Deck 1 Flashcards
1
Q
Define:
temerity
(tuh-mer-i-tee)
A
n. reckless boldness
The temerity of the pirate crew cost them their ship.
2
Q
Define:
depredate
(dep-rih-deyt)
A
v. to plunder, pillage, destroy
v. to exploit
The Vikings depredated the whole valley.
3
Q
Define:
genuflect
(djen-yoo-flekt)
A
v. to bend knee to ground (as in worship)
v. to grovel
The king’s subjects genuflected when he entered the room.
4
Q
Define:
wend
(wend)
A
v. to go, proceed, walk
We wended our way through the market.
5
Q
Define:
pelagic
(puh-ladj-ik)
A
adj. relating to open seas rather than waters adjacent to land
The pelagic organism was only found in the deepest part of the ocean.
6
Q
Define:
froward
(froh-werd)
A
adj. intractable, stubbornly disobedient, difficult to manage
The froward mule sat down and refused to move all afternoon.
7
Q
Define:
punctilious
(puhngk-til-ee-uhs)
A
adj. precise, paying attention to trivialities of etiquette
A secretary who punctiliously records every detail.
8
Q
Define:
aphorism
(af-uh-riz-uhm)
A
n. a tersely phrased truth or opinion; adage; epigram
n. a brief statement of principle; or general truth
The children had finally learned the meaning of the aphorism “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”.
9
Q
Define:
purloin
(per-loin, per-loin)
A
v. to steal
The manipulative thief purloined the diamonds after gaining the confidence of their location.
10
Q
Define:
esoteric
(es-uh-ter-ik)
A
adj. intended for or understood only by a particular group
adj. not publicly disclosed; confidential
The esoteric ideas of the cult failed to enlighten many outsiders.
11
Q
Define:
succor
(suhk-er)
A
n. relief during a time of struggle
The Red Cross provides succor to refugees in emergency shelters.
12
Q
Define:
protean
(proh-tee-uhn)
A
adj. readily assuming different forms or characters
Fans regarded the protean actress as capable of playing any role.
13
Q
Define:
callous
(kal-uhs)
A
adj. insensitive; having no feeling
The callous remark upset the entire family.
14
Q
Define:
proscribe
(proh-skrahyb)
A
v. to prohibit or forbid as harmful or unlawful
Citizens pushed to proscribe swimming in the polluted lake.
15
Q
Define:
denouement
(dey-noo-mahn)
A
n. an outcome or solution to a complex series of events
Though public interest slackened after the arsonist was caught, the denouement of the case was just as interesting as the manhunt that had preceded it.
16
Q
Define:
supercilious
(soo-per-sill-ee-uhs)
A
adj. arrogant, overbearing; displaying condescending superiority over someone else
His supercilious behavior drove away many of his peers.
17
Q
Define:
parley
(pahr-lee)
A
n. discussion between enemies, often to prepare terms of surrender
The longtime enemies held a parley to work on peace negotiations.
18
Q
Define:
apoplectic
(ap-uh-plek-tik)
A
adj. furious; enraged; overcome with anger
adj. relating to a stroke
When Jim found out he was fired, he apoplectically stormed out of the office.
19
Q
Define:
simper
(sim-per)
A
v. to say with a coy smile; to smirk
Dave simpered a feeble attempt at an apology.
20
Q
Define:
miscegenation
(mih-sedj-uh-ney-shuhn)
A
n. the interbreeding of different races
n. any mixture or hybrid
The school cafeteria served an obscure miscegenation of ingredients as meatloaf.
