greg mat Flashcards
1
Q
capricious
A
adjective
- given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
- a ____ and often brutal administration
- a ____ climate.
2
Q
conspicuous
A
adjective
- standing out so as to be clearly visible
- he was very thin, with a ______ Adam’s apple.
- attracting notice or attention:
- he showed ______- bravery.
3
Q
belie
A
verb (belies, belying, belied) [with object]
- (of an appearance) fail to give a true notion or impression of (something); disguise or contradict:
- his lively, alert manner ______ his years.
- fail to fulfill or justify (a claim or expectation); betray
- the notebooks _____ Darwin’s later recollection.
4
Q
cursory
A
adjective
- hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed
- a _____ glance at the figures.
5
Q
daunting
A
adjective
- seeming difficult to deal with in anticipation; intimidating
- a _____ task.
6
Q
deify
A
verb (deifies, deifying, deified) [with object] (usually be deified)
- worship, regard, or treat (someone or something) as a god
- she was ___ by the early Romans as a fertility goddess.
7
Q
flout
A
verb [with object]
- openly disregard (a rule, law or convention)
- these same companies still ____ basic ethical practices.
- [no object] archaic mock; scoff:
- the women pointed and _____ at her.
8
Q
humdrum
A
adjective
- lacking excitement or variety; dull; monotonous
- ____ routine work.
noun
- dullness; monotony
- an escape from the ____ of his life.
9
Q
loquacious
A
adjective
- tending to talk a great deal; talkative.
10
Q
misanthropic
A
adjective
- disliking humankind and avoiding human society
- a ___ drunken loner
- with his ___ outlook, he was an ugly character.
11
Q
obsequious
A
adjective
- obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree
- they were served by ____ waiters.
12
Q
puerile
A
adjective
- childishly silly and trivial
- you’re making ____ excuses.
13
Q
quixotic
A
adjective
- exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical
- a vast and perhaps _____ project.
14
Q
spendthrift
A
noun
- a person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way.
15
Q
taciturn
A
adjective
- (of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.
16
Q
wary
A
adjective
- feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems
- dogs that have been mistreated often remain very ____ of strangers
- a ____ look.
17
Q
advocate
A
noun
- a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy
- he was an untiring ___ of economic reform.
- a person who pleads on someone else’s behalf
- care managers can become ___ for their clients.
- a pleader in a court of law; a lawyer
- Marshall was a skilled ___ but a mediocre judge.
verb [with obj.]
- publicly recommend or support
- they ___ an ethical foreign policy.
18
Q
alacrity
A
noun
- brisk and cheerful readiness
- she accepted the invitation with ____.
19
Q
amenable
A
adjective
- (of a person) open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled
- parents who have had easy babies and ____ children.
- [predic.] (____ to) (of a thing) capable of being acted upon in a particular way; susceptible to
- the patients had cardiac failure not ____ to medical treatment.
20
Q
banal
A
adjective
- so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring
- songs with ____, repeated words.
21
Q
brazen
A
adjective
- bold and without shame:
- he went about his illegal business with a ____ assurance
- a ____ hussy!
- harsh in sound:
- he music’s ____ chords.
22
Q
candid
A
adjective
- truthful and straightforward; frank
- his responses were remarkably ___
- a ____ discussion.
- (of a photograph of a person) taken informally, especially without the subject’s knowledge.
23
Q
caustic
A
adjective
- able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action
- a ____ cleaner.
- sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way
- the players were making ____ comments about the refereeing.
24
Q
construe
A
Verb
- interpret (a word or action) in a particular way
- his words could hardly be ____ as an apology.
- analyze the syntax of (a text, sentence, or word)
- both verbs can be ____ with either infinitive.
25
contrite
adjective
1. feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt
* *a broken and a ____ heart.*
26
convoluted
adjective
1. (especially of an argument, story, or sentence) extremely complex and difficult to follow
* *its _____ narrative encompasses all manner of digressions.*
* chiefly technical intricately folded, twisted, or coiled
* *walnuts come in hard and _____ shells.*
27
covet
verb [with obj.]
