Deck007 Flashcards
pro·fuse
adjective
BrE /prəˈfjuːs/
NAmE /prəˈfjuːs/
produced in large amounts
profuse apologies/thanks
profuse bleeding
pious
adjective
BrE /ˈpaɪəs/
NAmE /ˈpaɪəs/
1 having or showing a deep respect for God and religion
➔ SYNONYM devout
pious acts
➔ OPPOSITE impious
➔ SEE ALSO piety
2 (disapproving) pretending to be religious, moral or good in order to impress other people
➔ SYNONYM sanctimonious
pious sentiments
He dismissed his critics as pious do-gooders.
a rather pious and condescending smile
3 pious hope something that you want to happen but is unlikely to be achieved
Such reforms seem likely to remain little more than pious hopes.
ob·scure
adjective
BrE /əbˈskjʊə(r)/
NAmE /əbˈskjʊr/
1 not well known
➔ SYNONYM unknown
an obscure German poet
We went to see one of Shakespeareʼs more obscure plays.
He was born around 1650 but his origins remain obscure.
The origins of the tradition have become obscure.
2 difficult to understand
I found her lecture very obscure.
For some obscure reason, he failed to turn up.
The meaning of his comment was obscure to everyone but himself.
list·less
adjective
BrE /ˈlɪstləs/
NAmE /ˈlɪstləs/
having no energy or enthusiasm
➔ SYNONYM lethargic
The illness left her feeling listless and depressed.
in·nov·ate
verb
BrE /ˈɪnəveɪt/
NAmE /ˈɪnəveɪt/
[intransitive, transitive]
to introduce new things, ideas or ways of doing something
We must constantly adapt and innovate to ensure success in a growing market.
innovate something to innovate new products
in·ces·sant
adjective
BrE /ɪnˈsesnt/
NAmE /ɪnˈsesnt/
usually disapproving
never stopping
➔ SYNONYM constant
incessant noise/rain/chatter
incessant meetings
tir·ade
noun
BrE /taɪˈreɪd/
NAmE /ˈtaɪreɪd/
tirade (against somebody/something) a long angry speech criticizing somebody/something or accusing somebody of something
She launched into a tirade of abuse against politicians.
quan·dary
```
noun
BrE /ˈkwɒndəri/
NAmE /ˈkwɑːndəri/
[usually singular]
pl. quan·daries
~~~
the state of not being able to decide what to do in a difficult situation
➔ SYNONYM dilemma
George was in a quandary—should he go or shouldnʼt he?
This placed the government in something of a quandary.
om·in·ous
adjective
BrE /ˈɒmɪnəs/
NAmE /ˈɑːmɪnəs/
suggesting that something bad is going to happen in the future
➔ SYNONYM foreboding
There were ominous dark clouds gathering overhead.
She picked up the phone but there was an ominous silence at the other end.
Things looked ominous for Susan.
lucid
adjective
BrE /ˈluːsɪd/
NAmE /ˈluːsɪd/
1 clearly expressed; easy to understand
➔ SYNONYM clear
a lucid style/explanation
2 able to think clearly, especially during or after a period of illness or confusion
In a rare lucid moment, she looked at me and smiled.
in·ter·min·able
adjective
BrE /ɪnˈtɜːmɪnəbl/
NAmE /ɪnˈtɜːrmɪnəbl/
lasting a very long time and therefore boring or annoying
➔ SYNONYM endless
an interminable speech/wait/discussion
The drive seemed interminable.
inane
adjective
BrE /ɪˈneɪn/
NAmE /ɪˈneɪn/
stupid or silly; with no meaning
an inane remark
The last question was especially inane.
I wish youʼd stop making these inane remarks!
super·fi·cial
adjective
BrE /ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃl/ , /ˌsjuːpəˈfɪʃl/
NAmE /ˌsuːpərˈfɪʃl/
1 (often disapproving) not studying or looking at something thoroughly; seeing only what is obvious
a superficial analysis
The book shows only a superficial understanding of the historical context.
2 appearing to be true, real or important until you look at it more carefully
superficial differences/similarities
When you first meet her, she gives a superficial impression of warmth and friendliness.
The movie bears a fairly superficial resemblance to the original novel.
3 (of a wound or damage) only affecting the surface and therefore not serious
a superficial injury
superficial burns
4 (disapproving) not concerned with anything serious or important and lacking any depth of understanding or feeling
➔ SYNONYM shallow
a superficial friendship
The guests engaged in superficial chatter.
Sheʼs so superficial!
5 (specialist) of or on the surface of something
superficial veins
a superficial deposit of acidic soils
static
adjective
BrE /ˈstætɪk/
NAmE /ˈstætɪk/
1 not moving, changing or developing
The balance sheet provides a static picture of the financial position at a point in time.
Prices on the stock market, which have been static, are now rising again.
a static population level
2 (physics) (of a force) acting as a weight but not producing movement
static pressure
➔ OPPOSITE dynamic
ser·vile
adjective
BrE /ˈsɜːvaɪl/
NAmE /ˈsɜːrvl/ , /ˈsɜːvaɪl/
disapproving
wanting too much to please somebody and obey them
Parents have no right to demand servile obedience from their children.
re·vere
verb
BrE /rɪˈvɪə(r)/
NAmE /rɪˈvɪr/
[usually passive] revere somebody (as something) (formal) to feel great respect or admiration for somebody/something
➔ SYNONYM idolize
Her name is revered in Spain.
He is now revered as a national hero.
laud
verb
BrE /lɔːd/
NAmE /lɔːd/
laud somebody/something (formal) to praise somebody/something
He was lauded for his courage.
lan·guid
adjective
BrE /ˈlæŋɡwɪd/
NAmE /ˈlæŋɡwɪd/
moving slowly in an elegant manner, not needing energy or effort
a languid wave of the hand
a languid afternoon in the sun
usurp
verb
BrE /juːˈzɜːp/
NAmE /juːˈzɜːrp/
usurp somebody/something (formal) to take somebodyʼs position and/or power without having the right to do this
tacit
adjective
BrE /ˈtæsɪt/
NAmE /ˈtæsɪt/
[usually before noun]
that is suggested indirectly or understood, rather than said in words
tacit approval/support/knowledge
By tacit agreement, the subject was never mentioned again.
oner·ous
adjective
BrE /ˈəʊnərəs/
NAmE /ˈɑːnərəs/ , /ˈoʊnərəs/
formal
needing great effort; causing trouble or worry
➔ SYNONYM taxing
an onerous duty/task/responsibility
mol·lify
verb
BrE /ˈmɒlɪfaɪ/
NAmE /ˈmɑːlɪfaɪ/
mollify somebody (formal) to make somebody feel less angry or upset
➔ SYNONYM placate
His explanation failed to mollify her.
mawk·ish
adjective
BrE /ˈmɔːkɪʃ/
NAmE /ˈmɔːkɪʃ/
disapproving
expressing or sharing emotion in a way that is exaggerated or embarrassing
➔ SYNONYM sentimental
a mawkish poem
im·pe·cu·ni·ous
adjective
BrE /ˌɪmpɪˈkjuːniəs/
NAmE /ˌɪmpɪˈkjuːniəs/
formal or humorous
having little or no money
➔ SYNONYM penniless, poor
an impecunious student
ag·grand·ize·ment
(British English also -ise·ment)
noun BrE /əˈɡrændɪzmənt/ NAmE /əˈɡrændɪzmənt/ [uncountable] (formal, disapproving)
an increase in the power or importance of a person or country
Her sole aim is personal aggrandizement.
He was a strong and greedy monarch who pursued a course of military aggrandizement from the beginning of his reign.