21
Q
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. recklessness
A
temerity
(tuh-mer-i-tee)
synonyms: arrogance, brashness
22
Q
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to plunder, pillage, destroy
v. to exploit
A
depredate
(dep-rih-deyt)
synonyms: despoil, ravish, defile
23
Q
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to bend knee to ground (as in worship)
v. to grovel
A
genuflect
(djen-yoo-flekt)
synonyms: kneel, beg
24
Q
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to go, proceed, walk
A
wend
(wend)
synonyms: go, journey, travel
25
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. relating to open seas rather than waters adjacent to land
**pelagic**
| (puh-**ladj**-ik)
## Footnote
synonyms: aquatic, oceanic
26
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. intractable, stubbornly disobedient, difficult to manage
**froward**
| (**froh**-werd)
## Footnote
synonyms: antagonistic, conflicting
27
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. precise, paying attention to trivialities of etiquette
**punctilious**
| (puhngk-til-ee-uhs)
## Footnote
synonyms: meticulous, careful, finicky
28
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a tersely phrased truth or opinion; adage; epigram
n. a brief statement of principle; or general truth
**aphorism**
| (**af**-uh-riz-uhm)
## Footnote
synonyms: axiom, precept; principle, truth
29
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to steal
**purloin**
| (per-**loin**, **per**-loin)
## Footnote
synonyms: burglarize, cheat, swindle
30
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. intended for or understood only by a particular group
adj. not publicly disclosed; confidential
**esoteric**
| (es-uh-**ter**-ik)
## Footnote
synonyms: obscure, secret, cryptic
31
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. relief during a time of struggle
**succor**
| (**suhk**-er)
## Footnote
synonyms: aid, comfort, refuge
32
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. readily assuming different forms or characters
**protean**
| (**proh**-tee-uhn)
## Footnote
synonyms: versatile, adaptable, dexterous
33
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. insensitive; having no feeling
**callous**
| (**kal**-uhs)
## Footnote
synonyms: soulless, cruel
34
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to prohibit or forbid as harmful or unlawful
**proscribe**
| (proh-**skrahyb**)
## Footnote
synonyms: condemn, banish
35
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. an outcome or solution to a complex series of events
**denouement**
| (dey-noo-**mahn**)
## Footnote
synonyms: finale, final achievement
36
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. arrogant, overbearing; displaying condescending superiority over someone else
**supercilious**
| (soo-per-**sill**-ee-uhs)
## Footnote
synonyms: bossy, condescending
37
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. discussion between enemies, often to prepare terms of surrender
**parley**
| (**pahr**-lee)
## Footnote
synonyms: conference, mediation
38
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. furious; enraged; overcome with anger
adj. relating to a stroke
**apoplectic**
| (ap-uh-**plek**-tik)
## Footnote
synonyms: angry; wrathful
39
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to say with a coy smile; to smirk
**simper**
| (**sim**-per)
## Footnote
synonyms: grin, leer, sneer
40
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the interbreeding of different races
n. any mixture or hybrid
**miscegenation**
| (mih-sedj-uh-**ney**-shuhn)
## Footnote
synonyms: interbreeding, mixing races
41
# Define:
**androgynous**
| (an-**drodj**-uh-nuhs)
adj. hermaphroditic
adj. not distinguishable between male and female
The _androgynous_ baby was only identifiable as a boy by its blue clothing.
42
# Define:
**covey**
| (**kuhv**-ee)
n. a family of partridges
n. a small group
Outside the classroom was a _covey_ of giggling schoolgirls.
43
# Define:
**supine**
| (adj. soo-**pahyn**)
adj. inactive, lying on one's back apathetically
adj. morally slack
The officials exhibited a _supine_ acceptance of corruption.
44
# Define:
**cozen**
| (**kuhz**-uhn)
v. to cheat, beguile, or deceive
The corrupt televangelist **_cozen_**ed money from viewers by lying about charitable intentions.
45
# Define:
**limpid**
| (**lim**-pid)
adj. calm, untroubled, serene
adj. transparent, clear (as of water, air, or crystal)
The family flew a kite down by the _limpid_ blue pond.
46
# Define:
**refulgent**
| (rih-**fuhl**-juhnt)
adj. shining radiantly; brilliant
The _refulgent_ palace seemed out of place amid the poverty of the villages surrounding it.
47
# Define:
**phlegmatic**
| (fleg-**mat**-ik)
adj. hard to excite, calm, sluggish
adj. unemotional, stoic
## Footnote
Pete's _phlegmatic_ response was difficult for his friends to read.
48
# Define:
**attenuate**
| (uh-**ten**-yoo-eyt)
v. to weaken or reduce in force or value
v. to make small or fine
The medicine **_attenuate_**d the fever's effect.
49
# Define:
**disingenuous**
| (diss-in-**djen**-yoo-uhs)
adj. lacking in sincerity or candor
When the oil prospector's promises were discovered to be _disingenuous_, he was run out of town.
50
# Define:
**epistle**
| (uh-**piss**-uhl)
n. a written message, usually a formal letter
The _epistle_ was hand-delivered by a confidant in order to avoid interception.
