Essential Words XVI Flashcards
Torpor
Sluggishness, lethargy, or apathy; a period of inactivity
Torrid
Very hot, parching, burning; passionate
Tractable
Easily controlled or managed, docile; easily shaped or molded
Transitory
Temporary, short-lived, not lasting
Trifling or trifle
Trivial, not very important; so small as to be unimportant; frivolous, shallow
Trite
Lacking freshness and originality, lacking effectiveness due to overuse, cliché
Ubiquitous
Existing everywhere at the same times
Undermine
Weaken, cause to collapse by digging away at the foundation (of a building or an argument); injure or attack in a secretive or underhanded way
Underscore
Emphasize (or, literally, to underline text)
Unearth
Dig up, uncover, expose
Unequivocal
Unambiguous, clear, absolute; having only one possible meaning
Unprecedented
Never before known or seen, without having happened previously
Unseemly
Improper, inappropriate, against the rules of taste or politeness
Vacillate
Waver in one’s mind or opinions, be indecisive
Venerate
Revere, regard with deep respect and awe
Veracity
Truthfulness, accuracy; habitual adherence to the truth
Verbose
Wordy
Viable
Capable of living; practical, workable
Vintage
Related to items of high quality from a previous era, old-fashioned, antique; the wine of a particular year
Virtual
Existing only in the mind or by means of a computer network; existing in results or in essence but not officially or in name
Vituperate
Verbally abuse, rebuke or criticize harshly
Volatile
Varying, inconstant, fleeting; tending to violence, explosive
Warranted
Justified, authorized (warrant can mean to justify or a justification, but can also mean to vouch for or guarantee)
Wary
Watchful, motivated by caution, on guard against danger
Whereas
While on the contrary, considering that
Whimsical
Marked or motivated by whims (odd, fanciful ideas); erratic, unpredictable
Wily or wiles
Crafty, cunning, characterized by tricks or artifice
Zeal
Great fervor or enthusiasm for a cause, person, etc.; tireless diligence in furthering that cause; passion, ardor
Zenith
High point, culmination
Abase
Degrade or humble; to lower in rank, status, or esteem
Abeyance
Temporary suspension, inactivity
Abreast
Side-by-side (with preposition of); keeping up with, staying aware of, or remaining equal in progress with.
Abscission
Cutting off; sudden termination; the separation of leaves, petals, or other parts from a plant or animal
Abscond
Depart suddenly and secretively
Abyss
A deep and vast space or cavity; anything profound or infinite
Accede
Agree, give consent; assume power
Accretion
Gradual increase; an added part or addition
Acerbic
Sour; harsh or severe
Acidulous
Slightly acid or sour; sharp or caustic
Acumen
Keen, quick, accurate insight or judgment
Adulterate
Make impure by adding inappropriate or inferior ingredients
Adumbrate
Give a rough outline of; foreshadow; reveal only partially; obscure
Aerie
Dwelling or fortress built on a high place; the nest of a bird of prey, such as an eagle or hawk, built on a mountain or cliff
Albeit
Although, even though
Aloof
Distant physically or emotionally; reserved; indifferent
Amalgamate
Blend, merge, or unite
Ameliorate
Improve; make better or more bearable
Amortize
Gradually pay off a debt, or gradually write off an asset
Anachronism
Something that is not in its correct historical time; a mistake in chronology, such as by assigning a person or event to the wrong time period
Analgesia
Pain relief; inability to feel pain