1. yearn to possess or have (something)
* *the president-elect ____ time for exercise and fishing*
2. (as adj. )
* *he won the ____ Booker Prize for fiction.*
28
craven
adjective
1. contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly
* *a ____ abdication of his moral duty.*
29
decorum
noun
1. behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety
* *you exhibit remarkable modesty and \_\_\_\_.*
2. etiquette
* *he had no idea of funeral \_\_\_\_.*
30
deft
adjective
1. neatly skillful and quick in one's movements
* *a ___ piece of footwork.*
2. demonstrating skill and cleverness
* *the script was both ___ and literate.*
31
demur
verb [no obj.]
1. raise doubts or objections or show reluctance
1. *normally she would have accepted the challenge, but she \_\_\_\_\_.*
2. Law
1. *put forward a \_\_\_\_\_-rer.*
noun [usu. with negative]
1. the action or process of objecting to or hesitating over something
* *they accepted this ruling without \_\_\_\_\_.*
32
diatribe
noun
1. a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something
* *a _____ against the Roman Catholic Church.*
33
abjure
verb [with object] formal
* solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim):
* *MPs were urged to ___ their Jacobite allegiance.*
34
arcane
adjective
* understood by few; mysterious or secret
* *\_\_\_ procedures for electing people.*
35
artless
adjective
* without guile or deception:
* *an \_\_\_\_, naive girl*
* *\_\_\_\_ sincerity.*
* • without effort or pretentiousness; natural and simple
* *an ____ literary masterpiece.*
* • without skill or finesse
* *her awkward, ____ prose*
36
assuage
* To lessen, calm or satisfy
* VERB. If you assuage an unpleasant feeling that someone has, you make them feel it less strongly.
* *The announcement appeared designed to ____ concerns at home and abroad. [VERB noun]*
* *She was just trying to ____ her guilt by playing the devoted mother. [VERB noun]*
* VERB. If you assuage a need or desire for something, you satisfy it.
* *The meat they'd managed to procure ____ their hunger*
37
bucolic
adjective
* relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life
* *the church is lovely for its ____ setting.*
38
burgeon
verb [no object]
* begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish:
* *the city's suburbs have \_\_\_-ed, sprawling out from the centre.*
39
cacophonous
adjective
* involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds:
* *the ____ sound of slot machines.*
40
canonize
verb [with object]
* (in the Roman Catholic Church) officially declare (a dead person) to be a saint:
* *he was the last English saint to be \_\_\_d prior to the Reformation.*
* treat or regard as being above reproach or of great significance:
* *we have \_\_\_-ed freedom of speech as an absolute value overriding all others.*
* place in or regard as belonging to a canon of literary or artistic works
* *Warhol is now \_\_\_\_\_d as one of the most important artists of the twentieth century*
41
censure
verb [with object]
* express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement:
* *the company was heavily \_\_\_-d by inspectors from the Department of Trade*
noun [mass noun]
* the formal expression of severe disapproval:
* *two MPs were singled out for censure*
42
chicanery
noun [mass noun]
* the use of deception (engaño) or subterfuge to achieve one's purpose:
* *storylines packed with ____ chicanery.*
43
coalesce
verb [no object]
* come together to form one mass or whole:
* the puddles had *\_\_-d* into shallow streams.