51
# Define:
**factitious**
| (fak-**tish**-uhs)
adj. produced artificially; not natural
adj. fake
The _factitious_ laughter of insincere talk show hosts makes my skin crawl.
52
# Define:
**pied**
| (**pahyd**)
adj. containing patches of two or more colors, usually in blotches
The jester's _pied_ coat was stitched together from scraps of blue and red fabric.
53
# Define:
**militate**
| (**mill**-ih-teyt)
v. to have substantial weight or bearing on; to argue for or against
The volatility of the situation **_militate_**d against any rash action.
54
# Define:
**Stygian**
| (**stidj**-ee-uhn)
adj. dark, gloomy, dismal
adj. infernal, hellish
The _Stygian_ murk of the cave made it difficult to navigate.
55
# Define:
**gainsay**
| (**geyn**-sey)
v. to declare false
v. to deny
v. to contradict or claim exception to
Evidence and witness testimony all _gainsaid_ the defendant's claims.
56
# Define:
**palliate**
| (**pal**-ee-eyt)
v. to make something appear less serious; to mitigate; to alleviate
The student tried to _palliate_ the significance of his plagiarism.
57
# Define:
**nostrum**
| (**nos**-truhm)
n. cure-all, questionable remedy, or a placebo
## Footnote
An ad on television depicted a _nostrum_ that claims to cure hangovers.
58
# Define:
**obstreperous**
| (uhb-**strep**-er-uhs)
adj. unruly, noisy, loudly stubborn
The _obstreperous_ two-year-old cried the entire train ride.
59
# Define:
**precocious**
| (prih-**koh**-shuhs)
adj. unusually quick development or maturation, especially in intelligence
The child's _precocious_ understanding of calculus stunned his teachers.
60
# Define:
**regale**
| (rih-**geyl**)
v. to entertain; to feast
Steve **_regale_**d his guests with exciting tales.
61
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. hermaphroditic
adj. no distinguishable between male and female
**androgynous**
| (an-**drodj**-uh-nuhs)
## Footnote
synonyms: cross-sexual, unisexual, trans-sexual
62
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a family of partridges
n. a small group
**covey**
| (**kuhv**-ee)
## Footnote
synonyms: a small group, a small flock of birds
63
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. inactive, lying on one's back apathetically
adj. morally slack
**supine**
| (adj. soo-**pahyn**)
## Footnote
synonyms: lying down, flat; apathetic, lazy
64
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to cheat, beguile, or deceive
**cozen**
| (**kuhz**-uhn)
## Footnote
synonyms: hoodwink, swindle, dupe
65
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. calm, untroubled, serene
adj. transparent, clear (as of water, air, or crystal)
**limpid**
| (**lim**-pid)
## Footnote
synonyms: tranquil, peaceful; glassy, translucent
66
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. shining radiantly; brilliant
**refulgent**
| (rih-**fuhl**-juhnt)
## Footnote
synonyms: glowing, luminous, gleaming
67
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. hard to excite, calm, sluggish
adj. unemotional, stoic
**phlegmatic**
| (fleg-**mat**-ik)
## Footnote
synonyms: apathetic, dispassionate, lethargic
68
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to weaken or reduce in force or value
v. to make small or fine
**attenuate**
| (uh-**ten**-yoo-eyt)
## Footnote
synonyms: deflate, cripple, lessen
69
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. lacking in sincerity or candor
**disingenuous**
| (diss-in-**djen**-yoo-uhs)
## Footnote
synonyms: dishonest, crooked
70
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a written message, usually a formal letter
**epistle**
| (uh-**piss**-uhl)
## Footnote
synonyms: card, letter, memo
71
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. produced artificially; not natural
adj. fake
**factitious**
| (fak-**tish**-uhs)
## Footnote
synonyms: artificial, false, sham
72
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. containing patches of two or more colors, usually in blotches
**pied**
| (**pahyd**)
## Footnote
synonyms: patches of color, uneven coloring
73
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to have substantial weight or bearing on; to argue for or against
**militate**
| (**mill**-ih-teyt)
## Footnote
synonyms: weigh, important, influential
74
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. dark, gloomy, dismal
adj. infernal, hellish
**Stygian**
| (**stidj**-ee-uhn)
## Footnote
synonyms: inky, sombre
75
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to declare false
v. to deny
v. to contradict or claim exception to
**gainsay**
| (**geyn**-sey)
## Footnote
synonyms: deny, disaffirm, disprove
76
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to make something appear less serious; to mitigate; to alleviate
**palliate**
| (**pal**-ee-eyt)
## Footnote
synonyms: gloss over, condone, lessen
77
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. cure-all, questionable remedy, or a placebo
**nostrum**
| (**nos**-truhm)
## Footnote
synonyms: elixir, quick fix, aid
78
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. unruly, noisy, loudly stubborn
**obstreperous**
| (uhb-**strep**-er-uhs)
## Footnote
synonyms: boisterous, loud, riotous
79
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. unusually quick development or maturation, especially in intelligence
**precocious**
| (prih-**koh**-shuhs)
## Footnote
synonyms: advanced, developed, quick, intelligent
80
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to entertain; to feast
**regale**
| (rih-**geyl**)
## Footnote
synonyms: delight, amuse; treat
81
# Define:
**ambit**
| (**am**-bit)
n. the extent, boundary or scope of something
Though I find her actions reprehensible, she was acting within the _ambit_ of the law and so my hands are tied.
