Intermediate Vocab Flashcards
Puerile
Childish. Remember that a child is pure so puerile is childish.
Histrionic
Overly dramatic. Remember that the history teacher was overly dramatic in her teaching
Unseemly
Improper.
Impertinent
Rude. Also having nothing to do with the subject
Artifice
Cunning. To deceive or take through trickery
Conciliate.
To make right or make peace with. Think consolation.
Nettlesome
Annoying. Think the nettle of needles being annoying to sit in.
Antic
Clown like. Grotesque or strange behavior.
Lacerate
To distress. Think a distressing cut.
Apothegm
A short saying. The apothecary had an apothegm. Be healthy, stay healthy.
Precarious
Dangerous. Or likely to be dangerous.
Think precaution
Machinate
To scheme.
Dispatch
To kill swiftly. Also to send out a person to do something. Or a thing sent out.
Nadir
Lowest point or situation. Think nada.
Sardonic
Mocking. Think sardo mocking an Italian.
Unpropitious
Not likely to be a favorable outcome.
Remember that propitious mean favorable.
Trite
Lacking originality. Remember trident being a common symbol.
Retiring
To be shy. Also to end a career.
Reprisal
Retaliating. Remember to retaliate in taking the prize.
Pecuniary
Relating to money.
Impecunious
Lacking money. Remember the weir petunia image.
Vitriolic
Harsh in tone. Remember the colic baby harsh in tone.
Subterfuge
Using deceit to hide or escape.
Gaffe
Social mistake.
Goofy makes a lot of gaffes.
Baleful
Threatening.
Remember the bale of hay being thrown on top of someone.
Imponderable
Difficult to asses. Difficult to ponder and assess the matter.
Exasperate
To annoy
Exacerbate
To make worse
Hobble
To hold back
Consummate
To be masterful or expert.
Ribald
Crude humor.