* • [with object] combine (elements) in a mass or whole:
* *his idea served to __ all that happened into one connected whole.*
44
cogent
adjective
* (of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing:
* *the newspaper's lawyers must prepare a ___ appeal.*
45
contend
verb
* [no object] (contend with/against) struggle to overcome/surmount (a difficulty):
* *she had to __ with his uncertain temper.*
* (contend for) compete with others in a struggle to achieve (something):
* *factions within the government were \_\_\_-ing for the succession to the presidency.*
* assert something as a position in an argument:
* *he \_\_\_-s that the judge was wrong.*
46
deference
noun [mass noun]
* polite submission and respect
* *he addressed her with the ___ due to age*
47
desultory
adjective
* lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm:
* *a few people were left, dancing in a ___ fashion.*
* (of conversation or speech) going from one subject to another in a half-hearted way:
* *the ___ conversation faded.*
* occurring randomly or occasionally:
* *\_\_\_ passengers were appearing.*
48
diffident
adjective
* modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence:
* *a __ youth.*
49
equivocal
adjective
* open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous:
* *the ___ nature of her remarks.*
* • (of a person) using ambiguous or evasive language:
* *he has always been ____ about the meaning of his lyrics.*
* • uncertain or questionable in nature:
* *the results of the investigation were \_\_\_.*
* \_\_te as as a verb:* use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself:
* *the government have \_\_\_ted too often in the past.*
50
prodigal
adjective
* spending money or using resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant:
* *\_\_\_ habits die hard.*
* having or giving something on a lavish scale:
* *the dessert was ___ with whipped cream.*
51
verbose
adjective
* using or expressed in more words than are needed:
* *much academic language is obscure and \_\_\_.*
52
cherish
verb [with object]
* protect and care for (someone) lovingly:
* *he cared for me beyond measure and \_\_\_ed me in his heart.*
* hold (something) dear:
* *I ____ the letters she wrote | (as adjective \_\_\_ed) : \_\_\_ed possessions.*
* keep (a hope or ambition) in one's mind:
* *he had long \_\_\_ed a secret fantasy about his future.*
53
disparate
adjective
* essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison
* *they inhabit _____ worlds of thought.*
* containing elements very different from one another
* *a culturally ___ country.*
54
emulate
verb [with object]
* match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation:
* *lesser men trying to ____ his greatness.*
* imitate:
* *hers is not a hairstyle I wish to \_\_\_\_.*
* *Computing* reproduce the function or action of (a different computer, software system, etc.).
55
fervid
adjective
* intensely enthusiastic or passionate, especially to an excessive degree:
* *his ___ protestations of love.*
* *literary* hot, burning, or glowing.
56
garrulous
adjective
* excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters
* *a ____ cab driver.*
57
inimical
adjective
* tending to obstruct or harm
* *the policy was ___ to Britain's real interests.*
* unfriendly; hostile
* an *\_\_\_* alien power.
58
paradigmatic
adjective
* serving as a typical example of something
* *his biography is ____ of the experiences of this generation.*
* of or denoting the relationship between a set of linguistic items that form mutually exclusive choices in particular syntactic roles. Contrasted with syntagmatic.
59
pedantic
adjective
* excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overscrupulous:
* *his analyses are careful and even painstaking, but never \_\_\_\_*
60
placid
adjective
* not easily upset or excited
* *a \_\_, contented man.*
* calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity:
* *the __ waters of a small lake.*
61
precipitate
verb |[with object]
* cause (an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely
* *the incident \_\_\_ed a political crisis.*
* [with object and adverbial of direction] cause to move suddenly and with force
* *suddenly the ladder broke, \_\_\_ing them down into a heap.*
* (precipitate someone/something into) send someone or something suddenly into a particular state or condition
* *they were \_\_\_ed into a conflict for which they were quite unprepared.*
* Chemistry cause (a substance) to be deposited in solid form from a solution
* *cell proteins were then \_\_\_ed and washed in 10% trichloroacetic acid.*
adjective | prɪˈsɪpɪtət |
* done, made, or acting suddenly or without careful consideration
* *I must apologize for my staff—their actions were \_\_\_ed*
62
punctilious
adjective
* showing great attention to detail or correct behaviour:
* *he was ___ in providing every amenity for his guests.*
63
recondite
adjective
* (of a subject or knowledge) little known; abstruse:
* *the book is full of ___ information.*
64
scrupulous
adjective
* (of a person or process) careful, thorough, and extremely attentive to details:
* *the research has been carried out with ___ attention to detail.*
* very concerned to avoid doing wrong:
* *she's too ___ to have an affair with a married man.*
65
tranquil
adjective
* free from disturbance; calm:
* *her ___ gaze*
* *the sea was \_\_\_.*
66
aloof
adjective
* not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant
* *they were courteous but faintly \_\_\_*
* *an ___ and somewhat austere figure.*
* • conspicuously uninvolved
* *he stayed ___ from the bickering.*
67
clangor
noun [in singular]
* a continuous loud banging or ringing sound
* *he went deaf because of the ___ of the steam hammers.*
68
debunk
verb [with object]
* expose the falseness or hollowness of (an idea or belief):
* *she \_\_\_s all the usual rubbish about acting.*
* reduce the inflated reputation of (someone):
* *comedy takes delight in \_\_\_ing heroes.*
69
estranged
adjective
* (of a person) no longer close or affectionate to someone; alienated
* *Harriet felt more \_\_ed from her daughter than ever*
* *her \_\_ed father.*
* • (of a wife or husband) no longer living with their spouse:
* *his \_\_ed wife.*
70
extravagant
adjective
* lacking restraint in spending money or using resources:
* *it was rather ___ to buy both.*
* resulting from or showing a lack of restraint in spending money or resources:
* ___ gifts like computer games.
