English for Entrances Flashcards
Meaning of frothy
light and entertaining but of little substance.
Meaning of eviscerated
deprive (something) of its essential content.
Meaning of edifice
a large, imposing building.
Meaning of autodidact
a self-taught person.
Meaning of febrile
having or showing the symptoms of a fever.
Meaning of Prune
To reduce (something) by removing parts that are not necessary or wanted
Meaning of polemical
of or involving strongly critical or disputatious writing or speech
Meaning of abnegation
the action of renouncing or rejecting something; self-denial
Meaning of fastidious
very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.
Meaning of ad-hocism
a policy or method characterized by actions or decisions chosen to fulfill immediate needs or goals
Meaning of gerrymandering
manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favour one party or class.
Meaning of largesse
generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others.
Meaning of bourgeois
belonging to or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes.
Meaning of dilettante
a person with an amateur interest in the arts.
Meaning of dubious
hesitating or doubting; antonym of sanguine
Meaning of sensationalism
presentation of stories in a way that provokes public excitement, at the expense of accuracy.
Meaning of quiescent
being at rest; quiet; still; inactive or motionless
Meaning of suave
charming, confident, and elegant
Meaning of condone
accept (behaviour that is considered wrong, offensive).
Meaning of mushrooming
rapidly growing, expanding, or developing.
Meaning of subversion
undermining of the power of an established system
Meaning of sanctify
cause to be or seem morally right or acceptable.
Meaning of prognosis
the likely course of a medical condition.
Meaning of remit
area of activity officially assigned to an individual
Meaning of sullied
damage the purity or integrity of.
Meaning of mucilage
a viscous secretion or bodily fluid.
Meaning of penance
self-punishment as repentance for wrongdoing.
Meaning of Baker’s dozen
Baker’s dozen means 13, instead of 12
Meaning of aggrandise
to cause something to appear much better than it is
Meaning of aggress
(v) to make the first attack
Meaning of alacrity
(n) eager and cheerful readiness
Meaning of flogged
beat (someone) with a whip or stick as a punishment.
Meaning of alluvion
wash of sea or river against shore or bank, flood
Meaning of vacillation
inability to take a stand
Meaning of insolence
rude and disrespectful behaviour.
Meaning of aborigine
a person that has been in a region from earliest times.
Meaning of viscous
having a thick, sticky consistency bw solid and liquid
Meaning of stalwart
loyal, reliable, and hard-working
Meaning of beleaguer
put in a very difficult situation
Meaning of aberrant
departing from an accepted standard.
Meaning of status quo ante
the previously existing state of affairs
Meaning of resile
abandon a position or a course of action
Meaning of riposte
a quick, clever reply to an insult or criticism
Meaning of viz.
namely; in other words
Meaning of ameliorate
make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better.
Meaning of bungled
carry out (a task) clumsily or incompetently.
Meaning of puritanism
censorious moral beliefs, especially about sex.
Meaning of diktat
order imposed by one in power w/o popular consent
Meaning of populist
appealing to or aimed at ordinary people.
Meaning of augur
foresee or predict
Meaning of dictum
a short statement that expresses a general truth
Meaning of munificent
characterized by or displaying great generosity
Meaning of ruminate
think deeply about something
Meaning of indolence
avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness
Meaning of ex post facto
with retrospective action or force
Meaning of chimera
a thing which is hoped for but is impossible to achieve
Meaning of peddled
promote (an idea or view) persistently or widely.
Meaning of surreptitious
kept secret, because it would not be approved of
Meaning of veracity
conformity to facts; accuracy
Meaning of crony
a close friend or companion
Meaning of doyen
the most prominent person in a particular field.
Meaning of iron-clad
impossible to contradict, weaken, or change.
Meaning of stave
avert or delay something bad or dangerous
Meaning of ascetic
self-discipline and abstention from indulgence
Meaning of concomitant
naturally accompanying or associated
Meaning of detract
diminish the worth of (a quality or achievement)
Meaning of scourge
a thing that causes great trouble or suffering
Meaning of echelon
a level in an organization, a profession, or society
Meaning of copious
abundant in supply or quantity.
Meaning of commuted
reduce (a judicial sentence) to a less severe one.
Meaning of impudent
not showing due respect for another person
Meaning of weal
interests of all members of a country or community
Meaning of interlude
an intervening period of time; an interval.
Meaning of caucus
a group within organization that meets independently
Meaning of comportment
behaviour; bearing.
Meaning of volte-face
an abrupt and complete reversal of attitude or position.
Meaning of foray
brief, spirited attempt to be involved in a new activity
Meaning of aplomb
self-confidence or assurance in a demanding situation
Meaning of emanating
originate from; be produced by.
