Flashcards - 2
Defection
: conscious abandonment of allegiance or duty (as to a person, cause, or doctrine) : desertion
Homonymous
Having the same designation
Convivial
: of or relating to social events where people can eat, drink, and talk in a friendly way with others
Chide
: to express mild disapproval of (someone) : to scold (someone) gently
Muzzle
: to put a muzzle on (a dog) : to place a covering on (the mouth of a dog) to stop biting
: to prevent (a person or group) from speaking or writing in a free or normal way
Bespoke
1 a : custom-made <a>
b : dealing in or producing custom-made articles
2 dialect : engaged
Examples
a wealthy man who can easily afford bespoke suits
once the last decent-looking woman in town was bespoke, it was time for the luckless bachelor to move on</a>
Caveat
: an explanation or warning that should be remembered when you are doing or thinking about something
Dolt
: a stupid person
Contrivance
: something that causes things to happen in a story in a way that does not seem natural or believable
: the use of contrivances in a story
: a machine or piece of equipment made with skill and cleverness
Utilitarian
: made to be useful rather than to be decorative or comfortable
philosophy : of or relating to utilitarianism
Tradition
: a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been used by the people in a particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time
: the stories, beliefs, etc., that have been part of the culture of a group of people for a long time
—used to say that someone has qualities which are like the qualities of another well-known person or group of people from the past
Doughty
: brave, strong, and determined
Full Definition
: marked by fearless resolution : valiant <a>
Other forms: dough·ti·er; dough·ti·est
dough·ti·ly \ˈdau̇-təl-ē\ adverb
dough·ti·ness \ˈdau̇-tē-nəs\ noun
Examples
the doughty heroes of old
Origin: Middle English, from Old English dohtig; akin to Old High German toug is useful, Greek teuchein to make.
First use: before 12th century
Synonyms: bold, courageous, dauntless, brave, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, gutty, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, manful, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, undauntable, undaunted, valiant, valorous
Antonyms: chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, coward, cowardly, craven, dastardly, fainthearted, fearful, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], nerveless, poltroon, poor-spirited, pusillanimous, spineless, spiritless, timorous, uncourageous, ungallant, unheroic, weakhearted, yellow</a>
Frivolous
: not important : not deserving serious attention
: silly and not serious
Full Definition
1 a : of little weight or importance
b : having no sound basis (as in fact or law) <a>
2 a : lacking in seriousness
b : marked by unbecoming levity
friv·o·lous·ly adverb
friv·o·lous·ness noun
Examples
judges are getting sick of people bringing frivolous lawsuits
when asked by the waiter if we wanted anything else that evening, we made a frivolous request for free drinks
Origin: Middle English, from Latin frivolus.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: fiddling, foolish, unimportant, incidental, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, little, Mickey Mouse, minor, minute, negligible, nugatory, slight, small, small-fry, trifling, trivial
Antonyms: big, consequential, eventful, important, major, material, meaningful, momentous, significant, substantial, unfrivolous, weighty</a>
Didactic
di·dac·tic\dī-ˈdak-tik, də-\
adjective
: designed or intended to teach people something
—used to describe someone or something that tries to teach something (such as proper or moral behavior) in a way that is annoying or unwanted
Full Definition
1 a : designed or intended to teach
b : intended to convey instruction and information as well as pleasure and entertainment
2 : making moral observations
di·dac·ti·cal -ti-kəl\ adjective
di·dac·ti·cal·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
di·dac·ti·cism -tə-ˌsi-zəm\ noun
Examples
the poet’s works became increasingly didactic after his religious conversion
Origin: Greek didaktikos, from didaskein to teach.
