Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

hspt 2 > hspt_level2 > Flashcards

hspt_level2 Flashcards

1
Q

scapegoat

A

scapegoat - (noun) someone who bears the blame for others_ acts; someone hated for no apparent reason. Although Buckner_s error was only one reason the Red Sox lost; many fans made him the scapegoat; booing him mercilessly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

decorous

A

decorous - (adjective) having good taste; proper; appropriate. Prior to her visit to Buckingham Palace; the young woman was instructed to demonstrate the most decorous behavior. decorum (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

exasperate

A

exasperate - (verb) to irritate or annoy. Because she was trying to study; Sharon was exasperated by the yelling of her neighbors_ children.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

culpable

A

culpable - (adjective) deserving blame; guilty. Although he committed the crime; because he was mentally ill he should not be considered culpable for his actions. culpability (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

flagrant

A

flagrant - (adjective) obviously wrong; offensive. Nixon was forced to resign the presidency after a series of flagrant crimes against the U.S. Constitution. flagrancy (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

mutable

A

mutable - (adjective) likely to change. A politician_s reputation can be highly mutable; as seen in the case of Harry Truman_ mocked during his lifetime; revered afterward.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

pellucid

A

pellucid - (adjective) very clear; transparent; easy to understand. The water in the mountain stream was cold and pellucid. Thanks to the professor_s pellucid explanation; I finally understand relativity theory.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

disconcert

A

disconcert - (verb) to confuse or embarrass. When the hallway bells began to ring halfway through her lecture; the speaker was disconcerted and didn_t know what to do.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

obsolete

A

obsolete - (adjective) no longer current; old-fashioned.

W. H. Auden said that his ideal landscape would include water wheels; wooden grain mills; and other forms of obsolete machinery.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

precocious

A

precocious - (adjective) mature at an unusually early age.

Picasso was so precocious as an artist that; at nine; he is said to have painted far better pictures than his teacher.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

deter

A

deter - (verb) to discourage from acting.

The best way to deter crime is to ensure that criminals will receive swift and certain punishment.

deterrent (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

hierarchy

A

hierarchy - (noun) a ranking of people; things; or ideas from highest to lowest.

A cabinet secretary ranks just below the president and vice president in the hierarchy of the executive branch. hierarchical (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

inviolable

A

inviolable - (adjective) impossible to attack or trespass upon.

In the president’s remote hideaway at Camp David, guarded by the Secret Service, his privacy is, for once, inviolable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

denigrate

A

denigrate - (verb) to criticize or belittle.

The firm’s new president tried to explain his plans for improving the company without appearing to denigrate the work of his predecessor. denigration (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

encroach

A

encroach - (verb) to go beyond acceptable limits; to trespass.

By quietly seizing more and more authority, Robert Moses continually encroached on the powers of other government leaders.

encroachment (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

diffident

A

diffident - (adjective) hesitant; reserved; shy.

Someone with a diffident personality should pursue a career that involves little public contact. diffidence (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

inoculate

A

inoculate - (verb) to prevent a disease by infusing with a disease causing organism.

Pasteur found he could prevent rabies by inoculating patients with the virus that causes the disease. inoculation (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

nonchalant

A

nonchalant - (adjective) appearing to be unconcerned.

Unlike the other players on the football team who pumped their fists when their names were announced, John ran on the field with a nonchalant wave.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

liability

A

liability - (noun) an obligation or debt; a weakness or drawback.

The insurance company had a liability of millions of dollars after the town was destroyed by a tornado.

Slowness afoot is a serious liability in an aspiring basketball player.

liable(adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

condolence

A

condolence - (noun) pity for someone else’s sorrow or loss; sympathy.

After the sudden death of Princess Diana, thousands of messages of condolence were sent to her family. condole (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

detractor

A

detractor - (noun) someone who belittles or disparages.

Neil Diamond has many detractors who consider his music boring, inane, and sentimental.

detract (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

gregarious

A

gregarious - (adjective) enjoying the company of others; sociable.

Naturally gregarious, Emily is a popular member of several clubs and a sought-after lunch companion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

inherent

A

inherent - (adjective) naturally part of something.

Compromise is inherent in democracy, since everyone cannot get his or her way.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

surfeit

A

surfeit - (noun) an excess.

Most American families have a surfeit of food and drink on Thanksgiving Day.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

emissary

A

emissary - (noun) someone who represents another.

In an effort to avoid a military showdown, former President Jimmy Carter was sent as an emissary to Korea to negotiate a settlement.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

transient

A

transient - (adjective) passing quickly.

Long-term visitors to this hotel pay a different rate than transient guests who stay for just a day or two.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

fragility

A

fragility - (noun) the quality of being easy to break; delicacy; weakness.

Because of their fragility, few stained-glass windows from the early Middle Ages have survived.

fragile (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

anomaly

A

anomaly - (noun) something different or irregular.

Since my son has a history of failing classes, his good grades are a welcome anomaly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

arbitrary

A

arbitrary - (adjective) based on random or merely personal preference.

Both computers cost the same and had the same features, so in the end I made an arbitrary decision about which one to buy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

usurper

A

usurper - (noun) someone who takes a place or possession without the right to do so.

Kennedy’s most devoted followers tended to regard later presidents as usurpers, holding the of ice they felt he or his brothers should have held.

usurp (verb)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

catalytic

A

catalytic - (adjective) bringing about; causing; or producing some result.

The conditions for revolution existed in America by 1765; the disputes about taxation that arose later were the catalytic events that sparked the rebellion. catalyze (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

validate

A

validate - (verb) to officially approve or confirm.

The election of the president is validated when the members of the Electoral College meet to confirm the choice of the voters.

valid (adjective); validity (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

morose

A

morose - (adjective) gloomy; sullen.

After Chuck’s girlfriend dumped him, he lay around the house for a couple of days, feeling morose.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

tenacious

A

tenacious - (adjective) clinging; sticky; or persistent.

Tenacious in pursuit of her goal, she applied for the grant unsuccessfully four times before it was finally approved.

tenacity (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

prominence

A

prominence - (noun) the quality of standing out; fame.

Barack Obama rose to political prominence after his keynote address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

prominent (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

criterion

A

criterion - (noun) a standard of measurement or judgment.

In choosing a design for the new taxicabs; reliability will be our main criterion.

criteria (plural).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

malinger

A

malinger - (verb) to pretend incapacity or illness to avoid a duty or work

During the labor dispute; hundreds of employees malingered; forcing the company to slow production and costing it millions in profits.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

conciliatory

A

conciliatory - (adjective) seeking agreement; compromise; or reconciliation.

Despite his conciliatory gesture, Franklin could not forgive the man who accidentally shot his dog.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

perfidious

A

perfidious - (adjective) disloyal; treacherous.

Although he was one of the most talented generals of the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold is remembered today as a perfidious betrayer of his country.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

proliferate

A

proliferate - (verb) to increase or multiply.

Over the past twenty-five years, high-tech companies have proliferated in northern California, Massachusetts, and Seattle.

proliferation (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

intrusive

A

intrusive - (adjective) forcing a way in without being welcome.

The legal requirement of a search warrant is supposed to protect Americans from intrusive searches by the police.

intrude (verb); intrusion (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

disparage

A

disparage - (verb) to speak disrespectfully about; to belittle.

Many political ads today both praise their own candidate and disparage his or her opponent.

disparagement (noun); disparaging (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

guileless

A

guileless - (adjective) without cunning; innocent.

Deborah’s guileless personality and complete honesty make it hard for her to survive in the harsh world of politics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

inconsequential

A

inconsequential - (adjective) of little importance.

When the flat screen TV was delivered; it was a different shade of gray than I expected; but the difference was inconsequential.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

temerity

A

temerity - (noun) boldness; rashness; excessive daring.

Only someone who didn’t understand the danger would have the temerity to try to climb Everest without a guide.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

repudiate

A

repudiate - (verb) to reject; to renounce.

After it became known that Duke had been a leader of the Ku Klux Klan, most Republican leaders repudiated him.

repudiation (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

vindicate

A

vindicate - (verb) to confirm; justify; or defend.

Although the new evidence seems to vindicate the defendant of the breaking and entering charges, there is still the matter of the assault.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

chaos

A

chaos - (noun) disorder; confusion; chance.

The first few moments after the explosion were pure chaos: no one was sure what had happened; and the area was filled with people running and yelling. chaotic (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

relevance

A

relevance - (noun) connection to the matter at hand; pertinence.

Testimony in a criminal trial may be admitted only if it has clear relevance to the question of guilt or innocence.

relevant (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

nocturnal

A

nocturnal - (adjective) of the night; active at night.

Travelers on the Underground Railroad escaped from slavery to the North by a series of nocturnal flights.

The eyes of nocturnal animals must be sensitive in dim light.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

dissonance

A

dissonance - (noun) lack of music harmony; lack of agreement between ideas.

There is a great deal of dissonance between what a liar says and does.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

enhance

A

enhance - (verb) to improve in value or quality.

New kitchen appliances will enhance your house and increase the amount of money you’ll make when you sell it.

enhancement (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

surrogate

A

surrogate - (noun) a substitute.

When the congressman died, his wife was named to serve the rest of his term as a surrogate. surrogate (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

salvage

A

salvage - (verb) to save from wreck or ruin.

After the hurricane destroyed her home; she was able to salvage only a few of her belongings.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

durable

A

durable - (adjective) long lasting.

Denim is a popular material for work clothes because it is strong and durable.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

incompatible

A

incompatible - (adjective) unable to exist together; conflicting.

Many people hold seemingly incompatible beliefs: for example; supporting the death penalty while believing in the sacredness of human life. incompatibility (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

squander

A

squander - (verb) to use up carelessly; to waste.

Those who had made donations to the charity were outraged to learn that its director had squandered millions on fancy dinners and first class travel.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

untimely

A

untimely - (adjective) out of the natural or proper time.

The untimely death of a youthful Princess Diana seemed far more tragic than Mother Teresa’s death of old age.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

carping

A

carping - (adjective) unfairly or excessively critical.

New York is famous for its demanding critics, but none is harder to please than the carping John Simon; said to have singlehandedly destroyed many acting careers. carp (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

destitute

A

destitute - (adjective) very poor.

Years of rule by a dictator who stole the wealth of the country had left the people of the Philippines destitute. destitution (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

emollient

A

emollient - (noun) something that softens or soothes.

She used a hand cream as an emollient on her dry; work-roughened hands. emollient (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

dominant

A

dominant - (adjective) greatest in importance or power.