82
# Define:
**apostate**
| (uh-**poss**-teyt)
n. one who abandons a belief, cause, party or religion
The _apostate_ is dealt with very harshly in many religious traditions.
83
# Define:
**sophistry**
| (**sof**-uh-stree)
n. fallacious reasoning; faulty, although plausible, logic
The students were quickly convinced by the professor's _sophistry_ and did not inquire further.
84
# Define:
**perspicuity**
| (purr-spih-**kyoo**-ih-tee)
n. clarity or perceptiveness in speech, thought, or writing
The _perspicuity_ of the writing made a complicated topic easy for all to understand.
85
# Define:
**enjoin**
| (en-**join**)
v. to command or direct an action with authority
v. to prohibit or forbid an action
The captain **_enjoin_**ed his men to respect the local laws while on shore leave.
86
# Define:
**fulsome**
| (**fool**-suhm)
adj. offensively flattering or insincere.
adj. offensive to the taste
adj. generous or abundant
I prefer Sara's sincere criticism to all the _fulsome_ praise I receive from Deb.
87
# Define:
**imprecation**
| (im-prih-**key**-shuhn)
n. a curse
The witch cast an _imprecation_ on the villagers.
88
# Define:
**extenuate**
| (ik-**sten**-yoo-eyt)
v. to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of; to mitigate
The prisoner's illness may _extenuate_ the conditions of his captivity, but it shall not lead me to order his early release.
89
# Define:
**ineluctable**
| (in-ih-**luhk**-tuh-buhl)
adj. certain, inevitable, unavoidable
A hectic lifestyle seems to be the _ineluctable_ product of modernity.
90
# Define:
**vitiate**
| (**vish**-ee-eyt)
v. to reduce the quality of
v. to corrupt
The tear in the painting **_vitiate_**d its overall appeal and halved its appraisal cost.
91
# Define:
**turpitude**
| (**tur**-pih-tood)
n. depravity, baseness
n. a vile act
Because of stealing, he was dismissed on grounds of moral _turpitude_.
92
# Define:
**plaintive**
| (**pleyn**-tiv)
adj. mournful, sorrowful, melancholy
## Footnote
The procession was led by the _plaintive_ strains of the bagpipe.
93
# Define:
**pertinacious**
| (purt-n-**ey**-shuhs)
adj. holding tenaciously to a belief
adj. stubbornly unyielding
Her _pertinacious_ devotion to the debunked theory led her to be marginalized in the scientific community.
94
# Define:
**recreant**
| (**rek**-ree-uhnt)
adj. unfaithful, disloyal to belief or principle
adj. cowardly or craven
n. one who is a coward, unfaithful, or disloyal
The _recreant_ knight ran from the battle.
95
# Define:
**adduce**
| (uh-**doos**)
v. to offer as proof in an argument
Seth **_adduce_**d several recent studies in support of his hypothesis.
96
# Define:
**traduce**
| (truh-**doos**)
v. to slander or speak maliciously of
As a "green energy" campaigner, I distrust politicians who habitually _traduce_ the motivations of environmentalists.
97
# Define:
**apposite**
| (**app**-uh-zit)
adj. relevant, suitable, or fitting
Though clever, Dmitry's pun was not _apposite_ to the solemn occasion.