* exceeding what is reasonable or appropriate; excessive or elaborate:
* *\_\_\_ claims about the merchandise*
71
fanciful
adjective
* over-imaginative and unrealistic:
* *ever more ____ proposals were raised.*
* existing only in the imagination:
* *\_\_\_\_ lunar inhabitants.*
* highly ornamental or imaginative in design:
* *a ____ Art Nouveau bar.*
72
frivolous
adjective
* not having any serious purpose or value:
* *\_\_\_\_ ribbons and lacy frills*
* *rules to stop ____ lawsuits.*
* • (of a person) carefree and superficial:
* *the \_\_\_\_, fun-loving flappers of the twenties*
73
imperious
adjective
* arrogant and domineering:
* *his ___ demands.*
74
irresolute
adjective
* showing or feeling hesitancy; uncertain:
* *she stood ___ outside his door.*
75
panache
noun
* [mass noun] flamboyant confidence of style or manner:
* *he entertained London society with great \_\_\_\_.*
* historical a tuft or plume of feathers, especially as a headdress or on a helmet.
76
plodding
adjective
* slow-moving and unexciting:
* *a ____ comedy drama.*
* (of a person) thorough and hard-working but lacking in imagination or intelligence
* *\_\_\_\_, methodical Ralph Bellamy.*
77
prosaic
adjective
* having or using the style or diction of prose as opposed to poetry; lacking imaginativeness or originality
* *\_\_\_ language can't convey the experience.*
* • commonplace; unromantic
* *the masses were too preoccupied by ___ day-to-day concerns.*
78
restive
adjective
* (of a person) unable to remain still, silent, or submissive, especially because of boredom or dissatisfaction:
* *the crowd had been waiting for hours and many were becoming \_\_\_*
* *he reiterated his determination to hold the ___ republics together.*
* (of a horse) stubbornly standing still or moving backwards or sideways; refusing to advance:
* *both their horses became ___ at once.*
79
undermine
verb [with object]
* erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation):
* *the flow of water had \_\_\_ed pillars supporting the roof.*
* dig or excavate beneath (a building or fortification) so as to make it collapse:
* *the demolition engineers did eventually ___ two of the tower's six sides.*
* lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of, especially gradually or insidiously:
* *this could ___ years of hard work*
80
weary
adjective (wearier, weariest)
* feeling or showing extreme tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion:
* *he gave a long, ___ sigh.*
* calling for a great amount of energy or endurance; tiring and tedious:
* *the ___ journey began again.*
* reluctant to see or experience any more of; tired of:
* *she was ___ of their constant arguments*
* *[in combination] : war-\_\_\_ Americans.*
81
zealous
adjective
* having or showing great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective:
* *the council was extremely ____ in the application of the regulations.*
82
admonish
verb [with object]
* warn or reprimand someone firmly:
* *she \_\_\_ed me for appearing at breakfast unshaven.*
* • [with object and infinitive] advise or urge (someone) earnestly:
* *she \_\_\_ed him to drink no more than one glass of wine.*
* *archaic* warn (someone) of something to be avoided:
* *he \_\_\_ed the people against the evil of such practices*
83
affectation
noun [mass noun]
* behaviour, speech, or writing that is pretentious and designed to impress:
* *the ___ of a man who measures every word for effect*
* [count noun] : *she called the room her boudoir, which he thought an \_\_\_.*
* [count noun] a studied display of real or pretended feeling:
* *an ___ of calm.*
84
bolster
verb [with object]
* support or strengthen:
* *the fall in interest rates is starting to ___ confidence.*
* provide (a seat) with padded support:
* *they \_\_\_ed the seats for a more comfortable ride.*
85
chauvunist
noun
* a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism.