Turner’s Frontier Thesis suggests that the existence of the frontier had a dominant influence on American culture. dominate (verb); domination (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

innocuous

A

innocuous - (adjective) harmless; inoffensive. I was surprised that Melissa took offense at such an innocuous joke.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

formidable

A

formidable - (adjective) awesome; impressive; or frightening. According to his plaque in the Baseball Hall of Fame; pitcher Tom Seaver turned the New York Mets _from lovable losers into formidable foes._

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

fugitive

A

fugitive - (noun) someone trying to escape. When two prisoners broke out of the local jail; police were warned to keep an eye out for the fugitives. fugitive (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

therapeutic

A

therapeutic - (adjective) curing or helping to cure. Hot-water spas were popular in the nineteenth century among the sickly; who believed that soaking in the water had therapeutic effects. therapy (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

rationale

A

rationale - (noun) an underlying reason or explanation. Looking at the sad faces of his employees; it was hard for the company president to explain the rationale for closing the business.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

vicarious

A

vicarious - (adjective) experienced through someone else_s actions by way of the imagination. Great literature broadens our minds by giving us vicarious participation in the lives of other people.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

lurid

A

lurid - (adjective) shocking; gruesome. While the serial killer was on the loose; the newspapers were filled with lurid stories about his crimes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

abrasive

A

abrasive - (adjective) irritating; grinding; rough. The manager_s rude; abrasive way of criticizing the workers was bad for morale. abrasion (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

impute

A

impute - (verb) to credit or give responsibility to; to attribute. Although Helena_s comments embarrassed me; I don_t impute any ill will to her; I think she didn_t realize what she was saying. imputation (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

induce

A

induce - (verb) to cause. The doctor prescribed a medicine that was supposed to induce a lowering of the blood pressure. induction (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

refurbish

A

refurbish - (verb) to fix up; renovate. It took three days_ work by a team of carpenters; painters; and decorators to completely refurbish the apartment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

remorse

A

remorse - (noun) a painful sense of guilt over wrongdoing. In Poe_s story The Tell-Tale Heart; a murderer is driven insane by remorse over his crime. remorseful (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

antiseptic

A

antiseptic - (adjective) fighting infection; extremely clean. A wound should be washed with an antiseptic solution. The all-white of ices were bare and almost antiseptic in their starkness.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

convoluted

A

convoluted - (adjective) twisting; complicated; intricate. Tax law has become so convoluted that it_s easy for people to accidentally violate it. convolute (verb); convolution (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

disruptive

A

disruptive - (adjective) causing disorder; interrupting. When the senator spoke at our college; angry demonstrators picketed; heckled; and engaged in other disruptive activities. disrupt (verb); disruption (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

dissipate

A

dissipate - (verb) to spread out or scatter. The windows and doors were opened; allowing the smoke that had filled the room to dissipate. dissipation (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

terminate

A

terminate - (verb) to end; to close. The Olympic Games terminate with a grand ceremony attended by athletes from every participating country. terminal (noun); termination (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

indeterminate

A

indeterminate - (adjective) not definitely known. The college plans to enroll an indeterminate number of students; the size of the class will depend on the number of applicants and how many accept offers of admission. determine (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

derivative

A

derivative - (adjective) taken from a particular source. When a person first writes poetry; her poems are apt to be derivative of whatever poetry she most enjoys reading. derivation (noun); derive (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

novice

A

novice - (noun) beginner. Lifting your head before you finish your swing is a typical mistake committed by the novice at golf.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

unstinting

A

unstinting - (adjective) giving freely and generously. Eleanor Roosevelt was much admired for her unstinting efforts on behalf of the poor.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

verdant

A

verdant - (adjective) green with plant life. Southern England is famous for its verdant countryside filled with gardens and small farms. verdancy (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

diversion

A

diversion - (noun) a distraction or pastime. During the two hours he spent in the doctor_s waiting room; the game on his cell phone was a welcome diversion. divert (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

dissemble

A

dissemble - (verb) to pretend; to simulate. When the police questioned her about the crime; she dissembled innocence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

unparalleled

A

unparalleled - (adjective) with no equal; unique. Tiger Woods_s victory in the Masters golf tournament by a full twelve strokes was an unparalleled accomplishment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

utilitarian

A

utilitarian - (adjective) purely of practical benefit. The design of the Model T car was simple and utilitarian; lacking the luxuries found in later models.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

elated

A

elated - (adjective) excited and happy; exultant. When the New England Patriots_ last; desperate pass was dropped; the elated fans of the New York Giants began to celebrate. elate (verb); elation (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

circumscribe

A

circumscribe - (verb) to define by a limit or boundary. Originally; the role of the executive branch of government was clearly circumscribed; but that role has greatly expanded over time. circumscription (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

contemporary

A

contemporary - (adjective) modern; current; from the same time. I prefer old-fashioned furniture rather than contemporary styles. The composer Vivaldi was roughly contemporary with Bach. contemporary (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

cohesive

A

cohesive - (adjective) sticking together; unified. An effective military unit must be a cohesive team; all its members working together for a common goal. cohere (verb); cohesion (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

extol

A

extol - (verb) to greatly praise. At the party convention; speaker after speaker rose to extol their candidate for the presidency.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

genial

A

genial - (adjective) friendly; gracious. A good host welcomes all visitors in a warm and genial fashion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

diligent

A

diligent - (adjective) working hard and steadily. Through diligent efforts; the townspeople were able to clear away the debris from the flood in a matter of days. diligence (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

exacerbate

A

exacerbate - (verb) to make worse or more severe. The roads in our town already have too much traffic; building a new shopping mall will exacerbate the problem.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

mitigate

A

mitigate - (verb) to make less severe; to relieve. Wallace certainly committed the assault; but the verbal abuse he_d received helps to explain his behavior and somewhat mitigates his guilt. mitigation (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

inundate

A

inundate - (verb) to flood; to overwhelm. As soon as the playoff tickets went on sale; eager fans inundated the box of ice with orders.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

longevity

A

longevity - (noun) length of life; durability. The reduction in early deaths from infectious diseases is responsible for most of the increase in human longevity over the past two centuries.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

munificent

A

munificent - (adjective) very generous; lavish. Ted Turner_s billion-dollar donation to the United Nations was one of the most munificent acts of charity in history. munificence (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

truculent

A

truculent - (adjective) aggressive; hostile; belligerent. Hitler_s truculent behavior in demanding more territory for Germany made it clear that war was inevitable. truculence (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

vivacious

A

vivacious - (adjective) lively; sprightly. The role of Maria in The Sound of Music is usually played by a charming; vivacious young actress. vivacity (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

diminutive

A

diminutive - (adjective) unusually small; tiny. Children are fond of Shetland ponies because their diminutive size makes them easy to ride. diminution (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

elusive

A

elusive - (adjective) hard to capture; grasp; or understand. Though everyone thinks they know what _justice_ is; when you try to define the concept precisely; it proves to be quite elusive.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

remedial

A

remedial - (adjective) serving to remedy; cure; or correct some condition. Affirmative action can be justified as a remedial step to help minority members overcome the effects of past discrimination. remediation (noun); remedy (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

deleterious

A

deleterious - (adjective) harmful. About thirty years ago; scientists proved that working with asbestos could be deleterious to one_s health; producing cancer and other diseases.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

insipid

A

insipid - (adjective) flavorless; uninteresting. Some TV shows are so insipid that you can watch them while reading without missing a thing. insipidity (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

renunciation

A

renunciation - (noun) the act of rejecting or refusing something. King Edward VII_s renunciation of the British throne was caused by his desire to marry an American divorcee; something he couldn_t do as king. renounce (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

contrite

A

contrite - (adjective) sorry for past misdeeds. The public is often willing to forgive celebrities who are involved in some scandal; as long as they appear contrite. contrition (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

interminable

A

interminable - (adjective) endless or seemingly endless. Addressing the United Nations; Castro announced; _We will be brief__ then delivered an interminable 4-hour speech.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

rhapsodize

A

rhapsodize - (verb) to praise in a wildly emotional way. That critic is such a huge fan of Toni Morrison that she will surely rhapsodize over the writer_s next novel. rhapsodic (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

astute

A

astute - (adjective) observant; intelligent; and shrewd. Safire_s years of experience in Washington and his personal acquaintance with many political insiders made him an astute commentator on politics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

tactile

A

tactile - (adjective) relating to the sense of touch. The thick brush strokes and gobs of color give the paintings of van Gogh a strongly tactile quality. tactility (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

fraternize

A

fraternize - (verb) to associate with on friendly terms. Although baseball players aren_t supposed to fraternize with their opponents; players from opposing teams often chat before games. fraternization (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

discrepancy

A

discrepancy - (noun) a difference or variance between two or more things. The discrepancies between the two witnesses_ stories show that one of them must be lying. discrepant (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

solace

A

solace - (verb) to comfort or console. There was little the rabbi could say to solace the husband after his wife_s death. solace (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

laudatory

A

laudatory - (adjective) giving praise. The ads for the movie are filled with laudatory comments from critics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

discreet

A

discreet - (adjective) showing good judgment in speech and behavior. Be discreet when discussing confidential business matters_ don_t talk among strangers on the elevator; for example. discretion (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

pallid

A

pallid - (adjective) pale; dull. Working all day in the coal mine had given him a pallid complexion. The new musical offers only pallid entertainment: the music is lifeless; the acting dull; the story absurd.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
80
Q

efficacious

A

efficacious - (adjective) able to produce a desired effect. Though thousands of people today are taking herbal supplements to treat depression; researchers have not yet proved them efficacious. efficacy (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
81
Q

equanimity

A

equanimity - (noun) calmness of mind; especially under stress. FDR had the gift of facing the great crises of his presidency_the Depression and the Second World War_with equanimity and even humor.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
82
Q

euphoric

A

euphoric - (adjective) a feeling of extreme happiness and wellbeing; elation. One often feels euphoric during the earliest days of a new love affair. euphoria (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
83
Q

collaborate

A

collaborate - (verb) to work together. To create a truly successful movie; the director; writers; actors; and many others must collaborate closely. collaboration ( no un); collaborative (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
83
Q

consensus

A

consensus - (noun) general agreement among a group. Among Quakers; voting traditionally is not used; instead; discussion continues until the entire group forms a consensus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

hackneyed

A

hackneyed - (adjective) without originality; trite. When someone invented the phrase; _No pain; no gain;_ it was clever; but now it is so commonly heard that it seems hackneyed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

ineffable

A

ineffable - (adjective) difficult to describe or express. He gazed in silence at the sunrise over the Taj Mahal; his eyes reflecting an ineffable sense of wonder.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

obsessive

A

obsessive - (adjective) haunted or preoccupied by an idea or feeling. His concern with cleanliness became so obsessive that he washed his hands twenty times every day. obsess (verb); obsession (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

placate

A

placate - (verb) to soothe or appease. The waiter tried to placate the angry customer with the offer of a free dessert. placatory (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

vex

A

vex - (verb) to irritate; annoy; or trouble. It vexes me that she never helps with any chores around the house. vexation (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
85
Q

divination

A

divination - (noun) the art of predicting the future. In ancient Greece; people wanting to know their fate would visit the priests at Delphi; supposedly skilled at divination. divine (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
85
Q

persevere

A

persevere - (adjective) to continue despite difficulties. Although several of her teammates dropped out of the marathon; Gail persevered. perseverance (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
85
Q

sully

A

sully - (verb) to soil; stain; or defile. Nixon_s misdeeds as president did much to sully the reputation of the American government.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
87
Q

