Definitions I Flashcards
confuse
to put into disorder, to mix up in the mind; to mistake one thing for another
disguise
to furnish with a false appearance or an assumed identity
elevate
to lift up; to make the mind, morals higher and better
exhaust
to consume entirely; to tire extremely or completely, OR the used gas or vapour from an engine
fatigue
great tiredness, exhaustion, OR to make someone very tired
ignorance
lack of knowledge, information, or consciousness
intelligent
having or indicating a high or satisfactory degree of intelligence and mental capacity; revealing or reflecting good judgement or sound thought
mysterious
full of, suggesting, covered in mystery
reject
to refuse to accept; to throw away as useless or imperfect; to deny OR something rejected; somebody rejected
renew
to give new life and freshness to; to replace with something new; to arrange to extend the loan of
rude
lacking in refinement or grace
stubborn
unreasonably or perversely unyielding, mulish
accusation
accusing or being accused
articulate
expressing oneself readily, clearly, or effectively, OR to say words distinctly; to connect by a joint
bleak
not hopeful or encouraging, depressing
camouflage
behaviour or artifice designed to deceive or hide, OR to hide something by making it look the same as the things around it
clumsy
lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace
coarse
of ordinary or inferior quality
disastrous
attended by or causing suffering or disaster
discourage
to lessen, to take away the courage or confidence of; to put difficulties in one’s way; to try to persuade somebody not to do it
fantasitc
excellent, superlative
genuine
actually being what seems to be, real; without dishonesty or pretence, sincere
irritate
to provoke impatience, anger, or displeasure in, annoy
peel
the outer covering especially of those fruits and vegetables, OR to remove the outer covering from
severe
stern, strict; very violent, serious or uncomfortable
submissive
always willing to obey someone and never disagreeing with them, even if they are unkind to you
submit
to subject to a condition, treatment, or operation; to present or propose to another for review, consideration, or decision
vine
a climbing plant that produces bunches of juicy green or purple fruit; any creeping or climbing plant
abundant
plentiful, possessing riches or resources
agile
marked by ready ability to move with quick easy grace, having a quick resourceful and adaptable character
alien
a foreign-born citizen, OR of another race, nation, or country; different in nature; contrary
alter
to make different without changing into something else
annoy
to disturb or irritate especially by repeated acts
assemble
to bring together, as in a particular place or for a particular purpose, to meet together; to fit together the parts of
attractive
having the power to arouse one’s interest, pleasing or interesting
authentic
worthy or acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact; not false
candor
sincere honest and truthfulness
charming
extremely pleasing or delightful, entrancing
clamor
loud confused noise or shout, OR to make a clamor
clarify
to make clear or pure usually by freeing from suspended matter; to free of confusion, to make understandable
complain
to say that one is not satisfied, that something is wrong or that one is suffering
contempt
the act of despising
credible
offering reasonable grounds for being believed
dearth
scarcity, an inadequate supply; famine
deceive
to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid
decorate
to furnish with something ornamental
depress
to make sad, low in spirits; to make less active; to cause (prices) to be lower
disagreement
disagreeing, absence of agreement
disdain
to contempt, scorn
dismiss
to send away; to allow to go; to put away from the mind, stop thinking or talking
doubtful
feeling doubt, causing doubt, unreliable
ecstasy
a state of overwhelming emotion
finalize
to finish the last part of a plan, business deal, etc
frown
to bring the eyebrows together in anger or effort, causing lines to appear on the forehead
generous
willing to give and share unstintingly; not petty in character and mind; more than adequate
grave
the place in the ground where a dead person is buried, OR giving cause for worry or needing urgent attention, very serious; serious or solemn in manner
grieve
to suffer from grief or great sadness
harsh
having a coarse uneven surface that is rough or unpleasant to touch; causing a painful sensory reaction; unduly exacting
haughty
blatantly and disdainfully proud
hexagon
a polygon of six angles and six sides
imminent
close to happening; impending
insult
to speak or act in a way that hurts or is intended to hurt a person’s feeling or dignity, OR a remark or action that insults
immortal
living or continuing forever, not subject to death
lament
to mourn, regret deeply, OR, a song, piece of music, or something that you say, that expresses a feeling of sadness
legal
connected with, in accordance with the law
mammal
a type of animal that drinks from its mother’s body when it is young
meager
deficient in quality or quantity
misplace
to put something in the wrong place; to give (love, attention, etc.) wrongly or unwisely
mundane
of or relating to the world; concerned with the practical details of everyday life
neutral
without strong feelings or opinions on either side of a question or argument