98
# Define:
**discursive**
| (diss-**kurr**-siv)
adj. rambling aimlessly through a wide range of subjects.
adj. drawing conclusions based on reason (as opposed to intuition)
The poor speaker gave a rambling, _discursive_ speech
99
# Define:
**avocation**
| (av-uh-**key**-shuhn)
n. an extracurricular activity; a hobby
My favorite _avocation_ is playing baseball in the summertime.
100
# Define:
**adumbrate**
| (uh-**duhm**-breyt)
v. to foreshadow vaguely
v. to produce a faint outline or resemblance of something
The first volume merely **_adumbrate_**s the basics of the story to be developed in the next two books.
101
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. the extent, boundary or scope of something
**ambit**
| (**am**-bit)
## Footnote
synonyms: compass, extension, range
102
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. one who abandons a belief, cause, party or religion
**apostate**
| (uh-**poss**-teyt)
## Footnote
synonyms: traitor, defector, unfaithful
103
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. fallacious reasoning; faulty, although plausible, logic
**sophistry**
| (**sof**-uh-stree)
## Footnote
synonyms: fallacy, inconsistency
104
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. clarity or perceptiveness in speech, thought, or writing
**perspicuity**
| (purr-spih-**kyoo**-ih-tee)
## Footnote
synonyms: comprehensibility, articulateness
105
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to command or direct an action with authority
v. to prohibit or forbid an action
**enjoin**
| (en-**join**)
## Footnote
synonyms: order, command; disallow, outlaw
106
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. offensively flattering or insincere.
adj. offensive to the taste
**fulsome**
| (**fool**-suhm)
## Footnote
synonyms: overdone, copious, distasteful
107
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a curse
**imprecation**
| (im-prih-**key**-shuhn)
## Footnote
synonyms: spell, hex
108
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of; to mitigate
**extenuate**
| (ik-**sten**-yoo-eyt)
## Footnote
synonyms: mitigate, lessen, lighten
109
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. certain, inevitable, unavoidable
**ineluctable**
| (in-ih-**luhk**-tuh-buhl)
## Footnote
synonyms: inescapable, destined
110
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to reduce the quality of
v. to corrupt
**vitiate**
| (**vish**-ee-eyt)
## Footnote
synonyms: cheapen, deteriorate; blemish, debase
111
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. depravity, baseness
n. a vile act
**turpitude**
| (**tur**-pih-tood)
## Footnote
synonyms: debasement, immorality
112
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. mournful, sorrowful, melancholy
**plaintive**
| (**pleyn**-tiv)
## Footnote
synonyms: afflicted, distressing
113
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. holding tenaciously to a belief
adj. stubbornly unyielding
**pertinacious**
| (purt-n-**ey**-shuhs)
## Footnote
synonyms: determined, tenacious, stubborn
114
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. unfaithful, disloyal to belief or principle
adj. cowardly or craven
n. one who is a coward, unfaithful, or disloyal
**recreant**
| (**rek**-ree-uhnt)
## Footnote
synonyms: cowardly, unfaithful, deserter
115
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to offer as proof in an argument
**adduce**
| (uh-**doos**)
## Footnote
synonyms: introduce, exhibit
116
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to slander or speak maliciously of
**traduce**
| (truh-**doos**)
## Footnote
synonyms: defame, slander
117
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. relevant, suitable, or fitting
**apposite**
| (**app**-uh-zit)
## Footnote
synonyms: pertinent, timely, appropriate
118
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. rambling aimlessly through a wide range of subjects
adj. drawing conclusions based on reason (as opposed to intuition)
**discursive**
| (diss-**kurr**-siv)
## Footnote
synonyms: digressive, erratic; inclusive, absolute
119
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. an extracurricular activity; a hobby
**avocation**
| (av-uh-**key**-shuhn)
## Footnote
synonyms: hobby, recreation
120
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to foreshadow vaguely
v. to produce a faint outline or resemblance of something
**adumbrate**
| (uh-**duhm**-breyt)
## Footnote
synonyms: bode, suggest, indicate, outline
121
# Define:
**alchemy**
| (**al**-kuh-me)
n. the medieval study of transforming lead into gold
Although it was never proven possible, _alchemy_ is in many ways related to the chemistry we study today.