First use: 1658
Synonyms: sermonic, homiletic (or homiletical), moralistic, moralizing, preachy, sententious
Zesty
\: having a strong, pleasant, and somewhat spicy flavor \: lively and pleasing : full of zest Full Definition \: having or characterized by zest : appealingly piquant or lively <a> Other forms: zest·i·er; zest·i·est zest·i·ly \-tə-lē\ adverb Examples a zesty sauce zesty humor First use: 1868 Synonyms: pert, poignant, pungent, salty, savory (also savoury), piquant, zingy Antonyms: insipid, zestless
Luxuriant
: having heavy and thick growth
: having an appealingly rich quality
Full Definition
1 a : yielding abundantly : fertile, fruitful
b : characterized by abundant growth : lush
2 : abundantly and often extravagantly rich and varied : prolific
3 : characterized by luxury : luxurious <a>
synonyms see profuse
lux·u·ri·ant·ly adverb
Examples
an older man who still has a luxuriant head of hair
a luxuriant coat of fur
luxuriant soil that yields endless fields of grain
First use: circa 1540
Synonyms: green, grown, leafy, lush, overgrown, verdant
Antonyms: barren, leafless</a>
Conform
: to be similar to or the same as something
: to obey or agree with something
: to do what other people do : to behave in a way that is accepted by most people
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord
intransitive verb
1 : to be similar or identical; also : to be in agreement or harmony — used with to or with
2 a : to be obedient or compliant — usually used with to ll have to conform this new rule with existing policy regarding student-run organizations on campus
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French conformer, from Latin conformare, from com- + formare to form, from forma form.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: accord, agree, answer, chord, cohere, coincide, comport, check, consist, correspond, dovetail, fit, go, harmonize, jibe, rhyme (also rime), sort, square, tally
Irksome
\: annoying or irritating Full Definition \: tending to irk : tedious irk·some·ly adverb irk·some·ness noun Examples the irksome habit of leaving all the kitchen cabinet doors open First use: 15th century Synonyms: abrasive, aggravating, bothersome, carking, chafing, disturbing, exasperating, frustrating, galling, annoying, irritating, maddening, nettlesome, nettling, peeving, pesky, pestiferous, pestilent, pestilential, pesty, plaguey (also plaguy), rankling, rebarbative, riling, vexatious, vexing
Facile
: too simple : not showing enough thought or effort
: done or achieved in a way that is too easy
: working, moving, or performing well and very easily
Full Definition
1 a (1) : easily accomplished or attained <a> (2) : shallow, simplistic <i>
b : used or comprehended with ease
c : readily manifested and often lacking sincerity or depth
2 archaic : mild or pleasing in manner or disposition
3 a : ready, fluent
b : poised, assured
synonyms see easy
fac·ile·ly -sə(l)-lē\ adverb
fac·ile·ness -səl-nəs\ noun
Examples
the movie takes a facile look at what happens when teens enter into serious romantic relationships
a few early facile victories misled the country into thinking that the war would be short and relatively painless
Origin: Middle French, from Latin facilis, from facere to do — more at do.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: superficial, one-dimensional, shallow, skin-deep</i></a>
Glib
glib\ˈglib\
adjective
: said or done too easily or carelessly : showing little preparation or thought
: speaking in a smooth, easy way that is not sincere
Full Definition
1 a : marked by ease and informality : nonchalant
b : showing little forethought or preparation : offhand
c : lacking depth and substance : superficial
2 archaic : smooth, slippery
3 : marked by ease and fluency in speaking or writing often to the point of being insincere or deceitful <a>
Other forms: glib·ber; glib·best
glib·ly adverb
glib·ness noun
Examples
Politicians need to do more than provide glib answers to difficult questions.
glib generalizations
the actor’s glib portrayal of a drug addict
Origin: probably modification of Low German glibberig slippery.
First use: 1584</a>
Forlorn
: sad and lonely
: empty and in poor condition
: not having much chance of success : nearly hopeless
Full Definition
1 a : bereft, forsaken
b : sad and lonely because of isolation or desertion : desolate <a>
2 : being in poor condition : miserable, wretched
3 : nearly hopeless <a>
synonyms see alone
for·lorn·ly adverb
for·lorn·ness -ˈlȯrn-nəs\ noun
Examples
she was forlorn when she found out the trip had been cancelled
a forlorn wanderer far from home
a forlorn little town whose brief economic boom ended decades ago
Origin: Middle English forloren, from Old English, past participle of forlēosan to lose, from for- + lēosan to lose — more at lose.
