English, 8 Flashcards
Plenary
1) unqualified, absolute; 2) a meeting or session attended by all participants
Halcyon
denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful
Gasconade
extravagant boasting
Phlegmatic
having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition
Pulchritude
beauty
Dolorous
feeling or expressing great sorrow or distress
Expedient
convenient and practical, although possibly improper or immoral
Onus
used to refer to something that is one’s duty or responsibility
Deleterious
causing harm or damage
Delectation
pleasure and delight
Farrago
a confused mixture
Sanguine
1) optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation; 2) blood-thirsty
Emollient
having the quality of softening or soothing the skin
Equivocal
open to more than once interpretation; ambiguous
Traduce
speak badly of or tell lies about (someone) so as to damage their reputation
Efflorescence
1) lose moisture and turn to a fine power upon exposure to the air; 2) reach an optimum stage of development; blossom
Nous
the mind or intellect
Watershed
an event marking a turning point
Imbibe
to drink alcohol
Broach
1) to raise a controversial subject for discussion; 2) to pierce a cask to draw liquor
Gourmandize
indulge in good eating; eat greedily
Animus
1) hostility or ill feeling; 2) motivation for doing something
Bonhomie
cheerful friendliness; geniality
Polyglot
knowing or using several languages
Firmament
1) the heavens or the sky, especially when regarded as a tangible thing; 2) a sphere or world viewed as a collection of people
Harrumph
1) to noisily clear one’s through; 2) grumpily express dissatisfaction or disapproval
Vitriol
cruel and bitter criticism
Arable
used or suitable for growing crops
Ancillary
providing necessary support to the primary activities or operation of an organization, institution, industry, or system
Demesne
1) land attached to a manor and retained for the owner’s own use; 2) Law
Repartee
conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies
Saturnine
slow and gloomy
Amalgamate
combine or unite to form one organization or structure
Syncretic
the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought
Scupper
a hole in a ship’s side to carry water overboard from the deck
Argot
the jargon or slang of a particular group or class
Scotch
1) decisively put an end to; 2) to wedge (something or someone) somewhere
Boffin
a person engaged in scientific or technical research
Tranche
a portion of something, especially money
Simulacrum
an image or representation of someone or something
Remit
1) cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting (a debt or punishment); 2) send (money) in payment or as a gift
Chutzpah
shameless audacity; impudence
Extant
still in existence; surviving
Grandiloquent
pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impress
Diptych
a painting, especially an altarpiece, on two hinged wooden panels that may be closed like a book
Raison d’être
the most important reason or purpose for someone or something’s existence
Bugbear
a cause of obsessive fear, irritation, or loathing
Torpor
a state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy
Expostulate
express strong disapproval or disagreement
Visceral
relating to emotion rather than intellect
Indecorous
not in keeping with good taste and propriety; improper
Coppice
an area of woodland in which the trees or shrubs are, or formerly were, periodically cut back to ground level to stimulate growth and provide firewood or timber
Cupola
a small dome, especially a small dome on a drum on top of a larger dome, adorning a roof or ceiling
Buxom
(of a woman) plump, especially with large breasts
Fop
a man who is concerned with his clothes and appearance in an affected and excessive way; a dandy
Askance
(adv.) with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval
Treacle
1) British term for molasses; 2) cloying sentimentality or flattery
Tryst
a private, romantic rendezvous between lovers
Aegis
in Greek mythology, the shield of Zeus or Athena
Quango
autonomous government-financed organization
Sententious
full of aphorisms; overly moralizing
Blandish
to persuade somebody by flattery
Meretricious
falsely attractive; tawdry
Auger
to predict or look for omens
Penchant
inclination; leaning
Rarefy
to make less dense
Diaphanous
transparent; thin and delicate
Feint
a pretended attack; a deceiving move
Inure
hardened; habituated
Puissance
power
Recondite
obscure
Stygian
dark
Tout
to support
Caret
punctuation mark signifying omission
Contiguity
adjacent; touching
Hortatory
encouraging; exhorting
Recumbent
reclining; lying down
Encomium
praise
Minatory
threatening
Plumb
to measure the depth of
Runic
mysterious; magical
Sinecure
job which pays salary but requiring little effort
Anodize
to electroplate
Aphoristic
expressed tersely
Probity
uprightness; honesty
Raconteur
person who relates a story
Solicitous
kindly; expressing care and concern
Millinery
hats and hat-making
Natty
neat; dapper; smart
Maudlin
sad; sentimental; inclined to weep
Refulgent
glowing; radiant
Colander
bowl with holes used to drain vegetables
Froward
stubborn; disobedient
Untoward
unexpected
Demarcate
set the boundaries or limits of
Paean
a song of praise or triumph
Bailiwick
one’s sphere of operations or particular area of interest
Quotidian
of or occurring every day
Hierophant
a person, especially a priest in ancient Greece, who interprets sacred mysteries or esoteric principles