allege

A

allege - (verb) to state without proof. Some have alleged that Foster was murdered; but all the evidence points to suicide. allegation (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
88
Q

frugal

A

frugal - (adjective) spending little. With our last few dollars; we bought a frugal dinner: a loaf of bread and a piece of cheese. frugality (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
88
Q

heinous

A

heinous - (adjective) very evil; hateful. The massacre by Pol Pot of more than a million Cambodians is one of the twentieth century_s most heinous crimes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
90
Q

ambivalent

A

ambivalent - (adjective) having two or more contradictory feelings or attitudes; uncertain. She was ambivalent toward her impending marriage; at times she was eager to go ahead; while at other times she wanted to call it of . ambivalence (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
91
Q

expertise

A

expertise - (noun) skill; mastery. The software company was eager to hire new graduates with programming expertise.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
92
Q

prolific

A

prolific - (adjective) producing many offspring or creations. With more than 300 books to his credit; Isaac Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
93
Q

objective

A

objective - (adjective) dealing with observable facts rather than opinions or interpretations. When a legal case involves a shocking crime; it may be hard for a judge to remain objective in his rulings.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
94
Q

competent

A

competent - (adjective) having the skill and knowledge needed for a particular task; capable. Any competent lawyer can draw up a will. competence (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
95
Q

idolatry

A

idolatry - (noun) the worship of a person; thing; or institution as a god. In Communist China; Chairman Mao was the subject of idolatry; his picture was displayed everywhere; and millions of Chinese memorized his sayings. idolatrous (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
97
Q

arable

A

arable - (adjective) able to be cultivated for growing crops. Rocky New England has relatively little arable farmland.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
98
Q

lenient

A

lenient - (adjective) mild; soothing; or forgiving. The judge was known for his lenient disposition; he rarely imposed long jail sentences on criminals. leniency (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
100
Q

bourgeois

A

bourgeois - (adjective) middle class or reflecting middle-class values. The Dadaists of the 1920s produced art deliberately designed to of end bourgeois art collectors; with their taste for respectable; refined; uncontroversial pictures. bourgeois (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
101
Q

predatory

A

predatory - (adjective) living by killing and eating other animals; exploiting others for personal gain. The tiger is the largest predatory animal native to Asia. Microsoft has been accused of predatory business practices that prevent other software companies from competing with it. predation (noun); predator (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
102
Q

hypocrisy

A

hypocrisy - (noun) a false pretense of virtue. When the sexual misconduct of the television preacher was exposed; his followers were shocked at his hypocrisy. hypocritical (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
103
Q

refute

A

refute - (verb) to prove false. The company invited reporters to visit their plant in an effort to refute the charges of unsafe working conditions. refutation (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
103
Q

sagacious

A

sagacious - (adjective) discerning; wise. Only a leader as sagacious as Nelson Mandela could have united South Africa so successfully and peacefully. sagacity (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
104
Q

recuperate

A

recuperate - (verb) to regain health after an illness. Although Marie left the hospital two days after her operation; it took her a few weeks to fully recuperate. recuperation (noun); recuperative (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
105
Q

alacrity

A

alacrity - (noun) promptness; speed. Thrilled with the job offer; he accepted with alacrity__Before they can change their minds! _he thought. alacritous (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
105
Q

permeate

A

permeate - (verb) to spread through or penetrate. Little by little; the smell of gas from the broken pipe permeated the house.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
106
Q

invincible

A

invincible - (adjective) impossible to conquer or overcome. For three years at the height of his career; boxer Mike Tyson seemed invincible.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
108
Q

censure

A

censure - (noun) blame; condemnation. The news that the senator had harassed several women brought censure from many feminists. censure (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
109
Q

nondescript

A

nondescript - (adjective) without distinctive qualities; drab. The bank robber_s clothes were nondescript; none of the witnesses could remember their color or style.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
109
Q

secrete

A

secrete - (verb) to emit; to hide. Glands in the mouth secrete saliva; a liquid that helps in digestion. The jewel thieves secreted the necklace in a tin box buried underground.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
110
Q

restitution

A

restitution - (noun) return of something to its original owner; repayment. Some Native American leaders are demanding that the U.S. government make restitution for the lands taken from them.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
112
Q

arcane

A

arcane - (adjective) little-known; mysterious; obscure. Eliot_s Waste Land is filled with arcane lore; including quotations in Latin; Greek; French; German; and Sanskrit. arcana (noun; plural).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
113
Q

misconception

A

misconception - (noun) a mistaken idea. Columbus sailed west with the misconception that he would reach the shores of Asia. misconceive (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
113
Q

prosaic

A

prosaic - (adjective) everyday; ordinary; dull. _Paul_s Case_ tells the story of a boy who longs to escape from the prosaic life of a clerk into a world of wealth; glamour; and beauty.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
113
Q

resilient

A

resilient - (adjective) able to recover from difficulty. A professional athlete must be resilient; able to lose a game one day and come back the next with confidence and enthusiasm. resilience (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
114
Q

cogent

A

cogent - (adjective) forceful and convincing. The committee members were won over to the project by the cogent arguments of the chairman. cogency (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
115
Q

mundane

A

mundane - (adjective) everyday; ordinary; commonplace. Moviegoers in the 1930s liked the glamorous films of Fred Astaire because they provided an escape from the mundane problems of life during the Great Depression.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
117
Q

ambiguous

A

ambiguous - (adjective) having two or more possible meanings. The phrase; _Let_s table that discussion_ is ambiguous; some think it means; _Let_s discuss it now;_ while others think it means; _Let_s save it for later._ ambiguity (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
119
Q

clandestine

A

clandestine - (adjective) secret; surreptitious. As a member of the underground; Balas took part in clandestine meetings to discuss ways of sabotaging the Nazi forces.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
120
Q

gullible

A

gullible - (adjective) easily fooled. When the sweepstakes entry form arrived bearing the message; _You may be a winner!_ my gullible neighbor tried to claim a prize. gullibility (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
121
Q

obscure

A

obscure - (adjective) little known; hard to understand. Mendel was an obscure monk until decades after his death when his scientific work was finally discovered. Most people find the writings of James Joyce obscure; hence the popularity of books that explain his books. obscure (verb); obscurity (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
122
Q

adversity

A

adversity - (noun) misfortune. It_s easy to be patient and generous when things are going well; a person_s true character is revealed under adversity. adverse (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
124
Q

abridge

A

abridge - (verb) to shorten; to reduce. The Bill of Rights is designed to prevent Congress from abridging the rights of Americans. abridgment (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
125
Q

ostracize

A

ostracize - (verb) to exclude from a group. In Biblical times; those who suffered from the disease of leprosy were ostracized and forced to live alone. ostracism (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
126
Q

arbiter

A

arbiter - (noun) someone able to settle disputes; a judge or referee. The public is the ultimate arbiter of commercial value; it decides what sells and what doesn_t.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
126
Q

consolation

A

consolation - (noun) relief or comfort in sorrow or suffering. Although we miss our dog very much; it is a consolation to know that she died quickly; without suffering. console (verb).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
127
Q

depose

A

depose - (verb) to remove from office; especially from a throne. Iran was once ruled by a monarch called the Shah; who was deposed in 1979.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
129
Q

desolate

A

desolate - (adjective) empty; lifeless; and deserted; hopeless; gloomy. Robinson Crusoe was shipwrecked and had to learn to survive alone on a desolate island. The murder of her husband left Mary Lincoln desolate. desolation (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
130
Q

quell

A

quell - (verb) to quiet; to suppress. It took a huge number of police officers to quell the rioting.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
131
Q

ominous

A

ominous - (adjective) foretelling evil. Ominous black clouds gathered on the horizon; for a violent storm was fast approaching. omen (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
132
Q

malevolence

A

malevolence - (noun) hatred; ill will. Critics say that Iago; the villain in Shakespeare_s Othello; seems to exhibit malevolence with no real cause. malevolent (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
133
Q

spontaneous

A

spontaneous - (adjective) happening without plan. When the news of Kennedy_s assassination broke; people everywhere gathered in a spontaneous effort to share their shock and grief. spontaneity (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
134
Q

disclose

A

disclose - (verb) to make known; to reveal. Election laws require candidates to disclose the names of those who contribute large sums of money to their campaigns. disclosure (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
135
Q

duress

A

duress - (noun) compulsion or restraint. Fearing that the police might beat him; he confessed to the crime; not willingly but under duress.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
135
Q

indomitable

A

indomitable - (adjective) unable to be conquered or controlled. The world admired the indomitable spirit of Nelson Mandela; he remained courageous despite years of imprisonment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
135
Q

untenable

A

untenable - (adjective) impossible to defend. The theory that this painting is a genuine van Gogh became untenable when the artist who actually painted it came forth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
136
Q

anachronistic

A

anachronistic - (adjective) out of the proper time. The reference; in Shakespeare_s Julius Caesar to _the clock striking twelve_ is anachronistic; since there were no striking timepieces in ancient Rome. anachronism (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
137
Q

flamboyant

A

flamboyant - (adjective) very colorful; showy; or elaborate. At Mardi Gras; partygoers compete to show of the most wild and flamboyant outfits.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
139
Q

arid

A

arid - (adjective) very dry; boring and meaningless. The arid climate of Arizona makes farming difficult . Some find the law a fascinating topic; but for me it is an arid discipline. aridity (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
140
Q

devious

A

devious - (adjective) tricky; deceptive. The CEO_s devious financial tactics were designed to enrich his firm while confusing or misleading government regulators.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
141
Q

intuitive

A

intuitive - (adjective) known directly; without apparent thought or effort. An experienced chess player sometimes has an intuitive sense of the best move to make; even if she can_t explain it. intuit (verb); intuition (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
142
Q

florid

A

florid - (adjective) flowery; fancy; reddish. The grand ballroom was decorated in a florid style. Years of heavy drinking had given him a florid complexion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
143
Q

purify

A

purify - (verb) to make pure; clean; or perfect. The new plant is supposed to purify the drinking water provided to everyone in the nearby towns. purification (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
144
Q

absolve

A

absolve - (verb) to free from guilt; to exonerate. The criminal jury absolved Mr. Callahan of the murder of his neighbor. absolution (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
146
Q

carnivorous

A

carnivorous - (adjective) meat-eating. The long; dagger-like teeth of the Tyrannosaurus make it obvious that this was a carnivorous dinosaur. carnivore (noun).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
147
Q

toxin

A

toxin - (noun) poison. DDT is a powerful toxin once used to kill insects but now banned in the United States because of the risk it poses to human life. toxic (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
148
Q

surreptitious

A

surreptitious - (adjective) done in secret. Because Iraq avoided weapons inspections; many believed it had a surreptitious weapons development program.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
149
Q

revere

A

revere - (verb) to admire deeply; to honor. Millions of people around the world revered Mother Teresa for her saintly generosity. reverence (noun); reverent (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
150
Q

incontrovertible

A

incontrovertible - (adjective) impossible to question. The fact that Alexandra_s fingerprints were the only ones on the murder weapon made her guilt seem incontrovertible.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
150
Q

utopia

A

utopia - (noun) an imaginary; perfect society. Those who founded the Oneida community dreamed that it could be a kind of utopia_a prosperous state with complete freedom and harmony. utopian (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
151
Q

recrimination

A

recrimination - (noun) a retaliatory accusation. After the governor called his opponent unethical; his opponent angrily replied with recriminations that the governor was a hypocrite. recriminate (verb); recriminatory (adjective).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
152
Q

portend

A

portend - (verb) to indicate a future event; to forebode. According to folklore; a red sky at dawn portends a day of stormy weather.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
154
Q

eradicate

A

eradicate - (verb) to destroy completely. American society has failed to eradicate racism; although some of its worst effects have been reduced.