First use: before 12th century
Synonyms: bad, blue, brokenhearted, cast down, crestfallen, dejected, depressed, despondent, disconsolate, doleful, down, downcast, downhearted, down in the mouth, droopy, sad, gloomy, glum, hangdog, heartbroken, heartsick, heartsore, heavyhearted, inconsolable, joyless, low, low-spirited, melancholic, melancholy, miserable, mournful, saddened, sorrowful, sorry, unhappy, woebegone, woeful, wretched</a></a>
Desolate
: lacking the people, plants, animals, etc., that make people feel welcome in a place
: very sad and lonely especially because someone you love has died or left
Full Definition
1 : devoid of inhabitants and visitors : deserted
2 : joyless, disconsolate, and sorrowful through or as if through separation from a loved one <a>
3 a : showing the effects of abandonment and neglect : dilapidated <a>
b : barren, lifeless <a>
c : devoid of warmth, comfort, or hope : gloomy
synonyms see alone, dismal
des·o·late·ly adverb
des·o·late·ness noun
Origin: Middle English desolat, from Latin desolatus, past participle of desolare to abandon, from de- + solus alone.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: black, bleak, cheerless, chill, Cimmerian, cloudy, cold, comfortless, dark, darkening, depressing, depressive, gloomy, dire, disconsolate, dismal, drear, dreary, dreich [chiefly Scottish], elegiac (also elegiacal), forlorn, funereal, glum, godforsaken, gray (also grey), lonely, lonesome, lugubrious, miserable, morbid, morose, murky, plutonian, saturnine, sepulchral, solemn, somber (or sombre), sullen, sunless, tenebrific, tenebrous, wretched
Antonyms: bright, cheerful, cheering, cheery, comforting, cordial, festive, friendly, gay, heartwarming, sunshiny</a></a></a>
Doughty
: brave, strong, and determined
Full Definition
: marked by fearless resolution : valiant <a>
Other forms: dough·ti·er; dough·ti·est
dough·ti·ly \ˈdau̇-təl-ē\ adverb
dough·ti·ness \ˈdau̇-tē-nəs\ noun
Examples
the doughty heroes of old
Origin: Middle English, from Old English dohtig; akin to Old High German toug is useful, Greek teuchein to make.
First use: before 12th century
Synonyms: bold, courageous, dauntless, brave, fearless, gallant, greathearted, gutsy, gutty, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, manful, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, undauntable, undaunted, valiant, valorous</a>
Diverge
: to split and move out in different directions from a single point
: to be or become different
Full Definition
intransitive verb
1 a : to move or extend in different directions from a common point : draw apart
b : to become or be different in character or form : differ in opinion
2 : to turn aside from a path or course : deviate
3 : to be mathematically divergent
transitive verb
: deflect
synonyms see swerve
Other forms: di·verged; di·verg·ing
Examples
the deer abruptly diverged from its intended path the moment it spied the waiting lynx
at that point the road and the railroad tracks diverge
Origin: Medieval Latin divergere, from Latin dis- + vergere to incline — more at wrench.
First use: 1665
Synonyms: detour, deviate, turn, sheer, swerve, swing, turn off, veer, wheel
Divulge
di·vulge\də-ˈvəlj, dī-\
transitive verb
: to make (information) known : to give (information) to someone
Full Definition
1 archaic : to make public : proclaim
2 : to make known (as a confidence or secret)
synonyms see reveal
Other forms: di·vulged; di·vulg·ing
di·vul·gence -ˈvəl-jən(t)s\ noun
Examples
we tried to make him divulge the name of the winner, but he wouldn’t budge
Origin: Middle English, from Latin divulgare, from dis- + vulgare to make known, from vulgus mob.
