F11-15 Flashcards
1
Q
boisterous
A
noisy, energetic, and cheerful
2
Q
chivalrous
A
(of a man or his behaviour) courteous and gallant, especially towards women.
My chivalrous husband always opens doors for me.
3
Q
churlish
A
rude in a mean-spirited and surly way.
The room was so lovely it seemed churlish to argue
4
Q
clandestine
A
kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.
5
Q
debilitating
A
make (someone) very weak
6
Q
droll
A
curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement.
Nick is very droll; he’s got a very good dry sense of humor
7
Q
eccentric
A
(of a person or their behavior) unconventional and slightly strange.
He noted her eccentric appearance
8
Q
fractious
A
- (typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome.
- (of a group or organization) difficult to control; unruly.
They fight and squabble like fractious children
9
Q
limpid
A
clear
10
Q
mawkish
A
sentimental in an exaggerated or false way.
11
Q
obeisance
A
a gesture expressing deferential respect, such as a bow or curtsy.
12
Q
ostentatious
A
showy display; designed to impress.
13
Q
panacea
A
remedy for all difficulties or diseases.
Technology is not a panacea for all our problems
Pain killer
14
Q
perfunctory
A
carried out without real interest, (cursory, desultory)
15
Q
perilous
A
full of danger
perilous journey through the jungle
16
Q
pervasive
A
(especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.
17
Q
preclude
A
prevent from happening; make impossible.
18
Q
predilection
A
a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favour of something.
19
Q
rapacious
A
aggressively greedy or grasping
20
Q
relish
A
enjoy greatly.
21
Q
sham
A
falsely present something as the truth.
22
Q
skirt
A
attempt to ignore; avoid dealing with
23
Q
truculent
A
eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant.
Truck man is eager to fight
24
Q
acrimonious
A
(typically of speech or discussion) angry and bitter.
25
beneficent
(of a person) generous or doing good.
26
canny
having or showing shrewdness and good judgement, especially in money or business matters.
Cunning
Canny investors will switch banks if they think they are getting a raw dea
27
cavalier
1. showing a lack of proper concern; offhand.
2. a dashing and attentive man, especially one acting as a lady's escort.
3. a small spaniel of a breed with a long snout.
28
dwindling
gradually diminishing in size, amount, or strength.
Dwindling resources
29
exasperated
intensely irritated and frustrated.
We were exasperated by the delays.
This futile process exasperates prison officers
Asper -rough harsh
30
fungible
(of goods contracted for without an individual specimen being specified) replaceable by another identical item; mutually interchangeable.
In the old days, people traded fungible items instead of paying with money
31
incongruous
not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something.
32
laconic
(of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words.
33
magisterial
having or showing great authority./domineering; dictatorial.
34
onerous
(of a task or responsibility) involving a great deal of effort, trouble, or difficulty.
(L)oner
35
opprobrium
harsh criticism or censure.
36
parsimonious
very unwilling to spend money or use resources.
37
renounce
formally declare one's abandonment of (a claim, right, or possession).
38
tempestuous
1. characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion.
2. very stormy.
Temporary pest attack
39
tenable
1. able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection. Justifiable, defendable, maintainable
2. (of an office, position, scholarship, etc.) able to be held or used.
The fellowship is tenable for a period of up to 3 years
40
transgression vs digression
an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offence.
The judge will decide the penalty for my transgression
a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.
I have digressed a little from my original plan
Gree = step, move
41
verisimilitude veracious
the appearance of being true or real.
She has included photographs in the book to lend verisimilitude to the story.
True(verus) like
42
vitiate
spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of.
Smoking vitiates the air.
Vomit
43
baroque
highly ornate and extravagant in style.
The interior of the church is in lavish baroque
44
byzantine
(of a system or situation) excessively complicated, and typically involing a great deal of administrative detail.
Byzantine insurance regulations
45
conciliatory or reconcile
intended or likely to placate or pacify.