154
Q

resplendent

A

resplendent - (adjective) glowing; shining. In late December; midtown New York is resplendent with holiday lights and decorations. resplendence (noun).

155
Q

ephemeral

A

ephemeral - (adjective) quickly disappearing; transient. Stardom in pop music is ephemeral; many of the top acts of ten years ago are forgotten today.

155
Q

ornate

A

ornate - (adjective) highly decorated; elaborate. Baroque architecture is often highly ornate; featuring surfaces covered with carving; sinuous curves; and painted scenes.

156
Q

truncate

A

truncate - (verb) to cut off. The poor copying job truncated the playwright_s manuscript: the last page ended in the middle of a scene; halfway through the first act.

157
Q

circuitous

A

circuitous - (adjective) winding or indirect. We drove to the cottage by a circuitous route so we could see as much of the surrounding countryside as possible.

157
Q

idiosyncratic

A

idiosyncratic - (adjective) peculiar to an individual; eccentric. Cyndi Lauper sings pop music in an idiosyncratic style; mingling high-pitched whoops and squeals with throaty gurgles. idiosyncrasy (noun).

158
Q

profane

A

profane - (adjective) impure; unholy. It is inappropriate and rude to use profane language in a church. profane (verb); profanity(noun).

158
Q

stagnate

A

stagnate - (verb) to become stale through lack of movement or change. Having had no contact with the outside world for generations; Japan_s culture gradually stagnated. stagnant (adjective); stagnation (noun).

159
Q

timorous

A

timorous - (adjective) fearful; timid. The cowardly lion approached the throne of the wizard with a timorous look on his face.

159
Q

venerate

A

venerate - (verb) to admire or honor. In Communist China; Chairman Mao Zedong was venerated as an almost god-like figure. venerable (adjective); veneration (noun).

160
Q

frivolity

A

frivolity - (noun) lack of seriousness; levity. The frivolity of the Mardi Gras carnival is in contrast to the seriousness of the religious season of Lent that follows. frivolous (adjective).

161
Q

volatile

A

volatile - (adjective) quickly changing; fleeting; transitory; prone to violence. Public opinion is notoriously volatile; a politician who is very popular one month may be voted out of office the next. volatility (noun).

163
Q

fervent

A

fervent - (adjective) full of intense feeling; ardent; zealous. In the days just after his religious conversion; his piety was at its most fervent. fervid (adjective); fervor (noun).

164
Q

cloying

A

cloying - (adjective) overly sweet or sentimental. The deathbed scenes in the novels of Dickens are famously cloying: as Oscar Wilde said; _One would need a heart of stone to read the death of Little Nell without dissolving into tears of laughter._

165
Q

implicit

A

implicit - (adjective) understood without being openly expressed; implied. Although most clubs had no rules excluding minorities; many had an implicit understanding that no member of a minority group would be allowed to join.

166
Q

impinge

A

impinge - (verb) to encroach upon; touch; or affect. You have a right to do whatever you want; so long as your actions don_t impinge on the rights of others.

167
Q

serendipity

A

serendipity - (noun) the act of lucky; accidental discoveries. Great inventions sometimes come about through deliberate research and hard work; sometimes through pure serendipity. serendipitous (adjective).

168
Q

plausible

A

plausible - (adjective) apparently believable. According to the judge; the defense attorney_s argument was both powerful and plausible. plausibility (noun).

170
Q

apathy

A

apathy - (noun) lack of interest; concern; or emotion. Tom_s apathy toward his job could be seen in his lateness; his sloppy work; and his overall poor attitude. apathetic (adjective).

170
Q

enervate

A

enervate - (verb) to reduce the energy or strength of someone or something. The extended exposure to the sun along with dehydration enervated the shipwrecked crew; leaving them almost too weak to spot the passing vessel.

171
Q

capricious

A

capricious - (adjective) unpredictable; whimsical. The pop star Madonna has changed her image so many times that each new transformation now appears capricious rather than purposeful. caprice (noun).

172
Q

foppish

A

foppish - (adjective) describing a man who is foolishly vain about his dress or appearance. The foppish character of the 1890s wore bright-colored spats and a top hat; in the 1980s; he wore fancy suspenders and a shirt with a contrasting collar. Fop (noun).

173
Q

sedentary

A

sedentary - (adjective) requiring much sitting. When Officer Samson was given a desk job; she had trouble getting used to sedentary work after years on the street.

175
Q

emigrate

A

emigrate - (verb) to leave one place or country to settle elsewhere. Millions of Irish emigrated to the New World in the wake of the great Irish famines of the 1840s. emigrant (noun); emigration (noun).

176
Q

nurture

A

nurture - (verb) to nourish or help to grow. The money given by the National Endowment for the Arts helps nurture local arts organizations throughout the country. nurture (noun).

178
Q

demure

A

demure - (adjective) modest or shy. The demure heroines of Victorian fiction have given way to today_s stronger; more opinionated; and more independent female characters.

178
Q

disingenuous

A

disingenuous - (adjective) pretending to be candid; simple; and frank. When Texas billionaire H. Ross Perot ran for president; many considered his _jest plain folks_ style disingenuous.

179
Q

belated

A

belated - (adjective) delayed past the proper time. She called her mother on January 5th to offer her a belated _Happy New Year._

181
Q

gargantuan

A

gargantuan - (adjective) huge; colossal. The building of the Great Wall of China was one of the most gargantuan projects ever undertaken.

183
Q

adaptable

A

adaptable - (adjective) able to be changed to be suitable for a new purpose. Some scientists say that the mammals outlived the dinosaurs because they were more adaptable to a changing climate. adapt (verb); adaptation (noun).

184
Q

extenuate

A

extenuate - (verb) to make less serious. Jeanine_s guilt is extenuated by the fact that she was only twelve when she committed the theft. extenuating (adjective); extenuation (noun).

185
Q

concise

A

concise - (adjective) expressed briefly and simply; succinct. Less than a page long; the Bill of Rights is a concise statement of the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans. concision (noun).

186
Q

opportunistic

A

opportunistic - (adjective) eagerly seizing chances as they arise. When Princess Diana died suddenly; opportunistic publishers quickly released books about her life and death. opportunism (noun).

187
Q

scrutinize

A

scrutinize - (verb) to study closely. The lawyer scrutinized the contract; searching for any sentence that could pose a risk for her client. scrutiny (noun).

188
Q

mimicry

A

mimicry - (noun) imitation; aping. The continued popularity of Elvis Presley has given rise to a class of entertainers who make a living through mimicry of _The King._ mimic (noun and verb).

189
Q

irresolute

A

irresolute - (adjective) uncertain how to act; indecisive. The line in the ice cream shop grew as the irresolute child wavered between her two favorite ice cream flavors before finally choosing one. irresolution (noun).

191
Q

egregious

A

egregious - (adjective) obvious; conspicuous; flagrant. It_s hard to imagine how the editor could allow such an egregious error to appear.

193
Q

facile

A

facile - (adjective) easy; shallow or superficial. The one-minute political commercial favors a candidate with facile opinions rather than serious; thoughtful solutions. facilitate (verb); facility (noun).

195
Q

consternation

A

consternation - (noun) shock; amazement; dismay. When a voice in the back of the church shouted out; _I know why they should not be married!_ the entire gathering was thrown into consternation.

196
Q

ardor

A

ardor - (noun) a strong feeling of passion; energy; or zeal. The young revolutionary proclaimed his convictions with an ardor that excited the crowd. ardent (adjective).

197
Q

malediction

A

malediction - (noun) curse. In the fairy tale _Sleeping Beauty;_ the princess is trapped in a death-like sleep because of the malediction uttered by an angry witch.

198
Q

turbulent

A

turbulent - (adjective) agitated or disturbed. The night before the championship match; Martina was unable to sleep; her mind turbulent with fears and hopes. turbulence (noun).

199
Q

vestige

A

vestige - (noun) a trace or remainder. Today_s tiny Sherwood Forest is the last vestige of a woodland that once covered most of England. vestigial (adjective).

200
Q

mandate

A

mandate - (noun) order; command. The new policy of using only organic produce in the restaurant went into effect as soon as the manager issued his mandate about it. mandate (verb); mandatory (adjective).

201
Q

invigorate

A

invigorate - (verb) to give energy to; to stimulate. As her car climbed the mountain road; Lucinda felt invigorated by the clear air and the cool breezes.

201
Q

stoicism (noun).strenuous

A

stoicism (noun).strenuous - (adjective) requiring energy and strength. Hiking in the foothills of the Rockies is fairly easy; but climbing the higher peaks can be strenuous.

201
Q

superfluous

A

superfluous - (adjective) more than is needed; excessive. Once you_ve won the debate; don_t keep talking; superfluous arguments will only bore and annoy the audience.

202
Q

delineate

A

delineate - (verb) to outline or describe. Naturalists had long suspected the fact of evolution; but Darwin was the first to delineate a process_natural selection_through which evolution could occur. Delineation (noun).

203
Q

trite

A

trite - (adjective) boring because of over-familiarity; hackneyed. Her letters were filled with trite expressions; like _All_s well that ends well_ and _So far so good._

204
Q

tentative

A

tentative - (adjective) subject to change; uncertain. A firm schedule has not been established; but the Super Bowl in 2015 has been given the tentative date of February 1.

205
Q

berate

A

berate - (verb) to scold or criticize harshly. The judge angrily berated the two lawyers for their unprofessional behavior.

206
Q

substantiate

A

substantiate - (verb) verified or supported by evidence. The charge that Nixon had helped to cover up crimes was substantiated by his comments about it on a series of audio tapes. substantiated (adjective); substantiation (noun).

207
Q

Eclectic

A

Eclectic - (adjective) drawn from many sources; varied; heterogeneous. The Mellon family art collection is an eclectic one; including works ranging from ancient Greek sculptures to modern paintings. eclecticism (noun).

208
Q

pragmatism

A

pragmatism - (noun) a belief in approaching problems through practical rather than theoretical means. Roosevelt_s approach to the Great Depression was based on pragmatism: _Try something;_ he said. _If it doesn_t work; try something else._ pragmatic (adjective).

210
Q

dogmatic

A

dogmatic - (adjective) holding firmly to a particular set of beliefs with little or no basis. Believers in Marxist doctrine tend to be dogmatic; ignoring evidence that contradicts their beliefs. dogmatism (noun).

