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Vocabulary > English > Flashcards

English Flashcards

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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
Q

Vagaries

A

an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone’s behavior: the vagaries of the weather.

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25
Q

haughtyness

A

Arrogance, disdain, superiority.

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26
Q

Prat

A

Buttocks

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27
Q

Trite

A

Overused and, consequently, of low importance.

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28
Q

Churlish

A

Rude in a mean-spirited way.

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29
Q

Buffet (v.)

A

To strike repeatedly.

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30
Q

swarthy

A

Dark-skinned

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31
Q

Lovelorn

A

Unhappy because of unrequited love.

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32
Q

Unrequited

A

not shared or returned by someone else

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33
Q

Perfunctory

A

carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection.

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34
Q

Ignominy

A

Public shame or disgrace

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35
Q

Insouciant

A

Showing a casual lack of concern.

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36
Q

lambaste (v.)

A

Criticize harshly

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37
Q

Slovenly

A

Careless, disheveled, overly casual

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38
Q

Denouement

A

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.

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39
Q

Neigh (v, n)

A

The sound a horse makes.

40
Q

Hoi polloi

A

Commoners.

41
Q

Kowtow (v)

A

to show obsequious deference

42
Q

Intelligentsia

A

a social class of people engaged in complex mental labour aimed at guiding or critiquing

43
Q

Motley

A

Incongruously varied in appearance or character; disparate

44
Q

Spirit (v)

A

To take something away rapidly and secretly.

45
Q

Jell (v.)

A

take a definite shape; begin to work well; crystallize, take form.

46
Q

Cursory

A

Hasty and, therefore, not detailed.

47
Q

Rote (by rote). n.

A

Mechanical and habitual repetition of something to be learned.

48
Q

desultory

A

Lacking a plan, purpose or enthusiasm.

49
Q

Fawning

A

Displaying exaggerated flattery or affection

50
Q

Anathema

A

Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes.

51
Q

Earstwhile

A

Former

52
Q

Chafe (v.)

A

To become sore by rubbing.

53
Q

Putative

A

Reputed to be.

54
Q

Refrain (n.)

A

A comment or complaint repeated often.

55
Q

Pithy

A

Concise and forcefully expressive.

56
Q

disaffected

A

Dissatisfied with the people in authority and no longer willing to support them.

57
Q

portend (n.)

A

Sign or warning that something calamitous is about to happen.

58
Q

mainstay

A

The foundation of something.

59
Q

bray (n and v)

A

A loud cry similar to that of a donkey.

60
Q

suffused

A

Gradually spread through or over.

61
Q

Listing (of a boat)

A

Adernamento

62
Q

internecine

A

Destructive to both sides of a conflict

63
Q

Mendacity

A

Untruthfulness

64
Q

jeremiad (n.)

A

A long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes.

65
Q

Gall (n./v.)

A

Annoyance / to annoy

66
Q

Plaudits

A

Praise

67
Q

Shirk (v.)

A

To avoid or neglect.

68
Q

Venal (adj)

A

Showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery.

69
Q

Atavistic

A

Characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral.

70
Q

Redolent

A

Strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something.

71
Q

Coterie

A

A small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that is exclusive of other people.

72
Q

Abstruse

A

Obscure, difficult to understand.

73
Q

Pithy

A

Succinct, concise and forcefully expressive.

74
Q

Remit (n)

A

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

75
Q

Fritter (v.)

A

Waste time, money or energy on trifling matters. Break into small pieces.

76
Q

Flippant (adj.)

A

Not showing a serious or respectful attitude.

77
Q

Dox (v.)

A

To search for and publish private or identifying information about an individual on the Internet, typically with malicious intent.

78
Q

Alacrity

A

Brisk and cheerful readiness.

79
Q

Swathe (v.)

A

Wrap in several layers of fabric.

80
Q

Cognoscenti

A

People who are considered to be specially well informed about a certain topic.

81
Q

Abasement

A

Disgrace, humiliation.

82
Q

Restive

A

Unable to keep still, difficult to control.

83
Q

cantankerous (adj.)

A

Bad-tempered, argumentative and uncooperative.

84
Q

Dissemble (v.)

A

To conceal one’s true motives, feelings, or beliefs.

85
Q

Abandon (s.)

A

Complete lack of inhibition or restraint.

86
Q

Scattershot (adj.)

A

Denoting something that is broad but random and haphazard in its range.

87
Q

Riposte (v. / n.)

A

A quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism.

88
Q

avuncular (adj.)

A

Kind and friendly toward a younger or less experienced person.

89
Q

Mollify (v.)

A

Appease the anger or anxiety of (someone)

90
Q

Jalopy (n.)

A

An old, dilapidated car.

91
Q

Laden (adj.)

A

Heavily loaded or weighed down.

92
Q

Elide (v.)

A

To evade.

93
Q

Bedraggled

A

Disheveled

94
Q

Inveigh (v)

A

To speak or write about something with great hostility.

95
Q

Rotely

A

Repeated mechanically or habitually.

96
Q

Whittle (v.)

A

To carve into something by taking small slices from it. (Port: talhar)

97
Q

Mellifluous

A

Sweet, pleasant sounding.

98
Q

Tawdry (adj)

A

showy but cheap and of poor quality

Vocabulary (2 decks)

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