definitions Flashcards
amnesty
(n.) a general pardon for an offense against a government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution
autonomy
(n.) self-government, political control
axiomatic
(adj.) self-evident, expressing a universally accepted principle
blazon
(v.) to adorn or embellish; to display conspicuously; to publish or proclaim widely
caveat
(n.) a warning or caution to prevent misunderstanding or discourage behavior
equitable
(adj.) fair, just, embodying principles of justice
extricate
(v.) to free from entanglements or difficulties; to remove with effort
filch
(v.) to steal, especially in a sneaky way and in petty amounts
flout
(v.) to mock, treat with contempt
fractious
(adj.) tending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable
precept
(n.) a rule of conduct or action
salutary
(adj.) beneficial, helpful; healthful, wholesome
scathing
(adj.) bitterly severe, withering; causing great harm
scourge
(v.) to whip, punish severely; (n.) a cause of affliction or suffering; a source or severe punishment or criticism
sepulchral
(adj.) funereal, typical of the tomb; extremely gloomy or dismal
soporific
(adj.) tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness or lethargy; (n.) something that induces sleep
straitlaced
(adj.) extremely strict in regard to moral standards and conduct; prudish, puritanical
transient
(adj.) lasting only a short time, fleeting; (n.) one who stays only a short time
unwieldy
(adj.) not easily carried, handled, or managed because of size or complexity
vapid
(adj.) dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force