211
Q

insurgency

A

insurgency - (noun) uprising; rebellion. The angry townspeople had begun an insurgency bordering on downright revolution; they were collecting arms; holding secret meetings; and refusing to pay certain taxes. insurgent (adjective).

212
Q

remuneration

A

remuneration - (noun) pay. In a civil lawsuit; the attorney often receives part of the financial settlement as his or her remuneration. remunerate (verb); remunerative (adjective).

214
Q

empathy

A

empathy - (noun) imaginative sharing of the feelings; thoughts; or experiences of another. It_s easy for a parent to have empathy for the sorrow of another parent whose child has died. empathetic (adjective).

215
Q

bombastic

A

bombastic - (adjective) inflated or pompous in style. Old-fashioned bombastic political speeches don_t work on television; which demands a more intimate style of communication. bombast (noun).

215
Q

tangential

A

tangential - (adjective) touching lightly; only slightly connected or related. Having enrolled in a class on African-American history; the students found the teacher_s stories about his travels in South America of only tangential interest. tangent (noun).

216
Q

opulent

A

opulent - (adjective) rich; lavish. The mansion of newspaper tycoon Hearst is famous for its opulent decor. opulence (noun).

217
Q

predominant

A

predominant - (adjective) greatest in numbers or influence. Although hundreds of religions are practiced in India; the predominant faith is Hinduism. predominance (noun); predominate (verb).

218
Q

propagate

A

propagate - (verb) to cause to grow; to foster. John Smithson_s will left his fortune for the founding of an institution to propagate knowledge; without saying whether that meant a university; a library; or a museum. propagation (noun).

219
Q

latent

A

latent - (adjective) not currently obvious or active; hidden. Although he had committed only a single act of violence; the examining psychiatrist said it_s likely he always had a latent tendency toward violence. latency (noun).

221
Q

auspicious

A

auspicious - (adjective) promising good fortune; propitious. The news that a team of British climbers had reached the summit of Everest seemed an auspicious sign for the reign of newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II.

221
Q

disregard

A

disregard - (verb) to ignore; to neglect. If you don_t write a will; when you die; your survivors may disregard your wishes about how your property should be handled. disregard (noun).

222
Q

transmute

A

transmute - (verb) to change in form or substance. In the Middle Ages; the alchemists tried to discover ways to transmute metals such as iron into gold. transmutation (noun).

223
Q

scrupulous

A

scrupulous - (adjective) acting with extreme care; painstaking. Disney theme parks are famous for their scrupulous attention to small details. scruple (noun).

224
Q

expansive

A

expansive - (adjective) broad and large; speaking openly and freely. The LBJ Ranch is located on an expansive tract of land in Texas. Over dinner; she became expansive in describing her dreams for the future.

225
Q

reclusive

A

reclusive - (adjective) withdrawn from society. During the last years of her life; actress Greta Garbo led a reclusive existence; rarely appearing in public. recluse (noun).

226
Q

reciprocate

A

reciprocate - (verb) to give and take mutually. If you_ll watch my children tonight; I_ll reciprocate by taking care of yours tomorrow. reciprocity (noun).

228
Q

exemplary

A

exemplary - (adjective) worthy to serve as a model. The Baldrige Award is given to a company with exemplary standards of excellence in products and service. exemplar (noun); exemplify (verb).

228
Q

provocative

A

provocative - (adjective) likely to stimulate emotions; ideas; or controversy. The demonstrators began chanting obscenities; a provocative act that they hoped would cause the police to lose control. provoke (verb); provocation (noun).

229
Q

incumbent

A

incumbent - (noun) someone who occupies an office or position. It is often difficult for a challenger to win a seat in Congress from the incumbent. incumbency ( no un) ; incumbent (adjective).

230
Q

diffuse

A

diffuse - (verb) to spread out; to scatter. The red dye quickly became diffused through the water; turning it a very pale pink. diffusion (noun).

230
Q

malleable

A

malleable - (adjective) able to be changed; shaped; or formed by outside pressures. Gold is a very useful metal because it is so malleable. A child_s personality is malleable and deeply influenced by the things his or her parents say and do. malleability (noun).

232
Q

discern

A

discern - (verb) to detect; notice; or observe. I could discern the shape of a whale of the starboard bow; but it was too far away to determine its size or species. discernment (noun).

234
Q

embezzle

A

embezzle - (verb) to steal money or property that has been entrusted to your care. The church treasurer was found to have embezzled thousands of dollars by writing phony checks on the church bank account. embezzlement (noun).

234
Q

emulate

A

emulate - (verb) to imitate or copy. The British band Oasis admitted their desire to emulate their idols; the Beatles. Emulation (noun).

235
Q

obdurate

A

obdurate - (adjective) unwilling to change; stubborn; inflexible. Despite the many pleas he received; the governor was obdurate in his refusal to grant clemency to the convicted murderer.

237
Q

dilatory

A

dilatory - (adjective) delaying; procrastinating. The lawyer used various dilatory tactics; hoping that his opponent would get tired of waiting for a trial and drop the case.

237
Q

feral

A

feral - (adjective) wild. The garbage dump was inhabited by a pack of feral dogs that had escaped from their owners and become completely wild.

239
Q

enmity

A

enmity - (noun) hatred; hostility; ill will. Long-standing enmity; like that between the Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland; is difficult to overcome.

240
Q

insular

A

insular - (adjective) narrow or isolated in attitude or viewpoint. Americans are famous for their insular attitudes; they seem to think that nothing important has ever happened outside of their country. insularity (noun).

241
Q

sustain

A

sustain - (verb) to keep up; to continue; to support. Because of fatigue; he was unable to sustain the effort needed to finish the marathon.

243
Q

colloquial

A

colloquial - (adjective) informal in language; conversational. Some expressions from Shakespeare; such as the use of thou and thee; sound formal today but were colloquial English in Shakespeare_s time.

244
Q

presumptuous

A

presumptuous - (adjective) going beyond the limits of courtesy or appropriateness. The senator winced when the presumptuous young staffer addressed him as _Chuck._ presume (verb); presumption (noun).

245
Q

inarticulate

A

inarticulate - (adjective) unable to speak or express oneself clearly and understandably. A skilled athlete may be an inarticulate public speaker; as demonstrated by many post-game interviews.

246
Q

divulge

A

divulge - (verb) to reveal. The people who count the votes for the Oscar awards are under strict orders not to divulge the names of the winners.

247
Q

egotism

A

egotism - (noun) excessive concern with oneself; conceit. Robert_s egotism was so great that all he could talk about was the importance_and the brilliance_of his own opinions. egotistic (adjective).

248
Q

replete

A

replete - (adjective) filled abundantly. Graham_s book is replete with wonderful stories about the famous people she has known.

250
Q

conformity

A

conformity - (noun) agreement with or adherence to custom or rule. In my high school; conformity was the rule: everyone dressed the same; talked the same; and listened to the same music. conform (verb); conformist (noun; adjective).

252
Q

inveterate

A

inveterate - (adjective) persistent; habitual. It_s very difficult for an inveterate gambler to give up the pastime. inveteracy (noun).

253
Q

demagogue

A

demagogue - (noun) a leader who plays dishonestly on the prejudices and emotions of his followers. Senator Joseph McCarthy was a demagogue who used the paranoia of the anti Communist 1950s as a way of seizing fame and power in Washington. demagoguery (noun).

253
Q

lucid

A

lucid - (adjective) clear and understandable. Hawking_s A Short History of the Universe is a lucid explanation of modern scientific theories about the origin of the universe. lucidity (noun).

253
Q

toady

A

toady - (noun) someone who flatters a superior in hopes of gaining favor; a sycophant. _I can_t stand a toady!_ declared the movie mogul. _Give me someone who_ll tell me the truth_even if it costs him his job!_ toady (verb).

254
Q

debunk

A

debunk - (verb) to expose as false or worthless. Magician James Randi loves to debunk psychics; mediums; clairvoyants; and others who claim supernatural powers.

256
Q

effrontery

A

effrontery - (noun) shameless boldness. The sports world was shocked when a professional basketball player had the effrontery to choke his head coach during a practice session.

257
Q

renovate

A

renovate - (verb) to renew by repairing or rebuilding. The television program This Old House shows how skilled craftspeople renovate houses. renovation (noun).

258
Q

incorrigible

A

incorrigible - (adjective) impossible to manage or reform. Lou is an incorrigible trickster; constantly playing practical jokes no matter how much his friends complain.

260
Q

cumulative

A

cumulative - (adjective) made up of successive additions. Smallpox was eliminated only through the cumulative efforts of several generations of doctors and scientists. accumulation (noun); accumulate (verb).

261
Q

audacious

A

audacious - (adjective) bold; daring; adventurous. Her plan to cross the Atlantic single-handed in a 12-foot sailboat was audacious; if not reckless. audacity (noun).

262
Q

polarize

A

polarize - (verb) to separate into opposing groups or forces. For years; the abortion debate has polarized the American people; with many people voicing extreme views and few trying to find a middle ground. polarization (noun).

263
Q

pretentious

A

pretentious - (adjective) claiming excessive value or importance. For a shoe salesman to call himself a _Personal Foot Apparel Consultant_ seems awfully pretentious. pretension (noun).

265
Q

condescending

A

condescending - (adjective) having an attitude of superiority toward another; patronizing. _What a cute little car!_ she remarked in a condescending style. _I suppose it_s the nicest one someone like you could afford!_ condescension (noun).

266
Q

transgress

A

transgress - (verb) to go past limits; to violate. No one could fathom why the honor student transgressed by shoplifting hundreds of dollars of merchandise from his favorite clothing store. transgression (noun).

267
Q

notorious

A

notorious - (adjective) famous; especially for evil actions or qualities. Warner Brothers produced a series of movies about notorious gangsters such as John Dillinger and Al Capone. notoriety (noun).

268
Q

pariah

A

pariah - (noun) outcast. Accused of robbery; he became a pariah; his neighbors stopped talking to him; and people he_d considered friends no longer called.

270
Q

assiduous

A

assiduous - (adjective) working with care; attention; and diligence. Although Karen is not a naturally gifted math student; by assiduous study she managed to earn an A in trigonometry. assiduity (noun).

271
Q

adversary

A

adversary - (noun) an enemy or opponent. When the former Soviet Union became an American ally; the United States lost a major adversary. adversarial (adjective).

272
Q

perfunctory

A

perfunctory - (adjective) unenthusiastic; routine; or mechanical. When the play opened; the actors sparkled; but by the thousandth night their performance had become perfunctory.

274
Q

interlocutor

A

interlocutor - (noun) someone taking part in a dialogue or conversation. Annoyed by the constant questions from someone in the crowd; the speaker challenged his interlocutor to offer a better plan. interlocutory (adjective).

275
Q

ascetic

A

ascetic - (adjective) practicing strict self-discipline for moral or spiritual reasons. The so-called Desert Fathers were hermits who lived an ascetic life of fasting; study; and prayer. asceticism (verb).