nimble
quick-moving; sharp, quick to understand
obscure
not at all well-known and usually not very important; difficult to understand, OR, to make dark, dim, or indistinct; to conceal or hide as if by covering
obstacle
something that impedes progress or achievement
odor
smell, pleasant or unpleasant; reputation
palette
board with a curved edge and a hole for the thumb, on which an artist mixes colors
phobia
a strong unreasonable fear of something
purify
to make pure
refined
free from impurities; cultivated
release
to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude; to give permission for publication, performance, exhibition, or sale of; to make available to the public
reserved
restrained in words and actions
revere
to show devoted, respectful honour to
scarcity
instance of shortage
scold
to show one’s unhappiness or critical attitude
sociable
friendly and enjoying being with other people
superiority
the quality or state of being superior
supple
easy and fluent without awkwardness
talkative
fond of talking, full of talk
tease
to make fun of playfully or unkindly
terminate
to cause to an end
timid
lacking in courage or self-confidence
trick
a practice meant to deceive or defraud; one designed to puzzle or amuse
valuable
having financial value; having desirable qualities; of great use or service
absurd
insane, loony, preposterous
adamant
unshakable or insistent especially in maintaining a position or opinion, unyielding
affection
tender attachment, fondness
amorphous
having no definite form; being without definite character or nature
ample
generous or more than adequate in size, scope, or capacity; generously sufficient to satisfy a requirement or need
amuse
to entertain or occupy in a light, playful, or pleasant manner; to appeal to the sense of humour of
ancient
having had an existence of many years; of or relating to a remote period, a time early in history, or those living in such a period or time
antidote
a remedy to counteract the effects of posion
anxiety
painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill
arrogant
behaving in or showing a superior, proud manner
artificial
humanly contrived often on a natural model; man-made
assert
to state or declare positively and often forcefully or aggressively
avarice
an excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain
benevolent
marked by or disposed to doing good
blatant
completely obvious in a crass or offensive manner
brutal
grossly ruthless
buckle
a piece of metal used for fastening the two ends of a belt, for fastening a shoe, bag etc. or for decoration, OR to become bent or curved because of heat or pressure, or to make something bend or curve in this way
banker
one that engages in the business of banking
assist
to help
candid
frank, straightforward; relating to photography of subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without being posed
commotion
an agitated disturbance
companion
one that accompanies another, OR, to accompany
compassion
sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress
competent
having requisite or adequate abilities or qualities
convict
to officially announce or prove someone guilty of an offence or crime, OR, a person serving a sentence of imprisonment
crude
existing in a natural state and unaltered by cooking or processing; simple, OR, rude
dawdle
to waste time, be slow
deter
to prevent from taking a particular course of action
detrimental
obviously harmful
dignify
make something seem worthy or impressive
diligent
continuously putting in great effort
din
a jumble of loud, usually discordant sounds, OR, to tell somebody something again and again in a forceful way
dismal
sad, gloomy, miserable
divert
to reroute; distract
dock
structure extending alongshore into a body of water meant to receive ships
dreary
dull, uninteresting
entrust
to bestow trust
excess
an amount of something that is more than necessary
falsehood
an untrue statement
fancy
an idea/opinion that is not based on fact OR to like, OR of particular excellence
favorable
to the advantage of someone or something, OR, expressing approval
feeble
lacking strength
glorious
worthy of admiration; wonderful
gullible
easily persuaded into believing something
hallow
to make holy
hinder
to be an obstacle to
imaginary
existing only in imagination
imbue
to fill something or someone with a particular feeling, quality, or idea
imitate
to follow as a model or example; to be or appear like
impede
to interfere with the progress of
inititate
to facilitate the beginning of
ironic
using or characterized by irony; sarcastic
isolate
to keep apart, separate from others
jail
a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody
jar
to make a harsh or discordant sound; to be out of harmony, OR, a container made typically of glass or earthenware
keen
highly developed (of a sense); sharp
liberate
to set free
melodious
producing or having a pleasant tune; pleasant-sounding
monarch
a supreme ruler, i.e a king, queen, emperor, empress
morose
sullen and ill-tempered; gloomy
myth
a story handed down from and older time concerning the early history of people or explaining phenomenons; folk tales
nutritious
nourishing; promoting growth and repair of the body
obsolete
no longer in use, old-fashioned
olfactory
of or relating to the sense of smell
ominous
threatening
ostentatious
