Interesting Words 2 Flashcards
Fecundity
The ability to produce an abundance of offspring or new growth.
Profusion
An abundance or large quantity of something.
Bravura
Great technical skill and brilliance shown in a performance or activity.
Benighted
In a state of pitiful or contemptible intellectual or moral ignorance.
Squall
A sudden violent gust of wind or localised storm, especially one bringing rain, snow, or sleet.
Abject
(of something bad) Experienced or present to the maximum degree.
Convivial
(of an atmosphere or event) Friendly, lively and enjoyable.
Extricate
To free (someone or something) from a constraint of difficulty.
Prodigious
Remarkably or impressively great in extent, size or degree.
Nissen hut
One of those old WW2 semi-cylindrical sheds of corrugated iron.
Tussock grass
Grass that grows in clumps, forming small mounds.
Guacho
A skilled horsemen of Argentina or Uruguay.
Deleterious
Causing harm or damage.
Indomitable
Impossible to subdue or defeat.
Invidious
(of an action or situation) Likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others.
Reticent
Not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily.
Sacrosant
(especially of a principle, place or routine) Regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with.
Lee
The sheltered side of something: the side away from the wind.
Expedient
(of an action) Convenient and practical although possibly improper or immoral.
Paltry
(of an amount) Very small or meagre.
Countenance
A person’s face or facial expression.
Careworm
Tired and unhappy because of prolonged worry.
Hawser
A thick rope used for mooring a ship.
Swell waves
Regular, long period waves generated by distant weather systems.
To be made fast
Immovable.
Ice floe
Any type of ea ice not attached to land; drift ice.
Lamentation
The passionate expression or grief of sorrow; weeping.
Providential
Occurring at a favourable time; oppertune.
Alacrity
Brisk and cheerful readiness.
Laconic
(of a person, speech, or style of writing) Using very few words.
Menagerie
A collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition.
Menfolk
A group of men collectively, especially the men of a particular family or community.
Enigmatic
Difficult to interpret or to understand; mysterious.
Ambivalent
Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
Irksome
Irritating; annoying.
Ecstasy
An overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.
Feigned
Simulated or pretended; insincere.
Buttonhole
To attract the attention of and detain (someone) in conversation, typically against their will.
Perusal
The action of reading or examining something.
Especial
Better or greater than usual; special.
Eke
Make an amount or supply of something last longer by using it consuming it frugally.
Privation
A state in which food and other essentials for well-being are lacking.
Promontory
A high point of land or rock projecting into a body of water.
Vagary
An unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone’s behaviour.
Clairvoyant
A person who claims to have supernatural ability to perceive events in the future or beyond sensory contact.
Obviate
To remove (a need or difficulty).
Entreaty
An earnest of humble request.
Assiduous
Showing great care and perseverance.
Purloin
To steal (something).
Impetus
The force or energy with which a body moves.