277
Q

indifferent

A

indifferent - (adjective) unconcerned; apathetic. The mayor_s small proposed budget for education suggests that he is indifferent to the needs of our schools. indifference (noun).

278
Q

curtail

A

curtail - (verb) to shorten. The opening round of the golf tournament was curtailed by the severe thunderstorm.

280
Q

authoritarian

A

authoritarian - (adjective) favoring or demanding blind obedience to leaders. Despite Americans_ belief in democracy; the American government has supported authoritarian regimes in other countries.

282
Q

hedonist

A

hedonist - (noun) someone who lives mainly to pursue pleasure. Having inherited great wealth; he chose to live the life of a hedonist; traveling the world in luxury. hedonism (noun); hedonistic (adjective).

283
Q

emend

A

emend - (verb) to correct. Before the letter is mailed; please emend the two spelling errors. emendation (noun).

285
Q

inevitable

A

inevitable - (adjective) unable to be avoided. Once the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor; American involvement in World War II was inevitable. inevitability (noun).

286
Q

divisive

A

divisive - (adjective) causing disagreement or disunity. Throughout history; race has been the most divisive issue in American society.

288
Q

confidant

A

confidant - (noun) someone entrusted with another_s secrets. No one knew about Jane_s engagement except Sarah; her confidant. confide (verb); confidential (adjective).

289
Q

pundit

A

pundit - (noun) someone who offers opinions in an authoritative style. The Sunday morning talk shows are filled with pundits; each with his or her own theory about the week_s political news.

291
Q

exonerate

A

exonerate - (verb) to free from blame. Although the truck driver was suspected at first of being involved in the bombing; later evidence exonerated him. exoneration (noun); exonerative (adjective).

293
Q

jeopardize

A

jeopardize - (verb) to put in danger. Terrorist attacks jeopardize the fragile peace in the Middle East. jeopardy (noun).

295
Q

extrinsic

A

extrinsic - (adjective) not an innate part or aspect of something; external. The high price of old baseball cards is due to extrinsic factors; such as the nostalgia felt by baseball fans for the stars of their youth; rather than the inherent beauty or value of the cards themselves.

296
Q

accentuate

A

accentuate - (verb) to emphasize; to stress. The overcast skies and chill winds only accentuate our gloomy mood. Accentuation (noun).

298
Q

circumlocution

A

circumlocution - (noun) speaking in a roundabout way; wordiness. Legal documents often contain circumlocutions that make them difficult to understand.

299
Q

gratuitous

A

gratuitous - (adjective) given freely or without cause. Since her opinion was not requested; her harsh criticism of his singing seemed a gratuitous insult.

301
Q

atypical

A

atypical - (adjective) not typical; unusual. In The Razor_s Edge; Bill Murray; best known as a comic actor; gave an atypical dramatic performance.

302
Q

espouse

A

espouse - (verb) to take up as a cause; to adopt. No politician in America today will openly espouse racism; although some behave and speak in racially prejudiced ways.

303
Q

preamble

A

preamble - (noun) an introductory statement. The preamble to the Constitution begins with the famous words; _We the people of the United States of America…_

304
Q

corroborating

A

corroborating - (adjective) supporting with evidence; confirming. A passerby who had witnessed the crime gave corroborating testimony about the presence of the accused person. corroborate (verb); corroboration (noun).

305
Q

partisan

A

partisan - (adjective) reflecting strong allegiance to a particular party or cause. The vote on the president_s budget was strictly partisan: every member of the president_s party voted yes; and all others voted no. partisan (noun).

307
Q

digress

A

digress - (verb) to wander from the main path or the main topic. My high school biology teacher loved to digress from science into personal anecdotes about his college adventures. digression (noun); digressive (adjective).

308
Q

unpalatable

A

unpalatable - (adjective) distasteful; unpleasant. Although I agree with the candidate on many issues; I can_t vote for her because I find her position on capital punishment unpalatable.

310
Q

expropriate

A

expropriate - (verb) to seize ownership of. When the Communists came to power in China; they expropriated most businesses and turned them over to government-appointed managers. expropriation (noun).

311
Q

perceptive

A

perceptive - (adjective) quick to notice; observant. With his perceptive intelligence; Holmes was the first to notice the importance of this clue. perceptible (adjective); perception (noun).

312
Q

disparity

A

disparity - (noun) difference in quality or kind. There is often a disparity between the kind of high-quality television people say they want and the low-brow programs they actually watch. disparate (adjective).

313
Q

didactic

A

didactic - (adjective) intended to teach; instructive. The children_s TV show Sesame Street is designed to be both entertaining and didactic.

315
Q

incremental

A

incremental - (adjective) increasing gradually by small amounts. Although the initial cost of the Medicare program was small; the incremental expenses have grown to be very large. increment (noun).

316
Q

nuance

A

nuance - (noun) a subtle difference or quality. At first glance; Monet_s paintings of water lilies all look much alike; but the more you study them; the more you appreciate the nuances of color and shading that distinguish them.

316
Q

proximity

A

proximity - (noun) closeness; nearness. Neighborhood residents were angry over the proximity of the sewage plant to the local school. proximate (adjective).

317
Q

empirical

A

empirical - (adjective) based on experience or personal observation. Although many people believe in ESP; scientists have found no empirical evidence of its existence. empiricism (noun).

318
Q

obtrusive

A

obtrusive - (adjective) overly prominent. Philip should sing more softly; his bass is so obtrusive that the other singers can barely be heard. obtrude (verb); obtrusion (noun).

319
Q

tremulous

A

tremulous - (adjective) trembling or shaking; timid or fearful. Never having spoken in public before; he began his speech in a tremulous; hesitant voice.

320
Q

punitive

A

punitive - (adjective) inflicting punishment. The jury awarded the plaintiff one million dollars in punitive damages; hoping to teach the defendant a lesson.

321
Q

pathology

A

pathology - (noun) disease or the study of disease; extreme abnormality. Some people believe that high rates of crime are symptoms of an underlying social pathology. pathological (adjective).

322
Q

stimulus

A

stimulus - (noun) something that excites a response or provokes an action. The arrival of merchants and missionaries from the West provided a stimulus for change in Japanese society. stimulate (verb).

323
Q

impetuous

A

impetuous - (adjective) acting hastily or impulsively. Stuart_s resignation was an impetuous act; he did it without thinking; and he soon regretted it. impetuosity (noun).

324
Q

potentate

A

potentate - (noun) a powerful ruler. The Tsar of Russia was one of the last hereditary potentates of Europe.

325
Q

integrity

A

integrity - (noun) honesty; uprightness; soundness; completeness. _Honest Abe_ Lincoln is considered a model of political integrity. Inspectors examined the building_s support beams and foundation and found no reason to doubt its structural integrity.

326
Q

simulated

A

simulated - (adjective) imitating something else; artificial. High quality simulated gems must be examined under a magnifying glass to be distinguished from real ones. simulate (verb); simulation (noun).

327
Q

onerous

A

onerous - (adjective) heavy; burdensome. The hero Hercules was ordered to clean the Augean Stables; one of several onerous tasks known as _the labors of Hercules._ onus (noun).

328
Q

adulation

A

adulation - (noun) extreme admiration. Few young actors have received greater adulation than did Marlon Brando after his performance in A Streetcar Named Desire. adulate (verb); adulatory (adjective).

328
Q

indistinct

A

indistinct - (adjective) unclear; uncertain. We could see boats on the water; but in the thick morning fog their shapes were indistinct.

328
Q

reconcile

A

reconcile - (verb) to make consistent or harmonious. FDR_s greatness as a leader can be seen in his ability to reconcile the demands and values of the varied groups that supported him. reconciliation (noun).

329
Q

whimsical

A

whimsical - (adjective) based on a capricious; carefree; or sudden impulse or idea; fanciful; playful. Dave Barry_s Book of Bad Songs is filled with the kind of goofy jokes that are typical of his whimsical sense of humor. whim (noun).

331
Q

deviate

A

deviate - (verb) to depart from a standard or norm. Having agreed upon a spending budget for the company; we mustn_t deviate from it; if we do; we may run out of money soon. deviation (noun).

332
Q

reputable

A

reputable - (adjective) having a good reputation; respected. Find a reputable auto mechanic by asking your friends for recommendations based on their own experiences. reputation (noun); repute (noun).

333
Q

felicitous

A

felicitous - (adjective) pleasing; fortunate; apt. The sudden blossoming of the dogwood trees on the morning of Matt_s wedding seemed a felicitous sign of good luck. felicity (noun).

335
Q

camaraderie

A

camaraderie - (noun) a spirit of friendship. Spending long days and nights together on the road; the members of a traveling theater group develop a strong sense of camaraderie.

337
Q

frenetic

A

frenetic - (adjective) chaotic; frantic. The floor of the stock exchange; filled with traders shouting and gesturing; is a scene of frenetic activity.

338
Q

terrestrial

A

terrestrial - (adjective) of the Earth. The movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind tells the story of the first contact between beings from outer space and terrestrial humans.

340
Q

composure

A

composure - (noun) calm; self-assurance. The company_s president managed to keep his composure during his speech even when the teleprompter broke down; leaving him without a script. composed (adjective).

341
Q

procrastinate

A

procrastinate - (verb) to put off; to delay. If you habitually procrastinate; try this technique: never touch a piece of paper without either filing it; responding to it; or throwing it out. procrastination (noun).

343
Q

interlude

A

interlude - (noun) an interrupting period or performance. The two most dramatic scenes in King Lear are separated; strangely; by a comic interlude starring the king_s jester.

344
Q

irrational

A

irrational - (adjective) unreasonable. Richard knew that his fear of insects was irrational; but he was unable to overcome it. irrationality (noun).

345
Q

derelict

A

derelict - (adjective) neglecting one_s duty. The train crash was blamed on a switchman who was derelict; having fallen asleep while on duty. dereliction (noun).

346
Q

conundrum

A

conundrum - (noun) a riddle; puzzle; or problem. The question of why an all-powerful; all-loving God allows evil to exist is a conundrum many philosophers have pondered.

348
Q

peruse

A

peruse - (verb) to examine or study. Caroline perused the contract carefully before she signed it. perusal (noun).

349
Q

pugnacious

A

pugnacious - (adjective) combative; bellicose; truculent; ready to fight. Ty Cobb; the pugnacious outfielder for the Detroit Tigers; got into more than his fair share of brawls; both on and of the field. pugnacity (noun).

350
Q

redoubtable

A

redoubtable - (adjective) inspiring respect; awe; or fear. Johnson_s knowledge; experience; and personal clout made him a redoubtable political opponent.

352
Q

benevolent

A

benevolent - (adjective) wishing or doing good. In old age; Carnegie used his wealth for benevolent purposes; donating large sums to found libraries and schools. benevolence (noun).

353
Q

grandiose

A

grandiose - (adjective) overly large; pretentious; or showy. Among Hitler_s grandiose plans for Berlin was a gigantic building with a dome several times larger than any ever built. grandiosity (noun).