122
# Define:
**allege**
| (uh-**ledge**)
v. to state that something is true without providing proof
The neighbors **_allege_**d that it was the store owner who started the fire, but it turned out that he had been out of town after speaking with him.
123
# Define:
**allude**
| (uh-**lewd**)
v. to refer to another concept indirectly
## Footnote
She would occasionally _allude_ to a summer house, though nobody knew exactly where it was.
124
# Define:
**altruism**
| (**al-**true-iz-um)
n. selfless concern for others
Many charities were formed thanks to Rajiv's _altruism_ and generosity.
125
# Define:
**ambivalence**
| (am-**biv**-uh-lunce)
n. indifference or confused feelings
The bride's _ambivalence_ towards the color of the roses meant the groom had to decide.
126
# Define:
**amble**
| (**am**-bul)
v. to walk slowly
The old man **_amble_**d over to our table and started up a conversation.
127
# Define:
**ameliorate**
| (uh-**meal**-yuh-rate)
v. to make better
## Footnote
The new medicine **_ameliorate_**d her condition rather quickly.
128
# Define:
**amenable**
| (uh-**men**-ih-bull)
adj. open to suggestion or criticism
adj. accountable
A good manager is _amenable_ to his employee's new ideas.
129
# Define:
**analgesic**
| (ann-ul-**djee**-zick)
n. pain reliever
After the surgery, the doctor prescribed an _analgesic_ for her patient's leg.
130
# Define:
**anecdote**
| (**ann**-ik-dote)
n. a story of a specific incident, used as an example or for entertainment
The actor's acceptance speech included an _anecdote_ about his first audition.
131
# Define:
**annul**
| (uh-**null**)
v. to declare invalid
## Footnote
The couple had their marriage **_annul_**led when it was revealed that the groom was still married to another woman.
132
# Define:
**didactic**
| (die-**dak-**tick)
adj. overly instructive or preachy
He may mean well, but Pat's efforts to help come across as fussy and _didactic_.
133
# Define:
**diffident**
| (**diff**-ih-dunt)
adj. lacking confidence; restrained or reserved
Since it was her first day, Lucy ventured only _diffident_ answers to her superiors' requests for input.
134
# Define:
**diffuse**
| (v. dih-**fewz**; adj. dih-**fewss**)
v. to spread out
adj. widely spread, scattered
adj. wordy and rambling
Such a _diffuse_ network of law enforcement will not be able to eliminate all instances of crime.
135
# Define:
**dilapidated**
| (dih-**lap**-ih-date-id)
adj. ruined, worn down
The abandoned house was _dilapidated_ from years of neglect.
136
# Define:
**dilate**
| (**die-**late)
v. to widen or enlarge
v. to give a long speech on a subject
## Footnote
The eye drops **_dilate_**d his pupils so the eye doctor could better examine them.
137
# Define:
**dilettante**
| (**dill**-ih-tont)
n. an amateur
n. a patron of the arts
The dance school accepted **_dilettante_**s as well as trained professionals.
138
# Define:
**dirge**
| (**durge**)
n. a mournful song
We heard a chorus singing a _dirge_ as the funeral procession began.
139
# Define:
**disabuse**
| (diss-uh-**bewz**)
v. to free from a misconception or error in thought
Luke made it his goal to _disabuse_ his students of the notion that they didn't need to work hard to do well.
140
# Define:
**disaffect**
| (diss-uh-**fect**)
v. to make someone lose loyalty or affection
Her attention-seeking behavior **_disaffect_**ed many of her classmates.