46
countenance
1. admit as acceptable or possible.
2. a person's face or facial expression. (Count ten 10 face of raven)
He had a puzzled countenance.
He was reluctant to countenance the use of force
I'm afraid I can't countenance that
47
covert
not openly acknowledged or displayed.
covert funding for the rebels
48
credible
able to be believed; convincing.
49
exhaustive
including or considering all elements or aspects; fully comprehensive.
50
exhilarating
animated, or elated; thrilling.
An exhilarating two-hour rafting experience
Exhale
51
fervor
intense and passionate feeling.
he talked with all the fervour of a new convert
52
invidious
1. (of an action or situation) likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others.
2. (of a comparison or distinction) unfairly discriminating; unjust.
53
numinous
having a strong religious or spiritual quality; indicating or suggesting the presence of a divinity.
Numinous beauty of this ancient landmark
54
obscure
1. not discovered or known about; uncertain.
2. not clearly expressed or easily understood.
Secure hide, unclear, uncertain
55
overt
done or shown openly; plainly apparent.
56
rational
based on or in accordance with reason or logic.
57
acquiesce
accept something reluctantly but without protest.
Sara acquiesced in his decision
58
adroit
clever or skilful.
He was adroit at tax avoidance
59
animus
1. hostility or ill feeling.
2. motivation to do something.
I have no animus towards Robert
60
apologist
a person who offers an argument in defence of something controversial.
Critics said he was an apologist for colonialism
61
astringent
1. causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues.
2. (of taste or smell) slightly acidic or bitter.
3. sharp or severe in manner or style.
62
deride
express contempt for; ridicule.
They deride his effort as childish
63
discreet
careful and prudent in one's speech or actions, especially in order to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment.
64
elitist
relating to or supporting the view that a society or system should be led by an elite.
65
flummoxed
bewildered or perplexed.
66
inborn
existing from birth.
67
stringent
(of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict, precise, and exacting.
68
subservient
prepared to obey others unquestioningly.
69
surreptitious
kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.
He made a surreptitious recording with a concealed hand-held machine
70
tantalizing
tormenting or teasing with the sight or promise of something unobtainable.
71
torpor
a state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy.
72
trenchant
vigorous or incisive in expression or style.
He was shattered and bewildered by this trenchant criticism
73
umbrage
offence or annoyance.
One should not take umbrage to a blonde joke.
Rage or get angry
74
wayward
difficult to control or predict because of wilful or perverse behaviour.
a wayward adolescent
75
apropos
. with reference to; concerning.
2. very appropriate to a particular situation.
I had an email from Sally yesterday - apropos (of) which, did you send her that article?
76
cloak
1. a sleeveless outdoor overgarment that hangs loosely from the shoulders.
2. something serving to hide or disguise something.
77
consensus
a general agreement.
There is a growing consensus that the current regime has failed
78
elated
make (someone) ecstatically happy.
the wealth of wildlife elated me
79
enchant
1. fill (someone) with great delight; charm.
2. put (someone or something) under a spell; bewitch.
80
entrenched
(of an attitude, habit, or belief) firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change; ingrained
81
forsake
abandon or leave./renounce or give up (something valued or pleasant).
He would never forsake Tara (abandon
I won't forsake my vegetarian principles(
82
gratify
give (someone) pleasure or satisfaction.
83
heed
pay attention to; take notice of.
He should have heeded the warnings
84
pertinent
relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite.
85
propriety
1. conformity to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals.
2. the condition of being right, appropriate, or fitting.
He always behaved with the utmost propriety (decency, decorum)
86
scintillating
1. sparkling or shining brightly.
2. brilliantly and excitingly clever or skilful.
87
strife
angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict.
88
understated
presented or expressed in a subtle and effective way
89
veracity
conformity to facts; accuracy./habitual truthfulness.
90
virulent
1.(of a disease or poison) extremely severe or harmful in its effects.
2. bitterly hostile.