354
Q

complacent

A

complacent - (adjective) smug; self-satisfied. Until recently; American auto makers were complacent; believing that they would continue to be successful with little effort. complacency (noun).

357
Q

haughty

A

haughty - (adjective) overly proud. The fashion model strode down the runway; her hips thrust forward and a haughty expression; like a sneer; on her face. haughtiness (noun).

358
Q

prudent

A

prudent - (adjective) wise; cautious; and practical. A prudent investor will avoid putting all of her money into any single investment. prudence (noun); prudential (adjective).

359
Q

sanctimonious

A

sanctimonious - (adjective) showing false or excessive piety. The sanctimonious prayers of the TV preacher were interspersed with requests that the viewers send him money. sanctimony (noun).

361
Q

incisive

A

incisive - (adjective) clear and direct expression. Franklin settled the debate with a few incisive remarks that summed up the issue perfectly.

362
Q

inexorable

A

inexorable - (adjective) unable to be deterred; relentless. It_s difficult to imagine how the mythic character of Oedipus could have avoided his evil destiny; his fate appears inexorable.

362
Q

narcissistic

A

narcissistic - (adjective) showing excessive love for oneself; egoistic. Andre_s room; decorated with photos of himself and the sports trophies he has won; suggests a narcissistic personality. narcissism (noun).

363
Q

expiate

A

expiate - (verb) to atone for. The president_s apology to the survivors of the notorious Tuskegee experiments was his attempt to expiate the nation_s guilt over their mistreatment. expiation (noun).

365
Q

convergence

A

convergence - (noun) the act of coming together in unity or similarity. A remarkable example of evolutionary convergence can be seen in the shark and the dolphin; two sea creatures that developed from different origins to become very similar in form. converge (verb).

366
Q

stoic

A

stoic - (adjective) showing little feeling; even in response to pain or sorrow. A soldier must respond to the death of his comrades in stoic fashion; since the fighting will not stop for his grief.

367
Q

submissive

A

submissive - (adjective) accepting the will of others; humble; compliant. At the end of Ibsen_s play A Doll_s House; Nora leaves her husband and abandons the role of submissive housewife.

369
Q

belie

A

belie - (verb) to present a false or contradictory appearance. Lena Horne_s youthful appearance belied her long; distinguished career in show business.

371
Q

intransigent

A

intransigent - (adjective) unwilling to compromise. Despite the mediator_s attempts to suggest a fair solution; the two parties were intransigent; forcing a showdown. intransigence (noun).

372
Q

penitent

A

penitent - (adjective) feeling sorry for past crimes or sins. Having grown penitent; he wrote a long letter of apology; asking forgiveness.

373
Q

lethargic

A

lethargic - (adjective) lacking energy; sluggish. Visitors to the zoo are surprised that the lions appear so lethargic; but; in the wild; lions sleep up to 18 hours a day. lethargy (noun).

374
Q

staid

A

staid - (adjective) sedate; serious; and grave. This college is definitely not a _party school_; the students all work hard; and the campus has a reputation for being staid.

376
Q

elliptical

A

elliptical - (adjective) very terse or concise in writing or speech; difficult to understand. Rather than speak plainly; she hinted at her meaning through a series of nods; gestures; and elliptical half sentences.

378
Q

obstinate

A

obstinate - (adjective) stubborn; unyielding. Despite years of effort; the problem of drug abuse remains obstinate. obstinacy (noun).

379
Q

aggressive

A

aggressive - (adjective) forceful; energetic; and attacking. Some believe that a football player needs a more aggressive style of play than a soccer player. aggression (noun).

380
Q

protagonist

A

protagonist - (noun) the main character in a story or play; the main supporter of an idea. Leopold Bloom is the protagonist of James Joyce_s great novel Ulysses.

381
Q

bereft

A

bereft - (adjective) lacking or deprived of something. Bereft of parental love; orphans sometimes grow up to be insecure.

382
Q

reprehensible

A

reprehensible - (adjective) deserving criticism or censure. Although Pete Rose_s misdeeds were reprehensible; not all fans agree that he deserves to be excluded from the Baseball Hall of Fame. reprehend (verb); reprehension (noun).

383
Q

extricate

A

extricate - (verb) to free from a difficult or complicated situation. Much of the humor in the TV show I Love Lucy comes in watching Lucy try to extricate herself from the problems she creates by fibbing or trickery. extricable (adjective).

384
Q

tolerant

A

tolerant - (adjective) accepting; enduring. San Franciscans have a tolerant attitude about lifestyles: _Live and let live_ seems to be their motto. tolerate (verb); toleration (noun).

386
Q

promulgate

A

promulgate - (verb) to make public; to declare. Lincoln signed the proclamation that freed the slaves in 1862; but he waited several months to promulgate it.

387
Q

sequential

A

sequential - (adjective) arranged in an order or series. The courses for the chemistry major are sequential; you must take them in order; since each course builds on the previous ones. sequence (noun).

388
Q

ingenious

A

ingenious - (adjective) showing cleverness and originality. The Post-it note is an ingenious solution to a common problem_ how to mark papers without spoiling them. ingenuity (noun).

389
Q

variegated

A

variegated - (adjective) spotted with different colors. The brilliant; variegated appearance of butterflies makes them popular among collectors. variegation (noun).

390
Q

perspicacity

A

perspicacity - (noun) keenness of observation or understanding. Journalist Murray Kempton was famous for the perspicacity of his comments on social and political issues. perspicacious (adjective).

391
Q

parched

A

parched - (adjective) very dry; thirsty. After two months without rain; the crops were shriveled and parched by the sun. parch (verb).

392
Q

alleviate

A

alleviate - (verb) to make lighter or more bearable. Although no cure for AIDS has been found; doctors are able to alleviate the suffering of those with the disease. alleviation (noun).

393
Q

predilection

A

predilection - (noun) a liking or preference. To relax from his presidential duties; Kennedy had a predilection for spy novels featuring James Bond.

394
Q

extant

A

extant - (adjective) currently in existence. Of the seven ancient Wonders of the World; only the pyramids of Egypt are still extant.

396
Q

consummate

A

consummate - (verb) to complete; finish; or perfect. The deal was consummated with a handshake and the payment of the agreed upon fee. consummate (adjective); consummation (noun).

397
Q

abstain

A

abstain - (verb) to refrain; to hold back. After his heart attack; William was warned by his doctor to abstain from smoking; drinking; and overeating. abstinence (noun); abstemious (adjective).

398
Q

treacherous

A

treacherous - (adjective) untrustworthy or disloyal; dangerous or unreliable. Nazi Germany proved to be a treacherous ally; first signing a peace pact with the Soviet Union; then invading. Be careful crossing the rope bridge; parts are badly frayed and treacherous. treachery (noun).

399
Q

cognizant

A

cognizant - (adjective) aware; mindful. Cognizant of the fact that it was getting late; the master of ceremonies cut short the last speech. cognizance (noun).

401
Q

ostentatious

A

ostentatious - (adjective) overly showy; pretentious. To show of his wealth; the millionaire threw an ostentatious party featuring a full orchestra; a famous singer; and tens of thousands of dollars_ worth of food.

402
Q

caustic

A

caustic - (adjective) burning; corrosive. No one was safe when the satirist H. L. Mencken unleashed his caustic wit.

403
Q

debased

A

debased - (adjective) lowered in quality; character; or esteem. The quality of TV journalism has been debased by the many new tabloid-style talk shows. debase (verb).

404
Q

languid

A

languid - (adjective) without energy; slow; sluggish; listless. The hot; humid weather of late August can make anyone feel languid. languish (verb); languor (noun).

405
Q

penurious

A

penurious - (adjective) extremely frugal; stingy. Haunted by memories of poverty; he lived in penurious fashion; driving a twelve-year-old car and wearing only the cheapest clothes. penury (noun).

406
Q

amplify

A

amplify - (verb) to enlarge; expand; or increase. Uncertain as to whether they understood; the students asked the teacher to amplify his explanation. amplification (noun).

408
Q

punctilious

A

punctilious - (adjective) very concerned about proper forms of behavior and manners. A punctilious dresser like James would rather skip the party altogether than wear the wrong color tie. punctilio (noun).

410
Q

fallacy

A

fallacy - (noun) an error in fact or logic. It_s a fallacy to think that _natural_ means _healthful_; after all; the deadly poison arsenic is completely natural. fallacious (adjective).

411
Q

pervasive

A

pervasive - (adjective) spreading throughout. As news of the disaster reached the town; a pervasive sense of gloom could be felt. pervade (verb).

413
Q

innate

A

innate - (adjective) inborn; native. Not everyone who takes piano lessons becomes a fine musician; which shows that music requires innate talent as well as training.

414
Q

juxtapose

A

juxtapose - (verb) to put side by side. Juxtaposing the two editorials revealed the enormous differences in the writers_ opinions. juxtaposition (noun).

415
Q

phlegmatic

A

phlegmatic - (adjective) sluggish and unemotional in temperament. It was surprising to see Tom; who is normally so phlegmatic; acting excited.

416
Q

intrepid

A

intrepid - (adjective) fearless and resolute. Only an intrepid adventurer is willing to undertake the long and dangerous trip by sled to the South Pole. intrepidity (noun).

417
Q

aesthetic

A

aesthetic - (adjective) relating to art or beauty. Mapplethorpe_s photos may be attacked on moral grounds; but no one questions their aesthetic value_they are beautiful. aestheticism (noun).

418
Q

impartial

A

impartial - (adjective) fair; equal; unbiased. If a judge is not impartial; then all of her rulings are questionable. impartiality (noun).

419
Q

anarchy

A

anarchy - (noun) absence of law or order. For several months after the Nazi government was destroyed; there was no effective government in parts of Germany; and anarchy ruled. anarchic (adjective).

421
Q

mediocrity

A

mediocrity - (noun) the state of being middling or poor in quality. The New York Mets finished in ninth place in 1968 but won the world_s championship in 1969; going from horrible to great in a single year and skipping mediocrity. mediocre (adjective).

422
Q

meticulous

A

meticulous - (adjective) very careful with details. Repairing watches calls for a craftsperson who is patient and meticulous.

423
Q

tranquility

A

tranquility - (noun) freedom from disturbance or turmoil; calm. She moved from New York City to rural Vermont seeking the tranquility of country life. tranquil (adjective).

425
Q

evanescent

A

evanescent - (adjective) vanishing like a vapor; fragile and transient. As she walked by; the evanescent fragrance of her perfume reached me for just an instant.

426
Q

propriety

A

propriety - (noun) appropriateness. The principal questioned the propriety of the discussion the teacher had with her students about another instructor_s gambling addiction.

427
Q

contaminate

A

contaminate - (verb) to make impure. Chemicals dumped in a nearby forest had seeped into the soil and contaminated the local water supply. contamination (noun).

428
Q

expedite

A

expedite - (verb) to carry out promptly. As the flood waters rose; the governor ordered state agencies to expedite their rescue efforts.

429
Q

transitory

A

transitory - (adjective) quickly passing. Public moods tend to be transitory; people may be anxious and angry one month but relatively content and optimistic the next. transition (noun).

