Deck 1 Flashcards
1
Q
scupper
A
verb: to cause something such as a plan or an opportunity to fail
Arriving late for the interview scuppered my chances of getting the job.
2
Q
compel
A
verb: to force someone to do something
As a schoolboy he was compelled to wear shorts even in winter.
3
Q
crackdown
A
noun: a situation in which someone starts to deal with bad or illegal behaviour in a more severe way
There has been a series of government crackdowns on safety in factories.
4
Q
trample
A
verb: to step heavily on something or someone, causing damage or injury
Somebody trampled all over my flowerbeds!
5
Q
thwart
A
verb: to stop something from happening or someone from doing something
Our holiday plans were thwarted by the airline pilots’ strike
6
Q
hobble
A
verb: to walk in an awkward way, usually because the feet or legs are injured
The last time I saw Rachel she was hobbling around with a stick.
7
Q
disburse
A
verb: to pay out money, usually from an amount that has been collected for a particular purpose
The local authorities annually disburse between £50 million and £100 million on arts projects.
8
Q
bellow
A
verb: to shout in a loud voice, or (of a cow or large animal) to make a loud, deep sound
“Keep quiet!” the teacher bellowed across the room.
9
Q
outwit
A
verb: to get an advantage over someone by acting more cleverly and often by using a trick
In the story, the cunning fox outwits the hunters.
10
Q
heed
A
verb: to pay attention to something, especially advice or a warning
The airline has been criticized for failing to heed advice/warnings about lack of safety routines.
11
Q
inertia
A
noun: lack of activity or interest, or unwillingness to make an effort to do anything
The organization is stifled by bureaucratic inertia.
etymology: inertia “unskillfulness, ignorance; inactivity, idleness”; addtional meaning of “apathy, passiveness, inactivity” in English
12
Q
reluctant
A
adjective: not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it
I was having such a good time I was reluctant to leave.
etymology: re- “against” + luctari “to struggle, wrestle”
related words: reluctance (the quality of being reluctant)
13
Q
abstention
A
noun: refraining from voting
There were high levels of abstention (from voting) in the last elections.
etymology: ab “off, away from” + tenere “to hold”
14
Q
malign
A
adjective: causing or intending to cause harm or evil
Foreign domination had a malign influence on local politics.
etymology: male “badly” + -gnus “born,” from gignere “to bear, beget”
15
Q
placate
A
verb: to stop someone from feeling angry
Outraged minority groups will not be placated by promises of future improvements.
etymology: placare “to calm, appease, quiet, soothe, assuage”
16
Q
artificer
A
noun: a skilled craftsman (= someone who makes things)
The production of religious artefacts in Celtic society called for highly skilled designers and artificers.
17
Q
covetous
A
adjective: wanting to have something too much, especially something that belongs to someone else; desire for wealth
I can’t help casting covetous looks at my neighbour’s new Porsche.
etymology: cupidus “very desirous”
18
Q
peripatetic
A
adjective: travelling around to different places, usually because you work in more than one place
a peripatetic music teacher
etymology: peri “around, about” + patein “to walk, tread”
19
Q
perilous
A
adjective: extremely dangerous
The country roads are quite perilous.
etymology: periculosus “dangerous, hazardous,” from periculum “a danger, attempt, risk”
related words: peril (danger)
20
Q
enervate
A
verb: to sap energy from
21
Q
equivocal
A
adjective: not clear and seeming to have two opposing meanings, or confusing and able to be understood in two different ways (ambiguous)
etymology: aequus “equal” + vocare “to call,” which is related to vox “voice”
22
Q
venerate
A
verb: to honour or very much respect a person or thing; to respect deeply
Robert Burns is Scotland’s most venerated poet.
etymology: venerari “to reverence, worship,” from venus “beauty, love, desire”
related words: veneration (deep respect)
23
Q
upbraid
A
verb: to forcefully or angrily tell someone they should not have done a particular thing and criticize them for having done it, to scold
In newspaper articles she consistently upbraided those in authority who overstepped their limits.
24
Q
profligate
A
adjective: spending resources recklessly or wastefully
The profligate use of antibiotics has led to the evolution of resistant bacteria.
