Day 8 Flashcards
besmirch
soil, defile. The scandalous remarks in the newspaper besmirch the reputations of every
member of the society.
bicameral
two-chambered, as a legislative body. The United States Congress is a
bicameral body
bilk
swindle; cheat. The con man specialized in bilking insurance companies.
bivouac
/temporary encampment. While in bivouac, we spent the night in our sleeping bags under
the stars. alsoV.
blandishment
/flattery. Despite the salesperson’s blandishments, the customer did not buy the
outfit.
blase
/bored with pleasure or dissipation. Although Beth was as thrilled with the idea of a trip
to Paris as her classmates were, she tried to act super cool and blasé, as if she’d been abroad
hundreds of times.
blighted
suffering from a disease; destroyed. The extent of the blighted areas could be
seen only when viewed from the air.
bludgeon
/club; heavy-headed weapon. Attacked by Dr. Moriarty, Holmes used his walking stick as a
bludgeon to defend himself. “Watson,” he said, “I fear I may have bludgeoned Moriarty to death.”
bluster
/blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully. “Let the stormy winds bluster,” cried Jack,
“we’ll set sail tonight.” Jill let Jack bluster. she wasn’t going anywhere, no matter what he said.
boon
blessing; benefit. The recent rains that filled our empty reservoirs were a boon to the whole
community.
boorish
/rude; clumsy; ungentlemanly. Natasha was embarrassed by her fellow spy’s boorish
behavior. “If you cannot act like a gentleman, Boris, go back to Russia: espionage is no job for clumsy
boors. “ boor, N.
bowdlerize
/expurgate. After the film editors had bowdlerized the language in the script, the motion picture’s
rating was changed from “R” to “PG.”
brawn
muscular strength; sturdiness. It takes brawn to become a champion weightlifter.
brawny,ADJ.
brevity
/conciseness. Brevity is essential when you send a telegram or cablegram; you are
charged for every word.
brindled
/tawny or grayish with streaks or spots. He was disappointed in the litter because
the puppies were brindled, he had hoped for animals of a uniform color.
bristling
/rising like bristles; showing irritation. The dog stood there, bristling with anger
browbeat
/bully; intimidate. Billy resisted Ted’s attempts browbeat him into handing over his lunch
money.
brunt
/main impact or shock. Tom Sawyer claimed credit for painting the fence, but the brunt of the
work fell on others. However, he bore the brunt of Aunt Polly’s complaints when the paint began to
peel.
buccaneer
/pirate. At Disneyland the Pirates of the Caribbean sing a song about their lives as bloody
buccaneers.
bullion
/gold and silver in the form of bars. Much bullion is stored in the vaults at Fort Knox.