Meaning of maudlin
self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental
Meaning of anathema
a strong curse.
Meaning of farce
an event or situation that is absurd or disorganized
Meaning of a plenary session
a session which all members of all parties are to attend
Meaning of reprieve
cancel or postpone the punishment of (someone)
Meaning of ratchet
cause something to rise or fall in a steady process.
Meaning of peremptory
not open to appeal or challenge; final.
Meaning of conative
connected with an intention or effort to do something
Meaning of mettle
ability to cope well w difficulties; spirit and resilience
Meaning of “out of the woods”
Out of difficulties, danger or trouble; Safe
Meaning of canny
having or showing shrewdness and good judgement, especially in money or business matters.
Meaning of indelible`
not able to be forgotten; making marks that cannot be removed
Meaning of derogation
an exemption from or relaxation of a rule or law. “There can be no derogation whatsoever”
Meaning of apprise
inform or tell (someone). Eg- He had come to apprise Gandhi about the injustice
Meaning of awry
out of the normal or correct position; askew. “in case his policies go awry, it could mean an existential crisis”
Meaning of mired
a complicated or unpleasant situation from which it is difficult to extricate oneself.
Meaning of succinct
(especially of something written or spoken) briefly and clearly expressed.
Meaning of cacophony
a harsh discordant mixture of sounds. Eg- “a cacophony of deafening alarm bells”
Meaning of “line one’s pockets”
to make money esp. by using dishonest, immoral, or illegal methods
Meaning of nefarious
wicked or criminal. Eg- “the nefarious activities of the organized-crime syndicates”
Meaning of dystopia
an imagined state or society where there is great suffering, typically one that is post-apocalyptic
Meaning of exhorting
strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something.
Meaning of extricate
free (someone or something) from a constraint or difficulty.
Meaning of sophistry
the use of clever but false arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving
Meaning of jus cogens
the principles which form the norms of international law that cannot be set aside.
Meaning of vitiate
spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of. Eg- “Shastri’s sudden death vitiates his public recall”
Meaning of probity
the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
Meaning of conspicuous
easily seen or noticed; readily visible or observable. Eg- “mens rea has to be visible and conspicuous”
Meaning of bastion
an institution, place, or person strongly maintaining particular principles, attitudes, or activities.
Meaning of pithily
brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse
Meaning of bombast
high-sounding language with little meaning, used to impress people.
Meaning of languid
having or showing a disinclination for physical exertion or effort.
Meaning of languishes
be forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation.
Meaning of trepidation
a feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen.
Meaning of emasculating
deprive (a man) of his male role or identity; make (someone or something) weaker or less effective.
Meaning of cavernous
giving the impression of vast, dark depths. “Football could be saved from the cavernous vultures”
Meaning of spartan
showing or characterized by austerity or a lack of comfort or luxury.
Meaning of caveat
a warning or proviso of specific stipulations, conditions, or limitations.
Meaning of piecemeal
characterized by unsystematic partial measures taken over a period of time.
Meaning of pro tanto
to such an extent; to that extent. Eg- “the authority of State legislatures is pro tanto abrogated.”
Meaning of piety
the quality of being religious or reverent; a belief which is accepted with unthinking conventional reverence
Meaning of limpid
(especially of writing or music) clear and accessible or melodious.
Meaning of pro-consul
a governor or deputy consul of a modern colony. “Indian ambassadors are often dubbed as pro-consuls”
Meaning of bedlam
a scene of uproar and confusion.
Synonyms: pandemonium, commotion, mayhem
Meaning of collusive
involving secret or unlawful cooperation aimed at deceiving or gaining an advantage over others.
Meaning of “in a flutter”
in a confused and excited state. “The Economist wrote that Canadians are in a flutter about butter”
Meaning of veritable
used for emphasis, often to qualify a metaphor. “The influenza epidemic was a veritable scourge”
Meaning of succour
assistance and support in times of hardship and distress.
Meaning of internecine
destructive to both sides in a conflict. “They hope that this ends a destructive phase of internecine conflict”
Meaning of flippant
not showing a serious or respectful attitude. “The author’s tone was flippant”
Meaning of hubris
excessive pride or self-confidence. “People are paying in blood for the hubris of the Centre”
Meaning of ombudsman
an official appointed to investigate individuals’ complaints against a company or organization
Meaning of deferential
respectful, humble, considerate. “Qatar was once deferential to Saudi political guidance”
Meaning of fulminated
express vehement protest.
“all fulminated against the new curriculum”
Meaning of fulcrum
a thing that plays a central or essential role in an activity, event, or situation.
