F451 Vocab: Set 1 Flashcards
abstracted
removed in thought from the immediate situation, lost in one’s own mind
Ex: The child, thinking of Christmas, had an abstracted look on his face.
aesthetic
relating or pertaining to a sense of beauty or art
Ex: He is considered to have aesthetic tastes because he loves beauty and the arts.
bestial
brutal without reason, having the attributes of a savage
Ex: The bestial traits of the man were offensive to refined ladies.
blanch
to take the color out of, to bleach, to make white
Ex: It is popular to blanch new blue jeans before wearing them.
cacophonous
harsh sounding, having dissonance
Ex: An orchestra is cacophonous when it is tuning up.
censorious
critical
Ex: The artist was hurt by the censorious remarks of the critic.
centrifuge
an apparatus used for separating materials by the use of centrifugal force
Ex: When milk is put into a centrifuge, the cream is separated and can be removed.
certitudes
things that are inevitable or certain, certainties
Ex: He was able to take his vows with absolute certitude.
contempt
scorn, extreme dislike, or disdain
Ex: The man treated the gossiping woman with contempt; talking about other people was beneath his dignity.
desolate
deserted, without inhabitants, barren
Ex: Some of the western states have a large areas that are desolate.
dictum
an authoritative statement, decree
-The dictum from the Pope allows this activity.
din
loud and discordant noises, cacophony
-The din in the senate was so great that I could not hear the speaker.
feint
a false appearance, a fake punch to occupy defenses allowing a real blow
-Fooled by his opponent’s feint, the boxed dropped his guard and was knocked down.
flourish
to thrive, to grow well
-The company flourished after a new board of directors took control.