* a person displaying excessive or prejudiced support for their own cause, group, or sex:
* *we don't want to lay ourselves open to charges that we're chauvinists*
* *a hard-drinking male chauvinist.*
86
dissemble
verb [no object]
* conceal or disguise one's true feelings or beliefs:
* *an honest, sincere person with no need to \_\_\_.*
* • [with object] disguise or conceal (a feeling or intention):
* *she smiled, \_\_\_ing her true emotion*
87
dogged
adjective
* having or showing tenacity and grim persistence:
* *success required \_\_\_ed determination.*
88
dupe
verb [with object]
* deceive; trick:
* *the newspaper was \_\_d into publishing an untrue story.*
noun
* a victim of deception:
* *men who were simply the \_\_s of their unscrupulous leaders.*
89
pertinacious
adjective formal
* holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action:
* *he worked with a ___ resistance to interruptions.*
90
presumptuous
adjective
* (of a person or their behaviour) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate:
* *I hope I won't be considered ___ if I offer some advice.*
91
probity
noun [mass noun] formal
* the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency:
* *financial \_\_\_.*
92
specious
adjective
* superficially plausible, but actually wrong:
* *a ___ argument.*
* misleading in appearance, especially misleadingly attractive:
* *the music trade gives Golden Oldies a ___ appearance of novelty.*
93
subvert
verb [with object]
* undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution):
* *an attempt to ___ democratic government.*
94
timorous
adjective
* showing or suffering from nervousness or a lack of confidence:
* *a __ voice.*
95
tractable
adjective
* (of a person) easy to control or influence:
* *she has always been ____ and obedient, even as a child.*
* • (of a situation or problem) easy to deal with:
* *trying to make the mathematics \_\_\_\_.*
96
transient
adjective
* lasting only for a short time; impermanent:
* *a ___ cold spell.*
* staying or working in a place for a short time only:
* *the ___ nature of the labour force in catering.*
noun
* a person who is staying or working in a place for a short time only.
* a momentary variation in current, voltage, or frequency.
pasajero
97
ubiquitious
adjective
* present, appearing, or found everywhere:
* *his ___ influence was felt by all the family*
* *cowboy hats are ___ among the male singers.*
98
underscore
noun
* a line drawn under a word or phrase for emphasis.
* (on a computer or typewriter keyboard) a short horizontal line _ on the baseline.
verb
* underline (something).
* emphasize:
* *the company __ the progress made with fuel cells.*
99
venal
adjective
* showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery; corrupt:
* *local customs officers are notoriously \_\_*
* *their generosity had been at least partly \_\_.*
100
dearth
noun
* a scarcity or lack of something:
* *there is a ___ of evidence.*
* Archaic a situation where food is in short supply.
101
hyperbole
noun [mass noun]
* exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally:
* *he vowed revenge with oaths and \_\_\_*
* *[mass noun] : you can't accuse us of \_\_\_*
102
indolent
adjective
* wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy:
* *they were ____ and addicted to a life of pleasure.*
* Medicine (of a disease or condition) causing little or no pain.
* (especially of an ulcer) slow to develop, progress, or heal; persistent
103
insular
adjective
* ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience:
* *a stubbornly ___ farming people.*
* lacking contact with other people:
* *people living restricted and sometimes ___ existences.*
* relating to or from an island:
* *goods of ___ origin.*
* (of climate) equable because of the influence of the sea.