Meaning of agglomerations
a collection of things (also economic term used to refer to firms being located close to one another)
Meaning of entreaties
an earnest or humble request. “Scott Morrison had made repeated entreaties to PM Modi”
Meaning of humdrum
lacking excitement or variety;
boringly monotonous.
Meaning of “smoking gun”
a piece of incontrovertible incriminating evidence;
information that can prove an event
Meaning of tumult
a loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people.
Meaning of fait accompli
a thing that has been decided before those affected hear about it, leaving them w no option but to accept it
Meaning of redemption
a thing that saves someone from error or evil;
action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
Meaning of irredentist
a person advocating the restoration to their country of any territory formerly belonging to it.
Meaning of sprawling
spreading out over a large area in an untidy or irregular way.
Meaning of obduracy
unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn; unyielding.
Meaning of privations
a state in which food and other essentials for well-being are lacking.
Meaning of thrall
the state of being in someone’s power, or of having great power over someone.
Meaning of neurosis
(in non-technical use) excessive and irrational anxiety or obsession.
Meaning of “bear the palm” (idiom)
To reap rewards
To be the winner, take the prize
Meaning of “A black ox”
Bad luck
Old age
Meaning of “cut the mustard” (idiom)
to succeed · to come up to expectations · to be competent enough · to be up to the standard.
Meaning of circumspect
wary and unwilling to take risks. “Delhi is now more circumspect than before about interventions”
Meaning of magnum opus
a work of art or literature that is regarded as the most imp or best work that an artist or writer has produced
Meaning of surmise
suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it.
Meaning of scurrilous
making scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation.
Meaning of gargantuan
enormous. “the Bhima Koregaon case, a gargantuan investigation into an alleged Maoist conspiracy”
Meaning of contumacious
(especially of a defendant’s behaviour) stubbornly or wilfully disobedient to authority.
Meaning of knee-jerk
(of a response) automatic and unthinking. ‘Avoiding knee-jerk interventions is a sensible policy’
Meaning of gravamen
the essence or most serious part of a complaint or accusation.
Meaning of syncretism
the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought
Meaning of indictment
a thing that serves to illustrate that a system or situation is bad and deserves to be condemned.
Meaning of mien
a person’s appearance or manner, especially as an indication of their character or mood.
Meaning of idiosyncrasy
a mode of behaviour or way of thought peculiar to an individual.
Meaning of suborning
bribe or otherwise induce (someone) to commit an unlawful act such as perjury.
Meaning of perversion
distortion or corruption of the original course, meaning, or state of something.
Meaning of intransigence
refusal to change one’s views or to agree about something.
Meaning of perverse
contrary to the accepted or expected standard or practice.
Meaning of indemnity
security against or exemption from legal liability for one’s actions. “Sexist foul talks continues to enjoy indemnity in Indian politics”
Meaning of inopportune
occurring at an inconvenient or inappropriate time
Meaning of eminently
to a notable degree; very.
Meaning of repudiate
deny the truth or validity of.
Meaning of myriad
countless or extremely great in number.
Meaning of touted
attempt to persuade people of the merits of.
Meaning of palliative care
care for the terminally ill and their families
Meaning of disavowed
deny any responsibility or support for.
Meaning of incendiary
tending to stir up conflict.
Meaning of gainsaying
deny or contradict (a fact or statement).
Meaning of anosmia
the loss of the sense of smell, either total or partial.
Meaning of tandem
alongside each other; together.
Meaning of raison d’être
the most important reason or purpose for someone or something’s existence.
Meaning of roiled
make (someone) annoyed or irritated.
Meaning of adulate
praise (someone) excessively.
Meaning of amorphous
without a clearly defined shape or form.
Meaning of megalomania
obsession with the exercise of power.
Meaning of equine
relating to or affecting horses or the horse family
Meaning of extolling
praise enthusiastically.
Meaning of didactic
in the manner of a teacher; instructional
Meaning of brevity
concise and exact use of words in writing or speech.
Meaning of tantamount
equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as.
Meaning of inexorably
impossible to stop or prevent.
Meaning of callow
inexperienced and immature.
Meaning of defenestrate
remove (someone) from a position of authority.
Meaning of hiatus
A temporary gap, pause, break, or absence
Meaning of repugnant
extremely distasteful; unacceptable; incompatible with.
Meaning of dastardly
cowardly; wicked and cruel.
Meaning of chiasmus
literary figure: words are repeated in reverse order.
Meaning of capricious
given to sudden changes of mood or behaviour; fickle
Meaning of davenport
a large heavily upholstered sofa.
Meaning of elegy
a poem of reflection, typically a lament for the dead.
Meaning of tripe
nonsense; rubbish.
Meaning of harried
feeling strained, harassed.
