surmise
Guess, infer, think, or make an opinion with
incomplete information
my surmise is that the couple’s “good news” is the announcement that they are going to have a baby
surrogate
Substitute, person who acts for another
noun); acting as a replacement (adj
sybarite
Person devoted to pleasure and luxury
the prince was remembered as a self-indulgent sybarite, not as a statesman or warrior
sycophant
Servile flatterer, parasitic person who fawns
in order to get ahead
symbiosis
Mutually dependent relationship between two
organisms, people, groups, etc.
the symbiosis … between the resident population and the immigrants
synoptic
Relating to a synopsis or summary; giving a
general view
But Satterfield’s expertise in the field of science extends far beyond the reaches of synoptic forecasting.
syntax
The rules governing grammar and how words
join to make sentences (or how words and
symbols join in writing computer code), the
study of these rules, or any system or orderly
arrangement
table
Lay aside to discuss later, often as a way to
postpone discussion indefinitely
“I’d like the issue to be tabled for the next few months”
tacit
Understood without being said; implied, not
stated directly; silent
tangential
Only slightly relevant, going off-topic
tawdry
Gaudy, cheap or cheap-looking; indecent
tawdry clothing/jewels
temperance
Moderation, self-control, esp. regarding
alcohol or other desires or pleasures; total
abstinence from alcohol
The minister preached about temperance.
tendentious
Marked by a strong point of view, biased
Depending on the reader, these connections are either entertaining and insightful or wild and tendentious, even misleading.
timely
Well-timed, happening at a suitable time
tirade
Bitter, abusive criticism or verbal attack
toady
Someone who flatters or acts in a servile
manner for self-serving reasons
token
Sign, symbol, mark, badge; souvenir,
memento; coin-like disk used as currency for
subways, arcade games, etc.; sample, or
person, thing, idea taken to represent an
entire group (noun); of very little or merely
symbolic value (adj)
tome
Large or scholarly book; one of the volumes
in a set of several books
picked up a thick tome on the Roman Empire at a used book store
torrid
Very hot, parching, burning; passionate
the dry, torrid summers in southern Arizona
tractable
Easily controlled or managed, docile; easily
shaped or molded
transgression
Violation of a law, command, duty, moral rule, order, etc.;
sin
a dying woman asking for divine forgiveness for a lifetime of transgressions
travesty
Exaggerated, debased, or grotesque
imitation
represent in a false, absurd, or distorted way.
burlesque
this comedy sketch mindlessly travesties the hard work of relief workers around the world
The trial was a travesty of justice.
treacherous
Betraying trust, not faithful or trustworthy;
not dependable; dangerous or deceptive
They were not prepared to hike over such treacherous terrain.
a treacherous act of betrayal