104
intransigent
adjective
* unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something:
* *her father had tried persuasion, but she was \_\_\_*
105
loathe
verb [with object]
* feel intense dislike or disgust for:
* *she __ him on sight.*
106
platitude
noun
* a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful:
* *she began uttering liberal \_\_\_.*
107
sedulous
adjective
* (of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence:
* *he watched himself with the most __ care.*
108
stern
adjective
* (of a person or their manner) serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline:
* *a smile transformed his ____ face*
* *Mama looked \_\_\_\_.*
* (of an act or statement) strict and severe:
* *\_\_\_\_ measures to restrict vehicle growth.*
* (of competition or opposition) putting someone or something under extreme pressure:
* *the past year has been a ____ test of the ability of British industry.*
109
tendentious
adjective
* expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one:
* *a ___ reading of history.*
110
convivial
adjective
* (of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable:
* *a ____ cocktail party.*
* (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial:
* *she was relaxed and \_\_\_\_.*
111
agregious
adjective
* outstandingly bad; shocking:
* *\_\_\_ abuses of copyright.*
* archaic remarkably good
112
evanescent
adjective
* mainly literary soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing:
* *the evanescent Arctic summer.*
113
forestal
verb [with object]
* prevent or obstruct (an anticipated event or action) by taking advance action:
* *they will present their resignations to ____ a vote of no confidence.*
* act in advance of (someone) in order to prevent them from doing something:
* *he would have spoken but David ____ him.*
* *historical* buy up (goods) in order to profit by an enhanced price.
114
gainsay
verb
* deny or contradict (a fact or statement):
* *the impact of the railways cannot be \_\_\_\_d.*
* • speak against or oppose (someone):
* *none could ____ her.*
115
galvanize
verb [with object]
* shock or excite (someone) into taking action:
* *the urgency of his voice \_\_\_\_d them into action.*
* coat (iron or steel) with a protective layer of zinc:
* *they promised they would ____ the iron railings to prevent rusting.*
116
indiscriminate
adjective
* done at random or without careful judgement:
* *the ____ use of antibiotics can cause problems.*
* • (of a person) not using or exercising discrimination:
* *she was ____ with her affections*
117
nettlesome
adjective mainly US
* causing annoyance or difficulty:
* *\_\_\_\_ regional disputes.*
118
obviate
verb [with object]
* remove (a need or difficulty):
* *the presence of roller blinds \_\_\_\_d the need for curtains.*
* avoid or prevent (something undesirable):
* *a parachute can be used to ____ disaster.*
119
oust
verb [with object]
* drive out or expel (someone) from a position or place:
* *the reformists were \_\_\_ed from power.*
* *Law* deprive of or exclude from possession of something. Take away (a court's jurisdiction) in a matter.
120
perfidy
noun [mass noun] literary
* the state of being deceitful and untrustworthy:
* *it was an example of his \_\_\_*
121
profuse
adjective
* (especially of something offered or discharged) very plentiful; abundant:
* *I offered my ___ apologies.*
* • *archaic* (of a person) extravagant:
* *they are __ in hospitality.*
122
sagacious
adjective
* having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement; wise or shrewd:
* *they were ___ enough to avoid any outright confrontation.*
123
sanguine
adjective
* optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation:
* *he is ____ about prospects for the global economy*
* *the committee takes a more ____ view.*
124
scant
adjective
* barely sufficient or adequate:
* *companies with ____ regard for the safety of future generations.*
* [attributive] barely amounting to a specified number or quantity:
* *she weighed a ____ two pounds.*
125
skulduggery
noun [mass noun]
* underhand, unscrupulous, or dishonest behaviour or activities:
* *a firm that investigates commercial \_\_*
126
vapid
adjective
* offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; bland:
* *tuneful but ___ musical comedies.*
127
boorish
adjective
* rough and bad-mannered; coarse:
* *\_\_\_ behaviour.*
128
brook
verb [with object and negative] formal
* tolerate or allow (something, typically dissent or opposition):
* *Jenny would ___ no criticism of Matthew.*
129
circumspect
adjective
* wary and unwilling to take risks:
* *the officials were very ___ in their statements.*
130
comity
noun (plural comities) formal
* an association of nations for their mutual benefit.