First use: 15th century
Retrench
re·trench\ri-ˈtrench\ \: to change the way things are done in order to spend less money Full Definition transitive verb 1 a : cut down, reduce b : to cut out : excise 2 : to pare away : remove intransitive verb \: to make retrenchments; specifically : economize synonyms see shorten Origin: obsolete French retrencher (now retrancher), from Middle French retrenchier, from re- + trenchier to cut. First use: 1596
Entrench
: to place (someone or something) in a very strong position that cannot easily be changed
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 a : to place within or surround with a trench especially for defense
b : to place (oneself) in a strong defensive position
c : to establish solidly
2 : to cut into : furrow; specifically : to erode downward so as to form a trenchintransitive verb
1 : to dig or occupy a trench for defensive purposes
2 : to enter upon or take over something unfairly, improperly, or unlawfully : encroach — used with on or upon
en·trench·ment -mənt\ noun
Examples
a father who entrenched in our minds the belief that hard work pays off
Variants: also in·trench \in-\
First use: 1548
Synonyms: bed, embed (also imbed), enroot, fix, impact, implant, ingrain (also engrain), lodge, root
Antonyms: dislodge, root (out), uproot
Sophistry
: the use of reasoning or arguments that sound correct but are actually false
: a reason or argument that sounds correct but is actually false
Full Definition
1 : subtly deceptive reasoning or argumentation
2 : sophism 1
First use: 14th century
Expiate
: to do something as a way to show that you are sorry about doing something bad
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 obsolete : to put an end to
2 a : to extinguish the guilt incurred by
b : to make amends for
intransitive verb
: to make expiation
Other forms: ex·pi·at·ed; ex·pi·at·ing
ex·pi·a·ble \ˈek-spē-ə-bəl\ adjective
ex·pi·a·tor -spē-ˌā-tər\ noun
Examples
Yom Kippur is the holy day on which Jews are expected to expiate sins committed during the past year
Origin: Latin expiatus, past participle of expiare to atone for, from ex- + piare to atone for, appease, from pius faithful, pious.
First use: circa 1500
Synonyms: atone (for), mend, redeem, make amends for, make good for
Redemption
re·demp·tion\ri-ˈdem(p)-shən\
noun
: the act of making something better or more acceptable
: the act of exchanging something for money, an award, etc.
Christianity : the act of saving people from sin and evil : the fact of being saved from sin or evil
Full Definition
: the act, process, or an instance of redeeming
Origin: Middle English redempcioun, from Anglo-French redempcion, from Latin redemption-, redemptio, from redimere to redeem.
First use: 14th century
Sedulous
sed·u·lous\ˈse-jə-ləs\
adjective
1 : involving or accomplished with careful perseverance
2 : diligent in application or pursuit <a>
synonyms see busy
sed·u·lous·ly adverb
sed·u·lous·ness noun
Examples
an impressively sedulous suitor, he was constantly sending her flowers and other tokens of his affection
Origin: Latin sedulus, from sedulo sincerely, diligently, from sed-, se without + dolus guile — more at suicide.
First use: 1540
Synonyms: active, assiduous, bustling, diligent, employed, engaged, hopping, industrious, laborious, occupied, busy, tied-up, working
Antonyms: idle, inactive, unbusy, unemployed, unoccupied</a>
Coruscating
1 : to give off or reflect light in bright beams or flashes : sparkle
2 : to be brilliant or showy in technique or style
Other forms: cor·us·cat·ed; cor·us·cat·ing
Examples
a classic car from the 1950s, replete with yards of coruscating chrome
Origin: Latin coruscatus, past participle of coruscare to flash.
Debilitate
: to make (someone or something) weak : to reduce the strength of (someone or something)
Full Definition
: to impair the strength of : enfeeble
synonyms see weaken
Other forms: de·bil·i·tat·ed; de·bil·i·tat·ing
de·bil·i·ta·tion -ˌbi-lə-ˈtā-shən\ noun
Examples
the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears
Origin: Latin debilitatus, past participle of debilitare to weaken, from debilis weak.
Teleological
: exhibiting or relating to design or purpose especially in nature
Countenance
: the appearance of a person’s face : a person’s expression
Full Definition
1 obsolete : bearing, demeanor
2 a : calm expression
b : mental composure
c : look, expression
3 archaic
a : aspect, semblance
b : pretense
4 : face, visage; especially : the face as an indication of mood, emotion, or character
5 : bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction : moral support
Origin: Middle English contenance, from Anglo-French cuntenance, contenance, from Medieval Latin continentia, from Latin, restraint, from continent-, continens, present participle of continēre to hold together — more at contain.