25
auspicious
adjective: suggesting a positive and successful future; favorable; of good omen
They won their first match of the season 5–1 which was an auspicious start/beginning.
etymology: auspicium "divination by observing the flight of birds,
26
amenable
adjective: easily persuaded; willing to accept or be influenced by a suggestion
She might be more amenable to the idea if you explained how much money it would save.
etymology: amener "bring, take, conduct, lead" (to the law) + mener "to lead"
27
galvanize
verb: to excite or inspire (someone) to action
28
prevaricate
verb: to avoid telling the truth or saying exactly what you think; to speak in an evasive way
He accused the minister of prevaricating.
etymology: praevaricari "to make a sham accusation, deviate" (from the path of duty), literally "walk crookedly;" in Church Latin, "to transgress"; the meaning "to act or speak evasively, swerve from the truth" is from 1630s
29
gregarious
adjective: to be likely to socialize
Emma's a gregarious, outgoing sort of person.
gregarius "pertaining to a flock; of the herd, of the common sort, common"
30
innocuous
adjective: completely harmless
Some mushrooms look innocuous but are in fact poisonous.
etymology: in- "not" + nocuus "hurtful," from root of nocere "to injure, harm"
31
maintain
verb: to assert; to express firmly your belief that something is true
Throughout his prison sentence, Dunn has always maintained his innocence.
32
impertinent
adjective: rude and not showing respect, especially towards someone older or in a higher position than you
I hope he didn't think I was being impertinent when I asked him about his private life.
33
parochial
adjective: relating to a parish (= an area that has its own church or priest)
parochial boundaries
34
qualify
verb: to limit the strength or meaning of a statement
I'd like to qualify my criticisms of the school's failings, by adding that it's a very happy place.
35
undermine
verb: to weaken (paired with an abstract term)
The student undermined the teacher's authority.
36
wanting
adjective: lacking
I think she's perhaps a little wanting in charm.
37
intimate
verb: to suggest something subtly
She has intimated that she will resign if she loses the vote.
38
ambivalent
adjective: mixed or conflicting emotions about something
39
censure
verb: to express strong criticism or disapproval
Ministers were censured for their lack of decisiveness during the crisis.
40
brooding
adjective: making you feel uncomfortable or worried, as if something bad is going to happen
He stood there in the corner of the room, a dark, brooding presence.
41
gorge
verb: to eat until you are unable to eat any more
If you gorge yourself on snacks like that, you won't eat your dinner.
42
dissolute
adjective: (of a person) living in a way that other people strongly disapprove of
He led a dissolute life, drinking, and womanizing till his death.
43
vacuously
adverb: in a way that shows no intelligent thought
He stared down at her, grinning vacuously.
etymology: vacuus "empty, void, free"
44
suffuse
verb: to spread through or over something completely
His voice was low and suffused with passion.
45
sullen
adjective: angry and unwilling to smile or be pleasant to people
His daughters stared back at him with an expression of sullen resentment.
etymology: solus "by oneself, alone"; the sense shift in Middle English from "solitary" to "morose" (i.e. "remaining alone through ill-humor") occurred late 14c
46
congregation
noun: a group of people who have come together in a religious building for worship and prayer
The priest asked the congregation to kneel.
47
huddle
verb: to come close together in a group, or to hold your arms and legs close to your body, especially because of cold or fear
Everyone huddled round the fire to keep warm.
48
permeate
verb: to spread through something and be present in every part of it
Dissatisfaction with the government seems to have permeated every section of society.
49
frolic
verb: to play and behave in a happy way
A group of suntanned children were frolicking on the beach.
etymology: fröhlich - "happy"
50
aestivation
noun: a state of animal dormancy, similar to hibernation, although taking place in the summer rather than the winter
etymology: aestus "heat," aestas "summer," literally "the hot season"
51
dormancy
noun: the state of being dormant (= not active or growing but able to become active later)
Warm temperatures bring the seeds out of dormancy.
52
fiefdom
noun: an area of land, especially one that is rented and paid for by work
53
tottering
adjective: walking with difficulty in a way that looks as if you are about to fall
One picture was of a tottering 89-year-old leaving the platform after her conference speech.
54
rousing
adjective: making people feel excited and proud or ready to take action
We sang a last rousing chorus of the national anthem.
55
fibrous
adjective: made of fibres, or like fibre
56
frayed
adjective: with the threads at the edge coming loose
frayed cuffs
57
perturb
verb: to worry someone
News of the arrest perturbed her greatly.
58
expulsion
noun: (the act of) forcing someone, or being forced, to leave a school, organization, or country
They threatened him with expulsion from school.
59
bereavement
noun: the death of a close relation or friend
She has recently suffered a bereavement.
60
purloin
verb: to steal something
I was using a pen that I'd purloined from the office.
61
harbinger
noun: a person or thing that shows that something is going to happen soon, especially something bad
a harbinger of doom
62
innate
adjective: An innate quality or ability is one that you were born with, not one you have learned
Cyril's most impressive quality was his innate goodness.
63
waywardness
noun: the quality of being wayward (= doing only what you want, in a way that is difficult to control)
He was a man of professional brilliance but personal waywardness.