* [mass noun] courtesy and considerate behaviour towards others:
* *a show of public __ in the White House.*
131
deleterious
adjective formal
* causing harm or damage:
* *divorce is assumed to have ___ effects on children.*
132
edify
verb
* instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually:
* *Rachel had \_\_ed their childhood with frequent readings from Belloc.*
133
elicit
* evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer, or fact) from someone:
* *I tried to ___ a smile from Joanna*
* *the work \_\_ed enormous public interest.*
134
feeble
adjective
* lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness:
* *by now, he was too ____ to leave his room.*
* (of a sound) faint:
* *her ____ cries of pain.*
* lacking strength of character: I
* *know it's ____ but I've never been one to stand up for myself.*
* failing to convince or impress:
* *a ____ excuse.*
135
forbear
* politely or patiently restrain an impulse to do something; refrain:
* *he modestly ___ to include his own work.*
* • [with object] refrain from doing or using (something):
* *Rebecca could not ___ a smile.*
136
haphazard
adjective
* lacking any obvious principle of organization:
* *the music business works in a ___ fashion.*
137
hodgepodge
noun North American
* a confused mixture; a hotchpotch:
* *Rob's living room was a ___ of modern furniture and antiques.*
138
mordant
adjective
* (especially of humour) having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting:
* *a ___ sense of humour.*
139
outstrip
verb (outstrips, outstripping, outstripped) [with object]
* move faster than and overtake (someone else):
* *during the morning warm-up, he once again \_\_ed the field.*
* • exceed:
* *supply far \_\_ed demand.*
140
precarious
adjective
* not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse:
* *a __ ladder.*
* dependent on chance; uncertain:
* *he made a ___ living as a painter.*
141
trifling
adjective
* unimportant or trivial:
* *a ___ sum.*
142
acumen
noun [mass noun]
* the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions:
* *she hides a shrewd business -\_\_\_.*
143
befuddled
adjective
* unable to think clearly; confused or perplexed:
* *even in my __ state I could see that they meant trouble*
* *he has an air of __ unworldliness.*
144
eschew
verb [with object]
* deliberately avoid using; abstain from:
* *he appealed to the crowd to ___ violence*
145
esoteric
adjective
* intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest:
* *\_\_ philosophical debates.*
146
exculpate
verb [with object] formal
* show or declare that (someone) is not guilty of wrongdoing:
* *the article \_\_\_d the mayor.*
147
fastidious
adjective
* very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail:
* *she dressed with ___ care.*
* very concerned about matters of cleanliness:
* *the child seemed ___ about getting her fingers dirty*
148
feign
verb [with object]
* pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury):
* *she \_\_ed nervousness.*
fingir
149
hamper
noun
* a basket with a carrying handle and a hinged lid, used for food, cutlery, and plates on a picnic:
* *a picnic \_\_\_\_.*
* North American a large basket with a lid, used for laundry:
* *a laundry \_\_\_\_.*
150
nonchalant
adjective
* (of a person or manner) feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm:
* *she gave a ___ shrug.*
151
portend
verb [with object]
* be a sign or warning that (something, especially something momentous or calamitous) is likely to happen:
* *the eclipses ____ some major events.*
152
salutary
adjective
* (especially with reference to something unwelcome or unpleasant) producing good effects; beneficial:
* *it failed to draw __ lessons from Britain's loss of its colonies.*
153
sever
verb [with object]
* divide by cutting or slicing, especially suddenly and forcibly:
* *the head was \_\_\_\_d from the body.*
* • put an end to (a connection or relationship); break off:
* *the notice itself may be sufficient to ____ the joint tenancy.*
154
slight
adjective
* small in degree; inconsiderable:
* *a ____ increase*
* *a ____ ankle injury*
* *the chance of success is very \_\_\_\_.*
* (especially of a creative work) not profound or substantial; rather trivial or superficial:
* *a ____ romantic comedy.*
* (of a person or their build) not sturdy; thin or slender:
* *she was ____ and delicate-looking.*
155
supersede
verb [with object]
* take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); supplant:
* *the older models of car have now been \_\_\_.*
156
tout
Verb
* [with object] attempt to sell (something), typically by a direct or persistent approach:
* *Sanjay was \_\_\_\_ing his wares*
* *shop managers would stand in the street \_\_\_\_ing for business.*
* attempt to persuade people of the merits of:
* *she was **\_\_\_\_ed** as a potential Prime Minister.*
157
wane
verb [no object]
* (of the moon) have a progressively smaller part of its visible surface illuminated, so that it appears to decrease in size.
* (of a state or feeling) decrease in vigour or extent; become weaker:
* *confidence in the dollar \_\_\_ed.*
*menguar*