141
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the medieval study of transforming lead into gold
**alchemy**
| (**al**-kuh-me)
## Footnote
synonyms: sorcery, wizardry, medieval science
142
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to state that something is true without providing proof
**allege**
| (uh-**ledge**)
## Footnote
synonyms: assert, claim
143
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to refer to another concept indirectly
**allude**
| (uh-**lewd**)
## Footnote
synonyms: bring up, imply, mention
144
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. selfless concern for others
**altruism**
| (**al-**true-iz-um)
## Footnote
synonyms: charity, kindness
145
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. indifference or confused feelings
**ambivalence**
| (am-**biv**-uh-lunce)
## Footnote
synonyms: confusion, dilemma, hesitation
146
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to walk slowly
**amble**
| (**am**-bul)
## Footnote
synonyms: saunter, drag
147
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to make better
**ameliorate**
| (uh-**meal**-yuh-rate)
## Footnote
synonyms: amend, help
148
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. open to suggestion or criticism
adj. accountable
**amenable**
| (uh-**men**-ih-bull)
## Footnote
synonyms: willing, cooperative; chargeable, liable
149
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. pain reliever
**analgesic**
| (ann-ul-**djee**-zick)
## Footnote
synonyms: painkiller, soother
150
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a story of a specific incident, used as an example or for entertainment
**anecdote**
| (**ann**-ik-dote)
## Footnote
synonyms: episode, account, chronicle
151
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to declare invalid
**annul**
| (uh-**null**)
## Footnote
synonyms: void, abolish, cancel
152
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. overly instructive or preachy
**didactic**
| (die-**dak-**tick)
## Footnote
synonyms: advisory, sermonic, bookish
153
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. lacking confidence; restrained or reserved
**diffident**
| (**diff**-ih-dunt)
## Footnote
synonyms: hesitant, unconfident
154
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to spread out
adj. widely spread, scattered
adj. wordy and rambling
**diffuse**
| (v. dih-**fewz**; adj. dih**-fewss**)
## Footnote
synonyms: delocalized, verbose, prolix
155
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. ruined, worn down
**dilapidated**
| (dih-**lap**-ih-date-id)
## Footnote
synonyms: ramshackle, wasted, decayed
156
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to widen or enlarge
v. to give a long speech on a subject
**dilate**
| (**die-**late)
## Footnote
synonyms: stretch, amplify; hold forth
157
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. an amateur
n. a patron of the arts
**dilettante**
| (**dill**-ih-tont)
## Footnote
synonyms: green, unskilled; artist, connoisseur
158
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a mournful song
**dirge**
| (**durge**)
## Footnote
synonyms: death song, lament, funeral hymn
159
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to free from a misconception or error in thought
**disabuse**
| (diss-uh-**bewz**)
## Footnote
synonyms: correct, debunk
160
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to make someone lose loyalty or affection
**disaffect**
| (diss-uh-**fect**)
## Footnote
synonyms: alienate, antagonize
161
# Define:
**discern**
| (dih-**surn**)
v. to see clearly
From a distance, it was difficult for Josh to _discern_ who was waving at him.
162
# Define:
**discomfit**
| (diss-**kum**-fit)
v. to unsettle
v. to upset or prevent from succeeding
The presence of the victim's family at the trial **_discomfit_**ed the accused.
163
# Define:
**hackneyed**
| (**hack**-need)
adj. overdone or cliché
The student's poem contained the _hackneyed_ expressions that typically fill teenage diaries.
164
# Define:
**hallmark**
| (**hall-**mark)
n. a unique, identifying trait
n. a mark used to indicate the purity of certain metals
Complete obedience is the _hallmark_ of a good soldier.
165
# Define:
**harangue**
| (huh-**rang**)
v. to speak with intense emotions
n. a rant
The lobbyists arrived at the senator's office expecting to make a deal, but instead they received a 45-minute _harangue_ from the angry politician.
166
# Define:
**hedonism**
| (**heed-**in-iz-um)
n. dedication to pursuing pleasure
## Footnote
Jake's _hedonism_ became apparent when he quit his job rather than cancel his trip to the Bahamas.
167
# Define:
**tan**
| (**tan**)
v. to whip
v. to make leather out of animal hide
## Footnote
He spent days **_tan_**ning the leather properly.
168
# Define:
**heretical**
| (huh-**ret**-ih-kull)
adj. differing from official beliefs
Galileo's discoveries of the nature of Earth's place in the universe were considered _heretical_ at the time.
169
# Define:
**hieroglyphic**
| (high-ruh-**glif**-ik)
adj. difficult to understand, mysterious
## Footnote
The students could not read the teacher's _hieroglyphic_ writing on the board.
170
# Define:
**homogenous**
| (hoe-**modj**-ih-nus)
adj. composed of similar or identical parts
The audience was mostly a _homogenous_ group of fashion design students, though one or two engineering students also attended.
171
# Define:
**hone**
| (**hone**)
v. to perfect
v. to sharpen
The swimmers spent all day in the water trying to _hone_ their skills before the meet.
172
# Define:
**husband**
| (**huz**-bund)
v. to conserve
## Footnote
The campers knew they would have to _husband_ their supplies on their trip.