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: cast, look, expression, face, visage
Antonyms: agitation, discomposure, perturbation
2coun·te·nance\ˈkau̇n-tən-ən(t)s, ˈkau̇nt-nən(t)s\
transitive verb
: to accept, support, or approve of (something)
Full Definition
: to extend approval or toleration to : sanction
Other forms: coun·te·nanced; coun·te·nanc·ing
coun·te·nanc·er noun
Examples
The city would not countenance a rock concert in the park.
The leader did not officially countenance negotiations with the rebels.
Origin: (see 1countenance ).
First use: 1568
Consonant
: in agreement with something
music : in harmony
Full Definition
1 : being in agreement or harmony : free from elements making for discord
2 : marked by musical consonances
3 : having similar sounds
4 : relating to or exhibiting consonance : resonant
con·so·nant·ly adverb
Origin: Middle English, from Latin consonant-, consonans, present participle of consonare to sound together, agree, from com- + sonare to sound — more at sound.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: balanced, congruous, harmonious, eurythmic (or eurhythmic), harmonic
Antonyms: disharmonic, disharmonious, incongruous, inharmonic, inharmonious, unbalanced
Complaisant
com·plai·sance\kəm-ˈplā-sən(t)s, -zən(t)s; ˌkäm-plā-ˈzan(t)s, -plə-, -ˈzän(t)s\
noun
: disposition to please or comply : affability
Examples
the complaisance of his girlfriend is such that she meekly goes along with everything he says
First use: 1651
Synonyms: amenability, amiability, good-naturedness
Complacent
: satisfied with how things are and not wanting to change them
Full Definition
1 : marked by self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies : marked by complacency : self-satisfied <a>
2 : complaisant 1
3 : unconcerned
com·pla·cent·ly adverb
Examples
the auditors were taken aback by his complacent response to their findings of fraud
a complacent junior exec who was certain of his indispensability to the company
Origin: Latin complacent-, complacens, present participle of complacēre to please greatly, from com- + placēre to please — more at please.
First use: 1760
Synonyms: apathetic, casual, indifferent, disinterested, incurious, insensible, insouciant, nonchalant, perfunctory, pococurante, unconcerned, uncurious, uninterested</a>
Grate
2 : to reduce to small particles by rubbing on something rough
3 : fret, irritate
4 a : to gnash or grind noisily
b : to cause to make a rasping sound
c : to utter in a harsh voiceintransitive verb
1 : to rub or rasp noisily
2 : to cause irritation : jar <a>
Other forms: grat·ed; grat·ing
grat·er noun
grat·ing·ly \ˈgrā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French grater to scratch, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krazzōn to scratch.
First use: 14th century
2grate
noun
: a metal frame with bars across it that is used in a fireplace or to cover an opening
Full Definition
1 a : a barred frame for cooking over a fire
b : a frame or bed of iron bars to hold a stove or furnace fire
c : fireplace
2 : grating 2
3 obsolete : cage, prison
Origin: Middle English, from Medieval Latin crata, grata hurdle, alteration of Latin cratis — more at hurdle.
First use: 14th century</a>
Rousing
: done or said with great enthusiasm or excitement
: causing great emotion, excitement, or enthusiasm
: unusually good
Full Definition
1 a : giving rise to excitement : stirring <a>
b : brisk, lively
2 : exceptional, superlative <a>
rous·ing·ly adverb
Examples
She was met with a rousing reception.
a rousing speech
They played a rousing rendition of the national anthem.
First use: 1640
Synonyms: breathtaking, charged, electric, electrifying, exhilarating, exhilarative, galvanic, galvanizing, hair-raising, heart-stopping, inspiring, intoxicating, kicky, mind-bending, mind-blowing, mind-boggling, rip-roaring, exciting, stimulating, stirring, thrilling</a></a>
Cadge
: to persuade someone to give you (something) for free
Full Definition
: beg, sponge
Other forms: cadged; cadg·ing
cadg·er noun
Examples
He spent his time trying to cadge drinks from the customers.
She cadged money from her sister.
Origin: back-formation from Scots cadger carrier, huckster, from Middle English cadgear.
First use: circa 1812
