Encountered Words Flashcards
Expedient exPdeunt
Noun
Convenient and practical but usually governed by self interest The expediency of shooting the only eye witness tempted the sniper.
Etiolated
E-tio-lated
Noun
Pale and weak as in plants without photosynthesis
Years of confinement in a sunless cell had left the prisoner wan and weakened, with a shockingly etiolated appearance.
Balk at
Verb Hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea. Some traditionalists balked at the new era created by social networking.
Execrable EXahcruble
Adj. Extremely bad or unpleasant The living conditions in the slums were execrable.
Egregious
Adj. Outstandingly bad, shocking Samsung performed an egregious infringement of apples copyrights.
Chagrin
Noun- strong feelings of embarrassment Verb- cause to feel shame, hurt the pride
Prescience
Noun- the power to foresee the future
Quixotic
Exceedingly idealistic, unrealistic and impractical.
Halcyon
Adjective - Idyllically calm and peaceful Noun - a large kingfisher widely distributed in warmer parts of the old world.
Shirk
Avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility
Restive
Stubbornly resisting control Fidgety The horse was restive and refused to move forward. Spent a restive night before the exam.
Skittish
Capricious Restive Easily frightened The skittish colt jumped when we arrived.
Unseemly
Not according to standards of good taste or form. Syn. Indecorous The intractable employee was discharged in an unseemly manner.
Indecorous
Conflicting with standards of good taste or conduct. An indecorous joke in a solemn moment of the wedding cerimony.
Oust
To remove… from a position or role. The general was ousted from his position due to his corrupt practices .
Auspice
Plr. Under kind patronage or guidance A prophetic sign. The military cabal performed various civilian assassinations under the auspices of the Evelyn general
Clandestine
Marked by secrecy Surreptitious A clandestine love affair.
Bereft
Adj.: deprived or lacking something ESP. A non material asset A lonely and abandoned Syn: deprived Her room was stark and deprived of color.
Despondent
Adj. In low spirits, depressed, dejected, The players were despondent after their defeat in the inter college match.
Debilitate
Make (someone) weak and infirm. Hinder , delay, or weaken A debilitating desease.
feted
- A festival or feast. 2. a. An elaborate, often outdoor entertainment. b. An elaborate party.
harry
Verb Persistently carry out attacks on. Persistently harass.
edifice
Noun A building, esp. a large, imposing one. A complex system of beliefs. Synonyms building - structure - construction - fabric - house
aplomb Noun
Noun Self-confidence or assurance, esp. when in a demanding situation. Synonyms self-confidence - self-assurance
perusal Noun
Noun The action of reading or examining something. Synonyms reading - study
verisimilitude
Noun The appearance of being true or real. Synonyms probability - likelihood - plausibility
aplomb
Noun Self-confidence or assurance, esp. when in a demanding situation. Synonyms self-confidence - self-assurance
munificent
Adjective (of a gift or sum of money) Larger or more generous than is usual or necessary. (of a person) Very generous. Synonyms generous - bounteous - bountiful - liberal - open-handed
nugatory
Adjective Of no value or importance. Useless; futile. Synonyms trifling - trivial - futile - insignificant - vain
mimetic
Adjective Relating to, constituting, or habitually practicing mimesis. Synonyms mimic - imitative mi·me·sis /məˈmēsis/ Noun Imitation, in particular. Representation or imitation of the real world in art and literature. Synonyms mimicry - imitation
clandestine
Adjective Kept secret or done secretively, esp. because illicit. Synonyms secret - surreptitious - undercover - furtive - privy
ersatz
Adjective (of a product) Made or used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else. Not real or genuine. Synonyms surrogate
solipsistic
(solipsism) (philosophy) the philosophical theory that the self is all that you know to exist.
incendiary
Adjective (of a device or attack) Designed to cause fires: “incendiary grenades”. Noun An incendiary bomb or device. Synonyms adjective. inflammatory noun. arsonist - firebug - instigator
graft
Noun A shoot or scion inserted into a slit of stock, from which it receives sap. Practices, esp. bribery, used to secure illicit gains in politics or business; corruption. Verb Insert (a scion) as a graft. Make money by shady or dishonest means. Synonyms noun. bribe - grafting verb. engraft - inoculate - transplant
feted
- A festival or feast. 2. a. An elaborate, often outdoor entertainment. b. An elaborate party.
harry
Verb Persistently carry out attacks on. Persistently harass.
edifice
Noun A building, esp. a large, imposing one. A complex system of beliefs. Synonyms building - structure - construction - fabric - house
aplomb Noun
Noun Self-confidence or assurance, esp. when in a demanding situation. Synonyms self-confidence - self-assurance
perusal Noun
Noun The action of reading or examining something. Synonyms reading - study
tantamount
Adjective Equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as: “the resignations were tantamount to an admission of guilt”. Synonyms equivalent - equal
verisimilitude
Noun The appearance of being true or real. Synonyms probability - likelihood - plausibility
aplomb
Noun Self-confidence or assurance, esp. when in a demanding situation. Synonyms self-confidence - self-assurance
munificent
Adjective (of a gift or sum of money) Larger or more generous than is usual or necessary. (of a person) Very generous. Synonyms generous - bounteous - bountiful - liberal - open-handed
nugatory
Adjective Of no value or importance. Useless; futile. Synonyms trifling - trivial - futile - insignificant - vain
mimetic
Adjective Relating to, constituting, or habitually practicing mimesis. Synonyms mimic - imitative mi·me·sis /məˈmēsis/ Noun Imitation, in particular. Representation or imitation of the real world in art and literature. Synonyms mimicry - imitation
clandestine
Adjective Kept secret or done secretively, esp. because illicit. Synonyms secret - surreptitious - undercover - furtive - privy
ersatz
Adjective (of a product) Made or used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else. Not real or genuine. Synonyms surrogate
solipsistic
(solipsism) (philosophy) the philosophical theory that the self is all that you know to exist.
incendiary
Adjective (of a device or attack) Designed to cause fires: “incendiary grenades”. Noun An incendiary bomb or device. Synonyms adjective. inflammatory noun. arsonist - firebug - instigator
graft
Noun A shoot or scion inserted into a slit of stock, from which it receives sap. Practices, esp. bribery, used to secure illicit gains in politics or business; corruption. Verb Insert (a scion) as a graft. Make money by shady or dishonest means. Synonyms noun. bribe - grafting verb. engraft - inoculate - transplant
Ethos
Noun
Noun
The characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as seen in its beliefs and aspirations.
Synonyms
character
The company made environmental awareness part of its business ethos.
They are working to keep a democratic ethos alive in the community.
Hagiography
The biography of saints.
Stultify
Verb
Cause to lose enthusiasm and initiative, esp. as a result of a tedious or restrictive routine.
Cause (someone) to appear foolish or absurd.
fib
Noun
A lie, typically an unimportant one.
Verb
Tell such a lie.
Synonyms
noun. falsehood - lie - untruth
verb. lie - tell a lie - tell lies
persnickety
pernickety
Adjective
Placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy.
Requiring a particularly precise or careful approach.
Synonyms
pernickety
pernickety
Web definitions
characterized by excessive precision and attention to trivial details; “a persnickety job”; “a persnickety school..
cavil
Verb
Make petty or unnecessary objections.
Noun
An objection of this kind.
Synonyms
carp
galling
Adjective
Annoying; humiliating: “the loss was particularly galling”.
Synonyms
vexatious
bracing
Adjective
Fresh and invigorating.
(of a support) Serving to brace a structure.
Synonyms
tonic - restorative - invigorative
egotist
- A conceited, boastful person.
- A selfish, self-centered person.
lickspittle
Noun
A person who behaves obsequiously to those in power.
Synonyms
toady - bootlicker - sycophant - groveller - truckler
charlatan
Noun
A person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill; a fraud.
Synonyms
quack - mountebank - impostor - quacksalver
elitist
Noun
A person who believes that a system or society should be ruled or dominated by an elite.
Adjective
Favoring, advocating, or restricted to an elite.
braggadocio
Noun
Boastful or arrogant behavior.
Synonyms
brag - braggart - boast - braggery - vaunt - ostentation
legion
Noun
A unit of 3,000–6,000 men in the ancient Roman army.
Adjective
Great in number: “her fans are legion”.
Synonyms
multitude - arm
thoroughgoing
Adjective
Involving or attending to every detail or aspect of something: “a thoroughgoing reform of the whole economy”.
Exemplifying a specified characteristic fully; absolute: “a thoroughgoing chocoholic”.
Synonyms
thorough - radical
cavalier
Noun
A supporter of King Charles I in the English Civil War.
Adjective
Showing a lack of proper concern; offhand.
Synonyms
noun. knight - horseman - chevalier - equestrian - rider
adjective. haughty - arrogant - proud
overt
Adjective
Done or shown openly; plainly or readily apparent, not secret or hidden.
Synonyms
open - patent - obvious - evident - plain - apparent
sidereal
Adjective
Of or with respect to the stars (i.e., the fixed stars, not the sun or planets).
Synonyms
stellar - astral - starry
fleeting
Adjective
Lasting for a very short time: “hoping to get a fleeting glimpse”.
Synonyms
transient - transitory - fugitive - ephemeral - passing
openhanded
Adjective
(of a blow) Delivered with the palm of the hand.
Giving freely; generous.
Synonyms
generous - munificent - bountiful - liberal - freehanded
foment
Verb
Instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action): “they accused him of fomenting political unrest”.
Synonyms
instigate - incite - provoke