173
# Define:
**nonplussed**
| (non-**plust**)
adj. confused
## Footnote
She was _nonplussed_ when her mother scolded her for no apparent reason.
174
# Define:
**noxious**
| (**knock**-shuss)
adj. harmful in a physical or moral way
Unfortunately, the group did not notice the _noxious_ gas until it had claimed several victims.
175
# Define:
**nuance**
| (**new**-awnss)
n. a small difference
A trained scientist is sensitive to the **_nuance_**s between these two seemingly identical procedures.
176
# Define:
**obdurate**
| (**ob**-duh-ritt)
adj. stubborn; inflexible and unyielding
adj. emotionally cold; not compassionate
Even when the witness began to cry, the accused remained _obdurate_ and detached.
177
# Define:
**obsequious**
| (ob-**see**-kwee-us)
adj. very submissive and flattering
## Footnote
Alexander Hamilton was wary of people who became "_obsequious_ instruments of pleasure."
178
# Define:
**obstinate**
| (**ob**-stuh-nitt)
adj. stubborn
The _obstinate_ woman refused to move out of the other customers' way.
179
# Define:
**obviate**
| (**ob**-vee-ehyt)
v. to anticipate and prevent
v. to make obsolete
The Internet has all but **_obviate_**d the need for radio stations.
180
# Define:
**occlude**
| (uh-**clued**)
v. to close or block off
v. to combine opposite surfaces
The only way out of the cabin was **_occlude_**d by a mound of fresh snow.
181
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to see clearly
**discern**
| (dih-**surn**)
## Footnote
synonyms: note, notice, focus
182
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to unsettle
v. to upset or prevent from succeeding
**discomfit**
| (diss-**kum**-fit)
## Footnote
synonyms: frustrate, annoy
183
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. overdone or cliché
**hackneyed**
| (**hack-**need)
## Footnote
synonyms: tired, common
184
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a unique, identifying trait
n. a mark used to indicate the purity of certain metals
**hallmark**
| (**hall**-mark)
## Footnote
synonyms: authentication, emblem, brand
185
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to speak with intense emotions
n. a rant
**harangue**
| (huh-**rang**)
## Footnote
synonyms: diatribe, tirade, speech
186
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. dedication to pursuing pleasure
**hedonism**
| (**heed-**in-iz-um)
## Footnote
synonyms: seeking pleasure and happiness
187
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to whip
v. to make leather out of animal hide
**tan**
| (**tan**)
## Footnote
synonyms: flog, beat
188
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. differing from official beliefs
**heretical**
| (huh-**ret**-ih-kull)
## Footnote
synonyms: unorthodox, disagreeing, dissenting
189
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. difficult to understand, mysterious
**hieroglyphic**
| (high-ruh-**glif**-ik)
## Footnote
synonyms: unclear, unreadable, cryptic
190
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. composed of similar or identical parts
**homogenous**
| (hoe-**modj**-ih-nuss)
## Footnote
synonyms: same, of like parts, uniform
191
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to perfect
v. to sharpen
**hone**
| (**hone**)
## Footnote
synonyms: train, discipline; whet, grind
192
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to conserve
**husband**
| (**huz**-bund)
## Footnote
synonyms: retain, preserve
193
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. confused
**nonplussed**
| (non-**plust**)
## Footnote
synonyms: perplexed, baffled, puzzled
194
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. harmful in a physical or moral way
**noxious**
| (**knock**-shuss)
## Footnote
synonyms: dangerous, corrupt
195
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a small difference
**nuance**
| (**new**-awnss)
## Footnote
synonyms: degree, subtlety
196
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. emotionally cold; not compassionate
**obdurate**
| (**ob**-duh-ritt)
## Footnote
synonyms: insensitive, apathetic
197
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. very submissive and flattering
**obsequious**
| (ob-**see**-kwee-us)
## Footnote
synonyms: flattering, sycophantic
198
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. stubborn
**obstinate**
| (**ob**-stuh-nitt)
## Footnote
synonyms: stubborn, determined
199
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to anticipate and prevent
v. to make obsolete
**obviate**
| (**ob**-vee-ehyt)
## Footnote
synonyms: anticipate, counteract; inhibit, stymie
200
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to close or block off
v. to combine opposite surfaces
**occlude**
| (uh-**clued**)
## Footnote
synonyms: clog, prevent, choke, congest, smother
