Final Vocabulary Flashcards
domain (n)
complete and absolute ownership of land
infinitesimal (adj)
immeasurably or incalculably small
lateral (adj)
of or relating to the side
quintessence (n)
the most typical example or representative
serrated (adj)
notched or toothed on the edge
veritable (adj)
being in fact the thing named and not false, unreal, or imaginary —often used to stress the aptness of a metaphor
acumen (n)
keenness and depth of perception
askew (adj)
out of line : at an angle
chasten (v)
to correct by punishment or suffering : discipline
dictum (n)
a formal pronouncement of a principle, proposition, or opinion
forte (n)
one’s strong point
sycophant (n)
a servile self-seeking flatterer
convoke (v)
to call together to a meeting
fractious (adj)
tending to be troublesome : unruly
fulminate (v)
to utter or send out with denunciation
peruse (v)
to read over in an attentive or leisurely manner
polemic (n)
an aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another
supplicate (v)
to ask humbly and earnestly of
apprise (v)
to give notice to : tell
cogent (adj)
appealing forcibly to the mind or reason : convincing
colloquy (n)
conversation, dialogue
elucidate (v)
to give a clarifying explanation
lachrymose (adj)
given to tears or weeping : tearful
palliative (adj)
something that moderates the intensity of
adjure (v)
to urge or advise earnestly
equivocal (adj)
of uncertain nature or classification
foible (n)
a minor flaw or shortcoming in character or behavior : weakness
insolvent (adj)
unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business
propitiate (v)
to gain or regain the favor or goodwill of : appease
restitution (n)
an act of restoring or a condition of being restored
acerbic (adj)
sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone
deign (v)
to condescend reluctantly and with a strong sense of the affront to one’s superiority that is involved : stoop
misconstrue (v)
to interpret (something, such as a statement or action) wrongly : misinterpret
narcissism (n)
egoism, egocentrism
repine (v)
to long for something
sartorial (adj)
of or relating to a tailor or tailored clothes
archetype (n)
the original pattern or model of which all things of the same type are representations or copies : prototype
checkered (adj)
marked by alternation or contrast of fortune
devolve (v)
to pass on (something, such as responsibility, rights, or powers) from one person or entity to another
exigencies (n)
that which is required in a particular situation — usually used in plural
minutiae (n)
a minute or minor detail — usually used in plural
motley (adj)
made up of many different people or things
convulse (v)
to shake or agitate violently
decree (n)
an order usually having the force of law
fetid (adj)
having a heavy offensive smell
infraction (n)
the act of infringing : violation
sanguinary (adj)
bloodthirsty : murderous
staccato (adj)
cut short or apart in performing : disconnected