Meaning of dour
relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner
Meaning of fortuitous
happening by chance rather than intention.
Meaning of know the ropes
know how a particular job or task should be done.
Meaning of interminable
endless (often used hyperbolically)
Meaning of estricate
free (someone) from a constraint or difficulty.
Meaning of upholstered
provide (furniture) with a soft, padded covering.
Meaning of unseemly
(of behaviour or actions) not proper or appropriate.
Meaning of iconoclastic
criticizing or attacking cherished beliefs or institutions.
Meaning of gall
bold and impudent behaviour.
Meaning of gallantry
courageous behaviour, especially in battle.
Meaning of intrepid
fearless; adventurous
Meaning of prelude
an event serving as an intro to something more imp.
Meaning of AWOL
absent without official leave, without intent to desert
Meaning of inundate
overwhelm (someone) with things to be dealt with.
Meaning of Anthropocene
relating to or denoting the current geological age
Meaning of engenders
cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition).
Meaning of exacerbation
the process of making bad situation worse.
Meaning of impinge
have an effect, especially a negative one.
Meaning of taciturn
reserved in speech; saying little; reticent is a synonym
Meaning of maligning
speak about (someone) in a spitefully critical manner.
Meaning of vitriolic
filled with bitter criticism or malice.
Meaning of impunity
exemption from punishment
Meaning of impugned
dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of
Meaning of obviate
avoid or prevent (something undesirable).
Meaning of denouement
the outcome of a situation, when something is decided
Meaning of unequivocally
in a way that leaves no doubt.
Meaning of fervent
having or displaying a passionate intensity.
Meaning of incredulous
unwilling or unable to believe something.
Meaning of benediction
a prayer asking for divine blessing.
Meaning of blitzkrieg
an intense campaign intended for a swift victory.
Meaning of vilify
talk about in an abusively disparaging manner; defame
Meaning of ecclesiastical
relating to the Christian Church or its clergy.
Meaning of manna
something beneficial that appears unexpectedly
Meaning of ilk
a type of person similar to one already referred to.
Meaning of skinflint
a person who spends as little money as possible; a miser.
Meaning of elides
omit (a sound or syllable) when speaking.
Meaning of assuage
make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense.
Meaning of congenial
liked because of having qualities similar to one’s own.
Meaning of presumptuous
failing to observe the limits of what is appropriate.
Meaning of countenance
support or approval.
Meaning of proffer
an offer or proposal; to donate or give away
Meaning of austerity
sternness or severity of manner or attitude.
Meaning of profundity
great depth of insight or knowledge.
Meaning of orgiastic
of or resembling an orgy.
Meaning of fiat
a formal authorization
Meaning of bigotry
unreasonable attachment to a belief, opinion, prejudice
Meaning of surfeit
an excessive amount of something.
Meaning of implored
beg someone earnestly to do something.
Meaning of impleadment
to sue in a court of law.
Meaning of ardour
great enthusiasm or passion
Meaning of rendering
a performance of a piece of music or drama.
Meaning of alchemising
transform nature of () by a seemingly magical process.
Meaning of infallibility
the quality of being infallible; the inability to be wrong.
Meaning of lofty
of a noble or elevated nature
Meaning of sequestering
isolate or hide away
Meaning of palatable
acceptable or satisfactory.
Meaning of moratorium
a temporary prohibition of an activity.
Meaning of fetid
smelling extremely unpleasant.
Meaning of talisman
a person regarded as representing, inspiring a group
Meaning of impotent
unable to take effective action; helpless or powerless.
Meaning of inscrutable
impossible to understand or interpret.
Meaning of feted
honour or entertain (someone) lavishly.
Meaning of acolyte
an assistant or follower.
Meaning of diffidence
modesty and shyness due to lack of self-confidence
Meaning of annuity
a fixed sum of money paid to someone each year
Meaning of docket
a list of cases for trial or people having cases pending.
Meaning of odyssey
a long, eventful or adventurous journey or experience.
Meaning of beset
be covered or studded with.
Meaning of delectable
extremely attractive.
Meaning of imperious
arrogant and domineering
Meaning of miscuing
fail to strike (the ball or a shot) properly.
Meaning of cajole
persuade to do something by sustained flattery.
Meaning of covenant
an agreement
Meaning of detractor
a person who disparages someone or something; critic
Meaning of extant
still in existence; surviving.
Meaning of sacrilegious
Lack of proper respect for a sacred person or object
Meaning of sacrosanct
regarded as too important to be interfered with.
Meaning of consecrated
(of a land) having been made or declared sacred.
Meaning of ineptitude
lack of skill or ability.
Meaning of inimical
tending to obstruct or harm.