64
indelible
adjective:
1) an indelible mark or substance is impossible to remove by washing or in any other way
indelible ink
2) indelible memories or actions are impossible to forget, or have a permanent influence or effect
I have an indelible memory of that meeting with Anastasia.
etymology: in- "not, opposite of, without" + delebilis "able to be destroyed," from delere "destroy, blot out"
65
fend off
verb: to avoid dealing with something that is unpleasant or difficult
Taiwan's economy has fended off the epidemic and is welcoming back firms that had decamped to China.
66
litany
noun: originally a long Christian prayer in which the person leading the service speaks some parts and the other people at the service speak other parts; figuratively, a long list of unpleasant things, especially things that are repeated
The manufacturers are reported to have received a litany of complaints from dissatisfied customers.
67
intractable
adjective: very difficult or impossible to control, manage, or solve
We are facing an intractable problem.
68
sweeping
adjective:
1) affecting many things or people; large
It is obvious that sweeping changes are needed in the legal system.
2) A sweeping win or victory is an easy or complete win
The candidate failed to win the sweeping victory he expected.
69
clang
verb: to make a loud deep ringing sound like that of metal being hit, or to cause something to make this sound
He woke up to hear the sound of bells clanging in the distance.
70
reverberate
verb: If a loud, deep sound reverberates, it continues to be heard around an area, so that the area seems to shake
The narrow street reverberated with/to the sound of the workmen's drills.
71
scaffolding
noun: a raised structure that supports workers and materials during work on a building
The scaffolding rises 10 stories above the street.
72
trepidation
noun: fear or worry about what is going to happen
We view future developments with some trepidation.
related words: tremble
etymology: trepidus "alarmed, scared," from trep- "to shake, tremble"
73
anaemic
adjective: suffering from anaemia
Lack of iron in your diet can make you anaemic.
74
promulgate
verb:
1) to spread beliefs or ideas among a lot of people
2) to announce something publicly, especially a new law
The new law was finally promulgated in the autumn of last year.
etymology: promulgare "make publicly known, propose openly, publish," probably from pro "forth" + mulgere "to milk", used metaphorically for "cause to emerge"
75
fret
verb: to be nervous or worried
Don't fret - I'm sure he's OK.
76
palpable
adjective: so obvious that it can easily be seen or known, or (of a feeling) so strong that it seems as if it can be touched or physically felt
a palpable effect
77
usher
verb: to show someone where they should go, or to make someone go where you want them to go
She ushered us into her office and offered us coffee.
78
eponymous
adjective: an eponymous adjective, place name, etc. is one that comes from the name of a person
Victorian, Wagnerian, and dickensian are all examples of eponymous adjectives.
etymology: eponymos "given as a name, giving one's name to something"
79
spur
verb: to encourage an activity or development or make it happen faster
Rising consumer sales have the effect of spurring the economy to faster growth.
80
scramble
verb:
1) to move or climb quickly but with difficulty, often using your hands to help you
She scrambled up the steep hillside and over the rocks.
2) to compete with other people for something there is very little of:
People are scrambling to buy property before prices rise even further.
3) to put things such as words or letters in the wrong order so that they do not make sense
He had a habit of scrambling his words when excited.
81
swathe
noun:
1) a long strip or large area especially of land
Huge swathes of rainforest are being cleared for farming and mining.
2) a large part of something that includes several different things
These people represent a broad/wide swathe of public opinion.
3) a long strip of cloth
His head was wrapped in swathes of bandages.
82
ply
verb: to sell or to work regularly at something, especially at a job that involves selling things
Fishermen in small boats ply their trade up and down the coast.
83
emporium
noun: a large shop that sells many different types of goods, or a shop that sells a particular type of goods
an ice cream/antiques emporium
84
giddy
adjective:
1) feeling silly, happy, and excited and showing this in your behaviour
She was giddy with excitement.
2) having a slight feeling of spinning around or being unable to balance; slightly dizzy
When she got off the roller coaster, she felt giddy and lightheaded.
85
enticing
adjective: Something that is enticing attracts you to it by offering you advantages or pleasure (alluring)
an enticing smile
an enticing job offer
86
ailment
noun: illness
87
siloed
adjective: separated from other people or things
Working in a big company, you became very siloed and it was easy to lose touch with the real world.
88
herald
verb: be a sign that (something) is about to happen
The trade agreement heralded a new era of economic development.
89
foray
noun:
1) a short period of time being involved in an activity that is different from and outside the range of a usual set of activities
She made a brief foray into acting before becoming a teacher.
2) the act of an army suddenly and quickly entering the area belonging to the enemy in order to attack them or steal their supplies
90
gusto
noun: great energy, enthusiasm, and enjoyment that is experienced by someone taking part in an activity, especially a performance
Everyone joined in the singing with great gusto.
91
preposterous
adjective: very silly or stupid, absurd
The very idea is preposterous!