attracting or seeking to attract attention, admiration, or envy often by gaudiness or obviousness
paltry
practically worthless; inferior, trashy; mean, despicable
perception
the way you regard something and your beliefs on what it is like
perplex
to cause to feel confused and troubled by being difficult to understand or answer; to make complex
philanthropy
the desire to promote the welfare of others
plateau
a large stretch of level land much higher than the land around it; a state in which an activity ceases developing
prance
to spring from the hind legs or move by doing so; to walk or move in a spirited manner
preface
the introductory remarks of a speaker OR to say or do something before the main part of what you are doing to say
prevalent
commonly used or occurring
proclaim
to make known publicly, declare
prompt
being ready and quick to act as occasion demands, OR to move to action, incite
punctual
not late; doing something or happening at the agreed or proper time.
quart
a unit for measuring liquid
rare
not common or frequent; very unusual
rasp
a harsh, grating noise; a coarse file with a rough surface used to scrape, file, and rub objects of hard material
reaction
reply; the chemical change that happens when two or more chemical substances are mixed together
recollect
to remind someone of something temporally forgotten or to recall something to the mind
renounce
to give up, refuse, or resign usually by formal declaration
reproach
to blame
rhythm
regular, repeated pattern of sounds or movements in speech, dancing, music
satire
mockery, sarcasm
saturate
to make something very wet
serene
calm and peacful
sloppy
not done carefully or thoroughly; expressing your feelings of love too strongly and in a silly way
stem
originate in or be caused by; main section of something
slothful
lazy
stifle
to stop someone from breathing or be unable to breathe comfortably; to stop something from happening or developing
summit
the highest point of a hill or mountain; peak, OR, a meeting between heads of government
surplus
more than is needed, desired, or required; a quantity much larger than is needed
symphony
a long, complex musical composition, usually in four parts for a large orchestra
tactile
connected with the sense of touch; perceptible (seen or noticed) by touch
tame
to reduce from a wild to a domestic state, OR, lacking in spirit
thrust
to push suddenly or violently; to make a sudden movement forward with a sword or knife
transparent
easily being seen through; clear and easy to understand
trepidation
fear
tumult
disturbance or confusion especially of large mass of people; turmoil; disturbed or agitated state of mind
typical
having the distinctive qualities of a particular type of person or thing; classic
unbiased
free from all prejudice and favoritism
undermine
to weaken or wear away secretly or gradually
untimely
an event happening or done at an unsuitable time
utilize
to make use of, use
vain
full of self-admiration, thinking highly of one’s appearance
vessel
a ship or large boat; a container for holding something; a person who has a particular quality or who is used for a particular purpose
victorious
having won a victory; of, relating to, or characteristic of victory
vigorous
forcefully strong, full of power and action
violate
to disregard or act against; to break, spoil or destroy
vulenerable
capable of being wounded, susceptible to wounds; open to attack
warm-blooded
animals with a body temperature that remains fairly high whether the temperature around them is hot or cold
zenith
the highest point reached in the heavens by a celestial body
abate
to reduce in degree or intensity, lessen
abridge
to reduce the length of a written text, condense
accidental
occurring unexpectedly or by chance
account
a report or description of an event or experience; a record or statement of financial expenditure and receipts relating to a particular period or purpose; consider or regard in a specific way
acumen
keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination especially in practical matters
adage
a saying often in metaphorical form that embodies a common observation
adhere
to give support or maintain loyalty; to stick firmly to something
agenda
a list or outline of things to be considered or done
adhast
struck with sudden terror or horror
align
to arrange in a straight line; to bring into agreement with a particular group
aimless
purposeless, haphazard, accidental
alias
name by which a person is called on other occasions
agriculture
science or practice of farming
allegation
a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof
aloof
removed or distant either physically or emotionally; at a distance
ambition
a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work; desire and determination to achieve success
amend
to put right; to change or modify for the better (in text)
ardent
passionate
amoral
not connected with morals
moral
concerned with the principles of right and wrong behaviour; a lesson
amphibian
an animal capable of living both on land and in water
animosity
ill will or resentment tending toward active hostility, an antagonistic attitude
antagonist
opponent in a competition, battle, quarrel etc
antagonistic
hostile
apathy
lack of feeling or emotion; lack of interest or concern
appeal
make a serious or urgent request, typically to the public; apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.
