E Voca Flashcards
Abnegation
the act of renouncing or rejecting something.
self-denial.
Examples of abnegation in a sentence
Her abnegation of ice cream and cookies is due to her Olympic team training.
The school counselor hoped she could encourage her students to consider the abnegation of drug use.
Perspicacious
[pur-spə-kā-shuhs] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, 17th century Highly perceptive, keen Discerning, shrewd Examples of Perspicacious in a sentence The perspicacious 9-year-old easily picked up on my feelings without me even saying anything. I take a perspicacious approach to my studies, analyzing every word in my textbooks.
Rubiginous
Part of speech: adjective
Origin: Latin, 17th century
Of a reddish-brown color, as rust
Rusty or rusty-looking
Examples of Rubiginous in a sentence
The rubiginous appearance of the metal pipes suggested they were old and should be replaced.
We trekked across the hot, dry desert, our feet leaving prints in the rubiginous soil.
Iconoclast
{ ī-ˈkä-nə-ˌklast}
person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions.
Examples of iconoclast in a sentence:
The church leader was deemed an iconoclast when he spoke out against his religion’s views.
Elon Musk is an iconoclast who believes humans are going to live on Mars one day.
Mendacious
[men-dey-shəs] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Latin, early 17th century Frequently dishonest or deceitful Untrue Examples of Mendacious in a sentence If you weren't so mendacious, I would be more inclined to believe your story. Her mendacious words were delivered with conviction, but there was no truth behind any of it.
Penchant
{pen-chənt}
Penchant pronunciation
a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.
Examples of penchant in a sentence:
At an early age, my annoying brother seemed to have a penchant for getting into trouble.
Juliet, a music major, had a penchant for playing the piano.
Jejune
{ji-joon}
without interest or significance; dull
juvenile; immature; childish
lacking knowledge or experience
deficient or lacking in nutritive value
Examples of jejune in a sentence:
While my peers laughed at my dress and called it jejune, my instructor gave my design the highest grade in the class They were of great service in correcting my jejune generalizations.
Polyglot
[pä-lee-ɡlät]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: Latin, 17th century
A multilingual person
A publication featuring one text in multiple languages
A blend of languages
Examples of Polyglot in a sentence
She’s an accomplished polyglot, speaking seven different languages fluently.
I’m no polyglot — I barely have a grasp on English, let alone another language.
Festoon
Part of speech: verb
Origin: French, 17th century
To decorate, embellish, or ornament
To hang a decorative strip between two fixed points
Examples of Festoon in a sentence
Before the surprise party, I had to festoon the entryway with streamers and decorations.
College students love to festoon their dorm rooms with all kinds of trinkets.
ikebana
the Japanese art of arranging flowers.
Hokum
Nonsense
Contrived material in a film or performance
Examples of Hokum in a sentence
His showmanship was impressive, but the solutions he sold were really just hokum.
All of this hokum is just meant to distract from the fact that Harold doesn’t really have a plan.
Blatherskite
Part of speech: noun
Origin: Scottish English, 17th century
Nonsense
A person who is prone to speaking nonsense
Examples of Blatherskite in a sentence
I don’t want to hear your blatherskite — I need you to speak clearly about things that really matter.
The teacher had great insights, but he was such a blatherskite that his students never understood them.
Perfunctory
Part of speech: adjective
Performed with minimal interest or attention
Halfhearted; cursory
The mailed wedding invitation was a ______ gesture; as the best man, I’m obviously invited to the wedding.
epistolary
contained in or carried on by letters: an epistolary friendship.
Gregarious
Part of speech: adjective
Origin: Latin, 17th century
Highly sociable
Associating with others of the same group or type
Living or growing in a group or colony
Examples of Gregarious in a sentence
My gregarious neighbor always sets up block parties and get-togethers.
I’m not that gregarious — I avoid big crowds and large events.
Adroit
[ uh-droit ]
Adroit pronunciation
clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
Examples of adroit in a sentence:
The child was an adroit pianist at an early age.
Because Leonard is adroit at mental calculations, he is able to effortlessly solve complicated math problems.
Sagacious
[ suh-gey-shuhs ]
Sagacious pronunciation
having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; intelligent
Example of sagacious in a sentence:
Wise and full of insight, the sagacious leader would live on to better the world.
It is not very sagacious of you to play with fire.
Propitious
[prə-pi-shəs]
Part of speech: adjective
Origin: Late Middle English, 15th century
Auspicious or advantageous
Indicative of good fortune
Kind, gracious
Examples of Propitious in a sentence
My new car is a propitious sign that I’m on the right track.
The Queen’s propitious behavior made her much beloved by the people.
Corpulent
[ kawr-pyuh-luh-nt ]
Corpulent pronunciation
having a large bulky body
portly; fat
Examples of corpulent in a sentence:
Even though I have been on a diet for four months, I am still rather corpulent in size.
The doctor suggested that the corpulent man begin an exercise program.
Submontane
[səb-män-tān] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Late Latin, 19th century Passing under mountains At or near the base of a mountain Examples of Submontane in a sentence The submontane village enjoyed mild weather; it was shielded from major storms by the mountain range that towered above it. This beautiful submontane area hosts abundant wildlife, making it the perfect place for hiking and birdwatching.
Hubris
{ hyu-bres }
Hubris pronunciation
excessive pride or self-confidence
Examples of hubris in a sentence:
The leader of the cult had so much hubris he believed the government would never be able to capture him.
Although the priest had taken a vow to help others, his own personal judgment was blinded by hubris.
à gogo
as much as you like; to your heart’s content; galore: food and drink à gogo.
Logorrhea
[lȯ-gə-ˈrē-ə]
Part of speech: noun
Origin: Greek, early 20th century
Uncontrollable talkativeness
A tendency toward overly complex wordiness in speech or writing
Examples of Logorrhea in a sentence
His speech started out strong, but devolved into incoherent logorrhea that was hard to follow.
When writing a term paper, avoid unnecessary logorrhea and stick to the point.
Ephemeral
[ə-fem-ər-əl] Part of speech: adjective Origin: Greek, 16th century Fleeting or short-lived Lasting for a single day Examples of Ephemeral in a sentence My ephemeral romance lasted only through the summer, but I'll always treasure it. Fads are ephemeral — they're popular for a short time before the masses move on to the next big thing.
galvanize
verb (used with object), gal·va·nized, gal·va·niz·ing.
to stimulate by or as if by a galvanic current.
Medicine/Medical. to stimulate or treat (muscles or nerves) with induced direct current (distinguished from faradize).
to startle into sudden activity; stimulate.
to coat (metal, especially iron or steel) with zinc.
prévenance
noun [prey-vuh-nahns] French.
special care in anticipating or catering to the needs and pleasures of others.