92
dismal
adjective:
1) sad and without hope
a dismal expression
2) very bad
The acting was dismal, wasn't it?
etymology: dies mali "evil or unlucky days"
93
exhort
verb: to strongly encourage or try to persuade someone to do something
The governor exhorted the prisoners not to riot.
94
decidedly
adverb: certainly and obviously
He was decidedly careful about what he told me.
95
finicky
adjective:
1) difficult to please:
a finicky eater
2) needing a lot of attention to detail:
Repairing watches must be a very finicky job.
96
paraphernalia
noun: all the objects needed for or connected with a particular activity
We sell pots, gloves, seeds and other gardening paraphernalia.
etymology: para- "beside" + pherne "dowry," which is related to pherein "to carry"; meaning "equipment, apparatus" is attested by 1736, from the notion of "odds and ends
97
fare
verb: to succeed or be treated in the stated way
How did you fare in your exams?
98
staunch
verb: to stop something happening, or to stop liquid, especially blood, from flowing out
The country's asylum laws were amended to staunch the flow/flood of economic migrants.
99
loom
verb: to appear as a large, often frightening or unclear shape or object
Dark storm clouds loomed on the horizon.
100
erstwhile
adjective: previous
101
impudent
adjective: improperly forward or bold; rude and not showing respect, especially towards someone who is older or in a more important position
an impudent remark/child
102
diffident
adjective: showing modest reserve; lacking self-confidence
You shouldn't be so diffident about your achievements - you've done really well!
103
deferential
adjective: showing respect
She is always extremely deferential towards anyone in authority.
104
chortle
verb: to chuckle, laugh merrily, often in a breathy, muffled way
105
querulous
adjective: habitually complaining, often in a weak voice
He became increasingly dissatisfied and querulous in his old age.
106
perfidy
noun: an act of deliberate betrayal; a breach of trust
etymology: per "through" + fidem "faith"
107
vociferous
adjective: conspicuously and offensively loud
108
germane
adjective: relevant and appropriate
The professor wanted to tell the jury in detail about his new book, but the lawyer said it was not germane to the charges in the cases.
etymology: germanus "having the same parents"
109
frivolous
adjective: not serious in content or attitude or behavior
Compared to Juliet's passionate concern for human rights, Jake's non-stop concern about football seems somewhat frivolous.
110
obscure
verb: make unclear
obsured view of the road
adjective: known by only a few
an obscure actor
111
decorous
adjective: characterized by good taste in manners and conduct
Sally's parties are decorous affairs, and instead of the usual beer and music, there is tea and intellectual conversation.
etymology: decorus "becoming, seemly, fitting, proper,"
112
recondite
adjective: incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
etymology: recondere "store away, hide, conceal, put back again, put up again, lay up"
113
audacious
adjective: willing to be bold in social situations or to take risks (negatively connotated: shameless, unrestrained by propriety)
etymology: audacia "daring, boldness, courage"
114
aesthete
noun: one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature
115
gainsay
verb: deny or contradict; speak against or oppose
I can't gainsay a single piece of evidence James has presented, but I still don't trust his conclusion.
etymology:iterally "say against," from gain- (Old English gegn- "against;") + say
116
engender
verb: give rise to
117
gall
noun:
1) the trait of being rude and impertinent (having the gall to do sth.)
2) feeling deep of bitter anger and ill-will
118
entrenched
adjective: fixed firmly or secured
entrenched habits at an old age
119
preclude
verb: keep from happening or arising; make impossible
The manager specified that all other gates be locked to preclude the possibility of persons without tickets entering the arena undetected.
120
volubility
noun: the quality of talking or writing easily and continuously
121
dictatorial
adjective: expecting unquestioning obedience; characteristic of an absolute ruler
122
glut
noun: an excessive suplly
The Internet offers a glut of news.
verb: supply with an excess of
In the middle of economic crises, hiring managers find their inboxes glutted with resumes.
123
eschew
verb: aviod and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
Politicians are the masters of eschewing morals.
124
conspicuous
adjective: without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
Among the tall trees and flower fields, the building seemed out of place with its conspicuous, cold concrete and angular steel exterior.
125
mawkish
adjective: overly sentimental to the point that it is disgusting
126
didactic
adjective: instructive (especially excessively)
127
inexorable
adjective: impossible to stop or prevent
The rise of the computer was an inexorable shift in technology and culture.
etymology: in- "not, opposite of" + exorabilis "able to be entreated," from exorare "to prevail upon," from ex "out" + ōrare "to pray to, beseech"
128
gossamer
adjective: characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy
The gossamer wings of a butterfly, which allow it to fly, are also a curse, so delicate that they are often damaged.
129
exacerbate
verb: make worse
130
abreast
adjective: up to date with the latest news, ideas, or information
These daily updates were designed to help readers keep abreast of the markets.