arid
excessively dry, having insufficient rainfall to support agriculture; lacking in interest and life
astound
to overcome with surprise
attorney
a legal agent qualified to act for suitors and defendants in legal proceedings
auditorium
a room, hall, or building used for public gatherings; the part of a public building where an audience sits
auspicious
promising success
austere
stern and cold in appearance or manner; morally strict
avert
to turn away in avoidance
awkward
lacking dexterity or skill, showing the result of a lack of expertness
batter
strike repeatedly with hard blows; subject to repeated violence and assault; critisize
belie
to give a false impression of, to present an appearance not in agreement with; to show something to be false or wrong
bellicose
favouring or inclined to start quarrels or wars
belligerent
hostile and aggressive
bliss
complete happiness
blithe
carefree, happy and lighthearted; lacking due thought or consideration
boast
to brag; possessing a feature that is a source of pride
bounty
a sum paid for killing or capturing a person or animal; a sum paid to encourage trade.
brevity
shortness or conciseness of expression
buffoon
a rude or vulgar fool
bulb
organ of a plant; light bulb
cacophony
harsh or discordant sound
caprice
a sudden, impulsive notion or action
discordant
harsh and jarring sound
canvas
strong, coarse cloth used for tents, sails, bags, and by artists
notion
idea
censor
to examine in order to suppress or delete anything considered objectionable
centralize
to bring to the center
chide
scold or rebuke
rebuke
expressing sharp disapproval
chronic
long established
conceited
having or shoeing an excessively high opinion of oneself
condescend
to show one’s feeling of superiority
condone
accept and allow
conservation
preservation; controlled use of a limited supply to prevent waste
consistency
steadiness
conspicuous
obvious to the eyes or mind
contradiction
absence of agreement
convene
to cause to assemble
credulous
inclined to believe, especially on slight evidence; gullible
cunning
clever, achieving one’s ends through deceit
deceit
to trick
defile
to destroy the pureness of; any narrow valley or mountain pass
delinquent
having broken a law, especially one which is not very serious; a person who is delinquent
deluge
an overflowing of the land by water; an overwhelming amount or number; to overflow with water
demean
to reduce in worth
democratic
based on a form of government in which the people choose leaders by voting
denounce
to pronounce especially publicly to be blameworthy or evil; to inform against, accuse
deport
to remove forcibly or exile to another country, banish
desecrate
to treat disrespectfully, outrageously
despondent
without or almost without hope
destitute
without food, clothing, shelter, etc. or the money to buy them, very poor
dexterity
the quality of cleverness and skill especially in the use of hands
dissemble
to hide by putting on a false appearance
disseminate
to spread abroad as if sowing (scattering) seed
divulge
to tell something previously private or secret, reveal, disclose
docile
quiet and easily taught or led
dominate
to rule, control
dossier
a set of files containing detailed information
doze
to sleep lightly, be half asleep
elusive
difficult to find, catch, or achieve; difficult to remember or recall
enfold
to surround with a covering
engage
occupy, attract, or involve (someone’s interest or attention); participate or become involved in
enigmatic
hard to understand, mysterious
eulogy
a formal expression of praise (especially for someone who has died recently)
exalt
to raise in rank or dignity; to elevate by praise
excavate
to make a hole in, hollow out
expedition
a long journey especially one made by a group of people, to a place that is dangerous or that has not been visited before
expunge
to erase; to remove from a record
exubrerant
extreme or excessive in degree, size, or extent; produced in extreme abundance; joyously unrestrained and enthusiastic