431
Q

mercurial

A

mercurial - (adjective) changing quickly and unpredictably. The mercurial personality of Robin Williams; with his many voices and styles; made him perfect for the role of the ever-changing genie in Aladdin.

432
Q

suppress

A

suppress - (verb) to put down or restrain. As soon as the unrest began; thousands of helmeted police were sent into the streets to suppress the riots. suppression (noun).

434
Q

effusive

A

effusive - (adjective) pouring forth one_s emotions very freely. Having won the Oscar for Best Actress; Sally Field gave an effusive acceptance speech in which she marveled; _You like me! You really like me!_ effusion (noun).

435
Q

amiable

A

amiable - (adjective) likable; agreeable; friendly. He was an amiable lab partner; always smiling; on time; and ready to work. amiability (noun).

436
Q

candor

A

candor - (noun) openness; honesty; frankness. In his memoir about the Vietnam War; former defense secretary McNamara described his mistakes with remarkable candor. candid (adjective).

437
Q

exuberant

A

exuberant - (adjective) wildly joyous and enthusiastic. As the final seconds of the game ticked away; the fans of the winning team began an exuberant celebration. exuberance (noun).

438
Q

discomfit

A

discomfit - (verb) to frustrate; thwart; or embarrass. Discomfited by the interviewer_s unexpected question; Peter could only stammer in reply. discomfiture (noun).

439
Q

maturation

A

maturation - (noun) the process of becoming fully grown or developed. Free markets in the former Communist nations are likely to operate smoothly only after a long period of maturation. mature (adjective and verb); maturity (noun).

440
Q

deduction

A

deduction - (noun) a logical conclusion; especially a specific conclusion based on general principles. Based on what is known about the effects of greenhouse gases on atmospheric temperature; scientists have made several deductions about the likelihood of global warming. deduce (verb).

441
Q

antagonism

A

antagonism - (noun) hostility; conflict; opposition. As more and more reporters investigated the Watergate scandal; antagonism between Nixon and the press increased. antagonistic (adjective); antagonize (verb).

442
Q

engender

A

engender - (verb) to produce; to cause. Countless disagreements over the proper use of national forests have engendered feelings of hostility between ranchers and environmentalists.

443
Q

modicum

A

modicum - (noun) a small amount. The plan for your new business is well designed; with a modicum of luck; you should be successful.

444
Q

responsive

A

responsive - (adjective) reacting quickly and appropriately. The new director of the Internal Revenue Service has promised to make the agency more responsive to public complaints. respond (verb); response (noun).

445
Q

buttress

A

buttress - (noun) something that supports or strengthens; a projecting structure of masonry or wood. The endorsement of the American Medical Association is a powerful buttress for the claims made about this new medicine. The buttress on the south wall of the Medieval castle was beginning to crumble. buttress (verb).

446
Q

decry

A

decry - (verb) to criticize or condemn. The workers continued to decry the lack of safety in their factory.

447
Q

enthrall

A

enthrall - (verb) to enchant or charm. The Swedish singer Jenny Lind enthralled American audiences in the nineteenth century with her beauty and talent.

447
Q

rancorous

A

rancorous - (adjective) expressing bitter hostility. Many Americans are disgusted by recent political campaigns; which seem more rancorous than ever before. rancor (noun).

448
Q

critique

A

critique - (noun) a critical evaluation. The editor gave a detailed critique of the manuscript; explaining its strengths and its weaknesses. critique (verb).

449
Q

circumvent

A

circumvent - (verb) to get around. When James was caught speeding; he tried to circumvent the law by offering the police officer a bribe.

450
Q

insolence

A

insolence - (noun) an attitude or behavior that is bold and disrespectful. Some feel that news reporters who shout questions at the president are behaving with insolence. insolent (adjective).

451
Q

invariable

A

invariable - (adjective) unchanging; constant. When writing a book; it was her invariable habit to rise at 6 a.m. and work at her desk from 7 to 12. invariability (noun).

453
Q

prepossessing

A

prepossessing - (adjective) attractive. Smart; lovely; and talented; she has all the prepossessing qualities that mark a potential movie star.

454
Q

dubious

A

dubious - (adjective) doubtful; uncertain. Despite the chairman_s attempts to convince the committee members that his plan would succeed; most of them remained dubious. dubiety (noun).

455
Q

discredit

A

discredit - (verb) to cause disbelief in the accuracy of some statement or the reliability of a person. Although many people still believe in UFOs; among scientists the reports of _alien encounters_ have been thoroughly discredited.

457
Q

tedium

A

tedium - (noun) boredom. For most people; watching the Weather Channel for 24 hours would be sheer tedium. tedious (adjective).

458
Q

abbreviate

A

abbreviate - (verb) to make briefer; to shorten. Because time was running out; the speaker had to abbreviate his remarks. abbreviation (noun).

459
Q

exculpate

A

exculpate - (verb) to free from blame or guilt. When someone else confessed to the crime; the previous suspect was exculpated. exculpation (noun); exculpatory (adjective).

460
Q

incriminate

A

incriminate - (verb) to give evidence of guilt. The fifth amendment to the Constitution says that no one is required to reveal information that would incriminate him or her in a crime. incriminating (adjective).

461
Q

servile

A

servile - (adjective) like a slave or servant; submissive. The tycoon demanded that his underlings behave in a servile manner; agreeing quickly with everything he said. servility (noun).

462
Q

diverge

A

diverge - (verb) to move in different directions. Frost_s poem The Road Less Traveled tells of the choice he made when _Two roads diverged in a yellow wood._ divergence (noun); divergent (adjective).

463
Q

fractious

A

fractious - (adjective) troublesome; unruly. Members of the British Parliament are often fractious; shouting insults and sarcastic questions during debates.

464
Q

delegate

A

delegate - (verb) to give authority or responsibility. The president delegated the vice president to represent the administration at the peace talks. delegate (noun).

465
Q

superficial

A

superficial - (adjective) on the surface only; without depth or substance. Her wound was superficial and required only a light bandage. His superficial attractiveness hides the fact that his personality is lifeless and his mind is dull. superficiality (noun).

466
Q

spurious

A

spurious - (adjective) false; fake. The so-called Piltdown Man; supposed to be the fossil of a primitive human; turned out to be spurious; although who created the hoax is still uncertain.

467
Q

disdain

A

disdain - (noun) contempt; scorn. The professor could not hide his disdain for those students who were perpetually late to his class. disdain (verb); disdainful (adjective).

468
Q

temperance

A

temperance - (noun) moderation or restraint in feelings and behavior. Most professional athletes practice temperance in their personal habits; too much eating or drinking; they know; can harm their performance. temperate (adjective).

469
Q

unheralded

A

unheralded - (adjective) little known; unexpected. In a year of big budget; much-hyped; mega-movies; this unheralded foreign film has surprised everyone with its popularity.

471
Q

oblivious

A

oblivious - (adjective) unaware; unconscious. Karen practiced her oboe with complete concentration; oblivious to the noise and activity around her. oblivion (noun); obliviousness (noun).

472
Q

lithe

A

lithe - (adjective) flexible and graceful. The ballet dancer was almost as lithe as a cat.

473
Q

impeccable

A

impeccable - (adjective) flawless. The crooks printed impeccable copies of the Super Bowl tickets; making it impossible to distinguish them from the real ones.

474
Q

inversion

A

inversion - (noun) a turning backwards; inside-out; or upside-down; a reversal. Latin poetry often features inversion of word order; for example; the first line of Virgil_s Aeneid: _Arms and the man I sing._ invert (verb); inverted (adjective).

475
Q

unyielding

A

unyielding - (adjective) firm; resolute; obdurate. Despite criticism; Cuomo was unyielding in his opposition to capital punishment; he vetoed several death penalty bills as governor.

476
Q

translucent

A

translucent - (adjective) letting some light pass through. Panels of translucent glass let daylight into the room while maintaining privacy.

477
Q

raze

A

raze - (verb) to completely destroy; demolish. The old Coliseum building will soon be razed to make room for a new hotel.

478
Q

affected

A

affected - (adjective) false; artificial. At one time; Japanese women were taught to speak in an affected high-pitched voice; which was thought girlishly attractive. affect (verb); affectation (noun).

479
Q

mollify

A

mollify - (verb) to soothe or calm; to appease. Samantha tried to mollify the angry customer by promising him a full refund.

480
Q

proficient

A

proficient - (adjective) skillful; adept. A proficient artist; Louise quickly and accurately sketched the scene. proficiency (noun).

481
Q

corrosive

A

corrosive - (adjective) eating away; gnawing; or destroying. Years of poverty and hard work had a corrosive effect on her beauty. corrode (verb); corrosion (noun).

482
Q

talisman

A

talisman - (noun) an object supposed to have magical effects or qualities. Superstitious people sometimes carry a rabbit_s foot; a lucky coin; or some other talisman.

483
Q

virtuoso

A

virtuoso - (noun) someone very skilled; especially in an art. Vladimir Horowitz was one of the great piano virtuosos of the twentieth century. virtuosity (noun).

484
Q

plastic

A

plastic - (adjective) able to be molded or reshaped. Because it is highly plastic; clay is an easy material for beginning sculptors to use.

485
Q

iconoclast

A

iconoclast - (noun) someone who attacks traditional beliefs or institutions. Comedian Stephen Colbert enjoys his reputation as an iconoclast; though people in power often resent his satirical jabs. iconoclasm (noun); iconoclastic (adjective).

486
Q

mediate

A

mediate - (verb) to act to reconcile differences between two parties. During the baseball strike; both the players and the club owners were willing to have the president mediate the dispute. mediation (noun).

487
Q

amicable

A

amicable - (adjective) friendly; peaceable. Although they agreed to divorce; their settlement was amicable and they remained friends afterward.

488
Q

querulous

A

querulous - (adjective) complaining; whining. The nursing home attendant needed a lot of patience to care for the three querulous; unpleasant residents on his floor.

489
Q

fortuitous

A

fortuitous - (adjective) lucky; fortunate. Although the mayor claimed credit for the falling crime rate; it was really caused by several fortuitous trends.

490
Q

eminent

A

eminent - (adjective) noteworthy; famous. Vaclav Havel was an eminent author before he was elected president of the Czech Republic. eminence (noun).

491
Q

acrimonious

A

acrimonious - (adjective) biting; harsh; caustic. The election campaign became acrimonious; as the candidates traded insults and accusations. acrimony (noun).

492
Q

audible

A

audible - (adjective) able to be heard. Although she whispered; her voice was picked up by the microphone; and her words were audible throughout the theater. audibility (noun).

493
Q

zealous

A

zealous - (adjective) filled with eagerness; fervor; or passion. A crowd of the candidate_s most zealous supporters greeted her at the airport with banners; signs; and a marching band. zeal (noun); zealot (noun); zealotry (noun).

494
Q

credulity

A

credulity - (noun) willingness to believe; even with little evidence. Con artists fool people by taking advantage of their credulity. credulous (adjective).

hspt 2 (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions