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English Flashcards

0
Q

Rank

A

(esp. of air or water) having a foul or offensive smell.

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1
Q

Beset

A

1(of a problem or difficulty) trouble or threaten persistently: the social problems that beset the inner city; she was beset with self-doubt | [as adj.] poverty is a besetting problem.

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2
Q

Hawker

A

n. a person who travels around selling goods, typically advertising them by shouting. (“Ambulante”)

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3
Q

Sully

A

damage the purity or integrity of; defile.

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4
Q

Despondent

A

in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.

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5
Q

Jaundiced

A

having or affected by jaundice, in particular unnaturally yellow in complexion.
Affected by bitterness, resentment, or envy: they looked on politicians with a jaundiced eye.

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6
Q

Requite

A

Make appropriate return for (a favor, service, or wrongdoing). Reciprocate.

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7
Q

Foreboding

A

Fearful apprehension; a feeling that something bad will happen: with a sense of foreboding she read the note.

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8
Q

Rent (v.)

A

Pull to pieces, lacerate.

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9
Q

Remit

A

The task or area of activity officially assigned to an individual or organization.

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10
Q

Gaunt

A

To boast about or praise (something), esp. excessively:

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11
Q

(on) tenterhooks

A

In a state of suspense or agitation because of uncertainty about a future event.

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12
Q

Disaffected

A

Dissatisfied with the people in authority and no longer willing to support them: a military plot by disaffected elements in the army.

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13
Q

Respite

A

A short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant:

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14
Q

Furtive

A

Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive:

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15
Q

Beckon

A

Make a gesture with the hand, arm, or head to encourage someone to come nearer or follow: Miranda beckoned to Adam.

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16
Q

Clincher

A

a fact, argument, or event that settles a matter conclusively: his two-run double was the clincher.

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17
Q

Throng

A

A large, densely packed crowd of people or animals: he pushed his way through the throng; a throng of birds.

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18
Q

Purse (v.) (with reference to the lips)

A

pucker or contract, typically to express disapproval or irritation:

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19
Q

Plucky (adj)

A

Having or showing determined courage in the face of difficulties.

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20
Q

Retort

A

To say something in answer to a remark or accusation, typically in a sharp, angry, or wittily incisive manner:

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21
Q

Allay

A

To diminish or put at rest (fear, suspicion, or worry):

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22
Q

Stoke

A

encourage or incite

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23
Q

Inscrutable

A

impossible to understand or interpret:

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24
Vagaries
an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone's behavior: the vagaries of the weather.
25
haughtyness
Arrogance, disdain, superiority.
26
Prat
Buttocks
27
Trite
Overused and, consequently, of low importance.
28
Churlish
Rude in a mean-spirited way.
29
Buffet (v.)
To strike repeatedly.
30
swarthy
Dark-skinned
31
Lovelorn
Unhappy because of unrequited love.
32
Unrequited
not shared or returned by someone else
33
Perfunctory
carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection.
34
Ignominy
Public shame or disgrace
35
Insouciant
Showing a casual lack of concern.
36
lambaste (v.)
Criticize harshly
37
Slovenly
Careless, disheveled, overly casual
38
Denouement
the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.
39
Neigh (v, n)
The sound a horse makes.
40
Hoi polloi
Commoners.
41
Kowtow (v)
to show obsequious deference
42
Intelligentsia
a social class of people engaged in complex mental labour aimed at guiding or critiquing
43
Motley
Incongruously varied in appearance or character; disparate
44
Spirit (v)
To take something away rapidly and secretly.
45
Jell (v.)
take a definite shape; begin to work well; crystallize, take form.
46
Cursory
Hasty and, therefore, not detailed.
47
Rote (by rote). n.
Mechanical and habitual repetition of something to be learned.
48
desultory
Lacking a plan, purpose or enthusiasm.
49
Fawning
Displaying exaggerated flattery or affection
50
Anathema
Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes.
51
Earstwhile
Former
52
Chafe (v.)
To become sore by rubbing.
53
Putative
Reputed to be.
54
Refrain (n.)
A comment or complaint repeated often.
55
Pithy
Concise and forcefully expressive.
56
disaffected
Dissatisfied with the people in authority and no longer willing to support them.
57
portend (n.)
Sign or warning that something calamitous is about to happen.
58
mainstay
The foundation of something.
59
bray (n and v)
A loud cry similar to that of a donkey.
60
suffused
Gradually spread through or over.
61
Listing (of a boat)
Adernamento
62
internecine
Destructive to both sides of a conflict
63
Mendacity
Untruthfulness
64
jeremiad (n.)
A long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes.
65
Gall (n./v.)
Annoyance / to annoy
66
Plaudits
Praise
67
Shirk (v.)
To avoid or neglect.
68
Venal (adj)
Showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery.
69
Atavistic
Characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral.
70
Redolent
Strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something.
71
Coterie
A small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that is exclusive of other people.
72
Abstruse
Obscure, difficult to understand.
73
Pithy
Succinct, concise and forcefully expressive.
74
Remit (n)
The task or area of activity officially assigned to an individual or organization.
75
Fritter (v.)
Waste time, money or energy on trifling matters. Break into small pieces.
76
Flippant (adj.)
Not showing a serious or respectful attitude.
77
Dox (v.)
To search for and publish private or identifying information about an individual on the Internet, typically with malicious intent.
78
Alacrity
Brisk and cheerful readiness.
79
Swathe (v.)
Wrap in several layers of fabric.
80
Cognoscenti
People who are considered to be specially well informed about a certain topic.
81
Abasement
Disgrace, humiliation.
82
Restive
Unable to keep still, difficult to control.
83
cantankerous (adj.)
Bad-tempered, argumentative and uncooperative.
84
Dissemble (v.)
To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs.
85
Abandon (s.)
Complete lack of inhibition or restraint.
86
Scattershot (adj.)
Denoting something that is broad but random and haphazard in its range.
87
Riposte (v. / n.)
A quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.
88
avuncular (adj.)
Kind and friendly toward a younger or less experienced person.
89
Mollify (v.)
Appease the anger or anxiety of (someone)
90
Jalopy (n.)
An old, dilapidated car.
91
Laden (adj.)
Heavily loaded or weighed down.
92
Elide (v.)
To evade.
93
Bedraggled
Disheveled
94
Inveigh (v)
To speak or write about something with great hostility.
95
Rotely
Repeated mechanically or habitually.
96
Whittle (v.)
To carve into something by taking small slices from it. (Port: talhar)
97
Mellifluous
Sweet, pleasant sounding.
98
Tawdry (adj)
showy but cheap and of poor quality

Vocabulary (2 decks)

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